From Rune Skou Larsen, on Mon, 20 Apr 1998 15:42:24 GMT (in response to: Do war era pictures interest Vietnamese today?)
No, the young Vietnamese aren't interested in the war anymore. In fact it's my opinion that most now look up to the USA and are trying to make a society like their impression of the US The impression is idealized and far from the truth, containing visions of unbound riches and bright futures for everybody. They want to gain a higher level of material living standard, which I find quite understandable, looking at their present state. Some are satisfied with the communist ruling and some are not. I met a guy whose father had been in a high position in the South Vietnamese army. He told me he was in a desperate situation, because he had been blacklisted by the officials (because of his fathers deeds) and now couldn't get a job. He was well educated, but nobody would hire him. I'm not sure if its absolutely true, I thought that the communist authorities was to lazy to keep a black list like that. Despite the horrors of the war most Vietnamese have the ability to look forward and the will to create a better futeure. If the governmental authorithies believed in the judging power of their people and gave some more space for freedom of mind Vietnam could be a better place.
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