If the South Vietnam/United States/South Korea coalition had beaten the North Vietnam/Soviet Union/Red China/North Korea coalition, it would be a much nicer, safer place to live.
Instead, it's a backward wasteland ruled by bandits that's barely - barely - starting to get its shit together.
We must be in two different Vietnams. Sure, there's a lot of poverty here, but I feel a lot safer here than I do almost anywhere in the U.S. Friendly people, fantastic food and the tremendous natural beauty of the country make me happier to be here than anywhere else in the world. I have no idea where exactly I'd find this backward wasteland you describe.
No doubt Vietnam would be further along in its development if the West had just left it alone to develop at its own pace, but I think it's clear where the blame lies for that.
No doubt Vietnam would be further along in its development if the West had just left it alone to develop at its own pace, but I think it's clear where the blame lies for that.
We must be in two different Vietnams. Sure, there's a lot of poverty here, but I feel a lot safer here than I do almost anywhere in the U.S. Friendly people, fantastic food and the tremendous natural beauty of the country make me happier to be here than anywhere else in the world. I have no idea where exactly I'd find this backward wasteland you describe.
No doubt Vietnam would be further along in its development if the West had just left it alone to develop at its own pace, but I think it's clear where the blame lies for that.