A Review and Recommendations on US-Vietnam Policy

Congressman Ed Royce,
Congressman Joseph Cao,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

For the last 65 years, the United States and Vietnam have entangled in a complicated relationship that, to this date, still has a significant impact on the course of events for both countries. Beginning during World War II, the United States recognized the strategic importance of Vietnam in the fight against Japanese forces. That recognition started a long involvement in Vietnam by the United States that altered the course of history for both countries.

Over time, this relationship has changed significantly but the strategic importance of Vietnam has not changed for many reasons. First, Vietnam occupies a geographical location that exerts control over vital sea-lanes in Southeast Asia. Coupled with the deep-water port of Cam Ranh, this control can have important implications for both commercial as well as security interests in the region.

Second, with a vibrant population of 85 millions hard working people, more than half under the age of 35, and abundant natural resources including oil, Vietnam is both an important consumer market as well as a lucrative investment option. Third, being the second most populous member country of ASEAN, together with an economy full of potential and an important location, Vietnam can be a stabilizing force for both ASEAN and the region against any threat of aggression particularly from China.

For these reasons, the country of Vietnam has been a key player in Southeast Asia. The United States should continue to recognize this importance and invest in a mutually benefitting relationship between the two countries. However, it is critical that the United States must distinguish between relationships with the people of Vietnam versus a relationship with the government of Vietnam.

The basis for this distinction is the fact that the current government of Vietnam is not a democratically elected government, and thus does not truly represent the people of Vietnam. Vietnam is currently a one-party dictatorship where political freedom does not exist and human rights are systematically violated. We all know that dictatorship is also the breeding ground for major problems such as corruption and brutalities, problems that we see happening right now in Vietnam. On top of that, being one of the last remaining few communist states, the government of Vietnam is closely aligned with and under heavy influence by the communist regime in China, whose aggression constantly threatens regional peace and stability.

Thus, a mutually benefitting relationship for the people of our two countries can only be realized when Vietnam becomes a democracy. The people of Vietnam want and deserve a democracy, and we are fighting for it. It is also in the long-term interest of the United Stated that Vietnam becomes a democracy. A democratic Vietnam will be a much more reliable partner on all fronts. Not only that, a victory for democracy in Vietnam will have a tremendous impact on political openness and respect for human rights throughout the region.

And right now, perhaps in the last 15 years, we are facing the best opportunity yet due to two important developments: a surge in social discontent and an emboldened challenge to one-party rule. First, due to pervasive corruption, social discontent has risen to an unprecedented level. This is shown by widespread protests by farmers and labor unrest. Workers have walked out by the thousands in hundred of strikes each year, and farmers staged weeklong, sometimes month long, protests to demand fair compensation for land lost to corrupt officials.

Recently, scientists, scholars, veterans and ordinary citizens are all waging a campaign against the government’s decision allowing China to mine bauxite at numerous locations inside Vietnam. This decision has severe impact on the environment and public health, resulting in an outcry of anger and resentment throughout the country. The general population sees this as a clear sign of leadership kowtowing to China’s interests without any regard to their own citizens. Never before has the level of frustration and discontent reached this level.

On the political front, the democracy movement in Vietnam today is similar to Czechoslovakia during the 70’s and Poland in the 80’s. For the first time, the movement no longer consists of individuals but organized groups with increasing popular support. Since 2006, dozens of political parties and grassroots organizations have sprung up to challenge one-party rule. Although the government retaliated by unleashing the worst crackdown in the last 20 years but these groups are still hanging on and building coalitions from both overseas and inside Vietnam.

It is clear that what is happening in Vietnam is very unusual and significant. After more than 60 years in power, for the first time, the Vietnamese Communist Party is facing numerous and unprecedented challenges to its rule. The desire for real changes in Vietnam is stronger now than ever before. This presents us with a good opportunity to push forward for political freedom and ultimately democratic rule. From our end, the Vietnamese democracy movement is moving quickly to seize this opportunity and mobilize our people to wage a non-violent struggle that can bring down this dictatorship.

For the United States, the choice for American policy is not whether to isolate or engage Vietnam, but how to pursue the bilateral relationship in the most constructive way. More specifically, I propose that American policy toward Vietnam should consist of three key components:

1. Support for human rights

This requires exerting and maintaining constant pressure on the Vietnamese government by speaking out on human rights abuses in Vietnam, approving legislations such as the Vietnam Human Rights Act, pressuring for the release of all imprisoned political prisoners, and putting the Vietnamese government back on the CPC list. In addition, human rights dialogue and economic cooperation should also be viewed as instruments to gain concrete human rights improvement in Vietnam.

2. Support democratic change

The United States can help to facilitate democratic change by supporting freedom of information through internet freedom legislation, and by making sure internet service providers will not yield to the Vietnamese government’s pressure to limit access to the internet or to collaborate in cracking down on cyber activists. More importantly, the United States should directly engage democratic groups and dissidents, as President George W. Bush has once said, “Today’s dissidents are tomorrow’s democratic leaders.”

3. Support building a civil society

This is extremely critical in helping to empower the Vietnamese people while providing the foundation upon which a long lasting democracy can be achieved. The United States should support the work of independent NGOs, collaborating with grassroots organizations inside Vietnam, promote legal reform, and pressuring for the fundamental rights of public assembly and freedom of association.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

April 30th, 1975 marked the end of the Vietnam War for America and for the world. However, for the Vietnamese people, that day marks the beginning of a long journey through corruption, abuse, social injustice, human rights violation, and depravation of freedom. But after 34 years of continuous persecution and a brutal reign of terror, the democracy movement in Vietnam refuses to fade away. Instead, it has returned with more determination and strength than ever before. It is no longer the question of if democracy will triumph in Vietnam, but when.

A free, democratic Vietnam that adheres to standards and norms of the civilized world is in the best interest not just of the Vietnamese people but also America and the world. The blood of more than 58 thousands American sons and daughters was spilled in the defense of freedom and democracy for the Vietnamese people. For that, our people are forever indebted to you. And for that, we want to repay by fulfilling their sacrifice, by giving the Vietnamese people a chance to live freely with dignity. Let us fight together one more time in this last battle for justice, freedom and democracy in Vietnam.