Modern Asia Research Essay: Lasting Effect of The Fall of Saigon
Over two million people died during the exhaustive Vietnam War. It was a twenty year long struggle that ended in 1975 with the Fall of Saigon. This significant event was sparked by the Northern Viet Cong launching a major offensive against the Southern forces in 1975 due to the prior withdrawal of American troops from South Vietnam. Afterwhich, under communist leader Ho Chi Minh, a one party socialist republic was established which rules the country to this day. Thousands of South Vietnamese fled to America, many of which still reside in the country in the modern age. Therefore, the Fall of Saigon, caused the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to govern the country, establishing oppressive policies, as well as allowing for impressive economic growth, and causing a large influx of Vietnamese immigrants into America.
Firstly, the Vietnamese government commits several acts of civil, political, and social oppression. For example, on November 17, 2006, “Nguyen Tuong Thuy, 72”, was “harassed, intimidated, assaulted, and …detained”, as well as subject to house arrest and sentenced to eleven years in prison on the charge of “making, storing, disseminating, and propagandizing” (Associated Press). Not only does this show the sheer level of severity that the government enforces, but it also portrays the invasion of privacy the government puts in place. In using such invasive surveillance to eliminate potential threats to the government, the society is taking away the peoples’ right of free press. The treatment of the elderly Nguyen Tuong Thuy is unfortunately common for many political and social activists, and is one of the effects of the communist government taking power. However, this government would never have been in power if the Fall of Saigon had never occurred, allowing for the oppressive Communist government to take hold in the country. This ruthlessness to deter any opposition has been further illustrated by the fact that the government, “subject believers and religious freedom advocates to long-term imprisonment”, resulting in reports of, “deteriorating health as a result of ongoing abuse and mistreatment in prison” (USCIRF). Therefore, not only does the government disregard the religious freedom of its people, it also imprisons them in harsh, unbearable conditions which shows the lack of willingness to allow for people’s human rights. The government enforces only certain approved religions with which its citizens may follow, and harshly punishes those who do not follow the strict regulations. These policies were put in place by the current government in charge of Vietnam, and the government, in turn, only obtained power as a direct result of the Fall of Saigon. Finally, more than 170 rights activists have been detained within the country on the charge of defiling the harmony of society by simply exercising the human right of speech (H.R.3001). This shows that the government is restricting activist groups in the country from obtaining change in society. This is a horrific violation of people’s right to free partition. These restrictions were put into place by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, which was only able to come to power because of the Fall of Saigon. Therefore, the one hundred seventy arrested individuals were simply victims of the lasting effects of this significant event. Thus, the Fall of Saigon has indirectly caused the oppressive suppression of thousands of peoples’ basic freedoms and human rights.
However, this oppression by the government which was a result of the Fall of Saigon, has also aided to the dramatic improvement of Vietnam’s economy. This is exhibited by the fact that the Vietnamese working class has greatly expanded after the communist party has taken control (Huong). Therefore, the same extreme control over the people that violates many human rights for freedom also allows for the government to positively influence and monitor the working class. This rapid increase in the working class allows the country to expand its economy, as well as explore other unexploited areas of the international market. All of these changes were a by-product of the Fall of Saigon as it put the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to govern the country and in turn, boost the economy. This is further demonstrated in Vietnam’s impressive economic growth rate of seven percent a year, one of the highest growth rates in the entire world (Vietnam economic review). This economic increase is directly monitored by the Communist party in charge of the country. Due to how Marxist-Leninism affects and controls every aspect of society, the government is able to directly monitor, and influence this growth. Therefore, the massive rise in the economy can be attributed to the government’s efforts. However, this controlling form of government would never have been possible if the Fall of Saigon had not occurred, putting the northern Viet Cong in control of the then decentralized country. Lastly, even though once enemies, America and Vietnam have now become strong trade partners, the two countries exchanging thirty-five billion dollars worth of goods in 2014 alone (Devlin). This shows that the Communist party, which was put in power as a direct result of the Fall of Saigon, is able to forgive a former enemy in exchange for growth in economy. This also illustrates the modern government’s willingness to accept foreign trade which not only boosts the economy, but foreign relationships as well. These relationships can then be used to further strengthen and grow the economy in the future. Therefore, though communism has had devastating effects on its people’s freedoms, the country as a whole has shown considerable growth economically under a Communist regime.
Yet of the diaspora of thousands who escaped this oppressive regime, many chose to immigrate to America where the South Vietnamese spread Vietnamese culture, contribute to America’s already massive economy, and, unfortunately, struggle with cultural identity. For example, “Chau Dang-Haller, 46”, once a refugee among thousands, established “a restaurant empire”, selling “nem nuong cuon — grilled pork spring rolls” in order to survive (Trinh). This evidently portrays cultural diffusion that naturally occurs with the displacement of thousands of people in 1975 as a direct result of the Fall of Saigon. Furthermore, it shows that a silver lining of this significant event is the enlightenment of many Americans of Vietnamese cuisine and culture. Furthermore, Vietnamese immigrants predominantly work in “service occupations (33 percent [of total Vietnamese immigrants])” (Harjanto). These roles all contribute to the benefit of America’s society. Furthermore, many service occupations are generally understaffed due to the grueling labor. However, they are essential, and by working in those areas, the Vietnamese immigrants are allowing for the better maintenance of America as a whole. This influx of the working class was mainly caused by the significant Fall of Saigon. Lastly, many second and third generation Vietnamese struggle with cultural conflict (Vietnamese immigration). Growing up in a culturally Vietnamese household within a severely contrasting American society is the main root of this conflict. However, this crisis is a result of the Fall of Saigon displacing thousands. If the event had not occurred, then such individuals would have most likely resided in Vietnam, completely fitting in with the society. To summarize, the Fall of Saigon has had the lasting impact of spreading Vietnamese culture, adding to America’s economy, and resulting in many struggling with one’s cultural identity.
In conclusion, the Fall of Saigon resulted in the restriction of many basic aspects of freedom in society, the rapid growth of Vietnam’s economic power, and a group of thousands of displaced peoples. This has been demonstrated by extremely oppressive treatment of peoples’ human rights, growing international economical relevance, and the effects of cultural diffusion. Therefore, one could say that all two million lives that fought in the controversial Vietnam War gave rise to a variety of both good and bad effects, standing as a lasting result of the significant impact of war.