Former refugee returns to Vietnam as U.S. commander

While it still accuses those who campaign for democracy of being “hostile forces,” Hanoi is granting more and more rights to other overseas Vietnamese, including property ownership, visa exemptions and dual nationality.

This increasing recognition of the Viet Kieu has gone hand-in-hand with the warming of relations with the United States.

Washington lifted its economic embargo in 1994, a year before the normalization of relations with its old foe.

Since then, the United States has become the number one market for Vietnamese exports. And, as the Vietnamese worry about Beijing's territorial ambitions in the South China Sea, U.S. naval ships are more regular visitors to the communist country.

“The U.S. and Vietnam have a growing friendship, and this visit is a tangible symbol of that,” the commander said Saturday.

During their few days' stopover in the region he hopes to visit relations who remained in Hue.

Official programs are also planned for his crew and those of the flagship U.S.S. Blue Ridge, which took part in the evacuation of Saigon in 1975.

Despite the media enthusiasm, a diplomatic false note disturbed the start of their visit on Saturday.

Angry at not seeing their national flag flying from the mast of the American flagship, some Vietnamese officials started to boycott the reception ceremony. Things did not return to order until the red flag with a yellow star was hoisted.

Despite the hiccup, Hung said he hoped to see military cooperation between the former enemies.

“I hope there will be some military-to-military engagement and exercise in the future,” the commander said.

“That would help the regional stability in this part of the world and that would better develop our mutual understanding of each other's capabilities and how to operate with one another.”

He said returning to Vietnam was something he had thought about over the years.

“It is deeply moving for me to be standing here, representing my country — the United States of America — but also acutely aware that Vietnam — its culture, its people, and its traditions —has played such an important role in my life,” he said.

The commander said he would like to return as an ordinary citizen.

“I don't know when that would be but I certainly would like to make a trip here.”

1|2

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email