Vietnam
Vietnam struggles to contain rapid resurgence of COVID-19
By Owen Howell, 3 August 2020
After three months of no confirmed cases, Vietnam is witnessing a nationwide spread of the virus due to a new outbreak in the city of Da Nang.
India: Punjab government teachers protest against privatisation; Sacked Sri Lankan government workers demonstrate; New Caledonia miners strike against long hours
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
15 February 2020
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
India: 10,000 Karnataka midday-meal workers strike indefinitely; Tahiti workers strike against Macron’s pensions “reforms”
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
8 February 2020
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Second summit between Trump and Kim collapses with no agreement
By Ben McGrath, 1 March 2019
Talks collapsed on the second day of the summit in Vietnam with the two sides failing to produce any tangible results.
Australian government rushes to deport Vietnamese refugees
By Max Newman, 3 September 2018
After a manhunt in a Queensland rainforest, 17 Vietnamese men were rounded up for deportation “at the first available opportunity.”
Vietnam: Ruling party’s anti-corruption purge continues
By John Roberts, 4 April 2018
As well as pursuing his factional opponents through the courts, General Secretary Trong has tightened his faction’s control of the state apparatus.
Aircraft carrier visit cements Vietnam’s alignment with Washington
By James Cogan, 10 March 2018
Vietnam’s strategic importance to US imperialism stems primarily from how it can be used against China.
Fifty years since the Tet Offensive
By Patrick Martin, 31 January 2018
The military assault marked a turning point in the Vietnam War, demonstrating the enduring power of the popular revolutionary struggle and crippling the Johnson administration.
Asia-Pacific trade bloc reshaped, without the US
By Mike Head, 25 January 2018
The “TPP 11” announcement points to the increasing isolation of the US, and the escalating tensions between the rival capitalist powers.
Trump sets out economic war in address to Asia-Pacific summit
By Nick Beams, 11 November 2017
In his diatribe, the US president cast aside the multilateral framework put in place by the United States itself in the aftermath of World War II.
Over 100 killed after typhoon batters Vietnam
By Kayla Costa, 10 November 2017
Typhoon Damrey, the biggest storm to have hit Vietnam in two decades, led to widespread suffering and the destruction of infrastructure.
The contradictions of Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s The Vietnam War
By Patrick Martin, 2 October 2017
The 18-hour documentary series on PBS combines gripping images of the US war, an exposure of the lies and crimes of the Johnson and Nixon administrations, and a narrative that seems intended to block any serious understanding of American imperialism.
Anthony Bourdain in Laos
A rare media examination of the US saturation bombing of Laos
By Walter Gilberti, 27 May 2017
Perhaps only a culinary celebrity can evade the wall of self-censorship in the American media to discuss a war crime committed by the US military.
Hanoi scales back Australian attempt to commemorate Vietnam War battle
By John Roberts and James Cogan, 24 August 2016
The actions of the Vietnamese authorities were greeted with arrogant indignation by the Australian government.
Obama appeals for closer US-Vietnamese ties
By Peter Symonds, 25 May 2016
In return for lifting the arms embargo, Obama undoubtedly extracted commitments from Hanoi to align more closely with Washington against Beijing.
US military returns to Vietnam
By Bill Van Auken, 24 May 2016
Obama’s lifting of the four-decade-old arms embargo is aimed at preparing new and even more bloody wars in Asia.
Obama seeks Vietnam military ties amid rising tensions with China
By Bill Van Auken, 23 May 2016
Part of the discussions in Hanoi will involve the pre-positioning of US military hardware at bases used four decades ago to wage war on the Vietnamese people.
Open leadership row at Vietnam’s ruling party congress
By John Roberts and Peter Symonds, 3 February 2016
While General Secretary Trong may be more cautious than his rival about embracing US imperialism, Vietnam’s leadership will continue the tilt to Washington.
Vietnam accelerates military build-up, plans for war
By John Braddock, 5 January 2016
Vietnam is preparing to enter an imperialist war as an accomplice of the United States against China.
Washington’s hypocritical denunciations of Chinese “land reclamation” in the South China Sea
By Oscar Grenfell, 14 July 2015
The outposts of Vietnam and other claimants in the region cover a far broader expanse than those of China.
Obama welcomes Vietnam’s Communist Party head
By Peter Symonds, 10 July 2015
Trong’s very presence in the White House sends a strong message regarding Hanoi’s closer ties to Washington, directed against Beijing.
War dangers in South China Sea continue to rise
By James Cogan, 20 June 2015
Military deployments are taking place in Asia that would be viewed in China as preparations for a potential provocation.
US defense secretary signs joint military statement with Hanoi
By Joseph Santolan, 2 June 2015
The move to co-produce weapons in Vietnam is aimed at curtailing Russian influence and fully enmeshing Hanoi in Washington’s imperial orbit.
Forty years since the fall of Saigon
By Bill Van Auken, 30 April 2015
Four decades after the Vietnamese people inflicted a historic defeat on US imperialism, the Hanoi government is aligning itself with Washington’s “pivot to Asia.”
Mass strike by Vietnamese shoe workers
By Ben McGrath, 6 April 2015
As many as 90,000 workers conducted a week-long strike against a government attack on their social insurance benefits.
Scaffolding collapse in Vietnam kills 13 workers
By Daniel Saul, 30 March 2015
Last week’s fatal accident was not the first disaster at FPG’s government-backed steel complex.
Vietnam backs Philippine case against Chinese maritime claims
By John Roberts, 30 December 2014
Hanoi rejected China’s claims in the South China Sea and called on the court to take Vietnam’s interests into consideration.
India and Vietnam build closer economic and military ties
By Sujeeva Amaranth, 14 November 2014
The recent trip by Vietnam’s prime minister to India is the second high-level visit in two months involving the two countries.
Washington partially lifts ban on the sale of lethal weapons to Vietnam
By Joseph Santolan, 3 October 2014
The announcement marks a significant escalation of Washington’s war drive against China.
India strengthens strategic ties with Vietnam
By John Roberts, 26 September 2014
The Indian and Vietnamese presidents issued a joint statement on the need for security in the South China Sea that was clearly aimed against China.
Top US general suggests lifting ban on arms sales to Vietnam
By John Roberts, 25 August 2014
Ending or easing the US ban on arms sales would be a significant further step in closer US ties with the Vietnamese regime—directed against China.
China-Vietnam talks fail to end tensions over oil rig
By Ben McGrath, 24 June 2014
As part of its “pivot to Asia,” the US has deliberately stoked territorial disputes between China and its neighbours, including Vietnam.
Anti-Chinese protests erupt in Vietnam’s industrial zones
By Peter Symonds, 16 May 2014
The protests follow Hanoi’s xenophobic campaign against a Chinese oil rig in disputed waters in the South China Sea.
Vietnam and Philippines escalate maritime disputes with China
By Mike Head, 13 May 2014
Continuing clashes between Vietnamese and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea highlight the potential for a wider conflict.
India signals support for Vietnam in South China Sea dispute
By Deepal Jayasekera, 13 May 2014
India’s support may be cautiously-worded, but it is inflammatory under conditions where Washington has been encouraging the states of East Asia to press their territorial claims against Beijing.
Tensions flare between China and Vietnam in South China Sea
By Peter Symonds, 8 May 2014
The positioning of a Chinese oil rig in disputed waters has been the immediate trigger for a confrontation between Vietnamese and Chinese vessels.
Chinese premier visits Vietnam
By John Roberts, 28 October 2013
The trip was part of a diplomatic offensive by the Chinese leadership in South East Asia aimed at countering the US “pivot to Asia.”
Vo Nguyen Giap (1911-2013)
Military leader of Vietnamese anti-colonial struggle
By Patrick Martin, 15 October 2013
Giap led Vietnamese nationalist revolutionary forces in military conflicts with French, Japanese and American imperialism.
Vietnam’s president visits White House
By John Roberts, 30 July 2013
President Obama and Vietnamese President Sang are forging closer economic and military ties, directed against China.
Clinton stirs tensions with China ahead of ASEAN summit
By Peter Symonds, 12 July 2012
Every aspect of Clinton’s trip to Asia has focussed on strengthening Washington’s ties in the region at Beijing’s expense.
Vietnam’s maritime claim provokes standoff with China
By John Chan, 28 June 2012
Vietnam, encouraged by US backing, has fuelled tensions with China over disputed territories in the South China Sea.
US defence secretary increases military ties with Vietnam
By Joseph Santolan, 5 June 2012
The talks over the deployment of US ships in Vietnamese waters and the sale of weaponry are part of Washington’s escalating confrontation with China.
South China Sea disputes heighten danger of conflict
By Joseph Santolan, 15 June 2011
Tensions have intensified as Vietnam and the Philippines, tacitly backed by the US, assert their claims in the contested waters of the South China Sea.
Gates outlines aggressive agenda for US imperialism in Asia
By Joseph Santolan, 7 June 2011
The US Defense Secretary’s speech came amid rapidly mounting tensions between China and other claimants to the South China Sea.
Chinese patrol boats confront Vietnamese oil exploration ship in South China Sea
By Joseph Santolan, 31 May 2011
Tensions are being fuelled by the US backing of Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries to contest China’s activities in a strategically sensitive region that has vast oil and gas reserves.
Workers buried alive in Vietnamese quarry disaster
By Wasantha Rupasingha, 12 April 2011
Despite official displays of concern, hundreds of quarries are permitted to operate in Vietnam without proper safety measures.
Inflation fuels social unrest in Vietnam
By Wasantha Rupasingha, 21 March 2011
In the first two months of this year, more than 20 strikes have been reported, triggered by surging prices.
Vietnamese Communist Party opens its arms to the capitalist elite
By Wasantha Rupasingha, 10 February 2011
Little more than 35 years after the military victory over US imperialism in 1975, the Vietnamese Communist Party declared at its 11th congress that it will open up party membership to the country’s emerging business elite.
Rising work-related deaths and diseases in Vietnam
By Wasantha Rupasingha, 21 January 2011
The basic reason for the death and injury toll is the regime’s embrace of the freewheeling capitalist exploitation of workers and the rural poor by foreign and local investors.
US forges closer military ties with Vietnam
By Peter Symonds, 26 August 2010
The Obama administration has taken several steps to boost its military relationship with Vietnam as part of a broader strategy aimed undermining Chinese influence in East Asia.
US-Vietnam nuclear talks heighten frictions with China
By Peter Symonds, 9 August 2010
Nuclear negotiations between the US and Vietnam are another sign that the Obama administration is engaged in an aggressive strategy of countering Chinese influence in Asia.
Vietnamese economy hit by global crisis
By John Braddock, 12 October 2009
According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Vietnam’s year-on-year economic growth slowed to 3.9 percent in the first half of 2009, down from 6.2 percent in 2008 and 8.5 percent in 2007, as the global recession slowed exports and investment.
ASEAN summit: amid talk of cooperation, economic rivalry on the rise
By John Chan, 5 March 2009
The annual summit of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Bangkok last weekend followed what is becoming a familiar pattern at top-level international gatherings. Amid a sharp downturn in all 10 member states, ASEAN leaders pledged themselves to economic cooperation and free trade, even as they resort to protectionist measures.
Row over Internet "war plans" highlights China-Vietnam tensions
By John Chan, 22 September 2008
Relations between Vietnam and China deteriorated over the past fortnight after Hanoi formally protested at online discussions in China about a war with Vietnam. While only a small layer of Chinese nationalist fanatics made the web postings, the incident underscores the ongoing tensions between the two countries.
McCain in Vietnam: the ugly face of American imperialism
By Patrick Martin, 3 May 2000
The twenty-fifth anniversary of victory of the National Liberation Front in Vietnam was marked by parades and official ceremonies in Ho Chi Minh City and elsewhere in the country, and by a flood of media commentary in the United States, where the historic defeat of American imperialism by the Vietnamese people still rankles in US ruling circles.
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