EARL'S WORLD----16

EARL'S WORLD--16
The Vietnam Experience

One travel guide book says that Vietnam is the most intoxicating place on earth. Maybe that is the way to begin this saga because it impacts all ones emotions and you are well "spent" as you depart this country.
There was much history and turmoil here long before it bacame a contentious issue for the United States.
America's interest was the threat to critical natural resourses, oil, tungsten, manganese and the preservation of democracy in countries of South East Asia. America exerted it's inflences in Vietnam for 25 years and during the terms of six presidents. It began by our supplying military advisors and weapons. Later our role escalated as we sent in ground troops and air support. By the time the war ended 58,000 American troops, and 3 million Vietnam soldiers and civilians were killed. After the massive resistance to the war at home the war ended with the Paris Peace Accord in January, 1973.
The United States never declared war on Vietnam.
With the country in disarray 200,000 "boat" people left South Vietnam for other countries. With the countryside poisoned and covered with land mines, the economy dysfunctional, with the people in dispair and bitter, there was peace but the struggle was not over.
In 1976 the country was offically reunited as one Vietnam under control of the communist party. Ho Chi Minh was president and conflicts with China and Cambodia presisted for a decade. Russia with drew it's influence as Gorbachev was reconstructing that country with Glassnot, openness. After 1989 Vietnam followed Russia and adopted a new policy of openness to counter serious economic depression. This action began a recovery that resulted in the modernization and economic growth we see today. President Bill Clinton established full diplomatic relations with the country. Tourism is on the increase, the country is a member of the United Nations, and the World Trade Organization.
Two thirds of the citizens of Vietnam was born since the American War.