Hearts, Minds and Souls - Vietnam

November 2004
Vietnam's rulers claim they are fighting a new American invasion -- evangelical missionaries determined to convert the masses to American values.

Thirty years after defeating America on the battlefield, Vietnam's communist leaders now rely on US investment. But the introduction of western ideologies, like freedom of religion, is eroding their authority. The biggest perceived danger comes from evangelical Protestantism. "Religion is seen as a tool to interrupt and even overthrow the communist system," explains one American missionary. Christians are beaten and jailed and the scale of religious persecution is increasing. Dr Quang is one of Vietnam's most popular Protestant leaders. Three months ago, he was arrested and charged with crimes against the state. "The government is worried about him because he is a leader in his community and people could rally behind him," his wife explains. Could American ideologies achieve what its military power never could?

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[subedei29]

Please tientienlao my history department in England would love the sources that prove Russia alone attempted to start WW3. You seem to indicate you know history but then wonder why north attacked the south, please do your country a favour and actually learn history if you intend to comment and argue your case.

[subedei29]

ya well done your work in Mai Lai was great! your napalm that killed so many women and children spectacular! the way your treated your ally in the south like animals truly great!

[gasper47]

saigon?!?! what decade are you living in you stupid brit...its not called saigon because you wish it was still called that, ho chi minh city

[RepublicAgent]

@troytblevins

Irrelevant.

[thangco11]

@subedei29 communism is obsolete in russia,europe, and soon will be china,VN, HOCHIMINH(REAL name nguyen luu manh) insisted that commie had to attack S.VN US tried to help a victim but the thug keep attacking(like jihad)WIKIPEDIA will give full info,commie is to blame for the waste of blood and slow economy-4DECADES now VN need help from the capitalist countries(tourist from US are celebrated)

[leojdroffaws3]

@finecool1 no fuck you ! you third world primative screwhead .now fuck off before i burn your little bambo hut

[troytblevins]

VIETNAM DID NOT DEFEAT AMERICA ON THE BATTLE FIELD DUMMY.

[finecool1]

@masterchiefer123

shut up faggot, USA sucks balls. Agent Orange, raping women and children, My lai massacre, and countless war crimes, fuck the USA the number 1 terrorist country

[masterchiefer123]

geez vietnam WHAT a great nation yeah so great all that freedom jesus it blows my mind. communist scum wow what freedom jesus christ

[sangief17]

fuck USA for using agent orange to those vietnamese people!!~ thats too wrong!~

thats not right

[usnavysss]

WTF defeated!? no we withdrew because are president was a pussy.

[DaftStrings]

I just hope the missonaries aren't turning Vietamese Christians into another backwards force in the world.