Got an ask on my Tumblr:
spoiler
Hihi! I'm the person from the replies and I wanted to thank you for your thoughtful response (not everyone is so kind!)
I found all of that really interesting and I just wanted to ask your opinion on a certain situation, if that's okay.
Recently I went to Vietnam - spending time in cities both in the South and the North. I had a wonderful time and was BLOWN AWAY but their resilience and the strength of their communism. Hardly any advertisments, hardly any big fast food chains - beautiful murals of communist ideals - I could go on and on.
But as an American, even a black one, I understood the sickening disparity in the dong and dollar, and other things caused by the US's cruelty.
But to my surprise, many of them seemed warm to Americans, very warm. And if anything, they spoke worse about their history/relations with the Chinese (colonization) more than .. you know the numerous atrocities!! committed by the US - or even their history with the French.
I was confused about a society that is very clearly communist, and strong in those morals, could have more hostility towards another communist country, - one of (if not) the most powerful communist country, in the world - given everything.
What do you think? Even now, Vietnam is strengthening relations with the US.. yet when I was there, they didn't seem interested in incorporating capitalism or American culture any time soon - unlike say Thailand.
So what else could it be driving this involvement with the US? I was so dazzled with their history and strength within communism, that I kind of see them as a leading example of the thought system in the modern world.
Once again, thank you for your time and kindness. I know disagreements on this site can often get weird, but even if I don't agree, I think your replies spawn conversation and thought that needs to be had in the modern day - which is the point in all this.
Have a good day or night!
And honestly, I have not a clue. Does anybody know how to answer this?
I will be giving anonymous credit to anyone helping me with this, unless you'd like explicit credit, but I know most everyone here values their anonymity.
I'd point you to Luna Oi, who is Vietnamese and frequently talks about the country, it's socialism, and how Western media lies about it.
Here is one recent video about the geopolitics behind Vietnam's relations with the US vs. it's relations with China. Here are her tweets where she first discussed the issue, before making the video.
Another video debunks the common notion propagated in Western press that Vietnamese people love capitalism. And the original tweets from before she made the video.
Xi Jinping also visited Vietnam, but that didn't get the attention that Biden's visit did. Before that, the Vietnamese PM also went to China. And before that, the General Secretary of the CPV visited China and was presented with the Friendship Medal of China, the highest order of honor it bestows on foreigners.
Will watch before answering!
I found YouTube links in your comment. Here are links to the same videos on alternative frontends that protect your privacy:
Link 1:
Link 2: