VZCZCXRO0704
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #2169/01 2370753
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 250753Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3177
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 1698
RUEHZS/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 002169 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MLS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV SOCI ECON PINR VM
SUBJECT: VIETNAMESE YOUTH FOCUSED ON ECONOMIC GAINS, UNCONVINCED NEW 
LEADERS WILL TACKLE CORRUPTION 
 
REF: A) HANOI 1245; B) HANOI 1580; C) HANOI 771 
 
HANOI 00002169  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
¶1. (SBU) While Vietnam's official Youth Union (YU) trumpets the new 
leadership's commitment to tackle corruption, most among Vietnam's 
young generation are unconvinced, disinterested or even angry.  This 
said, Vietnam's youth are pleased with economic gains and new 
freedoms brought by decades of reform, especially in recent years. 
The YU sees itself as an organization empowered to be a 
representative of all youth, not just its members.  As such it may 
come to play a role in the evolution toward a society with broader 
political participation.  End Summary. 
 
A Successful Transition 
----------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) On a number of occasions in July, Pol intern met with a 
high-level member of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union's (YU) 
Central Committee to discuss Vietnamese youth's reaction to the 
CPV's 10th Party Congress (Ref A) and the selection of the new GVN 
leadership (Ref B).  After explaining the role of the Congress and 
the National Assembly (NA), the YU official praised the smooth 
changeover, which highlights the "high democratic achievements of 
Vietnam."  The selection of Prime Minister (PM) Nguyen Tan Dzung, 
State President Nguyen Minh Triet and NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong 
brings "experience, youth and openness" to the Government.  Noting 
that business leaders can now apply for CPV membership, he also 
remarked that for the first time, self-nominated candidates were 
able to run for CPV Central Committee positions (although none were 
elected), which reflects a "significant change in mind-set about the 
role of the Government".  "The Party really represents the whole 
society now," the official added. 
 
¶3. (SBU) In discussions with academic researchers from the Ministry 
of Foreign Affairs' (MFA) Institute for International Relations 
(IIR) on August 8, an IIR professor echoed similar sentiments and 
stated that the vast majority of his students views the leadership 
change and new policies as "positive developments."  "Most of the 
young people support the new leadership because they think the best 
candidates were selected," he said.  Praising the new cabinet 
members, the professor especially commended the new Minister of 
Education and Training Nguyen Thien Nhan for his plans to overhaul 
the education system.  (Note:  Nhan is a former Fulbrighter.  End 
Note.)  Nhan's initial public statements indicate that his proposals 
will focus on combating academic dishonesty and ending "phony 
grading" practices, which hinder the credibility of Vietnam's higher 
education system.  "We finally see concrete actions by the 
Government," the IIR professor's research assistant added. 
 
Is Vietnam Dealing With Corruption Effectively? 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶4. (SBU) Asked about the youth perspective on the pervasiveness of 
corruption throughout the country, the YU official surprised us by 
responding that "corruption is already being dealt with."  He 
pointed to the dismissal of former Minister of Transportation Nguyen 
Viet Tien by the NA for his involvement in the PMU-18 scandal (Ref 
C) and asserted that the new PM is determined to continue reforming 
GVN bureaucratic procedures and has already inaugurated reforms to 
accomplish that objective.  "Regarding everyday corruption, it is 
normal that some people feel badly," he continued, but the YU 
believes that action must begin at the Party and State level "before 
dealing with other strata of society."  Nevertheless, the official 
recognized that "a few YU members" are unsatisfied about the slow 
pace of reforms. 
 
¶5. (SBU) The IIR professor maintained that the GVN now strongly 
encourages whistleblowing on corruption cases, many of which have 
been uncovered and exposed to the public by newspapers.  "This is 
unprecedented," he said, but remained vague about Vietnamese youth's 
real perception of the effectiveness of these measures.  In separate 
discussions, one Vietnamese student told Pol intern that he feels 
"very angry" about corruption and does not believe the situation 
will change significantly in the short term.  In informal contacts 
with Pol intern, well-educated, ambitious Hanoi college students 
appeared indifferent to political issues.  "We do not care very 
much," they invariably maintained.  Instead, their expectations have 
been focused on continued economic well-being, which the GVN has so 
far been able to deliver. 
 
More Political Participation 
---------------------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) The YU official also explained that YU members played an 
active role during the Party Congress and submitted various 
proposals on socio-economic issues, which were approved by the 
 
HANOI 00002169  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
Party.  He maintained that the close relationship between the YU and 
the CPV allows Party policies and resolutions to reflect young 
people's views.  Furthermore, regular meetings between YU and CPV 
leaders and the annual GVN-sponsored "Youth National Assembly" allow 
young Vietnamese to "speak out."  "There is a high degree of 
political participation, and the youth have many avenues to express 
their ideas," the official confidently asserted.  Likewise, the IIR 
professor's research assistant stated that IIR students often have 
"extensive policy debates," which contribute to policymaking.  While 
he acknowledged that special ties between the IIR and the MFA make 
these discussions significantly more substantive, he insisted that 
"in Vietnam, every student can contribute to policy." 
 
The Youth Have High Expectations... 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) On the subject of economic development, the YU official 
solemnly stated that "Vietnamese youth expect a lot" from the new 
PM.  He also asserted that, while the GVN's "Doi Moi" (renovation) 
policy has improved the livelihood of Vietnamese people, YU surveys 
show that youth throughout the country still want more economic 
opportunities, a more stable labor environment and a more efficient 
government.  With the "current momentum of the fight against 
corruption," new CPV and GVN leaders must enhance the effectiveness 
of Vietnam's institutions and address "all aspirations of the youth" 
by continuing Doi Moi.  For instance, since the NA now has more 
responsibilities, the YU expects the body to exercise a "better 
control" on all State agencies.  For example, at the National 
Assembly's public hearings on the appointments of the new GVN 
cabinet members, there were criticisms of the "incomplete" answers 
of some of the candidates, the YU official said.  The IIR professor 
stressed that since younger Vietnamese have not experienced life 
before Doi Moi, they will not endure hardship as easily as their 
parents; therefore, the GVN must continue to fulfill their economic 
expectations.  "The new generation is mainly interested in 
globalization and will not challenge the new leaders for now," the 
professor said. 
 
...And Is Optimistic About The Future 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶8. (SBU) Overall, YU members across the country are hopeful that the 
GVN will successfully speed up economic reforms.  (Note: With 5.6 
million members, the organization is the country's largest youth 
association and claims to represent all Vietnamese youth.  End 
Note.)  Explaining that the Party has laid down a road map for 
further development, the YU official insisted that new leaders will 
continue Vietnam's integration into the world economy.  "With the 
determination of the new PM, we will be able to achieve our 
objectives," he confidently asserted.  The IIR professor's research 
assistant was equally hopeful and restated that the new officials 
understand young people's perspectives and expectations.  "Changes 
will continue the right way...the future is promising," the 
assistant said. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶9. (SBU) Despite over-the-top praises sung by those linked to the 
GVN, it is clear that the average Vietnamese young adult does not 
view the GVN and CPV leadership changes in as positive a light. 
Indeed, with corruption still rampant throughout society and 
channels for political participation severely limited, students are 
understandably cynical about domestic politics and the government's 
campaign against corruption.  They share vague hopes for political 
reforms in the future, however, and we assess that interest in 
politics will increase when students come to believe they can make a 
difference.  To the extent that organizations like the YU see 
themselves as empowered to comment as "representatives" of a group 
of citizens, they may serve as stepping stones to wider debate.  The 
same is true for other official representative groups, such as the 
Women's Union.  End Comment. 
 
MARINE