Called "Vietkieu," a literal translation of overseas Vietnamese, the phrase is completely without any clandestine, cunning, derogatory or evil connotation. Overseas Vietnamese are of critical importance, and are recognized as such both by the State and by foreign investors.

The position of the State is that Vietkieu represent an important National resource and treasure for all the people of Vietnam. There is a separate ministry-level office established to handle opportunities and problems of Vietkieu. Many intelligent and highly skilled Vietkieu have returned to Vietnam. Some seek to resettle as citizens of Vietnam. Elder Vietkieu desire to acquire retirement homes in their native land. Others want to live and work as permanent residents. Many more simply wish to accept overseas assignments in Vietnam from foreign companies in order to re-establish cultural and family ties to the country of their birth, and work at high levels to advance their careers.

Vietkieu have been appointed to key management positions in large, foreign companies that have opened important offices here. Others have taken a lead position in developing, with the aid of their local relatives, small and medium business enterprises, often with a capitalization of less than one million dollars. Vietkieu are thus able to open and manage mini hotels, restaurants, beauty parlors, tailor shops, laundry facilities and similar enterprises closed to other foreigners.



In addition, Vietkieu have for decades, sent hard currency to help support their families in Vietnam. A US$5,000 donation can pay the entire cost for a local family to accomplish all of the following: redecorate their home; upgrade the electricity and purchase an air conditioner, refrigerator, washing machine, and color television; install a telephone line and a phone; purchase or restore a 50cc motor bike and a Honda Dream; and purchase copy-designer clothes for the family. There may still be money left over to send children to high school, or even the best university that costs approximately US$100 per quarter.

To appreciate the differing monetary values in Vietnam, most Vietnamese own the use of their own house or apartment. In Hanoi or HCMC, a family will pay $5-$10 in tax each month for a 1,000 square foot, 6 room apartment or house. In the outlying provinces, the tax for land use right owners is less than $1 per month. Domestic transients, or young folks breaking tradition and living on their own, may rent the same space in HCMC or Hanoi for between $50 and $100 per month. In the provinces, the cost can be under $20 a month.

In contrast, in the early and mid 1990s a typical foreigner spent upwards of US$6,000 each month to rent a moderate (by US standards) 4,000 square foot house on a 1/3 acre plot of ground. Office rental then cost another $5,000 per month. Is it any wonder that foreigners are universally thought of as wealthy?

In the late 1990s and into 2000, with a glut on housing and offices with a slow down in regional investment, prices are substantially lower. The villa can now be rented for under $1,000 a month while luxury high-rise apartments once seeking $12,000 monthly are "down" to under $2,000.

While the "dual price" system is officially over, most government and private enterprises still charge all foreigners multiples of the cost for the same product to domestic Vietnamese.

Consider too the cost of entertainment packages. Domestic Vietnamese drive around for a few hours on their motorbikes or bicycles. If they stop at all, it is to pick up a new friend. Occasionally they may have coffee at a local stand and spend about 20 cents for a cup. If they eat out, it is a rarity. A street-restaurant meal of meat, rice and vegetables, with a glass of ice tea, can cost as little as 50 cents. A night at a karaoke shop amounts to an hour or two charged at $4 the hour.

Foreigners seek out golf ($50 grass fees), tennis ($10 an hour) and restaurant dining (up to $40 per person). A night out will include a disco (up to $10 entry) and drinks there or at a local pub ($4 each).

An urban domestic Vietnamese family feeds a family of 6 for one week, all they can eat (a lot), for $35.



The average (2000) monthly income for a domestic, city wage-earner in a Vietnamese company is under US$50. In the country (provinces) the monthly wages are less than $20. The minimum wage for all city workers in a foreign-invested business is $45 per month. A local Vietnamese hired by a foreign company in a city position will earn from $100 - $200 for clerical work. It tops at $2,000 for a senior manager. In contrast, a mid-level manager of an American business will receive a typical expatriate package that will cost his employer (for income, benefits and services) upwards of $300,000 for one year. The disparity between Vietnamese and Vietkieu goes far beyond their salaries.



Very Expensive Expectations Of Others. Readily available money in America and other foreign countries is legendary. It cannot be denied by the foreigners. The contrary will never be believed by the local, financially impoverished, domestic Vietnamese. Many Vietnamese hear and believe that all Americans earn fabulously large salaries, and have extra money to squander. No matter how much money has been sent before, the families here believe their American relatives have more funds available. They believe it is being hoarded. That is how they have lived their lives in Vietnam for generations. They expect their Vietkieu relatives to be doing the same.

The local Vietnamese expect all foreigners to be wealthy, and by their standards, we are. Accordingly, foreigners are all charged higher prices for absolutely everything. From oranges in the market, to airline seats sold by the government. For land and building rents, and contributions to foreign investments, all foreigners are expected to pay at least twice the local price. Often, we are asked to pay in higher multiples.



Many Vietkieu return to Vietnam and know they are expected to give money away. A middle-class Vietnamese-American tourist, who works hard for his $40,000 annual income, and who has in the past 10 years saved or borrowed to travel here with his family here, will spend $1,000+ for each family member's travel expenses and still arrive with $5,000 or more in cash for making gifts or small investments. The Vietkieu will be expected to:

Pay small but illegal sums to corrupt officials who can make the airport entry process difficult if the payment ($5-$20) is not offered. We urge all visitors to follow the laws and refuse these payments. It's taken you 5 -25 years to return and 24 hours for the flight. An extra hour won't hurt you, even if your bags are inspected and you are stripped searched. Don't pay the bastards anything. Bring nothing illegal, don't pay bribes, and watch how fast things will change.

Give a cash gift to every relative in Vietnam, no matter how distant or how well or poorly remembered, starting at no less than $100 each. Siblings, parents, grand-parents and uncles/aunts expect far more.

Pay for expensive group meals, renting a van at $50+ per day and all expenses to take the family on a holiday, buying new clothes, outfitting the home, rebuilding the home, buying motorbikes and otherwise supporting the extended family that is, by American standards, financially destitute.



Jealousies. Many Vietkieu enhance the perception of wealth, and their own problem, by an understandable desire to show-off. They left here as refugees, arrived poorer than poor in America, Canada or France, and now want to enjoy their time without worrying about the costs. Things are cheap by home standards, but be careful.

While wealthy, world travelers usually shuck fancy clothes and jewelry when visiting a developing nation, many Vietkieu too frequently pile it on. Arriving with the expected large bundles of clothing and cash for the family, dressed and outfitted with accessories to-the-nines, Vietkieu enhance the image of great wealth by spending and giving away the cash they brought with them in the short period of their visit.

In still more situations, the Vietkieu are treated deferentially by the local people. With a growing middle class, Vietkieu are watched, sought after, and copied in terms of fashion, style and behavior.

It can be said that the elders and women seek out the Vietkieu to learn of their foreign experience, to speak of new worlds, and learn from their overseas friends and relatives. This is no doubt true in many cases. However, there are situations where Vietkieu are sought-out for less honorable desires -- to get married as a means to leave the country, or as a source of money. These practices make most people, Vietnamese and Vietkieu, uncomfortable.



Identity Questions. Are Vietkieu Foreign or Domestic? Where do they fit in? What is their role in Vietnam? The answers depend more upon the questioner than the objective facts.

Almost one-half the population of Vietnam was born after the end of the war, more than 25 years ago. The vast majority of the estimated 80 million people are under 25 years of age. Because of the war and following exodus, there is a shortage of people in the age brackets typical of middle-management (35 - 50) and senior management (50 - 65). The elders, who only in early 1998 relented control (70 - 80), have a serious need to train the youngsters.



The current leadership (in their mid 60s) have now made educating the nation a leading goal. This is mandatory for the under 25 majority population, as they are expected to form the bulk of middle and senior management positions that will become available in the next twenty years.

The selection to fill those positions in State owned companies and the government will be from those Vietnamese who remained, either by choice or circumstance. They are being nurtured as the future leaders of Vietnam. They will control Vietnam in the next 20 years, when they are 40 to 50.

Within this framework, the returning Vietkieu are facing and competing with those Vietnamese who stayed the course. Where do the Vietkieu fit in? Some Vietnamese who stayed and who still struggle to survive, may be jealous of the Vietkieu wealth. But those who stayed and who have achieved some power and wealth may wish to jealously guard their positions from the Vietkieu.

The following section is about a subject that is rarely discussed but often felt by domestic Vietnamese. This is not a polite subject, but it is open and perhaps brutally honest.

Those who left Vietnam as adults and now return may do so with well-founded but unrealized fears of reprisals. They have personal recollections of the rout in 1954 and/or the horrors of the post-1975 era. Yet, they find, but for a few police and customs agents, a polite welcome by the government and people of Vietnam.

The younger set who left as infants or young teens may not have clear recollections of the war, but they have been told. Some can remember the fear and hardships suffered in their imprisonment and subsequent escape. Others may have put the past deep down in the recesses of their minds. They can arrive with an almost Pollyanna approach that does not allow them to see the reality of the current situation.



What do these returning people actually know of Vietnam today? If they live in a politically-charged community of exiles, many may still look upon the Vietnamese government and business leaders as traitors, if not the enemy.

Is it so strange that many domestic Vietnamese may look upon the returning Vietkieu the same way? It is actually worse, for many domestic Vietnamese look upon Vietkieu with both anger and envy. The domestic population often fail to consider the long suffering by the former refugees who are now looked upon only for their accumulated wealth and education. Such domestic Vietnamese are short sighted due to their own shortcomings, their lives filled with propaganda from the State, or a Soviet-style inherited hatred of success by others due to their own inability to even hope for their own success.



Culture -- Whose? Many middle-age Vietkieu who adopted the customs of their new nationalities over the past 15 to 40 years, forgot many of the customs and much of the culture of Vietnam. The younger Vietkieu, those now in their late 20s or 30s, did not complete a full Vietnamese education.

Old and young Vietkieu find the spoken and written Vietnamese from their exile communities does not cover the heavy, economic-based and techno-language of Vietnam today.

Many Vietkieu have never learned the long, rich cultural and literary history of this land. It is as foreign to them as was their new country’s culture and history when they first arrived as refugees. Such Vietkieu face a problem, particularly if they are not aware of their own dual cultural short-comings.

Consider a simple differences and then imagine the more complex ones:

Speak to a person on a telephone, and we foreigners become frustrated at the low volume of their speech. Sit across a table from a Vietnamese business person and suffer the same problem. Far too often, street noise drowns out all comprehensible speech. Go to a coffee shop and the loud sounds of music and talk make even sipping a drink near to impossible - - you must uncover your ears to hold the cup.

And because the locals speak so softly, the sound of a quiet fan at low speed can dampen the voice of a domestic Vietnamese whether family member or business or political leader.

And how do we foreigners sound to the domestic Vietnamese?



"He sounds so mean," is a frequent complaint by Vietnamese of foreigners. We normally speak louder, with more emphasis, and our speech and tones sound more self-assured than is the sound of domestic Vietnamese.

But for the police or the unsophisticated country person, no urban dweller in Vietnam raises his voice except in extreme anger. Even then, difficult situations for Vietnamese are met with a smile on one’s face. We foreigner’s often wear a scowl on our face when confronting problems.

Some Vietkieu are no longer, if they were ever, fluent in written and spoken Vietnamese to a legal, or even to a commercial, proficiency. The accent of the north is difficult to understand for many Vietkieu whose families came from the south. And northerners are seemingly in control, everywhere. That is a perception enhanced by favoritism in some State-Owned companies that hire northerners. However, the perception is not always the reality.

Bright, accomplished, wealthy (by comparison to the domestic Vietnamese), and in positions of substantial responsibility, Vietkieu can yet feel they belong to neither culture. However, they are depended upon by many companies in the foreign community to bridge the cultural gap.



Accountability. Some Vietkieu pass as domestic locals. The sun darkens their skin. They wear local clothing, speak softly, and remain calm in very trying circumstances. Many no longer gel their hair, although that is a growing fashion in the cities.

While Vietkieu enjoy the live song and dance shows so popular in the south, and join in making fun of the phonetic singers’ mispronunciation of English, many we know also become aware of their own grammatical flaws in English, their own lack of an in-depth knowledge of American and Vietnamese history, and a confusion about cultural "standards and norms."

Living among other recent immigrant or ethnic groups in lower-middle or under-class America, many Vietkieu bring with them the fashions, goals, ideals and standards of the American ghetto. They are not aware how others from America and Europe, and the developed Asian nations can look upon them. Even those VK (as well as other Asians) who have achieved great success in education and jobs feel a "rice-ceiling" back home that can nurture confusion if not frustration about their own abilities in Vietnam.



Should there be a confrontation with the domestic police here, a Vietkieu who tries to pass for local may wish to forget he is Vietnamese. However, from a legal point of view, Vietkieu are treated "equally" with other Vietnamese. Anyone born in Vietnam is a Vietnamese by operation of law. All Vietnamese are expected to know and abide by all laws and customs. Other foreigners can play the game of being truly foreign and proclaim their lack of abilities in language and lack of knowledge of customs and laws.

Not so the Vietkieu. "What’s the matter with you?" the Vietkieu are asked by the police. "You are Vietnamese. Why are you so stupid. Why do you show such disrespect?" the police often ask to intimidate the Vietkieu. Commit a crime, innocently or not, and a Vietkieu will be imprisoned with restricted rights to seek the protection of a foreign embassy. Some Vietkieu now in prison may be thinking it was a folly to seek to pass.

It makes no difference. The State holds all Vietkieu accountable as are other citizens of Vietnam. The State does NOT recognize that any person born in Vietnam is other than Vietnamese. This is no different in many other countries. All Chinese, whether born in Beijing, Singapore, or Seattle are considered Chinese. It is particularly difficult for Vietkieu who do not hold foreign passports.

However, it is not much better for naturalized citizens.



One gets the clear sense with even casual observation that Vietkieu are tolerated more than accepted. Foreign-born citizens, particularly former enemy soldiers, are given more leeway and greater opportunities.

This makes many Vietkieu upset when other foreigners, particularly former enemy soldiers, are more easily and better accepted by government and business leaders in Vietnam, than they are.

Some foreign companies are beginning to perceive a potential liability in hiring Vietkieu. Polite acceptance by the State of a company manager or representative is not the same as the respect needed to get a job done well, the first time.

There is both a mountain of opportunity and a pit-fall awaiting returning overseas Vietnamese. Being aware of their perception, their opportunities and their problems will help the Vietkieu. The domestic Vietnamese also need to be less critical of others, and more optimistic about their own future. Time will tell how the Vietkieu will fare in Vietnam.



The Way Out. The best method of curing a problem is to capitalize on one’s strengths. The way to certain defeat is to deny a problem exists. Paraphrasing an old saying*:

He who knows-not and knows he knows-not is capable.
He can learn.
He who knows-not and knows-not he knows-not is in trouble.
He should be more aware.



*He who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a fool. Shun him.
He who knows not and knows that he knows not is a child. Teach him.
He who knows, and knows not that he knows is asleep. Wake him.
He who knows and knows that he knows is a wise man. Follow him

Sounds like propagandas......... Well Vietnamese in America are not just "Vietnamese Oversea", we are also "Vietnamese American"!. We live here, we get welfare here, and we ARE proud to be American. Eventually, Vietnamese American will be assimilate willing or not, just like Chinese ethnics living in Vietnam.

I agreed with what you said. People here enjoy what the land of the frees has to offer.

fuk that , im proud to be a Vietnamese , not a proud "american"

True. I'm Vietnamese-American not some Viet communist; I have absolute no loyalty to the current government. The $hittier the government of Vietnam treat Viet Kieu, the more disinclined we will be to travel or even send money back to Vietnam. My parents still have strong tie to Vietnam, but after them, there is still a new generation and the "hard money flow" might just stop.

I hate the double standard of raising the prices for Viet Kieu. I'll just get my cousins to go out and buy stuff.

Respect for the police? Haha...the average Vietnamese citizens fear those corrupt bastards rather than respect them.

EDIT: /start/
we were in June 2004. This article was written by a non-Vietnamese in 1995, NQSH took it here:
http://www.vvg-vietnam.com/vietkieu.htm

of course NQSH forgot to include the introduction part: "This article first appeared in 1995 and was updated continuously until late 2000" ???
EDIT: /end/

there should be an up-to-date article about all this sort of study, in 2003 or 2004...


as all seems to be false or fake-figures now. I don't believe anyone can do that much with $5000.00!! even some years before.

So this is something up-to-date (as of 26 March 2004).
You can also read the full version original Vietnamese text by clicking here :
nghị quyết về công tác đối với người Việt Nam ở nước ngoài
You can find this English version of the resolution 36 on the Vietnam's Embassy Website in washington too. Anyway, look up on my website.

Ha Noi, Mar. 29 (VNA) - The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Viet Nam's Central Committee on Mar. 26 issued Resolution No.36-NQ/TW on dealing with overseas Vietnamese.



The resolution pointed out that at present there are some 2.7 million Vietnamese settled in 90 countries and territories, of whom more than 80 percent are in developed countries. Most of these overseas Vietnamese have a stable life and have integrated into local communities, holding positions in those countries' socio-economic life, thus having influence at different levels in relationship between those countries and Viet Nam.



With economic potential and connections in many foreign and international companies and organisations, overseas Vietnamese communities are capable of serving as a bridge for domestic enterprises and organisations, said the resolution, adding that Viet Nam's great achievements in the Doi Moi (renovation) process, social and cultural development, socio-political stability, and the country's enhanced position on the international arena encourage overseas Vietnamese's national pride and patriotism.



The resolution affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State always consider overseas Vietnamese as an integral part of the Vietnamese nation, and have promulgated many policies and detailed measures aimed at facilitating visits, investments, scientific-technological cooperation and cultural and art activities in Viet Nam by overseas Vietnamese.



The resolution outlined four major directions for dealing with overseas Vietnamese in the future, which are as follows:

- Policies in this regard should reflect fully the tradition of national unity

- Overseas Vietnamese are an integral part and a source of power for the Vietnamese nation, as well as an important factor in promoting friendly and cooperative relationship between Viet Nam with other countries.



-The work to deal with overseas Vietnamese must be systematic, combining the mechanism and policies making with mass mobilisation, and interior and external-country activities. The work should be carried out in various forms and measures suitable to different areas and people of different walks of life on the basis of volunteering and not counter to the laws, traditions and customs of the inhabitated countries.

-The work to deal with overseas Vietnamese is the responsibility of the political system and the nation as a whole.



The main tasks include:



-The State create favourable conditions supporting compatriots in stabilising their lives and working hard to earn their living, integrate into local communities, and maintain close links with the homeland.

-To complete and build new systems of policies to attract and encourage overseas intellectuals and talents, thus promoting their contributions to the national construction. Implement proper policies for overseas Vietnamese high-level experts and intellectuals, who can advise on management, technology transfer, high technology to the country, there by helping to develop the home country's culture and fine arts.

-To renew and diversify ways of mobilisation, and measures to help Vietnamese communities abroad increase mutual assistance, encourage their activities to look towards the motherland with special attention given to the younger generation on the basis of volunteering, being suitable with the laws, traditions and customs of the inhabited countries.

-To invest more in Vietnamese language teaching and learning programmes for Vietnamese abroad, especially the younger generation.

-To renew strongly and comprehensively the dissemination of information to help overseas Vietnamese understand accurately about the country's situation and the Party and State policies.

-To complete the awarding policy for overseas Vietnamese, regularly awarding Vietnamese organisations and individuals who make outstanding achievements in the movement to build the community and contribute to the national construction and those who obtain outstanding achievements in the mobilisation of overseas Vietnamese.

-The Party organisations, central and local State agencies, the Viet Nam Fatherland Front and mass organisations with their functions and missions to actively take part in the work to deal with overseas Vietnamese.

-The Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs must strengthen its staff, organisation and means of operations to meet the requirements of the new stage. To increase officials specialised in the work of dealing with overseas Vietnamese at Vietnamese diplomatic offices in foreign localities which have a large number of Vietnamese inhabitants.-Enditem

Another update... (there are plenty)

Source:
http://www.nguoivienxu.vietnamnet.vn/ykien.../2004/04/58312/

VẤN ĐỀ CỦA CHÚNG TA
ĐỐI THOẠI

Xin đừng là người…ngoài cuộc
18:40' 08/04/2004 (GMT+7)
Hello Người Việt Viễn Xứ,

Tôi rất hoan nghênh tinh thần xây dựng của các bạn. Chính phủ Việt Nam rất mong muốn tất cả người Việt kiều hãy cố gắng giúp đất nước. Nhưng tại sao khi người Việt kiều về quê hương thì phải xin "visa" như là một người nước ngoài ? Tất cả những Việt kiều đều là công dân Việt Nam, dù là người Nam hay Bắc. Nếu là một công dân Việt Nam về thăm nhà thì đâu cần phải xin visa.

Tôi mong muốn dân Việt Nam trên toàn thế giới đều hướng về Việt Nam và bỏ qua hết hận thù trong quá khứ. Chính phủ Việt Nam nên làm những điều ý nghĩa như sau đây để đem tới sự hàn gắn cho một Việt Nam tương lai đầy hạnh phúc.

1) Bỏ vụ xin Visa cho những công dân Việt Nam đã phải bỏ nước ra đi vì chính trị hay đã vượt biên qua nước ngoài.

2)Trao lại quyền công dân cho tất cả người Việt kiều nếu những người này đã
sinh ra bên Việt Nam.

3) Công nhận chuyện "học tập cải tạo cho những người làm việc với chính quyền miền Nam cũ" là một điều sai lầm. Vì "học tập cải tạo" chỉ là một hình thức "lao động không công và bóc lột".

4) Hãy bỏ đi cái ý thức chủ nghĩa "Cộng Sản", ngay cả Nga và các nước Đông Âu, nơi sinh của Chủ nghĩa Cộng Sản đã công nhận lỗi thời.

5) Cho một bầu cử đa đảng và khuyến khích một Việt Nam - democratic.

6) Dẹp tham nhũng

7) Hãy thành lập những buổi nói chuyện với đại diện những người Việt kiều ở nước ngoài để lấy ý kiến xây dựng cho một Việt Nam công bằng.

8) Đừng dâng đất đai nước Việt cho Trung Quốc, như vụ mất đi "Ải Nam Quan và đảo Hoàng Sa và Trường Sa." Phải minh bạch và xét xử những người làm trong Chính phủ về vụ đưa đất đai cho Trung Quốc.

Nếu Chính phủ Việt Nam không làm những điều nói trên thì khó có một ngày tất cả người dân Việt Nam trên toàn thế giới xem Chính phủ Việt Nam là một chính phủ đại diện toàn thể dân Việt. Tôi còn nhớ một câu trước năm 1975 đã nói về người "cộng sản" – đừng nghe những gì Việt Cộng nói mà hãy nhìn kỹ những gì Việt Cộng làm.

Luong Quang



Thưa ông

Trước hết chúng tôi xin hoan nghênh về những góp ý của ông trên tinh thần trao đổi thẳng thẳn, nói thẳng nói thật. Trong số những ý kiến của ông có những vấn đề rất đáng quan tâm nhưng cũng có một số vấn đề có lẽ vì thiếu thông tin nên chưa thật xác đáng. Do vậy, về những ý kiến mang tính cá nhân đó, chúng tôi xin có vài lời trao đổi với ông, cũng với tư cách cá nhân như sau:


Hòn Phụ tử -Hà Tiên

1. Về vấn đề thị thực (visa), theo Pháp lệnh về nhập cảnh, xuất cảnh cư trú của người nước ngoài do Quốc hội nước Cộng hòa xã hội chủ nghĩa Việt Nam ban hành, người nước ngoài (ở đây được hiểu là người không có quốc tịch Việt Nam) nhập cảnh, xuất cảnh phải có hộ chiếu hoặc giấy tờ có giá trị thay hộ chiếu (sau đây gọi chung là hộ chiếu) và phải có thị thực do cơ quan Nhà nước có thẩm quyền của Việt Nam cấp, trừ trường hợp được miễn thị thực. Những trường hợp được miễn thị thực do Chính phủ quy định, thường dựa vào điều ước quốc tế mà Cộng hòa Xã hội Chủ nghĩa Việt Nam ký kết hoặc tham gia.

Hiện nay, công dân mang quốc tịch của các nước châu Á sau đây vào Việt Nam không cần visa:

Hộ chiếu phổ thông: Brunei, Campuchia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thái Lan.
Hộ chiếu công vụ: Ấn độ, Campuchia, Indonesia, Hàn Quốc, Lào, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Trung Quốc và Thái lan.
Đối với người nước ngoài gốc Việt Nam (Việt kiều), nhằm tạo điều kiện thuận lợi và khuyến khích người Việt Nam ở nước ngoài gắn bó với quê hương, tích cực đóng góp vào công cuộc xây dựng đất nước, Thủ tướng Chính phủ Việt Nam đã có Quyết định số 210/1999/QĐ-TTg ngày 27/10/1999 và Văn bản hướng dẫn thực hiện, trong đó quy định người gốc Việt Nam mang hộ chiếu nước ngoài có công trong sự nghiệp giải phóng dân tộc, xây dựng đất nước (có giấy xác nhận của Cơ quan đại diện Việt Nam ở nước sở tại hoặc của Ủy ban về người Việt Nam ở nước ngoài) được miễn lệ phí thị thực và được hưởng giá các loại dịch vụ, giá vé đi lại trên các loại phương tiện giao thông vận tải như áp dụng đối với người Việt Nam ở trong nước. Chi tiết về Quyết định này, xin ông xem trên mục “Người viễn xứ cần biết” mà chúng tôi đã đăng tải. Theo chúng tôi nghĩ, việc tham gia xây dựng quê hương theo như những yêu cầu của quyết định đối với bà con Việt kiều yêu đất nước không phải là điều gì quá khó khăn.

2. Theo Điều 49 Hiến pháp nước Cộng hòa xã hội chủ nghĩa Việt Nam, công dân nước CHXHCN Việt Nam là người có quốc tịch Việt Nam.

Nhà nước Việt Nam chỉ chấp nhận một quốc tịch ( trừ những trường hợp đặc biệt). Do vậy, những công dân Việt Nam mang quốc tịch Việt Nam đương nhiên đều có quyền công dân (trừ trường hợp bị tước bỏ quyền công dân)


Cáp treo ở núi Bà -Tây Ninh

3. Việc điều chỉnh, cải tạo tư tưởng chính trị của những người phục vụ cho chế độ cũ để giúp họ hòa nhập với cuộc sống xã hội mới theo một cách nhìn và suy nghĩ mới, đặc biệt sau một cuộc chiến, là điều không thể tránh khỏi đối với nhiều quốc gia trên thế giới. Thay đổi một nếp nghĩ trong con người, theo chúng tôi hiểu, là một điều không đơn giản và có thể ảnh hưởng đến đời sống tâm lý của họ. Nhưng hiện nay, ở Việt Nam, giai đoạn đó đã qua và mọi người đều muốn khép lại quá khứ để hướng tới xây dựng tương lai.

4. Cái mà ông gọi là “ý thức chủ nghĩa Cộng Sản”, theo chúng tôi hiểu là chủ nghĩa xã hội dựa trên lý luận của chủ nghĩa xã hội khoa học. Chủ nghĩa xã hội khoa học là khoa học nghiên cứu sự chuyển biến tất yếu của xã hội loài người mang tính quy luật. Đã là khoa học thì không thể là “lỗi thời” như ông nói được. Còn việc vận dụng lý luận này vào thực tiễn còn tùy thuộc vào nhiều yếu tố khách quan lẫn chủ quan của từng nước. Trên thực tế đã có những nước do nhiều điều kiện khác nhau đã không thể tiếp tục vận dụng hoặc không vận dụng thành công lý luận của chủ nghĩa này. Tuy nhiên cũng có nước vận dụng thành công như Trung Quốc chẳng hạn.

Riêng đối với Việt Nam, những thành quả có được cho đến ngày hôm nay đã chứng tỏ việc vận dụng lý luận này vào quá trình bảo vệ và xây dựng đất nước là đúng đắn. Và đây sẽ là con đường duy nhất của đất nước, dân tộc Việt Nam phấn đấu vì mục tiêu “dân giàu, nước mạnh, xã hội công bằng, dân chủ, văn minh”.

5. Chúng tôi không hiểu rõ về ý nghĩa của từ “Democratic” mà ông nêu ra. Nếu “dân chủ” theo kiểu gây xáo trộn an ninh đất nước, dẫn đến sự phụ thuộc, lệ thuộc vào nước ngoài thì hơn 70 triệu dân Việt hiện tại cùng anh linh bao thế hệ của những người đã ngã xuống cho một đất nước Việt Nam độc lập, tự do, thống nhất, chắc hẳn sẽ không bao giờ chấp nhận.

6. Không riêng Chính phủ mà mọi người dân Việt Nam đều mong muốn xóa bỏ tham nhũng. Quốc hội Việt Nam cũng xem đó là một trong những “quốc nạn”. Cuộc đấu tranh này đang diễn ra rất gay go và quyết liệt, đòi hỏi phải có sự chung sức của toàn xã hội.

7. Chúng tôi được biết Chính phủ Việt Nam vẫn luôn mong có những cuộc trao đổi lắng nghe ý kiến đóng góp của đồng bào Việt kiều hoặc những người đại diện qua nhiều kênh thông tin khác nhau (như thông qua Ủy ban về người Việt ở nước ngoài, các đại sứ quán, lãnh sự quán…). Chuyên san “Người Viễn xứ” cũng là một kênh thông tin (hai chiều) đó.


Đêm lễ hội ở TP. HCM

8. Có lẽ do thông tin sai lệch nên có sự thiếu chính xác về những vùng đất mà ông đã nêu. Ải Nam Quan, bây giờ là Hữu Nghị quan thuộc tỉnh Lạng Sơn, hiện đang là cửa khẩu chính của Việt Nam sang Trung Quốc. Không hề có chuyện dâng đất như ông đã nói. Quần đảo Hoàng Sa và Trường Sa tuy đang bị sự tranh chấp từ Trung Quốc và một số nước, lãnh thổ trong khu vực, nhưng Nhà nước Việt Nam vẫn luôn đấu tranh bằng nhiều con đường để khẳng định và chứng minh chủ quyền không thể chối cãi của mình trên phần lãnh thổ này. Riêng về quần đảo Hoàng Sa, theo chúng tôi được biết, sự tranh chấp từ phía Trung Quốc đã diễn ra vào năm 1974, khi ấy chính quyền Sài Gòn cũ đang quản lý.

Cuối cùng những thông tin mà chúng tôi nêu ra, ông có thể kiểm chứng từ trong những tư liệu báo chí, sách vở hoặc từ những người am hiểu tình hình Việt Nam. Theo chúng tôi nghĩ, cách mà ông có thể kiểm chứng tốt nhất là trực tiếp về Việt Nam để thấy sự đổi mới của đất nước mình và để xem những người mà ông gọi là “Việt Cộng” đó đã và đang nói, làm gì. Tất nhiên, cho đến nay, Việt Nam chúng ta chưa hề là một “thiên đường hạ giới”, vẫn còn nhiều khó khăn cùng bao tệ nạn, mà chẳng thể dẹp được trong ngày một, ngày hai. Muốn đất nước mạnh, giàu, văn minh…thì mỗi người dân phải ý thức cùng chung tay, chung sức vun đắp, chứ chỉ nói hoặc đứng bên lề như người ngoài cuộc thì chẳng giải quyết được gì. Phải vậy không, thưa ông ?

Trân trọng

N.V.X

Vietnamese overseas ar NOT JUST immigrant, but WE ARE ALSO WAR REFUGEES.
It's funny how Vietnamese goverment try to portray Vietnamese "oversea" as like the people who are responsible to somehow invest and give back money to the Vietnamese living in Vietnam .

Yea China is succesful to know how to handle communism... Right, Capitalist Communism?
haha oxymoron there.