VIETNAMESE YOUTH FOCUSED ON ECONOMIC GAINS, UNCONVINCED NEW

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