Where will you be, when Vietnam is free?

Where will you be when Vietnam is free?

I am not sure of how many people actually have thought about this, especially among the young people today. I am also afraid to want to know the numbers. But is something not to be surprised about because afterall, that is the reality of life. People must assimulate into another culture for obvious reasons to survie. However, in the end of a life time, as at least for me as a Vietnamese-American, I ponder over this question and envision myself where will I be when Vietnam is free.

If you have been following the political landscape of Vietnam, you will clearly noticed that there have been many people speaking up for a change inside of Vietnam more than ever. Often times, there looms this mystery that there is an incredible force out there that are orcastreting these voices to speak up at the same time. Often true than not, it is the case because as we know it, things just don't happen without reasons. But at the same time, we cannot rule out the possibility that it could happen because the people of Vietnam themselves are beginning to understand that this government have failed to provide thier citizen a better quality life after 32 years of ruling the country. Or, it is true that today in Vietnam there exist such a entity lurking among the 84 million people who decided enough is enough and must act if ever Vietnam wants to break free from this ruling government. What ever the reason is, the government has deliberately plotted a terror attack on individuals to decapitate any leaders from emerging. Hence, ending any hope for any changes, but further more, an act of inhumanity by violating the basic human rights of man. But, I find that act of inhumanity could only last so long because once a person has tasted and understand the meaning of the word freedom, which I whole heartly believe man's innate nature, there is no looking back as today, every citizen of Vietnam would want to be set free, benefiting from a life that was hindered by them and the prosperity that this gluttonous government ravished over last 32 years.

But the road to freedom for Vietnam doesn't come without a fight nor blood shed. But more than ever, this road to freedom seem more brighter today than in the last 10 years. After thousands of lives have perished in war, constant pressure from Vietnamese communities overseas and now birth of a democracy movement, the government understands that changes must happen. With their backs are against the wall and people yearning for properity, they have to make certain changes and thus, open up with thier accession into the WTO.

With this comes a price.

Today, Vietnam also has an huge number of internet users which is the pipeline to satisfy the hunger for knowledge of 82 million people. Today, if business needs to be conducted, more people will be going in and out of the country, allowing more exposure to the a free world, free thinking. Because of the influx, the government is having a more difficult time controlling information flow, thus, more people will have the opportunity to speak up. And finally, the price that Vietnam must pay is that once the people become equipped with firing power, KNOWLEDGE and be able to reveal the hidden agenda of thier government, they will break the silence and put their minds to combat this government using thier constitutional rights, which is what we are seeing today.

But, let me offer a bit of reality, so that we don't have such high hopes and then when things don't solified, we don't come crashing down, losing hope. In the 80's, many people thought a rare opportunity came along especially when everyone still near, dear and hype about going reclaiming Vietnam after losing the country. But that opportunity was hampered by some unfortunate events and so the store is told, we didn't make it home. So what we learned from this expereince and must realized it is not an easy task. In fact, today opens up lots of opportunity for a change, but also imposes many other difficult barriers. (Talk to later blog)

As for the young Vietnamese American people, it has been over 20 years since a dramatic patriotic surged occurred that could have changed our every lives today. It has been a long drought since then. Maybe it didn't seem that long to us as we (young Vietnamese men and women) try to assimulate into this culture here by music MTV, sports, proms, football games, fast food, girls, loves, school, fitting in, career and parties, but as I think of my parents and hundreds others, especially still reminish like how we reminish, about the 1st girl or guy we kissed, it has been 20 years of dreams to have that opportunity to come back to a free Vietnam and live out their lives.

Today, what have a window of opporunity and in my may borrow Eminem's (rapper) lyrics , we need to seize the moment. This moment, push for a free Vietnam and unleased the free will of Vietnamese people. We must in many ways, give back the opportunity that we have been blessed here. We owe to our people, our culture and our little brother and sister that carry on our yellow skin and dark eyes, our TET, our music, our struggles and our legacy to be co-exist as a race in human evolution. With that, perhaps it is our duty to spend more time thinking about ways and method to give Vietnam that opportunity to tap into its potential. It is greatest challenge of our generation as Vietnamese people today to once and for all set the path right for Vietnam; an open society, governed by the people, for the people.

I started out this blog with where will you be, when Vietnam is free, but I almost afraid I cannot answer that question. If I just sat here and hoping that Vietnam will naturally be free so I can start thinking should I be in Saigon to admire the city. Or should I be in Hue with my lover on the Huong River. Or shold I baked myself in the sandy beaches of Nha Trang. Or should I learn Vietnamese and history of our people in a University in Hanoi. Or should I have a traditional Vietnamese wedding in Vietnam, I am afraid I might be ahead of myself.

Vietnam will be free if you and I stand up to fight for it. Then maybe then, you and I can start to ponder where will you be, when Vietnam is free.

Quoc D. Phan