Flag issue: Is it worth hanging on an out-of-date symbol?

3/2/16

It’s now 40 years after the fall of the South Vietnamese regime in Ho Chi Minh city (also named Saigon), the display of the flag of South Vietnam - a yellow flag with three red horizontal stripes is still a controversial issue, especially in overseas Vietnamese community. Let take a look at this issue from two sides’ view.
The flag of South Vietnam (or Quẻ ly flag) was originally inspired by Emperor Thanh Thai in 1890, and was revived by and re-adopted by Emperor Bao Đai in 1948. It was the flag of the former State of Vietnam (the French-controlled areas in both Northern and Southern Vietnam) from 1949 to 1955 and later of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) from 1955 until April 30, 1975 when the South unconditionally surrendered to the north, to which it was officially joined in a unified Vietnam a year later. The flag consists of a yellow field and three horizontal red stripes and can be explained as either symbolizing the unifying blood running through northern, central, and southern Vietnam, or as representing the symbol for "south" (as in, south from China (Viet Nam itself) and also nam meaning south).
It is still used by many Vietnamese immigrants to other countries, most of whom fled Vietnam in the late 1970s and 1980s as Boat People and consider the current Vietnamese flag representative of the Communist regime they fled. To whom, people who fled the country after the fall in 1975, the Quẻ ly flag is a symbol of freedom, democracy, and independence, represents that hard journey made by Vietnam refugees in their search for new good life from a war-torn country. Afterwards, it has been adopted by many in anti-Party and State of Vietnam elements to symbolically distance themselves from the Communist government and continues to be used either as an alternative symbol for ethnic unity or as a protest tool against the current government.
From June 2002 onward, in the United States, at least 13 state governments, seven counties and 85 cities in 20 states have adopted resolutions recognizing the yellow flag as the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag. Displaying today's Vietnamese flag, or any icon associated with the Communist regime that overthrew South Vietnam, is a near-traitorous act in the patriotic community.
 However, after all, the South Vietnamese government was definitely a corrupt puppet government, more or less, and along with American forces engaged in atrocity after atrocity during the course of the war. And after the war ended, the South Vietnamese regime collapsed, the South Vietnamese flag now represents a country that no longer exists. Even it still hangs high on flag poles and stores in Little Saigon. But this symbol has less meaning for the younger generation of Vietnamese Americans who were born in America or came to California as children.
It is a pity that somewhere, even in some countries, people still try to remain the flag as a legacy. Why do these people have to insist that? Why don’t let the past, a sorrow past with lots of loss, pains and blood fade away and sleep for good. We, Vietnamese people, now can forgive the US and France for what they had done to our country in the wars, but these people, with their hostile attitude, are stubbornly hanging an anti-communist view. Is it democracy that Vietnamese people have rights to choose the country’s political system? Is it universal value that the world now supports and promotes for? We should let go the past and start a new beginning for common goods.  

In Vietnam, there’s no display of this flag or at least not in public places. According to the 1992 constitution: "The National Flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is rectangular in shape, its width is equal to two thirds of its length, in the middle of fresh red background is a bright five-pointed golden star". The flag of Vietnam, "red flag with a gold star" (or Cờ đỏ sao vàng), was designed in 1940 and used during an uprising against French rule in southern Vietnam that year. The background was inspired by the red flag, used by the international communist movement since the Paris Commune of 1871. The red flag of North Vietnam was adopted as the flag of the new unified Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976. Red symbolizes revolution and blood. The star represents the five main classes in Vietnamese society—intellectuals, farmers, workers, businessmen and military personnel.
Yes, these people, they have rights to display the flag of the South Vietnamese regime, but it’s inappropriate for all of us, Vietnam, US, Canada, France, Australia, etc, to hold on something that’s outdated and reminds us of losses.
To those hostile in America, all of you are free to attach your own meanings to the flag. It is your right in a democracy. But, we believe that it is a mistake for the US to endorse the flag of the former South Vietnam, a flag that is highly controversial and painful to many. When it comes to democracy, the former South Vietnamese government was also a dictatorship. The U.S. war and occupation of Vietnam was totally undemocratic and was fought to suppress the right of the Vietnamese people to determine their own fate.
         There should be restrictions on displays of the flag. First, the South Vietnamese regime no longer exists. Second, according to the spirit of agreements that established full diplomatic relations between Vietnam and other countries, all sides need to respect each other's flag. So, it’s time to put an end for this crap./.
Chia sẻ bài viết ^^
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All comments [ 17 ]


John Smith 3/2/16 20:23

Totally, It's not worth at all. It's just a grief in our past that we all would want to forget.

Gentle Moon 3/2/16 20:25

I agree. After the war ended, the South Vietnamese regime collapsed, the South Vietnamese flag now represents a country that no longer exists.

LawrenceSamuels 3/2/16 20:26

It is a pity that somewhere, even in some countries, people still try to remain the flag as a legacy. Why do these people have to insist that? Why don’t let the past, a sorrow past with lots of loss, pains and blood fade away and sleep for good.

Voice of people 3/2/16 20:27

Yes, let by gone be by gone!

Vietnam Love 3/2/16 20:28

Vietnamese people now can forgive the US and France for what they had done to our country in the wars, but these people, with their hostile attitude, are stubbornly hanging an anti-communist view.

Red Star 3/2/16 20:29

We should let go the past and start a new beginning for common goods.

For A Peace World 3/2/16 20:32

When it comes to democracy, the former South Vietnamese government was also a dictatorship.

Me Too! 3/2/16 20:38

If it is democracy, overseas people who want to hang the Vietnamese today flag have rights to do that without any condemnation.

yobro yobro 3/2/16 20:40

They have rights to display the flag of the South Vietnamese regime, but it’s inappropriate to hold on something that no longer exists.

Socialist Society 3/2/16 20:43

This symbol has less meaning for the younger generation of Vietnamese abroad who were born after wars. So, let it go, please!

Unknown 28/6/16 15:06

im sorry have any of you guys lost your country? We younger generation viets love that flag dearly. We just can't express it like our parents do

Unknown 28/6/16 15:08

You must not know about the coup in 63 when the south Vietnamese military over threw the dictatorship government

Unknown 28/6/16 15:14

So you rather us to recognize the flag that invaded a peaceful south Vietnam, locked up anyone who was associated with the former regime? Do you see what Vietnam is like past the YouTube videos that make Vietnam such a Paradise? If not, human rights are being violated, no freedom of speech, corrupt government and police officers.

Unknown 28/6/16 15:16

US and France didn't take away freedom of the Vietnamese people or change their flag

Unknown 28/6/16 15:18

In hopes that one day the modern day Vietnam, now that is corrupt and poor will have to split and the people of south Vietnam will get their homeland back

Unknown 28/6/16 15:21

Dude look at every Vietnamese community all around the world. They all fly the Vietnamese freedom and heritage flag (south Vietnam flag)

Unknown 28/6/16 15:24

I agree with you!! While we're there lets forgive the nazis for trying to take over the world and killing 6 millions Jews 😒

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