Vietnam's Response to London's Bombing

The BBC and news media in America have covered almost nothing but the tragic terrorist bombings in London since they happened. Surely, these bombings are both despicable and ignorant. I have no sympathy--let me repeat that, NONE--for the perpetrators of such cowardly deeds...especially when done in the name of God. There is an added acrimonious nature to a bad deed done in the name of a perfectly good deity.

Then I wondered how Vietnam would respond to this attack. There are two possibilities. When in Vietnam before, I noticed the government highly censored news, even international news, if the actions or words were deemed immoral or could deflate party allegiance. Perhaps the Vietnamese government would do this to an obviously immoral act in London? Perhaps it would show the event, but neuter some of the pictures and video to eliminate blood?

The other possibility stems from 9/11. During 11 Sept 2001, I was in Orange County, CA. That day was crazy for everyone, but every Vietnamese adult I met was deeply disturbed, crying even, because of the senseless loss of life. Would Vietnam react the same? Would the memories of a whole generation of war and the atrocities attendant cause Vietnam to cry and open up it's heart to the British people?

Those were my two thoughts. Well, here's something I've found:

A quick search found only one Vietnamese blogger commenting on it. Check out this 19 year old in Hanoi at Such is Life!

Talking with my wife, she relayed the Saigon perspective. It seems that everywhere she went yesterday--UNICEF, a law office, and eating out, everyone was talking about it. Here's some of the conversation:

wife: are you alright?
me: i'm fine
me: just reading through today's headlines really quick
wife: ok
me: did you hear about the bombings in London??
wife: yeah
wife: early this morning
wife: SAD
wife: :((
me: I'd really like to know what the Vietnamese reaction is to this
wife: oh
me: and how much information the govt lets the people know
wife: you forgot to ask mom?
wife: she was talking about it all day
me: yup
me: what was she saying??
wife: she was very angry
wife: she said they are animals
me: do you think her view is pretty normal for people in vietnam?
wife: :))
wife: i am pretty sure
wife: they showed it on the news all day
wife: and on the papers too
wife: in fact
wife: The Prime Minister, Phan Van Khai, sent a sympathy letter to Tony Blair earlier this morning and said that the Vietnamese are very sad and very sorry for the tragedy
wife: they understand and stand by the British side
wife: he even said that the world needs a better punishment for these terrorists
me: wow
wife: i was kinda impressed
wife: i did not know Vietnam would do that much
wife: and stand on British and American side
me: yeah, me too
me: did they allow all info to go to the people?
me: i would expect so
me: because it's not about vietnam
wife: the fact is more than just that
me: but i wondered if they might censor anything
me: because it is so graphic
wife: i guessed they did
wife: because they all watched all the video tapes
me: oh
wife: in the past many months
wife: that the terrorists
wife: put on public TV
wife: when they beheaded someone
me: wow
wife: my mom even told me detailed stories
wife: i randomly asked her about those that beheaded
wife: just to see how much she know
wife: she know just as much as I do
wife: amazing hah?
me: very amazing
wife: and my mom is just a staying at home mom
wife: and she know that much
me: I'm quite impressed
me: by your mom, and vietnam
wife: just think about those that work in offices
wife: and communicate with all of their coworkers
wife: i stopped by dad's office this morning
wife: and all the lawyers were talking about it
me: really
wife: everywhere I went today
me: what was the lawyer take on the situation?
wife: everyone discussed about it
wife: very funny
wife: one of my dad's friends said
wife: No place is safer than Vietnam
me: lol
wife: it is the best place to live
me: probably true.

Good job Vietnam, for responding like the Viets did during September 11th. I'm quite impressed.