One of the main lessons I have learnt in almost fifty years of political activism is always to be oneself and not to lose one’s identity. It is essential to think for oneself and not blindly imitate other people. This may be difficult, but to be lazy, frightened or over-cautious is to gamble away one’s own self.” (page 178)

North Vietnamese Colonel Bui Tin was journalist during Vietnam War. He went to France and wrote memoirs. Seemingly exposes many detailed secrets few others know. Alot about Ho Chi Minh, Vo Nguyen Giap, Mao Tse-tung, communism, Japan, Cambodia, France, Vietnam, United States. Recounts of meetings with high level military leaders. Alot of criticism about postwar leadership.

“In truth it had to be said that the thinking of Ho Chi Minh and the rest of the leadership in those days was to regard Mao Tse-tung thought as the only way to follow. But to lose the identity of a nation, of oneself and one’s own power of thought is a colossal mistake.” (page 16)

“After the editor of Nhan Dan conducted his self-criticism, it was my turn.” (page 163) ( )

This book was required reading for a college course I took on the history of modern conflict in Vietnam. It was assigned in conjunction with another book, A Vietcong Memoir by Truong Nhu Tang. This was a fascinating read, especially dovetailing on Truong Nhu Tang's work.

This basically takes over where the other work leaves off, at the capitulation of the Saigon regime after the U.S. pulled out. Bùi Tín was the highest ranking officer in the area (an army journalist) and accepted the capitulation. The scene was especially memorable because it is described as the North Vietnamese army rolling into the capitol, and the Saigon regime's leaders waiting around for them and saying, "what took you so long." when the Bùi Tín arrived.

Following is the account of how the Vietnamese government went from being a promise of freedom, nationalism and Vietnamese unity after decades of successive occupations to being a corrupt über-bureaucracy that existed on paranoia and the suppression of its people.

Bùi Tín subsequently fled the country to live in, of all places, Paris... the capitol of the country that occupied Vietnam as an imperial force for decades.

This is a good read, and I highly recommend that it be read right after A Vietcong Memoir.

Vietnam/War