The Sacred Willow

The Sacred Willow: Four Generations in the Life of a Vietnamese Family by Duong Van Mai Elliott, Oxford University Press, 2000. 

North Vietnam

It was fascinating to read the author's description of the changes following the arrival of the French. But the problems caused by the French were mild compared to the Japanese invasion during World War II. Northern Vietnam endured a famine during the winter of 1944-1945, primarily due to this invasion. At least four hundred thousand people died, perhaps many more. Ho Chi Minh was popular, partially because he helped relieve this war-time famine.

Land Reform

After the 1954 communist victory over the French in North Vietnam, there was land reform. Many middle class and rich lost their houses and farms to poor landless peasants. Even those landowners who had supported the Viet Minh lost almost everything. Many middle-class Vietnamese, including the author, fled to the south.

Viet Cong

When the Viet Cong took over South Vietnam in 1975, they treated the civilian population well, but they were gradually replaced by North Vietnamese cadres, who were harsher. Many of those southerners who supported the Viet Cong were disappointed after the communist victory, because they were abandoned, while those who never fought, but had political connections, were rewarded.

Looting

The south had lots of consumer goods, because of the American presence. Many of the North Vietnamese cadres looted the South and brought their loot back to the north. After the communists took over South Vietnam, they deliberately inflated the currency to wipe out the savings of the middle class and reduce them to the level of the poor.

Reeducation Camps

The author talks about members of her family who were sent to reeducation camps.