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Vietnam Sees Massive Public Mourning for War Hero
Source: Associated Press
Vietnam Sees Massive Public Mourning for War Hero
HANOI, Vietnam October 12, 2013 (AP)
By TRAN VAN MINH and CHRIS BRUMMITT Associated Press
The death of wartime Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap has triggered public mourning in Vietnam the likes of which have been unseen since Ho Chi Minh passed away more than four decades ago. And given the current leaders, it may not be witnessed again, according to many of the 150,000 people who lined up to pay respects to the so-called "Red Napoleon."
The ruling Communist Party orchestrated the sendoff for Giap, emphasizing his leadership in the wars first against France and then United States. But it ignored his later years, when the general's popularity allowed him to air rare public criticism of the ruling elite.
Still, the death of the country's last old guard revolutionary inevitably stirred reflection by some on the country's current leaders, only one of whom fought against the Americans. Giap's passing comes as the government is struggling against public dissatisfaction over corruption and a faltering economy.
"I'm not sure we will have a third leader like Giap and Uncle Ho, " said Tran Thi Thien, who rose at 3 a.m. to pay tribute outside the Giap family home in Hanoi this past week. "I hope the current leadership would look at how people love and respect Gen. Giap to improve themselves and better lead the country."
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HANOI, Vietnam October 12, 2013 (AP)
By TRAN VAN MINH and CHRIS BRUMMITT Associated Press
The death of wartime Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap has triggered public mourning in Vietnam the likes of which have been unseen since Ho Chi Minh passed away more than four decades ago. And given the current leaders, it may not be witnessed again, according to many of the 150,000 people who lined up to pay respects to the so-called "Red Napoleon."
The ruling Communist Party orchestrated the sendoff for Giap, emphasizing his leadership in the wars first against France and then United States. But it ignored his later years, when the general's popularity allowed him to air rare public criticism of the ruling elite.
Still, the death of the country's last old guard revolutionary inevitably stirred reflection by some on the country's current leaders, only one of whom fought against the Americans. Giap's passing comes as the government is struggling against public dissatisfaction over corruption and a faltering economy.
"I'm not sure we will have a third leader like Giap and Uncle Ho, " said Tran Thi Thien, who rose at 3 a.m. to pay tribute outside the Giap family home in Hanoi this past week. "I hope the current leadership would look at how people love and respect Gen. Giap to improve themselves and better lead the country."
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Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/vietnam-sees-rare-public-mourning-hero-general-20551130
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