Vietnam remains a stark reminder of our national fallibility, and of a missed opportunity. After my third trip there this spring, I am certain that the Vietnamese people would be better off today had the U.S. succeeded in keeping South Vietnam democratic. Yet our attitude toward Vietnam is colored by too many persistent myths about the nation -- about its politics, its relationships with global powers and its prospects for the future.
  • No. 1: Vietnam proves the superiority of socialism. In 1975, when the U.S. pulled out of Vietnam, the Communists had their chance to prove the superiority of central planning in their nation of 87.8 million people. Instead, the country only began to experience growth with the implementation of Doi Moi, or restoration, in 1986 -- converting to a market economy. And the nation still struggles, largely due to corruption.
    While we were touring Hanoi, our bus driver was almost arrested for a minor traffic incident and had to fork over a double fine, with half going in cash to the police officer.
    Vietnam is struggling with debt, a lack of foreign investment and bureaucratic rules that are choking business growth. Cronyism and nepotism are rampant, and the regulatory structure changes frequently, without notice, which makes it tough for businesses to get started. For example, the country has only one Starbucks, and other retailers struggle to open new branches because of restrictions on having more than
    one retail location, according to U.S. embassy commercial officers.
  • No. 2: Vietnam is close to China. Most think Vietnam and China are aligned, and that Vietnam will follow China's successful economic strategies. Not true. In museums and monuments describing the "American War," little mention is made of the financial and military role played by China. And China's intentional damming of rivers such as the Mekong will hurt Vietnam. Farmers will be displaced and local economies will crumble.
  • No. 3: Vietnam cares little about education. A recent survey found that education accounts for 20 percent of government spending. Parents commonly spend their hard-earned money for tutoring in English, and increasingly Vietnamese parents send their children to study in the U.S.
    Vietnamese schools rely on rote learning and do not teach critical thinking the way U.S. schools do. Vietnamese parents want better for their kids, but too many are trapped in a corrupt and inefficient system.
  • No. 4: Vietnam is dangerous for Americans: While the South is definitely warmer to Americans, the North is not unsafe.
    I wandered Hanoi back streets alone in a suit one late afternoon during my visit, and although I received curious stares, I never felt threatened. I then spent a few days in Saigon, where I was amazed at both the warmth and the industriousness of the Vietnamese people.
  • No. 5: Vietnam's prospects are bleak. While in Hanoi, I met with Vice Premier Nguyen Thien Nhan, who is reportedly in line to become Vietnam's top official. He has an impressive global education and is a professor of economics. Nhan spoke passionately about Vietnam's growing prospects, including the presence of many technology companies and Intel's massive investment. He described a nation on the ascent, eager to do business with the world.
    Vietnam is a nation to watch. It is worth visiting not only because of its great deals, wonderful food and drink, pageantry and hospitality, but for its charming people -- especially in the South. While we can't help but wonder how things might have been different if South Vietnam had won the war, that is in the past. The important thing is the future, and Vietnam holds great promise.
    Gary Shapiro is president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association, which represents more than 2,000 companies. He wrote this for this newspaper.
    http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_23462445/vietnam-debunking-persistent-myths-about-its-politics-prospects