Cows in the Countryside

The war between the North and South ended 20 years ago. In a similar timespan after massive wartime destruction, Japan and South Korea were able to rebuild their countries into some of the world's strongest economic powers. However Vietnam remains one of the world's poorest countries. The average per capita income is about US$300 per year.

After the French left their former colony in 1954, the country was temporarily divided into two sections. The North was led by Ho Chi Minh's Communist party, and the South was led by Ngo Dinh Diem. Elections were to be held to determine the leadership for a unified country in 1955, but Diem was concerned that Ho Chi Minh would win. Instead he held a referendum in the South on his continued rule. He won with a remarkable (and rigged) 98.2% of the vote. Nevertheless his government was recognized by most of the Western nations, including the USA and France.