The Vietnamese people

Vietnam is still under communist rule, corruption is rife and life is hard, though most people seem to be happy. However our guide Phong told us that this is not necessarily the case and the majority very much want change. We asked about the possibility of this happening and he told us that any protests are quickly quelled and harshly dealt with. And that there is always the threat that the families of the dissidents will be punished. Just while we were there, three bloggers were jailed for 8, 10 and 12 years, having been in prison without a trial for the previous two years.