Protests erupted across Vietnam on Sunday against government plans to introduce a concession on new special economic zones (SEZs) that would allow land to be leased to foreign investors for a 99-year periods.
By the afternoon, tens of thousands of demonstrators had occupied the centers of Hanoi, the capital, and Ho Chi Minh City, the southern economic and financial hub. Large rallies also took place in a handful of other provinces, while solidarity protests were held abroad, from Paris to Tokyo.
In the face of mounting opposition, the ruling Communist Party has said it could delay or even scrap the SEZ plans, a rarity for a government that seldom solicits or heeds public opinion. But some political analysts say that this might not necessarily ease tensions nor win the Party support.
Pham Chi Dung, a prominent independent journalist, likened the events to the “Arab Spring,” writing that June 10 could go down as “one of the most historic days in [Vietnam’s] postwar history.”
The SEZ policy hit on a sensitive nationalistic nerve. Last year, the government announced that it would open three new SEZs in different areas of the country. Vietnam currently has 18 SEZs but, unlike the others, this particular deal would allow foreign investors to lease land for up to 99 years in the three new sites. To many, that meant selling land to Chinese interests.
Current laws only allow for 70-year leases. This sparked claims that the Communist Party is intent on selling Vietnamese land to the highest bidder, significantly at a time it faces charged accusations of land-grabbing from ordinary citizens.
Last week, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung reiterated that “there is no word that mentions China” in the SEZ plan. But this did little to dispel opinions that Beijing would be the main beneficiary of the deal, especially as one of the three SEZs will be in Quang Ninh province, just across the border from China’s Guangxi autonomous region.
The National Assembly, Vietnam’s supposed “elected” legislature, was expected to pass the law this week, though the government has called on it to delay proceedings. On Monday morning, the National Assembly voted by a 85% majority to suspend the law. It will now be debated again during the body’s next session in October.
Chinese investment in Vietnam is a combustive issue. For centuries, Chinese rulers invaded and colonized Vietnamese fiefdoms, mainly in the north of the country. In 1979, the two countries fought a month-long bloody border war.
In more recent years, anti-Chinese protests took place in 2014, after China began drilling for oil in the contested waters off central Vietnam, while in 2016 there were mass demonstrations when a Taiwanese-owned factory spilled tons of toxic waste in central Vietnam.
Hanoi also remains the leading opponent in Southeast Asia of Beijing’s attempts to dominate the contested South China Sea.
While this weekend’s protests were certainly marked by nationalist and anti-China rhetoric – as the majority of media reports noted – they were much more than mere chauvinistic gesticulations against Beijing.
As well as the numerous anti-China signs at the protests, there were also placards that demanded greater democracy. Some protestors carried banners reading “Returning Autonomy For [the] People.” Another placard stated the protest was against the National Assembly’s violation of the Constitution.
“It’s not mainly [about] China. It’s more a sign of the [people’s] deep frustration and dissatisfaction over the authorities’ control of everything,” tweeted Nguyen Phuong Linh, a political risk analyst.
That likely includes the glaring fact that Vietnamese have not been allowed meaningful elections for decades under a stifling one-party state.
But one prominent complaint, expressed by many protestors, was against the planned cyber security law, which the National Assembly is also expected to vote on this week. It is not clear if this vote will now also be delayed, though observers say it seems unlikely.
The government has worked on this draft legislation for months, which if passed could censor almost all critical comments expressed online.
One article of the draft legislation rules it a crime to post material online that “offends the nation, the national flag, the national emblem, the national anthem, great people, leaders, notable people, and national heroes.”
Another requires companies that host websites where such content is posted, including Facebook, to regulate material. Controversially for foreign-based firms, they will also be required to store data domestically.
“The goal of Vietnam’s proposed cyber security law appears as much to protect the party’s monopoly on power as to protect network security,” Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said in a press statement.
It’s not clear yet how the protests will affect the political environment. The Communist Party has become more conservative and puritanical since the 2016 Party Congress, when Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was reappointed and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, seen by some as a non-ideological populist, forced out of office.
Since, Trong and his clique have attempted to restore socialist ideology and “morality” among Party members, while cracking down more frequently on public dissent.
But public opposition to the SEZ deal has led the government into a potential retreat. On Saturday, even before the protests broke out, ministers asked the National Assembly to delay passing the SEZ law so they could better scrutinize the deal.
A statement says this was motivated after months of “listening to enthusiastic and responsible contributions of members of parliament, scientists, economists, experts, voters and the people.”
Last week, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that the 99-year term of the SEZ leases could be reduced, but didn’t say by how many years. The government likely hopes that anger quietens within a few months, meaning protests won’t erupt again in October when it will again try to pass the law.
Or the government could try introducing the same concessions but by different means, say political analysts. But clearly more Vietnamese people are now questioning the ruling Communist Party’s legitimacy, particularly over issues like environmental protection and corruption, although the government has made strides in both.
Perceptions that the Party is selling out national interests to China is one issue that could lead to the Party’s eventual downfall, activists say. If the SEZ deal is passed at some point, more protests could erupt, they say.
But the decision to delay proceedings – and if the SEZ deal is eventually scrapped – is a rare indication that the Party does listen to public opinion when it comes in the form of nationwide protests. This is the line the government is now spinning, as demonstrated when Party General Secretary Trong went on national television on Sunday night to appeal for calm.
Of equal significance is how Vietnam’s growing pro-rights and democracy movement responds to the protests.
As dissidents told Asia Times, the SEZ deal isn’t the only instance of the Party “selling its land” to foreigners. Some think that this weekend’s protests might raise more awareness about land rights issues, especially the confiscation of land by the government.
It might also awaken growing interest in other deals between Hanoi and Beijing, which could spark more anti-China rhetoric, including in the online spaces the government is trying to restrict with its cybersecurity legislation. Political bloggers, moreover, note the SEZ issue has got ordinary people talking about issues like the role of the National Assembly, a body normally maligned by the public.
“The regime disperses any rally if they know there is going to be one, but yesterday they knew but couldn’t stop it,” said Nguyen Chi Tuyen, a prominent human rights defender who goes by the online name ‘Anh Chi.’ Only protests in Hanoi were successfully curtailed by the authorities.
“The demonstrations were explosions yesterday and they encouraged others to pay attention. The demonstrations made the ruling communists scared,” Tuyen said. If the cybersecurity law is passed this week, it could lead to further protests, he added.
Not everyone is convinced, however, that this week’s protests will provide the same momentum for dissident groups as the 2016 Formosa demonstrations, which emboldened these groups. The government has been busy recently imprisoning democrats and pro-rights activists at rates not seen in decades.
The state’s heavy-hand was clinched this weekend. There are reports of dozens of protestors being detained, while many more were beaten by the police. It’s likely that authorities will arrest more protest organizers and participants in the coming weeks.
But by even showing the slightest bit of latitude, the Party has made clear that, first, it is not all powerful and, second, the people can enforce policy changes through popular mobilization.
More Vietnamese may thus ask why such popular actions should not be more commonplace and, down the line, why shouldn’t they have a greater say in who governs them.
This article should be treated with a healthy dose of skepticism. Atimes has published similar slanted articles in the past to promote the liberal democratic ideals of their pro western benefactors. An "Arab Spring like protest" is what did this article in. Vietnam should be wary when similar articles starts to find its way in western inspired media entities.
The classic trick of using foreigners as a bogey man for a thinly veiled anti-government agenda.
Go ahead vietnam, be another lackey to usa. How does it feel having screwed up by color revolutions sponsored by usa? Ungrateful and arrogant ones like you deserve it.
Why doesn’t Indonesia focus far, far more on manufacturing, keep a fair deal of the rain forest and develop the areas for global tourists. How much money does Africa make from tourists annually from eco-tourists there to look at animals? Indonesia has the best wildlife in Asia.
Phew….Vietnamese from the South hate Vietnamese more from the Norht than they hate the Chinese…..or is this so? There are more than 50 shades of grey or is it red in Vietnam. I have found some Vietnamese from the North that hate the Socialist Republic of Vietnam far more so than any Vietnamese from te outh. But I habe also found some, albeit not many from the South that are not antagonstic to the North. Indeed the situation is very complex in Vietnam and anyone that can offer an evidence driven assertion or two I would be happy to read.
Communist go to hell
I hope protest movement like ”spring Arab” was took place in Iraq, Syria, Lybia, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Egypt… not come here, in Vietnam. As you know, Vietnam just have peace from 1989, when China soldiers stopped attack and retreat military equipment: tank, artillery, rocket launchers… come back China in fierce border war. Therefore everyone Vietnamese love peace, work and try hard to grow economy, not want war detroy country again.
get the chinese parasites OUT
yes of course , i was born from south of vietnam but i really hate north vietnamese more than the chinese , North vietnamese so bad , like the chinese ,
They are the worst in my country. They are unaware , irresponsible, aggressive, stealing what they like, they say they have liberated the south so we have to be grateful for them.
What a dumba$$ comment! Or it could be a 1989 Spring in Eastern Europe that kicked the Communist shitheads out of Vietnam for good. Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Baltic countries, Hungary, etc are prosperous, democratic and part of NATO. Not one f*cking communist party in those countries at all It’s time end Communist Party rule in Vietnam. Vietnam without Ho Chi Minh, Le Duan, Le Duc Tho and Chinese ass licking stooges. VCP days are numbered. Remember Ceaucescu? VCP gang members will end up with a bullet hole!
How clueless and arrogant!
That is the stupidity of the descendants of the Republic of Vietnam. They think the people of northern Vietnam are the communist government lol
Lol. I am sure victomhood suits well of Vietnam and its neighbors…
the Republic of Vietnam is the "Three sticks passing through the leaves" government. the descendants of the Republic of Vietnam who can not fly helicopters to California will live in the south of Vietnam.Nguyễn PChannel is example :V
What is wrong if someone promotes democracy? Defending Dictator communist is million times worse than an idiot.
I believe you met North Vietnamese who moved to the South in 1954. Google "Operation Passage to Freedom" so you will know more about these North Vietnamese people. They hate Communist more than anything else on earth. Right now, even communist in the South still hate communist in the North. Is that funny in this communist regime? All the Vietnamese should live in freedom and communist and communist promoters must go to hell.
don’t forget,see Germany under Hitler,China will be collapsed same as them
Pfft, talk like you know it. Ungrateful to whom? Sponsored by usa, evidence? Or are you suggesting that we should support a government that robbed the people of their home, let foreign companies destroy our enviroment, could not protect our islands, and now selling our land? If so, enlight me please.
For the people who never lived a day under this Vietnamese one party regime, you will never undestand. People’s right in this country has been depressed for decades, and resulted in this nationwide protest. Don’t point else where for the culprit. Dictatorship led to this.
Many Vietnamese have lost hope of their government. Their only hope is "Democracy", but that’s something they have never known for what it really is: an illusion. Hope no blood or life will be lost for pursuing this illusion.
Sorry, but the US need them for now.
Everyone loves peace. Get your "facts" or "history" straight before pouring your blood for nothing.
Peace!
Welcome to capitalism!
If you like it, I suggest you be a pure one. Do not think like a communist but love the money that capitalism brings you, it wouldn’t work out and you will end up blaming everyone else.
To fight china invasion we must first eradicate the vietcong communist party. The party is the enemy of the people not China. They sold children, women and our ancestor sea and land to the chinese. There is hope for democracy if only 10% of the vietnamese people understand this.
Richard Truong Democracy an illusion? ccp propaganda still turning people into Mao’s brainwashed dogs I see. emperor xi makes himself dictator for life and not one objection. you people are hopeless
Awer San
Open your eyes and see which country has a true democracy? Do not deceive yourself, that’s the most pathetic.
The bare truth is the Chinese or any other investors were begged to come invest. They have the choice and invest in any where they want. Demonstrate some more and you will see you will bring recession to the country soon.
By the way, calling investors Parasites is typical communist way of thinking. So are you the communist who hate communism? Get your facts straight.
Richard Truong as I said, you people are hopeless. that you don’t see issue with emperor xi declaring himself ruler for life says everything
Awer San
If things are good, why changed? Only the idiots think everything must be changed to have progress. Look at the US, a racist nut case has been elected.
Phan Trọng Hoàng
Dude, you don’t know much about China. You can hate China, but without China, the West would have swallowed Vietnam alife in a matter of months if not weeks. Just see what happened in the past, when China was weak, the whole Asia was colonized and enslaved. Are you happy then?
Richard Truong You need to do some history research. Without China, the communist could never won the country.
United Nations please help Vietnam. Many people are suffering and spies from the government are always there to stop the citizens solidarily. You can even fight them in this comment section. They will always go on about "trust in the gorvernment", "there is no places better than where we are now" when it is like hell for many people. Pollution, flood and the street is flood with water whenever it rains, and their promises to fix these problems will never come true when they always think about taking our money and use it for themselves. They use it to buy land in the U.S for their family in case Chinese takeover and let us citizens deal with the consequences later
United Nations please help Vietnam. Many people are suffering and spies from the government are always there to stop the citizens solidarily. You can even fight them in this comment section. They will always go on about "trust in the gorvernment", "there is no places better than where we are now" when it is like hell for many people. Pollution, flood and the street is flood with water whenever it rains, and their promises to fix these problems will never come true when they always think about taking our money and use it for themselves. They use it to buy land in the U.S for their family in case Chinese takeover and let us citizens deal with the consequences later
Vietnamese are not backing the protests. Mostly we’re just talking about how much got destroyed and how many got arrested. And a lot of us know that they’re organized by foreigners who have an interest in overthrowing the government, like this author.
We’re not interested in pushing the reset button on our society again, to bring about something horrible like what Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Ukraine, have.
Richard Truong west germany, south Korea and Japan all were defeated by american and thanks to china, north korea people live like animals in the cage. You are so naive.
it is very clear now that china already controlled vn goverment.
China take advantage of the way comunism run goverment with closed door. They already taken control of the country. I feel so bad for vietname people.
corruption so serious now in vn government they have to sell the country to china also to keep themself in power. They are not human.
Sidney Tran
***Idiot***
Thinking back, what a sight retracing those B-52’s on youtube, carpeting, napalming, agent oranging, the IndoChinese panhandle 24/7 for well over a decade, maybe more.
What was the ratio then? I have to say it have to be something like 1-10,000 if not 1-100,000…
Salutes! A victorious war bravely fought.
.
Phan Trọng Hoàng
How many more million will it take for you poopers to come to your senses that it was “democracy” that’s bombed the craps outta you until it (democracy) ran out of bombs and bullets to continue with the sporting event? I feel for you poopers, not for you lose or victory, but, for your funny logics.
Maybe they like U.S. orange juice,ya ..tq…have a nice day sir