2theadvocate > News > Native South Vietnamese favor old, unofficial flag 06/22/03
Native South Vietnamese favor old, unofficial flag </MCC HEAD>
bbarrouquere@theadvocate.com
Tuyet Nguyen doesn't like the current flag of her native Vietnam.Nguyen, who came to the United States in 1980, wants to see more of the old flag of South Vietnam, a country that hasn't existed since the end of the Vietnam war in 1975.
"Everywhere we go, we don't see our old flag anymore," Nguyen said.
That may soon change.
The Legislature has passed a bill stating that the only Vietnam flag that may be displayed in public schools and colleges, or at state-sponsored functions, is that of the former South Vietnam, which was officially known as the Republic of Vietnam.
The measure passed the House 91-7 and the Senate 32-3 despite concerns it could offend the current leaders of Vietnam and affect trade or other relationships.
The bill is headed to Gov. Mike Foster for his signature or veto.
The bill is good news to the Vietnamese community in the area, said Monica Olivier, president of the Baton Rouge Center for World Affairs.
Many remember the Communist government that took over in 1975, and they don't want to be associated with its flag, she said.
At a recent International Heritage Celebration in Baton Rouge, Vietnamese taking part in the festivities opted to have no flag rather than display the current flag, Olivier said.
"Their memories of an oppressive government are harsh and are still there for many of them," Olivier said. "A lot of people feel very sensitive toward the flag. It's a huge symbol."
The south Vietnamese flag hasn't been used by a country since the end of the Vietnam war, when Communist forces from the north overran Saigon, the capitol city.
In the ensuing years, many residents of the former South Vietnam, which was backed by the U.S., immigrated here.
The official flag of Vietnam is red with a yellow star in the center. It became the official flag of Vietnam at the end of the war, when South Vietnam surrendered to North Vietnam.
Senate Bill 839 says Vietnamese refugees should be honored by allowing only the old South Vietnam flag to fly at schools and state-sponsored events.
Thach Nguyen, a former resident of South Vietnam who now lives in Baton Rouge, is among those who doesn't care for the current flag.
Thach Nguyen, no relation to Tuyet Nguyen, came to the United States to escape the Communist government and owns several South Vietnam flags. He is eager to see more displayed around the city.
"I don't see the old flag much -- only on holidays or Vietnamese New Year," Thach Nguyen said.
Some legislators expressed concern that flying the old Republic of Vietnam flag at a port or while international visitors are in town could cause an incident.
Rep. Kay Katz, R-Monroe, and Rep. Greg Fruge, R-Eunice, said the measure could result in other communities requesting different flags be flown in public places.
"This means we'll have every flag from every country allowed to fly in our public schools," Katz said.
Rep. Jim Tucker, R-Terrytown, said if one of the state's sea ports opted to fly the old Republic of Vietnam flag, the Communist nation could take offense and cut off trade with the state.
That won't be a problem at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, which doesn't fly flags of foreign countries, said Karen St. Cyr, director of public affairs for the port.
And Rep. Pat Swilling, D-New Orleans, said it shouldn't be a problem at other ports because the bill doesn't require them to fly a South Vietnam flag.
"It would leave it up to them whether to do it or not," Swilling said. </MCC STORY>
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