Viet Tan

Modernizing Vietnam has been the aspiration of Vietnamese for many generations. In the 19th century, Vietnam lost its independence because it was unable to adapt to changing conditions. For much of the 20th century, the country was torn apart by war and did not enjoy true peace even after unification. Now in the 21st century, Vietnam has the potential of becoming an economic tiger but the Vietnamese people find themselves restrained by a backward dictatorship.

Viet Tan believes that comprehensive development is only possible when political institutions allow for the contributions of all citizens. A pluralistic society is the best way to realize social justice and human rights for all citizens. Therefore, it is Viet Tan’s mission to overcome dictatorship and build the foundation for a sustainable democracy.

To achieve a democratic transition for Vietnam, Viet Tan is committed to peaceful, nonviolent struggle. Working with other pro-democracy groups inside Vietnam and among the diaspora, we aim to mobilize the power of the people.

We are convinced that nonviolent means are most effective for generating maximum civic participation. Because Viet Tan’s ultimate goal is to contribute to Vietnam’s modernization and reform (or Canh Tan, the basis of our party’s name in Vietnamese), we reject the use of violence. Given Vietnam’s recent history and current challenges, the struggle to overcome dictatorship cannot lead to further divisions among compatriots or hamper efforts to rebuild the country.

We embrace a humanistic vision of Vietnam where each person is valued and has the opportunity to flourish. In short, Viet Tan seeks to unleash the talents and aspirations of the Vietnamese nation.

With members in Vietnam and around the world, Viet Tan aims to establish democracy and reform Vietnam through peaceful means. http://www.viettan.org