The visit was significant. It was not merely to return, on behalf of President Chiang Kai-shek, President Diem's visit to Taipei three years ago. It was also part of a major effort by free China to achieve Asian solidarity for an effective struggle against international Communism.
China and Vietnam have been associated with each other in one way or another for more than 2,000 years. They have practically shared the same cultural heritage. Today they are facing the same enemy—Communism. The fate of China is closely linked with that of Vietnam.
Since the establishment of the Republic of Vietnam in 1954, relations between the two countries have bean very cordial. Their friendly ties have been further strengthened through trade, technical cooperation and an exchange of goodwill missions.
Through their bitter experiences in fighting Communism, both countries are convinced that only by achieving a united free Asia can the evils of Communism be wiped out in this part of the world.
The historic visit of free China's No. 2 man to Saigon will no doubt have a far-reaching impact not only on the solidarity between China and Vietnam but also on the course of events in Asia.
The Vice Presidential party included Minister of Foreign Affairs Shen Chang-huan, Minister of Education Huang Chi-lu; the Vice Chief of General Staff, General Lai Ming-tang; the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the army, General Hu Lien; Li Kwoh-ting, economic advisor to the Vice President, and Dr. Tsiang Yien-si, Commissioner of the Joint Commission on Rural Reconstruction.
Vice President Chen waves to greeters at the Saigon airport. On the right is Vietnamese Vice President Nguyen Ngoc Tho (File photo)
The Vice President and his party were warmly greeted upon their arrival in Saigon by Vietnamese Vice President Nguyen Ngoc Tho and other ranking officers, including Secretary of Foreign Affairs Vu Van Mau, Secretary of Education Nguyen Quang Trinh, Acting Secretary of Defense Nguyen Dinh Thuan and the Chief of the General Staff, General Le Van Ty.
The Vice President was given full military honors, including a gun salute and an honor guard. He was then guided into the VIP reception room to meet members of the diplomatic corps.
In a statement on his arrival, the Vice President thanked the Vietnamese government and people for their cordial welcome.
He said the purpose of his visit was to exchange views with President Diem and other Vietnamese leaders on the current world situation, especially with respect to Asia, and on other problems of mutual concern.
The Vice President denounced Communist subversion and infiltration in the Far East and lauded the important role of Vietnam in stemming the expansion of international Communism.
"The government and the people of Vietnam, under the clear-sighted leadership of President Ngo Dinh Diem, have recorded remarkable achievements in the task of reconstruction, thus increasing the potential of our defense in Asia; and their victory in the anti-Communist struggle has consolidated our confidence in the final victory over Communism," he said.
When the Vice President stepped out of the reception room into the open, he received an enthusiastic ovation from tens of thousands of people, including civic leaders, students, workers and overseas Chinese. An unusually large group of newsmen and photographers, including a contingent from Taipei, crowded the airport to cover the arrival of the 66-year-old Chinese statesman.
From the airport, the Vice President rode with his Vietnamese counterpart to the latter's official residence where he stayed during the visit.
After a short rest, the Vice President drove to the Chinese Embassy where he was briefed by Ambassador Yuan Tse-chien. In the evening, the Chinese ambassador gave an informal dinner party in honor of the Vice President and his party.
Before the party, the Vice President received a group of overseas Chinese leaders. He told them that President Chiang Kai-shek wanted him to inform them that a final victory over the Reds is assured because the Republic of China has three sources of strength to defeat the Communists: Taiwan, the overseas Chinese and the people on the Chinese mainland.
He said President Chiang was very much concerned over the conditions of overseas Chinese in Vietnam.
The Vice President urged overseas Chinese to help Vietnam with money and manpower in its economic reconstruction and anti-Communist struggle.
"China and Vietnam are like brothers and are now on the same boat. They must help each other. A Vietnamese victory is a Chinese victory," he said.
Early the next morning Tuesday March 5, the Vice President, accompanied by Acting Secretary of Defense Nguyen Dinh Thuan, laid a wreath at the Vietnamese War Dead Memorial in Saigon's Botanical Garden.
Shortly after, he paid a courtesy call on Vice President Tho and presented him with a tripod, an electric fan and a bolt of cloth.
Later in the morning, Vice President Chen called on President Ngo at the president's office for their first meeting, and talked with him for one and a half hours. The two statesmen had a broad exchange of views on how further to strengthen Sino-Vietnamese cooperation and on other matters of mutual concern.
The Vice President, on behalf of President Chiang, presented to President Ngo an ivory boat and an autographed photo of President Chiang. He also presented on President Chiang's behalf a coral cross for President Ngo's mother.
The Vice President, for himself, presented to the Vietnamese Chief of State four jade screens and a tripod.
Inspection Tour
Later in the afternoon, the Vice President made an inspection tour of the Vietnam Textile Company, a joint overseas Chinese and Vietnamese enterprise that is one of the leading textile companies in Vietnam.
After this, he received more than 100 Chinese specialists who work in 18 different units in Vietnam. He praised their performance but urged them to do even better.
In the evening, the Vice President attended a dinner party at the luxurious Caravelle Hotel given in his honor by the Vietnamese Vice President.
In welcoming his guest, Vice President Tho said the Vietnamese people had found in the Chinese people "sure fellow fighters full of understanding and ever ready to give us their cooperation and help."
Strong Friendship
During the past three years, Vice President Tho said, the bonds of friendship between China and Vietnam had been more and more strengthened. This was beautifully and well illustrated, he declared, by effective and continued cooperation in the economic sphere.
The Vietnamese Vice President said the situation in Vietnam had been reversed from the defensive to the offensive. "It is possible for us now to foresee victory," he said.
He attributed the favorable change in the situation to the strategic hamlet policy—a policy under which rural people are organized into defensive setups against Communist attack and infiltration.
Vice President Tho said that the Republic of Vietnam had never wavered in its efforts to stem the Red tide.
Replying, Vice President stressed the need of solidarity and cooperation between the two peoples.
Since the end of World War II, he recalled, international Communism had never ceased to intensify its aggression in Asia, and it was because of this that the Chinese mainland was now behind the Iron Curtain and Vietnam had been partitioned.
These facts, he said, proved that the two great peoples, having the same fate and the same objectives, need now, more than at any time in the past, solidarity and cooperation.
"Our two governments and peoples, like the crew of a ship in the grip of difficulties, must unite and act as one man," he said. "They must cooperate not only in the task of reconstruction but also in the anti-Communist struggle."
Early Wednesday morning March 6, the Vice President paid a visit to the Vietnamese National Museum, located in Saigon's Zoological and Botanical Gardens.
Thousands of Vietnamese students, waving Chinese and Vietnamese flags, lined up along Thong Nhat Boulevard leading to the museum to hail their distinguished guest.
Looking fresh despite his heavy schedule, the Vice President waved to them in warm response to their greetings.
Museum Curator Vuong Hong Sen greeted the Vice President as he alighted from his car and escorted him to the Sino-Vietnamese art hall. The Vice President closely inspected a sword, a bowl, a precious ring and a statue, all illustrative of the ancient cultural links between China and Vietnam. He studied at length some of the pieces displayed, particularly some Vietnamese carvings and ivory by famed contemporary Chinese sculptor Tai Wan Chun.
Later in the morning, Vice President Chen held a one-hour talk with Ngo Dinh Nhu, brother and political advisor of President Ngo. Ngo Dinh Nhu, an influential political figure in Vietnam, is credited with the successful operation of the strategic hamlets which help check Communist infiltration and expansion.
In the afternoon, Vice President Chen and President Diem held another meeting, this one lasting two and a half hours. Only a few high ranking officials from both sides were present. The meeting reportedly centered on political matters.
Vietnam Achievements
In the evening, Vice President Chen attended a reception at the Caravelle Hotel given in his honor by Chinese Ambassador Yuan Tse-chien. Many Vietnamese officials, overseas Chinese leaders and diplomats were present.
After the reception, the Vice President gave a dinner at the Continental Hotel in honor of the Vietnamese Vice President.
In a toast Vice President Chen lauded the various achievements made by Vietnam in past years. He said: "The policy being carried out by the Vietnamese Government toward democracy, under the leadership of President Ngo Dinh Diem, is a right, clear-sighted and wise one."
Then he recalled that it was only after the Chinese mainland fell into Communist hands that several foreign friends who had criticized the Chinese government for its anti-Red policy realized that they had been duped by the Reds.
In response, Vice President Tho said:
"Like you, we also realize that there are several advanced countries in the free world who do not yet really understand the psychology of the Afro-Asian peoples and the bitter realities that underdeveloped countries have to cope with in facing an enemy like the Communists who are both cunning and cruel.
"In the present intricate situation," he added, "the commonly understood democratic principles cannot help us to fight effectively for survival and quick development. To defeat the Communists, the struggle must not only be carried out within the country, but also on the international level."
Thursday morning March 7, the Chinese Vice President drove 20 miles northeast of Saigon to inaugurate the Tan Thong strategic hamlet in Cu Chi district, Binh Duong province.
Looking relaxed, the Vice President waved to roadside groups of school children and other onlookers who carried banners inscribed in Vietnamese and Chinese, praising the friendship and cooperation between the two free countries.
At the hamlet, the Chinese leader was briefed by officials on the general situation in the achievements of the strategic hamlet program.
The strategic hamlet is a regrouping of rural people into a defensive setup against Communist infiltration. At present 10 million out of Vietnam's 14 million population are protected by some 10,000 strategic hamlets.
A mock alarm against Communist terrorists was staged to demonstrate to the distinguished visitor the effectiveness of the defense system. Accurate artillery fire was also called upon against the imaginary attackers.
The Vice President was very much impressed with the strategic hamlet program. He said he was deeply convinced that the strategic hamlets in Vietnam are the most effective means to cope with the Communists.
Contribution in Tactics
"Vietnamese tactics constitute an immense contribution to the free world and can serve as an example to other countries threatened by Communist subversion," he said.
Following his visit to the hamlet, the Vice President motored back to Saigon for lunch and a visit to Vietnam's National Institute of Administration.
He then attended a cocktail party given in his honor by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Cholon, Saigon's Chinatown.
The Vice President's visit was believed to be very successful. Earlier in the day, it was simultaneously announced in both Saigon and Taipei that the Chinese statesman had decided to extend his visit for one more day at the suggestion of the Vietnamese President.
In the evening, the Vice President attended a formal dinner given in his honor by President Ngo Dinh Diem.
Intimate Cooperation
In welcoming the Chinese Vice President, the Vietnamese Chief of State said his visit was guarantee of the intimate cooperation between the two anti-Communist nations
He said the current struggle against Communism by China and Vietnam would not only decide the future destinies of the two nations, but would affect Asia and the whole free world as well.
President Ngo believed that in this sacred struggle against world Communism, there was a spiritual force which would support them, tide them over this difficult period of history, and afterward glorify the culture of the two countries.
In reply, the Vice President thanked his host for all the hospitality accorded him. Then he warned that the greatest dangers now facing the free world did not reside in the aggressive power of the Communist bloc, but in the lack of solidarity among nations of the free world.
However, the Vice President said, if the democracies of the free world embraced a more far-sighted view, strengthened their cooperation and adopted a more positive policy towards countries which are victims of Communism, he had no doubt that the world situation would immediately change.
Friday morning March 8, Vice President Chen and President Ngo flew to Dalat, a scenic spot 150 miles northeast of Saigon, aboard the President's special plane for another conference.
Following their arrival at Dalat, the two statesmen talked for more than two hours, but the subjects discussed were not disclosed.
Vice President Chen, accompanied by Vietnamese Secretary of Economic Affairs (center), visits the Vietnam Textile Co. (File photo)
Informed sources, however, said the two leaders laid down guidelines so that their political, economic and military advisers could work out detailed plans for further strengthening the friendly ties between the two nations.
At noon, the Vietnamese Chief of State entertained the Vice President with a rich Vietnamese style lunch featured by shark's fin, birdnest soup, pork and steak.
In the afternoon, the Vice President made an inspection tour of the Vietnamese Military Academy. The academy, founded in 1956, is the cradle of many distinguished Vietnamese military leaders now leading Vietnamese legions in the battle against the Communist insurgents.
Addressing the cadets of the academy, the Vice President urged the Vietnamese to rally around President Ngo.
"All of you must know the importance of supporting your great leader. The Communists are specialists in pulling the carpet from under any person of brilliant leadership because they believe when a leader is down everything else will crumble," the Vice President said.
President Ngo spoke after Vice President Chen. He said the spirit shown in the Chinese anti-Communist struggle was something the Vietnamese people have to learn about.
Saturday morning March 9, the Vice President paid a farewell call on the Vietnamese Chief of State. Shortly before his departure from Saigon, the two statesmen issued a joint communique in which they agreed that the crisis caused by Communist aggression in Asia was worse than ever.
The two leaders warned that international Communism does not give up its ambition of world domination despite its internal difficulties. The Communists are still employing their habitual tactic of waging aggressive war on the one hand and talking peace on the other, they asserted.
The two leaders stressed that both China and Vietnam are determined to take all proper measures to strengthen their economic, technical and cultural ties.
They recognized that the Chinese Communist regime on the mainland is not only the origin of troubles in Asia but also a menace to world security. All free nations, they urged, should fully understand the danger of the Communists and the necessity of giving moral and material support to the Republic of China in its efforts to liberate the Chinese people from the Communist yoke.
They also recognized that the anti-Communist struggle of the Vietnamese government and people is a link in the worldwide anti-Communist struggle and that it deserves the support of all free nations.
The communique emphasized that the Viet Cong's open armed revolt in Vietnam, violations of the Geneva accord by the Laotian Communists, the Chinese Communist attack against India and Soviet infiltration of Latin America, testify that freedom is indivisible and that so-called peaceful coexistence is an illusion.
The communique therefore urged the free nations to be constantly aware of Communist aggression.
When the Vice President left the Saigon airport, he was seen off by a record crowd of more than 50,000 people. Overseas Chinese and Vietnamese citizens of Chinese ancestry were particularly enthusiastic. The national flags of the two countries were enthusiastically waved during the sendoff, converting the airport into what one reporter called a sea of flags.
The Vice President returned to Taipei at 3:45 p.m. At an airport press conference, he said that the situation in Asia would have a new look if the free nations in this area can unite to face the Communist threat.
He called on the free nations in Asia to safeguard their own and collective security through active effort aimed at solidarity.
The Vice President's historic visit to Vietnam was widely acknowledged as highly successful. It will no doubt go down in the diplomatic history of Asia and even of the world as a most significant event. The results of the visit may not be told in concrete terms for the time being, but they will present themselves step by step with the passage of time.