CONFIDENTIAL
SUGGESTED ELEMENTS IN A PROGRAMME FOR VIETNAM
To fit in with the travel difficulties in Vietnam the Embassy suggests the following itinerary/programe:
1.
21 September: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City by car from Phnom Penh (7 hours). With an early start from Phnom Penh it should be possible to call early evening on the People's Committee and meet later the British businessmen's group and British oil firms there.
22 September: Travel to Hanoi by air in early morning. (Use of Hang Khong Vietnam is unavoidable but the risk is only for 2 hours). Remainder of the Sunday would give time to visit Hanoi.
23 September and 24 September: In Hanoi. This would allow ample time for calls at Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Heavy Industry (to mark UK oil interest) Ministry of Labour (VBP) and EC Resettlement Programme., A visit to the VBP reception centre could also be fitted inand should allow the Minsiter to meet recent returnees.
25 September: Depart from Bangkok by Thai Airways with overnight BA flight to London ETA 0530.
2. A variation on the above would be for the Minister to include a visit to Quang Ninh, as a major "Boat People" province, see completed development projects financed under the ODA's 80:20 scheme, visit local EC Resettlement Programme projects and meet returned boat people in their homes together with a meeting with province People's Committee. Such a trip could very usefully underline our boat people concerns and action being taken directly by the UK and through the EC to deal with the problem. But because of poor roads it would involve an overnight stay and would mean there would be no time to visit Ho Chi Minh City. This itinerary would involve arrival 21 September at Hanoi from Bangkok.
CA2ACT