Nguyen Trong Trung
Lad of 18-20. Son of obviously well-off restaurateurs. Had left without his parents' permission - and had obviously been given a good telling off since his return.
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Had left with a group of friends, really out of bravado. Had paid gold to go.
Boat had put in to Chinese port for fresh water.
Happy to advise people not to leave Vietnam and those in
Hong Kong to return.
to spread the word.
Willing to go to the camps in Hong Kong
Mr Hoang Minh Son, Mrs Nguyen Thi Hai and two children (aged 6 and 4)
Had sold tailoring business to sister in order to leave. Now camping back in the same tiny house and trying to get the business back.
- Had not known of the change of policy before leaving, and had thought they could find prosperity in Hong Kong.
Boat had gone direct to Hong Kong.
Had been away 10 months. Surprised by improvement in Vietnamese economy, and in level of Vietnam's relations with the outside world. Now committed to building future in Vietnam.
Comment
2.
Overall, a very encouraging series of meetings. There is of course some danger that we were being spoon-fed and/or that the families were tailoring their comments to take account of the presence of the MFA interpreter. But they came over as genuine, and their message was a clear one: regret at having left; relief at having returned and at their treatment since their return.
18 April 1989
obert Cowt
poie
Robert Court
PS/Lord Glenarthur
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