After the blood and rage and tortured patriotism of
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Wandering Through Vietnamese Culture: Published by Thế Giới Publishers (that's where I work!!!) this massive tome by 90-year-old cultural scholar Hữu Ngọc is a rather random collection of cultural tidbits gathered under such lyrical titles as "Mr. Lam Lives on Bonsai and Acquarium Fish" and "The Cicada and the Flamboyant."
After Sorrow is brought to us by Lady Borton, a friend of mine--oh yeah, and also the foremost expert on Vietnamese-American cultural exchange. She was the first American to return to Vietnam after 1975, offering us a rare glimpse into the world of pre-free market Vietnam.
Reaching the Other Side: Subtitled "The journal of an American who stayed to witness Vietnam's postwar transition," this book offers a similar glimpse into post-war Vietnam from a Mennonite perspective (represent!). Considering that I'm in Vietnam because of MCC and MCC is in Vietnam partly due to Earl Martin...I owe this guy a lot.
Vietnam: The Definitive Oral History as Told from All Sides: Don't be fooled by the cover, this book contains more than just veteran stories. It brings us voices of northern and southern Vietnamese soldiers and civillians alike, as well as peace protesters, policy makers, and the orphaned. It gives a proper sense of just how big and complicated the war was.
Last Night I Dreamed of Peace: This diary written by the 24-year-old Viet Cong guerilla doctor Đặng Thùy Trâm has been called the Diary of Anne Frank of Vietnam. When it was found by an American soldier after her death, the Vietnamese interpreter told him, "Don't burn this one...It has fire in it already." The story of its rescue and the events it deals with are portrayed in the film "Đừng Đốt" (Don't Burn It). 
(which, let's face it, wasn't really about Vietnam at all, but about Americans facing up to their own brutality in Vietnam) the following books are a welcome reality check.
On Vietnamese culture in general:
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Wandering Through Vietnamese Culture: Published by Thế Giới Publishers (that's where I work!!!) this massive tome by 90-year-old cultural scholar Hữu Ngọc is a rather random collection of cultural tidbits gathered under such lyrical titles as "Mr. Lam Lives on Bonsai and Acquarium Fish" and "The Cicada and the Flamboyant."From Inside Post-War Vietnam:
After Sorrow is brought to us by Lady Borton, a friend of mine--oh yeah, and also the foremost expert on Vietnamese-American cultural exchange. She was the first American to return to Vietnam after 1975, offering us a rare glimpse into the world of pre-free market Vietnam.
Reaching the Other Side: Subtitled "The journal of an American who stayed to witness Vietnam's postwar transition," this book offers a similar glimpse into post-war Vietnam from a Mennonite perspective (represent!). Considering that I'm in Vietnam because of MCC and MCC is in Vietnam partly due to Earl Martin...I owe this guy a lot.And if you really must, on the Vietnam War (commonly known as the American War):
Last Night I Dreamed of Peace: This diary written by the 24-year-old Viet Cong guerilla doctor Đặng Thùy Trâm has been called the Diary of Anne Frank of Vietnam. When it was found by an American soldier after her death, the Vietnamese interpreter told him, "Don't burn this one...It has fire in it already." The story of its rescue and the events it deals with are portrayed in the film "Đừng Đốt" (Don't Burn It). 
Not the best acting on the part of the American actors, but really a lovely and moving film. Not yet available on DVD (to my knowledge) but you can download pirated copies.
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