For many in the United States during the early 1960s, Vietnam was a distant and unfamiliar country. However, the impending conflict would soon bring American soldiers face-to-face with Vietnamese culture. To prepare these individuals, the Department of Defense created A Pocket Guide to Vietnam, 1962, a concise yet comprehensive introduction to Vietnamese society. This guide aimed to lessen culture shock and promote understanding.
This invaluable resource, now republished by the Bodleian Library with original illustrations and a foreword by Bruns Grayson, offers a window into the Vietnam of the era. It explores the customs, geography, and political landscape of the nation. More than just a military manual, the Pocket Guide emphasized respect and understanding, offering advice such as “Don’t think Americans know everything” and highlighting the importance of “dignity, restraint, and politeness.” These insights were crucial for fostering positive relations and, arguably, for the overall success of the American mission.
The core objective of the Pocket Guide was to instill a sense of respect and empathy for the Vietnamese people. This was seen as vital to achieving political goals in the region. This little book therefore provides valuable insights into the political climate and aspirations of the time, offering a unique perspective on the war beyond the battlefield.
The Vietnam War remains a deeply significant event in twentieth-century history. While the military strategies and key battles have been extensively analyzed, this Pocket Guide sheds light on the daily realities of soldiers and the social situations they encountered.
The guide covers a diverse range of social scenarios and provides practical advice on navigating Vietnamese culture. This “behind-the-front-lines” perspective offers a captivating read for anyone interested in Vietnam’s cultural, social, political, and military history. The Pocket Guide helps us understand the complexities of the conflict by focusing on the human element and the interactions between American soldiers and the Vietnamese population. It serves as a reminder that wars are not only fought on battlefields, but also in the hearts and minds of the people involved.
The Pocket Guide to Vietnam, 1962 goes beyond being a historical artifact; it’s a study of cultural understanding during a time of conflict. This guide provides an important lesson in respecting different cultures, even in the most challenging circumstances. By understanding the Vietnamese people, American soldiers were better equipped to navigate the complexities of the war and contribute to a more positive outcome, however that might be defined. Its relevance extends to our modern world, where cross-cultural understanding is vital in every facet of life.
