~ Le Viêt Nam, aujourd'hui. ~ The Vietnam News

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[Year 2000]

[Year 2001]

Vietnam destroys 'poisonous' books HANOI - The Vietnamese authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have destroyed six tonnes of books and other materials, describing them as "poisonous" cultural items. The communist authorities in Vietnam maintain tight control on the import or circulation of books, video tapes and compact discs. The offending books, newspapers and magazines had been seized over the course of the year 2000 by police, customs officials and cultural inspectors. Many of the items had been imported from China. In addition to the printed materials, the officials in Ho Chi Minh City destroyed thousands of video tapes, cassettes and compact discs. Officials say much of the offending material was pornographic, although some items were described as superstitious. Officials deny that is a reference to religious text - it apparently refers to books about fortune-telling and horoscopes. Many Vietnamese people like to buy books which make predictions about their future. But if they are not published by Vietnam's totally controlled publishing houses, then the books are illegal and subject to seizure. Vietnam's communist authorities try to maintain a tight grip on any cultural activity in Vietnam. Any songs or books must be approved by the state before they can be published. Even music bands playing in hotels and bars must first be auditioned by a committee to ensure that their material is suitable for public consumption. By Owen Bennett-Jones - BBC News Services - December 28, 2000.

Vietnam authorities burn 'poisonous' cultural items HANOI - Six tons of books, newspapers and magazines labeled "poisonous cultural items" have been destroyed in Ho Chi Minh City, an official said Wednesday. The items were seized during raids this year by customs agents, police and cultural inspectors. All contained violent, sexual or superstitious contents, said Nguyen Thanh Tan, chief inspector of Ho Chi Minh City's Culture and Information Department. They were ground up to make pulp, he said. In addition, city authorities burned 6,000 videotapes, 5,000 cassettes, 51,000 CDs and CD-ROMs and several gambling machines on Tuesday, Tan said. Most of the items were smuggled into the country, primarily from neighboring China, he said. Vietnam's government typically maintains tight control over media and publishing houses. Tan said the amount of "poisonous" cultural items destroyed every year would be much larger if it also included those destroyed by district officials. Each district has its own inspection team. Associated Press - December 28, 2000.