Dominoes/Dominatrix:

Remember when Vietnam was the key domino that had to be propped up by American military might to prevent godless world communism from over running your freedom to be exploited by the major oil companies and the banking system?

America touted itself as God's gift to the world because we were able to change our leadership without civil wars. Vietnam is about to undergo a leadership change (not the first since 1975) without a drop of blood being shed. Its leadership trinity (president, prime minister, and chief of parliment) all submitted their resignations recently after having failed to win elections. Elections! Not a military coup!

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

Earlier this year Intel launched a $300 million chip plant in Ho Chi Minh City. Bill Gates attended lunch in Hanoi. In November Vietnam will host a summit of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. George W. Bush is expected to attend.

Economic Growth:

Since 1997 Vietnam's economy has been growing at a 7 percent rate, and last year that improved to 8.4 percent.

Well, tie me to the bedpost and tickle my fancy! Who'd a thunk it!