Introduction
From 1961 to 1963, the Vietnamese government initiated the Strategic Hamlets Policy. The program's name was to become the central strategy for the pacification of South Vietnam. The scheme was carried out by isolating the rural people from the Vietcong communist guerrillas (Young 2015).
Goals of the Program
The program's primary goals were to improve stability, economic growth, social change, and equitable engagement in political relations. Via the adoption of reforms, the Vietnamese government aimed to gain the people's favor and thereby defeat the Viet Cong (Young 2015).
Reasons for the Failure of the Program
Improper planning and coordination caused the eventual failure of the program. The timetable for the program was unrealistic, and there were insufficient resources for its implementation. The failure by the then president Diem to show much commitment was another major cause of the failure of the program. The United States also lacked tolerance and patience towards the Vietnam government led by President Diem. The peasants realized that the reforms as promised in the program were not forthcoming and were marred by corruption coupled with efficiency in implementation. Therefore, they chose to reject the program as a whole. Since these peasants were centrally expected to rise in the war against the insurgents, their rejection of the program meant the failure of the program (Young 2015).
Eventual Failure of the Program
While some may argue that the program was bound to fall following the assassination of President Diem together with his brother Nhu, this was not the immediate cause of failure of the program. For some time before their assassination, the end of the Strategic Hamlets program had been fast approaching. There were increased attacks aimed at the program in mid-1963. Most of the areas that had been previously under the program were slowly being won over by the Viet Cong.
After the death of President Diem and Nhu, the new regime was in a haste to distance itself from the events of the regime of Diem. This resulted in the falling apart of the Hamlets Program.
Reasons for the Failure of the Program
Poor Planning and Coordination
The planning and coordination of the program were inadequate and poor. These lapses were driven by the need for the completion of the program rapidly. there weren’t enough administrators who had the necessary expertise and experience to ensure the implementation of the program was a success. The government also failed to lay down a well-planned strategy and establish a good structure that would facilitate the smooth implementation of the Hamlets program. The Vietnamese also failed to bring together and coordinate all the necessary components of the program. It would be significant to first ensure the protection, unity, and involvement of the people in order for the program to be a success (Thompson p141). The construction of the Hamlets also showed a complete lack of coordination. Despite the construction of the Hamlets and the defenses of the hamlets, men from the Hamlets neither acquired the necessary training nor were adequately armed to ensure their protection (Thompson p132).
Poor Training of Local Officials
At all local levels, local officials did not have adequate training, hence they failed to understand the philosophy for the implementation of the program. Evidently, officials entrusted with the management of the Hamlets Program were merely political appointees and did not have any experience, expertise, or skills in managerial and management duties. Such officials got into these positions owing to their political affiliations and the ability to defend their positions was largely dependent on their support to the government. They mostly became overwhelmed by the huge responsibility they had. Others took more interest in the opportunities they stood to gain from the program at the expense of helping the peasants (Willbanks p208).
Inadequate Compensation and Corruption
The compensation to the peasants was inadequate and largely marred by corruption. In some cases, payment was never received at all. Due to corruption by the local officials, the peasants grew frustrated and discontent hence rejected the program (Chung p122).
Poor Administrative Structures
While the Hamlets program ended up becoming a military affair, there was still need for the South Vietnamese government to control the program. The illiteracy level of the civil service greatly affected the entire program. The senior officials were mainly the former servants of the French regime. They were, therefore, not interested in the issues of the peasants or even in the countryside. The national administrative bodies were of little utility in the program. As for the U.S team, the agencies responsible for the various components of the Hamlets Program were poorly coordinated. From the national agencies down to the provincial levels, coordination of the program was highly suspicious. At some point, the United States opted to provide economic aid at the provincial level in an attempt to avoid the corruption experienced at the national level.
Impatience and Intolerance of the United States
Since the time America became involved, the attitude was quite different between the people of South Vietnam and the Americans. As for the Americans, they showed impatience and were very anxious to take on the job. For the Vietnamese, they preferred to take a longer time to view the program and they were not eager to take advice. According to them, Vietnam was an old and sophisticated country compared to America, hence they considered Americans as impatient and naive (Willbanks p208).
Conclusion
Following the 1963 coup, time to implement the program was never available anymore. At all government levels, officials were no longer sure on how to move on with the program. The successor of President Diem did not have a prepared policy for the program as well. These factors finally led to the failure of the Strategic Hamlet Program.
Works Cited
Chung, Pham. Analysis of the Long-Range Military, Economic. Political and Social effects of the Strategic Hamlet Program In Vietnam. Defense Technical Information Center, 1964.
Thompson, Robert. Defeating Communist Insurgency. New York: Frederick A. Praeger, 1966.
Willbanks, Jim. Vietnam War: The Essential Reference Guide: The Essential Reference Guide. 2013.
Young, Marilyn. Vietnam Wars 1945-1990. HarperCollins, 2015.
