The Vietnam government has, once again, decided to use its old methods to spread its agenda among the people of the country. Under the strategy, loudspeakers called ‘Loa Phuong’, will be set up in different locations all across the capital of Hanoi. The reasoning behind this being that people understand the message spread through the sound of loudspeakers better.
This is the same system which was used during the Vietnam-USA War, to inform people about bombardments, war situation, and government’s messages. Even after the Vietnam War, the system was in use till the year 2017, to spread awareness related to cleanliness, and reminders related to tax payments, among people and institutions. Some active speakers were also used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nevertheless, in the presence of various sources of noise pollution on the streets, people are not liking this new system of public-address much, the reason being the loud sound. And because this decision has been taken by Hanoi’s Communist Party, no official reaction has been made on the same. In Vietnam, the Communist Party yields more power than the government itself, and the party is giving priority to its own agenda, and for them, people’s opinions do not matter much.
In the wake of this matter, critics have stated that this decision reflects the old thinking of the ruling Communist Party.
On the other hand, 70% of Hanoi’s people are against resuming the use of loudspeakers, which they reckon, is idiocy. As per the 2017 report of the Institute of Occupational Health and Environment, 30% of Hanoi’s people have to tolerate loud noises every day.
