Editorial Commentary: Last month, Vietnam commenced legal proceedings against 75 suspects under Article 113 of its Penal Code, charging them with “conducting terrorism aimed at opposing the people’s administration,” following the deadly attacks on June 11, 2023, in Dak Lak Province, near Buon Ma Thuot’s city center. As the nation addresses current cases of terrorism, it cannot escape the historical reality that the Vietnamese government harbors a dark secret – a past involving numerous terrorist attacks perpetrated in the South during the Vietnam War (1954-1975).

In the shadows of history lie the past and forgotten acts of terrorism, which preceded the world’s formal definition of such atrocities in international law. The people of South Vietnam bore the brunt of these heinous acts, leaving lasting injuries and indelible memories etched within their collective consciousness. Though concealed, these stories must be documented and shared, serving as a poignant reminder of the suffering endured by civilians who witnessed these tragedies. By shedding light on this dark past, we gain valuable insights into the current regime in Vietnam through its historical conduct.