Lessons from the Vietnam War on resisting authoritarianism at home | Opinion

There are parallels to what is unfolding in Venezuela right now with the American war in Vietnam, which ended 50 years ago. The conflicts are different. But what sustained both is what is now known as disinformation, which is merely a modern-day form of the age-old tool of propaganda.

Today’s spin from the Trump administration is about oil, and how our nation’s oil industry must regain its role in exploiting in Venezuela the largest remaining reserve of oil in the world. The Vietnam propaganda was based on fear. It was a war maintained by U.S. propaganda for two decades, creating widespread fear that there would be a bloodbath, that all Americans who stayed and millions of Vietnamese would be murdered if the communists won.

American propaganda

That bloodbath propaganda is my area of expertise, since I was one of a handful of Americans working in Vietnam who stayed after the rest of the Americans left in 1975. We — the war’s losers — claimed victory, and the bloodbath story is still the dominant narrative, though it did not happen. Such is the power of propaganda.

There were anti-American Vietnamese throughout South Vietnam even while our government supported the South Vietnamese government. They were mostly hidden, but connected at every level of society, paying attention, gaining knowledge and sharing information. They won not with bombs, but largely by being aware, demonstrating and resisting.

During the Vietnam War, there were anti-war demonstrations in both countries, and they grew in size and anger as the war went on. There was a military draft in both the United States and South Vietnam, making the war very personal for many people in both countries. Our current situation is also becoming personal as more and more people are being affected by illegal military actions, authoritarian edicts, rising prices, job loss, health care loss and deportation without due process, and much more.

By 1975, there were many Vietnamese who wanted the U.S. government to leave Vietnam, but most of them kept quiet, frightened to be identified as sympathizers. Now, here in the U.S., many Americans are scared of losing their own freedoms.

What can a frightened and subjugated population do when there is personal intimidation? Consider resisting like the Vietnamese individuals who won the war.

A lesson of resistance

The best weapon against propaganda is wisdom through knowledge and communication. The first step is to make talking about politics not just acceptable but an important part of daily conversation with anyone and everyone. There are still areas of agreement: According to the Pew Research Center, 53% of Americans believe the Trump administration’s deportation efforts are “too much.” And a majority of Americans support birthright citizenship, according to NPR.

Finding common ground just doesn’t happen on its own. For every-day citizens, it takes phone calls, participation at local meetings or letters to congressional representatives. A high volume of calls indicates urgency and has influence.

Activism never goes out of style, whether it is by sending emails, attending town halls and joining grassroots organizations. Battling any form of propaganda requires a rising number of voices for change.

Refuse the lies

The Vietnam War only ended when enough Americans resisted and made themselves seen and heard. At some point, just as in Vietnam 50 years ago, all of us will be involved whether we want to be or not.

Where the Venezuela conflict goes, at this early moment, is anyone’s guess. But this does not feel like the end of what this administration is up to. It feels like the beginning.

We must learn from history and see government propaganda for what it is: lies and deceit.

Claudia Krich is the author of the book “Those Who Stayed: A Vietnam Diary,” which was released in April, 2025. She directed a medical relief program in Vietnam from 1973 to 1975.