Australian
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Teacher’s notes

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This clip shows the then premier of the Republic of Vietnam, Air Vice-Marshall Nguyen Cao Ky and his wife arriving in Melbourne in January 1967 and being welcomed by the governor of Victoria, Sir Rowan Delacombe and his wife at Government House in Melbourne where they greet a group of Vietnamese students. Footage includes premier Ky attending a press conference and responding to questions about the Vietnam War with the assistance of a translator.

Educational value points

• Premier Ky’s visit to Australia took place during Australia’s participation in the Vietnam War of 1962–75, having been invited by then prime minister Harold Holt. Australia entered the war against communist North Vietnam in 1962 in support of her ally, the USA, who had adopted a policy of 'containment’ of communism in the region. The predicted 'domino effect’ of other South-East Asian countries falling to communism and presenting a threat to Australia’s national security was an influential argument at the time.

• At the time of Premier Ky’s 1967 visit 62 per cent of Australians supported Australia’s commitment to the war in Vietnam. Public support in Australia for joining the Vietnam War had initially been high, however by the time conscription was introduced in 1964 a protest movement was gaining momentum. Anti-Vietnam War demonstrations were held to coincide with Ky’s appearances in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Australian forces were eventually withdrawn from Vietnam by the Whitlam Labor government in 1972.

• Air Vice-Marshall Nguyen Cao Ky (1930–) became premier of the Republic of Vietnam in 1965, claiming that he would eliminate the instability and corruption that had previously plagued South Vietnam. Ky visited Australia and other nations to gather support for South Vietnam’s position as a sovereign nation and to secure military assistance for the fight against the National Liberation Front, popularly known as the 'Vietcong’. In 1967 when Nguyen Van Thieu became president, Air Vice-Marshall Ky was elected vice-president. Ky retired from politics in 1971 and settled in the USA after 1975.

• This clip portrays the Kys’ visit as a success with the media, using footage that presented Ky and his wife as glamorous and colourful personalities. While the footage of the press gathering shows Ky dismissing serious questions about whether the Vietnam War could be won, the anti-War demonstrations held in the cities visited by the Kys are mentioned but not shown in the coverage.

• In October 1967 Australia’s commitment to the War was increased with an additional 1,700 men, a tank squadron and helicopters being sent to Vietnam, despite widespread opposition to conscription and the belief of many that the Vietnam War could not be won. In the USA, as well as in Australia, military strategists criticised the campaign in Vietnam for lacking clear objectives and pitting soldiers against the determined and hidden guerrilla fighters in an unfamiliar jungle terrain.

• The media played a vital role in influencing public opinion about the Vietnam War, particularly when the diplomatic niceties shown in this clip were later outweighed by footage of atrocities in Vietnam, including the extensive bombing and spraying of crops with toxic herbicides, and of the tens of thousands of people protesting against the War. The footage shown in this clip provided another perspective on Australia’s involvement and allowed Australians to see the leader of the country that Australian soldiers were fighting to support.

Air Vice-Marshall Nguyen Cao Ky and his wife are welcomed by the governor of Victoria, Sir Rowan Delacombe, and his wife at Government House in Melbourne where they greet a group of Vietnamese students.
ABC announcer (voice-over) The Governor of Victoria, Sir Rowan Delacombe, and Lady Delacombe greeted their guests and all posed for the cameramen before moving inside. About 2,000 demonstrators were gathered outide the gates of Government House and Air Vice-Marshall Ky made an unscheduled drive through them before reverting to the official program, meeting Vietnamese students who are studying at universities and colleges in Melbourne.

Premier Ky attends a press conference.
ABC announcer (voice-over) Then came the last news conference, at which Air Vice-Marshall Ky impressed with his skill at answering the varied questions put to him.
Journalist 1 Coming back to your Australian visit are you sure, now that it’s almost over, that you’ve seen enough of the Australian people to get your message across? Are you satisfied that you saw enough of us?
Air Vice-Marshall Ky I don’t think – I don’t know, frankly. But what I see, what I hear, what I read in the newspaper, I think yes. Well, if not, I will ask you to help me – if you believe in me. Yes?
Journalist 2 Prime Minister, one of the criticisms which has been most often levelled against your struggle against the Viet Cong in Vietnam is that this is an unwinnable war. Obviously you don’t think that it is an unwinnable war but would you agree that it is possible that the war against the Viet Cong is unwinnable?
Ky consults with his translator.
Ky Oh, unwinnable? Yeah. You mean we cannot win this war, right? That is your question? No, I think the contrary. I think this is a winnable war. We are going to win, no doubt.
Ky holds up an unlit cigarette.
Ky With your permission. It makes me nervous. Yes?