Vietnam

It's long overdue that Vietnam be allowed access to the global economic system. That country is in dire economic need, and I can find no more dangerous a nation than one that is isolated and in great economic turmoil while maintaining one of the world's most powerful armies. If we could foster such a special relationship with our former enemies like Japan and Germany, there is really little reason for a further trade embargo against Vietnam. An inconsiderable amount of our trade deficit is likely the result of an often antagonistic relationship between our government and businesses.

There is much truth and sadness in Kissinger's essay. The conclusion that a President cannot conduct a winnable campaign without a proper declaration of war from Congress is persuasive. Everyone must fight a war, not just the soldiers. This basic reaffirmation of our Constitution on the author's part is commendable. However, the other side of the coin, that public debate must be restrained demonstrates that the author, even after a decade of reflection, still does not appreciate American principles.

It is ironic that "Vets Still Conflicted Over Korea" (Jan. 19) makes so many inaccurate comparisons between the Korean and Vietnam wars and their veterans. The majority of men serving, bleeding and dying in Vietnam were volunteers. Most of us were the sons of WWII and Korean veterans who hero-worshiped our fathers. Stories of Pork Chop Hill, the Chosin Reservoir and other places were our motivation to keep moving forward during some terrible moments. If you look at the casualties suffered during 1967, 1968 and 1969, you'll see that those three years were very comparable to Korea.

Chau Linh Uyen was playing in front of her primary school in Ho Chi Minh City two months ago when she touched a cash machine a few feet from the front gate. In a flash, as more than 100 volts coursed through her small body, the 10-year-old fourth-grader foamed at the mouth and , lost consciousness. She died within minutes. The accident, caused by a state bank's ATM that wasn't properly grounded, was hardly a fluke. An investigation a few days later found that 121 of the city's 866 cash machines were leaking electricity through their keyboards and other surfaces, many at potentially fatal levels.

You can fly to Ho Chi Minh City, the former Saigon, round trip from LAX for $995, including all taxes and fees, on Asiana from late summer into fall. The fare, subject to availability, is for travel any day of the week between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30. Info: Asiana , (800) 227-4262 Source: Airfarewatchdog

Tour the Ho Chi Minh Trail? A friendly jaunt to Khe Sanh? Your two-parter on Vietnam tourism stirred me, a Vietnam vet, to want to go back to Vietnam--in a B-52. GREG HUGHES, Chatsworth

Vietnam has left a scar on the American pscyhe. Though the war ended nearly 20 years ago, the ghosts remain. For those who served in Vietnam the memories can be stark and the emotions raw. United States policy toward Vietnam is not rational. I recently returned from a visit to Vietnam after a 25-year hiatus. It is a beautiful country filled with an industrious and educated people who want nothing more than to be given a chance to move ahead economically and politically. Why are we standing in their way?

The World Trade Organization on Tuesday formally invited Vietnam to become the commerce body's 150th member, paving the way for the country to join within 30 days of its National Assembly ratifying the accord. The organization's general council approved accession terms for Vietnam with the fall of a gavel from WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy, completing 11 years of entry talks with the Geneva-based group.