Chan Tran is editor of the Vietnam Insight publication and Internet service, which promotes human rights, freedom, and democracy for Vietnam.

President Clinton visited Vietnam at last and succeeded in a very important mission: establishing diplomacy. Appealing to the masses has been the President's strong suit throughout his term in office. But appealing to people who have persistently heard poisonous propaganda against American "Imperialists" would not be easy. Nonetheless, President Clinton articulated his powerful message effectively and with warmth, tact, and diplomacy.

The large crowds of enthusiastic people pouring into the streets to greet President Clinton wherever he went in Vietnam was both unprecedented and unexpected, especially because the Hanoi government limited dissemination of information to the public regarding Mr. Clinton's visit. In contrast, when Fidel Castro visited Vietnam years earlier, few people showed up for the welcoming event despite the government's efforts to urge people onto buses and shuttle them to the gathering site.

There were signs that the Hanoi leadership feared that the U.S. president's influence could serve as a catalyst for a democratic revolution in Vietnam. Such fear was certainly well founded considering the mounting political upheaval in the past few years, which was marked by protests, labor strikes, religious demonstrations, and rising dissent from both intellectuals and high-ranking senior Communist Party members. The visit by the leader of the free world offered the people increased encouragement and momentum for their cause.

By offering President Clinton a welcome warmer than any Hanoi leader has ever received, the people of Vietnam painted a stark contrast to the dry receptions they usually give to the Hanoi leaders. Indeed, the people enthusiastically tuned in to the President's speech and reached out to shake hands along the streets of Saigon and Hanoi. What appealed to the people was the friendly, down to earth way the President carried himself, in contrast to the manner and messages the Hanoi leaders often send. But more than that, it was the dream and hope for a life of liberty and happiness that President Clinton represents that is so compelling to all who hear his message.

It is somewhat ironic that Hanoi leaders initially thought President Clinton's visit would enhance their trade opportunities and thus enthusiastically embraced the idea. As the visit approached, the leaders became threatened by the President's influence on their control and aggressively returned to old rhetoric against American "Imperialists", downplayed his visit, demanded an apology for the war, and scanned for possible revolts from the people. But revolt they did by embracing Clinton and his message of the democratic path that Vietnam must travel to fully realize its potential. Dissidents such as Dr. Nguyen Dan Que, Venerable Thich Quang Do, and Hao Hao leader Le Quang Liem also took the opportunity to call for religious freedom and respect for civil liberties.

I have been following the Clinton Administration's Vietnam policy throughout the years with keen interest, not only because I am a Vietnamese American but also because I am a human rights/democracy activist who awaits the day that Vietnam will join the rest of the world on the path toward democracy. Despite my desire to witness Vietnam join the world community and benefit from democracy and technological knowledge, and to see my native and adopted homelands embrace each other, I believe that the U.S. has exercised a policy that is too passive toward the regime in Hanoi. If America is interested in a healthy and long-term relationship with Vietnam, we must exercise our leverage against the Hanoi dictatorship in order to bring about meaningful changes in Vietnam.

Based on previous U.S. policy towards Vietnam, I did not have much hope for President Clinton's visit. I expected it to be another public relations trip that would promote trade and help strengthen Hanoi's legitimacy in the eyes of the world. I was surprised to learn that the President prior to his trip invited 35 members of the Vietnamese American community to advise him on the situation in Vietnam and to learn of our shared aspirations with the people in Vietnam. The meeting marked the first official recognition of the Vietnamese Americans' role in the relations between the two nations. This role is critical as long as the people of Vietnam have no effective voice within their country.

When I heard the President's speech at Hanoi University, I felt as if he had spoken on my behalf, expressing the ideas and dreams I have always wanted to share with my people but never got the chance. Many of my friends also expressed favorable comments for the President's remarks. Even the most traditional Vietnamese elder I know praised President Clinton's astute appreciation of Vietnamese culture, including his mentioning of the two famous scholars and patriots, Ho Xuan Huong and Nguyen Trai, in a state dinner in Hanoi.

I believe that the President's success with the people of Vietnam would not have been so great without the input from Vietnamese Americans who want to serve the mutual interests of both nations. It was both the Vietnamese Americans' efforts to contribute realistic values to the U.S. policy toward Vietnam and the quality of a great leader to listen that has created the opportunity for Vietnamese Americans to take part in the U.S. policy-making process. I hope future administrations and lawmakers will recognize this partnership so that U.S. policy will effectively serve both nations and avoid the losses and conflict of the past.

The historic three-day visit has already passed, and the Clinton presidency is coming to an end. But its impact and historical contribution will remain. Bill Clinton will be remembered as the President who reached out and touched the people of Vietnam, whose trip has helped to highlight the cause of human rights and the Vietnamese aspirations. The President's last action regarding Vietnam spoke much louder and more meaningfully than his earlier policies: It is the people and not the Communist dictatorship with whom the U.S. wishes to cultivate relations. And in the days ahead, the people of Vietnam should be able to count on American friendship, manifested through wise policy.