A Vietnamese farming family is being hailed as heroes for
the violent defence of their farm.
When local police arrived in riot gear to evict the Vuon clan, family
members were ready with homemade land mines and improvised shotguns. In a
guerrilla-style ambush reminiscent of a Vietnam War battle, they wounded six
officers.
But instead of drawing public condemnation, last month's rare violence
by fish farmers trying to hold onto leased land in the northern port city of
Hai Phong has made a national hero of family ringleader Doan Van Vuon and
ripped open a debate about heavy-handed seizures by local governments.
Though Vuon and three of his kin remain under arrest for their role in
the attack, retired military generals and a former president have weighed in on
his behalf.
