Vietnamese activist places rare national spotlight on Gaza’s suffering

Tieu Nguyen Bao Ngoc, a 28-year-old Vietnamese activist, gained national attention after joining the Global Sumud Flotilla in May, aiming to deliver aid to Gaza. Her participation marked a rare public display of political activism in Vietnam, drawing significant online support from young people who resonated with her solidarity for Palestinians, likening their plight to Vietnam's historical struggles. Bao Ngoc, also known as Ashley, stated, "As a Vietnamese who has endured the same sufferings and war crimes committed by Western imperialists, especially the US, I feel tremendous sympathy for the Palestinian people." Her vessel was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters, leading to her detention and a public appeal for her release. Despite widespread public support and a mass email campaign, Vietnamese state media and government remained largely silent, in contrast to neighboring countries. This incident, described as unprecedented, highlighted a generational shift in activism and a re-evaluation of Vietnam's historical solidarity with Palestine amidst growing ties with Israel.