The Lao Dong party's annual review of major developments
at the close of 1957 revealed a picture of almost unmitigated
gloom. For whatever reason (the ostensible cause was "revisionism"
which had sprung up following destalinizat ion, the
Hungarian uprising and policy errors in North Vietnam), authoritative
pronouncements alluded to the existence of widespread
"confusion and skepticism" and decried the loss of
"revolutionary optimism" within the ranks of the party. It
was time for a bold new program on both the domestic and foreign
policy fronts, one which would restore revolutionary
elan and badly needed momentum in the drive for a socialist,
unified Vietnam. As this program unfolded throughout the
ensuing two-year period, it became clear that the Viet ifiinh