Hmong Protests in Vietnam

Vietnamese security forces have cracked down violently on a protest by the ethnic Hmong people, according to unconfirmed reports. Though details are scarce, the protests seem similar to other bouts of unrest from Vietnam's ethnic minorities, and the Vietnamese government will most likely be able to suppress the protesters. However, the protests do suggest that the government's management of ethnic issues has deteriorated. The Hmong are not the only minority group in Vietnam suffering from crippling economic problems and growing ire over government corruption. And, with unrest flaring across the Middle East, the Vietnamese government will also be watching for any sign of protests developing in majority-Vietnamese areas.