"Vietnam" or "Viet Nam" or... "Viêt Nam"

[Guest]

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[RichardF]

Lately I've noticed three spellings of this country.  Apparently it's even up for debate among some scholars.  Kiva uses two spellings in its Mekong Plus page. Vietnam Quilts uses one word in its title, but they also use "Viêt Nam" (with the diacritic mark) on some pages.  It's hard to pick one version to use when I try to "borrow" from one of these sources. Is this a "hot topic" or what?
  

[Ed Chandler]

Richard,

I think the three different postings for Vietnam are posted by people associated with Vietnam culture during the 20th century.. ie: Vietnam is American; Viet Nam is French and Viet Nam with the doohicky over the e is native colonial Vietnamese! I could be wrong. I should know, because I spent a double tour of duty in Vietnam, and befriended many many people. I almost got married to a Vietnamese Woman, but she was killed by a cousin that was sympathetic to the Viet Cong! Life surely throws ya a lot of curve balls! 40 something years later I'm pleased to be funding Vietnamese loans as I encounter them!

Ed

[RichardF]

Ed, Thanks for the clarification.  I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one.  Apparently, we have not learned much in the past forty years in some ways. Yet, when we can connect with each other as true human beings, I am heartened by our capacity for compassion, empowerment and grace.  You have touched and inspired more kinderd spirits than you will ever know.

[Henry]

another bad thing happens in the world:   

Vietnam bridge collapse kills 52 people
Accident cuts off part of span linking Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20986875/