The Vietnam War and the French Indochina War were not only battles fought on the military front but also fertile ground for the growth of organized crime in Saigon. These conflicts created an environment of political instability, corruption, and opportunism that allowed criminal syndicates to flourish. French Indochina War (1946-1954) laid the foundation for organized crime’s emergence in Saigon. During this period, Vietnam was a French colony, and the war between the French colonial forces and the Vietnamese independence movement, led by Ho Chi Minh’s Viet Minh, created an atmosphere of unrest. Illegal activities such as smuggling, black market trading, and opium trafficking became prevalent, as various factions sought to exploit the war’s instability for their own gain. Criminal organizations, such as the Binh Xuyen established their influence and power during this time.
The Vietnam War (1955-1975) escalated the situation, intensifying the conditions that allowed organized crime to thrive in Saigon. The influx of American troops, aid, and funds created opportunities for corruption and illicit activities. Criminal organizations expanded their operations, capitalizing on the presence of foreign military personnel and the vast amounts of money flowing into the city.
a. With the influx of American soldiers, organized crime groups engaged in protection rackets, extorting money from businesses and establishments. They also controlled the prostitution trade, exploiting the demand created by the military presence. These activities provided criminal organizations with significant financial resources and power.
b. The Vietnam War also saw a rise in drug trafficking, particularly heroin. The Golden Triangle region, encompassing parts of Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand, became a major source of opium and heroin production. Criminal syndicates in Saigon played a significant role in smuggling and distributing these narcotics, further fueling the cycle of addiction and crime.
c. Corruption was rampant, with government officials and military personnel involved in various illegal activities. Black market trading thrived, involving goods such as weapons, contraband, and stolen military supplies. This illicit economy further eroded the stability of the city and fueled the influence of organized crime groups.
The legacy of organized crime in Saigon during the Vietnam War continues to cast a long shadow. The extensive network and power amassed by criminal organizations had a lasting impact on the city’s social fabric. It fostered a culture of corruption, lawlessness, and violence that took years to address after the war’s end. Here are a few movies about Vietnam, the Vietnam War and Drugs & Crime.
- “The Deer Hunter” (1978): Directed by Michael Cimino, “The Deer Hunter” is a powerful portrayal of the Vietnam War and its profound psychological impact on a group of friends from a small Pennsylvania town. The film delves into the traumatic experiences faced by the characters during their capture by the Viet Cong. After returning home, one of the soldiers, played by Christopher Walken, becomes entangled in the heroin trade, highlighting the allure and destructive consequences of drug addiction.
- “Jacob’s Ladder” (1990): “Jacob’s Ladder,” directed by Adrian Lyne, offers a surreal and nightmarish depiction of the Vietnam War’s psychological toll on a former soldier, played by Tim Robbins. The film weaves together elements of war, trauma, and hallucinatory experiences. While not explicitly focused on heroin, the movie explores the concept of mind-altering substances as a means to cope with the psychological scars of war, highlighting the distorted reality faced by many veterans.
- “American Gangster” (2007): While not directly centered on the Vietnam War, “American Gangster” directed by Ridley Scott, provides a glimpse into the heroin trade and its connections to the conflict. The film, based on a true story, follows the rise of Frank Lucas, portrayed by Denzel Washington, who becomes a powerful drug lord smuggling heroin from Vietnam into the United States. It offers a glimpse into the dark underbelly of the drug trade and its ties to the war, showcasing the far-reaching consequences of the conflict.
- “Air America” (1990): Directed by Roger Spottiswoode, “Air America” takes a more comedic approach to the Vietnam War and the drug trade. Starring Mel Gibson and Robert Downey Jr., the film follows the adventures of two pilots working for a CIA front organization involved in smuggling drugs out of Laos. While lighthearted in tone, the movie touches upon the illicit activities and corruption that existed during the war, including the transportation of narcotics.
- “Apocalypse Now” (1979): Francis Ford Coppola’s magnum opus, “Apocalypse Now,” is a cinematic masterpiece that takes viewers deep into the heart of darkness during the Vietnam War. While not solely focused on drugs, the film portrays the surreal and mind-altering effects of the war on the soldiers. From the infamous “Charlie Don’t Surf” scene to encounters with a drug-crazed military outpost, “Apocalypse Now” captures the drug culture prevalent among some soldiers during the war, highlighting the disorienting and dehumanizing aspects of combat.
- “Full Metal Jacket” (1987): Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket” provides a stark and unflinching portrayal of the Vietnam War and its impact on soldiers. The film explores the brutal training process at Parris Island and the subsequent deployment to Vietnam. While drugs play a relatively minor role, they are depicted as a coping mechanism for some soldiers, offering an escape from the horrors of war. The character of Private Joker, played by Matthew Modine, encounters fellow Marines who use drugs as a means of psychological refuge.
- “Platoon” (1986): Oliver Stone’s semi-autobiographical film, “Platoon,” delves into the morally and psychologically ambiguous world of the Vietnam War. While drugs are not the central focus, they are integral to the depiction of soldiers’ attempts to cope with the harrowing realities of combat. The film highlights the prevalence of drug use within the military ranks, illustrating how it became a coping mechanism and a way to escape the brutality of war. The characters of Bunny, played by Kevin Dillon, and King, played by Keith David, embody this aspect of the war, portraying soldiers who turn to drugs to cope with the stress and trauma.
- “Off Limits” (1988): Directed by Christopher Crowe, “Off Limits” takes audiences to the gritty streets of 1968 Saigon, against the backdrop of the Vietnam War. Starring Willem Dafoe and Gregory Hines, the film follows two military police detectives investigating a series of brutal murders. As they delve deeper into the investigation, they uncover a web of corruption and conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of the military hierarchy. “Off Limits” offers a dark and suspenseful narrative, highlighting the moral ambiguities and challenges faced by those tasked with maintaining law and order in a war-torn environment. The chemistry between Dafoe and Hines adds depth to their characters, adding a layer of camaraderie amidst the chaos.
- “Born on the Fourth of July” (1989): Oliver Stone’s “Born on the Fourth of July” provides a different perspective on the Vietnam War, exploring the journey of Ron Kovic, a Marine Corps veteran portrayed by Tom Cruise. The film depicts Kovic’s descent into drug use following his traumatic experience in Vietnam, highlighting the psychological toll of war and the subsequent struggle with addiction upon returning home. It sheds light on the impact of the war on the lives of veterans, including their struggles with substance abuse as they grapple with physical and emotional trauma.
- “Casualties of War” (1989): Directed by Brian De Palma, “Casualties of War” tells the harrowing true story of a group of American soldiers who abduct, rape, and murder a Vietnamese girl. While the film primarily focuses on the moral and ethical implications of war, it also highlights the smuggling of contraband, specifically drugs, by soldiers. This subplot underscores the moral decay and corruption that can arise in the chaos of war, shining a light on the darker aspects of human nature.
- “The Siege of Firebase Gloria” (1989): Set during the Vietnam War, “The Siege of Firebase Gloria,” directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith, offers an intense and gritty portrayal of a group of American soldiers under siege by the Viet Cong. The film incorporates a subplot involving the smuggling of weapons and supplies, showcasing the resourcefulness and ingenuity of soldiers trying to gain an advantage in the conflict. It underscores the desperation and necessity of smuggling in a war-ravaged environment.
- “Tigerland” (2000): Directed by Joel Schumacher, “Tigerland” explores the experiences of soldiers undergoing intense training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, during the Vietnam War. While not directly set in Vietnam, the film portrays the pervasive smuggling culture among soldiers preparing for deployment. It touches on the black market trading and smuggling of various goods, such as alcohol and contraband items, revealing the underground economy that existed even before soldiers set foot in the war zone.
- “The Air Up There” (1994): “The Air Up There,” directed by Paul Michael Glaser, takes a more lighthearted approach to the Vietnam War and smuggling. The film follows a college basketball coach, played by Kevin Bacon, who travels to a remote village in Africa to recruit a talented player. However, the storyline incorporates a subplot involving the smuggling of valuable minerals and the challenges faced by those trying to exploit the region’s resources. Though not directly connected to the Vietnam War, the film touches on the theme of smuggling and its impact on local communities.
