Patriotic Vietnamese prepare to fly the flag ... or they could end up in court

The Lunar New Year sees red and gold cascade across Vietnam as the unmistakable communist flag gets a proud airing – an act of patriotism promoted each year by officials via loudspeakers or doorstep visits.

While it’s not compulsory, those who refuse to hang gold-starred banners from their windows court trouble from authorities and social opprobrium from the communist faithful.

So, many comply – though resentment sometimes follows the patriotic arm-twisting.

“I don’t like being forced to hang flags. But the authorities will tell us to again and again over the loudspeakers,” Hanoi resident Minh said. “I don’t want to get into trouble, so I just do as I’m told,” he added, refusing to provide his full name out of fear of retribution.

The Tet Lunar New Year, which starts on Saturday and runs for five days, is one of several dates in the calendar when flag-flying abounds.

“Most houses obey the encouragement because they don’t want any trouble,” Quan, a local official in Hanoi said, also refusing to provide his full name.

The tradition of hanging flags in northern Vietnam dates back to 1954, when the French were thrown out of the country following a fiercely fought campaign led by independence hero Ho Chi Minh.