Intimate Economies of War: Introducing Books on the Vietnam War’s Black Markets and Sexual Economies

 Intimate Economies of War: Introducing Books on the Vietnam War’s Black Markets and Sexual Economies

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The Vietnam War has long been studied as a military and political conflict, but a growing body of scholarship now turns to its intimate, underground economies: black markets, military‑linked trade, and sexual economies around U.S. bases and occupied zones. These works show that the war was not only fought in jungles and villages, but also in markets, brothels, and back‑alley exchanges where sex, money, and survival intertwined. For readers familiar with Jeongmin Kim’s Black Market Intimacies, the Vietnam War offers a parallel yet distinct case of how militarism reshapes gendered labor, informal trade, and everyday life.

Key Books on Vietnam’s War Economies

Several recent studies explicitly connect the Vietnam War with illicit and gendered economies:

• Amanda Boczar, An American Brothel: Sex and Diplomacy during the Vietnam War(Cornell University Press, 2022)
  Boczar examines sexual encounters between American servicemen and Vietnamese and other Asian women, focusing on how brothels and “entertainment” spaces functioned as sites of diplomacy, surveillance, and racialized desire. Her work reveals how sexual economies were embedded in U.S. military and diplomatic strategies, and how Vietnamese women navigated both exploitation and agency within these structures.

• “Imperial Gift: Soap, Humanitarianism, and Black Marketeering in South Vietnam” (Radical History Review, 2023)
  This article by an emerging scholar theorizes U.S.‑distributed soap as a “gift” turned black‑market commodity. It traces how South Vietnamese black‑marketeers repurposed military‑supplied soap into an illegal trade good, intercepting U.S. imperial flows and creating alternative social relations under wartime capitalism.

• “Vietnam’s Black Market Economy” (University of Hawai‘i Institutional Repository, 2023)
  This social‑history paper reconstructs South Vietnam’s transnational black market, showing how civilians, soldiers, and traders moved goods across borders and through occupied zones. It highlights how wartime participants later remembered the war through stories of smuggling, survival, and informal exchange.

• The Cambridge History of the Vietnam War, Chapter 29: “The Economics of the Vietnam War” (Cambridge University Press, 2024)
  While broader in scope, this chapter situates the war’s economic history in global context, including U.S. aid flows, inflation, and the destabilizing effects of military spending. It provides essential background for understanding how formal and informal economies co‑existed during the conflict.

• Anthony P. Campagna, The Economic Consequences of the Vietnam War (Praeger, 1991)
  Campagna’s classic study focuses on the war’s impact on the U.S. economy—spending, inflation, employment, and long‑term structural change—but it also hints at the ways war spending fueled informal and military‑linked markets overseas.

Together, these works suggest that the Vietnam War, like the Korean War, produced a complex sexual and black‑market economy around U.S. military presence. They share with Black Market Intimacies an interest in how intimacy, gender, and informal trade become central to the material foundations of war and occupation.

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A Life in Flight: Maurice Cavalerie and the Long Shadow of Communism Across Indochina

Some lives are shaped by a single event. Others, like that of Maurice Cavalerie, are shaped by a century’s worth of upheaval. His story—stretching from Kunming to Hanoi, from Vientiane to Brisbane—reads like a living map of the 20th century’s great ideological storms. And at its core lies a recurring theme: a man repeatedly uprooted by the advance of communism, yet never broken by it.

Born Into Turbulence

Maurice’s life began in 1923 in Kunming, a crossroads of cultures and conflict. His father, a French botanist, was murdered by bandits when Maurice was only five. His mother, a Chinese woman from an aristocratic family with bound feet, raised him with the help of the French school principal. Even in childhood, Maurice learned that survival required adaptability.

War, Occupation, and the First Escape

As a young man in Hanoi, Maurice studied medicine but quickly discovered his talent for business. When the Japanese coup of 1945 swept through Indochina, he went underground, evading internment. After the war, he served as an interpreter for the Chinese occupation forces—so valued that he was given a car, a driver, and bodyguards.

But the rise of the Viet Minh made northern Vietnam increasingly dangerous. Maurice’s first major flight from communism came in 1954, when the Geneva Agreements handed Hanoi to the Viet Minh. He lost nearly everything—property, business, family wealth—and fled south with his wife and children.

Rebuilding in Laos: The Hotel Constellation Years

Maurice’s resilience was astonishing. In Vientiane, he built a new life from scratch, founding the Hotel Constellation, which became the beating heart of the foreign press corps during the Laos conflict. Journalists, Air America pilots, diplomats, and spies from every side passed through its doors.

Maurice was more than a hotelier. He was:

• a counsellor

• a discreet confidant

• a money changer

• a fixer

• a man who knew everything and revealed nothing

His famous line—“I never break the law because in Laos, everything is legal”—captured the surreal, morally ambiguous world of Cold War Indochina.

The Second Great Loss

In 1975, when the Pathet Lao seized power, Maurice once again lost everything. For the third time in his life, communism forced him to flee. This time he chose Australia, seeking a place where political upheaval would not follow him.

Before leaving, he even asked whether the Australian Labor Party had Marxist influence—he had learned the hard way that revolutions have a habit of catching up with him.

A Final Home in Australia

In Brisbane, Maurice finally found peace. He gardened, invested, joined French cultural associations, and remained a generous host. He never lost his French identity, but he embraced Australia with gratitude.

His final years were marked by dignity, warmth, and the love of a large family. Even as cancer overtook him, he faced it with the same courage that had carried him across continents.

A Life Defined by Flight, But Not by Fear

Maurice Cavalerie’s story is not simply one of escape. It is a story of reinvention, of a man who refused to be defeated by political forces far larger than himself. He lost homes, fortunes, and countries—but never his humour, generosity, or integrity.

His life reminds us that history is not abstract. It is lived, endured, and survived by individuals whose courage often goes unrecorded.

Maurice lived through three communist revolutions. He lost everything three times. And yet he remained, to the end, a man of dignity, kindness, and extraordinary resilience.

Adieu, Maurice. Merci pour tout.

The last of the Great Indochinese Hoteliers | Mad Tom's Almanack

 

Witness to Forgotten Frontiers: A Review of Looking Back: Laos and Vietnam Revisited by Ernie Mendoza

Ernie Mendoza’s Looking Back: Laos and Vietnam Revisited is a rare kind of war‑era memoir—one that refuses to glorify conflict, yet refuses to forget it. Instead, Mendoza returns to the landscapes of Laos and Vietnam decades after the wars that defined them, searching not for closure but for clarity. What emerges is a deeply human, quietly powerful narrative that blends personal memory with historical observation.

A Journey Through Memory and Ruins

Mendoza revisits the towns, rivers, and borderlands where he once witnessed the turbulence of the Vietnam War and the covert operations in Laos. But this is not a soldier’s tale, nor a journalist’s dispatch. It is a reflective pilgrimage.

He writes about:

• Villages rebuilt on land still scarred by bomb craters

• Survivors who carry their histories in silence

• Landscapes where beauty and trauma coexist

• The lingering presence of foreign intervention

The book’s strength lies in its refusal to simplify. Mendoza acknowledges the complexity of the region’s past and the unevenness of its recovery.

A Human Lens on Geopolitical History

Rather than recounting battles or political strategies, Mendoza focuses on the people who lived through them. He speaks with farmers, former fighters, widows, and young people who inherited a history they did not choose.

Through these encounters, the book reveals:

• The emotional residue of war

• The resilience of communities rebuilding from devastation

• The cultural richness that survived despite conflict

• The quiet dignity of those who endured

Mendoza’s writing is gentle but unflinching. He does not sensationalize suffering, nor does he romanticize resilience. He simply listens—and invites the reader to do the same.

Why This Book Matters

In an era where the Vietnam War is often reduced to political talking points or cinematic tropes, Looking Back restores its human dimension. It reminds us that wars do not end when treaties are signed; they echo across generations.

For readers interested in:

• Southeast Asian history

• Postwar recovery

• Travel writing with emotional depth

• Memoirs that blend personal and political insight

• Understanding the long shadow of conflict

this book offers a thoughtful, compassionate perspective.

Recommendation

Looking Back: Laos and Vietnam Revisited is a moving, elegantly written work that deserves a wide audience. Mendoza’s reflections are neither nostalgic nor bitter—they are honest, observant, and deeply humane. This is a book for anyone who wants to understand not just what happened in Laos and Vietnam, but what remains.

Highly recommended.

Whispers of the Mekong: Diplomacy and Conflict in Sixties Laos

 

Whispers of the Mekong: Diplomacy and Conflict in Sixties Laos

The mid-1960s in Laos presented a diplomatic landscape as complex and shifting as the currents of the Mekong River. For foreign envoys stationed in Vientiane, the mission was defined by a delicate balancing act: upholding the veneer of the 1962 Geneva Accords while the country became an increasingly violent chessboard for Cold War superpowers. Laos was theoretically a neutral state, yet its territory was inextricably linked to the escalating conflict in neighboring Vietnam.

Life in Vientiane during this era was a strange mixture of colonial-era charm and the looming shadow of war. Diplomats moved between French-style villas and official receptions, all while monitoring the "Secret War" occurring in the hinterlands. The North Vietnamese presence on the Ho Chi Minh Trail and the heavy involvement of American interests created a reality where "neutrality" was more of a diplomatic fiction than a political fact. Success for a reporting officer depended on navigating the internal rivalries of the Lao Royal Government and the shifting allegiances of local strongmen.

Ultimately, the era was a masterclass in the limitations of traditional diplomacy. Despite the constant flow of dispatches and high-level negotiations, the internal agency of Laos was often overwhelmed by the strategic needs of larger neighbors and global powers. The experience of those on the ground was one of witnessing a quiet, beautiful culture being slowly dismantled by the cold machinery of 20th-century geopolitics.

Based on the oral history of Sir Henry David Alastair Capel Miers regarding his diplomatic service in Vientiane, Laos (1966–1968), here are specific examples and anecdotes from the source that illustrate the unique nature of that posting:

1. The "Alice in Wonderland" Quality of Lao Neutrality

Miers describes the political situation as surreal. While the 1962 Geneva Accords mandated neutrality, the reality was a "tripartite" government composed of Rightists, Neutralists, and the Communist Pathet Lao.

• The Guard Detail Example: Even as the conflict escalated, the Pathet Lao maintained a diplomatic presence in Vientiane. Miers notes that the Pathet Lao had a military guard in a compound right in the center of the city, which was essentially a "hostage" presence while their comrades fought the government in the hills.

• The Souvanna Phouma Factor: He highlights Prince Souvanna Phouma as the indispensable "neutralist" leader who kept the fragile coalition together, acting as a bridge between the warring factions and foreign powers.

2. The Mechanics of the "Secret War"

The document provides insight into how the British Embassy monitored a war that was officially not supposed to be happening.

• The Ho Chi Minh Trail: Miers recounts how North Vietnamese troops were moving down the "Panhandle" of Laos. The British task was to verify these movements to support the ICC (International Control Commission) reports, despite the North Vietnamese denying they were even in the country.

• Up-Country Missions: Miers frequently traveled to places like Luang Prabang and Savannakhet. He mentions flying in small aircraft (often Air America or Continental Air Services) to remote landing strips to interview refugees or local commanders to gather intelligence on the North Vietnamese presence.

3. Diplomatic Life Amidst Instability

The source captures the strange juxtaposition of high-stakes geopolitics and mundane social routines.

• The 1966 Flood: He vividly remembers a massive flood of the Mekong River that submerged much of Vientiane. Diplomats had to move around the city in pirogues (small boats). He describes the absurdity of life continuing as usual, with formal interactions occurring while the city was literally underwater.

• The Coup Culture: Miers mentions the constant threat of military "upsets." He recalls instances where the city would suddenly be filled with tanks, and diplomats would have to discern if it was a full-blown coup or merely a "show of force" by a disgruntled general like Thao Ma.

4. The British Role as "Co-Chairman"

Because Britain was a Co-Chairman of the Geneva Conference (along with the Soviet Union), the embassy had a special status.

• The Soviet Relationship: Miers notes the interesting relationship with the Soviet Embassy. While they were Cold War rivals, as Co-Chairmen, they had to maintain a level of formal cooperation. However, he reflects that the Soviets were often in an awkward position, as they had to support the North Vietnamese while officially upholding Lao neutrality.

• The ICC Interaction: He provides examples of working with the International Control Commission (composed of Indians, Canadians, and Poles). He describes the frustration of the Canadians trying to investigate violations while the Poles (representing the Communist bloc) frequently used their veto or "minority reports" to block any findings that incriminated the North Vietnamese.

5. Social Dynamics and the French Influence

• Language and Culture: Despite the heavy American presence, French remained the lingua franca of the Lao elite. Miers mentions that the ability to speak French was essential for any diplomat wanting to have meaningful conversations with the Lao ministers or the King in Luang Prabang.

• The "Vientiane Bubble": He describes a small, tight-knit diplomatic community where everyone knew everyone else's business, and intelligence was often gathered over drinks at the "Cercle Sportif" or during long dinners in法式 (French-style) villas.

Biography of Sir David Miers

Sir (Henry) David (Alastair Capel) Miers (born January 10, 1937) is a distinguished former British diplomat. The son of Colonel R.D.M.C. Miers, he was educated at Winchester and Oxford before beginning a prolific career in the Foreign Office in 1961.

In 1966, he married Imelda Maria Emilia Wouters, with whom he has two sons and one daughter. His diplomatic career spanned several decades and some of the most politically volatile regions of the 20th century. His early postings included serving as a Reporting Officer for the United Nations General Assembly (1961–63) and a tenure in Tokyo (1963–65).

One of his most notable early assignments was in Vientiane, Laos (1966–68), where he served as a Second Secretary during the height of the "Secret War" in Indochina. His role involved monitoring the North Vietnamese infiltration of the Ho Chi Minh Trail and navigating the complex "neutralist" politics of the Lao Royal Government. Following this, he served as Private Secretary to the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

His later career saw him in high-level positions, including:

• Paris (1972) during a period of significant European integration.

• Tehran (1977–79), where he witnessed the Iranian Revolution firsthand as a Counsellor.

• Ambassador to Lebanon (1983–85) during the Lebanese Civil War.

• Ambassador to Greece (1989–93) and The Netherlands (1993–96).

He was awarded the CMG in 1979 and knighted as a KBE in 1985 for his service to the Crown.