1. Freedom of Speech – Vietnam. 2. Political activists – Vietnam. 3. Dissenters – Vietnam. 4. Political culture – Vietnam. 5. Communism and society – Vietnam. 6. Vietnam – Politics and government. Since 1990 public political criticism has evolved into a prominent feature of Vietnam's political landscape. So argues Benedict J. Tria Kerkvliet in his analysis of Communist Party-ruled Vietnam. Speaking Out in Vietnam assesses the rise and diversity of these public displays of disagreement, showing that they have morphed from family whispers to large-scale use of electronic media. In discussing how such criticism has become widespread over the last three decades, Kerkvliet focuses on four clusters of critics: factory workers demanding better wages and living standards; villagers demonstrating and petitioning against corruption and land confiscations; citizens opposing China's encroachment into Vietnam and criticizing China-Vietnam relations; and dissidents objecting to the party-state regime and pressing for democratization.