Kenneth on Having Ho Chi Minh Arrange a Meeting with Bao Dai

Kenneth on Having Ho Chi Minh Arrange a Meeting with Bao Dai

Hồ, Chí Minh, 1890-1969

While Kenneth was in Hanoi, he often asked Ho about Bao Dai, who had been the emperor. Bao Dai had abdicated in favor of Ho Chi Minh. Kenneth told him he wanted to see Bao Dai, so he arranged for Kenneth to meet Bao Dai, who was an educated man, and Kenneth had no problem conversing with him. Kenneth asked him about his experiences, why he had abdicated, did he expect to regain his throne, and of course, Bao Dai said all the things Ho would want him to say, in particular that he hoped the Americans would help to keep the French out. In 1950, on another trip, Kenneth took with him a picture from Harry Truman autographed to Emperor Bao Dai in Saigon, and Kenneth went up into the hills to his hill station to present him with the picture.

Landon, Kenneth (1903-1993)

January 1, 1946

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LC72-09

Over a course of 13 years Kip Landon (Kenneth Landon Jr.) began recording stories from his parents, Margaret and Kenneth Landon, resulting in 95 hours of recordings. Beginning on July 20, 1976, recording finished in June, 1978. The project resumed again in 1982 for a few months. After a long break, the third recording period began in 1988 and concluded in March 1989.

Kenneth Landon (1903-1993)

6:42

Box 82: Oral History: "The Landon Chronicles," CDs 51-75

Hour 72, clip 09

Sub-Series 8: Audio and Video

Series 1: Biographical