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A vintage yellow Vietnamese safe-conduct pass sealed in clear plastic packaging, featuring the French Indochina flag in the center and flags of the United States, Australia, South Korea, and the Philippines on the sides.
  • A vintage yellow Vietnamese safe-conduct pass sealed in clear plastic packaging, featuring the French Indochina flag in the center and flags of the United States, Australia, South Korea, and the Philippines on the sides.
  • 1967 1st 7 flag Vietnam War safe conduct pass
  • signature of Nguyen Cao Ky on 1967 Vietnam war safe conduct pass
  • A vintage yellow Vietnamese safe-conduct pass sealed in clear plastic packaging, featuring the French Indochina flag in the center and flags of the United States, Australia, South Korea, and the Philippines on the sides.
  • 1967 1st 7 flag Vietnam War safe conduct pass
  • signature of Nguyen Cao Ky on 1967 Vietnam war safe conduct pass
Vietnam War Safe Conduct Pass – First 7-Flag Version c.1967 – Chieu Hoi Program Propaganda Leaflet

Vietnam War Safe Conduct Pass – First 7-Flag Version c.1967 – Chieu Hoi Program Propaganda Leaflet

$95.00

An original Vietnam War Safe Conduct Pass (Giấy Thông Hành) issued as part of the Republic of Vietnam's Chieu Hoi ("Open Arms") Program, one of the largest psychological warfare campaigns of the Vietnam War. This example is the desirable first seven-flag version, introduced in late 1966 after the addition of allied contingents from South Korea and Thailand, and used until January 1968, when a revised version bearing the photograph and signature of President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu was introduced.

The Chieu Hoi Program was designed to encourage Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army personnel to defect to the Government of South Vietnam by guaranteeing safe passage, humane treatment, medical care and eventual resettlement. Safe Conduct Passes were distributed on an unprecedented scale by aircraft, artillery shells, patrols and hand delivery. According to the January 1973 Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) report The Chieu Hoi Program in South Vietnam, 1963–1971, these passes proved to be the single most effective propaganda leaflet produced during the conflict. During one month alone in 1969, more than 716 million propaganda leaflets were distributed, while an estimated nearly four billion were disseminated throughout the war.

This first seven-flag issue displays the national flags of the Republic of Vietnam and its principal allies across the upper portion, including the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, South Korea and the Philippines. The reverse carries the familiar image of an ARVN soldier directing a former Viet Cong fighter toward safety, together with multilingual assurances that anyone presenting the pass would be welcomed, protected and treated fairly. The leaflet bears the printed signature of Air Vice Marshal Nguyễn Cao Kỳ, dating it to the first seven-flag issue before the redesign with the photo of Nguyen Van Thieu, introduced in January 1968.  The number 3 printed at the bottom left corner of the back refers to the combat zone where this was meant to be dropped.

Examples such as this would often be carried secretly by enemy soldiers in the hope of using them if they chose to surrender. Contemporary reports noted that many captured or deceased Viet Cong were found carrying Safe Conduct Passes, illustrating both their widespread distribution and the psychological impact of the Chieu Hoi campaign.

Condition

Excellent condition.  This has been preserved under two pieces of rigid plastic and held in place by staples on its outside perimeter.

Measurements

Width: 6 inches

Height: 3 inches

A remarkably well-preserved example of one of the Vietnam War's most historically important propaganda leaflets, documenting the extensive psychological warfare efforts of the Chieu Hoi Program.  This particular version was only produced for about a year, so far fewer were made that the later version - nice addition to a collection….

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