Vietnam's civil servants told to mind their manners

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2007

HANOI (AFP) — Communist Vietnam's public servants have been told to improve their manners, stop shouting at people and refrain from cooking in government offices, state media reported Friday.

Responding to public complaints about the rudeness of some stamp-wielding bureaucrats, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has signed a new set of directives on government "office culture" that took effect this week.

"In communication and behaviour, civil servants must have a polite and respectful attitude," say the new rules. "The communication language must be clear and understandable. No swearing, use of slang or shouting."

Vietnam's 84 million citizens must navigate a bewildering array of committees and other officialdom to obtain everything from residency permits and ID...