American teacher Daniel Hauer admitted his deep repentance over a comment that referenced Vietnam’s late hero General Vo Nguyen Giap on Facebook. He wants to visit his house to burn incense.

Daniel Hauer and his comment related to General Vo Nguyen Giap on Facebook

Daniel Hauer was summoned by the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information to a meeting on January 30 to discuss his comments.

At the meeting, Hauer said that his comment was intended to be just a joke which had not aimed to insult General Giap, but he later recognised how serious his comment had been taken. He said he was really sorry for his remark and wanted to convey his apology to General Giap’s family and the public.

He added that he felt ashamed for what he had done and this was a big lesson for him. He hoped he could make up for the mistake. He wanted to continue sharing his English knowledge with Vietnamese people and this is a way for him to correct his mistake.

Hauer hoped he could visit General Giap’s house to light incense for him.

According to Hauer’s wife Le Thi Hau, she was really shocked to see her husband’s comment on General Giap. She also claimed she was upset by this. She said she explained to her husband about the problems over his comments.

Deputy head of the Radio, Television and Electronic Information Department Le Quang Tu said under Decree 174/2013/ND-CP, any person who distorts Vietnamese history, denies the nation’s revolutionary achievements or disrespects national heroes can be fined VND35-50 million (USD1,263-2,272). However, authorities decided to postpone a fine on Hauer based on how repentant he is.

English centres in Hanoi where Hauer worked have said they have severed contracts with him over his ill-considered joke.

Dtinews