A United Vietnam Rises Romesh Thapar AN event of far-reaching consequence is taking shape close to our borders. and in a most unexpected way. The sudden collapse of the Saigon regime and the Cambodian apology for a government, herald the rise of a major power in South-East Asia, a sovereign, united Vietnam which kow-tows to no one. Every government in South-East Asia must be obsessed with this event, for the repercussions will be wide and varied.