One thing i learned while watching the PBS documentary of the Vietnam War was that Diem was a devout catholic. I just assumed that because he lived in Vietnam he practiced Buddhism like most other Vietnamese.

In Robert Olen Butler's short story "A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain," two narratives are used to depict the continuing struggle for the Vietnamese. The first narrative portrays Dao's, a dying grandfather's, dreams. As a young boy Dao and Ho Chi Minh were friends. They're friendship ended when Dao chose to follow a religious pathway through life and Ho chose to follow a politic path through life. Dao is nearing his death and is visited by Ho during his dreams three nights in a row. In these dreams Dao asks Ho about the afterlife and if he's happy. He is disturbed by the fact that Ho says no he's not happy. His dreams are interrupted when Dao is visited by his family members, this is the second narrative. He talks with his grandson, and son in law about the murder of Mr. Le who was murdered because of his opinions about the Vietnamese government. Mr Le. had the same values and beliefs as Dao. After talking to his family, Dao realizes that although they are living in America, communism stil exists in Vietnam and that it is a struggle that they'll have to overcome.