U.S.-HANOI WATCH : Direct Dialing

It is a beginning, albeit a small one, that is appreciated by thousands of Vietnamese living in the United States: For the first time in 17 years, direct telephone links will be possible between the United States and Vietnam.

Although Washington has now lifted its ban on direct phone connections with Vietnam, its trade embargo against the Southeast Asian nation continues. Nevertheless, the U.S. sanctioning of American Telephone & Telegraph’s agreement with Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Corp. is a step in the right direction. Until the trade embargo is ended--as it should be--Vietnam’s share of the phone revenues will be deposited in frozen accounts.

Meanwhile, Washington’s gesture reflects goodwill and a U.S. intention to honor its commitments to normalize relations with Vietnam. The State Department’s decision to lift the telecommunications ban was in response to Hanoi’s cooperation on POW/MIA issues and the Cambodia peace settlement.

For the 700,000 Vietnamese in the United States--more than 130,000 live in Los Angeles and Orange counties--calling relatives and friends in Vietnam will be cheaper and faster. The new service will bring down to less than $3 the cost of the first minute of a call from the U.S. mainland to Vietnam. Currently it costs as much as $8 a minute for phone hookups that must be made via a third country such as Canada or Australia.

Now, in a little but meaningful way, people-to-people contacts will be easier between residents of the United States and residents of Vietnam.