World Notes VIET NAM

Life has been tense in the Vietnamese government's top echelons lately. In June eight members were sacked for botching economic reforms. Last week Radio Hanoi announced the largest reshuffle since the Communist Party took control of the country in 1975. A dozen ministers were "relieved" of their positions.

More changes are likely. Prime Minister Pham Van Dong and President Truong Chinh, both 80, were due to retire last December but have held on to their posts. Observed Thai Quong Trung, a Vietnamese scholar: "There are new ministers, but who is in charge? Nobody knows."