A description of conditions at one of three neighboring hamlets on the day of the formal ceremony in which the three were to be declared "pacified" and "secure" from Viet Cong attack. The situation that has prevailed throughout Vietnam was apparent at Loc Tien. Even in areas of relative security, the Revolutionary Development Cadre teams have had little success in inducing people to make a commitment to the GVN or to resist the Viet Cong. In contested areas, the task is hopeless in that the villagers do not have even minimally adequate security against Viet Cong attack.