Part 1 Chapter 3 Summary

This chapter has two parts, but it is basically a description of the night that Pyle met Phuong. Fowler and Phuong are at the Continental where Pyle is dining with the American Economic Attaché known only as Joe. Pyle seems immediately taken up by Phuong's beauty, goes over and introduces himself, and treats her as if she were a fine lady as he asks her and Fowler to dine with them. Later an American journalist named Granger and a drunken Frenchman named Mick join them.

The men talk about the war. Granger says the French are doing well in the northwest, but the Attaché reports that the Vietminh are about to take Phat Diem. Catholics are trading with the Communists; everything is corrupt. Both Pyle and Fowler express interest in going to Phat Diem to access the situation. The...