Unified Vietnam, 5. Congress of the Communist Party (II), March 27th, 1982, Michel Nr. 1212-1213; Two stamps with nominals of 30 xu and 50 xu were issued in perforation 11.

There are some color variations on both values. Here are two different colors on the 30 xu value (light and dark, especially of the red color):

Here are the same color variations on two mint 50 xu stamps:

This a printing error on which all of the red printing run is missing.

Here is also a color error on the 50xu stamp. This pair shows a grey background and frame instead of the light blue color of the normal stamp.

These stamps were not officially released im-perforated, however a small number of im-perforated trial proofs have come to market:

There are some re-occuring plate errors known on the 30 xu stamp. Here is a mint block of six stamps. The lower middle stamp shows a black dot on the lower part of the electricity tower.

Detailed scan of the affected area:

Mint block of four. The bottom left stamp shows a re-occuring plate error of a break in the electricity pole. Detailed scan of the affected area:

Mint stamp of the 30 xu value that shows a double print of the black color. This was caused by an insufficiently tightened rubber mat causing it to vibrate during the printing process of the black color phase.

Detailed scan of the affected area:

There are more also some printing errors that are more severe and hence much rarer. Below is a cancelled to order 30 xu stamp on which the entire red printing run is missing (a normal stamp is shows for comparison).

Postally used 30 xu stamp on a piece used in Dalat in June of 1982. The stamp is missing the entire red and black printing run but was apparently postally used in Dalat like a normal stamp. Also the ochre color is much lighter on the error. Very rare!

Mint block of nine stamps of the 50 xu value that shows a partial failure of the red printing run, especially on the lower right stamp. Here the red is much lighter and the harvester next to the woman with the hat is just printed in black instead of black/red.

Detailed scan of the affected area:

Mint block of six 50 xu stamps that shows a significant passer-shift upwards of the red color printing run.

Mint block of four 50 xu stamps. The top right stamp shows a printing flaw that features an object inside the flag.

Detailed scan of the affected area:

Local philatelic letter from November 1982 featuring the Communist Party I and II sets from 1982 and overpaying the domestic letter rate (30 xu) with an overall 1.40D franking.

Rare single franking of the 30xu value on a local letter from March of 1983 paying the standard domestic letter rate in force at the time.

Here is another singe franking from two years later (Match 1985) of the 50 xu value which now represented the stand domestic letter rate of 50 xu.

Registered letter sent from Nguyen Rai to Klewitz in February of 1984. It features the the Communist Party set perforated and im-perforated. Since these stamps were not officially released in the im-perforated form and represent trial proofs this is a very rare usage. The overall postage amounted to 57.8 Dong. Unusual red cancel. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.

Mixed franking of a block of four of the 50xu value together with stamps from the October Revolution and Communist Party series paying an overall postage of 2.90D sweat to East Germany in October of 1983.

Mixed franking of five of the 5xu Map stamp together with the 50xu  Communist Party stamp paying an overall 75xu postage on a local letter from 1984.

Registered letter sent from Nguyen Trai to Klewitz in October of 1982. The letter carries the both Communist Party sets. The green 30 xu value of the set issued in February of 1982 shows a printing error of the turquoise color (excess color). Errors stamps on postally used cover are very rare. There is also a block of six of the 2 Dong Bulgaria stamp for an overall postage of 13.4 Dong. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.

Registered letter sent from Nguyen Trai to Klewitz in November of 1982. The letter carries both Communist Party sets and two of the rare Post Master Perforation (15) of the 12 xu Lotus stamp. The 30 xu stamp issued in March shows a double printing of the black color. Post Master Perforations and error stamps on postally used cover are very rare. The overall postage amounted to 13.84 Dong (including the rd free frank for 7.5 Dong). Green Fulda custom cachet on front.

Registered letter sent from Nguyen Trai to Klewitz in February of 1984. The letter features four of the 50 xu Bulgaria values. The two bottom stamps both show plate errors, as described above. Error stamps on postally used cover are very rare. Communist Party stamps in front and back. The overall postage amounted to 10.7 Dong. (including the red free frank of 5.5.Dong). Unusual red cancel. Fulda arrival cancel on the reverse. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.

Very rare air mail letter sent from Ho Chi Minh City to Klewitz in May of 1983. The letter carries the other half of the im-perforated Harmful Insects set plus other NVN stamps for an overall postage of 5.3 Dong. Im-perforated stamps on postally used cover are very rare. Communist Party stamp in front.

Registered air mail letter sent in May of 1987 as a mixed currency franking from Ho Chi Minh City to Klewitz. The letter carries stamps from the  Elephant set plus stamps from theCommunist Party, Vietnamese Post and Union Congress sets.  The 30xu Communist Party stamp shows a significant passer-shift of the dark brown color downwards. Error stamps on postally used cover are very rare. The Communist Party stamps were still denominated in old Dong while all other stamps were already denominated in new Dong.  The Vietnamese Government conducted a devaluation of the Dong on September 14th, 1985. This meant that all stamps issued prior to this date were only worth one tenth at the time of mailing. The overall postage hence amounted to 1.1 oD =0.11 nD. plus the stamps in new Dong (111 nD) plus the red free frank for 262 nD for 373.11 nD.

Registration Nr. 103150

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