Unified Vietnam, World Congress of Unions , February 10th, 1982, Michel Nr. 1200-1201; Two stamps with the nominals of 50 xu and 5 Dong were issued in perforation 10.75:11.
Below are pairs of the mint set:
The currency designation of the 50 xu value was initially designed in a negative print (or white) similar to the nominal value “50”. After the stamps had been printed it was however discovered that the red printing color often covered the dainty “xu” which then left the stamps without the proper currency designation. Postal authorities therefore decided that the “xu” should be added to all sheets in a separate black printing run that only consisted of said “xu”. Due to improper passer alignments by the printing operator this late addition resulted in a number of shifts of the “xu” from the intended place.
According to Klewitz the 50 xu stamps were not released without the addition of the black “xu” however one sheet was discovered that lacked all “xu”overprints. Here is a mint pair of these stamps. Very rare!
Detailed scan of the affected area:
Apart from the “xu” issue the entire production run apparently gave rise to a number of printing problems that resulted in various color shades, plate errors and general printing deficiencies. The stamps were produced in sheets of 120 stamps (12 rows of 10 stamps each), however Klewitz reported that the two top rows were frequently so deficient in printing quality that they were removed prior to shipping the sheets to postage offices.
Here is a very rare top left margin block of four of the 50 xu stamps that shows some printing errors of the black color. Since these two rows were mostly destroyed before delivery to the post offices top margin stamps are very rare.
Detailed scan of the affected area:
Here is a block of twenty 50 xu stamps that shows much lighter color tones. Also note the various shades of the blue color run that shows different shades in various part of the block. The block shows various plate errors that are explained in detail below. 
The same was true to a lesser degree of the 5 Dong value. Below is a pair which shows a very muted black and green print run. 
Here is a mint block of four that shows a progressive failure of the green color print run:
There are a number of re-occuring plate errors. According to Klewitz these were corrected on a subsequent printing so that they only show up in the initial printing. Below is a block of ten 50 xu stamps. The top right stamp shows the plate error “black line to the right of Chinh and blue line on left frame” (Field 60), while the bottom right stamp shows the plate error “lines in large X damaged on top” (Field 70).
Detailed scans of the affected area:
Block of four mint 50 xu stamps. The two right stamps (Fields 110 and 120) show the plate error of “open 0 in 50”.
Detailed scan of the affected area:
Block of four mint 50 xu stamps shows the plate error “black line through TRAN” on the bottom right stamp (Field 40).
Detailed scan of the affected area:
Here is a strip of six mint 50 xu stamps that shows the same plate error on Field 40 (right most stamp), except that this time the black line is above the word “Thanh” as the entire overprint is simply higher. Looking at the detailed scan one can tell that this error was introduced by the plate that was used to overprint the sheets with “xu”. Also note the same black color of “xu” and black line. Finally note the progressing weakening of the ed color from left to right.
Detailed scan of the affected area:
Mint pair of the 50 xu stamp. The right stamp shows the plate error “blue lines under AM of Vietnam” (Field 15). This error is much rarer as the others as it is contained in the first twenty fields of the sheet and those were mostly destroyed due to production deficiencies.
Detailed scan of the affected area:
Mint pair of the 50 xu value. On the right stamp the 50 nominal has totally been covered up by the red printing run.
Detailed scan of the affected area:
Mint block of four 50 xu stamps that was printed on the unglued back of the printing paper resulting in the printing colors being partially rejected.
Mint block of four of the 50 xu stamps that show a double printing the black color due to an improperly tightened rubber mat:
As mentioned above, poor passer fitting of the “xu” overprint resulted in shifted placement of the “xu” on the stamps. Mint block of four 50 xu stamps which shows the “xu” in the corner of the black bottom inscription.
Detailed scan of the affected area:
Block of fourteen 50 xu stamps. Generally the overprint is too low but also, the paper must have been inserted in a slanted fashion into the printing machine as the “xu” overprint gradually goes lower from left to right.
Detailed scan of the bottom most right stamp in the block. Here the “xu” can be found under the “1982”!
Mint block of four with the “xu” overprint shifts upwards:
According to Klewitz only a single sheet has been found that shows a double overprint of the “xu”. Here is a mint pair. Very rare!
Detailed scan of the affected area:
Large part of a sheet (50 stamps). That shows normal stamps in front but also shows a extra printing of the red color on the reverse. The two rows at the right and left were folded over for better viewing.
Mint block of four that shows the same printing on the reverse but is also affected by a paper fold.
Here is a similar error. In this case an additional the pink frame was printed on the backside of normal 50 xu stamps (three right columns folded over for better viewing).
Mint block of four of the 50 xu stamp that shows an additional print of the red and pink color on the reverse but this time upside down!
Mint strip of five mint 5 Dong stamps. The left most stamp shows a partial failure of the black inscription. There is also a printing flaw on the second stamp from the left. Here an object must have been lodged on the printing plate resulting in a circular object showing under La Habana.
Detailed scan of the affected areas:
Another mint block of four 5 Dong stamps. The two left stamps show a partial failure of the violet color.
Detailed scan of the affected area:
Mint block of six 5 Dong stamps. The top most left stamp shows a re-occuring plate error of “broken N in Vietnam”.
Detailed scan of the affected area:
Mint block of four of two 5 Dong stamps. All stamps show a re-occuring plate error of “dot over top right leg of the X”.
Detailed scan of the affected area:
Min block of four 5 Dong stamps. All stamps show a re-occuring plate error that shows a “green dot in top right side of X”.
Detailed scan of the affected area:
Mint pair 5 Dong stamps with significant passer-shift of the green color to the left
Mint block of four 5 Dong stamps that show a paper fold affecting the two left stamps:
Detailed scan of the affected area:
Singe franking of the 50xu value on a domestic letter sent within HCM City in May of 1983. Red propaganda cachet on front.
Rare registered letter set from Nguyen Trai to Klewitz in Germany in October of 1982. It features pairs of the Union Congress set on which the 5D values are of the “muted blue and green print” variety. The letter also carries a pair of the Lotus stamp that shows the manual Post Master Perforation as well as a block of four of 50 xu Year of the Child stamp paying an overall postage of 13.24D. Error stamps and post master perforations on postally used cover are very rare.
Mixed franking of the Union Congress sets showing different color versions and a printing error (missing 50 nominal) on one stamp paying an overall postage of 23D on a registered international air mail letter sent from HCM City to Klewitz in Germany in June of 1983. Errors stamps on postally used letters are very rare. Green FUlda custom cachet on front.
Rare mixed ranking of the Union Congress sets together with stamps of the Reforestation, Sunflower and Soccer Spain sets paying an overall postage of 15.10D on a registered international air mail letter sent from HCM City to Klewitz in Germany in April of 1983. The letter carries color variations of the 50 xu Union Congress stamps, a plate error with a missing 50 xu nominal and a Sunflower stamp with a significant passer-shift of the blue-grey color downwards. Error stamps on postally used letters are very rare. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.
Mixed franking of two Union Congress set together with stamps from the Communist Party, Doves,World Food Day and Reforestation sets paying an overall postage of 15.8D. The zero money free frank was required to produce the R-label as it came out of the same machine. The Communist Party stamps show various passer-shifts as well as different colors.
Mixed franking of the Asia Games and Union Congress sets together with stamps from the Year of the Child set paying an overall postage of 21.8oD (including the red free frank for 2D) on a registered international letter sent from HCM City to Hong Kong in November of 1983.
Rare registered express mail letter sent from Nguyen Trai to Klewitz in November of 1982. It features the set in different color variations. The top right 50 xu World Congress stamp shows the plate error “open “0” in 50″. Errors stamps on postally used cover are very rare. The letter also carries the very rare Post Master Perforation of the 12 xu Lotus stamp (Perf 14). The overall postage amounted to 25.2 Dong. Frankfurt Airport arrival cancel on the reverse. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.
Registered letter sent from Nguyen Rai to Klewitz in March of 1983. The letter features the World Congress stamps in multiple sets. The two 50 xu stamps to the right show variances. The middle tamp shows a shifted down “xu” imprint that is located in the lower inscription Tranh”. The right stamp is the very rare stamp on which the “xu” imprint was omitted . According to Klewitz only one sheet was ever found with this error so on cover this stamp is extremely rare. The complete Flower set on the reverse. The overall postage amounted to 14.86 Dong. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.
Very rare registered letter featuring various error stamps of the World Union Congress set (including the 50xu stamp with black xu overprint, open “0” in “50”, Covered 50 and 5D stamp with light black and green printing run). Error stamps on postally used cover are very rare. The overall postage of the letter that was sent from Nguyen Trai to Huntington Beach in California amounted to 29.10D.
Registered letter sent from Ho Chi Minh City to Klewitz in April of 1983. The letter carries the World Congress set plus a red advertisement slogan for the World Communication Year 1983 on the back. Unusual red cancel. The zero money free rank was required to produce the R-label s it came out of the same machine. The overall postage amounted to 15.8 Dong. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.
Mixed franking of two of the 1D Year of the Cild values plus two 5D Union World Congress stamps paying an overall postage of 12D on an international letter from Hai Phong to Czechoslovakia.
Mixed franking composted of the 5D World Union Congress stamp plus the 3D Dimitroff stamp paying an overall postage of 8D on an international letter sent from Hanoi to Czechoslovakia in August of 1983. Unusual cancel filled above and below the date line.
Mixed franking of the 2D Asia Games value (3) together with a block of four of the 5D Union Congress stamp paying an overall postage of 26D on an international letter from Bien Hoa to the United States in July of 1983.
Registered letter sent from Nguyen Trai to Klewitz in June of 1983. The letter features pairs of the World Congress set. Th right 50 xu stamp shows a deficient print of the black color. The 5 Dong stamp is of different color variations. Also, the left stamp shows a partial failure of the black print. The letter also features four copies of the military free frank that was issued in 1981. Military free franks were not valid for international postage due to their lacking nominal value. Nevertheless, it appears that the postal clerk was not familiar with this regulation. The overall postage amounted to 18.08 Dong (including the implied value of 48 xu for the free franks). Green Fulda custom cachet on front.
Registered letter sent from Tan Ninh to Klewitz in July of 1983. The letter carries a block of four of the 5 Dong value plus other NVN stamps for an overall postage of 57.60 Dong (including the rare red DA3.1. Pitney Bowes-GB “6300” free frank of 26.1 Dong) . The 30 xu Ho Chi Minh stamp shows a double print of the red printing color. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.
Registered letter sent from Nguyen Trai to Klewitz in May of 1983. The lettre features two fo the 5 Dong World Congress stamps. The left one shows a significant passer-shift of the green printing color. The 2 Dong Asiad stamp also shows the plate error of “partially missing head of the child” (top stamp). Error stamps on postally used cover are very rare. The overall postage amounted to 17.3 Dong. Green Fuzlda custom cachet on front.
Registered letter sent from Nguyen Trai to Klewitz in August of 1983. The letter carries two blocks of four of the 5 Dong stamp. The left block is the light color variety and it shows a partial failing of the black printing color. The top right stamp also shows a printing flaw “round object over X”. The right block is of the dark color variety. Additional color variations of the stamp are on the reverse. Frankfurt Airport transit and Fulda arrival cancel on the reverse. Green Fulda custom cachet on the back.
Registered letter sent from Ho Chi Minh City to Klewitz in August of 1983. The letter features a block of four of the 5 Dong World Congress stamp plus other NVN stamps for an overall postage of 32.12 Dong (including the red free frank for 2.4 Dong). The right stamp of the left pair of the 2 Dong Asiad stamp shows the plate error of “dot to the right of the small elephant”. Error stamps on postally used cover are vey rare. Unusual red cancel. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.
Multiple franking of the 5D World Union Congress stamp (4) paying an overall postage of 20D on an international air mail letter sent in November of 1983 from Vinh Long Province to the Netherlands.
Rather unusual registered business air mail envelope that contained union correspondence and was sent in August of 1983 from HCM City to Paris, France. The letter carries eight red free franking impressions for 9D each (= 81D) plus four of the 5D Union Congress stamp for an 101D. The multi impression free frank was probably required as the post office lacked a sufficient number of high nominal stamps and the free frank itself carried a maximum postage of 9.99D each.
Mixed franking of the Union Congress set (of which the 5D value shows a significant passer-shift of the blue color towards the left) together with stamps from the Dove, World Food Day, Birds and Raptor sets paying an overall postage of 20.10D (Including the red free frank for 5.60D/Pitney Bowes-GB “6300”) on a registered air mail letter sent from HCM City to Klewitz innGermany in August of 1982. Fragment of the green Fulda custom cachet on front. Errors stamps on postal used letters are very rare.
Registered letter setoff rom Nguyen Trai to Klewitz in March of 1984. The letter two of the 50 xu World Congress stamps. The left stamp was erroneously printed on the unglued gum side of the paper which led to a partial failure of the red printing color. The right stamp was printed on yellowish paper. Th over-all postage amounted to 9.14 Doing (including the red free rank for 5.04 Dong).
Registered letter sent from Nguyen Trai to Klewitz in March of 1984. It carries a strip of ten 50 xu stamps which show the additional printing of the red and pink color on the reverse (two stamps from each side folded over). Below are pairs of the 50 xu stamp that shows various color tones, printing flaws (covered 50) and plate errors (blue dot in x). On the reverse there are pairs of the 5 xu stamp. One pair without dot over X and one pair with dot over X. The overall postage amounted to 34.09 Dong (cover stamps not counted). Green Fulda custom cachet on front.
Registered letter sent from Nguyen Trai to Klewitz in November of 1983. Th letter carries the very rare 50 xu World Congress stamp with the double “xu” imprint, a single 50 xu stamp that was printed on the unglued gum side and a 50 xu stamp with the plate error “for above X”. Errors stamps on postally used cover are very rare. The overall postage amounted to 9 Dong (including the red free frank for 5.4 Dong). Green Fulda custom cachet on front.
Registered letter sent from Ban Co to Klewitz in February of 1984. The letter carries various printing errors of the 50 xu and 5 Dong World Congress set. There are passer-shifts and double prints of the black color. Error stamps on postally used cover are very rare. In contravention to UPU Regulations the Vietnamese Postal Authorities started to charge postal customers in Vietnam with a surcharge on letters sent from and to capitalist Western countries. This was intended to stifle communication with the class enemy. The black hand stamp, which says “Postage surcharge paid” in front was struck as a confirmation that the “anti-capitalist tax” had been paid on this outbound letter. The overall postage of the letter amounted to 67.6 Dong. Fulda arrival cancel on the reverse. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.
Registered letter sent from Nguyen Trai to Klewitz in April of 1983. The letter carries the very rare 50 xu World Congress stamp without the addition imprint “xu” plus a range of printing errors and plate errors of th stamp. Error stamps on postally used cover are very rare. The overall postage amounted to 17.4 Dong. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.
Registered letter sent from Nguyen Trai to Klewitz in March of 1983. The letter carries varieties of the 50 xu World Congress set plus a pair of the 30 xu Reforestation that shows a double perforation strike in-between stamps. Error stamps on postally used cover are very rare. The overall postage amounted to 6.75 Dong. Fula arrival and green Fulda custom cachet on the reverse.
Registered letter sent from Nguyen Trai to Klewitz in January of 1983. The letter carries the 50 xu World Congress stamp in various color tones and plate errors. The Einstein stamp also shows color variations. There is also a military free frank issued in 1976 on the reverse. Military free franks were not valid for international postage due to their lacking nominal value. Nevertheless, the postal clerk appears to have accepted the stamp as postage. The overall postage of the letter (inducing the implied 12 xu value of the free frank) amounted to 14.52 Dong. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.
Registered letter sent from Nguyen Trai to Klewitz in March of 1983. The letter carries a 50 xu World Congress stamp with the plate error “dot above X” and the very rare Post Master Perforation (Perf 15) of the 12 xu Lotus stamp. Error stamps and Post Master Perforations on postally used cover are very rare. The overall postage amounted to 9.33 Dong. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.
Mixed franking featuring the entire Production and Defense set and World Congress stamps for an overall postage of 21.50D. The World Congress stamp on front shows the error “missing nominal value” and the 2D value the plate error “missing hand and flowers”. Errors stamps on postally used cover are very rare. Green FUlda custom cachet on front. Red UIT special cachet documenting the World Communication Year. The letter was sent in may of 1983 from Cholon to Fulda.
Registered letter sent from Nguyen Trai to Klewitz in August of 1983. The letter carries a block of four of the 1 Dong Red Cross stamp. All four stamps show the plate errors illustrated above. There are also color varieties of the 5 Dong World Union Congress stamp. Error stamps on postally used cover are very rare. The overall postage of the letter amounted to 30.6 Dong (including of the red free frank for 3 Dong. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.
Registered letter sent from Ho Chi Minh City to Klewitz in May of 1983. The letter features a strip of five of each October Revolution stamps that shows progressively darker colors from left to right. World Union Congress stamps on the reverse.The overall postage amounted to 23.54 Dong (including the red free frank for 6 Dong). Fulda arrival cancel on the reverse. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.
Registered air mail letter sent from Nguyen Trai to Klewitz in February of 1983. The letter features a number of the ASEAD stamps that also show some of the plate/printing errors detailed above (“partial failure of the violet printing color”, “BUU damaged”). The right 50xu World Congress stamp shows the error of “covered nominal value”. Error stamps on postally used cover are very rare. There are also some stamps from the Mammal set. The overall postage of the letter amounted to 22.60D. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.
Registered air mail letter sent in February of 1985 from Ho Chi Minh City to Klewitz. The letter carries stamps from the Friendship, World Communication, Union Conference, Asia Games, Union World Congress stamps for an overall postage of 50.9D (including the red free frank for 12D. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.
Registered air mail letter sent in March of 2000 as a mixed currency mailing from Ho Chi Minh City to Klewitz. The letter carries block of four of the 150. Birthday of Tran Xuan Soan stamp plus stamps from the Fruits, Lilies (imperforate) and Qi Baishi (imperforate) and World Union Congress sets. The World Union Congress block of four shows a significant passer-shift of the green color downwards. Imperforate stamps and error stamps on postally used cover are very rare. The Union Congress stamps were still denominated in old Dong. On September 14th, 1985 the Vietnamese Government conducted a currency devaluation in which the old Dong was devalued by 10:1. Stamps issued prior to that date were hence only worth one tenth of their original face value. The overall postage of the letter therefore amounted to 20 oD :10 = 2 nD plus stamps in new Dong (34,000 nD) plus the red free frank for 7,900 nD for a total of 41,900 nD. Orange German Post route coding on front. Incoming German Post registration receipt o the reverse.
Registration Nr. 103130
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