As many as 38 percent of the young people polled for a survey about uprightness said that for their own benefits, they are ready to act without integrity.

As many as 38 percent of the young people polled for a survey about uprightness said that for their own benefits, they are ready to act without integrity.

The survey, which was announced in Hanoi yesterday, was conducted by the Germany-based Transparency International and the Centre for Community Support Development Studies under the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations.

The two organisations surveyed 1,022 people aged 15-30 and 524 people of older ages in 11 provinces and cities from August to December last year.

The young responders said they are aware of the significance of integrity and uprightness but they are still ready to act against these values for their own benefits, such as being admitted to a high-quality school or getting a job at a thriving company.

Among these older respondents, 43 percent said they would do the same.

Up to 41 percent of young respondents said that accusations of corruption wouldn’t matter.

Most of the young people with the highest educational levels feel pessimistic about the efficiency of denunciation, while most of those with the lowest educational background say denunciation is not in their affairs.

A large part of the young respondents said honesty usually results in disadvantage and that an honest person is often seen as an idiot.

Young people are not at fault when they hold such views, said Dr. Dang Canh Khanh, former director of the Youth Research Institute.

Khanh said what should be responsible is social mechanisms that encourage dishonesty.