 Three days after the vote , Diệm proclaimed the creation of the Republic of Vietnam , naming himself as its president . He said " The October 23rd plebiscite in which [ the people of South Vietnam ] took such an enthusiastic part , constitutes an approval of the policies pursued thus far and at the same time augurs a whole new era for the future of our country . " Diệm reiterated that he would not partake in national reunification elections , saying that they would be futile unless " true liberty " came about in the communist North Vietnam , which impressed American observers , who feared a total communist takeover . 
