Growing up in Da Lat, Vietnam, there was a legend that Da Lat was built on top of an inactive volcano. Perhaps it was a story used to scare kids (though discovery of volcanic rocks near Da Lat indicates otherwise) but I was always weary of earthquake. This recent string of earthquakes, including yesterday's magnitude-6.9 quake in Yushu county, Qinghai, got me to look into the … [Read more...] about Ring of Fire: 9.0 Earthquake danger in Vietnam, near China?
Three Things Companies Can Learn From Nonprofits
A recent trend in the world of nonprofit development has been for organizations to take a more market approach to growth and start acting like for-profit companies. As a result, nonprofits are getting more innovative, efficient, and nimble. But, just as nonprofits are learning from for-profit enterprises, for-profit enterprises can take a few lessons from nonprofits to make … [Read more...] about Three Things Companies Can Learn From Nonprofits
Money Talk: Vietnamese Bonds, Even at 11.5% Yield, Are a Bad Deal
Fear of rising inflation has pushed the yield on Vietnam's 5 year treasury bond to 11.541%, according to Bloomberg. What does a 11.5% yield mean? It means that if you buy a bond for $100, every year you'll get about $11.50 back in return. Compared to the US yield of 2.3%, it sounds like a good deal, right? Well, it depends on your outlook on Vietnam in the next 5 … [Read more...] about Money Talk: Vietnamese Bonds, Even at 11.5% Yield, Are a Bad Deal
My Father’s Waterloo—Vietnam, Napoleon and Our Family Vacation
In his new book East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres from Heyday Books, New America Media editor Andrew Lam recalls teenage memories of how his father, once a South Vietnamese general, drove his family all over Belgium to find Waterloo, where his hero, Napoleon, faced defeat. This excerpt is reprinted with permission. There's a moment from many years ago that remains … [Read more...] about My Father’s Waterloo—Vietnam, Napoleon and Our Family Vacation
Asian Tiger or Copy Cat: Why Unlocking Innovation in Vietnam Requires Lawyers, Not Schools
Vietnam needs more intelectual property lawyers and a strong enforcement system. Sounds boring? Perhaps so, but data from the World Bank 2011 report imply it may be the only way to rocket Vietnam from a third-world manufacturer to a global competitor like South Korea. Yes, it's even a higher priority than new schools. Asian Tiger or Copy Cat What's the difference between … [Read more...] about Asian Tiger or Copy Cat: Why Unlocking Innovation in Vietnam Requires Lawyers, Not Schools