Remittances to Vietnam have increased to US$6.8 billion per year, and while a majority of the recipients are relatives and friends, a small portion has extended beyond this group of recipients and can be considered philanthropic gifts. Diaspora Giving: An Agent of Change in Asia Pacific Communities? Vietnam written by Truong Thi Kim Chuyen, Ivan Small, and Diep Vuong takes a … [Read more...] about Diaspora Giving: An Agent of Change
Uneven Progress of Education in Vietnam
Vietnam’s education system has progressed dramatically over the years, as demonstrated by the current adult literacy rate of 90%. Student-to-teacher ratio in primary education (elementary school) decreased from approximately 39-to-1 to 25-to-1 in 2006, while secondary education remained unchanged at 25-to-1, according to UNICEF. Today, more students continue to post-secondary … [Read more...] about Uneven Progress of Education in Vietnam
Proposal to Grant Hanoi More Autonomy and Its Implications
A new draft of the Capital Law presented to government officials this week proposes giving authorities in Hanoi more power; citizens of the capital receive more benefits accompanied by more stringent standards; and violators will be penalized more severely. As reported by Tuoi Tre, the proposal states that laws in Hanoi could differ from that of the central government but would … [Read more...] about Proposal to Grant Hanoi More Autonomy and Its Implications
First Vietnamese American Congressman Visited Vietnam
01.09.2010 – A group of American congressional representatives, including Vietnamese American Congressman Cao Quang Anh Joseph of Louisiana, visited Vietnam last week. Congressman Cao attended a meeting with Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Thanh Son at the Government Guest House in Hanoi on January 5, 2010. The purpose of the trip was to see firsthand and … [Read more...] about First Vietnamese American Congressman Visited Vietnam
Vietnam’s SEO Reform Efforts Get US$630 Million
12.15.09 - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved US$630 million in financial support for Vietnam to further reform its state-owned enterprises (SEOs). The multi-tranche financing facility will help an effort to make SEOs more efficient, profitable and transparent in order to spur economic growth and open up opportunities for the private sector. The government has been … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s SEO Reform Efforts Get US$630 Million