Earliest this month, the U.S. Senate finally confirmed the new ambassador to Vietnam, career diplomat David Shear. Shear, who previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, was nominated for the post by President Barack Obama in 2010. However, his appointment was stalled for nearly eight months by members of the senate who wanted to see … [Read more...] about Meet the Newest U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, David Shear
Business Bits: Gap in Vietnam; The Government’s Attempts at Keeping the Communist Spirit Alive
Next up: Gap Inc. And the corporations keep on coming in. A couple of weeks ago, VTP posted news about foreign and multinational companies trying to carve a spot for themselves in Vietnam. There was Starbucks hoping to wedge its way into the coffee consumption market; Nestle expanding its factories; and KFC hoping to go from fast fried chicken joint to classy poulet spot. … [Read more...] about Business Bits: Gap in Vietnam; The Government’s Attempts at Keeping the Communist Spirit Alive
Food Iconography: KFC, A Sign of Affluence in Vietnam?
Since Vietnam opened itself up to international investment, more multinational companies have begun setting up franchise branches in Vietnam. For many of these long established multinationals, venturing into new markets doesn't just mean opening up more shops--it also presents an opportunity to revitalize an old brand or re-envision a new legacy under a familiar name. Case … [Read more...] about Food Iconography: KFC, A Sign of Affluence in Vietnam?
VTP Quickie: Vietnamese Story Featured on This Weekend’s This American Life
Why? Because banh mi and bubble tea are a million idea, that's why. This weekend's episode of This American Life (which originally aired July 16, 2010) features the story of dueling banh mi shops in Brooklyn. Hanco runs a successful banh mi shop on Bergen Street when suddenly a banh mi shop with an identical menu to his own opens up four blocks down. Who opened it? A trio of … [Read more...] about VTP Quickie: Vietnamese Story Featured on This Weekend’s This American Life
Marvelous Metaphors: Art as Visual Poetry [Event]
Attention all art lovers, the Vietnamese American Arts and Letters Association (VAALA) will soon be launching Marvelous Metaphors: Art as Visual Poetry, an exhibit guest curated by Thuy N. D. Tran and showcasing recent works by artists Trinh Mai, Christine Nguyen, Tammy Nguyen, Trinh Ponce, Dao Strom and Van Tran. Marvelous Metaphors marks an important milestone for the VAALA … [Read more...] about Marvelous Metaphors: Art as Visual Poetry [Event]