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20 Articles of Interest
GDP grows by 3.72% in first half (29.6.23) Vietnam’s GDP grew by 3.72% in the first half, but its 4.14% growth in the second quarter was the lowest in 13 years barring the Covid-19 period.
Decline of English Center Giant Spells Opportunity for FDI (28.6.23) In the wake of a number of troubles facing Apax Leaders, once one of Vietnam’s biggest English language training providers, foreign firms may find a fertile market entry opportunity. Here’s what foreign firms working in this space should know. MAA: There are still investment opportunities in this sector.
HCM City tasked to become int’l education, training centre (28.6.23) The Government has assigned the Ministry of Education and Training to closely coordinate with the HCM City People’s Committee to develop a project to turn the city into an international centre for education and training to attract students from the Southeast Asia region and the world.
High school graduation exams attract a million Vietnamese (27.6.23) Over a million 12th graders arrived at various sites across the country on Tuesday to complete procedures to take Vietnam’s daunting high school graduation exam the next two days.
Hanoi among biggest improvers in global ranking of most liveable cities (26.6.23) Hanoi moved up 20 places to 129th in a global ranking of the world’s most livable cities, making it one of the five biggest climbers. MAA: This survey is missing some important points: 1) a lack of green space; 2) air pollution; 3) water pollution; and 4) crazy (read dangerous) traffic. Have a look at this “bonus” article below: An Ecological City For All: Challenges for a Socio-Ecological Transformation in A Changing Hanoi.
The rural villages without university students (25.6.23) Previously, having many university students in their communities was the pride of villagers. But now, their pride is centered on their children who train to become guest workers overseas and remit money to help parents build big, beautiful homes. MAA: Many of these young people are in countries like South Korea and Japan.
Vietnam lawmakers approve extension of e-visa validity to 3 months (24.6.23) The National Assembly approved on Saturday a government proposal to extend the validity of tourist e-visas from 30 to 90 days and allow visitors multiple entries.
New Vietnamese nurse dreams of bridging medical gap in homeland (24.6.23) Nguyen Thi Phuong decided she wanted to be a nurse when she was in high school in Vietnam, after a family member was hospitalized. Whereas professional nurses care for recuperating patients in Japan, family members are often responsible for the task in her home country. Today, that goal has led Phuong, 25, to earn a Japanese nursing license following years of hard work and language study. MAA: I love these stories!
Yoon participates in language, cultural exchange with Vietnamese students (23.6.23) Promoting Korea’s language and culture in Vietnam, especially among the youth, was a major topic of discussion as President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee met with a group of Vietnamese students and instructors of the Korean language at Vietnam National University in Hanoi, Thursday. MAA: This is one of several recent examples of South Korea’s official charm offensive in Vietnam. It is the world’s leading host of Vietnamese students.
Draft regulations on conditions to recognise foreign educational qualifications (19.6.23) The Ministry of Education and Training has just issued a draft regulation on the conditions and procedures for the recognition of foreign educational qualifications/diplomas for use in VN.
Foreign Direct Investment in Vietnam 2023: Challenges are Yet to Come (16.6.23) Vietnam’s impressive growth has made it a destination for foreign direct investment. To move beyond the low-labour-cost development model, Vietnam will need to invest in stabilising the investment environment and ensuring multinational corporations stay for the long term. MAA: Here’s a related article: Foreign Direct Investment will grow in Vietnam (9.6.23).
I don’t regret spending big money on my son’s English lessons (12.6.23) I spent VND120 million (US$5,100) on my son’s English lessons from 2nd to 11th grades, and my investment gave him a big advantage at university.
Is Vietnam the next TNE destination for UK universities? (10.6.23) Compared to other countries in Asia, such as China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Singapore, which represent a rather saturated market for United Kingdom transnational education (TNE), Vietnam represents a growing opportunity for the UK due to its increasing GDP and limited local education provision. MAA: I’d like to see institutions in more countries take advantage of these opportunities. (I’m happy to help! :-))
Vietnam’s coffee exports hoped to earn over US$4 billion this year (9.6.23) Thanks to a trend of hiking in coffee prices, experts have predicted that this year’s export revenue of this product may exceed last year’s record of US$4 billion.
2023/24 Vietnam – Country Commercial Guide (8.6.23) This is an updated version of this useful education and training update from the US Commercial Service. MAA: My italicized commentary is prefaced by my initials.
Career guidance needs to start much earlier than high school (8.6.23) Teachers say many 12th graders, who are about to graduate from high school in a few days, don’t know what they want to do after graduation. MAA: This is a service that Capstone offers. We welcome collaboration with foreign colleagues.
Tourists ruin Ha Long Bay with litter (6.6.23) Ha Long Bay has been full of trash, and it’s sadly just one example of how human ignorance is destroying nature, according to readers. MAA: This is true of many locations. It’s an existential problem that official Vietnam and its people must address.
People struggle to find jobs amid tanking economy (1.6.23) Many people find it difficult to get jobs as businesses downsize or simply do not have recruitment plans, a survey has found.
Vietnam projected to become 20th largest global economy (31.5.23) Vietnam, a rising economic powerhouse in Southeast Asia, is set to witness remarkable growth over the coming years. MAA: In spite of an economic downturn in 2023, the medium- and long-term outlook is rosy.
Vietnam’s ultra-rich population doubles over five years (30.5.23) Over 1,000 people in Vietnam were considered “ultra-rich” in 2022, nearly double the figure recorded in 2017, according to the latest report by U.K. property consultancy Knight Frank. An ultra-rich person is defined as someone with a net worth of at least $30 million, minus loans. The number of high-net-worth individuals, defined as those with assets worth at least $1 million, has increased by 70% over the last five years, from 40,971 people in 2017 to 70,000 in 2022. MAA: Vietnam’s population is 100 million.
Bonus Posts
Hanoi rage for high-quality schools explained (4.7.23) A gulf between supply and demand and the desire to have kids studying at top schools has resulted in parents fighting for a slot at high-quality elementary schools. Related article: Parents queue early at schools to scramble for seats for children (9.7.23)
An Ecological City For All: Challenges for a Socio-Ecological Transformation in A Changing Hanoi (29.6.23) A report issued by the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung Southeast Asia, Hanoi office.
Burned boy determined to live full life (21.6.23) Vu Quoc Linh was only 3 years old in 2011 when his father doused him in gasoline and burned the small child alive as his way to show disapproval after Linh’s mother filed for divorce. Linh survived, but the incident left the boy disfigured with burns over 87% of his body. No one, including his doctors, thought he would ever lead a normal life again. But despite repeated surgeries and other difficulties, the 15-year-old young man has lived an increasingly more healthy, full and satisfying life.
20 Best Countries for Americans Who Want to Live Abroad (15.6.23) MAA: Guess which country ranks 20th? Not just US Americans, by the way.
Guiding Students to the Highest Bidder (23.5.23) I recently had a video chat with a US secondary colleague who expressed frustration over how hard it is to work with education agents in Vietnam, many of whom seem mostly concerned with the amount of the commission they will receive for each student. Since this particular high school’s commission is lower than its boarding school competitors, many agents will guide students to those schools because it’s in their financial self-interest to do so.
Wisconsin Lutheran HS student from Vietnam scores perfect 36 on ACT college entrance exam (15.5.23) MAA: This is an inspiring story about a “Capstone student” from Hanoi. Who would like to recruit him for the 2024/25 academic year?