Author: Mark A. Ashwill

Capstone Webinar: A Virtual Update from Viet Nam

Mark A. Ashwill Announcement , , ,

In this webinar, scheduled during the virtual NAFSA 2021 annual conference, my staff and I will provide a comprehensive update about what’s happening in Viet Nam as it relates to overseas study. Topics include COVID-19 in Viet Nam, lingering concerns about the coronavirus in top overseas study destinations, the impact of anti-Asian racism, etc. At … Continue reading Capstone Webinar: A Virtual Update from Viet Nam

“Deported by Biden: a Vietnamese refugee separated from his family after decades in US”

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary , , ,

Tien Pham, 38, who fled violence in Vietnam as a child, was sent back to an unfamiliar country due to teenage conviction: ‘America is my home’ Image courtesy of The Guardian This 3 May 2021 Guardian article jumped off my screen. This poor guy goes from one frying pan into another. It reminded me the … Continue reading “Deported by Biden: a Vietnamese refugee separated from his family after decades in US”

The Environment as Communal Trash Can

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As seen recently in Hanoi traffic. Last cigarette. What to do with the empty pack? Toss it out the window, of course. Aside from being a crime against nature, littering, including cigarette butts, is against the law in Viet Nam, but it's rarely, if ever, enforced. (Check out this March 2021 post about smoking in … Continue reading The Environment as Communal Trash Can

Happy Reunification Day! Chúc Mừng Ngày Thống Nhất!

Mark A. Ashwill Announcement, Articles , , , , ,

On the occasion of the 46th anniversary of the end of the US War in Viet Nam, I would like to repost this article from 30 April 2020 A Letter From Viet Nam on the Occasion of the 45th Anniversary of the End of the War that was published by CounterPunch. Follow this link to … Continue reading Happy Reunification Day! Chúc Mừng Ngày Thống Nhất!

Taking the Pulse of F-1 Issuances in Viet Nam: A Year of Recovery & Challenges

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , , ,

As the end of April approaches, I thought I'd check on the number of US student visas issued since the beginning of the 2021 fiscal year and compare it with last year in the (mostly) pre-COVID era. Yes, I know this is the low season for F-1 issuances, the high season lasting from May through … Continue reading Taking the Pulse of F-1 Issuances in Viet Nam: A Year of Recovery & Challenges

Hội An Visit a Bittersweet Experience

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Photos by MAA Strolling around Hội An on a recent sunny afternoon, classical music playing softly on the omnipresent speakers, the tropical breeze wafting through the trees and alleys, was both a sad and peaceful experience. For the uninitiated, this charming little town, a short drive south of Danang in central Viet Nam, is a … Continue reading Hội An Visit a Bittersweet Experience

RocketReach Falls Short

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I was recently searching for something online and came across this RocketReach (RR) profile of Capstone Vietnam. (Full disclosure/reminder: I'm managing director and co-founder.) RR is a web-based tool that mines data to create profiles of companies that include website addresses, social media channels, and email addresses, among other information. The results illustrate the current … Continue reading RocketReach Falls Short

Pentagon campaign to recruit Vietnam as military ally against China exposed delusions of US war strategy

Mark A. Ashwill Articles , , , , , , , ,

After convincing itself Vietnam would grant it access for missile bases against China, the Pentagon got a hard dose of reality. Courtesy of The Grayzone When the Pentagon began gearing up for a future war with China in 2018, Defense Department officials quickly realized that they needed access to Vietnamese territory for troops armed with … Continue reading Pentagon campaign to recruit Vietnam as military ally against China exposed delusions of US war strategy