Commentary

Beyond the hype, a dirty side of Da Lat

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

Trash is left at Lam Vien Square in the heart of Da Lat. Photo by Paul Olivier I was pleased to see VNExpress International publish this article by Paul Olivier. The dire situation that he describes applies to many cities and towns throughout Vietnam. Be sure to have a look at the comments. Paul criticizes … Continue reading Beyond the hype, a dirty side of Da Lat

Thanksgiving: A Bittersweet Holiday

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , , , ,

This image accompanied a message I received from the General Society of Mayflower Descendants (GSMD), of which I'm a member: The Mayflower Society wishes you a healthy and happy Thanksgiving! It's an idealized view, glorious rays of sunshine and all, of a ship that brought saints and strangers, Puritans who came to be known as … Continue reading Thanksgiving: A Bittersweet Holiday

A Poem About the Passage of Time

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The poem below is by Ricardo Gondim, a Brazilian theologian and progressive pastor. It is often misattributed to Mário de Andrade (1893-1945), poet, novelist, essayist, musicologist, and one of the founders of Brazilian modernism. Check out this 2020 post “My Soul Has a Hat” by Mário de Andrade Is Fake News for more information. (I'm … Continue reading A Poem About the Passage of Time

Chi phí của sự tăng trưởng không giới hạn

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary ,

This is a Vietnamese translation of my 8.9.22 article entitled You can't eat money: the cost of unlimited growth that originally appeared in VNExpress International and was subsequently reprinted by CounterPunch. Translation by Nhã Uyên. (Cảm ơn đồng chí!) Shalom (שלום), MAA Ca-na-đa, một trong những quốc gia giàu có nhất, hoạt động trên một nền kinh … Continue reading Chi phí của sự tăng trưởng không giới hạn

US Student Visa Update for FY2022: That’s a Wrap!

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , ,

This is a continuation of a post from 8 August 2022 that includes information for the entire fiscal year, i.e., from 10-1-21 to 9-30-22. The good news is that the Vietnam market for US-bound students is making a strong recovery in the new normal era. Student visa issuances are inching up to pre-pandemic levels. This … Continue reading US Student Visa Update for FY2022: That’s a Wrap!

Vietnamese Enrollments in the US Holding Steady

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Updates , , ,

Here are the latest Vietnam-related stats from the September 2022 SEVIS update. (You can also access these data for Vietnam and other countries using this interactive map.) There was a modest 4% decrease from May to the new school/academic year, which is to be expected as a short-term legacy of the pandemic. The good news is that … Continue reading Vietnamese Enrollments in the US Holding Steady

“Graffiti is visual pollution, an eyesore Vietnam can do without”

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

Here's my latest essay for VNExpress International. Below is the unabridged version. Shalom (שלום), MAA Graffiti as Visual Pollution Graffiti vandalism as seen on walls of buildings in HCMC's District 1. Photo by MAA In addition to the usual types of pollution afflicting Vietnam and affecting our quality of life, including air, water, and noise (e.g., … Continue reading “Graffiti is visual pollution, an eyesore Vietnam can do without”

Không gì là không thể lại không thể nhắc đến sự thật về Việt Nam

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Books, Commentary , , ,

This is a Vietnamese translation of my 29 April 2022 article entitled “Nothing is Impossible” Finds It Impossible to Tell the Truth About Vietnam that originally appeared in CounterPunch. Translation by Nhã Uyên. (Cảm ơn đồng chí!) Shalom (שלום), MAA Ngay trước Tết Nguyên đán, tôi cuối cùng đã nhận được bản đánh giá của mình … Continue reading Không gì là không thể lại không thể nhắc đến sự thật về Việt Nam