What’s in a Name?

As Vietnam celebrates the liberation/fall of Saigon 39 years ago today, 30 April, which signaled the end of the American War in Vietnam and the death knell of the southern part of that divided country known as the Republic of Vietnam, I thought you might be interested in knowing which city was the capital of South Vietnam, according to the  … Continue reading What’s in a Name?

Facebook Use Plateauing in Vietnam

As with economic growth, Facebook growth has its limits.  After phenomenal increases in recent years, it looks like Facebook (FB) use is beginning to plateau in Vietnam.  In a country with a population of 92 million and an Internet penetration rate of about 40%, it was inevitable that this segment of the social media market … Continue reading Facebook Use Plateauing in Vietnam

Sự thật về các chương trình giáo dục Mỹ tại Việt Nam

This article, entitled "The Truth About American Education Programs in Vietnam" (Một Thế Giới, 23 April 2014), reflects the growing sophistication about US higher education as a service sector export.  As I am fond of saying, the US exports some of the world's best and worst higher education.  The term "officially accredited" covers a broad spectrum … Continue reading Sự thật về các chương trình giáo dục Mỹ tại Việt Nam

Is (US) Higher Education Broken?

Reposted from Marguerite Dennis's blog.  The title may overstate the case somewhat but there are critical issues that must be addressed sooner rather than later.  In addition to the ones mentioned below, i.e., access, funding, cost, and student loan debt, all of which are interrelated, there is also retention and delayed graduation.  Of course, these are … Continue reading Is (US) Higher Education Broken?

Dawn of a New Day? US State Department Reaches Out to Agents in Vietnam

For the times they are a-changin'!  I (and quite a few others) recently received an email from the US Embassy-Hanoi that began thus: The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi presents its compliments to your company.  On February 22, 2014, the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh … Continue reading Dawn of a New Day? US State Department Reaches Out to Agents in Vietnam

US Burns Through All High-Skill Visas For 2015 In Less Than A Week

Give me your highly skilled, your well-educated, your ambitious, Your best and brightest yearning to climb the proverbial career ladder and in doing so meet the desperate needs of a de-skilling and graying society, The sons and daughters of the world's educated classes, immigrants and international students alike. Send these, the talented, the promising, the … Continue reading US Burns Through All High-Skill Visas For 2015 In Less Than A Week

U.S. Student Visa Update: Upward Trend Continues

According to the latest figures from the US Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs, a record 10,867 F-1 (student) visas were issued in Fiscal Year 2013, which ended on 30 September 2013.  That represents a 5%  increase over FY2012.  As you see from the chart below, the take-off phase, which reflects the rapidly expanding … Continue reading U.S. Student Visa Update: Upward Trend Continues

Same Same But Different

Earlier this week, on a humid evening, the air heavy with memories and raw emotion at the Cinematheque in Hanoi, I met some of the 17 members of the Veterans for Peace Chapter 160 Spring 2014 Tour, who are here for a two-week visit, including Hanoi, Dong Ha/A Luoi, Khe Sanh, Danang, Hue, Hoi An … Continue reading Same Same But Different

2014 VSN International Conference “What Is A Good University?”

I was recently invited to speak at a conference in Hanoi organized by the Vietnam Scholar Network (VSN), the Vietnam Centre for Economic and Policy Research (VEPR) and the University of Education, and sponsored by the British Embassy Hanoi.  The conference, which was kicked off with remarks from Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Duc, Vice President, … Continue reading 2014 VSN International Conference “What Is A Good University?”

Five-Minute Glass: What Our Government Sees When It Looks Out the Window

Below is an excerpt from a recent article written by Daniel H. Garrett, a former US Department of State foreign service officer and currently a senior associate at The Asia Institute.  I am posting it because it offers an insider's view of the work of US consular officers, including student visas.   In addition to … Continue reading Five-Minute Glass: What Our Government Sees When It Looks Out the Window