Tourism in Vietnam: A Tale of Two Tastes?

Recently, I've thought a lot about tourism in Vietnam for a couple of reasons. First, I'm concerned about the lack of regard for the environment on which we all depend for survival, which often takes a back seat to (over)development and revenue generation. Secondly, I'm well aware how important it is to Vietnam's economic well-being … Continue reading Tourism in Vietnam: A Tale of Two Tastes?

The Normalization of Environmental Pollution

Credit: MAA On a recent trip to Móng Cái in northern Viet Nam on the Chinese border, I had the chance to spend some time at a nearby beach. Above and below are photos of some of the items that were either left there by tourists or that washed up, e.g., country of origin, China, … Continue reading The Normalization of Environmental Pollution

Vietnam: Fewer Natural Forests, Increasingly More Golf Courses

This essay is from a website called TheVietnamese with the tagline Independent Journalism Matter. What it describes is yet another example of development in Viet Nam that is far from sustainable and of ecocide, defined as the destruction of the natural environment by deliberate or negligent human action. Who will benefit? That's easy. The company … Continue reading Vietnam: Fewer Natural Forests, Increasingly More Golf Courses

Vingroup Launches “the Region’s Leading ‘Sleepless City’ Model”

This is the first in a trilogy of posts about a well-known company that many people have strong feelings at both ends of the spectrum. On a personal note, I do not have an ax to grind vis-à-vis Vingroup. I like some of their initiatives and products, including VinUniversity and electric motorbikes, cars, and buses. … Continue reading Vingroup Launches “the Region’s Leading ‘Sleepless City’ Model”

Short-Term Profit Trumps Long-Term Sustainable Development

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder Image from NovaWorld Phan Thiết Have a good look at this image of a new $5 billion development in the beach town of Phan Thiết in southern Viet Nam, about a four-hour drive from HCMC, that's being built by a well-known Vietnamese real estate company. Does it … Continue reading Short-Term Profit Trumps Long-Term Sustainable Development