viet nam

Decree 99 Provides Guidance on Higher Education in Vietnam

Mark A. Ashwill Updates , , , ,

The Vietnamese government, i.e., the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET), has become increasingly sophisticated regarding the establishment of foreign campuses in Viet Nam. Reprinted below is an English translation of the text of Decree 99, courtesy of Tilleke & Gibbins, which will take effect next month. Shalom (שלום), MAA  On December 30, 2019, the government … Continue reading Decree 99 Provides Guidance on Higher Education in Vietnam

The New & Improved IEVN Blog

Mark A. Ashwill Announcement , , ,

In the spirit of digital minimalism, my presence on social media is limited. In addition to LinkedIn, which I visit occasionally to mine the occasional nugget of gold in the midst of a vast expanse of ore, I have a Facebook account for my work (sorry, no pics of my latest restaurant meal!) and this … Continue reading The New & Improved IEVN Blog

“Bad rap haunts Vietnam despite tourism boom”

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary , , , ,

I was interviewed for this 31.12.19 VNExpress International article by Quy Nguyen about some challenges facing the tourism industry in Viet Nam. Below is the entire interview. The phrase "bad rap" indicates that the reputation is undeserved when, in fact, these are all legitimate and, in some cases, critical issues. As an expat living in … Continue reading “Bad rap haunts Vietnam despite tourism boom”

2019: A Year to Remember

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

Dear Friends, Colleagues, & Followers, The title of this post has a mostly positive connotation. Yes, these are challenging times in the fields of international education in general and international student recruitment in particular, for some countries more than others because of sociopolitical changes. The good news is that there is still tremendous interest in … Continue reading 2019: A Year to Remember

British American Tobacco (BAT) Academy

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , ,

While checking out my LinkedIn account recently, I stumbled upon a video produced by British American Tobacco (BAT).  It was about a trip to London for 140 employees from more than 40 countries, including Viet Nam.  Keep in mind that this is a country in which nearly 50% of all men smoke and growing numbers … Continue reading British American Tobacco (BAT) Academy

Season’s Greetings from MAA & Capstone Vietnam!

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

Dear Friends & Colleagues, Wishing all of you and your families a joyous holiday season and a New Year filled with peace, love and happiness! While Viet Nam is predominantly a Buddhist country, there are Christmas trees and decorations everywhere and many people get in the holiday spirit. This includes thousands of people milling around … Continue reading Season’s Greetings from MAA & Capstone Vietnam!

Agent Orange, Exposed: How U.S. Chemical Warfare in Vietnam Unleashed a Slow-Moving Disaster

Mark A. Ashwill Articles , , ,

More than 10 years of U.S. chemical warfare in Vietnam exposed an estimated 2.1 to 4.8 million Vietnamese people to Agent Orange. More than 40 years on, the impact on their health has been staggering. Yes, this article is from 2017 but is still making the rounds and the damage wrought by this war legacy … Continue reading Agent Orange, Exposed: How U.S. Chemical Warfare in Vietnam Unleashed a Slow-Moving Disaster

My Starbucks Story: Made in Viet Nam

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , ,

During my first year or so in Viet Nam, i.e., I emailed Howard Schultz, then CEO of Starbucks.  I noticed that a number of coffee chains, including Trung Nguyen and Highlands, were charging Starbucks' prices for coffee drinks, snacks, etc.  These cafes attracted Vietnamese of means who could easily afford a few dollars for a … Continue reading My Starbucks Story: Made in Viet Nam