vietnam

What Would Ho Chi Minh Think of Vietnam in 2026?

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , ,

Created by Gemini based on the essay topic. Having lived in Vietnam for over 20 years and knowing more than most foreigners about Vietnamese history, this is something I think about from time to time. Maybe grist for a long-form essay. What do you think Ho Chi Minh would think of the Vietnam of 2026 … Continue reading What Would Ho Chi Minh Think of Vietnam in 2026?

Modern Human Trafficking: What Vietnamese Trainees in Germany are Suffering – BR24 on Location

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

Links to the program and a related article in German. They hope for a better life in Germany.For their education, they pay a lot of money and leave Vietnam, their home, far behind.But for some, the dream becomes a nightmare. The reality? Forged documents, harsh working conditions, and fear of ruin.Here, people are treated like … Continue reading Modern Human Trafficking: What Vietnamese Trainees in Germany are Suffering – BR24 on Location

Can VinGroup Create a Vietnamese Industrial Champion?

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

Vietnam’s quest for technological sovereignty in the age of global capitalism This is an excellent analysis by Pietro Masina about one of Vietnam's most powerful and influential corporations. I include a link here so that more people will read it. Below is a Vietnamese translation for wider distribution. MAA Liệu VinGroup Có Thể Tạo Ra … Continue reading Can VinGroup Create a Vietnamese Industrial Champion?

Viet Jet is Bringing Obnoxious Tourists That Viet People Don’t Like

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This is a post from the r/VietNam Reddit thread. I'm reposting it to share and get people's feedback. The focus is the alleged behavior of Indian tourists not Viet Jet. In journalistic terms, it's called burying the lede. 😀 In the medium term, this is bad news for future Indian tourists. They already have an … Continue reading Viet Jet is Bringing Obnoxious Tourists That Viet People Don’t Like

It’s Not Trump. It’s America.

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

Image created by ChatGPT based on the second paragraph of this post. I often hear this comment from well-meaning US colleagues: "This is not who we are." Perhaps it's a manifestation of wishful thinking rooted in the mistaken belief that MAGA 2.0 is an aberration. My interior monologue always quickly responds, "This is exactly who … Continue reading It’s Not Trump. It’s America.

National development is a collective responsibility

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

ChatGPT created this image based on the lyrics to the song I created. The image is called Unity in Vietnam's vibrant landscapes. Both versions of the song are linked below. Here's an article I wrote for the Hanoi Times. It was originally scheduled to be published around the time of the 80th anniversary independence celebrations … Continue reading National development is a collective responsibility

Neoliberalism in a Socialist State: Political Economy of Higher Education in Vietnam

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

Escaping Wonderland ChatGPT created this image based on the abstract. Out of the mouths of babes - umm - chatbots. If you're interested in Vietnamese higher education, this abstract should whet your appetite for more. Over the last three decades, Vietnam has experienced significant economic growth, with millions lifted out of extreme poverty through economic … Continue reading Neoliberalism in a Socialist State: Political Economy of Higher Education in Vietnam

10 Most Renowned Entrepreneurs from Vietnam Driving Remarkable Business Transformation in 2025

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , ,

I was so excited to receive this email. What an honor! Aren't you proud of me, dear reader? The "nominal fee" for this "honor" is only $1,800! A small price to pay for these "exclusive benefits." On a serious note, do they think I was born yesterday? It makes me laugh and cry at the … Continue reading 10 Most Renowned Entrepreneurs from Vietnam Driving Remarkable Business Transformation in 2025