A hundred mile relative away may not as important as neighbors

Today, many countries are aware of the importance of international trade to their economic development. When countries are sending more and more delegations overseas to look for trade opportunities, some local authorities forget to welcome foreigners who come and visit at their homelands. Last month, a foreign delegation failed to meet with local reporter to do an economic development promotion in Camau province, Vietnam. The foreigner wanted to have an interview with local reporters right at a bridge built by his country's financial aids. A local cadre-in-charge did not allow local reporters to do their job just because of a simple reason, "They have had a lack of experience doing interview with foreigners" Vietnamse have a proverb, "Ban ba con xa, mua lang gieng gan." (meanings, a hundred mile relative away may not as important as neighbors.) Probably, this cadre forgot his ancestors' advice!

Bye Bye AMB Raymond F. Burghardt

AMB came back Saigon (HCMC) to say good-bye to American and Vietnamese business community yesterday. It is nice to hear from a diplomat who has been dedicating his career in East Asia Pacific nearly half of his life. AMB Burghardt reviewed current relationship between America and Vietnam and he is positive about future diplomatic relations of the two countries. He showed an example about the U.S. Congress' approval for his ambassadorship and his predecessor, AMB Peter Peterson. He said, AMB Peter Peterson had to wait several months (9 months, inauditable) to get his job as the first U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam since 1975. But, today, there may be nobody in the U.S. Congress posts that question when giving approval for the position. However, he still sees some sensitive issues that can give a negative impact on the diplomatic relations between the U.S and Vietnam. For instance, Vietnamese American community in the U.S. may have certain impacts on U.S. senators' decisions for their issues and concerns in Vietnam, such as human rights and religious freedom. "Today foreign policy may not decide by governments but it may be influenced by third parties such as NGOs, volunteer groups or business community." He added. "If you had three more years in Vietnam, what would you do?" one asked. AMB Burghardt said he would bring more big American companies to Vietnam, work out U.S.-VN adoption negotiation, do more on culture and arts exchange programs and importantly, he would work tirelessly on law enforcement for Vietnam... Good bye AMB Raymond Burghardt, we know you love Saigon. Welcome back at anytime!

Secrets in DC - Continued

At the center of Washington DC, Washington Monument looks like a sharpen pencil erecting against blue sky. At night, it looks more beautiful by white laser beams around the column and yellow lights on the top. Washington Monument adopts the structures of Egyptian pyramids wishing for the longevity of America. As you climb to the top of the monument, you reach the highest point in DC. However, its shadow in the Reflection Pool reminds you that you are also at the bottom. How does this tell you? You can learn many things from this implication, such as Don’t be arrogant if you are super! Or, America is the paradise, but it is the hell too!

Secrets in DC

My colleagues and I were very excited about America. Remember, we have been working for American Embassies and Consulates for at least five years! Why? If you take time to view my blog, you certainly can see many stories that I learnt from my trip to the U.S. One thing I need to tell you is that you must keep patience because I must do my work daily and will not give you my promise when I post my stories. Well, here is the first secret! Do you know that Abraham Lincohn statue has two faces? When you see his statue from the front of his monument, you will see his true face. If you see him from the left or right of the statue, you will see the other face behind his head! How does it look like? It looks like your face, my face and anyone face. The implication is that althought Abraham Lincohn freed slaves, saved American democracy, many people saw his decision was wrong. Sometimes in our life, we may encounter this problem. So, don't be sad, my friends. C'est la vie!

You can see 4 Confucianism management principles at Geogre Washington House

Dear friends, Do you want to train yourself to be a good citizen, good husband to your wife (wives!!!)- good dad to your kid (kids)- good staff to your organization - or even good future leader of a community or country? Here is a secret! Let's visit George Washington Home at Mount Vernon, about 18 miles south DC. George Washington house was built on a small hill next to Potomac river. From this house, people always have a far, beautiful panaroma view with five basic elements including fire, wood, water, earth and metal according to the Eartern philosophy. Near to his own house is home of his slaves and the office of his personnel manager. Following on the right hand side is a food processing house, a house for acounting clerk, a spinning factory and a ferry on the bank of Potomac river. You will see that Geogre Washington had operated 4 Confucianism management principles before he became the first American president. The first princple is to control yourself. The second principle is to manage your family. The third principle is manage your village, your country. And, then, the fourth principle is to manage the world For that reason, George Washington was successful in the Civil War and became one of the founders of America to build up a rigid foundation for his country in the past years, today, as well as the coming decades.

Michael Moore's Movie - 9/11 Farenheight

9/11 Farenheight is a good documentary movie. My IRO, Luella David and many viewers including me were about moved to tears when we saw again the Ground Zero aftermath. However, in my opinion, it is bias and seen as an effort to defeat Bush administration.

ALA continued

ALA is huge! I spent two days but could not go for all. That is amazing! Last night, we went to Universal Movie Theater and had a lot of funs. I dare not to go back although i really appreciate technology and innovation at the movie shows. Tonight, I will see the 9-11 Farenheight, a controversy movie. Let me see and tell you later, Bye

ALA Orlando

The weather in Orlando is somehow similar to HCMC (Saigon)- Vietnam. Yesterday, there was a big thunder storm, but it stopped at midnight. American people are so lucky! Everything here is cheaper than even in Vietnam. A home theatre costs only $300! A good T-shirt is only 2 bucks. ALA Conference is the national one and it is huge and very well-organized. We come to see and pick up small gifts from many vendors. This is the day for all American librarians. There are so many lectures and presentations. Technology is making library work even more efficient, important in the coming decades.

Bye Bye Boston

Bye Bye Boston, I am heading for Orlando tomorrow. Today, the Chair of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives Marie J. Parente receives us and gives us a tour in the MA State House. It is surprised to me, she becomes the tour guide and explains us the history of over 300 years of Boston, MA. Probably, when I come back Vietnam, I should introduce this story to Vietnamese National Assembly Members or raise an issue such as How to do marketing for the public sector. That is an interesting topic. Do you think so?

There are many things to tell you

Hi, friends, I have many things to to tell you when I come back! Today, we witness a trial and meet with many judges at Middlesex District Court. In the afternoon, we have a lecture done by an expert from Havard Law School. She introduces some new technologies that can help people locate legal information on the web. She also talks about Blog that my PAO introduced me one month ago. If you are interested in creating a blog for your own, please view my blog at http://vodaco.blogspot.com Cheers,

I like Boston!

Hello friends, I have a good time in Boston. The weather is so nice. Transportation is convenience with T-system although I made a mistake at the first night by not remembering the name of the first T station i started. This mistake gave me an expense of $15 instead of paying only $1.25 for the T trip back to Simmons College. Yesterday, my colleagues from China and I went to New England Aquarium and Havard College. At Havard Square, some folks played guitar, sang very interesting songs. This was so romantic. I have been seen this in many city streets such as Denver, Boulder, CO and Nashville, TN. However, I may say, I like Boston most! It is a real cultural exploration trip, isn't it?

I am in DC

This is the third time I am in the U.S., but is the first one in DC. It is hard to believe even it is true that Washington DC has been created by human being's intention rather it was just become the capital of the U.S. On Sunday, we had a tour to many historic building in DC. It is only one day but information we got as much as a week reading books. Talk to you more...