It's amazing that I got a certificate of recognition for a ten-year service at PAS last week. My job has passed as if it was done just yesterday and many things that I would like do for both countries, are still awaiting ahead.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A sleepless night in Ha noi
I cannot sleep after the first day of the 3rd U.S.-VN education conference in Ha Noi.
Three years ago, I came to Ha Noi to attend the first education conference. I returned home with a great deal of hopes and dreams. I wished Vietnamese partner would be a good companion. Good companions know where to go and always keep open dialogues to overcome any differences.
I leaved the first education with hopes because I saw a big gap between two partners. There was an indication: The Minister of Ministry of Education and Training did not show off. Instead, a deputy director of the Ministry came and brought to the conference a long and boring speech. I got my dreams because I heard many great and enthusiastic ideas in the conference that might help Vietnamese students to approach a world standard education. Well, not only were my hopes and dreams, a Vietnamese American guy and his team prematurely introduced the concept of “American University” in Vietnam at the conference. They thought, “Why not Vietnam, if there is an American University in Cairo?”
I also leaved the first conference with a lot of worries. America has been moved to a service economy. Education is one of competitive advantages of America. How Vietnamese government could ask American counterpart to build a “Harvard University” in Vietnam? Given that ambition, how American mission could give its partner a pleasure.
Seeing communication problem between two partners at the first conference, I was daring to talk with my chief, “You should create a task force for your education agenda.” A task force- I meant- an internal team within my organization. But, later on, I learnt that a task force was founded between two governments including public administrators and educators.
The second education conference was organized in Ho Chi Minh City. The task force had several meetings afterward. But, it was hard to see any progress in Vietnamese educational system.
This time, the third education conference opened in Hanoi to discuss challenges and opportunities on the partnership. However, the Minister of Ministry of Education and Training still talked about a high quality university, about American university style in Vietnam and about sending ten thousand sVietnamese to get Phd degree abroad. Interestingly, there was no one that mentioned about the education task force.
Three years ago, I came to Ha Noi to attend the first education conference. I returned home with a great deal of hopes and dreams. I wished Vietnamese partner would be a good companion. Good companions know where to go and always keep open dialogues to overcome any differences.
I leaved the first education with hopes because I saw a big gap between two partners. There was an indication: The Minister of Ministry of Education and Training did not show off. Instead, a deputy director of the Ministry came and brought to the conference a long and boring speech. I got my dreams because I heard many great and enthusiastic ideas in the conference that might help Vietnamese students to approach a world standard education. Well, not only were my hopes and dreams, a Vietnamese American guy and his team prematurely introduced the concept of “American University” in Vietnam at the conference. They thought, “Why not Vietnam, if there is an American University in Cairo?”
I also leaved the first conference with a lot of worries. America has been moved to a service economy. Education is one of competitive advantages of America. How Vietnamese government could ask American counterpart to build a “Harvard University” in Vietnam? Given that ambition, how American mission could give its partner a pleasure.
Seeing communication problem between two partners at the first conference, I was daring to talk with my chief, “You should create a task force for your education agenda.” A task force- I meant- an internal team within my organization. But, later on, I learnt that a task force was founded between two governments including public administrators and educators.
The second education conference was organized in Ho Chi Minh City. The task force had several meetings afterward. But, it was hard to see any progress in Vietnamese educational system.
This time, the third education conference opened in Hanoi to discuss challenges and opportunities on the partnership. However, the Minister of Ministry of Education and Training still talked about a high quality university, about American university style in Vietnam and about sending ten thousand sVietnamese to get Phd degree abroad. Interestingly, there was no one that mentioned about the education task force.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Winter Rain in Hue
I stopped by Hue City on the way back to HCMC from Ha Noi yesterday by airplane. From the sky, I recognized that the plane was flying on a thick layer of cloud. This kind of cloud has a grey color and it is static like the face of East Sea in a beautiful day. Suddenly, I understood the scientific reasons of "Mua Phun- Spraying Rain" in Hue and other surrounding provinces in Central Vietnam.
I also understood why Huenian and other people who have been in Hue, always have a special memory about this city: Weather - Mua phun- could be one of the factors.
I also understood why Huenian and other people who have been in Hue, always have a special memory about this city: Weather - Mua phun- could be one of the factors.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Tra Vinh trip
Mekong Delta and its people are hospitality and friendly as always. Tra Vinh should have a big road connecting with the National Highway No. 1 before any infrastructure projects. Tra Vinh must take a lesson to learn from America or China: Building roads to gain a kick start on its economic developments.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
52 years
I celebrate the 52nd birth anniversary today with a conclusion: Prosperity; Happiness and Glory will never easily achieve if we don't have the pressure of competition (challenges) among companions on our life journey.
Friday, January 01, 2010
Regional versus Global Trade
Từ ngày mồng một tháng giêng năm 2010, khu vực tự do mậu dịch lớn nhất thế giới giữa Trung Quốc và Hiệp Hội Đông Nam Á, ASEAN, bước vào hoạt động. Thuế hải quan nhắm vào khoảng 9000 nhóm hàng hóa và dịch vụ, tương đương 90% tổng trao đổi thương mại song phương, được cắt giảm hoặc bãi bỏ.
From January 1st, 2010, the largest free trade area in the world between China and the ASEAN will be effective. Custom tax of about 9000 groups of good and service, equivalent to 90% of total bilateral trade will be reduced or exempted.
From January 1st, 2010, the largest free trade area in the world between China and the ASEAN will be effective. Custom tax of about 9000 groups of good and service, equivalent to 90% of total bilateral trade will be reduced or exempted.
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