New research on development issues in Vietnam - Volume 6, number 15 (July 2014)

[nv...@worldbank.org]

New research on development issues in Vietnam - Volume 6, number 15 (July 2014)

**Agriculture and rural development

El Nino and ground/underground water decreasing effects on coffee cultivation in DakNong Province, Vietnam by using GIS.
El Nino and ground/underground water decreasing effects on coffee cultivation in DakNong Province, Vietnam by using GIS.
Duong Anh Quan, Bui Ngoc Quy and others. held 27 April - 2 May EGU General Assembly 2014, 2014 in Vienna, Austria, 2014.

Abstract: El Nino is one of most common climatic events which are widely spread over the world. In case of Vietnam, the El Nino or ENSO event has various effects on agricultural cultivation over whole country; in the Central Highlands area, the coffee cultivation also has been affected heavily. The coffee is one of most important products of this area. Our study area, the Dak Nong province located in the Central Highlands, the mountainous and highlands in central of Vietnam. The coffee production contributes roughly 40% of total GDP of the province. This province climate is influenced by tropical monsoon and high altitude terrain. The area has two seasons in which dry season from November to end of March and the wet season cover the rest. There is 80-90% of precipitation concentrated in wet season. In El Nino years, the dry season is longer and drier than normal which affects the agricultural cultivation especially coffee. The effects of El Nino phenomenon on coffee cultivation need to clarify in order to help farmers and decision makers making their solutions. The ground/underground water has been decreased by over watering of coffee growers as well as deforestation making water shortage in dry season. The over watering of coffee cultivation wasted more than 80% water resources especially underground water use. In years of 1997-1998, coffee productivity decreased 30%; in years of 2003, the coffee productivity was downed by 25%; both examples show the relation between the combination of ENSO and decreasing of Ground/underground water and the coffee production in Dak Nong province. This is a necessary research to evaluate the effects of the combination. This paper using GIS tools to estimate the effects of El Nino phenomenon combined with ground/underground water and the coffee cultivation in Dak Nong province.

Governmental influences on the evolution of agricultural cooperatives in Vietnam: an institutional perspective with case stu...
Governmental influences on the evolution of agricultural cooperatives in Vietnam: an institutional perspective with case studies.
Anne Cox and Viet Le. Asia Pacific Business Review, 2014, pp. 1-18.

Abstract: Using an institutionalist approach as the main framework, this research examines the evolution of Vietnamese agricultural cooperatives over the last six decades through four distinct phases ? the voluntary collectivization period of 1954?1975, the compulsory collectivization period of 1975?1981, the de-collectivization period of 1981?1997 and the neo-collectivization period since 1997. Based on two case studies, this research examines the role of the Vietnamese government in the development of Vietnamese agricultural cooperatives. It argues that a stable legal environment and appropriate government support are extremely important for the successful development of cooperatives. In terms of theoretical contribution, the study calls for an integration of the notion of institutional dynamics into the current ?static? institutionalism and emphasizes the need to analyse institutions' influences at central, local and organizational levels to understand the formation and development of organizations. It also offers some policy implications that are relevant to the development of cooperatives in other economies. [t-f].

Impact of Third-party Contract Enforcement in Agricultural Markets—A Field Experiment in Vietnam.
Impact of Third-party Contract Enforcement in Agricultural Markets—A Field Experiment in Vietnam.
Christoph Saenger, Maximo Torero and Matin Qaim. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 2014, volume 96, number 4, pp. 1220-1238.

Abstract: We study the effect of alleviating the information asymmetry regarding product quality that is widespread in contracts between agricultural producers and buyers in developing countries. Opportunistic buyers may underreport quality levels to farmers to reduce the price that they have to pay. In response, farmers may curb investment, thereby negatively affecting farm productivity. In an experiment, we entitle randomly selected smallholder dairy farmers in Vietnam, who are contracted by a large company, to independently verify milk testing results. Results indicate that treatment farmers use 12% more inputs, and they also increase their output significantly. Some wider research and policy implications are discussed. [oxf journal].

Impact of deforestation on local precipitation patterns over the Da River basin, Vietnam.
Impact of deforestation on local precipitation patterns over the Da River basin, Vietnam.
Daniela Anghileri, Daniele Spartà and others. Geophysical Research Abstracts, 2014, volume 16.

Abstract: Change in land cover, e.g. from forest to bare soil, might severely impact the hydrological cycle at the river basin scale by altering the balance between rainfall and evaporation, ultimately affecting streamflow dynamics. These changes generally occur over decades, but they might be much more rapid in developing countries, where economic growth and growing population may cause abrupt changes in landscape and ecosystem. Detecting, analysing and modelling these changes is an essential step to design mitigation strategies and adaptation plans, balancing economic development and ecosystem protection. In this work we investigate the impact of land cover changes on the water cycle in the Da River basin, Vietnam. More precisely, the objective is to evaluate the interlink between deforestation and precipitation. The case study is particularly interesting because Vietnam is one of the world fastest growing economies and natural resources have been considerably exploited to support after-war development. Vietnam has the second highest rate of deforestation of primary forests in the world, second to only Nigeria (FAO 2005), with associated problems like abrupt change in run-off, erosion, sediment transport and flash floods. We performed land cover evaluation by combining literature information and Remote Sensing techniques, using Landsat images. We then analysed time series of precipitation observed on the period 1960-2011 in several stations located in the catchment area. We used multiple trend detection techniques, both state-of-the-art (e.g., Linear regression and Mann-Kendall) and novel trend detection techniques (Moving Average on Shifting Horizon), to investigate trends in seasonal pattern of precipitation. Results suggest that deforestation may induce a negative trend in the precipitation volume. The effect is mainly recognizable at the beginning and at the end of the monsoon season, when the local mechanisms of precipitation formation prevail over the large scale ones.


**Economic development

The challenges of developing a competitive logistics industry in ASEAN countries.
The challenges of developing a competitive logistics industry in ASEAN countries.
Jose Tongzon and Inkyo Cheong. International Journal of Logistics Research and Applications, 2013, volume 17, number 4, pp. 323-338.

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to assess the challenges facing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries in their effort to develop a competitive logistics industry in light of an ASEAN Economic Community by 2015. In particular, it tries to evaluate the extent to which the measures adopted to improve the competitiveness of their respective logistics industries have been implemented and identify the underlying factors affecting their implementation. The methodology used relies on questionnaire-based interviews with a sample of logistics firms and relevant government agencies in the ASEAN countries. Overall, the extent of implementation has been low and characterised by a significant perception gap between logistics firms and their respective governments. These findings imply the need for the ASEAN countries to further undertake specific actions targeting the underlying causes. Unless these factors are addressed, they are likely to hinder the achievement of a competitive logistics industry and thus the realisation of establishing a regionally integrated market. Addressing this issue is not only relevant to ASEAN but can also provide some valuable insights for other developing countries. [t-f].

Location choice in low-income countries: Evidence from Japanese investments in East Asia.
Location choice in low-income countries: Evidence from Japanese investments in East Asia.
Kazunobu Hayakawa and Kenmei Tsubota. Journal of Asian Economics, 2014, volume 33, p. 30.

Abstract: Unlike most existing studies, this paper examines the location choices of multinational enterprises (MNEs) in low-income countries. Specifically, we investigate the location choices of Japanese MNEs among East Asian developing countries by estimating a four-stage nested logit model and a mixed logit model at the province level. Our findings are as follows. First, Japanese MNEs consider Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam to be host countries different from China and the forerunners of ASEAN. In other words, for Japanese investors, ASEAN forerunners are countries replaceable by China. Second, the mechanics of vertical FDI are more likely to appear in FDIs in low-income countries. For example, rather than the market size of the host country, tariff rates on products from investing countries are more crucial location elements.

Productivity spillovers from foreign multinationals and trade policy: firm-level analysis of Vietnamese manufacturing.
Productivity spillovers from foreign multinationals and trade policy: firm-level analysis of Vietnamese manufacturing.
Truong Thi Ngoc Thuyen, Juthathip Jongwanich and Eric D. Ramstetter. The International Centre for the Study of East Asian Development - Kyushu University Working Paper Series 2014-10, 2014.

Abstract: This article examines how the presence of foreign multinational enterprises (MNEs) affects productivity in local firms in Vietnamese manufacturing in 2005-2010. The paper also emphasizes how import protection has affected these productivity spillovers and how spillovers from wholly-foreign MNEs and joint ventures differ. The most consistent result suggests wholly-foreign MNEs impart negative spillovers while joint ventures generate positive spillovers. Theory and random effects estimates also indicate that import protection reduces local firm productivity and weakens the effect of spillovers from all MNEs, but this result is not obtained when a fixed effects estimator is used. Results are similar in samples of labour-intensive industries, which include close to three-fourths of all sample firms, but differ markedly for more capital-intensive groups. Free full text http://www.icsead.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/WP2014-10.pdf.

Thinking regionally or nationally? The case of ASEAN.
Thinking regionally or nationally? The case of ASEAN.
Choon-Yin Sam. Journal of Advances in Humanities, 2014, volume 2, number 2.

Abstract: This paper analyzes the relation of states in the age of globalization with particular reference to members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). For ASEAN, integration has been seen as a necessary step forward to reduce its reliance on the western countries and speed up the recovery process during times of crisis. The creation of the ASEAN Community represents a step towards achieving this goal. By drawing on the treatment of the haze problem, particularly the actions and reactions from Singapore and Indonesia, this paper argues that the notion of ASEAN identity is a fluid concept. Setbacks kick in when ASEAN member states (Singapore and Indonesia) act in response to national interest. Given the commonality of spats between the member nations, there is still much more to be done to form a regional identity within the ASEAN community. [Sam-2014].

Government Ownership and Firm Performance: The Case of Vietnam.
Government Ownership and Firm Performance: The Case of Vietnam.
Ngo My Tran, Walter Nonneman and Ann Jorissen. International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, 2014, volume 4, number 3, pp. 628-650.

Abstract: This study extends some predictions from a game theoretical model which evaluates the net effect of government ownership on firm performance and empirically tests these predictions using a panel dataset of Vietnamese firms in the period 2004-2012. The empirical results estimated from static and dynamic models confirm our propositions of a negative effect of state ownership on firm profitability and labor productivity. Furthermore, this study documents a moderating role of firm size in the relationship between state shareholding and the performance of firms with higher state ownership in larger firms enhancing profitability and labor productivity. [Tran-etal-2014]. Free full text http://www.econjournals.com/index.php/ijefi/article/view/827.

Selecting Various Industrial Competitors Affect The Risk Level of Viet Nam Investment and Finance Industry.
Selecting Various Industrial Competitors Affect The Risk Level of Viet Nam Investment and Finance Industry.
Dinh Tran Ngoc Huy. International Journal of Information, Business and Management, 2014, volume 6, number 3, pp. 158-169.

Abstract: Under a one factor model, this paperwork estimates the impacts of the size of firms' competitors in the investment and finance industry on the market risk level, measured by equity and asset beta, of 10 listed companies in this category. This study identified that the risk dispersion level in this sample study could be minimized in case the competitor size kept as current approximate size (measured by equity beta var of 0,233). Beside, the empirical research findings show us that asset beta max value increases from 1,592 to 1,705 when the size of competitor doubles. Last but not least, most of beta values are acceptable except a few exceptional cases. Ultimately, this paper illustrates calculated results that might give proper recommendations to relevant governments and institutions in re-evaluating their policies during and after the financial crisis 2007-2011. [Huy-2014].

Low-cost carriers versus full service carriers in ASEAN: The impact of liberalization policy on competition.
Low-cost carriers versus full service carriers in ASEAN: The impact of liberalization policy on competition.
Shinya Hanaoka, Mikio Takebayashi and others. Journal of Air Transport Management, 2014, volume 40, pp. 96-105.

Abstract: This study analyses the ASEAN Single Aviation Market (ASAM) policy to be introduced by the end of 2015. We conduct a scenario study to estimate the impact of low-cost carrier (LCC) network expansion under liberalized air transport policies in the ASEAN region. Establishing joint ventures is a possible way for foreign carriers to expand the network in this region, even after starting ASAM. This is unique as joint ventures are not only subsidiaries of the full-service carriers, as is the case in the United States and Europe. We also apply a quantitative air transport market model to estimate the policy impact of the entry of new LCCs on routes from three ASEAN hub airports to Manila airport, which covers the impact on the whole network. The model produces several significant results, including that the entry of one LCC on one route may affect the fare, frequency, and profitability of related competitive routes for the entire network. [sci].


**Education and training

The German dual system of initial vocational education and training and its potential for transfer to Asia.
The German dual system of initial vocational education and training and its potential for transfer to Asia.
Stefan Hummelsheim and Michaela Baur. Prospects, 2014, volume 44, number 2, pp. 279-296.

Abstract: Skills for inclusive and sustainable development: Perspectives from the Asia Pacific Region and Beyond Germany has a "dual system" of initial vocational education and training, one that other countries admire and would like to adopt. Can it hand this model over to them? This article argues that doing so will require far more than a simple process of copying. Instead, any transfer must reflect the existing conditions in the country adopting the system, and must be adapted to its unique social, cultural, and economic objectives. In addition, though the dual system can serve as a model, no other country can implement the dual system as a whole, or components one by one. Instead, it must use five constitutive elements in order to transfer the dual spirit of the German model appropriately. The article ends by describing some considerations that apply to the transfer process and reviews some German projects that transferred the system to countries in Asia.


**Environment

Heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in municipal sewage sludge from a river in highly urbanized metropolitan a...
Heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in municipal sewage sludge from a river in highly urbanized metropolitan area in Hanoi, Vietnam: levels, accumulation pattern and assessment of land application.
Cao Vu Hung, Bui Duy Cam and others., Environmental Geochemistry and Health, Springer Netherlands, 2014.

Abstract: Concentrations of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sludge from Kim Nguu River, Hanoi, Vietnam, were analyzed to understand the contamination levels, distribution and accumulation pattern of municipal sludge from a highly urbanized area that receive direct discharge of wastewater. High concentrations of heavy metals such as As, Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn were observed in sludge, which were exceeded the Vietnamese regulation threshold values. In general, contamination status of heavy metals in sludge was in the similar range or slightly lower than those previously reported in sludge from the same area. The mean concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were 24.3, 2.65, 105, 166, 60.8, 73.7 and 569 mg/kg dry wt., respectively. Our result also indicates increased levels of PAHs, which are among the first data on PAHs accumulation in municipal sludge from metropolitan area in Vietnam. PAH concentrations ranged from 218 to 751 mg/kg dry wt. (mean: 456 mg/kg dry wt.), which were greater than those reported in sewage sludge from other countries as well as in sediments and soils collected from the same area. Accumulation pattern revealed the predominant of higher-ringed PAH compounds. Indicator ratios suggest the sources of PAHs were probably derived from biomass (wood and coal) and fossil fuel combustion and petroleum emissions. Most of the sludge samples contain PAHs concentrations exceeding various international guidelines values for sludge and sediment, such as probable effect levels, suggesting the possible risk for adverse biological effects in the study area and in the landfill sites where dredged sludge was dumped. [spr].

Long-term biogeochemical functioning of the Red River (Vietnam): past and present situations.
Long-term biogeochemical functioning of the Red River (Vietnam): past and present situations.
Thi Phuong Quynh Le, Gilles Billen and others. Regional Environmental Change, 2014, pp. 1-11.

Abstract: The Red River (North Vietnam) is a typical example of a subtropical Asian river system undergoing high human pressure. During the last 50 years, major changes have occurred in its watershed, extending over an area of 156,450 km2 in Vietnam and China. We provide a detailed account of these changes, related to intensification of agriculture, deforestation, increase in population and urbanization, impoundment of reservoirs, etc. This information is used in a modeling approach of the nutrient transfers and transformations along the river system, in order to evaluate the changes in water quality of the Red River and its potential for coastal eutrophication. We conclude that the combination of increased nitrogen release from agriculture and retention of phosphorus in the reservoirs has considerably changed the balance of nutrients delivered at the outlet of the river, bringing the system close to a turning point in its nutrient biogeochemistry and its potential for coastal eutrophication. The upcoming impoundment of four new major dams in the watershed makes this conclusion particularly relevant. [spr].

A New Fuzzy Weighted Based Computation for Environmental Performance: A Case of ASEAN Countries.
A New Fuzzy Weighted Based Computation for Environmental Performance: A Case of ASEAN Countries.
Lazim Abdullah. WSEAS transactions on environment and development, 2014.

Abstract: Environmental Performance Index (EPI) has been introduced since 2006 to depict the environmental performance for most of the countries in the world. The index considers ten policy categories associated with environmental public health and ecosystem sustainability. The main mathematics operation in establishing EPI is arithmetic mean of all ten policy categories. However, this operation carries a potential disadvantage as it may neglects some extreme values in policy categories data and also employs equal weight for policy categories in obtaining EPI scores. To illustrate the issue of weight in computing environmental performance, this paper proposes intuitionistic fuzzy entropy weight method in calculating environmental performance to determine the weight of country and compares the weight of EPI as computed by the proposed weighted-based fuzzy entropy with the proximity to target formula and a decision making method. The original data of EPI among nine ASEAN countries are selected to illustrate the computation. The entropy weight of country and dual memberships of intuitionistic fuzzy sets are considered as the important properties in this computation. A new weight of EPI among ASEAN countries show that Singapore is the best country in environmental performance followed by Brunei. The proposed method may offer an alternative measure in evaluating environmental performance particularly for ASEAN countries. Free full text http://www.wseas.org/multimedia/journals/environment/2014/a125715-207.pdf.

Organic matter and water management strategies to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions from rice paddies in Vietnam.
Organic matter and water management strategies to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions from rice paddies in Vietnam.
Arjun Pandey, Van Trinh Mai and others. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 2014, volume 196, pp. 137-146.

Abstract: The reduction of CH4 and N2O emissions from rice paddies is of utmost importance in minimizing the impact of rice production on global warming. A field experiment was therefore conducted in farmers' field in Hanoi, Vietnam to examine whether the use of straw compost or straw biochar, in combination with the safe alternate wetting and drying (AWD) has the potential to suppress both CH4 and N2O emissions from rice paddies while maintaining the rice yield. The study compared the proposed strategies with local farmers' practice of permanent flooding (PF) and farmyard manure (FYM) incorporation, respectively. A control treatment without organic matter incorporation in both AWD and PF water regimes was also included in the study; all treatments received equal amounts of mineral fertilizer. Gas emissions were monitored using the closed chamber method at seven-day intervals during the first 50 days and at 15-day intervals thereafter. Addition of FYM, straw compost and biochar increased CH4 emissions by 230%, 150% and 38%, respectively, when compared with the control treatments in both the AWD and PF water regimes. Within AWD, FYM increased N2O emissions by 30%, straw compost and biochar displayed similar amount of N2O emissions as the control treatment. Within PF, N2O emissions under FYM and straw compost were 40% and 35% higher than the control treatment, respectively, and biochar once again displayed similar amount of N2O emissions as the control treatment. Yield difference was not significant (p > 0.05) between any of the treatments. These results indicated that the straw compost incorporation might not reduce the global warming potential (GWP) and yield-scaled GWP of rice production, whereas biochar in combination with AWD has the potential to maintain the GWP and yield-scaled GWP of rice production at lower level than the farmers' practice. [sci].

Water for forests to restore environmental services and alleviate poverty in Vietnam: A farm modeling approach to analyze al...
Water for forests to restore environmental services and alleviate poverty in Vietnam: A farm modeling approach to analyze alternative PES programs.
Damien Jourdain, Esther Boere and others. Land Use Policy, 2014, volume 41, pp. 423-437.

Abstract: Most forested areas in South East Asia are located in mountainous areas, where they are reservoirs of biodiversity and have important watershed regulating functions. However, the continuing provision of these environmental services may be jeopardized by land use changes. To re-establish natural or productive forests, programs are being proposed in which participating farmers can set aside some of their cultivated sloping land and receive payment for maintaining the newly forested land. This paper compares two types of payments for ecosystems services (or PES)-type programs designed to favor reforestation by farming households: “Payments for forests” (PFF) and “Terraces for forests” (TFF). Both programs involve setting aside sloping land for reforestation but differ in the type and amount of compensation offered. PFF offers annual payments per area of retired land. TFF offers to cover the cost of converting a certain amount of a farm's sloping land into terraces, combined with annual payments per unit area of retired land. The main objective of the paper is to compare the two types of programs in terms of cost-efficiency – can we get the same amount of forest at lower cost? – and equity – will the poorest farmers participate? Using mathematical programming, we developed a set of farm models corresponding to typical farms in a mountainous district in Northern Vietnam. We simulated participation rates of different types of farms in the two types of PES programs. For each PES, we assessed the amount of land converted into forest, the cost of the program, and its impacts on land use and household revenues, at individual farm and village level. Results of our simulations showed that increasing access to irrigated terraces as a way of compensating for converting land to forest increased the participation of the poorest farmers and was more cost efficient than pure cash payments. This suggests that existing PFF programs are biased against the smallest landholders in the region whereas they could be transformed into win–win programs likely to increase forested areas and reduce inequalities among farm households. Our paper demonstrates that PES schemes, when fine-tuned to the South East Asian context, could not only be used to restore ecosystem services, but also to alleviate poverty. [sci].

Artificial Cultivation of Hermatypic Corals on Experimental Frame on the Reefs of Vietnam.
Artificial Cultivation of Hermatypic Corals on Experimental Frame on the Reefs of Vietnam.
Yu Ya Latypov. Biodiversity, Bioprospecting and Development, 2014.

Abstract: In 2003-2005 and 2010-2011, experimental commercial cultivation of 14 species of hermatypic corals was carried out using the method of donor colony fragmentation. The transplants successfully survived on experimental frame installations. The coral colonies that were recovered from the fragments became attached to the frame installations in a similar way to their attachment on natural substrata. The research has established species-specific factors and others affecting regeneration of fragments and growth of new colonies in these coral species. The accretion of donor fragments and new branches averaged from 40 to 160 mm per year, depending on the coral species, colony size, and season of transplantation. An average monthly accretion of medium and larger transplants and growth of new branches were 1.2-1.3 times higher at spring cultivation than at autumn transplanting. When transplanted, coral fragments of medium and larger sizes survived well and showed higher growth rates in all species studied. After 1-1.5 year, the size of the transplants was found to have increased by 220-275%. The newly formed artificial coral community was colonized by the damselfish Dascyllus reticulates (Pomacentridae). Free full text http://omicsgroup.org/journals/artificial-cultivation-of-hermatypic-corals-on-experimental-frame-on-the-reefs-of-vietnam-ijbbd.1000117.pdf.

Climate Change and rural institutions in Central Viet Nam.
Climate Change and rural institutions in Central Viet Nam.
Le Duc Ngoan, Le Thi Hoa Sen and others. Danish Institute for International Studies Working Paper 2013:14, 2013.

Abstract: The working paper focuses on how meso-level institutions in Central Viet Nam are responding to climate change and extreme climate events – especially in regards to coastal zones. It describes emerging policies and trends in institutional response to climate change, with emphasis on the convergence of this response with disaster risk management and broader development efforts. It highlights a fundamental contrast between structures related to the current concrete manifestations of climate change, primarily flood and storm control, and the future scenarios of climate change. [Ngoan-etal-2013]. Free full text http://www.eldis.org/go/country-profiles&id=66878&type=Document.

Strong carbon sink of monsoon tropical seasonal forest in Southern Vietnam.
Strong carbon sink of monsoon tropical seasonal forest in Southern Vietnam.
Olga Deshcherevskaya, Alexandr Anichkin and others. Prepared for the EGU General Assembly 2014 held 27 April - 2 May 2014 in Vienna, 2014.

Abstract: Comparison between anthropogenic emission of carbon dioxide and atmospheric carbon pool change displays that only half of emitted CO2 remains in air, leaving so-called 'missing sink' of carbon. Terrestrial biosphere and ocean accumulate each about a half of this value (Gifford, 1994). Forest biomes play the decisive role in 'missing sink' because of high primary production flux and large carbon pool. Almost all the sink belongs to boreal forests, because warming and wetting coupled with increasing CO2 concentration and N deposition gives more favorable conditions for boreal ecosystems. On the contrary, tropical climate changes effect on forests is not obvious, probably cause more drought conditions; tropical forests suffer from 1.2 % per year area reduction and disturbance. Whether primary tropical forests act as carbon sink is still unclear. Biomass inventories at 146 forest plots across all the tropics in 1987-1997 revealed low carbon sink in humid forests biomass of 49 (29-66; 95% C.I.) g C m-2 year-1 on average (Malhi, 2010). Estimates for undisturbed African forests are close to global (Ciais et al., 2008). Eddy covariance (EC) observations with weak-turbulence correction in Amazonia reveal near-zero or small negative (i.e. sink) balance (Clark, 2004). Three EC sites in SE Asia primary forests give near-zero balance again (Saigusa et al., 2008; Kosugi et al., 2012). There are two main groups of explanations of moderate tropical carbon sink: (a) recovering of large-disturbance in the past or (b) response to current atmospheric changes: increase of CO2 concentration and/or climate change. So, strong carbon accumulation is not common for primary tropical forests. In this context sink of 402 g C m-2 in 2012 at EC station of Nam Cat Tien (NCT), Southern Vietnam (N 11°27', E 107°24', 134 m a.s.l.) in primary monsoon tropical forest looks questionably. EC instrument set at NCT consists of CSAT3 sonic anemometer and LI-7500A open-path gas analyzer. All the standard EC procedures were applied to the raw 10-Hz data, including time-lag compensation, block average, WPL-correction, planar fit, low- and high-frequency corrections etc. in EddyPro software (LI-COR Inc., USA). Calculated fluxes with bad quality flags (more than 6 of 9) were excluded. Spikes due to rains, instrument malfunction were removed too. Storage of CO2 from the surface to the measurement level which is very significant in tall tropical forest was added to the flux. Then low-turbulence correction was applied with u*-threshold of 0.178 m s-1. After these steps only 43 % of 30-min data of 2012 still presented, so the rate of gaps was 57 % (mainly at night and in rains). Data were gapfilled using on-line tool at the web-site of Max-Plank Institute, Germany and Flux-Analysis Tool, Japan. Different gap-filling procedures (non-linear regressions, look-up tables, model evaluation, artificial gaps-method) as well as u*-threshold shifting from 0 to 0.25 resulted in drift of 2012 net carbon exchange total from -296 to -612 g C m-2 (strong carbon sink still remain). Unfortunately, the situation of more then 50 % of gaps in CO2 flux is usual for tropical EC stations because of frequent calm nights. So, a gap-filling algorithm is extremely important for evaluation of long-term totals. We found for Vietnamese data that even few spikes which were not removed before gap-filling can change all-year total by up to 20-50 g m-2 year-1. Especially 'powerful' are big positive values at night in rare-occurred good turbulence. Possibly these values are physical. But they influence regressions in look-up table method dramatically because amount of data in peak of rainy season in night-time is too small. So, the gap-filling algorithm happened to be very sensitive to spikes. Additionally, striking was the fact that storage of CO2 appeared to be the main factor influencing 1-year totals after gap-filling procedure. Taking storage into account shifted the 2012 sum from +182 to -402 g m-2 year-1, from carbon source to the strong sink. Storage total for all the year was near-zero, but in our case including of storage resulted in gap-filling regression changes with corresponding change in total carbon balance. Probably the only way for proper net carbon balance evaluation for NCT site is chamber-measurements of night respiration of different ecosystem components, as used at Pasoh EC station, Malaysia.

Scenario-based Tsunami Hazard Assessment for the coast of Vietnam from the Manila Trench source.
Scenario-based Tsunami Hazard Assessment for the coast of Vietnam from the Manila Trench source.
Phuong Nguyen Hong, Que Bui Cong and others. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 2014.

Abstract: This paper assesses the impact of tsunamis in the East Vietnam Sea potentially originated from a giant rupture along the Manila Trench to the Vietnamese coast. Tsunami heights and arrival times to the major forecast points along the Vietnamese coast are computed using COMCOT model. The results of the worst case scenario (Mw=9.3) and two extreme scenarios were used to assess the tsunami hazards. The simulation results show that Vietnamese coast can be divided into three parts with different levels of tsunami hazard. The highest threat exists along the coasts of Central and North-Central Vietnam, from Quang Binh to Ba Ria – Vung Tau provinces, with maximum wave height of 18 m observed near Quang Ngai coast, and a tsunami would reach this coastline in two hours at the earliest. The northern coastal zone of Vietnam has lower tsunami hazard. In the worst case scenario, maximum amplitudes of tsunami waves at Hai Phong sea port and Nam Dinh city, North Vietnam, are 3.5 m and 3.7 m, respectively, while the travel times to these sites are much longer, over 8 hours. The southern coastal zone of Vietnam has very low tsunami hazard. In the worst case scenario, the maximum amplitude at Ca Mau is 0.12 m, while the travel time is over 10 hours. [sci].


**Governance

Constitutional Politics in Southeast Asia: From Contestation to Constitutionalism?
Constitutional Politics in Southeast Asia: From Contestation to Constitutionalism?
Björn Dressel and Marco Bünte. Contemporary Southeast Asia, 2014, volume 36, number 1, pp. 1-22.

Abstract: Over the last twenty-five years the constitutional landscape of Southeast Asia has changed tremendously. As in the rest of the world, states in the region are dramatically altering their constitutions, often putting in place institutional safeguards for individual rights, such as constitutional courts and human rights commissions. Yet despite the numerous formal changes, actual constitutional practice in the region has been highly uneven. Four areas are particularly contested: constitutional drafting and design; individual and religious rights; the role of the military in constitutional politics; and the rule of law, courts and justice. How states in Southeast Asia resolve unfolding conflicts in these four areas will be critical to how constitutionalism evolves in the region. Replacing traditional legal scholarship with a new perspective on how constitutional politics are contested in the region, this article seeks to advance the scholarly debate by delving deeply into the dynamics that underpin unfolding constitutionalism trajectories and assessing whether countries in the region are actually deepening constitutional practice in a Western liberal sense or whether the model that seems to be emerging is quite different. [Dressel&Bünte-2014]. Free full text http://search.proquest.com/docview/1545642093?accountid=135225.

Making Law: Small-Scale Trade and Corrupt Exceptions at the Vietnam–China Border.
Making Law: Small-Scale Trade and Corrupt Exceptions at the Vietnam–China Border.
Kirsten W. Endres. American Anthropologist, 2014.

Abstract: In Vietnam's postreform era, the proliferation of profiteering opportunities have, in addition to creating new forms of corruption, transmuted previously prevailing types of corrupt acts in multiple ways across different levels of state–society relations. Everyday corrupt practices have thus become an essential means of economic survival for many. Starting from the metaphorical framing of petty bribery as “making law,” I propose the notion of what I term “corrupt exception” as a conceptual tool to explore the power dynamics of petty corruption between state agents and small-scale traders at the Vietnam–China border. Whereas bribery is felt by local traders to create better profit opportunities, the corrupt exception likewise pushes them into a de facto illegality where they remain subjected to arbitrary “lawmaking” and excluded from legal protection. I show that the metaphors employed by small-scale traders to negotiate complicit relationships with corrupt state officials both contest and reinforce the exercise of a localized form of sovereign power in a permanent state of corrupt exception in which “law” is “made” in exchange for bribes. [wiley].

Human Rights as a Larger Loyalty: The Evolution of Religious Freedom in Vietnam.
Human Rights as a Larger Loyalty: The Evolution of Religious Freedom in Vietnam.
John Gillespie. Harvard Human Rights Journal, 2014, volume 27, pp. 107-149.

Abstract: Each year, the Vietnamese government vigorously rejects criticism by foreign governments and human rights agencies about violations of religious freedom in Vietnam. The Vietnamese government’s rhetoric evidences a fundamentally different understanding of religious freedom from that of the international community. This Article draws on empirical research to show that the Vietnamese government uses politically constructed narratives called the Ðại Ðoàn Kết (Great Unity) to determine which kinds of religious worship conform to Vietnamese culture and traditions. Ðại Ðoàn Kết narratives define a common culture, spiritual destiny, and national identity—they define what it means to be Vietnamese. The universal principles of human rights invoked by foreign critics are relegated to the periphery of this imagined identity. -- This Article argues that the forces of modernization and globalization in Vietnam are changing the Vietnamese government’s inward-looking, relativistic views about human rights into cosmopolitan, universal perspectives. As Vietnam modernizes and becomes more globally integrated, party leaders are compelled to expand their loyalties beyond the ethnic Kinh majority and accept a multiethnic state with diverse forms of religious worship. In grappling with cross-cultural problems generated by modernity, party leaders are incrementally assuming a cosmopolitan outlook that treats all humans as belonging to a single community based on shared social responsibilities and moralities. The Article further explores whether cosmopolitanism is a precursor to universal, legally protected rights to religious freedom in Vietnam. This investigation has implications for China and other East Asian countries, such as Burma and North Korea, where the state actively manages religious worship. Free full text http://harvardhrj.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/V27_Gillespie.pdf.


**Health

Applying the SERVPERF scale to evaluate quality of care in two public hospitals at Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam.
Applying the SERVPERF scale to evaluate quality of care in two public hospitals at Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam.
Le PTan and G. Fitzgerald. Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management, 2014, volume 9, number 2, pp. 66-76.

Abstract: The quality of hospital care has been an increasing concern in Vietnam, especially in public hospitals, which are congested throughout the country. Identifying related factors that influence the quality of hospital care is a critical contributor to improving hospital quality and therefore patient satisfaction. A culturally and contextually appropriate measure of patient satisfaction is necessary to help guide system-wide improvements. One such measure is the SERVPERF scale, which has been considered a superior instrument for evaluating service quality, including in the healthcare sector. Two public hospitals in Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam, were chosen to assess the utility and validity of a modified SERVPERF scale, namely the Patient Satisfaction Scale (PSS), to evaluate quality of care. The multidimensionality of hospital care quality has been analysed using exploratory factor analysis with further examination of the scale's reliability and validity. The Exploratory Factor Analysis identified five factors with reasonable internal consistency coefficients. Cronbach's alpha for the whole scale is high, at 0.880. Further regression analysis showed a significant convergent validity of the scale. Assurance and Empathy are the greatest dimensions affecting the service quality of hospital care in Khanh Hoa province.

A household survey on screening practices of household contacts of smear positive tuberculosis patients in Vietnam.
A household survey on screening practices of household contacts of smear positive tuberculosis patients in Vietnam.
Thuy Hoang, Sy Dinh and others. BMC Public Health, 2014, volume 14, number 1, p. 713.

Abstract:

BACKGROUND:Close contacts of tuberculosis (TB) patients are at increased risk of developing tuberculosis. Although passive contact screening guidelines are incorporated in the national TB control program, currently it is unknown how frequent close contacts are screened for TB in Vietnam. This study assesses current contact screening practices in Vietnam and determines the proportion of household contacts screened of newly registered TB patients.

METHOD:Survey of household contacts of smear-positive TB patients (index patients) registered for treatment in 2008 in three Vietnamese cities. Households were interviewed in 2010 about screening for TB since treatment registration date of the index patient.

RESULTS:We interviewed 4,118 household contacts of 1,091 identified index cases. Contact screening mainly relied on self-referral by household contacts. Of the 4,118 household contacts, 474 (11.5%) self-referred for TB screening, while this screening proportion was only 5.5% among contacts under 5 years old (16/293). Sputum examinations were performed in 374 (78.9%) of the screened contacts. Contact screening identified 27 cases of pulmonary TB (0.7%; or 656 cases/100,000 contacts), of which 20 were detected by sputum smear.

CONCLUSIONS:The low proportion of household TB contacts screened for TB illustrates the limitations of passive contact screening as currently practiced in Vietnam. Children under 5 years of age are particularly neglected with this approach. Active contact screening with fixed follow-up times of close contacts of newly diagnosed TB patients should be considered in Vietnam, particularly in case of young children and drug-resistant TB. Free full text http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/14/713.

Inequalities in Universal Health Coverage: Evidence from Vietnam.
Inequalities in Universal Health Coverage: Evidence from Vietnam.
Michael G. Palmer. World Development, 2014, volume 64, pp. 384-394.

Abstract: Exploiting a window of opportunity in Vietnam, this paper examines the impact of social health insurance on target population groups. Significant inequalities in the coverage of service utilization and financial protection are found across groups. Persons with disabilities, and retirees to a lesser extent, experienced relatively high rates of service utilization and were most at risk of health care-induced poverty. A higher level of targeting in the design of benefit packages is recommended. [sci].

Linking Governance Mechanisms To Health Outcomes: A Review Of The Literature In Low- And Middle-Income Countries.
Linking Governance Mechanisms To Health Outcomes: A Review Of The Literature In Low- And Middle-Income Countries.
Dana Karen Ciccone, Taryn Vian and others. Social Science & Medicine, 2014.

Abstract: We conducted a synthesis of peer-reviewed literature to shed light on links between governance mechanisms and health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Our review yielded 30 studies, highlighting four key governance mechanisms by which governance may influence health outcomes in these settings: Health system decentralization that enables responsiveness to local needs and values; health policymaking that aligns and empowers diverse stakeholders; enhanced community engagement; and strengthened social capital. Most, but not all, studies found a positive association between governance and health. Additionally, the nature of the association between governance mechanisms and health differed across studies. In some studies (N=9), the governance effect was direct and positive, while in others (N=5), the effect was indirect or modified by contextual factors. In still other studies (N=4), governance was found to have a moderating effect, indicating that governance mechanisms influence other system processes or structures that improved health. The remaining studies reported mixed findings about the association between governance and health (N=6), no association between governance and health (N=4), or had inconclusive results (N=2). Further exploration is needed to fully understand the relationship between governance and health and to inform the design and delivery of evidence-based, effective governance interventions around the world. [sci].

Vaccination in Southeast Asia: Reducing meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia with new and existing vaccines.
Vaccination in Southeast Asia: Reducing meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia with new and existing vaccines.
Alice Richardson, Denise E. Morris and Stuart C. Clarke. Vaccine, 2014, volume 32, number 33, pp. 4119-4123.

Abstract: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b and Neisseria meningitidis are leading causes of vaccine-preventable diseases such as meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia. Although there has been much progress in the introduction of vaccines against these pathogens, access to vaccines remains elusive in some countries. This review highlights the current S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae type b, and N. meningitidis immunization schedules in the 10 countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Epidemiologic studies may be useful for informing vaccine policy in these countries, particularly when determining the cost-effectiveness of introducing new vaccines. [sci].

Agro-Environmental Determinants of Avian Influenza Circulation: A Multisite Study in Thailand, Vietnam and Madagascar
Agro-Environmental Determinants of Avian Influenza Circulation: A Multisite Study in Thailand, Vietnam and Madagascar
Mathilde C. Paul, Marius Gilbert and others. PLoS ONE, 2014.

Abstract: Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have occurred and have been studied in a variety of ecological systems. However, differences in the spatial resolution, geographical extent, units of analysis and risk factors examined in these studies prevent their quantitative comparison. This study aimed to develop a high-resolution, comparative study of a common set of agro-environmental determinants of avian influenza viruses (AIV) in domestic poultry in four different environments: (1) lower-Northern Thailand, where H5N1 circulated in 2004–2005, (2) the Red River Delta in Vietnam, where H5N1 is circulating widely, (3) the Vietnam highlands, where sporadic H5N1 outbreaks have occurred, and (4) the Lake Alaotra region in Madagascar, which features remarkable similarities with Asian agro-ecosystems and where low pathogenic avian influenza viruses have been found. We analyzed H5N1 outbreak data in Thailand in parallel with serological data collected on the H5 subtype in Vietnam and on low pathogenic AIV in Madagascar. Several agro-environmental covariates were examined: poultry densities, landscape dominated by rice cultivation, proximity to a water body or major road, and human population density. Relationships between covariates and AIV circulation were explored using spatial generalized linear models. We found that AIV prevalence was negatively associated with distance to the closest water body in the Red River Delta, Vietnam highlands and Madagascar. We also found a positive association between AIV and duck density in the Vietnam highlands and Thailand, and with rice landscapes in Thailand and Madagascar. Our findings confirm the important role of wetlands-rice-ducks ecosystems in the epidemiology of AI in diverse settings. Variables influencing circulation of the H5 subtype in Southeast Asia played a similar role for low pathogenic AIV in Madagascar, indicating that this area may be at risk if a highly virulent strain is introduced. Free full text http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0101958.

Fathers as Supporters for Improved Exclusive Breastfeeding in Viet Nam.
Fathers as Supporters for Improved Exclusive Breastfeeding in Viet Nam.
Tran Huu Bich, Dinh Thi Hoa and others. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 2014, volume 18, number 6, pp. 1444-53.

Abstract: To determine the extent of exclusive breastfeeding practices among mothers of 4 and 6 month old infants whose fathers received breastfeeding education materials and counseling services. A quasi-experimental design was used. At the baseline, 251 and 241 couples were recruited into the intervention and control sites respectively. Fathers in the intervention area received breastfeeding education materials, counseling services at commune health centers and household visits. In the control site, where mothers routinely receive services on antenatal and postpartum care, fathers did not receive any intervention services on promoting breastfeeding. Primary indicators were exclusive breastfeeding at 4 and 6 months. At 6 months of age, based on 24-hour recall, 16.0 % (38/238) of mothers in the intervention group were exclusively breastfeeding their children, compared to 3.9 % (10/230) of those mothers in the control group (p < 0.001). Significant differences were found based on last-week recall (8.8 % in the intervention group vs. 1.3 % in the control group, p < 0.001) and since-birth recall (6.7 % in the intervention group vs. 0.9 % in the control group, p < 0.01). At 4 months of age, based on since birth recall, the breastfeeding proportion was significantly higher in the intervention group than in control group (20.6 % in the intervention group vs. 11.3 % in the control group, p < 0.01). An intervention targeting fathers might be effective in increasing exclusive breastfeeding practices at 4 and 6 months. To improve exclusive breastfeeding, health care staff working in maternal and child health units, should consider integrating fathers with services delivered to mothers and children.

Traditional alcohol production and use in three provinces in Vietnam: an ethnographic exploration of health benefits and ris...
Traditional alcohol production and use in three provinces in Vietnam: an ethnographic exploration of health benefits and risks.
Bich Luu, Thi Nguyen and Ian Newman. BMC Public Health, 2014, volume 14, number 1, p. 731.

Abstract:

BACKGROUND:Gaps exist in knowledge about the production and use of traditional alcohols, particularly in Asia. This study adds new information about the nature, production and sale of traditional distilled spirit alcohol in Vietnam.

METHOD:This was an ethnographic study of traditional distilled spirit alcohol production in rural areas of three provinces in Vietnam. Researchers interviewed more than 300 individuals and recorded responses to general open-ended questions about local alcohol production. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and studied to discern what information about traditional alcohol was important to the speakers.

RESULTS:Methods of production followed long-held traditions. Participants listed both personal and community benefits (economic, health, and social) from traditional alcohol making. Older people favoured traditional alcohol, while younger people favoured brand-name beer. Typically people consumed 2-4 drinks daily, mainly at meal times. People consumed more alcohol at special events and festivals. Distribution patterns ranged from low-risk distribution to family and neighbours to high-risk distribution by an agent who might combine alcohol from several producers, which increases the opportunity for dilution and adulteration. The most commonly listed health risks associated with locally-made alcohol were local air pollution and water pollution; participants also mentioned traffic crashes and bad public behaviour. Depending on the location, community leaders reported that production may be relatively stable or it may be declining.

CONCLUSIONS:Traditional alcohol manufacture, sale, and use in Vietnam is a long-standing practice and low- to moderate-risk to health. There do not appear to be instances of accidental or intentional contamination. Urbanization seems to be affecting the market share of traditional alcohol as urbanized youth turn to branded products, mainly beer, making traditional alcohol making and consumption an activity mainly linked to older people in rural areas. In the rural areas surveyed, significant economic and social benefits are derived from traditional alcohol manufacture, sale, and use. Policy makers designing ways to reduce alcohol-related risks and harms need to give thoughtful consideration to the role traditional alcohol plays in the local society and to suggest changes that do not create unintended problems. Free full text http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/14/731.

Water used to moisten vegetables is a source of Escherichia coli and protozoan parasite contamination at markets in Hanoi, V...
Water used to moisten vegetables is a source of Escherichia coli and protozoan parasite contamination at markets in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Nguyen Thuy Tram and Anders Dalsgaard. Journal of Water and Health, 2014.

Abstract: The study was done to assess the level of fecal (Escherichia coli) and protozoan parasite (Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp.) contamination in water used by traders to moisten vegetables at markets in Hanoi, Vietnam. A total of 200 splashing water samples from markets located within eight districts were analyzed for E. coli and Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. (oo)cysts. Giardia cysts were found in 17 splashing water samples and Cryptosporidium oocysts in nine samples, with median values of 20 cysts ml−1 and 10 oocysts ml−1, respectively. E. coli was found with a median concentration of 636 cfu ml−1 and its occurrence was negatively correlated with the numbers of protozoan parasites. The splashing water was kept in buckets that were rarely cleaned and often used for handwashing. The finding of these pathogens in splashing water is likely to represent real food safety hazards. [tr...@nihe.org.vn].

Problem-Focused Coping: Skipped-Generation Caregivers Affected by HIV/AIDS in Vietnam.
Problem-Focused Coping: Skipped-Generation Caregivers Affected by HIV/AIDS in Vietnam.
Lesley Maradik Harris and Bum Jung Kim. Qualitative Health Research, 2014.

Abstract: In this article, we examine skipped-generation caregivers who foster their grandchildren orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Vietnam. We investigated the challenges facing this population and the ways in which grandparents handled their trials on behalf of their families. Specifically, how did caregivers make sense of their roles, and how did these meanings inform their coping strategies? We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 21 older caregivers and 7 key informants and selected 5 caregivers from the sample to complete participant observations. The participants understood coping as problem-focused coping; for example, by considering a set of caregiving-related activities that included providing childcare, making money, borrowing money, cooking, and doing other daily chores. The voices of older caregivers must be a vital component to influence and inform service organizations and HIV sectors working in Vietnam. Based on a deeper understanding of the caregiving process, we outline implications for service development within the area of HIV caregiving.


**Energy

Cumulative Impacts and Joint Operation of Small-Scale Hydropower Cascades: Case Studies for Selected River Basins in Northw...
Cumulative Impacts and Joint Operation of Small-Scale Hydropower Cascades: Case Studies for Selected River Basins in Northwest Vietnam.
ASTAE (Asia Sustainable and Alternative Energy Program). World Bank, 2014.

Abstract: The government of Vietnam and the World Bank have had a long collaboration in the energy sector, sharing the commitment to each of the pillars of the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative—access for all, increasing energy efficiency, and boosting the share of renewable energy resources. The World Bank is currently supporting the Vietnamese government’s development of renewable energy through the 260 megawatt Trung Son Hydropower Project and the Renewable Energy Development Project, under which up to 35 small-scale hydropower plants in a number of river cascades are planned. -- This report highlights some of the most important challenges for small-scale hydropower development in Vietnam, based on case studies of six river basins in northern Vietnam. It is the result of collaboration between the World Bank and the Ministry of Industry and Trade in Vietnam, and aims to improve the sustainability of small-scale hydropower projects. Although based on a limited number of cases, its findings are likely to be applicable countrywide, and the report provides valuable recommendations to the country’s policy makers, planners, and developers of small-scale hydropower. Free full text https://astae.net/sites/astae/files/publication/ASTAE_Vietnam%20SHP.pdf.

Universal approximators for multi-objective direct policy search in water reservoir management problems: a comparative analy...
Universal approximators for multi-objective direct policy search in water reservoir management problems: a comparative analysis.
Matteo Giuliani, Emanuele Mason and others. held 27 April - 2 May EGU General Assembly 2014, 2014 in Vienna, Austria, 2014.

Abstract: The optimal operation of water resources systems is a wide and challenging problem due to non-linearities in the model and the objectives, high dimensional state-control space, and strong uncertainties in the hydroclimatic regimes. The application of classical optimization techniques (e.g., SDP, Q-learning, gradient descent-based algorithms) is strongly limited by the dimensionality of the system and by the presence of multiple, conflicting objectives. This study presents a novel approach which combines Direct Policy Search (DPS) and Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithms (MOEAs) to solve high-dimensional state and control space problems involving multiple objectives. DPS, also known as parameterization-simulation-optimization in the water resources literature, is a simulation-based approach where the reservoir operating policy is first parameterized within a given family of functions and, then, the parameters optimized with respect to the objectives of the management problem. The selection of a suitable class of functions to which the operating policy belong to is a key step, as it might restrict the search for the optimal policy to a subspace of the decision space that does not include the optimal solution. In the water reservoir literature, a number of classes have been proposed. However, many of these rules are based largely on empirical or experimental successes and they were designed mostly via simulation and for single-purpose reservoirs. In a multi-objective context similar rules can not easily inferred from the experience and the use of universal function approximators is generally preferred. In this work, we comparatively analyze two among the most common universal approximators: artificial neural networks (ANN) and radial basis functions (RBF) under different problem settings to estimate their scalability and flexibility in dealing with more and more complex problems. The multi-purpose HoaBinh water reservoir in Vietnam, accounting for hydropower production and flood control, is used as a case study. Preliminary results show that the RBF policy parametrization is more effective than the ANN one. In particular, the approximated Pareto front obtained with RBF control policies successfully explores the full tradeoff space between the two conflicting objectives, while most of the ANN solutions results to be Pareto-dominated by the RBF ones.


**Social protection/welfare

Home care for older people: the experience of ASEAN countries.
Home care for older people: the experience of ASEAN countries.
HelpAge International. HelpAge International, 2014.

Abstract: Without adequate universal pension schemes and healthcare in place to ensure a basic standard of living, older people’s families and communities will find it difficult to comprehensively meet the needs of older people. The aim of this paper is to share the knowledge and experience of volunteer-based home care gained through the ROK-ASEAN home care project in order to facilitate the expansion of the approach in ASEAN and beyond. -- The paper clarifies that the project was a three-phase programme supporting all ten ASEAN countries in developing and adapting the volunteer-based home care model and in sharing and learning from each other. The project developed a model of volunteer-based home care that has been adopted in the majority of ASEAN countries. The model focuses on utilisation of unpaid community volunteers to assist older people. It uses collaboration between implementing NGOs, government ministries, community volunteers, families and older people to provide basic home care help to older people in need. -- Concerning the project’s outcome, volunteers provided cost effective services, community relationships were strengthened, and the capacity of local partner organisations for conducting development projects was enhanced. -- Policy implications include: (i) governments can use their leverages to make guidelines, set policies, provide funding and conduct monitoring and evaluation for such projects (ii) upon successful completion of a pilot project, governments can facilitate the expansion of home care nationally by engaging additional NGOs for implementation. -- Still, the author notes that local governments still need sensitisation in order to better understand and implement volunteer-based home care across communities. [HelpAge-2014]. Free full text http://www.eldis.org/go/country-profiles&id=66957&type=Document.

Welfare Dynamics Measurement: Two Definitions of a Vulnerability Line and Their Empirical Application.
Welfare Dynamics Measurement: Two Definitions of a Vulnerability Line and Their Empirical Application.
Hai-Anh H. Dang and Peter F. Lanjouw. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 6944, 2014.

Abstract: Little research currently exists on a vulnerability line that distinguishes the poor population from the population that is not poor but that still faces significant risk of falling back into poverty. This paper attempts to fill this gap by proposing vulnerability lines that can be straightforwardly estimated with panel or cross-sectional household survey data, in rich- and poor-country settings. These vulnerability lines offer a means to broaden traditional poverty analysis and can also assist with the identification of the middle class or resilient population groups. Empirical illustrations are provided using panel data from the United States (Panel Study of Income Dynamics) and Vietnam (Vietnam Household Living Standards Survey) for the period 2004-2008 and cross-sectional data from India (National Sample Survey) for the period 2004-2009. The estimation results indicate that in Vietnam and India during this time period, the population living in poverty and the middle class have been falling and expanding, respectively, while the opposite has been occurring in the United States. Free full text http://go.worldbank.org/Z7VKPDQQT0.

Potential for adolescent-focused group work in the Vietnam context.
Potential for adolescent-focused group work in the Vietnam context.
Mary Elizabeth Collins and Donna McLaughlin. Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies, 2014, pp. 1-4.

Abstract: Group work is a critical intervention for vulnerable youth and is practiced in many social and cultural contexts. This article reports experiences delivering group work training in Vietnam. The article describes the training programme and, based on observations, assesses strengths and challenges for this intervention method in Vietnam. It also contributes to our understanding of the universality and culturally specific elements of group work. [tf].

Securing the Future of the Community: Child Protection in ASEAN.
Securing the Future of the Community: Child Protection in ASEAN.
Palapan Kampan and Adam R. Tanielian. Asian Social Science, 2014, volume 10, number 11.

Abstract: This article reflects upon effects of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and related treaties since their inception, with a focus on the ASEAN group. Literature, legal and statistical review and analyses show successes and failures on several points: nutrition, child soldiers, child sexual exploitation, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, child labour, violence, and education. The research found abuse of children’s rights is high enough to warrant serious concern. Violations of rights both come from and lead to deep poverty, leaving the ASEAN community vulnerable in the present and future. Creative, aggressive policy changes are promoted while universal acceptance and enforcement of children’s rights, like any human rights, are likely to succeed or fail due to actions or inactions in smaller soci al segments and communities. Free full text http://ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/ass/article/view/37498.


**Trade

Determinants on utilization of the Korea–ASEAN free trade agreement: margin effect, scale effect, and ROO effect.
Determinants on utilization of the Korea–ASEAN free trade agreement: margin effect, scale effect, and ROO effect.
Kazunobu Hayakawa, Hansung Kim and Hyun-Hoon Lee. World Trade Review, 2014, volume 13, number 03, pp. 499-515.

Abstract: In this paper we empirically examine the determinants on utilization of the Korea–ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (KAFTA) by employing a database provided by the Korea Customs and Trade Development Institute. We find that, although three effects, namely preferential margin (margin effect), rules of origin restrictiveness (ROO effect), and average export volume (scale effect), contribute to determining the utilization of the FTA, the scale effect has the greatest impact. Our results suggest that, since firms with relatively small volumes of trade are usually small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs), policy assistance for reducing administrative costs should be geared toward SMEs. Our results further indicate that policymakers should also try to negotiate more extensive tariff reductions on products not only where MFN rates are high but also where shipments are large. [Camb].

The Sustainable Development Clauses in Free Trade Agreements of the EU with Asian Countries: Perspectives for ASEAN?
The Sustainable Development Clauses in Free Trade Agreements of the EU with Asian Countries: Perspectives for ASEAN?
Ludo Cuyvers. Journal of Contemporary European Studies, 2014, pp. 1-23.

Abstract: The paper shows that the present EU GSP Plus arrangement is to be considered as showing the level of aspiration of the EU for future FTA partners regarding international rules of sustainability and good governance. Following its 2007 East Asia Policy Guidelines, the EU started negotiations on an interregional EU?ASEAN FTA and on the FTA with South Korea.The EU-Korea FTA and the European Commission's reactions to the consultant's advice on sustainability provide evidence of the negotiation strategy regarding the sustainability chapter in such FTAs with Asia. We evaluate this chapter of the EU-Singapore FTA, concluded in December 2012 against this background and find that they are highly similar. We conclude that the EU-Singapore FTA sustainable development provisions can be considered as a benchmark for the on-going FTA negotiations with Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand, and as a baseline for such provisions in a future EU-ASEAN FTA. [t-f].




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