Some new academic papers on development issues in Vietnam - 2014 June 15 issue

[nv...@worldbank.org]

Some new academic papers on development issues in Vietnam - 2014 June 15 issue

**Agriculture and rural development

Farmland loss, nonfarm diversification and inequality among households in Hanoi's peri-urban areas, Vietnam.
Farmland loss, nonfarm diversification and inequality among households in Hanoi's peri-urban areas, Vietnam.
Tran Tuyen, Steven Lim and others. International Development Planning Review, 2014, volume 36, number 3, pp. 357-379.

Abstract: Using a novel dataset from a 2010 household survey involving 477 households, this study provides the first econometric evidence for the impacts of farmland loss (due to urbanisation) on nonfarm diversification among households in Hanoi's peri-urban areas in Vietnam. The results from fractional logit and fractional multinomial logit models indicate that farmland loss has a negative effect on the share of farm income but a positive effect on the share of various nonfarm incomes, notably informal wage income. We also investigate the relationship between various income sources and income inequality using a Gini decomposition analysis. While income from informal wage work and farm work are inequality-decreasing, other income sources are inequality-increasing. Thus, this suggests that farmland loss has indirect mixed effects on income inequality.

Food processing in Vietnam: Where is the potential for high value export?
Food processing in Vietnam: Where is the potential for high value export?
Trung Quang Dinh and Hilmar Tór Hilmarsson. Regional Formation and Development Studies, 2014, volume 1, number 11.

Abstract: Vietnam is an emerging market country in South East Asia. Like many countries in the region Vietnam hasadopted a strategy of export lead growth. Recently Vietnam became a lower middle income country but its goal eventually is to reach high income status. Vietnam is a large food producer and exporter. To reach a higher income level Vietnam needs to increase the value added of its products and export more to high income countries. Is it feasible for producers of advanced food processing solutions, including from Europe, to market their products in Vietnam? This article analyses and assesses the seafood and livestock markets. The conclusions show that there are real opportunities for advanced processing solution providers to sell their products in both fisheries and livestock sectors. Growth potential for these providers in the short run seem to be in fisheries sector, while the medium or long term potential, seems to be in the livestock sector. Free full text http://journals.ku.lt/index.php/RFDS/article/viewFile/686/pdf.

Pesticides and Antibiotics used in Farmed Shrimp in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam: Are they associated with Acute Hepatopancrea...
Pesticides and Antibiotics used in Farmed Shrimp in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam: Are they associated with Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Syndrome (AHPNS)?
Dang Thi Hoang Oanh. Prepared for the Plant and Animal Genome Asia 2014 - 19-21 May 2014 Singapore, 2014.

Abstract: Shrimp farming growth has led to increased use of drugs and chemicals for prevention and  treatment of infectious diseases. Antibiotics (e.g. enrofloxacin) and pesticides (e.g.  endosulfan and deltamethrin) have been reported as the most commonly used products. Although the use of enrofloxacin and furazolidone were prohibited in Vietnam since 2009, they were reported to have been used occasionally in shrimp aquaculture. Endosulfan is still used in agriculture and aquaculture, despite its prohibition since 2004. Deltamethrin has widely been used as agriculture pesticide, wild crustaceans elimination in shrimp farming, treatment of water quality and reduction of diseases. From 2010 to 2013, there were new agents of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides were used to protect the rice fields or integrated rice-shrimp areas. AHPNS outbreak appeared in large region and seriously affected to shrimp farming, and pesticides were found in water and sediment in these shrimp ponds. Pesticides may interact with Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the causative agent of AHPNH, and make them more dangerous. However, the impacts of pesticide contaminations on farmed shrimp and its interaction with V. parahaemolyticus have not been well studied. With intensification in shrimp production, the pressure from AHPNS has greatly increased, some farmers have dealt empirically with AHPNS by using chemicals and antibiotics without laboratory diagnostic support and veterinary supervision. This will consequently increase antibiotic resistance and rise the related problem of unregulated antibiotic residues and human food safety. Therefore, studies on epigenetic changes in shrimp exposed to these pesticides and antibiotics will be crucial to address these concerns. [dth...@ctu.edu.vn].

Safe and sustainable management of legume pests and diseases in Thailand and Vietnam: a situational analysis.
Safe and sustainable management of legume pests and diseases in Thailand and Vietnam: a situational analysis.
Pepijn Schreinemachers, Ramasamy Srinivasan and others. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 2014, volume 34, number 02, pp. 88-97.

Abstract: Vegetable legumes are important crops in tropical agriculture, but they are susceptible to a substantial number of arthropod pests and diseases. Using farm-level survey data for 240 farm households growing yard-long bean (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis) in Thailand and Vietnam, this study shows that the farmers' main problem is the legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata). Farmers rely exclusively on the use of synthetic pesticides to manage this pest, and no other control methods are generally applied. Small cultivated areas for growing yard-long bean (particularly in Vietnam), a high level of satisfaction with the use of pesticides and a lack of market demand for pesticide-free produce are formidable challenges to the introduction of integrated pest management (IPM). It is important to ensure that IPM methods, if adopted, do not reduce profits and that farmers are allowed to experiment with these methods while raising awareness in the general population about the risk resulting from pesticide exposure. [Cam-jou].

Value chain of snakehead fish in the Lower Mekong Basin of Cambodia and Vietnam.
Value chain of snakehead fish in the Lower Mekong Basin of Cambodia and Vietnam.
Le Xuan Sinh, Hap Navy and Robert S. Pomeroy. Aquaculture economics & management, 2014, volume 18, number 1.

Abstract: Snakehead fish are the most preferred fish species for food in Cambodia and Vietnam, and are consumed in both fresh and processed forms. The purpose of this paper is to describe the value chains of captured and cultured snakeheads in the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB). The important actors involved in the value chain of snakeheads in the LMB of Cambodia and Vietnam were fishers, fish farmers, wholesalers, retailers, and processors. The value chain of wild captured snakeheads in Cambodia was focused on 11 marketing channels, and for cultured snakeheads in Vietnam, 10 market channels. The distribution of benefits among the chain actors was unequal, with the highest proportion of profit going to wholesalers in Cambodia and collectors in Vietnam. In order to develop the value chain of snakehead for the long-term in the LMB, appropriate plans must be prepared for each country in association with better management and protection of natural aquatic resources. [t-f].

Farmers' perceptions of climate variability and barriers to adaptation: lessons learned from an exploratory study in Vietnam.
Farmers' perceptions of climate variability and barriers to adaptation: lessons learned from an exploratory study in Vietnam.
Hoa Le Dang, Elton Li and others. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 2014, volume 19, number 5, pp. 531-548.

Abstract: Southeast Asian countries are confronting climate variability, challenging agricultural sustainability and rural livelihoods. However, little research effort has been devoted to exploring how farmers in those countries perceive climate variability and how the perceptions link to adaptive responses. This paper deploys information from three focus group discussions with 30 male farmers; and six in-depth interviews with one female and five male agricultural officers in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Recorded 34-year meteorological data in the delta from 1978 to 2011 is also incorporated to demonstrate the actual climate variability of the region. We find that farmers are becoming increasingly conscious of local climate variability issues. However, they have limited understanding of the importance of adaptation to their livelihoods. They also have limited knowledge of where and who to contact for appropriate climate change adaptation information. No opinions about the link between global warming and local climate variability and change were observed. Casual observation via public media and personal experience dominated farmers' sources of information. Barriers to farmers' adaptation are not exclusively restricted to socio-economic factors and resource constraints; e.g. land tenure, technical knowledge, market, social relationship, credit, information, health care, and demographics. Maladaptation, habit, and the perception of the importance of climate variability and adaptation are found as additional constraints. Observed differences in farmers' and agricultural officers' perspectives regarding barriers to farmers' adaptation suggest important policy implications.

Farmers’ Perceived Risks of Climate Change and Influencing Factors: A Study in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.
Farmers’ Perceived Risks of Climate Change and Influencing Factors: A Study in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.
Hoa Le Dang, Elton Li and others. in: Environmental Management, Springer US, 2014, pp. 1-15.

Abstract: Many countries are confronting climate change that threatens agricultural production and farmers’ lives. Farmers’ perceived risks of climate change and factors influencing those perceived risks are critical to their adaptive behavior and well-planned adaptation strategies. However, there is limited understanding of these issues. In this paper, we attempt to quantitatively measure farmers’ perceived risks of climate change and explore the influences of risk experience, information, belief in climate change, and trust in public adaptation to those perceived risks. Data are from structured interviews with 598 farmers in the Mekong Delta. The study shows that perceived risks to production, physical health, and income dimensions receive greater priority while farmers pay less attention to risks to happiness and social relationships. Experiences of the events that can be attributed to climate change increase farmers’ perceived risks. Information variables can increase or decrease perceived risks, depending on the sources of information. Farmers who believe that climate change is actually happening and influencing their family’s lives, perceive higher risks in most dimensions. Farmers who think that climate change is not their concern but the government’s, perceive lower risks to physical health, finance, and production. As to trust in public adaptation, farmers who believe that public adaptive measures are well co-ordinated, perceive lower risks to production and psychology. Interestingly, those who believe that the disaster warning system is working well, perceive higher risks to finance, production, and social relationships. Further attention is suggested for the quality, timing, and channels of information about climate change and adaptation. [spri].


**Financial sector

How efficient is the banking system of Asia's next economic dragon? Evidence from rolling DEA windows.
How efficient is the banking system of Asia's next economic dragon? Evidence from rolling DEA windows.
Thanh Pham Thien Nguyen, Eduardo Roca and Parmendra Sharma. Applied Economics, 2014, volume 46, number 22, p. 2665.

Abstract: Vietnam is now widely regarded as a rising economic star and the next economic dragon of Asia. Its banking system has played a key role in this stellar economic performance. Since 1990, Vietnam's banking system has undergone significant changes which saw its composition transformed from being state banks only to now being both state as well as private banks, and has performed generally well in terms of growth, profitability and stability. But is it efficient? We conduct a dynamic analysis of the level and trend of the cost and profit efficiency of the Vietnamese banking sector over the period 1995 to 2011 taking into account the Asian and Global Financial crises. We use the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) Windows Analysis approach and adjust for bank size in calculating the average efficiency score of the banking system. Our empirical findings show that the cost and profit efficiency of the Vietnamese banking system averaged around 0.90 and 0.75, respectively, with the state banks being more efficient than the private banks and with efficiency experiencing an upward trend over the analysis period. Moreover, we find that the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and Asian Financial Crisis (AFC) did not significantly affect the efficiency of the whole Vietnamese banking system.

Inflation Dynamics and Monetary Policy Transmission in Vietnam and Emerging Asia.
Inflation Dynamics and Monetary Policy Transmission in Vietnam and Emerging Asia.
Rina Bhattacharya. Journal of Asian Economics, 2014.

Abstract: This paper provides an overview of inflation developments in Vietnam in the years following the doi moi reforms, and uses empirical analysis to answer two key questions: (i) what are the key drivers of inflation in Vietnam, and what role does monetary policy play? and (ii) why has inflation in Vietnam been persistently higher than in most other emerging market economies in the region? It focuses on understanding the monetary policy transmission mechanism in Vietnam, and in understanding the extent to which monetary policy can explain why inflation in Vietnam has been higher than in other Asian emerging markets over the past decade. [sci].

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.

Tangible Fixed Assets Accounting System for Enterprise in Vietnam.
Tangible Fixed Assets Accounting System for Enterprise in Vietnam.
Pham Duc Binh. International Journal of Economics and Finance, 2014, volume 6, number 6.

Abstract: Along with the process of economic development and the deep innovation of economic mechanism, the accounting system in Vietnam in general and the accounting regime for fixed assets especially intangible fixed assets have been continually improved and in accordance with International Accounting Standards in the international integration trend. These have contributed to strengthen and improve the quality for national financial management and enterprise management. However, there still exist some problems that are the subject of this paper aimed at evaluating the limitations of accounting regulations for intangible fixed assets of enterprises in Vietnam and giving some possible solutions. [Binh-2014a].

The impact of microcredit on rural households in the Mekong River Delta of Vietnam.
Dinh Khoi Phan, Christopher Gan and others. Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, 2014, pp. 1-21.

Abstract: This paper evaluates how microcredit affects rural households in the Mekong River Delta of Vietnam using the propensity score matching methods. The results show that the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) microcredit program has a significant positive impact on household consumption but no significant impact on household income. In addition, the findings show greater consumption and income impact for the ?true poor? when only the poor group is included in the analysis. This implies that this group benefits more from participating in the microcredit program than low-income households. [t-f].


**Economic development

The Impact of Corporate Governance on Firm Performance: Empirical Study in Vietnam.
The Impact of Corporate Governance on Firm Performance: Empirical Study in Vietnam.
Duc Hong Vo and Tri Minh Nguyen. International Journal of Economics and Finance, 2014, volume 6, number 6.

Abstract: This empirical research for listed firms in Vietnam is conducted to examine the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance. In this study, corporate governance is proxied by a set of variables, including a dual role of the CEO, board’s size, board independence and ownership concentration. In addition, firm performance is measured by four different methods which are (i) return on asset (ROA), (ii) return on equity (ROE), (iii) Z-score by Altman (1968) and (iv) Tobin’s Q. Using the Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) on the dataset of 177 listed companies in Vietnam for the period of 5 years, from 2008 to 2012, the findings of this study indicate multiple effects of corporate governance on firm performance. First, duality role of the CEO is positively correlated with firm performance. Second, there is a structural change in relation between managerial ownership and firm performance. Third, board independence has opposite impacts on firm performance. Fourth, this study however fails to provide an empirical evidence support the statistically significant relationship between board size and firm performance. [Duc&Tri-2014].

Is foreign direct investment productive? A case study of the regions of Vietnam.
Is foreign direct investment productive? A case study of the regions of Vietnam.
Sajid Anwar and Lan Phi Nguyen. Journal of Business Research, 2014, volume 67, number 7, p. 1376.

Abstract: By making use of a recently released dataset that covers a large number of manufacturing firms over the period 2000-2005, this paper examines the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) and FDI generated spillovers on total factor productivity (TFP) in eight regions of Vietnam. Unlike most existing studies, this paper focuses on the impact of spillovers that take place through both horizontal and vertical linkages. The results presented in this paper suggest that the impact of FDI spillovers on TFP varies considerably across regions. FDI spillovers generate a strong positive impact on TFP through backward linkages only in Red River Delta, South Central Coast, South East and Mekong River Delta while in other regions the impact is negative and mostly insignificant. The paper also examines the impact of the absorptive capacity on TFP growth in each of the eight geographical regions.

Perceptions of women entrepreneurs in male-dominated leadership cultures : more positive support for women than many thought.
Perceptions of women entrepreneurs in male-dominated leadership cultures : more positive support for women than many thought.
Amanda Bullough. Journal of enterprising culture, 2013, volume 21, number 3, pp. 359-374.

Abstract: Traditionally, women have had less access to education and have not been expected to run companies, positions typically reserved for men. However, this study demonstrates a trend toward tremendous support for women in business. The purpose of this paper was to gauge indigenous perceptions of the potential for women to own and lead businesses in three developing countries. Based on primary survey data from Thailand, China, and Vietnam, findings provide strong support for educating women, and indicate that women are perceived as being capable of owning and leading businesses and are believed to have the characteristics necessary to be business leaders.

Suggest Solutions for Diffusion and Implementation of Activity-Based Costing In Vietnam.
Suggest Solutions for Diffusion and Implementation of Activity-Based Costing In Vietnam.
Huynh Tan Dung, Guangming Gong and Huynh Huy Hanh. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 2014, volume 4, number 2, pp. 173-182.

Abstract: Activity-Based Costing (ABC) was developed by Robert S. Kaplan in the mid-1980s and up to now the academics, researchers as well as accounting practitioners have perceived it as the normative appropriate cost system. It has been considered as a method to overcome the shortcomings of the traditional costing. However, the application the new method as ABC is a challenge for Vietnamese companies because most of them have used traditional costing for calculating product cost. Changing from traditional costing system to ABC system will face many difficulties. In the fierce competitive business environment, along with the growth of Vietnamese companies – it means that the production of product diversity, machinery and equipment invested more and more modernly and automatically, leads indirect costs increasing and major proportion in total costs. These characteristics are suitable for the application of ABC method to calculate product cost and provide information for management. In addition, increasing of pressure from consumers and competitors force Vietnamese businesses to find a more modern approach to help them achieve advantage competition and increase profitability. Thus, application of ABC method is need for Vietnamese companies. This paper attempts to find obstacles to ABC application and suggests solutions for ABC diffusion and implementation in Vietnam.

The evolution of Vietnamese industry.
The evolution of Vietnamese industry.
Nguyen Thi Tue Anh, Luu Minh Duc and Trinh Duc Chieu. Helsinki : WIDER, 2014.

Abstract: The transfer from an import-substitution to an export-orientation strategy has been in effect in Vietnam since the reform process, Doi Moi, necessitating the reformulation of macroeconomic, trading and sectoral policies. As a result, the industry sector has experienced gradual growth as the country's economy is becoming more open and gaining deeper integration with regional and the world economies, as exemplified by membership in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (1995) and World Trade Organization (2006). To support this integration process, the structure of the industrial sector has been changed to more appropriate since the Doi Moi. Many export processing zones, industrial zones and economic zones have been set up to attract the interest of multi-sectors, including foreign and non-state investors. Consequently, the capacity, output and productivity of the industrial sector have improved considerably. But certain policy issues also arose during the industrial development process. These can be summarized into three main problems: minimal contribution from current policies to improving competitiveness, policy failure to encourage firm restructuring, and lack of a well-coordinated framework for industrial policy. Free full text http://www.wider.unu.edu/publications/working-papers/2014/en_GB/wp2014-076/.

Vietnam: Upgrading from the Export to the Domestic Market.
Vietnam: Upgrading from the Export to the Domestic Market.
Kenta Goto. in: The Garment Industry in Low-Income Countries: An Entry Point of Industrialization Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, 2014, p. 27.

Abstract: First paragraph: The termination of the Multifibre Arrangement (MFA) at the beginning of 2005 induced significant structural changes in the global garment trade. Countries whose exports to the US and EU markets were previously “guaranteed” under the quota system faced immense competition from more competitive suppliers that were restricted under the MFA regime. Through this event, a large number of African suppliers struggled to sustain their export shares whereas many Asian exporters recorded growth in exports. Vietnam is one such high-performing country with remarkable growth; its export value in 2011 was US$14 billion, more than triple that in 2004 (US$4.2 billion). -- Although growth in Vietnam’s garment exports has been impressive, the industry faces challenges from its domestic economic environment, primarily from acute labor shortages and rapidly increasing wage rates. At the aggregate level, the country’s garment industry is growing robustly; however, at the enterprise level, there is a significant variation in performance. Garment suppliers that successfully upgraded their processes and products were able to attract more orders and could afford to pay higher wages, whereas the less successful ones struggled to fill their empty production lines, coping with deteriorating contractual terms (particularly prices), and retaining workers (Goto et al. 2011). However, process and product upgrading will eventually reach their limits, and further functional upgrading will become inevitable even for the most competitive export-oriented suppliers. Moving into higher value-added functions are already important for such suppliers. -- In contrast, smaller private garment suppliers currently cater mainly to Vietnam’s domestic garment market. A number of these domestic-oriented suppliers undertake the more knowledge-intensive functions, including in-house design, branding, and marketing, areas in which export suppliers have no experience.

Connecting South Asia to Southeast Asia: Cross-Border Infrastructure Investments.
Connecting South Asia to Southeast Asia: Cross-Border Infrastructure Investments.
Jean-Francois Gautrin. ADBI Working Paper No 483, 2014.

Abstract: Most of the trade between South Asia and Southeast Asia is by sea. However, with improved infrastructure and easier border crossing procedures, land traffic could grow to boost trade in goods, services, and tourism between the subregions. The purpose of the study is to analyze how to strengthen connectivity between the two subregions. Specifically, it is concerned with the role of cross-border transport infrastructure investments to improve connectivity. The author reviews all possible road and rail land corridors that would help create seamless transport connectivity. Missing gaps and corresponding transport infrastructure projects are identified, and projects are screened and prioritized. For the selected critical projects, the study recommends phased investments. Free full text http://www.adbi.org/working-paper/2014/05/27/6271.connecting.south.asia.southeast.asia/.

An Evaluation of the Participatory Action-oriented Training (PAOT) Program in Small Enterprises in Vietnam.
An Evaluation of the Participatory Action-oriented Training (PAOT) Program in Small Enterprises in Vietnam.
T. P. Nguyen and T. T. Khai. Journal of occupational health, 2014.

Abstract:

Objectives: Participatory Action-Oriented Training (PAOT) has been known as a practical training methodology for improving health and safety at work, particularly for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Our hypothesis is that PAOT is a better approach than a traditional local method, and the objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of PAOT and to make suggestions for improvement.

Methods: An intervention was performed for one year at 20 volunteer SMEs. PAOT was applied in 10 factories, and a traditional local method was applied in the other 10 SMEs as a control. Two cross-sectional studies were performed consisting of a questionnaire and environmental measurements. Data were also collected on the number of factory improvements, productivity, worker income, accidents, and health costs.

Results: There were significant improvements among the intervention factories in terms of work environment, number of improvements and health costs between the pre- and post- intervention phases. In terms of productivity, significant increases were seen in the civil engineering, metal, garment, and rice mill industries in the intervention group, while the metal casting and, garment industries in the control group also showed significant increase in productivity.

Conclusions: The findings support the idea that a PAOT program produces better outcomes in SMEs. It is recommended that a PAOT program be widely applied to SMEs to improve health and safety. A fuller examination could be obtained with more environmental measurements taken over a much longer period of time, together with data on sickness absence and accidents that have been independently validated. Free full text http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24872195.

Poverty and Welfare Measurement on the Basis of Prospect Theory.
Poverty and Welfare Measurement on the Basis of Prospect Theory.
Markus Jantti, Ravi Kanbur and others. Review of Income and Wealth, 2014, volume 60, number 1, pp. 182-205.

Abstract: This paper examines the measurement of social welfare, poverty, and inequality, taking into account features that have been found to be important welfare determinants in behavioral economics. Most notably, we incorporate reference-dependence, loss aversion, and diminishing sensitivity--aspects emphasized in Prospect Theory--to social welfare measurement. We suggest a new notion of equivalent income, the income level with which the individual would be as well off, evaluated using a standard concave utility function, as he actually is, evaluated with a reference-dependent utility function. We examine the differences between standard poverty and inequality measures based on observed income and measures that are calculated based on equivalent income. These differences are illustrated using household-level panel data from Russia and Vietnam.

A Comparative Study on Individual Income Tax Burden of Vietnam and China.
A Comparative Study on Individual Income Tax Burden of Vietnam and China.
Cung Huu Nguyen and Hua Liu. Business and Management Research, 2014, volume 3, number 2.

Abstract: The individual income tax is one of the most important taxes in Vietnam and China, but determining its optimal burden is a difference in both two countries. The purpose of this paper is to analyze and compare the individual income tax burden between China and Vietnam. The findings show that Vietnam’s burdens were higher than China during the period of 2002 - 2011. To come up with these findings, the authors use a combination of the descriptive and empirical method. The descriptive statistics method point out that the growth of Vietnams’ GDP per capita and individual income tax revenue per capita was respectively 17.32% per year and 36.26% per year. These two indicators of China were 17.61% and 19.93%, respectively. The empirical method shows that Vietnam’s GDP per capita increased 1 unit, the individual income tax revenue per capita would raise from 0.0126787 units to 0.0312373 units. In China, they were respectively from 0.0093344 units to 0.0180096 units. Free full text http://sciedu.ca/journal/index.php/bmr/article/view/4881.

Greening the government budget in Vietnam : recent changes and future challenges.
Greening the government budget in Vietnam : recent changes and future challenges.
Le Thi Kim Oanh. in: The green fiscal mechanism and reform for low carbon development : East Asia and Europe, Routledge, 2014, pp. 86-101.

Abstract: Book introduction: This book reviews how far East Asian nations have implemented green fiscal reform, and show how they can advance carbon-energy tax reform to realize low carbon development, with special reference to European policy and experience. -- East Asian nations are learning European experiences to adopt them in their political, economic and institutional contexts. However, implementation has been slow in practice, partly due to low acceptability that comes from the same concerns as in Europe, and partly due to weak institutional arrangements for the reform. The slow progress in the revenue side turns our eyes to the expenditure side: how East Asian nations have increased environmental-related expenditures, and how far they have greened sectorial expenditures. This "lifecycle" assessment of fiscal reform, coupled with the assessment of the institutional arrangement constitutes the features of this book. –

The book helps to provide an overall picture of green fiscal reform and carbon-energy tax reform in the East Asian region. The region has a variety of countries, from lowest income to high income nations. Nations have different interests in substance and barriers for reform. This book covers recent development of environmental fiscal reform and carbon-energy taxation in wider nations in the region, including South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Japan. In addition, the book’s holistic view helps to understand why a specific nation has interest and concern on some aspects of the reforms.

Improving the Living Standards of the Population During the Process of Industrialization and Modernization: Achievements and...
Improving the Living Standards of the Population During the Process of Industrialization and Modernization: Achievements and Emerging Challenges.
Nguyễn Hồng Sơn and Trần Quang Tuyến. Tạp chí Khoa học ĐHQGHN, Kinh tế và Kinh doanh, 2014, volume 30, number 1.

Abstract: This paper analyzes and evaluates successes and limitations of improving living standards of the population during the period of speeding up of industrialization and modernization in Vietnam from 2001 until now. It has been found in this period that the country has attained great achievements in poverty reduction, improvement of income, provision of education, provision of health services, and provision of vital infrastructure for the population. Nevertheless, Vietnam has faced a lot of challenges in the process of enhancing living standards for its population. The level of income per capita is quite low compared to that of the neighbouring countries in the region; the poor still account for a significant percentage of the population; and there is increasing inequality in the access to education and health care services, etc. On the basis of the aforementioned challenges, this paper proposes policy implications that aim at improving the living standards of the population in the coming time. Free full text in Vietnamese http://js.vnu.edu.vn/upload/2014/04/1404/2.pdf.

Advancing green growth in the tourism sector: The case of Hue, Vietnam.
Advancing green growth in the tourism sector: The case of Hue, Vietnam.
Kyoko Kusakabe, Pujan Shrestha and others. Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) brief, May 2014.

Abstract: Hue is a small but rapidly growing city in central Vietnam, famous as a cultural centre. Tourism plays a key role in the city’s socioeconomic development and also has negative impacts on its environment and natural resource base. The goods and services associated with tourism such as travel, infrastructure development and operation, and production and consumption of goods are energy-intensive. The ‘Sustainable Urban Tourism through Low Carbon Initiatives’ project led by the Asian Institute of Technology, Chiang Mai Municipality, and Hue Centre for International Cooperation explored how the carbon footprint of tourism could be reduced, while maintaining and even enhancing local development benefits. This brief explores the opportunities and trade-offs encountered by government agencies, residents and tourism-related businesses in the City of Hue as they navigated the choices available. Free full text http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Hue-Inside-Story_WEB.pdf.


**Education and training

Childhood Growth, Schooling and Cognitive Development: further evidence from the Young Lives study.
Childhood Growth, Schooling and Cognitive Development: further evidence from the Young Lives study.
Guenther Fink and Peter C. Rockers. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2014.

Abstract:

Background: A growing literature has linked early childhood growth to later-life cognition and schooling outcomes in developing countries. Although existing evidence suggests that children’s ability to recover from early growth delays in later childhood is limited, longitudinal studies on the persistence and risk of growth faltering beyond age 5 years remain scarce. –

Objective: Using longitudinal data recently collected from 4 developing countries as part of the Young Lives study, we investigated catch-up growth in children between the ages of 8 and 15 years and the effects of growth during this late-childhood and early-adolescence period on schooling and developmental outcomes. –

Design: We analysed the associations between children’s physical growth and development by using longitudinal data from 3327 children aged 8–15 years collected in Ethiopia, India, Peru, and Vietnam as part of the Young Lives project. –

Results: The study yielded 2 main results. First, 36% of children stunted at age 8 y managed to catch up with their peers by age 15 years, and those who caught up had smaller deficits in cognitive scores than did children who remained stunted. Second, physical growth faltering was not restricted to early childhood but rather affected a substantial share of children in the 8–15-years age range, with large negative consequences for cognition and schooling outcomes. –

Conclusion: The results from this study suggest that child development in developing countries is a dynamic process offering continued opportunities for children to catch up during adolescence and sustained risks for children to fall behind in their developmental trajectories. [Fink&Rockers-2014]. Free full text http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/early/2014/05/07/ajcn.113.080960.abstract.

Effect of Credit Constraints on Children’s Academic Performance in Vietnam.
Effect of Credit Constraints on Children’s Academic Performance in Vietnam.
Yoon Sun Hur. Poster prepared for the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association 2014 Annual Meeting - 27-29 July 2014 - Minneapolis - Minnesota, 2014.

Abstract: This paper investigate the effect of credit constraints on children’s academic performances in Vietnam. To estimate precise effect, this paper measures the credit constraints directly and address endogeneity of credit constraints. The results tell us that credit constraints have more effect on academic performance of child in younger age. Free full text http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/170218.

Signed languages and sociopolitical formation: The case of "contributing to society" through Ho Chi Minh City Sign Language.
Signed languages and sociopolitical formation: The case of "contributing to society" through Ho Chi Minh City Sign Language.
Audrey C. Cooper. Language in Society, 2014, volume 43, number 3, pp. 311-332.

Abstract: Claims about signed languages present a unique resource for examining sociopolitical formation and change. Examining three claims drawn from original ethnographic data on Ho Chi Minh City Sign Language, analysis centers on the ways language practices and language ideologies reflect, respond to, and impact sociopolitical formation in Viet Nam, particularly in connection to state restructuring of deaf education during the political reform period (1986 to present). Signer narratives evaluate such circumstances in relation to notions of citizenship, national development, and social participation to posit signed language as the basis for Deaf people's contributions to national development and broader social change. Articulations between signed language and sociopolitical formation have been largely ignored within mainstream social science disciplines and global disability-oriented development, hindering theoretical and practical projects. This article aims to expand the theoretical scope of language-centered inquiry by demonstrating how ethnographic research on signed languages contributes to examination of sociopolitical formation. .

Using ERG Theory as a Lens to Understand the Sharing of Academic Tacit Knowledge: Problems and Issues in Developing Countr...
Using ERG Theory as a Lens to Understand the Sharing of Academic Tacit Knowledge: Problems and Issues in Developing Countries – Perspectives from Vietnam.
Ta Van Canh and Suzanne Zyngier. in: Knowledge Management and Competitive Advantage: Issues and Potential Solutions, IGI Global, 2014, pp. 174-201.

Abstract: This chapter provides a direct view of the higher education environment in a transition economy. It reports research findings on barriers to sharing knowledge among Vietnamese academic and managerial colleagues, focusing on three factors: time, capital, and management capacity. It draws on data from focus groups and from in-depth interviews of Vietnamese members of faculty from six major universities. A key finding of this study is that work-overload leaves little time for collaborative research. Together with insufficient English skills and bureaucratic management, it contributes to measurable levels of cheating and corruption in education that in turn lead to low quality and quantity of international academic publications and of patents. This finding indicates that there is a strong link with both Existence, Relatedness, and Growth (ERG) theory and Maslow’s theory of need with both the quality and quantity of international publications produced by Vietnamese academics.


**Environment

Carbon storage of a tropical mangrove forest in Mui Ca Mau National Park, Vietnam.
Carbon storage of a tropical mangrove forest in Mui Ca Mau National Park, Vietnam.
Nguyen Tai Tue, Luu Viet Dung and others. CATENA, 2014, volume 121, number 0, pp. 119-126.

Abstract: Mangrove forests constitute the most important sink of carbon (C) in the tropics, the conservation of which is an essential mean in offsetting C emissions and climate change. Mangrove forests are therefore suggested to be an important component of reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD +) schemes, which require scrupulous quantification of ecosystem C storage in order to monitor temporal C sequestration and emissions. Despite this, proportionally less is known about ecosystem C storage of mangrove forests in Vietnam, where these systems constitute a large proportion of its coastline. In this study, ecosystem C storage of a tropical mangrove forest in Mui Ca Mau National Park, Vietnam (CMNP) was quantified by measuring biomass of trees, roots, and downed woody debris, and sediment organic C and overall depth. Results showed that above- and below-ground C stock ranged from 90.2 ± 15.8 to 115.2 ± 19.3 and from 629.0 ± 32.5 to 687.0 ± 29.2 MgC ha− 1, respectively. The combination of the above- and below-ground C stocks resulted in a high ecosystem C storage, which ranged from 719.2 ± 38.0 to 802.1 ± 12.3 MgC ha− 1, and slightly increased from fringe toward interior forest. The 13,400 ha of mangrove forests in the CMNP were estimated to store 10.3 (± 0.8) × 106 Mg of C, which is equivalent to 38.0 (± 3.0) × 106 Mg of CO2e. The present results suggest that the conservation of mangrove forest is needed to increase ecosystem C storage and to offset C emissions at the regional scale. [sci].

Environmental Consciousness of ASEAN Citizens.
Environmental Consciousness of ASEAN Citizens.
Shinya Sasaoka. Japanese Journal of Political Science, 2014, volume 15, number 2, pp. 183-202.

Abstract: The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries has fostered economic growth recently but in the process has encountered a number of serious problems regarding environmental destruction, such as the air and water pollution. In addition, due to rapid population growth and urbanization, there are emerging concerns about decline of the environment in those countries in the near future. One of the surveys that tries to measure the attitudes of ASEAN citizens on environmental issues is the ASEAN Barometer survey conducted in 2009. This paper aims to unfold how ASEAN citizens evaluate environmental problems and what underlie their evaluations using the aforementioned ASEAN Barometer survey. The results of analysis will mainly reveal the next three points: (1) Filipinos showed higher environmental consciousness; (2) people in a less developed country were more likely to worry about environment deterioration and showed more commitment to the environmental movement, but, at the same time, they were more reticent about their immediate ecological activities; (3) those who thought that central governments needed to commit more to environmental problems and should take greater responsibility for environmental deterioration. Those who expected regional international organizations to take more measures were more inclined to engage in environmental activities.

Evaluating a spatially-explicit and stream power-driven erosion and sediment deposition model in Northern Vietnam.
Evaluating a spatially-explicit and stream power-driven erosion and sediment deposition model in Northern Vietnam.
Melvin Lippe, C. Marohn and others. CATENA, 2014, volume 120, number 0, pp. 134-148.

Abstract: Land use change and unsustainable farm management practises have led to increased soil erosion with severe consequences on the natural resource base in mountainous Northern Vietnam. Given the often prevailing data-limited situations in these regions, simulation models can be used to evaluate alternative land use trajectories or provide decision support for soil conservation planning. In this study, we present a newly developed dynamic and spatially-explicit EROsion and sediment DEPosition model (ERODEP), which simulates soil erosion by stream power principles, sediment deposition based on texture-specific settling velocity classes, and sediment re-entrainment to move previously deposited particles back into runoff flow. ERODEP runs on a daily basis and was linked with the Land Use Change Impact Assessment model (LUCIA) building on its hydrological and vegetation growth routines. The combined modelling framework was employed for a period of four years using field datasets of a small case study watershed. ERODEP-LUCIA simulated reasonably well soil erosion and sediment deposition patterns following the annual variations in land use and rainfall regimes. Output validation (i.e. modelling efficiency = EF) revealed satisfying to good simulation results, i.e. plot-scale soil loss under upland swiddening (EF: 0.60–0.86) and sediment delivery rates in monitored streamflow (EF: 0.44–0.93). Cumulative sediment deposition patterns in lowland paddy fields were simulated fairly well (EF: 0.66), but showed limitations in adequately predicting silt fractions along a spatial gradient in a lowland monitoring site. Findings of a sensitivity analysis demonstrated the interplay of soil erosion and sediment deposition by superimposed variations in stream power, sediment velocity and vegetation related parameters. Results highlighted the potential of ERODEP-LUCIA as an integrated biophysical assessment tool for mountainous ecosystems with moderate data availability. [sci].

Which Level of Government Do the ASEAN People Think that Environmental Issues Should Be Decided By? An Analysis of the ASEAN...
Which Level of Government Do the ASEAN People Think that Environmental Issues Should Be Decided By? An Analysis of the ASEAN-Barometer Survey of 2009.
Seiji Fujii. Japanese Journal of Political Science, 2014, volume 15, number 2, pp. 203-230.

Abstract: This paper explores preferences and attitudes related to fiscal federalism held by the ASEAN people in the context of environmental issues. Fiscal federalism would predict that local environmental problems will be handled more efficiently by local governments, while national environmental problems will be solved more efficiently by the national government. But it is not obvious whether citizens consider in the same way as economics theory predicts. To unveil this point, I address questions of whether those who have higher consciousness toward environmental issues at the neighbor or local level prefer local governments to decide environment policies, whether those who have more consciousness about environmental issues at the national level prefer the national government to decide the policies, and whether those who have higher consciousness toward environmental problems at global level prefer higher levels government such as the United Nations to decide the policies. By fitting multi-level probit regressions to cross-national survey data collected in ASEAN countries, I found the results supporting the hypotheses. The country analyses show the results which support the hypotheses in Brunei, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Adaptation to Climate Change in Agriculture in Selected Asian Countries: Insights from micro-level studies and implications ...
Adaptation to Climate Change in Agriculture in Selected Asian Countries: Insights from micro-level studies and implications for policy.
MCS Bantilan and Geetha Mohan. International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Policy Brief 25, 2014.

Abstract: The policy brief discusses micro-level adaptation strategies assessed from Asian agricultural farmers’ key findings from South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka), Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam) and China; potential adaptation strategies to climate change in rice cultivation; economic impact assessment in three selected rice farming case studies including India, Sri Lanka and Thailand; describes the adoption pattern of different technological practices; unique adaptation measures; and finally the policy recommendations. Free full text http://www.icrisat.org/what-we-do/mip/resources/policy-briefs/Pb25.pdf.

Climate Change and Rural Communities in the Greater Mekong Subregion: A Framework for Assessing Vulnerability and Adaptation...
Climate Change and Rural Communities in the Greater Mekong Subregion: A Framework for Assessing Vulnerability and Adaptation Options.
Asian Development Bank (ADB). ADB, 2014.

Abstract: This report presents the methodology and lessons learned from a climate change adaptation study conducted under the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Core Environment Program. The study yielded a framework and methodology for assessing climate vulnerability and adaptation options for rural communities in the GMS. It was conducted in biodiversity conservation corridors in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Thailand, and Viet Nam during 2011–2012. The report introduces the framework, describes how it was applied, presents major results, and makes recommendations for future improvement. Free full text http://www.adb.org/publications/climate-change-rural-communities-gms-framework-assessing-vulnerability-adaptation.

Hoi An, Viet Nam: Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment: Abridged report.
Hoi An, Viet Nam: Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment: Abridged report.
Tran Manh Lieu, Nguyen Thi Khang and others. United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), 2014.

Abstract: The Hoi An vulnerability assessment closely follows the framework utilized throughout UN-Habitat’s Cities and Climate Change Initiative in Asia-Pacific. This follows the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s framework of vulnerability as a function of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. For example, if exposure or sensitivity to climate hazards increases without a corresponding increase in adaptive capacity, vulnerability will increase. Exposure is defined as the magnitude of climate change impacts and the likelihood of these impacts happening. Sensitivity is defined as the degree to which a system will change in response to a given change in climate. Adaptive capacity is defined as the ability of people or systems to adjust in the face of climate impacts, to moderate or to offset the damage caused, and to take advantage of climatic changes. --  In order to gather and analyze data, the assessment team used a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods, including climate models and scenarios, geographic information system data and mapping, community consultations through focus groups and key informant interviews with local government officials. -- In consultation with the city, the assessment team identified five main climate hazards to which Hoi An is exposed: flooding, salinity, coastal erosion, river bank erosion and sea-level rise. An analysis of each hazard was conducted and is summarized. [Lieu-etal-2014]. Free full text http://www.fukuoka.unhabitat.org/programmes/ccci/pdf/Hoi_An_Vietnam_Climate_Change_Vulnerability_Assessment.pdf.

Organic Shrimp Certification and Carbon Financing: An Assessment for the Mangroves and Markets Project in Ca Mau Province, V...
Organic Shrimp Certification and Carbon Financing: An Assessment for the Mangroves and Markets Project in Ca Mau Province, Vietnam.
Angus McEwin and Richard McNally. International Climate Initiative (IKI), 2014.

Abstract: To help reverse the loss of mangroves, the Markets and Mangroves (MAM) project works with shrimp importers, traders and farmers to introduce ecologically sound shrimp production and support access to certified markets and potential carbon finance. The project will be conducted over three and a half years (from 2012-2015) with funding from the International Climate Initiative (ICI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB). MAM has established a pilot mangrove forest site in Nhung Mien Forest (NMF) in southern Vietnam. This report explores the different options for the MAM site to access carbon finance to act as an additional revenue stream to support ecologically sound integrated shrimp-mangrove (ISM) production. -- Based on the above analysis, the following conclusions are made about mangrove forests and SAQ in NMF: (i) Large areas of mangrove forests in Vietnam, including NMF, have been deforested in recent decades with SAQ a primary driver of deforestation. (ii) Small-scale, low input, ISM farms on small forest plots subcontracted by the NMFMB to individual households are the predominant farming system in NMF. (iii) Data on mangrove coverage changes in NMF in recent years is inconsistent across data sources which affects the projected baseline scenario over the next 10 years. -- Reported recent changes in mangrove management in NMF suggest that the current situation with regards mangrove forests in NMF may be different from the net deforestation experienced between 2004 and 2009 and there may indeed be net afforestation. [McEwin&Nally-2014].

Studies in Can Gio mangrove biosphere reserve, Ho Chi Minh city, Viet Nam: ISME Mangrove Ecosystems Technical Reports No. 6.
Studies in Can Gio mangrove biosphere reserve, Ho Chi Minh city, Viet Nam: ISME Mangrove Ecosystems Technical Reports No. 6.
Vien Ngoc Nam, Le Van Sinh and others. Tohoku Gakuin University; Can Gio Mangrove Protection Forest Management Board; International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME), 2014.

ToCs: An Overview of Can Gio District and Mangrove Biosphere Reserve ; Destruction, Restoration and Management of Can Gio Mangroves ; Further Study on the Mangrove Recovery Processes in Can Gio, Viet Nam ; Erosion and Accretion in Can Gio Mangroves (1953 to 2010) ; Monitoring Riverbank Erosion in Can Gio Mangroves ; Monitoring Natural Regeneration in a Dead Rhizophora apiculata Site in Can Gio Mangroves ; Effects of Thinning on CO2 Absorption Capacity of Rhizophora apiculata Plantations in Can Gio Mangroves; Carbon Sequestration of Ceriops zippeliana in Can Gio Mangroves ; Mangrove and Human Interactions: A Case Study of Can Gio Mangrove Forests and the Surroundings. [Can Gio mangrove.pdf].

Characterization of levels and emission rates for roadside PM2.5 and BTEX in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam.
Characterization of levels and emission rates for roadside PM2.5 and BTEX in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam.
Nguyen Tran Huong Giang and Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh. Atmospheric Environment, 2014.

Abstract: A monitoring program was designed and implemented to characterize roadside levels of PM2.5 and BTEX in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and to generate input data for CALINE (California LINE Source Dispersion Model) inverse modeling. Monitoring was done during Dec 2007-Jan 2008, on both weekdays and weekends, and yielded 284 hourly BTEX samples (adsorption tubes), 24 samples of 8h-PM2.5 and 42 samples of 24h-PM2.5 (by MiniVol samplers). The air sampling was done at 8 points on both sides of one street that had an average traffic flow, simultaneously meteorology data and vehicle flows were recorded. Roadside 24h-PM2.5 levels were 97 ± 31 (53 – 151) μg m-3, higher on weekdays than weekends. Diurnal BTEX variation patterns were consistent with the diurnal flows of 6 vehicle categories moving on the street. BTEX levels were reduced with the increase in downwind distance from traffic lanes (approximately by 15% for each 5 m increment). Principal component analysis also confirmed the association between roadside pollution levels and traffic. A calculation algorithm was developed to remove the urban background, contributed by other sources than traffic in the selected street, from the roadside measured pollution levels. Urban background contributed a majority of PM2.5 (90-98%) and hourly BTEX (67-97%) with higher contributions at upwind side of the street and at late evening hours when less traffic was observed. CALINE inverse modeling produced explainable fleet hourly emission rates (g km-1 h-1) and vehicle emission factors (EF, mg veh-1 km-1). The obtained EF for gasoline and diesel vehicles were comparable with recent measurements made in Asian cities, as well as with calculated EFs for European and US urban fleets about 10-15 years ago. To minimize the collinearity problem encountered in inverse traffic modeling it is essential that the monitoring is done at different times to capture significant variations in the street traffic compositions. [sci].


**Gender issues

Gender, Land and Sexuality: Exploring Connections.
Gender, Land and Sexuality: Exploring Connections.
Susie Jacobs. International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society, 2014, volume 27, number 2, pp. 173-190.

Abstract: This article explores links between the issues of sexuality and gendered control over agricultural land. It discusses gendered land rights in several settings, concentrating particularly on agrarian and land reforms. I argue that land redistribution in the "household" model, discussed for Chile and Nicaragua, tends to entrench male household and agricultural control. In contrast, more collective forms, discussed for Vietnam, have displayed economic weaknesses but had potential to undercut such control by socialising women's labour. Fears about and visions of female sexuality have much to do with backlashes against inclusion of women, either through allowing them membership of cooperatives and collectives or through granting rights such as joint titling to land. In sub-Saharan Africa, there currently exists much discussion of improving women's control over agriculture and its products. These continue to meet opposition, despite female predominance in agriculture in the region. Thus, even though women work on the land in many societies, this does not give them any automatic "closeness" to nature or say within households. Control over women's, especially wives', labour within peasant households, is linked to the manner that their persons and their labour are bound up in this socio-economic form. The article also examines two feminist attempts to configure alternative agricultural forms: the case of a lesbian agricultural collective in the west of the USA and an Indian model of new female-centred households for single women. Heterosexuality as an institution and gender subordination more broadly, as the examples here indicate, have to do not only with sexual practices or identity but extend also to issues of labour and access to crucial resources.


**Governance

The Impact of Recentralization on Public Services: A Difference-in-Differences Analysis of the Abolition of Elected Councils...
The Impact of Recentralization on Public Services: A Difference-in-Differences Analysis of the Abolition of Elected Councils in Vietnam.
Edmund J. Malesky, Cuong Viet Nguyen and Anh Tran. American Political Science Review, 2014, volume 108, number 01, pp. 144-168.

Abstract: Comparative political economy offers a wealth of hypotheses connecting decentralization to improved public service delivery. In recent years, influential formal and experimental work has begun to question the underlying theory and empirical analyses of previous findings. At the same time, many countries have grown dissatisfied with the results of their decentralization efforts and have begun to reverse them. Vietnam is particularly intriguing because of the unique way in which it designed its recentralization, piloting a removal of elected people's councils in 99 districts across the country and stratifying the selection by region, type of province, and urban versus rural setting. We take advantage of the opportunity provided by this quasi experiment to test the core hypotheses regarding the decision to shift administrative and fiscal authority to local governments. We find that recentralization significantly improved public service delivery in areas important to central policy-makers, especially in transportation, healthcare, and communications.

Civic organizations in Vietnam's one-party state : supporters of authoritarian rule?
Civic organizations in Vietnam's one-party state : supporters of authoritarian rule?
Jörg Wischermann. Hamburg : GIGA, 2013.

Abstract: Associationalism under authoritarian rule is not automatically a good thing. The empirical findings laid out in this article indicate that authoritarian dispositions and practices are prevalent in all types of Vietnamese civic organizations, at least as far as internal decisionmaking processes are concerned. As is the case in most countries of Southeast Asia, old as well as new ideas of the state and state traditions have a strong impact on the patterns of authoritarianism found in Vietnamese civic organizations. From the empirical findings, it might be concluded that Vietnamese civic organizations support authoritarian rule - though the extent of such support varies; this has generally been an underresearched question. This pioneering article seeks to stimulate further research by offering new insights into how authoritarian power is exercised in Vietnam by addressing how associations' activities stabilize rules, how the associated legitimizing effects can be conceptualized and understood in theoretical terms, and what would be a suitable operationalization of the aforementioned concepts. Free full text http://www.giga-hamburg.de/de/system/files/publications/wp228_wischermann.pdf.


**Health  

Cholera Outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia: Descriptive Analysis, 2003-2012.
Cholera Outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia: Descriptive Analysis, 2003-2012.
Tanmay Mahapatra, Sanchita Mahapatra and others. Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2014, volume 67, number 3, pp. 145-156.

Abstract: We conducted descriptive analysis of available information regarding the epidemiology of cholera outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia during 2003–2012. Information from 58 articles, 8 reports, and World Health Organization databases were analyzed. Overall, 113 cholera outbreaks were studied in South and Southeast Asia during the past 10 years. The majority of the outbreaks (69%) occurred in Southeast Asia, including India (52%). The highest number of outbreaks was observed in 2004 (25.7%). The most commonly identified source was contaminated water: however, in some countries, the spread of cholera was facilitated via contaminated seafood (e.g., Myanmar, Thailand, and Singapore). Several genotypes and phenotypes of Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera, were identified in the outbreaks, including V. cholerae O1 El Tor (Ogawa and Inaba) and V. cholerae O139. The emergence of multidrug-resistant V. cholerae strains was a major concern. Cholera-related mortality was found to be low across the outbreaks, except in Orissa, India (currently Odisha) during 2007, where the case fatality rate was 8.6%. Potential limitations included underreporting, discrepancies, possible exclusion of nonindexed reports, and incomprehensive search terms. The provision of safe water and proper sanitation appear to be critical for the control of further spread of cholera in South Asian and Southeast Asian regions. Free full text https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/yoken/67/3/67_145/_article.

Large ethnic variations in infant and young child feeding practices: an example from Vietnamese mothers (380.7).
Large ethnic variations in infant and young child feeding practices: an example from Vietnamese mothers (380.7).
Tuan Nguyen, Phuong Nguyen and others. The FASEB Journal, 2014, volume 28, number 1 Supplement.

Abstract: In Viet Nam, 53 ethnic minority groups account for about 15% of the population; and stunting rates are observed to be higher amongst these ethnic groups compared to the majority Kinh population. This study is among the first to explore the ethnic variation in breastfeeding (BF) and complementary feeding (CF) practices in mothers with children < 24 months old in Viet Nam. We interviewed 1900 women as follows: Kinh (53%), E De-Mnong (18%), Thai-Muong (16%) and Tay-Nung (12%). The practice of giving prelacteals was high (> 80%) in all ethnicities. Typical prelacteals included water (~50%) and infant formula (~50%). In addition, chewed rice was given by Thai Muong (44%) and honey by Tay-Nung (38%). The exclusive BF rate was low across all ethnicities (4-33%) with water being the main barrier. However, among the Thai Muong, chewed rice was the main barrier to exclusive BF. Fewer ethnic minority children received minimum acceptable diets (33-52%) than the main ethnic group, the Kinh (75%). This was the result of low dietary diversity and meal frequency in Thai-Muong, low minimum dietary diversity in E De-Mnong, and short duration of BF and low consumption of other milk or dairy products in Tay-Nung. Breastfeeding practices appear to be poor among all ethnicities; however, for ethnic minority groups, a greater emphasis needs to be placed on improving complementary feeding practices.

Levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like PCBs in free range eggs from Vietnam, i...
Levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like PCBs in free range eggs from Vietnam, including potential health risks.
Thu T. Hoang, Wim A. Traag and others. Chemosphere, 2014, volume 114, number 0, pp. 268-274.

Abstract: Chicken and duck eggs collected from three different areas in Vietnam were examined for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). These regions included a background area, an area sprayed with Agent Orange and the Bien Hoa airbase area where Agent Orange was handled by the US Army. The latter area now is inhabited and people keep their own laying hens. Egg samples were first screened with an in vitro reporter gene bioassay and a selection was analyzed by GC/HRMS. Samples from Bien Hoa airbase showed very high PCDD/F levels, up to 249 pg dioxin-equivalents (TEQ)/g fat, mainly due to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). In the sprayed areas, levels (3.2–8.2 pg TEQ g−1) were comparable to those observed in background areas (3.2–8.2 pg TEQ g−1 fat). The estimated average consumption of 22 g d−1 of the highly contaminated eggs will result in a 2-fold exceedance of the current exposure limits for adults and 5-fold for children, even without considering other contaminated food sources. This indicates a potential health risk from consumption of these highly contaminated eggs, which were not yet considered as a source for exposure to PCDD/Fs of people living in the highly contaminated areas. [sci].

A planning model for the WHO-EPI vaccine distribution network in developing countries.
A planning model for the WHO-EPI vaccine distribution network in developing countries.
Sheng- I. Chen, Bryan A. Norman and others. IIE Transactions, 2014, volume 46, number 8, p. 853.

Abstract: In many developing countries, inefficiencies in the supply chain for the World Health Organization's Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) vaccines are of grave concern; these inefficiencies result in thousands of people not being fully immunized and creates significant risk of disease epidemics. Thus, there is a great deal of interest in these countries in building tools to analyze and optimize how vaccines flow down several levels of the supply chain from manufacturers to vaccine recipients. This article develops a mathematical model for typical vaccine distribution networks in developing countries. This model has been successfully adapted for supply chains in three different countries (Niger, Thailand, and Vietnam), and its application to several issues of interest to public health administrators in developing countries is discussed.

Population based cohort study for Pediatric Infectious Diseases research in Vietnam.
Population based cohort study for Pediatric Infectious Diseases research in Vietnam.
Lay-Myint Yoshida, Motoi Suzuki and others. Tropical Medicine and Health, 2014.

Abstract: A population-based cohort study on pediatric infectious diseases was established at Khanh Hoa Province, central Vietnam in 2006, to determine the etiology and risk factors for severe pediatric infectious diseases (SPID) such as acute respiratory infection (ARI), diarrhea and dengue which are the major causes of under 5 mortality. A population census survey was conducted in Nha-Trang and Ninh-Hoa to collect demographic, social-behavioral data and disease burden on SPID. The study site covered a population of 353,525 residing in 75,826 households with 24,781 children less than 5 years. Hospital databases from two hospitals covering the region were obtained. Linking the census and hospital databases, we were able to investigate on a variety of SPID such as environmental tobacco smoking exposure and increased risked of pediatric pneumonia hospitalization, population density, water supply and risk of dengue fever and animal livestock and risk of hospitalized diarrhea. To determine incidence, viral etiology and risk factors for pediatric ARI/pneumonia, we setup a population based prospective hospitalized Pediatric ARI surveillance at Khanh Hoa General Hospital, Nha-Trang in February 2007. The study has revealed RSV, rhinovirus and influenza A as major viral pathogens, role of multiple viral infection and its interaction with bacteria in the development of pneumonia. In addition, we are also conducting a birth cohort study to investigate the incidence of congenital infection and its impact on physical-neurological development, and role of host genetic polymorphism on SPID hospitalization in Vietnam. Population mobility, high cost of regular census update and low mortality are the challenges. Free full text https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/tmh/advpub/0/advpub_2014-S07/_article.

Prevalence of malnutrition in patients admitted to a Major Urban Tertiary Care Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Prevalence of malnutrition in patients admitted to a Major Urban Tertiary Care Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Pham Thi Thu Huong, Nguyen Thi Lam and others. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2014, volume 23, number 3.

Abstract:

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of malnutrition using anthropometric measures among hospitalized pediatric and adult patients admitted at Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam. –

Subjects and methods: A one-day cross-sectional survey was used in selected wards (Pediatrics, Surgery, Intensive Care Unit, Renal Diseases, Digestive Diseases, Respiratory Diseases, and Endocrinology). Unavailable patients and those discharged within 24 hours were excluded. Anthropometric data included body weight, height (or length), and mid-upper arm circumference. The type, severity, and prevalence rate of malnutrition were defined based on World Health Organization (WO) criteria. –

Results: The sample was hospitalized children and adults: 108 and 571 were children aged 6 months to 18.9 years old and adult patient, respectively. The overall rate of pediatric wasting (weight-for-height ≤-2 SD or BMI ≤-2 SD, kg/m2) was 19.0% (n=19/100) and that of stunting (height-for-age ≤-2 SD) was 13.9% (n=14/101). Using either the mid-upper arm circumference <11.5 cm or the weight-for-height and weight-for-length ≤-3 SD, the rate of severe wasting among children aged 6-59 months old was 7.0% (n=3/43). None of the children were obese based on weight-for-length, weight-for-height, or BMI. In adults, the prevalence of under-nutrition (BMI<18.5 kg/m2) was 33.3% (n=141/423) while that of obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) was 0.9% (n=4/423). Adults admitted to the Respiratory Diseases ward had the highest prevalence of under-nutrition, 40.9% (n=38/93). –

Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition was high in this cohort of hospitalized patients, particularly in adults, but comparable to other published reports. Obesity was nearly nonexistent in both children and adults. Free full text http://www.apjcn.org/update%5Cpdf%5C0000%5C0%5C2645%5C2645--Online%20first.pdf.

Qualitative study of the feasibility of HPV vaccine delivery to young adolescent girls in Vietnam: evidence from a governmen...
Qualitative study of the feasibility of HPV vaccine delivery to young adolescent girls in Vietnam: evidence from a government-implemented demonstration program.
D Scott LaMontagne, Nguyen Quy Nghi and others. BMC Public Health, 2014, volume 14.

Abstract: Background: Introduction of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in national programs has proceeded apace since 2006, mostly in high-income countries. Recently concluded pilots of HPV vaccination in low-income countries have provided important lessons learned for these settings; however, rigorous evaluations of the feasibility of these delivery strategies that effectively reach young adolescents have been few. This paper presents results from a qualitative evaluation of a demonstration program which implemented school-based and health center-based HPV vaccinations to all girls in grade 6, or 11 years of age, for two years in four districts of Vietnam. -- Methods: Using semi-structured interviews of 131 health and education staff from local, district, province, and national levels and 26 focus-group discussions with local project implementers (n = 153), we conducted a qualitative two-year evaluation to measure the impact of HPV vaccinations on the health and education systems. -- Results: HPV vaccine delivery at schools or health centers was made feasible by: a. close collaboration between the health and education sectors, b. detailed planning for implementation, c. clearly defined roles and responsibilities for project implementers, d. effective management and supervision of vaccinations during delivery, and e. engagement with community organizations for support. Both the health and education systems were temporarily challenged with the extra workload, but the disruptions were short-lived (a few days for each of three doses) and perceived as worth the longer-term benefit of cervical cancer prevention. -- Conclusion: The learning from Vietnam has identified critical elements for successful vaccine delivery that can provide a model for other countries to consider during their planning of national rollout of HPV vaccine. Free full text http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/14/556/abstract.

Teaching minority children hygiene: investigating hygiene education in kindergartens and homes of ethnic minority children i...
Teaching minority children hygiene: investigating hygiene education in kindergartens and homes of ethnic minority children in northern Vietnam.
Thilde Rheinländer, Helle Samuelsen and others. Ethnicity & Health, 2014, pp. 1-15.

Abstract:

Objectives. Ethnic minority children in Vietnam experience high levels of hygiene- and sanitation-related diseases. Improving hygiene for minority children is therefore vital for improving child health. The study objective was to investigate how kindergarten and home environments influence the learning of hygiene of pre-school ethnic minority children in rural Vietnam.

Design. Eight months of ethnographic field studies were conducted among four ethnic minority groups living in highland and lowland communities in northern Vietnam. Data included participant observation in four kindergartens and 20 homes of pre-school children, together with 67 semi-structured interviews with caregivers and five kindergarten staff. Thematic analysis was applied and concepts of social learning provided inputs to the analysis.

Findings. This study showed that poor living conditions with lack of basic sanitation infrastructures were important barriers for the implementation of safe home child hygiene. Furthermore, the everyday life of highland villages, with parents working away from the households resulted in little daily adult supervision of safe child hygiene practices. While kindergartens were identified as potentially important institutions for improving child hygiene education, essential and well-functioning hygiene infrastructures were lacking. Also, hygiene teaching relied on theoretical and non-practice-based learning styles, which did not facilitate hygiene behaviour change in small children. Minority children were further disadvantaged as teaching was only provided in non-minority language.

Conclusions. Kindergartens can be important institutions for the promotion of safe hygiene practices among children, but they must invest in the maintenance of hygiene and sanitation infrastructures and adopt a strong practice-based teaching approach in daily work and in teacher's education. To support highland minority children in particular, teaching styles must take local living conditions and caregiver structures into account and teach in local languages. Creating stronger links between home and institutional learning environments can be vital to support disadvantaged highland families in improving child health. [t-f].

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.

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].


**Labor and Social protection

Regulations, Monitoring and Working Conditions: Evidence from Better Factories Cambodia and Better Work Vietnam.
Regulations, Monitoring and Working Conditions: Evidence from Better Factories Cambodia and Better Work Vietnam.
Drusilla Brown, Rajeev Dehejia and others. in: Creative Labour Regulation: Indeterminacy and Protection in an Uncertain World Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, 2014.

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 social segments and communities. Free full text http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/ass/article/viewFile/37498/21035.


**Trade

Exports and profitability: a note from quantile regression approach.
Exports and profitability: a note from quantile regression approach.
Huong Vu, Mark Holmes and others. Applied Economics Letters, 2014, volume 21, number 6, pp. 442-445.

Abstract: Studies of the linkage between exports and profitability often use mean regression approaches and focus only on European countries. Using a panel data quantile regression approach, this study analyses the linkage between export behaviour and profit growth in Vietnam. Using a panel dataset from 2005 to 2009, our results show an insignificant linkage between export status and firm profit growth when using OLS. However, when using a quantile approach, export participation is found to be positively related to profitability for those firms with high profit growth but negatively related for those firms with low profit growth. This might suggest that the productivity advantages of exporters with low profit growth are absorbed by costs relating to trading activities in overseas markets. [t-f].

A Gravity Model Approach to Indo-ASEAN Trade-fluctuations and Swings.
A Gravity Model Approach to Indo-ASEAN Trade-fluctuations and Swings.
Smwarajit Lahiri Chakravarty and Ranajit Chakrabarty. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2014, volume 133, pp. 383-391.

Abstract: ‘Trade is an engine of growth’ holds true for all economies. After 1991, the volume, direction and destination of India's trade were influenced by ASEAN neighbours. Considering the analysis period from 1971 to 2010 to study Indo-ASEAN trade, the Hausman test favoured the fixed effects and random effects. The core gravity model that we had derived helped us to deduce that distance rather than economic size of the trading partner has dominated India's direction of trade. The augmented gravity model, of Frankel, was used to analyse India's bilateral external relations with contiguous countries and with landlocked countries. The extended analysis included population and per capita income to observe the significance of size and distance. An important research gap regarding analysis of the uniformity pattern of Indo-ASEAN trade exists and we have used both the fluctuation and swing indices to infer that a systematic pattern emerges whereby the expected GDP swings of India matches with her observed GDP swings-the recurrent uniformity is present with a lag period of two years in post liberalisation period. [sci-dir].

Labour provisions in preferential trade agreements: Potential opportunities or challenges to Vietnam?
Labour provisions in preferential trade agreements: Potential opportunities or challenges to Vietnam?
HOANG Thi Minh Hang, PHUNG Thi Yen and others. World Trade Institute University of Bern, 2014.

Abstract: In this research, we discuss the impacts of labour provisions in preferential trade agreements (PTAs) to which Vietnam is a party in aspects of politics, institutions, law and economy. We find that the impacts are a mixture of both positives and negatives. Positive effects include a more and more developed and well-established domestic labour legal framework, stronger domestic political commitment to labour reforms, more stabilized political environment, higher level of labour protection, higher wages, better working conditions and better life, higher productivity and competitiveness of goods and services and more foreign direct investment. Negative effects include potential political risks of state sovereignty weakening, reduction in competitiveness because of rising labour costs and undermined trade and economic growth resulting from trade-based sanctions in labour disputes. Both positive effects and negative effects exist as possibilities and whether they are materialized and which of them outweighs depend on reactions taken by Vietnam. Proposals for Vietnam to benefit from labour commitments include improving the domestic labour law system and efficiency of state administration and enforcement of domestic labour law, changing the economy from factor-based to efficiency-based status, making relevant institutional reforms, introducing the trade-related labour topic into the academic setting, performing studies on the impacts of labour provisions in PTAs, set up strategies and tactics in PTAs’ labour negotiations, joining forces with other trade partners of the same interest, effective exploitation of cooperation mechanisms in PTAs and proposing S&D treatment for developing countries. Free full text http://www.wti.org/fileadmin/user_upload/wti.org/7_SECO-WTI_Project/Publications/Final_Labour_Provisions_in_PTAs_Potential_Opportunities_or_Challenges_to_Vietnam.pdf.

Moderating Effect of Asean Free Trade Agreement between Total Quality Management and Business Performance.
Moderating Effect of Asean Free Trade Agreement between Total Quality Management and Business Performance.
M. F. Ahmad, N. Zakuan and others. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2014, volume 129, pp. 244-249.

Abstract: The unprecedented pace of globalisation, trade liberalisation, and capital movement in the later years profoundly changed to pose serious challenges for Malaysian companies to compete in an open market. In today's highly competitive market, the demand for quality is important factor for companies to survive in the ever-expanding global marketplace. The concept of Total Quality Management (TQM) has been developed as a result of intense global competition. ASEAN trade liberalisation through the elimination of intraregional tariffs contributed to improving manufacturing in ASEAN countries to be more efficient and competitive in world markets. However, Asean Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) is a good news for foreign companies as they have competitive advantages, but not for local companies. The examining of AFTA as a moderator is less done in previous work. The purpose of this paper is to propose relationship between TQM practices and business performance with moderator effects of AFTA. The main contribution of this paper is to examine whether AFTA has the effect as a moderator. This proposed conceptual model will help the academicians and industry players to have better understanding on the effect of AFTA in TQM implementation in improving their business performance. The structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques are used to examine the relationships of the practices. [sci-dir].

Trade facilitation in ASEAN members: A focus on logistics policies toward ASEAN economic community.
Trade facilitation in ASEAN members: A focus on logistics policies toward ASEAN economic community.
Nguyen Thu Thuy, Nguyen Tu Anh and Hoang Truong Giang. World Trade Institute University of Bern, 2014.

Abstract: This paper studies the effectiveness of the implementation of trade facilitation measures in ASEAN member countries in comparison with these measures in other regional organizations. We evaluate trade facilitation performance and indicate trade facilitation priorities and needs that are different between ASEAN members. More specifically, we examine logistics-related costs in ASEAN and figure out how the current level of logistics-related costs could be a burden or an advantage for ASEAN countries. Then, we identify some critical barriers which have impacts on logistics services which are related to foreign investment, customs and mode-specific across ASEAN. Although most of the barriers are based on logistics unfriendly practice, “specific policy measures would help member countries to reduce the impact of these barriers to logistics services.” (Gupta et al, 2011) The ultimate goal of this research is to propose implications and recommendations for harmonization of logistics policies in ASEAN countries toward AEC. -- Studies on trade facilitation have been conducted for the Asia-Pacific in general. However, no such specific research has been conducted for ASEAN. Per se, this research aims to find out the factors that promote trade facilitation and assess several costs for logistics services in ASEAN. The research also examines the main inhibitors to trade liberalization in ASEAN, and hence, carries practical implications for ASEAN. The critical barriers to trade liberalization as examined in this paper are valuable for ASEAN for implementing and fine-tuning appropriate policies toward the AEC. Free full text http://www.wti.org/fileadmin/user_upload/wti.org/7_SECO-WTI_Project/Publications/Trade_facilitation_and_logistics_in_ASEAN_-_Final_21_May_2014__3_.pdf.





________________________________
Vũ Thị Nha (Ms)
Librarian
Vietnam Development Information Center
The World Bank in Vietnam
2nd floor, 63 Ly Thai To, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: 84-4-3934 6845
Fax: 84-4-3934 6847
Email: nv...@worldbank.org
Website: www.vdic.org.vn