Long-Term Fate of Agent Orange and Dioxin TCDD Contaminated Soils and Sediments in Vietnam Hotspots

The soils, tropical climate, and network of canals and rivers of southern Vietnam have created one of the most diverse tropical jungles and intensely cultivated landscapes of Southeast Asia. This paradise has a long history of numerous wars, foreign occupations, and most recently the Second Indochina War (aka the Vietnam War 1965-1972) which defoliated rain forests and ancient wetland mangroves and left behind contaminated soil and sediment hotspots. During this war, the United States (US) military sprayed 80 million liters of Agent Orange contaminated with the dioxin TCDD in a guerrilla war against communist insurgents. Agent Orange was a synthetic plant growth regulator comprised of equal amounts of two herbicides 2,4-dichloro phenoxyacetic acid C8H6Cl2O3 (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid C8H5Cl3O3 (2,4,5-T). TCDD, the dioxin, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (C12H4Cl4O2) was an unintended byproduct of the accelerated combustion process used in the manufacture of herbicides containing 2,4,5-T. Agent Orange has frequently been blamed for soil and sediment contamination and long-term human health problems;however, the true source of harm is the dioxin TCDD. Agent Orange has a short half-life of days and weeks after application to vegetation, and has not been found to persist, after 50 years, in the water or soils of southern Vietnam. However, the half-life of dioxin TCDD depends on where it is deposited and varies from 1 to 3 years on soil surfaces that have been fully exposed to sunlight, to as long as 20 to 50 years or more when buried in tropical subsoils, and more than 100 years in river and sea sediments. Dioxin TCDD was heavily concentrated in the US Air Force bases in Vietnam where the herbicides were stored, loaded on planes and helicopters for aerial spraying, and used extensively around military base perimeter fences as a security measure to prevent surprise attacks. Bien Hoa Air Force base, 40 km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City, continues to be one of the mega-hotspots where after 48 years the dioxin TCDD levels in fish and shrimp are still high and fishing is banned in ponds and lakes adjacent to the airbase. Although expensive, one of the most effective remediation to dioxin TCDD contaminated soils is incineration which is the recommended method of dioxin TCDD disposal.

Acceptance to Use Daily Oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) as an HIV Prevention Method and Ability to Pay for PrEP among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV in Vietnam. Regardless of international and national agencies’ efforts, the HIV epidemic in MSM has been increasing in recent years. Novel and evidence-based HIV antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) maybe needed to combat the HIV epidemic among this population in Vietnam. This study aims to identify how MSM accept the use of PrEP as an HIV prevention method and their ability to pay for it. Method: This is a cross-sectional study of 373 MSM seeking HIV testing in a community-based HIV clinic in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from January to April 2016. Potential participants were briefly informed about ethical considerations, screened for eligibility, and signed an informed consent form when selected. Face-to-face interviews were conducted by the clinic’s staff. Descriptive and analytical analysis was performed by STATA 13.0. Results: Of 373 participants, only 92 men (24.7%) reported having known about PrEP. Out of 360 men who were questioned about their acceptance of PrEP as an HIV prevention method, 274 (76.1%) embraced the use of PrEP. The median maximum affordable monthly PrEP cost was one million Vietnam Dong (VND) (equivalent to US$43) and the median average affordable monthly PrEP cost was 0.5 million VND (approximately $21.7). The majority of men (68.8%) could afford an average of less than $43 a month for PrEP. Conclusion: There is a relatively high level of PrEP acceptance among MSM in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. To increase PrEP acceptance, raising awareness and understanding of PrEP is recommended. To expand PrEP interventions in Vietnam, the target population’s ability to pay should be a key focus.

Persistence of Dioxin TCDD in Southern Vietnam Soil and Water Environments and Maternal Exposure Pathways with Potential Consequences on Congenital Heart Disease Prevalence in Vietnam

Waterlogged soils and submerged sediments in wetlands and agricultural lands used for rice paddies and aquaculture have anaerobic conditions that slow and prevent the photo and microbial degradation of dioxin TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetracholorodibenzo-p-dioxin), enabling it to persist in environments for long periods. Over 1.6 million ha of land in southern Vietnam were sprayed with 2,4,5-T herbicides (e.g. Agent Orange) contaminated with dioxin TCDD during the Vietnam War (1961-1971);45% of these ha received four or more spray flight missions. Dioxins are endocrine disrupters and may induce cardiovascular disease, growth, and developmental defects, diabetes, hormonal dysfunctions and disruptions, certain cancers, and chloracne. Outpatient screening clinic 2020 data on Vietnamese children suspected of congenital heart disease (CHD) showed the childhood CHD prevalence rate in Vietnam of 13.356/1000, significantly elevated compared to the Asian CHD prevalence rate of 3.531/1000. CHD prevalence rate differences between North Vietnam (2.541/1000) and south of the 17th parallel (10.809/1000) were significant. Vietnamese farmers, especially pregnant women whose occupations involve daily contact with soil and sediments where dioxin TCDD persists in the environment may be at risk of dioxin accumulation from dermal exposure and bioaccumulation via diet. There is an urgent need for funded longitudinal genetic and clinical studies to assess CHD and other organ system childhood malformations due to in utero TCDD exposure. We recommend an integrated research design involving 1) site-specific locations that received high volumes and multiple spray loads of herbicides during the Vietnam War;2) soil sampling of submerged and waterlogged soils and sediments where TCDD may not have degraded;3) production areas of agriculture, fisheries, and other aquatic products;4) risk assessment dioxin levels in foods where TCDD is likely to bioaccumulate;5) child-bearing age and pregnant women with potentially high sensitivity to long-term low dose exposure, and 6) men and women in occupations that are in daily contact with contaminated soil and sediments as part of their job routines.

Agent Blue Spraying in the Mekong Delta during the Vietnam War: Fate of the Arsenic Based Herbicide Weapon Used to Destroy Rice Crop and Mangrove Forests

Agent Blue, a mixture of cacodylic acid (CH3) As O2H) and sodium cacodylate (C2H6 AsNaO2), was a tactical arsenic-based herbicide used during the Vietnam War to destroy grasses and rice crops. Natural and synthetic sources of arsenic can degrade into water-soluble forms and persist in groundwater and potentially contribute to elevating As levels in drinking water. The United States Department of Defense (DOD) and United States Department of Agricultural (USDA) Operation Ranch Hand records for tactical herbicides including Agent Blue sprayed in southern Vietnam during the Vietnam War (1961-1971) are very detailed, rather complete and publicly available. The same is not true for tactical herbicides sprayed by the Republic of Vietnam (RV) during the Khai Quang program which was supported by the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the Mekong Delta. Agent Blue was sprayed by the RV military for three years before the official start of the American-Vietnam War. Few, if any, RV military, US Army, US Navy and CIA spray records exist from 1962 to 1965. Vietnam War veterans, historians and scholars have reported the spraying of 3.2 million liters (468,008 kg As) of Agent Blue on rice paddies and mangrove forests in the Mekong Delta and Central Highlands by the RV military with the support of the US Army, US Navy and CIA. The Institute of Medicine estimated that 3.2 million liters (468,000 kg As) were sprayed during the RV Khai Quang program. This was in addition to the U.S. Air Force’s Operation Ranch Hand spraying of the tactical herbicide Agent Blue primarily by C-123 aircraft. The Operation Ranch Hand missions maintained location and quantities of herbicides sprayed (over 4,712,000 liters (664,392 kg As) from 1961-1971. The RV military and US military (Army and Navy) spray equipment included hand and backpack sprayers, sprayers mounted on Brown Water Navy boats, on Army track vehicles and Army land-based helicopters and helicopters based on the decks of Blue Water Navy ships. Some of these spray missions were a military secret and spray records were classified or if kept were not maintained. Agent Blue containing cacodylic acid had a short half-life and degraded to water-soluble arsenic, which was released into the surface water and/or leached into the groundwater. Once the water-soluble arsenic leached into the Vietnam Mekong Delta groundwater, the arsenic-rich water was pumped back to the surface by tens of thousands of tube wells for urban and agricultural use. The primary objectives of this research are to explore the conditions during the Vietnam War under which 1) the RV military herbicide spray program with the support of the US Navy, CIA and US Army, and 2) the US Air Force spray program during Operation Ranch Hand may have significantly contributed to the natural and anthropic As spikes found in the Mekong Delta today. The environmental impacts of Agent Blue, on the Menominee River at manufacturing sites in the United States, were studied to identify possible As remediation and mitigation strategies. The lessons previously learned at the manufacturing sites in Wisconsin and Michigan, United States can be considered and applied to the Mekong Delta to help mitigate and remediate the arsenic-rich surface water, soil, sediment and groundwater found in the Mekong Delta.

第七届国际农业展览会暨亚洲植保高峰论坛（越南）Agro Vietnam 2017在越南成功召开

由中国农药工业协会、中国化工信息中心联合主办、中国氮肥工业协会大力支持的＂第七届国际农业展览会暨亚洲植保高峰论坛（越南）＂在中国驻胡志明总领事馆、越南农业部、越南工业和贸易部、越南农药协会、越南肥料协会的大力支持下,于2017年7月27日在越南胡志明市正式拉开帷幕。

Prevalence and risk factors associated with long COVID symptoms in children and adolescents in a southern province of Vietnam

Objective:To investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with long COVID symptoms among children and adolescents who have recovered from COVID-19.Methods:This study applied a cross-sectional approach within community settings in a southern province of Vietnam.A structured questionnaire featuring socio-demographic information and common long COVID symptoms was employed.Phi correlation coefficients assessed associations among pairs of long COVID symptoms.Additionally,multivariable logistic regression models were performed to investigate the risk factors of long COVID in recovered COVID-19 children and adolescents.Results:Among 422 participants,39.3%reported long COVID symptoms,with a prevalence of 45.2%(SD=0.5)in children and 22.2%(SD=0.4)in adolescents.Common symptoms reported were cough 34.6%(SD=0.5),fatigue 20.6%(SD=0.4),shortness of breath 10.9%(SD=0.3),and lack of appetite 6.6%(SD=0.3).Concerning risk factors of long COVID,a higher risk was observed among demographic groups,including girls(OR 1.25,95%CI 1.15-1.37;P<0.001,reference:boys),children compared to adolescents(OR 1.24,95%CI 1.12-1.37;P<0.001),overweight individuals(OR 1.14,95%CI 1.02-1.27;P=0.018,reference:healthy weight),and participants without any COVID-19 vaccination(OR 1.36,95%CI 1.20-1.54;P<0.001),or have received only one single dose(OR 1.35,95%CI 1.10-1.64;P=0.004)compared to those who have received two doses.Besides,patients with a COVID-19 treatment duration exceeding two weeks also had a higher risk of long COVID(OR 1.32,95%CI 1.09-1.60;P=0.003)than those who recovered less than seven days.Conclusions:The insights from this study provide crucial guidance for predicting the factors associated with the occurrence of long COVID in pediatric patients,contributing to strategic interventions aimed at mitigating the long COVID risks among children and adolescents in Vietnam.

The Genetic Relationship of Vietnamese Pigs in Central Highlands Assessed by Cytochrome b

To estimate the genetic relationship of Vietnamese pigs in Central Highlands, we compared cytochrome b sequences of Vietnamese wild boars and Vietnamese domestic pigs with other Asian and European wild boars. The results showed that there were two wild boar populations locating in Vietnam Central Highlands including wild boars of group I and wild boars of group II. The Vietnamese wild boars of group II and domestic pigs were genetically close to Asian A1 and Asian A2 wild boar groups, whereas the Vietnamese wild boars of group I were genetically distinct from Asian A1, Asian A2 wild boar groups. The phylogenetic tree demonstrated that the Vietnamese wild boars of group I were clustered in one clade which was distinct from Asian wild boars and Europe wild boars. In addition, the Vietnamese wild boars of group I were estimated to have diverged from European wild boars at 421500 YBP, indicating that Vietnamese wild boar of group I could be isolated from other Asian wild boars. The single nucleotide polymorphism analysis showed that three Asian haplotypes were contributed in Vietnamese wild boars including A3 (TATG) haplotype in Vietnamese wild boar of group I and A1 (CATA) haplotype and A2 (CATG) haplotype in Vietnamese wild boars of group II. The A1 haplotype and A2 haplotype were also distributed in Vietnamese domestic pigs. Thus, there is a high possibility that Vietnam Central Highlands is a principal source for research on genetic diversity in Asian wild boar and domestic pig populations.

Chemical properties during different development stages of fruit orchards in the mekong delta (Vietnam)

This study to examine soil fertility status was conducted on 10 citrus plantations in Hau Giang province within the Vietnamese Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Fruit trees are mostly grown on the raised beds to avoid annual flood with alluvial soil type. Soil sampling was done in the dry season of 2010 at two soil depths, for each raised bed. Development ages of raised beds were represented by two groups, young age group (≤ 30 years) and old age group (> 30 years). For chemical analysis, pH, organic matter, CEC, total nitrogen, NH4+, NO3– and exchangeable Ca, Mg and K were determined. The results showed that the pH (water) was strongly acid. The CEC was in average 19.2 cmol+.kg–1 in topsoil (0 - 20 cm depth) and 18.7 cmol+.kg–1 in subsoil (20 - 50 cm depth) for young age group. Similarly, the CEC was 16.7 cmol+.kg–1 in topsoil and 15.8 cmol+.kg–1 in subsoil for old age group. Organic matter on young age group (7.38 and 5.47% on average for topsoil and subsoil respectively) was significantly higher than that of old age group (5.20 and 3.81% on average for topsoil and subsoil respectively). Total nitrogen was not significantly different between the sites for the age groups of raised as well as the soil layers. Ammonium-N levels were excessive, and NO3--N levels were high. Potassium and Mg2+ were significantly different between age groups of raised beds and the same pattern between soil layers, while Ca2+ did not vary significantly. Potassium and Ca2+ levels were moderate, Mg2+ was high and P levels were very high. Soil fertility in the raised beds subjected to an adverse on plant growth and an imbalance in soil nutrients under low pH conditions. Loss of soil quality was exhibited in reduced organic matter with the aging of raised beds.

Overview of Cretaceous Non-Marine Deposits and Their Palaeoclimatic Characteristics in the North of Vietnam

The Cretaceous non-marine deposits play an important role in the history of formation and evolution of Earth’s crust in northern territory of Vietnam. According to analyzing results of material composition and depositional environments, these deposits can be divided into three lithofacies assemblages, such as proluvial-deluvial, fluviatile and lacustrine lithofacies. These Cretaceous non-marine sequences in the North of Vietnam indicate a typically continental hot and dry palaeoclimatic regime.

Recognition in Shape and Form’s Characteristics of Japanese&Vietnamese Traditional Daily Products

This paper presents the major analyses carried out on shape and form’s characteristic database from Japanese and Vietnamese traditional daily products(TDPs).The aim of the research is to recognize the vital specifications representing for a national style by comparing two different countries together.By using Quantification Theory Type III and Cluster analysis,firstly,the analyses were undergone separately for Japanese and then Vietnamese product data in succession so that a view of general direction for each country was caught.The result showing a difference in scale of“Complexity”and“Specification”axis between Japan and Vietnam leads to performance of the analysis done on combine database of the two countries to get a clearer view of correlation between them.However,the biggest difference between the two countries lies in“Form”(Geometric—Organic)axis.Continuously,for studying more deeply into outline of product shape,the main ratios that affect the appearance or gorgeousness of product’s outline were taken into account and analyzed.By comparing this result to the previous ones,finally a wider and more detail perspective of Japan and Vietnam shape’s specification in a mutual relationship was discovered.

Prevalence and Patterns of Divorce in Vietnam： Tradition, Modernity, and Individualism

In Vietnam, divorce traditionally was considered scandalous for women, so there was a strong pressure against divorce, especially for women. While divorce has long been culturally discouraged and limited, divorce has been rapidly increasing after the renovation policy in late 1980s with alternative causes, consequences, etc Modernization is a process of transforming ＂traditional＂ society to ＂modern＂ one, in order to achieve economic development and growth, to innovate politics and to enhance their social structure towards a political, social, and economic system similar to those of western developed countries. In the field of marriage, family, and kinship, modernization process experiences the maintenance of traditional values and the appearance of the new modern values. This paper aims to examine trend and correlates of divorce and to identify social and cultural factors influencing the divorce decision, using data of divorce profiles of one district court in 10 years （i.e., 2000-2009） with total divorce profiles analyzed are 2,033 cases, of which 499 divorce couples in a rural district and 1,534 divorced couples in an urban area.

变译理论视角下的新闻标题汉译优化策略--基于越南《Vietnamplus电子报》的考察

变译理论所述的变通手段对于新闻标题的汉译实践具有重要指导作用。基于越南《Vietnam-plus电子报》新闻标题汉译优化策略的考察表明,增补、删减、语序处理等相关变通手段的应用可有效达成标题信息的保真与识解,从而提高新闻语篇的传播效能。

Strategies to Promote Sustainable Development of Industrial Parks in Vietnam＇s Northern Key Economic Zone

Industrial Parks （IPs） in the Northern Key Economic Zone of Vietnam （NKEZ） have been making significant contributions to the development of the zone since the first two industrial parks--Noi Bai in Hanoi and Nomura in Hal Phong--were established 15 years ago. So far, there have been 51 IPs in the zone, covering a total area of 13,000 ha. Such IPs play a crucial role in mobilizing capital from domestic and international investors for investments in infrastructure enhancement, trade and production aimed at promoting the economic structure transition. However, besides the above benefits, there are a number of unstable factors preventing further development of the IPs. Thus, the objectives of this study are two-fold. The first is to analyze the unstable factors, and the second is to map out strategies to enhance sustainable development of industrial parks in Vietnam＇s northern key economic zone.

Three new records of lycopsids and ferns from Vietnam

Three new records from Vietnam,Phlegmariurus guangdongensis Ching,Adiantum longzhouensis A.H.Wang,F.G.Wang&F.W.Xing,and Lepisorus bicolor Ching,are reported.The identification characteristics,information of specimen,and geographical distribution of the species are described.The discovery of new records not only enriches the study of plant diversity in Vietnam,but also provides important information for biodiversity conservation and botanical research in the region.The voucher specimens are kept in the Herbarium of Kunming Institute of Botany,Chinese Academy of Sciences(KUN),Herbarium of Institute of Botany,Chinese Academy of Sciences(PE)and Herbarium of Guangxi Forestry Research Institute(GXFI).

The Association between Awareness of Sexual Behavior and Cognitive Social Capital among High School Students in Vietnam

Background: Globally, adolescent sexual behavior is a major health concern and the focus of many researches. However, negative attitude towards premarital sex and sense of community belonging have not been examined in relation to adolescent sexual behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine whether these two factors are associated with adolescent sexual behavior. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1672 eleventh grade students from three public high schools in Hanoi, Vietnam. Participants’ sense of community belonging and negative attitude towards premarital sex were assessed through a self-administered questionnaire. We performed multiple logistic regression analyses to examine associations between the cognitive social capital concepts, such as a sense of community belonging. Results: 92.3% of students agreed with a sense of community belonging, but only 14.1% of students accepted premarital sex. A high sense of community belonging was significantly associated with negative attitude towards premarital sex OR (95% CI), male 3.16 (2.3-4.34), female 8.77 (5.38-14.29). After adjusting for a sense of community belonging, the association disappeared between acceptance of premarital sex and sexual experience of peers, proper time to wear a condom, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale score. Conclusion: Cognitive social capital, such as sense of community belonging, was associated with negative attitude towards premarital sex. Therefore, cognitive social capital concepts should be included in sexual behavior and health promotions, especially with adolescents.

Pattern of smoking cessation and its associated factors in Vietnam

Background: Even though the number of research on tobacco in Vietnam has recently increased rapidly, there remains a lack of reporting on the pattern of quit smoking and its correlates. It is necessary to have scientific evidence on this issue to help the policy makers and the Public Health sector to have appropriate intervention program to enhance the smoke cessation smoke program and improve the health status of the smokers. This study aims to: (1) Describe the pattern of smoking cessation in Vietnam 2010. (2) Examine the association between smoking cessation with some associated factors in Vietnam 2010. Methods: Data used in this paper were obtained from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) conducted in Vietnam in 2010. A total of 11,142 households were selected for this survey using a two-phase sampling design analogous to a three-stage stratified cluster sampling. Both descriptive and analytical statistical analyses were carried out. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was performed to examine the association between the patterns of quit daily;quit smoke;attempt to quit and intend to quit among smokers with relevant factors. Results: The prevalence of the different type of cessation among male and female were 23.3% and 28.6% for quit daily;19.1% and 1.0% for quit;55.6% and 44.4% for attempt to quit and 29.6% and 19.3% for intend to quit respectively. The prevalence of quit daily and quit increased with age whereas attempt to quit decreased with age. Prevalence of cessation was highest among the group who were asked about smoking tobacco by health care providers. Some determinants of quit daily and quit include age, area, and knowledge of illnesses caused by smoking. There was no association between attempt and intend to quit with any socio-characteristic except for area. People in rural area were 2.1 and 1.7 times more likely attempt to quit and intend to quit than those in urban area, respectively. Conclusion: The GATS Vietnam 2010 showed that the prevalence of cessation in Vietnam was low. Quit daily and quit had association with age, area, knowledge about the top three consequences of smoke. People in rural area were 2.1 and 1.7 times more likely attempt to quit and intend to quit than those in urban area, respectively.

Economic Growth and CO₂-Emissions: What If Vietnam Followed China’s Development Path?

Vietnam and China both are quickly emerging market economies in Asia. China has had an unprecedented economic growth in Asia for the past 30 years. Also, Vietnam’s GDP is increasing, but more slowly. However, Vietnam is starting to catch up. Against this background, this article assesses the question what the economic and environmental impacts in Vietnam would be, if the country followed China’s development path. Based on econometric analysis, it is shown that currently, Vietnam is lagging behind China in terms of economic growth for 11 years. Although Vietnam and China have a similar primary energy mix in the early 1980s, China is still massively relying on coal, whereas Vietnam starts to develop hydro power in the late 1980s on large scale. Due to a quick growth of per-capita income, per capita emissions in China are already catching up with those of North-European economies such as Denmark, Finland and Germany. The question arises, what if Vietnam followed China’s development path. Using econometric models of GDP and CO2-emissions, two scenarios for Vietnam are analyzed, a scenario following China’s development path and one alternative scenario pursuing the current development patterns until 2050. The results show that the additional impact of following China’s economic development path is minor. Vietnam would only have a 0.5% percentage point per annum higher GDP growth. In other words, Vietnam would grow relatively quickly anyway. However, following China’s development path also in terms of high CO2-emissions per capita, would increase the growth of CO2-emissions in Vietnam by 2.3 percentage points per annum and would lead to an increase of CO2-emissions in 2050 by 2.6 bn. tons compared with the scenario in which Vietnam sticks to its own development patterns. However, in that case, Vietnam also had a 25% lower per capita income compared with the scenario following China’s development path. Here, the people and government in Vietnam have to make a strategic choice.

Quantifying Shoot Density and Biomass of Seagrass Beds in the Central Coast of Vietnam

This study was conducted to provide a comprehensive database of shoot density and biomass characteristics of seagrass beds in several coastal waters in Central Vietnam.The survey process of the characteristics related to shoot density and biomass of seagrass beds was carried out mainly in the dry season(from April to September)during the period from 2017-2019.The data were collected at six sampling locations in Lang Co lagoon,Thua Thien Hue Province;five sampling locations at Cua Dai estuary in Quang Nam Province and Van Phong bay,Khanh Hoa Province;and finally in Ly Son MPA(Marine Protected Area)with nine sampling locations.The characteristics of shoot density collected through the field surveys obtained the difference in the Central Coast region.DW(Dry Weight)biomass of seagrass in Lang Co lagoon and Cua Dai estuary reached 76.56±52.38(g DW)/m2 and 53.21±57.66(g DW/m2),respectively dominated by Thalassia hemprichii and Halodule pinifolia in Lang Co lagoon and Cua Dai Estuary,respectively.The rate of above-and below-ground biomass was different.Seagrass species tended to grow below-ground part compared to above-ground part.The study results would be a significant database on environmental informatics to promote the sustainable management of seagrass resources in the central coastal areas of Vietnam.

Observed subsurface eddies near the Vietnam coast of the South China Sea

In this study, subsurface eddies near the Vietnam coast of the South China Sea were observed with in situ observations, including Argo, CTD, XBT and some processed and quality controlled data. Based on temperature profiles from four Argo floats near the coast of Vietnam, a subsurface warm eddy was identified in spring and summer. The multi-year Argo and Global Temperature and Salinity Profile Programme(GTSPP) data were merged on a seasonal basis based on the data interpolating variational analysis(DIVA) method to reconstruct the three-dimensional temperature structure. There is a warm eddy in the central subsurface at 12.5°N, 111°E below300 m depth in spring, which does not exist in autumn and is weak in winter and summer. From CSIRO Atlas of Regional Seas(CARS) and Generalized Digital Environment Model(GDEM) reanalysis data, this subsurface warm eddy is also verified in spring.

Assuring Quality in Higher Education in a Confucian Collectivist Culture: The Vietnamese Experience

Quality assurance(QA)has been introduced and developed into Vietnam for almost 15 years.The importation of such a concept from other countries with different cultures may result in resistance in some ways.This study explores QA arrangements at three institutions of higher education(HE)in Vietnam,a Confucian heritage country,as perceived by academic leaders,QA practitioners,and academics to respond to QA policies from the government.The methodological approach taken in this research is a multiple case study.A qualitative approach was used to explore QA practices at three institutions.Data collected from documentation and in-depth interviews were analyzed for patterns and themes.It was found that centralism and large power distance of a Confucian collectivist country such as Vietnam significantly influenced the government’s attempts to reform HE for quality improvement.Culturally appropriate measures from the bottom level with long-term strategies should be considered to assure and improve quality,including the shift to decentralization in HE.