The proto-histories of Viet Nam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand previously have been considered in isolation, and have been written predominantly by European researchers. This thesis shows that the history of the Hindu religions, adopted by at least the ruling classes in Southeast Asian countries, had been developed far earlier than previous researchers had acknowledged. By taking a regional view, by considering the religion upon which the ‘Indianisation’ process rested, by using Geographic Information Systems and by not pre-judging possible outcomes, this thesis shows that the ‘Brahmanic’ temples of Southeast Asia were originally established to a pattern which represented the Brahmanic priests’ views of their place in both space and time, which in turn related to the greater astronomical cosmos as well as to their inner cosmos. This thesis demonstrates a need for the re-consideration of the proto-history of Southeast Asia, in particular that of Viet Nam, to better reflect the basis on which the ‘Indianisation’ process was adopted by the indigenous peoples and to better collate the data from the various parts of the central to south Vietnamese coast before providing an alternative meta-narrative to that which has been accepted for over 100 years by much of the archaeological community. / Doctor of Philosophhy (PhD)

Gac (Momordica Cochinchinensis Spreng or Muricia Cochinchinensis Spreng) is an indigenous fruit of Vietnam, commonly used as a colourant in traditional dishes. Recent studies showed that this fruit had a high carotenoid content, especially lycopene and β-carotene. These carotenoids are currently in high demand as they are natural antioxidants to prevent and treat cancers. Over the last ten years some new products from Gac fruit have been found on the market but the cultivation and consumption of the fruit is still limited. Gac is harvested seasonally and the post harvest processing has not been well developed. To make the best use of the valuable substances in Gac, this project investigated some processing methods to make Gac powder and developed the product quality analyses, potentially applicable to local small-scale manufacture. In order to evaluate the efficiency of the Gac powder process and some of the most important qualities of the Gac powder products, the analytical methods to determine lycopene and β-carotene were developed and validated in this project. The new HPLC-based method included a liquid-liquid extraction, followed by a solid phase extraction before the analysis. Both newly- developed HPLC and SP methods exhibited a high extraction yield, good recovery and reproducibility. Compared with the HPLC, the SP method gives higher mean values and standard deviations, but it is quicker, simpler, less expensive and still reliable for industrial applications due to the use of less toxic solvents. The production of powder from Gac fruit included two main stages: seed removal and aril dehydration. Derived from the same drying operation, the enzymatic-treated Gac powder had a lower carotenoid content compared to the heat-treated powder. The Gac powder produced by the freeze-drying method had the highest carotenoid level and brightest colour. Finally the orange-red Gac powder with high carotenoid content was added to some foods as a colorant and nutrient supplement to illustrate its applications. The colours of foods were significantly improved and the carotenoid contents were increased after processing, indicating a potential market for the Gac powder. / Master of Science (Hons)

Global diasporas caused by wars carry many streams of people - in the 1970s one of these streams contained orphans from Vietnam delivered to white parents in the West. On arrival, the social expectation was that these children would blend seamlessly into the culture of their adoptive parents. Now some adoptees, as adults, reflect on their lives as 'Asian' or racially 'Other' children in white societies, charting the critical points in their maturation. This thesis interrogates their life histories to explore the role of birth-culture in the self-definition of people removed from that culture at birth or in childhood. Thirteen adult adopted Vietnamese participants were interviewed. These interviews provided qualitative data on issues of racial and cultural identity. These data were developed and analysed, using a framework drawn from symbolic interactionism and cultural studies, in order to reveal the interpersonal dynamics in which people were involved, and the broader cultural relations that sustained them. The findings reveal that in early childhood the adopted Vietnamese identity process was shaped by a series of identifications with, and affirmations of, sharing their adoptive parents racial and cultural identity. Such identifications were then challenged once the adoptees entered society and were seen by others as different. The participants' attempts to locate a secure sense of self and identity within the world they are placed in are disturbed by numerous uncertainties surrounding racial and cultural difference. One of the most crucial uncertainties is the adopted Vietnamese knowledge about their cultural background. While most felt they lacked positive knowledge about Vietnam and racial diversity, their sense of identity was unsettled by experiences with racism and negative cultural stereotypes throughout their late childhood to adolescence. As their recognition and acceptance of their difference develops in adulthood, they experience a degree of empowerment due to their being able to access more knowledge about their cultural background and a greater appreciation of racial diversity. Many participants have formed closer ties with other people born in Vietnam, most notably other adoptees; most returned to visit Vietnam. The thesis concludes that those adoptees who were able to develop an understanding of the Vietnamese and other backgrounds to their complex identities, tended to be more integrated as adults than those who either rejected or were unable to come to terms with their Vietnamese ancestry.

The research stream on interpartner learning in international strategic alliances has evolved in recent years. Although several research problems have been addressed, there remain gaps in the literature about the facilitators and outcomes of knowledge acquisition in international joint ventures. To bridge these gaps, this research has two main objectives. Firstly, it identifies various antecedents and tests their effects on the acquisition of marketing know-how by the local partner from the foreign partner. Secondly, it investigates how the acquired marketing know-how impacts on the learning outcomes in an IJV.The findings of this study show the effects of eight antecedents on the acquisition of tacit and explicit forms of marketing know-how. Research gaps have been bridged by this study in several ways. The thesis has also answered the call for empirical studies to provide statistical evidence with respect to inter-organizational learning in the international arena. It contributes new measurement scales as well as suggests effective ways of acquiring marketing knowledge from foreign partners in IJV. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

In Vietnam, together with the renovation program known as Doi moi, promulgation of resolution 49/CP in 1993 and subsequently of directive 58 CT/TW in 2000 provided the incentive and resolve to use Information Technology (IT) as a driver of economic development and social advancement. Thus, IT was designated a national strategic priority. However, despite the Government�s efforts to implement IT, uptake and use of IT in organisations have been embryonic. Existing studies implied IT implementation in Vietnamese organisations to have been influenced in part by organisational culture factors traceable to the national culture. In light of these findings, the present study focuses on the relationships between organisational culture and IT implementation in Vietnamese organisations. Nine objectives were set for the study. The related research questions were focused on identifying the most common features of organisational culture in Vietnam, how respondents� and organisational characteristics were associated with organisational culture, the general level of IT implementation success in organisations, how respondents� and organisational characteristics were associated with IT implementation, and the nature of the relationship between a Vietnamese organisation�s culture and effectiveness of its IT implementation. In pursuing quantitative research methodology, a questionnaire was developed and subjected to a focus group scrutiny at the preliminary stage and then again prior to implementation to confirm the questionnaire�s suitability and applicability. Data, from 328 returned questionnaires, and the findings of the subsequent analyses were validated via semi-structured interviews and a panel of experts. To address the research questions, the data were subjected to a battery of statistical analysis tools, including descriptive, correlation, association, analyses of variance and factor analysis. The findings were then interpreted and the panel of experts used to confirm and better understand the findings and to offer extra insights. The majority of the organisations surveyed were characterised by the 'Elephant' organisational culture (OC) style that had elements of order, uniformity, rules and regulations and emphasis on stability. Most of these organisations were state-owned enterprises located in northern Vietnam. In number, these were followed by the �Tiger� OC organisations, comprising mainly private and foreign-owned organisations, especially those located in Ho Chi Minh City. These �Tiger� organisations stressed their operational efficiency, and externally positioned themselves toward winning competitive advantage and achieving market superiority. �Rabbit� characteristics, such as flexibility, creativity and innovation did not surface often within Vietnamese organisations. Most organisations surveyed claimed to enjoy a rather high level of IT implementation benefits, especially those relating to internal-focused aspects such as �Faster response time�, �Better communication & networking�, and �Higher quality of performance�. Finance related benefits of IT implementation were at the lowest level. Private and foreign-owned organisations had the highest level of both IT investment payoff and IT implementation benefits while state-owned organisations had the lowest on both measures. State-owned organisations also reported the most problems with IT implementation the most frequently, while foreign-owned organisations least often faced such problems. Exploration of the association between OC and IT implementation showed that 'Elephants� were significantly associated with lower levels of successful IT implementation, while �Tiger� organisations followed by �Rabbit� were significantly associated with higher levels of success. �Production-oriented� organisations indicated higher levels of IT investment payoff than �People-oriented� ones. Organisations with �entrepreneurial� characterisation were found to have high levels of IT implementation success. In light of the findings and their implications, recommendations were made for government, industry, business and research organisations. The recommendations are designed to foster improved uptake and use of IT in Vietnamese organisations through the process of 'Organisational Doi moi' (organisational renewal) as well as to enlarge the research base on socio-cultural aspects of IT to buttress such efforts.

Stress and intonation play important roles in the production and perception of the English language. They are always very difficult for second language learners to acquire. Yet, a review of literature reveals that these important suprasegmental features have not received due attention from second language researchers or teachers. In Vietnam in particular, there is no research to date which studies the stress and intonation errors in the performance of Vietnamese learners of English. This study uses the procedures of Error Analysis to investigate the problem. Chapter one and two give a review of relevant literature and a description of the methodology of the study. In chapter three, the students' stress and intonation errors are described and classified, and the possible sources of those errors are discussed. Finally, chapter four shows implications and makes suggestions for the improvement of teaching and learning English stress and intonation.

There is a great need for competent teaching of Business English in tertiary institutions in Vietnam. At the Hanoi Foreign Trade College (HFTC) alone, about 150 students per year seek training to equip them to work in export and import organizations, banks for foreign trade and customs departments. In teaching such students, one problem is the provision of interesting and relevant materials. This study addresses the question of selection of materials and techniques for teaching business English listening skills. This Field Study Report consists of five chapters. Chapter 1 describes the purposes and aims of study, the background to this study, dealing with students, the teaching and the curriculum. Chapter 2 looks at the general theory about listening and in particular listening in business. The chapter also describes listening requirements for business graduates from the HFTC. Chapter 3 discusses criteria for selection of textbooks for language teaching in general and for teaching listening skills in business English in particular. Chapter 4 surveys the teaching of business English in two institutes of Technical and Further Education in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The final chapter makes suggestions for priorities to improve the teaching of business English. This Field Study Report should be regarded as an exploratory attempt in choosing classroom techniques and materials for teaching listening skills to students of commerce at the Hanoi Foreign Trade College.

In Vietnam today there is an urgent demand for well-designed tests of listening comprehension. Little attention has been given to this problem. This field study is intended to provide guidance on the design of listening comprehension tests and in particular for intermediate level students at the Hanoi Foreign Language College (HFLC). The Field Study Report consists of six chapters. Chapter One gives a brief introduction which covers the problem, aims, subjects (testees) and the background of the Field Study Report. Chapter Two deals with the purposes of testing in some detail, setting this in the framework of the teaching-testing link, teachers and testing, and students and testing. Test characteristics are considered and the problem of sampling for test content is addressed. Chapter Three concerns test items for listening comprehension. The chapter begins with a short description of listening comprehension and is followed by a survey of theorists on listening comprehension together with the test items for listening that they suggest. Some commonly-used standardised tests and their listening items are discussed. The chapter ends with a checklist of selected listening items suitable for students at HFLC in Vietnam. Chapter Four discusses the designing and trialling of test items for listening comprehension, such as multiple choice, completion of a taped talk, matching pictures with statements etc. The chapter presents the results of the trialling of sample items and also deals with correlations between the sample tests used. Chapter Five deals with test design and development in general. It clarifies the bases for test design and provides a checklist of steps in the development of tests. In addition, the chapter includes a resources inventory for listening test items. Chapter Six presents the conclusions of the Field Study Report.

This Field Study Report concentrates on the appropriate language testing techniques for EFL tertiary teachers in different foreign language institutions and centres in Vietnam. It falls into five chapters. The first chapter is a brief introduction and an overview of the problems with EFL testing and assessment in Vietnam. It describes the need for this study, its general testing terminology. It also describes some general problems, problems with specific testing techniques and problems with testing assessment. The second chapter discusses the role of classroom language testing, the relationship between language teaching and testing and the use of different kinds of tests. In the third chapter, four qualities of a good test and instructions to the testee are considered. After discussing the use of various kinds of tests, the Study Report examines different EFL testing and assessment techniques in chapter IV. This chapter focuses on the pros and cons of major language testing and assessment techniques such as translation, essay writing, oral interviews, multiple-choice items, shortanswer items, cloze tests, dictations, terminal assessment. Critical comments on these techniques are also given. In the final chapter, some practical suggestions and proposals for EFL testing and assessment in Vietnam are made. It is hoped that these suggestions and proposals will help to improve the present language testing situation in Vietnam.

In 1986, Vietnam opened up the country’s economy by launching the Doi Moi (renovation) policy, which made the process of economic liberalisation possible. Accordingly, Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s biggest city, has undergone rapid growth of population, urbanisation and industrialisation. While achieving remarkable economic growth, the city faces considerable urban environmental challenges. The rapid growth of urbanisation and industry has placed increasing pressure on available freshwater resources, through excessive water use and increasing volumes of untreated wastewater. Firstly, the urban water sector has had to meet growing demand for water use for domestic purposes during the dry season. Secondly, groundwater levels have experienced a substantial drawdown in outlying urban districts as a result of over-abstraction. Thirdly, rapidly expanding industrial activities are causing severe demand on water resources. The city’s major supply sources have developed an alarming level of pollutants discharged by industry. The aim of this thesis is to formulate an integrated approach to the sustainable management of water resources in Ho Chi Minh City. In order to achieve this, the research was designed to examine institutional frameworks and arrangements and to explore the perception of water value by water users and stakeholders. The underlying reasons for ineffective management are anchored in fragmented management practices which result from inadequate institutional frameworks and arrangements, inadequate regulations and inappropriate water governance. Weak enforcement of law and insufficient cooperation between government agencies and departments in Ho Chi Minh City and their counterparts in neighbouring provinces also limit management efficacy. The research results show that stakeholders have different perceptions of water resources. Overall, water value has been considered as a social and economic good by both the urban respondents and government officials. However, most urban residents view water as a social good rather than an economic one. Public involvement in the water sector is limited. Most urban dwellers have little understanding and knowledge about the city’s water issues or the available channels to access information on water resources. Many government officials are inadequately trained, poorly qualified, inexperienced and have irrelevant or outdated background knowledge about their field of management. Government respondents did not provide consistent data and information on the water profile because there is no shared common information on water issues in place. Findings from the fieldwork show that decentralisation, privatisation and using rainwater as a potential alternative water source are preferred. Finally, the study proposes a schematic revision of existing management structures and mechanisms between local government agencies. This thesis proposes a model for a water conservation strategy for which the management and use of water resources is aligned with adequate institutional arrangements and effective regulations. Water governance and management of water resources need to work with economic and urbanisation growth. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1331639 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Social Sciences, 2008