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 Many government officials are inadequately trained, poorly qualified, inexperienced and have irrelevant or outdated background knowledge about their field of management.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

In 1974 the Ministry for Higher Education stated that every scientist in Vietnam must know one or two foreign languages (one of them being English), and be able to use it for his work. But even now, the number of people who have acquired the language as required is still small. This paper examines the causes of this problem and possible remedies. What has caused the situation to change so slowly? The reasons may be several, but the most striking one is that teachers do not understand the nature of EST, so they try to teach scientists the same language forms in the same way as they do with young students at Foreign Language Colleges. Consequently, the learners know a lot about the language, but can use only a little. The paper considers several aspects of the situation. Scientists and technologists need to learn only the language forms often used in scientific literature and the skills needed for their work. For this reason, teachers must first identify the learners' needs, then draw up a list of objectives of the course, look for relevant materials and use appropriate methods of teaching. To help teachers to do these things, a training programme is needed. The training will familiarize the teachers with key scientific concepts, characteristics of EST, and the way to place learners in appropriate groups. Several approaches to ESP/EST are examined, but EST learners in Vietnam are rather different from those in other countries, so a special model for an EST course is designed ; an example of a reading course to illustrate the model is given for teachers to refer to. Finally, some suggestions are offered to solve problems arising from present EST courses.

Vietnam is a country with more than 80 percent of the population living in the countryside. Rural education is, therefore, of vital importance to Vietnamese education; and ELT effectiveness and efficiency in junior secondary schools in rural Vietnam is a problem of worthwhile attention. This study, being a pilot one, limits itself to seeking solutions to the increase of ELT effectiveness and efficiency in terms of syllabus design, textbook revision and teacher development. The study contains 5 chapters and a conclusion. Chapter 1 deals with the general background of the study, schooling and educational philosophies in Vietnam. In this chapter, special attention is given to the role of foreign language teaching and learning in Vietnamese schools. In addition, educational philosophies in Vietnam are discussed as the philosophical and legal basis for any implementation of FLT and ELT innovations in junior secondary schools in rural Vietnam. Chapter 2 deals with input studies and some models of language teaching and learning that appeared in the last two decades. In this chapter, special emphasis is laid on studies which explain how input is transformed into intake and on the models of teaching and learning that may be applied to the teaching and learning of English in the context of rural Vietnam. Chapter 3 deals with language teaching methods as the neverending search for teaching effectiveness and efficiency. In this chapter, based on the understanding of such concepts as effectiveness and efficiency, language teaching methods are presented as a means to an end, not as an end in itself. Thus, the selection and use of a method depends completely on the goal set for the process of language teaching and learning. When the goal changes, the method will change accordingly. Chapter 4 deals with the actual FLT and ELT situation in rural junior secondary schools in Vietnam. This chapter includes the results of surveys on teacher quality and a critical look at the implementation of the communicative approach in language teaching in the current textbooks in use in junior secondary schools The background of rural students is discussed to clarify the context of the learners in question. In chapter 5, based on the theoretical findings in chapters 2 and 3 and on the actual ELT situation mentioned in chapter 4, possible solutions to the increase of ELT effectiveness and efficiency are proposed. These solutions are concerned with syllabus design, textbook revision and teacher development. The study closes with a conclusion which relates solutions to ELT effectiveness and efficiency to the general solutions to teaching effectiveness and efficiency mentioned at a number of workshops held in Vietnam recently.

That this field study report has been carried out originates from the fact that urgent remedies are needed to improve ESP testing in Vietnam. This field study report consists of five chapters as follows. Chapter one gives an overall picture of language testing in Vietnam, as well as dealing with the reasons why ESP testing should be improved. Chapter two covers questions such as the terminology in assessing (evaluation, assessment, and testing), role of testing, types of language tests, and main characteristics of a good test. Chapter three considers the problems concerning ESP, for example, a definition of ESP, ESP in the teaching learning process, ESP in Vietnam as well as ESP classification. Chapter four takes into consideration such questions as the theoretical background of ESP testing, proficiency tests in ESP testing, problems in ESP testing, ESP testing in Vietnam together with comments, and suggestions for improvements. Chapter five reconfirms the aim of this field study report - to improve ESP testing in Vietnam.

In addition to successful economic reforms, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV) is also in the process of implementing reforms in the areas of civil society, decentralisation and grassroots democracy, within what is generally considered a strong state environment. Relevant research argues that uninhibited democracy, decentralisation and civil society are important elements in achieving what has been popularly termed community 'participation' by development practitioners. This process was particularly assisted by the release of the grassroots democracy decree of 1998 and its subsequent update in 2003 that set out the details of what Vietnam required from the village and commune levels as part of the reform process. Interestingly, it is also these two levels that form the dividing line between government and community in Vietnam. Although there have been several studies investigating the strengths and weaknesses of the implementation of the grassroots democracy decree and other related policies, village-based planning and development programs, which are a development approach piloted by several non-government organisations (NGOs) and donors to address these issues, have not been comprehensively evaluated. These programs, which are generally long-term, area-based, holistic and integrated, have frequently been observed to deliver many of the relevant elements within the larger notions of democracy, decentralisation, civil society and participation. The research explores the effectiveness of village-based planning and development approaches within the Vietnamese context using both quality and quantity criteria to assess elements of program effectiveness, focussing primarily on community level perspectives. Four projects of a selected international non-government organisation (INGO), were used as a detailed case study utilising a combination of qualitative focus groups and interviews, complimented by two quantitative household interviews. These community opinions were triangulated against the opinion of other key stakeholders including government, bilateral and multilateral aid donors, as well as Vietnamese and International NGOs involved in such approaches. The research highlights that with careful attention, village-based planning and development approaches do have the ability to more effectively allow the community to be put back into the 'centre of development' in Vietnam, rather than being passive recipients or marginalised by the development process. A set of seven key elements that contribute to more effective village-based planning and development approaches in Vietnam has been outlined in this thesis. It is hoped that these key elements might be further utilised by donor, NGO and government agencies to support the appropriate replication and up-scaling of the approaches to enable development needs and poverty to be more effectively reduced in Vietnam However, the approaches are not without their challenges, in particular in terms of achieving integrated planning from village to national level, being flexible enough for the variety of ethnic minority and geographical areas, effectively involving a broad and appropriate range of individuals and organised civil society groups and, perhaps most importantly, taking the approaches beyond the current few pilot programs to a national scale that forms a more integral part of the government's overall poverty reduction strategy.

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

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

<p>The project identifies how the female owners of small and medium sized businesses deal with the issue of work and family balance in Vietnam – a developing country in Asia.</p>

Cette thèse analyse les mécanismes de transformation et de construction d'appartenances territoriales. En partant de l'hypothèse que la plantation des cultures commerciales pérennes favorise l'ancrage des hommes, sont étudiés dans le cas des plateaux du Centre Viêt Nam les principes théoriques et pratiques allogènes incorporés à un territoire et à des populations autochtones. Le caféier, importé par les colons, ancré dans le territoire, conduit à la perte de repères symboliques et matériels des paysanneries autochtones mais aussi à l'appropriation politique et économique de ces espaces. Soucieux de contrôler des régions parfois rétives à la majorité nationale, L'État vietnamien dès son indépendance a favorisé l'arrivée et l'ancrage d'allochtones, désormais majoritaires. L'exploitation agricole et la conversion des représentations participent à la redéfinition de l'appartenance territoriale mais au prix de dégradations environnementales et d'une crise économique et sociale profonde.

<p><strong>Aim:</strong></p><p>The purpose of this study is to explore the Vietnamese market for Electronic Road Tolls. Company X is a world wide supplier of electronic toll systems. They are focusing on systems that will reduce traffic congestion in cities or congestion created by road charge toll systems. Company X has been active in the South East Asia for over 10 years. Now they want to explore new markets in this region. The company is interested in developing countries where road infrastructure is expanding. Since Vietnam is one of the fastest growing economies in Asia Company X is interested in if it is a market they should enter.</p><p> </p><p>Research questions: </p><p><em>Should Company X enter the Vietnamese market?</em></p><p><em>If yes, which entry strategy should be used entering this market?</em></p><p> </p><p><strong>Method:</strong></p><p>To analyze Company X’s internal and external environment I have used different theoretical methods, PEST analysis, Micro / Macro environmental analysis and with the SWOT framework I have summarized recommendations based on the facts I have gathered. I have also investigated different entry strategies to see what is most suitable for a Company X. I have collected data via interviews, literature and internet sources.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Result & Conclusions: </strong></p><p>Short term Company X has the opportunity to come in with their products into Vietnam with a co-operation with Competitor A. They will set up a test system at one toll plaza between the airport and Hanoi with two lane dedicated for EFC and Company X is their first choice if they are competitive. This will give them the opportunity to be first on this market to implement microwave equipment in Vietnam and an opportunity to set the standard in the country for the future. </p><p><strong>Suggestions for future research: </strong></p><p>The empirical data in this thesis is mainly gathered from secondary sources. The information would have been more accurate with more primary data.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Contribution of the thesis: </strong></p><p>This thesis shows that large investments in road infrastructure are coming up in Vietnam. This thesis also shows that currently there is low activity from competitors using the same technology and this was not previously known by Company X.</p>