Community In Vietnam Research Articles

Sero-Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in High-Risk Populations in Vietnam

Background: As a response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Vietnam enforced strict quarantine, contact tracing and physical distancing policies. By December 2020, this strategy resulted in one of the lowest numbers of individuals infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) cases globally. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity among high-risk populations in Vietnam.Methods: A prevalence survey was undertaken within four communities in northern and central Vietnam, where at least two COVID-19 cases had been confirmed. Participants were classified according to the location of exposure: household contacts, close contacts, community members, and healthcare workers (HCWs) responsible for treating COVID-19 cases. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire that evaluated exposure history. SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were quantified using a commercially available assay.Results: 3056 community members and 149 health care workers provided consent to participate. Among enrolled community members, 27 (0·9%) were household contacts and 53 (1·7%) were close contacts. Serology was performed in 3034 individuals. Among 13 individuals who were seropositive (0·4%), five household contacts (5/27, 18·5%), one close contact (1/53, 1·9%), and seven community members (7/2954, 0·2%) had detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. All HCWs were negative for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Participants were tested a median of 15·1 (interquartile range 14·9 to 15·2) weeks after exposure.Conclusion: The presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in high-risk communities and healthcare workers was low in communities in Vietnam with known COVID-19 cases. The public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam has been effective in limiting community transmission of SARS-CoV-2.Funding Statement: This project was supported by a grant funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, awarded in conjunction with the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (APP1153346).Declaration of Interests: None declared.Ethics Approval Statement: Ethical approval was obtained from the Human Research Ethics Committees of the University of Sydney (HREC 2020/415) and Biomedical Research Ethics Committee of the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases (No. 10/HDDD-NDTU and No. 18/HDDD-NDTU). Consent was documented electronically using a tablet computer. In accordance with local expectations, all COVID-19 patients and other participants were provided with monetary compensation for their participation, equivalent to approximately US$4·30 and US$2·20, respectively.

Adapting to Climate Extreme Events Based on Livelihood Strategies: Evidence from Rural Areas in Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam

The key farming communities in Vietnam are generally poor and lack resources to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate extreme events (CEEs), but the extent of their adaptation strategies is not well understood. This study aims to analyze the impacts of CEEs, current barriers, and adaptation strategies based on three categories of livelihood strategies. The classification method is first used to divide the livelihood strategy into these three categories, and a multinomial logistic model (MLS) is then applied to determine the set of parameters that affect adaptation options. CEEs result in significant damage in terms of both financial and health dimensions. Various barriers remain, such as the low capacity of relevant staff, lack of local budgets, and outdated methods being used to estimate and mitigate the impacts of CEEs. Notably, there were over 44%, and 28% conducted reactive and proactive adaptations, respectively, while a high percentage of households did not implement at least one adaptation method, around 27%. The MLS model is able to explain about 51.2% of the driving factors that influence adaptation strategies. In addition, the behavior of households in choosing adaptation methods shows the difference between perceptions of CEEs’ impacts and livelihood strategy profiles. There is a need for a package of adaptive solutions to address the impacts of CEEs that cover the many different household perspectives and involve stakeholders at multiple levels.

Success Factors Affecting Internationalization Process of Large Vietnamese Companies: A Conceptual Framework

Internationalization of multinational companies in the globalized context is a popular topic in the academic world and it is also a strong concern of CEO/managers. However, this topic has not been well discussed in the academic community in Vietnam that can be contextualized in the typical transition economy. This paper is designed to explore critical success factors (CSF) of internationalization of large Vietnamese companies that have contributed major revenue from the international market. Through interviews with CEO/managers of successful companies geared toward world markets, the CSFs of internationalization have been identified and categorized into groups in which each CSF has interaction with each other, and together have combined impacts on the success of internationalization. The research results provide a conceptual framework to analyze factors affecting internationalization of large Vietnamese companies. Thank to this conceptual framework, further exploratory and/or confirmatory research can be developed to locate more success factors of internationalization. In addition, some particularly critical factors of internationalization success of Vietnamese companies are found to be useful to both CEO/managers and policymakers. CEO/managers can benefit from the research results by concentrate their limited efforts/resources in managing these CSFs, and policymaker may design CSF-based policies to boost the internationalization of domestic companies.

Moving up or going under? Differential livelihood trajectories in coastal communities in Vietnam

• Dynamics of livelihoods in small-scale fishery communities in Vietnam significantly changed with the introduction of aquaculture. • Three distinct livelihood trajectories – Accumulating, fluctuating, and marginalizing - emerged among fisheries-dependent communities. • Adoption of aquaculture as a new livelihood strategy has benefited the adopters but caused detrimental consequences fishing households. • Recognising differential livelihood trajectories and struggles is essential for designing equitable adaptation policies. Transformations from artisanal fishing to aquaculture are now ubiquitous in many small-scale coastal fishing communities worldwide, often in response to the economics of fisheries and climate change. Understanding the long-term dynamics of community livelihoods is an important step in designing appropriate fishery management and adaptation policies to navigate the effects of such transformations. The literature has focused predominantly on addressing snapshots of livelihood conditions, with less attention being paid to how present conditions have emerged over time, and for whom. Using an integrated analytical approach, this study investigates the longitudinal livelihood trajectories in two small-scale fishery villages around the Tam Giang Lagoon in Vietnam, with particular attention paid to the changes since the introduction of aquaculture in the late 1980s. Three distinct livelihood trajectories — accumulating, fluctuating, and marginalising — represent the differential pathways available to fishing- and aquaculture-dependent households. In this constrained yet shared resource space, the transformational adaptation through aquaculture has benefitted the adopters and enhanced their livelihood resilience; yet, it has had detrimental consequences for the artisanal fishers who find themselves locked into a state of heightened vulnerability. The findings provide evidence of differential and unintended consequences of new adaptations to livelihood struggles in small-scale fishery communities, and they point to the need for well-targeted policies to reduce rather than exacerbate growing inequalities. Fishery management policies and interventions in this lagoon, and similar contexts, need to take into account the heterogeneity in livelihood trajectories and unequal social vulnerability to inform more just adaptation strategies and improve the wellbeing of fishery communities.

LGBTQIA+ at the Blue Sky Club in Ho Chi Minh City

The LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual) community in Vietnam faces discrimination which consequentially increases their risk of HIV infection and sexually transmitted diseases. The question is one of what practical methods might be introduced in Vietnam to strongly support the LGBTQIA+ community in protecting and maintaining health for themselves, their families, and society. How will advice best be delivered? To answer these questions, we conducted research at the Blue Sky Club in Ho Chi Minh City. We evaluate the effectiveness of health education communications and recognize that the LGBTQIA+ community has a different perspective on discrimination to the majority, and they consider discrimination a motivating force in their lives. This research takes account of the diversity of sexual orientation in the LGBTQIA+ community and yet acknowledges their desire is to be equally recognized by society.

COVID-19 Clusters at Workplaces and its Transmission into Communities in Vietnam: A Novel Emerging Occupational Risk Factor at Work Due to Coronavirus Infection

Aims: This study aimed to describe the characteristics of the workplace-related clusters of COVID-19 and its transmissions into communities in Vietnam. Methods and Material: We accessed the database of COVID-19 by the Ministry of Health, Vietnam. Variables included sources of infection, age, sex, nationality, the dates of onset of symptoms and discharge from hospitals, and ID of each patient tested positive with COVID-19. Information from each patient was linked to the sources of infection to identify workplace-related clusters. Among 314 patients, we excluded 43 cases related to two charter flights, the remaining 271 cases were eligible for the study.Results: The biggest cluster of hospital canteen included 26 workers and their 31 family members or hospital’s patients. The second biggest cluster included a pilot of the Vietnam airlines and other 16 patients who have close contact with him at the Bar Buddha at Ho Chi Minh City. A total of 87 patients (32.1% of 271 cases) were related to these workplace-related clusters. The suspected time and the clinical course was significantly longer in the workplace-related clusters than other patients (mean 6.52 vs. 4.05 days, p=0.0191) and (mean 28.71 vs. 20.52 days, p=0.0005), respectively. Conclusions: Because COVID-19 infection at workplaces was responsible for nearly one-third of the total patients, there was a novel emerged occupational risk factor at work due to coronavirus infection. Safety at the workplace in preventing COVID-19 transmission is highly needed.

May Measurement Month 2018: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Vietnam.

Vietnam in the Asia Pacific region has a high hypertension (HTN) prevalence. The May Measurement Month (MMM) program was enthusiastically responded to in Vietnam by launching and deploying it across the whole country from 2017. The aims of the MMM 2018 program in Vietnam were to screen at least 15 000 people aged 18 and over across the country; to inform participants of the risks associated with HTN; and thereby define the proportion of subjects with elevated blood pressure (BP) and assess the awareness and the effectiveness of its treatment. An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥ 18 was carried out in May 2018. Blood pressure measurement, the definition of HTN, and statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. From May 2018 to June 2018, through 10 cities/provinces in Vietnam, 17 332 individuals with mean age 47.0 ± 17.9 years were screened during MMM18. After multiple imputation, 5260 (30.3%) had HTN. Of individuals not receiving antihypertensive medication, 1956 (13.9%) were hypertensive. Of patients receiving antihypertensive medication, 1540 (46.6%) had uncontrolled BP. Those who had HTN also displayed many additional risk factors similarly to MMM 2017 including smoking, alcohol, overweight-obesity, and diabetes. In conclusion, MMM 2018 campaign is a continuation program of MMM 2017 that has promoted the strength of the BP screening survey in the community in Vietnam, which hopefully will influence on awareness of disease prevention in this century. The next steps of the program will have special innovations on how to reduce the frequency of focusing on variable risk factors to change the overall picture of HTN in Vietnam.

Social Value Chain Analysis: The Case of Tuna Value Chain in Three South Central Provinces of Vietnam

This paper presents the outputs of a Ministry of Science and Technology-funded national research project on fisheries value chain entitled “Developing Feasible and Comprehensive Policies for Sustainable Fisheries Development in Vietnam” completed in 2019. It was carried out to map the Vietnamese tuna value chain in terms of value chain description, including actors, material flows, volume, knowledge and information, relationships, linkages and trust, and values at different levels of the chain. The point of entry for undertaking this analysis was to identify specific income increasing interventions for fishers to achieve the project objective of better management of tuna fisheries and to improve socio-economic conditions of tuna fishing communities in Vietnam. Three South Central provinces of Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa were chosen for the investigation of the tuna value chain. This study was completed in four main phases, which consist of interview surveys, focus group discussions, individual key informant interviews, and a validation workshop. Four hundreds fishers, nineteen middlemen and traders, five processors, three wholesalers, and eight retailers were interviewed in the three investigated provinces during 2018. Several policy recommendations to increase the income and improve the position of fishers in the tuna value chain were proposed, which include (i) the collaboration among fishers to take advantage of purchasing input materials; (ii) the improvements on the handling and maintenance of tuna quality to increase fishers’ income; (iii) the establishment of tuna auction center to decrease financial detriment to fishers, increase their access to public and transparent market information, and strengthen their position in the chain; (iv) the formulation of savings, credit, and microfinance schemes to diversify forms of capital access for fishers; (v) the suggestion on a fair share of profits among shipowners, captains and cruise workers to reduce the vulnerability of the poor and increase the incentive for properly managing the tuna fisheries in Vietnam.

New Records of Fraser’s Dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei) from the Whale Temples and Fishing Communities of Vietnam

New Records of Fraser’s Dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei) from the Whale Temples and Fishing Communities of Vietnam

High Prevalence of Colistin-Resistant Escherichia coli with Chromosomally Carried mcr-1 in Healthy Residents in Vietnam.

The wide distribution of colistin-resistant bacteria in developing countries has become a common phenomenon. To understand the mechanisms underlying their distribution, we studied the mcr genetic background of colistin-resistant Escherichia coli isolates from the fecal microbiota of healthy human residents from a community in Vietnam with a high prevalence of colistin-resistant E. coli with mcr Fifty-seven colistin-resistant isolates were obtained from 98 residents; one isolate was collected from each individual and analyzed for mcr We found that 36.8% of the isolates carried chromosomal mcr-1 Further, 63.2% and 1.8% of the isolates carried mcr-1 on the plasmid and the plasmid/chromosome, respectively. Whole-genome sequencing of genetically unrelated isolates showed that the majority (6 of 7) of the isolates had the chromosomal mcr-1 in a complete ancestral mcr-1 transposon Tn6330, ISApl1-mcr-1-PAP2-ISApl1, which was inserted at various positions on the chromosomes. In addition, the majority (87.5%) of Tn6330 of mcr-1-carrying plasmids (n = 8) lacked both upstream and downstream ISApl1 transposons. The results obtained in this study indicate that plasmid-to-chromosomal transfer of mcr-1 may have occurred recently in the fecal microbiota of the residents. Additionally, Tn6330 on the chromosome may lose ISApl1 from the transposon during multiplication to gain a more stable mcr-1 state on the chromosome. Stabilization of resistance by the chromosomal incorporation of mcr-1 would be an additional challenge in combating the dissemination of resistant bacteria.IMPORTANCE Elucidation of the mechanism of the wide dissemination of colistin-resistant bacteria in communities of developing countries is an urgent public health issue. In this study, we investigated the genetic background of the colistin resistance gene mcr in E. coli isolates from the fecal microbiota of healthy human residents living in a community in Vietnam with a high prevalence of colistin-resistant E. coli Our study revealed for the first time, a surprisingly high percentage (36.8%) of colistin-resistant E. coli carrying chromosomal mcr-1, the emergence of which may have occurred recently, in the fecal microbiota of the community residents. The mcr-1 transposon on the chromosome may develop into a more stable genotype by the loss of insertion sequences (ISs). Our results are valuable in understanding the mechanism underlying the increasing prevalence of colistin-resistant bacteria within a community.

Develop Sustainable Livelihoods for Fishermen in the North Central Region of Vietnam - Case Study for Nghe An Province

Livelihoods and sustainable livelihoods play a very essential role in coastal fishing communities in Vietnam. In this paper, based on the sustainable livelihood model, we evaluate the current situation of coastal fishing livelihoods in the North central region of Vietnam with case study for Nghe An province and identifies favorable and unfavorable factors for accessing livelihood development resources by fishermen. For the research methods, secondary data from selected governmental agencies were gathered, and 200 fishermen were interviewed to collect primary data. The results of this research indicate that the income of fishermen is quite good but not stable due to their dependence on marine resources. Moreover, the types of livelihoods in the coastal zone of Nghe An province face certain difficulties with their specific occupational characteristics such as lack of capital, no stable job, reduced marine resources, weather dependence, lack of labor. Based on these, 3 groups of solutions and policies are proposed to promote sustainable livelihood development for coastal fishermen in Nghe An province, such as renewing fishing activities, promoting specialization and associating in maritime manufacturing and processing, as well as developing a variety of occupational groups associated with the exploitation of marine resources.

Livelihoods of Mountainous Sites in Vietnam and Philippines: Are They Threatened from Cold Spell and Typhoon?

The purpose of the study is to develop a new Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) model, which can assess and compare the vulnerability of farming communities to different extreme climate events. The method of constructing LVIs aims at allowing the comparison of livelihood vulnerability to cold spell and typhoon. A survey of 600 farming households from three provinces in Vietnam and Philippines was conducted to determine the level of livelihood vulnerability using sixteen components that measures adaptive capacity, sensitivity and exposure. These components include competency, education, financial condition, livelihood strategy, social networks, socio-demographic profile, housing, water, energy, health, financial status, communication, climate extreme impact, geographic location, risk index and warning system. Results show that although facing different climate extreme events, the livelihood vulnerability of upland farming communities in Vietnam and in the Philippines share a great deal of similarities. In fact, they are moderately vulnerable on aggregate and are similar in competency, livelihood strategy, social networks, water and communication. However, the LVIs indicate that the upland farming communities in the Philippines are slightly more vulnerable than those in Vietnam. Interestingly, food security and financial condition are the key components that the local authorities should focus on to reduce the vulnerability of the communities, regardless of the extreme climate events that could happen.

Subjective Well-being and Intergenerational Support Exchange in Old Age in Rural Vietnam

This paper investigates how intergeneration support influence rural elders’ subjective wellbeing in Vietnam, based on the data of the survey ‘Strengthening Social En gagement in Elderly Care in Changing Economic and Family Structure in Asia: Policy and Practical Dialogues between Local Communities in Vietnam and Japan’ conducted in 2017. The sample analysis of this paper is 307 respondents aged 60 and older in rural areas in the middle of Vietnam. Subjective wellbeing includes psychological well-being, self-rated health and life satisfaction. We find that all elders’ psychological wellbeing becomes more positive when they provide financial support for their children. Despite the economic difficulties and the prevalence of filial norm, the financial provision is not viewed as the burden to the older adults but helps them to confirm their position and power in the intergenerational relations. Nonetheless, receiving the spiritual care is more like to improve their psychological well-being and life satisfaction. The results suggest that the effect of the intergenerational support exchange should be taken into consideration when improving the quality of life for the elderly.

Vietnam’s Territorial Use Rights for Fisheries: How do they perform against Ostrom’s institutional design principles?

By employing Ostrom’s set of eight design principles (DPs) as an analytical framework, this study evaluates the robustness of the institutions introduced by Territorial Use Rights for Fisheries (TURFs) and investigates how the DPs are interrelated. Data were collected from unstructured and semi-structured interviews with government officials and fishers in fishing communities in Vietnam. Although TURF institutions were found to be in better conformity with the DPs (and therefore more robust) than non-TURF ones, none of the TURFs satisfy all the DPs. Principles relating to collective choice arrangements, monitoring, and nested enterprise structures appear to be the missing elements in the current TURF design, despite the influence they have on the likelihood of adherence to other DPs. Results suggest management policies should better empower fishers, promote fisher participation in monitoring activities and establish horizontal linkages between fishing communities. Lessons learnt from this study will be useful for developing more robust TURF institutions and more sustainable fisheries.

A New Approach in Rural Development in Vietnam: Evaluation of the National Target Programme for Building New Rural Areas, 2011–2015

This paper is a summary of the scientific research project entitled “Building New Rural Areas and Its Impacts on Sustainable Rural Development in Vietnam”. Besides using a methodology based on quantitative and qualitative datasets, we gathered the literature review of rural development studies and practical frameworks of rural development programmes (RDPs). We made statistical analyses for the National Target Programme for Building New Rural Areas between 2011 and 2015 in Vietnam by an on-site empirical survey in a community in Vietnam. Our conclusion is that RDPs should specify the difficulties for each rural area in the process of decision-making for development planning, and should frequently classify difficulties during implementation for the decentralized administration of implementation from central offices to local authorities in order to set up priorities for each rural area.

They can be choosers: Aid, Levinas and Unconditional Cash Transfers

In this paper I seek to critically examine UCT’s and CCT’s and consider how a Levinasian ethics might offer normative guidelines to evaluate such aid programmes. Such an analysis will serve to both critique and supplement the traditional utilitarian analyses of such programmes. In so doing, this paper also hopes to contribute to the business ethics literature in which a Levinasian ethics may be brought to bear on real world problems. I proceed by enlisting Jordaan (2009) who argues that a Levinasian ethical politics can be instantiated in institutional designs by allowing a more complex representation of the other’s alterity. Two UCT programmes are interrogated in light of this finding – the first, a UCT programme in a community in Vietnam; the second, a joint CCT/UCT programme targeting adolescent girls in Malawi, designed to test the efficacy of conditionality to achieve certain.

Contesting Religious Beliefs: The Experience of the Cham in Vietnam

Studies on Islam and Muslims in Vietnam are indeed very interesting to be understood and shared with other Muslims in the region. Historically, the Cham communities in Vietnam have converted over many years from Hinduism to Buddhism and to Islam. Today, the Cham communities are often associated with Islam, but this does not mean that they are all practicing the same rituals. However, even though they have different beliefs and orientations, the interactions among the Cham in their own community are still in harmony. I will argue that the differences between ethnic identities and religious orientations among the Cham in Vietnam have been influenced by their interactions with outsiders and their transnational networks. This study tries to capture the religious orientations among the Cham in Vietnam and how they maintain their harmonious livelihood and social interaction in the community. Furthermore, it takes a qualitative approach through observations, in-depth interviews and review literature. The observations and in-depth interviews occurred in May-June 2014 in Ho Chi Minh City and Phan Rang Province in Central Vietnam.

The Role of the Family in Daily Care for the Elderly in Changing Rural Vietnam

This paper use datasets on the elderly in four provinces, including 307 el derly in Ha Tinh, Quang Ngai in 2017, 407 elderly in Ninh Binh and Tien Giang in 2016 of the project “Strengthening Social Engagement in Elderly Care in Changing Economic and Family Structure in Asia: Policy and Practical Dialogues between Local Communities in Vietnam and Japan.” This paper aims to evaluate roles of family members, especially of women in caring for the elderly and to explore the difficulties posed for contemporary families in relation to the roles of the community and the state. In particular, the paper will identify the forces influencing the way that each family member provides care for their elderly in the social and culture context of Vietnam. Our findings showed that families play a very important role in elderly care and that women still play crucial roles in caring for the elderly regardless of circumstances. The family is the most important support for the elderly in Vietnam during illness (spouses and children). Family economic con dition, health status, illness, sex, age, and working status have significant impacts on the health of the elderly. It is noted that taking care of the material life for the elderly is one of the burdens that the family faces, which raised need for a more comprehensive system of social security and social services for the elderly especially in the rural areas in the context of increasing migration and recent changes in family structure and functions.

Brand equity in social media-based brand community

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of social media-based brand community (SMBBC) markers on customer-based brand equity (CBBE). Moreover, this research evaluates the mediating effect of brand community commitment and the moderating effect of customer gender.Design/methodology/approachThis research collected data from a questionnaire survey with participants who are members of the Xiaomi Community in Vietnam on Facebook (XCVF). Finally, 512 valid and usable questionnaires were tested by applying the structural equation modeling approach.FindingsOn the basis of social identity theory, results showed that three components of brand community markers significantly affect two aspects of CBBE. Moreover, brand community commitment plays a mediating role in the relationship of shared consciousness, ritual and traditions, and CBBE. In addition, the influence of SMBBC on CBBE is stronger for women than for men.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample selected is limited to only members of XCVF, so the results may have an inadequate view in comparison with other brand communities. This research can eliminate other important variables that can contribute to this relationship.Originality/valueThis research is among the first studies that have focused on the importance of SMBBC markers on CBBE, the mediating role of brand community commitment and the moderating effect of customer gender.

THE APPEARANCE OF FISHING COMMUNITY IN SONG DOC

In recent years, coastal fishing communities have increasingly become of interest due to the impacts that they have on the regions and communities they occupy and influence. To gain a better understanding of the contributions of fishermen to the socio-economic development of coastal areas, as well as the communities’characteristics, these fishing communities are necessary to investigate. This article focuses on the model of Song Doc fishing community (Tran Van Thoi district, Ca Mau province) to study the southern coastal fishing communities in Vietnam. Qualitative research methods were used, following two approaches to ethnographic fieldwork, as well as in-depth interviews to collect data. In addition, the perspective of community approaching was applied in conducting the research. This perspective is to help the researcher assesses the current situation, and shows the direction of development for this community and others.