Dak Lak Province Research Articles

The Improvement in English Listening Comprehension Competence of the Tenth-Grade Students Through using Podcasts: A Case Study

The growing development of the internet brings many opportunities to both English teachers and learners since they can access diverse resources, among which podcasts are considered one of the valuable tools for those who want to master English language skills, especially listening. This study aims to investigate the use of podcasts as a medium to enhance the tenth graders’ listening comprehension competence. Involving 80 tenth graders at an upper secondary school in Dak Lak province, Vietnam, who were divided into a control group and an experimental group, the study mainly employed a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches to measure the improvement in students’ listening competence. The tools used for collecting the data were questionnaires, interviews, the pre-test, and the post-test. With the help of the statistical software SPSS version 20.0, a paired sample t-test was conducted to assess the statistical significance of the findings, and the descriptive statistics, including sum, mean, and percentage of each variable, were also found and analyzed. The results indicated that students were eager to use podcasts as a listening tool, thanks to their familiarity and accessibility. Despite some challenges during practice, podcasts effectively helped improve the learners’ listening skills. Specifically, the students overcame the common difficulties that hinder their English listening comprehension, such as limited vocabulary, unfamiliar grammar, poor comprehensive listening ability, and pronunciation challenges. To conclude, it is recommended that students be consistent with podcast practice, and teachers should give enough instructions so that the best results can be achieved.

Comparing local people’s perceptions of climate change and drought with scientific observations in the lower Mekong Basin: a case study in Dak Lak province, Vietnam

Comparing local people’s perceptions of climate change and drought with scientific observations in the lower Mekong Basin: a case study in Dak Lak province, Vietnam

Status of microbial contamination in edible ice in Dak Lak province in 2022-2023

A study conducted in 2022 and 2023 assessed the microbial contamination levels in edible ice. The findings indicated that 67.6% of samples exceeded permissible contamination limits, with 63.0% of samples contaminated in 2022 and 70.7% in 2023. The prevalent microbial indicators detected included total coliforms (55.9%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.3%), Escherichia coli (19.1%), Streptococci feacal (intestinal enterococci) (33.8%), and sulfite-reducing anaerobic bacterial spores (30.9%). Notably, 14.7% of samples showed contamination with two microbial indicators, 17.6% with three indicators, and 10.3% with four indicators, emphasizing the need for enhanced food safety and quality control measures. Additionally, the study revealed seasonal variations in microbial contamination rates, with higher rates observed during the dry season (72.7%) compared to the rainy season (62.9%). These findings suggest that more stringent control measures are necessary, particularly during the dry season, to mitigate the risk of microbial contamination.

Current status of bacterial contamination in foods of boarding meals at schools in Buon Ma Thuot City in the 2023-2024 school year

The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at 29 primary schools and preschools with boarding kitchens in Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak province in the 2023- 2024 school year. The objectives were to determine the infection rate of bacteria Escherichia coli; Staphylococcus aureus; Bacillus cereus and Salmonella spp. contamination in foods provided during boarding meals at schools participating in the study. The results indicated that 19/29 (63.33%) schools participating in the study had food samples contaminated with microorganisms; There were 33/147 (22.34%) food samples collected at school collective kitchens contaminated with at least 1 microbial indicator out of 4 tested indicators, including 18 food samples (12.24%) infected with Escherichia coli, 11 food samples (7.48%) infected with Staphylococcus aureus, 15 food samples (10.2%) infected with Bacillus cereus and 3 food samples (2.04%) infected with Salmonella spp. 12/147 food samples (8.16%) contaminated with two or more microbial indicators.

Performance and Evaluation of Hanski 227 Oriental Tobacco in Dak Lak Region, Vietnam from 2022 - 2024

With the results of selecting Oriental tobacco varieties suitable for natural conditions in Vietnam, with potential for raw material quality and raw material production capacity in Vietnam, from 6 oriental tobacco varieties originating from Bulgaria, the Tobacco Institute has been testing in Ninh Thuan province from 2019 to 2021, and Dak Lak from 2021 to 2022. The results of the trial planting show that oriental tobacco varieties are good growth, and are quite suitable for the soil and climate conditions in Ninh Thuan and Dak Lak provinces, and have selected 2 the best oriental tobacco varieties as Basma 16 and Hanski 227. In which, Hanski 227 variety is evaluated to have outstanding prospects due to its good growth ability, high yield, characteristic aroma and good smoking properties. The Hanski 227 variety has less harvested leaves, larger leaf size and mass than Basma 16 variety, so the labor costs for cultivation, harvesting and preliminary processing are lower. To evaluate the ability to expand the oriental area in Vietnam, we continue to trial planting the Hanski 227 oriental variety in Dak Lak in 2023 - 2024, with a fertilizer level and a planting density corresponding to 50N + 30P2O5 + 80K2O (N: NH4NO3, P: (Ca(H2PO4)2 and K: K2SO4) and 110,000 plants/ha. The experimental trial results show the Hanski 227 variety has good growth, high yield, and good quality, with yield fluctuating 1.52 - 1.66 tons/ha, nicotine content: 0.81 - 1.38%, and reducing sugar content: 8.9 - 12.1%, and the oriental material has a characteristic aroma and good smoking properties. Based on the trial results shows that the quality of Hanski 227 grown in Dak Lak are the same the oriental tobacco importing from Bulgaria, Türkiye and Greece. Therefore, the Dak Lak province is the most suitbale region for producing good quality oriental tobacco in Vietnam compared to Ninh Thuan region. Because materials in Ninh Thuan has the high clorua content reducing material quality. In 2025, we continue to grow the Hanski 227 oriental tobacco variety in Dak Lak region on a large area and complete the preliminary processing process, with the goal of producing Oriental tobacco raw materials domestically, with appropriate production costs.

Perspectives from teachers and managers on STEM classrooms and STEM teaching equipment

Abstract This study examines the perceptions of teachers and educational managers regarding the significance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) classrooms and the effectiveness of STEM educational tools in enhancing practical skills, fostering creativity, and promoting interdisciplinary understanding. A survey was administered to 300 teachers and managers from schools in Nghe An Province, Dak Lak Province, and Hanoi, where STEM education programs have been implemented. The study employed a convenience sampling method, utilizing two questionnaires to assess the perceived importance of STEM classrooms and the effectiveness of STEM teaching equipment. The findings indicate that a substantial majority of respondents (96.67%) believe that STEM classrooms play a crucial role in enhancing students' practical skills, while 96% assert that these classrooms promote creativity through hands-on projects. Additionally, 95.34% of participants emphasized the importance of STEM classrooms in advancing interdisciplinary scientific knowledge. However, the survey also identified limitations in the adequacy of STEM teaching equipment, with technical compatibility (71.67%), connections between general and practical equipment (71.34%), and clear labeling and information (71.00%) rated as particularly significant. This research supports the prevailing view that STEM classrooms are essential for developing practical skills, creativity, and interdisciplinary knowledge. Nonetheless, the study suggests that improvements are needed in the effectiveness of STEM teaching equipment, such as ensuring alignment with curriculum objectives, enhancing interdisciplinary integration, and providing clear labeling and usage guidelines. It is recommended that policymakers prioritize investments in standardized and comprehensive STEM equipment and design classrooms that support practical, creative, and interdisciplinary learning.

Zeuzera multistrigata Moore (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) damaging three new host plants in Vietnam

The polyphagous stem borer Zeuzera multistrigata Moore, 1881 (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) is reported attacking Coffea arabica L., Glyptostrobus pensilis K.Koch and Passiflora edulis Sims in Vietnam. Field surveys in Dak Lak province in 2024 showed that Z. multistrigata outbreaks in G. pensilis stands resulted in damage incidence ranging from 44.1 to 94.1% and damage indices from 1.32 to 2.18. Damage was less severe in C. arabica and P. edulis, where the damage incidence ranged from 13.8 to 14.5% and the damage index from 0.40 to 0.42 in one-year-old plants. Further studies are recommended to develop an integrated pest management plan for this pest on these new hosts.

Changes In Worldview Through the Study of The Transformation of Marriage Among the Ede People in Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Province, Vietnam

The Ede people are one of the long-established ethnic groups in the Central Highlands. The unique culture of this ethnic group is reflected in various architectural works, festivals, rituals, and customs. This article analyzes the human values in marriage and the changes in worldview regarding marriage among the Ede people in Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Province, Vietnam.

Physicochemical Characterization, Antioxidant and Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activities of Coffea Robusta Monofloral Honey from Dak Lak Province, Vietnam.

Robusta coffee blossom honey stands as a key regional product in Dak Lak province, Vietnam. Despite its significance, there exists a dearth of scientific data for assessing its quality. This study aims to fill this gap by characterizing the physicochemical properties and biological activities of coffee blossom honeys from three distinct sub-regions within Dak Lak province, Vietnam. These activities include ferric reducing power (FRP), DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging, as well as tyrosinase inhibitory activities. Moreover, the study compares these honey samples with other popular varieties in Vietnam, such as Lychee and Longan honeys. The physicochemical parameters of the honey samples meet the standards set by Codex Alimentarius 2001. Through UPLC analysis, eleven compounds were identified, with caffeine serving as a marker for coffee honey. Furthermore, by employing multiple factor analysis (MFA), it was observed that certain physicochemical properties correlate positively with tyrosinase inhibitory, DPPH, ABTS free radicals scavenging activities, and FRP. Notably, tyrosinase inhibitory activity exhibited a positive correlation with antioxidant activity. These findings underscore the high quality of Coffea robusta honey, showcasing its potent antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities.

Experimental and Numerical Study of Superheated Steam Drying for Sliced Avocado

AbstractSuperheated steam drying (SSD) of sliced avocado is studied by both experiment and theory. An experimental system is built to evaluate the effects of drying temperature and gas velocity on the evaporation rate and color change of the product. Experiments are conducted for ripened Booth avocado from Daklak province of Vietnam. Experimental results show that evaporation is faster at higher temperatures and velocities, but the effect of temperature decreases at higher velocities. At temperatures below 130 °C, the product is not brown, but at a temperature in the range of 130–150 °C, the dried sample is burned. The experimental model is fitted with high accuracy to predict the moisture rate as a function of time. The evaporation processes of SSD are also compared with hot air drying at the same drying conditions. To extend the application ability of the result, the theoretical model is developed on the basis of Fick's law in which the spatial distributions of temperature and moisture are taken into account. The effective diffusivity is determined by an optimization tool with good agreement. This parameter is constant for all drying conditions, so the model can be applied to a huge range of drying conditions. The numerical results show that the temperature is almost uniform in the sample because of high thermal conductivity, but the moisture gradient is significant.

Assessing forest cover changes in Dak Lak province (Central Highlands of Vietnam) from multi-temporal Landsat data and machine learning techniques

Dak Lak is a province in the Central Highlands region of Vietnam, with a large area of forests and forestry land. However, the forest cover has changed dramatically in recent times due to the influence of human activities and climate change. This article presents the results of assessing forest cover changes in Dak Lak province from Landsat satellite image data for the period 2000 – 2020. Three Landsat satellite image scenes, including Landsat 5 TM images taken in March 2000 and February 2010 and Landsat 8 OLI image taken in February 2020 are used to classify forest cover. Three common machine learning techniques, including Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Classification and Regression Tree (CART) and the traditional maximum likelihood classification algorithm are used to classify forest cover in the study area, thereby choosing the method with the highest accuracy. The results show that the RF algorithm has the highest accuracy in classifying forest cover from multi-temporal Landsat images by comparing the overall accuracy value and the Kappa coefficient. The obtained results are used to build forest cover change maps in the period 2000 - 2010, 2010 - 2020 and 2000 - 2020. The results received in the study provide information to help managers in monitoring and protecting forest resources.

Chemical profile and antimicrobial activity of Ocimum gratissimum L. essential oil from Dak Lak province, Vietnam

Chemical profile and antimicrobial activity of <i>Ocimum gratissimum</i> L. essential oil from Dak Lak province, Vietnam

A cross-sectional study to quantify the prevalence of Toxocara canis in dogs in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

Toxocara canis is a globally distributed zoonotic parasite. The parasite has recently become a concern for public health in Vietnam. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify and quantify the risk factors associated with T. canis infection in dogs in Dak Lak province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The risk factors were identified using a mixed-effects logistic regression model and quantified using population attributable fractions. Examination of fecal samples collected from 1455 dogs using the sodium nitrate flotation technique showed 37.32% (95% CI: 34.83-39.86) of dogs infected with T. canis. The factors, including study location, multiple dogs living in a household, dog age, dog breed, and places keeping dogs were associated with a dog's likelihood of being T. canis infection. The household and individual dog levels contributed 17% and 82%, respectively, to the prevalence of T. canis in dogs. The adjusted population attributable fraction for confining dogs and raising an individual dog per household was 52% and 27%, respectively. The result of this study indicated that to minimize the burden of T. canis, intervention measures should target individual dogs and household levels.

Faithful Marriage - The Human Beauty of the Ede People in Buon Ma Thuot, Dak Lak Province, Vietnam

The Ede people are one of the long-standing ethnic groups in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Their unique cultural heritage is reflected in various architectural works, festivals, religious rituals, customs, and traditions. This article analyzes marital fidelity, a human and cultural value that continues to be present in the cultural life of the Ede people in Buon Ma Thuot, Dak Lak Province, Vietnam.

The assessment of bacterial contamination in bottled drinking water products in Dak Lak province in 2023 and its related factors

The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at 65 bottled drink water product production facilities in Dak Lak province in 2023. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of bacterial contamination in bottled drinking water products at some production facilities in Dak Lak province and analyze related factors. The results indicated that 42/65 (64,0%) of samples did not meet the bacterial requirements according to QCVN 6-1:2010/BYT. Unsatisfactory bacterial criteria included Coliform (50.5%), P. aeruginosa (50.5%), and Clostridia (4.6%). All samples were not detected for E. coli and Streptococci feacal. The main factors influencing bacterial contamination of bottled drinking water were the layout design of the production area; factory structure, means of washing and disinfecting hands, sanitary conditions of the jar, practice of personal hygiene, practice cleaning the jar, and practice of packaging the products.

Assessing forest changes in Yok Don National Park and surrounding areas, Dak Lak province, Vietnam

Forests serve as vital ecosystems, playing a pivotal role in preserving biodiversity, maintaining air and water quality, and regulating the climate, all while delivering many benefits to humanity and serving as a critical resource for diverse industries. This study investigated changes in forest cover within Yok Don National Park and surrounding areas in Dak Lak province, Vietnam, over the period from 2001 to 2021. The primary objective was to identify decadal shifts in forest cover through the utilization of freely accessible satellite remote sensing data and geographic information systems (GIS) tools. The maximum likelihood classification technique was employed to categorize Landsat images captured in 2001, 2011, and 2021. Furthermore, we evaluated the efficacy of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) based classifications in detecting forest cover changes when compared to supervised classification. Initial estimates placed forest cover at 2796.91 km2, constituting 88.44% of the total land area in 2001, which subsequently declined to 2609.97 km2 (82.53%) in 2011, and further reduced to 1843.57 km2 (58.29%) in 2021. Severely reduced forest cover is often associated with the expansion of agriculture on the forest edge; other contributing factors include logging and illegal production land. Notably, the NDVI outperformed the SAVI in detecting forest cover changes. The findings of this research are anticipated to contribute to ongoing studies and enhance the effective monitoring of this protected forest area, thus providing invaluable insights for decision-makers.

Current Situation of Hookworm Infections in the People of Cu M'lan Commune, Ea Sup District, Dak Lak Province

Current Situation of Hookworm Infections in the People of Cu M'lan Commune, Ea Sup District, Dak Lak Province

Exploring the relationship between willingness to participate in insurance and bank loan approval for coffee farmers in Dak Lak Province: A Bayesian Model Averaging approach

This study has employed Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) to identify the most suitable model for assessing the eligibility of Vietnamese coffee farmers for bank loans, effectively avoiding overfitting and ensuring that only the most crucial variables were considered in the analysis. Findings from the study indicate that factors such as ethnicity, labor, yield, land ownership, and willingness to participate (WTP) in coffee insurance significantly influenced the farmers' eligibility for bank loans. Moreover, the study suggests that banks and insurance companies should also take into account additional factors, such as socio-economic context, household size and composition, land ownership, and risk-sharing programs, to enhance access to credit. With this valuable information, banks can forge partnerships with insurance companies to craft highly effective loan programs and insurance products tailored to Vietnamese farmers' unique needs. The simplicity, practicality, and strong predictive ability of the model chosen by BMA make it a valuable tool for guiding policy decisions.

First discovery of the ant genus Eburopone Borowiec, 2016 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Dorylinae) in the Oriental realm, with description of a new species from Vietnam.

The doryline ant genus Eburopone Borowiec, 2016 currently contains only one valid species, E.wroughtoni (Forel, 1910) from southern Africa, with a considerable number of undescribed species awaiting formal description in the Afrotropical and Malagasy regions. In the present paper, Eburoponeeasoanasp. nov. is described based on workers and dealate queens from a colony series collected in an evergreen forest on the Dak Lak Plateau of Vietnam (Ea So Nature Reserve, Dak Lak Province). The worker of the new species is morphologically clearly distinguished from E.wroughtoni by the combination of following characteristics: i) frontal line distinct, extending a little beyond mid-length of cranium; ii) anterior (frontoclypeal) margins of torulo-posttorular complex not forming conspicuous lobes protruding over anterior clypeal margin in full-face view; iii) mandibles when closed in full-face view forming only a little space between anterior clypeal margin and mandibles; iv) promesonotal suture faint and inconspicuous; v) abdominal segment III in dorsal view distinctly wider than long, with lateral margins only feebly convex. This represents the first discovery of the genus Eburopone in the Oriental realm, revealing the disjunct distribution of the genus. A partial sequence of the mitochondrial COI gene (658 bp) is provided as a DNA barcode for the new species. A worker-based key to the doryline genera of the Oriental realm is also provided.

Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Tourism Firms' Survival in the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis: A Case Study of Daklak Province, Vietnam

Purpose: This paper aims to analyze the entrepreneurial situation during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on firms in the tourism sector. Specifically, we seek to identify factors that belong to the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (EE) of Dak Lak province, supporting entrepreneurial firms' survival during the COVID-19 pandemic. Theoretical framework: We applied the EE model developed by Isenberg (2011) to the province of Dak Lak, where we analyzed the effects of EE on the ability of new businesses in the community-based tourism sector to withstand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: We conducted a survey of 206 entrepreneurs, of whom 108 are entrepreneurs in the tourism sector or communities-based tourist destinations. These surveyed entrepreneurs participated in two startup contests the Dak Lak Province organized in 2018 and 2020. Findings: It was found that the COVID-19 pandemic particularly devastated small businesses in the travel and tourism sector. In addition, only two components of EE provide relief to these companies: FINANCE and CULTURE. Without a doubt, microcredit, loans, and debt refinancing funds, as well as the general liquidity of the financial market, help young businesses stay afloat. Additionally, the community's culture of risk-taking, failure acceptance, success-seeking, and lofty aspirations underpins their attempt to keep the business afloat during difficult times. Research, Practical &amp; Social implications: We suggested that Dak Lak province develop its EE by upgrading its elements as soon as possible to cope with future crises. Originality/value: This study gives a new direction on the specific approach to improve the EE of a province of Vietnam and shows ways for better performance of the EE. Conclusion: We found that FINANCE and CULTURE components play a positive role in assisting early-stage tourism firms. Specifically, the availability and accessibility of the financial market, including micro-credit, support entrepreneurial firms in maintaining their operation. In addition, the culture of tolerance of risks and failure, efforts for success, and high ambition is the basis for the action of entrepreneurs to continue their businesses.