tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16082344295342159352024-03-14T12:12:00.487+07:00Thomas Wanhoff in Vietnamthomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.comBlogger292125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-81582055399497940222012-02-15T08:18:00.002+07:002012-02-15T08:18:17.062+07:00ASEAN Web radioI was thinking about starting a web based radio for the ASEAN region. Question is, where should it be located? The idea is, that we can play music from all ASEAN countries (modern mainly), but people can also record reports and publish it, as well as we can record and broadcast skype conference calls. Anyone into this?thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-28482340981570099492011-12-09T17:28:00.001+07:002011-12-09T17:29:59.858+07:00Be aware of scammers in VietnamSaigon was a wonderful place to live and we never had a real bad experience. Unfortunatly this isn't the case for everyone. <a href="http://fisheggtree.blogspot.com/search/label/scams">Adam </a>is reporting about Scammers a lot. If you plan to visit Saigon, I highly recommend to read hos blog first. Not that I want you to say home. Just be aware of the scam and say No the first time the scammers approach you.thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-70851823202864303292011-11-23T11:23:00.001+07:002011-11-23T11:25:28.625+07:00Blogging in Lao or English?On topic appears on many of the Barcamps and conferences I attended so far: In what language I should blog? The most common answer is: The language of your audience. If my readers are German nationals, I would blog in German. Since this blog here is read by mostly foreigners, it is in English. Would I blog about Laos (if I could write Lao)? No.
The reason is simple: Google. No search engine right now understands Lao. So whenever people searching for any Lao related content, they search in English. If I want my content to be found I have to write in English.
so if people in Lao write only in Lao, the audience is quite small. Only Lao people will read it. So, in case you are Lao and want to start a blog, consider having it at least bi-lingual. So you can not only increase your traffic, but also the content about Laos in the World Wide Web.thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-2944327357500809872011-11-21T07:06:00.001+07:002011-11-21T07:06:49.843+07:00Watch your dogs!Got this message from ARC in Phu My Hung:
At ARC we have recently heard a number of frightening stories about families losing dogs while they have been out walking them.
In some cases, it seems that the dogs were targeted, and maybe were taken for ransom. In other cases however, they have been taken or injured, or even killed, in seemingly opportunistic attacks, perhaps for food, perhaps just for fun!
What is common to all losses that we have heard about is that the owners were walking their dogs off the lead/leash. Just that few seconds of distance from the owner has given attackers the time they need to catch or kill the dog. Right in front of the owner, who is powerless to do anything to protect their pet!
The attacks that we have heard about have taken place in D2, Thao Dien. They may well be happening in other places (and we would like to know if that is the case).
Without wanting to scare or panic, ARC asks that you please consider how you walk your dog. For the sake of your family and your pet, please don’t walk dogs off the leash. Make sure that you have your dog on the leash at all times, so that if there is a time when you feel that someone may want to harm the animal, you still have some control.thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-81461173999687292152011-08-30T14:37:00.000+07:002011-08-30T14:38:11.506+07:00You basically cannot hire foreigners anymoreSo the Vietnamese <a href="http://www.lookatvietnam.com/2011/08/decree-no-46-complained-as-putting-difficulties-to-fies.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+lookatvietnam+%28Look+At+Vietnam%29">government issued a degree</a> that makes it basically impossible to hire foreigners anymore.
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<br />It is already quite difficult for foreigners to get a work permit there, but now the government makes it even worst.
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<br /><blockquote>The decree stipulates that 30 days before recruiting foreign workers for some posts, employers must notify the needs of recruiting Vietnamese workers for the same posts on local and central newspapers. When applying for granting work permits to foreigners, enterprises have to present the documents to prove the job information publishing.</blockquote>
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<br />The problem is that degrees like that are actually targeted on the illegal chinese workers in construction and mining. But of course you cannot make a law just for Chinese workers. So the law covers all foreigners. and here starts the problem.
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<br />First of all, the reason why you hire a foreigner, who is more expensive than local staff, is because you cannot find a local who can do the job. So you already DID the homework searching desperately for skilled people. There are just not enough of them.
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<br />That leads to the VN education system. People with a certificate, diploma or whatever think they are skilled, but usually they are not. It is in many times not worth the paper it is printed on. You have to train people all the time in your company, and often enough once the received proper training, they quit and start their own business, becoming a competitor (not much successful usually, but that is a different story).
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<br />While the gov takes no real efforts in lifting the standards of education significantly (for example by reducing the hours teaching socialism and Uncle Ho's history), they now leave it to the private sector to solve the problem.
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<br /><blockquote>Meanwhile, the Article No 132 of the Labor Code stipulates that FIEs in Vietnam can recruit foreign workers for the posts that require high qualifications for certain periods, provided that the enterprises have plans on training Vietnamese workers who can replace the foreign workers.</blockquote>
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<br />So even if you finally hired a foreigner, you have to train local staff to get this persons knowledge. Do they really believe this works?
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<br />It seems that Vietnam do not want openly offend their brothers in Bejing, so they rather offend western companies. They may have forgotten where the money came for the boom. And that this western companies already start to pull the money out since it is becoming more risky and dangerous. State owned companies are either bankrupt already or close to. So what's left then are some Russian and Chinese (also Japanese and Korean) companies. But they will have the same foreigner problem. If they pull out as well, it will be a major bump for the VN economy. There is already not much innovation and market developing going on my local businesses, and VN - as World bank reports and others mentioned many time - will rely on foreign support for more years. They put this on risk now.
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<br />thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-7141421605028896442011-06-21T15:51:00.002+07:002011-06-21T16:00:58.765+07:00Warning: Forever Freedom international is a MLM scheme!!Just received emails that a company called FFI (Forever Freedom International) is starting to do business in Vietnam. Do NOT call them or get into any business. It is a MLM scheme, or Snowball scheme, and I do not see any real opportunity for you. Ad the end, you will end up like Herbalife sales people and desperately looking for new customers while having lost most of your friends already since you sold them basically useless and over priced products. <br />So please stay away from FFI and warn your friends about itthomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-87600503463803715442011-04-30T10:19:00.001+07:002011-04-30T10:19:14.818+07:00Common people stories - a new blogI started a new blog. I tell the stories about common people I met and know in Asia. Not the heroes from CNN or newspapers. It is about neighbors, guards, waiters, shop owners - average people. You want your story being told? Message me!<br />
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<a href="http://commonpeoplestories.blogspot.com/">http://commonpeoplestories.blogspot.com/</a>thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-53789373930650697852010-12-23T08:21:00.000+07:002010-12-23T08:22:19.363+07:00Mindmaps best practise - Part I<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XDoRiYUpFnE/TRKjJlJxjFI/AAAAAAAABAA/D21T8KzcdRs/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2010-12-23%2Bat%2B8.16.58%2BAM.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 184px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XDoRiYUpFnE/TRKjJlJxjFI/AAAAAAAABAA/D21T8KzcdRs/s320/Screen%2Bshot%2B2010-12-23%2Bat%2B8.16.58%2BAM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553680675488500818" /></a><br />I am addicted to mindmaps. I think that's the best tool ever, in particular since it is available as software. So in this little series I want to introduce you to some best practise of how to use mindmaps. <br /><br />Mindmaps are basically pictures of your thoughts or notes, in a node-based structure. The advantage is that you can move these nodes around as you like. And you do not have to care about hierarchies when you taking these nodes. But it goes further: You can add links, pictures, due dates für project management, notes and documents to mindmaps. I used it e times for project management With collaboration features you can use it together with co-workers and friends. Mindmaps can be used in a wide range of things, from planning party to managing a project. In the upcoming posts I will show you some public mindmaps I find interesting and worth sharing. Let me know if you are interested in using mindmaps...<br /><br />Best online collaboration tools (Mindmeister Map) by Robin Good<br /><br /><iframe width="400" height="400" frameborder="0" src="http://www.mindmeister.com/maps/public_map_shell/12213323/best-online-collaboration-tools-2010-robin-good-s-collaborative-map?width=400&height=400&zoom=0" scrolling="no" style="overflow:hidden"></iframe>thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-8728066253207826122010-12-18T13:25:00.001+07:002010-12-18T13:25:56.943+07:00E-Market in VietnamThe first e-market for Viet Nam's agricultural, forestry and aquatic produce made its debut yesterday.<br /><br />The site <a href="www.agromart.com.vn">www.agromart.com.vn</a>. hosts up to 150 businesses and is expected to help lower costs and increase efficiency, says its owner, the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry.<br /><br />More than 340 products were immediately listed on the Vietnamese-English site.<br /><br />Member enterprises can link their own web sites or "stalls" to the site as well as complete basic trans-actions.<br /><br />Each Agromart member is also provided with an account to manage and update information about their products and services.<br /><br />Deputy Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Diep Kinh Tan said: "Agromart will provide both enterprises and the public will have better access to information related to products and legal documents.<br /><br />"Enterprises could also better establish and maintain contacts with customers and partners."<br /><br />Agromart would also provide links with other units in the agriculture sector including the National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department (NAFIQAD) and the Plant Protection Department.<br /><br />Viet Nam's agriculture had scored significant achievements despite numerous difficulties and "growth of the sector is always high," the deputy minister said.<br /><br />Total exports for 2010 is expected to be worth more than US$18.6 billion, an increase of 12 per cent compared with 2009.thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-63427050390189939292010-11-10T08:47:00.000+07:002010-11-10T08:48:12.120+07:00Doing business in AsiaToday I found this in my inbox. A brief description of someone wanted to do business in Asia. It doesn't even matter what country this is about:<br /><br /><blockquote>I have applied for an investment license at the One Stop Unit in March<br />2009. I have still got no answer. The process is lengthy, complicated<br />and completely in-transparent. In reality, investors buy themselves to their licenses. I didn't pay, so I didn't get the license.<br /><br />After all I have given up to make business here. If you are not<br />ruthless, you will only burn your fingers.</blockquote><br /><br />As someone who believe that business is driving development, this story shows the real problem of developing countries: It's not so much poverty or lack of education (though this is a huge problem, but not the cause). It is a lack of desire from governments. Desire in developing the country. Most governments in SE Asia are just fine with the situation, since their members already made enough money for themselves.<br /><br />Let's see a developing country as a start-up business. The way they do it now is the way start up operated in the time of the first internet bubble. VC (in our example NGO and IMF and Worldbank) gave money, they burned it and asked for more money. Because there was a steady stream of new money coming in, there was no real reason to focus in the business model. That's the way developing countries operate: The infrastructure of the country is not financed by income from operations like taxes, but from donations and support from international institutions. The lack of taxes used to run the country is caused by a) lack of tax collecting processes and b) corruption.<br />So why aren't countries collecting taxes? Actually they do, but the system is far from transparent. First of all, foreign companies are due to tax, always. Local family businesses have to pay tax as well, but seldom do. The reason is: They won't get caught, and tax officers always think its too much work for them to collect the few dollars from small businesses. Then of course is a total lack of infrastructure and understandable tax laws. The reason is simply again the missing desire. If you want to get tax, you will establish a system.<br /><br />The main reason why there is no system is corruption. This is all over Asia, and it's the biggest obstacle for the developing countries. Corruption kills competition and kills development of markets. Only the wealthy elite can afford to pay the bribes, so they run moist of the businesses and get a de facto monopoly. Without competition there is no incentive to grow and improve, so most businesses aren't developing much. Just look at state owned Hotels in Asia, or the quality of local run companies in general. Most use quite old equipment, producing same products since 10 years.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Why its important to have foreign companies?</span><br />Because they drive markets faster on a higher level. The know the process of competition and they know also they have to work harder then local companies (not only because of corruption, but also because cultural differences, lack of networks in the country a.s.o.) Successful foreign owned companies are a challenge for local companies, so the they have a quite good reason to improve and get the business.<br /><br />But as long as the desire of the people in charge is their own bank account and not the countries wealth, there is no change at all.thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-5099351146155941052010-09-15T11:04:00.003+07:002010-09-15T11:41:45.971+07:00General advice for buying dogs in VietnamFirst of all: Do not buy from any breeder. I haven't seen a reliable breeder in Vietnam. It's all about money. There are some breeds more or lesson fashionable, like Phu Quoc Dogs, Retriever, German Shepard, and some chinese and japanese breeds. The best way to get a healthy dogs is to look around your neighborhood. You may see a pregnant female Vietnamese street dog. Follow and ask the owners. Or look around if there is a small dog between 1 and 2 years old. If so, ask the owners if they sell it. My experience is, that most locals dogs are just smart.<br /><br />Most important:<br /><br />Do not buy puppies less than 8 weeks old<br /><br />First Vaccination should be given:<br /><br />- the age of 6 weeks and then at 9 weeks old and 12 weeks old (if the mother did not receive vaccine and there is not enough antibody in her body for the puppies)<br /> or<br />- at the age of 7-8 weeks and then at 12 weeks old (if the mother was vaccinated before)<br /><br />Rabbies should not be given before 3 months old.<br /><br />Please inspect the place where the puppies grew up, look at their living conditions.<br /><br />If the puppies look tired, they may be under medication to keep them quiet. Dont buythomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-49765012092260578262010-09-12T21:16:00.005+07:002010-10-13T14:25:07.353+07:00Do not buy puppies in Saigon from Tracy LeeOn the Phu My Hung neighbours list a Tracy Lee tried to sell 5 weeks old Golden retriever puppies. I suspended her from the list. 5 weeks is to early to take puppies away from the mother. She insists that a doctor told her that she can give away puppies when they are 5-8 weeks old. She also mentioned the dogs would be vaccinated, but did not mention what vaccinations. By the way, the same doctor she mentioned said "The puppies will receive their first injection at: the age of 6 weeks and then at 9 weeks old and 12 weeks old (if the mother did not receive vaccine and there is not enough antibody in her body for the puppies)<br /> or- at the age of 7-8 weeks and then at 12 weeks old (if the mother was vaccinated before)." <br /><br />She told me first that she can't afford to feed the dogs, that why she is selling, but later she admitted that it is just about money. "Who dont need a business? who dont need money?" <br /><br />Doctors told me that Puppies were in "terrible conditions" when they saw them.<br /><br />So be careful, do not buy puppies from Tracy Lee in Vietnam, I think she is irresponsible and only wants to make money with the dogs.<br /><br />UPDATE: I just rejected a comment who was recommending Tracys service. The reason was since this lady lied to me so many times, I can#t proof if the comments is true or just made or requested by her.thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-65472943245368059452010-09-08T15:27:00.003+07:002010-09-08T15:35:42.947+07:00Construction work in Vietnam seems a real threatThe first floor of a shopping mall in Ho Chi Minh City's new Phu My Hung urban area collapsed<a href="http://www.thanhniennews.com/2010/Pages/20100901172052.aspx"> during construction Wednesday morning.</a><br /><br />This is the second building in this area that collapses, since 2 years ago close to that site a fifth floor of an office building (the one where Tokio Deli now is in) fall to the fourth floor. One worker was killed. I remember some houses falling down in the business dictrict this year, as well as some other incidents like a bridge floor collapsed in the north and of course the bridge accident in Can Tho.<br /><br />I don't know who to blame for that. Is it again that workers save money and use poor quality of cement (what also includes corruption)? Is it the general low level of quality of construction work in Vietnam? In all these buildings were foreigns companies involved, but I was told that even if you have the best architects and engineers from abroad local stuff will mess it up. That's kind of right, just look at new streets.thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-49516864681289844822010-09-02T16:13:00.002+07:002010-09-02T16:26:04.952+07:00Cafe Do: tiny cafe with live music<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wanhoff/4950392939/" title="cafe do by thomaswanhoff, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4950392939_14cf071fc7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="cafe do" /></a><br /><br />What I like the most about Saigon are the cafes. There are hundreds of them, many are hidden in small alleys, and you have to know the place. These cafes are the real beauty of the city, usually providing a quit place, slow beats if any. Recently a friend took me to Cafe Do. It's in an alley, oneandahalf room, with a corner as a stage for young musicians. I was listening to three singers, one of them, a young girl, said she will sing in English because there is one foreigner (me) there tonight. I was stunned.<br />These places offer you a glimpse into the world of young Vietnamese people who are not spending all their money for bags and phones (although some of them might do this as well). But at least they are building a scence, something thats quite important for developing a diversified music and events business. In one of this cafe I discovered Le Cat Trong Ly, who is sometimes even on HTV. <br /><br />Cafe Do<br />118/30 Tran Quang Dieu<br />P.14 Q.3, Ho Chi Minh City<br />(083) 931-4008thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-15629129537803470142010-08-31T09:36:00.003+07:002010-08-31T09:39:31.638+07:00Back in SaigonMy wife just asked me how I feel coming back to Saigon after 3 months already living in Laos. I must admit, it's nice to come back for some days, but I do prefer to live in Laos now. Thanks to easy travelling it's convenient to travel between these countries. <br />Nothing really changed so far, some new shops, some missing. I am happy to see that Barcamp Saigon is going on, and I am also happy to see some good friends (and unhappy to not meet other good friends).<br />So, Saigon, I will not forget you, but I found a new love :-)thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-48761510775824140582010-08-22T09:48:00.001+07:002010-08-22T09:48:25.846+07:00My daily walk in Bac Lieu<iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=9.285432,105.72329&spn=0.000837,0.001696&t=h&msid=109957965197369014896.00048e60885f118cefeb9&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=9.285432,105.72329&spn=0.000837,0.001696&t=h&msid=109957965197369014896.00048e60885f118cefeb9&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">My daily walk in Bac Lieu</a> in a larger map</small>thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-66154656145757277432010-08-20T09:23:00.003+07:002010-08-20T09:32:27.114+07:00Treating diarrhea in VietnamI got the quite common of having diarrhea, it did not occour to me many times in Vietnam, but this time my stay in Bac Lieu wasn't as pleasant as before.<br />So it happened to me that I had to stay close to the restroom. The problem is, how to get medicine? Luckily some participants of the training offered their help and went to the pharmacy. I asked my coworkers to buy some anti-dehydration powder. What the pharmacy gave them was:<br />Calcium tablets<br />Antibiotics, used for treating a specific amoebia<br />Tablets for treating blatter infection<br /><br />and finally: Hydrite, the stuff I needed.<br /><br />Shows, that trusting a pharmacist might be risky in Vietnam. and the best way to treat diarrhea is still: <br />Stop eating<br />Drink water<br />Use electrolytes like Hydrite<br /><br />if its a common infection it should be over in 2-3 days. If not see a doctor.thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-68066216897264384482010-08-15T15:03:00.001+07:002010-08-15T15:04:37.829+07:00What's your experience with climate change?In late April 2009, thousand of people in Vi Thanh commune, Hau Giang province had to buy drinking water because sea water encroached into all rivers and canals in the area. This phenomenon had never happed so far in the region. This year a severe draught effected parts of Vietnam. In 2009 expertes were gathering at a conference in Can Tho and discussing climate change issues related to the Mekong Delta. But you dont have to be an expert, to see what's going on.<br /><br />So please, tell us how you experience a change in the delta. Write a comment or upload a picture and take part of the <a href="http://mekong-photocontest.com">Mekong Photocontest (</a>you can win up to 10 million VND).thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-31146481968637546132010-07-13T09:50:00.001+07:002010-07-13T09:52:34.948+07:00Join the GTZ Mekong Photocontest in VietnamThe GTZ Projects of “Sustainable management of coastal forest and wetland in the Mekong Delta Provinces Bac Lieu, Soc Trang and Kien Giang” jointly carry out an online photo contest on the topic “Climate Change in the Mekong Delta” from July 2010 until September 15th 2010.<br /><br />The coastal zone of Vietnam particularly in the Mekong Delta is one of the most effected regions which is facing the challenging impacts of climate change. Rising sea levels and storms of increasing magnitude, flooding and drought threaten the poor rural population, Viet Nam’s rice and shrimp production and Ho Chi Minh City with increasing regularity.<br /><br />The Mekong Delta is of extreme economic importance though, as it is seen as Viet Nam’s “rice chamber”. Intensive rice production and the rapid expansion of aquaculture have contributed to economic growth and poverty reduction. In addition, the population of the Mekong Delta makes a living principally from agriculture (rice cultivation) and aquaculture (shrimp production). Over the last 20 years, however, large areas directly behind the protected mangrove forests were converted into shrimp farms, which further endangers the protective function of the coastal forests.<br /><br />Every Vietnamese aged above 16 years can participate in the photo contest by uploading photos to the website <a href="http://gtz-mekong-photocontest.com">http://gtz-mekong-photocontest.com</a>. “Effects of climate change on<br />peoples living conditions” and “Effects of climate change on agriculture” are the two categories and focus of the contest. The range of the best pictures will be carried out by online voting on the webpage and by a jury nominated by GTZ and Goethe Institute.<br /><br />The prices will be awarded in the two categories “Jury voting” and “User voting”. In each category the prices are nominated as follows:<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1. Best picture in the category:<br />10 million VND<br />2. Second best picture in the category:<br />5 million VND<br />3. Third best picture in the category:<br />2 million VND</span><br /><br />The exhibition of the best photos will take place within the “Information days on Integrated<br />coastal Management” during October 12th and 13th 2010. The “Information days” are part of<br />the “German Year in Vietnam” events to celebrate 35 years of diplomatic relations between<br />Germany and Vietnam. The winners will be invited to the event for a prize giving ceremony.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Please also spread the word!!!<br /></span>thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-63745313080360624382010-07-08T08:27:00.003+07:002010-07-08T08:51:17.186+07:00Hacking iTunes accounts: Smart guy or douchebag? (or just a crime)So some people in Vietnam seem to go the wrong way: In a country already renown for its copyright violations, stealing intellectual property, faking products now the focus turns on worldwide technology. But do not expect news of any great software made in Vietnam. Instead, the news are: VN (as Google complained) was compromising Google with trojan horse attacks. Vietnamese bloggers publish a Video of a leaked iPhone 4 (what means it was stolen apparently at the factory in China). <br /><br />And now a Vietnamese developer hacks iTunes accounts and try to push his apps in the Top 10 lists buying the apps through the hacked accounts.<br />I would call this a serious cybercrime. Hackers usually find leaks and holes and REPORT this, either publicly or to the company that is affected by the incident. But they DO NOT make money out of it.<br /><a href="http://www.alexbrie.com/archives/205">But the recent case isn't even hacking</a>. What Thuat Nguyen did, was apparently just fraud. Or better, a kind of break in. He got access to iTunes accounts, most likely through phishing, were people were directed to a false landing page, were they entered their account details believing its a official apple page.<br />What a real hacker would do if he knew a security hole: He would try to push his FREE apps in the store to bring awareness to people and apple.<br /><br />What Thuat Nguyen did, was a simple crime, made of desparate greediness. We are talking about 1 Million Dollar. And some people already think about that there might be a network of cyber bandits established, so it would not be a single case.Apple Insider shows how i<a href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/10/07/04/itunes_app_store_hit_by_developer_and_account_fraud.html">t works in China</a> although it describes the way of distribution, not so much of the how-to-get-the account-data, is pretty scary.<br /><br />What leaves me quite concerned is that Thuat Nguyen is becoming a kind of hero for some people. He fought against Apple, like the boys did with the iPhone. But he is neither cool nor smart. He is just a dumb guy too stupid to rob a bank (just because first people can reclaim the money from credit card companies and also Apple already started an investigation, so it's a matter of time when they will get him). we will see, if he lives in Vietnam, if the VN authorities handle this case as an international crime.<br /><br />So my point is: Instead of praising thief's and bandits, it would be way better to actually start making good products. Otherwise VN will become a rogue country for IT. And with this reputation, it might be difficult to get more jobs in the important outsourcing industry. <br /><br />If I would outsourcing my developing work or data processing just to find out that my suppliers staff praises guys like Thuat Nguyen in certain forums, I would immediately cancel the contract.thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-44052453986079692072010-06-24T10:33:00.003+07:002010-06-24T10:44:36.750+07:00Business Week on Vietnams economy: WTF?<a href="http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_26/b4184012382639.htm">Business Week runs a story with the headline:</a> Is Vietnam Finally Ready for Foreign Investors?" They say<br /><blockquote>Hanoi is cutting taxes and improving infrastructure in hopes of becoming the low-cost alternative for new factories and outsourcing call centers</blockquote><br /><br />Where have they been the last years? Actually the time for outsourcing in the software industry is nearly over in Vietnam, many companies are suffering right now and looking for domestic business. Same for call centers (what is by the way quite funny knowing the language skills in Vietnam.)<br /><br />For factories VN might be still a good place, but they did not mention all the strikes in the past, as well as the strict labour laws. And you may find cheap workers, but not skilled ones. <br /><br /><blockquote>President Nguyen Minh Triet's government has cut taxes, such as import duties on personal computer parts, and is promising to improve the country's roads and ports. It's building nuclear power plants and a high-speed train line from the capital to Ho Chi Minh City.</blockquote><br /><br />First, the National Assembly just rejected the plans for the train. Second, what is announced is not necessarily realized. And actually VN just raised taxes for unnecessary goods, whatever that means. And the Worldbank and others recently mentioned that VN needs innovation, otherwise it will not succeed because there will always be a country with cheaper labour force.<br /><br /><blockquote>The leadership also vows to eliminate some of the notorious red tape that has frustrated investors.</blockquote><br /><br />Arent they vowing this since decades?thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-12061781830083680272010-06-15T10:03:00.002+07:002010-06-15T10:06:39.791+07:00Geeks on train - join usSome people - in particular @3105, Jan and me - are tinking about having Geeks on a train in the next weeks or months. Some more information is on <a href="http://31o5.com/2010/06/14/idea-train-trip-with-bunch-of-geeks-in-sea-geeksonrails-geeksontrain/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=idea-train-trip-with-bunch-of-geeks-in-sea-geeksonrails-geeksontrain">3105.com</a>.<br /><br />The basic idea is to book a coach from BKK to Vientiane in Laos (or at least to Nong Khai). We set up our own network there and then lets hack or what ever. <br /><br />If you like the idea, send commenst, emails or tweet. Hastag is #geeksontrain.thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-16991332953604970252010-05-31T13:46:00.002+07:002010-05-31T13:48:32.861+07:00Moved to LaosAlthough I still have shares in a company in Vietnam and will be there several times this year, my headquarter is now in Vientiane, Laos. Find more about my life in Laos here: <a href="http://wanhoffs-laos.blogspot.com/2010/05/so-it-is-laos-now-lfe-of-expat-in.html">http://wanhoffs-laos.blogspot.com/2010/05/so-it-is-laos-now-lfe-of-expat-in.html</a>thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-6841080947050699492010-05-24T10:22:00.003+07:002010-05-24T10:29:31.808+07:00Crumpler bag shop in SaigonIt took me arround two years in Vietnam to discover a little paradise: a crumpler shop in Ho Chi Minh City. It's located at 52M Nguyen Huu Hao in District 4, right at the market, 10 minutes from District 1. The name is BAGVINA. They do have some models of crumpler bags, a freindly and well english speaking staff. Its actually there wholesale warehouse, but unsless they did not open the shop in the backpacker area (its pallned this year), they sell from dictrict 4 branch. <br />Don't ask me if the bags are fake or real, but at least it is a way better quality compared to what you get at Saigon Square. A huge messanger bag is around 380.000 VND whiel a smalle one for netbooks goes with 300.000. The selection is smaller than in origianl licenced shops and you may not get the latest models. Also, I don't know if this comes form any manufacturer in Vietnam, since I was told in Australia that Crumpler is not producing in Vietnam anymore.<br />Whatever, I liked to get at least a taset of Crumpler, and I am bag addictive, so I will take higher risks for shopping :-)<br />Check out their website as well: www.bagvinacomthomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608234429534215935.post-50207337465317828482010-05-20T07:10:00.004+07:002010-05-20T07:29:05.183+07:00Outdor gadgets, GPS, Leatherman in Vietnam<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tabalo.vn/components/com_virtuemart/show_image_in_imgtag.php?filename=resized%2FGarmin_Etrex_Bas_4b9716ef03fcb_120x140.gif&newxsize=120&newysize=140&fileout="><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 120px;" src="http://tabalo.vn/components/com_virtuemart/show_image_in_imgtag.php?filename=resized%2FGarmin_Etrex_Bas_4b9716ef03fcb_120x140.gif&newxsize=120&newysize=140&fileout=" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />When I was looking for a bluetooth GPS receiver, a friend connected me with <a href="http://www.tabalo.com.vn/">Tabalo</a>, a shop in Phu Nuan District. <br />Adress: 220/10A NGUYỄN TRỌNG TUYỂN, PHƯỜNG 8, QUẬN PHÚ NHUẬN TP. HỒ CHÍ MINH<br />ĐT: 84.8.216.9588<br />It's a quite small office, but check out the website for the range of products. They not only have the GPS receiver I was looking for, but also a lot of other GPS devices like car tracking tools. They also sell leatherman, the popular and high quality multi-tool, and also aquabags, waterproof bags for your gadgets.<br />The service was really good, I was able to try the device (which was pre-charged), got also free GPS software transfered to my Phone (a Nokia 3720 classic, good for outdoor use).<br />For any reason they sell also the Razor computer mouse, pad and keyboard, also high quality devices.<br />Check the shop during common business hours or visit the website. I can really recommend it if you are a outdoor guy (or girl).thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310696530428312091noreply@blogger.com1