Sources of Output Growth of the ICT Sector in Vietnam

Vietnam has early set the strategy to develop ICT as the enabler for social-economic development and the Vietnamese ICT sector has grown significantly over the past 20 years. This paper analyses the development of the ICT sector by examining the sources of output growth and the structural changes in two periods of 2007-2012 and 2012-2016. The decomposition results show that the growth of the ICT manufacturing sector is attributed to export in both periods. However, the ICT manufacturing export was mainly based on components import; the sector neither could make any technological progress nor could manufacture products for import substitution. The ICT media and content sector’s growth was primarily due to technology advancement in 2007-2012 which led to the household demand-based development in the period 2012-2016. The ICT services sector shifted from primarily served government to household demand while technology was also significantly improved. The results of decomposition analysis are consistent with the macroeconomic situation as well as the ICT policies that the Vietnamese government has implemented over the past years. The paper points out the achievements and limitations in the ICT development policies and suggests directions for ICT policymakers in Vietnam in the coming period

Financial Performance and Corporate Governance in Microfinance: Evidence from Vietnam

Good corporate governance is considered a building block of success for microfinance institutions (MFIs) as it is presumed to help them in achieving their social and financial goals. This study analyzes the corporate governance and financial performance relationship for MFIs in Vietnam. We construct a corporate governance index based on seven measures pertaining to board size and composition, CEO characteristics, and ownership type. We then estimate the two-way relationship between this index and each of five different financial performance indicators. To address the likely simultaneity between corporate governance and financial performance, we adopt a two-stage least squares estimation approach with instrumental variables. The results confirm the endogenous nature of corporate governance and financial performance. We conclude that profitability and sustainability of MFIs improve with good governance practices and conversely that more profitable and sustainable MFIs have better governance systems. Keywords: Corporate governance, financial performance, microfinance. DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-3-12 Publication date: January 31st 2020

Research on Criteria for Operational Audit of Expenditure from State Budget in Vietnam

In Vietnam, operational audits have been upgraded as an independent form of audit in the operation of the supreme audit agency. However, because it was introduced later than other types of audit, it is still confusing and general in setting criteria of audit. There are no specific guidelines for auditing expenditure from state budget. Therefore, the formation and application of audit criteria in the audit practice of expenditure from state budget has not been effective, spontaneous and influenced by the actual capacity of assigned auditors. Meanwhile, in order to perform the proper audit function, the most important thing is to build up the evaluation criteria. Based on data collected both secondary and primary from interviewing auditors, experts in the field of state budget, we conducted the synthesis, analysis, evaluation, comparison and clarification of research issues. The results show that the formation of audit criteria is not really reasonable; criteria for economic efficiency and effectiveness are sometimes unclear. Therefore, this study is to identify and develop criteria for evaluating the operational audit of expenditure from state budget in Vietnam. Keywords: Criteria, economy, efficiency, effectiveness, operational audit. DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/10-10-18 Publication date:May 31st 201

Determining the Price of Software Products in Software Manufacturing Firms in Vietnam

From the early 2000s to the present, Vietnam has made efforts to facilitate the development of information technology industry and to promote the growth of it market in general and software in particular. Many policies and measures to encourage the development of software firms have been issued by the government. However, despite enjoying favorable conditions from the State's support policy, software firms still face many difficulties in product consumption. In addition to illegally copying software and copyrighted software that have been severely damaged, causing great harm to manufacturers, there are also situations where products are not sold with the right value. Currently, in Vietnam there is not yet a method of calculation, as well as a complete unified accounting for the determination of software product price, each firm follows its experience. Based on data collected, both primary and secondary, we synthesize, evaluate, compare and analyze the research topic. The results show that the determination of software product price at software manufacturing firms is not very reasonable; the recognition and allocation of core software value has not been proper. So based on the findings, some recommendations are given for improving the determination of product prices at software manufacturing firms in the context of developing countries like Vietnam. Keywords: Software, core software, intangible fixed asset, license. DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-14-12 Publication date:May 31st 201

Agricultural restructure policy in Vietnam and practical application for sustainable development in agriculture

Recently, effective agricultural policies necessitate sustainable development in the agricultural sector, which necessitates frequent research and the attention of policymakers. Consequently, this study investigates the effect of agricultural restructuring policies on agricultural import, agricultural export, agricultural employment, agricultural irrigation land, and agricultural land on the sustainable development of agriculture in Vietnam. From 1991 to 2021, the researchers extracted secondary data from secondary sources such as World Development Indicators (WDI). The researchers also used the non-linear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) method to examine the relationships between the variables. The results revealed that agricultural restructuring policies regarding agricultural import, agricultural exports, agricultural employment, agricultural irrigation land, and agricultural land have a positive correlation with Vietnam's agriculture's sustainable development. The research assists policymakers in formulating regulations for achieving sustainable agricultural development by implementing effective agricultural restructuring policies.Mai Thi Huyen (Bac Giang Agriculture and Forestry University (BAFU)), Nguyen Thi Xuan Huong (Viet Nam National University of Forestry (VNUF)), Nguyen Van Song (Viet Nam National University of Agriculture (VNUA)), Nguyen Thi Hai Yen (College of Economics, Vinh University (VU)), Nguyen Dang Que National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA))Includes bibliographical references

Biohydrogen production by fermentive bacterium Clostridium sp. Tr2 using batch fermenter system controlled pH under dark fermentation

Limitation of fuels reserves and contribution of fossil fuels to the greenhouse effect leads to develop a new, clean and sustainable energy. Among the various options, biohydrogen appears as a promising alternative energy source. The fermentative hydrogen production process holds a great promise for commercial processes. Hydrogen production by fermentative bacteria is a very complex and greatly influenced by pH. This paper presents biohydrogen production by bacterial strain Clostridium sp. Tr2. Operational pH strongly affected its hyrogen production. Its gas production rate as well as obtained gas product were roughly increase twice under controlled pH at 6 than non-controlled condition. Dark fermentation for hydrogen production of strain Tr2 was performed under bottle as well as automatic fermenter scale under optimal nutritional and environmental conditions at 30oC, initial pH at 6.5, then pH was controlled at 6 for bioreactor scale (BioFlo 110). Bioreactor scale was much better for hydrogen production of strain Tr2. Clostridium sp. Tr2 produced 0.74 L hydro (L medium)-1 occupying 72.6 % of total gas under bottle scale while it produced 2.94 L hydro (L medium)-1 occupying 95.82 % of total gas under fermenter scale. Its maximum obtained hydrogen yield of Clostridium sp. Tr2 under bioreactor scale Bioflo 110 in optimal medium with controlled pH 6 was 2.31 mol hydro (mol glucose)-1.Dự trữ nhiên liệu có giới hạn và việc sử dụng nhiên liêu hoá thạch góp phần không nhỏ gây hiệu ứng nhà kính dẫn đến cần phải phát triển năng lượng mới, sạch và bền vững. Trong số các giải pháp, hydro sinh học xuất hiện như một nguồn năng lượng thay thế đầy hứa hẹn. Quá trình lên men sản xuất hydro có tiềm năng lớn để áp dụng trong sản xuất thương mại. Tuy nhiên qúa trình này rất phức tạp và chịu ảnh hưởng lớn bởi pH. Nghiên cứu này trình bày sản xuất hydro sinh học do chủng vi khuẩn Clostridium sp. Tr2. Quá trình sản xuất hydro của chủng này bị ảnh hưởng mạnh mẽ bởi pH thay đổi trong quá trình lên men. Tốc độ tạo khí cũng như lượng khí thu được của chủng này tăng gần gấp đôi trong môi trường có duy trì pH ở pH 6 so với môi trường không kiểm soát pH. Quá trình lên men tối sản xuất hydro của chủng Tr2 được thực hiện ở quy mô bình thí nghiệm cũng như bình lên men tự động trong điều kiện môi trường tối ưu ở 30oC, pH ban đầu 6.5, ở qui mô bình lên men tự động (BioFlo 110), pH môi trường sau đó được duy trì ổn định ở pH 6. Lên men sản xuất hdyro của chủng Tr2 trong bình lên men tự động tốt hơn rất nhiều so với lên men trong bình thí nghiệm. Clostridium sp. Tr2 chỉ tạo ra được 0,74 L hydro (L medium)-1 chiếm 72,6 % tổng thể tích khí thu được ở điều kiện lên men bình thí nghiệm trong khi chủng này sản xuất được 2,94 L hydro (L medium)-1 chiếm 95,82 % tổng thể tích khí ở điều kiện lên men tự động. Sản lượng hydro thu được lớn nhất của chủng này trong bình lên men tự động BioFlo 110 trong trong môi trường tối ưu có kiểm soát pH tại pH 6 là 2,31 mol hydro (mol glucose)-1

Using of response surface methodology for optimization of biohydrogen production by Clostridium sp. tr2 isolated in Vietnam

Biohydrogen is a clean, renewable, sustainable energy resource due to the highest energy density among all fuels and its combustion has no contribution to the environmental pollution and climate change. Biohydrogen production depends on a number of nutritional and environmental variables. The present paper is to determine the optimum condition for enhanced hydrogen production by a fermentative hydrogen-producing bacterium (designated as Clostridium sp. Tr2) isolated from buffalo-dung in Vietnam. The response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to determine the mutual effects of glucose, yeast extract and iron concentration on its hydrogen production in a batch condition. RSM analysis showed that the highest hydrogen production potential (Ps) was obtained under the condition of 10.18 g L-1 glucose, 2.5 g L-1 yeast extract and 58 mg L-1 FeSO4.7H2O. All three factors had significant influences on the Ps. Glucose and iron concentration, yeast extract and iron concentration were interdependent or there was a significant interaction on Ps. Glucose and yeast extract concentration was slightly interdependent, or their interactive effect on Ps was not significant. Under optimum conditions, the maximum H2 volume of 1080 ml (L medium)-1 were found after 22 h facultative anaerobic fermentation. The experiment results show that the RSM analysis with the central composite design was useful for optimizing the biohydrogen-producing process by newly isolated Clostridium sp. Tr2 in Vietnam

Acceptance patterns and decision-making for human papillomavirus vaccination among parents in Vietnam: an in-depth qualitative study post-vaccination

BACKGROUND: The GAVI Alliance’s decision in late 2011 to invite developing countries to apply for funding for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine introduction underscores the importance of understanding levels of HPV vaccine acceptance in developing country settings. In this paper, we present findings from qualitative research on parents’ rationales for vaccinating or not vaccinating their daughters (vaccine acceptance) and their decision-making process in the context of an HPV vaccination demonstration project in Vietnam (2008–2009). METHODS: We designed a descriptive qualitative study of HPV vaccine acceptability among parents of girls eligible for vaccination in four districts of two provinces in Vietnam(a). The study was implemented after each of two years of vaccinations was completed. In total, 133 parents participated in 16 focus group discussions and 27 semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with parents of girls vaccinated revealed that they were generally very supportive of immunization for disease prevention and of vaccinating girls against HPV. The involvement of the National Expanded Program of Immunization in the demonstration project lent credibility to the HPV vaccine, contributing to high levels of acceptance. For parents who declined participation, concerns about side effects, the possibility that the vaccine was experimental, and the possible impact of the vaccine on future fertility rose to the surface. In terms of the decision-making process, many parents exhibited ‘active decision-making,’ reaching out to friends, family, and opinion leaders for guidance prior to making their decision. CONCLUSION: Vietnam’s HPV vaccination experience speaks to the importance of close collaboration with the government to make the most of high levels of trust, and to reduce suspicions about new vaccines that may arise in the context of vaccine introduction in developing country settings

Research on Management Accounting of Fixed Assets at Vinacomin, Vietnam

The research was conducted to find out about the current situation of management accounting for fixed assets at enterprises of Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Holding Corporation (Vinacomin), Vietnam. Data was collected through interviews with directors, chief accountants, fixed-asset accountants, heads of other departments in the surveyed enterprises, auditors, experts in accounting and auditing field. Analytical procedures are employed in this research. The results indicate that the management and use of fixed assets in enterprises of Vinacomin are still inefficient; applying the improper depreciation methods for each type of fixed assets; most enterprises have not yet developed and analyzed the system of indicators to assess investment situation, technical status and efficiency of using fixed assets. Keywords: Management accounting, fixed assets, efficient use, Vinacomin. DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/61-04 Publication date: November 30th 201