Shall the South Rises Again?

Northerners are rude, they talk funny, they’re lousy drivers, have bad taste and know nothing about customer service.
Waiters from northern Vietnam serve noodles at a northern style restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City, Jan. 30, 2007.

When a Vietnamese blogger unleashed this tirade from down south recently, people 700 miles away in Hanoi responded with a flood of angry Web site postings and a few death threats text-messaged to the blogger’s cell phone.

The episode underscored a delicate truth about Vietnam: Hard feelings die hard. The United States has had 142 years to recover from the civil war. The Vietnam War’s north-south division ended just 32 years ago.

Vast cultural differences divide the former republics of North and South Vietnam. Hanoi is as far from Ho Chi Minh City, the former Saigon, as New York is from Atlanta. The two cities have different cuisines, different dialects and different styles of doing business.

Relations are generally civil, even friendly. But occasionally, something stirs up old animosities. And nothing has stirred them like Nhu Hoa’s shot in the country’s thriving blogosphere, which she wrote after a weekend visit to Hanoi.

“I came to realize that Hanoi was not a place for Saigonese, who are food connoisseurs,” wrote Hoa, a university student who complained about everything from the condensed milk northerners use in their coffee (sticky and sweet) to the speed of their Internet connections (very slow).

“I pity the parents who gave birth to this devil baby,” Hanoi resident Bui Dung shot back in a typical online riposte.

Since the war ended in 1975, legions of northerners have moved to Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s business hub and a testing ground of stereotypes.

Northerners tend to think of themselves as more cultured, and view Hanoi as Vietnam’s capital of art, literature and scholarship.

Southerners consider themselves more dynamic and tend to see Hanoi as a quaint, sleepy town. They have been more exposed to Western ways, while the north is more influenced by neighboring China and by communist central planning.

Southerners with money take their friends out to dinner; northerners tend to be thrifty and prefer to visit friends at home, said Kim Dung, a journalist who moved to Ho Chi Minh City from Hanoi 12 years ago.

But northerners generally are more concerned about status and will buy one expensive motorbike while the southerner is more likely to buy two cheap ones, she said.

Many northerners relish the nightlife and business buzz of Ho Chi Minh City, but the adjustment can be difficult.

“I felt like I was coming to a foreign country,” said Tran Thu Huong, 37, who moved here to direct an Australian educational exchange program. “People spoke Vietnamese, but I didn’t understand what they were saying.”

At school, classmates ridiculed her daughter’s northern accent. “I hate Saigon. I want to go back to Hanoi,” the girl would proclaim.

Six months later, the 11-year-old had transformed her accent and won acceptance.

While plenty of southerners still harbor grudges over the war, many are willing to put them aside.

Phan Ho Thien Vu, 26, a Ho Chi Minh City attorney, comes from a family that worked at the U.S. military base in Cam Ranh Bay and lost everything after the war.

Far more unites the regions than divides them, Vu said. “We accept their culture, and they accept ours.”

But he does have one big gripe about the north. “The service is terrible!” he said. “If you go to a restaurant and ask for an extra chopstick, the owners get angry at you.”

Ben Stocking
Associated Press

Obtain your online degree … easily!

Are you bored with the rudimentary tasks of dental hygiene day after day? Do you want to take on more challenges? Do you want to become a leader in your organization or profession? Do you sometimes wish you had a different job? Do you have a desire to expand your knowledge or your “self”? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time for you to return to school to earn your bachelor’s or master’s degree. But do you have family obligations, financial considerations, or time constraints that could keep you from achieving this goal? Think again! With the advent of online education programs, obtaining another degree is easier than you can imagine!

Acquiring an education online allows you to study at your convenience – late in the evening, early in the morning, at home, in the office, or on vacation. Some online programs allow you to learn at your own pace, while others provide professor-directed and paced education. In both cases, you determine the time and place where you study, because all you need is a computer and access to the Internet!

According to the American Dental Hygienists Association, as of Nov. 2006, 22 degree completion dental hygiene programs are available online. Programs run the gamut, providing as few as one class to nearly every required class online. Six universities offer distance-learning programs, where students never even have to visit the campus. One such institution is Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. NSU offers online Bachelor of Health Science (BHSc), Master of Health Science (MHSc), and Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) degree programs specifically designed to allow health professionals such as dental hygienists to obtain their degrees while continuing to work.

The advantages of these NSU programs over others are:

1. NSU and its degree programs are accredited
2. The BHSc and MHSc programs are designed for completion in a 100 percent online format and require no on-campus time
3. Coursework is professor-directed and professor-paced – not correspondence coursework
4. Qualified faculty consists of health educators and health professionals
5. Previous credit hours are transferable
6. Courses are offered on a 12-week semester calendar, allowing students four terms a year in which to take classes
7. This is not another dental hygiene degree, but a degree that can provide increased educational and career opportunities to the hygienist.

The curricula are designed to build upon the existing knowledge of the health-care professional while focusing on current issues that impact health care today. The courses of study are interdisciplinary and designed to provide career and academic advancement opportunities for health-care practitioners, as well as deliver a well-rounded curriculum. Health-care management, diversity, research, and education are a few of the areas that might be of special interest to dental hygiene professionals. Another highlight of the BHSc curriculum is that it dovetails with the demands of the Advanced Dental Hygiene Practicum (ADHP) at the master’s level.

Another advantage of the program was determined by the Web-based Education Commission, which was appointed by President Clinton in Nov. 1999. The Commission identified that Web-based education could center learning around the student instead of the classroom, focus on the strengths and needs of individual students, and make lifelong learning a reality.1 Many studies have demonstrated that there is not a significant difference in Web-based and classroom-based learning. The commission also stated, “The Internet is perhaps the most transformative technology in history, reshaping business, media, entertainment, and society in astonishing ways. But for all its power, it is just now being tapped to transform education.”

Distance learning is becoming the rage among professionals who have demanding lives. Lisa Garcia-Heintskill knows this. She lacks two courses in order to earn her MHSc degree. Here are her comments.

Briefly, share your work experience before you decided to go for further schooling.

Prior to entering the MHSc program, I was working full time in private practice and part time at NSU as an adjunct faculty member in the dental clinic while raising my family. After being around some of the most amazing faculty and students at NSU, I decided I wanted more for my career and myself, and I chose higher education.

What prompted you to want another degree?

My desire to pursue a higher degree began when I realized the unbelievable opportunities I would have as a dental hygienist with a master’s degree in health science, such as administration, community health, research, and education. After working in private practice for 21 years, it was time for me to stimulate my intellect once again and give back to my community as an educator.

How hard was it to get accepted into the program? Did you have to take the GRE or any other exam?

To get into the program I needed a bachelor’s degree in an area of health science. After that, it was as simple as applying and mailing official transcripts. No other entrance exams were necessary.

What are the advantages of an online program?

The beauty of online distance education is that I don’t have to leave my family or sacrifice my job or any other important obligations in my life. This type of education has met both my personal and educational needs. It really works for me because I have a husband and two small children and need to be home in the evening. I can plan studying around my family without compromising either one.

Are there any disadvantages to going to school online?

The only disadvantage, if I had to choose one, would be that I don’t get to meet my fellow classmates, and therefore, I miss the interpersonal communication of the classroom. It is a blessing that I live in South Florida and have the opportunity to visit my instructors on campus and put faces with names. But I would have to say that the benefits of an online education outweigh any disadvantages. It’s all about time management and the countless rewards of personal growth.

How hard was it to get up to speed with the computer?

It was challenging initially because I had to learn to use “webCT” (online instruction) to communicate and submit assignments. After a brief orientation from the instructor and support from other students, I was on my way. Most importantly, each student has the privilege of working with an academic advisor who guides and supports his or her educational decisions throughout the program.

What financial concerns, if any, did you encounter when applying for the program?

Finances were definitely a concern. However, financial aid, scholarships, and grants are available through the school’s financial aid department. Financial aid advisors are also there to answer your questions.

What advice would you give to prospective students?

Have an open mind regarding the endless opportunities of online education, and always strive for more personal growth for yourself and your profession. You deserve it! It’s a short-term sacrifice for a long-term gain.

Knowledge is power – power that gives rise to better choices, unusual opportunities, different options, and personal preferences. What are you waiting for? In a year-and-a-half you will be another 18 months older. Obtaining your online degree is easier than ever. Go for it!

Reference

1 Kerrey B, Isakson J. The power of the Internet for learning: moving from promise to practice report of the Web-based education commission. Washington D.C., 2000.

Lisa Garcia-Heintskill, RDH, BS, (right) is an adjunct clinical instructor at Nova Southeastern University, College of Dental Medicine, Ft. Lauderdale. With more than 22 years of experience in private practice, she is currently completing her Master’s of Health Science at NSU and plans to continue in the fall of 2007 in the doctorate program. She can be reached at (954) 592-6990 or by e-mail at sharpwife@aol.com.

Juli Kagan, RDH, MEd, (left) teaches periodontology and preventive dentistry at Broward Community College and instrumentation and clinical application at Nova Southeastern University, both in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. She is the facilitator for hygienists for the BHSc program at Nova and a certified Pilates instructor. She can be reached at (561) 305-5854 or by e-mail at JuliXRSize@aol.com.

RDH May, 2007
Authors : Juli Kagan – Lisa Garcia-Heintskill
RDH

Tragedy of names

Angry at her faithless husband, a woman in Tien Phuoc district, Quang Nam province named her daughter, who was born in 1986, Ly Tan (Breaking up).

A 14-year-old girl in Tam Xuan II commune, Nui Thanh district, Quang Nam province is named Vo Ly (Absurdity). The girl’s mother said that she hated the husband who left her when she was pregnant so she named her girl that to let out her anger.

Vo Ly wants to give up her studies because she is always teased by her classmates due to her strange name. And now her mother feels regret.

A man in Tien Lanh commune, Tien Phuoc district, also in Quang Nam province, named his last daughter Xin Thoi (No More). The man said that when his daughter was born in 1989, his family was fined because they had delivered too many children and violated the government rules on family planning. As the family was very poor, they had to sell paddy rice to get money to pay the fine. Looking at the miserable children, he named the newborn baby Xin Thoi or No More to remind himself to not have any more children. With that strange name, Xin Thoi had to drop out her studies because she couldn’t bear the teasing of her classmates.

At the age of 25, Ms Nghia Trang (Cemetery) went to the local Department of Justice to change her name because she couldn’t stand it any longer. “That name made me wretched. I always had to suffer teasing from classmates so I had to quit studying. No employer would recruit me also because of that name,” she said.

Getting a name back

At the age of 17, Ly Tan (Breaking) went to the Quang Nam Provincial Department of Justice to ask for name change. Thanks to the new name, she has a stable job and a happy family.

The girl named Xin Thoi (No More) also acquired a new name at the age of 18. She said that because of the name, she didn’t dare to go out. Now, though she has a new nice name, the old name still haunts her.

The mother of Vo Ly (Absurdity) said that she changed her daughter’s name. Though the name is not so nice, it has helped her small daughter escape from the ridicule of her classmates.

Thousands of odd names are recorded in the civil status registration books of many communes in Quang Nam province. Each name is a tragedy of the mother or the father. An official of the provincial Department of Justice said that for the past ten years, the department has performed name-changing formalities for thousands of people, mainly for those who have ugly and odd names.

Vietnamnet Bridge

Ten Tips for Surfing College Websites

Long gone are the days when colleges depended only on the brochures and view books they could fit inside your mailbox. They now devote large chunks of their websites to grabbing your attention. But there’s much more to a college website than the Web pages of the admissions office. By surfing as though you’re already a student, you can start to picture life on campus. Here are 10 tips that take you far beyond the Home page.

1. Browse the school newspaper online. More and more colleges are putting their student-run newspapers online. Although it may take some digging to find them, they’re well worth looking for. In everything from hard news to editorial cartoons, you’ll get a feel for campus life, student concerns, and the caliber of student thinking and writing.
2. Lurk in the halls of student government. These legislative bodies can be key players on campus, controlling multimillion dollar budgets that support a wide range of student services. Online, you can get an idea of just how seriously they take their responsibilities. You may even be able to read the minutes of a recent meeting.
3. Go clubbing. Are you an activist? A bird watcher? A demon at the chess board? A future marketing exec? A South Asian woman? Often funded by student government, clubs come in all shapes and sizes. Look for links like Student Life to find out if there are campus clubs you’d want to join.
4. Patronize the arts. The campus is often home to cultural events that draw locals, as well as students. Click on Events, Museums, Arts, or a similar link to learn about the school’s film screenings, plays, lectures, art shows, poetry readings, concerts, and other cultural events.
5. Enlist academic support. You’ll find that colleges take great pains to keep you on campus once you get there. They offer a wide range of support services, which can include everything from drop-in writing assistance and peer tutoring in statistics to time management mini-courses. You might find a description of these services in a section called Student Services or simply Students, but it’s just as likely that you’ll have to refer to the site map.
6. Check out the library. If the school offers online library resources, you’ll probably find a Libraries link on the home page. Click to learn how large the book collection is, to try out their online catalog, and to find out to which electronic databases the library subscribes. You can also learn how the library teaches new students about its services.
7. Check into housing. You might be surprised at the many varieties of on-campus housing. Although your choices as a freshman might be more limited, you’ll find language, Greek, and honors houses; dorm rooms that are more like apartments (with kitchens and bathrooms); and even lower-cost co-ops where students work together to prepare meals and perform other housework.

To find out what will be available to you during your first year, your best bet is to look for a Housing link under Admissions or Prospective Students. But to learn about the more distant future, try looking under Student Services or Current Students.
8. Check up on student health services. You’ll be charged a student health fee when you register for classes, so why not find out what you’re paying for? Look for a link on the Home page that will take you to the student health services section. You’ll learn which medical and counseling services are included and which are not.
9. Log on to computing services. Are dorm rooms wired? Can you buy a discounted computer through the college? What technology support services does the college offer? Will you be able to register for classes online or will you have to stand in line? Do professors use the Internet to enhance class? For answers, look for an Information Technology link on the Home page.
10. Grab a tray. While some campuses offer only school-run cafeterias, others rent space to private businesses selling everything from pizza to garden burgers. Look for a link to Dining Services and get a taste of what’s available. You might even find this week’s menu online.
11. (But who’s counting?) Root for the home team. Care for a set of tennis? A yoga class? Or maybe you’re more at home cheering in the stands. Click on Athletics to look into intramural and recreational sports (in which any student can take part), fitness equipment and classes, and varsity season calendars.

Remember: use the site map if you have trouble finding any of the information described.

(CollegeBoard)

Rash of factory strikes leaves Hanoi uneasy

A SERIES of strikes at factories across Vietnam since the start of the year is beginning to worry the government, which is trying to sustain Vietnam’s decade-long high growth rates of around 8 per cent. It badly wants to keep inflation in check, but the wage increases that strike-hit companies have been forced to give are contributing to a marked rise in inflation expected to hit 7 per cent this year. Although investment has continued to pour in so far, Mr Nguyen Huu Dung, head of the country’s Institute for Labour and Social Science, said last year’s strikes adversely affected Vietnam’s investment prospects.

Certainly, the ruling Communist Party does not want to alienate its base among the nation’s working class, especially as National Assembly elections will be held on May 20. Said Dr Le Bach Duong, director of Hanoi’s Institute for Social Development Studies: ‘The government cannot sacrifice the workers’ interests in order to woo foreign investors.’ It is turning into a vicious circle.

Last week, more than 4,000 workers seeking higher wages at a locally owned shoe factory in the northern port city of Haiphong walked off the job. A couple of days earlier, 2,000 workers at a Taiwan-owned shoe plant in the same city downed tools after complaining about long work hours. Both strikes followed a rash of stoppages at textile, chemical, electronics, footwear, automobile and other manufacturing plants in Hanoi, Haiphong and across provinces in the south, especially around the commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City. In March, 7,000 workers at the Mabuchi Motor Company’s plant in southern Dong Nai province struck for more pay, better conditions and tastier food in the canteen. Other wildcat walkouts involving tens of thousands of workers have disrupted operations at factories owned by investors from South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, China, Singapore and Hong Kong. All have been caused by demands for more pay and better conditions.

Increasingly assertive Vietnamese workers claim that factory owners, both local and foreign, unfairly exploit the country’s low wage levels. Said Dr Duong: ‘The main reason for the strikes is that the workers are paid very low salaries which they do not feel reflect their contribution to the profits of the companies where they work.’ The minimum monthly wage in a foreign-owned factory here is 790,000 dong or about US$49 (S$75). To maintain an advantage over more advanced foreign operators, Vietnamese factory owners can pay their workers even less. The minimum monthly wage in a locally owned factory is just US$28, or less than a dollar a day.

Said Dr Duong: ‘The government has to take some responsibility because it set a very low minimum wage level of only about US$30 a month 10 years ago and it has not increased by much, and (even then) only very slowly.’ In many cases, the labour disputes have been settled quickly by plant owners agreeing to pay more money and improve conditions.

The Straits Times (Singapore) 1 May 2007