Overview: the value chain of tra catfish in Mekong Delta region, Vietnam

Aquaculture of Tra catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) of Mekong Delta has a record production of 1,525 million tons in 2022. It is one of the largest single-species based farming systems that is restricted to a small geographical area, in the world. The product (frozen fillets) that has been exported to over 138 countries with a value of about 1.6 billion USD is an acceptable alternative to white fish. Tra catfish is farmed in earthen ponds, up to 4 m in deep, in nine provinces in the Mekong Delta in South Vietnam. Over the years, the Tra catfish farming and processing industry in Vietnam has been constantly developed and become a spearhead economic sector of Vietnam which has become a leading part of international economic integration. However, due to the global impact of the Covid-19 epidemic with increasing competition pressure and product quality requirements, the Tra catfish industry is facing both challenges and opportunities. Therefore, in this paper, the Tra catfish such as species, anatomical composition, and chemical composition is briefly reviewed. After that, the value chain of Tra catfish in the Mekong Delta as well as demand forecasting and development orientation in the future is further analyzed.

Fumbling out the effective pathways to apply the wildlife and forest analytic toolkit in the Mekong region: looking at data and analysis perspectives

The Wildlife and Forest Analytic Toolkit, introduced by the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC), is designed to increase the effectiveness of measures combating wildlife and forest crimes (WAFCs). Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries have applied this toolkit as one of their priority actions after recognizing concerns about the biodiversity system and conservational zone through several illegal wildlife trade (IWT) activities. Although the toolkit has realized its fundamental objectives to readjust legal frameworks, enhance enforcement involvement, and improve their judicial and prosecutorial operations, the last components of data and analysis have not yet been implemented. This leads to slow updates of both trends and patterns concerning WAFCs that raise questions about the real levels of exploitation in the region. Using gray literature with published materials, combined with the IWT's database in the CITES system, this study examines why the data and analysis component of the Toolkit created obstacles in the GMS countries. Findings point to there being at least four main challenges to implementing data and analysis as the toolkit has recommended in the region: (1) availability and reliability of data;(2) data collection;(3) data resources (internal vs. external level);and (4) analytic research and its related monitors. Some practical recommendations call for further discussions. Meanwhile, updated information and specific data relating to zoonotic disease transmission are timely, considering the coronavirus pandemic.

Systems thinking to facilitate "double loop" learning in tourism industry: a COVID-19 response strategy. (Special Issue: Sustainability knowledge management and organisational learning.)

It is evident there is an urgent need for tourism companies to build highly responsive learning systems to adapt to COVID-19 threats and beyond. As such, only learning tourism companies that promote inquiry, challenging current actions, and departing away from adopted assumptions will be able to survive. However, there is paucity of studies exploring effective learning methods in tourism companies to adapt to unpredictable crisis consequences. This study argues that systems thinking approach for service delivery design can operationalize double loop learning in tourism companies of finding alternative service offerings. An exploratory case study was conducted in a leading cruise group company in Vietnam. Results show that systems thinking activated double-loop learning by promoting three different drivers: systematic judges and acts, problem-based task force teams, and service innovation. This paper theorizes systems thinking with double-loop learning as an organizational means to help tourism companies survive during COVID-19 global tragedy, and to transform their service offerings. It also extends current understanding of tourism companies' organisational learning by incorporating double loop learning with structural design issues based on the lens of organic structures and introduces managers of tourism companies to the significance of organic structures for competitive advantage creation during crisis.

How did COVID-19 affect food and nutrition security of migrant workers in northern Vietnam?

This study explored how measures to curtail the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) in Vietnam affected the livelihoods and food and nutrition security of internal migrant workers. While Vietnam has made impressive progress towards food security in the past decades, marginalised groups of people such as ethnic minorities and migrants continue to face significant challenges. The project team investigated how the pandemic affected the precarity of these groups' income-generating opportunities and how the level of income generated affected the quality, as well as the quantity, of food consumed by migrant workers in Hanoi, the capital, and the Bac Ninh province, which hosts large industrial zones. Our research shows that income for migrant workers significantly reduced as a result of Covid-19-related lockdown measures. Almost half of the respondents were considered to be either moderately or severely food insecure. Financial support provided by the government hardly reached migrant workers because of the registration system required to receive unemployment benefits. To reduce the vulnerability of migrant workers, we conclude that: Short-term crisis responses need to focus on providing nutritious, healthy, and ample food to migrant workers;Policies that impose minimum standards of living need to be effectively enforced;The coverage of existing social safety nets by the government needs to be expanded;and A radical reform of labour law is needed to improve labour rights for migrant workers.

Genetic diversity of porcine deltacoronavirus in Guangxi Province from 2017 to 2019

To understand the genetic diversity of porcine deltacoronavirus(PDCo V) in Guangxi Province, clinical diarrhea samples were collected from suspected piglets in Guangxi Province from2017 to 2019, detected by RT-PCR for PDCoV, and the positive samples were used for amplification and sequence of S, M, N genes. Finally, 16 S, M and N gene sequences of PDCoV were obtained. Homology analysis showed that the S, M, N gene nucleotide identity among Guangxi strains were 95.8% -99.9%, 95.9%-100% and 97.9%-99.9%, respectively. The nucleotide identity of S, M and N genes among Guangxi strains and other reference strains were 95.1%-100%, 95.0%-100%and 96.3%-99.9%, respectively. Sequence alignment showed that S1 protein existed amino acid mutations and insertions, and there were some variations among different epidemic strains. Phylogenetic trees based on S, M and N genes obtained similar topological diagram and all strains could be divided into Group I, Group II and GroupIII, of which Group I came from USA, Japan and Korea, Group II came from China, and Group III came from China, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. Most strains from Guangxi Province distributed in Group II, individual strain distributed in Group III and some strains formed a single small branch. The evolutionary rates of S, M and N genes of Guangxi strains and other reference strains were 2.57 x 10-4, 2.07 x 10-4, 1.70 x 10-4 substitutions/site/year, respectively, showing that the evolutionary rate of S gene was the fastest. The results indicated that the S, M, N genes of PDCo V strains from Guangxi Province had some variations and existed genetic diversity.

Risk assessment of global COVID-19 pandemic in March 2022

Objective: To assess the global epidemic of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in March 2022 and the risk of importation.

Nomophobia and stress among Vietnamese high school students in COVID-19 pandemic: a mediation model of loneliness

Nomophobia is rising among high school students, especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, such as social distancing, long-term online learning, and lack of social support. Many studies have also shown that students with high levels of nomophobia have a higher risk of stress. However, very few researchers are interested in studying loneliness as a mediation factor for the relationship between nomophobia and stress. This study investigated whether the loneliness factor is a mediator in the relationship between nomophobia and stress in Vietnamese high school students. Participants include 556 Vietnamese high school students. Participants completed the Nomophobia Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales 21, The UCLA loneliness scale version 3. In this research, to test variable relationships, the mediation analyzing method by the PROCESS macro 3.5 will be applied. The research concludes that for Vietnam high school students, the mediating role of loneliness was identified in the relationship between nomophobia and stress. It is a suggestion through this research that nomophobia preventive and mitigating measures should reduce loneliness in students.

Pandemic pandemonium in the tropical timber sector: measures to contain COVID-19 are having devastating impacts on the tropical timber sector

This paper describes the impact of COVID-19 on the tropical timber sector. An ITTO survey of stakeholders shows that the measures are having devastating impacts on the tropical timber sector. Correspondents in Brazil, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Viet Nam were asked in April to use their networks to seek answers to questions on the impacts of the pandemic. Highlights of the responses are: (1) unemployment;(2) economic decline;(3) low output production in the forestry and timber sector;and (4) financial losses in timber sector.

An exploratory for technovation performance-competition relationship: case study of large agro-firms in Vietnam

During the COVID-19, the agro-industrial sector continues to prove a significant role in the contribution of Vietnamese economic power. It is essential to be aware of the performance-competition relationship which helps agro-process enterprises improve their business and respond quickly to market changes. We implemented an input-output-performance analysis by employing a qualitative case-study approach at four large manufacturing exporters by adapting the iceberg model and 'philosophy' of technovation performance. As a result, we found that the input-output process of technovation occurs mutually from the export competitive advantages in both direct and indirect ways. Moreover, by assigning four cases to one of four concordant positions, the matrix of technovation performance-competitiveness as an analytical tool was established, helping managers allocate resources and capital to select and build their own business strategy. The implications for theory and managerial practices are explained and presented.

Disruptions to agricultural activities, income loss and food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from farm households in a developing country. (Special Issue: COVID-19 in Agricultural and Development Economics.)

Purpose: In the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam imposed many drastic restrictions to curb the outbreak of this virus. Such restrictions interrupted the normal functioning of various economic sectors, including agriculture. This research examined disruptions to agricultural activities, income loss and perceived food insecurity among farm households during the pandemic, and then explored the relationships among these economic factors. Design/methodology/approach: Household data from Vietnam and Generalized Structural Equation Model (GSEM) were used for empirical analysis. Findings: Descriptive analyses found that only a small proportion of farm households suffered from the COVID-19 disruptions to their agricultural activities, a large percentage experienced income loss, and a medium number were worried about their food insecurity. GSEM results also revealed that the COVID-19 disruptions to agricultural activities significantly increased the likelihood of worrying about food insecurity, mediated by income loss. Research limitations/implications: Due to data limitations, the authors could not use better indicators to define and measure the variables of interest (e.g. COVID-19 disruptions to agricultural activities, income loss and food insecurity). Another similar concern was that our models did not account for unobservables, causing some estimation biases. Originality/value: This research is among the first attempts that examined the direct and indirect (mediated by income loss) effects of the COVID-19 disruptions to agricultural activities on food insecurity.

Intention to purchase local food of Vietnamese consumers in the COVID-19 pandemic context: an application of the theory of planned behavior

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed consumers' habits and behavior for food shopping and consumption in favor of local food. This study sought to determine the intention of Vietnamese consumers to purchase local food in the COVID-19 pandemic context. Data came from the interviews of 286 consumers using standard questionnaire. Five provinces from the North to the South: Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Dong Thap, Ninh Thuan and Dak Lak, which represent typical areas of Vietnam such as urban, rural areas;coastal, plain and mountainous areas, respectively were considered in 2021. Based on an extended theory of planned behavior (TPB), descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and regression analysis were used to establish the relationship between behavioral intention and its determinants. Four determinants affected the intention to purchase local food among Vietnamese consumers in the COVID-19 pandemic context: subjective norm, trust in local food, perceived behavioral control, and attitude of consumers to local food. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumers was found not significant. Policy implications are discussed to promote sustainable local food development in Vietnam in the future.

Special Issue: Microbiologists making waves around the South Pacific. (Special Issue: Microbiologists making waves around the South Pacific.)

This special issue includes 11 articles focusing on development of container laboratories in response to COVID-19;COVID-19 in Fiji;Pacific Regional Infectious Disease Association (PRIDA) - capacity-building for microbiology and infectious disease across the Pacific;meningococcal surveillance in Southeast Asia and the Pacific;tropical fever in remote tropics;movement of arboviruses between Indonesia and Western Australia;Rotavirus surveillance informs diarrhoea disease burden in the WHO Western-Pacific region;surveillance for One Health and high consequence veterinary pathogens (Brucellosis, Coxiellosis and Foot and Mouth Disease) in Southeast Asia - Lao PDR and Cambodia in focus and the importance of international partnerships;Avian influenza H5N1.

The COVID-19 global pandemic: a review of the Vietnamese government response

The profound effect of COVID-19 pandemic has not eluded Vietnam, a lower-middle-income country that borders China, the country where the outbreak originated. Currently facing a second wave, Vietnam experienced several months of insignificant community-transmission, when the epidemic was effectively under control. This paper provides an account of the policies developed by the national COVID-19 response team during the first wave, from January to July 2020. Three key components were identified, including (i) the timely and decisive responses from the national and local authorities in the early phase of the pandemic, (ii) a society-wide approach, supported by an effective risk communication strategy which managed to gain the public trust, and (iii) an effective preventive medicine and infectious disease control system, residing in early case identification, strict isolation, effective contact tracing and compulsory quarantine of close contacts. While several other important components of the health system, such as financing and human resources remain largely under-explored, the results of this study show that a mixture of measures may lead to an effective epidemic management.

Forecasting the crisis of Vietnam's financial market by Markov Switching Var model

The global economy and financial markets have experienced "The most adverse shock in a century" due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic but are also transforming enormously in the digital era. Besides, Vietnam's financial system has been making vital development steps, increasing its resilience. Still, its development prospects depend mainly on the recovery of the global economy and financial markets, the Stability of the economy, and the Stability of the economic stability and sustainability of investor confidence in the market. The Markov Switching Var (MSVAR) model will measure the crisis in the Vietnamese financial system. The research goals reveal that the volatility of macro variables such as the exchange rate (ER), foreign exchange reserves (FR), and the domestic interest rate differential (ID) affects the financial market crisis in Vietnam from 2010 to 2020. According to MSVAR estimation, establishing the time of the financial market crisis correlates with the period of higher volatility in the foreign currency market. Thus, the article's novelty is to proactively seize opportunities development prospects and prevent risks towards sustainable development, and strategic solutions are needed.

From field to lab

The Crawford Fund has supported a long-running program providing plant pathology and entomology support for smallholder farmers and provincial and district staff in southern Lao PDR. The program has involved over 32 volunteers, mentors and students covering 55 cash crops involved in poverty alleviation. The program has focused on identifying the key pests and diseases while working directly with the farmers to develop appropriate management practices. We endeavour to empower government advisers to work with farmers to alleviate poverty, for example through the production of high value horticulture crops. Activities have included workshops, establishment of small diagnostic laboratories, and the development of pest and disease checklists and extension materials. Benefits also flow to Australia, with volunteers and mentors gaining exposure to pests and diseases not present in Australia, and the opportunity to build professional networks. This case study describes the 'field to lab' approach that has characterised this program and made it successful. Dr Anderson visited Savannakhet and Champasak provinces in February and March 2019 as a volunteer with the Australian Volunteer Program. She worked with local government advisers to visit smallholder farmers and survey the leaf diseases that affect bananas in southern Lao PDR. In-field training for identification of banana leaf diseases was undertaken. Samples were taken to the laboratory for preliminary identification, providing the opportunity for training in specific techniques for working with banana leaf pathogens. Samples were sent to colleagues in internationally recognised laboratories for formal identification, making use of specialised resources not present in Lao PDR. During COVID, ongoing support for the identification of pest and diseases and their management has been through the use of social media such as WhatsApp which link the network of past volunteers, mentors and Lao counterparts.

Difficulty of online learning for high school students in Vietnam during the COVID pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic caused by corona virus has seriously affected all areas of social life, especially the education and training industry. In that context, high schools in Ho Chi Minh City quickly changed their online teaching and learning methods to cope with social distancing regulations, limiting mass gatherings. This article was completed based on the results of a survey on difficulties and methods to help high school students learn online more effectively, from the survey respondents who are teachers and students at Ho Chi Minh City. The article uses quantitative and qualitative analysis methods to discuss contributions to improving the quality of online training during the Covid-19 pandemic. The survey results show that the online learning of high school students is still limited, and some specific measures are needed to improve their learning efficiency.

Features of the healthcare organization and the work of the medical staff in a first wave of the pandemic SarsCov-2 in the world and Vietnam

Background: SarsCoV-2 pandemic is an actual question for the whole world medical community. There is no continent free from this infection. And it is very important for world healthiness to haves well coordination medical support. The present study considers different approaches to health care organization and medical staff's work during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Using the examples of China, Italy, Germany, the United States and Vietnam, the authors present characteristics of different public health organization models at the governmental level by analyzing normative documents and official statistics. Results and Conclusions: The article assesses the effectiveness of public health systems under the extreme conditions provoked by the first wave of the global pandemic COVID-19. The analysis of world experience indicates that rapid and decisive actions have a more significant effect in containing the spread of the virus, localizing and eliminating the pandemic. Consolidation and interaction of public health, civic initiatives, the army, the mass media and other governmental and public institutions provide an opportunity for successful prevention actions in the case of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Risk assessment of global COVID-19 pandemic in December 2021

Objective: To assess the global epidemic of Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)in December 2021 and the risk of importation.

COVID-19 Social Science and Public Engagement Action Research in Vietnam, Indonesia and Nepal (SPEAR): protocol for a mixed methods study exploring the experiences and impacts of COVID-19 for healthcare workers and vulnerable communities

Background: When the novel coronavirus - SARS-CoV-2 - started to spread globally, there was a call for social and behavioral scientists to conduct research to explore the wider socio-cultural contexts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), to understand vulnerabilities, as well as to increase engagement within communities to facilitate adoption of public health measures. In this manuscript, we describe the protocol for a study conducted in Indonesia, Nepal, and Vietnam. In the study, we explore how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting individuals and their communities. We focus on the wider health and economic impacts of COVID-19, in particular emerging and increased burden on mental health, as well as new or deepened vulnerabilities in the communities. The introduction of vaccines has added another layer of complexity and highlights differences in acceptance and inequalities around access.