How neoliberalism is damaging your mental health

Nicknamed Little Chicken, Duong made history when beating Thailand's Chatchai Decha Butdee in the 57kg category Tokyo Olympic qualifiers in Jordan last March and becoming the first Vietnamese boxer to qualify for the sporting event in 33 years. But the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak has taken a huge emotional and psychological toll on the 25-year-old boxer. He admitted that he is struggling to make ends meet after local and international tournaments have been postponed. Not to mention, his fighting spirit has somewhat dampened since the pandemic has derailed his training program. "After that victory, I was extremely excited and had been looking forward to competing in the Olympics. I was very disappointed after the event was postponed. Everyone thinks that boxers must wear nerves of steel. But at that stage, my mental health degraded significantly," he said. Even though the Tokyo Olympics is still scheduled to take place this year, Dung shared that competing internationally seems far … [Read more...] about Olympics qualified boxer distressed as Covid-19 robs preparation opportunities

Immeasurable support from international organisations, countries, and locals helps to cope with the crisis Over the past week, photographs and videos of relief trucks pouring into Central Vietnam, causing congestion on National Highway 1A passing the natural disaster-struck provinces of Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Quang Ngai, and Phu Yen have taken over social media. Just like these images, the flame of solidarity and compassion has spread across the nation, bringing tears to the eyes of Vietnamese people abroad and inspiring international friends to show support for Vietnam’s plight. Various donation activities to support the people of Central Vietnam in overcoming the aftermath of floods and landslides have been organised across the globe. International organisations and many countries were quick to send cash and materials for disaster relief and help ungrounded Vietnamese find their footing again. As soon as the first storms passed, the US government issued a … [Read more...] about Support pours in for flood victims

The central region’s woes with natural calamities have badly affected locals’ way of life Just a few hours prior to the October 28 arrival of the strongest storm seen in Vietnam in the last 20 years, Bui Thi Chin’s family in Binh Son district of the central province of Quang Ngai was completing the final stages of preparation for the incoming threat. For the families of millions of people in other central coastal provinces, storms and floods have become a familiar part of their lives for many years. However, 2020 has brought disaster over disaster for the central region with some of the strongest storms ever experienced in recent weeks, on top of the difficulties that the global health crisis has brought in recent months. Chin said that when she learned of storm Molave’s approach to the mainland, she was so worried and could not sleep for several nights. It was projected that the eye of the storm would most likely be located over Quang Ngai. “The wind began to blow so fiercely … [Read more...] about Resilient homes on flood plains giving hope to at-risk families

Vietnam needs over US$128 billion for power investment next 10 years A drone is used to inspect a power transmission system in Vietnam. The country will need an estimated US$128.3 billion for developing the power system in the next decade The Institute of Energy, under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, on February 22 continued to collect feedback over the plan from the relevant agencies. According to the plan, during the 10-year period, Vietnam will need to pour some US$12.8 billion on average into the power sector per year. The total investment for the following 15 years from 2031 to 2045 will be some US$192 billion, including some US$140 billion for power sources and US$52 billion for the grid. The draft zoning plan also revealed that Vietnam will continue to import electricity from China, Laos and Cambodia in the next 10 years. The State-run Vietnam Electricity Group is purchasing electricity from China through two 220kV power lines, with 1.5 billion kWh of … [Read more...] about VIETNAM BUSINESS NEWS FEB. 26

Pham Nguyen Quy Do you agree to a 30-50 percent cut in your income? Will you refrain from going out to meet friends and family for extended periods of time, maybe forever? These were much-debated questions in Japan where I live, as the country faced arguably the most impactful event of the decade in the form of a pandemic. Last year when the disease hit the country, authorities asked citizens to "refrain from going outside unless it was necessary or urgent." But it was difficult to pin down a definition of "necessary" or "urgent." For the first few months, people heeded the request. Not surprising, considering the nature of news coming in, of deaths in the thousands, and suffering in the millions. Over time, that sense of danger diminished, albeit slowly. People began to pay more attention to the costs of social distancing. For many, their jobs were their literal lifelines, keeping them and their family afloat. A pandemic disruption could lead them to ruin. And reports … [Read more...] about The Covid-19 challenge: reclaiming normalcy from the new normal