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Vietnam's emerging startup scene is proving to be a case of right place, right time for local and international venture capital funds. Eleven “rising star” startups in Southeast Asia in September converged at the “500 Startups Demo Day” in Ho Chi Minh City to spotlight the dynamic technology landscape in Vietnam and broader Southeast Asia. “There’s more hype about Vietnam’s tech scene now than ever before, as this is an exciting time for Vietnam overall,” said Mr. Eddie Thai, General Partner at 500 Startups Vietnam. “Vietnam is fast becoming an attractive destination for local and international venture capital funds, who are hoping to capture the growing consumer opportunities and leverage the Vietnamese entrepreneurial spirit.” Rising appetite Vietnam’s startup sector is growing at a rapid clip despite the global economic slump and is closing the gap with regional leaders. In only two years, it has made a big leap … [Read more...] about Startups catching the eye

  By Robert Bicknell OK, let’s get this out of the way right off the bat… I have been diagnosed with cancer. I also have to say, right from the top, that I am quite humbled by the number of people who have reached out and stepped up to help me, especially in the golf community. I am quite touched by your efforts and concern. Words cannot convey the depth of my gratitude and appreciation, and for once, I am speechless. In a nutshell, what I thought was a sore back brought on by a change in my golf swing, turned out to be a whole lot more than I, or many doctors thought and, believe me, there were a few who really blew it. It was the docs at Columbia Asia who figured it out and got my ass over to FV Cancer Hospital for the full diagnosis. To them, I owe a lot. I’ve got secondary malignant cancerous tumors on my spine, and we’re still looking for the primary source, but they suspect it’s the prostate. We will see. At this time I am getting radiation … [Read more...] about Don’t putt it off, get yourself checked

  By Robert Bicknell Ahh, it’s almost time for the US Open again and that means it’s time to bash the USGA before the USGA bashes the “best players in the world” with a ridiculous course set up, but this year will be a little different because the USGA's Mike Davis has relinquished course-setup duties to John Bodenhamer, who has run USGA amateur championships since 2011. Davis is the genius who brought us such favorites as the mishandling of the Dustin Johnson ruling at Oakmont in 2016 and the ravaged greens at Chambers Bay in 2015, the set up which caused Phil Mickelson to temporarily lose his mind and intentionally hit a moving ball in last year’s US Open, the new rules for 2019, and its poor roll-out which resulted in severe mockery by the Tour players and, I’m sure, many amateurs as well. In a nutshell, the USPGA Tour players are not happy with the USGA by any stretch of the imagination and have actually considered boycotting the US Open … [Read more...] about US Open: here we go again

A weaponry factory in northern Vietnam has built its own ‘spa’ where workers enjoy free herbal baths and massages to cleanse their body of harmful toxins from work. The Z131 factory, located in the northern province of Thai Nguyen, is a key weapon manufacturing plant of the defense ministry’s General Department of Defense Industry. It is responsible for producing weapons, ammunition and other equipment for the Vietnamese military. With its revenue topping VND1.4 trillion (US$59.75 million) in 2018, the factory has found ways to make sure its personnel receive the best possible rewards for their dedication. Apart from a monthly salary of VND13 million ($555) on average, workers at Z131 also enjoy other perks including regular spa-like treatments to detoxify their body and daily buffets to recharge. Lunch buffets “At our factory, we have buffets for lunch instead of traditional portioned meals,” said Pham Anh Dao, a female worker at the Z131 … [Read more...] about In Vietnam, arms factory workers get spa-like treatment to remove toxins

David Saiia, co-founder and CEO of Reuse Everything Institute, suggests reusing plastic rather than recycling it Editor’s note: David Saiia, co-founder and CEO of Reuse Everything Institute, Inc. (REII), an NGO dedicated to developing and promoting better resource use including the reuse of plastic waste, discussed Vietnam’s plastic problem in an email interview with Tuoi Tre News. Saiia, who holds a Ph.D. in strategic management, is currently a visiting professor in the faculty of international education of Duy Tan University in the central city of Da Nang, where he has lived for three years. From the point of view of an environmentalist, could you share with us why plastic is bad for the environment? Plastic is a persistent waste product that takes a very long time to biodegrade. Plastic presents an immediate threat to marine life when it is mistaken for food and eaten, causing death by choking and digestive obstruction. Plastic continues to break down into … [Read more...] about ​Vietnam should make plastic material too valuable to throw out: expert