Linda Nguyen Blog Post 10

Linda Nguyen

ASA 189F, National Aesthetics

Professor Valverde

11 March 2017

Blog Post 10: Viet Nam’s Challenges and Vision for the Future

     In Professor Valverde’s reading, Transnationalizing Viet Nam Community, Culture, and Politics in the Diaspora, I believe a country like Viet Nam remade itself by their cultural force and financial forces, and introduction and promoting the internet in Vietnam. The cultural force in which Viet Nam and its diasporas have strong cultural influence over one another. For example, Viet Nam extended offers to improve relations with its overseas populations. Viet Nam has given Viet Kieu tax incentives and liberalized rules on business participation. In other words, overseas Vietnamese benefit from global financial restructuring. The change in terms of Viet Kieu from my nguy (American Puppet) to kieu bao (people coming from the same wounds) symbolize the Vietnamese’s government’s open attitudes towards overseas Vietnamese. Thus, this directly coincides with Viet Nam’s need for economic investment and its desire to join the global market. Financial forces such as remittance can remake a country. In the case of Viet Nam, remittance remains a crucial component of their economy. Remittances from abroad aided in to maintain the value of the dong (Vietnamese money) and finance a part of the national government’s sizable deficit. They initially helped Viet Nam stabilize its postwar economy, and the flows of currency later aided the Viet Nam’s adjustment from a communist to a more market-driven state. Lastly, through the work of American expatriates and overseas Vietnamese introducing and promoting information communication technology (ICT) in Vietnam, remade Vietnam as progressive, connects (with the overseas Vietnamese community and diaspora living and acting transnationally), expressive of themselves, and promotes a sociopolitical change. What more I think it can do to achieve maximum “national aesthetics” status of Vietnam is the

(currently) higher education sector, which has the least investment and it has attracted a disproportionate number of negative reports concerning regulation non-compliance. Significant reform of current regulations and governance models to provide transparency for all stakeholders and to ensure longevity for education reforming the country.

     My nation branding framework would be similar to In Ch 71: Issues in Transnational Higher Education Regulation in Vietnam by George Nguyen and Anna Shillabeer’s reading on “liberal-flexible,” in which there is flexibility negotiated between the foreign provider and the host country as long as the foreign provider meets the host country minimum [or maximum] condition and any criteria of the host country before operation starts (Nguyen and Shillabeer 639). If I were to come up with my own nation branding framework with Bhutan in mind, then I would have to consider to meet the host country’s maximum condition because Bhutan’s country is restricted and strict. Bhutan is cautious in their approach to preserving their culture and their religious traditions. Bhutanese people and their country are big on respect and culture, even their constitution, Bhutanese has a responsibility and that is to preserve the environment and have social and political morality. In relation to the theme of the week and current events outside of class, China is also facing challenges in (re)making their image as “good,” but there still more work to be done. China’s challenges are its social problems as well as their environmental problems.

Question: Where can we see transnational practices among diasporas groups, except for Viet Nam?

Vietnam Remittance Statistics 

Image citation: https://oklinkblog.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/vietnam-remittance-stats.jpg?w=300&h=200

  

Bibliography

Adhikari, IP. "The Making of the Constitution and Democracy in Bhutan." IPA JOURNAL. N.p., 26 Sept. 

     2012. Web. 12 Mar. 2017.

George Nguyen and Anna Shillabeer. “Issues in Transnational Higher Education Regulation in Vietnam.”

Kieu-Linh Caroline Valverde. “Introduction: Transnationalizing Viet Nam.”

Week 10 - Angela Oh

Government, industry, and people are necessary in successful national branding. Without the inclusion and support of these three groups, the likelihood of a brand "sticking" is low. In creating my own model of national branding, I would also include certain societal aspects such as income inequality and purchasing power parity. Income inequality refers to the disparity in wealth between low and high income individuals, with the rich getting richer at the expense of the poor. Purchasing power parity refers to and compares the different values of the same amount of money in different countries. For example, ten dollars will buy you a lot more items and services in America than in Africa. These disparities are important to pay attention to when creating a brand. They can be a potential reason why your brand is unappealing or unexciting to members of society.

Question: In what ways can branding a country compare to branding a corporation? In what ways is it harder or easier?


photo source

Week 10 - Katrina Shi

10. If you were to come up with your own nation branding framework, what would it look like?

If I were to come up with my own nation’s branding framework, I would look at both the nation’s strengths and weaknesses first, as the nation’s strengths can be easily utilized and incorporated when establishing a national branding framework, while the weaknesses of a nation would allow me to see what needs to be improved upon or swept under a rug.  While ideally the government of the nation will be willing to improve upon any weaknesses or inequalities it might have, the reality of governments are often far from ideal, and in order to establish a successful branding image I have to consider the things that the government aren’t willing to change due to lack of interest or whatever perceived benefit it might bring.

Another thing to consider is the effectiveness of the nation’s government or policy implemented by the government. Vietnam, for example, was unable to effectively facilitate foreign educational and vocational training due to its unclear and confusing rules. Effective policy is key as a successful policy or regulation can lead to the government steering the industry in the direction they desire, while an unsuccessful one could not only cause problems within an industry but also make the government lose reputation.

Question: How important is it for the government to actively try to improve its nation when considering nation branding? Is it possible for a government to establish a successful image without being necessarily democratic, as most people would envision? 

Week 10- Patricia De Perio

A strong government with good governance is an important key factor for a successful nation branding. What seems to make a difference when establishing an image of a country is when they become dedicated to developing new ideas, policies, laws, products, services, companies, etc. when innovations prove some truths about a country then that country's reputation starts to move especially it is when people starts changing their mind. Overall having a good framework will make it easier for a country for development and citizens are more likely to oblige and support the state stem. Citizens are important as well because they are the ones that create a specific culture that represent a country. For example, With the introduction of market reforms Vietnam enjoyed two decades of vent for surplus growth, mobilizing underutilized land and labour increase. Richard Donner argued  that the failure of domestic political institutions to achieve and sustain a consistent policy framework is due to powerful individuals within and outside of government have the capacity to frustrate efforts to place national goals above particularistic aims (Pincushion 47).

Question: What kind of soft power Vietnam uses to change its national branding around the world? 

Week 10 - Maegan Enverga

If you were to come up with your own nation branding framework, what would it look like?

https://publicandculturaldiplomacy1.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/world-flags-sphere.jpg

If I were to come up with my own nation branding framework, it would be composed of adequate government regulation both nationally and transnationally, proper higher education, and the level of content of the locals living within the nation. George Nguyen and Anna Shillabeer in "Issues in Transnational Higher Education Regulation in Vietnam" mentioned the various types of government regulation to establish improved higher education for those living in Vietnam. Vietnam advanced their national aesthetic by combining government regulation, higher education, and level of happiness among locals. However, Vietnam can improve their status by checking any flawed areas within the restrictions allowing foreign institutions within the country. I would assert that the type of government regulation in which restrictions are placed by the host country on the foreign countries to incorporate their institutions to ensure a certain standard of education for the host country. By creating a relatively uniform education system throughout the country, the locals can receive the necessary education to succeed within and outside of their country. The people living in the host country as a result will be more content with their country, as they will be able to confirm that their country provided them numerous benefits in their lifetimes. With a great level of content, the people living in the host country will be more willing to speak highly of their country to fellow locals and tourists. For those choosing to leave the host country, people can relay good aspects of their home country.

Question: What will be the next step for Vietnam to have a breakthrough and become one of the most powerful countries?

Week 10 - Vy Nguyen

I believe nation branding requires good governance and good education. Vietnam is fairly new in the transnational education (TNE) space. It is still in the process of developing ways to deliver Western style education programs, while maintaining their own educational programs. However, as George Nguyen and Anna Shillabeer argues, the country is currently experiencing “a lack of governance in quality control for the penetration of western transnational education in this [Vietnam] country" (Nguyen & Shillabeer, 637). This is because the unclear government hierarchy and improper regulations have created holes in the TNE regulations that enabled foreign institutions, who are unqualified, to bypass requirements and provide bad quality services to Vietnamese students. When the authors mentioned that English is a desirable second language for many students in Vietnam, I completely agree with this. This is the exact reason why my parents put me in an international school, or as the authors would say, a foreign institution. But after 18 years living in Vietnam, I have noticed that there are two types of international schools; the type that offer good quality services and curriculum and have received many recognitions, and the type that call themselves ‘international schools' and are ran by foreign entrepreneurs. I find this extremely problematic because there should be a consistency for all international schools otherwise, not only does this affect the student at an individual level, but also affect the country at a national level. If every Vietnamese students at these schools are given the “globally relevant skills and attributes" (Nguyen & Shillabeer 644 they deserve, collectively, Vietnamese people are the ones who lose the most. Therefore, I believe for the longevity of Vietnam - its image, its people, its education, its economy - the government needs to develop significant regulations and governance models.

My question is: How can we, as a nation, advance and brand/rebrand ourselves if the government does not priority one of the most powerful weapon like education?

Works Cited:

• Nguyen, George. Anna Shillabeer. "Chapter 71 Issues in Transnational Higher Education Regulation in Vietnam.". N.p. n.d. 637-44. Print.

Photos cited:

• Unknown. UNDERSTANDING GOVERNMENT, HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS RELATIONSHIP VIDE THE LENS OF THE PRINCIPAL-AGENT THEORY. N.p., Aug 2016. Web.

Connie Tsai: Week 10

To brand my own nation, I would want to ensure that my nation had a progressive, egalitarian image. A nation which oppresses its citizens is a nation which I do not want my framework to support. In order to ensure that my nation has this image, it is necessary that it has the qualities necessary to incubate these qualities and allow them to thrive. A progressive cultural mindset is the product of the people, but it is possible for the nation as a whole to guide this image as it passes laws or other methods of construction to ensure that marginalized peoples have the ability to see themselves protected regardless of outside forces.

Furthermore, a nation with a flawed or corrupt government will struggle to develop, and marginalize its own people. We see that, as shown in the Pincus article, the advancement of markets does not necessarily mean that a country will continue to grow. As "agencies of the state adapted, [they] leverag[ed] access to state assets and authority into lucrative income earning opportunities" (48). Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the government of my nation is as benevolent as possible, keeping the best interests of the citizens in mind. The Pincus article continues by noting that "[a]s the state commercialized it also fragmented, as central authorities lacked the capacity or will (or both) to impose discipline on subordinate agencies and force agencies of central and local government to collaborate rather than compete" (49). By ensuring that there is a proper system of checks and balances on government, it is more possible that the government will keep the interests of its people in mind.

Under what circumstances is a nation seeking a progressive, egalitarian image allowed to flourish?

• Pincus, Jonathan. "Why Doesn't Vietnam Grow Faster?: State Fragmentation and the Limits of Vent for Surplus Growth." Journal of Southeast Asian Economies, 32:1, April 2015, pp. 26-51.
• http://briefingpapers.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/egalitarian.jpg