SAIGON UNIVERSTY DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES TRANSLATION PRACTICE By NGUYEN MANH BUI NGHIALESSON 1 wold bank oN Nafin bang Twi wer Vige Nam Vige Name eich gito dye dg.boe va Hin cudng kha ning sin sang di hgc cho tré 5 tudi y ‘Washington DC, 28/2/2013 - Ban Gidm abc Neda hang Thé gi¢i phe duyét hai fhoin tin dung ting tri gid 150 trigu d6 la MY 6 gitip Vit Nam hé tro ve duy tri thyc hign ‘Chuong trinh cai cdch Gio due Dai hoc, va dé chun bj sn sang cho tré 5 tuoi t6i truémg. "Cai thién két qua gido duc cho ngudi dan Ja mt, phdin quan trong ctia chuong trinh phat trién kinh té va.xd h6i cila Vigt Nam, va dd dugc xdc dinh la mét trong ba Tinh vec mang. tinh &6t phd trong Chién lege Phat trién Kinh té - Xa h6i giai doan 2011-2020," ba Victoria Kwakwa, Gidm déc Quéc gia Ngan hang Thé giéi tai Vigt Nam, chia sé. "Ngan hang Thé gidi rdt vui mig hé trg ting cwong cdc Tinh vc gido duc ctia Vigt Nam dé nang cao tha nang canh tranh kink t6 ctia ddt nude." Ae “Theo 46, 50 trigu 46 la My cho “Chwong trinh Chinh sich phat trién Gio duc dgi hgc- Giai dogn 3” s& duge sit dung dé hé trg thyc hign cae chinh sdch ting cudng quin tri, ti chinh va chat lrgng gido dyc dai hgc bling céch: (i) cai thign kha nding dap img cita gido duc dai hoe va nghién cifu va ting cudng ndng lye cia hé thing, (fi) ting cubng minh bach tai chin, tinh bén ving va higu qua cia gido duc dai hoc, va (iii) ning cao chat lurgng cita céc t8 chite gido dye dai hgc. Bay la khodn tin dung thir ba trong chudi cdc dur én nay. ‘Trong khi dé, dy an “Ting cw’ong Kha ning Sin sang Di hge cho Tré mim non” nhim mye dich ting curing kha ning sin sing di hoc cho tré chun bj bude vao clip tiéu hoe, dc bigt li nhém c6 nguy co gap nhiéu khé khan trong m6i truémg hoc tép, thong. qua hd trg cic yéu tb duge Iya chon tir chyong trinh quéc gia cia Viét Nam ve “Phé cap gido duc mam non cho tré 5 tudi giai doan 2010-2015” (Quyét dinh 239). Dy én nb try céc n lye mé rng chuong trinh di hoc mim non 2 budi/ngay, nang cao nang lye cho giao vién va higu trudng trong quan Ly chét lugng mam non va ting cuong kha nang chuy€n mon. Céc Khoa tin dung nay duge cung cép boi Higp hoi Phat trién Quéc té, co quan tryc ‘thuge Nhém Ngan hang Thé gidi hé tro cdc nude ¢6 thu nhép thép. ‘The World Bank. Théng cdo bdo chi. 28 thang 2, 2013.LESSON 2 What Skills Are Employers Looking for in Vietnam’s Workforce? Last month, we asked you for your views about whether Vietnam's workforce is ready for the future, "from rice to robots". Developing a skilled workforce for an industrialized economy by 2020 is one of the stated top priorities of Vietnam, now that it has joined the tanks of middle-income countries. Not surprisingly, education reform was on the minds ‘of members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party during a recent meeting. However, education is also hotly debated by Vietnam’s citizens as seen and heard in an online discussion on human resource development, organized by the World Bank and ‘VietNamNet, a local online newspaper, and by readers of our blog, . VietNamNet reader Nguyén Van Hung summarized what was on many readers' minds, asking, what the criteria for a high quality labor force are. Put diffeiently, which skills does Vietnam's workforce need today and over the coming decade? In seeking answers to these questions, I propose to start by talking to employers now to listen what they have to say. ‘The World Bank together with the Central Institute of Economic Management (CIEM), one of Vietnam's top think tanks, recently conducted a survey of 350 manufacturing and service sector firms in Hanoi and HCMC and surrounding provinces. It focused on understanding what employers think about the skills of their current workforce and what skills they are looking for. Critical thinking, communication, team work The results are not what you might think. First of all, employers say they are not happy with the quality of education and the skills of the available workforce, in particular its engineers and technicians. The dissatisfaction is especially pronounced among those businesses that are expected to carry Vietnam's transition to an advanced industrialized economy: its innovative and exporting firms. Second, employers say they are not just looking for technical skills, such as the practical ability of an electrician to do the job. They are equally looking for what experts call “cognitive” and "social", or "behavioral", skills, For example, next to job-specific technical skills, critical thinking comes out as the most desired skill for white collar workers, followed by problem-solving, leadership and communication skills, Team work and problem-solving skills are considered important for blue collar workers, These findings are consistent with the opinions of many readers, like Barbara Shaw Miller who commented on our previous blog that there is need to encourage critical thinking, 2What does this mean for education reform? ‘These findings tell us three important things. First, a skills strategy for Vietnam should not just look at technical and vocational education and training (VET) and university education. Critical thinking skills or team work are learned much earlier - in preschool, primary and secondary education, Yes, TVET and universities need to provide technicians and engineers with the theoretical and practical skills they need in their jobs — and many schools and universities in Vietnam can do better. But that is not enough. What. young people lear, or fail to learn, in general education is just as important to employers. Second, employers have a message for teachers and principals in primary and secondary schools. Critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills are not acquired though rote learning where the teacher lectures and pupils copy ~ still the reality in many Vietnamese schools. If Vietnam's education system is to deliver the skills that employers want, the method of instruction will need to change. Third, the views by Vietnamese employers are very similar to those of employers in much more advanced middle and high income economies. Talk to employers in any industrial sector in England or Germany: They will tell you that critical thinking and communication skills among workers are also in high demand but lacking. This means that by reorienting its education system to focus more on teaching these types of skills, Vietnam can prepare itself to deliver skills that will never go out of fashion and are important in almost any industry. VietNamNet reader M Ding asked what strategy for skills development Vietnam should adopt as it transitions from an agricultural to an industrialized economy. This question recognizes that in Vietnam today many workers are still employed in agriculture. Also, Vietnam’s abundant and relatively cheap labor may still be its comparative advantage in manufacturing. So is now the right time to focus on skills for an industrialized economy? Absolutely, Vietnam's economy and that of its neighbors and competitors are changing fast. Already there is talk that China's days as the world’s factory for low-cost products may be counted, Rising wages across countries in South-East Asia signal that low cost, low skill jobs may be lost faster than building a workforce that is educated and trained for high tech jobs. As our blog reader Phasina argues, if Vietnam wants to be ahead of the curve, it is right in preparing to act now. Where to start? Many readers asked where to start in improving the skills of the workforce? What should education reform focus on now? Education reform is unlikely to be successful if it is set c |by directive by government officials. Experience from around the world suggests that the fundamental education reforms that are needed to prepare the Vietnamese workforce for the future require an open discussion in society, involving businesses, schools and universities, parents and students and the authorities at different levels. That discussion needs to start with a forum for employers to communicate what they are looking for ~ and to ensure that everyone gets the message: critical thinking, communication and teamwork are the skills of the future. by Christian BodewigLESSON 3 Khiing hodng quéc gia B4o Bangkok Post cho biét thi tw6ng Yingluck Shinawatra da hodn chuyén thim Singapore vi Malaysia 4é d6i pho vdi IO. BO tru@ng Tu phép Pracha Promnok tuyén bé thdm hoa Id Iyt IA mOt cudc khiing hodng quéc gia 46i v6i Théi Lan. Hién chfnh quyén da 1dp dt hon 400 méy bom xd nude doc song Chao Phraya dé chéng choi nguy cd nude s6ng tran b. Theo Cd quan Phong ching tham hoa Théi Lan, dén nay 4 c6 ft nhét: 261 ngudi thiét mang vi 10 Lut, khong 30 tinh 6 Thai Lan dang bi ngép, 2,6 triéu ngudi phai di tan, Bao The Nation cho biét theo Lién doin Cong nghiép Thai Lan, hon 200 nha may cOng nghigp khdp cd nue da phai déng cita vi Iii Lut. Trudng BH Phong Thuong mai ‘Théi Lan uéc tinh thiét hai do Ii lut gay ra sé 1én ti 130 ti baht (4,2 ti USD) va kéo ting trudng kinh té gidm khodng 1,3%. Pho Thi tudng Kittiratt Na-Ranong khing inh day 1a trGn 1G tut nghiém trong nbét tai Thai Lan trong 50 ~ 60 nim qua. SON HA. Tudi tré, Tt hai, 10-10-2011.LESSON 4 Vietnam: Disaster Risk Management Project ‘Vietnam has improved its capacity for integrated natural disaster risk management at both national and provincial levels. The project improved disaster prevention infrastructure projects, including dams, safe-harbors and flood control works. Thirty communes implemented Safer Commune Plans, with mitigation infrastructure, training and appointment of disaster management facilitators. These plans, benefiting 210,000 villagers, have been proven effective for 2009, 2010, and 2011 typhoons/floods. Villagers benefited from the implementation of Safer Commune Plans, which have proven effective during floods and typhoons. Challenge Natural hazards have resulted in average annual economic losses estimated between 1 and 1.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) between 1989 and 2008. For instance, the Typhoon Xangsane in 2006 caused damage of US$1.2 billion in the 15 provinces in the Central Region. Infrastructure and people have been increasingly concentrated in vulnerable areas such as floodplains and coastal areas, suggesting that disaster-related losses will even increase in the future An estimated 70 percent of Vietnamese people are exposed to risks from natural hazards—specifically in rural communities where livelihoods are most threatened. The project is aligned with the Vietnamese Government's new National Strategy for natural disaster prevention, response and mitigation to 2020. Its ultimate goals are to minimize the loss of human life and properties and the environment, and to contribute to ensure the d country’s sustainable development, national defense and security. Solution An integrated approach is being undertaken to help meet the challenges that rural communities face in living with natural hazards: + First, communities receive training to develop their own preparedness strategies and to integrate disaster risk management (ORM) into their communes’ socio-economic development plans + Second, implementing new and better engineering standards for rural roads and irrigation infrastructure—both lifelines for rural communities, ensure their safety and livelihood. * Thircl, enhancing livelihoods among poor households through an Agricultural Risk Management information System (ARMIS) that assists farmers in improving productivity 6and enhancing resilience to droughts, floods, erosion, and heat. ARMIS also provides useful information on pest control, disease treatments, nutrient management, water conservation, planting dates and cropping pattems. + Fourth, implementing structural risk reduction measures for dams, reservoirs and evacuation bridges help minimize adverse effects from disasters. Results + The success of the World Bank-financed pilot on Community-based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) which was implemented in 12 project provinces led the Vietnam. government to develop a National CBDRM Program of US$450 million covering 6,000 ‘communes across the country. + Eleven major flodd and storm mitigation infrastructure projects, such as safe harbor, river dykes, evacuation roads, and drainage pumping stations in the central region have been constructed and/or rehabilitated. + The project provided significant upgrades to 10 disaster protection structures and 320 other public service infrastructure projects, including schools, health care facilities, and 50 on damaged by disasters, + More than 210,000 villagers in 30 communes implemented structural measures, including multi-purpose evacuation centers and drainage canals, along with non- structural measures, such as the development of Safer Commune Plans and evacuation drills. All of the project communes received training and equipment for early warning systems, Bank Group Contribution ‘The Natural Disaster Risk Management Project launched in 2006 with an International Development Association (IDA) credit of US$86 million. In addition, the project alsa received a grant of USS8.5 million from the Netherlands Government, US$1.46 million from the Japan Social Development Fund, and US$4.5 million from the Japan Policy and Human Resources Development Fund. The Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery provided grants in the amount of US$4.4 million for studies that sparked innovations and translated global good practice to local circumstances in Vietnam. Partners Partners include the United Nations Intemational Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). The preparation and implementation of the project has been carried out in 7]consultation with these institutions, which jointly form a development partner coordination group for disaster risk management. Moving Forward ‘The World Bank provided additional financing of US$75 million in 2010 to scale up the post disaster reconstruction works in response to Typhoon Ketsana in 2008. Further, the ‘World Bank has recently approved a new project of USS 150 million (Vietnam Managing Natural Hazards Project). This new project will support comprehensive measures to mitigate natural disaster risks. Innovative features are being incorporated into the project and information-management tools that promote transparency, accountability and citizen participation are being piloted. For example, a cell phone-based project monitoring tool allows comrimunes to report progress and compare the status of project implementation among communes. The World BankLESSON 5 L6 trinh mdi chéng bién déi khi hau Cc nutc déng ¥ vao nam 16i bit ddu dam phén vé mét higp u6c méi mang tinh rang budc phap ly ‘Sau géin 14 ngay dam phan, dai dién 194 nuéc tham du h6i nghi clla Lién Hiép Quéc vé bin adi khi hu tai Durban, Nam Phi da théng qua mét 6 trinh méi cho cue chién chéng bi€n d6i khi hau trong mOt thap kj tdi vao ngay 11-12. ‘Theo hang tin Reuters, tat cd phdi doan déng ¥ vao nam tdi bat dau dam phén vé mot higp uéc mdi mang tinh rang bude phép If nhiim ct gidm lugng khi thai gay higu ting nha kinh. Néu duge théng qua nhu ké hogch vao nim 2015, higp uc nay s€ c6 higu luc vao nm 2020, trd thanh vi khi chinh trong cu6c chién chOng bién déi khi hau trén toan edu. Hign tai, theo Nghj dinh thir Kyoto, chi c6 cfc nude cong nghiép phat trién phai thye hign céc chi tiéu mang tinh rang bu6c phép ly vé ct gidm Khi thai nha kinh. Nghi dinh thu Kyoto dy kiGn sé hét higu lye vao cui nim 2012 nhung hdi nghj da nbit ti gia han thém 5 nim, Ngoai ra, hOi nghi déng ¥ thanh 14p Quy Khi hau xanh 4¢ gitip céc nuéc nghdo ting phé véi bién déi khi hau. Két qua h6i nghi n6i trén dénh dau lin dau tién cdc nuéc thai nhiéu khi gay hiéu ting nha kinh nbit thé gidi sé budc phai cé hanh dong dé gidm bét lwong khi thai nay. BO trudng Nang ligng va Khf hu Anh Chris Huhne nbn dinh ring day 14 m@t thin cOng In cila nén ngoai giao chau Au, Ong néi: “Chting t6i da thanh cOng trong viéc dua nhitng mide thii nhiéu khi gay higu ting nha kinh, nhu My, An B6 va Trung Quéc vao trong mt 10 trinh hia hen mang Iai m6t thda thugn toan edu,” Trong khi 46, phai vién Khi hgu Mj Todd Stern néi Washington hai long v6i két qua h6i nghi. Da vay, mgt s6 ngudi chi trich k€ hogch hanh dong trén 1d chufa dii manh dé 1am cham lai t6c 9 im dan 1én cba trdi dat. CAc nh moi trudng cho ring dai dign céc nue a phi pham thdi gian quy b4u cla hOi nghj khi chi chi ¥ dén cu chit cba théa thugn.ma khong thé ndng higng khi thai ct gidm lén mt mife dit cao dé gidm tinh trang todn clu dm dan len. HOANG PHUONG Nguoi lao d6ng. Thit hai, 12-12-2011,LESSON 6 Warmer World Threatens Livelihoods in South East Asia Already vulnerable region faces rising sea-levels, ocean warming, and more intense typhoons, says new report WASHINGTON, D. C., June 19, 2013 — The rising possibility of a warmer world in the next two decades is magnifying the development challenges South East Asia is already struggling with, and threatens to reverse hard-won development gains, according to anew scientific report released today by the World Bank Group. Turn Down the Heat: Climate Extremes, Regional Impacts and the Case for Resilience, was ptepared for the World Bank by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Climate Analytics, It builds on a World Bank report released late last year, which concluded the world would warm by 4 degrees Celsius!"! (4°C) above pre-industrial levels by the end of this century without concerted action now. This new report looks at the likely impacts of present day (0.8°C), 2°C™ and 4°C warming on agricultural production, water resources, coastal ecosystems and cities across Sub-Saharan Attica, South Asia and South East Asia. ‘South East Asia’ includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. “This new report outlines an alarming scenario for the days and years ahead — what we could face in our lifetime,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. “The scientists tell us that if the world warms by 2°C warming which may be reached in 20 10 30 years ~ that will cause widespread food shortages, unprecedented heat-waves, and ‘more intense cyclones. In the near-term, climate change, which is already unfolding, could greatly harm the lives and the hopes of individuals and families who have had little hand in raising the Earth's temperature.” The report synthesizes the most current peer-reviewed literature and supplements it with computer modeling, It describes two scenarios: an extreme 4°C warming and a more modest 2°C warming. The report reveals how rising global temperatures are increasingly threatening the health and livelihoods of the most vulnerable populations. In Sub- Saharan Africa, food shortages will become more common, while in South Asia, shifting rain pattems will leave some areas under water and others without enough water for power generation, irrigation or drinking. In South East Asia, the degradation and loss’ of coral reefs will diminish tourism, reduce fish stocks, and leave coastal communities and cities more vulnerable to storms. Countries in the South East Asia region are particularly vulnerable to the sea-level rise, increases in heat extremes, increased intensity of tropical cyclones, and ocean warming, 10and acidification because many are archipelagoes located within a tropical cyclone belt and have relatively high coastal population densities. “Many South East Asian countries are already taking concerted actions to address the impacts of climate change, but this report tells us that we need to do much more. We need 10 both intensify and accelerate these actions to reduce the ever-increasing vulnerability of populations to climate risk, especially the poor and vulnerable,” said Axel van Trotsenburg, World Bank Vice President for East Asia and Pacific. The report exemines the most significant climate risks for South East Asia in a 2°C world: + Sea levels ate rising faster than previously projected and cyclones will intensify. The report finds that a sea-level rise of as much as 50 cm by the 2050s may already be unavoidable as a result of past emissions, and in some cases, ipacts could be felt much earlier. This will cause greater destruction and result in flooding fields for extended periods, and inundate delta areas with intrusions of salt water into fields and in groundwater used for drinking. The report also projects that typhoons will increase in intensity (category 4 and 5). The three river deltas of the Mekong, Irrawaddy and the Chao Phraya — all with, significant land areas below 2m above sea level — are particularly at risk. Agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, and tourism are the most exposed sectors to climate change in these deltas. Coastal cities, with their concentration of increasingly large populations and physical assets, are also highly exposed to increased storm intensity, long-term sea-level rise, and sudden onset coastal flooding. Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Manila, and Yangon are among the cities that are projected to be most affected. * Coral reefs will come under severe stress. With increasing ocean acidification, there is a high risk (50 percent probability) of annual coral reef bleaching events occurring as early as 2030. Projections indicate that all coral reefs in South East Asia are likely to experience severe stress by the year 2050, hurting marine fisheries, tourism, and livelihoods. There are about 138 million people living on coasts and within 30 kms of a coral reef who are likely to suffer majot social, economic, and nutritional impacts as a result of climate change. + Rural and coastal livelihoods are threatened. The report projects that fish stocks in the Java Sea and the Gulf of Thailand will suffer due to increased water temperature and decreased oxygen levels, with very large reductions in average maximum fish body size by 2050. The Mekong Delta produces around 50 percent of Vietnam’s total agricultural production and contributes significantly to the country’s rice exports, A sea-level rise of 30 cm, which could occur as early as 2040, could result in the loss of about 12 percent of rice production. u“Countries need support to help re-orient their development plans so that climate change is factored into their planning process to build on efforts already underway. The Government of Vietnam has sought Bank support to respond to the challenges of climate change and the opportunity to shift to climate resilience, low-carbon growth, and the Philippines has enacted a Climate Change Act and a National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management law that marks a big improvement in how the country is dealing with the challenge of climate change,” said van Trotsenburg. The evidence presented in the Turn Down the Heat series demonstrates the importance of the World Bank Group's climate change mitigation, adaptation, and disaster risk management work to development and poverty reduction. ‘The Bank is helping 130 countries across the globe take action on climate change. Last year, it doubled its financial support for adaptation — from 2.3 billion in fiscal year 2011 to 4.6 billion in fiscal year 2012. Increasingly the Bank is supporting action on the ground to finance the kind of projects that help the poor grow their way out of poverty, increase their resilience and reduce emissions: + In the Philippines the biggest risks are due to more severe impacts storms will have on informal settlements and coastal communities. The Bank is working with the Government of the Philippines to enhance the country’s capacity to deal with climate impacts as well as help ensure its overall national public expenditure is, appropriately targeted to deal with these challenges. Together with other development partners, the Bank is also helping in the prepatations for priority [Projects that aim to improve flood management and resilience in Metro Manila, + In Vietnam some of the biggest impacts will be on flooding in urban areas due to the impact of sea intrusion in the Mekong Delta. The Bank is working with the Government of Vietnam on a series of policy actions to mitigate climate change impacts and is discussing programs in Ho Chi Minh City and in the Mekong Delta to address some of these threats. + In Thailand the severe flooding suffered in Bangkok in 2011 was a precursor to ‘What the city can expect in a warming world. After the floods the Bank worked with the Goverment of Thailand to come up with recommendations on how to better manage flooding, a 4 degrees Celsius = 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit 2 degrees Celsius = 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit ‘The World Bank. Press Release, June 19, 2013. 12LESSON 7 Ditc cam két dau tu lau dai 6 VN Trong khuén khd chuyén thim Viét Nam, trua 12-10 tai TP.HCM, Thi wing CHLB Bifc Angela Merkel va céc thanh vién trong doan da tham dy din dan kinh té Bufe ~ Vigt Nam vdi chi 48 “Co hi chung thong qua sy phat trién bén ving.” Phat biéu tai din din, Pho Thi tudng Hoang Trung Hai cho ring trong nhiéu nim qua Bite luén la déi téc thong mai Ién nhit trong EU céia Viét Nam, nim 2010 kim ngach thviong mai hai nude dat 4,1 ti USD, ting 20% so vdi nim 2009, Hon 200 doanh nghiép Difc dang du tu kinh doanh cé higu qua 3 Vigt Nam nhut Siemens, Bosch, Metro Cash & Carry .. ‘Theo Iugt su Oliver Massmann ~ COng ty lugt Duane Morris, mdi trudng déu wd Viét Nam con nhiéu tiém nang va kha nding tiép cn thi tru@ng cn cao hon cd Singapore. Dic biét, trong linh vue y t€ m6i nim c6 hdn 30.000 ngudi Viet bd ra hon 1 ti USD di nuéc ngoai chifa bénh, cd sé ha ting Viét Nam can 200 ti USD, thi trvdng truyén thong, cong nghé thOng tin cing rt hap din... Thi tuéng Bic Angela Merkel cho biét nim 2010 Bite nhap khdu hang héa ti Viet Nam sang ting 30% so vdi nam tuéc, nita ddu nim 2011 Bite nhdp khdu hang hoa Vigt Nam ting 40% so v6i cing ky 2010. Ba Merkel cho biét cde nha dau tu Dite di cam két ting cuing dau tu tryc ti€p lau dai vao cdc Tinh vyc gido duc, dao tao, cong nghé cao, moi uidng, y LE NAM Tudi tré, Thit nim, 13-10-2011. BLESSON8 Long-term Commitment to Vietnam The investment license for Phu My 2.2 power project was granted to the EDFI- Sumitomo-TEPCI Consortium led by Electricité de France (EDF). The project includes a BOT (build-operate-transfer) contract signed between EDFI- ‘Sumitomo-TEPCI and the Ministry of Planning and Investment, a power purchase agreement with the Electricity of Vietnam Corp. (EVN), a gas supply agreement with PetroVietnam and a land lease contract with the Urban Construction and Development Co. of Ba Ria -Vung Tau Province. Following is an interview with JEAN-PIERRE SERUSCLAT, Asia vice president and director of EDF. Excerpts: Would you please brief on the process of negotiation and signing contracts for Phu My 2.2 Power Plant with Vietnam? We had to deal with several problems and paperwork, which amounted to thousands of pages for such a mammoth project. However, there was almost no specific difficulty; the negotiation proceeded naturally step by step. The delay was mainly due to the fact that we had to negotiate with many partners and related bodies. Moreover, it took much time to translate and edit accurately all the documents, But I think that the time for such a herculean project is not long in comparison with that in any other country. As this is the first international competitive tender for a privately owned Power project in Vietnam, a little retard was unavoidable. I hope that the following tenders would be faster thanks to the lessons of this bidding, Ata recent meeting with the press on the occasion of the third Asia ~ Europe Economic Ministers’ Meeting, the Swedish Consul General in ICM City, remarked that Vietnam seemed to have certain discrimination against western contractors in international bidding. How about your opinion? We don’t see any discrimination at all. We are a large, prestigious consortium and we won the bid thanks to offering reasonable prices. On the other hand, the project bidding process was supported by the World Bank, Under the management of the World Bank, the selection of contractors was very clear. 14Could you share the experience in participating in international tenders, especially with Vietnamese partners? In my opinion, there should be consistency and prudence. I learned that Vietnam always asks for the best thing at reasonable prices, so we offered competitive prices based on intemational bidding criteria. In addition, we offered benefits to all partners involved in the project. The negotiation time might last longer but an agreement was reached at last. ‘What is the role of the Phu My 2.2 power project in the activities of EDF in Asia? Phu My 2.2 Power Plant is our first project after the Asian economic crisis. It has a very particular significance and it harmoniously compliments our exclusively Chinese ~ Asian portfolio. In Asia, EDF has decided to focus on two main regions: China, where EDF has already invested in and operated coal-fired plants in Laibin and Shandong; and the Greater Mekong Sub-region with Phu My 2.2 Power Plant in Vietnam and the 1,000 MW Nam Theun 2 Hydropower Plant in Laos. There are some 200 million electricity consumers in the Greater Mekong Sub-region, and Vietnam represents the largest market share. As a result, I personallybelieve that the power project will benefit all partners and create more opportunities for long-term partners like EDF. Phu My 2.2 Power Plantis the first project of EDF in the region, but it is surely not the last. ‘What are the next steps after signing the contract? ‘The first phase is to finance the project. US$100 million will be funded directly, and US$300 million will be mobilized from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation within a year. Then, the plant will be built from September 2002 and put into operation for 20 years. It is estimated that, the annual capacity of the plant will be some 5,000 GWh. Reported by VIET HA The Saigon Times Weekly. September 29,2001. 15LESSON 9 Vinh danh 7 tap thé, 14 c4 nhan anh hing HA NOI- Sang 18 — 12, chung tinh “Vinh quang VN” t6n vinh 7 tap thé, 14 c& nhin anh hing 4 dién ra tai Nha hat 1én Ha Ni. Chi tich nuéc Truong Tan Sang 44 4€n tham dy chuong trinh. Day 1a 21 tp thé, c4 nhan c6 thanh tick xuit sfc trong céc Tinh vue bao vé tat ty. an ninh chinb tr, wt ty an todn x4 hOi; y t6, cham séc stfe khde cOng d6ng; phat trién kinh té... Phat biéu tai lé vinh danh, 6ng Dang Ngoc Tong ~ Uy vién Trung wong Bang, chit tich Téng lién doin Lao 49ng VN — kh&ng dinh: “Day 1a nhitng tim guong tiéu biéu, gan da, dling cim né lye cOng hién tén nhiéu Tinh vue khéc nhau dé xy dung va bao vé T6 quéc.” Bén canh céc béc si, kf sit, doanh nhan, c6ng an, b9 d6i 1a nhifng tm gudng binh dj nhu ngu din Mai Phung Luu kién te] bam ngu tgng Hoang Sa, Trung Sa, em Trin Van Truyén (14 tuéi) try tiép ctfu séng 11 nan nban va tham gia vét t4m thi thé vy dim thuyén 6 vang bién Bai Ham, duéi chan déo Hai Van. HA HUONG Tudi tré, Thiet hai, 19-12-2011 16LESSON 10 The Splendor of Autumn in Korea Hidden away in quiet corners are reminders of Korea’s ancient past Every nation boasts a best season. But there is hardly any better sight than an autumn in Korea. From September til late November, the air is crisp and fresh, but the sun remains toasty warm, Korea's fall foliage spills down densely forested hillsides in a riot of wondrous color. Set against the cobalt blue of a Korean sky, the brilliant reds of maples, and the radiant golds of ginkgo trees, are almost painfully beautiful. The sprawling city of Seoul, home to 12 million, is both one of Asia’s oldest cities and one of its newest. The capital can be physically striking, especially in early autumn, when the northem air is cool and clear, and the craggy mountains north of the city are already dusted with the season’s first snowfall. Modem expressways, brimming with bright new Korean-made cars, are reflected in new glass-and-steel skyscrapers. Yet hidden away in quiet comers are reminders of Korea's ancient past, a feast of 16"-century buildings and carefully preserved palaces, set back behind streets lined with stately ginkgo trees in gorgeous golden autumn hues, Seoul boasts many fine hotels, including a Westin, a Hyatt and a Hilton. But the nation’s premier accommodation is the Hotel Shilla. Set in the midst of its own 23- acre garden, as Korea’s de facto state guest house, the Shilla beautifully blends Korea’s honored ancient roots with state-of-the-art technology. No wonder the Shilla 5 has hosted such VIPs as Nelson Mandela and Boris Yeltsin. . Butto discover the true heart of old Korea, you must venture beyond Seoul to the ‘country’s rural villages and its national parks, Aside from getting to Korea, the nation’s flag cartier, Korean Air, which is also one of Asia’s largest airlines, can carry you quickly and conveniently to virtually any point in Korea within an hour. 7