Role of wind, mesoscale dynamics and coastal circulation in the interannual variability of South Vietnam Upwelling, South China Sea. Answers from a high resolution ocean model

The South Vietnam Upwelling (SVU) develops in the South China Sea off the Vietnamese coast under the influence of southwest monsoon winds. A very high resolution configuration (1 km at the coast) of the SYMPHONIE model was developed over the western coastal region of the South China Sea. A simulation was performed over the period 2009–2018 to study the functioning, variability and influence of oceanic circulation and hydrology in the coastal region, in particular of the SVU. The realism of the simulation in terms of representation of ocean dynamics and water masses, from daily to interannual and coastal to regional scales, is assessed here in detail by comparison with available satellite data and 4 sets of in-situ observations. The interannual variability of the SVU is examined for its 4 main development areas: the southern (SCU) and northern (NCU) coasts, the offshore area (OFU), and the Sunda Shelf area off the Mekong Delta (MKU). For the SCU and OFU, our results confirm the driving role of the summer mean wind and the summer circulation over the offshore area in the interannual variability of the upwelling intensity. They moreover reveal the impact of the spatial and temporal organization of mesoscale ocean structures and high frequency atmospheric forcing. For the NCU, the upwelling interannual variability does not seem to be related to regional scale forcing and dynamics, but is mainly determined by coastal mesoscale structures and circulation: similar summer wind conditions can be associated with very contrasting NCU intensities, and vice versa, depending on the circulation in the NCU area. Finally, our study reveals that upwelling also develops off the Mekong Delta, with an interannual variability mostly determined by the summer wind and the wind-driven circulation over the SVU region.

Proposed Strategy for the Development of a Local Geopark at Mui Ne Red Sand Dunes, Phan Thiet, Vietnam - based on Tourist Perceptions and Experience from Taiwan

Vietnam attracts many tourists owing to its unique and diverse geological landscapes. The Vietnam tourism development strategy until 2030 sets a target to make tourism a more sustainable economic sector, in which the advantages of natural resources and development of a variety of tourism products are promoted. Binh Thuan province in central-south Vietnam, hosts many high potential geosites including Mui Ne Red Dunes. Although this is a popular tourist destination, there is no clear tourism strategy for this site and local communities now regulate tourism in an unsustainable way. Online comments from review databases (TripAdvisor and Google reviews) are analysed to find themes in tourism perceptions after a visit to the Red Sand Dunes. Main themes are found that negatively affect tourist perceptions, such as the extended pollution of the dunes, theft reports and disturbance by jeeps, ATV’s and motorbikes. Many tourists recommend that this site should be better managed. To conserve this area in the future, the development of an all-inclusive local geopark is suggested, based on the tourism perceptions and previous studies assessing this landscape. This strategy is adapted from the UNESCO geopark framework and an example of a recently established local sand dune geopark in Taiwan is discussed. Implementing a local geopark, following the steps described in this study, can be beneficial for sustainable development and local communities in this area, while also promoting environmental education and enhancing disaster risk reduction.

Triangular Francs: The Eisenhower Administration’s Complicated Franco-American-South Vietnamese System of Foreign Aid to Saigon

This article examines the little-known system of foreign aid that the Eisenhower administration called “triangular trade.” Created to increase development aid without specific Congressional authorization, U.S. officials managed it chaotically and often secretly. This article analyzes U.S. application of this policy in relations with France, focusing on an examination of “triangular francs” whose most important manifestation occurred in South Vietnam. It tries to understand the complicated and often contentious relationships between the three nations with respect to “triangular francs,” illustrating its often neo-colonial aspects. After first presenting the system, the article proceeds to examine each of the three participants’ role in it and reservations about it. In particular, it seeks to show how Saigon’s leaders sought to influence the system to make it more advantageous to them and the impact this had on both Paris and Washington.

Pre-unification transition in south Vietnam and The Ho Chi Minh city military administration (1975–1976)

Using materials from the Vietnams National Archives Center No. 2, in particular the incomplete series of the Military Administration Committees weekly or monthly reports, as well as recently published archival documents from the Central Office of South Vietnam (COSVN), this paper aims to shed light on the issue of Tiếp quản, the transition of power in Saigon after 30 April 1975 from the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) to the combined Vietnamese revolutionary forces by studying the Ủy ban Qun quản Thnh phố Si Gn Gia định (UBQQSG), the Military Administration Committee for the City of Saigon Gia Dinh. This paper will start by examining what kind of challenge Saigon represented for the Vietnamese revolution and how the revolutionaries prepared to face it. Second it will tackle the issue of the presence of Southerners in the state apparatus for transition. Third, it will go over the main policies that the UBQQSG implemented, what resistance it confronted and how it struggled with issues of discipline amongst its assigned cadres. Finally, the article proposes an expansion of the dates in which the Vietnam War is generally examined by pushing back the end of the periodization to July 1976 and the official reunification of Vietnam.

The Chronicles of the Great Opposition

The review is given on the book Vietnam: An Epic Tragedy, 19451975 by the English historian and publicist Max Hastings. The author builds the history of the struggle of the Vietnamese people against the French colonialists and American imperialists based on extensive factual evidence. Anti-communist beliefs do not allow the author to fully appreciate the role of the Viet Minh front and the Vietnamese communists in the victory over the French, but he recognizes the enormous authority of Ho Chi Minh. Objectively depicting the anti-national character of the Ngo Dinh Diem regime in South Vietnam and the American aid, the English journalist confirms with his book the main lesson of the Vietnam War, which proves that the internal political problems of another country cannot be solved by an outside invasion.

Nguyen Lords with Trading Activities and International Cultural Exchange in South Vietnam during the Sixteenth to Eighteenth Centuries

The 16th 18th centuries were widely known as a fascinating period of Vietnamese history. It was characterized by the division between North (Đng Ngoi) and South of the country (Đng Trong) and the civil war accordingly between the Trinh Lords and the Nguyen Lords. It also witnessed the most vibrant cultural exchange and integration of feudal states in Vietnamese medieval times. With their well-defined vision and effective maritime trade strategies, the Nguyen Lords have actively promoted cultural and economic exchange in the region and to the world. The seaports along the coast of South Vietnam have become a central gateway for these activities. The current research is an attempt to give a vivid picture of the dynamic trading environment in Thuan Quang the biggest province in this part of the country. A critical reassessment of the Nguyen Lords integration policies will also be presented.

ACTIONS OF THE US AND SOUTH VIETNAM SPECIAL DIVISIONS ON THE "HO CHI MINA TRAIL" IN 1961-1967. BASED ON THE MEMOIRS OF AMERICAN WAR PARTICIPANTS

The article devoted to the analysis of the actions of special forces of US and South Vietnam during 1961–1967. One of the main tasks of these units during Vietnam war – destruction main objects of «Ho Chi Minh Trail» in South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. The work is built with the assistance of a memoir – translations memories combatants in South Vietnam and Laos, soldiers and commanders of Army of US, South Vietnam and Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV). The materials housed in the monographs of American and Vietnam researchers of the Indochina conflict, 1960–1970-s.In the early 1960s, in the setting of active infiltration teams of PAVN from DRV administration of USA adopted decision to send to Indochina units of special forces (Green Berets). Many of the military personnel who served in Vietnam belonged to 5th and 7th Special Forces Groups. Some Green Berets were assigned to the U.S. Military Assistance Command’s Studies and Observation Group (SOG) for making top secret intelligence operations and helped train the South Vietnamese special forces (LLDB). The most Green Berets defended South Vietnam’s border from infiltration from DRV. Apart from Green Berets, special units of the US NAVY were also active in South Vietnam. The main task of the special forces of the NAVY was the blockade of all waterways supplying partisans from North Vietnam and Cambodia by means of ambushes, sabotage, laying of mines and raids on bases of PAVN. In 1965-1967s mixed teams of Green Berets and LLDB conducted long-range reconnaissance missions into Laos and directed air strikes against the «Ho Chi Minh Trail». The U.S. aircraft bombed the «Ho Chi Minh Trail» daily, targeting areas based on electronic detection devices and intelligence gained by covert teams that infiltrated the area. However, these efforts could not slow down the movement of troops of PAVN, supplies southward along the «Ho Chi Minh Trail». The author paid attention to the creation units of special forces as part of army units of US Army situated in South Vietnam during 1965–1967. Special attention is paid by the author to the analysis secret operations of Green Berets against «Ho Chi Minh Trail». The author concluded that the special forces of USA and South Vietnam failed to achieve the set goals.

Determining common variants in patients with haemophilia A in South Vietnam and screening female carriers in their family members

AimsThe aim of this study was to determine common variants in F8, including intron 22 inversion (Inv22), intron 1 inversion (Inv1) and point mutations, the transmission of these variants between patients with haemophilia A (HA) and their family members.MethodsGenetic analysis was conducted in 71 patients who were clinically diagnosed with HA and 152 related female members in South Vietnam by a combination of inversion PCR (I-PCR), multiplex PCR and direct sequencing.ResultsVariants in F8, including Inv22, point mutations (with 37 genotypes) and two novel variants, occupied 60 patients with HA. Among severe patients, the rate of Inv22 was 44%. Missense was the common point mutation of over 50% in patients with moderate HA and mild HA. Inv1 was absent in all patients. F8 variants were also found in 119 female carriers (FCs) (78.3%) from families related to patients with HA. There were 56 mothers (93.3%) carrying F8 variants and passing the same variants to their sons.ConclusionsThese findings were the first to provide important information about the presence of Inv22 and point mutation in Vietnamese patients with HA, the mothers and their female family members. It demonstrated that genetic diagnosis and counselling for HA carriers were essential factors for future improvements in comprehensive and equitable healthcare polices for patients with HA and FCs in Vietnam.

THE PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS B AND C VIRUS’S MARKERS AMONG CONDITIONALLY HEALTHY RESIDENTS OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM (SOUTHERN VIETNAM)

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of serological and molecular biological markers of viral hepatitis B and C among conditionally healthy residents of South Vietnam. The study material was represented by 397 blood serum samples collected from conditionally healthy residents of the Southern Vietnam. The ELISA examination for HBV and HCV markers occurrence involved HBsAg, anti-HBs IgG, anti-HBcore IgG, and anti-HCV qualitative determination. For HBV DNA and HCV RNA detection, nucleic acids were extracted from serum blood, and viruses presence test were executed by real-time PCR with hybridisation fluorescence detection. Amplification and subsequent sequencing of HBV and HCV were performed using nested PCR with pair’s overlapping primers jointly flanking the target regions. The analysis of the overall prevalence of serological markers showed that among the conditionally healthy individuals HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 12.3% (95% CI: 9.27%-15.99%) and 3.27% (95% CI: 1.76%-5.53%) of individuals, respectively. The prevalence of HBsAg in men (19.1%) significantly exceeded that in women (5.9%), χ2 = 14.688 with p = 0.0001, df = 1, calculated odds ratio OR = 3.751 (95% CI: 1.892-7.439). Among conditionally healthy patients, taking into account HBsAg-positive and negative samples, DNA HBV was detected in 26.95% (95% CI: 22.65%-31.6%). Phylogenetic analysis of HBV showed that subtype B4 prevalence is 64.49%, subtypes C1 – 14.95%, B2 - 9.35%, C2 – 6.54%, C3 – 0.93%, and C5 (3.74%) were also identified. HCV RNA was detected in 7 samples, which accounted for 1.76% (95% CI: 0.71%-3.6%). Phylogenetic analysis showed that all HCV isolates belong to genotype 6, subtype 6a (100%).It should be noted that the results obtained by us for conventionally healthy patients cannot be considered as population data, since we estimated the prevalence of viral hepatitis markers in the population visiting hospitals, while some socioeconomic or occupational groups may have more reasons to visit hospitals. than others. Thus, these samples may represent individuals with a higher risk of infection in general, and therefore may not be representative of the population.