The VMOST Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities

Cryptocurrency is no longer an unfamiliar concept. With the development of the digital economy, cryptocurrencies have gradually replaced some functions of traditional currencies. This research aims to measure and evaluate the impact of cryptocurrencies on financial markets by considering their effects on exchange rates, gold prices, oil prices, and stock indices. Data for the analysis were collected on a weekly basis from 1 January 2014 to 28 February 2021. The multiple linear regression model was used to examine the relationships in the research model using the statistical analysis software SPSS 22. The research results indicate that cryptocurrencies have an impact on the financial market. Specifically, the research also identified the inverse effect of currency pairs on cryptocurrencies and the interaction between different cryptocurrencies. Consequently, financial market regulators, especially the agency responsible for monitoring the volatility of cryptocurrencies, exchange rates, gold prices, oil prices, and stock indices, have a basis for devising appropriate plans. From this research, managers can implement policies that enhance financial education and communication to help individuals understand the nature of virtual assets, especially cryptocurrencies, while creating motivation towards accepting cryptocurrencies in Vietnam.

While “innovation efficiency” has become widespread and intuitive to many over the past few decades, its definition, measurement, and understanding have evolved. This paper offers a review of the economic literature centred on the dynamics of the innovation efficiency concept. We conducted a bibliometric analysis of 5,123 scholarly publications on Scopus to broaden the understanding of innovation efficiency phenomena, complemented by an in-depth science map analysis of 764 publications. We illustrate the accelerated growth of literature in the innovation-efficiency domain in recent years. Despite this significant growth, research in this area remains fragmented, underscoring the need for the systematic approach undertaken in this study. Through the bibliometric analysis, we discerned that the focus of innovation-efficiency-related studies has shifted from internal organisational issues to a comprehensive perspective on innovation, encompassing exogenous elements and external sources of innovation. We delineate three periods in the evolution of central themes within the innovation efficiency domain from 1998-2022: Initial focus on individual firms’ performance, progressing to external and network determinants of innovation, and recently, the link between innovation efficiency and green innovation in the third period. We also identified two primary research methodologies: (i) Qualitative surveys and (ii) Quantitative methods using regression analysis, mathematical models, and data envelopment analysis. Scientists, policymakers, and investors can utilise these findings to gain insights into the paramount aspects underpinning research in the innovation efficiency phenomena.

The economic reform in 1986 transformed Vietnam from a centrally planned economy to a socialist- oriented market economy. It is suggested that entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial spirits within the populace fuelled the structural changes. Despite the importance of entrepreneurship in Vietnam’s economy, studies in Vietnam mainly focus on the practical aspects of entrepreneurial activities and neglect the cognitive and theoretical aspects of entrepreneurship. Thus, this study employs the information-processing perspective of the Mindsponge Theory to explore how entrepreneurs’ knowledge accumulation affects their perceived likelihood of business success. By analysing a comprehensive dataset of Vietnamese entrepreneurship using Bayesian methods, our findings reveal that entrepreneurs with significant business-related experience have higher probabilities of success. Additionally, a greater willingness/readiness to transform thinking, actions, and beliefs can improve the business success of entrepreneurs who carefully study others’ failures. However, for those who perceive learning from others’ failures as unnecessary, a higher willingness/readiness to transform diminishes their chance of success. We recommend a balanced approach: entrepreneurs should build their knowledge pool through experience, learning, and open-mindedness. A sufficient pool of knowledge can empower Vietnamese entrepreneurs, enabling them to make informed decisions, foster innovation, and contribute substantially to the nation’s entrepreneurial landscape.

To contain the development of COVID-19, Vietnam issued social distancing and lockdown policies in 2020 and 2021, which affected the lives of parents and children in several aspects including mental health. This study aims to explore the impact of the first wave of COVID-19 in Vietnam (April-May 2020) on the mental health of parents and children and their perceived social support during the pandemic. This study used a cross-sectional mixed-method approach. The sample included 78 parents of children aged between 2 and 17 years and 32 children aged between 12 and 17 years (N=110). The results showed that 5.1% of children reported being in the high and very high range on the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Most reported problems were lack of prosocial behaviours, lack of peers, and emotional problems. Among parents, 7.7% reported having mental health distress. The results also revealed that the perceived social support of both parents and children were low in all subscales and total scores. Qualitative themes regarding perceived social support and barriers were identified. Recommendations regarding mental health and psychosocial support during the pandemic were discussed.

Funan (Phu Nam) is a historical entity that existed during the first seven centuries CE and left a tremendous cultural heritage. For different reasons, many historical aspects of this kingdom remain unexplored. For a long time, it was studied mainly through scattered and sketchy records collected from ancient Chinese bibliographies. Only after the archaeological discovery of the Oc Eo by Louis Malleret did the historical understanding of the Funan kingdom become fuller. However, due to the war, the research was unable to progress further. After 1975, Funan was revived mainly within circles of archaeological studies. Using novel archaeological evidence, this article reconstructs the lives of Funan inhabitants. It sees Oc Eo as a culture of indigenous origin with a community speaking MalayoPolynesian languages. It also shows that the Oc Eo indigenous culture had lasting vitality. Despite the fact that the Funan state collapsed in the seventh century, archaeological evidence demonstrates many of its cultural traditions preserved and developed by later southern communities.

Smart factories have demonstrated the effectiveness in leading technological trends and enhancing social production efficiency. Consequently, smart factories have attracted the attention of not only business owners and policymakers but also scholars in many fields of research. However, the conception of a smart factory varies significantly depending on the approaches. This discrepancy translates into a notable divergence in creating a development strategy for a smart factory, encompassing aspects such as technology selection for investment, the enhancement of human resource strategies, and the overall development strategy for the entire enterprise. Furthermore, this disparity poses challenges in proposing a consistent science and technology policy to promote the trend of intelligent production. To address these shortcomings, the authors conducted an exhaustive literature review of published works on smart factories to establish a comprehensive concept and delineate the primary characteristics of smart factories, providing a fundamental framework for strategic planning and investment policies. This research offers a foundation for formulating a set of criteria to assess the intelligence of manufacturing factories.

Adaptation to climate change is an urgent task not only on a national level but for all nations around the world. Within Vietnam, the Son La province has emerged as a successful example of cooperative development. This study aims to confirm the role of agricultural cooperatives in climate change adaptation in order to provide recommendations to cooperative developments as solutions in environmental protection. Based on the concepts of climate change adaptation in updated reports from the Vietnam National Determination Contribution in 2020, this study applies diagnostic and cause-effect analysis to concentrate on highlighting contents and pointing out evidence of Son La cooperatives’ roles. The findings show that these cooperatives have significant responsibilities in the orientation of green and safe production, and strongly contribute to reducing negative activities that destroy agricultural ecology. Additionally, cooperatives are also effective actors in linking officers and farmers in the implementation of environmental protections and are leading applicants of solutions for mitigation and adaptation to climate change in rural areas and in agricultural production.

Trách nhiệm mở rộng của nhà sản xuất (EPR) đóng vai trò như một công cụ chính sách, đảm bảo rằng các nhà sản xuất và nhập khẩu của các sản phẩm cụ thể chịu trách nhiệm cho việc thu gom, tái chế và xử lý sau khi tiêu thụ, từ đó giảm bớt gánh nặng tài chính công về quản lý chất thải đồng thời nâng cao tỷ lệ tái chế. Việc đăng ký, một thành phần thiết yếu của các hệ thống EPR, biểu thị việc xác định các nhà sản xuất và nhập khẩu bắt buộc, cũng như việc thu thập dữ liệu bán hàng cho các sản phẩm thuộc EPR. Các chức năng chính của cơ sở đăng ký bao gồm: xác định các nhà sản xuất và nhập khẩu có nghĩa vụ EPR; báo cáo dữ liệu tổng hợp; và giám sát việc tuân thủ của các nhà sản xuất và nhập khẩu trong việc thực hiện các trách nhiệm mở rộng của họ. Bài viết này tổng hợp những kinh nghiệm của một số quốc gia liên quan đến tổ chức và quản lý các cơ quan đăng ký cho các nhà sản xuất và nhập khẩu bao bì, đưa ra những khuyến nghị tiềm năng cho Việt Nam.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam has experienced four coronavirus waves. While the government was able to bring the first three outbreaks under control, the fourth outbreak has been causing rampant health, economic, and social problems in Vietnam. This study contributes to the literature by conducting a systematic and critical analysis on how the Vietnamese government responds to the COVID-19 pandemic. We review a large number of policy documents issued by the central and provincial authorities over a two-year period from January 2020 to March 2022. Early success in pandemic control can be attributed to proactive communication to raise public awareness, strong contact tracing technology, and timely public health and economic policy measures. In response to the low national vaccination rate, which is a focal point during the fourth outbreak, the government proactively engages in diplomacy with other countries to take advantage of vaccine support and to set up the Vaccine Fund to secure and mobilize financial resources from the private sector to fund various vaccine activities including procurement, rollout, and research and development for domestic production. Vaccine diplomacy and the establishment of the Vaccine Fund represents a turning point in the pandemic campaign and demonstrates that Vietnam is capable of applying the formula of Vaccine + the 5 Ks: Khẩu trang (face mask), Khoảng cách (keeping a safe distance), Khử khuẩn (disinfection), Không tập trung đông người (do not gather in crowded places), and Khai báo y tế (health declaration), which gives Vietnam the best chance to vanquish COVID-19 in the long term. This paper also finds that the Vietnamese government has effectively controlled the pandemic by leveraging and harnessing public trust and upholding traditional cultural values. The lessons drawn from policy responses and the Vaccine Fund in Vietnam, as a lower-middle-income country, serve as a useful COVID-19 reference for other developing countries.

Ho Chi Minh city (HCMC) is currently facing a critical problem of the uncontrollable municipal solid waste (MSW). The most common waste disposal practice in the city is landfilling, but this is not a sustainable solution. From 2010 to 2022, the amount of waste generated has increased annually, from 6,000 tons/ day to 9,200 tons/day, with an average growth rate of 6-8% per year. This study calculated the average emission factor of various districts in the city such as districts 1, 3, etc. at 0.83 kg/capita/day and district Binh Chanh, Cu Chi, etc. at 0.73 kg/capita/day and forecasted that the amount of waste will reach approximately 16,100 tons/day by 2050. Currently, 80-90% of collected MSW is landfilled, while only 10% is recycled. Composting and energy recovery practices are rarely used. This paper reviewed the current solid waste practice in HCMC and proposed four management scenarios to develop a sustainable solid waste management system. The first scenario is landfilling, which involves non-segregated waste disposal at the source. The second scenario is recycling, which involves segregating waste at the source for recycling, reuse, and waste reduction. The third scenario is composting, which requires using a mechanical- biological treatment plant for sorting, composting, and producing fuel from waste. The fourth scenario is waste-to-energy, which uses a waste incineration plant to generate energy from waste.