[Dec 27, 2012] RECEIVING ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR TITLE AT NEU
On 26 Dec. 2012, I officially received 'Associate Professor of Economics' title from the Rector of NEU (photo).

[Dec 25, 2012] RECEIVING CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSORSHIP
On 24 Dec. 2012, I was conferred the Certificate of Recognition for an Associate Professor of Economics title at Van Mieu - the first university in Vietnam. This is a great honor for any persons in teaching career (photo).

[Dec 9, 2012] TRAININGS IN HOA BINH ON CAPITATION
Working with Health Sector Capacity Support Project (HSCSP) as a national consultant, we held two training courses on capitation payment method in health insurance for local medical staff and health insurance staff from Bac Giang, Bac Ninh and Ha Nam provinces. This is new and promising method for financing health care in Vietnam at commune level.

[Nov 25, 2012] CONCLUDING JOINT RESEARCH PROJECT WITH VAE UNDER TOYOTA GRANT
On 23 Nov. 2012 the research team, which has been jointly setup by Vietnam Association for the Elderly (VAE) and IPPM, had the final meeting with a representative from the Toyota Foundation to conclude the research project on rural elderly's health status and access to health care services. The research was funded by the Toyota Foundation Research Grant Program 2011.

[Nov. 18, 2012] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON POPULATION-DEVELOPMENT NEXUS
On 16 Nov 2012, Development Strategy Institute (DSI) held an international conference on population-development nexus in Hanoi. This is an important brainstorming conference for providing research inputs for SEDP. I made a presentation on the impacts of age-structure changes of population on economic growth. I worked with DSI as a technical consultant.

[Nov. 16, 2012] VISITING SMU FOR RESEARCH ON AGING AND OLDER PEOPLE
From 10 to 15 Nov. 2012, I was at SMU (Singapore) as a short-term visiting scholar. I worked with the School of Social Sciences (SOSS) on aging and older people's situations in Vietnam. I made a presentation on the role of cash transfers in reducing poverty for older people, using micro-simulation techniques with household data in Vietnam. In the coming time, we will have some collaborative research works together on this field.

[Nov. 2, 2012] EVALUATION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAW ON THE ELDERLY
As a policy consultant, I am working with the National Committee on Ageing (VNCA) and its experts to evaluate implementation of the Law on the Elderly. Field surveys in Thai Binh, Quang Tri and Ben Tre were held to discuss with local authorities and older people in these provinces. The research is funded by GIZ Vietnam, and the final report will be released at the end of December 2012.

[Oct 30, 2012] SHORT-TERM VISIT AT SMU
From 10-15 Nov, 2012 I will visit and work at Singapore Management University (SMU) as a short-term visiting scholar. I am invited by the School of Social Sciences (SOSS).

[Sep 8, 2012] SEMINAR AT IPPM FOR INTRODUCING TWO BOOKS ON PENSION SYSTEMS
On 7 Sep 2012 at IPPM, we held a seminar to introduce two books on pension systems in East and Southeast Asia, which were published by ADB and Routledge. More information here.