ENJOYING TẾT IN TÂY GIANG* On Tet morning, I woke up beside a long-extinguished stove, and through the window, darkness still reigned except for a faint light from the small electric lamp atop the flagpole at Pơloong Plênh’s house. The incessant chorus of croaking frogs filled the air. Last night, two of my companions had been drinking with some Cơtu …

More than 50 years have passed since the Americans withdrew from Monkey Mountain (the Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang, Vietnam). The landscape has changed dramatically, and hardly anyone remembers Boom Boom Rock anymore—or if they do, they assume it no longer exists. Yet, Boom Boom Rock still stands there in perfect condition, hidden amid dense foliage, as if silently waiting …

That Sunday morning, I embarked on a century ride—cycling from Da Nang through Hội An to Linh Ứng Pagoda on the Son Trà Peninsula—and completed exactly 100 km after passing Red Beach and returning home. Arriving in Hội An before 6 a.m., with mist shrouding every corner and sleepy boats drifting along the Hoài River, I was startled to discover …

Returning to the Homeland of Gò Nổi The New Land Has Finally Turned Green (*) Last Sunday, while cycling to Duy Vinh, I checked in at the Do Do village featured in Nguyễn Nhật Ánh’s Mắt Biếc when, passing by Cau Lau Bridge, I caught sight of Gò Nổi in the middle of the Thu Bồn River. That image made …

Last week, while cycling to Duy Vinh, I passed by some old brick kilns and snapped a few photos to post on Facebook. A friend commented, asking if I had visited Nồi Rang Market. The unusual name immediately piqued my curiosity, so I googled it and decided to organize a weekend cycling trip with a few friends to explore it. …

That day, while cycling to Tien Sa Port, I visited the Espanol Cemetery and happened to discover an abandoned church on Sơn Trà Mountain (Monkey Mountain), less than 100 meters away from the cemetery. Surprisingly, thousands of results can be found on Google containing information related to “Espanol cemetery”, “Spanish cemetery” or “Ossuaire” but almost no information can be found …

QUESTION Dear Mr. Old Man, I hope you are doing well. I have a small query regarding document presentation and payment instructions. We are the beneficiary bank, acting as the Presenting Bank. The beneficiary submitted documents to us for forwarding to the nominated bank for negotiation, as the LC restricts negotiation to the nominated bank. When forwarding the documents, we …

QUESTION Dear Sir, My letter of credit (LC) specifies the Port of Discharge as “BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND/OR ANY SEAPORT OF BAHRAIN.” For a sea shipment, if we indicate the Port of Discharge as “Bahrain Seaport of Bahrain” or “Bahrain, Bahrain” on the bill of lading, would either of these be considered a discrepancy? Additionally, could you please provide the …

QUESTION Dear Mr. Old Man, My name is Th., and I am currently living and working in Ho Chi Minh City. At the moment, I am working on several projects related to international payments. However, to be honest, I know nothing about this field because my background is in construction. I have been struggling quite a bit with international trade …

QUESTION Dear Sir, LC allows both AIR and SEA shipment. Amount: USD 100,000 Shipment by AIR: USD 40,000 Shipment by SEA: USD 60,000 43P: Partial Shipments: ALLOWED 43T: Transshipments: ALLOWED LC Clause states “INVOICE MUST CERTIFY THAT THE MERCHANDISE ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROFORMA INVOICE NO. XXX DATE XXX FOR USD 40,000.00 AND PROFORMA INVOICE NO. YYY DATED YYY FOR …