By Mr. Old Man It’s been just over a month, and yet I’ve found myself back in Gò Nổi for the third time — each visit with a few good friends and a fresh sense of curiosity. This time, the plan was to head straight out to the “cow prairie” in Điện Quang, but the weather had its own ideas. …

By Mr. Old Man Just 25 km west of Đà Nẵng lies Hòa Bắc — a tranquil slice of countryside so beautiful, it looks like it was brushed into existence by an artist’s hand. From the hillside road, you can look down and see the small villages of Trường Định, An Định, Nam Yên, and Phò Nam nestling together in …

  QUESTION: What is the difference between discounting and negotiation in the context of letters of credit? Could you clarify? ——- ANSWER: Hi, Great question — it’s one that often comes up in trade finance. Under UCP 600, the term officially used is “negotiation”, not “discounting.” According to Article 2 of UCP 600, negotiation refers to: “The purchase by the …

This morning, I took on the climb up Sơn Trà to test my mountain biking legs — part of my plan to requalify for my long-expired Class FE cycling license (*). Along the way, I made a nostalgic stop at the old Tiên Sa Lighthouse, still standing proud above the sea. I also dropped by the legendary Cây Đa Ngàn …

Thỉnh thoảng, Mr. Old Man nhận được những email cảm ơn từ những người chưa từng gặp mặt, ở tận đâu đó trên thế giới, chỉ vì đã giúp họ giải đáp các thắc mắc trong quá trình tác nghiệp thanh toán quốc tế và tài trợ thương mại, hoặc trong hành trình “vượt ải” kỳ thi CDCS – một …

QUESTION Dear Mr. Old Man, Good day. Could you kindly explain whether there’s any difference between CFR FO and CFR + FO as used in letters of credit? Also, which type of shipment are these Incoterms suitable for—containerized cargo, break bulk, bulk cargo, etc.? Does this mean CFR FO (or CFR + FO) is only applicable when a Charter Party …

Sáng nay, đang thong thả cà phê thì lướt thấy Facebook của ông bạn hàng xóm báo tin nóng: Đà Nẵng đã chính thức đặt tên lại các phường, xã sau khi sáp nhập với Quảng Nam. Theo đó, ba phường Xuân Hà, Chính Gián và Thạc Gián được gom lại thành… phường Thạc Gián. Vậy là chỉ trong chưa …

There’s a place above Hai Van Pass — higher than the Hai Van Gate by a full 194 meters, perched at an altitude of 690 meters above sea level — that few cyclists in Da Nang have ever seen with their own eyes, let alone set foot (or tire) on. We call it the “Peak of the Peak” of Hai …

QUESTION Dear Mr. Old Man, I’ve come across a bit of a puzzler: The LC I’m handling shows the goods are sold on EXW (Ex Works) terms, yet it also calls for presentation of a Bill of Lading (BL). From what I understand, under EXW, the seller’s responsibility stops at their own doorstep—they’re not even obliged to load the goods. …

QUESTION Dear Mr. Old Man, I’m having trouble understanding ISBP C9, about additional charges and costs in the invoice. Could you kindly explain it? Regards, Siva —— ANSWER Hi Siva, I believe you’re referring to paragraph C10 in ISBP 821, not C9. (C9 in ISBP 745 was renumbered as C10 in the latest ISBP 821.) It reads: “Additional charges and …