QUESTION Dear Mr. Old Man, Our bank issued a deferred payment L/C. The documents presented were fully compliant. Upon confirming compliance, our bank incurred its deferred payment undertaking and notified the foreign bank accordingly. The buyer accepted the obligation to pay on the due date and received the documents to collect the goods. However, when the goods were received, they …

With a population of around 17.4 million people and a staggering 25 million bicycles, along with a world-class cycling infrastructure, the Netherlands rightfully holds the title of the number one cycling nation in the world. Amsterdam, the capital city, truly is a cycling paradise where bikes seem to dominate the streets. In Amsterdam, you’ll see cyclists enjoying absolute freedom — …

  PARTIAL PAYMENT ON DISCREPANT DOCUMENTS Can an issuing bank pay only part of a discrepant presentation based on the applicant’s instructions? In documentary credit practice, situations sometimes arise where the applicant is willing to accept discrepant documents, but only on condition that the beneficiary agrees to a reduction in payment. This usually happens when market conditions have changed and …

By Mr. Old Man Getting lost, but finding a bond I still remember my first time, about ten years ago, when I biked to Ngầm Đôi. On the way back, sun-drunk and disoriented, I somehow ended up all the way in Đông Giang. That “accidental” detour turned into a quiet bond. Every now and then, the memory calls me back—back …

The gate of Vân Village. A place of memories beneath Hải Vân Pass I still call Hòa Vân leprosy village – or simply Vân Village – nestled at the foot of Hải Vân Pass, “the lost village.” Today, it’s little more than a ruin: crumbling houses, moss-covered walls, and weeds reclaiming the ground. Nearly a decade ago, with support from …

QUESTION Dear Mr. Old Man, Hope this mail finds you well. I have a question that needs your expertise clarification: Can the issuing bank prepay or purchase its own accepted draft or its own deferred payment undertaking under UCP 600 sub-article 12(b)? Thank you. Frank —— ANSWER Hi Frank, UCP 600 Article 12(b) permits a nominated bank that has accepted …

QUESTION Dear Mr. Old Man, The Letter of Credit includes the following details: Field 50 (Applicant): AAA Company … Hong Kong Field 46A (Documents Required): … Full set of clean on board original ocean bill of lading made out to the order of ABC Bank Ltd, notify applicant, marked “freight prepaid”. … Field 47A (Additional Conditions): All documents must state …

From dreamy fiction to countryside reality By Mr. Old Man Photo: Đinh Hồng Ân Last week, Dreamy Eyes (Mắt biếc)—the latest film by director Victor Vũ—sparked a wave of nostalgia and curiosity among young viewers. Adapted from Nguyễn Nhật Ánh’s beloved novel, the film takes place in the fictional village of Đo Đo, also the author’s real-life hometown, and the …

By Mr. Old Man When people hear about Tà Lang– Giàn Bí Stream, they often imagine a remote and hard-to-reach place. But in truth, Tà Lang isn’t far at all. It’s a small mountain village home to the Cơ Tu ethnic community, located just 35 km west of downtown Đà Nẵng. You can cycle to Tà Lang – Giàn Bí …

By Mr. Old Man After the Covid-19 pandemic, many people turned to cycling as a way to stay fit, and bike shops became busier than ever. In the rush to get a bike, some folks walk into a shop, ask a couple of quick questions, then pay and ride off with their new wheels—only to regret it later when the …