Motto: "Độc lập – Tự do – Hạnh phúc" "Independence – Freedom – Happiness"
Vietnam (i/ˌviːətˈnɑːm/, /viˌɛt-/, /-ˈnæm/, /ˌvjɛt-/; Vietnamese pronunciation: ( listen)), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV; Cộng hòa Xã hội chủ nghĩa Việt Nam ( listen)), is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. With an estimated 90.0 million inhabitants as of 2013, it is the world''s 13th-most-populous country, and the eighth-most-populous Asian country. The name Vietnam translates as "Southern Viet" (synonymous with the much older term Nam Viet); it was first officially adopted in 1802 by Emperor Gia Long, and was adopted again in 1945 with the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam under Ho Chi Minh. The country is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea to the east. Its capital city has been Hanoi since the reunification of North and South Vietnam in 1976.
Vietnam was part of Imperial China for over a millennium, from 111 BC to 938 AD. The Vietnamese became independent from Imperial China in AD 938, following the Vietnamese victory in the Battle of Bạch Đằng River. Successive Vietnamese royal dynasties flourished as the nation expanded geographically and politically into Southeast Asia, until the Indochina Peninsula was colonized by the French in the mid-19th century. Following a Japanese occupation in the 1940s, the Vietnamese fought French rule in the First Indochina War, eventually expelling the French in 1954. Thereafter, Vietnam was divided politically into two rival states, North and South Vietnam. Conflict between the two sides intensified, with heavy intervention from the United States, in what is known as the Vietnam War. The war ended with a North Vietnamese victory in 1975.
Vietnam was then unified under a Communist government but remained impoverished and politically isolated. In 1986, the government initiated a series of economic and political reforms which began Vietnam''s path towards integration into the world economy. By 2000, it had established diplomatic relations with most nations. Since 2000, Vietnam''s economic growth rate has been among the highest in the world, and, in 2011, it had the highest Global Growth Generators Index among 11 major economies. Its successful economic reforms resulted in its joining the World Trade Organization in 2007.
The name Việt Nam (Vietnamese pronunciation: ) is a variation of "Nam Việt" (Chinese: 南越; pinyin: Nányuè; literally "Southern Việt"), a name that can be traced back to the Triệu Dynasty of the 2nd century BC. The word Việt originated as a shortened form of Bách Việt (Chinese: 百越; pinyin: Bǎiyuè), a word applied to a group of peoples then living in southern China and Vietnam. The form "Vietnam" (越南) is first recorded in the 16th-century oracular poem Sấm Trạng Trình. The name has also been found on 12 steles carved in the 16th and 17th centuries, including one at Bao Lam Pagoda in Haiphong that dates to 1558.
Between 1804 and 1813, the name was used officially by Emperor Gia Long. It was revived in the early 20th century by Phan Bội Châu''s History of the Loss of Vietnam, and later by the Vietnamese Nationalist Party. The country was usually called Annam until 1945, when both the imperial government in Huế and the Viet Minh government in Hanoi adopted Việt Nam. Since the use of Chinese characters was discontinued in 1918, the alphabetic spelling of Vietnam is official.
Archaeological excavations have revealed the existence of humans in what is now Vietnam as early as the Paleolithic age. Homo erectus fossils dating to around 500,000 BC have been found in caves in Lạng Sơn and Nghệ An provinces in northern Vietnam. The oldest Homo sapiens fossils from mainland Southeast Asia are of Middle Pleistocene provenance, and include isolated tooth fragments from Tham Om and Hang Hum. Teeth attributed to Homo sapiens from the Late Pleistocene have also been found at Dong Can, and from the Early Holocene at Mai Da Dieu, Lang Gao and Lang Cuom.
Bronze Age Main article: Đông Sơn cultureA Đông Sơn bronze drum, c.800 BC.
By about 1000 BC, the development of wet-rice cultivation and bronze casting in the Ma River and Red River floodplains led to the flourishing of the Đông Sơn culture, notable for its elaborate bronze drums. At this time, the early Vietnamese kingdoms of Văn Lang and Âu Lạc appeared, and the culture''s influence spread to other parts of Southeast Asia, including Maritime Southeast Asia, throughout the first millennium BC.
Map of Vietnam showing the conquest of the south (the Nam tiến), 1069–1757.
From the 16th century onwards, civil strife and frequent political infighting engulfed much of Vietnam. First, the Chinese-supported Mạc dynasty challenged the Lê dynasty''s power. After the Mạc dynasty was defeated, the Lê dynasty was nominally reinstalled, but actual power was divided between the northern Trịnh lords and the southern Nguyễn lords, who engaged in a civil war for more than four decades before a truce was called in the 1670s. During this time, the Nguyễn expanded southern Vietnam into the Mekong Delta, annexing the Central Highlands and the Khmer lands in the Mekong Delta.
Vietnam''s independence was gradually eroded by France – aided by large Catholic militias – in a series of military conquests between 1859 and 1885. In 1862, the southern third of the country became the French colony of Cochinchina. By 1884, the entire country had come under French rule and was formally integrated into the union of French Indochina in 1887. The French administration imposed significant political and cultural changes on Vietnamese society. A Western-style system of modern education was developed, and Roman Catholicism was propagated widely. Most French settlers in Indochina were concentrated in Cochinchina, basing themselves around Saigon. The royalist Cần Vương movement rebelled against French rule and was defeated in the 1890s after a decade of resistance. Guerrillas of the Cần Vương movement murdered around a third of Vietnam''s Christian population during this period.
Developing a plantation economy to promote the export of tobacco, indigo, tea and coffee, the French largely ignored increasing calls for Vietnamese self-government and civil rights. A nationalist political movement soon emerged, with leaders such as Phan Bội Châu, Phan Chu Trinh, Phan Đình Phùng, Emperor Hàm Nghi and Ho Chi Minh fighting or calling for independence. However, the 1930 Yên Bái mutiny of the Việt Nam Quốc Dân Đảng was suppressed easily. The French maintained full control of their colonies until World War II, when the war in the Pacific led to the Japanese invasion of French Indochina in 1941. Afterwards, the Japanese Empire was allowed to station its troops in Vietnam while permitting the pro-Vichy French colonial administration to continue. Japan exploited Vietnam''s natural resources to support its military campaigns, culminating in a full-scale takeover of the country in March 1945 and the Vietnamese Famine of 1945, which caused up to two million deaths.
The defeat of French and Vietnamese loyalists in the 1954 Battle of Dien Bien Phu allowed Ho Chi Minh to negotiate a ceasefire from a favorable position at the subsequent Geneva Conference. The colonial administration was ended and French Indochina was dissolved under the Geneva Accords of 1954, which separated the loyalist forces from the communists at the 17th parallel north with the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone. Two states formed after the partition – Ho Chi Minh''s Democratic Republic of Vietnam in the north and Emperor Bảo Đại''s State of Vietnam in the south. A 300-day period of free movement was permitted, during which almost a million northerners, mainly Catholics, moved south, fearing persecution by the communists.
The partition of Vietnam was not intended to be permanent by the Geneva Accords, which stipulated that Vietnam would be reunited after elections in 1956. However, in 1955, the State of Vietnam''s Prime Minister, Ngô Đình Diệm, toppled Bảo Đại in a fraudulent referendum organised by his brother Ngô Đình Nhu, and proclaimed himself president of the Republic of Vietnam.
1954–1975: Vietnam War Main articles: Vietnam War and Role of the United States in the Vietnam WarU.S. helicopter spraying chemical defoliants over farmland in the Mekong Delta in 1969.
The pro-Hanoi Viet Cong began a guerrilla campaign in the late 1950s to overthrow Diệm''s government. In the North, the communist government launched a land reform program, and executed between 50,000 and 172,000 people in campaigns against wealthy farmers and landowners, amid broader purges. In 1960 and 1962, the Soviet Union and North Vietnam signed treaties providing for further Soviet military support. In the South, Diệm went about crushing political and religious opposition, imprisoning or executing tens of thousands.
In 1963, Buddhist discontent with Diệm''s regime erupted into mass demonstrations, leading to a violent government crackdown. This led to the collapse of Diệm''s relationship with the United States, and ultimately to the 1963 coup in which Diệm and Nhu were assassinated. The Diệm era was followed by more than a dozen successive military governments, before the pairing of Air Marshal Nguyễn Cao Kỳ and General Nguyễn Văn Thiệu took control in mid-1965. Thieu gradually outmaneuvered Ky and cemented his grip on power in fraudulent elections in 1967 and 1971. Under this political instability, the communists began to gain ground.
To support South Vietnam''s struggle against the communist insurgency, the United States began increasing its contribution of military advisers, using the 1964 Tonkin Gulf incident as a pretext for such intervention. US forces became involved in ground combat operations in 1965, and at their peak they numbered more than 500,000. The US also engaged in a sustained aerial bombing campaign. Meanwhile, China and the Soviet Union provided North Vietnam with significant material aid and 15,000 combat advisers. Communist forces supplying the Viet Cong carried supplies along the Ho Chi Minh trail, which passed through Laos.
1976–present: reunification and reforms Main article: Doi MoiSaigon Trade Center, one of the first skyscrapers to be built in Ho Chi Minh City after the Doi Moi reforms.
In the aftermath of the war, under Lê Duẩn''s administration, the government embarked on a mass campaign of collectivization of farms and factories. This caused economic chaos and resulted in triple-digit inflation, while national reconstruction efforts progressed slowly. At least one million South Vietnamese were sent to reeducation camps, with an estimated 165,000 prisoners dying. Between 100,000 and 200,000 South Vietnamese were executed in extrajudicial killings; another 50,000 died performing hard labor in "New Economic Zones". In the late 1970s and early 1980s, millions of people fled the country in crudely built boats, creating an international humanitarian crisis; hundreds of thousands died at sea.
At the Sixth National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam in December 1986, reformist politicians replaced the "old guard" government with new leadership. The reformers were led by 71-year-old Nguyễn Văn Linh, who became the party''s new general secretary. Linh and the reformers implemented a series of free-market reforms – known as Đổi Mới ("Renovation") – which carefully managed the transition from a planned economy to a "socialist-oriented market economy".
Government and politics Main articles: Politics of Vietnam and Military of VietnamThe Presidential Palace in Hanoi, formerly the Palace of The Governor-General of French Indochina.The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi.
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam, along with China, Cuba, and Laos, is one of the world''s four remaining single-party socialist states officially espousing communism. Its current state constitution, which replaced the 1975 constitution in April 1992, asserts the central role of the Communist Party of Vietnam in all organs of government, politics and society. The General Secretary of the Communist Party performs numerous key administrative and executive functions, controlling the party''s national organization and state appointments, as well as setting policy. Only political organizations affiliated with or endorsed by the Communist Party are permitted to contest elections in Vietnam. These include the Vietnamese Fatherland Front and worker and trade unionist parties. Although the state remains officially committed to socialism as its defining creed, its economic policies have grown increasingly capitalist, with The Economist characterizing its leadership as "ardently capitalist communists".
The National Assembly of Vietnam is the unicameral legislature of the state, composed of 498 members. Headed by a Chairman, it is superior to both the executive and judicial branches, with all government ministers being appointed from members of the National Assembly. The Supreme People''s Court of Vietnam, headed by a Chief Justice, is the country''s highest court of appeal, though it is also answerable to the National Assembly. Beneath the Supreme People''s Court stand the provincial municipal courts and numerous local courts. Military courts possess special jurisdiction in matters of national security. Vietnam maintains the death penalty for numerous offences; as of February 2014, there are around 700 inmates on death row in Vietnam.
The Vietnam People''s Armed Forces consists of the Vietnam People''s Army, the Vietnam People''s Public Security and the Vietnam Civil Defense Force. The Vietnam People''s Army (VPA) is the official name for the active military services of Vietnam, and is subdivided into the Vietnam People''s Ground Forces, the Vietnam People''s Navy, the Vietnam People''s Air Force, the Vietnam Border Defense Force and the Vietnam Marine Police. The VPA has an active manpower of around 450,000, but its total strength, including paramilitary forces, may be as high as 5,000,000. In 2011, Vietnam''s military expenditure totalled approximately US$2.48 billion, equivalent to around 2.5% of its 2010 GDP.
International relations Main article: Foreign relations of VietnamVietnamese troops on one of the disputed Spratly Islands in 2009.
Throughout its history, Vietnam''s key foreign relationship has been with its largest neighbour and one-time imperial master, China. Vietnam''s sovereign principles and insistence on cultural independence have been laid down in numerous documents over the centuries, such as the 11th-century patriotic poem Nam quốc sơn hà and the 1428 proclamation of independence Bình Ngô đại cáo. Though China and Vietnam are now formally at peace, significant territorial tensions remain between the two countries.
By December 2007, Vietnam had established diplomatic relations with 172 countries, including the United States, which normalized relations in 1995. Vietnam holds membership of 63 international organizations, including the United Nations, ASEAN, NAM, Francophonie and WTO. It is furthermore a member of around 650 non-government organizations.
Geography Main article: Geography of VietnamTopographic map of Vietnam.
Vietnam is located on the eastern Indochina Peninsula between the latitudes 8° and 24°N, and the longitudes 102° and 110°E. It covers a total area of approximately 331,210 km2 (127,881 sq mi), making it almost the size of Germany. The combined length of the country''s land boundaries is 4,639 km (2,883 mi), and its coastline is 3,444 km (2,140 mi) long. At its narrowest point in the central Quảng Bình Province, the country is as little as 50 kilometres (31 mi) across, though it widens to around 600 kilometres (370 mi) in the north. Vietnam''s land is mostly hilly and densely forested, with level land covering no more than 20%. Mountains account for 40% of the country''s land area, and tropical forests cover around 42%.
The northern part of the country consists mostly of highlands and the Red River Delta. Phan Xi Păng, located in Lào Cai Province, is the highest mountain in Vietnam, standing 3,143 m (10,312 ft) high. Southern Vietnam is divided into coastal lowlands, the mountains of the Annamite Range, and extensive forests. Comprising five relatively flat plateaus of basalt soil, the highlands account for 16% of the country''s arable land and 22% of its total forested land. The soil in much of southern Vietnam is relatively poor in nutrients.
Because of differences in latitude and the marked variety in topographical relief, the climate tends to vary considerably from place to place. During the winter or dry season, extending roughly from November to April, the monsoon winds usually blow from the northeast along the Chinese coast and across the Gulf of Tonkin, picking up considerable moisture. Consequently, the winter season in most parts of the country is dry only by comparison with the rainy or summer season. The average annual temperature is generally higher in the plains than in the mountains, and higher in the south than in the north. Temperatures vary less in the southern plains around Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, ranging between 21 and 28 °C (69.8 and 82.4 °F) over the course of the year. Seasonal variations in the mountains and plateaus and in the north are much more dramatic, with temperatures varying from 5 °C (41.0 °F) in December and January to 37 °C (98.6 °F) in July and August.
The saola, one of the world''s rarest mammals, is native to Vietnam.
Vietnam lies in the Indomalaya ecozone. According to the 2005 National Environmental Present Condition Report. Vietnam is one of twenty-five countries considered to possess a uniquely high level of biodiversity. It is ranked 16th worldwide in biological diversity, being home to approximately 16% of the world''s species. 15,986 species of flora have been identified in the country, of which 10% are endemic, while Vietnam''s fauna include 307 nematode species, 200 oligochaeta, 145 acarina, 113 springtails, 7,750 insects, 260 reptiles, 120 amphibians, 840 birds and 310 mammals, of which 100 birds and 78 mammals are endemic.
Vietnam is furthermore home to 1,438 species of freshwater microalgae, constituting 9.6% of all microalgae species, as well as 794 aquatic invertebrates and 2,458 species of sea fish. In recent years, 13 genera, 222 species, and 30 taxa of flora have been newly described in Vietnam. Six new mammal species, including the saola, giant muntjac and Tonkin snub-nosed monkey have also been discovered, along with one new bird species, the endangered Edwards''s Pheasant. In the late 1980s, a small population of Javan rhinoceros was found in Cát Tiên National Park. However, the last individual of the species in Vietnam was reportedly shot in 2010.
In agricultural genetic diversity, Vietnam is one of the world''s twelve original cultivar centers. The Vietnam National Cultivar Gene Bank preserves 12,300 cultivars of 115 species. The Vietnamese government spent US$49.07 million on the preservation of biodiversity in 2004 alone, and has established 126 conservation areas, including 28 national parks.
Economy Main articles: Economy of Vietnam and Five-Year Plans of VietnamPaddy fields in Sa Pa.Hanoi''s Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower, the tallest building in Vietnam.
In 2012, Vietnam''s nominal GDP reached US$138 billion, with a nominal GDP per capita of $1,527, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). According to a December 2005 forecast by Goldman Sachs, the Vietnamese economy will become the world''s 21st-largest by 2025, with an estimated nominal GDP of $436 billion and a nominal GDP per capita of $4,357. According to a 2008 forecast by PricewaterhouseCoopers, Vietnam may be the fastest-growing of the world''s emerging economies by 2025, with a potential growth rate of almost 10% per annum in real dollar terms. In 2012, HSBC predicted that Vietnam''s total GDP would surpass those of Norway, Singapore and Portugal by 2050.
Vietnam has been, for much of its history, a predominantly agricultural civilization based on wet rice cultivation. There is also an industry for Bauxite mining in Vietnam, an important material for the production of aluminum. However, the Vietnam War destroyed much of the country''s agrarian economy, leading the post-war government to implement a planned economy to revitalise agriculture and industrialise the nation. The collectivization of farms, factories and economic capital was implemented, and millions of people were put to work in government programs. For a decade following the Vietnam War, Vietnam''s economy was plagued with inefficiency and corruption in state programs, poor quality and underproduction, and restrictions on economic activity. It also suffered from the post-war trade embargo instituted by the United States and most of Europe. These problems were compounded by the erosion of the Soviet bloc, which included Vietnam''s main trading partners, in the late 1980s.
In 1986, the Sixth National Congress of the Communist Party introduced socialist-oriented market economic reforms as part of the Đổi Mới reform program. Private ownership was encouraged in industries, commerce and agriculture. Thanks largely to these reforms, Vietnam achieved around 8% annual GDP growth between 1990 to 1997, and the economy continued to grow at an annual rate of around 7% from 2000 to 2005, making Vietnam one of the world''s fastest growing economies. Growth remained strong even in the face of the late-2000s global recession, holding at 6.8% in 2010, but Vietnam''s year-on-year inflation rate hit 11.8% in December 2010, according to a GSO estimate. The Vietnamese dong was devalued three times in 2010 alone.
Since the early 2000s, Vietnam has applied sequenced trade liberalisation, a two-track approach opening some sectors of the economy to international markets while protecting others. In July 2006, Vietnam updated its intellectual property legislation to comply with TRIPS, and it became a member of the WTO on 11 January 2007. Vietnam is now one of Asia''s most open economies: two-way trade was valued at around 160% of GDP in 2006, more than twice the contemporary ratio for China and over four times the ratio for India. Vietnam''s chief trading partners include China, Japan, Australia, the ASEAN countries, the United States and Western Europe.
Vietnam''s Customs office reported in July 2013 that the total value of international merchandise trade for the first half of 2013 was US$124 billion, which was 15.7% higher than the same period in 2012. Mobile phones and their parts were both imported and exported in large numbers, while in the natural resources market, crude oil was a top-ranking export and high levels of iron and steel were imported during this period. The U.S. was the country that purchased the highest amount of Vietnam''s exports, while Chinese goods were the most popular Vietnamese import.
As a result of several land reform measures, Vietnam has become a major exporter of agricultural products. It is now the world''s largest producer of cashew nuts, with a one-third global share; the largest producer of black pepper, accounting for one-third of the world''s market; and the second-largest rice exporter in the world, after Thailand. Vietnam has the highest proportion of land use for permanent crops – 6.93% – of any nation in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Other primary exports include coffee, tea, rubber, and fishery products. However, agriculture''s share of Vietnam''s GDP has fallen in recent decades, declining from 42% in 1989 to 20% in 2006, as production in other sectors of the economy has risen.
In 2014 the country negotiated a free trade agreement with the European Union which would give it access to the EU''s Generalized System of Preferences, which provides preferential access to European markets for developing countries through reduced tariffs.
Vietnamese scholars developed many academic fields during the dynastic era, most notably social sciences and the humanities. The country boasts a millennium-deep legacy of analytical histories, such as the Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư of Ngô Sĩ Liên. Vietnamese monks led by the abdicated Emperor Trần Nhân Tông developed the Trúc Lâm Zen branch of philosophy in the 13th century. Arithmetics and geometry have been widely taught in Vietnam since the 15th century, using the textbook Đại thành toán pháp by Lương Thế Vinh as a basis. Lương Thế Vinh introduced Vietnam to the notion of zero, while Mạc Hiển Tích used the term số ẩn (en: "unknown/secret/hidden number") to refer to negative numbers. Vietnamese scholars furthermore produced numerous encyclopedias, such as Lê Quý Đôn''s Vân đài loại ngữ.
In recent times, Vietnamese scientists have made many significant contributions in various fields of study, most notably in mathematics. Hoàng Tụy pioneered the applied mathematics field of global optimization in the 20th century, while Ngô Bảo Châu won the 2010 Fields Medal for his proof of fundamental lemma in the theory of automorphic forms. Vietnam is currently working to develop an indigenous space program, and plans to construct the US$600 million Vietnam Space Center by 2018. Vietnam has also made significant advances in the development of robots, such as the TOPIO humanoid model. In 2010, Vietnam''s total state spending on science and technology equalled around 0.45% of its GDP.
Much of Vietnam''s modern transport network was originally developed under French rule to facilitate the transportation of raw materials, and was reconstructed and extensively modernized following the Vietnam War.
Vietnam operates 21 major civil airports, including three international gateways: Noi Bai in Hanoi, Da Nang International Airport in Da Nang, and Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City. Tan Son Nhat is the nation''s largest airport, handling 75% of international passenger traffic. According to a state-approved plan, Vietnam will have 10 international airports by 2015 – besides the aforementioned three, these include Lien Khuong International Airport, Phu Bai International Airport, Cam Ranh International Airport, Phu Quoc International Airport, Cat Bi International Airport, Cần Thơ International Airport and Long Thanh International Airport. The planned Long Thanh International Airport will have an annual service capacity of 100 million passengers once it becomes fully operational in 2020.
Vietnam''s road system includes national roads administered at the central level; provincial roads managed at the provincial level; district roads managed at the district level; urban roads managed by cities and towns; and commune roads managed at the commune level. Bicycles, motor scooters and motorcycles remain the most popular forms of road transport in Vietnam''s urban areas, although the number of privately owned automobiles is also on the rise, especially in the larger cities. Public buses operated by private companies are the main mode of long-distance travel for much of the population.
Road safety is a serious issue in Vietnam – on average, 30 people are killed in traffic accidents every day. Traffic congestion is a growing problem in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as the cities'' roads struggle to cope with the boom in automobile use.
Vietnam''s primary cross-country rail service is the Reunification Express, which runs from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, covering a distance of nearly 2,000 kilometres. From Hanoi, railway lines branch out to the northeast, north and west; the eastbound line runs from Hanoi to Hạ Long Bay, the northbound line from Hanoi to Thái Nguyên, and the northeast line from Hanoi to Lào Cai.
In 2009, Vietnam and Japan signed a deal to build a high-speed railway using Japanese technology; numerous Vietnamese engineers were later sent to Japan to receive training in the operation and maintenance of high-speed trains. The railway will be a 1,630-km-long express route, serving a total of 26 stations, including Hanoi and the Thu Thiem terminus in Ho Chi Minh City. Using Japan''s Shinkansen technology, the line will support trains travelling at a maximum speed of 360 kilometres (220 mi) per hour. The high-speed lines linking Hanoi to Vinh, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City will be laid by 2015. From 2015 to 2020, construction will begin on the routes between Vinh and Nha Trang and between Hanoi and the northern provinces of Lào Cai and Lạng Sơn.
As a coastal country, Vietnam has many major sea ports, including Cam Ranh, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Gai, Qui Nhơn, Vũng Tàu and Nha Trang. Further inland, the country''s extensive network of rivers play a key role in rural transportation, with over 17,700 kilometres (11,000 mi) of navigable waterways carrying ferries, barges and water taxis.
In addition, the Mekong Delta and Red River Delta are vital to Vietnam''s social and economic welfare – most of the country''s population lives along or near these river deltas, and the major cities of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are situated near the Mekong and Red River deltas, respectively. Further out in the South China Sea, Vietnam currently controls the majority of the disputed Spratly Islands, which are the source of longstanding disagreements with China and other nearby nations.
The census of 1 April 2009 recorded the population of Vietnam as standing at approximately 85.8 million. The population had grown significantly from the 1979 census, which showed the total population of reunified Vietnam to be 52.7 million. In 2012, the country''s population was estimated at approximately 90.3 million.
According to the 2009 census, the dominant Viet or Kinh ethnic group constituted nearly 73.6 million people, or 85.8% of the population. The Kinh population is concentrated mainly in the alluvial deltas and coastal plains of the country. A largely homogeneous social and ethnic group, the Kinh possess significant political and economic influence over the country. However, Vietnam is also home to 54 ethnic minority groups, including the Hmong, Dao, Tay, Thai, and Nùng. Many ethnic minorities – such as the Muong, who are closely related to the Kinh – dwell in the highlands, which cover two-thirds of Vietnam''s territory. Before the Vietnam War, the population of the Central Highlands was almost exclusively Degar (including over 40 tribal groups); however, Ngô Đình Diệm''s South Vietnamese government enacted a program of resettling Kinh in indigenous areas. The Hoa (ethnic Chinese) and Khmer Krom people are mainly lowlanders. As Sino-Vietnamese relations soured in 1978 and 1979, some 450,000 Hoa left Vietnam.
Vietnam''s minority groups speak a variety of languages, including Tày, Mường, Cham, Khmer, Chinese, Nùng, and H''Mông. The Montagnard peoples of the Central Highlands also speak a number of distinct languages. A number of sign languages have developed in the cities.
The French language, a legacy of colonial rule, is spoken by many educated Vietnamese as a second language, especially among the older generation and those educated in the former South Vietnam, where it was a principal language in administration, education and commerce; Vietnam remains a full member of the Francophonie, and education has revived some interest in the language. Russian – and to a much lesser extent German, Czech and Polish – are known among some Vietnamese whose families had ties with the Soviet bloc during the Cold War. In recent years, as Vietnam''s contacts with Western nations have increased, English has become more popular as a second language. The study of English is now obligatory in most schools, replacing French. Japanese, and Korean have also grown in popularity as Vietnam''s links with other East Asian nations have strengthened.
For much of Vietnamese history, Mahayana Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism have been the dominant religions, strongly influencing the national culture. About 85% of Vietnamese identify with Buddhism, though not all practice on a regular basis. According to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam''s report for 1 April 2009, 6.8 million (or 7.9% of the total population) are practicing Buddhists, 5.7 million (6.6%) are Catholics, 1.4 million (1.7%) are adherents of Hòa Hảo, 0.8 million (0.9%) practise Cao Đài, and 0.7 million (0.9%) are Protestants. In total, 15,651,467 Vietnamese (18.2%) are formally registered in a religion. According to the 2009 census, while over 10 million people have taken refuge in the Three Jewels of Buddhism, the vast majority of Vietnamese people practice ancestor worship in some form. According to a 2007 report, 81% of Vietnamese people do not believe in God.
About 8% of the population are Christians, totalling around six million Roman Catholics and fewer than one million Protestants, according to the census of 2007. Christianity was first introduced to Vietnam by Portuguese and Dutch traders in the 16th and 17th centuries, and was further propagated by French missionaries in the 19th and 20th centuries, and to a lesser extent, by American Protestant missionaries during the Vietnam War, largely among the Montagnards of South Vietnam. The largest Protestant churches are the Evangelical Church of Vietnam and the Montagnard Evangelical Church. Two-thirds of Vietnam''s Protestants are reportedly members of ethnic minorities.
The Vietnamese government is widely seen as suspicious of Roman Catholicism. This mistrust originated during the 19th century, when some Catholics collaborated with the French colonists in conquering and ruling the country and in helping French attempts to install Catholic emperors, such as in the Lê Văn Khôi revolt of 1833. Furthermore, the Catholic Church''s strongly anti-communist stance has made it an enemy of the Vietnamese state. The Vatican Church is officially banned, and only government-controlled Catholic organisations are permitted. However, the Vatican has attempted to negotiate the opening of diplomatic relations with Vietnam in recent years.
Several other minority faiths exist in Vietnam. About 3% of the population are adherents of Cao Đài, a syncretic modern religion whose followers are largely concentrated in Tây Ninh Province. Sunni and Cham Bani Islam is primarily practiced by the ethnic Cham minority, though there are also a few ethnic Vietnamese adherents in the southwest. In total, there are approximately 70,000 Muslims in Vietnam, while around 50,000 Hindus and a small number of Baha''is are also in evidence.
The Vietnamese government rejects allegations that it does not allow religious freedom. The state''s official position on religion is that all citizens are free to their belief, and that all religions are equal before the law. Nevertheless, only government-approved religious organisations are allowed; for example, the South Vietnam-founded Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam is banned in favour of a communist-approved body.
Education Main article: Education in VietnamThe University of Medicine in Hanoi.
A large number of Vietnam''s most acclaimed universities are based in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Facing serious crises, Vietnam''s education system is under a holistic program of reform launched by the government. Education is not free; therefore, some poor families may have trouble paying tuition for their children without some form of public or private assistance. Regardless, school enrollment is among the highest in the world, and the number of colleges and universities increased dramatically in the 2000s, from 178 in 2000 to 299 in 2005.
In 2009, Vietnam''s national life expectancy stood at 76 years for women and 72 for men, and the infant mortality rate was 12 per 1,000 live births. By 2009, 85% of the population had access to improved water sources. However, malnutrition is still common in the rural provinces. In 2001, government spending on health care corresponded to just 0.9% of Vietnam''s gross domestic product (GDP), with state subsidies covering only about 20% of health care expenses.
Vietnam''s culture has developed over the centuries from indigenous ancient Đông Sơn culture with wet rice agriculture as its economic base. Some elements of the national culture have Chinese origins, drawing on elements of Confucianism and Taoism in its traditional political system and philosophy. Vietnamese society is structured around làng (ancestral villages); all Vietnamese mark a common ancestral anniversary on the tenth day of the third lunar month. The influences of immigrant peoples – such as the Cantonese, Hakka, Hokkien and Hainan cultures – can also be seen, while the national religion of Buddhism is strongly entwined with popular culture. In recent centuries, the influences of Western cultures, most notably France and the United States, have become evident in Vietnam.
The traditional focuses of Vietnamese culture are humanity (nhân nghĩa) and harmony (hòa); family and community values are highly regarded. Vietnam reveres a number of key cultural symbols, such as the Vietnamese dragon, which is derived from crocodile and snake imagery; Vietnam''s National Father, Lạc Long Quân, is depicted as a holy dragon. The lạc – a holy bird representing Vietnam''s National Mother, Âu Cơ – is another prominent symbol, while turtle and horse images are also revered.
Vietnam''s media sector is regulated by the government in accordance with the 2004 Law on Publication. It is generally perceived that Vietnam''s media sector is controlled by the government to follow the official Communist Party line, though some newspapers are relatively outspoken. The Voice of Vietnam is the official state-run national radio broadcasting service, broadcasting internationally via shortwave using rented transmitters in other countries, and providing broadcasts from its website. Vietnam Television is the national television broadcasting company.
Since 1997, Vietnam has extensively regulated public Internet access, using both legal and technical means. The resulting lockdown is widely referred to as the "Bamboo Firewall". The collaborative project OpenNet Initiative classifies Vietnam''s level of online political censorship to be "pervasive", while Reporters Without Borders considers Vietnam to be one of 15 global "internet enemies". Though the government of Vietnam claims to safeguard the country against obscene or sexually explicit content through its blocking efforts, many politically and religiously sensitive websites are also banned.
Traditional Vietnamese music varies between the country''s northern and southern regions. Northern classical music is Vietnam''s oldest musical form, and is traditionally more formal. The origins of Vietnamese classical music can be traced to the Mongol invasions of the 13th century, when the Vietnamese captured a Chinese opera troupe.
LiteratureThe Temple of Literature in Hanoi.
Vietnamese literature has a centuries-deep history. The country has a rich tradition of folk literature, based around the typical 6–to-8-verse poetic form named ca dao, which usually focuses on village ancestors and heroes. Written literature has been found dating back to the 10th-century Ngô dynasty, with notable ancient authors including Nguyễn Trãi, Trần Hưng Đạo, Nguyễn Du and Nguyễn Đình Chiểu. Some literary genres play an important role in theatrical performance, such as hát nói in ca trù. Some poetic unions have also been formed in Vietnam, such as the Tao Đàn. Vietnamese literature has in recent times been influenced by Western styles, with the first literary transformation movement – Thơ Mới – emerging in 1932.
Festivals Main article: List of festivals in VietnamA traditional Tết (Lunar New Year) tree.
Vietnam has a plethora of festivals based on the lunar calendar, the most important being the Tết New Year celebration. Traditional Vietnamese weddings remain widely popular, and are often celebrated by expatriate Vietnamese in Western countries.
Tourism Main article: Tourism in VietnamHội An''s Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Vietnam has become a major tourist destination since the 1990s, assisted by significant state and private investment, particularly in coastal regions. About 3.77 million international tourists visited Vietnam in 2009 alone.
Popular tourist destinations include the former imperial capital of Hué, the World Heritage Sites of Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, Hội An and Mỹ Sơn, coastal regions such as Nha Trang, the caves of Hạ Long Bay and the Marble Mountains. Numerous tourist projects are under construction, such as the Bình Dương tourist complex, which possesses the largest artificial sea in Southeast Asia.
On 14 February 2011, Joe Jackson, the father of American pop star Michael Jackson, attended a ground breaking ceremony for what will be Southeast Asia''s largest entertainment complex, a five-star hotel and amusement park called Happyland. The US$2 billion project, which has been designed to accommodate 14 million tourists annually, is located in southern Long An Province, near Ho Chi Minh City. It is expected that the complex will be completed in 2014.
The áo dài, a formal girl''s dress, is worn for special occasions such as weddings and religious festivals. White áo dài is the required uniform for girls in many high schools across Vietnam. Áo dài was once worn by both genders, but today it is mostly the preserve of women, although men do wear it to some occasions, such as traditional weddings. Other examples of traditional Vietnamese clothing include the áo tứ thân, a four-piece woman''s dress; the áo ngũ, a form of the thân in 5-piece form, mostly worn in the north of the country; the yếm, a woman''s undergarment; the áo bà ba, rural working "pyjamas" for men and women; the áo gấm, a formal brocade tunic for government receptions; and the áo the, a variant of the áo gấm worn by grooms at weddings. Traditional headwear includes the standard conical nón lá and the "lampshade-like" nón quai thao.
The Vovinam and Bình Định martial arts are widespread in Vietnam, while soccer is the country''s most popular team sport. Other Western sports, such as badminton, tennis, volleyball, ping-pong and chess, are also widely popular.
Vietnam has participated in the Summer Olympic Games since 1952, when it competed as the State of Vietnam. After the partition of the country in 1954, only South Vietnam competed in the Games, sending athletes to the 1956 and 1972 Olympics. Since the reunification of Vietnam in 1976, it has competed as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, attending every Summer Olympics from 1988 onwards. The present Vietnam Olympic Committee was formed in 1976 and recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1979. As of 2014, Vietnam has never participated in the Winter Olympics.
Cuisine Main article: Vietnamese cuisinePho, one of the most popular Vietnamese dishes.
Vietnamese cuisine traditionally features a combination of five fundamental taste "elements" (Vietnamese: ngũ vị): spicy (metal), sour (wood), bitter (fire), salty (water) and sweet (earth). Common ingredients include fish sauce, shrimp paste, soy sauce, rice, fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables. Vietnamese recipes use lemongrass, ginger, mint, Vietnamese mint, long coriander, Saigon cinnamon, bird''s eye chili, lime and basil leaves. Traditional Vietnamese cooking is known for its fresh ingredients, minimal use of oil, and reliance on herbs and vegetables, and is considered one of the healthiest cuisines worldwide.
In northern Vietnam, local foods are often less spicy than southern dishes, as the colder northern climate limits the production and availability of spices. Black pepper is used in place of chilis to produce spicy flavors. The use of meats such as pork, beef, and chicken were relatively limited in the past, and as a result freshwater fish, crustaceans – particularly crabs – and mollusks became widely used. Fish sauce, soy sauce, prawn sauce, and limes are among the main flavoring ingredients. Many signature Vietnamese dishes, such as bún riêu and bánh cuốn, originated in the north and were carried to central and southern Vietnam by migrants.


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So I truly hardly ever post about my novel on here, so I thought I'd link up using the Beautiful People tag that Sky from Further Up and Further In runs, and introduce you to one of my characters.
Jed started out as a melded-together version of Logan Lerman and someone I know in person. But since beginning the writing of this novel nearly eight years ago, Jed has evolved and changed to encompass many traits from friends, strangers, and celebrities. He's kind of a mutt in that way.
I'll pause right here and let you know it feels so odd talking to real people about a person I invented. Obviously my characters are very personal to me, so actually posting this is going to take some guts.
My book takes place in the summertime. At the start of June, Jed has already decided he's going to spend his entire summer break holed up in his local library. So his routine is, at the beginning of the book: wake, eat, walk, read. In that order. It's not healthy!
Yep, I'm feeling really silly writing this.
No clique. I was actually just writing about this.
"Jedidiah Whitley belonged to no place. Instead, he kept so much to himself that he was the recipient of neither a label nor an invitation. This feat was harrowing on his lonely days, and a respite on his good ones."
4. Write a list of things they merely tolerate.
As a pianist who has given up his passion, Jed used to dwell in silences. They were the canvases upon which he used to splash his songs. But ever since the music died, he drowns in silences, gets lost in them. Silence for Jed is not so much awkward as it is a part of his daily life. What is more difficult is speaking.
I've never thought about it. I think he can swim, yes. Perhaps his father taught him?
His father teaching him to play the piano at a very early age.
Though he tries to suppress it, music will always, always, always be an integral part of Jed's soul.
Obviously music. But also, his mother, father, and older brother Peter; the library and its kindly librarian; literature; the ability to learn; creativity.
TRUST ISSUES FOR DAYS, SON. Jed tends to blame himself when things go wrong, so I feel like he's constantly giving people second chances. He doesn't have a very high estimation of himself. Though sometimes, he can hold a pretty mean grudge. At the same time, this grudge may be buried so deep down that he might not realize he's holding it.
10. Your character is having a rough day. What things do they do to make them happy again?
Is there anyone they talk with to get in a better mood?
In the days when he was still playing music, Jed would go to the piano right away. He's a very shy and to-himself individual, so talking with people outside of his family about his feelings is impossible. He communicates better through music, anyway.
Yep, I definitely feel weird about posting this.
Thanks again to Sky and the others who run this link-up! It was nerve-wrecking but fun to write about my character a little more in-depth on my blog.
+ Are you writing anything at the moment? Or reading anything special?
Tell me about a character that has caught your fancy in literature lately.
Jed sounds like a really cool character! I'd love to know more of his story haha.
I love all the pictures in this post, mixed with the writing I really felt like I got a great idea of Jed's character. Like I could picture him going around in silence and being a great observer.
It is kind of awkward to write about characters, but when you talk about them I think it makes them more real to you. And if you can write about them like a real person, it can only help your writing, even if it feels a little silly at the time. At least I think so?
That's so true! It definitely feels silly, but you're right, the more I talk about my characters, the more they feel real.
Haha thank you! :) Your kind words encourage me to write, so I really appreciate it!
Aw he sounds sweet! Don't feel shy about talking about your characters. It's so fun and the writing community is totally open to it! I love the piano. ^ ^ Does he have any favorite sorts of music?


Tim Spector receives funding from The Wellcome Trust, The NIH, MRC, CDRF, NHS NIHR, EU and ERC. He is author of The Diet Myth: the real science behind what we eat.
When Morgan Spurlock famously spent a month eating large portions of McDonalds for the purposes of his documentary Supersize Me, he gained weight, damaged his liver and claimed to have suffered addictive withdrawal symptoms. This was popularly attributed to the toxic mix of carbs and fat plus the added chemicals and preservatives in junk foods. But could there be another explanation?
We may have forgotten others who really don't enjoy fast food. These are the poor creatures that live in the dark in our guts. These are the hundred trillion microbes that outnumber our total human cells ten to one and digest our food, provide many vitamins and nutrients and keep us healthy. Until recently we have viewed them as harmful – but those (like salmonella) are a tiny minority and most are essential for us.
Studies in lab mice have shown that when fed an intensive high fat diet their microbes change dramatically and for the worse. This can be partly prevented by using probiotics; but there are obvious differences between us and lab mice, as well as our natural microbes.
For the sake of science and research for my book The Diet Myth, I have been experimenting with several unusual diets and recorded their effects on my gut microbes. These include fasting, a colonoscopy diet, and an intensive unpasteurised French cheese diet. My son Tom, a final year student of genetics at the University of Aberystwyth suggested an additional crucial experiment: to track the microbes as they changed from an average western diet to an intensive fast food diet for over a week.
I wasn't the ideal subject since I was no longer on an average diet, but Tom, who like most students enjoyed his fast food, was. So he agreed to be the guinea pig on the basis that I paid for all his meals and he could analyse and write up his results for his dissertation. The plan was to eat all his meals at the local McDonalds for ten days. He was able to eat either a Big Mac or Chicken nuggets, plus fries and Coke. For extra vitamins he was allowed beer and crisps in the evening. He would collect poo samples before, during and after his diet and send them to three different labs to check consistency.
I felt good for three days, then slowly went downhill, I became more lethargic, and by a week my friends thought I had gone a strange grey colour. The last few days were a real struggle. I felt really unwell, but definitely had no addictive withdrawal symptoms and when I finally finished, I rushed (uncharacteristically) to the shops to get some salad and fruit.
While it was clear the intensive diet had made him feel temporarily unwell, we had to wait a few months for the results to arrive back. The results came from Cornell University in the US and the crowdfunded British Gut Project, which allows people to get their microbiome tested with the results shared on the web for anyone to analyze. They all told the same story: Tom's community of gut microbes (called a microbiome) had been devastated.
Tom's gut had seen massive shifts in his common microbe groups for reasons that are still unclear. Firmicutes were replaced with Bacteroidetes as the dominant type, while friendly bifidobacteria that suppress inflammation halved. However the clearest marker of an unhealthy gut is losing species diversity and after just a few days Tom had lost an estimated 1,400 species – nearly 40% of his total. The changes persisted and even two weeks after the diet his microbes had not recovered. Loss of diversity is a universal signal of ill health in the guts of obese and diabetic people and triggers a range of immunity problems in lab mice.
That junk food is bad for you is not news, but knowing that they decimate our gut microbes to such an extent and so quickly is worrying. Many people eat fast food on a regular basis and even if they don't get fat from the calories, the body's metabolism and immune system are suffering via the effects on the microbes.
We are unlikely to stop people eating fast food, but the devastating effects on our microbes and our long term health could possibly be mitigated if we also eat foods which our microbes love like probiotics (yogurts), root vegetables, nuts, olives and high-fibre foods. What they seem to crave, above all else, is food diversity and a slice of gherkin in the burger just isn't enough.


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require_relative "manage"

module Octodmin::Controllers::Posts
  class Revert < Manage
    include Octodmin::Action
    expose :post

    def call(params)
      super

      @post.revert
    end
  end
end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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PEPUDA Amendment Bill – a fast track to religious persecution?
by Michael Swain
This is the first article in our series on the PEPUDA Amendment Bill ("the Amendment Bill") and its potentially detrimental and far-reaching implications for religious freedom in South Africa, if passed into law in its current form.
PEPUDA is an acronym for the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act and is otherwise known as the "Equality Act". It was passed into law in 2000 to give teeth to section 9 of the South African Constitution, which prohibits unfair discrimination – including "hate speech" – on a wide range of categories. PEPUDA ranks second only to the Constitution and is the pre-eminent piece of South African legislation. All other legislation and regulation passed by the State must be compliant with its provisions.
Having carefully reviewed this proposed amending legislation, FOR SA is in no doubt that it dramatically expands the scope and reach of the original Act. It therefore represents the most substantive threat to religious freedom specifically – and to freedom generally – that we have faced since South Africa became a democracy in 1994.
Our concerns have been exacerbated by the Department of Justice's refusal to grant a general extension to 12 May 2021 deadline because "the Department needs to deal with this matter urgently." Although they have agreed to accept written submissions until 30 June 2021, why is this matter so urgent? And why the haste to push it forward?
It is worth noting that although the Constitution does not establish a hierarchy of rights and all human rights are therefore equally worthy of protection, it is often people who express and live out religious or conservative values who find themselves in the cross hairs of this law. PEPUDA is frequently used by activists who orchestrate and lodge unfair discrimination claims with Chapter 9 institutions such as the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE), and press these State institutions to litigate on their behalf using tax-payer money.
One of FOR SA's many concerns about the PEPUDA Amendment Bill is clause 6, which states that "legal aid [can] be granted to persons who wish to institute proceedings in terms of this Act." This will certainly exacerbate this problematic situation, which is already biased and discriminatory since those who are litigated against have no option but to pay the often massive costs for their own legal defense.
Given that the existing Act gives significant and substantial protection against all forms of unfair discrimination, FOR SA is challenging why this Bill has been introduced at all? It is not only unnecessary, but when viewed in its entirety, it extends the scope of the Act to such an extent that it amounts to State-backed imposition of ideological values not seen since the Apartheid era.
Call to action:
Clearly, this Bill has radical implications for our religious rights in South Africa and we must oppose it. FOR SA therefore calls upon every individual and every denomination, church and other faith organisation, to make your voices heard on this Bill by making a submission to the Department of Justice before Friday, 30 June 2021. (Although the deadline for submissions on the Bill was on 12 May 2021 already, the Department has indicated to FOR SA that it would accept submissions until 30 June 2021).
A template submission (both for individuals, and for organisations) is available on the FOR SA website, which can be used "as is" or adapted and e-mailed to [email protected]
For more articles like this that explain what the PEPUDA Amendment Bill is about, and why it is such a major threat to religious freedom, visit our website at forsa.org.za or follow us on Facebook at "Freedom of Religion SA".
Please like and share this article far and wide so we can push back against this unnecessary and unconstitutional government overreach into our lives!
To share this article click here
Michael Swain has been a successful businessman and also spent over 30 years in Christian ministry. He serves as FOR SA's Executive Director and its (primary) media spokesperson. See full bio here.
Support FOR SA
Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) is dedicated to protecting and preserving the freedoms and rights that the South African Constitution has granted to the faith community. If you have found this helpful, please consider supporting the work of FOR SA to protect our constitutional right to enjoy the freedom of religion by:
Making a financial contribution to FOR SA at https://forsa.org.za/donate/ As a non-profit organization, we are entirely dependent upon God's grace for finances. Your generosity will help make a significant difference as we work to fulfill our mission to keep the Gospel free by advocating for religious freedom. We appreciate every gift, big or small!
Signing up (at no cost) to FOR SA at https://forsa.org.za/contact-us/join-us/ and subscribing to our Newsletter.
Praying for us as we defend this precious freedom before the government and courts of law.
Following us, and sharing our posts, on Facebook at "Freedom of Religion SA".
Informing us, should you become aware of any case in which religious freedom is threatened.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Reservoir to receive solar panels
HILLSBORO, OREGON - Honeywell announced that the City of Hillsboro, Oregon has awarded the company a solar project that is expected to cut the cityÂ's energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Under the agreement, Honeywell will install ground-mounted solar panels next to the Hillsboro Evergreen Reservoir water storage facility and sell the electricity the panels produce to the city for use at the reservoir. The panels are expected to generate more than 104,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, almost 20 percent of the power needed for the 15 million-gallon Evergreen Reservoir.
Energy Trust of Oregon, a nonprofit organization that promotes the use of efficient energy technologies and renewable resources, will help fund part of the project. Honeywell also will work with Renewable NRG, an Energy Trust Trade Ally based in Portland, Ore., to install the solar panels. SolarWorld Group, a global manufacturer of solar technology with a new state-of-the-art fabrication plant in Hillsboro, will supply the solar modules and installation hardware.
"The project directly supports our 2020 Vision Action Plan, which we put in place to positively shape the growth and development of the community," said Tom Hughes, Mayor of Hillsboro. "The power purchase agreement allows us to stabilize and reduce our utility costs, and it will benefit the Hillsboro economy by using local resources."
The project will deliver environmental benefits as well, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 3.6 million pounds over the 20-year agreement. According to figures from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this is equivalent to removing more than 295 cars from the road for a year.
"The Hillsboro solar project is a great example of a forward-thinking municipality demonstrating that renewable energy can positively impact not only its budget, but also the community's environment," said Kacia Brockman, solar program manager for Energy Trust of Oregon.
Honeywell expects to install the solar panels and begin providing electricity for the Evergreen Reservoir by July.
"Renewable energy projects like the Hillsboro installation help create environmental and financial value within a community," said Kent Anson, vice president of Global Energy for Honeywell Building Solutions. "Honeywell worked with the city to identify the renewable resource and contract structure that would provide the greatest overall benefit. We look forward to providing electricity to the city in the near future."
Electricity Forum
Renewable Energy Study Released


text:
Death of a hawker by Janwillem Van de Wetering
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Amsterdam is normally sedate but today there is a riot in Newmarket Square. Constables have blocked access to adjoining Straight Tree Ditch Road all day. When the body of the "King" of the local street market is found in a room in his house on that street, his head bashed in, there are only two suspects: his lovely sister or the upstairs boarder. Which one is the killer? Grijipstra and de Gier must discover the murderer's identity before another crime can be committed.
About Janwillem Van de Wetering
Janwillem Van de Wetering was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands on February 12, 1931. He traveled extensively, both geographically and philosophically, his adventures ranging from being a motorcycle gang member to a Buddhist, a real estate salesman in Australia to an exporter in Holland. He was a police officer in Amsterdam from 1966 to 1975 and his crime novels featuring detectives Grijpstra and De Gier were based on his experiences. He also wrote a trilogy based on the time he spent at a Japanese Zen Buddhist monastery and wrote children's books about a porcupine named Hugh Pine. In 1984, he received the French Grand Prix de Littérature Policière. He died on July 4, 2008 at the age of 77.
Published April 1, 2003 by Soho Crime. 267 pages
Genres: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Literature & Fiction. Fiction
Reader Rating for Death of a hawker
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Kadrovoie aghientstvo E-books
Download E-books Encyclopedia of the Mind PDF
By Harold Pashler
It's not easy to conceive of a subject of extra extensive and private curiosity than the research of the brain. as well as its conventional research by means of the disciplines of psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience, the brain has additionally been a spotlight of research within the fields of philosophy, economics, anthropology, linguistics, laptop technology, molecular biology, schooling, and literature. In most of these techniques, there's a nearly common fascination with how the brain works and the way it impacts our lives and our habit. reviews of the brain and mind have crossed many fascinating thresholds in recent times, and the examine of brain now represents a completely cross-disciplinary attempt. Researchers from quite a lot of disciplines search solutions to such questions as: what's brain? How does it function? what's consciousness?
This encyclopedia brings jointly students from the full diversity of mind-related educational disciplines from around the arts and arts, social sciences, lifestyles sciences, and laptop technology and engineering to discover the multidimensional nature of the human mind.
Read or Download Encyclopedia of the Mind PDF
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Boulder, CO: Westview Press. Dadds, M. R. , & Roth, J. H. (2001). The developmental psychopathology of tension. In M. W. Vasey & M. R. Dadds (Eds. ), relations strategies within the improvement of tension difficulties (pp. 278–303). big apple, long island: Oxford collage Press. solid, B. J. , & Kleinman, A. M. (1985). tradition and nervousness: Cross-cultural facts for the patterning of hysteria issues. In A. H. Tuma & J. D. Maser (Eds. ), nervousness and the nervousness problems (pp. 297–323). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. grey, J. A. , & McNaughton, N. (2000). The neuropsychology of hysteria: An enquiry into the functionality of the septo-hippocampal method (2nd ed. ). big apple, new york: Oxford college Press. Norton, P. J. (2006). towards a clinically orientated version of tension issues. Cognitive Behaviour remedy, 35, 88–105. end nervousness problems characterize the most commonly used and impactful periods of mental problems. noticeable as over the top manifestations of easy emotional and cognitive-affective responses, nervousness issues are at present divided into 12 designated diagnoses, even if contemporary arguments were made that the similarities one of the diagnoses outweigh the variations. even though the precise factors of tension problems stay slightly uncertain, study means that genetic and early studying impacts have interaction to create a generalized predisposition towards emotional issues, that can then be activated via next studying or event. hugely efficacious remedies exist for anxiousness problems, rather these in response to cognitive behavioral remedy and SSRIs. Peter J. Norton and Suzanne C. Klenck See additionally Behavioral treatment; Emotion and Psychopathology extra Readings American Psychiatric organization. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical guide for psychological problems (4th ed. , textual content rev. ). Washington, DC: writer. Barlow, D. H. (2002). nervousness and its problems: the character and remedy of tension and panic (2nd ed. ). ny, long island: Guilford Press. Beck, A. T. , & Emery, G. (1985). nervousness issues and phobias: A cognitive viewpoint. ny, big apple: uncomplicated Books. APHASIA Aphasia refers greatly to issues of language, that may be developmental (occurring as a result of an irregular process improvement) or obtained (occurring as a result of exterior ailment corresponding to stroke, mind tumor, and so forth. ). The time period is used a little bit unevenly. for example, the disorganized incoherent speech of schizophrenic sufferers is mostly thought of a manifestation of a concept ailment and isn't thought of an aphasic affliction, even if schizophrenic language usually includes nonsense phrases and ungrammatical sentences that may simply be thought of symptoms of aphasia. those changes within the use of the note aphasia are as a result of historic elements (what kind of physicians used which phrases) which are unimportant this present day. what's vital is the character and the neurological reasons of language problems. wisdom approximately those themes has replaced swiftly some time past 3 many years as a result of contributions made by means of cognitive psychology and neuroimaging. This access first provides a commonly applied medical viewpoint on aphasia after which experiences sleek techniques and effects.
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Connect Homes seeks an experienced Project Manager to assist with multiple prefab projects in California and beyond. If you are detail-oriented, have a minimum 5 years of residential-specific working experience, a working knowledge of Revit, and are comfortable interacting with clients – we'd like to hear from you. This is an interesting opportunity for the right candidate to supplement their residential architecture experience with the emerging field of prefab. Connect Homes has its own factory in the Inland Empire. Homes are built on an architect-supported assembly line. The company is growing quickly and this position offers unique professional and growth opportunities.
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Candidates must be eligible to work in the US for at least 4 years.


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Home/News/Local/New COO for Vast Resources Zimbabwe
New COO for Vast Resources Zimbabwe
By Business Reporter – Monday 28 September 2020
HARARE – VAST Resources diamond subsidiary in Zimbabwean says it has identified a high-level chief operating officer (COO) to manage its Zimbabwean project, who will be engaged upon confirmation of the signing of the Katanga Joint Venture.
The AIM-listed company had eyed to finalise the diamond JV six months ago, after making an announcement on March 3rd stating it had received official communication that all internal processes leading to the conclusion to the Chiadzwa Community Joint Venture were expected to be finalized in March and the Company's announcement of 23 March 2020 confirmed this expectation.
The appointment of the new COO follows the exit of former executive director Mark Mabhudhu, who has now joined the state-owned Zimbabwe Consolidate Diamond Company (ZCDC).
"The Company can confirm that its highly skilled geological and technical team remain employed by the Company and that it has identified a high-level COO to manage the project who shall be engaged upon confirmation of the signing of the Joint Venture,"
"The Company can also confirm that this personnel change in Zimbabwe will not pose any impediment to the finalisation of the anticipated Joint Venture Agreement between the Company's Subsidiary in respect of the Chiadzwa Community Diamond Concession,"
"Further details regarding the finalisation of the Chiadzwa Community Diamond Project will be communicated to the market as and when they occur," said Vast Resources in a statement on 'Zimbabwe Operations Update.'
Andrew Prelea, Vast Resources PLC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) commented:
"Whilst we are of course sad to see Mark (Mabhudhu) leave Vast Resources PLC, we are extremely excited that we will be able to continue to work with him in his new role within the diamond mining sector in Zimbabwe. We are confident that with Mark in his new role, the diamond mining sector in Zimbabwe will be set for a new high,"
"On behalf of the Board and Management Team, I would like to thank Mark for all of his efforts and wish him all the best for the future and stress that he will always have an open door to return to the Company when he finalises his mandate at the ZCDC." ENDS// www.miningindex.co.zw
Twitter @IndexMining Facebook @MiningIndexNews LinkedIn @MiningIndex
Vast Resources Zimbabwe


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Why all the noise about quiet quitting?
With a chunk of people suggesting that quiet quitting is all about employees being sluggish at work, in reality, it is about workers simply getting wise and noticing bad workplaces.
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Quiet quitting is nothing like its name; it does not mean discreetly turning in a resignation letter or silently exiting an organization.,
The Wall Street Journal aptly describes quiet quitting as "not taking your job too seriously" and doing nothing in addition to what's asked of you at the workplace.,
Quiet quitters have always existed in workplaces. People who've drawn strict boundaries between home and work have always been there.,
A PwC report states that while Gen Z employees are less likely to quit, 33% of them are more likely to ask for a reduction in work hours.,
A Deloitte report reveals that poor mental health among employees costs Indian employers around $14 billion per year due to absenteeism, presenteeism and increased attrition.,
Today, employees want to perform their duties but would no longer want to adhere to the hustle culture mentality where work becomes one's life.,
There is a need to integrate better practices at work so employees find substance in going the extra mile.,
Leaders need to start listening to their teams more often, understand their employees' pain points and direct efforts to make workplaces a more conducive environment.,
Instead of quietly quitting, employees should actively delegate work that is outside of their KRAs and discuss solutions on what might or might not be working at their jobs.,
Kaushik Chakraborty, Chief People Officer, Savills India
By Kaushik Chakraborty
"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Employees across industries are taking this phrase seriously, and no longer subscribe to becoming yet another Jack!
Last month, when a LinkedIn post by a noted CEO that glorified working for 18 hours a day went viral, employees across industries drew attention to the workplace hustle culture, its toxic nature, and why they're deciding to take power back into their hands by opting out of this scenario. Incidentally, this post was in conjunction with social media being awash with endless interpretations of 'quiet quitting', a term that has garnered intense attention on Tik Tok.
Interestingly, quiet quitting is nothing like its name; it does not mean discreetly turning in a resignation letter or silently exiting an organization. Instead, all quiet quitting entails is doing the bare minimum and sticking to what your job title describes. The Wall Street Journal in fact, aptly describes quiet quitting as "not taking your job too seriously" and doing nothing in addition to what's asked of you at the workplace.
Interestingly, quiet quitting is not new. Quiet quitters have always existed in our workplaces; that employee who would leave the office premises at 5 pm sharp, or the manager who would refrain from picking work calls on a Sunday evening—people who've drawn strict boundaries between home and work have always been there. However, in a world that glorified years of extra hours and hard work as standard, such employees were always looked down upon and spoken of in a negative light. But the pandemic has acted as a catalyst for positive change and the work world is now open to a diverse set of options such as remote and hybrid work models.
Findings of several reports by reputed firms such as PwC and Deloitte confirm the trend of quiet quitting with their findings. PwC's 2022 report titled 'India Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey' 2022 stated that while Gen Z employees are less likely to quit, 33% of them are more likely to ask for a reduction in work hours.
Another such report released by Deloitte titled 'Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace' revealed that poor mental health among employees costs Indian employers around $14 billion per year due to absenteeism, presenteeism, and increased attrition. The survey also found that at the workplace, 33% of all respondents continued to work, despite poor mental health, while 29% took time off and another 20% resigned to focus on their mental health.
These statistics reveal a changing paradigm of sorts where employees want to perform their duties but would no longer want to adhere to the hustle culture mentality where work becomes one's life.
With a chunk of people suggesting that quiet quitting is all about employees being sluggish at work, in reality, it is about workers simply getting wise and noticing bad workplaces. To wonder why the trend has caught attention now, is not very difficult to comprehend. It is partly a by-product of the pandemic where millions of workers lost their jobs as the disease shuttered the economy. While most people who were sacked have either found new jobs or have been rehired, greater attrition rates have lately been putting more strain on existing employees. They are invariably expected to go the 'extra mile'—do more for the same pay. For a growing population of quiet quitters, employers need to figure out newer ways to make their employees' lives better.
With changing times and employees embracing the "new normal", employers must re-imagine their workplace structure by exploring newer mind-muscle building paradigms. There is a need to integrate better practices at work so employees find substance in going the extra mile. Truth be told, this task is painstakingly complicated.
Leaders need to start listening to their teams more often, understand their employees' pain points and direct efforts to make workplaces a more conducive environment for their employee engagement and contentment. It calls for managers and HR persons to look for early signs of disengagement. Practises such as checking up with employees, gathering continuous and strategic feedback should not be a one-time thing but a frequent process.
As employers do their bit, it is also vital that employees stimulate a shift in mindset. They should proactively begin to 'talk it out' and instead of quietly quitting, they should actively delegate work that is outside of their KRAs and discuss solutions on what might or might not be working at their jobs. Starting afresh and building a new culture that is beneficial and efficient for all stakeholders is not impossible, all it needs is dedicated effort and the willingness to change.
The author, Kaushik Chakraborty, is Chief People Officer at Savills India.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and ETHRWorld does not necessarily subscribe to it. ETHRWorld will not be responsible for any damage caused to any person or organisation directly or indirectly.
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Son Jun-seong's side "Illegal seizure and search by air raiders"… Quasi-Appeal to the Court (Comprehensive)
Home » News » Son Jun-seong's side "Illegal seizure and search by air raiders"… Quasi-Appeal to the Court (Comprehensive)
Ministry of Airlift "Scheduled to submit opinions after review of quasi-port failure"
Ministry of Public Security re-appeals for arrest warrant for Son Jun-sung on suspicion of 'indictment'
(Seoul = Yonhap News) The High Commissioner's Crime Investigation Agency (Public Investigation Agency) requested an arrest warrant for Son Jun-seong, a human rights protector of the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office, a key suspect in the suspicion of 'indictment'.
The investigation team (Chief Prosecutor Yeo Woon-guk, deputy chief prosecutor) of the Ministry of Airborne Affairs requested a preliminary arrest warrant for Sohn again around 5 pm on the same day, 35 days after the court dismissed the arrest warrant on the 26th of last month.
The photo shows Son Jun-seong leaving the Seoul Detention Center after the warrant was dismissed on October 27. 2021.11.30 [연합뉴스 자료사진] [email protected]
(Gwacheon = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Dae-hee, Choi Jae-seo = Son Jun-seong, a human rights protector of the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office, who is being investigated as a suspect in the so-called 'indictment' filed
Prosecutor Sohn made a statement on the 30th and said, "The search and seizure conducted by the Ministry of Airlift on e-mail, messenger history, and criminal justice information system search history targeting the hand prosecutor, etc., did not go through the notification procedure for the suspect's participation, and the suspect or his lawyer's right to participate. This was done in a state of complete exclusion."
He also pointed out, "Based on the evidence illegally secured by the negligence theory of the eagle, the admissibility of the statement itself received from the Prosecutor's Office cannot be recognized."
In addition, Prosecutor Sohn said, "In the recent seizure and search of 'Lee Seong-yun's indictment leak case', the Public Investigation Service notified the prosecutors of the investigation team two days before and guaranteed the right to participate." This proves that the warrant has been executed illegally without being aware of it."
In connection with the suspicion of 'indictment', the Ministry of Airborne Search and seizure of the home and office of Prosecutor Sohn on September 10, and the Supreme Prosecutor's Inspection Department, the Office of the Investigative Information Officer, and the Information and Communication Division were also searched and searched this month.
It is known that the quasi-appeal on the same day was filed for all seizures and searches with the hand test as the suspect, except for the search and seizure on September 10.
The case will be handled by Judge Chan-nyeon Kim, the 31st detective of the Seoul Central District Court, who made the decision to cancel the search and seizure of the Office of the People's Power of Parliament Kim Woong.
An official from the Air Traffic Service said, "If we receive a notice of quasi-submission from the court in the future, we plan to submit an opinion after review."
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Hello to all. Things have been a little slow around our place lately. School is back in full swing and our youngest who has started her first year teaching is getting over the shock of real life and into a routine. Our oldest is anxiously waiting for her wedding day next month and most of the plans are in place. I suspect this recent calm is actually the proverbial "calm before the storm"! But that is OK, because I am ready for an adventure or two!
Someone sent Nina these a while ago and I thought they were amusing, so naturally I wanted to share them with all of you.
Perspective is sometimes so much more important than we realize!
George! You making me see naughty things!!!
Don't even say it is my fault!
Good luck in the upcoming weeks!
Good luck with the wedding prep. An exciting time!
Es May glad you liked the photos. Wow! What a wedding day you had. Thanks for the great advice, I am going to remind myself of your wise counsel next month. I hope I make it without too much emotion. I always cry in the "Father of the Bride" movie!
Hello Queenie, glad you enjoyed the pictures; they were fun! I anticipate great adventures ahead and I will let everyone know how things turned out.


Lyon St Exupery Airport was opened in 1975 to provide a larger facility for France's third city as Lyon Bron airport could not be extended. Since then it has become an important and busy airport providing skiers and snowboarders with lots of options on both charter, budget and major national carriers. It is conveniently located on the outskirts of Lyon near the motorway so access is normally quick and easy. While transfers to most ski resorts are a little longer from Lyon it provides a great alternative to Geneva particularly for the resorts in the Savoie region.
What to do when you arrive in Lyon?
Once you have landed you will be directed through passport control and into the baggage claim area. Luggage trolleys take 1 euro coins in Lyon and the airport give out free tokens in case you don't have the right coin with you. When you have been reunited with your luggage exit the baggage hall into the arrivals area where you should see your driver waiting for you. They will be holding a Skiidy Gonzales board with the lead name on it. Simply say hello and you will be looked after. There are 2 terminals in Lyon so your driver will be parked and waiting in the appropriate location for your flight.
Weekends during the winter are very busy on the roads of the French Alps. Saturday is the traditional ski changeover day and continues to be the busiest day of the week. Our procedures are the same every day so your driver will be waiting for you on arrival and will be able to provide an update on the road conditions and expected journey time.
On your departing transfer we will collect you from your accommodation in resort (pick up times sent by SMS the day before) and take you to Lyon Airport. The departure procedure is simple and utilises a quick drop lane close to the terminals so you do not have to trudge from the car parks. Trolleys are available and it is very close to the entrances to the check in areas.
Which Airlines fly to Lyon?


If you've thought of programmers as elite intelligentsia who possess expertise (and perhaps genes) the rest of us will never have, think again. C++ For Dummies, 5th Edition, debunks the myths, blasts the barriers, shares the secrets, and gets you started. In fact, by the end of Chapter 1, you'll be able to create a C++ program. OK, it won't be newest, flashiest video game, but it might be a practical, customized inventory control or record-keeping program. Most people catch on faster when they actually DO something, so C++ For Dummies includes a CD-ROM that gives you all you need to start programming (except the guidance in the book, of course), including: Dev-C, a full-featured, integrated C++ compiler and editor you install to get down to business The source code for the programs in the book, including code for BUDGET, programs that demonstrate principles in the book Documentation for the Standard Template Library Online C++ help files Written by Stephen Randy Davis, author of C++ Weekend Crash Course, C++ for Dummies, takes you through the programming process step-by-step. You'll discover how to: Generate an executable Create source code, commenting it as you go and using consistent code indentation and naming conventions Write declarations and name variables, and calculate expressions Write and use a function, store sequences in arrays, and declare and use pointer variables Understand classes and object-oriented programming Work with constructors and destructors Use inheritance to extend classes Use stream I/O Comment your code as you go, and use consistent code indentation and naming conventions Automate programming with the Standard Template Library (STL) C++ for Dummies 5th Edition is updated for the newest ANSI standard to make sure you're up to code. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.


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October 27, 2004 Food & Drink » Restaurant Review
Going Strong
Not much has changed at Azzurro. Not much needed to.
By Don Baker
The menu is largely unchanged from the days when Marcello Sindoni, who still owns restaurants in Rome and Miami, made Azzurro one of Richmond's better Italian establishments. Sindoni attracted a loyal clientele of knowledgeable West End diners who appreciated his wide-ranging menu and wine list.
Both and Navarette's menu is divided into four sections—appetizers, pastas, entrees and pizza. The last ($10-$13) are prepared in a brick oven with a mosaic sunburst exterior. In addition to the usual choices, Azzurro tops its pies with eggplant, shiitake mushrooms, broccoli, zucchini, shrimp, salmon and goat cheese.
The pastas ($15-21) also include some out-of-the-ordinary offerings, such as the thin, tubular bucatini and orecchiette, or "little ears." The range of pasta reflects an attempt to offer noodles from the breadth of Italy, not only from the north and south, but from Sicily, where sauces combine cream, eggs, pancetta and Parmesan.
The popular tortellini is stuffed at dinner with pork and veal and mixed with prosciutto and green peas in a light porcini mushroom sauce. At lunch, the tortellini, filled only with veal, is served in a heavier Alfredo sauce. Both versions were satisfying, though the airy mushroom sauce did more to enhance the meat flavor.
Appetizers (about $10) include homemade mozzarella, fried calamari, a combination of mussels and clams, and portobello mushrooms, expertly grilled and topped with shaved Parmesan. Dinner entrees ($16-$28) are weighted toward meat and poultry. At lunch, a typical entrée is $11.
One of the changes Both made in the menu was to add additional variety to the veal dishes. Despite the elegant dining room décor, the veal scaloppini looks and tastes like a meal made in the kitchen of a loving Italian home. The thin, oval slices of meat are prepared in a white wine sauce with artichoke hearts and sautéed mushrooms. Veal also can be ordered with crabmeat, mushrooms or simply in butter and lemon juice.
Fish is not absent from Azzurro's menu, but comes only as a daily special, thus assuring that only the freshest seafood is served. At lunch, it is atop a salad of mixed greens. Two pieces of salmon, lightly crusted, were a bit overcooked for my taste, but not to the point of dissatisfaction. A risotto special also changes daily.
Desserts ($6-$7.50), several of which are made in-house, include that ethereal Italian treat, tiramisu, in which crispy ladyfingers are dipped in a mixture of espresso and sambuca, layered with mascarpone custard and topped with bittersweet chocolate.
The service at Azzurro was efficient without being intrusive. Our server readily returned a glass of musty Italian pinot grigio and replaced it with a pleasant California chardonnay.
Azzurro means "sky blue" in Italian, which is the color of the rounded ceiling that encompasses the narrow bar and small smoking area. When the main dining room in the back is crowded, as at lunch, it can be noisy. But at night, with its subdued lighting and tile-framed fireplace, the restaurant can be romantic — especially on these cool evenings.
Two ways to take off the chill are to start with a bowl of pasta figioli, thick with white beans and pasta, and to wind up with one of three varieties of grappa. Those who choose that powerful fermented grape, however, would be well advised to appoint a designated driver for the trip home. S
Azzurro ($$$)
6221 River Road (River Road Shopping Center)
Lunch: Monday-Friday 11:30-3 p.m.; Saturday 11:30- 2:30 p.m..Dinner: Sunday and Monday 5:30-9:30 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday 5:30-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 5:30-11 p.m.
www.azzurrova.com
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In the United States, there are five common locations where consumers may purchase food products: drug stores, convenience stores, foodservice facilities, mass merchandisers, and grocery stores. The retail grocery industry considers grocery stores and supermarkets an interchangeable term.
Consumers spend over $5.3 trillion on retail and food service products each year. Leading food retailers in the United States include Kroger, Costco, and Walmart. Excluding Sam's Club and Walmart International sales figures, Walmart contributed over $307 billion to the retail grocery industry in 2017, with over 4,600 locations providing services.
The average household in the United States makes 1.5 trips to a retail grocery location each week. Compared to the traditional supermarket, consumers spend 2.5 times more at warehouse clubs, where the average transaction is almost $89. Most consumers also prefer to shop in person, even though online grocery shopping has been available for more than a decade.
For the average household in the United States, 5.9 hours per week will be spent on cooking food that was purchased from a local retail grocery location. These households will spend about $4,000 on food make at home, while spending over $3,100 on food away from home.
Look for grocery stores to continue finding new ways to market ready-to-eat foods that require minimal prep time to take advantage of the higher costs of restaurant food. Pre-cut vegetables, fruits, and pre-seasoned meats will continue to find new shelf space at the retail grocery level. New foods that may be difficult for consumers to access normally, such as dragon fruit or rambutan, will also hit store shelves.
The retail grocery industry is a mature industry with stable income, a slim profit margin, and plenty of consistency. Consumers will continue to visit these stores because we all have the need to eat regularly. The stores which offer convenience, fresh foods, and affordable pricing structures will see the greatest growth benefits in the years to come.