Nguyen Thi Luyen, born in 1985 from Phu Tho, Vietnam, was among several Vietnamese women who went on strike for labor rights in Jordan in February 2008. After returning to Vietnam, she faced threats and was forced to seek asylum in Thailand to avoid oppression. Luyen settled in Canada on October 6, 2022, after a tumultuous decade in Thailand. The article recounts her story of being deceived into exploitative labor conditions in Jordan, her struggle for justice in Vietnam, and her eventual resettlement in Canada with the assistance of organizations like BPSOS, IOM, and VOICE.

Mrs. Lê Thị Trang, a Vietnamese refugee in Thailand, passed away in February 2023 at the age of 85 after over 30 years in the country, leaving behind her mentally ill daughter Nguyễn Thị Na and grandson A Tỷ, both without citizenship. The family, undocumented in both Vietnam and Thailand, had been supported by the Fatima Church in Bangkok and various charities. Despite having a UNHCR asylum seeker certificate, Mrs. Trang's application was not successful. The family now faces an uncertain future, with calls for humanitarian intervention to prevent a continuation of their stateless situation.

Tran Thanh Man, a former boat person born in 1970, remains trapped in Thailand without documentation or refugee status. After his family's assets were seized following the fall of Saigon, Man attempted to flee Vietnam multiple times, finally reaching Thailand in 1989. However, he was forcibly repatriated in 1996 and faced persecution upon return. Man and his wife fled to Cambodia and then to Thailand in 2000, where they have lived without legal status, struggling to make ends meet. Despite applying for asylum in 2019, Man's application was rejected due to lack of evidence. He lives in fear of being sent back to Vietnam and feels abandoned by the international community.

In June 2022, H Nit Niê and Y Oi Niê, belonging to the Êđê ethnic group from Đắk Lắk, Vietnam, were deceived and sold into Cambodia. They were forced to work in a building in Bavet, making calls to recruit others via Zalo or Facebook, and could not leave until a ransom was paid. Their families had to sell property to secure their return. Upon returning to Vietnam, they were fined for crossing the border illegally. The local police in Đắk Lắk were unresponsive to their plight. Percy Nguyen from BPSOS stated that victims of human trafficking should not be penalized according to international treaties. Currently, H Nit and Y Oi are back in Đắk Lắk, wary of leaving their hometown again.

Tran Thanh Phuong, a member of the Constitution Group, continues to face hardships after being released from prison on March 7, 2022. Initially sentenced to three years and six months for 'disrupting security,' Phuong was supposed to be under house arrest in Saigon for two years but was instead sent to Thua Thien-Hue. He has been economically marginalized and faces restrictions that prevent him from working or leaving the area without permission. Phuong's family life has been disrupted, and he struggles to support his two children. Despite numerous appeals to authorities, he has not received a response to his situation.

Cung Trầm Tưởng, a renowned Vietnamese poet known for works like 'Autumn in Paris,' passed away on October 9, 2022, in Minnesota, USA. Born in Hanoi in 1932, he began writing poetry at 15 and later moved to Saigon. He studied in France and served in the South Vietnamese Air Force. His poetry, influenced by French poets, was transformed into music by Phạm Duy. After 1975, he was imprisoned for ten years in re-education camps. His poetry is characterized by a transition from romanticism to a more direct confrontation with the harsh realities of post-war Vietnam. Cung Trầm Tưởng's legacy is celebrated for its emotional depth, musicality, and the impression it left on Vietnamese literature.

Vietnamese restaurants in London are facing challenges due to the economic impact of the war in Ukraine, leading to inflation and increased costs for utilities and imported goods. Owners of Miền Tây, Viet Soho, and Pho City shared their experiences with BBC News Tiếng Việt, discussing the doubling of gas prices, difficulties in sourcing ingredients, and the need to adjust menu prices. While some restaurants have seen a decrease in customers, others have maintained their clientele by not raising prices. Staffing issues and the potential increase in VAT are additional concerns. Despite these challenges, the owners express a sense of resilience and adaptability.

On August 28, at Sotheby's Modern & Contemporary Auction in Singapore, Vietnamese artist Lê Phổ's painting 'Vietnamese Lady' sold for approximately 557,000 USD. Lê Phổ, trained at the École des Beaux-Arts de l'Indochine, is one of the most sought-after modern painters. His works, along with those of Mai Trung Thứ and Vũ Cao Đàm, are gaining strong interest in the art market. The auction highlighted the growing strength of the Vietnamese art market, with Lê Phổ's eight paintings selling for a total of around 1.7 million USD. The article also discusses the historical significance of the École des Beaux-Arts de l'Indochine and its impact on Vietnamese art.

The author discusses their personal preferences in literature, emphasizing a focus on details, character depth, and authorial vision over themes or messages. They express a preference for complex, psychologically rich characters, as exemplified by Tolstoy, and a distaste for moralistic or didactic writing. The author values authors who affirm life and see people as individuals, rather than types. They also critique certain authors and filmmakers for their bleak outlooks and discuss their literary preferences, ultimately placing Shakespeare and Tolstoy at the pinnacle for their understanding of human behavior and compassion.

Contrary to expectations that economic development would lead to liberalization, China has exerted pressure and induced self-censorship in Western democracies. The article discusses instances where the NBA, international brands, and Hollywood have apologized to China. It highlights the influence of China on Western academia, including the Confucius Institutes' role in censorship at U.S. universities, the cancellation of events, and the pressure on scholars and students to avoid sensitive topics like Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The article also covers the self-censorship among Chinese students abroad due to fear of repercussions for their families or future prospects. It concludes that while Western societies debate free speech and political correctness, the larger issue of Chinese censorship and induced self-censorship in business, media, film, and academia remains under-discussed.

Western democracies once believed that China would adopt Western values as it opened up economically, but the reality has been the opposite, with China gaining influence and causing Western democracies to self-censor. International brands from various sectors, including automotive, hospitality, fashion, and technology, have issued apologies to China for actions deemed offensive, such as incorrect map representations or supporting separatist movements. These incidents highlight the extent of China's global power and the pressure on international companies to conform to Chinese policies and laws.

The blog post discusses the author's insights and interpretations of parts 6 and 7 of 'Anna Karenina' by Tolstoy. It explores themes such as Tolstoy's portrayal of sex, character comparisons between Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, and Turgenev, and the narrative technique of entering the minds of various characters, including animals. The post also analyzes the sympathetic depiction of the character Dolly, contrasts between Anna and Kitty, and Vronsky and Levin, and delves into Tolstoy's use of metaphors and similes. Additionally, it examines the significance of three different portraits of Anna in the novel and concludes with a reflection on a complex scene involving Oblonsky, Karenin, and Countess Lydia Ivanova. The author appreciates Tolstoy's skill in writing and his ability to create multifaceted characters and scenes.