Giang Thanh Long, Vietnam

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Director of the Center for Economic Analysis, Forecasting, Training, and Sustainable Development
Faculty of Economics, National Economics University (NEU), Hanoi, Vietnam
Doctoral Program (’08)

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What is your area of specialization and how did you come to work in this area?

Currently I am working on economics of aging, social protection reforms, and elderly poverty in Vietnam. These topics have become my research interests via my consultancy work with various institutions in Vietnam. Vietnam has achieved remarkable social and economic progresses through renovation programs (namely Doi moi) but we are also facing a number of challenges with swift demographic changes toward an aging population in the coming decades. As such, studies on how to reduce elderly poverty reduction and how to build a comprehensive social protection system are a must. I am really interested in doing research on these topics for both academic and policy-making purposes.

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Have you always wanted to pursue a career in academia? What attracts you most about it?

It has always been my desire to make a positive contribution to Vietnam’s development and I think that my current career will help me to do so through providing evidence-based policy studies. What attracts me most about my current career is that I have many opportunities to meet, to exchange, and to link with many people with different views and ideas around the globe. Thanks to facilitations from my organizations, my chances have been broadened, and I can pursue various research plans.

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You have been involved in the Vietnam Development Forum (VDF), a joint research project between GRIPS and NEU from the very beginning in 2004. How did you get involved and what is your current role in VDF?

Right after finishing my Master degree in Public Policy at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo, I thought that I should pursue practical and policy-oriented research on developmental issues in Vietnam. Also, I did want to link Japanese and Vietnamese academia via my research activities. I met Professor Kenichi Ohno – my current mentor at VDF – and expressed my wishes. He has provided me the most facilitating research conditions at VDF that have enabled me to follow my research plans. I also have about three years working experience at the VDF office in Tokyo, and all the people there also were really helpful in promoting a research network among Vietnamese researchers and students with people from various parts of the world.

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At VDF, I have been in charge of doing studies on aging and social protection in Vietnam. I am making research plans on these issues, with Professor Kenichi Ohno and Prof. Nguyen Van Nam (NEU Rector) being the main advisors. Under the VDF name, I have also provided a number of consultancy services to both domestic and international organizations (such as the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs – MoLISA; the Ministry of Health – MoH; ADB, GTZ, UNFPA and UNICEF).

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You were appointed Director of the Center for Economic Analysis and Training of the Faculty of Economics at NEU in late 2008. In this capacity, what do you see as the main challenges and what is your mission?

The main challenges in my new position are to provide a facilitating research environment for my colleagues at the Faculty, as well as looking for research opportunities, given the limited research infrastructure. My main mission is to organize various research activities for the Center, including academic research projects and consultancy services.

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What achievements are you most proud of and what has been the most rewarding aspect of your career thus far?

I have received a number of research grants and awards in my career, but I was most honored to receive the 2008 Sasakawa Kenkyuu Soreishou (Award for Commendation). This was the additional award for the best papers. This award not only recognized my quality research, but also emphasized the importance of the research topic, i.e. creating a social assistance scheme to reduce poverty incidence for old-age persons in Vietnam. Among the twelve award receivers in 2008, I was the only foreigner.

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If you could choose another profession to be in, what would it be?

At this stage, I have no plans to change my career but I could imagine doing work that is related to policy-making. It means I might wish to work for a ministry.

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You spent for about 5 years in Japan and obtained both your Masters and Ph.D. from two Japanese universities. Why Japan and how has your time and studies in Japan influenced you in your subsequent life and career?

I came to know about the opportunity for studying in Japan when a close friend in Hanoi showed me the advertisement of the JICE scholarship for the first time in Vietnam. I was eager to study abroad (and applying to many other scholarships at that time) and the advertisement showed me a well-organized and planned schedule for the scholarship as well as the prospect of a good study environment in Japan. So, I decided to apply for the scholarship, and I went through three rounds smoothly. When I finished my Master program, I knew that my decision had been right. Along with working for VDF, my motivation to continue studying for a Ph.D. in Japan was strong, as I felt I could contribute a lot to the Japan-Vietnam academic relations with my network. There are two factors that I think have significantly influenced my career. First is that I could learn the ‘Japanese style’ of preparing for any work, even simplest tasks and assignments. Second, studying in an international environment in Japan created an opportunity to broaden my network, which is an effective way to gain knowledge and experience from others on a variety of social and economic aspects. These are important factors for a researcher working on policy issues. Being timely like the Japanese has helped me to arrange my work more effectively, particularly with a very tight teaching and research schedule.

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What is your fondest memory of your time spent at GRIPS?

Relaxing time with many friends after hours staying in Ph.D. room on 6th floor to “explore” ways to finish the Ph.D. dissertation. Friends were really an important factor contributing to my study at GRIPS.

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What do you miss about Japan?

Many things to miss, particularly excellent and fresh food: sushi, sashimi, and a hot noodle bowl in cold winter. I also miss parks and toy shops where my wife and I went with my son in the weekends. That is why whenever I visit Japan now, I always rush to get some sushi first, and stop by at ‘Toys Are Us’ to get some souvenirs for my sons…

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What is your favourite thing to do when you are not working?

Playing with my sons; surfing internet for news or watching movies

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How do you maintain a balance between your work and the rest of your life?

This is really a tough question. I am just at the beginning of my academic life, so I sometimes spend a lot of time trying to finish various work. I have tried my best to balance my work with the rest of my life, particularly for family, but I sometimes find it difficult as a day has only 24 hours! Thanks to my family, I have been able to pursue a lot of works.

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What advice would you give to current GRIPS students?

Once you are there in GRIPS – located at the heart of Tokyo – you will have a lot of opportunities to enjoy both academic and social life in Japan. Be prepared to study hard, but also take the chance to widen your network.