A representative of the Wildlife Action Group International in Germany (info@wildlifeactiongroup...) congratulates the forest protection forces of Lam Dong province for their successful fight against poaching and illegal trade of wildlife in Vietnam (http://english.vietnamnet.vn/Environment/201008/Forest-rangers-raid-restaurants-selling-wildlife-meat-932296/). “We all highly appreciate your engagement and dedication!” he wrote.

Linda Yi (lindayi3@...) from Canada thanks VietNamNet Bridge for useful travel information, specifically the recommendation of the Old Hanoi restaurant (http://english.vietnamnet.vn/travel/201009/1000-years-of-food-for-VND1000-at-Hanoi-restaurant-935240/).

She wrote: “Our family just returned from a 5 week trip to SE Asia. During our stay in Vietnam, we visited Old Hanoi restaurant and tried the ribs. We loved it! The other foods at the restaurant were delicious as well. Staff was friendly and the restaurant was beautiful. Can’t wait to see this episode of Great Escapes!

Roy (broytal39@...) from USA thanks VietNamNet Bridge for the article “An hour with David Ellwood, Dean of Kennedy School of overnment” (http://english.vietnamnet.vn/reports/201009/one-hour-with-david-ellwood-dean-of-Kennedy-School-of-Government-936592/).

He wrote: “I am saving it to share with a few friends that I think will appreciate reading it. His vision and experience is seriously needed to be shared with all of us. I think the leadership in Vietnam can also learn much from reading this article.”

Aloysius R. O’Neill (oneii1946@...) from Danang City gives comments about forced growth (http://english.vietnamnet.vn/reports/201007/Barriers-for-growth-must-be-removed-says-PM-923418/).

He wrote: "There are two ways of thinking about growth. The first way is meeting the needs of a community and the second is creating infrastructure because you think that will create demand. Meeting needs is logical and speculation is risky."

Richard Bradley from HCM City (rbradley.iu@...) wrote after reading the article “Renewable energy’s difficult birth” (http://english.vietnamnet.vn/reports/201009/Renewable-energys-difficult-birth-936875/): Vietnam shouldn’t just focus on how to generate more electricity, it should also focus on using less. Every time one of the old, energy efficient, French style buildings is torn down and is replaced with a glass box, that is uninhabitable without air conditioning, the need for electricity goes up. It would be better if new buildings had many of the features of the old that allowed residents to be comfortable without spending large sums on cooling.

Robin Hii (grandevil@...) from Hanoi reckons that it is not a good sign for Vietnam if minimum wages keep going up, arguing that “if the minimum wages keep going up, Vietnam will lose the advantage to attract foreign investor to build factory here.” (http://english.vietnamnet.vn/social/201003/Minimum-wage-rises-by-$450-900868/)

Louis J. Le Gendre (LJLG@verizon....) from USA wrote: I read your interesting September 15 article on the Vietnam Shippers Council protesting the THC - Terminal Handling Charge - billed by shipping lines (http://english.vietnamnet.vn/biz/201009/Shippers-council-says-will-charge-at-shipowners-over-fees-935743/).

Please note the THC is a standard charge for container shipping, which is used worldwide, in all countries, both at the port of export/loading and the port of import/discharge.

The THC is intended to cover the services of loading (export) or discharging (import) of the container on or from the ship, and the receiving (export) or delivery (import) of the container to and from the terminal, including the container storage while the container stays on the terminal waiting for being loaded (export) or delivered.

Who bears the THC is a matter to be contractually agreed between the exporter or importer and its customer or supplier when negotiating a sale or purchase contract.

For example, on export, if the Vietnamese exporting shipper wants the foreign buyer to support the THC, then the Vietnamese exporter has to negotiate an "ex works" or
"ex terminal gate" sale price terms(in this case the exporter pays the inland transport from its factory to the port terminal).

Otherwise, if the Vietnamese exporter negotiates an "F.I.O." (free, in and out) price, then the THC at the port of loading will be for the account of the Vietnamese exporter, while the ocean freight and the THC at the destination port of discharge will be for the account of the buyer.

The role of the Shippers’ Council is to make sure that the THC charged by the various lines do cover the services and related costs between the port terminal’s gate and the ship, with no excessive profit in relation to the actual cost level prevailing in a given port (different ports may have different cost levels, which may be more or less expensive due to local conditions and factors).

I take this opportunity to thank you for your publication, VietNamNet, which is well made, interesting, and give a positive outlook on Vietnam.”

Wong Francis from Singapore (wngfrancis@...) wrote: I wish the Sport Ministry can also consider promoting youth sailing for Vietnam School children. Youth sailing play a very big part in World and Asian region regatta. (http://english.vietnamnet.vn/travel/201008/Sailing-fest-promises-more-than-tourism-benefits-932004/)

K. P. Padiyar (kppadyar@...) from India shares about the first urban railway project in Hanoi (http://english.vietnamnet.vn/social/201009/First-urban-railway-route-in-Hanoi-under-construction-937891/): “Mumbai urban transport plan had a similar difficulty initially. Local state government promulgated a Tradable Development rights for land acquisition for public purposes in 1991. This has made acquisition easier. More details can be obtained from MMRDA available atwww.mmrdamumbai.org."

Penny Pogreba (penny38@) from the US wrote to us after reading the article “Young mother prosecuted for torturing her baby”: “I read this story of this dear sweet angel being abuse by the mother and step father and I know this is beyond bold of me to ask, and my being American but how does one go about fostering/adopting this child, I’m already in love with this sweet baby, who does not deserve such evil...”

Romulus Whitaker (kingcobra@...) from India wrote that he has data on the biggest crocodile skulls in the world and the crocodile skull fished out from a river in Can Tho city would be good to add this to the scientific listing of the worlds biggest crocs. (http://english.vietnamnet.vn/social/201010/Can-Tho-Colossal-crocodile-jawbone-fished-out-from-river-938702/)

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