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AbstractWhile the effect of land fragmentation on farm efficiency and production diversification in Vietnam has been well established, no evidence exists for its effect on household food security. Using a unique dataset from household surveys in combination with micro‐econometric models, the current study examines the impact of land fragmentation on food security in the poorest districts of Vietnam's North Central Coast. Even after controlling for other factors in the models, we provide the first evidence that in Vietnam, ethnic minority households whose land holdings are fragmented are more likely to suffer from food insecurity. A higher likelihood of achieving food security is found for households whose members have better education and non‐farm self‐employment. The findings suggest that land policies that encourage land consolidation and improve the access of ethnic minorities to better education and non‐farm self‐employment would help them improve their food security. Such policies should be promoted in the study area.

Motivated by the European debt crisis and the new European Union regulatory regime for the credit rating industry, we analyse differences of opinion in sovereign credit signals and their influence on European stock markets. Rating disagreements have a significant connection with subsequent negative credit actions by each agency. However, links among Moody's/Fitch actions and their rating disagreements with other agencies have weakened in the post-regulation period. We also find that only S&P's negative credit signals affect the own-country stock market and spill over to other European markets, but this is concentrated in the pre-regulation period. Stronger stock market reactions occur when S&P has already assigned a lower rating than Moody's/Fitch prior to taking a further negative action.

This paper investigates the causes of split sovereign ratings across S&P, Moody's and Fitch for 64 countries from 1997 to 2011. We identify that split sovereign ratings are not symmetric, with S&P tending to be the most conservative agency. We find that opaque sovereigns are more likely to receive split ratings. Political risk plays a highly significant role in explaining split ratings and dominates economic and financial indicators. Out-of-sample model performance is enhanced by capturing political risk. Government information disclosure affects split ratings between Moody's and Fitch in emerging countries. The study implies an incentive for governments to reduce political uncertainty and to enhance transparency.

Purpose– Little econometric evidence exists on the determinants of nonfarm participation among ethnic minorities in Vietnam. The purpose of this paper is to examine the intensity of nonfarm participation and its correlates among ethnic minority households in Northwest Mountains – the poorest region of Vietnam.Design/methodology/approach– Factors affecting the level of nonfarm participation were examined by using a fractional logit model. In addition, regression analysis using analysis of variance models were used to compare the mean of household characteristics and assets between households with and without nonfarm employment.Findings– The study found that households depended heavily on agriculture for subsistence and their access to nonfarm employment is very limited. Households with nonfarm employment had much higher levels of education, income, assets and a much lower level of poverty than those without nonfarm participation. The intensity of nonfarm participation is positively associated with education levels, proportion of male working members and fixed assets but negatively correlated with the size of annual crop land and water surface for aquaculture. Also, the presence of nonfarm opportunities and paved roads in a commune increases the intensity of nonfarm participation for households living in that commune.Practical implications– The findings suggest that any poverty alleviation policies should aim at improving the access of ethnic minorities to education and nonfarm job opportunities.Originality/value– The study offers the first evidence of factors affecting the intensity of nonfarm participation among ethnic minorities in the study area.

Using 603 sovereign rating actions by the three leading global rating agencies between January 2020 and March 2021, this paper shows that the severity of sovereign ratings actions is not directly affected by the intensity of the COVID-19 health crisis (proxied by case and mortality rates) but through a mechanism of its negative economic repercussions such as the economic outlook of a country and governments' response to the health crisis. Contrary to expectations, credit rating agencies pursued mostly a business-as-usual approach and reviewed sovereign ratings when they were due for regulatory purposes rather than in response to the rapid developments of the pandemic. Despite their limited reaction to the ongoing pandemic, sovereign rating news from S&P and Moody's still conveyed price-relevant information to the bond markets.

<i>This paper explores the study environment, teaching-learning activity, and employment status of the Public Health discipline. Qualitative research was conducted from December 2021 to August 2022. We recruited graduates, lecturers, and employers using the snowball sampling method and purpose. This research was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City (No. 550/HDDD-DHYD), and the oral consent form was obtained for each in-depth interview and focus group discussion. The number of participants in the focus group discussions was 20, equal to those in the in-depth interviews. There were 22 women (55%) and 47.5% of people over 35 years. University was the highest choice for working (47.5%), and over 50% of people had post-graduate degrees. The Faculty of Public Health is a romantic place with various green spaces and fresh air on Hung Phu Street and a modern building at 12A of Hong Bang Street. There are various teaching-learning activities, such as role-playing, case study, group discussion, writing report, presentations, and thesis defenses. Employers satisfy the Public Health graduate student knowledge and skills; however, they must improve their soft skills for job adaptation. This study's results may help to supply evidence for our university to improve the educational training program of Public Health. Furthermore, it may contribute to the expected learning outcomes to train human resources, which satisfies employers' needs and requirements of social changes relating to Public Health professionals.</i>