OfficialsfromtheB?cGiangProvincialPeoplesCommittee,YouthUnionandYouthFederationpresenttheVolunteerAwardstoindividualsandgroups.B?CGIANG—TheB?cGiangProvincesH?ChíMinhCommunistYouthUnionandtheprovincialYouthFederationhavepresentedVolunteerAwardsto11individualsandorganisations,commemoratingthe25thanniversaryoftheSummerVolunteerCampaign.TheunionandfederationalsogavetheOctober15Awardtoatotalof12individuals.TheawardisfromtheVi?tNamYouthFederationgiventoindividualswithoutstandingachievementsinunionworkandyouthmovements.Alongsidethese,tenexemplaryyoungindividualswerealsogiventheBeautifulYouthaward.Theawardsaimtohonour,encourageandpromotetheachievementsofoutstandingindividualsandgroups,whohavemadesignificantcontributionstovolunteerworkinthecommunity.SecretaryoftheprovincialYouthUnionandPresidentoftheprovincialYouthFederationThanTrungKiên,saidthat25yearsago,theH?ChíMinhCommunistCentralYouthUnionofficiallylaunchedthenationwideyouthvolunteermovement.Overthepastquartercentury,remarkableresultswereachievedbyyouthunion,theyoungfederation,youthvolunteersandorganisationsacrossthecountry,contributingtolocaleconomicandsocialdevelopment,aswellashelpingtoliftdisadvantagedareas.InB?cGiangProvince,themovementbeganwithtwovolunteerteams,comprisingjust50members.Today,theprovinceboastshundredsofregularvolunteerteamswithmillionsofvolunteersparticipatingacrossdifferentsectors.RepresentativesfromtheCentralYouthUnionandtheYouthFederationofB?cGiangProvinceawardtheBeautifulYouthprizetoexemplaryindividuals.Numerousvolunteermovementsandmodelsinitiatedbytheyouthunionhadproducedpracticaloutcomes,becomingshiningexamplesandspreadingnationwide.NotableinitiativesincludedtheEmt?i?ithiprogramme,thecampaigntoeliminatetemporaryanddilapidatedhomes,digitisinghistoricalsitesandstreetnames,buildingonlinesalesplatformstohelpyoungpeoplegainmoreincomeandpromotingagriculturalproduceviae-commerceplatforms.ActingChairmanoftheprovincialPeoplesCommitteeMaiS?n,praisedtheachievementsofthecampaignoverthepast25years.Hecommendedthecontributionsofyoungpeople,studentsandtheyouthunionandfederationacrosstheprovince.Hefurtherurgedtheyouthunionandfederationtocontinuetreatingthecampaignasavitalpoliticalactivitytostrengthentheorganisationanditsapparatus.Throughthevolunteermovement,hesaid,itispossibletoidentifyandnurtureoutstandingtalentsfortheyouthunion,providinghigh-qualityhumanresourcesforlocalPartyandGovernmentofficials.Hecalledforcontinuedeffortstofostervolunteermovementsthattransformedtheenergyofyouthintoaction,inspiringyoungpeopletofullyharnessthepotentialoftheiryouthandcontributetothenationsprogressasitenteredanewera.—VNS

AsystemfordetectingandtrackingcyberthreatsinVi?tNam.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—ArecentreportfromtheAuthorityofInformationSecurity(AIS)hasrevealedaconcerningsecuritybreachinvolving18governmentsystemsconnectedtobotnets.Abotnetisanetworkofcompromisedcomputerscontrolledremotely,typicallyusedtocarryoutcyberattacks.Oncecomputersaretakenover,attackerswillusethemtoautomatelarge-scaleoperationssuchasspreadingmalwareorstealingdata.InSeptember,AISrecorded468,796IPaddressesinVi?tNamconnectedtobotnets,including18IPaddressesfromgovernmentagenciesandorganisations.Thisdiscoveryhighlightstheongoingthreatposedbybotnetstogovernmentsystemsandtheimportanceofproactivesecuritymeasures.Tomitigatetherisksassociatedwithbotnetattacks,AIShasbeenactivelymonitoringanddetectinginternalthreatswithinsystems,particularlytheriskofserversandworkstationsbeinginfectedwithmalware.Additionally,theagencyhasbeensharinginformationaboutcybersecuritythreatswithinternationalorganisations.Sincethebeginningof2024,AIShasdetected321governmentsystemsconnectedtobotnetsandprovidedsupporttoblockandaddresstheseissues.Theagencyseffortshavereducedby75percentthenumberofIPaddressesinVi?tNamconnectedtobotnets,comparedto2019.—VNSInVi?tNam,youngergenerationsareembracingaproactiveapproachtoretirement,choosingtoretirelaterandsavemore.—PhotocourtesyofSunLifeVietnamHCMCITY—AsAsiaPacificfacesasignificantdemographicshift,withnearlyoneinfourbeingovertheageof60by2050,newresearchbySunLifeAsiarevealschallengesandopportunitiesforretirementplanningacrosstheregion.Theresearch,RetirementReimagined:facingthefuturewithconfidence,surveyed510respondentsinVi?tNamaspartofasurveyofover3,500peopleacrosscountriesincludingChina,Indonesia,Malaysia,thePhilippines,SingaporeandVi?tNam.Thereportaimstounderstandtheiraspirationsandplanningpracticesastheyprepareforoldage.ResearchinVi?tNamrevealsagrowingdesireforindependentfinancialsecurityinoldage,asretirementplansshiftfromstatepensionschemesandrelianceonthefamilyunit,toprioritisingindividualsavingsandinvestments.Savingforretirementwascitedasthenumberonefinancialgoaloverthenext12months,acrossallagegroups.However,manyareill-equippedtodealwithfinancialrealities,as67percentwillleaveplanningaroundretirementexpensesuntilfiveyearsorlessbeforeretirementand7percentwillnotplanforthisatall.Whilemostrespondentssaveatleast10percentoftheirincomeforretirement,analarming23percentdonot.Whenaskedaboutplannedsourcesofincomeinretirement,theaverageexpectationwasfor25percentofincometobedrawnfromcashsavings,underscoringapotentialmissedopportunitytomaximiseretirementincomethroughinvestmentsandensureitkeepspacewithinflation.Forcurrentretirees,26percentadmittheyhadnotplannedtheirretirementexpenses,leadingto20percentbeingcaughtoffguardbyhigher-than-expectedcosts.Thistrendisexpectedtogrowasinflationimpactslivingstandards.Forthosecaughtoffguardbyhighercosts,thekeyfactorsarethegeneralcostofliving(76percent)andhealthcareexpenses(51percent).Inresponse,manyhavebeenforcedtocutspending(73percent)andreturntotheworkforce(33percent).However,thefuturelooksbrighterasyoungergenerationsareadjustingtheirexpectations.Theyanticipateretiringatanaverageageof64,thischangereflectingagrowingawarenessofeconomicconditionsandpersonalcircumstances.Theprimaryreasonsfordelayedretirementincludetheenjoymentofwork(46percent),theneedtosavemore(61percent)andthedesiretostayphysicallyandmentallyactive(49percent).Acrossallgroups,thetopaspirationforretirementisspendingqualitytimewithfamilyandfriends(35percent),followedbyescapingthedailygrindofworkandrelaxing(22percent)andglobaltravel(18percent).Whilehealthissuesandphysicaldecline(59percent)remainthegreatestconcerns,thesedreamsinspireamorepositiveoutlookonretirement.—VNS

Pondswithwhite-leggedshrimpbredusingthesuper-intensivefarmingmodelandadvancedtechniquesinCàMauProvincesCáiN??cDistrict.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhAnhCàMAU—CàMauProvinceisfocusingondevelopinghigh-qualityshrimpfarmingtoenhanceproduction,valueandexports.Farmersthereareemployingvariousmodels,suchasshrimp-rice,shrimp-forestandhigh-techshrimpfarming,allaimedatensuringhighquality.LocatedintheC?uLong(Mekong)Delta,CàMauenjoysgeographicaladvantagesforbrackish-watershrimpfarming,withitsthreesidesborderingtheseaanda254kmcoastline.Theprovince,knownasthelargestshrimpproducerinVi?tNam,boastsnearly280,000hectaresofbrackish-watershrimpfarming.Thisincludes86,000hafarmedundershrimp-rice,shrimp-forest,andshrimp-crab-fishfarmingmodels,186,000haofadvancedextensivefarmingand6,700haofintensiveandsuper-intensivefarming.Undertheshrimp-ricefarmingmodel,coastalfarmershavesowed42,936haofriceasofearlyOctober,surpassingtheprovincesannualtargetby15.7percent,accordingtotheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.Inthissystem,shrimparebredinbrackishwaterduringthedryseasonbeforerainwaterflushesoutsalinityfromthefieldsduringthemonsoontomakewayforricecultivation.Thismodelproduceshigh-qualityshrimpandricesincefarmersuseminimalchemicalsandtheshrimpfeedonnaturalresources.Tr?nHuyHoàng,whohasathree-hectareofshrimp-ricefarminTr?nV?nTh?iDistrictsL?iAnCommune,notedthatfavourablerainfallthisyearhasmadericecultivationunderthismodelparticularlysuccessful,andlocalsareoptimistic.Morefarmersaresuccessfullysowingriceseedsthisyearduetotheirimprovedtechniques.Asaresult,thesowingareahasincreasedcomparedtopreviousyears.Shrimp-ricefarmingyieldsprofitsofVN?100-120million(US$4,000-4,800)perhectareannually,higherthanfromtwoannualricecropsonthesameland,accordingtolocalfarmers.V?V?nL?c,deputychairmanoftheL?iAnCommunePeoplesCommittee,saidatthestartofthisyearsricecrop,agriculturalofficialsweretaskedwithencouragingfarmerstogrowriceinshrimp-ricefarmingfields.Thecommittee,incollaborationwithrelevantdepartmentsandagencies,providedguidanceonfarmingtechniques,improvingsoilfertilityandstrictlyadheringtosowingschedulestominimisedamages.Another40,000haarefarmedundertheshrimp-forestrymodeltoproducehigh-qualitycrustaceans,witharound20,000hacertifiedtobeofinternationalstandards.Th?iBìnhDistricts696hashrimp-ricefarmingarea,managedby321households,hasgottheBestAquaculturePracticescertificationfromtheGlobalAquacultureAlliance,afirstinVi?tNam.ImprovingValueCàMaushouseholds,co-operativesandbusinessesareincreasinglydiversifyingproductsmadefromshrimptoaddvalue.TanPhátL?iCo-operativeinNg?cHi?nDistrictsTan?nTayCommuneproduces16differentproductsfromthecreaturesincludingdried,flakes,powder,sauce,fermented,paste,chips,andchilishrimpsalt.BùiV?nCh??ng,itsdirector,saidwhentheco-operativewasestablished11yearsagoitonlyproduceddriedshrimp.Butovertimeheresearchedanddevelopedvariousotherproductsandinvestedinmodernprocessingfacilitiestoincreasevalue.Today,theco-operativehasonefour-starandseventhree-starproductsunderthenationalOneCommune–OneProduct(OCOP)programme.ThesearesoldnationwideandthroughmajorsupermarketssuchasSaigonCo.op.Ng?cHi?nDistrict,whichhas23,000haofaquaculture,primarilyfocusesonshrimpfarming.Ofthedistricts22OCOPproducts,16areshrimp-related.LêHoàiPh??ng,deputyheadofitsBureauofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidthedistrictisestablishingcleanfarmingareasandadoptingadvancedtechniquestoproducehigh-qualityshrimpthatmeetexportstandardsandareusedinproducingtheprovincesspecialityandOCOPproducts.Wehopetoenhancethecompetitivenessofourshrimpproducts,attractmoreconsumersandexpandmarkets.DriedshrimpsmadebyboilinganddryingthemunderthesuninCàMauProvinces??mD?iDistrict.Underthetraditionalmethod,afterbeingboiled,theshrimpsaredriedintheopenfortwodaysandonenight.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhAnhExportprospectsBy2025,CàMauaimstohave280,000haofshrimpfarmswithanoutputof280,000tonnesandexportsofUS$1.4billion.Toachievethesegoals,itisbuildinginfrastructureinshrimpbreedingareas,developingcleanfarmingmodelsandimprovingbothqualityandyieldstoexpandmarkets.Advancedtechnologiesarebeingadopted,includingautomaticmonitoringsystemstocheckshrimphealthandenvironmentalconditionsforquickidentificationandresolutionofproblems.Itisincreasinglyadoptingbiotechnologyandusingbiologicalproductsandbeneficialmicroorganismstoboostshrimphealthandreduceantibioticuse.Severalinfrastructureprojectsarealsounderwaytosupportshrimpfarmingandprocessing,includingirrigation,powerandotherfacilities,whichhelpreduceproductioncostsandimprovetheprovincescompetitivenessinexportmarkets.Farmersarebeingsupportedinshiftingtoorganicandbiologicalbreedingmethodstomeetexportrequirements.CàMauexportsshrimptomarketsincludingtheUS,EU,Japan,andChina.—VNSAcashieratCoopmartSupermarketinKiênGiangProvince.Thetradeandservicesectorsneedlargenumbersofworkersforthelastmonthsoftheyear.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Theeconomicrecoveryhasfuelledthelabourmarkettoafastergrowthinthefinalmonthsoftheyear,withhighrecruitmentdemandsfromenterprises,especiallypart-timejobsintradeandservicesectors,accordingtotheEmploymentDepartmentundertheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs.Nguy?nLanNg?c,aseniorstudentattheVietnamNationalUniversity,HàN?i,recentlywenttoajobfairinsearchofapart-timepositioninmarketing.Iammajoringinbrandmanagement.Asastudentandworkingpart-time,IexpecttoearnVN?5million-7millionpermonth.Ihopethattheparttimejobwillhelpmenavigatecareerorientationduringmystudiesandfuturejobapplications,shetoldTinT?c(News)newspaper.ChuLinhHuy?n,afinal-yearstudentattheTayH?DistrictVocationalEducationandContinuingEducationCentreinHàN?i,islookingforajobatacoffeeshop,toexperienceworkasabaristaafterlearningtheseskillsatthecentre.Shesaidthemajorityofstudentsgethourlypaybyworkingpart-timeatcoffeeshops.AccordingtotheHàN?iEmploymentServiceCentre,thecityslabourmarketcontinuedtorecoverinSeptember.Thenumberofbusinesseswhichwentbankruptdecreasedsharply,whichhadapositiveimpactonthelabourmarket.Itisestimatedthatthecitysenterprisesneededtorecruitabout22,680positionslastmonth.Among10,357vacantjobsat3,240businesses,about51.72percentareinthewholesaleandretailsectors,whilethemanufacturingandconstructionindustriesaccountfor24.09percentofthevacancies.Serviceandsalesemployeesareinhighdemand,makingup42.17percentofthetotaljobsonoffer,followedbyofficeassistants,at13.12percent.Whenitcomestotechnicalexpertise,businessesmostlyseektohirepeoplewithabachelorsdegreeorabove,45.96percent,followedbyunskilledworkersandtechnicalworkerswithoutadegreeorcertificate,at16percent.PayrollsbetweenVN?5millionandVN?10millionarethemostcommon,accountingfor74.1percentofalljobhires.Accordingtothecentre,staffingneedsinthetradeandserviceindustriesareexpectedtoincreaseinthelastfewmonthsof2024.Supermarkets,restaurants,shoppingmallsanddeliveryserviceswillrequirealargenumberofworkerstofulfillyear-endconsumerorders.Nguy?nAnhTú,anHRadministrativespecialistofNh?tTínLogisticsCompany,saideverymonth,hiscompanyfindsaboutahundredemployees,offeringmonthlywagesofbetweenVN?12million-16million.About60percentofthedesiredpositionsaregenerallabourers,whomusthavetheirowntransporttogettowork.Thecompanyrecruitsevenpart-timeworkers,aslongastheycanmeettheworkingschedulerequirements,hesaid.TheHàN?iRailwayOneMemberCo.,Ltd.musthirearound300peopletofilltherolesoffactoryworkers,departmentheads,deputydepartmentheads,teamleadersanddeputyteamleaders.SalaryrangesforthesejobsareVN?7milliontoVN?13million,plusbonusesandotherallowances.Inordertoseeklabourerstoserveproductionandbusinessactivities,localenterpriseshavediversifiedtheirsearchchannels,includinggoingtojobfairs,witheachlocalfairofferingaround3,000jobs,acrossavarietyofsectors.DeputyDirectoroftheHàN?iEmploymentServiceCentreV?QuangThànhsaidtherearecurrentlymanyjobopportunitieswithattractivepositionsinallsegmentsofqualifications,includingpost-graduateemployment,college,university,vocationalcertificatesandprimaryeducation.ThemajorityofthesepositionshavemonthlysalarybetweenVN?7millionandVN?15million,withmoreskilledgroupsbeingpaidbetweenVN?15millionandVN?20million.Jobopportunitiesarequitediverse,sothatemployeeswhoarestudentsandothergroupscanfindjobsthatsuittheirneeds,hesaid.InHCMCity,Ph?mV?nC?n,deputydirectoroftheCentreforHumanResourcesDemandForecastingandLabourMarketInformation,saidthecityslabourforceisexpectedtogrowtoover5.1millionin2024,up5.61percentfrom2023.Thecentrepolledmorethan52,000businesses,employingover230,000people,inthefirstninemonthsof2024.Thecommerceandserviceindustriesaccountformorethan70percentofhiringneeds,withtheconstruction,agricultural,forestryandfisheriessectorscominginsecondandthird.Somesectorswhichhavereportedhighrecruitmentdemandssinceearlythisyearareprocessingandmanufacturingindustry,wholesaleandretail,repairofautomobiles,motorcyclesandothermotorvehicles,professional,scientificandtechnologicalactivities,realestatebusinessactivities,finance,bankingandinsuranceactivitiesandinformationandcommunicationsectors.Thecentreforecaststhatthecityisinneedofroughly83,000workersinthelastquarter,mostlyinkeyindustrialgroupsandmainservicegroups.Tofindasuitablejob,thecentreadvisedjobseekerstomaintainaprofessionalworkingattitudeandworkethics,whilealsoarmingthemselveswithprofessionalknowledge,professionalabilitiesandsoftskillsrelevanttothejobrole.Employeesmustalsostaycurrentwithemergingtechnologiesandenhancetheirproficiencyinforeignlanguagesandinformationtechnology.—VNSVietnameselabourersarrivingatIncheonAirportinSouthKorea.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofLabour,WarInvalidsandSocialAffairshasannouncedplanstocontinueinspectingcompaniesthatprovideoverseaslabourservicesinthefinalmonthsof2024.Thisinitiativeisaimedatincreasingtransparencyinthesectorandsafeguardingtherightsandinterestsofworkers.InOctober2024,theDepartmentofOverseasLabourManagementimposedpenaltiesonthreecompaniesforviolationsrelatedtosendingVietnameseworkersabroad.Theinfractionsincludednon-compliancewithcontractualandfinancialregulations.HùngV??ngInternationalHumanResourcesDevelopmentandInvestmentJointStockCompanyreceivedafineofVN?57.5millionforlatecontributionstotheOverseasEmploymentSupportFundandfornotclearlyspecifyingservicefeesandcostsincontractsforworkerssenttoMacao(China).HoàngMinhManufacturing,TradingandServiceCo.,Ltd.inHàN?iwasfinedVN?130millionforincompletereportingandimproperuseofcontracttemplatesforworkerssenttoJapan.ThecompanyalsofailedtospecifyservicefeesandcostsanddelayedpaymentstotheOverseasEmploymentSupportFundforworkers.TGInternationalHumanResourcesTrainingJointStockCompanywasfinedVN?12.5millionfornotupdatingrequiredinformationonitswebsite,suchasstafflistsandlabourorientationfacilities.Inadditiontothesepenalties,theministryhasbeenworkingtoexpandlabourmarketsinEurope,wheretheincomeandworkingconditionsarefavourable.WhilethenumberofVietnameseworkersinthisregionremainslow,cooperationbetweenVi?tNamandtheEuropeanUnionisstrengthening,benefitingbothsides.InSeptember2024,12,369Vietnameseworkers,including4,363women,wentabroad,withJapan,Taiwan(China),andSouthKoreabeingtheprimarydestinations.Bytheendofthefirstninemonthsof2024,113,896Vietnameseworkershadbeensentabroad,achieving91.11percentoftheannualtarget.Japanremainsthetopdestinationwith56,566workers,followedbyTaiwanwith43,690,SouthKoreawith6,276,Chinawith1,704,Singaporewith1,040,Romaniawith670,andHungarywith449.—VNS

Taxofficialsprovideonlineassistancetotaxpayers.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheVietnameseGovernmentsaggressivepursuitoftaxdebtthroughtravelbanshassparkedaheateddebate,pittingtheneedforrevenuecollectionagainstthepotentialharmtobusinessesandindividuals.Since2023,theGeneralDepartmentofTaxationhasissuednearly23,800travelbanstobusinessesandindividualsowingoverVN?50trillion(US$2billion)intaxes,successfullyrecoveringVN?2trillion($80million).IwasshockedtolearnthatIowedsomuchinbacktaxes,saidTr?nTh?Hu?,aHàN?itaxpayer.IhadnoideathatIwassupposedtopayadditionaltaxesonmysecondjob.Hu?reportedreceivingnoticesofsubstantialtaxdebtsonlyuponarrivingattheairport,leavingherstrandedandunabletoboardherflights.Shelearnedthehardwaythathavingmultiplejobscouldleadtounexpectedtaxbills.Shehasnowsettledhertaxdebtstohavehertravelbanlifted.Whilethemeasurehasprovedeffective,criticsarguethatablanketbanontravelcouldhaveunintendedconsequences.Nguy?nNg?cTú,alecturerfromtheHàN?iUniversityofBusinessandTechnology,arguesthatthereasonsbehindtaxdebtsaremultifacetedanddonotnecessarilyindicateadeliberateattempttoevadetaxes.Hethusadvocatesforamorenuancedapproachtoaddressingtaxnon-compliance,notingthatblanketmeasuressuchastravelbansmightbeunfairandcounterproductive.Imposingatravelbancandamagetaxpayersreputation,hindertheirbusinessoperations,andultimatelymakeitharderforthemtopayofftheirtaxdebts,saidTú.ExpertNguy?nLyTr??ngAnsharesTúsviews,arguingthatsuchaone-size-fits-allapproachcanhaveadetrimentaleffectonbusinesses,particularlyinthecurrenteconomicclimate.Headvocatesforopendialoguesbetweentaxauthoritiesandbusinesses,wherethelatterexplaintheirsituationsandproposerepaymentplans,suggestingtravelbansonlybeimposedasalastresort.AccordingtolawyerTr?nXoa,theissueliesintheinefficientdeliveryoftaxnotices.Whiletaxpayersmustprovidetheircontactdetails,theseoftenbecomeoutdatedafterafewyears,makingitdifficultfortaxauthoritiestoreachthem.Asaresult,manytaxpayersareunawareoftheiroutstandingtaxliabilitiesuntiltheyattempttotravelabroad.ThelawyercallsontaxpayerstoregularlychecktheirtaxobligationsthroughonlineplatformssuchastheGeneralDepartmentofTaxationsportalandtheE-taxmobileapptoavoidbeinginarrears.Otherexpertssuggestdebtthresholdstodeterminewhichtaxpayersaresubjecttotravelbans,avoidingaone-size-fits-allapproach.Theyarguethatimposingtravelbansonindividualswithinsignificanttaxdebtscancreateunnecessaryhardships.Theirvoicehasbeenheard,withaGeneralDepartmentofTaxationrepresentativeconfirmingthattravelbanswillnotbeappliedbroadly,butonlytotaxpayerswithsignificantandlong-standingtaxdebts,especiallythosewhohavepersistentlyrefusedtopay.Sherevealsthatthetaxagencywillfocusonimposingtravelbansontaxpayerswhohaveceasedoperationsattheirregisteredaddresseswithoutnotifyingthetaxauthorities,leavingoutstandingtaxliabilities.Regardingtaxpayersconfusionaboutwhowouldbesubjecttotravelbansamongacompanyslegalrepresentatives,ownersandshareholders,therepresentativesaysthetaxagencywilldecideonitonacase-by-casebasis.Shealsosharesthatthetaxagencywillreviewandreviserelevantlawstoensurefairnessandsupportfortaxpayersinhardship.—VNS??ngThápseekstoimprovetrafishfingerlingfarming.—VNA/VNSPhoto??NGTHáP—TheMekongDeltaprovinceof??ngThápisfocusingonrestructuringtheproductionoftrafish(sharkcatfish)fingerlingstostrengthenthetrafishindustry,oneofthekeysectorsoftheprovince.??ngThápProvincecurrentlyhas52facilitiesforproducingjuveniletrafish,withnearly150,000parentfish,supplyingaround18billionjuveniletrafisheveryyear,satisfyingthedemandofbothinsidetheprovinceandnearbylocalities.Theprovincealsohas850trafishfingerlingfarmsofupto800haintotal.TheyaremostlyinH?ngNg?,ChauThành,CaoL?nhdistrictsandH?ngNg?City,andtheirfingerlings(30-35fishperkilo)arepricedatuptoVN?30,000perkilo.Fingerlingfarmersarepursuingproductionmodelsthatensurehighqualityandsustainability,whileavoidingoversupply.Hu?nhT?n??t,deputydirectoroftheprovincesDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidthat??ngThápisfocusingondigitaltransformationinmanagingfingerlingproductionplanning,issuanceofidentificationcodes,anddisseminationofmarketinformation.Itisre-structuringlocalfingerlingproductiontowardsco-operationtoreducerisks,byencouragingsmall,scatteredfarmstoformclubsandco-operativegroupstoproducealargequantityoffingerlingsthatareconsistentinquality.Theprovinceisalsostrengtheninglocalsupplychains,linkingfarmswithmanufacturingbusinessesandproducersoffishfeeds.Toensurethequalityoffingerlings,fingerlingfarmsaround??ngThápwillgraduallyswitchtheirparenttrafishtothoseofhigherqualityandreceivegoodfingerlingsfromResearchInstituteforAquacultureNo.2inHCMCity,whichgrowfastandareresistanttodiseases.Theprovincewillalsotightlymanagefingerlingfarms,vaccinatethefish,investininfrastructure,andincreaseco-operationbetweenStateagencies,businessesandtheVi?tNamPangasiusAssociation.Bytheendof2024,??ngTháptargetsproducingover17billionjuveniletrafishand1.3billiontrafingerlings.By2025,theprovincetargetshavingover75percentoffingerlingsforfarmingbeofhighquality,and60percentofjuveniletrafishproducersusinghighqualityparentfish.Atrafishfarmin??ngThápProvince.—VNA/VNSPhoto?Theprovinceleadsthecountryintermsoftrafishexports,bringinghundredsofmillionsofdollarsinrevenueeveryyear.Trafishisakeyexportproductoftheprovince.Inthefirstninemonthsof2024,theprovinces2,242haoffishfarmsproducednearly486,000tonnesoftrafish,already90percentoftheyearstarget,andproductioncouldreachupto540,000tonnesbytheendoftheyear.Theprovincepaysagreatdealofattentiontothisindustry.Mostoftheprovincestrafishfarmsareapplyingfarmingtechniquesthatsatisfyinternationalstandardsforexport,suchasGlobalGAP,ASC,BAP,andHALAL.Theirproductionadherestocriteriaonenvironmentalprotection,foodsafety,traceability,andothers.In2023,theprovinceproducedaround525,000tonnesoftrafish,andreachedexportturnoverofUS$629million.??ngThápandtheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentorganisedaconferenceonOctober11todeveloptrafishfingerlingssotheindustrycandowellamidstclimatechangeandglobalbarrierstotrade.OfficialsstressedtheimportanceofinstructinglocalfishfarmstofollowtheLawonFisheriesandmakethoroughinvestmentsinthetechnicalinfrastructureoffingerlingfarmsandtrafishfarms.—VNS

3TheAssociationforVictimsofAgentOrangeorDioxininTi?nGiangprovincethisyearhavemobilisedoverVN?16billiontogive3,510gifts.—Photosggp.org.vnTI?NGIANG—TheMekongDeltaprovinceofTi?nGiangaimstomobilisemoreresourcestosupportpeopleaffectedbyAgentOrange.Inthefirstninemonthsof2024,theAssociationforVictimsofAgentOrangeorDioxinintheprovincehavemobilisedoverVN?16billion(US$629.425)togive3,510gifts,build17AgentOrangeHomes,donate51wheelchairs,andprovidefreemedicalexaminations,treatments,andmedicineto434victims.Ti?nGiangProvincehas11,427peopleaffectedbyAgentOrange.Mostofthevictimsfamiliesareindifficultsituationsandareingreatneedofcommunitysupportandassistance.ProvincialunitsoftheVi?tNamAssociationforVictimsofAgentOrange(VAVA)havebeenworkingwiththeFatherlandFrontCommitteeandvariousdepartmentsandorganisationstoencouragephilanthropiststosupportAgentOrangevictims.Theyhavealsosupportedandcreatedlivelihoodsformemberfamilies,helpingmanyAgentOrangevictimshavethemeanstoproduceandearnincome.Forexample,Tr??ngV?nTh??ngfromHamlet3,M?ThànhB?cCommuneinCaiL?yDistrict,hasreceivedVN?10millionfromtheCentralAssociationtoraisebreedingcattle.InTanPhú??ngDistrict,Hu?nhV?nYshouseholdinBàL?mhamletinPhúTh?nhCommunewassupportedwithVN?10milliontoraisegoatsandgrowlemongrass.Similarly,Nguy?nV?nTr??ngfromB?iBùnhamletinPhúTh?nhCommune,wassupportedwithVN?10milliontodevelopwoodworkingandinvestinraisingchickens,increasinghisfamilysincome.Apartfromcaringforvictimsthroughsocialmobilisation,Ti?nGiangProvinceiscommittedtoimplementingstatesupportforAgentOrangevictims.Outofthe11,427peopleaffected,1,585receivebenefitsunderthepolicyforpeoplewithmeritoriousservice,and9,842receivemonthlysocialprotectionallowancesfromthestate.Thedistrict-levelassociationsandcommunesintheprovincewillcontinuetoinvestigatecasesofsecond-generationvictims(F2)whoaredirectdescendantsofveteransexposedtotoxicchemicalsandareeligibleforsocialprotectionbenefits.AccordingtoTr?nTh?QuyM?o,chairwomanoftheTi?nGiangProvincialAssociationforVictimsofAgentOrange,theAssociationwillcontinuetoimprovethequalityofitsoperations.ItwillenhancecommunicationanddiversifymethodsofmobilisingresourcestocareforandassistAgentOrangevictims.ItwillalsocontinuetosupportimpoverishedvictimswithloansforlivestockproductionwhileadvisingauthoritiestoensurethatAgentOrangevictimsqualifyforthestatessubsidypolicies.—VNS

TheprojectedpathofTyphoonTramiasofWednesdayafternoon.—VNA/VNSPhotoMANILA—TyphoonTramicontinuestostrengthenandisprojectedtoentertheEastSeaonFriday,bringingwidespreadrainfalltocentralVi?tNam.ThiswillbethesixthtyphoontohitVi?tNamswatersthisyear.Asof7amonWednesday,TramiscentrewaslocatedeastofthePhilippinesLuzonIsland,withthestrongestwindsneartheeyeofthestormreachinglevel9(75-88km/h).ThetyphoonwasprojectedtosweeptheislandonThursday,beforemovingnorthwestatabout15km/h,enteringtheEastSeaat7amonFriday.Tramiisforecasttohavewindspeedsof89-117km/handwaveheightsof4-8m,withalevel-3disasterrisklevel(highrisksoffatalitiesanddamagetoproperty,infrastructureandenvironment).TheeasternwatersofthenorthernEastSeaareexpectedtobearthebruntoftheimpact.DeputyheadoftheWeatherForecastDepartmentoftheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting(NCHMF)V?AnhTu?nsaid:AfterenteringtheEastSea,thestormmaychangedirectionandmovewestwardwithincreasedintensity.Accordingtoourinitialforecast,thetyphooncouldattainlevel-12winds(118-133km/h)andlevel-15gusts(167-183km/h)asitpassesthroughtheHoàngSa(Paracel)waters,beforecontinuingtowardsthecoastofthecentralprovinces.ThisareacanexpectwidespreaddownpoursfromSaturdaytoMondaynextweekduetoTramisimpact.Tu?nwarnedthatthisisalate-seasontyphoon,whichisoftencomplexandunpredictable.Therefore,peopleshouldregularlyfollowupdatesfromtheNCHMF.ResponseplanTheSteeringCommitteeforDisasterPrevention,SearchandRescue,andCivilDefenceofthecentralNgh?AnProvincehasissuedanofficialdocumentontheresponseplanforTyphoonTrami.Authoritiesneedtocloselyfollowupdatesonthestormandnotifyvesselownersandcaptainstoproactivelyavoiddangerandadjusttheiroperationplanstoensurethesafetyofpeopleandproperty.Theymustalsomaintaincommunicationtopromptlyhandleanysituationandensurethatrescueforcesandequipmentarereadywhenneeded.Thedocumentalsorequiredreviewsandresponseplansforrain-inducedfloodingandlandslides,especiallyinresidentialareasneartheriversandonlow-lyingland,toproactivelyarrangeevacuations.Localauthoritiesmustalsomonitorandensuretheflowandsafetyoftraffic,particularlyonkeyroutes.Theymustalsocarryoutoperationandsafetyplansforreservoirs,notablyforsmallhydropowerandirrigationreservoirsaswellasongoingconstructionsites.Witha25kmcoastlineand1,000fishingvessels,Ngh?AnsDi?nChauDistricthasampedupitseffortstonotifyshipownersandoperatorsofTyphoonTrami.AsofWednesdaymorning,mostlargevesselshavepostponedtheirjourneysandwereanchoredatlocalpiers.Smallerboatsandraftswhichmakedailyfishingtripswerestilloperating.Localauthoritieshaveadvisedtheseboatownersandcrewmemberstomaintainregularcommunicationwiththeirfamiliesandfishingunionstostayupdatedonweatherconditions,avoidgoingtohigh-riskareasandtoreturntoshoreimmediatelywhenrequested.—VNSSpeakersattheReducingEmissionsfromTransportationandGreenEnergyTransitionTowardsEnvironmentalProtectiontable.Photokinhtedothi.vnHCMCITYElectricandclean-fuelvehiclesarebecomingmoreattractivetoconsumersfortheirenvironmentalbenefits,accordingtogreenenergyexpertsinaconferenceheldinH?ChíMinhCityonThursday.TakingplaceduringtheannualVietnamMotorShow,theforum,titled,ReducingEmissionsfromTransportationandGreenEnergyTransitionTowardsEnvironmentalProtectionbroughttogetherexpertsandpioneeringcompaniesinthegreenvehicleandrenewableenergysectors.Expertshighlightedthatelectricvehiclesarecurrentlythemosttalked-aboutgreenenergyvehicles.Vehicles,whichuseelectricitytopartiallyorfullyreplacetheroleofinternalcombustionengines,fallintotwomaincategories:hybridandfullyelectric.Hybridvehiclescombineinternalcombustionengineswithelectricmotorsanddifferentmanufacturersvarythepowerratiobetweenthesecomponentsbasedonvehicledesign.Thebatteryofahybridvehiclecanbechargedexternally(plug-inhybridelectricvehicles-PHEV)orbyrecoveringthevehicleskineticenergy.Fullyelectricvehicles(EVs),ontheotherhand,entirelyeliminateinternalcombustionengines,featuringanelectricmotorandahigh-capacitybatterylocatedbeneaththevehiclesfloor.Withzeroemissions,fullyelectricvehiclesareanidealsolutionforreducingairpollution.ThistrendofgoinggreenintermsoftransportisbecomingmorevisibleinVi?tNam,ashybridandfullyelectricvehiclesareincreasinglypopularacrossvariousbrands,frommainstreamtoluxury.InVi?tNam,fullyelectricvehiclesbenefitfromaspecialconsumptiontaxof3percent,whilePHEVsaretaxedat70percent,withnospecifictaxincentivesforregularhybrids.Alongsideelectrification,usingstandardisedfuelswithlowpollutantcontentcanalsohelpreduceharmfulemissions.SpecialistsattheconferencenotedthatVi?tNamselectricvehiclemarketisadvancing,supportedbygovernmentpoliciesandagrowingdemandforeco-friendlytransportation.Despitethisprogress,theelectricvehicletransitionfacessignificantchallenges,particularlyintermsofinfrastructure,suchaschargingstations,whicharestillinsufficientfortheneedsofelectricvehicleusers.Theyagreedthatrobustinvestmentsininfrastructureareessential.Inaddition,Euro5fuelplaysacrucialroleinreducingairpollutionandimprovingqualityoflife.Thisfuelstandardhelpsdecreasetoxicemissionsfromtraditionalvehicleswhileaidingtheshifttowardselectricvehicles.Italsoenhancesengineefficiency,lowersfuelconsumptionandextendsavehicleslifespan.VNS

AfterTyphoonYagi,about6milliontonnesofflammabledeadleavesandbrokenbranchesremainontheforestfloor,posingahighriskoffiresduringthedryseason.VNA/VNSPhotosThanhVanByV?n??cThanhVanMorethanamonthhaspassedsinceTyphoonYagisweptthroughthenorthernregion,yetforestersinQu?ngNinhProvincearestillreelingfromitsdevastatingeffects.Vastareasofdamaged,dyingforests,largepilesofunusabletimber,andashortageofseedlingsneededforrecoveryremainpressingchallenges.Theurgenttaskofrevivingtheseforestshasbecomecriticalfortheprovince.InjustfourhoursonSeptember7,Yagidestroyedover119,000hectaresofforestsintheprovince,causingnearlyVN?6.5trillion(US$256.8million)ineconomiclossesrelatedtoforestry.TravellingalongRoad234,NationalHighway279,andHighway18,fromH?LongCitytoVan??n,TiênYên,BaCh?,andBìnhLiêudistricts,onecanseenothingbutbarren,witheredtrees.AccordingtoQu?ngNinhsForestryDepartment,over119,000hectaresofforesthadbeenaffectedbytheendofSeptember,includingmorethan112,400haofplantedforestsandover6,600haofnaturalforests.Atotalof22,390householdsinvolvedinforestrysufferedlosses,includingthosewhowereallocatedforestlandorcontractedtoplantlumbertreesforlocalforestrycompanies.H?LongCitywasthehardesthit,withdamageestimatedatVN?1.15trillion($45.4million).Mostofthedamageoccurredtoplantedforests,withmorethan22,800outof37,000hadestroyed,resultinginlossesofapproximately$45million.Special-useforestssuffered50haofdamage,valuedatabout$593,000.ThelushgreenforestsinthenortherncoastalprovinceofQu?ngNinhweredevastatedinjustfourhoursafterTyphoonYagimadelandfallinVi?tNaminearlySeptember.BurdenedwithdebtTheimmensedestructionleftdozensofforestersindebtandatriskoffallingbackintopoverty.TrinhH?ngQuy?t,63,inKhe??ngVillageinTanDanCommune,H?LongCity,isoneofthoseaffected.Hisfamilyownsaround30haofforest,14ofwhichareplantedwithacaciaandeucalyptustreesagedtwotothreeyears.Justastheywerepreparingforharvest,TyphoonYagihit,leavingbehindpilesofuprootedtrees.Itisextremelydifficulttofindworkerstocleartheland,aseveryoneisbusycleaninguptheirownforests,Quy?tsaid.ThedailywageforforestworkershasrisenfromVN?200,000tobetweenVN?300,000-350,000,andyetitsstillhardtofindhelp.AccordingtoQuy?tclearingfallentreesismuchmorechallengingthanregularlogging.Tomakemattersworse,thepriceforsalvagedtimberislow,withsomebuyerspressuringfarmerstoacceptreducedratesduetothelargevolumeoffallentrees.Aftercoveringallexpenses,manyforestownersareleftwithdoublelossesandnoincometorelyon.Quy?tisparticularlyconcernedabouttheshortageofseedlingsneededforreplanting.Butseedlingpriceshaveskyrocketed,moreoverthecurrentsupplyisinsufficient.TyphoonYagidevastatesover119,000hectaresofforestinQu?ngNinhProvince.MountingconcernsPh?mV?nHùnginNàS?nVillageinB?nSenCommune,Van??nDistrict,saidthathisfamilyhadsufferednearly$79,000inlosses.His17-hectareforestwasalmostentirelydestroyedbythestorm.Iplantoclearthelandandreplantinthecomingspring,Hùngsaid.However,hefacesanotherchallenge:hehadborrowed$11,850fromthebankandisunsurehowtorepayit,whichcomplicatessecuringadditionalloansforforestrestoration.Heestimatesthatitwilltakeatleastfiveyearsbeforehecanseeanyincomefromtheforestagain,emphasisingtheneedforgovernmentsupport.Tr?nTh?V?,81,anativeofHàTràngTayVillagein??ngH?iCommune,TiênYênDistrict,isatriskoffallingbackintopoverty.Thetyphoonnotonlydestroyedherforestbutalsocausedextensivedamagetoherhomeandbelongingsduetoflooding.Despiteherage,shecontinuestocareforherillson.TwoforestrangersfromH?ngHàWardinH?LongCitydiscoversandpromptlyextinguishesasmolderingfirefromatreetrunkduringatourofinspectingforestfire.UrgentforestrestorationNguy?nThanhKh??ng,deputydirectorofQu?ngNinhsForestryDepartment,saidthatforestswereaprimarysourceofincomeformanyhouseholds.However,therecentdevastationputtheirlivelihoodatrisk.Additionally,about6milliontonnesofflammabledeadleavesandbrokenbranchesremainontheforestfloor,posingahighriskofforestfiresduringthedryseason,accordingtoKh??ng.BetweenSeptember28andOctober15alone,15forestfiresbrokeout,primarilyinareasofacaciaandeucalyptustreesdamagedbythetyphoon.Restoringtheprovincesforestareas,referredtoasthegreenlungsofthenortheastregion,hasbeenidentifiedbylocalauthoritiesasanurgentpriority.ThePeoplesCommittee[Administration]ofQu?ngNinhlaunchedonOctober1anintensivecampaignfordamagedforestclearances,withthegoalofcompletingtheworkbytheendofthemonth.Localauthoritieshavemobiliseddepartmentsandorganisationstoassistforesterswithcleanupeffortsonweekends,whileforestrycompaniescontinuetheirworkdaily.However,asHoàngMaiDung,aresidentofS?nH?iVillageinNamS?nCommune,BaCh?District,pointedout,thesellingpricesforsalvagedtimberweretoolowtomakeupfortheloss.Localforesterscollectdamagedtimbertrees,asTyphoonYagileftatrailofdestructioninitswake.GovernmentsupportUnderthecurrentgovernmentregulationgoverningsupportforagriculturalproductioninareasaffectedbynaturaldisasters,thosewithover70percentoftheirforestareabeingdamagedareentitledtofinancialsupportof$158perhectare.Thosewith30-70percentdamageareeligibleforVN?2million($79)perhectare.Tofurthersupportforesters,Qu?ngNinhsForestryDepartmenthasproposedthattheDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentprovidefinancialassistancethroughtheQu?ngNinhFatherlandFrontFund.ThisincludesVN?1million($39.50)perhectareforforestareaswithmorethan30percentdamage,withthetotalbudgetforthefirstphaseexpectedtobeover$3million.V?DuyV?n,deputydirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidthatlocalitiesweremakingplanstoreplantthedamagedforests,aimingtorestoreforestcoverageby2027.Addressingconcernsaboutseedlingshortage,V?nsaidlocalnurseriescouldproduceover100millionseedlingsannually.Theagriculturalsectorwouldworkwithlocalitiestoguidefarmersinseedlingpropagationandwouldhelpthelocalnurseriesmaximisetheirseedlingproductioncapacity.ThedepartmentalsoreachedouttotheVi?tNamAcademyofForestSciencesandneighbouringprovincestosourcehigh-qualityseedlingsforlocalfarmers.V?nemphasisedthattheagriculturalsectorwasfocusingonlong-termtimbertrees,nativespecies,andmulti-functionalwoodtreesthatareresilienttowind,storms,andpests.Nurseriesmusthireadditionallabourersandextendworkinghourstourgentlycultivatealargenumberofacaciaseedlingsfortheupcomingreforestationseason.Localauthoritiesareguidingfarmerstocultivateeconomicallyvaluable,short-cyclecrops,suchasbamboo,whichcanprovidebothbambooshootsasfood,andrawmaterialsformanufacturing.Effortstorecovertheforestrysectorincludedamageassessments,collaborationwithtechnologyandforestrycompaniestoresearchtreespecies,andworkingwithbankstorescheduledebtpaymentsandofferfavourablepoliciesforreinvestmentandrecovery.OnJuly10,2024,theprovincialPeoplesCouncil[Assembly]introducedspecialpoliciestoencouragesustainableforestrydevelopment.TheprovinceisofferinguptoVN?20millionperhectareforseedlingpurchaseandcare,orVN?5millionhigherthanthenationallevel.Additionally,loansarebeingofferedthroughtheSocialPolicyBanktocooperativemembers,households,andindividualsforreforestationefforts,withaninterestrateinlinewiththoseofferedtolow-incomehouseholds.VNSPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChính(centre)examinesthenationalexhibitionandfaircentreprojectin??ngAnhDistrictofHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoD??ngGiangHàN?I—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhonFriday(October25)examinedthenationalexhibitionandfaircentreprojectin??ngAnhDistrictofHàN?i,requestingfasterprogresstocompleteitonscheduletocelebratebignationalanniversariesandbecomeasymbolofthecapitalandthewholecountry.TheprojectisinvestedbytheVi?tNamExhibitionFairCentreJointStockCompany,ofwhichVingroupholdsan80percentstake.Itislocatedin??ngH?iandXuanCanhcommunesoftheoutlyingdistrictof??ngAnh,andwillreplacetheoldcentreonGi?ngV?StreetintheinnerdistrictofBa?ình.Coveringatotalareaof90ha,ithasasuper-connectedandconvenientlocationandwillbeamongthebiggestofitskindintheworld,expectedtobecomeaninternationaldestinationforglobaltradeandexhibitionevents.ThecentreisdevelopedwithaviewtopromotingtheexpoeconomylikewhatareseeninDubaioftheUAE,FrankfurtofGermany,andFieraMilanoofItalysoastocreateafavourableenvironmentfordomesticandforeignenterprisestomeet,boostpartnerships,fuelproductionandbusiness,andstimulateHanoiseconomicgrowth.WorkstartedonthisprojectonAugust30,2024andissettobecompletedinJuly2025tocelebratethe80thNationalDay(September2,1945-2025).Inspectingthesite,PMChínhapplaudedthepromptconstruction,notinginlessthantwomonths,thelarge-scaledandmoderncentreisgraduallytakingshape.Hestressedtheneedtodeviseamechanismformobilisingresources,particularlyintheimplementationofmajorprogrammesandprojects,basedontheprincipleofharmonisinginterestsandsharingrisksinordertoharmoniseinterestsoftheState,people,andbusinesses.Asthelargeandmodernnationalexhibitionandfaircentrewillbeamultifunctionalfacilitycombiningeconomic,cultural,scientific,technological,andtourismfactors,heexpressedhishopethatitwilldrive??ngAnhsdevelopmentonparwiththedistrictspotentialandadvantages.TheGovernmentleaderdemandedministries,sectors,andHàN?icoordinatecloselywithVingroupduringtheimplementationandoperationoftheprojecttoensureefficiencyforboththeStateandthebusiness.Theymustguaranteetheprogress,quality,aesthetics,modernity,andarchitectureofthisproject,aswellaslaboursafetyandthelifequalityofdisplacedresidents.Thecentreshouldbecompletedonscheduletowelcomethe14thNationalPartyCongress,the50thanniversaryoftheSouthLiberationandNationalReunification,the135thbirthanniversaryofPresidentH?ChíMinh,andthe80thNationalDay,herequested.ThePMalsoagreedinprincipleonthebuildingofT?LiênBridge,whichwillcrosstheRedRiverandconnectTayH?Districtwith??ngAnhDistrict.Heaskedforitsconstructiontobekickedoffsoonwhiletransparency,lawadherence,andinterestsofpeople,businesses,andtheStatemustbeharmonised.—VNS

Tr??ngM?LanatarecenttrialinHCMCity.Theappealtrialofherdeathsentenceforembezzlementwillbeginnextmonth.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheappealtrialofTr??ngM?Lan,chairwomanofV?nTh?nhPhátGroupwhowassentencedtodeathforfraudofUS$27billion,issettobeginnextmonth.AccordingtotheHCMCityPeoplesHighCourt,theappealproceedingswilltake20days,beginningonNovember4.ThecourtwillreviewLanspetitionforareducedsentence,alongwiththeappealsof46otherdefendantsofsentencesrelatedtocriminalactivitieslinkedwithprivatelenderSaigonCommercialBank(SCB)andthepropertydeveloperV?nTh?nhPhát.Therewillbearound100attorneysrepresentingthedefendants,withfiverepresentingLan.InApril,LanreceivedadeathsentenceforembezzlingVN?677trillion($27billion)fromSCBoveradecade,whichaccountsforsixpercentofVi?tNamsGDPfor2023.Lanwasalsoconvictedofbriberyandviolationsofbankingregulations.Thecourtdeterminedthatshewasthearchitectofaprolongedschemeinwhichthebankwasexploitedforfinancialgain.ToconcealthemisconductatSCB,LanallegedlyinstructedhersubordinatestobribeauditorsfromtheStateBankofVietnam.Theheadbankinginspector,??Th?Nhàn,wasreportedtohaveacceptedabribeof$5.2millionandsubsequentlyreceivedalifesentenceinprison.Eighty-fiveadditionalindividualsfacedsentencesonvariouscharges,includingbribery,abuseofpower,appropriationoffunds,andviolationsofbankinglaws.BankingcrisisVictimsgatheroutsideMinistryofFinanceheadquartersinHàN?iattheendof2023.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pThetroubledSCB,inwhichLanholdsasignificantstake,hasbeenaccusedofplayingapivotalroleindefraudingover36,000victims,mostlyitsdepositors,intopurchasingcounterfeitV?nTh?nhPhátbonds.ThescamhasresultedinmassivefinanciallossesofoverVN?31trillionforover36,000individualswhohadinvestedtheirsavingsinthefraudulentbonds.Thesituationhastriggeredwidespreadoutrageandunprecedentedprotestsfromtheaffectedvictimsthroughoutthecountry.WhilethejuryhasdeterminedSCBbearsresponsibilityformisleadingitsdepositorsintoacquiringthesefraudulentbonds,thecourthasmandatedLanissolelyaccountableforprovidingcompensationforalldamagesincurred.50-year-oldvictimLêTh?ThuThu?saidshewasmisledbythebankandwasunawareofLansinvolvementinthefraudulentactivities.ShehascalledforSCBtoacceptfullresponsibilityforthescamandtoproviderestitutiontothevictims.Iapproachedthebankwiththeintentionofdepositingmyfundsintoasavingsaccount.TheSCBstaffassuredmethatthebondIwasabouttopurchasewasakintoasavingsaccountproductandwas,therefore,entirelysafeandguaranteedbythebank,shetoldVi?tNamNews.FollowingLansarrestinlate2022,SCBfacedabankrun,promptinginterventionfromthecentralbanktostabilisethefinancialsystem.Whilethecentralbankhaspledgedtoreimbursesavingsaccountholders,ithasdeclinedtooffercompensationtothebondvictims.AsofearlyApril,thecentralbankhadinjected$24billioninspecialloansintoSCB,whichaccountsforalmostone-fourthofVi?tNamsforeignexchangereserves,accordingtoareportbyReuters.Despiteregulatoryconstraints,suchasthe30percentcaponcombinedforeignownershipinVietnamesebanks,thecentralbankisseekingassistanceforSCBfromtheprivatesector,particularlyfromforeigninvestors.TheVietnamesebankingsectoriscurrentlyfacingescalatingrisksduetothesluggishrealestatemarket.ThepunishmentofLanandtheotherfraudstersispartofabroadernationalanti-corruptioncampaign,whichhasfurtherexacerbatedtherealestatecrisis,impactingtheeconomyandcastingashadowovertheoutlookforbanks.—VNSBorderguardsinthecentralQu?ngBìnhProvinceprepareequipmentinresponsetoTyphoonTrami.—VNA/VNSPhotosHàN?I—Atotalof285,480soldiersandmilitiamembersand12,503militaryvehicleshavebeenmobilisedinresponsetotheapproachingTyphoonTrami,accordingtotheNationalSteeringCommitteeForCivilDefence.Mostofthepersonnel,roadandwaterwayvehiclesarefromMilitaryRegions3,4and5,whosescopeincludescoastalcitiesandprovincesfromthenortheasttocentralVi?tNam.Theairdefenceforcehasalsomobilised4,600officers,208vehiclesandeightaircraft,while30officers,twohelicoptersandfourcarsfromCorps18(helicoptercorps)arealsojoiningtheresponseefforts.BorderguardsfromthenortheasterncoastalprovinceQu?ngNinhtosouth-centralprovinceBìnhThu?nareworkingwithlocalauthorities,peopleandshipownerstoupdatemorethan67,000vesselsand307,000peopleonthetyphoonstrajectoryandguidethemtosafety.TheprojectedtrajectoryofTyphoonTramiasofFridaymorning.Asof4amonFriday,theeyeofthestormwassituatedontheeasternwatersofVi?tNamsnorthernEastSea(knowninternationallyastheSouthChinaSea).Itisprojectedtostrengthenandcontinuewestwardatabout10km/h.Overthenexttwodays,thetropicalstormcouldchangeitsdirectiontothesoutheastandgraduallyweaken.DuetoTramisimpact,theeasternwatersofthenorthernEastSeacanexpectstrongwindsof62-88m/h,withareasnearthestormscentrereaching75-102km/h.Roughseaisforecastwithwavesthatcouldreach5-9mhigh.HeavyrainisexpectedintheEastSeawithapossibilityoftornadoesandstronggustsofwind(50-74km/h).—VNS