S. Korea, US closely monitoring N. Korea for signs of nuclear reactor halt
SuganoYuichi,ChiefRepresentativeoftheJapanInternationalCooperationAgency(JICA)Vi?tNamOfficeatapressconferenceheldinHàN?ionThursday.—VNSPhotoNguy?nH?ngHàN?I—JapansignedloanagreementswithVi?tNamtotallingJPY102.2billion(approximatelyUS$678million)duringtheJapanesefinancialyearfromAprillastyeartoMarchthisyear,markingthehighestamountinsixyearssince2017.TheamountexcludesInvestmentFinancingforthePrivateSector.Duringthattime,technicalcooperationwithVi?tNamreachedJPY5.2billion(approximately$35million),makingitthelargestintheworldforthesamefinancialyear.GrantaidforVi?tNamamountedtoJPY1.1billion(approximately$7.5million)incommittedfunds.ChiefRepresentativeoftheJapanInternationalCooperationAgency(JICA)Vi?tNamOffice,SuganoYuichi,revealedthenumbersatapressconferenceheldinHàN?ionThursdaymorning.TheconferenceaimstosummarisetheresultsofJapansODAprojectsinthefirsthalfofthefiscalyearandplansforthesecondhalfofthefiscalyear.TheprogrammesandprojectshaveprovidedtimelysupportforVi?tNamseconomicrecoveryfollowingtheCOVID-19pandemic,contributingtobotheconomicinfrastructureandhumanresourcedevelopment,layingthegroundworkformedium-andlong-termeconomicgrowth,hesaid.JapanesecitizensandbusinessescontinuedtoexpresssignificantinterestinVi?tNam,acountrythathadconsistentlymaintainedstableandsustainablegrowth.Moreover,Vi?tNamwasattheforefrontofJICAscooperativeefforts,with45Japaneseoverseascooperationvolunteersdispatched,36businessinvestmentprojectsfromsmallandmedium-sizedJapaneseenterprisesfocusedonSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)and24grassrootstechnicalcooperationprojects(PartnershipDevelopmentProgramme).Additionally,Vi?tNamrankssecondgloballywithnineprojectsunderJICAsInvestmentFinancingforthePrivateSectorprogramme,hesaid.ThreekeypillarsAlsoattheevent,SuganoalsopointedoutsomeJICAsoutstandingprojectsandplans,focusingonthreekeypillars.First,underthepillarofhigh-qualitygrowththeBìnhH?ngWastewaterTreatmentPlantinHCMCity,whichusedloanfunding,helditsinaugurationceremonyinAugust.Atthetimeofitsopening,itwasthelargestwastewatertreatmentplantinVi?tNam,expectedtosignificantlyimprovewaterpollution-apressingissueaffectingthelocalpopulace,hesaid.Furthermore,JICAwasalsoconstructingYênXáWastewaterTreatmentPlant–thelargestwastewatertreatmentplantinHàN?i,whichwasanticipatedtobecompletedsoon.Inaddition,thehighlyanticipatedMetroLine1project,connectingB?nThànhandSu?iTiênAreainHCMCityhadbeguntrialoperationsandthecitywasmakingswiftpreparationstoputtheurbanrailwaylineintocommercialoperation.JICAhopesthattheMetroLine1willbecomeanimportantmeansoftransportationforresidents,contributingtocarbonemissionsreductionbyalleviatingtrafficcongestion,hesaid.Second,inthepillaraddressingvulnerablegroupsJICAhadcoordinatedwithaseniorexpertindisasterriskmanagement,dispatchedtotheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,toassistwiththeresponsetoTyphoonYagithatstruckthenorthernregioninSeptember,causingsignificantdamagetolivesandproperty.Eightdaysafterthetyphoonmadelandfall,attherequestoftheVietnameseGovernment,JICApromptlyprovidedemergencyreliefsupplies,includingwaterpurifiersandtarpaulins,sufficientfor2,000householdsinthenorthernmountainousprovinceofYênBái,oneofthehardest-hitareas.Additionally,underthetechnicalcooperationproject,aimedatenhancingcapacityforlandslideandflashfloodriskreductioninthenorthernregion,theSabodamdesignedtomitigatelandslideriskhadbeenunderconstructionsinceSeptemberinthenorthernmountainousprovinceofS?nLa.AlsoinS?nLaProvince,JICAwasdevelopingaplantomitigateflashfloodandlandsliderisksandconsideringtheimplementationofsimilarplansinnorthernareas,severelyaffectedbytherecentsupertyphoon,aimingforthegoalofBuildingBackBettertoensurethateconomicgrowthwasnothamperedbynaturaldisasters.Intermofagriculture,theinaugurationoftheNorthNgh?AnIrrigationSystemRestorationandUpgradingProject,financedthroughloans,tookplaceinMarch.Expandingirrigationareaswouldimprovethelivelihoodsofruralresidents.Furthermore,throughtechnicalcooperationaimedatstrengtheningthevaluechainofsafecrops,JICAwasrespondingflexiblytorealneeds,includingemergencysupportforfarmersaffectedbytherecenttyphoon,enablingthemtoresumeagriculturalproductionpromptly.Inthefieldofhealthandhealthcare,JICAwaspreparingtoimplementanewtechnicalcooperationprojecttoenhanceviralhepatitisprevention,acommoninfectiousdiseaseinVi?tNam.Underthegrantaidproject,JICAsignedanagreementinMayandwascurrentlyimplementingaprojecttoupgrademedicalequipmentattheVi?tNamNationalCancerHospital,contributingtotheincreasingdemandforcancerdiagnosisandtreatmentinthecountry.ThefinalpillarwasHumanResourceDevelopment.Theyearof2024markedthetenthanniversaryoftheVi?tNam-JapanUniversity.AsofSeptember6,therewerecurrently1,110studentsenrolled,includingthoseinpostgraduateprogrammes.NewdemandsJICAwasseeingnewdemandsfromVi?tNam,suchasdevelopinghumanresourcesinthesemiconductorsector,disasterprevention,solutionstoachievecarbonneutralityby2050,addressingthechallengesofanageingpopulation,aswellassupportingrecoveryfromtherecentdevastatingweather.Allaimatfosteringstableeconomicdevelopmentandprotectingcitizensamidshiftinginternationalanddomesticcircumstances,hesaid.Tomeetthedemands,werecognisedtheimportanceofflexiblyexpandingandadaptingthecooperationscope,leveragingexistingcollaborationsandnetworkswithVi?tNam.Furthermore,itwasessentialforaidagenciesandtheVietnameseGovernmenttocollaborateflexiblytoimprovetheenvironmentforODAprojects.Wewillmakesignificanteffortstoaddresstheseissueswhilemeetingthedemandsinnewareas,hesaid.—VNS
PassengersontheCátLinh-Hà??ngelevatedrailwayline.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–HàN?iwilldeployelectriccarstocarrypassengersfromresidentialareastotwourbanrailwaylines,accordingtothecitysDepartmentofTransport.ManyindividualsnowchoosetogotoworkandschooleverydayviatheCátLinh-Hà??ngelevatedrailwaylineandtheNh?n-HàN?iRailwayStationline.However,residentialneighbourhoodsarestillnotconnectedtotheseurbantrainlines.Afternearlythreeyearsofoperation,theCátLinh-Hà??ngelevatedrailwaylinehasrecordedmorethan35,000dailypassengers,47percentofwhomarecommutingtowork,45percentarestudentsand8percentaretravellingforotherpurposes.TheNh?n–HàN?iRailwayStationMetroline,whichwasputintocommercialoperationonAugust23,2024,isalsobeingusedbymanypassengersforcommuting.Thecurrentsystem,whichconsistsofnineconnectingbusroutesand36busroutes,hasconnectedthetworailwaylines.However,peoplestillwantmorebusroutesfromresidentialareastostations.AccordingtoDirectoroftheDepartmentofTransportNguy?nPhiTh??ng,thecityplanstohavetenurbanrailwayrouteswithatotallengthof417km.Todate,tworouteshavebeenputintooperation.ThemunicipalPeoplesCommitteehasproposedthatthePrimeMinisterallowthecitytoadjustthetrafficplanningfrom10routesto14routescoveringnearly600km.TheCátLinhStationoftheCátLinh–Hà??nglineiscurrentlyabout400mawayfromtheCátLinhStationoftheNh?n–HàN?iline.Wehaveproposedinvestinginatunnelconnectingthetwostations,hesaid.Inadditiontotheelectriccars,thecitywoulddevelopapublicbicyclesystemtofacilitatepassengerstotravelfromresidentialareastourbanrailwaylines,hesaid.–VNSBùiV?nTu?n,41,wasarrestedonMonday.—PhotofromThanhHoáPoliceTHANHHOá—PoliceinNh?XuanDistrict,thecentralprovinceofThanhHoá,havelaunchedaprobeintoandtemporarilydetainedamanforabusingtherightstodemocracyandfreedomtoinfringeontheStatesinterestsandrightsandlegitimateinterestsoforganisationsandindividuals.OnSeptember1and7,BùiV?nTu?n,41,residinginNh?XuansBìnhL??ngCommune,reportedlyusedaFacebookaccountunderthenameTu?nD?ngtolivestreamanddeliveroffensiveremarks,spreadingfalseinformation,distortingfacts,slandering,defaming,andinsultingcertainhigh-rankingPartyandStateleaders,alongwithofficialsinthedistrict.Furthermore,heincitedlargegatheringstoobstructtheoperationsofagenciesandorganisationsduringtheimplementationofprojectsinNh?Xuan.Uponlearningaboutthecase,competentforcescollecteddocumentsandevidenceandrequestedverificationofthevideoclipsthemanhadpostedonFacebook.ThechargeofabusingtherightstodemocracyandfreedomtoinfringeontheStatesinterestsandrightsandlegitimateinterestsoforganisationsandindividualsisstipulatedinClause2ofArticle331ofthePenalCode.—VNA/VNS
OneofthechildrenundergoesamedicalexaminationattheLaiChausProvincialGeneralHospital.—VNA/VNSPhotoLAICH?U—Twentychildren,agedbetween23-34months,fromGiangMaPreschoolinthenorthernmountainousprovinceofLaiChauarecurrentlyinstableconditionfollowingfearsthattheymayhaveingestedratpoison.AuthoritiesreportedthatthechildrenwerequicklyhospitalisedafterateacherfoundseveralstudentsintheclassholdingwhatappearedtoberatpoisontabletsonTuesday.Fearingtheymayhavemistakenthetabletsforsweets,theteacherpromptlyalertedthelocalhealthstationandthechildrenwereimmediatelytransportedtoLaiChausProvincialGeneralHospitalformedicalexaminationandtreatment.Emergencyprocedureswerecarriedoutbythehospitalsdoctors,whilethePoisonControlCentreatHàN?i-basedB?chMaiHospital,theleadingpublichospitalinthenorthernregion,providedremotemedicalassistance.Thedoctorsobservedthattwochildrendisplayedsymptomsofabdominalpainandnausea,whichcouldindicateexposuretothepoison.Theotherchildrenshowednounusualsymptomsbutwerekeptunderobservationasaprecautionarymeasure.Bylateafternoon,theyconfirmedthatall20childrenwerestable,thoughtheywouldremainatthehospitalunderobservationforthenext24to72hours.Authoritiesrevealateacherboughttheratpoisontoaddressarodentproblemintheschoolsstorageroom,whichisadjacenttothechildrensclassroom.ThepoisonwasplacedintheroomonMonday,buttheteacherreportedlyforgottoinformcolleaguesaboutit.Theauthoritiesaretakingfurtherprecautions,sendingsamplesfromthechildrentocentralhealthlabsfortestingtoconfirmthecauseoftheirsymptoms.—VNSThemomentofthefatalcrashonTr?nH?ng??o-BàTri?uintersectiononSundaynight,capturedbyanearbysecuritycamera.—PhotocourtesyofOFFBSubHàN?I—HoànKi?mDistrictPolicetodaysaidtheyhavelaunchedprosecutionproceedingsforamotorcycleaccidentthatkilleda27-year-oldwomanonSundaynightinHàN?ithathavedrawnmuchpublicattentioninrecentdays.Tenmotorcyclistswhowereallegedlyinvolvedinillegalracingatthetimeofthecrashhavebeenarrestedforfurtherinvestigation.Earlyreportsindicatethatthefemalevictim,whoseinitialsaregivenasN.H.Q.,waswaitingfortheredlightattheTr?nH?ng??o-BàTri?uintersectionataround12.15amwhenagroupof25to30motorcyclistsallegedlyracedthroughthearea.OneofthesuspectedracerswasN.H.N.,19,whowascarryingN.P.A.,19,goingintheoppositedirection.PolicesaidtheycrashedintoQ.smotorbike,causinghertofalltotheground.Shortlyafterwards,anothermotorbikeinthesuspectedracergangoperatedbyN.T.M.K.,16,andL.?.C.,16,reachedtheintersectionandallegedlyranoverQ.withspeedof60-70km/h.Thevictimwaskilledonthespot.Thegroupfledthescenebuthavebeenlaterarrestedbythepolice.PolicesaidN.H.N.sustainedinjuriesinthecrashandwastreatedatalocalhospital.Shepreviouslydroppedoutofschoolandwasseenasa‘leaderofagroupofdelinquentsinXuanLaVillageinHàN?isTayH?District,accordingtoHàN?iM?i(NewHanoi)newspaper.Allmembersoftheracergangarebetween16and19yearsold.Thúy,thevictimsaunt,toldDanTrínewspaper:Weonlyhopeforjusticesothatnootherfamilyhastobearthesametragedyasours.Q.isrememberedbyherfamilyandfriendsasakind,hard-workingyoungwoman.Shehadbeenplanningtogetmarriedearlynextyear,aftertheT?t(LunarNewYear)holiday.Onthenightoftheaccident,Q.wasouttosendoffafriendwhowasgoingbacktoHCMCity.AftergrowingworriedwhenQ.didnotpickupherphone,hermothercontactedherfriendsandwentouttosearchforherwithherbrotherbasedontheirguessesoftherouteshemightgo.TheylaterreceivedacallfromQ.sfriend,whosawhermotorbikeinanaccidentattheTr?nH?ng??o-BàTri?uintersection,andfoundoutthatQ.wasthevictimofthecrash.—VNSHCMCITY—HoànM?MedicalGroup,theleadingprivatehealthcarenetworkinVi?tNam,haslaunchedacancerscreeningprogrammeforwomenacrossitshospitalsandclinics.Theprogrammeaimstoenhanceaccesstobreastcancerscreeningandempowerwomentoimprovetheirhealth.WiththemessageScreenforBreastCancerToday,ProtectYourTomorrow,HoànM?isencouragingwomentogetregularscreeningstoensureearlydetectionandeffectivetreatment.Earlydetection:avitalstepforsuccessfulandcost-effectivebreastcancercare.PhotocourtesyofthefirmBreastcancerisamongthemostcommoncancersworldwide,withrisingincidencerates,particularlyindevelopingcountries,accordingtotheWorldHealthOrganisation(WHO).InVi?tNam,breastcancerranksasthetopcanceramongwomen,withover24,500newcasesin2022,comprising28.9percentofthetotal,accordingtotheGlobalCancerObservatory(GLOBOCAN).Initsearlystages,breastcanceroftenhasnoclearsignsandisprimarilydetectedthroughscreening.Althoughtheageofonsetisdecreasing,manywomenpostponescreeningduetofear.However,whendetectedearly,breastcancerishighlymanageable,withasurvivalrateexceeding90percent.Regularscreeningisessentialtoprotectwomenandenhancetheeffectivenessoftreatment,reducingtheburdenonpatients.HoànM?isdedicatedtoimprovingwomenshealthandincreasingthewell-beingofallVietnamesepeoplebyconsistentlyofferingearlyscreening,precisediagnosesandeffectivetreatments,saidDrDilshaadAliBinAbasAli,GroupCEOofHoànM?MedicalGroup.HoànM?isalsoapioneerinestablishingaCenterofExcellencetoofferspecialisedcareforcomplexdiseasessuchascancer(includingbreastcancer),liverdiseasesandneurosurgery.Withateamofleadingexpertsandadvancedtechnology,patientscanreceivecomprehensivecancertreatmentinVi?tNamwithouthavingtogoabroad.Breastcancerscreeningisperformedusingvariousmethods.Theseincludeclinicalexamination,breastultrasound,mammography(breastX-ray)oranMRIwithnext-generationcontrastagents,helpingdoctorstodetect,screenandaccuratelyassessbreastlesions.HoànM?hasinvestedinleadingtechnologiesforthecomprehensivescreeninganddiagnosisofbreastdiseases.Thisincludesa3.0TeslaSIGNAHeroMRIsystemforrapidandaccuratedetectionoflesions,aswellasotherstofacilitateearlydetection,accuratediagnosisandlong-termmanagement.HoànM?hasinvestedinleadingtechnologiessuchas3.0TeslaSIGNAHeroMRIsystemforrapidandaccuratedetectionoflesions.PhotocourtesyofthefirmHoànM?alsoplacesastrongfocusonthepsychologicalwell-beingofitspatients.Beforeperformingmastectomies,HoànM?sdoctorsprovidecounselinganddevelopabreastreconstructionplan,helpingpatientstoovercomebody-imageconcernsandregainconfidenceintheirpersonalandsociallives.Toenhancewomenshealthcare,particularlyinthepreventionofbreastcancer,HoànM?MedicalGroupisofferingaprogrammeforearlyscreening.RunninguntilDecember31,2024,variousscreeningpackagesareavailable:EssentialBreastHealthPackage–40percentdiscountComprehensiveBreastCarePackage–25percentdiscountAdvancedBreastHealthPackage–15percentdiscountCervicalScreeningPackage–20percentdiscountSpecificservicesandpricingmayvaryateachhospitalandclinic.Discoverourlistofhospitalsandpackageoptionshere.HoànM?MedicalGroupisVi?tNamslargestprivatehealthcarenetworkwith14hospitalsandsevenclinicsprovidingcomprehensiveservicesacrossitsH?nhPhúc,HoànM?andThu?nM?brands.Withaworkforceofmorethan5,000dedicatedprofessionals,itservesmorethanfivemillionpatientvisitsayear.HoànM?MedicalGroupiscommittedtodeliveringcarewithhearttopatientsacrossVi?tNam,shapingthecultureofthemedicalindustrybyincreasingaccesstohealthcare,settingnewstandardsofclinicalexcellenceandpioneeringinnovativetreatmentsandservices.
Nguy?nV?nG?u,SecretaryoftheB?cGiangProvincialPartyCommittee,andMaiS?n,ActingChairmanoftheProvincialPeoplesCommittee,presentawardstotheoutstandingcitizensofB?cGiangfor2024.PhotosCourtesyofB?cGiangProvince.B?CGIANG-TheB?cGiangProvincialPeoplesCommitteerecentlyheldaceremonytorecognisetheOutstandingCitizenofB?cGiangfor2024.TheeventwasattendedbyNguy?nV?nG?u,SecretaryoftheProvincialPartyCommittee,andMaiS?n,ActingChairmanoftheProvincialPeoplesCommittee.TheOutstandingCitizenofB?cGiangistheprovincesmostprestigiousaward,giventoindividualswhohavemadeexceptionalcontributionstotheregionsdevelopment.Thisyearmarksthethirdconsecutivetimetheprovincehasheldthisevent.Nineindividualsreceivedthetitlein2024.AmongthemwasT?ngV?nTuyên,bornin1981,whoservesasTeamLeaderoftheMechanicalDivisionatHàPhongExportGarmentJointStockCompany.ThreestudentsfromB?cGiangHighSchoolfortheGiftedduringthe2023–2024academicyear,namelyThanTh?C?ng,Tr??ngPhiHùng,andGiápV?S?nHà,werealsohonoured.OtherrecipientsincludedPeoplesArtistT?QuangL?m,bornin1969,whoistheDirectorofB?cGiangChèoTheatre;Nguy?nTh?ThuTh?y,bornin1998,awushuathletefromtheB?cGiangCentreforSportsTrainingandCompetition;andThanTh?ThuTh?y,bornin1973,whoisaMemberoftheStandingCommitteeoftheProvincialRedCrossSocietyandChairwomanoftheRedCrossSocietyinB?cGiangCity.AdditionalhonoureesincludedNguy?nXuanTr??ng,bornin1982,DeputyHeadoftheDepartmentofRadiologyatB?cGiangGeneralHospital,andLieutenantNguy?nDuyHoàng,bornin1995,whoservesintheDepartmentofCybersecurityandHigh-TechCrimePreventionwithintheB?cGiangProvincialPolice.Nguy?nV?nG?u,SecretaryoftheB?cGiangProvincialPartyCommittee,andMaiS?n,ActingChairmanoftheProvincialPeoplesCommittee,presentawardstotheoutstandingcitizensofB?cGiangfor2024.PhotosCourtesyofB?cGiangProvince.ActingChairmanMaiS?nhighlightedthatundertheleadershipofthePartyandthegovernment,andwiththeunifiedeffortsofbusinessesandcitizens,B?cGianghasachievedremarkableprogressacrossallfields.Heacknowledgedthesignificantroleplayedbytheseoutstandingcitizens,whosecreativityanddedicationhavedriventheprovincesdevelopment.Theninehonoureesexemplifythespiritofrelentlessdedicationandcreativity.TheyincludestudentsandathleteswhohavebroughtrecognitiontoB?cGiangandVi?tNamoninternationalplatforms,workerswhohaveimplementedinnovativesolutionsinproductionandbusiness,atalentedartistwhohasmadeculturalcontributions,andprofessionalsinvariousfieldswhohavepositivelyimpactedtheircommunities.Theirstoriesareatestamenttotheirresilience,passionfortheircraft,andunwaveringcommitmenttotheirhomeland.Theseexamplesareexpectedtoinspiretheyoungergenerationtoupholdthesevalues,takeresponsibility,andcontributemoresignificantlytothedevelopmentoftheprovinceandthecountry.Duringtheceremony,attendeeshadtheopportunitytohearfromthreeofthehonourees:PeoplesArtistT?QuangL?m,studentTr??ngPhiHùng,andThanTh?ThuTh?y.PeoplesArtistT?QuangL?mhasmadesignificantcontributionstotheculturaldevelopmentoftheprovince.In2023,hewasrecognisedwiththehonorarytitleofPeoplesArtistbytheState.In2024,hedirectedthechèoplayTi?ngchu?ngc?nht?nh(TheWarningBell),whichwononegoldandtwosilvermedalsattheYouthandChildrensTheatreFestivalinH?iPhòng.StudentTr??ngPhiHùngachievednumerousaccolades,includingfirstplaceinPhysicsattheNationalExcellentStudentCompetition,abronzemedalattheAsianPhysicsOlympiad,andagoldmedalattheInternationalPhysicsOlympiadin2024.ThanTh?ThuTh?yhasmaderemarkablecontributionstohumanitarianandcharitableactivities,includingblooddonationcampaigns.Shehaspersonallydonatedblood77timesandregisteredtodonateherorgansposthumously.Herdedicationtosocialandcharitableworkisexemplary.Theseinspiringstoriesofexceptionalachievementsreflectthevaluesofhardwork,dedication,andselflessness,encouragingotherstofollowintheirfootsteps.VNSVi?tNamEducationPublishingHousesformerchairmanNguy?n??cTháiincustody.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Vi?tNamEducationPublishingHousesformerchairmanNguy?n??cTháiisaccusedofreceivingmillionsofdollarsinbribestofavourspecificpapersuppliers.TheSupremePeoplesProcuracyhasrecentlychargedhimwithtakingbribes.AccordingtotheProcuracy,before2017thepublishinghouseprocuredpapersbyseekingpriceoffersfromvarioussuppliersandselectingthemostcompetitivebid.WhenTháitookthereinsaschairmanin2017,Nguy?nTríMinh,thethenDirectorofMinhC??ngPhátPaperCOLTDandT?M?Ng?c,thethenChairwomanofPhùngV?nhH?ngPaperJSC,reportedlyapproachedhimandaskedforafavourtowinacontract,promisingalittlesomethingextrainreturn.Heallegedlyinstructedhissubordinatestorigthebiddingprocesstoplacethetwocompaniesonasuppliershortlist,helpingPhùngV?nhH?ngPaperJSCsecurethreelucrativecontractsworthVN?282billion(aboutUS$11million)inthesameyear.Inreturn,Ng?callegedlyofferedTháiathank-yougiftofVN?3billion($118,000)incash.Thispatterncontinuedinthefollowingyears,withTháireportedlytakingVN?4billion($158,000)annuallyfromNg?c,inadditiontoheryearlyLunarNewYeargiftsofVN?200million($7,900).Tháireportedlyfacilitatedhercompanysacquisitionof13contractsbetween2017and2022,worthmorethanVN?2.1trillioncollectively(approximately$83million).ProsecutorsallegethatMinhalsopaidTháiatotalofVN?4.9billion($193,000)inbribesbetween2017and2020tobeawardedthreecontracts.Tháinow62,whowaslivinginPhúTh??ngWard,TayH?District,HàN?iCity,whenhewasarrestedin2023,hasadmittedtohiscrimeandexpressedremorse.HehasreturnedtheVN?25billion($986,000)hehadtakenandclaimedhewouldvoluntarilysurrenderhispropertiestohelpaddressthecasesimpact.Inconnectiontothecase,Tháissubordinates-thepublishinghousesformervicechairmanLêHoàngH?i,formerchiefaccountantPh?mGiaTh?ch,marketingdepartmentsformerdirectorNguy?nTh?ThanhTh?yandmarketingdepartmentsformerdeputydirector?inhQu?cKhánh-havebeenchargedwithbidrigging.Meanwhile,Nguy?nTríMinhandT?M?Ng?chavefacedchargesofbribery.—VNS
SwissAmbassadortoVi?tNam,H.E.ThomasGass,andWorldBankCountryDirectorforVi?tNam,CambodiaandLaoPDR,MariamJ.Sherman,atthesigningceremonyoftheVi?tNamAcceleratingGreenandResilientGrowthinLargeCitiesSingle-DonorTrustFund.—PhotocourtesyoftheWorldBankHàN?I—TheSwissGovernmentandtheWorldBankhavesignedanagreementtopromotegreenandresilientgrowthinVi?tNamsmajorcities.TheUS$5milliongrantinitiative,financedbytheSwissStateSecretariatforEconomicAffairs(SECO),alsoaimstostrengthentheongoingpartnershipbetweenSwitzerlandandtheWorldBankinadvancingsustainableurbandevelopmentinVi?tNam.Thisgrantenablesustosupportcontinueddialoguetointegratesustainablepracticeswithinthecitysurbanplanningandeconomicpolicies,buildingamodelforclimate-resilient,andlow-carbonurbandevelopment,saidMariamJ.Sherman,WorldBankCountryDirectorforVi?tNam,CambodiaandLaos.ThefundingwilldeepenourengagementwithViêttNamslargestcities,particularlyHCMCity,?àN?ngandC?nTh?,astheyadvancetowardavisionofgreengrowth.TheVi?tNamAcceleratingGreenandResilientGrowthinLargeCitiesSingle-DonorTrustFundaimstohelplargeVietnamesecitiesgrowmoresustainablywhilemanagingtheincreasingrisksandmitigatingthefutureimpactsofclimatechange.Underthisprogramme,theWorldBankwilldevelopaknowledgebaseoftechnicalandoperationalbestpractices,drawingoninternationalexpertiseadaptedtothelocalcontext,toprovidestrategicsolutionsforurbanchallenges.Theprogrammewillalsostrengthenpolicy-makingcapacityandsupportcitiesandnationalagenciesinmobilisinganddiversifyingfinancialresourcesforinvestmentprojectswhilepromotingcollaborationandknowledgesharing.ThispartnershipreflectsSwitzerlandscommitmenttosustainableurbandevelopmentinVi?tNam,saidH.E.ThomasGass,SwissAmbassadortoVi?tNam.BycombiningSwissfinancingwithWorldBankknowledge,weaimtohelpVietnamesecitiesachievetheirgreengrowthobjectiveswhilebuildingresilienceagainstclimatechallenges.SwitzerlandandtheWorldBankhavebeenlong-termstrategicpartnersinsupportingurbandevelopmentinVi?tNam.Thisinitiativebuildsonprevioussuccessfulcollaborations,includingonethatestablishedthecountrysfirstfloodriskmanagementsysteminC?nTh?.TheimpactofthesejointeffortsextendsbeyondVi?tNam,shapingtheWorldBanksSustainableUrbanandRegionalDevelopmentProgrammeandCityResilienceProgramme,bothofwhicharealsofinancedbySwitzerlandatthegloballevel.—VNS
HaiH?nlotusfieldtourismsitein??ngThápProvincesThápM??iDistrict.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nV?nTrí??NGTHáP—??ngThápProvincehasenhanceditsfocusondevelopingagriculturalandruraltourismtocapitaliseonitsstrengthsandimproveincomes.LêQuangBi?u,deputydirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofCulture,Sports,andTourism,saidthereissignificantpotentialforagriculturaltourismdevelopmentduetoitswell-knownspecialityproductslikeflowers,fruits,andseafood.Through??ngThápsagriculturaltourismtours,visitorscansampletheregionsspecialityfoods,suchasgrilledsnakeheadfishwrappedinyounglotusleavesanddippedintamarindfishsauceandthepopularsweetandsoursoupmadewithyounglinhfishand?iên?i?nflowers,bothseasonalproductsofthedeltasfloodingperiod.Visitorscanalsoenjoyover200dishesmadefromlotus,alocaldelicacy.Thelargestlotus-growingprovinceintheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaishometomanylotusfieldsthathavebeenadaptedtoserveastouristattractions.Itnowhas72sitesofferingagriculturalandcommunity-basedtourismservices,upfromonlytwoin2015,whenafive-yeartourismdevelopmentplanwasinitiated.TheyareprimarilylocatedinSa?écCityandthedistrictsofLaiVung,ThápM??iandTamN?ng.Sa?échas18ofthesites,oneofwhichisrecognisedasafour-starproductunderthenationalOneCommune–OneProduct(OCOP)programme,whilesixothershaveachievedthree-starrecognition.VisitorstoSa?éc,renownedforitsflowerandornamentalplantcultivation,canexplorehundredsofvarietiesofflowersandornamentalplantsandlearnabouttheircharacteristics,originsandculturalandeconomicsignificance.Thecityreceivesaroundonemilliontouristsannually,includingover40,000internationalvisitors.TheNg?cLanOrnamentalPlantFarminSa?écCity,recognisedasathree-starOCOPtourismproduct,attractsaround1,000visitorsmonthly.Theycantrytheirhandatgrowingflowersandornamentalplants,takephotographs,buyplants,andenjoypanoramicviewsfromthefarms18-metreobservationtower.OwnerTr?nH?uTàisaid:SincereceivingOCOPproductrecognition,thefarmhasbecomemorepopular,drawingtouristsandhelpingboostthecitystourismprofile.InLaiVungDistrict,16agriculturaltourismsitesprimarilyfeaturepinkmandarinorchardsthatattracthundredsofthousandsoftouristseachyear,especiallyduringT?t(LunarNewYear)whenthefruitripens.Atalotusfieldtourismsitemanagedby12householdsinThápM??iDistrict,visitorscangoboating,admiretheflowers,fish,andsavouravarietyoflotus-baseddishes.Theprovincehasintroducedagriculturaltourismservicesthatallowvisitorstoexperienceadayasafarmerortakepartintraditionalfishingactivitiesduringthe??ngThápM??i(PlainofReeds)floodseason.Therearealsoothernewtourismproductssuchasthe??nhYêncommunity-basedtourismvillageinL?pVòDistrictandTanThu?n,itscounterpartinCaoL?nhCity,LongKhánhscarfweavingvillageinH?ngNg?District,andruralmarketsinTanThu?n??ngandGòTháp.Combiningtourismwithagriculturehasaddedvaluetolocalproducts,createdjobsforruralresidentsandprovidedfarmerswithasteadyincome,accordingtotheDepartmentofCulture,Sports,andTourism.??ngThápreceivedmorethanfourmilliontouriststorankfourthamongthe12provincesandC?nTh?CityintheMekongDeltalastyear.TourismrevenuestoppedVN?1.9trillion(US$75million).AnethouseforgrowingflowersandornamentalplantsservestourismattheHappyLandHùngThyTourismAreain??ngThápProvincesSa?écCity.Thetourismareahasbeenrecognisedasafour-starproductunderthecountrysOneCommune–OneProduct(OCOP)programme.—VNA/VNSPhotoMinhH?ngSupportinitiatives??ngTháphasimplementedseveralpoliciestosupporttourismdevelopmentlikefinancialassistanceandsoftloansforcommunity-basedtourisminitiatives.IthasallocatedVN?17billion($672,000)tohelp47tourismestablishmentsgrowtheirbusinesses.Tr??ngV?nMai,owneroftheNamH??ngEcologicalFarminSaRàiTown,TanH?ngDistrict,said:Theprovincespoliciesencouragingtourismdevelopmentalignwellwithcurrenttrends,asmostvisitorstomyfarmseektoconnectwithnature.Toencouragethemtostaylonger,wehaveinvestedinfacilitiestomeettheirneedsfordining,relaxationandentertainment.Organicandenvironmentallyfriendlyfarmingmethodsarealsoessential,astheyarekeyreasonsvisitorscometomyfarm.Theprovincehasprioritisedinfrastructuredevelopmenttosupporttourism,particularlytransportprojectsthatlinktouristdestinations.Theseeffortshaveenhancedtheappearanceofruralareas,bolsteredlocaleconomies,preservedculturalandhistoricalsites,andprotectedtheenvironment.Hu?nhTh?HoàiThu,thedepartmentsdirector,said??ngThápwouldcontinuetomarketitstourismassetsandactivelyseekinvestmentinthesector.Theprovincewillcreatefavourableconditionsfortravelcompaniesandtourismdestinationstoshowcasetheirservicesattourismfairs,eventsandculturalfestivalsbothinandoutsidetheprovince.Wewillalsointegratewiththedeltastourismproductnetwork.Theprovincehopestoget4.2milliontourists,including50,000foreigners,andachievetourismrevenuesofVN?1.9trillion($75million)thisyear.By2025??ngThápstourismsectorisexpectedtocontribute5-6percentoftheprovincesgrossregionaldomesticproduct.Inthefirsthalfofthisyear,morethan2.5milliontouristsvisited??ngTháp,generatingVN?1.2trillion($48million)inrevenues.—VNSRollingstockofVietnamRailways.—Vietnamplus.vnPhotoHàN?I—TheVi?tNamRailwayAuthorityhassubmittedaproposaltotheMinistryofTransportforthereviewandapprovaloftheplanningfortheLàoCai-HàN?i-H?iPhòng-Qu?ngNinhrailwayline.Thisrailwaywillextendapproximately427km,beginningatLàoCaistation,whereitconnectswiththeChineserailway,andendingatH?Longstation,partoftheKép-H?Longline.Theroutewillcover41stationsandcrosstenprovincesandthecitiesofLàoCai,YênBái,PhúTh?,V?nhPhúc,HàN?i,B?cNinh,H?ngYên,H?iD??ng,H?iPhòngandQu?ngNinh.Theplanningconsortium,TRICC-TEDI,hasorganisedtherailwayintotwomainlinesandtwobranchlines.ThemainlinefromLàoCaitothenorthofH?iPhòngtoL?chHuy?nPortmeasures391.06km,whilethesegmentfromthenorthofH?iPhòngtoCáiLanis50.59kmlong.ThebranchlinefromthenorthofH?iPhòngtoNam??S?nPortis12.632km,andthebranchlinefromNam?ìnhV?to?ìnhV?extends7.418km.Projectedtransportdemandfortherailwayissignificant.By2030,itisexpectedtohandle12.77milliontonnesofcargoand4.65millionpassengers.Thisdemandisexpectedtogrowto14.94milliontonnesofcargoand6.22millionpassengersby2040,andreach17.48milliontonsofcargoand8.31millionpassengersby2050.TheconsultancyrecommendsthatinvestmentintheLàoCai-HàN?i-H?iPhòngsectionshouldbeinmadeby2030,withplansfortheH?iPhòng-Qu?ngNinhsectiontobeexploredafterward.ThiswillalignwiththeinvestmentstrategyforthecoastalrailwayconnectingNam??nh,TháiBình,H?iPhòngandQu?ngNinh.ThetotalfundingrequirementfortheLàoCai-HàN?i-H?iPhòng-Qu?ngNinhrailwayisestimatedatVN?179,126trillion(US$7.17billion).ThisincludesVN?23.448trillionforlandclearance,VN?107.26trillionforconstructionandequipment,withtheremainderallocatedforconsultancy,projectmanagementandcontingencies.Onceoperational,theLàoCai-HàN?i-H?iPhòng-Qu?ngNinhrailwayisexpectedtoenhancetransportcapacityandconnectivitywithseaports,industrialzonesandtouristareas,thuscontributingtothecountrysindustrialisationandmodernisationefforts.—VNS
VNU-HCMchancellorV?H?iQuangivesaspeechatthe2024-25academicyearopeningceremonyheldonOctober20towelcomefreshmenstudents.—VNSPhotoNguy?nDi?pHCMCITY—Vi?tNamsleadingcentreofhighereducationandscientificresearch,NationalUniversity-HCMCity(VNU-HCM),lastSunday(October20)heldthe2024-25academicyearopeningceremonytowelcomefreshmenstudents.Speakingattheceremony,VNU-HCMchancellorV?H?iQuansaidthecountryisfacingmanynewchallenges.Inordertonotbeleftbehind,thereisonlyonewaytoovercomethenewchallenges,andthatistakingadvantageofhumanresources,scienceandtechnologyandinnovation,hesaid.VNU-HCMentersanewerawithavisionofbecomingaleadinghighereducationinstitutioninAsia.Therefore,realityposesnewrequirementsforteachersandstudentstoimprovetheircapacities,hesaid.Heexpectsstudentstoalwaysstudyhard,practiseandcultivatethemselvestohavecomprehensiveknowledge,socialresponsibility,leadershipability,entrepreneurialspiritandcreativelyapplytheirknowledge,contributingtosoonbringthecountryintoaneweraofbreakthroughdevelopment.Healsoaskedthelecturerstocontinuouslymakemoreeffortsinresearchandcreativeinnovationtodiscovernewknowledge,newtechnologyandnewuniqueculturalvalues.Sucheffortswillcontributetotheimplementationoftasksatthenationalandregionallevelsandthecountryssustainableeconomicdevelopment,promotingsocialprogressandenrichingthetreasureofknowledgeofmankindandVietnameseculture.LêDuyLoan,aseniorfellowattheglobalU.StechnologycompanyTexasInstrumentsCorporation,wasaguestspeakerattheVNU-HCMnewacademicyearopeningceremonyheldonOctober20.—VNSPhotoNguy?nDi?pLêDuyLoan,aseniorfellowattheglobalUStechnologycompanyTexasInstrumentsCorporation,wasaguestspeakerattheevent.Loansharedherownexperiencesaboutthejourneyofcommitmentanddedicationofayoungintellectual.Shebelievesthateducationisthekeythatcouldhelpchildrenbornintodifficultcircumstancesriseuptoescapepovertyandhelpothers.Lifecantakeawaysomanythingsfromyoubuttheknowledgeinyourminditcannot,shesaid.VNU-HCMisoneofthecountryslargesteducationalinstitutionswitheightmemberuniversities.Eachyear,ittrainsmorethan95,000undergraduatestudents,andmorethan8,000graduatestudents.—VNSAbabyinthenorthernprovinceofHàGiangreceivedeyeexaminationduringafinaltrachomasurveillancein2022.EyedoctorsfromVi?tNamNationalEyeHospitalandHàGiangEyeHospitalexaminedresidentsfortrachoma.—PhotocourtesyofTheFredHollowsFoundationHàN?I—TheWorldHealthOrganisation(WHO)hasofficiallyrecognisedthatVi?tNamhaseliminatedtrachoma,acontagious,bacterialdiseasethatmayeventuallyleadtoblindness.ThisremarkableachievementwasvalidatedbytheWHOandaplaquewaspresentedtotheDeputyMinisterofHealthofAssoc.Prof.Nguy?nTh?LiênH??ng,duringthe75thsessionoftheWHORegionalCommitteefortheWesternPacific,whichopenedonMondayinManila,thePhilippines,pertheinformationfromWHOVi?tNam.Trachomaremainstheworldsleadinginfectiouscauseofblindness,eventhoughitisapreventableeyediseasecausedbythebacteriumChlamydiatrachomatis.Thediseasespreadsthroughfliesordirectcontactwitheyeornasaldischargefromaninfectedindividual.Repeatedinfectionscancausetheeyelashestoturninward,leadingtopainanddamagetothecornea.Inseverecases,surgeryisrequiredtopreventblindness.HistoricalsurveysrevealedthattrachomaposedapublichealththreatinfourprovincesinVi?tNam.Thirtyyearsago,1.7percentofpeopleinthesehigh-riskareasneededsurgerytoavoidblindnessfromthedisease.However,by2023,thisratehaddroppedtobelow0.2percent,meetingtheWHOsthresholdforeliminatingtrachomaasapublichealthissue.ThisachievementisattributedtoongoingsurveillanceandtheimplementationoftheSAFE(shortforsurgery,antibiotics,facialcleanlinessandenvironmentalimprovement)strategy,whichbeganin1999.Thelandmarkoutcomefollowsdecadesofdedicationbyhealth-careworkers,communities,differentsectorsofsocietyandtheGovernment,supportedbyWHOandpartnersincludingtheAustralianDepartmentofForeignandTrade(DFAT),theFredHollowsFoundation,theInternationalTrachomaInitiative,RTIInternational,UNICEFandUSAID.EliminationoftrachomaasapublichealthprobleminVi?tNamisamonumentalachievementforthecountryandfortheglobalfightagainstthedisease,WHODirector-GeneralDrTedrosAdhanomGhebreyesusstated.ThismilestoneisatestamenttotheunwaveringdedicationofVi?tNamshealthworkers,includingmanyworkingatcommunitylevel.Itunderscoresthepowerofcollectiveaction,innovativethinkingandasharedcommitmenttoahealthierfutureforall.IcommendVi?tNamforitsdedicationandsuccessinsafeguardingthevisionofmillions.TheeliminationoftrachomainVi?tNamdemonstratesthecommitmentoftheGovernment,healthworkersandcommunitiesacrossthecountry,saidDrSaiaMauPiukala,WHORegionalDirectorfortheWesternPacific,praisingtheachievement.Itisashiningexampleofhowtargetedinterventions,strongpartnershipsandsustainedeffortcanbringaboutrealchangeinthehealthofpopulations.WHORepresentativetoVi?tNamDrAngelaPratthascharacterisedtrachomaasadiseaseofpoverty.Communitiesinremoteareaswithoutgoodaccesstosafewaterandsanitationweretheworstaffected.ButVi?tNamhasdemonstratedthatitispossibletoreachthehardest-to-reachpopulationsandmaketherightinvestmentstoprotectpeopleshealthandensureatrachoma-freefuture,sheremarked.DeputyhealthministerH??ngsaidthattheeliminationoftrachomawasaproudmomentforVi?tNam.Thecombinedeffortsofmanyagenciesandcommunities,withthesupportofWHOandpartnerorganisations,havesavedthousandsofpeoplefromlifelongblindnessandeconomicdisadvantage.Ourchildrencannowgrowupsafefromthispainfulandpotentiallyblindingdisease,H??ngnoted.Thisisawonderfulachievementforourpeople,whichwillpaydividendsfordecadestocome.Inthishappymoment,onbehalfoftheVietnamesepeople,IwanttoexpressoursincerethankstoallinternationalpartnerswhocontributedgreatsupporttotrachomaeliminationinVi?tNam.VietnameseDeputyMinisterofHealthNguy?nTh?LiênH??ng(secondfromleft)receivesaplaquefromtheWorldHealthOrganisationinrecognitionofVi?tNamseliminationoftrachomainManila,October21,2024.—PhotofromWHOVi?tNamTheFredHollowsFoundationCEOIanWishartcongratulatedtheGovernmentofVi?tNamandpartnersforworkingcollectivelytoeliminatetrachomaasapublichealthproblem.Thisisamilestoneachievementthatwasonlypossiblebecauseoftheclosecooperationandcollaborationfromlocalthroughtointernationalpartners,hesaid.TheFoundationsVi?tNamCountryManagerDrPhúcHu?nhTanacknowledgedthelong-termcommitmentofpeopleatalllevelsofthehealthsystemtoachievethehistoricresult.Inthe1990s,trachomawasoneoftheleadingcausesofpreventableblindnessinVi?tNam.InVi?tNamsfarnorth,dedicateddoctors,nursesandcommunehealthstaffmadechallengingjourneysthroughmountainousareastolookforsignsoftrachomainfectionamongpeoplelivinginremotecommunities.Despitetheseobstacles–andthechallengesposedbytheCOVID-19pandemic–healthworkers,governmentagenciesandfundingpartnershavemadealastingimpactonpeoplesqualityoflifeandwellbeing,hesaid.USAIDVi?tNam,whoprovidedfinancialandtechnicalassistancesince2011towardstheefforts,hasalsoapplaudedVi?tNamsachievementonMonday.Vi?tNamseliminationoftrachomaasapublichealthproblemistheresultofthecountrysdecades-longefforttotackleneglectedinfectiousdiseases.USAIDispleasedtohavebeenapartofthetremendouspartnership,andremainsacommittedpartnerofVi?tNaminadvancingpublichealth.—VNS
AlleyNo.39of?ìnhTh?nStreet,wherethebodywasfound.Phototienphong.vnHàN?I-AdecomposingbodyofayoungfemalewasfoundbyresidentsonOctober20inanapartmentinAlleyNo.39of?ìnhTh?nStreetinNamT?LiêmDistrict,HàN?i.Itissuspectedthatthevictimhadpassedawayseveraldaysearliergiventhatthebodywasalreadyinanadvancedstateofdecomposition.Upondiscovery,authoritiesquicklyarrivedatthescene,cordoningofftheareaandconductinganinvestigationtodeterminethecauseofdeath.Curiousonlookersgatheredaroundthescene,butthepoliceinstructedthecrowdtodisperse.Priortothediscovery,severalresidentsofthebuildinghadnoticedafoulsmell.Thevictim,ayoungwomanoriginallyfromNam??nhProvince,hadnotbeenseenforseveraldays.Thebuildingmanageropenedtheapartmentdoorandfoundthebody.AnofficialfromNamT?LiêmDistrictPolicestatedthatthecaseisbeinghandledandfurtherdetailswillbeprovidedastheinvestigationprogresses.-VNSICHAMrepresentativesdelivercharitablegiftsattheYênBáiProvincialFatherlandFrontCommittee.—PhotocourtesyofICHAMHàN?I—TheItalianChamberofCommerceinVi?tNam(ICHAM)anditsmembercompanieshaveorganisedacharitablemissiontosupportpeoplehardesthitbyTyphoonYagiinthenorthernprovincesofYênBái,HàGiang,andLàoCai.ThisinitiativewascarriedoutlastweekinresponsetothecallfromtheCentralCommitteeoftheVi?tNamFatherlandFronttohelpaffectedpeopledealwiththeaftermathofTyphoonYagi.KeyparticipantsinthemissionincludedFedericoVasoli,VicePresidentofICHAM,andTr?nThanhQuy?t,ExecutiveDirectorofICHAM,andotherbusinessrepresentatives.Theydelivered130waterpurifiers,tentelevisionsand400setsofschoolsuppliesto20schoolsand120familiesintheprovinces.TheyalsovisitedandprovidedgiftstofamiliesseverelyimpactedbythestormsandinjuredteachersandstudentswhohadlostparentstothefloodsinM??ngKh??ngandSapa.ICHAMhopesthatthecharitableendeavourwillinspireotherstojoinintherecoveryeffortsandcontributetorebuildingthelivesofthoseaffectedbyTyphoonYagi.—VNS