China's LeEco prepares to take over the U.S. with phones, TVs and cars
Sceneoftheaccident.—Photoanninhthudo.vn??KN?NG—ThreepeoplehavediedandtwoinjuredafteraroadtrafficaccidentearlyFridaymorningintheCentralHighlandsprovinceof??kN?ng,Theincidentoccurredaround1.00amwhenapickuptruckwithfivepeopleonboardoverturnedintotheroadsideditchinNamBìnhCommune,??kSongDistrict.Threepeople,??ngNguyên,31,V?Ng?cHà,30andPh?mH?ngQuan,29,losttheirlivesintheaccident.Theremainingtwo,?àoV?nTh?nh,29,andTr?nV?nQuang,40,wereseriouslyinjuredandrushedtothehospital.Thecauseoftheaccidentisunderinvestigation.—VNS
AworkerintheBànM?chblacksmithvillagemakesagriculturaltoolsandhouseholditems.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nTr?ngL?chV?NHPHúC—ThebustlingworkingatmospherehascreatedahubbubthatcanbeheardalloverBànM?chblacksmithvillage.Thevillage,locatedinLyNhanCommune,V?nhT??ngDistrict,inthenorthernprovinceofV?nhPhúc,isfilledwithworkerslaughter,alongwiththesoundsofhammersandsaws,andthesparksfromthered-hotironbarsshootingupwitheachbeat.Throughoutthevillage,pilesofrawironandsteel,alongwithnewlycompletedmechanicalproducts,aredisplayedinrowsandaislesinfamilyyardsandworkshops.Nguy?nXuanToàn,ChairmanoftheLyNhanCommunePeoplesCommittee,saidthatBànM?chVillagewasrecognisedasatraditionalcraftvillagebytheV?nhPhúcProvincialPeoplesCommitteein2006.Everyvillagerisfamiliarwiththesoundsofhammersfromearlymorninguntilevening.Thevillagecurrentlyhas1,041householdswith3,500people,andmorethan680householdsareengagedinblacksmithing,attracting1,440localworkers.Therearealsohundredsofworkersinthevillagewhoarenotblacksmiths,butsupportthetradebyprovidingblanksordrivingtruckstotransportgoods.TheBànM?chblacksmithvillagealsoattractsmorethan1,000workersfromotherlocalities,mainlyneighbouringareas,towork.Atpresent,theblacksmithingtradeinBànM?chisdevelopingrapidly,turningthewholevillageintoabusy,vibrantworkshopwithdiverseproducts.Accordingtocraftsmen,theperiodfromtheendofautumnonwardsisthebusiesttimeinBànM?ch,aseveryhouseholdandworkshopworksdayandnighttomeetordersforthelastmonthsoftheyear,especiallyforT?t.Demandforgoodsalwaysincreasesatthistimeofyear.Thevillagesmainproductstodayareagriculturalproductiontoolsandhouseholditemssuchasknives,chisels,hoes,spades,hammers,axes,hingesandsickles,whichareconsumedacrossthecountryandexportedtoLaos,Cambodia,ChinaandThailand.Currently,theblacksmithsaverageincomeisVN?72million(US$2,800)perpersonperyear.SkilledworkerstypicallyearnaroundVN?1million($39)perday.Householdsthatinvestinhammers,stampingmachinesandotherspecialisedequipmentforirongoodsproductioncanearnbetweenVN?50-70million($1,900-2,700)permonthperfacility.Inparticular,familieswithmanyemployeesandlargeproductionareascanearnuptohundredsofmillionsVN?permonth.Tr?nHùngM?nh,DeputyChairmanoftheLyNhanCommunePeoplesCommittee,saidthatinordertoincreaseproductivity,manyhouseholdshaverecentlyinvestedinnewmachinesandequipment.NowBànM?chVillagehasmorethan300hammermachines,sixrollingmills,171punchingmachines,andhundredsofironandsteelbilletheatingmachines.Thankstothisequipment,thecurrentcapacityforprocessingforgedproductsismuchhigherthanwithtraditionalmanualproduction,andtheworkisalsolessphysicallydemanding.Everyweek,dozensoftruckscarryblacksmithproductsfromthevillagetocustomers.Tokeepupwithnewtrends,BànM?chresidentshaveproactivelyconnectedwithcustomersbysellingone-commerceplatformsandsocialmediasuchasTiktok,ShopeeandFacebook.Salesofgoodsone-commerceplatformshaveincreasedtoabout20percentofthetotalsales.Notably,importedproductshavefloodedintoVi?tNaminrecentyears,yetdespitethecompetitivepressure,BànM?chproductscontinuetoholdagoodshareofthemarket.M?nhsaidthatproductsprocessedbytraditionalmethodsarevaluablebecauseoftheirstrength,durabilityandthefactthattheyremainsharperthanothermaterials,includingbrandedproductsmanufacturedinsomeothercountries.Kh?ngV?nTr?ng,along-timeblacksmith,saidthatblacksmithingwasnotsimplyajobbutacraft,makinghimnotjustaworker,butanartisan.Beingablacksmithrequiresgoodhealth,manualdexterity,sharpobservationskills,andtheabilitytocontrolthemetalstemperaturetodeterminetherightmomenttoforgeandtemperforthebestresults.AccordingtoTr?ng,therearemanygoodmachinesforblacksmithstoimproveproductivityandcreatebeautifulproducts.However,tomakereallyhigh-qualitysharpproductslikeknives,forgingmuststillbedonebyhand,usingthesecretspasseddownthroughgenerations.Whenmakinggoodqualityknives,scissorsandhoes,therearecertainprocessingstageswheremachinessimplycannotreplaceskilledworkers.TohelpBànM?chblacksmithvillagestabiliseanddevelop,organisationsandauthoritiesatalllevelsinV?nhPhúcProvincehaveprovidedfavourableconditionsforpeopletolearnproductiontechniques.Theyvealsohelpedhouseholdsborrowcapitalandhaveprovidedlandtoexpandthescaleofmanufacturing.Sincelastyear,BànM?chhasbeennamedoneofthefirst28villagesselectedbyV?nhPhúcProvincetodevelopasamodelculturalvillage,openingupnewopportunitiesforsustainabletourismandsocio-economicdevelopment.—VNSAworkerfillsoutpaperworktoclaimunemploymentbenefitsattheHàN?iEmploymentServiceCentre.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Vi?tNamslabourmarketfacesacriticalchallengeasmanylow-skilledworkers,despitelosingtheirjobs,arereluctanttopursuevocationaltrainingprogrammesaimedathelpingthemswitchcareers.DatafromtheHàN?iEmploymentServiceCentrerevealsthat,whileunemploymentbenefitswereapprovedfor8,500workersinSeptember,only204optedtoenrollinvocationaltraining.DeputyDirectorofthecentre,V?QuangThành,explainedthatwhencompaniescuttheirworkforce,theyoftenfocusonreducinglow-skilledmanualworkers,retainingthosewithhigherqualifications.Despitethis,mostofthelaid-offworkersseekunemploymentbenefitsratherthanparticipatingintrainingprogrammes.AccordingtoThành,thecurrentfinancialsupportforvocationaltrainingisinsufficienttoattractworkers,withtrainingdurationsoftentooshorttomakeasignificantimpact.Low-skilledworkerslikeHàTh?N?fromBiênHòaCityinthesouthernprovinceof??ngNai,whowaslaidoffinJulyafter13yearsinthewoodindustry,saythatattendingvocationaltrainingisnotfeasible.N?,whonowworkstemporaryjobstomakeendsmeetsaid:Learninganewskillmightprovidejobopportunities,butIdonothavetimetoattendtraining.Theextracostsfortransportationandmealsmakeitimpossible.Others,likeLêThu?nNamfromBiênHòaCity,aformersecurityguard,plannedtotakeadrivingcoursebutabandonedtheideaduetohighcosts.ThedrivingcoursecostsaroundVN?20million(US$780),farbeyondtheVN?9million($355)supportcap,hesaid.Nam,likemanyothers,foundthelower-costtrainingoptions,suchascookingortailoring,unsuitableforhissituation.Eventhoseinterestedinvocationaltraining,likeD??ngTh?Ng?cfromBiênHòaCity,arehesitantduetoadditionalexpenses.Ng?c,whoconsideredafour-monthmake-upcourse,isstrugglingfinanciallyafterlosingherjobandreceivingjustVN?3.5million($138)inmonthlyunemploymentbenefits.Employmentexpertshavecalledforanoverhaulofthevocationaltrainingsupportsystem.DeputyDirectoroftheHàN?iEmploymentServiceCentre,V?Th?ThanhLi?ubelievesthatthecurrentsupportneedstobeadjustedtocovertransportationandmealallowancestomaketrainingprogrammesmoreaccessibleforlaid-offworkers.AccordingtoLi?u,thesupportforvocationaltrainingiscappedatVN?4.5millionforathree-monthcourseandVN?9millionforonelastingfromthreetosixmonths.However,thecostoflivingandspecialisedcoursescanoftenexceedtheselimits,makingitdifficultforunemployedworkerstoretrainandfindnewemployment.TheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsisalreadyworkingonrevisionstotheEmploymentLaw,withproposalstoincreasethesupportforvocationaltraining,expandthescopetoimproveworkersskills,andprovidesupporteventothosenotreceivingunemploymentbenefits.Accordingtoministrydata,from2015to2023,only256,350peoplenationwidereceivedvocationaltrainingsupport,averagingjust28,483peopleannually.Expertssuggestthattomakevocationaltrainingmoreeffective,unemploymentbenefitsshouldberaisedto75percentoftheaveragesalaryfromthesixmonthsbeforeindividualslosttheirjobs,alongwithincreasedtrainingsupportandextendedcoursedurations.TherevisionstotheEmploymentLawareexpectedtoprovidemuch-neededadjustmentstohelplaid-offworkerstransitionintonewcareers,butfornow,manycontinuetofacebarriersinaccessingvocationaltrainingopportunities.—VNS
Ph?mKhánhPhongLan,NAdeputyfromHCMCity.VNA/VNSPhotoNationalAssembly(NA)deputyPh?mKhánhPhongLanfromtheHCMCitydelegationspoketoVietnamplusduringtheongoingNAseighthsessioninHàN?iaboutthedraftoftherevisedPharmacyLaw.Howdoyouevaluatethedraftofthereviseddraft?IthinkthedraftingcommitteehasworkedhardandtheNASocialCommitteesassessmentreporthasthoroughlyexaminedtheissues.However,Iamnotconfidentaboutthedraftlawscontent,asitdoesnotadequatelyaddressthecurrentsituation.WhydoIhavetosaythat?Therearemanyproposedamendmentsbutmostofthemonlyfixthetipoftheiceberg,whileleavingtherootoftheproblemunresolved.Forexample,thecurrentdrugsupplyisconstantlyfacingproblemssuchasshortagesofdrugs,vaccinesandequipment.Howcanwesolvethoseproblems?Wehavetoconductadministrativereformtoreducethewaitingtimefordrugregistrationcodeissuance.Wecandothatwithoutlegalisingitbecausethereisnolawthatallowsustoprolongadministrativeprocedures.Administrationreformhasbeenmentionedrepeatedly.Westillhavetolineup,jostleeachotherfordrugregistrationandstillcannotissueregistrationnumbersontime,nottomentiontheconsequenceofcreatingtheriskoffosteringaskingandgivingmechanisms.Couldyouelaborateonthecauseoftheabovesituation?Thereare800activecomponentsofvarioustypesandaround22,000medicationregistrationcodesinVi?tNam.Thisindicatesthattherearetoomanyfinisheddrugs.Incontrast,Singaporeonlyhasroughly10,000registrationcodesdespitehaving1,200activecompounds.InJapan,thereareover1,600activecompounds,yetfewerthan10,000ofthemhaveregistrationcodes.Toomanyregistrationcodesarebeingissuedbyuswithoutanylimitations.Toreducetheimportofmedicationswithanexcessivenumberofregistrationcodes,Ibelieveweneedaspecificpolicyforimportedmedications.Thepharmaceuticalindustrywillbeheldbackiftherearetoomanyregistrationnumbers,becausetherewillbetoomanyoptions,whichwillmakebiddingdifficultanddoctorswillultimatelyonlybidbasedonprice.Thelowertheprice,theeasieritistowinthebid,whilehigh-qualityproductsdonotwinthebid.Inadditiontotheregistrationcode,howcanwemeetthedemandfordrugs?Thisisanissuerelatedtothedevelopmentofthepharmaceuticalindustry.IntherevisedPharmacyLaw,wesetoutanumberofprovisionsonprioritiesandsubsidiesbutIseethatthesearealmostrepetitionsoftherevisedPharmacyLaw2016.Wehavebeenamarketeconomyandinfact,Vi?tNamhas168goodmanufacturingpractice-standardfactoriessincetheenforcementofthePharmacyLaw2016.Todate,thatnumberhasincreasedto236factories.Vi?tNamdoesnotlackpharmaceuticalfactories,whileneighbouringcountriessuchasthePhilippineshaveonlyjustover100factories.Ifwelookintotheactualsituation,wewillseethatalmostallfactorieshavetheproblemofnotproducingenoughoftheirinitialregisteredcapacity.Whentheyproducealotofdrugsandcantfindanoutlet,theywilllosethebiddinginthedomesticmarket.Followingtheparametersonthestockexchangetoday,wecanseethatalmostallthebignamesintheVietnamesepharmaceuticalindustryhavebeeninvestedbyortakenoverbyforeigninvestors.Therefore,ourtwopoliciesarecontradictory.Ontheonehand,wewanttoensurepharmaceuticalsecurity,keepthatrightfordomesticVietnamesepharmaceuticalcompanies,yet,ontheotherhand,manybusinesseswithforeigncapitalstilloperateintheVietnamesemarket.CouldyoupointoutshortcomingsofthecurrentpharmaceuticaldistributionsysteminVi?tNam?InVi?tNamspharmaceuticaldistributionsystem,therearetensofthousandsofwholesaledistributioncompaniesandretailpharmacies,buttherearenoeffectivemanagementmeasures.Thereremainsthesaleofdrugswithoutprescriptionsatpharmacies,fakedrugsandpoorqualitydrugsindenselypopulatedareas.Meanwhile,inremote,mountainousandislandareas,thereisstillashortageofdrugs.Theseissuesleadtoanincreaseinthenumberofintermediaries,makingdrugpricesdifficulttocontrol.IpredictthatifwecontinueenforcingtherevisedPharmacyLawinitscurrentform,theresultwillbethesameasthe2016law,withmoreshortcomingsexpected.Thefieldofpharmacyalsocoverscosmeticsandfoodsupplements.Welackspecific,directlegalregulationstomanagecosmeticsandfoodsupplements,eventhoughtheseproductsarewidespread,directlyimpactpublichealth,andfacemanyproblems.Whatchangesneededtomakeinthedevelopmentofthecurrentpharmaceuticalindustry?Thepharmaceuticalbusinessesneedinvestmentplanstogrow,butthelegislationmustbeexplicit.Ourpolicymustfocusondevelopingthepharmaceuticalindustry,notsimplymakingdrugscheaper,aslowerpricescouldnotassurequality.Ishouldstressthatitwillbeextremelychallengingtomanageanactiveingredientwhenhundredsofregistrationnumbersarevyingforthesamespot.Wecanlearnfromothernationsexperiences.Thepharmaceuticalindustryisneveranopenmarket,weshouldntbecomealow-lyingregionoftheworldandpermittheimportationofvariousmedications,whichwillultimatelycausethemarkettobecomeunmanageableandchaotic.Wearemakingeffortstogether,buteverytimewefixsomething,itischallenging.Thisisourresponsibilitytothepeopleandtotheindustrysdevelopment.Weseethattheshortcomingsremainunresolved.Ifwecontinueonthispath,wewillhavetopaythepricelater.VNSCzechtouristsarrivingatPhúQu?cisland,KiênGiangProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Inthefirst10monthsof2024,morethan14.1millioninternationaltouristscametoVi?tNam,anincreaseof41.3percentyearonyear,accordingtothelatestreportfromtheGeneralStatisticsOffice.Favourablevisapolicies,strongertourismpromotionprogrammes,andwinningseveralprestigiousinternationaltourismawardshaveallcontributedtodrawingmoreforeignvisitorstothecountry.InOctober2024,internationalarrivalstoVi?tNamreached1.42million,aslightincreasecomparedtothe1.3millioninSeptemberanda27.6percentincreasecomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Thenumbersareexpectedtogrow,withthepeakseasonforinternationaltourists,especiallyonesfromEuropeancountries,usuallylastingfromOctobertoMarch.Ofthetotal14.1millionfigure,nearly12millionarrivedbyair,accountingfor84.8percentofthetotal,markinga36.9percentincreaseyear-on-year.AlmosttwomillionarrivedinVi?tNambyland,up13.9percentanda65.7percentincrease,respectively.Composition-wise,Asianmarketscontributednearly80percentofthetotalarrivals.Fourmarkets—SouthKorea,China,Taiwan(China)andJapan—accountedfornearly60percent.Inthefirsttenmonthsof2024,SouthKoreawasVi?tNamslargestsourceoftourists,with3.7millionvisitors(26.4percent).Chinaisinsecondplacewith3.0millionvisitors(21.3percent).FollowingthesearevisitorsfromTaiwan(China),theUnitedStates,Japan,Australia,India,Malaysia,CambodiaandThailand.Whilemostdestinationsrecordedgrowthcomparedto2023—China(up130.4percent),SouthKorea(up28.5percent),Japan(up24.8percent),ChineseTaiwan(up59.4percent),India(up29.1percent),Australia(up23.7percent)—visitorsfromThailanddeclinedby13.3percent.Europeanmarketsalsosawpositivegrowth,includingkeymarketsliketheUnitedKingdom(up20.4percent),France(up30.5percent)andGermany(up23.6percent).WhileItaly(up54.5percent),Spain(up23.3percent),Russia(up81.5percent),Denmark(up21.7percent),Norway(up16.2percent),andSweden(up24.9percent).Thesemarketsbenefitfromaunilateralvisaexemptionpolicyforstaysofupto45days,implementedfromAugust15,2023.Overall,tourismrevenuesinthefirsttenmonthshitVN?690trillion(US$27.18billion).—VNSLòV?nTho?iinstructsanadultstudentinbasiccalculations.—Photobaodantoc.vnS?NLA—LòV?nTho?i,aLaoethnicman,hasspentthepasttwodecadesassumingthedualrolesofaborderpatrolofficerandadedicatedteacher,bringingliteracytoremoteM?ngvillages.BornandraisedinS?pC?pDistrictinthemountainousprovinceofS?nLa,hehasadeep-rootedconnectiontotheM?ngpeopleintheregion.AftergraduatingfromtheBorderPatrolSchool,hewasassignedtotheM??ngL?nBorderPostin2003,wherehebeganhismissiontoeradicateilliteracyandempowerthelocalcommunity.Limitedaccesstoeducationhashinderedthecommunitysprogress,Tho?iexplained.Bylearningtoreadandwrite,theycanbreakfreefrompovertyandimprovetheirqualityoflife.Hisinitialeffortsweremetwithresistance,asmanyvillagerswerescepticalofeducationbenefits.Languagebarriersandculturaldifferencesfurthercompoundedthechallenges.WhenIstartedgoingdoor-to-doortoencouragevillagerstojoinmyfreeclasses,Iwasrejected,herecalled.Theydidnotseethevalueineducationandculturalandlanguagebarriershinderedmyefforts.Facedwithrejection,headoptedamoreimmersiveandculturallysensitiveapproach,thefour-together,requiringhimtolive,eatandworkwiththevillagersandspeaktheirlanguage.Byfullyimmersinghimselfinthecommunity,hequicklybrokedownthebarriers,fosteringasenseofcamaraderieandastrongbondwithhisstudents.Irealisedthattotrulyconnectwithmystudents,Ineededtobecomeapartoftheirlives,hesaid.Bysharingtheirdailyexperiencesandspeakingtheirlanguage,Icanbuildtrustandcreateamoresupportivelearningenvironment.However,hischallengesdidnotendthere.Oncehehadconvincedvillagerstoattendhisclasses,hefacedthedauntingtaskofdevelopingengagingandeffectiveteachingmaterials.Ihadtomakesurethelessonswereinterestingandrelevanttotheirlives,hesaid.Ifitwastoodifficultorboring,theywouldsimplystopcoming.Tokeepstudentsengaged,Tho?iincorporatedgames,storytelling,andhands-onactivitiesintohislessons.Healsoslowedhisteachingpaceandaskedfrequentquestionstoensureeveryoneunderstoodthematerials.Afteryearsofdedicatedteaching,hehasachievedremarkableresults.By2017,thevillagershadcometofullyappreciatethevalueofliteracyandbeganactivelyseekingtolearn.Theystartedaskingtoattendmyclassesontheirown,Tho?isharedproudly.Overhis21-yearcareer,hehastaughtstudentsofallages,fromtheelderlytoyoungchildren.Manyhavebecomeadvocatesforeducationwithintheircommunity,passingontheirknowledgetoothers.OnesuchstudentisGiàngP?Dê,whogrewupinapoorfamilyandwasunabletoattendschool.Tho?iwasimpressedbyhereagernesstolearnwhenshefirstcametohisclass.Aftercompletingtheliteracycourses,shebecamealeaderinhervillageandwaselectedheadoftheWomensUnion.IwashesitanttogotoschoolbecauseIfeltembarrassedlearningtoreadandwriteasanadult,saidGiangTh?M?,anotherTho?isformerstudent.Buthispatienceandwordsofencouragementhavechangedmymind.Sheexplainedthatlearningtoreadandwritehassignificantlyimprovedherlife,enablinghertoaccessinformationandimproveherfarmingpractices.Now,Icanusemyphone,accessinformationaboutfarmingtechniques,andcontributemoretomycommunity.IoweitalltoTho?i,shesaid.Inadditiontoliteracyclasses,Tho?ihasbeeninstrumentalinchallengingdeeplyrootedharmfulpracticessuchasearlymarriage.Byeducatingthecommunityaboutitslegalimplicationsandnegativeconsequences,hehashelpedtobringaboutpositivesocialchangesandpromotegenderequality.Inrecognitionofhisexceptionalcontributionstoeducation,thepatrolborderofficerhasbeenhonouredasoneofthe60outstandingteachersintheSharingwithTeachersprogramme,ajointinitiativeoftheCentralYouthUnionofVi?tNam,theMinistryofEducationandTrainingandThiênLongGroup.—VNS
AYak-130duringatrainingmission.—Photocand.com.vnBìNH??NH—Authoritieshaveestablishedcontactwithbothofthetwopilotsinvolvedinamilitaryaircraftcrash,whichoccurredduringatrainingflightoverTayXuanCommuneinthesouthcentralprovinceofQu?ngBìnhsTayS?nDistrictonNovember6.AccordingtotheMinistryofNationalDefence,ataround6:45pm,rescueteamsreceivedinformationviaamobilephoneofColonelNguy?nV?nS?n,CommanderofAirForceRegiment940.Earlier,atapproximately4:30pm,SeniorLieutenantColonelNguy?nH?ngQuan,thechiefflightinstructorfromthesameregiment,hadcontactedhisunitusinghismobilephone.Hereportedthathewasonamountainpeak,thoughtheexactlocationwasunclearduetoweakmobilesignals,andconfirmedhewasingoodhealth.Currently,thesearchandrescueteamsareemployingadvancedtechnologytolocatebothpilotsandexpeditetherescueefforts.TheYak-130militaryaircrafttookofffromPhùCátairportat9:55amforalong-distanceandcloud-crossingtrainingsession.Theaccidenthappenedwhentheytriedtolandasthelandinggearcouldnotbereleasedandtheiremergencymeasuresdidnotwork.Theywereabletoparachutefromtheplaneat10:51amatTB2shootingrangeinTayS?nDistrict.—VNSBorderguardforcesandthecustomsdepartmentofthecentralNgh?AnProvincecaughtthegroupastheytravelledthroughN?mC?nInternationalBorderGateonMonday.—VNA/VNSPhotoNGH?AN—Fiveforeignersand70kgofketaminewereseizedinajointoperationbetweenNgh?AnProvincesborderguardforcesandcustomsdepartment.ThefiveallegedmembersofthedrugtraffickingringweretransportingillegalnarcoticsfromLaosthroughVi?tNamattheN?mC?nInternationalBorderGateataround2.30pmonMonday,whentheywerecaughtbythelocalauthorities.TheyareLasengthongYotdaling,32,DalavongKinnaveth,28,ChotthvongKhat,24,ChanthavongHongfa,22andPhabouMisouda,19-allofLaonationality.TheirLao-registeredcarwasseizedalongwith70kgofketaminereportedlydisguisedasteapackagesandhiddeninvariouspartsofthevehicle,includinginthefueltankandundertheseats.ThefiveLaonationalsandevidencefromthecasehavebeenhandedovertotheborderguardsforfurtherinvestigation.—VNS
BusfaresinHàN?ihavebeenadjustedupfromNovember1.—VNA//VNSPhotoHàN?I—Busfares,appliedinHàN?isince2014,wereadjustedthismonthwiththelargestincreasereaching60percent.Manycommuterscontendthat,inlightofthefarehikes,servicequalityneedstoimprove,butthebuscompanysaysthenewfaresreflecttheexpandednetwork.ThecitysPublicTransportManagementCentreclaimsthatthebusticketprices,whichhadbeensubsidisedbythecitysbudgetsinceMay1,2014,arenowoutdated.In2014,thebusnetworkconsistedof72routesandbranchroutes,withthelongestroutemeasuring49.9km.Aftertenyears,thebusnetworknowincludes132routesthatconnect30cities,villagesanddistricts,withthelongestroutespanning61.05km.Chargingthesamepriceforroutesbetween30and60kmlongisconsideredinappropriate.Thecurrentbusfaresarebelievedtobereasonable,giventhecommutersabilitytopay,particularlylow-wageworkers.ThenewrateshavegoneupfromVN?7,000toVN?8,000fortripsunder15kmandfromVN?7,000toVN?10,000fortripsbetween15kmandlessthan25km.ThefeegoesupfromVN?8,000toVN?12,000eachjourneyforroutesthatare25kmtolessthan30kmlong.Pricesfortripsbetween30kmandlessthan40kmand40kmincreasedfromVN?9,000toVN?15,000,whiletrips40kmandlongernowcostVN?20,000.Themonthlyrateshaveincreasedby40percent.ThemonthlyticketforstudentsandindustrialparkworkerscommutingonasingleroutehasincreasedfromVN?55,000toVN?70,000.ManyHanoiansagreedthattheincreaseswerefairbutstillexpectedimprovementsinbusservicespeedandquality.D??ngV?nNguyên,adriveronbusrouteNo74,saidthemajorityofcommutershaveexpressedsatisfactionwiththerevisedfaressincethenewpricesweremadepublic.Onthefirstdayofthenewfares,passengersgenerallyfoundtheincreaseacceptable.Itcomesasabigsurprisetopeoplewhohaventupdatedtheinformation.Butnopassengerwantedtocancelthetripwhentheysawthepriceincrease,hetoldS?cKh?e??iS?ng(HealthandLife).Numerouspassengersfeltthatthequalityofthebusesandservicesonnumerousbuslinesshouldbeimproved,notjustmaintained,eventhoughtheyagreedwiththefareincreases.Therearereportedlystillcasesofoldvehicles,poorlymaintainedvehiclesstallingontheroad,leadingtominorbreakdowns.Somevehiclesstillemitblacksmoke,andpassengerscomplainedthattrafficbottleneckscauseddelays.Theseissueshavemadepublictransportpassengersfeeluncomfortable.AnhHào,astudentatauniversityin??ng?aDistrict,saidthefareincreaseshavelittleeffectonthoselikehimwhotravelshortdistances.However,hehopesthatthefareincreasesgohandinhandwithimprovementsinbusservicequality,asdriverssometimesspeed,brakesuddenly,andweavedangerouslyontheroad.MinhChau,anofficeworkerinHaiBàTr?ngDistrictsaid:Busesarenottheregularchoiceforstudentsandofficestaff.Manyofuswanttotakebusesbuttheyareslowerthanprivatecarsandride-hailingservicesduringrushhour.DirectorofthecitysTrafficManagementandOperationCentreTháiH?Ph??ngsaidthecentrehasbeenworkingwiththeDepartmentofTransportandcityauthoritiesonwaystoexpandthebusnetworkscoverageandimprovepublictransportstandards.Thedepartmentrecentlyadjustedthevalidityofthefreecardformeritoriouspeople,peoplewithdisabilitiesandtheelderly.Thosegroupsofpassengerscannowusefreebusticketswithoutanexpirationdate.—VNS
AYak-130duringatrainingmission.—Photocand.com.vnBìNH??NH—AYak-130militarytrainingaircraftexperiencedacriticalmalfunctionduringaroutinetrainingexerciseatPhùCátAirportinthecentralprovinceofBình??nhonWednesday.Theaircraft,belongingtothe940thAirRegimentoftheAirForceOfficerSchool,wasengagedinacomplextrainingmissioninvolvinglong-distance,no-horizonandcloudpenetrationflying,inchallengingweatherconditions.ColonelNguy?nV?nS?nandSeniorColonelNguy?nH?ngQuanwerepilotingtheaircraftwhentheincidentoccurred.Astheaircraftpreparedtolandaftercompletingitstrainingobjectives,thepilotsdiscoveredthelandinggearfailedtodeploy.Despiteattemptingemergencyprocedures,theywereunabletorectifytheissue.Withthesafetyofthecrewparamount,thepilotswereauthorisedtoejectfromtheaircraft.ColonelS?nandSeniorColonelQuansuccessfullyejectedatapproximately11am.TheAirDefence–AirForceisjoininghandswithcompetentforcesandlocalitiestoexpeditethesearchandrescueactivitiesonbothairandtheground.Updatesonthesituationwillbeprovidedasmoreinformationbecomesavailable.—VNSTheTamChungBorderGuardStationinstallsandcompletes15polesand500Wsolarlightsalongbothsidesoftheroadleadingtotheresettlementareaof??ónVillage.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoaMaiTHANHHOá—UndertheBrightBorderVillagesinitiative,civilworksarebeinginstalledbytheThanhHoáProvincialBorderGuardintheirjurisdiction.Theinitiativespositiveresultsnotonlybringjoytopeopleinborderareas,butalsoraisethereputationofsoldiers.TheTamChungBorderGuardStationislocatedintheM??ngLátborderdistrict.Soldiersatthestationaretaskedwithmanagingandprotecting7.3kmofbordersencompassingfournationalbordermarkers,frommarker270tomarker273.InTamChungCommune,thereareeightvillageswith837householdsand4,011peoplebelongingtosixethnicgroupslivingtogether,includingM?ng,Thái,Kinh,M??ng,DaoandKh?Mú.Overthepastfewyears,theTamChungBorderGuardStationhasworkedwiththelocalPartyCommitteeandauthoritiestodeploymanynewinitiativesandpracticestohelppeopledeveloptheeconomy,stabilisetheirlivesandensuresecurityandorder.OnegoodexampleistheBrightBorderVillagesinitiative.Aspartoftheproject,thestationsoldierspouredconcretefor15pillarsandinstalled500Wsolarbulbsalongbothsidesoftheroadleadingtotheresettlementareaof??ónVillageinTamChungCommune.Theunit,alongwiththecommunalWomensUnion,YouthUnionandlocalpeople,alsocleaneduptheenvironmentandplantedandcaredfornearly2kmofflowerbedsalongtheroads,creatingagreen,cleanandbeautifulspaceandlandscape.LòV?nLi?u,ChairmanoftheTamChungCommunePeoplesCommittee,said:Theborderguardssupportforinstallingsolarpowersystemsonroadsleadingtovillagesisacreativeandpracticalwaytoimprovethepeoplesculturalandspirituallife,creatinganewlookforthevillage.OurlocalityhopestohavemoreBrightBorderVillagesprojectstofacilitatepeoplestravelandensuresecurityandorderinthearea.LieutenantColonelNg?MinhQuang,HeadoftheTamChungBorderGuardStation,said:Closelyfollowingthelocalityandunderstandingthepeopleswishes,thestationsPartyCommitteeandCommandandthecommunalPartyCommitteeandPeoplesCommitteehavecoordinatedandunifiedinleadershipanddirection.Tocompletetheproject,thestationassignedofficersandsoldierstoerectpolesandpullwires.Atthesametime,theunitselectedpeoplewithmechanicalskillswhoknowhowtouseweldingandcuttingmachinestoinstallthelampsystemtoensureaesthetics,sustainabilityandefficiency.Wevereceivedapprovalandsupportfromlocalpeople,hesaid.GoodworkInM??ngLátDistrict,therearefiveborderposts,allofwhichareworkingontheBrightBorderVillagesinitiative.ThepostsaretheTamChungBorderPostinónVillage,theTénT?nBorderGuardStationin?oànK?tResidentialQuarter,M??ngLátTown,theQuangChi?uBorderStationinPù??aVillage,theTrungLyBorderStationinTàCómVillageandthePùNhiBorderStationinC?mVillage.Afteronlyafewmonths,theprojectspositiveeffectshavespreadwidelyacrosstheborderroadsofThanhHoáProvince.TheBátM?tBorderGuardStationinTh??ngXuanDistricthaschosenRu?ngVillagetodeploytheinitiativethisyear,helpingpeopletherereducepoverty,developtheeconomyandensurenationaldefenceandsecurity.Tothisend,thestationhasbeencoordinatingwiththeBátM?tCommunePeoplesCommitteeandsocio-politicalorganisationstosupportRu?ngVillageinrenovating,restoringandexpandingitsagriculturallandareasandbuildingamodelforhouseholdeconomicdevelopment.Inparticular,thestationunitplanstofocusonsupportingvillagerstoraisesnails,livestock,poultryandbeesforhoney,aswellasplanting,maintainingandprotectingforests.Theywillalsoworktorestoreandpromotepiecesofnationalculturalidentity,suchasKh?pTháiandKhuaLu?ngcostumesandfolkgames.ColonelLêV?nLong,ChiefofPoliticsoftheThanhHoáProvincialBorderGuard,saidthatduringthe2024-2027period,theProvincialBorderGuardCommandwillcoordinatewiththePartycommitteesandauthoritiesofthe11poorestvillagesinfiveborderdistricts,includingTh??ngXuan,LangChánh,QuanS?n,QuanHoáandM??ngLát,ontheBrightBorderVillagesproject.Theinitiativewillbeevaluatedandthenreplicatedinothervillages.TheBrightBorderVillagesprojectisacreativewayfortheProvincialBorderGuardtopromotethecombinedstrengthoftheentirepoliticalsystem,concentratingresourcestobuildnewruralareasandhelppeoplereducepoverty.Withthisgoalinmind,theyhaveworkedtoimprovecoordinationbetweenBorderGuardsandlocalPartycommittees,authorities,departmentsandorganisationsinbuildingandprotectingterritorialsovereigntyandnationalbordersecurityaswellaskeepinganincreasinglystrongborderdefence.—VNS
StormYinxingsmovementdirectionupdatedat4amonMonday,November11.Thestormscenterlocationisabout17.5degreesNorthlatitude;111.8degreesEastLongitude,inthenorthernseaof??HoangSaarchipelago.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–TyphoonYinxinghasweakened,withwindspeedsreducingtolevel9,gustingtolevel11,andmovingsouthwestataspeedof10-15kmperhourearlyMondaymorning(November11),accordingtotheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting.At1amonMonday,thestormscentrewaspositionedapproximatelyat17.9degreesNorthlatitudeand112.1degreesEastlongitude,inthewesternseaareaofthenorthernEastSea,about130kmnorthoftheHoàngSa(Paracel)Islands.Thestrongestwindsnearthestormscentrereachedlevel9(75-88kmph),gustingtolevel11,movingsouthwestat10-15kmph.By1amonTuesday(November12),thestormscentreisforecastedtobelocatedatabout15.3degreesNorthlatitudeand109.8degreesEastlongitude,intheseaareabetweenQu?ngNamandBình??nhprovinces.Thestrongestwindsnearthestormscentreareexpectedtodecreasetolevel7,gustingtolevel9,movingsouthwestataround15kmph,weakeningintoatropicaldepression.Thehazardousareaisexpectedtorangefrom14.5degreesto19.5degreesNorthlatitudeandfrom108.5degreesto113.5degreesEastlongitude.ThisincludesthewesternseaareaofthenorthernEastSea(includingtheHoàngSaislands)andtheoffshoreareafromTh?aThiên-Hu?toBình??nhprovinces,classifiedasdisasterrisklevel3.Overthenexttwodays,thestormispredictedtoapproachtheareafromGiaLaitoBình??nhprovinces,withthestrongestwindsaround15kmph,graduallyweakeningintoalow-pressurearea.OnMonday,inthewesternseaareaofthenorthernEastSea(includingtheHoàngSaislands),windsareexpectedtoreachlevel7,withareasnearthestormscentreexperiencingwindsatlevels8-9,gustingtolevel11,withwaveheightsof2-4m,andinareasnearthestormscentre,4-6m;theseawillbeveryrough.Vesselsoperatingintheaforementionedhazardousareasarelikelytoencounterthunderstorms,squalls,strongwinds,andlargewaves.InrelationtothedevelopmentsofTyphoonTORAJIneartheEastSea,earlyMondaymorning,thetyphoonmovedwest-northwestataspeedofapproximately20kmph.ThecentreofthetyphoonwaslocatedintheeasternseaareaofLuzonIsland,Philippines.VNSTheM?ThànhNamCo-operativeinTi?nGiangProvincesCaiL?yDistrictharvestsitssummer-autumnricecrop.–VNA/VNSPhotoMinhTríTI?NGIANG–Ti?nGiangProvincehasbeenstrengtheninglinkagesamongvariousstakeholdersinagriculturalproductiontoensuresustainabledevelopment.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincehasapprovedfinancialandotherformsofsupportfor97linkageprojectsandplansforthe2021-25period.Ofthem,16projectsand20plansarecurrentlyunderwayatacostofVN?154.7billion(US$6million),withVN?24.1billion($950,000)providedbytheprovince,accordingtotheSub-departmentofRuralDevelopment.V?V?nL?p,itshead,saidstakeholdersparticipatingintheseprojectswouldhaveaccesstosupportpolicies,includingconsultancy,tosetupprojectsandfinancialassistanceforpurchasingmachineryandfacilities.Participantswouldalsobenefitfromthetransferofadvancedtechnologiesandadditionalsupporttodevelopsustainablelinkages,hesaid.Companiesandco-operativesinvolvedintheselinkagesareguaranteedasteadysupplyofhigh-qualityinputmaterials,whilefarmersareassuredofastablemarketfortheirproducts,hepromised.Theselinkageswillensuretheproductionofclean,safeagriculturalproducewithclearoriginsandcreatejobs.Theprovincehassuccessfullyimplementedseveraleffectivelinkagemodels.Forinstance,threeco-operativesinGòC?ng??ngandGòC?ngTaydistrictshaveformedapartnershiptogrowcleanvegetablestoVietnamesegoodagriculturalpracticestandards.TheyincludetheTan??ngSafeVegetableCo-operativeinGòC?ng??ng,andthePhúQu?iandTh?nhH?ngSafeVegetableCo-operativesinGòC?ngTay.Together,theyproducethreetofourtonnesofvegetablesdaily,supplyingsupermarkets,restaurantsandexportmarketsinJapanandtheEU.Fruitco-operativesintheprovincehavepartneredwithcompaniesandfruittradingestablishmentstoensurestableoutletsandpricesfortheirmembers.Ti?nGiang,thecountryslargestfruit-producingprovince,hasover84,000hectaresoffruitorchardsthatyield1.8milliontonnesannually.TheprovinceisknownforitsspecialityfruitslikeHoàL?cmango,grapefruit,durian,milkapple,pineapple,anddragonfruit.Nguy?nThànhHi?n,directoroftheTrade,ServicesandAgricultureCo-operativeinTanPh??cDistrict,saidhisco-operativehadafarmingcontractwiththeMinhHùngpineappletradingestablishment,ensuringasteadymarketfortheirproduce.OurmembersreceiveVN?500perkilogrammorethanthemarketprice,andtheyareverypleasedwiththehigherincome.Relevantprovincialdepartmentsareimplementingsupportpoliciestostrengthentheselinkages.TheDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentispromotingtheproductionofOCOP(OneCommune-OneProduct)itemsthroughlinkagesbetweenvariousstakeholders.Theseproductswillreceivemarketingandbrandingsupport,enhancingtheirvisibilityandmarketvalue.Thedepartmentisalsoassistingco-operativestobuildoperationalcapacity,enablingthemtobetterserveasabridgebetweenfarmersandcompanies.Theprovinceisencouraginginvestmentinconcentratedfarmingareasthatproducehigh-qualityproductswithtraceableoriginsandrobuststakeholderlinkages.AdurianorchardisequippedwithanautomaticsprayirrigationsysteminTi?nGiangProvincesCaiL?yDistrict.Durianfarmersintheprovincehaveadoptedefficientirrigationmethodstosavewaterandcopewithsaltwaterintrusionuprivers.–VNA/VNSPhotoMinhTríRiceproductioninitiativesManyricecompaniesinTi?nGianghaveestablishedpartnershipswithfarmersandco-operativestoproducehigh-qualityricethatmeetsexportstandards.HKTradingCompanyLimited,basedinM?ThoCity,collaborateswithco-operativestocultivatericeonpooledfieldsinGòC?ng??ng,GòC?ngTay,CaiL?yTown,andGòC?ngCity.ChauMinhH?i,thecompanysdirector,said:Weareimplementinglinkagestogrow1,800to2,000haofricepercrop.Farmersaretaughtorganicfarmingmethods,andweassistthemwithsoilimprovement,cropcare,andproperfertilisation.TheM?Q??iAgriculturalServiceCo-operative,incollaborationwiththePh??cL?cThiênH?CompanyLimitedinCáiBèDistrictsH?uM?B?cBCommune,cultivates100haofriceusingorganicandhigh-techmethods.Theirtworicevarieties,ST24andNàngHoa9,havebeenrecognisedasfour-starOCOPproducts.Ti?nGianghasover54,000haunderthegrainandproducesaround800,000tonnesofpaddyannually.Thoughitsricegrowingareahasshrunk,productivityandqualityhaveimprovedthankstoadvancedfarmingtechniquesandmechanisation.Yieldshaveincreasedby1.2-2.2tonnesperhectarepercropfromfiveyearsago.Theprovincehasalsodevelopedbrandnamesforhigh-qualityricevarieties,suchasGòC?ngrice,VD20,NàngHoa9,OM4900,andOM5451,enhancingtheirmarketvalueandcompetitiveness.Itisimplementinganationalprojecttodeveloponemillionhectaresofhigh-quality,low-emissionricecultivation,contributingtogreengrowthinthedelta,by2030.Tr?nHoàngNh?tNam,thedepartmentsdeputydirector,saidtheprojectfocusesonkeyrice-growingareaslikeCáiBè,CaiL?y,TanPh??c,GòC?ng??ng,andGòC?ngTaydistricts,CaiL?yTownandGòC?ngCity.Theseplaceswillcultivate22,100haby2025,increasingto29,500haby2030.Theprojectwilltrain20,000farmersinsustainablericefarmingtechniquessuchasreducingseeduseto80-100kgperhectareandwater,pesticideandfertiliseruseby20percentcomparedtotraditionalmethods.Sensor-basedwatermonitoringsystemswillbeinstalledtomanageirrigationeffectively.Allrice-growingareasundertheprojectwillcoveratleast50haandbecultivatedthroughlinkagesbetweencompanies,co-operativesandfarmergroups.Theprovinceisalsoinvestinginriceprocessingtoenhancequalityforexports,assisting15companiestoimproveprocessingcapacity.With500ricemillingcompanies,Ti?nGiangexportsnearly200,000tonnesofriceannually.–VNS
EcotourismandtourismwillbeafocusintheTayNguyênRegionalPlanning.Photokinhtedothi.vnHàN?I–DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàhasgiventhegreenlighttothefutureevolvementanddevelopmentoftheareawhichconstitutestheVi?tNam-Laos-Cambodiatriangle.HerecentlysignedadecisionontheagendaimplementingTayNguyên(CentralHighlands)RegionalPlanningintheperiod2021-2030,withavisionto2050.Underthedecision,sixkeytaskgroupsincludeeconomicstructuretransformation,infrastructuredevelopment,economiccorridorsdevelopment,urbanandruraldevelopment,resourcemanagementandenvironmentalprotectionandnationaldefenceandsecurity.Inagriculture,forestryandfisheries,theplanningfocusesondevelopinghigh-value,ecologicalandlarge-scaleagricultureassociatedwithconcentratedagriculturalproductionareasthatapplyhigh-techsolutionssuitedtotheregionsnaturalconditions,concentratingonkeycrops.Itisnecessarytocreateagriculturalhubslinkedwitheconomiccorridors,developforestryandforest-basedeconomies,encouragetheplantingofproductionforestsinsuitableareastoproviderawmaterialsforprocessingplants,promotethecultivationofmedicinalplantsandnon-timberforestproductsandensuresustainabledevelopmentofresourceareasforeconomicbenefitwhileprotectingtheenvironmentinforestproductextractionandprocessing.Fortheindustrysector,prioritywillbegiventoacceleratingstructuraltransformationtowardsincreasingtheproportionofprocessingandmanufacturingindustriesandenvironmentallyfriendly,technology-intensivesectors.Itwillstrengthenlinkswiththesouthcentralandsoutheastregions,aswellastheVi?tNam-Laos-CambodiaDevelopmentTriangle,toexpandmaterialsupplyandproductmarkets.Itneedstodevelopsustainableindustrialzonesandpromotetheestablishmentofsustainable,specialisedhubsforagricultureandforestryprocessingassociatedwithcentralurbanareasandeconomiccorridorsaswellassustainablydevelopmining,bauxiteandaluminiumprocessingindustriesin??kN?ngandLam??ngprovincesandmechanical,textile,chemical,pharmaceutical,fertiliserandbio-fertiliserindustriesintheregion.Itwillexpandrenewableenergyindustriesinlinewiththenationalpowerdevelopmentplanandnaturalconditions,especiallyinGiaLaiand??kL?kprovinces.Todevelopserviceindustriessynergisticallywithagricultureandindustry,theplanningfocusesonexpandingsupplyanddemandmarketswithinandoutsidetheregionthroughregionalconnectioncorridorsandseaportstointernationalmarketsandstrengtheningbordertradeactivities.Thiswillmeaninfrastructureimprovementsatkeyinternationalbordergates,suchasB?YinKonTumProvince,L?ThanhinGiaLaiProvinceand??kPeurin??kN?ngProvincetoenhancetradewithLaosandCambodia.Eco-tourismandculturaltourismwillalsobehighlighted,combinedwithpreservingandpromotingtheculturalvaluesandidentityofTayNguyênethnicgroups.Ininfrastructure,thetransportnetworkwillbeenhancedtoalignwithapprovedtransportplansandleveragetransportmodesadvantages,ensuringcomprehensiveandmodernconnectivityacrosstheregiontomajorports,domesticandinternationalairports,reducingtransportationcosts.EnergyinfrastructurewillbedevelopedwiththeNationalEnergyDevelopmentPlanandamodernisedelectricitynetworkwillbecompleted.FuelandgasstorageandsupplyinfrastructureaccordingtotheNationalStorageandSupplyInfrastructurePlanfor2021-2030,withavisionto2050willbecarriedout.TheTayNguyênregionwillalsoconcentrateonthreepillarsofdigitaltransformation-government,economyandsociety,ensuringsynchronicityandmodernity,inalignmentwiththeInformationandCommunicationsInfrastructurePlanfor2021-2030,withavisionto2050.VNSA2.5hamangoorchardisplantedundertheorganicfarmingmethodin??ngThápProvincesTamN?ngDistrict.Youngmangoesarecoveredwithplasticbagstopreventpests.–VNA/VNSPhotoMinhH?ng??NGTHáP–Morefarmersin??ngThápProvincehaveswitchedtocultivatingtheircropsundertheorganicfarmingmethodbecauseitimprovesproductqualityandvalue,andisenvironmentfriendlyandsustainable.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincehaslargepotentialfordevelopingorganicagricultureasithasvastfertilefarmlands.Ithasimplementedvariousorganicfarmingmodelsandtheyareoperatedeffectively,accordingtoitsPeoplesCommittee.Tr?nNg?c?n,chairmanoftheTanAnFarmersClubhouseinCaoL?nhCitysM?TanCommune,saystheclubsmembersgroworganicmangoesandenjoyhigheconomicefficiency.Usingalargequantityofchemicalfertilisersandpesticidestogrowcropswillhaveanegativeimpactonsoilfertilityandcausehighproductioncostsandunstableproductsales,hesays.Thecultivationofmangounderorganicfarminghashelpedtreesgrowandhavehigh-qualityfruit,offeringaprofitofVN?1,000akilo,higherthantraditionally-grownmangoes,hesays.Myfamilyisusingadvancedfarmingtechniquestoharvestfruitsyear-roundtoprovidefavourableconditionsforbuyers.Withthisfarmingmethod,afterdeductingproductioncost,myfamilyearnsaprofitofVN?300million(US$11,900)ayear,hesays.Thepricesofoff-seasonmangoesare1.5–2timeshigherthanmain-seasonmangoes,accordingtofarmers.Mangoisoneoftheprovinceskeyagriculturalproducts,withmorethan14,900haofmangoplantedin??ngTháp,thedeltaslargestmangogrowingprovince.Nguy?nV?nV?Minh,directoroftheprovinceDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saystheprovincehas8,368haofmangothathavebeengrantedproductioncodes,including280haplantedwithorganicmethods.Theprovincehasalsodevelopedgrowingmoreorganicricetomeetexportrequirements.TheorganicricegrowingmodelofthePhúTh?Co-operativeinTamN?ngDistrictsAnLongCommunehasbeenimplementedeffectivelyon14hawiththeparticipationof10members.Participatinginthemodel,themembersaretrainedintechniquestogrowandtendrice,andafterharvestingpaddy,theyusestrawstoplantricemushrooms,withtheusedstrawsthenusedtomakeorganicfertiliser.PhanHoàngEm,deputydirectoroftheco-operative,saysthemodeliseconomicallyeffective,protectstheenvironmentandissafeforfarmersandconsumers.Themodelsaveragericeyieldis10-15percenthigherthantraditionalgrowingmethods.Riceplantsgrowwell,havestrongrootsandfewdiseases,hesays.Nguy?nV?nQuy,chairmanoftheAnLongCommunePeoplesCommittee,says:Themodelofgrowingricewithorganicfarmingmethodsundertheco-operationbetweenthePhúTh?Co-operativeandtheQu?LamGrouphashelpedtochangetheawarenessoffarmersaboutswitchingfromindividualsmall-scalefarmingtoconcentratedlargescalefarming,whichfeaturesacontractbetweenfarmersandcompaniesundertheStatesmanagement.Theprovincehasdeveloped20haoforganiclotusplantedbysevenhouseholdsinThápM??iDistrictsH?ngTh?nhCommune.Thelotusareausesmechanisationandhigh-techfarming,andenjoyssecurebuyers.??ngTháp,whichisthedeltaslargestlotusproducingprovince,hasmorethan1,108haoflotus,andlotusfarmersearnanaverageprofitofVN?42million($1,700)perhectareayear.Manyfarmershaveofferedeco-tourismservicesattheirlotusfieldstoimproveincome.Nguy?nTr??ngAninThápM??iDistrictsM?HoàCommunesayspreviouslyheonlygrewlotustoharvestlotusseedsandstemsandtheprofitwasunstable.Afterswitchingtoofferingtourismservicesathis3halotusfieldandsellinglotusproductstotourists,heearnsahigherprofit.ThápM??iDistrict,theprovinceslargestlotusgrowingarea,has152haoflotusfieldsofferingeco-tourismservices.Todeveloporganicagriculture,theprovincesrelevantdepartmentsandagencieshaveimplementedvariousmeasuresandpoliciestosupportfarmers.TheprovincesPlantCultivationandProtectionSub-departmentinco-operationwiththeprovinceUnionofScienceandTechnologyAssociationshaveorganisedmanyseminarstoprovidefarmersknowledgeabouttheroleoforganicfertilisersincropcultivationinH?ngNg?,L?pVòandThápM??idistricts.Theunionhasstrengthenedadvocacyactivitiesaboutorganicfarmingmodelswhichcontrolplantdiseasesandimproveproductquality,andenhancetheawarenessoffarmersaboutswitchingtouseorganicfertilisersandplantprotectionbioproducts.Theswitchhashelpedreduceenvironmentalpollution,increaseprofitandsecurethehealthoffarmersandconsumers.MaiH?uTaminChauThànhDistrictsAnNh?nCommunesaysthatpreviously,whengrowinglongan,heusedorganicfertilisersboughtfromfertilisershopsandthetreesgrewbuttheproductioncostwashigh.Afterparticipatinginseminarsaboutmakingorganicfertilisersorganisedbytheunionin2023,Iandotherfarmersinthecommunehavemadeorganicfertiliserfromwaterhyacinthstofertiliseourorchards.Makingorganicfertiliserhelpsreduceproductioncostby30percentwhilethefruityieldissecuredanditcontributestoprotecttheenvironment,hesays.Theprovinceprovidedtrainingaboutorganicagriculturefor40agriculturalofficialslastyearandorganisedforthemtovisitorganicfarmingmodels.–VNSAlotusfieldofferstourismservicesin??ngThápProvincesThápM??iDistrict.–VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nV?nTrí