AgirlishappywithAsianLunarNewYeardecorationssoldinSanFrancisco,California,theUS.—THX/VNAPhotoHàN?I—TheSanFranciscoBoardofSupervisorshasfreshlyvotedunanimouslytoformallydeclareVietnameseanofficialcitylanguagethatrequirestheauthoritiesprovisionoftranslationservices.AsreportedbytheSanFranciscoChronicle,themove,alongsideotherchangestotheUScityslanguageaccessordinance,isaimedatensuringthatresidentscanbeservedinthelanguagetheyaremostcomfortablein.Theordinance,enactedin2001,previouslyrequiredcitydepartmentstotranslateservicesintoanylanguagewithatleast10,000speakersinthecitywhohavelimitedEnglishproficiency.Itsrecentamendmentloweredthethresholdto6,000,allowingtheinclusionofVietnamesetothelistpreviouslyconsistingofonlyChinese,Spanish,andFilipino.Atotalof6,791SanFranciscoresidentsidentifyasprimarilyVietnamesespeakers,accordingtothecityslanguagedatadashboard.Thecitywillnowhastoprovidetelephonicinterpretations,websitetext,writtennotices,andotherofficialservicesinVietnamese.ThelegislationwasintroducedlastyearbyDistrict10SupervisorShamannWalton,whosaidthecityneededtoexpandlanguageaccesstoensureitsimmigrantcommunitiescanparticipateinthegovernmentprocess.—VNS

TheMinistryofScienceandTechnologyhasofficiallylaunchedtheCentreforScientific-TechnologicalServicesandInfrastructureDevelopmentinHCMCity.—Photowww.sggp.org.vnHCMCITY—TheMinistryofScienceandTechnologyhasofficiallylaunchedtheCentreforScientific-TechnologicalServicesandInfrastructureDevelopment(CSID)inHCMCity.TheCSIDcentreisascientific-technologicalorganisationunderthemanagementoftheOfficeoftheMinistryofScienceandTechnology.Itwillhostresearchactivitiesapplyingscientific-technologicaladvances,providescientific-technologicalservices,andsupportinnovativestart-upactivitiesinthesouthernregion.Itwillgiveprioritytoco-operationandsupportactivitiesinenergy,novelmaterials,artificialintelligence,greenagriculture,biotechnology,informationtechnologyandlogistics.Itwillalsoorganisepropagandaandsupportbusinessestoquicklybringresearchresultstolife.Nguy?nM?nhC??ng,deputychiefoftheOfficeoftheMinistryofScienceandTechnology,saidtheCSIDcentreisaservicemodeltoclosethegapbetweenscientistsandbusinessessothatresearchresultscanbecommercialisedeffectively.Thecentreisapioneerinoperatingasatechnologytradingfloorinthesouthernregion,helpingtoapplyscience-technologywidelyinlife,hesaid.HCMCitysSàiGònHi-TechPark(SHTP)iscollaboratingwithmanyenterprisestocommercialisethetechnologicalresearchresultsofitsResearchandDevelopmentCentre.TheResearchandDevelopmentCentreaimstoincubateitsbusinessmembersandpromotetechnologicalresearch.Severalresearchresultsofyoungscientistsatthecentrehavebeensuccessfullytransformedintopracticalproducts.Thecentrewasestablishedin2004,focusingonthetechnologiesofnano,semiconductor,precisionmechanics,automation,biotechnology,andfunctionalfoods.Therehavebeen17national,ministerial,orcityprojectsandover100grassroots-levelprojects,plus13patents.Some20researchresultshavebeencommercialisedorhadtheirtechnologytransferred,includingafloodmonitoringsystem;BioUrgoSpray,awounddressingproduct;Mr.Five,aplantprotectionchemical;nanocurcuminmaterial;sunscreenpills;andtheAkayricevariety.Thecentrealsoaimstotransformitselfintoaninternational-standardresearchcentreinaccordancewithaprojectofthemunicipalPeoplesCommitteeinDecember2023.Tofulfillthisgoal,thecentrehascontinuouslyformedpartnershipswitheducationinstitutes,businesses,andexpertsinresearchinghigh-techproducts.Itwholeheartedlywelcomesnewresearchandpilotprogrammesfornewlycreatedtechnologicalproductsfromacademiesandcompanies,particularlyinthefieldsofmicrochips,integratedelectroniccircuits,andnanotechnology.IthasstrongconnectionswithNguy?nT?tThànhUniversity,HCMCityUniversityofTechnology(Hutech),theVietnamInstituteforPharmaceuticalResearchandNaturalActiveIngredients,MediworldCo.Ltd,andNANOJAManufacturingandTradingCo.Ltd.inresearchingandapplyingresearchresultsinreallife.Thesepartnershipshelptoincreasethesuccessrateoftransformingresearchresultsintousefulproductsandservicestoservethecommunity.—VNSWorkersdrainwatercausedbyaheavydownpouronThursdaynightinBàTri?uStreet,HàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Prolongedheavyrainsareforecasttocontinuehittinglocalitiesinthreeregionsofthecountryforthenextseveraldays.TherainsthatbeganonThursdayeveningweretriggeredbyatropicallow-pressuresystemthatformedintheEastSeaearlierThursday,saidtheNationalCentreforHydro-meteorologicalForecasting.Theprolongeddownpoursarealsopredictedtocausefloodsandlandslidesforthenorthernandsouthernregions.ThecentrealsosaidtorrentialrainswouldblanketnorthernprovincesaswellasprovincesfromThanhHóa(chǎn)toQu?ngBìnhonFriday.Atthesametime,thenorthern,CentralHighlandsandsouthernregionsareexpectedtoexperiencethunderstormsbringinglightningandheavyrainalongwithtornadoesorstrongwindsandhail,especiallyinareasalongthecoast.Authoritiesrecommendthatpeoplelivingintheseareasbecareful,followthelatestweatherupdatesandobeysafetyinstructions.HàN?iwashitbyatorrentialrainonThursdaynight,causingthetemperaturetodropnearly10degreesCelsius.Accordingtothecentre,at7amonFriday,theeyeofthetropicallow-pressuresystemwasinthenorthernareaoftheHoàngSa(Paracel)islands.Thestrongestwindsrecordedneartheeyeoftheweathersystemwere50-61kmperhour.Thesystemismovingnorthataround10kmperhour.Thetropicallow-pressuresystemmightgainstrengthandbecomeatropicalstormonSaturday,thecentresaid.Afterthat,itwilllikelymoveataround15kmperhourtowardstheeasternmainlandofChinasGuangdongProvincebeforeweakeningbackintoatropicallow-pressuresystem.—VNS

VietnameseteamatAsia-PacificInformaticsOlympiad2024.Photodantri.com.vnHàN?I–AllsevenmembersoftheVietnameseteamtothe18thAsia-PacificInformaticsOlympiad(APIO)heldinChinafromMay18to19wonmedals,theMinistryofEducationandTrainingannouncedonMay31.Accordingtotheministry,Ph?mC?ngMinh,a12thgraderfromtheHighSchoolforGiftedStudentsundertheVietnamNationalUniversity,HàN?isUniversityofScienceswonagoldmedal,whilesixremainingmembersearnedsilver.BasedontheAPIOresults,fourmostexcellentstudentswillbeselectedtojointheInternationalOlympiadinInformatics(IOI)inEgyptfromSeptember1to8.Withtheresults,Vi?tNamrankedsixthamongthe35participatingcountriesandterritories,followingChina,Russia,Japan,theRepublicofKoreaandHongKong(China).TheAPIOisanIOI-likecompetitionfordelegationswithintheAsianandWesternPacificregions.ThefirstcompetitionwasorganisedbytheAustralianIOIteamin2007.VNSDelegatestextSMStosupportchildrenwithdisabilitiesin10highlandborderprovincesinHàN?ionFriday.—PhotocourtesyoftheorganiserHàN?I—Anationwidecharityprogrammetosupportchildrenwithdisabilitiesin10highlandborderprovinceshasbeenlaunchedinHàN?ionFriday.Theprogramme,entitledSupportingchildrenwithdisabilitiestogotoschool,willbejointlyimplementedbytheVietnamFundforDisabledChildren,H?ChíMinhCommunistYouthUnionandMinistryofForeignAffairsincoordinationwiththeVietnamDisabledChildrenReliefAssociationandtheNationalHumanitarianElectronicInformationPortal1400.Theprogrammeaimstoraisefundsforatleast1,000giftsforchildrenwithdisabilitiesindifficultcircumstanceswhoareableandwillingtoattendschool.—PhotocourtesyoftheorganiserTheprogrammeaimstomobiliseresourcesfromagencies,organisationsandpeoplenationwidetoraisefundsforatleast1,000giftsforchildrenwithdisabilitiesindifficultcircumstanceswhoareableandwillingtoattendschool.The10highlandborderprovincesincludeCaoB?ng,HàGiang,LàoCai,LaiChau,?i?nBiên,Qu?ngNinh,KonTum,GiaLai,??kL?kand??kN?ng.TheorganisingcommitteeplanstoprovideVN?2millionforeachchildtohelpstudentspaytuitionandlivingexpensesorbuyequipmentfortheirstudiesinthenextschoolyear.Inaddition,theprogrammealsoaimstoraiseawarenessamongthecommunity,thepublicandlocalauthoritiesabouttheequalrighttoeducationforchildrenwithdisabilities.Therearecurrentlyabout8millionpeoplewithdisabilitiesnationwide,ofwhichmorethan2.26millionarechildren.Morethan90percentofchildrenwithdisabilitieslackaccesstoatleasttwobasicsocialservicessuchaseducation,healthcare,nutrition,housing,cleanwater,sanitation,information,socialintegrationandsafelivingenvironment,accordingtotheVietnamFundforDisabledChildren.TheorganisingcommitteeplanstoprovideVN?2millionforeachchildtohelpstudentspaytuitionandlivingexpensesorbuyequipmentfortheirstudiesinthe2024-25schoolyear.—PhotocourtesyoftheorganiserAllkindheartsacrossthecountrycansupportthecampaignbytextingTEKTto1407attheNationalHumanitarianPortal1400.EachSMSwilladdVN?20,000(US$0.9)tohelpchildrenwithdisabilitieshavetheopportunitytogotoschool.ThetextingprogrammewillrunfromMay25toJuly23,2024.DonorscanalsosupportdirectlywithatransfertotheVietnamFundforDisabledChildrensbankaccount.AnoteorlabelforthetransfershouldreadTEKT.TheFundsreceivingaccountsareasfollows:JointStockCommercialBankforForeignTradeofVietnam-VietcombankAccountname:FundforDisabledChildrenAccountnumberVN?:0011003814022-CIF:4813569USDaccountnumber:0011373814041-CIF:4813569SwiftCode:BFTVVNVX001VietnamJointStockCommercialBankforIndustryandTrade-Vietinbank-HaiBàTr?ngBranch,HàN?iAccountname:FoundationforVietnameseDisabledChildrenAccountnumber:121000034371Th??ngTínCommercialJointStockBank-Sacombank-BìnhChánhBranch,HCMCityAccountname:FoundationforVietnameseDisabledChildrenAccountnumber:0600952684663DonorscanalsosendschoolsuppliesandequipmenttosupportchildrenwithlearningdisabilitiesattheheadquartersoftheVietnamFundforDisabledChildren:SouthernOffice:184NamK?Kh?iNgh?a,District3,HCMCity.NorthOffice:20thFloor,HCMCCBuildingNo.249A,Th?yKhuêStreet,TayH?District,HàN?i.—VNSAmbassador??ngHoàngGiang(R)andDirectorofUNICEFsPublicPartnershipsDivisionJuneKunugi.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–Ambassador??ngHoàngGiang,Vi?tNamsPermanentRepresentativetotheUN,hasspokenhighlyofUNICEFssupportforthenationinprotectingandpromotingchildrensrights,particularlythoserelatedtoeducation,healthcare,nutrition,andvaccination.ReceivingDirectorofUNICEFsPublicPartnershipsDivisionJuneKunugiinNewYorkonMay30,Giangaffirmedthataschildcareandprotectionarealeadingpriorityinitssocio-economicdevelopmentstrategy,Vi?tNamhasdevotednecessaryresourcesforchilddevelopment.HeexpressedhishopethatUNICEFandKunugi,whowilltakeupherroleasRegionalDirectorforEastAsiaandthePacificthissummer,willcontinueassistingVi?tNamtomobiliseresources,developpolicies,andenhancespecificandpracticalcooperationprogrammesandplanstoachievemorepositiveresultsinthisregardwhilehelpingtheNationalFundforVietnameseChildrenrealisethetargetsonchildren.Kunugi,forherpart,expressedherimpressionofandcommendedtheachievementsthatVi?tNamhasrecordedduringitsnearly40yearsof??im?i(Renewal),describingthemasafoundationforthecountrytoreapencouragingresultsinchildcareandprotection.UNICEFhighlyvaluesVi?tNamsproposedresolutionontheInternationalDayofPlay,whichwasrecentlyadoptedbytheUNGeneralAssembly,shesaid,affirmingthattheorganisationwilljoinhandswiththegroupofcorecountriestoorganisethefirstcelebrationonJune11tomakeitameaningfuleventforthecomprehensivedevelopmentofchildrenacrosstheglobe.Thetwosidesconcurredtoworktogetherforthecelebrationofthe50thanniversaryoftheVi?tNam-UNICEFpartnership.TheywillalsodiscussmeasurestoimproveUNICEFoperationsefficiencyinmobilisingresources,implementingprogrammesandprojects,andpromotingcooperationandcoordinationinAsia-Pacific.VNS

AttheopeningofCANSEC2024.—VNA/VNSPhotoOttawa—AdelegationfromtheMinistryofNationalDefenceofVi?tNamledbyMajorGeneralLêQuangTuyên,DeputyDirectoroftheGeneralDepartmentofDefenceIndustry,attendedCANSEC2024,CanadasmilitaryequipmenttradeshowthattookplaceinOttawaonMay29-30.Attheevent,theVietnamesedelegationexploredtheproductdevelopmenttrends,technologicaladvances,andsolutionsinthedefencesectorofcountriesaroundtheworld,enablingittomakeadvicetotheMinistryofNationalDefenceinbuildinganddevelopingthedomesticdefenceindustry.TheshowprovidedachanceforVi?tNamtolearnthewaytoorganiseadefenceexhibitionservingtheVietnamInternationalDefenceExpo2024slatedforDecember19-22whichthedelegationtooktheoccasiontoinviteinternationalbusinessestoattendHeldbytheCanadianAssociationofDefenceandSecurityIndustries(CADSI),CANSECisthelargestinternationaldefenceandsecurityexhibitioninCanada,whichhasbeenorganisedannuallysince1998.Theexhibitionintroducesmodern,leadingtechnologies,productsandservicesforthearmy,navy,airforce,aerospaceandjointforces.CANSECisalsoaplacetointroducetechnologiesandproductsforrapidresponseforces,bordermanagementagenciesandspecialoperationsforces.Thisyear,theeventfeatured280boothsfromleadingfirmssuchasBoeing,Airbus,LockheedMartin,Hanwha,CAE,GeneralDynamics,andThales.Itdrew250internationaldelegationsandabout4,500visitors.—VNSThesearchcontinuesforanothermissingwomaninLàoCaifollowingthemassivestorms.—VNA/VNSPhotoLàOCAI—ThebodyofamanwhohadbeensweptintoastreamduringamassivestorminthenorthernmountainousprovinceofLàoCaionThursdayeveningwasrecoveredthenextmorning.Rescueteamsarestillsearchingforanothermissingwomaninthesamefamily,accordingtotheStandingOfficeoftheCentralSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPreventionandControl.H?uATúc,bornin2001,andH?uTh?M?,bornin2012,bothfromthesamefamilyinV?nBànDistrict,wentmissingonThursdayeveningafterbeingsweptawaybyfloodscausedbytorrentialrain.H?uATúcsbodywasfoundat6.30amonFridayabout500mdownstreamfromtheplacewherehewassweptaway.FromThursdayeveninguntilearlyFridaymorning,lightningstormsbroughttornadoesandheavyraintoLàoCaiProvince,withrainfallestimatesrangingfrom40to50mm.—VNS

ForWorldNoTobaccoDayonMay31,theMinistryofHealthhaslaunchedamediacampaignaimedatpreventingtheuseofelectroniccigarettesandheatedtobaccoproductstosafeguardchildrenandpublichealth.—VNA/VNSPhotoTr?nMinhHàN?I—InobservanceofWorldNoTobaccoDayonMay31,theMinistryofHealth(MoH)haslaunchedamediacampaignaimedatpreventingtheuseofelectroniccigarettesandheatedtobaccoproductstosafeguardchildrenandpublichealth.Thisyearstheme,initiatedbytheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO),isProtectingchildrenfromtobaccoindustryinterference.DeputyMinisterofHealthTr?nV?nThu?nreportedasignificantincreaseinelectroniccigaretteuseamongstudentsaged13to17,risingfrom2.6percentin2019to8.1percentin2023.Inthoseaged13to15,usagemorethandoubledfrom3.5percentin2022to8percentin2023.WHOemphasisedthatthisdayisanopportunityforyoungpeopleworldwidetoraiseawarenessanddemandthatthetobaccoindustrystoptargetingchildrenandadolescentswithharmfulproducts.Italsocallsongovernmentstoimplementstrongtobaccocontrolmeasurestoprotectyouthfromtobaccoadvertising,includingonsocialmediaanddigitalplatforms.MoHscampaignnotonlyaimstoraiseawarenessbutalsototakeconcreteactionstopreventandreducetheuseofnewtobaccoproductsinthecommunity,particularlyamongteenagers,whoarethemostvulnerablegroup.Wewillfocusonraisingpublicawarenessabouttheharmsofheatedtobaccoandelectroniccigarettes,andencourageparents,schools,andthecommunitytoworktogethertoprotecttheyoungergeneration,ministerThu?nsaid.InimplementingtheNationalStrategyforTobaccoHarmPreventionandtherecentdirectivefromPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhonstrengtheningthemanagementofelectroniccigarettesandheatedtobaccoproducts,numerouspracticalactivitieshavebeencarriedoutbyministries,organisationsandlocalities.TheseactivitiesincludethecampaignVietnameseyouthsaynototobaccoandelectroniccigarettes.MoHcallsonagencies,organisationsandtheentirecommunitytocontinueengaginginpracticalactivitiesandenhancingcommunicationtobuildasmoke-freeenvironmentandstrictlyenforcetheLawonTobaccoHarmPrevention.Schoolsareurgedtointensifyeducationandorganiseextracurricularactivitiestoequipstudentswiththeknowledgetoprotectthemselvesfromtheallureofnew-generationtobaccoproducts.Parentsshouldtalktotheirchildrenabouttherisksofelectroniccigarettesandheatedtobacco,helpingthemunderstandandconfidentlysaynototheseproducts.—VNS

Aftermorethan30yearsofdevelopment,thenetworkofVillageMidwivesnowhasthousandsofethnicminorities,trainedtodisseminate,advocateandprovidesafeservicesinvillagesandhamlets,thuscontributingtoreducingthemortalityrateofmothersandnewbornsinremoteareas.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I-Thecauseofreproductivehealthcareandhealthcareformothersandchildren-whoarevulnerablebutplayadecisiveroleinthecountrysfuturedevelopment-hasgainedmanyimportantachievements,whichhavebeenrecognisedandacknowledgedbytheinternationalcommunity.ThisisimportantevidenceofeffortstoensureandpromotehumanrightsinVi?tNam.ChangingperceptionIttookonlyabout10minutesforGiangALùng,a21-year-oldM?ngethnicminorityinMùSangCommune,PhongTh?District,thenorthernmountainousprovinceofLaiChau,totakehiswife,LyThiSo,tothecommunemedicalstationforperiodicalpregnancyexamination.Accompanyingthecouplewastheirover-1-year-oldsonwhomSogavebirthtoatthishealthstation.Thankstotheadviceandencouragementoflocalmidwives,thecouplehaveputtheirtrustinreproductivehealthcareservicesformothersandchildrenunder5yearsoldrightintheirresidentialareas,insteadofcaringforthemselvesandgivingbirthathome.Inthepast,thismisconceptionwasthecauseofmanytragicdeathsofpregnantwomenandnew-borns,affectingthehealthandqualityofthepopulation.Wewereencouragedbyvillagemidwivestogoforprenatalcheck-upsandgivebirthatthecommunehealthstation.Wegavebirthtoourfirstchildatthehealthstationandthebabyisnowhealthy,soIcontinuedtotakemywifetoitforprenatalcheck-upsforoursecondchild.Iamverygratefultothenursesanddoctorsofthehealthstationandthevillagemidwives,Lùngshared.AtthismedicalstationinMùSang-amountainousandremotebordercommunelocatedmorethan60kmnorthwestofLaiChauCity,itiseasytomeetmanycoupleslikeLungandSowhocometousesafereproductivehealthservices.Physician?àoH?ngNh?t,headofthemedicalstation,saidthatthestationhassevenmedicalstaffs,includingonedoctor.Allpeopleinthecommunehavehealthinsurance.Thecommunehas10hamlets,withthefurthestbeingabout15kmfromthestation.MùSangalsohastwovillage-basedmidwives,andeachhamlethasitsownmedicalworkers.Consideredanextendedarmofthehealthsector,thevillagemidwifenetworkhasbeenexpandedacrossethnic-inhabitedandmountainousareasofthenorthernprovincesofLaiChau,B?cK?n,S?nLaandtheCentralHighlandsprovincesof??kN?ng,KonTumandGiaLaiinrecentyears,thankstotheattentionandsupportoftheMinistryofHealth,localadministrationsaswellastheinternationalcommunity,includingtheprojectLeavingnoonebehind:InnovativeinterventionstoreducematernalmortalityinethnicminorityregionsinVi?tNambytheUnitedNationsPopulationFund(UNFPA)andpartners.Thismodelhasbeencontributingtochangingtheawarenessofpeopleintheseareasonreproductivehealthcareandprotectionofmothersandchildren.TalkingnumbersTheeffortsofthehealthsectorandpartnershavehelpedreducematernalmorbidityandmortalityratesinmountainousandethnicminorityareasofLaiChauinparticularandVi?tNamatlarge.InMùSang,whileonlyabout44percentofpregnantmotherscameforpregnancycheck-upsatthestationthreetimesin2021,thisrateincreasedtomorethan80percentattheendof2023.Theproportionofwomenreceivingfourprenatalcheck-upsrosefrom37percenttonearly71percent.DoctorD??ngV?nQuan,headofPhongTh?Districtsmedicalcentre,saidthatin2022,only48percentofwomeninthedistrictreceivedprenatalcheck-upsthreetimesduringpregnancy.However,thefigureincreasedtonearly62percentinthefirstquarterof2024.Meanwhile,theproportionofwomenreceivingfourprenatalcheck-upsclimbedfrom29.3percentin2022tonearly53percentinthefirstquarterofthisyear.IntheentireLaiChauuProvince,maternalandchildhealthcareandfamilyplanning,especiallymaternalhealthcarebefore,duringandafterbirth,inrecentyearshaveachievedorexceededassignedtargets.Notably,thenumberofwomenreceivingprenatalcheck-upsatleastthreetimessurpasses70percent,therateofwomenandnew-bornsreceivingcareathomewithin42daysaftergivingbirthreachesmorethan80percent,andtherateofchildrenfrom6to60monthsoldreceivingVitaminAin2023reached98.9percent.Accordingtostatisticsfromthehealthsector,Vi?tNamhasgainedalotofimportantachievements.Thematernalmortalityratedecreasedbyoverfivetimes,from233/100,000livebirthsin1990to44/100,000livebirthsin2023.Duringthisperiod,themortalityrateamongchildrenunder5yearsoldfellnearly4times,from58perthousandto18.2perthousand;andthatamongchildrenunder1yearoldfrom44perthousandto11.6perthousand.Inaddition,thechildmalnutritionratealsodecreasedsharplyfrom53perthousandto11perthousand.Impressedbytheaboveconvincingfigures,MattJackson,UNFPARepresentativeinVi?tNam,saidthatVi?tNamisoneofthecountrieswithmanyachievementsinthefieldofreducingmaternalmortality,islistedamongsixcountriesintheworldtoachievethestandardofreducingthisrateaccordingtothepreviousmillenniumdevelopmentgoals.Heciteda2022studybytheVietnameseMinistryofHealthassayingthatthematernalmortalityrateoverthepast30yearshasbeenreducedbyupto70percent,whichishigherthantheglobalfigureofonly40percent.Thisisaveryimpressiverate,Jacksonaffirmed.StrongereffortsneededHowever,Vi?tNamstillfacesmanychallengesahead.AccordingtotheUNFPAChiefRepresentativeinVi?tNam,surveydataandstatisticsshowmaternalandchildmortalityandchildmalnutritionratesinmountainousareasarestill2-3timeshigherthanthenationalaverage.Manycommunalhealthstationshavemetnationalstandardsbutlackequipmentandhaveunevenhumanresources.HerecommendedVi?tNamshouldincreaseinvestmentinthevillagemidwifenetworkandhaveappropriateremunerationtoretaintheminthenetwork.DeputyMinisterofHealthTranVanThuansaidthattocontinuetomaintainandpromoteachievementsinmaternalandchildhealthcare,thehealthsectorneedstomakemoreeffortstowellimplementthePartyandGovernmentsResolutionsonstrengtheningtheprotection,careandimprovementofpeopleshealth,andcontinuetoimprovethequalityofoperationsofgrassrootshealthcareinthenewsituation.Thehealthsectormuststepuptrainingandtechnologytransfer,especiallyfromuppertolowerlevels,withprioritygiventoremoteareas,Thuansaid,stressingtheneedforappropriatesalaryandsupportpoliciesformedicalworkersinremoteareas.Theconcertedimplementationoftheseabovesolutionswillcreateconditionstopromotegrassrootshealthcoverageandimprovethematernalandchildhealthcarenetworktograduallynarrowthegapbetweenmountainousandplainareas,andbetweenurbanandruralandremoteareas,addedtheofficial.VNSForeigntouristsstuckonNationalRoad4caspartoftheroadwasblockedbyfloodwater.—Photonhandan.com.vnHàGIANG—PoliceofficersinthenorthernprovinceofHàGiangtodayprovidedassistanceto400foreigntouristsstrandedbyfloodwater.Followingheavyrainsthathavepoundedthenorthernregioninthepastthreedays,floodwaterhassubmergeda700msectionofNationalRoad4C(passingthroughP?ViH?village,P?ViCommune,MèoV?cDistrict).Manygroupsofforeigntourists,whomainlytravelledbymotorbikefrom??ngV?nDistricttoMèoV?cDistrict,couldnotpassthisfloodedroad.Elevenpoliceofficersalongwithtwospecialisedcarsweredeployedtothesite,bringing400touriststhroughthissection.HàGiangProvince,neartheborderwithChina,isknownworldwideforitsmagnificentmountainlandscapeandvibrantculturesofvariousethnicgroups.Roadtriponbikesisafavouriteactivityformanytouristscomingheretogetthefullexperience.WidespreadfloodingisoccurringinHàGiang,includingtheprovincesurbancentre,HàGiangCity.Authoritieshavesetupcheckpointstopreventpeoplefromgoingintodangerous,landslide-proneareas.Asoftodaysafternoon,threepeoplehavebeenconfirmeddeadinHàGiangasaresultofdownpourandflooding,alongwithonemissingperson.InitialpropertydamagesofarhasreachedoverVN?24billion(aboutUS$944,000).HàGiangProvincesDepartmentofCulture,Sports,andTourismhasaskedtravelagenciestohaltalltourismactivitiesthatcanbeunsafefortourists,evenchangeitineraryifneeded.Peopleandtouristsarenottotraveltolandslide-hitareas,swiminriversorstreamsortakeaboattoursinthereservoirlakes.Italsoaskedpoliceunitstoenhancemeasurestoguaranteesafetyfortouristsandstandreadytoprovideassistanceincaseofincidents.—VNS

Tr??ngM?Lan,formerChairwomanofV?nTh?nhPhátGroup,atarecenttrialinHCMCity.Thechairwomanhasbeensentencedtodeathformultiplefinancialfraud.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—Victimsofthebillion-dollarV?nTh?nhPhátbondfraudcaseareurgingauthoritiestoexpeditetheinvestigationsincetheyfacefinancialruin.LêThuThu?,51,aretiredofficialinHCMCity,saidshehadinvestedoverVN?2billioninbondsissuedbyaV?nTh?nhPhátsubsidiarytwoyearsagobuthasnotreceivedanyinterestorprincipal.Thu?isamongover35,000victimswhoweremisledbythestaffofSaigonCommercialJointStockBank(SCB),whohadreassuredthemthebondswereassafeasasavingsaccountproductduetoTr??ngM?Lansownershipofthebankasthechairwomanofthegroup.ButSCBhasclaimeditwasonlyactingasanintermediaryanddidnotguaranteerepaymenttoinvestors.Expertssaidthebankcouldwellbeheldresponsibleforfailingtodisclosetherisksassociatedwiththebonds.ThepolicesaidSCBfacesaccusationsofplayingamajorroleinthemassivefinancialfraudsufferedbyitscustomers.AbranchoftheSaigonCommercialJointStockBankinHCMCitysDistrict3.ExpertssaidSCBshouldbeheldaccountableforthebondfraud,givenamajorityofthevictimswereitsdepositors.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pTheirinvestigationfoundthatLanhadorchestratedaschemeforSCBtoissuefakebondstomitigateitsfinancialwoes.LanhasadmittedtoworkingcloselywithformerexecutivesofSCB,TanVi?tSecuritiesandV?nTh?nhPháttodevelopaspecificplantofabricatebondsthroughboguscompaniessetupbyV?nTh?nhPhátgroup.V?T?nHoàngV?n,formerCEOofSCB,wasfoundtohaveconducted‘trainingsessionsforover2,500salesstaffatvariousbranchesnationwideonhowtodefraudcustomers,thepolicesaid.Lanhasadmittedtoherwrongdoingandpromisedtorepaythevictims,thepoliceadded.Thevictimsaredemandingaswiftresolutiontorecovertheirlostfunds.AuthoritieshavesaidthepolicehavealreadyseizedmillionsofdollarsinassetsconnectedtoLaninabidtorepaythevictimsaffectedbythefraud.TheIFCOneSaigonbuildingonT?n??cTh?ngStreetinHCMCitysDistrict1isonthelistofbuildingsrelatedtoV?nTh?nhPhátGroup.Thepolicehavestatedthemoneyandassetsrecoveredfromthescandalwillbeusedtoindemnifyvictims.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pThepolicesaidtheyhaveseizedassetstotalingoverVN?590billionandnearly$15million,andfrozenfurthermillionsofdollarsworthofassetslinkedtothechairwoman.Theseizedassetsinclude1,240propertiesownedbyLaninprimelocationsinHCMCityandvariousprovinces,sharesinSCBandothercompanies,ayacht,twoships,and19cars.Bedsides,42accountswithVN?1.9trillionand$8.4millionassociatedwithLanandothersconvictedhavebeenfrozen.ProceedsofalmostVN?790billionlinkedtoacompanyownedbyV?nTh?nhPhátGrouphavebeenblockedatSCB,withanadditionalVN?55.5billionseizedduringprosecutionandVN?73billionpaidbyLanandothersduringthetrial.Thepolicesaidtheywouldseizemoreassetslinkedtothescandalaspartofeffortstocompensatethevictims.Authoritiesareurgingthe35,000victimswhoholdbondsfromthefraudulentissuancestocomeforwardwithinformationandrelateddocuments.Expertssaiditwouldtakeyearstomitigatetheconsequencesofthescandal,oneoftheworldsworstfinancialcrimes.—VNSSoldiersfromtheHàGiangProvincialMilitaryCommandhelpalocalkindergarteninNg?c???ngCommunetorecoverfromflooddamage.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?IPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhascalledforimmediateeffortstomitigatetheaftermathofrecentfloodsandproactivelyrespondtonaturaldisastersinthenorthernmountainousandmidlandregions.OnMonday,PMChínhsignedDirectiveNo57/C?-TTg,whichnotedthatfromthenightofJune8tothemorningofJune10,heavyrainscausedbyatropicaldepressionandlow-pressurearealedtosignificantdownpoursinseveralnorthernregions.Rainfallrangedfrom40-120mm,withQu?ngNinhProvinceandH?iPhòngCityseeing150-300mmandHàGiangProvince100-250mm,withQu?ngNg?nCommuneinV?XuyênDistrictexperiencingupto428mm.HeavyrainsresultedinfloodsintheupstreamareasoftheL?RiverinHàGiangProvinceandtheGamRiverinCaoB?ngProvince,surpassingLevel3alerts,causingatleastthreedeathswithseveralpeoplestillmissing.ThePrimeMinisterextendedhisdeepestcondolencestothefamiliesofthevictims.WaterlevelsinhydropowerreservoirsinLaiChau,HòaBìnhandTuyênQuangprovinceswerehigherthanthesameperiodlastyear.SomeareasinHàGiang,U?ngBí,H?LongandH?iPhòngprovinceswereflooded,disruptingtransportationandsignificantlyaffectingresidentslives.AccordingtotheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting,fromJune14to17,thenorthernmountainousandmidlandregionswillcontinuetoexperienceheavytoveryheavyrains,withsomeareasreceiving100-150mmwithin24hours.Thereisahighriskofflashfloods,landslidesanddeepfloodinginlow-lyingareasandurbancentres.FloodingisalsolikelyinriverswithintheThao,?àandL?riverbasins.ThePrimeMinisterurgedtheStandingCommitteeoftheNationalSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPreventionandControl,theNationalCommitteeforIncident,DisasterResponseandSearchandRescue,relevantministersandlocalauthoritiestoremainvigilant,swiftlyaddresstheconsequencesofrecentfloodsandstabilisethelivesofaffectedresidents.TheChairmanoftheHàGiangPeoplesCommitteeandotherlocalauthoritiesinthenorthernmountainousandmidlandregionswereinstructedtomobiliseforcestosearchformissingpersons,treattheinjuredandprovidetimelysupporttoaffectedfamilies,especiallythoseindifficultcircumstances.Localauthoritieswerealsotaskedwithcloselymonitoringrainfallandflooddevelopments,promptlydirectingandimplementingeffectiveresponsemeasurestoensureresidentssafety.Thisincludesevacuatingpeoplefromhigh-riskareas,controllingaccesstodeeplyfloodedorrapidlyflowingwaterareasandmobilisingforcestohelpresidentsrecoverfromthefloodsandresumenormallife.TheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentwasdirectedtoprovidetimelyandaccurateflood,landslideandflashfloodforecastsandwarningstorelevantagencies.TheMinistryofTransportwastaskedwithensuringtrafficsafetyinaffectedareas,promptlyaddressingdisruptionsandmaintainingsmoothtransportation,especiallyonmajorroutes.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentandtheMinistryofIndustryandTrade,incollaborationwithlocalauthoritiesandrelevantagencies,wereinstructedtoensurethesafetyofreservoirsandoperatethemaccordingtoapprovedprocedurestopreventartificialfloodsandflashfloods.TheNationalCommitteeforIncident,DisasterResponseandSearchandRescue,alongwiththeministriesofDefenceandPublicSecurity,weredirectedtosupportlocalauthoritiesinresponseeffortsandsearchandrescueoperations.TheNationalSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlwasaskedtocloselymonitordisastersituations,organiseinspectionteams,andsupportlocalauthoritiesindisasterpreventionandmitigationefforts.ThePrimeMinisterassignedDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuangtooverseetheimplementationofthisdirective.VNS

LocalsonNguy?nTh???nhStreetinTh???cCityaredemolishingtheirhouses,movingthembacktogivelandforaroadexpansionproject.-Photolaodong.vnHCMCITY-ManyhousesonNguy?nTh???nhStreetinTh???cCityarebeingdemolishedormovedbacktogivespaceforaprojecttowidentheroadtohelpreducetrafficcongestion.Theexpansionproject,whichcoversa2kmsegmentofthestreet(fromGi?ng?ngT?BridgetoM?Th?yBridge),wasapprovedin2015towidentheroadfrom8mto30m,withaninvestmentofVN?1.4trillion(US$54.8million)forlandclearancecompensationandconstruction.Duetocomplicationswithlandclearance,theprojectwasdelayed.Attheendof2023,thecityPeoplesCouncilincreasedtheprojectinvestmenttonearlyVN?2.08trillion,withoverVN?660billionextraforlandclearancecompensation.Manyhouseholdshavetakendownpartsoftheirbuildingsafterreceivingthecompensation,movingtheirhousesbackaround5mto7m.Nguy?nV?nBình,alocal,toldLao??ngNewspaperthathehadhiredworkerstobreakdownandrebuildhishouseafterhandingovernearly40m2oflandfortheproject.Thestreetissmall,sotrafficcongestionandaccidentsoftenhappen,sohehopedthattheroadsexpansionwouldbecarriedoutsoon.TheCompensationandClearanceBoardofTh???cCitysaidthattheyareactivelyworkingwithlocalitiesandrelevantorganisationstoencouragepeopletoreceivetheircompensationandhandoverlandfortheexpansionproject.Currently,thecityhasissuedover1trilliontoover300households,andexpectstohandoverallofthelandneededfortheprojectwithinthisyear.Accordingtotheinvestoroftheproject,theConstructionInvestmentProjectManagementBoardinTh???cCity,afterreceivingalloftheland,contractorbiddingwillbeheldin2025,andtheprojectcanbefinishedandputintoservicein2026.-VNSPresidentT?LamattendedtheinaugurationceremonyoftheP?cBóKindergarteninTr??ngHàCommune.VNA/VNSPhotoCAOB?NG–PresidentT?LamonJune10offeredincenseintributetoPresidentH?ChíMinhatatemplelocatedattheP?cBóspecialnationalrelicsiteinTr??ngHàCommune,HàQu?ngDistrict,aspartofhisworkingtriptothenorthernmountainousprovinceofCaoB?ng.ThePresidentandhisentourageexpressedtheirgratitudetothelateleader,whodevotedhisentirelifetothestrugglefornationalliberationandreunification,alongwithfreedomandhappinessoftheVietnamesepeople.Writinginthetemplesguestbook,LamsaidthesiteplaysanimportantroleineducatingyoungergenerationsabouttherevolutionarytraditionandPresidentH?ChíMinhsmoralexample.HeaskedtheprovincialPartyorganisation,authoritiesandresidentsinCaoB?ngtocontinuepreservingthesiteandpromotingitsvalues.P?cBówasthefirstplacewhereNguy?náiQu?c,wholaterusedthenameH?ChíMinh,setfootinwhenreturningtoVi?tNamin1941toleadthedomesticrevolutionafterspendingover30yearsabroadtoseekwaysfornationalsalvation.ItishometomanyhistoricalrelicsiteslikeC?cBóCave,BorderMarker108,Khu?iN?mHut,andLeninSpring,whichwereassociatedwithhisrevolutionaryactivitiesduringthattime.WhileinHàQu?ng,PresidentLamalsoattendedtheinaugurationceremonyoftheP?cBóKindergarteninTr??ngHàCommune.Speakingattheceremony,heaskedlocalauthoritiestopaymoreattentiontoimprovingthelifequalityoflocals,especiallythosewhohaverenderedservicetothenationanddisadvantagedfamilies,ensuringthatnooneisleftbehind.Theleaderalsostressedthecrucialtaskofimprovingeducation-trainingquality,particularlypreschooleducation.Onthisoccasion,hevisitedandpresentedgiftstotworevolutioncontributorsinthelocality.VNS