the event welcomed 115 athletes from 52 countries.

DeputyMinisterofScienceandTechnologyNguy?nHoàngGiang.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTh??ngHàN?I—AconferenceonyoungscientistsandinnovativestartupstookplaceinHàN?ionThursday,sharingperspectivesandintroducingnewideasintranslatingsci-techadvancesintoreality.Attheconference,DeputyMinisterofScienceandTechnologyNguy?nHoàngGiangsaidtheministryhaslaunchedvariousprogrammes,whileadvisingonthebuildingandamendmentofpoliciestohelpscientistsunleashtheircreativecapacitiesandstimulatetechnologicaldemandfromthebusinesssector.Ithasalsoworkedtoboostenterprisestechnologyabsorbabilitythroughencouragingbusinessestoestablishsci-techdevelopmentfunds,sci-techfirms,andinnovativestartups.TheNationalFoundationforScienceandTechnologyDevelopment(NAFOSTED)haschangeditsoperationalmethodstogivemoresupportforyoungscientiststoleadresearchprojectsandparticipateininternationalconferencesandworkshops,theofficialnoted.TheconferencesawL??ngV?nTr??ng,DirectoroftheNam??iD??ngyouthcooperativeinthenorthernprovinceofNam??nh,talkingaboutthecooperativesresearchandinventionprocessforitsproductionofpre-germinatedseeds,whichhelpsfarmerssavecosts,labour,andreducecultivationexpenses.Tr?nhTh?Hoa,co-founderoftheBuyobioplasticcompany,meanwhile,presentedinsightsintothefirmsresearchanddevelopmentofaproducttoreplaceplasticfromorganicwasteusingaproductionprocessprioritisingfuelrecirculation.Followingtheconferencewasaceremonyawardingwinnersofascientificidealcompetition,whichwasorganisedforthethirdtimebytheonlinenewspapervnexpress.net.Comparedtothepreviouseditions,thisyearsrecordedover130submissionsspanningvariousfieldssuchasmedical-biochemistry,technology,agriculture,environment,andnewmaterials.Vi?tNamsGlobalInnovationIndex(GII)hascontinuouslyimprovedoverthepast13years.In2023,thecountryranked46thoutofthe132countries/economiesworldwideand4thinSoutheastAsia.Itisoneofthesevenmiddle-incomecountrieswiththemostsignificantinnovationprogressinthepastdecade.—VNSAstudentinquiringajobcounselloratajobcounsellingfairorganisedbyTu?iTr?Th???newspaperonMay4.VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngHàN?IJuniorhighstudentsinVi?tNamarecurrentlyinacriticalphase,withimportantentranceexamsforhighschoolanduniversities.Thisisalsothetimewhenmanyparentsandstudentsmustmakedecisionsaboutchoosingasuitablelearningenvironment.Currently,therearenearly1,900vocationaleducationinstitutionsacrossVi?tNam.Theseinstitutionshaveadaptedtoprioritisetraininginfieldsthatalignwiththedemandsofbusinessesandthelabourmarket,providingarangeofcareerdevelopmentpathwaysforhighschoolstudents.Moreover,implementingearlyadmissionsanddiversifyingadmissionmethodshasenabledmanyvocationalschoolstomoveawayfromrelyingsolelyonhighschoolgraduationexamscores.Thisapproachhasbeenparticularlybeneficialforcandidates,helpingthemalleviateexampressureandexpandtheircareeroptions.InpreparationforhisdaughtersGrade10,Ph?mQuangD?ngfromPh??ngLi?t,HàN?i,haslookedatnumerousnon-publicschoolsandvocationaleducationinstitutionsinthearea.HisworriesincreaseduponlearningfromtheDepartmentofEducationandTrainingthatapproximately60percentofthequotaforpublichighschoolsinHàN?iforthe2024-2025academicyearhadalreadybeenallocated.Thisleftasignificantportionofstudentsconsideringnon-publicschools,regulareducationcentresandvocationaltrainingschools.FollowingvisitstovariousschoolsD?ngisinclinedtowardsenrollinghisdaughterinvocationaleducationinstitutionsasaviableoption.Heseesmeritinthe9+model,wherestudentscansimultaneouslystudyvocationalandacademicsubjects.Thismodelallowsforasmoothtransitiontovocationalcollegesuponhighschoolgraduation.Enteringgrade10isasignificantmilestoneforeachstudent.Manystudentswhofailgrade10mayfeelstuckandfrustrated,butthisdoesnotmeanitstheend,asthecurrenteducationsystemoffersvariousformsoftrainingtomeettheneedsofparentsandstudents.Inadditiontopublichighschools,studentscanchoosefrommanyothermodels.Theimportantthingistoalignwiththeirabilities,interestsandfuturecareeraspirations.LêAnhTu?n,anexpertincareerandentrepreneurshipattheHàN?iYouthUnion,saidthatthereexistsacommonassumptionthatGrade9automaticallyleadstoGrade10,makingGrade10entranceexamsmorechallengingthanuniversityentranceexams.Toaddressthis,theEducation,Training,Labour,InvalidsandSocialAffairssectorsareimplementingadualeducationmodelalongsidethe9+system,providingstudentswithopportunitiestopursuebothacademicandvocationalsubjects.TheCareer-orientedEducationandStudentStreamliningOrientationinGeneralEducationfrom2018to2025projectaimstohave25-30percentofhighschoolgraduatesenrolledinvocationaleducationinstitutions.Pursuingthe9+modelatvocationalschoolsallowsstudentstograduateinthreeyearswithavocationaldiploma,orinfouryearswithacollegediplomabeforeenteringtheworkforce.Thisapproachsignificantlysavestimecomparedtothetraditionalmethodofcompletinghighschoolbeforepursuingvocationalsubjects.Ph?mV?Qu?cBình,DeputyDirectorGeneraloftheGeneralDepartmentofVocationalEducation(MinistryofLabour-InvalidsandSocialAffairs),highlightedthebenefitsofthe9+modelforstudents.Thisdualeducationsystemintegratesvocationaltrainingwitharegularhighschoolprogramme,allowingstudentstograduateafterthreeyearsofstudyandtakethehighschoolgraduationexam.Itenablesimmediateengagementwithprofessions,skillenhancement,businessinteractionandworkhabitdevelopment.Moreover,studentscanaccessregulareducationprogrammesandpursuefurtherstudiesatcollegesanduniversities.DeterminingfuturedirectionsManyschoolshaveprioritisedcareercounsellingandstreamliningsinceGrade9.AheadofGrade10enrollment,middleschoolsactivelyguidestudentstounderstandtheirabilitiesandweightheprosandconsofdifferenttrainingmodels.Nguy?nNg?cQuy?t,arecruitmentadvisoryofficeratPhúTh?Electro-MechanicalCollege,emphasisesthatatthisage,studentscanalreadyenvisiontheirfuturecareersandearlycareeradvicehelpsinformingageneralunderstandingandnewperspectives.Furthermore,vocationalcollegesandintermediatevocationalschoolshavebegunrecruitmentwithvariousincentives,suchasreducedtuitionfees,newcareerfieldsandattractivejobopportunitiesthroughouttheyear.ThiscontinuousenrollmentadvantageprovidesparentsandstudentswithmoreoptionswhenpreparingfortheGrade10entranceexamandhighschoolgraduation.Inmid-January2024,HàN?iCommercialandTourismCollegeannouncedadmissioncriteriaforhighschoolgraduatesandequivalentqualifications,aswellasforstudentswhohavecompletedmiddleschoolorhigher.Candidatescanregisteronline,submitapplicationsdirectly,orsendthembymailuntilDecember31,2024.Thecollegesprincipal,Tr?nhThuHà,statedthatthecollegelaunchedbothdirectandonlineenrollmentchannelsimmediatelyafterT?t(LunarNewYear),attractingnearly1,000applications.Tomeetincreasingdemands,somevocationalschoolshaveinnovatedtheirprogrammes,improvedtrainingquality,andpartneredwithbusinessestocreatejobopportunitiesforstudentsaftergraduation.Thisstrategyaimstoattractmorestudentstotheseschools.??ngTrungChính,PrincipalofHàN?iIndustrialEconomicsCollege,affirmedthatallofthecollegesenrollmentprogramsarelinkedtoemployment.Thecollegeiscommittedtojobplacementsandhasagreementswithbusinessestoacceptgraduatesandparticipateinthetrainingprocess.AccordingtoBình,inHàN?i,onlyabout60-62percentofstudentsenterpublichighschools,whileinH?ChíMinhCity,its70percent.Thisleavesasignificantnumberofstudentsneedingtoenrollinothersystemsaftermiddleschool,suchasregulareducationcentresorsometypeofvocationaleducation.Thedemandforthe9+system,whichintegratesvocationalprogramswiththeregularcurriculum,accountsforabout19-20percent.Schoolsareconcernedaboutcreatingaconducivelearningenvironmenttoimprovetrainingquality.Ng?Th?Ng?cLan,DirectorofNavigosSearchrecruitmentcompanysnorthernbranch,advisedthatyouthmustconsiderpassion,strengthsandlong-termsocio-economicorientationwhenmakingcareerdecisions.Simplyfollowingguidancewithoutconsideringpersonalinterestsmaynotleadtoaccuratechoices.VNS

Asmartswimmingpoolcanbegame-changerinpreventingdrowningsamongstudentsduringthesummervacation.—Photogiaoducthoidai.vnHàN?I—Withsummervacationjustaroundthecorner,manyparentsinHàN?iarealreadyworryingabouthowtokeeptheirchildrensafeandengagedduringthelongbreak.Someparentsareconcernedabouttheirchildrenspendingtoomuchtimeindoorsgluedtoelectronicdevices,whileothersworryabouttheriskofdrowningorotheraccidents.Nguy?nBíchH?nh,whoseyoungestchildattendskindergarteninC?uGi?yDistrict,saidshehastosendhimtoherparentshouseforchildcareduringthesummervacationassheandherhusbandaretoobusyworking.Wehavetosendourlittleonetostaywithhisgrandparentsforpeaceofmind,saidH?nh.Leavingherhomealoneisnotanoptionbecausewecannotensurepropersupervisiontopreventaccidents.Ph?mThuHiênfromBa?ìnhDistrictisatalossforwhattodowithhersonduringthesummerbreak.SheisworriedthathewouldspendallhistimewatchingTVandgluedtohissmartphoneifshelefthimathome.Socialmediaexposeskidstosomuchinappropriatecontentthatitshardtomonitor,saidHiên.Butsheisalsonotateasesendinghimtothecountrysidebecausetherearemanypondsandlakes.Heronlyoptionnowseemstobeenrollinghiminswimmingandmartialartsclasses.Toalleviateparentsconcernsabouttheirchildrenssummeractivities,theHàN?isDepartmentofEducationhasissuedaplantoorganisetheactivitiesforstudents.TheplanrequiresschoolstocollaboratewithlocalHCMYouthUnionandYoungPioneersCouncilstoensurestudentsareproperlysupervisedandengagedinsafecommunityactivitiesduringthesummerbreak.Thedepartmentalsorequestedschoolstoallowstudentstoaccessschoolfacilitiessuchaslibrariesandgymsduringtheoff-schoolperiodforstudyingandrecreation.Regardingacademicstudies,schoolsinHàN?iarestrictlyprohibitedfromorganisingextraclassesorsupplementalinstructionduringthesummerbreak.Summeracademicreviewissolelyreservedforstudentswithsubparacademicperformance.Watersafetyremainsapressingconcernasdrowningincidentstragicallyclaimyoungliveseachsummer.Manyschoolshaveinstalledsmartswimmingpoolstoofferswimminglessonsandwatersafetytraining.Localauthoritiesalsoorganisecoursesondrowningprevention,survivalskills,andemergencyresponseinthisregard.Nguy?nH?ngThúy,PrincipalofTamTi?nJuniorSchoolinCh??ngM?District,highlightedtheimportanceofparent-schoolcooperationincaringforstudents.Shesaideventhoughstudentsarenotinschoolduringthesummerbreak,theschoolremainsactivelyinvolved,instructingteacherstokeepaneyeontheirstudentsandcollaboratingwiththeirparentsduringtheyear-endsummarymeetingtodiscusssummervacation-relatedmatters.Parentsareparticularlyencouragedtokeepaclosewatchtheirchildrenandminimisepotentialrisksthatcouldleadtoaccidentsorinjuriesduringthesummer.—VNSHàN?I—Threenewvaccinesincludingadenguefevervaccine,avaccineagainstshinglesandapneumococcal23vaccinehavebeenlicensedbytheMinistryofHealth(MoH).ThenewlylicensedvaccinesaretheQdengaVaccinetopreventdenguefever,theShingrixVaccinetopreventshinglesandthePneumovax23Vaccinetoprevent23strainsofpneumococci.B?chTh?Chính,MedicalDirectoroftheVNVCVaccinationSystem,saidthatallthreenewvaccineswereproducedbymajorpharmaceuticalcompaniesintheworld,includingTakedainJapan,GSKinBelgiumandMSDintheUS.TheVNVCVaccinationSystemwillbebringingthesenewvaccinestoservetheVietnamesepeopleatasystemofnearly200VNVCcentresnationwide.AssociateprofessorTr?n??cPhu,formerDirectoroftheGeneralDepartmentofPreventiveMedicineundertheMoH,saidthatthelicensingcouncilhadconsideredandassessedthethreevaccinessafetyandeffectivenessbeforebeingusedinVi?tNam.Phuassessedthatthevaccineshadbeenusedinmanycountriesaroundtheworld,addingthatthelicensinginVi?tNamwasverygoodnews.DosesTheQdengaVaccineagainstdenguefever,producedbyTakedapharmaceuticalcompany,iseffectiveinmorethan80percentofcasesandagainstallfourdenguevirusgroups.Thevaccineisforchildrenfouryearsoldandolder,anditisadministeredintwoinjectionsthreemonthsapart.TheShingrixVaccinetopreventshinglesisproducedbytheGSKPharmaceuticalCompanyandhasanefficacyrateofover97percent.Itisforpeopleagedatleast50,orforthoseover18yearsofageandolderwithahighriskofshinglesduetoimmunodeficiency.Thescheduleforthisvaccineistwoshots,fromtwotosixmonthsapart.ThePneumovax23Vaccine,producedbyMSDPharmaceuticalCompany,hasaprotectiveeffectofmorethan90percent.Itisforchildrenfromtwoyearsoldandadultswithanone-shotvaccinationschedule.DirectorChínhsaid:Theuseofthesevaccineswillhelpreducethenumberofillnessesanddeathsinbothchildrenandadults,reduceovercrowdingduetohospitalisationandpost-treatmentcarecosts.Pluspeoplewillnotneedtotravelabroadtogetadvancedvaccinesbutcanbenefitdomestically.RisksLastyearVi?tNamrecordedmorethan172,000casesofdenguefever,ofwhich43peopledied,accordingtotheMoH.Denguefeverhasfourvirusgroupsanddoesnotcreatecross-immunity,soeachpersoncansufferfromthediseasefourtimesintheirlife.Subsequentinfectionswillbemoresevereduetotheinfluenceofcross-immunecomplexes.Ifnottreatedpromptly,patients,especiallyhigh-riskgroupssuchaschildren,pregnantwomen,peoplewithchronicdiseasesandobesepeople,canexperiencefatalcomplicationsincludingheartfailure,kidneyfailure,shock,multipleorganfailureandbrainhaemorrhages.Forpregnantwomen,denguefevercancausefetaldistress,prematurebirthandstillbirth.ShinglesiscausedbytheVaricellaZostervirus,whichisalsothecauseofchickenpox.Thediseaseleavesmanycomplicationsforpeopleover50yearsold,especiallypeoplewithmanyunderlyingdiseasessuchasdiabetes,cardiovasculardisease,diseasesrequiringlong-termuseofcorticosteroids,cancer,immunosuppressivedrugsandHIV.Inparticular,afterthebullouslesionscausedbyshingleshavehealed,uptooneinfivepatients(accordingtonumbersfromtheUS)canstillsufferfromprolongedpaincalledpostherpeticneuralgia(PHN).Thiscanreducetheabilityofthepersontoworkandimpactstheirgeneralhealth,psychologyandabilitytosleepwell,withtreatmentfortheproblemscomplexandexpensive.Pneumococciarethecommoncauseofthemostdangerousinvasivepneumococcaldiseasessuchaspneumonia,meningitis,sepsis,aswellasnon-invasivepneumococcaldiseasessuchasotitismedia,nasopharyngitisandsinusitis,withmortalityratesfrom10to20percent.Thediseaseisespeciallydangerousforhigh-riskgroupssuchaschildrenunderfiveyearsold,adultsover65andpeoplewithweakenedimmunesystemsduetochronicdiseasessuchaschronicobstructivepulmonarydisease,diabetes,tuberculosis,cardiovasculardiseasesandcancer,whocanhaveamortalityrateofupto50percent.Accordingto2017estimatesfromtheWorldHealthOrganisation(WHO),globally600,000childrenunderfiveyearsolddiedfrompneumococcaldiseases,accountingfor10percentofdeathsinthisagegroup.Pneumococcialsohaveaveryhighrateofantibioticresistance,makingtreatmentdifficult.—VNSV?V?nNgansdrainagesystemhasbeenupgradedtopreparefortheupcomingrainyseason.Photo:tuoitre.vnHCMCITYHCMCityhasfinishedmanyflood-controlprojectstofightfloodinginthecomingrainyseason.Afterthecitysufferedmonthsofheatwaves,someheavyrainshitthedensely-populatedsouthernmetropolis.However,heavyrainalsocausedfloodingonmanyroadsinthecity.AccordingtothecitysDepartmentofConstruction,thecityhashad18floodedroads(13roadsfloodedduetorainandfiveroadsfloodedduetohightide).Thespecificlistof13mainroadsfloodedbyrainincludesPhanAnh,Lê??cTh?,QuangTrung,Nguy?nV?nKh?i(CayTram),H?H?cL?m,NationalHighwayNo.1,??ngTh?Rành,D??ngV?nCam,KhaV?nCan,B?ch??ng,Th?o?i?n,Qu?cH??ngandNguy?nV?nH??ng.Meanwhile,thelistoffloodedroadsduetohightideincludesHu?nhT?nPhát,Tr?nXuanSo?n,LêV?nL??ng,?àoS?TíchandHighway50.Infact,manyplacesnotonthislistwereflooded.OntheafternoonofMay8,afteronlyabout15minutesofrain,someareasinTh???cCitywereflooded,includingLêV?nVi?t,T?Ng?cVanandV?V?nNganstreets,andHàN?iHighway.MaiH?uQuy?t,vicechairmanofTh???cCityPeoplesCommittee,commentedthatV?V?nNganstreetisaheavilyfloodedareaofTh???cCityinrecentyears.Inthenearfuture,Th???cCitywillhavemanyrenovationprojectstosolvetheoverallproblemoffloodinginthelocality.BesidesV?V?nNganStreet,thecitywillstrivetostartandcompletesevenprojectstoupgradeanti-floodembankments,36drainageprojects,andexpand60alleys.HeavyfloodingonV?V?nNganstreetafterheavyrainonMay15.Photo:laodong.vnCityputsplansintoactionTopreparefortherainyseason,thecitysDepartmentofConstructionsaidithasplannedtoputintooperationaseriesofflood-controlprojects.Thedepartmentplanstooperate380tidalcheckvalves,andfivemobilepumpingstationswithacapacityfrom1,000cubicmetres(cu.m)ofwaterperhourto2,000cu.mofwaterperhour.Alongwith380tidalcheckvalvesandfivemobilepumpingstations,tenotherpumpingstationsandlargetidecontrolgatesinBìnhTri?u,BìnhL?i,L?ngCanal,Nh?y-Ru?tNg?aCanal,NhiêuL?c-Th?Nghè,BàTi?ngCanal,PhúLam,Thanh?a,M?C?c1andM?C?c2willbeoperatedsynchronouslytomitigatefloodingfromhightide.Inaddition,thedepartmentandrelevantunitshaveimplementedprojectstobuildandrenovatedrainagesystemstosolvefloodingon18mainroadssuchasNguy?nH?uC?nh,TanQuy,BaVan,Tr??ngC?ng??nh,BàuCát,Lê??cTh?,QuangTrung,Nguy?nV?nKh?i,??ngTh?RànhandB?ch??ngstreetsinBìnhTh?nhDistrict;Th?o?i?n,Qu?cH??ng,Nguy?nV?nH??ng,D??ngV?nCamandKhaV?nCanstreetsandtheNationalHighway1AsectioninTh???cCity;andPhanAnhandH?H?cL?mstreetsindistricts6,8andBìnhTan.LyThanhLong,chiefofstaffofthecityDepartmentofConstruction,saidthatthecityispreparingtodothreeprojectstopreventfloodingandimprovedrainagepipesinGòV?pDistrict.TheseprojectsincludeimprovingthedrainagesystemofNguy?nVanKh?i-LêV?nTh?Street,QuangTrungStreet(fromPh?mV?nChiêutoCh?C?ubridge)andLê??cTh?Street(fromPh?mV?nChiêutoC?tbridge).Inaddition,thedepartmenthasdirectedthecityTechnicalInfrastructureManagementCentretorepairdegradedsewers,anddredgesewerbedsandcanals,Longsaid.ThecityisalsopreparingtoinvestinfourprojectsincludingtheHyV?ngCanalrenovationproject,theV?nThánhCanaldredgingandimprovementproject,andBàL?nCanaldrainageproject.Theprojecttodredge,buildinfrastructure,andimprovetheenvironmentonthebankof??iCanalinDistrict8isexpectedtostartandbecompletedintheperiod2026-2030.—VNS

Multi-levelBenefitsThispartnershipnotonlyensuresaseamlesstransitiontohigh-qualityacademicopportunitiesforpromisingstudentsbutalsoenrichestheteachingresourcesandmethodsforallinvolved.Asaresult,itcontributestosustainablyenhancingthequalityofthefutureVietnameseworkforce.TripleBenefitPartnershipinEducationDevelopmentWithintheframeworkofeducationaldevelopmentactivities,thepartnershipbetweenuniversitiesandhighschoolsthatshareacommonphilosophy,vision,andstringentqualitystandardsisalwaysregardedasamulti-benefitinitiative.Notonlydoesthispartnershipprovideaseamlesstransitiontohigh-qualityacademicopportunitiesforpotentialstudents,butitalsoenrichestheteachingresourcesandmethodsforallinvolved.ThiscontributestosustainablyenhancingthequalityofthefutureVietnameseworkforce.Elevatingthesecollaborativerelationshipstoanewlevel,manyuniversitieshavebeenboldinofferingattractivescholarshippackagestohighschoolstudents.Thisinitiativebroadensaccesstohigh-qualityhighereducationforstudentswithpotentialandcorrespondingabilities.ThepartnershipcontributestosustainablyenhancingthequalityofthefutureVietnameseworkforce.Accordingtoeducationalexperts,thisadvancedpartnershipwillsupportearlycareerorientationforstudentswiththepotentialforuniversity-leveltraining,preparingthempsychologicallyandfinanciallytopursuetheirpassions.Foruniversities,itallowsearlyengagementwithpotentialcandidatesforadmission,ensuringahighqualityofincomingstudentsthatalignwiththeestablishedstandards.DiversityinHighSchoolCoverageAsoneofthepioneeringuniversitiesinVietnamthatemphasizestheimportanceofpartnershipswithhighschoolstodelivermultifacetedvalue,BritishUniversityVietnam(BUV)hasestablishedandannuallymaintainsKeyPartnershipScholarshipprogrammesforitsstrategicpartnerhighschools.ThisscholarshipispartoftheBUVScholarshipFundwiththemottoHerefortheFutureofVietnam.Mostrecently,onMay12,BUVofficiallyawardednearly50scholarshipstotalentedstudentswithinanetworkof15strategicpartnerhighschoolsacrossHanoi.Notably,thisyearsscholarshiprecipientscomefromadiversearrayofpublicandprivatehighschoolslocatedinvariousdistricts,ensuringequalopportunitiesforallpotentialcandidates.BUVawardednearly100scholarshipstotalentedstudentsthroughKeyPartnershipsandStarleoScholarshipprogrammes.Presentinthelistofpublicschoolsarefiveinstitutionswithstrongacademictraditionsinthecapital,includingVietDucHighSchool,HighSchoolforEducationalSciences,KimLienHighSchool,TranPhu-HoànKiemHighSchool,andPhanDinhPhungHighSchool.Amongtheprivateschoolsaretenrenownedfortheirdiversity,creativityineducation,andstudentdevelopment.TheseincludeEdisonHighSchool,FPTHighSchool,GreenfieldHighSchool,MarieCurieHighSchool,VinschoolImperia,VinschoolOceanPark,VinschoolSmartCity,VinschoolTimesCity,VinschoolTheHarmony,andWellspringHighSchool.Wearedelightedtocontinuetoaccompanyandwelcomemanytalentednewstudentsfromournetworkofhighschoolpartnerswhoshareourorientationtowardssustainableeducationaldevelopment.TheexcellenceofthesestudentswillcontinuetobenurturedinBUVs5-startrainingenvironment,andtheywillserveaslivingproofoftheeffectivenessandhumanityofBUVscooperativeeducationalinitiativesforVietnamseducationsystemandsociety,saidMr.ChristopherJeffery,Pro-ViceChancellor(International,StrategyEngagement)atBUV,duringthescholarshipawardceremony.Mr.ChristopherJeffery,Pro-ViceChancellor(International,StrategyEngagement)atBUVgaveaspeechduringthescholarshipawardceremony.Mr.DoVanNam,SecretaryoftheYouthUnionatTranPhu-HoanKiemHighSchool,emphasizedtheimportanceofthepartnershipbetweenthetwoschools,stating,CollaboratingwithBritishUniversityVietnamfornearly15years,IhaveseenthattheKeyPartnershipScholarshipProgrammeprovidesavaluableopportunityforourstudentstostudyinamodern,dynamicinternationalenvironmentrighthereinVietnam.Thispartnershiphasmotivatedmanygenerationsofstudentsintheirstudiesandencouragedtheiractiveparticipationincommunityactivities.Ibelievethiswillbethefoundationfortheirfuturesuccess.ExpressingherimmediateloveforBUV,MaiThaoVy,theKeyPartnershipScholarshipwinnerfromTranPhu-HoanKiemHighSchool,initiallyhesitatedtoapplyduetofinancialconstraints.However,thiswasapreciousopportunitytostepoutofmycomfortzone.Imadeanefforttolearnfromthesmallestthings,likehowtowriteanessayorbuildapersonalportfolio.Ultimately,coincidentallyonmybirthday,BUVgavemethebest18thbirthdaygiftever.Throughthis,Iwanttotellmypeers:Nevergiveup!MaiThaoVyshared.Representativesfromhighschoolpartnersatthescholarshipawardceremony.Onthesameday,BUVawarded45StarleoScholarshipsto45studentsacrossfourSchools:Business;ComputingandInnovativeTechnologies;CommunicationandCreativeIndustries;andHospitalityandTourism.Thissupportsstudentsinrealizingtheiraspirationstostudyanddevelopinaninternationalenvironment.Embracingthelionsbravespirit,BUVsStarleomascot,thesestudentsdemonstrateddeterminationtosurpassconventionallimits,excellinginacademicachievementsandactivelyparticipatingincommunityactivitiesalignedwiththeirpassionatefieldsofstudy.Scholarshipwinnersandtheirfamiliescometogethertocelebrateattheawardingceremony.Aftersixyearsofcontinuousoperation,theBUVScholarshipFundhasgrantedthousandsofscholarshipsandfinancialaidworthnearlyVND300billion,empoweringoutstandingindividualsfromvariousprovincesnationwide,regardlessoftheirbackgroundsandstrengths.ScholarshipstudentshavecontinuedtodemonstrateremarkableachievementsduringtheirtimeatBUVandbeyondgraduation.Thisinitiativecontinuestobethecornerstoneinfulfillingtheaspirationsofnumerousyoungtalentsaspiringtopursueaworld-classinternationaleducationprogrammerighthereinVietnam.BritishUniversityVietnamisthefirstandtheonlyhighereducationinstitutiontobecertifiedwithanoverallratingof5starsonthefollowingcriteria:Teaching,Employability,AcademicDevelopment,Facilities,SocialResponsibilities,andInclusiveness.Additionally,BUVisthefirstandonlyuniversityinVietnamandtheASEANregion,andoneof22universitiesoutsidetheUnitedKingdom,toachieveQAAaccreditation.QAAregulatestheperformanceofalluniversitiesintheUKaswellasthosedeliveringBritishhigherdegreeprogrammeselsewhereintheworldtoguardheritageandmaintainahighlevelofquality.HeadquartersofSaigonCommercialBankindowntownDistrict1inHCMCity.Thebondbuyers,whohavebeenidentifiedasvictimsbythepolice,purchasedtheirbondsatSCB.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—PolicearecontinuingtourgevictimstocomeforwardandprovideanyrelevantinformationanddocumentsinaVN?30trillion(US$1.18billion)bondfraudcase,partofwhatisconsideredthelargestfinancialscandalinVi?tNamshistory.Overthepasteightmonths,authoritieshavebeensearchingforthevictimsandhaveidentifiedmanyofthe42,000individualsinvolvedinthecase.However,thepolicesaidinapressreleaseonTuesdaythatsomevictimshavestillnotfiledcomplaints,slowingdowntheinvestigationprocess.Thepolicewarnedthatfailuretocomeforwardmayresultinlossesforthevictims.AnofficerbelongingtotheBìnhTh?nhDistrictpoliceinHCMCityassistsabondvictimmakeacomplaintagainstSaigonCommercialBank,whereshewasdeceivedintopurchasingbonds.VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pTr??ngM?Lan,68,chairwomanofV?nTh?nhPhát,andherassociateshavebeenidentifiedbythepoliceastheperpetratorsofthebondfraudactivities.Thepolicesaidthatbetween2018and2020,thegroupanditsaffiliatesconducted25bondissuancestofinancetheiroperationsandallegedlydefraudedinvestors,misappropriatingatotalofVN?30.1trillion.Theydidnotprovidefurtherinformationaboutthecase.Thepolicesaidtheinvestigationisongoing,andtheywillreleasespecificdetailsandfindingsonceitiscompleted.BondholdershavenotreceivedtheinterestorprincipaltheyweresupposedtogetthroughtheiraccountsatSaigonCommercialBank(SCB),wheremosthadpurchasedthebonds.ThebankhasstatedallaccountsassociatedwithV?nTh?nhPhátanditsaffiliatedcompanieshavebeenfrozenbythepolice,preventingthebondholdersfromreceivingtheirpayments.Thelargestprivatelenderbyassets,nowundercentralbankmanagement,clarifieditwasonlyinvolvedinsellingthebondstoinvestorsanddoesnotguaranteebondrepayment.Inresponsetothepublicoutcry,authoritieshaveassuredthemanyrecoveredmoneyandassetsfromtheV?nTh?nhPhát-SCBscandalwillbeprioritisedtobereturnedtobondholders.TheIFCOneSaigonindowntownHCMCitywasacquiredin2021byVivaLand,asubsidiaryofV?nTh?nhPhátGroup.Constructionresumedbrieflyafteryearsbuthasstalledagain,followingthearrestofTr??ngM?Lan,chairwomanofV?nTh?nhPhát,inOctober2022.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pAssetsassociatedwithTr??ngM?Lan,suchaspropertiesinprimelocations,sharesinvariouscompanies,vehicles,andbankaccounts,whichareworthmillionsofdollars,havebeenseizedorfrozenbytheauthorities.Lan,whoholdsasignificantstakeinSCB,isbelievedtobethemastermindbehindthefraudulentbondactivitiesatthelender.Authoritieshavealreadyannouncedanupcomingtrialthisyeartoaddresstheillegalissuanceofbondsconnectedtothechairwomanandhercompany.Inaprevioustrial,Tr??ngM?Lanhasbeensentencedtodeathforbribery,violatingbankingregulations,andembezzlementfromSCB,resultinginalossofVN?677trillion($27billion)forthebank.Shehasappealedherdeathsentence.ThreeSCBexecutivesfoundguiltyofassistingLaninherschemesweresentencedtolifeinprison.Thechiefbankinginspectoratthecentralbankhasbeensentencedtolifeforreceiving$5.2millioninbribestocoverupthefinancialsituationoftheprivatelender.Eighty-oneothersreceivedprisonsentencesrangingfromthreeto20years.ExpertssaiditwouldtakethreetofiveyearstofullytacklealltheissuesstemmingfromtheV?nTh?nhPhát-SCBscandal,whichsparkedpublicoutrage.ThegovernmenthasblamedtheFinanceMinistry,particularlytheStateCommissionofSecurities,andthecentralbank,whichareprimarilyresponsibleforoverseeingthecorporatebondmarket,fortheirweakmanagement.—VNS

EUAmbassadortoVietnamJulienGuerrier.-VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY–H?ChíMinhCityalwaysappreciatesandhighlyvaluesthesubstantialcontributionsofEUcountriestoitsdevelopmentprocess,ViceChairmanofthemunicipalPeoplesCommitteeD??ngAnh??cremarkedatthecelebrationofEuropeDay2024heldbytheEUDelegationtoVi?tNamonMay16evening.Inhisspeech,??csaidthesouthernmetropolislooksforwardtofavourableconditionsconducivetoitseffectiveutilisationoffundingsourcesfromtheblocsGlobalGatewayStrategyandHorizonEuropeProgrammetofurtherstrengtheneconomicrelationswiththeEUandjointlyachievesustainabledevelopmentgoals.Healsopledgedcommitmentstoensuringstablesocio-politicalenvironments,protectingtherightsandlegitimateinterestsofinvestors,andfacilitatinglong-termandeffectiveoperationsofEuropeanbusinessesinthecity.EUAmbassadortoVietnamJulienGuerriersaidtheVietnam-EUrelationshipisevidenceofpeacefulcooperationleadingtoabrightfuture.Overmorethanthreedecades,theyhaveworkedtogetherandachievednumerousaccomplishments.GuerrierannouncedthattheJustEnergyTransitionPartnership(JETP),coordinatedbytheEUandtheUK,isreadytoprovidearound15billionEURtosupportclimatechangemitigationinVietnam.TheambassadorexpressedconfidenceinthedevelopmentoftheVietnam-EUties,contributingtotheSoutheastAsiannationsgoalofbecomingadevelopedcountryby2045andachievingnet-zeroemissionsby2050.-VNS

Oneofeightroomsat?àN?ngInternationalTerminalformotherswhowanttobreastfeedtheirbabiesorexpressbreastmilk.—VNSPhotosKhánhD??ng?àN?NG—?àN?ngAirporthasbecomethecountrysfirstairporttointroducebreastfeedingroomsatconvenientandaccessiblelocations.SixbreastfeedingroomswereopenedforuseattheairportsinternationalterminalonThursday.SupportedbytheEmbassyofIrelandinVi?tNam,FHI360sAliveThriveandRotary?àN?ng,thenewlyestablishedroomsprovideasafeandtranquilenvironmentformotherstobreastfeedtheirbabiesortoexpressbreastmilk.Thebreastfeedingroomsarestrategicallypositionednearwashingfacilitiesyetdistancedfromlavatories,havesoundproofedwallsandhavecomfortablechairs.?inhAnhTu?n,headoftheMaternalandChildHealthDepartmentundertheMinistryofHealth,saidVi?tNamslaws,includinglabourlaws,lawsonsocialinsuranceandonhealthinsurance,havestrictregulationsonmothersbreastfeeding,encouragingpeopletobelievethatbreastfeedingisbest.Vi?tNamisamongonlyafewdevelopingcountrieswhichhassixmonthsofmaternityleaveandthehealthcaresectorhastakenlotsofmeasurestoencouragebreastfeedingwith?àN?ngleadingtheway,hesaid.?àN?ngHospitalforWomenandChildrenwasthefirsthealthcarefacilitynationwidetolaunchamothermilkbankinitiative,sincethenfiveotherbanksandtwosatelliteoperationsopenedacrossVi?tNam.Thesystemofmilkbanksisexpanding,aimingtoprovidesafedonatedhumanmilktoat-riskbabiesinneednationwide,hesaid.Abreastfeedingroomislocatednexttoachildrensplaygroundatoneoftheairportsdeparturegate.??Tr?ngH?u,chiefoperatingofficerof?àN?ngInternationalTerminal,said:Wearedelightedtointroducethispioneeringinitiativeat?àN?ngInternationalTerminal,settinganewbenchmarkforbreastfeedingsupportinpublicspacesnationwide.Thebreastfeedingroomssmartdesign,co-createdbylactatingmothersandinternationallactationconsultants,servesasanexcellentcomplementarysolutiontoenhancelactationspaceaccessibilityforbreastfeedingmothersalongsidemotherandbabyroomsalreadyinstalled.Facilitiesinsidetheroom.Thespaceiswideenoughforuptofourmothers.PaulZambrano,actingregionaldirectorofAliveThriveEastAsiaPacific,said:With?àN?ngInternationalTerminalleadingthechargeinsupportingbreastfeeding,?àN?ngisonthewaytobecomingabreastfeeding-friendlycity,bolsteredbyanecosystemofinitiativesaimedatcreatingasupportiveenvironmentforbreastfeeding.Thisinvestmenttranscendsnutritionalbenefits,yieldingeconomicandenvironmentaldividendsthroughbreastfeeding.Thecentralcitycurrentlyhostsfivecentresofexcellenceforbreastfeeding,benefitingover21,000babieseveryyearandthankstothemilkbankat?àN?ngHospitalmorethan100preterm,low-birthweightandsickbabiesarehelpedeveryday.Thecityalsoboastsa100percentinstallationrateoflactationroomswithinworkplaces,whichemploymorethan1,000femaleemployees,empowering15,000workingmotherstosustainbreastfeedingupontheirreturntowork.—VNSDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuangdeliversaspeechatthespecialisedconferenceonpromotingdigitalisationinthearea.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Theagriculturalsectormustcontinuetodevelopdigitalinfrastructure,ensuringthatapplicationsforfarmersaresimpleandeasytounderstand,saidDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuangataspecialisedconferenceonpromotingdigitalisationintheareaonTuesday.Thehybrideventwasco-organisedbytheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD),NationalCommitteeforDigitalTransformation,andMinistryofInformationandCommunications.Inhisremarks,Quang,whoisalsoViceChairmanofthenationalcommittee,notedthatleadingITcompaniesshouldplayapivotalroleinthisprocessbasedonnecessaryinformationanddataprovidedbythesector.HewentontaskingthefarmingsectorwithcollaboratingwiththeMinistryofPublicSecuritytoexpeditetheregistrationoffishingvessels,aidingeffortstocombatillegal,unreported,andunregulated(IUU)fishing.MinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentLêMinhHoansaidtheministryhasworkedwithotherministriesandindustriestointegratedigitaltechnologyintoagriculture,suchastheremotesensingtechnologyanddigitalplatformsforproducttraceability.Nguy?nHoàiNam,DeputySecretaryGeneraloftheVietnamAssociationofSeafoodExportersandProducers(VASEP),saiddigitaltransformationcouldhelpfisheryenterprisesreducecostsbybetween7percentand25percent.Nguy?nQu?cToàn,DirectoroftheMARDsCentreforAgriculturalDigitalTransformationandStatistics,emphasisedtheneedtodigitisedatabyenhancingdigitalplatforms,applications,andlargedatasystemswithinthesector.Thiswouldenableseamlessconnectivityanddatasharingwiththenationaldatabaseanddatacentreinaunifiedandharmoniousmanner.However,asheardatthefunction,thedigitisationprocessnowfacesnumerouschallenges,includinglimitedawarenessandskillsindigitaltechnologyapplication,andinsufficientcoordinationandlinkageamongstakeholderssuchasStatemanagementagencies,scientists,agribusinesses,techcompanies,cooperatives,andfarmers.D??ngTr?ngH?i,arepresentativefromtheVietnamPostsandTelecommunicationsGroup(VNPT),suggestedmakinginvestmentinleadingagriculturalenterprisesthatarereadyfordigitalisation.Inturn,theywillguidecooperativesandfarmers,therebycreatingadigitalmarketplace.–VNS

TheminingsiteattheVinacomin–QuangHanhCoalCompanyinC?mPh?City,Qu?ngNinhnorthernprovincewherethreeworkersdiedandafourthwasinjuredinanaccident.—VNA/VNSPhotoBùiV?nLanhHàN?I—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhonTuesdayrequestedstronger,quickerandtougherinspectionsintheminingindustrytodetectandhandleviolationsrelatedtolaboursafety.Heaskedforthereviewfollowingafatalminecollapseat3pmonMondayattheVinacomin–QuangHanhCoalCompanyinC?mPh?City,thenorthernprovinceofQu?ngNinh.Theaccidentkilledthreeworkersandinjuredone.ThePMaskedtheQu?ngNinhPeoplesCommitteetourgentlyorganiseavisittosupportthevictimsfamiliesandcarryouteverynecessarymeasuretoensuretheyarecaredfor,addingthatalleffortsshouldalsobemadetotreattheinjuredworker.PMChínhdemandedtoknowwhatcausedtheaccident,whatconsequencestherewereforthemine,howproductioncouldbestabilisedandhowaninvestigationneededtobestartedintowhowasresponsible;whilestrictlydealingwithviolations(ifany)accordingtolegalregulations.HealsoaskedtheMinistryofIndustryandTradetoworkwiththeMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsandtheCommissionfortheManagementofStateCapitalatEnterprisestocarefullyreviewregulations,standards,miningprocesses,pitoperationsandlaboursafety,tolookatanyshortcomingsandlimitations.TheChairmanoftheVi?tNamNationalCoal–MineralIndustriesHoldingCorporationLimited(Vinacomin)shouldurgentlylookattheconsequencesoftheincident,hesaid,andpromptlyprovidematerialandspiritualsupporttothevictimsfamilies.Vinacominneededtoreviewallitsprocessesandallstagesofminingonsiteandhaveimmediatesolutionsaccordingtoassignedfunctionsandtasks.SolutionsRecentlabouraccidentshaveshownproblemsinensuringsafetyforworkers,fromapplyingtechnologytodisciplineatwork.OnApril3,amethanegasfireinamineinQu?ngNinhProvincekilledfourworkers.Sixdayslater,anexplosionatthePhúLamIndustrialComplexinB?cNinhProvincekilledonepersonandinjuredtwoothers.Nguy?nAnhTh?,directoroftheVi?tNamNationalInstituteofOccupationalSafetyandHealth,saidthatthespecificcharacteristicsofthecoalandmineralindustry,includingundergroundworking,meantthatalargenumberofworkerswereengagedinheavy,toxicanddangerousjobs.Toensuresafetyinundergroundmining,theindustryhasstrictregulationsforemployeeswhileworking.However,compliancewithsafetyproceduresandregulationsinsomeunitsisstillnotprioritised.Inrecentyears,thecoalindustryhasinvestedheavilyinlaboursafetyandthishasledtoasignificantdecreaseinaccidents.In2017,theVinacominhaditslowestnumberoflabouraccidentsandonly16deaths.Butrecently,thenumberofseriousoccupationalaccidentswithdeathsandinjurieshasbeguntoincrease.Th?believesthattheoccupationalsafetyandhygienemanagementsystemintheminingindustryingeneralandatVinacomininparticular,neededachangeinthinkingandadministration.Enterprisesshouldapplyadvancedandmodernmanagementsystems,suitedtothenewconditionsofthemines,aswellastherequirementsofthePartyspolicies,theStateslawsandthecommunity.Amongthem,themostimportantthingwastochangethemindsetofinvestinginoccupationalsafetyandhygiene,saidTh?.Ensuringsafetyforworkersisthemosteffectiveandsustainableinvestmentfordevelopment.Atthesametime,hesaid,theminesneededtolowerrisksbyraisingawarenessofworkersatmineralmines.Inthecontextofincreasinglydepletedcoalresources,thecoalindustryisinvestingingoingdeepertominecoal.Ifitdoesnottrulypayattentiontosafetyandriskassessments,accidentsinundergroundmineswillstilloccur.Expertsbelievethatthecoalindustryneedstoimplementacomprehensivesolution,fromplanningtohumanresourcetraining.—VNSNguy?nTh?Ch?c(first,left)talkstoreportersabouthercase.—VNA/VNSPhotoQU?NGNG?I—About100residentsofNgh?aAnCommune,Qu?ngNg?iCitythecentralprovinceofQu?ngNg?i,areseekingassistancefromauthoritiesafterbeingscammedoutofVN?4.5billion(US$176,140)whenregisteringtoworkabroad.Nguy?nTh?Ch?c,41,residinginPh?Tr??ngHamlet,Ngh?aAnCommune,saidthatbetweenMarchandJune2023,sheandherhusbandborrowedVN?100million($3,921)fromtheirrelativestogivetoalocalwomannamedT.T.T.,residinginthesamecommune,sothatthewomanwouldhelpthemgotoSouthKoreaforwork.Ch?csaidviaFacebook,sheknewthatT.T.G,afellowvillagerworkinginSouthKorea,wasrecruitingindividualsinterestedinworkinginSouthKoreaforaperiodofsixmonths.Afterexchangingmessages,G.toldCh?cthattherewouldbeafeeofVN?50million($1,959)foralabourcontract.Ch?cwouldreceiveamonthlysalaryequaltoVN?25million($980)whensheworkedinSouthKorea.IfCh?cagreed,shehadtopayinadvanceofVN?35million($1,372)forG.syoungersisternamedT.T.T.forvisaprocessing.Oncethepaperworkwascompleted,Ch?chadtopaytheremainingamountofVN?15million($588).G.alsotoldCh?cthatCh?cwasscheduledtogotoSouthKoreainMayorJune2023.Ch?cagreed,andsheborrowedVN?70million($2,742)togivetoT.alongwiththenecessarydocumentsforvisaprocessingforCh?candherhusband,buttheyhadtowaitalongtimewithnoupdates.ThenCh?cbecameworriedandcontinuouslycalledT.Afternumerouspromises,inJune2023,T.providedCh?cwithaforeign-languagedocumenttofillinandurgedhertopaythefullamountofmoney.Ch?ccontinuedtogiveanadditionalVN?30million($1,176)toT.,however,shewastoldtowaitstillwithoutknowingtheexacttimeshewouldgoabroad.Similarly,?inhV?nChu,35,andLêTh?BéS??ng,33,fromTanTh?nhHamlet,Ngh?aAnCommune,alsogaveVN?55million($2,156)toT.andwereleftwaitingwithoutanypreciseinformationonwhentheywoulddepart.AfterfallingintothetrapofG.andT.,theresidentsofthecommunecollectivelysubmittedapetitiontothelocalauthorities,hopingthattheauthoritieswouldintervenesothattheycouldgettheirmoneyback.Ph?mTh?C?ng,ChairwomanofNgh?aAnCommunePeoplesCommittee,saidattheendofAugust2023,saidtheyreceivedapetitionfromagroupofresidentsaccusingT.ofdeceivingthemintogivingmoneytogotoworkinSouthKorea,andtheyalreadydirectedthelocalpolicetoinvestigatethecase.However,duetothelargenumberofvictimsandthesubstantialamountofmoneyinvolved,thecasewastransferredtotheprovincialpolice,shesaid.Everyyear,thelocalauthoritieswidelytoresidentsaboutthelocalpolicyofsendinglabourerstoworkabroad,warningthemtostayonguardandavoidscams.However,manystillplacetheirtrustonacquaintancesandrelativesandunfortunatelyendedupdefrauded,shesaid.—VNS

HàN?I—Vi?tNamisontracktoturnoff2Gmobilesignalsanddevelopthe5Gnetwork,saidNguy?nPhongNh?,DeputyDirectoroftheVi?tNamTelecommunicationsAuthorityundertheMinistryofInformationandCommunications.SpeakingattheministrysregularpressbriefingonMay13,Nh?saidthattheministryofficiallylicencedthedeploymentof5GserviceonApril11,2024.Twotelecommunicationserviceproviders--ViettelandVNPT--havegotbusinesslicencesandpermissionstousethe5Gband.Toofficiallyprovidetheservicenationwide,theserviceprovidersmustinvestin5Gtelecommunicationsnetworkinfrastructure.Theyhaverecentlytested5Gonalargescaleinprovincesandcitiesacrossthecountry.Theyarecarryingoutbiddingproceduresandinvestinginequipmenttodeploycommercial5Gservice,Nhasaid.Henotedthatthetwoserviceproviderscommittedtodeployingatelecommunicationsnetworkandprovidingtheservicenolaterthanoneyearafterreceivingthelicencesandinvestingin3,000stationsintwoyearsafterbeinglicenced.Asplanned,the5Gservicewillbelaunchedfirstinurbanareasofdistrictsinprovincesandcities,thenexpandedtotheremainingareas.Inaddition,the5Gservicewilltargetindustrialparksandsmartfactoriesdependingonthemarketdemandfor5Gsspecialfeaturessuchaslowlatencyandhighdensity.Meanwhile,actionshavebeentakentospeeduptheturningoffof2Gservice,Nh?said.Ministries,agenciesandtelecommunicationserviceprovidershavebeensteppingupcommunicationstocallon2Gsubscriberstoswitchtousingmobilephoneswithhighertechnology.Localitiesaresuggestedtomobilisesocialresourcesandlocalbudgetstosupportpeopletoaccesssmartphones,especiallythosefrompoorandnear-poorhouseholds.Accordingtoreportsoftelecommunicationserviceproviders,thenumberof2Gsubscriberscanbereducedto0orabout5percentofthetotalnumberofmobilesubscribersonthemarketbySeptemberthisyear,Nh?said.AsofSeptember2023,Vi?tNamhad15million2Gsubscribers.InMarchthisyear,thetelecommunicationsauthorityaskednetworkoperatorstostopsubscriptionsofnew2G?onlyphones.—VNSThepressconferenceoftheMinistryofInformationandCommunicationsonMonday.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Seeingartificialintelligence(AI)asakeytechnologyofthefourthIndustrialRevolutionandsemiconductorasaspearheadindustryofthenationinthenext30-50years,theMinistryofInformationandCommunications(MIC)hasbolsteredcooperationwithpowerstodevelopthesedomains,anofficialhassaid.AtaregularpressconferenceoftheministryonMay13,DeputyDirectoroftheMICsAuthorityofICTIndustryandCommunicationsLêNamTrungsaidthattheministryalwaysaccompaniesandstandsreadytobackenterprisesinthefields,ensuringthattheyhaveasoundenvironmenttobranchouttheirbusiness.Theministrywilljoinhandswithcompetentorganisationsandenterprisestotrainhigh-qualityhumanresources,workwiththeUS-basedNvidiaCorporation,aworldleaderinAIcomputing,tobuildanAIestablishmentcalledCentreforExcellence,whileorganisinginternationalconferencestoacquireexperiencesfromleadingspecialists,hestressed.TrungwentontosaythatVi?tNamispenningastrategytodevelopthesemiconductorindustryuntil2030withavisionto2045,envisioningtobecomeacentreforthesemiconductorchipindustryby2030withoperationindesign,packagingandtesting.TheMICwasassignedtobuildmechanismsandsupportingincentivestodevelopsemiconductorhumanresources,hesaid,addingitwillcoordinatewiththeMinistryofPlanningandInvestmenttocarryoutaprojectonsemiconductorhumanresourcesdevelopmentby2030withavisionto2045,ensuringthatitisinaccordancewiththestrategystargets.Thetwoministrieswillstudyandrecommendmeasurestoencouragetechnologyfirmsengagementinhumanresourcestraining,RDactivitiesandtechnologytransfer,hestressed.Regardingthesemiconductorindustrydevelopmentstrategybeingbuiltandimplementedin2024bytheMIC,TrungsaidtheministrychartedavisionthatVi?tNam,withadevelopedsemiconductorindustryby2045,willbeakeylinkintheglobalsupplychain.Theindustrywillboastharmonisedinfrastructureintermsofhumanresources,technologies,RD,amongothers,makingcontributionstothesustainabledevelopmentofthedigitalindustrythatcreatesafoundationforthecountrysdigitaltransformationaswellasthebuildingofdigitaleconomyanddigitalgovernment,headded.—VNS