TheCityInternationalHospitalonJune27donated84dosesofGardasilvaccineagainstHPVtowomenindifficultcircumstancesinHCMCitysBìnhTanDistrict.—PhotoCourtesyofCIHHCMCITY—HCMCitysCityInternationalHospital(CIH)hasdonated84dosesofGardasilvaccine,whichcombatshumanpapillomavirus(HPV)andcervicalcancer,towomenindifficultcircumstancesinBìnhTanDistrict.TheUS-madeGardasilvaccineisconsideredsafeandcanbehighlyeffectiveinprotectingwomenfromcervicalcancerandotherHPV-relatedinfections.ThehospitalprovidedfreevaccinationsforwomenatthehospitalsvaccinationcentreonJune27and28withthefirstshots.Womenwillgetsecondshotstwomonthsafterthefirstshot,andthirdshotsfourmonthsafterthesecondshots,orasdirectedbydoctorsafterscreening.Nguy?nTh?Thu,oneofthewomenvaccinatedtopreventcervicalcanceronJune27,saidwhenshearrivedatCIHhospital,shereceivedpre-vaccinationscreeningandconsultationbythedoctors.IheardalotaboutcervicalcancerbutIstilldontfullyunderstandthedangersofthedisease,shesaid.Shethankedthehospitalsdoctorsandwillgetvaccinatedfollowingthescheduletoboosttheeffectivenessoftheprevention.Nguy?nPh??c??ng,deputyexecutivedirectorofCIH,saidcervicalcanceristhethirdmostcommoncancercausingdeathforwomen.GettingvaccinatedagainstHPVisconsideredthemosteffectivepreventivemeasureforwomentoreducetheriskofthisdangerousdisease.Bydonatingthevaccine,thehospitalhopestojoinhandswithlocalauthoritiesincontrollingandpreventingcervicalcancer,hesaid.Inpastyears,thehospitaltogetherwithlocalauthoritieshaveorganisedmanyactivitiessuchasvisitingandpresentinggiftstopolicybeneficiaryfamiliesandpeoplewithmeritoriousservicestotherevolution,andprovidingfreehealthchecksandmedicine.Inthecomingtime,itwillcontinuecollaborationwithlocallauthoritiestoimplementprogrammestobettertakecareofpeopleshealth.Cervicalcancercanbecuredifdiagnosedatanearlystageandtreatedpromptly.Eachyear,Vi?tNamrecordsmorethan4,000newcasesofcervicalcancerandabout2,000deathsduetothisdisease.Thecostofcervicalcancertreatmentisexpensive,andthisdiseasealsohasahugeimpactonwomensmentalhealthissuesandhappiness.—VNS

ThesyntheticdrugswereseizedbytheQu?ngBìnhprovincialpoliceonMarch27,2024.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheGovernmenthasissuedadecreeamendingandsupplementingthelistofnarcotics,adding15newsubstanceswhicharebanned.UnderDecree90/2024/N?-CP,14narcoticsubstanceshavebeenaddedtoListII.Thesesubstancescanonlybeusedunderstrictregulationsforanalysis,testing,scientificresearch,criminalinvestigationorinmedicalfieldsasauthorisedbycompetentagencies.Thesubstancesandtheirpossiblesaltsinclude3-Chloromethcathinone(3-CMC);2-Methyl-AP-237;3-Methylmethcathinone(3-MMC);ADB-4en-PINACA;ADB-FUBIATA;ADB-INACA;Alpha-PiHP;Butonitazene;Etazene;Etonitazepyne;MDMB-BUTINACA;MDMB-INACA;N,N-Dimethylpentylone;Protonitazene.ThedecreealsoaddsBromazolamtoListIII,whichincludesnarcoticsubstancestobeusedforanalysis,testing,scientificresearch,criminalinvestigationorinthefieldsofmedicineandveterinarymedicineasauthorisedbycompetentagencies.ThisdecreetookeffectonJuly17,2024.—VNSApoliceofficerreadstheindictmentandapplieshomearresttoanaccused.—Photonld.com.vnHàN?I—TheMinistryofPublicSecurityhasproposedusingelectronictagstomonitorindividualsunderhousearresttopreventtheirdisappearanceorreoffending.UndertheCriminalProcedureCode,housearrestisameasureappliedtoanaccusedtoensuretheirpresencewhensummonedbyaninvestigatingagency,thePeoplesProcuracy,orthecourt.Individualsunderhousearrestmusthandinawrittenpledgetofulfiltheirprescribedobligations,includingsubmittingtothesupervisionofthelocalcommune-levelgovernmentormilitaryunit.TheMinistryaffirmsthatthecurrentpracticeofmonitoringindividualsunderhousearrestfacessignificantchallengesduetotheabsenceofelectronicdevices.Authoritiesoftenstruggletotrackthewhereaboutsandactivitiesoftheseindividuals,leadingtosomeinstanceswhenpeoplehaveescapedandwantednoticeshavehadtobepostedbylawenforcementagencies.Toaddresstheseshortcomings,theMinistryproposestheimplementationofelectronicmonitoringdevices,especiallyelectronicbraceletsoranklets,forindividualsunderhomearrest.Thesedevicesprovidereal-timelocationtrackingandidentificationcapabilities,enablingremotemonitoring.Theyalsohavetamper-proofmechanismstopreventunauthorisedremovalortampering.TheMinistryhascitedsuccessfulexamplesfromcountrieslikeJapanandThailand,whereelectronicmonitoringhasproventobeaneffectiveandcost-efficientalternativetotraditionalmethods.Iftheproposalisapproved,itscostswillbecoveredbytheStatebudget,includingtheexpensesforprocuringandmaintainingthedevicesandrunninganelectronicmonitoringmanagementcentre.—VNS

Qu?ngYênTownsofficialsduringthesearchforthevictimsbodyonThursday.VNA/VNSPhotoQU?NGNINHThebodyofthemissingvictiminthecrashbetweentwovesselsatQu?XoàiLagoonareahasbeenfound,accordingtoTr?n??cTh?ng,ChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofQu?ngYênTownonFriday.ThedeceasedLêV?nC??ng(alsoknownasLêV?nC?ng),whowasbornin1983andwholivedin??ng2Hamlet,LiênV?Commune,Qu?ngYênTown,wasdiscoveredaround5am,closetothesiteofthecollision.Ataround8.30amonWednesday,LêV?nC??ngandeightotherswenttocutoystersinthe?ènBaL?ngwatersofLiênHòaCommune.Atapproximately12.30amonThursday,theirboatcollidedwithanothershipcarryingsoil,causingbothC??ngandanotherman,LêV?nC??ng,tofallintothesea.C??ngmanagedtoswimandclingtotheothership,butC??ng,whocouldnotswim,wentmissing.Thepeopleontheshipimmediatelyorganisedasearchbutcouldnotfindhim.Assoonastheincidentreportwasreleased,Qu?ngYênTownmobilisedforcesandequipmenttosearchforthevictim.Th?ngwaspresentanddirectlyinvolvedinthesearchandrescueoperations,directingforcesandurginglocalresidentstocomeandhelp.HealsocoordinatedwithTh?yNguyênandCátH?idistricts(H?iPhòng)toassistinlookingforthemissingperson.However,searcheffortswerehamperedbyfluctuatingtidallevelsandafteradayandanightofcombingtheseas,atdawnonFriday,theauthoritiesfoundC??ngsbodynearthecollisionsite.ThevictimsbodyhasbeenhandedovertothefamilyforfuneralarrangementsandQu?ngYênTownwillimplementsupportpoliciesasperStateregulations.VNSTheentireareaofonehectare-sizedfishpondinBùiV?nDoanhin?oànK?tVillageof??iS?nCommuneinYênBáiProvince??iS?nCommunewasburiedbysoilandrocksfromtheconstructionofroadNo.175.VNA/VNSPhotoYêNBáI–DozensofhouseholdsinAnTh?nh,??iS?nandM?VàngcommunesinYênBáiProvincearebeingsignificantlyimpactedbylandslidesanddebrisduringtheconstructionofroadprojectconnectingNgh?aL?townwiththeN?iBài-LàoCaiExpressway.Thelocalresidentssaythattheirgardens,ponds,andricefieldsarebeingburied,althoughtheyliveoutsidetheprojectsclearanceboundary.In?oànK?tVillageof??iS?nCommune,whereconstructionisbeingcarriedoutbyaconsortiumofH?iPhongConstructionandTransportationJointStockCompanyandHoàngKimConstructionandTradingJointStockCompany,thereareseveralpointsofsidings,withtheriskoflandslides.Ontheroad,manypositionsunderconstructionhavedeepgroovescausedbyerosiononbothsidesduetoincompletedrainagesystems.AlongtheprovincialroadNo.175,thereareseveralhighmoundsofdirtpiledupandsomeareasofponds,gardensandricefieldshavebeenburiedduetoblockeddrainageditches.TheroadleadingtoonehamletoftheethnicM?ngpeople,hasbrokentarmacduetoconstructionandexcavationsthatarecausingseriousproblemsforresidentswhoneedtocommute.ThefamilyofBùiV?nDoanhin?oànK?tVillagehashadtheirfishpondburiedwithdebrisfromtheconstructionofprovincialroadNo.175sinceMarch2024.However,localauthoritiesandinvestorshavenotyetinventoriedorproposedanysupportplans.Everytimeitrainsheavily,mudflowsintomypond,Doanhsaid.H?iPhongCompanyhasdumpeddirtontheroad.Idontknowifitwasalandfillornot.Ifitwasnotalandfillandtheydumpeditontheroadthatflowedintomypond,Irequestthecompanyandthecommuneauthoritiestoresolveandcompensateus.EvenifIexcavatethemud,itwillcontinuetoflowin,makingitimpossibletoraisefish,saidDoanhangrily.Similarly,LêThanhQuyshouseinthevillagehasalargeareaofcinnamon-growinghillthathasbeenerodedduetoconstructionbythecontractor,buttheissuehasnotbeenresolved.Thehillareaisalsoatriskoffurtherlandslides.Accordingtoofficialdocumentsprovidedbyauthorities,theprovincialroadNo.175projectconnectingNgh?aL?TownwiththeN?iBài-LàoCaiExpresswayispartoftheNorthernMountainousTransportConnectionProjectwithatotallengthof53km.ThestartingpointistheintersectionoftheN?iBài-LàoCaiExpresswayinV?nYênDistrictofYênBáiProvince,andtheendpointistheintersectionwithNationalHighway32inLiênS?nTown,V?nCh?nDistrict,YênBáiProvince.Theprojectisdividedintothreemainpackages,CW-09,CW-10,andCW-11,withatotalinvestmentofnearlyVN?1.3trillion(US$51million)whichstartedJune23,2022.TheprogressofCW-09andCW-10packageshasbeenhamperedduetosomelocalproblemsandlandclearanceissues.InV?nYênDistrict,roadNo.175passesthroughAnTh?nh,??iS?n,andM?Vàngcommunes,withatotallengthofnearly40km.Accordingtolocalauthorities,38householdsoutsidetheclearanceboundaryareaffectedbytheconstructionofthisroad,including11householdsinAnTh?nhCommune,20inM?VàngCommuneandsevenin??iS?nCommuneaffectedbylandslides.LêHoàn,chairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeof??iS?nCommune,saidthattheroadconstructioninV?nYênDistrictthrough??iS?nCommuneis80-90percentcomplete.Landclearancein??iS?nCommuneisnolongeranissue.However,deepsubsidenceandlandslidesduringconstructionhavecausedproblemsforsevenhouseholds.ThecommunehassentateamtoinspecttheconstructionsiteandreporttothedistrictsLandClearanceCouncil,theMinistryofTransport,theinvestorsandthetwocontractorsofHoàngKimandH?iPhongcompaniestocoordinateinresolvingissuesoutsidetheclearanceboundaryfortheaffectedhouseholds,saidHoàn.Thedistrictisplanningtoholdameetingwiththeinvestorandthecontractorstoresolvethelandclearanceissuesinthethreecommunesinlinewithrealityandlegalregulations,LêHoànsaid.Meanwhile,L?uTrungKiên,viceChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofV?nYênDistrict,statedthatonJuly22,thedistrictsPeoplesCommitteehadworkedwiththecommunes,investorsandcontractorstodefinetheresponsibilitiesofrelatedpartiesanddiscusssolutionstoovercomethesituation.TheroadconnectingNgh?aL?TownwiththeN?iBài-LàoCaiExpresswaywillmeetthetravelneedsoflocalresidents,openingupnewopportunitiesforethnicminorityandmountainousareas,promotingeconomicdevelopment,ensuringsocialwelfare,andsustainablyreducingpoverty,hesaid.VNSBoatracingontheHànRiverin?àN?ngCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoTr?nLêLam?àN?NG—?àN?ngCityhasplansforanumberofbiginfrastructureprojectsincludingmovingtherailwaystation,buildingbridgeacrosstheHànRiverandbuildingtunnelsthroughtheairport,saidthemunicipalpeoplescommittee.Theprojecttorelocatethe?àN?ngRailwayStationandrelatedworksoutofthecitycentreisconsideredoneoftheimportantprojectsforinfrastructure,socio-economicandsecuritydevelopmentofthecity.However,currentlyinvestmentresourcesfortherailwayindustryarestilllimited,alongwiththeGovernmentsprioritytofocusontheexpresswaynetwork,leadingtoprolongedtimetorelocatetherailwaystationtoanewplace.AccordingtotheReportNo223/BC-UBND,issuedintheendoflastmonththe?àN?ngPeoplesCommitteehasaleadyselectedaconsultingunit,researchedandcompiledaplantorelocatetherailway.ThemunicipalPartyCommitteeapprovedtheplan,inwhichallauxiliaryworksandrailwayagenciesofthestationwillmovetoKimLiênStation,thepassengerspartwillmovetoTrungNgh?aLakearea.Currently,thecityisaskingforopinionsfromtheMinistryofTransportandrelevantagencies.ItisexpectedthatbyOctoberthisyear,thedetailedplanningwillbecompletedandbyOctobernextyear,thefeasibilitystudyreportwillbecompleted.AnothermajorpieceofengineeringworkisthebridgeacrosstheHànRiverconnectingthe??ng?a-Tr?nPhúStreetinH?iChauDistricttotheVan??n-Tr?nH?ng??oStreetinS?nTràDistrict),alsoknownastheHànRivertunnel.Itisunderthecitysplanningfortheperiodof2021-30,visionto2050,whichwasapprovedbythePrimeMinister.The?àN?ngDepartmentofTransporthasworkedwithunitstoevaluateandapproveinvestmentpreparation.Itisexpectedtocompletetheprojectspre-feasibilitystudyreportandsubmittocompetentauthoritiesforappraisalintheendofthisyear.Forthe?àN?ngAirportTunnelproject,the?àN?ngPeoplesCommitteeproposedtoallocatecapitalthisyeartocarryoutinvestmentpreparationworkasabasisforimplementation.Inaddition,theHòaLiên-TúyLoanExpresswayprojecthasatotallengthof11.5kmandinvestmentofmorethanVN?2.1billion(US$82.4million).Ofwhich,siteclearancecompensationismorethanVN?951billion($37.3million).Resettlementlandwillbefullycompletednextyear.—VNS

ThesecondASEANConsortiumforInnovationandResearch(ACIR)plusforumin?àN?ngcityonJuly18.VNA/VNSPhoto?àN?NG–ThesecondASEANConsortiumforInnovationandResearch(ACIR)plusforumwasheldinthecentralcityof?àN?ngonJuly18,aimingtopromotethequalityoftraining,innovation,andscientificresearch.TheACIR+2024,heldbytheVi?tNam-KoreaUniversityofInformationandCommunicationTechnology(VKU)undertheUniversityofDaNang,gatheredsomeoftheworldsleadingscientistsininformationtechnology,communications,anddigitaleconomyfrommajoruniversitiesoftheUK,Poland,theRepublicofKorea,Ireland,France,Germany,andSoutheastAsiancountries.Attheforum,representativesofsevenACIRmemberunitstalkedaboutideasofjointlyholdingin-depthconferencesandworkshopsontrainingareas.ParticipantsalsolistenedtoVi?tNamandothercountriesleadingprofessorssharinginnovationandscientificresearch-relatedexperiences.Inhisopeningspeech,VKURectorAssoc.Prof.DrHu?nhC?ngPhápsaidthatwiththeparticipationoftopexpertsfrommanycountriesandsupportfrominternationalorganisations,theACIR+2024wasameaningfulforumforsharingknowledge,experience,andnewinitiatives.ItaffirmstheVKUspioneeringroleinfosteringinnovationandimprovingthetrainingquality,whilealsodemonstratingthesolidarityandcooperationoftheregionalandinternationalacademiccommunity.AcademicandscientificresearchcooperationactivitiesamongACIRmembersandinternationalpartnersarealsogeneratingpositiveresults,openingupmanysustainabledevelopmentopportunitiesforuniversitiesandtheirstudentsandalsocontributingtothedevelopmentofeducationandscientificresearchinSoutheastAsiaandtheworld,Phapadded.TheACIRwasinitiatedbytheVKUin2023withsupportfromtheKoreaInternationalCooperationAgency(KOICA)andforeignscientists.Itlookstoenhancecooperationtoimprovethequalityoftraining,innovation,andscientificresearchintheregion,andattractnewideas.VNSBorderguardsraiseawarenessabouthumantraffickingamonglocalsintheborderdistrictofK?S?n,Ngh?AnProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nV?nTyHàN?I—Thepolicedismantled35humantraffickingnetworksinthefirstsixmonthsof2024,arresting78suspectsandrescuing103victims,accordingto?inhV?nTrình,DeputyDirectoroftheDepartmentNumber05undertheMinistryofPublicSecurity.TrìnhwasspeakingatapressconferenceonhumanrightsonThursday.Hesaidhumantraffickinghadtakenacomplexturn,astraffickersincreasinglyleveragesocialmediaplatformstotrapunsuspectingindividuals.AcommontacticisusingFacebooktobefriendvictimsandpromisethemeasyjobswithhighpayincountrieslikeChinaorCambodia.Oncethevictimsareluredacrossborders,theyareforcedintoillegallabourorheldforransom.AnothertacticinvolvescreatingsecretZalogroupsdedicatedtoadoption,totargetpregnantwomenwhoeitherlackthemeansorthedesiretoraisetheirchildren.Thetraffickersthenacquirethechildrenthroughadoptionorpurchaseandresellthemtoothersundertheguiseoflegaladoption.Theyfalsifydocumentstolegitimisethechildsoriginsandprofitfromthetransaction.TherehavebeenreportsofVietnamese-lednetworksspecialisingintraffickingforeignersthroughVi?tNamtothirdcountries,saidTrình.HealsosaidhumantraffickinginVi?tNamwasmostprevalentinthenorthernprovincesborderingChina,howeverrecentborderfenceconstructionhaspromptedasouthwardshiftintraffickingactivities.Tocombattheevolvingthreat,thepolicehaveimplementedarangeofmeasurestostrengthenitsanti-traffickingefforts,includingexpeditingthefinalisationandpassageoftherevisedAnti-TraffickingLawandsteppingupcommunicationinitiatives.L?H?ngLinh,arepresentativeoftheVietnamWomanUnion(VWU)sCentralCommittee,sharedthatVWUunitsacrossthecountryhavecalledoutagainst1,364casesofsexualassaults,domesticviolenceandhumantraffickinginthefirsthalfof2024.Theyhaveprovidedcomprehensivesupporttothevictims,includingpsychologicalcounseling,legalaidandsponsorship.InHàN?iCity,17victimshavereceivedassistance,while28and11victimshavebeensupportedinYênBáiandThanhHóa(chǎn)Provinces,respectively.Additionally,fromJanuarytoMay,fiveOSSOofficesundertheVWUscollaborationwiththeInternationalOrganizationforMigration(IOM)haveassisted115migrantwomenreturninghome.Thesewomenhavereceivednearly700health,employmentandfamilyconsultations.LinhalsosaidtheVWUunitshadprioritisedcommunicationinitiativesalongsidetheirdirectsupportservicesforvictims.Duringthesixmonths,theyorganised20awarenesseventsacrossfourprovinces,reachingasignificantaudience.Theprimarymessagesconveyedthroughthesecampaignscentrearoundunderstandingthemodusoperandiofhumantraffickersandequippingindividualswithskillstorecogniseandrespondtotraffickingattempts,saidLinh.LinhsaidthatVWUisdeterminedtomaintainitsmomentuminthecomingsixmonths.Plansincludecontinuedassistancetovictims,alongsidearobustpublicawarenesscampaign.AnotableeventinthisregardistheupcomingAnti-TraffickingForuminTayNinhProvinceattheendofJuly.HoàngNg?cThanh,arepresentativeoftheVietnamBorderGuardCommand(BGC),revealedthatborderforcessuccessfullyhandled208humantraffickingcasesinsixmonths,apprehending118traffickersandprovidingassistanceto375victimsandsuspectedvictims.Recognisingtheimportanceofpublicawareness,BGChasprioritisedcommunicationefforts,conductingmorethan56,000anti-humantraffickingtalks,reachinganearly1.6millionindividuals.Communicationeffortsatbordergateshaveresultedin926workersvoluntarilyabandoningtheirplanstoleavethecountryafterrecognisingthepotentialdangersofbecominghumantraffickingvictims,saidThanh.Lookingahead,BGCremainssteadfastinitscommitmenttoeradicatinghumantrafficking.Plannedmeasuresincludeintensifiedborderpatrols,collaborationwithinternationalorganisationstoconductcapacity-buildingtrainingsessionsforborderguardsandstrengthenedcooperationwithlawenforcementagenciesinneighboringcountries.—VNS

PhanRangMarketinPhanRang–ThápChàmCityisoneofNinhThu?nProvincesfood-safetymarkets.–VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nThànhNINHTHU?N–NinhThu?nProvinceismobilisingresourcestodevelopthemodeloffood-safetymarketsasitisconsideredaneffectivesolutiontoimprovemarketmanagement,ensurefoodsafetyandprotectconsumersrights.Thesouth-centralprovincehasimplementedthemodelsince2017andhasbuiltsevenfood-safetymarkets.TheyareThu?nB?cDistrictCentreMarket,CàNáinThu?nNamDistrict,TanS?nandNh?nS?ninNinhS?nDistrict,PhanRanginPhanRang-ThápChàmCity,AnH?iinNinhPh??cDistrictandThanhH?iinNinhH?iDistrict.ThanhH?i,forinstance,isathird-classmarket,hasanareaof4,000sq.mandwasbuiltatacostofVN?11.6billion(US$450,000)bythePhúTh?nhRealEstateInvestmentCompanyLimited.Itwasputintooperationin2018andmeetsthenationalcriteriaforfoodmarkets.Ithas134boothsthatsellmeat,seafood,vegetables,fruits,andfoodinseparatedareas.Theoriginofitsfoodsistraceable.Nguy?nTh?L??m,aregularconsumeratThanhH?iMarket,saidsheandherdaughter-in-lawoftenbuyfoodtherebecauseitisfreshanddelicious.Vegetablesandfruitsarediverse,poultryandporkarequarantinedbycompetentagencies,ensuringfoodsafety.Smalltradersareveryenthusiasticandsellfoodatreasonableprices,shesaid.AccordingtotheprovincesDepartmentofIndustryandTrade,thereisonetradecentre,fivesupermarkets,and103wetmarketsinurbanandruralareas.Tr?nQu?cSanh,itsdeputydirector,saidwetmarketsarestillthemaindistributionchannelthatsuppliesmeat,fish,vegetablesandfruitsforpeople.Theprovincesrelevantdepartmentsandagencieshavetakenseveralmeasurestoensurefoodsafetyandhygieneatmarkets,hesaid.However,manymarketshavebeendegradedanddonotmeetthenationalcriteriaforfoodmarkets,sothedevelopmentoffood-safetymarketsisnecessaryandurgent,hesaid.Currently,theprovincesbudgetforbuildingfood-safetymarketsislimited,andmobilisingprivateinvestmenttobuildamarketisdifficultbecauseitrequireslargeamountsofcapitalandtakesalongtimetorecoverinvestmentcosts.Theprovincesbudgetforbuildingfood-safetymarketsisonlyenoughtobuildonesuchmarketperyear.Thisyear,theprovinceselectedC?ngThànhMarketinPhanRang–ThápChàmCitysThànhH?iCommunetodevelopintoafood-safetymarket.TheprovincehaspetitionedthecentralGovernmenttograntfinancialsupportfromnationaltargetprogrammesforittobuildmarketswhichmeetthenationalcriteriaforfoodmarkets.–VNS

PoliceinHàN?icheckingalcohollevelwithacardriveronthenightofJune12th.—VNA/VNSPhotosHàN?I—Despiteeffortsbytrafficpolice,thenumberoftrafficviolationsremainshigh,particularlythoseinvolvingdrivingundertheinfluenceofalcohol.Fromthebeginningoftheyear,thetrafficpoliceforcehasimplementedmanymeasurestoensuretrafficorderandsafety,addressingkeybehavioursthatleadtotrafficaccidentssuchasdrinkdriving,speeding,overloadingandcarryingmorepassengersthanallowed.Inthesecondquarterofthisyear,thenumberoftrafficaccidentfatalitiesdecreasedbymorethansevenpercentandtrafficcongestiondecreasedbyover70percentcomparedtothesameperiodin2023.Inthefirstsixmonthsoftheyear,trafficaccidentfatalitiesdecreasedbynearly11percentandtrafficcongestiondecreasedbynearly66percentcomparedtothesameperiodin2023.MajorGeneralNguy?nV?nTrung,DirectoroftheTrafficPoliceDepartment,toldVi?tNamNewsAgencythatthetrafficorderandsafetysituationremainscomplex,withtrafficaccidentsinthesecondquarterincreasingbyover11percentandtrafficinjuriesincreasingbyover22percent,comparedtothesameperiodin2023.ThreeparticularlyserioustrafficaccidentsinHàT?nh,NinhBìnhand??kL?kprovincesresultedinsixteendeaths,mainlyduetodrivernegligence.Accidentsmostlyoccuronnationalhighwaysandatnightandearlymorning.Alltrafficaccidentperpetratorsweremen,mostlyaged28-55,withmotorcyclesinvolvedinover50percentoftheaccidents.Trungsaidthatinthesecondquarter,overonemilliontrafficviolationswerehandled,with275,130casesofalcoholviolations,accountingfor22,23percentoftotalviolations.Inthefirstsixmonthsofthisyear,outofover2.1millionroad,rail,andwaterwaytrafficviolations,therewereover501,000casesofdrinkdriving,accountingfor19,85percentofallviolations.InHCMCity,inthesecondquarterof2024alone,nearly40,900thousandcasesofalcoholanddrugviolationswerehandled,anincreaseof10.9percentcomparedtothesameperiod.TrafficpoliceinL?ngSonProvincehandlingdriversviolatingalcoholconcentrationlimits.HàN?isViceChairmanoftheCityPeoplesCommittee,D??ng??cTu?n,saidthatinthesecondquarterofthisyear,TaskForce141ofthecityspolicedetectedandhandled2,151casesofdrinkdriving.In??ngNaiProvince,theprovincialpolicedeployedover14,000patrolteamstohandletrafficorderandsafetyviolations,detecting123,300casesinthefirstsixmonths,withover16,700ofwhichrelatedtoalcoholviolations,markinganincreaseofover7,000casesfromthesameperiodlastyear.Ng?TanPh??ng,ViceChairmanofB?cNinhProvince,saidtheprovincedirectedthepolicetointensifypatrolsandhandletrafficviolations,focusingonkeybehavioursleadingtotrafficaccidents,suchasdrugandalcoholviolationsandspeeding.Inthefirstsixmonthsoftheyear,authoritiespenalisednearly28,500cases,withalmost12,000involvingalcoholviolations.Thisrepresentsa101percentincreasecomparedtothesameperiodin2023.InHàT?nhProvince,wherethetrafficaccidentsituationissevere,therewere233accidentsresultingin111deathsand160injuriesinthefirstsixmonthsoftheyear.Thesefiguresreveala40percentincreaseinaccidents,a13.3percentincreaseindeaths,anda67percentincreaseininjuriescomparedtothesameperiodin2023.TheprovincialTrafficSafetyDepartmentleadersaidthatover80percentofaccidentswereduetotheawarenessofroadusers,withalcoholviolationsaccountingfor14percent.Despitedeterminedenforcement,alcoholviolationsremainthehighestamongallviolations.Eachday,over5,000casesofalcoholandspeedingviolationsarehandled,MajorGeneralTrungsaid.Over20percentoftrafficaccidentsarerelatedtoalcoholuse.Thisisamatterwehavefocusedonaddressingresolutely,butthesituationhasnotimprovedsignificantly.ViceChairmanPh??ngofB?cNinhProvincestressedtheneedforacomprehensiveapproachtoreducetrafficaccidents,focusingparticularlyonbehaviourslikealcoholandspeedingviolations.Hehighlightedproactivelocalmeasurestoensuretrafficsafety,tailoredtoregionalneeds,includingthedevelopmentofaTrafficSafetyProvince.InHàN?i,ViceChairmanTu?nrecommendedintensifyinginspectionsandenforcementoftrafficregulations.HeproposedthattheMinistryofTransportadvocateforincreasedpenaltiesonspecificviolationsknowntocausecongestionandaccidents,suchasalcoholviolations,overloadingandspeeding.MajorGeneralTrungurgedlocalauthoritiestostrictlyadheretogovernmentdirectivesaimedatenhancingroadsafetyandorder.—VNSTensofthousandsofsoldiersintheVietnameseVolunteerArmysacrificedtheirlivesfightingtheKhmerRougeregimeinCambodia.Theirremainsstillliescatteredacrossthecountry.Twosearchandrecoveryteams,K70(underMilitaryRegion7)andK71(undertheMilitaryCommandofTayNinhProvince),havetirelesslycombedthroughformerbattlefields,hopingtobringtheremainsoftheseheroeshome.ThreeK70memberscarefullycollectbonefragmentsofafallensoldierfromanexcavationsite.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngAnhTu?nFocusingonfiveCambodianprovinces–BanteayMeanchey,OddarMeanchey,SiemReap,KampongCham,andTbongKhmum–oncethehotspotsofthewar,theteamsfacedgruellingconditions.Theyhadtotrekthroughdenseforests,fordrivers,andscalemountainsinthesearchforfallensoldiers.Theyalsoencountereddangersateveryturn,fromunexplodedbombsandlandminestothelingeringeffectsofchemicalwarfare.TheCambodianscorching2023-24dryseason,withtemperaturessoaringintothehigh30s-40sCelsius,addedtotheirhardshipduringtheteamsmissionofsearching,recoveringandrepatriatingremainsofVietnameseservicemenfalleninactionintheCambodianbattlefields(Phase2).However,withcrucialinformationprovidedbyCambodianlocalresidentstheteamshavefoundandrepatriated172setsofremainsofVietnamesewarmartyrsoverthepastfourmonths.TeamK71membersbringtheremainsoffallensoldierstoHill82MartyrsCemeteryinTanBiênDistrict,TayNinhProvince,forburial.—VNA/VNSPhotoGiangChauPh??ngTheconditionswereharsh,saidaTeamK71member.Theheat,theterrain,andtheemotionaltolloffindingremainsoffallensoldiersinsuchastatewereoverwhelming.ButIameternallygratefultothosewhosacrificedtheirlivesforourcause.Nguy?n??cThu?n,TeamK71leader,said:Thesearchandrecoveryofthewarmartyrsisasacredmission;itfeltlikereunitingwithlostfamily.BuildingrapportwithlocalCambodiansisagame-changerforthesearchteams.Byprovidingmedicalaidandhelpingwithcommunityprojects,teamsK70andK71haveearnedtheirtrustandcooperation,leadingtocountlessdiscoveries.AK71teammemberrecalledabreakthroughinasearchsessioninMemotDistrict,KampongChamProvincein2015(inthemissionPhase1).Afterdaysoffruitlessdiggingandfacingdwindlingwatersupplies,theteamsentmembersona10-kilometretrektofindawatersource.Theydiscoveredanelderlymaninjuredbyawildboarontheway.Aftertreatinghiswounds,theystruckupaconversation.Themanshowedhimthelocationofseveralhiddengraves.Guidedbyhim,theteamunearthedeightidentifiablesetsofremainswithinhours.Thisexperienceunderscorestheimportanceofhumanconnectioninidentifyingpotentialgraves.AccordingtoK71,roughly80percentoftheirsuccessfulrecoveriesareduetoinformationprovidedbylocalresidents.Theremainsofthe172soldiersfoundbyK70andK71werereturnedtoVi?tNamviatheXaMátInternationalBorderGateinTanBiênDistrict,TayNinhProvince,onJune28.TheywillbemovedtotheHill82MartyrsCemeteryinTanBiênandlieinstateuntiltheofficialburialceremonyonJuly27--the77thanniversaryofWarMartyrsDay.TheburialceremonyfortheremainsoffallensoldiersfoundinCambodiaattheHill82WarMartyrsCemeteryin2020.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?Ti?nL?cImmediatelyuponreturningtoVi?tNam,bothteamsbeganvehiclemaintenance,enhancingKhmerlanguageproficiency,andimprovingtheirsearchandrecoverycapabilitiestoprepareforthe2024-25campaign.AnotherdedicatedteamisK72,undertheMilitaryCommandofBìnhPh??cProvince.Forovertwodecades,theyvebeenoperatinginKratieandKampongThomprovinces,bringinghometheremainsofmorethan2,800Vietnamesesoldiers.Theteamhascoveredthousandsofkilometres,bravingdenseforests,fast-flowingrivers,andarduousdiggingconditions,withmalariaaconstantthreat.Theharshconditionsoftenleftthemdehydrated,sometimesforcingthemtoresorttodesperatemeasureslikeeatingleavesorpurifyingswampwaterwithalumtoquenchtheirthirst.SergeantNguy?n??ngKi?mofTeamK72describedthegruellingconditionshisteamfaced:Weremainlydiggingbyhandinsomeofthetoughestterrainimaginable,hesaid.Denseforests,steepmountains,andthefast-flowingriversmakesearchingmissingsoldiersincrediblychallenging.Manygravesareunmarked,leavinguswithhesitationtogoon.Despitethehardships,Ki?mfeltdeepsatisfactioninhiswork,sayingthatdiscoveringtheremainsofafallensoldierislikefindingalostfamilymember.Thatpowerfulemotiondrovehimforwardinthefaceofdifficulties.Findingthoseremainsislikeashotofenergy,Ki?msaid.Itremindsuswhywerehereandfuelsourcommitmenttobringingourcomradeshome.PrivateNguy?nV?nLongofK72wasanewcomertothesearchteam.Initiallyunsureofwhattoexpect,hequicklybecamededicatedtotheduty,inspiredbyhisfellowsoldiers.Thisisntjustajob;itsadeeplypersonalmission,Longsaid.Thechallengesareimmense,butourcommitmenttobringingtheremainsofourheroeshomeisunwavering.WiththehelpofCambodianlocals,K72haspinpointed225potentialgravesitesinKratieand63inKampongThom.Lastyear,theybroughthometheremainsof172soldiers.LikeK70andK71,TeamK72membersfoundthatbuildingtieswithCambodianlocalsisessentialtotheirmission.AK72memberrecalledaparticularlychallengingexcavationin2017.UsinginformationprovidedbyaVietnamesewarveteran,theteamidentifiedapotentialgravesiteinOuRuesseiCommune,KratieProvince.However,theconstructionofaschoolatthesitewasnearingcompletion,andtheCambodianbuildingcontractorwasadamantlyopposedtotheteamsexhumingwork.Facedwiththecontractorsrefusal,K72soughthelpfromthedeputymilitarycommanderofKratie.Throughhismediationandpersuasion,thecontractorchangedhismind.Theyfinallyreachedacompromise:theteamcouldexcavatebutonlyatnight.Equippedwithlightsandexcavationequipment,K72beganthepainstakingtask.Workingundertheconstraintsofnighttime,limitedspace,andthepressuretopreservethebuilding,theexcavationwasincrediblychallenging.TeamK72memberssearchfortheremainsoffallensoldiersunderthefoundationofaschoolunderconstructioninCambodiain2017.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngAnhTu?nTheteamhadtobemeticulous,carefullyremovingsoilandhandlingtheremainswithutmostcare.Manyoftheremainswereseverelydecomposed,makingidentificationdifficult.Tomakemattersworse,someremainsfoundbeneaththebuildingwereincompleteduetoconstructiondamage.Despitethedifficulties,K72recoveredremainsof64fallensoldiersin28gruellingdays.Theremainsof130otherfallensoldierswerereturnedtoVi?tNamonJuly18.BroughtbackbyTeamK73,undertheMilitaryCommandofLongAnProvince,thewarmartyrswillbelaidtorestintheirhomeland.Sinceitsformationin2001,theteamhasrecoveredmorethan2,500setsofremainsanduncoveredsixmassgraves,buryingabout280soldiers.Oneoftheteamsfoundingmembers,??Qu?cTi?n,recalledaparticularlyheartbreakingmoment.AmothersanguishedcriesechoedthroughtheCambodianforestasshesearchedalongsidetheteamforherson.In2005,determinedtofindhisremains,Nguy?nV?nC?smothertravelledfromB?nC?uDistrict,TayNinhProvince,toCambodia.Guidedbyveterans,shejoinedtheteamintheremoteThmeiHamlet,ChreyThumCommune,RomeasHaekDistrict,SvayRiengProvince.Afterdaysoffruitlesssearching,theheartbrokenwomancriedoutforhersonssoultoreturnhome.Heranguishinspiredtheteamtoredoubletheirefforts.Theymeticulouslysearchedtheentirevillagedayandnight,leavingnostoneunturned.TheirperseverancepaidoffwhentheyfinallydiscoveredC?sremainsandreturnedthemtohisfamilyin2010.Overwhelmedwithemotion,themotherembracedthecoffin,hergriefpalpable.SheexpressedgratitudetotheteamforreunitingherwithhersonandsaidshecouldfinallyfindpeaceknowinghisremainswereonVietnamesesoil.Inafinalwish,sheaskedtobeburiedbesideherson,expressingherenduringloveandlonging.Ti?nalsomentionedawoman,Nguy?nTh?ChinhinH?iPhòngCity,whohadsearchedforhermissinghusbandfordecadestonoavail.Herlifechangedoneeveningwhilewatchingtelevision.AdocumentaryaboutTeamK73ignitedasparkofhope.DeterminedtofindherhusbandNguy?nNg?cChan,Chinhtravelledtothesouthtojointhesearch.Itwouldbeagruellingjourney,spanningthreeharshyearsbeforeshewouldfinallydiscoverhisremainsburiedinCambodiansoil.LongAnsPartyCommitteeSecretaryNguy?nV?n???cperformstheburialceremonyfortheremainsoffallensoldiersfoundbyK73attheV?nhH?ng-TanH?ngWarMartyrsCemeteryinV?nhH?ngDistrict,LongAnProvince,in2022.—VNA/VNSPhotoBùiNh?Tr??ngGiangIdentifyingremainsoffallensoldiersafterdecadesundergroundisanimmensechallenge.Asaresult,thevastmajority-around90percent-ofthoserecoveredbyK73remainunidentified.Afewluckybreakshaveledtoidentifications.Somenameswerefoundinpenicillinvialsattachedtothesoldiers,suchasthecaseofNguy?n??cXayandNguy?nBáQuy.Othercluesalsocamefrompersonalitemslikeasnakebiteremedybottlemarkedwithadateorawaterbottleengravedwiththesoldiersname.DNAtechnologyhasrevolutionisedtheidentificationofunnamedfallensoldiersinrecentyears.Forexample,between2017and2018,TayNinhProvincesuccessfullyidentified65soldiersthroughDNAtestingofthe660setsofremains.AtechnicianattheInstituteofBiotechnologyextractsDNAfromabonesampletoidentifyanunknownsoldier.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nAnhTu?nIn2010and2011,anationwidetrendemergedoffamilieshiringpsychicmediumstolocatethegravesoffallensoldiers.Manyfamiliesspentbigsumsofmoneyhiringthosepeopleonsearchtripsacrossthecountry,evenasfarasCambodia.Unfortunately,theinformationprovidedbypsychicmediumsprovedtobealmostentirelyunreliable.TeamK71analysed200DNAsamplesfrombonesexhumedbasedonpsychictips,butonlyonewasconfirmedofhuman.Thoughthewarendeddecadesago,itsscarsremain.ThousandsofVietnamesevolunteersoldierswhosacrificedtheirlivesinCambodiaareyettoreturnhome.Drivenbytheenduringhopeofgrievingfamilies,searchteamscontinuetheirsacredmissiontobringthesefallenheroesbacktotheirhomeland.VNS

DefendantTr?nhV?nQuy?t,formerchairmanoftheBoardofDirectorsoftherealestatedeveloperFLCGroupJSC.—VNA/VNSPhotoPh?mKiênHàN?I—Aprisontermfrom24to26yearshasbeenproposedforTr?nhV?nQuy?t,formerchairmanoftheBoardofDirectorsoftherealestatedeveloperFLCGroupJSC,forthechargesoffraudulentappropriationofpropertyandstockmarketmanipulation.AlsoatthefirstinstancetrialinHàN?ifor50defendantsinthecaseoccuringatFLCGroupJSC,sevenotherswereprosecutedforthetwocharges.Specifically,Quy?tstwosistersTr?nhTh?MinhHu?andTr?nhThúyNgawereproposedtoget17-19yearsofimprisionmentand10-12yearsofimprisonmentrespectively,formerpermanentchairwomanoftheFLCGroupH??ngTr?nKi?uDung11-13years,deputydirectoroftheFarosConstructionJSCTr?nhV?n??i14-16years,headoftheFLCLandcompanysmaterialpurchasingdivisionNguy?nV?nM?nh7-9years,formerFLCLanddirectorTr?nhTuan6to7yearsandsixmonths,andaresidentofHàN?isC?uGi?yDistrictNguy?nTh?H?ngDung5to6yearsandsixmonths.Prisonsentencesfrom18monthstonineyearswereproposedtotheremaining42defendantswhowereprosecutedforfraudulentappropriationofproperty,stockmarketmanipulation,abuseofpowerorpositionwhileperformingofficialduties,andintentionaldisseminationoffalseinformationorconcealmentofinformationinsecuritiesactivities.Accordingtotheindictment,fortheactoffraudulentappropriationofproperty,from2014toSeptember2016,Quy?tdirectedindividualswhowereleadersoremployeesoftheFaroscompany,aswellascompanieswithintheFLCGroup,andrelativesandacquaintancestoactasshareholderstofalsifycapitalcontributiondocumentstoraiseFarosscharteredcapitalfromVN?1.5billion(US$59,200)toVN?4.3trillion.TheycompleteddocumentsandrequestedStatemanagementagenciesinthesecuritiessectortoapprovetheregistrationofthecompanyasapubliccompany,theregistrationofsecuritiesdepository,andthelistingofover430millionsharesformedfromthefalsifiedcapitalcontributionofFarosontheH?ChíMinhStockExchange.AfterFarossshareswerelistedonthestockexchange,fromSeptember2016toMarch2022(thetimeofindictmentanddetention),Quy?tandhisaccomplicessoldover391millionsharesformedfromthefalsifiedcapitalcontributionheldintheFarosCompany,resultinginproceedsofVN?4.8trillion,ofwhichoverVN?3.6trillionwasmisappropriatedfrominvestorsinthestockmarket.Regardingtheactofstockmarketmanipulation,fromMay26,2017,toJanuary10,2022,Quy?tdirectedHu?andaccomplicestousetheidentitiesof45individualswhoareemployees,relatives,andacquaintancestoestablish20companiesandopen500securitiesaccounts.Hu?usedtheseaccountstomanageandconductmarketmanipulationactivitiesinvolvingfivestocks,namelyAMD,HAI,GAB,FLC,andART.FollowingQuy?tsinstructions,Hu?soldsharesonthemarketforillicitgainstotalingoverVN?723billionwhenthestockpricesincreased.—VNSThecarriagebearingPartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngscasketpassesthroughthestreetsofHàN?iasthefuneralprocessionbegins.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–ThousandsofpeoplelinedbothsidesofmanystreetsinHàN?i,bravingthescorchingsun,topaytheirrespectsasthehearsecarryingthecasketofGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngpassedbyonFridayafternoon.FollowingthememorialceremonyforthePartyleaderat1pmintheNationalFuneralHalllocatedatNo5Tr?nThánhT?ngStreet,thecasketwastransportedthroughseveralstreetsbeforetakinghimtohisfinalrestingplaceinMaiD?chCemetery.Manyindividualsgatheredalongtheroad,patientlywaitingthesolemnfuneralprocessiontopassby.Despitetheintenseheatthatcausedsweattodampentheirbacks,thecrowdmaintainedaprofoundsilence,demonstratingtheirutmostrespectfortheGeneralSecretaryoftheCommunistPartyofVi?tNamsCentralCommittee.ThecaskettravelsfromtheNationalFuneralHallthroughfollowingstreetsofTr?nThánhT?ng-LêThánhT?ng-AugustRevolutionSquare-TràngTi?n-HàngKhay-TràngThi-?i?nBiênPh?-Tr?nPhú-KimM?-?àoT?n-Li?uGiai-Nguy?nChíThanh-Tr?nDuyH?ng-Th?ngLongBoulevardRoad-LêQuang??o-Lê??cTh?-andH?TùngM?ubeforereachingthefinaldestinationatMaiD?chCemetery.Earlier,tofacilitatethemovementofGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngscasketthroughvariousstreetsofthecapitaltoMaiD?chCemetery,HàN?ipoliceissuedatrafficdiversionnoticeandprohibitedvehiclesfromenteringcertainareas.ThefuneralprocessionpassesthroughtheTràngTi?nandHàngKhayintersections.VNA/VNSPhotoLocalpeoplestandbytheroad,waitingtoseethefuneralprocessionpassby.VNA/VNSPhotoThefuneralprocessionpassesthroughLêThánhT?ngStreet.VNA/VNSPhotoTheceremonialprocessionofGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngscasketpassedthroughLêThánhT?ngStreet.VNA/VNSPhotoPeoplebidfarewelltoGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngonLêThánhT?ngStreet,HàN?i.VNA/VNSPhotoThousandsofpeopleline?i?nBiênPh?StreettopayrespectstoGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ng.VNA/VNSPhotoPeoplestandbyKimM?StreettopayrespecttothePartyleader.VNA//VNSPhotoPeoplebidfarewelltoGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngonLêThánhT?ngStreet,HàN?i.VNA/VNSPhotoCitizenspreparedfreshflowerstopaytheirrespectsandbidafinalfarewelltoGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ng.PeoplegatheronTr?nDuyH?ngStreettopaytheirrespecttoPartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ng.VNA/VNSPhoto

Thedefendantsinthecase.—PhotocourtesyofMinistryofPublicSecurityHàN?I—TheMinistryofPublicSecurityhaschargedtheformerDeputyMinisterofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment,Nguy?nLinhNg?c,alongwithsixotherofficials,inconnectionwithasignificantcorruptionandmisuseofstateassetscase.ThePoliceDepartmentforCorruption,Economic,andSmugglingCrimesisinvestigatingseverebreachesinvolvingresourceexploitation,accountingirregularities,smugglingandthemismanagementofstateresourcesatTháiD??ngGroupandaffiliatedentities.OnMonday,arrestwarrantsandsearchorderswereissuedforfiveindividualsonchargesof:violatingregulationsonthemanagementanduseofstateassetscausinglossandwaste,accordingtothe2015CriminalCode.TheindividualschargedareNguy?nLinhNg?c,formerdeputyministerofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment,Nguy?nV?nThu?n,formergeneraldirectoroftheVi?tNamInstituteofGeologyandMinerals,HoàngV?nKhoa,formerdirectoroftheMineralDepartment,Vi?tNamInstituteofGeologyandMinerals,H???cH?p,directorandLêC?ngTi?n,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentinYênBáiProvince.Additionally,arrestwarrants,travelbansandsearchordershavebeenissuedfortwomoresuspects,includingBùi?oànNh?,formerheadoftheMineralDepartment,YênBáiDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentandLêDuyPh??ng,formerseniorspecialist,MineralDepartment,Vi?tNamInstituteofGeologyandMinerals.ThePoliceDepartmentforCorruption,Economic,andSmugglingCrimesisintensifyingitseffortstogatherevidence,expandtheinvestigationandrecovermisappropriatedstateassets.—VNSFloatingcagesforbreedingmarinefishinKiênGiangProvincesKiênH?iDistrict.—VNA/VNSPhotoLêSenKIêNGIANG—KiênGiangProvinceplanstoexpandmarineaquaculturebyusingmodernmethodstoincreasefarmersincomes.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincehashugepotentialformarineaquaculturewithitscoastlineofmorethan200kmand143smallandlargeislands.Itswatersteemwithhigh-valuemarinespecieswithsuchascobia,grouperandpomfretfishesandpearloysters.Nguy?nThanhNhàn,deputychairmanofitsPeoplesCommittee,said:Theprovincehasidentifiedthemarineeconomyasafocusofdevelopment,especiallyeffectiveandsustainabledevelopmentofmarineaquaculture.Theprovinceisimplementingaplantodevelopmarineaquaculturein2020-30.Ithad3,870floatingcagesforbreedingmarinespeciesasoflastyearwithanannualoutputof3,910tonnes.Ithasthelargestnumberofsuchfloatingcagesofanyprovinceinthedelta.Cageaquaculturehasbeenpopularintheprovincesince2000andhasgrownsignificantlyinthelastfiveyearsduetoitshighefficiencyandreliability.ItiscarriedoutmostlyinKiênH?iandKiênL??ngdistrictsandPhúQu?candHàTiêncities.TheprovincesAgricultureExtensionCentreisimplementingamodelthatusedhigh-densitypolyethylene(HDPE)floatingcagesinplaceoftraditionalwoodenonestoenhancebreedingefficiency.Thereare69HDPEfloatingcageswithatotalvolumeof3,530cu.mintheprovince.Theyproduceyieldsof16kilogrammesofaquaticspeciespercubicmetre,fourorfivekilogrammesmorethanwoodenones.LêV?nX?o,directoroftheTi?n??tCo-operativeinKiênH?iDistrictsL?iS?nCommune,saidtheextensioncentreprovidedsupporttohisco-operativesmemberstosetup10HDPEcagesin2022.Afterseeingtheirefficiencyduringonetotwoharvests,mostmembersswitchedtothem,hesaid.TheHDPEcageshavealifeof20yearsasagainstthreeorfouryearsforthewoodenones,hesaid.HDPEfloatingcagescopebetterwithstrongwavesthanwoodenonesandfishraisedinthemdevelopwell.Butnotmanyfarmersareabletobuythemsincetheircostishigh.Todevelopmarineaquaculturesustainably,theprovinceaimstostepuptheuseofhigh-techbreedingmethods,includingtheuseofHDPEcages.HighprofitsFarmersincoastalareasandislandshavebredmorethan2,800haofaquaticspeciesinmarinecagesandharvested2,000tonnesasofearlyJune.AfarmerchecksgrouperfishbredinafloatingcageinL?iS?nCommuneinKiênGiangProvincesKiênH?iDistrict.–VNA/VNSPhotoLêSenNinhV?nS?n,whohasbeenraisingfishinKiênL??ngDistrictsHònNgh?Communefor15years,saidthisyearheboughtmorethan10,000fishfrytobreed,mostlypearlgrouper,cobia,yellowpomfret,andreddrum,infourHDPEcagesand16woodencages.Hehassoldmorethan2,000maturefishsofarthisyearandearnedprofitsofVN?100million(US$3,900),hesaid.Thepricesofmarineaquaticspecieshavebeenhighsincetheendoflastyearandsomostfarmersaremakinghighprofits,hesaid.BreedingfishinHDPEcagesisefficientbuteachcostsVN?40-60million($1,600-2,300),andsohedoesnothaveenoughmoneytobuymoreofthem,hesaid.IhopetheGovernmentwill[provide]softloansor[allow]repaymentininstalmentssothatfarmerscaninvestinthecages.DevelopmentKiênGiangtargetshaving7,500cagesandanannualoutputof29,890tonnesby2025,increasingto14,000and105,690tonnesby2030.Ithastakenanumberofmeasurestohelpfarmersdevelopmarineaquacultureinrecentyears,organisingmanytrainingcoursesandseminarstotrainthem.V?Th?Th?m,whohas40floatingcagesandbreedsvariousfishesinKiênH?iDistrictsHònTreCommune,said:Iandmyhusbandparticipateinallseminarsandtrainingcoursesonbreedingtechniquesandapplythem.MyfamilyhasusedHDPEfloatingcagesfortwoyears.Sheharvests40tonnesayearandearnVN?1billion($39,000),shesaid.Buttheprovincefacesdifficultiessuchassmallscaleofbreedinganddiseaseoutbreaks,accordingtoitsDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.LêH?uToàn,itsdirector,saidconcentratedbreedingareaswouldbesetupformarineaquaculture,linkageswouldbecreatedbetweenvariousstakeholdersinthesupplychainandidentifyingcodesforfarmerswouldbeissued.Theprovinceplanstostrengthenfisheriesextensionactivities,ensurebreedingareasandwaterenvironmentmeetstringentstandards,andenhancediseaseforecastingandwaterqualitytohelpfarmerstoavoidlosses.Itwillcreatefavourableconditionsforfarmerstoaccesssoftloansandfindmarketsfortheirproduceathomeandabroad.TheprovincehasissuedlicencesforfourmarineaquacultureprojectscostingatotalofVN?695billion($27million)andhavingatotalbreedingareaof2,197ha.—VNS