HCMCityisinvestigatingandcrackingdownonpeoplewhoexploitchildrenandolderpeoplebyforcingthemtobegonthestreets.–Photochinhphu.vnHCMCITY-HCMCityislookingontackletheissueofhomelesschildandelderlybeggars,butisthwartedbythefactthattheyaretaughthowtoevadedetectionbyauthoritiesbytheirexploiters.Tr?nQu?cD?ng,deputyheadofthecityDepartmentofLabour,WarInvalidsandSocialAffairssocialprotectiondepartment,saidDecisionNo.812/QD-UBND(datedMarch10,2023)onprotectingvagrantchildrenandothersinneedofurgentprotectionisbeingimplemented.Ithasyieldedpositiveresultsbutnevertheless,duetotheeconomicsituation,vagrantbeggarscouldstillbeseeninmanyplaces,hesaid.Theyusuallygathernearreligioussites,busstations,petrolstations,traditionalmarkets,androadintersections.Theyhavewaystoavoidtheauthoritiessuchaspretendingtoselllotterytickets,pensandchewinggum,makingitdifficultfortheauthoritiestodealwiththem.Thepolicehavebeeninstructedtocloselymonitoranddealwithpeoplesuspectedtobeexploitingchildrenandseniorsbypushingthemintobegging.Accordingtothedepartment,manyofthesecasesarehardtohandlebecausetheoffendersarerelatives,evenparents,ofchildren,andtheyaretheonestellingthemhowtoavoiddetection.Inthefirstninemonthsof2024sheltersandthedepartmenthavetakeninover1,100homelesschildrenandelderlyanddisabledpeople.Thepubliccancallthecitys1022hotlinetoreportbeggarssothatauthoritiescangivethemsuccour.Thedepartmentisalsoworkingwithvariousagenciestoraisepublicawarenessofhowtheyshouldnotgivealmstobeggarsandco-operatewithauthoritiesthroughpostersandthemedia.ThecityPeoplesCommitteewillcarryoutaninspectioncampaignatdistricts6,7,PhúNhu?n,GòV?p,TanBình,andTh???cCity.ThecityalsogetsbeggarsfromneighbouringCambodia,mostlywomen,childrenanddisabledandelderlypeoplelivinginborderprovinces.AuthoritiesaremonitoringareaswithCambodianpopulationstoidentifyandtakehomelessCambodianbeggarstosocialsheltersbeforehandingthemovertothecountrysdiplomaticmission.Therearecurrently16publiccentreswith6,505peopleand64privateoneshousing3,177people.–VNS

FarmersworkatCu?iQuyHigh-TechOrganicVegetableCooperativein?anPh??ngCommune,?anPh??ngDistrict.—PhotocourtesyofHàN?iDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentHàN?I—High-techagricultureisdeliveringsignificantsuccessforHàN?i,enhancingthevalueofproductionandmovingthecitytowardsamodernagriculturalsector.DatafromthecitysAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentDepartmenthasrevealedthatthecapitalcurrentlyhas406high-techagriculturalproductionmodels.Theseconsistof262modelsincropcultivation,119livestockenterprisesand25aquacultureprojects,mainlylocatedinthedistrictsofHoài??c,MêLinh,GiaLam,Th??ngTín,??ngAnhandThanhOai.Notably,thevalueofproductsfromthe406modelsaccountsfor40percentofthecitystotalagriculturalproductionvalue.??ngTh?Cu?i,DirectoroftheCu?iQuyHigh-TechOrganicVegetableCooperativein?anPh??ngCommune,?anPh??ngDistrict,saidthatthecooperativeusedonlyorganicfertilisersandmicrobialagents,whileplantdiseasesweremanagedthroughagas-poweredburningmachine.Seedsaresownusingmachinesthatmovefromtheinsideout.Onceplantingiscomplete,thedoorsaresealed,withmistingsystemsmaintaininghumidityuntilharvest.Thecooperativehasmadethemostofsocialmediaplatformstomarketandpromoteitsproducts.Thankstotheproactiveadoptionofdigitaltechnology,ithasadvertiseditsproductsthroughsocialplatformssuchasFacebookandZalo.Asaresult,thecooperativesorganicvegetablebrandhasgainedsignificantrecognitionbothdomesticallyandinternationally,shesaid.Eachvegetablepackageincludesabarcodethatconsumerscanscanwiththeirsmartphonestoaccessinformationontheproductionprocess,includingthefarmslocation.Thecooperativesentirefivehectaresoforganicvegetables,including17differentvegetablevarieties,havebeencertifiedasOCOP(OneCommune-OneProduct)andaretraceablefromfarmtotable,sheadded.??V?nKiên,DirectoroftheTamH?ngAgriculturalCooperativeinTamH?ngCommune,ThanhOaiDistrict,saidthecooperativehadapplieddigitaltechnologytomanageandmonitorits20hariceproductionarea.Surveillancecamerasareinstalledinthefields,andallactivitiessuchasplanting,fertilisationandmaintenanceareloggedelectronicallythroughtheEgapdigitaldiary.Theproductionprocessisfullydocumented,withfootageavailableforconsumerstoverifyviaimageextraction.Currently,thecooperativesriceproductsfeaturetraceableoriginlabelsandareavailableforpurchaseone-commerceplatforms.V?Th?H??ng,directorofthedepartmentsAgriculturalExtensionCentre,saidthathigh-techagriculturewasoneofthekeyareasthatthecentrehadbeenworkingoninpartnershipwithlocalauthoritiestosupportfarmers.Throughtrainingsessions,cooperativesandfarmersaretaughthowtoincorporatehigh-techmethodsintoagriculturalproduction,setupsmartsurveillancesystemsandpromoteproductsviadigitalplatforms.Asaresult,anincreasingnumberofmodelsareintegratingadvancedtechnologyintotheirproductionmethods,changingtraditionalfarmingpracticesinandaroundHàN?i.Theapplicationofhigh-techsolutionshasnotonlyhelpedfarmersincreasetheirincomes,reducecostsandimproveproductquality,buthasalsoenabledthemtoaccessmodernproductiontechniques,pavingthewayforsustainabledevelopmentofthecitysagriculturalsector.AnagriculturalrevolutionWorkersarepackingvegetablesatCu?iQuyHigh-TechOrganicVegetableCooperativein?anPh??ngCommune,?anPh??ngDistrict.Nguy?nXuan??i,directorofHàN?isDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidthatthecityisundergoingarevolutioninagriculture,wherehigh-techsolutionsanddigitaltransformationhavebecomemorethanjusttrends.Theyarenowareality,deliveringoutstandingeconomicbenefitsandimprovingproductquality,hesaid.Manyenterprises,cooperativesandfarmershaveappliedautomaticirrigation,dripirrigationandclimatecontrolingreenhouses.Thetechnologiescontributetosavingsinlabourandwater,whileboostingcropyields.Thesuccessstoriesemergingfromhigh-techagriculturemodelsinthecityprovideclearevidenceoftheeffectivenessofdigitaltransformation,hesaid.DatafromtheagriculturaldepartmentalsoshowsthatHàN?icurrentlyhas68high-techagriculturalcooperativesthatareintegratedintoproductionandproductdistributionnetworks,withastrongfocusonqualitystandards.Approximately20businesseshavealsobeguninvestinginhigh-techagriculture.Thedepartmentsaidthatdevelopingahigh-techagriculturalsectorisapressingneedthatrequirescollaborationandsupportfromrelevantdepartmentstoensurethecitysagriculturalsectordevelopsinamodern,sustainableway,inlinewithglobaltrends.HàN?iaimsforover70percentofthecitysagriculturalproductstobeproducedusinghigh-techmethodsby2030.Thecityplanstocontinuepromotingresearch,technologytransferandtheapplicationofscientificadvancementsinagriculture,foodprocessingandbusinessoperationsinthenextfewyears.Trainingprogrammeswillfocusonimprovingthequalityoftheworkforceinvolvedinhigh-techagriculture.Ahigh-techagriculturecentrewillalsobedevelopedtoapplycutting-edgetechniquesandnewtechnologies.Tosupporttheseefforts,HàN?ihasallocatedoverVN?10billion(nearlyUS$393,000)for2024-2025toimplementapolicythatsupportsthepurchaseofmachineryandequipmentforadigitaltransformationinagriculture,inlinewithResolutionNo08/2023/NQ-H?NDissuedonJuly4,2023.Thefundingprovidesanexcellentopportunityforlocalfarmers,cooperativesandenterprisestoincorporatedigitaltechnologyintotheirproductionprocesses.Furthermore,thecitysagriculturalsectorwillcontinueworkingwithlocalitiestodeveloppilotprogrammes,projectsandmodelsforhigh-techagriculture.Thesewillbescaledup,withpromotionsforproductsandproductionmethodsgraduallytransformedtobecomesmarterandmoremodern.—VNSTheprojectedtrajectoryofStormYinxing.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàhascalledforproactivepreparationsfortheapproachingStormYinxinginDirective114/C?-TTg,signedonThursday.Asof1pmonThursday,thestormwaslocatedoverthenortheasternwatersoffLuzonIslandinthePhilippines,withwindspeedsbetween167-220km/h.AccordingtotheNationalCentreforHydrometeorologicalForecasting,byFridaymorning,YinxingisexpectedtobecometheseventhstormtoenterVi?tNamsEastSeathisyear.Thestormisexpectedtobringstrongwinds,largewaves,andthunderstorms,posingasignificantthreattovesselsinthenorthernandcentralEastSea(includingtheParacelIslandsandthesouth-centralcoastalregions)fromFridaythroughTuesdayofnextweek.Yinxingisforecasttobeapowerfulstormwithcomplexdevelopments.Toproactivelyrespondandminimisepotentialdamage,thegovernmenthasrequestedthatlocalauthoritiesandrelevantministriespromptlymonitorupdatesandimplementnecessarymeasures.Thesemeasuresincludeinformingresidentsofthestormsrisks;closelymonitoringandensuringthesafetyofvesselsatseaandatshelterpoints;devisingplanstoevacuateresidentsfromhigh-riskareas;securingdykes,reservoirs,anddams;andpreparingpersonnelandequipmentforrescue,reliefefforts,andpost-stormrecovery.—VNS

Dr.Nguy?nTh?MinhTam,headofVAACsPreventionDepartment,introducesthetoolkitinBangkok.--VNSPhotoKhánhD??ngKhánhD??ngBANGKOK—Atrainingtoolkitforchemsex(sexualiseddruguse)communityoutreachworkersinVi?tNamhasbeenintroducedonThursdayduringthesixthAsia-PacificChemsexSymposiuminBangkok.ThetoolkithasbeendevelopedbytheVi?tNamAdministrationofHIV/AIDSControl(VAAC)incollaborationwithHCMCityUniversityofMedicineandPharmacy,withtheassistanceoftheJointUnitedNationsProgrammeonHIV/AIDS(UNAIDS)andtheUnitedNationsOfficeonDrugsandCrime(UNODC).Thetoolkitisdesignedtosupportharmreductionservicesforgay,bisexualandothermenwhohavesexwithmen(MSM)andtransgenderwomeninvolvedinchemsex.InVi?tNam,communityoutreachworkersthatofferHIVservicestodrugusers,MSM,andtransgenderwomenwillbenefitfromthetoolkit.Theworkerswillbeabletogaintheknowledgeandskillstoadviseandsupportcustomersiftheyarewillingtoshareabouttheirchemsexbehavioursandthehealthrisksthatgoalongwiththem,aswellasprovideHIVpreventioninterventionstopeopleengaginginsexualiseddruguse.Chemsex,whichinvolvesusingdrugstoenhancesexualexperience,isemergingasasignificantconcernfortheincreasedriskofHIVandothersexuallytransmissibleinfections.AccordingtoVAAC,MSMisoneofthepopulationsmostatriskofHIVinfectionsinVi?tNam,alongwithtransgenderwomen,peoplewhoinjectdrugsandfemalesexworkers.TalkingaboutthechallengesofreachingMSMgroupengaginginsexualiseddruguseinVi?tNam,Dr.Nguy?nTh?MinhTam,headofPreventionDepartment,VAAC,saidthelackofacceptanceinsocietypreventsthisgroupfromcomingoutandfromusingharmreductionservicesthatareintendedforthem.Therearemanycommunity-basedorganisationsinVi?tNamwhichprovideharmreductionservicestoMSMforpreventionofHIVinfection.Particularlywhenitcomestomediaandsocialnetworks,therearedifferentoutreachmethods.InordertoreachMSMcommunities,theyuseindependentdatingappsandinternetplatformstohelpspreadknowledgeaboutHIVpreventionandcontrol.CommunityoutreachworkersalsohelpreferMSMtoHIVtesting,antiretroviraltreatmentandPrEPservices,shesaid.Onlycommunity-basedorganisationscanbestreachtheMSMcommunity,shetoldVi?tNamNews.TheHCMCityUniversityofMedicineandPharmacy,oneofthetoolkitsdevelopers,hasconferredwithMSMgroupsandcommunity-basedorganisationsinordertobuildboththeoreticalandpracticalskills,inaccordancewiththeguidelinesprovidedbytheMinistryofHealthwhichisinlinewithinternationalguidance.Communityoutreachworkersthemselvesarethosewhotestthetoolkitandgiveusfeedback,Tamsaid.SinceJunethisyear,thetoolkithasbeenpilotedbylocalcommunityoutreachworkerswhoprovideharmreductioninterventionstoabout174MSMclients.Itisanticipatedthat200to300MSMclientswillreceiveassistancebyNovember.TheVAACplanstoofficiallylaunchthetoolkitatthebeginningof2025withtheexpectationofprovidingharmreductioninterventionstolocalitiesreportingalargenumberofMSM,especiallysouthernlocalities.ChemsexharmreductioninterventionshavebeenimplementedinVi?tNamrecentlybutinasmallscale.Thiswillbethefirsttimeachemsexinterventiontoolkitwillbeappliedonanationalscale,Tamsaid.QuintenLataire,actingcountrydirectorforUNAIDSinVi?tNam,saidtheroleofcommunity-basedorganisationscannotbeunderestimated.Thetoolkitaddressesthoseissuesthathavebeenidentifiedbythecommunitiesasessentialinthecontextofsexualiseddruguse.Thetoolkitwasdevelopedhandinhandwiththecommunitiesandaddressesthoseissuesthattheyseeasmostneeded.HIVandSTIpreventionistheprimaryfocusofthetoolkit.Ontherequestofcommunities,thiswasalsoexpandedtoguidanceonmentalhealthproblemsinthecontextofdruguse.Thetoolkitgivesthecommunityoutreachworkersthetoolsandcapacitytosupporttheirpeers.Thatpeersupportisabsolutelycrucialbecausethecommunityoutreachworkersarethefirstentrypointtotheirowncommunitiesandfunctionastheextendedarmsofpublichealthsystem,hetoldVi?tNamNews.HealsocommendedtheMinistryofHealthandVAACforrecognisingthisimportantroleofthecommunitiesandworkinghandinhandwithcommunitiestoendAIDSasapublichealththreatinVi?tNam.—VNSLieutenantGeneralPh?mTr??ngS?nandlocalofficialsonThursdayvisitSeniorLieutenantColonelNguy?nH?ngQuan,thechiefflightinstructorintherecentmilitaryaircrash.—VNA/VNSPhotosS?Th?ngBìNH??NH—Thetwopilotsintherecentmilitaryaircraftcrashmadethecorrectdecisiontoparachutefromtheiraircraft,saidLieutenantGeneralPh?mTr??ngS?n,DeputyChiefoftheGeneralStaffoftheVi?tNamPeoplesArmy.TheofficialsaidonThursdayashevisitedthepair,whowereinvolvedinamilitaryplanecrashduringatrainingflightoverthesouth-centralprovinceofBình??nhsTayS?nDistrictonWednesdsay.AccordingtoS?n,thiscasemandatedparachutingratherthanattemptinganemergencylandingonanytypeofrunway,includingthosecoveredwithfire-retardantmaterials.Withonelandinggearfailingtodeploy,alandingwouldbedangerouslyimbalanced,likelyresultinginafireorexplosionandposinganimmediatefatalrisktothepilots.Henotedthatalthoughthepilotswerepermittedtoejectimmediately,theycontinuedtoflyapproximately20kilometrestowardamountainoussite,ensuringnorisktopopulatedareasbelow.Duetorainyandwindyconditions,theirparachutesdrifted,causingthemtolandover10kilometresawayfromtheintendedarea.Preliminaryinvestigationssuggestatechnicalmalfunctionwasthecauseoftheincident.Theaircraftexperiencedaright-sidelandinggearfailureasitpreparedtoland.ColonelNguy?nV?nS?n,oneofthetwopilotsinvolvedinthecrash,isreceivingtreatmentatMilitaryHospital13inBình??nhProvince.FollowingtherescueofbothpilotsfromaremoteforestareaonthenightofWednesday,theyweretakentoMilitaryHospital13formedicalexamination.Theirconditionisreportedtobestable,withonlyminorsofttissueinjuriesthatarenotexpectedtoimpacttheiroverallhealth.TheYak-130militaryaircrafttookofffromPhùCátAirportat9.55amforalong-distanceandcloud-crossingtrainingsession.Theaccidenthappenedwhentheytriedtolandasthelandinggearcouldnotbereleasedandtheiremergencymeasuresdidnotwork.Theywereabletoparachutefromtheplaneat10.51amattheTB2shootingrangeinTayS?nDistrict.—VNA/VNSTheareaofthefirst-floorlobbyatBaSonundergroundstationoftheMetroLine1.VNA/VNSPhotosTi?nL?cHCMCITY—HCMCitysDepartmentofTransporthassubmittedaproposaltothecityPeoplesCommitteeregardingthefaresforMetroLine1,connectingB?nThànhandSu?iTiên.Accordingtotheproposal,forpassengerspayingwithcash,one-wayfareswillrangefromVN?7,000toVN?20,000(US$0.28-0.79).Forthoseusingnon-cashpaymentmethods,fareswillbeless,setbetweenVN?6,000andVN?19,000.Fortime-basedtickets,aone-daypasswillcostVN?40,000(US$1.6),allowingunlimitedtripswithintheday,whileathree-daypasswillbepricedatVN?90,000($3.6)forunlimitedtravelwithinthreedays.RegularpassengerscanbuyamonthlypassforVN?300,000($12),whilestudentsandpupilscanpurchaseadiscountedmonthlypassforVN?150,000($6).Allfaresincludepassengerinsurance.TheDepartmentofTransportsaidithasdevelopedthisfareplanusingacost-basedapproach,combinedwithcomparisonstofaresontheCátLinh-Hà??ngMetrolineinHàN?iandstudiesfromconsultingfirmsonthepublicsaffordability.MetroLine1willreceivesubsidiesfromtheGovernmenttoencourageitsuseandmakeitmorecompetitivewithothertransportationoptions.ThelineinHCMCity,stretches19.7kmfromtheB?nThànhStationinDistrict1totheLongBìnhdepotinTh???cCity.Constructionbeganin2012andthelineisexpectedtobegincommercialoperationsbytheendofthisyear.Additionally,thedepartmenthassentaproposaltothePeoplesCommitteeregardingadraftpolicytosupportpublictransportationusersandprovidefundingforbusandrailservices.Thedraftwillbepublishedonthecitysofficialwebsiteforpublicfeedback.Thecitysbudgetisexpectedtocover100percentoffaresforwarveterans,peoplewithdisabilities,elderlycitizensaging60andabove,alongwithchildrenundersixyearsoldaccompaniedbyanadult.PassengersusingbusroutesconnectedtoMetroLine1,aswellasthosetravellingonMetroLine1withinthefirst30daysofcommercialoperation,willalsoreceive100percentfaresupport.MetroLine1reaches99%completionThecitysPeoplesCommitteeonThursdayheldaceremonytoawardcertificatesofmerittocontractorswhohavemadesignificantcontributionsinacceleratingtheprogressofvariouspackagesrelatedtoMetroLine1.Theceremonyalsosawthehandingoverofthetakingovercertificate(TOC)forpackageCP1bbytheUrbanRailwayManagementBoard(MAUR).ThisisanimportantproceduralstepfortheinvestorandtheMAURtobegintheprocessoftrialoperations,movingtowardstheofficiallaunchofMetroLine1.LeadersoftheHCMCityPeoplesCommitteepresentcertificatesofmerittoJapan-basedShimizuMaedaJointOperationandGSEngineeringConstructionCorporation.Attheevent,ViceChairmanofthecityPeoplesCommitteeV?V?nHoanpresentedcertificatesofmerittoJapan-basedShimizuMaedaJointOperationfortheiroutstandingperformanceinspeedingupthecompletionofallconstructiontasksforpackageCP1b.GSEngineeringConstructionCorporationwasalsorecognisedforitseffortsinacceleratingtheconstructionofpedestrianbridgesatelevatedstationsunderpackageCP2ofMetroLine1.Speakingattheceremony,DirectoroftheMAURsaidthattheoverallprogressoftheMetroline1projecthasreached99percent.Theremainingonepercentmainlyinvolvesfinalacceptanceproceduresandpreparationsforoperationalreadiness.Specifically,packageCP1ahascompletedallconstructionworkandiscurrentlyundergoingfiresafetyinspectionsandthefinalassessmentofthecompletedproject.PackageCP1bhasmadethebestprogressamongallpackages,havingcompletedallconstructiontasks,includingfiresafetyinspectionsandthehandoveroftheprojecttotheinvestor.PackageCP2,whichincludestheconstructionof11elevatedstationsandpedestrianbridges,hasalsobeencompleted.PackageCP3hasbeeninstalledandisoperatingsmoothly,withtrialrunsunderwaytoassessitsperformance.Currently,MetroLine1isworkingtofinalisetheremainingtasksandprocedurestoofficiallybeginoperationsbeforetheendof2024.—VNS

AdoghasaQRcodetagattachedinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincesC?n??oDistrict.Photobaobariavungtau.com.vnBàR?A-V?NGTàU—ThePeoplesCommitteeofC?n??oDistrictinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincesaiditwillstartattachingQRcodetagstopetsintheislanddistricttocontrolrabiesmoreeffectively.Nearly900QRcodeswillbeattachedbythedistrictgovernmenttodogsinhouseholdstomanageandlimitthenumberoffree-rangedogsthatcausealossofurbanbeautyandriskthesafetyofresidentsandtourists.Atthesametime,rabiesintheareawillbecontrolledinafundamentalandscientificmanner.EachQRcodetagwillcontaincompleteinformationsuchasthepetownersname,petownersaddressandthepetsrabiesvaccinationstatus.Tr?nThanhHuy?n,ViceChairofthedistrictPeoplesCommittee,saidtheC?n??owillstrengthenthehandlingofthesituationofstraydogs.IfadogdoesnotwearatagwithaQRcode,theauthoritieswillcatchthembyanymeansandhandleaccordingtothelaw.InthecaseofdogswithQRcodesthatarereleasedonthestreetsorinpublicplaceswithoutcomplyingwithregulations,thedogownerwillbeadministrativelyfinedbyscanningtheQRcodetoidentifyinformation,alongwithimagesoftheviolation.Ifthedogownerviolatesthelawasecondtime,thedogownerwillnotbeabletoredeemthedogandwillbedealtwithaccordingtothelaw.?inhTh?Qu?nh,aresidentofC?n??oDistrict,saidthatwearingQRcodesondogswillmakeiteasiertocontrolpets.Inaddition,thiswilllimitthenumberofstraydogsandraiseawarenessamongdogowners.Thesituationofdogsrunningfree,andchasingandbitingpassersbyisquitecommoninmanylocalitiesinVi?tNam.InC?n??oIsland,about100casesofpeoplebeingbittenbyfree-roamingdogsandhavingtobeinjectedwithanti-rabiesserumwererecordedin2023alone.Therefore,thedistrictPeoplesCommitteehascountedandreviewedthenumberofdogsinthearea,fromwhichtheyhaveappliedtheuseoftagswithQRcodestocontrolthemscientifically.PhanTh?Tím,DeputyHeadofthedistrictsEconomicDepartment,saidthatwearingtagswithQRcodeswillenhancetheroleandresponsibilityofpetowners,changingthecurrenthabitofraisingdogsinviolationofregulations.ForalocalitywithstrongtourismdevelopmentlikeC?n??o,strictmanagementofpetsbytaggingthemwithQRcodesisaneffectivemeasuretolimitdogsrunningfree.Thisisalsothefirsttimethedistricthasappliedinformationtechnologyincontrollingpets,withthegoalofensuringsafetyforresidentsandtourists,andcontrollingrabiespreventioninthedistrict.—VNSAnapartmentbuildinginHCMCity.Thecityhasformedataskforcetospeeduptheissuanceoflanduseandhomeownershipcertificatesforhomeowners.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—HCMCityauthoritieshaveformedataskforcetospeeduptheissuanceoflanduseandhomeownershipcertificatesinanefforttoreducedisputesbetweenbuyersandhousingdevelopers.LedbyNguy?nToànTh?ng,directoroftheDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment,andsupportedbyHu?nhThanhKhi?t,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofConstruction,the14-memberteamincludesleadersfromvariousdepartments.ThetaskforcewilladvisethecityPeoplesCommitteeonresolvingobstaclesandstandardisingtheprocessforissuingownershipcertificates,specificallyforcommercialhousingprojects.Thetaskforcewillanalysedataonhousingprojects,identifychallenges,proposesolutionstothecityadministration,andimplementmeasurestoissueownershipcertificatestohomebuyersbyDecember.Thetaskforcewillalsoadvisethecityondevelopingapplicationsandwebsitestoshareinformationonlegalandfinancialaspectsofcommercialhousingprojects,enhancingtransparencyforresidents.Vi?tNamisgrapplingwithasignificantissueofunissuedownershipcertificatesforresidents,primarilyduetodevelopersfinancialandlegaltroubles.Inmanycases,homeownershavelivedintheirapartmentsforyearswithoutownershipcertificatesbecausedevelopershaveusedthesepropertiesasloancollateral.Toresolvethis,developersmustrepaytheirdebts,aprocessthatcantakeyearsduetodevelopersweakfinancialstanding.AsofMarch,59,000apartmentsinthecitylackownershipcertificates,attributedtodelaysindocumentation,unclearlegalstatuses,additionalfinancialrequirements,andongoinginspections,accordingtodatafromtheDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment.—VNS

CarsandtaxisatN?iBàiInternationalAirportinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoHuyHùngHàN?I—ResidentsofHàN?iincreasinglyyearnforametrolinelinkingN?iBàiInternationalAirporttoreducethecostsandtraveltimesforbothlocalsandtourists.Currently,theairportaccommodatesapproximately30millionpassengerseveryyear,withprojectionsthatthisnumberwillriseto100millionby2030.TheprimarymodesoftransportconnectingthemajorairporttoHàN?iandthesurroundingmetropolitanarearemaincars,taxisandcoaches,whiletherearejusttwobusroutes.Duringfestiveseasons,theriskofcongestionoriginatingattheairportisever-present,causingsignificantinconvenienceforbothlocalsandinternationalvisitors.D?Th?Hà,whonowlivesandworksinTh???cCity,HCMCity,saidshereturnedtoherhometowninM???cDistrict,HàN?i,twiceayear.Wefinditaverychallengingjourney,shesaid.IfshetookthebusfromN?iBàiInternationalAirport,sheneededtochangetwice,andittookalmostfourhourstoreachhome.Aone-waytaxiridecostsuptonearlyVN?1million(US$39),shesaid.Similarly,D??ngH?u??tfromV?nhH?ngWardinHoàngMaiDistrict,HàN?isaidduetoworkcommitments,hetravelledabroadfourtofivetimesayearandflewtothesouthernprovincessixtoseventimes.Togettotheairport,takingthebusrequiresthreechangesandnearlythreehoursoftravel.AtaxicostsbetweenVN?300,000andVN?500,000($11-20)pertrip,meaningmyannualtravelexpensestoandfromtheairportamounttotensofmillionsof??ng,hesaid.EconomicmanagementexpertHoàngTh?ThuPh??ngtalkedtoKinht???th?(EconomyUrbanAffairs)onlinenewspaper,sayingthatametrolineconnectingtheairporttocentralHàN?iwasnotonlyvitalforresidentsdailylivesbutalsoheldsignificantimportanceforthecitystourismindustry.Currently,touristsarrivinginthecapitalincurhighcoststogetfromtheairporttotheirdestinationsbytaxi,whilethosetravellingalonefaceadditionalchallengesinfindingsuitabletransporttoattractionsorhotels.Adirectmetrolinkfromtheairporttothecitycentrewillreducetravelcostsandensuresafetyandconvenienceforvisitors,makingtourisminthecapitalmoreappealingandenhancingthecitysfriendlyimageinternationally,shesaid.Inadditiontoenhancingpassengerconvenience,themetrosystemisseenasacrucialsolutiontoalleviatingtrafficcongestiononroutesconnectingtotheairport.ArepresentativefromTrafficPoliceTeamNo.6ofHàN?iPoliceDepartmentsaidduringholidays,festiveseasonsorevenpeakhours,thevolumeofvehiclesenteringandleavingtheairportviaRingRoad3,RingRoad2andNh?tTanBridgewassubstantial,mainlybeingcarsandtaxis.Iftherewereametrolinethatwasbothfastandconvenient,manypassengerswouldundoubtedlyoptforit,helpingtoeasecongestiononkeyroutes,hesaid.RealisingtheplanningTheHàN?iMetropolitanRailwayManagementBoardsaidthat,undertheurbanplan,thecitywasgoingtodevelopMetroLineNo.2toconnectthecitywithN?iBàiInternationalAirport.ThelinewassettorunfromtheNamTh?ngLongurbanareatoTr?nH?ng??oStreet,Th??ng?ìnhStreet,RingRoad2.5,B??iarea,N?iBàiInternationalAirportandSócS?nDistrict.Thiswasoneoftheearliestmetrolinesenvisionedforthecapital;however,ithasfacednumeroushurdlesovertheyearsandhasyettobeimplemented.Theprojectwasexpectedtostartbetween2024and2025,withfullcompletionanticipatedby2034,andthesegmentfromNamTh?ngLongurbanareatotheairportwassettobeoperationalby2030.Currently,thecityismakingsignificanteffortstoimplementMetroLineNo.2,section2.1,althoughtheprojectisstillawaitingapprovalforaninvestmentadjustment.Theconstructionofthemetrolinessection2.1fromNamTh?ngLongtoTr?nH?ng??oStreetisanationalpriorityforHàN?i,fundedbyJapansOfficialDevelopmentAssistance(ODA).ThefeasibilitystudyfortheprojectwasapprovedbythecapitalPeoplesCommitteeunderDecisionNo.2054/Q?-UBNDonNovember13,2008.Theentirelineisapproximately11.5kmlong,withanelevatedsectionofabout2.6kmandanundergroundsegmentofapproximately8.9km,includingadepotcovering17.5hainXuan??nhWard,B?cT?LiêmDistrict,HàN?i.ThelinewillcommenceattheNamTh?ngLongurbanarea,followingthestreetsofNguy?nV?nHuyên,HoàngQu?cVi?t,HoàngHoaThám,Th?yKhuê,Phan?ìnhPhùng,HàngGi?y,Hàng???ng,HàngNgang,Hàng?ào,?inhTiênHoàng,andHàngBài,andconcludingattheintersectionofPh?Hu?andNguy?nDustreets.Theentireroutewillfeature10stations,includingthreeelevatedandsevenunderground.LêTrungHi?u,DeputyDirectorofthecitysPlanningandInvestmentDepartment,said:Inmyview,MetroLineNo.2isoneofthemosturgentlyneededinvestments.Ithassignificantimplicationsfortransportandtheenvironment,andisalsocrucialforthetourismandurbanarchitectureofthecapital.Headdedthatthelinewouldconnectwithhalfofthecitysexpandedmetronetwork(with15lines)thathadrecentlybeenplanned.Therefore,theinvestmentandconstructionofthemetrolineisseenasapressingpriorityforthecapital,hesaid.Additionally,thecityalsoplannedMetroLineNo.6,whichwilllinkNg?cH?iareatoN?iBàiInternationalAirportoveratotallengthof43km,scheduledforcompletionby2035.ThiswouldserveasaprimarymetrolineconnectionbetweenN?iBàiInternationalAirportwiththecityssecondairportin?ngHòaDistrict.Withthetwometrolines,No.2andNo.6,N?iBàiInternationalAirportwillbecloselylinkedtotheentiremetronetworkofthecity.TransportexpertV?HoàngChungsaidtheplanningwasinplace,andrecentlyimportantlegalframeworkssuchastheamendedCapitalLawandthe2024LandLawwereapproved.HàN?imustswiftlyrealisetheplanningandturntheaspirationsofmillionsofresidentsforametroconnectiontotheairportintoreality,hesaid.HealsoexpressedhishopethattheNationalAssembly,Governmentandrelevantministrieswouldfocusonfacilitatingtheresolutionofchallengesandobstacles,allowingthetimelyimplementationandcompletionofMetroLineNo.2asplanned.—VNS

AbabyisreceivingvaccinationinHàN?i.Photosuckhoedoisong.vnHàN?I–Numerousproceduresandregulationsonbudgetallocationforpurchasingvaccineswerethemainreasonsforshortageofvaccinesfortheexpandedimmunisationprogramme(EIP),saidtheMinistryofHealth(MoH).TheMoHhasrecentlysubmittedareportaddressingtheconcernoftheNationalAssemblyStandingCommitteesOmbudsmanCommissionregardingtheshortageofvaccinesfortheEIP.Previously,inameeting,D??ngThanhBình,headoftheOmbudsmanCommissionpresentedareportontheresultsofmonitoringtheresolutionofpeoplepetitionscitingthatresidentsinmanyareasreportedashortageofvaccinesatpublichealthcarefacilities,resultinginmanychildrenmissingscheduledvaccinationsornotreceivingthefulldose.Accordingtothereport,thissituationhaspersistedsincetheendof2022.PeoplehaveurgedMoHtotakedecisiveactiontoensureasufficientandtimelyvaccinesupplyandtoassessaccountabilityfortheprolongedshortage.TheministrysPreventiveMedicineDepartmentindicatedthatvaccinationrateswithintheEIPdecreasedpost-Covid-19acrossmanycountriesandterritoriesduetolockdowns,travelrestrictions,andlimitedordisruptedaccesstohealthcareservices.Theministrysaidthat,priorto2023,itwasresponsibleforvaccineprocurementandallocationtolocalities.However,from2023onwards,undertheStateBudgetLaw,localitiesarerequiredtopurchasevaccineswiththeirownbudgets.Yet,duringimplementation,localitiesfaceddifficultiesinbudgetallocation,approval,tendering,priceappraisal,andalackofexperience.Asaresult,manylocalitieshaverequestedtheministrytocontinueactingasthecentralprocuringauthorityforvaccinesandtoallocatethemtolocalities.DuringitsspecialsupervisionofCOVID-19resourcemobilisation,managementanduse,theNationalAssemblyalsonotedtheserequests.Toaddresstheseissues,theGovernmentsubmittedaproposaltotheNationalAssembly,leadingtotheissuanceofResolutionNo.99,whichdirectstheallocationofcentralbudgetfundstocontinueimplementingthenationalEIP,ensuringconsistency,timelinessandefficiencynationwide.Followingthis,theGovernmentissuedResolutionNo.98,allocatingcentralbudgetfundsin2023fortheMOHtopurchasevaccinesfortheEIP.Attheendof2023,theMoHprovidedguidancetoprovincesandcities,compiledvaccinedemandfor2024nationwide,completedprocurementproceduresfor10domesticallyproducedvaccines,andinstructedtheNationalInstituteofHygieneandEpidemiologytoreceiveapproximately24.2milliondosesofvariousvaccinesforuseintheEIP,fundedbytheStatebudgetandaid.Todate,theministryreportedthatithasdistributed22.79milliondosestolocalitiesasplanned.Duringthependingapprovalofthe2024budget,theMinistryofHealthdirectedrelevantunitstoprocurevaccinesurgentlyneededfortheexpandedimmunisationprogramme,includingtetanusandhepatitisBvaccinesfornewborns,theMoHreportstated.Theministryalsopointedoutsomechallengesinvaccineprocurement,suchasalengthyprocessrequiringapproximatelytwotothreemonthsforcompletion.Additionally,thevaccinepriceappraisalandapprovalprocessinvolvesseveralsteps,necessitatingcoordinationamongtheMOH,theMinistryofFinanceandmanufacturingunits.This,accordingtotheMOH,mayleadtodelaysinissuingspecificpricing,whichaffectstheprocurementtimeline.VNSTwodoctorsevaluateapatientwhohasbeenweanedoffmechanicalventilationfollowingherordealwithmiraclewaterpoisoning.—Photo24h.com.vnHàN?I—Arecentsurgeincasesofseverepoisoninghasbeenlinkedtotheconsumptionofaso-calledmiraclewatertoutedasacure-allforvariousailments.TheB?chMaiHospitalinHàN?ihasreportedasteadyinfluxofpatientssufferingfromlife-threateningconditions,includingcomaandorganfailure,afterdrinkingthispurportedlyhealingelixir.Onenotablecaseinvolveda60-year-oldwomanfromSócS?n,HàN?i,whowasrushedtothehospitalinastateofextremeexhaustionaftervomitingcontinuouslyforseveraldays.Shewasdiagnosedwithalkalinewaterpoisoning,metabolicalkalosisandpotassiumdeficiency.Thepatienthadbeendrinkingaboutsixlitresofthemiraclewaterdailyafterhearingitcouldcureherchronichealthproblems.Accordingtothewoman,shestarteddrinkingthewaterafterhearingstoriesofsomeonerecoveringfromastrokeafterdrinkingit.Thetreatmentinvolvedinstructionstoconsumelargequantitiesofwaterfromafiltrationmachine,sometimesmixedwithsalt,whilefastingfornearlyhalfamonth.Aroundtenpeople,mostlyfromhervillage,wereundergoingasimilarregimenatthetime.Shenotedthatthewaterwasfree,andtherewasnolimitonhowmuchtheycoulddrink.Thefiltrationmachinewassecond-handfromJapan.Themachinesownerhasofferedtosellittoanyoneinterested.Withinfivedays,shebecametooweaktostandandwasadmittedtoB?chMaiHospitalincriticalcondition.Thiscaseisnotanisolatedincident.B?chMaiHospitalhadpreviouslytreatedthreepatientssufferingfromkidneyfailurewhoalsofollowedthisdangerousregimen.Thepatientswereadvisedtostopdialysisanddrinkthesamewater,consuminguptosixlitresdailywhilefasting.Afteronlyafewdays,theyexperiencedsevererespiratoryfailureandcoma.Bloodtestsrevealeddangerouslyelevatedlevelsofureaandcreatinine,indicatingtheirkidneyswerefailingrapidly.Fortunately,emergencydialysissavedtheirlives.Nguy?nTrungNguyên,DirectorofB?chMaiHospitalsPoisonControlCentre,warnedthatevenforhealthyindividuals,drinkingexcessiveamountsofwater,especiallyalkalinewater,cancauseserioushealthrisks,includingblooddilutionandbrainswelling,whichcanresultincoma,seizuresanddeath.DrinkinglargeamountsofalkalinewaternotonlyleadstooverhydrationbutalsocausesdangerouschangesinbloodpH,resultinginmetabolicalkalosis,whichisextremelydangerous,saidNguyên.Headvisedthatpeopleseekpropermedicalcareforhealthissuesandavoidunregulatedtreatments.Miraclewater,whileappealing,canleadtodevastatingconsequences.—VNS

HCMCitysfirstmetroline,stretching19.7kmfromB?nThànhMarkettoSu?iTiênThemePark,willbeginoperationslaterthisyear.Thecityplanstousesurplusbudgetrevenuetofinanceurbanrailwayprojects.—PhotocourtesyoftheHCMCityManagementAuthorityforUrbanRailwaysHCMCITY—HCMCityhasproposedtoretainallsurplusbudgetrevenuefrom2026to2030tofundurbanrailwayprojects.Theplan,submittedtotheFinanceMinistry,aimstomobilisecapitalforconstructing183kmofmetrolinesby2035,asoutlinedbythePolitburo.Thetotalfundingneededfortheurbanrailwayinitiativeby2035isestimatedatUS$37.45billion,withover$22.3billionrequiredfrom2026to2030.Thecityspublicinvestmentcapitalforthisperiodisprojectedatover$62.59billion,makingtherailwayprojectaccountforabout35percentofthattotal.Giventhesignificantfundingrequirementsandinsufficientlocalbudgetresources,thecityisexploringvariousfundingmechanisms,includingretainingallsurplusrevenuewhilestillcontributing79percenttothecentralbudget.Currently,localrevenueisclassifiedintothreecategories:fullyremittedtothecentralgovernment,partiallyretained,andfullyretained.Thecityseekstoregulatethesecondcategory,whereitoftenexceedsrevenueestimatessetbythecentralgovernment.Forexample,forcorporateincometax,thecitywillremit79percenttothecentralgovernmentandwillretain21percent.Overtheyears,thenationslargestcityhasconsistentlysurpasseditsrevenuetargets,collectingoverVN?381.53trillionin2021andoverVN?471.56trillionin2022.TheprojectedbudgetrevenueisoverVN?482.85trillionthisyear,withVN?371.3trillioncollectedinthefirstninemonths.Previouslythecityannouncedplanstoissuebondsfrom2025to2035tofinancemetroprojectsandreducedependenceonOfficialDevelopmentAssistance(ODA).PhanV?nM?i,chairmanofthemunicipalPeoplesCommittee,urgedcitizenstoinvestinmetrobondstosupportinfrastructure,despitelowerbankinterestrates.AnnualbondissuanceswillrangefromVN?10trilliontoVN?30trillion,adheringtoa120percentdebt-to-budgetrevenuelimit,accordingtoM?i.Thecityhaslatelyrequested14capitalmechanismsfromthecentralgovernmenttofund200kmofmetrolines,withonlytwoofeightlinesandthreemonorailscurrentlyunderconstruction.Thefirstmetroline,a19.7kmroutefromB?nThànhMarketinDistrict1toSu?iTiênThemeParkinTh???cCity,isexpectedtobeginoperationslaterthisyear.Theoverallmetroplantargetsover350kmby2045and510kmby2060,requiringanestimated$66.8billion.Expertshavestressedtheimportanceofassessingpublicdebtriskswhenissuingbonds,asmetrorevenuewillrelyheavilyonticketsales.Formanyyears,HCMCityhasalwaysbeentheleadinglocalityintermsofrevenueandcontributiontotheStatebudgetandhasexceededrevenueformanyyears.Forexample,in2021,HCMCitywasassignedtocollectnearlyVN?364.9trillion($14.6billion)buttherevenuereachedmorethanVN?381.5trillion($15.3billion),anexcessofnearlyVN?17trillion($683.7million).In2022,thecitycollectedmorethanVN?471.5trillion($19billion),reaching121.99percentoftheestimate.Thisyear,thecitysestimatedbudgetrevenueismorethanVN?482.8trillion($19.4billion).Inthefirstninemonthsofthisyear,thecitycollectedVN?371.3trillion($14.9billion).—VNSHCMCityauthoritiesmonitorfoodsafetyatBình?i?nwholesalemarket.–VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY–EnsuringsafetyoffoodssoldbystreetvendorsinHCMCityischallengingduetotheirmobility,lackoflicencesandfoodsafetycertificates,whichposeshealththreatsandcomplicatesfoodpoisoninginvestigations,themunicipalFoodSafetyDepartmenthasadmitted.SpeakingatameetingheldbythecityPeoplesCouncilsCultureandSocietyCommitteeonfoodsafetymanagementonOctober14,departmentdeputydirectorLêMinhH?isaidhisagencyisresponsibleforensuringfoodsafetyatthreewholesalemarketsthatsupplynearly80percentofthecitysfood.Italsoworkswithdistrictstoinspectfoodproductionanddistributionbusinesses,hesaid.Ithastoensuretraceabilityofporkandpoultryeggsandcollaboratewithprovincesandtheministryofagriculturetoensureasafefoodsupplychainforthecitysconsumers.AnofficialfromthecityDepartmentofEducationandTrainingsaidstreetvendorsremainubiquitousaroundschools,posingfoodsafetyrisks.H?ipointedoutthatstreetvendorsaretheresponsibilityofthecitysdistrictsandnothisdepartment.Nguy?nHoàiNam,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofHealth,saidtherehavebeenbotulismcasesthisyearlinkedtofoodboughtfromstreetvendorsandsmalloutlets,complicatingtraceabilityforinvestigators.–VNS

ManypeoplevisittheViê?tNam-ChinaEducationConference2024topushstudyingopportunitiesinbothcountriesinHa?N??i.PhotosoforganisersHA?N??I—VietnamesestudentswillhaveopportunitiestoenjoyscholarshipsandacademicstudiesinChinafollowingarecentconferenceconnectingeducatorsofbothcountriesinHa?N??i.TheevententitledViê?tNam-ChinaEducationConference2024wasjointlyorganisedbyPhenikaaUniversity,ChineseTestingInternationalCompany(CTI)andCTIVietnamInternationalEducationCompany.About500delegatesincludingrepresentativesofViê?tNamsMinistryofEducationandTraining,Ha?N??isDepartmentofEducationandTraining,ChineseEmbassyinViê?tNam,universitiesandViê?tNam-Chinaeducationalorganisationsandalargenumberoflecturersandstudents.Itwasconsideredaforumtoconnecteducationalmanagers,officials,lecturersandstudentsbetweentwocountries;exchangecurrenttrainingtrends;andpromoteeducationalexchanges.Atthesametime,theeventalsocreatedopportunitiesforlearnerstoaccessofficialinformationabouttrainingprogrammes,admissionandstudyconditions,scholarshipopportunities,andpost-graduationemploymentinViê?tNamandChina.Prof.Dr.Ph?mThànhHuy,PhenikaaUniversityprincipal,mentionedmanyimportantaspectsoftheeducationalcooperationrelationshipbetweenVi?tNamandChinainhisViê?tNam-Chinaeducationalcooperationspeech.Huyemphasisedthatthefriendshipandcooperationbetweenthetwocountrieswasincreasinglydevelopingwellinallfields,includingeducation.Activitiessuchasseminars,talksandeducationalexhibitionswereheldregularlywiththeparticipationofmanyagenciesfrombothcountries,demonstratingtheinterestoftheleadersandpeopleofthetwocountriesinthisfield.Speakersandexpertsprovideusefulpresentations,discussionandinformationforacomprehensiveviewofmoderneducationtrendsattheconference.Healsoaffirmedtheimportanceoftheconferenceincreatinganetworkbetweeneducationalinstitutions,managersandlearnersfrombothcountries.ThiseventnotonlycontributedtopromotingeducationalcooperationbutalsobroughtvaluableinformationtoVietnamesestudentswhowishedtostudyinChina.Inaddition,theconferencealsofeaturedin-depthpresentationsoncultural,linguisticandeducationalexchangesbetweenChinaandothercountries;informationabouttheChineseProficiencyTest(HSK)examsandtheprospectsandchallengesofChineseeducation,bringingalotofusefulinformationtoattendees.Withintheconferencesframework,delegatesandguestsvisitedtheVietnameseandChineseuniversitiesandeducationalorganisationsbooths.Meanwhile,studentsreceivedinformationandadvicesaboutstudyingprogrammesinChinaandenjoyed3,000freeslotstoparticipateintheHSKsimulationexam.VNSPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhspeaksattheevent.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?NTH?—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhchairedaconferenceintheMekongDeltacityofC?nTh?onOctober15todiscusssolutionstoaprojectonsustainabledevelopmentofonemillionhectaresofhigh-quality,low-emissionricecultivationassociatedwithgreengrowthintheMekongDeltaby2030,whichwaslaunchedinNovember2023.Inhisspeech,thePMdescribedriceasakeystrategiccommodityofVi?tNam.Riceproduction,hestressed,isnotjustaboutensuringnationalfoodsecurityandsocialstability;itisalifelineformillionsoffarminghouseholdsandamajordriverofexports.Moreover,itplaysacriticalroleinglobalfoodsecurityandenhancesVi?tNamsinternationalreputation.Theprojectisofparamountsignificanceforregionalfarmers,riceindustry,andVi?tNamsbroadereffortstocombatclimatechange,aimingfornet-zeroemissionsinlinewithcommitmentsmadeatthe26thUnitedNationsClimateChangeConferenceoftheParties(COP26),hesaid.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD),incollaborationwith12regionalprovinces,hascarriedoutthisproject,alreadyachievingnotableinitialresults.Chínhcalledonrelevantministries,particularlytheMARDandlocalauthorities,tosubmitdetailedreportsontheprojectsimplementation,highlightinganyobstaclesfacedandproposingsolutionstoovercomethem.Afternearlyayearofconcertedefforts,ministries,agenciesandlocalauthoritieshaveissuedlegaldocumentstosupporttheproject,selectedandestablishedareasforinvolvement,andappliedtechnicalpackagesthatmeetsustainabilitycriteria.Trainingcourseshavebeenofferedtoreorganiseproductionandstrengthenvaluechainconnectivity,amongothers.—VNS