TheB?nThành-Su?iTiênmetroline,whichbeganconstructioninAugust2012,spans19.7kmwith14stations,threeofthemundergroundandadepot.Photogiaoducthoidai.vnH?CHíMINHCITYPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhasinstructedH?ChíMinhCity(HCMC)toensurethetimelyoperationofitsfirstmetro.HewantstheB?nThành-Su?iTiênmetroprojectonlinebyNovember,aspertheestablishedschedule,withoutanydelays.Additionally,thePrimeMinistertaskedHCMCwithcollaboratingwithrelevantministriesandagenciestoresolvechallenges,facilitatingtheapprovalprocessforHCMCsRingRoadNo.4project.Inresponse,themunicipalPeoplesCommitteehasapprovedadjustmentstothetimelineforcompletingtheconstructionofthecitysfirstmetroline,B?nThành-Su?iTiên.ThisdecisionincludestheadjustmentoftheprojectscompletionbytheendofQ42024,withotherprojectdetailsremainingunchangedfromthepreviouslyapprovedplanin2023.ThecitysPeoplesCommitteehasentrustedtheManagementAuthorityfoVN88rUrbanRailways(MAUR)astheprojectowner,holdingthemfullyaccountablefortheaccuracyandlegalityofallsubmitteddataandreports.MAURisresponsibleforexecutingthemetrolineconstructionincompliancewithlegalregulations,ensuringquality,efficiencyandthattheprojectiscompletedandcommerciallyoperationalbytheendofQ42024.Theprojectownerisrequiredtodevelopadetailedplanfortheremainingwork,adheringstrictlytothetimeline.Allpartiesinvolvedmustbeheldaccountableandmeasuresmustbeinplacetomanagepotentialrisksandresolvechallenges.MAURmustalsocontrolprojectcosts,ensuringnoadditionalexpensesarisefromtheadjustedtimeline.Intheeventofcostincreases,MAURandotherinvolvedentitiesmustfindsolutionsinaccordancewithlaw.Furthermore,HCMCauthoritieshaveinstructedMAURtoproactivelyaddressanydisputeswithcontractors,ensuringthatsuchissuesdonotimpedetheprojectsprogress.Themetroprojectmustbecompletedwithoutfurtherdelays,withMAURbearingfullresponsibilitybeforethecitygovernmentandrelevantauthorities.TheB?nThành-Su?iTiênmetroline,whichbeganconstructioninAugust2012,spans19.7kmwith14stations,11ofthemelevatedandadepot.Theprojectrunsthroughdistricts1,BìnhTh?nh,andTh???c(HCMC),aswellasD?AnCity(BìnhD??ng).ThetotalinvestmentintheprojectexceedsVN?43trillion(US$1.7billion)Themetroprojecthasfacedmultipledelays,withrevisedcompletiondatesin2008,2011,2019and2023.AsperthelatestreportfromMAUR,98.58percentoftheoverallprojecthasbeencompleted.Specifically,theCP1apackage(theundergroundsectionfromB?nThànhtoNhàhátTPHCMstation)hasbeencompleted,whiletheCP1bpackage(theundergroundsectionfromNhàhátstationtoBaSonstation)is99.96percentcomplete.TheCP2package(theelevatedsectionanddepot)is99.76percentcompleteandtheCP3package(procurementofelectricalandmechanicalequipment,rollingstockandtrack)is96.79percentcomplete.VNS

StudentsofNinhThu?nVocationalCollegepractiseonanon-sitesolarpowersystemlocatedattheschoolsyard.—VNSPhotosKhánhD??ngKhánhD??ngNINHTHU?N—Hailingfromthesouth-centralprovinceofNinhThu?n,oneofthefastest-expandingareasofrenewableenergyinVi?tNam,Do?nH?uHi?pgrewupsurroundedbysolarpanelsandwindmills.Hewishedthatonedayhecouldstandonthetopofawindturbineorworkatalocalsolarfarmasamaintenanceengineer.Hi?phasdecidedtostudymechatronicsattheNinhThu?nVocationalCollegeforexactlythisreason.Hi?psaidstudentstakingrenewableenergy-relatedmajorscanlearntheoriesintheclassandthensharpentheirskillsonpracticalmodelsatschoolandbusinesses.NowHi?pisstudyingforasecondyearatthecollegeandisexcitedtohavethechancetopractisebyvisitingfactoriesandbusinessesnextyearasasenior.TrainingwhilestudyinghasbeenapopularchoiceofyoungpeopleinNinhThu?nProvinceasmanyofthembelievethatenrollinginathree-yearcollegecourseatavocationalschoolistheshortestroutetoearningajob.GivenaspecialmechanismbytheNationalAssemblytodeveloprenewableenergy,NinhThu?nProvinceboastshighpotentialforwindpower,solarpowerandispoisedtobecomearenewableenergyhubofthecountry.Thegoaloflocalauthoritiesistoproduceahighlyskilledrenewableenergyworkforceby2030.NinhThu?nVocationalCollegeistheonlycollegeofitskindinNinhThu?nProvince.Ithasprovidedbasicandadvancedtrainingfor3,000students,in14majorsincludingelectricalandmechanicalengineering,windpowerandsolarpower.Alectureratamechatronicsclassintroducestheelectricitysystemtostudents.Thecollegesprincipal,Nguy?nPhanAnhQu?c,saidpreparingstudentsforcareersintherenewableenergysectordoesnotalwaysincludeteachingthemonlyaboutsolarorwindpower.Eventhoughtheymayreceivetraininginautomationandmechatronics,graduatescanpursuecareersintherenewableenergyindustry.Weprovidetraininginmajorsthatlaythefoundationforrenewableenergy,hesaid.Ourlong-termcoursesarenowtargetedatlocalstudentswithintheprovince.Inaddition,wehavestartedofferingshort-termtrainingforlabourersandlecturersonrenewableenergyinothernearbyprovinces,withplanstoexpandthisprogrammeinthefuture,hesaid.Approximately80percentoftheschoolsgraduatessecureemployment,whilestudentsmajoringinrenewableenergyhaveanevengreateremploymentrate,hesaid.Weuseacooperativetrainingmodelandtraintheworkforceasneededbybusinesses.Together,theschoolandbusinessescreatethecurricula,offerinstructionandevaluatestudents,hesaid.Qu?csaidstudentswillbetrainedsothat,aftergraduation,theycanmeetskillrequirementsatwork.Graduatescanbeginworkingimmediatelyatthecompanywheretheynowpractise,savingmoneyonrecruitment,retrainingandtrainingcosts,hesaid.LecturerNg?Th?KimH?ngsaidsince2020,NinhThu?nVocationalCollegelecturershavereceivedtrainingfromtheGermanAgencyforInternationalCooperation(GIZ),thathasequippedthemwithknowledgeandabilitiesrelatedtorenewableenergy.AlsothankstotheGIZsupport,theschoolhasbeenequippedwithpracticalmodelsofwindpowerandsolarpower.Thankstothecoordinationbetweenthecollegeandlocalenterprises,studentscanvisitbusinessesandtakeapprenticeshipprogrammes.Manygraduatesarecurrentlyemployedasmaintenanceengineersandinstallationworkersatlocalwindandsolarpowerfactories.Manyofthemhavebecomesolarpowerprojectsmanagers,shesaid.Ibelievethereshouldbemoreopportunitiesforstudentstogainexperienceinfactories.Whilepractisingonmodelsinclassroomsmighthelpthemlearnnewskills,morepracticeinworkplacesisnecessaryforthemtocompletelycomprehendlaboursafety.Theycanthenclosethegapsbetweentheoryandpracticeatthatpoint,shetoldVi?tNamNews.Preparationsfora‘greenlabourforcePrincipalQu?csaid:Wecantstandalonebutneedcooperationwithotherschoolsandenterprises.Trainingqualityisdeterminedbycooperationwithbusinesses.Wealsohavegapsbetweentheoriesandpractice.Howcanthegapsbeclosed?Astechnologieskeepevolving,justafterhalfayearoroneyear,studentsneedtoberetrainedandweneednewtechnologiesassistedbyenterprises,hesaid.Theschool,GIZandenterpriseshavecompiledasurveytodeterminewhatcompetenciesareneededforstudentsandlabourersintherenewableenergysector.WehopethatitcanbetterforecastdemandforrenewableenergyhumanresourcesinVi?tNam,Qu?csaid.AsVi?tNamaimstoincreasethelocalisationrateofrenewableenergycontent,expertsbelievethattraininglocalhumanresourcesplaysakeypartinpromotingdomesticmarketlocalisation.ProjectDirectoroftheClean,AffordableandSecureEnergyforSoutheastAsiaundertheGIZEnergySupportProgramme,V?ChiMai,saidwhenrenewableenergyaccountsforthemajorityofthetotalpowerdiagraminVi?tNaminthefuture,alotofhumanresourcesarerequired.Ourcurrentrelianceonforeignspecialistsforthedesign,managementandupkeepofrenewableenergyprojectshasrisenthecostofproducingelectricityandincreasedourdependenceonthethirdparties.WemustinvestinhumanresourcesifVi?tNamistoboostthelocalisationrateintherenewableenergysector,shesaid.HumanresourcedevelopmenttakestimeandrequirescooperationbetweentheMinistryofIndustryandTrade,MinistryofEducationandTraining,MinistryofScienceandTechnology,andtrainingschools,witharoadmapofatleastfiveyears,sheadded.Maiproposedthatshort-termhumanresourcetrainingprogrammesbeimplementedtofillinthecapacitygapswithinfactories.—VNSHu?nhThúcKhángStreetinHàN?iissubmergedafterheavyrain.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?SinhHàN?I—TyphoonYagihasleftmanyseriousconsequencesinthenorthernregionwithfloodingnotjustclaiminglivesbutalsodestroyinglivelihoodsandithappenedinmanydiverseareas,regardlessofwhethertheywereinthemountainsoronlowerground.Expertssaidthatclimatechangewasbecomingmoreandmorecomplexandfloodinginlargecitieswasoccurringmorefrequently,bothintherainyanddryseasons,affectingpeopleslife.Inspiteofmanyfloodpreventionprojectsworthtrillionsof??ng(VN?1trillionequalsUS$40.5million)thoseplanswerenotabletosavethecityfrombeingsubmergedwhenheavyrainslastforalongtime.Therequirementforurbanconstructionanddevelopmenttoadapttoclimatechangeandpreventfloodingisbecomingincreasinglyurgent.However,itisverydifficulttoimmediatelyhaveasolutionthatcanfullydoawaywiththeproblem.ArchitectNg?Vi?tNamS?nbelievesthatinadditiontourbanisationnotbeingsynchronisedwithfloodpreventionsolutions,manynaturalriversandcanalsarebeingencroachedandfilledintobuildhousesandcreateurbanareas,narrowingthenaturaldrainagespace,socreatingareaspronetoflooding.Tocombatfloodsinasustainableway,cityauthoritiesneedtobeconsistentinplanningandlicensingurbanprojects,especiallyareasalongrivers,canalsandditches.Ultimately,drainagewillnotbeeffectiveiftheriverandcanalsystemsareencrVN88oacheduponorfilled.HCMCityiscitedbyS?nashavingfilledincanalsfordecadestomakeboxculverts,whichhavealargeandstrongdrainagecapacity,allowingforeasierdredgingandmaintenance.But,hesaid,inessencenothingwouldeverreplacethecanals,whichinadditiontobeingabletoholdalargeamountofwater,canalsotakeawaygroundwater,effectivelybecomingaverylargewaterreserve.Similarly,inHàN?i,manystreetsturnintoriverswheneverthereisheavyrain,provingamajorheadacheformanagementagencies.AccordingtothemunicipalDepartmentofTransport,therearecurrently30blackspotsinthecapitalcitythatpredictablybecomeinundatedwhenheavyrainsoccur,suchasNguy?nKhuy?nStreet,HoaB?ngStreet,PhanB?iChau-LyTh??ngKi?tintersection,MinhKhaiStreet,andTh?ngLongAvenue.DeputyPresidentoftheVi?tNamUrbanPlanningandDevelopmentAssociation?àoNg?cNghiêmsaidthatthereasonwhythecapitalfloodedeverytimeitrainedwasbecausetheseweranddrainagesystemhadmanylimitations.HàN?iisdividedintothreeareasfordrainage,thenorthHàN?iarea,theleft?áyRiverareaandtheright?áyRiverarea.However,thepumpingstationstopumpwaterdownstreamhavenotbeenbuilt.Inaddition,thedownstreampumpingstationsdonothaveenoughcapacity.Nghiêmsharedtheexperienceofcountriesaroundtheworldinpreventingandcombatingflooding,showingthatfrom3to5percentofthelandsurfacemustbeusedasregulatinglakes.But,HàN?inowonlyhasabout2percent,equivalentto6,000haoflakes.Althoughthecapitalcityhasmanycanalsystems,manyofthemhavebeenfilledinandthesystemsfullpotentialhasnotbeenexploited.Itcanbeseenthatfloodpreventionprojectsinurbanareasacrossthecountryareverynecessarybutnotenough,especiallywiththepresentextremeweatherchanges.SolutionsFloodinginDistrict7inHCMCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ngGiangSolvingthefloodingsituationrequiresastrategyandasustainablevision.ForHCMCity,expertsadvisethatitisnecessarytore-evaluatetheeffectivenessoffloodpreventionprojectsimplementedinthepast,bothtodrawlessonsforfutureprojectsandtocontroltheworkresults.Atthesametime,thecityshouldstrengthencooperationandshareexperienceswithothercitiesaroundtheworld.Fromthere,itispossibletominimisetheimpactoffloodingandmovetowardsamoresustainablefutureforthepeopleandcommunity.AsforHàN?i,Nghiêmsaidthatthebestwaywastoquicklyadjustdrainageprojects.Inaddition,itisnecessarytoregularlymaintainandrepairthesystemofcanals,ditchesandsewers.Inparticular,thecapitalcityneedsapolicytocomprehensivelystudytheriversystemflowingthroughHàN?i.Atpresent,HàN?iisconductinganumberofprojects,suchasdrainagesystems,regulatinglakes,upgradingandbuildingpumpingstations,improvingthedrainagesysteminthewesternarea.Alongwiththat,aseriesofprojectsarebeingpreparedforinvestment,suchastherainwaterdrainagesystemintheleftbasinoftheNhu?RiverandthedrainagesysteminHà??ngDistrictintherightbasinoftheNhu?River.ThreedrainageprojectsinvestedbytheLongBiênDistrictPeoplesCommitteehaveallbeenapprovedbytheHàN?iPeoplesCommittee.Climatechangeandfloodingdonotonlyoccurincentralcitiesbuthasspreadthroughoutallregions.Topreventnaturaldisasters,Vi?tNamhasissuedmanyrelatedpolicies,strategiesandprogrammes,aimingtorespondtoclimatechangeanddevelopsustainableurbanareas.However,adaptationtoclimatechangeinurbanplanningstillhaslimitations.DirectoroftheDepartmentofScience,TechnologyandEnvironmentundertheMinistryofConstructionV?Ng?cAnhsaidthattoberesilienttoclimatechange,urbanareasshouldhavemoderatesizeandhavesufficientadaptivecapacity.Vi?tNamwillbesoonneedingtoapprovetheurbanandruralplanningsystemforthe2021-30period,withavisionto2050.Atthequestion-and-answersessionbeforetheNationalAssemblyinJunethisyearregardingfloodinginurbanareas,MinisterofConstructionNguy?nThanhNgh?alsoproposedanumberofsolutions.Thefirstoneistoimprovethelawsrelatedtodrainageandwastewatertreatment,includingdevelopingtheLawonUrbanandRuralPlanning,theLawonWaterSupplyandDrainage,andtheLawonUrbanDevelopmentManagement.Healsoaffirmedthatitwasnecessarytoimprovetheconstructionplanningandurbanplanningmanagementquality.—VNS

BorderguardsinHàT?nhProvincehelpfishermenanchortheirvesselsonSeptember18asthecentralregionbracesforStormSoulik.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?uQuy?tHàN?I—Frequentstormsareexpecteduntiltheendof2024,accordingtotheNationalCentreforHydrometeorologicalForecasting(NCHMF).Nguy?nV?nH??ng,headoftheNCHMFsWeatherForecastDepartment,saidthattheclimatephenomenonENSO(ElNi?oSouthernOscillation)isinaneutralstate.Forecastsindicatea60-70percentchanceofashifttoLaNi?afromOctobertoDecemberthisyear.ThismeansthatstormsandtropicaldepressionsintheEastSeawilloccuratanequalorhigherfrequencythantheannualaverageof4.5stormsperyear.Thenumberofstormsmakinglandfallislikelytoincreasecomparedtotheyearlyaverageof1.9storms,withthecentraltosouthernregionsbeingthemostaffected.TherainyseasonisexpectedtoendlaterthanusualinthecentralandsouthernregionsandtheCentralHighlands.Rainfallisforecasttobehigherthantheyearlyaverageinthecentralregionaswellassoutherncitiesandprovinces,saidH??ng.InadditiontoheavyrainsfromnowuntilthebeginningofDecemberinthecentralregion,coldspellsarealsoexpectedduringNovember-December.Thecoldairmassandintertropicalconvergencezone,thereasonfortherecentrainfall,haveweakenedanddissipatedasitpassedthroughthecentralregion.Asaresult,theheavyrainspellinthenorthernandcentralregionswillend,andfloodwaterswillgraduallyrecede.H??ngnotedthatthereislittlechanceofstormsandtropicaldepressionsintheEastSeainthebeginningof2025.Duringthisperiod,intenseandfrequentcoldspellsareexpectedintheNorth,thereforepeopleshouldbecautiousaboutdamagingfrost,iceandsnowfallinthemountainousareas.—VNSSuvarnabhumiAirportinThailand.BANGKOK—APolishwomanwasdetainedatSuvarnabhumiInternationalAirport,Bangkok,ThailandonSeptember26aftersheallegedlymadeabombthreatduringaThaiVietjetflightfromVi?tNamscentralcityof?àN?ng,boundforBangkok,accordingtolocalmedia.TheVZ961flightcarried121people,includingoneinfantand6crewmembers.KittipongKittikachorn,GeneralManageroftheairport,reportedthattheairportssecuritycentrewasalertedat2:18pmonSeptember26aboutthethreatmadeonboard.Securityofficersconductedthoroughsearchesofpassengersandtheirhandluggage,whileanExplosiveOrdnanceDisposal(EOD)teamallcheckedbaggageandtheaircraft.Nosuspiciousobjectsorexplosiveswerefound.Theemergencyresponseplanwasliftedat4:30pm.AccordingtoThailandslawonoffencescommittedagainstairnavigation,anyonewhoknowinglycommunicatesfalseinformationcausingpaniconanaircraftinflightisliabletoimprisonmentforupto5yearsorafineofUS$6,150onconviction.Theairlineaffirmedthatitsoperationsalwayscomplywithstrictsafetyregulationsaccordingtointernationalstandards.Currently,alldisruptiveactsthatcauseconfusionamongpassengersandaffecttheoperationsofairlineswillbepunishedaccordingtoregulations,VietjetAirsaidinastatementregardingtheincident.—VNSPanelistattheworkshopongenetichealthandanti-ageingonSeptember26inHàN?i.—PhotocourtesyoftheorganiserHàN?I—HealthexpertssharedthelateststudyinusinggenedecodingtechnologytosupportscreeningandearlydetectionofageinganddangerousdiseasesataworkshoponSeptember26inHàN?i.Theworkshop,entitledGenetichealthandanti-ageing,wasorganisedbyB?cHàInternationalGeneralHospitalincollaborationwithRevitacompanyundertheJuntendoUniversityHospitalinJapan.Speakingattheevent,DrNguy?nNg?Quang,DirectoroftheDepartmentofScience,TechnologyandTraining,theMinistryofHealth,saidoneoftheprioritiesinVi?tNamsmedicaldevelopmentfromnowto2030istodevelopmedicalscienceandtechnologyanddeveloppersonalisedmedicine,includinggeneticresearchandapplication.DrQuangalsosaidthatthehealthministrywillalwaysencourageandcreatethebestconditionsforlocalunitstocoordinatewithJapanesepartnersinimplementingresearchandtestingthegenedecodingtechnologyinVi?tNam.PresidentoftheJapanAnti-AgingAssociation,Prof.ShigeoHoriesharedrecentstudiesrelatingtoageing,geneticandenvironmentalfactorsofmultifactorialdiseases,suchascancer,stroke,myocardialinfarction,hypertension,diabetes,allergies,dementiaanddepression.Prof.Horiesaidthatdiseasessuchascancer,heartdiseaseandstrokehaveamajorimpactonlifeofwhichthemainriskfactorforthesediseasesisage.Mostpatientsusuallydevelopthediseaseafterage50andtheriskofdiseaseincreasesrapidlywithageing.Dependingonthegeneticcode,peoplesufferfromdifferentdiseases.Therefore,theresultsofgenedecodingwillaccuratelydeterminebiologicallifespan,therebypredictingfuturediseasesandreducingtheriskofdisease,saidHorie.Genedecodingtechnology,ownedbyRevitacompany,researchedbyProfessorShigeoHorieandhisresearchteam,hasdecoded3.2billiongenecellstohelppeopleunderstandtheunknownsoftheirphysicalhealthcondition,nutritionandgeneticfactors.Thisisthebasisforpredictingandplanninghealthcareintherightdirection.Inotherwords,theresultsofgenomeanalysiscancontributetopredictingsomedangerousandcommondiseasesinthecurrentera.ProfessorShigeoHoriesmethodofcombininggenedecodingandpost-decodingtherapymeetsavarietyofuserneeds,fromnewbornstoschool-agechildren,adults,andtheelderly.ThemethodisperformedbytakingDNAfromasalivaorbloodsample,withresultsavailableafterabouttwotothreemonths.WiththedesiretohelpVietnamesepeopleaccessthetechnology,RevitahaschosenB?cHàInternationalHospitalastheonlyrepresentativeinVi?tNamprovidinghealthconsultingservicesfollowingthecombinationofgenedecodingandpost-decodingtherapy.B?cHàInternationalGeneralHospitaliscurrentlytheonlyrepresentativeinVi?tNamtoprovidehealthconsultingservicesusingthegenedecodingmethod.ThehospitalwilladviseandscreenpatientsbeforesendingthemforgenedecodingandtreatmentatJuntendoMedicalUniversityHospital,Japan.Afterthedecodingprocessiscompleted,thepatientwillcontinuetreatmentatB?cHàInternationalGeneralHospitalandbeexaminedonlinebyleadingJapanesemedicalexperts.Afterhavingtheresultsofgenomedecoding,customersandpatientswillreceivein-depthconsultation,helpingtoproactivelybuildahealthcareplanforthemselvesthroughdietandexercise,supplementingnutrientsaccordingtotheirneedstopreventcancer,minimisetheriskofstrokeandchronicdiseases,contributingtohelpingthemhaveahealthyfuture.—VNSVN88

SunLifeVietnamhasdonatedVN?1.8billion($73,155)tosupportresidentsseverelyimpactedbyTyphoonYagiinnorthernVi?tNam.—PhotocourtesyofthecompanyHCMCITY—SunLifeVietnamhasdonatedVN?1.8billion($73,155)tosupportresidentsseverelyimpactedbyTyphoonYagiinnorthernVi?tNam.ThedonationwillbeprovidedthroughtheVietnamRedCrossSocietytosupportdisasterreliefefforts,includingprovidingcleanwaterandessentialsuppliesandcontributingtotherebuildingeffortsinhigh-impactareas.LucNhonLy,CEOofSunLifeVietnam,said:Thechallengesmanyfamiliesarefacingafterthestormandfloodsremainsignificant.Throughthissupport,wewanttobringhopeandmotivationforpeopletorecoverandrebuildtheirlives.SunLifeiscommittedtostandingbyourclientsandcommunity,workingtowardsbuildingabrighterfutureforeveryone.SunLifeVietnamwillcoordinatewiththeRedCrossanditspartnerstoensurethattheassistancereachestherightpeoplequicklyandeffectively.L??ngTh?H?ngThúy,boardmemberanddirectorofexternalrelationsanddevelopmentatVietnamRedCross,said:WearedeeplygratefulforthetimelysupportfromSunLifeVietnam.Withthisdonation,wewillbeabletohelpabout500householdstohelpthemovercomethisdifficultperiodassoonaspossible.SunLifeVietnamhasalsostartedasupportfundforthecompanysemployeesandadvisorsaffectedbythestormandflooding.SunLifeVietnamhasawidenetworkofadvisorsandofficesthroughoutH?iPhòngCity,andQu?ngNinh,YênBái,V?nhPhúc,B?cGiangandPhúTh?provinces,someofwhichareinareasheavilyimpactedbystormsandfloods.Thesupportwillensurethattheyhavenecessaryresourcestoovercomethechallengestheyarefacing.SunLifeVietnamhasalsopromptlycarriedoutprocedurestopayinsurancebenefitstothefamilyofacustomeraffectedduringtherecentstorm.—VNSPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhandsoverthedecisionontheapprovalofBìnhD??ngmasterplaninthe2021-30periodwithavisionto2050tothelocalleader.—VNA/VNSPhotoD??ngGiangBìNHD??NG—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhasurgedBìnhD??ngsauthoritiestostrengthenregionaleconomicties,promoteagreenanddigitaleconomy,andbuildcutting-edgeandsustainableindustrialparks.PMChínhwasspeakingattheconferenceannouncingBìnhD??ngsMasterPlanforDevelopmentinthe2021-30periodwithalong-termvisionstretchingto2050onThursday.HenotedthatBìnhD??nghadexperiencedsignificantgrowthinthepastthreedecades,transformingfromanagriculture-gearedprovinceintoathrivingindustrialhubandamagnetforforeigninvestors.WithanincomepercapitaofVN?172.5million($7,005)in2023,BìnhD??nghassignificantlyoutperformedthenationalaverageandestablisheditselfasoneofthetoptenprovincesinVi?tNamintermsofeconomicgrowth,FDIinflows,andurbanisation.Heurgedauthoritiestoimplementtheplanatafastpacebutensuretheimplementationalignswiththenational,regional,andsectorialplanningframeworks.BìnhD??ngsauthoritiesmustleveragepublic-privatepartnershipsandfosterinvestmentininfrastructuretounlockitsfullpotential,saidthePM.PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhexaminesthemapoftheHCMCity-Th?D?uM?t-Ch?nThànhExpresswayprojectonThursday.—VNA/VNSPhotoHesuggestedthatBìnhD??ngsauthoritiesfocusonthefivestrategicmeasureshighlightedinthePlan,andallocatemorefinancialresourcestofosteringregionalcooperation,enhancingconnectivity,andintegratingintoglobalsupplychains.Heemphasisedthecriticalroleofhumancapitalandurgedtheauthoritiestoinvestheavilyineducationandtrainingandimplementmeasurestoimproveliteracyandattracttalent.Healsostressedtheneedforacceleratingadministrativereformsandupliftingbusinessenvironmentindicatorstoimprovetheinvestmentclimatetoattractlarge-scaleinvestors.Healsosuggestedbuildingaplanningcentreintheprovincetoserveasahubforpublicengagement,knowledgesharing,andtradepromotion.Inthecentre,planningdocumentswouldbepublishedtokeeppeopleawareofthePlan.HecalledforclosecoordinationamongministriesandagenciestoensuretheeffectiveimplementationofthePlan,highlightingtheGovernmentscommitmenttocreatingafavourablebusinessenvironmentbasedontheprinciplesofmutualbenefitsandsharedrisks.Onthesameday,thePMalsovisitedtheElectricEnergyShow2024andAutomationWorldVietnam2024andconductedanon-siteinspectionoftheprovincesHCMCity-Th?D?uM?t-Ch?nThànhExpresswayproject.ThePlanwasapprovedbythePrimeMinisteronAugust,coveringfivecitiesandfourdistrictsunderthemanagementofBìnhD??ngProvince.ItsoverallgoalisforBìnhD??ngtobecomeacentrally-governedmetropolisandaSoutheastAsianpowerhouseby2030,takingtheleadininnovation,technology,infrastructure,andgreengrowth.Anothergoalistoimproveitspeoplesqualityoflife,buildathrivingandmodernsociety,andstrengthennationaldefenceandpublicsafety.TheprovincealsoaimstoachieveanannualGDPgrowthrateof10percentandapercapitaincomeofUS$15,800,withtheindustrialandconstructionsectorbeingthebackbone,accountingfor64percentofitseconomy,andtheurbanisationratereachingapproximately90percent.Theprovincealsoaimstoreachapopulationof4.04millionin2030,withahighlyskilledworkforce,qualityeducation,andimprovedhealthcare.Keyindicatorsincludealabourforcetrainingrateof87percent,anationalstandardattainmentrateforschoolsof80percent,andadoctor-to-populationrateof19per10,000people.Coincidingwiththereleaseoftheplan,BìnhD??ngsauthoritiesalsobrokegroundonseveralmajorinfrastructureprojects,includingRingRoad4andHCMCity-Th?D?uM?t-Ch?nThànhExpressway.Theseprojectsareexpectedtobethekeycatalystsfortheprovinceseconomicgrowthintheshortterm.—VNS

DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàvisitslocalsaffectedbyheavyfloodinginthecentralprovinceofThanhHóa(chǎn).—Photochinhphu.vnHàN?I—DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàonThursdayledadelegationtoreviewdisasterreliefeffortsinthecentralThanhHóa(chǎn)Province,whichhasbeenimpactedbystorm-inducedfloodsandlandslidessinceearlySeptember.WhileinspectingrepairworkatN?Th?nSewerage,wherestructuraldamagesinceTuesdayhasbeenposingathreattoadikeontheM?RiverinThanhHóa(chǎn),DeputyPMHàpraisedthearmedforces,militiaandlocalresidentsfortheirearlydetectionofrisksatthesite.HealsoorderedanurgentassessmentofthestructuralstabilityofthedikesalongtheM?River.Solidersworktorepairtheflood-induceddamageatN?Th?nSewerageontheleftdikeofM?RiverinThanhHóa(chǎn)Province.—VNA/VNSPhotoDuringthetrip,hevisitedstudentsandteachersfromtheLamPhúSecondarySchool,whichwasdamagedduringconstructionduetostormimpacts.Localauthoritieshavedeclaredanemergencyattheschoolandevacuatedall300studentstosafety.TheyhavesincebeentemporarilyrelocatedtotheLamPhúPrimarySchool,sevenkilometresawayfromtheiroriginalcampus.TheGovernmentleaderapplaudedtheproactiveresponseoftheprovincetoalleviatetheconsequencesofTyphoonYagiandStormSoulik,bothofwhichhittheareaaftersweepinginfromtheEastSeainSeptember.Regardingissuesthatexceedlocalauthority,thecentralGovernmentwillcontinueitsattentionandsupportforurgenttaskstoquicklystabiliselocalpeopleslives,theGovernmentleadersaid.Prioritywillbegiventoessentialinfrastructuresuchastransportation,educationandhealthcare.Onthesameday,DeputyPMHàalsovisitedandpresentedgiftstohouseholdsaffectedbyheavyfloodingintheprovincesTh?chThànhDistrict.Localauthoritieshavebeenaskedtoarrangeresettlementordevelopflood-resistantresidencesforthoseaffectedbythedisaster.SincethebeginningofSeptember,ThanhHóa(chǎn)Provincehasbornetheimpactoftwoconsecutivestorms,YagiandSoulik,whichhaveledtoheavydownpours,floodinganderosioninmultipleareas.Thesedisastersresultedinonedeathandtwoinjuredaswellasvariousagriculturalandinfrastructuredamage.Thecostofthedestructionfromthefloodinghasnotyetbeenfullyestimated,asfloodspersistintheregion.Localauthoritieshavemobilisedallavailableresourcestoensuresocialwelfareandtherecoveryofinfrastructureandbusinesses.—VNS

TheHCMCityCentrefortheFourthIndustrialRevolutionwasopenedonSeptember25.-Photonld.com.vnHCMCITY–HCMCityneedstocollaboratewithinternationalpartnersandtrainitsworkforcetogainfullyutiliseitsnewCentrefortheFourthIndustrialRevolution(C4IR),expertshavesaid.ThecentrewasopenedattheSàiGònHi-TechParkinTh???cCityonSeptember25duringthe5thHCMCityEconomicForum,wheretheywerediscussinghowitneedstooperate.Itsremitincludessuggestingsolutionsandpoliciesforindustrialtransformation,fosterinvestmentintechparksandassisttheGovernmentandbusinesseswithadoptingnewtechnologies.SetupunderanagreementbetweenVi?tNamandtheWorldEconomicForum(WEF),itisoneof19C4IRsgloballyandthesecondinSoutheastAsia.Itoperatesasapublic-privatepartnershipbetweenmajorcompaniesandtheHCMCitygovernment.ElinaRoslan,seniordirectoroftheMalaysiaC4IR,whichhasbeenhelpingdraftpoliciesforAIethicsandmanagement,saiditshowcaseshowthecentrescouldbenefittheirrespectivecountries.Hershasbeenworkingwithgovernmentagenciesandkeyacademicinstitutionstopromotetheadoptionoffourthindustrialrevolutiontechnologies,whichhelpsalignthecountrywithglobalbestpractices.HCMCityshouldstrengthenitsco-operationwithotherlocalitiesinVi?tNamandwithcountriesaroundtheworld,andbewillingtodemonstrateitsleadershipthinkingintheareasofenergytransformation,sustainabledevelopmentanddigitaltransformation,shesuggested.Trainingtheworkforcetoquicklyadapttonewtechnologiesisimportant,shesaid.Withthecentresopeningcomesnewco-operationbetweenVi?tNamandMalaysia,whohavethesamegoalsofapplying4.0technologiesandsustainabledevelopment,sheadded.KyriakosTriantafyllidis,headofgrowthandstrategyfortheWEFsCentreforAdvancedManufacturingandSupplyChains,saidtheHCMCityC4IRneedstofocusonforecastingandunderstandingglobaltrendsthataffectproductionactivities,whichwouldhelpinthedevelopmentofpolicies.Nguy?nH?uTu?n,deputydirectorofViettelSolutions,oneofthefounders,saidthecentrehasdevelopedadetailedactionplanforuntil2027.Itfocusesonresearchintoandapplicationofmoderntechnologiesinmanufacturingandbuildingdevelopmentpolicies.Thegovernmentauthorityneedstoclearlyorientthecentresgoalsandvisions,makingsuretheyareinlinewiththecountrysgeneraldevelopmentstrategy,especiallyregardingtheapplicationof4.0tech,hesaid.Italsoneedstoissuefavourabletaxpolicies,providefinancialassistance,developmanpower,andimprovedigitalinfrastructure,headded.TheHCMCityEconomicForumsagendawasfocusedonthecitysindustrialtransformation,andwasattendedbyVi?tNamstopofficialsandeconomistsfromaroundtheworld.-VNSAviewofTanThu?nHamletin??t??DistrictsLongTanCommuneinBàR?a–V?ngTàuProvince.Ithasthelargestnumberofethnicpeopleinahamletintheprovince,having134Ch?Rohouseholdswithmorethan500people.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngNh?BàR?A–V?NGTàU—ThelivesofethnicpeopleinBàR?a–V?ngTàuProvincehaveimprovedsignificantlyastheprovincehasimplementedvarioussupportpoliciesforthem.Thesoutheastprovincehasinvestedininfrastructurefacilitiesforethnicpeopleandassistedthemtohavestablelivelihoodsandhouses.Theprovincehasnearly9,000ethnichouseholdswithatotalof26,000peoplebelongingto36ethnicminorities.TheyaremostlyHoa,Khmer,Tày,NùngandCh?Ropeople.Underthenationaltargetprogrammeforsocio-economicdevelopmentinethnicminorityandmountainousareasin2021-25implementedinBàR?a–V?ngTàu,theprovincespentmorethanVN?280billion(US$11.4million)in2023andthefirstsevenmonthsofthisyeartosupportethnicpeopleandtoinvestininfrastructurefacilitiesintheirlivingareas.Duringtheperiod,itbuilt23transportprojectsinethnicpeoplelivingareas,built187newhousesandrepaired178housesforethnichouseholds,assisted218ethnichouseholdstoaccesstapwaterand100householdstohaveaccesstopower.Italsohelpedpoorandnear-poorethnichouseholdsbreedanimalsandadvocatedtheLawonDrugPreventionandControltoethnicpeople.Ittookmeasurestosupporteducationandtrainingforallethnicstudents,includinggivingfreetextbooksandnotebooksworthVN?9.2billion($375,000)for15,437studentsin2022-23.D??ngQu?cKhánhsfamily,aCh?RoethnichouseholdinChau??cDistricts?áB?cCommune,hasadifficultlifeandlocalauthoritiesgavehisfamilyVN?75million($3,000)tobuildahouselastyear.Thesupportforbuildinganewhousemademyfamilyslifemorestable.Myfamilyisgratefulthatlocalauthoritiestakecareofethnicpeople,hesaid.Khánhmarriedin2013andhisparentsgavehimapieceofland,buthisfamilyslifewasdifficultbecauseheandhiswifehadunstablework,sotheycouldonlymakeatemporaryhousewithtarpaulinwallsandcorrugatedironroofs.Withthesupportpoliciesforethnicpeople,allcommuneswhereethnicpeoplelivehavebeenrecognisedasnew-styleruralareas.Upto99.8percentofethnichouseholdshaveaccesstonationalpowergridsandallethnichouseholdshavehygienicwaterfordailyuse.Hu?nhThànhQuy,aHoaethnicpersoninPhúM?TownsS?ngXoàiCommune,hasbeensupportedbylocalauthoritiestoaccesstapwaterfordailyhouseholduse.Thesupplyoftapwaterisstable,andthishelpsmetoproactivelysecureirrigationwaterformy2haorchardthatgrowsdurianandgrapefruit,hesaid.EffortsEthnicpeopleintheprovincehavemadeeffortstodevelopagriculturalproductionandimproveincomes.Theyhaveparticipatedinco-operativestoincreaseproductionefficiencyandaccesssoftloanstodeveloptheirproductionandbusiness.VoòngC?ngM?nh,aHoaethnicpersoninPhúM?TownsS?ngXoàiCommune,participatedinH?cD?chGreenSkinandPinkFleshGrapefruitco-operativewhenitwasestablishedin2022andhasgotmanybenefitsfrombeingamember.Theco-operativeoftenorganisesmeetingstoshareexperiencesandtechniquesofgrowinggrapefruitsoIlearnmanygoodtechniques,andthishelpsimprovemyfruityield.Theco-operativealsobuysgrapefruitssoIfeelsecureaboutbuyers,hesaid.HesometimessellsgrapefruitsatahighpriceofuptoVN?30,000akilo,VN?5,000higherthansellingtotraders,hesaid.Hehasexpandedhisorchardfrom1hato3hanow.Theco-operativehas40members,including15ethnicones,andthesemembershaveanincomebetweenVN?300milliontoVN?2billion($12,200–81,000)ayear.Ng?HùngLy,deputyheadofthePhúM?TownsBureauforEthnicMinorityAffairs,saidmanyethnichouseholdsinS?ngXoàiCommunehadengagedinagriculturalproductionandhadbecomewealthy.Theyhadbuiltconcretespacioushousesandinvestedintheirchildrenseducation,hesaid.Underthenationaltargetprogrammeforsocio-economicdevelopmentinethnicminorityandmountainousareasin2021-25,theprovincessocial-politicalorganisationshavetakenvariousmeasurestoassistethnicpeople.TheprovincesWomensUnion,forinstance,hasimplementedProject8torealisegenderequalityandaddressurgentissuesfacedbywomenandchildren,whichispartofthenationaltargetprogramme.Undertheproject,theprovincesWomensUnionsatalllevelshelped354ethnicmembersborrowsoftloansworthatotalofVN?15.8billion($640,000)fromtheVi?tNamBankforSocialPoliciestodevelopagriculturalproductionandbusinessin2021-23.Duringtheperiod,theprojectalsohelped853ethnicwomenmemberstoborrowVN?312million($12,700)fromlocalWomensSavingGroups.—VNS

UNICEFRepresentativeSilviaDanailovandEducationOfficerNguy?nHoàngTùngreceivingwaterpurificationtabletsprovidedbyUNICEFtogovernmentpartnersfordistributiontocommunitiesaffectedbytyphoonYagi.—PhotocourtesyofUNICEFVi?tNamTheUnitedNationsChildrensFund(UNICEF),akeyproviderofemergencydisasterrelief,iscommittedtoassistingtheGovernmentofVi?tNaminaddressingthedevastationofTyphoonYagi,theorganisationsRepresentativetoVi?tNamSilviaDanailovtoldVi?tNamNewsinaninterview.NorthernVi?tNamhasbeensignificantlyimpactedbyTyphoonYagi,leadingtoextensivedamageandlosses.CouldyouprovideanassessmentofVi?tNamseffortsinnaturaldisasterpreventionandforecasting,aswellasthestrategiesimplementedtomitigatetherecentdamage?Firstly,Iwanttoexpressmydeepestsympathiesandcondolences,onbehalfofUNICEF,tothepeopleofVi?tNamwhohavesufferedlossofcountlesslives,injuries,majordamagetolivelihoodsanddisruptionstotheirdailylivesduetothisdevastatingstorm.Unfortunately,thesituationcontinuestoworsenintheaftermathofthestorm.Beforethestormhit,theGovernmentofVi?tNamtookremarkable,proactiveandwell-coordinatedstepstosecurethesafetyofitspeopleandvitalinfrastructure.Theirpreventiveactionsrangedfromtimelyevacuationprocedurestothemobilisationofresponseteamsandthesafeguardingofcriticalareaslikeseadikes.Theseactionshighlightthegovernmentscommitmenttodisasterpreventionandforecastingandtoprotectinglivesandlivelihoods,whichiscommendable.UNICEFhassupportedtheseeffortsbyassistingtheauthoritiesincirculatingcrucialpreventionandpreparednessmessagesamongthepopulation,withafocusonchildrenandwomen.Inthewakeofthestorm,thegovernmenthasbeenswiftlycarryingoutinitialdamageassessmentsandlaunchedresponseeffortsontheground,includingwiththesupportofinternationalandlocalhumanitarianactors.TheswiftactivationoftheDisasterRiskandResponsePartnership,acoalitionconsistingofgovernmentbodies,UNagenciesincludingUNICEF,InternationalNGOsandhumanitarianpartners,isatestamenttothespiritofsolidarity,cooperationandresilienceinthefaceofadversity.Thiscollective,strategicresponseisnotjustcommendable,itsinspirational.CouldyousharemoreaboutUNICEFssupportplanforVi?tNam?Whatwillbethefocus?UNICEFsresponseisfocusedonsupportingthegovernmentsefforts.WeworkcloselywithgovernmentpartnersandUNsisteragenciesandotherpartnerstoaddressimmediatehumanitarianneedsandlong-termrecoveryandresiliencebuildingefforts.Throughgovernmentpartners,UNICEFisalreadyprovidinghumanitariansuppliestoaffectedpeople.Forexample,thisweekweprovidedwatersuppliestothegeneralhospitalinLàoCaiandtheCentreforDiseaseControlinTháiNguyên.Inthedaystocome,welldelivermorewaterpurificationtablets,watertanks,ceramicfiltersandhandsanitisersfordistributiontohouseholds,schoolsandhealthcarefacilitiesinYênBáiandLàoCaiprovinces.Wehavealsoparticipatedingovernment-ledneedsassessmentsandouremergencysupportprioritiseshelpingsavelivesandrestoringbasicservicesforthemostvulnerablepopulations,especiallychildren.UNICEFemergencyinterventionsarefocusedonensuringaccesstosafewater,sanitation,hygiene,healthservices,nutrition,educationandchildprotection,aswellasprovidinghumanitariancashassistancetovulnerablefamilies.WearefullycommittedtosupportingtheVietnamesegovernmentsstrongeffortstomitigatethedisastersimpact.Ourprimaryactionsinclude:-Distributingwatertreatment,hygieneandsanitationsuppliestohouseholds,healthcentresandschools.-Supplyingemergencymedicalandnutritionalaidstoseverelyaffectedareas.-Assistinginschoolreopeningandprovidingpsychosocialsupporttoaffectedchildren.-Deliveringemergencykitstothemostaffectedchildrenandfamilies.-Disbursinghumanitariancashassistancetothemostvulnerablehouseholds,toallowthemtomeetimmediateneeds.Withourextensiveexperienceinemergencyresponse,wearefullypreparedtoreinforcethenationalresponsealongsideotherUNagencies.ChildrenandcommunitiesdevastatedbySuperTyphoonYagisfloodinginthenorthernprovinceofTháiNguyên.—PhotocourtesyofUNICEFVi?tNamWhatimmediateactionsshouldVi?tNamprioritisetomitigatetheaftermathofTyphoonYagiandwhatlong-termstrategiesshouldbeconsideredtorecoverfromthiscrisis?Insupportofgovernmentefforts,ourpriorityatthismomentissavinglivesandcompletingacomprehensiveassessmentofthesituation.Thisinvolvesagoodunderstandingoftheconditionsofthemostvulnerablepopulations,includingchildren,identifyingimmediatelife-savinginterventionsandsupportingtheresumptionofessentialsocialservices.Forexample,asoftoday,weknowpergovernmentreportsthatmorethan20childrenhavetragicallylosttheirlives,andwefearthisnumbermayrise.Anestimated5.5millionchildren,including1.2millionunderfive,liveinthemostaffectedprovinces,andmillionsmoreareaffectedbyseriousfloodsandlandslides,whichcouldleadtowaterbornediseases.Tosecureaccesstowater,hygieneandsanitation,UNICEFispreparedtoprovidewatertreatmentandsafestoragesuppliesforatleast400,000households.Withanestimatedtwomillionchildrenexperiencingdisruptedlearningduetoschoolclosures,thereopeningofschoolsisalsoaprioritythatUNICEFstandsreadytosupport.Wealsoworktoensurecontinuedaccesstoprimaryhealthcare,nutritionandimmunisationforchildren.Weallknowthatensuringvaccinationsforchildreniscriticaltoavoidsignificanthealthissuesinthefuture–sothisisakeypointifwethinkaboutthelongterm.CanyoushareanyinternationalstrategiesorlessonsthatmightenhanceVi?tNamscapabilitiesinnaturaldisasterpreventionandforecasting,aswellassupportintherecoveryandpreparednessforfuturedisasters?Iapplaudthegovernmentsimmediatemeasurestosavelivesandensuresafety,especiallyforchildren.Vi?tNamsforecastingabilitiesarecommendable,asisitsparticipationinglobalandregionalinitiativesfordisasterpreventionandresponse.Thefactthatthegovernmenthasmobilisedresponsesatthehighestlevel,includingcallingonsupportfromUNagencieslikeUNICEF,isacommendableexampleofeffectivedisastermanagement.Vi?tNamhaslearntfrominternationalexperiencesanditsowneffortsalsooffervaluableexperiencesfortheinternationalcommunity.TherecognitionforVi?tNamscomprehensiveandproactivedisasterresponseapproachisindeedwelldeserved.Internationalexperienceinclimate-relatedemergencieshighlightstheimportanceofinvestinginchild-centredpreventionandresponseplansandstrengtheningthecapacitiesofallrelevantstakeholders.Approachesthatfocusoncommunityempowerment,gender-responsiveinitiativesandinclusive,affordableandsustainableservicesarecrucial.AsaUNagency,UNICEFcanofferitsexpertiseindisasterriskreductionandclimatechangeadaptationandmitigationinvarioussectorstotheVietnameseGovernment,aswearedoingalready.—VNSUNICEFismobilisingresourcestoensureemergencyaidisurgentlyprovided.AninitialUS$11millionisurgentlyrequiredtobeabletodeliveronitsmandatetoassistthemostvulnerablechildren.Asthefullimpactofthetyphoonunfolds,additionalresourceswillbecriticaltomeetingtheurgentneedsofchildrenandfamiliesintheaffectedregions.InYênBáiCitynearly8,000houseshavebeensubmerged.—VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nAnhHàN?I—LocalitiesinnorthernregionarecontinuingtoworkhardtoovercometheconsequencesoftyphoonYagi–thethirdonethisyear-helpingpeoplegetbacktonormallifeasquicklyaspossible.WaterlevelsontheH?ng(Red)RiverinfloodedcommunesofTr?nYênDistrict,YênBáiProvincehavefallensignificantlycomparedtoTuesday,butarestillhigh,at33.2metres,whichis1.2metresabovealertlevelthree.Thousandsofhousesarestillsubmergedandcommunitiesisolated.C?PhúctownshipandNgaQuán,Báo?áp,?àoTh?nh,Vi?tThành,QuyM?ngandYCancommunesareallparticularlybadlyfloodedandareonlyaccessiblebyboat.Therescueeffortsarebeinghamperedbymanydifficulties.ManycommunesinTr?nYênDistricthavenoelectricityandsocommunicationisimpairedandfamilieshavenowheretogoforsupplies.Thedistricthascalledforallforcestogotodifferentlocationstorescuepeopleandtocarryinstantnoodles,drinkingwaterandotheressentialnecessities.ChairmanofthedistrictPeoplesCommitteeTr?nNg?cTh?saidthatthedistricthastemporarilymovedasmanypeopleaspossibletohighergroundinthedistrict.Sofarithasmovedover4,200householdstosafety.OnWednesday,theprovincialMilitaryCommandassignedallofitstroopstosupportTr?nYênDistrict.Nooneshouldbehungry,coldorhomelessFrom7amonTuesdayto4pmonWednesdaytherainfallinHàN?irangedfrom50mmtoover100mm.SomeplaceswiththehighestlevelsincludedHoài??cwith144mm,Qu?cOai122.8mmandTh??ngCát117mm.Toensurepeoplessafety,theauthoritieshavemovedabout27,980peopleinareasaffectedbythetyphoontosaferareas.Atthesametime,HàN?ihasoperatedthesluicegatesofregulatinglakessuchas??ng?a,B?yM?uand??mChu?iandthemainpumpstationsofYênS?andC?Nhu?.Thecapitalcityalsooperated190drainagepumpstationswith586pumps.ChairmanoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommitteeTr?nS?ThanhonWednesdayrequestedheadsofdepartmentsandchairmenofdistrictspeoplescommittees,withthemosturgentspirit,tofocusonsearchandrescueandofferfreetreatmentforanyoneinjured.Hesaidtheymustorganisetimelyvisitsandencouragement,bringfoodandnecessitiesforhouseholdsatriskofhunger,especiallytheonesinisolatedareas.Ifanyhouseholdshavelosttheirhomestheyneedtobegiventemporaryaccommodationandnooneshouldbelefthungry,coldorhavenoplacetolive.Notably,ThanhalsorequestedtheDepartmentofHealthtodirectthetreatmentofinjuredpeople,topromptlyprovidemedicine,ensuremedicalexaminationandtreatmentforpeopleinareasaffectedbythetyphoon.Itshouldguidepeopletotreatdomesticwater,treattheenvironmentandpreventanydiseaseoutbreaks.TheDepartmentofEducationandTrainingisresponsibleforcleaningschoolsandclassrooms,repairingdamagedfacilities.Ithascalledforsupportforteachingequipment,booksandlearningmaterialsfordamagedschools,soclassroomsarereadyforstudentstoreturntonormalschoolingsoon.InH?iPhòngportcity,ChairmanofthemunicipalPeoplesCommitteeNguy?nV?nTùnghasaskeddistrictleaderstoregularlymonitorandupdatethefloodsituations,promptlyinformorganisationsandpeopletoproactivelytakepreventivemeasuresandensuresafety.Localitiesmustorganiseinspections,reviewandimplementdikeprotection,haveplanstodefendkeyvulnerablepoints,andbereadytorespondtoallsituations.Theyshouldpreparewaystoevacuatepeople,moveassetstosafeplaceswhennecessary,ensureadequateaccommodation,food,drinkingwaterandmedicineforpeople,ensuringthatnooneisleftbehind.CleanwatershortageAccordingtotheB?cK?nProvinceSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPreventionandControl,by11amonWednesday,over1,700houseshadbeendamaged.Asmanyas295housesinNamC??ngCommuneinCh???nDistrictandNamM?uCommuneinBaB?Districthavebeensubmerged.Damageiscausedtoover1,900haofagriculture,forestryandfishery.Hundredsofbuffaloes,chickens,ducksandpigshaveperished,eitherdrownedorsweptawaybywater.Regardingtraffic,ninelocationsonnationalhighwayswerehitbylandslideswithabout2,690sq.mofsoilandrock.InH?iD??ngProvince,duetofloodingintheH?iTanBusStation,theDepartmentofTransporttemporarilysuspendedtheoperationofthebusstationfromWednesdaynoonandchangedtheroutesforsomebuscoachroutes.V?nhPhúcProvincealsofacedmanyobstacleswhilefloodwatersontheH?ng,L?andPhó?áyrivershaverisen.Manycleanwatersupplystationsintheprovincehavebeendamagedortemporarilyshutdownduetofloodedmachineryandequipment,sopeopleinmanylocalitiesarefacingalackofcleanwater.TakepeopletosafetyArmedforcesinH?ngYênProvinceevacuatepeopleofPhúC??ngCommune,H?ngYênCitytosafeareas.—VNA/VNSPhoto?inhV?nNhi?uAccordingtotheH?ngYênProvinceMilitaryCommand,byThursdaymorning,soldiersandmilitiaforcesusedvehiclessuchascanoesandmotorboatstoweavethroughalleysandbringover12,000peopletosafezones.Unitsassignedmorethan400soldiersandmorethan3,000militiamentocoordinatewithlocalitiestoevacuatepeople,propertyandlivestocktoshelters.TheprovincialMilitaryCommandorganisedaninspectionteamtocloselymonitorthedevelopmentofrainandwaterlevelsonriversandproactivelyprepareforces,vehiclesandequipmentforsearchandrescue.Inparticular,theprovincefocusesonprotectingkeydikes,embankments,vulnerablelocationsandareasatriskoflandslides.TheMilitaryRegion3onWednesdaydeliveredtwotonnesofricetoH?ngYênProvince.—VNS

AQRCodehelpsnursesseepatientinformationthroughascanningdevicedisplayedonthecomputerscreenplacedonthemedicinecartatthe??cGiangGeneralHospitalinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoMinhQuy?tHàN?I—Asamajoradministrativecentreofthecountry,HàN?ialwaysidentifiesdigitaltransformationasatoppriority,tosupportmanagementaswellasresolveproceduresforpeopleandbusinesses.Thecapitalcityconsidersitavitaltaskandpartofalong-termstrategytodevelopment.AbigstepWithapopulationofmorethantenmillionandalargenumberofadministrativeunits,including30districtsand579communesandwards,digitaltransformationinHàN?iismorechallengingthaninotherprovincesandcities.However,especiallyintheperiodof2022-23,withthestrongdirectionofPartycommitteesatalllevelsandacrosstheentirepoliticalsystem,digitaltransformationhasbeendeployedbythecityonalargescale,achievingmanypositiveresults.HàN?iisthefirstlocalityinthecountrytoissuearesolutionstipulatingfreechargeswhenperformingonlinepublicservices.Forthefirsttime,thecitysleadersalloweddigitalsignaturesentirelyonthesharedsoftwaresystemfordocumentmanagement.Unitsareactivelycarryingoutproceduresintheonlineenvironment.Thecityslocalgovernmentserviceplatform(LGSP)hasbeendeployedtoconnectwithsevenmunicipalinformationdatabasesand14nationalinformationdatabases.InJunethisyear,HàN?ikickedoffanumberofinformationsystemsandapplicationsservingcitizensandbusinesses.Thecityprovidedsmarturbanservices,suchasthedigitalcapitalcitizenapplication(iHaNoi)whichputspeopleandbusinessesinthecentreofservice.Itusedelectronichealthrecordswhichmanagemedicalexaminationandtreatmentconnectingwith661medicalfacilitiesandtheVi?tNamSocialSecurity.Inaddition,theapplicationHàN?iTrafficTicketwhichusesdynamicQRcodes,isbeingtestedforpublicpassengeruseacrossthetransportsystem.Thecityisalsopilotingcashlessvehicleparking,aimingtocreatetransparencyinfeecollectionandreducecongestioninthecitycentre.Manymajoreventsondigitaltransformationweresuccessfullyorganisedincludingnational-scaleonessuchastheVi?tNam–AsiaSmartCityConference2023-withtheparticipationofexpertsandpresentersfrommanycountriesandnationwide.SolutionsDeputyChairmanoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommitteeHàMinhH?isaidthatdespitethegreateffortsoftheentirepoliticalsystem,therewerestillsomeproblemsandobstaclesinthewayofdigitaltransformation,suchastheshortageofinformationtechnology(IT)humanresources.Communeshavenothadregulationsonspecialisedpositionsforthefield,whiletheworkloadisincreasingandrequirementsaregettinghigher.Somespecialiseddatabaseshavenotmadesignificantprogress,especiallythelanddatabases.HàN?iisraisingdeterminationtoacceleratedigitaltransformationwithmanysolutions.Itwillclearlyassignorganisationsandindividualstodirect,monitor,inspectandrealisedigitaltransformationtasks,ensuringunifiedleadership,responsibilitiesandefficiency.TheHàN?iPeoplesCommitteehasdirectedleadersofdepartmentsandsectorstoproperlyperceivetheirleadingroleindigitaltransformation.Tothoroughlyresolveslowandlatetasks,focusingoncompletingspecialiseddatabases,especiallythelanddatabase.Headsofunitsshouldarrangepriorityorderandgivefocustotasksthatareeligibleforimplementation.Tasksthatarestuckorneedguidancefromcompetentunits,mustreporttothemunicipalPeoplesCommitteeandproposesolutions.ThecityrequiresalllevelsandsectorstourgentlyconsolidateandarrangestaffspecialisinginITanddigitaltransformationatunitstoensureappropriateexpertise.TheyshouldpromotetrainingandimprovingknowledgeandskillstoservetheadvisoryworkanddeploydigitaltransformationtasksforITstaff.Inaddition,themunicipalPeoplesCommitteeisbuildingamechanismtoattracttalentstoworkinthecitysStateagencies,especiallyinthefieldsofinformationtechnologyanddigitaltransformation.Itdirectsdepartmentstoproactivelycoordinatewithministriestoorganiseguidancefordistrictsandrelatedunitstodigitalisedatainthefieldsundertheircharge,ensuringcompliancewiththeGovernmentspoliciesandorientations.Atthesametime,thecityhasassignedrelevantagenciestostrengthentheinspectionandevaluationofdigitaltransformationandperiodicallyannouncetheimplementationresultsonthecitysinformationsystems.—VNSFormerDeputyMinisterofIndustryandTradeHoàngQu?cV??ng.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofPublicSecuritysInvestigationSecurityAgencyhasproposedtheprosecutionofformerDeputyMinisterofIndustryandTradeHoàngQu?cV??ngforabusingpositionandpowerwhileperformingduties.TheproposalwasmadefollowinganinvestigationintoacaseofabusingpositionandauthoritywhileperformingdutyandlackingresponsibilitycausingseriousconsequencesinvolvingtheMinistryofIndustryandTrade(MoIT)andsomecitiesandprovinces.BesidesV??ng,theagencyalsourgedtheprosecutionofPh??ngHoàngKim,formerDirectoroftheMoITsElectricityandRenewableEnergyAuthority;Tr?nQu?cHùng,formerdeputyheadoftheLicensingandPublicRelationDepartmentattheministrysElectricityRegulatoryAuthority;Nguy?nDanhS?n,formerDirectorofElectricityTradingCompany;andfiveothersforthesamecharge.InMay2024,thepoliceagencyissuedaconclusionontheinvestigation,butinJuly,theSupremePeoplesProcuracydecidedtoreturnthedossierforfurtherinvestigation.Duringtheadditionalinvestigation,theagencychargedthreemoreindividualsfromtheBìnhPh??cprovincialTaxDepartment–Nguy?nDuyKhánh,Tr?nV?n??nh,andPh?mQuangVinhforalackofresponsibility,causingseriousconsequences.InvestigationresultsshowthatV??ngandKimabusedtheirpositionandpowerwhileperformingdutiesastheMoITgaveadvicetothePrimeMinisteronimplementingregulationsregardingthescopeofbeneficiariesandconditionsforpreferentialelectricitypricingpolicies.TheirwrongdoingscausedalossofVN?937billion(US$38.11million)totheVietnamElectricity(EVN).TheremainderscommittedwrongdoingswhentheElectricityRegulatoryAuthorityissuedelectricityoperationlicences,theElectricityTradingCompanyrecognisedthecommercialoperationdate,andtheBìnhPh??cprovincialTaxDepartmentrefundedvalue-addedtaxtoL?cNinh3EnergyJSC.Forthethreeadditionallyprosecuted,theagencyclarifiedtheirnegligence,whichcausedseriousconsequencesinthetaxrefundprocessforL?cNinh3EnergyJSC.—VNS