InaugurationceremonyofCayKh?BridgeconnectingNhàBèandBìnhChánhdistricts.Photosggp.org.vnHCMCITY–HCMCityauthoritiesopenedCayKh?bridgeonAugust30,whichconnectsthetwosuburbandistrictsofNhàBèandBìnhChánh.TheCayKh?BridgeprojectwasapprovedbytheCityDepartmentofTransportinDecember2015withatotalinvestmentofmorethanVN?500billion(US$20.1million)fromthecitybudget.TheconstructioncostwasmorethanVN?306billion,whilethecostofcompensationforsiteclearanceandothercostsweremorethanVN?114billion.Theprojectstartedin2016,however,duetoproblemswithsiteclearance,ithasonlynowbeencompleted.ThereinforcedconcretebridgeacrosstheCayKh?CanalinNhàBèDistrictis485meterslongand12.5meterswidewithtwolanesforcarsandtwolanesformotorbikesandnon-motorizedvehicles.Theprojectalsoincludes292mlongand12.5mwideapproachroadsatbothendsofthebridgeand540mlongresidentialroadsonbothsidesofthebridge,alongwithalightingsystemonthebridge.Thisbridgehelpsshortenthetraveldistanceofpeopleinthetwodistrictsbyabout10km.Inaddition,CayKh?BridgealsohelpsreducetrafficpressureonHu?nhT?nPhátStreetandNguy?nH?uTh?Street,makingiteasiertotravelbetweenNguy?nV?nLinhStreetandHi?pPh??cPortIndustrialPark.TheprojectalsostrengthenstheconnectionbetweenNhàBèDistrict,District7andBìnhChánhDistrict,creatingconditionsforPh??cL?cCommunetobecomeanewgrowthengineofNhàBèDistrict.Intheremainingmonthsofthisyear,thecitywillalsourgentlycompleteandputintouse28roads,bridgesandtunnelstoreducetrafficcongestionandclearthecitysgatewayarteries.ThelargestprojectistheconstructionofanewroadconnectingTr?nQu?cHoàn,C?ngHòaandPhanThúcDuy?nstreetsatthegatewaytoTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportinTanBìnhDistrict,withatotalcostofmorethanVN?4.8trillion($187.7million).Thisprojectstartedconstructionattheendof2022,aimingtoformanewroadlongerthan4km,connectingtoTerminalNo.3ofTanS?nNh?tAirport.–VNS

StudentsfromtheCollegeofScienceandEducationundertheUniversityof?àN?ngdevelopthemulti-purposecleaningsolutionmadefromorganicwaste.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?nD?ng?àN?NG—AgroupofstudentsfromtheCollegeofScienceandEducationundertheUniversityof?àN?nghavedevelopedamulti-purposecleaningsolutionmadefromorganicwaste,aimingtotransformwhathouseholdsthrowawayintosomethinguseful.Thecleaningsolution,caneffectivelycleangrease,dirtandgrimefromceramic,glass,plasticitems,tilesandevenremovelong-standingresiduesindrains.Besidesensuringconsumerhealth,thissolutionsignificantlyreducestheamountofchemicalsandorganicwastereleasedintotheenvironment.Thestudentsarepromotingtheproductbyteachingpeoplehowtomakeitathome.Sharingtheinspirationbehindtheidea,Tr?nTh?Qu?nhNh?,achemistrystudentatthecollege,explainedthatinhercommunity,mosthouseholdsusechemicalcleanersfordailytaskssuchashousecleaning,dishwashingandlaundry.Thesechemicalsnotonlyaffecthealth,butalsopollutewaterandsoil.Additionally,eachhouseholdgeneratesasignificantamountoforganicwastedaily,suchasvegetablescrapsandfruitpeels,whichoftenproduceunpleasantodours.Withthedesiretocreateacleaningsolutionfromorganicwaste,inApril2024,Nh?,alongwithfourotherstudents,includingNguy?nTh?Th?o,LêV?Nh?Thùy,Tr?nTh?KimOanhandNguy?nThànhToàn,cameupwiththeprojectofproducingamulti-purposeenzyme-cleaningsolutionfromplantby-products.Explainingtheproductionprocess,Th?osaidthatthroughresearch,thegroupdiscoveredthatthefermentationprocesscouldusegreenvegetablesandsugarandcellulose-richfruits.Therefore,theyselectedorganicwastematerialssuchasgreenvegetables,fruitpeelsandmolassesforfermentation,usingsoapnutsasanaturalfoamingandcleaningagent.Lemonandgrapefruitpeels,alongwithmintandcinnamonessentialoils,wereusedforfragranceandcornstarchwasaddedtoachievethedesiredthicknessandconsistency.Theproductionprocessinvolvesseveralsteps,includingcollecting,processingmaterials,fermentingandfilteringtheproductandthenmixingupthefinalsolution.AccordingtoTh?o,theproductcanbeusedfordishwashing,floorcleaning,sanitisingbathroomsanduncloggingdrains.Additionally,itcanimprovesoilqualityandrepelinsects,meetingdailyhouseholdneedswhileensuringusersafetyandenvironmentalprotection.Inparticular,themulti-purposeenzymecleaningsolutionhasnoexpirationdateandbecomesmoreeffectiveovertime.Spreadingeco-friendlyproductsWiththetrustandsupportoftheirprofessorsattheCollegeofScienceandEducation,inJuly2024,duringtheGreenSummerprogramme,thestudentsusedtheirhomemademulti-purposeenzymecleaningsolutiontodonatetoresidentsof?i?nPhongCommune,?i?nBànTowninQu?ngNamProvince.Thestudentsalsoorganisedaworkshoptoshowresidentshowtocreatethecleaningsolutionthemselvesusingtheirdailyorganicwaste.Studentsshowaresidentof?i?nPhongCommune,?i?nBànTowninthecentralprovinceofQu?ngNamhowtocreatethecleaningsolution.MaiTh?T?nh,residentin?i?nPhongCommune,?i?nBànTown,expressedherenthusiasmafterreceivingtheproductandlearninghowtomakeit.Imveryhappytolearnthateverydayorganicwastecanbeturnedintosuchausefulproduct.Afterusingit,Ifoundtheproductsqualitytobeexcellent.Itcanreplacecommercialcleanerslikedishwashingliquidandfloorcleaner.Thismethodnotonlyprotectsmyfamilyshealthbutalsoreducesdailylivingcostsandhelpsmaintainenvironmentalcleanliness,shesaid.PhanPh??c???c,secretaryofthe?i?nPhongCommuneYouthUnion,notedthattheprogrammereceivedpositivefeedbackfromthecommunity.Theproductcontributestoenvironmentalprotectionbyrepurposingorganicwasteintousefulitems,helpingresidentssavemoneyoncleaningproducts.Nguy?nTh?Kimánh,deputysecretaryoftheUniversityof?àN?ngsYouthUnion,commendedthestudentsscientificresearchefforts,highlightingthattheirproduct,bornfromanenvironmentalprotectionidea,hasalreadyyieldedpracticalbenefits.Ithelpsraiseenvironmentalawarenessamongthecommunityandreflectsthestudentsspiritofcreativity,responsibilityandcommitmenttocontributingtothecommunity.Theprojectofproducingmulti-purposeenzymecleaningsolutionfromplantby-productswonthirdprizeinthestart-upprojectsforruralyouthcompetitionorganisedbythe?àN?ngYouthUnionandadvancedtothesemifinalsofthe2024ruralyouthstart-upprojectcompetitionheldbytheCentralYouthUnion.—VNSPassengersqueueuptocompleteproceduresattheTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportinHCMCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoTi?nL?cHàN?I—Airlineswilloperatemorethan4,200flightsduringtheNationalDayholiday,whichwilllastfromAugust31toSeptember3,accordingtoreportsfromVietnameseairlines.Theywillhave840flightsperdayonaverage,anincreaseof3percentcomparedtotheweekbeforetheholidayandup3.5percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Ofwhich,domesticflightswillaccountforabout600flightsperday,up5percentcomparedtothepreviousweekandup2.8percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Therewillbenearly250internationalflightsperday,down2percentcomparedtotheweekbeforeholidayandup5.1percentcomparedtolastyear.RegardingdomesticflightsonNorth-SouthroutesconnectingthethreemajorcitiesofHàN?i-?àN?ng-HCMCity,Vietnameseairlineshaveincreasedoperationswithanaverageofmorethan240flightsperday,anincreaseof8percentcomparedtotheweekbeforetheholidayandanincreaseof14.9percentcomparedtolastyear.Thosearethebusiestdomesticroutes,withhighoperatingfrequencynotonlyonmajorholidaysbutalsoonnormaldays.DomestictouristflightstoVinh,Bình??nh,?àL?t,NhaTrang,PhúQu?caswellasfromHàN?iandHCMCitytolocalitiesarealsoincreasedbyairlines,withanaverageof171flightsperdayand187flightsperday,up2and4percentrespectivelycomparedtotheweekbeforeholiday.TicketpricesSurveyofairlineticketpricesonAugust20showedthatticketpricesduringtheNationalDayholidayincreasedbyabout20percentcomparedtobeforetheholiday.OntheHàN?i–NhaTrangroute,theairfaresannouncedbytheairlinesareVN?2.4-3million(US$95-120)eachway,anincreaseofabout24percentcomparedtothepreviousweekoftheholiday.Theairfarestendtoincrease,butmainlyonthedaysstartingandendingtheholiday.Forthedaysinthemiddleoftheholiday,theairfaresarerelativelystable,equivalenttothedaysbeforetheholiday.TheCivilAviationAuthorityofVi?tNam(CAAV)commendedtheVietnameseairlinesforbalancingandarrangingtheirpassengerplansduringtheupcomingNationalDayholiday,inthecontextofmanydifficulties,especiallyfromhavingareducednumberofplanes.TheCAAVrecommendsthatduringtheupcomingholidaypeakperiod,passengersshouldproactivelymonitorflightschedulesandarrangetraveltimetoairportstoavoidcongestionorinconvenienceduetoflightdelays.Inaddition,dependingoneachindividualsconditions,passengerscanconsiderbookingticketsonflightsdepartingearlyorlateintheday,tohavemoreoptionsforcheaperprices,saidtheCAAV.—VNS

MinisterofForeignAffairsBùiThanhS?n(8thfromright)andDeputyMinisterofForeignAffairsLêTh?ThuH?ng(9thfromright),ChairwomanoftheStateCommitteeforOverseasVietnamese,witnessthesigningof10MemorandaofUnderstandingandcooperationagreementswithintheframeworkoftheconferenceandtheforum.PhotoVNA?VNSHàN?I–MinisterofForeignAffairsBùiThanhS?nonAugust21laudedcontributionsmadebyoverseasVietnamese(OVs)tothecountry,andhighlightedpoliciesforthem,anintegralpartofthenation.Speakingatagaladinnerformorethan400Vietnameseexpatswhoreturnedhometoattendthe4thWorldConferenceofOverseasVietnameseandthe2024forumofOVintellectualsandexperts,S?nexpressedhisdelightatthegrowingOVcommunitythathasbeenappreciatedbylocalauthoritiesfortheirgoodcharacteristicsandcontributionstohostsocieties.TheministeraffirmedthatthePartyandtheState,particularlytheMinistryofForeignAffairs,alwaystakecareofthecommunity,citingtheissuanceofpoliciesforthem,alongwitharangeofprogrammesandactivitiesthatbringthembacktotheirroots.S?nalsocommendedtheperformanceoftheStateCommitteeforOverseasVietnameseundertheMinistryofForeignAffairs,whichhostedthegaladinner,sayingithasservedasabridgebetweenVietnameseabroadandtheirhomeland,contributingtostrengtheningthegreatnationalsolidaritybloc.TheministernotedhishopethatOVswillmakemorecontributionstohostcountriesaswellasnationalconstructionanddefenceathome,maintaintheirsolidarity,andpreservetraditionaltraitsandtheVietnameselanguage.Onthisoccasion,S?nandDeputyMinisterofForeignAffairsLêTh?ThuH?ng,chairwomanofthecommittee,witnessedthesigningof10MemorandaofUnderstandingandcooperationagreementswithintheframeworkoftheconferenceandtheforum.VNSExpertsdiscussthisyearsreviewofprovinciale-serviceportalsacrossthecountryattheeventonWednesday.—PhotocourtesyofUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP)inVi?tNamHàN?I—Thisyearsevaluationof63provinciale-serviceportals(PESPs)showsimprovementintheprovisionofonlinepublicadministrativeservices(OPASs)comparedtothe2023findings,accordingtoexperts.Theywererespondingtothereviewof63publicserviceportalsfromauserpointofview,ataneventjointlyhostedbytheUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP)inVi?tNamandtheInstituteforPolicyStudiesandMediaDevelopment(IPS)onWednesday,markingthesecondyeartheIPShasundertakensuchareview.ManyPESPsperformedwellintheevaluationcriteriaofProvidingsupportinginformationandEaseofuseoflookuptools,however,thereremainssignificantroomforimprovementintermsofconvenience,user-friendlinessandaccessibility.Inhisopeningremarks,Nguy?nMinhH?ng,chairmanoftheVi?tNamDigitalCommunicationsAssociation,highlightedthatinthecontextoftherapidlydevelopingdigitalgovernment,PESPsplayacrucialroleinconnectingthegovernmentauthoritieswithcitizensandbusinesses.Althoughtherehavebeenmanyimprovementssince2021,therateofonlineapplicationsstillfallsshortofexpectationsandservicequalityremainslimited.H?ngsaid:Evaluatingpublicserviceportalsfromtheusersperspectiveisextremelyimportanttoensurethatdigitaltransformationmeetstheneedsandexpectationsofthepublic.Accordingtotheevaluationresults,overall,PESPshavenotserveduserseffectivelyandhaveyettoachievetheprimarygoalofprovidingconvenienceforusersinperformingadministrativeprocedures.Mostusersmustrelyondirectguidanceorassistancefromcivilservantsatone-stopshops.Thegoodnewsisthat,comparedto2023,moreprovinciale-servicewebsitesarenowaccessibletopersonswithdisabilities,saidUNDPResidentRepresentativeRamlaKhalidi.However,thereisstillsubstantialroomtomakee-servicesmoreconvenient,moreuser-friendlyandmoreaccessibletoall.Theassessmenthasprovidedvaluableinsightsonhowtoimproveaccessibilityandusabilityforcitizens,particularlythoseatriskofbeingleftbehindinthedigitaltransformation.Ihopethatprovincialauthoritieswillfindtherecommendationsusefulandactionable.Asmoredisadvantagedcitizensandunderservedcommunitiesgainaccesstoonlinepublicadministrativeservices,Vi?tNamwillbecomeamoreinclusivesociety,sheadded.TherearekeyreasonsexplainingwhyPESPshavebeenratedlowintheirperformance.UsershavestillstruggledwithvaryinginterfacesandimplementationmethodsonPESPsinasinglesessionduetothelackoflinksbetweenthemandtheNationalE-ServicePortalorwithministriesESPs.Additionally,theadministrativeprocedurehandlingprocessisnotfullytransparentorpresentedinaclearandeasilyaccessiblemannerandcannotbetrackedonthePESPs,makingitdifficultforuserstounderstandthenecessarystepsforusingPESPsandtomonitortheprogressoftheirapplications.Theresearchresultsindicatethatupto60PESPsdidnotmeetthePersonaldataprotectionandprivacycriterionand39PESPsdidnotmeettheAccessforpeoplewithdisabilitiescriterion.MostPESPswereattheaveragelevelintermsofcompatibilitywithbothcomputersandsmartphones.Noneof63PESPshaveattainedmorethan50percentoftheevaluationcriteriaata‘goodlevel.Additionally,thedifferencesbetweenPESPsevaluationscoresareminimal.However,theseissuesareonlythetipoftheicebergintheprovisionofonlinepublicadministrativeservices.Oneoftherootsoftheseshortcomingsandchallengesisthecomplexityofthepublicadministrativeprocessesandprocedures,whichareunsuitableforonlineservices.Meanwhile,OPASsonPESPsarestillprocessedbasedontheadministrativeprocessesandproceduresbeingappliedfortraditional,in-personinteractions.Furthermore,thetechnicalinfrastructureinmanylocalitieshaslimitations,thedigitalcompetencyofpublicofficials,civilservantsandpublicemployeesacrossdifferentgovernmentlevelsisinconsistentandsupportmeasuresforperformingOPASsarenotyeteffective,allofwhicharealsosignificantchallengestothewidespreadimplementationofPESPs.ToenhancetheeffectivenessofPESPsandtherebyimprovethedeliveryofOPASs,thereporthasprovidedrecommendationsrangingfromspecificactionstothedigital-firstapproach,withauser-centricfocus.Firstandforemost,provincesshouldconductself-reviewsoftheirOPASplatforms.Theeffectiveness,quality,transparency,andpublicityofinformationontheOPASshouldbeensuredtoimproveuser-friendliness,particularlyforethnicminoritiesandpeoplewithdisabilities.FinancialresourcesneedtobediversifiedforOPASdelivery,theOPAScapacityofpublicofficials,civilservantsandpublicemployeesshouldbeenhancedandpublicawarenessofPESPsshouldbeincreased.However,themostimportantaspectisembracingadigital-firstapproach,focusingondevelopingOPASpoliciesfromadigitalgovernancemindset,whichemphasisesnaturalinteractioninthedigitalenvironmentbetweenserviceprovidersandusers.Leveragingdigitaltechnology,connectingdigitaldatamustbeimplementedflexiblytoeliminategeographicaladministrativebarrierswhileensuringeffectivedatasharinganddataintegration.Legaldocumentsrelatedtoadministrativeproceduresneedtoberevisedtobetteralignwiththedigitalenvironment.Theimplementationofadministrativeproceduresthatarenotboundbyadministrativeboundariesshouldalsobeprioritised,theeventwastold.—VNSParticipantsattheVi?tNam-JapanworkforcecooperationforuminTokyo.—VNA/VNSPhotoTOKYO—TheVi?tNam-Japanqualityagriculturalworkforcecooperationforum,ajointeffortbetweentheVietnameseMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD)andtheJapanInternationalCooperationAgency(JICA),tookplaceinTokyoonWednesday.Sincetheestablishmentofdiplomaticties,JapanhasbeenakeypartnerinVi?tNamsagriculturalmodernisation,providingassistanceinirrigationsystems,water-savingtechnologies,livestockandcropproductiontechniques,andpost-harvestprocessing.Moreover,JapanhasinvestedinthefutureofVietnamsagriculturebytrainingnumerousofficials,engineersandfarmersintheapplicationofcutting-edgetechnologies.Speakingattheevent,DirectoroftheEconomicDevelopmentDepartmentatJICAShimokawaTakaolaudedVi?tNamasJapanslargestsourceoflabour.Heinformedthatbetween2021and2023,JICAdispatchedagriculturalworkforcedevelopmentadvisorstotheVi?tNamNationalUniversityofAgriculturetosupporttechnicalinternsaspiringtoworkinJapansagriculturalsector.WhilethenumberofVietnamesetechnicalinternsinagricultureinJapanhasbeendeclining,TakaoexpressedhopethattheintroductionofspecificskillassessmentsinagriculturesinceMarchwouldencouragemoreVietnamesetopursuecareeropportunitiesthere.DelegatesheardpresentationsfromrepresentativesofJICA,theThu?L?i(WaterResources)University,theVi?tNamNationalUniversityofForestry,theB?cGiangAgricultureandForestryUniversity,theVi?tNamNationalUniversityofAgriculture,theHiroshimaUniversity,representativesfromMiyazakiprefecture,andVietnameseandJapaneseenterprises.Adiscussionsessioncappedofftheevent,providingdelegateswithaplatformtoaskquestionsandshareideasandinformationonopportunitiesandmeasurestobolsterbilateralcooperationintrainingandusingqualityhumanresourcesinthesector.—VNS

WorkersatHanoigarmentfactoryinKurskoblast.—VNA/VNSPhotoDuyTrinhMOSCOW—Around100VietnameselabourersworkingattheHanoigarmentfactory-thelargestgroupofVietnameseworkingnearconflictzonesinRussiasKurskoblast,havebeenstillworkinghardtoensuretimelydeliveryofproductstocustomers,despitetheongoingconflictinborderareasbetweenRussiaandUkraine.LocatednearZheleznogorskcity,about120kmfromthecentreofKurskprovinceandabout140kmfromtheconflictzone,theroadleadingtothefactoryshowsalmostnosignsofthenearbyconflict.Insidethegarmentfactory,threeproductionlinesarestilloperatingasusual.Workersarebusysewingandprocessingwinterclothingitemstomeetthemarketdemand.N?ngMinh??c,fromthenorthernprovinceofCaoB?ng,whohasbeenworkingatthefactoryfortwoyears,saidthesituationhaslargelyremainedunchangedsincethenewsoftheconflict.Ng?Th?ThuyQu?nh,aworkerfromthesouthernprovinceSócTr?ng,wasquiteworriedinthebeginningwhenshefirstlearnedthenews,buteverythingseemstoremainfine,andordersarestillgood.Nguy?nThanhB?o,managerofthefactory,fromthesouthernprovinceof??ngNai,saidthesituationthereisstillstable,addingthateveryoneisfocusedontheirwork,andthecompanyhasnotbeennegativelyaffected.TheVietnameseEmbassyinRussiaismaintainingdailycontactswithrepresentativesoftheVietnamesecommunityinKursktokeepupdatedoninformationrelatedtooverseasVietnamesethere.—VNSTheInformationSecurityDepartmentwarnsoffakeinformationpagesoforganisationstoappropriateassets.—Photovietnamnet.vnHàN?I—StatisticsoftheInformationSecurityDepartmentundertheMinistryofInformationandCommunicationsrevealthatitreceivedover2,000reportsfromthepublicregardingfraudulentactivitiesbetween29Julyand11August.Fakingwebsites,fanpages,fake4Gmobilephones,impersonatingdeliverystaff,fraudonlineandrealestateinvestmentfraud,havebeenidentifiedassixkeytargetsforcriminalactivitiesonline.Recently,theinternationalEnglishlanguagecentreOceanEduwastargetedbyfraudsterswhocreatedmultiplefakefanpages,usingthecompanyslogo,competitionnamesandimages.Onthefraudulentpages,scammerssolicitedparentsandstudentstoregisterforcontests,intendingtodefraudthemoftheirmoney.Accordingtothedepartment,brandimpersonationwasnotanewtactic,butremainspopularlyusedbyscammers.Theycreatedsophisticatedandprofessional-lookingfakewebsitesandsocialmediapages,oftenusingdomainnamesthatweresimilartogenuineonesormakingminoralterationstoconfuseusers.Tobolstertheircredibility,scammersproducedmaterials,advertisements,orproductsfeaturingwell-knownbrandnamesandlogosandpostedenticingcompetitioncontenttolurevictims.Thatledpeopletoprovidepersonalinformationandpayfeesfornon-existentcontestsorpromotions,resultinginfinancialloss.Thedepartmentadvisesthepublictobecautiouswhenparticipatinginonlinecompetitions.Peopleshouldverifytheidentityofindividualsororganisationsbeforeengagingwithanyserviceorcompetition,confirmtheauthenticityofwebsitesandemailsbycheckingtheURLandcontactingthebrandororganisationthroughofficialchannels.Peopleshouldneverprovidepersonalorbankinginformationunderanycircumstances.Fake4GmobilephonesExploitingtheswitchfrom2Gto4Gandthedemandfornewphones,somefraudstershaverecentlydeceivedpeopleintobuying2Gphonesdisguisedasnewermodels,sellingthemforVN?400,000-500,000(US$16-20)each.Thescammersoftenusesocialmediaordirectsalesmethodstotrickconsumersintopurchasingfake4Gphones.Aftercompletingthesale,thescammerseitherdeletetheirsalesaccountsorblockthebuyer.Manyconsumers,attractedbylowpricesandlackingknowledge,endupbuyingphonesfromscammers,onlylaterrealisingwhenthenewSIMcardrevealsthephoneisnot4G.Thedepartmentadvisespeopletonotbuymobilephonesfromunknownsourcesonsocialmedia.Theyshouldbuyfromreputabledistributors.Ifapersonsuspectsascam,heorsheshouldreportitimmediatelytotherelevantauthoritiesorconsumerprotectionorganisationsfortimelyassistanceandprevention.ImpersonatingdeliverystaffSomepeoplearevictimsofscammersposingasdeliverystafffromreputablecouriercompanies.Theirtacticinvolvescallingvictims,claimingtobedeliverypersonnelandinformingthemofapendingorderwhilerequestingpaymentforthedelivery.Oncepaymentismade,thescammerclaimstherehasbeenanerrorandthattheaccountusedisforadeliverymembershipprogramme,whichwillautomaticallychargeVN?3.5million($140)monthly.TheythensendafakeFacebooklinkandcontactnumbertocancelthemembership.Clickingonthefraudulentlinkandenteringpersonaldetailsrisksfinancialtheftfromthevictimsbankaccount.Sothedepartmenturgesconsumerstobevigilantwhenpayingforonlinedeliveries.Peopleshouldalwaysverifyinformationrelatedtoservicesorpromotions,avoidtransferringmoneybeforereceivinggoodsorservicesanddonotclickonlinksfromunknownsources.RealestateinvestmentfraudAccordingtothedepartment,thedeveloperoftheQMSTOPTOWERproject(arealestateproject)inHàN?ihasrecentlyuncoveredtwocasesoffraudinvolvingprospectivebuyers.Victims,followingthefraudstersinstructions,paiddepositsbeforesigningcontracts,resultinginlossesofhundredsofmillionsof??ng.Thefraudstersemployedasophisticatedscheme,advertisingfalselyattractiveapartmentpricestolureincustomers.Wheninterestedbuyerscontactedthem,theywereaskedtodepositmoneyintothedevelopersaccount.Oncethedepositwasmade,thescammerscutoffcontactandabscondedwiththemoney.Sothedepartmentadvisesthoseinterestedinrealestateinvestmentstobeparticularlycautiouswithonlinebrokers.Peopleshouldnotmakepaymentsforapartmentswithoutconfirmationfromthedeveloperorofficialnotificationsfromsalespartners.Peopleareadvisedtoverifytheidentityoftheentityorbusinessbeforetransferringanydeposits.OnlineinvestmentfraudAccordingtothedepartment,Singaporeanpolicerecentlyreported897casesofinvestmentfraudinlessthantwomonths,withvictimslosingatleast$36millionthroughscamsonchatgroupsandsocialmediaplatforms.FraudsterstypicallylurevictimsintochatgroupsonmessagingappslikeTelegramoraddthemonsocialmediaplatforms.Theyimpersonatecelebritiesorreputablecompanyemployees,sharinginvestmentschemesandscreenshotsofpurportedprofitstoenticevictims.Oncedeceived,victimsareintroducedtoaseriesofinvestmentplansandaskedforpersonaldetailslikebankaccountnumbers,namesandphonenumbers.VictimsarethendirectedtotransfermoneytobankaccountsorPayNow.Somefraudulentwebsitesorinvestmentappsdisplayfakeprofitstofurtherdeceivevictims.ScammersalsoreachoutviasocialmediaplatformslikeFacebook,WhatsApp,ordatingappslikeCoffeeMeetsBagel.Inlightoftheincidents,thedepartmentrecommendsthatsocialmediausersimplementsecuritymeasuressuchasnotallowingstrangersintochatgroups,settingtransactionlimitsforonlinebankingandenablingtwo-factorauthentication.Usersshouldverifythelegitimacyofinvestmentopportunitiesbyaskingdetailedquestionsandcheckingthecredibilityofthecompany.—VNS

Theboywasfoundatabout20kmfromwherehehaddisappeared.—PhotosuppliedbylocalresidentsYêNBàI—PoliceinV?nYênDistrict,thenorthernmountainousprovinceofYênBái,reportedthatasix-year-oldboy,whowentmissingintheforest,hasbeenfoundaliveafterfivedaysofintensivesearches.Theboy,?.V.L.,wasdiscoveredonWednesdayafternoonbyalocalresidentinaforestareaofLangThípCommune,V?nYênDistrict,about20kmfromwherehehaddisappeared.L.wasimmediatelytakentoamedicalcentreforcareandhealthmonitoring.Earlier,ontheafternoonofAugust17,L.hadgonewithagrouptopickfruitonahillbehindhishouse.Hewanderedoffonhisowninadifferentdirectionandbecamelost.Whenthealarmwasraised,authoritiesmobilisedmorethan150peopletosearchfortheboy.Localofficialsandresidentsdrainedapondcoveringnearly80sq.mneartheareawherehewentmissingandreviewedfootagefromcamerasalongProvincialRoad164.Inaddition,severalgroupssearcheddeepholes,cavesandstreamsoverthefollowingdays,buttherewasnosignofhim.—VNS

ManyhouseholdsinXuanC?mCommuneproducewoodenfurniture,handicrafts,mechanicalgoods,andgarments,creatinghundredsofjobs.B?CGIANG—SettledintheheartofHi?pHòaDistrict,B?cGiangProvince,thecommuneofXuanC?misanimportantplaceinVi?tNamsrevolutionaryhistory.Recognisedasoneof16SafetyZoneorAnToànKhu(ATK)inVietnamese,thissmallcommuneonceplayedacrucialroleinshelteringrevolutionarycadresduringtheresistancewars.Today,XuanC?misnotonlypreservingitsrevolutionarylegacybutisalsoshowcasingaremarkabletransformationinitsjourneytowardsmodernisationandruraldevelopment.Itisalsoacommuneofresilience,patriotismanddeepcommitmenttoVi?tNamsstruggleforindependence.Intheearly1940s,thiscommunebecameapivotalredaddressfortherevolution,hostingkeyleaderssuchasHoàngQu?cVi?t,LêThanhNgh?,andNguy?nTr?ngT?nh,whobuiltandnurturedtherevolutionarymovementhere.On12March1945,undertheleadershipofLêThanhNgh?andNguy?nTr?ngT?nh,thepeopleofXuanBi?uvillageroseupandseizedpower,markingthefirstsuccessfuluprisinginB?cGiangProvince-asparkthatignitedtheAugustRevolutionnationwide.AcompletetransformationDeputyChairmanNguy?nQuangLiêmsaidthisrevolutionaryspirithasinsteadfuelledtheirongoingeffortstodevelopthecommune,particularlythroughthenewruraldevelopmentmovement.In2015,afteryearsofconcertedeffort,XuanC?mwasrecognisedasanewruralcommune,amilestonethatlaidthefoundationforfurtherprogress.Oncecharacterisedbynarrow,unpavedroadsandmodestinfrastructure,thecommunetodayboastssynchroniseddevelopment.ThemainroadsinallfiveofXuanC?msvillageshavebeenwidened,withsomenowspanningupto12metres,greatlyimprovingconnectivityandaccessibility.Thisprogressshowcasestheimpactofcollectiveeffortandforward-lookingleadershipindrivingmeaningfulchange.Educationisalsoapriority,withallthreeofthecommunesschoolsmeetingnationalstandards.Butthetransformationismostevidentintheeconomy.XuanC?mhasembracedagriculturalinnovation,introducinghigh-yieldcropsandmodernfarmingtechniques.Theestablishmentofa30-hectarepeach-growingmodelservingtheT?tfestivalinC?mHoàngvillageisastandoutsuccess,generatingoverVN?1billion(US$40,000)perhectareannually.Large-scalefieldmodelscoveringover200hahavealsobeendevelopedacrossthecommunes,includingtheprovincesfirstmechanisedriceplantinginitiativeinC?mTrungvillage.Dronesnowbuzzoverthefields,sprayingpesticidesovermorethan30hectares.Additionally,XuanC?mCommunehasfosteredthegrowthofhandicraftsandcottageindustries,whichprovidesteadyemploymentforhundredsoflocalworkers.WithmonthlyincomesrangingfromVN?8milliontoVN?12million,theseindustrieshavebecomeacornerstoneofthecommuneseconomicvitality.OneofthemostremarkableaspectsofXuanC?mstransformationisthecommunityswillingnesstouniteforthegreatergood.ResidentsofXuanC?mCommunegenerouslydonatelandtofacilitatetheexpansionoftheroadInalandwherethememoriesofsacrificearestillvivid,over500householdsinthecommunehavevoluntarilydismantledpartsoftheirhomesandauxiliarystructures,donatingover20,000squaremetresoflandtoexpandroadsandimproveinfrastructure.Thisgenerosityhaspavedthewayfordevelopment,withtheexpandedroadsnowstretchingnearly8km.ThevalueofthedonatedlandaloneexceedsVN?300billion.Theseeffortshavepaidoffhandsomely.TheaverageincomepercapitainXuanC?mnowstandsatVN?52.28millionperyear,asignificantincreaseoverthepreviousyear.Meanwhile,thecommunesmultidimensionalpovertyratehasdroppedto2.21percent,downby2.13percentfromtheyearbefore.PreservingculturalheritageAsXuanC?mmodernises,itremainsdeeplyconnectedtoitsculturalroots,particularlythroughpreservingquanh?folksongs,anintegralpartoftheregionsculturalheritage.Despitenotbeingatraditionalquanh?village,XuanC?mhasembracedthisartformwithenthusiasm,saidNguy?nQuangLiêm,deputychairmanofXuanC?mCommunesPeoplesCommittee.Inrecentyears,thecommunehasestablishedfivequanh?clubs,drawingover200membersfromacrossitsvillages.Theinitiativehasevenextendedintothelocalschools,wherequanh?youthclubshavebeenformed,ensuringthatthisbeautifultraditionispassedontofuturegenerations.Nguy?nV?nHùng,theheadofthequanh?clubinC?mXuyênvillage,recalledhowtheclubbeganwithjust25members,unitedbytheirloveforthemelodiesofquanh?.Today,theclubhasgrownsignificantly,thrivingonitsmemberspassionandvoluntarycontributionsTheclubgathersatthevillageculturalhouseeveryweekendtopractiseandsharetheirloveforquanh?.Thecommuneregularlyorganisesculturalandartisticfestivals,encouragingexchangesbetweenitsquanh?clubsandthoseinneighbouringareas,suchasthetraditionalquanh?villagesofHòaLongWardinB?cNinhCity.Thisculturalexchangeenrichesthecommunity,ensuringthatquanh?remainsavibrantandlivingtradition.By2026,thecommuneaimstoestablishfivequanh?villages,contributingtotheoverallnumberandqualityofsuchvillagesinB?cGiangProvince,deputychairmanLiêmsaid.Fromitsrevolutionarypasttoitsmodernsuccesses,XuanC?mexemplifiesresilience,innovationandculturalpreservation,ensuringitremainsaharmoniousplacetolive.—VNSMarketmanagementofficersinspectamooncakeproductionestablishmentin?àN?ngCityanddiscovered1,800cakeswithoutorigincertificates.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?IAstheMid-AutumnFestivaldrawsnear,authoritiesareintensifyingeffortstocombatthesaleoffoodproductswithunclearorigins,particularlyamidgrowingconcernsovertheinfluxofsmuggled,counterfeit,andsubstandardgoods,includingpopularfestivalitemslikemooncakes.Theheighteneddemandduringthisfestiveperiodhaspromptedincreasedscrutiny,withrecentinspectionsinHàN?iuncoveringsignificantviolations,underscoringtheneedforstringentenforcementoffoodsafetyandhygienestandards.Earlierthismonth,ateamfromtheHàN?iMarketManagementDepartmentinspectedtwostoresinBa?ìnhDistrict,uncoveringasignificantquantityofsmuggledconfectioneryproducts.Theshopownerswereunabletoproduceinvoicesordocumentationverifyingtheoriginandqualityoftheproducts.Amongtheconfiscateditemswerenearly600mooncakeslackingproperdocumentationtosubstantiatetheiroriginorquality.Authoritieshavealsoinspectedcraftvillagestoensurethatanyviolationsimpactingconsumerhealtharepromptlyaddressed.InLaPhùVillage,Hoài??cDistrict,theauthoritiesconfiscated240mooncakesand72packsofwafercakeslabelledinaforeignlanguage.HàN?i,H?ChíMinhCity,and?àN?ngCityarekeyareaswithhighpurchasingpower,promptingmarketmanagementforcestointensifyinspectionsandcontrolsofbusinessestablishmentstopreventviolations.Arepresentativeofthe?àN?ngMarketManagementDepartmentreportedthatlastweek,morethan1,800smuggledmooncakesofvarioustypeswerediscoveredandtemporarilyseizedfromshopsonK???ngStreet,ThanhKhêDistrict.Despitethepresenceofreputableproductionandbusinessestablishmentsensuringproductsafety,someorganisationsandindividualscontinuetosellsmuggledgoodswithunclearorigins,whichnegativelyaffectsconsumerhealth,saidarepresentativeofthe?àN?ngMarketManagementDepartment.Therefore,consumersshouldmakeinformedchoicesbyselectingsafeproductsforthemselvesandtheirfamilies,headvised.Foodsafetyremainsacriticalissue,withmarketmanagementforcesdetectingandaddressinghundredsofviolationseachyear.Specificallyregardingmooncakes,fraudulentpracticesarebecomingincreasinglysophisticated.V??ngBáD?ng,headofTeam24oftheHàN?iMarketManagementDepartment,reportedthatthroughinspections,authoritieshavedetectedsomeestablishmentsmixingsmuggledgoodswithlegitimateproductsandstackingthemtogethertoevadedetection.Additionally,manyviolatorsoperatefromconcealedlocationsdeepwithinresidentialareastofacilitatesales.Asaresult,theteamhasinstructedmarketmanagementofficerstoraiselocalawareness,maintainstringentmarketcontrols,andpromptlydetectsignsofviolations.Thisapproachwillenablethemtoinspectandhandlegoodslackingproperorigindocumentation,whichcouldcompromiseproductqualityandconsumerhealth.Inspectionsandenforcementmustbeconductedrigorouslyandinaccordancewithregulationstoensurethatthegoodsreachingconsumersareofhighqualityandsafe,saidD?ng.Mooncakesareaseasonalproduct,leadingmanysmallbusinessestofallshortininvestinginadequatefacilitiesorstrictlyadheringtofoodsafetyprocedures.Nguy?n??cLê,DeputyDirectoroftheOperationsDepartment(GeneralDepartmentofMarketManagement),notedthatmooncakeproductionactivitiesbeganbeforeJulyofthelunarcalendar,withconsumptionpeakingaroundtheMid-AutumnFestivalon15August(lunarcalendar).Authoritieshavediscoveredsomeestablishmentsusingingredientsofunclearoriginandfailingtomeetsafetystandardsintheirmooncakes.Asaresult,theGeneralDepartmentofMarketManagementhasconsistentlyurgedlocalunitstointensifyinspections.Inparticular,theGeneralDepartmenthasdevelopedaspecialisedinspectionprogrammeforeachlocalitytopromptlydetectandpreventtheuseofunsafefoodproductsduringthecurrentMid-AutumnFestival.Regardingmooncakefillings,Lêpointedoutthatsomeestablishmentsstillresorttocheapingredientsandunsanitaryprocessingmethods,resultinginsubstandardqualitycomparedtoreputablebrands.Moreover,alackofawarenessamongsomeconsumers,whoprioritiselowpricesoverproductorigin,hascreatedopportunitiesforunscrupuloustraderstofloodthemarketwithmooncakesofunclearorigin,posingpotentialfoodsafetyrisksduringtheMid-AutumnFestival,Lêwarned.ToensurefoodsafetynotonlyduringtheMid-AutumnFestivalbutthroughouttheyear,marketmanagementforceshavecollaboratedwithlocalauthoritiestostrengtheninspectionsandimposestrictpenaltiesonviolators,Lêadded.Theforceshavealsopartneredwithbusinesses,associations,industrysectors,andlocalgovernmentstoenhancepublicawareness,encouragingconsumerstomakeinformedchoicesbypurchasingqualityproductswithclearoriginsandcertifiedsafety.Healsoadvisedconsumerstobevigilantabouttheoriginandauthenticityofconfectioneryproductswhenpurchasingonline,andtoconsidercustomerreviewsandratingsforthoseproducts.VNS

AyouthunionmemberassistsaresidentinscanningQRcodesurveysatMaiTrungCommunePeoplesCommittee,Hi?pHòaDistrict.B?CGIANG—B?cGiangprovinceisdeterminedtoaddressitsweaknessesandimprovebothitsscoreandrankingintheProvincialCompetitivenessIndex(PCI),aimingtobeamongthetopprovincesnationwide,chairmanoftheProvincialPeoplesCommitteeMaiS?nsaid.TheprovincerecentlyheldaconferencetoanalysethePCIcomponentindicatorsfor2023andplanstodevelopandimplementastrategytoenhancethePCIin2024.Departments,sectorsandlocalitieswillconductcomprehensivereviewsandevaluationsofbothcollectiveandindividualresponsibilitiesregardingachievedresults,existingissues,limitationsandthereasonsbehindthecomponentindicatorsofthePCIthatfellshortofthe2023targets.Theywillconsultwithandlearnfromotherlocalitiestoformulateeffective,practicalandsustainablesolutionsfor2024.ProvincialdepartmentsandsectorswillcontinuetofocusoneffectivelyimplementingtasksandsolutionstoimprovetheinvestmentandbusinessenvironmentandenhancethePCIaccordingtotheprovincesplan.B?cGiangwillsoonimplementtheInformationandCommunicationontheInvestmentandBusinessEnvironmentoftheprovince.MediaagenciesandbusinessassociationswillintensifyeffortstopromotetheimportanceofimprovingtheinvestmentenvironmentandenhancingthePCI.Additionally,B?cGiangisworkingtoenhancetheeffectivenessoftheProvincialSteeringCommitteeanditssupportunits.Theprovinceaimstoimprovethereceptionandhandlingoffeedbackfrombusinessesandinvestors,promptlyresolvinganydifficultiesencounteredininvestment,productionandbusinessoperations.AccordingtothePCI2023report,B?cGiangscored69.75points,adecreaseof3.05pointsfrom72.80pointsin2022.ThismarksthesecondconsecutiveyearthatB?cGiangranksinthetopfiveprovincesandcitieswiththebesteconomicgovernancequalityin2023anditholdsthetoppositionamongthenorthernmidlandsandmountainousprovinces.TheVietnamChamberofCommerceandIndustry(VCCI)hasnotedthatthedeclineinPCIscoresforprovinceslikeB?cGiangwillputsignificantpressureonleadingprovincestoinnovateandcreateafavourableinvestmentandbusinessenvironment,whilemaintainingeffectivereformefforts.Thispressurearisesasmanytrailingprovincescatchupbyleveragingtheirlatecomeradvantagesandlearningfromthesuccessfulexperiencesofhigher-performingregulatoryagencies.In2023,B?cGiangimprovedinthreePCIindicators,includingmarketentry,timecostsandbusinesssupportpolicies.However,itsawdeclinesinsevenindicators:accesstoland,transparency,informalcosts,equalcompetition,proactivityofprovincialleadership,labourtrainingandlegalinstitutionsandsecurity.AlocalresidentisguidedtoscanaQRcodetofilloutasatisfactionsurveyonadministrativeproceduresatthePeoplesCommitteeofTamD?Commune,L?cNamDistrict.DeputydirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofPlanningandInvestmentL??ngV?nNghi?psaidthedepartmenthasacceleratedadministrativereformsanddigitaltransformationinbusinesssupportbystandardisingadministrativeproceduresandlistingallofthematthepublicadministrativeservicecentre.Wereceiveandprocessallapplicationsonline,makingiteasierforcitizensandbusinessestoregisterandoperate,hesaid.Nguy?nXuanVi?t,directorofVifocoImport-ExportJointStockCompany,saidthattheDepartmentofIndustryandTradehassupportedthecompanybyconnectingitwithtradecounselorsabroadandforeignimport-exportpartners.Thishasfacilitatedcloserandfasterconnectionsbetweenforeignenterprises,helpingusmeetimportmarketdemandsandVifocosproductionplans.Ng?Qu?cH?ng,deputychairmanoftheTanYênDistrictPeoplesCommittee,saidthattheysupportbusinessadministrativereformsbydirectingspecialisedagencies,especiallyininvestmentandtaxsectors,toofferoptimalconditions.Theyregularlyreviewadministrativeprocedures,suggestingreductionsoramendmentswhenfeasibleandstayupdatedwithnewregulationstocreateidealbusinessconditions.—VNSThePeoplesCommitteeofB?cGiangProvinceheldaconferencetomeetandtalkwiththebusinesscommunityinJune.—PhotocourtesyofthePeoplesCommitteeofB?cGiangProvinceB?CGIANG—ThePeoplesCommitteeofB?cGiangProvincewillcontinueitseffortstoenhancethequalityofadministrativereformandsignificantlyimprovethebusinessinvestmentenvironment,closelylinkedtocomprehensivedigitaltransformationthisyear.TheeffortsaimtopositionB?cGiangamongtheleadingprovincesnationwideinadministrativereform,businessinvestmentenvironmentandprovincialcompetitiveness,creatingmomentumforbreakthroughsandattractinginvestmentresourcestotheprovince.Theprovinceiscurrentlyfocusingonmodernisingleadershipandmanagementmethodsbyeffectivelyapplyingdigitaltransformationachievementstobuildamoreprofessional,disciplined,dynamic,transparentandefficientprovincialadministration.Itaimstoprovidethebestpossibleconditionsforresidentsandbusinesses.Fromnowuntiltheendoftheyear,theprovinceisprioritisingtheimprovementofpublicservicequalityandthebusinessinvestmentenvironment,contributingtomaintainingandenhancingtheProvincialCompetitivenessIndex(PCI),theProvincialGovernanceandPublicAdministrationPerformanceIndex(PAPI)andtheProvincialAdministrativeReformIndex(PARINDEX)thisyear,aimingtobeamongthetoplocalitiesnationwide.Todothat,B?cGiangwillintensifyinspectionsandsupervisionofagenciesandunits,particularlyfocusingontheleaders,toensuretheeffectiveimplementationofadministrativereformefforts.Additionally,theprovincewillcontinuetoinnovateandimprovethequalityofitsannualassessmentsanddeterminationoftheAdministrativeReformIndexofGovernmentagencies,movingtowardsacomprehensive,multi-dimensional,transparentandpublicapproach,whileenhancingtheapplicationofinformationtechnologyinevaluations.Furthermore,theprovincewillstrengthenleadershipandcommunicationefforts,continuepromotingtheapplicationofinformationtechnologyanddigitaltransformationtoimproveoperationalefficiency,publicservicequalityandtheeffectivenessofadministrativeagencieswithintheprovince.AchievementsSince2021,theprovincehasfocusedonadvancingadministrativereformundertheactionmotto:Discipline,integrity,actionandservice.Allcommunes,wardsandtownsacrosstheprovincehaveimplementedaso-calledfriendlygovernmentmodel.TheprovincesAdministrativeReformIndex(PARIndex)hasconsistentlyrankedamongthetopinthecountrysince2021.Itrankedseventhin2021andfourthoutof63provincesinboth2022and2023.SpecificallywithinthearenaofStateadministrativeapparatusreform,itrankedsecondoutof63provincesandcitiesnationwidein2022.Theprovincehasalsostrengthenedtheapplicationofinformationtechnologyanddigitaltransformationinmanagementandgovernance,whichisinlinewiththeconstructionofadigitalande-governmentframework.Theprovinceisamongthetop10provincesandcitiesnationwideintheDigitalTransformationIndex.TheprovincialPeoplesCommitteeissuedDecisionNo.1264/Q?-UBNDonAugust2023,approvingthefive-stepelectronicprocessforhandlingadministrativeprocedures.Theinitiativesupportsthedigitalisationandextractionofdataacrosstheprovince.Additionally,theprovincehasdirectedtheimplementationofinnovativemodelsinadministrativereform,suchastheVirtualAssistant,whichguidescitizensthroughadministrativeprocedures,theuseofQRcodestodisseminateinformationandguidecitizensandbusinessesonadministrativeproceduresandonlinepaymentsatone-stopshopadministrativecentreacrossalllevels.ModelssuchastheFastFridayAppointment-FreeFridayandSundayforthePeoplehavealsobeenintroduced.Asaresult,theprovincehasconsistentlyachievedarateofover98percentforthetimelyandearlyresolutionofadministrativedossiers.AlllegaldocumentsissuedbytheprovincehavebeenpromulgatedinaccordancewithproperproceduresandareconsistentandalignedwiththecentralGovernmentslegalsystem.Furthermore,allinternaladministrativeproceduresbetweenGovernmentagencieshavebeenpubliclyannounced,simplifiedandreviewed,ensuringthatover90percentofadministrativedossiersatreceptionandresultscentresatalllevelsareresolvedpromptly,withmorethan60percentbeingcompletedaheadofschedule.Over95percentofworkdossiersattheprovinciallevel,85percentatthedistrictleveland65percentatthecommunelevelhavebeenprocessedonline.Thepercentageofapplicationsfullyprocessedonlineviatheadministrativeprocedureresolutioninformationsystemexceeds70percent.Morethan60percentofthepopulationusesonlinepublicservices,andover60percentofallpublicservicetransactionsarecompletedthroughtheNationalPublicServicePortal.—VNS

AbeachofBình??nhProvince.Over6.68milliontouristsvisitedBình??nhinthefirstsevenmonthsof2024,anincreaseof97.9percentoverthesameperiodlastyear.—VNA/VNSPhotoBìNH??NH—Bình??nhandKoreanAirshouldworktogethertolaunchadirectairroutefromthecentralVietnameseprovincetotheRepublicofKorea(RoK)bytheendofthisyear,anofficialsaidonAugust21.AtaworkingsessionwithaKoreanAirdelegationinHCMCity,ChairmanoftheBình??nhPeoplesCommitteePh?mAnhTu?nrequestedtheprovincialPeoplesCommitteeOffice,theDepartmentofTourism,theDepartmentofExternalAffairs,andrelevantagenciesestablishaworkinggroupandaccomplishproceduresinordertoopentheairroutebytheyearsend.Havingrealisedtheimportanceofpartneringwiththeaviationindustrytodrawtouristsandcontributetotourismdevelopment,Bình??nhhasimplementedmanyactivitiestocallforinvestment,opencharterflights,andorganisemanycultural,sportsandtourismevents.From2020toJuly2024,theprovinceattracted465investmentprojectsinvariousfieldswithregisteredcapitaltotallingoverVN?184.3trillion(nearlyUS$7.4billion),including22tourismprojectscapitalisedwithVN?22.38trillion.Thisresultindicatesthatdomesticandinternationalinvestorshaveveryhighdemandfortravellingto/fromBình??nhbyairtosurveyandexploreinvestmentopportunities,hesaid.Over6.68milliontouristsvisitedBình??nhinthefirstsevenmonthsof2024,anincreaseof97.9percentoverthesameperiodlastyear.TheprovincealsorecordedalmostVN?18.1trillionintourismrevenue,surging68.7percentyearonyear.Tu?nsuggestedthatKoreanAirpromotecooperationwithVietnameseandinternationaltravelagenciestoorganisecharterflightstobringKoreantouriststoBình??nhandviceversainthecomingtime.HealsocalledonthecarriertointroducethelocaltourismtotravelcompaniesintheRoKandpopulariseimagesofBình??nhonitsflightsandmediachannels.AgreeringwithBình??nhsproposal,aleaderofKoreanAircommittedtocollaboratewiththeVietnameseprovincetosoonoperatecharterflightsbytheendofthisyear.KimKyeYong,ChiefRepresentativeofKoreanAirinHCMCity,saidtheairlineislookingforwardtoworkingwiththeprovincetolaunchflightsfromtheRoKtoQuyNh?nCityofBình??nhinthefuture.Ithopestoreceivesupportfromthelocaladministrationandrelevantagenciesinthisregard.Bình??nhishometoPhùCátAirport,about30kmtothenorthwestofQuyNh?nCity.ThisairportisservingtherouteslinkingQuyNh?nwithHCMCityandHàN?ioperatedbyVietnamAirlines,VietjetAir,JetstarPacific,andBambooAirways.In2023,ithandled10,350flightswithover1.9millionpassengers.Therespectivefiguresstoodat2,505andover450,000duringthefirstsevenmonthsof2024.—VNSLeadersofV?nYênDistrictvisit??ngTi?nLam,whoisbeingtreatedattheLamGiangCommuneMedicalStation.—VNA/VNSPhoto??Tu?nAnhYêNBáI—TheV?nYênDistrictPeoplesCommitteedecidedtorewardsixgroupsandoneindividualwhomadeeffortsinsearchingforaboygoingmissingintheforest.??ngTi?nLamwaslostforfourdaysfromKhayD?oVillage,LamGiangCommune,V?nYênDistrict,thenorthernmountainousprovinceofYênBái.ChairmanoftheV?nYênDistrictPeoplesCommitteeHà??cAnhacknowledgedandcommendedlocalpolice,borderguards,officialsandpeoplewhodidnothesitateregardlessoftheconditions,tosearchfor??ngTi?nLam.TheChairmanespeciallypraisedthenobleheartandloveofLyV?nN?ng,livesinBoVillage,LangThípCommunewhobroughtLambacktohisfamily.Attheceremonytocommendandrewardgroupsandindividualswhohavemadeeffortsinsearchingfortheboy,ChairmanAnhremindedalllevels,localitiesandespeciallyparentstoraisevigilance,lookafterandmanagetheirchildrenwelltoavoidsimilarunfortunateincidents.LastSaturdayatmidday,Lamagedsix,theyoungestsonof??ngV?nNh?andLyTh?Pháijoinedafamilypartyatarelativeshouseinthesamevillage.Intheafternoon,Lamandhisninesiblingswenttotheothersideofthestreamneartheirhousetoplay.Whilehissiblingswerebusypickingwildmahogany,Lamturnedtothecassavagrowingareanearby.Afterabout20minutes,Lamdidnotreturnhomeandwhenpeoplecalledhim,hedidnotrespond,sohisfamilyaskedeveryonetogointotheforest,downtothestreamandnearbyareastosearch.Immediatelyafterreceivingtheemergencycall,theV?nYênDistrictPeoplesCommitteedirectedforcestohelpsearchfortheboy.Everydayuntilhewasfound,thelocalityassignedmorethan150peopleincludingpolice,military,youthandlocalpeopledividedintomanygroups,followingdifferentdirectionstosearchfrommountainousareas,caves,streams,deepravines,pondsandlakeswithinaradiusofabout3kmfromwhereLamwentmissing.Atthesametime,itaskedforcestoexpandthesearchareaanddirectneighboringcommunestocoordinateinfindingtheboy.Aftermorethanfourdaysofsearching,ataround10amonWednesday,N?ngreportedthathefoundachildlostintheforest,about6kmfromtheinitialsighting,towardsLangThípCommune.LocalauthoritiestookLamtotheLamGiangCommuneMedicalStationforhealthcarewhereheisnowinastablecondition.Lamsaidthatduringthedayshegotlostintheforest,hewasveryscaredbecausehecouldnotrememberwhichdirectiontogoin.Hekeptgoingfurtherintotheforest,thengotlostinthehills.Whenhewashungry,heateleavesandwildfruits.Whenhewasthirsty,hedrankstreamwaterandslepttherewhenitwasdark.—VNS