AVietjetAiraircraft.—Photovietjetair.comHàN?I—AVietnameseaircraftencounteredturbulencecausedbyanotheraircraftwhileflyingovertheIndianOceanonMay23,accordingtoarecentreportbytheNationalTrafficSafetyCommittee.TheincidentinvolvedVietjetAirflightVN-A814,anAirbusA330enroutefromMumbai,India,toHCMCity,whichencounteredsuddenturbulenceandshaking,causingittodropinaltitudeanddeviatefromitsoriginalflightpath.Aninvestigationfoundthattheturbulencewascausedbywaketurbulence-aphenomenonthatoccurswhenasmalleraircraftencountersthedisturbedairflowcreatedbyalargeraircraftflyingnearby.Datafromairtrafficcontrolshowedthatthetwoaircraftwere1,000feet(304m)apartverticallywhentheycrossedpaths.The1,000-footdistanceiswithintheInternationalCivilAviationOrganisationsprescribedseparationdistance.TheCivilAviationAuthorityofVietnam(CAAV)consultedwiththeaircraftmanufacturerandconcludedthattheincidentwasunexpectedaswaketurbulenceisextremelyrare,ifnotunheardof,inVi?tNam.Fortunately,itdidnotresultinanyinjuriestothepassengers.Basedontheinvestigationsfindings,CAAVhasdirectedairlinesandpilotstoenhancetheirsurveillancewhenoperatinginthevicinityoflargeraircraftflyingintheoppositedirection,particularlywithinarangeof1,000feet.Pilotsareinstructedtobevigilantinrecognisingpotentialturbulenceandtobepreparedtotakeimmediateactionifwaketurbulencecausesalossofcontrol.—VNS

Familymembersreunitethankstohelpfromthepolice.—Photonhandan.vnPHúTH?—Afamilyhasreunitedafternearly30yearsthankstothenationalpopulationdatabasesystem,saidthepoliceofthenorthernprovincePhúTh?.Atthebeginningoflastmonth,the??ngL??ngCommunePolicesFacebookfanpagereceivedarequestforhelpfromHoàngTh?Bích,28,whoresidesinMinhChi?ngVillage,MinhL??ngCommune,V?nBànDistrict,thenorthernmountainousprovinceofLàoCai,whoislookingforhermothersfamily.BíchsmotherisNguy?nTh?Hoan,laterchangedhernametoNguy?nTh?Dungandiscurrentlylivingatthesameaddress.HoanshometownisLamThaoDistrictandherhousewasnearariverbank.Shelosttouchwithherfamilyfornearly30yearsandinspiteofmanysearchesnorelativeshaveeverbeentraced.NowHoanshealthisveryweak,wishingtoreunitewithherparentsandrelatives.ReceivingBíchsrequest,fromthelittleinformationprovided,officersandsoldiersofthe??ngL??ngCommunePoliceconductedareviewonthenationalpopulationdatasystem.Theyalsoaskedthesecurityandorderprotectionteamsin11residentialareastogotoeveryhousetocheck.Aftersomesearchesandwithgreatdeterminationandeffort,thepoliceascertainedthat??ngTh?Hi?n,aged85,andlivingin??nNg?aZonein??ngL??ngCommunemostlikelyhadarelationshipwithHoan.Hi?nsaidthathereldestdaughterBùiTh?Hoan,63,hasbeenmissingsince1988andhasnotreturnedyet.Herfamilyhassearchedforhermanytimesbuttonoavail.ThroughexchanginginformationwithHi?nandBích,thepolicerealisedthatalthoughHoansfirstandlastnamesdidnotexactlymatch,theinformationonbothsideshadmanysimilarities,sotheycontactedthetwofamiliestomeet.OnJuly7,Hi?nsfamilyandrelativeswenttoMinhChi?ngVillagetomeetHoansfamily.Bothfamiliesconfirmedthattheyhadrecognisedthemissingfamilymemberandreunited.OnJuly25,BíchandheruncleBùiNg?cHu?nwenttothe??ngL??ngCommunePolicetothankthemfortheirhelpinfindingtheirlostrelative.—VNSTheaftermathofthefirein2022inAnPhúkaraoke.—Photovov.vnBìNHD??NG—BìnhD??ngProvincialPeoplesProcuracyonThursdayindictedsixpeopleresponsibleforthedeadlyAnPhúkaraokefirethatkilled32victimsonSeptember6,2022.ThesixdefendantsbeingprosecutedareLêAnhXuan(ownerofAnPhúkaraoke),V?Tr??ngS?n,Ph?mQu?cHùng,Ph?mTh?H?ng(formerofficersoftheBìnhD??ngProvincialFirePreventionandRescuePoliceDepartment),andNguy?nThànhLuan(constructioncompanydirector).Theyarebeingprosecutedonchargeoffirepreventionandfirefightingregulations.Nguy?nV?nV?(formerofficeroftheThu?nAnCityFirePreventionandRescuePoliceDepartment)isbeingprosecutedfornegligence.Theinitialcauseofthekaraokefirewasdeterminedtobeanelectricalshortcircuit.Followingtheincident,authoritieslaunchedaninvestigationandinitiatedcriminalproceedings.OnSeptember16,2022,theinvestigatingagencyinitiatedproceedingsanddetainedtheownerXuan.Subsequently,S?n,Hùng,V?,andNguy?nDuyLinh(formerheadoftheFirePreventionandRescuePoliceTeaminThu?nAnCity)wereprosecuted.However,theinvestigationagainstLinhwassuspendedfollowinghisdeathduetoillnessinJune2023.Bytheendof2023,thepolicesinvestigationintotheAnPhúkaraokefirewascompletedandtheProcuracytransferredthecasefiletotheBìnhD??ngProvincialPeoplesCourtfortrial.OnMarch1,2024,thecourtreturnedthefiletotheProcuracy,requestingadditionalinvestigationintoseveralrelatedissues.Followingthesupplementalinvestigation,theinvestigatingagencyprosecutedadditionaldefendantsPh?mTh?H?ngandNguy?nThànhLuan.—VNS

Tr?nDuy(right)andhisheadteacherHàDuyH?ng.—Photovietnamnet.vnHàN?I—Tr?nDuy,12thgraderoftheHighSchoolforGiftedStudentsundertheHàN?iNationalUniversityofEducation(HNUE),haswonasilvermedalattheInternationalMathematicalOlympiad(IMO)2024.HeisoneoftwocontestantsfromtheVietnameseteam.Threeyearsago,DuycamefirstintheentranceexamtotheclassspecialisinginmathsoftheHighSchoolforGiftedStudentsundertheHNUE.InterestDuyhashadapassionformathematicssincehewasveryyoung.Howeveritwasnotuntilhewasineighthgradethathethoughtaboutmajoringinthesubject.Injuniorsecondaryschool,Duyshowedhistalentswhenhewasthebestatmathematicsamongallthesubjectshewasstudyingandwasalsothemostoutstandingintheclass.Duysaidthatheachievedtheresultstodaybecauseofhisfathersinspiration.HisfatherisTr?n??c,aformerstudentofthemathsclassatDuyshighschool.Myfathergivesmetheclearestguidanceandbelievesinmyabilities.WhenIcamefirstintheentranceexamtohighschool,myfatherthoughtIwillgofurtherandIdonotdisappointhimwithtodaysresults,Duysaid.Thisschoolyear,Duywonfirstprizeinthenationalmathscompetitionandthenasilvermedalatinternationallevel.PromisingstudentV?V?nTi?n,PrincipaloftheHighSchoolforGiftedStudents,saidthatwhenheheardthatDuywonthesilvermedalattheIMO,notonlyhimbutallthestaffandteachersattheschoolwereveryhappy.Wewerenottoosurprisedbecauseaccordingtoteachersassessment,Duyhasalwaysbeenaverypromisingstudent,saidTi?n.TeacherssaythatDuyhaspotentialtosolvethemostdifficultmathsproblemsinthegiftedstudentteam.Sincejoiningtheteam,Duyhasshownhisdifference.Hehasauniquewayofsolvingproblems.TeacherHàDuyH?ng,DuysheadteacherandalsotheteacherinchargeoftheschoolsIMOteam,saidthatduringthelearningprocess,theteamhadmanyexcellentstudentsbutthemostoutstandingwasDuy.Hehasagreatlearningability,atalentformathematicsandagreatpassion.Duyhasverygoodstudyingachievements,haswonmanyawardsandmedalsinmathscompetitions.Duyisalsoastudentwhooftenhasthehighesttestscoresintheteam,saidH?ng.Passionateaboutmathsandhavingagoodstudystrategy,teacherH?ngaffirmedthatDuymadegreatprogressfromgrade11tograde12.Especiallyinthefinalstageofgrade12,Duyhadagreatleapforward.Talkingabouthislearningstyle,Duysaidthatheusuallyfocusesonacquiringknowledgeinclass,fromtheteacherslectures.WhenIgethome,Ispendtimereviewinganddevelopingknowledgebutdonotstudytoolate,toavoidpsychologicalpressureandaffectingthenextdaysstudy,Duysaid.Ispendalotoftimeonmaths.Maybebecauseofmypassion,Ineverfeeltiredwhenstudyingmath,hesaid,addingthathealwaysgoestobedat11pm.Withthisresult,Duywillbeadmitteddirectlytouniversity.HeisconsideringbetweentheHàN?iUniversityofScienceandTechnologyandtheHàN?iUniversityofNaturalSciences–Vi?tNamNationalUniversity.Inthefuture,Duywantstostudyabroad.Thisyear,theHighSchoolforGiftedStudentshastwostudentsbeingselectedfortheIMO2024team.Theotherstudent,T???cAnh,alsoinDuysclass,wonacertificateofmeritatthecompetition.Sinceitsfoundationin1966,theHighSchoolforGiftedStudentsundertheHNUEhaswonnearly80internationalOlympicmedalsinvarioussubjects,ofwhichmathematicsaccountsformorethan60medals.—VNSNg?Th??ngMekongCo-operativescowfarminH?uGiangProvincesPh?ngHi?pDistrict.–VNA/VNSPhotoH?ngTháiH?UGIANG–H?uGiangProvincehastakenmeasurestosupportthedevelopmentofthecollectiveeconomy,especiallyco-operatives.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincehasimplementedmanyprogrammesandprojectsinwhichco-operativesaregivenfinancialandothersupporttodeveloptheirproduction.TheyincludetheVi?tNam-SustainableAgricultureTransformation(VnSAT)Projectandtheprojectforsustainableagriculturedevelopmentandclimatechangeadaptationin2021-25.K?Nh?Co-operativeinPh?ngHi?pDistrictsTh?nhHoàCommuneisaco-operativethathasbeenprovidedfinancialsupporttodevelopproduction.Itbreedsfeatherbackfishandmakesproductsfromthefishsuchasfishpaste,driedfishandsnacks,andprocessesotherseafood,vegetableandfruitproducts.Itsupplies30-35tonnesoffreshfishamonthtothemarketandhas11productsrecognisedasthree-andfour-starproductsunderthecountrysOneCommune-OneProduct(OCOP)programme.Nguy?nKimThu?,itsdirector,saidtheprovincehasmanysupportpoliciesforco-operativessuchasfinancialsupport,OCOPproductregistrationandtradepromotion.Theprovincehassupportedherco-operativewithpartofthecostofbuyingasolardryerworthVN?540million(US$21,500)andafreezerworthnearlyVN?1billion($40,000),shesaid.Theco-operativeisbuildingaworkshop,warehouseandheadquartersworthatotalofVN?11billion($440,000)fromtheprovincesfinancialsupport,shesaid.ItearnedrevenueofVN?14billion($560,000)lastyearandhas65permanentworkerswhoearnanincomebetweenVN?6-9million($240-360)amonth.TanTi?nAgricultureServiceCo-operativeinV?ThanhCitysV?TanCommunewasgivenfinancialsupportfromtheVnSATProjectin2018tobuilda1,000sq.mwarehouseandbuyaricedrierandharvester.LêV?nTh?ng,itsdirector,saidthankstothesupport,theco-operativecansolvetheissueofstoringharvestedriceforitsmembers,andcanproactivelyharvest,processandpreserverice,whichhelptoreduceproductioncost.Theprovincehasestablished71co-operativeswithnearly2,000memberssince2022,accordingtotheprovincialCo-operativeAlliance.Ithas271co-operativesandfouroperativeunionswhichhaveatotalofmorethan8,500membersand13,000workers.Thealliancetargetstosetup30co-operativegroupsand16newco-operativesthisyear.SolvingdifficultiesH?V?nPhú,chairmanofthealliance,saidmostco-operativeshavedifficultiessuchassmall-scaleproductionandweakoperationcapacity.Thebiggestdifficultyisthelackofinvestmentcapital,hesaid.Tr??ngC?nhTuyên,permanentdeputychairmanoftheprovincialPeoplesCommittee,said:Tosolvedifficultiesindevelopingthecollectiveeconomy,theprovincewillfocusonremovingthebottleneckofcapitalforco-operatives.Itwillclassifyco-operativesthathavegood,moderateorweakoperationalefficiencytohavemeasurestosupportthem,hesaid.Itwillfocusontraininghumanresourcesforcollectiveeconomy,implementtradepromotionforco-operatives,andassistthemtorecruituniversityandcolleaguegraduatestoworkforalimitedperiod,hesaid.Co-operativeswillbesupportedtoinvestininfrastructureandfacilities,expandtheirproductionandimproveproductquality,hesaid.Linkagesamongco-operativesandotherstakeholdersinproducingproductswillbedevelopedtoimproveproductionefficiency,andtheapplicationofadvancedtechnologieswillbeprioritised,hesaid.TheprovincehasprovidedfinancialsupporttobuildinfrastructureandprocessingfacilitiescostingatotalofVN?144billion($5.7million)for13co-operativesandtwoco-operativeunions,accordingtothealliance.IthasusedmorethanVN?40billion($1.6million)fromitsfundtoassist50co-operativestobuymachines,productionfacilities,seedsandanimalfood.IthasgivenVN?1.6billion($64,000)to33universityandcolleaguegraduateswhoworkforalimitedperiodat13co-operativesandthreeco-operativeunions.Ithasorganised45co-operativestoparticipateintradepromotionactivitiesinHCMCity,HàN?iandotherprovinces,andcreatedconditionsforco-operativestolinkwithcompaniestoproduceandselltheirproducts.–VNSArubberfarminBìnhPh??cProvincesBùGiaM?pDistrict.–VNA/VNSPhotoBìNHPH??C–BìnhPh??cProvinceisdevelopinglinkagesbetweenvariousstakeholdersinagriculturalsupplychaintoimprovefarmersincomesandensuresustainability.Thesoutheasternprovincehas425,000haoffarmlands,withlargeareasunderindustrialcrops,accordingtoitsDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.Itisencouragingfarmerstoformco-operativesandco-operativegroupstoproducehigh-qualityproducts,increasetheiroutputandmeetmarketrequirements.Ithas213agriculturalco-operatives,accordingtoitsCo-operativeAlliance.Nguy?nThanhPh??ng,itschairman,saidtheprovincetargetsatleast30percentofagriculturalco-operativesestablishedwiththesupportoftheFarmersAssociationhavinglinkageswithcompaniesandothereconomicentitiesintheagriculturalsectorandsellingtheirproduce.Accordingtothedepartment,areasforfarmingandprocessingagriculturalproducewillbezonedandlinkagescreatedbetweenvariousstakeholdersinagriculture,animalhusbandryandforestry.Itskeyexportproductsarepork,chicken,cashew,andwoodenproducts.Todevelopindustrialcrops,theprovincewillfocusonestablishingvaluechainsfortheirproductsandprioritisetheirexports.Forcashew,forinstance,theprovincewilldeveloplinkagesbetweenfarmers,co-operativesandcompaniesandsetupprocessingplantstoproducehigh-qualityproductsinconsistentquantities.ItwilldeveloptheBìnhPh??cCashewbrand.Inthecaseofrubber,itwillproducevariousrubberproductssuchaslatex,pillows,mattresses,tyres,andothers.ItwillgrowpepperaccordingtoVietnamesegoodagriculturalpractices,RainforestAllianceandorganicstandards.ItexportsmorethanUS$4billionworthofagriculturalproductsayear,andisamongthecountrystop20citiesandprovincesintermsofexports.Ittargetsexportsof$4.56billionthisyear.ItsagriculturaloutputwasworthVN?17.5trillionlastyearafterachieving10.3percentgrowth,thehighestinthecountry,accordingtothedepartment.Iteyesgrowthof5percentthisyear.PotentialPh?mThu?Lu?n,directoroftheagriculturedepartment,saidtheprovincestillhasampleroomfordevelopingagriculture,especiallytech-based.Itgrowsadiverserangeofhigh-qualityagriculturalproductssuchasdurian,red-pulpguava,greenskinandpinkfleshgrapefruit,mangosteen,avocado,jackfruit,honeydewmelon.MostofthemaregrowntoVietnameseandglobalgoodagriculturalpracticesstandards,andrecognisedasproductsunderthecountrysOneCommune-OneProductprogramme.Theprovincehas3,801haoffarmingareasthathavereceivedproductioncodestomeetexportrequirements.Itsindustrialcropslikecashew,rubber,coffee,andpepperareexportedtomanymarkets,includingtheEU,SouthKorea,theUS,Singapore,China,andCambodia.Ithasnearly150,000haofcashew,or50percentofthecountrystotal,and241,000haofrubber(26percent).Ithasattractedmanylargelivestockbreedingbusinessesandhas480largeanimalfarms.Ithastwomillionpigsand13.5millionpoultrybirds.Underitszoningplanfor2021-30,theprovincewillbuildaslaughterhouse,developfruitorchardsecotourismdestinationsandformfivefruitgrowingareaswithatotalof5,000ha,a3,000hapeppergrowingarea,and9,500haofhigh-techanimalhusbandryby2030.By2030itwillsetupfivehigh-techagriculturezonesof68-650haeach.Itissolicitinginvestmentinhigh-techagriculturefrommajorinternationalcompanies.IthasmanyagriculturalproductsthathavebeengrantedacollectivebrandnamesuchasL?cNinhpepper,ThanhL??ngbackyardchickenThanhL??ngsmall-seedlongan.ItscashewhasbeengrantedtheBìnhPh??cCashewgeographicindication.Ithas157productsundertheOneCommune-OneProductprogrammewiththreetofivestars,includingfoods,beveragesandhandicraftproducts.Underitsrestructuringplan,by2030,itwilldevelopecological,green,organic,andhigh-techagriculture.Itwilldevelopagriculturetogetherwiththeprocessingindustry,recyclingofagriculturalby-productsandwastesandtourismservices.Itwillspeedupdigitaltransformationandincreasetheuseofadvancedagriculturaltechniquestoincreaseyieldsandqualityandsecureoutlets.Experiencedfarmers,companiesandorganisationsproactivelyusesocialmediatoteachfarmersnewfarmingtechniquesandintroducetheirproductstoconsumers.–VNS

StudentspracticeserverskillsattheVi?tGiaoIntermediateSchoolinHCMCitysDistrict10.—VNA/VNSPhotoThuHoàiHCMCITY—HCMCityisboostinginvestmentinvocationaleducationschoolstoimprovethequalityofvocationalhumanresources.LêV?nThinh,directorofthecitysDepartmentofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs,saidthecitysvocationaleducationsystemprovidesthelabourmarketwithabout200,000workerseachyear.However,accordingtoassessmentsconductedbybusinesses,thequalityofthishumanresourcedoesnotmeettherequirementsofrapiddevelopmentinscienceandtechnology.Thereare62colleges,60secondaryschools,77vocationaleducationcentres,and181vocationaleducationfacilitiesacrossthecity.Thesevocationaltrainingestablishmentscanprovidetrainingatdifferentlevelsforover400,000labourers.Thenumberoflearnersandthequalityoftraininghaveimprovedovertheyears,contributingtoagradualincreaseintheproportionoftrainedlabourersto87.6percentasofJune2024.However,short-termtrainingcoursesstillaccountforahighproportionoftotalannualenrolment.Thisleadstothemajorityofworkersfindingitdifficulttoadapttotherapidchangesinscienceandtechnologycomparedtoworkerswithsecondaryorhighereducationlevels.Digitalisationanddigitaltransformationhavenotbeenfullyimplementedbyvocationaleducationinstitutions.Inaddition,manyvocationaleducationfacilitieshaveoutdatedteachingequipment,andsmalllandareas.Therefore,theydonotmeettheminimumarearequirementsaccordingtopresentregulations.InMay,thecitysDepartmentofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairscoordinatedwithrelevantdepartmentsandagenciestoadvisethecityPeoplesCommitteetoissueadecisiononapprovingtheLabourandEmploymentStrategyforthecityinthe2023-25period,withavisionto2030.Thestrategyoutlinessolutionstoensurethegoalofsocio-economicdevelopment,ensuresocialsecurity,andmeettherequirementsofeconomicrestructuringtowardsmodernisationandinternationalintegration,especiallytoachievethelabourproductivitygrowthtargetasdirectedbythePrimeMinisterandtheResolutionofthecityPartyCongressofthe2020-25term.Thedepartmentisalsofinalisingaprojectonmanagingthenetworkofvocationaleducationfacilitiesinthecityby2030afterlisteningtocommentsfromdepartments,agencies,districtsandvocationaleducationfacilities.Accordingly,thecitywillmergeandreorganisepublicvocationaleducationfacilities,continuetoinvestinmodernfacilitiesandequipment,andinspectthequalityofvocationaltrainingprogrammes.By2025,thecitywillpourinvestmentintechnicalteachingfacilitiesforthreepublicvocationaleducationinstitutionswithatotalinvestmentofmorethanVN?400billion(US$15.7million).Inthe2026-30period,thecitywillallocateVN?2.9trillion($113.8million)toupgradeequipmentandenhancetrainingcapacityat15vocationaleducationinstitutions.Thecityseducationsectorwillcontinuetoassesstheneedsofbusinessesandsocietytoadvisethecityonfundamentalsocialwelfarepolicies,supportvulnerableworkers,andprovidesupplementaryandadvancedtrainingforlabourforcedevelopment.Duringthe2021-25period,threeinstitutions,includingtheHCMCityVocationalCollege,Nguy?nTr??ngT?TechnicalCollege,andC?ChiVocationalIntermediateSchool,havebeentaskedbythecityPeoplesCommitteetoproposeadjustmentstoinvestmentplansforpublicvocationaleducationprojects.Theseprojectsincludedevelopmentofahigh-qualityvocationalschool,equipmentprocurement,andvocationaltrainingequipmentacquisition.Between2026and2030,thecityPeoplesCommitteewillallocatemid-termpublicinvestmentfundstoimproveinfrastructureandteachingequipmentatleast15publicvocationaleducationinstitutionsinthecity.TheseinstitutionsincludeHùngV??ngTechnicalCollege,Th???cCollegeofEconomicsandTechnology,QuangTrungVocationalIntermediateSchool,andtheHCMCityCollegeofEconomicsandTechnology.Publicvocationaleducationinstitutionsinthecitywillalsomaintainclosecollaborationwithleadunitsinthecomprehensiveinternationalworkforcetrainingprojectacrosseightfields,includingITandcommunications,mechanicalengineeringandautomation,artificialintelligence,businessadministration,financeandbanking,healthcare,tourismandurbanmanagement.Thiscollaborationaimstosupplyskilledlaborerswithvocationaleducationanduniversitystudies,meetingthedemandforadynamichigh-qualityworkforce.—VNSFormerF88employeesreceiveprisonsentencesofoneyearandfivemonthstofouryearsandsixmonthsforextortionattheHCMCityPeoplesCourtonWednesday.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheHCMCityPeoplesCourthassentencedsevenformeremployeesofaHàN?i-basedlendingfirmtoprisontermsrangingfromoneyearandfivemonthstofouryearsandsixmonthsforextortion.ThecourtonWednesdayfoundthattheformeremployeesofF88InvestmentJSC(F88),Vi?tNamslargestpawnshopoperator,sentthreateningmessagestohundredsofthousandsofcustomerstocoercedebtrepayments.Oneofthemharassedafemaledebtorbyrepeatedlycontactingherandevenfollowingherdaughtertoschooltointimidatethemother.Duringtheproceedings,thedefendants,allofwhomresideinHCMCity,admittedtheirwrongdoingandsoughtleniency,citingfinancialpressures.InMarchlastyear,policeraidedthelendingfirmfollowingpubliccomplaints,uncoveringevidenceofextortioninitsdebtcollectionpractices.F88,whichisseekingaUS$1billionvaluationinitsupcominginitialpublicoffering,lastyearreceived$50millioninfundingfromMekongCapitalandtheVi?tNam-OmanInvestmentFund.Establishedin2013andheadquarteredinHàN?i,F88operatesatover800locationsnationwide.—VNS

NGH?AN—Vi?tNamhasrecordedadecreasingnumberofchildrenwhohavedrownedeveryyear.ThefallinnumberswasconfirmedbyNguy?nTh?Hà,DeputyMinisterofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs(MOLISA)atarecentworkshopontheissueinthecentralprovinceofNgh?An.AccordingtoareportfromMOLISA,thedrowningrateamongVietnamesechildrenhasbeensteadilydecreasing,withanannualreductionof3-5percent,equivalentto100fewercasesofchildrendrowningeachyear.DeputyMinisterHàemphasisedthattheseresultsareevidenceoftheeffectivenessofthecoordinationmechanismandtherobusteffortsofministries,localauthoritiesandinternationalorganisations.Overthepastfiveyears,withsupportfromtheBloombergPhilanthropiesandtheGlobalHealthPolicyAdvocacy,thechilddrowningpreventionprogrammeinVi?tNamhasprovidedfreeswimminglessonstomorethan29,000childrenaged6-15andwatersafetyeducationformorethan50,000childreninschools.Theyhavealsofundedtechnicaltrainingforalmostathousandteachersandhealthcareworkersand900community-basedswimminginstructors.However,drowningstillclaimsthelivesofnearly2,000childrenunder16anditremainsoneofthetoptencausesofdeathforchildrenaged6-15.ThechilddrowningrateinthecountryishigherthanthatofcountriesintheWesternPacificregionandistentimeshigherthanthatofdevelopedcountries.Childreninruralareasaretwiceaslikelytodrownasthoseinurbanareas.Additionally,55percentofdrowningdeathsoccuramongchildrenfrompoorruralhouseholds.Effortstopreventaccidentsandinjuriesamongchildren,particularlydrowning,haveconsistentlyreceivedtheattentionandsupportoftheNationalAssembly,theGovernmentandvariouslevelsoflocalauthorities.TheChildLawmandatestheStatesresponsibilitytoimplementmeasuresforpreventingchildaccidentsandinjuries.Thechildaccidentandinjurypreventionprogrammeforthe2021-2030periodincludescomprehensive,multi-sectoralinterventionsaimedatreducingchilddrowningfatalities.Thisprogrammefocusesonimplementingsolutionsandmodelstoteachwatersafetyskillstochildrenandensuringasafelivingenvironmentforthem.Promotingsurvivalswimminglessonsandeducationonwatersafetyskillsforchildren.PhotoCourtesyofMOLISAToacceleratetheprogressofthechilddrowningpreventionprogrammesandachievethegoalssetbythePrimeMinisterforpreventingchildinjuries,theInter-sectoralCoordinationPlanforChildDrowningPreventionfortheperiod2022-2030hasbeensignedbetweentheMoLISAandnineotherministriesandrelevantorganisations.Attheworkshop,KellyLarson,DirectoroftheBloombergPhilanthropiesInjuryPreventionProgram,praisedthemultidisciplinarycoordinationmechanismfordrowningpreventioninVi?tNam.Withitsinnovativeapproachesandthededicatedeffortsofrelevantauthorities,Vietnamisconsideredamodelforchild-drowningpreventionthatothercountriescanlearnfrom.Vi?tNamisapioneerindrowningprevention,shesaid.Theyhavedevelopedaverystrongprogrammetoreducedrowningsamongst6to15yearolds,andtheyhavedonethatinanumberofdifferentways.Theyfirsthaveidentifiedabestpracticecurriculumtoteachchildrenhowtoswim.Ihighlyappreciatedthecollaborationbetweennineministriestoensurethatsurvivalswiminstructioncanbebroughtto6to15yearoldsacrossthecountryandtheengagementandsupportfromprovincialgovernments.BloombergPhilanthropyisverypleasedtopartnerwithVi?tNaminthisefforttoprotectchildrenslivesandensurethemasustainablefuture.KellyLarson(firstleft)attendedafieldvisittoamodelofsurvivalswimmingclassinNgh?Anprovince.Inadditiontomultidisciplinarycooperationandlocalgovernmentcommitment,communityengagement,especiallyfromschoolsandparentsplaysacrucialroleinexecutingchilddrowningpreventionactivities.AgarwalVandanaShah,VicePresidentforHealthSystemsStrengtheningatCTFK/GHAIsaid:Drowningpreventioncannotbesolelyatop-downinterventionfromthegovernment,itrequiresthecollectiveeffortofvariousministriesandthecommunity,particularlyschoolsandparents.Therefore,wecommittoworkingalongsidetheVietnamesegovernment,localauthorities,andpartnerstoenhanceawarenessamongschoolsandfamiliesaboutensuringchildsafetyfromdrowningrisksandtofacilitatechildrensparticipationinsurvivalswimmingclasses.AgarwalVandanaShah(middle)emphasisedthecriticalroleofthecommunityincludingschoolsandfamiliesinpreventingchilddrowning.Thenationalprogrammeforchildinjurypreventionforthe2021-2030period,initiatedbytheGovernmentofVi?tNam,aimstoreducechilddrowningfatalitiesby10percentby2025andby20percentby2030.Teachingchildrensafeswimmingskillsandpromotingwatersafetyareamongsixlow-cost,evidence-basedinterventionstrategiesrecommendedbytheWHOandconstituteavitalcomponentofthegovernmentsdrowningpreventioninitiative.Additionalmeasuresincludetraininglifeguardsandfirstresponders,enhancingregulationsforboats,managingfloodrisks,installingbarriersnearwatersourcesandprovidingsafeplayareasawayfromwaterforyoungchildren.Protectingthehealthandlivesofcitizensalsohassignificanteconomicimplications.ResearchindicatesthatforeveryVN?1,000(US$0.04)investedindrowningprevention,thereisabenefitofVN?9,000.VNS

AssociateProfessor,Dr.LêV?nTruy?n,formerDeputyMinisterofHealth,speaksattheseminar.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iHàN?I—Vi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustrystillfacesmanychallengesanddifficultiesinthecontextofincreasinglydeepintegrationwiththeworld,participantsheardataseminarinHàN?i.Theseminar,entitledVi?tNampharmaceuticalindustryandthejourneytoparticipateinglobalisation,wasjointlyorganisedbytheSaigonTimesGroupandNewtechcoGroup.Speakingattheevent,AssociateProfessor,Dr.LêV?nTruy?n,formerDeputyMinisterofHealth,saidthatVi?tNamsdrugmarketreachedaboutUS$7billionin2023,whileaverageconsumptionwasat$70percapita,tentimesthatcomparedto2000.Ourcountryspharmaceuticalindustryhashadahighgrowthrateinthepast10yearswithacompoundannualgrowthrateof7.3percent.However,thepharmaceuticalindustryisstillfacingmanychallengesanddifficulties,asVi?tNamscontextisincreasinglyintegratingdeeplywiththeworldeconomy,saidTruy?n.Thefirstchallengeofthedomesticpharmaceuticalindustryisthatthematerial-technical-technologybaseisstilllow.Vi?tNamcurrentlyonlyhas17/250factoriesachievingadvancedGMP(EU,PIC/S,JAPAN,TGA).Morethan200factoriesmeetWHOandGMPstandards,butnofactoryhasbeenpre-qualifiedbyWHO(WHOpre-qualification),accordingtoTruy?n.Pre-qualificationisanimportantstep.Withthiscertificate,Vietnamesedrugs,suchasHIVdrugsormalariadrugs,willhavetheopportunitytobidandsupplydrugsforWHOprogrammesaroundtheworld,saidTruy?nonJuly31.Truy?naddedthatVi?tNamdoesnothaveconcentratedpharmaceuticalandbio-pharmaceuticalindustrialparkswithanecosystemincludingresearchanddevelopmentcentres,bioequivalenceandbioavailabilitytesting,clinicaltrialsandpharmaceuticalandpackagingfactories.Regardingfinancialcapacity,mostdomesticpharmaceuticalcompaniesaresmallinscale,havelowsalesanddonothavenational-scalepharmaceuticalcorporations.Besides,digitaltransformationisalsoabigchallengeformanypharmaceuticalbusinesses.AssociateProfessorTruy?npredictsthatthechangeinpharmaceuticalmarketstructurefromchemicaldrugstobiologicalandbiosimilardrugswillacceleraterapidlyinthecomingyears.Duetopopulationageingandshiftingdiseasepatterns,thesedrugswillaccountforabout40percentoftheglobalandSoutheastAsianpharmaceuticalmarket.Therefore,Vi?tNamneedstomakeeffortstoimproveresearchcapacityandtechnologyapplicationindrugproduction,aimingtobecomeacentreformanufacturing,processingandtechnologytransfer;andproactivelyproducespecialiseddrugs,specialtreatments,newdrugs,originalbrandnamedrugs,vaccinesandmedicalbiologicalproducts.Truy?nsuggestedthateachbusinessneedstoconsider,adjustandchangeitsmediumandlong-termdevelopmentstrategytosuittheStatesguidelinesandtheinternationalanddomesticbusinessenvironment,therebyimprovingthecompetitivenessofVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustry.Panelistsattheseminar.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iAccordingtoVicePresidentoftheVietnamPharmaceuticalBusinessAssociationTr?nTh?Th?,Vi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustry,isakeyindustryandneedstofocusresourcesonpromotingdevelopment.OnOctober9,2023,thePrimeMinistersignedDecisionNo.1165/QD-TTg,approvingthenationalstrategyfordevelopingVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustryfortheperiodto2030andvisionto2045todevelopVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustryonparwithadvancedcountriesintheregion,ensuringpeoplehaveaccesstomedicineatareasonablecost.Domesticbusinessesneedtotakeadvantageofinternalresourcestothrive.Smallbusinessesshouldfocusonlyonkeyproducts,avoidingduplicationwithotherbusinessesthathavestrengthsandmoremodernproductionlines,accordingtoTh?.Newlyestablishedbusinesses/EU-GMPbusinessescantargettheETCmarketsegment(drugsdistributedtohospitals),withspecializeddrugproducts,specialiseddrugs,genericdrugs,vaccinesandbiologicalproductsandmedicinalingredients,addedTh?.Th?alsosuggestedthatbusinessesshouldtakeadvantageofFTAs??tocooperatewithforeigninvestors,therebyproducingpharmaceuticalswithhightechnicalcontent.PresidentofNewtechcoGroupV?Th?Tu?nAnhsaidthatinthecontextwheremostpharmaceuticalenterpriseshavelowfinancialpotentialandscatteredresourcestoday,buildinganecosystemfromproductresearch,applyingnewtechnologytotheproductionofpharmaceuticalproductsanddevelopingwidespreaddistributionchannelsisessential.Accordingly,thegrouphasdevotedfinancialresourcesandinvitedinternationalinvestorsandtechnologyexpertstoinvestinthepharmaceuticalandbiologicalindustrialparkprojectinTháiBìnhProvince.ThiswillbethefirstprojectinVi?tNamdedicatedtothedevelopmentofthepharmaceuticalandbiopharmaceuticalindustry,agatheringplaceforexpertsinbiotechnologyandpharmaceuticalchemistry,productioninvestment,technologytransfer,trainingandincubatingstart-upbusinessesintheVietnamesepharmaceuticalandbiopharmaceuticalindustry.—VNSStudentspracticeserverskillsattheVi?tGiaoIntermediateSchoolinHCMCitysDistrict10.—VNA/VNSPhotoThuHoàiHCMCITY—HCMCityisboostinginvestmentinvocationaleducationschoolstoimprovethequalityofvocationalhumanresources.LêV?nThinh,directorofthecitysDepartmentofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs,saidthecitysvocationaleducationsystemprovidesthelabourmarketwithabout200,000workerseachyear.However,accordingtoassessmentsconductedbybusinesses,thequalityofthishumanresourcedoesnotmeettherequirementsofrapiddevelopmentinscienceandtechnology.Thereare62colleges,60secondaryschools,77vocationaleducationcentres,and181vocationaleducationfacilitiesacrossthecity.Thesevocationaltrainingestablishmentscanprovidetrainingatdifferentlevelsforover400,000labourers.Thenumberoflearnersandthequalityoftraininghaveimprovedovertheyears,contributingtoagradualincreaseintheproportionoftrainedlabourersto87.6percentasofJune2024.However,short-termtrainingcoursesstillaccountforahighproportionoftotalannualenrolment.Thisleadstothemajorityofworkersfindingitdifficulttoadapttotherapidchangesinscienceandtechnologycomparedtoworkerswithsecondaryorhighereducationlevels.Digitalisationanddigitaltransformationhavenotbeenfullyimplementedbyvocationaleducationinstitutions.Inaddition,manyvocationaleducationfacilitieshaveoutdatedteachingequipment,andsmalllandareas.Therefore,theydonotmeettheminimumarearequirementsaccordingtopresentregulations.InMay,thecitysDepartmentofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairscoordinatedwithrelevantdepartmentsandagenciestoadvisethecityPeoplesCommitteetoissueadecisiononapprovingtheLabourandEmploymentStrategyforthecityinthe2023-25period,withavisionto2030.Thestrategyoutlinessolutionstoensurethegoalofsocio-economicdevelopment,ensuresocialsecurity,andmeettherequirementsofeconomicrestructuringtowardsmodernisationandinternationalintegration,especiallytoachievethelabourproductivitygrowthtargetasdirectedbythePrimeMinisterandtheResolutionofthecityPartyCongressofthe2020-25term.Thedepartmentisalsofinalisingaprojectonmanagingthenetworkofvocationaleducationfacilitiesinthecityby2030afterlisteningtocommentsfromdepartments,agencies,districtsandvocationaleducationfacilities.Accordingly,thecitywillmergeandreorganisepublicvocationaleducationfacilities,continuetoinvestinmodernfacilitiesandequipment,andinspectthequalityofvocationaltrainingprogrammes.By2025,thecitywillpourinvestmentintechnicalteachingfacilitiesforthreepublicvocationaleducationinstitutionswithatotalinvestmentofmorethanVN?400billion(US$15.7million).Inthe2026-30period,thecitywillallocateVN?2.9trillion($113.8million)toupgradeequipmentandenhancetrainingcapacityat15vocationaleducationinstitutions.Thecityseducationsectorwillcontinuetoassesstheneedsofbusinessesandsocietytoadvisethecityonfundamentalsocialwelfarepolicies,supportvulnerableworkers,andprovidesupplementaryandadvancedtrainingforlabourforcedevelopment.Duringthe2021-25period,threeinstitutions,includingtheHCMCityVocationalCollege,Nguy?nTr??ngT?TechnicalCollege,andC?ChiVocationalIntermediateSchool,havebeentaskedbythecityPeoplesCommitteetoproposeadjustmentstoinvestmentplansforpublicvocationaleducationprojects.Theseprojectsincludedevelopmentofahigh-qualityvocationalschool,equipmentprocurement,andvocationaltrainingequipmentacquisition.Between2026and2030,thecityPeoplesCommitteewillallocatemid-termpublicinvestmentfundstoimproveinfrastructureandteachingequipmentatleast15publicvocationaleducationinstitutionsinthecity.TheseinstitutionsincludeHùngV??ngTechnicalCollege,Th???cCollegeofEconomicsandTechnology,QuangTrungVocationalIntermediateSchool,andtheHCMCityCollegeofEconomicsandTechnology.Publicvocationaleducationinstitutionsinthecitywillalsomaintainclosecollaborationwithleadunitsinthecomprehensiveinternationalworkforcetrainingprojectacrosseightfields,includingITandcommunications,mechanicalengineeringandautomation,artificialintelligence,businessadministration,financeandbanking,healthcare,tourismandurbanmanagement.Thiscollaborationaimstosupplyskilledlaborerswithvocationaleducationanduniversitystudies,meetingthedemandforadynamichigh-qualityworkforce.—VNS

FormerF88employeesreceiveprisonsentencesofoneyearandfivemonthstofouryearsandsixmonthsforextortionattheHCMCityPeoplesCourtonWednesday.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheHCMCityPeoplesCourthassentencedsevenformeremployeesofaHàN?i-basedlendingfirmtoprisontermsrangingfromoneyearandfivemonthstofouryearsandsixmonthsforextortion.ThecourtonWednesdayfoundthattheformeremployeesofF88InvestmentJSC(F88),Vi?tNamslargestpawnshopoperator,sentthreateningmessagestohundredsofthousandsofcustomerstocoercedebtrepayments.Oneofthemharassedafemaledebtorbyrepeatedlycontactingherandevenfollowingherdaughtertoschooltointimidatethemother.Duringtheproceedings,thedefendants,allofwhomresideinHCMCity,admittedtheirwrongdoingandsoughtleniency,citingfinancialpressures.InMarchlastyear,policeraidedthelendingfirmfollowingpubliccomplaints,uncoveringevidenceofextortioninitsdebtcollectionpractices.F88,whichisseekingaUS$1billionvaluationinitsupcominginitialpublicoffering,lastyearreceived$50millioninfundingfromMekongCapitalandtheVi?tNam-OmanInvestmentFund.Establishedin2013andheadquarteredinHàN?i,F88operatesatover800locationsnationwide.—VNSNGH?AN—Vi?tNamhasrecordedadecreasingnumberofchildrenwhohavedrownedeveryyear.ThefallinnumberswasconfirmedbyNguy?nTh?Hà,DeputyMinisterofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs(MOLISA)atarecentworkshopontheissueinthecentralprovinceofNgh?An.AccordingtoareportfromMOLISA,thedrowningrateamongVietnamesechildrenhasbeensteadilydecreasing,withanannualreductionof3-5percent,equivalentto100fewercasesofchildrendrowningeachyear.DeputyMinisterHàemphasisedthattheseresultsareevidenceoftheeffectivenessofthecoordinationmechanismandtherobusteffortsofministries,localauthoritiesandinternationalorganisations.Overthepastfiveyears,withsupportfromtheBloombergPhilanthropiesandtheGlobalHealthPolicyAdvocacy,thechilddrowningpreventionprogrammeinVi?tNamhasprovidedfreeswimminglessonstomorethan29,000childrenaged6-15andwatersafetyeducationformorethan50,000childreninschools.Theyhavealsofundedtechnicaltrainingforalmostathousandteachersandhealthcareworkersand900community-basedswimminginstructors.However,drowningstillclaimsthelivesofnearly2,000childrenunder16anditremainsoneofthetoptencausesofdeathforchildrenaged6-15.ThechilddrowningrateinthecountryishigherthanthatofcountriesintheWesternPacificregionandistentimeshigherthanthatofdevelopedcountries.Childreninruralareasaretwiceaslikelytodrownasthoseinurbanareas.Additionally,55percentofdrowningdeathsoccuramongchildrenfrompoorruralhouseholds.Effortstopreventaccidentsandinjuriesamongchildren,particularlydrowning,haveconsistentlyreceivedtheattentionandsupportoftheNationalAssembly,theGovernmentandvariouslevelsoflocalauthorities.TheChildLawmandatestheStatesresponsibilitytoimplementmeasuresforpreventingchildaccidentsandinjuries.Thechildaccidentandinjurypreventionprogrammeforthe2021-2030periodincludescomprehensive,multi-sectoralinterventionsaimedatreducingchilddrowningfatalities.Thisprogrammefocusesonimplementingsolutionsandmodelstoteachwatersafetyskillstochildrenandensuringasafelivingenvironmentforthem.Promotingsurvivalswimminglessonsandeducationonwatersafetyskillsforchildren.PhotoCourtesyofMOLISAToacceleratetheprogressofthechilddrowningpreventionprogrammesandachievethegoalssetbythePrimeMinisterforpreventingchildinjuries,theInter-sectoralCoordinationPlanforChildDrowningPreventionfortheperiod2022-2030hasbeensignedbetweentheMoLISAandnineotherministriesandrelevantorganisations.Attheworkshop,KellyLarson,DirectoroftheBloombergPhilanthropiesInjuryPreventionProgram,praisedthemultidisciplinarycoordinationmechanismfordrowningpreventioninVi?tNam.Withitsinnovativeapproachesandthededicatedeffortsofrelevantauthorities,Vietnamisconsideredamodelforchild-drowningpreventionthatothercountriescanlearnfrom.Vi?tNamisapioneerindrowningprevention,shesaid.Theyhavedevelopedaverystrongprogrammetoreducedrowningsamongst6to15yearolds,andtheyhavedonethatinanumberofdifferentways.Theyfirsthaveidentifiedabestpracticecurriculumtoteachchildrenhowtoswim.Ihighlyappreciatedthecollaborationbetweennineministriestoensurethatsurvivalswiminstructioncanbebroughtto6to15yearoldsacrossthecountryandtheengagementandsupportfromprovincialgovernments.BloombergPhilanthropyisverypleasedtopartnerwithVi?tNaminthisefforttoprotectchildrenslivesandensurethemasustainablefuture.KellyLarson(firstleft)attendedafieldvisittoamodelofsurvivalswimmingclassinNgh?Anprovince.Inadditiontomultidisciplinarycooperationandlocalgovernmentcommitment,communityengagement,especiallyfromschoolsandparentsplaysacrucialroleinexecutingchilddrowningpreventionactivities.AgarwalVandanaShah,VicePresidentforHealthSystemsStrengtheningatCTFK/GHAIsaid:Drowningpreventioncannotbesolelyatop-downinterventionfromthegovernment,itrequiresthecollectiveeffortofvariousministriesandthecommunity,particularlyschoolsandparents.Therefore,wecommittoworkingalongsidetheVietnamesegovernment,localauthorities,andpartnerstoenhanceawarenessamongschoolsandfamiliesaboutensuringchildsafetyfromdrowningrisksandtofacilitatechildrensparticipationinsurvivalswimmingclasses.AgarwalVandanaShah(middle)emphasisedthecriticalroleofthecommunityincludingschoolsandfamiliesinpreventingchilddrowning.Thenationalprogrammeforchildinjurypreventionforthe2021-2030period,initiatedbytheGovernmentofVi?tNam,aimstoreducechilddrowningfatalitiesby10percentby2025andby20percentby2030.Teachingchildrensafeswimmingskillsandpromotingwatersafetyareamongsixlow-cost,evidence-basedinterventionstrategiesrecommendedbytheWHOandconstituteavitalcomponentofthegovernmentsdrowningpreventioninitiative.Additionalmeasuresincludetraininglifeguardsandfirstresponders,enhancingregulationsforboats,managingfloodrisks,installingbarriersnearwatersourcesandprovidingsafeplayareasawayfromwaterforyoungchildren.Protectingthehealthandlivesofcitizensalsohassignificanteconomicimplications.ResearchindicatesthatforeveryVN?1,000(US$0.04)investedindrowningprevention,thereisabenefitofVN?9,000.VNS

AssociateProfessor,Dr.LêV?nTruy?n,formerDeputyMinisterofHealth,speaksattheseminar.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iHàN?I—Vi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustrystillfacesmanychallengesanddifficultiesinthecontextofincreasinglydeepintegrationwiththeworld,participantsheardataseminarinHàN?i.Theseminar,entitledVi?tNampharmaceuticalindustryandthejourneytoparticipateinglobalisation,wasjointlyorganisedbytheSaigonTimesGroupandNewtechcoGroup.Speakingattheevent,AssociateProfessor,Dr.LêV?nTruy?n,formerDeputyMinisterofHealth,saidthatVi?tNamsdrugmarketreachedaboutUS$7billionin2023,whileaverageconsumptionwasat$70percapita,tentimesthatcomparedto2000.Ourcountryspharmaceuticalindustryhashadahighgrowthrateinthepast10yearswithacompoundannualgrowthrateof7.3percent.However,thepharmaceuticalindustryisstillfacingmanychallengesanddifficulties,asVi?tNamscontextisincreasinglyintegratingdeeplywiththeworldeconomy,saidTruy?n.Thefirstchallengeofthedomesticpharmaceuticalindustryisthatthematerial-technical-technologybaseisstilllow.Vi?tNamcurrentlyonlyhas17/250factoriesachievingadvancedGMP(EU,PIC/S,JAPAN,TGA).Morethan200factoriesmeetWHOandGMPstandards,butnofactoryhasbeenpre-qualifiedbyWHO(WHOpre-qualification),accordingtoTruy?n.Pre-qualificationisanimportantstep.Withthiscertificate,Vietnamesedrugs,suchasHIVdrugsormalariadrugs,willhavetheopportunitytobidandsupplydrugsforWHOprogrammesaroundtheworld,saidTruy?nonJuly31.Truy?naddedthatVi?tNamdoesnothaveconcentratedpharmaceuticalandbio-pharmaceuticalindustrialparkswithanecosystemincludingresearchanddevelopmentcentres,bioequivalenceandbioavailabilitytesting,clinicaltrialsandpharmaceuticalandpackagingfactories.Regardingfinancialcapacity,mostdomesticpharmaceuticalcompaniesaresmallinscale,havelowsalesanddonothavenational-scalepharmaceuticalcorporations.Besides,digitaltransformationisalsoabigchallengeformanypharmaceuticalbusinesses.AssociateProfessorTruy?npredictsthatthechangeinpharmaceuticalmarketstructurefromchemicaldrugstobiologicalandbiosimilardrugswillacceleraterapidlyinthecomingyears.Duetopopulationageingandshiftingdiseasepatterns,thesedrugswillaccountforabout40percentoftheglobalandSoutheastAsianpharmaceuticalmarket.Therefore,Vi?tNamneedstomakeeffortstoimproveresearchcapacityandtechnologyapplicationindrugproduction,aimingtobecomeacentreformanufacturing,processingandtechnologytransfer;andproactivelyproducespecialiseddrugs,specialtreatments,newdrugs,originalbrandnamedrugs,vaccinesandmedicalbiologicalproducts.Truy?nsuggestedthateachbusinessneedstoconsider,adjustandchangeitsmediumandlong-termdevelopmentstrategytosuittheStatesguidelinesandtheinternationalanddomesticbusinessenvironment,therebyimprovingthecompetitivenessofVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustry.Panelistsattheseminar.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iAccordingtoVicePresidentoftheVietnamPharmaceuticalBusinessAssociationTr?nTh?Th?,Vi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustry,isakeyindustryandneedstofocusresourcesonpromotingdevelopment.OnOctober9,2023,thePrimeMinistersignedDecisionNo.1165/QD-TTg,approvingthenationalstrategyfordevelopingVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustryfortheperiodto2030andvisionto2045todevelopVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustryonparwithadvancedcountriesintheregion,ensuringpeoplehaveaccesstomedicineatareasonablecost.Domesticbusinessesneedtotakeadvantageofinternalresourcestothrive.Smallbusinessesshouldfocusonlyonkeyproducts,avoidingduplicationwithotherbusinessesthathavestrengthsandmoremodernproductionlines,accordingtoTh?.Newlyestablishedbusinesses/EU-GMPbusinessescantargettheETCmarketsegment(drugsdistributedtohospitals),withspecializeddrugproducts,specialiseddrugs,genericdrugs,vaccinesandbiologicalproductsandmedicinalingredients,addedTh?.Th?alsosuggestedthatbusinessesshouldtakeadvantageofFTAs??tocooperatewithforeigninvestors,therebyproducingpharmaceuticalswithhightechnicalcontent.PresidentofNewtechcoGroupV?Th?Tu?nAnhsaidthatinthecontextwheremostpharmaceuticalenterpriseshavelowfinancialpotentialandscatteredresourcestoday,buildinganecosystemfromproductresearch,applyingnewtechnologytotheproductionofpharmaceuticalproductsanddevelopingwidespreaddistributionchannelsisessential.Accordingly,thegrouphasdevotedfinancialresourcesandinvitedinternationalinvestorsandtechnologyexpertstoinvestinthepharmaceuticalandbiologicalindustrialparkprojectinTháiBìnhProvince.ThiswillbethefirstprojectinVi?tNamdedicatedtothedevelopmentofthepharmaceuticalandbiopharmaceuticalindustry,agatheringplaceforexpertsinbiotechnologyandpharmaceuticalchemistry,productioninvestment,technologytransfer,trainingandincubatingstart-upbusinessesintheVietnamesepharmaceuticalandbiopharmaceuticalindustry.—VNSAviewoftheH?iVanQuanrelicsitefromabove.—VNA/VNSPhotoMaiHuy?nTrangTH?ATHIêNHU?—TheH?iVanQuanrelicsite,atopthepicturesqueH?iVanPassbetweenTh?aThiênHu?Provinceand?àN?ngCityincentralVi?tNam,officiallyreopenedtovisitorsonThursdayafteratwo-yearrestorationprogramme.Thereopeningmarkstheculminationofajointeffortbybothlocalities,whoinvestedmorethanVN?42billion(US$1.7million)torestoretherelicsoriginalfeatures,includingNguy?nDynasty-erawallsandmilitaryposts.Visitorstakephotosattherelicsite.—VNA/VNSPhotoMaiHuy?nTrangOnitsreopeningday,thesitesawabout300domesticandforeignvisitorseagertoexploreitshistoricgrounds.Admissioniscurrentlyfreewhilelocalauthoritiesfinaliseaticketpricingscheme.Touristslearnaboutthehistoryoftherelicsite.—VNA/VNSPhotoMaiHuy?nTrangWhileminorinfrastructureupgradesareongoing,therelicsite,anationaltreasuresince2017,offersauniqueandcaptivatingglimpseintoVi?tNamsrichculturalheritagefortravellerstraversingthetraveller-favouriteH?iVanPass.LeadersofTh?aThiênHu?sand?àN?ngstourismdepartmentsparticipateinthere-openingceremonyoftherelicsite.—VNA/VNSPhotoMaiHuy?nTrangThesiteisexpectedtobecomeakeylinkinboostingtourismacrossthecentralregion.—VNSH?iVanQuan.—VNA/VNSPhotoMaiTrang