ChairmanoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommitteeTr?nS?Thanh(right)ononeofthetrainsoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetroduringhisinspectionoftheprojectonTuesdaymorning.—VNA/VNSPhotoTrungNguyênHàN?I—ChairmanoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommitteeTr?nS?ThanhonAugust6inspectedthepreparationsfortheoperationoftheelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationurbanrailwayproject,thecitysmetrolineNo.3,aheadoftheexpectedcommercialrunslaterthisweek.Reportingonthepreparations,Nguy?nCaoMinh,HeadoftheHàN?iMetropolitanRailwayManagementBoard,saidthatall10trainshadbeentestedsinceMayandnowmeettechnicalrequirements.V?H?ngTr??ng,ChairmanoftheBoardandGeneralDirectorofHàN?iMetroOneMemberCompanyLtd(HMC),statedthatallpreparationsregardingpersonnelandoperationalprocesseshadalsobeencompleted.Forthetimebeing,theelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationlinewillapplyatemporarypricingforticketsandmaintenancesimilartotheCátLinh-Hà??ngline,Tr??ngsaid.Thetrialrunwilllastfortwotothreemonths,andinthefirst15dayspassengerscanenjoytheridesfreeofcharge.TheinvestorhasaskedforpermissiontoruntheelevatedsectionfromAugust9,2024,hetoldChairmanThanh.Theplantoconnectbusrouteswiththeelevatedsectionofthislinehasbeenpreparedandisawaitingcityapproval,headofHàN?istransportdepartmentNguy?nPhiTh??ngsaid.ThedepartmentrecommendsthatthecityallowstheHàN?iMetropolitanManagementBoardtohandoverthelineasistoHMCtemporarily,makingsurethatallconditionsaremetforthelinestimelyoperationtoservethepublic.Remainingissueswillbeaddressedintime,Th??ngnoted.HàN?isChairmanThanhpraisedtheeffortsofthemanagementboard,HMC,thetransportdepartment,andrelateddepartmentsandlocalities,statingthattheelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationprojectwasreadyforoperation.Withthecurrentstateofthepreparations,heaskedforthemetroscommercialoperationstostartfromAugust8,onedayearlierthantheproposeddate.Healsorequiredallunitstofocusonquicklycompletingthefinalprocedures,withthetopprioritybeingthesafeandproperoperationofthetrain.AnyissuesmustbereportedimmediatelyandthePeoplesCommitteeandIwillsupportresolvingthem.Thepreparationworkmustbecomprehensiveandthorough,coveringsafety,technicalaspects,personnel,andsanitation,hestressed.Themetroline,thesecondtobeoperationalinthecapitalcity,is12.5kmlong,withtheelevatedsection(Nh?n-C?uGi?yDistrict)being8.5kmandtheundergroundsection(C?uGi?yDistrict-HàN?iStation)being4kmlong.Eachhour,about8,000passengerscanbetransportedoneachdirectionontheelevatedsection.OnJuly30,thetunnelboringmachinebeganoperationsontheundergroundsectionofthemetroline,whichpassesthroughseveraldenselypopulatedareassomanychallengesmayarise,accordingtotheinvestor.Themetroprojectstartedin2009andwasoriginallyslatedtobefinishedin2015butafterdelaysandsetbacks,thecompletiondateisnow2027.TheoriginalinvestmentcostsofVN?18,408trillion(US$732.14million,currentexchangerate)havenowswellednearlytwo-foldtoVN?34,532trillion($1.373billion).—VNS

LabourerslearnvocationalskillstomakewovenproductsinSócTr?ngProvincesK?SáchDistrict.–VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nPhiSóCTR?NG–SócTr?ngProvincehaseffectivelytakenmeasurestoprovidevocationalskillsandcreatejobsforrurallabourers.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincehasorganisedmanyshort-termcoursestoprovidevocationalskillsforruralpeoplesotheycangetajobandhaveastableincome.Nguy?nPh??cH?u,alocalinNg?N?mTownsV?nhQ??iCommune,hasnofarmlandandusedtobepoor.Afterhewasprovidedafreevocationalcourseonmakinghandicraftproductsfromweavingdriedwaterhyacinths,hisfamilylifehasimprovedandescapedpovertyin2022,hesaid.InM?XuyênDistrict,morethan33percentofitspopulationareKhmerpeopleanditsWomenUnionhasorganisedmorethan20vocationalcoursesonmakingweavingproductsforlocalwomen.Tr?nH?ngNi,chairwomanoftheunion,saidtheunionhasdeveloped11modelsofmakingwovenproductswiththeparticipationof750members.ThesemembersearnanincomeofVN?2.4-4million(US$95-160)amonth,shesaid.InNg?N?mTown,theNg?N?mTownVocationalEducation-ContinuingEducationCentreorganisedthree-monthcoursesonmakinghandicraftproducts,aquacultureandindustrialsewingfor857rurallabourerslastyear.Morethan92percentofthemhavefoundjobsaftercompletingtheircourse,accordingtothecentre.Nguy?nV?nV?,itsdirector,saidthemodelofshort-termvocationalcourseshashelpedlabourerstogetajobandcontributedtoreducingpovertysustainably.Hiscentrehasprovidedvocationalskillsforrurallabourerswhilealsosecuringjobsforthem,hesaid.InLongPhúDistrict,morethan95percentoflabourershaveastablejobafterparticipatinginavocationalcourse,accordingtolocalauthorities.KimTh?HoànginTr??ngTh?HamletinthedistrictsTr??ngKhánhCommunesaidthatafterlearningtomakebeadedproducts,sheandotherpeopleinthehamletmakeandsellbeadedproductstoanestablishmentwhichbuysthematapriceofVN?50,000-100,000($2-4)aproduct.Thankstolearningvocationalskills,Iandmanypeopleherehavestablejobs,betterincomesandourlivesarelessdifficultthanbefore.InthedistrictsH?uTh?nhCommune,womeninChùa?ngHamlethaveestablishedtheChùa?ngHamletWeavingGrouptomakewovenhyacinthproducts.Mostofthegroupmembersarehousewivesandafterdoingtheirhousework,theymakewovenhyacinthproductsintheirfreetime.Tr?nTh?Ng?cBích,headofthegroup,saidsheandothermembersaretryingtoimprovetheirproductqualityandmakenewproductstomeetdemand.PlanningTheprovincialDepartmentofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsplanstocreatejobsfor28,000-30,000labourersandprovidevocationalskillsfor16,000-18,000labourersthisyear.Itwillstrengthenadvocacyactivitiestoenhancetheawarenessofpeopleaboutsupportpoliciesforvocationaleducation,andassistprovidingvocationalskillsforyoungpeople.Itwilldeveloplinkagesbetweenvocationalschoolsandenterprisestocreatejobsforlabourersaftertheyfinishavocationalcourse,andstrengthenconsultingandintroducingjobsforlabourers.Theprovinceprovidedvocationalskillsfor17,540labourersandcreatedjobsfor29,412labourerslastyear.Itexpectstohave10industrialparkswithatotalareaof4,334haand18industrialclusterswithatotalareaof983.6haby2050tocreatejobsforlocalpeople.Tr?nV?nLau,chairmanoftheprovincialPeoplesCommittee,saidthelocalityisveryinterestedinbuildingindustrialparksandindustrialclusterstoattractlabourersandcreatejobsforlocalpeople.Creatingon-sitejobsforlocalpeople,especiallyKhmerlabourers,isnecessaryandensuressocialsecurityandorder,hesaid.AlargenumberoflabourersintheprovincehavehadtogotoworkinsoutheastprovincesandHCMCity.SócTr?ngnowhastwoindustrialparks-AnNghi?pandTr?n??.TheformerinChauThànhDistrictcovers243haandisfullyoccupiedwhilethelaterinTr?n??Districtisunderconstructionandcovers160ha.Theprovincealsohasfiveindustrialclusterscoveringatotalof202.5ha.–VNSVi?tNamschemistryolympiadteambagsthreegoldandonesilvermedalatthe56thIChOInternationalChemistryOlympiad.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Vi?tNamrankedsecondoutofthe89participatingcountriesandterritoriesatthe56thInternationalChemistryOlympiad(ICHO),takingplacefromJuly21-30inSaudiArabia,theMinistryofEducationandTraininghasannounced.AllthefourVietnamesestudentswonmedals,withthreegoldandonesilver.Thisyearcompetitiondrewtheparticipationof327contestantstotheoreticalandpracticalexams,eachlastingfivehours.Theexamsfeaturedseveralnewandrelevantaspectswhichcoveredapplicationsofchemistryinindustry,environmentalpollutioncontrol,andadvancedmaterials,requiringstudentstodemonstratecomprehensivethinkingandpreciseoperationalskills.Chinatoppedtheoverallmedalstandings,theVietnameseteamtiedforsecondplacewiththeUnitedStates.From2020to2024,theVietnameseteamhasconsistentlyexcelled,earningatotalof20medalswith20participants,including17goldandthreesilver,maintainingapositionamongthetopthree.—VNS

WorkersprocessseafoodforexportattheGò?àngJoint-stockCompanyintheM?ThoIndustrialZoneinthesouthernprovinceofTi?nGiang.—VNA/VNSPhotoMinhTríHàN?I—TheVi?tNamGeneralConfederationofLabour(VGCL)hasproposedtotheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs(MoLISA)thattheworkingweekfallsbelow48hours.MoLISAbelievesthatreducingworkinghourswouldbringpositivesocioeconomicimpacts,sotheyhaveaskedfortheideatobefullyresearchedonascientificandpracticalbasistoensurefeasibility,whenaddingthepolicyintheamendedLabourCode.Accordingtoexperts,toreduceworkinghours,thereisnootherwaythantoalsoimproveproductivity,increasewagesandensureworkerslivingstandards.But,inVi?tNam,manufacturingenterprisesaremainlysmallandmediumones,operatingbasedoncheaplabourandnotinvestinginmodernmachineryandtechnology,soproductivityremainslow.LookingatcountriesthathaveachievedoutstandingproductivitylevelssuchasSingapore,JapanandSouthKorea,tomaintainproductivitygrowth,theyhaveundergonestrongstructuralchangessuchasinvestingintechnologyandincreasingproductionefficiencyandproductquality.EnsurestableincomeAssociateprofessor?inhTr?ngTh?nh,seniorlecturerattheAcademyofFinance,saidthatreducingworkinghoursto44hours,onthewayto40hours,wasinlinewiththegeneraltrendofdifferentcountriesintheregionandtheworld.Itcreatesfavourableconditionsforworkerstoimprovetheirhealth,regeneratelabourpoweraswellasimproveprofessionalskillsandhavetimetoparticipateinothersocialactivities.Therefore,theproposalisworthconsideringandputtingintopractice.UnderTh?nhsanalysis,increasinglabourproductivityhasbeenimplementedbybusinessesformanyyears,butitcannotbeachievedafterashorttime.Th?nhsaidthatifreducingworkinghours,businessesneededtohavecertainsolutionstostabiliseorincreaselabourproductivityfirst.Themostfundamentalsolutionisimprovingworkersqualificationsandcapabilitiessothatreducedworkinghoursstillensurewagesaswellasemployeescontributionstothebusinessesandsociety.Ifenterprisesstilluseold,outdatedtechnology,productivityandqualitycannotincrease.Iftheprocessdoesnotapplydigitalisation,itwillnotensuretherequirementsofimprovingproduction.Obviously,businessesandworkersmusthaveunityandcoordinationintheissue,thenwecanreduceworkinghoursbutstillimproveproductivityandwages.Workerslivingstandardisstablewithgoodwelfare,saidTh?nh.BùiS?L?i,formerDeputyChairmanoftheNationalAssemblysSocialAffairsCommittee,statedthatthegoalisincreasinglabourpower,whichwasalsoarequirementofthelabourmarketwhenforeignbusinessesarefloodingintoVi?tNamtohireworkers,especiallyinthecontextthatVi?tNamandtheworldhavegonethroughtheCOVID-19pandemic.Ifanimmediatereductioninworkinghoursisapplied,from48hoursto44hours,itwillhaveastrongimpactonforeignbusinessesthatwanttoinvestinVi?tNam,becauseVi?tNamshumanresourcesarepartofanagingpopulation.Areductionoffourworkinghoursmeansreducinghumanresources,saidL?i.Forthatreason,ifreducingworkinghoursinthecurrentlowlabourproductivityconditions,itmustbecalculatedandconsideredverycarefully.Thesocio-economicimpactsshouldbere-evaluatedtoensureworkersstillhavestableincomes.Inrealitytoday,manyworkersareindifficultcircumstancesandtheywanttoworkovertimetoincreasetheirsalary.Ontheotherhand,someotherworkerswanttoreduceworkingtimetocombinewithotherjobs,sotheremustbeaplantoevaluatetheimpact.Inthelongterm,Iaffirmthatwemustreduceworktime.But,inthecurrentconditions,weshouldconsidercarefullyandchooseanappropriatetimetograduallyreducetheworkingtime,hesaid.L?isaidthatreducingworkinghoursisadesire,alegitimateaspirationandatrendofthetimes.Atpresent,workersincomeisstilltoolow,soreducingworkinghourswillcausedifficultiesfortheworkersthemselves,notfordomesticandforeignenterprises.Themostimportantmethodisencouragingbusinessestoinvestmoreintechnologyandreallocatingpersonnel.Ifanybusinessmeetsthoserequirements,itcanpilotreducingworkinghourswhilestillincreasinglabourproductivityandworkersincome.L?isaidtheworkersthemselvesmustimprovetheirskills,becausegoodskillswillpromotelabourproductivity.Atthesametime,enterprisesshouldbuildentertainmentandculturalareastoameliorateworkersspirituallife,toimprovetheirmotivationforthemtobeenthusiasticinproduction.—VNSHCMCITY—HCMCityincollaborationwith22provincesandcitiesinthesouthernregionwillhostaregionaljobfaironJuly31.Thiseventwillbeheldbothin-personatFPTPolytechnicCollegelocatedinsideQuangTrungSoftwareCityinHCMCitysDistrict12andonlinethroughplatformslikeSkypeandZoom.Thein-personeventisexpectedtoattract50-60businessesand1,200-1,500jobseekers.Theonlineeventinotherprovincesisanticipatedtodrawover100businessesand1,000-1,200jobseekers.Thisregionaljobfairisexpectedtoeffectivelyconnectjobseekerswithemploymentopportunitiesinawidergeographicalarea.Provinceswithabundantlaboursupplycanprovideworkerstobothlocalbusinessesandthoseinotherlocalitieswithrecruitmentneeds.Businessesinneedoflabourerswillhavemorechancestofindsuitablecandidates.Manybusinessesarecurrentlyseekingtohirenewemployees,whileothersarefacingchallengesandhavehadtoscalebackoperations,leadingtomassivelayoffs.Therefore,organisingregionaljobfairsiscrucialtoconnectingbusinesseswithjobseekers.Thecityhasbeenactivelyfacilitatingthesejobfairstoensureemploymentopportunitiesforworkers,boththosecomingfromotherprovincestothecityandthosereturningtotheirhometowns.Inthefirsthalfof2024,thecitycollaboratedwithprovincesintheMekongDelta,southeastregion,andotherlocalitiestoorganise32jobfairs.Thesefairsprovidedjobcounsellingtoover112,000individualsandintroducedjobopportunitiesto11,665labourersinneed.Additionally,businessesinthecitycreated166,135newjobopportunitiesandfacilitatedemploymentforover74,000individuals.Moreover,over4,100peopleweresenttoworkabroad.Itisforecastthatinthelasthalfofthisyear,thecitywillneedupto161,500labourers,includingabout108,000positionsinthecommerceandservicesectors,whichaccountsfor67percentoftotallabourdemand,followedbyindustryandconstructionatnearly33percent.Thesefiguresindicateasubstantialanddiversedemandforlabouracrossvarioussectorsandskilllevelsinthecity.However,manybusinessesarestrugglingtofindsuitablecandidates.Meanwhile,manyunemployedindividualsareeitherwaitingforbetteropportunities,hesitanttoseekemployment,orunabletofindjobsthatalignwiththeirqualificationsanddesiredincome.—VNSPh?mV?nHi?ufixesapotholeatnight.—Photonld.com.vnHàN?I—Ph?mV?nHi?uhasdedicated14yearsofhislifetofillinginpotholesonHàN?isroads.Inspiredbyapersonalaccident,the33-year-oldlivinginHàH?iCommune,Th??ngTínDistrict,HàN?i,beganhissolitarymissiontoimproveroadsafetyin2010.Whileridinghomefromwork,hewassenttumblingwhenhismotorbikehitafloodedpothole.Luckily,heescapedwithminorinjuries.Ashepickedhimselfup,hesawanothermotorist,awoman,sufferasimilarfate.Theincidentleftalastingimpactonhismind.Icouldntshaketheimageofthosepeoplefallingintothatpothole,Hi?usaid.Irealisedthatifnothingweredone,moreaccidentswouldhappen.Drivenbyasenseofresponsibility,hedecidedtotakemattersintohisownhands,reportedtheNg??ilao??ng(TheLabourer)newspaper.Asapaperdeliveryman,hewasnostrangertothecityspockmarkedroadsand,usinghisownmoney,hestartedbuyingasphaltandgravel.Toavoidtraffic,heworkedmostlyatnight,fillingpotholesoneatatime.HisinitialrepairsitesincludedbusythoroughfareslikeTamTrinhandTr??ngChinhroads.Hedusuallybehomeby7pm,butthenhedcomeinaround11pm.WhenIasked,hedsayhewasworkingovertime,LêTh?Chi?n,hismother,recalled.Hislateworkcausedherconcern,butlittledidsheknowhersonwaswagingaone-manwaronpotholes.Whenshediscoveredwhathehadbeendoing,shewarnedhimaboutthepotentialrisks,tellinghim,ThatstheGovernmentsjob.Peoplemightthinkyouredamagingtheroad.ButHi?ustayedhiscourse.Hisselflesseffortsoftenwentunnoticedor,worse,misunderstood.Somepeoplethoughthewasuptonogoodwhentheywitnessedhimmeddlingwiththeroad.Once,Iwasworkingonapotholearound8pmwhensomeonereportedmetotheauthorities.Luckily,theyunderstoodafterIexplainedmyself,saidHi?u.Forsixyears,Hi?ukepthisgooddeedsunderwraps,shunningthelimelight.Hismotivationwassimple:toimproveroadsafetyforeveryone,notpersonalglory.Hecouldntgiveanexactnumberofpotholeshehasrepairedovertheyears.Forhim,itwasntaboutstatisticsbutaboutmakingadifference.Heestimatestacklingtwoorthreepotholesweekly,mainlyinHàN?issoutherndistricts.Hissolitarycrusadeattractedattention.Movedbyhisdedication,agroupofyoungpeoplejoinedforceswithHi?uin2016,formingtheTh??ngTínYouthVolunteerGroup.Withmorehandsondeck,theireffortsbecamemoreorganised.Spottingapotholewasnowacalltoaction,withthegroupquicklymobilisingtofixtheproblem.Thegroupseffortswentbeyondtime.Membersalsocontributedmoneytobuyingrepairmaterials,andconstructioncompaniessometimesdonatedsurplussupplies.Astheirimpactgrew,sodidtheirreach.StartinginHàN?issoutherndistricts,thegroupexpandeditsworkacrossthecityandintoneighbouringprovinceslikeHàNam,H?ngYên,andHòaBình.Wedonthaveafixedschedule,saidLêTh?Vi?t,along-timemember.Wheneverwespotabadroad,wemobilise.Everyonecontributes,whetheritstimeormoneyandourgoalissimple:saferroadsforeveryone.Oneparticularlychallengingrepairfortheteamwasamassivesix-metrepotholenearasugarfactoryinPhúXuyênDistrict.Luckily,thecommunitycametogethertohelp,quicklytransformingthateyesoreintoasmoothroad.Despitestartingafamily,hiscommitmenttotheroadshasntwavered.Hishomeisamakeshiftrepairshop,stockedwithasphalt,toolsandprotectivegear.Determinedtodothejobright,heevensoughtadvicefromacivilengineer.Heworksalldayandthenheadsouttofixpotholesatnight,saidhiswife,LêTh?Ph??ng.Iworryabouthishealth,butthisishispassion.Ouryoungdaughterevenhelpsoutsometimesandshessoproudofherdad.Healsoassistsaccidentvictims,rushingthemtothenearesthospital.Heslostcountofthelivesheshelpedsave,butonerecentincidentstandsout,rescuingamotorcyclistwhohadfallenoffthePhápVan–C?uGi?Expressway.Youcantjustleavesomeonestranded,especiallyatnight.Helpingothersiswhatmattersmosttome,heexplained.Beyondroadrepairs,thegrouphasorganisedclean-updrives,tree-plantinginitiativesandcharityevents.Inrecognitionofhisoutstandingcontributions,HàN?iauthoritiesgrantedhimtheGoodPerson,GoodDeedawardin2023.—VNS

ThetrialinHàN?ionMonday.—VNA/VNSPhotoPh?mKiênHàN?I—ProsecutorsinthefraudandstockmanipulationcaseofFLCGroupsaythedefendantsviolationsareconsciousanddeliberateactions.IntheongoingtrialagainstFLCchairmanTr?nhV?nQuy?tand49otherdefendants,prosecutorsonMondaysaidthatQuy?tisthemastermindbehindthecasewhomadeallnecessarypreparationstoorganise,coordinateanddelegateotherdefendantsinaseriesofdeliberatefraudulentactionsovermanyyears,withmultipleinstancesofunwarrantedincreaseofcapitalcontributions.TheprosecutionstatementsaidthatthisseriesofviolationsstartedfromthepurchaseofGreenBeltCompany(laterrenamedFaros),withfiveallegedlybaselessincreasesinownerscapitalcontributionfromVN?1.5billion($59,300)toVN?4.3trillion($170million).Thedefendantsthenallegedlyarrangedpaperworktolistthecompanysstocks,ROS,ontheHCMCityStockExchange(HOSE).Withmorethan391millionsharessoldattheirinflatedvalue,thedefendantsaccumulatedmorethanVN?4.8trillion($190million)andembezzledoverVN?3.6trillion($142.4million)ofstockinvestors,accordingtotheprosecutors.ProsecutorsalsosaidthattheotherdefendantsareQuy?tsfamilymembers,subordinatesandacquaintances.AmongthemaretwoofQuy?tsyoungersistersTr?nhTh?MinhHu?andTr?nhTh?ThúyNga,whohetrustedandassignedvariousfraudulentactions,includingposingasshareholdersonpaper,holdinginvestmententrustmenttolegitimiseinflatedcapitalcontributions,recordingfalsifiedinformationinfinancialstatementsforaudits,aswellasotherdocumentsaspartofthenecessaryprocedurestolistROSonthestockexchange.OtherdefendantsarefromtheDepartmentofPublicCompanySupervision(undertheStateSecuritiesCommission),theVi?tNamSecuritiesDepositoryandClearingCorporationandtheHOSEusedthefraudulentinformationinFarosfinancialstatementsanddocumentstoapprovethecompanyanditsstockregistration,listing430millionROSsharesontheHOSE.Accordingtotheprosecutors,withoutthecontributionsofanyofthedefendantsinthelistingofROSshares,Quy?twouldhavebeenunabletosellmorethan391millionstockstoinvestors.AtthetrialonMonday,mostdefendantsaccusedofhelpingQuy?t,Hu?andothersintheirwrongdoingsadmittedtotheactionsandchargesbroughtagainstthembytheprosecutors.However,theyandtheirdefencelawyerssaidtheyareunawareoftheinflatedcapitalinvestmentsandROSsharelistingforfraudulentappropriationofproperty.Inresponse,theprosecutorssaidthatthesedefendantssigneddocumentsrelatedtotheunwarrantedcapitalcontributionincreasesmultipletimes,andacceptedinvestmententrustmentswithouthavingactualcapitalfundingorinvolvingininvestmentactivitiesthemselves.Therefore,theymusthaveknownthattheirsignatureonthesefalsifieddocumentsisillegal,accordingtotheprosecutors.Thesedocumentsincludecapitalincreasedocuments,financialstatementsandpaymentorderstosevenorganisationsandsevenindividualsborrowingfundingfromFaros,withouttakingintoaccountthecompanysactualoperations,itsregulationsorbusinesslaws,butatthedirectionofQuy?t,Hu?andDo?nV?nPh??ng(FLCsCEO,whoareinhiding).Therefore,theprosecutorsrejectedthereasoningofthedefendantsandtheirlawyers,whilealsoassertingtheinterconnectionofthedefendantsrolesandactionsasaccompliceswithQuy?t,Hu?andNga.—VNSHàN?I—TheInternationalCooperativeAllianceAsia-Pacific(ICA-AP),incollaborationwiththeICA-APWomensCommitteeandtheVi?tNamCooperativeAlliance(VCA),convenedtheICA-APRegionalBoardMeetinginHàN?ionMondayInheropeningspeech,VCAChairwomanCaoXuanThuVancommendedtheICA-APRegionalBoardforitseffortstouniteICA-APmembercountriesandcreateplatformsforfemalecooperativeleadersintheregiontosharevaluableexperienceineconomicdevelopment.SheexpressedheroptimismabouttheupcomingapprovalandimplementationoftheICA-APstrategicplanfor2025-2030,acrucialdocumentinlightoftheInternationalYearofCooperativesin2025.TheVCAwillalwaysbearesponsiblememberoftheICA-AP,activelyjoiningothermembercountriesinfutureactivitiestoimprovethealliancesoperatingefficiencyandglobalstanding,Vanremarked.SheaddedthattheVCAwillfacilitatethesharingofexperienceandmutuallybeneficialcooperationamongcooperativesindifferentcountries,contributingtothegrowthofthecooperativemovementbothregionallyandglobally.Inparticular,theVCAiscommittedtomakingeveryefforttosuccessfullyhosttheAsia-PacificWomenCEOsinCooperativesSummitoverthenexttwodays.ThebiannualICA-APRegionalBoardMeetingservesasaplatformformemberorganisationstoreportontheiractivities,discussongoinginitiatives,andaligneffortswiththeUnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoals.Along-standingmemberoftheICAsince1988,theVCAhasbeeninstrumentalinpromotingVi?tNamscooperativeeconomyandfosteringinternationalcollaboration.Foundedin1895,theICArepresentsaglobalnetworkofaround3millioncooperativesandmutualorganisationswithacombinedmembershipof1.2billionpeople,constitutingatleast12percentoftheworldspopulation.Thetop300cooperativesworldwidegeneratedatotalrevenueof2.4trillionin2022,providingstableandqualityemploymentformorethan280millionpeople.—VNA/VNS

ForeigntouristscheckingoutsouvenirsonsaleatB?nThànhMarket,HCMCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ng??tHàN?I—AsofJuly2024,internationalarrivalstoVi?tNamreachednearly10million,anincreaseof51percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyearand1.9percenthigherthanin2019,beforeCOVID-19pandemicstruck,accordingtothelatestreportfromtheGeneralStatisticsOfficeofVi?tNam.Travellersarrivingbyairreached8.4million,accountingfor84.2percentofthetotalinternationalarrivals,whilearrivalsbylandreached1.4million,accountingfor14.1percentandarrivalsbyseareached165,500(1.7percent,triplingcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear).ThetourismindustryrecordedstronggrowthinthenumberofvisitorsfromEurope,witha47.3percentincrease.Othermarketsalsosawhighincreases,suchasAsiawith57.1percent(mainlyduetotheincreaseinChinesevisitors),Australiawith27.3percentandtheAmericaswith9.7percent.SouthKoreaandChinaremainthetwolargestinternationaltouristmarketsforVi?tNam.Julysaw1.15millioninternationalarrivals,theleastnumberofforeigntravellersintheyearsofar,continuingthedownwardtrendforthelowseason(Vi?tNamspeakinternationaltourismseasonisfromOctobertoMarchnextyear),butthisisstill11percenthigherthanlastJuly.AlthoughthenumberofChinesetravellersinJulydecreasedcomparedtoJune(with310,000and249,200visitorsrespectively),overthefirstsevenmonthsofthisyear,Chinesevisitorsstillincreasedby190percentandSouthKoreanvisitorsincreasedby37.2percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.InthelistoftopmarketswiththelargestnumberofinternationalgueststoVi?tNaminJuly,Taiwan(China)had101,465visitors,theUnitedStateshad62,900visitors,Japan44,569visitorsandAustraliahad37,853visitors.Notably,thenumberofvisitorsfromEuroperecordedstronggrowth,withatotalofmorethan103,000visitorsinJuly,up9.4percentcomparedtothepreviousmonth.Amongthem,Russianvisitorsincreasedby75.7percent,Italianvisitorsby61percent,Frenchvisitorsby33.4percent,Britishvisitorsby25.2percent,Spanishvisitorsby38.3percentandGermanvisitorsby27.4percent.Thegrowthisattributedtothefavourablevisapoliciesandeffortsbymanagementagenciesandtouristbusinessesandlocalitiesinpromotingandpromotingtourism.ThesummerperiodVi?tNamisusuallypeakseasonfordomestictourism,asstudentsenjoythesummerbreakandfamiliesusuallytakethisopportunitytogoonholiday.Travelandtourismrevenueinthefirstsevenmonthsof2024isestimatedatVN?35.2trillion(nearlyUS$1.4billion),up31.8percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.SomelocalitiessawstrongincreasessuchasHCMCity(upby42.2percent),?àN?ng(up38.6percent),C?nTh?(up33.7percent),HàN?i(up29.7percent)andQu?ngNinh(up21percent).—VNS

Theeelandthelemonextractedfromthepatientsanus.—Photosuckhoedoisong.vnHàN?I—A31-year-oldIndiannationalnearlylosthislifeafterinsertingaliveeel,approximately65cmlong,intohisanus.Vi?t??cHospitalinHàN?ionMondaymorningsaidthatthehospitalsdoctorssuccessfullyperformedemergencysurgerytosavethepatientslife.OnJuly27,theemergencydepartmentofthehospitalreceivedamalepatient,31yearsold,anIndiannational,whoarrivedinastateofsevereabdominalpain.Uponobtainingthepatientsmedicalhistory,itwasrevealedthatataround12pmonJuly27,hehadinsertedalargeeelintohisanus.Thepatientwasimmediatelyexamined,underwentimaging,testsandanultrasound.TheX-rayimagesshowedaradiopaqueskeletonlyinghorizontallyintheabdominalcavityfromlefttoright.LêNh?tHuy,DeputyDirectoroftheColorectalandPelvicFloorSurgeryCentreatVi?t??cHospital,statedthatthehospitalhadpromptlyarrangedateamofendoscopyexpertsandanesthesiologiststoperformacolonoscopyintheattempttoremovetheforeignobjectthroughtheanus.Unabletoreachtheeelviatheanusandwiththepatientspainincreasing,theteamdecidedtoperformemergencysurgery,accordingtoHuy.Uponopeningtheabdomen,thedoctorsdiscoveredaliveeelapproximately65cmlongand10cmincircumferenceinthepatientsabdominalcavity.Theeelhadbittenthroughthepatientsrectumandcolontoescapeintotheabdominalcavity,Huyadded.Afterremovingtheeel,thedoctorsalsoextractedalemonthroughtheanus.Uponcheckingfornootherforeignobjects,theperforationintherectumandcolonwassutured.However,duetothehighcontaminationoftherectumandthepresenceoffaecalmatterintheabdominalcavity,thedoctorsdecidedtocreateacolostomytopreventfaecesfrompassingthroughthenewlysuturedperforation.Accordingtothedoctors,manypeople,especiallyyoungmen,haveatendencytoseekunusualsensationsusingsextoys.Vi?t??cHospitalhadpreviouslyperformedsurgeriestoremovevariousobjectsthroughpatientsanuses,suchaswindoilbottles,glasscupsandadulttoys.However,thisisthefirstcaseinvolvingaliveanimal,specificallyaneel,beinginsertedintotherectumandcausingperforation.Eelscansurviveinanaerobicconditionsforalongtimeandhavetheabilitytobitethroughthegastrointestinaltract.Therefore,peopleshouldneverinsertliveanimalsthroughtheanustoseekintensesensationsduetotheunforeseeableconsequences,Huywarned.—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.–VNS

ArubberfarminBìnhPh??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.–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