PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChính(centre)examinesthenationalexhibitionandfaircentreprojectin??ngAnhDistrictofHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoD??ngGiangHàN?I—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhonFriday(October25)examinedthenationalexhibitionandfaircentreprojectin??ngAnhDistrictofHàN?i,requestingfasterprogresstocompleteitonscheduletocelebratebignationalanniversariesandbecomeasymbolofthecapitalandthewholecountry.TheprojectisinvestedbytheVi?tNamExhibitionFairCentreJointStockCompany,ofwhichVingroupholdsan80percentstake.Itislocatedin??ngH?iandXuanCanhcommunesoftheoutlyingdistrictof??ngAnh,andwillreplacetheoldcentreonGi?ngV?StreetintheinnerdistrictofBa?ình.Coveringatotalareaof90ha,ithasasuper-connectedandconvenientlocationandwillbeamongthebiggestofitskindintheworld,expectedtobecomeaninternationaldestinationforglobaltradeandexhibitionevents.ThecentreisdevelopedwithaviewtopromotingtheexpoeconomylikewhatareseeninDubaioftheUAE,FrankfurtofGermany,andFieraMilanoofItalysoastocreateafavourableenvironmentfordomesticandforeignenterprisestomeet,boostpartnerships,fuelproductionandbusiness,andstimulateHanoiseconomicgrowth.WorkstartedonthisprojectonAugust30,2024andissettobecompletedinJuly2025tocelebratethe80thNationalDay(September2,1945-2025).Inspectingthesite,PMChínhapplaudedthepromptconstruction,notinginlessthantwomonths,thelarge-scaledandmoderncentreisgraduallytakingshape.Hestressedtheneedtodeviseamechanismformobilisingresources,particularlyintheimplementationofmajorprogrammesandprojects,basedontheprincipleofharmonisinginterestsandsharingrisksinordertoharmoniseinterestsoftheState,people,andbusinesses.Asthelargeandmodernnationalexhibitionandfaircentrewillbeamultifunctionalfacilitycombiningeconomic,cultural,scientific,technological,andtourismfactors,heexpressedhishopethatitwilldrive??ngAnhsdevelopmentonparwiththedistrictspotentialandadvantages.TheGovernmentleaderdemandedministries,sectors,andHàN?icoordinatecloselywithVingroupduringtheimplementationandoperationoftheprojecttoensureefficiencyforboththeStateandthebusiness.Theymustguaranteetheprogress,quality,aesthetics,modernity,andarchitectureofthisproject,aswellaslaboursafetyandthelifequalityofdisplacedresidents.Thecentreshouldbecompletedonscheduletowelcomethe14thNationalPartyCongress,the50thanniversaryoftheSouthLiberationandNationalReunification,the135thbirthanniversaryofPresidentH?ChíMinh,andthe80thNationalDay,herequested.ThePMalsoagreedinprincipleonthebuildingofT?LiênBridge,whichwillcrosstheRedRiverandconnectTayH?Districtwith??ngAnhDistrict.Heaskedforitsconstructiontobekickedoffsoonwhiletransparency,lawadherence,andinterestsofpeople,businesses,andtheStatemustbeharmonised.—VNS

Theareaofthefirst-floorlobbyatBaSonundergroundstationoftheMetroLine1.VNA/VNSPhotosTi?nL?cHCMCITY—HCMCitysDepartmentofTransporthassubmittedaproposaltothecityPeoplesCommitteeregardingthefaresforMetroLine1,connectingB?nThànhandSu?iTiên.Accordingtotheproposal,forpassengerspayingwithcash,one-wayfareswillrangefromVN?7,000toVN?20,000(US$0.28-0.79).Forthoseusingnon-cashpaymentmethods,fareswillbeless,setbetweenVN?6,000andVN?19,000.Fortime-basedtickets,aone-daypasswillcostVN?40,000(US$1.6),allowingunlimitedtripswithintheday,whileathree-daypasswillbepricedatVN?90,000($3.6)forunlimitedtravelwithinthreedays.RegularpassengerscanbuyamonthlypassforVN?300,000($12),whilestudentsandpupilscanpurchaseadiscountedmonthlypassforVN?150,000($6).Allfaresincludepassengerinsurance.TheDepartmentofTransportsaidithasdevelopedthisfareplanusingacost-basedapproach,combinedwithcomparisonstofaresontheCátLinh-Hà??ngMetrolineinHàN?iandstudiesfromconsultingfirmsonthepublicsaffordability.MetroLine1willreceivesubsidiesfromtheGovernmenttoencourageitsuseandmakeitmorecompetitivewithothertransportationoptions.ThelineinHCMCity,stretches19.7kmfromtheB?nThànhStationinDistrict1totheLongBìnhdepotinTh???cCity.Constructionbeganin2012andthelineisexpectedtobegincommercialoperationsbytheendofthisyear.Additionally,thedepartmenthassentaproposaltothePeoplesCommitteeregardingadraftpolicytosupportpublictransportationusersandprovidefundingforbusandrailservices.Thedraftwillbepublishedonthecitysofficialwebsiteforpublicfeedback.Thecitysbudgetisexpectedtocover100percentoffaresforwarveterans,peoplewithdisabilities,elderlycitizensaging60andabove,alongwithchildrenundersixyearsoldaccompaniedbyanadult.PassengersusingbusroutesconnectedtoMetroLine1,aswellasthosetravellingonMetroLine1withinthefirst30daysofcommercialoperation,willalsoreceive100percentfaresupport.MetroLine1reaches99%completionThecitysPeoplesCommitteeonThursdayheldaceremonytoawardcertificatesofmerittocontractorswhohavemadesignificantcontributionsinacceleratingtheprogressofvariouspackagesrelatedtoMetroLine1.Theceremonyalsosawthehandingoverofthetakingovercertificate(TOC)forpackageCP1bbytheUrbanRailwayManagementBoard(MAUR).ThisisanimportantproceduralstepfortheinvestorandtheMAURtobegintheprocessoftrialoperations,movingtowardstheofficiallaunchofMetroLine1.LeadersoftheHCMCityPeoplesCommitteepresentcertificatesofmerittoJapan-basedShimizuMaedaJointOperationandGSEngineeringConstructionCorporation.Attheevent,ViceChairmanofthecityPeoplesCommitteeV?V?nHoanpresentedcertificatesofmerittoJapan-basedShimizuMaedaJointOperationfortheiroutstandingperformanceinspeedingupthecompletionofallconstructiontasksforpackageCP1b.GSEngineeringConstructionCorporationwasalsorecognisedforitseffortsinacceleratingtheconstructionofpedestrianbridgesatelevatedstationsunderpackageCP2ofMetroLine1.Speakingattheceremony,DirectoroftheMAURsaidthattheoverallprogressoftheMetroline1projecthasreached99percent.Theremainingonepercentmainlyinvolvesfinalacceptanceproceduresandpreparationsforoperationalreadiness.Specifically,packageCP1ahascompletedallconstructionworkandiscurrentlyundergoingfiresafetyinspectionsandthefinalassessmentofthecompletedproject.PackageCP1bhasmadethebestprogressamongallpackages,havingcompletedallconstructiontasks,includingfiresafetyinspectionsandthehandoveroftheprojecttotheinvestor.PackageCP2,whichincludestheconstructionof11elevatedstationsandpedestrianbridges,hasalsobeencompleted.PackageCP3hasbeeninstalledandisoperatingsmoothly,withtrialrunsunderwaytoassessitsperformance.Currently,MetroLine1isworkingtofinalisetheremainingtasksandprocedurestoofficiallybeginoperationsbeforetheendof2024.—VNSAdoghasaQRcodetagattachedinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincesC?n??oDistrict.Photobaobariavungtau.com.vnBàR?A-V?NGTàU—ThePeoplesCommitteeofC?n??oDistrictinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincesaiditwillstartattachingQRcodetagstopetsintheislanddistricttocontrolrabiesmoreeffectively.Nearly900QRcodeswillbeattachedbythedistrictgovernmenttodogsinhouseholdstomanageandlimitthenumberoffree-rangedogsthatcausealossofurbanbeautyandriskthesafetyofresidentsandtourists.Atthesametime,rabiesintheareawillbecontrolledinafundamentalandscientificmanner.EachQRcodetagwillcontaincompleteinformationsuchasthepetownersname,petownersaddressandthepetsrabiesvaccinationstatus.Tr?nThanhHuy?n,ViceChairofthedistrictPeoplesCommittee,saidtheC?n??owillstrengthenthehandlingofthesituationofstraydogs.IfadogdoesnotwearatagwithaQRcode,theauthoritieswillcatchthembyanymeansandhandleaccordingtothelaw.InthecaseofdogswithQRcodesthatarereleasedonthestreetsorinpublicplaceswithoutcomplyingwithregulations,thedogownerwillbeadministrativelyfinedbyscanningtheQRcodetoidentifyinformation,alongwithimagesoftheviolation.Ifthedogownerviolatesthelawasecondtime,thedogownerwillnotbeabletoredeemthedogandwillbedealtwithaccordingtothelaw.?inhTh?Qu?nh,aresidentofC?n??oDistrict,saidthatwearingQRcodesondogswillmakeiteasiertocontrolpets.Inaddition,thiswilllimitthenumberofstraydogsandraiseawarenessamongdogowners.Thesituationofdogsrunningfree,andchasingandbitingpassersbyisquitecommoninmanylocalitiesinVi?tNam.InC?n??oIsland,about100casesofpeoplebeingbittenbyfree-roamingdogsandhavingtobeinjectedwithanti-rabiesserumwererecordedin2023alone.Therefore,thedistrictPeoplesCommitteehascountedandreviewedthenumberofdogsinthearea,fromwhichtheyhaveappliedtheuseoftagswithQRcodestocontrolthemscientifically.PhanTh?Tím,DeputyHeadofthedistrictsEconomicDepartment,saidthatwearingtagswithQRcodeswillenhancetheroleandresponsibilityofpetowners,changingthecurrenthabitofraisingdogsinviolationofregulations.ForalocalitywithstrongtourismdevelopmentlikeC?n??o,strictmanagementofpetsbytaggingthemwithQRcodesisaneffectivemeasuretolimitdogsrunningfree.Thisisalsothefirsttimethedistricthasappliedinformationtechnologyincontrollingpets,withthegoalofensuringsafetyforresidentsandtourists,andcontrollingrabiespreventioninthedistrict.—VNS

AnapartmentbuildinginHCMCity.Thecityhasformedataskforcetospeeduptheissuanceoflanduseandhomeownershipcertificatesforhomeowners.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—HCMCityauthoritieshaveformedataskforcetospeeduptheissuanceoflanduseandhomeownershipcertificatesinanefforttoreducedisputesbetweenbuyersandhousingdevelopers.LedbyNguy?nToànTh?ng,directoroftheDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment,andsupportedbyHu?nhThanhKhi?t,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofConstruction,the14-memberteamincludesleadersfromvariousdepartments.ThetaskforcewilladvisethecityPeoplesCommitteeonresolvingobstaclesandstandardisingtheprocessforissuingownershipcertificates,specificallyforcommercialhousingprojects.Thetaskforcewillanalysedataonhousingprojects,identifychallenges,proposesolutionstothecityadministration,andimplementmeasurestoissueownershipcertificatestohomebuyersbyDecember.Thetaskforcewillalsoadvisethecityondevelopingapplicationsandwebsitestoshareinformationonlegalandfinancialaspectsofcommercialhousingprojects,enhancingtransparencyforresidents.Vi?tNamisgrapplingwithasignificantissueofunissuedownershipcertificatesforresidents,primarilyduetodevelopersfinancialandlegaltroubles.Inmanycases,homeownershavelivedintheirapartmentsforyearswithoutownershipcertificatesbecausedevelopershaveusedthesepropertiesasloancollateral.Toresolvethis,developersmustrepaytheirdebts,aprocessthatcantakeyearsduetodevelopersweakfinancialstanding.AsofMarch,59,000apartmentsinthecitylackownershipcertificates,attributedtodelaysindocumentation,unclearlegalstatuses,additionalfinancialrequirements,andongoinginspections,accordingtodatafromtheDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment.—VNSCarsandtaxisatN?iBàiInternationalAirportinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoHuyHùngHàN?I—ResidentsofHàN?iincreasinglyyearnforametrolinelinkingN?iBàiInternationalAirporttoreducethecostsandtraveltimesforbothlocalsandtourists.Currently,theairportaccommodatesapproximately30millionpassengerseveryyear,withprojectionsthatthisnumberwillriseto100millionby2030.TheprimarymodesoftransportconnectingthemajorairporttoHàN?iandthesurroundingmetropolitanarearemaincars,taxisandcoaches,whiletherearejusttwobusroutes.Duringfestiveseasons,theriskofcongestionoriginatingattheairportisever-present,causingsignificantinconvenienceforbothlocalsandinternationalvisitors.D?Th?Hà,whonowlivesandworksinTh???cCity,HCMCity,saidshereturnedtoherhometowninM???cDistrict,HàN?i,twiceayear.Wefinditaverychallengingjourney,shesaid.IfshetookthebusfromN?iBàiInternationalAirport,sheneededtochangetwice,andittookalmostfourhourstoreachhome.Aone-waytaxiridecostsuptonearlyVN?1million(US$39),shesaid.Similarly,D??ngH?u??tfromV?nhH?ngWardinHoàngMaiDistrict,HàN?isaidduetoworkcommitments,hetravelledabroadfourtofivetimesayearandflewtothesouthernprovincessixtoseventimes.Togettotheairport,takingthebusrequiresthreechangesandnearlythreehoursoftravel.AtaxicostsbetweenVN?300,000andVN?500,000($11-20)pertrip,meaningmyannualtravelexpensestoandfromtheairportamounttotensofmillionsof??ng,hesaid.EconomicmanagementexpertHoàngTh?ThuPh??ngtalkedtoKinht???th?(EconomyUrbanAffairs)onlinenewspaper,sayingthatametrolineconnectingtheairporttocentralHàN?iwasnotonlyvitalforresidentsdailylivesbutalsoheldsignificantimportanceforthecitystourismindustry.Currently,touristsarrivinginthecapitalincurhighcoststogetfromtheairporttotheirdestinationsbytaxi,whilethosetravellingalonefaceadditionalchallengesinfindingsuitabletransporttoattractionsorhotels.Adirectmetrolinkfromtheairporttothecitycentrewillreducetravelcostsandensuresafetyandconvenienceforvisitors,makingtourisminthecapitalmoreappealingandenhancingthecitysfriendlyimageinternationally,shesaid.Inadditiontoenhancingpassengerconvenience,themetrosystemisseenasacrucialsolutiontoalleviatingtrafficcongestiononroutesconnectingtotheairport.ArepresentativefromTrafficPoliceTeamNo.6ofHàN?iPoliceDepartmentsaidduringholidays,festiveseasonsorevenpeakhours,thevolumeofvehiclesenteringandleavingtheairportviaRingRoad3,RingRoad2andNh?tTanBridgewassubstantial,mainlybeingcarsandtaxis.Iftherewereametrolinethatwasbothfastandconvenient,manypassengerswouldundoubtedlyoptforit,helpingtoeasecongestiononkeyroutes,hesaid.RealisingtheplanningTheHàN?iMetropolitanRailwayManagementBoardsaidthat,undertheurbanplan,thecitywasgoingtodevelopMetroLineNo.2toconnectthecitywithN?iBàiInternationalAirport.ThelinewassettorunfromtheNamTh?ngLongurbanareatoTr?nH?ng??oStreet,Th??ng?ìnhStreet,RingRoad2.5,B??iarea,N?iBàiInternationalAirportandSócS?nDistrict.Thiswasoneoftheearliestmetrolinesenvisionedforthecapital;however,ithasfacednumeroushurdlesovertheyearsandhasyettobeimplemented.Theprojectwasexpectedtostartbetween2024and2025,withfullcompletionanticipatedby2034,andthesegmentfromNamTh?ngLongurbanareatotheairportwassettobeoperationalby2030.Currently,thecityismakingsignificanteffortstoimplementMetroLineNo.2,section2.1,althoughtheprojectisstillawaitingapprovalforaninvestmentadjustment.Theconstructionofthemetrolinessection2.1fromNamTh?ngLongtoTr?nH?ng??oStreetisanationalpriorityforHàN?i,fundedbyJapansOfficialDevelopmentAssistance(ODA).ThefeasibilitystudyfortheprojectwasapprovedbythecapitalPeoplesCommitteeunderDecisionNo.2054/Q?-UBNDonNovember13,2008.Theentirelineisapproximately11.5kmlong,withanelevatedsectionofabout2.6kmandanundergroundsegmentofapproximately8.9km,includingadepotcovering17.5hainXuan??nhWard,B?cT?LiêmDistrict,HàN?i.ThelinewillcommenceattheNamTh?ngLongurbanarea,followingthestreetsofNguy?nV?nHuyên,HoàngQu?cVi?t,HoàngHoaThám,Th?yKhuê,Phan?ìnhPhùng,HàngGi?y,Hàng???ng,HàngNgang,Hàng?ào,?inhTiênHoàng,andHàngBài,andconcludingattheintersectionofPh?Hu?andNguy?nDustreets.Theentireroutewillfeature10stations,includingthreeelevatedandsevenunderground.LêTrungHi?u,DeputyDirectorofthecitysPlanningandInvestmentDepartment,said:Inmyview,MetroLineNo.2isoneofthemosturgentlyneededinvestments.Ithassignificantimplicationsfortransportandtheenvironment,andisalsocrucialforthetourismandurbanarchitectureofthecapital.Headdedthatthelinewouldconnectwithhalfofthecitysexpandedmetronetwork(with15lines)thathadrecentlybeenplanned.Therefore,theinvestmentandconstructionofthemetrolineisseenasapressingpriorityforthecapital,hesaid.Additionally,thecityalsoplannedMetroLineNo.6,whichwilllinkNg?cH?iareatoN?iBàiInternationalAirportoveratotallengthof43km,scheduledforcompletionby2035.ThiswouldserveasaprimarymetrolineconnectionbetweenN?iBàiInternationalAirportwiththecityssecondairportin?ngHòaDistrict.Withthetwometrolines,No.2andNo.6,N?iBàiInternationalAirportwillbecloselylinkedtotheentiremetronetworkofthecity.TransportexpertV?HoàngChungsaidtheplanningwasinplace,andrecentlyimportantlegalframeworkssuchastheamendedCapitalLawandthe2024LandLawwereapproved.HàN?imustswiftlyrealisetheplanningandturntheaspirationsofmillionsofresidentsforametroconnectiontotheairportintoreality,hesaid.HealsoexpressedhishopethattheNationalAssembly,Governmentandrelevantministrieswouldfocusonfacilitatingtheresolutionofchallengesandobstacles,allowingthetimelyimplementationandcompletionofMetroLineNo.2asplanned.—VNSAbabyisreceivingvaccinationinHàN?i.Photosuckhoedoisong.vnHàN?I–Numerousproceduresandregulationsonbudgetallocationforpurchasingvaccineswerethemainreasonsforshortageofvaccinesfortheexpandedimmunisationprogramme(EIP),saidtheMinistryofHealth(MoH).TheMoHhasrecentlysubmittedareportaddressingtheconcernoftheNationalAssemblyStandingCommitteesOmbudsmanCommissionregardingtheshortageofvaccinesfortheEIP.Previously,inameeting,D??ngThanhBình,headoftheOmbudsmanCommissionpresentedareportontheresultsofmonitoringtheresolutionofpeoplepetitionscitingthatresidentsinmanyareasreportedashortageofvaccinesatpublichealthcarefacilities,resultinginmanychildrenmissingscheduledvaccinationsornotreceivingthefulldose.Accordingtothereport,thissituationhaspersistedsincetheendof2022.PeoplehaveurgedMoHtotakedecisiveactiontoensureasufficientandtimelyvaccinesupplyandtoassessaccountabilityfortheprolongedshortage.TheministrysPreventiveMedicineDepartmentindicatedthatvaccinationrateswithintheEIPdecreasedpost-Covid-19acrossmanycountriesandterritoriesduetolockdowns,travelrestrictions,andlimitedordisruptedaccesstohealthcareservices.Theministrysaidthat,priorto2023,itwasresponsibleforvaccineprocurementandallocationtolocalities.However,from2023onwards,undertheStateBudgetLaw,localitiesarerequiredtopurchasevaccineswiththeirownbudgets.Yet,duringimplementation,localitiesfaceddifficultiesinbudgetallocation,approval,tendering,priceappraisal,andalackofexperience.Asaresult,manylocalitieshaverequestedtheministrytocontinueactingasthecentralprocuringauthorityforvaccinesandtoallocatethemtolocalities.DuringitsspecialsupervisionofCOVID-19resourcemobilisation,managementanduse,theNationalAssemblyalsonotedtheserequests.Toaddresstheseissues,theGovernmentsubmittedaproposaltotheNationalAssembly,leadingtotheissuanceofResolutionNo.99,whichdirectstheallocationofcentralbudgetfundstocontinueimplementingthenationalEIP,ensuringconsistency,timelinessandefficiencynationwide.Followingthis,theGovernmentissuedResolutionNo.98,allocatingcentralbudgetfundsin2023fortheMOHtopurchasevaccinesfortheEIP.Attheendof2023,theMoHprovidedguidancetoprovincesandcities,compiledvaccinedemandfor2024nationwide,completedprocurementproceduresfor10domesticallyproducedvaccines,andinstructedtheNationalInstituteofHygieneandEpidemiologytoreceiveapproximately24.2milliondosesofvariousvaccinesforuseintheEIP,fundedbytheStatebudgetandaid.Todate,theministryreportedthatithasdistributed22.79milliondosestolocalitiesasplanned.Duringthependingapprovalofthe2024budget,theMinistryofHealthdirectedrelevantunitstoprocurevaccinesurgentlyneededfortheexpandedimmunisationprogramme,includingtetanusandhepatitisBvaccinesfornewborns,theMoHreportstated.Theministryalsopointedoutsomechallengesinvaccineprocurement,suchasalengthyprocessrequiringapproximatelytwotothreemonthsforcompletion.Additionally,thevaccinepriceappraisalandapprovalprocessinvolvesseveralsteps,necessitatingcoordinationamongtheMOH,theMinistryofFinanceandmanufacturingunits.This,accordingtotheMOH,mayleadtodelaysinissuingspecificpricing,whichaffectstheprocurementtimeline.VNS

SeniorLieutenantColonelNguy?nH?ngQuanwasfoundat8.05pmonWednesdaynight.VNA/VNSPhotosBìNH??NH—ThetwopilotsinvolvedinamilitaryaircraftcrashduringatrainingflightinthecentralprovinceofBình??nhsTayS?nDistrictwerefoundsafeonWednesdaynight.Bothpilotswerereportedtobeinstableconditionandhavebeenbroughtdownfromthemountain.ThesearchandrescueteamlocatedSeniorLieutenantColonelNguy?nH?ngQuan,chiefflightinstructoroftheregiment,at8:05pm.By10:30pm,theyfoundColonelNguy?nV?nS?n,CommanderofAirForceRegiment940,about1kmawayfromColonelQuanslocation.Bothpilotswereconfirmedtobeinstablehealth.ColonelNguy?nV?nS?n,CommanderofAirForceRegiment940,(middle),wasfoundaboutonekmawayfromColonelQuanslocation.Earlier,ataround4:30pm,SeniorLieutenantColonelQuancontactedhisunitviamobilephone,indicatinghewasonamountainpeak,thoughweaksignalsmadetheexactlocationunclear.Heassuredthemhewasingoodhealth.Around6.45pm,additionalinformationcamethroughfromColonelS?nsmobilephone.OnNovember6,AirForceRegiment940,partoftheAirDefence-AirForceService,conductedatrainingsessionusingaYak-130militaryaircraftatPhùCátAirportinBình??nhProvince.Thetraining,namedFlightMission208,includedlong-distancemaneuvers,airnavigation,andcloudpenetrationunderchallengingweatherconditions.ColonelS?nwasinthefrontcockpit,whileSeniorLieutenantColonelQuanoccupiedtherearcockpit.Theaircrafttookoffat9:55am,butat10:38am,anissueoccurredwhentheyattemptedtoland.Thelandinggearfailedtodeploy,andemergencyprotocolsdidnotsucceed.Thepilotsejectedandparachutedtosafetyat10.51amneartheTB2shootingrangeinTayS?nDistrict.Hundredsofofficersandsoldiersweredeployedtosearchforthepilotsintheforest.Modernequipmentwasutilisedbythesearchteamstolocateandassistthem.—VNSAworkerintheBànM?chblacksmithvillagemakesagriculturaltoolsandhouseholditems.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nTr?ngL?chV?NHPHúC—ThebustlingworkingatmospherehascreatedahubbubthatcanbeheardalloverBànM?chblacksmithvillage.Thevillage,locatedinLyNhanCommune,V?nhT??ngDistrict,inthenorthernprovinceofV?nhPhúc,isfilledwithworkerslaughter,alongwiththesoundsofhammersandsaws,andthesparksfromthered-hotironbarsshootingupwitheachbeat.Throughoutthevillage,pilesofrawironandsteel,alongwithnewlycompletedmechanicalproducts,aredisplayedinrowsandaislesinfamilyyardsandworkshops.Nguy?nXuanToàn,ChairmanoftheLyNhanCommunePeoplesCommittee,saidthatBànM?chVillagewasrecognisedasatraditionalcraftvillagebytheV?nhPhúcProvincialPeoplesCommitteein2006.Everyvillagerisfamiliarwiththesoundsofhammersfromearlymorninguntilevening.Thevillagecurrentlyhas1,041householdswith3,500people,andmorethan680householdsareengagedinblacksmithing,attracting1,440localworkers.Therearealsohundredsofworkersinthevillagewhoarenotblacksmiths,butsupportthetradebyprovidingblanksordrivingtruckstotransportgoods.TheBànM?chblacksmithvillagealsoattractsmorethan1,000workersfromotherlocalities,mainlyneighbouringareas,towork.Atpresent,theblacksmithingtradeinBànM?chisdevelopingrapidly,turningthewholevillageintoabusy,vibrantworkshopwithdiverseproducts.Accordingtocraftsmen,theperiodfromtheendofautumnonwardsisthebusiesttimeinBànM?ch,aseveryhouseholdandworkshopworksdayandnighttomeetordersforthelastmonthsoftheyear,especiallyforT?t.Demandforgoodsalwaysincreasesatthistimeofyear.Thevillagesmainproductstodayareagriculturalproductiontoolsandhouseholditemssuchasknives,chisels,hoes,spades,hammers,axes,hingesandsickles,whichareconsumedacrossthecountryandexportedtoLaos,Cambodia,ChinaandThailand.Currently,theblacksmithsaverageincomeisVN?72million(US$2,800)perpersonperyear.SkilledworkerstypicallyearnaroundVN?1million($39)perday.Householdsthatinvestinhammers,stampingmachinesandotherspecialisedequipmentforirongoodsproductioncanearnbetweenVN?50-70million($1,900-2,700)permonthperfacility.Inparticular,familieswithmanyemployeesandlargeproductionareascanearnuptohundredsofmillionsVN?permonth.Tr?nHùngM?nh,DeputyChairmanoftheLyNhanCommunePeoplesCommittee,saidthatinordertoincreaseproductivity,manyhouseholdshaverecentlyinvestedinnewmachinesandequipment.NowBànM?chVillagehasmorethan300hammermachines,sixrollingmills,171punchingmachines,andhundredsofironandsteelbilletheatingmachines.Thankstothisequipment,thecurrentcapacityforprocessingforgedproductsismuchhigherthanwithtraditionalmanualproduction,andtheworkisalsolessphysicallydemanding.Everyweek,dozensoftruckscarryblacksmithproductsfromthevillagetocustomers.Tokeepupwithnewtrends,BànM?chresidentshaveproactivelyconnectedwithcustomersbysellingone-commerceplatformsandsocialmediasuchasTiktok,ShopeeandFacebook.Salesofgoodsone-commerceplatformshaveincreasedtoabout20percentofthetotalsales.Notably,importedproductshavefloodedintoVi?tNaminrecentyears,yetdespitethecompetitivepressure,BànM?chproductscontinuetoholdagoodshareofthemarket.M?nhsaidthatproductsprocessedbytraditionalmethodsarevaluablebecauseoftheirstrength,durabilityandthefactthattheyremainsharperthanothermaterials,includingbrandedproductsmanufacturedinsomeothercountries.Kh?ngV?nTr?ng,along-timeblacksmith,saidthatblacksmithingwasnotsimplyajobbutacraft,makinghimnotjustaworker,butanartisan.Beingablacksmithrequiresgoodhealth,manualdexterity,sharpobservationskills,andtheabilitytocontrolthemetalstemperaturetodeterminetherightmomenttoforgeandtemperforthebestresults.AccordingtoTr?ng,therearemanygoodmachinesforblacksmithstoimproveproductivityandcreatebeautifulproducts.However,tomakereallyhigh-qualitysharpproductslikeknives,forgingmuststillbedonebyhand,usingthesecretspasseddownthroughgenerations.Whenmakinggoodqualityknives,scissorsandhoes,therearecertainprocessingstageswheremachinessimplycannotreplaceskilledworkers.TohelpBànM?chblacksmithvillagestabiliseanddevelop,organisationsandauthoritiesatalllevelsinV?nhPhúcProvincehaveprovidedfavourableconditionsforpeopletolearnproductiontechniques.Theyvealsohelpedhouseholdsborrowcapitalandhaveprovidedlandtoexpandthescaleofmanufacturing.Sincelastyear,BànM?chhasbeennamedoneofthefirst28villagesselectedbyV?nhPhúcProvincetodevelopasamodelculturalvillage,openingupnewopportunitiesforsustainabletourismandsocio-economicdevelopment.—VNS

AworkerfillsoutpaperworktoclaimunemploymentbenefitsattheHàN?iEmploymentServiceCentre.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Vi?tNamslabourmarketfacesacriticalchallengeasmanylow-skilledworkers,despitelosingtheirjobs,arereluctanttopursuevocationaltrainingprogrammesaimedathelpingthemswitchcareers.DatafromtheHàN?iEmploymentServiceCentrerevealsthat,whileunemploymentbenefitswereapprovedfor8,500workersinSeptember,only204optedtoenrollinvocationaltraining.DeputyDirectorofthecentre,V?QuangThành,explainedthatwhencompaniescuttheirworkforce,theyoftenfocusonreducinglow-skilledmanualworkers,retainingthosewithhigherqualifications.Despitethis,mostofthelaid-offworkersseekunemploymentbenefitsratherthanparticipatingintrainingprogrammes.AccordingtoThành,thecurrentfinancialsupportforvocationaltrainingisinsufficienttoattractworkers,withtrainingdurationsoftentooshorttomakeasignificantimpact.Low-skilledworkerslikeHàTh?N?fromBiênHòaCityinthesouthernprovinceof??ngNai,whowaslaidoffinJulyafter13yearsinthewoodindustry,saythatattendingvocationaltrainingisnotfeasible.N?,whonowworkstemporaryjobstomakeendsmeetsaid:Learninganewskillmightprovidejobopportunities,butIdonothavetimetoattendtraining.Theextracostsfortransportationandmealsmakeitimpossible.Others,likeLêThu?nNamfromBiênHòaCity,aformersecurityguard,plannedtotakeadrivingcoursebutabandonedtheideaduetohighcosts.ThedrivingcoursecostsaroundVN?20million(US$780),farbeyondtheVN?9million($355)supportcap,hesaid.Nam,likemanyothers,foundthelower-costtrainingoptions,suchascookingortailoring,unsuitableforhissituation.Eventhoseinterestedinvocationaltraining,likeD??ngTh?Ng?cfromBiênHòaCity,arehesitantduetoadditionalexpenses.Ng?c,whoconsideredafour-monthmake-upcourse,isstrugglingfinanciallyafterlosingherjobandreceivingjustVN?3.5million($138)inmonthlyunemploymentbenefits.Employmentexpertshavecalledforanoverhaulofthevocationaltrainingsupportsystem.DeputyDirectoroftheHàN?iEmploymentServiceCentre,V?Th?ThanhLi?ubelievesthatthecurrentsupportneedstobeadjustedtocovertransportationandmealallowancestomaketrainingprogrammesmoreaccessibleforlaid-offworkers.AccordingtoLi?u,thesupportforvocationaltrainingiscappedatVN?4.5millionforathree-monthcourseandVN?9millionforonelastingfromthreetosixmonths.However,thecostoflivingandspecialisedcoursescanoftenexceedtheselimits,makingitdifficultforunemployedworkerstoretrainandfindnewemployment.TheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsisalreadyworkingonrevisionstotheEmploymentLaw,withproposalstoincreasethesupportforvocationaltraining,expandthescopetoimproveworkersskills,andprovidesupporteventothosenotreceivingunemploymentbenefits.Accordingtoministrydata,from2015to2023,only256,350peoplenationwidereceivedvocationaltrainingsupport,averagingjust28,483peopleannually.Expertssuggestthattomakevocationaltrainingmoreeffective,unemploymentbenefitsshouldberaisedto75percentoftheaveragesalaryfromthesixmonthsbeforeindividualslosttheirjobs,alongwithincreasedtrainingsupportandextendedcoursedurations.TherevisionstotheEmploymentLawareexpectedtoprovidemuch-neededadjustmentstohelplaid-offworkerstransitionintonewcareers,butfornow,manycontinuetofacebarriersinaccessingvocationaltrainingopportunities.—VNS

Ph?mKhánhPhongLan,NAdeputyfromHCMCity.VNA/VNSPhotoNationalAssembly(NA)deputyPh?mKhánhPhongLanfromtheHCMCitydelegationspoketoVietnamplusduringtheongoingNAseighthsessioninHàN?iaboutthedraftoftherevisedPharmacyLaw.Howdoyouevaluatethedraftofthereviseddraft?IthinkthedraftingcommitteehasworkedhardandtheNASocialCommitteesassessmentreporthasthoroughlyexaminedtheissues.However,Iamnotconfidentaboutthedraftlawscontent,asitdoesnotadequatelyaddressthecurrentsituation.WhydoIhavetosaythat?Therearemanyproposedamendmentsbutmostofthemonlyfixthetipoftheiceberg,whileleavingtherootoftheproblemunresolved.Forexample,thecurrentdrugsupplyisconstantlyfacingproblemssuchasshortagesofdrugs,vaccinesandequipment.Howcanwesolvethoseproblems?Wehavetoconductadministrativereformtoreducethewaitingtimefordrugregistrationcodeissuance.Wecandothatwithoutlegalisingitbecausethereisnolawthatallowsustoprolongadministrativeprocedures.Administrationreformhasbeenmentionedrepeatedly.Westillhavetolineup,jostleeachotherfordrugregistrationandstillcannotissueregistrationnumbersontime,nottomentiontheconsequenceofcreatingtheriskoffosteringaskingandgivingmechanisms.Couldyouelaborateonthecauseoftheabovesituation?Thereare800activecomponentsofvarioustypesandaround22,000medicationregistrationcodesinVi?tNam.Thisindicatesthattherearetoomanyfinisheddrugs.Incontrast,Singaporeonlyhasroughly10,000registrationcodesdespitehaving1,200activecompounds.InJapan,thereareover1,600activecompounds,yetfewerthan10,000ofthemhaveregistrationcodes.Toomanyregistrationcodesarebeingissuedbyuswithoutanylimitations.Toreducetheimportofmedicationswithanexcessivenumberofregistrationcodes,Ibelieveweneedaspecificpolicyforimportedmedications.Thepharmaceuticalindustrywillbeheldbackiftherearetoomanyregistrationnumbers,becausetherewillbetoomanyoptions,whichwillmakebiddingdifficultanddoctorswillultimatelyonlybidbasedonprice.Thelowertheprice,theeasieritistowinthebid,whilehigh-qualityproductsdonotwinthebid.Inadditiontotheregistrationcode,howcanwemeetthedemandfordrugs?Thisisanissuerelatedtothedevelopmentofthepharmaceuticalindustry.IntherevisedPharmacyLaw,wesetoutanumberofprovisionsonprioritiesandsubsidiesbutIseethatthesearealmostrepetitionsoftherevisedPharmacyLaw2016.Wehavebeenamarketeconomyandinfact,Vi?tNamhas168goodmanufacturingpractice-standardfactoriessincetheenforcementofthePharmacyLaw2016.Todate,thatnumberhasincreasedto236factories.Vi?tNamdoesnotlackpharmaceuticalfactories,whileneighbouringcountriessuchasthePhilippineshaveonlyjustover100factories.Ifwelookintotheactualsituation,wewillseethatalmostallfactorieshavetheproblemofnotproducingenoughoftheirinitialregisteredcapacity.Whentheyproducealotofdrugsandcantfindanoutlet,theywilllosethebiddinginthedomesticmarket.Followingtheparametersonthestockexchangetoday,wecanseethatalmostallthebignamesintheVietnamesepharmaceuticalindustryhavebeeninvestedbyortakenoverbyforeigninvestors.Therefore,ourtwopoliciesarecontradictory.Ontheonehand,wewanttoensurepharmaceuticalsecurity,keepthatrightfordomesticVietnamesepharmaceuticalcompanies,yet,ontheotherhand,manybusinesseswithforeigncapitalstilloperateintheVietnamesemarket.CouldyoupointoutshortcomingsofthecurrentpharmaceuticaldistributionsysteminVi?tNam?InVi?tNamspharmaceuticaldistributionsystem,therearetensofthousandsofwholesaledistributioncompaniesandretailpharmacies,buttherearenoeffectivemanagementmeasures.Thereremainsthesaleofdrugswithoutprescriptionsatpharmacies,fakedrugsandpoorqualitydrugsindenselypopulatedareas.Meanwhile,inremote,mountainousandislandareas,thereisstillashortageofdrugs.Theseissuesleadtoanincreaseinthenumberofintermediaries,makingdrugpricesdifficulttocontrol.IpredictthatifwecontinueenforcingtherevisedPharmacyLawinitscurrentform,theresultwillbethesameasthe2016law,withmoreshortcomingsexpected.Thefieldofpharmacyalsocoverscosmeticsandfoodsupplements.Welackspecific,directlegalregulationstomanagecosmeticsandfoodsupplements,eventhoughtheseproductsarewidespread,directlyimpactpublichealth,andfacemanyproblems.Whatchangesneededtomakeinthedevelopmentofthecurrentpharmaceuticalindustry?Thepharmaceuticalbusinessesneedinvestmentplanstogrow,butthelegislationmustbeexplicit.Ourpolicymustfocusondevelopingthepharmaceuticalindustry,notsimplymakingdrugscheaper,aslowerpricescouldnotassurequality.Ishouldstressthatitwillbeextremelychallengingtomanageanactiveingredientwhenhundredsofregistrationnumbersarevyingforthesamespot.Wecanlearnfromothernationsexperiences.Thepharmaceuticalindustryisneveranopenmarket,weshouldntbecomealow-lyingregionoftheworldandpermittheimportationofvariousmedications,whichwillultimatelycausethemarkettobecomeunmanageableandchaotic.Wearemakingeffortstogether,buteverytimewefixsomething,itischallenging.Thisisourresponsibilitytothepeopleandtotheindustrysdevelopment.Weseethattheshortcomingsremainunresolved.Ifwecontinueonthispath,wewillhavetopaythepricelater.VNSAsectionof?uC?-NghiTàmroadsinTayH?Districtisseenfromabove.—VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nAnhHàN?I—HàN?istandsonthecuspofsignificantopportunitiestoevolveintoacivilised,culturedandmoderncapital,characterisedbyahighstandardoflivingandqualityoflife,seventyyearsafteritsliberation.Itseconomy,cultureandsocietyareexpectedtodevelopcomprehensively,showcasingdistinctiveandharmoniousfeaturesthatrepresentthenation,whileachievingalevelofdevelopmentcomparabletothatofcapitalsintheregionandacrosstheglobe.ThatwasemphasisedbyBùiTh?MinhHoài,memberofthePolitburoandSecretaryofthecitysPartyCommittee,duringaspeechattheconferencecommemoratingthe70thanniversaryofthecapitalsliberation(October10,1954-October10,2024).InResolutionNo15issuedin2022,outliningthedirectionandtasksforthedevelopmentofHàN?iuntil2030,withavisiontowards2045,thePolitburoidentifiedtheH?ng(Red)Riverasacentralgreenaxis,enhancingtheurbanlandscapealongbothbanks.Plansincludedevelopingurbanmodelsinthenorthernareasof??ngAnh,MêLinhandSócS?ndistrictsandthewesternregionsofHòaL?candXuanMai.Additionally,thereisacommitmenttocreatingasmartcitybasedonthedevelopmentoftheareasalongtheNh?tTan-N?iBàicorridor,focusingonurbanplanning,investmentinconstructionandstabilisingresidencyalongthebanksofboththeH?ng(Red)and?u?ngrivers.Thespatialplanningalsoaimstoincorporateundergroundurbanspaces,greenareasandpublicspaces.Thestrategicorientationspresentanopportunityforthecapitaltoconcentrateitsresourcestowardsdevelopment,reflectingavisionandaspirationtoconstructacivilised,culturedandmoderncapital.AccordingtoHoài,theresolutionservesasanewmanifestoforthecapitalsdevelopmentinthenewera.TherecentlypassedCapitalLaw2024,whichoperationalisestheResolution,allowsthecapitaltoadoptspecific,superiormechanismsandpoliciesinitsgovernancestructure,decentralisation,resourcemobilisationandtheattractionandutilisationoftalentandhigh-qualityhumanresources.Moreover,thecapitalsplanningfortheperiod2021-30,withavisiontowards2050andtheadjustmentplanforthecapitalsgeneralplanninguntil2045,lookingtowards2065,werereportedtothePolitburoandtheNationalAssembly,awaitingapprovalfromthePrimeMinister.Thatwillpavethewayfornewdevelopmentspacesofthecapitalcity.VicePresidentoftheVi?tNamUrbanDevelopmentPlanningAssociationandformerDirectorofthecitysPlanningandInvestmentDepartment,?àoNg?cNghiêm,toldThanhNiên(YoungPeople)newspaperthattheplanningframeworksasessentialcentresthatwouldsignificantlyguidethecitysfuturegrowth.RedRivermiracleInpursuitofthegoaltodevelopacivilised,culturedandmoderncapital,Hoàistressedtheneedtosynchronouslyimplementaseriesofkeytasks.Thetasksrangedfromenvironmentalprotectionandlandscapeenhancementtourbanandruraldevelopment,alongsideeconomicprogress.Shehighlightedtheimperativetoaddressairandwaterpollutioncomprehensively,eliminatelocalflooding,treatwastewaterandrevitaliseriversystemsandcreateadistinctiveenvironmentallandscapeforthecapital,withtheRedRiverasacentralvisualaxisforcultural,commercial,serviceandtourismdevelopment.Thetasksalsoincludedenhancingpublictransport,completingtheurbanrailwaysystem,ringroadsandbridgesacrosstheRedRiverby2035,whileeffectivelyaddressingcongestionaturbangatewaysandwithinthecitycentre.Regardingtheeconomy,shesaiditneededrestructuringtoalignwithagrowthmodeldrivenbyscience,technologyandinnovation.Thereshouldbeafocusondevelopingadigitalandgreeneconomyandacircularandsharingeconomy,aimingforindustrialisationandmodernisationtobecompletedby2030.Prioritisingthesemiconductorindustry,artificialintelligence,digitaltechnologyandemergingsectorswasalsocrucial.Intermsofculturalandsocialdevelopment,aswellasscienceandtechnology,sheunderscoredtheimportanceofcreatingdistinctiveculturalspacesthatpromotedthedevelopmentoftheculturalandcreativeindustries.Thatrequiredexceptionalmechanismsandpoliciesforattracting,usingandrewardingtalent,especiallyhigh-levelexperts,inventorsandcreators,bothdomesticallyandinternationallytoliveandworkinthecapital.Nh?tTanBridge–auniquesymbolofHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nAnhExceptionaleffortsHowever,toturntheplansintoarealitythatdefinesthefutureofHàN?iasaRedRivermiracleexceptionaleffortsarenecessary.Stressingtheroleofinstitutionalreformasapivotalsolutionforthecapitaldevelopment,Tr?n?ìnhThiên,formerpresidentofVi?tNamInstituteofEconomics,suggestedthatratherthanmerelyseekingspecialmechanisms,thecityshouldpursueinstitutionalreform.Hesaidthatthecityshouldproposemechanismsthatencouragecreativetalentandattracthigh-levelinvestmentsthroughunconventionalsolutions.Themechanismofaskingandgivingresourcescanstifleopportunitiesformotivation,hesaid.Abreakthroughapproachwasessentialtoproposesuperior,evenunconventionalmechanisms.Withoutthis,itwillbechallengingtoenvisagehowHàN?icanleverageitsmillennium-oldculturalheritagewithinamoderncontext,headded.HàN?imustrealiseitsnewlyinstitutionalisedexpandedrights,asoutlinedinthecapitallaw.Hesaidthatthecapitallawestablishedsignificantstridesindecentralisationandempoweringthecapitaladministration,providingcreativeautonomytoitscitizensanddevelopmentalstakeholders.However,therealisationoftheadvancements,evenifinstitutionalised,requiresnewconditionsandcapacities,heconcluded.PresidentoftheVi?tNamUrbanDevelopmentPlanningAssociation,ArchitectTr?nNg?cChính,saidtheapprovedplanningoftheRedRiverurbanareawouldexpeditethecapitalscomprehensiveandsustainabledevelopment,especiallyasmanycentraldistrictsfacedlandscarcityforsocialwelfareprojects.Therefore,breakthroughandeffectivesolutionsareneededtoexpeditethedevelopmentofspaces,particularlyinutilisingriverbanklandandmid-riverareasfortourismservicesandrecreationalparks,sothattheRedRivermustbecometheRedRivermiracleofHàN?i,hesaid.NotallrosesInherremarks,Hoàialsoacknowledgedthatthecityalsofacednumerouschallengesineconomicdevelopmentandurbanmanagement.Thechallengesincludeunstableandunsustainablegrowth,urbandevelopmentissuesarisingfromrapidurbanisation,tensionsbetweenconservationanddevelopment,particularlyintheoldquarterandhistoricalurbanareas,infrastructuraloverload,wideningwealthdisparitiesandcomplexissuesofpublichealthandfoodsafetyandhygiene.Thechallengesmustbeaddressedpromptlytoachievethegoalofacivilised,cultured,andmoderncity,shesaid.Nghiêmpointedoutthatsincetheadministrativeboundarieswereexpandedin2008,manydevelopmentaldirectiveswereproposed,however,severalremainedunfulfilled.Asignificantexistingissuewastheinfrastructuresystem,whichwascriticalforthecapitalsdevelopmentbutwasnoteffectivelymanagedduetovariousfactors.Additionally,theurbanclustermodel,whichincludedacentralcity,satellitetownsandecologicalclusters,hadyettoberealised,failingtogeneratetheappealofsatellitetownsthatalleviatedpressureonthecitycentre.Thiên,saidthatHàN?ihadnotfullyharnesseditssubstantialdevelopmentalpotentialoverthepasttime.Asalocalitywithuniquecharacteristicsandadistinctivemission,thecapitalhasyettobegranteditsappropriatepowers,hesaid.Thelimitationresultedinalackofclearandcomprehensivecreativespaceinimplementingstrategiesanddevelopmentalplans.Itisfundamentallysimilartootherlocalitiesacrossthenation,themechanismsofaskingandgivingstilldominatetheallocationofresourcesandmanagementofthecapitalsdevelopment,hesaid.Withthespiritoflaunchinganewdevelopmentaltrajectory,theCapitalLawandtheHàN?iplanningfortheperiod2021-30,withavisiontowards2050,encompassedmanysolutionstotranscendtheaforementionedinstitutionalchallenges.However,thisisonlythebeginning.Thechallengesofimplementationhaveyettofullymanifest,whilethedemandsforbreakthroughsandinstitutionalrefinementfromadecentralisedandempoweredperspectivetomeetmoderndevelopmentalneedsremainexceedinglyhigh,hesaid.—VNS

InfrontofThiênCungCave,manytreesshowsignsofdryingoutafterbeingdestroyedbyYagi.VNA/VNSPhotoQU?NGNINHQu?ngNinhispreparingtodealwithforestsandtreesdamagedinTyphoonYagi,asthedried-outandhighlyflammabledeadplantmaterialsmayleadtoforestfires.ThenewswasdisclosedbyNguy?nThanhKh??ng,DirectorofQu?ngNinhProvincesForestryProtectionDepartment,whoaddedthatapproximatelysixmilliontonnesoftreetrunks,branches,rootsandleavesaredryingoutinforestsdamagedbythetyphoon.Statisticsshowthatmorethan117,000hectaresofforestinQu?ngNinhhavebeendamagedbythetyphoon,withdamagelevelsrangingfrom30to100percent.Theseforests,mostlyconsistingofpine,acaciaandeucalyptustrees,havebeenseverelyaffected,withmanytreessnappedatthetrunk,branchesbrokenandallleavesstripped,renderingthemincapableofrecovery.SinceSeptember28,nineforestfireshaveoccurredintheprovince,affectingmorethan57hectares.Localauthoritieshavemobilisedover1,300individuals,includingforestrangers,police,militarypersonnelandlocalforces,toactivelyparticipateinfirefightingefforts.Localitieshavelaunchedcampaignstocleanupandcollectusableforestproductsfromthedamagedareas.NghiêmXuanC??ng,ViceChairmanofthePeoplesCommittee,urgedlocalauthoritiesandunitstoswiftlydesignfirebreakstopreventthespreadoffiresandmobiliseforcesandresourcesbasedonthefouron-the-spotprinciple.Forareaswithlimitedmanpowerorlarge-scaledamage,hecalledfordetailedplanstobedevelopedandreportedtotheprovincialgovernmentforreinforcement.Qu?ngNinhisimplementingurgentfirepreventionandcontrolmeasuressuchasincreasingpatrols,providingguidanceonfirepreventionandmaintaininga24/7readinesstorespondtoforestfireincidents.Simultaneously,theprovinceispreparingaplanforforestrestoration.V?DuyV?n,DeputyDirectoroftheDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,statedthattheagriculturalsectorhasproposedareforestationstrategytotheprovincialgovernment.Thefocuswillshiftfromfast-growingtreestolong-lastingtimbertreesandindigenousspecies.Localitiesaredraftingplanstoreplantthedamagedforests,ensuringthatforestcoveragereturnstopre-typhoonlevelsby2027.Tosupportthelivelihoodsofforestgrowersandshort-termeconomiccropsforlong-termgain,localauthoritiesareguidingforestownerstoselectshort-cycle,high-valuecropswhilealsoreplantingforestswithindigenousandlargetimbertrees.OnJuly10,theQu?ngNinhProvincialPeoplesCouncilissuedaresolutionthatoutlinesspecificpoliciestoencouragesustainableforestrydevelopment.TheprovinceprovidesuptoVN?20million(US$804)perhectarepercycleforseedlingpurchasesandmaintenance,aswellasVN?400,000($16)perhectareforplanninglargetimbertreeplantationsandunder-canopyproduction.ThegovernmentalsoallocatesuptoVN?20millionperhectareformilitaryunitsengagedinlargetimberreforestation.Theprovinceisalsoofferingtrust-basedloansthroughtheSocialPolicyBankformembersofcooperatives,householdsandindividuals.LoanamountsarebasedonapprovedreforestationplansbutwillnotexceedVN?30million($1,200)perhectare.Loaninterestratesmatchthoseforpoorhouseholds,assetbythePrimeMinister,andthemaximumloantermis25years,withnoprincipalrepaymentrequiredforthefirstfiveyears.VNSThedonationishandedovertoDeputyPrimeMinisterH???cPh?conOctober9ontheoccasionhisworkingtriptoGermany.VNA/VNSPhotoBERLIN-TheFederationofVietnameseAssociationsinGermanyhasraisedover200,887EUR(US$220,000)amongthecommunityinthecountrytosupportpeopleaffectedbyTyphoonYagiinthehomeland.ThemoneywashandedovertoDeputyPrimeMinisterH???cPh?conOctober9ontheoccasionhisworkingtriptotheEuropeannation.Thisliftsthetotalto400,000EUR.DeputyPMPh?c,onbehalfofthegovernment,thankedandpraisedthespiritofmutuallove,solidarity,responsibility,andloveoftheVietnameseinGermanytowardstheirhomeland.HeurgedVietnamesebusinessesinGermanytoenhancetheirroleinconnectingandpromotingtradeandinvestmentcooperation,andtechnologytransfertoVietnam,whilealsostrengtheninglabourcooperationwiththeEuropeannation.AccordingtoVietnameseAmbassadortoGermanyV?QuangMinh,theVietnamesecommunityinGermanyisastrong,united,successfulcommunity,alwayslookingtowardsthehomeland,contributingtotheprosperityofthetwocountries.ThecommunitysgreatcontributionstothehostsocietyhavehelpedenhancetheimageandreputationofVi?tNamanditspeople.People-to-peoplediplomacyhastrulybecomeanimportantpillarinGermany,hesaid,showinghisbeliefthatinthecomingtime,theVietnamesecommunityinthecountrywillwitnessevenstrongerdevelopments.ChairmanofFederationofVietnameseAssociationsinGermanyNguy?nV?nHi?nsaidthefederationwilltrytoconnectanduniteallindividuals,organisations,andassociationsofVietnamesepeople,actingasabridgetofurtherpromotethefriendshipbetweenthetwopeoples,contributingtostrengtheningthediplomatictiesbetweenVi?tNamandGermany,andpromotingtheimageofVietnamanditspeopleintheinternationalarena.VNS

DeputyMinisterofScienceandTechnologyLêXuan??nh(middle)anddistinguishedguestscuttheribbontoofficiallyinauguratetheBookWeekonThursday.—VNSPhotoLêVi?tD?ngHàN?I—AspecialbookweekwillfocusonnewwaysofdrivingVi?tNamforwardintermsoftechnology.TheBookWeek,opentopublicinHàN?i,aimstofosternewwaysofthinking,workingandinteracting,ultimatelycontributingtoabetterqualityoflifeanddrivingpositivesocialchanges,accordingtoDeputyMinisterofScienceandTechnologyLêXuan??nh.DeputyMinister??nhwasspeakingatThursdaysopeningceremonyfortheScienceandTechnologyBookWeek2024.HeemphasisedthatthisyearsBookWeekisthemedKnowledgeandTechnology:AJourneyofInnovationtohighlightthecentralroleofscienceandtechnologyinVi?tNamsdriveformodernisation.TherecentPolitburosdecreeonscienceandtechnologyhasreaffirmeditspivotalroleindrivingVi?tNamsgrowthasthecountrynavigatesthecomplexitiesofaglobalisedmarketeconomy,said??nh.TheDeputyMinisteralsounderscoredtheministryscommitmenttobuildingarobustscientificandtechnologicalinformationecosystem,asevidencedbyitssustainedinvestmentintheNationalAgencyforScienceandTechnologyInformationandtheScienceandTechnicsPublishingHousetoempowertheinnovationcommunity.DirectoroftheNationalAgencyforScienceandTechnologyInformationTr?n??cHi?n(left)andDeputyMinister??nhexamineabookatanexhibitionbooth.—VNSPhotoLêVi?tD?ngDirectoroftheNationalAgencyforScienceandTechnologyInformationTr?n??cHi?ncitedtheconstantevolutionofdigitalplatformsandsmartdevicesassignificantchallengesforlibrarians,particularlythoseworkingintraditionallibrarysettings.HesaidtheorganisationwillbeattheforefrontoftechnologicalinnovationduringtheBookWeek,organisingaseriesofeventstoshowcasecutting-edgetoolsandapplicationsdesignedtorevolutioniseinformationaccesswithinitsdatabasesystem.Visitorsexperienceanadvancedbook-scanningtechnology.—VNSPhotoLêVi?tD?ngTheBookWeekfeaturesacomprehensivecollectionofprintandelectronicbookshighlightingVi?tNamsremarkableachievementssince??iM?i(TheRenewal).VisitorscanexploretheworksofrenownedVietnamesescientists,politiciansandexperts,andaccessthelatestresearchfromglobaldatabasessuchasScienceDirectandSpringer.—VNSAvisitorreadacalculusbooknexttoabookstall.—VNSPhotoLêVi?tD?ngAviewoftheHCMCity-LongThành-D?uGiayExpressway.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheVi?tNamExpresswayCorporation(VEC)reportedasignificantriseintrafficacrosstheexpresswaysitmanages,with50.5millionvehiclesusingtheroutes—anincreaseof11.3percentcomparedtothesameperiodin2023.Inthefourthquarterof2024,VECwillbeginaseriesofrepairprojectstoaddressroadsurfacedamagesontheN?iBài-LàoCai,C?uGi?-NinhBình,and?àN?ng-Qu?ngNg?iexpressways,aimedatenhancingroadqualityandensuringdriversafety.AccordingtoVECsreport,trafficonitsexpresswayscontinuedtogrowinthefirstninemonthsoftheyear.TheexpresswaysunderVECsmanagement—N?iBài-LàoCai,C?uGi?-NinhBình,?àN?ng-Qu?ngNg?i,andHCMCity-LongThành-D?uGiay—safelyserved50.5millionvehicles.TheHCMCity-LongThành-D?uGiayExpresswayhadthehighesttrafficvolume,with17.6millionvehicles,reflectinga14.1percentincreasecomparedtothesameperiodin2023.TheC?uGi?-NinhBìnhExpresswayfollowedwith16.9millionvehiclesbuthadthelowestgrowthrateat7.4percent.RankingthirdinbothtrafficvolumeandgrowthratewastheN?iBài-LàoCaiExpressway,whichrecorded13.9millionvehicles,markinga12.2percentrise.Despitethehighestgrowthrateof14.6percent,the?àN?ng-Qu?ngNg?iExpresswaysawthelowesttrafficvolume,withjust2.1millionvehicles.Inthefirstninemonthsofthisyear,trafficsafetyonVECsexpresswayswaswell-coordinatedbetweenoperatingunitsandlawenforcement.Management,operation,andmaintenancewereeffectivelyhandled,ensuringsmoothandsafetrafficflow,aVECrepresentativestated.Overthepastninemonths,nomajortrafficaccidentsorprolongedcongestionoccurredonVECsexpressways.Whilethenumberofcollisionsandinjuriesdroppedsignificantly—downby59collisionsand12injuries—thenumberofaccidentsandfatalitiesslightlyincreased,with31additionalaccidentsandonemoredeath.Importantly,therewasnodamagetotheroadinfrastructure.CongestionremainsachallengeontheN?iBài-LàoCai,C?uGi?-NinhBình,andHCMCity-LongThành-D?uGiayexpresswaysduringholidaysandT?tduetoincreasedtraffic,accidents,andvehiclebreakdowns,withthe?àN?ng-Qu?ngNg?iExpresswaybeingtheonlyexception.Despitewarnings,theissueofvehiclesrunningoutoffundsintheirelectronictollcollectionaccountshaspersisted,withmorethan480,000incidentsinthepastninemonths.Thishascontributedtoslowertrafficandraisedsafetyconcernsattollstations.Since6pmonSeptember13,2024,VEChasbeenofferingfreeroadserviceforvehiclestransportingreliefsuppliestonorthernprovincesaffectedbyTyphoonYagiandsubsequentfloods.ThisservicewillcontinueuntilmidnightonOctober13,2024,onallVEC-managedexpressways,includingN?iBài-LàoCai,C?uGi?-NinhBình,?àN?ng-Qu?ngNg?i,andHCMCity-LongThành-D?uGiay.—VNS