‘Farewell,’ ‘Parasite’ Among Golden Globe Nominees
DoctorsandnursesattheHàN?iObstetricsGynaecologyHospitaltakingcareofapregnantwoman.VNA/VNSPhotoMinh??cHàN?IVi?tNamisworkinghardtoprovideequalhealthserviceaccessforallpregnantwomentoensurepublichealthandnarrowthesocio-economicgap.ThisinitiativewasdiscussedduringameetingonJuly11inHàN?i,organisedbytheMinistryofHealthandtheUnitedNationsPopulationFund(UNFPA)tomarkWorldPopulationDay2024.Theeventaimedtoreviewglobalprogressinimplementingcommitmentsrelatedtosexualandreproductivehealthandrightsandtodiscussprioritiesforaddressingoutstandingissuesamidrapidlychangingdemographicsworldwide,includinginVi?tNam.?àoH?ngLan,MinisterofHealthandStandingDeputyHeadoftheNationalCommitteeforPopulationandDevelopment,emphasisedtheimportanceofachievingthegoalsofResolutionNo.21-NQ/TWoftheParty,theVi?tNamPopulationStrategyto2030,aswellastheSustainableDevelopmentGoalsofVi?tNamandtheProgrammeofActionoftheInternationalConferenceonPopulationandDevelopment.TomarkWorldPopulationDay2024,theMinistryofHealthchosethethemeInvestinginPopulationWorkisInvestinginSustainableDevelopment,callingonalllevels,sectors,internationalorganisations,anddevelopmentpartnerstocontinuefocusingonandinvestinginVi?tNamspopulationwork,contributingtothecountrysrapidandsustainabledevelopment.PaulineFatimaTamesis,UNResidentCoordinatorinVi?tNam,stressedtheneedforurgentanddecisiveactiontoensurethatallwomenhaveaccesstoessentialcareservicesduringpregnancyandchildbirth.Investinginreproductiveandsexualhealthisaninvestmentinendingpovertyandinequality,shesaid.IntheAsia-Pacificregion,thematernalmortalityratiohasdecreasedby61percentsince2000,markingthemostsignificantreductioninrecentyears.Morechildrenarebeingbornwiththeassistanceofskilledhealthpersonnel,andthenumberofadolescentsgivingbirthhasnearlyhalvedsince2000.Additionally,32countriesandterritoriesintheregionhaveconductedatleastonesurveyongender-basedviolence.Overthepast30years,Vi?tNamhasmadeeffortstoaddressinequalityandnarrowthesocioeconomicgapbetweenregionsandpopulationgroups.TheHumanDevelopmentIndexhassignificantlyimproved,reachinganaveragelevelcomparedtoothercountriesworldwide.Notableimprovementsincludethereductioninmalnutritionandmaternalandchildmortalityrates.Thematernalmortalityratehasdecreasedsixfoldoverthepast30years,from233per100,000livebirthsin1990toapproximately40per100,000livebirthsinrecentyears.Since1993,theinfantmortalityratehasdroppedfrom43.3to12.1per1,000livebirthsin2020.Lifeexpectancyhasincreasedrapidly,from65.5yearsin1993to74.5yearsin2023,exceedingthatofmanycountrieswithsimilaraverageincomelevels.VNS
Rescuerscheckthesailorshealthbeforetakinghimbacktothemainland.—VNA/VNSPhotoKHáNHHòA—AChineseseamanwhowasindistressandinjuredatseahasbeensavedbyVietnamesemarinerescuers.HewasbroughttolandbytheVi?tNamMaritimeSearchandRescueCoordinationCentreteamandisnowrecoveringinhospital,wherehisconditionissaidtobestable.Thesailor,37,wasworkingontheboatwhentherewasanaccidentandheseveredhisfinger.At7.30pmonSaturday,thecentrereceivedsignalsfromtheChineseshipXinDanYangShip,whichwastravellingfromChinatoSingapore.Whenitarrivedinanarea,whichis30nauticalmileseastofNhaTrangCity,thecaptainreportedanemergency.ImmediatelyuponreceivingtheSOScallfromtheship,thecentrekeptinregularcontactanddirectlyworkedwiththecrewtoupdatethepatientsconditionandprovideguidanceoninitialmedicalaidstoensurethesailorslife.However,hisconditionbecameincreasinglyworseduetoheavybleeding,leadingtodifficultybreathing,continuoushighfeverandweakhealth.UnderthedirectionoftheNationalCommitteeforDisasterResponse,SearchandRescue,theMinistryofTransport,andtheViêtNamMaritimeAdministration,thecentreassignedashippermanentlystationedinNhaTrangCityandamedicalemergencyteamtoperformsupportivework.SailorLiangFengshanwasbroughttotheKhánhHòaProvincialGeneralHospitalfortreatmentat11.50pmonthesameday.—VNSAuthoritieschecktheparkingareaatarentalfacilityinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoM?nhKhánhHàN?I—HàN?iPoliceDepartmentaredeployingbothimmediateandlong-termmeasurestopreventfiresatrentalfacilitiesandotherestablishmentsunderfiresafetyregulations.Themovefollowsanassessmentofrecentfireandexplosionincidentsinthecity,whereauthoritiesnotedahighincidencerateinlodginghouses,residentialhomes,mixedresidential-commercialhouses,warehouses,workshopsandeaterieswithinresidentialareas.MajorGeneralNguy?nThanhTùng,deputydirectorofthedepartmentsaidthatthedepartmenthadfinishedinspectionsonall36,972rentalfacilitiesinthecity.Penaltieswereimposedon3,134cases,ofwhich,672weretemporarilysuspendedand16,479establishmentsweretoldtostopoperations.Allviolatorscommittedtorectifytheirviolations.Thepolicealsoreviewedover3,000miniapartmentsanduncovered9,466violations.Themainviolationsincludedinadequateorabsentsecondaryescaperoutesandfiresuppressionsystems.Manyfacilitieslackedfirepreventionequipmentwhiletenantshadnotreceivedadequatefiresafetytraining.Improperstoragearrangementshadhinderedevacuationroutes.Particularlyconcerningwasmakeshiftelectricalconnectionsthatdidnotcomplywithstandards.Thepersistenceoffiresafetyviolationsinrentalfacilitiesstemmedfromvariousfactors.Publicawarenessandcompliancewithfiresafetymeasuresamongresidentsremainedinadequate,despiteextensivegovernmentcampaigns.Somelodgingfacilitiesareinviolationoffiresafetyregulationsbuttenantsstillcometostay,hesaid.Statisticsrevealthatthecityhasatotalof36,972lodgingfacilities,concentratedmainlyinthedistrictsofThanhXuan,C?uGi?y,NamT?Liêmand??ng?a.ClustersofminiapartmentsarelocatedinC?uGi?yDistrictsTr?nTháiT?ngStreet,wherewhatwasonceagreenricevillagehastransformedintorowsofiron-roofedlodginghouses.AnapartmentbuildingatNo44Tr?nTháiT?ngStreet,D?chV?ngWard,inC?uGi?yDistricthasupto26roomsforrented.—VNA/VNSPhotoM?nhKhánhFromhouseNo91to148inalleyNo44inthestreet,numerousfive-to-sevenstoreyhousesarebuiltwithcompact,balcony-lessunitsresemblingstackedmatchboxes.Eachrentedroomspans10-15sq.m,designedwithoutproperventilationorplayareas.AccordingtothedistrictPeoplesCommittee,thedistricthosts3,328lodgingfacilities,including1,812forresidentialpurposesand1,513forresidential-commercialpurposes.Inspectionsidentifiedover3,100facilitieswithoutfiretruckaccess,2,800lackingadequateescaperoutes,2,700missingfiresuppressionsystemsand1,560violatingelectricalsystemstandards.Followingofficialdirectives,morethan970landlordshaveinstalledemergencyescaperoutesforfireincidents.TenantsawarenessAnelectricityofficerinstructsastudentonhowtouseelectricitysafelyathisrentedroominC?uGi?yDistrict,HàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoM?nhKhánhThepolicealsofoundthathiddenfirehazardspersistedduetotenantslackofawareness.V?Ng?cS?n,athird-yearstudentfromthenorthernmountainousprovinceofL?ngS?nhaslivedina10-sq.mroomatNo44Tr?nTháiT?ngStreetforthreeyears.S?nsaidhechosethebuildingtohirebecauseheknewthatithadcompliancewithfiresafetyregulations.However,inhisroom,multipleelectricalappliances,suchascomputersandchargers,werehaphazardlypluggedinnexttoflammableitemslikepaperandnotebooks.LêQuangTrung,ownerofthebuildingsaidhealsoconcernedaboutpotentialfirehazards,particularlyduringhotseasonswhenelectricalusagepeaked.Healsoadheredtothedistrictsguidelinesbypostingfiresafetynoticesinstairwellsandeachroom,thoughheremainedunsureiftenantsfollowedthenoticesdiligently.Icantgointoeachroomeverydayandremindeachtenanttouseelectricitycarefullyandbealertforfiresandexplosionstoensurepublicsafety,hesaid.Awarenessoffirepreventiondependsalotontheself-disciplineofeachtenant.LieutenantGeneralNguy?nThanhTùng,deputydirectorofthepolicedepartmentsaidthedepartmentwouldworkwithrelevantagenciestostrictlyenforcesuspensionordersonhigh-risebuildingsviolatingfiresafetyregulations,preventingnewviolations.EarlyfirewarningInadditiontotrainingandupgradingthecapabilitiesoflocalfireandrescueteams,thecitywillprioritiseapplyingscienceandtechnologyinfireprevention.Forexample,Ba?ìnhDistricthasinstalledautomatedfirealarmsinalloffices,schoolsandtraditionalmarketswhile??ng?aDistrictisexperimentingwithearlywarningdevices,includinglodgingfacilities.Tr?nV?nLong,aresidentlivinginarentedroominTh?QuanWard,saidheagreedtotesttheearlywarningdevicesandreceivedinstructionsfromtheconsultingunittoinstalltheappaswellastheoperatingmechanismofthedevice.Infireprevention,evenasecondofdelaycansavealife.So,Ialsoagreetosharethedeviceconnectionwithinter-familygroupsinwarningfirepreventionandfightingsothatwecanwarneveryoneearly,hesaid.HàAnhTu?n,vicechairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeof??ng?aDistrictsaidthatthroughdisseminatingactivities,localpeoplehadbecomemoreinterestedinfireandexplosionpreventionandcontrol,especiallytheapplicationoftechnologyinfireprevention.TheDistrictPeoplesCommitteehasassignedthetasktothePeoplesCommitteesofeachwardtomobilisepeopletopilottheinstallationofequipmentandcontinuetowidentheirwarningeyessothattheequipmentcouldoperateoptimallyasanetworkofinter-familygroupsinwarningfirepreventionandfighting.Accordingtotherecommendationofthedepartment,tenantsawarenesscombinedwithtechnologywoulddeterminesuccessinthebattlewiththefireenemy.Eachtenantneededtocarefullyresearchthefactorsofalodgingfacilityinfireprevention,beforedecidingtobettheirlife.Cityrecommendationsemphasisethecriticalroleoftenantresponsibilityinfiresafety.Eachtenantmustassesspotentialrisksbeforerenting.By2030,thecityaimstoequipallhouseholdandresidential-commercialunitswithsecondaryescaperoutesandfireextinguishers.Everyhouseholdmemberwillreceivefiresafetytrainingandcommunity-basedfirepreventionteamswillbeestablishedandmaintainedinallresidentialareas.Thecityplanstoinstall3,050outdoorfirehydrantsandimprovewatersupplysystemsacross9,483alleyswiththelengthover200m.Approximately433reservoirsandfirepumpstationsareexpectedtobecompleted,withanestimatedbudgetofVN?26.3trillion(US$1.03billion).Statisticsshowedthatbetween2014and2023,thecityreported4,459fireincidents,resultingin202deathsand271injuries.Recenttragicincidents,suchastheminiapartmentfireinKh??ngH?StreetinSeptember2023andthefireoccurredinTrungKínhStreetinMay2024,underscorethechallengesfacedbyemergencyrespondersinnarrowalleyways.—VNS
Nguy?nTh??ngwithhishomemadecarttocollecttrashbecomepopularforpeopleinH?iAnCity.—Photobaotainguyenmoitruong.vnH?IAN—Fornearlyeightyears,theimageofanoldmandiligentlypushingahomemadecarttopickuprubbisharoundtheC?a??ibeachareainH?iAnCityhasbecomefamiliartobothlocalsandtourists.Withoutanycompensationorpraise,hequietlygoesabouthiswork,beautifyingtheancienttown.ThepeopleofH?iAnaffectionatelycallhimThetrashcollectingoldman.Sixty-eight-year-oldNguy?nTh??ng,wholivesintheC?a??iWardofH?iAnCity,isalreadypushinghishomemadecartalongthestreetsandbeaches,pickingupeverysmallpieceoflitter.Everyfewmetres,hestopsmovingfromonesideoftheroadtotheother,eveninthemiddleoftheroaddiligentlycollectingeverypieceuntilthestreetsarespotless.Sharinghowhecametodohislitterpicking,Th??ngexplainedthataboutnineyearsago,whileworkingasachefatahotelinH?iAnCity,hesuddenlycollapsedduetoastroke.Whenheregainedconsciousness,hishearingwasgoneandhislimbswereparalysed.Hespentnearlyhalfayearinthehospital,buthisconditiondidnotimprove,sohisfamilybroughthimhomeforcare.Atthattime,everyonethoughtIwouldntwalkagain,butItriedtoexercisetoimprovemyhealth,Th??ngtoldbaotainguyenmoitruong.vn.Atfirst,Ikeptfalling,butwithmorewalking,myhealthimprovedandtheillnessstartedtorecede.Oncehecouldwalkagain,Th??ngponderedhowtorepayhissecondgiftoflife.Duringhisexercisewalks,seeingnylonbagsandmasksdiscardedalongtheroadssparkedtheideaofcombiningexercisewithpickinguptrashtoprotecttheenvironment.Forthepasteightyears,the68-year-oldhasdonethisworkwithouttakingasingle??nginpayment.—Photobaotainguyenmoitruong.vnWhenhefirststarted,somepeoplefounditstrangetoseehimwanderingaroundpickinguptrash.Someevengotangrywhenheremindedthemaboutlittering,callinghimcrazyandidle,wastinghisoldageonsillythings.Hisfamilyalsotriedtostophim,buthewasdetermined.Aftermuchpersuasion,hisfamilyunderstoodandlethimcontinuehismeaningfulwork.Theprejudicesandmockeryfromothersgraduallyfaded.Fornearlyeightyearsnow,exceptwhenheisill,whetheritissunnyorraining,theoldmanroamsallthestreetsandalleyspickinguprubbish,whereveritis,heisthere.Sometimes,heevenhelpselderlyresidentsandschoolscleanandtidytheirplaceswithoutacceptinganypayment.Withmoneysavedfromcollectingrecyclablebottles,Th??nghasinvestedintwovehicles:apushcartandabicycle.Thesetwovehicleshavebecomehiscompanionsonhisunpaidmissiontokeeptheancienttownclean.Ongooddays,Iusethepushcart,andontiringdays,Iridethebicycle.Onlywhentheweatherchanges,andIfeelunwell,fearingastrokerelapse,doIstayhome,hesaid.IfIdontpickuptrashforaday,Ifeelrestlessanduneasy.Carryingthecommunalburdenmakesmehappy,Th??ngsayswithagentlesmile.Onhiscart,Th??nghaspastedmanymessageshewishestoconvey:Forthefutureofourchildren,letskeeptheenvironmentcleanandgreen,Smallactions,greatmeaning,Protecttheenvironment,donotuseplasticbags,donotlitter.Hehopesthemessageswillencourageeveryonetojoininprotectingtheenvironment.EnvironmentalrolemodelNow,theimageofathinbutkind-facedmanpickinguplittertobeautifytheancienttownhasbecomefamiliar.TheresidentsthoughtsandviewsonTh??nghavechangedandtheyunderstandandappreciatehimmore.Nowadays,mostresidentsalongthestreetswhereTh??ngstrashcartpasseshavebecomemoreenvironmentallyconscious,properlydisposingoftrashandkeepingthestreetscleaner.Agroupofstudentsfrom?àN?ngUniversity,inspiredbyhisactions,voluntarilyjoinhiminpickinguptrash.Everyweekend,thisgrouptravelsfrom?àN?ngCitytoH?iAnCitytoaccompanyhimincleaningalleysandbeaches.Despitethelingeringeffectsofthestroke,leavinghimdeafinoneearandneedingahearingaidfortheother,Th??ngremainsundeterred.Eachmonth,hisfamilyspendsoverVN?1million(US$40)onhismedications.However,heconsistentlyrefusessupportfromthelocalPeoplesCommitteeforhisefforts.Forhim,thisisameaningfultaskhehaspledgedtohimselftocarryoutforlife,withoutseekingsupportfromanyone.Whensocietyneedsit,heisalwayswillingtogivewithoutexpectinganyreturn.Imoldandstayingidleathomeisboring.Seeingthestreetsandbeachesfullofdirtandrubbish,Ijustcleanup,hesaid.Seeingcleanstreetsmakesmehappy,withoutexpectingcompensationorpraise.AslongasIcan,Iwillcontinuetocontribute,soH?iAnbecomesmorebeautifulandeveryoneenjoysfreshair.IwillcontinuethisunpaidworkuntilIcannolongerwalkorpickuplitter.Nguy?nTh?Hùng,vicechairmanofH?iAncityPeoplesCommittee,calledhimaherooftheancienttown.Th??ngsactionsareaworthyexampleforeveryonetofollow,Hùngsaid.—VNSAmodelondisplayatthe2023VietnamInternationalInnovationExhibitionatHàN?isHoàL?cHi-TechPark.VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nAnhHàN?IVietnamesebusinessesneedtoproactivelyapplyscienceandtechnology,aswellasintellectualpropertyasaleverintheirdevelopmentstrategytopromoteproductioninagreenandenvironmentallyfriendlydirection,saidL?uHoàngLong,directoroftheDepartmentofIntellectualPropertyundertheMinistryofScienceandTechnology.Innovationtowardsnetzeroisgraduallybeingtargetedbythebusinesscommunityinthecontextofcomplexclimatechangedevelopments.Thejourneytowardsnetzeroaffirmstheurgencyinapplyingscienceandtechnologytobusinessesproductiontocontributetoimplementingcommitmentsatthe26thConferenceofthePartiestotheUnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononclimatechange(COP26).Longsaidinnovationisaprocessofcontinuousmovement,whileintellectualpropertyistheresultoftheinnovationprocess.Italsoservesasacatalystandaninputtopromoteinnovation.Intellectualpropertyisthefoundationandusedasatooltoencourageinnovationineachcountry,leadingtodifferentdevelopmentsdependingoneachcountrysfactors.TorealiseVi?tNamsnetzerocommitmentby2050,itisnecessarytocreatepolicymechanismsthatdirectlyimpactbusinessesonthejourneytowardsnetzero,hesaid.Nguyê?nQuan,chairmanoftheVietnamAutomationAssociation,saidsmartandgreenproductionalongwithinnovationarenotjusttrends,butalsokeyfactorsforbusinessestosucceedinthedigitalera.Thankstothecombinationofoperationaltechnologyandinformationtechnology,smartmanufacturingandgreenmanufacturinghavehelpedbusinessesincreaseefficiency,optimisegreenproductionprocessesandenhancetheircompetitiveposition,hesaid.Thenetzerocommitmentisthekeyforbusinessestotransitiontosustainablebusinessmodels.Thisisalsothepremiseforeachbusinesstoimproveitscompetitivenessandmeettherequirementsofinternationaleconomicintegration.Commitmenttosustainabledevelopmentofbusinessesandapplicationofdigitaltechnologyisanimportantpremisetoensurethattotalnationalgreenhousegasemissionsreacheszeronetemissionsby2050,hesaid.AccordingtoLong,ineachcountry,intellectualpropertybringsbothchallengesandopportunitiesforinnovationactivities,directlyimpactingtheimplementationofsustainabledevelopmentgoals.InVi?tNam,policiesandlawsonintellectualpropertyhavebeenbasicallycompleted.TheLawamendingandsupplementinganumberofarticlesoftheIntellectualPropertyLawcontributestopromotinginnovationbasedonintellectualpropertyrights,improvingthecapacitytoexploitintellectualpropertyrights.Manyprovinces,cities,universities,researchinstitutesandlargeenterpriseshavepoliciestosupportandpromotethedevelopmentofintellectualpropertyandencouragethecreation,protectionandapplicationofnewtechnicalsolutions.ThathasincreasedthenumberofpatentapplicationssubmittedtotheIntellectualPropertyOffice.VNSFishingportsystemsandshelterareasareplannedby2030.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuanghassignedadecisiontoapprovetheplanningofamaritimeportsystemandstormshelterareasforfishingboats.Accordingtotheplan,portsandstormshelterareasforfishingboatsareidentifiedascriticalcomponentsofthefisherysectorinfrastructure,botheconomicallyandsocially.Theyareconsideredoneofthreestrategicbreakthroughs,requiringinvestmenttoensureefficientfisheryexploitation,economicandsocialdevelopmentandsocialsecurity,whileimprovingthematerialandspirituallifeofthepeople.Theplan,fortheperiod2021-2030,withavisionto2050,isallpartofworktomodernisethefishingindustryinfrastructure,tobettermeettheneedsoflogisticsservicesandensurefoodhygieneandsafety.Itshouldreducepost-harvestlossesandguaranteethesafetyforfishingvesselsandfishermen,aswellasimprovetheeffectivenessoffisheriesmanagement,enhanceinternationalintegration,adapttoclimatechangeandprotecttheenvironmentandmarineecosystemandcontributetoensuringnationaldefenceandsecurity.Thespecificgoalisthatby2030,therewillbeacompletesystemofportsundereffectiveoperationandstormsheltersforfishingvesselsonanationwidescale.Theindustrialisedandmodernisedsystemneedstomeettheneedsofanchorage,fisherieslogisticsservicesandhastobedevelopedinanintegrateddirection,increasingthevalueofexploitation.Thefishingportsystemensuresathroughputof2.98milliontonnesofseafoodperyear(including100percentofexploitedseafoodoutputandapartofmarineaquacultureoutput),ensuretheimplementationoffisheriesmanagement,meetingtherequirementsfortracingtheoriginofexploitedaquaticproductsandpreventingillegalfishingactivities.Thesystemofsheltersforfishingvesselsensuresthatover83,600fishingvesselswillbeabletosafelyanchorandbeprotectedfromstorms.AllfishingportsandshelterareasmustbeallocatedlandandwateruseaccordingtoArticles78and84ofthe2017FisheriesLaw.Additionally,keydomesticandinternationaltradehubswillbesetuptodrivethedevelopmentoffisheryindustrialzones,coastaleconomiczonesandmajorfishingcentreslinkedtokeyfishinggrounds,enhancingthefisherysectorsefficiencyandsustainability.Infrastructureandcapacityoffishingportswillbeimprovedtomeettheneedsoffisherieslogistics,ensurefoodsafetyandhygieneandintegrateeconomicdevelopment,tourism,culture,society,environmentalsanitation,newruralconstructionandnationaldefenceandsecurityinappropriateplaces.AlltypeIfisheryportsinmajorfishingcentrestobebuiltwithcomplete,moderninfrastructurewith90percentmechanisedcargohandlingsystems.AlltypeIIfisheryportstohavesynchronisedinfrastructurewith70percentmechanisedcargohandlingsystems.DigitalmanagementFromtheperiod2021-2025,theplanwillfocusoncompletingtheinfrastructureoftypeIfishingportsatfivemajorfishingcentresandstormsheltersforregionswheremostvesselsarefrequentlyanchored,fishingportprojectsandstormsheltersforfishingvesselsonislandsandprojectsassociatedwithnationaldefenceandsecurity.By2050,amodern,comprehensivefisheryportsystemcomparabletomajorportsgloballywillbedevelopedmeetinggreenportcriteria,withtypeIfisheryportsinmajorfishingcentresactingasinternationalgatewaysandkeylinksintheglobalfisheryvaluechain,withhighcompetitiveness.Accordingtotheplan,thefivemajorfishingcentreswillbedevelopedin:H?iPhòngCitylinkingtotheGulfofTonkinfishinggroundinL?pL?andTh?yNguyêndistricts;?àN?nglinkingtotheEastSeaandHoàngSafishinggroundinTh?QuangWard,S?nTràDistrict;KhánhHòaProvinceconnectingtotheSouthCentralCoastandTr??ngSafishinggroundinC?mLinhWard,CamRanhCity;BàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincelinkingtotheSoutheastCoastfishinggroundinLongS?nCommune,V?ngTàuCity;andKiênGiangProvincelinkingtotheSouthwestCoastfishinggroundinTayYênACommune,AnBiênSistrict,andBìnhAnCommune,ChauThànhDistrict.By2030,thecountryshouldhave173fisheryports,including39typeI,80typeII,and54typeIIIports,withatotalcapacityof2.983milliontonnesoffisheryproductsannuallyand160stormshelterareasforfishingboats,including30regionaland130provincial-levelshelters,withharbourspaceforabout90,600fishingboats.Spendingontheplanwillcomefromcentralandlocalbudgetsandprivateinvestment.VNS
AbranchofSacombankinHCMCity.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—AlocalcourtinKhánhHoàProvincehasruledagainstaprivatebankafteruncoveringmultipleunauthorisedwithdrawalstotalingVN?46.9billion(US$1.83million)fromaclientsaccount.Thefirst-instancecourtonThursdayorderedSacombanksCamRanhbranchtoreimburseVN?36.2billion,includingaccruedinterestandcompensation,toH?Th?ThùyD??ng,theplaintiffinthelegalcase.ThesumincludestheprincipalamountofVN?26.9billionafterdeductingthepreviouslyadvancedVN?20billionattheplaintiffsrequest,aswellasaccruedinterestofVN?7billionandcompensationofVN?2.3billionfordamagessufferedbytheplaintiff.Thecourtalsoorderedthebanktoreturntwolandownershipcertificatesthatwereheldascollateralforthepreviouslyadvancedamount.Theplaintiffinitiatedlegalactionagainstthebankinmid-2022afterthefundsfromheraccountatthebanksCamRanhtransactionofficedisappearedundersuspiciouscircumstances.Thewomanhadsoughtthefullreturnoftheamountalongwithaccruedinterestandcompensationfordamagesincurred.AninvestigationbytheKhánhHoàprovincialpoliceuncoveredatotalof12unauthorisedwithdrawaltransactions,includingcashwithdrawalsoutsideofbusinesshoursandinternetbankingtransferstounknownrecipients,allwithouttheaccountownersconsent.Theplaintiffdeniedanyinvolvementinthesetransactions,assheandherfamilyweretravelinginPhúQu?catthetime.TheProcuracysupportedtheplaintiffslawsuit,seekingthereturnoftheprincipalamount,accruedinterest,andthetwolanduserightscertificates,citingtheunauthorisednatureofthetransactionsanddeficienciesinthebankswithdrawalprocedures.Thebankrejectedtheruling,claimingtheplaintiffhadsignedall12withdrawaldocuments,aclaimrefutedbytheplaintiff.ThebankdefendedtheadvanceofVN?20billionasassistanceinresponsetotheplaintiffsfinancialdifficulties.FollowingembezzlementchargesagainstfourofficialsfromSacombanksCamRanhbranch,multiplecustomers,includingD??ng,havereportedinstancesoffinancialfraud.TheVietnamesebankingsectorhasbeenfacingcriticismforinadequatemanagement,leadingtocustomerlossesfromunexplainedfunddisappearances.Bankstypicallydisclaimresponsibilityforsuchlossesandadvisecustomerstoawaitpoliceinvestigations,alengthyprocessthatoftentakesmanyyears.—VNSCaption:Acustardappleorchardthathasadoptedhigh-techfarminginTayNinhProvincesTanChauDistrict.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ng??tT?YNINH—ThesoutheasternprovinceofTayNinhistakingmeasurestohelpitsfarmersadopttechnology.Thelocalityplanstodevelop22high-techagriculturalzonesspreadover15,000-20,000haeachbetweennextyearand2030,accordingtoitsDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.Nguy?n?ìnhXuan,itsdirector,saidthezoneswouldgrowvegetablesandfruitsinconcentratedandspecialisedfarmingareas.Theprovincetargetshigh-techagricultureaccountingfor50percentofproducevalueandyieldingVN?180million(US$7,000)worthofoutputperhectareperyearby2030,hesaid.Withitslargetractsoffarmlands,abundantwaterfromtheSàiGònandVàmC???ngriversandD?uTi?ngReservoir,thecountryslargestforirrigation,theprovincehasidealconditionsfordevelopinghigh-techagriculture.Ithassupportpoliciestoassistfarming,encouragecompaniestoinvestinagricultureandsupportthedevelopmentofsmallirrigationworksandefficientirrigationandseedproduction.Italsoprovidessoftloanstofarmerstoimplementgoodagriculturalpracticesandhigh-techagriculture,andhelpsthemlinkupwithotherstakeholdersinthesupplychaintoselltheirproduce.LêTh?MaiHuy?n,ViceChairwomanoftheTayNinhBusinessAssociation,saidtheprovincehasmanypoliciestohelpfarmersadopttechnology,butsincetheyarenotcoordinated,theareaunderhigh-techfarmingisnotlarge.Thelinkagesbetweencompaniesandfarmersarenotclose,andproductioncostsarehighasaresult,whichmakesfarmersreluctanttochangetheirproductionmethods,sheadded.Accordingtothedepartment,thelinkagesremainmodestbecausefarmerslackthehabitoflinkingwithcompanies,andthecapacityofcompaniesandco-operativeswithwhomtheycouldpotentiallylinkisstilllimited.Nguy?nNg?cánh,ViceChairwomanoftheTayNinhFarmersAssociation,saidlinksbetweenstakeholdersinhigh-techagricultureofferbenefitstofarmers,whoareimportantstakeholders.Farmersshouldparticipateinco-operativesandco-operativegroupstoachieveeffectivelinkages,andauthoritieswouldoffersupportforseedsandotherinputs,shesaid.Participatingfarmerswouldbeinstructedinadvancedfarmingtechniquestogrowproducethatmeetmarketrequirements,sheadded.Thedepartmentsaidonly14.5percentofagriculturaloutputbenefitsfromsuchlinkages.Theprovincehasdevelopedlinkagesforkeyproductssuchaspig,chicken,cattle,sugarcane,custardapple,banana,rice,anddurian,itsaid.Theprovinceplanstostrengthenadvocacyaboutthelinkagesandthebenefitsofcreatingthem,itsaid.Moreandmorefarmersintheprovincehaveadoptedadvancedtechniquesinrecentyearstoimprovetheirefficiency.Theyhaveappliedautomaticirrigationforpolygreenandnethousestogrowvegetablesandhoneydewmelonon35haand20ha.Theprovincehas1,503haundergrapefruit,banana,custardapple,mango,longan,jujube,avocado,andotherfruitswithorigintraceability.Ithasgrantedproductioncodesfor100fruitgrowingareastoexporttotheEU,theUS,Australia,NewZealand,andChina.Ithasattractedinvestmentsinlargeagriculturalprojectsinrecentyears,including146animalbreedingprojectsthatareoperational.Itsagriculturalsectorhasbeengrowingat3-3.4percentayearinrecentyearsandaccountsfor20percentofitseconomy.—VNS
AfriendshippinegardenisinauguratedatHCMCityDistrict9sSu?iTiênThemeParkonSaturdaytocelebratetheHCMCityUnionofFriendshipOrganisations35yearsofestablishment.VNSPhotoGiaLinhHCMCITY–TheHCMCityUnionofFriendshipOrganisations(HUFO)hasinauguratedafriendshippinegardenatSu?iTiênThemeParkinHCMCitysDistrict9tocelebrateitsupcoming35thanniversaryofestablishment(July29).Theinaugurationceremonyheldyesterdayattheparkwasattendedbyrepresentativesof25ConsulateGeneralsand30friendshiporganisations.Thegardenispartofa10,000sq.mpineorchardandhas35trees,eachhavinganametagtorepresentacountry.ItislocatedontheLinhCungTh?pNh?GiápandthePhúcCungTamPh??chills.Pinetreesareasymbolforpassion,resilience,andhopeforabetterfuture,allofwhicharealsoVi?tNamsgoalsindeepeningforeignrelations,promotingpeaceandsustainablegrowth,andboostingpartnershipwithothercountries,BùiTh?T?Trinh,deputydirectoroftheSu?iTiênThemePark,said.Thelongevityofpinetreesstandsforstrong,sustainablegrowth;hard,spine-likeleavesareasymbolforresilience;andpineconeswithmultiplelayersrepresentunitybetweencountriesworldwide.ConsulGeneraloftheNetherlandsinHCMCityDanielCoenraadStork(firstfromleft)withthepinetreethatrepresentshiscountry.VNSPhotoGiaLinhLaoConsulGeneralPhonesyBounmixayspokewithhighregardforHUFOseffortsinstrengtheningthetiesbetweenpeopleinthecity,inVi?tNamandinothercountries.Hesaidthegardenisasymbolforstrongforeignrelationsandthejointeffortsofcountriesinstrengtheninginternationalcooperation,andhehopeditwouldfurtherexpand.TheceremonyispartoftheparksongoingSouthernFruitFestivalthatlastsuntilAugust31.Thefestivalfeaturestropicalfruits,honoursfarmers,andhostsanabundanceofexcitingfestivities.–VNS
AbillboardcapaigningagainstdomesticviolenceinVi?tNam.TheMinistryofPublicSecurityisdraftingalawtocrackdownondomesticviolence.—Phototoquoc.vnHàN?I—TheMinistryofPublicSecurityisseekingpublicinputonadraftlawthatimposespenaltiesforarangeofunethicalbehaviourswithinfamilyrelationships.ThedraftstipulatesthatforcingafamilymembertoleavetheirlegalresidencecouldresultinafinerangingfromVN?5million(US$197)toVN?10million($393).Additionally,threateningviolencefortheevictioncouldleadtohigherfine,rangingfromVN?10milliontoVN?20million($787).Individualswhoinstigate,persuadeorassistothersincommittingactsofdomesticviolencemayfacefinesrangingfromVN?5milliontoVN?10million.ThosewhoforciblycompelotherstoengageindomesticviolencemaybesubjecttofinesofbetweenVN?10millionandVN?20million.Thosewhodistributeinformation,documents,imagesoraudiorecordingsthatincitedomesticviolencemayreceiveawarningorafinerangingfromVN?1million($39)toVN?2million($78).Thosewhoengageinactsofphysicalassault,threats,orotherintentionalactionsthatendangerthehealthorlifeofafamilymemberwillfacefinesrangingfromVN?1milliontoVN?2million.Thedraftlawalsointroducesadditionalpenaltiesforactsoftortureormistreatmentoffamilymembers.Individualswhoneglect,disregard,failtocareforpregnantwomen,womenwithchildrenunder36monthsold,individualswithdisabilitiesorthoseunabletocareforthemselvesmaybesubjecttofinesrangingfromVN?10milliontoVN?20million.Thedraftlawalsomandatespenaltiesforactsofisolation,regularpsychologicalpressureandsexualviolenceinmarriagerelationships.AwarningorafineofbetweenVN?5millionandVN?10millionwillbeimposedforactionssuchaspreventingafamilymemberfrommeetingtheirrelativesorengaginginsocialrelationships,denyingafamilymembertherighttoworkandengageinsocialactivities,anddiscriminatingagainstafamilymemberbasedontheirphysicalappearance,genderorability.Individualswhoforceafamilymembertowitnessviolenceagainstpeopleoranimals,listentopornographicsounds,watchpornographicimages,orreadpornographiccontentwouldfacefinesrangingfromVN?10milliontoVN?20million.AfineoffromVN?20milliontoVN?30million($1,180)willlikelybeimposedonactsofforcingafamilymembertoperformpornographicactsorusestimulants,sexuallyharassingafamilymember,ordetainingafamilymember.AfineofbetweenVN?30milliontoVN?50million($1,967)isproposedforforcingaspousetohavesexualintercourseagainsthisorherwill.ThosewhocommittheactsofappropriatingordestroyingthecommonpropertyofthefamilyorthepersonalpropertyofanotherfamilymemberwillreceivefinesofbetweenVN?20milliontoVN?30million.—VNSBy2030,asignificantportion(70-90percent)oftheexistingdieselbusfleetwillbereplacedwithcleanenergyones.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—ThecapitalcityofHàN?iistakingasignificantsteptowardamoresustainablefutureforitspublictransportationsystem,withaThursdayapprovalofaplantoachieveazero-emissionbusfleetby2035viaphasingoutdieselvehiclesinfavourofelectricones.Between2026and2030,HàN?iaimsforamixofelectricbuses(50percent_andbusespoweredbycleanerburningfuelslikeliquefiednaturalgas(LNG)orcompressednaturalgas(CNG)(50percent).TheestimatedfinancialinvestmentforthistransitionisVN?43trillion(US$1.79billion).Theplanprioritisestheelectrificationofbusesoperatinginthecentralurbanareas(withinRingRoad4).Additionally,newbusrouteswillbedesignedwithafocusonusingelectricandgreenenergyvehicles.By2030,asignificantportion(70-90percent)oftheexistingdieselbusfleetwillbereplacedwithcleanenergyones.Between2031and2035,allbusesoperatinginthecitywillgoelectric,achievingazero-emissionbusfleetforthecity.—VNS
Anunfinishedsectionoftheroadproject.—Photochinhphu.vnHCMCITY—HCMCitywillunilaterallyterminatetheBOTcontractforaroadprojectworthoverVN?1.5trillion(US$59million)whereconstructionhasbeenstalledforthepastsixyears.The2.7kmroadsectionwasintendedtoconnectV?V?nKi?tBoulevardtotheHCMCity-TrungL??ngExpressway.TheBOT(build-operate-transfer)projectwasscheduledfrom2015to2017andwasledbyinvestorYênKhánhGroupandHCMCityBOTOneMemberCoLtd.ConstructionbeganinOctober2015andcontinueduntilmid-2018,atwhichpointithadcostVN?140billion($5.5million),or12percentofitsplannedcapital.HCMCityPeoplesCommitteehasassignedthemunicipalTransportationWorksConstructionInvestmentProjectManagementAuthoritytoworkwiththeprojectstakeholderstoreviewthepaperworkandconstructiontocompleteproceduresforunilateralcontracttermination.ThecitysDepartmentofPlanningandInvestmentandinspectionagencywillalsoworkonthisprocess.Accordingtoareportfromthemulti-sectoralworkinggroup,HCMCityDepartmentofTransporthasworkedwithstakeholderstoaddressanyviolationsoftheBOTcontractagreements.TheseincludestallingconstructionsinceJune2018,beingunabletoprovidedocuments,demonstratingcapitalallocationtocontinuethesignedBOTcontractandguaranteeingtheexecutionofthecontractandotherrelevantagreements.Reportsonprojectprogresswererequestedfrominvestorsandbusinessesinvolvedintheproject,buttheyrepeatedlyaskedforextensions.Theyexplainedthatmanydocumentsweremisplacedandcontractorscouldnotbeginsettlementprocessesduetothelackofinformation.—VNSThefireengulfsthe3000-square-metrefactoryonThursdaynight—VNA/VNSPhotoBùiV?nLanhV?NHPHúC—AlargefireengulfedapackagingfactoryinTr?ngNh?Ward,PhúcYênCity,V?nhPhúcProvinceonThursdaynight.Theflamebrokeoutat9.00pmandquicklytorethroughthe3000-square-metrefactorystockedwithalargequantityofflammablematerials.Thedensesmokeplumewasvisibleevenfromadistanceof40km,causingwidespreadalarmamongresidentsinthesurroundingarea.Tenfireenginesandhundredsoffirefighterswereswiftlydispatchedtothescene.Theintenseheatandthehighlycombustiblematerialsposedsignificantchallengestofirefighting.Despitethearduousconditions,theycontainedthefirebyaround0amonFriday.Nolivelosseswerereported.Thecauseofthefireisunderinvestigation.—VNS
AmeetingofHCMCityauthoritiesontheissuanceofbirthcertificatesandpersonalidentitydocumentstoyoungpeoplelivinginspecialcircumstancesandatsheltersinTanPhúandBìnhTandistricts.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—Asurveyhasfoundmorethantwodozenchildrenandyouthsagedupto18livinginspecialcircumstancesandatsheltersinHCMCitysTanPhúandBìnhTandistrictslackingbirthcertificates,personalidentificationnumbers,householdregistrationdocuments,andidentitycards.ThesurveywasdonebycityauthoritiesonJune7.Thelawdefineschildreninspecialcircumstancesasthosewhoareunabletogetprotection,care,upbringing,oreducation,areabused,donothaveparentsorguardians,useintoxicants,andrequirespecialsupportandintervention.InTanPhúDistrict,16lackidentitycards,withsevenhavingpersonalidentificationnumbersbutnottemporaryresidencestatus.Oftheothernine,threewerebornabroadandsixdonothavepersonalidentificationnumbers,havenotbeenregisteredforpermanentresidenceorarenotinthenationaldatabase.InBìnhTanDistrict,10childrenincharityclassesandtwoinspecialcircumstanceslackIDcards.TanPhúauthoritiessaidthereasonsincludethechildrensfrequentmovementsintheabsenceofapermanentdwellingplace,theirparentslackofcompleteidentificationdocumentsandfailuretoobtainidentificationdocumentsforthem.DeputyChairmanoftheBìnhTanDistrictPeoplesCommitteeLêTh?Ng?cDungsaidtherearealsocaseswhereyoungparentsdonotregistertheirmarriage,abandontheirchildrenorhavethemlivingwithrelatives.AnotherproblemisthedifficultyincollectingcitizensIDcardapplicationsfromtemporaryresidentsastherearenoregulationsregardingtheirstorage.Aregulationthatallowscitizenstochoosetheirplaceofcivilregistrationcausespressureonregistrationofficers,especiallyinplaceswithlargenumbersoftemporaryresidentscomingfromotherprovincesandcities,sheadded.CaoThanhBình,headofcityPeoplesCouncilsculturalandsocialcommittee,saidmanylocalitieshavenotfullyunderstoodorcreatedregulationsfortheissuanceofidentificationpapers.Localauthoritiesshouldfocusonissuingthemtothesechildrenandyouths,hesaid.Thisisahumaneandsignificanttaskrequiringvariousagenciestoworktogether,andwouldenablethechildrentostudyandworkinfuture,headded.—VNSTheelevatedsectionofNh?n-HàN?iStationRailwayisnowtotallycompleted.—Photokinhtedothi.vnHàN?I—TheHàN?iMetropolitanRailwayManagementBoard(MRB)isurgentlycompletingthenecessaryprocedurestolaunchcommercialoperationsfortheelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationurbanrailwayline(fromstationS1toS8).Theelevatedsectionofthepiloturbanrailwayproject,stretchingfromNh?ntoHàN?iStationoveradistanceof8.5kminthewestofthecapital,isnowfullyconstructed,withequipmentinstallationandsystemintegrationtestingcompleted.AccordingtoMRB,theeightelevatedstationsandtheNh?nDepothavenowpassedthefiresafetyinspectionsbytheFirePreventionandRescuePoliceDepartment.Additionally,alltentrainshaveundergonetechnicalinspections,withtheequipmentatthestationsandDepotbeingcertifiedaccordingtoregulations.Systra,theconsultingfirm,hasissuedtheTransferofCompletion(TOC)certificatesforeachcontractpackage.Theprojecthascompletedtrainingfor353personnelfromtheHàN?iRailwayCompany,whotookpartinatrialwhichwasconcludedonMay31,havingsuccessfullycompletedall57scenariosandalleighttestingphases,ensuringanefficientandsafeoperationoftheline.ConsultantAlainBechereaufromSystraexpressedconfidenceinthereadinessoftheHàN?iRailwayCompanyspersonnelafteratotaloftwomonthsoftrialoperations.ThesafetycertificationconsultantconsortiumApaveBureauVeritas-Certifer(ABCConsultant)hascompletedon-siteevaluations.ThecompletionofthetrialdemonstratesthereadinessoftheoperatingunittocommencecommercialoperationsoftheelevatedsectionfromNh?ntoHàN?iStation.However,theextendedtrialperiodhasdelayedtheissuanceofthesafetysystemcertification.OncetheABCConsultantsubmitstheirreportandsafetycertification,MRBwillforwardittotheRailwayDepartment(MinistryofTransport)forevaluationandapproval.TheStateInspectionCouncilwillthenconvenetoapprovetheacceptanceresultsforcommercialoperation.Thecompletionoftheremaininglegalproceduresrequirescloseco-ordinationamongvariousgovernmentagencies.ThefinalsafetycertificationreportfromABCConsultantisexpectedbyJuly10.MRBisexpeditingtheremainingprocedurestocommencecommercialoperationsassoonaspossible.Onceoperational,theNh?n-HàN?iStationurbanrailwayline(Line3)isexpectedtosignificantlyreducetrafficcongestionandurbanpollution,enhancingthequalityoflifeforresidentsinwesternHàN?i.—VNS