Memorial Procession Winds Through Little Tokyo
HCMCITY—?oànNg?cAnhTh?,a12-year-oldgirlfromtheMekongDeltaprovinceofTràVinh,becamethe11,000thchildtobesavedbyHeartbeatVietnam,aprogrammedesignedtosavechildrenbornwithheartproblems.AnhTh?exhibitedcyanosisandexperiencedfrequentfeverswhenshewasjustonemonthold.Shewasdiagnosedwithtetralogyoffallot,acomplexcongenitalheartdefectrequiringsurgery.WithhelpfromtheVinaCapitalFoundations(VCF)HeartbeatVietnamprogramme,Th?underwentherfirstsurgeryattheageoftwo,whichsignificantlyimprovedherhealthandallowedhertoattendschoolandexcelacademicallyforthepastsixyears.HersecondsuccessfulsurgerymarkedasignificantmilestoneinhercourageousjourneywiththesupportfromtheAssociationfortheProtectionofPeoplewithDisabilitiesandVictimsofAgentOrange/dioxin,HeartbeatVietnamandotherdonors.Atotalof11,000Vietnamesechildrenwithcongenitalheartdefects(CHD)havebeenhelpedwithsurgeryandtreatmentoverthepast18yearsundertheHeartbeatVietnamprogramme,accordingtoarepresentativeofHeartbeatVietnam.DonLam,CEOandFoundingPartnerofVinaCapital,ChairoftheVCFBoard(firstfromright),FormerVicePresidentofVi?tNamTr??ngM?Hoa(secondfromrìght)andotherdonorsattheceremonytocelebratethesavingof11,000kidswithCHD.—PhotocourtesyofHeartbeatVietnamThroughoutourunwavering18-yearjourney,ourmissionhasalwaysbeentoensurethatnochildwithcongenitalheartdefectslosestheirlifesimplybecausetheylackthefinancialmeanstoaccesstreatment.Itfillsuswithimmensejoytowitnesstherecoveryof11,000littlehearts.Thismiracleresultsfromthejointeffortsandinvaluablesupportfromlocalauthorities,dedicatedmedicalteams,kind-hearteddonors,andmore.Mostimportantly,thecollaborationofthecommunitytogetherwithVCFhasignitedhopeforabrightfutureforthechildrenandtheirfamilies,contributingtoahealthierandmoreprosperousVi?tNam,saysDonLam,CEOandFoundingPartnerofVinaCapital,ChairoftheVCFBoard.StatisticsfromtheMinistryofHealthshowthatsome15,000infantsarebornwithCHDinVi?tNameachyear.Mostofthesechildrenarefromfamiliesinimpoverishedruralareas,andmanyofthemfacefinancialchallengesinaccessingexpensivetreatment,longdistancetravel,anddifficultpost-operativecare.HeartbeatVietnamhasbeendedicatedtosponsoringlife-savingsurgeriesforunderprivilegedchildreninVi?tNamsince2006,ensuringtheyreceivetimelytreatmentforahealthierfuture.Theprogrammehasalsoprovided1,215continuingcarepackagesforvitalcheck-upsandfollow-upappointments,809familygrantstoalleviatefinancialburdensonfamiliescaringforsickchildren,and263scholarshipstoensurebrightstudentscancontinuetheireducation.Inlinewiththese,VCFhasorganisedruraloutreachclinicsinremoteprovinceswhereaccesstohealthcareislimited.Throughtheseclinics,nearly400,000childrenhavebeenscreened,andover11,700childrenwithCHDhavebeenidentified.Thosewhorequiredearlysurgicalinterventiontosurvivewereprovidedwithsurgeryandthisensuresthatnochildisleftbehind.VCF,HeartbeatVietnam,andotherdonorshavecommittedtocontinuingthejourneytolocateandsavemorechildrensheartsothattheycangrowuphealthy,dreamdreams,reachtheirfullpotentialandcontributetoVi?tNamsdevelopment,saidtherepresentative.—VNS
AtraingoesthroughtheH?iVanMountainPassin?àN?ngcentralcity.—VNA/VNSPhotoQu?cD?ngHàN?I—Anappraisalcouncilforrailwaylinesandstationsintheareasof??HàN?ihasbeenestablishedunderadecisionoftheMinistryofTransport(MoT).Thecouncilwilllookatexistingplansforrailwayroutesandthemostefficientwaystogetnewhighspeedlinesintothecity.ThecouncilincludesleadersoftheVi?tNamRailwaysAuthority(VNRA),theGeneralStaffsDepartmentofOperationsundertheMinistryofNationalDefence;theDepartmentofEconomicSecurityundertheMinistryofPublicSecurity;theDepartmentofUrbanInfrastructureDevelopmentundertheMinistryofPlanningandInvestment;andtheDepartmentofTechnicalInfrastructureundertheMinistryofConstruction.ParticipatinginthecouncilarealsoleadersoftheDepartmentofTechnologyEvaluation,AppraisalandInspectionandtheDepartmentofPlanningandFinanceundertheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment;theDepartmentofPlanningundertheMinistryofIndustryandTrade;andtheDepartmentofTechnologyandInfrastructureundertheCommitteeforManagementofStateCapitalatEnterprises.MembersofthecouncilencompassheadsoftheHàN?isDepartmentofTransport,theHàN?isDepartmentofPlanningandArchitecture,theV?nhPhúcProvincesDepartmentofConstruction,thedepartmentsoftransportofHàNam,B?cNinh,H?ngYênandTháiNguyênprovincesandanumberofadvisoryagenciesundertheMoT.TheMoTassignedtheVNRAtoprovidefullinformationanddocumentstomembersoftheappraisalcouncilduringtheirworkingprocessandensureworkingconditionsandoperatingcostsforthecouncilaccordingtoregulations.InthedraftplanningoftherailwayrouteincentreHàN?i,theVNRAproposedtorenovateandmaintainfiveexistingradialrailwayroutesincludingHàN?i-??ng??ng,HàN?i-HCMCity,HàN?i-H?iPhòng,HàN?i-LàoCaiandHàN?i-TháiNguyên.Theplanalsotargetsbuildingfournewhigh-speedlines:HàN?i-HCMCity,LàoCai-HàN?i-H?iPhòng,HàN?i-L?ngS?nandHàN?i-Qu?ngNinh.ItwillfurtherdeveloptheroutesNg?cH?i-L?c??o-B?cH?ng-Th?chL?iandwesternNg?cH?i-Th?chL?i.TheVNRAproposedtousetheYênViênStationasapassengertransporthubfortrainsheadingwest,northwest,andnorthdirections.TheYênTh??ngStationisthenorthernjunctionstationforroutestoL?ngS?n,CáiLanandTháiNguyên.TheB?cH?ngStationisanintermediatestationwhereastheNg?cH?iStationisforsoutherndirection.—VNSAnofficerfromtheBìnhTh?nhDistrictpoliceinHCMCityassistsavictiminfilingacomplaintagainstSaigonCommercialJointStockBank.ShehadpurchasedfakebondsorchestratedbyTr??ngM?Lan,whoheldasubstantialstakeinthebank.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—V?nTh?nhPhátChairwomanTr??ngM?Lan,whoisondeathrow,isfacingadditionalcharges,includingmisappropriationofassetsthroughfraudulentbondissuances,aspartofwhatisconsideredVi?tNamsbiggestfinancialscamever.TheSupremePeoplesProcuracyhasissuedanindictmenttoprosecute34individuals,includingthechairwoman,formisappropriationofassets,moneylaundering,andillegaltransportationofcurrencyacrossborders.The68-year-oldchairwomanisthemastermindbehindthebondfraudatSaigonCommercialJointStockBank(SCB),accordingtotheSupremePeoplesProcuracy.LansmultiplefakecompaniesundertheV?nTh?nhPhátGroupcarriedoutfraudulentbondissuancesworthoverVN?30trillion(US$1.24billion)andsoldthemtoover35,000victims,mostlySCBdepositors,accordingtothepolice.SinceherarrestinOctober2022,thevictimshavenotreceivedanyinterestorprincipalpayments.Thecentralbankhasguaranteedbanksavingsaccountsbutnotthebondspurchasedthroughthelender.Authoritieshaveconfirmedthatanymoneyandassetsrecoveredfromthescandalwillbereturnedtotherightfulowners,includingbondholders.Policehaveseizedmultipleassets,frozenaccountsworthmillionsofUSdollars,andplacedfreezesonassetsassociatedwiththechairwoman.Authoritiescontinuetourgevictimsinpossessionofbondstocomeforwardwithinformationanddocuments.Inaddition,Lanandheraccomplices,includingherChinesehusband,havealsobeenaccusedofillegallytransportingover$4.5billionandlaunderingoverVN?445trillionacrossbordersovera10-yearperiod.AthertrialinApril,LanreceivedthedeathpenaltyforfinancialfraudatSCBandwasalsoorderedtopaycompensationofVN?673.8trillion($27billion)tothebank.HerChinesehusband,EricChuNap-kee,chairmanoftheboardofTimesSquareVietnamJointStockCompany,receivedanine-yearprisonsentenceforviolatingbankingregulationsatLansdirection.Lansniece,Tr??ngHu?Van,CEOofWindsorPropertyManagement,wassentencedto17yearsinprisonforaidingLanincommittingthecrimes.OtherbankexecutivesandStateofficialsinvolvedinthescandalreceivedvarioussentencesrangingfromthreeyearstolifeforembezzlementandviolatingbankingregulations.Lan,whodidnotholdapositionatthebankbutindirectlyownedasignificantstakeinit,wasfoundguiltyofusingitforloanstofundherowncompanysoperations.Herarrestwaspartofanationalanti-corruptioncampaignwhichhasintensifiedsince2021.LanwasknownasawealthyChinese-Vietnamesebusinesswoman.In1992,LanandherfamilyfoundedV?nTh?nhPhát,oneofthecountrysmostprominentrealestatecompanies.ItownsmajorprojectsandbuildingsinprimelocationsinHCMCity,HàN?iand?àN?ng.WhileLansarresthasexposedthemassivescaleofthefraud,expertshavewarnedthescandalisjustthetipoftheiceberginthefinancialsector.—VNS
ThefireatAlley497,Th?ngNh?tStreet,Ward16,GòV?pDistrict.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—AhousefirebrokeoutlatelastnightinHCMCitysGòV?pDistrict,killingthreepeople.Ataround11pmSaturday,residentslivinginAlley497,Th?ngNh?tStreet,Ward16,GòV?pDistrictheardaloudexplosion.Manypeoplerantoseeaone-storyhouse,about25sq.m,inthealleyengulfedinflames,shoutingforhelp.Thelocalresidentialgroup,alongwithon-siteforces,mobiliseddozensofminifireextinguisherstoapproachandcontrolthefire.Smokeandfirefromthemotorbikeparkingareaonthegroundfloorenvelopedthehouse,makingrescueeffortsunsuccessful.Thealleyonlyhasoneentranceandexit.Thepolicehasidentifiedthreepeopletrappedinside.Afewminuteslater,theFirePreventionandFightingPoliceTeamofGòV?pDistrictarrivedandextinguishedthefire.Thepolicethendiscoveredandretrievedthreebodiesfromtheburntbuilding,whichwerelateridentifiedtobea93yearsoldwoman,Nguy?nTh?Ng?cNh.,alongwithhertwochildren,Tr?nNg?cC.(52yearsold),andTr?nNg?cAnhTh.(58yearsold).Nh.sufferedfromastrokesoshehadtomovearoundonwheelchair.C.tookcareofherdailyneeds,whileTh.visitsfromtimetotime,accordingtotheneighbours.Thecauseofthefireiscurrentlyunderinvestigation.—VNSPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhspeakingatameetingonremovingobstaclesandpromotingtransportinfrastructureintheMekongDeltaregioninC?nTh?onSaturday.VNA/VNSPhotoC?NTH?-TheMekongDeltaisexpectedtohaveabout1,200kmofexpressways,withsome600kmtobecompletedwithinthistenure,PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhsaidduringafieldtriptotheChau??c-C?nTh?-SócTr?ngexpresswayprojectonJuly13.Thisishisthirdfact-findingtriptoexpresswayprojectsintheregion,coveringC?nTh?Cityand12provinces.TheChau??c-C?nTh?-SócTr?ngexpresswaystretches188.2km,withsub-projectsinAnGiang,C?nTh?,H?uGiangandSócTr?ng,andtotalinvestmentamountingtoVN?44.69trillion(US$1.75billion).ItsconstructionbeganinJune2023,andthewholerouteisscheduledtobeputintoservicein2027.TheGovernmentleaderinspectedtheworkinTh?nhTi?nCommune,V?nhTh?nhDistrict,C?nTh?City,andinBìnhTh?nhCommune,Ph?ngHi?pDistrict,H?uGiangProvince,wherehegotupdatesonsiteclearance,materialsupply,andobstaclestothesub-projects.Heaskedengineersandworkerstospeeduptheprogress,andstrivetoensuresettargets.Onthisoccasion,Chínhhadameetingwithrepresentativesfromministries,agenciesandcontractors,duringwhichheurgedstrongerdetermination,greatereffortsandmoredrasticactionstomeetthetargetof1,200kmofexpressways,thuscreatingmomentumforregionaldevelopment.Hesuggestedmajorcontractorstoteamupwiththeirlocalpeerstomobiliseon-sitepersonnel,equipment,materialsandlogistics,andstressedtheneedtopreventcorruptionandothernegativephenomenaduringtheconstruction.Earlierthesameday,theleaderandhisentouragepaidtributetoPresidentH?ChíMinhandheroicmartyrsattheC?nTh?Citymartyrscemetery.-VNSTheEuropeanAssociationofUrologyonJuly12officiallyestablisheditsfirstrepresentativeofficeinVi?tNamlocatedatHCMCity-basedBìnhDanHospital.—PhotoCourtesyofBìnhDanHospitalHCMCITY—TheEuropeanAssociationofUrology(EAU)onJuly12officiallyestablishedarepresentativeofficeinVi?tNamlocatedatHCMCity-basedBìnhDanHospital.Speakingatthelaunchingevent,T?ngChíTh??ng,directorofthecitysDepartmentofHealth,saidthisisanimportantstepforwardinprofessionalcooperation,helpingdomesticpatientsbenefitfrommoderntechniquesfromtheworld.Thisisanimportantbasisfordevelopingactivitiestoexchangeknowledgeandprofessionalexperience,deployscientificresearch,andpromotespecialisedfieldsofurologywhereVi?tNamhasitsownstrengthsandcharacteristics,hesaid.Thedepartmentwillcreatefavourableconditionsforin-depthtrainingactivities,meetinginternationalstandardsthatareincludedinthehigh-qualityhumanresourcetrainingprogrammeofthecityshealthsector,hesaid.Tr?nV?nhH?ng,directorofBìnhDanHospital,saidthehospitalhasbeenanimportantpartnerofEAUinstandardisingtechniquesandimprovingtheapplicationofadvancesinthefieldofurology-andrologyintreatingpatients.TheopeningoftheEAUrepresentativeofficeaimstoopenupopportunitiesforstrategicandbilateralcooperationintraining,scientificresearch,andclinicalpracticeguidancebasedonthedevelopmentneedsofdoctorsinthecountryandtheregion.Inthecomingtime,thepartieswillenhancecooperation,focusingonthefieldsofgendermedicine,maleinfertilityandmalereproductiveendocrinology.TheeventtookplacewithintheframeworkoftheongoingEAU-ESAUMasterclassonAndrologyheldinHCMCityfromJuly12to14.Thethree-daymasterclassisco-organisedbyEAU,theEAUSectionofAndrologicalUrology(ESAU),theVietnamUrologyandNephrologyAssociation(VUNA),andBìnhDanHospital.Morethan130doctorsinthefieldsofurology-andrology,reproductivesupportandrelatedspecialtiesacrossthecountryareparticipatinginthemasterclass.InthefirstofitskindinVi?tNam,themasterclassbringsanopportunityforthelearnerstoupdatein-depthknowledgeaboutmenshealthandskillsinclinicalpracticetreatmentofmalepathology.ItiscarriedoutbyprofessorsfromEurope(Italy,Germany,Greece,Spain)andAsia(Japan,thePhilippines),alongwithleadingdomesticspeakers.—VNS
AuthoritiesinHàGiangProvinceareintensivelysearchingforvictimsoftheseverelandslide.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhonJuly13urgedeffortstodealwiththeconsequencesofalandslideinthenorthernmountainousprovinceofHàGiangwhichleft11peopleaboardaminibusdead.Inanofficialdispatchsenttorelevantministriesandanumberofnorthernmountainouslocalities,theleaderextendedhisdeepestcondolencestothefamiliesofthevictims,andrequestedpreparednessforrains,floodsandlandslidesinthetimeahead.HeaskedthePeoplesCommitteeofHàGiangtocoordinatewiththeircounterpartsofCaoB?ngandLaiChauprovinces,andotherlocalitiesandagenciestocontinuehandlinglandslideconsequencesandseekingthemissing(ifany),whilesupportingthefamiliesofthedeceased.Thecommitteeneedstoinstructcompetentagenciesintheprovincetodeterminethecausesofthelandslide,andensuretrafficsafety,thePMsaid.HeaskedHàGiang,CaoB?ng,B?cK?n,LàoCai,YênBái,TuyênQuang,S?nLa,?i?nBiên,LaiChau,HòaBình,PhúTh?,TháiNguyênandL?ngS?nprovincestopromptlyidentifylandslide-proneareastoworkoutevacuationandresponseplans.Inthedispatch,theleaderassignedspecifictasksfortheministriesofpublicsecurity,agricultureandruraldevelopment,naturalresourcesandenvironment,transport,construction,industryandtrade,andnationaldefence.Notably,theMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentwasurgedtosetupworkinggroupsthatwillcoordinatewithlocalitiesinthisregard.HàGiangsauthoritiesreportedthatataround4amonearlyJuly13,the15-seaterminibuscarrying16peoplewaspassingthroughNationalHighwayNo.34(Km10+900inB?cMêDistrictsYên??nhCommune)whenitencounteredalandslide.Whenthepassengersgotoffthevehicletohelppushitthroughthelandslide,thousandsofcubicmetresoflandfromaboverusheddowntheroad,buryingthevehicleanditspassengers.Theprovincespoliceandmilitaryquicklydeployedhundredsofpersonneltothescenetorescuethevictims.ThelocalDepartmentofHealthalsodeployedmobilemedicalstationsatthescenetotreattheburiedvictimsandtransportthembacktotheprovincialgeneralhospital.Asofthelatestupdate,HàGiangprovincialauthoritieshavebrought15victimsoutofthelandslidearea.Amongthem,11peoplehavedied,and4areinjuredandarereceivingemergencytreatmentatHàGiangProvincialGeneralHospital.TheprovinceofHàGiangisprovidingfinancialsupportofVN?5million(US$196)foreachdeceasedvictimandVN?3million($118)foreachinjuredperson.B?cMêDistrictisalsoprovidingfuneralassistanceofVN?25million($983)foreachdeceasedvictimandVN?5million($196)foreachinjuredperson.Additionally,theCentralCommitteeoftheVietnamRedCrossSocietyisofferingVN?5million($196)foreachdeceasedvictimandVN?2million($78)foreachinjuredperson.Excavatorsaredeployedtoclearthesceneasauthoritiesarestillworkingtorescuethevictims.—VNSVietnameseMinisterofPublicSecuritySeniorLieutenantGeneralLuongTamQuangspeaksattheground-breakingceremony.—VNA/VNSPhotoVIENTIANE—ConstructionofadrugtreatmentandrehabilitationcentrestartedinVientianeprovinceofLaosonJuly12withthesupportfromtheVietnameseMinistryofPublicSecurity.Onceputintooperation,thecentrecanprovidetreatmentandrehabilitationservicesfor500patientsandworkingconditionsfor70employees.Speakingattheground-breakingceremony,VietnameseMinisterofPublicSecuritySeniorLieutenantGeneralL??ngTamQuangsaidthataftertheAcademyofPoliticsoftheLaoPeoplesPublicSecurity,thecentreisaresultofthespecialsolidarityandclosecooperationbetweenthetwoParties,Statesandpeopleofthetwocountriesingeneral,andbetweenthetwopublicsecurityforcesinparticular.Theworkalsoaimstocelebratethe62ndfoundinganniversaryofdiplomaticrelationsbetweenVi?tNamandLaos(September5,1962-2024),andthe47thanniversaryofthesigningoftheVi?tNam–LaosTreatyofAmityandCooperation(July18,1977-2024).OnbehalfoftheParty,Government,andtheMinistryofPublicSecurityofLaos,DeputyPrimeMinisterandMinisterofPublicSecurityGen.VilayLakhamphongexpressedhissincerethankstotheVietnameseMinistryofPublicSecurityforsupportingLaosinbuildingthecentre.VilaybelievedthatthecentrewillmakeanimportantcontributiontotheimplementationoftheLaonationalprogrammeonsolvingdrugproblemsandhelpingtheLaopublicsecurityforcecompleteitstaskswell,especiallyinthedrugtreatmentandrehabilitation.—VNS
AlandslideinHàGiangProvinceonthemorningofJuly13hasburiedavan,killingandinjuringitspassengers.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàGIANG—AFordTransitvanwasburiedbyalandslidewhileonitswayfromHàGiangProvincetoB?oLamDistrictinCaoB?ngProvince,leavingpassengersdeadorinjured.AsofSaturdaynoon,eighthavebeenconfirmeddead,includingachild.Fourpeoplearehospitalised.AccordingtoHàGiangProvince,ataround4amonJuly13,thevehiclecarrying16peoplewaspassingthroughNationalHighwayNo.34(Km10+900,atB?cMêDistrictsYên??nhCommune)whenitencounteredalandslide.Whenthepassengersgotoffthevehicletohelppushitthroughthelandslide,thousandsofcubicmetresoflandfromaboverusheddowntheroad,buryingthevehicleandthepassengers.Theprovincespoliceandmilitaryquicklydeployedhundredsofpersonneltothescenetorescuethevictims.ThelocalDepartmentofHealthalsodeployedmobilemedicalstationsatthescenetotreattheburiedvictimsandtransportthembacktotheprovincialgeneralhospital.Thevictimswerequicklyfoundandhospitalised.—VNA/VNSPhoto?Excavatorsaredeployedtoclearthesceneasauthoritiesarestillworkingtorescuethevictims.Tr?n??cQuy,ViceChairmanofHàGiangPeoplesCommittee,paidavisittofamiliesofthevictimsandthedeceasedtooffersupport.Thelandslidecoveredaround150moftheKm10+950segment,measuringuptoaround15mtalland20mwide.—VNS
Aviewoftheunder-constructionLongThànhInternationalAirportin??ngNaiProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngPhongHCMCITY—TheMinistryofTransportiscollectingopinionsfromagencies,organisations,andlocalitiesonaplanforconnectivitybetweentheexistingTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportandtheunder-constructionLongThànhInternationalAirport.ThestudyisbeingconductedbytheInstituteofTransportStrategyandDevelopmentundertheMinistryofTransport.AccordingtotheInstitute,theplanforconnectivitybetweenthetwoairportshasnotyetbeendetermined.Theinstitutehasproposedfivecomprehensivetransportationconnectionplans,includingtwoplansforroadconnectionandthreeothersforrailconnection.ItproposeddirectbusroutesandrailservicesviaurbanrailwaylinesNo.6,2,4,andTh?Thiêm-LongThànhRailwaytoconnectTanS?nNh?tandLongThànhinternationalairports.ItalsosuggestedanexpansionofroadandrailwayroutesinaccordancewiththeoperationalphasesofLongThànhInternationalAirport.Earlier,theMinistryofTransportrequestedtheRailwayProjectManagementBoard,theAirportsCorporationofVi?tNamandtheTransportDesignConsultancyCorporation,toensuretheconnectionoftherailwaystationsatLongThànhInternationalAirport.AccordingtotheMinistryofTransport,LongThànhInternationalAirportwillbeconnectedbyaroadsystemandtworailwaylinesincludingtheNorth-Southhigh-speedrailwayrouteandTh?Thiêm-LongThànhrailway.InthefirstphaseofconstructionofLongThànhInternationalAirport,therunwayarea,Terminal1,andconnectingroadsarebeingbuilt.TheNorth-Southhigh-speedrailwayprojectspre-feasibilitystudyreportisbeingcompleted.TheprojectincludesapassengerstationlocatedbetweenTerminals1and2intheairport.Th?Thiêm-LongThànhrailwayprojectspre-feasibilitystudyreportisalsobeingprepared.Theprojecthastwostations,S19andS20,locatedbetweenTerminals3and24intheairport.TheMinistryalsoaskedtheRailwayProjectManagementBoard,theAirportsCorporationofVietnam(ACV),andtheTransportDesignConsultancyCorporation(TEDI)toensuretheconnectionbetweentherailwaystationsandLongThànhInternationalAirport,andtheconstructionofrailwayprojectswillnotaffectthestructureoftheairport.—VNSAmedicalworkertakescareofanewbornattheCentralHighlandsRegionGeneralHospital.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguyênDungHàN?I—WarningsaboutdecliningbirthratesinVi?tNamhavebeenhighlightedinmanyplacesbymanyexpertsrecently.TheysaidthatVi?tNamsfertilityrateisheadingdownbelowthereplacementlevel.Overthe19yearssincereachingthereplacementlevelin2005,for15yearsthefertilityratehasbeenlowerthanthelevelneededtomaintainthepopulation.ProfessorNguy?n?ìnhC?,formerdirectoroftheInstituteofPopulationandSocialIssuesundertheNationalEconomicsUniversity,saidthatafter45yearsoffamilyplanning,Vi?tNamachieveditsgoalofreducingbirthratein2005.Atthattimethebirthratedroppedtoapproximately2.1childrenpermother(whichisthatreplacementlevel)andhasbeenloweredsincethen.Childbirthhaschangedfromanatural,instinctivebehaviourtoaplannedbehaviour,frompassivetoactive,fromlargequantityandlowqualitytosmallquantitywithhighquality,fromlessresponsiblechildbirthtoamoreresponsibleone.ThisistrulyoneofthemostprofoundsocialchangesinVi?tNaminthepast80years,havingapositiveimpactonlifequalityofeachindividual,family,communityandthecountryssustainabledevelopment,saidC?.However,Vi?tNamsfertilityrateisshowingatendencytofallbelowthereplacementlevel.Inparticular,theentireurbanandsouthernregionshavefallenbelowthereplacementlevelforabout25yearsnow.Lastyear,theaveragenumberofchildrenperwomanattheendofchildbearingageinurbanareaswasonly1.7whileinruralareasitwas2.07,inthesoutheastitwas1.47andintheMekongDeltaitwas1.54.C?isconcernedthatthebirthratewillcontinuetodeclineiftherearenonewpoliciestorespondtoandpreventthedownwardtrend.ThebirthrateinsomeregionsandprovincesofVi?tNamhasdecreasedsharply,butonaverageacrossthecountry,itisstillaroundthereplacementlevel.Therefore,theseriouschallengesoftheissuehavenotyetbeenfullyexpressed.However,lessonslearntfromdevelopedcountrieswithsimilarculturescanwarnofthechallengescausedbythetrendofdeepdeclineinbirthrates,bothatthemacroandmicrolevels,hesaid.Firstofall,atthemacrolevel,manycountrieswithprolongedlowbirthratesaresufferingpopulationdecline,labourshortages,ahighelderlypopulation,slowandevennegativeeconomicgrowth.C?analysedthatatthemicrolevel,averylowbirthrateofonechildforalongtimewillleadtothe4-2-1syndrome,meaningfourgrandparents,twoparentsandonechild.Whentheonlychildisyoung,he/sheistakencareofbysixpeopleincludingparentsandgrandparents.Butconverselywhenhe/shegrowsup,he/sheisresponsiblefortakingcareofsixpeople.Beingtakencareofbymanypeopleandhavingtotakecareofmanypeoplearedisadvantageoustoboththedevelopmentoftheonlychildandthefamilyslifequalityingeneral.Thesadrealitycanalsobethatparentswithonlyonechildareleftalone,whentheirchildrendiefromaccidentsorillnesses.Inaddition,inmanylocalities,thelowbirthratehasledtoasharpdecreaseinthenumberofprimaryandsecondaryschoolstudents.Asaresult,localauthoritiesmustmergeschoolsfromtwodifferentcommunesorwardsintoonenewschool.SupportAparadetopromotetheincreaseinbirthrateandimprovepopulationqualityinHCMCity.—VNA/VNSPhoto?inhH?ngC?proposedasolutiontoincreasethebirthrate,suggestingthattheStateshouldsupportfamilieswithsmallchildren.Ifhavingchildrennotonlybenefitsthecoupleandthefamily,butalsobenefitssociety,providinghumanresourcesforsociety,thenofcourse,raisingchildrencannotbethesoleresponsibilityofthefamily,especiallywhenthecostofraisingchildrenisincreasinglylargecomparedtotheincomeofyoungcouples,saidC?.Therefore,theState,familyandsocietyneedtoworktogethertoraiseandeducatechildren.TheStateneedstodiversifytheformsofsharingcostsofraisingandeducatingchildrenwithcouples,suchasanone-offpayment,annualallowances,reductionofpersonalincometax,exemptionorreductionofobligationstocontributetothecommunitywhenraisingsmallchildren,exemptionorreductionoftuitionfees,hesaid.Inaddition,C?alsoproposedthatcoupleswithyoungchildrenenjoyflexibleworkingconditions,suchasreducedworkinghours,cominginlateandleavingearly,unpaidleaveandworkingfromhome.InKorea,femaleworkersenjoy90daysofmaternityleavewhereasmaleworkerswhosewivesgivebirthareentitledtotendaysofleave.Childcareleaveisuptooneyearforbothmaleandfemaleworkers.Workerscanchoosetheappropriatetimetotaketimeofftocarefortheirchildrenuntiltheirchildrenareeightyearsold.Atthesametime,theStateshouldhavepoliciesforcouplestreatinginfertility.Vi?tNamhasmorethanonemillioninfertilecouples,accountingforabout7.7percent.Thus,technicalandfinancialsupportforinfertilitytreatmentisagreateconomicneed,alongwithhavinggreathumanitariansignificanceandisasolutiontoincreasebirthrates.Otherproposedsolutionsincludepromotingresearchandcommunicationonthedecliningbirthratesinthecountry,creatingforumsforpeople,especiallyyoungpeople,todiscusstheimmediateandlong-termconsequencesoflatemarriageandlowbirthrates,innovatingpoliciesandlawsrelatedtobirthrates,ensuringsocialsecurityfortheelderlyanddevelopingasystemoffamilysupportservices.—VNS
Nguy?nTh?ThuH??ngatablooddonationevent.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nLànhNAM??NH—BlooddonationissteadilybecomingastrongmovementinthenorthernprovinceofNam??nh,withenthusiasticparticipationfromeveryone,includingcivilservants,workersandlocalresidents.Nguy?nTh?ThuH??ng,alectureranddeputysecretaryoftheH?ChíMinhCommunistYouthUnionatNam??nhUniversityofNursing,isaprominentvolunteerintheuniversitysblooddonationmovement.Shehadbeeninstrumentalinspreadingthemessageofblooddonationamongstudentswith17blooddonations.Evenasastudentoftheuniversity,H??ngwasactivelyinvolvedinblooddonation.Herfirstdonationwasin2007,rightaftershewasadmittedtothenursingprogrammeattheuniversity.Asamedicalstudent,sheunderstandsthemessageOnedropofbloodgiven,onelifesaved,so,sheregularlyregisterstodonateherblood.H??ngalsojoinedtheuniversitysBloodDonationDisseminationandMobilisationTeam.In2011,aftergraduatedfromtheuniversity,shewasselectedasalecturerandcontinuedherinvolvementintheblooddonorcampaignsattheuniversity.In2023,theuniversitysBloodDonationDisseminationandMobilisationTeamrecruitedover1,500peopleforvoluntaryblooddonation,collecting1,026unitsofblood,surpassingtheirtargetby293percent.Similarly,LêTh?H?nh,ahealthcareworkerattheYênTh?PrimarySchoolinYYênDistrictintheprovincehasdonatedblood34timesoverthepast11years.In2023,shewasrecognisedasoneofthe100exemplaryblooddonorsnationwidebytheNationalSteeringCommitteeforVoluntaryBloodDonation,theVi?tNamRedCrossSocietyandtheNationalInstituteofHaematologyandBloodTransfusion.H?nhsaid:Bloodcanwaitforpatientsbutpatientscannotwaitforblood.Whenshebegandonatingbloodin2013,theblooddonationmovementwasnotasdevelopedasitisnow,especiallyinruralareas,wheremanywerehesitantduetofearsabouttheimpactonhealth,shesaid.Soshesigneduptodonateherbloodwheneverateamofvolunteerscametoherschoolsothatsurroundingpeoplecouldseethatblooddonationwouldnotimpacttheirhealth.ShenotonlyparticipatesinlocalblooddonationeventsbutalsoregistersherphonenumberwiththeprovincialGeneralHospitalandtheuniversitytobeavailableforemergencyblooddonations.Whenshereceivesurgentblooddonationcall,shewilltravelnearly40kmfromherhousetothehospitaltodonateblood.SpreadingblooddonationmovementLocalsteeringcommitteesforvoluntaryblooddonationatalllevelshaveintensifiedcommunicationcampaignsinrecentyears,enhancingcommunityawarenessofvoluntaryblooddonationtofurtherdeveloptheblooddonationmovementintheprovince.Theprovincenowhasnineblooddonationclubswith425activemembers.TheprovincialRedCrossvolunteersactivelycoordinatewithvariousuniversity,collegeandvocationalschoolteamstoorganiseblooddonationeventsattheprovincialGeneralHospitalonthethirdSundayofeverymonth.Ph?mMinhPh??ng,chairmanoftheNam??nhRedCrossSociety,saidpreviously,voluntaryblooddonationwasunfamiliartomanypeople.Initialscepticismandpsychologicalbarriersoftenresultedinlowerparticipationrates.However,theintensifiedcommunicationeffortshadhelpedthemovementgainmomentumandbecomedeeplyingrainedinthecommunity.Observingthatblooddonationdoesnotadverselyaffecthealthandcansavelives,morepeoplearegraduallydrawnintothemovement,creatingabroad-basedinitiative,Ph??ngsaid.Inthefirstsixmonthsofthisyear,theprovinceorganised13voluntaryblooddonationevents,attractingnearly4,300participantsandcollecting4,626unitsofblood,witha60percentrepeatblooddonationrate.Ph??ngsaidlocalitiesshouldfocusonbuildingnetworksofblooddonationvolunteersacrossvariousgroupsandareastoensurethecontinuedexpansionofthevoluntaryblooddonationmovement.—VNSAround7,700haofthesummer-autumnricecropin??ngThápProvincehavebeenplaguedbywhiteflies,causingyoungplantstodieandreducingriceyields.VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nV?nTrí??NGTHáP—Some16,000haoutofthe100,000haofsummer-autumnricecropintheMekongDeltaprovinceof??ngTháphavebeendamagedbypestsanddiseases,resultingindecreasedoutput.Around7,700hahavebeenplaguedbywhiteflies,amoth-like,sap-suckinginsectthatstuntsorevenkillsplants.Thepesthasmostlyinfestedone-month-oldricecrops,especiallytheOM18and?àith?m8varieties.Nguy?nV?nMong,whogrowsOM18riceinCaoL?nhDistrictsM?Th?Commune,saidwhiteflieshavedamagedaroundonehectareofhisfields,killingyoungplantsmostlyintheirfloweringstage.Thepesthasbeenaroundfortwoyears,andcoulddevastate10-30percentofafield,andfarmershaveyettofindaneffectivesolution,hesaid.Nguy?nThanhHi?nofThanhBìnhDistrictsTanPhúCommunesaidwhiteflieshavedriedoutflowersonhistwo-hectarericefield,andoutputislikelytofallby500kilogrammesperhectaretosixtonnes.TheprovinceDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentsaidlargepopulationsofwhitefliesareduetoabnormallyhighmoistureandlackofsunshine.Itisalsobecausefarmersusepesticideswhenplantsareonly10-15daysold,whichistooearlyandkillsoffpestsnaturalpredators.Thenumberofwhitefliesisforecasttoincreaserapidlyinthenextfewweeksduringtherainyseason,thedepartmentwarned.Totackletheproblem,itinstructedfarmerstoadoptpreventivemeasuressuchasthethreereductions,threegains(3R3G)technique,trackingplanthealth,applyingsuitablewateringmethods,andusingorganicfertiliserstopreventwhitefliesfromspreading,saveproductioncostsandgrowsafeproduce.The3R3Gapproachpromotesareductionintheuseofseeds,fertilisersandinsecticidesandhelpsincreasefarmersincomes,lowerriskscausedbypesticidesandimprovetheenvironmentwithlesspollutionfromfarmchemicals.Thedepartmentalsourgedfarmerstokeepaneyeonothervarietiesthatarepronetowhiteflies,suchasJasmine85,VD20,OM4900,IR50404,andstickyrice,removegrassfromtheirfieldsandensureregularirrigation.Regularcareandinspectionsarealsoneededtopromptlypreventwhitefliesfromspreadinganddevisesuitablesolutions,itadded.—VNS
ArescueteampullsavictimtosafetyfromalandslideinNaRìDistrict,B?cK?nProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nC?ngH?iHàN?I—HeavyrainsandlandslidesoverthepastfewdayshavewreakedhavocacrossnorthernVi?tNam,leavingatrailofdestructionintheirwake.Accordingtoreportsfromnorthernprovinces,thetorrentialdownpoursfromJuly29to30haveresultedinthetragiclossofsixlives,withonepersonmissingandtwoothersinjured.Theprovinceshavealsoexperiencedextensivedamagetoinfrastructure,with82housesreportedtobedestroyedordamagedandafurther18requiringurgentevacuation.Agriculturallandshavenotbeensparedeither,withmorethan80hectaresofcropssubmergedinfloodwaters.Additionally,landslideshavecausedwidespreadtrafficdisruption,with51separateincidentsreported,leadingtothedisplacementofthousandsofcubicmetresofsoilandrock.InLàoCaiProvince,heavyrainsandfloodinghavecausedtheRedRivertooverflow,reachingitshighestlevelthisyear.Therapidlyrisingwatershaveinundatedcropsalongtheriverbanks.Thewaterlevelisexpectedtocontinuetorise,peakingat2pmonJuly31beforegraduallyreceding.Themeteorologicalagencyforecastsevenmoresevereweatherfortheregion,withupto200mmofrainwaterexpectedincertainspotsthroughAugust1.Inresponsetothesituation,localauthoritieshaveworkedtirelesslytoprovideaidandsupporttotheaffectedcommunities.Effortsareunderwaytorelocatedisplacedresidents,provideemergencyshelteranddistributeessentialsupplies.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmenthascalledformeasurestomitigatetheimpactoftherecentearthquakesinKonPl?ngDistrict,KonTumProvinceandtoprepareforpotentialfutureevents.Theministryhasalsosentanurgentdirectivetoprovincesandcities,aswellasrelevantministriesandagencies,regardingthepreventionofcasualtiesandactiveresponsetofloodsandlandslidesinthenextfewdays.Underthedirective,theyareurgedtostepupcommunicationcampaignstokeeppeopleonhighalert,strengthendisasterpreparednessandenforcesafetymeasures,includingstrictlycontrollingaccesstoflood-hitareas.Theyarealsourgedtoenhancemonitoringofweatherconditionsandprovidetimelyupdatestothepublicandassemblerescueteamsandresourcestobeonstandbyforanypotentialincidents.—VNSAnew-styleruralareainthenorthernprovinceofTháiNguyên.—VNA/VNSPhotoTr?nTrangHàN?I—DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàhaschairedameetingonthefirst-everplanforurbanandruralsystems,stressingtheroleofruralareasinurbanisation.ThisisVi?tNamssectoralplanthatgoesintodetailonmanaginganddevelopingurbanandruralsystems,basedonthenationalmasterplan.Anetworkofurbanandruralareasisexpectedtotakeshapethroughsectoralandregionalconnectionsinregardtoinfrastructure,resourceuse,environmentprotectionandbiodiversityconservation.Theplanfor2021-2030withavisionto2050,stressesurbandevelopmentasagrowthdriverandakeyelementofeconomicgrowth,whileruralareasplayafundamentalroleinsustainableurbandevelopment.DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàchairsthemeetingonWednesday.—VNA/VNSPhotoMinh??cTheMinistryofConstruction(MoC)willdocumentthepolitical,legalandscientificbasisforthisplanaswellasitsimpactinrelationtoothersectoral,provincialandnationalplanning.AccordingtoconstructionministerNguy?nT??ngV?n,thisisthefirsttimethattheplanforurbanandruralsystemsisbuiltbasedontheLawonPlanning.Thisplanaimstoconnecturbanandruralspacestothenationalsocio-economicdevelopmentzonesandregionswithspecificfocuses,whileeffectivelylinkingtotheinfrastructuresystem.Urbansystemsareexpectedtobedevelopedindifferentlinesandclusters,concentratingonseveralareasthatenjoyfavourablegeographical,socio-economicinfrastructureandagoodavailableworkforce.Theseadvantageswillturnthemintokeyregionsandeconomiccorridorsforgrowth,therebyimpactingothersmallandmedium-sizedurbanareasandacceleratingtheurbanisationofruralzones.Theplanalsoaimstoreduceurbandevelopmentgapsbysupportingruralareasthroughsmall-scaleurbanzonesandsuburbs,whilestrengtheningthelinkagesbetweenthem.Ruralareasareplannedforcomprehensive,sustainableandmoderndevelopmentwithcomprehensiveinfrastructureandsocialservices,aligningwithurbangrowthwhileretainingtheiruniquecharacteristics.Ruralresidentialareasareconsideredakeyelementinruralspaces,andareplannedinconsiderationofnaturalresourcesandtraditionalcultures,aswellasagriculturalecologicalzonesandnationaldefence-security.By2030,theurbanisationrateisexpectedtoexceed50percent.Thenumberofurbanareasnationwideisestimatedatbetween1,000and1,200.Economywise,theseareasshouldcontributeapproximately85percenttothenationalGDP(grossdomesticproduct).Meanwhile,thecountryshouldhaveatleast90percentofcommunesmeetingnew-styleruralstandards,whilealldistrictsshouldhaveanurbanzone.By2050,theurbansystemmustbecomeacohesivenetwork,ensuringabalancebetweendifferentregionsandeffectivelycopingwithclimatechanges,risingsealevel,naturaldisastersanddiseases.Inadditiontoenvironmentalprotection,thearchitectureinthisareamustretainitsuniqueidentitywhiletransformingtobegreen,smartandmodern.ThegoalistoelevatetheVietnameseurbansystemsroleandpositionintheAsia-Pacificurbannetworks,whiledemonstratinghighcompetitivenessinnational,regionalandinternationalsocio-economicdevelopment.Commentingontheplan,DeputyMinisterofPlanningandInvestment??ThànhTrunghighlightedtheimportanceofclearlydefiningdevelopmentgoalsandstrategies,whichwillthenactasthefoundationfordynamic,cohesiveandcomprehensiveurbanandruralplanning.Meanwhile,DeputyMinisterofCulture,SportsandTourismHoàng??oC??ngsaidthattheplanmustformclustersofurbanandruralareaswiththeiruniquecharacteristics,inalignmentwiththeirownhistory,naturalandsocio-economicconditions.—VNS