HàN?I—TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentandtheUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP)inVi?tNamco-chairedapolicydialogueconferenceinHàN?ionMondaytodiscussenhancinginternationalcooperationandmulti-sectoralcoordinationincirculareconomyinagriculture.DeputyMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentPhùng??cTi?nhighlightedVi?tNamscommitmenttoacirculareconomy,pointingtoexistingpoliciesanddirectives,includingArticle142ofthe2020LawonEnvironmentalProtection.Theagriculturalsectorhaspromotedtheapplicationandimplementationofcircularagriculture,explicitlyaddressedinthe2021-30strategyforsustainableagricultureandruraldevelopment(withavisionto2050),andaschemepromotingtheapplicationandtransferofsci-techforacircularagriculturaleconomyby2030,hesaid.RamlaKhalidi,UNDPResidentRepresentativeinVi?tNam,commendedthecountryseffortstofulfilitsNationallyDeterminedContributions(NDCs)-commitmentsmadeundertheParisAgreement.Sheacknowledgedthemultifacetedbenefitsofcircularagriculture–addressingclimatechangegoals,enhancingeconomiccompetitiveness,andprotectinghumanhealthandecosystems.Shecalledforstrongercollaborationtobuildandperformcirculareconomypolicies.Thisincludesensuringequitableinvestmentallocation,fosteringknowledgesharingandcooperation,andleveragingthepowerofagriculturalvaluechainsandsci-techforcommunicationcampaignstoraiseawareness.UNDP,shereaffirmed,remainscommittedtosupportingtheVietnameseGovernmentinthisjourney.Representativesfrominternationalandnon-governmentalorganisations,theprivatesector,ministriesandagenciessharedinsightsoninternationalcooperationmechanisms,interdisciplinarycoordinationtopromotecircularagriculturepractices,andsuccessfulcasestudies.Participantsunderlinedpublic-privatepartnershipsindrivingthesuccessofcircularagriculture,withtheprivatesectorapplyingsci-techtoadvancerelevantinitiatives.—VNS

AcornerofH?LongBayinthenorth-easternprovinceofQu?ngNinh.—VNA/VNSIllustrativePhotoQU?NGNINH—ThePeoplesCommitteeofH?LongCity,Qu?ngNinhProvincehasorderedauthoritiestofocusoninvestigating,clarifyingandrigorouslyhandlingindividuals,engagedinfraudulentactivitiesofrentalaccommodation.ThemovecameafterlocalmediareportedthatonThursday,aVietnamese-Americanwoman,recountinghertravelexperiences,saidshehasbeenscammedwhenbookingaccommodationinH?LongCity.Sheusedtwobookingwebsitesbutthenshecouldnotfindouttheaddressesoftheaccommodation.Consequently,thecitydecidedtomakerandominspectionsontemporaryresidencedeclarationsatvillas,apartmentsandcondominiumswithinitsjurisdiction.Thatwasthecitysdecisiveactionaimingatrectifyingthetourismbusinessenvironment,safeguardingthetourismimageofthecityinparticularandtheprovinceingeneral.ThecitysPoliceDepartmenthascoordinatedwithrelevantunitstoverifyandhandlethecase,reportingoutcomestothePeoplesCommitteebeforenextMonday(July15).ThecommitteehastaskedtheCultureandInformationOfficetowidelydisseminateandpublishinformationonrecognisedlodgingfacilitiesbyStatemanagementauthoritiestoinformresidentsandtouristsfortheirchoicesofservices.Furthermore,thePeoplesCommitteesofwardsandcommunesinthecityweretoldtocontinuereviewingandupdatingcomprehensivelistsofoperatinglodgingfacilities,providingservicestoresidentsandtouristswithintheareas.Previously,onThursday,thelocalmediareportedthataVietnamese-AmericanwomanrecountedhertriptoH?LongCityandwasdefraudedinbookingaccommodationtwice.Sheandherfamilyfirstbookedafour-roomapartmentinthecitythroughtheBookingwebsite,costingUS$260.However,whentheyarrivedinH?LongCityfromHàN?i,theyfailedtofindtheaddress.Theycalledtherentalunitandreceivedanannouncementthattheroomwasoccupied.Theunitsuggestedshechangetoanotherapartmentwithonlytwobedrooms,butshedidnotagree.Then,theunitaskedhertocancelherbookingsherselfontheBookingwebsite,butthiswouldhaveledthewomantoforfeitherdeposit.Next,thewomancontinuedbookanotherapartmentonanotherbookingwebsite,pricedat$176andthesamesituationoccurredagain.—VNSPassengerspreparetoboardattherailwaystation.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Vi?tNamRailwayCorporation(VNR)hasbegunsellingticketsforvariousroutesdepartingfromAugusttotheendofthisyear,includingthosefortheSeptember2NationalDayholiday.Publicworkerswillhavefour-daybreakfromAugust31toSeptember3fortheNationalDayholidaythisyear,accordingtoanannouncementbytheMinistryofLabour,WarInvalidsandSocialAffairs.Specifically,ontheHCMCity–HàN?iroute,ticketsareavailablefortrainsSE1/SE2,SE3/SE4,SE5/SE6,andSE7/SE8.TicketsareavailablefortrainsSE19/SE2ontheHàN?i–?àN?ngroute,trainsNA1/NA2ontheHàN?i–Vinhroute,trainsSP3/SP4ontheHàN?i–LàoCairouteandHP1/HP2,LP2/LP3,LP5/LP6andLP7/LP8ontheHàN?i–H?iPhòngroute.Inthesouth,ticketsareonsalefortrainsSE21/SE22fortheHCMCity–?àN?ngroute,trainsSNT1/SNT2fortheHCMCity-NhaTrangroute,andtrainsSPT1/SPT2fortheHCMCity–PhanThi?troute.VNRhascontinuedtoofferdiscountsforsocialpolicybeneficiariessuchasVietnameseHeroicMothers,warinvalids,AgentOrangevictims,peoplewithseveredisabilities,theelderly,childrenandstudents.Additionally,duringtheNationalDayholiday,round-tripticketswillhaveafivepercentdiscountforindividualsandasevenpercentdiscountforgroupbookingsof20ormore.Fromnowuntiltheendof2024,therailwaysectorhasofferedvariouspromotionalprogrammeswithdiscountsofupto15percent.FortrainsSE1/SE2,SE3/SE4,SE5/SE6,SE7/SE8,passengerspurchasingticketsfordistancesover900kmatleast10daysbeforedeparturecanreceivea5-15percentdiscount,exceptfor4-berthsleepercabinsonSE3trains.FortrainsSE21/SE22fortheHCMCity–?àN?ngroutewithdistancesover600km,SNT1/SNT2fortheHCMCity–NhaTrangroutewithdistancesover300km,andSPT1/SPT2fortheHCMCity–PhanThi?troute,passengerspurchasingticketsatleasttendaysbeforedeparturecanreceivea5-15percentdiscount(excludingfour-berthsleepercabinsonSNT1/SNT2andSPT1/SPT2trains).Groupbookingsof11ormorepassengerswillreceivediscountsofbetweenfourand12percentandround-tripticketswillhavea10percentdiscountonthereturnleg.Inadditiontoregulartrains,extratrainswillbeoperatedduringtheNationalDayholidayorwhenpassengerdemandincreases.TheseadditionaltrainswillrunfromHàN?itoThanhHóa(chǎn),Vinh,Qu?ngBìnhandreturn,fromHàN?itoH?iPhòngandreturnandfromHCMCitytoPhanThi?t,NhaTrang,QuyNh?n,Qu?ngNg?i,HàN?iandreturn.—VNS

AmanwasrescuedafterjumpingoffofPhúM?BridgeinHCMCityinAprilthisyear.—Photovietnamnet.vnHCMCITY—ThirtyonepeoplekilledthemselvesbyjumpingoffbridgesinHCMCityinthefirsthalfoftheyear,withonlyonecasesuccessfullypreventedwithanintervention,accordingtoarecentreportbytheHCMCityPolice.ColonelLêM?nhHà,deputyheadofthecitypolicesgeneralstaffdivision,saidthatmostofthesuicidecasesareduetopeoplebeingunderpressurewithfamilyorrelationshipmatters,academicorbusinessstress,ormentaldisorders.Topreventsimilarincidents,authoritieshaveinstalledbarriersaroundbridgerailings,inadditiontoputtingmorefocusonmentalhealthcounselling.Volunteerteamsalongtheriverhavealsobeenorganisedtopromptlyinterveneandrescuethoseintendingtoendtheirlifebyjumpingoffthebridges.ColonelHàalsorequestedthatpeoplepaymoreattentionandsupporteachother,toengenderaspiritofsolidaritytopreventpossiblesuicides.—VNSAdoctorexaminesababyforwhoopingcoughattheNationalChildrenHospitalinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoMinhQuy?tHàN?I—TheMinistryofHealthhascalledonprovincialandmunicipaldepartmentsofhealthtomakeplanstopreventandcontrolanymeaslesandwhoopingcoughcasesnationwide,withparticularfocusonvaccinationcampaigns.Therequestcomesasmeaslesandwhoopingcoughcasesinsomeprovincesandcitieshaveincreasedandareshowingcomplexdevelopments.Vaccinationcentresmuststrictlyadheretovaccinationmanagementregulations,ensuringcomprehensiveupdatesofvaccinationrecordsonthemanagementplatform,theministrynoted.Itisnecessarytoreviewandensureadequatefunding,medicines,biologicalproducts,supplies,chemicals,vaccines,equipmentandpersonnelforregularvaccinationactivitiesandepidemicpreventionandcontrolefforts,theministrysaid.Regardingmedicalexaminationandtreatmentfacilitiesundertheministry,theministrydemandedreadinessinpreparingtorespondtooutbreaks.HealthcarefacilitieswererequiredtofullyreportcasesandoutbreakclustersontheonlineInfectiousDiseaseSurveillanceandManagementSystem.Thatincludedcompletingthetaskforceforepidemicpreventionandpreparingofproactiveplanstocopewithepidemicsatdifferentlevelsandscales.Theministryalsorequiredintensifyingimplementationofcommunicationmeasuresoninfectionprevention,detectionmethodsandhandlingsuspectedcasesofmeaslesandwhoopingcoughamonghealthcareworkersandcommunitymembers.Traininginscreening,diagnosis,treatment,careandinfectioncontrolformeaslesandwhoopingcoughwasalsoneededforhealthcarestafftobepreparedincaseofoutbreaksinmedicalfacilities.Localauthoritiesweredirectedtoenhancecommunication,implementationandmanagementofmeaslesandwhoopingcoughvaccinationforchildrenaswellasensuringsufficientvaccinesupplies.Additionally,closecoordinationwiththelocaldepartmentofinformationandcommunications,mediaagenciesandgrassrootscommunicationnetworkswascrucialtoadviseandguidethepublicondiseasepreventionmeasuresandensuringcompletevaccinationagainstmeaslesandwhoopingcough.Earlydetection,timelyisolationThemedicalfacilitiesweretoldtoenhancescreeningactivitiesforearlydetectionandtimelyisolationofconfirmedorsuspectedcasesofmeaslesandwhoopingcough.Mildcaseswithoutcomplicationscouldbeinstructedforhometreatment.Themedicalfacilitiesunderthehealthministryhadtoissueguidelinesandproceduresforrespondingtocasesofconfirmedorsuspectedinfectionsattheirunits,includingpatientreferral,screeningexaminations,isolationproceduresandpatientadmissiontotreatmentareas.Theyhadtopreparewithisolationtreatmentareasortemporaryisolationareasforpatients,whoinfectedorsuspectedwithmeaslesandwhoopingcough,dependingonthescaleanddirectivesoflocalhealthauthorities.Immediateinvestigationofoutbreaksmustbeconducteduponthefirstreportedcasesofmeaslesandwhoopingcough,ensuringadequateprotectiveequipmentforhealthcarestaffinvolvedindirectexamination,treatmentandcareofinfectedorsuspectedcasesofmeaslesandwhoopingcough.Theministrydirectedpreventivemedicineunitstoproactivelymonitorandpromptlydetectnewcases,conductinvestigations,identifysourcesofinfectionandhandleoutbreaksofmeaslesandwhoopingcough.Hospitalswereurgedtoeffectivelymanagetheadmissionofmeaslesandwhoopingcoughpatients,ensuretimelytreatmenttominimiseseverecasesandfatalities.Thehospitalshadtostrictlycomplywithinfectioncontrolmeasurestopreventcross-infectionandoutbreaksofmeaslesandwhoopingcough.Thehealthcarefacilitiesmuststrictlyadheretoinfectioncontrolmeasuresandimplementpreventionmethodsbasedontransmissionroutesupondetectingcasesofmeaslesandwhoopingcoughinfectionorsuspicion.Furthermore,itneededtostrengthensupervisionandsupporttoensurecompliancewithregulationsandproceduresformeaslesandwhoopingcoughpreventionandcontrolamonghealthcarestaff,patientsandpatientfamilies.—VNSAseriousaccidentontheHàN?i-H?iPhòngExpresswayonThursday.twowerekilledandninewereinjured.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Atotalof5,343peoplewerekilledbytrafficaccidentsacrossVi?tNaminthefirstsixmonthsofthisyear,saidtheNationalCommitteeonTrafficSafetyonFriday.Thecommitteegaveoutthefiguresaspartofaconferencetoreviewtrafficsafety,reportingthattherewere12,350trafficaccidentsinthefirstsixmonthsof2024,inwhich9,552peoplewereinjured.Comparedtothesameperiodlastyear,thenumberoftrafficaccidentsincreasedby15.85percent,whilethenumberofdeathsdeclinedby10.61percent.Fortyprovincesandcitiesreporteddecliningnumberoftrafficaccidentfatalities.Inparticular,CàMau,LaiChau,BìnhThu?nprovincesreportedadeclineindeathsfromtrafficaccidentsof45percent.However,23localitiesreportedanincreaseinthenumberofdeathsinthefirsthalfoftheyear,withcentralprovinceTh?aThiên-Hu?andMekongDeltaprovinceB?nTrereportingasurgeofover40percent,saidLêKimThành,thecommitteesvicechairman.Hesaidthenumberoftrafficaccidentscausedbydrunkdrivinghasreducedsharplycomparedtothesameperiodofthepreviousyears.Hesaidtherewerenineextremelyserioustrafficaccidents,killingandinjuringmanypeople,causingwidespreadpublicanger.Thenumberofcasesandinjuriesduetotrafficaccidentsincreasedcomparedtothesameperiodin2023,withsomelocalareasreportingcasesofracing.TrafficcongestioninHàN?i,HCMCityandkeygatewaysofmajorcitiesisgettingmorecomplicated.Thenumberofactsagainstpoliceofficersondutyhavebeenontherise.Inthefirstsixmonthsoftheyear,therewere78cases,injuring27officers,anincreaseof45casescomparedtothesameperiodin2023.Lowawarenessofcompliancewithlegalregulationsandresponsibilitiesoflocalauthoritiesbeinglacking,havebeenidentifiedasthemaincauses,accordingtothecommittee.DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuang,thecommitteeschairman,saidinthecontextof6.42percentofGDPgrowthinH1,traffic,tradeandgoodstransportationwillsubsequentlyincrease,puttingpressureonthetaskofensuringorderandsecurity.TheNationalAssemblyhaspassedtwolaws:theLawonRoadTrafficOrderandSafetyandtheRoadLaw,whichserveasnewlegalframeworkstobetterperformourtasks,hesaid.—VNS

ThanV?nTho?i,DeputyDirector-GeneralofGlobalBBAJSC,questionedbyapoliceman.—Photosggp.org.vnHàN?I—HàN?ipoliceannouncedonFridaythattheyhadprosecutedThanV?nTho?i,DeputyDirector-GeneralofGlobalBBAJSC,fororchestratingamulti-levelscaminvolvingthecryptocurrencyCachBachPro(CBP).AlongwithTho?i,40,residinginXuanT?oWard,B?cT?LiêmDistrict,HàN?iCity,thepolicealsoarrestedsevenothersimplicatedinthescam.Tho?iallegedlypurchasedtheCBPprojectoverseasin2019andestablishedanetworkofwebsitesandapplications,includingthewebsitespeeding.vip,topromoteandtradethecryptocurrency.Healsocreatedatieredsystemwhereparticipantswererewardedforrecruitingnewmembersanddevelopingtheirinvestmentnetworks,despitenothavingalicense.Toattractinvestors,Tho?iandhisteamemployedavarietyofdeceptivetactics,includingpromisingdailyreturnsof0.5percentandcommissionofupto50percentforrecruitingnewmembers,andhosting5-starvacationsandothereventsforinvestorswhodepositlargeamountsofmoneyintothesystem.FromMarch2021toJune2024,theyleveragedspeeding.viptobuildaninvestmentcommunitywithhundredsofthousandsofaccounts,withinvestmentpackagesamountingtotensofbillionsofdollars.HàN?ipolicehaveinitiatedlegalproceedingsagainstTho?iandhisaccomplicesonchargesofviolatingmulti-levelbusinessregulationsandmisappropriatingpropertiesusingtelecommunicationandelectronictools.TheyhaveurgedindividualswhoparticipatedintheBBIMall,CBP,SVIP,VNDO,CBPWallet,FutureCity,andotherrelatedprojectsconnectedtoGlobalBBAJSCtocomeforwardandcooperatewiththeinvestigation.—VNSPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhvisitedandencouragedscientistsworkingattheCentralInstituteofHygieneandEpidemiologyandVABIOTECHCompany.—Phototapchiqptd.vnHàN?I—TheGovernmenthasissuedaresolutionoutliningitsactionprogrammetocontinuebuildingandelevatingtheroleoftheintellectualworkforcefornationalrapidandsustainabledevelopmentinthenewera.Thedocumentassignskeytaskstovariousgovernmentofficials,includingministers,headsofministry-levelandGovernmentagencies,chairpersonsofthePeoplesCommitteesofcentrally-runcitiesandprovinces,anddirectorsoftheVi?tNamNationalUniversity-HàN?iandtheVi?tNamNationalUniversity-HCMCity.Theirfocuswillbeonraisingawarenessofthecriticalroleintellectualsplayinnationalprogress;renovatingtrainingandrewardingofintellectuals,withaparticularemphasisontalentretention;fine-tuningexistinglaws,mechanismsandpolicies;increasingresourcestodevelopaproactiveandinternationallyintegratedintellectualcommunity;andinnovatingtheoperationofintellectualassociations.TheMinistryofEducationandTrainingwillworkwithotherministries,agenciesandlocalitiestobuildschemestopropelVi?tNamsleadinguniversitiestotheleveloftopAsianinstitutions.ThisalignswithexistingPolitburoresolutionsaimedatfosteringsocio-economicdevelopmentacrossvariousregions.TheMinistryofScienceandTechnologywillspearheadefforts,incollaborationwithotherministriesandagencies,tobuildinvestmentpoliciesspecificallyforsci-techadvancements,withafocusoncore,foundationalandcutting-edgetechnologies.Additionally,itwillprioritiseinvestmentinbasicandappliedresearchinareaswhereVi?tNamholdsstrengths,aswellasinsocialsciencesandhumanities,politicaltheory,management,educationandtraining,healthcare,culture,andliteratureandarts.Itwasalsotaskedwithdevelopingresearchcentreslinkingwithglobalandregionalinnovationnetworks,makingiteasierforintellectualstoaccesssci-techadvancesfromleadingcountries.—VNS

ConstructionofNguy?nV?nLinh-Nguy?nH?uTh?intersectiontunnelprojectinHCMCitysDistrict7.—VNA/VNSPhotoTi?nL?cHCMCITY—HCMCityhasacceleratedaseriesofkeyinfrastructureprojectstoputthemintooperationsoon.Oftheseprojects,theNguy?nV?nLinh-Nguy?nH?uTh?intersectiontunnelisexpectedtoopentotrafficinSeptemberandbefullycompletedinDecember.Nguy?nV?nNên,SecretaryofthecitysPartyCommittee,hasconductedaninspectionoftheNguy?nV?nLinh-Nguy?nH?uTh?intersectiontunnelprojecttotackleproblemstofinishtheprojectsoonerthanplanned.Thisisoneofthekeytransportationprojectsthatwillplayanimportantroleinreducingtrafficjamsinthesouthernareaofthecity.Attheconstructionsite,morethan100officers,engineers,andworkersand42machinesandpiecesofequipmenthavebeenmobilisedtorelentlesslycarryoutthetunnelproject.TheengineersandworkersaredividedintogroupstotaketurnsworkinginthreeshiftstospeeduptheconstructionprogressofsomeitemsandcompletetheprojectsoonasperthedirectionofthecitysPartyCommitteeandthePeoplesCommittee.L??ngMinhPhúc,directorofthecitysTransportationWorksConstructionInvestmentProjectManagementBoard,saidthetunnelwillhelpensuretrafficflow.Allgroupsmustmakeeveryefforttoopenthetunneltotrafficassoonaspossible,hesaid.Investors,theTrafficPoliceDepartmentunderthecitysDepartmentofPublicSecurity,andrelevantunitshavecoordinatedtomanageissuestoreducetrafficcongestion,createfavorableconditionsforconstruction,andensuresafeandcomfortableroadtrips,hesaid.ConstructionofthetunnelattheintersectionofNguy?nV?nLinhandNguy?nH?uTh?streetsinDistrict7withaninvestmentofVN?830billion(US$32.4million)beganinSeptember2020.Sofar,about70percentoftheworkvolumehasbeendone.BùiXuanC??ng,ViceChairmanofHCMCityPeoplesCommittee,regularlyconductsinspectionsoftheprojectandurgesinvestorstoacceleratetheprogress.Thesoutherncityaimstocompleteprojectsinthesouthernareasoon,creatingconditionsforsocialandeconomicdevelopmentandreducetrafficcongestionatthecityssoutherngateway.Inaddition,thecityhasalsospeduptheconstructionprojectofR?ch??aBridgeonLêV?nL??ngStreetconnectingDistrict7andNhàBèDistrict.TheprojectcostmorethanVND512.7billion($20million),startedinJune2023andisexpectedtobecompletedattheendof2024.Thebridgewillshortentraveltimebetweenthetwodistricts,andresolvecongestionpointssuchasKênhT?andPh??cLongbridges,Nguy?nH?uTh?-Nguy?nV?nLinhintersection,andHu?nhT?nPhát-BùiV?nBacrossroads.ItwillalsocontributetoconnectingthecitywithLongAnProvince.ConstructionsiteoftheT3passengerterminalatTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportinHCMCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoTi?nL?cAttheconstructionsiteofTerminal3ofTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportinTanBìnhDistrict,thousandsofengineers,techniciansandworkers,andhundredsofmachinesarenowbusycompletingtheirwork.Theroughframecoveringanareaof112,500sq.mhasbeencompletedwhileothermajorcomponentitemsarealsogoingtobefinishedafternearlyayearofconstruction.LêKh?cH?ng,headoftheManagementBoardfortheConstructionProjectofT3Terminal,saidthestructuralphaseoftheterminalwithfourfloorsandonebasementhasbeencompletedaheadofscheduleby15days.Theterminalcoversatotalfloorareaofaround112,500sq.mandhasfourfloors,onebasement,90counters,20automatedbagdropcounters,42check-inkiosks,27doorwaysleadingtoaircraft,16baggagestorageunits,and25airportsecuritygates.TheprivateVIPterminalfacilityincludeseightairportsecuritygatesandabusiness-classlounge.Thenewterminalisdesignedwithacapacityofreceiving20millionpassengersperyearand7,000passengersduringpeaktime.WithatotalcapitalofnearlyVN?11trillion($430.5million),itisexpectedtobecompletedbytheendof2024.Around97percentoftheworkvolumeofthemulti-storycarparkinglotonatotalfloorareaof130,000sq.mhasbeendone.Thebuilding,includingtwobasementsandfourfloors,alsooffersnon-aviationservicessuchasacommercialcentre,hotels,andrestaurants.Inaddition,theconstructionofanewroadconnectingTr?nQu?cHoàn,C?ngHòaandPhanThúcDuy?nstreetsinTanBinhDistricttoeasecongestionaroundtheairportwillbecompletedbytheendofthisyear.TheaccesspathwasapprovedforconstructionwithatotalcostofmorethanVN?4.8trillion($187.7million).—VNS

MattJackson,UNFPARepresentativeinVi?tNam(5thfromright)participatesininvestigatingandcollectinginformationonahouseholdinDaBacdistrict,HòaBìnhProvince.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–UnitedNationsPopulationFund(UNFPA)RepresentativeinVi?tNamMattJacksonhashighlightedtheimportanceofreliable,inclusivepopulationdataforVi?tNamsfuture,sayingitisessentialtoleavenoonebehindandtobestpreparefordemographicshiftssuchasrapidlyageingpopulationorrisksfromclimatechange.OntheoccasionofWorldPopulationDay(July11),theofficialwroteanarticleaboutinclusivedata,whichhecallsakeytoreachingthosefurthestbehind.Thisyearwecelebratethe30thanniversaryoftheInternationalConferenceonPopulationandDevelopment(ICPD)–alandmarkagreementby179countries,includingVi?tNam,thatputgenderequality,womensempowermentandhumanrightsatthecentreofdevelopment.Thirtyyearsago,asleadersagreedtheICPDProgrammeofAction,manypeopleacrosstheworldwerenotcounted.Theirlivesandexperienceswerenotcapturedbydata.Theywereunseenandunheard.Yetimprovementsintechnologiesanddatacollectionandanalysisoverthepast30yearsmeanthatwecanmeasureaccesstosexualandreproductivehealthcarebetterthaneverbefore.Wecanseewhohasbenefitedfromprogressandwheresomepeopleareleftbehind.Today,ontheWorldPopulationDay,wereflectontheprogressmadeandtheunfinishedbusiness,usingreliableandinclusivepopulationdataasourguide.Whatthisdatatellsusisthatglobally,manypeoplefindthemselvestrappedbymultiple,compoundingformsofmarginalisationanddiscrimination.Thisdatashowsthatglobalreductionsinmaternalmortality,accesstocontraceptionandstepstowardsgenderequalityhavemadegreatstridesbutthatprogresshasnotbeensharedequally.Itisthesepeople–thehardesttoreachandthefurthestbehindthatneedourattention.Statisticsaremorethannumbers–theyarehumanstories.Theyspeakaboutpeopleshealthandwell-being,theirproblems,ambitionsandsocio-economiccircumstances.Whenanalysed,datashowswherepolicieshaveworkedwellorwhereadjustmentsneedtobemade.In??ngPhúcommune,ThanhHóa(chǎn)Province,ImetLêTh?Hoa,ahomecarevolunteerwhosharedherstoryofsupportingtheelderlyinhercommunity.HoareceivedtrainingthroughanIntergenerationalSelf-HelpClubsupportedbyUNFPA.Hoalearnedhowtowashandcareforsomeoneunabletolookafterthemselvesandhowtochangetheclothesofsomeonewithaparalysis.Hoaplanstocontinuetohelptheelderlyinhercommunityforaslongassheisable.Hnhach,awomanofBaNaethnicityfromtheDeArcommuneinGiaLaiProvince,toldUNFPAhowbecomingavillagebirthattendantwasimportanttohelpexplainhealthcare,nutritionandthebenefitsofgivingbirthinhospitaltothoseinhercommunity.InLaiChauprovince,IvisitedaM?ngethnicvillageinMuSangcommunewhereIheardsimilarstoriesofreluctancetogivebirthinhealthfacilitiesduetolongdistancestogettohospitalorbecauseofthelocalcustomofnotgivingbirthinfrontofstrangers.Thesestoriespointtotheimportanceofreliable,inclusivepopulationdataforVi?tNamsfuture.Datathatisdisaggregatedbygender,ethnicity,age,locationandotherfactorsisessentialtoleavenoonebehindandtobestpreparefordemographicshiftssuchasVi?tNamsrapidlyageingpopulationorrisksfromclimatechange.Datatellsuswherehealthsystemsarenotworkingforeveryonesuchashighlightingshortagesinskilledbirthattendantsorbarriersinaccessingcontraceptivesthatleadtohighratesofunintendedpregnancies.DataalsomeasurestheprevalenceofviolenceagainstwomenandchildrenandgivesvoicetotheneedsofVi?tNamsgrowingelderlypopulation.Thisspring,theGeneralStatisticsOfficeandUNFPAlaunchedtwoimportantnationalsurveystoimprovedatasetsonVi?tNamspopulationandhousingandtobetterunderstandthesocio-economicneedsofVi?tNams53ethnicminorities.Betterdatahelpstocreatepoliciesandstrategiesthatbestmeetpeoplesneeds.Dataalsotellsusmoreaboutpeopleslives,hopes,andexpectations.Thegoodnewsisthatduetoinvestment,newlegislationandstrongadvocacyoverthepast30yearstheglobalmaternalmortalityratehasreducedby34percent.Vi?tNamhasmadeevenbetterprogressreducingmaternalmortalityby46percent,yetitremainsthreetimeshigheramongethnicminoritygroupsthanthenationalaverage.Positive,reassuringmessagesfromvillagebirthattendantslikeHnhacharecrucialtobreakthehighrateofmaternalmortalityamongethnicminorities.Dataalsotellsusthatwhilst96percentofbabiesaredeliveredinhospitalsinVi?tNamenablingaccesstomedicalcareandequipment,thisfigureisonly30percentforethnicminoritymothers,showingabigdisparityinaccesstohealthcare.Globally,thenumberofwomenusingmoderncontraceptionhasdoubledto77percent,yetmorethan250millionwomenwhowanttoavoidpregnancyarenotusingfamilyplanning.InVi?tNam,contraceptiveuptakeis60percentwiththeunmetneedforunmarriedwomenfour-timeshigherthanformarriedwomen.Asmanyas162countrieshavepassedlawsagainstdomesticviolence,includingVi?tNamsDomesticViolencePreventionandControlLawupdatedin2022.Yetgloballyoneinthreewomen,ornearlytwo-thirdsofwomeninVi?tNam,experienceviolencefromapartnerduringtheirlifetimewiththevastmajorityneverseekinghelp.Dataprovidesthehighsandlows–theprogressmadeandtheunfinishedbusinesstomeetpromisesintheICPDandtheUNSustainableDevelopmentGoals.ButitisthestoriesofpeoplelikeHoafromThanhHóa(chǎn)andHnhachfromGiaLaithatmakethenumbersreal.Thedataalsoguidesthefocusofourefforts.ForVi?tNam,thismeansreachingethnicminoritieswithmaternalhealthcare,ensuringaccesstocontraceptivesforunmarriedandyoungpeople,improvingservicesforsurvivorsandbreakingthestigmasurroundingdomesticviolence,andbetterlisteningtoandsupportingpeoplewithdisabilities,theLGBTQI+community,olderpersons,migrants,andallmarginalisedgroups.Continuousimprovementsintechnologyanddataanalysisallowustobetterunderstandsuccessesandtoidentifythosewhoaremissingoutandbeingleftbehind.Whenweprioritiseandlistentoinclusive,disaggregateddata,wecanbeconfidentthatouractionswillensurethateveryoneiscountedandthatwewillreachthosewhosestoriesarethefurthestbehindwithhopeforanequitablefuture.Aswecommemoratethe30thanniversaryofICPD,letsrecommittoleveragingrobustdatatonavigateVisdemographicshiftsandsocialchallenges,strivingforafuturewhereeveryvoiceisheardandeverylifecounts.VNSApartmentsforlow-incomepeopleinTh???cCity.VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—Twosocialhousingprojectswith50,831squaremetresoffloorspacewerecompletedinHCMCityinthefirsthalfoftheyear,accordingtoareportbythecityDepartmentofConstruction.TheNguyênS?nsocialhousingprojectinBìnhChánhDistricthas242apartmentsandthehousingprojectforworkersinTh???cCitysTh?nhM?L?iwardhas368.Thecityhasatargetofbuilding69,700–93,000socialhousingunitsin2021-30aspartofanationalprogrammetobuildatleastonemillionforlow-incomepeopleandindustrialparkworkers.Since2021thecityhascompletedfourprojectswith1,233units.Sixothersarenowunderconstruction,includingfiveforlow-incomeearnersandoneforworkerswithatotalof4,386apartments.TheDepartmentofConstructionattributedtheslowdevelopmentpaceofsocialhousingtocomplexinvestmentproceduresandissuesrelatedtolanduseandallocation.—VNS

Aricefieldinthepilotmodelforonemillionhectaresofhigh-qualityriceprojectinC?nTh?City.—VNA/VNSPhotoThuHi?nHàN?I—DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuanghasaskedfortheaccelerationoftheimplementationofaprojecttodeveloponemillionhectaresofspecialisedricecultivationwithhighqualityandlowemissionsassociatedwithgreengrowthintheMekongDeltaregion.SpeakingatameetinginHàN?ionWednesday,discussingtheprojectsprogress,QuangemphasisedthatitcreatesanewproductionmethodsuitablefortheworldsproductionandconsumptiontrendsandgeneratesabreakthroughinagriculturethinkingintheMekongDelta,whichisfacingtheeffectsofrapidandunpredictableclimatechange.ThisisexpectedtoimprovetheincomeandlivingconditionsoffarmersandbusinesseswhilehelpingVi?tNamrealiseitsgoalofachievingnetzeroemissionsby2050.Agreeingwiththeopinionsontheneedtohavetheengagementofauthoritiesatthecentrallevelaswellaslocalities,farmersandbusinessesinimplementingtheproject,thedeputyPMrequiredtheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD)toretainacoordinatingroleandandreporttothePMonissuesbeyondthat.RegardingborrowingloansfromtheWorldBank(WB),theministrymustclarifyinvestmentitemsandworkcontentstoensureconsistency,noduplicationandnooverlapwithotherprojectsunderwayintheregion,Quangadded.DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuangaddressesthemeetingonWednesday.—VNA/VNSPhotoAn??ngMARDDeputyMinisterTr?nThanhNamtoldthemeetingthattocarryouttheproject,fromnowto2030,hisministryhasestablishedasteeringcommitteetooverseetheprojectimplementation.ThiscommitteeincludesrepresentativesfromtheMinistryofPlanningandInvestment,theMinistryofFinance,theMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment,theStateBankofVietnam,theWorldBankand12MekongDeltalocalities.Theministryhasdevelopedatechnicalprocessforproducinghigh-quality,low-emissionriceintheregionandaplantoenhancecapabilitiesforpartnersandagriculturalcooperativesindevelopingvaluechainlinkagesundertheproject.Ithasalsocollaboratedwithlocalitiestoreviewthecurrentstatusofproductionareas,infrastructure,productionorganisationandfarmingpracticesandtoassessthesituationofcooperativesintheVi?tNam-SustainableAgricultureTransformationProjectinthe2015-2022period.NamsaidtheMARDiscurrentlyworkingwiththeWBandthe12localitiestofinalisealoanprojectforinfrastructureandtechnicalsupportforhigh-quality,low-emissionriceintheMekongDeltaregion.Accordingtotheofficial,theministryhasimplementedsevenpilotmodelsinC?nTh?Cityandtheprovincesof??ngTháp,KiênGiang,TràVinhandSócTr?ng.Initialassessmentsshowthatthericefarmingmodel,duringthe2024Summer-AutumncropinC?nTh?,hasyieldedpositiveresults.Inputcosts,includingthoseforseed,fertilisers,andirrigationwater,havedecreasedby10-15percent.Thepilotmodelsyieldrangedfrom6.13-6.51tonnesperhectare,comparedto5.89tonnesperhectareunderusualpractices.ItsprofitsreachedVN?21-25.8million(US$830-1,020)perhectare,surpassingthenormalmodelbyVN?1.3-6.2million($50-245)perhectare.Moreover,thepilotmodelcontributedtoreducingCO2emissionsbytwotonnesperhectarecomparedtothemodelthatremovesricestrawfromthefieldsandby12tonnesperhectarecomparedtothepracticeofricestrawburialafterharvesting.AsVi?tNamisthefirstcountryintheworldtohavealarge-scaleprojectonriceproductiontowardssustainablegrowthandemissionsreduction,itisfacingalotofdifficulties,Namsaid,proposingthegovernmentsubmittotheNationalAssemblyaresolutiontopilotcertainspecificpoliciesregardingtheuseofofficialdevelopmentassistance(ODA)andconcessionalloansfromforeigndonorsduringthelegislaturesplenarysessioninOctober.Additionally,theministryrecommendedthatthegovernmentallowtheministrytocollaboratewiththeAsianDevelopmentBank(ADB)toprepareaprojectfora$270millionloanandtosupporttheimplementationoftheproject.—VNA/VNSDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàspeaksatthesecondmeetingofthetaskforceoverseeingtheprogressofurbanrailwayprojectsinHàN?iandHCMCityonWednesday.VNA/VNSPhotoAn??ngHàN?I–DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàhasdirectedHàN?iandHCMCitytoselecttopdesignconsultancyfirmstofinaliseandappraisethemasterplansfortheirurbanrailwaynetworks,envisioningacentury-longdevelopment.HealsourgedthePeoplesCommitteesofHàN?iandHCMCitytoexpeditetheopeningoftheelevatedsectionsoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationandB?nThành-Su?iTiênmetrolinesaheadofschedule.Hemadetheremarksduringthesecondmeetingofthetaskforceoverseeingtheprogressofurbanrailwayprojectsinbothcities,attheGovernmentheadquartersonWednesday.DeputyPMHànotedthatsincethefirstmeeting,taskforcemembershavecompletednineoutof16assignedtasksandarecontinuingtoimplementtheremainingseventasksasplanned.Regardingthetwourbanrailnetworkdevelopmentproposalsforthetwocities,theDeputyPMemphasisedtheneedforaunifiedperspectiveonobjectives,tasks,solutionsandgeneralpolicies,whilealsoconsideringlocalcharacteristicssuchasconstructionplanning,developmentspace,economicgrowthforecastsandpopulationsize.TheMinistryofTransportisresponsibleforcompilingandsubmittingproposalstotheappropriateauthoritiesaccordingtoregulations.TheurbanrailnetworksinHàN?iandHCMCitymustalsointegrateseamlesslywiththeNorth-Southhigh-speedrailway,includingaspectslikestations,technicaldesignstandardsfortracks,locomotives,carriagesandoperatingsystems.TheDeputyPMsuggestedlearningfromcountrieswithadvanced,modernsubwaynetworkstodevelopcomprehensiveandfeasibleplansfortechnologytransfer,includingconstructionofundergroundstructures,locomotives,carriages,management,operationsandhumanresourcetraining,aimingtobuildasynchronised,modernrailwayindustry.DeputyPMHàaskedtheMinistryofFinancetoleadtheevaluationoftheoveralleconomicimpactoftheurbanraildevelopmentproposalsforthetwocities,aswellastheNorth-Southhigh-speedrailwayandtoassessthefeasibilityofbalancingpublicinvestmentcapital.Basedonthisevaluation,thePeoplesCommitteesofbothcitiesshouldcontinuetoworkcloselywithrelevantministriestodeveloppolicypackagesandplanstomobilisethehighestpossiblelevelsofsocialisedresourcesthroughmethodslikeTransit-OrientedDevelopment(TOD),Public-PrivatePartnerships(PPP)andBuild-Operate-Transfer(BOT).ThemechanismsandpoliciesfordevelopingurbanrailnetworksinHàN?iandHCMCitymustbesynchronised,feasibleandspecific,clearlyoutliningtheprocedures,responsibleparties,obstaclesandproposalsforresolutiontothecompetentauthorities,hestressed.Atthemeeting,DeputyMinisterofTransportNguy?nDanhHuyreportedthatHàN?ihasmadesignificantprogressontheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetroline.Thecityoutlineplannedforcompletionoftheline,conductingtrialoperationsoftheelevatedsection,finalisingfiresafetyreviewsandtrainingpersonnel.TheMinistryofTransport,MinistryofConstruction,andMinistryofFinancehavedirectedeffortstoevaluateandcertifysafetyfortheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetroline,inspectthesite,reviewacceptanceconditions,completeproceduresandsignoffonloanallocationsfortheundergroundsegment.Anenvironmentalpermitassessmentcouncilhasalsobeenestablished.D??ng??cTu?n,ViceChairmanoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommittee,saidthattheelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetrolineisexpectedtobecompletedandoperationalbytheendofJuly2024.Similarly,theB?nThành-Su?iTiênmetrolineinHCMCityhasfinalisedthetimelineadjustmentsandsubmittedinvestmentcapitalallocationrequeststotheappropriateauthorities.Thecityisexpeditingthecompletionoftheremainingconstructiontasks,conductingtrialruns,operatingsystemtests,ensuringfiresafetycomplianceandobtainingenvironmentalapprovalsforoperationalstatusbyDecember2024.Duringthemeeting,thetaskforcereviewedandprovidedfeedbackonthetwourbanrailwaynetworkdevelopmentproposalsforHàN?iandHCMCityby2035,focusingonmechanisms,policiesandresourcemobilisationstrategiessuitableforeachcityssocio-economicdevelopment.LeadersfromtheMinistryofTransport,MinistryofJustice,andMinistryofConstructionemphasisedthatthesearelargeandcomplexprojectsinvolvingmultipledisciplines.Giventhecurrentlegalconstraints,itisnecessarytoconductthoroughresearch,analysisandevaluation,drawingoninternationalexperiencesandpastinvestmentpractices,toproposeobjectivesandsolutionsforbuildingmodern,integratedurbanrailwaysystems.TheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetroprojectstretches12.5kmandincludeseightelevatedandfourundergroundstations.Constructionbeganin2009,withaninitialcompletiontargetof2015.Afterfourextensions,theprojectisnowexpectedtobecompletedin2027.TheB?nThành-Su?iTiênmetrolinecovers19.7km,connectingB?nThànhMarketinDistrict1toLongThànhDepotinTh???cCity.Thelinefeaturesthreeundergroundand11elevatedstations.Constructionstartedin2012,buttheprojecthasseenmultipledelays,withcostsescalatingtooverVN?43.7trillion($1.71billion).–VNS

AclassattheUniversityofMedicineandPharmacyoftheVi?tNamNationalUniversity,HàN?i.PhotocourtesyoftheVNU.HàN?ITheUniversityofMedicineandPharmacyattheVi?tNamNationalUniversity,HàN?i,hasannouncedithasfinalisedagreementswithIndiatostartamastersprogrammethisSeptemberinfourspecialisations:internalmedicine,surgery,paediatrics,andradiology.Theprogrammewillinitiallyenrol40doctorsorgraduatesfromIndia.Theuniversityplanstoopenthefirstgeneralmedicineanddentistrycoursesforapproximately100Indianstudentsbyearly2025.Currently,Vi?tNamalreadyhastheC?nTh?UniversityofMedicineandPharmacytrainingIndiangeneralpractitioners,withthefirstintakestartingin2022.ThisinitiativerepresentsanewdirectionforVietnameseuniversitiesthatiscapableofprovidingeducationforforeignstudents,withcurriculaandinstructionconductedinEnglish.Additionally,thousandsofforeigndoctorshavealreadycometoVi?tNamforshort-termcoursesinendoscopicsurgery,thyroidsurgery,radiology,andcancertreatmentatvariousVietnamesehospitals.VNSAfirefightercutopenatigercagetomakeasecondaryescaperouteforafamilyinHàN?i.—Photohanoionline.vnHàN?I—Thefireatanapartmentbuildingon??nhC?ngH?StreetinHàN?ithatkilledfourpeoplelastmonthhasonceagainraisedconcernsaboutthesafetyofso-calledtigercages(chu?ngc?p).Tigercagesrefertothemetalbarsorgrillsinstalledaroundbalconies,windowsandotheropeningsinbuildings,particularlyinolderapartmentblocks.Peopleofteninstallthesestructurestoexpandtheirlivingspaceorforsecuritypurposes.However,theycanposesignificantfiresafetyhazardsbytrappingpeopleandhinderingtheworkoffirefightersintheeventofafire.Aglanceatneighborhoodswithahighconcentrationofoldapartmentblocks,suchasthoseinThanhXuanB?c,TrungT?,andThànhC?ngWards,revealsacrisscrossoftigercagesoneverybuilding.?oànV?nM?opurchaseda30-square-metreapartmentinThànhC?ngin1992.Ashischildrengrewolder,thelivingspacebecamecramped,promptinghimtobuildatigercagetoexpandtheareato45sqm.M?osaidhisneighbourshadtomakesimilarexpansionsforthesamereason,creatinganetworkofenclosedcagesintheapartmentblock.Despitetheirillegalityandtherepeatedwarningsspurredbyfireincidents,thesestructuresremainstubbornlyinplace,creatingalabyrinthofobstructedescaperoutes.Thedangersoftigercagesareparticularlyacuteinapartmentblockswithasinglestaircaseservingastheprimaryescaperoute.Whenafireerupts,smokeandflamescanquicklyblockthispassageway,leavingresidentstrappedontheirfloors.Theenclosednatureoftigercagesfurtherhindersescapeefforts,asfirefightersstruggletocutthroughthesturdymetalbars,wastingprecioustimethatcouldbeusedtorescuetrappedindividuals.Withapproximately1,600oldapartmentblocksequippedwithtigercagesacrossthecity,HàN?iauthoritieshavecampaignedforresidentstodismantlethesestructurestocreatesecondaryescaperoutesincaseoffire.However,thecampaignshadmixedresults.Whilesomepeopleheededthecall,othersturnedadeafeartoit.Forinstance,inTrungT?,abouthalfofthefamiliesinapartmentblocksD8andC5hadtheirtigercagescutopenforsecondaryescaperoutes.ThesituationisbetterinThanhXuanB?cwhere90percentoffamilieswereonboardwhereastheremainingsittightforvariousreasons,includingabsenthomeownersandstructurallimitations.Wewillcontinueoureffortstopersuadethemtocreatesecondaryescaperoutes,exceptforthosewhoseapartmentdesignsprecludethecreationofsuchroutes,saidHoàngTh?Dung,ActingChairwomanofThanhXuanB?cPeoplesCommittee.V?Ng?cAnh,DirectoroftheScience,TechnologyandEnvironmentDepartmentundertheMinistryofConstruction,emphasisedtheneedforstricterenforcementoffiresafetystandardsacrossallhousingtypes,notjustlargebuildingsandfactories.Accordingtothedirector,whiletheMinistryhasissuedCircularNo.06/2022/TT-BXD,whichoutlinesfiresafetyrulesforbuildings,peopletendtocutcornersonitwhenconstructingindividualhouses.AsurveybytheMinistryrevealedthatmostindividualhouseshavebalconies,loggiasandaccesstotheroofsealedoffwithsolidstructures,creatinglimitedornoescaperoutes.ThedirectoralsorevealedthattheMinistrywasdraftingasetofnationalstandardsforindividualhouses,aimingtoincorporatefiresafetyconsiderationsintodesignandconstructionpractices.However,hewasconcernedthatthenewruleswouldnotcarrymuchweightwithhomeownersiftheywereonlyrecommendationsandvoluntary.Itneedstobeelevatedtothestatusofamandatorysetofstandardstoimprovethesituation,saidAnh.InameetingonJuly2,HàN?iauthoritiesapprovedtheSchemetoEnhanceFirePreventionandFightfightingCapacityintheCityby2025,settingthetargetof100percentofapartmentsinthecityhavingsecondaryescaperoutes.—VNS