AVietnamAirlinesaircraftparkedatTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportinHCMCity.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—TheMinistryofTransportistakingstepstostabilisecurrentlyhighdomesticairfares.Theministryhasannouncedplanstoconductathoroughreviewofthefeesandoperationalcostsincurredbyairlinesandgroundserviceproviders.TheCivilAviationAuthorityofVi?tNam(CAAV)undertheministryhasconfirmedthattherecentincreaseindomesticairfareisinaccordancewithregulationsestablishedbytherelevantauthorities.Theministryhasattributedthisriseinfarestoseveralfactors,includingincreasedfuelprices,fluctuationsinexchangerates,enginerecalls,costsassociatedwithaircraftleasing,andheighteneddemand.Furthermore,ithasissuedawarningthatsustainedhighdemandcouldleadtoadditionalpriceincreasesduringpeakseasons.Proposedstrategiestomitigatefareincreasesincludetheoptimisationofaircraftschedulesandtheenhancementofoperationalefficiency.Theministryhasmandatedstrictcompliancewithregulationspertainingtodomesticpassengerairtransportpricingandfaredeclarations.Theministrysaiditwillstrengthenoversightoffaredeclarationsandpromoteearlyticketpurchasestofacilitatemorefavourablepricing.Vietnameseairlinesareencouragedtoexpandtheirtransportcapacityandserviceofferingsacrossbothinternationalanddomesticroutes.Theyareurgedtocollaboratewithglobalaircraftleasingpartnerstobolsterfleetcapacity,whichmayinvolvereplacinggroundedaircraftandexploringoptionstoincreaseseatcapacityonfrequentlytravelleddomesticroutes.Airlinesarealsoencouragedtoadoptflexiblepricingstrategiesandmaintainpoliciesthatallowfordiscountedfares.Currently,localairlinesoperatearound160aircraft,whichis60to70unitsbelowpre-pandemiclevels.Expertssaidthatadiverseandhigh-performancefleetiscrucialforairlinestomitigatetheimpactofaircraftshortagesandenhanceoperationalefficiency.TheyproposedinvestmentsinsupplychainhubsbeincreasedandnegotiationswithmajormanufacturerssuchasBoeingandAirbusbepursuedtoensuretimelydeliveryofaircraft.Analysesofflightcostcomponentsshowedthatfuelexpensesaccountfor37-42percent,maintenanceconstitutes32-41percent,andgroundservicesrepresent6-7percent,withremainingcostsmakingup16-19percent.—VNS

TheBìnhH?ngwastewatertreatmentplantandcollectionnetworkexpansionproject,thelargestofitskindinVi?tNamtodate,officiallyopensHCMCityonAugust30.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ngGiangHCMCITY—BìnhH?ngwastewatertreatmentplantandcollectionnetworkexpansionproject,thelargestofitskindinVi?tNamtodate,wasofficiallyputintooperationinHCMCityonFriday(August30).ThecitysDepartmentofConstructionheldaninaugurationceremonyfortheBìnhH?ngwastewatertreatmentplantandcollectionnetworkexpansionprojectinBìnhChánhDistrict,aspartofPhase2ofthecityswaterenvironmentimprovementproject.Speakingattheinaugurationceremony,L??ngMinhPhúc,directorofthecitysTransportationWorksConstructionInvestmentProjectManagementAuthority,saidtheexpansionprojectraisedtheplantstreatmentcapacityto469,000cu.mofwastewaterperday.IthasatotalinvestmentofnearlyVN?11.3trillion(US$452million)sourcedfromJapaneseODAloansviatheJapanInternationalCooperationAgency(JICA)anddomesticcounterpartfunds.Thisallowsthecitytomanagewastewateracrossawiderareaofmorethan2,500haineightdistrictsof4,5,6,7,8,10,11andBìnhChánh,servingaround1.8millionpeople.Thefacilityisnotjustawastewatertreatmentplant,italsoincludesmorethan10haoftreesandservesasanenvironmentalmonitoringtrainingcentre,hesaid.TheCentreforTechnicalInfrastructureManagementunderthecitysDepartmentofConstructionhasbeenassignedtomanageandoperatetheplant.BùiXuanC??ng,vicechairmanofthemunicipalPeoplesCommittee,attendedtheeventandthankedthelocalgovernmentandrelevantagenciesforconcertedeffortstoremovebarrierssothattheexpansionprojectcanbecompletedasscheduled.Thecityalwaysprioritisesenvironmentalprotection,increasinggreenspaces,wasteandwastewatertreatment,canalrenovation,andimprovingthelivesofpeoplelivingalongandnearcanals,hesaid.Thecityaimstocollectandtreatalldomesticwastewaterin12drainagebasins,withatotalvolumeofaboutthreemillioncubicmetresperdayby2030.Italsotargetstocollectandtreat100percentofthecityswasteusingwaste-to-energyandrecyclingtechnologies.TheoperationoftheexpandedBìnhH?ngwastewatertreatmentplantwillincreasethecityswastewatercollectionandtreatmentratefrom20.6percentto40.8percent.Itisexpectedtoreach71.3percentby2025afterunder-constructionNhiêuL?c-Th?Nghèwastewatertreatmentplant,withacapacityof480,000cu.mperday,comesintooperation.TheNhiêuL?c-Th?Nghèwastewatertreatmentplantproject,whichwillbethelargestinSoutheastAsia,isexpectedtobeputintouseinJuneof2025.Toensuretheeffectivenessofthesecondphaseofthecityswaterenvironmentimprovementproject,heaskedtheinvestorandrelatedunitstocontinuetocoordinatewithJICAtoseektheopinionsofrelatedministriesandagenciestoresolvetheprojectsissues.Heurgedinvestmentforthecityswaterenvironmentimprovementproject-Phase3,whichisexpectedtostartconstructionin2026andbecompletedby2030.HeaskedtheJapaneseGovernmentandJICAtomaintaintheircollaborationandsupportforthesuccessfulexecutionofPhase3.—VNSHàN?I—SaturdaymarksthefirstdayoftheNationalDayholidayfromAugust31toSeptember3.Aspeoplefleeurbancentresforthefour-daybreak,roadsleadingoutofcitieshavebeenoverwhelmed,causingseverecongestion.BelowaresomephotosthatcapturedthegridlockinHàN?iandB?nTrethismorning,andHCMCityonAugust30.SeverecongestionontheelevatedRingRoad3inHàN?ionSaturdaymorning.—VNA/VNSPhotoAsnailspaceoftrafficisleavingHàN?ionthePhápVan-C?uGi?Expressway,withcarslinedupforkilometres.—VNA/VNSPhotoTrafficpoliceareworkingtomanagetheheavytrafficatthePhápVan-C?uGi?tollstationinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoVehiclesinchtheirwaythroughthecongestedAnD??ngIntersectioninDistrict12,HCMCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoAviewoftheAnD??ngInterestionfromabove.—VNA/VNSPhotoTrafficisequallycongestedattheAnPhúIntersectioninHCMCitysTh???cCity,withthousandsofvehiclesbumper-to-bumpertryingtoexitthecity.—VNA/VNSPhotoVehiclestravellingfromB?nTretoTi?nGiangprovincesarelinedupinalongqueue,patientlywaitingtocrossthecongestedR?chMi?uBridge.—VNA/VNSPhotoSomecarsencroachonthemotorcyclelane,worseningthesituationonR?chMi?uBridge.—VNA/VNSPhoto

LongH?uIndustrialParkinLongAn.Theprovincehasfavourablepoliciesforbusinessesthatusemodernandenvironmentallyfriendlytechnologies.VNA/VNSPhotosLONGAN–TheMekongDeltaprovinceofLongAnisfocusingonimprovingitsProvincialInnovationIndexandProvincialGreenIndexrankingswithanumberofpolicies.AccordingtoitsDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment,in2023LongAnsProvincialGreenIndexreached23.07pointstorankit12thinthecountry.Theprovincerecordedimprovementsinmanyareassuchasreductionofpollutionandthenegativeeffectsofclimatechange,adherencetoenvironmentalstandards,leadershiprolesinprotectingtheenvironment,andfavourablepoliciestosupportbusinessesinprotectingtheenvironmentalsosawimprovements.Thisisthankstotheprovincespreferentialpoliciesintermsoftaxandassistancetoencouragethedevelopmentofgreenbusinesses.Overtheyearstheprovincehasadoptedmanysolutionstoimprovethisindexsuchasraisingawarenessofenvironmentalprotection,applyingmoderntechnologiesinmanagingenvironmentalissuesandstrictlydealingwithviolations.Businessesarealsomoreawareoftheimportanceofusingmoderntechnologiesintreatingsolidwasteandwastewater,thedepartmentsaid.Butitadmittedthattherearethreeindustrialclusterswithoutcentralisedwastewatertreatmentsystems,andtheprocessofsolicitinginvestmentsforsolidwastetreatmentplantsisslow,limitingtheprovincesabilitytotreatsolidwastes.ToimproveitsPGIranking,LongAnwillcontinuetoputinplaceeffectivepoliciesandmodelsforenvironmentalprotection.Itwillalsomobiliseandusefundsfromvariouspartnersforthepurpose.TheDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentsaidlocalagenciesplantowidelydisseminatetheprovincessupportpoliciesforbusinessesthatusemoderntechnologiesandgreenenergy.Eachlocalityneedstosortouttrashatsourceforefficienttreatment,strengthenmonitoringofairandsurfacewaterqualitybykeepingacloseeyeonwaste,andaddressotherlimitationstoimprovethePGIrankingin2024.AdrugmanufacturingplantinLongAnthatusesmoderntechnology.Theprovinceisfocusingonraisingits2024ProvincialInnovationIndexrankingbyhelpingbusinessesinvestininnovativeandnewtechnologies.?ProvincialInnovationIndexTheMinistryofScienceandTechnologyreleasedinMarchthefirsteverProvincialInnovationIndex(PII),whichaimedtoprovideageneralpictureofthesocio-economicdevelopmentmodelbasedonscience,technology,andinnovationateachprovincial-levellocality,pointingouttheirstrongandweakpoints.In2023LongAnsPIIwas44.95points,whichranked12thinthecountryandsecondintheMekongDelta.Inthedeltaitrankedfirstintermsofbusinessdevelopment.UnderaplantoimproveitsPIIin2024andfutureyears,relevantauthoritiesareexpectedtocarryoutmeasuresneededtosustainitsstrengthsandmitigateitsweaknesses.Theseincludetheratioofscienceandtechnologyorganisations(per10,000people),theratioofscienceandtechnologybusinesses(outof1,000businesses),ratiooftheworkforceabovetheageof15thatistrainedandcertified,andothers.ItsDepartmentofScienceandTechnologywillworkwithrelevantagenciestoadvisetheprovinceonpoliciestofacilitatethedevelopmentofscience,technologyandinnovation.Itwillhelpbusinessesinvestinnewtechnologies,developastart-upecosystem,focusonintellectualproperty,anddevelopthetechnologymarket.Itwillalsofosterthedevelopmentofscienceandtechnologyorganisationsandfacilitateresearch.TheDepartmentofEducationandTrainingwilladvisetheprovinceonhowtoincreasethenumberofhighschoolparticipantsinsciencecompetitionsandincreasethenumberofmiddleandhighschools.TheLongAnEconomicZonemanagementwilladvisetheprovinceonattractinginfrastructureinvestmentinitsindustrialparksandbusinessestoLongAn.TheDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentwillhelptheprovincedrawupprogrammesandplanstodevelopitsruraleconomythroughscienceandtechnologyandinnovationtoproducecompetitive,high-qualityproducts.TheDepartmentofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairswillworktoincreasethenumberoftrainedworkers,andtheDepartmentofPlanningandInvestmentwillsupportscienceandtechnologybusinesses.VNSThedefendantsinvolvedinadebtcollectionschemeattheTi?nGiangProvincialPeoplesCourtonFriday.—VNA/VNSPhotoTI?NGIANG—TheTi?nGiangProvincialPeoplesCourthasrenderedseveresentencesforatotalof111defendantsinvolvedinadebtcollectionschemeorchestratedforthebenefitofbanks.AmongthemwasTr?nV?nChau,deputydirectorofPhápVi?tCompany,whoreceiveda19-yearprisonterm,andhisprimaryaccomplice,H?Qu?cH?ng,whoreceivedasentenceof18yearsinprison,forextortionactivities.Otherdefendants,including89employeesofthecompany,receivedprisonsentencesrangingfromoneto13years.ThecourtonFridayalsomandatedalldefendantsreturntheillicitprofitsobtainedthroughtheircriminalactivities.Specifically,ChauisrequiredtorepayVN?15billion(US$600,000),whileH?ngmustreturnVN?12billion.OtherdefendantsareobligedtorepayamountsbetweenVN?20millionandoverVN?1billion.Authoritieshaveconfiscatedvariouspropertiesandvehiclesassociatedwiththetwomaindefendants.Thecourthasorderedthecontinuedfreezingofthedefendantsassets.Inaddition,authoritieshaveorderedsevenbanksandfinancialinstitutionstoremitthefundscollectedbyPhápVi?tCompanyfromcustomers,asthesefundsarebelievedtobeconnectedtothedefendantscriminalactivities.Thetrial,whichcommencedinM?ThoCityearlierthismonth,revealedthecrimewasorganisedwithChauandH?ngplayingmajorrolesinunauthoriseddebtcollectionactivities.FromJanuary2021toFebruary2023,thetwomenexploitedthenameofthecompanytoestablishlegalconsultingcontractswithvariouscommercialbanksandlendingfirms,whileengaginginillegaldebtcollection.Accordingtoinvestigators,thegroupreceivedcommissionfeesrangingfrom18-50percentofthetotalamountcollected,contingentuponthedurationoftheoverduedebt.ChauandH?ngdirectedaworkforceof579employeeswhointimidatednearly173,000borrowers,extortingatotalofVN?456billion($18.2million).Fromthisextortedamount,theymanagedtoprofitoverVN?168billionthroughtheirillicitservices,accordingtoinvestigators.AseriousincidentinvolvedthreatsdirectedatanelementaryschoolintheprovincesCaiL?yTown,whichledtoaneight-year-oldgirlceasingherattendanceduetofear.TheincidentarosefromadebtofVN?50millionowedbythegirlsuncle,whohadfledafterfailingtorepaythedebt.InJuly,theHCMCityPeoplesCourtsentencedsevenformeremployeesofalendingcompanytonearlyfiveyearsinprisonforunauthoriseddebtcollectionpractices.Theywerefoundtohavesentthreateningmessagestohundredsofthousandsofcustomerstocoercerepaymentofdebts.—VNS160Ng?cLinhginsengplantswerestolenfromTuM?R?ngKonTumNg?cLinhGinsengJointStockCompanysfarmonAugust21-22.-VNAPhotoKONTUMFarmersintheCentralHighlandsprovinceofKonTumareconcernedaboutthegrowingincidenceoftheftofNg?cLinhginsengfromtheirfarms.TuM?R?ngKonTumNg?cLinhGinsengJointStockCompanylost160ginsengplantsonAugust21-22tothieves.Nguy?nThanhHoàng,whoisinchargeofthecompanysginsengfarm,saidapoweroutageoccurredonAugust21.Onthefollowingmorning,whenheandotherswerefixingtheelectricalequipment,theydiscoveredthatthepowerlineshadbeencut.Theythenwenttoinspectthefarmonlytofindthattheplantshadbeenstolen.Tr?n??cLong,anothercompanyemployee,saidsincetherewasnopowerthereisnocamerafootageofthefarmduringthetheft,indicatingthethieveswerewellacquaintedwiththeareaandspecificallytargetedlargeplants,whicharemorevaluable.Thesmallerplantsremaineduntouched.Theareaissecurelyfencedandshowednosignsofbeingtamperedwithorbrokeninto.Thishasrecurredmanytimesintheprovince.InFebruarythisyear800ginsengplantswerestoleninTêX?ng,Ng?kLay,??kSao,and??kNacommunes.Farmersareworriedaboutthefrequenttheftsbutarecluelessabouttheperpetrators.Theauthoritiesareinvestigatingthetheftswiththeassistanceoflocalresidents.InM?ngRiCommune,therehavebeenthreetheftsthisyear,includingthetheftofonesome100plantsfromafarmownedbyLongLáyvillagersinJune.APhú,theheadofthevillage,saidthevillagersreportedthetheftstotheauthoritiesandheldmeetingstoexaminetheoriginsofeachfarmersNg?cLinhginseng.ATh?o,alocalresident,admittedtostealingnearly100ginsengplantsafteraninvestigationbythevillagers,andwasseverelypenalisedaccordingtovillagerules,APhúsaid.V?TrungM?nh,chairmanoftheTuM?R?ngDistrictPeoplesCommittee,saidwhilepettytheftscouldbehandledbythevillagersthemselves,majorcasesneedtobehandledbythelaw.TuM?R?ngDistrictauthoritieshaverepeatedlydirectedthepolicetocoordinatewithlocalauthoritiestoconductpatrolsandpreventtheginsengthefts.VNS

PeoplearewaitingtobuymedicineatthePharmacyCounteratHCMCitysTropicalDiseasesHospitalinDistrict5.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheHCMCityhealthsectorhasurgedtheMinistryofHealthtoestablishanationalstoragecentreforrareandlimitedsupplymedications,includingthoseforcommonillnessessuchasmeaslesamidanongoingoutbreak.SpeakingatameetingonmeaslespreventiononThursday,T?ngChíTh??ng,directorofthecitysDepartmentofHealth,saidtherewasaseriousshortageofDopamineinthecity,whichisessentialforthetreatmentofchildrensufferingfromseveremeaslesordenguefever.Recently,30,000bottleswereimported.However,alargenumberoftheseremainedunusedandweresubsequentlydestroyed.ThecityhasrecentlyreceivedGovernmentapprovaltolicensetheimportofrarepharmaceuticalstoaddressurgentneeds,particularlyforseriousdiseasessuchaspolio,cancer,andmalaria,amongothers.Thenewframeworkallowsthecitytoexpediteimportlicenses,aprocessthatpreviouslyrequiredseveralmonthsundertheoversightoftheministry.Asamajortreatmenthubforthesouthernregion,thecityseekstoensurethetimelysupplyofessentialmedications,accordingtoTh??ng.Thedepartmenthasdirectedhospitalstocollaboratewithpharmaceuticalcompaniestoobtainimportlicences,whichwillbevalidforoneyear.Inaddition,theyarecontemplatingthestockpilingofemergencyandraremedicationstomitigatepotentialdelaysintheimportationprocess.LêVi?tD?ng,deputydirectoroftheministrysDrugAdministrationofVietnam(DAV),saidregulationsaredevelopingtoenhanceaccessforlocalitiesandhospitalstoacquireraremedications.However,shortagescontinuetopersist,causedbychallengesindemandforecastingandconstrainedsupplysources,assuppliersoftenhesitatetoimportduetothelimitedquantitiesrequired.Healthinsurancecoverageisrestrictedtomedicationsthatareutilised,leavinghealthcarefacilitiestobearthecostsassociatedwithexpireddrugs,manyofwhichlackproperregistrationandarenotincludedininsurancelists.TheministryplanstoestablishthreetosixcentersforthestorageofraremedicationsandhasconsultedwiththeWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)regardingappropriatestoragemechanisms,accordingtoD?ng.D?nghasurgedmedicalfacilitiestoproactivelyassessdemandandforecastneedsforraremedications.Thehealthministryisalsoproposingmechanismsforthemanagementofexpiredraredrugs.MeaslesoutbreakInarelatedissue,thedepartmentislaunchingameaslesvaccinationcampaignforchildrenstartingAugust31inresponsetoadeclaredmeaslesoutbreakinthecity.TheHCMCityCentreforDiseaseControlwasexpectedtoreceivethevaccinesonFriday(August30)andwilldistributethemtohealthstationsacross22districtsandTh???ccity,continuingthroughtheNationalDayholidayonSeptember2.Thecampaigntargetsalllocalchildrenagedoneto10.Healthcareworkersatriskofexposurewillalsobevaccinated.Thevaccinationcampaignaimstoboostcommunityimmunity,reduceinfections,andpreventcomplications,especiallyinhigh-riskchildren.AsofAugust22,therehavebeen353reportedcases,asignificantincreasefromamereonepositivecaserecordedbetween2021and2023.Thehighlycontagiousdiseasehasthepotentialtospreadrapidlyandcanleadtoseverecomplications,includingpneumoniaandencephalitis.Effectivemanagementoftheoutbreakrequiresacommunityimmunityrateof95percent,withindividualsreceivingtwodosesofthevaccine.—VNSTr??ngTh?NamTh?ng,leadresearcherattheResearchInstituteforInnovationandDevelopmentTheISEE-COVIDproject,sponsoredbyGlobalAffairsCanada,aimstostrengthentheresilienceofSocialImpactBusinesses(SIBs)inVi?tNamandmitigatetheimpactofCOVID-19onvulnerablegroups,particularlywomenandgirls.AkeyinitiativewithinthisprojectistheSIBConnectMarket,designedtofosterSIBnetworksacrossthecountryandsupporttheirmarketexpansionandrevenuegrowth.TheSIBConnectMarketisimplementedbytheResearchInstituteforInnovationandDevelopment(IID)anditspartners.Tr??ngTh?NamTh?ng,leadresearcheratIID,discussedtheinitiativewithreporterLêVi?tD?ng.InnerSanctum:WhatledtotheinitiationoftheSIBConnectMarket?Inthefourthquarterof2023,SIBnetworksandsupportingorganisations—includingIID,theVietnamAssociationofSocialEnterprises(VNSE),SIBConnectJSC(énK?tN?i),andtheAssistanceCentreforsmall-andmedium-sizedenterprises(SMEs)intheSouth—werecommissionedbyISEE-COVIDtoorganiseaworkshopatSIBConnect2023,theannualfestivaloftheSIBEcosystem.Duringtheworkshop,participantsidentifiedtwokeychallengesfacingtheSIBcommunityinVi?tNam.First,althoughtherearenumerousSIBnetworksnationwide,theyremainfragmented,withoverlappingactivitiesandlimitedcooperation.Second,SIBproductsarenotyetperceivedashavingsuperiorquality,oftenrelyingheavilyontheirhumanitarianaspecttobemarketable.Toaddressthesechallenges,the100SIBsattheworkshopproposedfourcollaborativeprojects,includingdevelopingtheSIBTourandSIBGift,cross-selling,andestablishinganSIBFinancialCooperative.TheycalledonISEE-COVIDtoimplementtheseproposals,leadingtothelaunchoftheSIBConnectMarket.InnerSanctum:WhatqualificationsarerequiredforbusinessestoparticipateintheSIBConnectMarket?BusinessesparticipatingintheprogrammemustqualifyasSocialImpactBusinesses,meaningtheyadoptatriplebottom-lineapproach,drivingprofitalongsidesocialandenvironmentalimpact.Additionally,theirproductsmustbetangible,astheprogrammecurrentlyfocusesongiftpackages.Theymustalsoundergoarigorousevaluationprocesstoensureadherencetotheircommitments.WesentinformationabouttheprogrammetointerestedSIBsandorganisedmultipleroundsofchallengestoselectthebest-performingSIBsforadvancement.InnerSanctum:WhatsupportdoSIBsreceivethroughtheprogramme?TheSIBConnectMarketoffersfourmainsupportpackages:SIBGotoMarket,SIBSignature,énK?tN?iNetworking,andSIBNetworks.TheSIBGotoMarketpackagefocusesonsupportingSIBsintheSouth.BetweenFebruaryandApril2024,100SIBsreceivedtrainingone-commerce,internationaltradefairparticipation,supplychainmanagement,sustainablepackagingdesign,andmore.Thetop10wereselectedforadditionalin-depthcoachingontopicssuchasrevenuegrowthwithTikTokShopandmarketdevelopmentwithAmazon.TheprogrammeculminatedinapitchingsessioninHCMCity,wherefiveoutstandingSIBswereawardedvaluablesupportpackagesfromAmazon,VNPT,andTikTok.TheSIBSignaturepackage,ahighlightoftheSIBConnectMarket,ranfromMarchtoAugust.Itbeganwiththeselectionof30top-performingSIBsfromaninitialpoolof100,whothenparticipatedintrainingandcross-sellingactivities.Afteramonth,these30promisingSIBspitchedtheirideas,withthetop10officiallyjoiningtheSIBSignatureProgramme.TheseSIBsreceivedintensivecoachinginproductdevelopment,packaging,andcross-selling.Outcomesinclude30SIBsengagedincross-selling,thecreationofSIBGiftandSIBTourpackages,andtwoSIBsreceivingconsultingservicestoparticipateininternationaltradefairsandconnectwithinternationalcertificationbodies.énK?tN?iNetworkingfocusesonexpandingénK?tN?isnetworkmembershipandlaunchingtwonewservices:SIBJourney,across-sellingplatformforsustainableproducts,andSIBCatering,offeringeventcateringfeaturingall-SIBproducts.TheSIBConnectspackagefacilitatescollaborationbetweencurrentSIBsupportnetworksandfine-tunestheirbusinessmodels.TwentySIBsjoinedtheIID-ledCatalyst2030globalnetwork,fivejoinedCatalystMarket—aglobaldigitalmarketplaceforsocialbusinesses,and334SIBmembersofthenetworksjoinedimapvietnam,anIID-rundigitalmapofVietnamesesocialbusinesses.InnerSanctum:WhathasbeentheoutcomeoftheSIBConnectMarket?Aftereightmonths,theSIBConnectMarkethasachievedimpressiveresults.Atotalof334newSIBshavebeenaddedtoimapvietnam—aninteractivedigitalmapofVi?tNamsSIBsector—expandingitsmembershiptoover1,300.Additionally,20SIBshavejoinedtheCatalyst2030network,and187SIBshavebenefitedfromtailoredtrainingandcoachingine-commerce,digitaltransformation,andimpactstorytelling.Theprogrammehasalsoledtotheestablishmentoffivebrick-and-mortarstoreswherethetop10SIBscross-selltheirproducts.AnotableexampleistheTasteofVietnamStoreatCamRanhInternationalAirport.Additionally,threeexperimentaltourshavebeenlaunched,offeringvisitorsadeeperinsightintoVi?tNamstraditionalcraftsmanship.Excitingdevelopmentsareonthehorizonforimapvietnam.IIDiscollaboratingwithCatalyst2030toexpandtheplatformintoiMapASEAN,acomprehensivemapofASEANSIBs.Thisexpansionwillintegrateover1,300VietnameseSIBsintoabroaderregionalnetwork.InnerSanctum:Fromyourperspective,whathavetheSIBsgainedfromparticipatingintheSIBSignatureProgramme?TheSIBsselectedfortheprogrammehavereapedseveralkeybenefits.First,intermsofbranding,top-tierSIBshavereceivedcertificationfromaUNagency,validatingtheirsuperiorproductsandservices,aswellastheirdeepcommitmenttosocialandenvironmentalimpact.Second,theprogrammehasfosteredcooperationamongSIBs,eventhosewithcompetingproducts,helpingthemfindwaystocomplementeachothersofferings.Third,theprogrammehasenabledSIBstoexpandtheircustomerbasethroughcross-selling,bothinphysicalstoresandone-commerceplatforms,websites,andlivestreamchannels.Insummary,theprogrammehasempoweredSIBswithnewskills,fosteredacooperativespirit,andinstilledacommitmenttomovingforwardtogether.VNS

ThenationalflagflyingonHàN?iFlagTower.Thetowerisoneofthecitysrenownedrelicswhichdrawsmanyvisitorsduringthenationalholidays.Celebratingthe79thanniversaryoftheAugustRevolutionandNationalDaySeptember2,1945thestreetsofHa?N??iCapitalhavebeenglitteringlydecoratedwithflags,flowers,banners,postersandhoardings.Seventy-nineyearsagoonAugust19,1945,undertheleadershipoftheVi?tNamCommunistPartyandPresidentH??Chi?Minh,theVietnamesepeoplesimultaneouslyroseupinageneraluprising,andseizedpowerfromtheJapaneseandtheFrench.TwoweekslateronSeptember2,inagrandmassmeetingatBa?i?nhSquare,PresidentH??Chi?MinhreadtheDeclarationofIndependence,solemnlydeclaringbeforetheentireworldthebirthoftheViê?tNamDemocraticRepublic(nowtheSocialistRepublicofViê?tNam).EveryyearHa?N??iresidentsofallwalksoflife,especiallytheyoung,takepartinarangeofactivitiestomarkthespecialoccasionandexpresstheirprideandenhancetheirsenseofresponsibilitytobuildthecapitalcityandthenationtobecomemoreprosperous,beautifulandhappy.Duringthisoccasionthisyear,nearly20eventsofcelebrationwillbeheldinthecitysuchastheA?oda?iconnectstourismwithHa?N??iHeritageprogramme,freewater-puppetperformancesattheTh?ngLongImperialCitadel;fireworksattheTua?nChauMarineParkandafreedouble-deckerbusrideforall.VNSTouristspassbyHa?ngB?ngStreetinHa?N??i.Everystreetsandroadsofthecityarebrightlydecoratedwithflags,flowers,hoardings,posters,andbannersassociatedwithhistoricalimagestowelcomethenationalholidays.AmothertakesaphotoofherbabywiththenationalflagatBa?i?nhSquare.BannerscelebratingNationalDaySeptember2onHoa?ngV?nThu?Street.Hoa?nKiê?mLake,theheartofthecapital,isalsodecoratedbrilliantlyforthenationalspecialoccasions.Amanhangsthenationalflagtocelebratethe79thanniversaryoftheAugustRevolutionandNationalDay.Respondingtothenationwideatmospherecelebratingthe79thanniversaryoftheAugustRevolutionandNationalDay(September2,1945-2024),youngpeopletakephotoswitha?oda?i(nationallongdress)andthenationalflagsatBa?i?nhSquareinHa?N??i,VNSPhotosTr??ngVi?PresidentH??Chi?MinhsMausoleuminBa?i?nhSquareisexpectedtowelcomemanylocalandinternationalvisitorsduringthehistoricanniversary.

HCMCitysHùngVuongHospitalreceivedcertificationfromACHSIOrganisation.VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCity–needtoadoptinternationalstandardstoenhancetheirqualityandmeettheincreasingdemandsofthepopulation,Nguy?Tr?ngKhoa,DeputyDirectoroftheMinistryofHealthsDepartmentofMedicalServicesAdministration,saidataconferenceonqualitymanagementandpatientsafetyheldinHCMCityonFriday.Khoaemphasisedthataccreditinghospitalscanhelpimprovethequalityofhealthcarebysettingattainablebenchmarks,betteringcoordinationandmanagementofservices,andstrengtheningpublictrustinmedicalservicesquality.InVi?tNam,FVHospitalbecamethefirsttoreceivetheHAScertificationfromFrancein2007.Sincethen,otherprivatehospitals,suchasVinmecandPh??ngChau,haveachievedtheJointCommissionInternational(JCI)accreditationfromtheUS.Mostrecently,theHùngV??ngHospitalinHCMCityhasreceivedtheaccreditationfromtheAustralianCouncilonHealthcareStandardsInternational(ACHSI).However,publichospitalsinVi?tNamfindithardtoobtaininternationalcertificationcomparedtotheirprivatepeersduetobothobjectiveandsubjectivereasons,suchasfrequentovercrowding,difficultiesinfinancialautonomy,andthelackofhigh-qualityhumanresources.Despitethesechallenges,Khoanotedthatpublichospitalsnowhaveopportunitiestoachievethisaccreditationasthe2023lawonmedicalexaminationandtreatmentencourageshealthfacilitiestoadopthigherqualitystandards,includinginternationalones,andrecognisesthesestandardsinVi?tNam.LouiseCuskelly,ExecutiveDirectoroftheACHSI,calledinternationalaccreditationajourney,notaone-timeevent,sayingthatearningitischallenging,butmaintainingitisevenharder,andthatitservesasmotivationforhealthfacilitiestocontinuallyimprovetheirqualityandreputation.T?ngChíTh??ng,DirectoroftheHCMCityDepartmentofHealth,notedglobalexperienceshowsthatbetterhospitalmanagementrequiresashiftfromtraditionalmanagementmodelstomodern,flexible,andadaptiveones.Hospitalsalsoneedtoinvestininformationtechnologyanddigitaltransformation,includingelectronicmedicalrecords,clinicaldecisionsupportsystems,andtelemedicine.Presentationsattheconferencefocusedontopicssuchascurrentchallengestohospitalmanagement,challengesandopportunitiespresentedbyinternationalaccreditationforVietnamesehospitals,itsroleinhospitaldevelopment,andcontrollingprocessestopreventerrorsattheirsource.VNSAviewofLongThànhInternationalAirportspassengerterminal.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngPhong??NGNAI—TheState-runAirportsCorporationofVi?tNam(ACV)hasproposedusingitsownfundstobuildasecondrunwayatLongThànhInternationalAirportinthesouthernprovinceof??ngNai,withatotalinvestmentofoverVN?3.45trillion(US$138.6million).ACVhassubmittedaproposaltotheMinistryofTransport,requestinganappraisalofthepre-feasibilitystudyreportfortheconstructionofthesecondrunwayandthelevellingofthegroundforPassengerTerminalT3atLongThànhInternationalAirport.Thesecondrunway,whichwillbeparalleltothefirstrunway,willhavealengthof4,000m.Itwillincludeaparalleltaxiwaysystemandconnectingtaxiways,signallights,signs,airtrafficmanagementequipmentandotherrelatedinfrastructuretoensureoperationalefficiency.Thisproject,withanestimatedinvestmentofapproximatelyVN?3.45trillion($138.6million),willbefundedbyACVusingthecorporationsownresources.ThelevellingofthegroundforPassengerTerminalT3willcoveranareaofabout181hectares,withanestimatedinvestmentofapproximatelyoverVN?1.95trillion($78.3million),usingpublicinvestmentfundsmanagedbytheMinistryofTransport.AccordingtoACV,itisessentialforairportstohaveadditionalrunwaystoprevententireairportoperationsfrombeingdisruptedincaseofanaircraftincidentormalfunctionsonthefirstrunwayorwhentherearenaturaldisasteremergencies.Therefore,ACVemphasisedthattheconstructionofthesecondrunwayatLongThànhInternationalAirportiscrucialandurgenttomeetoperationaldemands,ensuresafetyandmaximisetheeffectivenessoftheinfrastructuredevelopedinphaseone.Previously,toensurecontinuousoperationsatLongThànhInternationalAirportintheeventofanincidentononerunway,theStateAuditofVi?tNamrecommendedconstructingthesecondrunwayoncethefirstphaseisoperational.ThefirstphaseoftheLongThànhInternationalAirportprojectrequiresatotalinvestmentofnearlyVN?110trillion.ACVisinchargeofkeycomponentswithintheairport,withanestimatedcostofVN?9trillion.ThefirstrunwayisexpectedtobecompletedbyApril30nextyear,whiletheconstructionoftaxiwaysandparkingfacilitiesisanticipatedtobefinishedbyJune2025.—VNS

Phan?ìnhSang,57,atthetrialonMondayinHàT?nh.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàT?NH—ThePeoplesCourtofHàT?nhProvincehandeddownasix-yearprisonsentenceandtwoyearsprobationtoalocalmanformaking,storing,disseminatingorpropagatinginformation,documentsormaterialsaimedatopposingtheStateoftheSocialistRepublicofVi?tNam,atafirst-instancetrialonMonday.AccordingtotheindictmentoftheprovincialPeoplesProcuracy,Phan?ìnhSang,57,anativeofH??ngLongCommune,H??ngKhêDistrict,createdandmanagedfiveFacebookaccountstoengagewithreactionarygroupsandforumsonlinebetween2016and2023.DrivenbydiscontentwiththeregimewhilelivingandworkinginLaos,heposted,sharedanddisseminatednumerousarticles,images,andvideosthatdistortedhistoricalfactsanddefamedtheadministration.SangwasprosecutedandplacedunderdetentiononMarch12,2024bytheInvestigationSecurityAgencyundertheprovincialDepartmentofPublicSecurity.HewaspreviouslysentencedtofouryearsinprisonbythePeoplesCourtofGiaLaiProvinceforembezzlementofassetsattheVi?tNamBankforAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentBanksBranchinChuPahDistrict.—VNSAnofficerprocessesalocalstaxdocumentsatHCMCityTaxDepartment.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?aChungHàN?I—TheMinistryofFinance(MoF)maintainsthatadjustingthefamilydeductionratesintaxpaymentsisnotappropriateatthemoment,especiallyastheminimumwagehasbeenraisedsinceJuly1,2024.ThestatementwasissuedinawrittenresponsetorecommendationsfromvotersinBình??nh,HàGiang,TháiNguyên,TràVinh,TuyênQuangandTayNinhprovinces.Thespecificdeductionlevelrequirescarefulcalculations,ensuringthatitishigherthantheaverageGDPpercapita,theregionalminimumwageandtheaveragespendingpercapitainacertainperiodoftime,theMoFsdocumentreads.Theministryalsocitedthe2023livingstandardsurveyreleasedbytheGeneralStatisticsOffice,whichshowsthatVi?tNamsaveragemonthlyincomepercapitastandsatVN?4.96million(US$199).Thegroupofhouseholdswiththehighestincome(includingthe20percentrichest)takehomeamonthlyaverageofVN?10.86million($437)perperson.Comparedtotheaverageincomepercapita,thecurrentdeductionfortaxpayersofVN?11million($442)perpersonpermonthisover2.2timeshigher,whilethedeductionofVN?4.4million($177)perdependentisalmostequal,theMoFsaid.Withsocial,healthandunemploymentinsurancededucted,peoplewithanaveragemonthlysalaryofVN?17million($683)withonedependent,orVN?22million($884)withtwodependents,arenotsubjectedtopersonalincometax.TheCPI(consumerpriceindex)fluctuateslessthan20percentsincethelatestadjustmentoffamilydeductionratein2020.Accordingtocurrentregulations,itisnotpossibletoadjustthefamilydeductionrateatthispoint,saidthefinanceministry.TheMoFisalsoconductingacomprehensiveevaluationofthecurrentLawonPersonalIncomeTax,whichwillreviewthefamilydeductionratesandprogressivetaxbrackets,andreporttothegovernmentandNationalAssembly(NA)StandingCommitteeforapossibleamendmentaccordingtotheNAslaw-buildingprogramme.Theamendedpersonalincometaxlawisexpectedtobeincludedinthe2025law-buildingprogramme,submittedtotheNAforcommentsandrevisionsinOctoberofthesameyearandslatedforapprovalMay2026.MultipleNAdeputiesaswellaseconomicandlegalexpertshaverecommendedthatadjustmentscanbeproposedinthenearestNAsession,withouthavingtowaituntil2026,toensurethatregulationsonpersonalincometaxandrelatedfamilydeductionsalignwiththecurrentpricingandspendinglevel.—VNS

AseminarheldonAugust24todiscusstheHCMCityssocio-economicdevelopmentstrategyforthe2026-30period.—Photowww.sggp.org.vnHCMCITY—HCMCityisseekingabreakthroughstrategytodrivesocio-economicgrowthinthenextfiveyears.ThemunicipalPeoplesCommitteelastSaturday(August24)heldaseminartodiscussthe2026-30socio-economicdevelopmentstrategy.Speakingattheseminar,ChairmanofHCMCityPeoplesCommitteePhanV?nM?isaidVi?tNamhastenyearslefttobreakfreefromthemiddle-incometrap.Therefore,thecityshouldoutlinestrategicsocio-economicplans,tasksandsolutionsby2030,hesaid.Theseeffortswillnotonlyfulfillthecurrenttermsobjectivesbutalsoestablishafoundationforthecitysdevelopmentby2035,contributingtothecountryseffortstoovercomethemiddle-incometrap,hesaid.Hecalledonparticipantstoprovideinputandproposesolutionstoachievethetermsgoalswhileaddressingkeystrategicbottlenecksandlayingthegroundworkforfuturedevelopment.Nguy?nKh?cHoàng,directorofthecitysStatisticsOffice,saidincreasinglabourproductivityisessentialforescapingthemiddle-incometrap.However,inrecentyears,thecityslabourproductivityhasdeclined,fallingbelowthenationalaverageandreachingasaturationpoint,hesaid.Withoutstrongincentives,furtherproductivitygainswillbedifficulttoachieve,hesaid.Hesaidrestructuringexportprocessingzonesandindustrialparks,attractingleadingenterprises,andreassessingkeyindustrieswerecrucial.Priorityshouldbegiventosectorswithgrowthpotential,suchascommerce,logistics,culturalindustries,financialcenters,tourism,healthcareandeducation,hesaid.V?ThànhT?Anh,DeanoftheFulbrightSchoolofPublicPolicyandManagement(FSPPM)underFulbrightUniversityVi?tNam,saidHCMcitymustmaintainaneconomicgrowthrateof9-9.5percenttoescapethemiddle-incometrap.Achievingthislevelofgrowthrequiresmakingtheindustrialsectorthetoppriority,hesaid.However,thecityseconomicstructureshowsclearsignsofdecliningindustrialproduction,makingitcrucialforthecitytorefocusonindustrialdevelopment.Technologymustbeattheheartofthisgrowth,especiallydisruptivetechnologieslikeAIandenergy.AIwillreshapecitieswithinthenextfiveto10years,sothecityshoulddevelopacoherentAIstrategy,hesaid.Healsosuggestedthecityadoptacorporatediplomacystrategytoattractmajorcorporationsandemphasisetheroleofprivateinvestment.Thecityscurrentgrowthmodelhasreacheditslimitsandlacksfurthermomentum.Therefore,thecitymustbroadenitsfocusbeyondeconomicgrowthtoincludeenvironmentalandsocialmetrics,hesaid.Addressinginstitutionalbottlenecksiscrucial.Thismeansidentifyingkeygrowthdrivers,determiningthenecessaryinstitutionalchanges,andremovingbarrierstoensureproactiveandeffectiveimplementation,headded.HCMCityscentralareaalongtheSàiGònRiver.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhV?Overthenextfiveyears,thecityshouldcapitaliseonitspoliticalstabilityandtheopportunitiespresentedbytheFourthIndustrialRevolutiontoattractinvestmentandboostgrowth,Tr?nDuL?ch,aneconomicexpert,said.Priorityshouldbegiventourbanbeautificationanddevelopment,includingaddressingallhousingalongandnearcanalsandimprovingunsaferesidentialareaswithinadequatelivingconditions,hesaid.Thecityshouldputforwardspecialmechanismstoaccelerateurbaninfrastructureinvestment,withafocusonurbanrail.Itshouldalsorefineitsgovernanceframeworkstotransitiontowardsamoreeffectiveandefficienturbanadministrationmodel.Toachievethedevelopmentvisionfor2045,wemustembracenewthinkingandsolveproblemswithdifferentmechanismsandapproaches,hesaid.Tr?nHoàngNgan,AssistantoftheSecretaryofthecitysPartyCommittee,saidthekeytothecitysfuturedevelopmentliesinhavingasuperior,transparent,andopeninstitutionalframework.HecalledforthepromptenactmentofaspecialurbanLaw.Thecityshouldfocusoninfrastructuredevelopment,improvinghumanresources,supportingbusinessgrowth,andenhancingtheleadershiproleofState-ownedenterprisesinthemarket,hesaid.Ifweestablishacohesiveinstitutionalandsocio-economicinfrastructure,coupledwithhigh-qualityhumanresources,excellenthealthcare,stablepoliticalsecurity,andsafesocialconditions,investmentinthecitywillbehighlyattractive,hesaid.Herecommendedthecityprioritisethedisbursementofpublicinvestmentfundsandinfrastructureinvestmentstoserveasacatalystforsocio-economicdevelopmentby2030.MaintaininggrowthtargetThemunicipalPeoplesCommitteechairmanPhanV?nM?isaidthecitywillcontinuetoseekandintegrateexpertfeedbacktocreatethemosteffectivedocuments,andsetambitiousgoalstoleadtheway.Heurgeddepartments,agencies,experts,andscientiststofurtherresearchandrefinesocioeconomicgoals,ensuringthateachcomponentrepresentsacleartasksupportedbypracticalconditionsformaximumfeasibility.Hesaidthesoutherncityiscommittedtomaintaininganeconomicandsocialgrowthrateofapproximatelyninepercentforthe2025-30period.Thisrequiresaseriesoftasksandinitiatives,supportedbyasuitableinstitutionalframeworkandpolicymechanismstoattractinvestmentandenhanceinvestmentabsorptionthroughsubstantialreformsinadministrativesystemsandworkforcedevelopment,hesaid.—VNSDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàchairsthemeetingonMonday.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Mineralmanagementmustbestreamlinedtopreventoverlappingresponsibilities,ensuringclearaccountabilityandefficientdecision-making.ThatsaccordingtoDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàspeakingatthemeetingonthedraftLawonGeologyandMineralsonMonday.TheDeputyPMgavespecificinstructionsregardingcriteriaforcasesrequiringornotneedingauctionsformineralexploitationrights,handlingandresolvingoverlapsbetweenmineralplanningandotherplannings,andusinglandandwastefromminingactivitiesasfillmaterial.Thedraftlawwaspreviouslydiscussedatthe7thsessionoftheNationalAssembly(NA)andwasbeingrefinedbasedoninputfromvariousministriesandstakeholders.Atthemeeting,DeputyMinisterofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentTr?nQuyKiênadvocatedforamorescientificapproachtoissuessuchasassigningresponsibilityformineralplanning,definingthescopeofareassubjecttomineralrightsauctionsandaddressingplanningoverlaps.Hearguedthatamoreprecisedelineationofthelawsscopewouldenhanceitsfeasibilityandcoherence.TheNAsStandingCommitteeaskedforinputonwhethertheplanningformineralresourcesshouldbehandledbytheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment,theMinistryofIndustryandTrade,ortheMinistryofConstruction.Inresponsetothecommittee,lawmakersincorporateditintothedraftlawthattheNationalMineralReserveAssessmentCouncilhastheauthoritytorecognisetheresultsofmineralexplorationactivitiesapprovedbytheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment.Representativesfromotherministriesdiscussedrevisingregulationsonmineralexplorationfees,investmentreimbursement,rightauctionsandmineralprocessing.Thedraftlawmustberefinedtoreflectmodernpracticesandtechnologies,makingtheprocessmoreefficientandenvironmentallyfriendly,saidtheDeputyPM.Healsosaidthedraftlawmustprovideaframeworkforfundingandmanagingtheexplorationofvaluableminerals,ensuringthattheseactivitiescontributetotheoveralleconomicandsocialdevelopmentofthecountry.HecalledontheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmenttoworkdiligentlytoincorporatevaluablefeedbackfromallstakeholderstoproduceacomprehensiveandhigh-qualitydraftlawthatwillgarnerbroadsupportwithintheNationalAssembly.—VNS