TheHCMCityLabourFederationonJune21launchedanewfreeofchargereststopformotorbiketaxidrivers.—Photonld.com.vnHCMCITY—Anadditionalnewfree-of-chargereststopformotorbiketaxidrivershasbeenopenedinTh???ccity,raisingthenumbertofourinHCMCity.ThecityLabourFederationonJune21launchedanewfree-of-chargereststopformembersofthetraditionalmotorbiketaxidriversyndicateandride-hailingdrivFIVE88ersinthecity.ThereststopislocatedatNo.245Nguy?nDuyTrinhStreetTh???ccity.Driverswillbesupportedwithfree-of-chargewater,wifiserviceandbatteryplugconnectorsandoffereda35percentdiscountforchangingmotorbikeoil.Fortheoccasion,theCentreforSocialAffairsunderthecityLabourUnionandtheLabourUnionoftheHCMCityUniversityofAgricultureandForestrypresentedtwosavingaccountstotalingVN?50million(US$1,965)eachfordriverswithseverediseases.Some50driverswillhaveachancetoreceivefreeoilformotorbikes.ThefourreststopsarelocatedindistrictsBìnhTanand7,andTh???ccityThreereststopsarefortraditionalandtech-basedmotorbiketaxidrivers,whileonegivesprioritytodriversoffour-wheeledvehicles.Thecityishometoabout11,000membersofthetraditionalmotorbiketaxidriversyndicate.—VNS

Anengineerdemonstratesthesprayingofchemicalsonricefieldsusinganunmannedaerialvehicle(drone)tohelplocalfarmers.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngM?oHàN?I—TheHàN?isPeoplesCommitteewillallocateapproximatelyVN?11billion(US$432,100)tosupportorganisationsandindividualsinatwo-yeartrialusingunmannedaerialvehicles,ordrones,tospraychemicalsonagriculturallandtoprotectcrops.TheplanwillbeimplementedaccordingtoResolutionNo.08/2023issuedonJuly4,2023,bythecitysPeoplesCouncil,usingfundsfromthecitysbudgetfor2024-2025.In2024,thedroneswillbeusedoveranareaof24,972hectaresinthedistrictsofM???c,Th?chTha?t,ThanhOai,PhúcTh?,MêLinh,Ch??ngM?,Th??ngTín,?ngHòa,SócS?n,PhúXuyênandQu??cOai,withatotalbudgetofoverVN?6.24billion($245,120).Nextyear,thedroneswillbeusedover18,959hectaresinthedistrictsofM???c,Th?chTha?t,S?nTay,MêLinh,Ch??ngM?,Th??ngTín,?ngHòa,SócS?n,Qu??cOaiandPhúXuyên,withatotalbudgetofVN?4.74billion($186,190).ThecommitteehasassignedtheDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmenttocoordinatewithrelevantdepartmentsanddistrict-levelpeoplescommitteestosupervisethetrialtoensureeffectivenessandcompliancewithregulations.Relevantunitshavebeenaskedtocollaboratewithdistricts,townsandrelatedsectorstocompileandevaluatetheimplementationresults,proposesolutionsandpromptlyreportdifficultiesencounteredduringtheimplementation.—VNSAsystemthathelpslocateandrescuetrappedfirevictimsinapartments,designedbyLamHùngV?(left)andLamB?oTran(right)fromSócTr?ngProvince,haswonthesecondprizeinaprovincialsciencecompetitionduetoitspracticalityandeffectiveness.—Photobaogiaothong.vnSóCTR?NG—AsystemthatcanlocatetrappedapartmentresidentsduringfireshaswonsecondprizeattheSócTr?ngProvinceScienceandTechnologyCompetition2023-2024forhighschoolstudents.CreatedbyLamB?oTranandLamHùngV?,11thgradersfromNguy?nTh?MinhKhaiHighSchoolfortheGifted(SócTr?ngProvince),theprojectassistsfirefightersandrescueteamsinlFIVE88ocatingandpromptlyrescuingpeopleduringfires.Asensorwillbeplacedontheceilingofeachapartment,andamonitoringsystemwillbesetupinthemanagementroomoftheapartmentcomplex,LamHùngV?toldTu?iTr?(Youth)newspaper.ThetwosystemsconnectandtransferdatausingWiFi.Whenthereisafire,thesystemwillidentifythewhereaboutsoftheunusuallyhighheatandsignalthesensor.Then,themonitoringsystemwillautomaticallyalertapartmentmanagersandrescuepersonnelandprovideguidancetoresidents.Italsohelpsfindandlocatethosethatarestuckthroughahuman-identifyingsensor,ahigh-heatsensor,andanemergencybuttonplacedineachhousehold.Residentscanpresstheemergencybutton,andinformationsuchaswhotheresidentis,roomnumber,andfloorlevel,willbesentimmediatelytothemanagementsystem.Therearealsospeakersattachedtothesystemforrescuepersonneltoguideresidentstoevacuatesafely.PricedatanestimatedVN?2million(US$78.4),thestudentsbelievethesystemwillbesoonputintousetoenhancesafetyinapartmentcomplexes.—Photobaogiaothong.vnTooptimisetheuserexperience,thestudentsalsodesignedawebpagethatcaneasilybeaccessedviasmartphonesorcomputerswithwificonnection.Itoperatesandalertsusersjustlikethemonitoringsystem.Ifthereisnowifiduetopoweroutages,thesystemhasabackuppowersourcethatproducesenoughwififorthesystemtorunsmoothly,saidLamB?oTran.SinceeachsystemonlycostsanestimatedVN?2million(US$78.4),Ibelieveeveryhouseholdcanaffordthistoimprovetheirsafety.Itisalsoveryeasytouse,shesaid.Thissystemperformedverywellduringtesting.Itisverypractical,easytocontrol,anduser-friendly.Itshardwarecomponentsarealsodesignedtobeeasilymass-manufactured,colonelBùiV?nH?ng,deputyheadoftheprovincialPoliceDepartmentofFirePrevention,Fighting,andRescue,said.VNS

AclassattheFutureSpecialSchoolinC?mL?District,?àN?ngCity.—Photogiaoducthoidai.vnHàN?I—TheshortagesofspecialschoolsforchildrenwithdisabilitiesinsomepartsofVi?tNamleavemanyparentswithnochoicebuttoenroltheminmainstreamschools,wheretheymaynotreceivethesupporttheyneed,orkeepthemathomeforself-care.Thisproblemcansignificantlyimpactthechildrensdevelopmentandwell-being.LinhTh?S?n,ateacherattheHanoiPrivateSchoolforDeafandMuteChildreninThanhXuanDistrict,HàN?iCity,revealsthatstudentswithdisabilitiesfinditmuchmoredifficulttoacquireknowledgethantheirnormalpeersinmainstreamschools.Shetakesstudentswithhearingimpairmentsasanexample,notingthattheyabsorbverylittleknowledgewhenleftinanenvironmentnotdesignedforthem.Therearetwostudentswithdisabilitiesinmyclass,whohavecompleted5thgradeinamainstreamschoolbutgainedlimitedcommunicationskillsandnosoftskills,saidS?n.Nguy?nTháiPhong,principalofV?Th?SáuPrimarySchoolinH?iChauDistrict,?àN?ngCity,notesthatfewstudentswithdisabilitieshavemedicalrecordswhentheyareenrolledinmainstreamschools.Withoutdocumentaryevidenceoftheircondition,theyareobligedtotakethesametestsasnormalstudentsduringperiodicassessments,whichputsthemunderhugeacademicpressure.Thepressureresultsingraderepetitionamongthestudents,saidPhong.Theprincipalalsorevealsthattheabsenceofmedicalrecordsmakestheteachersinchargeofthestudentsineligibleforthebenefitsandallowancesentitledtothemotherwise.Withoutthebenefitsandallowances,theteachersfeelsomewhatdiscouraged,addedPhong.TheFutureSpecialSchoolinC?mL?District,?àN?ngCity,haseightteachersintheIndividualInterventionTeam,tinyincomparisonwiththenumberofstudentsinneedofearlyintervention.Nguy?nDuyQuy,FutureSpecialSchoolsPrincipal,saidthathisschoolhasrequestedago-aheadfromthe?àN?ngsDepartmentofEducationandTraining,tohiretwoadditionalteacherstoensureenoughclassesforstudentswithdisabilities.HealsosharedthattheschoolandtheUniversityofEducationundertheUniversityof?àN?nghavecooperatedtoorganiseaspecialeducationcertificatetrainingcourseforteacherswhohavenotbeentrainedinspecialeducation.Allteachersinourschoolhavejoinedthecourseandobtainedspecialeducationcertificates,saidQuy.Thereareotherchallengesfortheschool.Ithashadtouselibrariesanddocumentstorageroomsandhearingtestroomsassubstitutesforclassroomsforspeciallessons.T?ngTh?ThanhBình,principalofNamHàPrimarySchoolinHàT?nhCity,HàT?nhProvince,sharesthatinherschool,classesareorganisedinsmallersizesthanregularclassestogiveteachersmoretimetocareforeachstudentwithdisabilities.Weaskteacherstoreducethelearningworkloadineveryclasstokeepthestudentsmoreengaged,saidBình.Despitetheeffortstosupportdisabledstudents,schoolsfindithardtoimproveacademicperformancesduetolimitedclassroomtime.?àN?ngsInclusiveEducationDevelopmentSupportCentrehasthreeteachersinchargeofindividualeducationandearlyintervention.??Th???Quyên,thecentresdirector,revealsthathercentrecurrentlyfallsshortofthreeteacherstomeettheneedsforindividualeducationofstudents.Shealsosaidthatmanyparentshavesenttheirdisabledchildrentothecentreforearlyinterventionbutthecentredoesnothaveenoughteachingstafftoaccommodatethem.Wehavetoreferthosechildrentoprivatecentrestoavoiddelayingthegoldenperiodforintervention,saidQuyên.—VNSBorderforcesinQu?ngTr?ProvinceseizeheroinsmuggledfromLaosintoVi?tNamonMay23.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Anationwidecampaignhasbeenlaunchedtocrackdownondrug-relatedcrimes.DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuang,chairmanoftheNationalCommitteeforAIDS,Drug,andProstitutionPrevention,hasdirectedtheMinistryofPublicSecuritytoinitiatetheprocess.FromJune1toJune30,ministries,agenciesandlocalauthoritiesaremandatedtoimplementtheactionmonthwiththethemeTogetherforDrug-FreeCommunities.Thefocuswillbeoneliminatingdrughotspots,dismantlingdrugtraffickingnetworks,andcapturingoffendersatalllevels.Enhancedcoordinationamonganti-drugforcesisessentialforaunifiedapproach.Localpolicewillassessthesituationofdrugaddictsandillegalusers,especiallythosewithpsychosis,toenforcestrictermanagement,particularlyinkeyareaswithlargelabourpopulations.Effectiveaddictionidentificationandrehabilitationmeasureswillbecontinued,alongwithsupportiveactivitiesfortheactionmonthandrelatedinternationalandnationalanti-drugdays.Effortswillincludeestablishinganddisseminatingsuccessfuldrug-freecommunitymodels.Informationdisseminationactivitieswillbeintensified,particularlyatthegrassrootslevel,incollaborationwithmediaandrelevantsectors.TheMinistryofPublicSecuritywillcoordinatewithotherministriestodevelopthenationaltargetprogrammefordrugpreventionuntil2030.Theministriesofdefenceandfinancewillworkwithpublicsecurityagenciestodismantledrugnetworksatbordersandkeyareas,whileraisingpublicawarenessondrugprevention.TheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairswillfocusonimprovingdrugrehabilitationforhigh-riskgroups,expandingeffectivesupportmodels,andfacilitatingcommunity-basedservices.TheMinistryofHealthwilltrainmedicalstaffinaddictiondiagnosisandcollaboratewithpublicsecurityauthoritiesforenhancedlocalefforts.Educationandtrainingoflegalissueswillalsobeconducted.TheMinistryofInformationandCommunicationswillboostanti-drugmessagingthroughmediaandmobilenetworks.TheMinistryofEducationandTraining,theYouthUnion,andtheLabourConfederationwillorganiseanti-drugactivitiesforstudents,workers,andyouth,focusingonthedangersofdrugsandpreventivemeasures.Mediaagencieswillenhancetheiranti-drugcommunicationefforts,showcasingsuccessfulmodelsandincreasingcoverageduringpeakhours.Provincialandmunicipalauthoritieswilltakeactivitiestolocalconditions,intensifyinganti-drugmessaginginkeyareas.Theywillsupportvoluntaryfamilyandcommunity-basedrehabilitation,allocateresourcesforanti-drugefforts,andstrictlycontrolactivitiesrelatedtodrugs.Lastyear,drugcrimeinvestigationforcessuccessfullyuncoveredover26,460casesandarrestedmorethan41,410drugoffenders,including26foreigners.Theauthoritiesseized512kgofheroin,5.3tonnesofsyntheticdrugs,500kgofcannabis,and330kgofcocaine.Theyalsodismantled79hotspotsand11complexdrughubsandapprehendedorpersuadedthesurrenderof379wanteddrugcriminals.—VNSRepresentativesattendtheconference.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?n?i?pHàN?I—DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàhasaskedtheLongThànhInternationalAirportProjectManagementBoardtopushaheadwiththeworkonsite,specificallydrivingupinvestorselection,whichiskeytoensuringtheprogressofthewholeproject.Chairinganon-lineandin-personconference,hepraisedtheeffortsoftheairportplanningteamfortheirworksofarin??ngNaiProvince,withthesitenowclearedandcommittingtoaspecificdeadlineforhandingovertheremainingareas.TheVi?tNamAirTrafficManagementCorporation(VATM)hasbeenproactiveandcreativeinimplementingbiddingpackagesforthefirstthreestagesoftheproject.Relatedtophaseone,whichincludedtheconstructionoftheheadquartersofStatemanagementagencies,DeputyPMHàrequestedtheMinistryofTransport(MoT)toworkwithotherministries,iFIVE88ntegratetheirworkandreporttotheGovernmentdetailedandspecificplansoncommencementandcompletiontimes.TheMoTisresponsiblefortheoveralldesignofcargoterminalitems,aviationlogisticsareas,aircraftmaintenanceareas,airlinestaffaccommodationandcateringareastomeetinternationalaviationstandards,offeringthebestandmostmodernservices.Forbiddingpackages,internationalinvestorsmustbeselectedwithfullcapacity,experience,reputation,professionalandtechnicalqualifications,operatingattheworldsleadingairportsandwitheffectivebusinessplans.ThebiddingmustnotexcludetheparticipationofVietnamesebusinesses.Heemphasisedthatthetimeforcompletionandorganisationofbiddingisextremelyimportant.Bythemiddleofnextmonth,theCivilAviationAuthorityofVi?tNammustannouncethebiddingdocuments.Confirmingthattheworkonalargeconstructionsitemustassignclearresponsibilities,theDeputyPMrequestedtheMoTtobeinoverallchargeofmonitoringprogressandconnectingtheentireprojectwithcomponentprojects.ProgressoftransportinfrastructureconstructionpackagesconnectingLongThànhAirportwithprovincesandcitiesmustalsobeensured,incompatiblewiththeprogressofothercomponentprojects.DeputyPMHàalsogavetheMoTtheresponsibilityofconductinganoverallreviewandassessmentoftheprojectsphaseone.Thereviewshouldclarifyproblems,causes,responsibilitiesandsolutions,alongwithspecificcompletiondeadlines,investmentpoliciestobuildresettlementareastoservetheproject,researchandproposeadjustmentstoprepareforphasetwo.WorkresultsSpeakingattheconference,ActingChairmanofthe??ngNaiProvincesPeoplesCommitteeV?T?n??csaidthatfortheT1constructionroute,allofthesitehadbeenbasicallyhandedover,while4,500sq.mleftwillbehandedovertotheconstructioncontractorbythebeginningofnextmonth.Regardingtheelectricaltechnicalinfrastructurerelocation,LongThànhDistrictworkedwiththecontractortocutoffpoweratfiveoutof10placesthatneedtobemoved,whilepaperworkandproceduresforthemedium-lowvoltagesystemhasbeencompletedandisunderappraisalforimplementation.Theprovincehascompleted21outof21technicalinfrastructurepackagesforresettlementareasandsevenoutof11socialinfrastructureprojects.Phasetwooftheprojectistheairtrafficcontrol,radarandradiotransmitterstations,andbidsforthoseparts,saidthespokespersonfromVATM,werealreadyunderway.Phasethreeconcernsthepassengerterminal,generalairportconstructionandbuildingthecargoterminal.V?Th?Phi?t,generaldirectoroftheAirportsCorporationofVi?tNam(ACV),saidthepassengerterminalpackagewasupto20daysaheadofschedule.Phasefourcoversthefreightterminal,theaviationlogisticssection,aircraftmaintenance,thecateringserviceandtheoperationalcentresofaircarriers.Asmuchas90percentofthesteelvolumehasalreadyarrivedonsiteandisexpectedtobeinstalledfromAugust.Therunway,taxiwayandaircraftapronbiddingpackageaimstobecompletedonApril30nextyear,whichisthreemonthsearlierthanschedule.ThetrafficroutesconnectingthepassengerterminalwiththeNationalHighway51andtheHCMCity-LongThành-D?uGiayExpresswayarebeingimplementedaccordingtothesetschedule.TheACVdirectedtheprojectmanagementboardtoreviewtheprogressandconstructiontimeoftheremainingpackagestomeetthedeadlineandavoidanypotentialconflicts.—VNS

AhealthworkersprayschemicalstokillmosquitoesatDistrict11sChildrenHouseinHCMCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheHCMCityDepartmentofHealthhascalledonindividualsandcommunitiestojoinforcesinacampaigntopreventandcontroldenguefevertomarkthe14thAssociationofSoutheastAsianNations(ASEAN)DengueDay(June15).SpeakingatthelaunchingceremonyinthecitysTanPhúDistrict,Dr.Nguy?nV?nV?nhChau,deputydirectorofthedepartment,saiddenguefeverisoneofthemostrapidlyspreadinginfectiousdiseases.Themosquito-bornediseaseremainsaseriouspublichealththreatthatcancausedeath,Chausaid.HCMCityisoneofthemostdengueaffectedlocalitiesinVi?tNam,withatotalof3,251casesofdenguerecordedthroughout22districtsandTh???cCityfromthebeginningoftheyeartoMay19,hesaid.BìnhChánh,TanPhúandBìnhTandistrictsreportedahighincidencerateofdengueinfectionsper100,000people.ThedepartmentpredictsthatthenumberofinfectionswouldlikelytorisefromtherainyseasonthatbeganinMayuntilNovember.Themosteffectivemeasuretopreventdengueistokillmosquitosanddestroytheirlarvaeathomeandatworkplaces,Chausaid.Theinvolvementofindividualstogetherwiththehealthsectorareneededtofightdengue,hesaid.Theawarenessraisingcampaignwillmobiliseresourcesformeasurestopreventandcontroldenguedisease.—VNSPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhdelivershisspeechataconferenceonNinhBìnhProvincesMasterPlan.—VNA/VNSPhotoD??ngGiangNINHBìNH—AmasterplanforNinhBìnhProvince,withavisionto2050,offeringnewdirections,newvisionsandmoderndevelopmentprospects,hasbeenreleased.PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhtodayoutlinedplansforthenorthernprovinceofNinhBình,coveringtheperioduntil2030andthenforwardforthenexttwodecades,whichisexpectedtoprovidefreshmotivationforthecommondevelopmentofthelocality.Theprovincialplansembraceagreendevelopmentmodel,saidPMChính,basedonfourkeyeconomicsectorsandthreedevelopmentalcorridors.Thefouraretourismandculturalindustry,theautomotiveandmechanicalindustry,innovativeentrepreneurshipandecologicalagriculture.ThosethreecorridorsofdevelopmentareNorth-South,East-Westandcoastalareas.Thisisanexceptionallyjudiciouschoice,strategicallysignificantanddecisivelyimpactfulfortherapidandsustainabledevelopmentoftheprovinceinthetimeahead,Chínhhighlighted.Hethentoldtheprovincetofocusonmobilisingandefficientlyusingalllegitimateresourcestoimplementtheplan,particularlyintermsofinvestinginthelocalworkforce,tobecomeanexusforthenationsthreeregions.Additionally,theprovinceneededtofocusonthreedrivingforces,consistingofdevelopingstrategicinfrastructure,enhancingregionalconnectivitydomesticallyandinternationally;fosteringaserviceindustrydevelopment,culturalandentertainmentindustries;andboostingscienceandtechnology,innovation,agreenanddigitaleconomy,andadaptingtomeetthedemandsofclimatechange.Healsourgedtheprovincetoconstructandactivelyimplementtheplanningneeded,maximisinginternalandexternalresources,promotingpublic-privatepartnershipsandattractinginvestmentinstrategicinfrastructure,particularlyintermsoftransportationandurbaninfrastructure,acceleratingadministrativereforms,improvingtheinvestmentenvironment,investingineducationandtraining,aswellasdevelopingaqualityworkforce.Theprovincialadministrationmustwidelydisseminatetheplanningthroughvariousmeanstoensurethepublicunderstanding,support,complianceandoversightoftheplanningimplementation.Heorderedministriesandagenciestocontinuecoordinatingwiththeprovinceindeployingtheplanningaccordingtotheirfunctions,tasksandauthorities.Headdedthattheprovinceneededtodevelopasmoothinfrastructure,intelligentgovernanceandopenmechanismsforrapidandsustainabledevelopmentoftheprovince.Thebusinesscommunitywasorderedtoupholdthemissionofenterpriseswiththespiritoftogetherlisteningandunderstanding,togethersharingvisionandaction,andtogetherworking,winning,enjoying,anddeveloping.Withtheprovinceshistoricalandculturaltraditions,aspirationsandprideinitsancientcapital,ithadtheopportunitytocreateastrongidentity,acentrally-runcitywithacivilised,modern,intelligent,distinctivecharacter,onparwithmillenniumheritagecitiesandcreativecitiesworldwide,hesaid.AutomotivemechanicalindustryhubUndertheprovincialplan,by2030NinhBìnhneedstomeetthecriteriaofacentrally-runcitywiththecharacteristicsofanancientheritagecity,acreativecity,oneofthemajorcentreswithhighbrandvalueintourism,culturalindustries,oneofthemajorcentresofnationalandSoutheastAsianheritageeconomies.Theprovincealsoplanstobealeadingmodernautomotivemechanicalindustryhubofthenation,creatingacohesiveecosystemofinnovativeentrepreneurship,ensuringasolidfoundationinnationaldefenceandsecurity.Undertheplan,theaverageGrossRegionalDomesticProduct(GRDP)growthratefortheperiod2021-30ofNinhBìnhisforecasttoreach9.2percent.TheaveragepercapitaGRDPwillbeaboutVN?200million(US$7,842);rankingitamongthetop10provincesandcitieswiththehighestaveragepercapitaincomenationwide.TheeconomicstructureofGRDPwillincludeagriculture-forestry-aquacultureaccountingfor5.3percent;industry-constructionaccountingfor45.3percent;servicesaccountingfor38.3percent.Thepovertyrate,accordingtomultidimensionalpovertystandards,willbebelow2percent.NinhBìnhwillpromotethedevelopmentoftheautomotivemechanicalindustry,high-techindustry,andenvironmentallyfriendlyindustriesasthedrivingforceforgrowth;developingtourismandculturalindustries;promotinginnovation,administrativereform,digitaltransformation,buildingadigitalgovernmentandcomprehensivedigitaleconomy;enhancingcompetitivecapacity,improvingtheinvestmentandbusinessenvironment;traininganddevelopinghumanresourcestomeetthedemandsofsocio-economicdevelopmentintheFourthIndustrialRevolution.Alongwiththat,theprovincewillmakecomprehensivedevelopmentofculture-society;preservingandpromotingthegoodtraditionalculturalvaluesofthepeopleintheancientcapitalarea;focusingonpreserving,restoring,promotingtheheritageoftheCitadelofHoaL?andtheWorldCulturalandNaturalHeritageSiteofTràngAn.Lastyear,theGRDPgrowthrateofNinhBìnhreached7.27percent,rankingiteighthintheRedRiverDeltaRegionand22ndnationwidewithgrowthratesstillat8.02percentinthefirstquarterofthisyear.Since2022,theprovincehasautonomouslymanageditsbudget,withexportsranking23rdoutof63provincesandcitiesacrossthecountry.—VNS

Aviewof?àL?tCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoBùiV?nLanhL?M??NG—TheprovincialgovernmentofLam??nghasdecidedtopostponetheexpansionof?àL?tandB?oL?ccitiestothe2026-2030period.TheinitialplanaimedtomergeL?cD??ngDistrictinto?àL?tCityandreassignfivecommunesinB?oLamDistrict–L?cAn,L?cThành,L?cNam,TanL?candL?cTan–toB?oL?cCitywithinthe2023-2025timeframe.However,theMinistryofConstructionexpressedconcernsabouttheplan,sayingthatmergingL?cD??nginto?àL?tcouldleadtoadowngradein?àL?tsurbanclassificationfromTypeItoTypeIIduetoadecreaseinpopulationdensity.Additionally,thenumberofadministrativeunitsintheplanfallsshortofwhatwasoutlinedinResolutionNo.26bytheNationalAssemblysStandingCommitteeregardingtheclassificationofcities.TheMinistryurgedtheprovincetorevisetheplan.Inresponse,thegovernmentofLam??ngissuedonMay24anewresolutionpushingtheexpansionbacktothe2026-2030period.—VNS

Nguy?nTh?Quyênshowingoffherplasticboxcrabfarmingmethod.—VNA/VNSPhotosHu?nhAnhCàMAU—BoldlyapplyingscienceandtechnologyinaquacultureisearningsignificantprofitsforcrabfarmersinthesouthernmostprovinceofCàMau,wherecrabisahigh-valuemarineproduct,secondonlytoshrimp.Nguy?nTh?Quyên,fromTanT?oHamletinTanH?ng??ngCommune,CáiN??cDistrict,hasbecomeasuccessfulexampleinaquaculturedevelopmentwithhermethodofraisingcrabsinplasticboxes.Herfamilysinvestmentinthehigh-techcrabfarmingmodel,featuringplasticboxesandarecirculatingwatertreatmentsystem,allowsforcontinuousmonitoringofwaterquality,temperatureandcrabhealth.Thisenablestimelyadjustmentstomaintainanoptimallivingenvironmentforthecrabs.Sharingthesecrettoherfamilyssuccessoverfivefarmingseasons,Quyênbelievesthatselectinghealthy,robustcrabsforfarmingminimiseslosses.Thecrabshealthandfeedingresponsivenessaremonitoreddailythroughmeticulousrecord-keepingtoadjusttheirdietappropriately.Eachcrabisraisedseparatelyinaplasticboxfor10to40days,dependingonthetypeofcrab.Localfoodsourcesforthecrabsarereadilyavailable,suchassmallfish,clamsandsnails,QuyêntoldTinT?cnewspaper.Fornewcrabbreeders,theinitialinvestmentcostscanbeasignificantobstacle.However,farmerscanrecouptheirprofitswitheachfarmingcycle.EachbatchofcrabscanyieldprofitsranginguptoVN?7million(US$273),shesaid.Atpresent,with200crabboxes,Quyênsfamilyappliesarotationalfarmingmethod,ensuringthatcrabsareavailableforsaleeveryday.Thisapproachhasenabledherfamilytoproactivelysellcommercialcrabsatpeakdemandtimes,fetchingthehighestpricesandresultinginprofitsthatattimeshaveincreasedbyover150percent.Moreimportantly,themodelshowsthatfarmersarebeginningtoapplyscientificandtechnicalmethodsinproduction,accordingtoTr?nThanhLiêm,ChairmanoftheFarmersAssociationinTanH?ng??ngCommune.Comparedtotraditionalcrabfarmingmethods,raisingcrabsinplasticboxesrequiresfarmerstocloselymonitoreverythingincludingwatertreatmentandthehealthofthecrabs,aswellasfeedingandcleaningtheboxes.Farmingcrabsinplasticboxesofferasignificantadvantageinthatitrequireslesslandarea.Farmerscancontrolthenumberofcrabsbeingraised,managediseaseoutbreaksandproactivelyharvestforthehighestsellingprices,hesaid.Quyênsmodelofcrabfarminginplasticboxeshaspavedthewayfornewopportunitiesforwomeninruralareas.Watertreatmentsystemforcrabfarming.QuyênsinnovativecrabfarmingmodelhasrecentlysecuredaVN?180millioninvestmentfromtheDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentinCáiN??cDistrict.Thisfinancialsupportaimstoadvancethedevelopmentofherpioneeringapproach.Withitsarrayofbenefits,thisuniquemodelhasgarneredsignificantinterestamongfellowfarmerswhovisittolearnfromQuyênsexperience.Similarcrabfarmingmodelshavebeguntoemergeinlocalitiesacrosstheprovince,allshowingpromisingoutcomes.CrabfarmingstandsasacornerstoneofCàMausaquacultureindustryandisafocalpointfortheagriculturalsectorsrestructuringefforts.Withanextensiveannualcrabfarmingareaexceeding250,000hectaresandanestimatedyieldsurpassing25,000tons,valuedatoverVN?10trillion,itservesasasubstantialsourceofincomeforaquaculturepractitioners,comingsecondonlytoshrimpproducts.CàMauleadsthenationincrabproduction.Theprovincesselectcrabfarmingregionshaveobtainedgeographicalindicationprotectionthroughcollectivetrademarklabels.Thisstrategicmoveaimstobolstermanagementpractices,ensurequalitycontrolandfortifyproductbranding.Italsoaimstofurtherelevatethevalueoflocalcrabproducts,whichareconsideredregionalspecialtiesandhighlyesteemedbydomesticandinternationalconsumersduetotheirexceptionalquality.—VNSVietnamesemilitaryofficersandLaosOudomxayprovincialofficialsattheceremonyrepatriatingremainsofVietnamesevolunteersoldiersandexperts.—VNA/VNSPhoto??BáThànhVIENTIANE—AceremonywasheldinOudomxayProvince(Laos)onTuesdaytohandoverandrepatriateremainsofVietnamesevolunteersoldiersandexpertswholaiddowntheirlivesduringthewartimeinthesixnorthernlocalitiesofLaos.Speakingattheceremony,MajorGeneralSivonSayavong,directoroftheOudomxayprovincialpolicedepartment,stressedthespecialsolidaritybetweenthetwoPartiesandStates,aswellasthesacrificebyVietnamesevolunteersoldiersandexpertstointernationalmissions,sayingtheyhavegreatlycontributedtotheLaostrugglefornationalliberation.HethankedtheVietnameseGovernmentandpeoplefortheirsupporttoLaosduringthepaststruggleaswellasthepresentcauseofnationaldefence,constructionanddevelopment,andexpressedhisbeliefthatthegreatfriendship,specialsolidarity,andcomprehensivecooperationbetweenthetwoPartiesandStateswillbefurthertightenedinthetimeahead.AteamofVi?tNamsMilitaryRegion2wasestablishedinJune1994andtaskedwithsearchingandrepatriatingremainsofVietnamesevolunteersoldiersandexpertsinthesixnorthernLaolocalitiesofOudomxay,LuangNamtha,Bokeo,LuangPrabang,Phongsaly,andXayaboury,accordingtoMajorGeneralNguy?nH?ngThái,headoftheregionssteeringcommitteeforthesearch,collectionandidentificationoffallensoldiersremains(SteeringCommittee515).Ithascollectedandbroughthomeremainsof1,836ofsuchpeople,andhandedthemoverto25Vietnamesecitiesandprovinces,hesaid.Amemorialandburialserviceforthe12martyrsisslatedforJune19atacemeteryinthenorthernborderprovinceof?i?nBiên.—VNA/VNS

Caption:Farmerspreparefortheongoingsummer-autumnricecropinCàMauProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhAnhCàMAU—ThesouthernmostprovinceofCàMauistakingurgentmeasurestomitigatetheeffectsofpossibleinclementweatheronitskeycropsandaquaticspeciesduringtheongoingsummer-autumnseason.Itssummer-autumnriceisexpectedtosufferfromunfavourableweatherthisyear,includingprolongedheat,accordingtotheprovinceCentreforHydro-MeteorologyForecasting.Thelowrainfallsofarthisrainyseasoninalum-affectedareasmeansthealumisnotwashedawayfromricefieldsbeforethesummer-autumnricecropissown.May-Juneisthetransitionperiodbetweenthedryandrainyseasons.Buttemperaturesnowarehigherthannormal,andthiswillaffectthegrowthofseedlingsindryfields,thecentresaid.TherewouldbestrongwindsandheavyrainsinJulyandAugust,whichwoulddamagethericecropwhenitripens,itsaid.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovinceplanstosow35,244haofsummer-autumnrice.Tr?nChíNguy?noftheprovinceAgricultureExtensionCentre,saidfarmersshouldpreparelandwellandtakemeasurestoimprovethesoilandreducethealum.Farmersshouldco-operatewiththeirdistrictagriculturalofficialsforinstructionsinnature-basedfarming.TheprovincePeoplesCommitteehasorderedtheDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentandotherrelevantagenciestostrengthenmeasurestopreventthespreadofdiseasesamongaquaticcreatures,especiallyshrimps.Thecountryslargestshrimpproducingprovincehas18,661haoffarmsaffectedbydiseasesthisyear,andamortalityrateof35-75percent,accordingtothedepartment.ItsAgricultureExtensionCentrehastoldfarmerstokeepacloseeyeonweatherforecastsduringthetransitionperiodtopromptlytakemeasurestosafeguardtheircrops.Shrimpfoodshouldbecheckedforqualitytoensurethesafetyofthecrustaceans,itsaid.Farmersshoulddissolvelime,nutrientmineralsandbioproductsinwaterandaddittoshrimppondswhentherearerains,itsaid.Whenthepondshaveabnormalwaterorotherconditions,farmersshouldinformagriculturalofficialsfortakingpromptremedialmeasures,itsaid.Theprovinceisexpectedtoharvest205,300tonnesofaquaticanimalsinthefirsthalfoftheyear,including121,200tonnesofshrimps,accordingtothedepartment.—VNSRescuersaresearchingforvictimsofthelandslide.VNA/VNSPhotoB?CK?N—AlandslideoccurredintheearlyhoursofTuesdaymorninginthenorthernmountainousprovinceofB?cK?n,killingfouroffivemembersofthesamefamily.AtthetimeofthelandslideinKhu?iúnHamlet,NghiênLoanCommuneofPácN?mDistrict,therewerefivepeopleinthehouse,fourincludingatinybabywereburied,andonlyonemanagedtoescape.AccordingtoB?cK?nProvincesOfficeoftheNaturalDisasterPreventionandControl,overnightandintotheearlyhoursofJune17andJune18,therewerewidespreadshowersandthunderstormsintheprovince.Regionalrainfallmeasurementsfrom8pmonMondayto06.30amonTuesdayrangedfrom5mmto90mmindifferentlocalities.RescueforceslaterfoundthebodiesofN?ngC?nCh?,41,HoàngTh?Thía,43,Ng?Th?May,18,whoisdaughter-in-lawofCh?andThíaandMaysyoungchild.LocalauthoritiesandtheleadersoftheprovincialNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlandSearchandRescueCommitteepromptlywenttothescenetohelptherescueeffortandtoassistthevictimsfamilies.—VNS

Cancerandstrokeareprimaryhealthconcerns.—PhotocourtesyofManulifeVietnamHàN?I—TheManulifeAsiaCareSurveyrevealsthatcanceristhestandouthealthconcernforpeopleinVi?tNam.Despitegrowingawarenessofavailabletreatments,risinghealthcarecostsalongsideinsufficientfinancialplanningprovideanobstacletomentalandfinancialwell-being.Stomachcancer:amajorconcernManulifesnewAsiaCareSurvey2024drewresponsesfrom8,400consumersfromacrosstheregion.ThesurveyincludesthelaunchofManulifesMyFutureReadinessIndex,whichmeasureshowconsumersviewtheircurrentandfuturephysical,mentalandfinancialwell-being.RespondentsinVi?tNamthinkthatphysicalwell-being(38percent)isthemostimportantfactorthatunderpinsbothmental(32percent)andfinancial(30percent)well-being,astheylookaheadtothenext10years.Cancerandstroke(both39percent)aretheprimaryhealthconcernsamongthosesurveyed.Theirconcernsarewellabovetheregionalaverageof34percentand31percentrespectively.Mentalhealthfactors,notablysleepdisordersandstress,alsoaffecttheirwell-being,butitscancerthatisconsideredthemostlikelyrisktotheirphysicalandfinancialwell-being.InVi?tNam,stomachcancerranksamongthetopfivemostcommoncancers,alongsideliver,lung,breastandcolorectalcancers.Asoftheendof2023,thenumberofstomachcancercasesdiagnosedisnotonlyrisingbutalsoincreasinglyaffectingyoungerpopulations.Whilelifestyle,activitiesandnutritioncontributetoitsprevalence,onesignificantfactorisinfectionbyHelicobacterpylori(HP)bacteria.Despiteitsimpact,mostVietnamesepeopleareeitherunawareoforoverlookthisfactor.DatafromtheMinistryofHealthandsomenationalhospitalsindicatethatupto70percentofthepopulationisinfectedwithHP,andaround80percentofstomachcancercasesarerelatedtoHPinfection.AccordingtotheVietnamYoungPhysiciansAssociation,Vi?tNamranksamongthetop10countriesworldwidewiththehighestmortalityratesfromstomachcancer.Alarmingly,upto20percentofpeopleunder40arediagnosedwiththisdisease.Althoughtreatmentmethodsforstomachcancerandothercancershaveimprovedandbecomemoreaccessible,thecostsremainsubstantial.TinaNguy?n,CEOofManulifeVietnam,emphasisedthefinancialrisksassociatedwithcancer.Notonlyiscancerahealthrisk,butitcanalsobecomeasignificantfinancialburdenwithoutearlypreventionplans,Nguy?nsaid.Tosupportcommunityhealthefforts,ManulifewillsoonlaunchtheLivingClean-Smart-Greencampaign.Thisinitiativeaimstoraiseawarenessaboutbuildingahealthylifestyleandpreventingstomachcancer,aswellasotherdigestivehealthissues.SheaddedthatManulifewillorganiseafreegeneralhealthcheckandHPtestingprogrammeforresidentsofHàN?iandHCMCity.GreatereffortstomitigatehealthrisksVietnameserespondentscitedrisinghealthcarecostsandinflation(both72percent)asthemainchallengestotheiroverallfinancialwell-being.Consumersseethehighestrisesinthecostofprescriptions,preventativehealthcare,outpatientservicesandhealthmanagementandwellnessservices.Vietnameseconsumersalsoperceivedanaverage24percentincreaseinhealthcarecostsoverthepast12months.ManulifeAsiaCareSurvey2024isconductedwithover8,400respondentsacrossAsia.—PhotocourtesyofManulifeVietnamOnascaleof1to100,peopleinVi?tNamexpressedtheirdesiredfinancialwell-beingleveltobe88,buttheexpectedleveltobe76,pointingtoalackofconfidenceabouttheirfuture.ThosesurveyedinVi?tNamsaidtheyaretryingtoexercisemore(60percent)andimprovetheirdiet(56-60percent)tomitigatehealthrisks.Thevastmajorityofthosesurveyed(nearly90percent)haveinsurance,beitpersonal,vehicleorhomeinsurance.Amongthese,personalinsurancerankedhighestwith77percent,inwhichlifeinsurancetakesup39percent.However,healthcoverageremainslow,especiallycriticalillnessprotection,giventheirconcernsaboutit.Only33percentofrespondentsarecoveredforaccidents,27percentforoutpatientneeds,19percentforinpatientneedsandjust16percentforcriticalillness.But,lookingforward,30percentofconsumersaged25-39saidtheyintendtochooseahigherpremiuminsuranceplanwithmorecoverageandbenefits.AcrossallthemarketscoveredinAsia,sevenoutof10respondentssaidtheyfeelthehealthbenefitsandcoveragefromtheiremployersarenotenough.InVi?tNam,80percentwouldliketoseeimprovedbenefitsandcoveragetosupporttheirfinancialwell-beingandplanning.ThesurveyshowsthatourVietnameseconsumershavefinancialworriesaboutinsufficientsavings,unexpectedmedicalexpensesandreducedincomesoverthenext10years.Recognisingthis,ManulifeVietnamiscontinuouslyenhancingitsofferingsbyintroducingadiverserangeofnewproductstailoredtomeetthevariousprotectionneedsandfinancialcapacitiesofourcustomers,Nguy?nsaid.Mostrecently,ManulifeVietnamhasintroducedtheTermInsurancewithReturnofPremium(TROP)product,whichincludesanaccumulationfeatureandguaranteedreturns.Inthefuture,wewilllaunchanewhealthinsuranceproductdesignedtomeetthediverseprotectionneedsofourcustomers,shesaid.—VNSTouristboatsatH?LongBayinthenorthernprovinceofQu?ngNinh.—VNA/VNSPhoto??cHi?uQU?NGNINH—AtouristhasreportedbeingstrandedonanislandinH?LongBaybyatouristboat,promptinganinvestigationfromtheQu?ngNinhProvincestransportdeparment.ThetouristpreviouslyclaimedontheirFacebookaccountaboutthedisastroustravelexperienceaftertheboatthatdroppedthemoffonTiT?pIslanddepartedwithoutthem.Thepassengerwasnotnotifiedbyphoneabouttheboatleavingandhadbeenwaitingfor30minutesatthewharf,unabletocalltheboatoperatorsphonenumber,accordingtothepost.InitialreportssaidthatonSunday,atouristboatidentifiedasQN926xcarried99peopletoTiT?pIslandinH?LongBay.Theboatwasnotabletogathereveryonewhenleavingtheislandduetothelargenumberofpassengers.Anothervesselwasthenarrangedtobringthembackashore.TheincidentwasnotreportedtothelocalInlandWaterwaysAdministrationorH?LongBayManagementBoard,whichonlylearnedofthecaseafteritwaspublishedonsocialmedia.Theshipownerwasalsocontactedandnotifiedoftheresponsibilitiesofallinvolvedinthecasetopreventsimilarincidentsfromoccurringandtoensurethesafetyoftouristswhenvisitingthebay.—VNS