AlandslideinHàGiangProvinceonthemorningofJuly13hasburiedavan,killingandinjuringitspassengers.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàGIANG—AFordTransitvanwasburiedbyalandslidewhileonitswayfromHàGiangProvincetoB?oLamDistrictinCaoB?ngProvince,leavingpassengersdeadorinjured.AsofSaturdaynoon,eighthavebeenconfirmeddead,includingachild.Fourpeoplearehospitalised.AccordingtoHàGiangProvince,ataround4amonJuly13,thevehiclecarrying16peoplewaspassingthroughNationalHighwayNo.34(Km10+900,atB?cMêDistrictsYên??nhCommune)whenitencounteredalandslide.Whenthepassengersgotoffthevehicletohelppushitthroughthelandslide,thousandsofcubicmetresoflandfromaboverusheddowntheroad,buryingthevehicleandthepassengers.Theprovincespoliceandmilitaryquicklydeployedhundredsofpersonneltothescenetorescuethevictims.ThelocalDepartmentofHealthalsodeployedmobilemedicalstationsatthescenetotreattheburiedvictimsandtransportthembacktotheprovincialgeneralhospital.Thevictimswerequicklyfoundandhospitalised.—VNA/VNSPhoto?Excavatorsaredeployedtoclearthesceneasauthoritiesarestillworkingtorescuethevictims.Tr?n??cQuy,ViceChairmanofHàGiangPeoplesCommittee,paidavisittofamiliesofthevictimsandthedeceasedtooffersupport.Thelandslidecoveredaround150moftheKm10+950segment,measuringuptoaround15mtalland20mwide.—VNS

GeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ng,analumnusofHàN?isNguy?nGiaThi?uHighSchoolandhisformerteacherLê??cGi?ng,lookbackatphotosfromnearly60yearsago.—VNA/VNSPhotoTríD?ngHàN?I—Inthememoriesofthestaff,teachersandemployeesofNguy?nGiaThi?uHighSchoolinHàN?i,PartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngisrememberedasahumbleandapproachablefigure.DuringthesorrowfultimefortheentirenationfollowingthepassingofGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ng,thosefortunateenoughtohavemetandinteractedwithhimrecallpreciousmomentswithagreatyetmodestandhumbleleader.Attheschoolgate,theGeneralSecretarygotoutofthecar,andIquicklysteppedforwardtogreethim.Atthattime,theGeneralSecretaryshealthwasnotgood.Itookhishandandwalkedwithhim.Suddenly,theGeneralSecretarytiltedhisheadandsoftlysaidtome,Letswalkhandinhandtogether.Thisisanunforgettablememoryinmylife,recountedLêTrungKiên,PrincipalofNguy?nGiaThi?uHighSchoolinLongBiênDistrict.AmodestleaderReflectingonthepast,KiênsharedthatmemoriesofGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngarealwaysinhisheart,especiallyduringtheschools70th-anniversarycelebrationonNovember14,2020.IhadtheopportunitytomeetGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngtoinvitehimtothecelebration.Despitehisbusyschedule,hegavemequitealotoftime.Interestingly,throughoutourconversation,theGeneralSecretaryaddressedmeasteacherandreferredtohimselfasstudent,herecalled.Besidestalkingabouttheschool,healsoaskedifwehadinvitedformerteachersandstudents.WhenIsaidwedid,hewasvisiblyhappy.HisdelicacyandhumilityasthehighestleaderofthePartyandStatearetrulyprecious.Thatyear,theGeneralSecretaryattendedtheanniversarycelebrationasaformerstudent.PartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngattendstheopeningceremonyofthe2014-2015schoolyearatHàN?isNguy?nGiaThi?uHighSchool.—VNA/VNSPhotoTríD?ngIneveryconversation,GeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngalwaysexpresseddeepgratitudeandrespectfortheteacherswhoeducatedandshapedhischaracter,aswellassharingaclosebondwithNguy?nGiaThi?uHighSchool.InthetraditionalroomofNguy?nGiaThi?uHighSchool,thereisadisplayfeaturingimagesofthestudent,youngmanandleaderNguy?nPhúTr?ng.Amongthesearephotosofmonitorandyouthunionsecretaryofthe9Band10BclassesNguy?nPhúTr?ngwithhisgentlesmile,aphotoofstudentNguy?nPhúTr?ngwithhisclosefriends,aphotoofNguy?nPhúTr?ngwithhisclassmatesandpicturesoftheGeneralSecretaryvisitingtheschoolandgivinggiftstoNguy?nGiaThi?uHighSchoolstudentswhoscoredhighonuniversityentranceexams.Goingthroughtheschoolsoldrecords,PrincipalKiênreadtheteacherscommentsaboutstudentNguy?nPhúTr?ngbeforegraduationwithemotion:RatedA2.Outstandinginallsubjects.Dedicatedtostudying,enthusiasticinlabour,highlyresponsibleintasks,significantlycontributedtothecollective,goodcharacter,goodattitudetowardsteachersandfriends.Hesaid:StoriesofGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngschallengingyouthandhisexcellentacademicachievementsarealwaysrecountedinourspecialsessions,servingasmotivationforbothteachersandstudentstostriveforexcellence.WecansaythattheGeneralSecretaryisthespiritualsupportofourschool.TeacherV?Ng?cHu?nhalsopassionatelyrecountedstoriesoftheintelligent,diligentstudentNguy?nPhúTr?ng.Backthen,Itaught6th-grademath,andTr?ng,alongwithsomeotherstudentsfrom??ngAnh,cametostudy.Theyallcamefromverypoorfamilies,hadtobringrice,staywithlocalfamiliesorteachersandevencollectfirewoodfromtheRedRivertocooktheirmeals.Despitethesehardships,theyallstudiedwell,werewell-behavedandhadastrongwilltosucceed.DuringhissixyearsatNguy?nGiaThi?uHighSchool,GeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngalwaysparticipatedincity-levelacademiccompetitions,particularlyexcellinginliterature.Whenhewasin10thgrade,heimpressedhispeerswithalengthypresentationduringextracurricularactivitiesontheplightoffarmersinNg?T?tT?snoveltitledT?t?èn(Turningofflights),NguyênH?ngsnoveltitledB?V?(Thieves)andtheconditionofwomeninT?H?uspoetry.Eventhen,hefeltthepainofhumansufferingandwasdeeplyconcernedwiththethemesofgoodandevil,lossandpreservation.TeacherPhúcIdidntgettoseeTr?ngonelasttime,saidteacher??ngTh?Phúc,whotaughtGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngin4thgrade,asshesobbeduncontrollably.Attheageof92,Phúcshearinghasdeteriorated,herlegsareweakandhermemoryoftenfails,makingherrepeatherselfattimes.Despitethis,hermemoriesofthespecialstudentNguy?nPhúTr?ngremainvivid.Aboywithaside-sweptfringeandpaleskin,whoworethesamebrownoutfitwithahigh-collaredshirtandtwosidepocketsthroughouttheschoolyear.Tr?ngsfamilylivedin??ngH?i,whilePhúctaughtinMaiLam.Since??ngH?ionlyhad15fourth-gradestudents,theyjoinedthe33studentsinMaiLam.Inaclassof48,Tr?ngstoodoutastheyoungestbutthebeststudent,alwaysparticipatingandcontributingtolessonsTr?ngsfamilywaspoor.Theyatesweetpotatoesandcassavaandwentbarefootallyearround.Hehadonlyonebrownoutfitanddidntevenhaveatornshirttowearunderhisclothesduringthecoldwinter.IlovedTr?ngasifheweremyyoungestbrother,Phúcrecalled.Becausehewasthetopstudent,Tr?ngwaschosentorepresentthestudentsofbothvillagesattheend-of-yearceremony.Watchingthesmallboyinhisusualbrownoutfitandbarefeet,Phúcfeltamixofprideandheartache.After4thgrade,Tr?ngmovedontoNguy?nGiaThi?uSchoolandPhúcrelocatedtoHàN?i.Theylostcontactfromthenon.In2001,afterattendingareunionwithherformerfourth-gradestudentsandlearningthatheronce-littlestudenthadbecomesuccessful,PhúcwasoverjoyedandwroteapoemtitledTheLittleStudentofthePast,dedicatedtoN.P.T.Attwelve,withinnocenthair,Inbrownclothesandbarefeet,Cornandsweetpotatoesyourfare,Theyoungest,butnonecouldcompete.Eagerly,youwouldalwaysspeak,Wheneverthelessonwasclear,Astudent,humbleandunique,Yourpassionevident,sincere.PartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngvisitshisteacher,MsPhúc,afteryearsofsearchingduetolostcontact.—PhotocourtesyofMs??ngTh?PhúcFouryearslater,in2005,shehadtheopportunitytoreadthispoematateacherspoetrygathering.Itwasthispoemthathelpedthelittlestudentofthepastfindhisoldteacher.Oneday,IreceivedaphonecallandwasverysurprisedwhenthevoiceontheotherendwasTr?ng,sayinghewouldcometovisit.Atthattime,Tr?ngwastheSecretaryoftheHàN?iPartyCommitteeandverybusy,soIdismissedtheidea,sayingtherewasnoneedtovisit.Butafewdayslater,Tr?ngcame.Uponseeingme,hesaid,IhavebeenlookingforyoufordecadesandnowthatIhavefoundyou,youstillwontletmevisit.Weweresomovedwecouldntspeak.Backthen,myhairwasstillblack,buthishadalreadyturnedgray,Phúcrecounted.AhandwrittenNewYearsletterfromGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngtohisformerteacher.—VNA/VNSPhotoVi?tAnhWithtremblinghands,sheopenedahandwrittenNewYearsletterfromherformerstudent.DespitebeingtheGeneralSecretary–thehighestleaderinthecountryandburdenedwithcountlessresponsibilities–heneverforgothisoldteacherfromtheclassroominMaiLamVillage.Thesimpleletter,withanordinaryenvelope,containednotitlesorhintsofhishighstatus,onlytheheartfeltwishesofstudentNguy?nPhúTr?ngtohisoldteacher:WishingyouandyourfamilygoodhealthandlongevityintheNewYear;mayyourfamilybeprosperous,everythinggoessmoothly,andyouhavemanynewjoys.Iwillalwayscherishthedeep,unfadingmemoriesoftheyearsyoutaughtme.Havingadvancedthroughmanyhighereducationallevelsandheldimportantpositionsinthecapital,theNationalAssembly,thePartyandtheState,studentNguy?nPhúTr?ngbecameagreatleader,readytofacechallenges,bearresponsibilitiesandupholdthePartyspurityandthenationsenduringvalues.At80yearsold,GeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngwasashiningexampleofrevolutionaryethics,asharpandintelligentpoliticianandanoutstandingtheoreticianoftheParty.Hededicatedhislifetotheidealsofnationalindependenceandsocialismandthehappinessofthepeople.TheheartofthetruecommunistNguy?nPhúTr?nghasstoppedbeating,buthisspiritandcharacterwillliveonforever.—VNSGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?nganddelegatessingasongaboutPresidentHoChiMinhattheflowerofferingceremonyatthePresidentHoChiMinhMonumentonthegroundsoftheAsianCivilizationsMuseuminSingaporeonSeptember12,2012.—VNA/VNSPhotoSingapore–Simplicity,humility,andstrategicvisionareimpressionsofscholarsinSingaporeofPartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngthroughtheirmeetingswiththelateleader.Tr?ngpaidanofficialvisittoSingaporeinSeptember2012,duringwhichhedeliveredaspeechthemedForaSoutheastAsiaofpeace,stability,cooperationanddevelopmentattheLeeKuanYewSchoolofPublicPolicywhichreceivedhighevaluation.AssociateProf.Dr.V?MinhKh??ng,aVietnameselecturerattheschool,saidhewasextremelyimpressedbyhumilityandprofoundnessofthePartychiefwhodeliveredaspeechaffirmingthatVi?tNamalwaystreasuresrelationswithSingaporeandhopestolearnSingaporesexperiencealongthepathtoprosperity.ThelecturersaidthathestillrememberstheimpressiveanswersbythePartychieftoparticipantsquestionsfollowingthespeech.ApaintingthatGeneralSecretaryTr?ngpresentedtotheschoolisbeinghunginasolemnplace,rightnexttothePrincipalsroom,hesaid.Kh??ng,whometthePartychiefmanytimes,saidthathewillneverforgettheeyesofGeneralSecretaryTrongwhenheproposedthatVi?tNammustsetgoalsfor2030–ayearthatmarksthe100thanniversaryofthefoundingoftheCommunistPartyofVi?tNam-and2045-thecentenaryofindependentVi?tNam,tobecomeadevelopedcountryonparwithothercountriesoftheOrganisationforEconomicCooperationandDevelopment(OECD).Isawhiseyes,thoseofacomrade,ofafamilymember,andofaveryresponsibleleader,statedKhuong,addingthattheymadethescholarconfidentinthegreatlegacythatthePartychiefleftforthecurrentgenerationofleadersandhisvisiontobringVi?tNamtoprosperityinthenextdecades.KishoreMahbubani,aformerofficialoftheMinistryofForeignAffairsofSingaporewhoservedastheDeanoftheLeeKuanYewSchoolofPublicPolicythenandcurrentlyanhonoraryscholarattheAsianResearchInstituteoftheNationalUniversityofSingapore(NUS),recalledthechancehelistenedtotheVietnamesePartychiefsspeechandhadhisquestionedansweredbytheleader,sayingthathewasgreatlyimpressedbytheconfidenceofGeneralSecretaryTrongwhenheansweredquestionsattheevent.MahbubanisaidhebelievesthatthiswasthereasonwhyGeneralSecretaryTrongwasoneofthemostsuccessfulleadersofVietnam.Vi?tNamsachievementsineconomicdevelopmentinthepast20-30yearsareextremelyspecialtoanystandards.Insomeaspects,meetingtheleaderresponsibleforVi?tNamsremarkabledevelopmentwasawonderfulexperiencefortheschool.Weareextremelyhonouredtowelcomehim,hestated.ShowinghisimpressionatVietnamssuccessundertheleadershipofGeneralSecretaryTrong,MahbubanicommentedthatthestrongestimprintofthelateleaderwashiscarefulthinkingabouthowVi?tNamcansucceedineconomicdevelopment.Inmanyways,oneofthewisestdecisionsthatVi?tNammadeattheendoftheColdWarwastoswitchtoeconomicdevelopmentandseekpartnerstocooperatewith,andoneofVietnamschoicewasSingapore,henoted.TheformerSingaporeanForeignAffairsofficialunderlinedthattherearemanyreasonswhyGeneralSecretaryTrongwasoneofVi?tNamsmostsuccessfulleaders.HeemphasisedthatnoteverycountrywithresourcesisasdevelopedasVi?tNam,clarifyingthatVi?tNamssuccessunderTr?ngsleadershiphasshownthatthecountryhastalentedleaderswhomadewisedecisionstopromoteeconomicdevelopmentandbringaboutmoreprosperouslife.MahbubanialsohighlyevaluatedVi?tNamsexternalpolicyunderGeneralSecretaryTr?ngsleadershipandVi?tNamsabilitytonavigatetheincreasinglycomplexinternationalandregionalgeopoliticalenvironment.Thescholar,whohasresearchedgeopoliticsformorethan50years,heldthatthereareonlyafewcountriesintheworldthathaveawisegeopoliticalstrategy,andVi?tNamisoneofthem.HesaidhebelievesthatalthoughGeneralSecretaryTr?nghaspassedaway,otherleadersofVi?tNamwillensurethatlegaciesandeffortsofthePartyleadercontinue,headingtoagoodgovernance,shapingcorrecteconomicpoliciesandeliminatingcorruption.VNS

Anoverviewofthefundlaunchingceremony.—Photovov.vnHàN?I—AnutritionfundwaslaunchedonTuesdaytogivemorethan80,000jarsofwheytochildreninfourCentralHighlandsprovincesincludingGiaLai,??kL?k,??kN?ngandKonTum.ThefundlaunchingceremonywasorganisedinHàN?ibytheVi?tNamChildrensFundundertheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsanditspartners.Speakingattheceremony,V?Th?ThúyHi?n,DeputyDirectoroftheVi?tNamChildrensFund,saidthatthiswasatrulymeaningfulandnecessaryprogrammeforchildren,especiallythoseintheCentralHighlands.DatafromtheNationalInstituteofNutrition(NIN)showsthat38percentofethnicchildrenunderfiveyearsoldaremalnourishedandstunted,leadingtoaweakstateandconstantillness.ChildrenintheseareasstillfacemanydifficultiesrelatedtonutritionandtheVi?tNamChildrensFundhassurveysfromtheNIN,showingthatchildrenintheprovincesneedmosthelp.Therefore,thefundandsponsorschoosetheCentralHighlandsprovincessothatchildrentherehavemoreopportunitiestoimprovetheirnutritionanddevelop.Huy?nsaidthattheproportionofchildrenintheCentralHighlandsprovinceshavingaccesstomilkorusingdairyproductswasverylow.Withwidespreadpoverty,sometimestheirmealsonlyconsistofriceoronlyricewithvegetables.Suchmealsarecompletelylackinginnutrientsforchildrentofullydevelop.Overmorethan32yearsinoperation,theVi?tNamChildrensFundhascoordinatedwithdifferentunitstojointlycarryoutprogrammestodonatemilktochildrenindisadvantagedareas.Thefundhasimplementedanumberofnutritioncampaigns,suchastheVi?tNamStandTallMilkFundthathasbeenoperatingfor15yearsin63provincesandcitiesandthefreemilksupportprogrammeforprimaryschoolswhichwasimplementednationwideforfiveyears.Inaddition,theHappyNoodlePackageprogrammeprovidednoodlestochildreninsheltersandchildreninpoorareas.Inthefuture,thefundwillcontinueitsmissionofprovidingnutritionalandlearningopportunitiesforchildren,especiallythoseinpoorerremoteregions.Huy?naffirmedthatthefundwouldalsocreateresourcestosupportpoorchildrennationwideanditwillbeaskingindividuals,organisationsandphilanthropiststojoininthesupportwork.—VNSBoatstakeshelterfromthestormataportinC?T?.—VNA/VNSPhotoBùi??cHi?uHàN?I—Qu?ngNinhprovinceandH?iPhòngcity,thetwonortherncoastallocalitieshitbyStormPrapiroon,arequicklydealingwithitsconsequencesafteritmadelandfallonJuly23.Thestorm,whichweakenedintoatropicaldepressionthesameday,isforecasttocontinueinducingprolongeddownpours,causingfloodingandlandslides.H?LongcityandC?T?IslanddistrictofQu?ngNinhhavebeenhardesthitbyPrapiroon,thesecondtropicalstormintheEastSeasofarthisyear,withseverallandslidesitesspotted,varioustreesuprooted,andcropsdestroyed.FivehouseholdsinH?Longwereevacuatedurgentlywhileabout50roadsidetreesinC?T?pulleddown.Rightafterthestormdowngraded,residentsandcompetentforcesinC?T?joinedhandsinhandlingitsaftermaths.Qu?ngNinhhasaskeditslocalities,especiallymountainousandcoastalareasthathouseminesandprojects,topromptlytakemeasuresagainstpossiblelandslidesandflooding,andpersonneltoworkroundtheclockintheareaspronetosuchdisastersandtoevacuateresidentstheretosafeplaces.TheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmenthasmaintaineditsclosecoordinationwithrelevantagenciesinmonitoringthesituationandkeepinglocalitiesandunitsupdatedonweatherdevelopmentstotakeresponsemeasures.Competentforcesintheprovincealsostandreadytoprovideaidwhenneeded,ensuringhumanandpropertysafety.ThestandingofficeofthesteeringcommitteefornaturaldisasterpreventionandsearchandrescueofthenorthernprovinceofB?cGiangalsoreportedthatasof4pmonJuly23,heavyrainshadinundated2,273haofriceand5.5haofothercropsacrossthelocality,causedlandslidesinLucNamdistrict,andfloodedsomestreetsinB?cGiangcity.InthecentralprovinceofThanhHóa(chǎn),thestormalsodamagedmanysectionsofroadsandseveralhousesinM??ngLát,QuanS?n,andQuanHóa(chǎn)districts.—VNSSeaweedandseagrassecosysteminNúiChúaNationalParksMarineProtectedAreainNinhH?iDistrict,thecoastalsouth-centralprovinceofNinhThu?n.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—ScientistsfromtheInstituteofBiotechnologyunderVi?tNamAcademyofScienceandTechnologyhavesuccessfullydeveloped69extractsfrom11species,belongingtoeightgeneraofseaweedfordietaryuseinAlzheimerstreatment.TheachievementstemsfromtheprojectNeuroprotectiveeffectsagainstAlzheimersdiseasebysomeVietnameseseaweedspecies.Withinthescopeoftheirresearch,seaweedfromtheeightgenera,Ulva,Kappaphycus,Sargassum,Eucheuma,Gracilariopsis,Caulerpa,GracilariaandPalzheimerinawereexamined.Significantly,forthefirsttime,themolecularmechanismsofactionoffucoxanthin(anaturalcompoundderivedfrombrownseaweed)isolatedfromS.oligocystum(awidespreadspeciesinmanyAsianandAmericancoastalregions)andethanolextractsfromSargassumspp.(agenusoffloatingseaweedintheSargassaceaefamily)werestudied.Thecompoundswerefoundtopossessantioxidantproperties,inhibitAChE(acetylcholinesterase)andprotectagainstcellulartoxicityinanAlzheimers-inducedmodelusingH2O2onC6nervecelllines.Professor??ngDi?mH?ng,theprojectleader,saidthattheresearchdemonstratedthatfucoxanthinextractedfromS.oligocystumand96percentethanolextract(withultrasound)fromSargassumspp.aresaferegardingacuteandsub-chronictoxicityandcanimprovecognitivedeclinecausedbyscopolamine(similartodonepezilatadoseof5mg/kgbodyweightinmice)inexperimentalanimalmodels.TheresearchteamhaspublishedtwoscientificpapersininternationalSCI-Eindexedjournals,onepaperinanationaljournal(VAST02),presentedonereportattheISS2023internationalconference,anddeliveredafullpaperatthe2022NationalBiotechnologyConference.TheprojectreceivedexcellentevaluationandclassificationfromtheVi?tNamAcademyofScienceandTechnology.Withthesepromisingresults,H?nghopedthattheresearchprojectcouldcontinueandbetestedtorefinethenatural,nutrient-richhealth-protectiveproducts.TheendeavouraimstocontributeeffectivelytothetreatmentofAlzheimerspatientsandthoseworkingunderstrenuousconditionsinVi?tNaminthenearfuture,shesaid.Vi?tNamhasitsextensivecoastlinespanning3,260kmandabundantbiodiversityinbothmarineandnon-marineresources.AfishermangathersseaweedinthewatersofNh?nH?iCommune,NinhH?iDistrict,thecoastalsouth-centralprovinceofNinhThu?n.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nThànhThecountryhasdocumented878seaweedspecies,consistingof439speciesofredalgae(Rhodophyta),196greenalgae(Chlorophyta),156brownalgae(Ochrophyta-Phaeophyceae),87cyanobacteria(Cyanophyta)and15seagrassspecies.GenerasuchasCaulerpa,Sargassum,Gracilaria,Ulva,KappaphycusandEucheumaareeconomicallyimportantseaweedgenerawithsubstantialnaturalcultivationandextractioncapabilities,yieldinghighoutputs.Theyprovidearichsourceofnaturalingredients,suitableforfooduseandextractionofbiologicallyactivecompounds,includingthosewithneuroprotectiveeffectsandmemoryenhancementforhumans.AlzheimersdiseaseAlzheimersdiseaseisoneofthemostcommoncausesofmemorydeclineintheelderly,typicallyappearingbetweentheagesof50to65.Itischaracterisedbytheprogressivelossofnervecellsandcertainbrainregions.Thediseasetendstoworsenovertime,impactingdailyactivities,memory,languageandcognitivefunctionsofpatients.Accordingtotheacademy,thenumberofAlzheimerspatientsisexpectedtoexceed100millionby2050.Currently,thereisnocompletecureforthedisease,whiletreatmentsmainlyfocusonearlydetectionandprevention.PrescriptiondrugsusedinthetreatmentandmanagementofAlzheimers(suchasrasagline,rivastigmineanddonepezil)areprimarilyrelatedtoinhibitingcholinesteraseandβ-secretase(BACE-1)enzymes,orinhibitingtheN-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA)receptorwithmemantine.However,thesedrugscanhavesideeffectssuchasnausea,vomiting,dizziness,livertoxicityandgastrointestinaldisorders.Consequently,apromisingfuturetreatmentdirectionistheuseofnaturalproductsrichinnutrients,withneuroprotectiveactivityandfewerornosideeffectscomparedtosyntheticdrugs.—VNS

CivilservantsattheGeneralDepartmentofTaxation.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofHomeAffairshasannouncedrevisionstocivilservantrecruitmentregulations,includingeliminatingtheneedforacriminalbackgroundcheck,aimedatstreamliningadministrativeproceduresandenhancingrecruitmentquality.Thesereformsaimtoimprovetherecruitmentprocessbyensuringthatonlyhigh-performingcandidatesareselectedforequivalentpositionsacrossvariousagencies.Successfulcandidateswillalsohavetheflexibilitytochoosemorethantwojobpreferences.ProposedamendmentstoDecree138/2020/ND-CPincludereducingtherecruitmentprocessdurationfrom195-225daysto125-145daysandremovingtherequirementforforeignlanguageandITcertificatesduringexaminations.Underthenewproposal,candidatesmustachieveaminimumscoreof50inthesecondroundoftesting.Forcombinedwrittenandinterviewexams,candidatesmustscore50ormoreineachcomponent.Selectionwillbebasedonthecombinedscoresandanyapplicableprioritypoints.Candidatesarerequiredtocompletetheirrecruitmentdocumentationwithin20daysoftheresultsbeingpubliclyannounced.Thisincludessubmittingcopiesofrequireddiplomas,certificatesandproofofanyprioritystatus.Theproposalalsosuggestseliminatingtheneedforacriminalbackgroundcheckandreducingthedocumentsubmissionperiodbytendays.Failuretocompletethedocumentationoranysubmissionoffalseinformationwillresultintheinvalidationofrecruitmentresults.Additionally,anyfraudulentactivitywilldisqualifycandidatesfromfuturerecruitmentopportunities.Forpositionswheretherecruitmentissharedamongseveralagencies,ifaselectedcandidateschosenagencyhasnoavailablepositions,therecruitmentcouncilwillnotifythecandidateofotheravailableagencies.Ifnoselectionismade,thepositionwillbeofferedtothenexthighest-scoringcandidate.TheministryalsoplanstorevisethetestingformatbyremovingtheITtest,expandingexemptionsforforeignlanguagerequirementsandallowingforeitherwrittenorcombinedwrittenandinterviewformatsforprofessionalexams.Thesechangesareintendedtoalignwithcontemporaryadministrativepracticesandreduceproceduralcomplexities.Furthermore,theministrywillrevisepoliciesforacceptingcivilservantsbyremovingtheexaminationrequirementfortransferringlower-levelofficialstohigherpositionsandclarifyingrecruitmentconditionsbasedonexperienceandqualifications.TheministrywillalsoconsiderrecommendationsfromtheMinistryofJusticeandtheMinistryofForeignAffairsconcerningprioritygroupsandforeignlanguageproficiencyrequirements,ensuringthatrecruitmentpracticesalignwithnationalstandardsandspecificjobrequirements.—VNSPeoplelaywreathsandofferincensetocommemoratemartyrsattheNationalMartyrsCemeteryRoad9inQu?ngTr?Province.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTh?yHàN?I—Localitiesalloverthecountryhavecommemoratedheroicmartyrs,warinvalidsandtheirfamiliesasthenationmovestowardsWarInvalidsandMartyrsDayonJuly27.InTr?cNinhDistrict,Nam??nhProvince,provincialPartyCommitteeSecretaryPh?mGiaTúcvisitedandgavegiftsto??Th?H?i,70,wifeofamartyrinTr?cN?iCommune.HealsovisitedwarinvalidTr?nQuangPhách,77,inTr?cKhangCommuneandthefamilyofmartyrNguy?nV?nDoanhinTrung??ngCommune.Túcinquiredabouttheirhealthandtheirlifecircumstances,expressinghisdeepgratitudetothemeritoriouspeoplewhohavemademanycontributionstothecauseofbuildingandprotectingtheFatherland.Heencouragedthemtocontinuepromotingrevolutionarytraditions,alwaysbeingashiningexamplefortheyounggenerationtostudy,followandmakemanypositivecontributionsinlocalcampaigns.InXuanTr??ngDistrict,StandingDeputyChairmanofNam??nhPeoplesCommitteeTr?nAnhD?nggavepresentstoVietnameseHeroicMotherPh?mTh?Xin,89andwarinvalidNguy?n??cTu?n,83,inXuanH?ngCommune.D?ngexpresseddeepgratitudetothemandallthosewhocontributedtotherevolutionandsacrificefornationalliberation.Hehopedthattheywouldalwaysbehealthy,promoterevolutionarytraditionsandbepioneersinimplementingthePartysandtheStatespoliciesandguidelines.CaringforpeoplewithmeritoriousservicesInV?Th?yDistrict,thesouthernprovinceofH?uGiang,Tr?nV?nHuy?n,PermanentDeputySecretaryoftheprovincialPartyCommitteeandalsoChairmanoftheprovincialPeoplesCouncil,visitedVietnameseHeroicMothersNguy?nTh?MaiandNguy?nTh?Huy?nandwarinvalidNguy?nThànhC?ng.Heemphasisedthatdespitemanydifficulties,theprovincealwaystakescareoffamiliesandpeoplewithmeritoriousservicestothecountry.Theprovincewillstrivetoraisethelivingstandardsofthosepeopletobeequaltoorhigherthantheaveragelivingstandardofthelocality.Huy?nwishedthatVietnameseHeroicMothersandwarinvalidscontinuetobeasolidspiritualsupportfortheirchildrenandgrandchildren.Theywillactivelyparticipateineducatingtheyounggeneration,contributingtothedevelopmentoftheprovince.Overthepastdays,theH?uGiangDepartmentofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairscoordinatedwithlocalitiestoorganise27conferencestomeetpeoplewithcontributionstotherevolution,withover2,000attendees.CentreformeritoriouspeoplePolitburomember,SecretaryofthePartyCentralCommitteeandalsoHeadofthePartyCentralCommitteesCommissionforPublicityandEducationNguy?nTr?ngNgh?avisitedvarinvalidsatthePhúTh?NursingCentreforMeritoriousPersonsinPhúTh?Province.Ngh?aexpresseddeepgratitudetowoundedsoldiersandsicksoldierswhomadesacrificesforthecauseofnationalliberationandindependence.Hewishedthatthesoldiersalwaysmaintainfaith,overcomedifficulties,overcomediseases,livehappilyandhealthily,whilecontinuingtopromotetheirrole,beexemplaryandencouragetheirchildrenandgrandchildrentomakemoreeffortstobuildhappyfamiliesandworktogetherforthedevelopmentofthelocalityandcountry.Currently,thecentreiscaringfor28woundedsoldiersandseriouslyillsoldierswithadisabilityrateof81percentormore,fromHàN?i,andV?nhPhúc,TháiNguyên,TuyênQuang,HòaBìnhandPhúTh?provinces.Everyyear,thecentrealsoprovidesalternatenursingcaretomorethan2,000peoplewhohavecontributedtotherevolutionintheprovince.YouthvolunteersmartyrsSecretaryoftheHCMCityYouthVolunteerForcesPartyCommitteeLêMinhKhoaandmorethan300delegateswhoareleadersandmembersofyouthvolunteers,offeredflowersandincenseatthecitysYouthVolunteersMartyrsMemorialArea.Theeventcommemorated99martyrsofthecitysyouthvolunteerswhomadeheroicsacrificesduringnthewartimetoprotectthesouthwestborder.HavingafatherwhojoinedtheYouthVolunteerForce,Nguy?nTh?KhánhLinhisproudtojointheHCMCityYouthVolunteerForceandwishestocontinuethatheroichistory.Linhsaidthattheyouthvolunteersspiritwastoalwaysvolunteerandtakethelead,nottobeafraidofhardshipsandsacrifice.Asayounggirl,Iammyselfalwaysaware,tryingtopractise,studyandstrivetofollowinthetraditionsofthefallenyoungvolunteersandthegoodthingsthattheyhavedone.Wearewillingtocopewithalldifficultiesandchallengesinthenewsituation,shesaid.—VNS

VNADeputyGeneralDirector?oànTh?Tuy?tNhungmeetswithAZERTACChairmanVugarAliyev.—VNA/VNSPhotoS?nNamBAKU—AdelegationoftheVietnamNewsAgency(VNA)ledbyDeputyGeneralDirector?oànTh?Tuy?tNhungattendedthesecondShushaGlobalMediaForuminShushacity,AzerbaijanonJuly20-22.ThemedUnmaskingFalseNarratives:ConfrontingDisinformation,theforumattractedtheparticipationofover150delegatesfromaround50countries,includingnewsagenciesof30countries,threeinternationalorganisations,82globalandregionalmediaentities.TheforumconsistedoffourpanelsessionsonImpactassessment:scopingdisinformation,Policiesandinitiativestobuildamoreresilientsocietyagainstdisinformation,Theimpactofartificialintelligence(AI)onreality,mediaanddisinformation:Promotingmedialiteracy,andClimatemovementandmediaSpeakingattheopeningsession,HikmatHajiyev,AssistanttothePresidentoftheRepublicofAzerbaijan,stressedtheneedfortheinternationalcommunitytoenhanceitsresponsibilityinverifyinginformationanddisseminatingaccuratenewstopreventdisinformation.HighlightingthechallengesfacedbyglobalmediainlightoftherapiddevelopmentofAI,HikmetHajiyevstressedthatnewsagenciesmustcollaboratemorecloselywiththeUnitedNationsandotherglobalorganisations,addingthatsharingaccurateinformationiscrucial.Inthediscussions,representativesfromnewsagencies,mediaentities,andinternationalorganisations,andexpertsexchangedviewpointsandsharedexperienceonidentifyingdisinformationandunverifiedinformation,aswellassolutionstoenhanceglobalawarenessofcombatingdisinformation,andimprovetheeffectivenessofthefightagainstfakenews.Onthesidelinesoftheforum,VNADeputyGeneralDirectorNhunghadameetingwithChairmanoftheBoardofAzerbaijanStateNewsAgency(AZERTAC)VugarAliyev.Thetwosidesemphasisedtheimportanceofnewsagenciesenhancingcollaborationandsharingexperienceinthefightagainstfakenews,disinformation,andunverifiedinformation;andintheapplicationofAIintheproductionanddisseminationofinformation,aswellaseffectivemanagementstrategiestomitigaterisksfromusingAItocreateandspreadfalseinformation.TheyalsostressedtheneedforVNAandAZERTACtofurtherpromotecollaborationinthecontextofrapiddigitaltransformationofglobalmedia,andincreasetheexchangeofnewmultimediaproductstoimprovetheeffectivenessofpromotingtheimagesoftheirrespectivecountrysland,peopleandcultureaswellasthepotentialandopportunitiesforbilateralcooperationinthefieldsofeconomy,trade,investmentandculturalexchange;andatthesametimestepuptheexchangeofreportersandtechnicalstafftoshareexperienceinproducingnewtypesofinformation.NotingthattheeffectivecooperationbetweenAZERTACandVNAwillmakeanimportantcontributiontofurtherdeepeningthetraditionalfriendshipandmultifacetedcooperationbetweenthetwocountries,theyagreedtosoonrenewacollaborationagreementbetweenthetwonewsagencies.Onthisoccasion,NhungalsoheldmeetingswithrepresentativesofseveralnewsagenciesthatarepartnersoftheVietnamNewsAgencytodiscussmeasurestoeffectivelyimplementsignedagreementsandpromotethesigningofnewones.—VNS

AuthoritiestackletheaftermathoftyphoonPrapirooninH?LongCity,Qu?ngNinhProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?n??cHàN?I—Thesuspensionofpassengertransportvessels,ferriesandcablecarsduetotheimpactoftyphoonPrapiroonhasleftnearly3,900touristsstrandedonCátBàIsland,including430internationalvisitorsinCátH?iDistrict,thenortherncityofH?iPhòng.BùiTu?nM?nh,chairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofthedistrict,saidfollowingthedirectivesofthecity,transportationmethodsfromCátBàIslandtothemainlandsuchashigh-speedboats,??ngBài–CáiVi?ngferry,andCátH?i–PhùLongcablecarhadceased.Localauthoritiesmobilisedlocalhotelsandaccommodationfacilitiestosupporttouristsduringtheirstaytoavoidthetyphoon.Allhotelsarebeingurgedtoreduceservicepricesby50percenttoservethetouristswhiletheywaitoutthestorm,hesaid.ThereductionwasaunitedeffortfromtheCátBàtourismcommunity,aimingtoprovidethebestsupporttothetourists.ThePeoplesCommitteeofPhùLongCommuneinthedistrictfacilitatedandsupported29passengersstrandedatCáiVi?ngarea,whowereunabletoreturntothemainlandduetoferryrestrictions,byprovidingfreeaccommodationandmeals.MinordamageDuetotheinfluenceofthetyphoon,heavyrainsfromMondaytoTuesdaycausedlocalisedfloodinginsomeareasofH?iPhòngCity.CátH?iDistrictrecordedrainfallbetween150-200mm,causingfloodinginsomelow-lyingareas.Inurbanareasofthecity,continuousbutmoderaterainfalldidnotcausesignificantflooding,eveninpreviouslyflood-pronelow-lyingareas.However,strongwindstoppledlargetreesalongTr?nQuangKh?iStreet,H?ngBàngDistrictanduprootednewly-plantedtreesinT?H?uFlowerGarden.InQu?ngNinhProvince,??V?nTu?n,deputychairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofMóngCáiCity,reportedthatthetyphoonpassedwithoutcausingmajordamagetothelocality.InH?LongCity,therewerethreelandslidesandfloodinginthreeunderpasses.Themostvisibledamageafterthetyphoonwasthefallingofnumeroustrees,dismantlingofmetalfencesatconstructionsitesandtiltingandbreakingofmanytrafficsigns.Heavyrainfallisstillexpectedafterthetyphoonandthecityhasdirecteddistricts,wardsandforcestocloselymonitorfloodsituations,reviewvulnerableareaspronetofloodingandlandslidesandtobereadytohandleanyemergingsituations.Nguy?nXuanKy,SecretaryoftheprovincialPartyCommitteeandChairmanoftheprovincialPeoplesCouncilinspectedtheriskoflandslidesintheresidentialareaNo7AinH?LongCitysH?ngH?iWard.Currently,therewere17householdslivinginthearea,includingfivepermanenthouseholds.Inresponsetothedevelopmentsofthetyphoon,thePeoplesCommitteeofthewardwastoldtorelocatethehouseholdstosaferareas.MinistersdirectionLêMinhHoan,MinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(third,right)checksafreshwaterreservoirinTràngVinhCommune,inQu?ngNinhProvincesMóngCáiCityonTuesdaymorning.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhVanLêMinhHoan,MinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentandDeputyHeadofthePermanentSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPreventionandControl,inspectedthestormresponseeffortsinMóngCáiCityonTuesdaymorning.HoansaidthatthePrimeMinisterandDeputyPrimeMinistersweredeeplyconcernedabouttheweathersituation,especiallyinthevulnerableareasofQu?ngNinhandH?iPhòng.Althoughthetyphoonhaspassedwithoutsignificantdamage,thepost-stormfloodcontroleffortsarecrucial,especiallyinhillandmountainousareassusceptibletolandslidesduetosuccessiveheavyrains,headded.Localitiesmustcontinuetocloselymonitorweatherconditions,post-stormfloodsanddisseminateinformationtopreventresidentsfromcrossingfloodedunderpassesorenteringhigh-risklandslideareas.Thegoalistopreventcasualtiesandminimisepropertydamageforresidentsandorganisations,hesaid.TyphoonweakeningHeavyraincausescongestionalongaroadinHàN?ionTuesdaymorning.—VNA/VNSPhotoMinhQuy?tTheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecastingsaidthatthetyphoonweakenedtoatropicallow-pressuresystemonTuesdaymorning.Howeverthelow-pressuresystemwasstillcausingheavyraininthenorthernregionandThanhHóa(chǎn)Provincewithwidespreadrainfallrangingfrom70-150mm,locallyexceeding300mmuntilWednesday.Between7pmonMondaynightand8amonTuesday,someareasreceivedmorethan100mmofrainfall,includingQu?ngYênDistrict(Qu?ngNinh)with167.2mmandCátH?iDistrict(H?iPhòngCity)with291mm.ThetyphoonalsobroughttorrentialrainstoHàN?ionMondaynightandthewholeTuesday.—VNSRepresentativesattendtheconference.—Photobaoquangtri.vnQU?NGTR?—Peaceisaprerequisiteforhumanitytoexistandpursuehappiness.ThatwastheopeningstatementfromformerStateVicePresidentandalsoHonoraryChairwomanoftheVi?tNamPeaceandDevelopmentFund(VPDF)Nguy?nTh?BìnhataninternationalconferenceheldonMondayinQu?ngTr?centralprovince.Shetoldtheassembledaudiencethatinpeace,peoplecandreamofhavingeverything,butinwar,peopleonlydesireonething:peace.TheconferenceisaresponsetotheFestivalforPeace2024.ItaimstosharelessonsandmessagesabouttheVietnamesepeoplesvalues??andaspirationsforpeaceandsuggestinitiativestohelpbuildpeaceglobally.Preservingandprotectingpeaceisthecommonresponsibilityofallhumanity,allcountriesandeachofus,saidBình.Havinggonethroughmanyresistantwarsfornationalindependenceandunification,Vi?tNamespeciallyappreciatesthevalueofpeace,andalwaysactivelycallsforpeoplearoundtheworldtorespect,protectandstrivetocreateapeacefulworld.DeputyChairmanoftheQu?ngTr?PeoplesCommitteeHoàngNamsaidthatQu?ngTr?carriedthenationseternaldesireforpeace,oncestronglyanddeeplyshakingtheconscienceofpeace-lovinghumanity.Andforalongtime,Qu?ngTr?hasbecomeadestinationofgratitude,acommonsymbolofthenationsdesireforpeace.Itisadestinationforinternationalfriendstoshareandhonourthevalueofpeace,hesaid.NamsaidhehopedthatscholarsanddelegatesattendingtheconferencewouldadvisetheprovinceonthenextstepstocontinuewritingthestoryofpeaceonthislandsothatQu?ngTr?cantrulybecomeaspaceofpeace,adestinationforpeaceofdomesticandinternationaltourists.Duringtheconference,speakerspresentedvalues??ofpeaceaswellasinitiativestobuildworldpeace.Representativesagreedthatpreventingwarsandprotectingpeacewastheurgenttaskofallpeace-lovingforcesaroundtheworld.Theysuggestedpromotinginclusivecollectivesecuritymechanismstoresolvedisputes,preventconflicts,andmaintainpeaceinregions.Theyalsowantedtoenhancedisarmamenttoreplacethearmsraceandpromotecooperationinsteadofconfrontationandantagonism.Inthatmission,thevoicesofthepeopleandsocialorganisationsplayaveryimportantrole.Regardingpeacebuildinginitiatives,delegatesemphasisedtheimportanceofhavingasmanypartnersaspossibletocreateaunitedalliancetosupportVi?tNamingeneralandQu?ngTr?Provinceinparticular,healwarwounds,andcreateasaferfutureofdevelopmentinpeace.FromtheexperiencesofVi?tNamandQu?ngTr?,expertssaidthatitwasnecessarytobuildtrustandvaluedialoguessothatmessagesofpeacewouldbecomedailythemesandinspirecooperationandmutualprosperity.TheydesiredtobuildacityforpeaceonthelandofQu?ngTr?,startingfromcreatingtrust,towritewishesforworldpeace.—VNS

AcitizencreateshiselectronicidentificationaccountontheVNeIDapp.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhNh?tAnHàN?I—StartingAugust1,Vietnamesecitizenscanregisternewvehiclesonline,markingamilestoneinthecountrysdigitaltransformation.Toregisteranewvehicle,citizenswillneedaLevel2electronicidentificationaccountandfollowaseven-steponlineprocess.Step1:VehicleownerslogintotheiraccountonthePublicServicePortalorVNeIDapp,fillintheonlinevehicleregistrationformanduploadclearimagesofthevehicle(takenfroma45-degreeanglefromthefront).Step2:Vehicleownersselectalicenceplatenumberfromavailableoptions(iftheyhaveadesignatedorauctionedplate)orgenerateanewonethroughthePortalorVNeIDapp.Step3:VehicleownerspaytheregistrationfeeviathepaymentutilityonthePortalorVNeIDapp,usingacodeprovidedbyeitherplatform.Step4:VehicleownersreceivethenotificationconfirmingsuccessfulpaymentofthefeeonthePortalorVNeIDapp.Step5:Registrationofficersprocessthedata,reviewingandverifyingitbeforetransferringittothemanagementsystem.Theofficersthenpreparetheregistrationcertificateandotherrelevantdocumentsforauthorisedofficialsapproval.Step6:VehicleownersreceiveanotificationoftheregistrationapplicationstatusviaSMS,emailorVNeIDapp.TheythensubmitthevehiclesfactoryqualityinspectioncertificatethroughthePortalorVNeIDapp.Theregistrationcertificateandlicenseplatewillbemailedtothem.Step7:Registrationofficerscross-referencethefactoryqualityinspectioncertificatewithsystemrecords,verifyvehicledetailsandupdatetheregistrationfile.Theofficersalsoscananduploadrelevantdocumentstothesystem.Vehicleregistrationmustbecompletedwithintwoworkingdaysofreceivingallrequireddocuments.Forre-issuingnumberplatesandregistrationcertificates,theprocesstakesnomorethansevenworkingdays.ProvincialTrafficPoliceDepartmentsareinchargeofregisteringautomobiles,tractors,trailers,semi-trailers,vehiclesapplyingforauctionednumberplatesandothersimilarvehiclesownedbyVietnamesecitizensresidinginurbanareaswithintheprovince.District-levelDepartmentsofPublicSecurityareresponsibleforregisteringautomobilesandmotorcyclesownedthoseresidinginthedistrict,exceptincaseswhereregistrationishandledbyprovincialorcommune-levelauthorities.Commune-levelDepartmentsofPublicSecurityaretaskedwithregisteringmotorcyclesandmopedsownedbythoseresidinginthecommune.—VNSArudimentarygarbagecollectionvehiclecollectshouseholdwasteonPh?mV?n??ngStreetinHCMCitysTh???cCity.Phototuoitre.vnHCMCITY–TheHCMCityDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentsaidthecityissteppingupfinancialsupportforgarbagecollectionbusinessesthatneedfundingtoconvertrudimentaryvehiclesintomodernones.Butthegarbagevehiclesneedtomeettechnical,safetyandenvironmentalrequirementsasstipulatedbytheTransportationLaw.Specialisedvehiclesmusthavethecapabilitytocompacthouseholdsolidwasteandleachatestorageequipment.Garbagetrucksmustnotscattersolidwasteoremitodourswhilebeingtransported,andmustbesprayedwithdeodorantsaftertheytransportrubbish.Tohelpcollectionbusinessesconverttheirvehiclestoensurethesestandards,thedepartmentsEnvironmentalProtectionFundhasstartedofferingloansatlowinterestratestoindividuals,organisationsandbusinesses.Itprovidesupto70percentofthecostofaprojectforsevenyearsat3.86percentinterest.T?ngNh?tThànhofthedepartmentsaidthatinadditiontomodernisingwastecollectionvehicles,TamSinhNgh?aCompanyhasstartedconstructionofaplanttoincineratewasteandgenerateelectricity.–VNA

ThedirectionofthetyphoonPrapiroon.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Torrentialrains,withrainfallofupto300mmandthunderstormsareforecasttobatterthenorthernregionfromMondaythroughtoWednesdayduetotheimpactsofthetyphoonPrapiroon.TheNationalCentreforHydro-meteorologicalForecastingwarnedonMondaymorningthatthenorth-easternpartofthenorthernregionwaspredictedtoreceiverainfallbetween100-200mm,withsomeareasexceeding300mm.Inotherareasofthenorth-westernregionandThanhHóa(chǎn)Province,therainfallwasexpectedtorangefrom50-100mm,withisolatedareasreceivingover200mm.Additionally,thenorthandmiddlepartsofthecentralregion,theCentralHighlandsandthesouthernregionwouldexperiencescatteredshowersandthunderstorms,withisolatedareasreceivingheavyrainfallof15-30mmandsomeplacesover70mm(primarilyintheafternoonandevening).TheheavyrainsinthenorthernregionandThanhHóa(chǎn)ProvincewereexpectedtograduallydecreasesinceThursday.OnSundaymorning,thetropicallow-pressuresystemovertheHoàngSa(Paracel)Archipelagowatersstrengthenedintoatyphoon,becomingthesecondtyphoontohittheEastSeathisyear.AccordingtotheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting,by10amonMonday,theeyeofthestormwasabout150kmsoutheastofB?chLongV?.Thestrongestwindspeedsnearthestormscentrewere75-102kmperhour,andthetyphoonmovednorthwestataspeedof10-15kmperhour.PreparednessToproactivelyrespondtothetyphoon,DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuangsignedDirectiveNo.70/C?-TTgonSunday,callingforconcentratedeffortstorespondtothetyphoonandflooding.Thedirectiverequiresministersandprovincialandcitychairpersonstocontinuedirectingandpromptlyimplementingeffectivemeasurestorespondtotyphoonsandfloods,ensuringthesafetyoflivesandminimisingpropertydamageforresidents.TheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentwastaskedtocloselymonitorthetyphoonandfloodingdevelopments,providingtimelyforecastsandinformationtorelevantauthoritiesandthepublicforproactiveresponseefforts.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentandtheMinistryofIndustryandTrade,wereassignedtocoordinatewithlocalitiestodirecttheregulationofreservoirs,ensuringscientificandabsolutelysafeoperationofirrigationandhydroelectricdams,preventingartificialfloodsandcontributingtofloodreductionfordownstreamareas.Theyhadtotakesafetymeasuresforfisheries,agriculturalproductionandindustrialactivitiesandensurethesafetyofthepowersystem.TheMinistryofNationalDefenceandtheMinistryofPublicSecurityweretoldtoorderrelevantunitstocloselycoordinatewithlocalities,proactivelydeployingforcesandmeanstosupporttheevacuationandrelocationofresidentsfromdangerousareas,organiserescueandreliefeffortsandaddresstheaftermathwhenrequestedbylocalauthorities.SeabanInQu?ngNinhProvince,theAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentDepartmentonMondaymorningissuedDocumentNo.4086/SNNPTNT-TL,requestingrelevantagenciestosuspendpermitsforvesselstogooffshore,temporarilysuspendingpermitsfortouristvesselsandovernightstaysatseatouristdestinationsstartingfromnoononMonday.Vesselswerestillallowedtoreturnfromislandstothemainlandforshelter,finishingby4pmonMonday.TheProvincialMilitaryCommand,BorderGuardCommandandProvincialPoliceweretoldtobereadytosupportlocalitiesandunitsforrescueactivities.TheprovincialDepartmentofTourismmustcloselymonitorthenumberoftourists,especiallyincoastaltouristareas,andinformtourismenterprisesofthetyphoonsituationtoproactivelyarrangeguestreception.TheprovincialadministrationalsorequestedtheVi?tNamNationalCoalandMineralIndustriesGroupand??ngB?cCorporationtoreviewdisasterpreventionplansforundergroundminingareas,wastedumpsandflood-proneorlandslide-proneareasduringheavyrainsandpreparerescueandreliefoperationswhennecessary.Nam??nhProvinceenforcedasuspensionofallseaactivitiesstartingfrom10amonMonday.Thesuspensionwillremainineffectuntilthefinalupdateonthetyphoonisissued.TháiBìnhProvincealsobannedboatsfromgoingouttosea,miningandfishingandotheractivitiesinestuary,coastalandoffshoreareasfrom9amonMonday.—VNSC?nTh?authoritiesenroutetoinspectinginlandwaterwaytransportsafetyinBìnhThu?Districtlastmonth.–VNA/VNSPhotoThanhLiêmHCMCITY–AuthoritiesintheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltahavetightenedsafetymeasuresforinlandwaterwaytransportfortheongoingrainyseason.Thedelta,whichcomprises12provincesandC?nTh?City,hasadenseriverandcanalnetwork,whichplaysamajorroleintransportingpeopleandgoods.Ti?nGiangProvincehasanimportantwaterwayroutebetweenM?Thu?nBridgeandtheseathroughtheCh?G?oCanal.The132-kmwaterwayhasstrongflows,whichcauseahighriskofaccidentsduringtherainyseasonwhentherearealsostrongwindsandstorms.Thecanalis28kmlongandhasmanyferrystationsandthousandsofvesselsberthingthereeveryday.TheprovincesTrafficSafetyCommitteehascalledoncompetentagenciestothoroughlychecksafetyconditionsatthestationsandwharves,theircompliancewithregulationsrelatedtolife-savingandrescueequipmentandthenumberofpassengersvesselsallowedtotransport.Nguy?nV?nD?ng,headoftheprovincetrafficpolice,saidhisagencyhadimplementedcomprehensivemeasurestoensurewaterwaytrafficsafety,preventaccidentsandmitigatetheimpactscausedbyrainsandstorms.Itproactivelymonitoredtheweathertotakepromptmeasurestosecurewaterwaysafetyandpropagatedlegalregulationstoensureownersofpassengerandcargovesselscomplywiththem,hesaid.Therewasonewaterwaytrafficaccidentinthefirstfivemonthsoftheyearinwhichonepersondied.Thedeltaisexpectedtohavebadweatherduringthisrainyseason,andthetrafficpoliceinits12provincesandC?nTh?Cityhavesteppedupcheckstoensurewaterwaysafetyandpropagationofregulationstothepublic.InTràVinhProvince,theyregularlycheckvesselsandadvisepeopleusingthemtowearlifevests.D??ngV?nHo?i,aresidentofTràVinhCitysLong??cCommune,saidmostpeoplelivingneartheC?ChiênRiverinhiscommuneearnalivingfromfishing.Thetrafficpoliceroutinelyadvisepeopletravellingbyboattowearlifeveststosecuretheirsafety.Therainyseasoncoincideswithschoolsummervacationsandmanychildrengoouttoplayandusewaterwaytransport,andsoboatownersandparentshavetoremindthemtowearlifevests,accordingtothetrafficpolicedivision.Nguy?nV?nH?i,itshead,saidthepolicewouldmaintainthreespecialinspectiongroupstouncoverandhandleviolations.C?nTh?advocatessafetyregulationsatwaterwaytransportsites,includingferrystationsandfloatingmarkets,andinspectstheiroperations.InMayitsadministrationcheckedtheCáiR?ngfloatingmarket,oneofthecitysmostwell-knowntourismdestinations,andgaveawaylifejacketstosmalltradersatthefloatingmarket.Localauthoritiesacrossthedeltainspectroutesthathaveahighriskofaccidentsandsuspendtheoperationofvesselsthatfailtocomplywithsafetyregulations.BùiTrungKiên,headoftheB?cLiêuProvincetrafficpolice,saidinspectionteamswouldinspectandpenaliseviolationsthatareoftenthedirectcausesoftrafficaccidentssuchasunlicensedpassengerwharves,illegalconstructioninwaterwayssafetycorridorsandfishingactivitiesthatobstructtransport.Waterwaytransportvehicleswhichlacktheprescribedsafetyequipment,exceedtheirauthorisedpassengerandcargocapacityorhaveunlicensedpilotswillbeseverelypenalised.–VNS