BangkokpolicecommissionerThithiSaengsawangspeaksatthepressbriefingonthecase.—GETTY/VNAPhotosHàN?I—ThaipoliceonWednesdaymorningannouncedthepreliminaryresultsoftheinvestigationintothecaseofsixpeoplefounddeadattheGrandHyattErawanHotelinBangkok.Accordingtothepolice,onepersonkilledfiveothersintheroomthentooktheirownlife.Itisunderstoodthekillingsstemfromdebt-relatedissues.Thaipolicehavealsoidentifiedaseventhperson,whopresumablycheckedintothehotelroomswiththeothers,butthatpersonisyettobeapprehended.Policedidstressthatwomanisunlikelytobeconnectedtothedeaths.TwoofthedeceasedwereidentifiedasSherineChong,56,andDangHungVan,55,bothcarryingUSpassports.IthasbeenreportedthatitwasChongwhocarriedoutthemurdersbeforetakingherownlife.FourotherswereVietnamesenationals,includingNguyenThiPhuongLan,47,PhamHongThanh,49,TranDinhPhu,37,andNguyenThiPhuong,46.InitialinvestigationsonTuesdayevening,whenthevictimswerefound,showedthattheirroomwaslockedfromtheinsidewithnotraceofphysicalviolence.TheirbodiesweretransportedtoanearbyhospitalwhiletheluggagewasmovedtotheLumpiniareapolicestation.PoliceattheGrandHyattErawanHotelinBangkokonTuesdayevening,wherethebodieswerefound.InanannouncementonWednesdaymorning,ThaiPrimeMinisterSretthaThavisinconfirmedthatagroupoftheUSFederalBureauofInvestigation(FBI)agentswillarriveinThailandtoassistinfurtherinvestigation,astwoUScitizenswereamongthedeceased.UnderthedirectionoftheVietnameseMinistryofForeignAffairs(MoFA),theEmbassyofVi?tNaminThailandisworkingcloselywithThaiauthoritiesonthecase,saidtheministrysspokespersonPh?mThuH?ngonWednesday,whileextendingcondolencestothevictimsfamilies.TheVietnameseembassywillalsoprovideallnecessaryhelpforinvestigationsandcoordinatewithrelevantdepartmentsinVi?tNamtoprovidesupportforthevictimsfamiliesandadoptnecessarycitizenprotectionmeasures.TheVietnameseMoFAandtheMinistryofPublicSecurityarealsotakingurgentactiontoverifytheidentitiesofthefourVietnamesevictims.Onceconfirmed,theirfamilieswillbenotifiedandassistedincompletingnecessaryprocedurestorepatriatetheremainsassoonasThaiauthoritiesallow,saidVietnameseAmbassadortoThailandPh?mVi?tHùng.HeappreciatedthepromptresponsefromThaiPMThavisinandhigh-rankingThaipoliceofficials,whowerepresentatthesceneandheldanurgentpressbriefingonthecase.—VNS

AlocalresidentstillhastotravelbyboatinNamPh??ngTi?nCommune,Ch??ngM?District,HàN?ionThursday.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nCúcHàN?I—TheHàN?iSteeringCommitteeforDisasterPreventionandSearchandRescuehasdirecteddistrict,townauthoritiesaswellasrelevantagenciestointensifyeffortstoaddresstheaftermathofflooding,triggeredbytyphoonPrapiroonandproactivelyprepareforfuturefloodsandlandslides.Underthedispatch,localauthoritiesandagenciesmustremainvigilantandavoidcomplacency.Theywereinstructedtocloselymonitorweatheranddisasterdevelopments,issuetimelyandeffectiveresponseswithintheirauthorityandensureactionsalignedwiththeactualconditionsontheground.ThedirectivewasoutlinedinDispatchNo.04/C?-BCH,whichfocusesonmeasurestominimisehumancasualtiesandproactivelyhandleupcomingfloodandlandslidesituations.Additionally,thereshouldbeincreasedpublicawarenesscampaignsandguidanceondealingwithheavyrainfall,floods,landslidesandwaterloggingthroughvariousinformationsystemsandsocialmedia.Localitiesandsectorswerealsourgedtoreviewandbolsterpersonnelfortrafficmanagementandsafetyatcrossingpoints,landslide-proneareasandregionsaffectedbysevereflooding.Theymustpreventpeopleandvehiclesfrompassingthroughunsafeareas.Authoritieshadtoprepareresourcesandpersonnelforrescueoperationsifneededandensurestrictmonitoringandtimelyreportingofdisasterdevelopments,damageandresponseeffortstothesteeringcommitteeasperregulations.Duetotheimpactofthetyphoonandextremeweatherphenomena,thecityhasexperienceddifficultfloodingandlandslides.Waterlevelsinmajorreservoirsandlocalriversarecurrentlyhittingdangerouslyhighlevels.RecentseverefloodinginseveralcommunesinCh??ngM?andQu?cOaidistrictshascausedsignificantdamagetothousandsofhouseholdsintheareas,withanincreasedriskofdiseaseoutbreaks.DiseasepreventionInarelatedmove,thecitysHealthDepartmenthasinstructedrelevantunitstoenhancemedicalresponsesduringandafterthefloodsandtopreventdiseaseoutbreaksamongthepopulation.DeputydirectorofthehealthdepartmentNguy?n?ìnhH?ngsaidthatthedepartmentorderedhospitalsandhealthcentrestosetupemergencyteamsandmobilediseasepreventionunits,ensuringanadequatesupplyofmedicinesfortreatingflood-affectedresidents.Peopleparticipateinenvironmentalsanitationinpost-floodedareasinTuy?tNgh?aCommune,Qu?cOaiDistrict,HàN?ionThursday.—VNA/VNSPhotoMinhQuy?tInareascompletelyisolatedbyfloodwaters,mobileemergencyteamswouldvisithouseholdstoprovideimmediateassistanceandtransportresidentstohospitalsasneeded.ThecitysCentreforDiseaseControlhasestablishedfivemobilediseasepreventionteamstoguidelocalhealthcentresandcoordinatewithauthoritiestoprepareCloraminBforenvironmentalsanitationasfloodwatersrecede.ThecitysFoodSafetyandHygieneDivisionhasformedfiveteamstohandlefoodpoisoningandfoodbornediseases,readytorespondtoanyoutbreaksinflood-affectedareas.InCh??ngM?District,thecitysfloodhotspot,mobilehealthstationshavebeensetupinNamPh??ngTi?nCommune,withfouremergencyteamspermanentlystationedtohandleemergencies,diseasepreventionandrespondtostormsandflooding.Thedistrictshealthcentreinstructed32healthstationstoproactivelymanageenvironmentalconditionsbefore,during,andafterthefloods.Theywerealsopreparingmedicinesforcommonpost-floodailmentssuchasconjunctivitis,acutediarrhoea,andvariousskinconditions.??HoàngAnhChau,ViceChairmanofCh??ngM?DistrictPeoplesCommittee,hasrequestedthatalldepartmentsandlocalauthoritiesstrengthendiseasepreventioneffortsduringtherainyseason.ThedistrictsHealthCentrewastoldtoassessandaddressdiseaserisksinflood-affectedareasandimplementmeasuresfordiseaseprevention,environmentalsanitation,cleanwatermanagementandmedicalwastedisposal.Totackleenvironmentalsanitationafterthefloodwatersrecede,thehealthcentredistributednearly200kgofCloraminBtosubmergedcommunestotreatwateranddisinfecttheenvironment,withadditionalsuppliesavailable.Staffareon24hourspersevendaysstandbywithfourmobileteamsmonitoringandassistinginaffectedareas.TheHealthCentrewasalsotrackingpregnantwomeninfloodedcommunesandassigningmedicalstafftomonitortheirconditionsandguidethemtosaferlocations.InQu?cOaiDistrict,thedistrictsHealthCentredistributed10gofCloraminBtofloodedcommunesforwaterandenvironmentaltreatmentandinstructedlocalhealthstationstoincreasemedicalservicesandmanagepatientcareinaffectedregions.OnThursday,thedistrictmobilisedapproximately300peopletoconductacomprehensiveenvironmentalclean-upinallaffectedcommunes.Nguy?nTr??ngS?n,ChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofthedistrictsaidonThursdaythatpost-floodenvironmentalpollutionwasthemostpressingconcern.Authoritiesmusturgentlymitigatetheenvironmentalimpactofthedisaster,ensuringsanitationeffortskeeppacewithrecedingwatersandprovidingadequatemanpower,medicines,chemicalsandequipmentfordecontamination.Publicawarenesscampaignsshouldalsoencourageresidentstomaintainenvironmentalhygieneandpreventdiseaseoutbreaksfollowingthefloods.—VNSThepickuptrucksfrontendwasextensivelydestroyedaftercollidingwithamotorbikeonNationalHighwayNo.26in??kL?kProvinceonFridaymorning.—VNA/VNSPhoto??KL?K—Afatalroadaccident,involvingapickuptruckandamotorbike,onNationalHighwayNo.26,runningthroughtheCentralHighlandsprovinceof??kL?k,resultedinthedeathsofthreefamilymembersintheearlymorningofFriday.Initialreportsindicatethatthepickuptruck,registrationnumber47C-286.03,wasdrivenbyTr?nDo?nTùng,49,residinginKr?ngP?cDistrict.HewastravellingtowardsBu?nMaThu?tCityfromKr?ngP?c.Asthevehicleapproachedthenationalhighway,itcollidedheadonwithamotorbike,registrationnumber47F1-476.48.ThemotorbikewasriddenbyV?V?nH.,41,livinginEa?arCommune,EaKarDistrict,??kL?k.Hewascarryinghis36-year-oldwifeand13-year-oldsonandheadingintheoppositedirection.Thesevereimpactresultedintheimmediatedeathsofallthreeoccupantsonthemotorbike.Themotorbikesustainedsignificantdamagetothefrontend,whilethepickuptrucksfrontendwasextensivelydestroyedandthencrashingintoafenceatanearbyplantation.Uponreceivingthereport,thecityspolicedispatchedofficerstosecurethesceneandinvestigatetheincident,includingidentifyingthevictims.Thepickuptruckdriversufferedminorinjuriesandiscurrentlyatthepolicestationassistingwiththeinvestigation.RelativesofthevictimsrevealedthatonThursday,H.andhisfamilyhadtravelledfromEaKarDistricttoBu?nMaThu?tCityforavisit.OnFridaymorning,at6.30amtheywerereturninghometoEaKarDistrictwhentheaccidentoccurred.—VNS

Familymembersreunitethankstohelpfromthepolice.—Photonhandan.vnPHúTH?—Afamilyhasreunitedafternearly30yearsthankstothenationalpopulationdatabasesystem,saidthepoliceofthenorthernprovincePhúTh?.Atthebeginningoflastmonth,the??ngL??ngCommunePolicesFacebookfanpagereceivedarequestforhelpfromHoàngTh?Bích,28,whoresidesinMinhChi?ngVillage,MinhL??ngCommune,V?nBànDistrict,thenorthernmountainousprovinceofLàoCai,whoislookingforhermothersfamily.BíchsmotherisNguy?nTh?Hoan,laterchangedhernametoNguy?nTh?Dungandiscurrentlylivingatthesameaddress.HoanshometownisLamThaoDistrictandherhousewasnearariverbank.Shelosttouchwithherfamilyfornearly30yearsandinspiteofmanysearchesnorelativeshaveeverbeentraced.NowHoanshealthisveryweak,wishingtoreunitewithherparentsandrelatives.ReceivingBíchsrequest,fromthelittleinformationprovided,officersandsoldiersofthe??ngL??ngCommunePoliceconductedareviewonthenationalpopulationdatasystem.Theyalsoaskedthesecurityandorderprotectionteamsin11residentialareastogotoeveryhousetocheck.Aftersomesearchesandwithgreatdeterminationandeffort,thepoliceascertainedthat??ngTh?Hi?n,aged85,andlivingin??nNg?aZonein??ngL??ngCommunemostlikelyhadarelationshipwithHoan.Hi?nsaidthathereldestdaughterBùiTh?Hoan,63,hasbeenmissingsince1988andhasnotreturnedyet.Herfamilyhassearchedforhermanytimesbuttonoavail.ThroughexchanginginformationwithHi?nandBích,thepolicerealisedthatalthoughHoansfirstandlastnamesdidnotexactlymatch,theinformationonbothsideshadmanysimilarities,sotheycontactedthetwofamiliestomeet.OnJuly7,Hi?nsfamilyandrelativeswenttoMinhChi?ngVillagetomeetHoansfamily.Bothfamiliesconfirmedthattheyhadrecognisedthemissingfamilymemberandreunited.OnJuly25,BíchandheruncleBùiNg?cHu?nwenttothe??ngL??ngCommunePolicetothankthemfortheirhelpinfindingtheirlostrelative.—VNSTheaftermathofthefirein2022inAnPhúkaraoke.—Photovov.vnBìNHD??NG—BìnhD??ngProvincialPeoplesProcuracyonThursdayindictedsixpeopleresponsibleforthedeadlyAnPhúkaraokefirethatkilled32victimsonSeptember6,2022.ThesixdefendantsbeingprosecutedareLêAnhXuan(ownerofAnPhúkaraoke),V?Tr??ngS?n,Ph?mQu?cHùng,Ph?mTh?H?ng(formerofficersoftheBìnhD??ngProvincialFirePreventionandRescuePoliceDepartment),andNguy?nThànhLuan(constructioncompanydirector).Theyarebeingprosecutedonchargeoffirepreventionandfirefightingregulations.Nguy?nV?nV?(formerofficeroftheThu?nAnCityFirePreventionandRescuePoliceDepartment)isbeingprosecutedfornegligence.Theinitialcauseofthekaraokefirewasdeterminedtobeanelectricalshortcircuit.Followingtheincident,authoritieslaunchedaninvestigationandinitiatedcriminalproceedings.OnSeptember16,2022,theinvestigatingagencyinitiatedproceedingsanddetainedtheownerXuan.Subsequently,S?n,Hùng,V?,andNguy?nDuyLinh(formerheadoftheFirePreventionandRescuePoliceTeaminThu?nAnCity)wereprosecuted.However,theinvestigationagainstLinhwassuspendedfollowinghisdeathduetoillnessinJune2023.Bytheendof2023,thepolicesinvestigationintotheAnPhúkaraokefirewascompletedandtheProcuracytransferredthecasefiletotheBìnhD??ngProvincialPeoplesCourtfortrial.OnMarch1,2024,thecourtreturnedthefiletotheProcuracy,requestingadditionalinvestigationintoseveralrelatedissues.Followingthesupplementalinvestigation,theinvestigatingagencyprosecutedadditionaldefendantsPh?mTh?H?ngandNguy?nThànhLuan.—VNSTr?nDuy(right)andhisheadteacherHàDuyH?ng.—Photovietnamnet.vnHàN?I—Tr?nDuy,12thgraderoftheHighSchoolforGiftedStudentsundertheHàN?iNationalUniversityofEducation(HNUE),haswonasilvermedalattheInternationalMathematicalOlympiad(IMO)2024.HeisoneoftwocontestantsfromtheVietnameseteam.Threeyearsago,DuycamefirstintheentranceexamtotheclassspecialisinginmathsoftheHighSchoolforGiftedStudentsundertheHNUE.InterestDuyhashadapassionformathematicssincehewasveryyoung.Howeveritwasnotuntilhewasineighthgradethathethoughtaboutmajoringinthesubject.Injuniorsecondaryschool,Duyshowedhistalentswhenhewasthebestatmathematicsamongallthesubjectshewasstudyingandwasalsothemostoutstandingintheclass.Duysaidthatheachievedtheresultstodaybecauseofhisfathersinspiration.HisfatherisTr?n??c,aformerstudentofthemathsclassatDuyshighschool.Myfathergivesmetheclearestguidanceandbelievesinmyabilities.WhenIcamefirstintheentranceexamtohighschool,myfatherthoughtIwillgofurtherandIdonotdisappointhimwithtodaysresults,Duysaid.Thisschoolyear,Duywonfirstprizeinthenationalmathscompetitionandthenasilvermedalatinternationallevel.PromisingstudentV?V?nTi?n,PrincipaloftheHighSchoolforGiftedStudents,saidthatwhenheheardthatDuywonthesilvermedalattheIMO,notonlyhimbutallthestaffandteachersattheschoolwereveryhappy.Wewerenottoosurprisedbecauseaccordingtoteachersassessment,Duyhasalwaysbeenaverypromisingstudent,saidTi?n.TeacherssaythatDuyhaspotentialtosolvethemostdifficultmathsproblemsinthegiftedstudentteam.Sincejoiningtheteam,Duyhasshownhisdifference.Hehasauniquewayofsolvingproblems.TeacherHàDuyH?ng,DuysheadteacherandalsotheteacherinchargeoftheschoolsIMOteam,saidthatduringthelearningprocess,theteamhadmanyexcellentstudentsbutthemostoutstandingwasDuy.Hehasagreatlearningability,atalentformathematicsandagreatpassion.Duyhasverygoodstudyingachievements,haswonmanyawardsandmedalsinmathscompetitions.Duyisalsoastudentwhooftenhasthehighesttestscoresintheteam,saidH?ng.Passionateaboutmathsandhavingagoodstudystrategy,teacherH?ngaffirmedthatDuymadegreatprogressfromgrade11tograde12.Especiallyinthefinalstageofgrade12,Duyhadagreatleapforward.Talkingabouthislearningstyle,Duysaidthatheusuallyfocusesonacquiringknowledgeinclass,fromtheteacherslectures.WhenIgethome,Ispendtimereviewinganddevelopingknowledgebutdonotstudytoolate,toavoidpsychologicalpressureandaffectingthenextdaysstudy,Duysaid.Ispendalotoftimeonmaths.Maybebecauseofmypassion,Ineverfeeltiredwhenstudyingmath,hesaid,addingthathealwaysgoestobedat11pm.Withthisresult,Duywillbeadmitteddirectlytouniversity.HeisconsideringbetweentheHàN?iUniversityofScienceandTechnologyandtheHàN?iUniversityofNaturalSciences–Vi?tNamNationalUniversity.Inthefuture,Duywantstostudyabroad.Thisyear,theHighSchoolforGiftedStudentshastwostudentsbeingselectedfortheIMO2024team.Theotherstudent,T???cAnh,alsoinDuysclass,wonacertificateofmeritatthecompetition.Sinceitsfoundationin1966,theHighSchoolforGiftedStudentsundertheHNUEhaswonnearly80internationalOlympicmedalsinvarioussubjects,ofwhichmathematicsaccountsformorethan60medals.—VNS

Ng?Th??ngMekongCo-operativescowfarminH?uGiangProvincesPh?ngHi?pDistrict.–VNA/VNSPhotoH?ngTháiH?UGIANG–H?uGiangProvincehastakenmeasurestosupportthedevelopmentofthecollectiveeconomy,especiallyco-operatives.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincehasimplementedmanyprogrammesandprojectsinwhichco-operativesaregivenfinancialandothersupporttodeveloptheirproduction.TheyincludetheVi?tNam-SustainableAgricultureTransformation(VnSAT)Projectandtheprojectforsustainableagriculturedevelopmentandclimatechangeadaptationin2021-25.K?Nh?Co-operativeinPh?ngHi?pDistrictsTh?nhHoàCommuneisaco-operativethathasbeenprovidedfinancialsupporttodevelopproduction.Itbreedsfeatherbackfishandmakesproductsfromthefishsuchasfishpaste,driedfishandsnacks,andprocessesotherseafood,vegetableandfruitproducts.Itsupplies30-35tonnesoffreshfishamonthtothemarketandhas11productsrecognisedasthree-andfour-starproductsunderthecountrysOneCommune-OneProduct(OCOP)programme.Nguy?nKimThu?,itsdirector,saidtheprovincehasmanysupportpoliciesforco-operativessuchasfinancialsupport,OCOPproductregistrationandtradepromotion.Theprovincehassupportedherco-operativewithpartofthecostofbuyingasolardryerworthVN?540million(US$21,500)andafreezerworthnearlyVN?1billion($40,000),shesaid.Theco-operativeisbuildingaworkshop,warehouseandheadquartersworthatotalofVN?11billion($440,000)fromtheprovincesfinancialsupport,shesaid.ItearnedrevenueofVN?14billion($560,000)lastyearandhas65permanentworkerswhoearnanincomebetweenVN?6-9million($240-360)amonth.TanTi?nAgricultureServiceCo-operativeinV?ThanhCitysV?TanCommunewasgivenfinancialsupportfromtheVnSATProjectin2018tobuilda1,000sq.mwarehouseandbuyaricedrierandharvester.LêV?nTh?ng,itsdirector,saidthankstothesupport,theco-operativecansolvetheissueofstoringharvestedriceforitsmembers,andcanproactivelyharvest,processandpreserverice,whichhelptoreduceproductioncost.Theprovincehasestablished71co-operativeswithnearly2,000memberssince2022,accordingtotheprovincialCo-operativeAlliance.Ithas271co-operativesandfouroperativeunionswhichhaveatotalofmorethan8,500membersand13,000workers.Thealliancetargetstosetup30co-operativegroupsand16newco-operativesthisyear.SolvingdifficultiesH?V?nPhú,chairmanofthealliance,saidmostco-operativeshavedifficultiessuchassmall-scaleproductionandweakoperationcapacity.Thebiggestdifficultyisthelackofinvestmentcapital,hesaid.Tr??ngC?nhTuyên,permanentdeputychairmanoftheprovincialPeoplesCommittee,said:Tosolvedifficultiesindevelopingthecollectiveeconomy,theprovincewillfocusonremovingthebottleneckofcapitalforco-operatives.Itwillclassifyco-operativesthathavegood,moderateorweakoperationalefficiencytohavemeasurestosupportthem,hesaid.Itwillfocusontraininghumanresourcesforcollectiveeconomy,implementtradepromotionforco-operatives,andassistthemtorecruituniversityandcolleaguegraduatestoworkforalimitedperiod,hesaid.Co-operativeswillbesupportedtoinvestininfrastructureandfacilities,expandtheirproductionandimproveproductquality,hesaid.Linkagesamongco-operativesandotherstakeholdersinproducingproductswillbedevelopedtoimproveproductionefficiency,andtheapplicationofadvancedtechnologieswillbeprioritised,hesaid.TheprovincehasprovidedfinancialsupporttobuildinfrastructureandprocessingfacilitiescostingatotalofVN?144billion($5.7million)for13co-operativesandtwoco-operativeunions,accordingtothealliance.IthasusedmorethanVN?40billion($1.6million)fromitsfundtoassist50co-operativestobuymachines,productionfacilities,seedsandanimalfood.IthasgivenVN?1.6billion($64,000)to33universityandcolleaguegraduateswhoworkforalimitedperiodat13co-operativesandthreeco-operativeunions.Ithasorganised45co-operativestoparticipateintradepromotionactivitiesinHCMCity,HàN?iandotherprovinces,andcreatedconditionsforco-operativestolinkwithcompaniestoproduceandselltheirproducts.–VNSArubberfarminBìnhPh??cProvincesBùGiaM?pDistrict.–VNA/VNSPhotoBìNHPH??C–BìnhPh??cProvinceisdevelopinglinkagesbetweenvariousstakeholdersinagriculturalsupplychaintoimprovefarmersincomesandensuresustainability.Thesoutheasternprovincehas425,000haoffarmlands,withlargeareasunderindustrialcrops,accordingtoitsDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.Itisencouragingfarmerstoformco-operativesandco-operativegroupstoproducehigh-qualityproducts,increasetheiroutputandmeetmarketrequirements.Ithas213agriculturalco-operatives,accordingtoitsCo-operativeAlliance.Nguy?nThanhPh??ng,itschairman,saidtheprovincetargetsatleast30percentofagriculturalco-operativesestablishedwiththesupportoftheFarmersAssociationhavinglinkageswithcompaniesandothereconomicentitiesintheagriculturalsectorandsellingtheirproduce.Accordingtothedepartment,areasforfarmingandprocessingagriculturalproducewillbezonedandlinkagescreatedbetweenvariousstakeholdersinagriculture,animalhusbandryandforestry.Itskeyexportproductsarepork,chicken,cashew,andwoodenproducts.Todevelopindustrialcrops,theprovincewillfocusonestablishingvaluechainsfortheirproductsandprioritisetheirexports.Forcashew,forinstance,theprovincewilldeveloplinkagesbetweenfarmers,co-operativesandcompaniesandsetupprocessingplantstoproducehigh-qualityproductsinconsistentquantities.ItwilldeveloptheBìnhPh??cCashewbrand.Inthecaseofrubber,itwillproducevariousrubberproductssuchaslatex,pillows,mattresses,tyres,andothers.ItwillgrowpepperaccordingtoVietnamesegoodagriculturalpractices,RainforestAllianceandorganicstandards.ItexportsmorethanUS$4billionworthofagriculturalproductsayear,andisamongthecountrystop20citiesandprovincesintermsofexports.Ittargetsexportsof$4.56billionthisyear.ItsagriculturaloutputwasworthVN?17.5trillionlastyearafterachieving10.3percentgrowth,thehighestinthecountry,accordingtothedepartment.Iteyesgrowthof5percentthisyear.PotentialPh?mThu?Lu?n,directoroftheagriculturedepartment,saidtheprovincestillhasampleroomfordevelopingagriculture,especiallytech-based.Itgrowsadiverserangeofhigh-qualityagriculturalproductssuchasdurian,red-pulpguava,greenskinandpinkfleshgrapefruit,mangosteen,avocado,jackfruit,honeydewmelon.MostofthemaregrowntoVietnameseandglobalgoodagriculturalpracticesstandards,andrecognisedasproductsunderthecountrysOneCommune-OneProductprogramme.Theprovincehas3,801haoffarmingareasthathavereceivedproductioncodestomeetexportrequirements.Itsindustrialcropslikecashew,rubber,coffee,andpepperareexportedtomanymarkets,includingtheEU,SouthKorea,theUS,Singapore,China,andCambodia.Ithasnearly150,000haofcashew,or50percentofthecountrystotal,and241,000haofrubber(26percent).Ithasattractedmanylargelivestockbreedingbusinessesandhas480largeanimalfarms.Ithastwomillionpigsand13.5millionpoultrybirds.Underitszoningplanfor2021-30,theprovincewillbuildaslaughterhouse,developfruitorchardsecotourismdestinationsandformfivefruitgrowingareaswithatotalof5,000ha,a3,000hapeppergrowingarea,and9,500haofhigh-techanimalhusbandryby2030.By2030itwillsetupfivehigh-techagriculturezonesof68-650haeach.Itissolicitinginvestmentinhigh-techagriculturefrommajorinternationalcompanies.IthasmanyagriculturalproductsthathavebeengrantedacollectivebrandnamesuchasL?cNinhpepper,ThanhL??ngbackyardchickenThanhL??ngsmall-seedlongan.ItscashewhasbeengrantedtheBìnhPh??cCashewgeographicindication.Ithas157productsundertheOneCommune-OneProductprogrammewiththreetofivestars,includingfoods,beveragesandhandicraftproducts.Underitsrestructuringplan,by2030,itwilldevelopecological,green,organic,andhigh-techagriculture.Itwilldevelopagriculturetogetherwiththeprocessingindustry,recyclingofagriculturalby-productsandwastesandtourismservices.Itwillspeedupdigitaltransformationandincreasetheuseofadvancedagriculturaltechniquestoincreaseyieldsandqualityandsecureoutlets.Experiencedfarmers,companiesandorganisationsproactivelyusesocialmediatoteachfarmersnewfarmingtechniquesandintroducetheirproductstoconsumers.–VNS

StudentspracticeserverskillsattheVi?tGiaoIntermediateSchoolinHCMCitysDistrict10.—VNA/VNSPhotoThuHoàiHCMCITY—HCMCityisboostinginvestmentinvocationaleducationschoolstoimprovethequalityofvocationalhumanresources.LêV?nThinh,directorofthecitysDepartmentofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs,saidthecitysvocationaleducationsystemprovidesthelabourmarketwithabout200,000workerseachyear.However,accordingtoassessmentsconductedbybusinesses,thequalityofthishumanresourcedoesnotmeettherequirementsofrapiddevelopmentinscienceandtechnology.Thereare62colleges,60secondaryschools,77vocationaleducationcentres,and181vocationaleducationfacilitiesacrossthecity.Thesevocationaltrainingestablishmentscanprovidetrainingatdifferentlevelsforover400,000labourers.Thenumberoflearnersandthequalityoftraininghaveimprovedovertheyears,contributingtoagradualincreaseintheproportionoftrainedlabourersto87.6percentasofJune2024.However,short-termtrainingcoursesstillaccountforahighproportionoftotalannualenrolment.Thisleadstothemajorityofworkersfindingitdifficulttoadapttotherapidchangesinscienceandtechnologycomparedtoworkerswithsecondaryorhighereducationlevels.Digitalisationanddigitaltransformationhavenotbeenfullyimplementedbyvocationaleducationinstitutions.Inaddition,manyvocationaleducationfacilitieshaveoutdatedteachingequipment,andsmalllandareas.Therefore,theydonotmeettheminimumarearequirementsaccordingtopresentregulations.InMay,thecitysDepartmentofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairscoordinatedwithrelevantdepartmentsandagenciestoadvisethecityPeoplesCommitteetoissueadecisiononapprovingtheLabourandEmploymentStrategyforthecityinthe2023-25period,withavisionto2030.Thestrategyoutlinessolutionstoensurethegoalofsocio-economicdevelopment,ensuresocialsecurity,andmeettherequirementsofeconomicrestructuringtowardsmodernisationandinternationalintegration,especiallytoachievethelabourproductivitygrowthtargetasdirectedbythePrimeMinisterandtheResolutionofthecityPartyCongressofthe2020-25term.Thedepartmentisalsofinalisingaprojectonmanagingthenetworkofvocationaleducationfacilitiesinthecityby2030afterlisteningtocommentsfromdepartments,agencies,districtsandvocationaleducationfacilities.Accordingly,thecitywillmergeandreorganisepublicvocationaleducationfacilities,continuetoinvestinmodernfacilitiesandequipment,andinspectthequalityofvocationaltrainingprogrammes.By2025,thecitywillpourinvestmentintechnicalteachingfacilitiesforthreepublicvocationaleducationinstitutionswithatotalinvestmentofmorethanVN?400billion(US$15.7million).Inthe2026-30period,thecitywillallocateVN?2.9trillion($113.8million)toupgradeequipmentandenhancetrainingcapacityat15vocationaleducationinstitutions.Thecityseducationsectorwillcontinuetoassesstheneedsofbusinessesandsocietytoadvisethecityonfundamentalsocialwelfarepolicies,supportvulnerableworkers,andprovidesupplementaryandadvancedtrainingforlabourforcedevelopment.Duringthe2021-25period,threeinstitutions,includingtheHCMCityVocationalCollege,Nguy?nTr??ngT?TechnicalCollege,andC?ChiVocationalIntermediateSchool,havebeentaskedbythecityPeoplesCommitteetoproposeadjustmentstoinvestmentplansforpublicvocationaleducationprojects.Theseprojectsincludedevelopmentofahigh-qualityvocationalschool,equipmentprocurement,andvocationaltrainingequipmentacquisition.Between2026and2030,thecityPeoplesCommitteewillallocatemid-termpublicinvestmentfundstoimproveinfrastructureandteachingequipmentatleast15publicvocationaleducationinstitutionsinthecity.TheseinstitutionsincludeHùngV??ngTechnicalCollege,Th???cCollegeofEconomicsandTechnology,QuangTrungVocationalIntermediateSchool,andtheHCMCityCollegeofEconomicsandTechnology.Publicvocationaleducationinstitutionsinthecitywillalsomaintainclosecollaborationwithleadunitsinthecomprehensiveinternationalworkforcetrainingprojectacrosseightfields,includingITandcommunications,mechanicalengineeringandautomation,artificialintelligence,businessadministration,financeandbanking,healthcare,tourismandurbanmanagement.Thiscollaborationaimstosupplyskilledlaborerswithvocationaleducationanduniversitystudies,meetingthedemandforadynamichigh-qualityworkforce.—VNS

FormerF88employeesreceiveprisonsentencesofoneyearandfivemonthstofouryearsandsixmonthsforextortionattheHCMCityPeoplesCourtonWednesday.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheHCMCityPeoplesCourthassentencedsevenformeremployeesofaHàN?i-basedlendingfirmtoprisontermsrangingfromoneyearandfivemonthstofouryearsandsixmonthsforextortion.ThecourtonWednesdayfoundthattheformeremployeesofF88InvestmentJSC(F88),Vi?tNamslargestpawnshopoperator,sentthreateningmessagestohundredsofthousandsofcustomerstocoercedebtrepayments.Oneofthemharassedafemaledebtorbyrepeatedlycontactingherandevenfollowingherdaughtertoschooltointimidatethemother.Duringtheproceedings,thedefendants,allofwhomresideinHCMCity,admittedtheirwrongdoingandsoughtleniency,citingfinancialpressures.InMarchlastyear,policeraidedthelendingfirmfollowingpubliccomplaints,uncoveringevidenceofextortioninitsdebtcollectionpractices.F88,whichisseekingaUS$1billionvaluationinitsupcominginitialpublicoffering,lastyearreceived$50millioninfundingfromMekongCapitalandtheVi?tNam-OmanInvestmentFund.Establishedin2013andheadquarteredinHàN?i,F88operatesatover800locationsnationwide.—VNSMajorandmilitarydoctorNguy?nBáL??ng(right)talkstopeoplecomingtothe‘BordermedicinecabinetinPhúcS?nCommuneforahealthcheck.—VNA/VNSPhotoXuanTi?nNGH?AN—The‘BordermedicinecabinetmodeloperatedbythePhúcS?nBorderGuardStationinthepastfiveyearshaspromotedeffectivenessofhealthcareandtreatmentsinfourbordervillages.ItisoneofeightbordermedicinecabinetssetupbytheNgh?AnProvinceBorderGuard.Inadditiontomaintainingsecurityandorder,theGuardStationhascoordinatedwithlocalauthoritiestoeffectivelyimplementeconomicandsocialdevelopmentprogrammes.Itcreateslivelihoodsandhelpslocalpeopleeradicatediseasesandhunger,therebygainingthetrustandloveoflocalofficialsandpeople.HealthcareMajorandmilitarydoctorNguy?nBáL??ng,51,isinchargeofthePhúcS?nBorderGuardStationsmedicalcabinet.Rainorshine,hediligentlyexaminespatients.ViTh?Thi?t,58,aTháiethnicwomaninCaoV?u2Village,PhúcS?nCommune,AnhS?nDistrict,saidthatsheregularlycametothe‘BorderMedicineCabinettohaveherbloodpressuremeasured,heartrateandjointscheckedandtoreceivefreemedicine.Previously,whenthemedicinecabinetwasnotthere,everytimeshewassick,shehadtoaskrelativestotakeherbymotorbiketothecommunehealthstation,whichismorethan20kmalongtheforestroad,alongthehillsandmountains.Itwasareallyhardjourney.Manyotherpatientssaidthatsincethe‘BorderMedicineCabinetwasestablished,medicalexaminationandtreatmenthasbecomemuchmoreconvenient.MilitarydoctorsfromthePhúcS?nBorderGuardStationareregularlypresenttopromptlyprovidehealthcaretopeoplewithaveryenthusiasticattitudeandthoughtfuladvice.Regardlessofnightorday,everytimepeopleneedtobeexamined,themilitarydoctorsarepresent,ortheywillcrossmountainsandforeststolocalpeopleshousestochecktheirhealth.TheCaoV?u1,2,3,4villagesinPhúcS?nCommunearelocatedupstreamofGiangandV?urivers,inthebufferzoneofthePùMátprimevalforest.Morethan40yearsago,theareawasfullofmountainsandforests,withonlyafewdozenTháiethnichouseholdssettling.Currently,thefourvillageshavenearly400households,withmorethan1,340people,ofwhichTháipeopleaccountformorethan84percent.In2002,theAnhS?nDistrictPeoplesCommitteebuilttheCaoV?uMedicalSubstation.Itarrangesthreemedicalworkerstogivefirstaidtothepeople.In2014,themedicalsubstationmovedneartheHighwayNo7.Sincethen,everytimepeoplegetsick,theyhavetotravelmorethan20kmtothecommunehealthstation.SeniorLieutenantColonelHoàngThanhTùng,PoliticianofthePhúcS?nBorderGuardStation,saidthatheunderstoodthepeoplesdifficultiesintakingcareoftheirhealth,especiallyfortheelderlyandchildren.TheunithadproposedtheNgh?AnBorderGuardCommandsetupamedicinecabinetanditwasapproved.FromFebruary2019,the‘BorderMedicineCabinetmodelwasestablished,locatedinCaoV?u2Villagewithonemilitarydoctortosupplyfreehealthcareandmedicinetothepeople.TheoperatingbudgetforthecabinetmainlycomesfromsupportoftheprovincialBorderGuardCommand,thePhúcS?nBorderGuardStation,theRedCrossSociety,theAnhS?nDistrictWomensUnionandotheragenciesandbenefactors.MajorL??ng,whomanagedthecabinet,saidthatinthepastfiveyears,theunithadexamined,treatedandgivenfreemedicinetoabout5,000people.Sometimesthesoldiershavetogothroughtheforesttoexamineandtreatpeopleathome,withthefurthesthousemorethan6kmfromtheunit.Peoplecomemainlyforhighbloodpressureproblems,cardiovascularissuesandboneandjointdiseases.Childrenhaveacuterespiratoryandintestinalinfections.Workaccidentsinproductionalsohappenalotandarepromptlytreatedbymilitarydoctors.Foremergencycases,theunitwilladvisethepatientfortimelyreferraltoanuppertierhospital.PovertyreductionLieutenantColonelTùngsaidthatthestationmanagedandprotectedmorethan26kmofborder,withsevenlandmarks,(numbers441to447).TheareaisadjacenttoXaychamphoneDistrict,BolikhamsaiProvinceofLaos.Witharuggedmountainousterrain,manystreams,frequentfloods,landslidesandtrafficdisruptionintherainyseason,itisadifficultterraintoguard,buttheunithasworkedprofessionallytoprotectbordersovereigntyandsecurity.Atthesametime,itmaintainsgoodexternalaffairstobuildaunitedborderarea,growingfriendship,withspecialsolidarityandcomprehensivecooperationbetweenVi?tNamandLaosandNgh?AnandBolikhamsaiProvince.Toeffectivelyconductsocio-economicdevelopmentprogrammesinthelocality,theunitcoordinateswiththedistrictFatherlandFrontandFarmersAssociationtocarryoutanumberofmodelssuchashelpingimpoverishedstudents,raisingpigsandchickensandgrowingplants.Manyhouseholdssupportedbytheguardstationhaveescapedpoverty.NganTh?Loan,wholivesinCaoV?u4Village,isacaseinpoint.Shewassupportedwithtwobreedingpigs,100chickensandtechnicalhelpandhasnowaccumulatedcapitaltoexpandalivestockfarm,growsonehectareofteaand1.000sq.mofcassava.—VNS

MinisterofInformationandCommunicationsNguy?nM?nhHùngandRepublicofKoreasMinisterofScienceandICTLeeJong-hoduringtheirmeetinginSeoul.—VNA/VNSPhotoKhánhVanSEOUL—MinisterofInformationandCommunicationsNguy?nM?nhHùngpaidaworkingtriptotheRepublicofKorea(RoK)inearlyAugust,aimingatbolsteringcooperationbetweenthetwocountriesintheareasofdigitaltransformationandAI.AtaworkingsessionwithMinisterofScienceandICTLeeJong-ho,HùngstressedthatVi?tNamispromotingeconomicgrowthbasedondigitaltechnology,aswellasboostingthedevelopmentofITandcommunications,particularlyArtificialNarrowIntelligenceandSpecialisedAI-theareasthatneedinternationalcooperationinpolicysharingandhumanresourcestraining.Thetwoministersdiscussedcooperationmeasuresonthebasisofthevisionsandpoliciestoboostdigitalinnovationforgrowth,andpledgedtoenhancecooperationinthedomainsofICT,withthefocusgiventoAIresearchanddevelopment,andhigh-qualityhumanresourcestrainingforthesemiconductortechnology.TheVietnameseministeralsohaddiscussionswithrepresentativesfromtheRoKsDigitalPlatformGovernmentandtheMinistryofScienceandICT(MSIT)sNationalInformationSocietyAgency,KoreaInternetSecurityAgencyandNationalITIndustry,whoprovidedtheVietnamesesidewithinformationrelatedtotheRoKsICTpolicyresearchandmaking.DuringhisstayinthecountryonAugust1-2,HùngvisitedandhadaworkingsessionwiththeSeoulCyberUniversity(SCU)andattendedtheinauguralceremonyforthecoordinationtrainingofficebetweenVi?tNamsPostsandTelecommunicationsInstituteofTechnologyandtheSCU.Hecongratulatedthetwoestablishmentsfortheireffectivecooperation,andhighlightedthattheSCUsdigitaluniversitymodelisanadvancedoneandanexampleforVietnameseuniversities.Ontheoccasion,theVietnameseMinistryofInformationandCommunicationsjoinedhandswiththeMSITandrelatedassociationsofthetwonationstoorganisetheVi?tNam–RoKdigitalforum,drawingtheparticipationof20technologyfirmsfromVi?tNam,and150representativesfromRoKassociationsandenterprises.ThiswasanopportunityfortheVietnameseICTbusinesscommunitytopromotetradeandseekinternationalpartnersintheRoK.Italsohelpedpromotecoordinationandsharingofpolicies,initiativesandadvancedtechnologymeasuresbetweenthetwonations.HùngalsohadtalkswithVietnamesestudentswhoarestudyingICT,andvisitedFPTrepresentativeofficeintheRoK.—VNSV?MinhQuan,orQuanV?,istheauthorofProfit-DrivenDigitalMarketingwhichwasclassifiedasTop#1BestSellerintheGlobalMarketingcategoryonAmazononlyamonthafteritsrelease.Photogiaoducthoidai.vnV?MinhQuanhasbeenwell-knownathomeandabroadforhisbookProfit-DrivenDigitalMarketing,whichwasclassifiedTopNewReleases,andthenTop#1BestSellerintheGlobalMarketingcategoryonAmazononlyamonthafteritsrelease.The37-year-oldauthor,alsoknownasQuanV?,releasedProfit-DrivenDigitalMarketinginMarchthisyear.Itisavailableinthreeformats,ebook,paperbackandhardcover.TheEnglishaudiobookversionwasreleasedbytheendofJuneandisavailableonvariousglobalplatformssuchasGooglePlay,BarnesNoble,Libro.fm,Kobo,andAudiobooks.com.Thebookhasreachedreadersworldwide,includingtheUS,theUK,Ireland,theNetherlands,Japan,GermanyandCanada.ThisglobalversionhasalsobeenincludedinthelibrariesoftwelveuniversitiesinIreland.ThenewbiesfirstbookisinVietnameseentitledDigitalMarketingchonhàqu?nly(DigitalMarketingforManagers)releasedbytheendof2022.DigitalMarketingchonhàqu?nlyhasbeenavailableone-commercechannels,majorbookstoresinVi?tNam,andwasnominatedforTop5MostLovedVietnameseBusinessBooksandTop10Must-ReadBusinessBooksof2023bySaigonBusinessmagazine.QuanwasastudentintheadvancedComputerScienceprogrammeattheUniversityofScienceinHCMCity,inpartnershipwiththeUnitedStatesPortlandStateUniversity.HehasstartedventuresinvariousfieldsandiscurrentlytheCEOofadigitalmarketingcompanyinHCMCityandavisitinglectureronentrepreneurshipattheUniversityofScience.Iwasnotanall-roundstudentinsecondaryschooljustwasaverageinliteratureandpoorinchemistrybecauseIwasnotgoodatmemorisingformulas,hetoldgiaoducthoidai.vn:However,fromhistimeasaphysicsmajorstudentuntilnow,hehasalwaysmaintainedcuriosityaboutsocialsciences.TheolderIget,themoreIenjoyreadingandexploringsocialsciences,literatureandartsbecausetheyareinteresting.AsIgrewolder,mycuriosityincreasedandIreadmanybooksonvarioustopics,bothinVietnameseandEnglish.Thisappliesalottomycurrentjobandthemotivationtowriteabookthatmanypeoplewouldlove,Quansaid.Ofcourse,makingthebookglobalwasnoteasy.Besidesthesupportfromtheplatforminpromotingthebook,Ihadtoovercomemanychallengestowritethebooktoensureitisnotoutdatedandsuitsthetastesofforeignreaders.ForQuan,writingabookisnotjustaboutsharingwhatheknowsbutthinkingabouttheproductseriously,fromthetitle,coverdesign,price,publicityandmore.Alltheseaspectsrequireaninvestmentoftimeandspecialisedpersonnel.Regardingcontent,hebelieveditisessentialtobeengagingandrelatable.Readersshouldfindvalueinthebook,relatetothesituationstheyhaveexperiencedandapplythelessonsintheirlives.Idonthaveastrongpersonalbrandintheglobalmarket,sobringingthebooktotheinternationalmarketrequiredcarefulpreparation,treatingitasaseriousproductwithmarketresearchandhavingacleartargetaudience,Quansaid.Thecompetitionone-commerceplatformslikeAmazonisextremelyfierce.Buyerspartlyrelyontheauthorsbrand,whethertheyarefamousandtrustworthy.Whileforeignmarketsarevastanddiverse,withcountlessexpertsinvariousfields,thecompetitionforanewauthorlikemeisevenmorecomplex.Self-publishingplatformInVi?tNam,QuanworkswiththeteamatGiverBookspublishingcompany.Likeotherpublishers,GiverBookssupportsauthorsincontentediting,coverdesign,obtainingpublicationlicences,printing,distributingandpromotingthebook.However,topublishtheEnglishbook,insteadofseekingacomprehensivesupportpublisherabroad,Quanchosetobuildhisownteamtohelpwithcoverdesign,editingandensuringthebookssuitabilityfortheinternationalmarket.Additionally,heexploredtheKindleDirectPublishing(KDP)platform,anAmazonservicesupportingself-publishingauthors.Establishedin2007,KDPisusedbymanyauthorsworldwidebutisstillrelativelyunfamiliartoVietnameseauthors.Authorroyaltiesdependonthebookformatsold-paperback,hardcover,orebook-rangingfrom35percentto70percentofthelistedprice.Amazoncalculatesroyaltiesbysubtractingprintingcosts(forprintbooks)andtaxesbasedonthecountryorterritoryoforigin,hesaid.IfanauthorwantsAmazontosupportdistributiontoretailers,theycanpayanadditionalfee.Theprofitanauthorreceivesperbookisnothigh,butinreturn,justbyuploadingthebookfileandcoverdesigntotheplatform,Amazontakescareoftherest.Self-publishingonAmazonallowsforprint-on-demanddistribution,whichallowsauthorstocontroltheprintquantityaccordingtodemand,savingprintingcosts.Furthermore,Amazonhasprintingfacilitiesinseveralcountries.Theexpandingnetworkofprintingfacilitiescanprofoundlychangethepublishingindustrybyeliminatingtheneedforphysicaltransportationofbooksacrossnationalborders.AccordingtoauthorQuan,KDPisbreakingdowntraditionalbarriersinpublishingprocedures,pavingthewayforbookstoreachreadersmoreeasily.Quanalsospendsalotoftimeresearchingandanalysing,choosingkeywordstomakeiteasierforbuyerstofindhisbookonsearchengines.Selectingthebookscategoryforclassificationiscrucial,suchastheGlobalMarketingcategoryonAmazon.Additionally,factorslikecoverdesign,presentationformatandpricing,basedonresearchofforeignbooksinthesamefield,areessentialforpackagingthebookasaninternationalproduct.Healsoconsiderspriceadjustmentsatdifferenttimestohelpthebookcompeteandbecomeabest-seller.InspiringhischildrenQuanV?sbooksareavailableinlibrariesof20universitiesinVi?tNam.Photogiaoducthoidai.vnItisknownthatoneofthemotivationsfortheauthortowritebooksisforhischildrentofindtheirfathersachievementsonline.Accordingtohim,personaleffortisawaytopushboundaries,pavingthewayforhischildren.Whatheachievescanserveasanexampleforhischildrentofollow.LikesellingbooksfromVi?tNamtotheworld,notmanypeoplethoughtitwaspossiblebefore.Istrivetomakeithappen,Quansaid.Iwantmychildrentounderstandthatwhentheylikedoingsomething,despitedifficultiesandwhatothersmightsay,iftheytryhardenough,theywillachieveit.IhopewhatIamdoing,includingwritingandsellingbooksonAmazonandexportingknowledgefromVi?tNamtotheworld,willgivemychildrenmoreconfidenceandmotivationtoliveuptotheirpotentialandinterestsandnotbelimitedbyanyprejudicesorbarrierssocietymayimpose.Quanstartedfromscratch,figuringouteachstepalongtheway.Heconstantlychallengeshimselfwithdifferentmilestones,overcomingnumerousdifficultiesinthejourneyofexportingknowledge.MywishistocontributetocreatingawaveofVietnameseauthorsdaringtopackageandsharetheirknowledgeandexperienceswithglobalreaders,fosteringconfidenceandprideinVietnameseintellect,hesaid.VNS

Anofficialin??kT?ngCommune,KonPl?ngDistrict,guidelocalpeopleonhowtorespondtoearthquakes.—VNA/VNSPhotoCaoNguyênHàN?I—Anotherearthquakeof3.8magnitudehitDistrict,theCentralHighlandsprovinceofKonTum,onSaturday,accordingtotheInstituteofGeophysics.Itoccurredat12:44pmatadepthofabout8.1km,withnodisasterrisk.EarthquakeshavebeenrecordedfrequentlyinKonPl?ngsince2021.Recently,theareawashitbya5.0magnitudeearthquakeonJuly28withitsdisasterriskcategorisedasLevel2-thestrongesteverrecordedinthisarea.Thequakecausedsomedamagetopublicbuildingsandresidentialhomes.ResidentsintheCentralHighlandsandcentralVi?tNamfeltthetremorsandshaking.Thelocalityexperiencedatotalof21earthquakesonJuly28,followedbyanadditional11tremorsbetweenmidnightand7amonJuly29,raisingconcernsaboutunusualseismicactivityintheregion.Nguy?nXuanAnh,DirectoroftheInstituteofGeophysics,statedthatearthquakesareforecasttocontinuehittingKonTumProvinceinthenearfuture,butareunlikelytobestrongerthan5.5degrees.Localauthoritiesandcompetentagenciesneedtoconductdamageassessments,reviewandevaluateweakstructuresatriskofbeingaffectedbyearthquakesforsolutions.Between1903and2020,KonPl?ngDistrictrecordedabout33earthquakeswithmagnitudesof2.5orhigher.From2021toAugust2022,theareaexperiencednearly200newearthquakes.—VNSSceneoftheaccident.Theworkerswereliftedbythecranetoworkonthesilosthatstorematerialsforafactory.—VNA/VNSPhotoL?cH??ngThuLàOCAI—AcraneaccidentonFridayataphosphorusslag-crushingplantinT?ngLo?ngIndustrialPark,B?oTh?ngDistrict,LàoCaiProvince,hasleftthreeworkersdeadandthreeothersinjured.Initialinvestigationssuggestthetragedyoccurredat11:30amwhenacablehoistcarryingthesixworkerssuddenlysnapped,sendingthecontainertheywereinplummetingtotheground.Thecontainerwasthenstruckbyafallingpulley,compoundingthedevastatingimpact.ThetwoworkerswholosttheirliveshavebeenidentifiedasL.V.C.,ageunknown,andP.V.N,34.Theformerdiedatthescenewhilethelattersucummedtoinjurieswhilebeingrushedtothehospital.Theidentityofthethirdworkerwholosthislifeduringhospitaltreatmenthasnotbeenannounced.Thethreeinjuredarereceivingmedicalattention.Thepolicehaveconcludedthattheconstructioncompanysuseofatowercranetotransportworkersviolatedlaboursafetyregulations.TheypressedchargesagainstitonAugust2.—VNS