ManysugarcaneareasinQu?ngS?nCommune,NinhS?nDistrictareatriskofdryingoutduetolackofwater.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngTh?NINHTHU?N—HundredsofhectaresofcropsinNinhThu?nProvinceareatriskofdryingout,asreservoirsdonothaveenoughwatertoirrigatetheareafollowingaprolongeddrought.Thecropsaresugarcane,wheat,cornandsomefruittrees,suchasdurianandgrapes,inNinhH?iandNinhS?ndistricts.InV?nhH?iCommune,NinhH?iDistrict,about190haofgrapevineslackirrigation.?ngKinhLakehasrundry,andlocalpeoplehavetodigpondsanddrillwellstostorewater.Butsomeofthewellsarecontaminatedwithsalinity,soeventheplantsthatarewateredcannotgrowandgraduallywither.Similarly,inLamS?nCommune,NinhS?nDistrict,morethan200haoffruittreesarewitheringduetowatershortages.AllofthecropsinthisareausenaturalwaterfromtheGiaChiêustreamandothersmallwaterways.Butduetotheprolongedhotweather,thestreamshavedriedup.InQu?ngS?nCommune,morethan300haofsugarcanearedryingout.Localpeopleareveryanxiousandworried,becausetheheatthereisstillintense.Moreimportantly,manytypesofcropsandfruittreesarenowinthegrowth,floweringandfruit-bearingstages.Watershortageswilldirectlyaffectthetreessurvivalrate,productivityandproductquality.LeadersoftheLamS?nCommunePeoplesCommitteesaidthatthecommitteewouldrequestfinancialsupportfromauthoritiesatalllevelsforthepeopleinaffectedareas.Thesupportwouldhelplocalfarmersdigpondsandinstallwaterpipestotemporarilyirrigatecropswhileawaitingtherainyseason.Forlessaffectedareas,thecommitteesuggestedthefarmersstorewaterandirrigatecropsinmoderation.DeputyChairmanoftheNinhS?nDistrictPeoplesCommitteeNguy?n??cHòasaidthattoeasedifficultiesforthepeople,thedistricthasproposedtheprovincialPeoplesCommitteeconsiderinvestinginirrigationpipelines.ThedistrictsuggestedlocatingawaterpumpdownstreamoftheS?ngPhaHydroelectricPlanttobringwatertotheGiaChiêustreamandthenusingthewatertoirrigatefruittrees.Tr?nhMinhHoàng,DeputyChairmanoftheNinhThu?nProvincialPeoplesCommittee,saidthat,giventheprolongeddroughtanditsnegativeimpactsonpeoplesproductivityanddailylives,provincialauthoritieshaveissuedaplantorespondtotheproblem.Thecommitteeassignedurgenttaskstoeachdepartmentandlocalityaspartoftheplantoconservewaterfordailyuse,livestockandhigh-valueperennialcrops.Overthepastfewdays,thecommitteehasexaminedlocalpeoplesproductionandlivingsituationsanddirectedsolutionsfortheareasmostaffectedbythedrought.Forgrapegrowingareas,especiallyinV?nhH?iCommune,provinceleadersaskedthelocalitytosupportandworkcloselywithagriculturalagenciesandlocalfarmers,becausegrapesareaspecialtyintheprovince.TheprovinceaskedtheManagementBoardofAgriculturalandRuralDevelopment,InvestmentandConstructionProjectstosupplywaterfromtheTanM?irrigationstationinBácáiDistrictto?ngKinhLaketoeasetheprovincesseveredroughtzone.OfficialsinNinhThu?nProvincecontinuouslymonitorthelatestinformationanddevelopmentsonthedroughttoissuetimelyandeffectiveguidance.Theprovinceisencouragingpeopletoactivelyrespondtothedroughtbystoringfreshwaterandusingwaterinmoderation.AccordingtotheNinhThu?nProvinceIrrigationWorksExploitationCo.Ltd.,thetotalamountofwaterinthecompanys23reservoirsisonly138to417millioncubicmetres.Ofthese,tworeservoirshavealreadydriedupandsixlakeshavewaterlevelslowerthanthedeadpoollevel,atwhichwatercannotflowdownstream.Expertsforecastthatthedroughtwillcontinuetogreatlyimpactpeopleslivesandproductioninthedaystocome.—VNS

Thecompetentforcesexaminethebombbeforedeactivation.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?TáChuyênQU?NGBìNH—Competentforceshavesuccessfullydeactivateda340-kilogrammebombleftoverfromthewarinQu?ngBìnhProvince,alocalofficialsaidonMay22.Tr?nV?nHuy?n,chairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofQu?ngS?nCommune,Ba??nTownship,saidthebombwasfoundbyafamilyinTh?H?VillageonMay21.ThedeactivationwasthejointeffortofsappersoftheprovincialMilitaryCommandandrepresentativesofthePeaceTreesVietnamorganisationinQu?ngBình,headded.ThebombwasthenmovedtothewarehouseoftheMilitaryCommandforsafetypurposes.—VNSVi?tNamhasrevised44lawsrelatedtohumanrightsinpreparationforitsnationalreportforthefourthUPRCycle.-VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—ByJanuary2024,Vi?tNamhadfullyimplemented209ofthe241recommendationsitreceivedfromtheUnitedNationsHumanRightsCouncilinthethirdcycleoftheUniversalPeriodicReview(UPR).Vi?tNamhasalsopartlyimplemented30oftherecommendations,andisconsideringimplementingtwoothers.ThatwasthemessagefromNguy?nV?Minh,DeputyDirectoroftheInternationalOrganisationsDepartmentundertheMinistryofForeignAffairs,attheconferenceonhumanrightsonWednesday.HesaidVi?tNamhadsparednoeffortinimplementingtheUPRrecommendationsandtheinternationalconventionsithadratified,includingtheConventionAgainstTortureandtheConventionontheRightsofPeoplewithDisabilities.HesaidVi?tNamhadrevised44lawsrelatedtohumanrightsinpreparationforitsnationalreportforthefourthUPRcycle.Aftersubmittingthereport,thecountryproceededwiththepassageoftherevisedLawonLandinfavourofvulnerablegroups,ethnicminoritiesandreligiousorganisations.HesaidmostoftheparticipantsinthefourthUPRcyclecommendedVi?tNamsreportforprovidingcomprehensiveinformationonthehumanrightssituationandappreciatedthecountrysopenandtransparentapproachinpreparingit.TheyexpressedinterestinVi?tNamspracticesinpromotinghumanrights,includingitslifecycleapproachtosocialsecurity,itsNationalActionPlanonWomen,PeaceandSecurityanditseffortsingenderequalityandwomensempowerment.TheworkinggroupofthefourthUPRCycleadoptedVi?tNamsnationalreportandthe320recommendationsforthecountryonMay10,saidMinh.HealsosaidVi?tNamhadamendedthePenalCodemanytimesfrom1980tothemostrecentrevisionin2015toreducethenumberofcrimessubjecttocapitalpunishment.Currently,thedeathpenaltyisonlyapplicabletothosewhocommitparticularlyseriouscrimesrelatedtoviolationsofnationalsecurity,infringementonhumanlife,drugsandcorruption.—VNS

TheGreatCeremonyofBuddhas2,568thBirthdayonMay22attheVietnameseNationalBuddhistTemple.-VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY-OnthemorningofMay22(April15ofthelunarcalendar)atDistrict10sVietnameseNationalBuddhistTemple,theExecutiveBoardoftheVi?tNamBuddhistSanghaofHCMCityorganisedtheGreatCeremonyofBuddhas2,568thBirthday.AttendingtheeventwereHCMCityofficials,religiousdignitaries,MostVenerableThíchTríQu?ng,SupremePatriarchofthePatronageCouncilofVi?tNamBuddhistSangha(VBS),membersoftheVBSandthousandsofmonks,nuns,Buddhistsandfollowersinthecity.MostVenerableThíchTríQu?ngsaidthattheBuddhasBirthdayisanopportunitytoreviewtheBuddhasnoblelifeandteachingsofselflessness,altruism,loveandwisdom,whicharenotonlyasourceofcomfortbutalsooffersolutionstotransformpersonalsufferingandcreateapeacefulenvironmentforall.Monks,nunsandBuddhistspraywithaunitedheartforallwarstoendandhatredtodisappear.WithallthesacredmeaningoftheanniversaryofBuddhasbirth,IwishallBuddhistsaroundtheworldtounite,livealtruisticallytogetherwithhumanity,andcreateaworldofpeaceandhappiness,hesaid.VenerableThíchL?Trang,headoftheExecutiveCommitteeoftheVBSinHCMCity,readthe2,568thBuddhaBirthdaySpeechofMostVenerableThíchThi?nNh?n,DeputyPatriarchandChairmanoftheVBSExecutiveCouncil,whichreiteratedBuddhasteachings:GratefulnesstotheFatherlandisthemostsacredthing.Apersonwhoisgratefulwillhaveeverything.Apersonwithoutgratitudewillloseeverything.Wearelivinginapeaceful,prosperouscountry,withaprosperousandhappylife.Eachofusneedstobegratefulandrespectfulforthesacredsacrificesofcountlessgenerationsofourancestorstoregainindependenceandfreedomforthenation.Tr?nKimY?n,chairwomanoftheCitysVi?tNamFatherlandFrontCommittee,sentbestwishestotheclergies,monks,nunsandfellowBuddhistsforahappyandjoyfulBuddhasbirthdayseason.VietnameseBuddhismisalwayslinkedwiththeFatherlandandthepeople,andthededicationtoservingtheDharmaandthenationoftheVenerableclergiesandBuddhistsisabigpartofVi?tNamshistory,shesaid.Overthepastnearly50years,themonks,nunsandBuddhismfollowersinHCMCityhavecontributedtobuildingagoodsociety,followingthespiritofVietnameseBuddhismofServinggooddeedstosentientbeingsisthebestofferingstotheBuddhas.TheyhavealsobeenmakingBuddhismmoreprominentintheheartsofthenationandaffirmingtheroleoftheVBS,animportantmemberorganisationoftheVi?tNamFatherlandFront.Y?nexpressedhertrustthattheVBSinHCMCitywillcontinuetofosterunityandexpandtheVBS,promotetheuniquevaluesofVietnameseBuddhism,andstrengthenthesolidaritybetweenBuddhismandotherreligionsinVi?tNam.ThecitysExecutiveBoardoftheVBSalsodonatedVN?2billiontosupporttheForthePoorfundandtheForthenationalseaandislands–FortheFatherlandfrontlinefund.PagodasinHCMCityhavebeencelebratingtheBuddhas2,568thBirthdayfromMay15to22withmanyactivities,includingparadesandreleasingpaperlanternflowers.VNSMedicalstaffmemberchecksbloodpressureforpeopleinLongAnProvince.—Photobaolongan.vnHCMCITY—HealthexpertsexchangedexpertiseandexperienceinanefforttoimprovethehypertensionmanagementprogrammeataconferenceonMay22inHCMCity.TheconferencewasacollaborationbetweenNovartisVietnamandFPTLongChauPharmacychainwithsupportfromtheVietnamHypertensionAssociationandtheVietnamNationalHeartAssociation,aimingatraisingpublicawarenessofhypertension.Theeventprovidedmedicalknowledgeregardingdiagnosisandhypertension,beginningaseriesofmeaningfulactivitiesonWorldHypertensionDayandtheMMM2024(MayMonthMeasurement2024)CommunityHypertensionScreeningandManagementProgramme.TheconferenceisalsoanopportunitytoconcretiseNovartiseffortsinimprovingcommunityhealthandenhancingthecounsellingcapacityofpharmacists,jointlyworkingwithpharmacychainpartnerstobereadytojointheCommunityHypertensionControlProgrammeaccordingtoInternationalSocietyofHypertensionstandards.Forthefirsttime,theprogrammehascollaboratedwiththeFPTLongChaupharmacychainsystemtoprovidefreeinternational-standardbloodpressuremeasurementtothepublic.Aftermeasurementsessions,specialistdoctorswillnotonlyprovidecounsellingandhealthcareadvicebutalsogivedetailedinstructionstoparticipantsonhowtomeasuretheirbloodpressureathome.Thisinitiativehelpsfosterproactivedailyhealthcare,contributestothemanagementandreductionofhypertensionrisks,andaimstoimprovethequalityoflifeandhealthoftheVietnamesecommunity.Speakingabouttheimportanceofpharmacistsinadvisingpatientswithhypertension,Prof.Dr.Hu?nhV?nMinh,PresidentoftheVietnamNationalHeartAssociation,said:HypertensionisaverycommonissuewithintheVietnamesecommunity,andeachofuscanbeacandidateforthisproblem.Althoughitisnotaninfectiousdisease,thecomplicationsassociatedwithorgandamagecausedbyhypertension,suchasbrainstroke,heartattack,heartfailure,arrhythmias,andvisualimpairment,shouldnotbeignored.Besidestheroleofdoctors,pharmacistsarecurrentlybeingrecognizedandplayasignificantcollaborativeroleinhelpingpeopleenhancetheirawarenessandensureadherencetothebesttreatment,contributingtotheprotection,care,andimprovementofcommunityhealth.DelegatescuttheribbontolaunchtheMMM2024CommunityHypertensionScreeningandManagementProgrammeonMay22.—PhotocourtesyoftheorganiserDuringtheconference,expertspractisedmeasuringandrecordingISHstandardbloodpressureandcounsellinghypertensivepatients.ThisactivityservedasbothsupportandspecialisedtrainingfortheFPTLongChaupharmacistteamtoenhancetheirexpertiseandprofessionalismintheprocessofexaminingandcounsellinghypertensivepatients.Thiscreatesmoreopportunitiesforpeoplenationwidetoundergoscreeningandmanagementforhypertension,therebyavoidingpotentialrisksofthedisease.Hypertensionisbecomingincreasinglycommonworldwide,includinginVi?tNam.Anyoneisatriskofhypertension,includingchildrenandyoungadults.AccordingtotheWorldHealthOrganisation,anestimated1.5billionpeopleworldwidehavehypertension,anditisresponsibleforanestimated9.4milliondeathseachyear.InVi?tNam,thereareabout12millionpeoplewithhypertension,witharatioofoneinfiveadultsbeingaffected.Ofthese,thereisarelativelyhighproportionofpatientswhohavenotbeendiagnosedwiththediseaseorhavebeendiagnosedbuthavenotyetcontrolledit.—VNSVillage-basedmidwifeV?Th?M?.VNA/VNSPhotosHàGIANGFormorethanthirtyyears,V?Th?M?hasworkedasavillage-basedmidwifeinthenorthernmountainousprovinceofHàGiangandhelpedoversixtymothersgivebirth.Shehasalsoprovidedpostpartumcareforhundredsofmothersandnewborns.Despiteoperatingwithoutanyfunding,sheremainscommittedtosupportingmotherstobevaccinatedandprovidingcareforfetuses.Shealsopersuadedthecommunitytogiveupoutdatedpracticesandgainaccesstobettermedicalcare.LocatedatthenorthernmostpointofVi?tNam,L?ngCúisoneofthemountainousandbordercommunesof??ngV?nDistrict.M?issympathetictothestrugglesfacedbythelocalethnicminoritycommunity,particularlythosefacedbywomenwhomanageseveralresponsibilitiessuchasfarming,householdsandchildcare.Everyday,shetravelsfardistancetotakecareofmothersandtheirbabies.Shesaidthemajorityofwomeninthevillagesusedtogivebirthathomeandinviteshamansforaritualofafterbirthworship.Thewomenslabouranddeliverywerefraughtwithlotsofcomplications.Sincethevillage-basedmidwifeprogrammewaslaunchedmorethantenyearsago,everyhomebirthcasehashadadoctorconsultation,whichhasreducedthedangerstothemothersandtheirbabies.Itwassuchastrangeconceptforlocalpeopletovisithealthcarefacilitiesforpregnancycheck-uporchildbirth,M?said.MidwifeV?Th?M?tendstoanewborninL?ngCúCommune.Themidwivesinthevillageshavehelpedlocalsprogressivelyrealisehowimportantreproductivehealthcareis.Morepregnantwomenvisittheclinicforroutinecheckupsandaskforhomecarewhennecessary,shetoldVietnamNewsAgency.MotherSùngTh?Máy,livinginC?ngT?ngVillage,L?ngCúCommunesaidshefeltworriedandfacedlotsofdifficultiesatthefirstchildbirthtimebutfollowingM?sconsultations,shefeelsrelaxed.M?visitseverymothershousetoremindthemaboutthebabyvaccinationorpostpartumexaminationschedule.Inthelast13years,M?hasdetectedandtransferredunusualandriskycasestohigher-levelhealthcarefacilities,allthewhileprovidingprenatalcheck-upsfornearly900cases.Recallingherfirsttimeofhelpingamothergivebirth,shesaid:Themotherwentintolabourathomeat2aminthemorning.Uponassessingherhealth,IanticipatedunfavourableoutcomesandmadethedecisiontosendhertoYênMinhHospital.Doctorssaidifshehadgivenbirthathomethatday,bothmotherandchildwouldhavebeenindanger.IlovemyjobevenmorenowthatIknowthepregnantwomangavebirthsafely.Followingher2008–2010enrolmentintoavillage-basedmidwiferyprogramme,M?beganworkinginthe??ngV?nDistrict.Inadditiontoidentifyingriskypregnancycasesandencouragingmotherstoseekpostpartumcheckups,theknowledgethatM?hasimpartedtothelocalshasincreasinglysupplantedthecustomsofthearea.Asavillageleader,shehascoordinatedwiththecommunesclinicandlocalauthoritiestolaunchimmunisationandmalnutritionpreventioncampaigns.DrNguy?nDuy??ng,headofL?ngCúCommunesClinicsaidduetotheremotelocation,lowliteracylevelsandoutdatedchildbirthcustoms,thereproductivehealthstatusoftheethniccommunitywasnevergivendueattention.Since2010,thecommunityhasbeenmoreconsciousofmaternalhealthandchildbirththankstotheassistanceofmidwiveslikeM?.Nguy?nV?nGiao,directorofHàGiangProvinceDepartmentofHealth,saidthevillage-basedmidwifeteamislikeacentreformaternalcare,providinginvaluablehealthadvice.Howeverheaddedthatbecausethemidwivesareworkingwithoutpay,itwillbedifficulttokeeptheteamtogether.Thedepartmenthascalledforrelevantbodiestoofferfinancialsupporttothemidwives.VNS

DoctorsimplementreproductivetechniquesattheNationalHospitalofObstetricsandGynecologyinHàN?i.—Photosuckhoedoisong.vnH?NGYêN—ThankstothecombinationofPreimplantationGeneticTesting(PGT)andInVitroFertilisation(IVF)technology,manycouplescarryinggeneticdiseasescannowgivebirthtohealthybabies.Seeingtheirsecondchildconfidentlytakingsteps,LêTh?NguyênandHoàng??cLan,acouplefromthenorthernprovinceofH?ngYên,couldntexpressenoughjoyastheirchildwasfreefromDuchennemusculardystrophy.Duchennemusculardystrophyisageneticconditionthatgraduallyweakenschildrensmuscles,impairingtheirmovementanddailyfunctions.Overtime,affectedchildrenlosetheirabilitytowalk,situpright,andevenstand.Inseverecases,itcanalsoimpacttherespiratorymusclesnecessaryforbreathing.In2011,Nguyêngavebirthtotheirfirstson.Atbirth,thechildwasashealthyasanyother,butitwasntuntilaround17monthsoldthathestartedtowalk.In2015,whentheirsonwasfouryearsold,thecouplebegantoworrywhentheynoticedhehaddifficultywalking,especiallywhenclimbingstairsorwouldfallfrequently.Theyinitiallythoughtitwasduetomalnutrition,sotheyboughtsupplementsforhimtotake,buthisconditiondidntimprove.WewereveryworriedandtookoursontotheNationalChildrensHospitalforexamination,Nguyênsaid.Aftergenetictests,thedoctorconcludedthatoursonhadDuchennemusculardystrophy.Thatmeanthismuscleswouldgraduallyweaken.Whatsconcerningisthatthereiscurrentlynocureforthedisease,anditcouldevenaffecthislifespan.Uponhearingthis,itfeltlikemyearswereringing.Icouldntbelieveitbecausethroughoutmypregnancy,Iwasperfectlyhealthy,andoursonwasbornnormallyandhealthy.Refusingtoacceptthetruth,thecoupletooktheirsontootherhospitals,butallreturnedwiththesamediagnosis.Theirsonhadasingle-genedisorder,Duchennemusculardystrophy,causedbyamutationoccurringontheXchromosome.Thecoupledecidedtoundergofurthertesting,whichrevealedthatthewifecarriedthediseasegenebutinarecessiveform.Thedoctoradvisedthemthatiftheywishedtohavemorechildreninthefuture,theyshouldconsiderundergoingIVFcombinedwithembryoscreeningtoeliminateembryoscarryingthediseasegene.Thiswouldincreasethechanceofhavinghealthybabies.Feelingdisheartenedandburdenedwithcaringfortheirprogressivelyweakeningchild,NguyênandLanavoidedthinkingabouthavinganotherchildformanyyears.However,deepwithin,Nguyênalwaysharbouredadesiretohaveahealthychild.Afterenduringyearsofhardshipandferventlyhopingforachild,bytheendof2021,thecouplemadeafinaldecisiontopoolalltheirresourcesandtravelledtoHàN?itoexplorethepossibilityofhavinganotherhealthychild.UponarrivingattheNationalHospitalofObstetricsandGynecologyinHàN?i,theyreceivedthoroughconsultationsanddecidedtoundergoInVitroFertilisation(IVF)atthehospital.Fortunately,theirvisitcoincidedwiththehospitalsGoldenWeekevent,acharityprogrammethathelpslow-incomepeoplewithinfertileissuestogetIVFforfree.Thecouplereceivedafreepackageforembryoscreening.Withthisfinancialburdenlifted,theygainedhopeforapositiveoutcomeintheirjourneytohaveachild.Followingconsultations,examinationsandin-depthgenetictesting,thecoupleembarkedontheprocessofovarianstimulation,embryocreationandembryocultivation.Subsequently,theseembryosunderwentscreeningtoeliminatethosecarryingabnormalgenesbeforebeingtransferredintothemothersuterus.Luckily,thefirstembryotransferwassuccessful.Ashoped,Nguyênspregnancyprogressedsmoothly.ByJanuary2023,thebabywasborncompletelyhealthytotheboundlesshappinessofthecouple.Despiteallthedifficulties,myhusbandandIchosetomoveforward.Webelievedinmodernmedicine,andfinally,ourdreamofholdingacompletelyhealthybabyinourarmscametrue,Nguyênsaid.NotonlyLanandNguyên,butmanycoupleshaveovercomethefearofgeneticdiseasestogivebirthtohealthychildrenthankstoadvancedreproductivetechnologies.DrNguy?nThànhTrung,HeadoftheMedicalExaminationDepartmentattheNationalHospitalofObstetricsandGynecologystatedthatthecombinationofIVFandpreimplantationgenetictestingisaneffectivetreatmentsolutionthatbringsboundlesshappinesstocouplescarryinggeneticdiseasessuchasthalassemia,hemophilia,musculardystrophy,renalpolycysticdiseaseandcongenitaladrenalhyperplasia.Thesupportprovidedbyreproductivetechnologypackageshashelpedmanycouplesburdenedwithraregeneticdiseasestoalleviatefinancialstressandincreasethechancesofhavinghealthybabies,hesaid.Trungsaidamonggeneticdiseases,Duchennemusculardystrophyisonelinkedtotherecessivesex,withahighfrequencyamonggeneticdiseasesinthemusculardystrophygroup.Individualswithafamilyhistoryofthediseaseshouldvisitspecialisedhospitalsforgeneticcounselling,examinations,andcompletegenetictestingbeforeundergoingIVFcombinedwithpreimplantationgenetictestingtofacilitatethesmoothestpossiblechildbirth,hestressed.—VNSInspectorscheckfoodsafetyandhygieneinBìnhPh??csouthernprovince.—VNA/VNSPhotoNh?tBìnhHàN?I—FoodsafetyhasbecomeakeyissueinVi?tNamwithseveralhighprofilecasesofseverefoodpoisoning,makinghundredsofpeoplesickindifferentprovinces.WorriesInearlyMaythisyear,LongKhánhCityin??ngNaiProvincerecordedafoodpoisoningcasethatcausedmorethan500peopletobehospitalisedaftereatingbreadswithmeatboughtfromasmallbusiness.Onaverage,everyday,theenterprisesoldaroundathousandofthistypeofbread,withallingredientsprocessedatitskitchen.Aftertheincident,theprovincialauthoritiesinspectedtheproducerandfoundthatithadneitherabusinesslicenceoracertificatetoshowithadmetfoodsafetyconditions.Ofthefouremployeesworkingthere,noneofthemhadanyperiodichealthexaminationcertificateoranycertificateinfoodsafetytraining.Morerecently,onMay15,??ngNaiProvincerecordedasuspectedfoodpoisoningcaseinwhichnearly100workersoftheDeChangVi?tNamCoLtdintheGiang?i?nIndustrialZoneinTr?ngBomDistricthadtobehospitalised,sickwithabdominalpain,dizziness,nauseaandvomiting.Previously,nearly150workersoftheStariteInternationalVi?tNamCoLtdintheBàuXéoIndustrialZonesufferedfromfoodpoisoningafterhavinglunchinthecompanycanteen.InSócTr?ngProvince,150peopleweretakentohospitalwithfoodpoisoninginJanuaryaftervisitingabreadshop.AnothercaseoccurredinKhánhHòaProvinceinMarch,with369peoplerushedtohospital.Laterfoodtestsshowedthatwhattheyhadeatenwascontaminatedwithmicroorganisms.DifficultworkOverrecentyearsalthoughtheauthoritieshavestrengthenedinspectionsandsupervisions,foodpoisoninginbiggerkitchensisactuallyincreasing.Inthefirstfivemonthsofthisyear,thecountryhad36foodpoisoningcases,downonthesameperiodlastyear,butthenumberofthosefallingillincreased,tomorethanathousand,accordingtotheMinistryofHealth(MoH).Bringingdownthenumberofcasesoffoodpoisoningcases,especiallyinindustrialzones,isstillachallengefortheauthorities.Localleaderssaidthatcurrently,foodproductionandtradingenterprisesweremanagedbythehealth,industryandtradeandagriculturesectors.However,thenumberofinspectorsinchargeofthethreesectorsareverylimited.ManagementPeopleeatstreetfoodinHaiBàTr?ngDistrictinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoPh??ngAnhInanationalonlineconferenceonfoodsafetyandhygiene,whichwasheldonTuesdaybytheMoH,DeputyMinisterofHealth??XuanTuyênstressedthatensuringfoodsafetywasimportant,becauseitnotonlydirectlyaffectedpeopleshealthbutalsoaffectedsecurity,orderandsocio-economicactivity.Hesaid:Weshouldmakeeffortstominimisethenumberoffoodpoisoningcasesandseethemoccuronasmallerscale,withthefewestinfectedpeopleandhavetheleastimpactonpeopleshealth,socialsecurityandeconomicdevelopment.HesaidthatthePartyCentralCommitteesSecretariathasissuedtheDirective17onstrengtheningsecurityandfoodsafetyandthattheGovernmentiscontinuouslyreviewingitspoliciesonfoodhygiene.Inaddition,theLawonFoodSafetyLaw,Decree15guidingtheimplementationofthelaw,guidingdocumentsissuedbytheMoH,MinistryofIndustryandTrade,andtheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,andotherregulatorydocuments,havecontrolsonfoodsafety.ButTuyênsuggestedthatnewlawsandpoliciesneedtobeamendedorbroughtintocounterthecurrentproblems.Howcancontrolsbeimplementedatthefacility?Whentheauthoritiesinspectmanyestablishmentswhichdonothavecertificatesoffoodhygieneandsafety,hewondered.Nguy?nHùngLong,DeputyDirectoroftheVi?tNamFoodSafetyAuthority(VFA)undertheMoH,saidthatscrutinyofsmallfoodstallswasnotstrictenough.Thelegaldocumentsonensuringfoodsafetyandpreventingfoodpoisoningarebasicallycomplete,howeverinspectionandsupervisionlevelsarelacking,especiallyatthegrassrootslevel.TheMoHrequestedprovincesandcitiestoberesoluteinsuspendingoperationsofestablishmentsthatdonotensurefoodsafetyconditionsordonothavecertificatesoffoodsafetyeligibility.Breadstoreswerefoodprocessingestablishments,sotheymustregisterthatastheirtradeandtheiremployeesmusthaveregularhealthchecksandfulltrainingtolimittheriskoffoodpoisoning,saidLong.Violationsneedtobemadepublicandwidelypublicised.Inaddition,theMoHdemandedthathealthfacilitiesarereadytotreat,investigateandhandleanymassfoodpoisoningcases,asefficientlyandquicklyaspossible.Thehealthsectorneedstourgepeopletoimmediatelygoandgetemergencytreatmentassoonastheyexperiencefoodpoisoning.DeputyChairmanofthe??ngNaiPeoplesCommitteeNguy?nS?nHùngdirectedrelevantdepartmentsandlocalitiestoimmediatelycheckready-mademealprocessingfacilitiesandcollectivekitchensinindustrialparks,schools,foodserviceestablishments,streetfoodandbottleddrinkingwaterestablishments.HùngalsorequestedthattheprovincialDepartmentofHealthsetupahotlinetoofferinformationonfoodsafetyandhygiene.InHàN?ialone,therearecurrentlymorethan5,000industrial-sizedkitchensinparks,schoolsandagencies.Tominimisethechanceofmassfoodpoisoning,inadditiontoagreaterfocusoninspections,themunicipalDepartmentofFoodSafetyandHygieneinstructedthoseinchargetounderstandhowtocheckonfoodfreshness,howtopreservefoodandhowtochecktheoriginandexpirationdateoffoodonthelabels.Thedepartmentalsoaskedthekitchenstoonlychoosereputablefoodsuppliers.DirectoroftheHàN?iDepartmentofFoodSafetyandHygiene??ngThanhPhongsaidthatthenumberofinspectionswouldincreaseandmorecheckswouldbemadeonwherethefoodcomesfrom,andhow,andwhere,itispackagedandprepared.—VNS

DistinguishedguestsandspeakerstakeagroupphotoduringtheVietnam2045ReportconferenceonTuesday.—VNSPhotoLêVi?tD?ngHàN?I—Vi?tNamhassetitssightsevenhigher,aimingtobecomeahigh-incomecountryby2045andadecarbonisedeconomyby2050—ambitiousgoalsthatdemandinnovationandstrategicvisions.ThatwasaremarkbyFlorianFeyerabend,ResidentRepresentativeoftheKonradAdenauerStiftungVietnam,attheconferenceVietnam2045Report:GlobalEconomicTrendsandPolicyImplicationsforVi?tNamonTuesday.HesaidtheVietnam2035ReportcontainedvaluableassessmentsandpolicyrecommendationsthathasguidedVietnamesepolicymakersinshapingthecountrystrajectoryoverthepastfewyears.However,shiftsingeopolitics,technologyandglobaltrendshavereshapedtherealityofthecountryspathtowardseconomicgrowth,exposingtheneedforanewreportaligningwithitsextendedvisions.TheVietnam2045ReportwillserveasacompassforVi?tNamstrain,saidFeyerabend.Tr?nToànTh?ng,HeadoftheInternationalIssuesDepartmentatVietnamInstituteforDevelopmentStrategies(VIDS)undertheMinistryofPlanningandInvestment,underlinedseveralglobaltrendsthatwouldhaveabigimpactonVi?tNaminthecomingyears,includingcompetitionbetweentheUSandChinaaswellasatransitiontorenewableenergy.Technologydevelopment,hesaid,alsoplaysaroleinshapingVi?tNamsdigitallandscapeinthenextdecade.Underhisestimation,Vi?tNamisonparwithChinaandtheUSintermsofvisionanddataavailability.However,Vi?tNamstilllagsbehindthetwosuperpowersintermsoftechnologymaturity,adaptability,humancapitalandinnovationcapacity,saidTh?ng.Nguy?nQu?cTr??ng,VicePresidentofVIDS,saidVi?tNamneedsanewreportinplaceoftheVietnam2035Reporttocapturerecentchangesinglobalanddomesticcontext.HesaidtheVietnam2045Reportisunderdevelopmentandwillconsistofninechapters:Reviewdevelopmentpathandtargets;Newcontextandtrends,newvisions;Scienceandtechnology,innovation,autonomy;Globalvaluechainsupgrading,privatesectordevelopment;Spatialtransition,growthdynamicpoles,connectivity;Humanresourceandlabourshifting;Greenandclimatechangeresponses;Socialtransition;andInstitutionfordevelopment.—VNS

ApressconferenceisheldonMay21toannounceactivitiestomarkVuLanfestival.-Photocourtesyofhanoimoi.vnHàN?I–AnartprogrammewillbeheldattheHanoiOperaHouseinAugusttogetherwithsocialwelfareactivitiesinthenorthernprovinceof?i?nBiênincelebrationoftheVuLanfestival–aBuddhisttraditionandaculturalactivityaimedathonouringandshowinggratitudetoparentsandancestors.Theeventorganisers-thecommunicationboardoftheVietnamBuddhistSangha(VBS)andSenCongJointStockCompany–announcedtheplanatapressconferenceheldinHanoionMay21.ViceChairmanoftheVietnamBuddhistSangha(VBS)ExecutiveCouncilMostVenerableThichGiaQuang,whoisalsoheadofthecommunicationboard,saidthattheartprogrammewillbethe8thofitskindheldoverthelasttenyears.InJuly,apilgrimagefollowingthefootstepsof?i?nBiênsoldierswillbeheld,takingparticipantstovisitthegravesofsoldierswhojoinedthe?i?nBiênPh?battlefield70yearsagoandofferincensetocommemoratetheheroicmartyrs.Withintheframeworkoftheprogramme,financialsupportwillbegiventoVietnameseHeroicMothers,andelderlypeoplewholivealoneorindisadvantagedsituations.Theprogrammewillfundabout450millionVNDtobuildacanteenwithacapacityof160studentsatNamTyprimaryschoolinHuaThanhcommuneinDienBiendistrict,DienBienprovince.VuLanfestivaliscelebratedannuallyonthe15thdayoftheseventhmonthinthelunarcalendar.TheoriginofthefestivalisexplainedbythelegendofMaudgalyayana(knownasMucKienLieninVietnam),achiefdiscipleofSakyamuniBuddha,whowasunabletoalleviatethesufferingofhismotherintherealmofhungryghosts.Hewastoldthattheonlywaytodeliverhismotherfromthepainsofsufferingistorelyuponthestrengthofmonasticsofalldirectionsintheircultivationofmeritoriousvirtues.Themeritscouldliberatethedeceasedfromthethreesufferingrealmsandallowthemtoenjoyalifeofabundance,goodfortune,andlongevity.Therefore,byobservingthepractice,allBuddhistscandelivertheirparentsfromthemiseriesofthethreesufferingrealms.Fromthis,manyBuddhistcountrieshavedevelopedtheircustomofofferingfood,clothing,andotheritemstohungryspiritsintheseventhlunarmonth.ThisfestivalhasbeenwidelycelebratedinVietnamtoexpressrespect,love,andhonourtowardsparents.-VNSB?CGIANG—Afirebrokeoutearlytodaymorningatatwo-storeyhouseonHoàngHoaThámStreet,?aMaiWard,thenortherncityofB?cGiang,resultinginthreedeaths.A43-year-oldwoman?àoTh?H.,a47-year-oldNguy?nV?nN.,alongwithoneeight-year-oldchildL??ngAnhN.wereidentifiedasthevictims.Mostoftheirpropertiesfirstfloorsufferedheavydamage.B?cGiangPolicesaidthefiresparkedfromtheplacewhereanelectricbikewasparked,theburnquicklyspreadandcausedalotoftoxicsmoke.—VNA/VNSPhoto

Tr?nhTu?nKi?twithsomeofhiscollectionofself-builtshipmodels.—Photogiaoducthoidai.vnCàMAU—ManystudentsinthecountryssouthernmostprovinceCàMauhavenurturedanearlystrongpassionforscientificandtechnicalresearch.Theyaredynamicandcreative,producingmanymodelsthatareexhibited,showcasedandappliedinpractice.Sincehewasinthe7th-grade,studentTr?nhTu?nKi?twhogoestoCàMauHighSchoolinCàMauCity,hasbeenworkingonhighlydetailedandbuilttoscalemodelsofmilitaryandcivilianshipsandhascreatednearly40ofthemsofar.Sincechildhood,IhadbeenfascinatedbymilitaryshipsIsawontelevisionorinbooks.Iwasdrivenbyastrongcuriositytoexploreandunderstandthem,Ki?tsaid.IrememberedthatwhenIwas13,Idecidedtoattemptbuildingmyfirstshipmodel.ThefirstshipsImadeweresimple,mainlyusingcardboardandhandcrafteddesigns.Later,withmoreexperience,Istartedusingmaterialslikewood,plasticandcombinedthemwithcardboardandothermaterialstoenhancetheaestheticandrealisticappearanceoftheships.Gradually,Iincreasedthedifficultylevel,addingmotorstosomeshipstomakethemcontrollableonwateranddecoratingthemwithlightingsystemsformorevividmodels.Tobuildeachship,Ki?t,whoisnowinGrade12,firsthastocollecttheshipsimage,materialsanddesignspecifications,thendraftplansandcalculateparameters,onlythencanhepreparethematerialsandtoolsforassembly.Primarilyrelyingonimagesandusingmyimaginationcombinedwithmanualcraftsmanship,Iencounteredmanychallengeswithsomeshipmodels,Ki?tsaid.Forthosewithcomplexdesigns,ittookalotoftimetocomplete,Itrytomakethemascloseto70-80percentaccurateintermsoftheirresemblancetoreal-lifeimages.Ki?tscurrentcollectionincludesmilitaryandcivilianshipmodels,fromacrosstheglobeandVi?tNamandincludesalltypes,fromfastattackmissileships,tocoastalcombatships,nuclear-poweredcruiserstoaircraftcarriersandsubmarine.Eachshiphasadetailedrecordincludingitsname,assemblydiagram,codename,technicalspecifications,combatcapabilitiesandarmamentpotential.Hesaidthathisinterestinscientificresearchhasreceivedstrongsupportfromhisfamily,teachers,andfriends.SomeofhisshipmodelshaveevenbeenborrowedforexhibitionsinsideandoutsideCàMauProvincetopromotethesacredsovereigntyofthenationsseasandislands.Nguy?nTh?M?ngH?o,histeacheratCàMauHighSchool,said:Inclass,Ki?tisanexcellentstudentandsociablewithhispeers.Heisverydiligentinexploringandcreating,particularlyinthefieldofscienceandtechnology.Theschoolsteachersalwaysfacilitatethedevelopmentofhistalentsandtherealisationofhisdreams.Thisyearismyfinalyearofhighschool,soIamtemporarilyputtingasidemakingmoreshipmodelstofocusonstudyingformydreamofpassingtheentranceexamtotourismormilitarysciencecolleges,Ki?tsaid.Aftertheexams,ifIhavetime,Iwillcontinueexploringnewdesignstocreatemoremodels.Forme,designingshipmodelsnotonlysatisfiesmypassionandinterestbutalsoconnectswithmyloveforthesea,islandsandmyhomeland.PromisingyounginventorAlthoughonlya5thgrader,QuáchPh??cAn,astudentatQuangTrungPrimarySchoolinCàMaucity,hasdesignedandcreatedmodelsthatsignificantlybenefittheschoolsteachingandlearningactivities.QuáchPh??cAn,a5thgraderwithhismodelofaMagicSlidewhichhelpsstudentsgetexcitedtolearnscience.—Photogiaoducthoidai.vnLastyear,Ancreatedasmartprojectormodelandamindmapforstudyinghistory,thisyearheiscreatingamindmapmodelforgeography.Withcomputerskills,hedevelopeddetaileddrawingsforeachlesson,thendesignedacomprehensivesystemonthemindmap,conveyingalltheinformationofalesson.Anscontributionshaveprovenhighlyeffective,fosteringinnovationinteachingandlearningathisschool.Nguy?nTh?Thi?p,ateacheratQuangTrungPrimarySchool,said:Anstandsoutforhisinquisitiveandexploratorymindset.Hepossessesexcellentcommunicationskills,particularlyinworkingindependentlyandingroups.Hiscreativemindmapsareincrediblyuseful,helpingstudentsengageandgrasptheknowledgeinhistoryandgeographyclasses.Mostrecently,duringtheschoolsSTEMDayevent,AncontinuedtoinnovateandcollaboratewithhisteacherandclassmatestocreateamodelcalledMagicalSlide,whichincludesanelectricalcircuitforamotor,forthescienceclass.ThecaptivatingMagicalSlidemodelimpressedhispeersandreceivedhighpraisefromteachersandtheSTEMDayjudges.WhenIcameupwiththeidea,myteacherhelpedsetuptheframeworkfirst,andthenourgrouphelpedtomakeitandassembleitforthemodeltofunction,Ansaid.Inmyview,thismodelisverypractical,aidinginthepracticalapplicationofthesciencesubjectaboutusingelectricity,helpingstudentsunderstandandlearnaboutelectricalcircuitdetails.Sharingmoreabouthisinnovationsandmodels,Ansaidhelovescreativityandnewthingsandisalwayswillingtospendtimeresearchingscienceandtechnology.Beforeworkingonanymodel,heexploresandlearnsfromonlinevideosandseekshisfatherssupportandguidancewhenencounteringdifficulties.Heisalwaysdeterminedtocompletehisprojects,nevergivingup.Althoughyoung,Anhasagreatpassionforscientificresearch,saidLyNg?cHi?n,deputyprincipalofQuangTrungPrimarySchool.Overtime,hehasparticipatedandexcelledinmanycompetitionssuchasthemathematicsandEnglishOlympiad,thecityandprovincesEnglishandcomputersciencecompetitionsandtheprovincialStudentoftheYearcompetitionsandachievedseveralremarkableresults.—VNSTheHCMCityDepartmentofTransportationisconsideringthreewaterwaytransportoptionsforpassengersgoingtotheupcomingLongThànhInternationalAirportin??ngNaiProvince.—Photonld.vnHCMCITY—HCMCitysDepartmentofTransportationwantstousewaterwaytransportfortravelbetweenthecityandtheunder-constructionLongThànhInternationalAirportinnext-door??ngNaiProvince.Itproposesthreeoptionsbasedonasurveyitdidearlierthisyear.ThefirstisforpassengerstogofromthecitysB?ch??ngwharftoSwanBaywharfin??ngNaisNh?nTr?chDistrictbyhigh-speedboats.Thisistheshortestandquickestoption,takingonly35-45minutestotraversethe22kilometres.Theywillthentakeanexistingroadnetworkthatlinkstotheairport,includingLyT?Tr?ng,Nguy?nH?uC?nh,?T769CroadsandtheNationalRoad51.OptiontwoistotakepassengersfromBìnhKhánhFerryTerminalinNhàBèDistrictinHCMCitytoNh?nTr?ch.TheywillthentravelonPh?mTháiB??ngandProvincialRoad769Droadstoreachtheairport.AnewwharfwillbebuiltinNh?nTr?chifthisoptionisapproved.ItwillbeeasiestforpeopletravellingfromthesouthandsoutheastofHCMCitytotheairport.Thedistanceisaround25km,andtakes40-45minutes.ThelastoptionisforpassengerstotaketheexistingCátLáiFerryinTh???cCityandthenProvincialRoad769D.Itisaround30kmlongandwilltake45-50minutes.Itwillbeanalternativeoptionwhilewaitingfortheunder-constructionCátLáiBridgethatlinksHCMCitysDistrict2and??ngNaiProvince.Thedepartmenthascalledonrelevantpartiestocarryoutassessmentsofthevariousferryterminals,wharfsandotherwaterwayinfrastructureforundertakingupgradesifnecessary.LongThànhInternationalAirportisaround50kmfromHCMCity.Whenfinished,itwillbethecountryslargestwithacapacityof100millionpassengersandfivemilliontonnesofcargoannually.Itiscurrentlyinphase1ofconstruction,andwillhaveanannualcapacityof25millionpassengersand1.2milliontonnesofcargowhencompletedin2026.—VNS

MinisterofHealth?àoH?ngLan(front,left)andPresidentoftheVi?tNamRedCrossSocietyBùiTh?Hoà(front,right)presentscertificationforexemplaryblooddonorshonouredattheceremonyinHàN?ionSaturday.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheNationalSteeringCommitteeforVoluntaryBloodDonationheldaceremonyinHàN?ionSaturdaytohonour100outstandingblooddonorsin2024.Thisisthe16thyearthiseventhasbeenheldsincethePrimeMinisterdecidedtoestablishthecommitteein2008.Todate,1,600donorshavebeenhonouredatthenationallevel.The100delegateshonouredthisyearhavedonatedatotalof4,470unitsofblood.Prominentamongthem,twohavedonatedbloodmorethan100times.Speakingattheceremony,MinisterofHealth?àoH?ngLan,headofthesteeringcommittee,saidthatthe30-yearjourneyoftheblooddonationmovementisfullofloveamongthepeople,withmanylivessavedthankstothedonation.Sheexpressedherhopethatthehonoureeswillcontinuetoinspireandspreadthespiritofsharingandloveamongthecommunitytohavemoreandmorevoluntaryblooddonorsandtosavemorelives.Lastyear,over1.55millionbloodunitswerecollected,99percentofwhichcamefromvolunteerdonors,whoaccountedformorethan1.5percentofthepopulation.Sincethebeginningofthisyear,thecountryhasreceivednearly800,000unitsthroughvariouscampaignsandevents,helpingbasicallyensurebloodneedsforemergencyworkandpatienttreatment.—VNSChairmanofAstraZenecaVietnamandViceChairmanoftheVietnamBusinessForum(VBF)NitinKapoor.—PhotocourtesyofthecompanyHàN?I—ChairmanofAstraZenecaVietnamandViceChairmanoftheVietnamBusinessForum(VBF)NitinKapoorwasappointedasamemberoftheOrderoftheBritishEmpire(MBE)byHisMajestyKingCharlesforhisoutstandingcontributionstothehealthsectorandinternationaldiplomacy.Inrecognitionofhisoutstandingcontributionstothehealthsectorandinternationaldiplomacy,KapoorhasbeenappointedaMemberoftheOrderoftheBritishEmpire(MBE).Thisprestigioushonourwasannouncedinthe2024KingsBirthdayHonoursList,whichwaspublishedonJune15,2024.IamdeeplyhonouredtoreceivethisgreatrecognitionandIamcommittedtocontinuingtopromoteprogressinthehealthsectorandtostrengtheninternationalfriendships,especiallybetweentheUKandVi?tNam.Thisaccoladereflectsthecollectiveeffortsofmyteamofcolleaguesandpartners,whohaveworkedrelentlesslytowardsacommongoalofsustainabledevelopment,saidKapoor.TheofficialannouncementwaspublishedintheLondonGazetteandseveralmainstreamnewspapersintheUK,markingthemomentofhonourforKapooraswellasemphasisingtheimportanceofinternationalcooperation.KapoorsMBEappointmenthighlightshisroleasaninspirationalfigureforprogressinglobalhealthcareinitiatives.ItisalsoarecognitionofhisoutstandingcontributionstothehealthsectorandhisimportantroleinstrengtheningthefriendshipbetweentheUKandVi?tNam.Hiseffortshavefosteredastronghealthpartnershipandcooperationbetweenthetwocountries,contributingtosignificantprogressinthehealthsectorandVi?tNamsFDIeconomy.Overtheyears,KapoorhasreceivedmanyprestigiousawardsforhisnotablecontributionstoVi?tNam,suchastheFriendshipMedalfromthePresidentandtheCommemorativeMedal-FortheYoungGenerationMedalfromtheH?ChíMinhCommunistYouthUnion.Thesetitlesrecognisehiseffortsinimprovinguniversalhealthcare,supportingcommunityinitiativesandimprovingtheoperatingenvironmentforinternationalbusinessesinVi?tNam.AsChairmanofAstraZenecaVietnam,Kapoorhasinitiatedmanyimpactfulhealthprogramsinraisingawareness,preventionandearlydetectionofchronicdiseasesinVi?tNam,includingdevelopingtheHealthInnovationNetworkinpartnershipwiththeVietnamYoungPhysiciansAssociationaswellastheDigitalLungHealthprogram,withmorethan100,000peoplebeingscreenedforlungdiseaseandlungcancerforfreein2023.InhisroleasViceChairmanoftheVietnamBusinessForum,KapoorhasbeenactivelyengagedinenhancingthebusinessenvironmentinVi?tNam.Hehasbeenavocaladvocateforregulatoryreforms,simplifiedvisaandworkpermitprocessesandsustainableeconomicpolicies.Hiseffortshavehelpedcreateamorefavourableclimateforforeigninvestmentandbusinessoperations.—VNS