LabourerslearnvocationalskillstomakewovenproductsinSócTr?ngProvincesK?SáchDistrict.–VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nPhiSóCTR?NG–SócTr?ngProvincehaseffectivelytakenmeasurestoprovidevocationalskillsandcreatejobsforrurallabourers.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincehasorganisedmanyshort-termcoursestoprovidevocationalskillsforruralpeoplesotheycangetajobandhaveastableincome.Nguy?nPh??cH?u,alocalinNg?N?mTownsV?nhQ??iCommune,hasnofarmlandandusedtobepoor.Afterhewasprovidedafreevocationalcourseonmakinghandicraftproductsfromweavingdriedwaterhyacinths,hisfamilylifehasimprovedandescapedpovertyin2022,hesaid.InM?XuyênDistrict,morethan33percentofitspopulationareKhmerpeopleanditsWomenUnionhasorganisedmorethan20vocationalcoursesonmakingweavingproductsforlocalwomen.Tr?nH?ngNi,chairwomanoftheunion,saidtheunionhasdeveloped11modelsofmakingwovenproductswiththeparticipationof750members.ThesemembersearnanincomeofVN?2.4-4million(US$95-160)amonth,shesaid.InNg?N?mTown,theNg?N?mTownVocationalEducation-ContinuingEducationCentreorganisedthree-monthcoursesonmakinghandicraftproducts,aquacultureandindustrialsewingfor857rurallabourerslastyear.Morethan92percentofthemhavefoundjobsaftercompletingtheircourse,accordingtothecentre.Nguy?nV?nV?,itsdirector,saidthemodelofshort-termvocationalcourseshashelpedlabourerstogetajobandcontributedtoreducingpovertysustainably.Hiscentrehasprovidedvocationalskillsforrurallabourerswhilealsosecuringjobsforthem,hesaid.InLongPhúDistrict,morethan95percentoflabourershaveastablejobafterparticipatinginavocationalcourse,accordingtolocalauthorities.KimTh?HoànginTr??ngTh?HamletinthedistrictsTr??ngKhánhCommunesaidthatafterlearningtomakebeadedproducts,sheandotherpeopleinthehamletmakeandsellbeadedproductstoanestablishmentwhichbuysthematapriceofVN?50,000-100,000($2-4)aproduct.Thankstolearningvocationalskills,Iandmanypeopleherehavestablejobs,betterincomesandourlivesarelessdifficultthanbefore.InthedistrictsH?uTh?nhCommune,womeninChùa?ngHamlethaveestablishedtheChùa?ngHamletWeavingGrouptomakewovenhyacinthproducts.Mostofthegroupmembersarehousewivesandafterdoingtheirhousework,theymakewovenhyacinthproductsintheirfreetime.Tr?nTh?Ng?cBích,headofthegroup,saidsheandothermembersaretryingtoimprovetheirproductqualityandmakenewproductstomeetdemand.PlanningTheprovincialDepartmentofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsplanstocreatejobsfor28,000-30,000labourersandprovidevocationalskillsfor16,000-18,000labourersthisyear.Itwillstrengthenadvocacyactivitiestoenhancetheawarenessofpeopleaboutsupportpoliciesforvocationaleducation,andassistprovidingvocationalskillsforyoungpeople.Itwilldeveloplinkagesbetweenvocationalschoolsandenterprisestocreatejobsforlabourersaftertheyfinishavocationalcourse,andstrengthenconsultingandintroducingjobsforlabourers.Theprovinceprovidedvocationalskillsfor17,540labourersandcreatedjobsfor29,412labourerslastyear.Itexpectstohave10industrialparkswithatotalareaof4,334haand18industrialclusterswithatotalareaof983.6haby2050tocreatejobsforlocalpeople.Tr?nV?nLau,chairmanoftheprovincialPeoplesCommittee,saidthelocalityisveryinterestedinbuildingindustrialparksandindustrialclusterstoattractlabourersandcreatejobsforlocalpeople.Creatingon-sitejobsforlocalpeople,especiallyKhmerlabourers,isnecessaryandensuressocialsecurityandorder,hesaid.AlargenumberoflabourersintheprovincehavehadtogotoworkinsoutheastprovincesandHCMCity.SócTr?ngnowhastwoindustrialparks-AnNghi?pandTr?n??.TheformerinChauThànhDistrictcovers243haandisfullyoccupiedwhilethelaterinTr?n??Districtisunderconstructionandcovers160ha.Theprovincealsohasfiveindustrialclusterscoveringatotalof202.5ha.–VNS

ArubberfarminBìnhPh??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.–VNSStudentspracticeserverskillsattheVi?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.—VNSNGH?AN—Vi?tNamhasrecordedadecreasingnumberofchildrenwhohavedrownedeveryyear.ThefallinnumberswasconfirmedbyNguy?nTh?Hà,DeputyMinisterofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs(MOLISA)atarecentworkshopontheissueinthecentralprovinceofNgh?An.AccordingtoareportfromMOLISA,thedrowningrateamongVietnamesechildrenhasbeensteadilydecreasing,withanannualreductionof3-5percent,equivalentto100fewercasesofchildrendrowningeachyear.DeputyMinisterHàemphasisedthattheseresultsareevidenceoftheeffectivenessofthecoordinationmechanismandtherobusteffortsofministries,localauthoritiesandinternationalorganisations.Overthepastfiveyears,withsupportfromtheBloombergPhilanthropiesandtheGlobalHealthPolicyAdvocacy,thechilddrowningpreventionprogrammeinVi?tNamhasprovidedfreeswimminglessonstomorethan29,000childrenaged6-15andwatersafetyeducationformorethan50,000childreninschools.Theyhavealsofundedtechnicaltrainingforalmostathousandteachersandhealthcareworkersand900community-basedswimminginstructors.However,drowningstillclaimsthelivesofnearly2,000childrenunder16anditremainsoneofthetoptencausesofdeathforchildrenaged6-15.ThechilddrowningrateinthecountryishigherthanthatofcountriesintheWesternPacificregionandistentimeshigherthanthatofdevelopedcountries.Childreninruralareasaretwiceaslikelytodrownasthoseinurbanareas.Additionally,55percentofdrowningdeathsoccuramongchildrenfrompoorruralhouseholds.Effortstopreventaccidentsandinjuriesamongchildren,particularlydrowning,haveconsistentlyreceivedtheattentionandsupportoftheNationalAssembly,theGovernmentandvariouslevelsoflocalauthorities.TheChildLawmandatestheStatesresponsibilitytoimplementmeasuresforpreventingchildaccidentsandinjuries.Thechildaccidentandinjurypreventionprogrammeforthe2021-2030periodincludescomprehensive,multi-sectoralinterventionsaimedatreducingchilddrowningfatalities.Thisprogrammefocusesonimplementingsolutionsandmodelstoteachwatersafetyskillstochildrenandensuringasafelivingenvironmentforthem.Promotingsurvivalswimminglessonsandeducationonwatersafetyskillsforchildren.PhotoCourtesyofMOLISAToacceleratetheprogressofthechilddrowningpreventionprogrammesandachievethegoalssetbythePrimeMinisterforpreventingchildinjuries,theInter-sectoralCoordinationPlanforChildDrowningPreventionfortheperiod2022-2030hasbeensignedbetweentheMoLISAandnineotherministriesandrelevantorganisations.Attheworkshop,KellyLarson,DirectoroftheBloombergPhilanthropiesInjuryPreventionProgram,praisedthemultidisciplinarycoordinationmechanismfordrowningpreventioninVi?tNam.Withitsinnovativeapproachesandthededicatedeffortsofrelevantauthorities,Vietnamisconsideredamodelforchild-drowningpreventionthatothercountriescanlearnfrom.Vi?tNamisapioneerindrowningprevention,shesaid.Theyhavedevelopedaverystrongprogrammetoreducedrowningsamongst6to15yearolds,andtheyhavedonethatinanumberofdifferentways.Theyfirsthaveidentifiedabestpracticecurriculumtoteachchildrenhowtoswim.Ihighlyappreciatedthecollaborationbetweennineministriestoensurethatsurvivalswiminstructioncanbebroughtto6to15yearoldsacrossthecountryandtheengagementandsupportfromprovincialgovernments.BloombergPhilanthropyisverypleasedtopartnerwithVi?tNaminthisefforttoprotectchildrenslivesandensurethemasustainablefuture.KellyLarson(firstleft)attendedafieldvisittoamodelofsurvivalswimmingclassinNgh?Anprovince.Inadditiontomultidisciplinarycooperationandlocalgovernmentcommitment,communityengagement,especiallyfromschoolsandparentsplaysacrucialroleinexecutingchilddrowningpreventionactivities.AgarwalVandanaShah,VicePresidentforHealthSystemsStrengtheningatCTFK/GHAIsaid:Drowningpreventioncannotbesolelyatop-downinterventionfromthegovernment,itrequiresthecollectiveeffortofvariousministriesandthecommunity,particularlyschoolsandparents.Therefore,wecommittoworkingalongsidetheVietnamesegovernment,localauthorities,andpartnerstoenhanceawarenessamongschoolsandfamiliesaboutensuringchildsafetyfromdrowningrisksandtofacilitatechildrensparticipationinsurvivalswimmingclasses.AgarwalVandanaShah(middle)emphasisedthecriticalroleofthecommunityincludingschoolsandfamiliesinpreventingchilddrowning.Thenationalprogrammeforchildinjurypreventionforthe2021-2030period,initiatedbytheGovernmentofVi?tNam,aimstoreducechilddrowningfatalitiesby10percentby2025andby20percentby2030.Teachingchildrensafeswimmingskillsandpromotingwatersafetyareamongsixlow-cost,evidence-basedinterventionstrategiesrecommendedbytheWHOandconstituteavitalcomponentofthegovernmentsdrowningpreventioninitiative.Additionalmeasuresincludetraininglifeguardsandfirstresponders,enhancingregulationsforboats,managingfloodrisks,installingbarriersnearwatersourcesandprovidingsafeplayareasawayfromwaterforyoungchildren.Protectingthehealthandlivesofcitizensalsohassignificanteconomicimplications.ResearchindicatesthatforeveryVN?1,000(US$0.04)investedindrowningprevention,thereisabenefitofVN?9,000.VNSAssociateProfessor,Dr.LêV?nTruy?n,formerDeputyMinisterofHealth,speaksattheseminar.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iHàN?I—Vi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustrystillfacesmanychallengesanddifficultiesinthecontextofincreasinglydeepintegrationwiththeworld,participantsheardataseminarinHàN?i.Theseminar,entitledVi?tNampharmaceuticalindustryandthejourneytoparticipateinglobalisation,wasjointlyorganisedbytheSaigonTimesGroupandNewtechcoGroup.Speakingattheevent,AssociateProfessor,Dr.LêV?nTruy?n,formerDeputyMinisterofHealth,saidthatVi?tNamsdrugmarketreachedaboutUS$7billionin2023,whileaverageconsumptionwasat$70percapita,tentimesthatcomparedto2000.Ourcountryspharmaceuticalindustryhashadahighgrowthrateinthepast10yearswithacompoundannualgrowthrateof7.3percent.However,thepharmaceuticalindustryisstillfacingmanychallengesanddifficulties,asVi?tNamscontextisincreasinglyintegratingdeeplywiththeworldeconomy,saidTruy?n.Thefirstchallengeofthedomesticpharmaceuticalindustryisthatthematerial-technical-technologybaseisstilllow.Vi?tNamcurrentlyonlyhas17/250factoriesachievingadvancedGMP(EU,PIC/S,JAPAN,TGA).Morethan200factoriesmeetWHOandGMPstandards,butnofactoryhasbeenpre-qualifiedbyWHO(WHOpre-qualification),accordingtoTruy?n.Pre-qualificationisanimportantstep.Withthiscertificate,Vietnamesedrugs,suchasHIVdrugsormalariadrugs,willhavetheopportunitytobidandsupplydrugsforWHOprogrammesaroundtheworld,saidTruy?nonJuly31.Truy?naddedthatVi?tNamdoesnothaveconcentratedpharmaceuticalandbio-pharmaceuticalindustrialparkswithanecosystemincludingresearchanddevelopmentcentres,bioequivalenceandbioavailabilitytesting,clinicaltrialsandpharmaceuticalandpackagingfactories.Regardingfinancialcapacity,mostdomesticpharmaceuticalcompaniesaresmallinscale,havelowsalesanddonothavenational-scalepharmaceuticalcorporations.Besides,digitaltransformationisalsoabigchallengeformanypharmaceuticalbusinesses.AssociateProfessorTruy?npredictsthatthechangeinpharmaceuticalmarketstructurefromchemicaldrugstobiologicalandbiosimilardrugswillacceleraterapidlyinthecomingyears.Duetopopulationageingandshiftingdiseasepatterns,thesedrugswillaccountforabout40percentoftheglobalandSoutheastAsianpharmaceuticalmarket.Therefore,Vi?tNamneedstomakeeffortstoimproveresearchcapacityandtechnologyapplicationindrugproduction,aimingtobecomeacentreformanufacturing,processingandtechnologytransfer;andproactivelyproducespecialiseddrugs,specialtreatments,newdrugs,originalbrandnamedrugs,vaccinesandmedicalbiologicalproducts.Truy?nsuggestedthateachbusinessneedstoconsider,adjustandchangeitsmediumandlong-termdevelopmentstrategytosuittheStatesguidelinesandtheinternationalanddomesticbusinessenvironment,therebyimprovingthecompetitivenessofVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustry.Panelistsattheseminar.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iAccordingtoVicePresidentoftheVietnamPharmaceuticalBusinessAssociationTr?nTh?Th?,Vi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustry,isakeyindustryandneedstofocusresourcesonpromotingdevelopment.OnOctober9,2023,thePrimeMinistersignedDecisionNo.1165/QD-TTg,approvingthenationalstrategyfordevelopingVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustryfortheperiodto2030andvisionto2045todevelopVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustryonparwithadvancedcountriesintheregion,ensuringpeoplehaveaccesstomedicineatareasonablecost.Domesticbusinessesneedtotakeadvantageofinternalresourcestothrive.Smallbusinessesshouldfocusonlyonkeyproducts,avoidingduplicationwithotherbusinessesthathavestrengthsandmoremodernproductionlines,accordingtoTh?.Newlyestablishedbusinesses/EU-GMPbusinessescantargettheETCmarketsegment(drugsdistributedtohospitals),withspecializeddrugproducts,specialiseddrugs,genericdrugs,vaccinesandbiologicalproductsandmedicinalingredients,addedTh?.Th?alsosuggestedthatbusinessesshouldtakeadvantageofFTAs??tocooperatewithforeigninvestors,therebyproducingpharmaceuticalswithhightechnicalcontent.PresidentofNewtechcoGroupV?Th?Tu?nAnhsaidthatinthecontextwheremostpharmaceuticalenterpriseshavelowfinancialpotentialandscatteredresourcestoday,buildinganecosystemfromproductresearch,applyingnewtechnologytotheproductionofpharmaceuticalproductsanddevelopingwidespreaddistributionchannelsisessential.Accordingly,thegrouphasdevotedfinancialresourcesandinvitedinternationalinvestorsandtechnologyexpertstoinvestinthepharmaceuticalandbiologicalindustrialparkprojectinTháiBìnhProvince.ThiswillbethefirstprojectinVi?tNamdedicatedtothedevelopmentofthepharmaceuticalandbiopharmaceuticalindustry,agatheringplaceforexpertsinbiotechnologyandpharmaceuticalchemistry,productioninvestment,technologytransfer,trainingandincubatingstart-upbusinessesintheVietnamesepharmaceuticalandbiopharmaceuticalindustry.—VNS

AviewoftheH?iVanQuanrelicsitefromabove.—VNA/VNSPhotoMaiHuy?nTrangTH?ATHIêNHU?—TheH?iVanQuanrelicsite,atopthepicturesqueH?iVanPassbetweenTh?aThiênHu?Provinceand?àN?ngCityincentralVi?tNam,officiallyreopenedtovisitorsonThursdayafteratwo-yearrestorationprogramme.Thereopeningmarkstheculminationofajointeffortbybothlocalities,whoinvestedmorethanVN?42billion(US$1.7million)torestoretherelicsoriginalfeatures,includingNguy?nDynasty-erawallsandmilitaryposts.Visitorstakephotosattherelicsite.—VNA/VNSPhotoMaiHuy?nTrangOnitsreopeningday,thesitesawabout300domesticandforeignvisitorseagertoexploreitshistoricgrounds.Admissioniscurrentlyfreewhilelocalauthoritiesfinaliseaticketpricingscheme.Touristslearnaboutthehistoryoftherelicsite.—VNA/VNSPhotoMaiHuy?nTrangWhileminorinfrastructureupgradesareongoing,therelicsite,anationaltreasuresince2017,offersauniqueandcaptivatingglimpseintoVi?tNamsrichculturalheritagefortravellerstraversingthetraveller-favouriteH?iVanPass.LeadersofTh?aThiênHu?sand?àN?ngstourismdepartmentsparticipateinthere-openingceremonyoftherelicsite.—VNA/VNSPhotoMaiHuy?nTrangThesiteisexpectedtobecomeakeylinkinboostingtourismacrossthecentralregion.—VNSH?iVanQuan.—VNA/VNSPhotoMaiTrangAviewofKonPlongDistrictinthecentralhighlandprovinceofKonTum.Atotalof82earthquakesoccurredinthedistrictinJuly.VNA/VNSPhotoD?ToánKONTUM–Atotalof83earthquakesoccurredinJuly,with82reportedinKonPlongDistrict,KonTumProvince,theInstituteofGeophysicsundertheVi?tNamAcademyofScienceandTechnologyannouncedonThursday.OnlyoneearthquakewasrecordedinNg?cL?cDistrictinThanhHoáProvince.Mostoftheearthquakesrangedinmagnitudefrom2.5to5.0.Amongthem,amagnitude5.0earthquake,whichoccurredat11.35amonJuly28inKonPlongDistrict,isidentifiedasthestrongesteverrecordedinthearea.Previously,in2022,theareaexperiencedamagnitude4.7earthquake.Preliminaryinformationindicatedthatthemagnitude5.0earthquakecausedsomedamagetohomesandaffectedthepsychologicalwell-beingofresidentsinKonPlongDistrict,particularlythosewholiveneartheearthquakesepicentre.SomeresidentsinneighbouringprovinceslikeQu?ngNam,Qu?ngNg?i,Bình??nhand?àN?ngCityalsoreportedfeelingtremors.Notably,onJuly28alone,therewere21earthquakes,andonJuly29,therewere25earthquakesinKonPlongDistrict.Nguy?nXuanAnh,DirectoroftheInstituteofGeophysics,statedthattherecentearthquakesinKonPlongDistrictareinducedearthquakescausedbythewateraccumulationinhydropowerreservoirsaffectingthefaultsystembelow,leadingtoearthquakesoccurringearlierthannaturalpatterns.Inducedearthquakesalsooccurincycles,withperiodsoffrequentquakesandquieterphases.Thisiscloselyrelatedtothewateraccumulationprocessinhydropowerreservoirs.Factorssuchasreservoirwaterlevels,fillingrates,andtotalwatervolumeimpactearthquakes.However,theseeffectsmaymanifestafterseveralmonthsoryearsaswaterpermeatesbelow,heexplained.EarthquakesinKonTumareexpectedtocontinueandaffectdenselypopulatedareasandkeyinfrastructure,especiallyneartheepicentre.Therefore,authoritiesneedtoregularlyupdateanddevelopearthquake-resistantdesignplansforvariousstructures,headded.–VNS

Theofficerstrytoextinguishtheflamesengulfingthemotorcycle.—Photobaobinhthuan.com.vnBìNHTHU?N—AmanidentifiedasT.D.L.,36,inthesouth-centralprovinceofBìnhThu?nhassethismotorbikeablazeafterresistingaroutinetrafficstopandrefusingtocooperatewithpolice.OnTuesdayevening,apolicepatrolteampulledT.D.L.overforridingamotorbikewithoutahelmetwhilecarryingachild.Duringtheinspection,T.D.Lbecameincreasinglyagitatedandstartedtoverballyabuseandinsulttheofficers.Whenaskedtotakeabreathalysertest,herefusedandescalatedhisresistancebykickinghismotorbiketotheground.Thesituationworsenedwhenreinforcementsarrivedtoimpoundthevehicle.Heviolentlykickedthemotorbikeagain,causinggasolinetospill.Hethenignitedthefuelwithalighter,settingthemotorbikeonfire.Fortunately,theofficersswiftlyextinguishedtheflames,preventingfurtherdamage.Theman,residinginNamChínhCommune,??cLinhDistrict,wastakenintocustodyforquestioning.—VNS

PatientsbeingtreatedatCh?R?yHospitalinHCMCity.—VNA/VNSPhoto?inhH?ngHCMCITY—HCMCityshealthsectorisimplementingvariousstrategiestoalleviatetheburdenonperipheralhospitals.Despitetheeffortsofthecityshealthcaresectortoreducethepressureatlargehospitals,patientsstillfacehardshipswhenseekingmedicalcareatthesefacilities.AccordingtostatisticsfromthecitysDepartmentofHealth,thecitycurrentlyhas129hospitalsincluding12centralhospitals,32cityhospitals,19districthospitals,and66privatehospitals.Amongthese,22hospitalsaredesignatedastop-tierfacilitiesforspecialisedtechnicalexpertiseandadvancedhealthcaredevelopmentinthesouthernregion.Additionally,45hospitalsarerecognisedascontinuoustrainingcentres.Thecityconsistentlyreceivesalargenumberofpatientsfromsouthernprovincesandcitiesseekingmedicalcare.Inthefirstsixmonthsofthisyear,hospitalsinthecityreceivedmorethan10.67millionpatientsforconsultationsandtreatment,representingan11.4percentincreasecomparedtothesameperiodin2023,withtotalhealthinsurancepaymentsexceedingVN?14trillion(US$550million).Accordingtohealthcareexperts,severalreasonsarecontributingtotheoverloadathospitals.Oneofthereasonsisthatthenumberofhospitalbedshasnotkeptpacewiththeincreasingdemandformedicalcarefromcitizens.Localhealthstationsarefacingashortageofhealthcarepersonnel,andinadequatequalityofcareatlower-levelfacilitieshaserodedpatienttrust.Thehealthinsurancedrugclassificationbasedonhospitaltiershasitsshortcomings.Patientswiththesameconditionmayreceivedifferentmedicationswhentreatedathospitalsofvaryinglevels.Manypatientstakeituponthemselvestotransfertohigher-tierhospitalsinhopesofreceivingbetter-qualitydrugsandbeingexaminedbyhighlyskilledmedicalteams.T?ngChíTh??ng,directorofthecitysDepartmentofHealth,saidtherehasbeenanincreasinginfluxofpatientsfromprovincesandcitiesseekingmedicalcheckupsinthecity.Thecityhasenhancedcollaborationswithprovincialhealthdepartmentsinpatientmanagementandimprovingtreatmentcapabilitiesatgrassrootsfacilities.IthasalsoestablishedpartnershipswithhealthdepartmentsintheTayNguyên(CentralHighlands)region,thesoutheastregion,andtheC?uLong(MekongDelta)region,withkeyactivitiesincludingmedicaltechniquetransferbetweengeneralandspecialisedhospitalswithinHCMCityandprovincialhospitals.Anetworkofspecialiseddepartmentshasbeendeveloped,prioritisingspecialtiessuchasobstetrics,pediatrics,neurology,trauma,stroke,cardiovasculardiseases,andoncology.Inaddition,diseasecontrolagenciesinlocalitieshavesignedmemorandaofunderstandingtoenhancecooperationandimproveepidemicpreventioneffectiveness.Localhealthcaredepartmentsprioritisecollaborativeeffortstoestablishaconnectedapplicationplatformandstreamlinedatamanagementformedicalpractices.AregionalhealthprojectisbeingdevelopedbythecitysDepartmentofHealthforsubmissiontothemunicipalPeoplesCommittee.Thisprojectaimstoprovidehealthcareservicesforresidentsinthearea.Undertheprogramme,everysixmonths,localitieswillreviewandevaluatetheirexperiencestotransformcooperativeplansintopracticalactivitiestoreducetheburdenonperipheralhospitalsinthecityandenhancethequalityofhealthcareforresidentsintheregion.—VNSForeigntouristscheckingoutsouvenirsonsaleatB?nThànhMarket,HCMCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ng??tHàN?I—AsofJuly2024,internationalarrivalstoVi?tNamreachednearly10million,anincreaseof51percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyearand1.9percenthigherthanin2019,beforeCOVID-19pandemicstruck,accordingtothelatestreportfromtheGeneralStatisticsOfficeofVi?tNam.Travellersarrivingbyairreached8.4million,accountingfor84.2percentofthetotalinternationalarrivals,whilearrivalsbylandreached1.4million,accountingfor14.1percentandarrivalsbyseareached165,500(1.7percent,triplingcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear).ThetourismindustryrecordedstronggrowthinthenumberofvisitorsfromEurope,witha47.3percentincrease.Othermarketsalsosawhighincreases,suchasAsiawith57.1percent(mainlyduetotheincreaseinChinesevisitors),Australiawith27.3percentandtheAmericaswith9.7percent.SouthKoreaandChinaremainthetwolargestinternationaltouristmarketsforVi?tNam.Julysaw1.15millioninternationalarrivals,theleastnumberofforeigntravellersintheyearsofar,continuingthedownwardtrendforthelowseason(Vi?tNamspeakinternationaltourismseasonisfromOctobertoMarchnextyear),butthisisstill11percenthigherthanlastJuly.AlthoughthenumberofChinesetravellersinJulydecreasedcomparedtoJune(with310,000and249,200visitorsrespectively),overthefirstsevenmonthsofthisyear,Chinesevisitorsstillincreasedby190percentandSouthKoreanvisitorsincreasedby37.2percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.InthelistoftopmarketswiththelargestnumberofinternationalgueststoVi?tNaminJuly,Taiwan(China)had101,465visitors,theUnitedStateshad62,900visitors,Japan44,569visitorsandAustraliahad37,853visitors.Notably,thenumberofvisitorsfromEuroperecordedstronggrowth,withatotalofmorethan103,000visitorsinJuly,up9.4percentcomparedtothepreviousmonth.Amongthem,Russianvisitorsincreasedby75.7percent,Italianvisitorsby61percent,Frenchvisitorsby33.4percent,Britishvisitorsby25.2percent,Spanishvisitorsby38.3percentandGermanvisitorsby27.4percent.Thegrowthisattributedtothefavourablevisapoliciesandeffortsbymanagementagenciesandtouristbusinessesandlocalitiesinpromotingandpromotingtourism.ThesummerperiodVi?tNamisusuallypeakseasonfordomestictourism,asstudentsenjoythesummerbreakandfamiliesusuallytakethisopportunitytogoonholiday.Travelandtourismrevenueinthefirstsevenmonthsof2024isestimatedatVN?35.2trillion(nearlyUS$1.4billion),up31.8percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.SomelocalitiessawstrongincreasessuchasHCMCity(upby42.2percent),?àN?ng(up38.6percent),C?nTh?(up33.7percent),HàN?i(up29.7percent)andQu?ngNinh(up21percent).—VNS

Theeelandthelemonextractedfromthepatientsanus.—Photosuckhoedoisong.vnHàN?I—A31-year-oldIndiannationalnearlylosthislifeafterinsertingaliveeel,approximately65cmlong,intohisanus.Vi?t??cHospitalinHàN?ionMondaymorningsaidthatthehospitalsdoctorssuccessfullyperformedemergencysurgerytosavethepatientslife.OnJuly27,theemergencydepartmentofthehospitalreceivedamalepatient,31yearsold,anIndiannational,whoarrivedinastateofsevereabdominalpain.Uponobtainingthepatientsmedicalhistory,itwasrevealedthatataround12pmonJuly27,hehadinsertedalargeeelintohisanus.Thepatientwasimmediatelyexamined,underwentimaging,testsandanultrasound.TheX-rayimagesshowedaradiopaqueskeletonlyinghorizontallyintheabdominalcavityfromlefttoright.LêNh?tHuy,DeputyDirectoroftheColorectalandPelvicFloorSurgeryCentreatVi?t??cHospital,statedthatthehospitalhadpromptlyarrangedateamofendoscopyexpertsandanesthesiologiststoperformacolonoscopyintheattempttoremovetheforeignobjectthroughtheanus.Unabletoreachtheeelviatheanusandwiththepatientspainincreasing,theteamdecidedtoperformemergencysurgery,accordingtoHuy.Uponopeningtheabdomen,thedoctorsdiscoveredaliveeelapproximately65cmlongand10cmincircumferenceinthepatientsabdominalcavity.Theeelhadbittenthroughthepatientsrectumandcolontoescapeintotheabdominalcavity,Huyadded.Afterremovingtheeel,thedoctorsalsoextractedalemonthroughtheanus.Uponcheckingfornootherforeignobjects,theperforationintherectumandcolonwassutured.However,duetothehighcontaminationoftherectumandthepresenceoffaecalmatterintheabdominalcavity,thedoctorsdecidedtocreateacolostomytopreventfaecesfrompassingthroughthenewlysuturedperforation.Accordingtothedoctors,manypeople,especiallyyoungmen,haveatendencytoseekunusualsensationsusingsextoys.Vi?t??cHospitalhadpreviouslyperformedsurgeriestoremovevariousobjectsthroughpatientsanuses,suchaswindoilbottles,glasscupsandadulttoys.However,thisisthefirstcaseinvolvingaliveanimal,specificallyaneel,beinginsertedintotherectumandcausingperforation.Eelscansurviveinanaerobicconditionsforalongtimeandhavetheabilitytobitethroughthegastrointestinaltract.Therefore,peopleshouldneverinsertliveanimalsthroughtheanustoseekintensesensationsduetotheunforeseeableconsequences,Huywarned.—VNSAcollisiononHàN?i-H?iPhòngexpresswayonJuly11killedtwopeopleandinjuredseveralothers.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Trafficaccidentskilled6,204peoplenationwideinthefirstsevenmonthsofthisyear,adeclineof717or10.36percentyear-on-year,accordingtotheNationalCommitteeforTrafficSafety.Asmanyas14,242trafficaccidentswerereportedacrossthecountryduringtheperiod,injuring10,976people,up32.95percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Ofthetotal,14,125roadaccidentskilled6,126peopleandinjured10,953others;84railway,60andeight;30waterway,17andinjuredfive;andthreemarine,one.InJulyalone,1,889trafficaccidentsoccurrednationwide,killing860peopleandinjuring1,424others.Notably,threeaccidentsoccurringontheHàN?i–H?iPhòngexpresswaypassingthroughGiaL?cDistrictinthenorthernprovinceofH?iD??ng,andanotherontheTrungL??ng–M?Thu?nexpresswayresultedinseriousconsequences.TheCivilAviationAuthorityofVi?tNamreceived126mandatorysafetyreports,oneLevelB,oneLevelC,and48LevelDincidents,including32relatingtoatechnicalfailure,twotoabirdstrike,13toflightcrew,andthreetotechnicalstaff,amongothers.—VNS

AdoctorexaminesatouristinthesuspectedmassfoodpoisoningincidentinBìnhThu?nProvince.—Photocand.com.vnHàN?I—Thirty-sixfoodpoisoningoutbreakswerereportedinthefirsthalfof2024,makingmorethan2,100peopleillandclaimingsixlives,accordingtotheMinistryofHealth.Whiletheoverallnumberofoutbreaksdippedslightlycomparedtothepreviousyear,thenumberofpeopleaffectedsurgedthree-fold.Thenorthernmountainousregionsawadeclineincases,whereasthecentralcoastandsoutheastregionwitnessedanincrease.DeputyMinisterofHealth??XuanTuyênunderlinedaseriesofoutbreaksinprovinceslikeKhánhHòa,??ngNai,andV?nhPhúcwhichmadethousandsofpeopleillanddisruptedbusinesses.Hesaidwhilefoodpoisoningincidentsoccuringinhomesandatprivategatheringshavedeclined,theproblemhasshiftedtorestaurants,hotelsandstreetfoodstalls.Recentoutbreaksatschoolsandcompanycanteenshavealsoraisedconcerns.Hecitedharmfulbacteriaandnaturaltoxinsastheprimaryfactorsbehindtheillnesses.Porkandchickendisheshavebeenidentifiedascommonsourcesofcontamination.TheMinistryofHealthhassteppedupeffortstocombatfoodpoisoning.AdirectiveissuedinMayoutlinedmeasuresforministries,provincesandcitiestopreventandrespondtooutbreaks.Healthofficialsnationwidehavebeeninstructedtostrengthenfoodsafetyinspections,trackdowncontaminatedproductsandpunishviolators.Localauthoritiesaretaskedwithdevelopingtailoredplanstoaddressspecificriskswithintheirjurisdictions,consideringfactorslikeeconomicconditionsanddiseaseoutbreaks.Publicawarenesscampaignsarealsounderwaytoeducatepeopleaboutfoodpoisoningrisks,especiallyinhigh-riskareaslikeschools,factoriesandpopulartouristspots.Consumersareurgedtobecautiouswhenpurchasingfood,checkingforclearlabelsandexpirationdates.Theyarealsoadvisedtoavoidcannedgoodsthatappeardamagedorswollen,asthesemaycontainharmfulbacteria.Properfoodstorageisalsocrucialtopreventcontamination.Theministryhasalsocalledonbusinessesandorganisationstojoinforcesinpromotingfoodsafety.Successfulmodelsofsafefoodproductionanddistributionwillbehonouredpublicly,whilethosefoundtobeendangeringpublichealthwillfacesevereconsequences.OnSaturday,healthofficialsinBìnhThu?nProvincereportedasuspectedmassfoodpoisoningincidentwhere182touristsfellillafterhavinglunchataresortinPhanThi?tCity.Thevictimswerereportedtohavedinneratalocalrestaurantthepreviousnightandwererushedtohospitalwithseverestomachcramps,diarrhea,andvomiting.Foodsamplesfromtheresorthavebeencollectedfortesting,butthosefromtherestaurantwereunavailableduetothepassageoftime.Healthinspectorsareexaminingbothestablishmentstoidentifypotentialcausesofthefoodpoisoning.ByMonday,43peoplehadbeendischargedfromthehospital.Moreinformationwillbereleasedastheinvestigationprogresses.—VNSKonPl?ngDistrictinKonTumProvince.Phototuoitre.vnKONTUMFrommidnightSundayuntilMondaymorning,KonPl?ngDistrictintheCentralHighlandsprovinceofKonTumexperiencedelevenearthquakes.Combinedwith21earthquakesonSunday,theareahasendured32earthquakesinthepast24hours.TheInstituteofGeophysicsreportedthatat6.56amonMonday,thedistrictexperienceditstenthearthquakeofthedaywithamagnitudeof2.6.Theearthquakeoccurredatcoordinates14.788°Nlatitudeand108.214°Elongitude,withafocaldepthofapproximately8.1km.Thedisasterriskleveliscategorisedaszero.Followingthis,theInstituteofGeophysicsalsoreleasedinformationabouttheeleventhearthquakeofthedayinKonPl?ng,KonTum.Includingthisone,KonTumhasexperienced32earthquakesinthepast24hours,withthenumberofearthquakesexpectedtoincrease.TheEarthquakeInformationandTsunamiWarningCentre-InstituteofGeophysicsiscontinuingtomonitorthisseriesofquakes.OnSundayKonPl?ngenduredatotalof21earthquakes.Amongthese,a5.0magnitudeearthquakeoccurredatnoon,causingtremorsinmanyneighbouringlocalities.AttheepicentreinKonPl?ng,manyhouseswerecrackedduetothetremorsandauthoritiesissuedadisasterriskleveltwowarning.TheearthquakesonMondaycausedtremorsinmanycentralprovincesandcitiesincludingHu?,?àN?ngandQu?ngNam.ResidentsintheprovincesofUbonRatchathaniandSakhonNakhoninnortheasternThailandalsofeltthetremorsfromtheearthquakesthatoccurredinVi?tNamonSunday.EarthquakesduetohumanactivityAccordingtotheInstituteofGeophysics,the5.0magnitudeearthquakeinKonPl?ngDistrictonSundayafternoonwasinducedbyhumanactivity.TheInstituteofGeophysicshasdeployedelevenmonitoringstationsinKonTumProvinceandisconductingin-depthstudiestoassesstheseismicactivityinthearea.VNS