TrainsofNh?n-HàN?iMetrohavenotyetcarriedanypassengersduetodelaysintheproject.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I-TheNh?n-HàN?iUrbanRailway(metro)projecthasyettotransportanypassengers,despiteplanstocommencecommercialoperationsinJune.ThisisthethirteenthdelayforaprojectthatbeganinSeptember2010andwasoriginallyslatedforcompletionin2015.However,after14yearsofconstruction,theurbanrailwaylinecanstillnotcarrypassengers.Themostrecentoperationalplan,announcedbytheHàN?iUrbanRailwayManagementBoard(MRB),wassetforJune.Accordingtotienphong.vn,thisplanwasproposedaftertheoperationalprogressofthetrainsinDecember,asdirectedbythePrimeMinister,wasnotachieved.Specifically,onAugust72022,theGovernmentOfficeissuedadocumentstating:ThePrimeMinisterdirectstheChairmanoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommitteetoresolvetheissuesandputtheelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HanoiRailwayintooperationbytheendof2023.Followingthatmisseddeadline,arepresentativeoftheMRBtoldtienphong.vnthattheboardwascompletingthefinalprocedurestocommencecommercialoperations(passengertransport)before30June.However,asoftoday,theNh?n–hàN?imetrohasyettotakeasinglepassenger.AnMRBrepresentativestatedthattheconstructionoftheelevatedsectionhasbeencompletedonehundredpercentandtenpassengertrainsoftheprojecthavealsocompletedtrialruns.Inmid-June,theprojectreceivedtechnicalsafetycertificationfromtheVi?tNamRegisterforcommercialoperationasplannedinthesecondquarter.However,theprojectiscurrentlybeingreviewed,inspected,andacceptedbytherelevantauthoritiestoissueasafetycertificate,afterwhichitwillbeeligibleforcommercialoperationsalongtheelevatedsection.With13delaysandanine-yeardelayinmakinganyprogress,theNh?n–HàN?iMetroprojectisalsothehighest-costoverrunprojectamongtheurbanrailwayprojectsunderconstructioninHàN?i.TheapprovedinvestmentatthestartoftheprojectwasVN?18,408billion(US$726million)whichisprimarilyfundedbyFrenchGovernmentODA,butafterseveraladjustments,thetotalinvestmenthasnowincreasedtooverVN?30,000billion,anoverspendofnearly63percent.Previously,theCátLinh-Hà??ngurbanrailwayprojectexperiencedasix-yeardelay,a45percentcostoverrunandtenmisseddeadlines.VNS

Alibrarianinasecondaryschoolin??kL?kProvince.Photogiaoducthoidai.vnNguy?nTh?Ng?cH??nghadworkedasacontractlibrarianatapublicschoolinDuyTiênTownship,inthenorthernprovinceofHàNam,since2010andonlybecameacivilservantin2022.Afterdedicating14yearstoherjob,hercurrentincome,afterdeductinginsurance,isVN?4.6million(US$180)permonthwithoutanyadditionalallowances.Thismeagresalarymakesitchallengingforhertomakeendsmeet.[AccordingtotheGeneralStatisticsOfficetheaverageincomeofworkingpeopleinthefirsthalfof2024wasVN?7.5million(nearlyUS$300)permonth.]Shehastotakeextraworkasgoodsshipping,farmingworkandsellinggoodsonlineinhersparetimetosupportherfamily,However,theydependmainlyonherhusbandsfreelancebusinessfortheirlivelihoodandtheirtwochildrenseducation.Besidesourmaindutiesinkeepingandlendingbooks,wealsofacilitateteachersandstudentstoaccessinformationandresourcesinthelibrary,particularlyhandletaskstypicallyassignedtoteachers,H??ngtoldgiaoducthoidai.vn.Theseincludeplanninglessonsandhandlingadministrativework.Insomeplaces,weareinvolvedinliteracycampaigns,medicalcareduties,assistingwithlessonplanning,andsupportingteachersduringspeciallessonsandteachingcompetitions,sheadded.GivinguphalfwayBusyworkandlowincomehavediscouragedmanyschoollibrarians.Infact,myjobasalibrarianisharderthanthatofateacherbecauseIhavetosimultaneouslyteachlifeskillsandmorallessons,andorganisereadingactivitiesinclassrooms,thelibraryroom,andevenduringoutdoorbreak,Ph?mTh?Chiêm,aschoollibrarianinTháiBìnhProvince,said.Wealsoinspectstudentsbooks,stationery,andmonitortheirstudyhabitsonmonthlybasis.Meanwhile,LêTh?Ng?c,aschoollibrarianinV?nhL?cDistrict,ThanhHóa(chǎn)Province,commutesnearly50kmdailyfromhometoschoolandbackforaboutthreehours,whichisespeciallychallengingduringbadweather.Workingeighthoursadayatschool,andcaringforthreeyoungchildrenathome,shefindsnotimetotakeextrawork.Herhusbandisalsoagovernmentworkerwithlowincome,soherfamilysfinancesareoftenunstable.Tenyearsago,Iconsideredquittingmyjobatschool,butmyparentsencouragedmetostay,valuingmyeducationandyearsofdedication,Ng?csaid.Itriedtolivefrugallyonmysmallsalary.Inearly2023,facinghealthissues,stagnantwages,andrisingcostsasmychildrengrew,Ireluctantlysubmittedmyresignation.Itwasheart-wrenchingtoleaveafter18yearsofdevotedservice,shesaid.Currently,thereareover35,000schoollibrariansnationwide.Althoughgovernmentpoliciestoimprovethelivingofeducationalworkersexist,theyhavenotbeeneffectivelyimplemented,leavingmanyunabletosustainthemselvesontheirsalaries.DelayinapplyingpoliciesTheworkofaschoollibrarianincludesguidingstudentsinreadingbooksatthelibrary.Photogiaoducthoidai.vnDespiteregulationsfromtheMinistryofHomeAffairs,theMinistryofCulture,SportsandTourism,andtheMinistryofEducationandTraining(MoET),schoollibrarystaffstillreceivenoadditionalincomebeyondtheirbasicsalary.Thissituationhasledtofinancialdifficultiesandfrustrationamongthisworkforce.TheMinistryofCultureandInformation(nowtheMinistryofCulture,SportsandTourism)issuedacircularinFebruary2006stipulatingtheseallowancesandin-kindbenefitsforpublicservantsintheculturalinformationsector.TheHàNamprovincialDepartmentofEducationandTrainingsentanofficialdispatchtothePeoplesCommittees[administrations]ofdistricts,towns,andcitiesonMay6,2024,urgingthemtodirectrelevantagenciesandpubliceducationalinstitutionsundertheirjurisdictiontoimplementexistingregulationsonallowancesforschoolstaff,ensuringcorrectsubjectsandlevelsofallowancesbasedonjobpositions.OnOctober30,2023,MoETissuedacircularprovidingguidanceonjobpositions,thestructureofpublicemployeesaccordingtoprofessionaltitles,andstaffingnormsingeneraleducationinstitutions.Thefundingsource,calculation,andpaymentoftheseallowancesshouldfollowtheinstructionsprovidedintherelevantdocumentsissuedbythemanagingministriesandcurrentstateregulations.Thedepartmentalsorequiredaffiliatedunitstothoroughlystudytheregulationsregardingsubjects,levelsofallowances,calculationmethods,andpaymentproceduresforemployees.Basedontheactualtasksassignedtoemployeesineachunit,thecorrectsubjectsandlevelsofallowancesshouldbeidentifiedandimplemented,ensuringappropriatepaymentofpreferential,responsibility,hazardous,anddangerousallowancesasperregulations.Infact,theworkoflibrariansissomewhatlikethatofteachers;wealsohavetopreparespecificcontenttoorganiseareadingperiodasalessonplanbeforeclass,H??ngsaid.Librariansmustwriteprofessionalessaysintroducingtheroleoftheschoollibraryinservingteachingandlearning,andnumerousarticlesintroducingbooksonvarioussubjectstoreaders,requiringdidacticskills.Despitetheseguidelines,HàNamProvincehadnotpaidtheallowancepaymentsforlibrarystaffbytheendofMay2024;evenMoETissuedanofficialdispatchonDecember26,2023,regardingtheimplementationofpoliciesandpromotionofprofessionaltitlesforschoolstaff,sheadded.Thedelayandinconsistencyinapplyingtheseregulationshaveleftmanylibrariansstrugglingfinanciallyandprofessionally.Thereisapressingneedforconcertedeffortsfromallrelevantauthoritiestoensurethatpoliciesarenotonlywell-documentedbutalsoexecutedefficientlytosupportandmotivatethisessentialworkforce.AccordingtoV?Minh??c,PhD,directoroftheDepartmentofTeachersandEducationalManagersatMoET,theministryhasacknowledgedthesignificantdifficultiesfacedbyschoolstaff.Currently,thetotalincomeofschoolstaff,includinginsurancecontributions,forthosewithlessthan15yearsofservicerangesfromVN?3.6milliontounderVN?7millionpermonth,??csaid.Thisisdespitethelargeworkloadandthenecessitytotakeonvariousadditionaltasks.Tohelpschoolstaffincreasetheirincome,stabilisetheirlives,andfeelsecureintheirroles,theeducationministryhasproposedtotheMinistryofHomeAffairsthatschoolstaffreceiveaprofessionalallowanceatanappropriateleveltorecognisetheirworkandresponsibilities.Theyalsoaimtoreviewandassessthecomplexityofeachjobpositionheldbyschoolstaff,whichwillserveasabasisforadjustingregulationsregardingjobresponsibilities,professionalstandards,andprofessionalrankclassifications.Theseadjustmentsaimtoimproveincomethroughsalaryenhancementsandprovidebettercareeradvancementopportunitiesforschoolstaff.ThestoriesofH??ng,ChiêmandNg?creflectabroaderissuefacingschoollibrarystaffacrossVi?tNam.Despitetheirimportantroleineducation,theirworkremainsundervaluedandunderpaid,leadingtofinancialhardshipandjobdissatisfaction.Addressingtheseissuesrequiresconcertedeffortsfromgovernmentauthoritiestoensurefaircompensationandsupportforthesededicatedworkers.VNSThefirstWorldStudentFestivalHCMCity2024andtheeighthInternationalStudentScienceForumwereofficiallykickedoffinHCMCityonAugust2.—PhotoCourtesyoftheorganiserHCMCITY—ThefirstWorldStudentFestivalHCMCity2024andtheeighthInternationalStudentScienceForumwereofficiallykickedoffinHCMCityonFriday(August2).Speakingattheopeningceremony,themunicipalPeoplesCommitteeDeputyChairwomanTr?nTh?Di?uThúysaidtheyouthinallcountriesplayacriticalrole,particularlytheirpioneeringroleincreatingroadstowardssustainabledevelopmentgoalsforcommunities.Thecityhasalwayscreatedfavourableconditionsforstudentsandyoungsterstomaximisetheirpotentialandcapabilitiesthrougharangeofactivities,shesaid.Thefestivalandforumareexpectedtocontributetoenhancingexchangesandconnections,fosteringmutualunderstandingamongyouthsandstudentsfromvariouscountriesandterritorieswiththeirpeersinVi?tNamingeneralandHCMCityinparticular,shesaid.Tr?nThuHà,deputysecretaryofH?ChíMinhCommunistYouthUnion-HCMCitychapterandpresidentoftheVietnameseStudentAssociationinHCMCity,saidthefestivalsthemeIgnitingyouth-ledsocialimpact:fromlocaltoglobalunderscoresthepioneeringroleofyouthandstudentsinpromotingpositivechangesforcommunitydevelopment,encouragingtheircontributionstoglobalissues,especiallythe17SustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)oftheUnitedNations.Thefour-dayfestivalseekstocreateanenvironmentthatenhancesskills,fostersleadership,anddrivespositivecommunitychanges.Activitiesallowlocalandinternationalstudentstointeractandexperiencediversecultures,andpromotethecitysculturalbeautyanddevelopmentachievementsglobally.Theeventhasattractedsignificantinterestfromstudentsatuniversities,colleges,andinstitutesbothdomesticallyandinternationally.Fromnearly500studentregistrationsforthefestivalandsubmissionsfortheInternationalStudentScienceForum,theorganisingcommitteeselected177officialdelegatesfrom11countries.Thisincludes79internationalstudents,sevenrepresentativesfromVietnamesestudentassociationsabroadand20studentsfromvariousregionswithinVi?tNam.Thesedelegatesareoutstandingrepresentativesinvariousfields,comingtogethertoaffirmtheircommitmenttocommunityactionbyestablishingtheFriendshipYouthNetworkduringthefestivalsformalsession.Thefestivalalsofeaturestourstoculturalandhistoricalsitesinthecity,traditionalculturalandartisticactivitiesatthePh??ngNamTheatre,andavisittothemunicipalPeoplesCommitteeheadquarters,amongothers.—VNS

FishermeninThanhHóa(chǎn)ProvinceareinformedabouttheFisheriesLawandIUUfishingregulations.—Photovneconomy.vnHàN?I—Thenorth-centralprovinceofThanhHóa(chǎn)hasintensifiedinspectionsatseaandfishingportswhileworkingwithownersofvesselsthatviolatedregulationsonillegal,unreported,andunregulated(IUU)fishingaspartofitseffortstoclampdownontheillicitfishing.DuringtheJanuary-Julyperiod,localauthoritieshandled80violationcasesandleviedatotalfineofVN?967million(overUSD$38,300)onlocalfishermenandboatownerswhocommittedillegalacts.Alistof306fishingvesselswithhighrisksofviolationswasmadepublicatfishingports,whilethosewithoutnecessarydocumentsandvesselmonitoringsystemswerebannedfromdockingatthefishingports.Throughoutexaminations,theauthoritiesfoundoutseveralcommonmistakesofshipowners,includingexpiringsafefishingvesselcertificates,losingconnectionsignalsforover10days,andfailingtobuyinsuranceforcrewmembers.AccordingtothedeputyheadoftheprovincialDepartmentoffisheriesLêV?nSáng,theprovincewillcontinueenhancingthecommunicationsworktoraisepublicawarenessofIUUregulationsandresolvetometeoutstrictpunishmentsforanyviolations.Inthesamevein,thecentralprovinceofQu?ngTr?hasworkedtohandlehundredsoffishingboatsfrom6to15metresinlengthhavingnoregistration,nofishinglicenses,andnocertificatesprovingtheirseaworthiness(threenos).TheprovincialPeoplesCommitteedirectedlocalitiestotightenmanagementoverfishingvesselstoensurethattherearenoadditionalboatswiththree-nos.—VNSAKUH-1ESurionHelicopterdevelopedbyKoreaAerospaceIndustriesCo.—Photoqdnd.vnSEOUL—KoreaAerospaceIndustriesCo(KAI)onAugust2announcedtherecruitmentof50Vietnameseworkersforsmallandmedium-sizedpartnersthroughGAET,apublicenterpriseundertheVietnameseMinistryofNationalDefence.ThesearethefirstforeignworkersthatKAIhastrainedintheirhomecountryandprovidedforaerospacecompaniesintheRepublicofKorea(RoK).Lastyear,KAIpromotedanoverseasprofessionalhumanresourcetrainingprojectrelatedtotheimplementationoftheE-7-3visapolicytoaddressthemanpowershortageatsmallandmedium-sizedcompaniesintheaerospaceindustry.Accordingly,itsignedamemorandumofunderstanding(MoU)withGAETtotrainandsupplyhumanresourceswithaerospaceexpertise.UndertheMoU,50excellentindividualsinVi?tNamwhoholdbachelorsdegreesinscienceandengineeringandhaveworkexperiencewereselectedandtrainedinboththeoryandpracticeaboutaircraftcomponentmanufacturingforthreemonthsatavocationaltrainingcentresetupbytheVietnameseministry.Startingthisyear,thefirstgraduateswillbesenttoKAIspartnercompaniesaswellasKoreanaerospacepartmanufacturerslikeSongwolTechnology,MiraeAviation,YulgokandSKAviation,wheretheywillworkonmachiningandassemblingaircraftparts.SongHo-cheol,headoftheKAIOperationsCentre,saidthepromotionofthisprojecthelpssolvethemanpowershortageforpartnersbymakinguseofVi?tNamsabundanthumanresourcesandinfrastructure.Inthefuture,KAIplanstotrainabout100professionalseachyearthroughVi?tNamsaerospacetrainingprogramme.—VNSPresidentT?LamatthefestivalinC?a??ngWardonFriday.—VNA/VNSPhotoAnV?n??ngHàN?I—PresidentT?LamonAugust2emphasisedtheneedtoreformtheAllpeoplessecuritysafeguardingmovementintermsofbothformandcontentwhileattendingafestivalinthisregardinC?a??ngWardinHoànKi?mDistrictofHàN?i.PresidentLamsaidsuchmovementhasdevelopedstronglyinthecapitalcityoverthepastyears,withvariousself-managedsecurityandsafety,andanti-crimemodelsputinplaceeffectively,androlledoutonanationalscale,laudingC?a??ngasabrightspotintheeffort.Stressingtheimportantroleandpositionofthecapitalcity,which,hesaid,isthetargetofhostileandreactionaryforcesaswellascrimes,addingthatensuringsecurityandordermustbeakey,long-termtaskofthelocalpoliticalsystem.Topromotethemovement,all-levelPartyCommitteesandadministrationsinHàN?ineedtocontinueseriouslyandeffectivelydisseminatingandimplementingrelevantguidelinesandpolicies,whileraisingpublicawarenessofthedrive,thePresidentcontinued.HesuggestedthecombinationofthedriveandotheremulationmovementslaunchedbytheParty,theState,agencies,theVi?tNamFatherlandFront,andorganisations,notingrolemodelsshouldbecommendedinatimelymanner,andparticipantsinjured,killedorsufferingpropertylossesshouldreceivesupport.ThepublicsecurityandarmyforcesneedtocloselycoordinatewiththeVietnamFatherlandFrontandotheragenciesandsocio-economicorganisationsinthismovement,hecontinued.ThePresidentalsoaskedthelocalitytopaymoreattentiontodevelopingacontingentofgrassrootspoliceofficerswhohavepoliticalqualities,professionalexpertise,andareapproachable,andabletoprovideadviceforall-levelPartyCommitteesandadministrationsintheimplementationofthemovement.Onthisoccasion,theStateleaderpresentedgiftstolocalofficialsandresidents,rolemodelsinthemovement,anddisadvantagedindividuals.—VNS

NationalHighway12passingthroughM??ngP?nCommunein?i?nBiênDistrict,?i?nBiênProvincehasbeenseverelydamagedbyflashfloodstriggeredbyprolongedheavyrainoverthepastweek.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—NinepeoplehavediedfollowingtheprolongedrainandheavyfloodsinnorthernVi?tNamoverthepastweek.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentsDepartmentofDykeManagementandNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlreportedthatthefloodshavealsoledtotheemergencyrelocationof63households,withnearly600homessubmerged.Nearly2,500haofriceandcropswereflooded,while33.2haofaquaculturedestroyed.Intermsoftransport,over297siteshaveexperiencedlandslidesandblockages,withatotalofmorethan54,000cu.mofsoilandrockswasheddownhillsides.Immediatelyafterthedisasteroccurred,localauthoritiesvisitedandsupportedaffectedhouseholdsandmobilisedforcestoassistinrecoveryefforts.TheDepartmentofDykeManagementandNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlhasadvisedcitiesandprovincestocloselymonitorweatherforecastsanddisasterwarningsandproactivelyimplementresponseplans.AreasinthedownstreamregionsoftheH?ng(Red)RiverandTháiBìnhRiverareurgedtoensuresafetyduringtheoperationoftheS?nLa,HòaBình,TuyênQuanghydropowerdams.Localitiesshouldtakemeasurestoensurethesafetyofthedykesystemandrespondtothefloodingsituation.—VNSManystreetsinHàN?iaredecoratedwithnationalflagstocelebratetheNationalDayholiday.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?n?i?pHàN?I—Vi?tNamsNationalDaybreak,thefinalholidaythisyear,willtakeplacefromAugust31toSeptember3,theMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairshasannounced.Civilservantsareentitledtofourconsecutivedaysoff,includingoneweekendday(Saturday),twonationalholidays(SundayandMonday)andoneadditionalday(Tuesday).EmployersarerequiredtoinformemployeesoftheNationalDayholidayschedulefor2024atleast30daysinadvance.Theministryencouragesemployerstoapplytheholidayscheduleforemployeessimilarlytothatforcivilservants.Theministryalsonotedthatagenciesandcompaniesoperatingonweekends(SaturdayandSunday)maydeterminetheholidayschedulefortheiremployeesbasedontheirworkroutines.Foremployeeswhohaveaone-dayweeklyoffonSunday,theNationalDayholidayfromSeptember2willspanthreedays,fromSeptember1toSeptember3,iftheholidayisobservedonSunday(September1).IftheholidayisobservedonTuesday(September3),itwilllasttwodays,fromSeptember2toSeptember3.ForemployeeswhohaveatwodaysaweekoffonSaturdayandSunday,theNationalDayholidaywilllastfourdays,fromAugust31toSeptember3.—VNS

PoliceapprehendmultipleindividualsinvolvedintheringattherestaurantinHCMCity,.—Photoplo.vnHCMCITY—Thepolicehavearrestedsevenindividuals,includingtheownersofGGRestaurant,foroperatingaprostitutionringthatcateredexclusivelytoforeigncustomers.Investigationsrevealedthattherestaurant,locatedinNguy?nTháiBìnhWard,District1,HCMCity,employedover120femalehostesses,whowereencouragedtoengageinprostitutionforafee.Itsowners,identifiedasVietnamesenationalsHoàngAnhHàoandNg?Th?Ng?cThúy,alongwithKoreannationalsChoKiwanandYuSungho,luredcustomersthroughonlineadvertisementspromisingasafeandfunatmospherewithsexydancingandwillingfemalehostesses.Theyalsoofferedtransportationservicestonearbyhotelsandluxuryapartmentswheretheprostitutiontookplace.Therestaurantstaffwereinstructedtoadmitonlyforeigncustomers(mostlyChineseandSouthKoreans)andchecktheirpassportsuponentry.Thosewithoutpassportswererequiredtohaveaguarantorforentering.Withpromisesofhighpayandcommissions,therestauranthasdrawnmanySouthKoreanmanagersandVietnamesemadamstowork.Securityguardswereconstantlypostedoutsidetherestaurant,taskedwithdispersinganyVietnameseindividualslingeringinthearea.Theyalsofrequentlychangedprostitutionlocationstoevadelawenforcement.TheillicitbusinesshasbeenoperatingsinceMay2024andissaidtohavelinedtheownerspocketswithaboutVN?10billion(US$400,000).Duringapoliceinterrogation,HoàngAnhHào,YuSungho,andNg?Th?Ng?cThúyconfessedtoinstructingstafftoengageinprostitutiontoboostrevenue.Sevenindividuals,includingthefourabovementionedowners,areinpolicecustodyandexpectedtofacechargesofbrokeringprostitution.—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.—VNSThesuspectsaftertheirarrest.-Photonhandan.vnHàN?I–AsophisticatedgangshippingcannabisacrossHàN?ihasbeensmashedbypoliceinthecapitalcity.TheDrugCrimeInvestigationPoliceDepartmenthavearrestedelevenpeopleandseizedmorethan700kgofthedrug.PolicefirstbecameawareoftheillegalactivitiesbackinFebruarywhentheyweremonitoringdrugtransportationroutes.Theylearnedcourierswithoutcriminalrecordshadbeenhiredtoshippackagesofcannabisaroundthecitythathadbeenvacuumsealedtoavoidanyodours.Threeseparatetaskforceswereestablishedtomakethearrests.ThefirsttookfourpeopleintocustodyincludingHoàngV?nHà,oneoftheringleaders,born1999,fromV?nYênDistrictofYênBáiProvinceandlivinginM?Trìward,NamT?LiêmDistrict.Theyalsorecovered90.49kgofcannabis,sixelectronicscales,oneheatgun,onevacuumpackingmachineandotherrelateditemsanddocuments.ThesecondtaskforcearrestedV?H?ngCúc,born1990,athisaddressinLyTháiT?,HoànKi?mDistrictandconfiscated74.04kgofcannabis,oneelectronicscaleandotherrelateditems.Thethirdtaskforcearrestedsixpeople,includinganotherringleader,Hu?nhH?uHoàng,born1988,fromCamLamDistrictofKhánhHòaProvinceandresidinginV?nhC?uDistrictof??ngNaiProvince.Itwasheretheyseizedthelargestamountofcannabiswith600kg,onevacuumpackingmachine,sixhydraulicpressesandthreeelectronicscales.Atthepolicestation,thesuspectsconfessedtotheircriminalactivities.Theauthoritiesareexpandingtheirinvestigationandpursuitofthecasetoapprehendedothersconnectedtothering.-VNS

AceremonyheldtohandoverahousetoapoorfamilyinBìnhPh??cProvincesBìnhLongTown.–VNA/VNSPhotoBìNHPH??C–BìnhPh??cProvinceaimstowrapupitsprogrammeofeliminatingtemporaryanddilapidateddwellingsandreplacethemwithconcretehousesforpoorpeoplenextyear.Thesoutheasternprovincehasmobilisedfundingfromvarioussourcestobuildhousesforthepoorinrecentyears.Theyareatleast50sq.meachandhavecorrugatedironroofs.In2019-23thelocalFundforthePoorprovidedVN?313billion(US$12.3million)to5,017familiestorebuildtemporaryordilapidatedhouses.Theprovinceisbuilding99housesforpoorethnicpeopleunderanationalprogrammethisyear.InthefirsthalfoftheyearitsFatherlandFrontCommitteeassisted121poorandnear-poorhouseholdsinBùGiaM?p,L?cNinh,Bù??ng,andBù??pdistrictswithbuildinggreatsolidarityhouses.ThisNhà??i?oànk?tprogrammeismeantforpoorandnear-poorhouseholdswiththesupportoforganisationsandindividuals.LamBangofL?cNinhDistrictsL?cQuangCommunehasrebuilthis67.5sq.mhouseusingVN?80million($3,200)givenbytheFundforthePoor.Hewasgladtoreceivetheassistanceandhisfamilywoulddoitsfarmingbettertoensureastablelife,hesaid.??Th?MaiH??ngin??ngPhúDistricts??ngTamCommuneusedtobepoorasherhusbandsufferedfrommentalillnessandtheyhadthreeschool-agedchildren.TheFatherlandFrontCommitteeprovidedherwithVN?80million($3,200)torebuildherhouseandthedistrictFundforthePoorgaveheracowthatwasworthVN?30million($1,200)andproducedcalves.Withahousetolivein,shefeelssecureaboutgoingtoworktoincreaseherincome,andherfamilyhasthusescapedpoverty,shesaid.Ph??cLongandCh?nThànhtownsand??ngXoàiCityhavecompletedtheprogrammetoeliminatetemporaryanddilapidatedhouses.LêTh?XuanTrang,headoftheprovincePartyCommitteesmassmobilisationboardandchairwomanoftheFatherlandFrontCommittee,saidlocaladministrationsshouldaddresstheproblemofhousinglandandconstruction.FatherlandFrontCommitteesatalllevelsshouldenhanceadvocacyaboutreducingpovertysustainablyandmobilisemoreresourcestobuildhousesforthepoor,sheadded.–VNSCustomersaregivenreusablebagswhenshoppingatBigCTh?ngLongSupermarketonInternationalPlasticBagFreeDay.—VNSPhotoQu?nhAnhNh?tH?ng,Qu?nhAnhHàN?I—Light,cheapandtheycancontainanythingfromsolidtoliquid;plasticbagshavealwaysbeenpopularforgroceryshoppinginVi?tNam.However,recognisingtheadverseeffectsofthesenon-biodegradablebagsontheenvironment,retailersareadvocatingforchangesinconsumerhabits.July3thisyearmarkedthesecondtimethePlasticBagReductionRetailersAllianceofVi?tNamcelebratedtheInternationalPlasticBagFreeDaywithvariouscustomerinitiatives.Nguy?nThùyAnh,SeniorCommunicationsandOutreachOfficeroftheInternationalUnionforConservationofNatureinVi?tNamsaid:Thisyearscampaignseesactiveparticipationfrommanybusinessesandthisnumberisincreasing.Severalretailersarealsoimplementingcampaignactivitiesnationwide,whichisagoodsignthatshowstheirproactiveness.WehopethatthiscampaignwillnotonlytakeplaceonJuly3,InternationalPlasticBagFreeDay,butthatbusinessesandretailersbemoreproactiveinreducingtheuseofplasticbagsallyearround.Asamemberofthealliance,AEONVi?tNamnowletsshoppersrentareusablebagfortheirpurchasesatonlyVN?5,000(20UScents),whichisfullyrefundedwhentheyturnthebagatthecounter.Thesupermarketchainalsohasa‘greenline–aprioritycheck-outlaneforcustomerswhooptforenvironment-friendlyproducts,withnoplasticcontainersorpackagingfromitsfoodcourt.CentralRetailVi?tNam,whichownsGO!,BigCandTopsMarket,hasbeencallingforcustomerstobringtheirownshoppingbagsandgivingoutreusableonesonJuly3.Customerscanalsobuythesemulti-usebagsatVN?9,000onnormaldays,orchoosethefree,recycledcardboardboxesofferedbythesupermarket.BigCTh?ngLongsupermarketdirectorNguy?nMinhTu?nsaid:Thisinitiativeaimstoencouragecustomerstousethesebagsformultipleshoppingtrips.Additionally,wehavecollaboratedwithover30foodsupplierstoswitchfromplasticpackagingtobiodegradablematerials.Thechangesandeffortshavebeenmetwithpositiveresponsefromcustomers.BettyAdrian,anIndonesianwomanwhohaslivedinVi?tNamforthepastsevenyears,saidsheonlytookthesingle-usebagstheveryfirsttimeshewentshoppinghere.EverytimeIgotothesupermarketorothershops,Ialwaysbringmyownbags.IfIuseplastic,itsnotgoodfortheearth,shetoldVi?tNamNews.Othershoppers,likeNg?Thuy?t,takeitupanotchbymindfullybringingdesignatedcontainersfortheirshoppingtrips.Ibringmyowninsulatedbagforfrozenitems,andanotherreusablebagfordrygoods.WhenIbuyalotofthings,Ipackthemupincardboardboxes[atthecashier]toreducetheuseofplasticbags,shesaid.Ng?Thuy?tpackstheitemssheboughtinherreusableshoppingbagstoreducesingle-useplastics.—VNSPhotoNh?tH?ngNg?cLinh,asenior-yearstudentwhooftenshopsatBigC,agreedandsaidpeopleshoulduseplasticbagsless.Iusedtobeacashier,andwhencustomerstakealotofplasticbags,theyoftenthrowthemawayandthatsnotgood.Sometimesthesearealsoreusedastrashbags,whichIthinkshouldnotberecommended.CallforchangeStatisticsfromtheWorldwatchInstituteestimatethatonaveragesince2002,aboutfivetrillionplasticbagshavebeenproduced,usedanddiscardedeveryyear.InVi?tNam,datafromtheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentshowsthatthecountrycountsover1.8milliontonnesofplasticwasteannuallyandamongthatthereare30billionplasticbags.Onaverage,onehouseholdinVi?tNamcanuseuptoakilogrammeofplasticbagseachmonth,ofwhich80percentarethrownawayafterjustoneuse.Plasticwasteaccountsfor8-12percentofhouseholdsolidwaste,butonlyabout12percentofthemundergotreatmentandarerecycled,whiletherestareeitherburiedorburnedinlandfills,accordingtoVietnamPlasticsAssociation.Recognisingthenegativeimpactsofthesenon-biodegradablecontainersandpackagingtotheenvironment,Vi?tNamhasbeentakingactionstoaddresstheissue.The2020LawonEnvironmentalProtectionstipulatestheextendedproducerresponsibilityonrecyclingandwastetreatment,whilethePrimeMinistersDecision1316/Q?-TTgonstrengtheningplasticwastemanagementinVi?tNamwasapprovedinJuly2021.Nguy?nTrungTh?ng,DeputyDirectorGeneraloftheInstituteofStrategyandPolicyonNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentsaid:Ourcountryhasadoptedmanystrategiesandpoliciestoreduceplasticwaste,amajorityofthemnon-biodegradableplasticbags.Therefore,activitiesthataimtoreducenon-biodegradableplasticbagsareofgreatsignificance,sothateveryonecanjoininreducingplasticwasteinourenvironment.—VNS

AdoctoratNguy?nTriPh??ngHospitalinHCMCityuseselectronicmedicalrecords.VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—Theadoptionofelectronicmedicalrecords(EMRs)byhospitalshasbeenextremelyslowlargelyduetolackoffundsandtechnologicalinfrastructure.OnlyfourpublichospitalsinHCMCityhavereplacedthetraditionalpaper-basedrecord-keepingwithdigitalsystems:theHCMCityUniversityMedicalCentre,ChildrensHospital,Nguy?nTriPh??ngHospital,andTr?ngV??ngHospital,accordingtoHCMCitysDepartmentofHealth.AcrossVi?tNam70healthcarefacilitieshaveswitchedtoEMRs.Therearenearly1,500publichospitalsandmorethan300privateonesinthecountry.ThoughtheMinistryofHealthwantsallhospitalstoswitchtoEMRsby2025,thepaceofchangeisslow,Nguy?nTr??ngNam,deputydirectoroftheministrysdepartmentofinformationtechnology,admitted.Heattributedittothehighcostsofacquiringandinstallingthedigitalsystems.ToswitchtoEMRsataprovincial-levelhospitalwith300-500bedscostsmorethanVN?10billion(US$393,000).ItcostsmajorhospitalssuchasCh?R?yinHCMCity,andB?chMai,Vi?t??candKhospitalsinHàN?imuchmoretoacquireandimplementEMRsystems,hesaid.Otherfactorsforthetardypaceincludelackoftechnologicalinfrastructure.DrL??ngC?ngMinh,deputydirectorofNguy?nTriPh??ngHospital,saidtheshiftbeganathishospitalatthebeginningofthisyear.IthascostVN?13billion($510,800)forequipmentanddevicesandpersonneltraining,hesaid.EHRsbringnumerousbenefitstobothpatientsandhealthcareproviders,helpingdoctorsprovideeffectivediagnosisandpromotingqualityofcareandtreatmentoutcomes,hesaid.Buttheirimplementationcontinuestofacechallengessuchastechnicalissuesandhighcostofuse,hesaid.Nguy?nAnhD?ng,deputydirectoroftheHCMCityDepartmentofHealth,listedotherchallengessuchasstafflimitationsandprivacyconcerns.Findingthefundstodeveloptherequiredinfrastructureandpersonnelistoochallengingformanyhealthcarefacilities,headded.—VNS??uTh?Khuyên,52,Nguy?nTh?Ng?cH?ng,46,andNguy?nV?nKhánh,28.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–TwowomenandamanhavebeenarrestedforfacilitatingpeoplesmugglingtoAustraliathroughBuddhistinstitutionsusingfakecredentials.Thegangwenttoextremelengthsandeveninstructedamantoshavehishead,wearrobesandtakephotographsatapagodainordertogivetheimpressionhewasaBuddhistmonk.TheythencontactedBuddhistorganisationsinAustraliatoobtainaninvitationlettersothemancouldenterthecountry.ButtheplanwasthatwhenhearrivedinAustralia,hewouldnotbetheretostudyataretreat,butinsteadworkillegallyonafarm.TheInvestigationSecurityAgencyinthecentralprovinceofHàT?nhhavearrestedthetriofortraffickingandforgingsealsanddocumentsofagenciesandorganisations.ThedecisionhasbeenapprovedbythePeoplesProcuracyatthesamelevel.Thethreepeoplearrestedare??uTh?Khuyên,52,fromHàT?nhProvincesNghiXuanDistrict,Nguy?nTh?Ng?cH?ng,46,frominHCMCitysDistrict7,andNguy?nV?nKhánh,28,wholivesin??ngNaiProvince.Accordingtothecasefile,sincetheendof2023,HàT?nhProvincePolicehadobtainedinformationthatseveralindividualswereexploitingBuddhistinstitutionsfrequentorganisationofstudyretreatsinAustraliaforBuddhistsworldwide.TheyconnectedandorganisedformanypeopleinvariouslocalitiestoillegallyfleetoAustraliaforlabourbyforgingmonkcredentials.ThecostforeachsuccessfultripwasVN?300millionperperson.Thepolicedeterminedthatatthebeginningof2024,KhuyênandH?ngagreedtoorganiseforH?V?nThìn,36,residinginNgh?AnProvince,togotoAustraliaforlabourundertheguiseofamonkonastudyretreat.OnceThìnsuccessfullyenteredAustralia,H?ngwouldarrangeforanacquaintancetopickhimupandplacehiminagriculturalworkinAustralia.InFebruary2024,H?ngandKhuyêndirectlyarrangedforThìntoshavehishead,wearmonkrobes,andgotoKimQu?ngPagodain?àN?ngCitysLiênChi?uDistricttotakephotos,pretendingtoparticipateinthepagodasactivitiesforthevisaapplicationfiletoAustralia.Next,H?ngcontactedreligiousinstitutionsinAustraliatoobtainaninvitationletterforThìntoparticipateinBuddhistactivitiesundertheguiseofamonkpracticingatKimQu?ngPagodawiththemonasticnameThíchGiácNg?.H?ngthencontactedKhánhtoalterThìnsportraitonhiscitizenidentificationcardtomakehimappearasaBuddhistfollower.OnthenightofMay4,afterreceivingpayment,H?nghandedoverthetravelvisatoAustraliatoThìnandarrangedforacartotakehimtoHCMCitysTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportfordepartureprocedures.Attheairport,Thìnwasstoppedbyauthoritiestoclarifyrelatedmatters.ThereisnosuggestionanyBuddhistorganisationwasawareoftheillegalactivities.TheHàT?nhProvincePolicearecontinuingtoinvestigatethecase.–VNS