Rosemary Mariner, first woman to fly fighter jet, dead at 65
CzechtouristsarrivingatPhúQu?cisland,KiênGiangProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Inthefirst10monthsof2024,morethan14.1millioninternationaltouristscametoVi?tNam,anincreaseof41.3percentyearonyear,accordingtothelatestreportfromtheGeneralStatisticsOffice.Favourablevisapolicies,strongertourismpromotionprogrammes,andwinningseveralprestigiousinternationaltourismawardshaveallcontributedtodrawingmoreforeignvisitorstothecountry.InOctober2024,internationalarrivalstoVi?tNamreached1.42million,aslightincreasecomparedtothe1.3millioninSeptemberanda27.6percentincreasecomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Thenumbersareexpectedtogrow,withthepeakseasonforinternationaltourists,especiallyonesfromEuropeancountries,usuallylastingfromOctobertoMarch.Ofthetotal14.1millionfigure,nearly12millionarrivedbyair,accountingfor84.8percentofthetotal,markinga36.9percentincreaseyear-on-year.AlmosttwomillionarrivedinVi?tNambyland,up13.9percentanda65.7percentincrease,respectively.Composition-wise,Asianmarketscontributednearly80percentofthetotalarrivals.Fourmarkets—SouthKorea,China,Taiwan(China)andJapan—accountedfornearly60percent.Inthefirsttenmonthsof2024,SouthKoreawasVi?tNamslargestsourceoftourists,with3.7millionvisitors(26.4percent).Chinaisinsecondplacewith3.0millionvisitors(21.3percent).FollowingthesearevisitorsfromTaiwan(China),theUnitedStates,Japan,Australia,India,Malaysia,CambodiaandThailand.Whilemostdestinationsrecordedgrowthcomparedto2023—China(up130.4percent),SouthKorea(up28.5percent),Japan(up24.8percent),ChineseTaiwan(up59.4percent),India(up29.1percent),Australia(up23.7percent)—visitorsfromThailanddeclinedby13.3percent.Europeanmarketsalsosawpositivegrowth,includingkeymarketsliketheUnitedKingdom(up20.4percent),France(up30.5percent)andGermany(up23.6percent).WhileItaly(up54.5percent),Spain(up23.3percent),Russia(up81.5percent),Denmark(up21.7percent),Norway(up16.2percent),andSweden(up24.9percent).Thesemarketsbenefitfromaunilateralvisaexemptionpolicyforstaysofupto45days,implementedfromAugust15,2023.Overall,tourismrevenuesinthefirsttenmonthshitVN?690trillion(US$27.18billion).—VNS
AbabyisreceivingvaccinationinHàN?i.Photosuckhoedoisong.vnHàN?I–Numerousproceduresandregulationsonbudgetallocationforpurchasingvaccineswerethemainreasonsforshortageofvaccinesfortheexpandedimmunisationprogramme(EIP),saidtheMinistryofHealth(MoH).TheMoHhasrecentlysubmittedareportaddressingtheconcernoftheNationalAssemblyStandingCommitteesOmbudsmanCommissionregardingtheshortageofvaccinesfortheEIP.Previously,inameeting,D??ngThanhBình,headoftheOmbudsmanCommissionpresentedareportontheresultsofmonitoringtheresolutionofpeoplepetitionscitingthatresidentsinmanyareasreportedashortageofvaccinesatpublichealthcarefacilities,resultinginmanychildrenmissingscheduledvaccinationsornotreceivingthefulldose.Accordingtothereport,thissituationhaspersistedsincetheendof2022.PeoplehaveurgedMoHtotakedecisiveactiontoensureasufficientandtimelyvaccinesupplyandtoassessaccountabilityfortheprolongedshortage.TheministrysPreventiveMedicineDepartmentindicatedthatvaccinationrateswithintheEIPdecreasedpost-Covid-19acrossmanycountriesandterritoriesduetolockdowns,travelrestrictions,andlimitedordisruptedaccesstohealthcareservices.Theministrysaidthat,priorto2023,itwasresponsibleforvaccineprocurementandallocationtolocalities.However,from2023onwards,undertheStateBudgetLaw,localitiesarerequiredtopurchasevaccineswiththeirownbudgets.Yet,duringimplementation,localitiesfaceddifficultiesinbudgetallocation,approval,tendering,priceappraisal,andalackofexperience.Asaresult,manylocalitieshaverequestedtheministrytocontinueactingasthecentralprocuringauthorityforvaccinesandtoallocatethemtolocalities.DuringitsspecialsupervisionofCOVID-19resourcemobilisation,managementanduse,theNationalAssemblyalsonotedtheserequests.Toaddresstheseissues,theGovernmentsubmittedaproposaltotheNationalAssembly,leadingtotheissuanceofResolutionNo.99,whichdirectstheallocationofcentralbudgetfundstocontinueimplementingthenationalEIP,ensuringconsistency,timelinessandefficiencynationwide.Followingthis,theGovernmentissuedResolutionNo.98,allocatingcentralbudgetfundsin2023fortheMOHtopurchasevaccinesfortheEIP.Attheendof2023,theMoHprovidedguidancetoprovincesandcities,compiledvaccinedemandfor2024nationwide,completedprocurementproceduresfor10domesticallyproducedvaccines,andinstructedtheNationalInstituteofHygieneandEpidemiologytoreceiveapproximately24.2milliondosesofvariousvaccinesforuseintheEIP,fundedbytheStatebudgetandaid.Todate,theministryreportedthatithasdistributed22.79milliondosestolocalitiesasplanned.Duringthependingapprovalofthe2024budget,theMinistryofHealthdirectedrelevantunitstoprocurevaccinesurgentlyneededfortheexpandedimmunisationprogramme,includingtetanusandhepatitisBvaccinesfornewborns,theMoHreportstated.Theministryalsopointedoutsomechallengesinvaccineprocurement,suchasalengthyprocessrequiringapproximatelytwotothreemonthsforcompletion.Additionally,thevaccinepriceappraisalandapprovalprocessinvolvesseveralsteps,necessitatingcoordinationamongtheMOH,theMinistryofFinanceandmanufacturingunits.This,accordingtotheMOH,mayleadtodelaysinissuingspecificpricing,whichaffectstheprocurementtimeline.VNSSeniorLieutenantColonelNguy?nH?ngQuanwasfoundat8.05pmonWednesdaynight.VNA/VNSPhotosBìNH??NH—ThetwopilotsinvolvedinamilitaryaircraftcrashduringatrainingflightinthecentralprovinceofBình??nhsTayS?nDistrictwerefoundsafeonWednesdaynight.Bothpilotswerereportedtobeinstableconditionandhavebeenbroughtdownfromthemountain.ThesearchandrescueteamlocatedSeniorLieutenantColonelNguy?nH?ngQuan,chiefflightinstructoroftheregiment,at8:05pm.By10:30pm,theyfoundColonelNguy?nV?nS?n,CommanderofAirForceRegiment940,about1kmawayfromColonelQuanslocation.Bothpilotswereconfirmedtobeinstablehealth.ColonelNguy?nV?nS?n,CommanderofAirForceRegiment940,(middle),wasfoundaboutonekmawayfromColonelQuanslocation.Earlier,ataround4:30pm,SeniorLieutenantColonelQuancontactedhisunitviamobilephone,indicatinghewasonamountainpeak,thoughweaksignalsmadetheexactlocationunclear.Heassuredthemhewasingoodhealth.Around6.45pm,additionalinformationcamethroughfromColonelS?nsmobilephone.OnNovember6,AirForceRegiment940,partoftheAirDefence-AirForceService,conductedatrainingsessionusingaYak-130militaryaircraftatPhùCátAirportinBình??nhProvince.Thetraining,namedFlightMission208,includedlong-distancemaneuvers,airnavigation,andcloudpenetrationunderchallengingweatherconditions.ColonelS?nwasinthefrontcockpit,whileSeniorLieutenantColonelQuanoccupiedtherearcockpit.Theaircrafttookoffat9:55am,butat10:38am,anissueoccurredwhentheyattemptedtoland.Thelandinggearfailedtodeploy,andemergencyprotocolsdidnotsucceed.Thepilotsejectedandparachutedtosafetyat10.51amneartheTB2shootingrangeinTayS?nDistrict.Hundredsofofficersandsoldiersweredeployedtosearchforthepilotsintheforest.Modernequipmentwasutilisedbythesearchteamstolocateandassistthem.—VNS
AworkerintheBànM?chblacksmithvillagemakesagriculturaltoolsandhouseholditems.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nTr?ngL?chV?NHPHúC—ThebustlingworkingatmospherehascreatedahubbubthatcanbeheardalloverBànM?chblacksmithvillage.Thevillage,locatedinLyNhanCommune,V?nhT??ngDistrict,inthenorthernprovinceofV?nhPhúc,isfilledwithworkerslaughter,alongwiththesoundsofhammersandsaws,andthesparksfromthered-hotironbarsshootingupwitheachbeat.Throughoutthevillage,pilesofrawironandsteel,alongwithnewlycompletedmechanicalproducts,aredisplayedinrowsandaislesinfamilyyardsandworkshops.Nguy?nXuanToàn,ChairmanoftheLyNhanCommunePeoplesCommittee,saidthatBànM?chVillagewasrecognisedasatraditionalcraftvillagebytheV?nhPhúcProvincialPeoplesCommitteein2006.Everyvillagerisfamiliarwiththesoundsofhammersfromearlymorninguntilevening.Thevillagecurrentlyhas1,041householdswith3,500people,andmorethan680householdsareengagedinblacksmithing,attracting1,440localworkers.Therearealsohundredsofworkersinthevillagewhoarenotblacksmiths,butsupportthetradebyprovidingblanksordrivingtruckstotransportgoods.TheBànM?chblacksmithvillagealsoattractsmorethan1,000workersfromotherlocalities,mainlyneighbouringareas,towork.Atpresent,theblacksmithingtradeinBànM?chisdevelopingrapidly,turningthewholevillageintoabusy,vibrantworkshopwithdiverseproducts.Accordingtocraftsmen,theperiodfromtheendofautumnonwardsisthebusiesttimeinBànM?ch,aseveryhouseholdandworkshopworksdayandnighttomeetordersforthelastmonthsoftheyear,especiallyforT?t.Demandforgoodsalwaysincreasesatthistimeofyear.Thevillagesmainproductstodayareagriculturalproductiontoolsandhouseholditemssuchasknives,chisels,hoes,spades,hammers,axes,hingesandsickles,whichareconsumedacrossthecountryandexportedtoLaos,Cambodia,ChinaandThailand.Currently,theblacksmithsaverageincomeisVN?72million(US$2,800)perpersonperyear.SkilledworkerstypicallyearnaroundVN?1million($39)perday.Householdsthatinvestinhammers,stampingmachinesandotherspecialisedequipmentforirongoodsproductioncanearnbetweenVN?50-70million($1,900-2,700)permonthperfacility.Inparticular,familieswithmanyemployeesandlargeproductionareascanearnuptohundredsofmillionsVN?permonth.Tr?nHùngM?nh,DeputyChairmanoftheLyNhanCommunePeoplesCommittee,saidthatinordertoincreaseproductivity,manyhouseholdshaverecentlyinvestedinnewmachinesandequipment.NowBànM?chVillagehasmorethan300hammermachines,sixrollingmills,171punchingmachines,andhundredsofironandsteelbilletheatingmachines.Thankstothisequipment,thecurrentcapacityforprocessingforgedproductsismuchhigherthanwithtraditionalmanualproduction,andtheworkisalsolessphysicallydemanding.Everyweek,dozensoftruckscarryblacksmithproductsfromthevillagetocustomers.Tokeepupwithnewtrends,BànM?chresidentshaveproactivelyconnectedwithcustomersbysellingone-commerceplatformsandsocialmediasuchasTiktok,ShopeeandFacebook.Salesofgoodsone-commerceplatformshaveincreasedtoabout20percentofthetotalsales.Notably,importedproductshavefloodedintoVi?tNaminrecentyears,yetdespitethecompetitivepressure,BànM?chproductscontinuetoholdagoodshareofthemarket.M?nhsaidthatproductsprocessedbytraditionalmethodsarevaluablebecauseoftheirstrength,durabilityandthefactthattheyremainsharperthanothermaterials,includingbrandedproductsmanufacturedinsomeothercountries.Kh?ngV?nTr?ng,along-timeblacksmith,saidthatblacksmithingwasnotsimplyajobbutacraft,makinghimnotjustaworker,butanartisan.Beingablacksmithrequiresgoodhealth,manualdexterity,sharpobservationskills,andtheabilitytocontrolthemetalstemperaturetodeterminetherightmomenttoforgeandtemperforthebestresults.AccordingtoTr?ng,therearemanygoodmachinesforblacksmithstoimproveproductivityandcreatebeautifulproducts.However,tomakereallyhigh-qualitysharpproductslikeknives,forgingmuststillbedonebyhand,usingthesecretspasseddownthroughgenerations.Whenmakinggoodqualityknives,scissorsandhoes,therearecertainprocessingstageswheremachinessimplycannotreplaceskilledworkers.TohelpBànM?chblacksmithvillagestabiliseanddevelop,organisationsandauthoritiesatalllevelsinV?nhPhúcProvincehaveprovidedfavourableconditionsforpeopletolearnproductiontechniques.Theyvealsohelpedhouseholdsborrowcapitalandhaveprovidedlandtoexpandthescaleofmanufacturing.Sincelastyear,BànM?chhasbeennamedoneofthefirst28villagesselectedbyV?nhPhúcProvincetodevelopasamodelculturalvillage,openingupnewopportunitiesforsustainabletourismandsocio-economicdevelopment.—VNSAworkerfillsoutpaperworktoclaimunemploymentbenefitsattheHàN?iEmploymentServiceCentre.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Vi?tNamslabourmarketfacesacriticalchallengeasmanylow-skilledworkers,despitelosingtheirjobs,arereluctanttopursuevocationaltrainingprogrammesaimedathelpingthemswitchcareers.DatafromtheHàN?iEmploymentServiceCentrerevealsthat,whileunemploymentbenefitswereapprovedfor8,500workersinSeptember,only204optedtoenrollinvocationaltraining.DeputyDirectorofthecentre,V?QuangThành,explainedthatwhencompaniescuttheirworkforce,theyoftenfocusonreducinglow-skilledmanualworkers,retainingthosewithhigherqualifications.Despitethis,mostofthelaid-offworkersseekunemploymentbenefitsratherthanparticipatingintrainingprogrammes.AccordingtoThành,thecurrentfinancialsupportforvocationaltrainingisinsufficienttoattractworkers,withtrainingdurationsoftentooshorttomakeasignificantimpact.Low-skilledworkerslikeHàTh?N?fromBiênHòaCityinthesouthernprovinceof??ngNai,whowaslaidoffinJulyafter13yearsinthewoodindustry,saythatattendingvocationaltrainingisnotfeasible.N?,whonowworkstemporaryjobstomakeendsmeetsaid:Learninganewskillmightprovidejobopportunities,butIdonothavetimetoattendtraining.Theextracostsfortransportationandmealsmakeitimpossible.Others,likeLêThu?nNamfromBiênHòaCity,aformersecurityguard,plannedtotakeadrivingcoursebutabandonedtheideaduetohighcosts.ThedrivingcoursecostsaroundVN?20million(US$780),farbeyondtheVN?9million($355)supportcap,hesaid.Nam,likemanyothers,foundthelower-costtrainingoptions,suchascookingortailoring,unsuitableforhissituation.Eventhoseinterestedinvocationaltraining,likeD??ngTh?Ng?cfromBiênHòaCity,arehesitantduetoadditionalexpenses.Ng?c,whoconsideredafour-monthmake-upcourse,isstrugglingfinanciallyafterlosingherjobandreceivingjustVN?3.5million($138)inmonthlyunemploymentbenefits.Employmentexpertshavecalledforanoverhaulofthevocationaltrainingsupportsystem.DeputyDirectoroftheHàN?iEmploymentServiceCentre,V?Th?ThanhLi?ubelievesthatthecurrentsupportneedstobeadjustedtocovertransportationandmealallowancestomaketrainingprogrammesmoreaccessibleforlaid-offworkers.AccordingtoLi?u,thesupportforvocationaltrainingiscappedatVN?4.5millionforathree-monthcourseandVN?9millionforonelastingfromthreetosixmonths.However,thecostoflivingandspecialisedcoursescanoftenexceedtheselimits,makingitdifficultforunemployedworkerstoretrainandfindnewemployment.TheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsisalreadyworkingonrevisionstotheEmploymentLaw,withproposalstoincreasethesupportforvocationaltraining,expandthescopetoimproveworkersskills,andprovidesupporteventothosenotreceivingunemploymentbenefits.Accordingtoministrydata,from2015to2023,only256,350peoplenationwidereceivedvocationaltrainingsupport,averagingjust28,483peopleannually.Expertssuggestthattomakevocationaltrainingmoreeffective,unemploymentbenefitsshouldberaisedto75percentoftheaveragesalaryfromthesixmonthsbeforeindividualslosttheirjobs,alongwithincreasedtrainingsupportandextendedcoursedurations.TherevisionstotheEmploymentLawareexpectedtoprovidemuch-neededadjustmentstohelplaid-offworkerstransitionintonewcareers,butfornow,manycontinuetofacebarriersinaccessingvocationaltrainingopportunities.—VNSPh?mKhánhPhongLan,NAdeputyfromHCMCity.VNA/VNSPhotoNationalAssembly(NA)deputyPh?mKhánhPhongLanfromtheHCMCitydelegationspoketoVietnamplusduringtheongoingNAseighthsessioninHàN?iaboutthedraftoftherevisedPharmacyLaw.Howdoyouevaluatethedraftofthereviseddraft?IthinkthedraftingcommitteehasworkedhardandtheNASocialCommitteesassessmentreporthasthoroughlyexaminedtheissues.However,Iamnotconfidentaboutthedraftlawscontent,asitdoesnotadequatelyaddressthecurrentsituation.WhydoIhavetosaythat?Therearemanyproposedamendmentsbutmostofthemonlyfixthetipoftheiceberg,whileleavingtherootoftheproblemunresolved.Forexample,thecurrentdrugsupplyisconstantlyfacingproblemssuchasshortagesofdrugs,vaccinesandequipment.Howcanwesolvethoseproblems?Wehavetoconductadministrativereformtoreducethewaitingtimefordrugregistrationcodeissuance.Wecandothatwithoutlegalisingitbecausethereisnolawthatallowsustoprolongadministrativeprocedures.Administrationreformhasbeenmentionedrepeatedly.Westillhavetolineup,jostleeachotherfordrugregistrationandstillcannotissueregistrationnumbersontime,nottomentiontheconsequenceofcreatingtheriskoffosteringaskingandgivingmechanisms.Couldyouelaborateonthecauseoftheabovesituation?Thereare800activecomponentsofvarioustypesandaround22,000medicationregistrationcodesinVi?tNam.Thisindicatesthattherearetoomanyfinisheddrugs.Incontrast,Singaporeonlyhasroughly10,000registrationcodesdespitehaving1,200activecompounds.InJapan,thereareover1,600activecompounds,yetfewerthan10,000ofthemhaveregistrationcodes.Toomanyregistrationcodesarebeingissuedbyuswithoutanylimitations.Toreducetheimportofmedicationswithanexcessivenumberofregistrationcodes,Ibelieveweneedaspecificpolicyforimportedmedications.Thepharmaceuticalindustrywillbeheldbackiftherearetoomanyregistrationnumbers,becausetherewillbetoomanyoptions,whichwillmakebiddingdifficultanddoctorswillultimatelyonlybidbasedonprice.Thelowertheprice,theeasieritistowinthebid,whilehigh-qualityproductsdonotwinthebid.Inadditiontotheregistrationcode,howcanwemeetthedemandfordrugs?Thisisanissuerelatedtothedevelopmentofthepharmaceuticalindustry.IntherevisedPharmacyLaw,wesetoutanumberofprovisionsonprioritiesandsubsidiesbutIseethatthesearealmostrepetitionsoftherevisedPharmacyLaw2016.Wehavebeenamarketeconomyandinfact,Vi?tNamhas168goodmanufacturingpractice-standardfactoriessincetheenforcementofthePharmacyLaw2016.Todate,thatnumberhasincreasedto236factories.Vi?tNamdoesnotlackpharmaceuticalfactories,whileneighbouringcountriessuchasthePhilippineshaveonlyjustover100factories.Ifwelookintotheactualsituation,wewillseethatalmostallfactorieshavetheproblemofnotproducingenoughoftheirinitialregisteredcapacity.Whentheyproducealotofdrugsandcantfindanoutlet,theywilllosethebiddinginthedomesticmarket.Followingtheparametersonthestockexchangetoday,wecanseethatalmostallthebignamesintheVietnamesepharmaceuticalindustryhavebeeninvestedbyortakenoverbyforeigninvestors.Therefore,ourtwopoliciesarecontradictory.Ontheonehand,wewanttoensurepharmaceuticalsecurity,keepthatrightfordomesticVietnamesepharmaceuticalcompanies,yet,ontheotherhand,manybusinesseswithforeigncapitalstilloperateintheVietnamesemarket.CouldyoupointoutshortcomingsofthecurrentpharmaceuticaldistributionsysteminVi?tNam?InVi?tNamspharmaceuticaldistributionsystem,therearetensofthousandsofwholesaledistributioncompaniesandretailpharmacies,buttherearenoeffectivemanagementmeasures.Thereremainsthesaleofdrugswithoutprescriptionsatpharmacies,fakedrugsandpoorqualitydrugsindenselypopulatedareas.Meanwhile,inremote,mountainousandislandareas,thereisstillashortageofdrugs.Theseissuesleadtoanincreaseinthenumberofintermediaries,makingdrugpricesdifficulttocontrol.IpredictthatifwecontinueenforcingtherevisedPharmacyLawinitscurrentform,theresultwillbethesameasthe2016law,withmoreshortcomingsexpected.Thefieldofpharmacyalsocoverscosmeticsandfoodsupplements.Welackspecific,directlegalregulationstomanagecosmeticsandfoodsupplements,eventhoughtheseproductsarewidespread,directlyimpactpublichealth,andfacemanyproblems.Whatchangesneededtomakeinthedevelopmentofthecurrentpharmaceuticalindustry?Thepharmaceuticalbusinessesneedinvestmentplanstogrow,butthelegislationmustbeexplicit.Ourpolicymustfocusondevelopingthepharmaceuticalindustry,notsimplymakingdrugscheaper,aslowerpricescouldnotassurequality.Ishouldstressthatitwillbeextremelychallengingtomanageanactiveingredientwhenhundredsofregistrationnumbersarevyingforthesamespot.Wecanlearnfromothernationsexperiences.Thepharmaceuticalindustryisneveranopenmarket,weshouldntbecomealow-lyingregionoftheworldandpermittheimportationofvariousmedications,whichwillultimatelycausethemarkettobecomeunmanageableandchaotic.Wearemakingeffortstogether,buteverytimewefixsomething,itischallenging.Thisisourresponsibilitytothepeopleandtotheindustrysdevelopment.Weseethattheshortcomingsremainunresolved.Ifwecontinueonthispath,wewillhavetopaythepricelater.VNS
CzechtouristsarrivingatPhúQu?cisland,KiênGiangProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Inthefirst10monthsof2024,morethan14.1millioninternationaltouristscametoVi?tNam,anincreaseof41.3percentyearonyear,accordingtothelatestreportfromtheGeneralStatisticsOffice.Favourablevisapolicies,strongertourismpromotionprogrammes,andwinningseveralprestigiousinternationaltourismawardshaveallcontributedtodrawingmoreforeignvisitorstothecountry.InOctober2024,internationalarrivalstoVi?tNamreached1.42million,aslightincreasecomparedtothe1.3millioninSeptemberanda27.6percentincreasecomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Thenumbersareexpectedtogrow,withthepeakseasonforinternationaltourists,especiallyonesfromEuropeancountries,usuallylastingfromOctobertoMarch.Ofthetotal14.1millionfigure,nearly12millionarrivedbyair,accountingfor84.8percentofthetotal,markinga36.9percentincreaseyear-on-year.AlmosttwomillionarrivedinVi?tNambyland,up13.9percentanda65.7percentincrease,respectively.Composition-wise,Asianmarketscontributednearly80percentofthetotalarrivals.Fourmarkets—SouthKorea,China,Taiwan(China)andJapan—accountedfornearly60percent.Inthefirsttenmonthsof2024,SouthKoreawasVi?tNamslargestsourceoftourists,with3.7millionvisitors(26.4percent).Chinaisinsecondplacewith3.0millionvisitors(21.3percent).FollowingthesearevisitorsfromTaiwan(China),theUnitedStates,Japan,Australia,India,Malaysia,CambodiaandThailand.Whilemostdestinationsrecordedgrowthcomparedto2023—China(up130.4percent),SouthKorea(up28.5percent),Japan(up24.8percent),ChineseTaiwan(up59.4percent),India(up29.1percent),Australia(up23.7percent)—visitorsfromThailanddeclinedby13.3percent.Europeanmarketsalsosawpositivegrowth,includingkeymarketsliketheUnitedKingdom(up20.4percent),France(up30.5percent)andGermany(up23.6percent).WhileItaly(up54.5percent),Spain(up23.3percent),Russia(up81.5percent),Denmark(up21.7percent),Norway(up16.2percent),andSweden(up24.9percent).Thesemarketsbenefitfromaunilateralvisaexemptionpolicyforstaysofupto45days,implementedfromAugust15,2023.Overall,tourismrevenuesinthefirsttenmonthshitVN?690trillion(US$27.18billion).—VNSLòV?nTho?iinstructsanadultstudentinbasiccalculations.—Photobaodantoc.vnS?NLA—LòV?nTho?i,aLaoethnicman,hasspentthepasttwodecadesassumingthedualrolesofaborderpatrolofficerandadedicatedteacher,bringingliteracytoremoteM?ngvillages.BornandraisedinS?pC?pDistrictinthemountainousprovinceofS?nLa,hehasadeep-rootedconnectiontotheM?ngpeopleintheregion.AftergraduatingfromtheBorderPatrolSchool,hewasassignedtotheM??ngL?nBorderPostin2003,wherehebeganhismissiontoeradicateilliteracyandempowerthelocalcommunity.Limitedaccesstoeducationhashinderedthecommunitysprogress,Tho?iexplained.Bylearningtoreadandwrite,theycanbreakfreefrompovertyandimprovetheirqualityoflife.Hisinitialeffortsweremetwithresistance,asmanyvillagerswerescepticalofeducationbenefits.Languagebarriersandculturaldifferencesfurthercompoundedthechallenges.WhenIstartedgoingdoor-to-doortoencouragevillagerstojoinmyfreeclasses,Iwasrejected,herecalled.Theydidnotseethevalueineducationandculturalandlanguagebarriershinderedmyefforts.Facedwithrejection,headoptedamoreimmersiveandculturallysensitiveapproach,thefour-together,requiringhimtolive,eatandworkwiththevillagersandspeaktheirlanguage.Byfullyimmersinghimselfinthecommunity,hequicklybrokedownthebarriers,fosteringasenseofcamaraderieandastrongbondwithhisstudents.Irealisedthattotrulyconnectwithmystudents,Ineededtobecomeapartoftheirlives,hesaid.Bysharingtheirdailyexperiencesandspeakingtheirlanguage,Icanbuildtrustandcreateamoresupportivelearningenvironment.However,hischallengesdidnotendthere.Oncehehadconvincedvillagerstoattendhisclasses,hefacedthedauntingtaskofdevelopingengagingandeffectiveteachingmaterials.Ihadtomakesurethelessonswereinterestingandrelevanttotheirlives,hesaid.Ifitwastoodifficultorboring,theywouldsimplystopcoming.Tokeepstudentsengaged,Tho?iincorporatedgames,storytelling,andhands-onactivitiesintohislessons.Healsoslowedhisteachingpaceandaskedfrequentquestionstoensureeveryoneunderstoodthematerials.Afteryearsofdedicatedteaching,hehasachievedremarkableresults.By2017,thevillagershadcometofullyappreciatethevalueofliteracyandbeganactivelyseekingtolearn.Theystartedaskingtoattendmyclassesontheirown,Tho?isharedproudly.Overhis21-yearcareer,hehastaughtstudentsofallages,fromtheelderlytoyoungchildren.Manyhavebecomeadvocatesforeducationwithintheircommunity,passingontheirknowledgetoothers.OnesuchstudentisGiàngP?Dê,whogrewupinapoorfamilyandwasunabletoattendschool.Tho?iwasimpressedbyhereagernesstolearnwhenshefirstcametohisclass.Aftercompletingtheliteracycourses,shebecamealeaderinhervillageandwaselectedheadoftheWomensUnion.IwashesitanttogotoschoolbecauseIfeltembarrassedlearningtoreadandwriteasanadult,saidGiangTh?M?,anotherTho?isformerstudent.Buthispatienceandwordsofencouragementhavechangedmymind.Sheexplainedthatlearningtoreadandwritehassignificantlyimprovedherlife,enablinghertoaccessinformationandimproveherfarmingpractices.Now,Icanusemyphone,accessinformationaboutfarmingtechniques,andcontributemoretomycommunity.IoweitalltoTho?i,shesaid.Inadditiontoliteracyclasses,Tho?ihasbeeninstrumentalinchallengingdeeplyrootedharmfulpracticessuchasearlymarriage.Byeducatingthecommunityaboutitslegalimplicationsandnegativeconsequences,hehashelpedtobringaboutpositivesocialchangesandpromotegenderequality.Inrecognitionofhisexceptionalcontributionstoeducation,thepatrolborderofficerhasbeenhonouredasoneofthe60outstandingteachersintheSharingwithTeachersprogramme,ajointinitiativeoftheCentralYouthUnionofVi?tNam,theMinistryofEducationandTrainingandThiênLongGroup.—VNS
AYak-130duringatrainingmission.—Photocand.com.vnBìNH??NH—Authoritieshaveestablishedcontactwithbothofthetwopilotsinvolvedinamilitaryaircraftcrash,whichoccurredduringatrainingflightoverTayXuanCommuneinthesouthcentralprovinceofQu?ngBìnhsTayS?nDistrictonNovember6.AccordingtotheMinistryofNationalDefence,ataround6:45pm,rescueteamsreceivedinformationviaamobilephoneofColonelNguy?nV?nS?n,CommanderofAirForceRegiment940.Earlier,atapproximately4:30pm,SeniorLieutenantColonelNguy?nH?ngQuan,thechiefflightinstructorfromthesameregiment,hadcontactedhisunitusinghismobilephone.Hereportedthathewasonamountainpeak,thoughtheexactlocationwasunclearduetoweakmobilesignals,andconfirmedhewasingoodhealth.Currently,thesearchandrescueteamsareemployingadvancedtechnologytolocatebothpilotsandexpeditetherescueefforts.TheYak-130militaryaircrafttookofffromPhùCátairportat9:55amforalong-distanceandcloud-crossingtrainingsession.Theaccidenthappenedwhentheytriedtolandasthelandinggearcouldnotbereleasedandtheiremergencymeasuresdidnotwork.Theywereabletoparachutefromtheplaneat10:51amatTB2shootingrangeinTayS?nDistrict.—VNS
BorderguardforcesandthecustomsdepartmentofthecentralNgh?AnProvincecaughtthegroupastheytravelledthroughN?mC?nInternationalBorderGateonMonday.—VNA/VNSPhotoNGH?AN—Fiveforeignersand70kgofketaminewereseizedinajointoperationbetweenNgh?AnProvincesborderguardforcesandcustomsdepartment.ThefiveallegedmembersofthedrugtraffickingringweretransportingillegalnarcoticsfromLaosthroughVi?tNamattheN?mC?nInternationalBorderGateataround2.30pmonMonday,whentheywerecaughtbythelocalauthorities.TheyareLasengthongYotdaling,32,DalavongKinnaveth,28,ChotthvongKhat,24,ChanthavongHongfa,22andPhabouMisouda,19-allofLaonationality.TheirLao-registeredcarwasseizedalongwith70kgofketaminereportedlydisguisedasteapackagesandhiddeninvariouspartsofthevehicle,includinginthefueltankandundertheseats.ThefiveLaonationalsandevidencefromthecasehavebeenhandedovertotheborderguardsforfurtherinvestigation.—VNSInternationalandVietnamesestudentsatT?n??cTh?ngUniversity.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I-Overrecentyears,thenumberofinternationalstudentsstudyingatVietnameseuniversitieshassteadilyincreased,reflectingagrowingrecognitionofVietnamshighereducationquality.Thisriseisattributedtouniversitiesfocusingonqualityassurance.AccordingtotheMinistryofEducationandTraining(MoET)sInternationalCooperationDepartment,therewereapproximately22,000internationalstudentsinVietnameseinstitutions,withnearly4,000studyingunderbilateralagreementsandtheremainderonaself-fundedbasisorthroughuniversity-specificpartnerships,forthe2023-2024academicyear.Vietnameseuniversitiesareactivelypromotingstudentexchangeandfull-timeenrollmentoptionsforinternationalstudents,withnotablegrowthatseveralinstitutions.TheInternationalUniversityundertheVietnamNationalUniversity-H?ChíMinhCity(VNU-HCMC)hasnearlydoubleditsinternationalexchangestudentsoverthelastfiveyears,primarilyinBusinessAdministration,Biotechnology,BiomedicalEngineering,andInformationTechnology.Currently,612internationalstudentsareenrolledinbothfull-timeandexchangeprogrammes,with52full-timestudentsregisteredforthefirstsemesterof2024-2025.Alongsideacademics,theuniversityorganisesculturalandacademicexchangeevents.TheT?n??cTh?ngUniversityhasenrolledaround10,000internationalstudentsforstudies,internships,andculturalexchangesinthepastfiveyears.For2023-2024,itattracted2,065internationalstudents,withover400enrolledinfull-timeprogrammesindiversefields.ThesestudentscamefromcountriesacrossAsia,suchasLaos,Myanmar,Cambodia,Thailand,Indonesia,thePhilippines,India,andtheRepublicofKorea(RoK).TheMoETemphasisesthattheseexchangesfosterculturalties,academiccooperation,andstrongerinternationalrelationships.Currently,self-fundedinternationalstudentscompriseasubstantialproportionofinternationalenrolleesatprominentinstitutions.Nguy?nTh?BíchNg?c,HeadofCommunicationsattheVNU-HCMCsInternationalUniversity,acknowledgedthatitsstatusasapublicinstitutionteachingentirelyinEnglishhascontributedtoitsbroadappealamonginternationalstudents,supportingitsroleinintegratingVietnameseeducationwithglobalstandardsandfosteringamulticulturalacademicenvironment.VNS
AmanlivingwithHIVreceivesadviceontakingantiviraldrugsbydoctorsfromthe??kL?kProvinceCentreforDiseaseControl.VNA/VNSPhotoNguyênDungKhánhD??ngHàN?I—Theincreasinguseofstimulantdrugsamongmenwhohavesexwithmen(MSM)maybecontributingtomorenewHIVinfectionswithinthispopulation,whichaccountsforthebiggestshareofnewHIVinfectionsinVi?tNam,healthcareexpertshavewarned.WhilethepublichealthsectorfindsithardtoaccessMSMengaginginsexualiseddruguse(usuallyreferredtoaschemsex),community-basedorganisationshavedemonstratedtheirroleasextendedarmsofthepublichealthcaresectorinprovidingcareandcounsellingtolimitchemsexandminimiseHIVinfection.DrNguy?nTh?MinhTam,headofthePreventionDepartmentattheVi?tNamAdministrationofHIV/AIDSControl(VAAC)undertheMinistryofHealth,saidthepatternofHIVinfectioninVi?tNamhasshiftedfromtransmissionthroughbloodindruginjectionstosexualcontact,especiallyamongMSMandtransgenderwomen.Therearenow267,391peoplelivingwithHIVinVi?tNam,followingthediscoveryofthefirstcaseofHIVinfectioninHCMCityin1990.AccordingtonationalHIVsentinelsurveillancedata,HIVprevalenceamongMSMhasgrownrapidly,from7.4percentin2016to12.5percentin2022.MSMareexpectedtobetheprimaryriskgroupforVi?tNamsHIVepidemic.Over40percentoftotalnewHIVinfectionseveryyearinVi?tNamareamongMSM.Tamsaid:InVi?tNam,druguseandHIVinfectionarelinkedtogether.ThisissuchaconcerningissuethatstimulantdruguseamongMSMhassignificantlyimpactedthecountryseffortstopreventandcontrolHIV/AIDS.ArapidHIVtestingserviceprovidedbyasocialenterpriseinVi?tNamforpeopleatriskofHIVinfection.Photobaotintuc.vnIn2020,LighthouseSocialEnterpriseconductedresearchonsexualrisksamongVi?tNamsMSMusingamphetamine-typestimulantsinsexualcontexts.Itinterviewed269VietnameseMSMaged18orolder,andfoundthattheparticipantsstartedengaginginchemsexatamedianageof20yearsold.Amajorityofinterviewparticipants--71percent--donotalwaysusecondomsandlubricantsinchemsexsessions,and5percentneverusetheseprotectivemeasures.Thesefiguresarealarming,sincejust11percentofstudyparticipantsknewtheHIV/sexuallytransmittedinfectionstatusofalloftheirsexualpartnersinchemsexsessions.Meanwhile,34percentknewthestatusofafewoftheirpartners,and31percentdidnotknowanything.AssociateProfessor??V?nD?ng,directoroftheHIV-AddictionTechnologyTransferCentreundertheHCMCityUniversityofMedicineandPharmacy,saidstimulantdruguseappearedtoraisetheriskofHIVinfection.GroupsthatparticipateinchemsexwereevenmoresusceptibletoHIVtransmission,hesaid.Chemsexencourageshavingsexwithmultiplepartnerswithouttakingprecautions.ManyMSMshareneedles,forgettousecondomsandforgettotakeotherHIVpreventivemeasureslikepre-exposureprophylaxis(PreP),henoted.InadditiontotheriskofHIVinfection,chemsexposesamentalhealthrisk,includingariskofanxietydisorders,lossofappetite,stressanddepression,aswellastheriskoftoxicityandoverdoseduetodruguse,withsomedrugusersexperiencingmentaldisordersandevendeath,accordingtoD?ng.ArmswideopenTheLighthousesresearchpointedoutthatMSMwhoengageinchemsexaremoreanxiouswhenaccessingharmreductionservices.Morethan90percentofthosewhoengageinchemsexworryaboutbeingjudgedorpoorlytreatedbyhealthcareproviders,includingfearsoftheprovidersdisclosingtheirinformation.Asavulnerablegroup,theyseemtobelieveintheircommunitymorethanhealthprovidersorexperts,accordingtothereport.Community-basedorganisationsareactuallyconsideredthemosttrustworthybyMSM.Theyhaveshownthemselvestobeapowerfulforceinpromotingbothsexualandmentalwellness.B?o?n,directoroftheCentreforAppliedResearchonMenandCommunityHealth,saidMSMsreadinessforpsychologicalcounsellingwasthemostimportantfactor.ForcustomersusingPrEPwhofacepsychologicalproblems,organisationscouldremindthemaboutmedicationadherenceandsafetymeasuresuntiltheyaremorereadyforpsychologicalcounselling,hesaid.Therootreasonforstimulantdrugusemaybeginasacopingsolutionforstressorloneliness,oritmaybeinfluencedbysocialstigmaatwork,schoolorotherenvironments.Thesemenmayhavetrouble‘comingout.Somepeopleexperiencepsychologicalpainasaresultofdisclosingtheirsexualorientationandturntodrugsasadifferentkindofcoping,hetoldVi?tNamNews.Managingstimulantdruguse,reducingfrequencyorstoppingdruguserequirestimeandresourcestoaddresstheseunderlyingcauses.Itcannotbedoneinashorttimeandrequiresacertainamountoffinancialresourcesfortreatmentbothphysicallyandpsychologically,accordingto?n.Nguy?nMinhTrang,programmemanagerofHarmReductionandAddictionTreatmentunderthenon-profitorganisationSupportingCommunityDevelopmentInitiatives(SCDI),saidherorganisationhadchosenapeer-ledapproachthatisessentialforbuildingtrustamongchemsexshard-to-reachpopulations.Weworkwithyoungpeoplewhousemethamphetamine(meth).Werealisedthattheyoungpeoplewhousemethrequiredifferentthingsfrompeopleinjectingheroin,shesaid.Theydontgotomethclinics.Theydontgotoneedleexchangeprogrammes.Theyneedcounsellingandmentalhealthsupport.Theyneedtobelistenedtoabouttheiradversechildhoodexperiences,thereasonswhytheystartedusingdrugstobeginwith,andtheirrelationshipswithpeopleintheirlife,shenoted.TheSCDIhasdesignedaninterventionpackageprovidedbythecommunityforMSMengaginginchemsex.Thepackageincludespre-session,during-sessionandpost-sessionsupport.Trangsaid:Mentalhealthsupportisextremelyimportanttopeopleengaginginchemsex.Thatsupportcanonlybedeliveredbythecommunityitself,andnothealthexperts,becausepeoplearenotopentosharingtheirexperienceswithanyonetheydonttrust.ChallengespersistTrangsaidpersistentsocialstigmaaroundchemsexlimitedcommunity-basedorganisationsoutreachtoMSMengaginginthepractice.Talkingaboutsexistabooinourculture.Itshardforpeopleinourcommunitytotalkaboutdruguse,becauseitisstillprohibitedinVi?tNamandmanycountriesinAsia,shesaid.Otherchallengescamefromconnectingtoharmreductionservices.Mental,physicalandsexualhealthservicesshouldbefriendlyenoughforpeopletoreachandavailableforthecommunitytoaccess,shesaid.Representativesfromcommunity-basedorganisationsalsosuggestedthatVi?tNamneededtocreateasupportiveenvironmentforaccessingharmreductionservices.—VNSDoctorsandnursesattheAgriculturalHospitalregisterasposthumousorgandonors.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–Vi?tNamhasestablisheditselfastheleadingnationinSoutheastAsiafororgantransplants,performingover1,000procedureseachyearforthepasttwoyears.Nguy?nTh?KimTi?n,formerMinisterofHealthandcurrentPresidentoftheVi?tNamTissueandOrganDonationAdvocacyAssociation,sharedthesefiguresduringthelaunchofanorgandonationregistrationprogrammeattheAgriculturalHospitalinHàN?ionTuesday.Ti?ncommendedthenationssignificantadvancementsinmedicalexpertiseandtransplanttechniques,markingoverthreedecadesofperformingcomplexsurgeries,includingkidney,liver,heart,lung,pancreas,andcornealtransplants.ThisaccomplishmentreflectsVi?tNamsremarkableprogressandplacesusonparwithotherregionalleadersinorgantransplantation,shestated.Currently,Vi?tNamboasts26transplantcentresthatarewell-equippedwithmoderntechnologyandskilledpersonnel.However,achallengeremains:96percentoforgandonationscomefromlivingdonors,withdonationsfrombrain-deaddonorscomprisingjust4percent,insufficienttomeetthegrowingdemandfortransplants.StatisticsfromtheVi?tNamTissueandOrganDonationAdvocacyAssociationindicatethatapproximately100,000individualshaveregisteredforposthumousorgandonation,yettensofthousandsarestillwaitingfortransplants.Thescarcityofavailableorgansleadstodozensofpatientdeathsdaily.Annually,around300brain-deadpatientscouldprovideover6,000organsandtissues,yetmanyarenotutilised.DrLêV?n,headoftheorgandonationbranchattheAgriculturalHospital,reportedreceivingnumerousorgandonationoffersfromfamiliesofbrain-deadpatientseagertoaidmedicalneeds.Notably,outofthehospitals700staffmembers,200havepledgedtodonatetheirorgansafterdeath.Lookingforward,theAgriculturalHospitalsorgandonationbranchaimstoenhancetrainingandinfrastructuretosupportorgantransplantoperationswithinthecomingyears,startingwithkidneytransplants.–VNS
ApatientwithdenguefeverbeingtreatedatBàR?aHospitalinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvince.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–TheMinistryofHealth(MoH)isconsideringproposingincludingadenguevaccineintheexpandedimmunisationprogramme,offeringitfreeofchargetothepublic.AccordingtostatisticsfromtheministrysDepartmentofPreventiveMedicine,asoftheendofSeptember2024,approximately80,000casesofdenguefeverand12deathshavebeenrecordednationwide,representinga15.5percentdecreaseincasesand14fewerdeathscomparedtothesameperiodin2023.Vi?tNamcurrentlyhasallfourdenguevirustypescirculating,withDENV-1andDENV-2beingthemostprevalent.In2023,DENV-2accountedfor88percentofcases,in2024,DENV-2accountedforabout70percentofthosefallingill.TheDENV-2typeisoftenassociatedwithseverecasesofdengueandoutbreaks,beingamajorcauseofdengue-relateddeaths.Healthexpertsnotethatapersoncancontractdenguemultipletimesintheirlife,withdifferentvirustypesandthattheriskofseveresymptomsmaybehigheruponsubsequentinfections.InVi?tNam,adenguepreventionvaccinehasbeenresearchedanddevelopedtohelppreventthedisease.Currently,theQdengadenguevaccineislicensedfordistributionunderDecision308/Q?-QLDdated14May2024bytheDrugAdministrationofVi?tNamandisavailableasapaidservice.Somedomesticandinternationalresearchondenguevaccinesisalsoongoing,aimingtoprovideadditionalpreventionoptionsforthepublic.Thedenguevaccineisanewtoolinprevention,aimingtoreducecasesandlimitseverecasesrequiringhospitalisationorresultingindeath,contributingtotheoverarchinggoalofprotecting,caringforandimprovingpublichealth.TheDepartmentofPreventiveMedicinesaidthatincorporatingthedenguevaccineintotheexpandedimmunisationprogrammemustfollowtheLawonInfectiousDiseasePreventionandControl,whichrequiresaddingthevaccine-preventableinfectiousdiseasetotheimmunisationprogrammeandensuringfreeaccessforthepublic.Additionally,includingitintheexpandedimmunisationprogrammewillrequireevaluatingthediseaseburden,safety,immuneefficacy,publicacceptanceandcost-effectivenessofthedenguevaccine.MoHisworkingwithagenciestoevaluatethesefactors,afterwhichitwillsubmitaproposaltothegovernmentifsuitable,aimingtoofferthevaccinefreeofcharge.Accordingtoepidemiologists,inthepast,dengueoutbreaksinVi?tNamtypicallypeakedduringtherainyseason,fromJunetoNovembereachyear.However,healthfacilitieshaverecentlyrecordeddenguecasesthroughouttheyear,includinglife-threateningcases.Moreover,whileoutbreakspreviouslyconcentratedinthecentralandsouthernregions,dengueisnowincreasinglybeingreportedinthenorthernregions.Thissituationindicatestheneedtoincreaseresourcesandintroduceproactivedenguepreventionmeasures,suchasvaccinationwhenavaccineisavailable.TheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)estimatesthataroundfourbillionpeopleworldwideareatriskofcontractingarboviruses(virusestransmittedthrougharthropods)andthisfigureisexpectedtorisetofivebillionby2050.DenguecaseshavesurgedacrossallsixWHOregions,withcasesdoublingeachyearsince2021.AsoftheendofAugust2024,therewereover12.3millioncasesworldwide,nearlydoublethe6.5millioncasesreportedforallof2023.Denguefeverisendemicintropicalandsubtropicalclimates,particularlyinSoutheastAsia,theWesternPacific,theAmericasandincreasinglyinAfrica.Therefore,WHOhaslaunchedtheGlobalArbovirusPreparednessandResponsePlan(SPRP)toaddressdenguefeverandotherarbovirusdiseasestransmittedbyAedesmosquitoes.Bypromotingacoordinatedglobalresponse,theplanaimstoreducetheburdenofillnessandmortalityfromdengueandotherarbovirusdiseases,suchasZikaandChikungunya,whicharealsotransmittedbyAedesmosquitoes.VNSAnelderlywomanhasherblooddrawnfortestingatahospitalinHCMCity,whichaimstoincreasethelifeexpectancyofitsresidentsto77yearsby2030,withahealthylifespanofatleast68years.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—HCMCityplanstoestablishitselfintoahealthcarehubwithintheASEANregionby2030,withafocusonenhancingmedicalservicesandimprovinghealth.Theproject,titledDevelopingtheHCMCityHealthcareSystemintotheASEANHealthcareCentreby2030andBeyond,hasbeenapprovedbythePeoplesCommittee.Theprojectisexpectedtoyieldsubstantialsocio-economicbenefits,contributingtoimprovementsinhealth,well-being,longevity,andoverallqualityoflifeforresidents.Undertheinitiative,thecityaimstoachieveahealthcareworkforcedensityof23physiciansand40nursesper10,000residentsby2030.Keyobjectivesincludeproviding42hospitalbedsforevery10,000individualsandmaintainingatotalfertilityrateof1.6.Everyresidentwillundergoanannualhealthassessmentanddiseasescreening,supportedbytheestablishmentofelectronichealthrecordsforallindividuals.Theinitiativeaimstoenhancehealthcareinfrastructurethroughurbanplanning,establishqualitytrainingformedicalpersonnel,createaspecialisedmedicalindustrialpark,andpromotemodernmedicaltechniques.Italsoseekstobuildacomprehensivecarenetwork,boostmedicaltourism,andfosterhealthcareresearchanddevelopment.TheestablishmentofspecialisedmedicalcentresisexpectedtomakeHCMCityaleadingdestinationfordomesticandregionalmedicalcare.Inaddition,theASEANhealthcarecentrewillimprovelocalhealthcarecapacityinthesouthernregion,relievingpressureontertiaryhospitalsandenhancingservicequality.Undertheproject,itaimstoincreasethelifeexpectancyofitsresidentsto77yearsby2030,withahealthylifespanofatleast68years.Thetotalfertilityrateisprojectedtostabiliseat1.6childrenperwomanofchildbearingage.ApatientreceivestreatmentatahospitalinHCMCity.ThenationslargestcityplanstobecomeacentralhealthcarehubintheASEANregionby2030.—VNA/VNSPhotoCurrently,thenumberofhospitalbedsper10,000residentsinthecityremainssignificantlylowerthaninseveraladvancedcountriesworldwide.Atrendofresidentsoptingforhospitaltreatmentiscausingovercrowdingintertiaryhospitals,limitingtheirabilitytodevelopspecialisedmedicaltechniques.Thecityiscurrentlyhometo131hospitals,fivebedlessmedicalcentres,310grassrootshealthfacilities,over8,000privateclinics,andmorethan10,000pharmaceuticalenterprises.Theout-of-hospitalemergencycaresystemincludes115EmergencyCentresand42satellitestations.Thecitycurrentlylackscertainhealthcareservicemodels,suchasadvancedtechnology-basedearlydiseasescreeningcentresandfacilitiesdedicatedtoeldercare.Thecityhasyettofullycultivateitspharmaceuticalandbiomedicalindustries.Effortstowarddigitaltransformation,theapplicationofartificialintelligence,andtheimplementationofelectronicmedicalrecordsarestillconstrainedincertainhealthcarefacilities.Despiteongoingeffortstoenhancethehealthcaresystem,thecurrentprovisionofonly42hospitalbedsper10,000inhabitantsisconsiderablylowerthanthatofcountriessuchasJapan,whichboasts131beds,Germanywith82,andSouthKoreawith71.Severalhospitalsareexperiencingsignificantdeteriorationandovercrowding,includingtheOrthopedicandRehabilitationHospital,thePsychiatricHospital,andtheTropicalDiseasesHospital.Theintegrationofinformationtechnologyandnewtechnologieswithinhealthcarefacilitiesremainsinconsistentandlimited.—VNS