Little Tokyo Wishing Tree Wishes Removed from Japanese Village Plaza
PartyGeneralSecretaryandStatePresidentT?LamattheceremonyonSaturday.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—PartyGeneralSecretaryandStatePresidentT?LamonOctober12visitedtheVi?tNamNationalUniversityofAgriculture(VNUA)andattendedaceremonytoopenthe2024-25academicyearoftheschoolandinaugurateaprojecttoenhancetrainingandscienceandtechnologycapacityusingODAcapitalfromtheWorldBank.Addressingtheevent,LamemphasisedthattheVietnamesePartyandStatehadalwaysplacedspecialimportanceonagriculturaldevelopment.Notably,overthepastnearly40yearsofrenewal,Vi?tNamsagriculturehadseensignificantgrowthinbothscaleandproductionlevels,affirmingitscrucialroleasapillaroftheeconomy.Thesectornotonlyensurednationalfoodsecuritybutalsoexportedleadingagriculturalproductstoothercountries,withmanyofthemcontributingtoVi?tNamsreputationontheinternationalstage.HerequestedtheagriculturalsectoringeneralandtheVNUAinparticulartoclearlyidentifytheirrolesandresponsibilitiesinordertocontinuallyinnovateandstrivetoadvancerobustlytokeeppacewiththetimes,thuscontributingtothebuildingofaprosperous,civilised,andhappynation.Researchattheuniversityshouldcontributetothegoalofbuildingecologicalagriculture,modernruralareas,andcivilisedfarmers;andfocusondevelopingsmartagriculturethatadaptstoclimatechange,promotesgreengrowth,andachieveshighaddedvalue,comparabletoadvancedcountriesaroundtheworld,Lamstressed.ThetopleaderurgedtheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentandtheMinistryofScienceandTechnologytocreatethebestconditionsfortheuniversitytoactivelyparticipateinscientificandtechnologicalprogrammes,firstlythoseinvolvedinnew-styleruralareabuilding,climatechangeadaptation,andlowemissions.HeexpressedhisbeliefthattheVNUA,withits68-yeartradition,wouldcontinuetoachieveevenmoreoutstandingaccomplishments,andinnovateitselftodeservealeadingcentrefortraining,scientificresearch,andstartupinVi?tNam,andcontributemoretothedevelopmentofVi?tNamsagricultureduringthisrobustdigitaltransformation,andeffectivelyservethecountrysindustrialisationandmodernisationefforts.EstablishedonOctober12,1956,theVNUAiscurrentlytrainingover26,000students.Ithasengagedincooperativerelationswitharound120universitiesandresearchinstitutesin25countriesaroundtheworld.—VNS
HundredsoffishingraftsandboatsbelongingtofishermeninDi?nKimCommune(Di?nChauDistrict,Ngh?AnProvince)werepulledashoreandsecurelytiedunderthecasuarinaforest.VNA/VNSPhotoXuanTi?nNGH?ANTyphoonTrami,thesixthstormoftheseasoninVi?tNam,isapproachingthecentralprovinces,promptingseveralprovincestoissuebansoncoastalactivities,andimplementflexiblestrategiestominimisedamagetolivesandproperty.InDi?nChaudistrict,oneoffivecoastaldistrictsinNgh?AnProvince,wheremorethan1,000boatsandraftsarepresentwithover500dedicatedtooffshorefishing,fishermenhaveproactivelytakenprecautionarymeasures.Fortwodays,fromOctober23to24,alargenumberofvesselshavedockedattheportsofDi?nKim,Di?nTh?y,andL?chV?n.AsofOctober23,mostlargeoffshorefishingvesselshavesuspendedoperations.PhanXuanVinh,ViceChairmanofDi?nChausPeoplesCommittee,notedthatthedistricthasissuedurgentnotificationstolocalauthorities,requiringthemtocloselymonitorthestormsprogress,keepshipownersinformed,andprepareemergencyresponseteamsforrescueoperationsasneeded.InQu?ngBình,onSaturdayauthoritiesannouncedabanonallcoastalactivitiesfrommidnightonOctober27untilthestormpassesandtheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecastingissuesnofurtherstorm-relatedwarnings.Relevantauthoritieshavebeeninstructedtomaintainstrictmonitoringofthesituationandensurethatnooneunderestimatesthestormsrisks.Qu?ngBìnhsBorderGuardCommand,DepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,andcoastalauthoritiesareactivelyreviewingandinformingshipownersandcaptainsaboutthestormspathandpotentialhazards.Measuresareinplacetosafeguardtourismactivities,aquaculture,andfishingoperationsalongcoastalandriverareas,includingtheevacuationofaquacultureworkersfromraftstosafeareas.InQu?ngTr?,theProvincesChairmanonSaturdayissueddirectivesforallcoastaldistrictsandC?nC?IslandtoworkwiththeBorderGuardandMaritimeAuthoritytoensurethesafereturnofallfishingvessels.Additionalmeasuresincludeclosemonitoringofareasatriskofflooding,landslides,andstrongwaves,alongwithincreasedforecastingeffortstokeeplocalauthoritiesinformed.TheprovinceofQu?ngNamimposedacoastalbanforallfishing,passenger,andtouristboatsstartingat10am.Thebanwillremainuntilconditionsreturntonormal.Authoritieshavebeentaskedwithpreparingon-siteemergencyresourcesandreviewingsafetyprotocolsfordamsandreservoirs.TheprovincialMeteorologicalandHydrologicalStationisresponsibleforissuingregularforecastsandmonitoringriverlevelstoaidinfloodmanagement.Relevantdepartmentsareoverseeingmineextractionandpowergridoperationstopreventstorm-relatedhazards.ThePhúYênProvincialSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPreventionandSearchandRescuehasinstructedlocalauthoritiestobefullypreparedunderthefouron-the-spotprinciple,ensuringsufficientpersonnel,resources,equipment,andprovisions.Theprovincehasnearly2,000fishingvessels,withcloseto300currentlyoperatingatsea,andallvesselownershavebeeninformedofthestormspath.AccordingtoNguy?nTr?ngTùng,DeputyHeadofPhúYênsDisasterResponseCommittee,proactivemeasureswillbetakentopreventfishingduringstormimpact.Reservoirmanagersareinstructedtocloselymonitorinflowlevels,adjustwaterretention,andensuresafetydownstream.InNinhThu?n,officialsarecloselycoordinatingwithlocalagenciestoregularlyupdateresidentsonthestormsprogress.Localauthoritiesareactivelymonitoringfishingvesselmovementstopreventthemfromenteringdangerzones.TheprovincialDepartmentofFisheriesconfirmsthatallvesselsfromNinhThu?narecurrentlyfishinginsouthernwaters,andcommunicationsareongoingtoensuresafeshelter.Authoritiesarealsooverseeingaquaculture,livestock,andcropprotection,andreservoiroperations.Precautionsarebeingtakentoensuresafeevacuationofresidentsfromvulnerableareas,particularlyalongthecoast,rivers,andlow-lyingregionsathighriskofstormsurgeandflooding.FishingboatsoffishermenfromDi?nNg?cCommune(Di?nChauDistrict,Ngh?AnProvince)aredockingamidstrongwindsandhighwaves.VNA/VNSPhotoXuanTi?nTramitobringstrongwinds:NCHMFMaiV?nKhiêm,DirectoroftheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting,hasreportedthatTyphoonTrami,characterisedbyawidecirculationareaandunpredictablepath,ispoisedtobringseverewinds,highwaves,potentialseasurges,flashfloods,landslides,andfloodinginmountainousandlow-lyingareasfromHàT?nhtoBình??nhandNorthernCentralHighlandsurbanareas.Asof10amonOctober26,apowerfulstormwaslocatednortheastoftheHoàngSaarchipelago,approximately510kmeast-northeastof?àN?ng,withwindsreachinglevel11(103-117kph)andgustsuptolevel14.Thestormismovingwest-southwestatroughly20kph.Overthefollowingdays,thestormisexpectedtotrackwest-southwest,approachingCentralVi?tNamsoffshorewatersbyOctober27withsustainedwindsatlevel10-11andguststolevel14.ForecastsindicateashiftfirsttoasouthwestandthentoaneastwarddirectionalongCentralVi?tNamscoastthroughOctober29,withagradualdecreaseinwindintensity,reachinglevel8,gustingtolevel10.Disasterriskremainsatlevel3foraffectedareasthroughoutthisperiod.Duetothestormsimpact,thenorthwesternEastSeaareawillexperiencestrongwindsoflevel8–9,andnearthestormscentre,windsmayreachlevel10–11(89–117km/h),gustingtolevel14,withwavesof5–7mandupto7–9mnearthecentre.Theseawillbeseverelyrough.FromQu?ngBìnhtoQu?ngNg?i,includingC?nC?,CùLaoChàm,andLyS?nislands,windswillreachlevel6–7,increasingtolevel8–9,andnearthestormscentre,level10–11,gustingtolevel14,withwavesof3–5mandupto5–7mnearthecentre,causingsevereroughseas.FromthemorningofOctober27,coastalareasfromQu?ngBìnhtoQu?ngNammayexperiencestormsurgesfrom0.4to0.6m.Boatsinthesedangerousareas(especiallyaroundtheHoàngSaarchipelago)andcoastalareasfromQu?ngBìnhtoQu?ngNg?iarelikelytobeaffectedbythunderstorms,whirlwinds,strongwinds,andlargewaves.Manyboatshaveproactivelydockedat??ngH?iFishingPort(PhanRang-ThápChàmCity)totakeshelterfromthestorm.VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngTh?ThereisahighriskofcoastalembankmentanddykeerosionfromQu?ngTr?toQu?ngNamduetolargewavesandstormsurges.FromthemorningofOctober27,coastalareasfromQu?ngBìnhtoQu?ngNg?iwillseewindsintensifyingtolevel6–7,withareasnearthestormscentrereachinglevel8–9,gustingtolevel11.FromlateafternoonandeveningofOctober26tothenightofOctober28,Qu?ngBìnhtoQu?ngNg?iwillexperienceheavytoveryheavyrainfall,totalling300–500mmandlocallyover700mm.Thereisawarningofheavyrainfallwithamountsexceeding100mmover3hoursinsomeareas.HàT?nh,Bình??nh,andthenorthernCentralHighlandswillexperienceheavyrain,withsomeareasseeingtotalsof100–200mmandlocallyover300mm.VNSSpeakersattheReducingEmissionsfromTransportationandGreenEnergyTransitionTowardsEnvironmentalProtectiontable.Photokinhtedothi.vnHCMCITYElectricandclean-fuelvehiclesarebecomingmoreattractivetoconsumersfortheirenvironmentalbenefits,accordingtogreenenergyexpertsinaconferenceheldinH?ChíMinhCityonThursday.TakingplaceduringtheannualVietnamMotorShow,theforum,titled,ReducingEmissionsfromTransportationandGreenEnergyTransitionTowardsEnvironmentalProtectionbroughttogetherexpertsandpioneeringcompaniesinthegreenvehicleandrenewableenergysectors.Expertshighlightedthatelectricvehiclesarecurrentlythemosttalked-aboutgreenenergyvehicles.Vehicles,whichuseelectricitytopartiallyorfullyreplacetheroleofinternalcombustionengines,fallintotwomaincategories:hybridandfullyelectric.Hybridvehiclescombineinternalcombustionengineswithelectricmotorsanddifferentmanufacturersvarythepowerratiobetweenthesecomponentsbasedonvehicledesign.Thebatteryofahybridvehiclecanbechargedexternally(plug-inhybridelectricvehicles-PHEV)orbyrecoveringthevehicleskineticenergy.Fullyelectricvehicles(EVs),ontheotherhand,entirelyeliminateinternalcombustionengines,featuringanelectricmotorandahigh-capacitybatterylocatedbeneaththevehiclesfloor.Withzeroemissions,fullyelectricvehiclesareanidealsolutionforreducingairpollution.ThistrendofgoinggreenintermsoftransportisbecomingmorevisibleinVi?tNam,ashybridandfullyelectricvehiclesareincreasinglypopularacrossvariousbrands,frommainstreamtoluxury.InVi?tNam,fullyelectricvehiclesbenefitfromaspecialconsumptiontaxof3percent,whilePHEVsaretaxedat70percent,withnospecifictaxincentivesforregularhybrids.Alongsideelectrification,usingstandardisedfuelswithlowpollutantcontentcanalsohelpreduceharmfulemissions.SpecialistsattheconferencenotedthatVi?tNamselectricvehiclemarketisadvancing,supportedbygovernmentpoliciesandagrowingdemandforeco-friendlytransportation.Despitethisprogress,theelectricvehicletransitionfacessignificantchallenges,particularlyintermsofinfrastructure,suchaschargingstations,whicharestillinsufficientfortheneedsofelectricvehicleusers.Theyagreedthatrobustinvestmentsininfrastructureareessential.Inaddition,Euro5fuelplaysacrucialroleinreducingairpollutionandimprovingqualityoflife.Thisfuelstandardhelpsdecreasetoxicemissionsfromtraditionalvehicleswhileaidingtheshifttowardselectricvehicles.Italsoenhancesengineefficiency,lowersfuelconsumptionandextendsavehicleslifespan.VNS
AfterTyphoonYagi,about6milliontonnesofflammabledeadleavesandbrokenbranchesremainontheforestfloor,posingahighriskoffiresduringthedryseason.VNA/VNSPhotosThanhVanByV?n??cThanhVanMorethanamonthhaspassedsinceTyphoonYagisweptthroughthenorthernregion,yetforestersinQu?ngNinhProvincearestillreelingfromitsdevastatingeffects.Vastareasofdamaged,dyingforests,largepilesofunusabletimber,andashortageofseedlingsneededforrecoveryremainpressingchallenges.Theurgenttaskofrevivingtheseforestshasbecomecriticalfortheprovince.InjustfourhoursonSeptember7,Yagidestroyedover119,000hectaresofforestsintheprovince,causingnearlyVN?6.5trillion(US$256.8million)ineconomiclossesrelatedtoforestry.TravellingalongRoad234,NationalHighway279,andHighway18,fromH?LongCitytoVan??n,TiênYên,BaCh?,andBìnhLiêudistricts,onecanseenothingbutbarren,witheredtrees.AccordingtoQu?ngNinhsForestryDepartment,over119,000hectaresofforesthadbeenaffectedbytheendofSeptember,includingmorethan112,400haofplantedforestsandover6,600haofnaturalforests.Atotalof22,390householdsinvolvedinforestrysufferedlosses,includingthosewhowereallocatedforestlandorcontractedtoplantlumbertreesforlocalforestrycompanies.H?LongCitywasthehardesthit,withdamageestimatedatVN?1.15trillion($45.4million).Mostofthedamageoccurredtoplantedforests,withmorethan22,800outof37,000hadestroyed,resultinginlossesofapproximately$45million.Special-useforestssuffered50haofdamage,valuedatabout$593,000.ThelushgreenforestsinthenortherncoastalprovinceofQu?ngNinhweredevastatedinjustfourhoursafterTyphoonYagimadelandfallinVi?tNaminearlySeptember.BurdenedwithdebtTheimmensedestructionleftdozensofforestersindebtandatriskoffallingbackintopoverty.TrinhH?ngQuy?t,63,inKhe??ngVillageinTanDanCommune,H?LongCity,isoneofthoseaffected.Hisfamilyownsaround30haofforest,14ofwhichareplantedwithacaciaandeucalyptustreesagedtwotothreeyears.Justastheywerepreparingforharvest,TyphoonYagihit,leavingbehindpilesofuprootedtrees.Itisextremelydifficulttofindworkerstocleartheland,aseveryoneisbusycleaninguptheirownforests,Quy?tsaid.ThedailywageforforestworkershasrisenfromVN?200,000tobetweenVN?300,000-350,000,andyetitsstillhardtofindhelp.AccordingtoQuy?tclearingfallentreesismuchmorechallengingthanregularlogging.Tomakemattersworse,thepriceforsalvagedtimberislow,withsomebuyerspressuringfarmerstoacceptreducedratesduetothelargevolumeoffallentrees.Aftercoveringallexpenses,manyforestownersareleftwithdoublelossesandnoincometorelyon.Quy?tisparticularlyconcernedabouttheshortageofseedlingsneededforreplanting.Butseedlingpriceshaveskyrocketed,moreoverthecurrentsupplyisinsufficient.TyphoonYagidevastatesover119,000hectaresofforestinQu?ngNinhProvince.MountingconcernsPh?mV?nHùnginNàS?nVillageinB?nSenCommune,Van??nDistrict,saidthathisfamilyhadsufferednearly$79,000inlosses.His17-hectareforestwasalmostentirelydestroyedbythestorm.Iplantoclearthelandandreplantinthecomingspring,Hùngsaid.However,hefacesanotherchallenge:hehadborrowed$11,850fromthebankandisunsurehowtorepayit,whichcomplicatessecuringadditionalloansforforestrestoration.Heestimatesthatitwilltakeatleastfiveyearsbeforehecanseeanyincomefromtheforestagain,emphasisingtheneedforgovernmentsupport.Tr?nTh?V?,81,anativeofHàTràngTayVillagein??ngH?iCommune,TiênYênDistrict,isatriskoffallingbackintopoverty.Thetyphoonnotonlydestroyedherforestbutalsocausedextensivedamagetoherhomeandbelongingsduetoflooding.Despiteherage,shecontinuestocareforherillson.TwoforestrangersfromH?ngHàWardinH?LongCitydiscoversandpromptlyextinguishesasmolderingfirefromatreetrunkduringatourofinspectingforestfire.UrgentforestrestorationNguy?nThanhKh??ng,deputydirectorofQu?ngNinhsForestryDepartment,saidthatforestswereaprimarysourceofincomeformanyhouseholds.However,therecentdevastationputtheirlivelihoodatrisk.Additionally,about6milliontonnesofflammabledeadleavesandbrokenbranchesremainontheforestfloor,posingahighriskofforestfiresduringthedryseason,accordingtoKh??ng.BetweenSeptember28andOctober15alone,15forestfiresbrokeout,primarilyinareasofacaciaandeucalyptustreesdamagedbythetyphoon.Restoringtheprovincesforestareas,referredtoasthegreenlungsofthenortheastregion,hasbeenidentifiedbylocalauthoritiesasanurgentpriority.ThePeoplesCommittee[Administration]ofQu?ngNinhlaunchedonOctober1anintensivecampaignfordamagedforestclearances,withthegoalofcompletingtheworkbytheendofthemonth.Localauthoritieshavemobiliseddepartmentsandorganisationstoassistforesterswithcleanupeffortsonweekends,whileforestrycompaniescontinuetheirworkdaily.However,asHoàngMaiDung,aresidentofS?nH?iVillageinNamS?nCommune,BaCh?District,pointedout,thesellingpricesforsalvagedtimberweretoolowtomakeupfortheloss.Localforesterscollectdamagedtimbertrees,asTyphoonYagileftatrailofdestructioninitswake.GovernmentsupportUnderthecurrentgovernmentregulationgoverningsupportforagriculturalproductioninareasaffectedbynaturaldisasters,thosewithover70percentoftheirforestareabeingdamagedareentitledtofinancialsupportof$158perhectare.Thosewith30-70percentdamageareeligibleforVN?2million($79)perhectare.Tofurthersupportforesters,Qu?ngNinhsForestryDepartmenthasproposedthattheDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentprovidefinancialassistancethroughtheQu?ngNinhFatherlandFrontFund.ThisincludesVN?1million($39.50)perhectareforforestareaswithmorethan30percentdamage,withthetotalbudgetforthefirstphaseexpectedtobeover$3million.V?DuyV?n,deputydirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidthatlocalitiesweremakingplanstoreplantthedamagedforests,aimingtorestoreforestcoverageby2027.Addressingconcernsaboutseedlingshortage,V?nsaidlocalnurseriescouldproduceover100millionseedlingsannually.Theagriculturalsectorwouldworkwithlocalitiestoguidefarmersinseedlingpropagationandwouldhelpthelocalnurseriesmaximisetheirseedlingproductioncapacity.ThedepartmentalsoreachedouttotheVi?tNamAcademyofForestSciencesandneighbouringprovincestosourcehigh-qualityseedlingsforlocalfarmers.V?nemphasisedthattheagriculturalsectorwasfocusingonlong-termtimbertrees,nativespecies,andmulti-functionalwoodtreesthatareresilienttowind,storms,andpests.Nurseriesmusthireadditionallabourersandextendworkinghourstourgentlycultivatealargenumberofacaciaseedlingsfortheupcomingreforestationseason.Localauthoritiesareguidingfarmerstocultivateeconomicallyvaluable,short-cyclecrops,suchasbamboo,whichcanprovidebothbambooshootsasfood,andrawmaterialsformanufacturing.Effortstorecovertheforestrysectorincludedamageassessments,collaborationwithtechnologyandforestrycompaniestoresearchtreespecies,andworkingwithbankstorescheduledebtpaymentsandofferfavourablepoliciesforreinvestmentandrecovery.OnJuly10,2024,theprovincialPeoplesCouncil[Assembly]introducedspecialpoliciestoencouragesustainableforestrydevelopment.TheprovinceisofferinguptoVN?20millionperhectareforseedlingpurchaseandcare,orVN?5millionhigherthanthenationallevel.Additionally,loansarebeingofferedthroughtheSocialPolicyBanktocooperativemembers,households,andindividualsforreforestationefforts,withaninterestrateinlinewiththoseofferedtolow-incomehouseholds.VNSPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChính(centre)examinesthenationalexhibitionandfaircentreprojectin??ngAnhDistrictofHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoD??ngGiangHàN?I—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhonFriday(October25)examinedthenationalexhibitionandfaircentreprojectin??ngAnhDistrictofHàN?i,requestingfasterprogresstocompleteitonscheduletocelebratebignationalanniversariesandbecomeasymbolofthecapitalandthewholecountry.TheprojectisinvestedbytheVi?tNamExhibitionFairCentreJointStockCompany,ofwhichVingroupholdsan80percentstake.Itislocatedin??ngH?iandXuanCanhcommunesoftheoutlyingdistrictof??ngAnh,andwillreplacetheoldcentreonGi?ngV?StreetintheinnerdistrictofBa?ình.Coveringatotalareaof90ha,ithasasuper-connectedandconvenientlocationandwillbeamongthebiggestofitskindintheworld,expectedtobecomeaninternationaldestinationforglobaltradeandexhibitionevents.ThecentreisdevelopedwithaviewtopromotingtheexpoeconomylikewhatareseeninDubaioftheUAE,FrankfurtofGermany,andFieraMilanoofItalysoastocreateafavourableenvironmentfordomesticandforeignenterprisestomeet,boostpartnerships,fuelproductionandbusiness,andstimulateHanoiseconomicgrowth.WorkstartedonthisprojectonAugust30,2024andissettobecompletedinJuly2025tocelebratethe80thNationalDay(September2,1945-2025).Inspectingthesite,PMChínhapplaudedthepromptconstruction,notinginlessthantwomonths,thelarge-scaledandmoderncentreisgraduallytakingshape.Hestressedtheneedtodeviseamechanismformobilisingresources,particularlyintheimplementationofmajorprogrammesandprojects,basedontheprincipleofharmonisinginterestsandsharingrisksinordertoharmoniseinterestsoftheState,people,andbusinesses.Asthelargeandmodernnationalexhibitionandfaircentrewillbeamultifunctionalfacilitycombiningeconomic,cultural,scientific,technological,andtourismfactors,heexpressedhishopethatitwilldrive??ngAnhsdevelopmentonparwiththedistrictspotentialandadvantages.TheGovernmentleaderdemandedministries,sectors,andHàN?icoordinatecloselywithVingroupduringtheimplementationandoperationoftheprojecttoensureefficiencyforboththeStateandthebusiness.Theymustguaranteetheprogress,quality,aesthetics,modernity,andarchitectureofthisproject,aswellaslaboursafetyandthelifequalityofdisplacedresidents.Thecentreshouldbecompletedonscheduletowelcomethe14thNationalPartyCongress,the50thanniversaryoftheSouthLiberationandNationalReunification,the135thbirthanniversaryofPresidentH?ChíMinh,andthe80thNationalDay,herequested.ThePMalsoagreedinprincipleonthebuildingofT?LiênBridge,whichwillcrosstheRedRiverandconnectTayH?Districtwith??ngAnhDistrict.Heaskedforitsconstructiontobekickedoffsoonwhiletransparency,lawadherence,andinterestsofpeople,businesses,andtheStatemustbeharmonised.—VNSTr??ngM?LanatarecenttrialinHCMCity.Theappealtrialofherdeathsentenceforembezzlementwillbeginnextmonth.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheappealtrialofTr??ngM?Lan,chairwomanofV?nTh?nhPhátGroupwhowassentencedtodeathforfraudofUS$27billion,issettobeginnextmonth.AccordingtotheHCMCityPeoplesHighCourt,theappealproceedingswilltake20days,beginningonNovember4.ThecourtwillreviewLanspetitionforareducedsentence,alongwiththeappealsof46otherdefendantsofsentencesrelatedtocriminalactivitieslinkedwithprivatelenderSaigonCommercialBank(SCB)andthepropertydeveloperV?nTh?nhPhát.Therewillbearound100attorneysrepresentingthedefendants,withfiverepresentingLan.InApril,LanreceivedadeathsentenceforembezzlingVN?677trillion($27billion)fromSCBoveradecade,whichaccountsforsixpercentofVi?tNamsGDPfor2023.Lanwasalsoconvictedofbriberyandviolationsofbankingregulations.Thecourtdeterminedthatshewasthearchitectofaprolongedschemeinwhichthebankwasexploitedforfinancialgain.ToconcealthemisconductatSCB,LanallegedlyinstructedhersubordinatestobribeauditorsfromtheStateBankofVietnam.Theheadbankinginspector,??Th?Nhàn,wasreportedtohaveacceptedabribeof$5.2millionandsubsequentlyreceivedalifesentenceinprison.Eighty-fiveadditionalindividualsfacedsentencesonvariouscharges,includingbribery,abuseofpower,appropriationoffunds,andviolationsofbankinglaws.BankingcrisisVictimsgatheroutsideMinistryofFinanceheadquartersinHàN?iattheendof2023.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pThetroubledSCB,inwhichLanholdsasignificantstake,hasbeenaccusedofplayingapivotalroleindefraudingover36,000victims,mostlyitsdepositors,intopurchasingcounterfeitV?nTh?nhPhátbonds.ThescamhasresultedinmassivefinanciallossesofoverVN?31trillionforover36,000individualswhohadinvestedtheirsavingsinthefraudulentbonds.Thesituationhastriggeredwidespreadoutrageandunprecedentedprotestsfromtheaffectedvictimsthroughoutthecountry.WhilethejuryhasdeterminedSCBbearsresponsibilityformisleadingitsdepositorsintoacquiringthesefraudulentbonds,thecourthasmandatedLanissolelyaccountableforprovidingcompensationforalldamagesincurred.50-year-oldvictimLêTh?ThuThu?saidshewasmisledbythebankandwasunawareofLansinvolvementinthefraudulentactivities.ShehascalledforSCBtoacceptfullresponsibilityforthescamandtoproviderestitutiontothevictims.Iapproachedthebankwiththeintentionofdepositingmyfundsintoasavingsaccount.TheSCBstaffassuredmethatthebondIwasabouttopurchasewasakintoasavingsaccountproductandwas,therefore,entirelysafeandguaranteedbythebank,shetoldVi?tNamNews.FollowingLansarrestinlate2022,SCBfacedabankrun,promptinginterventionfromthecentralbanktostabilisethefinancialsystem.Whilethecentralbankhaspledgedtoreimbursesavingsaccountholders,ithasdeclinedtooffercompensationtothebondvictims.AsofearlyApril,thecentralbankhadinjected$24billioninspecialloansintoSCB,whichaccountsforalmostone-fourthofVi?tNamsforeignexchangereserves,accordingtoareportbyReuters.Despiteregulatoryconstraints,suchasthe30percentcaponcombinedforeignownershipinVietnamesebanks,thecentralbankisseekingassistanceforSCBfromtheprivatesector,particularlyfromforeigninvestors.TheVietnamesebankingsectoriscurrentlyfacingescalatingrisksduetothesluggishrealestatemarket.ThepunishmentofLanandtheotherfraudstersispartofabroadernationalanti-corruptioncampaign,whichhasfurtherexacerbatedtherealestatecrisis,impactingtheeconomyandcastingashadowovertheoutlookforbanks.—VNS
BorderguardsinthecentralQu?ngBìnhProvinceprepareequipmentinresponsetoTyphoonTrami.—VNA/VNSPhotosHàN?I—Atotalof285,480soldiersandmilitiamembersand12,503militaryvehicleshavebeenmobilisedinresponsetotheapproachingTyphoonTrami,accordingtotheNationalSteeringCommitteeForCivilDefence.Mostofthepersonnel,roadandwaterwayvehiclesarefromMilitaryRegions3,4and5,whosescopeincludescoastalcitiesandprovincesfromthenortheasttocentralVi?tNam.Theairdefenceforcehasalsomobilised4,600officers,208vehiclesandeightaircraft,while30officers,twohelicoptersandfourcarsfromCorps18(helicoptercorps)arealsojoiningtheresponseefforts.BorderguardsfromthenortheasterncoastalprovinceQu?ngNinhtosouth-centralprovinceBìnhThu?nareworkingwithlocalauthorities,peopleandshipownerstoupdatemorethan67,000vesselsand307,000peopleonthetyphoonstrajectoryandguidethemtosafety.TheprojectedtrajectoryofTyphoonTramiasofFridaymorning.Asof4amonFriday,theeyeofthestormwassituatedontheeasternwatersofVi?tNamsnorthernEastSea(knowninternationallyastheSouthChinaSea).Itisprojectedtostrengthenandcontinuewestwardatabout10km/h.Overthenexttwodays,thetropicalstormcouldchangeitsdirectiontothesoutheastandgraduallyweaken.DuetoTramisimpact,theeasternwatersofthenorthernEastSeacanexpectstrongwindsof62-88m/h,withareasnearthestormscentrereaching75-102km/h.Roughseaisforecastwithwavesthatcouldreach5-9mhigh.HeavyrainisexpectedintheEastSeawithapossibilityoftornadoesandstronggustsofwind(50-74km/h).—VNSIllustrativeimage.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I-Aftermorethan35yearsofrenewal,theVietnameseStatehasestablishedalegalsystemtoregulatesocialrelationships,withafocusonbuildingrelativelycomprehensivelawsonhumanrightswhichalignwiththecountrysdevelopmentrealitiesandgraduallybecomecompatiblewithinternationalregulationsonhumanrights,accordingtoanexpert.SpeakingatameetingonhumanrightsworkonOctober24,Assoc.Prof.,Dr.T??ngDuyKiên,DirectoroftheInstituteforHumanRightsundertheH?ChíMinhNationalAcademyofPolitics,saidthatinits13thtenure,theNationalAssemblyadoptedthe2013Constitution,whichisconsideredapinnacleinconstitutionalactivitiesfortheprotectionofhumanrights.Toconcretisetheconstitutionalprinciples,duringthe2016–2021termalone,thelegislatureanditsStandingCommitteeenacted72laws,twoordinances,andnumerousresolutionscontainingrelevantlegalprovisions.Amongthese,therearelawsthatplaysignificantrolesinthelegalsystem,includingnewlawsandpoliciesthatareintroducedforthefirsttime,haveasubstantialandcomprehensiveimpactonsocio-economiclife,andrespondtopracticaldemandsinatimelyway.However,alongsidetheresults,thelegalsystem,particularlythoseregardinghumanrights,stillshowsvariouslimitations,hesaid,notingthe13thNationalPartyCongresspointedoutthatthelegalsystemhassomeprovisionsthatarenotconsistentanddonotmeetpracticalrequirementsinatimelyfashion.Compliancewiththelawisgenerallynotstrict;disciplineandruleoflawoftenoverlooked,violationsnotaddressedpromptly,andsanctionsnotsufficientlydeterrent.Administrativeandjudicialreformshavenotfullymetthedemandsofnationaldevelopment.Accordingtotheexpert,nomatterhowcomprehensivetheConstitutionandlawsmaybe,iftheyarenotstrictlyenforced,thePartyandStatessoundpoliciesandguidelinesonhumanrightswillnotcomeintoreality.Therefore,upholdingtheruleoflawandstrengtheninglegaldisciplineinimplementingtheConstitutionandlawsonhumanrightsisanurgentrequirementatpresent,Kiensaid,stressingtheneedtoshiftthestrategicdirectivefocusfromprioritisingthebuildingandperfectionoflawstoimprovingandorganisingtheenforcementoflaws,ensuringaseamlessandcloseconnectionbetweenlaw-makingandlawimplementation.Accordingly,thecompetentauthoritiesneedtoregularlyreviewlegaldocumentstoidentifyandeliminatethosethatconflictwiththeprovisionsonhumanrightsoutlinedintheConstitutionandlaws,whileenhancingeffortsincommunications,dissemination,andeducationoflawsconcerninghumanrights,hestated.Theorientationtowards2030,withavisionfor2045,shouldconcentrateonbuildingandperfectinglawsthatensuretheimplementationofcivilandpoliticalrights,aswellaseconomic,social,andculturalrights,includingtherightsofvulnerablegroupssuchaswomen,children,theelderly,peoplewithdisabilities,andthepoor.Inaddition,itisessentialtostrengthentheorganisationandapparatusforlawimplementation,clearlydefinethepowersandresponsibilitiesofstateagenciesinprotectinghumanrights,enhancetheroleoflawyersanddevelopacomprehensiverangeoflegalservicestoimprovecitizensaccesstojusticeandlegalinformationregardinghumanrights,andincreasetheeffectivenessofstatemanagementininternationalcooperationonlegalandjudicialmatters,addedtheexpert.VNS
DianeFreiberger(thirdright),directorofFIBAA,presentstheQualityAccreditationCertificatetotheNationalEconomicsUniversity.—PhotocourtesyofNationalEconomicsUniversityHàN?I—TheFoundationforInternationalBusinessAdministrationAccreditation(FIBAA)handedoveracertificatetotheNationalEconomicsUniversity(NEU)and15trainingprogrammesoftheuniversityformeetingitseducationalinstitutionqualitystandards,ataceremonyinHàN?ionThursday.NEUisoneofthefirstuniversitiesinVi?tNamtocompleteFIBAAsqualityaccreditationprocess,meetingandexceeding100percentoftherequiredstandards,andalsotocompletethefoundationsqualityaccreditationprocesswith100percentofcriteriameetingandexceedingstandards.Therecognitionhasaffirmedthesuccessoftheuniversityinensuringandimprovingthequalityofeducation,continuingtoincreasestudentbenefitssuchascreditrecognitionandconversion,registrationforhighereducationatleadingprestigiousuniversitiesintheworld,aswellasjobopportunitiesindevelopedcountries.FIBAAGeneralDirectorDianeFreibergercommendedNEUscontinuouseffortstodevelopadvancedqualityassurancetoolsthatexemplifytheinstitution.Amongthe54evaluationcriteria,NEUachievedthehighestresults,shesaid,addingthatwiththiscertification,theuniversitybecomesanoutstandinghighereducationinstitution.Uptonow,Vi?tNamhashad11highereducationinstitutionsrecognisedasmeetingqualitystandardsbyinternationaleducationalqualityaccreditationorganisations.FIBAAisaqualityassuranceorganisationoftheSwissgovernmentheadquarteredinGermanyandSwitzerland,carryingoutaccreditation,evaluation,anddevelopmentoforganisationsandeducationprogramsaroundtheworldinthefieldsofsocialandhumanities,law,managementandeconomics.ItisalsoamemberoftheEuropeanAssociationforQualityAssuranceinHigherEducation(ENQA),theEuropeanHigherEducationQualityAssuranceRegister(EQAR),theEuropeanUniversityAssociation(EUA),CentralandEasternEuropeanNetworkofQualityAssuranceAgenciesinHigherEducation(CEENQA)andInternationalNetworkofQualityAssuranceAgenciesinHigherEducation(INQAAHE).—VNS
BorderGuardsofQu?ngBìnhProvincepreparepersonnelandequipmenttorespondtothestorm.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàhasurgedproactiveresponsetotheloomingthreatofTyphoonTrami,whichisbarrelingtowardVi?tNamscentralcoast.InadirectivetothechairpersonsofthePeoplesCommitteesoftheprovincesofThanhHóa(chǎn),Ngh?An,HàT?nh,Qu?ngBình,Qu?ngTri,Th?aThiên-Hu?,Qu?ngNam,Qu?ngNg?i,Bình??nh,andPhúYên,thecityof?àN?ng,andtheministriesofNationalDefence,PublicSecurity,NaturalResourcesandEnvironment,AgricultureandRuralDevelopment,IndustryandTrade,Transport,Construction,andForeignAffairs,heunderscoredtheimminentdangerandoutlinedcriticalmeasurestomitigateitsimpact.TyphoonTrami,thesixthtostriketheEastSeathisyear,isgainingstrengthaftersweepingLuzonislandinthePhilippines.PackingwindsuptoLevel9,withgustsreachingLevel11,itisforecasttointensifyoverthenext24-48hours.TheNationalCentreforHydrometeorologicalForecastingwarnedthatTramiwillmovewestward,potentiallyaffectingoffshoreandcoastalareasfromHàT?nhtoBình??nhbetweenOctober27-29.Inlightofthisurgentsituation,thePMurgedministersandchairpersonsofthemunicipalandprovincialPeoplesCommitteestocloselymonitorthetyphoonsprogress,adoptimmediateresponsestrategies,andensureallnecessarypreparationsaremadetopreventcasualtiesandminimisepropertydamage,particularlythoseengagedintourism,aquaculture,andfishingactivitiesalongthecoastandatsea.Localauthoritiesweretaskedwithevacuatingresidentsfromfloatingfishfarmsandaquaculturewatchtowerstosaferlocationsbeforethetyphoonmakeslandfall.Vessels,includingfishingandtouristboats,aswellascargoships,wereadvisedtosteerclearofhazardousareasandseeksafeshelterwithoutdelay.Toensureacoordinatedandeffectiveresponse,relevantministrieswereassignedspecifictaskswhilenationalmediaoutlets,includingtheVietnamTelevision,theVoiceofVietnam,andtheVietnamNewsAgency,havebeenenlistedtodisseminatecrucialinformationandupdatestothepublic.—VNSMetroticketmachineattheBaSonStationoftheB?nThành-Su?iTiênmetroline.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—Afternearlyamonthoftrialoperationsat20percentcapacity,inthesevendaysbetweenNovember11and18,HCMCitysfirstmetrolineB?nThành-Su?iTiênwilloperateat100percentofitsdesigncapacityforatrialreal-timerun.Trainswilloperatedailyfrom5amto11.30pm,withintervalsbetweentrainsrangingfromfourandahalfminutestotenminutes,accordingtotheHCMCityUrbanRailwayNo.1Co.,Ltd.(HURC1).This100-per-cent-capacitytrialrunissimilartowhatwillbeimplementedduringfuturecommercialoperations.Theoperationplanincludestwoscenarios:normalweekdayoperationsandholidayoperations.Itisexpectedthat14trainswillrunonthemainline,withthreeback-uptrains.AfterNovember18,discussionsandevaluationswillbeconductedtoplanthenextphaseofoperations.Previously,fromOctober14toNovember8trialswerecarriedout,includingnormalandemergencyscenariosat20percentofthedesignedcapacity.Operationalstaffweremobilisedinallpositions,includingtraindrivers,operationcontrolcentre(OCC)personnelandstationstaff.SinceearlyOctober,theB?nThành-Su?iTiênMetrohasconductedtrialrunsaftertheoreticalandpracticaltrainingforthestaffofHURC1(thecompanyresponsibleforcommercialoperation).Thetrialoperationsarecarriedoutintwophases,withphase1ledbyNJPTconsultantsfromJapanandphase2conductedbyHURC1staff.Thetrialrunsinvolved47differentscenarios,rangingfromnormaloperationstoemergencysituationssuchasfires,explosions,poweroutages,flooding,andsignallossatvariouspointsalongtheentireMetroLine1route(includingbothelevatedandundergroundsections).Todate,theentireB?nThành-Su?iTiênMetroprojecthasreached99percentcompletion,withtheremaining1percentmainlyconsistingoffinalinspectionsandproceduresbeforeitentersfulloperation.AccordingtoHCMCitysfareproposal,forpassengerspayingwithcash,one-wayfareswillrangefromVN?7,000toVN?20,000(US$0.28-0.79).Forthoseusingnon-cashpaymentmethods,fareswillbeless,setbetweenVN?6,000andVN?19,000.Aone-daypasswillcostVN?40,000($1.6),allowingunlimitedtripswithintheday,whileathree-daypasswillbepricedatVN?90,000($3.6)forunlimitedtravelwithinthreedays.RegularpassengerscanbuyamonthlypassforVN?300,000($12),whilestudentsandpupilscanpurchaseadiscountedmonthlypassforVN?150,000($6).Allfaresincludepassengerinsurance.TheB?nThành-Su?iTiênMetroisapproximately19.7kmlong,withthreeundergroundstations(B?nThành,CityOperaHouse,BaSon)and11elevatedstations.Thelinehasatotalof17trains,eachcapableofcarrying930passengers,including147seatedand783standingpassengers.Themaximumdesignspeedis110km/h(fortheelevatedsection)and80km/h(fortheundergroundsection).—VNS
Doctorsareconductingscreeningexaminationsforpoorerpatientswithhipandkneediseasesatthe108MilitaryCentralHospital.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iHàN?I—OperationWalkIrelandwillprovidefreekneeandhipreplacementsurgeriesforabout70poorpatientsatthe108MilitaryCentralHospital.Thepatientsareinextremelydifficultcircumstanceswithhipandkneediseasesandwithindicationsforjointreplacement.Thisyear,OperationWalkIrelandsentadelegationofnearly100expertsandmedicalstaffinjointsurgery,incoordinationwithdoctorsandmedicalexpertsofthe108MilitaryCentralHospital,toperformhipandkneesurgeryandprovidepost-operativerecoverytreatmentforpatients.Manypoorpatientshavekneeandhipdiseasesthataffectmobility,butdonotreceivesurgerybecauseofthehighcostoftreatment.Therefore,whenparticipatingintheprogramme,patientswillreceivefreeofchargetheentirecostofartificialjointreplacementsurgery,eachworthaboutVN?50million(US$2,000).Aftersurgery,allpatientsaretrainedtorestorethemotorfunctionoftheirlimbsandreturntonormalworkanddailyactivities.DoctorsteamofOperationWalkIrelandand108MilitaryCentralHospitalperformedhipsurgeryonpatientsduringthe2023humanitariansurgeryprogramme.—PhototheCentralMilitaryHospital108Thehumanitarianprogrammewasundertheframeworkofacooperationprogrammebetweenthe108MilitaryCentralHospitalandtheOperationWalkOrganisationsince2008,helpingpatientsrestorethemotorfunctionoftheirlimbsinordertoresumenormalactivities.Theannualprogrammeaimstocontinuouslyimprovethehospitalsqualityofexamination,treatmentandpatientcareingeneralandsurgeryforpatientswithkneeandhipreplacementindications.ItalsohelpsstrengthentheexchangeandlearningofexperienceswithIrishsurgeonsinthefieldsofjointreplacementsurgery,anaesthesiaandresuscitation,intensivecare,comprehensivecareaswellasrehabilitationforpatientswithkneeandhipreplacement.OperationWalkisahumanitarianorganisationspecialisinginjointreplacementsurgery,establishedin1996intheUnitedStates.Afternearly30yearsofoperation,theorganisationhasoperatedonthousandsofpatientsworldwide.InVi?tNam,OperationWalkhasworkedwithmanymedicalfacilities,suchasthe108MilitaryCentralHospitalandtheMilitaryHospital175,toprovidehumanitarianactivitiessince2008.Uptonow,the108MilitaryCentralHospitalhascoordinatedwiththeOperationWalkorganisationsoftheUnitedStatesandIrelandtoperformhumanitariansurgerytoreplacehipandjointjointsforabout1,000patientsinVi?tNam.—VNSDisinfectingpigcasesinHàNamProvince.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhasordereddrasticmeasures,includinglarge-scalevaccinationcampaigns,topreventandcontrolAfricanswinefever.AccordingtotheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,asmanyas1,452Africanswinefeveroutbreakshavebeenreportedsinceearlythisyearin1,003communesin48provincesandcities.Over81,000pigshavebeenculledthusfar,anincreaseof2.6timesoverthesameperiodlastyear.Severaltyphoonsthisseasonhavealsocausedseveredamagetoagriculturalproductionandlivestockfarming.Africanswinefeverandtyphoonshavenegativelyaffectedthelivestockindustry,foodsupplyandconsumerpriceindex,withpricesexpectedtorisebeforetheendoftheyearandLunarNewYear2025.InordertopromptlyandeffectivelypreventAfricanswinefever,restoreproductionandensureanadequatefoodsupply,thePrimeMinisterrequestedministers,headsofministerial-levelagencies,Governmentagenciesandchairmenofprovincialandcentrally-runpeoplescommitteestotakedrasticandsynchronoussolutionstopreventandcontrolAfricanswinefever.Localauthoritieshavebeenaskedtomobiliselocalresourcestohandleoutbreaksandpreventnewoneswhiledestroyingsickpigs,suspectedsickpigsanddeadpigs.Farmershavealsobeenorderedtosterilisecagesandsurroundingareas.LocalitieswillreviewandcompiledataonthetotalnumberofpigsaswellasthenumberalreadyvaccinatedagainstAfricanswinefever.Theywillhavetoadjustplansandprioritisefundingforcentralisedvaccinepurchasesbeforeorganisingsimultaneousvaccinations.ThePMalsourgeddisseminationofinformationonthefeversrisksandtoldlocalauthoritiestotakeresponsibilityifanoutbreakofAfricanswinefeveroccursinthearea.Heaskedforlocalitiestobuilddisease-freeareasandfacilitiestoserveexports.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentispresidingoverandcoordinatingwithministries,sectorsandlocalitiestocloselymonitorthesituationandproactivelydeploymeasurestoensureanadequatefoodsupplybefore,duringandaftertheLunarNewYear.—VNS
Manyyoungpeopledonatetheirhairatthefestival.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?nhQuyênHàN?I—Atotalof303setsofhairweredonatedbykind-heartedpeopleduringthethirdHairDonationFestival,namedDreamHairStation,whichtookplaceattheNationalInstituteofHematologyandBloodTransfusion(NIHBT)onSunday.Thefestivalisanopportunityforparticipantstodonatetheirhairtochildrenwithcancer.Alongwiththehairdonations,thisyearseventalsoincludedotherworthwhileactivities,suchasgivingwigsmadefromrealhairtobothchildrenandadultswithcancer,freehaircutsforpatients,meetingsandexchangesbetweenpatientsandvolunteersanddisplayingwishesfromhairdonorstocancerpatients.Nguy?nThànhLinh,DeputyHeadoftheSocialWorkDivisionundertheNIHBT,saidthattheDreamHairStationprogrammehasalwayssupportedcancerpatientsattheinstitute.Donationsofhairareverymeaningfulforcancerpatients,helpingthemconfidentlyliveanormallife.Amongthehairdonorsweremanyfamilieswhobroughttheirchildrentoparticipate.Evenpeoplewiththalassemia,ablooddisorder,alsodonatedtheirhairtothesickchildren.H?aTh?Li?u,along-termpatientwiththalassemia,saidthattheideaof??donatinghaircamefromherdaughter,aneighthgrader.Shewasgratefultotheblooddonorswhohelpedhermotherstayaliveandwantedtosendhermothershairasathankyou.Althoughshecouldnotcomewithhermotherduetodistance,herideasparkedthegiftofhermotherslonghair.Attheevent,HoàngTh?Di?uThu?n,theprogrammesfounder,sharedherownstorywithemotion.Shewasonceacancerpatientherself,receivingtreatmentformanyyearsattheNIHBT.Afterthat,shecontinuedtosupportcancerpatientswithavarietyofactivities.Todate,morethan13,000peoplehaveparticipatedinthehairdonationprogramme,whichhasbeenrunningsince2022.ManypaediatricpatientsattheNIHBTandtheNationalChildrensHospitalhavereceivednewhairthroughtheprogramme.Childrenandadultswithcancerexperiencedmanydifferentemotionsattheevent.Somechildrenwerehappyandexcited,laughingandjoking,butsomeweresomovedthattheycouldnotholdbacktheirtearswhenreceivingtheirnewhair.AchildpatientwhoisbeingtreatedatthePediatricHematologyWardsaid:Iamveryhappyandexcitedtoreceivethishair.IneverthoughtIwouldgetsickandhavetoshavemyhair.Iamtrulygratefultoeveryone.Alsoatthefestival,NIHBTcleaner??Th?Thucreatedanemotionalmomentwhenshedonatedpartofherlonghair.Everyday,Thuseesthechildrenbeingtreated,andsaidshealwaysworriesandwantstohelp.Seeingthechildrenlosetheirhair,Ioftencantholdbackmytears.Thisismysmallpresenttothem.Iwishthechildrencouldovercometheirdifficulties,Thusaidwithemotion.Forchildrenwithcancer,hairlossduetochemotherapyandradiotherapyisnotonlyalossofpartoftheirappearance,butalsotheirconfidence,oftenmakingthemshyandhesitantwheninteractingwithpeople.Theywishtohavehairagainsotheycangotoschoolandmeettheirfriendswithself-assurance.Tohelpthemrealisethissmallbutmeaningfuldream,theDreamHairStationprogrammewasorganisedbytheNetworkforChildrenwithCancer.Theprogrammeprovidesdetailedinstructionsforhairdonationstomeetstandards:naturalhairasshortas25cmcanbedonated,whereaschemicallytreatedhaircanbedonatedifitis35cmlong.Allofthedonatedhairmustbewashed,driedandstoredinapaperbagaftercuttingfornolongerthanoneyear.Donorscanbringthecuthairtotheeventorcutitdirectlyatthefestival.TheDreamHairStationfestivalhasbecomeabridge,bringingpeopleclosertogethertosharewarmthandgivemoremotivationtochildrenwithcancerduringtheirjourneytofightthedisease.—VNSTheTamChungBorderGuardStationinstallsandcompletes15polesand500Wsolarlightsalongbothsidesoftheroadleadingtotheresettlementareaof??ónVillage.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoaMaiTHANHHOá—UndertheBrightBorderVillagesinitiative,civilworksarebeinginstalledbytheThanhHoáProvincialBorderGuardintheirjurisdiction.Theinitiativespositiveresultsnotonlybringjoytopeopleinborderareas,butalsoraisethereputationofsoldiers.TheTamChungBorderGuardStationislocatedintheM??ngLátborderdistrict.Soldiersatthestationaretaskedwithmanagingandprotecting7.3kmofbordersencompassingfournationalbordermarkers,frommarker270tomarker273.InTamChungCommune,thereareeightvillageswith837householdsand4,011peoplebelongingtosixethnicgroupslivingtogether,includingM?ng,Thái,Kinh,M??ng,DaoandKh?Mú.Overthepastfewyears,theTamChungBorderGuardStationhasworkedwiththelocalPartyCommitteeandauthoritiestodeploymanynewinitiativesandpracticestohelppeopledeveloptheeconomy,stabilisetheirlivesandensuresecurityandorder.OnegoodexampleistheBrightBorderVillagesinitiative.Aspartoftheproject,thestationsoldierspouredconcretefor15pillarsandinstalled500Wsolarbulbsalongbothsidesoftheroadleadingtotheresettlementareaof??ónVillageinTamChungCommune.Theunit,alongwiththecommunalWomensUnion,YouthUnionandlocalpeople,alsocleaneduptheenvironmentandplantedandcaredfornearly2kmofflowerbedsalongtheroads,creatingagreen,cleanandbeautifulspaceandlandscape.LòV?nLi?u,ChairmanoftheTamChungCommunePeoplesCommittee,said:Theborderguardssupportforinstallingsolarpowersystemsonroadsleadingtovillagesisacreativeandpracticalwaytoimprovethepeoplesculturalandspirituallife,creatinganewlookforthevillage.OurlocalityhopestohavemoreBrightBorderVillagesprojectstofacilitatepeoplestravelandensuresecurityandorderinthearea.LieutenantColonelNg?MinhQuang,HeadoftheTamChungBorderGuardStation,said:Closelyfollowingthelocalityandunderstandingthepeopleswishes,thestationsPartyCommitteeandCommandandthecommunalPartyCommitteeandPeoplesCommitteehavecoordinatedandunifiedinleadershipanddirection.Tocompletetheproject,thestationassignedofficersandsoldierstoerectpolesandpullwires.Atthesametime,theunitselectedpeoplewithmechanicalskillswhoknowhowtouseweldingandcuttingmachinestoinstallthelampsystemtoensureaesthetics,sustainabilityandefficiency.Wevereceivedapprovalandsupportfromlocalpeople,hesaid.GoodworkInM??ngLátDistrict,therearefiveborderposts,allofwhichareworkingontheBrightBorderVillagesinitiative.ThepostsaretheTamChungBorderPostinónVillage,theTénT?nBorderGuardStationin?oànK?tResidentialQuarter,M??ngLátTown,theQuangChi?uBorderStationinPù??aVillage,theTrungLyBorderStationinTàCómVillageandthePùNhiBorderStationinC?mVillage.Afteronlyafewmonths,theprojectspositiveeffectshavespreadwidelyacrosstheborderroadsofThanhHoáProvince.TheBátM?tBorderGuardStationinTh??ngXuanDistricthaschosenRu?ngVillagetodeploytheinitiativethisyear,helpingpeopletherereducepoverty,developtheeconomyandensurenationaldefenceandsecurity.Tothisend,thestationhasbeencoordinatingwiththeBátM?tCommunePeoplesCommitteeandsocio-politicalorganisationstosupportRu?ngVillageinrenovating,restoringandexpandingitsagriculturallandareasandbuildingamodelforhouseholdeconomicdevelopment.Inparticular,thestationunitplanstofocusonsupportingvillagerstoraisesnails,livestock,poultryandbeesforhoney,aswellasplanting,maintainingandprotectingforests.Theywillalsoworktorestoreandpromotepiecesofnationalculturalidentity,suchasKh?pTháiandKhuaLu?ngcostumesandfolkgames.ColonelLêV?nLong,ChiefofPoliticsoftheThanhHoáProvincialBorderGuard,saidthatduringthe2024-2027period,theProvincialBorderGuardCommandwillcoordinatewiththePartycommitteesandauthoritiesofthe11poorestvillagesinfiveborderdistricts,includingTh??ngXuan,LangChánh,QuanS?n,QuanHoáandM??ngLát,ontheBrightBorderVillagesproject.Theinitiativewillbeevaluatedandthenreplicatedinothervillages.TheBrightBorderVillagesprojectisacreativewayfortheProvincialBorderGuardtopromotethecombinedstrengthoftheentirepoliticalsystem,concentratingresourcestobuildnewruralareasandhelppeoplereducepoverty.Withthisgoalinmind,theyhaveworkedtoimprovecoordinationbetweenBorderGuardsandlocalPartycommittees,authorities,departmentsandorganisationsinbuildingandprotectingterritorialsovereigntyandnationalbordersecurityaswellaskeepinganincreasinglystrongborderdefence.—VNS