TouristboatsatH?LongBayinthenorthernprovinceofQu?ngNinh.—VNA/VNSPhoto??cHi?uQU?NGNINH—AtouristhasreportedbeingstrandedonanislandinH?LongBaybyatouristboat,promptinganinvestigationfromtheQu?ngNinhProvincestransportdeparment.ThetouristpreviouslyclaimedontheirFacebookaccountaboutthedisastroustravelexperienceaftertheboatthatdroppedthemoffonTiT?pIslanddepartedwithoutthem.Thepassengerwasnotnotifiedbyphoneabouttheboatleavingandhadbeenwaitingfor30minutesatthewharf,unabletocalltheboatoperatorsphonenumber,accordingtothepost.InitialreportssaidthatonSunday,atouristboatidentifiedasQN926xcarried99peopletoTiT?pIslandinH?LongBay.Theboatwasnotabletogathereveryonewhenleavingtheislandduetothelargenumberofpassengers.Anothervesselwasthenarrangedtobringthembackashore.TheincidentwasnotreportedtothelocalInlandWaterwaysAdministrationorH?LongBayManagementBoard,whichonlylearnedofthecaseafteritwaspublishedonsocialmedia.Theshipownerwasalsocontactedandnotifiedoftheresponsibilitiesofallinvolvedinthecasetopreventsimilarincidentsfromoccurringandtoensurethesafetyoftouristswhenvisitingthebay.—VNS

StafffromNinhBìnhLegalAidCentreprovideconsultationtopeoplewithdisabilitiesintheprovince.—VNA/VNSPhotoNINHBìNH—Byprovidingfreelegalaidservicesforunderprivilegedpeopleandethnicminoritymembers,NinhBìnhProvincelawassistantshavebeenimprovinglegalawarenessandcompliance,whileensuringpeoplesrightstojustice,aswellassocialorderandsafety.Sincethebeginningoftheyear,NinhBìnhLegalAidCentre(undertheprovincialJusticeDepartment)hasorganisednineinformationsessionsincommuneswhereamajorityofthelocalpopulationareofethnicminorities,orresideinremoteareasofNhoQuanDistrict.Withthegoalofprovidingsupportatthegrassrootslevel,facilitatingpeoplesaccesstolegalaidwhilealsoreducingtheirtravellingtimeandcost,thesesessionsdrewover900participantsintotal.Nguy?nTh?M?ng,aresidentofM??ngethnicityinNhoQuanDistrictandherhusband,wereplanningtodividetheirfamilyslandamongtheirchildrenbutwereunawareoftherelatedlegalprocedures,shetoldtheDanT?cvàMi?nNúi(EthnicAffairsandMountainousRegion)newspaper.Thankstostafffromtheprovinciallegalaidcentre,whotraveltoeachcommuneandvillagetodeliverassistance,thecouplesuccessfullycompletedthenecessaryprocedures.AccordingtodeputyheadoftheoperationsdepartmentatNinhBìnhLegalAidCentreV?Ng?cHùng,peopleinpovertyandfromethnicminoritieshavelimitedaccesstograssrootslegalassistance,inadditiontohavingbeingchallengedintermsoftransportation.Thesupportsystemfortheiraccesstolegalservicesisalsomodest,withvaryingqualityacrossdifferentlocations.Inseverallocalities,thelimitedlevelofliteracyandtheofficiallanguagehaveledtodifficultiesinacquiringlegalknowledgeandbeenoneoffactorsthatcauselawviolationsinmultipleaspectssuchaslandmanagement,forestry,criminalandcivilmatters,aswellasfamilyaffairs.Duetotheirlackofunderstanding,manypeoplearealsonotawareoftheirrightstolegalaidandarereluctanttoreachoutforsupport.Theprovinciallegalaidcentrehassentoutitsstaffmemberstounderstandthecommunitysneedforlegalknowledge,answertheirquestionsandorganiselocalsessionstoprovideassistancetopeopleinremoteareas.In2023,thecentreheldnearly20sessionsonlegaleducationandlegalaidintheremoteareasofNhoQuanDistrict,gatheringalmost2,000locals.Approximately8,000pamphletsand4,500handbooksonlegalaidwerealsodistributed.Theseactivitieshaveresultedinpositiveimpactsonpeoplesunderstandingandcompliancewiththelaw,helpingthemprotecttheirlegitimaterightsandinterestswhileincentivisingthemtoactivelystudyandfollowpoliciesandguidelinesofthePartyaswellastheStatelaws.Meanwhile,thecentrealsoprovidesknowledgeandskilltrainingfor160legalaidstaffand810mediatorsandcommunityleaders.DirectorofNinhBìnhLegalAidCentreBùiTh?ThanhTamsaidthattheirfutureplansaretoeffectivelyimplementtheLawonLegalAidanditsrelatedguidelinesforpeopleofethnicminorities.Thefocuswillbeonthedefenceandprotectionofthelegitimaterightsandinterestsofdetainees,suspects,defendants,victimsandlitigants.Thecentrealsoaimstoenhancethecapacityoflegalaidprovidersthroughskilltrainingoncriminal,civilandadministrativeproceedings,especiallyinlitigation,questioningcourtdebatesandcommunication.Thecontactsandhotlinesoflegalaidprovidersarealsobeingpostedatthelocalauthoritiesreceptiondesk,policeofficesandcommunitycentressothatpeoplecaneasilytakeadvantageoftheservicewhennecessary.NinhBìnhLegalAidCentreisalsocarryingoutanevaluationofthe2021-2025NationalTargetProgramonSocio-economicDevelopmentintheethnicminority-inhabitedandmountainousareastoreviewshortcomingsandofferrecommendationsinpolicyandprojectimplementation.—VNS.ThetrafficlightattheintersectionofMaiChíTh?-T?H?uinTh???cCityhashaditscountdownremoved.Photoplo.vnHCMCITY–TheHCMCityDepartmentofTransportationsaiditistestingtheremovalofcountdowntimerdisplaysontrafficlightsystemsatfourmajorintersectionsinthecitytoavoidcasesoftryingtorunthelightorsuddenlybrakingandcausingaccidents.TheintersectionsincludeMaiChíTh?-T?H?uinTh???cCityandintersectionsintheinnercitysuchasNguy?n?ìnhChi?u-Tr??ng??nh,Nguy?n?ìnhChi?u-BàHuy?nThanhQuan,andNguy?n?ìnhChi?u-CáchM?ngTháng8.Accordingly,trafficlightsattheaboveintersectionswilldisplaygreen,redoryellowwithoutthesecondscountingdowntozeroasusual.Instead,dependingonthetimeandnumberofvehiclespassingthroughtheintersection,thetimeofeachcolourwillbeflexiblyadjusted.Thisistoavoidtheriskofaccidents,avoidcasesoftryingtorunthelightorcasesofdangeroussuddenbraking.TheHCMCityUrbanTransportManagementCentre,saidthatthepilotprogrammeonlyappliesatlargeintersectionsthathaveinstalledsurveillancecamerasandsignalsystemsconnectedtothecentrethatcanbecontrolledremotely.?oànV?nT?n,centredirector,saidthatremovingthetimerontrafficlightswillhelpmakethetrafficsituationmorestable,avoidingcaseswheredriverstrytopasstrafficlightswithtwoorthreesecondsremaining.–VNS

AboothshowcasingOCOPproductsin??ngNaiProvincesXuanL?cDistrict.—Photoxuanloc.dongnai.gov.vn??NGNAI—??ngNaiProvinceistakingmeasurestoseekstablesalesforproductsrecognisedunderthecountrysOneCommune–OneProductprogramme.Thesoutheasternprovincehas220OCOPproductsratedthreestarsandabove,andmanyofthemhavedevelopedabrandnameandhavelinkagesinproductionandselling.However,anumberoftheseproducts,especiallythoseproducedbysmall-scalecompanies,co-operativesandhouseholds,facesalesdifficultiesbecauseofsmall-scaleproductionandunstableoutlets.Nguy?nV?nT?iinTanPhúDistrictsPhú?i?nCommunebreedsducksforproducingeggs,andhiseggshavebeenrecognisedasathree-starproductundertheprogramme.Togettherecognition,hehasmadegreateffortstochangehisproductionprocessestomeetrequiredregulations,buthiseggsstillhavenothadastableoutletandaresoldlikeothernormaleggs,hesaid.Becauseofhighproductioncostandunstablesales,myfamilyhastoreducethenumberofducksinourflockto5,000headsnow,downbyhalf.However,Istilltrytoproducecleaneggsandpreservetheirqualityinordertofindanoutlet,hesaid.Nguy?nV?nTh?ng,deputydirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidhouseholdswhoproduceOCOPproductsarefacingdifficultiesbecausefewofthemhavealarge-scaleproductionthatmeetsmarketrequirements.Todeveloptheprogrammesproductssustainably,thedepartmenthassetupplansandinstructeditsagenciestoco-operatewithlocalitiestoreviewtheseproductsandtheirproducerstoevaluatequality,potentialandsustainability.Itisdevelopingconcentratedfarmingareastopromotetheestablishmentofstart-upstodevelopOCOPproductsandencourageproducerstoproducethem,hesaid.TheprovinceisimplementingadvocacyactivitiestoraisepublicawarenessaboutthequalityofOCOPproducts,andisencouragingpeopletogiveprioritytoconsumingthem.Itissurveyingmarketsanddevelopsmarketlinkagesamongthecountrysregionstosellthem.TheprovincehasparticipatedintradefairsandexhibitionsheldintheC?uLong(Mekong)Delta,TayNguyên(CentralHighlands)andnorthernregionstointroduceitsOCOPproducts.ItsDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentandDepartmentofIndustryandTradehaveco-operatedwiththeircounterpartsintheseregionstocreatetransactionfloorstointroduceandsellOCOPproducts.TheprovincehasalsohadsupportpoliciestoassistOCOPproducerstopromotetheirsales.ItaimstoassistmorethanhalfofOCOPproducerstoestablishwebsitestointroduceandsellproducts,andsupportsthemtoparticipateinsellingproductsontheprovincese-commerceplatformthisyear.TheDepartmentofIndustryandTrade,inco-operationwithrelevantdepartmentsandagencies,organisedanOCOPproductboothfor62companiestointroducetheirproductsatmanyseminarsandprogrammeslastyear.TheprovincehaspromotedthesaleofOCOPproductsone-commerceplatformsandaimstodeveloptheminbothquantityandquality.Ithasencouragedcompanies,co-operativesandproductionestablishmentstoexploitruralspecialtyproductsanddevelopthemintoOCOPproducts.ItalsoaimstodevelopOCOPproductsincombinationwithbuildingnew-styleruralareasanddevelopingtourismservices.InTanPhúDistrict,authoritiesareassistingproducerstointroducetheirOCOPproductsattourismdestinations.Nguy?nH?uKy,chairmanoftheTanPhúPeoplesCommittee,saidmanyOCOPproductsinthedistrictsuchasagarwoodessentialoil,Kabinglutinousricewine,TràLàigreenskinandpinkfleshgrapefruitandPhúAncashewnuts,havebecomepopularwithconsumers.ThedistrictwillstrengthentradepromotionactivitiestodevelopmarketsforOCOPproducts,hesaid.Itwillintroducethemintourismtoursanddiversifytheprovincestourismproducts,hesaid.VNSManydecorativebillboardsandpublicareasonLêLaiStreet,District1inHCMCItyturnofforreducesthelightingsystemcapacitybyahalftosaveelectricityonMay.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhV?HàN?I—TheGovernmenthasdirectedtheMinistryofFinancetoleadandcoordinatewithrelevantagenciesandlocalauthoritiesinordertoreviewandproposeamendmentstotheLawonPracticingThriftandCombatingWastebefore2025.Additionally,theministrywasalsotaskedwithresearchingandproposingamendmentstotheLawonManagementandUseofStatecapitalinvestedinproductionandbusinessinenterprisestoenhancetheefficiencyofStatecapitalandassetsusageintheenterprises.TheministrywastoldtorevisetheLawonStateBudgetandrelatedlegaldocumentstobetteralignwithcurrentpractices,emphasisingthecentralroleoftheStatebudget,whileencouraginglocaltoincreaserevenue.Itaimstomobiliseresourcesforsocio-economicdevelopment,grantinglocalgovernmentsautonomyandresponsibilityinbudgetdecisionsandusage.Furthermore,theministrywasrequiredtoinnovatetheallocationofregularexpenditures.TheordersareoutlinedinResolutionNo.98/NQ-CPontheGovernmentsactionprogrammeforimplementingDirectiveNo.27-CT/TW,issuedonDecember25,2023bythePolitburo,whichaimstoenhancethePartysleadershipinpractisingthriftandcombatingwaste.TheresolutionwasissuedonJune26.Oneprimarygoaloftheprogrammeistoclearlydefinetheresponsibilitiesofeachagency,particularlytheheadofeachagency,todevelopsolutionsforeffectiveimplementationoftheDirectiveNo.27-CT/TW.Itisintendedtofosterastrongandpositiveshiftinawarenessaboutpractisingthriftandcombatingwasteatalllevels,contributingtotheeffectivemobilisation,allocationanduseofsocio-economicresourcesfornationaldevelopmentandimprovingpeopleslives.Theprogrammeoutlinesfivekeytasksandsolutions,consistingofraisingawarenessandstrictlyimplementingthePartysguidelinesandtheStatespoliciesandlawsonpractisingthriftandcombatingwaste;continuouslyimprovingthelegalsystemregardingthriftandwastecombat;effectivelyimplementingnationalstrategiesandannualprogrammesonthriftandwastecombat;strengtheningStatemanagement,enforcingdisciplineandthoroughlypractisingthriftandcombatingwaste;promotingpublicownership,andthesupervisoryandfeedbackroleoftheVi?tNamFatherlandFront,political-socialorganisations,massorganisationsandthepublic.Foreachtaskandsolution,theGovernmentspecifiestheresponsibilitiesofeachagencyandunit.Ministries,sectorsandprovincialpeoplescommitteeswereinstructedtoreviewandperfectthelegalregulationsrelatedtothriftandwastecombatwithintheirjurisdictionandtorefinethepublicexpenditurestandardsandnorms.TheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment,alongwithrelevantministriesandsectors,weretaskedwithreviewingandimprovingthelegalsystemconcerninglandandnaturalresources.Theministrywasorderedtofocusonguidingtheimplementationofthe2023LawonWaterResourcesandthe2024LandLaw,andfinalisingthedraftLawonGeologicalandMineralforsubmissiontotheNationalAssembly.TheMinistryofPlanningandInvestmentaswellasrelevantministriesandsectorshavetoconcentrateonperfectinglegalregulationsonbiddingaccordingtothe2023BiddingLaw,improvingpublicinvestmentmanagementinstitutionsandenhancingthefactorstoboosttheeconomyscapitalabsorptioncapacity,especiallytheallocationanddisbursementofpublicinvestmentcapital.Theministrywasaskedtoresearchtheallocationofmedium-terminvestmentplansforStatebudgetcapitalonarollingbasisfollowinginternationalpracticeswhenamendingthePublicInvestmentLaw.—VNSChildrenduringaclasslearningaboutplantsinCayD??ngKindergarteninH?uGiangProvince.—Photogiaoducthoidai.vnHàN?I—Theroleofpre-schooleducationinthenationaleducationsystemisaffirmedintheEducationLaw.However,thiseducationallevelstillhasmanygapswithabout40.9percentofchildrenagedthreetofour,mainlyinremoteareas,ethnicminorityregionsandmountainousareas,notattendingschool.Indenselypopulatedareas,duetothelackofschoolsandclasses,childrenunderfivehavetogiveuptheirplacestochildrenintheuniversaleducationprogramme.Additionally,infrastructure,thenumberandqualityoftheteachingandsupportstaffarealsosignificantissues.Theshortageofpre-schoolteachershasbeenaproblemfortheeducationsectorinmanyprovincesandcitiesformanyyears.InTi?nGiangProvince,thereare170publicpre-schoolsandabout1,500privatekindergartensthatrequiremorethan3,380teachers.However,currently,theprovincehasnearly2,400teachers,soashortfallofnearly1,000teachersaccordingtotheregulations.Duetotheshortageofteachers,eachpersonhastoworktwotothreetimesharderandmanyplacescannotappointmanagerialstaffasitwouldworsentheshortageofteachers.Eachclasshasonlyoneteacherincharge,sowhenonmaternityleave,theschooladministrationhastostepintotakeclasses.AlthoughTi?nGiangProvinceorganisesmanyrecruitmentpusheseveryyear,pre-schoolteachersarestilllacking.Thisproblemhasmanycauses,includingthelackofsourcesforrecruitment,theremotelocationsofschools,difficultiesincommuting,degradedinfrastructure,insufficientclassroomsandlackofstaffhousing.Manygraduatesarereluctanttoworkinchallengingconditions,leadingtoanimbalanceinrecruitmentsources.Accordingtothestatistics,theprovincehasseveralruralcommuneswithdifficultcommutes,andformanyyears,theyhavenotbeenabletorecruitpre-schoolteachers.ThesituationissimilarinKiênGiangProvince.Forthe2023-24schoolyear,theprovinceneedstoadd1,578staffpositionsbutstillhas1,198unfilledpositions.Amongthe1,578staffpositionsneeded,482areforpre-schooleducation.Theshortageofteachersleadtoinappropriateteacherperclassratios,notensuringcompliancewithregulations.Thepre-schoolteacherratioshouldbe2.2teachersperclass,butthecurrentrateintheprovinceisonly1.62teachersperclass.Forexample,akindergarteninMongTh?ACommuneofChauThànhDistrictislackingtwoteachers.Nguy?nTh?Nh?Bình,theschoolsprincipal,toldgiaoducthoidai.vn:Formanyyears,someteachershavehadtomanageclasseswithmorechildrenthanregulationsallowed,buttheschoolcannotsplitclassesduetoalackofstaff.Someclasseshaveupto47children,makingitverydifficultfortwoteacherstocareforthem.InfrastructurelaggingbehindStatisticsfromtheMinistryofEducationandTrainingshowthatmorethan40percentofchildrenagedthreetofourhavenotaccessedpre-schooleducation.InKiênGiangProvince,therapidurbanisationinsomelocalitieshasledtoafastpopulationincrease,butinvestmentininfrastructurehasnotkeptpace,affectingeducationquality.AccordingtoHu?nhV?nHóa(chǎn),deputydirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofEducationandTraining,theprovincefacesseveralissuessuchasunsuitableplanningforthepre-schoolandgeneraleducationnetworkinsomelocalities.Thereisstillashortageofschoolsandclassesinurbanandindustrialareasandlandforschoolconstruction,especiallyintownsandcities,isinsufficient.Thecontinuousoverloadofstudentsinkindergartensandpre-schools,alongwithalong-standingshortageofstaff,hasnotbeenresolved,somanybringincontractteachersbutonlyensurearateofoneteacherperclassfortwosessionsperday.BìnhD??ngProvince,oneofthelocalitieswithrapidurbanisation,facesthechallengeofbuildingapre-schoolsystemtomeettheneedsofchildrenofindustrialparkworkers.Accordingtothe2023-24schoolyearreportbytheprovincialDepartmentofEducationandTraining,theprovincehasover1,000pre-schoolinstitutionsinindustrialzoneswithover13,600managers,teachersandstaffofwhichtherearemorethan7,000teachers.Theschoolsweregenerallymeetingtheneedsofparentsuntil,duetotheimpactoftheCOVID-19pandemic,manynon-publiceducationalinstitutionshadtoclosebecausetheyhadnoincometopayteacherssalariesandrent.BarriersfromparentsawarenessInadditiontodifficultiesregardinginfrastructureandteachers,theuniversalisationofpre-schooleducationstillfacesmanyissuesduetotheincorrectperceptionofmanyparents,especiallyinremote,ruralareas,wheretheybelievethatpre-schoolisnotimportant.Theythinkthatchildrencanstartprimaryschoolatagesixwithoutanypre-schooleducation.?àoTh?Hoa,a39-year-oldfarmerinCh?P?hDistrictofGiaLaiProvinceinTayNguyên(CentralHighlands)region,doesnotsendherfour-year-oldsontokindergarten,believingshecantakecareofandteachhimathome.Hoasaidshehadpreviouslysentherchildtoanursery,buthewasshyandoftencried,makinggoingtoschooldifficult.Athome,parentscanteachtheirchildrentoreadandcount.Theywillstilllearnfromthebeginningingradeone.Wealsohavemoretimetodohouseholdchoresandsaveonschoolcosts,Hoasaid.EveninHCMCity,thelargesteconomiccentreofthecountry,althoughitbasicallyachievesuniversalpre-schooleducationforallchildrenagedthreetofive,ensuringtherateofchildrenattendingclassesatthisageisstillchallenging,especiallyinsuburbanareas,duetoparentsreluctancetosendtheirchildrentoschool.Nguy?nTh?ThùyDung,afreelancebusinesswomaninDistrict12,ishesitantandworriedaboutsendingheryoungchildtoschool.Ihireababysitterformychild.Intheevening,Ispendtimeteachinghimafewsimplethings.Childrenattendingschooloftengetsick,missingclasses,whichisworrisome.InaremoteareainHCMCity,Hu?nhThúyNgan,viceprincipalofTh?nhAnPreschoolofC?nGi?District,alsosharesthedifficultiesinuniversalisingpreschooleducation.Ngansaidthatinrecentyears,thankstotheattentionofauthoritiesandunions,theschoolsfacilitieshavebeensignificantlyimproved.However,thecriticalissueofgettingchildrenintoschoolremains.Theuniversalisationofpreschooleducationforthree-tofour-year-oldsfacesmanychallengesduetothedifficultlivingconditionsofthepeople,whoseeconomydependsonfishingandsaltproduction.Asaresult,childrendonothavethemeanstoattendschooldespitepoliciessupportingislandcommunestudents,suchaswaivingtuitionfeesandadditionalsupportofVN?160,000(US$7)permonthforlunch.Manyparentdonotwanttosendtheirchildrentoschoolbecausemosthavesomeonetotakecareofthemandtheschoolisfarfromhome,Ngansaid.Moreover,afewparentsholdoutdatedviews,thinkingthatchildrenonlyplayanddonotlearnanythingatschoolattheagesofthreetofour,sotheywaituntilfiveyearsoldtosendthemtoschooltoprepareforgradeone.Theschoolandlocalauthoritiesconstantlycampaigninvariousways,buttherateofthree-tofour-year-oldsattendingschoolisstilllow,shesaid.—VNS

AdykebeingbuiltalongthewesterncoastlinetocurberosioninthesouthernmostprovinceofCàMau.—VNA/VNSPhotoKimHáCàMAU—ThesouthernmostprovinceofCàMauisseekingmorethanVN?26.8trillion(US$1.05billion)fromtheGovernmenttoinvestinemergencyworkstopreventerosion,whichisgrowingincreasinglyworsealongthecoastandthreateninglivesoflocalpeople.Nguy?nThanhTùng,headoftheWaterResourcesSub-departmentoftheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidthattheprovincerequiresmorethanVN?31.2trillion($1.22billion)toinvestinconstructingerosionpreventionworksforcoastalandriverineareas,aswellasseadykes.Ofthisamount,theprovinceisproposingthattheGovernmentsupportitwithVN?26.84trillion,whiletheprovincialbudgetisexpectedtocontributeVN?2.31trillion($90.7million)andprivatecapitalVN?2.05trillion($80.4million).Theprovinceplanstoinvestin177erosionpreventionprojects.Specifically,therearetencoastalprojects,30riverineprojects,36erosionmitigationprojects,fiveseadykeprojectsand96riverdykeprojects.CàMaucurrentlyhasapproximately91kmofcoastlinesufferingfromvariousdegreesoferosion.Forexample,thewesterncoasthas22kmofdangerouserosion,theeasterncoasthas29.15kmofparticularlydangerouserosionandthereis40.3kmofdangerouserosionoverall.Regardingtheeasterncoastline,withoutanydykesystemsyetinplace,therateofcoastalerosionhereis45-50metresperyear,withsomeareasexperiencingerosionratesof80-100metresperyear.Itispredictedthatwithoutanyprotectionerosionwillcontinuetoadvanceinland.Thecurrentlyerodingsectionsoftheeasterncoast,whichareatparticularlydangerousanddangerouslevels,haveanaverageerosionrateof45-50metresperyear.Therefore,protectivemeasuresareneededfortheeasterncoastline,totalling69.45km.Withthecurrentsevereerosionrates,withoutimmediateprotectivemeasures,coastalerosionwillcontinuetoresultinthelossofsignificantlandandprotectiveforests,whichhavetakenhundredsofyearstoform.Notably,ongoingerosionintoinlandareasresultsinfurtherlossoflandandforestsandthreatensmanyexistinginfrastructureprojects.Inaddition,riverbanksectionsnearestuariesthatareeroding,oratriskoferosion,requireproactiveremediationandrelocationeffortstominimiselossoflifeandpropertydamage.CàMauhasoneofthedensestsystemsofriversandcanalsinthecountry,with87rivermouthsleadingintotheseaandacoastlineof254km.Overthepastdecade,climatechangehascausedsealevelstorise,alongwithlandsubsidenceandotherextremeweatherpatterns,exacerbatingtheerosionofCàMausriverbanksandcoastline.Currently,thetotallengthoferosionacrossCàMauisapproximately187kmoutoftheprovincestotalcoastlineof254km.Inthelasttenyears,landslideshavebeenresponsibleforthelossofmorethan5,200hectaresofcoastalforests,equivalenttothesizeofacommune.—VNSPaS?waterfallecotourismareainKonTumProvincesM?ng?enTown.TheCentralHighlandsisfocusingonestablishingnational-leveltourismareas.—VNA/VNSPhotoCENTRALHIGHLANDS—TheCentralHighlandswillfocusondevelopinglargeproductionareasandnational-leveltourismsites,accordingtotheregionalplanforthe2021-30period,withavisionto2050.By2050,theCentralHighlandsregionwillbeasustainablydevelopedareawithagreen,circulareconomy.Someprovincesintheregionwillbeamongthemostdevelopedprovincesofthecountry.Largeproductionareasforindustrialcrops,fruittrees,vegetables,andflowerswillbeestablished;theregionwillbecomearenewableenergycenterofthecountry;high-qualitytouristareasandattractivetouristdestinationswillbedeveloped;andtheforestecosystemwillbepreservedanddeveloped.Economically,by2030,theregionsaverageGRDPpercapitawillreachVN?130million(US$5,100);theeconomicstructurewillincludeagriculture,forestry,andfisheriesaccountingfor29percent,industryandconstruction27percent,andservices38percent.Accordingtotheregionalplan,thenorthernCentralHighlandssub-region,consistingofGiaLaiandKonTumprovinces,willfocusonthedevelopmentofindustrialcrops,foodcrops,andinternationalexchangehubs.Tourismdevelopmentwillbepromoted,withtheformationoflarge-scalenational-leveltouristareassuchastheM?ng?eneco-tourismarea,Bi?nH?-Ch???ngYatourismarea,andtourismareasassociatedwithnationalparksandnaturereserves.ThequalityofurbanclustersPleiku(whichisthecentreofthesub-region)andKonTumwillbeimproved.ThecentralCentralHighlandssub-region,includingtheentire??kL?kProvince,willbeaninternationalcentreforagriculturalscienceandtechnologyresearchandapplication;ahubforregionalexchange,trade,culture,andbiodiversityconservation;andpartoftheVi?tNam-Laos-Cambodiadevelopmenttriangle.Bu?nMaThu?tCitywillbedevelopedasthecentreofthesub-region.ThesouthernCentralHighlandssub-region,includingLam??ngand??kN?ngprovinces,willbeacentreforhigh-qualityserviceandresorttourismforthecountryandinternationally.Itwillalsobearegionforhigh-techagriculture,mining,multi-disciplinarytraining,scientificresearch,andbauxiteoreextraction,processing,andstorage.Focuswillbeondevelopinghigh-qualityeco-tourism,resorts,andmedicaltourismassociatedwithacoolerclimate,naturallandscapes,andlocalculture.?àL?tcitywillbedevelopedasthecentreofthesub-region.—VNS

DeputyPMTr?nL?uQuanganddelegates.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuangsoughttheEUandASEANbusinessesassistanceintrainingahigh-qualityworkforceforVi?tNamduringareceptioninHanoionJune27foradelegationledbyChairmanoftheEU-ASEANBusinessCouncil(EU-ABC)JensRübbert.QuanglaudedtheactivitiesofEuropeanbusinessesingeneralandtheEU-ASEANBusinessCouncil,whichhesaid,havemadecontributionstoVi?tNamseconomicgrowthandcomprehensivepartnershipandcooperationbetweenVi?tNamandtheEU.HehighlightedVi?tNamseffortstobetteritsinstitutionalandlegalframework,withafocusoninfrastructureinvestment,includingtheconstructionofhighways.Vi?tNamalsorespectsandfulfilsitsinternationalcommitments,prioritisesglobaltrendsingreenanddigitaleconomydevelopment,hesaid.RübbertcommendedVi?tNamsorientationstosustainableeconomicdevelopmentanditsrecenteconomicsuccesses,recognisingitasoneofAsiasfastest-growingeconomies.HenotedthepositiveimpactoftheEU-Vi?tNamFreeTradeAgreement(EVFTA)onboostingtradebetweenthetwosides.EU-ABCmembershaveastrongconfidenceandstayreadytoinvest,dobusiness,andsupportVi?tNaminvariousfields,hesaid,wishingtocontinuecoordinatingwithVietnameseministries,agenciesandGovernmenttoachieveevenmorecooperationresultsinthefuture.Discussionsbetweenthetwosidescoveredsustainabledevelopmentpolicies,taxandcustomsreforms,andtheVietnameseGovernmentsprioritiesingreenanddigitaleconomicdevelopment,andthegoalofachievingnetzeroemissions.VNS

Candidatesin??ngH?iCity,thecentralprovinceofQu?ngBình,arehappyaftercompletingtheliteraturetest.—VNA/VNSPhotoTáChuyênHàN?I—MorethanonemillioncandidatesacrossthecountryonThursdaymorningstartedthehighschoolgraduationexamwithaliteraturetest,whichlastedtwohours.Accordingtotheregulations,candidateswerenotallowedtobringintotheexamrooms,anyalcohol,incendiaryweaponsandsubstances,communicationdeviceswhichcanreceive,broadcastinformationandrecordaudioandvideowhichcouldallowthemtocheat.StatisticsfromtheMinistryofEducationandTraining(MoET)showedthatthenumberofcandidatesthisyearincreasedbymorethan45,000comparedtolast.Theexamisheldnationwidewith2,323examplaces,upby51comparedtolastyear.TheMoETestablished63delegationstoinspectsupervisionat63departmentsofeducationandtraining.Nearly8,000lecturersfromhighereducationinstitutionswereaskedtosupervisetheexams,whiletheMoETalsocreated63teamswith264officialstocheckexams,markingworkin63provincesandcities.DeputyMinisterofEducationandTrainingPh?mNg?cTh??ngsaidthattheexamwasonsuchalargescale,withoveronemillioncandidatesandhundredsofthousandssupportingthem,itwouldbedifficulttoavoidincidents.Therefore,inadditiontocarefulpreparation,itwasnecessarytothoroughlygraspthespiritofwellfulfillingtasksandcopewithunusualsituations,hesaid.Theexamtookplaceinharshweatherconditions,withheavyraininmanylocalitiesandintenseheatinothers.TheNationalSteeringCommitteefortheexamaskedprovincesandcitiestobereadytorespond,ensuringthatcandidatesarrivedattheexamsitessafelyandontime.OnThursdayafternoon,candidatestookamathtestintheformofmultiple-choicequestions,overanhourandahalf.InspectionMinisterofEducationandTrainingNguy?nKimS?nonThursdaymorningcheckedintotheBDuyTiênHighSchoolandtheBiênHòaSchoolforGiftedStudentsexamsitesinnorthernHàNamprovince.Heinspectedseveralexamrooms,talkedtoandencouragedcandidatesandspoketoteachersonduty.Theministerwishedthecandidateswouldstaycalmanddothetestswellandtoldteachersandexamofficialsthathehopedexamseasonpassedoffsuccessfully.HàNamhas9,677candidatestakingtheexamthisyear.Ithas23examsiteswith420examinationrooms,with1,807officialsoverseeingthetests.MinisterS?nassessedthattheprovincehadcarefullypreparedfortheexamandhadtrainedstaffwell,aswellassupportingthestudents.Headdedthatthemostimportantfactorwastheactualexamquestions,whichweretomaximisecandidatesabilities,skills,knowledgeandensuretheirbestperformance.—VNSNationalAssemblydeputiescasttheirvotesontheLawonRoadTrafficOrderandSafetyonThursday.—VNA/VNSPhotoAn??ngHàN?I—TheNationalAssembly(NA)hasagreedtoabanondrivingwithanylevelofbloodalcohol,ontheLawonRoadTrafficOrderandSafety,initsworkingsessiononThursdaymorning.Thelawinitsentiretywaspassedwith388outof450votesinfavour,or79.84percentofthetotalnumberofNAdeputies.Atotalof293NAdeputies,or75.52percentofthetotalvotingparticipants,agreedtothezero-tolerancepolicy.Theremaining24.48percentofvotingdeputiesproposedimposingtheban,whilespecifyingthelowestlimitofbloodalcoholconcentrationallowedfordrivers.Eightotherdeputiessuggestedothermeasures.Presentingareportonthelaw,ChairmanoftheNACommitteeonDefenceandSecurityLêT?nT?isaidthatthisisnotanewregulation,havingbeenincludedinthe2008RoadTrafficLawand2019LawonPreventionandControlofHarmsofLiquorandBeerAbuse.Delegatesagreedthatwithoutstrictmeasures,therisksoftrafficviolationsandaccidentswillincrease,causingharmtolife,healthandassetsofdrivers,aswellastheirfamiliesandsocietyasawhole.T?ialsorequestedthattheMinistryofHealth(MOH)issuetechnicalguidelinesonmeasuringethanollevelsincaseswithelevatedendogenousethanolduetomedicalconditions,orauto-brewerysyndrome,withoutalcoholconsumption.TheNAStandingCommitteehasalsoorderedtheinclusionoftheMOHsresponsibilitiesonthismatterinClause5,Article87ofthelaw.—VNS

ThehousingareaatDP1.1FarminKounMomComplexownedbyTHACOAGRIprovidesspaciousandcomfortableaccommodationforworkers.—PhotoCourtesyofTHACOHCMCITY—PromotinginvestmentinfacilitiesandoptimisingsocialwelfarepoliciesforemployeesisoneofthetopprioritiesofTHACOAGRIin2024.Whenstartingtoworkorcontinuingtoworkforalongtimeatacompany,employeesalwayswanttoreceivevaluethatiscompatiblewiththeirowneffortsanddedicationtothecompany.Ontheunderstandingthat,THACOAGRIhasbeenbuildingaworkingenvironmentthatbringsvalueandgoodbenefitstoitsemployees.Investinginfacilities,improvingqualityoflifeIn2019,Tr??ngH?iAutoCorporation(THACO)establishedTr??ngH?iAgricultureJointStockCompany(THACOAGRI)toimplementaninvestmentstrategytodeveloplarge-scaleagriculturalproductiononanareaof84,000hectaresinVi?tNam,Laos,andCambodia.Todate,THACOAGRIhasinvestedandbasicallycompletedalarge-scaleagriculturalproductionmodelonanintegrated/circularorganicbasis,includinggrowingbananas,pineapples,fruittrees(durian,mango,grapefruit)andforesttrees;raisingcows,pigs,fishandotherlivestock;foodproductionandprocessing;andproductionofagriculturalmaterial,machinesandequipment.Complexesareplannedandinvestedinsynchronouslywithtechnicalinfrastructureandprojectsonlandtoserveproductionandbusinessactivities,ensuringbiosafetyandwelfareforworkers.Thecompanysworkersoftenhavetostayonfarmswithalllivingamenitieslocatedinthecomplexarea.Therefore,inrecenttimes,THACOAGRIhasfocusedoninvestingandbuildingfreehousingareas,guesthouses,cafeterias,multi-purposehousesandconveniencestoresinthecomplexareastohelpworkersimprovetheirqualityoflife,bringingpeaceofmindforthemtoworkandstickwiththecompany.Uptonow,ithasbuiltandupgraded1,105housingunitsforworkers,including288unitsatKounMomComplex,112unitsatSnuolComplex,256unitsatIaPuchComplex,and449unitsatHAGLAGRICOLaosComplex.Nguy?n?ìnhLong,amedicalworkeratthecompanysIaPuchcowfarm,said:Seeingthecompanyinvestinmanyprojectsservingthedailylivesofworkers,weareveryhappyandexcited.Cleanwaterfiltrationsystemswithacapacityrangingfrom5to15cu.mperhourandROdrinkingwaterof200-500litresperhourhavebeenputintooperationatSnuol,KounMom(Cambodia)andHAGLAGRICO(Laos)complexareastoensurequalityoflifeandhealthforemployees.Thesystemsareinstalledinexecutiveoffices,factories,farms,andhousingunits,servingnearly15,000workers.Inthecomingtime,thecompanywillcontinuetodeploythecleanwaterprojecttoallfactoriesandfarms.SnuolComplexsTrainingDepartmenthascompletedtheproceduresandconditionstomergeitstrainingprogrammeforprimaryclassesintotheCambodiannationaleducationsystem.—PhotoCourtesyofTHACOOptimisingemployeebenefitsTHACOAGRIfullyimplementswelfarepoliciesandprovidesthemostpracticalsupportforemployeessuchassigninglabourcontracts;payinghealthinsuranceandsocialinsurance;establishingfreemedicalexaminationandmedicine;andofferingbusestotakeemployeesbacktotheirhometownsforT?t.Nguy?nHi?uNgh?a,afishfarmingtechnicianatSnuolComplexArea,saidsinceworkingatTHACOAGRI,hehasbeenprovidedfreetransportationbacktohishometownforT?t.Thishelpsmesavetravelcosts,ensuressafetyandIspendmuchmoretimewithmyfamily.ThecompanyoffersfreeprimaryclassesforCambodianchildrenworkingatthecomplexes.Italsobuildschildrensplaygrounds;presentsclothes,booksandschoolsupplies,andorganisesentertainmentactivitiesduringInternationalChildrensDay,andtheMid-AutumnFestival.Ph?mH?uKhá,directorofthecompanys9B??ifarm,saidheisoneoftheemployeeswhohasbeenwiththeHAGLAGRICOLaosComplexsincethefirstdaysofestablishment.Thankstothecloseattentionofthecompanysboardofdirectorsandpracticalwelfarepolicies,wehavestablejobsandourqualityoflifehasimproved,hesaid.Nearly10membersinhisfamilyarealsoworkingatthecomplex.In2024,THACOAGRIplanstorecruitmorethan12,600employeestomeetitsproductionandbusinessneeds.Inadditiontoinvestinginfacilities,italsofocusesonimprovingpoliciesandwelfareregimesforemployees,andbuildingaculturalandconvenientworkingenvironmenttoattractandretainhumanresourcestowardssustainabledevelopment.HCMCity-basedBìnhDanHospitaldoctorsperformsurgeryonapatientwithasevereurethralstricture.—PhotocourtesyofBìnhDanHospitalHCMCITY—Ifnottreatedproperly,patientswithurethralstricturesmayhavetogetmultiplesurgeriesorwearaurinarycatheterfortheirwholelife,leadingdoctorssaidatarecentworkshopinHCMCity.TheworkshopcalledUrethralreconstruction:PerspectivesofexpertsheldatBìnhDanHospitallastweekattractedleadingexpertsinthefieldofurethralstricturetreatmentfromaroundtheworld.??L?nhHùng,headoftheUrethraUnitatBìnhDanHospital,saidthenumberofurethralstricturecasesseekingtreatmentatthehospitalisincreasing.Eachyear,thehospitaldoctorsperformsurgeryonmorethan800patientswithurethralstricture,andexamineandtreatabout10,000othercases.Since2015,UCIrvineUniversityintheUnitedStateshastransferredsurgicaltechniquesforurethralstricture,andprovidedprofessionalsupporttoBìnhDanHospitaldoctors.ThehospitalhasnotonlytransferredthesetechniquestodomestichospitalsbutalsotohospitalsinSoutheastAsiancountriessuchasThailandandMalaysia.Thehospitalssuccessrateinurethroplastysurgeryis98percent,equivalenttotheresultsofleadingurethroplastycentresintheUS.FranciscoE.Martins,headofReconstructiveUrologyUnitatSantaMariaUniversityHospitalinPortugal,discussednon-traumaticposteriorurethralobstruction.Urinaryobstructionisacommoncomplicationofprostatecancer(PCa)treatments,andleadstoseriousmorbidityanddetrimenttothepatientsqualityoflife.PathogenesisofVesicourethralanastomoticstenosis(VUAS)varieswithPCatreatmenttype,leadingtoindividualmanagementconsiderations,hesaid.EndoscopicmanagementcanbeconsideredforallradiationVUAS.Openreconstructionispotentiallyassociatedwithincreasedmorbidity.Althoughchallenging,successfulreconstructionwithlastingpatencyispossibleforcomplexradiationVUAstenoses.Recogniseunsalvageable(devastated)situations,thesepatientsshouldbereferredtotertiary,high-volume,academiccentresformanagementbyurethralreconstructiveexperts,headded.AkioHoriguchi,fromtheDepartmentofUrologyatNationalDefenseMedicalCollegeinJapan,saidmaleurethralstrictureisacommonandchallengingurologicconditioninmales.Thegoalofurethralstricturetreatmentisnormalvoidingandfreedomfrominstrumentation.Urethroplastyistheonlycurativeoptionforthemajorityofurethralstrictures,hesaid.Urethroplastyisthegoldstandardofbulbarstricture.Excisionandprimaryanastomosisissuitableforshortproximalbulbarstrictureandsubstitutionurethroplastyissuitableforlengthybulbarandmidtodistalbulbarurethralstrictures.Thekeytosuccessistoselectaprocedureappropriateforthestricturesstatusandlocation,headded.AworkshopcalledUrethralreconstruction:PerspectivesofexpertswasheldatBìnhDanHospitalinHCMCityonJune20.—PhotocourtesyofBìnhDanHospitalProfessorJoelGelmanfromUCIrvineUniversityintheUSsaidthattohaveahighsuccessrateinurethroplastysurgery,doctorsmustundergointensivetrainingandpracticetogainexperience,fromseveralmonthstoseveralyears.Inaddition,hospitalsneedtohavespecialisedsurgicalequipmentandimprovethecapabilitiesofdiagnosticmedicalimaging.Strategicdevelopmentandsupportfromthehospitalsboardofdirectorsareveryimportant,hesaid.Onthisoccasion,thehospitalsdoctorsandadelegationledbyJoelGelmanperformedsurgeryonapatientwithasevereurethralstrictureandstones.Thesymptomsthatthepatienthasaredysuriaandimpairedurination,andprolongeddysurialeadingtourinaryretention.Healsohashypertensionandgout.Thedoctorsperformedendoscopictoremoveurethralstones,andsuprapubiccystostomywasplacedtomanageurethralstricture.—VNS

RocksfromthemountainrolleddownontoahouseinCaoD??ngCommune,L??ngS?nDistrictinHòaBìnhProvincefollowinganearthquakeonMarch25inM???cDistrict.Phototuoitre.vnHàN?I—Inrecentyears,earthquakeshaveoccurredmorefrequentlyinVi?tNamandappeartobeontherise.Therefore,communitiesinhigh-riskearthquakeareasneedtounderstandthistypeofnaturaldisasteranddevelopproactiveresponseplans,anexperthassaid.Sincethebeginningof2024,Vi?tNamhasexperienced135earthquakesinmanylocalities.Allwereminorearthquakeswithmagnitudesrangingfrom2.5to4.1.Notably,inKonPlongDistrictintheCentralHighlandsprovinceofKonTum,earthquakesoccuralmostdaily,withsometimessevenoreighttremorshappeninginasingleday.Earthquakeshavealsobeenrecordedinotherareasacrossthecountry,includingregionswheretheywerepreviouslyrare,suchasM???cDistrictinHàN?i,andNinhBìnhandYênBáiprovinces.Nguy?nXuanAnh,DirectoroftheInstituteofGeophysicsattheVi?tNamAcademyofScienceandTechnology,statedthatmostoftheearthquakesin2024havebeeninducedbyhumanactivities,particularlyhydro-electricpoweroperations.Asmallnumberofearthquakesweretectonic,occurringalongnaturalfaultzones.DatafromtheInstituteofGeophysicsshowedasignificantincreaseinearthquakeoccurrencesoverthepastfiveyears.Specifically,therewere52earthquakesin2019,98in2020,183in2021,293in2022,and353in2023.Particularly,from2021to2023,thenumberofearthquakesincreasedthreetosixorseventimescomparedto2019.Thisriseismainlyduetotheincreasednumberofinducedearthquakescausedbyhydro-electricreservoiroperations.Recentdataalsoshowedthatthenorthwestregionexperiencesthestrongestearthquakesinthecountryduetoseveralnaturalfaultzones.AccordingtotheearthquakehazardzoningmapfromtheInstituteofGeophysics,Vi?tNamisnotneartheseboundariesbutislocatedontheEurasianPlate,makingitsgeologymorestable.EarthquakesinVi?tNamaretypicallyofmoderatemagnitudeandlessdestructivecomparedtothosenearplateboundaries.ThestrongestpossibleearthquakesinVi?tNamcouldreachamagnitudeof7.5,withahistoricalrecordofa6.8magnitudeearthquake.TheseprimarilyoccurinthenorthwestregionandNgh?AnProvince.InotherareassuchasKonTumandmajorcitieslikeHàN?i,?àN?ng,andHCMCity,potentialearthquakeswouldlikelyrangefrom5.0to5.9.Elsewhereinthecountry,earthquakesaregenerallymild,below5.0inmagnitude.MostearthquakesinVi?tNamrangefrom5.0to5.9inmagnitude,causingminorstructuraldamagelikeshakinghousesandslightcracksinwalls.Recently,someearthquakeshaveoccurredinareaswithtraditionallylowseismicactivity.Forexample,a4.0magnitudeearthquakeon25MarchinM???cDistrictcausedtremorsinnearbyareasincluding?ngHòaandCh??ngM?inHàN?i,KimB?i,L??ngS?n,andL?cTh?yinHòaBìnhProvince,andKimB?nginHàNamProvince.ThisrareeventoccurredintheRedRiver-L?River-Ch?yRiverfaultzone.Whenthesefaultsaccumulateenoughenergy,theygenerateearthquakes.On27May,a3.4magnitudeearthquakeinNhoQuanDistrictinNinhBìnhProvincecausedtremorsinTh?chThànhDistrictinThanhHóa(chǎn)Province.Thisearthquakewasduetotheareabeinginthe?àRiverfaultzone.AnofficerofM?ngCànhCommune,KonPl?ngDistrictinKonTumProvincedeliversaleafletaboutearthquakesforlocalresidents.VNA/VNSPhotoD?ToánRegardingearthquakereportingandforecasting,DirectoroftheInstituteofGeophysicsXuanAnhstatedthatinthefirsthalfof2024,mostearthquakesacrossthecountryhadmagnitudesbetween2.5and4.1,posinglittlenaturaldisasterrisk.However,hesaid,earthquakesarenotoriouslydifficulttopredict,especiallytheprecisetimingoftheiroccurrence.Therefore,understandingearthquakesandhowtoprepareforthemiscrucial,particularlyinhigh-riskareas.XuanAnhsaidtheInstitutemaintainsanationalearthquakemonitoringsystemwithnearly40stationsnationwide.Inaddition,localstationsmonitorinducedseismicactivityfromhydro-electricreservoirsinthenorthwestandQu?ngNamProvince.Recently,theinstituteestablishedeightlocalmonitoringstationsinKonTumProvince.Thesestationsproviderapid,accurateearthquakedata,essentialforassessingseismicactivity,damsafetyandreservoiroperations.Hesaidlocalauthoritiesshoulddevelopannualearthquakeresponseplansbasedonsuchactivityandinatriskareas,itisimportanttoincreasepublicawarenessandearthquakepreparednesstraining.Basicknowledgeaboutearthquakesandhowtorespondisessential,hesaid.Duringanearthquake,residentsindoorsshouldtakecoverunderatabletoprotectthemselvesfromfallingobjectsandwaituntiltheshakingstops,avoidusingelevatorsduetopotentialpoweroutagesandturnoffcircuitbreakersbeforeevacuatingtopreventfiresfromforgottenelectricalappliances.—VNSAtthelaunchingmeeting.Photodangcongsan.vnHàN?I—TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentonTuesdaylaunchedthe80yearsoftheVietnameseIrrigationIndustryaccompanyingthenationcompetition.Waterresourcesarevitaltotheeconomy,society,andnationalsecurity,contributingsignificantlytoenvironmentalprotection,povertyalleviation,ruraldevelopment,andindustrialisation.TheWorldBankhaspraisedVi?tNamsextensiveandwell-developedwaterresourcesinfrastructure,whichincludes290,000pumpstationsand170,000canalprojects,formingarobustnetworkthatsupportstheagriculturalsector.Thissystemnotonlysupplieswaterbutalsoenhancesrurallandscapesandsupportshigh-valueagriculturalactivitieslikeaquacultureandfruitfarming.However,continuedinvestmentisneeded,particularlyinwater-scarceregionslikethemidlands,northernmountains,CentralHighlands,andSouthCentralCoast.Aspartoftheagriculturalrestructuringplanandthesustainableagricultureandruraldevelopmentstrategyfor2021-2030,withavisionto2050,thereisashifttowardsamulti-valueintegratedapproach.Thewaterresourcessectorisexpectedtoleadthistransformationwithmodern,intelligent,andmulti-purposesystems.Thecompetition,co-organisedbytheDirectorateofWaterResourcesandVietnamAgricultureNewspaper,aimstocelebratethe80thanniversaryoftheVietnameseIrrigationIndustry(August28,1945-August28,2025).Ithighlightsthesectorsachievementsandcrucialroleinagriculture,ruraldevelopment,andnationalsocio-economicgrowth.Thecompetitioninvitesprofessionalandamateurauthorstocreateworksthatreflecttheimportanceofwaterresourcesinhumanlifeandagriculturalproduction.ItaimstoshowcaseVi?tNamsjourneyfrominsufficientdomesticsupplytobecomingaleadingagriculturalexporter.Additionally,thecompetitionhonoursexemplaryprojectsandindividualsintheirrigatyionsector,bringingtheirstoriestothepublicandencouragingthoseinthefieldtoreflectontheircontributionsandcontinuebuildingontheirlegacy.Nguy?nNg?cTh?ch,Editor-in-ChiefofVietnamAgricultureNewspaper,said:Thecompetitionaimstoaffirmthesectorsachievementsanditssignificantroleinagriculture,ruraldevelopment,andnationalsocio-economicsecurity.Italsoseekstoinspireandmotivatethosewithinthewaterresourcessector.ThecompetitionwillacceptentriesuntilJune15,2025.Submissionscanincludearticles,speeches,videos,photoreports,shortstories,andpoems.AwardsincludeoneSpecialPrize,threeFirstPrizes,sixSecondPrizes,nineThirdPrizes,15ConsolationPrizes,andthreeCollectivePrizesfororganisationsexcellinginsubmissionquality.EntriesshouldbesenttoVietnamAgricultureNewspaper,No.14Ng?Quy?n,TràngTi?n,HoànKi?m,HàN?i,orviaemailtocuocthi80namthuyloi@gmail.comor80namthuyloi@wrd.gov.vn.Thecompetitionaimstobeafairandtransparentplatform,garneringenthusiasticsupportfromallwriterstohelptheVietnameseirrigationsectorfulfilitsmissionforagriculture,ruraldevelopment,andnationalsecurity.VNS