VJCC Natsu Matsuri Set for June 22-23
BhikkhuThíchTamHuychairsBuddhastatuebathingritual.—VNA/VNSPhotoPARIS—TheTrúcLamZenMonasteryinFranceheldaceremonyonSundaytomarkLordBuddhasbirthday(VesakDay).BhikkhuThíchTamHuy,headoftheTrúcLamZenMonastery,highlightedthemeaningandimportanceofBuddhasbirthday;andcalledoneveryonetofollowtheDharma,dogooddeeds,andattainenlightenmentforthemselvesandothers.Buddhistdignitariesandfollowersprayedforpeaceintheworld,andgoodhealthandhappinessforeveryone.TheythenparticipatedinaBuddhastatuebathingritual.TheTrúcLamZenMonasterywasbuiltin1976andcompletedin1990intheParissuburbantownofVillebon-sur-Yvette.ItisagatheringplaceofVietnameseBuddhistinFrance.Earlier,VietnameseAmbassadortoFrance?inhToànTh?ngofferedincenseatKhu?ngVi?tpagoda,inOrsaycity,nearly4kmfromtheTrúcLamZenMonastery.—VNS
SocialinsuranceofficersinB?cNinhProvincehelppensionerssettinguptheironlineaccountsforcashlesspensionpayment.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—FifteenyearsfollowingthePartyCentralCommitteeSecretariatsDirectiveNo.38-CT/TWonpromotinghealthinsuranceinthenewsituation,theimplementationofthehealthinsurancepolicyforthe2009-24periodhasgainedmanyachievements,withthegoalofuniversalhealthinsurancelikelytobereached.Asoflate2023,over93.6millionpeople,or93.35percentofthecountryspopulation,arecoveredbyhealthinsurance,exceedingthegoalsetintheGovernmentsResolutionNo.01/NQ-CPaswellastheNationalAssemblysResolutionNo.68/2022/QH15onsocioeconomicdevelopmentplanfor2023,andanimpressivesurgefromthe39.7million,or46.1percentofthepopulation,recordedin2008beforethedirectivewasissued.Maintainingthepaceofhealthinsurancegrowthamidpeoplesdifficultlivingconditionshasonceagainaffirmedthesteadfastnessanddeterminationofthepoliticalsystemingeneralandthesocialinsurancesectorinparticularineffectivelyimplementingtheuniversalhealthinsuranceroadmap.Withtheconsistentviewpointoftakingpeopleandbusinessesasthesubjectandcentreofservice,theVi?tNamSocialSecurity(VSS)alwaysstrivestoensurefull,timelyandlegitimatebenefitsforparticipants.Thenumberofhealthinsurancecardholdersgoingformedicalexaminationandtreatmentincreasesrapidlyyearafteryear.From2009to2023,theaveragenumberofmedicalexaminationsandtreatmentscoveredbyhealthinsuranceperyearwasover141million,anincreaseof59.5percentfrom2009,withanaveragecostofVN?66.2trillion(US$2.6billion)ayear,up330percentagainstthatin2009.Notably,duringtheperiodwhenthewholecountrywasaffectedbytheCOVID-19pandemic,thepivotalroleofthehealthinsurancepolicyinthesocialsecuritysystemwasfurtherpromoted,contributingtohealthcareandstabilisationofpeopleslives,andenhancingfaithinthehumanesocialsecuritypolicyofthePartyandState.Inaddition,theVSShasfocusedonsolutionstocreateutilitiesandbenefitsforparticipants,beneficiariesandStatemanagementagenciesinpreventingtheprofiteeringofhealthinsurancefunds.Thesectorhasalsospedupadministrativeprocedurereform,with115proceduresin2015cutdownto25,andexpandedtheapplicationofinformationtechnologyanddigitaltransformationinprofessionalwork.—VNSHeavyrainscausedlandslides,cuttingoffaroadinHàGiangProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?n??cTh?HàN?I—Peopleinnorthernprovincesareurgedtobecautiousasheavyrainfalloverthepasttwodayshassignificantlyincreasedtheriskofflashfloodsandlandslides.AccordingtotheNationalCentreforHydrometeorologicalForecasting,manydistrictsandcitiesinthenorthernregionhavereceivedsubstantialrainfallsinceJune10.DuringthedayonJune11,thereisahighriskofflashfloodsnearriversandstreamsaswellasariskoflandslidesonsteepslopesinseveralareas,notablyPh?YêninTháiNguyênProvince,YênMinhinHàGiangProvinceandHàQu?nginCaoB?ngProvince.Asflashfloodsandlandslidescanthreatenlives,disrupttrafficanddestroyfacilities,peopleareadvisedtostayvigilantandcloselymonitorweatherupdatesfromofficialsources.TheweatherforecastforJune11statesthatpeopleinthenorthwestregioncanexpectamixofcloudsandsunshinethroughouttheday.Theresachanceofafternoonandeveningshowersandthunderstorms,withaslightriskoftornadoesandstrongwinds.Temperatureswillbepleasant,rangingfrom23-27°Cwithhighspotentiallyreaching33°Cinsomeareas.HàN?iCityisforecasttoexperiencesimilarconditionstothenorthwestregion,withtemperaturesrangingfrom26°Cto34°C.ProvincesfromThanhHóa(chǎn)toTh?aThiên-Hu?willbehotandsunnywithachanceofafternoonandeveningthunderstorms.Someareasmightexperienceswelteringtemperaturesexceeding37°C.—VNS
HeavyraincausedfloodsinBìnhThu?nProvince.Photosggp.org.vnBìNHTHU?N-HeavyrainandtornadoesdamagedanumberofstructuresandaffectedthelivesofpeopleinB?cBìnhdistrict(BìnhThu?n),accordingtotheSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPrevention,ControlandSearchandRescueofBìnhThu?nProvince.Heavyrainstookdownsixelectricpoles,somebillboardsandtrafficsignsalongHòaTh?ng-HòaPhúroad.Inaddition,heavyrainsandtornadoesalsoblewofftheroofsofstalls.TheestimateddamagewasoverVN?950million(US$37,400).Immediatelyafterthedisasteroccurred,theSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPrevention,ControlandSearchandRescueofHòaTh?ngcommunemobilisedlocalforcestoco-ordinatewithrelevantunitstopromptlyovercometheincidentscausedbythenaturaldisaster.Theyorganisedinspectionsandassessmentsofthedamageditemscausedbyheavyrainandtornadoes.OnthenightofJune8,heavyrainaccompaniedbythunderstormsandwhirlwindsinthecoastof??PhúQuydistrictdamagedanumberoffishingboatsanchoredatB?iPh?.TheOfficeoftheSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPrevention,ControlandSearchandRescueofBìnhThu?nProvincerequestedtheProvincialBorderGuardCommandtocontinuetosupportfishermeninovercomingtheconsequences.ThePeoplesCommitteeandtheSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPrevention,ControlandSearchandRescueofPhuQuydistrictshallinspect,assess,verifythedamage,andcompileanofficialreporttotheSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPrevention,ControlandSearchandRescueoftheprovinceaccordingtoregulations.Lastmonth,sandwashedinbyheavyrainfloodedaroadinPhanThi?tCity,buryingvehiclesandproperties.ProlongedheavyrainsthroughthepreviousnightwasheddownredsandfromanearbyhillontoHu?nhThúcKhángStreetinM?iNéWard,halfsubmergingvehicles.Thesandstretchedfor350manduptonearly1.3mdeep,andalsofloodedarestaurant.TheredsandwasidentifiedtohavecomefromtheSentosaM?iNéprojectonahill30mhighonHu?nhThúcKhángStreet.VNSVesselownersinH?iPhòngCityareeducatedaboutIUUregulationsbeforeleavingportforfishing.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?H?uSinhHàN?I—TohavetheyellowcardthattheEuropeanCommission(EC)hasimposedonVietnameseseafoodregardingillegal,unreported,andunregulated(IUU)fishingliftedhasbeenconsideredanurgenttaskofthefisherysector.Thisisnotonlyamatterofstrictlyimplementingthe2017FisheriesLawbutalsoprotectingcoastalsecurityandthesafetyofthemarineecosystem.Overthepastsevenyearssincebeingimposedthewarning,Vi?tNamhasbeenworkinghardtostepbystepfulfiltheEuropeanUnionsstandardsandhopefullyhavetheyellowcardremovedintheupcomingexamination.Recently,28coastalprovincesandcentrally-runcitiesofVi?tNamhavestrictlycompliedwiththeGovernmentsdirectionsonthoroughlyhandlingviolationsonIUUfishingpreventionandcontrolregulations,andgearedupforthelastexamination.CombatingIUUfishingisaconditionwemustmeetsoasforVietnameseseafoodproductstohaveabettermarketshareinEuropeinthefuture,saidPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChính.StatisticsfromtheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentshowedthatcurrently,therearethreedifficultiesandproblemsthatVi?tNammustdealwithtoimplementtheECsrecommendations.Thefirstoneisfishingvesselsviolationsofforeignwaters,thesecondisthesituationofvesselsdeactivationoftheVesselMonitoringSystem(VMS),andthelastoneisthatVi?tNamstillhasboatsthatarenotregisteredandcheckedand,hasnoexploitationlicences.Thesearethethreemajorcausesbehindfishermenslegalviolations.TheissueofvesselsturningofftheVMSisamongtheECsconcernsasitassertsthatthereisnoreasonthatVi?tNamcannotdealwiththisproblem,saidMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentLêMinhHoan.Asacoastallocality,thesouthernprovinceofBàR?a-V?ngTàuanditsV?ngTàuCityinparticularhaverolledoutvariousmeasurestocopewiththeexistingproblemsfollowingtherecommendationsgivenbytheECdelegationin2023.Tr?nTh?ThuH??ng,HeadoftheDivisionforEconomicAffairsoftheV?ngTàuPeoplesCommittee,saidthatcurrently,98.4percentoflocalfishingvesselswithalengthof15mandabovehadinstalledVMSs,andtheremainderswerenotoperating.Inthesouth-centralprovinceofNinhThu?n,ViceChairmanoftheprovincialPeoplesCommitteeTr?nhMinhHoàngsaidthatthelocalityhadissuedaplantoimplementurgenttasksandsolutionstocombatIUUfishing,whichcomprisesfivemajortasksandthreegroupsofsolutionstoensurethatallfishingactivitiesarelegal.CoastallocalitiesinthesouthhavealsoheldmanymeetingswithfishermentoenhancetheirawarenessofIUUfishingpreventionandcontrolwiththehopeofcompletingallcriteriafortheupcomingdecisiveexamination.InBàR?a-V?ngTàu,theborderguardforcehasalsoorganisedmeetingswithmorethan200offshorefishermentoencouragethemtosigncommitmentswiththeadministrationandleadersoftheprovincialfisheriessectortostrictlyimplementIUUpreventionandcontrolregulationsin2024.Theborderguardforcehasinspectedandcloselycontrolledthemovementoffishingvesselsatports.Vesselsthatfailtoshowenoughdocumentswillnotbeallowedtogototheseaforfishing,saidSen.Lieut.Col.Nguy?nV?nKhánh,DeputyChiefofStaffoftheBorderGuardCommandofBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvince.Meanwhile,inthesouth-centralprovinceofNinhThu?n,offshorefishermenhaveactivelygatheredtogethertoshareknowledgeonIUUfishingpreventionandcontrolregulations,andformedgroupsofoffshorefishingvesselstosupporteachotherinunexpectedcircumstancesatsea.Hu?nhQu?cVi?t,ChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofsouthernCàMauProvince,saidthatovertheyears,thelocalityhadsteppeduptheapplicationofinformationtechnologyanddigitaltransformationachievementsintoverifyingandcertifyingtheoriginsofexploitedseafood.Thankstotheseefforts,CàMauhadcontrolled100percentoffishingvesselsgoinginandoutofportsthrough10existingbordercontrolstationsintheprovince,whileestablishingnineadditionalinspectionandmobilecontrolpostsatseaportswithoutbordercontrolstations.Atthesametime,violationshadbeendetectedandhandledwiththejointeffortsofthewholepoliticalsystem,strivingforasustainablefisherysector.GovernmentshighdeterminationtocompletelegalframeworkforIUUfishingcombatAspartoftheeffortstoprepareforthefinalexamination,theGovernmenthasissuedDecreeNo.37/2024/N?-CPonadjustmentsandsupplementstoanumberofarticlesofDecreeNo.26/2019/N?-CPdetailinganumberofregulationsintheFisheriesLawandDecreeNo.38/2021/N?-CPonadministrativepunishmentsinthefieldoffisheries,whichreplacedDecreeNo.42/2019/N?-CPonregulationsonadministrativesanctionsinthefieldoffisheries.ThisdemonstratedtheGovernmentshighdeterminationtocompletethelegalframeworkregardingIUUfishingpreventionandcontrolfollowingtheECsrecommendations.AccordingtoD??ngV?nC??ng,DeputyDirectoroftheVietnamFisheriesSurveillance,DecreeNo.37/2024/N?-CPandDecreeNo.38/2021/N?-CPhaveamendedandsupplementedmanylegalregulationstoensurethattheyaremoresuitableandmeettherecommendationsandrequirementsoftheECinthefourthinspection.ForDecree37/2024/N?-CP,themostimportantpointistheadditionofArticle70aafterArticle70.TheGovernmenthasstipulatedcontentstomanageexploitedseafoodimportedintoVi?tNamandprovidedforprocessingfactoriesandthenexportedtomarkets,includingtheEuropeanmarket.Vi?tNamisdeterminedtocontrolaquaticrawmaterialsimportedintoVi?tNamtoensurethatallproductsenteringVi?tNamdonotviolateIUUfishingregulations.AnyproductenteringprocessingfactoriesandprovidedforothermarketsmustbecertifiedthatitsoriginistransparentanditisnotanIUU-violatingproduct.InDecree38/2021/N?-CP,theGovernmentadjustedfinesandincreasedadditionalsanctionsagainstseriousviolationsofIUUfishingregulations.ThefinesarehigherthanthoseinDecree42/2019/N?-CP.Decree37/2024/N?-CPtookeffectonMay19,andDecree38/2021/N?-CPcameintoforceonMay20.Currently,theborderguardforceiscoordinatingcloselywiththecoastguardandnavalforcesaswellasthelocalfisherycontrolforcesandfisherysectorstoincreasethefrequency,duration,andforcesforregistration,inspectionandcontrolandensurethat100percentoffishingvesselsoperatingatseaarestrictlyinspected,controlledandmanaged,saidV?V?nH?ng,DeputyChiefofStaffoftheBorderGuardCommandundertheMinistryofNationalDefence.OnApril10,2024,thePartyCentralCommitteesSecretariatissuedDirectiveNo.32-CT/TWonstrengtheningthePartysleadershipoverIUUfishingpreventionandcontrolandpromotingthesustainabledevelopmentofthefisheriessector.ThedocumentmobilisestheengagementofthewholepoliticalsystemintheprocessofleadinganddirectingtheIUUfishingpreventionandcontrol.Asaresult,theIUUfishingcombathasreceivedthoroughdirectionfromthePartyandState.ThecurrentproblemishowVi?tNamcanshowtheinspectionteamfromtheECthatthecountryseffortsdonotstopatthepromulgatedinstitutionsbuttheactionsoflocalitiesinreality.—VNSMotorcyclistswereforcedtodismountandpushtheirvehiclesthroughtheinudatedstreets.—Photolaodong.vnHàN?I—TorrentialrainsfromJune10to11causedseverefloodinginseveralcitiesinTháiNguyênProvince.Ph?YênCityexperiencedastaggering197.4mmofrainfallintwelvehours.SignificantdownpourswerealsoobservedinS?ngC?ngandTháiNguyênCities,withsomeareassubmergedunder20to40cmofwater.Localresidentsreportedthattherainsbeganaround7:00pmonJune10,causingvehiclestostallontheroadsastheirengineswereoverwhelmedbyfloodwaters.AuthoritiesinPh?YênstatedonJune11thatfloodwatershadreceded,withnolandslidesorotherincidentsreportedinthecityfollowingtheheavyrains.However,S?ngC?ngCitywasnotquiteasfortunate.Whiletherainshavestopped,severalareasremainflooded.Localauthoritieshavedeployedateamtoassessthesituationandmonitortheaffectedareas.Additionally,theyhaveassignedpersonneltobarricadeandguardhigh-riskdamstopreventtrespassing.—VNS
ChildrenreadbooksinaminilibraryintheTamH?pPrimarySchoolinT??ngD??ngDistrict,thecentralprovinceofNgh?Anduringtheirsummerholidays.—VNA/VNSPhotoBíchHu?HàN?I—Summerbreakisthetimeforstudentstorestafterayearofhardstudy,butitalsomakesparentsworried,becausechildrenstayingathomemeansbeingconstantlyexposedtoelectronicdevicesandtheinternet.Thisaffectschildrenshealth,mentalwellbeingandpsychology,aswellasraisingconcernsabouttheirsafety.Manyparentsareconfusedinhowtofindsafeandusefulactivitiestokeeptheirchildrenentertainedandlearningduringthesummerholidays.Authoritiesalsostrivetocomeupwithplacestoofferappropriateknowledgeandskillsforeachagegroup,helpingchildrengetadigitalimmunesystem,makingthemself-awareandpreventingonlinerisksanddangers.ParentsworryH?ngNhung,livesinThanhXuanDistrictinHàN?i,hasachildinfourthgrade.SheandherhusbandagreedtoallowtheirchildtousemobilephoneandTVforonehourperday.Lookingatthephonetoomuchwilltakeawaychildrensplaytime,causingalossofconnectionbetweenfamilymembers,Nhungsaid.Nguy?nTrangLinh,amotherin??ng?aDistrict,HàN?i,saidthatduringthesummer,sheandherhusbandworkanddonothavetimetocloselymonitortheirson.Theydonotwanttosendtheirsontosummerclasses,sotheytookhimtoplaywithhisgrandparentsandpickedhimupintheafternoon.But,thegrandparentsoftenlettheboyusemobilephonealldaylongandsotheycannotcontrolifthecontentheaccessesonsocialnetworksisrelevant.Afterafewdays,Linhchoosestolethersonusethephone30minutesperday,butonlywhentheparentsareathome.Atthesametime,theytaketurnsinstructingtheirsonaboutthecontenthecanwatchonline,whichcontentisbadandwhichshouldbeavoided.Accordingtoexperts,usingphonesorsocialnetworksintheearlyyearscancausechildrentolosetheabilitytoconcentrateaswellasmemoryskillswhentheylaterneedtostudy.Thereisalsotheproblemoftheimpactonchildrensmentalhealthiftheyaccessharmfultoxicmaterial.Howeverifchildrenaccesstechnologyearlywithsupportandguidancefromtheirparents,smartphonesandcomputerswillhelpthemfindinformationanddataforlearning,promotingeffectiveself-study.Nguy?nTh?Nga,DeputyDirectoroftheDepartmentofChildrensAffairsundertheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs,saidthatchildrenusingtheinternettoomuchcouldleadtoaddictionanditcouldbecomeahabitthatwasverydifficulttocure.Inadditiontheycouldviewharmfulimagesandcontent,notsuitablefortheirage.Tr?n??ngKhoa,DeputyDirectoroftheDepartmentofInformationSecurityundertheMinistryofInformationandCommunications,pointedoutfivemajorrisksforchildrenincyberspace.Theyincludeaccessingharmfulcontentthatdistortsthinking,lifestyleanddevelopment;havingprivateorpersonalinformationspreadcausingnegativeimpactsonlife;beingbulliedonlineinvariousforms;excessiveuseandaddictiontotheinternet;beingenticed,harassed,defrauded,threatenedandforcedtoparticipateinactivitiesthatviolatethelaw.StatisticsfromtheDepartmentofInformationSecurityshowthat,withmorethan70percentofthepopulationusingtheinternet,V?tNamisinthegroupofcountrieswiththehighestrateofinternetusers.Therearearound24.7millionchildreninthecountry,accountingfornearly25percentofthepopulationandtheyusesocialnetworksfromfivetosevenhoursaday.Therefore,protectingchildrenincyberspaceposesmanychallenges,ofwhichinternetaddictionisoneofthesixmainrisks.AccompanythechildrenChildrenjoinaswimmingclassinHCMCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoThành??tToprotectchildrenintheonlineenvironment,inrecenttimes,concernedorganisationshaveworkedtoimplementaprogrammetoprotectandsupportchildren.Alongwiththat,ministriestrytomaintainasafenetworkenvironmentandapplyVietnamesedigitaltechnologyforchildrentolearn,connect,interactandhavecreativeandhealthyentertainmentinthenetworkenvironment.Agenciesregularlyimproveappropriateknowledgeandskillsforeachagegroup,helpingchildrentobeself-awareandpreventrisksandinsecurityonline.Thenationalchildrenprotectionhotline111managedbytheDepartmentofChildrensAffairshandlesabusecases,consultsonprotection,careandeducatingchildren.Eachyear,thehotlinereceivesmorethan400-500callsaboutchildrensissuesintheonlineenvironment.Insomecases,parentsandchildrencallthehotlineforadvice;insomecases,hotlinestaffcalldirectlytointervene.Assessingtheimportanceofprotectingchildrenincyberspace,DeputyDirectorKhoasaidthatthelackofknowledgeandskillswasachallenge.DeputyDirectorNgasaidthatsupportingchildrenwhoareaddictedtotheinternet,ortosocialnetworks,isachallenge.Thisrequiresinvestmentinhumanresourcesandtimesofamiliesneedtoacttopreventandensurechildrendonotfallintointernetaddiction.AssociateProfessorTr?nThànhNam,lecturerattheUniversityofEducationundertheVietnamNationalUniversity-HàN?i,saidthatwhilethedigitalworldhelpspeoplelearnandlivebetter,childrencanalsobeexposedtobeingbulliedorsexuallyharassedviasocialnetworks.Therefore,parentsneedtolearnandupgradetheirownsafetyskills,thenhelptheirchildrenidentify,haveappropriateresponseswhenbeingavictimofonlinebullying.Accordingtoexperts,parentsneedtosettimelimitsfortheirchildrenonhowlongtheycanuseelectronicdevices,superviseandguidethemtoidentifyandstayawayfrombadandtoxiccontentandteachthemhowtoprotectpersonalinformationontheinternet.Inaddition,parentsshouldalsoparticipatewiththeirchildrenineducationalactivitiesandlearningapplicationstocreateconnections,helpcontrolthecontentthatchildrenaccessandencouragethemtoshareandtalkabouttheirthinking.Registeringchildrentojoinsports,music,paintingandotherextracurricularactivitieswillreducetheirexposuretimetoelectronicdevices.Parentsshouldalsoinstructchildrenonbasicsafetyprincipleswhenusingtheinternetsuchasnotsharingpersonalinformation,notinteractingwithstrangersandhowtorecogniseandreportbadandtoxiccontent.Mostimportantly,parentsneedtosetanexample,notusingphonesduringmealsorbeforegoingtobedandsetlimitsforthemselvesinusingelectronicdevicessothatchildrencanlearnandformgoodhabits.Withpropersupervisionandeducation,parentscanhelptheirchildrenstayawayfrompotentialdangersandusetechnologysafelyandeffectively.—VNSVegetablefieldsinstalledwithautomaticsprayirrigationsystemsinTi?nGiangProvincesGòC?ngTayDistrict.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?uChíTI?NGIANG—RicefarmersinTi?nGiangProvincehaveswitchedtogrowingvegetablesduringthedryseason,whichhashelpedthemcopewithclimatechangeandearndecentincomes.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincenormallysuffersfromsaltwaterintrusionupriversduringthisperiodandthuslackswaterforirrigation.Tocope,itencouragesfarmerswhosericefieldslackwatertoswitchtogrowingdrought-resistantcrops.ThedryperiodlastsDecembertoMay.Farmershaveswitchedtovegetablesonmorethan2,500haofricefieldsinthefirstfourmonthsofthisyear.Inthelastdryseason,farmersincoastalareasgrewvegetablesonnearly14,000haandharvested256,000tonnes,accordingtotheprovincesDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.Nguy?nV?nM?n,itsdirector,saidthecultivationofvegetablesintheGòC?ngfreshwaterregion,whichincludesGòC?ng??ngandGòC?ngTaydistrictsandGòC?ngCity,waslucrativewithfarmersgettingbumperharvestsandhighprices.TheyearnedanaverageofVN?133million(US$5,200)perhectare,twotothreetimeshigherthanthatfromhigh-qualityrice,astheycouldeasilymanagetheimpactsofthesaltwaterintrusion,hesaid.EffectivemeasuresBeforethelastdryseasontheprovincetookmanymeasurestopreventsaltwaterintrusionandstorefreshwater,andthesehelpedfarmers.ItspentVN?1.4trillion($54.9million)buildinglargesluicesatplaceswherecanalsconnectwiththeTi?nRiver,amajortributaryoftheMekongRiver,tokeepoutsaltwatercominguptheriver.Itbuilt242irrigationworksanddredgedirrigationcanalsrunningatotallengthof355km.??ThànhS?n,deputygeneraldirectoroftheTi?nGiangIrrigationWorkExploitationandManagementOneMemberLtd.Co,saidhiscompanyregularlymonitorsthesalinityofwaterintheTi?nandVàmC?riverstopromptlytakepreventivemeasures.Duringtherecentlyendeddryseason,withtheencouragementofauthorities,moreandmorefarmersstoredwaterinpondsintheirfieldsandusedefficientirrigationmethodssuchasautomaticdripandsprayirrigation.Followingtheirsuccessingrowingvegetables,farmersinGòC?ngplantogrowatotal15,400haduringthesummer-autumnandautumn-wintercropsthisyear,hesaid.Theyhavesetupdozensofcleanvegetablegrowingco-operativesthatuseadvancedtechniques,growvegetablestoVietnamesegoodagriculturalpractices(VietGAP)standardsandinnetsandpolygreenhouses.Nguy?nThanhQuang,directoroftheHoàTh?nhGeneralAgricultureCo-operativeinGòC?ngTaysBìnhTanCommune,saidtheuseofmachineryduringthegrowingstageshasbeenexpanded.Hisco-operativegrowsvegetablesinnethouses,andthishelpspreventdiseasesandreducescosts,andfetcheshighprofits,hesaid.Itsmemberscangrow10cropsayearandearnprofitsofVN?5-8million($200-310)per1,000sq.mpercrop,hesaid.Vegetablegrowingco-operativeshavelinkedupwithsupermarkets,collectivekitchensandwholesalemarketsintheprovinceandelsewhereandselltwotothreetonnesofvegetableseachdaily.ThecoastalGòC?ng??ngDistricthasstartedgrowingvegetablesindisadvantagedareasinthedryseason.CayBàngHamletinTanThànhCommuneissituatedatthemouthoftheC?aTi?uEstuary,soitisseverelyaffectedbysaltwaterintrusion.Itsfarmershaveswitchedtoothersuitablecropsinthedryseason,especiallywatermelon.Nguy?nV?nKhuê,headofthehamlet,said:Tocopewithsaltwaterintrusionanddroughtduringthelastwinter-springcrop,farmersusedallfarmingareastogrowvegetables,including40haofwatermelon.ThefruitgrowninTanThànhCommuneisofhighqualityandpreferredbyconsumers,hesaid.FarmersearnanaverageofVN?100million($4,000)perhectarepercropfromthefruit,hesaid.Moreandmorefarmersuseadvancedfarmingtechniquesandautomaticirrigation.Theprovincehas3,400haofvegetablegrowingareasequippedwithautomaticsprayirrigationsystem,or80percentofthetotalarea.Some65percentoftheprovincesvegetablegrowingareasadoptintegratedpestmanagementand70percentuseorganicfertilisersandbioproducts.Theprovincehastaughtfarmersinmajorfarmingareastechniquesforgrowingcleanvegetablesandhelpedthemsecureoutletsfortheirproduce.—VNS
Labourersworkingat??cThànhWoodProcessingJointStockCompanyinHCMCitysGòV?pDistrict.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ng??tHCMCITY—Inresponsetothecitysslowinglabourproductivitygrowth,theHCMCityPeoplesCommitteehasissuedalabourandemploymentstrategyforthe2023-25period,withavisionto2030.Thestrategyaimstoincreaselabourperformanceinthecitycomparedtothenationalaverageandtoanswertheneedtorestructurekeyeconomicsectorsinstrategicareas.Thismoveisconsideredasustainableandfundamentalsolution,andisexpectedtohaveamultifacetedimpactonthecityslabourmarketandtheregionalandnationallabourmarkets.Thestrategyrecognisesthatthelabourmarketmustadapttotheprofoundglobalshiftsthatarecurrentlyunderway.Asthecorevaluesandsurvivalconditionsoftheeconomyrevolvearoundthetwinpillarsofgreenanddigital,thelabourmarketcannotremainimmunetothesetransformations.Vi?tNamsestablishmentofacomprehensivestrategicpartnershipwithmajorpowers,particularlyintheareasofmicroelectronics,semiconductors,andartificialintelligence,highlightstheneedtoprioritisethetrainingofhigh-qualitytechnologymanpower.Moreover,inaworldwheregeographicalboundariesarebecomingincreasinglyblurred,thestrategyemphasisestheimportanceofinterconnectedness,diversity,andmultimodalityintrade,production,anddistribution.Toalignwiththepriorityofdevelopinghigh-techanddigitalindustriesandbecomingaleadingregionalservicecentre,thecitysstrategycallsfortheestablishmentofconcentratedhigh-techindustrialparksandinvestmentsinstrategicfieldssuchasrobotics,biotechnology,andspecialisedmedicalservices.Thisdualapproachaimstocreateahigh-quality,skilledlabourmarketalongsidetheplanninganddevelopmentofsmartcities,satellitecities,andgreencities.Thecityfocusesonforming16businessmodelsinninemaintechnologygroupsofmobileinternet,cloudcomputing,bigdata,artificialintelligence,fintech,IoT,advancedrobotics,additivemanufacturing,andsemiconductortechnology.Thestrategyalsomentionse-commerceandtheneedtoreskillthecityworkforceinthenewcontext.Withthestrongemergenceofcommerceonsocialplatforms,itisurgenttoupdatelabourandbusinesslawsandregulations,andprovidecomprehensivetrainingprogrammesintechnicalskills,softskills,andlegalknowledgeforbothbusinessesandworkers.ThecitynowpossessescertainadvantagesasaleaderamongthetopfivelocalitiesinthecountryintheProvincialGreenIndex(PGI).Thestrategyhighlightstheurgentneedforgreenskillsassociatedwithgreenjobs.Greenjobstendtorequiremoreskillsandahigherlevelofscientificandtechnologicalexpertisethantraditionalones.Thecityisgoingtoexpanditsinter-regionallinksandincreasethecompetitivenessofitseconomy.Thisdependsonanotherstrengthofthecity–asurplusandyoungworkforce,withlabourersfrom15yearsoldandupaccountingfor50percentofthecityspopulation.Morethan87percentofthecurrentworkforcehavebeentrained,mostlyatuniversitylevel,nottomentionthemanpowerfromothercountries.Thecitymustdiversifyitsmethodsofattractinginvestmentinindustriesandsectorsthatencourageinvestmentornewindustriesandmodelsinordertoensuresustainableemploymentinthecontextofthetransitiontoagreeneconomy,acirculareconomy,adigitaleconomy,andasharingeconomy.Thisincludestheongoingimplementationofpoliciestoattractexpertsandtalentstothesemiconductorindustry.Thestrategyadvocatesforpublic-privatepartnershipininvestment,withafocusonmobilisingforeigndirectinvestmenttobothgeneratecapitalflowsandleverageexpertiseinlabourtrainingandretraining,organisationalmanagementandmarketdevelopment.Theeffectivelinkagebetweenuniversities,academies,businesses,andworkersisalsoimportant.Thestrategyisasolutionforlabourproductivitygrowth,alowerunemploymentrate,livingstandardimprovement,aswellasamethodtomaintainthehealthofbusinesseswithinthecitysvibranteconomicandsociallandscape.—VNS
Atthesceneofthefire.VNA/VNSPhotoPRAGUE–AfireoccurredattheSapashoppingcentreofVietnameseinPragueintheearlymorningofJune10,destroyingsixstallsworthabout2millionCZK(over87,200USD).On-spotfirefightersdetectedthefireandbroughtitundercontrolpromptly,helpingtominimiselossesinassets,withnocasualtyreported.Accordingtotheshoppingcentremanagementboard,thefirebrokeoutat1am(localtime)atfoodandconsumergoodsareas.Atthescene,Praguepoliceandfirefightersblockedthefireareatoinvestigatethecause.Accordingtowitnessesandon-sitesecurityforces,thefiremaycomefromanelectricalshortcircuit.Assoonasbeinginformedabouttheaccident,VietnameseAmbassadortoCzechRepublicD??ngHoàiNamandembassystaffvisitedaffectedpeopleandprovidedthemwithfinancialsupport.TheembassyandVietnameseassociationsintheCzechPublichavecalledfordonationsfortheaffectedpeople.TheSapashoppingcentre,locatedinDistrict4,Praguecoversnearly40ha,withmorethan1,000stallsthatsellfood,fashionandconsumergoods,andprovideservices.Themarketalsohousesrestaurants,hairsalons,nailshops,supermarkets,wholesaleandretailstoreswithdiverseproducts.ItisconsideredthelargestVietnamesemarketinEurope.VNSTouristsnearthepopularSaintBasilsCathedral,anOrthodoxchurch,inRedSquareinMoscow.PhotocourtesyofRussianVisaHCMCITY—VietnamesetravelfirmsarepreparingtosendtourgroupstoRussiaagainstartinginSeptemberafterapauseduetotherecentterroristattackinMoscow.DanhNamTravelandsixotherHàN?ifirmsareplanningtosendthreegroupswhosetourswererescheduledaftertheattackonatheatreinMarch.ThefirmssaidtheyhavedoneathoroughsafetyassessmentoftouristattractionsinRussiatoensurethesafetyofcustomers.L?uTh?Thu,deputydirectorofHoàngVi?tTravel,saidthetourpricesremainunchanged.Theeaseofobtaininge-visasandtheimprovedqualityofaccommodationandfoodmakeRussiantoursanattractiveoption,shesaid.PopulardestinationsinthecountryincludeSt.Petersburg,Moscow,Murmansk,LovozeroTundras,andTeriberka.Popularoptionsincludea10-daytourofMoscowandSaintPetersburg,andan11-daytourofMoscow,SaintPetersburg,andKaliningrad.VietnamAirlinesoffersdirectflightsfromHCMCityandHàN?itoMoscow,whileQatarAirwaysandTurkishAirlinesofferdirectflightstoSaintPetersburg.Aneight-daypackagetour,costinguptoUS$2,000,wouldexplorethebeautifularchitectureandhistoryofSt.PetersburgandMoscowandtakevisitorstomajorattractionssuchastheHermitageMuseumandRedSquare.TheattackontheconcerthallwasthedeadliestinRussiainovertwodecades,resultinginthelossofover130lives.TheIslamicStateclaimedresponsibilityfortheattack.—VNS
LeadersoftheNinhThu?nProvincePeoplesCommitteevisitagrapefruitorchardthathaswitheredbecauseirrigationwaterisaffectedbysaltwaterintrusioninNinhH?iDistrictsV?nhH?iCommune.–VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngTh?NINHTHU?N–NinhThu?nProvincesNinhH?iandNinhS?ndistrictslackthewaterrequiredtoirrigatehundredsofhectaresofcrops.InNinhH?i,190haofgrapesinV?nhH?iCommunearefacingashortagebecausethe?ngKinhreservoirhasdriedup.Farmershavehadtodigpondsandborewellstoirrigatecrops,butsomeofthelatterareaffectedbysaltwaterintrusion.InNinhS?n,farmersareworriedthat300haofsugarcaneinQu?ngS?nCommunecouldwitherawaybecauseofthehotweatherandlackofwater.Morethan200haoffruitorchardsinthedistrictsLamS?nCommuneareaffectedsinceGiaChiêuandothersmallspringsfromwhereirrigationwaterisobtainedhavedriedup.Somehavepondstostorewaterbutmostdependonthespringsandrainwater.Nguy?n??cHoà,deputychairmanoftheNinhS?nPeoplesCommittee,saidthedistricthaspetitionedtheprovincetoallocatefundsforlayingwaterpipes.Thesouth-centralprovinceisthecountrysdriestandnormallysuffersawatershortageinthedryseason,whichlastsfromDecembertoAugust.Tr?nhMinhHoàng,deputychairmanoftheprovincePeoplesCommittee,saidlocalauthoritiesaretaskedwithurgentlyimplementingmeasurestosecurewaterforagriculture,householduse,animals,andhigh-valueperennialtrees.PeoplesCommitteeleadershavetouredtheprovincetoinspectthewatersituationandinstructedlocalitiestoworkwiththeprovinceDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentandotherrelevantagenciestosecurewaterforgrapegrowingareas,especiallyinV?nhH?iCommune.Thefruitisoneoftheprovincesspecificallyidentifiedproducts.Relevantprovincialandlocalagenciesregularlygatherinformationaboutthelackofwateranditsimpactstoenablethemtotakepreventionmeasures.Theyhavestrengthenedadvocacytoenhanceawarenesssothatthepublicwillproactivelyparticipateinactivitiestocopesuchasstoringwaterandusingitefficiently.AccordingtotheNinhThu?nIrrigationManagementCompanyLimited,thetotalstorageinits23reservoirsis1.39millioncubicmetresasagainsttheircapacityof418millioncubicmetres.Twohavedriedupcompletelyandsixhavewaterbelowthedeadstoragelevel.–VNSStudentsinaclassatLêQuy??nSecondarySchoolinHCMCitysTh???ccity.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheHCMCityPeoplesCommitteehasreleasedaplantobuild4,500classroomsinresponsetoashortageofeducationalfacilities.Theworkwillalsocelebratethe50thanniversaryoftheLiberationoftheSouthandNationalReunification(April30,2025).Theprojecttargetstohave300classroomspertenthousandstudentstoensuresufficientclassroomspace.Thecitycurrentlyhasatotalof50,650classrooms,servingover1.7millionstudentsandpre-schoolers.Accordingly,by2025,thecitybudgetwillallocatetotalproposedcapitalofmorethanVN?32trillion(US$1.3billion)tobuild5,560newclassrooms.Amongthem,thecityhasalreadycarriedout117projectswithatotalinvestmentofmorethanVN?16.8trillion($659million)aftertheirinvestmentpolicieswereapproved.Themedium-termcapitalallocationinthe2021-2025periodismorethanVN?12trillion($471million).Some78projectshavenotbeengreenlityetbutdisplayedhighfeasibilityforprogressacceleration,withtotalinvestmentofmorethanVN?6.4trillion($251.3million)andanexpectedcapitalneedofVN?5.5trillion($214million).About82projectshaveland-relatedadvantagestospeeduptheirprogress,withatotalinvestmentofnearlyVN?9trillion($351.5million)andamedium-termcapitalallocationofVN?1.1trillion($41.5million)inthe2021-25period.Thecityplanstocallforinvestmentin110projectstobuild2,638classroomswithatotalofVN?24.8trillion($974million)underthepublic-privatepartnershipform.Currently,nearlyalleducationprojectsareintheBuild-Operate-Transferform.However,thecityfaceschallengessuchasland-useplanningforPPPprojectsandadelayinacquiringland,whichcouldincreasecostsandconstructiondelaysforschoolsandeducationalfacilities.Anotherriskisapotentialinterestrateincreaseandchangesinlawsorregulationsthatcouldadverselyimpacttheproject.Thecityneedstoaddresslandallocationissues,includingrelocatingandrecoveringabandonedland,aswellasincreasingincentivesforinvestingineducationalfacilities,expertssaid.TheGovernmentspolicieswillencouragePPPinvestmentineducationandhelptodevelopahealthyandcompetitiveenvironmentforteachingandlearning.However,educationusuallyrequireslong-terminvestmentwithlowprofitmargins,sobusinessesmayneedtooffsettheiroperatingcostsinthefirstfewyearstomaintainquality,expertssaid.—VNS
DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuang,ChairmanoftheNMMRCoordinationCouncil,speaksattheconference.—VNA/VNSPhotoT?V?nToànPHúTH?—Amasterplanforthenorthernmidlandsandmountainousregionhasambitiousgrowthtargetsofaneightpercentgrowthrate,everyyear,betweennowand2030.Theplanrepresentsasignificantstepforward,embodyingnewmindsetsandvisionsanddemonstratingaproactiveapproachtodevelopment.ThatmessagewasdeliveredbyNguy?nChíD?ng,MinisterofPlanningandInvestment,attheregionscoordinationcouncilconferenceonFriday.Hesaidtheplancentresaroundaddressingmajorinter-regionalandinter-provincialissuesandmobilisingresourcesforrapidsustainabledevelopment,aimingtoraisetheareasGrossRegionalDomesticProduct(GRDP)tobetween7.5and8.0percent,GRDPpercapitatobetweenUS$15,000and$18,000andtheHumanDevelopmentIndextomorethan0.75.Theplanalsocoverstopicsincludingthepreservationofculturalidentitiesoflocalethnicgroups,humanresourcequalityenhancementandtalentretentionandthepromotionofculture-basedtourismandagriculture.Severalmeasureshavebeenputforwardintheplanincludingbuildingecologicalcorridors,stripsofvegetationthatlinkforestsandecologicalsites,improvingforestqualityandintroducingnewtypesofforest-linkedservicessuchascarbonsequestration.Italsounderlinesthesignificanceofinter-regionalinfrastructureprojectsinimprovingNMMRsconnectivitywithotherregionsandcountries,especiallywithLaosandChina.Thehigh-speedrailprojectsconnectingL?ngS?n-HàN?iandLàoCai-HàN?i-H?iPhòng-Qu?ngNinhwillbeacceleratedinthatregard.Undertheplan,fiveeconomiccorridorsandaneconomicclusterwillalsobeestablishedtostrengthentheeconomictiesbetweenprovinces,namelyLàoCai-YênBái-PhúTh?-HàN?i,L?ngS?n-B?cGiang-HàN?i,?i?nBiên-S?nLa-HòaBình-HàN?i,HàGiang-TuyênQuang-PhúTh?-HàN?i,CaoB?ng-B?cK?n-TháiNguyên-HàN?iandB?c-Giang-TháiNguyên-PhúTh?.TheMinistercalledforclosecooperationbetweenlocalgovernmentsandtheestablishmentofarobustmechanismtoimplementtheplan.DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuang,ChairmanoftheNMMRCoordinationCouncil,acknowledgedthechallengesfacedbytheregion,butapplaudedeffortsoflocalgovernmentsinleveragingtheirstrengthsfordevelopment.Healsohighlightedinnovativeapproachesadoptedbysomelocalauthorities,emphasisingtheneedforwideradoptionofsuchpractices.Henotedthatregionalcoordinationinitiatives,despitehavingbeeninplaceforsometime,hadnotworkedoutaswellasexpected,duetoNMMRsresourceconstraints,infrastructuredeficienciesandweaklinks.Onthosegrounds,heurgedthelocalauthoritiestofocusonimplementingthecouncil-approvedprojectstoacceleratetheregionsgrowth,especiallythoserelatedtoinfrastructuredevelopment,climatechangeresponseanddigitaltransformation.Theareaishometoadiversepopulationofethnicgroupswithuniqueculturalidentitiesandawealthofhistoricalandculturalsites.ItalsoplaysacrucialroleinnationalwaterandenvironmentalsecurityandservesasthefenceofthenortherngatewayintoVi?tNam.—VNSOCOPproductsaredisplayedattheprovincialcoachstationinV?nhLongCity,V?nhLongProvince.–VNA/VNSPhotoPh?mMinhTu?nV?NHLONG–V?nhLongProvinceisdevelopingmoreproductsunderthenationalOneCommune-OneProductprogramme.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincenowhas159ofthem,100withthree-starproductsand59withfour,afterfiveyearsofimplementingtheprogramme,accordingtoitsDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.Thehighestratinghasfivestars.OnMay6theprovincerecognised36newfour-starproducts.ItsOCOPproductsincludefoodandbeverages,handicrafts,herbalproducts,andruraltourismservices.Theprogrammehashelpedimprovethevalueofproductsandruralincomes,andpromotedtheroleofthecommunityinpreservinganddevelopingtraditionalproducts,accordingtothedepartment.Ithashelpeddevelopmanyfarmingareasforproducingcleanmaterialsandusingtechnologies.IthashelpedOCOPproducerssellmoreandgethigherprices.Nguy?nTh?TrúcLinh,directoroftheThu?nDuyênFoodCompanyLimitedinTamBìnhDistrictsTanPhúCommune,saidshehadbeenintheprogrammesinceitsinceptionandhaddevelopedherproductionestablishmentintothecurrentcompany.In2020itregisteredforrecognitionforfiveproducts(tamarindfishsauce,chilli-garlic-vinegar-sugarsauce,chillisaucewithsesame,seasonedfermentedfish,andThaihotpotsauce)andtheywererecognisedasthree-starOCOPproducts.Shehassinceimprovedthequalityofherproductsandpackaginganddevelopedalogoandbrandnameandmorenewproducts.Itnowhasninethree-starandfour-starproducts,accordingtothedirector.Tr??ngThànhD?nh,directorofthedepartment,saidtheprogrammepromotedmanyprovincesproducts,improvedthecommunitysrole,boostedproductionundervaluechains,developedstart-ups,andpromotedthehouseholdandruraleconomy.OCOPproducersshouldresearchtoimprovequalityanddevelopbrandnames,hesaid.Relevantauthoritiesshouldstrengthenadvocacyabouttheprogrammeanditsimplementation,headded.AccordingtoNguy?nTh?Di?uHi?noftheSomoFarmC?uLongJointStockCompanyinM?ngThítDistricttheprogrammeisverymeaningfulandoffersmanybenefitstoparticipatingcompanies.Itoffersthemsupportfortradepromotionandadvertisement,andisimportantforthemtoselltheirproducts.ThePh??cH?uSafeVegetableCo-operativeinLongH?Districthas35membersandcultivatesvariouskindsofvegetables,mostlyherbs,toVietnamesegoodagriculturalpracticesstandardson15.5ha,andharvestsabout850tonnesayear.Itgrowsthreeherbsrecognisedasthree-starOCOPproducts.Tr?nV?nHi?n,itsdirector,saidtherecognitionwouldenabletheco-operativetointroduceitsproductstoconsumersintheprovinceandelsewhere.Theco-operativewouldmaintainandimproveitsproductqualitytodevelopsustainably,hepromised.Buttheachievementsnotwithstanding,therearealsoshortcomingssuchasthesmallproductionscaleandlowmanagementcapacityofmostOCOPproducersandtheirlackofknowledgeofthemarketeconomyandvaluechains,accordingtothedepartment.Mostco-operatives,co-operativegroupsandhouseholdsproduceandselltheirOCOPproductsthroughtraders,buttheprovincehasmanysupportpolicies.LastyearitcreatedsitesfordisplayingandsellingOCOPproductsattheprovincialcoachstationinV?nhLongCity,themonumentoflatePrimeMinisterV?V?nKi?tinV?ngLiêmDistrictandCocoHomeV?nhLongtourismhouseinLongH?District.–VNS