Tuy?n Vi?t Nam có tr?n ??u khó kh?n tr??c Lào.

DoctorsperformcorneatransplantsurgeryinHu?CentralHospital.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Vi?tNamhaswitnessedarisingnumberofcorneadonorssincethefirsttransplantofthiskindinVi?tNamnearlytwodecadesago,butwitha300,000strongwaitinglist,thecountryhasmuchworktodotoensuredonatedcorneasreachthosewhoneedthem.AccordingtoDrNguy?nTh?KimTi?n,chairwomanoftheVi?tNamTissueandOrganDonationAdvocacyAssociationandformerhealthminister,Vi?tNamstechnicalskillsintermsoforgantransplantarenowonparwiththeregionandtheworld.However,thewaitinglistfortransplantscontinuestoincrease,whilethenumberofregistereddonorsremainsmodest.Thesituationisparticularlycriticalforcorneatransplants,withsomepatientsalreadywaitingforfivetosixyearswithoutanydonorbeingfound.Overthepast15years,Vi?tNamrecordedabout45,000peoplesignedupascorneadonors.Ofthe3,000whohavereceivedcorneareplacementssince2007,morethanhalfwerehelpedbydomesticdonors.FromMay2024todate,thenumberoforgandonationsfrombrain-deadpatientsincreasedthree-fold,withtransplantsurgeriesrisingby10percent.However,Vi?tNamstillhasabout300,000visuallyimpairedpeopleinneedofcorneareplacements.Accordingtomedicalprofessionals,corneatransplantationiscurrentlytheonlyandmosteffectivemethodtohelprestorevisioninpatientswithcornealdamage,especiallyincaseswhereinternalmedicinetreatmentsyieldlittleresult.InadditiontothelimiteddonationsavailableinVi?tNam,challengesalsostemfromthecomplextransferandpreservationprocedurestoreceivecorneadonationsfromabroad.Therefore,authoritiesandfacilitiesreceivingcorneaforcollectionandtransplantshouldworkwithrelevantagenciestofacilitatethetransferofcorneadonationsfromabroad,andconductthesurgeryforpatientsassoonaspossible,saidTi?n.Overthepasteightmonths,theHàN?iEyeHospital2hasreceived57corneadonations,ofwhichtwowerefrompatientsinVi?tNam,whiletheremaindercamefromAmericaneyebanks.Thehospitalsuccessfullycarriedout42corneatransplantoperationsanddistributedtheremainingdonationstoothermedicalfacilities.DoctorsretrieveacorneaattheVi?tNamNationalEyeHospital.—VNA/VNSPhotoMinh??cDrHowardCajucom-UyYu,acouncilmemberoftheAssociationofEyeBanksofAsia,saidthatcorneadonationshavenonegativeaestheticeffectonthedeceased,asthisisonlyathin,translucentlayerontopoftheeyeball,butmultiplebarriersexistintermsofencouragingdonors.Theseincludelocaltraditions,customs,religions,beliefs,theemotionalstateofthedonorsfamily,ormisconceptionsregardingthelawrelatedtoorgandonationandtransplant.Sharingthesameperspective,DrNguy?nHoàngPhúc,deputydirectoroftheVi?tNamNationalCoordinatingCentreforHumanOrganTransplantation,saidthatthesefactorshavelimitedthenumberofdonatedcorneasnotonlyinVi?tNam,butalsoaroundtheworld.Therefore,itisnecessarytohavebetterawarenesscampaigns,arealisticlegalframeworkandtoincludeorganandtissuedonationasanevaluationcriteriaofthehealthcaresector,saidPhúc.—VNSThanhCaoKinokoImport-ExportCo.Ltd.locatedin??cTínCommune,M???cDistrict,HàN?i,isapioneerinapplyingadvancedJapanesetechnologyinagriculturalproduction.PhotocourtesyoftheHàN?iAgriculturalPromotionCentreHàN?I—ManycooperativesandenterprisesinHàN?ihaveadopteddigitaltechnologyonalargescale,producinghigh-qualityagriculturalproductsthatensurefoodsafetyandcanadapttoclimatechange.Advancedtechnologiessuchasblockchain,artificialintelligence,datamanagement,IoT,bigdataanddronesarebeingappliedintheproduction,processinganddistributionofagriculturalproducts.Thankstosmartdevices,manyfarmerscanmanagetheirfarmsconvenientlyandefficiently.Theycanwater,fertiliseandmonitorthegrowthoftheircropsremotely,simplyusingasmartphone.DirectorofQu?ngB?AgriculturalCooperativeinCh??ngM?District,Nguy?nVi?tHùng,sharedthatforthespring2024crop,thecooperativeuseddronestosowseedsover400hectares,reducingcostsandincreasingproductivity.Thevalueoftheircropsisnowtwoorthreetimeshighercomparedtotraditionalmethods.DirectoroftheCh?TamCleanVegetableCooperativeinGiaLamDistrict,Tr?nV?nTu?n,saidthatthecooperativeproducesvarioustypesofvegetableandfruits,suchascabbage,tomatoes,cucumbers,beansandcarrots.Byapplyingtechnologieslikesprinkleranddripirrigationandcultivationingreenhousesandnethouses,thecooperativesupplies200-300kgofcleanvegetablesdaily,generatingrevenueofVN?50-70million(US$1,980-2,780)permonth.DirectorofHàN?iDepartmentofQuality,ProcessingandMarketDevelopment,Nguy?nTh?ThuH?ng,emphasisedthatthedigitalerahasempoweredfarmerstoautomateproductionprocesses,monitorsupplychainsandensuretransparency,safetyandhygiene.ThishasincreasedproductivityandimprovedthecompetitivenessofVietnameseagriculturalproductsintheinternationalmarket.Applyingdigitaltechnologyhasraisedeconomicefficiencyby10-15percentcomparedtotraditionalfarmingmethods,shesaid.DirectoroftheHàN?iAgriculturalPromotionCentre,V?Th?H??ng,emphasisedthattheapplicationofdigitaltechnologyisakeyfocusthatthecentreiscollaboratingonwithlocalauthoritiestosupportfarmers.Throughtrainingsessions,cooperativesandfarmersareguidedonhowtobuildmodelsthatapplydigitaltechnologyinproduction,implementsmartmonitoringsystemsandpromoteandsellproductsondigitalplatforms.Duringthesesessions,thecentrealsoaddressesanychallengesthatfarmersencounterintheprocess,particularlyhelpingthemnavigatee-commerceplatformsandequippingthemwithskillstoboostproductmarketingandexpandtheirmarket.Asaresult,anincreasingnumberofmodelsareintegratingmechanisationanddigitaltechnologyintoproduction,transformingthefarmingpracticesofHàN?isfarmers.DatafromHàN?isDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentshowthatthecityhasdeveloped406pioneeringhigh-techagriculturalmodels,with262innovationsincropproduction,119livestockenterprisesand25aquacultureprojects,primarilylocatedindistrictssuchasHoài??c,MêLinh,GiaLam,Th??ngTín,??ngAnhandThanhOai.DirectorofHàN?isDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,Nguy?nXuan??i,saidthattheagriculturalsectorisdraftingahigh-techagriculturaldevelopmentplanforHàN?iby2030.Thisstrategyaimstorevolutioniseseedproduction,farmingmethodsandtheprocessingofagriculturalproducts,pavingthewayforamodernandsustainableagriculturalsectorinthecapital.By2030,HàN?iaimstomasterkeyhigh-techinnovations,manageproductionthroughintegratedvaluechainsandpromotehigh-techagriculturalmodels.Theplanincludesestablishingaround30high-techagriculturalcooperativesandnurturingatleast40enterprisesinthisdynamicfield.Additionally,thereisagoaltobuild250high-techagriculturalcooperativemodels,allalignedwithsustainabledevelopmentandvalueenhancement.??ihighlightedthattheproductsfromHàN?ishigh-techagriculturalenterprisesmustnotonlymeetstrictsafetyandenvironmentalstandardsbutalsoachieveinternationalcertification.Thiscommitmentwillenhanceproductvalueandstrengthenthecompetitivenessofthecitysagriculturalproducts.—VNS

Inrecentyears,theCampaignAllpeopleunitetobuildnewruralareasandcivilizedcitieshasalwaysbeenpaidattentionandwidelydeployedbyalllevelsofHanoicitygovernment,attractingalargenumberofpeoplefromallwalksoflife.ThankstothesynchronousimplementationoftheCampaignAllpeopleunitetobuildnewruralareasandcivilizedcities,Hanoihasbecomeoneoftheleadinglocalitiesinthecountryintermsofachievementsinbuildingnewruralareas.Fromthisresult,culturallifeinruralareashashadmanypositivechanges,whenthesystemofculturalhouseswascompleted,alongwithmanymeasurestoorganizeactivitiesdeployed,manyculturalfeaturesispreserved.HàN?I—AsHàN?igrowsanddevelops,authoritiesarefocusedonbuildingadvancednew-styleruralareastoboostvillagesandruralspacesalongsideurbandevelopment.TheseeffortsarebeingmadeunderthemunicipalPartyCommitteesSchemeNo04-CTr/TUaimedatimplementingtheNationalTargetProgramme.Thisprogrammefocusesonbuildingnew-styleruralareasassociatedwithrestructuringtheagriculturalsector,developingtheruraleconomy,andimprovingthelivesoffarmers.Manypartsofthecapitalcityaresimultaneouslybuildingnew-styleruralareasaswellasadvancednew-styleruralareasasaprerequisiteforurbandevelopment.??ngAnhDistricttodayhastheappearanceofafutureurbanarea.TanL?pCommunehasthefastesturbanisationratein?anPh??ngDistrict.TanL?ptodayresemblesacity,withitsdenselypackedhigh-risebuildings.Thestreetsarecrowdedandconstantlybustlingwithvehicles.Agriculturalproductionisgraduallyshrinkingasservicesandtraderapidlydevelop.Withinthecommune,TanTay??UrbanAreaishometohundredsofhouseholds.Nguy?nV?nH?c,ChairmanoftheTanL?pCommunePeoplesCommittee,saidthatTanL?phascompletedconstructionofadvancednew-styleruralareas.Withagoaloftransformingthecommuneintoaward,duringtheprocessofconstructingnew-styleruralareas,TanL?phasinvestedinastandardinfrastructuresystem.TheTanL?pKindergarten,TanL?pBPrimarySchool,andTanL?pJuniorSecondarySchoolhaveallmetleveltwonationalstandards.Currently,theaverageincomeforresidentsinthecommuneexceedsVN?82million(US$3,300)perpersonperyear,higherthantheaveragein?anPh??ngDistrictoverall.Automatedproductionlineofmotorbikesparepartsatthe??ngAnhChainJointStockCompany.Wearefocusingonleadership,directionandcallingforresourcesaswestrivetotransformthecommuneintoawardby2025.Sofar,thecommunehasachieved13outof16criteriaforaward,H?csaid.C??ngNg?VillageinT?Hi?pCommune,ThanhTrìDistrict,usedtohaveaverysmallentranceroad.Nowtheroadhasbeenwidenedtofivemetresandpavedwithasphaltandconcrete.Tr?nV?nVinh,SecretaryoftheC??ngNg?VillagePartyCommittee,saidthatsincetheroadwaswidened,manyhouseholdshavestartedbusinessesorrentedout,creatingastreetinthevillage.TheChuV?nAnJuniorSecondarySchoolinT?Hi?pCommune,ThanhTrìDistrictisanationalstandardschool,investedinandbuiltinaccordancewithnew-styleruralareacriteria.Peopleslivesareincreasinglyprosperousandhappy,withmanyadoptingnewlifestyles,waysofthinkingandwaysofdoingthings.Manypeoplehavestoppedlitteringandhavestartedplantingtreesandflowerstobeautifythevillage,makingitamorelivableplace.Theurbanappearanceof??ngAnh,ThanhTrì,GiaLam,?anPh??ngandHoài??cdistrictsisgraduallytakingshape.Inadditiontoimprovingtheinfrastructuresystem,thedistrictsarefocussingoncreatingbright,green,cleanandbeautifullandscapes.Theyaredevelopingflower-linedroads,renovatepondsandlakes,andbuildplaygroundsandflowergardens,helpingruralareasbecomemoremodern,deservingoffuturecitystatus.??ngTh?Huy?n,ChairwomanoftheGiaLamDistrictPeoplesCommittee,saidthatachievementsinbuildingadvancednew-styleruralareashavegivenadvantagesforitscommunesinquicklymeetingcriteriatodevelopintowards.Currently,all20communesofGiaLamDistricthavemettheadvancednew-styleruralareastandards.ThedistrictalsosubmittedadossierforDistrictmeetingadvancednew-styleruralareastandardstorelevantauthoritiesforrecognition.Achievementsintheadvancednew-styleruralareasconstructioninGiaLamDistricthavebecomeadvantagesforitscommunesinquicklymeetingcriteriatodevelopintowards.Thu?nQuangVillageinD??ngXáCommuneisapilotmodelforsmartvillagesinGiaLamDistrictsnew-styleruralareadevelopmentplan.Nguy?nNhanKh?,SecretaryofthevillagesPartyCommittee,saidthatthevillagehasmobilisedresourcestoinstallafreehigh-speedwifisystem.ItalsoinstalleddozensofsecuritycamerasinpublicareasandalongmainroadsandestablishedinformationpagesforvillagesandorganisationsontheZalosocialnetworkplatform,allowingpeopletoquicklyaccessaccurateandtimelyinformation.ThepilotmodelinThu?nQuangVillagehasbeenreplicatedintheremainingsevenvillagesandresidentialgroupsofD??ngXáCommune,withtheaimofbuildingasmartcommuneandlayingthefoundationforD??ngXátobeasmarturbanareawhenitdevelopsintoaward.Nguy?nV?nChí,DeputyChiefoftheHàN?iStandingOfficeforNew-StyleRuralAreaDevelopmentProgramme,saidthatnew-styleruralareadevelopmentandurbandevelopmenteachhavespecificcriteria.Tomeethesecriteriainparallel,communesstrivingtodevelopintowardshavemergedthetwosetsofcriteria,linkingthe?rdevelopmentintoadvancednew-styleruralareas.Atpresent,??ngAnhandGiaLamdistrictshavecompletedtherequiredcriteriaandmettheminimumstandards,whileThanhTrì,Hoài??cand?anPh??ngdistrictsarespeedinguptheirimplementationandcompletionofthesequalifications.ThisarticlehasbeenpublishedunderthecoordinationoftheCoordinationOfficeoftheNew-StyleRuralAreaDevelopmentProgrammeinHàN?i.—VNSTheSpiritofSaigonbuildinginHCMCitysDistrict1halteddevelopmentattheendof2022afterthearrestofchairwomanTr??ngM?Lan.Thecourthasorderedpolicetoinvestigatediscrepanciesrelatedtotheproject.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—TheassetsofconvictedrealestatemagnateTr??ngM?Lan,chairwomanofV?nTh?nhPhátGroup,includingholdingsincompaniesandrealestateproperties,willremainfrozentofacilitatecompensationfor36,000victimsastheauthoritiesattempttountangleVi?tNamsworstfinancialfraud.TheHCMCityPeoplesCourtonThursdayruledthatthemajorityofLansassetswillcontinuetobeconfiscatedaspartofeffortstocompensatevictims.Thisincludesher18percentstakeinaventurethatownstheVietcombank–Bonday–B?nThànhBuilding,oneofthetallestskyscrapersinHCMCity.Inaddition,thelistofconfiscatedassetsincludeshersharesvaluedatVN?4.5trillioninpropertydeveloperNg?cVi?n??ngandVN?600billion(US$23.8million)inFWDInsurance.RegardingTheSpiritofSaigonbuildingprojectinHCMCitysDistrict1,althoughLanhaddisbursedVN?15.7trillion($624million)totheBitexcoGrouptoacquireit,thecourtnotedthatVN?4trillionofthesefundswasderivedfromembezzlementatSaigonCommercialBank(SCB).Sothecourthasmandatedthatthepolicecontinuetoinvestigatethecircumstancessurroundingthistransactionduetodiscrepanciesintheinformationprovided.Thejudges,however,orderedthereleaseofapropertylocatedat29Li?uGiaiinHàN?i,ownedbyLansdaughter,asitwasdeemedunrelatedtothecase.Inaddition,thecourtliftedthefreezeonthebankaccountsofLanshusband,EricChu,followinghisreturnofVN?33billionthathadbeenlaundered.AnaccountcontainingVN?10billionbelongingtoLansbrotherhasalsobeenunfrozen.However,accountstotallingVN?100billionheldbyotherfamilymembersremainsubjecttothefreeze.Afteramonth-longtrial,thecourtsentencedLantolifeimprisonmentforoffensesincludingfraud,moneylaundering,andillegalcross-bordercurrencytransfer,addingtoherpreviousdeathsentenceforembezzlement.ThecourtfoundLanculpablefordefraudingnearlyVN?31trillion($1.23billion)fromaround36,000bondinvestors,launderingVN?445.7trillion,andillegallytransferring$4.5billionabroad.Between2018and2020,incollaborationwithexecutivesfromSCBandtheV?nTh?nhPhátGroup,Lanutilisedfourcompaniestoissue25fraudulentbondtranches,asestablishedbyjudicialfindings.TheschemesorchestratedbyLanwerefacilitatedbycorruptofficials,includingaformercentralbankinspectorwhohassincebeensentencedtolifeimprisonmentforaccepting$5.2millioninbribestooverlookthemisconductatSCB.Fundsobtainedfromthesaleofthefraudulentbondswereutilisedtosettledebts,addressfinancialchallengesfacedbySCB,andinvestinvariousrealestateprojects,withsubstantialamountsunlawfullytransferredabroad.Lancommittedtousingallherassetstocompensatethevictimsofherfraudulentactivities.ShewassentencedtodeathinapriortrialinAprilforembezzlingVN?677trillionfromSCB;however,shehasappealedthatverdict.—VNSAperformanceinHàN?icelebratingVietnameseWomensDayonSundaywithover70,000womenparticipating.—VNA/VNSPhotosHàN?I—Vi?tNamhasmadeconsiderableprogressinpromotinggenderequalityoverthepastyears,andtheVi?tNamWomensUnion(VWU)hasbeenapplyingitselftothiswork,saidVWUVicePresidentNguy?nTh?MinhH??ng.TalkingtotheVietnamNewsAgency,H??ngsaidsincetheBeijingDeclarationandPlatformforActionwasadoptedbytheUNin1995,Vi?tNamhasmadestridesinrealisingthecommitmentsonwomensrights.Inparticular,sheelaborated,thelegalsystemhasbeenincreasinglyperfected,withthe2006LawonGenderEqualityandthedocumentsguidingitsenforcementimplementedandprovingeffective.Thelegaldocumentsrevisedorsupplementedhavealsoincludedgenderquality-relatedissuestocreatealegalframeworkfacilitatinggendergapnarrowingandgenderequalitypromotion.Allthe12areasoftheBeijingPlatformforActionhavebeenseriouslyandfruitfullycarriedoutbyVi?tNam,notablytheareasofwomenandpoverty,womenandhealth,womenandtheeconomy,womenandtheenvironment,andthegirlchild.Besides,genderequalityhasbeenmainstreamedinthenationaltargetprogrammesonsustainablepovertyreduction,new-stylecountrysidebuilding,andsocio-economicdevelopmentinethnicminorityandmountainousareas.VicePresidentofVi?tNamWomensUnionNguy?nTh?MinhH??ng.H??ngcitedtheUNDPsHumanDevelopmentReportassayingthatin2022,Vi?tNamranked107amongthe193countriesandterritoriesintermsoftheHumanDevelopmentIndex(HDI).ItsGenderDevelopmentIndex(GDI)alonestoodatthe91stposition,higherthanitsHDIaswellastherankingofitseconomyascalculatedonthebasisofpercapitaGDP(101stamong179economiesin2022).WiththisGDI,Vi?tNamwasinthetopgroup,whichrecordedthehighestequalityintermsofhumandevelopmentbetweenmalesandfemales.Inaddition,theGlobalGenderGapIndex,releasedannuallybytheWorldEconomicForum,showedVi?tNamsobservableprogresssincethecountrywasincludedintherankings,whichmeasuregender-basedgapinfourkeyareasofeconomicparticipationandopportunity,educationalattainment,healthandsurvival,andpoliticalempowerment.Vi?tNamsscoreincreasedfrom0.689in2007to0.715in2024,whichindicatestheincreasinglynarrowedgendergap,shenoted.ShewentontosaythatallactivitiesoftheVWUareaimedatpromotinggenderequalityandprotectingwomensrightsandlegitimateinterests.Ithassupervisedtheimplementationofpolicies,givenfeedbackondraftlawsandpoliciesandencouragedwomentoparticipateinthePartyandpoliticalsystembuilding.SomeproposalsoftheVWUhavebeenacceptedandbecomepoliciesatnationalandlocallevelssuchastheGovernmentsDecreeNo39/2015/N?-CPonsupportforlow-incomewomenofethnicminoritiescomplyingwiththepopulationpolicy,ormanyplansonassistanceforwomentodeveloplivelihoodsandprotecttheenvironment.Theunionhasalsoorganisedmanyactivitiestoimprovewomenslegalknowledgesothattheyareawareoftheirrightsandprotectthemselves,helpwomenexercisetheirrightsineconomicandfamilyaffairs,andresolvecasesofwomenandchildrensrightsabuse.Inparticular,theVWUCentralCommitteewasassignedtocoordinatetheimplementationofaprojectonpromotinggenderequalityandresolvingpressingissuesofwomenandchildren.Thisprojectaimstoraisepublicawareness,changegenderbias,andcareforthematerialandspirituallifeofwomenandgirlsinparticularlydisadvantagedareastohelpachievegenderequality,accordingtoH??ng.—VNA/VNS

StudentsataneducationalinstitutioninHCMCityundergomedicalexaminationsonthepremises.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheHCMCityhealthsectorplanstoestablishahealthdatabaseforover1.7millionstudentsinthecitytobetteridentifyandaddressschool-relatedillnesses.T?ngChíTh??ng,directorofthecitysDepartmentofHealth,saidthattheinitiativeispartoftheSmartHealthProjectfor2021-2025,withavisionto2030,anditaimstocreateacomprehensivehealthstatusdatabase.TheDepartmentofHealthhasworkedwiththeDepartmentofEducationtostandardisehealthexaminationformsusedinschools,andhasdevelopedguidelinesforhealthcheckteams.Startingfromthe2024-2025academicyear,allhealthcarefacilitiesmustusethestandardisedexaminationforms,andresultswillbeenteredintoaCommunityHealthManagementSystem.Tosupportthisinitiative,thedepartmentwillholdthreetrainingsessionsforhealthcarepersonnelthismonth,featuringexpertlecturersfromvarioushospitals.Topicswillincludeassessmentmethodologiesandtheuseofthenewhealthexaminationforms.Alistofaccreditedfacilitiesforstudenthealthexaminationswillbepublishedonthehealthsectorselectronicportal.Nearly3,000healthcareworkersandover500educationalinstitutionshavealreadyregisteredforthetraining.Regularhealthexaminationswillbeconductedforstudentsfrompreschooltojuniorhigh,includingnutritionalassessments.Recently,thecityhasalsoprovidedfreehealthassessmentsforoveronemillionelderlyindividuals,digitisingtheresultsforbetterhealthcaremanagement.GrassrootshealthcareSpeakingatarecentmeeting,PhanV?nM?i,chairmanofthePeoplesCommittee,saidthecityiscommittedtoinvestingingrassrootshealthcarewithafocusonthementalandphysicalwell-beingofresidents.Rapidurbanisationhassubstantiallyaffectedhealth,particularlyamongtheyouth,hesaid.Thecitywillimplementacomprehensiveprogrammeaddressingthehealthneedsofbothyoungindividualsandtheelderly,headded.Inaddition,thecityisseekingincreasedinvestmentsinthehealthcaresectortoestablishitselfasamedicalhubwithintheASEANregion.By2025,thecitywillinitiateatotalof116healthcareprojectswithaninvestmentexceedingVN?23trillion($925million),withprojectionsfor150projectsandoverVN?52trillion($2.1billion)intotalinvestmentby2030.—VNSMorethan150peoplefromrelevantagenciesonOctober19participatedinadrilltoraisechemicalincidentresponsecapabilityinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhS?nBàR?A-V?NGTàU—Morethan150peoplefromrelevantagenciesonSaturday(October19)participatedinadrillinthesoutherncoastalprovinceofBàR?a-V?ngTàutoraisechemicalincidentresponsecapability.Theprovince-leveldrillonchemicalincidentresponse,rescue,andcommunityevacuationwasorganisedbytheprovincesPeoplesCommitteeincollaborationwithrelevantagenciesandunits,andtookplaceatLongS?nPetrochemicalsComplexinV?ngTàucity.Speakingattheevent,Nguy?nV?n??ng,directoroftheprovincesDepartmentofIndustryandTradeanddeputyheadofthedrillssteeringcommittee,saidtheprovincehasstrongindustrialdevelopment,soactivitiesrelatedtochemicalsarecommon.Thedrillaimstoraiseawarenessandresponsibilityforalldepartments,sectors,chemical-relatedbusinessesandthepublictoproactivelypreventandeffectivelyrespondtochemicalincidents,hesaid.Thedrillscenarioisbasedonaworst-casescenariothatwasdesignedtoincludechemicalspillresponse,rescueandcommunityevacuation.Itisdifficulttohandlethescenariobyainternalincidentmanagementprocess.Itrequiressupportfrommultipleforcesandrelevantagencies,hesaid.Some20firetrucksandambulanceswerealsomobilisedforthedrill.Theprovince-leveldrillonchemicalincidentresponse,rescue,andcommunityevacuationwasorganisedatLongS?nPetrochemicalsComplexinV?ngTàucity.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhS?nInthehypotheticalsituation,whileapetrochemicalscomplexwasimportingHClacidfromamedicaltanktruckwithaflammablechemicalsufferedapipeleak.Asaresult,thechemicaldispersedintotheenvironmentandspreadwiththewind.Duetotheimpactofthechemical,oneworkersufferedburnstotheneckandhands,andtwoothersworkingontopofthetankfainted.Whilemoving,thechemicaltrucksdriverlostcontrolandcollidedwithaconstructionnearby,causingthetanktobepunctured,thedrivertobestrappedinsidethetruckcabin,andthechemicaltospill.EmployeesofLongSonPetrochemicalsCo.Ltd.(LSP),whichoperatesthecomplex,wereimmediatelymobilisedtohandletheincident,emergency,rescueandworkerevacuation.However,theincidentprogressedinacomplicatedmanner,beyondthecontrolofthecomplex,asthegasspreadandaffectedthesurroundingareas.ThecompanyquicklyreportedtheincidenttotheprovincesIncidentResponseSteeringBoardforsupport.Theboardmobilisedfirefightingvehiclestogothescene,andrequestedsupportfromrelevantdepartmentsandagencies,andthechemicalunitundertheHighCommandofMilitaryRegion7oftheVi?tNamPeoplesArmy.Localauthoritiesalsoevacuatedresidentslivingnearthecomplextosafeplacestoavoidpoisonousgases.After45minutesofthedrill,withcloseandeffectivedistributionbetweenthecompanysresponseforceandsupportforces,thechemicalincidentwascompletelycontrolled.Thechemicalincidentdrilltookplaceinasafeandeffectivemannerasplanned.FirefightersspraywatertoputoutafireduringadrillheldattheLongS?nPetrochemicalsComplexinV?ngTàucityonOctober19.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhS?nKulachetDharachandra,generaldirectorofLSP,saidthedrillprovidesthecompanyandalltheinvolvedunitsanopportunitytoreview,exchangeinsights,andlearnfromoneanother.Itwillhelphiscompanydevelopmoreeffectiveincidentresponseplansandensurecomprehensivepreparationforfutureemergencies.Ourforemostpriorityisthesafetyofeveryone,notonlyforthoseworkingwithinthecomplexbutalsoforthesurroundingcommunity,hesaid.Withafirmcommitmenttoincidentprevention,thecompanyisdedicatedtosafeoperations,ensuringthehealthandwell-beingofallemployeesandresidents.—VNS

PeopleinLam??ngProvincetraverseadeterioratingbridgein??cTr?ngDistrictonOctober17.—VNA/VNSPhoto.L?M??NG—Lam??ngProvincehas109unsafebridgesthatneedtobereplacedorrepairedatanestimatedcostofVN?965billion,accordingtoitsDepartmentofTransport.Mostofthemarealonginternalroadsindistrictslike??cTr?ng,DiLinhandB?oLam.Manyofthem,madeofsteel,woodorconcrete,wereconstructedmanyyearsagoandareprimarilyonroadsleadingtofarmsandotherproductionareas.Somedeterioratingbridgesleadingtoresidentialareasarealsostillinuse.DeputyDirectorofthedepartmentHoàngAnhTu?nsaidthebridgesensuretrafficflowespeciallytoremoteareas,andrequirerepair,reinforcementorreplacement.ThedepartmentandtheDepartmentofPlanningandInvestmentwoulddraftplansforthetaskin2026–30,withmoneyallottedannuallyforit.Theprovincehasover500bridgesalongitslocalroadsand71onnationalhighways.—VNS

PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhchairsthemeetingonpowersupplyonSaturday.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhonOctober19emphasisedtheneedforearlypreparationstoensureastableandefficientelectricitysupplyandnationalenergysecurity,asVi?tNamisadvancingitsindustrialisationandmodernisationefforts.ChairingameetingbetweenpermanentCabinetmembersandofficialsfromrelevantministriesandagencies,thePMstressedthatforevery1percentincreaseineconomicgrowth,electricitydemandrisesby1.5percent.AsVi?tNamaimsforaround7percenteconomicgrowthin2024andhigherinsubsequentyears,electricitydemandforproduction,business,andconsumptionisexpectedtogrowbyatleast10percent.Recallingelectricityshortagesinsomeareaslastyear,theleaderunderscoredtheimportanceofimprovinginstitutionalframeworks,revisingNationalPowerDevelopmentPlanVIII,diversifyingenergysources,andremovingobstaclestokeyelectricityprojects.AccordingtotheVietnamElectricity(EVN),inthefirstninemonthsof2024,thegroupensuredsufficientelectricitysupplyforsocio-economicdevelopment,withproductionandimportsreaching232.8billionkWh,upnearly11percentfromthepreviousyear.Itisalsoworkingon10powerprojectswithatotalcapacityof6,793MW,andhasmadeprogressonproceduresfornewprojectsunderthenationalpowerplan.Inadditiontothe500kVCircuit-3powertransmissionline,itisacceleratingkeygridprojects,includingelectricityimportsfromLaos.Inhisconcludingremarks,PMChínhnotedthatthecountryselectricitydemandisexpectedtoincreasebyaround2,200MWby2025,butwithspecificmeasuresinplace,nomajorshortagesareanticipated.Inthelongterm,hesaid,withelectricitydemandrisingby12-15percentannually,ministriesandsectorsneedtoproactivelyimplementmeasurestoensuresufficientpowersupplyforbothproductionandconsumptionfrom2026to2030.Chínhcalledfortheurgentimplementationofthedecreeondirectelectricitytradingandthepromptsubmissionofadecreeonself-produced,self-consumedelectricityandrooftopsolarenergyforapproval.Thesemeasuresaimtopromotecleanenergydevelopmentandfostertherenewableenergyindustry.Theleaderaskedrelevantministriesandagenciestoquicklyconsolidateinstitutionsandlegalregulations,updateNationalPowerDevelopmentPlanVIII,andstrivetotransitionfromcoal-firedpowertocleanenergyinlinewithVi?tNamsCOP26commitments.ThePMsaidministriesmustdraftscenariosandimplementsolutionstopreventelectricityshortagesunderanycircumstances.Regardinghydropower,PMChínhrequestedthatreservoirsberegulatedinabalancedmannerbetweenirrigationneedsandensuringpowergenerationduringthepeakofthedryseasoninthenorthernregion.Forgas-firedelectricity,theGovernmentleaderinstructedthatthefirstgasflowfromtheBlockB-?M?ngasprojectmustbereceivedbytheendof2026.Healsostressedtheneedtocalculategaselectricitypricesinaccordancewithmarketconditionsandspecificcircumstances,ensuringharmonisedbenefitsandsharedrisks,balancingtheinterestsofthegovernment,businesses,andthepublic.Healsorequestedthatrelevantagenciesstudythedevelopmentofnuclearpower,continuerefiningregulationsandinstitutions,andupdateandadjustPowerPlanVIII.—VNSTheB?ch??ngWharfPark,locatedbytheSaigonRiverinHCMCitysDistrict1,isseenfromanaerialperspective.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—HCMCityhasannouncedplanstobuild42parksalongtheSaigonRivertoenhancegreenspaces,stimulateeconomicgrowth,andimprovethequalityoflifeforresidents.Theinitiativeisakeycomponentofthecitysvisionfordevelopingariversideserviceeconomybytheyear2045.TheprojectencompassestheSaigonRivercorridor,traversingTh???cCity,districts1,4,7,and12,andBìnhTh?nhDistrict,andthesuburbandistrictsofC?ChiandHócM?n.Thedevelopmentstrategyemphasisestheintegrationofmultifunctionalgreeninfrastructuretoimproveconnectivityandalignwiththeoverarchingadjustmentstothecitysmasterplan.TheseparksarestrategicallydesignedtoleveragethepotentialoftheSaigonRiver,fosteringaservice-orientedeconomyandenhancingtheurbanlandscape.AccordingtothecityPeoplesCommittee,theplan,groundedinexpertconsultationsandresearch,willbeimplementedinphasesandcoordinatedwithriversideinfrastructureacrossvariousregions.TheSaigonRiverstretches256kilometres,originatinginBìnhPh??cProvinceandflowingthroughTayNinh,BìnhD??ng,andHCMCity.WithinHCMCity,theriverspans80kilometres,meanderingthroughurbanareasandformingsignificantpeninsulas,includingThanh?aandTh?Thiêm.Currently,HCMCityhasaround400parksbutonly500hectaresofgreenspace,equatingtojust0.55squaremetreperpersonforitsover10millionresidents.—VNS

DeputyPrimeMinisterLêThànhLongspeaksatthemeetingonFriday.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Vi?tNamaimstohaveallclassroomsacrossthecountrymeetrobustconstructionstandardsby2030,accordingtoMinisterofEducationandTrainingNguy?nKimS?n.TheMinisterwasspeakingatFridaysmeetingtoreviewtheschemeforschoolfacilityimprovementbetween2013and2023.S?nhighlightedthestarkcontrastbetweenthecomfortableconditionsenjoyedbymanyurbanpeopleandtheharshconditionsfacedbychildreninmountainousareas.Thousandsofchildreninmountainousprovinceshavetotrekthroughforestsforschools,onlytositinpoorlybuiltclassrooms,hesaid.Hepointedoutthatasignificantnumberofschoolsinmountainousareasarestillinpoorcondition.Incertainprovinces,therateofsubstandardschoolscanreachupto40percent.Severalmeasureswereurgedtoaddresstheissue,includingincreasingpublicinvestmentinschoolfacilitiesandencouraginggreaterprivatesectorinvolvementineducation.DeputyMinisterofEducationandTrainingPh?mNg?cTh??ngunderlinedtheremarkableprogressinVi?tNamsschoolfacilitiesoverthepastdecade,notingtherateofstandardclassroomsrosefromapproximately66percentin2013toover86percentin2023.Hecitedthegovernmentscommitmenttoeducationasthedrivingforcebehindtheimprovement.Healsohighlightedtheprivatesector,which,duringtheperiod,spentnearlyVN?33trillion(US$1.3billion)tohelpbuild36,000classroomsand1,300staffrooms.Theinvolvementoftheprivatesectorineducationhassignificantlyraisedtherateofschoolsmeetingnationalstandards,saidTh??ng.AccordingtotheDeputyMinister,56.9percentofpreschools,62.8percentofprimaryschools,72.3percentoflowersecondaryschools,49.6percentofuppersecondaryschools,and44.2percentofhighschoolswereuptostandardsbyJuly2023.Whilelargecorporations,suchasVingroupandViettel,banksandcommunityorganisationsmademonetarydonationstothescheme,thearmedforceslenttheirmanpower,contributingthousandsofworkingdaystoaccelerateconstruction.DeputyPrimeMinisterLêThànhLongpraisedtheMinistryofEducationandTrainingforitseffortsinimplementingtheschemeandacknowledgedthecontributionsofallrelevantministriesandagencies.Temporaryclassroomshavebeenreplacedbysolidandwell-equippedones,saidLong.Staffroomshavealsobeenrenovated,creatingbetterworkingconditionsforeducators.Despitetheachievements,theDeputyPrimeMinisterhighlightedtheongoingneedformoreschoolfacilities,especiallyinremoteandruralareas.Heproposeddevelopingfavourablepoliciestoattractmorebusinessestoinvestineducation.Healsoemphasisedtheimportanceofdatacollectionandplanning,suggestingtheMinistrycreateacomprehensivedatabaseoninfrastructureandequipment.Localgovernmentsweretaskedwithreviewingtheireducationfacilities,ensuringthereissufficientlandforschoolconstruction,especiallyinregionswithrapidpopulationgrowth.TheDeputyPrimeMinisterconcludedbycallingonbusinesses,organisations,andindividualstocontinuesupportingtheeducationsectortocreateabetterlearningenvironmentforstudents.—VNSTheChàmIslandsoffthecoastofH?iAnhavebeenhitwithbigwavesasTyphoonTramiapproachedin.Noreportsondamageofpropertyorlossofpeoplewasannounced.PhotocourtesyofTr?nQuyTay?àN?NG–Strongwindsgustingfrom15to18metrespersecondhavebeenrecordedasTyphoonTramiheadedinlandonSunday.Thewinds,fromgradesixtoeight,hittheislandsofLyS?n(Qu?ngNg?iProvince),theChàmIslandsoffthecoastofQu?ngNam,BàNàHillsMountainin?àN?ng,Nam??ngdistrictandinnerHu?CityasthetyphoonmovedclosertothecoastofcentralcoastalprovincesbetweenTh?aThiênHu?andQu?ngNamincluding?àN?ng,around8amonOctober27.Heavyrainfallswererecordedfrom200mmto400mminPhúL?cdistrict(268mm),Nam??ng(150mm),B?chM?Mountain(373.8mm)inHu?,in?àN?ng(135mm)andtheChàmIslandsoffH?iAn.ItsexpectedtheheavyrainswillcontinueinHu?and?àN?ngthroughOctober27andlow-layingareaswillbefloodedtemporarilyasdischargesystemscouldbeoverloadedwithrainwater.Ahouseholdinlow-lyingareaofHu?CityisfloodedasTyphoonTramiwasapproachedthecoastofTh?aThiênHu?Provinceand?àN?ng.PhotocourtesyofTh?aThiênHu?PortalTheChàmIslandswerehitwithgustsat18.6mpersecond(grade8),whilebigwavescrashedontobeachesofB?iLàngandB?iH??ng.WindsacrossLyS?nIslandswereatgrade6,accordingtothelatestreportfromthedistrictsauthorities.Bigwaveswithheightsofbetweenthreeandfivemetreshavebeenhittingthebeachesintheregionandthetideswereupfrom0.4mto0.6min?àN?ng,Qu?ngNamandChàmIslands(overnightOctober26to7amofOctober27).LocalresidentsinTh?aThiênHu?andChàmIslandswerewarnednottogooutfrom7amonOctober27.LocalrescueforcesinQu?ngNamProvincehadalreadyrelocated162residentstoasafelocationasofOctober26aftera50mlongcrackwasdiscoveredatamountaininNàN?villageofPh??cGiacommuneinthemountainousHi?p??cdistrict.AcrackisfoundatamountaininHi?p??cdistrictofQu?ngNamProvince.Rescueforceshadhelpedrelocate162residentslivingnearthelandslideriskarea.PhotocourtesyofQu?ngNamPortalNoreportsofdamagetopropertyorlossoflifeintheregionhassofarbeenreported.ThenextreportonTyphoonTramiwillcomeoutintheafternoonofOctober27.VNS

Householdswhoseroofswereblownoffandbuildingscollapsed,havereceivedlocalhelptorepairthedamageinthepoorhamletthatwaslitteredwithruinsafterTyphoonYagi.—VNA/VNSPhotosPh??ngTh?oHàN?I—ThelivesofpoorpeoplelivingunderLongBiênBridgeinHàN?ihavequicklyreturnedtonormalfollowingthedevastationcausedbythefloodingfollowingTyphoonYagi.Althoughtheystillfacechallengesintheirdailylives,thankstothehelpoflocalauthoritiesandmanybenefactors,peoplearerebuildingaretheirheavylosses.Floodwatershaverecededandthemudhasbeenclearedfromthepoorhamlet.Localresidentshavebeensupportedwithmanyessentialsincludingfooddeliveredbyphilanthropists.Amanrepairsadamagedframewhichwillbeusedtorebuildoneofthemakeshifthomes.Residentshavereturnedtogrowingcropsintheshadowofthefamousbridge.Manyvolunteers,somefromtheWomensUnionofwardsinHoànKi?mDistrict,helpwithplantingandtakingcareoftheflowergardeninthehamlet.Alocalmanalsohelpscultivatetheflowersinthebedsaroundthehamlet.PeoplewholiveundertheLongBiênBridgeinHàN?iarebusyrebuildingandreplanting.WhenTyphoonYagihitonSeptember7,followedbyhugefloodwatersfromupstream,manyofthemakeshifthomesandthefewpossessionsofthoselivingclosetothebridge,weresweptaway.—VNSVi?tNamstourismlikelytoboomunderSixCountries,OneDestinationvisainitiative.PhotoAlmaResort,CamRanhHàN?IAsharedvisazonefortheSoutheastAsiaregion,similartoEuropesSchengenvisamechanism,couldbeagame-changerforVi?tNamstourismsector.TheproposedSixCountries,OneDestinationinitiativeaimstofacilitateseamlesstravelacrosssixneighbouringcountries,thusboostingregionaltourism.Onthesidelinesofthe44thand45thASEANSummitsinLaosonOctober9,VietnamesePrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhandhisThaicounterpartPaetongtarnShinawatraagreedtopilotthetourisminitiativeinvolvingThailand,Malaysia,Singapore,Vi?tNam,Laos,andCambodia.OriginallyproposedbyThailandinApril2024,thisvisaplanwillallowtouriststotravelfreelybetweenthesesixcountriesintheregion,superchargingthelocaltourismindustry.Thailandevenhopestonegotiatevisa-freetravelbetweentheseASEANnationsandtheEuropeanUnionsSchengenzone.Vi?tNamhadfloatedasimilaridea14yearsagoincludingfivecountriescoveringtheMekongsub-region:Vi?tNam,Cambodia,Laos,Myanmar,andThailand,butnothingcameofit.Nguy?nQu?cK?,ChairmanofVietravelCorporation,whofirstproposedtheconcept,emphasisedtheimportanceofactingquicklyinthecurrenttourismlandscape.Afterthepandemic,tourismmarketshaveopenedup,andcountriesthatactfastcancapturethegrowingdemand.HepointedoutthatcountrieslikeThailand,Malaysia,andSingaporewereswiftinimplementingopenvisapolicies.WhileVi?tNamreopenedearlyafterthepandemic,itstourismpolicieshavebeenslowertoevolve.Currently,Vi?tNamoffersvisaexemptionstocitizensof26countries,farfewerthanThailandsnearly100.Ifthesixcountriesinitiativeisimplementedquickly,Vi?tNamcanleveragetheopenpoliciesofitsneighbourstoattractalargenumberofinternationaltourists,hesaid.Additionally,jointpromotioneffortswiththefiveothercountrieswouldprovidegreaterreachcomparedtoVi?tNamactingalone.However,Vi?tNamstilllacksanofficialtourismpromotionofficeabroad,puttingitatadisadvantageininternationalmarketing.ImplementingthissharedvisasystemwillsignificantlybenefitVi?tNamstourism.By2050,theAsia-Pacificregionisexpectedtodominateglobaltourism,withSoutheastAsiaasakeydestination.Vi?tNammustactquicklytocapitaliseonthisopportunityandstrengthenitspositionintheregionaltourismrace.However,expertswarnedthatasharedvisapolicycouldalsoincreasecompetitionamongthesixcountries.CaoTríD?ng,Chairmanofthe?àN?ngTourismAssociation,notedthatwhilethevisapolicycouldexpandthetourismmarketforASEAN,itwouldalsointensifycompetition.Thecountrieswillcompetetoattractvisitors,andthosewithlessattractivedestinationscanloseout.D?ngstressedtheneedforVi?tNamtopreparehigh-quality,uniquetourismproductstoensuretouristsstaylongerandspendmore.K?emphasisedtheneedtohighlightVi?tNamsdistinctculturalofferingsastouristsareseekingdiverseculturalexperiences.Vi?tNammustshowcaseitsuniquetraditions,cuisine,andeverydaylifetostandout,henoted.Additionally,Vi?tNamsdiverseclimate,rangingfromtemperatetotropicalzones,offerstouristsavarietyofexperiencesinasingletrip-anadvantagefewcountriescanmatch.Tostaycompetitive,K?calledforimmediateresearchonthekeytouristmarketsofthesixcountriesandananalysisoftheirproductstoensureVi?tNamcanoffersomethingdistinct.TheSixCountries,OneDestinationvisapresentsVi?tNamwithauniquechancetotransformitstourismsector,butsuccesswilldependonhowquicklyandeffectivelythecountrypreparestoaddressthechallenges.VNS