SmogcausedbyvehicleemissionsblanketsNguy?nChíThanhStreetinHàN?iin2023.Thecityisworkingonaplantophaseoutmotorbikesinitscentreby2030.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—HàN?isauthoritiesaregatheringpublicinputsforadraftresolutionthatwouldmandatelow-emissionzonesandphaseoutmotorbikesintheinnercityby2030.Thedraftoutlinesfivekeycriteriafordesignatinglow-emissionzones:demographics,airpollutionlevels,transportationfacilityaccessibility,readinessforstricterstandardsandpublicacceptance.Itsultimategoalistograduallyrestrictmotorbikeuseinthedesignatedareas,pavingthewayforacompletemotorbikebanintheinnercitybytheendofthedecade.Thegoalwillbesupportedbyincreasedinvestmentinpublictransport,includingmetrolinesandbusrapidtransit(BRT)routes,awareness-raisingcampaignsandincentivesforthemotorbikestobeleftathome.TransportationisamajorcontributortoHàN?isairpollution,withovereightmillionvehiclesontheroad,including1.2millioncars.Fineparticulatematter(PM2.5)levelsinthecityarenearlytwicethenationalstandardandtransportisresponsibleforbetween58to74percentofPM2.5emissions.—VNS

Metroline1willbecompletedallnecessaryworkandproceduretobegincommercialoperationsbyDecember22.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheHCMCityUrbanRailwayManagementBoard(MAUR)launchedtheFiftyDaysandNightstoCompleteMetroLine1(B?nThành-Su?iTiên)campaignonOctober28.ThecitylaunchedthecampaignonMondaytofinaliseallnecessaryworkandprocedurestobegincommercialoperationsofmetrolineNo.1byDecember22.Themovecamefollowingdirectionsfromthecitygovernmenttogetthelineoperatingbytheendofthisyearafterseveraldelays.Speakingattheevent,headofMAURPhanC?ngB?ngstatedtheywouldworkwithMetroLine1Co.,Ltd.untilDecember20tocompletealarge,complexworkloadandaddressunresolvedissues.FromnowuntilDecember20,theMAURandtheHoChiMinhCityUrbanRailwayNo.1CompanyLimited(HURC1)willcoordinatewithallstakeholderstocompletetheremainingitemsandprocedures.Theprojectsmainphaseshavebeencompletedafterabout12yearsofconstruction,includingequipmentinstallationandtrainingofdriversandstaff.B?ngstressed:Allrelevantunitswillworkwithoutadayoffduringthecampaigntoensureitssuccess.HCMCityauthoritiesstartedatwo-monthtrialrunforthemetrolinesinceOctober1.MAURaddedthatthelinewouldrun200tripsbetween5amand10pmduringthefirstsixmonthsofcommercialoperation.Afterthat,thelinewilloperatefrom5amto11pm,with276tripsdailybetweenMondayandFriday.Onweekendsandholidays,thenumberoftripswillfallto226.Therouteis19.7kilometreslong,including2.6kmofundergroundrailwayand17.1kmofelevatedtrack.ItrunsfromB?nThànhMarketinDistrict1toSu?iTiênThemeParkinTh???cCity,throughthreeundergroundstationsand11stopsaboveground.Thelinehasatotalof17trains,eachcapableofaccommodating930passengers,including147sittingand783standing.—VNSConstructionsiteofWesternRingRoadProjectinC?nTh?City.VNA/VNSPhotoC?NTH?–CapitaldisbursementoftheWesternRingRoadprojectinC?nTh?CitywasjustVN?57.4billion(US$2.26million),achieving18.54percentofthetargetbylateOctoberalthoughtheprojectwasallocatedoverVN?300billion($11.86million)thisyear,reportedDepartmentofPlanningandInvestment.Mostprojectsareproposedtoadjustandsupplementthepublicinvestmentplanfor2024basedonactualimplementation,followingtheschedulesetbytheprojectowner.However,inadditiontoprojectswithdisbursementprogressmeetingorexceedingtheplan,someprojectsarebehindschedule.RegardingtheWesternRingRoadprojectinC?nTh?CityconnectingNationalHighway91toNationalHighway61C,thelandclearancehasreached54percent,andapproximately50percentofthesitehasbeenhandedovertocontractors.Fouroutofsevenconstructionpackageshavebeencarriedout.Currently,theprojectisundergoinganinvestmentpolicyadjustment,andoncecompleted,theremainingthreeconstructionpackageswillbeimplemented.AccordingtoNguy?nHoàngTùng,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofTransport,theprojectfaceddelaysduetotimespentontestingthefoundationandpilesofbridgestructures.Untilthesetestsarecompleted,thenextstepscannotproceed.ThetestingpackagewasonlystartedinJuly2024,andnowtheDepartmentofTransportisinstructingcontractorstoacceptcompletedworkvolumeforsubsequentimplementation,hesaid.Additionally,theshortageofsandremainsasignificantchallengeforthisproject.Risingsandpricesandashortageofsupplyhaveimpactedtheproject.Althoughtheprojecthasreceivedsandfromvarioussources,qualitycheckshavefounditunsuitable,leadingtheinvestortoreturnittothesuppliers,Tùngexplained.Afterinspection,wefoundthatsomesandsourceswerecontaminatedwithsalt,makingthemunusableasC?nTh?Cityhasyettoapprovetheuseofsalt-contaminatedsandforlocalprojects,hesaid.Furthermore,certainareasoftheringroadprojectarestillawaitinglandclearance,affectingtheoverallprojectprogress.TheWesternRingRoadprojectinC?nTh?CitywasofficiallylaunchedinNovember2022withtotalinvestmentofnearlyVN?3.8trillion($150million),ofwhichVN?2trillion($78.9million)isfromtheCentralBudgetandVN?1.8trillion($71million)isfromthelocalbudget,includingVN?2.6trillion($102million)forconstructioncostsandoverVN?1trillion($39.4million)forcompensation,support,andresettlementexpenses.Theprojectisscheduledforimplementationfrom2021to2026,impactingaround1,243households,ofwhich464willrequireresettlement.Theentirerouteis19.3kmlong,withacross-sectionof16.5moneachsideandadesignspeedof50-60kmperhour,andincludes25bridges.VNS

HàN?I–DozensofchildrenwithsevereurologicalbirthdefectsandrareurologicalconditionsinHCMCity,Vinh,HàN?iand?àN?ngarereceivingfreegenitalsurgeriesunderthe‘Thi?nNhanFriendsprogramme–aprojectthatofferschildgenitalreconstructionsurgeriesinVi?tNam.Partofanannualprogrammethatstarted18yearsago,thesesurgeriesarebeingperformedfromOctober18toNovember9byavolunteermedicalteamfromItaly,England,EgyptandtheUAE,ledbyItaliansurgeonDrRobertoDeCastro.ItaliansurgeonDrRobertoDeCastro(left)andhisteamconductexaminationsanddiagnosesforchildrenwithurologyandgenitaldefectattheNationalPediatricHospitalinHàN?ionOctober25.Photocourtesyof‘Thi?nNhanHisFriendsprogrammeThesurgeriestakeplaceatChildrensHospital2inHCMCity,theNgh?AnObstetricsandPediatricsHospitalinVinhCity,theNationalPediatricHospitalandVi?t??cHospitalinHàN?i,andthe?àN?ngChildrenandWomensHospitalin?àN?ngCity.Overdecades,DrDeCastrohasperformedpioneeringsurgicaltechniquestoeffectivelytreatgenitalmalformationsandinjuriesinbothboysandgirlstoallowthemtolivefulllives.OneofDeCastrosbiggestsuccessstoriesisPhùngThi?nNhan,whowasabandonedbyhisbiologicalmotheratbirthinaremoteareainthecentralprovinceofQu?ngNam.WhenNhanwasfoundthreedayslater,hewasbarelyaliveandhadlostmostofhisgenitalsandonelegduetoabrutalattackbywildanimals.Internationaldoctorsofthe‘Thi?nNhanFriendsprogrammeconductexaminationsanddiagnosesforchildrenwithurologyandgenitaldefectattheVi?t??cHospitalinHàN?ionOctober26.Photocourtesyof‘Thi?nNhanFriendsprogrammeTheinfantsurvivedtheincidentandwassubsequentlyadoptedbyjournalistTr?nMaiAnh,movingtoHàN?iwithhisnewfamily.WiththesupportofDeCastro,Thi?nNhanreceivedsuccessfulreconstructivesurgeryinJanuary2011.Hisfostermother,MaiAnh,laterbecamethefounderofthe‘Thi?nNhanFriendsprogrammewhich,togetherwiththeAsiaInjuryPrevention(AIP)Foundation,paysforsurgeries,travelcostsandmedicalsuppliesforpoorVietnamesechildrenneedinggenitalreconstruction.Overtheyears,theThi?nNhanFriendsprogrammehasconducted630surgeries,examinationsanddiagnosesfor2,000children,withanother1,000patientsstillawaitingtreatment.Dozensofleadingexpertsinpaediatricreconstructiveandurologicalsurgeryfromaroundtheworldhaveparticipatedintheprogramme.InVi?tNam,alongwithconductingexaminationsandsurgeries,theinternationalspecialistsalsoholdscientificworkshopsandhands-ontrainingsessionswithVietnamesemedicalstaff,sharingtheirexperiencesandintroducingthelatestadvancedmethodsinpaediatricurologicalsurgery.AccordingtofounderoftheAIPFoundationandco-founderofthe‘Thi?nNhanFriendsprogrammeGreigCraft,themissionoftheprogammeisnotjusttotreatasmallnumberofchildrenwithgenitaldisabilities.Internationalvolunteermedicalteamofthe‘Thi?nNhanHisFriendsprogrammeposeforphotowithmedicalworkersattheVi?t??cHospitalinHàN?ionOctober26.Photocourtesyof‘Thi?nNhanHisFriendsprogrammeByspreadingtheinspirationtoliveandsharingmedicalknowledgeasleadingexpertscometogether,webelievethattheimpactwillextendbeyondtheconfinesoftheprogramme.WearefortunatethatThi?nNhan,ourfirstpatient,sharesthisvisionandhaschosentobecomeascientistinthefuture,hesaid.Eighteenyearsafterbeingfoundinthejungleandgivenasecondchanceatlife,Thi?nNhanhasentereduniversity.HechosethefieldofArtificialIntelligence,believingthatAIhasthepotentialtorevolutionisehealthcareandimprovethelivesofmanypeople,justasmylifewastransformedthroughmedicalintervention.Fromthese18yearsofexperience,theyoungmanisconvincedthatempathyandpatiencewillleadtomiraculousachievements.VNSPeoplecanregisterforapersonalVNPTSmartCAdigitalsignaturedirectlyonVNeID.HàN?I—AsofOctober28,peoplearenowabletocreateapersonaldigitalsignaturedirectlythroughtheMinistryofPublicSecuritysVNeIDapplication,providingfreedigitalsigningaccessonpublicserviceportals.Thisintegrationallowse-identificationappVNeIDlevel2userstoregisterforVNPTSmartCAsignaturesontheVNeIDapp,withtheiridentitiesalreadyverifiedbytheMinistryofPublicSecurity.Thisstreamlinedprocesseliminatestheneedtosubmitphysicaldocuments,makingregistrationmoreaccessibleandconvenient.VNPThasbecomethefirstdigitalsignatureprovidercertifiedtomeetthesecuritystandardsrequiredforintegrationwithVNeID,followingapprovalfromtheNationalPopulationDataCentrefortheMinistryofPublicSecuritysidentityandauthenticationsystemtoconnectwiththeVNPTVinaPhoneInformationSystem.AccordingtoVNPT,thisconnectionbetweenthetwosystemsistheproductofextensivetechnicalresearchandpreparation,ensuringcompliancewithlegalstandardsandmaintainingdatasecurity.VNPTSmartCAsintegrationextendsacrossmorethan900applications,includingtheNationalPublicServicePortal,theMinistryofPublicSecuritysPublicServicePortal,theGeneralDepartmentofTaxationsystems,theStateTreasury,provincialandmunicipalpublicserviceportals,aswellasapplicationsinbanking,finance,insurance,educationandhealthcare.Initscommitmenttothedigitaltransformation,VNPTprovidesdigitalsigningservicescompletelyfreeofchargeforadministrativeprocedures,aimingtoexpanddigitalsignatureusagenationwide.ThisinitiativeisalignedwiththeGovernmentsgoalofequipping50percentoftheadultpopulationwithdigitalorelectronicsignaturesby2025,risingtoover70percentby2030.—VNSHàN?I—ThelatestresearchfindingsandsolutionstotheproblemsofinjuriesamongchildrenwerepresentedatarecentconferenceinHàN?i.Thefourthnationalscientificconferenceoninjuryprevention,themedReducingtheBurdenofInjuries:TheEffectivenessofSustainablePoliciesandInterventions,washeldonMonday,featuringengagingdiscussionsbyover200Vietnameseandinternationalhealthcareprofessionals.Theconferenceisco-organisedbytheDepartmentofEnvironmentalHealthandtheUniversityofPublicHealth.FiveyearsaftertheThirdNationalScientificConferencein2019,theFourthNationalScientificConferenceonInjuryPreventionwasheldtoshareresearchfindingsandproposesolutionsinthecurrentcontext.DeputyMinisterofHealthLê??cLu?nspokeattheconference.—PhotocourtesyoftheorganisersThisyearsconferenceisanopportunitytoengagestakeholdersandboosttheeffectivenessofinjurypreventionefforts.Delegatesexchangedexperiencesandstrategies,emphasisingtheimportanceofmeasuresfrombothdomesticandinternationalpractices.Speakingattheconference,DeputyMinisterofHealthLê??cLu?nstated:AccordingtotheWHO,injuriesaccountfor11percentoftheglobaldiseaseburden,with80percentindevelopingcountries.StatisticsfromVietnamesehealthcarefacilitiesindicatethat,onaverage,over1.1millionpatientsseektreatmentforinjurieseachyear,resultinginmorethan30,000deaths,headded.DespiteVietnamssignificanteffortsininjuryprevention,itremainsaconcerningissue.Roadtrafficaccidents,drowningandworkplaceaccidentsaretheleadingcausesofinjury-relatedfatalities.Thishighlightsthat,whilesomeprogresshasbeenmade,Vi?tNamneedstocontinueitseffortsandinvestfurthertominimiseinjuriesandtheirconsequences,heemphasised.Theconferencefeaturednearly200domesticexperts,alongsidespecialistsfromtheWorldHealthOrganizationinGeneva,JohnsHopkinsUniversityandvariousinternationalandVietnameseNGOs.DrDavidMeddingsfromtheWorldHealthOrganizationnotedthatdrowning,fallsandroadtrafficaccidentsarethetopcausesofdeathamongchildrenandadolescents.DrowningistheleadingcauseofdeathforchildrenunderfiveinVi?tNam.Dr.DavidMeddingspresentedattheconference.—PhotocourtesyoftheorganisersThirty-twoscientificreportsfromVietnameseandinternationalresearcherswerepresentedattheconference,focusingonroadtrafficinjuryprevention,firstaidandrehabilitation,drowningpreventionandcommunity-basedinjuryprevention.Remarkably,specialiseddiscussionsessionthreeonpreventingdrowningandchildhoodinjuriesreceivedhighpraise.?oànThuHuy?n,CountryDirectorinVi?tNamfortheCampaignforTobacco-FreeKids,presentedsixrecommendationstoensurethesustainabilityofVi?tNamschilddrowningpreventionprogramme.Preventingchilddrowningmustbeseenasamultidisciplinaryissue,primarilytheresponsibilityoffamiliesandcaregivers,shesaid.Drowningpreventioninterventionsmustbeimplementedwithcoordinatedsolutionsandclosecollaborationamongagenciesandorganisations.Enhancingthecapacityofrelevantbodiesandtrainingphysicaleducationteachersinsafeswimminginstructioninschoolsiscrucial,sheadded.Studiesevaluatingtheeffectivenessofinterventions,theireconomicandsocialimpacts,andparticularlytheeffectsofdrowningonfamiliesplayacrucialroleinchilddrowningpreventionefforts.?oànThuHuy?npresentedrecommendationsonVi?tNamschilddrowningpreventionprogramme.—PhotocourtesyoftheorganisersHuy?nalsoemphasisedtheneedtoenhancepoliciesandestablishflexiblemechanismsthatenablebusinessesandprivateorganisationstocollaboratewithschoolsandinvestinswimmingpools,andtoorganisesafeswimmingclassesforstudentsduringthesummermonths.Ongoingcommunicationcampaignstoraiseawarenessandpromotesafebehavioursamongparentsandcaregiversareessential,sheadded.DrNguy?nNg?cAnh,DirectorofthePolicyandDevelopmentResearchCenter(DEPOCEN),presentedfindingsontheeconomicimpactofchilddrowninginVi?tNam.Eachyear,over2,000Vietnamesechildrendrown,leadingtovariouseconomicburdensacrossprovinces.Thetotaleconomicburdenofchildrendrowningnationwidereaches$767million.Theeconomicburdenofdrowningishighestamongchildrenunderfouryearsold,withHàN?ifacingthegreatestimpactat$43million,whileYênBáireportsthelowestat$4million.Planninginterventionprogrammesshouldconsiderlocaleconomicconditions,balancingeconomicbenefitswithsocialequityandfocusingonsupportforvulnerablefamilies.Strategiesmustensureefficientresourceallocationandaligninterventionswiththeneedsofeachprovince.Injuriesresultinsignificantlossoflifeandcreatesubstantialeconomicandsocialburdens,particularlyinlow-andmiddle-incomecountries.Moreover,injuryandviolencepreventionisacrucialindicatorforachievingsustainabledevelopmentgoals.—VNS

ThepoliticalcommissaroftheCoastGuard,LieutenantGeneralBùiQu?cOai,speaksataconferenceheldinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvinceonOctober24.—PhotoCourtesyofVCGBàR?A-V?NGTàU—AcontestonVi?tNamsmaritimesovereigntyheldeveryyearincoastalprovincesandcitieswillbecomeanationaleventfrom2030,accordingtotheCoastGuard.Ilovenationalseaandislandsismeanttospreadknowledgeaboutthecountryswatersandislands,thePeoplesArmyandCoastGuard,Vietnameselaws,internationaltreatiesrelatedtothecountrysmaritimeterritories,andthehistoryofthenationstraditionofbuildinganddefendingthecountry,aconferenceheldbytheCoastGuardRegionNo.3CommandbasedinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvinceheardonThursday(October24).LieutenantGeneralBùiQu?cOai,politicalcommissaroftheCoastGuard,saidthecontestisofgreateducationalandpoliticalsignificanceandattractstheparticipationofalargenumberofstudents,teachersandotherseveryyear.Ithasincreasedpublicawarenessofthecountryssovereigntyoveritsseasandislands,andpromotedcoordinationbetweenvariousagenciesinvolvedindisseminationofthecountrysmaritimelaws,hesaid.Ithasarousedinstudentsapassionforlearningaboutthetaskofprotectingsovereigntyovertheseasandislandsandprotectingthenationandloveforhomeland.TheCoastGuardRegionNo.3CommandonOctober24signeddealswiththedepartmentsoftrainingandeducationofthecoastalprovincesincooperationtoorganisethecontest.—PhotoCourtesyofVCGSince2013theCoastGuradhassuccessfullyorganisedthecontestat389secondaryschoolsin35provincesandcitieswiththeparticipationofmorethan54,000students.Itandthecontestsponsorshaveawardedmorethan4,800scholarships,2,000bicycles,16,000notebooks,and800schoolbagstocontestantswhoperformedwell.—VNSThe??ngCamirrigationdam,arecognisednationalheritagesite,isrenownedforitsuniquelandscape,architectureandengineering,withalegacyspanningoveracentury.—VNA/VNSPhotoXuanTri?uPHúYêN—AproposaltobuildanewhydroelectricplantontheBaRiverinthesouth-centralprovinceofPhúYênhasraisedconcernsamonglocalauthoritiesandresidents,especiallyasthreehydroelectricplantsarealreadyoperationalontheriver.Theinvestor,ElectricalEngineeringConstructionJSC(AGRIMECO),hassubmittedtheprojectproposaltothePhúYênPeoplesCommittee,intendingtoconstructtheplantnearthe??ngCamdam-anationalheritagesite,VietnamNewsAgencyreported.Theproposedplant,tobelocatedaboutonekilometredownstreamof??ngCamdam,hastriggeredalarmamongprofessionalbodiesinPhúYên,whofearitcouldaffectthedamsarchitecturalandscenicvalue.The??ngCamirrigationdam,morethanacenturyold,wasrecognisedin2022asanationalscenicsiteduetoitshistoricalsignificanceanduniqueengineering.Thehydroelectricprojectwouldspananareaof51.8hectares,includingpartsofPhúHòaandTayHòadistricts,withatotalinvestmentofVN?1.471trillion(overUS$57.8million).TheprovincialDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmenthasraisedconcerns,stressingthattheprojectmustalignwiththeprovincessocio-economicdevelopmentplansandland-usestrategyforthe2021-30period.TheprovincialDepartmentofCulture,SportsandTourismhasalsoexpressedworries,notingthattheplantsinfrastructurewouldbesituatedtooclosetothe??ngCamirrigationdam.Someplannedstructures,suchasthepressuretunnel,wouldfallwithinthedamsprotectedzone,requiringapprovalfromtheMinistryofCulture,SportsandTourism.FurtherquestionshavearisenfromtheprovincialDepartmentsofPlanningandInvestmentandAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,whichrequestedclarificationonpotentialoverlapsbetweenthehydroelectricplantsinfrastructureandthe??ngCamheritagesite.Theprojectincludesconstructingarubberdam,twokilometresupstreamoftheirrigationdam,designedtostore15.4millioncubicmetresofwater.AGRIMECOhasarguedthattheproposed??ngCamhydroelectricplantwilluseuntappedenergypotentialwithoutdisruptingtheoperationofupstreamreservoirsorthe??ngCamirrigationsystem.Theyclaimthattheprojectiscrucialforlocaleconomicdevelopment.However,theDirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofIndustryandTrade,Nguy?nThanhTu?n,saidthattheprojectisnotyetincludedinNationalPowerDevelopmentPlan8,whichlistsonlythreeotherhydroelectricplantsintheprovince.TheinvestorhascommittedtoconductingdetailedsurveysandseekingapprovalfromboththePhúYênPeoplesCommitteeandtheMinistryofIndustryandTradetoincludetheprojectintheNationalPowerDevelopmentPlan.AGRIMECOsproposalalsoaimstointegratetheprojectintoPhúYênssocio-economicdevelopmentstrategyforthe2021-2030period,withavisionfor2050.Asidefromtheheritageconcerns,therearefearsthatthehydroelectricprojectcouldnegativelyaffectwatersupplyforhouseholds,agricultureandsaltwaterintrusioncontroldownstream.ThreewatertreatmentplantsalongtheBaRivercurrentlyserveover35,000householdsinTuyHòacity,??ngHòatownshipandnearbydistricts.WaterfromtheBaRiveristheprimarysourceforthreewatertreatmentplantsthatsupplydomesticneeds.In2021,watershortagesintheseareaswereexacerbatedbysaltwaterintrusionintotheriver,leadingtotheshutdownofoneoftheplants.ThePhúYênWaterSupplyandSewerageJSC(Pywase)hasraisedconcernsthattheprojectcouldfurtherthreatenwatersupplies.DeputydirectorofPywase,Nguy?nT?nThu?n,supportstheprojectinprinciple,provideditalignswithlocaldevelopmentgoals,buthestressedthatensuringstablewatersupplyiscritical,particularlyduringthedryseason.ThePhúYênDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmenthasalsopointedoutthattheinvestorsreporthasnotadequatelyaddressedrisksofsaltwaterintrusion,sedimentflow,andotherenvironmentalimpacts.The??ngCamirrigationsystemisvitaltotheregion,supplyingwaterto19,000hectaresofricepaddiesintheTuyHòaplain.AGRIMECOhasassuredthatthehydroelectricplantsreservoirwouldaidwatermanagementduringdryperiods,helpingtomitigateshortages.However,Nguy?nMinhHu?,Chairmanof??ngCamIrrigationJSC,emphasisedthatthewatersupplyfordownstreamagriculturemustbeguaranteedbeforetheprojectcanproceed.Whiletheprojectcouldgeneratebenefitssuchasboostingenergyproductionandcreatingnewscenicareas,theprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmenthasraisedconcernsabouthowthehydroelectricplantsfloodcontrolmeasureswillfunctionalongsidetheexistingsystem,particularlyduringpeakfloodseasons.ChairmanofthePhúYênPeoplesCommitteeT?AnhTu?nhasreaffirmedtheprovincesposition,stating:Wewillnottradetheenvironmentfordevelopment,especiallywhenitcomestohydropowerprojects.ThePeoplesCommitteehascalledforathoroughassessmentoftheprojectspotentialbenefitsanddrawbacksbeforeanyfurtherdecisionsaremade.—VNS

70-year-oldNguy?nTh?H??ngtakingcareofachildsufferingfromdisabilitiescausedbyAgentOrange.VNA/VNSPhoto?inhH??ngQU?NGNG?I-Raisingandeducatingnormalchildrenischallengingenough,butcaringforchildrenwhoarevictimsofAgentOrangeexposureisevenmoredifficult.However,attheCentreforNurturingandRehabilitationofAgentOrange/DioxinvictimsinNgh?aTh?ng,T?Ngh?aDistrict,Qu?ngNg?iProvince,twowomenhavenotshiedawayfromthedifficultiesandhardshipsofcaringforthesechildren,ensuringtheyarefed,caredforandloved.ThecentreinNgh?aTh?nghasbeenoperationalsince2011andiscurrentlyprovidingdaycarefortenindividuals,mostlychildren.Additionally,fiveindividualsarereceivingparttimeeducation.Thecentrehasthreestaffmembers,twoofwhomarewomendirectlyresponsibleforcaregiving,nurturingandhelpingwithrehabilitation,Nguy?nTh?H??ngandTr?nTh?M?Di?u.SeventyyearoldNguy?nTh?H??ngfromNgh?aTh?ngCommune,T?Ngh?aDistrict,hasheldvariousrolesinthepast,suchasaliaisonofficerattheMilitaryRegion5PostOffice,adepartmentheadatNgh?aBìnhRoadandBridgeCompany2,amemberof??ngTh?ngCooperativeinNgh?aTh?ngCommuneandPresidentoftheWomensUnioninNgh?aTh?ng.Shehasbeenworkingatthecentresince2011.AtH??ngsage,manywouldchoosetospendtheirtimesurroundedbyfamily,butforher,caringforchildrenaffectedbyAgentOrangehasbecomeamission.Overtheyears,despitehavingtotakeonmultipleresponsibilitiessuchascleaning,cookingandensuringthechildrenssleep,H??nghasalwaysdiligentlyfulfilledherduties.Explainingherdecisiontojointhecentre,H??ngsaysthatasamotherandawomaninvolvedinsocialwork,sheunderstandsthehardshipsofchildrenbornwithdisabilities.Whenthecentrewasestablished,sheleftherroleattheWomensUniontoworkthere,hopingtocareforandcompensateforthesufferingthesechildrenhaveendured.AccordingtoH??ng,caringforchildrenwithdisabilitiesduetoAgentOrangeexposurerequirespatienceandperseverance,aseachchildexhibitsdifferentsymptoms.Inadditiontoreadingbooks,attendingtrainingclassesandhelpingthefamilies,shecarefullyobservesthechildrensbehavioursandactionstoguidethemwithoutcausingharm,helpingthemgraduallyintegrateintothecommunity.Ph?mTh?T.fromNgh?aThu?nCommune,T?Ngh?aDistrict,hasachildwhoisanAgentOrangevictimandwasbornwithdevelopmentaldelays.Sincethecentreopened,herfamilyhasbeenabletosendherchildthere,allowinghertoworkandearnmoreincome.Sinceattendingthecentre,herchildhaslearnedmanythings,suchasfeedinganddressingthemselvesandhelpingwithsomehouseholdchores.Tr?nTh?M?Di?u(right)teachingachildatthecentre.VNA/VNSPhoto?inhH??ngHavingworkedthereforfiveyears,26-year-oldTr?nTh?M?Di?ufromNgh?aTh?ngCommuneisseenasabearerofloveforthechildrenaffectedbyAgentOrange.Di?u,whograduatedinnursing,foundherselfworkinginthisfieldbychance.Sheexplainsthataftergraduationshelearnedthatthecentrewashiringanurse,sosheapplied.Withabackgroundinnursing,Ihadbeenexposedtomanypatientsduringmystudies.However,IneverimaginedIwouldendupworkingwithchildrenaffectedbyAgentOrange.Intheearlydays,Ifoundtheworknewtomeandfacedmanychallengesincommunicatingwiththechildren.However,withencouragementfromH??ng,Ibecamemoreconfidentandopenwheninteractingwiththem.Gradually,Iunderstoodandempathisedwiththeirpainandmyloveforthemgrew,Di?usays.TheworkatthecentreisexhaustingandthecontractsalaryforH??ngandDi?uisonlyVN?1.5millionpermonth.Bothwomenhavethoughtaboutquittingattimes,buttheyremainbecausetheyworryaboutwhowouldtakecareofthechildreniftheyleft.Tosupporttheirfamilies,theytakeonadditionaljobsoutsideoftheirtimeatthecentre.Tomanageboththecentresworkandcareformyhusbandandchildren,Ihavetowakeupearly,stayuplateandmakeuseofeverysparemomentforhouseholdandfarmwork.Itstrulyexhaustingattimes,butknowingthechildrenandtheirfamiliesarewaitingformemotivatesmetokeepgoing,Di?usays.LêV?nTi?n,DirectoroftheCentreforNurturingandRehabilitationofAgentOrange/DioxinvictimsinNgh?aTh?ng,says:Withsuchalowsalary,itschallengingtofindindividualswhohaveboththeexpertiseandthecompassiontoworkhere.Therefore,thededicationofH??ngandDi?uiscommendable.TheyhavebeenrecognisedandhonouredbylocalauthoritiesandorganisationsfortheircontributionstoalleviatingthepaincausedbyAgentOrange.Inthefuture,thecentrewillcontinuetoseeksupportfromthecommunitytocareformoreAgentOrangevictims,whilealsocallingonauthoritiestoraisetheincomeforthestaff.VNS

TheCh?mBàuTrúcPotteryCo-operativesproductsinNinhThu?nProvincesNinhPh??cDistrict.Itsproductswererecognisedasnationaloutstandingruralindustrialgoodsin2023.–VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngTh?NINHTHU?N–NinhThu?nProvincehasexpandeditsnumberofco-operativesandimprovedtheiroperationalquality.Thesouth-centralprovinceestablishedfivenewco-operativesinthefirstsevenmonthsoftheyear,bringingthetotalnumberto126,accordingtoitsDepartmentofPlanningandInvestment.The126co-operativeshavemorethan19,000membersandoperateinsectorssuchasagriculture,industry,transport,credit,andotherservices.LêHoàiNam,chairmanoftheProvincialCo-operativeAlliance,said:Theprovincesco-operativeshaveoperatedstablyanddeveloped.Manynew-styleco-operativesoperatingundertheCo-operativeLaweffectivelylinkedwithcompanies,confirmingtheirkeyroleindevelopingthelocaleconomy,hesaid.Theyrestructuredthecultivationofcropsandthebreedingofanimals,focusingonproducingcommercialproducts.TheNamMi?nTrungHigh-techAgricultureCo-operativeinBácáiDistricthassuccessfullycultivatedhoneydewmelonandwatermeloningreenhousesonatotaloffivehectares.Itpartnerswithfarmerstogrowthesefruits,supplyinginputmaterialsandfarmingtechniquestothem,andpurchasingtheirproduce.ItearnsaprofitofVN?250-300million(US$8,000-12,000)ayear.Anincreasingnumberofco-operativeshaveadoptedadvancedtechniquestoproducehigh-qualityproductsthatmeetmarketdemand.TheThanhH?iAgriculturalServicesandAgriculturalProductTradingCo-operativeinNinhH?iDistrictgrowsredonionandPhanRanggarlictoVietnamesegoodagriculturalpracticesonatotalof20hectares,with103membersparticipating.Nguy?nTh?H?nh,itsdirector,saidtheco-operativealsoboughtPhanRanggarlicfromotherfarmersinneighbouringcommunessuchasNh?nH?i,V?nhH?i,andPhanRang-ThápChàmCity.Theco-operativeusedoriginstampsanddevelopedalogoandlabelforitsproducts,shesaid.FarmersgrowingPhanRanggarlicearnedaprofitofVN?60-70million($2,400-2,800)per1,000sq.mayear,sheadded.ThanhH?i,alongwithtwootherco-operativesintheprovince,hasbeengrantedtherighttousethecollectivebrandnamePhanRangflavourofsunandwindfortheirfreshanddriedgarlicproducts.PhanRanggarlicisoneoftheprovinces12specificallyidentifiedproductsalongwithgrapes,jujube,asparagus,aloevera,sheep,andgoats.Co-operativesintheprovincehaveproducedmanyproductsunderthenationalOneCommune-OneProduct(OCOP)programme.Nguy?n??cTùngoftheTháiAnAgricultureGeneralServiceCo-operativeinNinhH?iDistrictsV?nhH?iCommunesaid:Theco-operativehaseightfreshandprocessedgrapeproductsrecognisedasOCOPproductswiththreeandfourstars.Thisrecognitionincreasedconsumerawarenessoftheco-operativesproducts,enhanceditsreputationandhelpeditexpanditsmarket,hesaid.Italsoofferedtourismservices,suchasgrapeorchardtours,grapeproductprocessingdemonstrations,andtastings,headded.1.TouristsvisittheTu?nTúGeneralServiceCo-operativeinNinhThu?nProvincesNinhPh??cDistrict.Theco-operativesasparagusproductshavebeenrecognisedunderthecountrysOneCommune-OneProductprogramme.–VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngTh?SupportNinhThu?nProvinceishelpingeffectivenew-styleco-operativesexpandproductionandgrowtheirbusinessmodels.Tr?nhMinhHoàng,deputychairmanoftheprovincePeoplesCommittee,saidthedevelopmentofnew-styleco-operativeswasimportantforbuildingtrustamongindividualsandcompanies,enablingcollaborationandraisingpublicawarenessofthecollectiveeconomysroleandimportance.Underitsplantodevelopthem,theprovincehasselectedfourefficientco-operativestoparticipateintheprogrammein2021-25,theTu?nTúGeneralServiceCo-operativeandtheCh?mBàuTrúcPotteryCo-operativeinNinhPh??cDistrict,theNinhThu?nEvergreenGrapeCo-operativeinPhanRang–ThápChàmCityandtheAnXuanAgricultureTradeandProductionCo-operativeinNinhH?iDistrict.Thefourhavealargenumberofmembersandactivelyparticipateincommunityactivitiesaspartofthenew-styleruralareaprogramme.Theyproducetheprovincesspeciallyidentifiedproducts,partnerwithcompaniestoensuresalesoftheirproducts,developvaluechainsfortheirproduce,adoptadvancedscienceandtechnology,andhaveahighproportionoffemalemembers.Relevantprovincialdepartmentsandagencieshavepromotedregulationsforthecollectiveeconomyandassistedtheseco-operativeswithrecruitingyoung,highlyskilledlabourtoimprovetheirhumanresourcequality.Theprovincehasalsoprovidedthemwithaccesstolow-interestloansforproduction,andsupportedeffortstoenhanceproductqualitytocomplywithVietnameseandglobalgoodagriculturalpractices,theOCOPprogrammeandexportstandards.Threeofthefourco-operativeshavehadeightproductsrecognisedundertheOCOPprogramme.Theprovincehasalsohelpedco-operativesapplyadvancedtechnologiesanddeveloppackaging,labels,brandnames,origintraceability,andqualitycertificationsfortheirproducts.In2024-25theprovinceismobilisingresourcestoassisttheseco-operativesininvestingininfrastructureandproductionfacilities.–VNSFirst-yearstudentsofHCMCityUniversityofMedicineandPharmacyenrollinadmission.AmongState-ownedhealthcaretraininginstitutes,theuniversitychargesthehighesttuition.Photothanhnien.vnHCMCITYThemedicalfieldhassomeofthehighesttuitionfeesandlongesttrainingperiodsinacademia,butnotallgraduatesareabletofindemploymentthatmatchestheirefforts.Thepastfewyearshaveseenhighnumbersofmedicalstaffinpublichealthcarefacilitiesquittheirjobstomovetoprivatehealthcare,duemainlytolowsalariesandbenefitsinthepublicsector.Tuitionfeesforhealthsciencemajorsatuniversitiesandcolleges,especiallythoseinvolvedinmedicine,arecurrentlyextremelyhigh,atnearlyVN?200millionperyearatsomeinstitutions.Accordingtothetuitionfeescheduleannouncedforthe2024-2025schoolyear,non-autonomous(orState-supported)schoolscancollectamaximumofVN?27.6millionperstudenteachschoolyear,whichlastsfortenmonths.SchoolsthatareabletoensureregularexpenditurescancollectamaximumofVN?55.2millionperstudentperyear,whileautonomousschoolscancollectfeeofuptoVN?69millionperstudentperyear.Studentsinaccreditedprogrammesmustpayhigherfeesbasedontheirschool.AmongState-ownedhealthcaretraininginstitutes,HCMCityUniversityofMedicineandPharmacychargesthehighesttuitionatVN?80millionperacademicyear.H?ngBàngInternationalUniversityhasthehighesttuitioncostsamongprivateuniversitieswithfeesofVN?180millioneveryacademicyear,followedbyTanT?oUniversityandNguy?nT?tThànhUniversity,bothofwhichchargeVN?150million.Currenttuitionfeesforhealthcareandpharmaceuticalmajorsaretentimeshigherthantheyweretenyearsago.Thehighestmedicaltuitioncostsforthe2014-2015schoolyearwerejustVN?8million.Asidefromthehighcostofeducation,medicalstudentsalsohavetogothroughalonganddifficultlearningprocess.Buttheincomeofferedtoyoungdoctorsatpublichealthfacilitiestodayisnotmuchofanincentive.AftergraduatingfromHCMCityUniversityofMedicineandPharmacysFacultyofMedicinein2022,Nguy?nThuPh??ngsoughtajobatahospitalinTh???cCity.Shefirsthadtocompleteatwo-monthapprenticeshipwithamonthlyassistancestipendofVN?1.5million,followedbyatwo-monthprobationaryperiodwithwagesofoverVN?3million.Afterthat,hermonthlybasicwageofVN?3.5millionwaspaidinfull.Ph??ngslowincomepreventedherfrombeingabletoaffordthehighcostoflivinginthecity.Shewasalsounabletoworkpart-timeinclinicstoincreaseherincome,becauseshelackedacertificatetopractise.Eventually,shewasabletosecureextraweekendhoursatahospitalinthenearbyprovinceofLongAnaftercompletingayearofstudytoobtainhercredentials.DuringtheweekIworkinHCMCity.AttheweekendIrideabiketoLongAn,Ph??ngsaid.Ihavetostayupallnightanddonthaveanydaysoffthroughouttheweek.ThereweretimeswhenIwastravelingfromHCMCitytoLongAn,andIhadtoparkmybikeontheroadsidetotakeanaptohavetheenergytocontinueworking,shetoldThanhNiên(YoungPeople)newspaper.Ph??ngscurrentincome--includingsalary,allowancesandnightshiftpayatthehospitalinHCMCity--isaboutVN?8millionpermonth,andherpart-timejobinLongAnbringsherVN?4million.IonlyhaveenoughtomeetthecostoflivinginHCMCity,althoughIworksohardandwithoutdaysoff.Ifeelsorryformyselfsometimes,shesaid.Aftersixyearsofstudyandanadditionalyeartogetacertificate,Ihadalongerlearningcurvethanmanyofmyfriends.EvenifIworkconsiderablyharder,myfriendsearntwoorthreetimesasmuchasIdo.IhavetoremindmyselfthatIjustreceivedmydegreeandthatIstillneedtogetadditionalknowledgeandexperience.MyincomewillincreaseafterIbecomeadecentdoctor,butthatprocesswilllikelytakealongtime,sheadded.Inspiteoflongtrainingperiodsandhightuitionfees,manymedicalgraduatesgetlowpay.Photothanhnien.vnAyoungdoctorinHCMCitywhodeclinedtobenamedtoldThanhNiênthathecouldearnoverVN?10millionpermonthincludingbasicsalary,nightshiftallowancesandothers.MeanwhileadoctorwhoworksataprivateclinictwodaysperweekcouldearnuptoVN?6millionpermonth.Afreshgraduatehastogothroughanapprenticeshipforonetothreeyearstobeabletoearnaliving.TheaverageincomeisaroundVN?6-8millionpermonth,pluswhateverdoctorscanmakefrompart-timejobs.ThetotalmightrangefromVN?12-15millionpermonth.Thisisalowwage,notcomparablewiththeefforttheyspendworkingandstudying,hesaid.A.D.,anotheryoungdoctorinHCMCitysDistrict3,saidthatfromfivetotenyearsaftergraduation,doctorsincomesareoftenstillnotequaltowhattheyspentontuition.Anumberofphysiciansandotherhealthcareprofessionalsatpublichospitalshaverecentlyquittheiremploymentasadirectresultofinadequatepayandexcessiveworkpressure.Upto166doctorsandhealthcareprofessionalsinBìnhD??ngProvinceresignedfromtheirpositionsinthefirstsevenmonthsof2022asaresultofinadequatepayandbenefits,ademandingworkenvironment,hardlabourandongoingexposuretoriskfactors.Fromearly2021toJuly2022,Ngh?AnProvincealsosaw119physiciansandmedicalstaffmembersleavingtheirpositionsinpublichospitals.Two-thirdsofthemwentontoworkinprivatehospitals.TheNgh?AnDepartmentofHealthclaimedthatatthetime,newgraduatesatpublichospitalswereonlypaidVN?5-7millionpermonth,whereasprivateinstitutionswerewillingtopayVN?15-20million.AmedicalresidentcanearnasalaryofuptoVN?15millionpermonthatpublichospitals,butprivatehospitalsarereadytopaythemVN?70-100millionpermonth.DrTr??ngH?uKhanh,anepidemiologistandformerHeadoftheDepartmentofInfectiousDiseases-NeurologyatPaediatricsHospitalNo1inHCMCity,saidmedicalworkersinthepublicsystemfacemanychallenges,includingthefactthattheirpayisnotcommensuratewiththeirlevelofknowledge.Thosewhocontinueworkinginthepublicsystemseekasettinginwhichtheycancontributetosocietyandadvancetheirknowledgeandskills.Peoplehavemoreoptionswhentheyaremoretalented,hesaid.Impoverishedpatientswouldultimatelysufferifgifteddoctorsleftthepublicsystem,hesaid.Comparedtootherprofessions,thepayinpublichospitalsisnotcomparablewiththeamountofworkthatmedicalstaffmembersputin.Theeasiesttimeformedicalstafftoquittheirpositionsbecauseoflowpayisthefirsttenyearsaftergraduation,hesaid.IncreasingsubsidiesTheMinistryofHealthhasproposedanewsubsidyrateformedicalworkersduetoincreasingbasepay.Surgeryandprocedureallowancesaswellason-dutyandmealallowancesarealsoexpectedtoincrease.AccordingtotheGovernmentsDecree81,studentspursuingdemandingandpotentiallyhazardouscareers—suchasgeneralpractitioners,pharmacists,nurses,midwivesandmedicaltestingtechnicians—willgettheirtuitioncostsreducedby70percent.TheMinistryofHealthhasalsosuggestedthattheGovernmentandotherorganisationsadoptavarietyoffavourablepoliciesformedicalandpharmaceuticalstudents.OneproposalisforthestatebudgettogiveVN?3.63millioninlivingexpensesforpharmaceuticalandmedicalstudents.VNS

AnoverviewoftheVi?tNamMigrationProfile2023launchceremony.—VNSPhotoThuTrangHàN?I—ApictureofthechangingfaceofVi?tNam,with860,000workersgoingtoworkabroadundercontractsinthesixyearsupto2023,hasbeenhighlightedinareportintohowpeoplehavemigratedintoandoutofthecountry.TheVi?tNamMigrationProfile2023demonstratestheimportanceofmigrationdataforpolicyandlawmakingonmigrationaswellasVi?tNamscontinuouseffortsinmigrationgovernancetothebenefittoall.Thelaunchceremonyattractednearly80delegatesfromministries,embassiesofvariouscountriesandinternationalorganisations,whoactivelydiscussedtheoutstandingtrendsofmigrationinrecentyears.TheeventonTuesdayinHàN?iwasorganisedbytheMinistryofForeignAffairs(MoFA)incoordinationwiththeInternationalOrganisationforMigration(IOM).Speakingatthelaunch,Nguy?nMinhV?,AssistantMinisterofForeignAffairs,assessedthattheprofilehadsomeoutstandingpointscomparedtothetwopreviousmigrationprofilespublishedin2011and2016.Thenewone,forthefirsttime,addedanalysisofforeignmigrationflowsintoVi?tNam,policiesandlawsrelatedtoforeignmigration,collectedandanalysedasystemofdataandinformationoninternationalmigrationwithmanystatisticalsubgroups.Nguy?nMinhV?,AssistantMinisterofForeignAffairs.—VNSPhotoThuTrangTheprofileof2023morefullyassessedpoliciesandpracticestoensurewomensrightsduringthemigrationprocessandprovidedinformationandresultsoftheimplementationoftheGlobalCompactforSafe,OrderlyandRegularMigration(GCM)ofVi?tNam.Promotinglegalmigration,preventingandcombatingmigrationthroughunofficialways,ensuringsafemigration,protectingthelegitimaterightsandinterestsofmigrants,includingVietnamesecitizensandforeignersmigratingtoVi?tNam,hadalwaysbeenVi?tNamsconsistentpolicy,hesaid.V?affirmedthatVi?tNamwishedtopromotecooperationwithcountriesaswellastheUnitedNationsandinternationalorganisationstoenhanceexperiencesharinginmigrationmanagement,buildandmanageamigrationdatasystem,promotesafelegalmigrationandminimisevulnerabilityformigrants.TheVi?tNamMigrationProfile2023wascompiledbytheMoFAsConsularDepartmentwithparticipationofdifferentagencies.ItwashostedundertheprojectSupportingevidence-basedpoliciesandprogrammesinthecontextofcross-bordermobilityinVi?tNamjointlyimplementedbytheMoFAandIOMwithfundingfromtheIOMDevelopmentFund.TheprofilesynthesisesandanalysesthemigrationflowsofVietnamesecitizensabroad,themigrationflowsofforeignersintoVi?tNamandpoliciesandlawsrelatedtomigrationintheperiod2017-23.AppreciatingtheroleofmigrantsinpromotingsocialdevelopmentandeconomicgrowthinVi?tNamandrelatedcountriesandterritories,theprofilestatedthatinternationalmigration,ifeffectivelymanaged,willpushupsustainableandsocio-economicdevelopmentofeachcountry,eachlocality,communityandofmigrantsthemselves.Accordingtotheprofile,intheperiod2017-23,labourmigrationcontinuestobethemainformofmigrationinVi?tNamwithnearly860,000workersgoingtoworkabroadundercontracts,equivalenttomorethan100,000peoplesentannually,mostlyconcentratedinJapan,Taiwan(China)andSouthKorea.Migrationforstudyabroadalsohasasimilarincrease.Therehavebeennoexactfiguresyet,buttheestimatednumberiscurrentlyover250,000people,mainlyinSouthKorea,Japan,Australia,theUS,Taiwan(China),Canada,China,theUKandGermany.TheproportionofVietnamesefemalemigrantshastendedtoincrease.TheflowofforeignmigrationintoVi?tNamisalsorelativelydiverse,mostnotablylabourmigrationwith475,198foreignersgrantedworkpermitsfrom2017to2022.MitsuePembroke,OfficerinChargeofIOMinVi?tNam,speaksattheevent.—PhotocourtesyoftheIOMMitsuePembroke,OfficerinChargeofIOMinVi?tNam,saidthattheresearch,dataandfindingsfromthismigrationprofilewouldundoubtedlyassistVi?tNaminformulatingappropriatepoliciestobettermanagemigration.Inanerawhenmigrationquestionsarebecomingmorechallengingduetoeconomic,cultural,andsecurityeventsandtrends,greaterengagementfromgovernmentandotherstakeholdersisrequiredtopromoteabetterpublicunderstandingofthebenefits,challenges,andrisksassociatedwithmigration,shesaid.BylaunchingthethirdcomprehensiveoverviewofmigrationinVi?tNam,theConsularDepartmentisfacilitatingtheimportantdiscussionsonhowtoinvestinanadequateresponsetothechallengesofmigration.TheVi?tNamMigrationProfile2023alsopointsoutanumberofchallengessuchasensuringsafemigration,preventingillegalmigrationandhumantraffickingacrossbordersandprotectingthelegitimaterightsandinterestsofmigrantsinthefaceofalarmingonlinescamsofeasyjobswithhighsalaries.AsoneoftheleadingcountriesimplementingtheGCMAgreement,throughtheprofile,Vi?tNamhasdemonstrateditsstrongcommitmenttoprovidingpracticalsolutionstopromotesafemigrationandtheneedforevidence-basedpolicydevelopment.Itisanimportantpolicytool,contributingtotheimprovementofVi?tNamslegalpoliciesoninternationalmigrationinareassuchaslabourmigration,studyabroad,foreign-relatedmarriages,foreign-relatedadoptionandpreventionofhumantrafficking.Ittargetstobuildaninternationalmigrationmanagementmechanismbasedoneffectivecoordinationandinformationsharingamongconcernedministriesandagencies,withclosecooperationwithcountriestoprotectthelegitimaterightsandinterestsofmigrantsandstrengthenthepositiveaspectsofmigrationforsustainabledevelopment.—VNSTheNationalChildrensHospitalssecondfacilitylocatedinNg?cThanVillage,Ng?cM?Commune,Qu?cOaiDistrictinHàN?i.Photobaochinhphu.vnHàN?I—TheNationalChildrensHospitalssecondfacility,locatedinNg?cThanVillage,Ng?cM?Commune,Qu?cOaiDistrictinHàN?i,isexpectedtoofficiallybeputintouseinthefirstquarterof2025.Thehospitalwillhave300inpatientbedsandprovideoutpatientservicesforapproximately2,000patientseveryday.Thisprojecthasreceivedcomprehensiveinvestmentininfrastructureandmedicalequipment,withateamofhighlyskilledspecialistsandstaffacrossavarietyofmedicalfields.ThehospitalaimstoreducetheoverloadattheNationalChildrensHospitalindowntownHàN?iandisexpectedtobecomeanationalcentreforpaediatricmedicaltraining.Tr?nhNg?cH?i,DeputyDirectoroftheNationalChildrensHospital,saidthatthehospitalisawaitingtheremainingfunding,approximatelyVN?400billion(US$15.7million)outoftheVN?882billion($34.7million)allocatedfortheconstructionofsecondfacility,whichisbeingfundedundertheStatebudget.Aftermorethanayearandahalfunderconstruction,thehospitalisacceleratingeffortstocompletetheproject.Intermsofmedicalequipment,H?isaidinadditiontoGovernment-fundedpurchases,thehospitalplanstouseitsowndevelopmentfundtoacquiremodernequipmentfordiagnosticsandtreatment.Theplannedinvestmentincludesexaminationandfunctionaltestingequipment,interventionalequipment,ultrasoundmachines,X-rays,surgicalroomdevicesandlaboratorytestingfacilities.Beyondspecialisedmedicalsolutions,thehospitalhasalsoimplementedadministrativeandoperationalplanscoveringsecurity,infrastructureandtechnicalsupport,suchaspower,watersupplyandwastewatertreatment.ThehospitalisworkingwithHàN?iauthoritiestoorganiseandstreamlinetrafficfromtheLángHoàL?cExpresswaytoensuresmoothaccessforambulances,patienttransportanddeliveryofgoodsandsupplies.Thisalsofacilitatescoordinationbetweenthehospitalstwofacilities.Additionally,thehospitalhaspreparedanITinfrastructure.Thissystemwillplayavitalrolebylinkingthetwofacilitiesformanagingmedicalrecords,providingprofessionaltrainingandintegratingelectronichealthrecordswiththeSocialInsurancepaymentgateway.H?isaidthatovertheyears,theNationalChildrensHospitalhascontinuouslytraineditsmedicalstaff,especiallyoncethesecondfacilityprojectwasapproved.Itisexpectedthatabout400-500staffmembers,includingdoctors,nurses,technicians,managersandadministrativepersonnelwillworkatthesecondfacility.Thehospitalhasinformedallstaff,includingdoctors,nursesandtechnicians,ofthisplanandeveryoneissupportive,H?isaid,notingthatthehospitalcurrentlyemploysover2,000personnel.Whenthesecondfacilitybeginsoperations,adeputydirectorwillbeassignedtooverseeit.Theleadership,staffandspecialistsfromvariousdepartmentswillrotatethroughthesecondfacilityforsixmonthstooneyeartosupportitsmedicalactivities.Ourstaffareveryreassured,astheyreceiveequalpayandbenefitswhenworkingatthesecondfacility,hesaid.HumanresourcetrainingisacriticalmissionfortheNationalChildrensHospital,whichwillcontinuetoupdateskills,introducenewtechniquesandrecruittoreplaceretiringstaff,therebymaintainingandenhancingtheexpertiseofthecurrentworkforce.Thisisanessential,ongoingtask.Withoutcontinualtrainingandadoptionofnewtechniques,thehospitalrisksfallingbehind,hesaid.Currently,mostpatientstreatedatthefirstfacilityareoutpatientsfromnorthernandnorth-centralprovinces.Thehospitalwasquicktomakeassurancesthattherewillbesufficientstafftohandlepatientneedsatbothfacilities.—VNS

Metroline1willbecompletedallnecessaryworkandproceduretobegincommercialoperationsbyDecember22.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheHCMCityUrbanRailwayManagementBoard(MAUR)launchedtheFiftyDaysandNightstoCompleteMetroLine1(B?nThành-Su?iTiên)campaignonOctober28.ThecitylaunchedthecampaignonMondaytofinaliseallnecessaryworkandprocedurestobegincommercialoperationsofmetrolineNo.1byDecember22.Themovecamefollowingdirectionsfromthecitygovernmenttogetthelineoperatingbytheendofthisyearafterseveraldelays.Speakingattheevent,headofMAURPhanC?ngB?ngstatedtheywouldworkwithMetroLine1Co.,Ltd.untilDecember20tocompletealarge,complexworkloadandaddressunresolvedissues.FromnowuntilDecember20,theMAURandtheHoChiMinhCityUrbanRailwayNo.1CompanyLimited(HURC1)willcoordinatewithallstakeholderstocompletetheremainingitemsandprocedures.Theprojectsmainphaseshavebeencompletedafterabout12yearsofconstruction,includingequipmentinstallationandtrainingofdriversandstaff.B?ngstressed:Allrelevantunitswillworkwithoutadayoffduringthecampaigntoensureitssuccess.HCMCityauthoritiesstartedatwo-monthtrialrunforthemetrolinesinceOctober1.MAURaddedthatthelinewouldrun200tripsbetween5amand10pmduringthefirstsixmonthsofcommercialoperation.Afterthat,thelinewilloperatefrom5amto11pm,with276tripsdailybetweenMondayandFriday.Onweekendsandholidays,thenumberoftripswillfallto226.Therouteis19.7kilometreslong,including2.6kmofundergroundrailwayand17.1kmofelevatedtrack.ItrunsfromB?nThànhMarketinDistrict1toSu?iTiênThemeParkinTh???cCity,throughthreeundergroundstationsand11stopsaboveground.Thelinehasatotalof17trains,eachcapableofaccommodating930passengers,including147sittingand783standing.—VNSConstructionsiteofWesternRingRoadProjectinC?nTh?City.VNA/VNSPhotoC?NTH?–CapitaldisbursementoftheWesternRingRoadprojectinC?nTh?CitywasjustVN?57.4billion(US$2.26million),achieving18.54percentofthetargetbylateOctoberalthoughtheprojectwasallocatedoverVN?300billion($11.86million)thisyear,reportedDepartmentofPlanningandInvestment.Mostprojectsareproposedtoadjustandsupplementthepublicinvestmentplanfor2024basedonactualimplementation,followingtheschedulesetbytheprojectowner.However,inadditiontoprojectswithdisbursementprogressmeetingorexceedingtheplan,someprojectsarebehindschedule.RegardingtheWesternRingRoadprojectinC?nTh?CityconnectingNationalHighway91toNationalHighway61C,thelandclearancehasreached54percent,andapproximately50percentofthesitehasbeenhandedovertocontractors.Fouroutofsevenconstructionpackageshavebeencarriedout.Currently,theprojectisundergoinganinvestmentpolicyadjustment,andoncecompleted,theremainingthreeconstructionpackageswillbeimplemented.AccordingtoNguy?nHoàngTùng,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofTransport,theprojectfaceddelaysduetotimespentontestingthefoundationandpilesofbridgestructures.Untilthesetestsarecompleted,thenextstepscannotproceed.ThetestingpackagewasonlystartedinJuly2024,andnowtheDepartmentofTransportisinstructingcontractorstoacceptcompletedworkvolumeforsubsequentimplementation,hesaid.Additionally,theshortageofsandremainsasignificantchallengeforthisproject.Risingsandpricesandashortageofsupplyhaveimpactedtheproject.Althoughtheprojecthasreceivedsandfromvarioussources,qualitycheckshavefounditunsuitable,leadingtheinvestortoreturnittothesuppliers,Tùngexplained.Afterinspection,wefoundthatsomesandsourceswerecontaminatedwithsalt,makingthemunusableasC?nTh?Cityhasyettoapprovetheuseofsalt-contaminatedsandforlocalprojects,hesaid.Furthermore,certainareasoftheringroadprojectarestillawaitinglandclearance,affectingtheoverallprojectprogress.TheWesternRingRoadprojectinC?nTh?CitywasofficiallylaunchedinNovember2022withtotalinvestmentofnearlyVN?3.8trillion($150million),ofwhichVN?2trillion($78.9million)isfromtheCentralBudgetandVN?1.8trillion($71million)isfromthelocalbudget,includingVN?2.6trillion($102million)forconstructioncostsandoverVN?1trillion($39.4million)forcompensation,support,andresettlementexpenses.Theprojectisscheduledforimplementationfrom2021to2026,impactingaround1,243households,ofwhich464willrequireresettlement.Theentirerouteis19.3kmlong,withacross-sectionof16.5moneachsideandadesignspeedof50-60kmperhour,andincludes25bridges.VNS