Diphtheriavaccinationat??ngNaiCentreforDiseaseControl.VNA/VNSPhoto??NGNAI–Manyresidentsin??ngNaiProvincehavebeenrushingtovaccinationcentresoverthepastweektogetvaccinatedagainstdiphtheria.Duetotherecentdiphtheriascare,vaccinationcentresin??ngNaihaveseenasignificantinfluxofpeopleseekingthevaccine.Atthe??ngNaiCentreforDiseaseControlontheWednesdaymorning,aroundonehundredpeopleofvariousagesarrivedfordiphtheriavaccination.However,duetothesuddenspikeindemand,thecentreranoutoftheBelgian3-in-1vaccine(diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus)Bosstrix.Similarly,??ngNaiChildrensHospitalhasseenasignificantincreaseinthenumberofchildrenbeingbroughtinfordiphtheriavaccination.Previously,thehospitalvaccinatedfiftytoseventychildrenperday,butrecently,thenumberhasincreasedbyabout30percent.Accordingtothe??ngNaiDepartmentofHealth,thetotaldemandforthe5-in-1vaccineintheprovincefor2024isover90,000doses.However,asofJuly2024,theprovincehasonlyreceived35,500doses.Dr.Nguy?nTr?ngNgh?a,deputydirectorof??ngNaiChildrensHospital,statedthatinrecentdays,thedemandfordiphtheriavaccinationamongresidentshassurged.Thehospitalcurrentlyhasadequatesuppliesofthe5-in-1vaccineandotherservicevaccinestomeettheneedsofthepublic,Ngh?asaid.Althoughtheprovincehasnotrecordedanydiphtheriacases,doctorsrecognisethepotentialriskduetothemissedvaccinationsduringtheCOVID-19pandemicandtheprolongedshortageofthe5-in-1vaccinein2023,leadingtoconcernsaboutapotentialoutbreak.Ngh?asaid:Thehospitalispreparedwithisolationandspecialtreatmentareasincaseofanoutbreak.Shouldadiphtheriacasebedetected,thepatientwillbeimmediatelyisolatedandtreatedwithcareprovidedsolelybymedicalstaff.Thehospitalisalsoequippedwithspecificantibioticsfortreatingdiphtheria.Thedoctoradvisedresidentsshouldnottopanic.Itisimportantforthepublictounderstandthediseaseandproactivemeasurestopreventit,suchasregularhandwashingwithsoap,coveringthemouthwithacleanclothorelbowwhencoughingorsneezing,maintainingpersonalhygiene,limitingcontactwithsuspectedcases,ensuringgoodhygieneinhomes,kindergartensandclassroomsandpracticingproperfoodhygiene.Anysignsorsuspicionofthediseaseshouldbereportedtohealthauthoritiesimmediatelyforisolation,examinationandtimelytreatment,thedoctorsaid.VNS

Aviewoftheunder-constructionLongThànhInternationalAirportin??ngNaiProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngPhongHCMCITY—TheMinistryofTransportiscollectingopinionsfromagencies,organisations,andlocalitiesonaplanforconnectivitybetweentheexistingTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportandtheunder-constructionLongThànhInternationalAirport.ThestudyisbeingconductedbytheInstituteofTransportStrategyandDevelopmentundertheMinistryofTransport.AccordingtotheInstitute,theplanforconnectivitybetweenthetwoairportshasnotyetbeendetermined.Theinstitutehasproposedfivecomprehensivetransportationconnectionplans,includingtwoplansforroadconnectionandthreeothersforrailconnection.ItproposeddirectbusroutesandrailservicesviaurbanrailwaylinesNo.6,2,4,andTh?Thiêm-LongThànhRailwaytoconnectTanS?nNh?tandLongThànhinternationalairports.ItalsosuggestedanexpansionofroadandrailwayroutesinaccordancewiththeoperationalphasesofLongThànhInternationalAirport.Earlier,theMinistryofTransportrequestedtheRailwayProjectManagementBoard,theAirportsCorporationofVi?tNamandtheTransportDesignConsultancyCorporation,toensuretheconnectionoftherailwaystationsatLongThànhInternationalAirport.AccordingtotheMinistryofTransport,LongThànhInternationalAirportwillbeconnectedbyaroadsystemandtworailwaylinesincludingtheNorth-Southhigh-speedrailwayrouteandTh?Thiêm-LongThànhrailway.InthefirstphaseofconstructionofLongThànhInternationalAirport,therunwayarea,Terminal1,andconnectingroadsarebeingbuilt.TheNorth-Southhigh-speedrailwayprojectspre-feasibilitystudyreportisbeingcompleted.TheprojectincludesapassengerstationlocatedbetweenTerminals1and2intheairport.Th?Thiêm-LongThànhrailwayprojectspre-feasibilitystudyreportisalsobeingprepared.Theprojecthastwostations,S19andS20,locatedbetweenTerminals3and24intheairport.TheMinistryalsoaskedtheRailwayProjectManagementBoard,theAirportsCorporationofVietnam(ACV),andtheTransportDesignConsultancyCorporation(TEDI)toensuretheconnectionbetweentherailwaystationsandLongThànhInternationalAirport,andtheconstructionofrailwayprojectswillnotaffectthestructureoftheairport.—VNSPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhvisitstheconstructionsiteinV?Th?yDistrict,H?uGiangProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoD??ngGiangC?NTH?—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhonJuly12examinedtheconstructionofanexpresswayfromC?nTh?CitytoCàMauProvinceintheMekongDelta.WorkontheC?nTh?–CàMauExpressway,partoftheeasternwingoftheNorth–SouthExpresswayproject,startedonJanuary1,2023.Theover-110kmroadtraversesC?nTh?andtheprovincesofH?uGiang,B?cLiêu,KiênGiang,andCàMau.InvestedwithoverVN?27.5trillion(nearlyUS$1.1billion)intotal,itconsistsoftwosub-projects,namelyC?nTh?–H?uGiang(37km)andH?uGiang–CàMau(73km).VisitingworkersattheintersectionofIC5Km47+800inV?nhT??ngCommuneofH?uGiangsV?Th?yDistrict,PMChínhappreciatedandaskedtheconstructionforcetocontinueaddressingdifficultiesandworkingaroundtheclocktoensuretheprogress,aswellasquality,laboursafety,andenvironmentalhygieneduringtheprojectimplementation.PMChínhalsovisitedresidentsinV?nhT??ngCommunetolearnabouttheirlivingconditionsafterresettlement.Hethankedlocalpeoplefordonatinglandtotheprojectandcalledonthemtocontinuesupportingtheprojectduringitsimplementationandoperation.Atameetingwithrelevantministries,sectors,localities,theprojectmanagementboard,andcontractors,PMChínhexpressedhisdelightthatafterthreeyearsofimplementation,anexpresswaythroughtheMekongDelta,fromC?nTh?toCàMau,hastakenshape.Vi?tNamexpectstohave3,000kmofexpresswaysbytheendof2025,connectingthenorthernborderprovinceofCaoB?ngwiththesouthernmostprovinceofCàMau.Therefore,expresswayprojects,includingC?nTh?–CàMau,mustbecarriedoutdeterminedly.HeorderedthelocalitiestraversedbytheprojecttospeedupandcompletesiteclearancetohandoverreadygroundtotheconstructorsinJuly.TheGovernmentleaderalsoaskedthemtomobilisetheparticipationoftheentirelocalpoliticalsystem,people,andbusinessessincethisprojectisanationallystrategicworkwhichisimportanttothedevelopmentofthecountry,theregion,andlocalpeoplethemselves.—VNS

TheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetroline.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Thelong-delayedNh?n-HàN?iStationmetrolineprojecthasreceivedasafetycertificatefromaninternationalconsultant,givingitthepaperworkneededonthewaytobeoperational.Nguy?nBáS?n,DeputyHeadoftheHàN?iMetropolitanRailwayManagementBoard(MRB),toldlocalmediathatonThursday,thesecondmetrolineinHàN?iwasissuedthecertification,meaningitcangoaheadwiththenextproceduresandthetrainscouldstartrunningsoon.ThecertificationwasgrantedbytheApave-BureauVeritas-Certifer(knownasABCConsultant)fromFrance.S?nsaidthatthiswasanimportantlegaldocumentoftheprojectaccordingtoVietnameselawsandinternationalpractices.TheprojecttypicallyneedsCircular15ofMinistryofTransport,beforetheurbanrailwayisopenedforpublicuse,inadditiontothecontractorsandinvestorsconsultationdocumentsandtheprojectmustbeevaluatedandcertifiedforsafetybyaninternationalconsultant.Withthiscertification,anurbanrailwayprojectiseligibletooperate,saidS?n.HeaddedthatcurrentlyanumberofurbanrailwayprojectsinVi?tNam,includingcompletedones,havebeenevaluatedandacceptedbytheABCConsultant,whichoperatesindependently.Infact,someprojectshaveundergoneanentireyearforindependentconsultantstowork,evaluateandrequestadjustmentforsometechnicalissues.WiththeNh?n-HàN?iStationmetrolineproject,theABCConsultantworkedandevaluatedthesystemssafetyinafewmonthstoensureitmettechnicalstandards.Accordingtotheoriginalplan,theABCConsultantwouldhavecompletedthesystemsafetyassessmentbytheendofApril,butitrequiredmoredetailedwork,soittookuntilMay31tocomplete.Theconsultantextendedtheevaluationtimebyonemonth,leadingtoalater-than-plannedconsensusmeetingandcross-assessmentbetweenconsultantstoissueconclusions.Specifically,itwasnotuntilThursdaythattheinvestorreceivedthesafetycertificatefortheelevatedsectionprojectsentbytheABCConsultant.Thisisthereasonwhytheprojectcouldnotoperateitselevatedsectionbeforetheendoflastmonthasexpected,saidS?n.OfficialoperationAfterreceivingsafetycertification,theinvestorwilldothenextstage,readytoopentheelevatedsectionforpublicuse.Theinvestorwillsubmittheentiresystemsafetyassessmentdossieroftheproject,includingthecertificationfromtheABCConsultant,totheVi?tNamRailwayAuthorityforreviewandapproval.AfterthattheStateInspectionCouncilwillbeinvitedtoevaluatetheprojectandapprovetechnicaldocuments.S?nsaidthatthestepsmaytakeafewweeks,orevenlonger,dependingonworkingscheduleoftheagenciestowhichtheinvestorsubmittedtheapplication.Trainsafetyhasbeentestedunder57differentscenarios.Alongwiththat,theinvestorhasprovidedprofessionalguidanceandtrainingfor353employees,readytoreceiveandoperatethetrainsintheelevatedsection,saidS?n.TheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetrolineis12.5kmlong,ofwhichtheNh?n-C?uGi?yelevatedsectionis8.5kmlongandtheC?uGi?y-HàN?iStationundergroundsectionis4kmlong.Theprojectwasstartedin2010.Afterseveralmisseddeadlines,theelevatedsectionisscheduledtoopenforusethisyear.—VNSVietnameseAmbassadortoAustraliaPh?mHùngTamandAustralianAmbassadorforGenderEqualityStephanieCopusCampbellataworkingsessiononJuly11.VNA/VNSPhotoSYDNEYVi?tNamhasattachedgreatimportancetogenderequalityandhasreapedsignificantprogressinthisregardthankstocollaborationwithothercountries,includingAustralia,VietnameseAmbassadortoAustraliaPh?mHùngTam,toldAustralianAmbassadorforGenderEqualityStephanieCopusCampbellataworkingsessiononJuly11.Tamexpressedhisdelightatcooperationresultsbetweenthetwocountriesinpromotinggenderequality,emphasisingthisremainsafocusofthebilateralties.HealsocongratulatedAustraliancandidateNatashaStottDespojaonherre-electiontotheUNCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomen.Theambassadorlaudedthegrowinginterestofbothcountriesingenderaspectsinpriorityagendassuchasclimatechange,andbilateralcooperationareas.Forherpart,CampbellnotedherdeepimpressionsduringherVi?tNamvisitinMay,withsignificantoutcomes,especiallyhermeetingswithrepresentativesofministries,agencies,theprivatesector,andbusinesseswherewomenholdleadershippositions.SheexpressedherdesiretoshareAustraliasexperienceingenderequalitypracticesandinternationalcooperationinthisfieldwithVi?tNam.CampbellbelievedthattheSoutheastAsiannationwillcontinueaffirmingitsroleandmakingsignificantcontributionstomultinational-levelcooperationingenderequality,contributingtoraisingcollectivevoicesonthisissue.Onthisoccasion,thetwoofficialsexchangedviewsonemergingchallengesrelatedtogenderequality.VNSAcornerofH?LongBayinthenorth-easternprovinceofQu?ngNinh.—VNA/VNSIllustrativePhotoQU?NGNINH—ThePeoplesCommitteeofH?LongCity,Qu?ngNinhProvincehasorderedauthoritiestofocusoninvestigating,clarifyingandrigorouslyhandlingindividuals,engagedinfraudulentactivitiesofrentalaccommodation.ThemovecameafterlocalmediareportedthatonThursday,aVietnamese-Americanwoman,recountinghertravelexperiences,saidshehasbeenscammedwhenbookingaccommodationinH?LongCity.Sheusedtwobookingwebsitesbutthenshecouldnotfindouttheaddressesoftheaccommodation.Consequently,thecitydecidedtomakerandominspectionsontemporaryresidencedeclarationsatvillas,apartmentsandcondominiumswithinitsjurisdiction.Thatwasthecitysdecisiveactionaimingatrectifyingthetourismbusinessenvironment,safeguardingthetourismimageofthecityinparticularandtheprovinceingeneral.ThecitysPoliceDepartmenthascoordinatedwithrelevantunitstoverifyandhandlethecase,reportingoutcomestothePeoplesCommitteebeforenextMonday(July15).ThecommitteehastaskedtheCultureandInformationOfficetowidelydisseminateandpublishinformationonrecognisedlodgingfacilitiesbyStatemanagementauthoritiestoinformresidentsandtouristsfortheirchoicesofservices.Furthermore,thePeoplesCommitteesofwardsandcommunesinthecityweretoldtocontinuereviewingandupdatingcomprehensivelistsofoperatinglodgingfacilities,providingservicestoresidentsandtouristswithintheareas.Previously,onThursday,thelocalmediareportedthataVietnamese-AmericanwomanrecountedhertriptoH?LongCityandwasdefraudedinbookingaccommodationtwice.Sheandherfamilyfirstbookedafour-roomapartmentinthecitythroughtheBookingwebsite,costingUS$260.However,whentheyarrivedinH?LongCityfromHàN?i,theyfailedtofindtheaddress.Theycalledtherentalunitandreceivedanannouncementthattheroomwasoccupied.Theunitsuggestedshechangetoanotherapartmentwithonlytwobedrooms,butshedidnotagree.Then,theunitaskedhertocancelherbookingsherselfontheBookingwebsite,butthiswouldhaveledthewomantoforfeitherdeposit.Next,thewomancontinuedbookanotherapartmentonanotherbookingwebsite,pricedat$176andthesamesituationoccurredagain.—VNS

Passengerspreparetoboardattherailwaystation.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Vi?tNamRailwayCorporation(VNR)hasbegunsellingticketsforvariousroutesdepartingfromAugusttotheendofthisyear,includingthosefortheSeptember2NationalDayholiday.Publicworkerswillhavefour-daybreakfromAugust31toSeptember3fortheNationalDayholidaythisyear,accordingtoanannouncementbytheMinistryofLabour,WarInvalidsandSocialAffairs.Specifically,ontheHCMCity–HàN?iroute,ticketsareavailablefortrainsSE1/SE2,SE3/SE4,SE5/SE6,andSE7/SE8.TicketsareavailablefortrainsSE19/SE2ontheHàN?i–?àN?ngroute,trainsNA1/NA2ontheHàN?i–Vinhroute,trainsSP3/SP4ontheHàN?i–LàoCairouteandHP1/HP2,LP2/LP3,LP5/LP6andLP7/LP8ontheHàN?i–H?iPhòngroute.Inthesouth,ticketsareonsalefortrainsSE21/SE22fortheHCMCity–?àN?ngroute,trainsSNT1/SNT2fortheHCMCity-NhaTrangroute,andtrainsSPT1/SPT2fortheHCMCity–PhanThi?troute.VNRhascontinuedtoofferdiscountsforsocialpolicybeneficiariessuchasVietnameseHeroicMothers,warinvalids,AgentOrangevictims,peoplewithseveredisabilities,theelderly,childrenandstudents.Additionally,duringtheNationalDayholiday,round-tripticketswillhaveafivepercentdiscountforindividualsandasevenpercentdiscountforgroupbookingsof20ormore.Fromnowuntiltheendof2024,therailwaysectorhasofferedvariouspromotionalprogrammeswithdiscountsofupto15percent.FortrainsSE1/SE2,SE3/SE4,SE5/SE6,SE7/SE8,passengerspurchasingticketsfordistancesover900kmatleast10daysbeforedeparturecanreceivea5-15percentdiscount,exceptfor4-berthsleepercabinsonSE3trains.FortrainsSE21/SE22fortheHCMCity–?àN?ngroutewithdistancesover600km,SNT1/SNT2fortheHCMCity–NhaTrangroutewithdistancesover300km,andSPT1/SPT2fortheHCMCity–PhanThi?troute,passengerspurchasingticketsatleasttendaysbeforedeparturecanreceivea5-15percentdiscount(excludingfour-berthsleepercabinsonSNT1/SNT2andSPT1/SPT2trains).Groupbookingsof11ormorepassengerswillreceivediscountsofbetweenfourand12percentandround-tripticketswillhavea10percentdiscountonthereturnleg.Inadditiontoregulartrains,extratrainswillbeoperatedduringtheNationalDayholidayorwhenpassengerdemandincreases.TheseadditionaltrainswillrunfromHàN?itoThanhHóa(chǎn),Vinh,Qu?ngBìnhandreturn,fromHàN?itoH?iPhòngandreturnandfromHCMCitytoPhanThi?t,NhaTrang,QuyNh?n,Qu?ngNg?i,HàN?iandreturn.—VNSAmanwasrescuedafterjumpingoffofPhúM?BridgeinHCMCityinAprilthisyear.—Photovietnamnet.vnHCMCITY—ThirtyonepeoplekilledthemselvesbyjumpingoffbridgesinHCMCityinthefirsthalfoftheyear,withonlyonecasesuccessfullypreventedwithanintervention,accordingtoarecentreportbytheHCMCityPolice.ColonelLêM?nhHà,deputyheadofthecitypolicesgeneralstaffdivision,saidthatmostofthesuicidecasesareduetopeoplebeingunderpressurewithfamilyorrelationshipmatters,academicorbusinessstress,ormentaldisorders.Topreventsimilarincidents,authoritieshaveinstalledbarriersaroundbridgerailings,inadditiontoputtingmorefocusonmentalhealthcounselling.Volunteerteamsalongtheriverhavealsobeenorganisedtopromptlyinterveneandrescuethoseintendingtoendtheirlifebyjumpingoffthebridges.ColonelHàalsorequestedthatpeoplepaymoreattentionandsupporteachother,toengenderaspiritofsolidaritytopreventpossiblesuicides.—VNS

AdoctorexaminesababyforwhoopingcoughattheNationalChildrenHospitalinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoMinhQuy?tHàN?I—TheMinistryofHealthhascalledonprovincialandmunicipaldepartmentsofhealthtomakeplanstopreventandcontrolanymeaslesandwhoopingcoughcasesnationwide,withparticularfocusonvaccinationcampaigns.Therequestcomesasmeaslesandwhoopingcoughcasesinsomeprovincesandcitieshaveincreasedandareshowingcomplexdevelopments.Vaccinationcentresmuststrictlyadheretovaccinationmanagementregulations,ensuringcomprehensiveupdatesofvaccinationrecordsonthemanagementplatform,theministrynoted.Itisnecessarytoreviewandensureadequatefunding,medicines,biologicalproducts,supplies,chemicals,vaccines,equipmentandpersonnelforregularvaccinationactivitiesandepidemicpreventionandcontrolefforts,theministrysaid.Regardingmedicalexaminationandtreatmentfacilitiesundertheministry,theministrydemandedreadinessinpreparingtorespondtooutbreaks.HealthcarefacilitieswererequiredtofullyreportcasesandoutbreakclustersontheonlineInfectiousDiseaseSurveillanceandManagementSystem.Thatincludedcompletingthetaskforceforepidemicpreventionandpreparingofproactiveplanstocopewithepidemicsatdifferentlevelsandscales.Theministryalsorequiredintensifyingimplementationofcommunicationmeasuresoninfectionprevention,detectionmethodsandhandlingsuspectedcasesofmeaslesandwhoopingcoughamonghealthcareworkersandcommunitymembers.Traininginscreening,diagnosis,treatment,careandinfectioncontrolformeaslesandwhoopingcoughwasalsoneededforhealthcarestafftobepreparedincaseofoutbreaksinmedicalfacilities.Localauthoritiesweredirectedtoenhancecommunication,implementationandmanagementofmeaslesandwhoopingcoughvaccinationforchildrenaswellasensuringsufficientvaccinesupplies.Additionally,closecoordinationwiththelocaldepartmentofinformationandcommunications,mediaagenciesandgrassrootscommunicationnetworkswascrucialtoadviseandguidethepublicondiseasepreventionmeasuresandensuringcompletevaccinationagainstmeaslesandwhoopingcough.Earlydetection,timelyisolationThemedicalfacilitiesweretoldtoenhancescreeningactivitiesforearlydetectionandtimelyisolationofconfirmedorsuspectedcasesofmeaslesandwhoopingcough.Mildcaseswithoutcomplicationscouldbeinstructedforhometreatment.Themedicalfacilitiesunderthehealthministryhadtoissueguidelinesandproceduresforrespondingtocasesofconfirmedorsuspectedinfectionsattheirunits,includingpatientreferral,screeningexaminations,isolationproceduresandpatientadmissiontotreatmentareas.Theyhadtopreparewithisolationtreatmentareasortemporaryisolationareasforpatients,whoinfectedorsuspectedwithmeaslesandwhoopingcough,dependingonthescaleanddirectivesoflocalhealthauthorities.Immediateinvestigationofoutbreaksmustbeconducteduponthefirstreportedcasesofmeaslesandwhoopingcough,ensuringadequateprotectiveequipmentforhealthcarestaffinvolvedindirectexamination,treatmentandcareofinfectedorsuspectedcasesofmeaslesandwhoopingcough.Theministrydirectedpreventivemedicineunitstoproactivelymonitorandpromptlydetectnewcases,conductinvestigations,identifysourcesofinfectionandhandleoutbreaksofmeaslesandwhoopingcough.Hospitalswereurgedtoeffectivelymanagetheadmissionofmeaslesandwhoopingcoughpatients,ensuretimelytreatmenttominimiseseverecasesandfatalities.Thehospitalshadtostrictlycomplywithinfectioncontrolmeasurestopreventcross-infectionandoutbreaksofmeaslesandwhoopingcough.Thehealthcarefacilitiesmuststrictlyadheretoinfectioncontrolmeasuresandimplementpreventionmethodsbasedontransmissionroutesupondetectingcasesofmeaslesandwhoopingcoughinfectionorsuspicion.Furthermore,itneededtostrengthensupervisionandsupporttoensurecompliancewithregulationsandproceduresformeaslesandwhoopingcoughpreventionandcontrolamonghealthcarestaff,patientsandpatientfamilies.—VNS

AseriousaccidentontheHàN?i-H?iPhòngExpresswayonThursday.twowerekilledandninewereinjured.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Atotalof5,343peoplewerekilledbytrafficaccidentsacrossVi?tNaminthefirstsixmonthsofthisyear,saidtheNationalCommitteeonTrafficSafetyonFriday.Thecommitteegaveoutthefiguresaspartofaconferencetoreviewtrafficsafety,reportingthattherewere12,350trafficaccidentsinthefirstsixmonthsof2024,inwhich9,552peoplewereinjured.Comparedtothesameperiodlastyear,thenumberoftrafficaccidentsincreasedby15.85percent,whilethenumberofdeathsdeclinedby10.61percent.Fortyprovincesandcitiesreporteddecliningnumberoftrafficaccidentfatalities.Inparticular,CàMau,LaiChau,BìnhThu?nprovincesreportedadeclineindeathsfromtrafficaccidentsof45percent.However,23localitiesreportedanincreaseinthenumberofdeathsinthefirsthalfoftheyear,withcentralprovinceTh?aThiên-Hu?andMekongDeltaprovinceB?nTrereportingasurgeofover40percent,saidLêKimThành,thecommitteesvicechairman.Hesaidthenumberoftrafficaccidentscausedbydrunkdrivinghasreducedsharplycomparedtothesameperiodofthepreviousyears.Hesaidtherewerenineextremelyserioustrafficaccidents,killingandinjuringmanypeople,causingwidespreadpublicanger.Thenumberofcasesandinjuriesduetotrafficaccidentsincreasedcomparedtothesameperiodin2023,withsomelocalareasreportingcasesofracing.TrafficcongestioninHàN?i,HCMCityandkeygatewaysofmajorcitiesisgettingmorecomplicated.Thenumberofactsagainstpoliceofficersondutyhavebeenontherise.Inthefirstsixmonthsoftheyear,therewere78cases,injuring27officers,anincreaseof45casescomparedtothesameperiodin2023.Lowawarenessofcompliancewithlegalregulationsandresponsibilitiesoflocalauthoritiesbeinglacking,havebeenidentifiedasthemaincauses,accordingtothecommittee.DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuang,thecommitteeschairman,saidinthecontextof6.42percentofGDPgrowthinH1,traffic,tradeandgoodstransportationwillsubsequentlyincrease,puttingpressureonthetaskofensuringorderandsecurity.TheNationalAssemblyhaspassedtwolaws:theLawonRoadTrafficOrderandSafetyandtheRoadLaw,whichserveasnewlegalframeworkstobetterperformourtasks,hesaid.—VNSHCMCITY—?oànNg?cAnhTh?,a12-year-oldgirlfromtheMekongDeltaprovinceofTràVinh,becamethe11,000thchildtobesavedbyHeartbeatVietnam,aprogrammedesignedtosavechildrenbornwithheartproblems.AnhTh?exhibitedcyanosisandexperiencedfrequentfeverswhenshewasjustonemonthold.Shewasdiagnosedwithtetralogyoffallot,acomplexcongenitalheartdefectrequiringsurgery.WithhelpfromtheVinaCapitalFoundations(VCF)HeartbeatVietnamprogramme,Th?underwentherfirstsurgeryattheageoftwo,whichsignificantlyimprovedherhealthandallowedhertoattendschoolandexcelacademicallyforthepastsixyears.HersecondsuccessfulsurgerymarkedasignificantmilestoneinhercourageousjourneywiththesupportfromtheAssociationfortheProtectionofPeoplewithDisabilitiesandVictimsofAgentOrange/dioxin,HeartbeatVietnamandotherdonors.Atotalof11,000Vietnamesechildrenwithcongenitalheartdefects(CHD)havebeenhelpedwithsurgeryandtreatmentoverthepast18yearsundertheHeartbeatVietnamprogramme,accordingtoarepresentativeofHeartbeatVietnam.DonLam,CEOandFoundingPartnerofVinaCapital,ChairoftheVCFBoard(firstfromright),FormerVicePresidentofVi?tNamTr??ngM?Hoa(secondfromrìght)andotherdonorsattheceremonytocelebratethesavingof11,000kidswithCHD.—PhotocourtesyofHeartbeatVietnamThroughoutourunwavering18-yearjourney,ourmissionhasalwaysbeentoensurethatnochildwithcongenitalheartdefectslosestheirlifesimplybecausetheylackthefinancialmeanstoaccesstreatment.Itfillsuswithimmensejoytowitnesstherecoveryof11,000littlehearts.Thismiracleresultsfromthejointeffortsandinvaluablesupportfromlocalauthorities,dedicatedmedicalteams,kind-hearteddonors,andmore.Mostimportantly,thecollaborationofthecommunitytogetherwithVCFhasignitedhopeforabrightfutureforthechildrenandtheirfamilies,contributingtoahealthierandmoreprosperousVi?tNam,saysDonLam,CEOandFoundingPartnerofVinaCapital,ChairoftheVCFBoard.StatisticsfromtheMinistryofHealthshowthatsome15,000infantsarebornwithCHDinVi?tNameachyear.Mostofthesechildrenarefromfamiliesinimpoverishedruralareas,andmanyofthemfacefinancialchallengesinaccessingexpensivetreatment,longdistancetravel,anddifficultpost-operativecare.HeartbeatVietnamhasbeendedicatedtosponsoringlife-savingsurgeriesforunderprivilegedchildreninVi?tNamsince2006,ensuringtheyreceivetimelytreatmentforahealthierfuture.Theprogrammehasalsoprovided1,215continuingcarepackagesforvitalcheck-upsandfollow-upappointments,809familygrantstoalleviatefinancialburdensonfamiliescaringforsickchildren,and263scholarshipstoensurebrightstudentscancontinuetheireducation.Inlinewiththese,VCFhasorganisedruraloutreachclinicsinremoteprovinceswhereaccesstohealthcareislimited.Throughtheseclinics,nearly400,000childrenhavebeenscreened,andover11,700childrenwithCHDhavebeenidentified.Thosewhorequiredearlysurgicalinterventiontosurvivewereprovidedwithsurgeryandthisensuresthatnochildisleftbehind.VCF,HeartbeatVietnam,andotherdonorshavecommittedtocontinuingthejourneytolocateandsavemorechildrensheartsothattheycangrowuphealthy,dreamdreams,reachtheirfullpotentialandcontributetoVi?tNamsdevelopment,saidtherepresentative.—VNS

TheonlineforumOtofunhasgonegreyasasignofrespectforthelatePartychief.—VNSPhotoHàN?I—TributeshavestreamedinoversocialmediasoonaftertheVietnamNewsAgencyissuedaspecialcommuniqué,announcingthatPartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngpassedawayat1.38pmonJuly19,2024,attheCentralMilitaryHospital108inHàN?i.Amovingeulogybyananonymousauthor,whichdemonstratestheoutpouringofgriefoftheVietnamesepeopleforthebelovedleader,hasgoneviralonvariousplatforms,includingFacebook,Youtube,TikTok,ZaloandViber.TheonlineforumOtofun,anautomobileandmotorbikeplaygroundinVi?tNamwithover200,000membersin2028justtwoyearsafteritsinception,hasgonegreyasasignofrespectforthelatePartychief.Alongwiththeirsadnessoverhispassing,theforumsmembersalsoexpressedtheirhopethatotherleaderswillfollowtheseniorsstepsandideologiesanddeveloptheirtheories.Apoembyanonymousauthor,honouringPartyGeneralSecretaryTr?ngsdevotiontothenation,wasalsosharedontheZaloaccountYênXuan–myhomelandestablishedbyagroupoflocalpeopleinYênXuanCommuneinthecentralprovinceofNgh?AnsH?ngNguyênDistrict.Throughawebsite,studentsoftheT?S?nHighSchoolinthenorthernprovinceofB?cNinhhaveshowntheirdepthofemotionsoverthepassingofthePartychief,andpromisedtostrivetheirbesttodevelopthecountry.Meanwhile,TonyBuifromWarszawa,Poland,postedamovingpoemaboutthelateleaderonFacebook,expressinghisgratitudetowardsthePartychiefscontributionstothenation.NetizenspositivemessageshaveaffirmedthatPartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngsprestigehascreatedthepowerofsolidaritynotonlyforthePartybutalsothewholepeople.Besides,theyhavedemonstratedthatthetranscendentalsoftruth,goodnessandbeautyarealwaystreasuredandacknowledgedbythepublic.AsofJanuary2023,Vi?tNamhad77.93millioninternetusers,or79.1percentofthepopulation.Amongthem,therewere70millionsocialnetworkusers,with66.2millionsigningupforFacebook,63millionforYouTube,10.35millionforInstagram,49.86millionforTikTok,5.2millionforLinkedIn,and4.1millionforTwitter.—VNSPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChính(centre)visitsthesemiconductorchipproductionlineoftheHanaMicroVinaCoLtdintheVanTrungIndustrialZoneinVi?tYênDistrict,thenorthernprovinceofB?cGiang.—VNA/VNSPhotoD??ngGiangHàN?I—Vocationaltrainingwillfocusonskillinguptheworkforceinthesemiconductorchips,hydrogenandcarboncreditsfields,followingarequirementofMinisterofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs?àoNg?cDung.Dungsaidthatamongtheupcomingkeytasks,theMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs(MoLISA)willperfectthepolicyandlegalsystemtosynchronouslydevelopthelabourmarket,improvethemarketintermediaries,widenthelabourmarketinformationsystemandincreaseconnectionbetweenworkforcesupplyanddemand.TheMoLISAwillalsoimplementpoliciesforemployees,especiallysocialinsurance,unemploymentinsuranceandsalaryregulations.Atthesametime,itwillpushuptraining,retrainingandfosteringworkerstoimprovequalificationsandvocationalskillsforthemtoenhancetrainingforahighly-skilledworkforce.Dungrequestedbetteringanalyticalcapacity,forecastingjobsupplyanddemand,newandsustainablejobsandstrengthenpolicydialoguetobuildharmonious,stableandprogressiverelations.TheMoLISAreportforthefirstsixmonthsthisyearshowsthatithasflexiblyandeffectivelycarriedouttasksandsolutionsinthefieldsoflabourandpeoplewithgreatcontributionstothenation.Notably,theMoLISAhascompletedandsubmittedtotheGovernmentforapprovaltheamendedLawonSocialInsurance,withaveryhighapprovalrate.Compilinglegaldocumentsgenerallyensuresqualityandprogressaccordingtotheproposedplan,perfectingregulationsonlabourandpeoplewithmeritoriousservicestothecountry.Regardinggrowingthelabourmarketandcreatingjobs,MoLISAwillconductsolutionstomaintainastableworkforce,contributingtoeconomicdevelopment,enterprisesproductionandtrading.Inthefirstsixmonthsthisyear,thelabourforceaged15andoveracrossthecountrywas52.5millionpeople,anincreaseof196,600overthesameperiod.Employedworkersare51.4millionpeople,anincreaseof195,700onesoverthesameperiod.Theunemploymentrateamongtheworkingagepopulationis2.27percent,unchangedcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Measurestostabilisetheforeignlabourmarketwillbeintensified.Recruiting,trainingandsendingVietnameseworkerstoworkabroadundercontractswillbemorestrictlymanaged.ThetotalnumberofVietnameseworkersworkingundercontractsabroadis78,640ones,reaching62.91percentoftheplan,including23,845femaleworkers.TheMoLISAwillalsorealisetheVocationalEducationDevelopmentStrategyfortheperiod2021-30,withavisionto2045,strengthendirectionandguidanceforenrollment,organiseprimary-leveltraining,regulartraining,vocationaltrainingforruralworkers,ethnicgroupsandthedisadvantaged,amongothers.Asoflastmonth,thetotalnumberofvocationaleducationschoolsinVi?tNamis1,878.—VNS

Anemployeemeasuresexhaustemissionsatamotorbikemaintenanceandrepairfacility.VNA/VNSPhotoTu?n??cHàN?I–Currently,inVi?tNamthereisnoregulationontheshelflifeofpersonalmotorbikes,socontrollingmotorbikeemissionsisnecessarytominimiseenvironmentalpollution.Inordertoreduceemissionsandenvironmentalpollution,implementingVi?tNamscommitmentsatCOP26,therewillneedtobeemissioninspectionsfromthestartof2025.Manytrafficexpertsinsistthatwhilethisisabsolutelynecessary,itneedstobedoneinsuchawaythatitwillnothavetoomuchimpactontrafficandpeopleslives.AccordingtotheprovisionsoftheLawonRoadTrafficOrderandSafetyrecentlypassedbytheNationalAssembly,motorcyclesandmopedswillhavetoundergomandatoryemissionstestingfromJanuary1,2025.Thelawalsostipulatesthatemissionsinspectionshallbecarriedoutinaccordancewiththelawonenvironmentalprotectionandmustbecarriedoutatemissioninspectionfacilitiesthatmeetnationaltechnicalregulationsandbeissuedinspectioncertificatebytheregisteragency.AccordingtodatafromtheInstituteofTransportStrategyandDevelopment(MinistryofTransport),intheperiod2005-2022,motorbikegrowthinthecountryaveragedabout9.1percentayear.Todate,thenumberofregisteredmotorbikesnationwidehasreachedabout69.2millionandthenumberofvehiclesincirculationhasreachedabout45.5million.Inbigcities,motorbikesarestillthemainmeansoftransport,meaningtheyareresponsibleforthelargestemissionsintotheenvironment.AccordingtoresultsfromthreeemissiontestingprogrammesformotorbikesandmopedsinthreecitiesofHàN?i,HCMCityand?àN?ngCity,vehiclesoverfiveyearsoldtendtoexceedcurrentemissionstandardsandvehicleswhichareolderthantenyears,haveaverylargeemissionrate.Butinallthreecities,thoseoldervehiclesmakeupoverhalfofthetotalnumberofmotorbikesinuse.Specifically,therateis72.58percent,68percentand59percentinHàN?i,HCMCityand?àN?ngCity,respectively.Nguy?nXuanTh?y,formerdirectorofTransportPublishingHousesaidthatthatemissionstestingnotonlyhelpsreduceenvironmentalpollution,improvequalityoflife,butalsoraisespeoplesawarenessinperiodicallymaintainingvehiclestoensuretrafficsafety.AccordingtoKh??ngKimT?o,formerDeputyChiefofOfficeoftheNationalTrafficSafetyCommittee,currentlyinVi?tNam,thereisnoregulationontheshelflifeofmotorbikes.Expirydateregulationsonlyapplytotrucks,passengercarsortaxis.Emissioncontrolformotorbikeswasregulatedinthe2008RoadTrafficLaw,buttheimplementationprocessencounteredmanydifficulties,T?osaid.Anduptonow,continuedimplementationiscompletelyaccurate,urgentandaninevitabletrendofcontrollingmotorvehicleemissionsinbigcitieslikeHàN?iandHCMCity.ThismustbedoneasquicklyaspossibletoensurecommitmentstocontrolemissionsandenvironmentalpollutionthatVi?tNamparticipatedinattheCOP26.However,T?oalsonotedthattheimplementationmethodneedstobemethodicallyresearched,withoutdisturbingpeopleslives,socio-economicdevelopmentwhilestillcontrollingmotorbikeemissions.RegulationonthresholdofexhaustgasemissionT?oproposedamethodicalimplementationofthenewsrules,withtheunderstandingthatnewlymanufacturedandassembledmotorbikesimportedtoVi?tNamalreadymeetemissionsregulationsandstandards.Newvehicleswillgraduallyreplaceoldonesbutthereneedstobeacertainperiodoftimetoeliminateoutofdatevehicles.Whenthereareenougheconomicresources,atimelimitwillbesetforliquidationofthisvehiclelinewhichwillnolongerbeallowedtobedriveninbigcities,T?osaid.Theemissionproblemwillbesolvedthroughadministrativecontrolandchangingalargenumberofvehicles,headded.Toquicklypromoteemissioncontrolformotorbikesincirculation,T?osuggestedthattheStatemanagementagencyshouldresearchandregulatethelevelofemissionqualityformotorbikesinuseinordertocontrolexhaustedgasemission.Inaddition,motorbikeemissioninspectioncentresshouldprovidesolutions,soasnottoaffectpeoplewaitingforvehicleinspection,headded.VNSDefendantTr?nhV?nQuy?t(centre,standing)atthetrialonMonday.Arecordof30,403victiminvestorsholdingthestockofFLCFaros(HoSEtickernameROS),aswellas63,092otherROSholderswhoareconnectedandrelatedtothecaseweresummonedbythecourt.VNA/VNSPhotoPh?mKiênHàN?IThetrialforoneofthemostnotoriouscasesofstockmanipulationinthehistoryoftheVietnamesemarketbeganMondaymorning,withfiftydefendantsappearinginthecaseatFLCCorporation.FormerFLCChairmanTr?nhV?nQuy?t,alongwithhissistersTr?nhTh?MinhHu?andTr?nhTh?ThúyNga,andfivesubordinates,wereindictedbytheSupremePeoplesProcuracyforfraud,expropriationofassets,andstockmanipulation.Theremaining42defendantsareindictedforstockmanipulation,abuseofpowerwhileperformingofficialduties,anddeliberatelyannouncingmisinformationinstockmarketactivity.Arecordof30,403victiminvestorsholdingthestockofFLCFaros(HoSEtickernameROS),aswellas63,092otherROSholderswhoareconnectedandrelatedtothecase,weresummonedbythecourt.TheHàN?iPeoplesCourthasplacedsignificantemphasisonorganisingthetrial,arrangingthreeareas-themaincourtroomforthedirectproceedings,ahall,andanoutdoorareawithtentsforobserverstofollowthetrialviascreensbroadcastingfromthecourtroom,withtheabilitytoaccommodatethousandsofpeople.Inallthreeareas,thecourthassetupcomputersystemsdisplayinginformationabouttheover30,000victims,alongwithprintedlists.Investorsattendingthetrialcanverifyinformationthroughthesechannels.Inthemaincourtroom,nearly90defencelawyershavearrived,withthecourtprovidingover50laptopstoassistthemintheirdefence.Additionally,medical,logisticalandisolationservicesfordefendantshavebeenmeticulouslypreparedbytheHàN?iPeoplesCourtincollaborationwithrelatedunits.Accordingtotheindictment,withtheintentionofappropriatinginvestorsmoneyforpersonaluse,Quy?tusedFLCFarosCompanyasatool,directingsubordinatestofalselyincreasetheownerscapitalcontributionatFarosfromVN?1.5billion(US$59,212)toVN?4.3trillion(US$169million),thencompletingprocedurestolistsharescorrespondingtotheinflatedcapitalonthestockexchange.HeusedtheHOSEexchangeasatooltosell391,155,480sharescreatedfromtheinflatedcapitalcontributionto30,403investorsonthestockexchange,appropriatingmorethanVN?3.621trillion(US$142million).Furthermore,Tr?nhV?nQuy?tinstructedTr?nhTh?MinhHu?toborrowdocumentsfrom45individuals,includingrelativesandemployeesofFLCGroup,toestablishandname20companiesandopen500securitiesaccountsinthenamesofindividualsandlegalentities.Thedefendantsthenfalselycreditedtheseaccountstomanipulatethestockmarketwithfivestockcodes:AMD,HAI,GAB,FLC,andART.Theycontinuouslyboughtandsoldthesamesecurities,conductedinternalmatchingtrades(withoutrealownershiptransfer),tradedinlargevolumestodominatethemarketduringopeningandclosingsessionsandplacedthecancelledorderstocreatefakesupplyanddemand,manipulatingthestockmarketwiththesefivecodesandillicitlyprofitingVN?723billion(US$28.5million).Thetrialisexpectedtotakeseveraldays.VNS