AmissilelaunchedfromIranisinterceptedbyIsraeliairdefencesystemsovertheWestBankcityofNablusonTuesday.—XINHUA/VNAPhotoTELAVIV—TheVietnameseEmbassyinIsraelhasrecommendedVietnamesepeoplelivingheretostrictlyadheretotheregulationsandguidanceregardingsafetyandsecuritymeasuressetbylocalauthorities,givenrocketattackrisksfromIran.Initsnotice,theembassysaidthatat2pm(localtime)onTuesday,theHomeFrontCommandofIsraelissuednewdirectivesonsecurityandsafetyguidance,whichlimitgatheringsto30peopleinopenspacesand300peopleinclosedspaces,requiretheclosureofbeaches,andadviseindividualstoreachaprotectedspacewithin90seconds.Thedirectives,appliedforbothnorthernandcentralIsrael,includingTelAvivandJerusalem,willbeineffectuntilOctober5at8pm.VietnamesepeopleareadvisedtoactivelyprepareplanstoensuretheirsafetyandkeepaclosewatchonreputablelocalmediaforupdatesonthesituationinIsrael.Itisnecessarytoavoidareasthataredeemedunsafeorhaveahighriskofattacks,suchasgovernmentfacilities,militaryzones,andfuelstorageareas;andtostayinclosecontactwiththeembassy.Incaseofemergencies,theyarerequiredtoseekassistanceandinformationregardingcitizenprotectionmeasures,theembassysaid.—VNS

Manyresidentsofthecapitalventureoutearly,donninglightjacketstocombatthechill.—VNA/VNSPhotosMinhQuy?tHàN?I—Acoldspellhashitthenorthernregion,resultinginnoticeablycoolertemperaturesinHàN?ionWednesdaymorning.AwomanwearslightjacketsonWednesdaymorning.Manyresidentsofthecapitalventuredoutearly,donninglightjacketstocombatthechill.AccordingtotheNationalCentreforMeteorologicalandHydrologicalForecasting,nightsandearlymorningsareexpectedtobeparticularlycold,withmountainousareasexperiencingasharpdropintemperatures.AwomanwearsaraincoattokeepwarmonWednesdaymorning.PeopledrivesthroughLongBiênBridgeinHàN?ionWednesdaymorning.MinimumtemperaturesinthenorthandThanhHóa(chǎn)Provinceareforecasttorangefrom19to22degreesCelsius,whilemountainousregionscouldseelowsof17to19degrees,withsomehigh-altitudeareasdroppingbelow16degrees.AnelderlywomanwearslongsleeveshirtwhenHàN?isweatherbecomeschillyonWednesdaymorning.PeoplehavetowearlightjacketsonWednesdaymorning.AmothertakesherchildrentogototheschoolinHàN?ionWednesdaymorning.AwomanwalksalongalocalpavementinHàN?ionWednesdaymorning.PeopledrivesthroughLongBiênBridgeinHàN?ionWednesdaymorning.InNgh?AnProvinceandHàT?nhProvince,minimumtemperaturesareanticipatedtobebetween20and23degreesCelsius.—VNSInthephoto,aperformancebymorethan2,000membersoftheHanoiAssociationofOutdoorHealthfortheMiddle-agedandElderly.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Populationageingisanirreversibleglobaltrendandhasastrongimpactonallareasofsociety.Thechallengesthatpopulationagingbringstoeconomicgrowth,politicsandsocialsecurityissuesaredirectlyaffectingtheelderly.Vi?tNamiscurrentlyinthegroupof15countrieswithapopulationofmorethan100millionpeople.Accordingtonationalpopulationdata,thecountryhasabout16.1millionelderlypeople,accountingforover16percentofitspopulation.Oftheelderly,about2.6millionpeopleareover80yearsold;morethanninemillionpeoplearewomen;and10.3millionpeopleliveinruralareas.Vi?tNamisstillinthegoldenageofpopulation-theperiodwhentheproportionofpeopleintheworkingage(15-64yearsold)istwicetheproportionofdependents(under15yearsoldandover64yearsold).However,thecountryisfacingrapidageingpopulationandadecliningbirthrate.JobsfortheelderlyIndevelopedcountries,populationageingoccursafterthegoldenpopulationperiodwhenthesenationsaccumulateconditionstoensuresocialsecurityfortheelderly.Meanwhile,althoughVi?tNamhasjustenteredthegroupofcountrieswithmiddleincome,theproportionofelderlypeopleishighinitspopulationstructure.Moreover,notmanyofthemgetpensions,themajorityofelderlypeoplehavetorelyonthecareoftheirchildrenandgrandchildrenandpartlyonsocialassistance.Infact,withtheirowndynamism,theelderlyinVi?tNamhavepromotedthespiritofdiligence,hardwork,andperseverance.Theystillkeepworkingandworkasbreadwinners.Accordingtostatistics,bytheendof2023,thewholecountryhadabout2.7millionelderlypeoplereceivingmonthlypensionsandsocialinsurancebenefits,accountingformorethan20percentofthetotalelderlypopulation.About60percentoftheelderlyaged60-69arestillworking;about40-45percentoftheelderly,includingpost-retirementworkers,participateineconomicactivities,about3-4percentoftheworkingelderpeoplearemanagingenterprisesorfarmsthatoffermillionsofjobsforworkersacrossthecountry.Inaddition,tensofthousandsofelderlypeople,includingpost-retirementworkers,participateinscientificresearch,teaching,andculturalandartisticactivities,amongothers.AccordingtotheGeneralStatisticsOffice,by2036,Vi?tNamwillofficiallyentertheperiodofageingpopulation,withmorethan21millionelderlypeople,accountingfor19.48percentofthetotalpopulation.Theelderlysworkingpotentialisstilllarge.Accordingtoexperts,inthenexttenyears,tensofmillionsofelderlypeopleareexpectedtorequirevocationaltrainingandnewjobs.Thatposesahugeconcernforsociety.However,iftheemploymentissueforolderworkersisaddressedproperly,theywillbeanimportantlabourforcethatcontributestothecountryseconomicgrowth.Astheskillsandexperienceofelderlyworkersareveryvaluable,itsaninevitableandurgenttasktosupportthemtochangelivelihoodsorstartnewventures.InthecontextofrapidpopulationageinginVi?tNam,theCentralCommitteeoftheVi?tNamAssociationoftheElderly(VAE)isproposingtothePrimeMinisteraprojectontheparticipationofelderlypeopleinstart-ups,employment,digitaltransformationandgreentransition.AccordingtoVAEChairmanNguy?nThanhBình,sectorsandlocalitiesneedtocoordinatebetterwiththeassociationtoassistelderlypeopleinvocationaleducation,employmentandhousing.Itisalsonecessarytoperfectpoliciesonemployment,vocationaltraining,jobcreationandcareerorientation,especiallyfortheelderlyindifficultcircumstances.Bìnhurgedsectorsandlocalitiestosupportpilotmodelsofstart-upsandbusinessdevelopmentforolderworkersandgiveprioritytothemtoaccessloanswithpreferentialinterestrates.CompletingnationalstrategyontheelderlyThroughoutthehistoryofVi?tNam,theelderlyhavemadegreatcontributionstothecauseofnationalconstructionanddefence.ThevaluabletraditionsandheritageoftheelderlyinVi?tNamwerepromotedbytheCommunistPartyofVi?tNamandlatePresidentH?ChíMinh.PresidentH?ChíMinhoncesaid:Theelderlyshouldertheburdenofensuringprosperityandexistenceofacountry.Theyareapreciousresourceofthenation,animportantforceofthecountry,andpillarsofVietnamesefamiliesandsociety.Tappingthepotentialoftheelderlyisanurgenttaskthatrequiressocietytohaveproperawarenessandtimelyactionssothattheforceofnearly20percentofthepopulationcanimprovetheirlives,makingworthycontributionstothecountryseconomic,socialandculturaldevelopment.Tosupporttheelderlyincareertransition,inDecember2021PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhissuedDecisionNo2156/QD-TTgapprovingtheNationalActionProgrammefortheElderlyforthe2021-2030period,asproposedbytheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs(MOLISA).Theprogrammesetsoutspecificgoals.Inthe2022-2025period,atleast50percentoftheelderlywiththeneedandabilitytoworkwillhavejobs,andatleast20,000elderlypeoplewillbesupportedtostartbusinessesandreceivevocationaltraining.Inthe2026-2030period,atleast70percentoftheelderlywhohavetheneedandabilitytoworkwillhavejobs,atleast30,000elderlypeoplewillbesupportedtosetupnewventures,orreceivevocationaltraining.Theministryalsoproposedaddingregulationsonsupportingjobtransitionandemploymentfortheelderly,includingsupportforvocationaltraining,counselling,andjobreferralsforolderworkers,andincentivesforbusinessesthatemployolderworkers.InordertopromptlyandeffectivelyrespondtotherapidpopulationageingprocessinVi?tNamtoday,DeputyPrimeMinisterLêThànhLonghasrequestedtheMoLISAtourgentlycompletethenationalstrategyfortheelderlyandsubmitittocompetentauthoritiesforapprovalinthefourthquarterof2024.Inparticular,itisnecessarytopayattentiontosolutionsandpoliciesfortheageingpopulationandemploymentfortheelderly.LongrequestedtheMoLISAtofurtherstrengthentheinspectionandsupervisionoftheimplementationofworkrelatingtotheelderly;trainandimprovetheprofessionalcapacity,skillsandexpertiseofcadres,employeesandcollaboratorsworkingtosupporttheelderly;andcoordinatewiththeCentralCommitteeoftheVAEtosooncompletetheregulationsontheoperationoftheVi?tNamNationalCommitteefortheElderly.Inaddition,theDeputyPMassignedtheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmenttocoordinatewiththeCentralCommitteeoftheVAEtostudy,developandcompletetheprojectElderlypeopleparticipatinginstart-ups,jobcreation,digitaltransformation,andgreentransition.VNS

Localauthoritiesin??kT?ngCommune,KonPl?ngDistrict,guideresidentsonhowtorespondduringanearthquake.—VNA/VNSPhotoCaoNguyênHàN?I—Thirty-sixearthquakeswithmagnitudesbetween2.5and4.0wererecordedinSeptember,withmostoccurringinKonPl?ngDistrict,KonTumProvince,theInstituteofGeophysicsundertheVi?tNamAcademyofScienceandTechnologyreportedyesterday.AccordingtotheEarthquakeInformationandTsunamiWarningCentre,thirty-twooftherecordedearthquakestookplaceinKonPl?ngDistrictalone.Severaldaysexperiencedmultiplequakes,withfiverecordedonbothSeptember5and24,andfouronSeptember10.Elsewhere,fouradditionalearthquakeswererecordedinSeptember,inNamTràMyDistrict,Qu?ngNamProvincewith3.5magnitude;AL??iDistrict,Th?aThiên-Hu?Provincewith3.3;B?oL?cDistrict,CaoB?ngProvincewith2.5;andM?cChauDistrict,LaiChauProvinceonSeptember23with3.3.InAugust,95earthquakeswerereportednationwide,93ofwhichoccurredinKonPl?ngDistrict.TheremainingtwowererecordedinB?cTràMyDistrict,Qu?ngNamProvinceandLàoCaiCity,LàoCaiProvince.InJuly,KonPl?ngDistrictalsoexperienced82earthquakes,withthestrongestbeinga5.0magnitudetremoronJuly28,thehighestrecordedintheareatodate.ThefrequencyofearthquakesinSeptemberrepresentedasignificantdropcomparedtopreviousmonths,with59fewerquakesthaninAugustand46fewerthaninJuly.SpeakingtoVietnamPlusonlinenewspaper,DrNguy?nXuanAnh,DirectoroftheInstituteofGeophysics,saidthatthesequakeswereinducedbythewaterstorageprocessesofhydropowerreservoirs,whichaffectedtheunderlyingactivefaultlines.Factorssuchaswaterlevelsinreservoirs,therateofaccumulation,andthetotalvolumeofwatercaninfluenceseismicactivity.However,theeffectsmayonlybecomeapparentmonthsorevenyearsafterthewaterhasfullyseepedunderground.DrAnhalsowarnedthatearthquakesinKonTumwerelikelytocontinue,potentiallyaffectingdenselypopulatedareasandkeyinfrastructure,particularlyneartheepicentre.Heurgedlocalauthoritiestoregularlyupdateinformationanddevelopearthquake-resistantdesignsforstructures.Underearthquakeandtsunamipreventionandcontrolregulations,localauthoritiesmustinformthepublicofanywarnings,organiseevacuations,andensuresecurity.Residentsinaffectedareasareadvisedtoevacuateimmediatelyuponreceivingsuchalerts.Sincethestartof2024,Vi?tNamhasexperienced353minorearthquakesacrosslocalitiesincludingKonTum,HòaBình,TuyênQuang,PhúYên,Qu?ngNam,Qu?ngNg?i,YênBái,V?nhPhúc,Th?aThiên-Hu?,ThanhHóa(chǎn),?i?nBiên,NinhBình,LaiChau,CaoB?ng,LàoCai,andHàN?i.About98percentofthesewereconcentratedinKonPl?ngDistrict,KonTumProvince.—VNSFemaleworkersatVietpowerCo,LtdinthenorthernprovinceofNam??nhgetfreehealthcheck-up.VNA/VNSPhotoV?n??tHàN?I—Innumerousindustrialandexportprocessingzones,womenmakeupthemajorityoftheworkforce.However,astheyreachtheirmid-30s,manyfacechallengesinsustainingboththeiremploymentandhealth,expertshavesaid.Thishashighlightedtheneedforpoliciestosafeguardtherightsofmiddle-agedfemaleworkers.Tr?nTh?ThuHi?n,fromQu?V?TowninB?cNinhProvince,usedtoworkforacompanyinHàN?i.AsamigrantworkerearninglessthanVN?10million(US$406)permonth,shecouldntaffordtomaintainherlifewhilepayingforrentandchildcare.Asaresult,shereturnedtoherhometowntolivewithherparentsandleftherchildintheircaretosavemoney.Forus,themostimportantthingishavingajob,followedbyhealth,Hi?nshared.Tofindemployment,shehasparticipatedinlocaljobfairs,hopingtofindasuitableposition.Withwarehousemanagementexperience,Hi?nisaimingforajobwithasalaryofaroundVN?8-9million($325-$366)permonth,whichwouldbemoremanageablelivinginherhometowncomparedtoabigcity.Meanwhile,Tr?nhTh?T??i,44,whohadworkedatanelectronicsmanufacturingcompanyfornearlyadecadeinQu?V?IndustrialZone1inB?cNinhProvince,hasswitchedjobsseveraltimesbuthadtoquitduetohealthissues,includingpooreyesightandnumbhands.Shevoluntarilyresignedtoclaimunemploymentbenefits.T??istillwishestocontinueworkingasanemployee,astheincomeismorestableandhigherthanfarming.Givenmycurrenthealth,Imconsideringvocationaltrainingorswitchingtosmall-scaletrading,sheshared.Nguy?nTh?L?,39,previouslyworkedforacompanyinB?cT?LiêmDistrictinHàN?i,butlostherjobwhenthecompanydissolved.Imstillhealthyandwanttoworkforacompany,butIwasrejectedaftermyapplicationwasreviewedbecauseIlackthenecessaryjobskills.Iveinterviewedatagarmentcompanyandplantosaveupandeventuallyreturntomyhometown,L?shared.V?Ti?nThành,DeputyDirectoroftheEmploymentServiceCentreinB?cNinhProvince,mentionedthatB?cNinhisaplacewherefemaleworkerscaneasilyfindjobs,asmanyemployerspreferfemaleworkersduetothemeticulousnaturerequiredintheelectronicsindustry.However,in2023,thecentrereceived15,000unemploymentbenefitapplications,ofwhich20percentwerefromwomenover35yearsold.Nguy?nTh?MinhNg?c,VicePresidentoftheB?cNinhProvincialFederationofLabour,statedthatfemaleworkersareatahigherriskofbeinglaidoffcomparedtotheirmalecounterpartsandfacemanydisadvantages.Onaverage,femaleworkersearn13percentlessthanmaleworkers.Despitetheirworkload,femalelabourersstillbeartheburdenofhouseholdchoresandcaringfortheirfamiliesafterwork.Forwomenover35,itbecomesevenmorechallengingtofindstableemployment,especiallyinindustriesthatdonotrequireadvancedskills.Tr?nThuPh??ng,DeputyHeadoftheWomensAffairsCommitteeattheVi?tNamGeneralConfederationofLabour,alsonotedthatfemaleworkersperformingsimpletasksoftenfacedifficultiesfindingjobsaftertheageof35.Femaleworkerswholosetheirjobsnotonlystruggletoprovidefortheirfamiliesbutalsofacesignificantchallengesinfindingnewemployment.Acurrentissueisthataftercompletingtraining,especiallyshort-termcourseslastinglessthanayear,manyworkerscannotfindsuitablejobsiftheircompanyclosesdown,astheyareunabletomeetthedemandsofmodernbusinesses,shesaid.Additionally,femaleworkersareatadisadvantagewhenadaptingtothelabourmarketduetohealthconcernsandlimitedabilitytoacquirenewskills,particularlyininformationtechnology,Ph??ngexplained.TheCentreforDevelopmentandIntegration,aVietnameseNGO,reportedthatthelabourforceparticipationrateforVietnamesewomenis72percent,thesecondhighestintheworld.However,81.6percentoffemaleworkershavenotreceivedvocationaltrainingandarefacingmanychallenges.Inreality,inequalitiespersistintermsofworkingconditions,wagesandcareeradvancement.Thewagegapbetweenmenandwomeniscurrentlyaround13percent.Notably,femalemigrantworkerswithseniority,familiesandstableincomestendtoremainloyaltotheircompanies.Ontheotherhand,youngerfemaleworkerswhoarestartingfamiliesorraisingsmallchildrentendtoreturntotheirhometownsorseekemploymentinindustrialzonesclosertohomeafterspendingtimeawayfromtheirfamilies.ReducinginequalityRecently,tradeunionsatalllevelshaveaskedemployersorsoughtexternalsupporttoprovidegiftstofemaleworkersfacingdifficultcircumstances,inbothcashandin-kind.Mostofthesewomenareovertheageof35,helpingthemstabilisetheirlivesandfeelsecureintheirwork.Forexample,duringWorkersMonthinMayandtheanniversaryoftheTradeUnionsfoundinginJuly,localtradeunionsorganisedhealthcheck-upsandconsultationsforfemaleworkers.??ngTh?Thu?n,fromYamahaMotorVietnamFactory,saidthattheTradeUnionfacilitatedfreecancerscreeningsforfemaleworkers.ThecompanysTradeUnionalsoorganisesannualhealthcheck-upsforallworkers.Regularandfreehealthscreeningslikethishelpusworkersfeelmoresecureandcommittedtothecompany,shesaid.Femaleworkersgettheirhaircutfreeofchargeataneventforfemaleworkersco-organisedbyVi?tNamWomensUnionandHCMCitysConfederationofLabour.VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nV?nC?ng,aHumanResourcesspecialistatDreamtechCo.,LtdinB?cNinhProvince,sharedthatthecompany,whichspecialisesinassemblingelectroniccomponents,doesnotscheduleovertimeforpregnantemployeespastsevenmonthsorthosewithchildrenundersixmonths,althoughitmaybecomechallengingforthefirmduringpeakproductionperiods.Thiscreateschallengesduringpeakproductiontimes.Femaleworkers,whoalsohavefamilyresponsibilities,finditdifficulttocommittoovertime,heexplained.C?ngalsomentionedthatthecompanyhasintroducedseveralpoliciestoretainemployees,includingcreatingahealthyworkenvironment,organisingrecreationalactivitiesandprovidingopportunitiesforworkerstoenhancetheirskillsandgrowwiththecompany.Anotherkeyfactorisofferingsalarybonusesthatincreaseyearly,C?ngadded.Manyinitiativeshavebeenimplementedtobridgethegendergapandpromoteequalityforfemaleworkers.Asfordevelopingpoliciesforfemaleworkers,theWomensAffairsCommitteeattheVi?tNamGeneralConfederationofLabourcontributedtothedraftingofthe2019LabourCodeandDecreeNo145/2020/ND-CP.Thisincludespoliciessuchasprohibitingtheterminationofcontractsforwomenwhoarebreastfeedingchildrenunder12monthsold.Thecommitteealsopushedformeasuresensuringjobsecurityforwomenreturningfrommaternityleave,installingbreastfeedingroomsatworkplaces,providingchildcaresupportforchildrenundersixyearsoldandofferingvocationaltrainingtailoredtothephysicalandphysiologicalcharacteristicsofwomen,includingtheirroleasmothers.TheVi?tNamGeneralConfederationofLabourhasimplementedworkplacedialoguesfocusedonfairrecruitmentpoliciesthatdonotdiscriminatebasedongender.Theunitprioritisedrecruitingandretainingfemaleworkerswhomeetthenecessaryjobqualificationsandadvocatedfortherenewaloflabourcontractsforwomenwhentheircurrentcontractsexpire.Furthermore,theunitproposedthatmaternityleavebeincludedinsenioritycalculationsfordeterminingwages,bonuses,allowances,trainingopportunitiesandcareeradvancement.Theconfederationrecommendedprovidingvocationalretrainingforolderfemaleworkers,especiallyinfieldssuitedtotheirphysicalandphysiologicalneeds,andimplementingallowancesfortransportation,housing,seniority,childcareandpreschoolsupport.—VNSPassengersonahigh-qualitytrainoftheVi?tNamRailwaysCorporation.—VNA/VNSIllustrativePhotoTi?nL?cHàN?I—TheanticipatedNorth-Southhigh-speedrailline,measuring1,545km,withacompletiondatesetfor2035,willhaveticketpricesequalto75percentoftheaveragefareforlow-costflights.TicketspricedwerementionedinadraftproposalthattheGovernmenthassubmittedtotheNationalAssemblyregardingthepre-feasibilitystudyforthehigh-speedraillineprojectalongtheNorth-Southcorridor.Underthedraft,thelinewillconnectNg?cH?iStationinHàN?itoTh?ThiêmStationinHCMCity,featuringadoubletrackwithagaugeof1,435mm.Theticketpriceswillbecategorisedintothreetiers,reflectingdifferenttargetdemographicsandlevelsofcomforttoaccommodatepassengersbudgetsandattractridership.TheproposedfaresarenotsignificantlydifferentfromcountrieswithsimilarconditionstoVi?tNamorforotherlong-distancehigh-speedrailservices.Theywillbelowerthanairtravelandhigherthanroadtransport,butwilloffersuperiorservicequality,savingtimeandensuringsafetyandcomforttoencouragethepublictoutilisehigh-speedrailservices.Thehigh-speedraillineissettoconsistof23passengerstations,passingthrough20provincesandcitiesofHàN?i,HàNam,Nam??nh,NinhBình,ThanhHóa(chǎn),Ngh?An,HàT?nh,Qu?ngBình,Qu?ngTr?,Th?aThiên-Hu?,?àN?ng,Qu?ngNam,Qu?ngNg?i,Bình??nh,PhúYên,KhánhHòa,NinhThu?n,BìnhThu?n,??ngNai,andHCMCity.Eachlocalitywillbeallocatedonestation.However,provincesofHàT?nh,Bình??nh,andBìnhThu?ndesignatedtwostationseach.Fivefreightstationswillbeestablishedatmajorlogisticshubsalongtheroutetoensurenationalsecurityandfacilitatethetransportationofgoods.Additionally,theprojectwillfeaturefivedepotsfortheassembly,repairandmaintenanceofpassengertrainslocatedinHàN?i,Ngh?An,?àN?ng,KhánhHòaandHCMCityandfourdepotsforfreighttrainmaintenanceinHàT?nh,Qu?ngNam,KhánhHòaand??ngNai.Maximumspeedof350km/hThechoiceofamaximumspeedof350km/hisbasedoninsightsfromthedraftproposal.Thedraftsaidthespeedof250km/hwasdevelopedaround50yearsagoandwasmostcommoninthepast25years,suitableforshortertomedium-lengthroutes.Inthemeantime,thespeedsof350km/handhigherarebecomingtheglobalstandardforlong-distancelinesexceeding800km,particularlyinregionswithdenseurbanpopulations,suchasthecountrysNorth-Southcorridor.Internationalexperiencealsoshowedthatforrouteslongerthan800km,speedsof350km/hattractsignificantlyhigherpassengernumberscomparedto250km/h.Accordingtoconsultancycalculations,thejourneyfromHàN?itoHCMCityat350km/hcouldattractanincreaseof12.5percentofpassengersthanat250km/h.Theinvestmentrequiredforaspeedof350km/hisaroundonly8-9percenthigherthanfor250km/h,therefore,theGovernmenthasrecommendedadesignspeedof350km/hfortheNorth-Southhigh-speedraillinetoensuremodernity,coherence,long-termviabilityandalignmentwiththecountryseconomicconditionsandglobaltrends.Theentirerouteisexpectedtousethreemaintypesofstructures,consistingofbridgestructure,tunnelstructureandgroundstructure.Thebridgestructureaccountsfor60percentoftheentirestructure,applyingforurbanareasanddenselypopulatedregions,aswellasrivercrossingsandintersectionswithexistingrailandroadinfrastructure.Thetunnelstructureaccountsforaround10percentoftheentirestructure,applyingformountainousareas.Thegroundstructuremakesup30percentoftheentire,applyingforsparselypopulatedregions,awayfromotherinfrastructureandwithstablegeologicalconditions,minimisingvulnerabilitytofloodingandearthquakes.Foursub-projectsTheNorth-Southhigh-speedrailproject,spanningover1,500km,consists70percentofbridgesandtunnelsrequiringcomplexdesignsurveys.Thus,theGovernmentplanstodividetheprojectintofoursub-projects,whichwillbeimplementedsimultaneouslytoexpediteexecutionandoptimiseresources.Thesub-project1,willconnectNg?cH?iStationinHàN?itoVinhStationinNgh?AnProvince,approximately281kminlength.Thesub-project2willstretchfromVinhStationinNgh?AnProvinceto?àN?ngStationin?àN?ngCity,approximately420km.Thesub-project3willconnect?àN?ngStationin?àN?ngCitytoDiênKhánhStationinKhánhHòaProvince,approximately480km.Thesub-project4willstretchfromDiênKhánhStationinKhánhHòaProvincetoTh?ThiêmStationinHCMCity,approximately360km.Basedonpreliminarytechnologyandinvestmentscaleassessmentsaswellasareviewofhigh-speedrailprojectsbothcompletedandunderwayglobally,thetotalinvestmentrequirementfortheprojectisestimatedataroundUS$67.34billion.FundingWithanestimatedtotalinvestmentofapproximately$67.34billion,theprojectisexpectedtorequirefundingover12years,averagingabout$5.6billionannually,whichaccountsforaround16.2percentofthemid-terminvestmentplanfor2026-30,assumingpublicinvestmentremainsat5.5-5.7percentofGDPascurrentlyprojected.TheGovernmentproposedtoallocatepublicinvestmentfundsfortheproject.Aftercompletion,theVi?tNamRailwayCorporationwillbeentrustedwithallrollingstockandequipmentnecessaryforoperationsandwillberesponsibleforrepayingtheinvestmentcostsassociatedwiththeassets.Throughouttheconstructionandoperationalphases,privateenterpriseswillbeinvitedtoinvestinserviceandcommercialfacilitiesatstationsaswellastoprovideadditionalrollingstockasneeded.Theanticipatedtimelineincludestheselectionofinternationalconsultancyforthefeasibilitystudiesin2025-26,withlandclearance,contractorselectionandprojectcommencementtargetedforlate2027,aimingforfullcompletionofthelineby2035.—VNS

AmapofHCMCitysRingRoad4.Photobaochinhphu.vnHCMCITY—DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàhasorderedHCMCitytocollaboratewithlocalitiestofinishthepre-feasibilitystudyreportoftheRingRoad4investmentandconstructionprojectandsubmitittotheStateAssessmentCouncilinNovember.ChairingavirtualmeetingonTuesdayontheprojectsimplementation,hesaidlocalitiesshouldcontinuetoprepareinvestmentstepsassoonaspossible,includingaplantobalancelocalbudgets.TheMinistryofTransporthasbeenaskedtocoordinatewithlocalitiestoproposethePrimeMinisterassigntheHCMCityPeoplesCommitteetobethecompetentauthoritytopreparethepre-feasibilitystudyreport.DeputyMinisterofPlanningandInvestmentTr?nQu?cPh??ngsaid,inAugust2023thePMassignedtheHCMCityPeoplesCommitteetobetheagencyinchargeoftheRingRoad4sconstruction.Thisisalarge-scaleproject,implementedunderthepublic-privatepartnershipscheme.TheMinistryofPlanningandInvestmenthasworkedwithlocalitieswheretheHCMCitysRingRoad4passesthroughandproposedcombiningcomponentprojectsthroughfivelocalitiesintoonebigproject.DeputyMinisterofTransportLêAnhTu?nsaidthetransportministryhasagreedwithlocalitiesontheprojectsscale,investmentphases,technicalstandardsandrelateditems.TheHCMCitysRingRoad4isexpectedtocoverthelengthof206.72km,including18.73kminBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvince;47.95kminBìnhD??ngProvince;16.7kminHCMCityand78.3kminLongAnProvince.Inthefirstphase,siteclearancewillbecarriedoutfollowingtheapprovedplanning.Fourcompleteexpresswaylanes,21interconnectingintersections,parallelroadsandresidentialroadsonbothsidesoftheroutewillbeconstructed.—VNSMostVenerableThích??cThi?n,vicepresidentandgeneralsecretaryoftheexecutivecounciloftheVi?tNamBuddhistSangha,speaksatapressconferenceinHCMCityonSeptember27toannouncethehostingofthe2025UNDayofVesaknextMay.Photothanhnien.vnHCMCITY—Morethan1,000delegatesfrom80countriesandterritorieswillattendtheUNDayofVesakcelebrationsfromMay6to8,2025,atHCMCitysVi?tNamBuddhistUniversity.ThisisthefourthtimeVi?tNamwillhosttheannualevent,whichisheldinPhúNhu?nDistrict.ItsthemewillbeHarmonyandInclusionforHumanDignity:BuddhistInsightsforWorldPeaceandSustainableDevelopment.PhanV?nM?i,ChairmanofthecityPeoplesCommittee,saidtheCityishonouredtobechosenasthehostandwouldmakealleffortstoensuretheeventissuccessful.MostVenerableThích??cThi?n,vicepresidentandgeneralsecretaryoftheexecutivecounciloftheVi?tNamBuddhistSangha,saidVi?tNamwoulduseitsexperiencefromorganisingtheeventthreetimesinthepasttoensureitissuccessful.MostVenerablePhraBrahmapundit,presidentoftheInternationalCouncilforDayofVesak,saidhewasimpressedwithVi?tNamsprevioussuccessfulhostingoftheevent,andbelieveditwouldemulatethatnextyear.HehopedtheworldBuddhistcommunitywouldcometoVi?tNamtosupportandassistthecountryasitorganisestheUNDayofVesakandalsolearnhowBuddhismhasgrownrapidlyhereoverthepasttwodecades.HighlightingthethemeHarmonyandInclusionforHumanDignity:BuddhistInsightsforWorldPeaceandSustainableDevelopment,Brahmapunditsaidthefestivalwouldnotbemerelyacelebrationbutalsoadvocateforsustainabledevelopmentandaddressingglobalchallengessuchasenvironmentalpollution,climatechangeandothers.—VNS

AruralroadinH?u??nh,anew-styleruralcommuneinB?nTreProvincesChauThànhDistrict,ispavedandwell-maintained.—VNA/VNSPhotoCh??ng?àiB?NTRE—B?nTreProvincehaseffectivelyimplementedthe??ngKh?iM?i(NewGeneralUprising)emulationmovement,makingasignificantcontributiontoitssocio-economicdevelopment.Its1960??ngKh?i(GeneralUprising)movementwasamilestoneinthesouthernregionsresistancewaragainsttheUS,leadingtotheliberationofthesouthandnationalreunification.Sincethen,theC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincehaspreservedandpromotedthespiritandvalueof??ngKh?itodevelopitseconomyandsociety,improvingboththematerialandspirituallivesofitspeople.In2020itlaunchedthe??ngKh?iM?i(NewGeneralUprising)emulationmovementfor2020-25periodwithavisiontowards2030.Underthisinitiative,theprovinceslocalities,organisationsandresidentshaveactivelycarriedoutnumerousinitiativestodevelopsociety,cultureandtheeconomy,protecttheenvironment,promotedigitaltransformationandadministrativereform,buildnew-styleruralareas,andensurethenationssecurity.Nguy?nTh?H?ngNhung,chairwomanoftheFatherlandFrontCommittee,said:TheprovincesFatherlandFrontCommitteeatalllevelsandtheirmemberorganisationsaimtomeetandexceedtheirtargetsfor2024-25,achievingthebestresultsinimplementingtheresolutionsofboththeprovincesPartyCongressforthe2020-25termandthe13thNationalPartyCongress.TheFatherlandFrontCommitteeismobilisingvariousresourcestoeradicatetemporaryanddilapidatedhousesandreplacethemwithconcretehomes,shesaid.Itaimstobuild250housesforhouseholdseligibletobenefitfromsocialpoliciesand1,000greatsolidarityhousesforpoor,near-poorandotherneedyhouseholdsthisyear.Thegoalistoeliminatealltemporaryanddilapidatedhouses,replacingthemwithconcretehomesbytheendofnextyear.TheprovinceWomensUnion,asocio-politicalorganisationandmemberoftheprovinceFatherlandFrontCommittee,hasencourageditsmemberstoparticipateinthe??ngKh?iM?i.Ithasenhancedadvocacyactivitiesfortheemulationmovementthroughitswebsite,fanpages,Facebook,andtraditionalmedia,increasingthenumberofmembersaccessinginformationaboutthemovement.Ithasdevelopedpropagandamodelssuchasestablishingamotorbiketeamtoconductadvocacyparadesandorganisingsmallgroupcommunicationstopromotethemovement.The??ngKh?iM?ihashelpedtheWomensUnionachievepositiveresultsinbuildingnew-styleruralareas,assistingwomenwithstart-ups,productionandbusinessactivities,helpingthemescapepovertypermanently.TouristsharvestcoconutsattheH?iVanfarmtourismsite–VàmH?birdsanctuaryinB?nTreProvincesBaTriDistrict.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ng??tUndertheemulationmovement,theprovinceFarmersAssociation,anothersocio-politicalmemberoftheFatherlandFrontCommittee,hastakenvariousmeasurestomeetitstargetsfor2024-25.Itwillassist5,000farmersincreatinge-commerceaccountsandencourage1,500farmerstopurchasevoluntarysocialinsurance.Theassociationaimstoimproveitsoperationsandeffectivelyimplementitspoliticaltasksandachievedevelopmenttargets.Italsoplanstorecruitanadditional10,000membersin2024-25andensurethatatleast65percentoffarminghouseholdsregisterforthetitleofgoodfarmersinproductionandbusinessatalllevels.Theprovinceslocalities,agenciesandunitshaveeffectivelyimplementedthe??ngKh?iM?iincombinationwithotheremulationmovements,accordingtothelocalPropagandaandEducationCommittee.Thesemovementshavecontributedtosocio-economicdevelopmentinthefirsthalfoftheyear.Theprovinceachievedeconomicgrowthof4.96percentintheperiod,up1.69percentagepointsfromthesameperiodlastyear.Itsagriculturalsectorgrewby2.68percent,whileindustryincludingcottageindustryrecordedgrowthof9.3percent.Itreceivedmorethan1.2milliontourists,an18.2percentincreaseyear-on-year.Itaddedsixnew-styleruralcommunes,threeadvancednew-styleruralcommunesandthreeexemplarynew-styleruralcommunestoitsexistingtally.Ofits139communes,102havebeenrecognisedasnew-styleruralcommunes,33asadvancednew-styleruralcommunesandeightasexemplarynew-styleruralcommunes.ManylocalitiesandagencieshavesuccessfullyimplementedinitiativestopromotelearningandfollowingH?ChíMinhsthought,moralityandlifestyle.Tr?nNg?cTam,ChairmanoftheB?nTreProvincePeoplesCommittee,saidtheemulationmovementslaunchedbytheprimeministerandtheprovincePartyCommitteeandPeoplesCommitteehavebeenwarmlyreceivedbylocaldepartmentsandagenciesatalllevelsaswellasthepublic.Throughtheemulationmovements,manyexemplaryindividualsandorganisationshaveemergedandbeenhonoured.ThePeoplesCommitteeawarded2,545individualsandorganisationsaspartoftheemulationmovementsinthefirsthalfoftheyear.—VNS

Jobseekerslookingforemploymentopportunitiesatthe??ngNaiEmploymentServiceCentre.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—AsVi?tNamseconomycontinuestorecover,certainindustriesarefindingitdifficulttokeeppacewiththedemandforskilledlabour.Sectorssuchase-commerce,logisticsandwarehousingaregrowingrapidly,yetmanycompaniesarebeingforcedtotraintheirownstaffduetoalackofformaleducationalprogrammes.Thechallenge,however,isnotlimitedtospecialisedfields.Evenentry-levelpositionslikedriversandwarehouseworkersarehardtofill.DatafromVi?cLàmT?t,anonlinejobsearchplatform,highlightsthatrecruitmentdemandinthefirsteightmonthsoftheyearincreasedby30percentcomparedtothesameperiodin2023.Thedemandisconcentratedinkeysoutherneconomicregionsandisparticularlyhighinfast-growingsectorssuchasconstruction,realestateandlogistics.Despitethissurge,85percentofcompaniessurveyedreportedlabourshortages,with30percentfacingseveregaps,somelackingmorethanhalfoftheworkerstheyrequire.AgrowingmismatchThislabourmarketimbalanceisapersistentissue.AccordingtotheEmploymentDepartment,overonemillionworking-ageindividualsareeitherunemployedorunderemployed.Meanwhile,companiesacrossthecountryarestrugglingtorecruit,withover836,000generallabourpositionsstillunfilled.Onemajorbarrieristheabsenceofstructurededucationalpathwaysforemergingindustrieslikee-commerceandlogistics.LêTh??oanTrinh,DeputyGeneralDirectorofHumanResourcesatScommerce,astart-upwith20,000employees,spokeofthedifficultyinfindingqualifiedrecruits.Thecompany,whichprovidesrapiddeliveryservicesthroughitsbrandAhamove,primarilyservesclientslikeTiktokshopandShopee.Manyindustriesarentbeingtaughtateducationalinstitutionsfastenough,TrinhtoldtheVoiceofVi?tNam.E-commerce,forinstance,iscoveredinonlyafewschools.Thesameistrueforlogisticsandwarehousing.Thesearenewindustrieswheremostcompanieshavetotraintheiremployeesinternally.Wevehadtolearnmanagementandgoods-sortingtechniquesourselves.Trainingcentresdontofferclassesinautomatedsorting,sowehadtofigureitout.Onlyintransportationcanwehireworkerswhohavegonethroughformaltraining.Sheaddedthat,despiteappearingstraightforward,rolessuchasdeliverydriversrequireahighdegreeofprofessionalism.Shippersneeddisciplineandskills,likeusingsmartphonesforsortinggoodsandhandlingcustomerservice.Itsnotassimpleasitseems.Itsnotjuste-commerceandlogisticsthatarefacingrecruitmentissues.LêTh?BíchH?ng,fromthemanagementboardofPrintingCompanyNo.7,describedtheprintingsectorslabourshortageascritical.Withonly100peoplenationwidereceivingformaltraininginprintingeachyear,companiesareleftscramblingforskilledworkers.Wehadplentyoforders,butthelackofworkersledtoacrisis.Inresponse,wedevelopedanin-housetrainingprogramme,H?ngsaid.Thisprogramme,the40SkilledWorkersInitiativefocusesonhiringworkersandtrainingtheminternally.Ittakestwotothreeyearsforanemployeetomasterprintingmachines,buttheinitiativehashelpedbuildaskilledworkforcethatnowmeetsproductiondemands.H?ngnotedthatwhiletheyoncehopedtohiregraduateswhocouldbeginworkingimmediately,itbecameclearthatretrainingwasnecessary.Theadvantageoftodaysyoungworkersistheirenergy,creativityandenthusiasm.Wenowrecruitthirdandfourthyearuniversitystudentsaspaidinternstotrainthemearly,whichhelpsalleviaterecruitmentchallenges.AwarehouseoftheLazadae-commerceplatform.—Photodantri.com.vnChangingexpectationsofjobseekersRecruitmentdifficulties,however,arenotsolelytiedtosupplyissues.Thecriteriathatjobseekersusewhenselectingjobshaveshifted.AccordingtoHoàngTh?MinhNg?c,chiefoperatingofficeratCh?T?tanddirectorofVi?cLàmT?t,companiesarefacingthreekeychallenges,includingrecruitmentefficiency,optimisingapplicantscreeningandincreasedcompetitionamongbusinesses.Manyrecruiterscomplainaboutthetime-consumingprocessofsiftingthroughincompleteresumes.Only14percentofapplicantsmeetthefullrequirementsfortechnicalskills,softskills,andattitude.Moreover,competitionfortalentisintense,especiallywithcompaniesadjustingsalariesandbenefitstoattractapplicants.Anditsnowonder,todaysjobseekersprioritisethreemainfactors:salariesandbenefits(56percent),asafeandcomfortableworkenvironment(52percent)andpositiverelationshipswithcolleaguesandsupervisors(44percent).Flexibleworkarrangementsarealsogainingpopularity,witharound30percentofemployeesoptingforpart-time,remote,orfreelancepositions.Thistrendisreshapingthewaybusinessesapproachrecruitment,particularlyinindustrieswhereremoteworkisviable.Trusthasbecomeacrucialelementinthejobsearchprocess.Jobseekersincreasinglyvaluethecredibilityofjoblistingsandcompanies,with80percentexpectingjobpostingstobeauthentic.However,30percentofcandidatesstruggletopresentthemselveseffectivelyintheirresumes,andmanyfindtherecruitmentprocesstoocumbersome.Alargemajority-60percenthopeforsimplerapplicationprocedures.Ng?cemphasisedthatwhilesalariesandbenefitsmightdrawapplicantsin,acompanyscorporateculturewouldbewhatkeepsthem.Salaryistheinitialattraction,butitsthecompanyculturethatmakesemployeeswanttostay.—VNSFarmersgatheralocalplanttocreatebiologicalpesticidestoprotecttheircrops.—Photonongnghiep.vnHàN?I—Vi?tNamhasrecentlymadesignificantstridesintheproductionanduseofbiologicalpesticides(BP),aligningwithglobaltrendstowardsmoresustainableagriculture.Bytheendof2023,thePlantProtectionDepartmentreportedthat85facilitiesnationwidewereproducingvariousformsofBP,includingmicrobial,herbalandbiochemicalpesticides,theVoiceofVi?tNamreports.Thecountryhassuccessfullyadoptedseveralcutting-edgetechnologies,suchasnanoBP,herbalextractionsandmicrobial-basedpesticides.TheseadvancementshighlightVi?tNamscommitmenttoenvironmentallyfriendlypestcontrolsolutions.AccordingtoNguy?nV?nS?n,ChairmanoftheVi?tNamAssociationofPesticideProducersandTraders(VIPA),thegovernmenthasshownconsiderableefforttosupportthisburgeoningsector.KeypolicieshavereducedtheredtapeassociatedwithBPregistration,cutfeesandlessenedthenumberoftrialsrequired,makingiteasiertobringBPproductstomarketcomparedtotraditionalchemicalpesticides.Despitetheseefforts,challengesremain.Oneofthemajorhurdlesistheoverlycomplexregistrationprocess,whichisnotadaptedtotheuniquenatureofbiologicalproducts.Regulationsforspecialisedpesticides,suchaspheromones,post-harvestpreservativesandbaittraps,arestillthesameasthoseappliedtochemicalpesticides,stiflinginnovation.Thereisalsonoestablishedmethodfordeterminingspecificconcentrationsofmicroorganisms,complicatingeffortstocertify,produceandimportBPproducts.LegalframeworkForVi?tNamtofullyunlockthepotentialofBP,thecurrentregulatoryframeworkneedstobemodernised.S?nemphasisedtheimportanceoffurthersimplifyingtheregistrationprocessandloweringtheassociatedcosts.HebelievesthatstreamliningtheseprocedureswouldallowBPproductstoenterthemarketmorequickly,benefittingbothbusinessesandconsumers.DrTonyAlfonso,ChairmanofCropLifeAsiasWorkingGrouponBiopesticides,suggestedthatVi?tNamshouldadoptamoreflexible,case-by-caseapproachtoBPregulation.Heproposedthathumanhealthexposuredataandenvironmentalimpactassessmentsshouldonlyberequiredifaproductshowsapotentialrisktohumansortheenvironment.Thiswouldreduceunnecessarydelaysinapprovingsafe,effectiveproducts.AmoredynamicregulatorysystemcouldhelpacceleratetheapplicationofnewBPtechnologieswhilemaintainingconsistencywithglobalstandards.Forinstance,geneticallymodifiedbacteria,whicharebeingdevelopedworldwide,offerthepromiseofmatchingchemicalpesticidesinefficacywhilebeingfarsaferfortheenvironment.Assuch,arobustqualitycontrolsystemmustbeestablishedtopreventlow-quality,illegalproductsfromfloodingthemarketandunderminingtrustinlegallyregisteredBPsolutions.Vi?tNamneedstoanticipatefuturetechnologicaladvances.PredictablelegalguidelineswillensurethesmoothadoptionofinnovativeBPtechnologies,furtherimprovingthecountryspestmanagementcapabilities.Inadditiontocreatingaconducivelegalframework,S?nsaidthestatemustimplementpoliciesthatencouragethedevelopmentandproductionofBP.Thiscouldincludetaxincentives,accesstoloansandassistancewithleasinglandforresearchandmanufacturingfacilities.InvestmentinmodernequipmentforBPproductionandeasingtheimportationofadvancedtechnologiesshouldalsobeprioritised.LeveragingdomesticresourcescouldfurtherdriveBPproduction.Forexample,companiescouldfocusonlocallyavailablematerialssuchasindigenousmicroorganismsandplant-basedactiveingredients.By-productsfromagriculturecouldalsobeusedtoproduceBPandbio-fertilisers,offeringmultiplebenefitsfortheenvironmentandcropyield.S?nstressedthattheseeffortsmustbebackedbyincreasedgovernmentsupportforresearchintonext-generationBPproducts.Anationalprogrammededicatedtopromotingbio-basedpesticideswouldbuildtrustamongfarmersandfurtherintegratetheseproductsintomainstreamagriculturalpractices.InvestmentinBPproductiontechnology,whetherthroughdirectstatefundingorbysupportingprivateenterprises,willhelpbringdownproductioncosts,makingtheseproductsmoreaffordableforfarmers.Inturn,thiswillpavethewayforthedevelopmentofotherpromisingagriculturaltechnologies.Askilledworkforceisalsoessentialtosupportthisgrowth.Traininganddevelopmentinresearch,productionandtechnologytransferwillensureVi?tNamremainscompetitiveintheglobalBPmarket.TherearethreeurgenttaskstoboostBPproduction,S?nsaid.First,weneedadedicatedlegalframeworktosimplifyregistration.Second,targetedinvestmentshoulddevelophigh-potentialproductslikeantagonisticfungiandmicrobial-basedpesticides.Third,supportincapital,taxes,landandworkforcetrainingiscrucialforlong-termgrowth.AsVi?tNamembracesmoresustainableagriculturalpractices,thedevelopmentofbiologicalpesticidesoffersapromisingpathforward,benefittingbothfarmersandtheenvironment.—VNS

Nguy?nPhanKhánhGia,a15-year-oldstudentat??ngThaiMaiSecondarySchool,playsthepianoathishome.—VNA/VNSPhotoBíchHu?NGH?AN—Nguy?nPhanKhánhGia,a15-year-oldstudentat??ngThaiMaiSecondarySchoolinVinhCity,Ngh?AnProvince,hasbeenawardedaprestigiousfullASEANScholarshipfromtheSingaporeanGovernment.TheASEANScholarship,fundedbytheSingaporeanGovernment,aimstosupportoutstandingstudentsfromSoutheastAsiannations.Eachyear,approximately20to40scholarshipsareawardedtostudentsinVi?tNam.Toqualifyforthecompetitivescholarship,candidatesingrades8,9or10mustexcelinthreeroundsofexamstestingtheirIQandtheirknowledgeinmathematicsandEnglish.Thosewhosuccessfullypasstheseroundsthenproceedtoafinalinterview.Giasaidhelearnedaboutthescholarshipduringhisprimaryschoolyears,inspiredbyhisolderbrother.Unfortunately,duetotheCOVID-19pandemicthreeyearsago,hisbrotherwasunabletocompeteforthescholarship.Determinedtofulfilbothhisbrothersdreamandhisfamilysaspirations,Giaenteredthisyearscompetitionastheyoungestparticipant.PhanNg?cLan,Giasmother,hasbeenhissteadfastsupportthroughouttheapplicationprocessandmultipleroundsofexams.Shesaid:Thejourneyhasnotbeeneasy,butIhaveconsistentlyencouragedandmotivatedhim.AsthecurriculuminSingaporeisaheadofVi?tNams,Giahadtostudythegrade9mathematicssyllabusandfamiliarisehimselfwiththeexercisesbeforesubmittinghisapplication.Aftersuccessfullycompletingthefirsttworoundsofexams,Giafeltsatisfiedwithhisperformance,havingfinishedthemathematicssectionwithnearlytenminutestospareandcompletinghistestinonethirdoftheallottedtimefortheEnglishsection.ThemostchallengingpartwastheIQtest,asthisyearsexamstructurewasmorecomplexandthetimelimitwasextendedcomparedtopreviousyears,hesaid.Followingtheexams,KhánhGiareceivedtheexcitingnewsattheendofAugustthathehadbeenawardedthefullASEANScholarship,whichcoverstwoyearsofsecondaryeducationandtwoyearsofpre-universitystudiesatpublicinstitutionsdesignatedbytheSingaporeanGovernment.CommittedtohisgoalsFromayoungage,GiahaspursuedaseriousacademicjourneywiththegoalofstudyinginSingapore.Mathematicshasbecomethefoundationformystudiesinthesciences,whileEnglishisthekeythatopensthedoortoglobalknowledge,hesaid.Consistentlyachievingtopgradesat??ngThaiMaiSecondarySchoolandrankingfirstinEnglishatthecity-leveltalentselectionexam,GiahasalsobeeninthetopfiveinVinhCityformathematicsfromgrade6tograde8.Sincegrade3,hehasparticipatedinnumerousmathematicscompetitions,earningvariousawards.In2021,2022and2024,hereceivedtopaccoladesattheBEBRASComputingChallenge.HealsoachievedanotablerankingintheAmericanMathematicsCompetitions(AMC),placinginthetop1percentof7,438participants.In2024,GiascoredfullmarksandclaimedthechampionshiptitleattheInternationalKangarooMathContest(IKMC).Overtheyears,healsogarneredGoldMedalsattheAmericanMathematicsOlympiad(AMO),theSingaporeandAsianMathOlympiad(SASMO)andtheSoutheastAsianMathematicalOlympiad(SEAMO)X,anEnglish-languagemathematicscompetencyassessmentforSoutheastAsianstudentsorganisedbySingaporeInternationalMasteryContestsCentre.Inadditiontohismathematicsachievements,GiaearnedtheCambridgeCertificateinAdvancedEnglish(CAE)atlevelC2(equivalenttoanIELTSscoreof8.5-9.0)ingrade7andachievedanoverallIELTSAcademicscoreof8.0ingrade8.HismottoNothingisimpossibleforthosewhostriveisaconstantreminderonhisstudydesk,symbolisinghisunwaveringcommitmenttohisgoals.Heviewshisaccomplishmentsasevidenceofhispersistenteffortstowardtheobjectiveshehasset.Giasaidthemostvaluablelessonhelearnedduringtheapplicationprocesswastheimportanceofbeingproactiveandsteadfastinhischoices.Thismindsethelpedcreateacoherentapplicationthatclearlyreflectstheessenceofhiscandidacy.Awell-roundedstudentNguy?nTh?ThuHi?n,headteacherat??ngThaiMaiSecondarySchool,saidGiawasawell-roundedstudent.Giaexcelsacrossallsubjects,demonstratinghardwork,dedicationandacreativeapproachtolearning,shesaid.HehasshownoutstandingtalentinbothmathematicsandEnglish,achievingimpressiveresultsinvariousnationalandinternationalcompetitions.Lastweek,GiawasawardedaGoldMedalattheSingaporeandAsianMathematicsOlympiad2024.Priortothat,hehadreceivedagiftfromPiMagazinewhichwaspresentedbytheVi?tNamMathematicalSocietyandawardedtosixoutstandingyoungmathematicians.Inadditiontohisacademicexcellence,Giaenjoyspursuingcreativehobbiessuchasplayingthepiano,dancingandservingasamasterofceremonies,alongsidemaintainingaregularreadinghabit.BeforeheadingtoSingaporeforhisstudies,heplanstoexploresomesubjectsinadvanceandequiphimselfwiththefoundationalknowledgenecessaryforasmootherlearningexperience.Heisalsoself-studyingSpanishandMandarintoboosthisconfidenceincommunicatingwithinternationalpeers.VNSCustomersatTanHòaWaterSupplyJointStockCompanyunderSAWACO.—PhotocourtesyofSAWACOHCMCITY—TheSaigonWaterCorporation(?SAWACO),thelargesttapwatersupplierinHCMCityandastate-ownedenterprise,leadsthewaterindustrywithitscommitmenttoenhancingsmartwatersupplysystemsandtechnologicalmodernisation.Focusedonsustainabledevelopment,SAWACOaimstoprovideclean,safe,andreliablewatertolocalcommunities.Thecorporationhassetambitiousgoalscentredonscientificandtechnologicaladvancements,informationtechnologyintegration,anddigitaltransformation.SAWACOisdedicatedtosignificantprojectsthattransitiontoasmartwatersupplysystem,meetingthedemandsofthedigitaleraandbenefitingcleanwaterconsumersinHCMCityandnearbyareas.In2010,SAWACOtransitionedfromatraditionalparent-subsidiarymodeltoasole-memberlimitedliabilitycompany,whilepreservingitsfoundationalstructure.Thisstrategictransformationnotonlystreamlinedoperationsbutalsoenhancedaccountability,enablingSAWACOtorespondmoreeffectivelytothechallengesfacingthemodernwatersupplyindustry.SAWACOoperateswitharobustorganisationalframeworkthatincludestensubsidiaries,includingonewhollyownedenterpriseandninesubsidiariesinwhichitholdsover50percentofcontrollingshares.Thecorporationoverseeseightmembercompaniesthatcontributecapitalandmanagenon-publicshares,inadditiontosixaffiliatedunits.Thismissionisaccomplishedthroughacombinationofstandardisedproductsandcomprehensiveservices,withafocusonleveragingtechnology,fosteringinnovation,andpromotingcreativesolutionsthroughoutoperationalprocesses.Intodaysfast-pacedenvironment,oneofSAWACOsprimaryfocusesistheintensificationoftechnologicalapplicationswithinthecleanwatersupplyprocess,includingtheautomationofoperationsandthedigitaltransformationofcustomercareservices.Thecorporationhassuccessfullyimplementedarangeofqualitymanagementsoftwareapplicationsdesignedtoenhanceefficiencyandservicedelivery.NoteworthytechnologiesincludetheGeographicInformationSystemforWaterSupplyNetwork(SAWAGIS),SupervisoryControlandDataAcquisition(SCADA)systems,acentralisedNetworkOperationsCenter(NOC),andacontinuousonlinewaterqualitymonitoringsystem.SAWACOhasalsodevelopedauser-friendlymobileapplicationtofacilitatecustomercare,ensuringthatconsumershaveeasyaccesstoinformationandsupport.SeveralofSAWACOsmembercompanieshavetakensignificantstepstoimplementinnovativesolutionsthatenhancecustomerexperience.CustomersreceivereceiptstransmittedviaZaloaspartofSAWACOsinitiativeindigitaltransformation.—PhotocourtesyofSAWACOForexample,TrungAnWaterSupplyJointStockCompany,incollaborationwithPhúHòaTan,B?nThành,andTanHòa,hasintroducedmulti-channelcustomercareservices,aswellaselectronicservicecontractsfornewwatermeterinstallations.ThesecompanieshavealsointegratedQRcodesonreceipts,allowingcustomerstoconvenientlytracktheprogressoftheirrequestsandservices.Theseunitsareprioritisingthedigitisationofcustomerrecords,whichencompassesdocumentationrelatedtonewwatermeterinstallationsandvariousprojects.ByconvertingphysicalfilesintodigitalformatsandstoringthemwithinthecompanysGISdataframework,SAWACOenhancesoperationalefficiencyandenablesswiftfieldsearchesforcustomermeterlocationsandrecords.CentraltoSAWACOsstrategyisthedeploymentofacomprehensiveCustomerRelationshipManagement(CRM)programme.ThisinitiativeleveragesthepowerofBigDatatomonitorcustomerwaterusage,managesupplyoperations.TheCRMsystemalsoplaysacrucialroleincontrollingwaterloss,whichisessentialformaximisingprofitswhileminimisingoperationalcostsandreducingadministrativeburdens.Thefocusoncustomer-centricserviceaimstoprovidethemostconvenientandpromptresponsestocustomerneeds.—VNS

GEHealthCaresCarestation?600SeriesV2anesthesiasystemsintroducedattheNationalCongressofVietnamSocietyofAnesthesiain?àN?ng.—Photocourtesyofthecompany?àN?NG—GEHealthCareofficiallylauncheditsnext-generationCarestation?600SeriesV2anesthesiasystemsattheNationalCongressofVietnamSocietyofAnesthesia(VSA2024)heldin?àN?nglastweek.Withacompactdesignsuitableforeventightspaces,Carestation600SeriesV2enablesaccesstoallpatienttypes,helpingtoaddressthechallengesofsafesurgicalcareandanesthesia.Notably,CarestationSeriesV2optimiseslungprotectiveventilation,simplifyingitsapplicationwithtoolslikeautomaticpredictedbodyweightandtidalvolumecalculation,continuousmonitoringofdrivingpressureandlungcompliance.Theenhancedautomaticlungrecruitmentmaneuverssoftwarealsooffersamorestreamlineduserexperience.ThemachinesintegrateseamlesslywithGEHealthCaresB1x5Mpatientmonitors,featuringanadvanced15-inchintuitivetouchscreeninterfacewitheasy-to-useventilationcontrolstomeetthefastpaceoftheoperatingroom,alongwithAI-poweredsoftwarethatmonitorspatientresponsestomultipleanesthesiatherapiesfortimelyintervention.Additionally,thesystemsconnectivityallowsdatatransmissiontopatientmonitorsandcentralsystemslikeelectronicmedicalrecordsandhospitalinformationsystems,contributingsignificantlytodigitaltransformationinanesthesia.TheVSA2024,partofthe17thAsianandOceanicSocietyofRegionalAnesthesiaandPainMedicineCongress,attractedover1,000leadingdomesticandinternationalexpertswhogatheredtoexplorethelatestinnovationsinanesthesiology.Inconjunctionwiththeevent,GEHealthCareshowcaseditsmodernanesthesiaandpatientmonitorsolutionsaimedatassistingdoctorsinimprovingsurgicaloutcomesandaddressingchallengesinthehealthcaresector.—VNSVAUKChairmanT?ngTu?nTú(thirdleft)presentsVN?100million($4,000)totheVFFCentralCommitteeinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoMinhH?pLONDON—VietnameseorganisationsandassociationsintheUKhaveraisedfundsworth61,367GBP(US$82,132)tosupportpeoplewhowereaffectedbyTyphoonYagiinVi?tNamsnorthernprovincesearlythismonth.TheyincludedtheVietnameseAssociationintheUK(VAUK);theVietnameseBusinessAssociationintheUK(VBUK);theVietnameseIntellectualsAssociationintheUKandIreland(VIS);theStudentsAssociationinOxford;theVietnameseWomenandChildrensAssociationintheUK;theVietnamesecommunitiesinBirminghamandLiverpool;theVietnam-UKFriendshipNetwork(VUKN)andVietnameserepresentativeagenciesintheUK.VISPresidentProf.Nguy?nXuanHu?nsaidthatwithinonlytwodays,theassociationmobilised4,000GBPnotonlyfromVietnameseintellectualsintheUKbutalsofromBritishfriends.ThisreflectedthedevelopmentandprestigeofVISinthecountry.Meanwhile,theVietnamesecommunityinLiverpooltransferred1,000GBPtotheaccountoftheVi?tNamFatherlandFront(VFF)CentralCommitteetoaidthevictims.LamOanh,headofthecharitydivisionoftheVietnameseWomenandChildrensAssociationintheUK,saidthatbytheendofSeptember,theassociationhadraisedatotalof10,588GBP.ItsrepresentativesonSeptember22cametothenorthernprovincesofCaoB?ngandLàoCaitopresentgiftsworthVN?1millioneachtomorethan100households.Itwillsoonhandover5,000GBPtotheVFFCentralCommittee.VAUKChairmanT?ngTu?nTúpresentedVN?100million($4,000)totheVFFCentralCommitteeinHàN?ionSeptember27,whileVBUKhadpreviouslytransferredmorethanVN?236.7milliontotheVFF.Meanwhile,theamountof33,060GBPdonatedbytheVietnamesecommunityinBirminghamisexpectedtobepresenteddirectlybythecommunitysrepresentativeinVi?tNamsoon.ThesupportfromtheVietnamesecommunityintheUKtovictimsinthehomecountryhelpedshowthenationalsolidarityandthetraditionofsharingamongVietnamesepeople.—VNS