AAJA Urges Newsrooms to Not Perpetuate Xenophobia in COVID-19 Coverage
AssociateProfessor,Dr.Nguy?nTh?KimTi?n,formerMinisterofHealthandchairmanoftheVietnameseAssociationforOrganandTissueDonation,speaksattheworkshop.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iHàN?I—Vi?tNamrecordedabout1,000peoplereceivingorgantransplantsin2023,makingVi?tNamacountrywiththemostpeoplereceivingorgantransplantsinSoutheastAsia,participantsheardataworkshoponJuly16.Attheworkshoponorgantissuedonation,transplantationandcoordinationinVi?tNam,healthexpertssharedadvancesinorgantransplantationtechniquesandthelatestorgantransplantmiracles,whilealsoworryingaboutexistingbarriersinthefield.Thefirstbarrierisawareness.AssociateProfessor,Dr.Nguy?nTh?KimTi?n,formerMinisterofHealthandchairmanoftheVietnameseAssociationforOrganandTissueDonation,emphasisedthatthedifficultyinregisteringfororgandonationinVi?tNamwasstilllargelyduetopeoplesconceptofCh?tph?itoànthay(whenyoudie,youmusthaveawholebody).Inaddition,mostpeopledonotrealisethatorgandonationiscultural,responsibleandcompassionatetothecommunity.Theyalsodonotclearlyunderstandhowtoregisterfororgandonation.AssociateProfessorDr.??ngV?nH?,DeputyDirectorofVi?tNam-GermanyFriendshipHospitalanddirectoroftheNationalOrganTransplantCoordinationCentre,saidthatthenumberofpeoplewhoreceivedorgantransplantswasmainlyfromlivingdonors,donationsfromthedeceasedonlynumbered12.Theorgandonationratefrombrain-deadpeopleinVi?tNamisonly0.15peronemillionpeople,whileintheworldtherateis50peopleperonemillionpeople,saidDr.H?.AssociateProfessorDr.??ngV?nH?,DeputyDirectorofVi?tNam-GermanyFriendshipUniversityHospitalanddirectoroftheNationalOrganTransplantCoordinationCentre.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iTheneedforpatientsneedingorgantransplantsishuge.Becauseofthelackoforgansfrombrain-deaddonors,organsfromlivingdonorsshouldbetaken.However,westillwantorganstobedonatedfrombrain-deadorheart-deadpeoplemore,becauseabrain-deadorheart-deadpersoncandonateuptoeightorgans,includingtwokidneys,twolivers,twolungs,theirheart,pancreasandcornea.Livingpeoplecanonlydonateoneorgan,nottomentiontherearehealthrisksforthedonorafterorgandonation,saidDr.H?.Nextarelegalbarriers.Dr.H?saidthattherearemanycaseswherepeoplehaveregisteredtodonateorganswhenthey,unfortunately,passaway,butdoctorsstillcannotgetorganstodonatetosavelives.Thereareevencaseswherealmosttheentirefamilyhasagreedtodonatetheorgansofabrain-deadrelative,butatthelastminute,ifjustonefamilymemberdoesnotagree,theentireorganretrievalteamhastostopandwait.Becausethecurrentlawstipulatesthatifonefamilymemberdoesnotagree,theorgancannotberemoved,accordingtoDr.H?.Dr.Ti?nsaidthatcurrentlegalregulationsneedtobeadjustedtoincreasetheopportunitytodonateorgans,suchasageconditionsfororgandonation(currentlyover18yearsold),regimefororgandonorsandfamilies,financialmechanismoncostsandpaymentsfordonationmobilisation,transplantationandpost-transplantation.Morethan150doctorsandnursesfromCentralMilitaryHospital108performanorganremovalandtransplantation.—PhotoVGPAccordingtoDr.Ti?n,thelegalregulationsofsomecountriesaroundtheworlddonothaveproceduresforregisteringorgantissuedonation,buttheprincipleofinferenceisnatural.Afterbraindeath,organscanbedonatedwiththeconsentofthefamily(somecountriesdonotrequirethefamilysconsent)orwhenthedriverslicencehasasignindicatingconsenttoorgandonationafterdeath.Therefore,theformerMinisterofHealthproposedthatintheupcomingrevisedLawonOrganDonation,itisnecessarytoresearchandincludearegulationthatevenifpeoplewerenotregisteredwhentheywerealive,iftheydie,theirfamilycanstillagreetoorgandonation.Atthesametime,intheconsultingworkonorgandonationregistrationathospitals,theorgandonationregistrationconsultingteamcannothaveanemergencyresuscitationdoctor,becauseitisasensitiveissueforthepatientsfamily.Anotherproblemisthatorgancoordinationtimeisstillachallenge.AssociateProfessorDr.H?citedarecentbrain-deadorgandonationcaseinPhúTh?Province.IttooktheOrganTransplantCoordinationCentre16hourstoselecttwosuitablepatientsoutof58patientswaitingforanorgantransplant.Themostrecentbraindeathcasehadtocontact119patientsovera16-hourperiodtoidentifyfivepatientswithsuitableindicatorstoreceiveliver,kidneyandheart.Toincreasethesourceoforgandonationsforpatientswaitingfortransplants,Dr.H?saidthatitisexpectedthatfromAugust2024,humanorgandonationandtransplantationwillbeincludedintheregulartrainingprogrammeatHCMCityandHàN?iMedicaluniversities.Trainingcontentincludesorgantissuedonation,thelawonorgandonationandwhatmedicallyconstitutesbraindeath.—VNS
ANg?cLinhginsengrootforsaleatamarketinNamTràMyDistrictinthecentralprovinceofQu?ngNam.TheprovincehasaskedforalawonVietnameseginsengforsustainabledevelopmentandbrandprotection.VNSPhotoC?ngThànhQU?NGNAM–ThecentralprovincehasaskedtheNationalAssemblytobuildalawonVietnameseginseng,orNg?cLinhginseng(Panaxvietnamensis,orVietnameseginseng)–alegalframeworkforsustainabledevelopmentandprotectionofthenationalherbalmedicinebrand.Thelawshouldgiveguidelinesonconservation,farming,testing,certification,grantinggeographicalindication,protectionandpromotionofthevaluablelocalplant.Theprovincealsosentastrategicplanfordevelopinginfrastructureprojects,includinganupgradeona45kmsectionoftheNationalHighway40Banda60kmkeyroadlinkingtheginsengfarmingzoneworthatotalofVN?2.4trillion.Vicechairmanoftheprovincialpeoplescommittee,H?QuangB?usaidtheGovernmenthadapprovedtheMasterPlanforthedevelopmentofNg?cLinhginsengin2030-45.Hesaidtrafficinfrastructureandakeyroadsystemconnectingfarmingzone,factoriesandmarketswasnecessarytocreateginseng-relatedtourismandincreaseinvestmentinthesector.AtechnicianchecksabottleofginsengsaplingsataresearchcentreoftheSamSamCompanyinTamK?City.Qu?ngNamProvinceplanstoboosttheaddedvalueoftheNg?cLinhGinsengandinvestmentinginsengproductionprojects.VNSPhotoC?ngThànhB?usaidtheprovincewasalsourgingthegovernmenttobringinbiginvestmentsfromTHGroup,VinGroupandtheothermajorbusinessesinthemajorNg?cLinhginsengfarmzoneinNamTràMyDistrict.TheprovincesaidtheNationalAssemblyshouldreviewwhethertoassignaspecialGinsengConsumingDaytopromotethespecialnationaltreasure.ThereisalreadyamajorNg?cLinhGinsenghi-techprocessingfactoryandresearchcentreatTamTh?ngIndustrialParkinTamK?City–whichproducescapsules,essentialoils,cosmetics,drinksandteaandfoodsupplements,allmadefromginsengroots.TheUS$5.4millionfactory,whichwasbuiltbySamSamCompany,canproduce200,000capsulesandprovidefivemillionNg?cLinhginsengsaplingsperyear.Thecentralprovinceplansagrowingareaof20,000haacrosssevenzonesofNg?cLinhginseng.Ng?cLinhginseng,grownbothinNamTràMyDistrictinQu?ngNamProvinceandKonTum,wasrecognisedasaNationalBrandandgivenaGeographicalIndicationin2018.Theginsengcangrowat1,400mabovesealevel,inforestsinNamTràMydistrictinQu?ngNamandTuM?R?ngDistrictinKonTumProvince.Upto26businesseshaveagreedtoinvest$221millioninfarmingginsengandprocessingessentialoils,cosmetics,drinksandcapsulesfromginsengintheNamTràMydistrict.Ane-commerceplatformforNg?cLinhginseng(Panaxvietnamensis,orVietnameseginseng)medicinalherbandfarmproduceofNamTràMyhasbeenlaunchedbythemountainousdistrictcommittee,promotingthenationalbrandandapplyingonlinetradingandsocialnetworkbusinessmodels.VNSAbirdseyeviewofBátTràng-amodelnew-styleruralareacommuneofGiaLamDistrict,HàN?i.Thankstoactivelyimplementingenvironmentalcriteriaintheprocessofbuildingnewruralareas,manyroadsinHanoihavebecomebright-green-clean-beautiful.—PhotoscourtesyoftheCoordinationOfficeoftheNew-StyleRuralAreaDevelopmentProgrammeinHàN?iRecently,intheprocessofbuildingnewruralareas,abright-green-clean-beautifulenvironmentisoneoftheimportantcriteriathatHanoiisfocusing.Thankstoactivelyimplementingthiscriterion,manyroadsinHanoihavebecomebright-green-clean-beautiful,whichhelpslocalitiescompletethecriteriaforbuildingnew,improvedruralareas,newmodelvillage...HàN?I—Duringthemid-summerdays,comingtoHongVancommune(ThuongTindistrict),everyoneisfascinatedbythespaciousroadsandflowersbloominginallfourseasons.Eachroutehasatypicaltypeoftreesuchas:Arecaking,canary,poinciana,poinciana,yellowscallop...Inthesummer,thebanyantreeandpoincianatreescompetetobloomasifaddingflavortoacountryside.Manyfamiliesalsoplantgardensofflowersandbonsaitobeautifytheneighborhoodandprotecttheenvironment.SecretaryofthePartyCommitteeofHongVancommune,NguyenHaiDang,saidthattohavesuchaspace,membersoftheself-managementgroupforenvironmentalprotectionofcraftvillagesinHongVancommunewenttoeveryalley,knockedoneveryhouse,reminding,encouragingpeopletoactivelybuildagreen,cleanandbeautifulhomelandthroughplantingtrees,cleaningvillageroadsandalleys...Inrecentyears,alllevelsofgovernment,agenciesandresidentsofHàN?ihaveactivelyparticipatedintheimplementationoftheNationalTargetProgrammeforNew-StyleRuralAreaDevelopmentandachievedmanypositiveresults.Theruralareasofthecapitalhaveincreasinglytransformedtowardscivilisationandmodernity,withthematerialandmentallivesofthepeopleseeingsteadyimprovements.AccordingtotheCoordinationOfficeforNew-StyleRuralAreaDevelopmentinHàN?i,todate,thecityhasrecognised65communesasmeetingthestandardsfornew-styleruralareas.Thisachievementhascontributedtothebettermentofpeopleslivesandtheeffortstobuildruralareasthatareincreasinglycivilised,modernandrichinculturalidentity.Nguy?nV?nChí,permanentdeputyheadoftheCoordinationOffice,saidthatHàN?ihastwooutof65communesfullymeetingthecriteriaforcomprehensivenew-styleruralareaacrossalleightfields:YênM?and??iángcommunesintheoutlyingdistrictofThanhTrì.Theremainingcommunesmostlymeetthestandardsintwotofourfields.InBátTràngCommune(GiaLamDistrict),whichisfamousbothinthecountryandonaninternationalscaleforitstraditionalpotterycraft,themaintenanceofsecurityandorderhasbeenidentifiedasakeyfactorforpromotingproduction,businessandtourism.Therefore,BátTrànghaschosentodevelopmodelnew-styleruralareaswithafocusontourismandsecurity.OnFebruary23,itwasrecognisedbyHàN?isauthoritiesasmeetingthestandardsformodelnew-styleruralareasin2023inthefieldsoftourismandsecurity.MuralroadinDuongXacommune,GiaLamdistrict(Hanoi).Ph?mHuyKh?i,ChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofBátTràngCommune,affirmedthatbeingrecognisedasamodelnew-styleruralareawillmotivatethecommunetodobetterinotherfieldsandfurtherimproveonesalreadymeetingthestandards,suchastourismandsecurity.Regardingtourism,BátTràngCommunewillcollaboratewithbusinessestointroducemoredigitaltransformationsolutions,aimingtomakeitakeytouristdestinationinthecapital.In2023,PhùngXáCommune(M???cDistrict)wasalsorecognisedbythecityofHàN?iforcompletingtheconstructionofmodelnew-styleruralareasineducationandtraining.MuralroadinDuongXacommune,GiaLamdistrict(Hanoi).V?V?nChùy,ChairmanofthecommunesPeoplesCommittee,statedthatallthreeschoolsinthecommune(kindergarten,primary,andsecondary)havemetnationalstandards,withthesecondaryschoolreachinglevel2nationalstandards.Ph?m?ìnhThành,aresidentofPhùngXáCommune,saidthatsincethecommuneachievedthestandardsformodelnew-styleruralareas,hisfamilyhasnoticedpositivechanges,especiallyintheenthusiasmofhischildrenattendingthenewlyrefurbishedsecondaryschool,whichisequippedwithmodernlearningfacilities.PhùngXáCommunesleaderalsomentionedthatafterachievingmodelnew-styleruralareastandardsineducationandtraining,thecommunehassetagoaltodevelopPhùngXáintoane-commercecommuneby2024.Withahighlydevelopedweavingindustry,thecommuneplanstoleveragedigitaltechnologyande-commerceplatformstopromoteandsellitsproducts.Thecommunewillinvestininfrastructure,ensurestableandhigh-speedinternetalongwithprovidingtrainingforresidentsonpackaging,logistics,onlineinsuranceandcashlesspayments.Withahighlydevelopedweavingindustry,PhùngXáCommune,M???cDistrict(HàN?i)willleveragedigitaltechnologyande-commerceplatformstopromoteandsellproducts.Nh?KhêCommune(Th??ngTínDistrict)wasrecognisedin2023formeetingthestandardsformodelnew-styleruralareasinthreefields,healthcare,cultureandeducationandtraining.Today,Nh?Khêhasasystemofschoolsandhealthstationsthatprovidethebestconditionsforlocalresidents.TheachievementsofNh?Khêhavebeenwidelysupportedbythelocalpopulation.Nguy?nVi?tHoan,theheadoftheTh??ng?ìnhhamlet(Nh?KhêCommune),sharedthattheresidentsareverypleasedwiththeprogressseeninNh?Khê,withmanynewroads,modernschoolsandagrowingeconomy.Oneofthekeystosuccessinbuildingnew-styleruralareasinNh?Khêhasbeentheunityandconsensusamongthepeople.AccordingtothePeoplesCommitteeofNh?Khê,since2012,thelocalresidentshavecontributednearlyVN?28billion(US$1.1million),accountingformorethaneightpercentofthetotalresourcesmobilisedfortheNationalTargetProgrammeforNew-StyleRuralAreaDevelopment.Ng?V?nNg?n,DeputyChiefoftheCoordinationOfficeforNew-StyleRuralAreaDevelopmentinHàN?i,saidthatalongwithincreasingthenumberofcommunesmeetingthestandardsformodelnewruralareastoachievethesetgoals,thecityofHàN?iconsistentlydirectscommunestoimprovethequalityoffieldsalreadymeetingthestandardsandtofocusonthosethatarenotyetmeetingthestandards,aimingtowardscomprehensivemodelnewruralareaslinkedwithsmartruraldevelopment.—VNS*ThearticleispublishedunderthecoordinationoftheCoordinationOfficeoftheNew-StyleRuralDevelopmentProgrammeinHàN?i.
AdenguepatientisbeingtreatedatahospitalinHCMCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—Healthauthoritieshaveurgedindividualsandcommunitiestotakeproactivemeasuresagainstdenguefevertopreventapotentialoutbreakduringtherainyseason.Healthauthoritiesexpectahikeininfectionsastherainyseasonprogresses,whichbeganinMayandwilllastuntilNovember.Thecountryhasreportednearly42,000casesofdenguefeverthisyear,resultinginfivefatalities.Thismarksadecreaseincasesandareductionofsixdeathscomparedtothesameperiodlastyear,accordingtoareportbytheMinistryofHealth.HCMCityremainsoneofthemostseverelyaffectedlocalitiesinVi?tNam,withnearly4,600denguecasesreportedsofarthisyear,accordingtothecityCentreforDiseaseControl.Inaddition,HàN?ihasreportedover1,280casestodate,withthenumberofcasesexpectedtocontinuerising,accordingtotheHàN?iCentreforDiseaseControl.Dr.Nguy?nV?nV?nhChau,deputydirectorofHCMCityHealthDepartment,saiddenguefeverisamongthemostrapidlyspreadinginfectiousdiseases.Themosquito-bornediseaseremainsaseriouspublichealththreatthatcanleadtofatalities,Chausaid.Dr.Chaurecommendedeliminatingmosquitoesanddestroyingtheirlarvaeinbothresidentialandworkplaceenvironmentstofightagainstdengue.ThediseaseistransmittedfrominfectedindividualstohealthyindividualsthroughtheintermediaryofAedesmosquitoes.Followingabitefromaninfectedmosquito,thepathogenissubsequentlytransferredtohealthyindividualsthroughsubsequentbites.GlobalconcernDenguefeverisrecognisedasarapidlyspreadinginfectiousdiseaseonaglobalscale,accordingtotheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO).Thediseasehasemergedasaglobalconcern,itsaid.Theagencyestimatesaround2.5billionpeoplecurrentlyresideindengue-endemicareas,with1.8billionindividualslivingwithintheAsia-Pacificregion.Dengueisamongthefastest-growingemerginginfectiousdiseasesglobally,withtheAsia-Pacificregionbearing75percentoftheglobalburden.Therearebetween50to100milliondengueinfectionsworldwideeachyear,posingasignificantthreattothehealthandlivesofnearlyhalfoftheglobalpopulation,withanestimated100to400millioninfectionsoccurringannually.Theincreaseincasesandthegeographicalexpansionofaffectedcountriescanbeattributedtoseveralfactors.Theyincluderisingtemperatures,earlyrainfallinvariouspartsoftheregionthisyear,increasingpopulationdensities,andheightenedinternationalandlocaltravel.Thereiscurrentlynospecifictreatmentfordengue,andinnovativeapproachesarenecessarytopreventthediseaseatthecommunitylevel.WHOworksintheASEANregiontoorganiseASEANDengueDayonJune15eachyear,inordertoraisepublicawarenessofdengueandmobiliseresourcesforitspreventionandcontrol.—VNSHàN?I—Changestorulesarebeingproposedtostoppeopleavoidingmilitaryservicebygettingcertaintattoosonvisiblepartsoftheirbodies.Peoplewhohavetattooswithcontentthatopposestheadministration,incitesethnicdivision,isgrotesque,bizarre,sexuallyprovocativeorviolentwillnotbeselectedformilitaryservice.Tattoosthatareoffensiveandvisibleonexposedareas,suchastheface,head,neck,fromhalfwaydowntheupperarm,orfromone-thirddownthethigh,arealsonotallowed.Additionally,tattooscoveringmorethanhalfoftheback,chestorabdomenarenotacceptable.ButnowtheMinistryofNationalDefencehasannouncedthatitwillinstructagenciesandunitstoresearchandproposeamendmentstotheregulationsconcerningtattoosonthebodiesofconscripts.Thisistopreventindividualsfromexploitingtattoostoavoidmilitaryservice.Accordingtotheministry,someindividualsintentionallygettattoosortattooedwordsontheirbodiesbeforeundergoingrecruitmentexaminations,orafterpre-selectionwhentheyareawaretheymeetthecriteriaforconscription,inanattempttoavoidmilitaryservice.TheministrystatedthatregulationsontattoosandtattooedwordsduringtherecruitmentandselectionprocessforconscriptionintothemilitaryareoutlinedinCircularNo50/2016issuedbytheMinistryofNationalDefenceandtheMinistryofPublicSecurity.Accordingtotheministry,regulationsregardingtattoosarepartofthepoliticalandethicalstandardsforconscriptingcitizens.Duringtheselectionprocess,individualswithtattoosthataredeemedinappropriateoroffensive,affectingtheimageandconductofmilitarypersonnelandtheculturalenvironmentwithinthemilitarywillnotberecruited.However,citizenswithtattoosthatdonotfallundertheserestrictions,orthosethatcanberemoved,willstillbeconsideredforconscription.Currently,therearenolegalprovisionsprohibitingindividualsfromhavingtattoos,includingamongyoungpeopleeligibleformilitaryservicebeforeundergoingrecruitmentexaminations.Inresponsetopublicfeedback,theministrysaiditwilldirectrelevantagenciesandunitstoresearchandproposespecificamendmentstotheregulationsregardingtattoosonthebodyofconscripts.—VNSActingDirectorofthehealthministrysAdministrationofScience,TechnologyandTrainingNguy?nNg?Quangspeaksattheevent.—PhotocourtesyoftheorganiserHàN?I—Morethanonehundreddomesticandinternationalhealthexpertsexchangedcancertreatmentexperiences,attherecentnationallungcancerresearchconferenceinHàN?i.TheconferencewasjointlyorganisedforthefirsttimebyAstraZenecaandK(Cancer)Hospital,promotingtheexchangeandsharingofexperiencesinlungcancerresearchpracticesinVi?tNamandinternationally,ineffortstoimprovethecapacityofclinicaltrialresearchathospitals.Attheconference,DeputyMinisterofHealthNguy?nTh?LiênH??ngsaid:Wehavewitnessedremarkableprogress,fromtraditionalchemotherapymethodstotargeteddrugsandadvancedimmunotherapies.Theseachievementsimprovetreatmentefficiencyandbringhopetomanypatients.H??ngbelievedthatresearchinstitutionswouldparticipateinmoreclinicaltrials,especiallyinternationalandmulti-centrestudies,tocontributetopeopleshealthcareactivities.Clinicaltrialsplayacriticalroleindevelopingnewtreatmentsolutionsandmedicines.Thesetrialscontributetoimprovingtreatmentpracticesanddirectlyimpacthumanhealth.AstraZenecaisactivelyinvolvedinVi?tNam,conductingstudieswithover6,500patientsacrossvariousdiseases.Notably,asignificantfocusliesonnon-communicablediseaseslikelungcancer,whichhasthehighestnewcaserategloballyandranksthirdincancernumbersinVi?tNam.ActingDirectorofthehealthministrysAdministrationofScience,TechnologyandTrainingNguy?nNg?QuanghighlightedthecollaborationandexchangeofexperiencesbetweenVietnamesemedicalunitsandinternationalorganisationsinclinicaltrials.TherapidincreaseinclinicaltrialsinVi?tNamisatestamenttothededicationandcommitmentofscientists,doctorsandtheentirehealthcaresystem.Thisgrowthisabeaconofourpotentialandaspirationsforprogressinthemedicalfield,reflectingahealthcaresystemthatisgrowingstrongandreadytointegrateandcompetewiththeregionandtheworld,saidQuang.TheconferenceshowcasednumerousstudiesconductedinVi?tNam,markingsignificantadvancementsinlungcancertreatmentandcancerpreventioningeneral.Italsoprovidedupdatesonpivotalclinicaltrialfindingsrecentlypresentedatmajorinternationalconferences.Theseresearchfindingsarepoisedtorevolutionisetheclinicalpracticeoflungcancertreatment.DeputyDirector,KHospital??AnhTúsaidthatthechallengesVi?tNamhasfacedintreatinglungcancerareduetoeconomicconstraintsandbarriers.Túemphasisedthattheintroductionofinnovativemedicinesandadvancementsindiagnosticandtherapeutictoolshavesignificantlyimprovedsurvivalratesforlate-stagelungcancerpatients.Whereassurvivalratesforsuchpatientswerepreviouslymeasuredinmonths,theycannowbemeasuredinyearsandevenmultipleyears.ManyhospitalsinVi?tNamhavepassedthestringentevaluationproceduresoflargepharmaceuticalcompanies,medicalmanagementagenciesandorganisations,andreputableclinicaltrialmanagementorganisations(FDA,independentinspectionunits).Thesehospitalsdemonstratenotonlythecapacitytorecruitpatientseffectivelybutalsoacommitmenttohigh-qualityresearchdataandadherencetoGoodClinicalPractice(GCP)andethicalprinciplesinbiomedicalresearch.—VNS
HàN?isDepartmentofScienceandTechnologywasrecognisedforitsexcellentworkinradiationsafetyandsecurityattheceremony.—Photokinhtedothi.vnHàN?I—TheVietnamAgencyforRadiationandNuclearSafety(VARN)hasestablishedarobustregulatoryframeworkandimplementedeffectivesafetymeasuresforthecountrysnuclearenergyindustryoverthepast30years,accordingtoHu?nhThành??t,MinisterofScienceandTechnolgy.??twasspeakingattheagencys30thanniversaryceremonyonTuesday.??tsaidtheagencysincreasedinspectionshadsignificantlyraisedsafetystandardsinradiationfacilitiesandserviceprovidersintheindustryandimprovedtheircapabilitiestorespondtoemergencies.Healsosaidtheagencywasworkingcloselywithprovincialscienceandtechnologydepartmentstoensurestringentcompliancewithnuclearregulationsnationwide.VARNdirectorNguy?nTu?nKh?isaidtheagencyhadtighteneditsgriponradiationandnuclearactivities.Withstrengthenedmanagementsystems,radiationfacilitiesandserviceprovidersarenowunderstrictercontrol.Thisincludesissuinglicences,registrationsandmaintainingacentraliseddatabase.Alllicensingproceduresarenowalsofullyonline.Healsosaidtheagencyconductsaround70annualinspectionsofthefacilitiestoensurecompliance.Ithasalsoestablisheditselfasaregionalleaderinnuclearregulation,supportingtheministryinoverseeingtheindustry.IthasalsocoordinatedwithothergovernmentbodiestofulfilVi?tNamscommitmentsunderinternationalnucleartreaties,includingthoseonnon-proliferationandthemanagementofnuclearwaste.Theagencyalsokickedoffthe6thConferenceonNuclearRegulationstoreviewthecountrysprogressinradiationandnuclearsafetyoverthepastfewyears.Attendeesdiscussedkeyissuessuchasregulatoryframework,nuclearsecurity,andemergencyresponse.Itservesasaplatformforexpertsandstakeholderstoshareknowledgeandbestpractices.Attheceremony,theministryhonouredsevenorganisationsand11individualsfortheiroutstandingcontributionstoradiationsafetyandnuclearsecurityoverthepastyear.—VNSWorkersstandnexttothetwotunnelboringmachines,producedbyGermancompanyHerrenkecht,atKimM?Station(S9).—VNA/VNSPhotosTu?nAnhHàN?I—ConstructionoftheundergroundsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetrolinebeganonTuesdaymorningatKimM?Station(S9)withtwocustomisedtunnelboringmachines.Nguy?nBáS?n,deputyheadoftheHàN?iMetropolitanRailwayManagementBoard(MRB)saidthatthistunnellingprocessmarkedanimportantmilestonefortheundergroundsectionsofHàN?iurbanrailwaynetworkandparticularlytheNh?n-HàN?istationmetroline(MetroLine3)Thisisproofofallstakeholderseffortsanddeterminationtodevelopamodern,safeandeffectivepublictransportsystemforthecity,ensuringqualityandpracticalvaluesforthecommunity,hesaid.Accordingtotheprojectmanagementboard,theprogressofcontractpackageCP03fortheundergroundsectionandstationsofthemetrolineis43.3percent.ThemaincontractoristhejointventureHyundaiGhella(HGU),whileFECONJSCisinchargeoftunnelboring.ThetunnelswillleadfromKimM?Station(S9)toCátLinhStation(S10),intersectingwiththeHàN?iMetroLine2A(CátLinh-Hà??ng).InadditiontoitsexperiencesworkingontheB?nThành-Su?iTiênmetrolineinHCMCity,FECONalsohasconstructionandtechnicalsupportfromTunnelPro,aleadingconstructioncompanyspecialisedintunnelboringmachines(TBM)fromItaly,aswellasfromtheInternationalTunnelingandUndergroundSpaceAssociation.AccordingtoFECONdeputygeneraldirectorNguy?nQu?cB?o,thetunnelconstructiontechnologyusingTBMsonMetroLine3isamongthemostadvancedtechnologiesintheworld.TheseEarthPressureBalance(EPB)machinesalsosuitthecitysmixedsoilgeologicalconditions.Alongsidethetunnels,otherelementsoftheundergroundsectionsuchasloweringslopes,undergroundstations,garagesandtransitionlanesarealsounderconstruction.Preparationsarenowcompleted,includingequipmentandsoftwarechecks,personnelmanagement,transportingthetunnelliningsegmentsandreservecompartmentsandinstallingmonitoringequipment.Workersconducttechnicalchecksbeforeoperatingthemachines.Alongtheroute,sixbuildingsareslatedfordemolitionwhile42buildingsaretemporarilyvacatedforonemonth.Relocationarrangementsandcompensationarebeingconductedaccordingtoplans.ConstructionontheundergroundsectionofHàN?iMetroLine3isexpectedtobecompletedin2027.Theentirelineisplannedtobefunctionalshortlyafter.Accordingtotheblueprint,MetroLine3measures12.5kminlengthwitheightelevatedandfourundergroundstations.Itisexpectedtoalleviatetrafficcongestionandurbanpollutionissueswhileimprovingthequalityoflifeforresidentsinthewestofthecapitalcity.—VNS
DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuangspeakingatthelaunchceremonyforacampaignagainsthumantraffickingonTuesdayinLàoCai.VNA/VNSPhotoH?ngNinhLàOCAI-DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuangemphasisedthenecessityofstrengtheningmanagementeffortsandproactivelyprovidingassistanceandemploymentopportunitiestopreventwomenandchildrenfrombeingexploitedorluredintocriminalactivities,orbecomingvictimsofhumantrafficking.Quangsstatement,onTuesday,wasmadeinLàoCaiCity,wheretheMinistryofPublicSecurity,theVi?tNamWomensUnion,incoordinationwiththeLàoCaiProvincialPeoplesCommittee,organisedalaunchceremonyforacampaigntocombathumantraffickingonwhatwasthe2024NationalDayagainstHumanTrafficking.AlsoinattendancewereHàTh?Nga,PresidentoftheVi?tNamWomensUnion,LieutenantGeneralNguy?nV?nLong,DeputyMinisterofPublicSecurityandDeputyHeadofthe138/CPSteeringCommittee,alongwithleadersofvariousministries,localauthorities,representativesofinternationalorganisationsinVi?tNamandalargenumberofcitizens.Since2013,theUnitedNationshasdesignatedJuly30annuallyasWorldDayAgainstTraffickinginPersons.OnMay10,2016,thePrimeMinisterissuedDecisionNo.793/Q?-TTg,makingJuly30theNationalDayAgainstHumanTrafficking.WiththethemeLeaveNoChildBehindintheFightAgainstHumanTraffickingthisyearseventaimstoreaffirmthecommitmentoftheGovernmentandpeopleofVi?tNamtopreventinghumantrafficking,especiallychildtrafficking.ParkMi-hyung,HeadoftheInternationalOrganisationforMigration(IOM)delegationinVi?tNam,saidthatthethemeofthe2024WorldDayhighlightstheimportanceofcomprehensiveandfocusedeffortstoprotectchildren,addressingrisksandvulnerabilities,enhancingresilienceandsafeguardingchildren.Humantraffickingremainsoneofthemostprofitablecriminalactivities,targetingthevulnerabilityofindividuals.Therefore,itisessentialtocontinuetoworktogethertoequipknowledge,skills,andstrengthensolidarityinthisfight.ThelatestGlobalReportonTraffickinginPersonsbytheUnitedNationsOfficeonDrugsandCrime(UNODC)hashighlightedagrimreality,thatoneinthreetraffickingvictimsworldwideisachild.Childrenaresubjectedtovariousformsoftrafficking,includinglabourexploitation,forcedcriminalityorbegging,illegaladoption,sexualexploitationandonlinesexualabuse.InVi?tNam,inthefirstsixmonthsof2024,authoritiesdetectedandhandled50humantraffickingcasesinvolving126victimsand121childrenwerevictimisedin48traffickingcases,saidHàTh?Nga,PresidentoftheVi?tNamWomensUnion.Criminalsexploitedlegalloopholesinmarriagecounselling,foreignmarriagebrokerage,tourismandfamilyvisitsortookadvantageofsocialmediaplatforms,userconnections,anonymityandinformationsecuritytolureanddeceivevictims.Theseactionsdirectlyviolatedthefundamentalhumanrights,includingthoseofwomenandchildren,inflictingprofoundpainonmanyfamiliesandcausingsocialinstability.Astheorganisationrepresentingandprotectingthelegitimaterightsandinterestsofwomenandchildren,theVi?tNamWomensUnionprioritisesthecare,educationandprotectionofchildren,throughtheroleofmothersandfamilieswithactivitiessuchasparentingskillseducation,mutualeconomicdevelopmentsupportandimplementinggovernmentprogrammesandprojectstosupportwomenseconomicdevelopmentandfamilybuilding,accordingtoNga.Recently,theorganisationsMotherMentorsprogrammehasprovidedcareandsupportforchildreninespeciallydifficultcircumstancestocreatethebestconditionsfortheiracademicandlifeachievements.PracticalactionsnecessarySpeakingattheceremony,DeputyPrimeMinisterQuangsaidthathumantraffickingwasrecognisedbytheUnitedNationsasoneofthefourmostdangerouscrimesintheworld,withmanyvictimsbeingchildren,womenandminors.Recognisingthedangerofthiscrime,Vi?tNamiscommittedtomobilisingthecombinedstrengthoftheentirepoliticalsystemandthepublic,withinternationalfriendssupport,inthewaragainsthumantrafficking,hesaid.Inrecentyears,thePartyandStateadoptedmanyconsistentandcomprehensivepoliciesonpreventingandcombatinghumantrafficking.TheGovernmenthasdevelopedandimplementedtheProgrammeonCombatingHumanTraffickingfor2021-2025,withanorientationto2030.TheDeputyPrimeMinisternotedthatinthefuture,thesituationofhumantraffickinggloballyandinVi?tNamwouldremaincomplex,withchildrencontinuingtobethemaintargetsoftraffickers.Inthiscontext,itwasnecessarytoregardthepreventionandcombatofhumantraffickingasakey,ongoingtask,carriedoutpersistentlyeverywhereandatalltimes,emphasisedtheDeputyPrimeMinister.Anti-traffickingeffortsneededtobeintegratedintosocio-economicdevelopmentprogrammes,childcare,educationandprotection,addressingfundamentalsocialsecurityandstabilityissuesandpromotingtheroleofmassorganisationsinprotectingwomenandchildren,especiallyinremoteareas.Additionally,itwasnecessarytoenhancecommunication,counselling,andguidance,replicategoodinitiativesandmodelswithappropriateformsforeachregionandgroupandfocusonsharinginformation,experienceandskillstohelpchildren,womenandvulnerablepeopleidentifyandprotectthemselvesandtheirlovedones,preventingcriminalexploitation.Quangurgedmediaagenciestoincreasethefrequencyandinnovatecommunicationtoencourageeverycitizentoactivelyparticipateinpreventing,fightingandreportinghumantrafficking.Hecalledforearlydetectionandpreventionofhumantraffickingrisksfromthegrassrootslevel,decisiveimplementationofcrimepreventionplansandswiftinvestigationandprosecutionoftraffickers.Furthermore,itwascrucialtoenhancemanagement,proactivelyassist,educate,support,andprovideemploymentopportunitiestopreventchildren,womenandthoseindifficultcircumstancesfrombeingexploitedorbecomingvictimsofhumantrafficking.TheDeputyPrimeMinisterdirectedareviewandcompletionoflegaldocumentsoncombatinghumantraffickingandsupportingvictims,particularlypoliciesforchildreninspecialdifficultcircumstances,ethnicminoritychildrenandorphansalongwitheffectiveimplementationofvictimreceptionandsupportactivities.Atthesametime,hecalledforstrongerinter-agencycoordinationandinternationalcooperation,especiallyininformationexchange,investigationverificationandcriminalpursuit,toimprovetheeffectivenessofpreventingandcombatinghumantrafficking,particularlychildtrafficking.VNS
Thegreentaxiusedbythesuspectsistakenintopolicecustody.—Photobaovephapluat.vnQU?NGBìNH—ThreeChinesenationalshavebeenarrestedinconnectionwiththemurderofaVietnamesetaxidriverlastweek.Thesuspects,twomalesandonefemale,havebeennamedasH.J.C.,18,L.S.J,16,andG.Y.,17.Thethreearebeingquestionedovertheallegedlykillingthedriverduringacross-countrytaxiridebeforeleadingpoliceonahigh-speedchase.TheincidentcametolightonJuly28whenthepoliceinthecentralprovinceofQu?ngBìnhspottedataxiwithplatenumber14A-325.45behavingerratically.Theyattemptedtopullitoverbutweremetwithdefiance.Thedriverfled,hittingtwovehiclesasheevadedcapture.Asthesituationescalated,thepolicemobilisedadditionalunitstojointhepursuit.Uponapprehendingthesuspects,theydiscoveredthebodyofadriver,lateridentifiedasNguy?nV?nH?i,47,livinginHàPhongWard,H?LongCity,thenorthernprovinceofQu?ngNinh.H?iistheownerofthetaxiandworkedforthetaxicorporationMaiLinhinQu?ngNinh.InitialinvestigationsrevealedthatthethreeforeignershiredH?iforacross-countryjourneyonJuly27andsubsequentlymurderedhiminQu?ngNg?ionthesameday.ThesuspectsweretransferredtoQu?ngNg?iProvinceonJuly29forfurtherquestioning.—VNSNguy?nH?uThu?n,residentinHCMCitysTh???cCity,visitstheSacombank)branchonNguy?nTr?iStreetseekinghelptoupdatebiometricinformationonthebanksapp.Phototuoitre.vnHCMCITY–Manycustomershavebeenforcedtovisittheirbanksforhelpinupdatingbiometricinformationonlinetoauthenticatemoneytransfertransactions,howevereventhensomestillcannotcompletethebiometricupdateprocess.OnTuesdaycustomerTfromHCMCitysDistrict5,wenttotheSàiGonTh??ngTínCommercialJointStockBank(Sacombank)branchonNguy?nTr?iStreetseekinghelptoupdatebiometricinformationonthebankingapp,ashecouldnotdoitathome.Despitemultipleattemptsbyafemalebankemployeetoassisthim,theapprepeatedlyreportedthatthebiometricupdateprocesscouldnotbecompleted.Asaresult,theemployeeadvisedhimtoreturnanothertimeortemporarilytransferamountsoverVN?10millionusingtheSacombankmBankingappinsteadoftheSacombankPayapp.AccordingtoT,intheprecedingdays,healsocouldnotupdatehisbiometricinformationontheappoftheVietnamMaritimeCommercialJointStockBank(MSB)andhadtovisitthebankforassistance.NeedingtotransferoverVN?10million,onthemorningofJuly2,Nguy?nH?uThu?n,fromTh???cCity,triedusingtheappsofTechcombank,ACB,Vietcombank,andHDBank,butallfourbanksreportederrors,statingtheycouldnotscanhisIDcard,eventhoughhisiPhonehasNFCfunctionalityforinformationverification.Laterthatday,Thu?ntookadvantageofhislunchbreaktovisittheTechcombankbranchonX?Vi?tNgh?T?nhStreetinBìnhTh?nhDistricttohavehisinformationupdatedinperson.OnlyafterabankemployeedirectlyscannedhiscitizenIDcardusingthebanksreader,wasThu?nabletocompletetheupdateandproceedwithhistransactions.MyphonehasNFCpaymentintegrationandworksnormally,butIdontunderstandwhyIcantupdatebiometricinformation.NowIhavetovisiteachbankonebyonetogetstaffassistance,hesaid.OnthemorningofTuesday,manypeoplevisitedtheHDBankbranchonNguy?nC?TrinhStreetinDistrict1forassistanceinupdatingtheirbiometricinformation.LêNguy?nHùngC??ng,amaleemployee,notedthatmanyuserswitholderphones,faultydevicesorincorrectoperationshadtovisitthebankfordirectassistance.Lateintheafternoon,abranchofVietinBankinTh???cCitystillsawalargenumberofcustomersupdatingtheirbiometricinformation.Accordingtoabankemployee,onJuly1andthemorningofJuly2,anoverloadinthesystempreventedupdatesviatheappduetothehighnumberofusersattemptingtoupdatetheirinformation.AccordingtoTechcombank,asofJuly1,over1.4millioncustomershadsuccessfullyupdatedtheirbiometricdataontheTechcombankMobileapp,representingmorethan80percentofcustomerswhofrequentlyconducttransactionsexceedingVN?10million.Weareintensifyingcommunicationeffortstoencouragecustomerstoproactivelyupdatetheirinformationviatheapp.CustomersunabletodosocanvisitthenearestTechcombankbranchortransactionofficeforsupport,arepresentativefromthebanksaid.Meanwhile,ACBreportedthat500,000customershadsuccessfullycompletedfacialrecognitionauthenticationthroughtheACBONEdigitalbankingapp,enhancingaccountsecurityandprotectinghigh-valueonlinetransactions.ACBsCEO,T?Ti?nPhát,toldtheTu?iTr?(Youth)onlinenewspaperthatthenewbiometricssystemeffectivelyaddressessecurityandaccountsafetyrisks.Withfacialrecognition,onlytheaccountownercantransfermoney.Evenifaccountinformationisleakedandcriminalstakecontrolofthephone,theycannottransfermoneywithoutmatchingthefacialauthentication.Nguy?nMinhTam,deputyCEOofSacombank,saidthatmostofSacombankscustomershaveregisteredandsuccessfullyauthenticatedtheirbiometricinformationfortransactionsoverVN?10millionpertransaction,orVN?20millionperday.Wecontinuetonotifycustomerstoupdatetheirbiometricinformationtoensuresmoothonlinetransactions,avoidingdisruptionstodailylifeandwork,Tamsaid.HeaddedthatmostcustomerscanupdatetheirbiometricinformationthroughtheSacombankPayapp.Forspecificcases,suchaselderlycustomersorthosewithoutNFC-enableddevices,bringingtheirchip-embeddedcitizenIDtoourtransactionpointswillallowourstafftoassistthem,hesaid.–VNS
ThefireengulfsthefactoriesonWednesdaynight.—Photolaodong.vnBìNHD??NGAfirebrokeoutatafactoryintheNamTanUyênIndustrialParkinBìnhD??ngProvinceonWednesdaynight.Theblazeeruptedaround10:30PMatawoodenfurnituremanufacturingfactoryintheindustrialpark.Withinminutes,theflamesintensified,engulfingnearbyfactories.Tocombatthefire,17fireenginesand100firefighterswereswiftlydispatchedtothescene.By11:10PM,theyhadextinguisheditcompletely.Thefireravagedanareaofabout2,000squaremetersofthefactories,whosestructuresweremadeofsteelandmetalsheetroofs.Theprimarycombustiblematerialswerewood,fabric,andpackaging.Bythismorning,thepolicehadconfirmedthatthefirecausednocasualties.Propertydamageisstillbeingassessed.Thecauseofthefireisunderinvestigation.—VNSThesuspectsaftertheirarrest.-Photonhandan.vnHàN?I–AsophisticatedgangshippingcannabisacrossHàN?ihasbeensmashedbypoliceinthecapitalcity.TheDrugCrimeInvestigationPoliceDepartmenthavearrestedelevenpeopleandseizedmorethan700kgofthedrug.PolicefirstbecameawareoftheillegalactivitiesbackinFebruarywhentheyweremonitoringdrugtransportationroutes.Theylearnedcourierswithoutcriminalrecordshadbeenhiredtoshippackagesofcannabisaroundthecitythathadbeenvacuumsealedtoavoidanyodours.Threeseparatetaskforceswereestablishedtomakethearrests.ThefirsttookfourpeopleintocustodyincludingHoàngV?nHà,oneoftheringleaders,born1999,fromV?nYênDistrictofYênBáiProvinceandlivinginM?Trìward,NamT?LiêmDistrict.Theyalsorecovered90.49kgofcannabis,sixelectronicscales,oneheatgun,onevacuumpackingmachineandotherrelateditemsanddocuments.ThesecondtaskforcearrestedV?H?ngCúc,born1990,athisaddressinLyTháiT?,HoànKi?mDistrictandconfiscated74.04kgofcannabis,oneelectronicscaleandotherrelateditems.Thethirdtaskforcearrestedsixpeople,includinganotherringleader,Hu?nhH?uHoàng,born1988,fromCamLamDistrictofKhánhHòaProvinceandresidinginV?nhC?uDistrictof??ngNaiProvince.Itwasheretheyseizedthelargestamountofcannabiswith600kg,onevacuumpackingmachine,sixhydraulicpressesandthreeelectronicscales.Atthepolicestation,thesuspectsconfessedtotheircriminalactivities.Theauthoritiesareexpandingtheirinvestigationandpursuitofthecasetoapprehendedothersconnectedtothering.-VNS
AceremonyheldtohandoverahousetoapoorfamilyinBìnhPh??cProvincesBìnhLongTown.–VNA/VNSPhotoBìNHPH??C–BìnhPh??cProvinceaimstowrapupitsprogrammeofeliminatingtemporaryanddilapidateddwellingsandreplacethemwithconcretehousesforpoorpeoplenextyear.Thesoutheasternprovincehasmobilisedfundingfromvarioussourcestobuildhousesforthepoorinrecentyears.Theyareatleast50sq.meachandhavecorrugatedironroofs.In2019-23thelocalFundforthePoorprovidedVN?313billion(US$12.3million)to5,017familiestorebuildtemporaryordilapidatedhouses.Theprovinceisbuilding99housesforpoorethnicpeopleunderanationalprogrammethisyear.InthefirsthalfoftheyearitsFatherlandFrontCommitteeassisted121poorandnear-poorhouseholdsinBùGiaM?p,L?cNinh,Bù??ng,andBù??pdistrictswithbuildinggreatsolidarityhouses.ThisNhà??i?oànk?tprogrammeismeantforpoorandnear-poorhouseholdswiththesupportoforganisationsandindividuals.LamBangofL?cNinhDistrictsL?cQuangCommunehasrebuilthis67.5sq.mhouseusingVN?80million($3,200)givenbytheFundforthePoor.Hewasgladtoreceivetheassistanceandhisfamilywoulddoitsfarmingbettertoensureastablelife,hesaid.??Th?MaiH??ngin??ngPhúDistricts??ngTamCommuneusedtobepoorasherhusbandsufferedfrommentalillnessandtheyhadthreeschool-agedchildren.TheFatherlandFrontCommitteeprovidedherwithVN?80million($3,200)torebuildherhouseandthedistrictFundforthePoorgaveheracowthatwasworthVN?30million($1,200)andproducedcalves.Withahousetolivein,shefeelssecureaboutgoingtoworktoincreaseherincome,andherfamilyhasthusescapedpoverty,shesaid.Ph??cLongandCh?nThànhtownsand??ngXoàiCityhavecompletedtheprogrammetoeliminatetemporaryanddilapidatedhouses.LêTh?XuanTrang,headoftheprovincePartyCommitteesmassmobilisationboardandchairwomanoftheFatherlandFrontCommittee,saidlocaladministrationsshouldaddresstheproblemofhousinglandandconstruction.FatherlandFrontCommitteesatalllevelsshouldenhanceadvocacyaboutreducingpovertysustainablyandmobilisemoreresourcestobuildhousesforthepoor,sheadded.–VNSCustomersaregivenreusablebagswhenshoppingatBigCTh?ngLongSupermarketonInternationalPlasticBagFreeDay.—VNSPhotoQu?nhAnhNh?tH?ng,Qu?nhAnhHàN?I—Light,cheapandtheycancontainanythingfromsolidtoliquid;plasticbagshavealwaysbeenpopularforgroceryshoppinginVi?tNam.However,recognisingtheadverseeffectsofthesenon-biodegradablebagsontheenvironment,retailersareadvocatingforchangesinconsumerhabits.July3thisyearmarkedthesecondtimethePlasticBagReductionRetailersAllianceofVi?tNamcelebratedtheInternationalPlasticBagFreeDaywithvariouscustomerinitiatives.Nguy?nThùyAnh,SeniorCommunicationsandOutreachOfficeroftheInternationalUnionforConservationofNatureinVi?tNamsaid:Thisyearscampaignseesactiveparticipationfrommanybusinessesandthisnumberisincreasing.Severalretailersarealsoimplementingcampaignactivitiesnationwide,whichisagoodsignthatshowstheirproactiveness.WehopethatthiscampaignwillnotonlytakeplaceonJuly3,InternationalPlasticBagFreeDay,butthatbusinessesandretailersbemoreproactiveinreducingtheuseofplasticbagsallyearround.Asamemberofthealliance,AEONVi?tNamnowletsshoppersrentareusablebagfortheirpurchasesatonlyVN?5,000(20UScents),whichisfullyrefundedwhentheyturnthebagatthecounter.Thesupermarketchainalsohasa‘greenline–aprioritycheck-outlaneforcustomerswhooptforenvironment-friendlyproducts,withnoplasticcontainersorpackagingfromitsfoodcourt.CentralRetailVi?tNam,whichownsGO!,BigCandTopsMarket,hasbeencallingforcustomerstobringtheirownshoppingbagsandgivingoutreusableonesonJuly3.Customerscanalsobuythesemulti-usebagsatVN?9,000onnormaldays,orchoosethefree,recycledcardboardboxesofferedbythesupermarket.BigCTh?ngLongsupermarketdirectorNguy?nMinhTu?nsaid:Thisinitiativeaimstoencouragecustomerstousethesebagsformultipleshoppingtrips.Additionally,wehavecollaboratedwithover30foodsupplierstoswitchfromplasticpackagingtobiodegradablematerials.Thechangesandeffortshavebeenmetwithpositiveresponsefromcustomers.BettyAdrian,anIndonesianwomanwhohaslivedinVi?tNamforthepastsevenyears,saidsheonlytookthesingle-usebagstheveryfirsttimeshewentshoppinghere.EverytimeIgotothesupermarketorothershops,Ialwaysbringmyownbags.IfIuseplastic,itsnotgoodfortheearth,shetoldVi?tNamNews.Othershoppers,likeNg?Thuy?t,takeitupanotchbymindfullybringingdesignatedcontainersfortheirshoppingtrips.Ibringmyowninsulatedbagforfrozenitems,andanotherreusablebagfordrygoods.WhenIbuyalotofthings,Ipackthemupincardboardboxes[atthecashier]toreducetheuseofplasticbags,shesaid.Ng?Thuy?tpackstheitemssheboughtinherreusableshoppingbagstoreducesingle-useplastics.—VNSPhotoNh?tH?ngNg?cLinh,asenior-yearstudentwhooftenshopsatBigC,agreedandsaidpeopleshoulduseplasticbagsless.Iusedtobeacashier,andwhencustomerstakealotofplasticbags,theyoftenthrowthemawayandthatsnotgood.Sometimesthesearealsoreusedastrashbags,whichIthinkshouldnotberecommended.CallforchangeStatisticsfromtheWorldwatchInstituteestimatethatonaveragesince2002,aboutfivetrillionplasticbagshavebeenproduced,usedanddiscardedeveryyear.InVi?tNam,datafromtheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentshowsthatthecountrycountsover1.8milliontonnesofplasticwasteannuallyandamongthatthereare30billionplasticbags.Onaverage,onehouseholdinVi?tNamcanuseuptoakilogrammeofplasticbagseachmonth,ofwhich80percentarethrownawayafterjustoneuse.Plasticwasteaccountsfor8-12percentofhouseholdsolidwaste,butonlyabout12percentofthemundergotreatmentandarerecycled,whiletherestareeitherburiedorburnedinlandfills,accordingtoVietnamPlasticsAssociation.Recognisingthenegativeimpactsofthesenon-biodegradablecontainersandpackagingtotheenvironment,Vi?tNamhasbeentakingactionstoaddresstheissue.The2020LawonEnvironmentalProtectionstipulatestheextendedproducerresponsibilityonrecyclingandwastetreatment,whilethePrimeMinistersDecision1316/Q?-TTgonstrengtheningplasticwastemanagementinVi?tNamwasapprovedinJuly2021.Nguy?nTrungTh?ng,DeputyDirectorGeneraloftheInstituteofStrategyandPolicyonNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentsaid:Ourcountryhasadoptedmanystrategiesandpoliciestoreduceplasticwaste,amajorityofthemnon-biodegradableplasticbags.Therefore,activitiesthataimtoreducenon-biodegradableplasticbagsareofgreatsignificance,sothateveryonecanjoininreducingplasticwasteinourenvironment.—VNS