Should you be concerned about Clubhouse?
H?uRiverswaterlevelisforecasttoincreaseduetoheavyrainfallovertheMekongRiverBasininNovember.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?ULONGDELTA—ManyareasintheC?uLong(Mekong)DeltaregionareathighriskoffloodingduetotidalsurgescombinedwithheavyrainfallinthefirsthalfofNovemberthisyear,accordingtotheVi?tNamNationalMekongCommittee.Duetothiscombination,inearlyNovember,manyareasinC?nTh?CityandtheprovincesofV?nhLong,CàMau,B?cLiêu,SócTr?ng,andH?uGiangwillbefacingahighriskofflooding.Localitiesintheregionarethereforebeingurgedtoproactivelyimplementmeasurestoprotectlow-lyingfieldsandareaswithoutfloodprotectiondikestomitigaterisksandprepareforpotentialbreachesandlandslidesinflood-proneregions.AccordingtotheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting,theMekongRiverCommissionandinternationalorganisationsforecast,totalrainfallovertheMekongRiverBasininthefirsthalfofNovemberisforecastedtobeapproximately3-5percenthigherthanthemulti-yearaverage.Currently,reservoirsonLanTh??ngRiverarestoringabout95percentoftheirtotalusefulcapacity,whilereservoirsinthelowerMekongBasinarealsoupto80percentoftheirusefulcapacityandareexpectedtocontinuegeneratingelectricity.ItisanticipatedthattheflowreachingKratie(Cambodia)willgraduallydecreaseastheregionentersthetransitionseason.Therefore,thetotalflowpassingthroughtheKratiestationinthefirsthalfofthismonthisforecastedtorangefrom16billioncu.mto19billioncu.m,whilethecurrentwaterstorageinTonleSapLakeis39.1billioncu.m,whichwillcontinuetocontributetothemainMekongRiverflow.TheVi?tNamNationalMekongCommitteepredictedthatthemaximumdailywaterlevelattheTanChaustationinTayNinhProvinceinearlythismonthwillfluctuatewiththetidesbetween2.4and2.8m,higherthanthemulti-yearaverage.TheaveragedailyflowthroughTanChaustationinthefirsthalfofthismonthisexpectedtorangefrom15,000cu.mpersecondto18,800cu.mpersecond,higherthanthemulti-yearaverage.Thetotalflowatthisstationduringthisperiodisprojectedtobebetween21.9billioncu.mand23.4billioncu.m,higherthanthemulti-yearaveragebutcomparabletothesameperiodin2023.AttheChau??cstationinAnGiangProvince,themaximumdailywaterlevelisexpectedtorangefrom2.2to2.5m,belowthefloodwarninglevel1.TheaveragedailyflowthroughChau??cstationduringthisperiodisforecastedtofluctuatebetween2,500cu.mpersecondand3,800cu.mpersecond.ThetotalflowthroughChau??cstationisprojectedtobebetween4.5billioncu.mand4.8billioncu.m,similartothemulti-yearaveragebutlowerthanin2023.Duetothecombinationoftidalsurges,localrainfallandupstreamflows,themaximumwaterlevelsattheTanChauandChau??cstationsareforecastedtoremainbelowwarninglevel1.However,incentralareaslikeC?nTh?CityandM?Thu?nDistrictofV?nhLongProvince,waterlevelsareexpectedtoreachwarninglevelsof2to3.Mostcoastalstationsareanticipatedtoreachfloodwarninglevel1orhigherduetotidalsurges.—VNS
DeputyMinisterofScienceandTechnologyLêXuan??nh(middle)anddistinguishedguestscuttheribbontoofficiallyinauguratetheBookWeekonThursday.—VNSPhotoLêVi?tD?ngHàN?I—AspecialbookweekwillfocusonnewwaysofdrivingVi?tNamforwardintermsoftechnology.TheBookWeek,opentopublicinHàN?i,aimstofosternewwaysofthinking,workingandinteracting,ultimatelycontributingtoabetterqualityoflifeanddrivingpositivesocialchanges,accordingtoDeputyMinisterofScienceandTechnologyLêXuan??nh.DeputyMinister??nhwasspeakingatThursdaysopeningceremonyfortheScienceandTechnologyBookWeek2024.HeemphasisedthatthisyearsBookWeekisthemedKnowledgeandTechnology:AJourneyofInnovationtohighlightthecentralroleofscienceandtechnologyinVi?tNamsdriveformodernisation.TherecentPolitburosdecreeonscienceandtechnologyhasreaffirmeditspivotalroleindrivingVi?tNamsgrowthasthecountrynavigatesthecomplexitiesofaglobalisedmarketeconomy,said??nh.TheDeputyMinisteralsounderscoredtheministryscommitmenttobuildingarobustscientificandtechnologicalinformationecosystem,asevidencedbyitssustainedinvestmentintheNationalAgencyforScienceandTechnologyInformationandtheScienceandTechnicsPublishingHousetoempowertheinnovationcommunity.DirectoroftheNationalAgencyforScienceandTechnologyInformationTr?n??cHi?n(left)andDeputyMinister??nhexamineabookatanexhibitionbooth.—VNSPhotoLêVi?tD?ngDirectoroftheNationalAgencyforScienceandTechnologyInformationTr?n??cHi?ncitedtheconstantevolutionofdigitalplatformsandsmartdevicesassignificantchallengesforlibrarians,particularlythoseworkingintraditionallibrarysettings.HesaidtheorganisationwillbeattheforefrontoftechnologicalinnovationduringtheBookWeek,organisingaseriesofeventstoshowcasecutting-edgetoolsandapplicationsdesignedtorevolutioniseinformationaccesswithinitsdatabasesystem.Visitorsexperienceanadvancedbook-scanningtechnology.—VNSPhotoLêVi?tD?ngTheBookWeekfeaturesacomprehensivecollectionofprintandelectronicbookshighlightingVi?tNamsremarkableachievementssince??iM?i(TheRenewal).VisitorscanexploretheworksofrenownedVietnamesescientists,politiciansandexperts,andaccessthelatestresearchfromglobaldatabasessuchasScienceDirectandSpringer.—VNSAvisitorreadacalculusbooknexttoabookstall.—VNSPhotoLêVi?tD?ngAviewoftheHCMCity-LongThành-D?uGiayExpressway.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheVi?tNamExpresswayCorporation(VEC)reportedasignificantriseintrafficacrosstheexpresswaysitmanages,with50.5millionvehiclesusingtheroutes—anincreaseof11.3percentcomparedtothesameperiodin2023.Inthefourthquarterof2024,VECwillbeginaseriesofrepairprojectstoaddressroadsurfacedamagesontheN?iBài-LàoCai,C?uGi?-NinhBình,and?àN?ng-Qu?ngNg?iexpressways,aimedatenhancingroadqualityandensuringdriversafety.AccordingtoVECsreport,trafficonitsexpresswayscontinuedtogrowinthefirstninemonthsoftheyear.TheexpresswaysunderVECsmanagement—N?iBài-LàoCai,C?uGi?-NinhBình,?àN?ng-Qu?ngNg?i,andHCMCity-LongThành-D?uGiay—safelyserved50.5millionvehicles.TheHCMCity-LongThành-D?uGiayExpresswayhadthehighesttrafficvolume,with17.6millionvehicles,reflectinga14.1percentincreasecomparedtothesameperiodin2023.TheC?uGi?-NinhBìnhExpresswayfollowedwith16.9millionvehiclesbuthadthelowestgrowthrateat7.4percent.RankingthirdinbothtrafficvolumeandgrowthratewastheN?iBài-LàoCaiExpressway,whichrecorded13.9millionvehicles,markinga12.2percentrise.Despitethehighestgrowthrateof14.6percent,the?àN?ng-Qu?ngNg?iExpresswaysawthelowesttrafficvolume,withjust2.1millionvehicles.Inthefirstninemonthsofthisyear,trafficsafetyonVECsexpresswayswaswell-coordinatedbetweenoperatingunitsandlawenforcement.Management,operation,andmaintenancewereeffectivelyhandled,ensuringsmoothandsafetrafficflow,aVECrepresentativestated.Overthepastninemonths,nomajortrafficaccidentsorprolongedcongestionoccurredonVECsexpressways.Whilethenumberofcollisionsandinjuriesdroppedsignificantly—downby59collisionsand12injuries—thenumberofaccidentsandfatalitiesslightlyincreased,with31additionalaccidentsandonemoredeath.Importantly,therewasnodamagetotheroadinfrastructure.CongestionremainsachallengeontheN?iBài-LàoCai,C?uGi?-NinhBình,andHCMCity-LongThành-D?uGiayexpresswaysduringholidaysandT?tduetoincreasedtraffic,accidents,andvehiclebreakdowns,withthe?àN?ng-Qu?ngNg?iExpresswaybeingtheonlyexception.Despitewarnings,theissueofvehiclesrunningoutoffundsintheirelectronictollcollectionaccountshaspersisted,withmorethan480,000incidentsinthepastninemonths.Thishascontributedtoslowertrafficandraisedsafetyconcernsattollstations.Since6pmonSeptember13,2024,VEChasbeenofferingfreeroadserviceforvehiclestransportingreliefsuppliestonorthernprovincesaffectedbyTyphoonYagiandsubsequentfloods.ThisservicewillcontinueuntilmidnightonOctober13,2024,onallVEC-managedexpressways,includingN?iBài-LàoCai,C?uGi?-NinhBình,?àN?ng-Qu?ngNg?i,andHCMCity-LongThành-D?uGiay.—VNS
AclassroomintheUniversityofEconomicsH?ChíMinhCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—NineVietnameseuniversitieshavesecuredplacesintheprestigiousTimesHigherEducation(THE)WorldUniversityRankingsfor2025.THEreleasedits2025globalrankingsonWednesday,withnineuniversitiesfromVi?tNammakingthelist,threemorethaninthepreviousyear.TheUniversityofEconomicsH?ChíMinhCitydebutedintherankings,securingthehighestpositionamongthenine,placinginthe501-600bracket.DuyTanUniversityandT?n??cTh?ngUniversity,whichpreviouslyledtherankingsforVietnameseinstitutions,experiencedslightdropsbutmaintainedtheirpositionsinthe601-800bracket.NewentriesthisyearincludeHàN?iMedicalUniversity,rankedbetween801and1,000andH?ChíMinhCityOpenUniversity,placedinthe1,201-1,500range.Thismarksasignificantachievementforthelatter,whichwaspreviouslylistedasareporterinstitution,meaningithadprovideddatabutdidnotmeettherankingcriteriain2024.OtherVietnameseuniversitiesfeaturedintherankingsincludeVi?tNamNationalUniversityHàN?i(1,201-1,500),HàN?iUniversityofScienceandTechnology(1,501+),Hu?University(1,501+),andVi?tNamNationalUniversity,H?ChíMinhCity(1,501+).V?nLangUniversitywaslistedasareporterthisyear.TheUniversityofOxfordintheUKretaineditstopspotfortheninthconsecutiveyear,breakingHarvardUniversityspreviousrecordofeightyearsatnumberone.Oxfordsscorescontinuetoimprovesignificantly,particularlyinareasrelatedtoincome,researchqualityandteachingquality.Itsproportionofinternationalstudentsalsostandsout.IntheUS,theMassachusettsInstituteofTechnology(MIT)isthehighest-rankeduniversity,placingsecondwithatotalscoreof98.1,just0.4pointbehindOxford.StanfordUniversityunexpectedlydroppedfromsecondtosixthplace,itslowestrankingsince2010,duetodeclinesinteachingquality,researchenvironment,andinternationaloutlookscores.HarvardUniversitymovedupfromfourthtothirdplace,whilePrincetonUniversityrosefromsixthtofourth.Inthetop20,Asiahasthreerepresentatives:TsinghuaUniversity(12th),PekingUniversity(13th)andtheNationalUniversityofSingapore(17th).TsinghuaUniversitymaintaineditsposition,whilePekingUniversityandtheNationalUniversityofSingaporeeachrosebyoneandtwospots,respectively.Globally,the2025THErankingsevaluated2,092universitiesfrom115countriesandregions.Therankingsystemuses18indicatorsacrossfivekeyareas:theteachingenvironment,researchenvironmentandquality,internationaloutlook,andknowledgetransfer.—VNSEconomicmanagementexpertDrHoàngTh?ThuPh??ng.Photokinhtedothi.vnDrHoàngTh?ThuPh??ng,anexpertineconomicmanagement,speakstoKinhT???Th?(EconomicandUrbanAffairs)newspaperaboutHàN?istransitiontogreentransportation.WhatfunctiondoesgreentransportationplayinthecurrenturbangrowthtrendingeneralandinHàN?i?HàN?i,alargeurbanarea,isgrowingrapidly.Thecityhasmadegreatprogressandhasmuchpotential,yetchallengesexist.Reducingenvironmentalpollutionandtrafficcongestionisoneofthemostpressingissues.Sincetrafficistheeconomyslifeblood,environmentallyfriendlytransportationandautomobilesarecrucialtobuildingathrivingeconomyandamodern,civilisedmetropolitanarea.Thegreenrevolutionintransportationisaglobaltrend.WhatprogresshasHàN?imadeinthegreenrevolutionoftransport?Thecityhasmadegreateffortsinrecentyearsandachievedmanyimportantstepsindevelopinggreentransport.Amongthese,therearetwomainachievementsthatIcanhighlight.Firstly,thecityhasconstructedtwourbanrailwaylinesandlaidaninitialfoundationforatrulymodern,civilisedandgreenpublictransportsystem.Sincetheurbanrailwaylinewasputintooperation,publicawarenessaswellasStatemanagementofgreentransporthaveimprovedsignificantlyandpositively.Asaresult,theurbandevelopmentstrategyandpolicyhavealsoseencriticalturningpoints,bringinglong-termeffectiveness.Secondly,publictransport,withtheurbanrailwayasthemaindriver,hascreatedsignificantchangesinpublictravelhabits.Thedependenceonpersonalvehicleshasbeguntoshifttowardsgreatertrustinpublictransport.Thisformsanimportantbasisforthecitytocontinueitsplantoreducepersonalvehicleuse,therebycuttingdownontrafficcongestionandenvironmentalpollution.Thesearecriticalconditions,drivingHàN?itowardssustainableurbandevelopment.AnelectriccartakestouristsaroundHàN?icitycentretoexplorefamousdestinations.VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngHowshouldHàN?icontinuethegreenrevolutionintransportation?IwouldliketoemphasisethatHàN?ihasbeendoingquitewellinitstransitiontoenvironmentallyfriendlytransportationunderthecurrentcircumstances.Onemajorobjectiveinthisgreenrevolutionistoswitchtotheuseofgreencars,whichrequiresmorethoroughplanningandalong-termroadmap.Itisimportanttoacknowledgethatpublicelectricbicycles,electricbusesandelectrictrainscurrentlymakeuponlyarelativelysmallpercentageofallvehiclesinthecity.Inadditiontodevelopinganetworkofenvironmentallyfriendlypublictransportation,thecitymustalsolimitthenumberofpersonalvehicleswhilesimultaneouslypromotingtheuseofgreenercommercialvehicles.Currently,HàN?ihasdozensofcommercialvehiclesthatareusedtotransportpassengersandgoods,butthemajorityofthemstillrunonfossilfuels,causingenvironmentalpollution.Thisgroupposesthebiggestthreattothecitybecauseofhowfrequentlythesevehiclesareused.Ithinkthat,alongwithpublictransport,commercialvehiclesshouldbeprioritisedintheshiftalongthegreentrend.Thecitymustalsograduallyswitchfromgasoline-poweredpersonalvehiclestoelectricvehicles.Thoseareextremelylargeanddifficultgoals,arentthey?Thatscorrect,itsveryhardtochangepeopleshabitsandpreferences,especiallywithnearlytenmillionvehiclesneedingtobecominggreen.HàN?isgreentransportrevolutionisapathfilledwithdifficulties.However,Ibelievethecapitalhasenormouspotentialtoachievethattransformation.Theissueisthatwelackclearlaws,regulations,procedures,orincentivestoencouragepeopletoswitchtogreencars.Thereisashortageofcleanfuelandelectriccarinfrastructure,whichcurrentlyfailstomeetpublicdemand,creatinghesitation.Nevertheless,HàN?ihasagreatopportunityforchange.Thepeoplesaspirationforthegreentransportationrevolutionandthepoliticalwillfromthecentralgovernmentandlocalauthorities,isthemostcrucialfactor.Electricvehiclessuchasmotorbikes,cars,busesandtrainsarebeingwarmlywelcome,fosteringanenvironmentthatsupportstheirgrowthandappeal.Themostcrucialleverforthesuccessofthegreenrevolutionintransportationisthischangeinthepoliticalwillandmindset.WhatsolutionsareneededinthetransitiontogreenenergyforHàN?ismeansoftransport?Ithinktherearefourmaingroupsofsolutionstodevelopgreentransportandgreenvehicles.Thefirstandmostimportantispolicysolutions.Inshort,theGovernmentandthecitysadministrationneedtoadoptpoliciestorestricttheuseofgasolineanddiesel-poweredmotorvehicles,whilepromotingelectricandclean-fuelvehicles.TheStateshouldnotimposeabanbutsethigherandstricterrequirementsforgasolineanddieselvehicles.TheStatehassofarimplementedpoliciestoencouragethepopularadoptionofgreenvehiclesandrestricttheuseofelectricvehicles.Thesecondgroupofsolutionsinvolvestechnicalinfrastructuresolution.Thereneedstobeadetailedplanforapowergridcapableofsupportingthepopularadoptionofelectricvehicles.Inaddition,chargingstationsshouldbeexpanded,ideallyataone-on-oneratiowithgasandoilstations.Whereverthereisagasandoilstation,thereshouldbeatleastoneelectricchargingstationforcarsandmotorbikes.Carmanufacturersneedtoresearchandimprovetechnologytomakerechargingelectricvehiclessimplerandeasiersothatindividualsandfamiliescanconvenientlychargetheirvehicles,oreasilyfindachargingstation,justastheydowithgasstations.Thethirdsolutionisfinancial.Thecitycanofferfinancialsupportorreducetaxesandfeesforpeoplewhoshiftfromtheuseofgasoline-poweredvehiclestoelectricones.Therecouldalsobepreferentialparkingpricesandroadtollsforelectricvehiclescomparedtogasolineanddieselvehicles.Fourthly,communicationiscrucialtoraisingpublicawarenessaboutlimitingpersonalvehicleuseandswitchingtogreenvehiclestoreducetrafficcongestionandenvironmentalpollution.Thetoppriorityiscommunicationpromotingpublictransportastheprimarymodeoftransportation.Inareaswherepersonalvehiclesarestillnecessary,peopleshouldbeencouragedtochooseclean-fuelvehiclesasthefirstoption.Communicationiskeytochangingperceptionandgainingpublicsupport,therebyeffectivelydrivingthegreenrevolutionintransportation.HowdoyoupredictthegreeningprocessofHàN?istransportationinthefuture?Ihavehighexpectations,butIthinkthatitsunrealistictoexpectHàN?isgreenrevolutiontoachieveitsmajorgoalsinthenearfuture.Itisimportanttorememberthatthecitystillfacesmanychallengesandmustallocateresourcestomanysocialsectors,notjusttransportation.Hopefully,withinthenext10-20years,thecapitalwillbelargelycoveredbyagreenpublictransportsystem,withonlyasmallnumberofprivatevehiclesusingcleanfuel.VNSDrV?V?nTi?n,principaloftheHighSchoolfortheGiftedatHàN?iNationalUniversityofEducation.—PhotocourtesyofDrV?V?nTi?nDrV?V?nTi?n,aneducationistandprincipaloftheHighSchoolfortheGiftedatHàN?iNationalUniversityofEducation,washonouredinJune2024withtheprestigioustitleofOutstandingTeacherbythePresident,recognisinghissignificantcontributionstoeducation.Ti?ntalkswithVi?tNamNewsonhisjourney,theinspirationsthatledhimtoteaching,andthevaluesthatcontinuetoguidehim.YouwereawardedthetitleOutstandingTeacher,oneofthemostprestigiousaccoladesineducationinJunethisyear.Whatdoesthistitlemeantoyoupersonally?ThetitleOutstandingTeacherisagreathonourfromtheState,awardedtoteachers,administrators,andresearcherswhomakesignificantcontributionstoeducation.Forme,thistitlerecognisesmy36yearsofdedicationtoteachingandeducationaldevelopment.Itfillsmewithjoy,pride,andmotivationtokeepcontributingtothefield.Teachingisanobleyetchallengingprofession.Couldyousharewhatinitiallyinspiredyoutopursueacareerineducation?Icompletedhighschoolin1983,atimewhenstudentscouldapplytoonlyoneuniversity,college,orvocationalschool.Comingfromaruralbackground,ourexposuretocareeroptionswaslimited,andvocationalguidancewasminimal.Moststudentsdidnthaveaclearsenseofcareerpaths.Ididwellinsecondaryandhighschool,especiallyinscience,andteachersoftenaskedmetodemonstratesolutionsontheboard.Whenitcametimeforuniversity,afewfriendsandIchosetheHàN?iUniversityofEducation.Entrywasverycompetitive,butIwasfortunatetopassonmyfirstattempt.IcompletedfouryearsofstudyandbeganteachingimmediatelyaftergraduatinginJune1987.Becomingateacherfeltnatural—almostlikeacalling.Youvebeenintheprofessionforalongtimeandmentoredmanystudents.Isthereaparticularmemoryfromyourcareerthatstandsout?Overmy37yearsineducation,Ivehadmanyjoyfulandchallengingexperienceswithdifferentgenerationsofstudents.OnememoryIllneverforgetwasonTeachersDay,onNovember20,1988.Agroupofstudentscametomyhomeearlywithafewguavasfromtheirgardenasagift.Theyexpressedadmirationandrespect,eventhoughtheyknewIdidntremembertheirnamebecausetheystruggledacademically.Teachersoftenrememberhigh-achievingstudents,butthisprofoundlessontaughtmethateverystudentisunique.Asteachers,wemustcarefor,encourage,andtreatallstudentsequally,regardlessoftheiracademicperformance.Manystudentsrememberyouaskindandapproachable.Howdoyoubalancethestrictnessrequiredofaheadmasterwithapproachability?ThelongerIworkineducation,themoreIrealisethatteachingisanincrediblychallengingjob.Astheheadoftheschool,Ineedtomaintainstrictnessandfairness,butIalsotrytolistenandunderstandmystudentsaspirationsandconcerns.Ispendtimespeakingwiththemandofferingguidanceonpersonalissues.Mygoalistobeastrictyetapproachableheadmaster,someonestudentscanseeasamentorandafriendwhenneeded.AttheHighSchoolfortheGifted,manyteachersexcelatthisbalance.Somearesobelovedbystudentsthattheyareidolised.Ourschoolstrivestocreatearigorousyetcompassionateenvironment—ahumanisticculturethathelpsstudentsshapetheircharacterandpreparesthemforthedemandsofmodernsociety.Basedonyourexperience,whataretheessentialqualitiesofanexcellentteacher?Throughoutmy37-yearcareer,including16asvice-principalandthenprincipal,IvecontinuedtoteachbecauseIconsideritmyprimaryprofession.Tobeanexcellentteacher,youneedstrongsubjectknowledge,effectiveclassroommanagement,and,mostimportantly,apassionforteachingandloveforstudents.Successisntguaranteedbysubjectmasteryalone.Thesamelessonmightresonatewellwithoneclassbutfailtoengageanother.Teachingisaboutnurturingpeopleandteachingpeoplehowtolive.Beforeimpartingknowledge,teachersmustbuildtrustandinspirestudentstoseethevalueoflearning.Ourschoolrecruitsstudentsfromacrossthecountry,eachwithdifferentbackgroundsandpersonalities.Everyteacherhereunderstandstheimportanceofinfusinglifeintoeachlesson,adaptingtovarioustypesofstudents,andmakingeachlessonfreshandengaging.Youvemanagedbothpersonalandschoolresponsibilitiesovertheyears.Whatmotivatesyoutokeepleadingtheschooltosuccessdespitethechallenges?Whetherteachingormanaging,Ialwaysputstudentsatthecentre,prioritisingtheirinterestsaboveallelse.Lookingintomystudentsinnocent,eagereyesmakesworldlyworriesfadeaway.Balancingmultipletasksischallenging,requiringharmonyandfocusonsolutions.Inteaching,myfocusisonstudents;inmanagement,itsonencouragingothers,sharingjoysandchallengeswithcolleagues,andworkingtogethertofulfilourschoolsmission.Overyourcareer,youhaveachievedalotinbothteachingandadministration.Asaseasonededucator,doyouhaveanyadviceforyoungpeopleconsideringacareerineducation?Teachingtodayismuchmoreconvenientthanwhenwefirstgraduated,butchoosingacareerishardernowduetotheabundanceofinformation.Forthosewhochoosetobecometeachers,thefirststepistolovethejob,people,andespeciallychildren.Teachersshouldbeempathetic,encouragestudentsindifficulttimes,andfindjoyintheirstudentsprogress,howeversmall.Theyshouldfeelconcernedwhenstudentsloseinterestorstruggle.Ateacher,whetherinclassroomorinlife,mustbeanexemplaryfigure,livingasamodelforstudentstofollow.VNS
QuàngTh?Xuan,deputyheadmistressoftheM??ngL?nPrimaryBoardingSchoolinS?pC?pDistrict,S?nLaProvince,dedicatesherselftonurturingyoungmindsinthisremoteborderregion.VNA/VNSPhotoIntheruggedlandscapesofThanhHóa(chǎn)Province,LangChánhDistrictfindsitselfatacriticaljuncture,facedwithapersistentshortageofteachers.Despiteextensiveadvertisingandrecruitmentcampaigns,responseshavebeenlimited,highlightingthedifficultyinattractingteacherstothisremote,mountainousarea.AccordingtoNguy?nNg?cS?n,headofthedistrictsDepartmentofEducationandTraining,thedistrictcurrentlyhasashortfallin92teachingpositionscomparedtoitsquotaforthe2024-2025academicyear.ThisstaffingissueispartofabroadernationalchallengeimpactingeducationinmountainousandruralregionsacrossVi?tNam.InLangChánhDistrict,theproblemisfurtherexacerbatedbylowratesofuniversityenrolmentamonglocalstudents,withveryfewchoosingtotrainasteachers.Thistrendiscoupledwithastrongpulltowardsurbanareas,whereopportunities,amenities,andinfrastructurearemoredeveloped,whileincentivesforworkingintheseremoteregionsremaininsufficient.S?nexplainedthatoneofthemajorbarriersisfinance.Thesupplementalsalaryforteachersworkinginmountainousareasoverthoseinthelowlandsisjust0.1percentabovethebasewage—equatingtoaboutVN?234,000(roughlyUS$10).Thismeagredifferencedoeslittletopullincandidatesforthejob,especiallyinareaswherelivingconditionsarechallengingandsupportislimited.ThischallengeisnotisolatedtoLangChánhbutisseeninothermountainousdistrictsinThanhHóa(chǎn),suchasQuanS?n,QuanHóa(chǎn),andM??ngLát.Theseareasexperiencesimilardifficulties,strugglingtoattractandretainteachersandmeettheincreasingdemandsofagrowingnumberofstudents.Toaddressthesewidespreadissues,thegovernmentisconsideringaTeachersBill,currentlyunderdiscussionattheongoingsessionoftheNationalAssembly.Thisproposedlegislationaimstoenhancetheappealofteachingpositionsthroughincreasedsalaries,improvedbenefits,andstrongersupportsystems,particularlyinchallengingenvironments.HigherpaymentThedraftLawonTeachersproposesasignificantelevationofteacherssalariestothehighestlevelwithinthepublicservicepayscale,explainsV?Minh??c,DirectoroftheDepartmentofTeachersandEducationalManagementattheMinistryofEducationandTraining.Thisproposalnotonlyaimstoraisethebasesalarybutalsotoenhanceallowancesforpreschooleducatorsandteachersworkinginchallengingenvironmentssuchasethnicminorityregions,mountainousareas,coastalzones,andislands,aswellasthoseemployedatspecialisedinstitutionsorininclusiveeducationsettings.Moreover,thelegislationintroducesnewretirementpoliciestailoredspecificallyfortheteachingprofession.Forinstance,itallowspreschoolteacherstheoptionofearlyretirement,whereasteacherswithacademictitlessuchasprofessororassociateprofessor,orthoseholdingdoctoraldegreesinspecialisedfields,maychoosetoextendtheircareers,contingentoninstitutionalneedsandtheirpersonalhealth.Article1ofthedraftoutlinescomprehensivepoliciescoveringteachersrightsandduties,recruitmentprocesses,salarystructures,internationalcooperation,recognition,anddisciplinarymeasures.Article6,Clause5emphasisesastatecommitmenttoprioritisingteachercompensation.ChapterV,whichincludesArticles27to31,focusesonsalaryandbenefits,specifyingthatpublicschoolteacherswillreceivethehighestsalarieswithinthepublicservicepayscale,inadditiontoprofessionalallowancesbasedonthenatureoftheirworkandlocation.Enhancedallowancesarealsoproposedforpreschoolteachers,educatorsinremoteareas,teachersatspecialisedinstitutions,thoseinvolvedininclusiveeducation,andteachersfromethnicminoritybackgrounds.Newlyhiredteacherswillreceiveanimmediatesalaryincrementuponjoiningthepublicpayscale.Oursurveysshowthat61percentofteacherswholeavetheprofessionareunder35,oftenduetolowincomethatfailstocoverbasicneeds.Youngerteachers,facingfinancialandfamilyresponsibilities,requiresupporttoremaininthefield,??csays.Forteacherswithlessthanfiveyearsofexperience,salariesareverylow,sothisproposalencouragesyoungpeopletoenterandstayintheteachingprofession,hesays.BettersupportingpoliciesTeachersupportpoliciesintroducedinArticle28includeadditionalsupportmeasures,suchasallowancesbasedonworkingconditionsandlocation,opportunitiesfortrainingandprofessionaldevelopment,regularhealthchecks,andmobilityallowancesforteachersinvolvedinliteracyandgeneraleducationorteachingatmultiplesites.Teachersfacingchallengesinareassuchasethnicminorityregionsandremoteislands,andthoseinspecialisedorinclusiveeducation,willhaveaccesstocollectivehousing,governmentrentaloptions,andtravelallowancesforannualleaveandfamilyvisits.Localauthoritiesandeducationalinstitutionsareencouragedtodevelopfurthersupportinitiativesbasedontheirfinancialcapacity.Article29outlinesattractionpoliciesaimedatrecruitinghighlyqualifiedindividuals,outstandinggraduates,youngscientists,andthosewithspecialskills,focusingparticularlyonteachersindifficultareas,includingethnicminorityregionsandcoastalzones.Theseincentivesprovideallowancesandsupportforessentialhousingorrentals,especiallyinruralareas.RetirementpoliciesforteachersdetailedinArticle30adheretotheLabourCodeunlessotherwisestated.Clause2permitspreschoolteacherstoretireuptofiveyearsearlierwithoutareductioninpensionbenefits,whileClause31providesanextendedretirementoptionforpublicschoolteacherswithtitlessuchasprofessororassociateprofessor,orthosewithdoctorates,basedontheinstitutionsneedsandtheteachershealthandwillingness.Extensionperiodsarecappedatspecificdurationsdependingonqualifications,althoughallowancesorleadershiprolesareexcluded.AccordingtoProfessorNguy?nM?uBành,presidentoftheVi?tNamVeteranTeachersAssociation,raisingteacherssalariestothehighestpublicservicelevelwouldbeasignificantachievement,potentiallyencouragingteacherstoremaindedicatedtotheirprofessionwithpride.NationalAssemblydelegateTr?nQu?cTu?nfromTràVinhemphasisestheimportanceofprioritisingteachersalariestoreflecteducationsroleasatopnationalpriority,crucialforattractingandretainingtalentededucatorstosupportVi?tNamssustainableeducationaldevelopment.V?Minh??c,DirectoroftheDepartmentofTeachersandEducationalManagementattheMinistryofEducationandTraining,emphasisesthatthenewpoliciesaimtoenrichteacherslivesbeyondmeresalaryenhancements.Thisinitiativeseekstoelevatethestatureofteachers,ensuringtheyarerecognisedandrespectedbysociety,andtheirprofessionaldignityissafeguarded.Additionally,itpromisesimprovedworkingconditions,greaterlearningopportunities,andtheautonomytoinnovateandengagecreativelyintheirroles,??cexplains.Theproposeddraftoffersrobustlegaltoolsaimedatstreamliningtherecruitmentprocess,optimisingresourceutilisation,andattractingtalenttotheteachingprofession.Itaddressescriticalbottlenecksandfostersamoreconduciveenvironmentforteacherretentionanddevelopment,hesays.Asignificantaspectofthedraftisthepromotionofequalityindevelopmentopportunitiesbetweenpublicandnon-publicschoolteachers.Forthefirsttime,non-publiceducatorsaretobeformallyrecognisedunderthesamecategoryaspublicschoolteachers,movingawayfrombeingviewedmerelyascontractworkers.Thisrecognitionispivotalinenhancingtheirprofessionalstatusandensuringequitabletreatmentacrosstheeducationsector.Currently,1.6millionteachersworkacrossalleducationallevelsandregions—frompreschoolstouniversities,andurbancentrestoremoteislandsandmountainousareas.Ifpassed,thedraftLawonTeacherswouldestablishaconsistentandeffectivelegalframeworktosupportthegrowthofboththeteachingworkforceandtheeducationsector.VìTh?H?ng,ateacherintheLóngLu?ngPrimarySchoolinLóngLu?ngCommune,VanH?District,S?nLaProvince,caresforstudentsduringtheirnoonsnap.VNA/VNSPhotoPartychiefsviewDuringrecentdiscussions,theGeneralSecretaryoftherulingparty,T?Lam,hasstressedthatthebillmusthonourandsupportteachers,particularlythoseworkingindemandingenvironments.Henotedthatthecurrentdrafthadnotfullyaddressedtheuniquechallengesfacedbyteachersinremoteanddisadvantagedareas,includingthedifficultandspecialconditionsinprisonschoolsandremotemountainousregions.Basedonhisvisitstosuchareas,thePartychiefsharedhisobservationsoftheharshrealitiesteachersandstudentsface.Manystudentstravel20-30kmdailytoattendschool,whileteachersoftenlackadequateaccommodation.Howcanweexpecttheseteachersandstudentstosustainthiseffortwithoutpropersupport?heasked,urgingtheNationalAssemblytoconsidertailoredsolutionsfortheseregions.VNSEmpoweringeducationsectorrecruitmenttoaddressteachershortagesThedraftTeachersLawalsointroducessignificantreformsaimedatstreamliningtherecruitmentprocess,acriticalsteptowardresolvingtheacuteteachershortagesplaguingvariousregions.Thisstrategicshiftinpolicycouldrevolutionisethewayeducatorsareemployed,particularlyinunderservedareas,ensuringthatalleducationalinstitutions,regardlessoflocation,haveaccesstothequalifiedteachingstafftheyrequire.Underthisproposal,theMinistryofEducationandTraining,incollaborationwiththeMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs,willleadstrategies,planning,andteacherstaffingquotas.Thisautonomywillincludesettingrecruitmentcriteria,definingpracticalteachingrequirements,managingtheallocationofteachersinpublicschoolsaccordingtoapprovedquotas,andoverseeingrecruitment,evaluation,andappointmentsatbothnationalandlocalschoollevels.Thi?uV?nNam,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofEducationandTraininginKiênGiangProvince,assertsthatgrantingautonomyinrecruitmentwillmarkedlyimprovelocalemploymentefforts,particularlyintheprovince.UnderthecurrentregulationsoftheMinistryofHomeAffairs,teachersmustapplydirectlytoindividualschools,oftenleadingtoimbalanceswheresomeschoolsreceiveanexcessofapplicantsforsinglepositionswhileotherswithmultiplevacanciesattractfew,ifany,candidates.InKiênGiang,manyteachersoptforpositionsinurbanareaslikeR?chGiáCity,leavingeducationalinstitutionsontheislandsstrugglingtofindadequateteachingstaff.TheacuteshortageofpreschoolteachersinKiênGianghighlightsthenecessityforcleartechnicalguidelinestostreamlinetherecruitmentprocessatthelocallevel.EchoingNamssentiments,Nguy?nThúyHà,directorofthe??ngThápDepartmentofEducationandTraining,supportsthemovetowardsrecruitmentautonomy,notingthatitwillallowforbetteralignmentwithindividualschoolneedsandenhanceaccountability.Shecallsforcomprehensiveguidelinesonrecruitmentconditions,procedures,prioritygroups,examcontent,andtheemploymentofforeignteacherstohelpschoolsengagespecialisedtalent.Hàalsopromotesmoreefficientrecruitmentprocessesthatbalancequalitywithexpediencybyrequiringpracticalteachingexperienceandadherencetoprofessionalstandards.Forareaswithlimitedapplicants,shesuggestsdirectrecruitmentcouldbeanalternative,bypassingtraditionalexamsifcandidatesmeetthenecessaryqualifications.Ph?m??ngKhoa,headoftheEducationandTrainingOfficeofDistrict3,HCMCity,fullysupportsthepolicyofgrantingtheeducationsectorgreaterautonomyinteacherrecruitment.Ibelievethisisbothanecessaryandwell-consideredpolicythatenablestheeducationandtrainingsectortostrengthenanddevelopitsteachingworkforceinamorescientificandefficientmanner,whilealsoattractingandretainingtalentedteacherstoservethecauseofeducation,Khoasays.Withtheauthoritytorecruitautonomously,theeducationsectorcanproactivelyimplementpoliciestoattractandretainhighlyskilled,talentedindividualsandoutstandinggraduates,especiallyinfieldswhererecruitmentischallenging,suchasmusic,art,IT,andtechnology,hesays.VNSDeputyMinisterofHealthTr?nV?nThu?nbroughtgiftstoprematurelybornchildreninB?cNinhProvince.—PhotocourtesyofMoHB?CNINH—TheVietnameseMinistryofHealthandB?cNinhProvincewiththesupportofKimberly-ClarkandUNICEFhostedaspecialeventonSaturdaytopromoteaccesstoqualitycarefornewborns,particularlytolow-birth-weightandpretermbabies,inobservationoftheWorldPrematurityDay.Theday,fallingonNovember17eachyear,isdedicatedtoraisingawarenessaboutinfantsbornprematurelyandthedifficultiestheyface.ThethemeofthedaythisyearwasOver13millionbabiesbornprematurelyeveryyear.Accesstoqualitycareeverywhere!whichhighlightsthestarkglobaldisparitiesinhealthcareandcallsforuniversalaccesstohigh-qualitycareforpretermbabies,regardlessoftheirbirthcircumstancesorlocation.Pretermbirthremainstheleadingcauseofdeathforchildrenunderfive,andmanywhosurvivefacelifelongdisabilitiesduetoinadequatehealthcare.Itisestimatedthat13.4millionbabiesarebornprematurelyworldwideeveryyear.InVi?tNam,prematuredeathsaccountforapproximately45percentofallchildmortalitycases.ThethemeofWorldPrematurityDay2024isacallforurgentactiontoclosethehealthcaregap,advocatingforbettermaternalandneonatalcareworldwide.Today,onWorldPrematurityDay,weareremindedoftheneedtominimisedisparitiesinhealthcareaccess.Preterminfantsfacesignificantchallenges,makingitimperativetohavetimelyandequitableaccesstoqualitycare,asthiscansignificantlyimprovetheirsurvivalchances,long-termhealth,andwell-being,UNICEFRepresentativetoVi?tNamSilviaDanailovremarked.Aswecelebratetheresilienceoftheseinfantsandtheirfamilies,wealsopaytributetothoselosttopreventablecomplications,underscoringtheurgencyofourwork,shenoted.Inhiscalltoaction,DeputyMinisterofHealthTr?nV?nThu?nstatedthatreducingprematureandlowbirthweightbirths,andconsequentlyloweringinfantmortality,requiredaunifiedapproach.TheVietnameseofficialsaidthatthisdidntjustinvolvetheeffortsoftheHealthSector,butalsonecessitatedcollaborationfromvariousMinistries,localauthorities,andthecommunityatlarge.Additionally,hehighlightedthecriticalroleofexpectantmothersawareness,alongwiththesupportofinternationalanddomesticorganisations.Thu?nemphasisedthattheirfocusshouldbeonimplementingsolutionsforimprovedprenatalcare,preventingprematurebirths,andensuringcomprehensivetreatmentforprematurebabies.—VNS
Sen.Lt.GeneralHoàngXuanChi?n(L),memberofthePartyCentralCommitteeandDeputyMinisterofNationalDefenceofVi?tNam,andKonstantinMogilevsky,RussiasDeputyMinisterofScienceandHigherEducationexchangetheminuteofthemeeting.—VNA/VNSPhotoMOSCOW—The35thmeetingoftheVietnam-RussiaTropicalCentre(VRTC)CoordinatingCommitteewasheldonNovember15inSt.Petersburg,Russia,co-chairedbyGeneralHoàngXuanChi?n,memberofthePartyCentralCommitteeandDeputyMinisterofNationalDefenceofVi?tNam,andKonstantinMogilevsky,RussiasDeputyMinisterofScienceandHigherEducation.Atthemeeting,bothsidespraisedtheachievementsoftheVRTCin2024,particularlyitsscientificandtechnologicalactivitiesanditseffortstobuildupthecentrescapabilities.Chi?nhighlightedthevariousRussiangovernmentagenciesthathavesupportedresearchinitiativesandpromotedtechnologytransferintheVRTCframework.Henotedspecificadvancements,suchasthedeliveryofasecondmobiletestingvehicle,thecooperationinbuildingaLevel3biosafetylaboratory,andtrainingprogrammesforVietnamesepersonnel.Healsoreiteratedthejointstatementsbytheheadsofstateofbothnations,emphasisingtheirdesiretofurtherstrengthencooperation,withtheaimofdevelopingthecentreintoamodelofbilateralcooperationthatisonparwithregionalandinternationalstandards.Mogilevskystressedthegrowingimportanceofthecentreinthefieldsofscienceandtechnology,notingthatthetwocountrieshadsuccessfullycarriedoutmeaningfulscientificandpracticaltasksoverthepastyear.Theseactivitiesservevitalpurposesinmilitary,defence,economicdevelopment,andenvironmentalprotection.Healsohighlightedtheconsensusreachedonthescientificresearch,technology,andapplicationprogrammeforthecentreforthe2025-29period.Bothsidesagreedtoboosteffortsin2025toimplementactionsoutlinedintheVRTCDevelopmentStrategyfortheperiodupto2035.Thisincludesfurtherinvestmentininfrastructureandhumanresources.Additionally,theyagreedtocompletethedocumentationandpresentittothegovernmentsofbothcountriesforthesigningofanagreementontransferringownershipoftheresearchvesselProfessorGagarinskytoVi?tNambyJune30,2025.Furthermore,workwillcontinueonequippingthelaboratorywithadditionalfacilities,aimingforitscompletionandoperationallaunchin2025.Attheconclusionofthemeeting,thetwosidessignedseveraldocuments,includingtheMinutesofthe35thmeeting,theVRTCs2025-29ScientificResearchandApplicationProgramme,the2025researchanddevelopmentplanforthecentre,andaLetterofIntentbetweentheMinistryofNationalDefenceofVi?tNamandtheMinistryofScienceandHigherEducationofRussiaconcerningtechnologytransferintheVRTCframework.Earlier,Chi?nandhisentouragevisitedSt.PetersburgMiningUniversity,wheretheydiscussedresearchareasrelatedtominingscienceandtechnology.Heemphasisedthepotentialforenhancedcooperationbetweentheuniversity,thecentre,andVi?tNamsMinistryofNationalDefence,particularlyinareassuchasecologicalprotection,sustainableuseofnaturalresources,andmaterialstechnology.OnNovember14,theofficiallaidflowersattheH?ChíMinhMonumentinSt.Petersburg.—VNS
ThefunctionalforcesoftheCoastGuardRegionNo3CommandandB?nTreProvincesBorderGuarddiscoveredavesselcaryingseasandofunknownoriginonNovember13.—PhotoCourtesyofVCGBàR?A-V?NGTàU—TheCoastGuardRegionNo3CommandundertheVi?tNamCoastGuard(VCG)onNovember15officiallylaunchedacampaigntofightagainstalltypesofcrimeatsea,includingdrug-relatedcrimesandhumantrafficking,aswellassmuggling,tradefraudandcounterfeitgoodsintheperiodaheadoftheupcomingT?t(LunarNewYear).ThecampaignwillrunfromNovember1,2024toFebruary28,2025.Itfocusesonimplementingthethreebests,includinghighestawarenessandresponsibility;performingtaskswiththehighestresults;andmaintainingsafety,solidarityandstrictestdiscipline.TheCoastGuardRegionNo3CommandincollaborationwithB?nTreProvincesBorderGuardhavediscoveredandarrestedtwocasesofillegalsandexploitationandtransportationandawomanillegallystoringdrugsonthesoutherncoastofVi?tNam.At5amonNovember13,thefunctionalforcesoftheCoastGuardRegionNo3CommandandB?nTreProvincesBorderGuardstopedandinspectedavesselBTr-8661registeredtoB?nTreProvince,andfoundabout100cubicmetres(cu.m)ofseasandonthewaterbetweenB?nTreandTi?nGiangprovinces.Thevesselscaptain,??HoàngDuy,26,ofB?nTre,andthreecrewmemberswereonboard.Duyfailedtofurnishdocumentsprovingtheoriginofthesand.Around9amonthesameday,theyalsodiscoveredanothervesselBTr-8653transportingabout250cu.mofseasand.Hu?nhV?nTy,thevesselscaptain,43,ofB?nTre,failedtofurnishdocumentsprovingtheoriginofthesand.AVietnamesewomanwascaughtred-handedillegallystoringaboutsixgramsofmethamphetamineintheseaborderareaofV?ngTàuCityonNovember13.—PhotocourtesyofVCGTheCoastGuardRegionNo3CommandandthepoliceforcesofV?ngTàuCityinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincecaughtred-handedasubjectillegallystoringaboutsixgramsofmethamphetamineataround1:20pmonthesamedayintheseaborderareaofV?ngTàuCity.ThesubjectLêTh?Tuy?tKim,36,ofV?ngTàuCity,storedthedrugsforthepurposeofresellingtoaddictswhoarecrewmembersonfishingboatsandcargoshipsintheportarea.Thecaseswerebroughtashoreandhandedovertothefunctionalforcesforfurtherinvestigation.—VNSTheVi?tNamCoastGuardRegionNo.3CommandsSquadron32hassuccessfullyrescuedthreefishermenfromasankboatoffthecoastofKhánhHòaProvinceonOctober12.—PhotoCourtesyofVCGKHáNHHOà—TheVi?tNamCoastGuardRegionNo.3Commandrescueshipincollaborationwithlocalfishingboatshavesuccessfullyrescuedthreefishermenfromaboatthatsankoffthecoastofthesouth-centralprovinceofKhánhHòa.ItannounceditsKhánhHòa-basedSquadron32onOctober12at8:10amreceivedinformationthatthefishermenonboardafishingboatwithoutaregistrationplategotintodifficultiesatsea.Immediatelyafterreceivingtheinformation,Squadron32srescueship9033wassenttothescene.Therescueshipandfishingboatsnearthescenesuccessfullyrescuedthefishermenwhentheboatwassinkingabout1.2nauticalmilesofftheSquadron32sport.AfishingboatwiththreepeopleonboardwassunkbylargewavesatseaoffKhánhHòaProvinceonOctober12.—PhotoCourtesyofVCGItconfirmedtoVi?tNamNewsthatthethreefishermen--Ph?mC?ng??nh,50,Nguy?nL?uV?,44andNguy?nHoàngMinhTuyên,36--areallfromKhánhHòa.Previously,thefishermenleftHònKhóiPortintheprovincesNinhHòatownataround7:50amtogofishing,thentheirboatwashitbyathunderstormandlargewavesatsea.ThevictimsandtheirboatweresafelybroughtashoreattheSquadron32Port.—VNS
LiêmV?n?i?uwascapturedalongwithplasticbagscontainingfourkilosofdrugs.—Photocand.com.vn??NGTHáP—28-year-oldLaV?n?i?uofTanH?ngDistrict,thesouthernprovinceof??ngTháp,hasbeendetainedbytheprovincialpoliceforsmuggling4kgofketamineandmethamphetamineintoVi?tNamfromtheCambodianborder.Officialsalsoconfiscatedevidenceconsistingoffourplasticbags,eachweighing1kg.Thebagswerelightgreen,rectangularandsealed,withforeignletteringresemblingteapackaging.Afterforensictesting,thebagswerefoundtocontainatotalof2,986.59grofketamineand981.16grofmethamphetamine.OnOctober14,theDrugCrimeInvestigationUnitofthe??ngThápProvincialPoliceannouncedanongoinginvestigationintoadrugsmugglingnetworkoperatingacrossthetwocountriesborders.PreliminaryinvestigationsrevealedthatonthenightofSeptember13,ataskforcecomprisedofofficersfromDinhBàInternationalBorderGateBorderPost,theDrugPreventionandControlDepartmentofthe??ngThápBorderGuardCommand,DinhBàCustoms,the??ngThápProvincialPoliceDrugInvestigationUnit,TanH?ngDistrictPoliceandTanH?C?CommunePolicewaspatrollingtheS?H?Riverarea.Thetaskforcecaught?i?uswimmingacrosstheS?H?RiverfromCambodiatoVi?tNam,carryingablackplasticbag.Uponstoppingandsearchingthebag,authoritiesdiscoveredthefourplasticpackagescontainingdrugs.Duringinitialquestioning,?i?uadmittedtobeinghiredtotransportthesyntheticdrugsfromCambodiatoVi?tNam.Uponfurtherinspectionofthesurroundingarea,thetaskforcefoundamotorbike,which?i?uclaimedashisown.Theauthoritiesdocumentedtheincident,seizedandsealedtherelatedevidenceandescortedthesuspecttotheDinhBàInternationalBorderGateBorderPostforfurtherprocessing.Theyhavesincetransferredthecase,thesuspectandtheevidencetothe??ngThápProvincialPoliceforfurtherinvestigationandlegalproceedings.—VNSStudentstakepartintheevent.—VNA/VNSPhoto??VanSINGAPORETheVietnameseStudentAssociationinSingaporehelditsfirst-everV-Challenge2024:IntellectualArenaatCurtinUniversity,drawingalargenumberofVietnamesestudentsinthecountry.TheeventprovidedavaluableplatformfortheparticipantstosharpenessentialskillsforstudyingandlivingabroadwhileimprovingtheirknowledgeaboutVi?tNamsculture,history,andgeography.Over40Vietnamesestudentsfromvariouseducationalinstitutionsparticipatedinthecompetition,whichconsistedoffourroundswithdiversequestions.Thestudentssaidtheyfoundtheeventbothchallengingandrewarding,offeringanopportunitytoconnectwiththeirpeersanddeepentheirunderstandingofthehomeland.Alongsidethecompetition,therewereentertainmentbooths,featuringbraceletcraftingandknitting,andaluckydrawwithprizesfromorganisers.Earlier,theassociationlaunchedaweek-longfundraisingcampaigninsupportofTyphoonYagivictimsathome.—VNS
AfarmerrepairsoldraftstoresumeaquacultureactivitiesonChanhRiver,Qu?ngYêntown,Qu?ngNinhprovince,followingthedamagecausedbytyphoonYagi.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhVanHàN?I—TheGovernmentoftheRepublicofKorea(RoK)hascommittedUS$1milliontotheUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP)tosupportVi?tNamsrecoveryeffortsundertheInclusiveearlyrecoveryandreconstructionprogrammeafterTyphoonYagi.TyphoonYagi,themostdestructivestormtohitVi?tNaminthreedecades,hasaffected3.6millionpeople.Withnearly400,000homesdamagedorsubmerged,andinfrastructureinruins,thestormhasleftthecountryfacingarecoveryeffortestimatedatmorethanVN?81.5trillion($3.3billion).InalignmentwiththeJointUNResponse,UNDPsprogrammeaimstoaddressimmediateneedsandfosterlong-termresilienceincommunitieshardesthitbythedisaster,particularlyinH?iPhòngCityandLàoCai,YênBái,andQu?ngNinhprovinces.Theprogrammewilladdressimmediaterecoveryneeds,includingthedistributionofrecoverykitsandmulti-purposecashtransferstovulnerablehouseholds.Itwillempoweraffectedcommunitiesandstrengthentheirresiliencetofuturedisastersbyrebuildingflood-andstorm-resilienthomesandsmall-scalecommunityinfrastructureandprovidingshort-termemploymentopportunitiesthroughcash-for-workschemes.ChoiYoungsam,KoreanAmbassadortoVi?tNam,saidtheKoreangovernmenthavebeenworkingcloselytogetherwiththeVietnamesegovernmentandinternationalorganisations,includingUNDP,toensurethisemergencyfundwillbeeffectivelyusedandpromptlydistributedtoareasandpeopleindireneedofsupportintheaftermathofthenaturaldisaster.Theimplementationofthisinitiativewillbecarriedoutinclosecoordinationwithlocalauthoritiesandinconsultationwithaffectedcommunities,prioritisingsupporttovulnerablegroups,includingwomen-headedhouseholds,ethnicminorities,andpersonswithdisabilities,toensurethatthosemostinneedreceiveassistance.UNDPResidentPresentativeinVi?tNamRamlaKhalidiexpressedherappreciationforthetimelysupportfromtheRoK,sayingthisgenerouscontributionwillsignificantlybolsterVi?tNamsrecoveryeffortsintheaftermathofTyphoonYagi.—VNSPotsofsucculentsareusedfordifferentactivitiesoftheHousewithManyLeaves.—PhotocourtesyofthehouseHCMCITY—Overthepastfouryears,asmallcornerofHCMCityhasbeenfilledwithgreentrees,books,environmentallyfriendlyitemsandhasbecomeastopoverforpeoplewholovegreenliving.ItisnamedtheHousewithManyLeaves–aprojectconductedbyagroupofyoungpeopleinthecitytoofferupagreenoasisonHoàH?ngStreetinWard12,District10.SpreadlovefortheenvironmentTheHousewithManyLeavesprojectwasestablishedinDecember2020,stemmingfromanideaof??HoàngQuyBình.Itaimstoofferupmeaningfulactivitiesrelatedtoculture,educationandtheenvironment.Thehouse,whichnowhas36members,hasmorphedintoasocialorganisation,aimingtopromoteagreen,sustainableandenvironmentallyfriendlylifestyle.H?Ng?cKhánhNhi,amemberoftheproject,said:Themodelsmissionistospreadandencouragepeopletopractiseagreenlifestyletogether.Everyactivity,nomatterhowsmall,suchasexchangingtrashforsucculentsordonatingoldclothes,aimstobuildawarenessofenvironmentalprotectionforthecommunity.Overtheyears,themodelhasbeenmaintainedanddeveloped.Almosteveryweek,therearerecyclingandgreenevents,includingexchangingtrashfortrees,whiletheyalsocollectbatteries,milkcartons,plasticbottles,paperandglass.Itisallaimedattryingtochangethecommunitysattitudetorecycling,raiseawarenessandencourageindividualstosorttheirrubbish.Recyclablewastebroughttothehousewillbesorted,cleanedandrecycledintonewproducts,increasingthelifecycleandminimisingtheamountofwasteharmfultotheenvironment.Inreturn,anyonewhobringsthehouserubbishforrecyclingcanreceiveabeautifulsucculentpotinreturn.Inadditiontorecycledwaste,oldclothesarealsooneoftheproductsthatthecommunityoftenbringstothehouse.Oldclothesthatarestillusablewillbesorted,thensoldforVN?10,000(US$0.4)peritematfundraisingmarkets,ortransferredtocollectionpointstobringtopeopleinremotemountainousareas.TheHousewithManyLeavesisfulloftreesplantedandcaredforbyitsmembersandvolunteers,whoalsohelpproduceuniqueandenvironmentallyfriendlyproducts.Mostofthoseproductsaremadefrommaterialsfromnatureorarerecycledproductssuchasdishwashingliquid,laundrydetergentandfloorcleanerfermentedfromsoapberries.Atthehouse,notonlyitsmembers,butalsothepeoplewhobringtrash,feelliketheyarepartofthecommunity,sharingthesameawarenessandresponsibilityfortheenvironment.Themodelhasattractedmanyyoungpeoplefromthecitywhoareinterestedingreenliving.Learningaboutthehousethroughsocialnetworks,PhanTh?Y?nPh??ng,wholivesinDistrict12,cametoexchangetrashfortreesforthefirsttime.Theysaid:IwatchedmanyclipsofthehouseonTiktoksoIwanttoparticipate.Assomeonewhocaresaboutenvironmentalprotection,Ifindtheseactivitiesverymeaningful.Itisfuntobeabletoexchangeunusedplasticbottlesforsucculents.Iheardthatthehousealsocollectsoldclothes,nexttimeIwilldefinitelybringsome.ReadingculturePhanNg?cTh?o,astudentattheUniversityofEconomicsHCMCity,aveteranvolunteer,said:Thisplaceistruly‘home.EverytimeIcome,Ifeelcomfortableandhappy.Atthesametime,Irealisethatmanypeoplehavethesameconcernfortheenvironmentasme.Itisdifficultformetocommunicatewithstrangers,butthepeoplewhocomeherearefriendly,Iknowmanynewfriends,itistrulyaplacetoconnect.Thehousealsohasafreelibrarytospreadthereadingcultureandwithabookcaseofmorethan3,000booksofallgenres,bookloversarewelcometodropinforareadatanytime.Inaddition,thehouseletspeopleborrowbooksforfreebothinpersonandonline.Thefirsttimevisitingthebookshelves,TháiM?uwassoengrossedinreading,shespentfourhoursthere.Thebookshelvesherehavemanytypes,Ijustreadaverygoodbook.M?uhadbeenfollowingthehouseonsocialnetworksforalongtimeandsawthatitwashavingapositiveimpactonthecommunity.Youngpeoplearedoingthesethingsreallyformeaningfulchanges,notjustforachievements,saidM?u.TheHousewithManyLeavesalsoraisesfundstoopenlibrariesforchildreninmanyotherprovincesandcities.InJunelastyearitestablishedBookcasesforChildreninBình??nhandQu?ngNamprovincesafterprovidingbookstofourpreviousschoolsinKonTum,BìnhThu?n,Lam??ngandTayNinh.Lastmonth,thehousereceivedseventonnesofclothes,1,528olditemsandbooks,1,215plasticbottles,905milkcartons,185cansand268kgofpaper.Theactivitiesattractednearly200volunteers.—VNS