HCMCitysfirstmetroline,stretching19.7kmfromB?nThànhMarkettoSu?iTiênThemePark,willbeginoperationslaterthisyear.Thecityplanstousesurplusbudgetrevenuetofinanceurbanrailwayprojects.—PhotocourtesyoftheHCMCityManagementAuthorityforUrbanRailwaysHCMCITY—HCMCityhasproposedtoretainallsurplusbudgetrevenuefrom2026to2030tofundurbanrailwayprojects.Theplan,submittedtotheFinanceMinistry,aimstomobilisecapitalforconstructing183kmofmetrolinesby2035,asoutlinedbythePolitburo.Thetotalfundingneededfortheurbanrailwayinitiativeby2035isestimatedatUS$37.45billion,withover$22.3billionrequiredfrom2026to2030.Thecityspublicinvestmentcapitalforthisperiodisprojectedatover$62.59billion,makingtherailwayprojectaccountforabout35percentofthattotal.Giventhesignificantfundingrequirementsandinsufficientlocalbudgetresources,thecityisexploringvariousfundingmechanisms,includingretainingallsurplusrevenuewhilestillcontributing79percenttothecentralbudget.Currently,localrevenueisclassifiedintothreecategories:fullyremittedtothecentralgovernment,partiallyretained,andfullyretained.Thecityseekstoregulatethesecondcategory,whereitoftenexceedsrevenueestimatessetbythecentralgovernment.Forexample,forcorporateincometax,thecitywillremit79percenttothecentralgovernmentandwillretain21percent.Overtheyears,thenationslargestcityhasconsistentlysurpasseditsrevenuetargets,collectingoverVN?381.53trillionin2021andoverVN?471.56trillionin2022.TheprojectedbudgetrevenueisoverVN?482.85trillionthisyear,withVN?371.3trillioncollectedinthefirstninemonths.Previouslythecityannouncedplanstoissuebondsfrom2025to2035tofinancemetroprojectsandreducedependenceonOfficialDevelopmentAssistance(ODA).PhanV?nM?i,chairmanofthemunicipalPeoplesCommittee,urgedcitizenstoinvestinmetrobondstosupportinfrastructure,despitelowerbankinterestrates.AnnualbondissuanceswillrangefromVN?10trilliontoVN?30trillion,adheringtoa120percentdebt-to-budgetrevenuelimit,accordingtoM?i.Thecityhaslatelyrequested14capitalmechanismsfromthecentralgovernmenttofund200kmofmetrolines,withonlytwoofeightlinesandthreemonorailscurrentlyunderconstruction.Thefirstmetroline,a19.7kmroutefromB?nThànhMarketinDistrict1toSu?iTiênThemeParkinTh???cCity,isexpectedtobeginoperationslaterthisyear.Theoverallmetroplantargetsover350kmby2045and510kmby2060,requiringanestimated$66.8billion.Expertshavestressedtheimportanceofassessingpublicdebtriskswhenissuingbonds,asmetrorevenuewillrelyheavilyonticketsales.Formanyyears,HCMCityhasalwaysbeentheleadinglocalityintermsofrevenueandcontributiontotheStatebudgetandhasexceededrevenueformanyyears.Forexample,in2021,HCMCitywasassignedtocollectnearlyVN?364.9trillion($14.6billion)buttherevenuereachedmorethanVN?381.5trillion($15.3billion),anexcessofnearlyVN?17trillion($683.7million).In2022,thecitycollectedmorethanVN?471.5trillion($19billion),reaching121.99percentoftheestimate.Thisyear,thecitysestimatedbudgetrevenueismorethanVN?482.8trillion($19.4billion).Inthefirstninemonthsofthisyear,thecitycollectedVN?371.3trillion($14.9billion).—VNS

PerspectiveofC?nTh?Bridge2combiningroadandrail.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–TheM?Thu?nProjectManagementBoardhasproposedtwooptionsforconstructingtheC?nTh?2Bridge,thatisexpectedtostartbeingbuiltin2026andcompletedin2029.ThisprojectiscrucialforcompletingtheNorth-SouthexpresswayrouteintheeasternregionoftheMekongDelta,connectingtheM?Thu?n-C?nTh?expresswaywiththeC?nTh?-CàMauexpressway.ThetwoconstructionoptionsforC?nTh?2BridgehaveestimatedinvestmentcostsofapproximatelyVN?9.8trillion(US$815million)andVN?27.5trillion($1.13billion),respectively.ThefirstoptionproposestheconstructionofC?nTh?2Bridgewithseparatelanesforroadandrail.Thebridgewillhaveamainspanlengthof550m,usingacompositesteelgirderstructurewithareinforcedconcretedeck.Themainbridgeis1,090mlong.Thisoptionhastheadvantageofseparatingroadandrailtraffic,enhancingsafetyandoperationalefficiencyforbothmodes.However,itsdrawbackisthehigherinvestmentcostduetotheneedtoconstructtwoseparatebridges.Thesecondoptionallowsrailtraffictosharelaneswithroadtraffic.Thebridgewillalsohaveamainspanlengthof550mbutisexpectedtouseasteeltrussgirderstructure.Thetotallengthofthemainbridgeis1,110m.Theadvantageofthisoptionislowerconstructioncostsandasmallerlandfootprint,asitrequiresonlyonebridge.However,thedrawbackisthatcombiningbothtypesoftrafficonasinglebridgemaypresentchallengesinmanagement,operationandmaintenance.Regardingtotalinvestment,optionone(separateroadandraillanes)isestimatedatVN?19,782billion($814.6million)withconstructionandequipmentcostsaccountingforVN?12,874billion($530million),projectmanagement,consultingandothercostsatVN?1,287billion($53million),acontingencyofVN?2,968billion($122.4million)andcompensation,supportandresettlementcostsofVN?2,653billion($109.2million).Optiontwo(sharedroadandraillanes)hasahighertotalinvestment,estimatedatVN?27,494billion($1.13billion)includingconstructionandequipmentcostsofVN?18,544billion($764million),projectmanagement,consulting,andothercostsatVN?1,853billion($76.4million),acontingencyofVN?4,276billion($176million)andcompensation,supportandresettlementcostsofVN?2,821billion($116million).TheC?nTh?2Bridgeprojecthasatotallengthofabout14.65kmandislocatedapproximately4.5kmdownstreamfromtheexistingC?nTh?Bridge.TheapproachroadontheV?nhLongProvincessideis8.38kmlong,withthemainbridgeandleadingspansstretching2.75kmandtheapproachroadandbridgeontheC?nTh?Cityssideextending3.52km.ThestartingpointoftheprojectconnectswiththeChàVàintersection(endoftheM?Thu?n-C?nTh?Expresswayproject,locatedinM?HòaCommune,BìnhMinhTown,V?nhLongProvince),andtheendpointconnectswiththeIC2intersection,whichintersectswithNationalRouteNamS?ngH?uinPhúTh?Ward,CáiR?ngDistrict(startingpointoftheC?nTh?-CàMauExpressway).Thebridgewillbedesignedwithanavigationalclearancewidthof300m,withamainchannelwidthof160mandaheightof39mandsidechannelswithaheightof30m.Thebridgedeckwidthwillbe24.75m,meetingthestandardscaleforafour-lanecarriagewayinlinewithTCVN5729:2012standards.Theapproachroadwillalsohaveafour-laneconfiguration,withawidthof24.75m,followingexpresswaystandards.Theprojectisexpectedtorequirealandclearanceareaofapproximately519.64ha.AccordingtotheM?Thu?nProjectManagementBoard,theinvestmentprojectfortheconstructionofC?nTh?2BridgeisthefinalsegmentintheNorth-SouthexpresswayrouteintheeasternregionoftheMekongDelta(connectingtheM?Thu?n-C?nTh?withtheC?nTh?-CàMau).Thisisakeynationalexpresswaysystem,ensuringthecontinuousandhigh-speedtransportationoflargevolumesofgoodsandpassengers.Theprojectaimstocreateseamlessconnectivitywithmajorseaports,keyurbanareas,industrialzones,inlandportsandlogisticshubsintheMekongDeltaregion.TheH?uRiver,about230kmlong,isoneofthetwobranchesoftheMekongRiverasitflowsintoVietnameseterritory,passingthroughtheprovincesofAnGiang,C?nTh?City,??ngTháp,V?nhLong,H?uGiang,TràVinhandSócTr?ng.Currently,therearethreecompletedbridgesonthisriveroftheC?nTh?Bridge,theVàmC?ngBridgeandtheChau??cBridge.VNSAsectionofMaiS?n-HighwayNo45expressway.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Elevencomponentprojectsofthe2017-20North-Southexpresswaylackplannedreststopsandrefuellingstationsforvehiclesafterbeingopenedtotrafficmorethanayear.Inthenorthernregion,thebiggestconcernisthesectionfromNinhBìnhtoHàT?nhProvince,wherefourcomponentprojectsofMaiS?ntoHighwayNo.45,HighwayNo.45toNghiS?n,NghiS?ntoDi?nChau,andDi?nChautoB?iV?t,coveringmorethan210kmintotal,remainwithoutanyrestfacilities.Immediatelyaftertheseexpresswaysopened,thePrimeMinisterinstructedrelevantagenciestoexpeditetheconstructionofstopsbytheendof2023,aimingtoensuresafetyfordriversandpreventissuessuchasrunningoutoffuel,drivingbeyondlegalhoursorbeingstrandedonsectionswithnoemergencylanes.Yet,asofOctober2024,noreststopshavebeenbuilt.Withoutfuelstationsorlaybys,driverstravellingmorethan200kmstretchfromNinhBìnhtoHàT?nhworryaboutrunningoutoffuelincaseofprolongedtrafficjams.Long-distancedriversarealsoconcernedthat,withoutproperrestbreaks,theymightstruggletomeettheregulationlimitingcontinuousdrivingtofourhours,Nguy?nV?nQuy?n,chairmanoftheVi?tNamAutomobileTransportAssociation,said.Toaddressthis,investorsontheMaiS?n-HighwayNo45andNghiS?n-Di?nChauprojectshavesetuptemporaryreststops,butthesemakeshiftfacilities,coveringonlyaboutone-tenthoftherequiredarea,canaccommodateamaximumof20cars.Moreover,thesestopsconsistofmakeshifttentsindampconditions,withmanyclosingatnight,makingthemineffective.Accordingtotheoriginalplan,tenreststopswithfuelstationswereplannedfortheelevenNorth-SouthExpresswayprojects,whichspanthroughtheprovincesofNinhBình,HàT?nh,KhánhHòa,NinhThu?n,BìnhThu?nand??ngNai.Inresponsetothepersistentdelays,theMinistryofTransportrecentlyinstructedtheVi?tNamExpresswayAdministrationandprojectmanagementboardstoexpeditecontractorselectionandbeginconstruction.Todate,contractorshavebeenselectedforeightofthetenplannedreststops,includingthosealongtheMaiS?n-HighwayNo45,NghiS?n-Di?nChau,Di?nChau-B?iV?t,andCamLam-V?nhH?osections.TheMinistryofTransporthasmandatedthecompletionofessentialfacilitiessuchasparkingareasandrestroomsbyDecember31,2024.LamV?nHoàng,directoroftheVi?tNamExpresswayAdministration,saidthatdelayswereprimarilyduetoalackofinvestorinterestandongoingsiteclearanceissues.Aftersixmonthsofbidding,onlyeightcontractorshadbeenselected.Additionally,localauthoritieshavebeenslowinclearingconstructionsites,furtherdelayingprogress.Despitethedelays,theVi?tNamExpresswayAdministrationreportedthatthreereststopsontheMaiS?n-HighwayNo.45,Di?nChau-B?iV?t,andCamLam-V?nhH?oroutesnowhavebasicsiteclearance,withfinalproceduresunderwaybeforeconstructionbegins.ForotherprojectssuchasNhaTrang-CamLam,NghiS?n-Di?nChau,andPhanThi?t-D?uGiay,siteclearanceisexpectedtobecompletedbyOctober2024.TheVi?tNamExpresswayAdministrationhasinstructedtheprojectmanagementboardsandinvestorstofinishtheeightreststopsbeforetheLunarNewYear.—VNS

ThuVanHàN?I—WhenthesoldiersofRegiment98,Division316,arrivedatLàngN?VillagebymiddayonSeptember11,theyweremetwithutterdevastation.Theairwasthickwithgrief.Villagersweptandrowsofcoffinslinedthevillagesculturalhouse.Onceapeacefulsettlementnestledinagreenvalley,thevillagehadbeenreducedtoawastelandofshatteredwoodenstakes,bambootrunks,corrugatedironroofs,motorbikes,watercontainersandthecarcassesoflivestock,allemittingafoulstench.Muddytorrentsstillflowedfromthehighlands,carryingdebrisintheirwake.Thescaleofthetragedywasunimaginable–ithadunfoldedinamatterofmoments.Insomeplaces,themudreacheduptothesoldiersknees,thighs,waistsandevendeeper.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Thenightbefore,at11pmonSeptember10,LieutenantColonelNguy?nNg?cBa,CommanderofRegiment98,receivedacall.Ontheotherend,theDivisionCommandersvoiceissuedanurgentdirective:theunitmustimmediatelydeployforsearchandrescueoperationsinLàngN?Village,PhúcKhánhCommune,B?oYênDistrict,LàoCaiProvince.Earlierthatday,adeadlylandslidehadtornthroughthevillage,leavingmanydeadandhomesburied.Theorderwaspassedswiftlythroughtheranks,andthesoldiersworkedtirelesslythroughthenight,gatheringtools,equipmentandessentialsupplies.By5am,withbackpacksontheirshouldersandraincoatswrappedaroundthem,thesoldierswereready–undauntedbytherelentlessrainanddarkskies.Threehundredofficersandsoldiersembarkedonthiscriticalmission,bravingtorrentialrainanddangerous,landslide-pronemountainroads.Whentheyarrived,thescenewasoverwhelming.Themuddyplainswerelitteredwiththeremainsofcollapsedhomesandlivestock,whilevillagerssearchedfranticallyformissinglovedones.Witnessingthedevastation,soldierNguy?n??cQuy?nfromYênBáiwasleftspeechless.Whenwereachedthevillagesculturalhouse,whereeveryonehadgathered,Isawpeoplecrying.Butwhatbrokemyheartevenmorewerethecoffinslinedupinrows.Ifeltfrozen,Quy?ntoldVi?tNamNews.Theirmissionbeganimmediately–searchingforvictimsbeneaththethicklayersofmud.Equippedwithlifejackets,gloves,boots,ropesandsticks,thesoldiersmarcheddeterminedlytowardsthelandslide.Theground,coveredindeepmud,debrisandsharpobjects,didntdeterthemfromtheirsolemnduty.Tr?nMinhTh?o,asoldierofRegiment98,said:Thelocalswerethere,weepingandpleadingforhelp.Theyhadlosteverything.Theironlyhopewasthatwecouldrecoverthebodiesoftheirlovedonesforproperfunerals.Theirwordsgaveusthestrengthtocarryon.AmissionlikenootherItwasadauntingtasktofindthebodiesofvictims.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Fortheyoungsoldiers,themissionfeltoverwhelming.Manyhadneverexperiencedsuchadisaster.Duringthesearchformissingvictims,theyusedsmallbamboopolestoprobethemud,carefullyfeelingforanysignofabody.Whenevertheysuspectedsomeonemightbeburiedbeneaththethicklayersofearth,theygentlyusedrakes,hoesandshovelstoremovethemud,onedelicatelayeratatime.Somovedbytheirexperiences,someofthesoldiersputtheirthoughtsonpaper,creatingajournalofthetimespentinthevillage,sofuturesoldierscanrememberthetoughtimestheyfaced,andalsotoallowthosewhoexperiencedtherescue,timetoreflect.Wewerealwaysafraidofaccidentallydisturbingthevictims–theyhadalreadyenduredsomuch,andwedidntwanttoaddtotheirsuffering.Thatswhy,wheneverwefoundavictim,wewouldquietlyremindeachother,Begentle,Tri?uLaCáoofRegiment98wrote.Tr?nV?nThu?n,toldVi?tNamNews:MyfellowsoldiersandIhadneverbeenonsuchamission,andthesearchwasincrediblydifficult.Ipersonallycarriedthebodyofasmallchildoutofthemud.Itwasanintenselyemotionalmomentforme.Thehardestpartwaswhenitrainedandthesoldiersdidnthaveenoughdryclothestowear.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Onthefirstdayofthemission,Tr?nMinhTh?odiscoveredthebodyofanelderlywoman,wrappedinablanketandcaughtinthebranchesofatree.Hesaid:Iknewshewaselderlybecauseherhairwasgrey.Iassumedherhousehadbeenstruckbythelandslidewhileshewasstillasleep.LieutenantColonelL??ngV?nhPhúc,DeputyPoliticalCommissarofRegiment98,hasbeenservingformorethan20years,butinallthattime,nothingcomesclosetothismission.Ihaveparticipatedinmanysearchandrescueoperations,butthetragedyatLàngN?VillagewasthemostdevastatingIhaveeverwitnessed,hesaid.Theground,coveredindeepmud,debrisandsharpobjects,didntdeterthesoldiersfromtheirduties.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Beyondtheemotionaltoll,theharshweathermadethemissionevenmoregrueling.Whenitrained,itpouredrelentlessly,andwhenthesuncameout,itwasscorching.Alsowritinginthememoir,Nguy?nMinh??c,remembered:Insomeplaces,themudreacheduptoourknees,thighs,waists,andevendeeper.Theairwasheavilypolluted.Afterworkinginthemorningsandevenings,wehadtocleanourselvesthoroughly,butcleanwaterwasscarce.Thehardestpartwaswhenitrained,andwedidnthaveenoughdryclothes.Wehadtodrythembythekitchenfireorborrowfromeachother.Eachdaybroughtnewchallenges.Nguy?n??cQuy?n,fromYênBái,facedhisownpersonalhardshipduringthemission.OnhiswaytoLàngN?,helearnedthathisownhomesubmergedinfloodwaters.Afterfourlongdays,hefinallymanagedtocontacthismotherbyphoneandlearnedthatshewassafe,thoughtheirfamilyschickenfarmhadbeendestroyed.SourcesofstrengthAmidthegriefandhardship,thesoldiersdrewstrengthfromtheunwaveringsupportoftheirleadersandthelocalcommunity,neverfalteringintheirdetermination.ViV?nD??ngreflectedonthedeepbondthatformed.Whatmovedmethemostwashowthelocalsstoodbyusthroughoutthemission.Theyconstantlyencouragedusaswesearchedforthemissing,hesaid.Onscorchinghotdays,theybroughtusbottlesofwatertokeepusgoing.Thosemomentsareetchedinmymemory,andIwillneverforgetthem.DeputyPoliticalCommissarofRegiment98,L??ngV?nhPhúc,addedthatsomefamilieswereevenwillingtomovetheirentirehouseholdtomakespaceforthesoldierswhentheyhadnoplacetostay.Inareaswherewaterpipelineswerethemainsourceofwater,whenthepipesbroke,andthevillagersnoticedthatthesoldiershadnowatertobathe,theydidnthesitatetorepairthem.Theyalwaysshowedussuchwarmandcaringsupport.AresidentofLàngN?Villagebidsfarewelltothesoldiers.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Itwasntjustthevillagerswhokeptthesoldiersgoing.Eveninthemostdifficultconditions,thesupportfromcommandersandsmallactsofkindnesswithintheunitprovidedmuch-neededcomfort.BànV?nL?oftheRegimentrecalledalate-nightencounterwithhiscompanycommanderinthememoir.Hewrote:Itwasaround11pm,Iwascrouchedover,tryingtogetthefiregoingwhenIsuddenlylookedupandwasstartled.Ihadntevennoticedmycompanycommanderstandingnexttome.Iquicklyexplained,‘Sir,bothofmysetsofunderclothesarewet,soImdryingthemouttoweartobed.Ithoughthemightscoldme,butinstead,heturnedonhisflashlight,openedhisbackpack,pulledoutapairofmilitaryshorts,andhandedthemtome.‘Puttheseonandgetsomerest.Youllneedyourstrengthfortomorrow,hesaid.N?ngV?nHoàngalsosharedthattheencouragementfromhiscommanderskepthimgrounded.Aftermorethanaweekofsearchingforthemissingvictims,ourbodieswerebeginningtofeeltheexhaustion.Thereweremomentswhenwefeltlikegivingup,butourcommandersateverylevelcontinuedtomotivate,carefor,andsupportus.Afterdinner,theywouldcheckonus,andofferwordsofencouragement.Thankstotheirconcern,ourfatigueandhardshipsseemedtofadeaway,andwefoundthestrengthtokeepgoing,tosearchformorevictims,andcompleteourmissionasquicklyaspossible.Unitedbyloss,sustainedbytrustAfter14daysofrelentlesssearching,itwastimeforthesoldierstobidfarewelltoLàngN?Villageandreturntotheirunit.Thevillagers,whohadwitnessedthesoldiersdedicationandsacrifices,linedtheroadtoseethemoff.Themenshookhandswiththesoldiers,whilethewomenandmothersembracedthem,tearsstreamingdowntheirfaces.Thevillagerspresentedthesoldierswithbánhch?ng,riceballsandbottlesofwater.TheSecretaryoftheB?oYênDistrictPartyCommitteehandedthemanationalflagbearingtheinscriptionLàNGN?10-24/9/2024.Astheyreceivedtheflag,tearswelledupinthesoldierseyes.LieutenantColonelL??ngV?nhPhúcsaidtheyweredeeplymoved.ThisflagsymbolisednotonlytherecognitionfromthelocalPartyCommittee,authorities,andthepeopleofPhúcKhánhCommuneandLàngN?Village,butalsothetrusttheyplacedintheofficersandsoldiersofRegiment98andDivision316.Ifeltthatthisgestureconveyedboththeirgratitudeandconfidenceinus.Inturn,webecameapillarofsupportforthepeopleofLàngN?,andforthenationasawhole,duringthemostchallenginganddifficulttimes.Beforedeparting,thesoldiersstoodinsolemnformation,bowingtheirheadsandraisingtheirhandsinafinalmilitarysalutetothevictimsstilllyingbeneaththemud.—PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Despitetheirefforts,themissionremainedunfinishedintheheartsofthesoldiers.Ifeeldeeplysadandtroubledbecausewehaventfoundalltheremainsofthevillagerslovedones.Therearefathersstillsearchingfortheirchildren,andchildrenstillsearchingfortheirmothers.Itsheart-wrenching,trulyheartbreaking,saidTr?nMinhTh?o.Beforetheirdeparture,thesoldiersformedasolemnlinebeforethevastexpanseofmud.Theybowedtheirheadsandraisedtheirhandsinamilitarysalute–agestureofsilentapologytothevictimsstilllyingbeneath.ReflectingontheirtimeinLàngN?,thesoldiersheldfirmtotheguidingprinciplethathadseenthemthrough:Wealwaysremindourselvesofonecorebelief:thePeoplesArmycomesfromthepeopleandservesthepeople.Throughoutthemission,officersandsoldierstreatedthevillagersasiftheywerefamily,fullyawareoftheimmenselosstheywerefacing,saidDeputyPoliticalCommissarL??ngV?nhPhúc.Astheydepartedfromthedevastatedvillage,itwasntjustamissiontheywereleavingbehind,butareminderofthestrengththatcomesfromunity,compassionandtrustbetweenthearmyandthepeopletheyserve.—VNSArenderingoftheproposed48kmrailwaylinelinkingHCMCitytotheunder-constructionLongThànhairportinneighbouring??ngNaiProvince.—PhotocourtesyoftheMinistryofTransportHCMCity—A48kmrailwaylinelinkingHCMCitytotheunder-constructionLongThànhairportinneighbouring??ngNaiProvincewillbebuiltbetween2026and2029,costingVN?84.7trillion(US$3.42billion).TheproposedTh?Thiêm–LongThànhlinewillinclude41.8kmofthemainroute(11.7kminHCMCityand30.8kmin??ngNai)and4.4kmfordepotaccess.TheMinistryofTransportisseekingfeedbackontheprojectsroute,landuse,andstationconnectivityfromlocalauthorities,includingHCMCity,??ngNaiProvince,andministries.Themetrosystemwillhaveamaximumspeedof110km/honthemainrouteand80km/hintunnels.Undertheministrysproposal,thelinewillstartatTh?ThiêmStationinTh???cCity,crossthe??ngNaiRiver,andtransitionundergroundinLongThànhDistrict.Ultimately,therailwaywillconnectwiththeNorth-Southhigh-speedrailwayandfacilitateaccesstoLongThànhInternationalAirport,whichiscurrentlyunderconstruction.Theprojectwillencompassbothelevatedandundergroundsections,featuringfourundergroundstationslocatednearLongThànhAirport,alongwithtwodepots—onecovering21.4hainLongThànhformaintenanceandanotherspanning1.2hainTh???cforminorrepairs.Between2035and2045,thelineisprojectedtoutiliseninefour-cartrains,increasingto28trainsbetween2045and2055,andultimatelyemploying31six-cartrainsby2055.Thetrainswillincorporatedistributedpowertechnology,similartothatutilisedintheproposedNorth-Southhigh-speedrailway.Accordingtotheproposal,Statefundsandbondswillbeutilisedforlandclearanceandconstruction,whileofficialdevelopmentassistance(ODA)loanswillbeallocatedfortheprocurementoftrainsandticketingsystems.Ifapproved,constructionisexpectedtocommencebylate2026,withcommercialoperationsprojectedtobeginin2030.Currently,theLongThanh–D?uGiayexpresswayistheonlyrouteconnectingtheairporttocentralHCMCity,whichiscongested.Theprojectalignswithglobaltrendsofconnectingmajorairportstocitycentresviahigh-capacityrail.HCMCitysmetrodevelopmentplanincludeseightmetrolinesandthreemonoraillines,totalingabout220km,withtwolinesunderconstruction.Thefirstmetrolineisexpectedtobeoperationallaterthisyear,whilethreeadditionalrailwaylinesareprojectedforthesouthernregionby2030.—VNSPassengersdisembarkfromaBambooAirwaysflightatTanS?nNh?tAirportinHCMCity.TheairlinewillrestartflightstoBangkoknextmonthafterayear-longsuspension.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—BambooAirwayshasannouncedtheresumptionofitsflightsbetweenH?ChíMinhCityandBangkok,Thailand,nextmonth,markingitsfirstinternationalflightafteraone-yearhiatusduetofinancialchallenges.Thecarrierwilloperateonedailyround-tripflightbetweenthetwocitiesstartingonNovember26.TheflightwilldepartfromHCMCitysTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportat11:15amandarriveatBangkoksDonMueangInternationalAirportat2pm.Ticketsarecurrentlyavailableforpurchase,withround-tripfaresstartingatVN?3.56million(US$143),asannouncedontheairlinesFacebookpage.BambooAirwaysinitiallylaunchedtheHCMCitytoBangkokrouteinApril2022andtheHàN?itoBangkokrouteinMarch2023.Atthattime,flightswereroutedtoBangkokslargerSuvarnabhumiInternationalAirport.BambooAirwayspreviouslyhadabroadflightnetworkacrossSoutheastAsia,NortheastAsia,Europe,andAustralia.However,inOctoberlastyear,itsuspendedinternationalflightsduetorisingdebt,lossesfromrapidexpansion,theimpactofCOVID-19,andincreasingfuelprices.ThailandwelcomedoveronemillionVietnamesetravelersin2023,whileVi?tNamremainsapopulardestinationforThaitourists.—VNS

ChildrenarevaccinatedonthefirstdayofHàN?ismeaslesvaccinationcampaignattheVanT?CommuneHealthStationinPhúXuyênDistrict.—PhotocourtesyoftheHàN?iDepartmentofHealthHàN?I—HàN?ionMondaylaunchedameaslesvaccinationcampaign,expectingtoadministerabout70,000vaccinations.Onthefirstdayofthecampaign,eightdistricts,includingLongBiên,PhúXuyên,PhúcTh?,Th??ngTín,??ngAnh,Hoài??c,S?nTayandTh?chTh?t,vaccinatedchildren.TheremaininglocalitieswillcarryoutvaccinationsuntilNovember15.Toensuresafetyandeffectiveness,themunicipalDepartmentofHealthestablishedthreeinspectionteamstoevaluatethecampaign.ObservationsfromtheHàN?iM?i(NewHàN?i)reportershowedthatattheVanT?CommuneHealthStationinPhúXuyênDistrictandtheMinhC??ngCommuneHealthStationinTh??ngTínDistrict,manyfamiliesbroughttheirchildrentobevaccinatedinresponsetothecampaignearlyinthemorning.PhúXuyênDistricthasmorethan1,800childreneligibleforvaccination,ofwhichtheVanT?CommuneHealthStationvaccinated45.InTh??ngTínDistrict,about1,200childrenarelistedforvaccination,ofwhichtheMinhC??ngCommuneHealthStationvaccinated61cases.Throughinspectionsatvaccinationsites,theHàN?iDepartmentofHealthassessedthatthevaccinationwascarriedoutcarefullybylocalauthorities,incompliancewithregulationssetbythehealthsector.Thevaccinationsiteswerearrangedreasonablyandstrictlyfollowedtheregulatedprocess,whileaheadoftheclinics,allchildreneligibleforvaccinationwerelistedandfullyinformed.Thecampaignsgoalisthatover95percentofchildrenagedonetofive,livingandstudyinginHàN?i,andover95percentofhealthworkersworkingattreatmentfacilitieswithmeaslespatients,whohavenotreceivedenoughdosesofvaccinesasprescribed,willreceiveonedoseofthemeasles-rubella(MR)vaccine.SixnewpatientsAreportfromtheHàN?iCentreforDiseaseControl(CDC)showsthatlastweek(fromOctober4-11),thecapitalcityrecordedsixnewcasesofmeasles,anincreaseoftwocomparedtothepreviousweek.Ofthese,fourwerenotvaccinated,onewasvaccinated,andonehadanunidentifiedvaccinationhistory.Sofarthisyear,thecityhashad23casesofmeasles,whilenocaseswerereportedinthesameperiodlastyear.Itisforecastthatmorecasesmayoccur,especiallyinthelastthreemonthsoftheyear.—VNSTheASEANEco-SchoolsVi?tNamAward2024waslaunchedonMonday.Photodangcongsan.vnHàN?I–TheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment,incoordinationwiththeOfficeoftheASEANSeniorOfficialsontheEnvironment(ASOEN)inVi?tNamandrelevantunits,heldaceremonyonOctober14tolaunchtheASEANEco-SchoolsVi?tNamAward2024.Representativesfromnearly100schoolsinHàN?iattendedtheeventinperson,whilethosefromover200schoolsacrossthecountryjoinedonline.Theawardwinnerswillbeselectedbasedonthreecriteriathatincludetheiractionplanandspecificprogrammeonenvironmentalprotection;curriculumandmainandextracurricularactivitiesontheenvironment;andenvironmentalprotectionfacilitiesandactivitiesinthecommunity.EntriesmustbesubmittedbyNovember10,2024,atwww.ecoschool.vn,andalsosenttoecoschoolsvietnam@gmail.com.TheASEANEco-SchoolsAwardisoneoftheactivitiesundertheframeworkoftheASOENassignedtoeachcountrytoorganise.ThewinningschoolswillbehonouredonthesidelinesoftheASOENConferenceortheASEANMinisterialMeetingontheEnvironment.Heldeveryfouryears,theawardispresentedtooutstandingprimaryandsecondaryschoolsinASEANmembercountriestorecognisethosewithbestpracticesinthegreenschoolprogrammeandtoencouragetheparticipationofotherschoolsinimplementinggreeninitiatives.ThefirstASEANEco-SchoolsAwardwasheldinMalaysiainJuly2012.Speakingatthelaunchceremony,DeputyMinisterofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentLêC?ngThànhemphasisedthatstudentsplayanespeciallyimportantroleinenvironmentalprotection.Theynotonlycarryoutspecificactionsintheirdailylivestoprotecttheenvironmentbutalsohelpspreadthemessageofenvironmentalprotectiontofamily,friendsandthecommunity,becomingpositiverolemodelswhoencourageadultstothinkandactfortheenvironment.VNS

VNADeputyGeneralDirectorNguy?nTh?S?(middle)attendsthe6thWorldMediaSummitinChina.VNA/VNSPhotosBEIJING–AdelegationfromtheVietnamNewsAgency(VNA)ledbyDeputyGeneralDirectorNguy?nTh?S?attendedthe6thWorldMediaSummit(WMS),whichopenedonMondayinUrumqi,thecapitalcityofnorthwestChinasXinjiangUygurAutonomousRegion.ThemedArtificialIntelligenceandMediaTransformation,thesummitgatheredover500participantsfrom106countriesandregions,includingrepresentativesof208mainstreammediaoutlets,governmentagenciesandinternationalorganisations.Theeventwasco-hostedbyXinhuaNewsAgencyandtheregionalgovernmentofXinjiang.Atthesummit,S?deliveredaspeechhighlightingtheroleandresponsibilitiesofthepressinthefaceofnaturaldisasters,mentioningsupertyphoonsthatcausedheavylossesinhumanlivesandpropertyinmanycountriesandregionsaroundtheworldsincethebeginningofthisyear,especiallyTyphoonYagi,whichhitVi?tNamearlylastmonth.Thepressshouldquicklytransmitaccurateforecastsandwarnings,promptlyupdatethedevelopments,directionsanddevastatingpowerofthestorms,andreflecttherescueworkandrecoveryeffortstohelppeoplestabilisetheirlives,shesaid.Mainstreamnewsagenciesalsoneedtopromotetheirroleinrefutingandcorrectingfalseinformation,providingthepublicwithtrueinformation,andcontributingtostrengtheningtrustandmaintainingsocialstabilityandorder,sheadded.Shenotedthatinjustovertwoweeks,theVNA,asthenationalnewsagency,producedandpublishedmorethan10,000informationproductsinmanyformsrelatingtoTyphoonYagi,includingmorethan3,400textarticles,morethan5,900photosandphotoessaysbroadcastonline,morethan740televisionnewsitems,and116infographics,providingofficialandreliablesourcesofinformationforthedomesticandforeignpressandmediasystems.TheVNAdidagoodjobofrespondingtoandcorrectingfalseinformation,promotingethicalvaluesandsocialresponsibilityofjournalists,contributingtoprotectingsocialorderandsafety,andthepeacefullivesofthepeople,S?said.Sheaffirmedthatthepressandmediahavemadeimportantcontributionstominimisingdamagecausedbynaturaldisasters,maintainingsocialstability,andpreventingthosewhotakeadvantageofnaturaldisastersforpersonalgain,whilealsopromotingandspreadingsolidarityandhumanity,helpingvictimsreceivetimelyrescueandsupportandacceleratingtheprocessofrecoveryanddevelopment.VNADeputyGeneralDirectorNguy?nTh?S?talkswithVicePresidentofXinhuaNewsAgencyYuanBingzhongOnthesidelinesofthesummit,S?metwithVicePresidentofXinhuaNewsAgencyYuanBingzhong.SheappreciatedXinhuafororganisingthesummit,sayingitsthemeisusefulforpressagenciesinthedevelopmenttrendofmodernjournalismtoday.Regardingtherelationshipbetweenthetwonewsagencies,S?saidshehopesthattheywillcarryoutcooperativeactivitiestowardsthe75thanniversaryofthediplomaticrelationsbetweenVi?tNamandChinain2025;maintaintheexchangeofinformationandprofessionalexperience;supporteachotherscorrespondents;andcoordinateviewpointsatinternationalandregionalpressforumsofwhichbotharemembers.Thetwosidesagreedtostrengthencooperationandcontinuetoeffectivelyimplementtheprofessionalcooperationagreementbetweenthetwonewsagencies,whichwasrecentlysignedduringthestatevisitofPartyGeneralSecretaryandStatePresidentT?LamtoChinalastAugust.Theywillcontinuetopromotethetraditionalrelationsandenhanceunderstandingbetweenthepeopleofthetwocountries,contributingtoenhancingthetraditionalfriendshipandcomprehensivestrategiccooperativepartnershipbetweenVi?tNamandChina.VNS

VietnameseandinternationalexpertsexamineaboywithbirthdefectattheSaintPaulGeneralHospitalonOctober14.—PhotocourtesyofthehospitalHàN?I—SaintPaulGeneralHospitalinHàN?ihasbeenholdingscreeningsandsurgeryprogrammesforchildrenunder16yearsoldwithbirthdefectsandmusculoskeletaldiseases.Thisispartofthehospitalsannualinternationalcooperationplantoimprovethequalityofdiagnosisandtreatmentforpatients,whilealsofacilitatingtheexchangeofprofessionalexperiencewiththeworldsleadingmedicalexperts.AccordingtoDrNguy?nMinh??c,headofthehospitalsupperandlowerlimbOrthopaedicsDepartment,treatingcongenitaldefectsisstillabigchallenge,especiallywhenmanychildrencometothehospitalwithdeformities.Earlyscreeningandtimelyinterventionarekeyfactorsintreatingcomplexdeformities.However,resourcesandexpertisefrominternationalexpertswillhelpusimprovetreatmentcapabilities,especiallywithcomplicatedcases,saidDr??c.Intheprogramme,sixleadingdoctorsinthefieldofpaediatricorthopaedicsfromSpain,theUSandChina,ledbyDrFranciscoSoldado,HeadoftheDepartmentofPediatricOrthopaedicSurgeryatValldHebronHospital(Barcelona,??Spain),participatedinconsultation,consultationandsurgeryondifficultcases.DrFranciscoSoldadoisknownasoneoftheworldsleadingexpertsinpaediatricorthopedicmicrosurgery,especiallyinthetreatmentofcomplexupperlimbdeformitiesandbrachialplexusparalysis.Hehasbeencollaboratingwiththehospitalsince2022,bringingmanypositiveresultsintreatingpaediatricpatientswithseriousdeformities.Theexaminationandsurgeryprogrammeprovidedanopportunityforthehospitalsdoctorstoupskillwiththemostadvancedtreatmenttechniquesinthefieldofpaediatricorthopaedics.—PhotocourtesyofthehospitalTheexaminationandsurgeryprogrammeprovidedanopportunityforthehospitalsdoctorstoupskillwiththemostadvancedtreatmenttechniquesinthefieldofpaediatricorthopaedics.Inparticular,consultationandsurgeryoncomplexcaseswithateamofinternationalexpertswillhelpdomesticdoctorshavetheopportunitytolearnandapplyin-depthknowledgetotreatpatientsinVi?tNam.Inaddition,Vietnameseandinternationalexpertswillalsoorganiseprofessionalexchanges,updatenewtreatmentmethods,aswellasdiscussingcomplexcases.Newknowledgeandtechniquessharedintheseseminarswillcontributetoimprovingthequalityoftreatmentforpaediatricpatientsatthehospitalwhilestrengtheninglong-termcooperativerelationshipswithinternationalpartners.ThismarksanimportantstepintheprofessionaldevelopmentjourneyofSaintPaulGeneralHospital,helpingthehospitalcontinuouslyimprovethequalityofmedicalservicesandbringbettertreatmentopportunitiestoVietnamesechildren.—VNSAviewoftheHCMCity-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.VNS

DrV?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.VNSQuàngTh?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.VNS