AplanepicksuppassengersattheC?n??oAirport.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofTransport(MoT)isplanningtoupgradeandexpandC?n??oAirportsoitcanlandbiggerplanes.InadocumentsenttoPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhandDeputyPMTr?nH?ngHà,theMoTproposedtoupgradeandexpandtheairportbypublicinvestmentcapitalsoitcanacceptoperationaircraftcodeC(A320sandtheirequivalent).TheMoTassessesthattheinvestmentplanensureseffectiveuseofcapitalwithreasonablecostsandwillbetterservepeoplestravelneeds,ensuringsafety,nationaldefenceandsecurity.TheprojecttorenovateandupgradetherunwayandtaxiwayatC?n??oAirporthasbeenapprovedwithatotalinvestmentofaboutVN?1.6trillion(US$66.9million).ItwasassignedbythePMasamedium-termpublicinvestmentplanusingStatebudgetfortheperiod2020-25.Theprojectwillexpandtheexistingrunwaywithasizeof1,830mx45m,buildanewparalleltaxiwayandconnectingtaxiwaysandimprovenightlighting.ThelandingsystemwillmeanaircraftssuchastheA319andB737willbeabletousetheairport,inaccordancewithPMChínhsinstructions.Previously,basedoncalculatingtheexpectedflightroutesandoperatingconditions,theADPiinternationalconsultantfromFranceconcludedthatthe1,830-metrerunwayatC?n??oAirportissufficienttoreceivemosttypesofaircraftscodeC,exceptfortheA321aircraft.Airlinesareadvisedtooperatemedium-sizedaircraftstoensurethehighestworkefficiencyandensuretheoperationofalldomesticroutesinVi?tNamandsomeinternationalroutestoSoutheastAsiaandNorthAsia.Regardingworksensuringflightactivities,accordingtocurrentregulations,theVi?tNamAirTrafficManagementCorporation(VATM)isresponsibleforinvesting,upgradingandexpandingtechnicalinfrastructureattheairport.Regardingcivilaviationprojects,theMoTleaderssaidthatfromnowupto2030,itwasnecessarytoresearchandinvestintobuildinganewcivilaviationareaincludingapassengerterminalandparkingwithacapacityofaroundtwomillionpassengersperyear.TheestimatedinvestmentcostisaboutVN?2.1trillion($83.5million)underthepublic-privatepartnership(PPP)method.Therefore,theMoTsuggestedthePMtodirecttheBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincePeoplesCommitteetostudyanddevelopaprojectoncivilaviationareaunderthePPPmethodandreporttothePMforpermission.Atpresent,therunwayandtaxiwayattheC?n??oAirport,whichwerebuiltin2004,areinapoorconditionandthe30metrewiderunwaycanonlybeusedforplanessuchastheATR72andequivalent.—VNS

Anofficialin??kT?ngCommune,KonPl?ngDistrict,guidelocalpeopleonhowtorespondtoearthquakes.—VNA/VNSPhotoCaoNguyênHàN?I—Anotherearthquakeof3.8magnitudehitDistrict,theCentralHighlandsprovinceofKonTum,onSaturday,accordingtotheInstituteofGeophysics.Itoccurredat12:44pmatadepthofabout8.1km,withnodisasterrisk.EarthquakeshavebeenrecordedfrequentlyinKonPl?ngsince2021.Recently,theareawashitbya5.0magnitudeearthquakeonJuly28withitsdisasterriskcategorisedasLevel2-thestrongesteverrecordedinthisarea.Thequakecausedsomedamagetopublicbuildingsandresidentialhomes.ResidentsintheCentralHighlandsandcentralVi?tNamfeltthetremorsandshaking.Thelocalityexperiencedatotalof21earthquakesonJuly28,followedbyanadditional11tremorsbetweenmidnightand7amonJuly29,raisingconcernsaboutunusualseismicactivityintheregion.Nguy?nXuanAnh,DirectoroftheInstituteofGeophysics,statedthatearthquakesareforecasttocontinuehittingKonTumProvinceinthenearfuture,butareunlikelytobestrongerthan5.5degrees.Localauthoritiesandcompetentagenciesneedtoconductdamageassessments,reviewandevaluateweakstructuresatriskofbeingaffectedbyearthquakesforsolutions.Between1903and2020,KonPl?ngDistrictrecordedabout33earthquakeswithmagnitudesof2.5orhigher.From2021toAugust2022,theareaexperiencednearly200newearthquakes.—VNSSceneoftheaccident.Theworkerswereliftedbythecranetoworkonthesilosthatstorematerialsforafactory.—VNA/VNSPhotoL?cH??ngThuLàOCAI—AcraneaccidentonFridayataphosphorusslag-crushingplantinT?ngLo?ngIndustrialPark,B?oTh?ngDistrict,LàoCaiProvince,hasleftthreeworkersdeadandthreeothersinjured.Initialinvestigationssuggestthetragedyoccurredat11:30amwhenacablehoistcarryingthesixworkerssuddenlysnapped,sendingthecontainertheywereinplummetingtotheground.Thecontainerwasthenstruckbyafallingpulley,compoundingthedevastatingimpact.ThetwoworkerswholosttheirliveshavebeenidentifiedasL.V.C.,ageunknown,andP.V.N,34.Theformerdiedatthescenewhilethelattersucummedtoinjurieswhilebeingrushedtothehospital.Theidentityofthethirdworkerwholosthislifeduringhospitaltreatmenthasnotbeenannounced.Thethreeinjuredarereceivingmedicalattention.Thepolicehaveconcludedthattheconstructioncompanysuseofatowercranetotransportworkersviolatedlaboursafetyregulations.TheypressedchargesagainstitonAugust2.—VNS

Alibrarianinasecondaryschoolin??kL?kProvince.Photogiaoducthoidai.vnNguy?nTh?Ng?cH??nghadworkedasacontractlibrarianatapublicschoolinDuyTiênTownship,inthenorthernprovinceofHàNam,since2010andonlybecameacivilservantin2022.Afterdedicating14yearstoherjob,hercurrentincome,afterdeductinginsurance,isVN?4.6million(US$180)permonthwithoutanyadditionalallowances.Thismeagresalarymakesitchallengingforhertomakeendsmeet.[AccordingtotheGeneralStatisticsOfficetheaverageincomeofworkingpeopleinthefirsthalfof2024wasVN?7.5million(nearlyUS$300)permonth.]Shehastotakeextraworkasgoodsshipping,farmingworkandsellinggoodsonlineinhersparetimetosupportherfamily,However,theydependmainlyonherhusbandsfreelancebusinessfortheirlivelihoodandtheirtwochildrenseducation.Besidesourmaindutiesinkeepingandlendingbooks,wealsofacilitateteachersandstudentstoaccessinformationandresourcesinthelibrary,particularlyhandletaskstypicallyassignedtoteachers,H??ngtoldgiaoducthoidai.vn.Theseincludeplanninglessonsandhandlingadministrativework.Insomeplaces,weareinvolvedinliteracycampaigns,medicalcareduties,assistingwithlessonplanning,andsupportingteachersduringspeciallessonsandteachingcompetitions,sheadded.GivinguphalfwayBusyworkandlowincomehavediscouragedmanyschoollibrarians.Infact,myjobasalibrarianisharderthanthatofateacherbecauseIhavetosimultaneouslyteachlifeskillsandmorallessons,andorganisereadingactivitiesinclassrooms,thelibraryroom,andevenduringoutdoorbreak,Ph?mTh?Chiêm,aschoollibrarianinTháiBìnhProvince,said.Wealsoinspectstudentsbooks,stationery,andmonitortheirstudyhabitsonmonthlybasis.Meanwhile,LêTh?Ng?c,aschoollibrarianinV?nhL?cDistrict,ThanhHóa(chǎn)Province,commutesnearly50kmdailyfromhometoschoolandbackforaboutthreehours,whichisespeciallychallengingduringbadweather.Workingeighthoursadayatschool,andcaringforthreeyoungchildrenathome,shefindsnotimetotakeextrawork.Herhusbandisalsoagovernmentworkerwithlowincome,soherfamilysfinancesareoftenunstable.Tenyearsago,Iconsideredquittingmyjobatschool,butmyparentsencouragedmetostay,valuingmyeducationandyearsofdedication,Ng?csaid.Itriedtolivefrugallyonmysmallsalary.Inearly2023,facinghealthissues,stagnantwages,andrisingcostsasmychildrengrew,Ireluctantlysubmittedmyresignation.Itwasheart-wrenchingtoleaveafter18yearsofdevotedservice,shesaid.Currently,thereareover35,000schoollibrariansnationwide.Althoughgovernmentpoliciestoimprovethelivingofeducationalworkersexist,theyhavenotbeeneffectivelyimplemented,leavingmanyunabletosustainthemselvesontheirsalaries.DelayinapplyingpoliciesTheworkofaschoollibrarianincludesguidingstudentsinreadingbooksatthelibrary.Photogiaoducthoidai.vnDespiteregulationsfromtheMinistryofHomeAffairs,theMinistryofCulture,SportsandTourism,andtheMinistryofEducationandTraining(MoET),schoollibrarystaffstillreceivenoadditionalincomebeyondtheirbasicsalary.Thissituationhasledtofinancialdifficultiesandfrustrationamongthisworkforce.TheMinistryofCultureandInformation(nowtheMinistryofCulture,SportsandTourism)issuedacircularinFebruary2006stipulatingtheseallowancesandin-kindbenefitsforpublicservantsintheculturalinformationsector.TheHàNamprovincialDepartmentofEducationandTrainingsentanofficialdispatchtothePeoplesCommittees[administrations]ofdistricts,towns,andcitiesonMay6,2024,urgingthemtodirectrelevantagenciesandpubliceducationalinstitutionsundertheirjurisdictiontoimplementexistingregulationsonallowancesforschoolstaff,ensuringcorrectsubjectsandlevelsofallowancesbasedonjobpositions.OnOctober30,2023,MoETissuedacircularprovidingguidanceonjobpositions,thestructureofpublicemployeesaccordingtoprofessionaltitles,andstaffingnormsingeneraleducationinstitutions.Thefundingsource,calculation,andpaymentoftheseallowancesshouldfollowtheinstructionsprovidedintherelevantdocumentsissuedbythemanagingministriesandcurrentstateregulations.Thedepartmentalsorequiredaffiliatedunitstothoroughlystudytheregulationsregardingsubjects,levelsofallowances,calculationmethods,andpaymentproceduresforemployees.Basedontheactualtasksassignedtoemployeesineachunit,thecorrectsubjectsandlevelsofallowancesshouldbeidentifiedandimplemented,ensuringappropriatepaymentofpreferential,responsibility,hazardous,anddangerousallowancesasperregulations.Infact,theworkoflibrariansissomewhatlikethatofteachers;wealsohavetopreparespecificcontenttoorganiseareadingperiodasalessonplanbeforeclass,H??ngsaid.Librariansmustwriteprofessionalessaysintroducingtheroleoftheschoollibraryinservingteachingandlearning,andnumerousarticlesintroducingbooksonvarioussubjectstoreaders,requiringdidacticskills.Despitetheseguidelines,HàNamProvincehadnotpaidtheallowancepaymentsforlibrarystaffbytheendofMay2024;evenMoETissuedanofficialdispatchonDecember26,2023,regardingtheimplementationofpoliciesandpromotionofprofessionaltitlesforschoolstaff,sheadded.Thedelayandinconsistencyinapplyingtheseregulationshaveleftmanylibrariansstrugglingfinanciallyandprofessionally.Thereisapressingneedforconcertedeffortsfromallrelevantauthoritiestoensurethatpoliciesarenotonlywell-documentedbutalsoexecutedefficientlytosupportandmotivatethisessentialworkforce.AccordingtoV?Minh??c,PhD,directoroftheDepartmentofTeachersandEducationalManagersatMoET,theministryhasacknowledgedthesignificantdifficultiesfacedbyschoolstaff.Currently,thetotalincomeofschoolstaff,includinginsurancecontributions,forthosewithlessthan15yearsofservicerangesfromVN?3.6milliontounderVN?7millionpermonth,??csaid.Thisisdespitethelargeworkloadandthenecessitytotakeonvariousadditionaltasks.Tohelpschoolstaffincreasetheirincome,stabilisetheirlives,andfeelsecureintheirroles,theeducationministryhasproposedtotheMinistryofHomeAffairsthatschoolstaffreceiveaprofessionalallowanceatanappropriateleveltorecognisetheirworkandresponsibilities.Theyalsoaimtoreviewandassessthecomplexityofeachjobpositionheldbyschoolstaff,whichwillserveasabasisforadjustingregulationsregardingjobresponsibilities,professionalstandards,andprofessionalrankclassifications.Theseadjustmentsaimtoimproveincomethroughsalaryenhancementsandprovidebettercareeradvancementopportunitiesforschoolstaff.ThestoriesofH??ng,ChiêmandNg?creflectabroaderissuefacingschoollibrarystaffacrossVi?tNam.Despitetheirimportantroleineducation,theirworkremainsundervaluedandunderpaid,leadingtofinancialhardshipandjobdissatisfaction.Addressingtheseissuesrequiresconcertedeffortsfromgovernmentauthoritiestoensurefaircompensationandsupportforthesededicatedworkers.VNSThefirstWorldStudentFestivalHCMCity2024andtheeighthInternationalStudentScienceForumwereofficiallykickedoffinHCMCityonAugust2.—PhotoCourtesyoftheorganiserHCMCITY—ThefirstWorldStudentFestivalHCMCity2024andtheeighthInternationalStudentScienceForumwereofficiallykickedoffinHCMCityonFriday(August2).Speakingattheopeningceremony,themunicipalPeoplesCommitteeDeputyChairwomanTr?nTh?Di?uThúysaidtheyouthinallcountriesplayacriticalrole,particularlytheirpioneeringroleincreatingroadstowardssustainabledevelopmentgoalsforcommunities.Thecityhasalwayscreatedfavourableconditionsforstudentsandyoungsterstomaximisetheirpotentialandcapabilitiesthrougharangeofactivities,shesaid.Thefestivalandforumareexpectedtocontributetoenhancingexchangesandconnections,fosteringmutualunderstandingamongyouthsandstudentsfromvariouscountriesandterritorieswiththeirpeersinVi?tNamingeneralandHCMCityinparticular,shesaid.Tr?nThuHà,deputysecretaryofH?ChíMinhCommunistYouthUnion-HCMCitychapterandpresidentoftheVietnameseStudentAssociationinHCMCity,saidthefestivalsthemeIgnitingyouth-ledsocialimpact:fromlocaltoglobalunderscoresthepioneeringroleofyouthandstudentsinpromotingpositivechangesforcommunitydevelopment,encouragingtheircontributionstoglobalissues,especiallythe17SustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)oftheUnitedNations.Thefour-dayfestivalseekstocreateanenvironmentthatenhancesskills,fostersleadership,anddrivespositivecommunitychanges.Activitiesallowlocalandinternationalstudentstointeractandexperiencediversecultures,andpromotethecitysculturalbeautyanddevelopmentachievementsglobally.Theeventhasattractedsignificantinterestfromstudentsatuniversities,colleges,andinstitutesbothdomesticallyandinternationally.Fromnearly500studentregistrationsforthefestivalandsubmissionsfortheInternationalStudentScienceForum,theorganisingcommitteeselected177officialdelegatesfrom11countries.Thisincludes79internationalstudents,sevenrepresentativesfromVietnamesestudentassociationsabroadand20studentsfromvariousregionswithinVi?tNam.Thesedelegatesareoutstandingrepresentativesinvariousfields,comingtogethertoaffirmtheircommitmenttocommunityactionbyestablishingtheFriendshipYouthNetworkduringthefestivalsformalsession.Thefestivalalsofeaturestourstoculturalandhistoricalsitesinthecity,traditionalculturalandartisticactivitiesatthePh??ngNamTheatre,andavisittothemunicipalPeoplesCommitteeheadquarters,amongothers.—VNSFishermeninThanhHóa(chǎn)ProvinceareinformedabouttheFisheriesLawandIUUfishingregulations.—Photovneconomy.vnHàN?I—Thenorth-centralprovinceofThanhHóa(chǎn)hasintensifiedinspectionsatseaandfishingportswhileworkingwithownersofvesselsthatviolatedregulationsonillegal,unreported,andunregulated(IUU)fishingaspartofitseffortstoclampdownontheillicitfishing.DuringtheJanuary-Julyperiod,localauthoritieshandled80violationcasesandleviedatotalfineofVN?967million(overUSD$38,300)onlocalfishermenandboatownerswhocommittedillegalacts.Alistof306fishingvesselswithhighrisksofviolationswasmadepublicatfishingports,whilethosewithoutnecessarydocumentsandvesselmonitoringsystemswerebannedfromdockingatthefishingports.Throughoutexaminations,theauthoritiesfoundoutseveralcommonmistakesofshipowners,includingexpiringsafefishingvesselcertificates,losingconnectionsignalsforover10days,andfailingtobuyinsuranceforcrewmembers.AccordingtothedeputyheadoftheprovincialDepartmentoffisheriesLêV?nSáng,theprovincewillcontinueenhancingthecommunicationsworktoraisepublicawarenessofIUUregulationsandresolvetometeoutstrictpunishmentsforanyviolations.Inthesamevein,thecentralprovinceofQu?ngTr?hasworkedtohandlehundredsoffishingboatsfrom6to15metresinlengthhavingnoregistration,nofishinglicenses,andnocertificatesprovingtheirseaworthiness(threenos).TheprovincialPeoplesCommitteedirectedlocalitiestotightenmanagementoverfishingvesselstoensurethattherearenoadditionalboatswiththree-nos.—VNS

AKUH-1ESurionHelicopterdevelopedbyKoreaAerospaceIndustriesCo.—Photoqdnd.vnSEOUL—KoreaAerospaceIndustriesCo(KAI)onAugust2announcedtherecruitmentof50Vietnameseworkersforsmallandmedium-sizedpartnersthroughGAET,apublicenterpriseundertheVietnameseMinistryofNationalDefence.ThesearethefirstforeignworkersthatKAIhastrainedintheirhomecountryandprovidedforaerospacecompaniesintheRepublicofKorea(RoK).Lastyear,KAIpromotedanoverseasprofessionalhumanresourcetrainingprojectrelatedtotheimplementationoftheE-7-3visapolicytoaddressthemanpowershortageatsmallandmedium-sizedcompaniesintheaerospaceindustry.Accordingly,itsignedamemorandumofunderstanding(MoU)withGAETtotrainandsupplyhumanresourceswithaerospaceexpertise.UndertheMoU,50excellentindividualsinVi?tNamwhoholdbachelorsdegreesinscienceandengineeringandhaveworkexperiencewereselectedandtrainedinboththeoryandpracticeaboutaircraftcomponentmanufacturingforthreemonthsatavocationaltrainingcentresetupbytheVietnameseministry.Startingthisyear,thefirstgraduateswillbesenttoKAIspartnercompaniesaswellasKoreanaerospacepartmanufacturerslikeSongwolTechnology,MiraeAviation,YulgokandSKAviation,wheretheywillworkonmachiningandassemblingaircraftparts.SongHo-cheol,headoftheKAIOperationsCentre,saidthepromotionofthisprojecthelpssolvethemanpowershortageforpartnersbymakinguseofVi?tNamsabundanthumanresourcesandinfrastructure.Inthefuture,KAIplanstotrainabout100professionalseachyearthroughVi?tNamsaerospacetrainingprogramme.—VNSPresidentT?LamatthefestivalinC?a??ngWardonFriday.—VNA/VNSPhotoAnV?n??ngHàN?I—PresidentT?LamonAugust2emphasisedtheneedtoreformtheAllpeoplessecuritysafeguardingmovementintermsofbothformandcontentwhileattendingafestivalinthisregardinC?a??ngWardinHoànKi?mDistrictofHàN?i.PresidentLamsaidsuchmovementhasdevelopedstronglyinthecapitalcityoverthepastyears,withvariousself-managedsecurityandsafety,andanti-crimemodelsputinplaceeffectively,androlledoutonanationalscale,laudingC?a??ngasabrightspotintheeffort.Stressingtheimportantroleandpositionofthecapitalcity,which,hesaid,isthetargetofhostileandreactionaryforcesaswellascrimes,addingthatensuringsecurityandordermustbeakey,long-termtaskofthelocalpoliticalsystem.Topromotethemovement,all-levelPartyCommitteesandadministrationsinHàN?ineedtocontinueseriouslyandeffectivelydisseminatingandimplementingrelevantguidelinesandpolicies,whileraisingpublicawarenessofthedrive,thePresidentcontinued.HesuggestedthecombinationofthedriveandotheremulationmovementslaunchedbytheParty,theState,agencies,theVi?tNamFatherlandFront,andorganisations,notingrolemodelsshouldbecommendedinatimelymanner,andparticipantsinjured,killedorsufferingpropertylossesshouldreceivesupport.ThepublicsecurityandarmyforcesneedtocloselycoordinatewiththeVietnamFatherlandFrontandotheragenciesandsocio-economicorganisationsinthismovement,hecontinued.ThePresidentalsoaskedthelocalitytopaymoreattentiontodevelopingacontingentofgrassrootspoliceofficerswhohavepoliticalqualities,professionalexpertise,andareapproachable,andabletoprovideadviceforall-levelPartyCommitteesandadministrationsintheimplementationofthemovement.Onthisoccasion,theStateleaderpresentedgiftstolocalofficialsandresidents,rolemodelsinthemovement,anddisadvantagedindividuals.—VNS

NationalHighway12passingthroughM??ngP?nCommunein?i?nBiênDistrict,?i?nBiênProvincehasbeenseverelydamagedbyflashfloodstriggeredbyprolongedheavyrainoverthepastweek.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—NinepeoplehavediedfollowingtheprolongedrainandheavyfloodsinnorthernVi?tNamoverthepastweek.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentsDepartmentofDykeManagementandNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlreportedthatthefloodshavealsoledtotheemergencyrelocationof63households,withnearly600homessubmerged.Nearly2,500haofriceandcropswereflooded,while33.2haofaquaculturedestroyed.Intermsoftransport,over297siteshaveexperiencedlandslidesandblockages,withatotalofmorethan54,000cu.mofsoilandrockswasheddownhillsides.Immediatelyafterthedisasteroccurred,localauthoritiesvisitedandsupportedaffectedhouseholdsandmobilisedforcestoassistinrecoveryefforts.TheDepartmentofDykeManagementandNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlhasadvisedcitiesandprovincestocloselymonitorweatherforecastsanddisasterwarningsandproactivelyimplementresponseplans.AreasinthedownstreamregionsoftheH?ng(Red)RiverandTháiBìnhRiverareurgedtoensuresafetyduringtheoperationoftheS?nLa,HòaBình,TuyênQuanghydropowerdams.Localitiesshouldtakemeasurestoensurethesafetyofthedykesystemandrespondtothefloodingsituation.—VNS

ManystreetsinHàN?iaredecoratedwithnationalflagstocelebratetheNationalDayholiday.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?n?i?pHàN?I—Vi?tNamsNationalDaybreak,thefinalholidaythisyear,willtakeplacefromAugust31toSeptember3,theMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairshasannounced.Civilservantsareentitledtofourconsecutivedaysoff,includingoneweekendday(Saturday),twonationalholidays(SundayandMonday)andoneadditionalday(Tuesday).EmployersarerequiredtoinformemployeesoftheNationalDayholidayschedulefor2024atleast30daysinadvance.Theministryencouragesemployerstoapplytheholidayscheduleforemployeessimilarlytothatforcivilservants.Theministryalsonotedthatagenciesandcompaniesoperatingonweekends(SaturdayandSunday)maydeterminetheholidayschedulefortheiremployeesbasedontheirworkroutines.Foremployeeswhohaveaone-dayweeklyoffonSunday,theNationalDayholidayfromSeptember2willspanthreedays,fromSeptember1toSeptember3,iftheholidayisobservedonSunday(September1).IftheholidayisobservedonTuesday(September3),itwilllasttwodays,fromSeptember2toSeptember3.ForemployeeswhohaveatwodaysaweekoffonSaturdayandSunday,theNationalDayholidaywilllastfourdays,fromAugust31toSeptember3.—VNSByTrinhNguy?nHàN?I—Conicalhats,toyfigurines,lacquerwareandembroidery,arejustafewofthemanyuniqueandtraditionalcraftsmadeinandaroundVi?tNamscapitalcity.AuthoritiesinHàN?iknowthis,andwanttoensuresuchworkisprotectedandexploitedforthebenefitofallthatworkinthesector.AconferencewasheldonJuly5givingcraftsmenandwomentheopportunitytodiscusstheirconcernsandaddressfuturechallenges.TheConferenceonDialoguetoOvercomeDifficultiesandPromoteBusinessProductionforEnterprises,Cooperatives,andBusinessHouseholdsOperatinginCraftVillagesinHàN?iin2024washeldattheheadquartersoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommittee.ChairedbyTr?nS?Thanh,MemberofthePartyCentralCommittee,DeputySecretaryoftheCityPartyCommittee,andChairmanoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommittee,theconferencediscussedvariousissuessuchasplanning,infrastructure,tourismandtheenvironmentofcraftvillages;supportpoliciesforcraftvillages;scienceandtechnology,tradepromotion,brandingandlinkingrawmaterialregionstofindpracticalsolutionsforthecityssectorsandlevels.AccordingtoDeputyChairmanoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommitteeNguy?nM?nhQuy?n,theconferencedemonstratesHàN?iscommitmenttoalwaysaccompanythebusinesscommunityandentrepreneursofthecapital;continuetoimplementdrasticsolutionstosupportandresolveobstaclesforenterprises,especiallytoovercomedifficultiesinadministrativeprocedures,improvethebusinessinvestmentenvironment;implementdigitaltransformationinthegovernmentsystemandsupportenterprises.DeputyChairmanoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommittee,Nguy?nM?nhQuy?n,deliverstheopeningspeechattheconference.-VNSPhotoTrinhNguy?nSpeakingtoVi?tNamNewsonthesidelinesoftheseminar,HàTh?Vinh,chairmanoftheHanoiCraftandArtisansAssociationexpressedherhappinessandhavingtheopportunitytodiscussindetailissuesfaced.Thisisagoldenopportunityforcraftvillagestoovercomedifficulties,shesaid.Cityleadershavedeeplyanalysedeverydetailtounderstandthechallengesfacedbycraftvillages,businesses,cooperatives,andindividualsinthissector,includingareassuchasplanning,training,tradepromotionandinfrastructure.Throughtheconference,wehopethatthevillageswillbringnewideas,andthecitycanbettercollaboratewiththem.Thepreservationanddevelopmentofcraftvillageshavealwaysbeenofconcernandsupportedbythecity.TheprogrammedatedMarch17,2021,bytheHàN?iPartyCommitteeforthe2021-2025periodconsiderspromotingthedevelopmentofruralindustriesandruraleconomyasanimportantcontentintheeconomicdevelopmentofthecapital.Todate,thecityhas1,350craftvillagesandvillageswithcrafts,and745outof2,711(27.48percent)OCOPproductsofthecityareproductsofthesevillages.TherevenueofthesecraftvillagesisestimatedtoexceedVN?24,000billion,withdiverseproductsofbeautifuldesignsandgoodquality.SomecraftvillageswithsubstantialrevenueincludetheS?n??ngsculpturevillage,theLaPhùconfectioneryandknittingvillage,theMinhKhaiagriculturalproductprocessingvillage,thePhùngXáagriculturalmachineryvillage,theH?uB?ngwoodworkingandtailoringvillage,theThi?túngtraditionalcraftsvillageandthetwoleathershoevillagesofGi?Th??ngandGi?H?inPhúYêncommune.Thecraftvillageshavebeenactivelycontributingtotherestructuringanddevelopmentoftheruraleconomy,layingthegroundworkforsuccessfullyimplementingtheone-commune-one-product(OCOP)programmeandthenewruralconstructionprogrammeinthecity.DirectorofHàN?iPromotionAgencyNguy?nánhD??ngtoldtheconference:TheCityPartyCommitteeandthePeoplesCommitteehavedirectedvariousdepartmentstoimplementsynchronisedmeasurestosupportcraftvillageenterprises,promotingtheirproductstodifferentmarkets.Ourcraftvillageproductshavereceivedsignificantattention,notablyfrommajorcommercialcentressuchasAEON,LOTTE,CGV,wheretransactionsandcontractshavebeensuccessfullyconcluded.Recently,theChairmanoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommitteehasdirectedtheselectionofprominentcraftvillagesforinternationalintroductions.Additionally,therehavebeennumerousotherpromotionactivitiesinHàN?iandprovinces,includingregionalspecialtyprogrammesandeventscommemoratingthe70thanniversaryoftheliberationofthecapital.Theconferenceprovidesanopportunityforbusinesses,householdenterprises,andartisansfromHàN?iscraftvillagestoengageindirectdialoguewithcityleaders.-VNSPhotoMinhPh??ngInformationfromtheconferenceindicatesthattheHàN?iPromotionAgency(HPA)willsooncollaboratewithrelevantagenciestoorganisedelegationsforoverseastradepromotionunderthecityssupportmechanismsandpolicies.TheseincludetheAmbienteFrankfurt2025FairinGermany,afairinHongKong(China),andothers.Emphasisingtheimportanceoftradepromotion,HàTh?Vinhsaid:Tradepromotionisoneofthecrucialissuesforus.Webelievethereareampleopportunitiesinforeignmarkets,butthechallengeliesinhowweenterthesemarkets.Forourhandicraftstosustainablyentertheglobalarena,themanufacturingfacilitiesincraftvillagesmustmeetinternationalstandards.Thisisbothanimportantissueandadifficultyweface.Wehopethatthecitycanestablishexemplarymodelsthatmeetinternationalstandards,sothatotherfacilitiescanlearnandincreasetheirchancesofexportingabroad.LêV?nNguyên,anembroideryartisan,sharedhisviewsontheroleofinformationtechnologyindevelopingbusinessforhandicraftproducts.Hesaid:Applyingnewtechnologythroughouttheproductionandconsumptionchainiscrucialforprofitabilityincraftvillages,reducingcostsandenhancingcompetitiveness.Fromproductionprocessestooperations,management,onlineanddirectsalesandtradefairs,technologyplaysapivotalrole.Thesefactorscanbeunfamiliartoproducersandsmallbusinessowners,highlightingtheneedforspecific,verifiedguidanceandtargetedsupportfrombothcentralandlocallevels.AccordingtothemunicipalPeoplesCommittee,thecitystraditionalcraftsandvillagescaptivatebothdomesticandinternationaltouristswiththeirrichculturalheritageandtheingenuityofskilledartisans.TheseuniqueproductsincludePhúVinhbambooandrattanweaving,Chu?ngconicalhats,H?Tháilacquerware,TayT?uflowers,Qu?t??ngembroidery,V?nPhúcsilk,BátTràngceramics,XuanLatoyfigurines,M?Trìgreenrice,ChàngS?nfans,?àoTh?cwaterpuppets,Th?chXábamboodragonflies,Ng?X?bronzecasting,and??nhC?ngsilvercarving.Thepreservationanddevelopmentofthesecraftvillages,integratedwithcultural,agricultural,andruraltourism,providemultifacetedeconomicbenefitstothelocalcommunity.ThisapproachisavitalstrategyforHàN?i,bothnowandinthefuture.-VNS

TheMoUwassignedbyProf.Dr.LêV?nQu?ng,DirectorofKHospitalandMr.AtulTandon,GeneralDirectorofAstraZenecaVietnam.—PhotocourtesyofthehospitalHàN?I—K(Cancer)HospitalandAstraZenecaVietnamsignedaMemorandumofUnderstandingwithafocusonpromotingresearchanddevelopmentandimprovingcancertreatmentqualityinVi?tNam.AccordingtoGLOBOCAN2022,anestimated180,480newcancercasesand120,184cancerdeathsareexpectedinVi?tNam.Breastcancer,livercancerandlungcanceraretheleadingtypesofcancer,withincidenceandmortalityratesincreasingannually.Thissituationnecessitatestheaccelerationofcancerdiagnosisandtreatmentqualityimprovementefforts.Inthiscontext,thecollaborationprogrambetweenAstraZenecaVietnamandKHospitalwillaimtoacceleratethehospitalsscientificresearchandinternationalintegrationservices.ItwillalsohelpenhancethequalityofcancertreatmentforpatientsinthenorthernprovincesandacrossthecountryandaspiretomakecancernolongeraleadingcauseofdeathinVi?tNam.ProfessorLêV?nQu?ng,DirectorofKHospital,said:WehighlyappreciatethecooperationofAstraZenecaandhopethatinthefuture,thetwoorganisationswillhavemoreextensiveandin-depthactivitiesinthefieldsofscientificresearch,clinicalresearchcentredevelopment,trainingandinternationalcooperation,communitycommunication,educationandsupportforcancerpatients.Together,Ibelievethatthiscooperation,builtonapatient-centricapproach,willyieldsignificantandlastingbenefitsforpatientsandcontributenotonlytotheadvancementofoncologybutalsototheoveralldevelopmentoftheVietnamesehealthcaresector.Thecollaborationwillfocusonthefollowingkeyresearchanddevelopmentactivities:Strategiccollaborationinconductingclinicaltrialsinoncology;establishinganddevelopinganetwork/centreforinnovation,digitaltransformation,researchandapplicationofadvancedtechnologiesandartificialintelligenceinhealthcare;andConductepidemiologicalandcancerregistryresearch.Thetwosideswillalsocollaborateonestablishingandimplementingscientificresearch,trainingandinternationalcooperationprogrammes,promotingcomprehensivehealthcarecoordinationprogrammesforcancerpatientsandsupportingpatientsinincreasingaccesstoadvancedtreatmentdrugs.Alongwithresearchanddevelopmentactivities,AstraZenecaandKHospitalwillalsoprioritisepromotinghealthequitythroughplananddevelopinganationalcancerpreventionnetwork;andco-implementingtheLoveyourLungsprogrammetoraiseawarenessforearlydetectionoflungcancerinthecommunity.AtulTandon,GeneralDirectorofAstraZenecaVietnam,saidatthesigningceremony:IamdeeplygratefulandproudoftheachievementswehavemadethroughstrategicpartnershipbetweenAstraZenecaandKHospital.Theunwaveringcommitmenttocomprehensivecollaborationspanningdiagnosis–treatment-holisticcareforcancerpatientsovertheyearshasbeencontinuouslyenhanced.Ithasyieldeddemonstrablyenhancedtreatmentoutcomescomparedtoprevioustimes.Lookingtowardsthefuture,Iamconfidentthatwewillcontinuetocreatesignificantadvancementsincancertreatmentpracticesandtransformthepatientjourney.Ultimatelyachievinghealthequityforeveryoneinthecountry,fosteringahealthierandmoresustainablefutureforVi?tNam.—VNSPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhreceivesChairmanoftheDalianLocomotiveandRollingStockCoLtd(CRRC)SunRongkun.—VNA/VNSD??ngGiangVi?tNamisexpectingtostartaNorth-Southhigh-speedrailwayproject,whichspansover1,500km,inpartnershipwithChinain2026-27,accordingtoMinisterofTransportNguy?nV?nTh?ng.DuringavisittoChinafromJune24-27forthe15thWorldEconomicForuminDalian,China,PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhalsoattendedaconferenceonthetwocountriescooperationintransportinfrastructure.HemetwithleadersofseveralmajorChineserailwaycorporations,includingSunRongkun,chairmanoftheDalianLocomotiveandRollingStockCoLtd(CRRC),andLouQiliang,chairmananddirectorgeneraloftheChinaRailwaySignalInformationCorporation(CRSC).AccordingtoTh?ng,thecapitalneededforVi?tNamstransportationdevelopmentuntil2045ishuge.Theplanned41expresswayrouteswithatotallengthof9,014kmrequireaboutUS$26.09billion,morethanhalfofwhichwillbemobilisedfromenterprisecapital.TheMinistryofTransportestimatedthatthenationalrailwaynetworkandurbanrailwaysinHàN?iandHCMCityrequirearound$208.7billion.Vi?tNamplanstoupgradeandrenovatesevenexistingrailwaylineswithatotallengthof2,440km,andbuild9newrailwaylineswithatotallengthofover2,600km,includingthe175kmHCMC-C?nTh?lineandthe1,545kmNorth-Southhigh-speedrailwayline.Thereisalsoaplantobuild14urbanrailwaylinesinHCMCity(6lines)andHàN?i(8lines).ThehugecapitalneededforthosetransportationprojectsisachallengefortheVietnameseGovernment,butaccordingtotheminister,thisisalsoaninvestmentopportunityforbothVietnameseandChineseenterprises.ChairmanSunoftheCRRCsaidhiscompanycouldmeetthedemandforbuildingurbanrailwaysinHàN?iandHCMCity.Vi?tNamcurrentlyhasover2,000kmofrailwayswithmorethan300stations,butinrecentyearstheiroperationhasnotbeentrulyeffective.PMChínhemphasisedtheimportanceofinvestingindevelopingrailwaysinVi?tNam,inwhichinvestmentinurbanrailwaysisconsideredurgent.Withexperienceintheconstructionofthousandsofkilometresofhigh-speedrailwaysandmetrolines,thePowerChinaGroupdeclareditsreadinesstojoinVietnamesepartnersinrealisingthegoalofbuilding5,000kmofexpresswaysby2030.Vietnamesepassengerstakethenorth-southrailwaydepartingfromHàN?iStation.—VNA/VNSPhotoHuyHùngAtthereceptionofChairmanLouoftheCRSC,theVietnamesegovernmentleadersoughtChinassupportinacceleratingtheconstructionofmorethan700kmofrailwaysforthethreeroutes:LàoCai–HàN?i–H?iPhòng;L?ngS?n–HàN?i;andMóngCái–H?Long–H?iPhòng.TheCRSCisastate-ownedcompanyandtheworldsbiggestsupplierofrailcontrolsystems.Itaccountsfor45percentofChinassubwaymarket.PMChínhspecificallyaskedforassistancefromChinaindesigning,constructionandtechnologytransferofrailwaylinesfromChinasYunnantoVi?tNamsH?iPhòngCity,fromL?ngS?ntoHàN?i,andfromChinasDongxingtoH?iPhòngviaMóngCái,whichhesaidwereimportanttoVi?tNam.ThePMalsosaidVi?tNamwantedtostepupurbanrailwaydevelopment.Workonthefirstprojectissettobeginnextyear,connectingChinasYunnanwiththenorthernprovinceofLàoCai,HàN?iandtheportcityofH?iPhòng.DuringtheChinavisit,PMChínhalsometChineseVicePremierZhangGuoqinginBeijing,pledgingclosecooperationinstrategictransportconnectivityprojectsofthetwocountries.Bothsidesagreedonthesignificanceofthesethreerailwaylines,whichwillhelpconnectVi?tNamwithCentralAsiaandEuropethroughChina,andconnectChinawithASEANviaVi?tNam.China-LaosraillinkPassengerstakecross-bordertraindepartingfromVientiane.—VNSPhotoL??ngH??ngChinaisrenownedfordevelopingathorough,safe,sustainable,andhighlyefficienttransportationsystem,includingworld-classexpressways,high-speedrail,airports,andseaports.Thecountryhasexpandedcooperationandinvestmentintransportationprojectsintheregion,notablytheChina-Laosraillinkthatopenedtotrafficin2021.Thelineisabout422kminlengthandwasdesignedfortrainoperationsatspeedsupto160kmperhour.ThetraindepartsfromtheMohan/Botenbordercheckpointbetweenthetwocountries,passingthroughLuangNamtha,Oudomxay,LuangPrabang,andVientianeProvincebeforereachingthecapitalVientiane.TheChina-LaosRailwayhasbecomeagoldencorridorconnectingSoutheastAsiawithChina,NortheastAsia,CentralAsia,andevenEurope,helpingLaosbecomealandtransportation‘crossroadsandtransportationhubinSoutheastAsia,saidDirectorGeneralofLaos-ChinaRailwayLiuHong.WiththetrialoperationoftheLaos-ThailandRailwaybetweenBangkokandVientianeonJuly13and14,andthefutureconnectionoftheChina-Laos-ThailandraillinkwiththeMalaysianrailway,economicandtradecooperationandpeople-to-peopleexchangesbetweenASEANandChinawillbepromoted,drivingtherapideconomicdevelopmentofregionalcountries.ThebackboneroleoftheChina-LaosRailwayasthemainarteryofSoutheastAsianrailwayswillbefurtherhighlighted.China-LaosRailwayconnectsChinasBeltandRoadinitiative(BRI)withLaosstrategytotransformfromaland-lockedtoaland-linkedcountry.—VNSPhotoL??ngH??ngTherailwaysroleasaninternationalgoldencorridorhasearnedhighpraisefromtheLaogovernmentandwidespreadacclaimfromthepeoplelivingalongtheroute.TheLaos-Chinarailwayisaimedtobecomeaneconomiccorridorthatgenerateshugeincomeforthenation.Ithascontributedtothesolutionofthecountryseconomicsituationbytransportingpassengersincludingregionalandinternationaltourists,andtransportinggoodsbetweenLaosandChina,saidDaranyPhommavongsa,ministerofInformation,CultureandTourismofLaos.Throughoutthepastyearaftertheopeningofthecross-bordertrainservicefromVientiane-Kunming(China),ittransported172,023cross-borderpassengersstartingfromApril13,2023tothebeginningofApril2024.ThesuccessfulserviceoftheChina-LaosRailwayisseenasapositiveexamplethatfuelshopesforsimilarhigh-speedrailprojectsconnectingVi?tNamwithChinaandotherSoutheastAsiannations.VietnameseexpertsexpectthattheofficialChinavisitofPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhwillcontributetoacceleratingthecooperationprogrammesbetweenthetwocountries,particularlyinbilateralcooperationonrailwaydevelopment.SincetheannouncementofChinas‘TwoCorridors,OneBeltstrategy,thetwocountrieshavehadagreementstorespondtothisstrategy.EspeciallyafterChinesePresidentXiJinpingsvisittoVi?tNamlastyear,thisstrategyhasbeenincreasinglymentionedbybothsides,Nguy?nT?ngNgh?,PhD,attheUniversityofSocialSciencesandHumanitiesinHCMCitysaid.DuringtherecentvisitofPMChính,theleadersofthetwocountriesalsoemphasisedthisissue.Ibelievethatbasedonthe‘TwoCorridors,OneBeltstrategy,thetwocountrieswillhavefurthercooperationinthedevelopmentoftherailwayindustry.—VNS

Foreigntouristsridepedicabsaroundthestreets,enjoyingthebeautyofHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoLêThanhTùngHàN?I—WiththenumberoftouristsvisitingHàN?iontherise,luxuryhotelsinthecityarerollingoutavarietyofspecialdealstoboostsales.Nguy?nH?ngMinh,DeputyDirectorofHàN?isDepartmentofTourism,saidthecityhasatargetof27millionvisitorsin2024,generatingaroundVN?109trillion(US$4.2billion)intourismrevenue.Toachievethis,thecityhaslaunchedtheHàN?iResidentsandTouristsExperienceServicesatFour-andFive-starHotelsprogramme,designedtoencouragelocalsandtouriststostayatluxuryhotelsinthecityandexperiencetheiruniqueservices.ManyhotelsinHàN?iareparticipatingintheprogramme,offeringspecialdealstoattractvisitors.Forinstance,PanPacificHanoiislaunchingtheLiveLifeandCelebratepackagethatincludesa10-per-centdiscountonallClubandSuiteroomsandanadditional15percentdiscountforPanPacificDiscoverymembers.HoteldelOperaHanoiisofferingtheSummerIndulgenceStaycationpackageofonenightsaccommodationinaluxuryroom,buffetbreakfastfortwoatLautrecRestaurant,onecomplimentaryfull-bodymassageatHarmonieSpa,twovouchersforselectedcocktailsatLaFeeVerteandfreeearlycheck-inandlatecheck-out.TheDeputyDirectorbelievestheprogrammewillhaveapositiveimpactonthecitystourismindustry,boostinghoteloccupancyrates,increasingtourismrevenuesandpromotingHàN?iasamust-gotouristdestination.—VNSAnorchardwithpineapple,coconutandbetelpalmintercroppedinKiênGiangProvincesChauThànhDistrict.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?nS?KIêNGIANG—FarmersintheMekongDeltaprovinceofKiênGianghavebeenearninghighincomesfromintercroppingpineapple,coconutandbetelpalminthesameorchard,amodelthathasprovenwelladaptedtoclimatechange.ThepracticeisprevalentmostlyinChauThànhDistrictsBìnhAnCommunesinceitshasbrackishwaterandalum-affectedsoilinitscoastalareas,suitableforgrowingtheseplants.D?V?nTháiwasoneofthefirstfarmerstoswitchtothismodelfromriceafterthelattercropwasaffectedbydroughtandsaltwaterintrusionupriversandharvestswereoftenpoorinthedryseason.Hehas5,000pineapple,500coconutand2,000betelpalmtreesinhis3haorchard,andhasbeenearningVN?900million-VN?1billion(US$35,000-39,000)ayearfromthemforthepastsixyears,hesaid.MyfamilygetsanaverageprofitofVN?600million($23,500)ayear.Toreducelabourandproductioncosts,hehasinstalledanautomaticirrigationsystemandbeenmakingorganicfertilisersfortheplantssince2020,hesaid.Accordingtolocalfarmers,theprofitsarethreetofourtimesasmuchasthosefromrice.ChauThànhhas2,000haunderpineapple,withthefruitbeingoneofitskeyproduce.Ithasencouragedfarmerstoswitchtothefruitonunproductivericefieldsandorchardsinzonedareas,especiallytothespecialityT?cC?upineapple,andadoptVietnameseandglobalgoodagriculturalpractices.UnderaMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentplantodevelopthecountrysmajorfruitsforexportuntil2030,KiênGiangisdesignatedamajorpineappleandbananaproducingprovince.Thesouthernprovincehasgrownpineapplesfornearly100yearsandnowhasmorethan7,000haunderthem.LêH?uToàn,directoroftheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidthemodelissustainableandwouldbeexpandedtomoreareasconducivetoit.Hisagencywouldtrainfarmersinfarmingtechniques,upgradeirrigationworksandinformfarmersaboutdiseasesituationsandpreventivemeasures,hesaid.Itisurgingbusinessestolinkupwithfarmerstopromoteagriculturalproductsathomeandabroadtoincreasetheirvalue,headded.Itisnowthepineappleharvestseasonandfarmersaregettinghighprices.V??ngV?nL?c,whointercropspineapple,coconutandbetelpalmonaone-hectareorchardinBìnhAnCommune,saidthedemandforpineappleishighthisyear.Tradersbuypineapple(fruitsweighingaboutonekilogrammeeach)atthefarmgateforVN?13,000,VN?5,000-6,000higherthanayearago,hesaid.Pineapplefarmers…areveryhappy.TheprovincefacedprolongedhotweatherduringthedryseasonbeforeJunebutitssaltwaterpreventionsluicesandembankmentsworkedeffectivelyandsuppliedsufficientwaterforagriculture.Moreandmorefarmershaveinstalledautomaticirrigationsystemstosavewater.—VNS