N. Korean refugee-turned-scholar joins prominent think tank
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AshopsellinggrilledskewersneartheHàN?iUniversityofScienceandTechnology.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofHealth(MoH)isproposingamendmentstotheFoodSafetyLawtoincludespecificregulationsonproductionandbusinessconditionsforhouseholdsengagedinsmall-scalefoodproduction,withthegoalofreducingfoodpoisoning.TheFoodSafetyLaw,withitsmanygroundbreakingregulations,hasbeenanimportantlegalfoundationcloselyaligningwiththemanagementrequirementsforfoodsafety.TheMoHstatedthatonJune17,2010,the7thsessionofthe12thNationalAssemblypassedtheFoodSafetyLaw,whichtookeffectonJuly1,2011.Aftermorethan12yearsofimplementationoftheFoodSafetyLawanditsdetaileddecrees,thecurrentfoodsafetyregulationsincommercialactivitieshavecreatedapositivelegalframeworkforbothdomesticandinternationalfoodbusinesses.However,the2010lawnowcontainsprovisionsthatnolongermeettheneedtodevelopandimprovethelegalsystemforfoodsafety.TheMoHstatedthatsomeregulationsoncertificationofconformityforfoodproductswerenolongerpracticalasthenumberoffoodproductswashigh,butthenumberofnationaltechnicalstandardswaslimited.Notably,productionandbusinessconditionswerenotstringentenoughforsmall-scaleproducers,whosupplyasignificantamountoffoodtomeetsocialdemands.Becauseoftheirnumbers,ifnotproperlymanaged,theycouldleadtosubstantialrisksoffoodpoisoningandfoodborneillnesses.TheMoHalsosaidthattherearegapsinmanagementregulations,suchasthelackofsafetycriteriaforplant-basedfoodstoalignwiththecurrentsituation,regulationsonthedivisionofresponsibilitiesininvestigatingfoodpoisoningcasesandregulationsonthewithdrawalofcertificatesofconformity/registrationofproductdeclarations,includingtheabsenceoflocaltechnicalstandardsforthequalityofdailycleanwateruse.Thereisalsoalackofregulationsensuringresourcestomeetfoodsafetygoalsandstandards,aswellastechnicalstandardsfortraditionallocalproductsliketurmericstarch,bambooandarecaleafeatingutensilsandricewineyeast.TheMoHaddedthatthereisalsoinconsistencyinstatemanagementoffoodsafetyforcertainbusinesstypes,suchasrestaurantswithinhotelsorcollectivekitchenswithoutregisteredfoodbusinesslicencesandinconsistenciesinthemanagementoffoodsafetyinmarketplaces.Italsonotedthatsomeconceptsarestilllacking,suchasdefinitionsforsmall-scalefoodproductionandbusinessandpre-packagedprocessedfoods.Termslikeprohibiteduse,permitteduse,notyetpermittedforuseandnotyetapprovedforcirculationinVi?tNamarenotclearlydefinedorconsistent,leadingtoconfusionintheimplementationoftheFoodSafetyLaw.TheMoHemphasisedtheneedtoamendandsupplementcertainprovisionsoftheFoodSafetyLawtobuildonitsstrengthsandaddressitsshortcomings.Theministryiscurrentlycollectingfeedbackfromvarioussectorsandthepublicfortheamendments.AccordingtotheMinistryofHealth,36foodpoisoningoutbreakswerereportedinthefirsthalfof2024,causingover2,100peopletofallillandresultinginsixdeaths.Theseoutbreaks,whichoccurredinprovincessuchasKhánhHòa,??ngNaiandV?nhPhúc,notonlyaffectedthousandsofpeoplebutalsodisruptedbusinesses.Harmfulbacteriaandnaturaltoxinswereidentifiedastheprimarycausesoftheillnesses,withporkandchickendishesbeingcommonsourcesofcontamination.—VNSTr?nV?nKha(third,right)andsomestudentsoftheVi?tNam-AustraliaVocationalColleague.—Photo??QuangTu?nHoàng??QuangTu?nHoàngSóCTR?NG—Tr?nV?nKha,33,whogrewupinapoverty-strickenfamily,hasovercomenumerouslifechallengestoreceivethreefullscholarshipsandnurtureapassionforcooking,aspiringtohelpotherimpoverishedchildrentransformtheirlives,justashedid.WhenKhawasyoung,hisfatherworkedtirelesslytransportingriceforaplant,earningjustVN?20,000-30,000(US$0.7-1,2)daily.Hismother,inpoorhealth,wasunabletoundertakeheavylabourandastheeldestchild,Khaspenthisafter-schoolhourssellinglotteryticketstosupporthisfamily.Kha,wholivedinHamlet5A,BaTrinhCommune,K?SáchDistrictintheMekongDeltaprovinceofSócTr?ng,sold40to50ticketsdaily.Atthattime,eachticketcostjustVN?2,000($0.07).In2006,duringhis10thgrade,thepriceoflotteryticketsincreasedtoVN?10,000($0.3)each,whichimprovedKhasearnings.However,bythemiddleof11thgrade,duetoseverefinancialdifficulties,Khahadtoleaveschooltosupporthisfamily.In2009,KhamovedtoC?nTh?CityandsoughthelpfromtheThiên?nSocialAssistanceCentreinLongHòaWard,BìnhTh?yDistrict,hopingtolearnatrade.Recognisinghispassionforcooking,particularlybaking,Tr?nB?chY?n,thecentresdirector,enrolledhiminashort-termcookingcourse.ChallengesandopportunitiesAftercompletingthecourse,KhabeganworkingatarestaurantinC?nTh?City.HeearnedonlyVN?900,000($36)amonth,primarilywashingdishesandpreparingchickenandfish,withouttheopportunitytocook.Once,Iopenedachickencoopandaccidentallyletthechickensescape.Icouldntcatchthemandhadmywagesdeducted,hesaid.Onanotheroccasion,anoxygenpumpmalfunctioned,causingtheshrimpinatanktodieintherestaurantheworkedin.Thenhewasfired.Hewasdevastatedandhadtolookforanotherjob.SeeingKhaspassionanddetermination,Y?nhelpedhimtoapplyattheKnowOneTeachOne(KOTO)SaigontrainingcentreinHCMCity.In2010,Khareceivedhisfirstfullscholarshipforatwo-yearculinarycourseatthecentre,whichprovideshospitalitytrainingfordisadvantagedyouthandissuedcertificatesfromtheBoxHillInstituteinMelbourne,Australia.Aftergraduatingin2012,Khagainedconfidenceworkingatprestigioushotelsandrestaurantsinthecity,suchastheReverieSaigon,WindsorPlazaHotel,and1960Club.Throughouthisculinarycareerinthecity,Khaalsofacedhardships.Earlyon,hehadtocommutebybicycleduetoalackoffundsforamotorbike,enduringheavyrainandfeelingdisheartened.(Thedistancefromhishometotheworkplacewasabout9km).Fortunately,arestaurantownergavehimasalarysohecouldbuyamotorbiketogotowork.WhileworkingattheReverieSaigon,misunderstandingswiththeheadchefledtodisputes,resultinginKhabeingmovedtothepizzadepartment,butthis,too,turnedouttobeafortunateshift,ashethenmasteredtheartofmakingItalian-stylepizza.SuccessTr?nV?nKhahasapassionforbaking.—Photo??QuangTu?nHoàngIn2016,afteryearsofhoninghisskillsandimprovinghisEnglish,Khawasawardedafulltwo-yearscholarshipfromtheBoxHillInstitutetostudypastrymakinginAustralia,valuedatAUD40,000($26,500).InAustralia,Khacombinedhisstudieswithworkatafinediningrestaurant,MeatandWineCo,wherehealsoadvisedondesserts.Uponcompletinghisstudiesin2018,KhareturnedtoHCMCityandachievedsignificantcareeradvancement.HeprogressedfromdeputyheadchefatPasteurStreetBrewingCompany,todirectoroftrainingattheVi?tNam-AustraliaVocationalColleague,lecturerinculinaryartsandbakingandcareeradvisor.KhahasalsosupportedmanydisadvantagedyouthspursuingcareersincookingandbakingattheschoolthroughtheJamieKitchenprogramme(JamiebeingKhasWesternname).AvocationalcentreforpoorchildrenKhaenvisionscreatingaculinarytrainingcentreforunderprivilegedchildreninVi?tNam.Hesaidhebelievedtheinitiativewouldprovidethechildrenwithskillstosecurealivelihoodandassistthosearoundthem.Torealisehisdream,Khaacknowledgedtheneedforfurtherknowledgeandskills.InJanuary2024,KhaappliedforascholarshipfromtheSouthAustralianstateadministration.Intheapplication,hetoldthemabouthisdreamtobuildacentreforpoorchildren.Fourmonthslater,hewasselectedasoneof20internationalstudentstoreceiveafullscholarshipvaluedatAUD45,000($29,800)forathree-yearbachelorsdegreeinHospitality,TourismandEventManagement.ThecoursewillprovideKhawithextensiveknowledgeinhumanresourcemanagement,financialmanagement,and,specifically,businessmodelmanagementinthehospitalityandeventssectors.OnJuly19,Tr?nV?nKhaleftforAustraliaforhissecondstudystint.KhascurrentdreamistoestablishavocationaltrainingcentrefordisadvantagedchildreninVi?tNam,oncehehascompletedhisstudiesinAustralia.Nguy?nHàPh??ng,BusinessDevelopmentDirectorattheVi?tNam-AustraliaVocationalColleague,saidprofessionally,KhahaddemonstratedexceptionalskillsthroughhispreviousscholarshiptoAustraliaandhisworkingtimeattheschool.KhasaidhewasalwaysgratefultoY?n,whohassupportedhiminpursuinghispassion.So,heregularlyreturnstotheThiên?nSocialAssistanceCentretosharehisexperiencesandassistchildreninsimilarsituationstohisowninthepast.Khasaidhehopedtoinspireyoungpeoplewithhispassionforcooking.Pursuingacareerincookingisindeedchallenginganddemanding.Challengeshelpusidentifyandrectifyourweaknesses.Dreamsfuelourmotivationandhelpusachieveourgoalsdaily,hesaid.—VNS
ByGuiQianAforumaimedatpromotingpracticalcollaborationamongyoungpeoplefromChina,Cambodia,Laos,Myanmar,ThailandandVietnamhasbeenheldinKunming,Yunnanprovince.TheLancang-MekongYoungEntrepreneursForumwasheldfromJuly22to25andattractedmorethan100representativesfromyouthorganisationsandyoungbusinesspeoplefromthesixLancang-Mekongcountries.OneoftheforumsotherkeyaimswastopromotegrowthoftheLancang-MekongEconomicDevelopmentBelt.WangYi,vicepresidentoftheAll-ChinaYouthFederation,saidattheopeningceremony,YoungpeoplearethefutureofourcountriesandthehopeofLancang-Mekongcooperation.BuildingabettercommunityforasharedfutureofpeaceandprosperityamongLancang-Mekongcountriesreliesontheeffortsofyoungpeople.Theforumincludedroundtablemeetings,dialoguesandgroupvisitsforattendeestodiscusstopicssuchasmodernagriculture,greendevelopment,scientificandtechnologicalinnovationandregionalconnectivity.SwamSaungOo,headofaMyanmartechnologycompanyspecialisinginmobilegames,saidtheforumbroadenedhishorizonsandallowedhimtoengagewithpeers.HeplannedtoattendtheChinaDigitalEntertainmentExpoandConference,orChinaJoy2024,inShanghaiaftertheforumtomeetChinesebusinesspartnersandexploreChinasboominggamingindustry,hesaid.AnotherofthoseattheKunmingeventwasLamCamSaufromVietnam,whorunsaplasticpackagingcompany.HestudiedChineseatuniversityandhaslongengagedinbusinesswithprovincessuchasGuangdongandZhejiang,andattheforumhesaidhewasseekingopportunitiesinYunnan.AftervisitingtheChina(Yunnan)PilotFreeTradeZone,hesaidheisoptimisticabouttheprospects.Thereare108servicewindowsgatheredinonehall.IfaVietnamesecompanywantstosetupabranchinChina,alltheprocedurescanbecompletedhereinonego,andyoucanquicklygetabusinesslicence,includingpayingtaxes.Itsincrediblyconvenient.SasisPanchakunathorn,29,headofaretailandwholesalebusinessnetworkinThailandthatoperatesa75,000-square-metreshoppingmallandtwo3,000-sqmsupermarketbranchesinthecountryssouth,saidhehasbeenseekingcollaborativeopportunitiesandaimingtogainexperienceinretailspacedevelopmentfromChina.IvisitedmanyshoppingmallshereinChinaandsawmanyplacesasgoodmodelsasIbuildmyownprojects,hesaid.KhounRachana,23,aprojectassistantattheYoungEntrepreneursAssociationofCambodia,aimstoempoweryoungprofessionalsandentrepreneursintheLancang-Mekongregionthroughthisforum.YEAC,avolunteer-drivennonprofitorganisationfocusedonadvancingthenext-generationeconomy,offerstraining,accesstofinance,businessmatching,andinternationalopportunitiesforyouth.ThisalignswithRachanasrole,whereshefacilitatedtheparticipationofCambodiandelegatesintheforumandconnectedthemwithbusinessprospects.Shealsorecommendedhertranslator,LiWankai,ayoungChinesestudentofCambodianatYunnanMinzuUniversity,foraninternshipinCambodia.AsexchangesandcooperationbetweenChinaandCambodiahaveincreasedinrecentyears,companiesinbothcountriesdemandmorebilingualindividuals,whichgivesyoungstudentslikeusbrightcareerprospects,saidLi.RachanaisalsopleasedwiththerisinginfluencethatChinaishavinginCambodia.ShenotedthatmanyyoungCambodiansarewatchingChineseTVdramas,usingTaobaoforonlineshopping,anddevelopinganinterestintheChineselanguage.ThereisalotofinvestmentfromChinagoingtoCambodia,especiallyinconstruction.IbelievethisentrepreneursforumwillbringmoreprosperityandconnectionbetweenCambodiaandChina,shesaid.SanZawHtet,29,whoheadsaneducationconsultancyinMyanmar,andwhoislookingateducationalcollaborationwithChineseschools,said:ThemainpurposeofmyvisitistobuildconnectionswithChineseuniversitiesbecausethereisalotofinterestamongMyanmarstudentsinstudyinginChina.Studentsnowadaysaregoodatfindingtheinformationtheyneed.TheyrealisethatChinaisgettingstronger.IftheystudyinChinainsteadofgoingtotheWesttherewillbemorechancesinthefuture.—CHINADAILYA14.4-tonnetruckonPhúM?BridgeinDistrict7onAugust8sufferedbrakefailure,collidingwithsevenvehiclesandcausingthreetoigniteinflames.—Photocourtesyofthepolice.HCMCITY—A35-year-oldtruckdriverhasbeenarrestedforhisroleinamulti-vehiclecrashonaHCMCitybridgelastweekthatresultedinthreeinjuriesandsignificantpropertydamage.Tr?nhTi?nD?ngwasarrestedonFridaymorningbytheTh???ccitypoliceregardingviolationsofregulationsofroadtraffic.TheaccidentoccurredonAugust8onPhúM?BridgeinDistrict7.Thedrivers14.4-tonnetruckexperiencedbrakefailure,leadingtoacollisionwithsevenvehicles,threeofwhichwereengulfedinflames,accordingtoinvestigationsbythepolice.D?ngexceededhistrucksweightlimitbyover50percent,accordingtoareportbythemunicipalTransportDepartment.Thebridgestechnicalconditionsandtrafficsignalsweredeemedtohavefunctionedproperly,andtheaccidentwasattributedtodrivererrorandvehiclesafetyissues.Whilethreeindividualswereinjured,therewerenoreportedfatalitiesfromtheaccident.Severalindividuals,includingaKoreannational,helpedrescuevictimstrappedintheirvehiclesandhavebeenpraisedbycityauthorities.—VNSAconferencehasbeenhearingofthechallengesbusinessesintheculturalandsocialsectorsinVi?tNamarefacing.Overahundredbusinessesfromthecapitalwereattheconference,entitledDialoguetoResolveChallengesforBusinessesintheCulturalandSocialSectors2024heldattheHàN?iCityPeoplesCommitteeheadquarters.ChairedbyTr?nS?Thanh,MemberoftheCentralCommittee,DeputySecretaryoftheCityPartyCommittee,andChairmanoftheHàN?iCityPeoplesCommittee,theeventwasachanceforthecommitteetogaindeeperinsightsintothedifficultiesbusinessesface.Itaimedtoproposeeffectivesolutionsonsupportpolicies,administrativeprocessesandfinancialneeds,withthegoaloffacilitatinginvestmentintheculturalandsocialsectors.OrganisedbytheHanoiPromotionAgency,theconferenceonAugust16,wasattendedbyleadersfromtheHàN?iCityPeoplesCommittee,representativesfromassociations,departmentsandsectors,districtandtownofficialsand120businessesrepresentinginvestorsandorganisationsintheculturalandsocialsectorsacrossthecity.ViceChairmanoftheHanoiCityPeoplesCommittee,V?ThuHà,deliveredtheopeningspeechattheconference.PhotoTrinhNguyenVNSTheorganisersreceivedandreviewednearly70submissionsfrom57businesses,organisationsandindividuals.Thesewerecategorisedintosixareasand20issuegroups,includingeducation-relatedconcernssuchasexpandingeducationallevels,establishingprivateschools,registeringforsocialisationincentivesandobtainingeducation-relatedlicences.Invocationaltraining,issuesincludedsupportpolicies,licensingoftraininginstitutionsandworkersandmechanismsforvocationaltrainingorders.Otherconcernscoveredsupportmechanisms,theinvestmentenvironmentandcollaborationinhealthcare.Intheculturalandartssector,submissionsfocusedoninfrastructureinvestment,eventorganisation,artworkassessmentandlicensingandartreproduction,withadditionalissuesinadvertisingandsports.Delegatesspokeattheconference.PhotoMinhPh??ng/VNSQuestionsfromdelegatesattheconferencewereansweredindetailbythecitysrelevantdepartmentsandagencies.Notably,thesummaryspeechbytheChairmanoftheHanoiCityPeoplesCommitteedirectedcitydepartmentstointensifyeffortstoaddressobstaclesininvestmentandoperationswithintheculturalandsocialsectors,aimingtodrivethesustainabledevelopmentofHanoisculturalandsociallandscape.UnderthecloseguidanceoftheCityPartyCommitteeandtheCityPeoplesCouncil,HàN?ihasachievedsignificantresultsininvestinganddevelopingeducation,healthcare,cultureandsports.Ineducationandtraining,Hanoihasmadesignificantinvestmentsinbuildingandupgradingschools,particularlyinmodernandhigh-qualityfacilities.Improvementsineducationqualityincludeenhancedcurriculum,theuseofnewtechnologiesandbetter-trainedteachers.SomeofHàN?isuniversitiesandacademieshaveachievedhighrankingsbothnationallyandinternationally.Inhealthcare,thecityhasfocusedonexpandingandupgradinghospitalsandmedicalfacilities,bothpublicandprivate,toprovidebetterservices.HàN?ihasalsointroducedcommunityhealthprograms,boostedtheskillsofmedicalstaffandintegratednewtechnologiesforimproveddiagnosisandtreatment.Intheculturalsector,HàN?iisactivelyworkingonpreservingandrestoringkeyculturalandhistoricalsitessuchastheTempleofLiterature,theImperialCitadelofTh?ngLong,theC?LoacitadelandtheH??ngPagoda.Thecityalsoorganisesnumerouslargeculturalandartisticevents,fosteringcreativityandculturalexchangelocallyandinternationally.Insports,HàN?ihasinvestedininfrastructure,upgradingsportsfacilitieslikestadiums,sportscentresandpublicswimmingpools.Thecityhassuccessfullyhostedmajorsportsevents,offeringresidentsmoreopportunitiestoparticipateinandenjoyvarioussports.BysupportingbusinessesanddrivingthedevelopmentofHanoiandthenation,holdingdialoguestotacklechallengesintheculturalandsocialsectorsisastepintherightdirection.ThisapproachwillhelpHanoidevelopasustainablestrategyforitsculturalandsocialsectorsmovingforward.
YP?MlohasactivelycollectedandspreadinformationdistortingtherealityinVi?tNamamongotherFULROmembersin??kL?kthroughin-personmeetings,mobilephones,andsocialnetworks.—VNA/VNSPhoto??KL?K—TheInvestigationSecurityAgencyundertheDepartmentofPublicSecurityoftheCentralHighlandsprovinceof??kL?konThursdaysaidithasarrestedamanandlaunchedlegalproceedingsagainsthimtoinvestigatehisattempttosabotagethesolidaritypolicy.ThedecisionandorderweremadeperArticle116ofthe2015PenalCode(revisedandsupplementedin2017),andapprovedbytheprovincialSupremePeoplesProcuracy.AninitialinvestigationrevealedYP?MlohadcontactedandreceivedinstructionsfromYMutMlo,anexiledFULROreactionarysentencedbytheprovincialPeoplesCourtto11yearsinprisonforterrorisminJanuary2024.AlthoughMlohadbeenwarnedandreprimandedmanytimes,hepersistedinsabotagingattempts.Since2023,throughFacebookaccounts,themanhasbeenreceivinginstructionsfrommanyFULROmembersinThailand,includingYMinAlur,YThanhEbanandYPherHdrue.Undertheirinstructions,MlohasactivelycollectedandspreadinformationdistortingtherealityinVi?tNamamongotherFULROmembersin??kL?kthroughin-personmeetings,mobilephones,andsocialnetworks.HealsomadereportsuponrequestsandguidelinesoftheFULROmembersinThailand,aimingtodistortandsabotagethesolidaritypolicyandopposetheadministration.Competentforcesfoundmanydocumentsandevidenceofcrimesrelatedtothetwoterroristorganisations-MontagnardStandforJusticeinThailandandMontagnardSupportGroupintheUS,whichwereannouncedbytheMinistryofPublicSecurityinMarch.Thecaseisbeinghandledinlinewithlegalregulations.—VNSRepresentativesofFVHospitalandO2MedicalGroupsignanagreementonAugust15tosetupSoutheastAsiasfirstthoracicsurgerycentreinHCMCity.VNSPhotoV?nChauHCMCITY–SoutheastAsiasfirstthoracicsurgerycentrewillbeestablishedinVi?tNambyFVHospital,amemberoftheThomsonMedicalGroup,andO2HealthcareGroup,aspecialisedSingaporeanlungcentre.ThetwoinkedadealforthepurposeinHCMCityonAugust15.Dr.SuJangWen,aleadingcardiothoracicsurgeonandlungcancerspecialist,willbeinchargeofthecentretobesetupatFVhospital.ThefacilityisexpectedtoimprovelungcancertreatmentatthehospitalandVi?tNamasawhole.Throughthecollaboration,thecentrewilloffercutting-edgediagnosticandtreatmentoptionsforlungcancerandcomplexthoracicconditionsataffordableprices.AccordingtoexecutivedirectorandCEOoftheSingapore-basedThomsonMedicalGroup,MelvinHeng,thepartnershipwillbringtopspecialistsfromSingaporetoprovidetreatmentatFVHospital.Theywilltakepartinproceduresliketranscatheteraorticvalvereplacementcardiacinterventions,electrophysiology,vascularsurgery,spinalsurgery,neurosurgery,pelvicsurgery,urologicalcancersurgery,headandnecksurgery,livertreatment,oncology,andgeneralsurgery.SureceivedadvancedtraininginthoracicandcardiovascularsurgeryintheUS.Ofthemorethan7,000lung,heartandoesophagealoperationshehasperformedsince2007,95percentwasvideo-assistedandminimallyinvasivewithincisionsofonly1.5-3centimetres.Thisadvancedtechniqueyieldshighsuccessratesforavarietyofthoracicconditionssuchaslungcancer,mediastinaltumours,chestwallsurgery,pleuralconditions,sympatheticnervesurgery,andoesophagealsurgery.Suhasanimpressiverecordofzeropost-operativemortalityinelectivesurgeries.FVHospitalsaidlungcancerisoneofthemostprevalentandfatalcancersinVi?tNam,affectingbothmenandwomen.Canceraccountsfor19percentofalldeathsinthecountry,withlungcancerbeingthesecondmostcommonandalsothesecondleadingcauseofdeathsince2012.Mostpatientsarediagnosedatalatestage,makingtreatmentdifficultandcostly.InSusexperience,ifdiagnosedearly,thefive-yearsurvivalratepost-surgerywithoutchemotherapyisashighas99percentforstage0(meaningpre-invasivelungcancer),and92percentforstage1A(tumourlimitedtothelungandnotspreadtodistantorgansorlymphnode).Thesurvivalratedropsconsiderablyatsubsequentstages.–VNS
ThaiPrincessMahaChakriSirindhornsignsonapicturepaintedbystudentsofNguy?nT?tThànhPrimarySchool.VNA/VNSPhotoQU?NGTR?—ThaiPrincessMahaChakriSirindhornandherentouragevisitedthecentralprovinceofQu?ngTr?onThursdaytoexamineaprojectsheisfundingtoenhancethelifequalityofchildrenandadolescentsintheAsia-PacificunderwayatNguy?nT?tThànhPrimarySchoolin??ngHàCity.LeadersoftheschoolbriefedtheThaiPrincessontheprogressoftheprojectsofar,especiallyitsachievementsincaringforstudentshealthandprovidingthemwithphysicalandmentaleducationservices.Theschooljoinedtheprojectin2023.Inthe2023-24academicyear,ithad816studentsdividedinto22classes.Ofthestudents,ninewonprizesatcontestsforoutstandingstudentsatthenationallevel,55wonprizesatsuchcontestsattheprovincialleveland89atthecitylevelintheyear.Stakeholdersparticipatedinaconferenceonenhancingthequalityoflife,educationopportunities,andcomprehensivedevelopmentforchildrenandadolescentsintheAsia-PacificregionheldinThailand.Asaresult,officials,teachers,andstaffoftheschoolhavelearnedtoapplycontemporaryeducationalknowledgeintheteachingandlearningactivities.InMarch,theschoolreceivedadelegationfromtheprojectsoffice,duringwhichthedelegationconductedmanytrainingactivitiesforteachersandstudentsattheschool.Withtheprojectssupport,theschoolhasestablishedagriculturalclubsdrawingalargenumberofstudents,teachers,andparents.PrincessMahaChakriSirindhornpresentedtheschoolwithfivecomputers,twowaterfilters,personalhygienekits,schoolsupplies,physicaleducationandsportsequipment,instructionbooksonfarmingandanimalhusbandry,andplantseeds.Theprojectaimstoraisepublicawarenessofimprovingthequalityoflifeforchildren,ensuringstudentsphysicalandmentaldevelopment.Itgoesfurthertoprovideschoolswithvegetablesandmeat,fish,andeggsforstudentslunchesatschool,andteachingstudentslifeskillssuchasself-care,personalhygiene,andenvironmentalsanitationaswellasfarmingskills.VNS
TheterminalatNàS?nAirportisseriouslydegraded.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofTransporthasassignedtheCivilAviationAuthorityofVi?tNamtodevelopamasterplanforNàS?nAirport.ThemasterplanofNàS?nAirport,whichisinnorthernmountainousS?nLaProvince,isduetobecompletedby2025.TheprojectofNàS?nAirportisapartofthecomprehensivedevelopmentplanforthenationalairportsystemfortheperiod2021-2030,withavisionto2050.FollowingthedirectivesoftheGovernmentStandingCommitteeandgovernmentleaders,theMinistryofTransporthascloselycollaboratedwithrelevantministriesandagenciestoreview,unifyandfinalisetheproposalformobilisingsocialinvestment,managementandexploitationofairportinfrastructure.TheministryhasreportedtheresultstothePrimeMinisterandrecommendedthattherelevantauthoritiesconsiderandallowtheministrytoreporttothePolitburointhethirdquarterof2024.Oncetheproposalisapproved,theMinistryofTransportwillworkcloselywithprovincialandmunicipalPeoplesCommitteestobuildandcompletetheproposalforsocialisinginvestmentandexploitationoflocalairports,includingNàS?nAirport.TheNàS?nAirportconstructionprojectwillhaveatotalinvestmentofapproximatelyVN?2trillion(US$80million)underpublic-privatepartnershipinvestment.NàS?nAirportwasconstructedin1950andoperatedduringthe1960s,butwaslatershutdownduetoalackofpassengers.Theairportresumedoperationsin1994,butin2004,itwasclosedagainastherunwayhaddeterioratedandnolongermetoperationalstandards.NàS?nAirportislocatedinMaiS?nDistrict,S?nLaProvince,inthenorthwestregionofVi?tNam.Itis187kmfromN?iBàiInternationalAirport,110kmfrom?i?nBiênAirport,720kmfrom?àN?ng,and1,190kmfromTanS?nNh?tAirport.—VNSAuthoritiesinspecttheMái?mHoaH?ngprivatecarecentrefororphansatL52T?Ky,TrungM?TayWard,District12onWednesdayinHCMCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—ThePeoplesCommitteeofDistrict12inHCMCityhasproposedtransferringall86childrenfromMái?mHoaH?ng–aprivateorphanfacility–toapublicsocialwelfarefacility.ThechildrenwererepeatedlyabusedandmistreatedatL52T?Ky,TrungM?TayWard,District12.ThemovecameafterarequestfromthecitysChildRightsProtectionAssociation,whichonWednesdaymorningsentadocumenttothecommittee,thecitysDepartmentofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsandthepoliceofthedistrict,callingforaninvestigationintotheindividualsinvolvedinthereportedabuse.Initialfindingssuggestedthatabuseandneglectofthechildrenattheprivatefacilitywasbothfrequentandprolonged.Thedistrictspolicehadsummonedthefacilitysownerandtheindividualsresponsiblefortheabuseforquestioning.VicepresidentofthecitysChildRightsProtectionAssociation,Ph?m?ìnhNghinh,saidsafeguardingchildren,particularlythoseinvulnerablesituations,wasapriorityformanylevelsofGovernmentandinvolvednumeroussupportivepolicies.Thepoliciesweredesignedtoensurethatchildrenliveanddevelopinasafeandhealthyenvironment.Thesituationattheprivatecentre,whichhousedalargenumberofchildren,includingmanyinfants,wasconsideredextremelyseriousduetothenatureandextentoftheabuse.Thathadsignificantimplicationsforthechildrensmentalhealth,safety,well-beingandexposedthemtovariouspotentialrisks.Inaccordancewiththe2016ChildLaw,thecitysChildRightsProtectionAssociationurgedthecommittee,thedepartmentandthepolicetotakepromptactiontoensurethesafetyofthechildrenundertheircareattheprivatefacility.Appropriatemeasuresmustbeissuedtoaddressandrectifytheabusivebehaviourtopreventanyrecurrence.Nguy?nThànhPh?ng,headoftheSocialWelfareOfficeatthecityslabourdepartment,saidthatuponreceivingtheinformation,thedepartmentpromptlyvisitedandconductedaninspectionofprivatecentre.Theinspectionrevealedthatthefacilityhoused86children,consistingof15undertheageofone,37agedbetweenoneandthree,31attendingtheSócB?ngKindergartenandthreecurrentlyinhospital.EarlierinvestigationsbyThanhNiên(Youngpeople)onlinenewspaperandimagessharedonvariousonlineplatformsrevealedthata47-year-oldcaregiverattheprivatefacility,whoallegedlybeat,draggedandphysicallyabusedtheinfants,causedinjuries,includingbleedingmouths.Followingtherevelations,thepoliceincollaborationwiththePeoplesCommittee,launchedaninvestigationintotheoperationsofthefacility.Localresidentsreportedthatthefacilitywasoperatedasanorphanageforalongtime.ThefacilityhasbeenfeaturedinvariousFacebookandYouTubevideospromotingitscharitableworkandsolicitingdonations.Mái?mHoaH?ngfacilitywaslicensedbythedepartmenttotakecareof39children.TheownerofthefacilityisGiápTh?S?ngH??ng.—VNS
MinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentLêMinhHoanchairsthemeetingonWednesdaytodiscussresponseplanstoStormYagi.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—StormYagi,thethirdstormofthisyear,isexpectedtocontinuestrengtheningandcouldpotentiallyreachsupertyphoonstatusbeforemakinglandfall.Insuchacase,allstormpreventionandresponseplanswillneedtoberevised,saidMaiV?nKhiêm,DirectoroftheNationalCentreforHydrometeorologicalForecasting(NCHF).HemadethisstatementduringameetingonWednesdaytodiscussplansforaresponsetoStormYagi.Representedatthemeetingwerevariousministries,agenciesandauthoritiesfrom11coastalcitiesandprovincesfromQu?ngNinhtoNgh?An,whoattendedviaanonlineconference.ThemeetingwaschairedbyMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentLêMinhHoan.KhiêmnotedthatinternationalforecastsareinagreementwithVi?tNamsassessmentthatYagiisaverypowerfulstorm.ExpertsexpectStormYagitomakelandfallbySaturdayevening(September7)incoastalareasfromQu?ngNinhtoNinhBình.Currently,thestormismovingwestwardataspeedof10-15kphandisforecastedtocontinueintensifying,reachingitspeakstrengthatlevel15(165-185kph),withgustsuptolevel17.Wavesareexpectedtoreachheightsof9-11metresonThursdayandFriday,withthetideatHònD?ustationpeakingattwometresonSaturday.TheNCHFhasoutlinedtwopotentialscenariosforthetrajectoryofStormYagi.Bothscenariospredictheavyrainfall,posingasignificantriskofflashfloodsandlandslides,especiallyinmountainousregions,aswellasurbanflooding.AccordingtoKhiêm,ifYagiintensifiestolevel16–thesupertyphoonstatus–allstormpreventionandresponseplanswillneedtoberevised,asthedisasterrisklevelwouldrisetolevel5.TheBorderGuardCommandreportedthatmorethan50,130fishingvesselswith219,864peoplehavebeenaccountedforandguided,including557vesselswith3,356peoplecurrentlyoperatinginriskyareasinthenorthernEastSeaandaroundtheHoàngSa(Paracel)Archipelago.Thesevesselshavereceivedthewarningandaremovingtoavoidthestorm.TheprovincesofQu?ngNinh,TháiBìnhandNam??nhplantoissueabanonseaactivitiesstartingtomorrow.IncoastalandoffshoreareasfromQu?ngNinhtoNgh?An,therearecurrently49,380haofaquaculture,19,144safetycagesand3,806aquaculturewatchtowers.ThereisaveryhighriskofdamageifthestormenterstheGulfofTonkinwithastrengthatlevel13,gustingtolevel16.Regardingthedikesystem,Ph?m??cLu?n,DirectoroftheDepartmentofDikeManagementandNaturalDisasterPrevention,notedthatalongthecoastaldikesandrivermouthdikesintheprovincesfromQu?ngNinhtoNgh?An,thereare32criticalpointsthatrequirespecialattention.Additionally,therearethreeconstructionprojectsinprogress.Somedikesandembankmentshavealreadysuffereddamagebuthavenotyetbeenrepaired,suchastheTh?nhLongembankmentontheH?iH?uSeaDikeinNam??nhandtheBìnhMinh4DikeinNinhBình,whichhasbeencompletedbutnotyetreinforced.Thecoastaldikesystemsarecurrentlydesignedtowithstandstormsatlevels9-10.ThereisahighriskofdamageifthestormenterstheGulfofTonkinatlevels12-13,hesaid.Intermsofagriculturalproduction,155,000haofthe170,000haofsummer-autumnricecropshavebeenharvested,with15,000haremainingtobeharvested,whichisexpectedtobecompletedbeforeSeptember10.CommentingonStormYagi,DeputyMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentNguy?nHoàngHi?pstatedthatifthestormfollowsthepredictedpath,itwillhaveasignificantimpactontheindustrialandagriculturalsectorsinthenorthernprovinces.Heexpressedconcernthatthebiggestthreatwhenthestormmakeslandfallistheriskoffloodinginmountainousprovincesandurbaninundation.GiventhesignificantpotentialimpactofStormYagi,heurgedlocalauthoritiestoproactivelyimplementstormpreventionmeasuresandcarefullymanagewaterregulationinhydropowerreservoirs,bothtomitigatedownstreamfloodingandtostorewaterforpowergeneration.MinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentLêMinhHoanurgedlocalauthoritiestoproactivelydevelopstormresponseplans.Heevensuggestedbanninglargegatherings,promotingthedisseminationofsafetymeasuresandteachingskillsforstormresponse.Forlowlandandmountainousregions,Hoanrecommendeddeployingtaskforcestoinspectandassessresidentialareasnearrivers,streamsandlow-lyingregionsthatareathighriskofflooding,flashfloodsandlandslides.Thetaskforceswouldalsoproactivelyrelocateandevacuateresidentstosafeareas.Healsostressedtheimportanceoforganisingforcestomonitorandcontroltrafficatsubmergedroadsandareasatriskoflandslidestoprohibitthepassageofpeopleandvehiclesifsafetycannotbeguaranteed.Incasethestormintensifiesfurtherbeforemakinglandfall,theMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentwillreporttotheGovernmenttoensureappropriatedirectivesandmeasuresareinplacetomitigatetherisksofthestormandreducetheimpactofnaturaldisasters,hestressed.OnWednesday,theMinistryofEducationandTrainingissuedanurgentdirectivetotheprovincesandcitiesofQu?ngNinh,H?iPhòng,TháiBình,Nam??nh,HàNamandNinhBìnhtoorganisethenewschoolyearsopeningceremonyinastreamlined,safemanner,suitableforthelocalconditions.Undernocircumstancesshouldtheceremoniesbeheldinareasexperiencingheavyrain,orwherethereisariskoflandslidesorflooding.Localauthoritiesandschoolsarealsorequiredtodevelopplansforthetimelyrelocationofassets,machinery,equipment,furnitureandbookstosafelocations.—VNSTouristsinQu?ngBìnhcentralprovince.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?DungHàN?I—Thetourismindustryservedaboutthreemilliondomesticandinternationalvisitorsduringthefour-dayNationalDayholiday,whichlastedfromlastSaturdaytoTuesday,saidtheVi?tNamNationalAuthorityofTourism(VNAT).Thisfigurewasanincreaseof20percent,comparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Theaverageroomoccupancyduringtheholidaysreached56percent,upby1.85percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.InternationaltouristsDuringtheholiday,thenumberofinternationalvisitorstoVi?tNamskeytouristdestinationsincreased.TheymainlycomefromtheRepublicofKorea,mainlandChina,Taiwan(China),India,EuropeandtheUSandstayedforfourtofivedays.Amongtheprovincesandcitiesthatarelovedandchosenbyinternationalvisitors,?àN?ngranksfirstwith91,000tourists,anincreaseof15.3percentoverthesameperiodlastyear.NextwasHàN?iwithmorethan58,900visitors,upby35.8percent,KhánhHòawithover48,000peopleandHCMCitywith38,800visitors,upby3.2percent.ThenumberofinternationaltouriststoTh?aThiên-Hu?andLàoCaiincreaseddramatically,morethan45-54percent.Duetothefavourableweatheracrossallthreeregions,totalrevenuefromtouristsnationwideincreasedsignificantlycomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Ofnote,BìnhThu?nProvincewelcomedahugenumberofbothdomesticandforeigntourists.ThemainreasonisthattheD?uGiay-PhanThi?nExpresswaywasopenedforpublicuseandshortenedthetraveltimefromHCMCitytoBìnhThu?n.AccordingtostatisticsfromtheprovincialDepartmentofCulture,SportsandTourism,duringthefour-dayholiday,itreceivedabout385,000visitors,3.3timeshigherthanlastyear,ofwhichinternationalvisitorsnumberedabout9,700.RevenuefromtourismactivitiesisestimatedataboutVN?510billion(US$20.4million).NewtourismproductsTomeetthetouristsneedsforsightseeing,entertainmentandrelaxation,localitieshaveworkedwithlocaltourismbusinessestoinnovateandbuilddiverseandattractivetourismproducts.Manyculturaleventsandfestivalshavebeenjointlyorganisedattractingthetouristsandencouragingthemtostaylonger.Typically,in?àN?ng,visitorscanexperienceacruiseontheHànRiver,acyclotourtoexplorethethecitysbeautyatnightandparaglidingtoseethecityfromabove.InHCMCity,adouble-deckerbusservicetovisitthecityhasbeenaddedandtheSkyGardencommercialandculinarystreethasbeenopened.AttheBòC?pVàngtouristareain??ngNaiProvince,anartificialwaterfallnamedBlisshasbeenlaunched.Forairtransport,thetotalnumberofflightsprovidedduringtheholidaywasmorethan4,250,anaverageof840flightsperday,anincreaseof3.5percentoverthesameperiodlastyear.Therailwayindustryservedabout130,000passengers,upbytenpercent.TheVNATsaidthattheNationalDayholidaythisyearendedwithmanypositiveresults.Domestictourismcontinuedtogrowstronglyandinternationaltourismisgraduallyregainingmomentum.Thesearepositivesignsofgrowthfortheindustryinthefourthquarterthisyear,saidthenationaltourismauthority.—VNS
TheTháiNguyênIndustrialCollege.—VNA/VNSPhotoTHáINGUYêN—OnestudenthasdiedafterfourteenstudentsoftheTháiNguyênIndustrialCollegelivinginthesamedormitorywerehospitalisedwithanunidentifiedfever.TheTháiNguyênCentreforDiseaseControl(CDC)saidthatduringthefour-dayNationalDayholiday,fromlastSaturdaytoTuesday,threestudentsfromthecollegeweresickandhadtobetransferredtotheTháiNguyênCentralHospitalfortreatment.TheCDCworkedwiththeTháiNguyênCityMedicalCentretoinvestigate.InitialreportsshowthatthemostseriouscasewasV.M.C.,16,fromS?ngTràCommune,MèoV?cDistrict,thenorthernmountainousprovinceofHàGiang.C.isastudentofIntermediateElectricityclassK57,livinginroom209K2ofthecollegesdormitory.LastThursdayevening,C.hadabdominalpainandvomited.C.wastransferredtoTháiNguyênCentralHospitalforexaminationandtreatment.Onedaylater,C.wasinacomaandwasdiagnosedwithmeningitis,cholecystitisandgallbladderpolyps.Onthesameday,intheafternoon,thepatientsconditionworsened,showingsignsofacutemyocarditis.Thepatientwasprescribedendotrachealintubation,bloodfiltration,endotrachealintubation,mechanicalventilationandwasdiagnosedwithmultipleorganfailure,acuteheartfailureandhepatitisBandhadaverypoorprognosis.OnSaturday,C.sfamilyaskedthehospitaltoletthestudentgohome,whereC.laterdied.ThesecondpatientisH.M.N.,15,alsofromMèoV?cDistrict.N.isstudyingattheIntermediateElectricityBclassK58,livinginroom206K3ofthedormitory.OnSundayevening,N.hadheadache,stomachache,afeverof40degreesCelsiusandfatigue.ThecollegemedicalstaffexaminedandtransferredN.totheTháiNguyênCentralHospitalforhealthmonitoringwithsymptomsofhighfever,headache,chestpainandstomachacheofunidentifiedcause.N.thenwastransferredtotheNationalChildrensHospitalfortreatment.ThethirdpatientisT.M.M,15,alsofromMèoV?cDistrict,astudentofIntermediateElectricityBK58wholivesinroom203K3.OnMonday,M.hadconvulsionsandwastakentotheTháiNguyênCentralHospital.Thepatientisbeingtreatedattheemergencywardandisinacoma,onaventilator.Inadditiontothesecases,theTháiNguyênCentralHospitalalsorecorded11otherpatientswithfeverswhoarecollegestudentslivinginthesamedormitory.Theyareallunderspecialsupervision.Aftermanystudentswerehospitalisedduringtheholiday,theTháiNguyênCityMedicalCentreandthecollegedisinfectedtheentireK1,K2,K3dormitoriesandtheschoolscafeteria.Allstudentsinthreedormitoryroomswiththeillyoungsterswerequarantinedandaskedtoselfmonitortheirhealthandnotifythecollegeiftheyhaveanyunusualsymptoms.—VNSAhealthcareworkerconductingbloodtests.—Photovietnamplus.vnHàN?I—TheHàN?iCentreforDiseaseControl(CDC)hasreportedasignificantsurgeindenguefevercases,with265newinfectionsrecordedbetweenAugust23and30,bringingthetotalnumberto2,500sincethebeginningoftheyear.Nofatalitieshavebeenreported.Thediseasehasspreadacross29districts,with?anPh??ng,Hà??ng,HoàngMai,HaiBàTr?ng,PhúcTh?,B?cT?Liêm,NamT?Liêm,andC?uGi?ytheareashithardest.Thesituationremainsconcerning,as16newoutbreaksweredetectedlastweekinseveraldistricts,including?anPh??ngandGiaLam.Thecityhasseenatotalof120dengueoutbreaksthisyear,withthirtystillactive.AccordingtotheCDC,thecombinationofhotweatherandfrequentrainhascreatedidealconditionsformosquitoes,whichtransmitthedisease,toproliferate.Thenumberofcasesisexpectedtocontinuerising,withsomeoutbreakspersistingandnewpatientsemerging.Surveillanceeffortsatoutbreaksiteshaverevealedthatmosquitopopulationsremainabovetheriskthreshold,indicatingapotentialincreaseincasesinthecomingweeks.Inresponsetotheongoingthreat,localauthoritieslastweekconducted18sanitationcampaigns,inspectingover136,000householdsand731publicareasandtreatingnearly20,000watercontainerstoeliminatemosquitolarvae.Thecityalsorecorded34casesofhand,footandmouthdiseaselastweek.Healthofficialspredictanincreaseininfectionsaskindergartensandprimaryschoolsreopenaftersummerholiday.Meanwhile,measlescasesareontheriseinseveralregions,includingHCMCity.HàN?ihasreportedtwocasesofmeaslessincethestartoftheyear,withhealthauthoritiesanticipatingmorecasesinthecomingtime.TheHàN?iCDCplanstostepupmonitoringandearlydetectionofinfectiousdiseasesinthecommunityandhealthcarefacilitiestoswiftlymanageoutbreaks.—VNS