Hawaii Lawmakers Return with Vows to Help Working Families
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HàN?I—Topromptlydetectdomesticandimportedcasesofmpox,Vietnameseauthoritieshavesteppedupeffortsinmonitoringandpreventingthespreadoftheviraldiseaseandprovidingguidanceonrelatedsurveillanceandcontrolmeasures,theMinistryofForeignAffairssSpokespersonPh?mThuH?nghassaid.MakingherstatementattheministrysregularpressbriefingonThursdayinreplytoaquestionregardingthecontrolofthediseaseinVi?tNam,H?ngnotedthattheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)hasdeclaredmpoxapublichealthemergencyofinternationalconcernduetoitsrapidspreadinseveralAfricancountries.Accordingtothespokeswoman,theMinistryofHealthonAugust19issuedadocumentdeliveredtothepeoplescommitteesofprovincesandcentrally-runcities,theNationalInstituteofHygieneandEpidemiology,PasteurInstitute,andinfectiousdiseasetreatmentcentrestoenhancempoxpreventionefforts.TheywereurgedtostrictlyadheretotheinstructionsinthePrimeMinistersdispatchdatedAugust1,2022,onstrengtheningthepreventionandcontrolofthedisease.Thedispatchalsocoversthediagnosisandtreatmentofmpox,aswellasmeasurestopreventitstransmissioninhealthcareestablishments.Accordingly,Vi?tNamhasintensifiedthemonitoringanddetectionofsuspectedcasesatbordergatesandwithinpublicandprivatehealthcareestablishments.Inaddition,healthauthoritiesandrelevantagenciesareworkingcloselywithlocalitiestoenhancepubliccommunicationsonpreventivemeasures,overseeanddirectanti-epidemicefforts,whilereviewingandupdatingcontingencyplanstoensurereadinessinresponsetopotentialoutbreaks.Inthetimetocome,healthagenciesanddiseasecontrolbodieswillcontinuetoassessandcloselymonitorthesituationtopromptlyimplementnecessarymeasurestoprotectpublicsafety.—VNSTr?nT?Nga.—AFP/VNAPhotoPARIS—TheParisCourtofAppealsrejectionofthelawsuitfiledbyTranToNgaagainstUSmanufacturersofAgentOrange(AO)/dioxinisnotasurprisefortheFrench-Vietnamesewoman,whosaidshewillnotgiveupbutcontinuetopursuethislawsuit.OnAugust22,theParisCourtofAppealrejectedthelawsuitfiledbyNgaagainsttheUSchemicalcorporationsthatsuppliedAO/dioxinfortheUSarmytouseduringthewarinVi?tNam.TalkingtotheVietnamNewsAgency(VNA),Nga,whoisalsoanAO/dioxinvictimherself,saidsheisnotsurprisedatthisruling,andthatshewillnotgiveupbutkeeppursuingthislawsuit.AsNgasrepresentatives,WilliamBourdonandBertrandRepoltfromtheBourdonlawofficeexpressedtheirdeterminationtostayontheirclientsside.Thefightbytheirclientdoesnotendwiththisruling,andtheywilltakethecasetothehighestappealscourt,thelawyerssaid,notingthatjudgesoftheParisCourtofAppealheldaconservativeattitudethatrunscountertothemodernityoflaw,aswellasinternationallawandEuropeanlaw.Thehighestappealscourtwillmakethedecision,theyadded.Ngaspursuitofthelawsuitoverthepast15yearsshowedherextraordinarywillandthefirmsupportofpeace-lovingpeopleforher.Bornin1942inthesouthernprovinceofSócTr?ng,NgausedtoworkasawarcorrespondentoftheLiberationNewsAgency(nowVietnamNewsAgency)andbecamecontaminatedwithdioxinduringwartime.Medicalexaminationresultsshowthatthedioxinlevelinherbloodishigherthantheregulatedlevelthatleadstoserioushealthimpacts.Shesufferedfromfiveoutofthe17diseases,disorders,deformities,andmalformationsassociatedwithdioxinexposurerecognisedbytheUS.NotonlyNgaherselfbutherchildrenalsosufferedfromheartandbonedefects.Herfirstchilddiedofheartdefectsat17monthsofage.In2009,NgaappearedasawitnessattheCourtofPublicOpinioninParisagainsttheUSchemicalcompaniestosupportAO/dioxinvictimsinVi?tNam.Afterthat,withsupportfromsomeFrenchlawyersandsocialactivists,shedecidedtosuetheUSchemicalcompanies.SheisoneofthefewpersonsabletopursueAO/dioxin-relatedlawsuitssinceshehasallthethreenecessaryconditionsofbeingaFrench-Vietnamesecitizen;residinginFrance,wherelawyersarepermittedtofileinternationallawsuitsindefenceofFrenchcitizensagainstanothercountryharmingthem;andbeingavictimofAO/dioxin.InMay2013,theCrownCourtofEvrycity,whereNgaresides,acceptedherpetitionagainstthechemicalcompaniesthatsuppliedherbicidefortheUSarmytouseinthebattlefieldinVi?tNam.However,after19proceduralsessions,initsrulingissuedonMay10,2021,thiscourtacceptedtheargumentsofthedefendants,sayingtheyhadactedundertheorderofandfortheStateoftheUSandthus,theywereentitledtotherighttoimmunity.LawyersofNgaobjectedtothisrulingandsaidthosecompanieshadsubmittedatender,whichmeanttheyhadnotbeenforcedtoact.ThelawyersperceivedthattheEvryCrownCourtappliedout-of-dateprinciplesrunningcountertothemodernprinciplesofinternationallawandFrance.Notdisappointedbythatloss,shortlyaftertheEvryCrownCourthadruledthatitdidnothavesufficientcompetencetohandlethecaserelatedtotheUSGovernmentsactsduringwartime,Nga,withsupportfromlawyersandtheassociationssupportingVietnameseAOvictims,filedanappealtotheParisCourtofAppeal.AtahearingheldonMay7thisyear,NgaslawyerspointedoutthatthereissufficientevidenceprovingthosecompanieshadvoluntarilyjoinedinthebiddingandhadtherighttodeterminetheproductionaswellascontentofdioxinintheherbicidesuppliedfortheUSarmyinVi?tNamduring1961-1971.TheseactionscausedcatastrophicconsequenceswhichstilllingeruntiltodayforpeopleandtheenvironmentinVi?tNam.Ngaherselfisadioxinvictimandhassufferedfromveryseriousconsequences,thelawyerssaid,notingthattheirclientlostherfirstchild,herotherchildrenhadtoendurehealthproblemswhileshealsobecamecancerous.TheyaddedtherighttoatrialisafundamentalrightofNga,andtheyhopedtoregainjusticeforthevictim.Fortheirpart,thelawyersdefendingthe14USchemicalcompaniesdeniedtheirclientsresponsibility,arguingthatthefirmshadactedattherequestoftheUSarmy.Giventhis,theycitedthestateimmunitythatallowsasovereignstatenottobeprosecutedatacourtofanothersovereignstatesoastodenythecompaniesresponsibilityfortheconsequencescausedbytheirproductsintheVietnamesebattlefield.Ononeoccasion,NgatoldVNAcorrespondentsinFrancethatwhenshebeganthelawsuit,therewerealreadymorethan3millionAOvictimsinVi?tNam.Thisfigurehurtherheartandpromptedhertofilethelawsuit.After12yearsofpursuingjustice,thefigurekeptincreasing,toover4millionvictimsandAOeffectshavereachedthefourthgeneration.ShestressedthatherstruggleaimstonotonlyfightagainsttheuseofAObutalsoserveasabasisforothercombatsfortheenvironment.IfightnotonlyformyselfbutalsoalldioxinvictimsinVi?tNamandothercountries,Ngasaid,affirmingthatshewillfighttothebitterend.Duringher15-yearjourneytoseekjustice,NgahasreceivedsupportfromnotonlyVietnamesepeopleinthehomelandbutalsoVietnameseexpatriatesinFranceandaroundtheworld,aswellasFrenchandinternationalfriends,includinglawyersWilliamBourdonandBertrandRepolt,theVi?tNamAssociationforVictimsofAO/dioxin,theInternationalAssociationofDemocraticLawyers,theVietnamesePeopleAssociationinFrance,theFrance–Vi?tNamFriendshipAssociation,thecommitteeforsupportforTr?nT?Ngaslawsuit,andCollectifVietnamDioxine.AlargenumberofmarchesandmeetingshavealsobeenorganisedtoshowsolidaritywithNgaandVietnameseAOvictims.Ngaslettertoappealforsupportforthelegalstrugglereceivedthousandsofsignatures,includingthoseofmanyimportantfigures,politicians,diplomats,researchers,scholars,doctors,andartists.From1961to1971,theUSmilitaryconducted19,905missionssprayingmorethan80millionlitresoftoxicchemicals,61percentofwhichwasAOcontaining366kgofdioxin,onnearly26,000hamletsandvillagesthatcovered3.06millionhectares,equivalenttoalmostone-fourthoftheareaofSouthVi?tNam.AOhascausedstrongandenduringimpactsontheenvironmentandhumanhealth.About4.8millionpeopleinVi?tNamwereexposedtoAO/dioxin,statisticsshowed.—VNS
AtChildrensHospital2inHCMCity,adoctorpresentsgiftstoachildpatientontheoccasionofInternationalChildrensDay(June1).—VNA/VNSPhotoThuH??ngHCMCITY—Inanefforttoaddressitsdecliningfertilityrate,HCMCityisconsideringsolutionstobettercareforpregnantwomen,newborns,andchildreninthecity.ThecitysDepartmentofHealthhassubmittedaproposaloutliningsolutionstoincreasethecitysfertilityrateby2030tothemunicipalPeoplesCommitteesforapproval.Undertheproposal,pregnantwomen,newbornsandchildreninthecitywillbeeligibleforsupportfromthecitygovernment.Itincludesfullycoveringthecostsforpregnantwomenparticipatinginprenatalandnewbornscreeningprogrammes.Italsoprovidesfullreimbursementofexpenses(afterdeductingtheamountcoveredbyhealthinsurance)forregularprenatalcheck-upsandchildbirth.Additionally,theproposalsuggestsplanningandconstructingchildcarecentresandkindergartensthatcatertotheneedsofmothers,especiallyinexportprocessingzones,industrialareas,andurbandistricts.Italsoaimstopilotworker-friendlyservicessuchasadjustingchildcarehoursandsupportingboardingschoolexpensesforpreschoolandelementarystudents.Italsoencouragestheestablishmentofbreastfeedingroomsatworkplaces.AccordingtothecitysDepartmentofHealth,HCMCityisoneof21provincesandcitieswiththelowestfertilityratesinthecountry.Thecitysfertilityrateis1.32childrenperwomanofreproductiveage,steadilydecreasingfromarateof1.76in2000.Adeclineinfertilityratesimpactspopulationsize,agedistribution,reductionintheworking-agepopulation,migrationtrendsandaccelerationofpopulationaging.Italsohampersthepotentialofdemographicdividends.Therefore,thecitygovernmentisstrengtheningstatepopulationmanagementtoimproveitslowfertilityrate.—VNSAworkingsessionbetweenFPTGroupandthecentralQu?ngNg?iprovincialpeoplescommitteeindevelopinganeducationcomplexintheprovince.FPThasdevelopedtwoeducationcomplexesin?àN?ngandTh?aThiênHu?Province.PhotocourtesyofFPTQU?NGNG?I—ITgiantFPTGrouphasputforwardaplantodevelopasixhectareeducationcomplextosupportthecentralprovinceindigitaltransformationprocessesineducation,healthcare,databases,digitalinfrastructure,e-Governmentandtheeconomy.GeneraldirectorofFPTGroup,Tr?nV?nKhoasaidataworkingsessionwiththecentralprovincialpeoplescommittee,thatthegroupwouldbuildupamulti-levelschoolsystemandvocationaltrainingsystemtosupplymanpowertoaidtheindustrialisationoftheprovince.KhoasaidFPTwillcooperatewiththeprovinceinbuildingdigitalisationtransformationplan,cybersecuritysolutionsanddatabases.Newly-appointedchairmanoftheprovincialpeoplescommittee,Nguy?nHoàngGiangsaidrelevantagenciesoftheprovincewillbeboostingproceduresandmakingpreparationsfortheFPTGrouptobeginthecomplexsoon.FPThasalsodonatededucationalfacilitiesandequipmentworthVN?100million(US$4,000)toV?H?ngS?nSchoolforchildrenwithdisabilities.Thegrouphasbeencooperatingwith?àN?ngCityandTh?aThiênHu?Provinceindigitaltransformation.Ithasalreadydevelopedasecondaryschoolanduniversityin?àN?ngandstartedconstructiononaneducationcomplexintheH??ngTràtownshipofHu?City.FPTGrouphavealsodevelopededucationsystemsfromprimaryschoolsuptotheuniversitylevelinH?iPhòng,B?cNinh,?àN?ng,C?nTh?,Bình??nh,HàN?iandotherco-operativeprojectswiththeUKandAustraliapartnersinVi?tNam.VNSTheareawherethedogsarekept.—Photothanhnien.vnL?M??NG—The?àL?tCityPolicehavelaunchedaninvestigationaftervideosshowingtheabuseofanAlaskandogwentviralonsocialmedia.Thedogsowner,L.S.L.,whoresidesonLêV?nTámRoadinWard10,confirmedtothepolicethathehadpurchasedfiveAlaskandogsforVN?300million(US$12,000)aroundMaythisyear.HeintendedtousethedogsforanillegalphotographyserviceatLamViênSquare,rentingthemouttotouristsforphotoopportunities.L.rentedapigstyinC?u?úcAlley,Ward10,?àL?tCity,tohousethedogs.Lastmonth,L.boughtanadditionalreddish-brownAlaskandognamedB?nforVN?25million(US$1,000).P.T.T.T,a39-year-oldwomanfromWard9,contributedVN?10million(US$400)topartnerwithL.inthebusiness.T.taskedher13-year-oldson,T.T.Q.,astudent,withmanagingthedogfortouristsduringhissummervacation.OnJuly20,whileQ.washoldingB?nfortouristsatLamViênSquare,thedogbithimonthehand.Inresponse,Q.kickedthedogandlaterconfinedittoacageinC?u?úcAlley,whereherepeatedlystruckitwithaplasticpipe,27mmindiameterandabout80cmlong.Atthebeginningofthismonth,L.tookovermanagingthedogafterreturningT.sUS$400,asQ.couldnolongerhandletheanimal.L.statedthatduetothedogsaggressivebehaviour,hewasretrainingitandhadpausedthebusiness.L.alsoinformedthepolicethathewasunawareoftheincidentinvolvingQ.beingbitten,whichreportedlyoccurredbetweenJuly20and23,untilthevideossurfacedonline.Thepolicearecontinuingtheirinvestigationintothecase.—VNS
HàN?I—Vi?tNamsforeignministryonThursdaysaiditcompletelyandfirmlyopposethefalseinformationthatBritishtravellerstoVi?tNamfacepotentialpassportseizuresandexitbans.ThiscautionisissuedbytheUKForeignOfficeforthetravelguidancetoVi?tNam.Vi?tNamconsistentpolicyistocreatefavourableconditionsforforeignerstoenter,exitandresideinVi?tNam,soastocontributetothecountryssocio-economicdevelopment,spokeswomanfortheforeignministryPh?mThuH?ngtoldthepress.Overthepastyears,competentVietnameseauthoritieshavetakennumerousactionstofacilitatethetravellingofforeignerstoVi?tNamtostudy,work,invest,explorethemarket,andfortourismpurposes,incompliancewithVietnameseregulationsandlaws,H?ngsaid.TheUKdirectivelistsoutanumberofsituationsthatcouldtriggeranexitbanfromVietnameseauthorities,whichmayberelatedtoinvestigationsintoanindividual,theirfamilyoranemployer,criminalandcivilmatters,suchasbusinessdisputesormotorvehicleaccidents,employmentwithoutaworkvisa[or]unpaidfinancialdebts.—VNSAchildisvaccinatedinC?nTh?CityaspartofthenationalExpandedProgrammeonImmunisation.—PhototheEPIHàN?I—TheMinistryofHealthlaunchedacampaigntoprovidemeaslesvaccinesforchildrennationwideatahybridconferenceonThursday,tomarkWorldImmunisationWeek2024.Speakingattheevent,HealthMinister?àoH?ngLancalledonparentsandcaregiverstogetchildrenvaccinatedfullyandonschedule,forthehealthofthechildrenthroughregularvaccinationsandvaccinationcampaigns.Vaccinationisoneofthemostimportantmeasurestopreventdangerousinfectiousdiseases.Thankstovaccination,manydangerousinfectiousdiseasesareeliminatedorcontrolled.ItisestimatedthattheglobalExpandedProgrammeonImmunisation(EPI)preventstwotothreemilliondeathseachyear,saidLan.Withtheriskofameaslesoutbreakintheworld,includingVi?tNam,thehealthministryhascoordinatedwithWHOandUNICEFtodevelopandissueacampaigntoprovideavaccineagainstmeaslesin2024with1,134,200dosesofvaccinefundedbytheAustralianGovernment.Thecampaignwillbedeployedateducationalunitsandmedicalfacilitiesindistrictsatriskofmeaslesoutbreaks.Vaccinesareprovidedfreeofchargeforchildrenagedonetoten,alongwithmedicalstaffatriskatmedicalexaminationandtreatmentfacilitiesandthosewhohavenothadtherequirednumberofvaccinationsasprescribed.HealthMinister?àoH?ngLanchairstheonlineconferenceonAugust22,tomarkWorldImmunisationWeekfor2024.—PhotocourtesyoftheMinistryofHealthAccordingtoHealthMinisterLan,thevaccinationprogrammewillstillfacemanydifficultiesandchallengesduetotheunpredictablesituationofinfectiousdiseasesandthelowvaccinationratefollowingtheCOVID-19pandemic.Environmentalpollution,climatechange,naturaldisasters,floodsandurbanisationcreatedfavourableconditionsforinfectiousdiseasestoreappear,spreadandbreakout.LansuggestedthePeoplesCommitteesofprovincesandcitiespromotetheimplementationofregularvaccinationforchildrenundertheEPItoensuresafetyandeffectivenessandencouragefamiliestogettheirchildrenvaccinatedfullyandonschedule.WHORepresentativeinVi?tNamAngelaPrattremarkedthathundredsofthousandsofchildreninVi?tNamhavemissedoutonvaccinationssince2021duetopandemic-relateddisruptionsandtherecentlackofvaccinestock,leadingtothelargestsustaineddeclineinratesofchildhoodimmunisationinVi?tNaminover20years.WHORepresentativeinVi?tNamAngelaPrattspeaksattheevent.—PhotoMoHAsaresult,wearealreadyseeingmorecasesandclustersofvaccine-preventablediseases–includingdiphtheriaandpertussisandweareworriedthatwecurrentlyfacetheveryrealriskofalarge-scalemeaslesoutbreak,saidPratt.TheWHOrepresentativealsopraisedthePrimeMinistersoffice,theNationalAssemblyandtheMinisterofHealthfortheleadershipandimmenseeffortslastyeartounlockthesupplyofvaccines.Iknowwecannowcountonthesameleadershipandcommitmenttorespondtothemeaslesoutbreakswearecurrentlyseeinginseveralprovinces,thethreatofoutbreakselsewhereandindoingsoavoidlarge-scaletransmission.PrattalsosaidthattheWHOhasfinalisedtheprocurementofanemergencysupplyofmorethanonemilliondosesofmeasles-rubellavaccines,tobeusedforoutbreakresponseandsupplementaryimmunisationactivitiesinthehighest-riskareas.InVi?tNam,therearecurrently11typesofvaccinestopreventinfectiousdiseases,includingtuberculosis,diphtheria,whoopingcough,tetanus,measles,polio,hepatitisB,JapaneseBencephalitis,rubellaandrota,alldeployedinthenationalEPI.Inthefuture,thehealthministrywillimplementaplantoaddnewvaccinestotheEPI,includingvaccinestopreventdiarrhoeacausedbytherotavirus,avaccinetopreventpneumococcaldiseaseandthevaccinetopreventcervicalcancercausedbytheHPVvirus.Overthepast40years,hundredsofmillionsofvaccinedoseshavebeengiventoVietnamesechildrenandwomenforfree.TheEPIhasmadeanimportantcontributiontoachievingpolioeradicationin2000andeliminatingneonataltetanusin2005.—VNS
Marketmanagementofficersinspectamooncakeproductionestablishmentin?àN?ngCityanddiscovered1,800cakeswithoutorigincertificates.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?IAstheMid-AutumnFestivaldrawsnear,authoritiesareintensifyingeffortstocombatthesaleoffoodproductswithunclearorigins,particularlyamidgrowingconcernsovertheinfluxofsmuggled,counterfeit,andsubstandardgoods,includingpopularfestivalitemslikemooncakes.Theheighteneddemandduringthisfestiveperiodhaspromptedincreasedscrutiny,withrecentinspectionsinHàN?iuncoveringsignificantviolations,underscoringtheneedforstringentenforcementoffoodsafetyandhygienestandards.Earlierthismonth,ateamfromtheHàN?iMarketManagementDepartmentinspectedtwostoresinBa?ìnhDistrict,uncoveringasignificantquantityofsmuggledconfectioneryproducts.Theshopownerswereunabletoproduceinvoicesordocumentationverifyingtheoriginandqualityoftheproducts.Amongtheconfiscateditemswerenearly600mooncakeslackingproperdocumentationtosubstantiatetheiroriginorquality.Authoritieshavealsoinspectedcraftvillagestoensurethatanyviolationsimpactingconsumerhealtharepromptlyaddressed.InLaPhùVillage,Hoài??cDistrict,theauthoritiesconfiscated240mooncakesand72packsofwafercakeslabelledinaforeignlanguage.HàN?i,H?ChíMinhCity,and?àN?ngCityarekeyareaswithhighpurchasingpower,promptingmarketmanagementforcestointensifyinspectionsandcontrolsofbusinessestablishmentstopreventviolations.Arepresentativeofthe?àN?ngMarketManagementDepartmentreportedthatlastweek,morethan1,800smuggledmooncakesofvarioustypeswerediscoveredandtemporarilyseizedfromshopsonK???ngStreet,ThanhKhêDistrict.Despitethepresenceofreputableproductionandbusinessestablishmentsensuringproductsafety,someorganisationsandindividualscontinuetosellsmuggledgoodswithunclearorigins,whichnegativelyaffectsconsumerhealth,saidarepresentativeofthe?àN?ngMarketManagementDepartment.Therefore,consumersshouldmakeinformedchoicesbyselectingsafeproductsforthemselvesandtheirfamilies,headvised.Foodsafetyremainsacriticalissue,withmarketmanagementforcesdetectingandaddressinghundredsofviolationseachyear.Specificallyregardingmooncakes,fraudulentpracticesarebecomingincreasinglysophisticated.V??ngBáD?ng,headofTeam24oftheHàN?iMarketManagementDepartment,reportedthatthroughinspections,authoritieshavedetectedsomeestablishmentsmixingsmuggledgoodswithlegitimateproductsandstackingthemtogethertoevadedetection.Additionally,manyviolatorsoperatefromconcealedlocationsdeepwithinresidentialareastofacilitatesales.Asaresult,theteamhasinstructedmarketmanagementofficerstoraiselocalawareness,maintainstringentmarketcontrols,andpromptlydetectsignsofviolations.Thisapproachwillenablethemtoinspectandhandlegoodslackingproperorigindocumentation,whichcouldcompromiseproductqualityandconsumerhealth.Inspectionsandenforcementmustbeconductedrigorouslyandinaccordancewithregulationstoensurethatthegoodsreachingconsumersareofhighqualityandsafe,saidD?ng.Mooncakesareaseasonalproduct,leadingmanysmallbusinessestofallshortininvestinginadequatefacilitiesorstrictlyadheringtofoodsafetyprocedures.Nguy?n??cLê,DeputyDirectoroftheOperationsDepartment(GeneralDepartmentofMarketManagement),notedthatmooncakeproductionactivitiesbeganbeforeJulyofthelunarcalendar,withconsumptionpeakingaroundtheMid-AutumnFestivalon15August(lunarcalendar).Authoritieshavediscoveredsomeestablishmentsusingingredientsofunclearoriginandfailingtomeetsafetystandardsintheirmooncakes.Asaresult,theGeneralDepartmentofMarketManagementhasconsistentlyurgedlocalunitstointensifyinspections.Inparticular,theGeneralDepartmenthasdevelopedaspecialisedinspectionprogrammeforeachlocalitytopromptlydetectandpreventtheuseofunsafefoodproductsduringthecurrentMid-AutumnFestival.Regardingmooncakefillings,Lêpointedoutthatsomeestablishmentsstillresorttocheapingredientsandunsanitaryprocessingmethods,resultinginsubstandardqualitycomparedtoreputablebrands.Moreover,alackofawarenessamongsomeconsumers,whoprioritiselowpricesoverproductorigin,hascreatedopportunitiesforunscrupuloustraderstofloodthemarketwithmooncakesofunclearorigin,posingpotentialfoodsafetyrisksduringtheMid-AutumnFestival,Lêwarned.ToensurefoodsafetynotonlyduringtheMid-AutumnFestivalbutthroughouttheyear,marketmanagementforceshavecollaboratedwithlocalauthoritiestostrengtheninspectionsandimposestrictpenaltiesonviolators,Lêadded.Theforceshavealsopartneredwithbusinesses,associations,industrysectors,andlocalgovernmentstoenhancepublicawareness,encouragingconsumerstomakeinformedchoicesbypurchasingqualityproductswithclearoriginsandcertifiedsafety.Healsoadvisedconsumerstobevigilantabouttheoriginandauthenticityofconfectioneryproductswhenpurchasingonline,andtoconsidercustomerreviewsandratingsforthoseproducts.VNS
AyouthunionmemberassistsaresidentinscanningQRcodesurveysatMaiTrungCommunePeoplesCommittee,Hi?pHòaDistrict.B?CGIANG—B?cGiangprovinceisdeterminedtoaddressitsweaknessesandimprovebothitsscoreandrankingintheProvincialCompetitivenessIndex(PCI),aimingtobeamongthetopprovincesnationwide,chairmanoftheProvincialPeoplesCommitteeMaiS?nsaid.TheprovincerecentlyheldaconferencetoanalysethePCIcomponentindicatorsfor2023andplanstodevelopandimplementastrategytoenhancethePCIin2024.Departments,sectorsandlocalitieswillconductcomprehensivereviewsandevaluationsofbothcollectiveandindividualresponsibilitiesregardingachievedresults,existingissues,limitationsandthereasonsbehindthecomponentindicatorsofthePCIthatfellshortofthe2023targets.Theywillconsultwithandlearnfromotherlocalitiestoformulateeffective,practicalandsustainablesolutionsfor2024.ProvincialdepartmentsandsectorswillcontinuetofocusoneffectivelyimplementingtasksandsolutionstoimprovetheinvestmentandbusinessenvironmentandenhancethePCIaccordingtotheprovincesplan.B?cGiangwillsoonimplementtheInformationandCommunicationontheInvestmentandBusinessEnvironmentoftheprovince.MediaagenciesandbusinessassociationswillintensifyeffortstopromotetheimportanceofimprovingtheinvestmentenvironmentandenhancingthePCI.Additionally,B?cGiangisworkingtoenhancetheeffectivenessoftheProvincialSteeringCommitteeanditssupportunits.Theprovinceaimstoimprovethereceptionandhandlingoffeedbackfrombusinessesandinvestors,promptlyresolvinganydifficultiesencounteredininvestment,productionandbusinessoperations.AccordingtothePCI2023report,B?cGiangscored69.75points,adecreaseof3.05pointsfrom72.80pointsin2022.ThismarksthesecondconsecutiveyearthatB?cGiangranksinthetopfiveprovincesandcitieswiththebesteconomicgovernancequalityin2023anditholdsthetoppositionamongthenorthernmidlandsandmountainousprovinces.TheVietnamChamberofCommerceandIndustry(VCCI)hasnotedthatthedeclineinPCIscoresforprovinceslikeB?cGiangwillputsignificantpressureonleadingprovincestoinnovateandcreateafavourableinvestmentandbusinessenvironment,whilemaintainingeffectivereformefforts.Thispressurearisesasmanytrailingprovincescatchupbyleveragingtheirlatecomeradvantagesandlearningfromthesuccessfulexperiencesofhigher-performingregulatoryagencies.In2023,B?cGiangimprovedinthreePCIindicators,includingmarketentry,timecostsandbusinesssupportpolicies.However,itsawdeclinesinsevenindicators:accesstoland,transparency,informalcosts,equalcompetition,proactivityofprovincialleadership,labourtrainingandlegalinstitutionsandsecurity.AlocalresidentisguidedtoscanaQRcodetofilloutasatisfactionsurveyonadministrativeproceduresatthePeoplesCommitteeofTamD?Commune,L?cNamDistrict.DeputydirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofPlanningandInvestmentL??ngV?nNghi?psaidthedepartmenthasacceleratedadministrativereformsanddigitaltransformationinbusinesssupportbystandardisingadministrativeproceduresandlistingallofthematthepublicadministrativeservicecentre.Wereceiveandprocessallapplicationsonline,makingiteasierforcitizensandbusinessestoregisterandoperate,hesaid.Nguy?nXuanVi?t,directorofVifocoImport-ExportJointStockCompany,saidthattheDepartmentofIndustryandTradehassupportedthecompanybyconnectingitwithtradecounselorsabroadandforeignimport-exportpartners.Thishasfacilitatedcloserandfasterconnectionsbetweenforeignenterprises,helpingusmeetimportmarketdemandsandVifocosproductionplans.Ng?Qu?cH?ng,deputychairmanoftheTanYênDistrictPeoplesCommittee,saidthattheysupportbusinessadministrativereformsbydirectingspecialisedagencies,especiallyininvestmentandtaxsectors,toofferoptimalconditions.Theyregularlyreviewadministrativeprocedures,suggestingreductionsoramendmentswhenfeasibleandstayupdatedwithnewregulationstocreateidealbusinessconditions.—VNSBaeSeungJun,CEOofShinhanLifeVietnam,andhisteam,deliverfreelunchestothefamiliesofpatientsatChildrensHospital1inHCMCity.—PhotocourtesyofthecompanyHCMCITY—ShinhanLifeVietnamvisitedanddistributed1,100freemealstopaediatricpatientsandtheirfamiliesatChildrensHospital1onAugust30.ThedonationaimedtosharethedifficultiesandbringjoytothechildrenundergoingtreatmentatthehospitalduringtheMidAutumnfestival.ThefreemealswereoneofShinhanLifeVietnamsannualcommunityactivities.AlignedwiththemissionABetterWorldthroughFinance,thecompanyscommunityinitiatives,especiallythosesupportingthehealthandlivesofchildren,havealwaysbeenwellsupportedbythemanagementteamandmanyemployees.CEOofShinhanLifeVietnam,BaeSeungJun,said:Alongsideourbusinessactivities,charitableprogramsthatextendtheBringWonderstoLifejourneyareoneofShinhanLifeVietnamsimportantpriorities.WiththeupcomingMidAutumnFestival,wehopethatthissmallgiftwillhelpliftthespiritsandbringjoytothefamiliesofthechildrenundergoingtreatmentatthehospital.AftermorethanthreeyearsinVi?tNam,ShinhanLifeVietnamcontinuestofocusonbusinessdevelopmentplansinthecountry,contributingtothemissionofenhancingthequalityoflifeandprovidingprotectiontomoreandmorepeopleinVi?tNam.OfficiallyoperatinginVi?tNamsinceJanuary2022,ShinhanLifeInsuranceVietnamLimitedLiabilityCompanyoperatesinthefieldsoflifeinsurance,healthinsuranceandfinancialinvestment,withachartercapitalofVN?2.32trillion.—VNS
InaugurationceremonyofCayKh?BridgeconnectingNhàBèandBìnhChánhdistricts.Photosggp.org.vnHCMCITY–HCMCityauthoritiesopenedCayKh?bridgeonAugust30,whichconnectsthetwosuburbandistrictsofNhàBèandBìnhChánh.TheCayKh?BridgeprojectwasapprovedbytheCityDepartmentofTransportinDecember2015withatotalinvestmentofmorethanVN?500billion(US$20.1million)fromthecitybudget.TheconstructioncostwasmorethanVN?306billion,whilethecostofcompensationforsiteclearanceandothercostsweremorethanVN?114billion.Theprojectstartedin2016,however,duetoproblemswithsiteclearance,ithasonlynowbeencompleted.ThereinforcedconcretebridgeacrosstheCayKh?CanalinNhàBèDistrictis485meterslongand12.5meterswidewithtwolanesforcarsandtwolanesformotorbikesandnon-motorizedvehicles.Theprojectalsoincludes292mlongand12.5mwideapproachroadsatbothendsofthebridgeand540mlongresidentialroadsonbothsidesofthebridge,alongwithalightingsystemonthebridge.Thisbridgehelpsshortenthetraveldistanceofpeopleinthetwodistrictsbyabout10km.Inaddition,CayKh?BridgealsohelpsreducetrafficpressureonHu?nhT?nPhátStreetandNguy?nH?uTh?Street,makingiteasiertotravelbetweenNguy?nV?nLinhStreetandHi?pPh??cPortIndustrialPark.TheprojectalsostrengthenstheconnectionbetweenNhàBèDistrict,District7andBìnhChánhDistrict,creatingconditionsforPh??cL?cCommunetobecomeanewgrowthengineofNhàBèDistrict.Intheremainingmonthsofthisyear,thecitywillalsourgentlycompleteandputintouse28roads,bridgesandtunnelstoreducetrafficcongestionandclearthecitysgatewayarteries.ThelargestprojectistheconstructionofanewroadconnectingTr?nQu?cHoàn,C?ngHòaandPhanThúcDuy?nstreetsatthegatewaytoTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportinTanBìnhDistrict,withatotalcostofmorethanVN?4.8trillion($187.7million).Thisprojectstartedconstructionattheendof2022,aimingtoformanewroadlongerthan4km,connectingtoTerminalNo.3ofTanS?nNh?tAirport.–VNSLocalresidentsworktoovercometheconsequencesofheavyrainsinthenorthernmountainousprovinceofLàoCaionFridaymorning.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ngNinhLàOCAI—ThenorthernmountainousprovinceofLàoCaiexperiencedwidespreadrainfall,withsomeareasfacingmoderatetoheavydownpoursbetweenThursdayeveningandFridaymorning,damaging76housesinLàoCaiCityandB?cHàDistrict.LandslidestriggeredbytheheavyrainalsoresultedinawallcollapseatahouseinPomHánWard,LàoCaiCity.TheintenserainfalldestroyednearlytwohectaresofmaizeandfloodedfivehectaresoffruittreesinB?oTh?ngDistrict.Italsocauseddamagetoanirrigationsystemanddisrupted50concreteirrigationchannels.Onelandslidecreateda50-metredeepditchattheboundarywallbetweenthecommunalhealthstationandV?nhHàhydroelectricreservoirinB?oYênDistrict.TheheavyrainalsoledtothecollapseoftworoadsinB?oTh?ngDistrict.TheroadfromKh?uC?areainB?nC?mCommunetoB?nSenCommunewasrenderedimpassableforvehiclesduetoaalandslidewithavolumeof50cubicmetresofsoil.Meanwhile,theV?nHòa-KimS?nRoutewasaffectedbytwolandslidesatTháiNiênCommuneandPhúLongHamlet,Ph?LuTown,causingtrafficdisruptionsinPh?LuTown.Localisedheavyrainfallalsocausedwidespreadfloodingonseveralroads.AccordingtotheProvincialSteeringCommitteeforDisasterPreventionandSearchandRescue,rainfallmeasurementsfromvariousstationswereasfollows:Vi?tTi?n90.2mm;CamC?n68.8mm;LongKhánh52mm;Th??ngHà56.4mm;XuanHòa47.6mm;B?nC?m121.6mm;PhongH?i54.2mm;N?mLúc60.2mm;B?nCái54.2mm;Th??ngHà53mmandV?Lao56.6mm.Thedatawasrecordedfrom8pmonThursdayto8amonFriday.Otherareasexperiencedscatteredlightrain,withmoderaterainfallaveragingbetween20-30mm.Aftertherainceased,localauthoritiesmobilisedforcestoaddresstheaftermath,settingupwarningsignsandredirectingtrafficatlandslide-affectedareas.Notably,theProvincialFirefightingandRescuePoliceOfficedeployedover50officerstoassistresidentsinmovingtosafetyandsafeguardingpropertyfromflooding.Theyalsorescuedanelderlypersonmorethan80yearsoldfromafloodedhomeandtransportedapregnantwomaninlabourtothehospitalusingafireandrescuevehicle.OnFridaymorning,HoaLanNurserySchoolwasheavilyflooded,soofficestaffcametotheschooltohelpstudentsmovetosafetyandhandoverthechildrentotheirparentsalongsidetheteachers.—VNS
PassengerswaitinlineforsecuritychecksatTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirport.—VNA/VNSPhotoQuangChauHCMCITY—TanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportinHCMCityisgearinguptohandleasurgeinpassengertrafficduringtheupcomingNationalDayholiday(September2),withanestimated120,000travellersexpectedtopassthroughitsterminalseachday.Thisrepresentsan8percentincreasefromcurrentlevels,signallingaheavyworkloadforVi?tNamsbusiestairport.ThepeakdaysareexpectedtobeAugust30fordeparturesandSeptember3forarrivals,withupto125,000passengersandapproximately730flightsscheduledoneachofthosedays.Overall,theairportwillmanagearound700flightsdaily,a5percentrisecomparedtotheusual660flightsperday.Inpreparationfortheholidayrush,theairporthasimplementedcomprehensiveplanstoensuresmoothoperations,focusingonpassengerservice,security,andsafety.Itisworkingwithvariousstakeholderstokeepflightoperationsrunningsmoothly,particularlyduringpeakhours.Infrastructureandsystemshavealsobeenfine-tunedtohandletheincreaseddemand.Tofurthersupporttheinfluxoftravellers,theairportwilldeployvolunteersfromitsyouthunionandtheVi?tNamAviationAcademy.Thesevolunteerswillassistpassengersatsecuritycheckpointsandinpublicareasofthedomesticterminalduringpeakhours,from5amto9am,betweenAugust30andSeptember3.Additionally,groundserviceteamsarepreparedtomanagetheincreasednumberofnightflights.DuringthepeaksummerperiodfromMay15toAugust15,2024,theairportservedover10.47millionpassengers,averaging113,755daily.Ofthese,morethan4.122millionwereinternationaltravellers,whiledomesticpassengersaccountedforover6.342million.Despitethishighvolume,thetotalnumberofpassengerswasdown8.3percentfrom2023,andthenumberofflightsdroppedby10percent.—VNA/VNSThedefendantsatthePeoplesCourtofTayNinhProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoT?YNINH—ThePeoplesCourtofTayNinhProvincehassentenced38defendantsinvolvedinanonlinefraudringtoprisontermsrangingfromthreeyearsonprobationto12yearsinprison,afterafour-daytrial.Threedefendants,includingNguy?nHoàngSang,residinginChauThànhDistrict,TayNinhProvince,LêTr??ngTh?nh,residinginB?nC?uDistrictinTayNinhProvinceandPhanTrung,residinginH?iChauDistrictin?àN?ngCityhavebeensentencedto12yearsinprison.Thirty-threedefendantsreceivedsentencesrangingfromthreetonineyearsinprison,whiletwodefendantsweresentencedtothreeyearsonprobation.ThedefendantsarerequiredtopayoverVN?5.2billion(US$209,000)incompensationto19victimsofthefraud.Accordingtotheindictment,fromMarchtoOctober2022,SangandhisaccomplicesworkedinCambodiaforafrontcompanyrunbythreeunknownChineseindividuals,headquarteredatBuildingB7,VenusAreainSvayRiengProvince.FromOctober2022toJanuary2023,thecompanymoveditsheadquarterstoBuildingH,KingCrowArea,alsoinCambodia.ThedefendantsrolewastousetheinternettodefraudVietnamesecitizensviaseveralmethods.TheChineseoperativespostedjobadvertisementsonline,offeringhighsalariesoraskingemployeestorecruitfriendsandrelativestoworkinCambodia.Theyalsohademployeessignsix-monthcontractswithsalariesof$800-$900permonth,increasingby$50eachsubsequentmonthandearningcommissionsbasedonthetotalamountofmoneydefraudedfromvictims.Employeeslivedandworkedtogetherinthesamebuildingandweretrainedusingmaterials,scriptsandfraudulentdialogues.NewemployeeslearnedfrommoreexperiencedonesbyobservingtheirworkandChinesemanagersorganisedthemintoteamstocarryoutthefraudstogether.FromMarchtoJuly2022,salesstaffworkedindependently,managingcomputersandphonestocommunicatewithvictimsthroughcallsormessagesonplatformssuchasZalo,FacebookandTelegram.TheypersuadedvictimstocreateaccountsonfakeShopeeorLazadasitestoplaceorders.Thestaffguidedvictimstomakepurchasesoffakeorderstoearnacommissionof10-15percentofthetotalamountofeachorderandprovidedthecompanysbankaccountdetailsforvictimstotransferthemoney.Forinitialsmallamounts,victimswerefullyrefunded,includingboththeprincipalandinterest,totheirbankaccounts.Oncetrustwasestablished,theperpetratorswouldaskvictimstotransferadditionalfundstoplacelargerfakeorders,promisinghighercommissions.Whenvictimsrequestedwithdrawals,thesalesandback-endstaffwouldcomeupwithexcusesforwhytheycouldnotgettheirmoneyback,suchassystemerrorsorincorrectbankaccountdetails.Theywouldinsistonmorefunds,threateningtoforfeitthealreadytransferredmoneyandinterest.Manyvictimstransferredadditionalmoneytocompletethetasksassignedbytheperpetrators.Whentheycouldnolongertransfermoney,thedefendantsblockedallcommunication,deletedcontacts,andstolethefunds.FromJulytoDecember2022,theChineseoperativesdividedthestaffintoteams,eachconsistingofthreepeople.Eachteammembermanagedonecomputerandonephonetodeceivevictims.ThemethodinvolvedsendingenticingmessagestolurevictimsintoparticipatingintaskssuchasfollowingTikTokaccounts,likingpostsorlisteningtoMP3musicforpaymentsrangingfromVN?10,000to50,000pertask.Alternatively,victimswereaskedtoplacebetsongamesofchancetoearncommissionsof30-60percentofthetotalbettingamount.Initially,victimstransferredsmallamountsforthebetsandwerereturnedtheprincipal,plusinterest,intotheirbankaccounts.However,victimswereaskedtosubmitmoremoneyforaccountverificationwhentheytransferredlargersumsandrequestedwithdrawals.Ifvictimscouldnolongerprovideadditionalfunds,theiraccountsontheCoronawebsitewereblockedandtheperpetratorsstolethemoney.ThetotalamountthesedefendantsfraudulentlyacquiredwasoverVN?5.2billionfrom19victims.–VNS