Healthofficialsvisitaworkeratthehospital.Alltheworkersrecoveredandwerereleasedbythefollowingday.—Photobaonghean.vnNGH?AN—HealthauthoritiesinthecentralprovinceNgh?Anareinvestigatingamassfoodpoisoningincidentthatsentmorethan70workerstohospitalaftertheyhadlunchonMay28.Theworkers,employedbyMLBTenergyCOLTDinYênThànhDistrict,complainedofnausea,vomitingandheadachesafteramealatthecompanyscafeteria.Theywererushedtolocalhospitalsbutallwerereleasedbythefollowingday.Investigatorssaidtestsrevealedhighhistaminelevels(739mg/kg)inthefriedsilvercarpsservedatthecafeteria.Investigatorsalsofoundproblemswiththecafeteriashygienestandards,includingalackofproperlidsonrubbishbins,dirtyfoodpreparationareasandnon-compliantfoodsamplestorage.Theauthoritiessaidacounciloffoodsafetyexpertswillbeconvenedtoassessthetestresultsanddeterminethespecificcauseoftheincident.Histamineisachemicalthatcanbuildupinfishifnotstoredproperly.Histaminepoisoningusuallycausesunpleasantbutshort-livedsymptoms.—VNS

AchildistreatedforencephalitisinLàoCaiObstetricsandPaediatricHospitalinthenorthernmountainousprovinceofLàoCai.—Photosyt.laocai.gov.vnLàOCAI—Parentsarebeingadvisedtopayspecialattentiontodetectpossiblesignsofencephalitisintheirchildrenthissummer,whichistheseasonthatoftenseesanincreaseinthispotentiallyfataldisease.SinceApriltheEmergencyIntensiveCareUnitunderLàoCaiObstetricsandPaediatricHospitalhastreated16childrenwithencephalitisinthenorthernmountainousprovinceofLàoCai.Aboy,namedC.T.L.,5,ofNg?Ch?S?nCommune,SaPaTown,wastransferredtoLàoCaiObstetricsandPaediatricHospitalonMay22,inalethargiccondition.Sixdaysprior,thechildhaddevelopedsymptomsofhighfever,accompaniedbyheadacheandvomiting,sothefamilytookhimtothedistrict-levelBátXátGeneralHospital,wherehewasdiagnosedwithandtreatedforsuspectedencephalitisandmeningitis.ThenthepatientwastransferredtoLàoCaiObstetricsandPaediatricforfurthertreatment.Doctorsperformedlumbarpuncturesanddiagnosedthepatientwithencephalitis,withapoorprognosis.T?nL?M?y,motherofthepatient,saidAtfirst,whenItookhimtothehospital,Ithoughtmychildhadjustanormalfever.Ididnotthinkhecouldhavecontractedencephalitis.Heisoneofthefourpatientswithencephalitiscurrentlybeingtreatedattheunit.Amongthefourpatientsinthehospital,onecriticallyillpatienthasbeensuccessfullytakenoffmechanicalventilationandiscurrentlyrecoveringinpreparationforleavingthehospital,whiletheremainingthreeseverelyillpatientsarestillunderobservationandareundergoingtreatment.CausesAccordingtomedicalexperts,encephalitisisinflammationofbraintissuewithmanyaccompanyingdangerouscomplications.Ifnotdiagnosedandtreatedpromptly,itcanleadtosevereneurologicalcomplicationsandevendeath.InVi?tNam,infectiousagents,especiallyviruses(orsuperviruses),arethecommoncausesofencephalitis.Commontypesofvirusesincludeherpesvirus,Japaneseencephalitisvirus,Enterovirus(typeA71)causinghand,footandmouthdisease,varioustypesofvirusescausingchickenpox,measlesandmumps.Dependingonthespecificvirus,thetransmissionroutevaries.Forinstance,theherpesviruscanbetransmittedthroughoral-oralcontact(Herpestype1)orthroughsexualcontact(Herpestype2).Japaneseencephalitisvirusistransmittedfrommosquitoestohumans,withtheCulexmosquitobeingthecarrierwhichtransmitsthediseasefromanimalssuchasbirds,cattleandpigstohumans.SymptomsEveryyear,therearemanycasesofencephalitisinchildrenofallages,withcommonsymptomssuchashighfever,vomiting,complexseizures,limbweaknessandprolongeddisturbancesofconsciousnesslastingmorethan24hours,suchaslethargyorevencoma.Moreover,dependingontheviralagents,childrenmayhaveadditionalepidemiologicalfactorsandclinicalmanifestationssuggestingcommonviralagents.AccordingtoV?Th?H?iY?n,headoftheEmergencyIntensiveCareUnit,underLàoCaiObstetricsandPaediatricHospital,itmayinitiallydifferentiateencephalitisfromotherdiseasesbysuddenhighfever,headache,vomitingandalteredconsciousness.Encephalitisismostcommoninchildrenfromsixmonthstotenyearsold.Duetothelackoftypicalsymptomsofencephalitis,manyparentsoftendonotrecognisethecondition,leadingtohospitalisationwhenthediseasehasalreadybecomesevere.Testssuchaslumbarpuncturetoobtaincerebrospinalfluid,CTscans/MRIsofthebrain,andelectroencephalogramareusefulmeansfordiagnosingencephalitis.Currently,PCRtestingformultiplepathogenswithcerebrospinalfluidsamplesisahighlysensitiveandspecifictestthatcontributestoestablishingadiagnosisanddeterminingthecauseofthedisease.However,notallcasesofchildhoodencephalitiscanidentifyspecificpathogens.Theinabilitytoidentifytheagentalsodoesnotruleoutadiagnosisofencephalitis.Insuchcases,clinicalevaluationandbrainimagingwillplayacrucialrole.Topreventthedisease,peopleneedtomaintainenvironmentalhygiene,eliminatemosquitobreedingsites,andparentsneedtoobservetheirchildren,createacleanandairylivingenvironmentforthem.Additionally,childrenshouldconsumecookedfood,maintainregularpersonalhygiene,wearmaskswhengoingoutsideandreceivealltheirvaccinationsinthenationalExpandedProgrammeonImmunization.—VNSAroguevehicleparksillegallytounloadapackageanddeliverittoamotorbiker.—VNA/VNSPhotoAnV?n??ngHàN?I—TheauthoritiesinHàN?ihavedeclaredacrackdownonillegaltaxisandunsanctionedbusstops,vowingtoreclaimthecitystreetsandimprovepublictransportation.Thecampaigninvolvesleveragingtechnology,boostingenforcementandstreamliningpassengerservices.Trafficcameraswillbecomesnitchingposts,capturingfootageofroguevehiclesthatwillbeslappedwithpenalties.Passengersseekinglegitimateridescanuseanewmobileapp,HàN?iInterprovincialPassengerTransportApp,toconnectthemwithlicensedtaxisandbuses.Districtauthoritieswillbetaskedwithdesignatingofficialpick-upanddrop-offzonesfortransportationprovidersandshuttingdownunauthorisedparkinglotstoeliminateconfusionandpotentialsafetyhazards.Butthecrackdowndoesnotstoponthestreets.Theauthoritiesplantoestablishajointinspectionteamtoraidtheofficesoftransportationcompanies,ensuringtheycomplywithregulations.Trafficpolicewillalsobesharpeningtheirfocus.M??ìnhBusStationanditssurroundingareas,suchasPh?mHùngandPh?mV?n??ngStreets,willbecomeaprimetargetforscoopingupillegaloperators.Toaddresstheloopholesinexistinglegislation,anewmechanismspecificallydesignedtocombatillegaltaxisandunsanctionedbusstopswillbeproposedaspartoftheamendedCapitalLaw.Passengersseekingamorecomfortablejourneycanlookforwardtoanewplanfortransferringlargegroupsusinglicensedcontractvehiclesandtouristbuses.Signageindicatingspeedlimitswillalsobeputuparoundbusstationstoimprovetrafficflowandsafety.Theauthoritieswillalsolaunchpublicawarenesscampaignstoeducatetransportationcompaniesandpassengersaboutregulations.Bycombiningenforcementmusclewithimprovedservicesandpubliceducation,HàN?iCityhopestocreateatransportationsystemthatissafe,efficientandfreefromthechaosofillegaltaxisandunauthorisedbusstops.—VNS

DeputyMinisterofForeignAffairsLêTh?ThuH?ngiswithyoungoverseasVietnameseataneventin2023.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–TheMinistryofForeignAffairsStateCommitteeforOverseasVietnamese(SCOV)onJune4issuedanannouncementinvitingoverseasVietnamese(OVs)toregisterforattendanceinthefourthWorldConferenceofOVsandthe2024forumofOVintellectualsandexpertsthatareslatedtotakeplacefromAugust21-28.TheforumwillbeavenueforOVintellectualsandexpertstopresenttheirrecommendationsonthecountrysgreenandsustainablegrowth.Meanwhile,fourtopicaldiscussionswillbeorganisedduringtheconference,focusingonhi-techdevelopment,tradeandinvestmentofOVsinthehomecountry,theroleofVietnameseassociationsandyoungOVsinstrengtheningnationalsolidarity,andinpreservingtheVietnamesecultureandlanguageinOVcommunities.ThosewhowishtoattendtheeventshouldcontactVietnameserepresentativeagenciesintheirhostcountriestoregisterwhilethosewhoarenowinVi?tNamcanregisterdirectlywiththeSCOV.RegistrationsmustbesubmittedbyJune30,2024.–VNSAmericancitizenQuinnRichardAnthonyundergoeshealthcheckbySaHu?nhborderguardsaftertheyrescuedhim.—VNA/VNSPhotoQU?NGNG?I—AfishingboatinthecentralprovinceofQu?ngNg?ihasrescuedaUScitizenwhowasdriftingoffVi?tNamswaters.Assoonasdetectingthemandriftingat15°00′N-109°42EonJune3,thecaptainsavedthemanandtowedhisboattothemainland.OnJune4,the75-year-oldmannamedQuinnRichardAnthonyandhisboatwerehandedovertoSaHu?nhBorderGuardStationformedicalcheckupsandfurtherassistance.QuinnsaidthatonApril5,2024,hesailedadouble-hull,motorisedsailboatfromLuzonislandofthePhilippinestoKhánhHoàProvinceinsouth-centralVi?tNam.However,whileatsea,theboatsmastandenginewerebrokenandhelostcontrolofthevessel.—VNSQuinnsboat.—VNA/VNSPhotoRabiddogsbitingpeoplein??kN?ngProvinceweredestroyedbytheauthorities.Photothanhnien.vn??KN?NG–Facedwithadangerousrabiessituation,thePeoplesCommitteeof??kN?ngProvincewillestablishateamtocatchunleasheddogsandcatsinpublicareas.AccordingtoinformationfromtheProvincialCenterforDiseaseControl,fromthebeginningoftheyearuntilnow,theprovincehasrecordedonedeathduetorabiesand16casesofrabiesinfection.Facedwiththeabovesituation,thecommitteehasrequestedrelevantdepartmentstostrictlyimplementrabiesprevention.Accordingly,theDepartmentofHealthisrequiredtoincreaserabiesvaccinationpoints,especiallyinlocalitieswithlargeareasanddifficultterrain.Thedepartmentmustensureadequatevaccinesandanti-rabiesserum,whilealsoensuringthateachdistrictandcityhasatleastonerabiesvaccinationpointandenoughfacilitiesandequipmenttotreatrabies.TheDepartmentofHealthmustprovidecomprehensiveguidancetorelevantagenciesaboutrabiespreventionandcontrolmeasures,withafocusonpreventingtransmissiontohumans.Inaddition,governmentsatalllevelsneedtohavemeasurestomanagethenumberofdogsandcatsineachhousehold.Forunleasheddogsandcatsinpublicareas,acatchingteamneedstobeestablished,accordingtothecommittee.AccordingtothePeoplesCommitteeof??kN?ngProvince,prolongedandintensehotweathercreatesfavourableconditionsforastrongrabiesoutbreak.Allowingdogsandcatstoroamwithoutamuzzleincreasestheriskofrabiestransmission.TheDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentoftheprovincewantspeopleraisingdogsandcatstoregisterwithlocalauthoritiestomanageinformationrelatedtobreeding,vaccination,quarantine,andtransportation.TheDepartmentalsoproposedmanymeasurestoraisepublicawarenesssothatpeoplecanisolatecatsanddogswithunusualsymptomsoraresuspectedofhavinginfectiousdiseasesandpromptlyseeksupportfromveterinaryagenciesorlocalauthorities.–VNS

ProlongedrainstormssubmergedcropsindeepwaterandisolatedhundredsofhouseholdsinNh?XuanDistrict,ThanhHóaProvince.—PhotoscourtesyofWorldVision.HàN?I—Whenwaterwasrushingintoourhouse,IwasterrifiedbecauseIcouldntswim.AllIcoulddowascryingouttoGrandmawhileshewasscramblingtomovethericeandelectronicsoutofthewater,Tu?n,a14-year-oldboyinThanhHóaProvince,recalled.SomememorieswillbewithTu?nandTuy?t(hisgrandma)fortherestoftheirlivesastheirhousewasravagedbyerraticrainstormsdespiteallthesafetyprecautionstaken.In2023,over1,100naturaldisastershitVi?tNam,leaving166peopledeadandmissing,causingestimateddamagesofoverUS$338million.Naturaldisastershavecausedseriousconsequences,disruptingpeopleslivesandslowingdowneconomicdevelopmentofmanycommunities.Evidenceandstatisticshaveshownthatchildrenwereamongthemostvulnerableonesinsuchaclimateemergency.Weneedtoprioritizeresourcesandeffortsinpromotingclimate-resilientcommunitiesinVietNamtoprotectourchildren,saidDosebaTuaSinay,NationalDirector,WorldVisionInternationalinVi?tNam.AstheChairoftheASEANCommitteeonDisasterManagement(ACDM)in2023,Vi?tNamhasdemonstrateditsleadershiprolebyimplementingmanyactivitieswithpositiveresults,oneofthesignificantinitiativesistheH?LongMinisterialStatementontheStrengtheningofASEANAnticipatoryActioninDisasterManagement.AsimulationsessionthatreflectsWorldVisionslocally-ledanticipatoryaction.Vi?tNamsDeputyMinisterofAgriculturalandRuralDevelopmentNguy?nHoàngHi?p,DeputyHeadoftheNationalSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlemphasisedthatanticipatoryactionisanewapproachindisastermanagement,implementedbytheUnitedNationsandcountriesworldwidetofurtherenhancedisasterpreventionandpreparedness,withafocusonvulnerablegroups.Activitiesincludestrengtheningforecasting,andwarningsystemsfordisasters;disseminatinginformationregardingnaturaldisasterstolocalcommunities;inspectingandmaintainingthesafetyofdisasterpreventionandcontrolstructures;evacuatingresidentsfromhazardousareastosafety;amongmanyothers.Understandingtheregionsnaturalandsocialchallengeswhilefosteringinnovativeapproachestotheobstacles,WorldVisionhasbeenintegratingananticipatoryactionapproach,orforecast-basedearlyaction,todisasterriskreductionandemergencyreliefprogrammes.TheprojectEnhancingForecast-BasedEarlyActionforEffectiveDisasterPreparedness(FBEA)isanexample,whichwasinitiatedandimplementedbytheconsortiumofthreeinternationalNGOsnamelyWorldVision,CAREandPlan;incollaborationwithMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment;MinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment;Vi?tInstituteofMeteorology,HydrologyandClimateChange;ProvincialPeoplesCommittee,CommitteeforNaturalDisasterPreventionandControl.WithWorldVisionssupportandanticipatoryapproach,Tuy?tandhertwograndchildrenhavebeenmorewell-preparedtocopewithdisasterrisks.FBEA-responsiveforecast-basedearlyactionforeffectivedisasterpreparednessamongASEANcountries,withaspecificfocusonVi?tNam.Theinitiativehassupportedmorethan6,500peopletoimprovetheircapacitytomanagedisasterresponseandpreventionplans.Moreover,in2023,WorldVisionextendedtheefforttocapacitate26,189communitymembers,includingchildren,inDisasterRiskReduction,whichincreasedtheirresiliencetonaturaldisasters.Employingachild-focusedandholisticapproach,WorldVisionInternationalinVi?tNamsdisastermanagementprogramsfocusedonensuringthesafetyandwell-beingofthemostvulnerablechildrenandcommuneslikeTu?nsfamily.WorldVisionsinterventionsalsoaimedtoenhancevulnerablecommunitiesresilienceandreadinessthroughlivelihoodinterventions.Tobettercopewiththeincreasinglyextremeandunpredictablenatureoftherainyseason,Tuy?tand3742otherhouseholdsparticipatedinWorldVisionsUltraPoorGraduationprogrammeandweresupportedtoswitchtoshort-cycledcropsandanimals,suchasseasonalvegetablesandchickens.FollowingWorldVisionsrecommendationontimingandhusbandrytechniques,Tuy?tschickensgrewuptotheirfullsizeandwerereadyforsalebeforetherainyseasonstarted,minimisingproductiondamages.WorldVisionInternationalinVi?tNampromotestheparticipationofchildrenandyouthinemergencyprotocolrehearsals,first-aid,andprotectionbefore,during,andafterdisasters.Thesejuniorforces,equippedwithskills,wouldplayanessentialroleinimplementingdisasterriskreductioneffortsintheircommunities.ThankstoWorldVisionssummerswimmingclass,Iknowhowtoswimnow.Waterrisingdoesntterrifymeanymore,Tu?nshowedoffproudly.Withtheincreasinglycomplexnatureofclimatechange,Vi?tNamisamongthecountriesmostaffectedbyextremeclimateeventsandsuffersfromseverelossanddamage.Toaddressthissituation,WorldVisionVi?tNamhasbeenworkingcloselywithinternational,national,andlocalpartnerstoprovideimmediateemergencyreliefandrecoveryprograms,long-termlivelihoodinterventions,andcapacitytrainingtohelpthecommunityenhanceresilienceagainstdisastersandclimatechange.Sucheffortsaimtoensurethewell-beingofchildrenandcommunitymembers,especiallythemostvulnerableoneslikeTu?nsfamily,remarkedbyLêV?nD??ng,HumanitarianandEmergencyAffairs/DisasterRiskReduction(HEA/DRR)manager,WorldVisionInternationalinVi?tNam.Withthecommunity-basedapproach,WorldVisionprioritisecapacitytrainingondisasterriskreductionfornotonlylocalrapidresponseteamsbutalsoforcommunitymembersandschoolchildren.PaulineTamesis,UNResidentCoordinatorinVietNam,stressedthenecessitytostrengthencooperationintheDisasterRiskReductioniPartnership(DRRP)bycreatingeffectivecommunicationandcooperationchannelsamongNDMPmembers,ministries,sectors,localities,theprivatesector,andnon-governmentalorganisations,therebybuildingacomprehensiveapproachtodisastermanagement.Joininghandstoactearlyonalargescaleispossibleandeffectiveagainstnaturaldisasters,helpingpeoplereceivesupportmoreearlyandquicklywithcostsreducedbyhalfcomparedtotheresponsephase,shenoted.Anticipatoryactionhasbeenimplementedby35countriesallovertheworld,covering7.6millionpeopleworldwide,ensuringtheywerebetterpreparedtoactaheadofthepredictableimpactsofhazardsandabletorecovermorequicklyafterward.—VNSWARNING:DISTURBINGIMAGESThemomentwhenthecanopycollapseduponthechildrenonMonday.Screencapturefromvideo.HàN?IAdanceperformancecelebratingsummerbreakendedincalamityandhorrificmemoriesforthirteenchildreninTr?chM?L?ccommune,PhúcTh?,HàN?ionMonday.SixofthethirteenwereinjuredafteracanopyinV?nL?ivillagesculturalhousefelldownfromaboutthreemetresandlandedonthestage,wherethechildrenperformingadanceinacommunalevent.Fortunately,theinjuriestothechildrenwereminorandnoneareconsideredtobecritical.Fourhavealreadybeendischargedfromhospitalandtwoarestillhospitalisedforbonefracturesandheadinjuries,accordingtoanupdatefromthePhúcTh?DepartmentofEducationandTrainingonTuesday.AccordingtoNguy?n?ìnhS?n,ChairmanofPhúcTh?PeoplesCommittee,thecollapsewascausedbyheavyrainscausingthemortarofthebuildingtopeeloff,tofallontotheroofstructureandbringthecanopycrashingdown.Inlightoftheincident,theDirectoroftheHàN?iDepartmentofEducationandTrainingTr?nTh?C??ngdirectedlocalDepartmentsofEducationandTrainingpaycloseattentiontostudentssafetyduringthesummerbreak.VNSThevideorecordingthefullincident:

Vi?tNamhasbeenworkinghardtocarryouttheECsrecommendationsaboutIUUfishingpreventionandcontrol.VNA/VNSIllustrativephotoTHANHHóA–Tofightillegal,unreportedandunregulated(IUU)fishing,thecentralprovinceofThanhHóahasbeenaugmentingchecksandstringentlydealingwiththeboatsthatstayuncontactedatsea.Sofarthisyear,ThanhHoáhasbeenimplementinganintensifiedcrackdownonIUUfishingtojoinnationwideeffortstowardshavingtheEuropeanCommission(EC)syellowcardwarningliftedsoon.Monitoringandhandlingthevesselswithdisconnectedvesselmonitoringsystems(VMS)isoneofthemostimportanttasks.BytheendofMay,ThanhHóahadrecorded335vesselswithoutVMSsignalsatsea,including124foroversixmonthsandtherestforover10days,accordingtothefisheriessub-departmentundertheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.Facingthatfact,thelocaladministrationhasorderedrelevantagenciesandcoastallocalitiestoverifyinformationandstrictlydealwiththosevessels.Authoritieshavesentdelegationsforconductingpatrolandexaminationatsea,thevicinityofrivermouths,andfisheryports.Theyhavealsoworkedwithownersofthevesselsbreakinganti-IUUfishingrulesaswellasthoseathighriskofcommittingviolations.Intheperiod,localauthoritieshavedetectedanddealtwith57cases,collectingVN?733million(US$28,800)infinesforsuchwrongdoingsasnotkeepinglogbooks,uninstallingVMSwithoutequipmentsupplierssupervision,notsubmittingrequiredinformationtofisheryportsmanagementboardsbeforeenteringtheports,andlosingVMSsignalsformorethan10days.Nguy?n??cC??ng,DeputyDirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidtotightencontroloverVMSdisconnection,authoritieswillenhancemanagementoverthevesselsarrivingatorleavingfisheryports,especiallytheircatches,topreventillegalfishing.Henotedthatlistsofthethree-nosvessels(noregistration,noexamination,nolicences)andineligibleonesweremadeandsenttocommunal-levelPeoplesCommitteesandborderguardpoststostrictlymonitortheirdockinglocations.Allthe1,097fishingvesselsthatare15metreslongandoverinThanhHóahavebeenequippedwithVMS.Theprovincehasalsoupdatedinformationabout2,752localvesselsonthenationalfisheriesdatabase(Vnfishbase).Examinationresults,fishinglicences,vehiclesarrivingandleavingfisheryports,andthecaughtvolumerecordedatportshavealsobeenregularlyupdated.Vi?tNamhasbeenworkinghardtocarryouttheECsrecommendationsaboutIUUfishingpreventionandcontrol,towardsthegoalofhavingtheECsyellowcardwarningovertheproblemlifted.TheECissuedayellowcardforVi?tNaminthisregardin2017.Itisfollowedbyagreencardiftheproblemisresolvedoraredcardifitisnot.AredcardmayleadtoabanonaquaticexportstotheEU.TheECisscheduledtocometoVi?tNamforthefifthinspectionaroundSeptember-Octoberthisyear.VNS

Aspecialisedteaminspectingthedykeontherightbankofthe?u?ngRiverinB?cNinh.—VNA/VNSPhoto??Huy?nHàN?I—Vi?tNamisvulnerabletoclimatechangeandnaturaldisasters,sothenationsdykesnotonlyplayacrucialroleinprotectinglivesandproperty,theyalsosafeguardimportanteconomicandpoliticalcentresofthecountryfromstormsandfloods.Manylocalitieshavebeeninvestinginconstructing,renovating,upgrading,maintainingandpreservingthedykestoensurethesafetyofthesystem.AccordingtotheDepartmentofDykeManagementandNaturalDisasterPreventionandControl,Vi?tNamhasdevelopedanextensivedykesystemspanningapproximately9,700km,includingmorethan2,770kmofhigh-gradedykes,over1,100kmprotectiveembankments,morethan1,500sluices,over600floodandstormwarehousesandover1,400dykewatchtowers.However,manysectionsofthesystem,madeuplargelyofearthembankments,havedeterioratedduetorain,floodsandstorms.EffortsinreadinessThenorth-centralprovinceofThanhHóaboaststhelargestdyke,reservoiranddamsysteminthecountry,protecting2.8millionpeoplein17districts,townsandcities,covering242communes.Toensurethesafetyofdykestructuresandreservoirsandtobeproactiveinfacinguptonaturaldisasters,ThanhHóaProvinceisinvestinginconstructing,renovating,upgrading,maintainingandpreservingdykesthatareatriskofbeingunsafebeforethe2024rainyseason.AccordingtoNguy?nHoàiNam,deputydirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,65dyke-relatedprojectsarealreadyunderwayandduetobecompletedonschedule,readytobeputintousebyJune30.However,citizensofplaceslikeTr?nhTh?S?nfromGiang??ngVillage,V?nhHòaCommune,V?nhL?cDistrict,ThanhHóaProvincearestillconcernedabouthowrobustthosedykesare.Wehopethattheauthoritieswillreinforcethedykesystemsoontoensurethesafetyofhouseholdslivingnearthedykes,saidS?n.Inreassuringresidents,Namsaidthatthedepartmentwillcontinuetocloselymonitorthecurrentstateofdykestructuresandplanningtoreview,evaluate,andpromptlyadvisetheprovincialPeoplesCommitteeonresourceallocation.RightonthemoneyLocateddownstreamoftheRedRiverandTháiBìnhRiverbasins,thenorthernprovinceofB?cNinhhasthreerivers,the?u?ngRiver,TháiBìnhRiver,andC?uRiver.Topreventflooding,thedistrictwillneedtorenovateandmaintainitsdykesystemtoensurethesafetyofthesewatercourses.Nguy?nH?uD?ng,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofWaterResourcesofB?cNinhProvince,saidthatbeforethefloodseason,authoritieshavedeployedforcestoreview,inspectandevaluatetheentiredykeandirrigationsysteminthearea.With196kmofdykes,105sluicesand40embankments,B?cNinhhasanestablishedsolidbarriertoprotectitagainstnaturaldisasters,whichhelpsreassurethelocalpopulation.Withthemottoofactingearlyandproactivelytoreducethedamagecausedbynaturaldisasterstothelowestlevel,B?cNinhisdeterminedtomaintainthesafetyofmaindykes,secondarydykesandpreventsuddendykebreaches.Everyyeartheprovinceregularlyevaluatesandinspectsthestatusoffloodandwaterloggingpreventionstructures,proactivelyrenovatingandrepairinganydamagesarisingbeyondtheassignedrenovationplan.Notably,theprovinceallocatesalargebudgetforthisactivity.??ngC?ngH??ng,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentofB?cNinhProvince,emphasisedthattheprovincehasbaseditsrecommendationsoncentralregulationstoadvisetheprovincialPeoplesCommitteetosubmittotheprovincialPeoplesCouncilaresolutionondykemaintenanceandpreservation.AccordingtoH??ng,eachyear,theprovinceallocatesapproximatelyVN?100billion(US$4million)fordykemaintenanceandpreservation.Theinvestmentpaysdividends,withresidentKhúcTh?H?nh,fromThu?nThànhWard,expressinghergratitudeandrelieffortheworkalreadyputin.Welivenearthedyke,soweareveryafraidoftermitesanddebriscomingintothelivingareawheneverfloodsandstormscome,H?nhsaid.ThankstotheStatesattentiontothelocaldykeinvestmentandrenovation,thedykesystemhasbecomemoresolidandsecure,makingthelocalpeopletofeelmoreassuredduringthefloodseason.—VNSDoctorsandmedicalstaffatanorganretrievalsurgeryonApril2atVi?tNam-SwedenU?ngBíHospitalinthenorth-easternprovinceofQu?ngNinh.—VNA/VNSPhotoQU?NGNINH—IntheearlyhoursofApril2,Vi?tNam-SwedenU?ngBíHospitalreceivedapatientdiagnosedwithbraindeathduetoatragictrafficaccidentinthenorth-easternprovinceofQu?ngNinh.FollowingaconclusivediagnosisbytheBrainDeathDiagnosisCouncil,afterthreeevaluationsandwiththefamilysconsentfororgandonation,thehospitalswiftlydevisedamulti-organretrievalplan.ThehospitalcollaboratedcloselywiththeNationalOrganTransplantCoordinationCentreandothertransplantcentresnationwidetoreviewandcompilealistofrecipientsforthedonatedorgans.Tr?nAnhC??ng,directorofthehospitaltalkedtotheNhandan(ThePeople)newspaperaboutthemeticulousplanningandpreparations,includingallthetransportationlogisticsfortheorgans,inorderforasuccessfulovernightretrievalsurgery.Thesurgery,whichinvolved120medicalstaff,includingdoctors,nursesandtechnicians,dividedintomultipleteams,hesaid.Leadingtransplantcentresinthecountry,suchas108MilitaryCentralHospital,Vi?tNam–GermanyHospitalandHu?CentralHospital,alsosentdoctorsacrosstoQu?ngNinhtoassist.Nguy?nTr?ngDi?n,directorofQu?ngNinhProvincesHealthDepartmentsaidThisisthefirsttimeorganretrievalhasbeenperformedataprovincialhospital,withtheorgansthensenttovarioustransplantcentresacrossthecountry,thefurthestdistancetoHu?CentralHospital.TheorganretrievalwasmoresuccessfulthananticipatedwithsupportfromleadingVietnameseexperts,themobilisationoflocalhealthcareresourcesintheprovinceandthededicationoftheentiresurgicalteam.NewlifeAmongthesevenorganrecipientswasNguy?nThanhTùng,an11-year-oldboyfrom??iYênWard,H?LongCity,whoreceivedakidney.Tùng,whowasalsosufferingfromstage-2heartfailureandfacedahighriskofdeath,wasfortunatetoreceiveacompatiblekidneyfortransplantation.Hismother,Ph?mTh?BíchTh?osaidhersonwasgivenasecondchanceatlifethankstothedonatedkidney,whichhadadaptedwelltohisbody.Hishealthhadimprovedsignificantlyandhecontinuedtoreceiveregularcheck-ups.Myfamilyisverygratefultothedonor,shesaid.AssociateProfessor??ngV?nH?,directoroftheNationalOrganTransplantCoordinationCentresaidthattheeventmarkedasignificantmilestoneinexpandingtheorgandonationandtransplantnetworkatdistrictandprovinciallevels.Ifthemodelissuccessful,itwillincreasetheavailabilityoforgans,providingmoreopportunitiestosavelives,hesaid.ProvincialtransplantcentreOrganandtissuetransplantationisthelastresortfortreatingchronicandsevereillnesseswhereorgansareirreversiblydamaged,suchaschronickidneyfailure,liver,heart,marrowandcornealfailure.However,theconceptoforgandonationremainsasensitiveissueformanypeople,makingpublicawarenessandadvocacycrucialtochangingperceptions.SinceJuly2023,theprovincesHealthDepartmenthaspartneredwiththeNationalOrganTransplantCoordinationCentretoorganisetrainingprogrammestoenhancecounsellingandadvocacyfororgandonation.Priortothis,in2019,thedepartmentestablishedtheOrganandTissueDonationandTransplantAdvisoryTeam.Thedepartmentdirectedthreemajorhospitals,Qu?ngNinhGeneralHospital,B?iCháyHospitalandVi?tNam-SwedenU?ngBíHospital,todevelopspecialisedtechniquesfororgantransplantationandestablishbraindeathdiagnosiscouncils.TheprovincialhospitalshavecollaboratedwiththeNationalOrganTransplantCoordinationCentretoholdtrainingsessionsonenhancingcounsellingandadvocacyforposthumousorgandonationandtoproactivelymobilisetransplantableorganslocally.Theprovinceshealthcaresectorhasformedtwobraindeathdiagnosiscouncilsandactivelytraineddoctorstopreparefororgantransplantation.Over50doctorsandnurseshaveparticipatedinhands-ontrainingatcentralhospitals.C??ngsaidthatthehospitalwasdevelopingsevenkeyareasofmedicaltreatment,includingorgantransplantation.Thehospitalhadsent40doctorsandnursesfromvariousfieldsfortrainingandtechnicaltransfertoimplementorgantransplantationwithintheprovince.Recently,theQu?ngNinhOrganandTissueDonationAdvocacyAssociationwasestablished,launchingacampaigntoregisterfororganandtissuedonationtosavelives.Theprovinceshealthcaresectorhasalsoconductednumerousawarenesscampaignsandencouragedallmedicalstaffintheprovincetoregisterasorgandonors.BùiM?nhHùng,deputydirectoroftheprovincialHealthDepartmentandpresidentoftheQu?ngNinhOrganandTissueDonationAdvocacyAssociationsaidtodate,allmedicalunitsintheprovincehadjoinedtheorganandtissuedonationnetworkandencouragedtheirstafftoparticipate.Wehopethenobleactofregisteringasdonorsamongmedicalprofessionalswillinspirethecommunity,raisingawarenessandpromotingorgandonationtosavelives,hesaid.Qu?ngNinhisthefirstlocalitywithaprovincial-levelmedicalfacilityperformingorganretrievalon-sitesofar.Itnotonlydemonstratesthelocalhealthsectorscommitmenttoactivelyparticipatinginthenationalorgandonationandtransplantnetwork,butalsoshowcasesthecapabilityoflocalmedicalstafftoadoptandimplementadvancedmedicaltechniques.—VNS

Cambodiassandreservescanadequatelymeetthelong-termconstructionandreclamationneedsofthesouthernprovincesofVi?tNam.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofIndustryandTradeandtheMinistryofTransportconductedafieldsurveyonthefeasibilityofimportingconstructionsandfromCambodiatoVi?tNam.Accordingtotheresults,Cambodiassandreservescanadequatelymeetthelong-termconstructionandreclamationneedsofthesouthernprovincesofVi?tNam.StatisticsshowthatCambodiaiscurrentlyexportingapproximately50,000to60,000cubicmetresofsandtoVi?tNameveryday.TheCambodiangovernmentsupportsfreemarkettradingofsand,doesnotinterveneinpricingandwillissuecertificatesoforigin.Italsorequiresproperlicences,taxpaymentsandadherencetoregulationsforsandextraction,transportationandexport.TheMinistryofIndustryandTraderecommendedthatthegovernmentassigntheMinistryofTransporttoleadandcoordinatewithrelevantministriesandagenciestoreviewanddeterminethetotaldemandandquantityofsandneededbyVietnameseenterprisesandconstructioncontractors.ThiswillenableproactivenegotiationswithCambodiancompaniesforsandpurchasecontractsinaccordancewiththeregulationsofbothcountries.Currently,Cambodiahasgrantedextractionandexportlicencestoonlythreedomesticcompanies(foreigncompaniesarenotpermittedtoextractsand).Amongthese,ChaktomukCambodiaCompanyexportsaround40,000to60,000cubicmetresofsanddailytoabout15to20Vietnamesecompanies.SokThearaCompany,whichhasasandminereserveofover200millioncubicmetres,hasnotyetexportedsandtoVi?tNam.GlobalGreenEnergyCompanysuppliesapproximately10,000cubicmetresperdaytotwoorthreeVietnamesecompanies.AccordingtotheMinistryofIndustryandTrade,CambodiaisreadytoissuecertificatesoforiginforsandpurchasedinCambodiatominimisefraudandsmuggling.InearlyApril,DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàchairedameetinginH?ChíMinhCitywithrelevantministries,sectorsandlocalitiestodiscussthesituationofsandmaterialsforthefoundationoftheH?ChíMinhCityRingRoad3project.Duringthemeeting,theMinistryofTransportstatedthatfrom2021-2025,theMekongDeltaandSoutheastregionswereimplementing21expresswayandkeytrafficcomponentprojects.Thetotaldemandforroadembankmentmaterialsfortheseprojectswouldbenearly77millioncubicmetres,includingabout7millioncubicmetresofsoilandnearly70millioncubicmetresofsand.AccordingtotheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment,thedemandforsandforthefoundationofH?ChíMinhCityRingRoad3isapproximately9.3millioncubicmetres,withaboutsixmillioncubicmetresneededin2024alone.Currently,theamountofsandfromdomesticminescommittedtotheprojectisaboutsevenmillioncubicmetresleavingashortfallofabout2.3millioncubicmetres.TheH?ChíMinhCityRealEstateAssociationreportedthatCambodiawaswillingtoexportabout100millioncubicmetresofsandtoVi?tNamwithinoneyear.Therefore,theDeputyPrimeMinisterrequestedtheMinistryofIndustryandTradetoreportontheresultsofnegotiationsforimportingconstructionandfoundationsandfromCambodiaforconsiderationanddecision.—VNS?QuanCh??ng,oneofHàN?isoldcitygates,inHàng?àoWardinthecapitalcitysoldquarter.Theareahasnarrowstreetsandisoftencrowdedwithvehicles.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—VotersfromHàng?àoWardhavesuggestedtocityauthoritiesthatsmallerbusesbeallowedintheoldquarterstoreducecongestion.AtthemeetingwithvotersinHoànKi?mDistrictinpreparationforthe17thsessionoftheHàN?iPeoplesCouncilheldrecently,aproposalwasalsomadetoallocatelandoutsidetheH?ng(Red)Riverdykeorspaceoutsidetheurbanarea,forparking.Inresponse,leadersfromHoànKi?mDistrictsaidthattheyhadproposedtothecitythatcarsberestrictedfromtheoldquarterandlargebusestoobebannedfromthemainradialaxis.Theareasuffersfromtrafficjams,particularlyontheweekends,sothedistricthasbeenresearchingpossibletrafficsolutionsforthearea.Intheimmediatefuture,localauthoritieswilldeploystatictrafficarrangementsinundergroundareassuchastheOperaHouseflowergardenandtheMay1Squareandlookatusingminibuses,ratherthanfull-sizedbuses.HàN?icurrentlyhas154busroutesinoperation,accordingtothecitysstatisticsandasmanyas11transportunitsoperatebusrouteswithmorethan2,300vehicles,transportingtensofthousandsofpassengerseveryday.Lastyear,theHàN?iTransportCorporationreviewedandproposedthemunicipalDepartmentofTransporttoadjusttheworkofeightbusroutestomaketraveleasierandenhancebusconnections.Thespreadofbusserviceshasbeenexpanded,howeverthereisstillnobussystemintheoldquarter.Nguy?nHoàngH?i,DeputyChairmanoftheHàN?iPublicTransportAssociation,saidthatbringingminibusesintotheoldquartersdidnotdependonthepeopleswishes,butontheinfrastructure.BusesinHàN?icomeinmanysizes,fromsmalltolarge.Iftheinfrastructureissuitable,puttingbusesintousewouldbeverygood.ButIthinkthatbringingbusesinisnotjustaboutdriving,butalsoaboutorganisingtraffic,ensuringsecurity,orderandsafety,saidH?i.Withthecurrenttrafficsituationintheoldquarters,H?iacknowledgedthatitwouldnotbeeasytodeploybusesandauthoritieswouldneedtomakeanychangesstepbystepandtrialsystemswhichwouldthenbereviewed.Vi?tNamstrafficproblem,inparticularthatinHàN?i,H?ibelieves,mustbehandledinasynchronisedway.Themanagementagencywouldhavetoconsiderwhattypesofvehiclestochoose,whatroutetotakeandwheretoarrangestopssoasnottoobstructtrafficandnotaffectthelivesofpeopleintheoldquarters.Themanagementagencywillhavetoanswermanyquestionsfromengineers,trafficorganisationandworkmanagementteams.IthinkthatifHàN?isurveyscarefullyandcarriesoutgradually,wecanletminibusesruninseveralsections.Infact,atpresentsomeminibusesarerunningonsomeinnercitystreets,hesaid.Emphasisingthatthistypeofpublictransportwouldnottakecustomersfromtaxicompanies,H?istatedthateachtypeofvehiclewouldserveitsowngroupofpassengers.Taxisservepassengerswhoneeddoor-to-doorpickupsovershortormediumdistances,buseswillservepassengersonlongertrips,followingafixedroute.—VNS

DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuangspeaksattheconferenceoftheLam??ngProvincialPlanningfortheperiodof2021-2030,withavisionto2050.VNA/VNSPhotoL?M??NG—DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuangsaidthatwiththeexistingpotential,alongwiththeupgradeofLiênKh??ngAirporttoaninternationalairport,Lam??ngProvincecananticipaterobustanddistinctivedevelopmentinthefuture.HewasspeakingwhilechairingtheLam??ngProvincialPlanningConferencefortheperiodof2021-2030,withavisionto2050,andpromotinglocalinvestmentonSunday.DeputyPMQuanghighlightedthatLam??nghasbordergatesandnumeroushighwaysconnectingittootherregions,especiallythesoutheastregion.Theprovincessuccessfulimplementationofhigh-techagricultureprovidedconfidencethatitwouldbecomethestandard-bearerandexemplarymodelforhigh-techagriculture.ViceChairmanoftheLam??ngProvincialPeoplesCommitteeV?Ng?cHi?psaidthatby2030,Lam??ngaimedtobecomeacomprehensivelydevelopedprovinceinVi?tNamanddevelop?àL?tCityanditssurroundingsintoahigh-qualitytourismcentreofnationalandSoutheastAsiansignificance.Lam??ngwouldaccelerateeconomicgrowth,focusingonagricultureandforestryasthemainpillars,theprocessingindustryasthedrivingforceandtourismasthebreakthroughsector.Theprovinceaimedtodevelopasustainable,modern,high-efficiency,organicagriculturaleconomy,forminglarge-scalespecialisedfarmingareasandbecominganationalandinternationalcentreforhigh-techorganicresearchandproduction,hesaid.Hi?palsostressedthattheprovincewouldprioritisesustainabledevelopmentofthebauxite,alumina,aluminiumextractionandprocessingindustries,andtheprocessingofagriculturalandforestryproducts.Itwouldinvestinmodern,comprehensiveinfrastructuresystemstoconnectregionslinkingurbanandruralareasanddevelopefficient,sustainableurbanspaces.Accordingtotheplan,by2050,Lam??ngaimstomeetthestandardstobecomeacentrally-governedcitythatismodern,distinctive,green,smartandworthlivingin.Lam??ngaimstodevelopthreekeysectors,includingagriculture-forestry-fisheries,servicesandindustryconstruction.Hi?psaidtheprovincewouldfocusonbecomingahubfororganicagricultureandhigh-valuecommoditiesintheSoutheastAsianmarket.Cropcultivationwouldprioritisehigh-economic-valueproductsforexport,suchasvegetables,flowers,silk,coffee,tea,fruittreesandtissue-culturedplantvarieties.Livestockfarmingwillbedevelopedonanindustrialscale,usinghigh-tech,closed-loopsystems,accordingtotheplan.Tradewillbestrengthenedthroughcloseeconomiclinkswiththesoutheastregion,HCMCity,thesouth-centralcoast,theCentralHighlandsandotherkeyeconomicregions.By2030,Lam??ngaimstobecomeattractivetop-tiereco-tourism,wellnessandsportsresortsinVi?tNamandSoutheastAsia.?àL?tanditssurroundingareaswilltransformintohigh-qualityurbancentres,featuringvibrantnighteconomiesandachievinginternationalstandards.Theindustrialsectorwillestablishclustersinpriorityindustriessuchasmineralprocessingandfoodprocessing.High-tech,large-investmentindustrialprojectswillbeprioritised,alongwithexpandingandenhancingexistingbauxiteprojectsandinvestinginnewaluminaextractionprojects.By2050,Lam??ngaspirestobecomeacentrally-governedcity,withitsurbanareaencompassinganexpanded?àL?tCity,includingthecurrent?àL?t,L?cD??ngDistrict,andfivecommunesfromLamHà,??cTr?ngandB?oL?cCity.ThesuburbanareawillincludethreetownsofLamHà,??nD??ng,DiLinhandthreenewlyformeddistrictsof?amR?ng,B?oLam,and??Huoai.Underthisplan,theprovincewillfocuson227projects,including36transportationprojects,11industrialprojects,34cultural,sportsandtourismprojects,36healthcareprojects,20tradeandserviceprojects,62residentialandurbandevelopmentprojectsand12agriculturaldevelopmentprojects.Keyprojectsincludethe?ankia-Su?iVàngNationalTourismArea,theTanPhú-B?oL?cExpressway,theB?oL?c-LiênKh??ngExpressway,theNhaTrang-LiênKh??ngExpressway,theexpansionofLiênKh??ngAirport,thebauxiteminingandaluminaprocessingplantcomplex,the?àL?tHigh-TechAgriculturalZoneanddryportsin??cTr?ngDistrictandB?oL?cCity.Attheconference,theLam??ngProvincialPeoplesCommitteepresentedinvestmentregistrationcertificates,investmentpolicyapprovaldecisionsandinvestmentmemorandumsofunderstandingtoseveralbusinessesandinvestorspreparingtoinvestintheprovince.OnSundaymorning,DeputyPMQuangattendedtheceremonyannouncingtheofficialupgradeofLiênKh??ngAirporttoaninternationalairport,aneventorganisedbytheMinistryofTransportandtheLam??ngProvincialPeoplesCommittee.LiênKh??ngAirportiscurrentlyclassifiedasa4DairportaccordingtotheregulationsoftheInternationalCivilAviationOrganisation(ICAO).Theairportfeaturesarunwaythatis3,250metreslongand45metreswide.Duringthe2021-2030period,LiênKh??ngAirportisprojectedtohandleapproximately5millionpassengersand20,000tonnesofcargoannually.Thecurrentrunwayconfigurationwillremainunchanged.Lookingaheadto2050,theairportscapacityisexpectedtoincreaseto7millionpassengersand30,000tonnesofcargoperyear.Additionally,theexistingrunwaywillbeextended350metrestothewest,makingit3,600metreslongand45metreswide.Thetotalplannedareafortheairportwillexceed340hectares.—VNSInordertoencouragefarmersandcooperativestoactivelyapplymechanisationinagriculturalproduction,HàN?isagriculturesectorhasorganisedtheGoodCropTransplanterOperatorof2024contest.PhotocourtesyoftheHàN?iAgriculturalExtensionCentreHàN?I-Inrecentyears,HàN?isagriculturesectorhaspromotedsynchronousmechanisationinriceproductionandformedmanyqualitycommodityriceproductionareas,onaconcentratedscale,aimedatexport.AccordingtothedatafromtheHàN?iAgriculturalExtensionCentre,HàN?icurrentlyhasanannualricegrowingareaofabout160,000hectares,andisoneoftheprovincesandcitieswithalargericegrowingareainthenorth.Inordertoencouragefarmersandcooperativestoactivelyapplymechanisationinagriculturalproduction,especiallysynchronousmechanisationinriceproduction,onJune26,inNamPhongCommune,PhúXuyênDistrict,HàN?isDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentorganisedtheGoodCropTransplanterOperatorof2024contest.Itsaimistocreateaplatformforfarmerstoexchangetheirknowledgeandlearnfromothersexperienceandnewtechnicaladvances,contributingtoagriculturalproductivityandagriculturalproductqualityimprovement,aswellastosustainableagriculturaldevelopment.AccordingtoV?Th?H??ng,theDirectoroftheHàN?iAgriculturalExtensionCentre,theGoodCropTransplanterOperatorof2024contesthastenteamsfromdifferentdistrictssuchasPhúXuyên,?ngHòa,Th??ngTín,etc.Eachteamconsistsoffivepeopleparticipatinginoperatingricetransplantersonanareaof1,800squaremetres,equivalenttofiveacres.Theorganisingcommitteeselectedricevarietiesbasedonneeds,soil,andlocalfarmingpracticesandprovidedseedlingtraysfortransplantersforeachcompetingteam.Duringthecompetition,eachteammustensurethattheyfollowthejudgesscoringcriteriasuchastheuniformitybetweenrowsoftransplantedrice(thedistancebetweenriceclusters);theprecisionratiooftransplantedriceclusters;theplantingdepthandthecompletiontime.The50contestantsareallfarmersdirectlyinvolvedinagriculturalproduction.Theyhavedeepunderstandingofscienceandtechnology,alotofcreativefarmingworkexperienceandareexemplaryfacesrepresentinghundredsofdiligentandcreativefarmersinHàN?iCity.Nguy?nV?nTh?ngfromNamPhongCommunesaid:IlearnedaboutthiscontestthroughinformationfromtheHàN?iAgriculturalExtensionCentre.Thisyear,NamPhongCommunewaschosenasthepilotcommunetoapplythemachinetransplantingmodel,promisingtoincreaseproductivityandriceyield.Throughthiscontest,IhopethismodelwillbefurtherreplicatedinagriculturalproductioninHàN?i.Nguy?nM?nhPh??ng,DeputyDirectorofthecitysDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentadded:Thecontestprovidesachanceforfarmerstodirectlyexperiencemachineplanting,therebyhelpingthemseetheoptimaleffectivenessofthismethod,whichisliberatinglabour,reducingcosts,increasingproductionefficiencyandprotectingtheenvironment.Thecontestalsogivesfarmersaccesstonewscienceandtechnology,therebygraduallychangingtheirproductionmethods.Forthecitysagriculturesector,thisbringsaboutasolutiontograduallyremovethedifficultiesoflabourshortageforagriculturalproductioninruralareas,promotingmechanisationtobecomeakeyfactorinHàN?isagriculturalproduction.Ph??ngalsosaid:Recently,HàN?isagriculturesectorhasfocusedonsupportingandencouragingfarmerstoapplysynchronousmechanisationinriceproduction,withprioritygiventothemechanisationofsowingandtransplanting.Inaddition,thecitysagriculturesectoralsosupportsfarmersinbringingnewricevarietieswithhighyield,goodquality,andadaptationtoclimatechangeintoproduction,increasingtheproportionofhigh-qualityricetomeetconsumerexpectationsandaimforexport.Inthefuture,theagriculturesectorwillstepuppropaganda,promotion,buildingandstrengtheningchainsofriceproductionandconsumption,promotingtradeandproductconsumptiontoattractdomesticandinternationalinvestorstosignconsumptioncontractswithcooperatives,contributingtoimprovingthevalueofricegrains,aswellasincreasingtheincomeoffarmersinHàN?i.Thecitysagriculturesectoralsoidentifiedthisasoneofthekeytaskstoincreaseeconomicvaluefromricegrowing,pullingfarmersbacktothefields,ensuringfoodsecurityandenhancingthecitysricebrand.Inaddition,thecitysagriculturesectorwillcontinuetobringhigh-qualityricevarietiesintoproduction.Inparticular,intheperiodof2021-2025,HàN?istrivestohaveitshigh-qualityriceseedstructurereachover80percentofthecultivatedarea,formingthreetofivedomesticandriceexportchains.--VNS