cùng ng??i dan thu ho?ch th? qu? ??c s?n và th??ng th?c nh?ng món ngon t? b??i tr? thành tr?i nghi?m thu hút du khách g?n xa trong vài n?m tr? l?i ?ay.

AgovernmentinspectionteamchecksthesafetyandoriginsoffoodproductsatBình?i?nMarketinHCMCitysDistrict8onAugust8.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—AgovernmentinspectionteamdrawnfromvariousagenciesvisitedBình?i?nMarketonThursdaynighttoassessfoodsafetyatHCMCityslargestwholesalemarket.ThedelegationledbytheheadofthecityPeoplesCouncilsculturalandsocialaffairsdivision,CaoThanhBình,spentfivehourstochecktheoriginsofgoodssoldatthemarketandtakesamplesofporkfortesting.Nofoodsafetyviolationsweredetected.Nguy?n??ngPhú,deputydirectoroftheBình?i?nMarketManagementandTradingCompany,said2,500tonnesofgoodsarebroughtindailyandtradingisworthVN?150billion(US$5.9million).Themarketsupplies35percentofthecitystotalcattlemeatand70percentofseafoodconsumedinthecityanditssurroundingareas.Animalproductsbroughtfromvariousprovincestothecityarescreenedbyveterinarymanagementagenciesthere,ensuringoriginanddiseaseprevention,butagriculturalandfoodproductsarenotmonitoredatthecultivationandprocessingstages,hesaid.Thecompanyregularlychecksthequalityofgoodsatthemarketandtakessamplesfortesting,hesaid.Morethan900foodsamplesweretestedinthefirstsixmonthsoftheyearandmostmetsafetystandards,hesaid.HeexpressedconcernaboutthepersistentillegaltradingintheresidentialareasnearthemarketandareasalongNguy?nV?nLinhandQu?nTr?ngLinhstreetsinDistrict8andBìnhChánhDistrict,posingsafetyandhygienerisks.Bìnhpointedoutthatcityconsumersgetsafefoodwithclearoriginsasthewholesalemarkettightensoversight,urgedlocalauthoritiestocrackdownontheseillegalsellerstoensuresafety.Hesaidthemarketneedstospeedupdigitaltransformation,controlthequalityofinputsandtracetheoriginofitsproducts.—VNSAuthoritiesblockthesceneatTao?ànParkinHCMCitysDistrict1.—VNA/VNSPhotosHCMCITY—AlargebranchfromanoldtreeinTao?ànParkinHCMCitysDistrict1unexpectedlybrokeandfelltothegroundearlyFridaymorning,hittingagroupofoldpeopledoingexercises,killingtwoandinjuringthreeothers.ThedeceasedvictimswereN.T.D.L,70yearsold,andT.C.T,70yearsold,bothfromC?GiangWard,B?nThànhDistrict.ThefallentreebranchcausestwodeathsandthreeinjuriesonFridaymorning.Thetimeoftheincidentwasabout6am,nostrongwindorrainswereobserved.WitnesseslivingnearbyreportedthattwopeoplediedandthreeotherswereinjuredandtakentothehospitalforemergencytreatmentatSàiGònGeneralHospital.Asof9amthesameday,authoritieswerestillatthesceneinvestigatingthecauseoftheincident.—VNS

Permanentvice-chairmanofthePartyCentralCommitteesCommissionforMassMobilisationPh?mT?tTh?ngandtheVi?tNamAssociationforVictimsofAO/DioxinChairmanNguy?nH?uChínhtakegroupphotowithoutstandingorganisationsandindividualsinandoutsidethecountryinsupportofthevictims.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngHi?uHàN?I—AnartandexchangeprogrammetitledBrighteningupthefuturewasheldinHàN?ionThursdaynighttocommendAgentOrange(AO)/dioxinvictimswhohaveovercomedifficultiesforastablelife,andhonouroutstandingorganisationsandindividualsinandoutsidethecountryinsupportofthevictims.JointlyheldbytheVi?tNamAssociationforVictimsofAO/Dioxin(VAVA)CentralCommittee,theofficeofthestandingboardoftheNationalSteeringCommitteeonOvercomingPost-WarUnexplodedOrdnanceandToxicChemicalConsequences,andtheArmyRadio-TelevisionCentre,theprogrammeaimstomarkthe63yearsoftheAOdisasterinVi?tNam(August10,1961-2024),theDayforAO/DioxinVictims(August10),andthe20thfoundinganniversaryoftheVAVA(2000-2024).From1961-1971,UStroopssprayedmorethan80millionlitresofherbicides-44millionlitresofwhichwereAO,containingaround366kgofdioxin-oversouthernVi?tNam.Asaresult,around4.8millionVietnamesehavebeenexposedtothetoxicchemical,withabout3.2millionvictims.VAVAChairmanLieut.Gen.Nguy?nH?uChínhstressedthatAOvictimsarethepoorestamongthepoor,andthemostdisadvantagedamongthedisadvantaged.Mostvictimsandtheirfamiliesarefacingmanydifficultiesandshortages,bothmateriallyandspiritually.Therefore,thereisagreatneedforthecollectiveeffortsofsocietyandthesupportoftheinternationalcommunityinhealingthewoundsofwarandalleviatingthepaincausedbyAgentOrange,Chínhsaid,addingthateveryactofassistanceandsharingisasignificantcontributiontoensuringthatnovictimacrossthecountryisleftbehind.Throughreportsandexchanges,theprogrammeofferedtheaudienceaninsightintothesevereconsequencesofchemicaltoxinsusedduringthewarinVi?tNam.ItunderscorestheconcernandeffortsoftheParty,State,politicalsystem,andtheVAVAsatalllevels,aswellasthesupportandassistancefromdomesticandforeigndonorsinaddressingtheaftermathofchemicaltoxins,caringforandhelpingvictims,andseekingjusticeforthem.Attheevent,theorganisingboardreceivedsupportfromorganisations,individuals,andtheaudiencenationwide,andinternationalfriends.TheVAVAismobilisingsupportthroughtwoways:byscanningaQRcodeortransferringmoneytoaccountnumber1961attheMilitaryBank(MBBank),viatheaccountVi?tNamFundforVictimsofAgentOrange/Dioxin;orbyscanningaQRcodefordonationsthroughtheVTCe-wallet.—VNSHàN?ipolicediscovers100kgofsyntheticdrugshiddeninwinebottlesfromFrancetoVi?tNam.PhotocourtesyofHàN?iPoliceDepartmentHàN?I—HàN?iPoliceDepartment,incoordinationwiththecitysCustomsDepartment,havedismantledasmugglingringthatwastransportingnearly100kgofsyntheticdrugsconcealedinwinebottlesbroughtfromFrancetoVi?tNam.OnJuly15,theDrugCrimeInvestigationDivisionoftheHàN?iPoliceDepartment,workingwiththeCustomsDepartment,discoveredandinspectedashipmentfromFrancearrivingatN?iBàiInternationalAirport,suspectingitcontaineddrugs.Uponexamination,authoritiesfoundeightboxescontaining97.5kgofsyntheticdrugs,whichwerevacuum-sealedanddisguisedaswinebottles.Basedoncollectedevidence,therelevantauthoritieshavearrestedT.H.T,bornin1995,forillegaldrugtrafficking.Furtherinvestigationledtothearrestoftwoadditionalsuspects,T.N.A,bornin1995,andN.V.T,bornin1998,onJuly19.TheHàN?iPoliceDepartmenthavelaunchedcriminalproceedingsagainstallthreesuspects.Theinvestigationisongoing.—VNSPassengersswipetheircardstoboardthetrainasinstructedbystaff.—VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nAnhHàN?I—The8.5kmelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationurbanrailwaylinewelcomedover34,184passengersonitsfirstdayofoperationonThursday,accordingtoHàN?iMetroCo,Ltd.ThisfiguresurpassestherecordsetbytheCátLinh–Hà??ngrailwayline,thefirstonetobeoperationalinHàN?iandinthecountry,whichsaw25,680passengersontheopeningday.Notably,theNh?n–C?uGi?ymetroline,whichisonly8.5kmlongwitheightstations,hadahigherpassengercountcomparedtothe13.1kmlongCátLinh–Hà??nglinewith12stations.V?H?ngTr??ng,generaldirectorofHàN?iMetro,saidthatThemajorityofpassengersontheNh?n–C?uGi?ylinearepeoplecommutingtoworkorschool.ThissuggeststhatpassengernumbersonthislinearelikelytobesignificantlyhigherthanonLine2A.Theoperationandmanagementhavebeenhighlysuccessful,ensuringsafetyandpassengersatisfaction.Atthestations,staff,trainoperatorsandsecuritypersonnelefficientlycarriedouttheirduties.Theticketingandboardingprocesseswerefullyautomated.—VNS

Thepolicearrest155fraudsters.—PhotocourtesyoftheMinistryofPublicSecurityHàN?I—VietnameseandLaopolicehavesuccessfullydismantledalarge-scalehumantraffickingandonlinefraudring,theMinistryofPublicSecurity(MoPS)announcedyesterday.Theoperationledtothearrestof155VietnamesetraffickersoperatingintheGoldenTrianglezone,locatedinBokeoProvince,Laos.AccordingtotheMoPS,sincethebeginningofthisyear,theHàT?nhProvinceCriminalPoliceDepartmenthasbeenreceivingcontinuousreportsofindividualsbeingswindledoutofbillionsof??ng(VN?1billionequalsUS$39,600)usingsimilarmethods.PolicealsoreceivednumerouspleasforhelpfromfamilieswhosechildrenhadbeenluredtoLaoswithpromisesofeasyworkandhighsalaries.However,uponarrival,theywereforcedintocriminalactivitiesandpreventedfromleavingastheirdocumentswereconfiscatedandtheywerecloselymonitored.TheVietnamesepoliceuncoveredacross-bordercriminalringinvolvedinvariouscrimes,includinghumantrafficking,organisingillegalbordercrossings,andlarge-scaleonlinefraud.Theringoperatedundertheguiseofalegallylicensedenterprise,structuredlikealargecompanywithfullmanagementoversight.Thefakeenterprisewasdividedintoteams,eachoperatingunderstrictrulessetbytheirleaders.Profitsweredividedbasedontheamountofmoneydefraudedeachmonth,witheachfraudstertrainedtofollowcarefullycraftedscenarios.Accommodations,includinglivingandworkingspaces,werearrangedinhigh-risebuildingswithintheGoldenTriangleSpecialEconomicZoneinBokeoProvince,Laos.Thisareacontainsover200high-risebuildings,eachrangingfrom20to25floors,housinghundredsofthousandsofpeople.Securityforceshiredbytheforeignmastermindsguardedeachbuilding,makingitextremelydifficulttopinpointtheexactlocationsofthefraudsters.TheperpetratorsusedfakeFacebookaccounts,impersonatingsuccessfulandwealthybusinessmen.TheyregularlypostedpicturesofpartiesandtravelstobefriendandgainthetrustofpeopleinVi?tNam.Thevictimswereoftenwealthywomenwithextensivesocialconnections.Thefraudsterswouldgraduallybuildemotionalrelationshipsandgainthevictimstrust,thenpersuadethemtoinvestinonlinebusinessesthroughapplicationsorwebsitessuchashttps://hotel-oyo.cc,promisinghighreturns.Initially,thevictimssawsubstantialprofits.However,astheyinvestedmoremoney,thefraudsterseventuallyblockedallcontactandabscondedwiththevictimsfunds.Usingthismethod,thecriminalringswindledtensofthousandsofvictims,amassinghundredsofbillionsof??ngovertwoyears.Afterarrestingsixhumantraffickersandrescuing36victimstakentoLaosinMay,thepolicedeployednumerousprofessionalmeasuresandmobilisedmaximumforcestogatherevidenceagainstthisextensivecriminalring.UndertheMoPSsdirection,andwithclosecoordinationbetweenVietnameseandLaopolice,taskforcesbreachedsecurityonthemorningofAugust2andapproachedthefraudstersoffices,locatedbetweenthethirdandeleventhfloorsofabuilding.Theswindlersattemptedtoflee,destroyingevidenceastheywent.Aftermorethanfourhoursofpursuit,policearrested155individuals,seizingnearly100passports,74ecstasypills,dozensofcomputers,nearly500mobilephones,thousandsofunregisteredSIMcards,andnumerousothertoolsanddocumentsusedforfraud.ThisisanexceptionallyoutstandingachievementbytheVietnameseandLaopoliceinthefightagainsttransnationalcybercrime,contributingtothestabilisationofthepoliticalsituationandsocialorderandsafetyofbothcountries,theMoPSstated.Thecaseiscurrentlyunderfurtherinvestigation.VNSNguy?nDuyLong,afatherofadaughterwhosufferscerebralpalsy,opensafreeclassofteachingsewingtodisabledpeopleinHàN?i.Photovov.vnHàN?I–Forthepasttenyears,withthehopeofprovidingabetterlifeforvulnerablewomen,Nguy?nDuyLong,fromtheHaiBàTr?ngDistrictofHàN?i,hasdedicatedhimselftoteachingfreesewingclassestodisabledwomen.Longisthefatherofa14-year-olddaughterwholiveswithcerebralpalsy.Hehasdevelopedadeepunderstandingofthedifficultiesfacedbypeoplewithdisabilitiesthroughhisyearsofcaringforhisdaughter.My14-year-olddaughtercannotgotoschool,cannoteat,cannotthink;shejustliesinoneplace,heexplained.Whenshewasborn,mydaughterwasaperfectlyhealthybaby.Butaftersufferingahighfeverandconvulsions,sheexperiencedbraindamageafterbeingtreatedinhospitalforabouttwodays,thefatherrecalledofthedifficulttime14yearsago.Despitebeingunabletowalkandrelyingonothersforallactivities,thegreatestconsolationforhisdaughter,?i?p,ishavingakindandlovingfatherwhocaresforherunconditionally.Longalwaysgives?i?pextralovetocompensateforhermisfortunes.Longonceownedatailoringshopbuthadtocloseittotakehisdaughterfortreatment.Duringthattime,Iclosedtheshop.Wespentthreeyearsgoingfromhospitaltohospitalforacupuncture,butnothingworked.Ifeltimmensesorrowformychild,Longsaid.Forseveralyears,Icouldntdoanything,spendingallourmoneyontreatmentseverywhere.Despitethehardshipsthatoftenmadehimthinkofgivingup,thesacredbondbetweenfatheranddaughtergavehimthestrengthtoovercomethepainandsupporthisdaughterforthepast14years.Atnight,Ithoughtaboutmydaughterandcried,butIrealisedIhadtodosomethingmeaningfulwithmylife,Longsaid.Afterthisordeal,herevivedhistailoringshopand,alongsideit,openedaclassofferingfreesewinglessonstodisabledwomenandthoseindifficultcircumstances.Iopenedthefreeclasstoteachsewingtodisabledpeople.Inamedtheclass‘Ph?X?a–OldStreet–toreflectlookingtothepast,hesaid.Iwantedtohelppeoplewithdisabilitiestohavestablejobs.Despitebeingbusywithworkandtakingcareofhisdaughter,hissmallhouseisalwaysfilledwithoptimismandlove.To?i?p,herfatherisherentireworldandhersafestplace.Longsboundlessloveforhisdaughterbecamethemotivationforhimtocontinuehisworkandhelpmanyotherswithunfortunatelives.LêThanhHuy?n,oneofLongsstudents,said,Longhasasympatheticunderstandingofthedifficultiesfacedbydisabledpeople,sohetriestohelpthem.Longisinstructingalearnerinhisclass.Photovov.vnMostdisabledstudentswhoattendLongssewingclassneedtostartlearningfromscratchwiththesimpleststeps.Longexplainsthathetailorshistrainingapproachdependingonthetypeofdisabilityeachstudenthas.Eachstudenthasdifferentdisabilities.Forexample,forthosewithlegdisabilities,Iaddapedaltoadjustthemachinesforeasierlearning,Longexplained.TheninestudentscurrentlylearninginLongsclasseachhaveuniqueneeds.Hetutorseachoneindividually,witheachfollowingadifferentprogramme.Longseeshimselfasafellowstudentratherthananexpert,conveyingknowledgeinthemostunderstandableway.Overcomingherowndisabilities,V?MyLanfromNam??nhProvincehasalwaysdreamedoflearningaskilltosupportherselfandherfamily.ThesewinglessonsatLongsclasshavetransformedthisdisabledwomanslife.Lansaid,Iwasbornwithsixjointdisabilitiesinmylegsandwalkonthetopsofmyfeet.Myheightis1.24m.Longhelpsmeimmensely.Hepreparedaspecialchairandtableforme.Heevenletsmestayathishomelikeafamilymember.Amidtherushoflife,amomentofpausecanrevealmanybeautifulthings.Longskindstitchesnotonlycreatebeautifuloutfitsbutalsobringsmilesandhopetothedisadvantaged.Aftermasteringsewingskills,Nguy?nTh?Nh?ThêufromNam??nhProvincehastakencontrolofherlifeandgainedconfidence.SheopenedherowntailoringshopinherhometownandreturnedtoLongtolearnadvancedtechniques.IstudiedwithLongforawhileandthenopenedmyshopinmyhometown.Aftercompletingthecourse,Ifeltconfident,andmydreamofopeningatailoringshopwasnolongeroutofreach,Thêuhappilyshared.Longshomehasbecomebothaclassroomandasanctuaryforhisspecialstudents.Heoftentellshisstudentsthatnomatterthejob,ifyouputyourheartintoit,youwilleventuallysucceed.Longandsomeofhislearners.Photovov.vnDespitethehardshipsandchallenges,Longfeelsthathiseffortsareworthwhilewhenheseeshisdisabledstudentstransformingtheirlivesandbecomingindependent.Ifeelproudwhenmystudentsbecomeself-sufficientwiththeskillsItaughtthem.Initially,theyfacedmanydifficulties,buteventually,theysucceed.Ifeelproud,hesaid.Fordisabledwomen,pursuingdreamsismuchmorechallengingthanitisforthosewithoutdisabilities.However,thankstoLongshelpandtheirownefforts,hisstudentshavedemonstratedthatperseverancecanleadtosuccess,regardlessofonescircumstances.Amidthehustleandbustleoflife,amomentofpausecanrevealmanybeautifulthings.Longskindstitchesnotonlycreatebeautifuloutfitsbutalsobringsmilesandhopetothedisadvantaged.VNS

PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhchairsthe13thmeetingoftheNationalSteeringCommitteeforMajorTransportProjectsonThursdaymorninginHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoPh?mTi?pHàN?I—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhorderedrelevantministriesandagenciestofocusonassessingtheimplementationofassignedtasksandtoexpeditetheprogressofmajortransportprojects.Specifically,therelevantministriesandagencieswererequiredtoprovidedetailedreportsontheimplementationoftheirtasks,highlightinganyshortcomings,obstacles,difficultiesandofferupplannedmeasuresforthefuture.Therelevantministriesandagencieswereaskedtoofferupsolutionstoaddressissuessuchasproceduresforobtainingconstructionmaterialsfortheprojects,landhandoverprogressandtechnicalinfrastructurerelocation.ThePrimeMinistertoldtheMinistryofPlanningandInvestmenttoguideinvestmentprojectappraisalproceduresandfundallocation;theMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmenttoinstructland-usechangeforforestry;theMinistryofConstructiontoaddressprices,normsandmethodsfordeterminingmaterialcostsatquarries;theMinistryofFinancetoprovideguidanceonOfficialDevelopmentAssistance(ODA)funding;theMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmenttomanagematerialextractionandland-usechange;andtheMinistryofIndustryandTradetoguidetherelocationofelectricalinfrastructure.Therequirementswereissuedduringthe13thmeetingoftheNationalSteeringCommitteeforMajorTransportProjects,chairedbythePrimeMinisteronThursdaymorning.Themeetingaimstoreviewandpushforwardthetaskssincethe12thmeetingofthecommittee,discusssolutionsandcontinuetoresolvedifficultiestoaccelerateprogress.Alsoatthemeeting,PMChínhsaidoneofthegoalssetbythe13thNationalCongresswastohave3,000kmofexpresswaysby2025and5,000kmby2030.The13thNationalCongressalsoidentifiedthreestrategicbreakthroughs,includinginfrastructuredevelopment.InlinewiththePartysresolutions,theGovernmenthadestablishedtheNationalSteeringCommitteeforMajorTransportProjects,whichmonitoredanddirected40majortransportprojectsacrossthreeareasofroads,railwaysandaviation,stretchingover48provincesandcitiesnationwide.After12meetingsofthecommittee,12conclusionsandover400directivesweremadetoaddressissuesandacceleratetheprojectsimplementationofLongThànhInternationalAirport,theeasternpartoftheNorth-SouthExpressway,fundingforurbanrailwayprojects,theimplementationoftheB?nL?c-LongThànhExpresswayandtheissuanceofexpresswaystandards.Twoexpresswayprojectswerecompletedwithatotallengthof693km,runningacross15provincesandcities,bringingthetotalexpresswaynetworktoapproximately2,021kmsofar.Completedprojectscontributedtosocio-economicdevelopment,creatingnewgrowthspaceforlocalities,establishingnewurbanandservicezones,increasinglandvalue,reducinglogisticscosts,facilitatingtravel,generatingjobsandlivelihoodsforlocalresidentsandboostingpublicsupport.ThePrimeMinisteralsoexpressedsatisfactionwiththeofficiallaunchofcommercialoperationsontheelevatedsectionoftheNh?n–HàN?iRailwayStationurbanrailwaylineonThursdaymorning.Theachievementswereattributedtothesignificanteffortsofministries,agenciesandHàN?iadministration,hesaid.ProgressreportAttheevent,theMinistryofTransportreportedthatitwasactivelydirectingcontractorstodeploythemajortransportprojectssuchastheeasternpartoftheNorth-SouthExpressway,KhánhHòa-Bu?nMaThu?tExpresswayandtheCh?nThành-??cHòaExpressway.Theprogressoftheprojectswaslargelyontrack,withsomesub-projectsexpectedtofinishthreetosixmonthsaheadofschedule.However,severalsub-projects,includingtheC?nTh?-CàMau,BiênHòa-V?ngTàu,R?chS?i-B?nNh?t,GòQuao-V?nhThu?n,werelaggingbehindandneededtoaccelerate.Intermsoflocalprojects,HCMCity,HàN?iandprovincesofLongAn,BàR?a-V?ngTàu,AnGiang,??ngTháp,??kL?k,HàGiangandH?uGiangwereprogressingasplanned.Otherprovinceswereexperiencingdelaysandlower-than-expectedconstructionoutput.TheB?nL?c-LongThànhExpresswaywasproceedingaccordingtoschedule.TheVi?tNamExpresswayCorporation(VEC)managedtheallocationoffundsandcontractorselectionfordomesticfirmstomeetthe2025completiongoaloftheJ3-1package.RegardingLongThànhInternationalAirport,thefirstsub-projecttoconstructState-managementofficeswasontrack.Thesecondsub-projectwasunderwayonconstructingtheairtrafficcontroltowerandrelatedstructures,theselectionofcontractorsforfivespecialisedairtrafficmanagementequipmentpackageswasalsoongoing.Thethirdsub-projectonbuildingpassengerterminal,runways,taxiwaysandtwoconnectingroadswasinlinewiththeplanwhilesomepackagesweredelayedintechnicaldesignapproval,requiringaccelerationtoensureanintegratedoperation.Thefourthsub-projectstenderdocumentswerebeingreviewedtoselectinvestors.TheT3PassengerTerminalatTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportwasprogressingasscheduled.TheconstructionofTr?nQu?cHoàn-C?ngHòaRoad(leadingtotheT3PassengerTerminalatTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirport)aimedforcompletionbyDecemberthisyear.TheNh?n–HàN?iRailwayStationurbanrailwaylinewasofficiallylaunchedforcommercialoperationontheelevatedsection,whilethetunnelexcavationfortheundergroundsectionhadstarted.TheB?nThành-Su?iTiênurbanrailwaylinewasbeingtestedforsafetycertification,withcommercialoperationsexpectedinthefourthquarterofthisyear.—VNS

Caption:AnorchardbelongingtotheKiênHoàSoursopCo-operativethatisplantedtoorganicstandardsinNg?N?mTownsV?nhQ??iCommuneinSócTr?ngProvince.–VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nPhiSóCTR?NG—SócTr?ngProvincehasadoptedorganicandhigh-qualityfarmingmethodstoincreaseefficiencyanddevelopagriculturesustainably.Injust2022-23,theC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincehasorganisedhundredsoftrainingcoursesinorganicagricultureforofficials,membersofco-operativesandco-operativegroups,companies,andhouseholdsparticipatinginitsorganicagriculturedevelopmentplan.IthasalsoorganisedtwofieldtripsforparticipantstostudyorganicfarmingmodelsinLam??ng,V?nhLongandB?nTreprovinces.Ithastaughtthemhowtorunorganicfarmingmodels,evaluatedandcertifiedthem,promotedorganicproducts,anddevelopedlinkagesbetweenvariousstakeholderstoensurethesaleoforganicproducts.Undertheplan,46organicfarmingmodelsforfruits,beef,goats,sheep,aquaticspecies,andricefishweredevelopedin2022-23.Lastyear,theplansubsidisedby50percentthecostsoforganicfertilisers,bioproductsandriceseedsfor28farmingmodels.Ithashelpedchangethemindsetsofparticipatingfarmersaboutorganicagriculture,createjobsandimprovetheirincomes.IthasorganisedtradepromotionsfororganicproductsatseminarsandforumsheldinSócTr?ngandelsewhere.Tr?nTr?ngKhiêm,deputydirectoroftheprovinceDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidtheplanaimstoinstilknowledgeinallparticipatingfarmersaboutthedomesticandinternationalcriteriafororganicagricultureandtheproductionoforganicproducts.Itseekstohave210haunderorganiccropswithlocalorinternationalorganiccertification,increaseitsoutputto1.2–1.6timesthatofnon-organiccropsandensure100percentsales.V??ngQu?cNam,deputychairmanoftheprovincePeoplesCommittee,hasinstructedtheagriculturedepartment,otherrelatedagencies,andlocalauthoritiestoimplementtheplanbetter.Hesaidlocalitiesshouldincreaseadvocacyactivitiestoensurehouseholdsparticipateeffectivelyintheplanandcompaniesthatsupplyorganicfertilisersandbioproductssecurethequalityoforganicagricultural,forestry,andseafoodproducts.Hesaidco-operatives,co-operativegroups,andhouseholdsshouldscrupulouslyfolloworganicfarmingprocessestoensuretheirproductsmeetmarketrequirements,especiallyforexports.High-qualityproductsManyfarmersandco-operativesinSócTr?nghaveadoptedhigh-qualityororganicfarmingmethodstoimprovequalityandprofits.TrinhPhúAgricultureCo-operativeinK?SáchDistrictsTrinhPhúCommunefarms32haofpurplemilkapplestoVietnamesegoodagriculturalpractices(VietGAP)andorganicstandards.Itproducesaround480tonnesoffruitayearandhasbeengrantedaproductioncodeforexportingtotheUS.H?V?nH?i,itsdirector,said:Aftertheco-operativespurplemilkappleswereexportedtotheUSfortwoyears,theywererecognisedasafour-starproductunderthecountrys‘OneCommune-OneProduct(OCOP)programmein2020.Thefruitsenjoyedapremiumof20-50percentwhenhisco-operativesignedcontractstosellthemtoexportcompanies,hesaid.Whentheyaresolddomestically,tradersbuyitatVN?2,000-5.000perfruithigherthanthemarketprice,helpingtheco-operativesmembersincreasetheirincomes,hesaid.FarmersearnprofitsofVN?400million(US$15,900)perhectareofpurplemilkappleperyear,headded.Withitsfavourablenaturalconditions,K?SáchDistrictgrowsmanyspecialityfruitssuchasgreenskinandpinkfleshgrapefruit,5roigrapefruit,mangosteen,durian,jackfruit,andmilkapple.Itspurplemilkapplebecame,in2018,theprovincesfirstfruittobeexportedtotheUS.InNg?N?mTownsV?nhQ??iCommune,hundredsofhouseholdsgrowsoursop,whichcantoleratealum-affectedsoilandsaltwater.Manyfarmersgrowthefruittoorganicstandardsandearnhighprofits.KiênHoàSoursopCo-operativeinV?nhQ??iCommuneisgrowing30haofsoursoptoorganicstandardswithguaranteedpurchasesbyHCMCity-basedcompanies.LêB?oXuyên,itsdirector,saidtheaveragesoursopoutputis700tonnesayear,andmembersgetVN?2,000perkilogrammehigherthanthemarketprice,whichhelpsthemearnprofitsofVN?500million($19,800)perhectareannually.Theco-operativeuses20percentoftheoutputtomakeproductssuchastea,jamandwine,hesaid.Ithastwoproducts(Ng?cTransoursopteaandNg?cTransoursopjam)withthreestarsundertheOCOPprogramme,withtheteaalsorecognisedasoneoftheprovincestypicalagriculturalandruralproducts,headded.–VNSPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhspeaksatthemeetingonSaturday.—VNA/VNSPhotoD??ngGiangHàN?I—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhonAugust17askedtheRedRiverDeltaregiontotakeapioneeringroleininnovation,andtheutilisationofscience-technologyandresultsofthefourthindustrialrevolution.ChairingameetingoftheCoordinatingCouncilforRedRiverDeltaRegion,theGovernmentleadersaidtheregionshouldalsoleadthewayindevelopingthedigitaleconomy,greeneconomy,circulareconomy,sharingeconomy,knowledge-basedeconomy,andnight-timeeconomy,aswellasinadministrativereform,decentralisationassociatedwithresourcesallocation,andintheimprovementofenforcementcapacity,inspectionandsupervision.Atthesametime,theregionshouldputpeopleandbusinessesatthecentreofdevelopment,andtaketheleadinmobilisingsocialresources,especiallypublic-privatepartnership,forsustainabledevelopment,ensuringsocialequalityandprogressandprotectingtheenvironment,saidChính,whoisalsoChairmanofthecouncil.Heaskedtheregiontoreviewtheimplementationofsettargetsandtaskswithaviewtoidentifyingwhichtargetscanberealisedandwhichcannot,soastoworkoutsuitablesolutions.Fortheoperationofthecouncil,thePMsaiditshouldpaymoreattentiontoconnectivitybetweentheRedRiverDeltaanditsadjacentregions,andproposespecificinstitutions,mechanismsandpoliciestoenhanceregionalconnectivityanddevelopment,andoptimiseitsuniquepotential,opportunitiesandadvantages.Herequestedministries,agenciesandlocalitiestoquicklyworkoutaplantoimplementtheregionalmasterplanwithclearpolicy,concertedinfrastructure,andsmartadministration.ChínhsaidtheregionshouldfollowtheorientationofforminganationalgrowthdrivingzoneencompassingHàN?iandtheareasalongNationalHighways5and18runningthroughtheprovincesofB?cNinh,H?ngYên,H?iD??ng,andQu?ngNinh,andH?iPhòngcity;twosub-regions–thenorthandsouthoftheRedRiver;fourgrowthpoles-HàN?i,B?cNinh,Qu?ngNinh,andH?iPhòng;andfivedomesticeconomiccorridorsandinternationalconnections,comprisingtheeconomiccorridorsofB?cNinh-HàN?i-HàNam-NinhBình,LàoCai-HàN?i-H?iPhòng-Qu?ngNinh,HàN?i-TháiNguyên-B?cK?n-CaoB?ng,coastalQu?ngNinh-H?iPhòng-Nam??nh-NinhBình,and?i?nBiên-S?nLa-HòaBình-HàN?i.Theregionneedstorestructureitseconomicsectors,andreformitsgrowthmodeltowardsmodernity,promoteculturalindustries,science-technologyandinnovationservices,education-training,andhealthcare,anddevelophigh-tech,organic,circularagricultureinassociationwithnew-styleruralareabuilding,hecontinued.ThePMemphasisedtheneedtoprioritisemajorprojectsthatwoulddirectlyimpactsocio-economicdevelopment,alongwithinter-regionalandinternationalconnectivity,developnewandrenewableenergy,andupgradeirrigationinfrastructure.Hepointedtoothertasksregardinghumanresourcesdevelopment,climatechangeresponse,tourismdevelopment,administrativereform,investmentenvironmentimprovement,tradepromotion,andFDIattraction.Accordingtoareportpresentedatthemeeting,theregionseconomyexpanded7.21percentinthefirsthalfofthisyear,higherthanthenationalaverage.ItstotalStatebudgetcontributioninthefirstsevenmonthsexceededVN?521trillion(US$20.79billion),thehighestnationwide,makingup41percentofthecombinedStatebudgetrevenue.Duringtheperiod,theregionsexportwasvaluedatover$80billion,accountingfor35percentofthecountrystotalexportturnover.Theregionattracted$5.7billioninnewlyregisteredforeigninvestmentcapitalwith645projectsintheJanuary-Julyspan.—VNS

HàN?I—HàN?iisgearingupforadoublecelebrationastheIndependenceDayandtheAugustRevolutiondrawnear.Thecityisalreadyadornedwithvibrantflagsandcolourfulbannersinpreparationfortheupcomingfestivities.Herearesomephotosthatcapturetheatmosphereinthecity.FlagsflyhighoneverystreettocelebrateIndependenceDayandtheAugustRevolution.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngAftermaintenance,theH?ChíMinhMausoleumhasre-openedtothepublic.PeoplecanvisittheMausoleumduringthefestivitiestopayrespecttoVi?tNamsFoundingFather.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngAneye-catchingposteradornsastreetinthecapitalcity.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngAstreetisawashwithcelebratoryflagsandbanners.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngAbannerthatreadsWarmlycelebratingthe79thanniversaryoftheAugustRevolution.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngVi?tNamflagproudlywavesatopHàN?isiconicflagpole.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngSceneoftheaccident.—VNA/VNSPhotoQU?NGNINH—AdevastatingaccidentonBìnhMinhBridgehasleftfourteenagersdeadorinjured.Thecollisionoccurredataround9.00pmonFridayinH?LongCity,Qu?ngNinhProvince.H.A.T.,16,wasdrivingamotorbikewithV.D.H.,16,asapassengerwhentheycollidedwithanothermotorbikedrivenbyT.M.D.,16,withN.V.N.,15,asapassenger.Tragically,H.A.TandT.M.Dwerekilledintheaccident.V.D.H.andN.V.N.sustainedseriousinjuriesandwererushedtoQu?ngNinhsProvincialGeneralHospitalfortreatment.Theimpactcausedsignificantdamagetobothvehicles.Theaccidentisunderfurtherinvestigation.—VNS

WorkersonamedicinalherbfarminThanhHoáProvince.—Photobaotintuc.vnExpertshavehighlightedtheneedforgreatereffortsfromboththeStateandbusinessestoachievethesustainabledevelopmentofVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustry.Vi?tNamiscurrentlyamongthecountrieswiththehighestpharmaceuticalmarketvalueandgrowthrateglobally.In2023,thecountryspharmaceuticalmarketwasvaluedatapproximatelyUS$7billion,withaverageconsumptionreachingUS$70percapita–10timeshigherthanin2000.Overthepastdecade,thedomesticpharmaceuticalindustryhasenjoyedsignificantgrowth,withacompoundannualrateof7.3percent.AccordingtotheWorldHealthOrganisationsclassification,Vi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustryisatlevel3,indicatingitscapabilitytoproducegenericdrugsandexportcertainpharmaceuticalproducts.UnderthenationalstrategyfordevelopingVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustryuntil2030,withavisionto2045,thecountryaimstobecomeakeyhubforthemanufacturing,processing,andtechnologytransferofbrand-namedrugs,particularlyinSoutheastAsia.Additionally,thestrategyseekstoelevatethedomesticpharmaceuticalindustrytoWHOlevel4,withagoalofcontributingover$20billiontothecountrysGDPby2045.TechniciansinalabatDHGPharmaceutical.—Photodhgpharma.com.vnThestrategyalsotargetsdomesticmedicineproductiontomeetabout80percentofthecountrysdemandformedicines,representing70percentofthemarketvalue,andtoproduce20percentoftherawmaterialsrequiredfordomesticdrugproduction.By2045,Vi?tNamenvisionsthatdomesticallyproduceddrugswillnotonlymeetlocaldemandbutalsosignificantlyincreaseforexport.Thenationiscommittedtodeepintegrationintotheglobalpharmaceuticalsupplychainasoutlinedinthestrategy.Alongsidethestrategy,theGovernmenthassubmittedadraftlawtoamendthe2016PharmacyLaw.Expectedtobeapprovedlaterthisyear,thelawwillintroducevariouspoliciesandguidelinesaimedatadvancingthepharmaceuticalindustry.LêV?nTruy?n,associateprofessor,PhD,formerDeputyMinisterofHealth,saidthatthestrategyandtheamendedlawpresentedsignificantopportunitiesforthedevelopmentofVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustryinboththeshortandlongterm.ChallengesremainTruy?n,however,notedthatVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustrywasfacingnumerouschallenges,especiallyasthecountryintegrateswiththeglobaleconomy.Amongthesechallengesaretheindustryslowmaterial-technical-technologybaseandtheabsenceofconcentratedpharmaceuticalandbiopharmaceuticalindustrialparks,accordingtoTruy?n.Suchparks,completewithecosystemsthatincluderesearchanddevelopmentcentres,bioequivalenceandbioavailabilitytestingfacilities,clinicaltrials,andpharmaceuticalandpackagingfactories,areessentialforsustainablegrowth.Meanwhile,mostdomesticpharmaceuticalcompaniesremainsmallinscalewithlimitedsales,andtherearenonational-scalepharmaceuticalcorporations.Digitaltransformationalsoposesasignificantchallengeformanydrugbusinesses.Hepredictedthattheshiftinthepharmaceuticalmarketstructurefromchemicaldrugstobiologicalandbiosimilardrugswouldacceleraterapidlyinthecomingyears.Truy?nemphasisedtheneedforVi?tNamtoenhanceitsresearchcapacityandtechnologyapplicationindrugproduction,aimingtobecomeacentreformanufacturing,processing,andtechnologytransfer.Heurgedbusinessestoproactivelyproducespecialiseddrugs,newtreatments,vaccines,andmedicalbiologicalproducts.Truy?nalsosuggestedthateachbusinessshouldreconsider,adjust,andadaptitsmedium-andlong-termdevelopmentstrategyinlinewiththeStatesguidelinesandtheevolvinginternationalanddomesticbusinessenvironmenttoimprovethecompetitivenessofVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustry.AccordingtoTr?nTh?Th?,vicepresidentoftheVietnamPharmaceuticalBusinessAssociation,domesticbusinessesshouldleverageinternalresourcestothrive.Sherecommendedthatsmallfirmsfocusonkeyproducts,avoidingduplicationwithlargerenterpriseswithmoreadvancedproductionlines.Th?saidthatnewlyestablishedorEU-GMP-certifiedbusinessescouldtargettheETCmarketsegment(drugsdistributedtohospitals),specialisinginproductssuchasvaccines,biologicalproducts,andmedicinalingredients.Shealsosuggestedthatbusinessesshouldcapitaliseonfreetradeagreements(FTAs)tocollaboratewithforeigninvestors,therebyproducingpharmaceuticalswithhightechnicalcontent.Meanwhile,V?Th?Tu?nAnh,presidentofNewtechcoGroup,underscoredtheimportanceofbuildinganecosystemthatencompassesproductresearch,theapplicationofnewtechnologiesinpharmaceuticalproduction,andthedevelopmentofwidespreaddistributionchannels,particularlyasmostdrugenterpriseshavelimitedfinancialresourcesandscatteredoperations.Anhhighlightedhergroupseffortstoattractfinancialresources,internationalinvestors,andtechnologyexpertsforthepharmaceuticalandbiopharmaceuticalindustrialparkprojectinTháiBìnhProvince.ThiswouldbethefirstprojectofitskindinVi?tNam,dedicatedtothedevelopmentofthepharmaceuticalandbiopharmaceuticalindustry.Itaimstobeahubforexpertsinbiotechnologyandpharmaceuticalchemistry,fosteringproductioninvestment,technologytransfer,training,andstartupincubationintheindustry.Expertsagreethatcollaborativeventureswithforeignpartnerswillbecrucialinenhancingdomesticcapabilities,fosteringinnovation,andincreasingthecompetitivenessofVietnamesepharmaceuticalproducts,especiallyasVi?tNamencouragesdomesticcompaniestointegrateintotheglobalpharmaceuticalsupplychain.VNS-----------------PharmaceuticalsectorseesgloomyperformanceinQ2/2024Mostpharmaceuticalcompaniesstruggledtoimprovetheirbusinessperformanceinthesecondquarterofthisyear,withsomeevenreportinglossesduetohighoperatingcosts.InQ2,DHGPharmaceuticalJSC(DHG)reporteda4percentyear-on-yeardeclineinnetrevenuetooverVN?1.1trillion,attributedtodecreasedpurchasingpower.Thecompanysafter-taxprofitalsodropped27percentyear-on-yeartoVN?192.4billion,accordingtothuonggiaonline.vn.Forthefirsthalfofthisyear,DHGspre-taxandafter-taxprofitsreachedVN?463billionandVN?415billion,respectively,downby32percentand33percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear,thecompanysfinancialstatementshows.Similarly,VidiphaCentralPharmaceuticalJSCsawitsaccumulatedprofitdeclineby30percentyear-on-yeartooverVN?33billioninH1,mainlyduetoasharpdecreaseinsalesandservicerevenueinQ2comparedtothepreviousyear.Anotherfirm,Traphaco,reportedanafter-taxprofitofoverVN?132billioninH1,down16percentyear-on-year,partlyduetoskyrocketingproductioncosts.VNSAhugefireisseenatabuildingunderrenovationonPhó??cChínhStreetonFridayevening.—VNSPhotoAnh??cHàN?I—AlargefirebrokeoutatNo67Phó??cChínhStreetinHàN?ionFridayevening.Nocasualtieshavebeenreported.Thebuildingwassaidtobeabarunderrenovation.Constructionworkersinsidewereabletoevacuateatthetimeofthefire,Vi?tNamNewsreporterAnh??creported.Firefightersarriveatthescene.—VNA/VNSPhotoMinhQuy?tAccordingtoinitialreportsfromTrúcB?chWardPolice,thebuildingwasstoringmultipleflammablematerialssuchaswood,paintandotherconstructionmaterials,whichquicklyfueledtheflames.Thehousewasdestroyedwhileseveraladjacentbuildingswereaffected.—VNA/VNSPhotoMorethan10firetrucksweredispatchedtothescene.Thecauseofthefireiscurrentlyunderinvestigation.—VNS