ForeigntouristsintheHoànKi?mwalkingstreetarea,HàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngHàN?I—Vi?tNamhaswelcomed8.832millionforeigntouristsinthefirstsixmonthsof2024,upby58.4percentyear-on-year,accordingtotheH1reportfromtheGeneralStatisticsOffice.Thenumberalsorepresentsaslightincreaseof4.1percentcomparedtothesameperiodin2019,beforethedisruptionscausedbytheCOVID-19pandemic.Favourablevisapolicies,andstrongeffortsintourismpromotioncampaignsbylocalitiesacrossthecountryhaveattractedaratherhighnumberofinternationalguestscomparedtolastyearsnumber,theGeneralStatisticsOffice.explainedontherise.InJune,1.2millioninternationaltouristsvisited,risingby28.1percentcomparedtolastyears,butlowerthanthegrowthpaceof51percentthatMaysaw.Amongthe8.832millionvisitorssofarthisyear,arrivalsbyairaccountfor83.8percent(7.4million),14.3percentbyroad(1.3million)and1.9percentbysea(164,900).Vi?tNamreceived6.944milliontouristsfromAsiancountries,markinga65.7percentincreaseyear-on-year.Europecontributedover1million,showinga52.4percentincrease.TheAmericasaccountedfor536,800tourists,ariseof13.4percent.FromOceania,therewere266,600tourists,upby31.8percent.WhileAfricasaw25,300tourists,thehighestincreaseat104.4percent.SouthKoreacontinuestoleadinnumberofvisitorstoVi?tNamwith2.28million,followedbyChinawith1.89million.Theothermarketsinthetop10includeTaiwan(China),theUnitedStates,Japan,Malaysia,Australia,India,CambodiaandThailand.Thetourismsectorhassetoutthetargetofreceiving17-18millionforeigntouriststhisyear,muchhigherthanthetargetof12.6millionin2023.ThepeakofinternationaltourismforVi?tNamstartsfromaroundSeptembertonextyearsMarch-April.DatafromtheGeneralStatisticsOfficealsoshowsthatserviceexportturnoverisestimatedtoreachUS$11.25billion,anincreaseof20percentcomparedtothesameperiodin2023.Ofthis,tourismservicesaccountedfor$6billion(53.1percentofthetotal),anincreaseof40.1percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Serviceimportturnoverforthefirstsixmonthsof2024reaches$16.11billion,upby22percentyear-on-year.Ofthis,transportationservicesaccountedfor$6.9billion(42.7percentofthetotal),anincreaseof18.6percent;andtourismservicesaccountedfor$4.9billion(30.4percentofthetotal),anincreaseof52.9percent.Inthefirsthalfoftheyear,2.6millionVietnamesehavegoneabroad,upby11.4percentyear-on-year.SomelocalitiesthathavepostedgoodtourismresultsincludethecapitalcityofHàN?iwith14milliontouristssofarintheyear,withinternationalarrivalsupby5.2.6percent;thecentralprovinceofThanhHoáwith9.8millionvisitors;thecoastalprovinceofKhánhHoàwith5.2millionstayingvisitors,upby88percentcomparedtolastyear.TheVi?tNamNationalAdministrationofTourism(undertheMinistryofCulture,SportsandTourism)hasbeenactivelypromotingandadvertisingtocontinueattractinginternationaltourists.FromJune24toJuly2,theadministrationhasheldeventsinParis(France),Milan(Italy),andFrankfurt(Germany)topromoteVi?tNamstourism.EuropeisakeymarketforVietnamesetourism,withtouristsoftenchoosinglongvacationsandhighspending.Additionally,fromJune29toJuly3,theministryisalsoholdingtheVi?tNamTourismandCulturePromotionFestivalinSouthKorea2024.ThefestivalintroducedthecountrysimageandpeopleandpromotedVi?tNamstourismbrand,destinations,services,andtourismpotentialtotheKoreanpublicthroughculturalandtourismactivities.TheadministrationreportedthatSouthKoreahasalwaysbeenatoptargetmarketforVietnamesetourism.ThenumberofSouthKoreantouriststoVi?tNamincreasedfivefoldfrom2014to2019,withanaverageannualgrowthrateof38percent.In2023,SouthKoreawasthelargestsourcemarketfortouriststoVi?tNam,with3.6millionvisitors.Vi?tNamwasalsotheleadingsourcemarketfortouriststoSouthKoreainSoutheastAsia,withabout420,000Vietnamesevisitors.—VNS

Tropicaldepressioncausesthunderstorms,strongwindsanddangerousweather.VNAVNSPhotoHàN?I–Localitieshavebeenurgedtoreadythemselvesforanyincomingstorms,checkingoutdrainagesystemsforobstructionsandclearingwaterchannelstoreducethepossibilityofurbanflooding.DeputyMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,Nguy?nHoàngHi?p,hasissuedawarningaboutthecomplexdevelopmentsofnaturaldisastersandcalledforproactivemeasuresfromministries,sectorsandlocalities.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD)onMondayheldameetingtoaddresstheresponsetothetropicaldepressionandheavyrainfall,chairedbyDeputyMinisterHi?p.Tocopewiththeupcomingnaturaldisasters,especiallyheavyrainfall,Hi?purgedaffectedareastoreviewdrainage,mobilisefunctionalforcestocheckandremoveobstructionsandclearwaterchannelstoreduceurbanflooding.Localitiesaffectedbythelow-pressuresystemanditsremnantsmustbecautiousofflashfloodsandlandslidestominimisetheirimpactonpeopleslivesandproduction.Tropicaldepressionmayweaken,butcoastalareasshouldbeonalertforheavyrainandthunderstorms,saidHi?p.HealsorequestedtheDirectorateofWaterResourcestoreviewallirrigationreservoirsanddirectlocalitiestotimelydrainwaterincaseoffloodingsituations.Addressingfuturenaturaldisasterscenarios,Hi?phighlightedtheneedforministries,sectorsandlocalitiestocloselymonitorforecastsandwarningsfromtheNationalHydro-MeteorologicalForecastingCentreandtheactualsituationlocallytobeproactiveinresponse.FollowingtheseverelandslideinHàGiangProvinceonJuly13,functionalagenciesshouldresearchandincreaseadvisoriesagainstnighttimetravel,particularlyduringtherainyseason,thedeputyministersaid.Ifconditionssuchastraffic,embankments,andnaturaldisastersaredeemedunsafe,authoritiesshouldenforcebansonpeopleandvehiclesindangerousareas,especiallyatnight,headded.Furthermore,heurgedlocalitiestointensifyinspectionsandpreparecontingencyplanstoensurethesafetyofreservoirsanddownstreamareas,especiallysmallhydropowerplantsandvulnerableirrigationreservoirs.Healsorecommendedstationingforcestooperateandhandlesituationsastheyarise.TropicaldepressionweakeningbutcausingheavyrainHoàngPhúcLam,DeputyDirectoroftheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting,reportedthatthetropicaldepressionismovingwest-northwestataspeedofabout10kmperhour,withwindspeedsreachinglevelsix(39-49kmperhour)andgustsuptoleveleight.By7amonJuly16thetropicaldepressionisexpectedtomovewest-northwestatabout15kmperhourandgraduallyweakenintoalow-pressurearea.Duetothetropicaldepression,thenorthwestpartofthecentreoftheEastSeaandthesouthwestpartofthenorthoftheEastSea(includingtheHoàngSaArchipelago)andtheoffshoreareasfromQu?ngBìnhtoQu?ngNg?iprovinceswillexperienceheavyshowersandstrongthunderstorms,withwindsreachinglevelsixandgustsuptoleveleight,causingroughseas.TheoffshoreareasfromBình??nhtoCàMauprovinces,thesouthoftheEastSeaincludingtheTr??ngSa(Spratlys),willhavestrongwindsreachinglevelsixandgustsuptoleveleight-nine.TheGulfofTonkinwillhavestrongwindsatlevelfive,occasionallyreachinglevelsix,causingroughseas.UntilJuly17,duetotheinfluenceofthetropicaldepressionanditsremnants,theRedRiverDeltaandnortherncoastalareas,TayNguyên(CentralHighlands),andthesouthernregionwillreceiverainfallrangingfrom50-100mm,withisolatedplacesreceivingover200mm.ThenorthernandcentralCentralregionswillreceive70-150mmofrainfall,withisolatedplacesreceivingover250mm.Thereisariskofflashfloodsandlandslidesinthenorthernmountainousregion,thenorth-centralregion,andsouthernTayNguyên.Asof6amMonday,theBorderGuardCommandreportedthattheBorderGuardforcestrackedandguided40,146boatswith196,741peopletoavoidthetropicaldepression,including1,037boatswith6,187peopleoperatingintheseaareafromQu?ngTr?toQu?ngNg?iprovincesandtheHoàngSaarea.Th?aThiên-Hu?ProvincebannedanyactivityatseasincetheafternoonofSunday.AirportsaffectedbytropicaldepressionTheVi?tNamAirTrafficManagementCorporation(VATM)iscloselymonitoringtheweatherdevelopmentsduetothetropicaldepression,whichhavebeenimpactingseveralairportsandissuingwarningsduringflightoperations.Duetotheinfluenceofthetropicaldepression,manyairportsacrossthecountrywereaffectedbyheavyrainandstrongthunderstorms,limitingvisibility.AccordingtoareportfromVATM,ataround10-11pmonSunday,thetropicaldepressionenteredthemainlandintheareafromTh?aThiên-Hu?toQu?ngTr?provincesthenweakenedintoalow-pressurearea(belowlevelsix)overcentralLaos.Thetropicaldepressionaffectedsectors1,4,and5intheHCMCityFlightInformationRegion(FIR)andsectors3and4intheHàN?iFIR,withthunderstorms,rainandotherhazardousweatherphenomenasuchasmoderatetosevereturbulenceandaircrafticing.Notably,onSundayevening,Vinhand??ngH?iairportsexperiencedthunderstormsandstrongwindswhile??ngH?i,PhúBài,?àN?ng,andChuLaiairportsonMondayexperiencedheavyrainandstrongthunderstorms,withvisibilityrangingfrom2,000-4,000m.At?àN?ngAirport,thevisibilityoccasionallydroppedto1,500minheavyrainandstrongthunderstorms,withstronggusts.Topreventandminimisedamagecausedbythetropicaldepression,theVATMsAviationMeteorologicalCentrehasdirecteditssubordinateunitstocontinuouslymonitorthedevelopmentsandactivitiesofthetropicaldepression,analysingvariousmeteorologicaldatasuchassatelliteimages,weatherradar,andexchangingweatherinformationwithmeteorologicalagenciesinJapan,ChinasHongKong,thePhilippinesandSingapore.Thisinformationisusedtomakedecisionsonforecastcontentandwarningsaffectingaviationactivitiesandequipmentatairports,providingearlyplansforsafeflightoperationsandproactivemeasurestomitigatetheimpactsofthetropicaldepression.VNSRickDeLuca,president,MSDAnimalHealth,isexcitedtowelcomenewcolleaguestoMSDAnimalHealth.RAHWAY,N.J.—MSDAnimalHealth,adivisionofMerckCo.,Inc.,inRahway,N.J.,USA,hasrecentlycompletedtheacquisitionofElancoAnimalHealthIncsaquabusiness.ThisstrategicmovebolstersMSDAnimalHealthspresenceintheaquacultureindustry,exemplifyingacomprehensivecommitmenttoenhancingfishhealth,welfareandsustainabilityacrossaquaculture,conservationandfisheries.Withthecompletionofthisacquisition,wearewellpositionedwithintheaquacultureindustrywitharobustandcomprehensiveportfolioacrosswarmwater,coldwater,vaccines,anti-parasitictreatments,watersupplementsandnutrition,saidRickDeLuca,president,MSDAnimalHealth.WeareexcitedtowelcomeournewcolleaguestoMSDAnimalHealthandwelookforwardtoworkingtogether,drivenbyourcommonpurposeoftheScienceofHealthierAnimals,hesaid.Followingthisacquisition,MSDAnimalHealthnowpossessesinnovativeproductslikeCLYNAV,agroundbreakingDNA-basedvaccinesafeguardingAtlanticsalmonfrompancreasdisease,andIMVIXA-ananti-parasitictreatmentforsealice,alongsidewatertreatmentproductsforwarmwaterproduction,synergisticallycomplementingMSDAnimalHealthsprevailingvaccineofferings.Theincreasingutilisationofmedications,vaccines,nutritionalsupplementsandproductsforaquaticspeciesismotivatedbytherisingglobaldemandforproteinandfoodsafety,ensuringtheprovisionofhigh-qualityfoodandsafeguardingpublichealth.MSDupholdsaunifiedmissionofleveragingcutting-edgesciencetosafeguardandenhancelivesworldwide.Withoveracenturyofpioneeringresearch,thecompanycontinuestodevelopandoffermedicines,vaccinesandpioneeringhealthsolutionsforsomeofthemostchallengingglobaldiseases.MSDAnimalHealth,theglobalanimalhealthentityofMSDunderMerckCo.,Inc.,Rahway,N.J.,USA,isdeeplycommittedtoTheScienceofHealthierAnimals.Offeringveterinarians,farmers,producers,petownersandgovernmentsanextensivearrayofveterinarypharmaceuticals,vaccines,healthmanagementsolutionsandservices,alongwithasuiteofconnectedtechnologiesencompassingidentification,traceabilityandmonitoringproducts,MSDAnimalHealthisdedicatedtoadvancingthehealth,well-beingandperformanceofanimalsandtheircaretakers.Thecompanyinvestsextensivelyincutting-edgeRDresourcesandmaintainsamodern,globalsupplychain.Presentinover50countries,MSDAnimalHealthsproductsareaccessibleinapproximately150marketsworldwide.

??kN?ngdurianfarmersenjoybountifulharvestsandimprovedpricesthankstosustainablefarmingpracticesinitiatedbytheprovince.??KN?NG–??kN?ngProvincedurianfarmersenjoybountifulharvestsandimprovedpricesthankstothesustainablefarmingpracticesinitiatedbyBayerincollaborationwiththelocalagriculturalextensioncentre(PAEC)andthePlantProtectionDepartment(PPD).EstablishedinOctober2023,thispublic-privatepartnershipaimstodevelopandreplicateeffectiveandsustainabledurianfarmingmethodsacrosstheprovince.Inthe10monthssince,theircollaborativeeffortshaveyieldedimprovementsindurianfarming,includingasignificantdecreaseinpestanddiseaselevels,higherproductivityandfruitqualityandtheabilitytomeetexportstandards,ultimatelyresultinginfavourablemarketpricesforfarmers.Nguy?n?ìnhTr??ng,adurianfarmerin??kWerhamlet,expressedhisdelightatbeingoneofthefarmerstotakepartintheprojectandadoptsustainabledurianfarmingpractices.Tr??nghasgrown800duriantreesoverthepastsixyears,harvested100tonnesofthefruitthisyear,andsoldthematVN?73,000(US$2.87)perkilogramme.Itisquitedifficulttogrowduriantrees,especiallyinextremeweatherconditionsandseverefluctuationsintemperatures.However,thankstothesupportfromBayerandthe??kN?ngPAEC,Ihaveswitchedfromtraditionalmethodstosustainablecultivation,rangingfrompestanddiseasemanagementtoeffectivefloweringandfruitingandcontrolofcropprotectionresidues.Asaresult,thisyearscrophasahigheryieldandqualitythanpreviousyears,Tr??ngsaid.PhanVi?tC??ng,anotherdurianfarmerinthesamelocality,willalsoreapabumperharvestatagoodpricethisyear.Inhisthree-hectareorchard,hehas500MonthongorGoldenPillowduriantreesgrownusingsustainablefarmingpractices.Thisyear,thefarmisexpectedtoyieldover60tonnesofdurianandfetchapriceofVN?82,000perkilogramme.Iamextremelyhappywiththeoutcomethisseason.ThroughdiligentcareandsupportfromBayersexperts,mytreeshavethrived,exhibitingrobusthealthwithlush,verdantleaves.Iobservedaremarkable90percentdecreaseinpestsanddiseases,leadingtoasignificantproductivityincreaseof20percentto20tonnesperhectare.Thefruitshaveattainedsubstantialsizeanddisplayconsistentqualityforanimpressive80percentclassificationasGradeA,C??ngsaid.Thefindingsfromthetwodurianorchardsrevealthatonaverage,97percentoftreesexhibitedhealthygrowthduringtheharvestperiod.ThecooperativeprogrammebetweenBayerandthe??kN?ngPAECalsopromotessafe,responsiblecropprotectionproductusetoensureenvironmentalprotectionandcommunitywell-being.KgKrishnamurthy,countrycommercialleadatBayerVietnamscropsciencedivision,attributedtheachievementstoallthestakeholders,includingBayer,the??kN?ngPAECandthedurianfarmersthemselves.AtBayer,wearecommittedtosupportingfarmersbyprovidingsuitablesolutionstoaddressissuesintheirgardens.Wefocusoncropprotection,nutritionandirrigationsolutionstoenablefarmerstoadoptsustainableduriancareprocesses.Weaimtotransformfarmersintoexpertsinthedurianfieldsothattheycanenhanceproductivityandearnahighincome.Ng?Xuan??ng,deputydirectorofthe??kN?ngDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,said,inasimilarvein:Durianhasbecomeapromisingfruitfor??kN?ng,whichishometo11,700hectares.Overthepastfewyears,thedurianfarmingareahasincreasedsharplyinthelocality.Thedepartmentisrollingoutsustainablefarmingpracticestoformduriancultivationzonesandmeetexportrequirements.Thefocusisalsoonimprovingdurianqualitythroughsustainabledevelopmentmodels,??ngsaid.Movingforward,Bayer,??kN?ngPAECandPPDremaindedicatedtosupportingVietnamesedurianfarmersinadoptingsustainablefarmingpracticestoincreaseproductivityandenhanceexportqualityandsafety.Throughcontinuedcollaborationandtraining,theprogrammeaimstodrivetransformationacrossthedurianindustryin??kN?ng,fosteringsustainabledevelopmentandabrighterfutureforlocalfarmers.ThesceneofthelandslidethatkilledonememberofafamilyoffourinLam??ngProvinceonMonday.—VNA/VNSPhotoL?M??NG—AlandslideinthecentralhighlandsprovinceofLam??ngearlyMondaymorningkilledonememberinafamilyoffour,whosehomewasburiedundertonnesofearthanddebris.Accordingtoinitialreports,theincidenttookplaceinthe?amR?ngDistrictataround4amtodaywhilethefamilyof??ngQuangLànhwasasleep.Heandhistwochildrenmanagedtoescape,whilehiswife,whosenameinitialsweregivenasN.T.T,wasdeadbythemassivevolumecrushedintothehome.Thesurroundingresidentsimmediatelyreportedtolocalauthoritiesandjoinedtherescueforce.DozensofofficersandvehiclesfromtheLam??ngEconomic-DefenceCorps(underMilitaryRegion7),whicharestationednearby,alsoarrivedatthescene.Asof9amthesameday,rescueeffortsandsiteclearancewerestillongoing.Accordingto?amR?ngDistrictPeoplesCommitteechairmanTr??ngH?u??ng,thefamilyspropertieshavebeenmovedtosafety.LocalauthoritieswillprovidethevictimsfamilywithVN?20million(US$790)assupportwhilealsoofferingassistanceforfuneralarrangements.Lam??nghasbeenwitnessingprolongedrainsduetoarecenttropicaldepression.Forecastssaytheprovinceisamongthe12localitiesatriskofflashfloodsandlandslidesinthenextsixhours.—VNSAnownerofapigfarminghouseholdinKhánhHòaProvincesprayingdisinfectantinthebarn.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuangonbehalfoftheGovernmenthasissuedanofficialdispatch,orderingministries,sectors,andlocalitiestostrictlyimplementmeasurestopreventandcontrolAfricanswinefeverasthediseasehasspreadwidelyacrossmanylocalities.Sincethebeginningofthisyear,thecountryhasreportedmorethan660outbreaksofAfricanswinefeverin44provincesandcities,resultinginthecullingofover42,400pigs.ProvincessuchasB?cK?n,L?ngS?n,Qu?ngNinh,HòaBình,S?nLa,Qu?ngNamandLongAnhavebeensignificantlyaffected.Thediseaseposesahighriskofwidespreadtransmission,potentiallyaffectingfoodsupplies,publichealth,theconsumerpriceindex,andtheenvironment.Inresponse,localauthoritiesweredirectedtoimprovesanitationanddisinfectioninhigh-risklivestockareas,promotebiosafetypracticesinanimalfarming,andcreatedisease-freezones.Theymustalsomaintainaccuraterecordsofpigpopulationsandvaccinationratesforthedisease,andallocatebudgetaryresourcesforpurchasingvaccinesandorganisingsynchronisedvaccinationcampaigns.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentwillleadeffortstocoordinatewithrelevantministries,sectors,andlocalitiestoallocateresourcesforimplementingthenationalplanforAfricanswinefeverpreventionandcontrolinthe2020-25period,includingdiseasesurveillance,timelywarningsissuance,andoverseeingoutbreakmanagementtopreventfurtherspread.TheMinistryofIndustryandTradewillcollaboratewithveterinaryauthoritiesandlawenforcementtostrengthencontrolsoverthetradeandtransportationofdiseasedpigsandporkproducts.Additionally,theMinistryofInformationandCommunicationswillintensifypublicawarenesseffortsondiseasepreventionmeasures,andtheMinistryofFinancewillallocatefundstosupportpreventionactivitiesaspercurrentregulations.TheMinistryofHomeAffairswillassistinrestructuringveterinarymanagementagenciesattheprovincialanddistrictlevelstobolsterdiseasepreventioncapabilities.Relevantministries,sectors,andtheNationalSteeringCommitteeforAfricanswinefeverpreventionandcontrolwillcoordinatecloselytoensureeffectiveimplementationofpreventionmeasures.—VNS

LêThanhTh?o,anofficerfromtheNationalInstituteofMalariology,ParasitologyandEntomologycapturesdisease-carryingmosquitoesfromapre-preparednetinthecoreareaofBaVìNationalParkinHàN?i.—Photosnhandan.vnHàN?I—Asduskfalls,V?Vi?tH?ng,anofficerfromtheNationalInstituteofMalariology,ParasitologyandEntomology,alongwithhiscolleagues,begantheirroutinemosquito-huntingtripinthecoreareaofBaVìNationalParkinHàN?i.Dressedneatlyinprotectivegear,H?ngstretchedoutapre-preparednet,leavingitsbaseabout40cmoffthegroundandturnedonasoftlight.Inside,hiscolleague,LêThànhTrung,satonafoldingchairtoserveasbait.Withinminutes,mosquitoesfromalldirectionsstartedbuzzingin.Theyslippedunderthenet,hoveredneartheearsandboldlylandedonthehandsofthebait.Swarmsofmosquitoes,resemblingfootball-sizedclouds,withtheirbuzzingwings,quicklyfliedabovethemosquitohuntersbeforedescendingontoexposedskintobite.V?Vi?tH?ng,anofficerfromtheAnophelesUnitoftheDepartmentofEntomology,toldNhanDan(People)onlinenewspaperthathuntingmosquitoesinthewildisaplannedactivitybytheNationalInstituteofMalariology,ParasitologyandEntomology.Itsupportsbiologicalexperiments,surveillanceandinvestigationofvirusestransmittingdenguefeverandmalariainhumans,therebywarningpeopletoproactivelyimplementdiseasepreventionmeasures.Mosquitohuntingtakesplaceinvariouslocations,inforests,amonghouseholdsorinlivestockpens.Inrecentyears,themethodofusingdirectbaitbyexposingarmsandlegsformosquitoestolandandthencapturingthemwithatubeisnolongerusedinsomeinternationalprojectsduetoethicalconcerns.However,ifconductedproperlywithsuitableprotectivemeasures,itremainsoneofthemosteffectivemethodsforhuntingdisease-carryingmosquitoes,H?ngsaid.Despitetheitching,burningandraisedweltsontheirhandsandfeet,noonedaredtoscratch.Allcapturedmosquitoesmustbealiveandintact.So,nomatterhowitchyitgets,wehavetoendureit,Trungwhispered.Moremosquitoesgathered,spottingthewhitenetwithblackdots.LêThanhTh?oquietlyapproached,shonealightonafemalemosquitowithanupturnedabdomenandblack-and-whitescalesonitswingsandgentlycaptureditinatesttube.Th?oexplainedthatwhenthenettrapissetup,varioustypesofmosquitoeswillenter.Atthispoint,thebaitmustremainstilltoallowcolleaguestofilterandselecttherightspeciestocapture.MosquitoesinthewildHesaidthatadultAnophelesmosquitoesaredarkbrownandblack.Theirbodylengthtypicallymatchesthelengthoftheirproboscis.Thesemosquitoesaremostactivefromaround7-9pmdaily,soaftersunset.Sometimes,inordertocatchjustoneortwospecificindividuals,teammembersmustenduredozensofbites.H?ngfurtherexplainedthatmosquitohuntingisinfluencedbyvariousfactorssuchastime,weatherandclimate.Asaresult,therearenightswhentheteamcatcheshundredsofmosquitoes,buttherearealsotimeswhentheyonlyharvestafewindividuals.Anofficersitsonafoldingchairtoserveasbaittoluremosquitoes.Additionally,dependingonthespecies,mosquitoeswillconcentrateinspecificareas.Forexample,AnophelesdirusprimarilyappearsintheforestedareasoftheCentralHighlands,whilethemalariavectorinthenorthernregionisAnophelesminimus.Denguefevermosquitoes,ontheotherhand,aremorecommonincities,hesaid.AftercatchingmorethanadozenAnophelesmosquitoes,Th?odecidedtoreplaceTrungasthemosquitobait.The50-year-oldmanquicklychangedintoshorts,exposinghislowerthighsandcalves,thentookachairtoadarkcornerandsatquietly.Innotime,Th?oslegsturnedblackwithmosquitoes.Underthebeamofhisheadlamp,hecarefullyobservedandusedaglasstubetocaptureamosquitothatwasengorgedwithblood.H?ngmentionedthattoachievemaximumeffectiveness,mosquitohuntersshouldavoidusingfragrantsoap,perfumeoressentialoilsbeforestartingtheirwork.Moreover,thosewhodirectlyserveasbaitmustbethoroughlytrainedinidentificationmethods.Aftermanyyears,wecanidentifythespeciesofamosquitowith80percentaccuracyjustbyitsflight,hesaid.Additionally,thosedirectlyinvolvedmustknowhowtoprotectthemselvestoavoidgettingsick.Iftheyareworkinginareaswithhighmosquitodensity,theymusttakepreventivemedication.ThemethodofusinghumanbaittocatchmosquitoesatnightisregulatedaccordingtotheMinistryofHealthsguidelinesonmalariasurveillanceandprevention,issuedonOctober25,2021,inDecisionNo.4922/Q?-BYT.Thestaffrecalledthateveryoneintheteamhadahistoryofcontractingmalariaanddenguefeverseveraltimes,exceptforTh?o.Th?oreminiscedabout1997whenheandhiscolleagueswenttoV?nhHàandV?nhLinhdistrictsinthecentralprovinceofQu?ngTr?tosurveyamalariaoutbreak.Atthattime,twoofthembroughtonlyalimitedamountofmedicationforemergencies.Atthecommunehealthstation,theymetayoungVanKi?uethnicpatientwhohadcontractedmalariaandwasabouttoenteraseverephase.Theclinichadrunoutofmedicineandifthepatienthadtobetransferredtothedistricthospital,thechancesofsurvivalwouldbeveryslim.Inthatsituation,ourteamdidnthesitatetogiveourpreventivemedicinetothechild.Whenhepassedthecriticalphase,weallbreathedasighofrelief.MosquitoesinthelabAfterbeingcaptured,mosquitoesareclassifiedbeforebeingbroughtintothelabattheNationalInstituteofMalariology,ParasitologyandEntomology.Mosquitoesareplacedinbreedingroomsforresearchpurposes.Pointingtoatrayfullofwrigglinglarvae,?àoMinhTrang,deputyheadoftheDepartmentofEntomology,saidthatoncemosquitoesarecapturedinthefield,theyareplacedinbreedingroomsforresearchpurposes.Thisresearchaimstofindeffectivepreventionmeasuresandsuitablechemicalsforextermination.Themosquitobreedingprocessincludesfeedingcycles,facilitatingmatingandlayingeggs,andtakingcareofthelarvae.Tokeepmosquitoesalive,thebreedingroomsarespeciallyarrangedwithairconditioningrunningalmostaroundtheclockandmaintainingabsolutecleanliness.Thetemperatureisstrictlycontrolledandkeptat26degreesCelsius.Additionally,humiditylevelsmustadheretothemoststringentregulations.Somemosquitospeciesareverydifficulttomateincaptivity,sowehavetoemployartificialmethods.Moreover,eachyearwesupplythousandsofmosquitoestovariousdepartmentsandresearchinstitutionsbothwithinandoutsidetheInstituteforscientificresearch,sowefrequentlyneedtofacilitatetheirmating,shesaid.Nguy?nTr??ngAn,ayoungofficerintheMosquitoBreedingUnit,explainedthathehastobeattheunitby7amdailytochecktechnicalparametres,feedthelarvae,pickoutthoseabouttobecomemosquitoestoplacethemincagesandcleanthetrays.Forfemalemosquitoes,weallowthemtodirectlysuckbloodtoincreasethehatchingrateofeggslater,hesaid.Anexplainedthatdependingonthemosquitostrain,thefeedingtimelastsfrom15to20minutes.Thisprocesscanbeobservedvisually,putsimply,whenmosquitoesstopbiting,itmeanstheyarefull.Avolunteerdirectlyfeedsfemalemosquitoestoincreasethehatchingrateofeggs.Initially,Iwasscared,butnowImusedtoit.Moreover,ourresearchhelpsthecommunity,soeveryonetriestheirbest,hesaid.Nguy?nV?nD?ng,headoftheDepartmentofEntomology,saidthatdespitethechallengesfacedduringmosquitohuntingandbreeding,thestaffsdedicationandresponsibilitytowardtheirworkhavemadesignificantcontributionstoresearch.Thisresearchhelpsidentifymosquitocharacteristics,leadingtothedevelopmentofoptimaldiseasepreventionmeasures.—VNSNguy?nTh?Nham,80,hasbeencóiweavingfor70years.SheisoneofelderlyinTayAnCommuneofTháiBìnhProvincepreservingthetraditionalcraft.—Photodanviet.vnTHáIBìNH—ManyelderlypeopleinTháiBìnhProvincestillmaintainthetraditionalcraftofcóiweavingwhichtheyhavedonefordecades.Withskillfulhandsandadeeploveforthecraft,theykeepthetraditionaliveandpassitdowntofuturegenerations.Productsmadefromcóiarenowexportedtomanycountriesworldwide.WeavingateightyThepeopleofTi?nH?iDistrictareknownfortheirdexterityandhavepasseddownthecóiweavingcraftthroughgenerations.Thishasledtothewomenintheareabeingrecognisedfortheirmeticulousness,agilityanddeeppassionforthecraft.Inthepast,whenlifewasmorechallenging,residentsgrewandharvestedcóitoproducecóibagsandhatsforlocalsaletosupplementtheirincome.Associetydeveloped,thevillagesproductsbegantobeintroducedandexportedfurtherafield.Nguy?nTh?NhamofTayAnCommuneofTi?nH?iDistricthasbeeninvolvedinthetraditionalcraftsinceshewastenandisnoweighty-fiveyearsold.Nhamtolddanviet.vn:Thecóiweavingcrafthasbeeninthiscommuneforgenerations.FromthetimeIwasborn,Iwastaughtbymygrandparentsandparents.IwastoldthattheplacewhereIwasbornistherootofthecóicraft,whichlaterspreadtootherareaslikeH?ngHàDistrictofTháiBìnhProvinceandNgh?aH?ngDistrictofneighbouringNam??nhProvince.Despiteherfailingeyesight,Nhamshandsremainquickandskillfulinweavingcói.Whenwewereyoung,theonlycraftinthecommunewascóiweaving.Manypeoplereliedonthiscrafttosupporttheirfamilies.Childrenwereabletostudyproperlyandsucceed,soIcherishitgreatly,Nhamsaid.Evenatmyage,manypeoplestillweavecóidailytoearnextraincomeandtosetanexamplefortheyoungergenerationtopreservethistraditionalcraft,shesaid.Theweavingcraftrequirespatienceasitinvolvesmanymeticuloussteps,fromselectingsedge,washing,soakingit,dryingandthenpressingit.Theselectedgrassmustbeoftherightmaturity–nottoooldortooyoung–foreasypressing.Soakinggrassrequiresskillandexperience,especiallywhentheplantsaresoakedorswollen,theyneedtobehandledcorrectly.Afterdrying,thegrassispressedtocreatematerialsforweaving.Next,thegrassisputthroughamachinetobethreshedanddyedtoachieveattractivecoloursbeforebeingpressedforsoftness.Itiscrucialtokeepthecoloursconsistenttoproducebeautifulproducts.Oncethegrassstrandsmeetstandards,theartisansbeginweavingthemintofinishedproducts.Afterweaving,theproductsaredriedandthencut,trimmed,taggedandpackagedforsale.Oncepressed,thegrassmustbesortedbysizeandcolourtoensureaharmoniousweave.Productsfromthegrassareverydiversefrombaskets,hats,bagstomats.Wecanweaveanything,Nhamsaid.Thebasketsmadeofcóihavegonefromhavingnonameorbrand,justhangingaroundinruralmarkets,tonowbeingpresentinmanyprovincesandcitiesinthecountryandbeingshippedabroad.—Photodanviet.vnExportingcóiproductsAccordingtotheartisan,productsfromTayAnCommunehaveevolvedfrombeingnamelessandbrandless,onlysoldlocally,tonowbeingsoldinmanyotherprovincesandevenexported.ThesignificantcontributortothisdevelopmentisPh?mTh?Ng?n,whofoundedacompanyandmarketedtheproductstovariouscompanies.Ng?nquicklygraspedmarketdemandsandforeigntastes,graduallyhelpingTayAnscóiproductsreachtheworld.Ng?nsaysproudly:Eachmonth,ourcompanyexportsmanyproductslikehandbagsandbasketstocountriessuchastheUS,JapanandThailand,creatingjobopportunitiesforthousandsofworkers.ThisisasourceofprideandmotivationforTayAnresidentstocontinuepreservinganddevelopingthecóiweavingcraft,contributingtotheprosperityofthehomeland.Ng?nsaidthatshehasalwaysdreamedofcreatingmorejobsforruralworkers,especiallywomen.Thankstothepresenceofcóiproductcompanies,manywomen,especiallytheelderly,inTayAnCommunehavefoundpart-timejobstoincreasetheirincome.Tr?nTh?Di?p,80,said:IwastaughttoweavecóibymymothersinceIwaslittle.Later,aftergettingmarried,Icontinuedwithmymother-in-law.Ireceivecóifromthecompanytoweaveandearnawage.Forlargeitems,Di?pcanweavetwotothreepiecesperday,whilesmalleritemscanbesevenpieces.Forsmallboxes,thewageisVN?10,000(4UScent)perpiece,whilelargerproductscanearnuptoVN?100,000($4)perpiece.Nguy?nTh?Th?m,45,said:EventhoughIhaveastablejob,IstillreceivecóifromNg?nscompanytoweaveintheevenings.Eachmonth,Iweave50-60different-sizedproducts,earningadecentincome.Today,cóiproductsarecontinuallybeingimproved,attractingmorecustomersandincreasingbothqualityandprofitability.Cóiproductsarenowdecoratedwithpatternsanddesignsbeforehittingthemarket,ratherthanbeingsoldasrawproductslikebefore.Thecóiweavingcrafthasexpandedtoover20communesinTi?nH?iDistrict,creatingjobsforover1,500people.Fromnaturalsedgematerials,theskilledhandsofcraftsmenhavecreatedintricateandbeautifulhats,baskets,andmore.Cóiweavedproductsareintroducedinfairs.—Photodanviet.vnCurrently,theTi?nH?iDistrictElderlyAssociationplacesgreatemphasisonorganisingtraditionalcraftconferencesandawardingcertificatesandcommendationstoencourageelderstocontinuepassingontheirskills.Additionally,manybusinesseshavelaunchedprojectsencouraginglocalstointroduceworkerstotraditionalcóiweavingcompanieswithattractivecommissions,therebyexpandingthecraftnetworkintheprovince.AndtheauthoritiesregularlyorganiseexhibitionslikeOneCommuneOneProduct(OCOP)fairstointroducelocalcóiproducts,thusexpandingthemarketandbringingthecraftclosertothepublic.—VNS

H?ChíMinhMausoleuminHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—AdraftordinanceonthemanagementandpreservationofH?ChíMinhMausoleumisunderway,aimingforself-relianceinhumanresourcestrainingandequipmentsupplyespeciallyagainstoutsidedisruptions.AccordingtotheMinistryofNationalDefence(MOD),investmentpoliciesforscientificresearcharenecessaryforthemissionofpreservinglatePresidentH?ChíMinhsbodyandensuringthetechnicalrequirementsofthemausoleum,especiallyasthecomplicatedglobaldevelopmentscausedmultiplechallengestothetechnicalsupplyandresourcesfromabroad.Throughout55yearsofpreservationandprotectionofthelatepresidentsbody(since1969)and49yearsofthehistoricalmausoleum,thePresidentH?ChíMinhMausoleumHighCommandandtheestablishmentsmanagementboardhaveupheldcompliancewiththedirectionandleadershipofthePartyandtheState,particularlytheGovernment,PrimeMinister,theCentralMilitaryCommissionandtheMODtoaccomplishthespecialpoliticalmissionassigned.Theconditionofthebodyremainsunchangedbetweendifferentinspections(from1970to2009).InauguratedonAugust29,1975,theH?ChíMinhMausoleumhaswelcomednearly70millionvisitors,ofwhichmorethan10millionareinternational.Onaverage,theestablishmentreceivesapproximately10,000visitorsperday.Thisfiguregoesuptoaround32,000onnationalholidayssuchastheLunarNewYear,IndependenceDay(September2)andthelatepresidentsbirthday(May19).ThepreservationoflatePresidentH?ChíMinhsbodywascarriedoutwiththecompleteassistanceoftheSovietUnionfrom1969to1991,thereforeVi?tNamhasnotissuedanyregulation,oradoptedacomprehensivelegalbasisfortheState-levelscientificcouncilandthemedicalscientificcouncilworkingonthismission.FollowingthedissolutionoftheSovietUnionin1991,themausoleumsmanagementboardhassteppeduptotakechargeofthetechnicalproceduresandrequirementstopreservethelatepresidentsbody,whichcallsfortheissuanceoflawsandordinancestoregulatethismission.Anumberofshortcomingsandissueshavebeenpointedout,includingtheriskofshortageorhinderedimportofsingle-purposeequipmentmanufacturedabroadintheeventofglobaldisruptions(suchasCOVID-19pandemicorRussia-Ukraineconflict)whichnecessitatesinvestmentinresearchandhumanresourcesdevelopmenttoensureself-sufficiencyinthelong-termpreservation.Anotherissuewastheneedforspecialallowanceregimesforofficials,publicemployeesandworkersofthemausoleumsmanagementboardgiventhattheyaretrainedinhighlyspecialisedandnarrowfieldsthatareapplicableonlyintheworkofpreservationofPresidentH?ChíMinhsbody,inordertoretainandattracttalentsinthisimportanttask.Themanagementboardalsowantedclearer,moreuniformpoliciesontheauthorisationofimportantpoliticalanddiplomaticceremoniesandeventsthatareconductedatthemausoleumandBa?ìnhSquare,aswellaspoliciesonthedualfunctionsofthemausoleum(preservationofH?ChíMinhsremainsandmaintenanceofsafetyandsecurityinthecomplex,whileenhancingtheservingofdomesticandinternationalvisitorswhowishtopayrespecttothelatePresident).Thisdraftordinanceisdevelopedwithfourcorepolicies,whichareimprovingregulationsonthelong-termpreservationandprotectionoflatePresidentH?ChíMinhsbody;enhancingregulationsonthemanagementandprotectionofstructuresandrelicswithinthehistoricalsiteofH?ChíMinhMausoleum;personneltaskedwithpreservingandprotectingthelatepresidentsbody;andperfectingregulationsonensuringhumanresourcesaswellasrelatedpoliciesandemploymentbenefitsforthesemissions.—VNS

ElderlypeopleatacommunityhomeinthesouthernprovinceofV?nhLong.—VNA/VNSPhotoLêThúyH?ngHàN?I—Withanaverageelderlypersonhavingthreechronicdiseasesandatriskoffunctionaldecline,buildingastrongfoundationforhealthcareandqualityoflifefortheseniorpopulationbecomestheresponsibilityofnotonlytheGovernmentbuttheentiresociety.Vietnamesepeopleslifeexpectancynowstandsat73.6,buttheirhealthyyearsareonlyuntil63.2formenand70forwomen,accordingtotheWorldHealthOrganisation.Thismeansthatoldermenandwomenspendupto11yearslivingwithillnesses.Statisticsalsorevealedthatnearly46percentoftheseniorpopulationisdiagnosedwithhypertension,34percentofthemhavearthritisandmanyotherssufferfromcardiovasculardiseases,bronchitis,urinarydiseasesormusculoskeletaldisorders.Asaresult,insteadofenjoyingtheirretirement,theyhavetospendmostoftheirtimevisitinghospitals.Theirhealthalsonaturallydeterioratesastheyage,includingtheirimmunesystem.Therefore,theyaremoresusceptibletoacquiringdiseaseswhichoftenturnchronicorrecurrent.At68,HoàngV?nThanhstillworksasamotorbiketaxidriverinHàN?i,makingaroundVN?50,000-100,000(US$2-4)aday.Hiswife,65,alsoworksasanhourlyhousekeeperforseveralhouseholdsinthecity,butsufferingfromlowbloodpressuremeanssheoftenhastotakedaysoff.Theymakeenoughtocovertheirfoodexpensesandrelyontheirchildrenfortherest.Whilemorefortunatewiththeirpensions,someelderlyhavetospendalargeportionoftheirpensionsonregularcheck-upsandmedications,meaningtheyhavetotightentheirbeltonlivingexpenses.DrPh?mV?Hoàng,deputydirectorgeneraloftheGeneralOfficeforPopulationandFamilyPlanning(undertheMinistryofHealth),saidthatthecurrenthealthcaresystemhasnotkeptpacewiththegrowingneedsoftheelderly.Mostelderlypeopleinthecountrylivewiththeirfamiliesandwishtobecaredforathomebytheirchildrenorrelatives.However,Vi?tNamsprevalentfamilymodelisshiftingfromthetraditionalextendedhouseholds(familieswiththreeormoregenerationslivingtogether)tonuclearfamilies(twogenerationfamiliesincludingparentsandchildren).Caregiversfortheelderlyathomeareotherpeopleintheseniorpopulationgroup,manyofthemwomen.Developingelderly-friendlyspacesandlong-termhealthcareserviceswithincommunitiesalsofacesmultiplechallengesandrequiresmuchmoreeffort.Multiplechangeshavebeenmadetopopulationmanagementandrelatedpoliciesinresponsetothecurrentcontext.ThesixthNationalCongressofthe12thPartyCentralCommitteesetthegoalsinitsResolutionNo21-NQ/TWtocomprehensivelyandcohesivelyaddressissuesrelatedtopopulationsize,structure,distributionandqualityinalignmentwithsocio-economicdevelopment.Torealisethisresolution,theGovernmenthasassigned39projectsandmissionsto11ministriesanddepartmentsinResolutionNo137/NQ-CP.Manyofthemareindirectresponsetoanageingpopulation,suchastheVi?tNamPopulationStrategyto2030,theHealthcareProgrammefortheElderlyto2030,theProjectonTakingAdvantageoftheGoldenPopulationandAdaptingtoPopulationAgeing,aswellastheNationalActionProgrammefortheElderly.Thenationwidehealthinsuranceprogramme,inwhichseniorcitizenscanenjoyinsurancebenefitsatadiscountedpremiumorfreeofcharge,facilitatestheiraccesstohealthcareservices,especiallythoselivingindisadvantagedareas.Elderlypeoplewithoutpensionsorwhohavelowincomesaregivenwelfareassistance,whilepublicnursinghomesareunderdevelopmenttoprovidecareandaccommodationforthosewithoutfamilies.Vi?tNamismakingeffortstoimprovethequalityoflifefortheelderly,butbetterresultsrequirestrongcoordinationbetweentheGovernment,socialorganisationsandthecommunity.—VNSTheelevatedsectionofNh?n-HàN?iStationRailwayisnowtotallycompleted.—Photokinhtedothi.vnHàN?I—TheHàN?iMetropolitanRailwayManagementBoard(MRB)isurgentlycompletingthenecessaryprocedurestolaunchcommercialoperationsfortheelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationurbanrailwayline(fromstationS1toS8).Theelevatedsectionofthepiloturbanrailwayproject,stretchingfromNh?ntoHàN?iStationoveradistanceof8.5kminthewestofthecapital,isnowfullyconstructed,withequipmentinstallationandsystemintegrationtestingcompleted.AccordingtoMRB,theeightelevatedstationsandtheNh?nDepothavenowpassedthefiresafetyinspectionsbytheFirePreventionandRescuePoliceDepartment.Additionally,alltentrainshaveundergonetechnicalinspections,withtheequipmentatthestationsandDepotbeingcertifiedaccordingtoregulations.Systra,theconsultingfirm,hasissuedtheTransferofCompletion(TOC)certificatesforeachcontractpackage.Theprojecthascompletedtrainingfor353personnelfromtheHàN?iRailwayCompany,whotookpartinatrialwhichwasconcludedonMay31,havingsuccessfullycompletedall57scenariosandalleighttestingphases,ensuringanefficientandsafeoperationoftheline.ConsultantAlainBechereaufromSystraexpressedconfidenceinthereadinessoftheHàN?iRailwayCompanyspersonnelafteratotaloftwomonthsoftrialoperations.ThesafetycertificationconsultantconsortiumApaveBureauVeritas-Certifer(ABCConsultant)hascompletedon-siteevaluations.ThecompletionofthetrialdemonstratesthereadinessoftheoperatingunittocommencecommercialoperationsoftheelevatedsectionfromNh?ntoHàN?iStation.However,theextendedtrialperiodhasdelayedtheissuanceofthesafetysystemcertification.OncetheABCConsultantsubmitstheirreportandsafetycertification,MRBwillforwardittotheRailwayDepartment(MinistryofTransport)forevaluationandapproval.TheStateInspectionCouncilwillthenconvenetoapprovetheacceptanceresultsforcommercialoperation.Thecompletionoftheremaininglegalproceduresrequirescloseco-ordinationamongvariousgovernmentagencies.ThefinalsafetycertificationreportfromABCConsultantisexpectedbyJuly10.MRBisexpeditingtheremainingprocedurestocommencecommercialoperationsassoonaspossible.Onceoperational,theNh?n-HàN?iStationurbanrailwayline(Line3)isexpectedtosignificantlyreducetrafficcongestionandurbanpollution,enhancingthequalityoflifeforresidentsinwesternHàN?i.—VNS

DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàchairsameetingoftheworkinggroupforLongThànhInternationalAirportonWednesday.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?n?i?pHàN?I—Selectingreputableandexperiencedcontractorstoprovideworld-classservicesatLongThànhInternationalAirportisatoppriority,saidDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàonThursdayashechairedameetingoftheprojectsworkinggroup.Focusingonbiddingandselectingcontractorsfortheairportsfourthcomponentproject,theworkingteamstressedcomprehensivenessintheairportsdesignandoperations,withtheaimofitbecomingakeyregionaltransportationhub.Thiscomponentprojectincludescargoterminals,aviationlogisticsareas,aircraftmaintenanceareas,cateringservicesandairlineoperationscentres.DeputyPMHàsaidthatthebiddingpackagesshouldbereviewedandevaluatedbyinternationalconsultantswithsubstantialknowledgeaboutaworld-classairportscomprehensivetechnology,designandoperations.InvestorsmustensurecoherenceinplanningtoaccommodatetheneedsofallairlinesandVietnamesecontractorsareencouraged.Evaluationcriteriawillbeappliedaccordinglytotheprojectsoperationstages,withtheinvestorspreviousexperiencesinotherinternationalairportstakenintoaccount.TheCivilAviationAuthorityofVi?tNam(CAAV)hascompletedthebiddingdocuments,aswellastheappraisalsforcateringservicebiddingpackages.Biddingpackagesforothersub-projectsonmaintenanceareasforaircraftandgroundequipment,alongsideairlineoperationscentres,areongoingandexpectedtobeappraisedandapprovedwithinthismonth.ThekeychallengecurrentlyistodraftahypotheticalbusinessplantodeterminetheinvestorscontributionstotheStatebudgetoncetheairportgoesintooperation.EmphasisingtheimportanceofthefourthcomponentprojectintheecosystemofLongThànhInternationalAirport,DeputyPMHàsaidthatGovernmentleadersandtheworkinggrouphaveissuedmultipleguidelinestotheMinistryofTransport(MoT)andtheCAAVtoaddressthebottlenecksrelatedtothebiddingpackages.TheMoTandCAAVmustresolvetheshortcomingsincapacityandexperience,coordinatingwithrelevantministriesanddepartmentstoselectreputableandcapableunits,completingthenecessarypaperworkandorganisingthebids.Atthemeeting,thedeputyPMalsodiscussedmobilisingtheAirportsCorporationofVi?tNamtoparticipateinseveralbiddingpackagesrelatedtotheaviationlogisticsarea,cargoterminalsandairporthotels.—VNSDelegatespressthebuttontoinauguratetheIntelligentTrafficOperationsCentreinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoTuy?tMaiHàN?I—TheHàN?iDepartmentofTransporthasrespondedtothecitysrequirementsofintelligenttransportinthecapital.OnThursday,thedepartmentlaunchedthepilotimplementationoftheTrafficOperationsCentre(TOC)attheHàN?isTrafficManagementandOperationsCentre.TheIntelligentTransportationSystem(ITS)isasystemwhichappliestechnicalandtechnologicalsolutionstoefficientlyorganise,manageandoperatethetransportationsystem,ensuringtrafficsafety,reducingtraveltimesandcosts,andprotectingtheenvironment.WiththeapprovaloftheHàN?iCitysPeoplesCommittee,thedepartmentcoordinatedwiththeMilitaryIndustryandTelecomsGroup(Viettel)toestablishtheTOCattheHàN?iCitysTrafficManagementandOperationsCentre,locatedatKimM?StreetintheBa?ìnhDistrict.Thecentreisequippedwithcomputers,videowallmonitors,firewalls,networkdevices,accompanyingaccessoriesandcontrolsoftware,includingwaystomeasuretrafficvolumes,monitortrafficviolationsandwatchovertrafficsignals,alongwithinstallationofperipheraldevicesattwopilotintersectionsonPh?mV?nBáchStreet.Thefunctionsoftheintelligenttransportationsystemduringthepilotphasewillincludetrafficmonitoring,trafficinformationprovision,trafficcontrol,publictrafficmanagement,incidentmanagement,trafficinfrastructuremanagement,parkingmanagementandelectronicpublictransportticketmanagement.Theparkingmanagementandelectronicpublictransportticketmanagementfunctionswillbeintegratedoncethecitysseparatepilotprojectsarereadyforoperation.Additionally,thesystemisdesignedtoensureopennessandreadinessforexpansion,capableofintegratingall12functionswhenapplicationsarefullydevelopedandconditionsfordataconnectionandsharingaremet.Speakingattheinaugurationceremony,Nguy?nPhiTh??ng,directorofthecitysDepartmentofTransport,statedthattheoperationoftheTOCissignificant.Itservesasthefoundationalcorefortheformationoftheintelligenttransportationsystemandisacrucialpracticalbasisforcompletingtheprojectofintelligenttransportationinthecity.Currently,thisisonlytheinitialpilotphase,sothereismuchworktobedone,hesaid,whichwillincluderevisionsfromanyissueswhichariseduringthepilotoperation.Afterthepilotphase,thedepartmentwillcollaboratewithrelevantunitstocomprehensivelyevaluatetheexistingissuestoproposeoptimaltechnicalandtechnologicalsolutionsfortheintelligenttransportationsystem,particularlytheTOC.Thiswillserveasthebasisforeffectivelyandfeasiblyimplementingtheintelligenttransportationinthecity,hesaid.—VNS

ThedamagedEvaAiraircraftatTanS?nNh?tAirport.PhotoDi?n?ànHàngKh?ng(AirForum)H?CHíMINHCITYAplanetaxiingonarunwayatTanS?nNh?tAirportinHCMCitystruckalightpoleafterthepilottookawrongturning.TheEvaAirflightwasheadingtoTaoyuanAirportinTaiwanChinawhenthecollisiontookplacejustafter4pmonJuly3.Thepolewasdamagedandtheplaneswingdented.Nopassengersonboardsufferedanyinjuriesandthecrashdidntcauseanydisruptiontootherflights.AccordingtoairportstafftheBoeing777,flightnumberBR396(SGN-TPE),wasdepartingfromTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirport(HCMCity)toTaoyuanInternationalAirport(Taiwan-China).Whiletaxiingtotherunway,theaircraftmistakenlyenteredaparkingbay,causingdamagetoalightingpoleanddentingtheleftwingoftheplane.TanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportdealtwiththeincidentandhavepreparedareportfortheaviationregulatoryauthorities.Atthetimeoftheincident,theairportsrunways,signalmarkings,andsignagewereallsafeforoperation.Accordingtothesummeroperationplan(fromJune2024toAugust2024)forTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirport,thereareanaverageof680flightsperday,withweekenddaysexpectedtoreachupto710flights.Theaveragedailypassengercountisanticipatedtobearound110,000.Theairporthasproactivelyheldpre-summermeetingsandestablishedunifiedplanswithunitsinvolvedinairportoperations.Theairportalsocloselycoordinateswithairlinesinupdatingflightschedules,resources,groundserviceequipmentandpassengerservices.Theairporthasalsoproactivelyreviewedinfrastructure,processes,operationplans,andresourceallocation;inspectedandmaintainedtechnicalsystemstoensureequipmentreadiness.Planshavebeenmadetoensureoperationalsafety,trafficmanagementandtoaddresspotentialunusualsituations.VNSTheM?Ph??c-TanV?nsectionoftheRingRoad3thatopenedtotrafficin2015.ThesectionwillbeupgradedatacostofnearlyVN?28.3trilliontoalignwiththeentireringroad,whichissettobecompletedby2026.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—NearlyVN?28.3trillion(US$1.1billion)willberequiredtowidena15.3kmsectionofRingRoad3thatwillconnectHCMCityandBìnhD??ngProvincewhenconstructedinthenextfewyears.TheHCMCityDepartmentofTransport,whichcoordinatesthevariousagenciesresponsibleforthework,hassubmittedtheproposaltothemunicipalPeoplesCommittee.The15.3-kmsection,betweenM?Ph??candTanV?nRoadinBìnhD??ng,openedin2015,buttheremainingportionwillnotbefinisheduntilatleast2026.Theproposalinvolveswideningtheconstructedsectiontothesamesizeastheentireproposedroad.The32-metre,six-lanesectionwillbewidenedby16metresandthreelanes.DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàhasapprovedpublicfundingforit,andorderedtheMinistryofTransporttoworkwiththeprovincetomakespecificplansforit.L??ngMinhPhúc,directorofHCMCitysManagementBoardofTrafficWorksConstructionandInvestment,saidconstructionoftheringroadonlyresumedinJunelastyearafteraprolongeddelayduetositeclearanceandcompensationissues.The90-kmroadwillcostoverVN?75.4trillion(US$3.2billion)andrunthrough??ngNaiandLongAnprovinces.Itwillhavesixlanesandbedesignedforspeedsof80-100kmperhour,whiletwolaneswillbedesignatedforemergencystops.AflyoverwillbebuilttoconnecttheringroadwiththeHCMCity-LongThành-D?uGiayexpresswayconnectingHCMCityand??ngNaiProvince.—VNS