There's no ban on carrying comics—or any other type of books—in checked bags
Các th?n l?a ch?n n?ng s?n ch? l?c s?n xu?t theo h??ng an toàn.
DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàlistensreportsontheprogressoftheNorth-SouthHigh-SpeedRailwayProjectatthe10thsessionofthe13thPartyCentralCommittee(PCC)yesterdayinHàN?i.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–Developinghigh-speed,urbanrailwaysandrailwaysacrossVi?tNamwillservethenationaleconomy,accordingtoDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHà.Thedriveshouldbeacatalystforthemechanical,manufacturingandautomationindustries,amongothers,toservethenationaleconomyandpeopleslivelihoods,saidtheDeputyPM.HàwasaddressingreportsontheprogressoftheNorth-Southhighspeedrailprojectatthe10thsessionofthe13thPartyCentralCommittee(PCC)yesterdayinHàN?i.ThePCCagreedtothepolicyofinvestingintheNorth-Southproject,identifyingitasapoliticaltaskandprioritisingresourcesforearlyimplementation.Currently,theMinistryofTransport,relevantministries,agencies,andunitsareurgentlypreparingapre-feasibilityreportfortherailinvestmentproject,preparingthenecessaryproceduresforsubmissiontotheNationalAssembly.AccordingtoDeputyMinisterofTransportNguy?nDanhHuy,theprojectsobjectiveistobuildahigh-speedrailwaylinetomeettransportationneeds,contributingtotherestructuringoftransportmarketalongtheNorth-Southcorridorinanoptimalandsustainablemanner,creatingafoundationanddrivingforceforsocio-economicdevelopment,andensuringnationaldefenceandsecurity.Thespecifictargetistoapprovetheinvestmentpolicybefore2025,cleartheland,andstartbuildingbefore2030,withtheaimofcompletingtheentirelinebefore2045.TheinvestmentscopebeginsinHàN?iatNg?cH?iStation,ahubforpassengerandfreighttransportinthesouthernpartofthecapitalsrailwayhubandendsinHCMCityatTh?ThiêmStation,ahubforpassengertransportintheeasternpartofHCMCitysrailwayhub.Theprojectpassesthrough20provincesandcities,includingHàN?i,HàNam,Nam??nh,NinhBình,ThanhHóa(chǎn),Ngh?An,HàT?nh,Qu?ngBình,Qu?ngTr?,Th?aThiên-Hu?,?àN?ng,Qu?ngNam,Qu?ngNg?i,Bình??nh,PhúYên,KhánhHòa,NinhThu?n,BìnhThu?n,??ngNaiandHCMCity.Tooptimisetransportationcostsandtakeadvantageofthestrengthsofeachmodeoftransport,internationalexperience,existinginfrastructurecapacity,projectedtransportationdemandandthefunctionalityoftheNorth-Southrailway,thepre-feasibilitystudyproposestheconstructionofanewdouble-trackrailway,witha1,435mmgauge,electrified,designedforaspeedof350kmperhourandaloadcapacityof22.5tonnesperaxle,Huysaid.Thetotallengthisapproximately1,541kmwith23passengerstationsandfivefreightstations.Thehigh-speedrailwaywilltransportpassengersandmeetdual-userequirementsfornationaldefenceandsecurity,whilealsobeingabletotransportgoodsifnecessary.TheexistingNorth-Southrailwaywillbeusedforfreightandshort-distancepassengertravel.Thehigh-speedrailwaywillbeconstructedwith60percentofitslengthonbridges,10percentintunnelsand30percentontheground.Atthemeeting,leadersfromtheministriesofPlanningandInvestment,Finance,andScienceandTechnologydiscussedandclarifiedseveralgroupsofissuesinthepre-feasibilityreport,whichisbeingpreparedforsubmissiontotheNationalAssemblyintheupcomingsession.Theseissuesincludetheprojectsinvestmentscope,theeconomicefficiencyofoptionsforspecialisedpassengerorcombinedpassenger-freightservices,andthecomparisonbetweeninvestingintwosegmentsversustheentireline.Additionally,thereweresuggestionstoapplyspecialmechanismsandpoliciesalreadyinplaceforurbanrailwaysinHàN?iandHCMCitytothelocalitieswherethehigh-speedrailwaypassesthrough.DeputyMinisterofScienceandTechnologyBùiTh?Duyproposeddevelopingalistofspecifictechnologiestobeacquired,transferred,andmasteredintherailwayindustry.Inconclusion,DeputyPMHàrequestedtheMinistryofTransporttocontinuefollowingthePCCandthePolitburosdirectivesaswellasopinionsfromministries,sectors,experts,andthepublicintothepre-feasibilityreport.ThereportshouldthenbeupdatedandcompletedforsubmissiontotheNationalAssembly,focusingonissueswithscientificandpracticalfoundations,Hàsaid.Specifically,asidefromtheinvestmentscopefromtheprojectsstartingpointtoitsendpoint,theMinistryofTransportshouldconsiderextendingthehigh-speedrailwaylinefromMóngCáiCityinQu?ngNinhProvincetothesouthernmostCàMauProvince.TheMinistryofTransportshouldanalysetheadvantagesandbenefitsofinvestingintheentireline,whichwouldsynchronisewithothertransportnetworks,comparedtoinvestinginjustafewsegmentsfirst,thedeputyPMtoldthemeeting.Theeffectivenessofahigh-speedrailwayspecialisedforpassengertransport,orcombinedwithfreighttransportwhennecessary,shouldbeconsideredintermsoftheoveralleconomy,ratherthanbeinglimitedtotherailwaysector,hesaid.Furthermore,thepre-feasibilityreportshouldreflecttheviewthattherailwayshouldbedesignedtoachieveastraightalignmentasmuchaspossible,headded.Regardingthemethodofinvestmentimplementation,thedeputyPMaskedtheMinistryofTransporttoclarifytheadvantagesanddisadvantagesoftreatingtheentirerailwayasasingleprojectormultiplesub-projects.Healsoproposedspecialmechanismsandpoliciesforphasedinvestment,centralandlocalbudgetallocationinonegooreveryfiveyears,theuseofbonds,ODA,andotherlegitimatesources,andtheutilisationofpublicdebtlimits.Additionally,theMinistryofTransportshouldproposesolutionstoenhancedecentralisationandassignresponsibilityforlocalauthoritiesinpreparinglandandbuildingtechnicalinfrastructureandstations.Meanwhile,theGovernmentwouldoverseethemanagementofstandards,design,infrastructure,vehicles,andinformationandoperationssystemsaswellasmobiliseresourcesfromprivateenterprisestoreducetheStatescosts.SpecialmechanismsandpoliciesthathavebeenappliedtourbanrailwaysinHàN?iandHCMCityshouldbeconsideredforthelocalitieswherethehigh-speedrailwaypassesthrough,saidHà.HàalsotaskedtheMinistryofIndustryandTradewithco-ordinatingwiththeMinistryofTransport,theVi?tNamRailwayAuthority,Vi?tNamRailwaysandsomeenterprisestodevelopandimplementaroadmapfortechnologyacquisition,transferandmasteryintherailwayindustry.Theseincludetheproductionofequipment,operationandmanagementtoensuresynchronisationanduniformityintechnology,standardsandregulations.TheMinistryofEducationandTraining,incoordinationwiththeMinistryofTransport,shouldimplementtrainingprogrammestopreparehumanresourcescapableofmasteringtechnology,technicaldesign,equipmentmanufacturing,operationandmanagementintherailwaysector.VNSH?LongwasdevastatedbyTyphoonYagi.VNA/VNSPhotoMinhHi?uH?LONG—OnalateSeptemberday,itseemedlikeH?LongCity(Qu?ngNinhProvince)hasreturnedtoitsnormalrhythmafterthedevastationcausedbyTyphoonYagi.Nobodywouldhaverecognisedthenortherncoastalcity,hometotheworld-renownedH?LongBay,thatjusttwoweeksearlierwasinruinsandseverelydamagedbythedestructivepowerofnature.Amongthehardest-hitareasbyYagi,H?Longhadhundredsofhousesdestroyed,thousandsoftreesuprooted,roadscutoffandinfrastructureheavilydamaged.Thetyphoonplungedthecityintodayswithoutelectricityandwater,andwithnearlyparalysedtelecommunications.Immediatelyafterthestormsubsidedandthewaterreceded,thelocalgovernmentandresidentsofH?Longlaunchedemergencyreliefeffortsandbeganworkingtorecoverfromthedisasterasquicklyaspossible.ChairmanofH?LongCityPeoplesCommitteeNguy?nTi?nD?ngremarkedthatwitha:Lightning-fast,round-the-clockandstorm-beatingspirit,thecitylaunchedaseven-daycampaigntorecoverfromtheimpactsofYagirightafteritmadelandfallhereonSeptember9.Officials,citizensandlocalforcesworkedtirelessly,dayandnight,tocleanupandrepairthedamagecausedbythestorm.Effortsfocusedonclearingfallentrees,repairingdamagedbuildingsandcleaninguptheenvironmenttorestorenormallifeandreopenthecitystourism,servicesandbusinesses.InB?iCháyWard,Nguy?nThanhTùng,ChairmanofthePeoplesCommittee,saidthatuponreceivingdirectivesfromthecity,thewardsetupfourtaskforces,withleadersdirectlyoverseeingrecoveryeffortson-site.Theyfocusedonensuringenvironmentalhygiene,trafficsafetyandpreventingfloodingandlandslides.Thewardalsocreated25volunteergroupstohelpminimisedamagetopublicandprivateproperty.Afterthestorm,allofthewardsofficials,alongwiththelocalmilitia,veterans,andwomensassociations,weremobilisedtoassistwithstreetclean-upsandenvironmentalhygiene.Duringtheseven-daycampaign,officialsworkedtirelesslyfrom6amtomidnighteverydaytorestorethestreetstotheircleanandbeautifulcondition,Tùngsaid.Throughoutthecampaign,familiarscenesofresidentsworkingtogetherwithlocalauthoritiestocleanuptheaftermathofthestormcouldbeseenacrossthecity.Fallentrees,debrisandrubbishwerecleared,whiledamagedhomesandbelongingswerecleanedup,reflectingastrongsenseofcommunitysolidarity.BùiTh?Qu?nh,aresidentinB?iCháyWard,saidthatthestormhadknockeddownmanytrees,leavingstreetscoveredinmudandwaste.Weweresaddenedtoseethewidespreaddamagetothetrees.Asaresult,thevillagersbandedtogethertocleanup,replacetreesandcleardrainstodealwiththestormsaftermath,Qu?nhsaid.Despiteprogress,therewerestillchallengesinsomeareas,particularlywherepowerhadnotyetbeenrestored,limitingtheavailabilityofmachinerytocleardebrisinmoredifficultterrains.ChairmanoftheH?LongCityBusinessAssociation,Nguy?nThanhC?nh,saidthatfollowingthecitysdirectives,largeandsmallbusinessesintheareahadprovidedover200trucksand100excavatorstoclearfallentreesanddebrisfrombeaches,freeofcharge,for33wardsandcommunesofH?Long.Eventhoughbusinessessufferedsignificantlossesduetothestorm,theystillcametogethertosupportthecommunitywiththousandsoffreemeals,dozensofwaterfiltrationmachines,roofrepairassistanceanddirectcashdonations,totallingmorethanVN?400million(US$16,000),C?nhadded.Inadditiontorescueandclean-upefforts,utilitieslikeelectricity,waterandtelecommunicationswererestoredasquicklyaspossible,withworkersoperatingaroundtheclocktoensureessentialservicesforresidentswerereinstated.H?LongquicklywelcomesvisitorsagainafterrecoveringfromTyphoonYagi.—VNA/VNSPhotoRevivingaworldheritageregionFromacityinruins,H?Longhaslargelybeenrestoredtoitspreviouscleanlinessandbeauty.AccordingtotheH?LongPeoplesCommittee,withinsevendays,nearly65,000peoplehadbeenmobilisedtohelpwiththerecoveryefforts,withover1,000vehiclesand922chainsawsdeployedforcuttingtrees.Closeto600volunteergroupsinthevillagesandneighbourhoods,involvingthousandsofparticipants,contributedtotheclean-upandrecoveryfromthestorm.Now,100percentofthecitysstreetsandneighbourhoodshavebeencleared,over50,000cu.mofwastehavebeencollected,morethan80percentoffallentreeshavebeenreplanted,andover70percentofelectricityhasbeenrestored.Additionally,100percentofroadsarenowpassableandallschoolsandhospitalshaveresumedsafeoperations.Tourism,servicesandbusinessactivitiesaregraduallyreturningtonormal.Whilethecityhasnotyetfullyreturnedtoitspre-stormcondition,therapidrecoveryhasleftresidentsandvisitorswithpositiveimpressionsofthecitysresilientspirit.JeDong-Sun,atouristfromSouthKorea,wasquotedassaying:Weheardaboutthestormsdestruction,butbythetimewearrived,therecoverywasalreadywellunderway.Thehotelwasstillabletoofferagoodstay.Ilookforwardtoreturningtoseethecityevenmorebeautifulandgreen.Althoughsignificantprogresshasbeenmade,muchworkremainstobedone.Thelocalgovernment,businessesandresidentsareallcommittedtorestoringthecitytoitsformergreen,cleanandbeautifulstate.SecretaryoftheH?LongCityPartyCommittee,V?Quy?tTi?nsaidthataftertheseven-daycampaign,thecitywouldcontinuetomobiliseallavailableresourcestocleanupresidentialareas,launchacampaigntocleanH?LongBayandbeautifytheurbanenvironment.Thecityalsoplanstoplanttrees,flowersandsustainableurbanspacesaspartofitsvisiontobuildaCityofFlowersandaCityofFestivals.WiththemottoNoonewillbeleftwithoutahome,andnoonewillbeleftbehind,H?Longisquicklyimplementingsupportpoliciestohelpresidentsrecoverfromthestorm.Todate,thecityhasprovidedVN?14billion($569,000)inemergencyaidto33wardsandcommunesforstormrecoveryefforts.Additionally,thecityisofferingsupporttofamilieswholostlovedonesorsufferedsignificantdamage,particularlythosewhohadtoevacuate.H?Longisalsoimprovingurbanmanagement,resourceprotectionandenvironmentalconservation,addressingissuesthatsurfacedintheaftermathofthestorm.Thecitywillexplorenewregulationsforurbanplanningandconstructionstandards,especiallyforcoastalareasandproposeguidelinesforchoosingsuitableplantspeciesforcoastalenvironmentsandstandardsforoffshoreindustries.Withdetermination,resilienceandtheunityofthelocalgovernment,businesses,andpeople,H?LongCityispoisedtorebuilditselfintoanevenmorebeautiful,modernandprosperouscity.—VNS
PanelistsattheforumoninnovationinthehealthcaresectorofVi?tNam.—PhotoVIRHàN?I—Localandinternationalhealthexperts,policymakersandpharmaceuticalfirmsdiscussedinnovationinthehealthcaresectorofVi?tNamataforuminHàN?i.Theevent,entitledEmpoweringInnovationforVi?tNamsSustainableHealthcare,wasorganisedbytheVietnamInvestmentReviewonSeptember25.Itwasaforumtodiscusssolutionsandmotivationsforinnovationinthemedicalandpharmaceuticalindustry,helpingtosustainablydevelopthehealthcareindustryandincreaseaccesstohigh-qualityhealthcareforpeople.Openingtheevent,VIReditor-in-chiefLêTr?ngMinhhighlightedtheimportantroleofhealthcareinnovationinchangingthedetectionandtreatmentofdiseasesandtransformingtheglobalhealthcareindustry.Toensureinnovationandsustainabilityinthehealthcareindustry,Vi?tNamshouldpromoteresearchanddevelopmentandtechnologytransferindiseaseprevention,detection,diagnosisandtreatment.Thisiscoupledwiththeproductionofmedicines,vaccines,biologicalsandhigh-qualitymedicalequipment.Thecountryshouldalsoperfectpoliciesonhealthinlinewithrealitywhilepromptlyadjustingrelevantlegalregulationstoaddressemergingissues,Minhsaid.Tofacilitatethegoal,itisvitaltoupdatemajorglobaltrends,learnthebestpracticesfromdevelopedcountriesandgaininsightsfromrelevantstakeholders.ThisisparticularlyimportantasVi?tNamiscompletingitslegalframeworkforthehealthcareindustrytoenteranewphaseofdevelopment,Minhadded.DeputyMinisterofHealth??XuanTuyênspeaksattheforum.—PhotoVIRSpeakingattheevent,DeputyMinisterofHealth??XuanTuyênsaidthat2024isapivotalyearwiththereviewandamendmentofimportantlawsthathaveshapedtheoperationsofthemedicalandpharmaceuticalindustry,contributingtopromotingasustainablehealthsystemandcreatingafavourableecosystemtopromoteinnovation.TheMinistryofHealthisreviewingandamendingthePharmacyLawtosubmittotheNationalAssemblyforconsiderationnextOctober.Thelawsorientationistoattractinvestmenttodeveloptechnologyresearchactivities,productionortechnologytransfertoproducepharmaceuticalsubstancesandnewdrugs,originalbrand-namedrugs,raredrugs,firstgenericdrugs,high-techdrugs,vaccinesandbiologicalproducts,drugsmadefrombloodandplasmaofforeignpharmaceuticalcorporationsinVi?tNamtoproactivelyandsustainablydevelopdomesticproductionwhilepromotingexportactivitiestoadvancedmarkets,saidTuyên.Vi?tNamisimporting80percentofmedicinalingredientsbuthasgreatpotentialinrawmaterialareas.AccordingtotherevisedPharmacyLaw,weproposeprioritiesfordrugproductioninVi?tNam,includingpriorityforinvestment,landandlicensingofdrugcirculation,especiallyinnovativedrugsandcancerdrugs,addedTuyên.AstraZenecaVietnamgeneraldirectorAtulTandonspeaksattheevent.—PhotoVIRAstraZenecaVietnamgeneraldirectorAtulTandonpraisedtheeffortsofVi?tNamtodriveinnovationanddevelopmentinthehealthindustry.TandonsaidthatAstraZenecahasbuiltmanylaboratoriestoimproveitsdiagnosticcapacity,withinitiativesthatcanbereplicatedfromVi?tNamtoothercountriesinAsia.Withitspatient-centricapproach,thecompanytracksthepatientjourneyandaccompaniespatientsfromscreeningtodiagnosisandtreatment,therebycontributingtosustainablehealthcaredevelopment.Wefirmlybelievethatcollaborationiskeytodrivingmeaningfulhealthcareinnovation.Tofosterstrongerpartnershipswithlocalstakeholders.Throughthesestrategies,weaimtocreateacollaborativeecosystemwherediversestakeholderscanworktogethertoaddresshealthcarechallengesandimprovepatientoutcomes,saidTandon.PharmaGroupchairmanDarrellOhsaidthatVi?tNamhasalotofpotentialtoattractFDIduetoitsgrowingdomesticmarket,politicalandeconomicstabilityand16activefreetradeagreements.Althoughtherehavebeensomedevelopmentsandgrowthinthepharmasectorinrecentyears,Vi?tNamhasyettofullycapitaliseonitsstrengthsandcompetitiveadvantage.Giventheintensecompetitionfromneighbouringcountriesthatareofferingincentivestoattractinvestorsandcontinuouslystreamlinetheirregulations,Vi?tNammustaccelerateitseffortsinthisracetoattractFDIandinnovationtothecountry.Toattractinvestment,OhsuggestedVi?tNamcreateanenvironmentthatismoreconducivetobusinessandinvestment.Thisisdoneviapoliciesthatarepredictableandsustainableforcompaniestobringininnovationearlyandreliablyinvestforthelongterm.Whatsalsoimportantisastrongcommitmenttothestreamlinedregulatoryprocess,adheringtoregulatorytimelinesandintellectualpropertyprotection.Vi?tNamshouldprovideincentivesthatprioritiseinnovation,suchasRDhubsandinvestmentintoearlyphasesofproductdevelopmentsuchasclinicaltrialsandadvancedmanufacturingcapabilities,addedthePharmaGroupChairman.—VNS??AnhD?ng,ChairmanofTanHoàngMinhGroup,intrialonSeptember25,2024.—VNA/VNSPhotoPh?mKiênHàN?I—??AnhD?ng,ChairmanofTanHoàngMinhGroup,sawhissentencereducedfromeighttosevenyearsinprisonbytheHigh-levelPeoplesCourtinHàN?iduringanappealhearingonSeptember25.ThehearingreviewedD?ngsappealforalightersentence.Thecourtacknowledgedtheappeal,consequentlyreducinghisimprisonmentbyoneyearfromtheoriginalsentencehandeddownbythefirst-instancecourt.Accordingtothejury,Dungfacespunishmentforfraudulentappropriationofproperty.Duringtheproceedings,thedefendantactivelyinfluencedhisfamilytoremedytheconsequences,returningmorethanVN?8.6trillion(nearlyUS$349.7million)–theentireamountembezzledinthecase.ManyofhisvictimshadalsofiledpetitionsseekingleniencyforhimbeforetheappealtrialwhileTanHoàngMinhusedtoengageinnumerouscharitableactivities.Thesearenewdetailsforthecourttoconsider.Accordingtothefirst-instancejudgement,betweenJuly2021andMarch2022,D?ng,throughhisson,authorisedsubordinatestousethreesubsidiarycompaniestoissuenineseparatebondpackagesworthVN?10.3trillion(nearly$419million)inordertostealoverVN?8.6trillionfrom6,630investors.Thefirst-instancecourtsaidthatD?ngwasthemastermindwhoinitiatedtheschemefromthebeginningandgavedirectionsonhowtospendthemoneyappropriatedfromthevictims.Otherdefendantsgotjailtermsrangingfrom18to24months,withfiveofthemreceivingan18-monthsuspendedsentence.—VNSOverviewoftheconferenceanalysingeconomicindicators,jointlyorganisedbytheB?cGiangProvincialPeoplesCommitteeandtheVi?tNamChamberofCommerceandIndustry(VCCI).PhotocourtesyofB?cGiangPeoplesCommittee.B?CGIANGB?cGiangProvincewillcontinuetofocusonimprovingthebusinessandinvestmentenvironmentandenhancingitsProvincialCompetitivenessIndex(PCI)throughnextyear,accordingtoLêánhD??ng,ChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofB?cGiangProvince.Thenorthernprovinceisstrivingtomaintainitspositionamongthetop12provincesandcitiesnationwideintermsofGrossRegionalDomesticProduct(GRDP)by2025,whilealsoaimingtokeepitsPCIrankingwithinthetop15provincesandcitiesacrossthecountry.TheprovinceaimstoachieveatotalinvestmentcapitalofVN?230.5trillion(US$9.3million)forthe2021-2025period,includingbothdomesticandforeigndirectinvestment,orFDI.B?cGiangalsoseekstoestablish6,900newcompanies,bringingthetotalnumberofenterprisesintheprovinceto17,700.Provincialauthoritiesarecommittedtoaddressinglegalobstaclesforbusinessestoinvestinprojects,improvingthequalityofreformsinsectorsrequiringconditionalbusinessinvestmentsandenhancingbusinessconditions.Otherareasoffocusincludeincreasingmanagementefficiency,promotingreformsinspecialisedinspectionsofgoodsandeffectivelyimplementingtheNationalSingleWindowPortal.B?cGiangwillalsoworkononusingtechnologytosharedataamongstateagenciesandimprovetheefficiencyofadministrativeprocedures.Theprovinceisworkingtowardsbuildingafriendlygovernmentbysurveyingbusinesssatisfactionandimprovingfirmsaccesstocapital.B?cGiangalsoaimstorefinepoliciestoencouragebusinessestoinvest,withafocusoninnovation,digitaltransformationandsustainabledevelopment.Furthermore,theprovincewillimprovebusinessdevelopmentservicesandincreaseinvestorsaccesstocleanland.Untilnextyear,B?cGiangwillfocusallresourcesondevelopinginfrastructureforindustrialzonestoattractinvestment.Theprovinceisworkingtowardsanindustrialecosystemmodel,connectingindustrialzoneswithurbanservicesthatfeaturemodern,synchronisedtechnicalandsocialinfrastructure.Itisalsoresearchingandpreparingtoinvestresourcesinsemiconductorinfrastructure,digitalinfrastructure,researchanddevelopmentcentresandhigh-techzonestocreatebreakthroughsineconomicandsocialdevelopment.Since2021,theprovincehasworkedtocreateafavourable,transparentandfriendlybusinessenvironmenttoattractinvestmentanddevelopenterprises.Notably,theprovincesPCIrankinghasimprovedsignificantly,boostingB?cGiangsreputationandposition.TheprovincesGRDPhassteadilyexpanded,reachingVN?181.97trillion($7.4million)in2023,ranking12thnationwide.TheaverageGRDPgrowthratefrom2021to2023inB?cGiangwas14percentperyear.Fortwoconsecutiveyears,B?cGiangsPCIhasrankedamongthetopfiveprovincesandcitiesnationwide.In2022,theprovincerankedsecondoutof63provincesandcities,andin2023,itrankedfourthoutof63.From2021to2023,theprovincesawtheestablishmentof5,416newcompanies,bringingthetotalnumberofenterprisesinB?cGiangto15,955.Thetotalinvestmentcapitalrealisedbybusinessesintheprovincefrom2021to2023reachedVN?89.077trillion($3.6million),includingbothdomesticinvestimentandFDI.ItsFDIinflowhasnotonlyincreasedsignificantlyintermsofprojectnumbersandinvestmentcapital,buthasalsoseenawaveofinvestmentfrommajorAsiancountrieslikeSingapore,JapanandSouthKoreainindustrieslikesoftwareandsemiconductors,markingsubstantialimprovementsinthequalityofFDIattraction.From2021toJune2024,B?cGiangattractedVN?789million($32,141)intotalconvertedinvestmentcapital.TheFDIprojectsprimarilyfocusonmanufacturingandprocessingelectroniccomponents,textiles,andlogistics.Asofnow,30countriesandterritorieshaveinvestedinprojectsinB?cGiangprovince.VNS
PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhatthelaunchingceremonyoftheCentrefortheFourthIndustrialRevolution(C4IR)inHCMCityonSeptember25.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhinauguratedtheCentrefortheFourthIndustrialRevolution(C4IR)ofHCMCityattheSàiGònHi-TechParkinTh???cCityonSeptember25aspartoftheHCMCityEconomicForum2024.TheHCMCityC4IR,partofanagreementbetweenVi?tNamandtheWEF,isoneofthe19C4IRsoftheWorldEconomicForum(WEF)andthesecondoneinSoutheastAsia.Itoperatesintheformofapublic-privatepartnership,withfoundersincludinglarge-scaleenterprisesinVi?tNamandHCMCity.Alongwithmakingproposalsonsolutionsandpolicyrecommendationsinprioritisedareasinlinewithnationalandinternationaltrends,thecentreisexpectedtosupportthemobilisationofresources,assistingtheGovernmentandbusinessesinapplyingnewtechnologies.Atalaterworkingsessionwithleadersofministries,sectors,HCMCityandtheC4IRfoundingmemberenterprisesontheoperationalorientationsofthecentre,PMChínhaffirmedthatthecentreistheoutcomeofthePartyandStatespolicyontheFourthIndustrialRevolution,meetingthecountrysdevelopmentrequirementsinthenewperiod.ItreflectsVi?tNamsdeepandextensiveintegrationandjoiningwiththeworldinpromotingthedevelopmentofscience,technologyandinnovation,whileshowingthepioneeringroleofHMCCityinthisfield.Atthesametime,itdemonstratesthemettle,brainpower,prideandaspirationofVi?tNamintheFourthIndustrialRevolution,andaffirmstheclosetiesbetweentheWEF,theGovernmentleaderstated.TheGovernmentleaderclarifiedtheresponsibilityoftheGovernment,ministriesandsectorsinprovidingpolicyguidelineandbuildinginstitutionsforthecentresdevelopment,andaskedHCMCitytoensureinfrastructureandmechanismsservingthesmoothoperationsofthecentre.HesuggestedthatC4IRfounderscontinuetoinvestinthecentretocreatebetterfinancialconditionsforoperations,developingitsinfrastructureandattractingmoretalents.PMChínhrequestedthecentretopromotethespiritofself-reliance,self-improvementandcreativitybasedonitsfunctions,tasks,andfollowingthemottoofpioneering,cooperation,connection,digitalisation,greening,substantiality,effectiveness,spill-overeffects,forthecountry,andforthepeople.Representativesofministries,sectorsandenterprisesheldthatinorderforthecentretooperateeffectively,itisnecessarytogiveitsuperiorpoliciesandmechanisms,alongwithinvestmentinhumanresourcetrainingandfacilities,especiallymoderndigitalinfrastructure.ViettelDeputyGeneralDirector?àoXuanV?proposedtheestablishmentofanationalsteeringcommitteeonFourthIndustrialRevolutiontoworkwithrelevantsteeringcommitteestobuildnecessarypoliciesandstrategies,whileinvestingindigitalinfrastructure.PresidentofSovicoGroupNguy?nTh?Ph??ngTh?opledgedtoaccompanythecentre,theSàiGònHi-TechParkandHCMCityinmakingfulluseofachievementsoftheFourthIndustrialRevolution,andsupportstartupstorise.KivaAllgood,headoftheCentreforAdvancedManufacturingandSupplyChainandmemberoftheExecutiveCommitteeattheWorldEconomicForum,committedtoaccompanyingandsupportingthecentreinitsdevelopment.WEFwillgiveguidelinesandprovideprofessionalsupporttothecentre,connectingitwithothercentresinthesystemintheregionandaroundtheworld,shesaid,stressingthatVi?tNamneedstoimplementuniquesolutionsandmakeboldcommitmenttogreenerandmoredigitaldevelopmentbecausethosearethetwobestingredientstomaketheworldabetterplace.—VNSMinisterofHealth?àoH?ngLanspeaksataconferenceofhospitaldirectorsinthenorthernprovincesinHàN?ionSeptember24.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iHàN?I—MinisterofHealth?àoH?ngLanaskedhospitalstorenewmanagementactivities,minimiseadministrativeproceduresandpromotetheapplicationoftechnologytocreatefavourableconditionsforpatientsaccesstoexaminationandtreatmentservices.Theministerwasspeakingataconferenceofhospitaldirectorsinthenorthernprovinces,whichwasorganisedbytheB?chMaiGeneralHospitalinHàN?ionSeptember24.?àoH?ngLansaidthatthehealthsectorcontinuestohavetodealwithdifficultiesandchallengesinthepost-COVID-19period,whilethereisadoubleburdenofdiseasewiththeriskofoutbreaksofdangerousepidemics,emergingandincreasingratesofnon-communicablediseasesalongwithhavingtodealwiththepopulationageing,naturaldisastersandtheincreasinglyhighanddiversehealthcareneedsofthepeople.Thechallengesposedinthenewsituationwhenthe4.0TechnologyRevolution,thedigitaleraistakingplaceverystronglyinallindustriesandfields,requiresthehealthsectortohaveadaptivesolutionstocompletethetaskofimprovingandtakingcareofpeopleshealth,shesaid.MinisterLansaidthatinmanyhospitals,thenumberofpeoplecomingformedicalexaminationandtreatmenthasincreasedsignificantly,requiringhospitaldirectorstomanagehumanresources,suppliesandmedicinestoensuresufficientmedicaldeliverytosatisfypatients.Lanrequestedhospitalleaderstocontinuetoresolvechallenges,obstaclesandinadequaciesrelatedtoimplementingtheautonomymechanism,procurement,healthinsurancepayment,establishingpricesformedicalexaminationandtreatmentservicesandovercrowdingincentralhospitals.Lanalsosuggestedhospitalspromotetheimplementationofprofessionalsupportandtechnicaltransfertolowerlevelstograduallyimprovethecapacityandqualityofmedicalexaminationandtreatmentworkoflower-levelunits,reducingtheoverloadonhigherlevels.TheministersaidthattheMinistryofHealthwillcontinuetostrengthenthelegalframeworkforhospitalmanagement,suchasdevelopingguidelinesonpricesformedicalexaminationandtreatmentservices,implementingtheLawonMedicalExaminationandTreatmentandupdatingsomecontentonHospitalRegulationsandreviewlegaldocumentsrelatedtotheLawonMedicalExaminationandTreatment,DecreeNo.96/2023/ND-CP.DirectorofB?chMaiHospitalandchairmanoftheNorthernHospitalDirectorsClub?àoXuanC?speaksattheevent.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iDirectorofB?chMaiHospitalandchairmanoftheNorthernHospitalDirectorsClub?àoXuanC?saidthathospitalsrecentlyhavegraduallyimprovedservicequality,upgradedinfrastructure,andappliedinformationtechnologyinhandlingadministrativeprocedurestoimprovethequalityofdiagnosis,treatmentandpatientcare.Theconferenceisaforumforhospitalmanagerstohavetheopportunitytodiscuss,learnandshareexperiencesinhospitalmanagementworks,includingpublicassetmanagement,biddingworkatmedicalfacilities,updatingofhealthinsurancepoliciesandresolvingdifficulties,methodsofestablishingmedicalexaminationandtreatmentprices,electronicmedicalrecordsanddigitaltransformationinhospitals,saidC?.TheconferenceisalsoanopportunityfortheMinistryofHealth,affiliatedunits,ministriesandbranchestolistentotheopinionsofhospitalsinbuildingandimplementingpoliciesonmanagement,healthinsuranceanddevelopingmedicalexaminationandtreatmentprices,implementingbiddingandelectronicmedicalrecordseffectivelyandfollowingthelaw,accordingtoC?.Effortsincooperation,improvedexpertiseandcontinuityinmedicalexaminationandtreatmentactivitiesbetweencentralandlocalhospitalshavehelpedimprovethequalityofmedicalexaminationandtreatment,reducewaitingtimeandreduceinconvenienceforpatients.WiththethemeofHospitalManagementintheNewEra,theforumaimstostrengthencooperationandtechnicalandprofessionalsupportbetweenhospitalsintheregionandacrossthewholecountry.Withthepatient-centredprinciple,themeetingaimstobringsatisfaction,safetyandthebestqualityofmedicalservicestopatients,meetingthepeoplesmedicalexaminationandtreatmentneeds.—VNS
A05officersarrestasuspectwhoimpersonatedabankemployeetodefraudpeopleonline.—Photoconganbacgiang.gov.vnHàN?I—TheNationalCyberSecurityCentre(NCSC)hasidentifiedanewcyberattackcampaigntargetinggovernmentandmilitaryorganisationsacrosstheAsia-Pacificregion,includingVi?tNam.Thecampaign,whichbeganinJuly2024,issuspectedtobelinkedtotheAPT41hackinggroup.TheattackersareexploitingatechniqueknownasAppDomainManagerInjectiontospreadmalware.Thistechniqueallowsthemtogaincontrolofusersystemsandstealsensitiveinformation.ThecampaignalsoinvolvesDNSpoisoningattacks,whereattackersredirectinternettrafficfromlegitimateserverstofakeonescontrolledbytheattackers.Thistacticprimarilytargetsinternetserviceproviders(ISPs)anddisruptstheirDNSservices.TheNCSCwarnsthatmacOSandWindowssystemsarevulnerabletotheseattacks.Tomitigatetheserisks,NCSCadvisesgovernmentagenciesandorganisationstoregularlycheckandreviewtheirsystemsforvulnerabilities,activelymonitorinformationregardingthecampaignandstayupdatedonpotentialthreats,enhancenetworksurveillanceandbepreparedtorespondtocyberattacks.OrganisationsareencouragedtocontactNCSCat02432091616orncsc@ais.gov.vnifsuspiciousactivityisdetected.InaseminaroncybersecurityonTuesday,Nguy?nTr?ngAn,anofficerfromtheDepartmentofCyber??SecurityandHi-techCrimePrevention(A05)undertheMinistryofPublicSecurity,reportedthatA05hadhandledover210,000cyberthreatsand20highlycriticalcyberattacksinthefirsthalfof2024.Hesaidransomwareattacksonmajorcorporationsinfinance,energy,andtelecommunicationshadbecomeincreasinglyprevalent,causingoperationaldisruptionsandsubstantialeconomicdamage.Installagoodantivirusprogramme,useafirewalltoblockthreatsandmakesureyoursoftwareisalwayspatched,advisedAn.Thecybersecurityofficeralsosuggestedusersavoidclickingonads,openingsuspiciouslinks,orusingpublicWifi,tostaysafeonline.—VNS
SoldiersharvestriceinM?L??ngCommune,Ch??ngM?District,HàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotosAnThành??tHàN?I—TheMilitaryCommandofCh??ngM?DistrictinHàN?ihasmobilisedover300officersandsoldiers,alongwithlocalmilitiaforces,toassistfarmersofM?L??ngCommuneinharvestingrice.SoldiersassistfarmersofM?L??ngCommuneinharvestingricethreatenedbyflooding.ThemovecameafterTyphoonYagistruckHàN?i,leavingmanyareasinthedistrict,includingricefieldsnearingharvest,submergedinwater.Toharvestfloodedrice,soldiersandfarmershavetogathertherice,cutandthenputitonatarpaulintopullitashore.Whiletherewerenohumancasualties,thecommunesufferedsignificantdamagetoitsricecrops.SoldierNguy?nHoàngTu?nhelpsfarmersharvestriceinM?L??ngCommune,Ch??ngM?District,HàN?i.Approximately133ha,accountingfor65.6percentofthetotalricegrowingarea,werecompletelylost.Withacommitmenttosupportthoseinneedduringchallengingtimes,over300personnelfromthe102ndRegimentunderthe308thInfantryDivisionandthe64thRegimentunderthe361stDivision,workeddiligentlyinadverseweatherconditions.SoldiersharvestriceinM?L??ngCommune,Ch??ngM?District,HàN?i.SoldierstakericetoathreshingmachineinM?L??ngCommune,Ch??ngM?District,HàN?i.Theyhelpedlocalfarmersharvestmanyhectaresofrice,transportittotheirhomesandprovidedassistancewithdryingandprocessingonMondayandTuesday.—VNSRedchillisaltmadebyPhúGiaB?oFoodIndustriesProcessingEstablishmentinTayNinhProvincesGòD?uDistricthasbeenrecognisedasathree-starproductunderthenationalOneCommune–OneProduct(OCOP)programme.–VNA/VNSPhotoGiangPh??ngT?YNINH–TayNinhProvincehastakenanumberofmeasurestosustainablydevelopproductsrecognisedunderthenationalOneCommune-OneProduct(OCOP)programme.Sinceitstartedimplementingtheprogrammein2018,thesoutheasternprovincehasadded92OCOPproductsratedthreestarsorabove.Situatedinthesoutheasternkeyeconomiczoneandwithmildweather,TayNinhhasmanyproductssuchasshrimpsalt,custardappleandcassavathatcanbedevelopedintoOCOPproducts.??ngKhánhDuy,generaldirectorofTanNhiênCompanyLimitedinHoàThànhTownsTr??ng??ngCommune,saidTayNinhisoneofthecountryslargestcassavaproducersandalsohasmanycassavastarchproducingplants.Hehadresearchedandproducedsuper-thinricepaperfromcassavastarchsothatconsumersdidnotneedtodipitinwatertosoftenittomakefreshspringrolls,hesaid.Hiscompanyssuper-thinricepaperwastheprovincesfirstfive-starOCOPproduct,theprogrammeshighestrating,andisexportedtomanyoverseasmarkets,includingSouthKorea,theUS,AustraliaandJapan,hesaid.RecognitionasOCOPproductshashelpedmanyproducersincreasesales.TheyincludeV??ngNg?cVegancustardapplewine,V?nhXuancustardapplejuice,HoàngXuanhoneydewmelon,andV?nLinhH??ngincense,allwithfourstars,whichhaveexpandedtheirsalesnationwide.ManyOCOPproducershaveinvestedinmodernfacilitiestoimprovequalityandtheirproductscompetitiveness.?oànTh?KimQuyên,ownerofPhúGiaB?oFoodIndustriesProcessingEstablishmentinGòD?uDistrict,saidherbusinesshasthreethree-starproducts-tarofermentedbeancurd,blackpeppersaltandredchillisalt.Sheinvestsinmodernproductionfacilitiestoimprovequalityandmeetmarketrequirements,shesaid.Nguy?nThanhH?i,deputychairmanoftheGòD?uDistrictPeoplesCommittee,said:[We]willaskrelevantagenciestohelpproducersimprovequality,packagingandlabellingoftheirOCOPproducts.HisadministrationwouldhelpproducersbuildashowroomfortheirOCOPproductsandalsointroduceandselltheirproductsatotherOCOPproductshowrooms,headded.TheOCOPprogrammeandbuildingnew-styleruralareashavecreatedjobsforruralpeople,boostedsalesoflocalproductsandintroducedthecultureandidentityofruralareastoconsumersacrossthecountry.Nguy?n?ìnhXuan,directoroftheprovinceDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,said:Theprovince…aimstodevelopcertainproductsincertainareas.Forinstance,Tr?ngBàngTownwouldproducericepaperandredchillisaltandBà?enMountainareainTayNinhCitywouldgrowcustardapple,hesaid.Theprovinceplanstodevelop22high-techagriculturalzones,including11thatcultivateonlycertainproductssuchasrice,custardapple,durian,andjackfruit,anddevelopthemintoOCOPproducts.Itwilldevelopa200hahigh-techricegrowingzoneinTr?ngBàngTownsPh??cBìnhandPh??cChicommunesanda200hazoneinChauThànhDistrictsThanh?i?nCommune.Itwilldevelophigh-techspecialityfruitgrowingzonesinTanChau,GòD?u,TanBiên,andD??ngMinhChaudistricts.DevelopmentsTayNinhProvincesspecialityproductssuchasredchillisalt,shrimpsalt,tarofermentedbeancurd,andricepapersoldatalocalmarket.TheprovincehasmanyspecialityproductsrecognisedunderthenationalOneCommune–OneProduct(OCOP)programme.–VNA/VNSPhotoGiangPh??ngTayNinhaimstohave100-120OCOPproductsby2025,andmaintainorimprovetheratingsofatleasthalfofexistingones.Itwillprioritisedevelopmentoftheseproductsandtheirbrandnamestogetherwithruraltourism.Itaimstoensureatleast50OCOPproducerssellthroughmoderndistributionchannelssuchassupermarkets,conveniencestoresande-commerceplatforms.Xuan,directoroftheprovinceDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,said:TheprovincehasampleroomfordevelopingofOCOPitems.Toensurefarmersbenefit,ithasvariouspoliciestodeveloplinkagesbetweenstakeholdersinspecialityagriculturalproductstoincreasetheirquality,valueandbrandnames,hesaid.Thedepartmentwouldhelpproducersunderstandtheimportanceofproductqualityandexpandmarkets,hesaid.ItwouldincreaseadvocacyactivitiesforrecognitionasOCOPproducts,hesaid.Itwouldcollaboratewithotheragenciestofostertradepromotion,bringtogetherbuyersandsellersandsellOCOPproductsatpopulartourismdestinations,hesaid.TheprovinceplanstoinvestVN?140billion(US$5.7million)toimplementtheprogrammein2020-25.Itisimplementingpoliciestoassistco-operatives,co-operativegroups,small-andmedium-sizedcompanies,farms,andhouseholdsdevelopOCOPproducts.TheyareofferedfinancialsupporttorentorbuildshowroomsfortheirOCOPproductsanddevelopbrandnames,packagesandlabelsforthem.Thosebuildingshowroomswillgethalfthecostassubsidy.–VNS
GeneralSecretaryandPresidentT?LamreceivesAlgerianAmbassadortoVi?tNamSofianeChaib(left)forthepresentationofcredentialsonAugust12.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—GeneralV?NguyênGiápwasamilitaryleaderofthegreateststature,astrategistofthepeopleswarandafaithfulrepresentativeofthethoughtofPresidentH?ChíMinh,saidAlgerianAmbassadortoVi?tNamSofianeChaib.InaninterviewgrantedtotheVi?tNamNewsAgencyontheoccasionofthe11thanniversaryofGeneralV?NguyênGiápspassing(October4,2013-2024),thediplomathighlightedthatbesidestheprestigeandrespecthewonthroughhisvictoriesonthemilitaryfield,theGeneraldevotedhisentirelifetoservinghishomelandandhispeople.HisdestinyasaherowhogloriouslyaccomplishedhispatrioticdutyisintertwinedwiththemostsignificantstagesinthehistoryofVi?tNam,AmbassadorChaibsaid.ThisisundoubtedlythereasonwhyGeneralGiápremainspresentinthememoryofthefriendlyVietnamesepeople,asIwasabletonoticeduringtherecentfuneralofhislatewife,whichIpersonallyattended.HeisalsopresentfortheAlgerianpeoplewhowillneverforgetthisfriendwhosenamewillalwaysremainengravedintheirmemory.FortheAlgerianpeople,GeneralGiáprepresentsacentrallinkinthehistoricrelationsofsolidaritybetweenAlgeriaandVi?tNam,servingasakeyfigureinthemostbeautifulchaptersofthetwocountriessharedhistory,bothbeforeandafterAlgeriasindependence,accordingtothediplomat.ThismilitaryheroofVietnameseindependencehadspecialtieswithAlgeria,whichhevisitedseveraltimesandwherehedeliveredhisfamousspeechin1980declaringthatcolonialistsarebadstudentsofhistory.ThisformulahasremainedproverbialinAlgeriaandmycountryalwaysstrivestoperpetuatethiscollectivememorywhichrepresentsaninestimableheritageinthehistoricalrelationsoffriendship,solidarityandcooperationunitinguswithVi?tNam.HeaddedthattherelationshipbetweenthetwonationsisrootedinAlgeriassupportforVi?tNamduringitsnationalliberationstruggleandafteritsindependence,aswellasVietnamsassistancetoAlgeriaduringitsfightforsovereigntyandunity,andinitspost-warreconstructionefforts.AmbassadorSofianeChaibhighlightedthatthemajorepisodeof?i?nBiênPh?inMay1954,ofwhichGeneralGiápwasthemastermind,servesasaninfluentialexampleandagreatencouragementtotheAlgerianRevolutionwhichwastriggeredonlyafewmonthslater.HesaidthishistoricbattlecontinuestobetaughtinAlgerianschooltextbooksanditsforceofattractionwasconceptualised,in1958,undertheexpressionofguideterritorybyAlgerianactivistandthinkerFrantzFanonwhowrote:Betweencolonizedpeoples,thereseemstoexistakindofenlighteningandsacredcommunicationwhichmakeseachliberatedterritorypromotedforacertaintimetotherankof‘guideterritory.Theindependenceofanewterritory,theliberationofanewpeopleisfeltbyotheroppressedcountriesasaninvitation,anencouragementandapromise.Throughhisimpressiveliteraryheritage,GeneralGiáphasalsobequeathedtofuturegenerations,bothinVi?tNamandthosebelongingtocountrieswhichknowthepriceofindependenceandfreedom,aclearervisionofthecharacteroftheVietnamesepeople,itsculturaltraditions,anditscapacityforresilience,thediplomatadded.WearealsodelightedthatV?H?ngNam,sonofGeneralV?NguyênGiáp,andTr?nV?nBình,sonofMajorGeneralTr?nV?nQuang,whosefathersbothcontributedsignificantlytothevictoryof?i?nBiênPH?,wereelectedmembersoftheexecutivecommitteeoftheInternationalAssociationofFriendsoftheAlgerianRevolution.Thisassociation,foundedinAlgiersinJuly2023,aimspreciselytopromotetheactivismofthefriendsoftheAlgerianRevolution,thediplomatsaid.Thememorialsegmentofthebilateralrelationsisauniquefoundationcrucialtopromoteandpopulariseforthepresentandfuturegenerationsofthetwocountries,thediplomatsaid,addingthatduringeachvisittoHàN?i,Algerianministerialdelegationsensurethatmemorialactivitiesareincluded,withaspecialtributetoGeneralV?NguyênGiáp.IalsothinkthatAlgeriaistheonlycountrywithtwoavenuesnamedafterformerPresidentH?ChíMinh.Thereisalsothefilm‘Lotus,jointlyproducedbyAlgeriaandVi?tNam,onthehumantieswovenbetweenourtwopeoplesduringthebattleof?i?nBiênPh?,aswellasthetheatricalworkofthefamousKatebYacineentitled‘TheManwithRubberSandals.Ontheoccasionofthe70thanniversaryofthe?i?nBiênPh?victoryinMaythisyear,AlgeriahostedafilmcrewfromtheVi?tNamMilitaryRadioandTelevisionCenter,aspartoftheproductionofadocumentaryentitled‘?i?nBiênPh?seenfromAfrica,thediplomatsaid.InAfricaingeneral,GeneralGiápsmilitarysuccesseshavebeenamajorreferenceforpeoplesfightingfortheirindependence,accordingAmbassadorSofianeChaib.Inparticular,thevictoryof?i?nBiênPh?wasacatalystthatledtoanirresistibledynamicmovementtowardsthearmedstruggleofcountriesundercolonialdominationinordertogaintheirindependence,heconcluded.—VNSVanLangUniversityonSeptember19signsanMoUwiththeNationalUniversityofSingaporetofosterdeepercollaborationineducationandresearch.—VNSPhotoNguy?nDi?pHCMCITY—VanLangUniversityinHCMCityandtheNationalUniversityofSingapore(NUS)onThursday(September19)signedamemorandumofunderstandingfordeepercollaborationineducationandresearchinarangeofacademicareas.Speakingatthesigningceremony,VLUpresidentAssoc.Prof.TranThiMyDieusaidtheuniversityhasestablishedkeyinitiativesaimedatadvancingitstrainingprogrammes,enrichingstudentexperiencesandimprovingemployabilityoutcomes.Thiscollaborationwilldeliversubstantialbenefitstostudents,facultyandtheworkforcethroughjointacademicandresearchefforts.ItwillenableVLUandNUStofacilitatesmootherexchangeofacademicinformationandresources,therebyexpandingmobilityprogrammesforundergraduateandpostgraduatestudents.Theywilljoinhandsforseveralkeyinitiativeslikereskillingandupskillingprogrammesfocusedonintegratedcircuitdesignandsemiconductortechnology,andjointtrainingandresearchinitiativesinthefieldofartificialintelligence.NUSwillhelpVLUsetupstate-of-the-artlaboratories.VLUsSchoolofTechnologywillfocusondevelopinghigh-qualitytalenttomeetthedemandsofarapidlyevolvingglobaltechlandscape.Prof.AaronThean,NUSdeputypresident(academicaffairs)andprovost,saidthispartnershipdrawsuponNUSsresearchknowledgeandexpertiseinadvancedsemiconductorchipdesignandprocesstechnologyresearch,ontopofdigitaltechnologyandtransformation,whichwouldequipstudentswiththenecessaryskillsforthefutureworkplace.Ithighlightsthepowerofcooperationindrivingprogresstowardsacademicexcellenceandcreatingmeaningfulopportunitiesinnurturingourstudentsfrombothcountries.Foundedin1995,VLUoffersmorethan100academicprogrammesacrossspheresrangingfromundergraduatetodoctorallevels.Ithasbeenawardedafour-starratingbythewell-knownUK-basededucationorganisationQuacquarelliSymondsandnamedinthe2024ImpactRankingsreleasedbytheTimesHigherEducationalsooftheUK.NUShas16colleges,facultiesandschoolsacrossthreecampusesinSingaporeand40,000studentsfrom100countries,andmorethan20NUSOverseasCollegesentrepreneurialhubsaroundtheworld.—VNS
AgrowingforestinS?nD??ngDistrict,TuyênQuangProvince.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—IfthecarbonmarketinVi?tNamiswellmanagedanddeveloped,itcanbringinhundredsofmillionsofUSdollarseachyeartothecountry,helpprotectforests,createasustainablesourceoffinance,andsupportlocalcommunitieslivingnearforests.ThatwasthemessagefromTr?nQuangB?o,directoroftheVi?tNamDepartmentofForestspeakingataworkshoponForestCarbon-PotentialtoCreateNewFinancialSourcesforForestProtectionandDevelopmentheldinHàN?ionThursday.Theworkshopaimedtoshareinternationalexperiencesoncarbonmarkets,carboncreditmanagementpoliciesanddomesticcarbonmarketdevelopment.Italsofocusedonthecurrentstatusandpotentialofforestcarbon,identifyingopportunitiesaswellaschallengesthatVi?tNamisfacingindevelopingaforestcarbonmarket.B?osaidVi?tNamhasgreatpotentialtodevelopaforestcarbonmarketthankstoitslargeforestareaandenvironmentalprotectioncommitments.ParticipatinginthecarbonmarketalsohelpsVi?tNamfulfillitsinternationalcommitmentsonclimatechange,especiallythegoalofcarbonneutralityby2050thatwecommittedtoatCOP26,hesaid.Vi?tNamisoneofthecountriesmostseverelyaffectedbyclimatechange.Inthatcontext,withmorethan14.8millionhectares,accountingforabout42.02percentofthenaturalarea,Vi?tNamsforestsplayanextremelyimportantroleinminimisingthenegativeimpactsofclimatechange,hesaid.Mobilisingfinancialresourcesfromtheexchangeofforestcarboncreditswillcontributetoforestconservation,greenhousegasemissionreductionandsustainableeconomicdevelopmentinmanycountries,especiallythosewithlargeforestareaslikeVi?tNam,hesaid.Hesaidthat,totapthispotential,challengesinthelegal,financial,technical,andcommunityengagementframeworksneedtobeaddressed.Improvinggovernance,strengtheninginternationalcooperation,andpromotingpublicawarenessareimportantstepsforVi?tNamtodevelopaneffectiveforestcarboncreditmarket.Forestryiscurrentlytheonlysectorwiththepotentialfornegativenetemissions.ThissuccesshasbeenmadethankstotheGovernmentsforestrydevelopmentpoliciessuchastheclosureofnaturalforests,afforestation,forestprotectionanddevelopment,andinternationalsupportinforestry,hesaid.Vi?tNamiscurrentlyimplementingtheEmissionReductionsPaymentAgreements(ERPA)inthenorthcentralregion,inkedbetweentheWorldBankandtheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD).Asaresult,10.3milliontonsofCO2havebeensuccessfullytransferredandUS$51.5millionhasbeenreceivedinthe2018-19period.TheMARDiscompletingadossierforsubmissiontothePrimeMinisterforconsideringthesigningofsimilaragreementsfor11provincesintheCentralHighlandsandsouth-centralregions,B?osaid.T?XuanPhúc,managingdirectorofForestTrendsForestPolicy,Trade,andFinanceInitiative,saidtherearecurrentlyvoluntaryandmandatorycarbonmarkets.Inthevoluntarymarket,organisationsandindividualscanbuycreditstoreduceemissions,usuallytoservethenet-zerotarget.Inthemandatorymarket,creditsareboughtandsoldtodemonstratecompliancewithemissiontradingsystemprogrammesandcarbontaxes.AccordingtoHàC?ngTu?n,formerPermanentDeputyMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,thankstointernationalsupport,Vi?tNamstotalamountofemissionreductionfromforestshasreached56-57milliontonnesperyear.ThisservesasthebasisforVi?tNamtosigntheERPAforthefirstsixprovincesinthenorth-centralregion.Heforecastedthattherewouldnotbemuchemissionreductionfromforestsinthecomingtimebecausewearemainlyreplantingtheexploitedproductionforestarea.Meanwhile,inthepreviousperiod,theannualforestplantingareawasmostlynewlyplantedforest.Fromnowto2028,whenVi?tNamofficiallyformsacarbonmarket,theStateneedstotakeflexiblestepstoshapethemarket,hesaid,addingthatMARDandotherrelevantsectorsshouldproposethePrimeMinistertocontinuemaintainingthevoluntarytradingmarketbasedoninternationalcooperationonclimatechange.Thisshouldbeconsideredapilotactivityfortheoperationofthecarbontradingmarketby2028,hesaid.—VNSExpertsfromtheMineActionGroup(MAG)andlocalauthoritieshaveremovedthebombforlaterdetonationatasafelocation.—VNA/VNSPhotoQU?NGBìNH—A350-kgbombleftoverfromtheUSwarinVi?tNamwasdiscoveredinHoàThanhCommune,MinhHoàDistrict,thecentralprovinceofQu?ngBình,reportedlocalauthoritiesonOctober3.OnSeptember29,alocalresidentfoundthebombwhilefarmingnearKheThuibridgeinThanhLongvillageandreportedtotheauthorities.Inresponse,localofficialscordonedoffthesite,placedwarningsigns,andassignedguardstopreventpublicaccess.Thebomb,codedM117,measures1.1minlengthandweighs350kg.ExpertsfromtheMineActionGroup(MAG)andlocalauthoritiessafelyremovedthebomb,pendingdetonationinlinewithregulation.AccordingtotheTechnologyCentreforBombandMineDisposalundertheEngineeringCommand,upto7,645ofthe8,686communesinVi?tNams63provincesandcitiesarepollutedwithunexplodedordnance(UXOs).StatisticsfromtheNationalSteeringCommitteeforRecoveryoverPostwarBombandLandmineImpactsshowedthatsome800,000tonnesofUXOsarescatteredacross6.6millionhectares,or20.12percentofthecountrysland,mainlyinthecentralregion,puttingpeopleindangereveryday.—VNA/VNS