PeopledonatebloodattheRedJourneyopeningceremonyinV?nhPhúcProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngHùngV?NHPHúC—TheeighthRedJourneyofV?nhPhúcProvinceisunderwaywithhopesthat8,000donorswillheedthecallanddonate5,100unitsofbloodbytheendofJuly.TheblooddonationpushstartedonSundaywiththeCentralRedJourneyOrganiserandtheprovincialsteeringcommitteeforvoluntaryblooddonation.Speakingattheopeningceremony,ChairmanoftheV?nhPhúcRedCrossSocietyTr?nPhúPh??ngsaidthatinrecentyears,thevoluntaryblooddonationcampaignhadbecomesomethingculturallybeautifulforalllocalpeopleanditspopularityhadspread.HeaskedforallStateemployees,armedforcesandworkerstocontinuepromotingthespiritofkindnessandactivelyparticipateinthedonationprogramme.ThisyearistheeighthconsecutiveyearthatV?nhPhúcProvincehasjoinedintheRedJourney,attractingalargenumberofpeoplefromallwalksoflife.Oversevenpreviousdonationcampaigns,theprovincehascollectedmorethan16,000unitsofblood.Fromthestartoftheyear,theprovincehasorganised39voluntaryblooddonationsessions,attractingmorethan12,000peopleandcollectingmorethan11,000unitsofblood,therebyovercomingandlimitingbloodshortageforemergencyandtreatmentinthearea.LêLam,DeputyDirectoroftheNationalInstituteofHematologyandBloodTransfusionandalsoDeputyHeadoftheNationalSteeringCommitteeforVoluntaryBloodDonation,saidthatafter11years,58provincesandcitieshaveparticipatedintheRedJourney.Millionsofpeoplevolunteeredtodonatebloodandtotaldonationshaveexceeded815,000unitsofblood.TheRedJourneyhadgonebeyondasimplevoluntaryblooddonationprogrammeandhadbecomeaprofoundsocialactivity,asymbolofcompassionandcompatriotism,hesaid.Attheopeningceremony,atotalof52individuals,fourfamiliesand18groupswerehonouredfortheiroutstandingachievementsinblooddonationthisyear.TheyincludedPhùng??cVi?t,aworkerfromPHflexVinaCoLtdwhohasdonatedblood30timesandNguy?nTh?BíchTh??ng,ateacherattheXuanHòaJuniorSecondarySchoolinPhúcYênCity,whohasdonatedblood35times.AlongwithcoupleNguy?nV?nHi?nandH?Th?H?ngG?minXuanHòaWard,PhúcYênCity,whohavetogetherdonatedbloodnearly100times,Hi?n45timesandG?m48times.—VNS

FarmersharvesthighqualityriceinthefieldsofTi?nThu?nCooperativeintheMekongDeltacityofC?nTh?.—VNA/VNSPhotoThuHi?nC?NTH?—Apilotmodelforplantingmillionsofhectaresofhigh-quality,low-emissionriceintheMekongDeltahasyieldedpositiveresults,includingreducingtheamountofseedandfertiliserused,loweringcarbondioxide(CO2)emissionswhileincreasingprofits.ThefindingswereannouncedonMondayatareviewworkshopfortheinitialresultsofthepilotmodel,heldinC?nTh?City.TheeventwasjointlyorganisedbytheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,theDepartmentofCropProduction,theInternationalRiceResearchInstitute(IRRI),thePeoplesCommitteeofC?nTh?CityandtheC?nTh?CitysDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.BackonApril5,Ti?nThu?nCooperativeinthecitywasselectedbytheagriculturalministryasoneoffivesitesacross12provincesandcitiesinthedeltatopilotthemodel.Theprojectsaw50haofricefromthecooperativeusingcertifiedseedssuppliedbytheMekongDeltaRiceInstituteplantedatarateof60kgperha.Thecooperativeranamachinecombiningseedswithfertiliser,applyingthemixtospecialisedzones,integratingpestmanagement,applyingmechanicalharvestingandstrawcollection.Speakingattheworkshop,Nguy?nNg?cHè,deputychairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofthecity,saidthatthe50hapilotfieldinV?nhTh?nhDistrictmetallthecriteriaoftheprojecttogrowonemillionhectaresofhigh-quality,low-emissionricelinkedtogreengrowthintheMekongDelta.Nguy?nNg?cHè,deputychairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofthecity,delivershisspeechattheworkshopinC?nTh?City.—VNA/VNSPhotoThuHi?nThemodelresultsshowedareductioninseedusagefrom140kgperhato60kgperha,adecreaseinfertiliserapplicationsfrom3-4timespercroptojusttwicepercropandaminimum20percentreductionininorganicfertiliseruse.Therewasalsoasignificantreductioninirrigationwater,decreasedriskofdiseasesandreducedpost-harvestlosses.Thesuccessofthemodellaysthefoundationforthecitysagriculturesectortoexpandtheprojectsimplementationacrosstheentirecommittedarea,hesaid.Nguy?nV?nHùngfromtheInternationalRiceResearchInstitutesaidthattheseedreductionof60kgperhasavedVN?1.2million(US$47)andthereductioninfertiliserof30kgperhapercropsavedVN?700,000($27).Thus,thecombinedcostsavingsamountedtoVN?1.9million($74)perha.Afterimplementingthemodel,summer-autumnriceyieldsreached6.13-6.51tonnesperha,about7percenthigherthanusual.LowerinputcostsresultedinfarmersincreasingtheirprofitsbyVN?1.3-6.2million($50-240)perha.ReductionofuptosixtonnesofCO2Nguy?nCaoKh?i,directorofthecooperative,saidthatthemostsignificantbenefit,besidescostsavingsandincreasedprofits,wasthereductioninenvironmentalpollutionduetotheproperapplicationofproductionprocesses.Hùng,fromtheInternationalRiceResearchInstitute,saidthatifthemodelwasstrictlyfollowed,itcouldreducegreenhousegasemissionsby2-6tonnesCO2perha,dependingonwhetherfarmersfollowedwatermanagementpracticesincoordinationwiththecooperative.Theemissionreductionwasattributedtowaterandstrawmanagement.Cao??cPhát,chairmanoftheBoardofDirectoroftheInternationalRiceResearchInstituteandformerMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidthatthemodelaimedtoachievetwomaingoals.Thefirstwastoapplynewtechnicalprocessestoreducecosts,increaseproductivityandenhancevaluetoboostfarmersincome.Thesecondwastoreduceenvironmentalpollutionandgreenhousegasemissionsbydecreasingseed,pesticideandwaterusage,thusfulfillingVi?tNamsinternationalcommitments.Pháthopedthatthemodelwouldcontinuetospreadacrossthedeltaandthroughoutthecountry.(Byrunningthemodel),wearemeetingtheexpectationsoffarmersandricegrowersforabetterlife,higherincomes,acleanerenvironmentandcontributingtotheglobalefforttocombatclimatechange,hesaid.LêThanhTùng,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofCropProduction,saidthatanessentialfactorbesidestheprojectscriteriawasthestronglinkagebetweeninputsuppliers,agriculturalmaterialcompaniesandricepurchasingbusinessesforfarmers.Thecollaborationneededtobemorepracticalandresponsible,adheringtothecommitmentsmadebyallpartiesinthecomingtime.Thesearethefactorsfortheinitialmodelssuccess,whichwebelievecanbeexpandedtothecityandotherprovinceswhenimplementingtheproject,hesaid.—VNSRedchiliplantsaregrowninanethouseinTràVinhProvincesDuyênH?iDistrict.VNA/VNSPhotoThanhHòaTRàVINH—VegetablefarmersinTràVinhProvinceareearninghighprofitsbecauseofhighsellingpricesanddemand.ThepricesofvegetablesarenowVN?3,000-10,000(10-40UScents)perkilogrammehigherthanaweekagobecauseofsupplydoesnotmeetdemand.ThedemandinHCMCityandsoutheastprovincesisincreasingbecauseitistherainyseasonsovegetableoutputislowerthanduringthedryseason,accordingtotheprovincesPlantCultivationandProtectionSub-department.KimThi,whogrowsvegetablesina2,000sq.mnethouseinChauThànhDistrictsHòaL?iCommune,saidtheprovincehadalotofraininthepastweekwhichimpactedtheyieldofvegetables,especiallythosegrowninopenair.Thankstothenethouse,hisvegetableshavehighyieldandqualityandtheirsellingpricesare15-20percenthigherthannormalvegetables,hesaid.HeearnsanaverageprofitofVN?120million($4,700)ayear,hesaid.ThedistrictsBureauofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentassistedhimtogetasoftloantobuildthenethouseandinstalladripirrigationsystemin2022,hesaid.Net-house-grownvegetablesofferaprofitof1.5totwotimeshigherthanthosegrowninopenairbecausetheyhavehigheryield,qualityandsellingprices,accordingtofarmers.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincehasencouragedandassistedfarmerstoinvestinnethouses.ItprovidesfinancialsupportofuptoVN?50million($1,950)forfarmerstobuildanopennethouseanduptoVN?100million($3,900)foraclosednethouse,whichcovers1,000sq.meach.Farmersarealsoassistedtoaccesssoftloans.LêV?n??ng,directoroftheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidhisagencyisrestructuringcropcultivationinmixedorchardsandunproductivericefields,andisencouragingfarmerstoswitchtovegetables,especiallyinnet-housefarms.Ithasprovidedfinancialsupportforfarmerswhohavesustainablefarmingmodelstoinvestinfarmingfacilities,machinesandinfrastructure,hesaid.Ricefarmerswhoswitchedtogrowingvegetablesearnaprofitoftwotothreetimeshigherthangrowingrice.VegetablefarmersearnanaverageprofitofVN?120-130million($4,700-5,000)perhectareayear,accordingtothedepartment.Th?chTh?nhinChauThànhDistrictsHòaL?iCommunesaidthatundertheencouragementoflocalagriculturalofficials,heturnedhis2,000sq.mricefieldintovegetableslastyearashisfarmisfarawayfromirrigationcanalsandcouldnotgrowtwotothreericecropsayear.Hegrowstomato,cucumber,greenmustardandherbs,andearnsanaverageprofitofVN?20million($800)duringavegetablecropthatlaststwotothreemonths,hesaid.Theprovinceaimstoturn1,400haofunproductivericefieldsintodifferentcropsthisyear,accordingtothedepartment.Lastyear,morethan2,300haofricefieldswereturnedintovegetables,othercropsorforbreedinganimals.Farmershaveplantedmorethan33,000haofvegetablessofarthisyear,up1,100hafromthesameperiodlastyear.TheprovinceaimstoincreaseitsagricultureproductionvaluetoVN?145million($5,700)perhectareayearin2025,upVN?15million($600)comparedtonow.–VNS

ForeigntouristsvisitHoànKi?mLakeinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngHàN?I—Forthefourthconsecutiveyear,Vi?tNamhasbeenlistedasthemostaffordablecountryintheworldforexpats,rankingfirstoutof53destinationswhenitcomestopersonalfinances,accordingtoa2024InterNationsstudy.Vi?tNamalsocamein40thplaceforqualityoflife,29thplaceforexpatessentialssuchasdigitallife,housingandlanguageand14thforworkingabroad–withconsiderationslikecareerprospects,salaryandjobsecurityfactoredin.Morethan12,000expatsacross174countriesandterritoriesworldwideparticipatedinthebroaderExpatInsider2024surveywhichprovidedinsightsincludingthebestandworstplacestolive,qualityoflife,workingabroadandcosts.ForthePersonalFinanceIndex,InterNationsaskedsurveyrespondentstoranktheirpersonalsatisfactionlevelsinthreeareas:generalcostofliving,satisfactionwiththeirfinancialsituationandwhetherdisposablehouseholdincomewasenoughtoleadacomfortablelife.Thisdatawasusedtocompilethereportwhichremainslargelyunchangedfromlastyear,withtheexceptionofanewentrytothelist–Brazil(ninth)–replacingMalaysia,whichdroppedfromfifthin2023to11ththisyear.OthertopdestinationsexpatssaidweregoodfortheirpersonalfinancesincludeCambodia,Indonesia,Panama,thePhilippines,India,Mexico,Thailand,BrazilandChina.OutofthosesurveyedinVi?tNam,86percentrateditscostoflivingfavourably–thatsmorethantwicetheglobalaverageof40percentand65percentofrespondentsinthecountrysaidtheyweresatisfiedwiththeirfinancialsituationcomparedto54percentglobally,accordingtothereport.Inaddition,68percentofrespondentssaidtheirdisposablehouseholdincomewasmorethanenoughtoleadacomfortablelife,comparedto41percentglobally,thesurveyshowed.Notonlyarecostsoflivinglow,expatstendtobepaidmoreinVi?tNam,whichisclosetodoubletheglobalaverage,reportingagrossyearlyincomeofUS$150,000ormore,accordingtothesurvey.Inaddition,generaljobsatisfactionisalsoveryhighamongexpatsinthecountry.Vi?tNamjumpedfrom24thranklastyearto3rdin2024forthisfactor,whichispartoftheWorkCultureSatisfactionsubcategory,accordingtoKathrinChudoba,chiefmarketingofficerforInterNations.Generally,work-lifebalancetrumpscareeradvancementinVi?tNam,accordingtothereport.Notably,lessthanhalf(46percent)ofthecountrysexpatpopulationworkfulltime,comparedtotheglobalaverageof57percent.Aboutoneinfiveexpats(21percent)workpart-timeandabout18percentofexpatsareretired.Alongwithmeasuringexpatssatisfactioninspendingterms,theInterNationsExpatInsiderstudyalsogathereddataonwhichdestinationsoverallarebestforexpatsglobally.Thisbroaderlistexploreshowexpatsfeelacrossotheraspectsoflifeabroad,basedonfiveindices:generalhappiness,qualityoflife,easeofsettlingin,workingabroadandtheirexpatessentialsindex,whichisbasedonadministration,housing,digitallifeandlanguage.Outof53destinationsglobally,fourAsiancountriesmadeitintotheoveralltop10listthisyear:Indonesia(thirdoverall),Thailand(sixthoverall),Vi?tNam(eighthoverall)andthePhilippines(ninthoverall).—VNSStudentsareattheVi?tNamNationalUniversity-HàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—AtotalofnineVietnamesehighereducationinstitutionsfeatureintheBestGlobalUniversitiesRankings2024-2025,recentlyreleasedbyNewsWorldReportoftheUnitedStates.ThelocaleducationestablishmentswhichmadethisyearslistareDuyTanUniversity,T?n??cTh?ngUniversity,Vi?tNamNationalUniversity-HàN?i(theVNU-HàN?i),Vi?tNamNationalUniversity-HCMCity(VNU-HCMCity),HàN?iUniversityofScienceandTechnology,Nguy?nT?tThànhUniversity,Hu?University,HCMCityUniversityofTechnology,andC?nTh?University,theVoiceofVi?tNam(VOV)citedthesourceassaying.ThelatestrankingscomeafterBestGlobalUniversitiesratedatotalof2,250universitiesacross104countriesandterritoriesworldwide.Regardingthemethodologyinjudgingthehighereducationinstitutions,thelistassessesuniversitiesaccordingto13indicators,focusingonresearchreputation(throughsurveys)andresearchqualitythroughdataanalysispublishedintheClarivateAnalyticsInCitesdatabase.—VNSBi?nhD??ngProvinceapprovedinvestmentinindustrial,urban,serviceandlogisticsbeltsalongRingRoad4inB?nCátCity.—Photobaoxaydung.com.vnBìNHD??NG—ThesouthernprovinceofBìnhD??nghasissuedaplantodevelopindustrial,urban,serviceandlogisticsbeltsalongRingRoadNo.4.Accordingly,tenurbanareasandfourportswillbedevelopedonanareaof??about2,702hectaresinB?nCátCity.TheseurbanareasandportswillplayanimportantroleinbeingatraffichubofBìnhD??ngProvince,andagatewayconnectingwithHCMCitythroughtheRingRoad4trafficroute.TotalestimateddevelopmentcostisVN?134trillion(US$5.5billion).Theprojectisexpectedtobecompletedin2040.InvestmentcapitalwillbemobilisedbytheprovincefrommanydifferentsourcessuchastheStatebudget,privatesectorsandbonds.—VNS

HàN?I—TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentandtheUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP)inVi?tNamco-chairedapolicydialogueconferenceinHàN?ionMondaytodiscussenhancinginternationalcooperationandmulti-sectoralcoordinationincirculareconomyinagriculture.DeputyMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentPhùng??cTi?nhighlightedVi?tNamscommitmenttoacirculareconomy,pointingtoexistingpoliciesanddirectives,includingArticle142ofthe2020LawonEnvironmentalProtection.Theagriculturalsectorhaspromotedtheapplicationandimplementationofcircularagriculture,explicitlyaddressedinthe2021-30strategyforsustainableagricultureandruraldevelopment(withavisionto2050),andaschemepromotingtheapplicationandtransferofsci-techforacircularagriculturaleconomyby2030,hesaid.RamlaKhalidi,UNDPResidentRepresentativeinVi?tNam,commendedthecountryseffortstofulfilitsNationallyDeterminedContributions(NDCs)-commitmentsmadeundertheParisAgreement.Sheacknowledgedthemultifacetedbenefitsofcircularagriculture–addressingclimatechangegoals,enhancingeconomiccompetitiveness,andprotectinghumanhealthandecosystems.Shecalledforstrongercollaborationtobuildandperformcirculareconomypolicies.Thisincludesensuringequitableinvestmentallocation,fosteringknowledgesharingandcooperation,andleveragingthepowerofagriculturalvaluechainsandsci-techforcommunicationcampaignstoraiseawareness.UNDP,shereaffirmed,remainscommittedtosupportingtheVietnameseGovernmentinthisjourney.Representativesfrominternationalandnon-governmentalorganisations,theprivatesector,ministriesandagenciessharedinsightsoninternationalcooperationmechanisms,interdisciplinarycoordinationtopromotecircularagriculturepractices,andsuccessfulcasestudies.Participantsunderlinedpublic-privatepartnershipsindrivingthesuccessofcircularagriculture,withtheprivatesectorapplyingsci-techtoadvancerelevantinitiatives.—VNSPaneliststalkaboutusingsocialnetworksforhealthcarecommunicationataroundtableheldbytheHCMCityUniversityMedicalCentreonJuly6.—PhotocourtesyofHCMCityUniversityMedicalCentreHCMCITY—Socialnetworksareapowerfultoolforhealthcarefacilitiesandhealthcareprofessionalstodisseminatemedicalknowledge,promoteaccuratemedicalinformationandincreasepublicawarenessofriskfactorsandpathologies,aroundtablehasheard.V?M?nhC??ng,directorofthehealthministrysNationalCentreforHealthEducationandCommunication,toldtheroundtableheldbytheHCMCityUniversityMedicalCentreonSaturdaythatVietnamesespendanaverageoftwohoursand33minutesonsocialnetworkseveryday.Soitmakeseminentsenseforhealthfacilitiestousedigitalchannelstocommunicatewithpatientsandshareknowledgeandinformationonthemandpreventthespreadofmisinformation,hesaid.Tophospitalmanagersandhealthcareprofessionalsneedtoacknowledgetheroleofsocialmediainfluencersinhelpingpromotemedicalinformationandimprovepublichealth,headded.Nguy?nV?nTh?ngLong,alectureratRMITVietnam,saidaround66percentofhealthcarefacilitiesusetraditionalmethodstodisseminateinformationtopatients,withafocusonstatisticsandmedicaljargon.Butonsocialmedia,whichattractslargenumbers,misinformationisrampant,helamented.Healthcarefacilitiesneedtotransformcontentsintoinspiringstoriestoattractthepublicandhelphealthcareprofessionalscommunicateondigitalchannels,headded.—VNS

TheMinistryofPublicSecurityholdsasix-monthreviewintoitsinvestigations.—PhotocourtesyoftheministryHàN?I—TheMinistryofPublicSecuritycrackeddownmorethan3,000corruption,economicandsmugglingcases,withmorethan4,900defendantsinvolvedinthefirsthalfofthisyear,aconferencehasbeentold.Thenumbersofcasesanddefendantswere21.63percentand47.12percenthigher,comparedtothesameperiodlastyear.TheministryheldaconferenceonMondaytoreviewitsperformanceinthefirstsixmonthsofthisyear,withtheparticipationofPresidentT?Lam,whopraisedtheirwork.AccordingtoDeputyMinisterTr?nQu?cT?,thefightagainstcrimehasintensifiedastheministrydiscoveredevermorecomplexmethodscriminalswereusing.Inthefirstsixmonthsof2024,theministrylaunchedinvestigationinto22,022crimesrelatedtosocialorder,higherthanthetargetsetbytheNationalAssembly.Theministrysped??uptheinvestigationandhandlingofmajorcasesandnewcases,saidT?.ThepublicsecurityforcehastakendrasticmeasurestoimplementtheGovernmentsProject06ondevelopingtheapplicationofpopulationdata,e-identificationandauthenticationfornationaldigitaltransformation.Therateofonlinepublicserviceprovisioninthefirstsixmonthsreached97.13percent.Regardingsalvageandrescueefforts,theministryperformed581rescuesandsaved362people.PresidentT?Lampraisedtheministryforitsachievementsinthefirsthalfoftheyearandorderedtheforcetocontinuetofocusprimarilyonanti-corruptionworkandthenpreventingandcombatingnegativephenomenaandcorruption.Theministryhasbeenurgedtobestrategicaboutitsperformance,protectingnationalsecurity,fightingcrimesandcontinuingtoexpandinternationalcooperationinsecurity,maintainingsafety,order,disciplineandmaintainingthesocio-economichealthofthecountry,whilealsopromotinginternationalintegration.HehopedthattheforcewillovercomealldifficultiesandcompletealltasksassignedbytheParty,Stateandpeople,firstofallsuccessfullyimplementingtheresolutionsofthePartyandtheministrysCentralCommitteeParty.—VNS

AfirebrokedoutonJune8atahouseonHàngV?iStreetinHoànKi?mDistrict,HàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—ThePeoplesCommitteeofHàN?ihasdevelopedseveralmeasurestoenhancefirepreventionandcontrolinmulti-storeyresidentialbuildings,multi-apartmenthousing,andhousescombinedwithproductionandbusinessactivities.HàN?iPolicewillprovideadvisorysupportforimplementingregulationsanddirectives.IncollaborationwiththeDepartmentofConstruction,HàN?iPolicewillissuedocumentsonurgentmeasurestoenhancefiresafetyconditions,tailoredtolocalrealities,tobecompletedby30July2024.HàN?iPolicewillorganisereviews,inspectionsandclassifications,andissuefiresafetymeasuresformulti-storeyresidentialbuildings,multi-apartmenthousing,andhousesusedasproductionandbusinessestablishments(includingrentalhousing).FacilityheadsandhomeownersmustcommittoatimelineforimplementingthefiresafetymeasuresissuedbythePeoplesCommittee,withallmeasurestobecompletedby30March2025.Non-compliantbusinessestablishmentswillberequiredtoceaseoperationsuntilcomplianceisachieved.TheChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteehasinstructedHàN?iPolicetostrictlyhandleestablishmentsthatdonotmeetfiresafetyrequirements,particularlythoseinusebeforeFirePreventionandControlLawNo.27/2001/QH10tookeffecton4October2001.Thisincludesrectifyingandhandlingallbuildingsputintousewithoutapprovalorinspectionforfiresafetyandensuringnonewnon-compliantbuildingsareused.Forfirescausingseriousdamage,HàN?iPolicewillinvestigatethecauses,identifyresponsibilities,andhandlethemstrictlyaccordingtolegalregulations.Theywillensureaccountabilityoflocalpartyandgovernmentleadersifhigh-riskestablishmentsoperatewithoutadequatesafetyconditions,resultinginseriousconsequencesduetoalackofleadership,direction,inspection,orsupervision.ThePeoplesCommitteeofHàN?irequiresallsectorsandlocalitiestoclearlydefineresponsibilities,emphasisingtheresponsibilityofleadersinimplementingassignedduties.Theymustproactivelypreventandmitigatefireincidentstominimisedamage.Relevantunitsmustpromptlyresolvearisingdifficultiestoensureeffectiveimplementation.Headsofunitsshouldregularlyguide,inspect,andsupervisefirepreventionmeasures.Localpartycommitteesandgovernments,especiallyatthegrassrootslevel,arecalledtocollaboratewiththepoliceinleading,directing,andexecutingfireprevention,firefighting,andrescuetasks.Inspectionsmustbeintensified,andanylapsesorlaxmanagementinfirepreventionandrescuemustbehandled,includingconsideringcriminalliabilityoflocalpartiesandgovernmentleaders.Thecitywillreviewandproposeamendmentstothecurrentlegalframeworkforfirepreventioninmulti-storeyresidentialbuildings,multi-apartmenthousing,andsingle-familyhomescombinedwithproductionandbusinessactivities(includingrentalhousing).Intheshortterm,authoritiesmustbeadvisedonremovingimpracticalregulationsthathinderfirepreventioneffortsandaddressingshortcomingsinstatemanagementregulationsforthistypeofhousing.HàN?iwillcontinuetodevelopitsfirepreventioninfrastructureinlinewiththeHàN?iMasterPlanfor2021-2030,withavisiontowards2050,andtheHàN?iMasterPlanAdjustmentSchemeto2045,withavisionto2065.Thisincludesbuildingtransportationnetworks,watersupplysystems,andcommunicationsystemsthatmeetfirepreventionandrescuerequirements.Thecitywillalsofocusoninspecting,supervising,andpromptlyaddressinginadequaciesinfirepreventionandrescueeffortstopreventandeliminatecausesleadingtofires.HàN?iwillissueandimplementacomprehensiveplantoimprovefirepreventionandrescuecapacity,ensuringsafetyinthecapitaluntil2025,withavisionextendingto2030.VNSThanTh?Thànhandevidenceseizedinthesmugglingcase.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàT?NH—PoliceinthecentralprovinceofHàT?nhhavedetainedtwowomenallegedlyinvolvedinacross-bordercurrencysmugglingscheme.ThanTh?H??ng,54,andhersister,ThanTh?Thành,47,bothresidentsofS?nTayCommune,H??ngS?nDistrict,havebeenchargedwithsmugglingandtheillegaltransportofcurrencyacrosstheVi?tNam-Laosborder.OnNovember28,inHàTraiHamlet,S?nKim1Commune,policesaidtheystoppedacarwithLaoregistrationplate2079drivenbyNguy?nV?nB?ng,36,alsofromS?nTayCommune.AccompanyinghimwasThành.AsearchofthevehicleallegedlyuncoveredUS$230,000(VN?5.8billion)hiddenamongothercargo.Subsequentraidsonthehomesofthetwosistersallegedlyyieldedanadditional$7,700aswellas570,000Japaneseyen,191,120,000Laokip,and142,000Thaibaht,withatotalvalueofapproximatelyVN?450million.InvestigatorsdeterminedthatH??nghadbeensmugglingforeigncurrenciestoLaosforprofit,whileThànhactedashercourier,accordingtopolice.Thesistersadmittedtotransportingover$4.5million(VN?100billion)sinceJuly2023,exploitingexchangeratedifferencestogenerateincome.—VNS

Soaringpepperpricesinthefirsthalfofthisyearhaveallowed??ngNaifarmerstofreshlyplantpepperseedlingstoreplaceoldones.—VNA/VNSPhoto??NGNAI—Pepperpricesincreasedinthefirsthalfofthisyear,bringingcheertofarmersinthesouthernprovinceof??ngNaiandencouragingmanytogrowitagain.ThespiceissoldatuptoVN?200,000(US$7.82)perkilogramme,andseedlingpriceshaveincreasedfromVN?8,000-10,000(US$0.31-0.39)toVN?20,000-25,000(US$0.78-0.97)inthepastmonth.Peppergrowershavebeenfocusingonrenovatingoldorchardsandexpandingthecropinthehopeofmakingakillingthisseason.Tr?nV?nV?nh,whohasaone-hectarepepperfarminC?mM?DistrictsLamSanCommune,saidhisfirstharvestfetchedatVN?180,000(US$7.03)perkilogramme,enoughforhimtoplantnewseedlingstoreplaceunproductiveones.Pepperplantsadaptwelltotheprovincestopographyandyieldgreatoutputifgivenenoughcare.Hehopedpriceswouldremainsteadytoensurefarmersgetstableincomes.LêQuangThànhofXuanL?cDistrictsXuanTh?Communesaidthehighpriceshaveallowedhimandotherfarmerstoconfidentlyinvestagainingrowingpepper.Yearsoflowpriceshavediscouragedfarmersfromcontinuingplantingpepper,andsomeevenabandontheircrops.Thisresultedina30-50percentdropinoutputinthepastfewyearsandtheareaunderthespiceshrinkingtojust11,000hafromover19,000hain2018.Nguy?nV?nTh?ng,deputydirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidfarmersneedtoimprovesoilqualitybeforeplantingnewpepperplants,especiallywheretherehavebeenmassdeathsinthepast.Itisimportanttocarefullyresearchandchoosequalityseedlingsandundertakeorganicfarmingtopreservesoilquality,hesaid.Farmersneedtolinkupwithcooperativestogetguidanceandsupportforsustainableplanting,cultivationandharvesting,headded.Nguy?nThanhTan,vicechairmanoftheXuanL?cDistrictFarmerAssociation,saidthoughmostlocalfarmersareexperiencedingrowingpepper,thedistrictwouldcontinuetoteachthemnewplantingandcaringmethodsandencouragethemtooptfororganicfarming.—VNSAssociateProfessor,Dr.Nguy?nTh?KimTi?n,formerMinisterofHealthandchairmanoftheVietnameseAssociationforOrganandTissueDonation,speaksattheworkshop.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iHàN?I—Vi?tNamrecordedabout1,000peoplereceivingorgantransplantsin2023,makingVi?tNamacountrywiththemostpeoplereceivingorgantransplantsinSoutheastAsia,participantsheardataworkshoponJuly16.Attheworkshoponorgantissuedonation,transplantationandcoordinationinVi?tNam,healthexpertssharedadvancesinorgantransplantationtechniquesandthelatestorgantransplantmiracles,whilealsoworryingaboutexistingbarriersinthefield.Thefirstbarrierisawareness.AssociateProfessor,Dr.Nguy?nTh?KimTi?n,formerMinisterofHealthandchairmanoftheVietnameseAssociationforOrganandTissueDonation,emphasisedthatthedifficultyinregisteringfororgandonationinVi?tNamwasstilllargelyduetopeoplesconceptofCh?tph?itoànthay(whenyoudie,youmusthaveawholebody).Inaddition,mostpeopledonotrealisethatorgandonationiscultural,responsibleandcompassionatetothecommunity.Theyalsodonotclearlyunderstandhowtoregisterfororgandonation.AssociateProfessorDr.??ngV?nH?,DeputyDirectorofVi?tNam-GermanyFriendshipHospitalanddirectoroftheNationalOrganTransplantCoordinationCentre,saidthatthenumberofpeoplewhoreceivedorgantransplantswasmainlyfromlivingdonors,donationsfromthedeceasedonlynumbered12.Theorgandonationratefrombrain-deadpeopleinVi?tNamisonly0.15peronemillionpeople,whileintheworldtherateis50peopleperonemillionpeople,saidDr.H?.AssociateProfessorDr.??ngV?nH?,DeputyDirectorofVi?tNam-GermanyFriendshipUniversityHospitalanddirectoroftheNationalOrganTransplantCoordinationCentre.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iTheneedforpatientsneedingorgantransplantsishuge.Becauseofthelackoforgansfrombrain-deaddonors,organsfromlivingdonorsshouldbetaken.However,westillwantorganstobedonatedfrombrain-deadorheart-deadpeoplemore,becauseabrain-deadorheart-deadpersoncandonateuptoeightorgans,includingtwokidneys,twolivers,twolungs,theirheart,pancreasandcornea.Livingpeoplecanonlydonateoneorgan,nottomentiontherearehealthrisksforthedonorafterorgandonation,saidDr.H?.Nextarelegalbarriers.Dr.H?saidthattherearemanycaseswherepeoplehaveregisteredtodonateorganswhenthey,unfortunately,passaway,butdoctorsstillcannotgetorganstodonatetosavelives.Thereareevencaseswherealmosttheentirefamilyhasagreedtodonatetheorgansofabrain-deadrelative,butatthelastminute,ifjustonefamilymemberdoesnotagree,theentireorganretrievalteamhastostopandwait.Becausethecurrentlawstipulatesthatifonefamilymemberdoesnotagree,theorgancannotberemoved,accordingtoDr.H?.Dr.Ti?nsaidthatcurrentlegalregulationsneedtobeadjustedtoincreasetheopportunitytodonateorgans,suchasageconditionsfororgandonation(currentlyover18yearsold),regimefororgandonorsandfamilies,financialmechanismoncostsandpaymentsfordonationmobilisation,transplantationandpost-transplantation.Morethan150doctorsandnursesfromCentralMilitaryHospital108performanorganremovalandtransplantation.—PhotoVGPAccordingtoDr.Ti?n,thelegalregulationsofsomecountriesaroundtheworlddonothaveproceduresforregisteringorgantissuedonation,buttheprincipleofinferenceisnatural.Afterbraindeath,organscanbedonatedwiththeconsentofthefamily(somecountriesdonotrequirethefamilysconsent)orwhenthedriverslicencehasasignindicatingconsenttoorgandonationafterdeath.Therefore,theformerMinisterofHealthproposedthatintheupcomingrevisedLawonOrganDonation,itisnecessarytoresearchandincludearegulationthatevenifpeoplewerenotregisteredwhentheywerealive,iftheydie,theirfamilycanstillagreetoorgandonation.Atthesametime,intheconsultingworkonorgandonationregistrationathospitals,theorgandonationregistrationconsultingteamcannothaveanemergencyresuscitationdoctor,becauseitisasensitiveissueforthepatientsfamily.Anotherproblemisthatorgancoordinationtimeisstillachallenge.AssociateProfessorDr.H?citedarecentbrain-deadorgandonationcaseinPhúTh?Province.IttooktheOrganTransplantCoordinationCentre16hourstoselecttwosuitablepatientsoutof58patientswaitingforanorgantransplant.Themostrecentbraindeathcasehadtocontact119patientsovera16-hourperiodtoidentifyfivepatientswithsuitableindicatorstoreceiveliver,kidneyandheart.Toincreasethesourceoforgandonationsforpatientswaitingfortransplants,Dr.H?saidthatitisexpectedthatfromAugust2024,humanorgandonationandtransplantationwillbeincludedintheregulartrainingprogrammeatHCMCityandHàN?iMedicaluniversities.Trainingcontentincludesorgantissuedonation,thelawonorgandonationandwhatmedicallyconstitutesbraindeath.—VNS

ConstructionofpedestrianoverpassestoninestationsonmetrolineNo.1isbeingspeededuptoensurecompletionbySeptember,accordingtotheHCMCityManagementAuthorityforUrbanRailways(MAUR).—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—ConstructionofpedestrianoverpassestoninestationsonmetrolineNo.1isbeingspeededuptoensurecompletionbySeptember,accordingtotheHCMCityManagementAuthorityforUrbanRailways(MAUR).The19.7kmlinefromB?nThànhMarketinDistrict1toSu?iTiênThemeParkinTh???cCityhas14stations,threeofwhichareunderground.TheninepedestrianoverpassesarebeingbuiltatTanC?ng,Th?o?i?n,AnPhú,R?chChi?c,Ph??cLong,BìnhThái,Th???c,SàiGònHigh-techPark,andVi?tNamNationalUniversityHCMCitystations.Amongthefinalitemsofconstruction,theyprovideeasieraccesstothestationsfromacrossHàN?iHighwayandfromtwostreetsrunningparalleltoit.AccordingtoMAUR,thestaircasesandbridgesneedtoavoidotherinfrastructuresuchaspower,telecomandwaterlines,drains,trees,andlights.Mostinfrastructurehasbeenrelocatedtoenabletheconstructionofboredpiles,pilecaps,columns,andbridgecaps.Thecontractorisinstallinglargecrossbeamsmeasuring22to37metresinlengthandweighing46to75tons,withtheworkbeingdonefrom10pmto5amdailyandinthemorningsonweekendstoavoidtrafficdisruptions.TheinstallationofbeamsatTh?o?i?nStationwascompletedinlastweek.Itwasachallengingtasksinceitiscloseto110kVpowerlinesandcomplextrafficintersectionsnearSàiGònBridge.Besides,thebeamswerebroughtonsuper-sizedheavyvehicleswhoseweighttheinfrastructuretherecouldnotsupport.Trafficthrough?enBridgehasbeentemporarilyhalted,andatemporarybridgehasbeenbuiltabovetheexistingstructureforthepassageofthegiantvehicles.MAURtargetscompletingbyJulyfiveoftheninepedestrianbridgesatTanC?ng,R?chChi?c,Ph??cLong,BìnhThái,andSàiGònHigh-Techparkstations.TheonesatTh?o?i?nandAnPhúwillbecompletedinAugust.Theremainingtwo,atTh???candVi?tNamNationalUniversity-HCMCitystations,willbefinishedinSeptember.Theywillbesubjecttofiresafetyandrescueinspectionsinthefourthquarter.—VNSSceneoftheaccident.Fourvictimswerepinnedagainstabridgeabutmentanddied.—Photonld.com.vnHàN?I—AtruckdrivercausedanaccidentkillingawomanandherthreechildrenandthenfledthesceneonTuesday.Theaccidentoccurredat11.00amonJuly16,inD??ngLi?uCommune,Hoài??cDistrict,HàN?iCity.Initialreportsshowthata15-tonnetruckcarryingconstructionmaterials,bearinglicenseplatenumber88C-288.49,washeadingtoMinhKhaiStreetwhenitfailedtoslowdownattheintersection.Thetrucksfrontendcollidedwiththerightsideofasmallertruck,bearinglicenseplatenumber29C-597.75,whichwasenteringtheintersection.ThecollisioncausedthesmalltrucktoveerintoamotorbikedrivenbyN.T.H.,whowascarryingherthreechildren,N.T.K.O.,N.T.T.M.,andN.T.S.Allfourwerepinnedagainstabridgeabutmentanddiedatthescene.Thedriverofthesmalltruck,identifiedasL.V.N.,wasinjuredwhereasthedriverofthe15-tonne,identifiedas?.V.L.,fledthesceneaftertheaccident.Policehavelaunchedasearchfor?.V.L,urginganyonewithinformationabouthiswhereaboutstocomeforward.—VNS