LeadersofVinacomindirectsearchandrecoveryeffortsfollowingtheaccidentthatclaimedthelivesoffivecoalminersatHònGaiCoalCompany.—VNA/VNSPhotoQU?NGNINH—AtragicminingaccidentatHònGaiCoalCompany,memberoftheVi?tNamNationalCoalandMineralIndustriesGroup(Vinacomin),inthenorthernprovinceofQu?ngNinhresultedinthedeathsoffiveworkersonMondaynight.Theincidentoccurredaround22:10ataminewithintheSu?iL?imineexpansionprojectinH?LongCity.Theworkerswereburiedbyasuddencollapseofcoalandrockwhileonthejob.Followingtheaccident,Ng?HoàngNgan,ChairmanofVinacomin,alongwithleadersfromrelevantagencies,promptlyarrivedatthescenetooverseerescueoperations.ThesearchandrescueeffortsconcludedearlyTuesdaymorning.ThedeceasedworkerswereidentifiedasBùiV?n??i,39,fromKi?nX??ngDistrict,TháiBìnhProvince;GiàngAC?,30,fromM??ngNhéDistrict,?i?nBiênProvince;B?V?nQuy?n,33,fromTràng??nhDistrict,L?ngS?nProvince;T?XuanToàn,23,fromYênKhánhDistrict,NinhBìnhProvince;andV?V?nHi?p,47,fromNinhGiangDistrict,H?iD??ngProvince.VinacominandthegroupsunionareeachprovidinginitialsupportofVN?20million(US$850)pervictim.Meanwhile,HònGaiCoalCompanywilloffereachvictimsfamilyVN?100million(US$4,200)tocoverfuneralexpenses.Authoritiesarecontinuingtoinvestigatethecauseoftheaccident.—VNS

PresidentT?LamatthefestivalinC?a??ngWardonFriday.—VNA/VNSPhotoAnV?n??ngHàN?I—PresidentT?LamonAugust2emphasisedtheneedtoreformtheAllpeoplessecuritysafeguardingmovementintermsofbothformandcontentwhileattendingafestivalinthisregardinC?a??ngWardinHoànKi?mDistrictofHàN?i.PresidentLamsaidsuchmovementhasdevelopedstronglyinthecapitalcityoverthepastyears,withvariousself-managedsecurityandsafety,andanti-crimemodelsputinplaceeffectively,androlledoutonanationalscale,laudingC?a??ngasabrightspotintheeffort.Stressingtheimportantroleandpositionofthecapitalcity,which,hesaid,isthetargetofhostileandreactionaryforcesaswellascrimes,addingthatensuringsecurityandordermustbeakey,long-termtaskofthelocalpoliticalsystem.Topromotethemovement,all-levelPartyCommitteesandadministrationsinHàN?ineedtocontinueseriouslyandeffectivelydisseminatingandimplementingrelevantguidelinesandpolicies,whileraisingpublicawarenessofthedrive,thePresidentcontinued.HesuggestedthecombinationofthedriveandotheremulationmovementslaunchedbytheParty,theState,agencies,theVi?tNamFatherlandFront,andorganisations,notingrolemodelsshouldbecommendedinatimelymanner,andparticipantsinjured,killedorsufferingpropertylossesshouldreceivesupport.ThepublicsecurityandarmyforcesneedtocloselycoordinatewiththeVietnamFatherlandFrontandotheragenciesandsocio-economicorganisationsinthismovement,hecontinued.ThePresidentalsoaskedthelocalitytopaymoreattentiontodevelopingacontingentofgrassrootspoliceofficerswhohavepoliticalqualities,professionalexpertise,andareapproachable,andabletoprovideadviceforall-levelPartyCommitteesandadministrationsintheimplementationofthemovement.Onthisoccasion,theStateleaderpresentedgiftstolocalofficialsandresidents,rolemodelsinthemovement,anddisadvantagedindividuals.—VNSNationalHighway12passingthroughM??ngP?nCommunein?i?nBiênDistrict,?i?nBiênProvincehasbeenseverelydamagedbyflashfloodstriggeredbyprolongedheavyrainoverthepastweek.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—NinepeoplehavediedfollowingtheprolongedrainandheavyfloodsinnorthernVi?tNamoverthepastweek.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentsDepartmentofDykeManagementandNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlreportedthatthefloodshavealsoledtotheemergencyrelocationof63households,withnearly600homessubmerged.Nearly2,500haofriceandcropswereflooded,while33.2haofaquaculturedestroyed.Intermsoftransport,over297siteshaveexperiencedlandslidesandblockages,withatotalofmorethan54,000cu.mofsoilandrockswasheddownhillsides.Immediatelyafterthedisasteroccurred,localauthoritiesvisitedandsupportedaffectedhouseholdsandmobilisedforcestoassistinrecoveryefforts.TheDepartmentofDykeManagementandNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlhasadvisedcitiesandprovincestocloselymonitorweatherforecastsanddisasterwarningsandproactivelyimplementresponseplans.AreasinthedownstreamregionsoftheH?ng(Red)RiverandTháiBìnhRiverareurgedtoensuresafetyduringtheoperationoftheS?nLa,HòaBình,TuyênQuanghydropowerdams.Localitiesshouldtakemeasurestoensurethesafetyofthedykesystemandrespondtothefloodingsituation.—VNS

ManystreetsinHàN?iaredecoratedwithnationalflagstocelebratetheNationalDayholiday.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?n?i?pHàN?I—Vi?tNamsNationalDaybreak,thefinalholidaythisyear,willtakeplacefromAugust31toSeptember3,theMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairshasannounced.Civilservantsareentitledtofourconsecutivedaysoff,includingoneweekendday(Saturday),twonationalholidays(SundayandMonday)andoneadditionalday(Tuesday).EmployersarerequiredtoinformemployeesoftheNationalDayholidayschedulefor2024atleast30daysinadvance.Theministryencouragesemployerstoapplytheholidayscheduleforemployeessimilarlytothatforcivilservants.Theministryalsonotedthatagenciesandcompaniesoperatingonweekends(SaturdayandSunday)maydeterminetheholidayschedulefortheiremployeesbasedontheirworkroutines.Foremployeeswhohaveaone-dayweeklyoffonSunday,theNationalDayholidayfromSeptember2willspanthreedays,fromSeptember1toSeptember3,iftheholidayisobservedonSunday(September1).IftheholidayisobservedonTuesday(September3),itwilllasttwodays,fromSeptember2toSeptember3.ForemployeeswhohaveatwodaysaweekoffonSaturdayandSunday,theNationalDayholidaywilllastfourdays,fromAugust31toSeptember3.—VNSPoliceapprehendmultipleindividualsinvolvedintheringattherestaurantinHCMCity,.—Photoplo.vnHCMCITY—Thepolicehavearrestedsevenindividuals,includingtheownersofGGRestaurant,foroperatingaprostitutionringthatcateredexclusivelytoforeigncustomers.Investigationsrevealedthattherestaurant,locatedinNguy?nTháiBìnhWard,District1,HCMCity,employedover120femalehostesses,whowereencouragedtoengageinprostitutionforafee.Itsowners,identifiedasVietnamesenationalsHoàngAnhHàoandNg?Th?Ng?cThúy,alongwithKoreannationalsChoKiwanandYuSungho,luredcustomersthroughonlineadvertisementspromisingasafeandfunatmospherewithsexydancingandwillingfemalehostesses.Theyalsoofferedtransportationservicestonearbyhotelsandluxuryapartmentswheretheprostitutiontookplace.Therestaurantstaffwereinstructedtoadmitonlyforeigncustomers(mostlyChineseandSouthKoreans)andchecktheirpassportsuponentry.Thosewithoutpassportswererequiredtohaveaguarantorforentering.Withpromisesofhighpayandcommissions,therestauranthasdrawnmanySouthKoreanmanagersandVietnamesemadamstowork.Securityguardswereconstantlypostedoutsidetherestaurant,taskedwithdispersinganyVietnameseindividualslingeringinthearea.Theyalsofrequentlychangedprostitutionlocationstoevadelawenforcement.TheillicitbusinesshasbeenoperatingsinceMay2024andissaidtohavelinedtheownerspocketswithaboutVN?10billion(US$400,000).Duringapoliceinterrogation,HoàngAnhHào,YuSungho,andNg?Th?Ng?cThúyconfessedtoinstructingstafftoengageinprostitutiontoboostrevenue.Sevenindividuals,includingthefourabovementionedowners,areinpolicecustodyandexpectedtofacechargesofbrokeringprostitution.—VNSAlocalresidentstillhastotravelbyboatinNamPh??ngTi?nCommune,Ch??ngM?District,HàN?ionThursday.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nCúcHàN?I—TheHàN?iSteeringCommitteeforDisasterPreventionandSearchandRescuehasdirecteddistrict,townauthoritiesaswellasrelevantagenciestointensifyeffortstoaddresstheaftermathofflooding,triggeredbytyphoonPrapiroonandproactivelyprepareforfuturefloodsandlandslides.Underthedispatch,localauthoritiesandagenciesmustremainvigilantandavoidcomplacency.Theywereinstructedtocloselymonitorweatheranddisasterdevelopments,issuetimelyandeffectiveresponseswithintheirauthorityandensureactionsalignedwiththeactualconditionsontheground.ThedirectivewasoutlinedinDispatchNo.04/C?-BCH,whichfocusesonmeasurestominimisehumancasualtiesandproactivelyhandleupcomingfloodandlandslidesituations.Additionally,thereshouldbeincreasedpublicawarenesscampaignsandguidanceondealingwithheavyrainfall,floods,landslidesandwaterloggingthroughvariousinformationsystemsandsocialmedia.Localitiesandsectorswerealsourgedtoreviewandbolsterpersonnelfortrafficmanagementandsafetyatcrossingpoints,landslide-proneareasandregionsaffectedbysevereflooding.Theymustpreventpeopleandvehiclesfrompassingthroughunsafeareas.Authoritieshadtoprepareresourcesandpersonnelforrescueoperationsifneededandensurestrictmonitoringandtimelyreportingofdisasterdevelopments,damageandresponseeffortstothesteeringcommitteeasperregulations.Duetotheimpactofthetyphoonandextremeweatherphenomena,thecityhasexperienceddifficultfloodingandlandslides.Waterlevelsinmajorreservoirsandlocalriversarecurrentlyhittingdangerouslyhighlevels.RecentseverefloodinginseveralcommunesinCh??ngM?andQu?cOaidistrictshascausedsignificantdamagetothousandsofhouseholdsintheareas,withanincreasedriskofdiseaseoutbreaks.DiseasepreventionInarelatedmove,thecitysHealthDepartmenthasinstructedrelevantunitstoenhancemedicalresponsesduringandafterthefloodsandtopreventdiseaseoutbreaksamongthepopulation.DeputydirectorofthehealthdepartmentNguy?n?ìnhH?ngsaidthatthedepartmentorderedhospitalsandhealthcentrestosetupemergencyteamsandmobilediseasepreventionunits,ensuringanadequatesupplyofmedicinesfortreatingflood-affectedresidents.Peopleparticipateinenvironmentalsanitationinpost-floodedareasinTuy?tNgh?aCommune,Qu?cOaiDistrict,HàN?ionThursday.—VNA/VNSPhotoMinhQuy?tInareascompletelyisolatedbyfloodwaters,mobileemergencyteamswouldvisithouseholdstoprovideimmediateassistanceandtransportresidentstohospitalsasneeded.ThecitysCentreforDiseaseControlhasestablishedfivemobilediseasepreventionteamstoguidelocalhealthcentresandcoordinatewithauthoritiestoprepareCloraminBforenvironmentalsanitationasfloodwatersrecede.ThecitysFoodSafetyandHygieneDivisionhasformedfiveteamstohandlefoodpoisoningandfoodbornediseases,readytorespondtoanyoutbreaksinflood-affectedareas.InCh??ngM?District,thecitysfloodhotspot,mobilehealthstationshavebeensetupinNamPh??ngTi?nCommune,withfouremergencyteamspermanentlystationedtohandleemergencies,diseasepreventionandrespondtostormsandflooding.Thedistrictshealthcentreinstructed32healthstationstoproactivelymanageenvironmentalconditionsbefore,during,andafterthefloods.Theywerealsopreparingmedicinesforcommonpost-floodailmentssuchasconjunctivitis,acutediarrhoea,andvariousskinconditions.??HoàngAnhChau,ViceChairmanofCh??ngM?DistrictPeoplesCommittee,hasrequestedthatalldepartmentsandlocalauthoritiesstrengthendiseasepreventioneffortsduringtherainyseason.ThedistrictsHealthCentrewastoldtoassessandaddressdiseaserisksinflood-affectedareasandimplementmeasuresfordiseaseprevention,environmentalsanitation,cleanwatermanagementandmedicalwastedisposal.Totackleenvironmentalsanitationafterthefloodwatersrecede,thehealthcentredistributednearly200kgofCloraminBtosubmergedcommunestotreatwateranddisinfecttheenvironment,withadditionalsuppliesavailable.Staffareon24hourspersevendaysstandbywithfourmobileteamsmonitoringandassistinginaffectedareas.TheHealthCentrewasalsotrackingpregnantwomeninfloodedcommunesandassigningmedicalstafftomonitortheirconditionsandguidethemtosaferlocations.InQu?cOaiDistrict,thedistrictsHealthCentredistributed10gofCloraminBtofloodedcommunesforwaterandenvironmentaltreatmentandinstructedlocalhealthstationstoincreasemedicalservicesandmanagepatientcareinaffectedregions.OnThursday,thedistrictmobilisedapproximately300peopletoconductacomprehensiveenvironmentalclean-upinallaffectedcommunes.Nguy?nTr??ngS?n,ChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofthedistrictsaidonThursdaythatpost-floodenvironmentalpollutionwasthemostpressingconcern.Authoritiesmusturgentlymitigatetheenvironmentalimpactofthedisaster,ensuringsanitationeffortskeeppacewithrecedingwatersandprovidingadequatemanpower,medicines,chemicalsandequipmentfordecontamination.Publicawarenesscampaignsshouldalsoencourageresidentstomaintainenvironmentalhygieneandpreventdiseaseoutbreaksfollowingthefloods.—VNS

ThepickuptrucksfrontendwasextensivelydestroyedaftercollidingwithamotorbikeonNationalHighwayNo.26in??kL?kProvinceonFridaymorning.—VNA/VNSPhoto??KL?K—Afatalroadaccident,involvingapickuptruckandamotorbike,onNationalHighwayNo.26,runningthroughtheCentralHighlandsprovinceof??kL?k,resultedinthedeathsofthreefamilymembersintheearlymorningofFriday.Initialreportsindicatethatthepickuptruck,registrationnumber47C-286.03,wasdrivenbyTr?nDo?nTùng,49,residinginKr?ngP?cDistrict.HewastravellingtowardsBu?nMaThu?tCityfromKr?ngP?c.Asthevehicleapproachedthenationalhighway,itcollidedheadonwithamotorbike,registrationnumber47F1-476.48.ThemotorbikewasriddenbyV?V?nH.,41,livinginEa?arCommune,EaKarDistrict,??kL?k.Hewascarryinghis36-year-oldwifeand13-year-oldsonandheadingintheoppositedirection.Thesevereimpactresultedintheimmediatedeathsofallthreeoccupantsonthemotorbike.Themotorbikesustainedsignificantdamagetothefrontend,whilethepickuptrucksfrontendwasextensivelydestroyedandthencrashingintoafenceatanearbyplantation.Uponreceivingthereport,thecityspolicedispatchedofficerstosecurethesceneandinvestigatetheincident,includingidentifyingthevictims.Thepickuptruckdriversufferedminorinjuriesandiscurrentlyatthepolicestationassistingwiththeinvestigation.RelativesofthevictimsrevealedthatonThursday,H.andhisfamilyhadtravelledfromEaKarDistricttoBu?nMaThu?tCityforavisit.OnFridaymorning,at6.30amtheywerereturninghometoEaKarDistrictwhentheaccidentoccurred.—VNSFamilymembersreunitethankstohelpfromthepolice.—Photonhandan.vnPHúTH?—Afamilyhasreunitedafternearly30yearsthankstothenationalpopulationdatabasesystem,saidthepoliceofthenorthernprovincePhúTh?.Atthebeginningoflastmonth,the??ngL??ngCommunePolicesFacebookfanpagereceivedarequestforhelpfromHoàngTh?Bích,28,whoresidesinMinhChi?ngVillage,MinhL??ngCommune,V?nBànDistrict,thenorthernmountainousprovinceofLàoCai,whoislookingforhermothersfamily.BíchsmotherisNguy?nTh?Hoan,laterchangedhernametoNguy?nTh?Dungandiscurrentlylivingatthesameaddress.HoanshometownisLamThaoDistrictandherhousewasnearariverbank.Shelosttouchwithherfamilyfornearly30yearsandinspiteofmanysearchesnorelativeshaveeverbeentraced.NowHoanshealthisveryweak,wishingtoreunitewithherparentsandrelatives.ReceivingBíchsrequest,fromthelittleinformationprovided,officersandsoldiersofthe??ngL??ngCommunePoliceconductedareviewonthenationalpopulationdatasystem.Theyalsoaskedthesecurityandorderprotectionteamsin11residentialareastogotoeveryhousetocheck.Aftersomesearchesandwithgreatdeterminationandeffort,thepoliceascertainedthat??ngTh?Hi?n,aged85,andlivingin??nNg?aZonein??ngL??ngCommunemostlikelyhadarelationshipwithHoan.Hi?nsaidthathereldestdaughterBùiTh?Hoan,63,hasbeenmissingsince1988andhasnotreturnedyet.Herfamilyhassearchedforhermanytimesbuttonoavail.ThroughexchanginginformationwithHi?nandBích,thepolicerealisedthatalthoughHoansfirstandlastnamesdidnotexactlymatch,theinformationonbothsideshadmanysimilarities,sotheycontactedthetwofamiliestomeet.OnJuly7,Hi?nsfamilyandrelativeswenttoMinhChi?ngVillagetomeetHoansfamily.Bothfamiliesconfirmedthattheyhadrecognisedthemissingfamilymemberandreunited.OnJuly25,BíchandheruncleBùiNg?cHu?nwenttothe??ngL??ngCommunePolicetothankthemfortheirhelpinfindingtheirlostrelative.—VNS

Theaftermathofthefirein2022inAnPhúkaraoke.—Photovov.vnBìNHD??NG—BìnhD??ngProvincialPeoplesProcuracyonThursdayindictedsixpeopleresponsibleforthedeadlyAnPhúkaraokefirethatkilled32victimsonSeptember6,2022.ThesixdefendantsbeingprosecutedareLêAnhXuan(ownerofAnPhúkaraoke),V?Tr??ngS?n,Ph?mQu?cHùng,Ph?mTh?H?ng(formerofficersoftheBìnhD??ngProvincialFirePreventionandRescuePoliceDepartment),andNguy?nThànhLuan(constructioncompanydirector).Theyarebeingprosecutedonchargeoffirepreventionandfirefightingregulations.Nguy?nV?nV?(formerofficeroftheThu?nAnCityFirePreventionandRescuePoliceDepartment)isbeingprosecutedfornegligence.Theinitialcauseofthekaraokefirewasdeterminedtobeanelectricalshortcircuit.Followingtheincident,authoritieslaunchedaninvestigationandinitiatedcriminalproceedings.OnSeptember16,2022,theinvestigatingagencyinitiatedproceedingsanddetainedtheownerXuan.Subsequently,S?n,Hùng,V?,andNguy?nDuyLinh(formerheadoftheFirePreventionandRescuePoliceTeaminThu?nAnCity)wereprosecuted.However,theinvestigationagainstLinhwassuspendedfollowinghisdeathduetoillnessinJune2023.Bytheendof2023,thepolicesinvestigationintotheAnPhúkaraokefirewascompletedandtheProcuracytransferredthecasefiletotheBìnhD??ngProvincialPeoplesCourtfortrial.OnMarch1,2024,thecourtreturnedthefiletotheProcuracy,requestingadditionalinvestigationintoseveralrelatedissues.Followingthesupplementalinvestigation,theinvestigatingagencyprosecutedadditionaldefendantsPh?mTh?H?ngandNguy?nThànhLuan.—VNS

Tr?nDuy(right)andhisheadteacherHàDuyH?ng.—Photovietnamnet.vnHàN?I—Tr?nDuy,12thgraderoftheHighSchoolforGiftedStudentsundertheHàN?iNationalUniversityofEducation(HNUE),haswonasilvermedalattheInternationalMathematicalOlympiad(IMO)2024.HeisoneoftwocontestantsfromtheVietnameseteam.Threeyearsago,DuycamefirstintheentranceexamtotheclassspecialisinginmathsoftheHighSchoolforGiftedStudentsundertheHNUE.InterestDuyhashadapassionformathematicssincehewasveryyoung.Howeveritwasnotuntilhewasineighthgradethathethoughtaboutmajoringinthesubject.Injuniorsecondaryschool,Duyshowedhistalentswhenhewasthebestatmathematicsamongallthesubjectshewasstudyingandwasalsothemostoutstandingintheclass.Duysaidthatheachievedtheresultstodaybecauseofhisfathersinspiration.HisfatherisTr?n??c,aformerstudentofthemathsclassatDuyshighschool.Myfathergivesmetheclearestguidanceandbelievesinmyabilities.WhenIcamefirstintheentranceexamtohighschool,myfatherthoughtIwillgofurtherandIdonotdisappointhimwithtodaysresults,Duysaid.Thisschoolyear,Duywonfirstprizeinthenationalmathscompetitionandthenasilvermedalatinternationallevel.PromisingstudentV?V?nTi?n,PrincipaloftheHighSchoolforGiftedStudents,saidthatwhenheheardthatDuywonthesilvermedalattheIMO,notonlyhimbutallthestaffandteachersattheschoolwereveryhappy.Wewerenottoosurprisedbecauseaccordingtoteachersassessment,Duyhasalwaysbeenaverypromisingstudent,saidTi?n.TeacherssaythatDuyhaspotentialtosolvethemostdifficultmathsproblemsinthegiftedstudentteam.Sincejoiningtheteam,Duyhasshownhisdifference.Hehasauniquewayofsolvingproblems.TeacherHàDuyH?ng,DuysheadteacherandalsotheteacherinchargeoftheschoolsIMOteam,saidthatduringthelearningprocess,theteamhadmanyexcellentstudentsbutthemostoutstandingwasDuy.Hehasagreatlearningability,atalentformathematicsandagreatpassion.Duyhasverygoodstudyingachievements,haswonmanyawardsandmedalsinmathscompetitions.Duyisalsoastudentwhooftenhasthehighesttestscoresintheteam,saidH?ng.Passionateaboutmathsandhavingagoodstudystrategy,teacherH?ngaffirmedthatDuymadegreatprogressfromgrade11tograde12.Especiallyinthefinalstageofgrade12,Duyhadagreatleapforward.Talkingabouthislearningstyle,Duysaidthatheusuallyfocusesonacquiringknowledgeinclass,fromtheteacherslectures.WhenIgethome,Ispendtimereviewinganddevelopingknowledgebutdonotstudytoolate,toavoidpsychologicalpressureandaffectingthenextdaysstudy,Duysaid.Ispendalotoftimeonmaths.Maybebecauseofmypassion,Ineverfeeltiredwhenstudyingmath,hesaid,addingthathealwaysgoestobedat11pm.Withthisresult,Duywillbeadmitteddirectlytouniversity.HeisconsideringbetweentheHàN?iUniversityofScienceandTechnologyandtheHàN?iUniversityofNaturalSciences–Vi?tNamNationalUniversity.Inthefuture,Duywantstostudyabroad.Thisyear,theHighSchoolforGiftedStudentshastwostudentsbeingselectedfortheIMO2024team.Theotherstudent,T???cAnh,alsoinDuysclass,wonacertificateofmeritatthecompetition.Sinceitsfoundationin1966,theHighSchoolforGiftedStudentsundertheHNUEhaswonnearly80internationalOlympicmedalsinvarioussubjects,ofwhichmathematicsaccountsformorethan60medals.—VNSPeopleinB?cGiangProvinceuseIDcardsforhealthinsurancecheck-ups.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?IForthefirsttime,VietnamesechildrenundertheageofsixcanbeissuedIDcardsuponrequestastheLawonIdentificationcomesintoeffectonJuly1,2024.Thelegalrepresentativeofthechildmustcompletetheprocedurethroughthepublicserviceportalornationalidentificationapplication.Authoritiesdonotcollectidentificationandbiometricinformationforpeopleundersixyearsold.ThelawhaschangedthecitizensIDcardandremovedinformationonhometown,placeofpermanentresidence,fingerprintsandidentifyingcharacteristicsreplacingthemwiththecitizensplaceofbirthregistrationandplaceofresidence.Vietnamesecitizensunder14yearsoldcanbeissuedIDcardsuponpersonalrequest.IfthecurrentresidenceinformationofVietnamesecitizenswhoarenoteligibletoregisterforpermanentortemporaryresidenceisupdatedintheNationalPopulationDatabase,theywillalsobeissuedIDcards.FromJuly1,authoritieswillissueidentitycertificatestopeopleofVietnameseoriginwhosenationalityisunknown.ThisisanidentificationdocumentcontaininginformationabouttheidentityofpeopleofVietnameseoriginwhosenationalityisunknownandwhohavebeenlivinginVi?tNamfor6monthsormore.ThecertificatesproveidentitytocarryouttransactionsandexercisetheownerslegalrightsandinterestsintheterritoryofVi?tNam.ThenewIDlawhasintegratedhealthinsurancecards,socialinsurancebooks,driverslicences,birthcertificatesandmarriagecertificatesintotheIDcard.Accordingtothenewlaw,eachVietnamesecitizenisissuedanelectronicIDcard,whichwillbecreatedbytheMinistryofPublicSecuritysidentificationmanagementagencyimmediatelyaftercitizenscompletetheproceduresforalevel2electronicIDaccountontheVNeIDapp.OtherlawstakingeffectfromJuly1NineotherlawswillalsocomeintoforceonJuly2024:theLawonForcesParticipatingintheProtectionofSecurityandOrderattheGrassrootsLevel,theLawonCreditInstitutions,theElectronicTransactionLaw,theTelecommunicationsLaw,thePriceLaw2023,theLawonConsumerRightsProtection,theCivilDefenceLaw,theCooperativeLaw,andtheWaterResourcesLaw.TheLawonForcesparticipatingintheProtectionofSecurityandOrderattheGrassrootsLevelstipulatesthattheforcesarearrangedinvillagesandresidentialgroupsandactasthecoresupportingthecommune-levelpolicetohelpthePeoplesCommitteeatthesamelevelinprotectingsecurityandorderandbuildingthenationalsafeguardingmovement.ThehighlightofthenewLawonCreditInstitutionsistoprohibitthesaleofoptionalinsuranceaccompanyingloans.Thelawprohibitscreditinstitutions,foreignbankbranches,managers,executives,andemployeesofcreditinstitutionsandforeignbankbranchesfromsellingoptionalinsuranceproductsalongwiththeprovisionofbankingproductsandservicesinanyform.TheLawonElectronicTransactionssupplementsregulationsandprohibitedactsinelectronictransactionsincludingtakingadvantageofelectronictransactionstoinfringeuponnationalinterests,nationalsecurity,order,socialsafety,publicinterests,legitimaterightsandinterestsofagencies,organisationsandindividuals.ItemsthatdonotapplythePriceLawinclude:land,housing,electricityandelectricityservices,medicalexaminationandtreatmentservices,tuition,servicefeesandpriceseducation-trainingandvocationaleducation.AccordingtotheLawonConsumerProtectionofConsumerRights,multi-levelmarketingorganisationsandindividualsarestrictlyprohibitedfromactssuchasrequiringotherstodeposit,payasumofmoneyorbuyacertainquantityofgoodstoparticipateinmulti-levelmarketing.Theyarealsobannedfromprovidingfalseandmisleadinginformationtoconsumersandindividualsparticipatinginmulti-levelmarketing.VNS

CountingtheshipmentofdrugshiddenintoothpastetubesseizedfromtheluggageoffourflightattendantsinTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportinHCMCityinMarch2023.VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—Legalproceedingsareunderwayagainst961suspectsaccusedofproducing,trafficking,storingandusingdrugsfollowingayear-longinvestigationintothecaseofflightattendantsillegallytransportingdrugsfromFrancetoTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirport.ThepoliceannouncedthattheyhavesuccessfullybrokenuphundredsofdrugtraffickingringsinHCMCity,BìnhD??ngProvinceand??ngNaiProvince.Thepolicealsoseizedmorethan319kilogrammesofvarioussyntheticdrugs,12firearms,67bullets,threegrenadesandnumerousrelatedexhibitsduringtheinvestigation.Theinitialinvestigationsresultsalsorevealedthatpriortotheirarrest,thesuspectshadillegallytradedhundredsofkilogrammesofdrugs,amountingtotransactionsvaluedatoverVN?28trillion(US$1.09billion).ThecasebeganonMarch16lastyearwhenTanS?nNh?tcustomsdetectedsuspiciousitemsintheluggageoffourfemaleflightattendantsreturningfromFrance.CustomsofficersnotifiedtheDrugCrimeInvestigationPoliceDepartment(C04)undertheMinistryofPublicSecurityandtheDrugCrimeInvestigationOffice(PC04)undertheHCMCitysPoliceDepartment,wholaunchedaunitedandcoordinatedinspection,leadingtothewideroperationbeingrevealed.Subsequentexaminationrevealedthatofthe327toothpastetubesintheattendantsluggage,almosthalf,157tubes,containedover11.2kilogrammesofsyntheticdrugs.Throughouttheinvestigation,authoritiessaidthattheairlinestaffinsistedthattheywereunawarethatthegoodstheytransportedfromFrancetoVi?tNamcontaineddrugs.—VNSTheNApassestherevisedSocialInsuranceLawonSaturday.—VNA/VNSPhotoAnV?n??ngHàN?I—TheNationalAssembly(NA)passedtherevisedSocialInsuranceLawonSaturday,whichwilltakeeffectonJuly1,2025.Therevisedlawpassedwith454outof465deputiesinfavour,representing93.42percentoftheNA.Earlier,aspecificprovisionofthelawregardingone-timewithdrawalsofsocialsecuritybenefitsalsoreceived93.83percentoftheNAsapproval.Undertheprovision,individualswhoceaseparticipationinsocialsecuritycanonlybeentitledtoone-timesocialsecuritypaymentiftheyfallintooneofthefollowingcategories:Theyhavereachedtheageofretirementbuthavenotyetpaid15yearsofsocialsecuritycontributions;theygoabroadtosettlepermanently;theysufferfromoneofthefollowingdiseases:cancer,paralysis,severecirrhosis,severetuberculosisandAIDS;theyhaveaworkcapacityreductionof81percentorhigher;ortheyareclassifiedasseverelydisabled.Nguy?nThúyAnh,ChairmanoftheNAsSocialAffairsCommittee,saidtheprovisionaimstoapproachinternationalstandardsandadapttoVi?tNamsrapidlyagingpopulation.Therevisedlawwillonlyenableone-timesocialsecuritypaymentundercertaincircumstances,increasingthenumberofpeoplewhoremaininthesocialsecuritysystemforlong-termbenefits,saidAnh.TheNAsStandingCommitteeencouragedworkersnottooptforone-timesocialsecuritypaymentbutratherstayinthesystemforlong-termbenefits.ThecommitteealsourgedtheGovernmenttolaunchcommunicationcampaignstokeepthemwell-informedabouttheadvantagesofmonthlypaymentsoverone-timepayments.—VNS

WorkerspullaunderseaopticalcableashoreinQuyNh?nCity.—Photobaotintuc.vnHàN?I–Vi?tNamplanstobuildatleast10newunderseacableroutesby2030,increasingthetotalnumberto15withaminimumcapacityof350Tbps.Accordingtothedevelopmentstrategyforthenationsinternationalfiberopticcablesystemto2030withavisionuntil2035,issuedbytheMinistryofInformationandCommunications,atleasttwoofthesenewcableswillbeownedbyVi?tNamandwillconnectdirectlytoregionaldigitalhubs.By2027,thecountryaimstolaunchfournewroutes,boostingthetotalcapacitytoatleast134Tbps.ItwillcontinuetoensurethatSingapore,HongKong(China),andJapanremaintheprimarydigitalhubsforconnections.Between2028and2030,sixmorerouteswillbeadded.Thisphasewillaimtomaintainupto90percentoftheunderseacablecapacitylinkedtofourmajordigitalhubsinAsia,witha10percentcapacityreservedforbackupconnectionstosignificantdigitalhubsintheAmericasandEurope.TheinternationalfiberopticcablesystemisacrucialpartofVi?tNamsdigitalinfrastructure,requiringbiginvestmentstoensureultra-highcapacity,widebandwidth,safety,andsustainability.Thisinfrastructurewillprovidethenecessaryspaceforseveralurbancentrestobecomeregionaldatahubs.Lookingtowards2035,thestrategyoutlinesthatthesystemwillbeamongthoseleadingtheregionintermsofquantity,capacity,andquality.Thisdevelopmentwillattractmajorcloudserviceprovidersandfacilitatetheestablishmentoflargedatacentres.—VNSTaxpayersmaketransactionsattheHCMCityTaxDepartment.PhotocourtesyoftheHCMCityTaxDepartmentHCMCITY—TaxauthoritiesinHCMCityhaverequestedpoliceassistanceinverifyingthefounderof116companiesacrossvariousdistrictsinresponsetoconcernsaboutpotentialtaxlawviolationsorfraudulentactivities.Nguy?nTi?nD?ng,deputydirectorofHCMCityTaxDepartment,disclosedonJune28thataVietnamesewoman,knownbythefirstnameH??ng,hadestablished116businesseswithincitydistrictsbetweenDecember2023andMarch2024.Thesebusinessesallbearforeignnames.Despitemultipleattemptstosummonthewomanforclarification,shefailedtoappearforquestioning.Investigationshaverevealedthebusinessesfoundedbyherwerenotconductingoperationsattheirregisteredaddressesoranyphysicallocation.Thetaxagencyhassoughtpoliceinterventiontodeterminewhetherlegitimatecitizenidentificationcardswereusedintheestablishmentofthesebusinesses.Ithasalsocautionedthatcasesofmassbusinessestablishmentofteninvolvefraudulentintentions,requiringfurtherinvestigationbythepolice.IthascalledforcollaborationfromtheDepartmentofPlanningandInvestmentinexaminingtheproliferationofvirtualandghostbusinessesestablishedbycertainindividuals.Withtherecentrelaxationofregulationsonbusinesslicensing,therehasbeenariseincasesexploitingtheestablishmentofmultiplebusinessesforillicitpurposessuchasinvoicetradingandtaxrefundscams.Therefore,thetaxagencynowrequirestheverificationofpersonalidentificationbeforeissuingelectronicinvoicestopreventtax-relatedviolations.ThetaxagencyrecommendsamendmentstolegalregulationsmandatingtheauthenticationofpersonalinformationthroughtheMinistryofPublicSecuritysnationalpopulationdatacentrepriortocompanyregistrationandinvoiceissuancetoavoidtheriskofindividualsmisusingcitizenidentificationcardsforfraudulentactivities.Inarelatedmove,thetaxagencyrecentlyannouncedalistofhundredsofbusinessesandindividualsowingoverVN?4.6trillion(US$188million)intaxeswithseveralfirmswithtaxdebtsofoverVN?100millionasofApril.—VNS