PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhcallsforeveryonetojointheprogrammeofeliminatingdilapidatedhousesforthepooralloverthecountryinaceremonyorganisedinHàN?iinOctoberthisyear.—VNA/VNSPhotoD??ngGiangTHáIBìNH—TháiBìnhProvincehasimplementedmanyflexiblemeasuresandmethodstoeliminatetemporaryanddilapidatedhousesforpoorandnear-poorhouseholds,toachievesustainablepovertyreduction.TheprovincehasatargetofgettingridofalltemporaryanddilapidatedhousesbySeptember2025.TheplansinTháiBìnhhavebeenputatthecentreoftheentirelocalpoliticalsystem,manytemporaryanddilapidatedhouseshavebeenupgradedandreplaced,improvingthequalityofpeopleslnew88ives.Accordingtotheprojecttosupportpoorandnear-poorhouseholdsinTháiBình,theprovincecurrentlyhas2,106poorandnear-poorhouseholdsinneed.Ofwhich,1,164onesneedtobuildnewhouses,whereas942othersneedtohavetheirhomesrepaired.TháiBìnhProvincehasagreedtogiveVN?100million(US$3,900)perhouseholdtobuildhouseandVN?50millionperhouseholdforrepairs.ThecapitalisfromtheNationalFundtoeliminatetemporaryanddilapidatedhouses,localbudgetandtheprovincialFatherlandFrontCommittee.SecretaryofTháiBìnhProvincialPartyCommitteeNg???ngH?isaidthattheprovincehadissuedtheDirectiveNo38-CT/TUonOctober31thisyear,onstrengtheningleadershipanddirectiontoeliminatetemporaryanddilapidatedhouses.Accordingly,thesupportmethodswillbeinadiversified,flexiblemanner,suitabletorealityinthespiritof:Whoeverhastimeandlabourhelpstimeandlabour,whoeverhaspropertyhelpsproperty,whoeverhaslittlehelpslittle,whoeverhasalothelpsalot.Provincialauthoritieshavedirectedallsectorstodevelopplansandroadmapsforimplementingtheeliminatingtemporaryanddilapidatedhousesprogramme.ProvincialleadersrequestedtheVi?tNamFatherlandFrontCommitteeofTháiBìnhProvincetocallforStateemployees,armedforces,thebusinesscommunityandpeopleofallwalksoflifeintheprovincetojointheprogramme.—VNS

SeaturtlesarerescuedattheNúiChúaNationalParkinV?nhH?iCommune,NinhH?iDistrict,NinhThu?nsouthernprovince.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nThànhNINHTHU?N—AprogrammetotrainfishermenandothersonrescuingseaturtlesandmarinemammalswasheldonWednesdayattheNúiChúaNationalParkinthesouthernprovinceofNinhThu?n.OrganisedbytheDepartmentofFisheriesundertheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentincollaborationwiththeInternationalUnionforConservationofNatureinVi?tNam(IUCNVi?tNam)andtheHumaneSocietyInternational(HSI),theprogrammeattractedtheparticipationofmarineconservationmanagersfromanumberofprovincesandcities,fisheriesexpertsand30fishermen.LêTr?nNguyênHùng,DeputyDirectoroftheDepartmentofFisheriesSurveillance,saidthattheprogrammeaimedtoequipofficersworkinginmarineconservationandfisheriesmanagementwithessentialskillsinrescuingseaturtlesandmarinemammals.Afterthecourse,thetraineesnotonlylearnedrescueskillsbutalsohowtobecomeambassadorsforprotectingthemarineenvironment,helpingspreadmessagesonconservationtothecommunity.Thosewhoattendedthetrainingprogrammeweretaughtspecialisedrescueskills,includinghowtohandleemergencysituations,careforinjuredanimalsandhelpthemreturntothewild.Inaddition,thetrainingcoursealsointroducedwaystocollectinformationonunintentionalexploitationofseaturtlesandmarinemammals,whichiscrucialtobetterunderstandingwhatconservationandmanagementmeasuresarerequired.BùiTh?ThuHi?n,manageroftheMarineandCoastalProgrammeunderIUCNVi?tNam,saidthatNúiChúaNationalParkisaplacewheregreatnumbersofseaturtlescometonest.Theparkisrankedsecondforturtlenestinggrounds,afterC?n??oNationalParkinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvince.Theparksmanagementboardhasactivelyworkedinseaturtleconservation,especiallythroughanannualvolunteerprogramme.Theseprogrammesareconsideredgoodopportunitiestoconveyanationwidemessageonseaturtleconservation.AccordingtotheDepartmentofFisheriesSurveillance,seaturtlesandmarinemammalsareindispensabletothemarineecosystem.InVi?tNamswaters,fivespeciesofseaturtlesandabout30speciesofmarinemammalshavebeenrecordedlivingalongcoastalareasandoffshoreislands.AllseaturtleandmarinemammalspeciesarelistedintheVi?tNamRedBookandtheIUCNRedList.Seaturtlesbelongtogrouponeonthelistofendangered,preciousandrarespeciesprioritisedforprotection,issuedintheGovernmentsDecree64/2019/N?-CP.Marinemammalsbelongtogrouponeonthelistofendangered,preciousandrareaquaticspeciesissuedintheGovernmentsDecree37/2024/N?-CP.—VNSOysterchipsoftheTanPhátL?iCo-operativeinCàMauProvincesNg?cHi?nDistricthavebeenrecognisedasaproductunderthecountrysOneCommune–OneProductProgramme.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhAnhCàMAU—CàMauProvinceisboostingthedevelopmentofacollectiveeconomy,especiallyco-operatives,topromoteitspotentialandstrengthsforsocio-economicdevelopment.Underitsplanofdevelopingitscollectiveeconomyin2024-30,thesouthernmostprovinceaimstodevelop30newco-operativesand100newco-operativegroupsnextyear,focusingonestablishingagriculturalco-operativesinnew-styleruralandadvancednew-styleruralcommunes.Ittargetsanaverageannualincomeofworkersandmembersofco-operativesofmorethanVN?50million(US$2,500)in2025andforco-operativestoearnaverageannualrevenueofVN?1billion($40,000).Itaimsforabout50percentofco-operativestooperatehighlyeffectivelyandfor30percentofco-operativemanagershavecertificatesoftertiaryeducation.Italsoaimstoincreasetheaverageco-operativemembershipfrom15in2023to70in2030.TheprovinceismobilisingmorethanVN?726billion($29million)fromvarioussourcestoimplementtheplanofdevelopingitscollectiveeconomyin2024-30.LêV?nS?,deputychairmanoftheprovincesPeoplesCommittee,saidtheplanwillstrengthenthecollectiveeconomy,especiallyco-operativesinvarioussectors,toattractfarmers,households,companiesandorganisationstoco-operateanddevelopproductionlinkages.TheplanwillimproveStatemanagementofthecollectiveeconomyandcreatefavourableconditionsfordevelopingthesector,hesaid.ThePeoplesCommitteehastargetedtodevelopthecollectiveeconomyingeneralandco-operativesinparticularincombinationwithmeetingthedemandsofthemarketandimplementingthenationalprogrammeofbuildingnew-styleruralareasandOneCommune-OneProduct(OCOP)programme.Theprovincehasmorethan1,200co-operativesandco-operativegroupsinvarioussectors.Intheagriculturesectoralone,ithas187co-operativeswithmorethan3,749membersand939co-operativegroups.Upto77percentofitspopulationliveinruralareas.Organicshrimppondsofthe?oànPhátCo-operativeinCàMauProvincesTh?iBìnhDistrict.Theco-operativeimplementsorganicshrimp-ricefarming.–VNA/VNSPhotoH?ng??tEffectiveoperationManyco-operativesinCàMauhaveoperatedeffectivelyandexpandedtheiroperations.TheTanH?ngHighProductivityShrimpBreedingCo-OperativeinCáiN??cDistricthasincreaseditsmembersfrom44to70afterestablishingeightyearsago.Themembersbreed300haofshrimp,including50haofsuper-intensivewhite-leggedshrimpfarming.Hu?nhXuanDi?u,directoroftheco-operative,saidtheinitialsuccessesoftheco-operativeareduetomanyfactors,includingtheassistanceoflocalauthoritieswithadvancedbreedingtechniques.Watersuppliedfortheco-operativesshrimppondsisrecycledandreusedandthishelpsreduceproductioncosts,hesaid,addingthattheco-operativecanbreedfourtofiveshrimpcropsayear.Manyco-operativesintheprovincehaveaveragerevenueofVN?1billion($40,000)andaprofitofVN?300million($11,800)ayear,accordingtotheprovincesCo-operativeAlliance.Theprovincehasprovidedfinancialandothersupporttodevelopnewco-operatives.Theseco-operativeshavehelpedpromotelocalspecialtyproducts,improvingtheirvalueandincomeforlocalpeople.In??mD?iDistricts??mD?iTown,theCàMauSaltCo-operativewasestablishedwithsixmembersearlythisyear.ThetownsPeoplesCommitteegrantedVN?100million($4,000)fortheco-operativetobuymachinesandfacilitiesforproduction.Ti?nYNguy?n,directoroftheco-operative,said:IseeshrimpandsaltastwoabundantproductsinthetownandIhaveanideaofproducingfoodmadefromthemtodeveloptheirproductionandincreasetheirvalue.Theco-operativespecialisesinproducingproductsfromsaltandshrimpsuchasshrimpsalt,redchillisalt,andgreenchillisalt.LêNg?cLam,aworkeroftheco-operative,said:Ihavebeenworkingfortheco-operativesinceitsestablishmentandmyworkispackingproducts.Myincomeisbasedonmyworkproductivity.Tr?nQu?cTu?n,deputychairmanofthetownsPeoplesCommittee,saidtheco-operativehasdirectlycontributedtoreducingpovertyinthelocalityandcreatedjobsforlocalpeopleintheirfreetime.Theco-operativeisnewlyestablishedbutitsecuresstableproductoutputandcontinuesimprovingproductquality,hesaid.Co-operativesintheprovincehaveincreasedsellingtheirproducts,especiallythoserecognisedundertheOCOPprogramme,onlinethroughwebsites,socialmediaande-commerceplatforms,andbyintroducingtheirproductsattourismdestinations.AfterOCOPproductsaresoldonline,theirsaleshaveincreasedby20-30percentcomparedtotraditionalsales,accordingtotheirproducers.TheTanPhátL?iCo-operativeinNg?cHi?nDistrictsTan?nTayCommunehassetupitswebsitetosellitsproductsmadefromshrimpsuchasdriedshrimp,shrimpsalt,shrimpflake,shrimpchipsandfermentedsourshrimp.BùiV?nCh??ng,itsdirector,saidonlinesaleshavehelpedtheco-operativesOCOPproductsreachconsumersmoreeasily.Theco-operativesells2-3tonnesofproductsamonth,withupto90percentofthemsoldonthewebsite,hesaid.—VNSnew88

PartofRingRoad3inHCMCity.—PhotocourtesyofHCMCitysTrafficWorksManagementBoardHCMCITY—HCMCityauthoritiesareseekingtoengagewithresidentsaffectedbykeytrafficprojects,includingtheRingRoad3project,toexpeditelandhandoversandsiteclearance.SpeakingatameetingonWednesday,LêNg?cHùng,deputydirectorofHCMCitysTrafficWorksManagementBoard,saidthecityhasformedaspecialisedcommandboardforcompensationandresettlementactivitiesfortheproject.Currently,landclearancefortheRingRoad3projecthasreached99.8percentcompletion,with1,689outof1,692householdsagreeingtolandtransfers.Hùngattributedthesuccesstoproactiveadvocacyefforts,includingcommunityengagementbyretiredofficialsandlocalleaders,whichhaveaddressedconcernsandimprovedunderstandingoftheprojectschallenges.Authoritiesarealsoutilisingoff-hoursforadvocacytominimisedisruptiontoresidents.Inaddition,thetrafficmanagementboardhasimplementedstrategiestostreamlinelandclearance,includingassigningprojectmanagerstoworkdirectlywithcompensationteamsandconductingregularmonitoring.Theyalsoconductsociologicalsurveystoevaluatetheimpactonaffectedhouseholdsanddevelopplansforimprovingtheirqualityoflife.Publiccommunicationeffortsaimtohelpresidentsunderstandthelandclearanceprocesswhileprovidingmaterialassistanceforrelocation,hesaid.LessonslearnedfromtheRingRoad3projectwillinformfuturelandclearanceinitiatives,hesaid,recommendingacoordinatedapproachandongoingpublicengagement.ConstructionofRingRoad3beganinJune2022andissettoopeninlate2025,withfullcompletionexpectedin2026.Spanning90kmatacostofoverVN?75.3trillion(US$3.2billion),itwilltraverseHCMCityandtheprovincesofBìnhD??ng,??ngNai,andLongAn.Theroadwillfeaturesixlanesforspeedsof80-100kmperhour,plustwoemergencystoplanes.Thefirstphasewillcover76kmwithfourlanes,withlocalitiesresponsibleforsiteclearingandconstruction.AnoverpasswillconnecttheringroadtotheHCMCity–LongThành–D?uGiayExpressway,linking??ngNaiandHCMCity,andconnectingtotheD?uGiay–PhanThi?tExpressway.Theprojectwillalsoconnecttofourotherexpressways,enhancingtrafficflowandfosteringurbanandindustrialdevelopment.V?TrungTr?c,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment,saidthatsince2022,nearly540projectsinthecityhavebeendesignatedforcompensationandlandclearance,includingkeyprojectssuchasRingRoad3andmetrolines1and2.FormetrolineNo.2,whichconnectsB?nThànhMarketinDistrict1toThamL??ngDepotinDistrict12,585affectedcaseshavebeenidentified,with576successfullyhandedover,achievinga98.5percentcompletionrate.ForRingRoad3,over1,690affectedhouseholdshavebeenaddressed,withnearly1,700completed,resultingina99.8percentrate.AtTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportsnewTerminalT3,alllandhasbeencleared.InVi?tNam,disputesoftenarisebetweenaffectedhouseholdsandpublicprojectdevelopersduetolowcompensationratescomparedtomarketvalues.Inadequatecompensationhasstalledrealestatedevelopmentandledtodisputes,expertssaid.Expertssaiditwasvitaltofostercloserengagementwithresidentstoexplainthesignificanceofprojectsandensuresmoothercompensationandlandhandovers.Inarelatedmove,cityauthoritiesrecentlyupdatedlandpricestooverVN?687million($27,000)persquaremetreincentraldistrictsandVN?2.3millionontheoutskirts,increasingratesbyfourto38times.Thesenewresidentiallandpriceswilldeterminecompensation,taxes,andfees,aimingtoresolvethelowcompensationissue.Cityofficialssaidthenewpricetablewillenhancetransparencyandfairnessforbothindividualsandorganisations.—VNSResidentsreceiveassistanceininstallingservicesonsmartphonesinMinhB?oCommune,YênBáiCity,YênBáiProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofInformationandCommunications(MIC)hassubmittedaproposaltothePrimeMinistertoadjustitssupportschemeunderthepublictelecommunicationsserviceprogramme.Theproposalsuggestsreallocatingthefundsinitiallysetasidefor400,000tabletsandusingtheminsteadtoprovidesmartphonestolow-incomehouseholds.Thismovecomesaspartoftheministrysongoingeffortstoacceleratethepublictelecommunicationsserviceprogramme,whichaimstoexpandbroadbandinternetaccesstodisadvantagedareas,borderregionsandislands.Theprogrammealsofocusesonmobilisingresourcestoextendservicestohard-to-reachcommunities,includingthoseinethnicminorityandmountainousareas.Between2021andSeptember2024,approximately3,310villageswereidentifiedaslackingmobilebroadbandcoverage.Ofthese,2,141villagesaresituatedinareassupportedbytheprogramme,whichfocusesonregionswithparticularlydifficultsocio-economicconditions.AsofSeptember2024,nearly2,549villageshadbeenconnectedtomobiletelecommunicationsservices,with1,476ofthesebenefitingfromthesupportoftheprogramme.However,761villagesremainwithoutmobilebroadbandcoverage.Theministryhasoutlinedplanstoextendservicesto547ofthesevillagesandisurginglocalauthoritiestocollaboratewithtelecomcompaniestoaddressadditionalcoveragegaps.MIChasapprovedafundingplantotallingmorethanVN?2,230billion(nearlyUS$88million)tosupportpublictelecommunicationsservicesfrom2022to2024.In2022,telecomcompaniesprovidedservicesworthVN?107.7billion,helpingaround195,000poorandnear-poorhouseholdsaccessmobileservices.In2023,thevalueofservicesprovidedincreasedsignificantly,withover590,000householdsreceivingmobileservices,worthanestimatedVN?345.65billion.Theprogrammealsosupportedaround3,600schoolsandhealthstationswithfixedbroadbandinternet,valuedatVN?8.19billion.Contractsfor2024havealreadybeensigned,andtelecomcompaniesarenowimplementingtheirexpansionplans.Undertheoriginalplan,theMIChadallocated400,000tabletstoassistlow-incomehouseholdswithonlinelearningduringtheCOVID-19pandemic.However,withthepandemicnowundercontrolandstudentsreturningtoin-personclasses,theministryhasrecognisedtheneedtoreassessthepolicy.TheMICalsohighlightedthechallengesinimplementingtheprogrammeduetogapsinthelegalframework.Thesechallengesmainlyrelatetothetenderingandcontractingprocessesfortelecomcompaniesassignedtoextendservicestounderservedareas.Toaddresstheseissues,theministryisdraftingadecreetoprovidelegalclarityontheoperationsofthetelecommunicationsserviceprogram.OnceapprovedbythePrimeMinister,thisdecreewillresolveexistinglegalobstaclesandenablemoreefficientsupportfortelecomcompaniesinexpandingservicestoremoteareas.Inaddition,theministryplanstoproposefurtheradjustments,includingtheshiftintabletsupporttosmartphones,tobettermeettheevolvingneedsofdisadvantagedcommunities.—VNSAlocalresidentinthecentralhighlandprovinceof??kL?kfindsjobatajobfair.VNA/VNSPhoto??KL?K—SendingVietnameseworkersforseasonaljobsinSouthKoreaisbecomingaviablestrategytohelpreducepovertysustainably.TheCentralHighlandsprovinceof??kL?k,withitshighpovertyrateandlargepopulationofethnicminorities,hasfoundthisinitiativeparticularlyimpactful.IntheborderdistrictofEaSúp,peoplefacetoughlivingconditionsduetosevereweather,limitedirrigationinfrastructure,naturaldisastersandvolatileagriculturalprices.TheprogrammeofferingseasonalworkinSouthKoreahasintroducedanewpath,providingastableincomeandimprovinglocallivelihoods.HàV?nH??ng,amemberoftheThaiethnicgroupfromEaRvêCommune,EaSúpDistrict,hasjustreturnedfromhisthirdthree-monthseasonaljobintheRepublicofKorea.H??ngsfamily,classifiedaslow-income,ownstwohectaresofcassavaland,butharshborder-areaweatherandrecurringdroughthavehinderedcropproductivity.Afterlearningabouttheprogrammeforgoingabroadforworkthroughlocalofficials,heregisteredtoparticipate.H??nghasnowcompletedthreetrips.Aftercoveringexpenses,hehasbroughtbackapproximatelyVN?70-80million(US$2,760-$3,150)eachtime,usingthesavingstorepairhishouseandinvestinadditionalcassavacultivation.Myjobtheremainlyinvolvedplantingandharvestingsweetpotatoes.Iworkedninetotenhoursaday.Comparedtofarminghere,itwasnttoostrenuous,H??ngsaid.Ilearnedalot,especiallyaboutmodernagriculturalpracticesinSouthKorea,whichIhopetoapplytomyworkathome.Ihopethisprogrammecontinues,asitprovidesstableworkandincome,helpingusimproveourlives,hesaid.Similarly,PhanBáTyfromEaSúpTowninEaSúpDistricthasworkedthreeseasonalstintsinSouthKorea.Hiswife,V?Th?Dinh,saidhebeganhislatesttripinthisAugust.HeisworkingatasweetpotatofarminIksanCity,JeollabukProvince,earningaroundVN?30million($1,180)permonthbeforeovertime.Aftertwotrips,TybroughtbackVN?170million($6,700),whichthecoupleusedtorenovatetheirhomeandinvestinfarmingandlivestocktoboosttheirlivelihood.AccordingtoHoàngTh?Ki?uOanh,DeputyHeadofEaSúpDistrictsOfficeofLabour,WarInvalidsandSocialAffairs,theseasonalworkprogrammeinSouthKoreahasbeenwellreceived,helpingtoaddresslocalemploymentneeds,increaseincomeandsupportpovertyalleviationefforts.Thethree-monthworkingperiodallowsworkerstoearnanincomewhilemanagingfamilyobligationsbackhome.Mostseasonalworkersfrom??kL?karefromlow-incomeorstrugglingbackgrounds.Afterexpenses,theytypicallysavebetweenVN?70-90millionpertrip.Thisincomehelpsthempayoffdebts,investinlivestockandagriculture,andimprovetheirfamilysqualityoflife.Thewagesforseasonalworkabroadaresignificantlyhigherthandomesticoptions,andwhiletheinvestmentisminimal,theeconomicbenefitsaresubstantial.Addnew88itionally,workingabroadgivesparticipantsachancetolearnnewskills,includinglanguageandadvancedworktechniques,whileadoptingnewtechnologies.Allatnotrainingcosttothem.Thisvaluableexperiencecanopenupcareeropportunitiesuponreturninghome,shesaid.ApromisingpathWithsupportfromthe??kL?kProvincesPeoplesCommitteeandDepartmentofForeignAffairs,theEaSúpDistrictPeoplesCommitteesignedacooperationagreementonsendingandreceivingseasonalagriculturalworkersinSouthKoreainFebruary2023.Theagreement,betweenEaSúpDistrict,??kL?kProvince,andthegovernmentofIksan,JeollabukProvince,SouthKorea,prioritisesworkersfromlow-income,near-poorandethnicminorityhouseholds.Nearlytwoyearsintotheprogramme,EaSúpDistrictPeoplesCommitteehasrecruitedandsent327workerstoSouthKoreaforseasonalemployment.BasedonlabourneedsfromtheIksanauthority,thedistricthascarriedoutrecruitment,signedcontractswithworkersanddirecteditsOfficeofLabour,WarInvalidsandSocialAffairstocoordinatewithrelevantagenciestoprovideorientationtraining,Koreanlanguagelessonsandassistworkerswithobtainingnecessarydocumentation.Theofficealsoorganisesthelogisticsforworkersdepartureandtheirreturnuponcontractcompletion.TheworkersonlyrequiredexpenseisaboutVN?20million($788)fortravel.VietnameselabourersworkataginsengfarminthemountainousareaofGeumsan,NamChungcheongDistrictinSouthKorea.VNA/VNSPhotoPh?mAnhNguyênOanh,DeputyHeadofEaSúpsDepartmentofLabour,WarInvalidsandSocialAffairs,notedthatuponarrivalinSouthKorea,workersareassignedtogroupsandplacedonfarmswithstableemploymentandsafe,well-ventilatedhousingprovidedbyemployers.Workerscovertheirownhousingandmealexpenses.Despitetheprogrammesbenefits,challengesremain,shesaid.Someindividualshavetakenadvantageoftheprogramme,abandoningtheirjobstoresideillegallyinSouthKoreaforshort-termpersonalgain,whichcomplicatesthepartnership.Nguy?nQuangThuan,DeputyDirectorof??kL?ksDepartmentofLabour,WarInvalidsandSocialAffairs,statedthatthereissignificantdemandforseasonalworkabroad,especiallyinSouthKorea.Overthepasttwoyears,threedistrictsofEaSúp,Kr?ngN?ngandEaHLeohavesignedsimilaragreementswithJeollabukProvince.However,onlyEaSúphassuccessfullysentworkers.Workersfrom??kL?karehighlyvalued,signallingpromisingopportunitiesforlocallabour.EaSúpsforeignlabourprogrammeispartofacomprehensivepovertyreductionstrategy,alignedwithinitiativestoboostagriculturalproduction,improveinfrastructureandenhancehealthcareandeducationservicesforresidents.Theseoverseasworkopportunitieshavebeenapowerfulmotivator,helpinglocallabourersbreakthecycleofpovertyandstabilisetheirlives,underscoringthedistrictscommitmenttoleavingnoonebehindinitsdevelopmentefforts.—VNS

ThesceneoftheexplosioninV?TranhCommune,L?cNamDistrict,B?cGiangProvince,whichclaimsonedeath.VNA/VNSPhotoB?CGIANG—OntheeveningofNovember13,2024,anexplosionoccurredattheresidenceofB.V.C.,33,in??ngM?nHamlet,V?TranhCommune,L?cNamDistrict,B?cGiangProvince,resultinginhisdeathandsignificantpropertydamage.Localauthoritiesareactivelyinvestigatingthecauseoftheincident.Witnessesreportedhearingaloudblastaround7.30pm,followedbyflamesrapidlyengulfingthehouse.Imagesfromthescenedepictextensivedamage,includingscorchedfurnitureandadestroyedroof.Fortunately,nootherfamilymemberswereinjured.TheL?cNamDistrictPolicearecollaboratingwithrelevantagenciestoconductathoroughinvestigationintotheexplosion.Furtherdetailswillbeprovidedastheinvestigationprogresses.VNSAuthorisedagenciesofBaVìDistrict,HàN?iCityorganisesenforcement,dismantlementofillegalconstructionworksonagriculturallandtoservealocalprojecttorenovateandupgradeProvincialRoad414conMay.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—HàN?isDepartmentofConstructionhasadvisedthemunicipalPeoplesCommitteetoissueadecisionenforcingtherecoveryof113siteswherepubliclandandpropertywerebeingusedinviolationofregulations.Sofar,56siteshavebeenreclaimed.Amongthese,sixlocationsinvolveState-ownedspecialisedbuildings,while42locationsareareasdesignatedforcommercialservicesinresettlementbuildings.Currently,district-levelauthoritiesareenforcingtheseizureoftheremainingviolatingsites.Theenforcementcomesafteroneyearofimplementingthecitysprojecttomanageandusepublicassetsfrom2022to2025.ThedatawasrevealedatarecentmeetingofthecapitalPeoplesCommitteetoreviewtheresultsoftheproject.Priortothemeeting,thePeoplesCouncilofthecityhasidentifiedthemanagementandutilisationofpublicassetsasacrucialandurgentissue.ThecouncilapprovedtheprojectinMarch2023.AccordingtotheMonitoringCommitteeofthecapitalsPeoplesCouncil,thePeoplesCommitteeapprovedtherestructuringof10,711landandpropertysites,coveringatotalareaof43.7millionsq.moflandand9.9millionsq.mofbuildings.Theassetswereunderthemanagementofvariousmunicipalagencies,organisationsandState-ownedenterprises.Duringthereorganisation,thecityidentifiedsurpluspropertiesbeingmisusedorimproperlyallocatedforenforcement.Thecityalreadyidentified653sites,encompassing5.8millionsq.moflandandapproximately359,500sq.mofbuildingssofar.ChallengesremainHowever,monitoringbythecapitalPeoplesCouncilhasrevealedsignificantshortcomingsinthemanagementofState-ownedproperties.Thecityfaceslong-standingviolationsintheuseoftheassetsthathaveyettobefullyaddressed.Furthermore,agencieshavebeenslowinrecommendingandissuingpoliciesrelatedtothemanagementandutilisationofpubliclandandbuildings.Thelong-standingneglectofproperdocumentationandrecord-keepingbyagencies,organisationsandenterpriseshashinderedprogress,affectingboththepaceandqualityofassetreorganisationefforts.Notably,severalviolationsremainunresolved,andtherearestilloutstandingrentalpaymentsforlandleases.Themonitoringcommitteehighlightedthevastscopeandsubstantialvalueofpublicassets,whichhavebeenaccumulatedovermanyyearsunderdifferentpolicies.ItcalledonthecapitalPeoplesCommitteetoissueregulationsthatwouldensuretheefficientmanagementanduseoftheassets,remedyingthecurrentlackofoversightandpreventingfurtherrevenuelosses.AuthoritieshavealsobeenurgedtostrengthenenforcementandcoordinationamongalllevelsofGovernmenttopromptlyaddressviolations.Incasesofseriousinfractions,theinvolvementoflawenforcementforfurtherinvestigationmightbenecessary.ThemonitoringcommitteealsorecommendedthecapitalPeoplesCommitteeassignclearresponsibilitiestorelevantdepartments,suchassettingrentalpricesforpublichousing,andcontinuetorefineorganisationalstructuresandhumanresourcesinlinewithongoingefforts.ThecapitalPeoplesCommitteewasadvisedtoexpeditedecentralisationtofullyandeffectivelyimplementregulationsonthemanagementanduseofpublicassets.Furtheruseofinformationtechnologywasalsorecommendedtoenhancethemanagementandexploitationofpublicproperty.Thecitymustaddressexistingproblemsinmanagingthepublichousingstockandlandallocatedfromcommercialhousingdevelopmentprojects.Enhancinginspectionsandtimelydetectingerrorsandviolationsarealsoessential.Thecityalsoshouldreviewoutstandingdebtsforpromptrecovery.AcceleratingprogressCurrently,thecapitalPeoplesCommitteeisseekingfeedbackfromorganisationsandindividualstorefineadraftregulationonauctioningtherighttoleasepublicassets.Thatincludesareasforcommercialservicesinresettlementbuildings,socialhousing,oldvillasandunusedlandparcelsdesignatedfornon-residentialpurposes,whichwouldbehandedovertoappropriatemanagementandbusinessentities.Emphasisingthesignificanceofacomprehensivereviewofpublicassetmanagement,DeputyChairmanofthecapitalPeoplesCommitteeHàMinhH?isaidthatthecitywascommittedtoenforcingrigoroussolutionstoensureeffective,sustainableuseofpublicassets,preventwastefulnessandcombatcorruption.ThecitysDepartmentofFinancewastaskedwithcompilingreportsandproposalsforthecitysconsideration.FollowingH?isdirective,headsofagencies,enterprisesandlocalauthoritiesareestablishingsteeringcommitteesforafullinventoryofpublicassetsacrossallsectors,includinginfrastructure,withclearlydefinedworkschedules,deadlinesandresponsibilities.—VNS

RawmaterialsfortheLongThànhAirportconstruction.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngThànhHàN?I—SomeworksundertheLongThànhInternationalAirportProjectscomponentfourarebeingdelayedbecausesomeofficersfromthebiddingunitforselectinginvestorshavelittleexperienceandareafraidofmakingmistakes.ThisisoneofthenotabledetailsfromOfficialDispatchNo768/CP–CNthattheGovernmenthassenttotheNationalAssembly(NA)reportingontheinvestmentpolicyoftheairportproject.Regardingthecausesforthedelaysinphaseone,theGovernmentsaidthat,aftertheprojectwasapprovedbytheNAintermsofinvestmentpolicy,theGovernmentdirectedthepreparationforphaseone.Thedesign,biddingandconstructionwerescheduledtobecompletedandputintooperationnextyear.However,duringtheprocess,thereemergedsomedifficulties,sophase1oftheprojectwillnotbecompletedbynextyear.ThemaincauseshavebeenassessedbytheGovernmentinDocumentNo747/TTr-CPissuedlastweek.Specifically,theCOVID-19pandemichasaffectedthetechnicaldesign,especiallycallingforforeignexperts.Inaddition,aftertwoinvitationstobid,theAirportsCorporationofVi?tNam(ACV)–investorofcomponent3-couldselectacontractorwithcapacityandexperiencetoimplementthebiddingpackageConstructionandinstallationofequipmentforthepassengerterminal.Moreover,aftertheprojectpolicywasapproved,theLawonConstruction2014andtheGovernmentsDecreeNo59/2015/N?-CPdatedJune18,2015,alsocameintoeffect,sotheprojectspassengerterminalhadtoorganiseanarchitecturalcompetition.Thisisamajorproject,regardedasanationalsymbol,sothearchitecturalcompetitionlastedfrom2016untiltheendof2017.Duetoitslargeandcomplexscale,theFeasibilityStudyReportofphaseonewascompletedandreportedtotheGovernmentinJune2018,andwasreportedtotheNAforapprovalinNovember2019.BasedonthemaincontentsapprovedbytheNA,thePrimeMinisterapprovedtheinvestmentprojectattheendof2020.Thus,theinvestmentpreparationlastedaboutfiveyears.Inaddition,theCOVID-19pandemicledtoaprolongedtechnicaldesignprocess.TheACVinvitedbidsforpackage5.10–Constructionandinstallationofequipmentforthepassengerterminal,inwhichtheconstructionprogressisdeterminedtobe33months,sothattheprojectwillbeputintooperationinthefourthquarterofnextyear.But,thebiddingwasunsuccessful,becauseinternationalcontractorsassessedthatthisdeadlinewouldaffectconstructionquality.UnderthedirectionoftheGovernmentandthePM,atthesecondbidding,ACVadjustedtheconstructionperiodto39months(sixmonthslongerthantheoriginalplan)tosuittherealityandincreasetheattractivenessoflarge,capable,experiencedandreputableinternationalcontractors.Asaresult,theVietTurInternationalContractorConsortiumwonthebidforthepassengerterminalpackageconstruction.Thus,thecompletionprogressofphaseonewillbeextendedtothethirdquarterof2026.—VNS

AdoctoratHCMCitysChildrensHospitalNo1checkstheCambodianboyafterhissugergy.VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY–HCMCitysChildrensHospitalNo1hassuccessfullyperformedemergencyheartsurgeryonaCambodianboysufferingfromaseverecongenitalheartdefect.ThehospitalalsosaidmorethanVN?100million(US$4,000)hasbeenraisedtosupportthechild.Twoweeksago,thetwo-year-oldboywasbroughttothehospitalinacriticalcondition,strugglingwithseverebreathingdifficultiesandrestlessness.Throughaninterpreter,theboysmother,26-year-oldSayNia,explainedthathersonhadbeenexperiencingfevers,aproductivecoughandbreathingissuesforthepastfourmonths.InitiallydiagnosedwithpneumoniainCambodia,hewasmonitoredforpotentialtuberculosis.Despitefrequentmedicalcheck-upsandprescribedhometreatments,hisconditiondidnotimprove.DrNguy?nTh?Ph??ngChaufromthehospitalsCardiologyDepartmentrevealedthatuponadmission,doctorsdiagnosedararedefectinthemembraneofhisleftatrium,accompaniedbyseverepulmonaryhypertension.Thisconditionmimickedsymptomsofpneumoniaorpulmonaryedemaandcouldbeeasilyconfusedwithtuberculosis.Thedelayeddiagnosishadsignificantlyworsenedtheboysheartmusclefunctionandescalatedhispulmonaryarterypressure.Immediatesurgerybecameimperativetosavehislife.However,thecostswereasignificantconcernforSayNia,whoconsideredreturningtoCambodia.Themedicalteam,committedtosavingthechild,proceededwiththesurgeryandgarneredfinancialsupportfromcharitabledonorstocovertheexpenses.Aweekafterthesurgery,theboysconditionhasstabilised,andheispreparingtobedischargedfromthehospital.Donationscoveredtheentirecostofthesurgery.SayNiasharedherreliefandgratitude:WhenwearrivedinVi?tNam,IhadonlyVN?10million.Almostallwasspentwithinaweek,andIhadjustoveronemillionleftwhenthedoctorssaidmysonneededsurgery.Iplannedtotakehimhome,butthedoctorssecuredfinancialsupport,allowingmysontorecover.IamprofoundlygratefultotheVietnamesedoctors.DrNguy?nTríHào,HeadoftheCardiologyDepartment,notedthatleftatrialmembranedefectsareexceedinglyrare,withonlyoneortwocasestreatedannuallyatthehospital.Despitebeingaheartcondition,theassociatedsymptomsoftenleadtomisdiagnosesaspneumoniaortuberculosis,headded.–VNSTaxofficialsprovideonlineassistancetotaxpayers.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheVietnameseGovernmentsaggressivepursuitoftaxdebtthroughtravelbanshassparkedaheateddebate,pittingtheneedforrevenuecollectionagainstthepotentialharmtobusinessesandindividuals.Since2023,theGeneralDepartmentofTaxationhasissuednearly23,800travelbanstobusinessesandindividualsowingoverVN?50trillion(US$2billion)intaxes,successfullyrecoveringVN?2trillion($80million).IwasshockedtolearnthatIowedsomuchinbacktaxes,saidTr?nTh?Hu?,aHàN?itaxpayer.IhadnoideathatIwassupposedtopayadditionaltaxesonmysecondjob.Hu?reportedreceivingnoticesofsubstantialtaxdebtsonlyuponarrivingattheairport,leavingherstrandedandunabletoboardherflights.Shelearnedthehardwaythathavingmultiplejobscouldleadtounexpectedtaxbills.Shehasnowsettledhertaxdebtstohavehertravelbanlifted.Whilethemeasurehasprovedeffective,criticsarguethatablanketbanontravelcouldhaveunintendedconsequences.Nguy?nNg?cTú,alecturerfromtheHàN?iUniversityofBusinessandTechnology,arguesthatthereasonsbehindtaxdebtsaremultifacetedanddonotnecessarilyindicateadeliberateattempttoevadetaxes.Hethusadvocatesforamorenuancedapproachtoaddressingtaxnon-compliance,notingthatblanketmeasuressuchastravelbansmightbeunfairandcounterproductive.Imposingatravelbancandamagetaxpayersreputation,hindertheirbusinessoperations,andultimatelymakeitharderforthemtopayofftheirtaxdebts,saidTú.ExpertNguy?nLyTr??ngAnsharesTúsviews,arguingthatsuchaone-size-fits-allapproachcanhaveadetrimentaleffectonbusinesses,particularlyinthecurrenteconomicclimate.Headvocatesforopendialoguesbetweentaxauthoritiesandbusinesses,wherethelatterexplaintheirsituationsandproposerepaymentplans,suggestingtravelbansonlybeimposedasalastresort.AccordingtolawyerTr?nXoa,theissueliesintheinefficientdeliveryoftaxnotices.Whiletaxpayersmustprovidetheircontactdetails,theseoftenbecomeoutdatedafterafewyears,makingitdifficultfortaxauthoritiestoreachthem.Asaresult,manytaxpayersareunawareoftheiroutstandingtaxliabilitiesuntiltheyattempttotravelabroad.ThelawyercallsontaxpayerstoregularlychecktheirtaxobligationsthroughonlineplatformssuchastheGeneralDepartmentofTaxationsportalandtheE-taxmobileapptoavoidbeinginarrears.Otherexpertssuggestdebtthresholdstodeterminewhichtaxpayersaresubjecttotravelbans,avoidingaone-size-fits-allapproach.Theyarguethatimposingtravelbansonindividualswithinsignificanttaxdebtscancreateunnecessaryhardships.Theirvoicehasbeenheard,withaGeneralDepartmentofTaxationrepresentativeconfirmingthattravelbanswillnotbeappliedbroadly,butonlytotaxpayerswithsignificantandlong-standingtaxdebts,especiallythosewhohavepersistentlyrefusedtopay.Sherevealsthatthetaxagencywillfocusonimposingtravelbansontaxpayerswhohaveceasedoperationsattheirregisteredaddresseswithoutnotifyingthetaxauthorities,leavingoutstandingtaxliabilities.Regardingtaxpayersconfusionaboutwhowouldbesubjecttotravelbansamongacompanyslegalrepresentatives,ownersandshareholders,therepresentativesaysthetaxagencywilldecideonitonacase-by-casebasis.Shealsosharesthatthetaxagencywillreviewandreviserelevantlawstoensurefairnessandsupportfortaxpayersinhardship.—VNS

??ngThápseekstoimprovetrafishfingerlingfarming.—VNA/VNSPhoto??NGTHáP—TheMekongDeltaprovinceof??ngThápisfocusingonrestructuringtheproductionoftrafish(sharkcatfish)fingerlingstostrengthenthetrafishindustry,oneofthekeysectorsoftheprovince.??ngThápProvincecurrentlyhas52facilitiesforproducingjuveniletrafish,withnearly150,000parentfish,supplyingaround18billionjuveniletrafisheveryyear,satisfyingthedemandofbothinsidetheprovinceandnearbylocalities.Theprovincealsohas850trafishfingerlingfarmsofupto800haintotal.TheyaremostlyinH?ngNg?,ChauThành,CaoL?nhdistrictsandH?ngNg?City,andtheirfingerlings(30-35fishperkilo)arepricedatuptoVN?30,000perkilo.Fingerlingfarmersarepursuingproductionmodelsthatensurehighqualityandsustainability,whileavoidingoversupply.Hu?nhT?n??t,deputydirectoroftheprovincesDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidthat??ngThápisfocusingondigitaltransformationinmanagingfingerlingproductionplanning,issuanceofidentificationcodes,anddisseminationofmarketinformation.Itisre-structuringlocalfingerlingproductiontowardsco-operationtoreducerisks,byencouragingsmall,scatteredfarmstoformclubsandco-operativegroupstoproducealargequantityoffingerlingsthatareconsistentinquality.Theprovinceisalsostrengtheninglocalsupplychains,linkingfarmswithmanufacturingbusinessesandproducersoffishfeeds.Toensurethequalityoffingerlings,fingerlingfarmsaround??ngThápwillgraduallyswitchtheirparenttrafishtothoseofhigherqualityandreceivegoodfingerlingsfromResearchInstituteforAquacultureNo.2inHCMCity,whichgrowfastandareresistanttodiseases.Theprovincewillalsotightlymanagefingerlingfarms,vaccinatethefish,investininfrastructure,andincreaseco-operationbetweenStateagencies,businessesandtheVi?tNamPangasiusAssociation.Bytheendof2024,??ngTháptargetsproducingover17billionjuveniletrafishand1.3billiontrafingerlings.By2025,theprovincetargetshavingover75percentoffingerlingsforfarmingbeofhighquality,and60percentofjuveniletrafishproducersusinghighqualityparentfish.Atrafishfarmin??ngThápProvince.—VNA/VNSPhoto?Theprovinceleadsthecountryintermsoftrafishexports,bringinghundredsofmillionsofdollarsinrevenueeveryyear.Trafishisakeyexportproductoftheprovince.Inthefirstninemonthsof2024,theprovinces2,242haoffishfarmsproducednearly486,000tonnesoftrafish,already90percentoftheyearstarget,andproductioncouldreachupto540,000tonnesbytheendoftheyear.Theprovincepaysagreatdealofattentiontothisindustry.Mostoftheprovincestrafishfarmsareapplyingfarmingtechniquesthatsatisfyinternationalstandardsforexport,suchasGlobalGAP,ASC,BAP,andHALAL.Theirproductionadherestocriteriaonenvironmentalprotection,foodsafety,traceability,andothers.In2023,theprovinceproducedaround525,000tonnesoftrafish,andreachedexportturnoverofUS$629million.??ngThápandtheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentorganisedaconferenceonOctober11todeveloptrafishfingerlingssotheindustrycandowellamidstclimatechangeandglobalbarrierstotrade.OfficialsstressedtheimportanceofinstructinglocalfishfarmstofollowtheLawonFisheriesandmakethoroughinvestmentsinthetechnicalinfrastructureoffingerlingfarmsandtrafishfarms.—VNS3TheAssociationforVictimsofAgentOrangeorDioxininTi?nGiangprovincethisyearhavemobilisedoverVN?16billiontogive3,510gifts.—Photosggp.org.vnTI?NGIANG—TheMekongDeltaprovinceofTi?nGiangaimstomobilisemoreresourcestosupportpeopleaffectedbyAgentOrange.Inthefirstninemonthsof2024,theAssociationforVictimsofAgentOrangeorDioxinintheprovincehavemobilisedoverVN?16billion(US$629.425)togive3,510gifts,build17AgentOrangeHomes,donate51wheelchairs,andprovidefreemedicalexaminations,treatments,andmedicineto434victims.Ti?nGiangProvincehas11,427peopleaffectedbyAgentOrange.Mostofthevictimsfamiliesareindifficultsituationsandareingreatneedofcommunitysupportandassistance.ProvincialunitsoftheVi?tNamAssociationforVictimsofAgentOrange(VAVA)havebeenworkingwiththeFatherlandFrontCommitteeandvariousdepartmentsandorganisationstoencouragephilanthropiststosupportAgentOrangevictims.Theyhavealsosupportedandcreatedlivelihoodsformemberfamilies,helpingmanyAgentOrangevictimshavethemeanstoproduceandearnincome.Forexample,Tr??ngV?nTh??ngfromHamlet3,M?ThànhB?cCommuneinCaiL?yDistrict,hasreceivedVN?10millionfromtheCentralAssociationtoraisebreedingcattle.InTanPhú??ngDistrict,Hu?nhV?nYshouseholdinBàL?mhamletinPhúTh?nhCommunewassupportedwithVN?10milliontoraisegoatsandgrowlemongrass.Similarly,Nguy?nV?nTr??ngfromB?iBùnhamletinPhúTh?nhCommune,wassupportedwithVN?10milliontodevelopwoodworkingandinvestinraisingchickens,increasinghisfamilysincome.Apartfromcaringforvictimsthroughsocialmobilisation,Ti?nGiangProvinceiscommittedtoimplementingstatesupportforAgentOrangevictims.Outofthe11,427peopleaffected,1,585receivebenefitsunderthepolicyforpeoplewithmeritoriousservice,and9,842receivemonthlysocialprotectionallowancesfromthestate.Thedistrict-levelassociationsandcommunesintheprovincewillcontinuetoinvestigatecasesofsecond-generationvictims(F2)whoaredirectdescendantsofveteransexposedtotoxicchemicalsandareeligibleforsocialprotectionbenefits.AccordingtoTr?nTh?QuyM?o,chairwomanoftheTi?nGiangProvincialAssociationforVictimsofAgentOrange,theAssociationwillcontinuetoimprovethequalityofitsoperations.ItwillenhancecommunicationanddiversifymethodsofmobilisingresourcestocareforandassistAgentOrangevictims.ItwillalsocontinuetosupportimpoverishedvictimswithloansforlivestockproductionwhileadvisingauthoritiestoensurethatAgentOrangevictimsqualifyforthestatessubsidypolicies.—VNS

TheprojectedpathofTyphoonTramiasofWednesdayafternoon.—VNA/VNSPhotoMANILA—TyphoonTramicontinuestostrengthenandisprojectedtoentertheEastSeaonFriday,bringingwidespreadrainfalltocentralVi?tNam.ThiswillbethesixthtyphoontohitVi?tNamswatersthisyear.Asof7amonWednesday,TramiscentrewaslocatedeastofthePhilippinesLuzonIsland,withthestrongestwindsneartheeyeofthestormreachinglevel9(75-88km/h).ThetyphoonwasprojectedtosweeptheislandonThursday,beforemovingnorthwestatabout15km/h,enteringtheEastSeaat7amonFriday.Tramiisforecasttohavewindspeedsof89-117km/handwaveheightsof4-8m,withalevel-3disasterrisklevel(highrisksoffatalitiesanddamagetoproperty,infrastructureandenvironment).TheeasternwatersofthenorthernEastSeaareexpectedtobearthebruntoftheimpact.DeputyheadoftheWeatherForecastDepartmentoftheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting(NCHMF)V?AnhTu?nsaid:AfterenteringtheEastSea,thestormmaychangedirectionandmovewestwardwithincreasedintensity.Accordingtoourinitialforecast,thetyphooncouldattainlevel-12winds(118-133km/h)andlevel-15gusts(167-183km/h)asitpassesthroughtheHoàngSa(Paracel)waters,beforecontinuingtowardsthecoastofthecentralprovinces.ThisareacanexpectwidespreaddownpoursfromSaturdaytoMondaynextweekduetoTramisimpact.Tu?nwarnedthatthisisalate-seasontyphoon,whichisoftencomplexandunpredictable.Therefore,peopleshouldregularlyfollowupdatesfromtheNCHMF.ResponseplanTheSteeringCommitteeforDisasterPrevention,SearchandRescue,andCivilDefenceofthecentralNgh?AnProvincehasissuedanofficialdocumentontheresponseplanforTyphoonTrami.Authoritiesneedtocloselyfollowupdatesonthestormandnotifyvesselownersandcaptainstoproactivelyavoiddangerandadjusttheiroperationplanstoensurethesafetyofpeopleandproperty.Theymustalsomaintaincommunicationtopromptlyhandleanysituationandensurethatrescueforcesandequipmentarereadywhenneeded.Thedocumentalsorequiredreviewsandresponseplansforrain-inducedfloodingandlandslides,especiallyinresidentialareasneartheriversandonlow-lyingland,toproactivelyarrangeevacuations.Localauthoritiesmustalsomonitorandensuretheflowandsafetyoftraffic,particularlyonkeyroutes.Theymustalsocarryoutoperationandsafetyplansforreservoirs,notablyforsmallhydropowerandirrigationreservoirsaswellasongoingconstructionsites.Witha25kmcoastlineand1,000fishingvessels,Ngh?AnsDi?nChauDistricthasampedupitseffortstonotifyshipownersandoperatorsofTyphoonTrami.AsofWednesdaymorning,mostlargevesselshavepostponedtheirjourneysandwereanchoredatlocalpiers.Smallerboatsandraftswhichmakedailyfishingtripswerestilloperating.Localauthoritieshaveadvisedtheseboatownersandcrewmemberstomaintainregularcommunicationwiththeirfamiliesandfishingunionstostayupdatedonweatherconditions,avoidgoingtohigh-riskareasandtoreturntoshoreimmediatelywhenrequested.—VNSTu?NamwontheSilverPrizeatthe2024InternationalCreativityandInnovationAward(ICIA)inBangkokforhisaffordablenasalsprayHàN?I-Iwanttoextendmywarmestlovetotheincredibleparentsofchildrenwithcleftpalate.Youhavedonewonderfulthingsforyourchildren.Bydedicatingjustalittlemoretimeeachdaytolearningaboutantibioticsandexploringalternativeproducts,youcanbringevenmorehappinesstotheirlives.Together,wecanmovetowardafuturewithoutantibiotics.ThisheartfeltmessagecomesfromNguy?nTu?Nam,ahighschoolstudentatReigateGrammarSchoolVietnam(RGSV),whowillrepresenttheLiveSmilegroupduringtheAntibioticAwarenessWeek(WAAW)fromNovember18to24.Tu?NamandtheLiveSmileteamnotonlyofferwordsofencouragementbutalsoaimtoraiseparentsawarenessintheirjourneyofcaringforchildrenwithcleftpalate,whooftenfacesignificantchallenges.LiveSmile–Spreadingsmiles,easingthepainforchildrenwithcleftpalateLiveSmileisadedicatedgroupofhighschoolstudentscommittedtoprovidingequitablehealthcareforchildrenwithcleftpalate.InadditiontosupportingfreesurgeriesthroughOperationSmile,theyfocusonscientificresearchtocombatantibioticresistance—amajorconcernforchildrenwithcleftpalate,whoareparticularlyvulnerabletorespiratoryinfections.Tu?NamandothermembersofLiveSmilewerepreparinglogisticsforOperationSmilesSmileSurgeryprogrammeAsignificantachievementbyTu?NamandtheLiveSmileteamwasacomprehensivesurveyconductedattheendof2022,whichexaminedthebehaviorsofparentsregardingantibioticuseandofferedpracticalsolutionstoreduceantibioticresistanceinchildren.ThefindingswerepresentedattheInternationalYoungResearchersConferenceinTokyoin2023,helpingtoraisecommunityawarenessabouttheimportanceofproperantibioticusage.Scienceandinnovation–ToolsinthefightagainstantibioticresistanceInadditiontoparticipatinginsurveyprojects,Tu?NamdirectlyassisteddoctorsattheNationalChildrensHospitalinclinicaltrialsusingSporeProbioticsasanalternativetoantibioticsfortreatinginfluenza.Thisgroundbreakingstudy,publishedinNatureScientificReports,recognisedbothTu?NamandLiveSmilefortheircontributions—markingasignificantmilestoneinthefightagainstantibioticresistanceamongchildren.Notably,inarecentproject,Tu?Namdevelopedaninnovativenasalsprayaimedatimprovingrespiratoryhealth.Thissprayisespeciallyconvenientforchildrenwithcleftpalate,asitcanbeusedupsidedownwhentheyarelyingontheirside.Withauser-friendlydesign,thesprayissettolaunchinOctober2024,withhundredsofthousandsofunitsexpectedtohitthemarket.ThisinnovativeideahelpedTu?NamwintheSilverPrizeattheInternationalCreativityandInnovationAward(ICIA)2024competitioninBangkok,Thailand.Designinganew,better,andmoreaffordablespraywillencouragefamiliestouseitregularly,helpingtoreducedrugresistance,Tu?Namshared.AjourneytobringsmilestochildrenFromayoungage,Tu?Namadmiredhisgrandmother,adoctordedicatedtoherpatients.Thisdesiretohelpothersbecameafundamentalpartofhischaracter.Today,Tu?Namsmissionextendsbeyondassistingafewchildren;heaimstotransformhowmillionsofparentsapproachantibioticusefortheirchildren.Hisresearchandinnovationssymbolisehopeandchangeforthecommunity.Witheachcontribution,nomatterhowsmall,Tu?Namhopestocreateafuturewhereantibioticsarenolongeraburdenforchildrenwithcleftpalate,replacedinsteadbybrightersmiles.LiveSmilewillcontinuethisjourney,tirelesslycombatingantibioticresistanceandbringingjoytounderprivilegedchildren.-VNS