Live, laugh, LifeEyes??: How the 12-foot Home Depot skeleton became a perennial hit
??Thecompetentforcesexaminethebombbeforedeactivation.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?TáChuyênQU?NGBìNH—Competentforceshavesuccessfullydeactivateda340-kilogrammebombleftoverfromthewarinQu?ngBìnhProvince,alocalofficialsaidonMay22.Tr?nV?nHuy?n,chairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofQu?ngS?nCommune,Ba??nTownship,saidthebombwasfoundbyafamilyinTh?H?VillageonMay21.ThedeactivationwasthejointeffortofsappersoftheprovincialMilitaryCommandandrepresentativesofthePeaceTreesVietnamorganisationinQu?ngBình,headded.ThebombwasthenmovedtothewarehouseoftheMilitaryCommandforsafetypurposes.—VNS
??Tr?nhTu?nKi?twithsomeofhiscollectionofself-builtshipmodels.—Photogiaoducthoidai.vnCàMAU—ManystudentsinthecountryssouthernmostprovinceCàMauhavenurturedanearlystrongpassionforscientificandtechnicalresearch.Theyaredynamicandcreative,producingmanymodelsthatareexhibited,showcasedandappliedinpractice.Sincehewasinthe7th-grade,studentTr?nhTu?nKi?twhogoestoCàMauHighSchoolinCàMauCity,hasbeenworkingonhighlydetailedandbuilttoscalemodelsofmilitaryandcivilianshipsandhascreatednearly40ofthemsofar.Sincechildhood,IhadbeenfascinatedbymilitaryshipsIsawontelevisionorinbooks.Iwasdrivenbyastrongcuriositytoexploreandunderstandthem,Ki?tsaid.IrememberedthatwhenIwas13,Idecidedtoattemptbuildingmyfirstshipmodel.ThefirstshipsImadeweresimple,mainlyusingcardboardandhandcrafteddesigns.Later,withmoreexperience,Istartedusingmaterialslikewood,plasticandcombinedthemwithcardboardandothermaterialstoenhancetheaestheticandrealisticappearanceoftheships.Gradually,Iincreasedthedifficultylevel,addingmotorstosomeshipstomakethemcontrollableonwateranddecoratingthemwithlightingsystemsformorevividmodels.Tobuildeachship,Ki?t,whoisnowinGrade12,firsthastocollecttheshipsimage,materialsanddesignspecifications,thendraftplansandcalculateparameters,onlythencanhepreparethematerialsandtoolsforassembly.Primarilyrelyingonimagesandusingmyimaginationcombinedwithmanualcraftsmanship,Iencounteredmanychallengeswithsomeshipmodels,Ki?tsaid.Forthosewithcomplexdesigns,ittookalotoftimetocomplete,Itrytomakethemascloseto70-80percentaccurateintermsoftheirresemblancetoreal-lifeimages.Ki?tscurrentcollectionincludesmilitaryandcivilianshipmodels,fromacrosstheglobeandVi?tNamandincludesalltypes,fromfastattackmissileships,tocoastalcombatships,nuclear-poweredcruiserstoaircraftcarriersandsubmarine.Eachshiphasadetailedrecordincludingitsname,assemblydiagram,codename,technicalspecifications,combatcapabilitiesandarmamentpotential.Hesaidthathisinterestinscientificresearchhasreceivedstrongsupportfromhisfamily,teachers,andfriends.SomeofhisshipmodelshaveevenbeenborrowedforexhibitionsinsideandoutsideCàMauProvincetopromotethesacredsovereigntyofthenationsseasandislands.Nguy?nTh?M?ngH?o,histeacheratCàMauHighSchool,said:Inclass,Ki?tisanexcellentstudentandsociablewithhispeers.Heisverydiligentinexploringandcreating,particularlyinthefieldofscienceandtechnology.Theschoolsteachersalwaysfacilitatethedevelopmentofhistalentsandtherealisationofhisdreams.Thisyearismyfinalyearofhighschool,soIamtemporarilyputtingasidemakingmoreshipmodelstofocusonstudyingformydreamofpassingtheentranceexamtotourismormilitarysciencecolleges,Ki?tsaid.Aftertheexams,ifIhavetime,Iwillcontinueexploringnewdesignstocreatemoremodels.Forme,designingshipmodelsnotonlysatisfiesmypassionandinterestbutalsoconnectswithmyloveforthesea,islandsandmyhomeland.PromisingyounginventorAlthoughonlya5thgrader,QuáchPh??cAn,astudentatQuangTrungPrimarySchoolinCàMaucity,hasdesignedandcreatedmodelsthatsignificantlybenefittheschoolsteachingandlearningactivities.QuáchPh??cAn,a5thgraderwithhismodelofaMagicSlidewhichhelpsstudentsgetexcitedtolearnscience.—Photogiaoducthoidai.vnLastyear,Ancreatedasmartprojectormodelandamindmapforstudyinghistory,thisyearheiscreatingamindmapmodelforgeography.Withcomputerskills,hedevelopeddetaileddrawingsforeachlesson,thendesignedacomprehensivesystemonthemindmap,conveyingalltheinformationofalesson.Anscontributionshaveprovenhighlyeffective,fosteringinnovationinteachingandlearningathisschool.Nguy?nTh?Thi?p,ateacheratQuangTrungPrimarySchool,said:Anstandsoutforhisinquisitiveandexploratorymindset.Hepossessesexcellentcommunicationskills,particularlyinworkingindependentlyandingroups.Hiscreativemindmapsareincrediblyuseful,helpingstudentsengageandgrasptheknowledgeinhistoryandgeographyclasses.Mostrecently,duringtheschoolsSTEMDayevent,AncontinuedtoinnovateandcollaboratewithhisteacherandclassmatestocreateamodelcalledMagicalSlide,whichincludesanelectricalcircuitforamotor,forthescienceclass.ThecaptivatingMagicalSlidemodelimpressedhispeersandreceivedhighpraisefromteachersandtheSTEMDayjudges.WhenIcameupwiththeidea,myteacherhelpedsetuptheframeworkfirst,andthenourgrouphelpedtomakeitandassembleitforthemodeltofunction,Ansaid.Inmyview,thismodelisverypractical,aidinginthepracticalapplicationofthesciencesubjectaboutusingelectricity,helpingstudentsunderstandandlearnaboutelectricalcircuitdetails.Sharingmoreabouthisinnovationsandmodels,Ansaidhelovescreativityandnewthingsandisalwayswillingtospendtimeresearchingscienceandtechnology.Beforeworkingonanymodel,heexploresandlearnsfromonlinevideosandseekshisfatherssupportandguidancewhenencounteringdifficulties.Heisalwaysdeterminedtocompletehisprojects,nevergivingup.Althoughyoung,Anhasagreatpassionforscientificresearch,saidLyNg?cHi?n,deputyprincipalofQuangTrungPrimarySchool.Overtime,hehasparticipatedandexcelledinmanycompetitionssuchasthemathematicsandEnglishOlympiad,thecityandprovincesEnglishandcomputersciencecompetitionsandtheprovincialStudentoftheYearcompetitionsandachievedseveralremarkableresults.—VNS??TheHCMCityDepartmentofTransportationisconsideringthreewaterwaytransportoptionsforpassengersgoingtotheupcomingLongThànhInternationalAirportin??ngNaiProvince.—Photonld.vnHCMCITY—HCMCitysDepartmentofTransportationwantstousewaterwaytransportfortravelbetweenthecityandtheunder-constructionLongThànhInternationalAirportinnext-door??ngNaiProvince.Itproposesthreeoptionsbasedonasurveyitdidearlierthisyear.ThefirstisforpassengerstogofromthecitysB?ch??ngwharftoSwanBaywharfin??ngNaisNh?nTr?chDistrictbyhigh-speedboats.Thisistheshortestandquickestoption,takingonly35-45minutestotraversethe22kilometres.Theywillthentakeanexistingroadnetworkthatlinkstotheairport,includingLyT?Tr?ng,Nguy?nH?uC?nh,?T769CroadsandtheNationalRoad51.OptiontwoistotakepassengersfromBìnhKhánhFerryTerminalinNhàBèDistrictinHCMCitytoNh?nTr?ch.TheywillthentravelonPh?mTháiB??ngandProvincialRoad769Droadstoreachtheairport.AnewwharfwillbebuiltinNh?nTr?chifthisoptionisapproved.ItwillbeeasiestforpeopletravellingfromthesouthandsoutheastofHCMCitytotheairport.Thedistanceisaround25km,andtakes40-45minutes.ThelastoptionisforpassengerstotaketheexistingCátLáiFerryinTh???cCityandthenProvincialRoad769D.Itisaround30kmlongandwilltake45-50minutes.Itwillbeanalternativeoptionwhilewaitingfortheunder-constructionCátLáiBridgethatlinksHCMCitysDistrict2and??ngNaiProvince.Thedepartmenthascalledonrelevantpartiestocarryoutassessmentsofthevariousferryterminals,wharfsandotherwaterwayinfrastructureforundertakingupgradesifnecessary.LongThànhInternationalAirportisaround50kmfromHCMCity.Whenfinished,itwillbethecountryslargestwithacapacityof100millionpassengersandfivemilliontonnesofcargoannually.Itiscurrentlyinphase1ofconstruction,andwillhaveanannualcapacityof25millionpassengersand1.2milliontonnesofcargowhencompletedin2026.—VNS
??MinisterofHealth?àoH?ngLan(front,left)andPresidentoftheVi?tNamRedCrossSocietyBùiTh?Hoà(front,right)presentscertificationforexemplaryblooddonorshonouredattheceremonyinHàN?ionSaturday.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheNationalSteeringCommitteeforVoluntaryBloodDonationheldaceremonyinHàN?ionSaturdaytohonour100outstandingblooddonorsin2024.Thisisthe16thyearthiseventhasbeenheldsincethePrimeMinisterdecidedtoestablishthecommitteein2008.Todate,1,600donorshavebeenhonouredatthenationallevel.The100delegateshonouredthisyearhavedonatedatotalof4,470unitsofblood.Prominentamongthem,twohavedonatedbloodmorethan100times.Speakingattheceremony,MinisterofHealth?àoH?ngLan,headofthesteeringcommittee,saidthatthe30-yearjourneyoftheblooddonationmovementisfullofloveamongthepeople,withmanylivessavedthankstothedonation.Sheexpressedherhopethatthehonoureeswillcontinuetoinspireandspreadthespiritofsharingandloveamongthecommunitytohavemoreandmorevoluntaryblooddonorsandtosavemorelives.Lastyear,over1.55millionbloodunitswerecollected,99percentofwhichcamefromvolunteerdonors,whoaccountedformorethan1.5percentofthepopulation.Sincethebeginningofthisyear,thecountryhasreceivednearly800,000unitsthroughvariouscampaignsandevents,helpingbasicallyensurebloodneedsforemergencyworkandpatienttreatment.—VNS??ChairmanofAstraZenecaVietnamandViceChairmanoftheVietnamBusinessForum(VBF)NitinKapoor.—PhotocourtesyofthecompanyHàN?I—ChairmanofAstraZenecaVietnamandViceChairmanoftheVietnamBusinessForum(VBF)NitinKapoorwasappointedasamemberoftheOrderoftheBritishEmpire(MBE)byHisMajestyKingCharlesforhisoutstandingcontributionstothehealthsectorandinternationaldiplomacy.Inrecognitionofhisoutstandingcontributionstothehealthsectorandinternationaldiplomacy,KapoorhasbeenappointedaMemberoftheOrderoftheBritishEmpire(MBE).Thisprestigioushonourwasannouncedinthe2024KingsBirthdayHonoursList,whichwaspublishedonJune15,2024.IamdeeplyhonouredtoreceivethisgreatrecognitionandIamcommittedtocontinuingtopromoteprogressinthehealthsectorandtostrengtheninternationalfriendships,especiallybetweentheUKandVi?tNam.Thisaccoladereflectsthecollectiveeffortsofmyteamofcolleaguesandpartners,whohaveworkedrelentlesslytowardsacommongoalofsustainabledevelopment,saidKapoor.TheofficialannouncementwaspublishedintheLondonGazetteandseveralmainstreamnewspapersintheUK,markingthemomentofhonourforKapooraswellasemphasisingtheimportanceofinternationalcooperation.KapoorsMBEappointmenthighlightshisroleasaninspirationalfigureforprogressinglobalhealthcareinitiatives.ItisalsoarecognitionofhisoutstandingcontributionstothehealthsectorandhisimportantroleinstrengtheningthefriendshipbetweentheUKandVi?tNam.Hiseffortshavefosteredastronghealthpartnershipandcooperationbetweenthetwocountries,contributingtosignificantprogressinthehealthsectorandVi?tNamsFDIeconomy.Overtheyears,KapoorhasreceivedmanyprestigiousawardsforhisnotablecontributionstoVi?tNam,suchastheFriendshipMedalfromthePresidentandtheCommemorativeMedal-FortheYoungGenerationMedalfromtheH?ChíMinhCommunistYouthUnion.Thesetitlesrecognisehiseffortsinimprovinguniversalhealthcare,supportingcommunityinitiativesandimprovingtheoperatingenvironmentforinternationalbusinessesinVi?tNam.AsChairmanofAstraZenecaVietnam,Kapoorhasinitiatedmanyimpactfulhealthprogramsinraisingawareness,preventionandearlydetectionofchronicdiseasesinVi?tNam,includingdevelopingtheHealthInnovationNetworkinpartnershipwiththeVietnamYoungPhysiciansAssociationaswellastheDigitalLungHealthprogram,withmorethan100,000peoplebeingscreenedforlungdiseaseandlungcancerforfreein2023.InhisroleasViceChairmanoftheVietnamBusinessForum,KapoorhasbeenactivelyengagedinenhancingthebusinessenvironmentinVi?tNam.Hehasbeenavocaladvocateforregulatoryreforms,simplifiedvisaandworkpermitprocessesandsustainableeconomicpolicies.Hiseffortshavehelpedcreateamorefavourableclimateforforeigninvestmentandbusinessoperations.—VNS??HàN?I—ThreeoutoffiveunderseacablesconnectingVi?tNamwiththeworldencounteredproblemsasofJune15,slowingdowntheinternetspeedacrossthecountry,accordingtolocalinternetserviceproviders.TheIntraAsia(IA)cablehadanincidentonitsS1branchconnectingtoSingaporewhileproblemsontheAsiaPacificGateway(APG)andtheAsia-Africa-Europe-1(AAE-1)havenotbeenfixedyet.ThefailureofthethreecablesystemshasseriouslyaffectedthespeedofVi?tNamsinternationalinternetconnections,withinternetusershavingfounditdifficulttoaccesswebsitesandnetworkserviceswithserversabroad.Vietnameseinternetserviceprovidershaverolledoutvariousmeasurestoensureinternetconnectionsforusers,includingsharingtrafficbetweeninternationallyconnectedfiberopticlinesandcaptalisingonfiberopticcablesonland.TherearefivesubmarinefiberopticcablesconnectingVi?tNaminternationally,namelyAPG,IA,AAE-1,Asia-AmericaGateway(AAG)andSoutheastAsia-MiddleEast-WesternEurope(SMW-3).Thereisalsoasmallercable,calledTVHwhichisonly3,367kilometreslong,connectingThailand,Vi?tNamandHongKong.Besidesthesubmarinecables,Vi?tNamalsohasseveralterrestrialcables;however,mostofVi?tNamsinternettraffictotheworldistransmittedthroughtheunderseasystem.—VNS
??AchildreceivesameaslesshotatavaccinationcenterinHCMCity.—Photobaotintuc.vnH?CHíMINH—MeaslescasesarereturninginsouthernVi?tNam,raisingconcernsamonghealthofficials.TheresurgenceofmeasleshasbeennoticeableinHCMCity,where16confirmedcaseshavebeenreportedthisyear.AtChildrensHospital1inHCMCity,fourchildrenarebeingtreatedformeaslescomplications,includingpneumoniaandthrombocytopenia.Allfourhavenotbeenvaccinatedagainstmeaslesduetoeitherbeingtooyoungortheirparentsnottakingthemforvaccination.Thesechildrenareathighriskofseriouscomplicationswhentheycontractmeasles,warnedD?Tu?nQuy,HeadofInfectiousDiseasesandNeurologyDepartmentatthehospital.ThedeclineinvaccinationratesisattributedtodisruptionsintheExpandedProgrammeonImmunisationcausedbytheCOVID-19pandemic.Asaresult,coverageratesformeasleshavefallenbelowthe95percentthresholdrequiredforherdimmunity.ThesituationisnotuniquetoHCMCity.AcrosssouthernVi?tNam,vaccinationratesformeasleshavebeenconsistentlylowinrecentyears,notablyinBìnhPh??c,KiênGiangandAnGiang.Nguy?nV?Th??ng,DeputyDirectorofHCMCityPasteurInstitute,expressedconcernaboutthepotentialforawidespreadmeaslesoutbreakintheregion.Hesaidthelowandunevenvaccinationcoverageratesformeaslesintheprovinceswouldcreateafavourableenvironmentforthediseasetospread.Hecalledforincreasedeffortstoidentifyandvaccinateunvaccinatedorunder-vaccinatedindividualstopreventoutbreaks.TheMinistryofHealthhasinstructedlocalauthoritiestodevelopcontingencyplansforrespondingtomeaslesandothervaccine-preventablediseasesandcalledformeasurestoexpandmeaslesvaccinationcampaignstoreachunvaccinatedpopulations.—VNS??PoliceinHàGianghelppeoplemovecarssubmergedinfloodwaterscausedbyheavyrains.—VNA/VNSPhoto?àoTh?MinhTamHàN?I—ThemountainousandmidlandregionsofNorthernVi?tNamareexpectedtocontinueexperiencingthunderstormsandheavyrainfalluntilJune21.Overnightandthismorning,June15,moderatetoheavyrainfallwasrecordedinthemountainousandmidlandregionsofNorthernVi?tNam.Rainfallamountsexceeded100mminsomelocations,includingDuGià(HàGiang),H?ngThái(TuyênQuang)andTr??ngL??ng(CaoB?ng).Thenextday,June16,isexpectedtobringmoreofthesametotheregions.Rainfallcouldrangefrom30to70mm,withafewunluckyspotsgettinghitwithover150mm.Mostoftherainswouldcomeatnightandinthemorning.Downinthelowlands,weatherisforecasttobeabitcalmer,withscatteredthunderstormsonthemenu.Someareasmightgetadownpourwith20to40mmofrain,andafewunluckyspotscouldseeover70mm.Justlikeinthemountains,mostoftherainsareexpectedtofallatnightandinthemorning.SouthernVi?tNam,todayandtonight,June15,isforecasttoexperiencemoderaterainsandthunderstorms.Someareasmightgetpoundedwithheavytotorrentialrain,withtotalsreachingbetween20and50mm,withafewunluckyspotsexceeding80mm.TheCentralHighlandscanalsoexpectscatteredthunderstorms,withsomeareasseeingheavyrainof15to30mm,andafewunluckyspotsexceeding60mm.—VNS
??B?rdVegarSolhjell,directorgeneraloftheNorwegianAgencyforDevelopmentCooperation.VNSPhotoNguy?nH?ngNorwaystotalaidtoVi?tNamhassofarreachedaboutUS$320million.CouldyousharesomesuccessfulNORADstories?Vi?tNamisanimportantpartnertoNorwayforseveralreasons.ThefirstistheambitiousgoalofVi?tNamtobecomenetzeroin2050.AnotherreasonisVi?tNamsambitiousgoaloncuttingplasticpollution.Also,Vi?tNamisanimportantpartnerofNorwayinmanysocialandeconomicissues.Therearemanysuccessfulstories.OnethingthatmanydonotknowisthatNorwayisabigfounderofmineclearancesinVi?tNam,wehaveworkedinthisareafordecades.TheAmericansdroppedanenormousnumberofbombsonVi?tNamandmanyofthemarestillintheground.Thus,wefund,throughtheNorwegianPeoplesAid,aglobalorganisation,mineclearanceandwehavebeendoingthatforaverylongtime.Theworkisveryimportantbecauseeveryyearquiteafewpeoplediefromsteppingonexplosives.WealsofundaglobalpubliclibraryinVi?tNam.Itisadigitallibraryforthoseareaswhereeducationisnotsoaccessible,especiallyforvulnerablegroupswithdisabilities.WeareworkingwithUNICEFonthat.However,IthinkthatthemainpotentialbetweenVi?tNamandNorwayisapartnershipinthegreentransitionofVi?tNam.Itisreallyimportanttodevelopenergy.Norwayhasalotofcompetenceinenergyinoffshorewind,whichisalsobeingdevelopedinNorwayandinsolar,whichwehavebigNorwegiancompanies,butalsocompetenceinenergyinstitutions.Comingnextplasticpollutioninoceans.Vi?tNam,likeNorway,isanoceannation.Fisheryisveryimportant.Vi?tNamalsohasalongcoastlineandplasticpollutionisathreattotourism.Peopledonotwanttoseeplasticwasteintheoceananditisalsoathreattofisheries.So,NorwayisworkinginseveralwaysheretohelpVi?tNam.WehaveaprojectwherewetrytoreducewasteasfuelinthecementindustrytohelpVi?tNamsolvetwoproblemsatthesametime.Weusethewaste,whichisnowjustinthelandfill,weburnitinthecementindustryinsteadofburningcoal.Therefore,wecancutthecostsfortheindustryandalsocutemissionsfromcoalburning.Additionally,wearenegotiatingwithVi?tNamonanagreementtohelpVi?tNamsellcarboncreditsfromtheimpressiveworkintheforestsofVi?tNam.Vi?tNamisdoingalottokeepmoreoftheforests.Thatisimportantfortheglobalclimate.WehaveenteredintoanagreementwhereaninternationalorganisationcanbuycarboncreditfromtheforestsinVi?tNam.Then,Vi?tNamcanfundfurthergreentransition.Ithinkinthepast,theheadlinebetweenVi?tNamandNorwaywasofadonortoapoorcountry,butnowithasbecomeapartnershipbetweenthetwocountries.AwindpowerplantcomplexcombineswithsolarpowerinThu?nB?cDistrictinthecoastalsouth-centralprovinceofNinhThu?n.VNA/VNSPhotoHuyHùngHowdoyouevaluatethecooperationbetweenVi?tNamandNorwayinareassuchasthemarineeconomy,thecirculareconomyandgreentransformations?Ithinkitispromisingbutitneedsmoreattentionandweneedtomovefromprojecttobreakthrough.Thepotentialincooperationinmarineeconomy,circulareconomyandgreentransformationsisbigandtherearemanyon-goingprojectsthataregood.NorwayandVi?tNamaregoodpartners,butwecouldbecomeevenstrongerpartnersifweareabletomakebreakthroughs.Forinstance,intermsofoffshorewindsinVi?tNam.OffshorewindcouldbeareallyimportantpartofVi?tNamsenergysupplyandalsocouldbeexportedtoothercountries.Norwayhascompaniesbutalsoinstitutionsthatarestrong.Vi?tNamisacountryusingquitealotofcoalwithhighemissions.IfVi?tNamwantstobesuccessfulinmeetingthegoalofcuttingdowntheemissionsandimplementinggreentransformations,itmightexpecttheinternationalcommunitytofinancethat.So,itisreasonablethatNorwayfinancespartsofthattransition.Ithinkthatthisiswheretheopportunitiesare.Vi?tNamshouldalsodomoretobesuccessfulinrenewableenergy,marinetechnology,offshorewindandthecirculareconomy.Vi?tNamneedstohavegoodregulationsandverificationprocesses.NorwayhastofindthefinancesandenterintoagreementstogetresultswithVi?tNam.IthinkthefutureofVi?tNam-Norwaycollaborationisabouttogrow,transitionandseekawaytodothattogether.HowwillNorwaysofficialdevelopmentassistancehelpVi?tNamindevelopingthemarineeconomyandgreentransformationsinthefuture?WewillcontinuetoprovidedevelopmentassistancetoVi?tNam,butIthinkitwillbelimitedbecauseVi?tNamnowhasbecomeamiddleincomecountry.Actually,theamountwillnotbethemostimportant,butthecompetencethatwecanshareandthepartnershipstheybring.Inacirculareconomyandmarinetechnology,wehaverunprojectsandwehavedonemarineplanning,withUNDPandtheVietnameseGovernment.Foralmost20years,Norwayhashadwhatwecalledmarinespecialplanning.ThatmeansNorwayhasplansforourseaswherewelookatwhatweshouldusethemfor.Theplanstakeintoaccountoffshoreoilandgas,offshorewind,fisheriesandseafoodshippingroutes.Theplansalsolookattheecologicalqualitiesandmakesurethatwetakecareofnatureandofthefisherystocks.Sowedonotoverfishtoomuch.Theplanningprocesshasbroughtinsomanydifferentministries,sothatwhenyouarecreatingaplan,ittakesdifferentinterestsintoaccount.Therehasbeenalotofinternationalinterestfromotheroceannations,notonlyVi?tNam,intheplan.Vi?tNamhasbeeninvestinginoffshorewindanditcanlookatwhichareasarebetterforoffshorewind.Butitshouldalsoconsiderwherethoseplanscollidewithotherinterests,likeforinstance,fisheries.Thiswayofplanningismoresustainableandisalsomorepredictableforthatindustry.VNS
??V?nhHyBay,withintheNúiChúaWorldBiosphereReserveinNinhThu?nProvince.VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nThànhThemaritimespaceofVi?tNamisrenownedforitsrichnessinnaturalresourcesaswellasitssignificanteconomic,geopolitical,defenceandsecuritypositions,bothregionallyandglobally.However,alongsidetheseadvantages,Vi?tNamsseasandislandsarefacingamultitudeofissuessuchasdegradationoflandscapesandmarineandcoastalecosystems,coastalmarinepollutionandtheincreasingimpactsofnaturaldisasters,climatechangeandrisingsealevels;whilethelevelofpublicawarenessinexploitingsearesourcesremainslimited.Withtheunderstandingthatmarinespaceisfinite,aplannedapproachtomarinespaceuseisbecomingessentialandtheNationalMarineSpatialPlanningwillbetheblueprintthatguidestheexploitationofmarineresourcesandislandsinasustainablemanner,balancingeconomicandsocialdevelopmentwithnationaldefenceandsecurity.Vi?tNamhasacoastlinestretchingover3,260km.Thepopulationof28coastalprovincesandcities(outof63total)accountsformorethan50percentofthecountrystotalpopulation,withmostoftheworkforceengagedinmarine-relatedindustries.The28localitiescontributeabouthalfofthenationsGDP,withaverageincomehigherthanthenationalaverage.Thecountryhassignificantpotentialintermsofmarineeconomy,suchasmaritimetransportation,mineralextractionandprocessing,seafoodharvesting,aquacultureandprocessing,andseatourism.Amongthe11,000speciesoccupyingthe20typicalecosystemsinsixdifferentmarinebiodiversityzones,1,700aquaticseafoodspecieshavebeenacknowledged,including130withhigheconomicvalue.TheestimatedsustainablecatchpotentialfromfishinginVietnamesewatersisover2.83milliontonnesperyear.Currently,18outof19coastaleconomiczonesnationwidehavebeenestablishedaccordingtotheplan.Thesezoneshaveattracted553foreignprojectswithatotalregisteredinvestmentcapitalofUS$54.36billionand1,604domesticprojectswithatotalregisteredcapitalofVN?1.37trillion(US$53.9million).Recognisingthecrucialroleandimportanceoftheseasandislandsinthenationsdevelopment,the8thplenumofthe12thtenurePartyCentralCommitteeoftheCommunistPartyofVi?tNaminOctober2018issuedaStrategyforSustainableDevelopmentofVi?tNamsMarineEconomyuntil2030,withavisionto2045.ThegoalistoturnVi?tNamintoastrongmaritimenationandsetstandardsforsustainablemarineeconomicdevelopment.Tofirmuptheperspectives,objectivesandpoliciesstatedinthePartyResolution,theGovernmentassignedtheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmenttotaketheleadintheplanningdocuments.ThiswillbepresentedtotheNationalAssemblyattheseventhplenarysession,toberesumednextweek.TheVanPhongEconomicZonecoversanareaofapproximately150,000ha,witharound80,000haofwaterandabout70,000haoflandandislands.VNA/VNSPhotoHuyHùngNguy?nChuH?i,adeputyofthecurrentNationalAssemblyandformerdeputygeneraldirectoroftheVi?tNamAdministrationofSeasandIslands,saidthisplanwasurgentlyneededtomaximisethepotentialandadvantagesofVi?tNamsseasandrespondtobothimmediateandlong-termchallenges,whilealsoconsideringconstructionanddefence.Theenvironmentministryhascoordinatedwithvariousministries,centralagencies,universitiesandresearchinstitutions,expertsaswellascoastalprovincesandcitiestoinvestigate,surveythecurrentstatusandneedsofmarinespaceuseandsupplementinformationanddatatoputtogethertheplan.AccordingtoenvironmentMinister??ngQu?cKhánh,thisisachallengingandcomplextask,undertakenforthefirsttimeinVi?tNam,theplanneedstobemulti-level,dynamicandopen,guidingandintegrated.Thevisionfor2050aimstocompletetheallocationofmarinespacetoeffectivelymanageandutiliseit,inlinewiththecountrysdevelopmentneedsbasedonnatural,socio-economic,environmentalandmarineandislandecosystemconditions,ensuringtheeffectiveuseofmarineandislandresources,balancingsustainablemarineeconomicdevelopmentgoals,theMillenniumDevelopmentGoalsconcerningtheseas,culture,nationaldefenceandsecurity;ensuringthebalanceofnaturalecosystems;meetingthegoalsofcomprehensive,synchronisedinnovation,industrialisationandmodernisation;andachievingthegoalofmakingVi?tNamastrongandprosperousmaritimenation.EnsuringsustainabledevelopmentThegoalofthemarinespatialplanning–thedistinctionthatsetsitapartfromsectoralplans–isitsfocusonresolvingconflictsinthethree-dimensionalspacebyvarioussectorsinspecificmarineareas,whileenhancingcompatibilityintheactivitiesofmarineresourceandenvironmentalusage.Marinespatialplanningwillsupportintegratedandunifiedstatemanagementoftheseas,basedonaspatialapproach,particularlyforcoastalandoffshoreareasthataresubjecttolarge-scaleexploitationandusage,aswellasforemergingmarineeconomicsectors.Theplanningprovidesthenationwithamethodtomaintainthediversevaluesofmarinebiodiversitywhileallowingsustainableexploitationofmarineeconomicpotential,therebybalancingtheneedsfordevelopmentandtheconservationofmarineecosystems.Thisplanningdirectstheuseofmarinespaceacrossdifferentregions,includingcoastalseasandareas,islandsandarchipelagos,protectedmarineareas,theskiesandlandreclamationaswellasdumpingactivities.Forcoastalandmarineareas,thisinvolveszoningmarineuseforsustainableeconomicdevelopmentbasedonmaximisingcomparativeadvantagesofnaturalconditions,geographicallocation,culturalidentity,ecosystemdiversity,environmentalprotection,climatechangeadaptation,whiletakingintoaccountnationaldefence-securitydemands,andregionalconnectivityamongcoastalandnon-coastallocalities.Forislandsandarchipelagos,itaimstocompletethebasicconstructionofmodern,synchronousinfrastructureforkeyeconomicislands(Van??n,CátH?i,PhúQu?c),focusingonhigh-qualityeconomiczones,high-techzones,comprehensiveservicesandupscaletourism,developingtheseislandsintoprosperousandbustlingregionalandinternationalhubs,creatingstrongbreakthroughsinthedevelopmentofthenationalmarineeconomy.Additionally,itaimstostrengthendefence-securitycapabilitiestofirmlyprotectthenationsmaritimeterritories,whilecombiningthedevelopmentofadvantageouseconomicsectorsandnatureconservation.Theplanwillalsoseetheupgradesof12protectedmarineareas,aswellastheestablishmentoffournewareasby2025(includingHònMê,H?iVan-S?nTrà,NamY?t,andPhúQuy),withthelonger-termaimofhavingatotalof40protectedareas.T??ìnhThi,vicechairmanoftheNationalAssemblysCommitteeonScience,TechnologyandEnvironment,stressedthatrationallyallocatingmarinespaceusagewouldhelpachievethegoalsofsustainablemarineeconomicdevelopment.Marinespatialplanningisacrucialtooltocreateafoundationformanagingtheactivitiesofresourceexploitation,environmentalprotectionandmarineecosystemconservation,accordingtoThi.Theairspaceintheplanwilladdressnationaldefence,civilaviationdevelopment,searchandrescueactivitiesandscientificresearch,adheringtoVietnameselaw,internationallawandinternationalconventionsandtreatiestowhichVi?tNamisamember;enforcingthemanagementofVietnamesesovereignairspace;managingflightinformationregionsaccordingtointernationalcivilaviationagreements.Landreclamationactivitiesmustminimiseimpactsonthenaturalenvironmentandcoastalecosystems,enhancelandscapevalueandleveragegeographicaladvantagesandexpanddevelopmentspaceforcoastallocalitiesandislands.Dumpingactivitiescantakeplaceiftheymeetthecriteriaforthelocationofmarineareasusedfordumping;thesizeofdumpingareas;thecapacityofdumpingareas;theimpactofdumping;dumpingtime;andmaterialsfordumpingasperlegalregulations.D?V?nToànfromtheInstituteofMarineandIslandResearchisinfavourofdevelopingwindpowerinthecountry,especiallyoffshore,tohelpcutdownrelianceonthermalpower,reduceairpollutionandgreenhousegasemissions.AccordingtoresearchfromtheWorldBank,Vi?tNamhasvastpotentialforwindpower,withapossiblecapacityofover500GW.Thisincludes42GWfromlandand475GWoffshoreinareasupto200kmfromthecoast.AlongwiththecreationoftheNationalMarineSpatialPlanningandtheComprehensivePlanforSustainableCoastalResourceUtilisation,ToànbelievesthatVi?tNamshouldinitiateaBlueEconomyDevelopmentProgrammeandspecifyanumberofkeypriorityprojectstofocusresourceson.VNS??VietnamesemilitaryofficersandLaosOudomxayprovincialofficialsattheceremonyrepatriatingremainsofVietnamesevolunteersoldiersandexperts.—VNA/VNSPhoto??BáThànhVIENTIANE—AceremonywasheldinOudomxayProvince(Laos)onTuesdaytohandoverandrepatriateremainsofVietnamesevolunteersoldiersandexpertswholaiddowntheirlivesduringthewartimeinthesixnorthernlocalitiesofLaos.Speakingattheceremony,MajorGeneralSivonSayavong,directoroftheOudomxayprovincialpolicedepartment,stressedthespecialsolidaritybetweenthetwoPartiesandStates,aswellasthesacrificebyVietnamesevolunteersoldiersandexpertstointernationalmissions,sayingtheyhavegreatlycontributedtotheLaostrugglefornationalliberation.HethankedtheVietnameseGovernmentandpeoplefortheirsupporttoLaosduringthepaststruggleaswellasthepresentcauseofnationaldefence,constructionanddevelopment,andexpressedhisbeliefthatthegreatfriendship,specialsolidarity,andcomprehensivecooperationbetweenthetwoPartiesandStateswillbefurthertightenedinthetimeahead.AteamofVi?tNamsMilitaryRegion2wasestablishedinJune1994andtaskedwithsearchingandrepatriatingremainsofVietnamesevolunteersoldiersandexpertsinthesixnorthernLaolocalitiesofOudomxay,LuangNamtha,Bokeo,LuangPrabang,Phongsaly,andXayaboury,accordingtoMajorGeneralNguy?nH?ngThái,headoftheregionssteeringcommitteeforthesearch,collectionandidentificationoffallensoldiersremains(SteeringCommittee515).Ithascollectedandbroughthomeremainsof1,836ofsuchpeople,andhandedthemoverto25Vietnamesecitiesandprovinces,hesaid.Amemorialandburialserviceforthe12martyrsisslatedforJune19atacemeteryinthenorthernborderprovinceof?i?nBiên.—VNA/VNS
??Caption:Farmerspreparefortheongoingsummer-autumnricecropinCàMauProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhAnhCàMAU—ThesouthernmostprovinceofCàMauistakingurgentmeasurestomitigatetheeffectsofpossibleinclementweatheronitskeycropsandaquaticspeciesduringtheongoingsummer-autumnseason.Itssummer-autumnriceisexpectedtosufferfromunfavourableweatherthisyear,includingprolongedheat,accordingtotheprovinceCentreforHydro-MeteorologyForecasting.Thelowrainfallsofarthisrainyseasoninalum-affectedareasmeansthealumisnotwashedawayfromricefieldsbeforethesummer-autumnricecropissown.May-Juneisthetransitionperiodbetweenthedryandrainyseasons.Buttemperaturesnowarehigherthannormal,andthiswillaffectthegrowthofseedlingsindryfields,thecentresaid.TherewouldbestrongwindsandheavyrainsinJulyandAugust,whichwoulddamagethericecropwhenitripens,itsaid.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovinceplanstosow35,244haofsummer-autumnrice.Tr?nChíNguy?noftheprovinceAgricultureExtensionCentre,saidfarmersshouldpreparelandwellandtakemeasurestoimprovethesoilandreducethealum.Farmersshouldco-operatewiththeirdistrictagriculturalofficialsforinstructionsinnature-basedfarming.TheprovincePeoplesCommitteehasorderedtheDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentandotherrelevantagenciestostrengthenmeasurestopreventthespreadofdiseasesamongaquaticcreatures,especiallyshrimps.Thecountryslargestshrimpproducingprovincehas18,661haoffarmsaffectedbydiseasesthisyear,andamortalityrateof35-75percent,accordingtothedepartment.ItsAgricultureExtensionCentrehastoldfarmerstokeepacloseeyeonweatherforecastsduringthetransitionperiodtopromptlytakemeasurestosafeguardtheircrops.Shrimpfoodshouldbecheckedforqualitytoensurethesafetyofthecrustaceans,itsaid.Farmersshoulddissolvelime,nutrientmineralsandbioproductsinwaterandaddittoshrimppondswhentherearerains,itsaid.Whenthepondshaveabnormalwaterorotherconditions,farmersshouldinformagriculturalofficialsfortakingpromptremedialmeasures,itsaid.Theprovinceisexpectedtoharvest205,300tonnesofaquaticanimalsinthefirsthalfoftheyear,including121,200tonnesofshrimps,accordingtothedepartment.—VNS??Rescuersaresearchingforvictimsofthelandslide.VNA/VNSPhotoB?CK?N—AlandslideoccurredintheearlyhoursofTuesdaymorninginthenorthernmountainousprovinceofB?cK?n,killingfouroffivemembersofthesamefamily.AtthetimeofthelandslideinKhu?iúnHamlet,NghiênLoanCommuneofPácN?mDistrict,therewerefivepeopleinthehouse,fourincludingatinybabywereburied,andonlyonemanagedtoescape.AccordingtoB?cK?nProvincesOfficeoftheNaturalDisasterPreventionandControl,overnightandintotheearlyhoursofJune17andJune18,therewerewidespreadshowersandthunderstormsintheprovince.Regionalrainfallmeasurementsfrom8pmonMondayto06.30amonTuesdayrangedfrom5mmto90mmindifferentlocalities.RescueforceslaterfoundthebodiesofN?ngC?nCh?,41,HoàngTh?Thía,43,Ng?Th?May,18,whoisdaughter-in-lawofCh?andThíaandMaysyoungchild.LocalauthoritiesandtheleadersoftheprovincialNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlandSearchandRescueCommitteepromptlywenttothescenetohelptherescueeffortandtoassistthevictimsfamilies.—VNS
??Cancerandstrokeareprimaryhealthconcerns.—PhotocourtesyofManulifeVietnamHàN?I—TheManulifeAsiaCareSurveyrevealsthatcanceristhestandouthealthconcernforpeopleinVi?tNam.Despitegrowingawarenessofavailabletreatments,risinghealthcarecostsalongsideinsufficientfinancialplanningprovideanobstacletomentalandfinancialwell-being.Stomachcancer:amajorconcernManulifesnewAsiaCareSurvey2024drewresponsesfrom8,400consumersfromacrosstheregion.ThesurveyincludesthelaunchofManulifesMyFutureReadinessIndex,whichmeasureshowconsumersviewtheircurrentandfuturephysical,mentalandfinancialwell-being.RespondentsinVi?tNamthinkthatphysicalwell-being(38percent)isthemostimportantfactorthatunderpinsbothmental(32percent)andfinancial(30percent)well-being,astheylookaheadtothenext10years.Cancerandstroke(both39percent)aretheprimaryhealthconcernsamongthosesurveyed.Theirconcernsarewellabovetheregionalaverageof34percentand31percentrespectively.Mentalhealthfactors,notablysleepdisordersandstress,alsoaffecttheirwell-being,butitscancerthatisconsideredthemostlikelyrisktotheirphysicalandfinancialwell-being.InVi?tNam,stomachcancerranksamongthetopfivemostcommoncancers,alongsideliver,lung,breastandcolorectalcancers.Asoftheendof2023,thenumberofstomachcancercasesdiagnosedisnotonlyrisingbutalsoincreasinglyaffectingyoungerpopulations.Whilelifestyle,activitiesandnutritioncontributetoitsprevalence,onesignificantfactorisinfectionbyHelicobacterpylori(HP)bacteria.Despiteitsimpact,mostVietnamesepeopleareeitherunawareoforoverlookthisfactor.DatafromtheMinistryofHealthandsomenationalhospitalsindicatethatupto70percentofthepopulationisinfectedwithHP,andaround80percentofstomachcancercasesarerelatedtoHPinfection.AccordingtotheVietnamYoungPhysiciansAssociation,Vi?tNamranksamongthetop10countriesworldwidewiththehighestmortalityratesfromstomachcancer.Alarmingly,upto20percentofpeopleunder40arediagnosedwiththisdisease.Althoughtreatmentmethodsforstomachcancerandothercancershaveimprovedandbecomemoreaccessible,thecostsremainsubstantial.TinaNguy?n,CEOofManulifeVietnam,emphasisedthefinancialrisksassociatedwithcancer.Notonlyiscancerahealthrisk,butitcanalsobecomeasignificantfinancialburdenwithoutearlypreventionplans,Nguy?nsaid.Tosupportcommunityhealthefforts,ManulifewillsoonlaunchtheLivingClean-Smart-Greencampaign.Thisinitiativeaimstoraiseawarenessaboutbuildingahealthylifestyleandpreventingstomachcancer,aswellasotherdigestivehealthissues.SheaddedthatManulifewillorganiseafreegeneralhealthcheckandHPtestingprogrammeforresidentsofHàN?iandHCMCity.GreatereffortstomitigatehealthrisksVietnameserespondentscitedrisinghealthcarecostsandinflation(both72percent)asthemainchallengestotheiroverallfinancialwell-being.Consumersseethehighestrisesinthecostofprescriptions,preventativehealthcare,outpatientservicesandhealthmanagementandwellnessservices.Vietnameseconsumersalsoperceivedanaverage24percentincreaseinhealthcarecostsoverthepast12months.ManulifeAsiaCareSurvey2024isconductedwithover8,400respondentsacrossAsia.—PhotocourtesyofManulifeVietnamOnascaleof1to100,peopleinVi?tNamexpressedtheirdesiredfinancialwell-beingleveltobe88,buttheexpectedleveltobe76,pointingtoalackofconfidenceabouttheirfuture.ThosesurveyedinVi?tNamsaidtheyaretryingtoexercisemore(60percent)andimprovetheirdiet(56-60percent)tomitigatehealthrisks.Thevastmajorityofthosesurveyed(nearly90percent)haveinsurance,beitpersonal,vehicleorhomeinsurance.Amongthese,personalinsurancerankedhighestwith77percent,inwhichlifeinsurancetakesup39percent.However,healthcoverageremainslow,especiallycriticalillnessprotection,giventheirconcernsaboutit.Only33percentofrespondentsarecoveredforaccidents,27percentforoutpatientneeds,19percentforinpatientneedsandjust16percentforcriticalillness.But,lookingforward,30percentofconsumersaged25-39saidtheyintendtochooseahigherpremiuminsuranceplanwithmorecoverageandbenefits.AcrossallthemarketscoveredinAsia,sevenoutof10respondentssaidtheyfeelthehealthbenefitsandcoveragefromtheiremployersarenotenough.InVi?tNam,80percentwouldliketoseeimprovedbenefitsandcoveragetosupporttheirfinancialwell-beingandplanning.ThesurveyshowsthatourVietnameseconsumershavefinancialworriesaboutinsufficientsavings,unexpectedmedicalexpensesandreducedincomesoverthenext10years.Recognisingthis,ManulifeVietnamiscontinuouslyenhancingitsofferingsbyintroducingadiverserangeofnewproductstailoredtomeetthevariousprotectionneedsandfinancialcapacitiesofourcustomers,Nguy?nsaid.Mostrecently,ManulifeVietnamhasintroducedtheTermInsurancewithReturnofPremium(TROP)product,whichincludesanaccumulationfeatureandguaranteedreturns.Inthefuture,wewilllaunchanewhealthinsuranceproductdesignedtomeetthediverseprotectionneedsofourcustomers,shesaid.—VNS??TouristboatsatH?LongBayinthenorthernprovinceofQu?ngNinh.—VNA/VNSPhoto??cHi?uQU?NGNINH—AtouristhasreportedbeingstrandedonanislandinH?LongBaybyatouristboat,promptinganinvestigationfromtheQu?ngNinhProvincestransportdeparment.ThetouristpreviouslyclaimedontheirFacebookaccountaboutthedisastroustravelexperienceaftertheboatthatdroppedthemoffonTiT?pIslanddepartedwithoutthem.Thepassengerwasnotnotifiedbyphoneabouttheboatleavingandhadbeenwaitingfor30minutesatthewharf,unabletocalltheboatoperatorsphonenumber,accordingtothepost.InitialreportssaidthatonSunday,atouristboatidentifiedasQN926xcarried99peopletoTiT?pIslandinH?LongBay.Theboatwasnotabletogathereveryonewhenleavingtheislandduetothelargenumberofpassengers.Anothervesselwasthenarrangedtobringthembackashore.TheincidentwasnotreportedtothelocalInlandWaterwaysAdministrationorH?LongBayManagementBoard,whichonlylearnedofthecaseafteritwaspublishedonsocialmedia.Theshipownerwasalsocontactedandnotifiedoftheresponsibilitiesofallinvolvedinthecasetopreventsimilarincidentsfromoccurringandtoensurethesafetyoftouristswhenvisitingthebay.—VNS