Theofficerstrytoextinguishtheflamesengulfingthemotorcycle.—Photobaobinhthuan.com.vnBìNHTHU?N—AmanidentifiedasT.D.L.,36,inthesouth-centralprovinceofBìnhThu?nhassethismotorbikeablazeafterresistingaroutinetrafficstopandrefusingtocooperatewithpolice.OnTuesdayevening,apolicepatrolteampulledT.D.L.overforridingamotorbikewithoutahelmetwhilecarryingachild.Duringtheinspection,T.D.Lbecameincreasinglyagitatedandstartedtoverballyabuseandinsulttheofficers.Whenaskedtotakeabreathalysertest,herefusedandescalatedhisresistancebykickinghismotorbiketotheground.Thesituationworsenedwhenreinforcementsarrivedtoimpoundthevehicle.Heviolentlykickedthemotorbikeagain,causinggasolinetospill.Hethenignitedthefuelwithalighter,settingthemotorbikeonfire.Fortunately,theofficersswiftlyextinguishedtheflames,preventingfurtherdamage.Theman,residinginNamChínhCommune,??cLinhDistrict,wastakenintocustodyforquestioning.—VNS

GeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngmeetswiththepeopleofTh??ng?i?nVillage,VinhQuangCommune,V?nhB?oDistrict,H?iPhòngCityin2017.—VNA/VNSPhotoTríD?ngHàN?I—Officials,Partymembers,andpeopleacrossthecountryhaveshowntheirboundlessgriefatthepassingawayofPartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngandtheirwarmsentimentstowardshim.ShowinghisrespectforthePartyleader,Nguy?nH?uTh?nh,DeputyHeadoftheMekongDeltaprovincesPartyCommitteesCommissionforInformationandEducation,describedPartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngasathoughtfulandvisionaryleaderwithbothoutstandingtheoreticalthinkingandscientificleadershipmethod,whoalwaysrealisedhiswordsandledalifeofsimplicityandremainedclosetocolleaguesandpeople.Th?nhrecalledPartyGeneralSecretaryTr?ngssayingsthatinordertobeaPartymemberorofficial,onemustfirstbeagenuineperson,apersonwhoknowshowtorespectintegrityandtheirownhonour,becausehonouristhemostnoblethingintheworld.AtthefirstmeetingoftheGovernmentinthe2021-2026tenure,thePartyleaderunderlinedthathonour,notmoney,isthemostsacredandnoblestthing,Th?nhnoted.Meanwhile,LêQu?cC??ng,DirectoroftheAnGiangDepartmentofInformationandCommunications,saidthatthroughouthiswholelifeandcareer,PartyGeneralSecretaryTr?ngalwaysshowedthebestqualitiesofatruecommunist,shiningwithrevolutionaryethics,beinganexemplaryleaderwithwisdomandsimplicity,whodevotedhislifetotherevolutionarycauseoftheParty.HewasarespectedleaderoftheVietnamesepeople,C??ngsaid.ThePartyGeneralSecretaryspassingawayisahugelossforthePartyandthecountry,leavingendlessgriefamongpeopleofallwalksoflife.Theideas,opinions,leadershipstyle,andethicsleftbytheleaderwillcontinuetoberesearched,studied,thoroughlygrasped,andfurtherpromoted,especiallyintheworkofPartybuildingandrectification,theofficialsaid.AshelearntofthepassingofPartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ng,Ng?Ng?cChu?n,ayoungreporterfromAnGiangNewspaper,wasgreatlysaddened.HerecalledhismemoriesofthePartychiefsvisittoAnGiangin2018,duringwhichtheleaderpresentedthePartyOrganisationandpeopleofAnGiangwithfourverses:AnGiangtoalwaysdooncehavingsaid/Toarriveoncedeparting,toreachconsentoncediscussing/Todobestoncedeciding/Homelandawaiting,Partylonging,peopleexpecting.TheversesshowedthePartyleaderssentimentstowardsAnGiang,thehomelandofStatePresidentT?n??cTh?ng,apioneeringlocalityinthecauseofnationalreformandconstruction,saidthereporter.Totheexpectationsoftheleader,AnGianghadgainedpositiveachievementsinsocio-economicdevelopment,continuouslyimprovingthelivingconditionsoflocals,henoted.Likeotherpeopleacrossthecountry,thoseofDi?nBíchCommune,Di?nChauDistrictofcentralNgh?AnProvince,haveshowntheirgreatgriefattheleaderspassingaway,andconductedpracticalactivitiestoexpresstheirrespectfortheleader.RightfromJuly19atnoon,localsinQuy?tTh?ngVillageofDi?nBíchcancelledalloftheircultural,sports,andentertainmentactivitiestomourntheleader.Manyfamilieshavegottheirnationalflagsreadytoflyhalf-masttopaythelastfarewelltotheirbelovedleader.Nguy?n?ìnhTan,alocal,saidthatafterhearingofthePartychiefspassingaway,heandothervillagershavebeenverysad.ThisisagreatlosstothewholePartyandState,hesaid,affirmingthatthefoundationlaidbytheleaderandtheachievementsthatthecountryhadgainedunderhisleadershipinthepastdecadeswouldremainasevidenceofthesolidarity,unity,andstrengthoftheParty.IamalwaysconfidentinthePartysleadershipandoursolidaritytofulfilalltargetssetatthe13thNationalPartyCongress,statedTan.H?V?nGiáo,alsofromQuy?tTh?ng,couldnothelpshowinghissadness.Althoughdeathisarulethatnoonecanresist,itstillleavesgreatgrief,hesaid,expressinghishopethatthePartywillhavemorememberswhoareexcellent,brave,exemplary,andtalentedlikeGeneralSecretaryTr?ng.D??ngV?nBé,aPartymemberfromCáiR?ngDistrict,theMekongDeltacityofC?nTh?,andformerDirectoroftheC?nTh?SocialSecurityOffice,expressedhisdeepemotions,sayingthathewasshockedandsaddeneduponhearingthenewsofGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngspassingaway.Hefeltprofoundsorrowatthelossofatalentedandmoralleaderofthecountry.AccordingtoBé,overthenearlythreetermsastheheadoftheParty,GeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngmadesignificantcontributionstothePartybuildingandnationaldevelopmentcause.Notably,hiseffortsinPartybuildingandrectification,aswellaspromotingthestudyandfollowingPresidentH?ChíMinhsideology,morality,andlifestyle,haveprovedeffective,achievingmanyimportantresults.Particularly,thecorruptionfightinitiatedanddirectlyledbythePartyleader,withtheprincipleofnooff-limitszoneshasbeenveryeffective,andgreatlytrustedbythepeopleandlocalPartyorganisations,Bésaid.UndertheleadershipofGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ng,Vi?tNamhasadvancedtonewheightsinallaspectsofpolitics,economics,culture,society,andnationalsecurity-defence,affirmingitsnationalstatusintheSoutheastAsianregionandontheinternationalstage.Thequalities,ethics,andtalentofPartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ng,especiallyhisspiritofservingthenationandthepeoplethroughouthistenure,provedthathewasindeedanoutstandingdiscipleofPresidentH?ChíMinh,Bésaid,expressinghisbeliefthatthePartyCentralCommittee,thePolitburo,theNationalAssembly,andtheGovernmentwouldcontinuetostayunitedandsteadfastlyovercomedifficultiestomovethecountryforward.Officials,partymembers,andmanypeopleinthenorthernprovinceofH?iD??ngarealsodeeplysaddenedatthepassingawayofGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ng.Nguy?nMinhTh?ng,permanentcommitteememberandheadoftheCommissionofInformationandEducationoftheChíLinhMunicipalPartyCommitee,said:Overtheyears,throughmedia,IhavefollowedandrecordedspeechesandwordsoftheGeneralSecretaryatconferencesandduringhismeetingswithvoters.IhavefelttheclosenessandempathyofthePartyleadertowardsofficialsandpeoplefromallwalksoflife.HesaidthathehadthoroughlystudiedtheGeneralSecretarysbooksonthefightagainstcorruptionandothernegativephenomena;buildingacleanandstrongPartyandpoliticalsystem;anddevelopingacomprehensive,modernVietnameseforeignpolicyimbuedwithVietnamesebamboocharacters,amongotherworks.TogetherwiththeCommissionofInformationandEducationofthemunicipalPartyCommittee,wehavedisseminatedthecontentsofthesebookstoofficials,partymembers,andthepeopleofChíLinhCityinatimelyway,Th?ngadded.IamveryimpressedbytheGeneralSecretaryswords:Apersononlylivesonce;onemustliveinameaningfulway,soasnottofeelregretfulandremorsefulforpetty,shameful,andunscrupulousactions.Whatgoodishavingalotofmoneywhenyoucanttakeitwithyouwhenyoudie?Honouristhemostsacredandnoblething.Th?ngstressedthatthestatementreflectsthequalitiesofarevolutionarysoldierandamodelfigureofpureethicsinthePartybuildingandrectificationprocessandthefightagainstcorruptionandothernegativephenomena.—VNSAself-modifiedthree-wheelmotorvehicleonaHCMCitystreet.—Photowww.sggp.org.vnHCMCITY—TheHCMCityTrafficSafetyCommitteehaslaunchedacampaigntoinspectself-modifiedthree-andfour-wheelmotorvehiclesinthecity.SpeakingataceremonyheldtolaunchitonJuly18,ColonelTr?nTrungHi?u,headofthecityRoadandRailwayTrafficPoliceDivision,saidthecityhadseenanincreaseinthenumberofmotorvehiclesthatdonotmeettechnicalstandardsandoutdatedandself-modifiedmotorbikes.Thecampaignaimedtoreduceaccidentsinvolvingself-modifiedthree-andfour-wheelmotorvehicles,hesaid.Inthefirstsixmonthsof2024thetrafficpolicefoundmorethan23,000substandardandthree-andfour-wheelnon-motorisedvehiclesand8,500casesofviolations.Lastyeartherewere17roadaccidentsinvolvingthree-wheelvehiclesinthecityinwhichsixpeoplediedand12otherswereinjured.Inthefirstsixmonthsofthisyearthereweretwodeathsandsixinjuriesinsimilaraccidents.Cityauthoritiesarealsoworriedaboutencroachmentsonpavementsandroadsinfrontofindustrialzones,companiesandschools.Thetrafficpolicearesettofocusonreducingaccidentsandcongestion,fightingcrimeandviolationsofenvironmentallaws,ensuringtrafficorderandsafetyandstrengtheningmanagementofurbanordertoreclaimthepavementsforpedestrians.—VNS

VietnameseAmbassadortoThailandPh?mVi?tHùnganswerspressinterviewsabouttheincident.—VNA/VNSPhotoHuyTi?nBANGKOK—TheVietnameseEmbassyinThailandonJuly19supportedfamilymembersofthosewhodiedintheBangkokhotelincidenttoreceivetheirpersonalbelongingshandedoverbyThaipolice,andcontinuedtoprovidethemwithguidanceonrelevantconsulateprocedures.Ithasalsosentdetailedinformationtodomesticauthoritiesandaskedforsupportintheproceduresfortheimportofthebodies,scheduledforJuly20and21.Theofficewillcontinuetocloselyfollowtheincidentandcoordinatewithrelevantauthorities,andtakesubsequentandnecessarycitizenprotectionmeasures.Earlier,onJuly19morning,AmbassadorPh?mVi?tHùngreceivedSananAngubolkul,ChairmanoftheThailand-Vi?tNamFriendshipAssociation,whocametoexpresscondolencesontheincident.OnJuly16,sixpeople,fourofthemVietnamesetogetherwithtwoothersUScitizensofVietnameseorigin,werefounddeadatGrandHyattErawanhotelinPathumWanDistrictofBangkok,Thailand.MedicsattheKingChulalongkornMemorialHospitalofThailandonJuly17confirmedthatthesixdiedofcyanidepoisoning.—VNSCaoT?nHi?uinTi?nGiangProvincehascollectedhundredsoffarmtoolsofsouthernpeasantsintheolddays.VNAPhotoCaoT?nHi?u,anativeoftheMekongDeltaprovinceofTi?nGiang,iscollectingfarmtoolstocreateacomprehensivepictureoftheprovincesrurallifeforfuturegenerationstoseeandunderstand.Inhistraditionalthree-compartmentsouthernhouseinBìnhNinhCommune,Hi?u,headofCh?G?oDistrictseducationdepartment,hasdedicatedanentiresectiontocollectinghundredsoffarmtoolsandequipmentlinkedtotheprovincesagriculturalpracticesintheolddays.Hiscollectionincludesmanyfamiliaritemsthatwereindispensabletoeverysouthernpeasantduringthepioneeringandagriculturalproductionperiods.However,thesetoolsaregraduallydisappearingduetotheincreasingmechanisationofagriculture.Hi?ugottheideatocollectfarmtoolswhilerenovatinghisfamilysancestralhousein2021.Seeingtheitemsfromthedifficultyearsbeforethecountrysreunificationin1975stillintact,hewantedtopreservethemtohelpfuturegenerationsknowandunderstandmoreabouttraditionalagriculturalproductionandthehardworking,creativespiritofthesouthernpeasants.Manyofhisfriends,uponvisitinghishouseandadmiringtheartefacts,wereveryfondofthem,withsomeevencontributingafewitemstoenrichthecollection.Duringarecentvisit,Nguy?nV?nútfromM?ThoCityfilmedaclipandsentittohisrelativesabroadtointroducetheagriculturalproductionprocessthroughvariousstagesofpeasantsintheSouthinthepast,andinVi?tNamingeneral.Meanwhile,Nguy?nHoàngB?ofromChauThànhDistrictsaidthatpeopleofhisgeneration,borninthe1980s,rarelysaworknewthesetoolsindailylife,havingonlyreadabouttheminbooksorwatchonmovies.Toolsliketheploughfortillingsoilpulledbybuffalo,thewaterscoopforliftingwaterfromcanalstofields,theknifeforclearinggrassandbushes,orthericewinnowingfandisplayedhereprovidevividimagesthathelpyoungpeopleunderstandthecreativityoftheirancestorsinlandclearingandricegrowingforcenturies.?Thesefarmtoolsallhavesignificantmeaning,andhelpviewersunderstandthedailylifeofthesouthernpeople.VNAPhotoBesidesfarmtools,Hi?ualsocollectedmanyhouseholditemsthatwereindispensableintheoldsouthernlifestyle,suchasthekerosenelamp,thewine(water)jug,andthebetelnutbox,andchicken-shapediron.Theseutensilsallhavesignificantmeaning,andhelpviewersappreciateandunderstandthedailylifeofthesouthernpeople.Hi?usaidthathewasverysurprisedtoseehissimpleideahighlyappreciatedandenthusiasticallysupportedbyfriendsandfamily.Heplanstocontinuecollectingandaddingmorehouseholdutensilsandfarmtoolstomakethecollectionmorecomplete.Whenfinanciallycapable,heintendstobuildawoodenhousebyafishpondtodisplaytheartefacts,likeaminimuseumforeveryonetovisitandadmire.TheBìnhNinhCommunePeoplesCommittee[communeadministration]iscallingforpeopletoparticipateincollectinganddonatingmoreartefactstoenrichHi?uscollection.Ifinvestedinanddevelopedtobewidelyintroducedtothepublic,thismodelcouldbecomeaculturaltourismsiteinBìnhNinhCommuneinthefuture.VNSThesyntheticdrugswereseizedbytheQu?ngBìnhprovincialpoliceonMarch27,2024.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheGovernmenthasissuedadecreeamendingandsupplementingthelistofnarcotics,adding15newsubstanceswhicharebanned.UnderDecree90/2024/N?-CP,14narcoticsubstanceshavebeenaddedtoListII.Thesesubstancescanonlybeusedunderstrictregulationsforanalysis,testing,scientificresearch,criminalinvestigationorinmedicalfieldsasauthorisedbycompetentagencies.Thesubstancesandtheirpossiblesaltsinclude3-Chloromethcathinone(3-CMC);2-Methyl-AP-237;3-Methylmethcathinone(3-MMC);ADB-4en-PINACA;ADB-FUBIATA;ADB-INACA;Alpha-PiHP;Butonitazene;Etazene;Etonitazepyne;MDMB-BUTINACA;MDMB-INACA;N,N-Dimethylpentylone;Protonitazene.ThedecreealsoaddsBromazolamtoListIII,whichincludesnarcoticsubstancestobeusedforanalysis,testing,scientificresearch,criminalinvestigationorinthefieldsofmedicineandveterinarymedicineasauthorisedbycompetentagencies.ThisdecreetookeffectonJuly17,2024.—VNS

Apoliceofficerreadstheindictmentandapplieshomearresttoanaccused.—Photonld.com.vnHàN?I—TheMinistryofPublicSecurityhasproposedusingelectronictagstomonitorindividualsunderhousearresttopreventtheirdisappearanceorreoffending.UndertheCriminalProcedureCode,housearrestisameasureappliedtoanaccusedtoensuretheirpresencewhensummonedbyaninvestigatingagency,thePeoplesProcuracy,orthecourt.Individualsunderhousearrestmusthandinawrittenpledgetofulfiltheirprescribedobligations,includingsubmittingtothesupervisionofthelocalcommune-levelgovernmentormilitaryunit.TheMinistryaffirmsthatthecurrentpracticeofmonitoringindividualsunderhousearrestfacessignificantchallengesduetotheabsenceofelectronicdevices.Authoritiesoftenstruggletotrackthewhereaboutsandactivitiesoftheseindividuals,leadingtosomeinstanceswhenpeoplehaveescapedandwantednoticeshavehadtobepostedbylawenforcementagencies.Toaddresstheseshortcomings,theMinistryproposestheimplementationofelectronicmonitoringdevices,especiallyelectronicbraceletsoranklets,forindividualsunderhomearrest.Thesedevicesprovidereal-timelocationtrackingandidentificationcapabilities,enablingremotemonitoring.Theyalsohavetamper-proofmechanismstopreventunauthorisedremovalortampering.TheMinistryhascitedsuccessfulexamplesfromcountrieslikeJapanandThailand,whereelectronicmonitoringhasproventobeaneffectiveandcost-efficientalternativetotraditionalmethods.Iftheproposalisapproved,itscostswillbecoveredbytheStatebudget,includingtheexpensesforprocuringandmaintainingthedevicesandrunninganelectronicmonitoringmanagementcentre.—VNSQu?ngYênTownsofficialsduringthesearchforthevictimsbodyonThursday.VNA/VNSPhotoQU?NGNINHThebodyofthemissingvictiminthecrashbetweentwovesselsatQu?XoàiLagoonareahasbeenfound,accordingtoTr?n??cTh?ng,ChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofQu?ngYênTownonFriday.ThedeceasedLêV?nC??ng(alsoknownasLêV?nC?ng),whowasbornin1983andwholivedin??ng2Hamlet,LiênV?Commune,Qu?ngYênTown,wasdiscoveredaround5am,closetothesiteofthecollision.Ataround8.30amonWednesday,LêV?nC??ngandeightotherswenttocutoystersinthe?ènBaL?ngwatersofLiênHòaCommune.Atapproximately12.30amonThursday,theirboatcollidedwithanothershipcarryingsoil,causingbothC??ngandanotherman,LêV?nC??ng,tofallintothesea.C??ngmanagedtoswimandclingtotheothership,butC??ng,whocouldnotswim,wentmissing.Thepeopleontheshipimmediatelyorganisedasearchbutcouldnotfindhim.Assoonastheincidentreportwasreleased,Qu?ngYênTownmobilisedforcesandequipmenttosearchforthevictim.Th?ngwaspresentanddirectlyinvolvedinthesearchandrescueoperations,directingforcesandurginglocalresidentstocomeandhelp.HealsocoordinatedwithTh?yNguyênandCátH?idistricts(H?iPhòng)toassistinlookingforthemissingperson.However,searcheffortswerehamperedbyfluctuatingtidallevelsandafteradayandanightofcombingtheseas,atdawnonFriday,theauthoritiesfoundC??ngsbodynearthecollisionsite.ThevictimsbodyhasbeenhandedovertothefamilyforfuneralarrangementsandQu?ngYênTownwillimplementsupportpoliciesasperStateregulations.VNS

Theentireareaofonehectare-sizedfishpondinBùiV?nDoanhin?oànK?tVillageof??iS?nCommuneinYênBáiProvince??iS?nCommunewasburiedbysoilandrocksfromtheconstructionofroadNo.175.VNA/VNSPhotoYêNBáI–DozensofhouseholdsinAnTh?nh,??iS?nandM?VàngcommunesinYênBáiProvincearebeingsignificantlyimpactedbylandslidesanddebrisduringtheconstructionofroadprojectconnectingNgh?aL?townwiththeN?iBài-LàoCaiExpressway.Thelocalresidentssaythattheirgardens,ponds,andricefieldsarebeingburied,althoughtheyliveoutsidetheprojectsclearanceboundary.In?oànK?tVillageof??iS?nCommune,whereconstructionisbeingcarriedoutbyaconsortiumofH?iPhongConstructionandTransportationJointStockCompanyandHoàngKimConstructionandTradingJointStockCompany,thereareseveralpointsofsidings,withtheriskoflandslides.Ontheroad,manypositionsunderconstructionhavedeepgroovescausedbyerosiononbothsidesduetoincompletedrainagesystems.AlongtheprovincialroadNo.175,thereareseveralhighmoundsofdirtpiledupandsomeareasofponds,gardensandricefieldshavebeenburiedduetoblockeddrainageditches.TheroadleadingtoonehamletoftheethnicM?ngpeople,hasbrokentarmacduetoconstructionandexcavationsthatarecausingseriousproblemsforresidentswhoneedtocommute.ThefamilyofBùiV?nDoanhin?oànK?tVillagehashadtheirfishpondburiedwithdebrisfromtheconstructionofprovincialroadNo.175sinceMarch2024.However,localauthoritiesandinvestorshavenotyetinventoriedorproposedanysupportplans.Everytimeitrainsheavily,mudflowsintomypond,Doanhsaid.H?iPhongCompanyhasdumpeddirtontheroad.Idontknowifitwasalandfillornot.Ifitwasnotalandfillandtheydumpeditontheroadthatflowedintomypond,Irequestthecompanyandthecommuneauthoritiestoresolveandcompensateus.EvenifIexcavatethemud,itwillcontinuetoflowin,makingitimpossibletoraisefish,saidDoanhangrily.Similarly,LêThanhQuyshouseinthevillagehasalargeareaofcinnamon-growinghillthathasbeenerodedduetoconstructionbythecontractor,buttheissuehasnotbeenresolved.Thehillareaisalsoatriskoffurtherlandslides.Accordingtoofficialdocumentsprovidedbyauthorities,theprovincialroadNo.175projectconnectingNgh?aL?TownwiththeN?iBài-LàoCaiExpresswayispartoftheNorthernMountainousTransportConnectionProjectwithatotallengthof53km.ThestartingpointistheintersectionoftheN?iBài-LàoCaiExpresswayinV?nYênDistrictofYênBáiProvince,andtheendpointistheintersectionwithNationalHighway32inLiênS?nTown,V?nCh?nDistrict,YênBáiProvince.Theprojectisdividedintothreemainpackages,CW-09,CW-10,andCW-11,withatotalinvestmentofnearlyVN?1.3trillion(US$51million)whichstartedJune23,2022.TheprogressofCW-09andCW-10packageshasbeenhamperedduetosomelocalproblemsandlandclearanceissues.InV?nYênDistrict,roadNo.175passesthroughAnTh?nh,??iS?n,andM?Vàngcommunes,withatotallengthofnearly40km.Accordingtolocalauthorities,38householdsoutsidetheclearanceboundaryareaffectedbytheconstructionofthisroad,including11householdsinAnTh?nhCommune,20inM?VàngCommuneandsevenin??iS?nCommuneaffectedbylandslides.LêHoàn,chairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeof??iS?nCommune,saidthattheroadconstructioninV?nYênDistrictthrough??iS?nCommuneis80-90percentcomplete.Landclearancein??iS?nCommuneisnolongeranissue.However,deepsubsidenceandlandslidesduringconstructionhavecausedproblemsforsevenhouseholds.ThecommunehassentateamtoinspecttheconstructionsiteandreporttothedistrictsLandClearanceCouncil,theMinistryofTransport,theinvestorsandthetwocontractorsofHoàngKimandH?iPhongcompaniestocoordinateinresolvingissuesoutsidetheclearanceboundaryfortheaffectedhouseholds,saidHoàn.Thedistrictisplanningtoholdameetingwiththeinvestorandthecontractorstoresolvethelandclearanceissuesinthethreecommunesinlinewithrealityandlegalregulations,LêHoànsaid.Meanwhile,L?uTrungKiên,viceChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofV?nYênDistrict,statedthatonJuly22,thedistrictsPeoplesCommitteehadworkedwiththecommunes,investorsandcontractorstodefinetheresponsibilitiesofrelatedpartiesanddiscusssolutionstoovercomethesituation.TheroadconnectingNgh?aL?TownwiththeN?iBài-LàoCaiExpresswaywillmeetthetravelneedsoflocalresidents,openingupnewopportunitiesforethnicminorityandmountainousareas,promotingeconomicdevelopment,ensuringsocialwelfare,andsustainablyreducingpoverty,hesaid.VNS

BoatracingontheHànRiverin?àN?ngCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoTr?nLêLam?àN?NG—?àN?ngCityhasplansforanumberofbiginfrastructureprojectsincludingmovingtherailwaystation,buildingbridgeacrosstheHànRiverandbuildingtunnelsthroughtheairport,saidthemunicipalpeoplescommittee.Theprojecttorelocatethe?àN?ngRailwayStationandrelatedworksoutofthecitycentreisconsideredoneoftheimportantprojectsforinfrastructure,socio-economicandsecuritydevelopmentofthecity.However,currentlyinvestmentresourcesfortherailwayindustryarestilllimited,alongwiththeGovernmentsprioritytofocusontheexpresswaynetwork,leadingtoprolongedtimetorelocatetherailwaystationtoanewplace.AccordingtotheReportNo223/BC-UBND,issuedintheendoflastmonththe?àN?ngPeoplesCommitteehasaleadyselectedaconsultingunit,researchedandcompiledaplantorelocatetherailway.ThemunicipalPartyCommitteeapprovedtheplan,inwhichallauxiliaryworksandrailwayagenciesofthestationwillmovetoKimLiênStation,thepassengerspartwillmovetoTrungNgh?aLakearea.Currently,thecityisaskingforopinionsfromtheMinistryofTransportandrelevantagencies.ItisexpectedthatbyOctoberthisyear,thedetailedplanningwillbecompletedandbyOctobernextyear,thefeasibilitystudyreportwillbecompleted.AnothermajorpieceofengineeringworkisthebridgeacrosstheHànRiverconnectingthe??ng?a-Tr?nPhúStreetinH?iChauDistricttotheVan??n-Tr?nH?ng??oStreetinS?nTràDistrict),alsoknownastheHànRivertunnel.Itisunderthecitysplanningfortheperiodof2021-30,visionto2050,whichwasapprovedbythePrimeMinister.The?àN?ngDepartmentofTransporthasworkedwithunitstoevaluateandapproveinvestmentpreparation.Itisexpectedtocompletetheprojectspre-feasibilitystudyreportandsubmittocompetentauthoritiesforappraisalintheendofthisyear.Forthe?àN?ngAirportTunnelproject,the?àN?ngPeoplesCommitteeproposedtoallocatecapitalthisyeartocarryoutinvestmentpreparationworkasabasisforimplementation.Inaddition,theHòaLiên-TúyLoanExpresswayprojecthasatotallengthof11.5kmandinvestmentofmorethanVN?2.1billion(US$82.4million).Ofwhich,siteclearancecompensationismorethanVN?951billion($37.3million).Resettlementlandwillbefullycompletednextyear.—VNSAnew-styleruralareainthenorthernprovinceofTháiNguyên.—VNA/VNSPhotoTr?nTrangHàN?I—DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàhaschairedameetingonthefirst-everplanforurbanandruralsystems,stressingtheroleofruralareasinurbanisation.ThisisVi?tNamssectoralplanthatgoesintodetailonmanaginganddevelopingurbanandruralsystems,basedonthenationalmasterplan.Anetworkofurbanandruralareasisexpectedtotakeshapethroughsectoralandregionalconnectionsinregardtoinfrastructure,resourceuse,environmentprotectionandbiodiversityconservation.Theplanfor2021-2030withavisionto2050,stressesurbandevelopmentasagrowthdriverandakeyelementofeconomicgrowth,whileruralareasplayafundamentalroleinsustainableurbandevelopment.DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàchairsthemeetingonWednesday.—VNA/VNSPhotoMinh??cTheMinistryofConstruction(MoC)willdocumentthepolitical,legalandscientificbasisforthisplanaswellasitsimpactinrelationtoothersectoral,provincialandnationalplanning.AccordingtoconstructionministerNguy?nT??ngV?n,thisisthefirsttimethattheplanforurbanandruralsystemsisbuiltbasedontheLawonPlanning.Thisplanaimstoconnecturbanandruralspacestothenationalsocio-economicdevelopmentzonesandregionswithspecificfocuses,whileeffectivelylinkingtotheinfrastructuresystem.Urbansystemsareexpectedtobedevelopedindifferentlinesandclusters,concentratingonseveralareasthatenjoyfavourablegeographical,socio-economicinfrastructureandagoodavailableworkforce.Theseadvantageswillturnthemintokeyregionsandeconomiccorridorsforgrowth,therebyimpactingothersmallandmedium-sizedurbanareasandacceleratingtheurbanisationofruralzones.Theplanalsoaimstoreduceurbandevelopmentgapsbysupportingruralareasthroughsmall-scaleurbanzonesandsuburbs,whilestrengtheningthelinkagesbetweenthem.Ruralareasareplannedforcomprehensive,sustainableandmoderndevelopmentwithcomprehensiveinfrastructureandsocialservices,aligningwithurbangrowthwhileretainingtheiruniquecharacteristics.Ruralresidentialareasareconsideredakeyelementinruralspaces,andareplannedinconsiderationofnaturalresourcesandtraditionalcultures,aswellasagriculturalecologicalzonesandnationaldefence-security.By2030,theurbanisationrateisexpectedtoexceed50percent.Thenumberofurbanareasnationwideisestimatedatbetween1,000and1,200.Economywise,theseareasshouldcontributeapproximately85percenttothenationalGDP(grossdomesticproduct).Meanwhile,thecountryshouldhaveatleast90percentofcommunesmeetingnew-styleruralstandards,whilealldistrictsshouldhaveanurbanzone.By2050,theurbansystemmustbecomeacohesivenetwork,ensuringabalancebetweendifferentregionsandeffectivelycopingwithclimatechanges,risingsealevel,naturaldisastersanddiseases.Inadditiontoenvironmentalprotection,thearchitectureinthisareamustretainitsuniqueidentitywhiletransformingtobegreen,smartandmodern.ThegoalistoelevatetheVietnameseurbansystemsroleandpositionintheAsia-Pacificurbannetworks,whiledemonstratinghighcompetitivenessinnational,regionalandinternationalsocio-economicdevelopment.Commentingontheplan,DeputyMinisterofPlanningandInvestment??ThànhTrunghighlightedtheimportanceofclearlydefiningdevelopmentgoalsandstrategies,whichwillthenactasthefoundationfordynamic,cohesiveandcomprehensiveurbanandruralplanning.Meanwhile,DeputyMinisterofCulture,SportsandTourismHoàng??oC??ngsaidthattheplanmustformclustersofurbanandruralareaswiththeiruniquecharacteristics,inalignmentwiththeirownhistory,naturalandsocio-economicconditions.—VNS

AbusoperatesinHCMCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoTi?nL?cHCMCITY—HCMCityhassetatargetofhavingallofitsbusesusingcleanfuelsorelectricityby2030,heardaworkshopongreenandelectricenergyforpublictransportheldinthesouthernlargesteconomichubthisweek.Thecitynowhas2,209busesrunningon138routes,ofthem546buses,accountingfor24.7percentofthetotal,usecompressednaturalgas(CNG)orelectricity.ThebusnetworkcoversallareasinHCMCity,servingtraveldemandofabout300,000passengersdaily.InlinewiththePrimeMinistersDecision876/QD-TTg,datedJuly22,2022,thecityaimstoensureallneworreplacedbuseswillutilisegreenenergystartingin2025,withalong-termgoalofachievingafullygreenbusfleetby2050.Additionally,alltaxisareexpectedtousegreenenergyby2030.Ph?mV??ngB?o,DeputyDirectorofthePublicTransportManagementCentre,highlightedthatthecityisaimingtoreachits2030targetearlierthanthenationaldeadline.However,thistransitionfacesseveralchallenges,includingthehighcostofelectricbusescomparedtodiesel,alackofCNGrefuelingstations,andunderdevelopedcharginginfrastructure.Thecityisalsoexploringvarioussupportmechanismsforbusinessesinvolvedinthetransition.Theseincludeofferinglow-interestloansandtaxincentivestofacilitatetheshiftfromfossilfuelstocleanenergy.ThecitysDepartmentofTransportintendstofinalisethesepoliciesbySeptember,startingwithbusesandextendingtoothervehiclesinsubsequentphases.Khu?tVi?tHùng,DirectoroftheInstituteofTransportStrategyandDevelopment,notedthatthecitystargetisambitiouscomparedtonationalstandards.Thecitybenefitsfromasignificantnumberofbusroutecontractsendingandundergoingrebiddingin2025and2026,whichcouldacceleratethetransition.Nonetheless,integratingnewinfrastructure,particularlylandforchargingstations,remainsasignificantchallenge.From2024to2030,thecitywilltendercontractsfor108busroutesinvolvingapproximately1,901buses.By2025,thecityplanstohave2,542buses,increasingto3,317by2030.Despitetheseplans,thedevelopmentofgreenenergyvehiclesfaceshurdlessuchasinsufficientCNGrefuelingstationsandhighinvestmentcostsaselectricbusesarearound13percentmoreexpensivethandieselmodels.Additionally,thecharginginfrastructureforelectricbusesisnotyetfullydeveloped.Ph?mXuanMai,anexpertfromtheHCMCityUniversityofTechnology,saidthatwhileCNGbusesaredecreasinginpopularityduetotherapiddevelopmentofelectricbuses,andthelatterareexpectedtogrowsubstantiallyduetotechnologicaladvancements,supportivepolicies,andincreasingconsumerdemand.Tosupporttheexpansionofelectricbuses,Mairecommendedthegovernmenttoinvestincharginginfrastructure,includingsolar-poweredstations,anddeveloprenewableenergysourcestoensurecleanpowersupply.Similarly,MaiLinhGroupsrepresentativehighlightedthatsolarenergyisanoptimalsolutionforachievingthenet-zeroemissiontargetandiscurrentlyevaluatingelectricvehiclesforitstaxiserviceswhileseekingpartnershipswithelectricvehiclemanufacturers.Nguy?nDuyKhánhfromSaigonbuspointedoutthattheinitialcostofelectricbusesissignificantlyhigher,approximatelyVN?6billion(US$237,000)perbus.Hesuggestedthatthegovernmentshouldconsiderofferinglowerinterestratesonloans,withproposalsrangingfrom1-2percent,comparedtothe3percentsuggestedbythePublicTransportManagementCentre.TheDepartmentofTransportiscurrentlyproposingvarioussupportmechanisms,includinginterestratesubsidies,importtaxreductions,andinvestmentincharginginfrastructuretoencouragetheadoptionofgreenenergybuses.DirectorofthedepartmentTr?nQuangLamemphasisedthatthecityiscommittedtoprioritisingtheshifttogreenenergyandwillworkondevelopingsupportivepoliciesthroughtwophases.Thefirstphase,bySeptember,willfocusonfinalisingmechanismsforelectricandCNGbuses,withthesecondphaseaddressingalltypesofvehicles.Thedepartmentisalsoworkingonmappingoutthechargingstationnetwork,initiallyfocusingonbusdepotsandmajorbusstations.ThecitysDepartmentofIndustryandTradewillalsoorganiseworkshopsoninvestmentpolicies,technicalquotas,supportingmechanisms,amongotherstosupportenterprises,associationsandsectorsparticipatinginthetransition.—VNSFirefighterswereabletoextinguishtheflameswithinfiveminutes,andtheareawasclearedwithinanhour.—PhotocourtesyofTanS?nNh?tauthorityHCMCITY—ADIYpowerbankinapassengerscheckedluggagecaughtfireafterbeingleftbehindatsecuritysrequestatHCMCitysTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportonTuesdaynight.Theincidenthadminimalimpactonairportoperations,airauthoritiesnoted.Theincidentoccurredaround11:55pmwhenairportsecuritystaffinstructedamalepassengertoremovehispowerbankfromhischeckedluggageduetotheassociatedfirehazards.Shortlythereafter,thedevicecaughtfire.Firefighterswereabletoextinguishtheflameswithinfiveminutes,andittookapproximatelyonehourtosecureandcleartheaffectedarea.Arepresentativefromtheairportsaidthepowerbankwasado-it-yourselfhomemadetype,andsinceadrypowderfireextinguisherwasused,powderdustcreatedsmokeintheextinguishedarea,andby12:55AMonJuly31,theareahadbeenthoroughlycleaned.Theincidentdidnotsignificantlyimpactoperationsattheterminal,therepresentativesaid.Thelithium-ionbatteriesinthesedevicesgenerateenergythroughelectrochemicalreactionsthatinherentlyproduceheat.Duetothepotentialforoverheatingandcombustion,certainairlineshaveprohibitedtheuseofpowerbanks,whileothersadvisepassengerstonotifycrewmembersshouldtheirdevicesbecomeexcessivelywarm.Mostairlinesrequirepassengerstostorepowerbanksintheirhandluggagetomitigateanypotentialhazards.—VNS

VietnameseAmbassadortoJapanPh?mQuangHi?uspeaksataseminaronpromotingsupportforVietnameseworkersinJapantointegrateintothelocalcommunity.—VNA/VNSPhotoTOKYO—TheVietnameseEmbassyinJapanonJuly30heldaseminaronpromotingsupportforVietnameseworkersinJapantointegrateintothelocalcommunity,developthemselvesandtheircareers,withtheparticipationofrepresentativesofrelevantJapaneseagencies,departmentsandlocalities.Therearecurrentlynearly600,000Vietnameseliving,studying,andworkingacross47prefecturesandcitiesofJapan.Inhisopeningremarks,VietnameseAmbassadorPh?mQuangHi?usaidthatthemajorityofVietnamesepeoplearehardworking,eagertolearn,andliveharmoniouslyandamicably.TheyhavecontinuouslyimprovedtheirJapaneselanguageskillstobetterthemselves,supporttheirfamilies,andcontributetoJapanseconomy,aswellasenhancingthefriendshipbetweenthetwocountries.HenotedthatfollowingtheJapaneseGovernmentspolicyrevisionallowingtalentedforeignworkerstoresideandworkforalong-terminJapan,thenumberofVietnameseworkersintheEastAsiancountryisexpectedtocontinuerisinginthenearfuture.Therefore,theembassyorganisedthiseventtoexchangeopinionswithJapaneseagencies,departments,sectorsandlocalitiesonmeasuresforVietnameseworkerstochooseJapaneselocalitiesasadestinationtoworkandliveforalongterm,becomeapartofthelocalsocietyandeffectivelycontributetothesocio-economicdevelopmentofthatlocality,addedHieu.YasuhisaArai,arepresentativefromJapansMinistryofJustice,providedanoverviewofthenewrecruitmentandtrainingsystemannouncedbythegovernmentonJune21.Heexplainedthatunderthenewlaw,thetechnicalapprenticetrainingsystem,whichinvolvesskilltransfer,willbefundamentallyre-evaluated,whileanewrecruitmentandtrainingsystemwillbeestablishedtodevelopandensurehumanresourcesinfieldswhereJapanisexperiencingalabourshortage.Attheseminar,representativesfromYamanashi,Kanagawa,andAichiprefecturesbriefedparticipantsontheirrespectivelocalityseffortstoattractforeignlabourers,particularlythosefromVietnam.HieuemphasisedtheneedtofocusonJapaneselanguagetraining,Japaneseculturepopularisation,andskilldevelopmentforVietnameseworkers.Healsohighlightedtheimportanceofcontinuoustrainingactivities,startingbeforetheirarrivalinJapanandmaintainingitthroughouttheirtimelivingandworkinginthecountry.—VNSTheanti-scammobilenTrustisdevelopedbytheNationalCybersecurityAssociation.—PhotocourtesyofnTrustHàN?I—Anationalanti-scammobileapplicationhasbeenlaunchedbytheNationalCybersecurityAssociation(undertheMinistryofPublicSecurity).Thefreeapp,namednTrust,istohelppeopledetectsignsofscammingbyverifyingphoneandbankaccountnumbers,aswellaswebsitelinksandQRcodes.ItwasfirstannouncedattheseminaronpreventingonlinescamsheldonMay13bytheNationalCybersecurityAssociation.FollowingitsbetaversionreleasedinJune,theapphasbeenupdatedtobetterscanformalwareandoptimiseitsperformance.nTrustiscurrentlyavailableonGooglePlayStoreforAndroiddevicesandontheAppStorefordevicesrunningoniOS.Ifusersdetectanysignsofscamming,theycanreportsuspiciousphonenumbers,bankaccountnumbers,websitelinksorsoftwareviatheapp.TheirreportswillthenbecompiledandanalysedbeforebeingsenttotheentirenTrustnetwork.—VNS