UniversitystudentsataseminaronsemiconductortechnologyatSaigonHi-techParkinMarch2024.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhV?HàN?I—IdentifyingtalentshasbeendeterminedasthetoppriorityforthesemiconductorindustryasVi?tNampushesforthenationalstrategytodevelopthesector.Thecountryhasenvisioneditselfasafuturehubforsemiconductordesign,packagingandtestingwithplansuntil2030withavisionto2050.However,whilethisindustryisconsideredthedriverforothersectorsintheageoftechnology,thehumanresourcecapabilityinVi?tNamremainsmodest.AccordingtotheMinistryofInformationandCommunications(MIC),theworkforcedemandforinformationtechnology(IT)andotherdigitalindustriesinVi?tNamisestimatedatabout150,000engineersperyear.Thecountrysactuallabourforcecanonlyrespondtoabout40-50percentofthisfigure,whileforthesemiconductorindustry,onlyaround20percentofitslabourdemandcanbemet.V?QuangHùng,deputydirectoroftheVi?tNamInstituteofStrategyandPolicyforIndustryandTrade(VIOIT)saidthatwhilethecountryhaslongbeenapartofthesemiconductorsupplychain,itsengagementremainsonlyatthepackingandtestingstagesforseveralmajorchipmanufacturers,likeIntel.Semiconductorsareavailableinawidevariety,butVi?tNamspackagingcapacityhasonlybeenabletorespondtosimplertypes,headded.Accordingto??Th?ThúyH??ng,anexecutiveboardmemberoftheVi?tNamElectronicIndustriesAssociation(VEIA),thesemiconductorindustryinvolvesmultipletechnicalaspects,fromproductioninvestmentstotechnologyprocessesandupdates.Therefore,whilequalifiedintegratedcircuit(IC)designengineersareveryimportant,thisfast-pacedindustryalsodemandsaworkforcethatcanalsomasterthesemiconductormanufacturingprocesses.ExpertsbelievethatVi?tNamhasagreatopportunitytogrowitssemiconductorindustrywiththeinvolvementofmultipleleadingglobaltechnologycompanies.Itisforecastthatbytheendof2024,Vi?tNamssemiconductorindustrywillexceedUS$6.16billioninvalue,becomingoneofthekeymanufacturinghubsofmanyglobalenterprises.InadditiontoSamsung,whichhaschosenVi?tNamasitslargestproductdevelopmentcentreinSoutheastAsia,severalDutchsemiconductorcompanieshavebegundirectingtheirinvestmentstotheirVietnamesefacilities.BESemiconductorIndustriesN.V.,fromtheNetherlands,hasobtainedaninvestmentcertificateatSaigonHi-techParkwithacapitalofmorethanVN?115billion($4.9million)inthefirstphase.ThecompanysprojectisexpectedtoenteroperationinQ1of2025.Meanwhile,SouthKoreansemiconductorproviderAmkorTechnologyinSeptemberincreasedthecapitalinitsfactoryinYênPhongII-CIndustrialPark(B?cNinhProvince)byover$1.07billion.InJune,thenorthernprovincealsoissuedaninvestmentregistrationcertificatetoFoxconnCircuitPrecision(Vietnam)Co.Ltd.forits$383.33-millionfactoryinNamS?n-H?pL?nhIndustrialPark.InJuly,USSecretaryoftheTreasuryJanetYellensaidduringherfirstvisittoVi?tNamthatthecountryhasemergedasacriticalnodeintheglobalsemiconductorsupplychain.Vi?tNamandtheUShavealsoworkedtogethertobolsterresilientsupplychains,especiallyinregardtothesemiconductorindustry,sheadded.ThisisbothanopportunityandachallengetoVi?tNam,requiringthecountrytodevelopitsinfrastructure,institutionsandhumanresourcestogrowandattractinvestmentstothesemiconductorindustry.FPTTelecomchairmanHoàngVi?tAnhsaidthatwhilethereareonlyabout5,000engineersworkingin40semiconductorandchipproductioncompaniesinVi?tNam,thecountryhassetaplantoincreasethisfiguretenfoldby2030.MajorVietnameseITcompaniesincludingViettel,VietnamPostsandTelecommunicationsGroup(VNPT)andFPTarealsoproactivelytakingactionstoincreasetheircapacityinresearch,developmentandproductioninthissector.VEIAexecutiveboardmember??Th?ThúyH??ngsaidthattoquicklynurturehigh-qualityhumanresourcesfortheworkforce,itisessentialtoconnecttraininginstitutionsandbusinessestoensurepracticalskillsinthisrapidlyevolvingindustry.—VNS

AclassattheUniversityofMedicineandPharmacyoftheVi?tNamNationalUniversity,HàN?i.PhotocourtesyoftheVNU.HàN?ITheUniversityofMedicineandPharmacyattheVi?tNamNationalUniversity,HàN?i,hasannouncedithasfinalisedagreementswithIndiatostartamastersprogrammethisSeptemberinfourspecialisations:internalmedicine,surgery,paediatrics,andradiology.Theprogrammewillinitiallyenrol40doctorsorgraduatesfromIndia.Theuniversityplanstoopenthefirstgeneralmedicineanddentistrycoursesforapproximately100Indianstudentsbyearly2025.Currently,Vi?tNamalreadyhastheC?nTh?UniversityofMedicineandPharmacytrainingIndiangeneralpractitioners,withthefirstintakestartingin2022.ThisinitiativerepresentsanewdirectionforVietnameseuniversitiesthatiscapableofprovidingeducationforforeignstudents,withcurriculaandinstructionconductedinEnglish.Additionally,thousandsofforeigndoctorshavealreadycometoVi?tNamforshort-termcoursesinendoscopicsurgery,thyroidsurgery,radiology,andcancertreatmentatvariousVietnamesehospitals.VNSAfirefightercutopenatigercagetomakeasecondaryescaperouteforafamilyinHàN?i.—Photohanoionline.vnHàN?I—Thefireatanapartmentbuildingon??nhC?ngH?StreetinHàN?ithatkilledfourpeoplelastmonthhasonceagainraisedconcernsaboutthesafetyofso-calledtigercages(chu?ngc?p).Tigercagesrefertothemetalbarsorgrillsinstalledaroundbalconies,windowsandotheropeningsinbuildings,particularlyinolderapartmentblocks.Peopleofteninstallthesestructurestoexpandtheirlivingspaceorforsecuritypurposes.However,theycanposesignificantfiresafetyhazardsbytrappingpeopleandhinderingtheworkoffirefightersintheeventofafire.Aglanceatneighborhoodswithahighconcentrationofoldapartmentblocks,suchasthoseinThanhXuanB?c,TrungT?,andThànhC?ngWards,revealsacrisscrossoftigercagesoneverybuilding.?oànV?nM?opurchaseda30-square-metreapartmentinThànhC?ngin1992.Ashischildrengrewolder,thelivingspacebecamecramped,promptinghimtobuildatigercagetoexpandtheareato45sqm.M?osaidhisneighbourshadtomakesimilarexpansionsforthesamereason,creatinganetworkofenclosedcagesintheapartmentblock.Despitetheirillegalityandtherepeatedwarningsspurredbyfireincidents,thesestructuresremainstubbornlyinplace,creatingalabyrinthofobstructedescaperoutes.Thedangersoftigercagesareparticularlyacuteinapartmentblockswithasinglestaircaseservingastheprimaryescaperoute.Whenafireerupts,smokeandflamescanquicklyblockthispassageway,leavingresidentstrappedontheirfloors.Theenclosednatureoftigercagesfurtherhindersescapeefforts,asfirefightersstruggletocutthroughthesturdymetalbars,wastingprecioustimethatcouldbeusedtorescuetrappedindividuals.Withapproximately1,600oldapartmentblocksequippedwithtigercagesacrossthecity,HàN?iauthoritieshavecampaignedforresidentstodismantlethesestructurestocreatesecondaryescaperoutesincaseoffire.However,thecampaignshadmixedresults.Whilesomepeopleheededthecall,othersturnedadeafeartoit.Forinstance,inTrungT?,abouthalfofthefamiliesinapartmentblocksD8andC5hadtheirtigercagescutopenforsecondaryescaperoutes.ThesituationisbetterinThanhXuanB?cwhere90percentoffamilieswereonboardwhereastheremainingsittightforvariousreasons,includingabsenthomeownersandstructurallimitations.Wewillcontinueoureffortstopersuadethemtocreatesecondaryescaperoutes,exceptforthosewhoseapartmentdesignsprecludethecreationofsuchroutes,saidHoàngTh?Dung,ActingChairwomanofThanhXuanB?cPeoplesCommittee.V?Ng?cAnh,DirectoroftheScience,TechnologyandEnvironmentDepartmentundertheMinistryofConstruction,emphasisedtheneedforstricterenforcementoffiresafetystandardsacrossallhousingtypes,notjustlargebuildingsandfactories.Accordingtothedirector,whiletheMinistryhasissuedCircularNo.06/2022/TT-BXD,whichoutlinesfiresafetyrulesforbuildings,peopletendtocutcornersonitwhenconstructingindividualhouses.AsurveybytheMinistryrevealedthatmostindividualhouseshavebalconies,loggiasandaccesstotheroofsealedoffwithsolidstructures,creatinglimitedornoescaperoutes.ThedirectoralsorevealedthattheMinistrywasdraftingasetofnationalstandardsforindividualhouses,aimingtoincorporatefiresafetyconsiderationsintodesignandconstructionpractices.However,hewasconcernedthatthenewruleswouldnotcarrymuchweightwithhomeownersiftheywereonlyrecommendationsandvoluntary.Itneedstobeelevatedtothestatusofamandatorysetofstandardstoimprovethesituation,saidAnh.InameetingonJuly2,HàN?iauthoritiesapprovedtheSchemetoEnhanceFirePreventionandFightfightingCapacityintheCityby2025,settingthetargetof100percentofapartmentsinthecityhavingsecondaryescaperoutes.—VNS

Studentsexplorethetopicofprotectingchildrenonlineatthe2023ChildrensForuminC?nTh?City.—VNA/VNSPhotoTrungKiênHàN?I—TheDepartmentofChildAffairsundertheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs(MOLISA)emphasisedtheurgencyofimprovinglegalregulationsonprotectingchildrenintheonlineenvironment,whichisessentialtosafeguardchildrenfromthehighrisksposedbycriminalgroupsontheinternet.Vi?tNamhas24.7millionchildren,mostofwhomhaveaccesstotheinternetanddigitaldevicesfromaveryyoungage.TheaverageageofVietnamesechildrenusingtheinternetisnineyearsold,fouryearsearlierthantheglobalaverage.SurveydatafromtheMOLISAin2023showsthat89percentofchildrenaccessandusetheinternet,with87percentofthemusingitdaily.Apartfromtimespentonstudying,childrenspendaverage5-7hoursperdayonsocialmedia.Healthorganisationsrecommendthatchildrenshouldonlyspendbetweentwoandthreehoursperdayonline.Additionally,statisticsfromtheCentreforCreativeInitiativesinHealthandPopulationrevealedthatnearly36.5percentofchildrenhaveencounteredinformationandimagesrelatedtoviolenceontheinternetandmorethan13percenthavebeenexposedtounwantedpornographicmaterial.Therearenumerousreasonsforthehighrateofchildabuseontheinternet,withalackofknowledgeandskillsinsafeinternetusagebeingamajorfactor.Childrenoftendonotfullyrecognisethepotentialrisksonlineandcaneasilybecomevictimsofscams,sexualexploitationandbullying.N.V.H.,afatherofa12-year-olddaughterinHàN?isHà??ngDistrictnoticedthathisdaughterwasspendingalotoftimeonhermobilephone.Uponcheckingherphone,hewasshockedtofindthatshewasinvolvedinmanyinappropriategroupsandchatsonsocialmedia.Shewasinvariouschatgroupsdiscussingwaystoskipclassesandevenmoredangerously,somegroupstalkedaboutadult-sensitivetopicsandsharedexplicitinformationandimages.Ihadtotakestrongmeasuresbybanningherfromusingthephoneforawhileandexplainingthedangersofparticipatinginsuchgroups,hesaid.Anationalreportonpreventingharmfulbehaviourandevidenceofchildexploitationandsexualabuseonline,showedthat23percentofchildrenaged12-17hadunintentionallyseensensitiveimagesorvideosonline,while5percenthadreceivedunwantedsensitiveimages.Additionally,8percenthadreceivedinappropriatecommentsaboutthemselvesand2percenthadbeenaskedtodiscusssexualtopicsagainsttheirwill.However,43percentofchildrendidnotreporttheseincidentstoanyone,believingthatdoingsowouldnotresolvetheissue.StatisticsfromtheMinistryofPublicSecurityshowthatoverthepastthreeyears,lawenforcementnationwidehasprosecutedmorethan380casesinvolvingover550individualsforcrimesrelatedtochildabuseandthedistributionofobscenematerials.Policehavealsoblocked30,000websiteswithcontentthatviolatesthelaw,includingscams,harmfulviolence,childsexualabuseanddefamatorymaterial.Tensofthousandsofharmfulcontentlinkshavebeendisabled.Thenationalchildprotectionhotline,111,hasrecorded1,500interventionsupportcalls,including419reportsofonlinechildabuse.LeoTh?L?ch,astandingmemberoftheNationalAssemblysCouncilofEthnicMinorities,notedthatwhileinternetcoverageinmountainousandethnicminorityareasisincreasing,childrenintheseregionsarenotadequatelyprotectedfromonlineexploitation.ArecentincidentinL?cNg?nDistrictinB?cGiangProvince,involvedagirlintheseventhgradewhometanddevelopedarelationshipwithaboyonsocialmedia,resultinginpregnancyandchildbirthwithoutherfamilysknowledge.SafeenvironmentforchildrenTheMinistryofInformationandCommunicationsisdraftinganamendmenttotheGovernmentsDecree72issuedonJuly15,2013,onthemanagement,provisionanduseofinternetservicesandonlineinformation.Thedraftemphasisestheresponsibilitytoprotectchildrenandadolescentsonlineasacrucialmeasureforinternetdevelopment.Itincludesadditionalregulationsonsocialmediamanagement,limitsonchildrenssocialmediause,warningsaboutharmfulcontentforchildrenandtheresponsibilitiesofagencies,organisationsandeducationalinstitutionsinpreventingharmfulinformationandmonitoringandprotectingchildrenonline.Nguy?nTh?Nga,DeputyDirectoroftheMOLISAsDepartmentofChildAffairs,highlightedthatVi?tNamhasactivelybuiltandperfectedthelegalsystemtoprotectchildrenonline.ThisincludesDecreeNo.56/2017/ND-CPissuedonMay9,2017,detailingcertainprovisionsoftheLawonChildren;DecisionNo.830/QD-TTgissuedonJune1,2021,approvingtheprogrammetoprotectandsupportchildrenforsafeandcreativeinteractionsonline;andDirectiveNo.23/CT-TTgissuedonMay26,2020,onstrengtheningmeasurestoensurechildrensrightsandprotectchildren.Ngasaiditisessentialtoenhanceeducationandraiseawarenessamongchildrenaboutonlinesafetysothattheyhavetheknowledgeandskillstoprotectthemselvesfromonlinerisks.Authorities,schoolsandfamiliesneedtocollaboratetoguidechildreninusingtheinternetsafelyandhealthily.Theexpertemphasisedtheneedforclosecooperationbetweenagencies,organisationsandcommunitiestocreateasafeonlineenvironmentforchildren.Technologycompaniesshoulddeveloptoolsandsoftwaretomonitorandfilterinappropriatecontent.Creatinghealthyandcreativeonlineplaygroundsforchildreniscrucial.Giventheincreasinglycomplexandriskyonlineenvironment,buildingasafeandhealthycyberspaceforchildrenisatopprioritythatrequiresthecollectiveeffortofsociety,shesaid.—VNSDoctorsattheendoscopyroomatQuánS?Branch,HospitalKinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheNationalCancerHospital(HospitalK)willsoonopenanewbranch,itsfourthsite,inH?uHoàCommune,ThanhTrìDistrict,HàN?i.ProfessorLêV?nQu?ng,directorofthehospital,announcedonWednesdayafternoonthatthisfourthbranchwillhousetheProtonTherapyCentre,aradioisotopeproductionareaforon-siteuse,andtreatmentbeds.TheProtonTherapyCentre,thefirstofitskindinnorthernVi?tNam,willspecialiseintreatingnervoussystemcancers,particularlyinchildren,aswellaslungandprostatecancers.Theinvestmentinthishigh-qualitycancertreatmentcentre,equippedwithadvancedradiationtherapysystems,aimstoenhancecancertreatmentforVietnamesepatientsdomestically,eliminatingtheneedforoverseastreatment,hesaid.TheHàN?iadministrationhasgrantedpreliminaryapprovalforthehospitalsfourthbranchtobelocatedonan8.6-hectaresite,nearlyoneandahalftimeslargerthanthehospitalsthirdbranch.Constructionisexpectedtocommenceinthethirdquarterofthisyearoncethelandtransferiscompleted.WiththeadditionofthisnewbranchinH?uHoàCommune,ThanhTrìDistrict,thehospitalwilloperatefourfacilities:thefirstbranchatNo.43QuánS?Street,HoànKi?mDistrict;thesecondbranchatT?uLi?t-TamHi?pStreet,ThanhTrìDistrict;andthethirdbranchatNo.30C?uB??uStreet,ThanhTrìDistrict.Currently,thecapacityofcancertreatmentfacilitiesmeetsonlyabout20percentofdemand.Theadditionofmoderntreatmentfacilitiesisexpectedtoalleviatepressureonexistingspecialisedcancerhospitals.ProfessorQu?ngsaidthatafterlegalproceduresarefinalisedbytheMinistryofHealthandtheHàN?iPeoplesCommittee,landclearancewouldbeginaroundSeptembertoOctoberthisyear.Statisticsshowedthatinthefirstsixmonthsofthisyear,thehospitalreceivedandtreatedatotalof209,887patients,bothoutpatientandinpatient.Thehospitalhasimplementednewtechniques,particularlyinsurgicaloncology,suchassingle-incisionendoscopicsurgerycombinedwithbreastcancerreconstructionandroboticendoscopicsurgeryfordigestive,renal,andthyroidcancers.Thehospitalhasalsoorganisedonlineconsultationprogrammesandremotehealthcareservices,whichhavegarneredhighpraisefromcolleagues,patients,andthepublic.—VNS4oPolicearedeployedoutsidetheGrandHyattErawanHotelinBangkok,Thailand,wherethebodiesofVietnameseindividualswerediscoveredon.—XINHUA/VNAPhotoHàN?I—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhasinstructedtheMinistryofForeignAffairstocloselycoordinatewithThailandininvestigatingthedeathsofsixindividuals,includingfourVietnamesecitizens,discoveredattheGrandHyattErawanHotelonTuesday.MeasureswillbeimplementedtoprotectthelegitimaterightsandinterestsofVietnamesecitizens.ThisdirectivefollowsthePrimeMinistersissuanceofCircularNo.69/C?-TTg,datedJuly17,2024,concerningthedeathsofVietnamesetouristsinBangkok,Thailand.ThecircularwassenttotheMinistersofForeignAffairs,PublicSecurity,andtheAmbassadorofVi?tNamtoThailand.ThaipolicefoundsixfatalitiesattheGrandHyattErawanHotelinPathumWanDistrict,Bangkok,includingfourVietnamesecitizensandtwoofVietnamesedescent,suspectedtohavebeenpoisoned.Thaiauthoritiesarecontinuingtheirinvestigationtoclarifytheincident.ChínhhasalsoinstructedtheMinistryofForeignAffairstoproactivelymanagediplomaticissueswithThailandandprovidetimelyupdatestothepressandpublicregardingtheincident.TheMinistryofPublicSecurityhasbeenassignedtocoordinatewithThaiauthoritiestoinvestigatetheincidentandshareinformationaboutthevictimsfamilieswiththeMinistryofForeignAffairsforcitizenprotectionpurposes.TheVietnameseAmbassadortoThailandistaskedwithcloselymonitoringthesituation,reportingontheprogressoftheinvestigation,andcarryingoutcitizenprotectionmeasures.Thisincludesprovidingassistance,guidance,andsupporttothevictimsfamiliesinaccordancewithregulations.—VNS

LecturerLêQuangPhonginstructshisstudentsontheirexperimentswiththeecofoodwrap.Photogiaoducthoidai.vnHCMCITYAteamofstudentsattheVietnamNationalUniversity(VNU),HCMCityhasinventedfoodwrapfromagriculturalbyproductsthatcanchangeitscolourwhenfoodspoils.DragonfruitandpassionfruitpeelshavebeenusedbyNguy?nHoàngKimLong,Nguy?nNg?cThùyD??ngandLêThùyLinhfromtheDepartmentofBiotechnology,VNUInternationalUniversitytomakethewrap.Longsaidtheyrealisedthatfarmersmostlyfocusoneconomicvaluesoffarmproduceandignoreitsbyproducts,whichcanberecycledtomakeenvironmentally-friendlyitems.Learningthatpassionfruitpeelcontainsalotofpectin-anaturalfibreoftenusedtoimproveconsistencyandcreategelinmanydishes-theystartedtoexperiment.ThankstotheinstructionoflecturerLêQuangPhong,headoftheAppliedChemistryDepartment,InternationalUniversity,infourmonths,thestudentsconductedteststocheckthegrowthrateofmicroorganismsandqualitymanagementtoprovethesafetyoftheproduct.D??ng,oneofthestudents,saidtheprocessofcreatingfoodwrapincludescollecting,cleaninganddryingfruitpeels.Throughtheextractionprocess,pectinfromthepassionfruitpeelandbetacyanininreddragonfruitpeelareobtained.Theseextractsaremixedwithwaterthenpouredintomouldsanddriedat60degreesCelsiusfor24hours.Afterobtainingthefinishedproduct,itwillbelaminatedandshapedtocompletethebiologicalfoodwrap,shesaid.Thisprocesslastsaboutseventotendays.Thehighlightofthebiologicalfoodwrapdevelopedbytheteamisitsabilitytochangecolourwhenfoodisdamaged.ThebetacyaninpigmentinreddragonfruitpeelhastheabilitytochangecolourbasedonthepHoftheenvironment.Iffoodssuchasmeat,fisharespoiled,thepHlevelwillgraduallydecrease.Whenfoodbeginstospoil,thewrapwillgraduallychangefrompinkishredtoyellowortransparent,shetoldGiáoD?cTh?i??i(EducationandTimes)newspaper.Justbyobservingthefoodwrapscolour,userscanrecognisetowhatextentthefoodisspoiled,therebypreventingfoodpoisoningcases.Thefoodwrapalsohasgoodantibacterialandantioxidantproperties,helpingtoextendfoodlife,D??ngsaid.With200gramsoffruitpeel,theteamcancreatea20-metrerolloffoodwrapwithanestimatedcostofVN?70,000perroll.Comparedtoplasticwrap,thisproductismorecostly,butcomparedtoothertypesofbiofilmonthemarket,theirecofoodwraphasamorecompetitiveprice.D??ngadmittedthatherwrapisnotassmoothasnylonwrap.Theproducthasashelflifeofthreetofourweeksunderlowtemperatureconditions(inarefrigeratorenvironment)andmustavoiddirectexposuretosunlight.Iftheaboveconditionsarenotmet,thewrappingfilmwillloseitscolourandchangefeatures,shesaid.D??ngsaid:Ourteamwantstobeabletosolvewastepeelsinfarming,helpingfarmershaveanewsourceofincomefromdiscardedproducts.Wealsohopethatpeoplecanreduceplasticwaste,changelivinghabitsandusefriendlyproductstomaketheenvironmentgreener.LecturerLêQuangPhongsaidtheprojectwascreativeandthestudentsknewhowtouserenewableandorganicmaterialsthatarefriendlytohumans.Thegrouptookadvantageoffruitpeelstomakeproductswithhigheconomicvalue,supportingfarmersandmeetingconsumerneeds.Today,consumersareveryconcernedabouthealthandtheenvironment,sothereisahighdemandforgreenproducts.Theecofoodwrapiscompletelycapableofbeingcommercialisedandsoldtothemarket,hesaid.VNSAsoursoporchardinH?uGiangProvincesLongM?Districtwithanautomaticirrigationsystem.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ngTháiH?UGIANG—H?uGiangProvinceisdevelopingnature-basedagricultureandapplyingadvancedtechniquestoincreaseefficiency.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovinceisaffectedbyclimatechange,especiallysaltwaterintrusioninitsriversinthedryseason,whichimpactsagriculture.Tocope,ithasrestructuredcultivationanddevelopednature-basedfarmingmodelssuitableforeachlocality.LongM?Districtnormallysuffersfromashortageofirrigationwaterinthedryseason,andsolocalauthoritiesencouragericefarmerstoswitchtodrought-resistantcropssuchassoursop.InthedistrictsThu?nHoàCommune,thesoilwasseverelycontaminatedbyaluminthepastandfarmerscouldonlygrowcajuput.Afteranirrigationnetworkwascreatedinthecommune,farmersswitchedtoricebutyieldswerelow.Inthelast10yearstheyswitchedtosoursopbecausethefruitisresistanttodroughtandsaltwater.V?V?nQuang,whohasa1hasoursoporchardinThu?nHoà,saidthelivesoflocalshaveimprovedsignificantlyaftermakingtheswitch.MyfamilyearnsVN?80-100million(US$3,100-3,900)ayearfromgrowingsoursop.Theprovincehasdevelopedmanynature-basedfarmingmodelstocopewithnaturaldisasters,accordingtoitsDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.Inplacesaffectedbyalumandsaltwaterintrusion,itrecommendsaswitchtovegetables,livestock,aquaticspecies,andrice-aquaticspecies,andseekstodevelopecotourism.Wherericeremainspredominant,itdevelopslarge-scalericefieldsbypoolingsmallerholdingsandincreasestheuseofadvancedfarmingtechniquesandmechanisation.Wherefarmersgrowvegetablesandfruits,itseekstouseefficientautomaticirrigation,researchesandcreatesplantvarietiesthatcangrowinsaltwater-anddrought-affectedareas.Itpropagatesgreateruseoforganicfertilisersandcreationofditchesinorchardsandfieldstostorewaterforirrigation.Ng?MinhLong,directorofthedepartment,saidtorestructureanddevelopnature-basedagriculturetoproducehigh-qualityanddiverseproducts,hisagencyisdevelopinghigh-tech,cleanandsmartagricultureadaptedtoclimatechange.Itwouldresearchandapplytechnology,identifysuitablecropsforeachlocality,developconcentratedfarmingareas,andteachfarmersgrowingprocesses,hesaid.Itwouldprioritisecropvarietieswithhighqualityandyieldsthatcouldadapttoclimatechange,hesaid.Itwouldconvertfieldsthatgrowjustriceintoonesthatalternatethegrainwithvegetablesoraquaticspeciestoadapttoclimatechange,hesaid.Farmlandsaccountfor86percentoftheprovincestotalarea.TheprovinceispartoftheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentsprojecttosustainablydeveloponemillionhectaresofhigh-qualityandlow-emissionricecultivationassociatedwithgreengrowthintheMekongDelta,andaimstohave46,000haunderriceby2030undertheproject.Itproduces1.1milliontonnesofpaddyayearandriceaccountsfor40percentofitsagriculturalproductioninvalueterms.Itsfruitsincludeseedlesslime,greenskinandpinkfleshgrapefruit,soursop,andjackfruit,alotofitgrowntoVietnameseandglobalgoodagriculturalpracticesstandards.Farmersalsogrowvegetablesinnetandpolygreenhousesequippedwithautomaticirrigation.Theprovincehas32companiesand38co-operativesthathavelinkedwithnearly40,000farmersowningatotalof38,656ha.OCOPproductsTheprovincehasembracedthenationalOneCommune–OneProduct(OCOP)programmetoimprovevalue,agriculturalefficiencyandthelivesofruralpeople.Ithas266OCOPproductsratedbetweenthreeandfourstars.Thehighestratingundertheprogrammeisfive.Theseproductsaresoldnationwide,throughmanysupermarkets,andexported,accordingtotheDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.Long,itsdirector,saidtheprovincehasdevelopedmorethan20agriculturalandruraltourismsitesthatintroduceandsellOCOPproducts.InPh?ngHi?pDistrict,thenumberoftourismsiteshasincreasedfromeighttwoyearsagoto10now.TheyhavelinkedupwithtraditionalcraftvillagesandOCOPproducingestablishmentstooffertourismservices.Theyattracted240,000touristslastyear,upfivetimesfrom2022.ManyOCOPmakingestablishmentsalsoofferexperiencetourismforadditionalincomes.TheNg?c?àoGoatMilkFarminChauThànhADistrictsTanHoàCommunehassixfour-starOCOPproducts–pasteurisedgoatmilk,freeze-driedgoatmilkyogurt,freeze-driedfermentedgoatmilk,andfreeze-driedfermentedgoatmilkwithjackfruit,durianandmango.Thefarmraisesaround350goatsandproduces1,000litresofgoatmilkamonth.Ithasbeenofferingtourismservicessince2018andvisitorscantrytheirhandsatfeedinggoatsandwatchtheprocessesofmakingproductsfromgoatmilkandalsotrythem.T?ThanhTùng,ChairmanoftheTanHoàPeoplesCommittee,said:Ng?c?àoGoatMilkFarmisthecommunesonlytourismsiteandattractsmanytourists.Intheabsenceofothertourismsitestolinkwiththefarm,itcouldnotpromoteitsecotourismstrength,hesaid.Ithaspetitionedthedistrictandprovinceauthoritiestoinvestindevelopingmoretourismsitesinthecommuneandintransportinfrastructurefortourists,headded.—VNS

AviewofHu?City.ThecentralprovinceofTh?aThiênHu?wantsinvestmentfundstodevelopurbanandhealthcareserviceprojectsin2025-30.PhotocourtesyofV?ThiTH?ATHIêNHU?—Thecentralprovincehasproposedaseriesofkeyinvestmentprojectsincludinganewurbanandhealthcareservicein2025-30,callingforaninvestmentofmorethanVN?6.3trillion(US$252million)fromtheStatebudget,ODAandpreferentialloans.Theprovincesaidtheproposals,alreadysenttothegovernmentforapproval,willmeanacompletefaceliftforthelocalareahelpingittonewgrowthfordecades.ItalsosaidaconsortiumofDojiGoldGemGroupandDojiLandcompanyhaswonthebidforanewluxurytrade-service-housingcomplexprojectinthenewAnVanD??ngurbanarea.TheDojiconsortiumwillbedevelopingthecomplexacrossan18.2haarea,withaninvestmentofVN?4.6trillion,providingaccommodationandservicesfor9,000people.Theprovincealsoplanstobuildaresearch-trainingandclinicalmedicalcentreintheHu?CentralHospital.Itwillusenon-refundableODAsourcedfromtheKoreaFoundationforInternationalHeathcare(KOFIH),withaninvestmentofVN?250billion($10million).AnexpansionandconstructionoftheHu?CentralHospitalNo2projectinPhong?i?ndistrictwillgivethedistrictafurther500hospitalbeds,easingoverloadofthedowntownhospital.DoctorsandnursesworkatHu?CentralHospital.Thekeyhospitalwillbeexpandedandupgradedwithnewhi-techservicesin2025-30.PhotocourtesyofTh?aThiênHu?PortalTheprojecthasbeenlookingtoaninvestmentofVN?351billion($14million)fromtheEconomicDevelopmentCo-operationFund(EDCF)throughtheExport-ImportBankofKorea(KEXIM).Thecurrentdowntown-basedHu?CentralHospitalalsoplanstobuildanew900-bedhi-techanesthesiaandstrokecentre,withtotalinvestmentofVN?1.1trillion($44million).Theprovincesaidthehugeinvestmentinthehospitalandthenewurbanproject,ispreparingthegroundtoitbecomingacentralgovernment-managedurbanareafrom2025.Th?aThiên-Hu?isdesigningitasa‘smart,alowcarbonanda‘zeroplasticwastemetropolis.AeonMallVi?tNamsaiditplanstobuilditsfirsttradingarea,AeonMallHu?,withaninvestmentof$170millioninAnVanD??ngnewurbanarea.Hu?hasbuiltsixindustrialzoneson2,600ha,creatingasmoothspacefordomesticandforeigninvestors.The$104million-investedGilimexIndustrialPark–thefirst‘greenandcleandestinationfordomesticandforeigninvestors–hasbeenunderdevelopmentreadytohostkeyhi-techinvestorsfrominternationalanddomesticsources.Th?aThiênHu?hasalreadygrantedlicencesto19newinvestmentprojects,worth$208million,includingeightFDIprojectsworth$33.2million.VNS

BANGKOK—MedicsattheKingChulalongkornMemorialHospitalofThailandonJuly17confirmedthatthefourVietnameseandtwoAmericansfounddeadintheGrandHyattErawanHotelinBangkokdiedfromcyanidepoisoning.Theysaidthesixdeathsappearedtohaveoccurredabout12to24hoursbeforepolicearrivedonthescene.Thebodiesshowedtracesoftherapid-actingchemicalandhadpurplelips,indicatingalackofoxygen,ChulalongkornHospitalsKornkiatVongpaisarnsintoldreporters,addingmoretestswerebeingconducted.Atapressconferenceheldearlierthesameday,Thaipolicealsosaidcyanidewasfoundinallcoffeecupsatthescene,andoneofthesixisbelievedtohavepoisonedtheothersoverdebtissues.ItwasconfirmedthatonlythesixenteredandleftRoom502ofthehotel,accordingtoPolMajGenNoppasilpPoolsawat,deputycommissionerofMetropolitanPoliceBureau.Amongthesix,whotravelledtoThailandfromJuly4-12,isacouplefromHCMCity,buttheydidnotcheckintothehotelatthesametime.Noppasinsaidthecaseappearedtobepersonalandwouldnotimpactthesafetyoftourists.Alsoatthepressconference,policesaiddebtissuesarethemotivebehindthecrime,andthattheseventhpersonwhowaspartofthehotelbookingleftThailandforVi?tNamonJuly10.—VNSColonelNguy?nTu?nH?ng,DeputyDirectoroftheDepartmentofInvestigativeSecurity,MinistryofPublicSecurity,answersquestionsfromthepress..—PhotocourtesyofMinistryofPublicSecurityHàN?I—TheInvestigationSecurityAgencyundertheMinistryofPublicSecuritysaidonMondaythatithaslaunchedaninvestigationintothecaseofbiddingregulationviolations,andgivingandtakingbribesatC?ngMinhCompanyLimitedandinsomeprovincesandcentrally-runcities,whichcausedseriousconsequences.AccordingtotheinvestigationthatbeganonMay8,around50firmsunderthewingoftheC?ngMinhCompanywonover600treegrowingtenderpackagesasthecompanycolludedwithinvestorstoengageinthedevelopmentofthepackages.Theinvestigationisunderwaytoclarifytheresponsibilitiesofrelatedindividualsandorganisations,andidentifythedamagecausedbytheviolations.TheagencyaskedindividualsandorganisationstoprovidedocumentsandreportviolationslinkedtotheC?ngMinhCompanytoreceiveleniency.RegardingthePhúcS?nGroupcase,theagencysaid23defendantshavebeenprosecutedwhileoverVN?300billion(US$11.8millionUSD),$2million,500taelsofgold(ataelequals37.5gramsor1.2ounces),andover1,000landcertificatesofthoseinvolvedinthecorruptioncasehavebeenseizedsofar.Moredocumentsandevidencearebeingcollectedfortheexpansionoftheinvestigation,andrecoveryofthelostandmisappropriatedproperties.Theinvestigationagencyisprobingintoviolationsofregulationsonaccountingandbidding,givingandtakingbribes,andabusinginfluenceonpersonsholdingpositionsandpowertoseekillegalprofitsatthegroup.—VNS

DelegatesatthemeetingoftheGovernmentsCommitteeforEthnicMinorityAffairsinHàN?ionMonday.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Manyimportantresultshavebeenrecordedinethnicminorityaffairs,especiallytheimplementationofrelatedprogrammesandpolicies,sofarthisyear,helpingwithsocio-economicdevelopmentanddefence-securitysafeguardinginethnicminorityandmountainousareas.ThiswasannouncedatanationalconferenceheldbytheGovernmentsCommitteeforEthnicMinorityAffairsinHàN?ionMondaytoreviewtheperformanceinthefirsthalfof2024andlaunchtasksfortheremainingmonths.DeputyMinister,ViceChairwomanofthecommitteeN?ngTh?HàreportedthatthecoordinationamongtheParty,State,Vi?tNamFatherlandFront,andentirepoliticalsystem,theattentionfromthewholesociety,andtheeffortsbyethnicminoritiesthemselveshavecreatedsignificantmomentumfortheimplementationofethnicpolicies.Apartfromimportantresultsinexecutingprogrammesandpolicies,informationdissemination,digitaltransformation,andlegaleducationamongethnicminoritypeoplehavebeenenhanced.Internationalcooperationinrelevantaffairshasbeenpromoted.Meanwhile,theapparatusandcontingentofcadresinvolvedintheworkhavealsobeenimproved.Notably,sheadded,progresshasbeenmadeinthedisbursementoffundsforthenationaltargetprogrammeonsocio-economicdevelopmentinethnicminorityandmountainousareas.HàcitedtheMinistryofFinanceasreportingthatpublicinvestmentdisbursementunderthisprogrammeapproximatedVN?4.36trillion(overUS$171million)bytheendofMay,equivalentto28percentofthisyearstarget.Theothertwonationaltargetprogrammesfor2021-25,onsustainablepovertyreductionandnew-stylecountrysidebuilding,havecontinuedtobecarriedoutstronglyinbeneficiaryareas,givingafacelifttotransportfacilitiesandschoolsinpoordistricts.Theyhavecontinuedprovidingassistanceinlivelihooddevelopmentandpovertyalleviation,boostingvocationaltrainingandsustainableemployment,andsupportingpoorandnear-poorfamiliestobuildhouses,accordingtotheofficial.Pointingoutsomefocaltasksfortheyearssecondhalf,H?uAL?nh,Minister-Chairmanofthecommittee,saiditisnecessarytokeepaclosewatchonthesituationofethnicminorityandmountainousareas;maketimelyreportonethnicaffairsandpolicies,especiallysecurityandenvironmentalhotspots,naturaldisastersanddiseases,totaketimelyactions;andcoordinatewithcompetentagenciesincommunicationstoraiseethnicminoritypeoplesawarenessofthePartysguidelinesandtheStatespoliciesandlaws,therebyhelpingstrengthenthepublicstrustandconsensus.Healsounderlinedtheimportanceofproperlydraftingethnicplansandpolicies;workingwithministries,sectors,andlocalitiestospeedupprogrammesandpolicies;conductingreviewsandamendmentstoensurethoseprogrammesandpoliciesareconsistentwiththesystemofethnicpolicies;andpressingonwiththesurveyofthe53ethnicminoritygroupssocio-economicsituationtoserveasabasisforbuildingethnicpoliciesfor2026-30andbeyond.—VNSHarvestingpomelosinthePhúDi?nCommuneofHàN?isNamT?LiêmDistrict.—PhotocourtesyoftheHàN?iAgriculturalPromotionCentreHàN?I—HàN?isagriculturalsectorhasforseveralyearsfocusedondevelopingpomelocultivationandisblessedwithaspecialvarietyofthefruit.Withitsinherentpotentialandadvantages,thecityisidentifiedasakeypomelogrowingregionofthecountry.Currently,themarketdemandforpomelocontinuestoincrease.However,theexportturnoverofpomelohasonlyaccountedforabout0.1percentofexportvalues,toaroundUS$1.1-1.2billionannually.V?Th?H??ng,directoroftheHàN?iAgriculturalPromotionCentreundertheHàN?iDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,said:HàN?icurrentlyhasnearly10,000haofpomelocultivationmainlyindistrictslikeCh??ngM?,PhúcTh?,?anPh??ng,Qu?cOaiandPhúXuyên.HàN?ihasabouttenvarietiesofpomelo,ofwhichtheDi?npomelo–aspecialvariety–occupiesnearly81percentofthetotalwhileothervarietiesarealsowidelycultivatedandbringhigheconomicefficiencyincludingQu?D??ngpomelo,Hi?pThu?nsweetpomelo,VanHàpomelo,PhúXuyênpomeloandSàiS?nsourpomelo.Inrecentyears,HàN?isagriculturalsectorhassupportedlocalitiesinbuildingpomeloproductionmodelsthatmeetVietGAPandorganicstandards,providinghigherproductivity,ensuringgreaterqualityandpotentialearningsofVN?400-500million($17,000-20,000)perhectareperyear.Farmersparticipatinginthesemodelsreceivetechnicalguidanceandgrowingsystemsbasedonrecordingtheircultivationactivities.ProducingpomelosunderVietGAPstandardsnotonlycreatessafeproductsforconsumersbutalsocontributestothehealthofproducersandisbeneficialfortheenvironmentandcanboostexports.Ch??ngM?Districthasfavourableconditionsforfruittreecultivationandhasencouragedresidentstoconvertlow-economic-valuelandtofruitcultivation,mainlypomelo.Thedistricthascollaboratedwithrelevantagenciestoorganisetrainingcoursesandtransferscientificandtechnicaladvancesingardenrenovation,pomelograftingandproductionfollowingVietGAPstandards.LêH?uDi?n,directorof??cH?u-L?uQuangCleanAgriculturalCo-operativeinTrungHòaCommuneofCh??ngM?District,said:Theco-operativehasnearlythreehectaresofpomelomeetingVietGAPstandards,withmuchhigherproductivitythanordinarypomeloandwhichiscompletelypurchasedbyenterprises.TheVietGAPpomeloissweeter,haslesspestdamage,hasagolden,shinyskin,fragrantflesh,juicysegmentsandalovelytaste.Meanwhile,intheSàiS?nCommuneofQu?cOaiDistrict,PhanNhanL?isfamilypreviouslyhad400Di?npomelotrees,butfaceddifficultiesinsellingtheharvestduetolowprices.AfterreceivinghelptoswitchtoVietGAPstandards,salesbecameeasierandthepricewasabout20percenthigherthantraditionalmethods.L?isaid:Togrowhigh-qualitypomelosthatmeetVietGAPstandards,growersneedtopayattentiontofertilisationtechniques,operatemainlyorganicallyandusecomposedmanuretoensuregoodfloweringandfruitingrates.Nguy?nNh?H?o,directorofQu?D??ngSafePomeloProductionCo-operativeinHoài??cDistrict,believedthatexpandingVietGAPproductionmodelsrequirescontinuoustechnicaltrainingandinfrastructureinvestmenttoapplymechanisationandhightechnologyinlarge-scaleproduction,buildbrandsandestablishgeographicalindicationsforlocalspecialties.Nguy?nM?nhPh??ng,deputydirectoroftheHàN?iDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidthattheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmenthasapprovedaplantodevelopkeyfruittreesby2025,withavisionto2030,choosingHàN?iasakeyareaforpomelodevelopment.HàN?iwillcontinuetoworkwithlocalitiestoselecthigh-qualitypomelovarietiessuitableforeachregionsclimateandsoilconditions,strictlyfollowsafeproductionprocesses,andensurequality,Ph??ngsaid.Thecitywillalsoexpandhigh-techagriculturalmodelsandlinkproductionwithmarketaccess,hesaid.Forfurtherdevelopment,HàN?iplanstosupportlocalitiesinimplementingprojectsinQuangMinhCommuneofMêLinhDistrict,Xuan?ìnhCommuneofPhúcTh?DistrictandSongPh??ngCommuneof?anPh??ngDistrict,overascaleof20ha.Thecityaimstomaintainabout70percentoftheareaformain-seasonpomelovarietiesand30percentforoff-seasonharvesting.Inadditiontotraditionalvarieties,theagriculturalsectorwillrefinelocalvarieties,developnewhigh-qualityvarietiesandencouragebusinessestoinvestinpomeloprocessingfordomesticconsumptionandexport.—VNS

AricefieldundertheNewGreenFarmCo-operativeinC?nTh?sTh?tN?tDistricthasasolar-poweredenvironmentmonitoringsystem.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhLiêmC?NTH?—C?nTh?isencouragingtheestablishmentofco-operativesandco-operativegroupsandprovidingthemthesupporttheyneedtooperateefficiently.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltacityhas341co-operativesoperatinginagriculture,industry,cottageindustry,transport,construction,trade,servicesandcreditservices,accordingtoitsCo-operativeAlliance,theoverarchingregulatoryentity.Nguy?n??cPh??ng,itschairman,saidtheemulationmovementinthefieldofcollectiveeconomyandco-operativesin2022-24hasbeenusheringinimportantchangeswithregardtothedevelopmentofco-operativesandco-operativegroups.Theyhaveexpandedintermsofnumberofmembers,registeredcapital,infrastructure,andareasofoperation,hesaid.Intheagriculturalsector,forinstance,manyco-operativesnowhavemorethan100members,registeredcapitalofVN?2-7billion(US$78,000-270,000)andcombinedfarmingareasof300ha-1,000ha.TheKhi?tTamCo-operativeinV?nhTh?nhDistrictproducesriceseedsforcultivationandhigh-qualityriceforconsumption,andprovidesservicessuchasploughingandharvesting.Nguy?nNg?cHu?n,itsdirector,saidtheco-operativehaslinkedupwithotherstakeholderstogrowriceonlarge-scale–referringtopooling–fieldstoreducecostsandharvestlargevolumestomeettherequirementsofprocessingandexportingcompanies.ItsmembersearnVN?2-4million($80-160)perhectareperyearmorethanfarmerswhoarenotmembersofco-operatives,hesaid.Thecityaimstohave400co-operatives,upfromthecurrent341,with25,000membersby2030.Itgot10newonesinthefirstfourmonthsoftheyear,seveninagricultureandthreeintransportation.Ithasorganisedcoursestoimprovetheskillsofco-operativemanagersandadvocatetheCo-operativeLawandmeasurestoimplementdigitaltransformationforco-operatives.TheCo-operativeAlliancewillassistagriculturalco-operativesandco-operativegroupsinregisteringforcollectivebrandnamesandgrowingareacodes,applyinggoodagriculturalpractices,accessingsoftloans,linkingupwithcompaniestobuyinputsatlowercostsbutwithhighquality,andsecuringsalesoftheirharvests.Thecityhas179agriculturalco-operatives,andencouragesthemtoapplymodernfarmingmethodstoincreaseyieldsandquality.Hu?nhV?nChi?n,directoroftheThanThi?nAgriculturalCo-operative,saidithas34membersandlinkageswithnearly500otherfarmerstogrowfruitsandvegetables.Withsupportfromauthorities,ithasimproveditsefficiencyandinstructeditsmembersandpartner-farmerstoapplygoodagriculturalpractices.Ithasinvestedininfrastructuretoprovideinputsandtiedupwithbuyerstosecuresalesoftheproduce.TheTr??ngKh??ngACo-operativeinPhong?i?nDistrictsTr??ngLongCommunehasencouragedits34memberstoapplyVietGAPstandardstogrowdurian,milkappleandotherfruitssince2017.Ithaslinkedupwithcompaniestobuyinputsforitsmembersandsecuresalesfortheiroutput.ItsmembersearnanaverageofVN?100million($3,900)ayear.—VNSTrafficlightswithcountdowntimersattheNguy?nV?nTr?i-Tr?nHuyLi?uIntersectioninHCMCitysPhúNhu?nDistrict.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ng??tHàN?I—ManytransportexpertshaveagreedthatthepilotprogrammetoremovecountdowntimersfromtrafficsignalsatseveralmajorintersectionsinHCMCityisasoundandappropriateinitiative,whichmayhelpdriversbemoreproactiveandmayreducetheriskoftrafficcollisions.TheHCMCitysUrbanTrafficManagementCentrehasimplementedapilotprogrammebyremovingcountdowntimersatthreeintersectionsalongNguy?n?ìnhChi?uStreet,includingtheintersectionswithTr??ng??nhStreet,BàHuy?nThanhQuanStreet,andCáchM?ngTháng8Street.ThemodelhasnowbeenexpandedandisbeingtrialledattheMaiChíTh?-T?H?uintersectionneartheTh?ThiêmTunnel.Withthenewmodel,trafficlightsaresettochangecoloursatflexibleintervals,withoutdisplayinganumberedcountdown.TheseintersectionsareequippedwithsurveillancecamerasconnectedtotheUrbanTrafficManagementCentreforremotemanagement.V?KhánhH?ng,deputydrectoroftheHCMCitysDepartmentofTransport,notedthatcountdowntimersatintersectionshelproadusersanticipatetrafficsignalchanges.However,despitetheirbenefits,thereareinstanceswherepeoplespeeduptopasswhenthegreenlightisabouttoendortrytocrossbeforetheredlightfullychanges.Additionally,driversinfrontareoftenhonkedatbythosebehindthem.Therushfrombothlinesoftraffictotakeadvantageofthelastfewsecondsisaleadingcauseoftrafficcollisions.Basedonthis,thedepartmenthasstudiedtheremovalofcountdowntimersandpiloteditatfourintersections,hesaid.PhDKh??ngKimT?o,formerdeputychiefofstaffoftheNationalTrafficSafetyCommittee,saidthatremovingcountdowntimersfromtrafficsignalsisaverysensibleandappropriatedecision.DevelopedcountriessuchastheUnitedStates,Germany,France,Japanandothersnolongerusecountdowntimers.Ifweremovethecountdowntimers,driverswillonlyneedtofocusonthetrafficsignals,whichwillleadtosaferbehaviours,hesaid.AccordingtoT?o,thedurationofyellowlights,asstipulatedinthe2008RoadTrafficLaw,isnotclearlydefined,leadingmanytomistakenlybelievethatdriversshouldbepenalisedforcrossingduringayellowlight.However,the2024RoadTrafficSafetyLawallowsalldriverstopassthroughayellowlight.Thereisnopenaltyfordriversgoingthroughayellowlight.Trafficstandardsdictatethedurationofyellowlightsisbasedonthespeedofvehiclesapproachingtheintersectionandthewidthoftheintersection.Thisdesignensuresthatdrivershaveenoughtimeandspacetostopbeforetheredlightappears.Therefore,driversonlyneedtocomplywiththetrafficlightcolourstoensuresafety,heexplained.Anotherpointhighlightedbytheexpertisthatdevelopedcountriesusetrafficsignalstosupportpublictransport,sobusesandemergencyvehicles,forexample,aregivenpriority.Busesareequippedwithdevicesthatnotifytrafficsignalcontrolcentreswhentheyareapproachinganintersection.Asabusnearsanintersection,thetrafficsignalwillturngreenforthebus,whileallotherdirectionsturnyellowandred.Ifweusecountdowntimers,wecannotimplementtheprioritylightsystem,hesaid.Nguy?nXuanTh?y,anurbantrafficexpert,expressedhisviewthattheredlightdurationshouldnotexceedoneminuteanditshouldbekeptunder50secondsinstead.Itisbettertosegmenttheflowofvehiclesratherthanhavingacontinuousstreamofcarsstretchingforkilometres,whichexacerbatescongestion,hesaid.Regardingtheideaofremovingcountdowntimersfromtrafficsignals,Th?ysaiditwasaninnovativeapproach.Inmyopinion,itisbettertoremovethecountdowntimeronlyfortheredlight.Whenmovingthroughagreenlight,driversstillknowhowmuchtimetheyhave,whichpreventsthemfromspeedingorrushingunnecessarily.Removingthecountdowntimerwillhelpdiscouragerecklessbehaviour,andthelikelihoodoftrafficaccidentswillgraduallydecrease.AccordingtoTh?y,themostcrucialfactorremainstheawarenessandadherencetotrafficlawsandthatdriversneedtorecognisetheimportanceoffollowingregulations.—VNS