TheBetterLifeFarminginitiativeprovidesfarmerswithadvancedsolutionsandtechnicaladvicetoincreaseyieldandquality.PhotoCourtesyofBayerVietnam??KL?K–HundredsoflocalsmallholdercoffeeanddurianfarmersintheCentralHighlandsprovinceof??kL?kwillbenefitfromBayerVietnamsBetterLifeFarmingAlliancemeanttoprovidethemwithaccesstoinnovativesolutionsandexpertconsultancytoenhancefarmingefficiencyandharvestqualityandempowerthem.ThelaunchoffBLF,basedonstrongglobalandlocalpartnershipstoenablesmallholderstogetaccesstotheknowledge,solutionsandtechnologiestheyneed,marksasignificantstepinBayerVietnamscommitmenttopromotingregenerativeagricultureforkeycropsacrossthecountry.UnlockingsmallholderfarmersfullpotentialAsthedemandforhigh-qualitydurianandcoffeecontinuestorise,Vietnamesefarmersfindthemselvesatacrucialjuncture.Whilethesecropspresentsignificanteconomicopportunities,theyalsoposesubstantialchallenges,particularlyduetoclimatechange,leadingtoextremeweather,widespreadpests,watershortages,anddecliningsoilquality.Regardingduriancultivation,thenationwideareadedicatedtothiscrophasreached150,000ha.Despitethisgrowth,thesectorfacesfragmentation,inconsistencyinproductionandexports,posingriskstosmallholderfarmers.Thepivotalobjectivesoutlinedinthenationalstrategyfordevelopingkeyfruitcropsby2025and2030byMARDemphasisetheimportanceofprioritisingcomprehensivemodernfarmingtechniquesinduriancultivationtoimproveoutputqualityandeffectivelymanageresiduesintheharvest.Thesetechniquesincludewater-efficientirrigation,precisefertilisation,effectivepestanddiseasecontrol,andflowerinductionmethodologies.Thestrategyalsoaimstofostermarketdevelopmentandpromoteproductdiversification.Meanwhile,MARDsplanforkeyindustrialcropsby2030envisionsensuring40percentofVi?tNams660,000haofcoffeelands,including600,000haintheCentralHighlands,adheretoglobalandregionalproductionstandards,elevatingthevalueofthecountryscoffeeinthemarketplace.Inresponsetothesepressingchallenges,farmersareincreasinglyadoptingmodernandsustainableagriculturalpracticesthatenhancequalityandproductivitywhileprotectingthevitalityandresilienceoftheirsoilandcrops.Theyareactivelyseekingtobuildconnectionswithconsumermarketstosecurebusinessopportunitiesandmaximiseprofitabilityfortheirproduce.Giventhiscontext,thelaunchofBetterLifeFarming,withafocusonsupportingcoffeeanddurianfarmers,hasgreatrelevance.BuiltonBayerVietnamslongstandingpublic-privatecollaborationwiththeNationalAgriculturalExtensionCentre(NAEC)andtheWesternHighlandsAgro-ForestryScientificandTechnicalInstitute,thisinitiativeintendstoaddressthegrowingdemandforsustainablesolutionsandhelpsmallholdersfulfiltheirfullpotential.PriortothelaunchofBFLVietnamonOctober14,2024,anMOUsigningceremonywasheldinHàN?itoextendthestrategicpartnershipbetweenNAECandBayerVietnam.ThispartnershipwillfocusonsupportingtheGovernmentsnationalstrategiesforsustainabletransformationandthedevelopmentofkeycropsinVi?tNam.LêQu?cThanh,generaldirectorofNAEC,said:Thispartnership,whichnowincludesnotonlyricebutalsodurianandcoffee,leveragesNAECsrobustextensionnetworkandtrainingcapabilitiesatboththeprovincialandnationallevels.Together,wearecommittedtoempoweringfarmerstoadoptinnovativepracticesthatwillimprovetheirlivelihoods,elevatetheeconomicvalueofouragriculturalsector,andmeetinternationalexportstandards,ultimatelyincreasingthevalueofVietnameseagriculturalproductsontheglobalstage.BetterLifeFarming,foundedbyBayer,theInternationalFinanceCorporation,Netafim,andjoinedbyYaraisapublic-privatealliancethatcontinuestoexpanditsnetworkofglobalandlocalpartnersrangingfromprivateplayersandgovernmentstotheagriculturalvaluechain.Asthealliancebroadensitsreach,BetterLifeFarmingwelcomesnewlocalandglobalpartnerswhoshareacommongoalofcreatinglastingimpactsforfarmers,addressingtheneedsofsmallholderfarmersthroughtheentirevaluechainandtransformingfarmingintoareliableandappealingvocationthatensuresstableincomes,improvedlivelihoodsandabetterqualityoflife.InVi?tNam,thisinitiativehassuccessfullyengagedprivateenterprisesandlocalgovernmentalentitiestoestablishacomprehensiveecosystemtosupportfarmersanddrivesocial,economicandenvironmentalsustainability.–VNS

AsignpostinastreetinS?nTràdistrictof?àN?ngCitywithaQRcodeofferingdirectionsandinformationfortouristsandlocals.—PhotocourtesyofAnh?ào?àN?NG—ThecentralcityplanstoputQRcodesontrafficsignalsonallstreets,offeringinformationfortouristsandlocalresidents,aswellassomehistory,followingathree-yearpilotprojectinS?nTràdistrict.Itspartoftheprogressofthecitysdigitalisation,outlinedintheMasterPlaninbuilding?àN?ngintoa‘smartcityin2030-45period.ViceChairmanof?àN?ngCityPeoplesCommitteeTr?nChíC??ngsaidthecityhasassignedrelevantagenciesatdistrictleveltoimplementthecodesassoonaspossible.Theprojectwillhelplocalauthoritiesimproveurbanmanagementthroughdatabaseanddigitalapplications.AccordingtoS?nTràDistrictsauthorities,theQRcodeswillprovidefullinformationofastreet,includingitshistoricalnameandsitealongwithtrafficinstructions.Eachboardwillhelpvisitorsnavigatejourneysanddataofthestreetwhentouringthecity.S?nTràDistrict–atourismcentreof?àN?ng–wasassignedasthefirstsitetobuildtheQRmapping,integratingsoftwareintothemanagementsystemfrom2021.Thatsoftwarewillbeexpandedtootherdistrictsformassapplicationinthecity.?àN?nghassevendistricts–H?iChau,ThanhKhê,S?nTrà,Ng?HànhS?n,LiênChi?u,C?mL?andsuburbanHòaVangDistrict–with28wardsandmorethan1,000streets.CurrentlytheQRinformationisonlyprovidedintheVietnameselanguage,withanEnglishversiontobelaunchedatalaterdate.?àN?ngisseenasatrailblazerinboostingdigitaltransformationande-GovernmentinVi?tNam.TheadministrationalreadyhassealedQRcodesintoallonlinecompletedproceduresatthecitysadministrativecentre.—VNSThedamagedsiteontheLaS?n-TúyLoanHighway.Aleast15sitesontheroadhavealsosufferederosionsinthesectionthroughHòaVangdistrictof?àN?ngCity.PhotocourtesyofHoàiS?n?àN?NG—Atleast2,000cu.mofsoilandrockhaveslippedalongsitesoftheupperroadontheLaS?n-TúyLoanHighway(passingthethroughcentrallocalitiesof?àN?ngandTh?aThiên-Hu?)fillingupmanysectionsofroadsideroaddrainagesystemsanddamagingtrafficsignpostsandguardrails.Areportfromthe?àN?ng-basedDepartmentforRoadofVi?tNamNo3saiddownpourstriggeredbyTyphoonTramiandtropicallowpressurebrokeasectionofthepartitionconcretewallonanupperroadsidethrougha750mlongsectionofHòaVangdistrict.Erosionswerediscoveredat15sitesalongtheroadandataconcretepileofabridgefollowinganinitialcheckonOctober30.ItsaidtheerosionwillraisedangersfortrafficvehiclesasheavyrainfallisforecasttolastthroughthefirstweekofNovember.Thedepartmenthasbeenimplementingemergencyactivitiesinclearingfallensoilandbrokenconcretewalls,aswellaskeepingtrafficsafeforallvehiclestravellingontheroad.ConcretewallsareerodedontheupperroadsideoftheLaS?nTúyLoanHighway.PhotocourtesyofHoàiS?nThe66kmtwo-laneroadsectionoftheLaS?n-TúyLoanHighway,whichhelpsconnectLaS?njunctioninTh?aThiênHu?andHoàLiêncommuneof?àN?ng,wasputintooperationin2022.TheroadwilllinkwiththeongoingCamL?-LaS?n(fromQu?ngTr?ProvincetoTh?aThiênHu?Province)sectiontoreducetheloadonNationalHighway1.—VNS

DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHà.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?n?i?pHàN?I—Promotingeconomicrestructuringofthenorthcentralandcentralcoastalregionsinconjunctionwithgrowthandinnovationisoneofkeytasksintheregionsplanintheperiod2021-30,withavisionto2050.TheplanwasissuedbyDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàintheDecisionNo1281/Q?-TTGonTuesday.Theplantargetstosetuppoliciesandsolutionstosupportthedevelopmentofsectors,sub-regionsandlocalitiesintheregions.Undertheplan,advantageousbasicindustries,processingindustriesandgreenindustrieswillbepromoted.Tourismwillbeenhancedtotrulybecomeaspearheadeconomicsectorsothattheregionswillbecomeakeytourismareaof??thewholecountry.Logisticswillbedevelopedinamodern,professionaldirection,applyingadvancedtechnologyandmeetingtherequirementsofinternationalintegration.Logisticscentreswillbeformedassociatedwithseaports,airportsandbordergates.Theregionsagriculturewillbeproducedinanecologicaldirection,effectivelyadaptingtoclimatechange.Theagriculture,forestry,mining,aquacultureandseafoodsectorswillberestructuredassociatedwiththeprocessingindustry,ensuringsustainabilityandhighefficiency.Marineeconomywillbepushedup,especiallycoastalurbanareasinharmonywiththeexploitationofoil,gasandothermarinemineralresources.Aquacultureandseafoodprocessingindustrieswillbeformedinconjunctionwithmarineenvironmentprotection,coastalandoffshoreindustries.SmartinfrastructureAnotherkeytaskoftheplanistobasicallyfoundasynchronous,modernandsmartinfrastructureframework,focusingontransport,energy,irrigation,disasterpreventionandcontrolandclimatechangeadaptation.Theplanwillcompletetheconstructionandexpansionofthenorth-southexpresswayaccordingtostandards,connectingspecialseaportsandinternationalairportswithlocalitiesintheCentralHighlands,LaosandCambodia.Regionalrailwayswillbebuiltwithprioritygiventolinesconnectingmajorcitieswithnationalrailwaystations,seaports,economiczones,industrialzones,logisticscentres,internationalbordergatestosoonimprovetransportefficiency.Inaddition,theplanwilldevelopthecentraldynamicregionandeconomiccorridorsalongthenorth-southaxis.Itwillpromotethenorthcentralsub-regionincludingThanhHoá,Ngh?An,HàT?nh,Qu?ngBìnhandQu?ngTr?provincestobecomeanimportantgrowthareainindustryandservicesoftheregionsandthewholecountry.Theplantargetstomake?àN?ngCityanationalgrowtharea,Qu?ngNamProvinceacentreofmechanicalindustryandsupportingindustry,Th?aThiên-Hu?Provinceacentreofculturalindustry,scienceandtechnology,education-training,high-qualityhealthcare,seaportservices,tradeandinternationalfinance.Qu?ngNg?iProvincewillbeacentreofpetrochemicalrefiningandenergy,seaandislandtourism,whereasBình??nhProvincewillbeacentreofinformationtechnologyindustry,servicesandtourismandmarineeconomicdevelopment.Thesouthcentralsub-regionincludingPhúYên,KhánhHoà,NinhThu?nandBìnhThu?nprovinceswillfocusonenergyindustry,tourismservicesandcoastalurbanareasfoundation.Aninter-regionalrenewableenergyindustryandservicecentrewillbebuiltinNinhThu?nProvince.Theeasterneconomiccorridor(sectionfromThanhHoátoBìnhThu?n)willbepromotedwithahigh-speedrailwayinthefuture.—VNSThuVanLàOCAI—NearlytwomonthshavepassedsincethedevastatingdisasterstruckLàngN?VillageonSeptember10,yettimehasdonelittletohealthedeepemotionalandphysicalscarsbornebyitssurvivors.Theoncepeacefulvillagewasravagedbycatastrophicfloodsandlandslides,leavingsixtypeopledeadandsevenmissing.HoàngTh???t,nowinhertemporaryhomeakilometreawayfromwherehervillageoncestood,feelsasifthetragedyhappenedonlyyesterday.HoàngTh?NóngandchildrenofLàngN?Villagetendtothenewlyplantedgarden.VNSPhotoThuVanWhenIthinkaboutit,Icantsleepatnight.Weallfeelemptyandexhausted.Itshardtodoanythingproperly,??tsaid.Shereminiscedabouttheclose-knitcommunitythatonceworkedsidebyside,helpingeachotherwithfarminganddailychores.Now,nearlyhalfofthevillagespopulationisgone.Sherecallsthewarmthoffamily,friendsandneighbourswhooncesurroundedher,likehernieceDuy,whowaspartofhereverydaylife.Thenightbeforetheflood,shecameovertohelpwiththecooking.Thenextday,shewasgone,??trecounted.HoàngTh???t.VNSPhotoThuVanShewasonly37,gentleandkind.Thisyear,shegrewglutinousricenearmyfieldsowecouldharvestandmakegreenricetogether.Nowthatshesgone,myheartacheseverytimeIlookatthatfield.Ihavenodesiretoharvestit.Forothers,likeNguy?nTh?Kim,thefloodsbroughtterrorandanear-deathexperience.IwasabouttogetupwhenIheardthesoundofstrongwinds.Ithoughttocovermysleepingdaughterwithablanketincaseshefeltcold.ThenIheardaviolentnoiseandeverythingwentdark…WhenIopenedmyeyes,Iwasbeingsweptawaybywater.Ithoughtitwasanightmare,sherecalled.Kimsrightarmwasbrokenandshehasntregainedfullmovement.Herrightearwasalsoinjured,leavingherwithimpairedhearing.Kimsthree-year-olddaughterwassweptawayaswell,butwasmiraculouslyfoundalivebylocals.Nguy?nTh?Kimandherdaughter.VNSPhotoNh?tH?ngPeoplesaidshelookedjustlikeateddybearinthemud,mixedwithdebris—noonerealiseditwasachilduntiltheyheardhercrying,Kimsaid,hervoicefilledwithreliefdespitethetragedy.Otherfamilieswerelessfortunateandinsomecases,noonesurvived.Idontthinkpeoplehavefeltbetteryet.Westillseemdazed,wakingupnotknowingwhattodo,howtostarttheday,Kimsaid,capturingthepervasivedisorientationandgriefhauntingthecommunity.ExpectantmotherL?cThiNh?ywasfortunateenoughtoescapewithherfamily,whoawokeearlyandfledasthewatersrose.Yet,thelossofneighboursandextendedfamilyweighsheavilyonherheart.IknowImluckymyfamilyissafe,butotherswerentsofortunate,shesaid,hervoicebreaking.Duringtheday,wetalk,tryingtoconsoleeachother,buthowcanthepainbelessened?Myfather-in-lawstwobrotherscouldntescape,thefloodcametoofastandnooneattheirhomessurvived.Afatherandsonwereatthehospitalthatdayandsurvived,buttheirlovedonesathomedidnt,shesaid,detailingthetragicfatesofherneighbours.Butwhennightfallsandeveryonereturnstotheirownhomes,thatswhenthesadnessreallysettlesin.Nguy?nV?nCai,anotherresident,sharedthathisextendedfamilylost14members.Inthepast,wewouldgathereverymorningtogotoworkandintheevenings,wedgatheragain,evenifweweretired.Now,theyreallgone,hesaid,hisvoicereflectingtheprofoundlossfeltthroughoutthesurvivingcommunity.CommunitysupportamidsorrowAmidthesorrow,localauthoritiesinB?oYênDistrictareworkingtirelesslytohelpresidentsrebuildtheirlivesandlivelihoods.Nh?Th?Tam,headoftheAgricultureDepartmentoftheB?oYênPeoplesCommittee,recalledthemomentsheandotherdistrictleadersfirstheardthenews.SomedistrictleadersdecidedtogotoLàngN?,andittooksixhourstotraveljust20kmfromthetowntothevillage.Theyhadtoswim,travelbyboat,walkandclimbthroughlandslidesandfloodwaterstoreachthesite,Tamrecounted.Itwasaheavyfeelingforallofus.Inthatmoment,noonethoughtaboutthemselves,everyonefocusedsolelyondoingwhattheycouldtosupportthepeople,shesaid,notinghowsheremainedattheofficefortwostraightweeksafterthedisaster.Toeasethepainofloss,thedistrictisprioritisingsupportforagriculturalrecovery,withover2,500hectaresoffarmlanddamaged,includingmorethan800hectaresofricefields.Revivingthewintercropiscrucialtorestoringthecommunitysfoodsupply.Restoringagriculturalproductionisincrediblymeaningfultoresidentsrightnow,Tamsaid.Itgivesthemanimmediatefocusandhelpsalleviatetheimpactoftheirgrief.Thedistricthasallocatedpartofitsbudgettoprovideseedsandmaterialsforthewintercrop,focusingoncropsthatcanbeharvestedquicklyandstoredlong-term,ensuringasustainableincomesource.Lookingfurtherahead,thedistrictisworkingtosecurefundsforagriculturaldevelopment,beyondtargettedprogrammefunds.Whilecentral,provincialanddistrictbudgetshavebeenused,theseresourcesarelimited.Therefore,weareprioritisingbusinesspartnershipsasakeystrategyforcommercialagriculture.Throughinitiativeslikelandconsolidationandassistancewithinvestmentapprovalsandconstructionpermits,weaimtofosterlong-termagriculturalgrowth,Tamsaid.Immediatelyaftertheflood,localauthoritiesmobilisedtoensurerapidsupportforthoseingreatestneed.Withinaweek,atemporaryresidencewasestablished,supportedbybothlocalagenciesandprivateenterprises.This2,000-square-metreareaincludes23sturdysteel-framehouses,eachstockedwithessentialsupplies,providingdisplacedfamilieswithsafetyandstabilitywhileawaitingpermanentresettlement.Flowersbloominfrontoftemporaryhouses.VNSPhotoThuVanMeanwhile,constructionofthenewresettlementareaforLàngN?Villageisprojectedforcompletionbytheendofthisyear.Situatedonahillabouttwokilometresfromthefloodsite,thenewlocationwillofferasaferfoundation.Theplanincludes40two-storeyhousesinthetraditionalTaystiltstyle,withessentialfacilitieslikekitchens,bathroomsandacommunitycentre.Infrastructureforroads,electricityandwaterwillalsosupportthelong-termstabilityofresidents.ViceChairmanoftheB?oYênPeoplesCommittee,Nguy?nV?nNh?t,emphasisedtheircommitmenttocompletethenewaccommodationbyDecember31.Ourpriorityisthewell-beingoftheresidentsandconstructingtheresettlementareaisbeingurgentlyaddressed,hesaid.Eachfamilywillreceivebetween800to1,000squaremetresforbothresidentialandagriculturaluse,allowingspaceforlivestockandcrops.Nguy?nDanhNamfromCorps12,undertheMinistryofNationalDefence,theconstructionunit,expressedtheirdedicationdespiteobstacles.Afterassemblingthefirsthouse,theteamencounteredheavyrainseachnightforthreeconsecutivedays.Nevertheless,westayedcommitted,assigningtasksandworkinginshiftsfrom6amtomidnightandsomedaysuntil2am,tostayonschedule,Namsaid.Thefirsthouses,nowcompletewithwalls,roofsandkitchens,standasasymbolofresilienceandrebuilding.PhotoCourtesyofCorps12Heexplainedthattheraincreatedmuddypatches,whichhinderedconstruction,requiringthemtouseexcavatorsandbulldozerstopullvehiclesupslopes.Withalloursincerity,we,alongwiththeofficersandsoldiersonthisproject,hopethecommunityfindsstabilitysoon.Wepromisetocontinueourutmosteffortstocompletethesehomesontime,Namadded.Soldiersandworkershavebeenworkingdaysandnighttocompletenewhomesfortheresidentsbytheendoftheyear.PhotoCourtesyofCorps12Attheconstructionsite,morethan200personnel,supportedby50piecesofheavymachinery,includingfivecranes,areworkingtoerectcolumns,assemblefloorsandinstallwalls.Tosavetime,theteampre-castconcretecolumns,supportbeamsandfloorpanelsoff-site,thentransportedthemtoassemblethecompletestilthouseframes.Thefirsthouses,nowcompletewithwalls,roofs,andkitchens,standasasymbolofresilienceandrebuilding.Formany,likeHoàngTh???t,eachhillsideandricefieldcarriesmemoriesofthoselost,servingasquietremindersoftheresilienceneededtorebuild.Infrontofthetemporaryresidence,avegetablegardenhasbeenplantedbyvolunteerswhocametoshowtheirsupport,withflowersbeginningtobloomnearby.Thepeacethatoncefilledthisplacehasnotyetreturnedandmaybealongtimecoming,butasthenewvillagetakesshape,residentsfindstrengthinknowingthattheentirenationstandsbehindthem.Stepbystep,theymoveforward,upheldbyaspiritofunityandhope.VNSNguy?nV?nTh?chatTh?chL?pCommunePoliceOffice.Photocongly.vnTHANHHóA—ThePeoplesProcuracyofNg?cL?cDistrictinthecentralprovinceofThanhHoáhasdecidedtocommencelegalproceedingsagainstanddetainNguy?nV?nTh?ch,24,onallegationsofsexualassaultinvolvingathree-year-oldgirl.Th?ch,residinginTh?chL?pCommune,Ng?cL?cDistrict,mayfacechargesunderClause3,Article142ofthePenalCoderelatedtooffencesagainstindividualsunder16yearsold.OnOctober17,Th?chandafriend,B.T.G.,hadlunchanddranktogetheratTh?chshome.Around3pm,theywenttoG.sresidencetocontinuedrinking.Whileinside,Th?chenteredtherestroomarea,whereheencounteredH.N.M.,athree-year-oldnieceofG.,playingalonenearby.Th?chwasallegedtohavebroughtthechildintotherestroom,whereG.reportedlyinterveneduponhearingsoundsofdistress.OnOctober22,Th?chvoluntarilyreportedtoTh?chL?pCommunePoliceOffice,acknowledginghisactions.Afterinitialinvestigation,thepoliceidentifiedthisasaseriouscase.WhileTh?chinitiallydeniedallegationsofseriousmisconduct,furtherquestioningledtoaconfession.Incooperationwithlocallawenforcement,additionalevidencewasgathered,whichcontributedtotheprosecutionscase.ThecasehasbeentransferredtotheThanhHóa(chǎn)ProvincialPoliceInvestigationDepartmentforfurtherlegalproceedings.—VNS

StartingNovember15,therequirementforaudioandvideooversightoftrafficpolicewillberemoved.—Photonld.com.vnHàN?I—SeveralnewpolicieswillcomeintoeffectinNovember,includingtheremovalofaudioandvideooversightfortrafficpolice,arequirementforsufficientfundswhenbuyingstocksandsignificantfinesforlawyerswhoinsultjudgesorprosecutors.StartingNovember15,therequirementformonitoringtrafficpolicethroughaudioandvideorecordingdeviceswillbeeliminated.ThischangeispartofanewcircularissuedbytheMinistryofPublicSecurity,whichoutlinesfiveapprovedmethodsforpublicoversightoftrafficsafetymeasures.Theseincludeaccessingpublicinformationanddirectobservation,ensuringthatmonitoringdoesnotdisruptofficialduties.Additionally,anewregulationwillrequireinvestorstohavesufficientfundswhenplacingstockpurchaseorders,effectiveNovember2.UnderCircular68/2024/TT-BTC,foreigninstitutionalinvestorswillbeassessedforpaymentrisksbysecuritiescompaniesandanypaymentdeficiencieswillbetheresponsibilityofthesecuritiesfirm.OnSeptember18,thegovernmentannouncedDecree117/2024,amendingDecree82/2020,regardingadministrativepenaltiesacrossvariouslegalsectors.ThisnewdecreeintroducesfinesbetweenVN?15and30million(US$591-1,182)forlawyerswhoinsultthedignityorreputationofcourtofficials,includingjudgesandprosecutors.ThisregulationwilltakeeffectonNovember15,reinforcingaccountabilityforlegalprofessionalsandaligningwithArticle15oftheLawonAdministrativeViolations,whichaddressesactionsthatobstructlegalproceedings.StartingNovember26,Decree126/2024willestablishnewrequirementsforformingassociations,mandatingthatorganisationspossessadequateassetstosupporttheiroperations.Additionally,Decree113/2024willimplementtheCooperativeLawonNovember1,whichincludesninesupportivepoliciesaimedatfosteringcooperativedevelopment,suchasfundingfortrainingprogramsandinfrastructureinvestments.Finally,anewregulationwillincreasemonthlyallowancesforretiredmilitarypersonnelby15percent,effectiveNovember1,benefittingveteranswhohaveservedlessthan20yearsinthemilitary.—VNSAsummerstreetfestivaltookplaceinQuyNh?nCityonJuly14.—VNA/VNSPhotoBìNH??NH—Bình??nhProvincehasrecentlysubmittedarequesttotheMinistryofTransport,seekingapprovalfromthePrimeMinistertodevelopapilotprojectforflyingtaxisintheregion.Thisinnovativemodeoftransportusessmallelectricaircraftcapableofverticaltakeoffandlanding,accommodatingapproximately4-5passengers.Itpresentsanidealopportunityfortouriststoexperiencethenaturalbeautyoftheareafromtheair.Characterisedasgreen,modernandunique,flyingtaxisoffersignificantadvantages,includingefficientmovement,timesavingsandhigh-qualityservicefortravellers.Theyarecompetitivelypricedandproducefewerharmfulemissionscomparedtotraditionalroadandrailvehicles.Initsproposaltotheministry,Bình??nhProvincehighlightedthesubstantialpotentialofflyingtaxistomeetlocaltourismdemands.ThisinitiativeaimstopositionBình??nhasapremierdestinationintheregion,whilesupportingthegovernmentsbroadergoalsforrapidandsustainabletourismdevelopment.TheprovincialplanningforBình??nhfrom2021to2030,approvedbythePrimeMinisteronDecember14,2023,identifiestourismasakeypillarfordevelopment.Theplanseekstoestablishtheprovinceasaleadingregionaldestination,showcasingitsuniquecoastalandculturaltourismofferings,aswellasspecialisedproductssuchasscienceexploration,traditionalmartialarts,folkgameslikeBàiChòiandlocalcuisine.Tofurtherenhanceitstourismbrand,theprovinceaimstopromoteQuyNh?nCity-thetopdestinationinAsiawhilegraduallydevelopingnewtourismroutes.Bình??nhishometonumerousstunningbeaches,includingQuyNh?n,H?iGiang,TrungL??ng,CátH?i,alongsidenearbyislandslikeNh?nChau,HònKh?andY?nisland.Thesenaturalattractionscreateidealconditionsforcoastaltourism.Theprovincealsoboastsseveralbaysandcoastallagoons,suchasQuyNh?nBay,Th?N?iandTrà,alongwithover30otherislandsthatholdsignificanttourismpotential.Theprovincehasseenamarkedincreaseindomesticandinternationaltouristarrivals.Inthelastthreequarters,Bình??nhwelcomedovereightmillionvisitors,markinganimpressive87.5percentrisecomparedtothesameperiodin2023andreaching147percentofthe2024tourismtarget.By2030,theprovinceaimstoattract12milliontouristvisitsannually,including2.5millioninternationalvisitorsand9.5milliondomestictravellers.Currently,flyingtaxisareanewconceptinVi?tNam,thoughsomecountriessuchasChina,theUS,Germany,theUK,SingaporeandSouthKoreahavebeenpilotingthisformoftransport.—VNS

FirefightersatthesceneofadeadlyblazethatengulfedakaraokebarinthesouthernprovinceofBìnhD??ng,inSeptember,2022,killing32people.—VNA/VNSPhotoBìNHD??NG—AkaraokebarownerhasbeensentencedtoeightyearsinprisonforfiresafetyviolationsthatcausedafireinBìnhD??ngProvincethatkilled32peopletwoyearsago.TheBìnhD??ngProvincialPeoplesCourtonWednesdayfoundLêAnhXuan,owneroftheAnPhúkaraokebar,failedtoinspectfirepreventionsystemsduringrenovations,leadingtothedeadlyfire.ThejudgesimposedasentencelongerthantheProcuracysrecommendationoffivetosixyearsforthe43-year-oldman.Otherdefendants,includingformerfiredepartmentofficials,receivedprisonsentencesbetweenfiveyearsandsevenyearsandsixmonthsforthesamecharge.AformerofficeroftheThu?nAnCityFireDepartmentwassentencedtofouryearsfornegligence,causingseriousconsequences.Thecourtalsoorderedthedefendantstocollectivelycoverfuneralcosts,mentalanguishdamages,andsupportforthevictimschildrenuntilage18.AformerlieutenantcolonelandheadofThu?nAnCitysFirePreventionPoliceTeamwasindictedonsimilarcharges,buthiscasewasdismissedafterhedied.Theblaze,whicheruptedinBìnhD??ngProvincenearthecommercialhubofHCMCity,promptedtheclosureofthousandsofkaraokebarsacrossthecountryduetonon-compliancewithfiresafetyregulations.Thefireengulfedthesecondfloorofthe30-roomAnPhúkaraokebuildinginSeptember2022,trappingpatronsandstaffasthicksmokefilledthestaircaseandobstructedtheemergencyexit.Manysoughtrefugeonabalconytoescapetheflames,whichrapidlyspreadthroughthewoodeninterior,whileotherswerecompelledtojumpfromthebuilding.Atotalof32individualsperishedintheblaze,including17menand15women.Authoritieshavetightenedthemanagementofkaraokebarsnationwidesincethedeadlyaccident.Vi?tNamstruggleswithfiresafetyviolations,especiallyinkaraokebarsinnarrow,poorlydesignedbuildingswithinsufficientexits,asanescapeduringafireisalmostimpossible.—VNS

TunnelNo.2oftherailwayrenovationprojectintheKheNétPasswasdugaheadofschedule.—Photobaodautu.vnQU?NGBìNH—Tunnelnumbertwo,partoftherailwayrenovationprojectintheKheNétPassareaofthecentralprovinceofQu?ngBình,wasofficiallyclearedonWednesday(October30),twomonthsaheadofschedule.TherailwayrenovationprojectintheKheNétpassarea,partoftheHàN?i-HCMCityrailwayline,beganinApril2024,hastunnelwithlengthof580mandtunnelNo.2withlengthof355m.ArepresentativefromtheprojectmanagementboardexplainedthatthetwotunnelsintheKheNétpassareahaveuniquecharacteristics,runningalongmountainsideswiththinsurfacelayersandcomplex,constantlychanginggeologythatdidnotmatchtheinitialtechnicaldesigns.Toaddressthesechallenges,thecontractorconsortiumworkedcloselywiththeprojectownerandmonitoringconsultantstofollowtheconstructionsiteanddevelopappropriatereinforcementmethodstoensuresafetyandqualityaccordingtotheactualgeologicalconditions.Inaddition,themanagementboardencounteredsomedifficultiesduetodelaysinlandhandovercomparedtotheoriginalplan,aswellasobstaclesinleasinglandforserviceroadsandfindingsuitablelocationsforwastedisposalsites.Specifically,somedesignatedwastedisposalsitesarelocatedonagriculturalland,causingdifficultiesinlandclearanceduetothelackofcompensationfromtheprojectowner.Tomeetthescheduledtimeline,thecontractorconsortiummadeconcertedefforts,proactivelyimplementingconstructionsolutionsandenhancinginternaltrainingtoincreaseproductivityamongengineersandworkers,withthree-shift,four-teamoperations.Thecontractorconsortiumalsocontinuouslymonitoredthegeologytopromptlyadjustreinforcementmethods,ensuringtheprojectssafetyandquality.Currently,mostofthedifficultieshavebeenresolved.ThegoalistocompletetunnelonebyApril2025,followedbyconcreteliningandfinishingworksfortunnelonebyNovember2025,andtunneltwobySeptember2025.Theprojectcomprisestwocontractpackages,XL01andXL02,involvingtheconstructionoftworailwaytunnelsaswellasbridge,railway,andsignallinginfrastructure,withatotalinvestmentofoverVN?2trillion(US$79million).VNSAnelderlywomanhasherblooddrawnfortestingatahospitalinHCMCity,whichaimstoincreasethelifeexpectancyofitsresidentsto77yearsby2030,withahealthylifespanofatleast68years.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—HCMCityplanstoestablishitselfintoahealthcarehubwithintheASEANregionby2030,withafocusonenhancingmedicalservicesandimprovinghealth.Theproject,titledDevelopingtheHCMCityHealthcareSystemintotheASEANHealthcareCentreby2030andBeyond,hasbeenapprovedbythePeoplesCommittee.Theprojectisexpectedtoyieldsubstantialsocio-economicbenefits,contributingtoimprovementsinhealth,well-being,longevity,andoverallqualityoflifeforresidents.Undertheinitiative,thecityaimstoachieveahealthcareworkforcedensityof23physiciansand40nursesper10,000residentsby2030.Keyobjectivesincludeproviding42hospitalbedsforevery10,000individualsandmaintainingatotalfertilityrateof1.6.Everyresidentwillundergoanannualhealthassessmentanddiseasescreening,supportedbytheestablishmentofelectronichealthrecordsforallindividuals.Theinitiativeaimstoenhancehealthcareinfrastructurethroughurbanplanning,establishqualitytrainingformedicalpersonnel,createaspecialisedmedicalindustrialpark,andpromotemodernmedicaltechniques.Italsoseekstobuildacomprehensivecarenetwork,boostmedicaltourism,andfosterhealthcareresearchanddevelopment.TheestablishmentofspecialisedmedicalcentresisexpectedtomakeHCMCityaleadingdestinationfordomesticandregionalmedicalcare.Inaddition,theASEANhealthcarecentrewillimprovelocalhealthcarecapacityinthesouthernregion,relievingpressureontertiaryhospitalsandenhancingservicequality.Undertheproject,itaimstoincreasethelifeexpectancyofitsresidentsto77yearsby2030,withahealthylifespanofatleast68years.Thetotalfertilityrateisprojectedtostabiliseat1.6childrenperwomanofchildbearingage.ApatientreceivestreatmentatahospitalinHCMCity.ThenationslargestcityplanstobecomeacentralhealthcarehubintheASEANregionby2030.—VNA/VNSPhotoCurrently,thenumberofhospitalbedsper10,000residentsinthecityremainssignificantlylowerthaninseveraladvancedcountriesworldwide.Atrendofresidentsoptingforhospitaltreatmentiscausingovercrowdingintertiaryhospitals,limitingtheirabilitytodevelopspecialisedmedicaltechniques.Thecityiscurrentlyhometo131hospitals,fivebedlessmedicalcentres,310grassrootshealthfacilities,over8,000privateclinics,andmorethan10,000pharmaceuticalenterprises.Theout-of-hospitalemergencycaresystemincludes115EmergencyCentresand42satellitestations.Thecitycurrentlylackscertainhealthcareservicemodels,suchasadvancedtechnology-basedearlydiseasescreeningcentresandfacilitiesdedicatedtoeldercare.Thecityhasyettofullycultivateitspharmaceuticalandbiomedicalindustries.Effortstowarddigitaltransformation,theapplicationofartificialintelligence,andtheimplementationofelectronicmedicalrecordsarestillconstrainedincertainhealthcarefacilities.Despiteongoingeffortstoenhancethehealthcaresystem,thecurrentprovisionofonly42hospitalbedsper10,000inhabitantsisconsiderablylowerthanthatofcountriessuchasJapan,whichboasts131beds,Germanywith82,andSouthKoreawith71.Severalhospitalsareexperiencingsignificantdeteriorationandovercrowding,includingtheOrthopedicandRehabilitationHospital,thePsychiatricHospital,andtheTropicalDiseasesHospital.Theintegrationofinformationtechnologyandnewtechnologieswithinhealthcarefacilitiesremainsinconsistentandlimited.—VNS

PartyGeneralSecretaryT?LamandChairmanoftheNationalAssemblyTr?nThanhM?nwithQuánThánhWardresidentsattheGreatNationalSolidarityFestivalonNovember12.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—PartyGeneralSecretaryT?LamjoinedresidentsinQuánThánhWardofHàN?isBa?ìnhDistrictintheGreatNationalSolidarityFestivalonTuesday.Theevent,heldincelebrationofthe94thanniversaryoftheVi?tNamFatherlandFront(VFF)sTraditionalDay(November18,1930-2024),alsosawthepresenceofPolitburomemberandChairmanoftheNationalAssemblyTr?nThanhM?n;PolitburomemberandPermanentmemberofthePartyCentralCommitteesSecretariatandChairmanofthePartyCentralCommitteesInspectionCommissionTr?nC?mTú;PolitburomemberandPermanentDeputyPrimeMinisterNguy?nHoàBình;andVicePresidentoftheVFFCentralCommitteeT?Th?BíchChau.Speakingattheevent,LamappreciatedtheachievementsandeffortsofthePartyCommittee,authorities,armyandpeopleofHàN?iingeneral,andBa?ìnhDistrictandQuánThánhWardinparticular,overthepasttime.HeemphasisedthatthestrengthofthegreatnationalunityblocisalwaysoneofthemostimportantandpowerfulresourcesfortheentireParty,peopleandarmytoovercomealldifficultiesandchallenges,successfullycarryoutthecauseofnationaldevelopmentandinnovation,andbuildapeaceful,civilised,andmoderncapitalwithalong-standingculture.TheleadersaidVi?tNamhasgatheredallthenecessaryconditionsandisfacingahistoricopportunitytoenteranewdevelopmentera,theoneofthenationsrise.Tothatend,heurgedall-levelPartyCommitteesandauthoritiesofHàN?itocontinuetothoroughlygrasptheviewpointoftakingthepeopleasthecentreandthesubjectofallpoliciesandstrategies,takingtheirhappinessandprosperityasthegoaltostrivefor,improvingtheirmaterialandspirituallives,ensuringthattheybenefitfrominnovationanddevelopment.Onthisoccasion,thePartyleaderpresentedgiftsto17PartyofficialsfromQuánThánhwithatleast70yearsofPartymembership.Otherparticipatingleadersalsopresentedgiftstooutstandingindividualsandfamiliesintheward.—VNA/VNSNguy?nTh?Linh(left)andLyTh?Ng?cBíchatpolicestation.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—HCMCityPolicehavereportedthattwoadditionalsuspectshavebeendetainedinanongoinginvestigationintotheillegaltransportof716diamonds.Nguy?nTh?Linh,52,fromGi?ngTr?mDistrictinB?nTreProvinceandLyTh?Ng?cBích,45,fromGòV?pDistrictinHCMCityarenowunderinvestigationforsuspectedfraudrelatedtoanallegedattempttoinfluencethesmugglingcaseforVN?1.2billion(US$47,300).TheirdetentionfollowsthearrestofIndiannationalPrajapatiShaileshkumarHareshbhaiforallegedlysmugglingthediamondsintothecountry.Duringtheinvestigation,policesummonedLinh,whosubsequentlyfledherresidence,accordingtopolice.Whileinhiding,LinhallegedlysoughtassistancefromLyTh?Ng?cNga,alsoofGòV?p,whothenallegedlyinvolvedhersister,Bích.BíchallegedlyassuredLinhthatshecoulduseherconnectionstosecureleniencyinthecaseandofferedtoretainalawyerforher,ontheconditionthatLinhprovidedfunds.LinhthenallegedlyborrowedandhandedoverVN?1.2billiontoBích.BíchreportedlyspentVN?150milliononlegalfees,buttooknofurtheraction.ThecitypolicethenconductedaraidandrecoveredoverVN?1billionfromBíchsresidence.BothLinhandBíchhavesinceconfessedtotheirinvolvement.PolicearenowwideningtheinvestigationtouncoveranybroaderdistributionnetworktiedtodiamondsmugglinginHCMCityandnearbyprovinces.OnOctober23,HCMCityseconomiccrimepolice,alongwithTanS?nNh?tAirportCustomsandTanBìnhDistrictpolice,discoveredHareshbhaiduringacustomsinspectionuponhisarrivalfromIndia.Insidehisluggage,officialsallegedlyfoundsmallpacketslabelledIGIandtennylonbagscontainingstoneslaterconfirmedtobenaturalandsyntheticdiamondsworthtensofbillionsof??ng.IGImaybeanabbreviationfortheInternationalGemologicalInstitute,anorganisationthatgradesdiamondsandothergems.HareshbhaihassincebeenchargedanddetainedunderArticle189ofthePenalCodeforillegallytransportinggoodsacrossborders.—VNS

IllustrativePhotobaotintuc.vnHàN?I—FromDecember25,socialnetworkusersinVi?tNamwillhavetoauthenticatetheiraccountswiththeirmobilephonenumbersorpersonalIDnumbers,accordingtoanewGovernmentregulation.Inthecasetheuserconfirmsthathe/shedoesnothaveamobilephonenumberinVi?tNam,foreignorganisations,enterprisesorindividualsprovidingsocialnetworkingserviceswillneedtoauthorisetheaccountusingapersonalidentificationnumber,inaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthelawonidentificationandelectronicauthentication.Livestreamerswillalsoneedtousepersonalidentificationnumberstoauthenticatetheiraccounts.Decree147/2024/N?-CPstatesthatonlyaccountsauthenticatedbyphonenumbersorpersonalidentificationnumberswillbeallowedtooperate,includingpostinginformation(writingarticles,commenting,livestreaming)andsharinginformationonsocialnetworks.ThedecreewilltakeeffectfromDecember25,withadeadlineset90daysfromthatdate.AuthenticatingsocialnetworkaccountsbyphonenumberoridentificationcodewillhelppreventandhandlefraudulentactsandpreventspreadingfakenewsonsocialnetworkplatformsinVi?tNam,accordingtotheMinistryofInformationandCommunications.—VNSH?ngYênProvincesmilitarysoldiershavesuccessfullydisposedofawartimeunexplodedbomb.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?NGYêN—MilitarysappersinthenorthernprovinceofH?ngYênonTuesdaysafelymovedanddetonatedawar-timebombweighingmorethan100kgwithintactfuse,whichwasuncoveredinKim??ngDistrictonNovember9.TheUSbomb,about20cmindiametreand85cminlength,wasdiscoveredbythelocalsinDuongPhuhamlet,ChínhNgh?aCommune,Kim??ngDistrict,whendiggingadrainageditch.Vi?tNamisamongthecountriesmostaffectedbyunexplodedordnance(UXO).Today,unexplodedbombsandminesarehiddenundergroundinalmostallprovincesandcities,witharound5.6millionhectaresoflandcontaminated,equivalentto17.71percentofthecountrysnaturallandarea.WithjointeffortsoftheVietnamesegovernmentandpeople,andthesupportoftheinternationalcommunity,overthepast50years,sincetheParisAgreementonEndingtheWarandRestoringPeaceinVi?tNamwassignedonJanuary27,1973,Vi?tNamhasclearednearly2.5millionhectaresofcontaminatedlandtoserveresettlement,ensuresafetyforpeople,andbuildeconomicworks.—VNA/VNS