PayPal: What If We Banned Both Sides
Peoplelookatlotus-basedproductsataboothatHàN?iLotusFestivallastweek.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngHi?uHàN?I—HàN?ihaspromotedthedevelopmentofcraftvillagesthatproducelotus-basedproducts,integratingtourismandenhancingtheimpressionofthelocalarea.Theinitiativeaimstocreateuniqueproductswhichattracttouriststoexperiencethebeautyandcultureofthelotusinthecity.Nguy?nM?nhQuy?n,deputyChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofthecity,saidthatinVietnameseculture,thelotussymbolisedpurityandclarity,embodyingthespiritandidentityoftheVietnamesepeople.Beyonditsspiritualandreligioussignificance,thelotuswasaversatileplantofferingnutritionalandpracticaluses.Mostpartsofthelotusplantcanbeusedasfood,medicineorhigh-qualitymaterialsforthetextileindustry.L?uTh?Hi?n,ownerofHi?nXiêmLotusTeainTayH?Districtsaidherfamilyhadalongtraditionofmakinglotustea.Inthepast,itwasmainlyforpersonaluseandgiftsduringholidays.Asthemarketeconomydeveloped,morepeoplesoughtoutlotusteaasauniquegiftofHàN?i,increasingdemandandleadingustoexpandourfamilybusiness,shesaid.HerfamilycurrentlyrentssevenhaofWestLaketocultivateB?chDi?plotus.AccordingtoHi?n,producingonekilogrammeoflotustearequires1,500lotusflowers,costingseveralmillion??ng.WestLakelotustea,knownastheteaoftheancients,offersadelicate,refreshingflavour.ThetasteresultsfromtheblendoftealeavesandthefragrantBáchDi?plotus,shesaid.L?QuangKhanh,directorofMêLinhLotusVillageCooperative,saidthattheycultivate50haoflotus,includingB?chLiênandB?chDi?pvarieties,originatingfromtheWestLake.FromMaytoSeptember,thecooperativeharvestedandsuppliedthemarketwith8,000to10,000lotusflowersdaily.Inadditiontomeetinglocaldemandforlotusflowers,thecooperativealsocollaboratedwithTamTràTháiCooperativeinthenorthernprovinceofTháiNguyênandB?cS?nTeaproducersinHàN?isSócS?nDistricttosupplylotusflowersandleaves.Bothlotusflowersandlotusteahavebeenrecognisedasthree-starandfour-starOne-CommuneOneProduct(OCOP)productsbyHàN?i.ThelotusflowersandlotusteaweresupportedbyMêLinhDistricttobuildthebrandofB?chthiênsenH?iLinhthatshowcasedatvariousfairsandexhibitions.TheOCOPlotusteaconsistedoffreshandvacuum-driedvarieties.Toenhancequalityanddiversifyproducts,thecooperativeplannedtointroducelotusteabagsandlotusleafteabytheendofthisyear,hesaid.HàN?ihasdevelopednumerousspecialtyproductsmadefromlotus,reflectingthecitysculturalheritageandprovidingeconomicbenefits.TheproductsincludeHi?nXiêmlotusteainTayH?District,Qu?ngAnlotusteainTayH?District,??mLonglotusseedsinBaVìDistrict,lotusleafteainSócS?nDistrict,lotusheartteainThanhTrìDistrictandNg?Th?cgreenstickyricewithlotusseedsinNamT?LiêmDistrict.Amongthe2,723OCOP-ratedproductsinHàN?i,thereare18lotus-basedproducts.IntegratingecotourismLotusteamarinatingatafamilyofartisansinTayH?District,HàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoKhánhHòaAccordingtoassociateProfessor??ngV?n??ngfromtheInstituteofVegetablesandFruits,undertheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,Vi?tNamsdistinctregionseachhadcharacteristiclotusvarieties.TherearepinklotusintheMekongDeltaprovinceof??ngTháp,whitelotusinthecoastalcentralprovinceofHu?,andBáchDi?plotusinWestLakeinHàN?i.BáchDi?plotuswasavaluablespecies,requiringpreservationanddevelopment.TorestoreandexpandtheBáchDi?plotusvariety,thecitysAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentDepartment,theInstituteofVegetablesandFruitsandthePeoplesCommitteeofTayH?DistricthaveimplementedtheprojectBuildingalotusproductionmodelassociatedwithdevelopingecotourismalongthevaluechaininTayH?-HàN?i.TheprojectalsoaimedtolinklotuscultivationwithecotourisminTayH?District.InadditiontotherenownedWestLakelotustea,thelotus-themedfeast,auniqueculinarytourismproduct,ispopularin???ngLamancientvillage,featuringovertenlotus-baseddishes.LamTh?Na,ownerofarestaurantinthevillagesaid;Initially,weofferedafewlotusdisheslikelotusstickyrice,lotusrootsaladandlotusseedsweetsoup.Thenmanyvisitorssuggestedcreatingaspecialisedlotusfeasttoattracttouristsandnowitsapopularorderamongvisitorstothevillage.TextileindustrymaterialsToday,lotuscultivationinHàN?issuburbandistrictssupplieshigh-qualitymaterialsforthetextileindustry,producingfragrancesandstarch.Theuniquelotussilk,craftedbyartisanPhanTh?Thu?ninPhùngXáCommune,M???cDistrict,isparticularlynotable.Thu?nslotussilkscarves,apotentialfive-starOCOPproduct,areusedbytheGovernmentOfficeasgiftsforforeigndignitaries.Currently,HàN?ihasover600haoflotuscultivation,withplanstoexpandto900habynextyear.MajorcultivationareasincludeM???c(188ha),BaVì(70ha),MêLinh(65ha),PhúcTh?(25ha),?ngHòa(25ha),B?cT?Liêm(25ha),TayH?(19.6ha)andQu?cOai(18ha).Nguy?n?ìnhHoa,deputydirectorofthecitysAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentDepartmentsaidthedepartmenttaskedtheAgriculturalPromotionCentreandtheInstituteofVegetablesandFruitstotestover30newlotusvarietiesinthecity.Thenthedepartmenthadselected20lotusvarietiesthatshownexcellentadaptabilitytoHàN?issoil.Thelotusvarietiesincludespecialisedlotustypesforroots,flowers,silkandseedswithhighyieldandquality.AdvancesinscienceandtechnologyhaveextendedHàN?islotusseasonfromApriltoNovember.—VNS
BikelaneshavebeenbuiltonpavementsonsomeofHu?smostcongestedstreetstoimprovetrafficsafety.—Phototuoitre.vnTH?ATHIêN-HU?—Hu?CityisthefirstlocalityinVi?tNamtobuildbicyclelanesonpavements,withtheworkbeinginitsfinalstage.Theyspanthecitysmainroadsandrunforovereightkilometres.OncongestedstreetssuchasV?NguyênGiápandT?H?u,twolanesarebeingcreated.BikelaneshavealsobeenbuilteachinthenewAnVanD??ngurbanareaandPhúXuanWard.Thebikelanes,aroundametrewide,ispaintedgreeninthemiddleandyellowintheedges.AbikelaneintheAnVanD??ngurbanarea.—Phototuoitre.vnLêThànhB?c,deputyheadofthebikelaneconstructionmanagement,saidcreatingbikelanesonpavementswouldimprovetrafficsafety.Butsomelocalsareunhappywiththenewplan.N.T.H.toldTu?iTr?(Youth)newspaperitisnotsafeforpedestriansandcycliststosharethepavement.Pavementsareusuallyusedtoparkmotorbikes,meaningthereisalreadylittlespaceforpedestrianstowalksafely,andtherewouldbeevenlessifbikelanesareadded,hesaid.TheworkispartofaVN?1.7trillion(US$66.976million)plantoimprovetrafficinfrastructureandreduceflooding.ItisalsopartoftheSecondaryCitiesDevelopmentProjectII(GreenCities)forthreesmallercities,HàGiang,Hu?andV?nhYên.VNSNguy?nTh?H?ng(secondfromleft),formervicechairwomanofHCMCity,andotherex-officialsattheVietnamRubberGroup,havebeenarrestedfortheirinvolvementinascandalattheVietnamRubberGroup.—PhotocourtesyofthepoliceHCMCITY—TheformerViceChairwomanofHCMCityPeoplesCommitteeNguy?nTh?H?nghasbeenarrestedforallegedabuseofpowerduringherofficialduties,thepolicesaidonWednesday.ThearrestispartofanongoinginvestigationintoaccusationsofbriberyandpowerabuseattheState-ownedVi?tNamRubberGroup(VRG),andotherrelatedentities.H?ngisalsofacingallegationsofmisconductregardingapropertydevelopmentprojectinHCMCitysDistrict4.H?ng,69,previouslyheldthepositionofdirectorofthecitysDepartmentofFinanceandlaterservedasdeputychairwomanin2005beforeretiringafteradecadeinoffice.Currently,atotalof16individualsimplicatedinthecasehavebeenprosecuted,includingvariousex-officialsatthegroup,foracceptingbribesandbreachingregulationsonthemanagementofStateassets,resultinginlossandinefficiency.TheseactionshavebeensanctionedbytheSupremePeoplesProcuracy.Theinvestigationintothescandalremainsongoing.—VNS
BangkokpolicecommissionerThithiSaengsawangspeaksatthepressbriefingonthecase.—GETTY/VNAPhotosHàN?I—ThaipoliceonWednesdaymorningannouncedthepreliminaryresultsoftheinvestigationintothecaseofsixpeoplefounddeadattheGrandHyattErawanHotelinBangkok.Accordingtothepolice,onepersonkilledfiveothersintheroomthentooktheirownlife.Itisunderstoodthekillingsstemfromdebt-relatedissues.Thaipolicehavealsoidentifiedaseventhperson,whopresumablycheckedintothehotelroomswiththeothers,butthatpersonisyettobeapprehended.Policedidstressthatwomanisunlikelytobeconnectedtothedeaths.TwoofthedeceasedwereidentifiedasSherineChong,56,andDangHungVan,55,bothcarryingUSpassports.IthasbeenreportedthatitwasChongwhocarriedoutthemurdersbeforetakingherownlife.FourotherswereVietnamesenationals,includingNguyenThiPhuongLan,47,PhamHongThanh,49,TranDinhPhu,37,andNguyenThiPhuong,46.InitialinvestigationsonTuesdayevening,whenthevictimswerefound,showedthattheirroomwaslockedfromtheinsidewithnotraceofphysicalviolence.TheirbodiesweretransportedtoanearbyhospitalwhiletheluggagewasmovedtotheLumpiniareapolicestation.PoliceattheGrandHyattErawanHotelinBangkokonTuesdayevening,wherethebodieswerefound.InanannouncementonWednesdaymorning,ThaiPrimeMinisterSretthaThavisinconfirmedthatagroupoftheUSFederalBureauofInvestigation(FBI)agentswillarriveinThailandtoassistinfurtherinvestigation,astwoUScitizenswereamongthedeceased.UnderthedirectionoftheVietnameseMinistryofForeignAffairs(MoFA),theEmbassyofVi?tNaminThailandisworkingcloselywithThaiauthoritiesonthecase,saidtheministrysspokespersonPh?mThuH?ngonWednesday,whileextendingcondolencestothevictimsfamilies.TheVietnameseembassywillalsoprovideallnecessaryhelpforinvestigationsandcoordinatewithrelevantdepartmentsinVi?tNamtoprovidesupportforthevictimsfamiliesandadoptnecessarycitizenprotectionmeasures.TheVietnameseMoFAandtheMinistryofPublicSecurityarealsotakingurgentactiontoverifytheidentitiesofthefourVietnamesevictims.Onceconfirmed,theirfamilieswillbenotifiedandassistedincompletingnecessaryprocedurestorepatriatetheremainsassoonasThaiauthoritiesallow,saidVietnameseAmbassadortoThailandPh?mVi?tHùng.HeappreciatedthepromptresponsefromThaiPMThavisinandhigh-rankingThaipoliceofficials,whowerepresentatthesceneandheldanurgentpressbriefingonthecase.—VNSThanTh?Thànhandevidenceseizedinthesmugglingcase.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàT?NH—PoliceinthecentralprovinceofHàT?nhhavedetainedtwowomenallegedlyinvolvedinacross-bordercurrencysmugglingscheme.ThanTh?H??ng,54,andhersister,ThanTh?Thành,47,bothresidentsofS?nTayCommune,H??ngS?nDistrict,havebeenchargedwithsmugglingandtheillegaltransportofcurrencyacrosstheVi?tNam-Laosborder.OnNovember28,inHàTraiHamlet,S?nKim1Commune,policesaidtheystoppedacarwithLaoregistrationplate2079drivenbyNguy?nV?nB?ng,36,alsofromS?nTayCommune.AccompanyinghimwasThành.AsearchofthevehicleallegedlyuncoveredUS$230,000(VN?5.8billion)hiddenamongothercargo.Subsequentraidsonthehomesofthetwosistersallegedlyyieldedanadditional$7,700aswellas570,000Japaneseyen,191,120,000Laokip,and142,000Thaibaht,withatotalvalueofapproximatelyVN?450million.InvestigatorsdeterminedthatH??nghadbeensmugglingforeigncurrenciestoLaosforprofit,whileThànhactedashercourier,accordingtopolice.Thesistersadmittedtotransportingover$4.5million(VN?100billion)sinceJuly2023,exploitingexchangeratedifferencestogenerateincome.—VNSSoaringpepperpricesinthefirsthalfofthisyearhaveallowed??ngNaifarmerstofreshlyplantpepperseedlingstoreplaceoldones.—VNA/VNSPhoto??NGNAI—Pepperpricesincreasedinthefirsthalfofthisyear,bringingcheertofarmersinthesouthernprovinceof??ngNaiandencouragingmanytogrowitagain.ThespiceissoldatuptoVN?200,000(US$7.82)perkilogramme,andseedlingpriceshaveincreasedfromVN?8,000-10,000(US$0.31-0.39)toVN?20,000-25,000(US$0.78-0.97)inthepastmonth.Peppergrowershavebeenfocusingonrenovatingoldorchardsandexpandingthecropinthehopeofmakingakillingthisseason.Tr?nV?nV?nh,whohasaone-hectarepepperfarminC?mM?DistrictsLamSanCommune,saidhisfirstharvestfetchedatVN?180,000(US$7.03)perkilogramme,enoughforhimtoplantnewseedlingstoreplaceunproductiveones.Pepperplantsadaptwelltotheprovincestopographyandyieldgreatoutputifgivenenoughcare.Hehopedpriceswouldremainsteadytoensurefarmersgetstableincomes.LêQuangThànhofXuanL?cDistrictsXuanTh?Communesaidthehighpriceshaveallowedhimandotherfarmerstoconfidentlyinvestagainingrowingpepper.Yearsoflowpriceshavediscouragedfarmersfromcontinuingplantingpepper,andsomeevenabandontheircrops.Thisresultedina30-50percentdropinoutputinthepastfewyearsandtheareaunderthespiceshrinkingtojust11,000hafromover19,000hain2018.Nguy?nV?nTh?ng,deputydirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidfarmersneedtoimprovesoilqualitybeforeplantingnewpepperplants,especiallywheretherehavebeenmassdeathsinthepast.Itisimportanttocarefullyresearchandchoosequalityseedlingsandundertakeorganicfarmingtopreservesoilquality,hesaid.Farmersneedtolinkupwithcooperativestogetguidanceandsupportforsustainableplanting,cultivationandharvesting,headded.Nguy?nThanhTan,vicechairmanoftheXuanL?cDistrictFarmerAssociation,saidthoughmostlocalfarmersareexperiencedingrowingpepper,thedistrictwouldcontinuetoteachthemnewplantingandcaringmethodsandencouragethemtooptfororganicfarming.—VNS
AssociateProfessor,Dr.Nguy?nTh?KimTi?n,formerMinisterofHealthandchairmanoftheVietnameseAssociationforOrganandTissueDonation,speaksattheworkshop.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iHàN?I—Vi?tNamrecordedabout1,000peoplereceivingorgantransplantsin2023,makingVi?tNamacountrywiththemostpeoplereceivingorgantransplantsinSoutheastAsia,participantsheardataworkshoponJuly16.Attheworkshoponorgantissuedonation,transplantationandcoordinationinVi?tNam,healthexpertssharedadvancesinorgantransplantationtechniquesandthelatestorgantransplantmiracles,whilealsoworryingaboutexistingbarriersinthefield.Thefirstbarrierisawareness.AssociateProfessor,Dr.Nguy?nTh?KimTi?n,formerMinisterofHealthandchairmanoftheVietnameseAssociationforOrganandTissueDonation,emphasisedthatthedifficultyinregisteringfororgandonationinVi?tNamwasstilllargelyduetopeoplesconceptofCh?tph?itoànthay(whenyoudie,youmusthaveawholebody).Inaddition,mostpeopledonotrealisethatorgandonationiscultural,responsibleandcompassionatetothecommunity.Theyalsodonotclearlyunderstandhowtoregisterfororgandonation.AssociateProfessorDr.??ngV?nH?,DeputyDirectorofVi?tNam-GermanyFriendshipHospitalanddirectoroftheNationalOrganTransplantCoordinationCentre,saidthatthenumberofpeoplewhoreceivedorgantransplantswasmainlyfromlivingdonors,donationsfromthedeceasedonlynumbered12.Theorgandonationratefrombrain-deadpeopleinVi?tNamisonly0.15peronemillionpeople,whileintheworldtherateis50peopleperonemillionpeople,saidDr.H?.AssociateProfessorDr.??ngV?nH?,DeputyDirectorofVi?tNam-GermanyFriendshipUniversityHospitalanddirectoroftheNationalOrganTransplantCoordinationCentre.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iTheneedforpatientsneedingorgantransplantsishuge.Becauseofthelackoforgansfrombrain-deaddonors,organsfromlivingdonorsshouldbetaken.However,westillwantorganstobedonatedfrombrain-deadorheart-deadpeoplemore,becauseabrain-deadorheart-deadpersoncandonateuptoeightorgans,includingtwokidneys,twolivers,twolungs,theirheart,pancreasandcornea.Livingpeoplecanonlydonateoneorgan,nottomentiontherearehealthrisksforthedonorafterorgandonation,saidDr.H?.Nextarelegalbarriers.Dr.H?saidthattherearemanycaseswherepeoplehaveregisteredtodonateorganswhenthey,unfortunately,passaway,butdoctorsstillcannotgetorganstodonatetosavelives.Thereareevencaseswherealmosttheentirefamilyhasagreedtodonatetheorgansofabrain-deadrelative,butatthelastminute,ifjustonefamilymemberdoesnotagree,theentireorganretrievalteamhastostopandwait.Becausethecurrentlawstipulatesthatifonefamilymemberdoesnotagree,theorgancannotberemoved,accordingtoDr.H?.Dr.Ti?nsaidthatcurrentlegalregulationsneedtobeadjustedtoincreasetheopportunitytodonateorgans,suchasageconditionsfororgandonation(currentlyover18yearsold),regimefororgandonorsandfamilies,financialmechanismoncostsandpaymentsfordonationmobilisation,transplantationandpost-transplantation.Morethan150doctorsandnursesfromCentralMilitaryHospital108performanorganremovalandtransplantation.—PhotoVGPAccordingtoDr.Ti?n,thelegalregulationsofsomecountriesaroundtheworlddonothaveproceduresforregisteringorgantissuedonation,buttheprincipleofinferenceisnatural.Afterbraindeath,organscanbedonatedwiththeconsentofthefamily(somecountriesdonotrequirethefamilysconsent)orwhenthedriverslicencehasasignindicatingconsenttoorgandonationafterdeath.Therefore,theformerMinisterofHealthproposedthatintheupcomingrevisedLawonOrganDonation,itisnecessarytoresearchandincludearegulationthatevenifpeoplewerenotregisteredwhentheywerealive,iftheydie,theirfamilycanstillagreetoorgandonation.Atthesametime,intheconsultingworkonorgandonationregistrationathospitals,theorgandonationregistrationconsultingteamcannothaveanemergencyresuscitationdoctor,becauseitisasensitiveissueforthepatientsfamily.Anotherproblemisthatorgancoordinationtimeisstillachallenge.AssociateProfessorDr.H?citedarecentbrain-deadorgandonationcaseinPhúTh?Province.IttooktheOrganTransplantCoordinationCentre16hourstoselecttwosuitablepatientsoutof58patientswaitingforanorgantransplant.Themostrecentbraindeathcasehadtocontact119patientsovera16-hourperiodtoidentifyfivepatientswithsuitableindicatorstoreceiveliver,kidneyandheart.Toincreasethesourceoforgandonationsforpatientswaitingfortransplants,Dr.H?saidthatitisexpectedthatfromAugust2024,humanorgandonationandtransplantationwillbeincludedintheregulartrainingprogrammeatHCMCityandHàN?iMedicaluniversities.Trainingcontentincludesorgantissuedonation,thelawonorgandonationandwhatmedicallyconstitutesbraindeath.—VNSConstructionofpedestrianoverpassestoninestationsonmetrolineNo.1isbeingspeededuptoensurecompletionbySeptember,accordingtotheHCMCityManagementAuthorityforUrbanRailways(MAUR).—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—ConstructionofpedestrianoverpassestoninestationsonmetrolineNo.1isbeingspeededuptoensurecompletionbySeptember,accordingtotheHCMCityManagementAuthorityforUrbanRailways(MAUR).The19.7kmlinefromB?nThànhMarketinDistrict1toSu?iTiênThemeParkinTh???cCityhas14stations,threeofwhichareunderground.TheninepedestrianoverpassesarebeingbuiltatTanC?ng,Th?o?i?n,AnPhú,R?chChi?c,Ph??cLong,BìnhThái,Th???c,SàiGònHigh-techPark,andVi?tNamNationalUniversityHCMCitystations.Amongthefinalitemsofconstruction,theyprovideeasieraccesstothestationsfromacrossHàN?iHighwayandfromtwostreetsrunningparalleltoit.AccordingtoMAUR,thestaircasesandbridgesneedtoavoidotherinfrastructuresuchaspower,telecomandwaterlines,drains,trees,andlights.Mostinfrastructurehasbeenrelocatedtoenabletheconstructionofboredpiles,pilecaps,columns,andbridgecaps.Thecontractorisinstallinglargecrossbeamsmeasuring22to37metresinlengthandweighing46to75tons,withtheworkbeingdonefrom10pmto5amdailyandinthemorningsonweekendstoavoidtrafficdisruptions.TheinstallationofbeamsatTh?o?i?nStationwascompletedinlastweek.Itwasachallengingtasksinceitiscloseto110kVpowerlinesandcomplextrafficintersectionsnearSàiGònBridge.Besides,thebeamswerebroughtonsuper-sizedheavyvehicleswhoseweighttheinfrastructuretherecouldnotsupport.Trafficthrough?enBridgehasbeentemporarilyhalted,andatemporarybridgehasbeenbuiltabovetheexistingstructureforthepassageofthegiantvehicles.MAURtargetscompletingbyJulyfiveoftheninepedestrianbridgesatTanC?ng,R?chChi?c,Ph??cLong,BìnhThái,andSàiGònHigh-Techparkstations.TheonesatTh?o?i?nandAnPhúwillbecompletedinAugust.Theremainingtwo,atTh???candVi?tNamNationalUniversity-HCMCitystations,willbefinishedinSeptember.Theywillbesubjecttofiresafetyandrescueinspectionsinthefourthquarter.—VNS
Sceneoftheaccident.Fourvictimswerepinnedagainstabridgeabutmentanddied.—Photonld.com.vnHàN?I—AtruckdrivercausedanaccidentkillingawomanandherthreechildrenandthenfledthesceneonTuesday.Theaccidentoccurredat11.00amonJuly16,inD??ngLi?uCommune,Hoài??cDistrict,HàN?iCity.Initialreportsshowthata15-tonnetruckcarryingconstructionmaterials,bearinglicenseplatenumber88C-288.49,washeadingtoMinhKhaiStreetwhenitfailedtoslowdownattheintersection.Thetrucksfrontendcollidedwiththerightsideofasmallertruck,bearinglicenseplatenumber29C-597.75,whichwasenteringtheintersection.ThecollisioncausedthesmalltrucktoveerintoamotorbikedrivenbyN.T.H.,whowascarryingherthreechildren,N.T.K.O.,N.T.T.M.,andN.T.S.Allfourwerepinnedagainstabridgeabutmentanddiedatthescene.Thedriverofthesmalltruck,identifiedasL.V.N.,wasinjuredwhereasthedriverofthe15-tonne,identifiedas?.V.L.,fledthesceneaftertheaccident.Policehavelaunchedasearchfor?.V.L,urginganyonewithinformationabouthiswhereaboutstocomeforward.—VNS
Apharmacistchecksmedicinalherbsamplesinacompanyin??cHòaCommune,theMekongDeltaprovinceofLongAn.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ng??tHàN?I—Specificpoliciesinthedevelopmentofmedicinalherbs,particularlyvaluableandeconomicallybeneficialmedicinalherbsneedtobeissued,asamatterofsomeurgency.Thatwasthedirectivecameunderthe86thconclusionoftheSecretariatondevelopingVi?tNamstraditionalmedicineandtheVi?tNamOrientallyTraditionalOrientalMedicineAssociationinthenewperiod,recentlysignedbythepermanentmemberofthePartyCentralCommitteesSecretariatL??ngC??ng.TheSecretariatorderedthatalllevelsofPartycommittees,authorities,theVi?tNamFatherlandFrontandsocio-politicalorganisationsmustplananddevelopareasforcultivatingmedicinalherbsonanindustrialscale,establishatraceabilitysystemandensurethesafetyofmedicinalherbs.Thedevelopmentofthemedicinalherbindustryshouldbelinkedwithscientificresearch,productionandpreservationandprocessingchains.Effortsshouldbeintensifiedtocoordinatebetweenministries,sectorsandlocalitiesinmanagingmedicinalherbs,enhancingqualitycontrolandresolutelyfightingagainstcounterfeit,substandardanduntraceabletraditionalmedicineproducts.Furthermore,theSecretariatcalledfortheeffectiveimplementationofDirective24,theresolutionsofthe13thNationalPartyCongressandthePartyspoliciesonprotecting,caringforandimprovingthehealthofthepeople.Itshouldrenewandenhancedissemination,educationanddeterminetheresponsibilityandactionsofalllevelsofPartycommittees,authorities,officials,PartymembersandthepublicindevelopingVi?tNamstraditionalmedicine,contributingtopreservingandpromotingthenationalculturalheritage,theconclusionsays.TheSecretariatdemandedareviewandcompletionofrelevantpoliciesandlaws,continuingtoconcretisepoliciesontraditionalmedicine,renewingthemanagementsystem,diversifyingandimprovingthequalityoftraditionalmedicineservicesinconjunctionwithhealthtourism.Investmentmustbeincreased,focusingontraininganddevelopingherbalistsandtraditionalmedicinepractitioners,ensuringsufficienthumanresourcesfromcentraltolocallevels.MobilisationofsocialresourcesforthedevelopmentofVi?tNamstraditionalmedicineneedstobestrengthened,theconclusionadds.Developingthetraditionalmedicinehealthcaresystem,especiallyatgrassrootshealthlevels,integratingtraditionalmedicinewithmodernmedicine,researchandtestingandprovingtheefficacyofnon-drugtreatmentmethodsshouldbeprioritised.Acomprehensivedatabaseofmedicinalherbsandtraditionalmedicinesmustbedeveloped,connectedwithnationalandspecialiseddatabases,promotingtheapplicationofscience,technologyanddigitaltransformationintraditionalmedicine.Proactiveinternationalintegrationandeffectiveinternationalcooperationshouldbepursued,promotingtheimageandbrandofVietnamesetraditionalmedicineandcreatingpoliciestoexporttraditionalmedicineproducts,includinghigh-qualityhumanresourcesandnon-drugtreatmentmethods.Participationinprofessionalandeducationalassociationsontraditionalmedicineregionallyandglobally;supportfordiscovering,registeringandprotectingintellectualpropertyrightsintraditionalmedicine;honouringandensuringtherightsofrenownedphysicians,implementingspecificpoliciesforregisteringandprotectingintellectualpropertyrights;andsafeguardingthesecretsoftraditionalmedicineformulationareamongtherequirementsfromtheSecretariat.TheSecretariatalsotoldtheVi?tNamTraditionalOrientalMedicineAssociationandsocio-politicalorganisationstoactivelydisseminateandprovideinformationonVietnamesetraditionalmedicine,effectiveremedies,andtreatmentmethodstobothdomesticandinternationalpopulations.Coordinationwithmediaagenciestointroduceandreplicateeffectivemodelsandexemplarypracticesintraditionalmedicinedevelopmentisnecessary.RelevantagencieshavetoboostthecampaignsVietnamesepeopleprioritiseusingVietnamesegoodsandVietnamesepeopleprioritiseusingVietnamesemedicine.TheGovernmenthasbeenaskedtodirecttheissuanceofdocumentstodevelopVietnamesetraditionalmedicineandtheVi?tNamTraditionalOrientalMedicineAssociationfortheperiod2025-30,withvisiontowards2045.TheMinistryofHealthandVi?tNamOrientalTraditionalOrientalMedicineAssociationaretaskedtocloselycoordinatewithrelevantagenciesandlocalitiestoeffectivelyimplementtheconclusions.ThePartyCentralCommitteesCommissionforPublicityandEducation,incollaborationwiththehealthministryandrelevantagenciesareassignedtoguide,superviseandperiodicallyreporttotheSecretariatontheimplementationoftheconclusions.—VNSAnofficergivesguidanceaboutworkingabroadforresidentsinSócTr?ngProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nPhiHàN?I—Vi?tNamsentmorethan78,000workersabroadinthefirsthalfofthisyear,fulfilling62.4percentoftheyearlytarget,accordingtotheDepartmentofOverseasLabourundertheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs.Japan,Taiwan(China),andtheRepublicofKorea(RoK)remainedthelargestrecipientsofVietnameseguestworkers.Apartfromthemarkets,VietnameseworkerswerealsosenttoEuropeancountrieslikeGermany,Romania,andHungary,saidPh?mVi?tH??ng,deputyheadofthedepartment.Lastyear,over159,000workerswentabroadforemployment,surpassingtheyearlytargetby33.3percent,andthehighestrecordedoverthepast10years.Forthisyear,theministryaimstosend125,000workersabroad,focusingonkeytraditionalmarketssuchasJapan,Taiwan,andtheRoK.Iteyestohave120,000-143,000peopleworkinginforeigncountrieseveryyear,whosendhometotalremittancesofaroundUS$3.5-4billion.TheGovernmenthasissuedaplantocarryoutadirectiveofthePartyCentralCommitteesSecretariatonenhancingthePartyleadershiponsendingworkersoverseasinthenewsituation.AlongwithbuildingstrategiestosendVietnameselabourerstoforeigncountries,theplanoutlinessolutionstoraisepublicawarenessoflawobservanceaswellascoordinationmechanismstohandlerelevantissues.—VNS
VietnamNewsAgency(VNA)DeputyGeneralDirectorNguy?nTu?nHùng(right)andPresidentofPrensaLatinaLuisEnriqueGonzalezAcosta.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—AdelegationoftheVietnamNewsAgency(VNA)ledbyDeputyGeneralDirectorNguy?nTu?nHùngvisitedCubafromJuly28toAugust3tofurtherenhancethetraditionalfriendshipandcooperationwithlargepressagenciesoftheCaribbeannation.VisitingtheheadquartersandmanyestablishmentsofPrensaLatina(LatinAmericanNewsAgency)inHavana,Hùnghighlightedthetwonewsagenciespracticalcooperationresultsoverthepastmorethan60yearsoftheircountriesclose-knitfraternity.Theyareimplementingthecooperationagreementfor2023-28throughvariousactivities,includingsharingdailynewsindifferentlanguagessuchasEnglish,French,andSpanishandexchanginglanguageeditors.UnitsoftheVNAhavekeptclosecoordinationtosupportthePrensaLatinabureauinHàN?iwhiletheCubansidehasalsostayedreadytoassistVNAcorrespondentsinHavana,hesaid.Hùngexpressedhishopethatthetwosideswillmaintainfruitfulcooperationinallaspects,addingtheVNAisreadytohelpPrensaLatinawithcapacitybuildingtocatchupwiththetrendofmodernjournalism.PresidentofPrensaLatinaLuisEnriqueGonzalezAcostaappreciatedtheVNAsassistance,especiallyamidnumerousdifficultiesfacingCubaandhisagency.HeaffirmedPrensaLatinaviewsthecooperationwiththeVNAasakeyandstrategicpartnership,andthattheVNAsproposals,recommendations,andsupportinthefieldareinvaluableforittosketchoutitsdevelopmentorientationsandmanyimportantprojectsinthefuture.Atthemeeting,thetwosidesdiscussedsomejointprojects,includingthecoverageofthe65thfoundinganniversaryoftheVi?tNam-Cubadiplomaticties(December2,1960-2025).TheyagreedtoincreasethepopularisationofVi?tNam,includingitspeople,cultureandeconomicachievements,bydistributingVi?tNamPictorialacrossLatinAmerica,consideringthisapracticalsteptohelpVi?tNamcomeclosertopeopleonthiscontinent,therebystrengtheningandexpandingtheSoutheastAsiancountrysconnectionswithAmericannations.AtaworkingsessionwiththeboardofdirectorsoftheCubanNewsAgency(ACN),HùngandACNDirectorEddaDizGarcesreviewedtheprogressinbilateralcooperation,reaffirmingthewishtofurtherreinforcetheirtime-testedlinks.TheVNADeputyGeneralDirectorhighlyvaluedtheexchangeofinformation,voicingthereadinesstoassisttheACNinbuildingcapacityanddiversifyingformsofnews.Forherpart,thehostofficialthankedtheVNAforitspracticalsupport,whichhashelpedtheACNtokeepitsflowofnewsuninterrupted.Expressingherhopeforstrongerbilateralcollaborationtoupholdthetraditionaltiesbetweenthetwoagenciesaswellasbetweentheircountries,EddaDizGarcesdescribedthebondsbetweentheACNandtheVNAastherelationshipbetweensincerecolleaguesandalsobetweenthosesharingthesameideal.Duringtheworkingtrip,theVNAdelegationalsopaidacourtesycalltoVietnameseAmbassadortoCubaLêQuangLong.—VNA/VNSFloodcausedbyheavyrainsinBìnhGia,L?ngS?nonJuly31.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?IPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhissuedanofficialdispatchonSunday,demandingproactivemovestoprevent,control,andaddressnaturaldisasterconsequencesinthefuture.Thedispatchnotedthatabnormalandunpredictablenaturaldisastershavecontinuedoccurringsincethestartof2024.Strongheatwaves,drought,andprolongedsaltwaterintrusionintheyearsbeginningwerefollowedbycontinuousheavyrains,landslides,andfloodinginmanyplaces,especiallyinthenorthern,north-central,andCentralHighlandsregions.DespitethePMsdirectionsandministries,sectors,andlocalitiesmovestopreventandrespondtonaturaldisasterstominimisedamage,thecalamitieshavestilltakenaheavytollonpeopleslivesandproperty,infrastructure,alongwitheconomicactivities.DatafromtheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentshowthat104peoplehavediedorwentmissinginnaturaldisasters,mainlylandslidesandfloods,sofarthisyear.TheNationalCentreforHydrometeorologicalForecastingpredictedthattheLaNinaphenomenonislikelytoaffectVi?tNamfromAugustandresultinseverestorms,downpours,flooding,flashfloods,landslides,andreservoirunsafety,posingseriousthreatstoeconomicanddailyactivities,aswellaspeopleslivesandproperty.Facingthatfact,PMChínhdemandedministers,headsofministry-levelagencies,Governmentagencies,andchairpersonsoftheprovincial-levelPeoplesCommitteestokeepauthoritiesataclosewatchondisasterdevelopmentsandcarryoutstrong,timely,andefficientmeasuresfordisasterresponseandaftermathsettlement.Leadersoftheprovincial-leveladministrationswereaskedtostaymoreactiveindirectingandorganisingtheprevention,control,andsettlementofnaturaldisasterconsequencesinlinewiththemottoofon-sitecommand,on-siteforces,on-sitevehiclesandsupplies,andon-sitelogistics,withthemostactive,timely,andresolutespirittoguaranteelifesafetyandminimisepropertylossesforpeopleandtheState.Inthedispatch,theGovernmentleadertoldlocalitiestoquicklyperfectresponseplansforeachtypeofpossiblecalamity,especiallystorms,flooding,landslides,andflashfloods;identifyvulnerableplacestogearupresponseforcesandvehicles;andacceleratepreparationsbeforetheseasonoffloodsandstorms.Inaddition,theywerealsorequestedtoevacuateresidentsandpropertyfromdangerousareas,especiallythosesusceptibletolandslides,flashfloodsandflooding,tosaferplaces,andarrangefundingfromthelocalbudgetfordisasterresponseactivitiestoensurenooneisleftwithoutalivingplace,food,orotheressentialsupplies,preventseriousdiseaseoutbreaksandenvironmentalpollution,andavoidseriousimpactonstudentslearning.Inthedispatch,thePMalsodetailedrequestsfortheministersofnaturalresourcesandenvironment,agricultureandruraldevelopment,industryandtrade,transport,nationaldefence,andpublicsecurity,alongwithmediaagencies.DeputyPMTr?nL?uQuangwasassignedtodirectlygiveorderstoministries,sectors,andlocalitiesinthework.VNS
TheelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iRailwayStationmetroproject.—VNA/VNSPhotoHuyHùngHàN?I—TheelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iUrbanRailwayProjectwillopenforcommercialoperationsonFriday.TheplanreceivedagreementfromtheStateExaminationCouncil(SEC).TheHàN?iMetropolitanRailwayManagementBoard(MRB)saidthatitwasanimportanteventmarkinganewdevelopmentmilestoneinHàN?ispublictransportsystem.Itwillcontributetocelebratethe70thanniversaryoftheLiberationoftheCapital(October10,1954-October10,2024).ThePeoplesCommitteesofB?cT?Liêm,NamT?Liêm,C?uGi?y,Ba?ìnhand??ng?adistrictswillworkwithtrafficpolicetokeepenvironmentalsanitationandensuresecurity,trafficorderandsafety.Themetrolinessuccesswillcreateconfidenceforinvestorsinthepotentialfordevelopingtransportinfrastructure.ItisalsoatestamenttothetirelesseffortsofthemunicipalPartyandgovernmentinbuildingmoderntransportinfrastructure,improvingthepeoplesqualityoflife,accordingtotheMRB.LastFriday,theSECconductedasiteinspectionandevaluatedtheNh?n-HàN?iStationsectionoftheurbanmetrolineproject.Theinspectionshowedthattheprojectselevatedsectionmeetsthedesignandrequirements.Completionacceptancewascarriedoutaccordingtoregulations.Thetrialoperationensuredtechnicalconditionsandproceduresrelatedtofireprevention,environmentandsafetywerecarriedoutandapprovedbyStateagencies.Sincetheprojectwasimplemented,theSEChasorganised21inspectionsonquality,constructiondocumentsanditems,ofwhichsixhadbeenconductedsincethebeginningofthisyear.TheSECdeterminedthattheelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetrolineensurednormsforcommercialoperation.Itnotedthatbeforetheprojectisopenforpublicuse,theinvestorneedstorequestcontractorsandrelatedpartiestoreviewallsystemsandauxiliaryequipmentservingoperation.OnbehalfoftheSEC,DeputyMinisterofConstructionBùiXuanD?ng,SECsPermanentDeputyChairmanassignedtheHàN?iPeoplesCommitteetodecidethetimetoputtheprojectintooperation.TheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetrolineis12.5kmlong,ofwhichtheNh?n-C?uGi?yelevatedsectionis8.5kmlongandtheC?uGi?y-HàN?iStationundergroundsectionis4kmlong.TheNh?n-HàN?iRailwayStationlineruns12.5kmfromNh?ninHàN?isNamT?LiêmDistrictviaKimM?StreettotheHàN?iRailwayStationin??ng?aDistrict.Constructionbeganin2010atanestimatedcostofoverVN?34.8trillion(nearlyUS$1.37billion).Whenofficiallyopenforuse,theNh?n-HàN?iRailwayStationsectionwillprovideamodern,safe,fastandenvironmentallyfriendlymeansofpublictransport.Theroutewillhelppeoplesavetimeandtravelcosts,whileconnectingurbanareasandcreatingfavourableconditionsforgreenandsustainablesocio-economicdevelopment.—VNSStudentsof?oànK?tPrimarySchoolinLongBiênDistrict,HàN?ieatlunch.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?IAnumberoffoodpoisoningcasesreportedrecentlyatschoolsnationwideraisedtheurgentneedtostrengthensupervisiononschoolmeals,aswellashighlightingtheimportanceofcarefullyselectingandmanagingschoolmealproviders.DrTr??ngH?ngS?n,deputysecretarygeneraloftheVietnamMedicalAssociation,directoroftheVi?tNamInstituteofAppliedMedicine,saidschoolmealsareveryimportantforchildrenshealth,especiallyforpreschoolandprimaryschoolchildren.Theirimmunesystemisnotyetcompleteandtheycanbesusceptibletodigestivedisorders.However,wehavenotpaidenoughattentiontoschoolmealsafety.Everyyear,foodpoisoningcasesstilloccurbecausemanystagesinthesupplychaindonotensurefoodhygieneandsafety,hesaid.TheMinistryofEducationandTrainingrecentlyissueddecisionsguidingtheorganisationofschoolmealscombinedwithincreasingphysicalactivityforstudentsatpreschools,primaryandsecondaryschools.Accordingtoparentsandteachers,thequalityofschoolmealshavebeenimproving.Manyschoolshaveestablishedfoodsafetymonitoringteamsandsomeschoolsmanagewhoentersandleavesthekitchenarea.ConcernedaboutthereputationofunitsandbusinessesprovidingschoolsmealsHoàngTh?Xuan,aparentofathirdgraderinC?uGi?yDistrict,HàN?i,saidTheteachermentionsthenamesofmealproviders.However,parentsdonotknowwhatthoseunitsarelikeorwhattheircapabilitiesare.PhùngNg?cLiên,aparentinNamT?LiêmDistrict,HàN?i,saidstudentsmealsarepaidforbytheirparents,butparentsonlyknowthemealprovidersnamethroughthenoticeoftheschool.Theschoolisnotinvolvedinthesupplierselectionprocess.Eveninthefamilysdailymeals,choosingsafe,freshfoodisnoteasy,soprovidingmealsforthousandsofstudentsatschoolisevenmoredifficult.Thisworryisnotjustminebutsharedbymanyotherparents,shetoldVietnamNewsAgency.Inthisnewschoolyear,Iwillpaymoreattentiontomychildrensmealsaswellasthecriteriaforchoosingtheschoolsmealsupplier.Someparentshavegoneasfarastochangeschoolfortheirchildrenbecausetheschoolmealsafetywasnotguaranteed.Nguy?nThuH?ng,amotherinLongBiênDistrict,HàN?i,saidChildrenneedadequate,safeandreasonablenutritiontodevelopbothphysicallyandmentally.Thisyear,IdecidedtochangetheschoolformychildrenbecauseIrealisedthattheirmealsatschoollastyearwerenotsafeenough.Shewishedparentscouldbedirectlyinvolvedintheprocessofselectingfoodsuppliersandcoordinatewiththeschooltocontroltheirchildrensdailymeals.DrHoàngNg?cVinh,formerdirectoroftheDepartmentofProfessionalEducation,MinistryofEducationandTraining,saidtoimprovethequalityofschoolmeals,firstofall,thereneedstobeclosecooperationamongschools,parentsandauthoritiesinselectingandsupervisingmealproviders.Selectioncriterianeedtobeestablishedtransparently,basedontheactualcapacityofthesupplier.Schoolsneedtopubliclydiscloseinformationaboutmealproviders,includingfoodorigin,cookingprocessandcertificationsrelatedtofoodsafety.Parentsneedtohavetherighttoaccessandgetinvolvedinthismonitoringprocess,hesaid.Authoritiesneedtostrengtheninspectionandsupervisionoffoodqualityatcateringunits.Businessesneedtoberesponsibleandcommittedtothequalityofthefoodtheyprovide.Inparticular,thereshouldbestrictsanctionsforviolatingbusinessestoprotectthehealthandrightsofstudents,hesaid.Schoolsoftenchoosemealprovidersbasedoncertaincriteria,sometimesonlycheckingcertificationswhichcanbefake.Thequalityofstudentsmealsdependsgreatlyontheresponsibilityandconscienceofthesuppliersandtheschoolssupervision.Nguy?nVanAnh,amotherinHàN?isBa?ìnhDistrict,saidmembersoftheparentsassociationshouldactasthesupervisortocheckonthequalityofthemeals.Whendeliveringmealstochildren,parentscanevensitandeattogetherwithchildren.VNS