Leaders of South Korea, China, Japan hold talks focused on North Korea
TheSaigonCommercialJointStockBankinwhichTr??ngM?Lan,chairwomanofV?nTh?nhPhátgroup,ownedasignificantstake.Shehasbeensentencedtodeathforfinancialfraudsatthebank.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—Twoforeignersarewantedbyauthoritiesfortheirallegedinvolvementinillegalcross-bordertransfersofUS$4.5billionrelatedtoV?nTh?nhPhátgroupanditschairwoman,Tr??ngM?Lan.ChenYiChungandChiuBingKeungKenneth,formerexecutivesofSaigonCommercialJointStockBank(SCB),havefledthecountryafterassistingLan,currentlyondeathrowforfinancialfraud,effectthetransfers.ApoliceinvestigationfoundLanandheraccomplicesillegallymovedover$4.5billion(VN?107trillion)andlaunderedVN?445trillionoveradecade.ChungandKennethmanaged11subsidiariesofV?nTh?nhPhátandassistedLaninmovingoverVN?50trillionintoandoutofthecountry,accordingtothepolice.ChungandKennethhelpedtransferVN?16trillionandVN?34trillionbyfakingcontractsandagreementswithforeigncompanies,thepolicesaid.Theircurrentwhereaboutsareunknown.Lanisthemastermindbehindthelargestfinancialfraudinthecountry,involvingassetmisappropriation,illegalcurrencytransfersandmoneylaundering,thepolicesaid.ShedidnotholdanypositionatSCBbutownedover90percentofitdirectlyandthroughothers,andacourtfoundherguiltyofmanipulatingthebanksoperationstoborrowmoneyandfundV?nTh?nhPhátsoperations.ThepolicehavealsouncoveredaschemeinvolvingV?nTh?nhPhát,TanVi?tSecuritiesandSCBandorchestratedbyLantoissuefakebondstodeceiveinvestors,mostlySCBdepositors.The1,000-oddfakecompaniesundertheV?nTh?nhPhátgroupcarriedoutfraudulentbondissuancesworthsomeVN?30trillion($1.24billion)andsoldthemtoover35,000victims,thepolicesaid.Shehasadmittedherwrongdoingandpromisedtorepaythevictims,theysaid.Theyhaveseizedsubstantialassetslinkedtothescamworthbillionsofdollars,includingsharesinvariouscompaniesandproperties,andareseekingtorecompensethevictims.AthertrialinApril,LanreceivedthedeathpenaltyforfinancialfraudatSCBandwasalsoorderedtopaycompensationofVN?673.8trillion($27billion)tothebank.Otherbankexecutivesandstateofficialsinvolvedinthescandalreceivedvarioussentencesrangingfromthreeyearstolifeforembezzlementandviolatingbankingregulations.ThearrestofLanandherassociatesispartofabroaderanti-corruptioncampaignaimedatcleaningupthebankingsector.In1992sheandherfamilyfoundedV?nTh?nhPhát,oneofthecountrysmostprominentrealestatecompanies.Whileherarresthasexposedthemassivescaleofthefraud,expertshavewarnedthatthescandalisjustthetipoftheiceberginthefinancialsector.TheGovernmenthasblamedtheMinistryofFinanceandthecentralbankfortheirpoormanagementofthesectorthatledtothescams.Ithastightenedbankownershipregulationsandcalledforincreasedoversighttoprecludefuturescandals.—VNS
DirectorofInternationalAdvocacyattheSoiDogInternationalFoundationRahulSehgal.—PhotocourtesyofSoiDogInternationalHàN?I—Inamajormovetosafeguardpublichealthandpromotemoreethicalpractices,theHanoiSub-departmentofAnimalHusbandry,FisheriesandVeterinaryservices(undertheHanoiDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment)hasissuedacriticallyimportantdirectiveinamovetowardseliminatingdogandcatmeattradeacrossthecitysdistricts.Thecomprehensivedirectiveoutlinesamulti-prongedstrategyinvolvingstrictenforcementandcooperationacrossmultiplegovernmentagenciesandmobileinspectionteams.Citingthegraveriskposedbytherecentrabiesoutbreakacrossthecountry(therehavebeen102rabiesoutbreaksin29provincesandcitiescausinghumanfatalities)thedirectiveemphasisestheurgentimperativetopreventsuchapublichealthcrisisinHàN?i.Acorefocusisenhancingrabiesvaccinationratestoover90percentamongthepetdogandcatpopulationthroughaconcerteddrivebyveterinaryauthorities.Strictmonitoringandtoughpenaltieshavebeenmandatedforanyillegaltrade,transportation,slaughterorsaleofdogsandcatsformeatpurposes.Mobileinspectionteamswillbedeployedatkeytransportationroutestosystematicallyinterceptandhaltanyunauthorisedmovementoflivedogsandcats.Criticallythedirectivecallsforextensivepublicawarenesscampaignsusingmassmediatoeducateresidentsaboutthedangersofrabies,theneedforresponsiblepetmanagementpracticesandtodiscouragethedeeplyentrenchedhabitofdogandcatmeatconsumption.HàN?iaspirestocultivatemorecompassionateattitudestowardsanimalsoverall.Bydesignatingrabies-safezoneswherethedogandcatmeattradeiscompletelyeliminated,thispioneeringdirectiveaimstotransformHàN?iintoacivilised,tourist-friendlycityalignedwithinternationalstandardsforanimalwelfareandfoodsafety.Whilepresentingchallengestolong-heldculinarytraditions,themunicipalgovernmenthopesrobustenforcementcombinedwithshiftingsocietalvalueswillculminateinHàN?ijoiningworldcitiesthathavebanneddogandcatmeatconsumption.DirectorofInternationalAdvocacyattheSoiDogInternationalFoundationRahulSehgalsaid:SoiDog,asatechnicalsupportorganisationfacilitatingthispioneeringcampaign,commendsHàN?isprogressivedirectiveagainstthedogandcatmeattrade.ThisinitiativedemonstratesacommitmenttoaligningVi?tNamscapitalwithcontemporaryglobalstandards.Wewillcontinueprovidingvariousassistancetofacilitatethismovegoingforward.Thisforcefuldirectiveservesasapivotalcatalystforpositivechangeandprovidestheimpetustoultimatelyeradicatethedogandcatmeattrade,positioningHàN?iasaprogressiveleaderinthissphereamongVietnamesecities.—VNSTheongoingconstructionof??ngVi?tBridgelinkingB?cGiangandH?iD??ngprovinces.—VNSPhotoB?CGIANG—ThenorthernprovinceofB?cGiangwillcontinuetofocusonmobilisingresourcestoinvestindevelopmentofitstransportationinfrastructureinbidtodrivelocalsocio-economicgrowthfromnowuntil2025,anofficialhassaid.Whilestillprioritisingitsownbudget,B?cGiangaimstomobiliseandattractnon-budgetcapitalfortransportationinfrastructuredevelopments(includingStatebudgetfunds,ODA,localgovernmentbonds,landdevelopmentfunds,etc.).Alongwithinvestmentfromenterprisesitaimstodeveloptransportserviceinfrastructuresuchasinlandports,busstationsandparkinglots,ViceChairmanoftheB?cGiangProvincialPeoplesCommitteeLê?Píchsaid.B?cGiangwillbeacceleratingtheprogressofkeyprojectsbeingimplementedbytheCentralGovernment,theprovinceandlocalitiesinB?cGiangunderthe2021-25publicinvestmentplan.Theprovincewillalsospeedupthepreparationandimplementationofprojectsplannedforfundingfromincreasedrevenuesearnedduringthe2021-2025periodtoimprovethedensity,scaleandqualityoftransportationinfrastructure,tofacilitateinternalandregionalconnectivityandsupportindustrial,urban,tourismandnationaldefence.B?cGiangwillcloselycoordinatewiththeMinistryofTransportandothercentralministriestoproceedwithinvestmentproceduresforprojectssuchasseparatingL?cNam(C?mLy)BridgeattwodistancesontheKép-H?LongrailwaylineandexpandingtheX??ngGiangBridgeaspartoftheprojecttobuildanumberofriver-crossingbridgesandtunnelsonNationalHighway1.Additionally,theprovincewillinvestinupgradingnationalhighwaysandaddressingweakbridges,prioritisingearlyinvestmentintheNationalHighway37(Kép-T?Thanintersection-C?mLyBridgesection)andRingRoadVandcompletingtheconstructionofaresidentialbridgeovertheHàN?i-B?cGiangExpressway(inVanTrungCommune,Vi?tYênDistrict),aswellasabridgeconnectingthesouthwesturbanareatotheB?cGiangCityInternationalLogisticsCentre.Forprovincialroads,B?cGiangwillcompleteprojectssuchastheroadconnectingNationalHighway37-NationalHighway17-V?Nhai(TháiNguyênProvince),??ngVi?tBridgeinYênD?ngDistrict,theroadlinkingM?AnPort-NationalHighway31-NationalHighway1,theroadconnectingProvincialRoad295toNationalHighway37inL?ngGiangDistrict,ProvincialRoad295fromB?nTu?nBridgetoCaoTh??ngTownshipandfromCaoTh??ngTownshiptoB?N?iBridgeinTanYênDistrict,theroadfromSu?iN?aLaketoKhu?nTh?n(L?cNg?nDistrict),and??ngS?nBridgeinYênTh?District.B?cGiangwillalsocontinuetoasktheMinistryofTransporttoupgraderailwayinfrastructuretoenhancetrainspeedsandexpandfreightstations,namelySenH?stationinconjunctionwiththeplannedSenH?inlandportandtoconstructaroadbridgeatC?mLyseparatefromtherailwayandtorenovateB?cGiangstation.TheprovincewillactivelysupportinvestorsindevelopinginlandportsapprovedbytheMinistryofTransport(suchasQuangChaupetroleumport,??ngS?ngeneralport,TríYên,HòaPhú,??ngPhúc,andICDH??ngS?nports)andfocusoncompletingtheB?cGiangInternationalLogisticsCentre,amongothers.Thetotalmedium-termpublicinvestmentcapitalofB?cGiangforthe2021-25periodisoverVN?40.6trillion(aboutUS$1.6billion),ofwhichoverVN?9.5billionisallocatedtowards45transportationinfrastructureprojects.Newlyconstructed,cleanroadsinB?cGiangCity.—VNSPhotoB?cGiangCityandthedistrictsofHi?pHòa,L?ngGiang,Vi?tYênandYênD?nghavenumerouslarge-scaleinvestmentprojectsunderwaysuchasthesouthwestmainroadfromáL?BridgetotheendofTanM?Commune(B?cGiangCity,costingVN?273billion),themainroadinthesouthwesturbanareafromThanNhanTrungroadtoNationalHighway1A(B?cGiangCity,costingVN?189billion)andtheNorth-SouthmainroadinHi?pHòaDistrict(costingVN?500billion).YênTh?district,whichhashadfewerlarge-scaleprojectsinrecentyears,gotmoneyin2021foraClassIIIroadfromB?H?connectingtoH?uL?ngDistrict,L?ngS?nProvince,withinvestmentreachingoverVN?260billion.B?cGiangcontinuestomobiliseotherfundingsourcestoacceleratetheprogressofODA-fundedprojectssuchastheáL?BridgeconstructioninB?cGiangCity(investmentofVN?257billion,ADBloan,completed),theLRAMPprojectcomponentforresidentialbridges(VN?126billion,WBloan,nearlycompleted)andundergroundprojectsandresidentialbridgesinethnicminorityandmountainousareasinL?cNam,L?cNg?nandS?n??ngdistricts,valuedataboutVN?380billion,fundedbythenationaltargetprogrammeforsocio-economicdevelopmentinethnicminorityandmountainousareasfor2021-25,centralgovernmentpovertyalleviationsupportandthesustainablepovertyreductionnationaltargetprogrammeforB?cGiangin2021-25,aswellasthenewruraldevelopmentnationaltargetprogramfor2022.Additionally,theMinistryofTransporthasallocatedfundstocompletetherenovationandupgradeoftheNationalHighway31sectionfromB?cGiangCitytoCh?Township(L?cNg?nDistrict)withatotalinvestmentofVN?870billion.Currently,theMinistryofTransporthasapprovedtheinvestmentpolicyforprojectssuchasconstructingC?mLyBridge(onNationalHighway37linkingB?cGiang,H?iD??ng,Qu?ngNinh,andH?iPhòngprovinces)andexpandingX??ngGiangBridge(thesectionpassingthroughB?cGiangCity,ontheHàN?i-B?cGiangExpressway)usingthecentralbudget.Tr?nXuan??ng,DeputyDirectoroftheB?cGiangDepartmentofTransport,saidtheprovincehasbuiltmanynewroads,includingprovincialanddistrictroads.Thenumberofnewlyplannedroadshasincreasedbymorethan700kmtoatotalofover1,000kmofprovincialroads,??ngsaid.Nguy?n??iL??ng,ChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofVi?tYênDistrict,said:Wehaveallocatedthemostresourceswithinourlocalpublicinvestmentfundsfortransportationinfrastructure,withoverVN?2trillion($78.6million)allocatedtoprojectsledbythedistrict.Therefore,mostofthebasictransportationinfrastructureinVi?tYênDistricthasbeenlargelyinvestedaccordingtotheplan.—VNS??ngVi?tBridge.—VNSPhoto
Dr.BùiTi?nHùngexaminesapatient.—VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheStaarSurgicalCompanyhaspresentedtheAward5,000toaVietnameseophthalmologist,Dr.BùiTi?nHùngforhissuccessinover5000PhakicImplantableCollamerLens(ICL)surgeriesinVi?tNam.StaarSurgicalsprestigiousawardhonoursthemostoutstandingphysiciansandsurgicalcentresinusinganddevelopingtheinnovativetechnologyworldwide.Dr.Hùng,amemberoftheVietnamOphthalmologyAssociation,receivedtheinternationalawardforhiscontributiontorefractiveerrorsurgeryandblindnesspreventioninVi?tNam.In2014,Dr.HùngwasoneofthefirstophthalmologistsinVi?tNamtoapplyPhakicICLsurgeryforshortsightedpatients.Todate,Dr.Hùnghasperformedmorethan5,000successfulPhakicICLsurgeries,improvingvisionformanypatients.Inaddition,healsosuccessfullyperformed30,000cataractsurgeriesandhelped25,000casesofshortsightednessusinglasersurgery.Dr.BùiTi?nHùngreceivestheAward5,000fromtherepresentativeofStaarSurgicalCompany.—VNSPhotoTwoyearsafterimplementingthenewsurgicaltechnique,Hùngcompletedhis500thcaseandreceivedtheAward500inMalmo,SwedeninSeptember2016.HealsoreceivedtheAward1,000inLisbon,PortugalinOctober2017,Award2,000inFrancein2019andAward3,000inMilan,Italyin2022.OnMarch12,Dr.Hùngsuccessfullyperformedthe5,000thPhakicICLsurgeryinVi?tNam.ThePhakicICLtechniqueisusedincaseswherelasertreatmentisnotrecommendedandtodatemorethan3millionPhakicICLsurgerieshavebeenperformedworldwide,accordingtoDr.Hùng.InVi?tNam,thefirstpatienttreatedforrefractiveerrorwithphakicICL13yearsagoisstillstable,saidDr.Hùng.ThePhakicICLisasurgicaladjustmentofrefractiveerrorusingahighlysafelensthatistailoredtoeacheyesparametersanddirectlyimplantedbehindtheirisandinfrontofthelens.Thismethodprovideshigh-definitionimageswithouterodingorchangingthecorneashape.TheICLisaverythinlens,similartoacontactlens.ThedifferenceisthattheICLisplacedinsidetheeye,ratherthanonthesurfaceoftheeye.Thelensissoftandtiny,muchlikethenaturallens,butdoesnotreplaceit.TheICLisspeciallyshapedtocorrectmyopia(nearsightedness)andhyperopia(farsightedness).—VNSAruralroadinCùLaoDungDistrictinSócTr?ngProvinceispavedandplantedwithflowers.—VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nPhiSóCTR?NG—Thebuildingofnew-styleruralareasinSócTr?ngProvincesCùLaoDungDistricthasimprovedthelivesofpeopleandtheappearanceofruralareas.LocatedintheH?uRiver,atributaryoftheMekongRiver,theriverineislanddistrictnowhasallitssevencommunesrecognisedasnew-styleunderthecountrysprogrammeofbuildingnew-styleruralareas.Toachievetherecognition,acommunemustmeettheprogrammes19criteriarelatedtoinfrastructure,irrigation,electricity,environment,income,education,healthcare,socialsecurity,cultureandothers.In2002,thedistrictwasestablishedbyseparatingfromLongPhúDistrictandpeoplefacedmanydifficultiesbecauseofthelackofroads,powersupply,schoolsandotherinfrastructurefacilitiesasitisariverineislandisolatedfromthemainland.Ithasatotalareaof24,503haand16,903households.Tr?nThanhNguyên,chairmanofthedistrictPeoplesCommittee,saidtheprogrammehasspreadandreceivedhighconsensusfromresidents.Thedistrictssocio-economicdevelopmentisgood,andtheappearanceofruralareashasimproved,hesaid.Thedistricthasbuiltandexpanded226roadsofatotalof266,600km.Upto99.1percentofhouseholdshaveaccesstopowergrids.Ithasonly53poorhouseholds,accountingfor0.35percent.TheaverageincomepercapitaisVN?62.4million(US$2,400)ayear,up3.5timesfrom2010,whenthedistrictstartedtheprogramme.Thedistricthasstrengtheneditsprotectionoftheenvironmentthroughvariousactivitiessuchasclearingbushes,cleaningsewageareas,collectingrubbishandplantingtrees.InMarch,itstarteda30-dayplanofbeautifyingtheappearanceofthelandscapeandcleaningtheenvironment.Theplanalsostrengthenedadvocacyactivitiestoenhancepublicawarenessaboutkeepingenvironmentalsanitationandacivilisedlifestyle.Thedistricttargetshavingfourofitssevencommunesrecognisedasadvancednew-styleruralcommunesnextyear,whichachievehigherstandardsacrossall19criteriathannew-styleruralareas.AnTh?nhTaywasrecognisedasanadvancednew-styleruralcommunelastyear.Ph?mTr??ngGiang,chairmanofthecommunePeoplesCommittee,saidthecommunessoilandweatherconditionsaresuitedforagricultureproduction.Thecommunehasimplementedmanyfarmingmethodsinwhichtherearelinkagesamongstakeholderstosecuresalesforfarmers.Theyincludegrowingsweetpotato,longanandgreenskin-pinkfleshgrapefruit,whichofferhighincomesforfarmersandhelptoreducepoverty,hesaid.LêV?nútEm,aresidentinAnTh?nhTay,saidthelivesofpeoplehavebeenenhancedandroads,powersupply,schoolsandotherinfrastructurefacilitieshavebeeninvestedinsufficiently.Theincomeofpeopleinthecommunehasincreasedbytwotothreetimessincethefirstyearsofimplementingtheprogramme.Securityandsocialorderaresecured,andthishelpspeoplefeelsecuretodoproductionandbecomewealthy,hesaid.Thedistrictaimstohavetwoexemplarynew-stylecommunesnextyearandtoreceivethisrecognition,theymustachievehigherstandardsacrossall19criteriathanadvancednew-styleareas.AnTh?nh1wasrecognisedearlythisyearasanexemplarynew-stylecommune,becomingthefirstofitskindintheprovince.Ithas2,106householdsand2,980ha,including1,320haoffruits.LêHoàiThanh,chairmanoftheAnTh?nh1PeoplesCommittee,saidthecommunehasco-operatedwithrelevantagenciestotransferscienceandtechnologytofarmersandencouragedthemtoturnunproductiveorchardsintogrowinghigh-valuetrees.Ithasdeveloped68fruitgrowingmodelsinwhichthefarmingofCátChumango,Xu?nglonganandguavaoffershighprofits,hesaid.ThecommunesaverageincomepercapitaismorethanVN?75.5million($2,900)andthepovertyratewas0.35percentlastyear,hesaid.—VNSPeoplechoosefoodatthePhùngKhoangMarketinNamT?LiêmDistrict,HàN?i.TheStateandtheGovernmentsaythatalongsideincreasingwages,theywillcontrolmarketpriceswell.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?SinhHàN?I—Theregionalminimumwagewillincreasebysixpercentstartingnextmonth,butthisisnotalljoyfulnews.Manyworkersareworriedastheyseemarketpricessoar.WagesinthemaintwocitiesinVi?tNam,Region1,willgoupfromVN?4.68million(US$192)toVN?4.96million($204)permonth.ThesixpercentincreaseisequivalenttoariseofVN?250,000inRegion2andVN?220,000and200,000inRegions3and4,respectively.Currently,theminimummonthlysalaryofworkersinenterprisesinRegion2isVN?4.16million,inRegion3itisVN?3.64million($149.4)andinRegion4itisVN?3.25million($133.3).Region1coverstheurbanareasofHàN?iandHCMCity,Region2encompassestheruralareasofHàN?iandHCMCity,alongwithmajorurbanareasinthecountrysuchasC?nTh?,?àN?ngandH?iPhòng,Region3coversprovincialcitiesandthedistrictsofB?cNinh,B?cGiangandH?iD??ngprovincesandRegion4istherestofthecountry.JoyInadditiontoanincreaseinincome,socialinsurancewillalsogoup,inlinewiththenewbasesalary.Thisisgoodnewsforpublicemployees.Nguy?nThuMinh,apreschoolteacherinC?uGi?yDistrict,HàN?i,foundoutaboutthesalaryincreaseafewmonthsago.Sheisveryhappyandhopesherfamilysdailylifewillbeimproved.Inthecurrentdifficulteconomiccontext,evenalittleextramoneyisprecious,shesaid.?inhH?ngH?nh,anofficeemployeeinBa?ìnhDistrictinHàN?i,agreed,saying:Thesalaryraiseisacommonjoyformanyworkerslikeus.Besidesworkattheoffice,wedonthavetimetodoanyotherwork.Therefore,nomatterhowlittleorhowmuchthesalaryincreaseis,wearestillveryexcitedandhopethatwecanlivebetter.DifficultiesHowever,alongwiththejoy,manyworkersareworried.Inreality,formanyyears,everytimeasalarygoesup,workerswillimmediatelyfacetheskyrocketingpricesofgoods,andtheincreasesneverkeeppace.?àoThuH??ng,wholivesinHoàngMaiDistrict,saidthatsheandherhusbandarebothStateemployees.Theyareworriedthatifthesalaryincreasesbyone??ng,thegoodspriceswillalsoincreasebyone??ng,orevendouble.Withthenewpolicy,myfamilystotalincomewillbenearlyVN?15million($587)permonth.Butaroundoneortwomonthsago,pricesofmanyessentialgoodsstartedtointensify,saidH??ng.Expertsbelievethattomakethesalaryraisereallywelcome;itisnecessarytocontrolinflationandstabilisepricesandthemacroeconomy.TheysaytheStateshouldhavestrictcontroloverpricesandseverepunishmentsforthosewhoraisethemunreasonably.AccordingtoeconomicexpertV?VinhPhú,increasingwagesisonlymeaningfulifpricesremainrelativelystable.Hesaid,theremustbepricecontrolsonallessentialgoodssuchaselectricity,water,petrolandfood.Associateprofessor?inhTr?ngTh?nh,seniorlecturerattheAcademyofFinance,saidthatthesalaryreformwassomethingthatmanyworkerswerelookingforwardtobecausethecurrentsalarywastoolowandnotenoughtoliveinbigcities.Butthatjoywillbelimitedbecauseoftheaccompanyingworryofpriceincreasesoutstrippingtheadjustedwage.Th?nhsaidthatmanytimesandovermanyyears,theGovernment,theMinistryofFinance,theMinistryofIndustryandTradeandotherrelevantministriesanddepartmentshaddeterminedthatwhenincreasingwages,theyneedtocontrolmarketpriceswell.Recently,priceshavebeenundermorepressureduetohighergoldpricesandexchangerates,aswellasrisingpricesofinputmaterialsforsomeindustries.Inthefirstfourmonthsofthisyear,inflationwasonly3.53percent,stableanddecreasing.Therefore,stabilisinginflationandthevalueofmoneyneedstomakethehopeofincreasedwages,togetherwithreasonableprices,becomeareality.Ifso,theincreaseinsalarywillbringcompletejoytoworkersasdesiredbytheGovernmentandtheNationalAssembly,saidTh?nh.Th?nhpredictsthattheStatewillmanagethepricesofgoodsitsetsthepricefor,suchashospitalservices,schools,electricity,andwater,sothattheyareappropriate.Inorderforasalaryincreasetoencourageworkerstoworkmoreenthusiastically,itisnecessarytocurbinflation,stabilisepricesandcontrolthemacroeconomyandstrictlyhandleanyviolations,saidTh?nh.—VNS
Nh?n-HàN?iTrainStationUrbanRailwayroute.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–ThePeoplesCommitteeofHàN?ihasdevelopedadetailedmasterplanwiththegoalofcompletingtheurbanrailwaynetworkby2035andmakingitevenlongerby2045.Theplanhasfivespecificgroupsofsolutions,including23policiesandwillbeaguidetohelpHàN?iovercomeallthedifficultiesandchallengesinbuildinganatscaleurbanrailway.AccordingtothedirectoroftheHàN?iMetropolitanRailwayManagementBoard(MRB),Nguy?nCaoMinh,thePeoplesCommitteehassubmittedtothePeoplesCouncilforconsiderationandissuanceofaseparateresolutiononimplementingthemasterplanforinvestmentinbuildingthecapitalurbanrailwaysystem.Thisisconsideredthemostdetailed,specificandcompletescenariotograduallyrealisetheexpectationofcompletingthecityurbanrailwaynetwork,Minhsaid.Undertheplanforthecitystransportby2030andwithaviewthroughto2050approvedbythePrimeMinisterin2016,HàN?iwillbuildtenurbanrailwayroutestoatotallengthof300km.However,basedontheactualdevelopmentofthecityaswellasinternationalexperience,inordertoimprovethecapacityofurbanrailwayscommensuratewiththepositionandscaleofthecapital,HàN?iplanstobuildanadditionalfiveroutes,increasingthetotallinesto15,coveringmorethan600km,withatargetcompletiondateof2045,Minhsaid.PhanTr??ngThành,anexpertonurbanmanagement,saidthattheideaofurbanrailwayplanningforthecapitalhasexistedsincethe1990s,butacompletescenariomasterplanlikethishasneverexisted.Itcanbesaidthatthisisthemostspecificandfeasibleguidelineforthecityintheprocessofreachingaverybiggoal,Thànhsaid.Theprojectnotonlyprovidesalistofscientificallyandreasonablyarrangedurbanrailwayroutes,anticipatingagrowingurbancity,butalsodefinesahyper-detailedroadmap,underwhichinphaseone(by2030)therewillbe96.8kmofurbanrailrunningalongthreelines,with680carriagesinoperation,meeting7-8percentoftheprojectedpublicpassengertransportneeds.Phasetwo,from2030-2035willcompletetheconstructionof301kmofurbanrailwaysacrosssevenlinesandputintooperation2,110carriages,increasingthecitystransportcapacityto35–40percent.Phasethree,from2035-2045,willseetheconstructionof196.2kmoftheremainingroutesusing1,375carriages,completingthecapitalsurbanrailwaynetwork,hesaid.FivegroupsofsolutionsproposedbyHàN?iauthorityforurbanrailwaysfocusonplanning,landrecovery,compensation,support,resettlement,mobilisecapital,projectplanningandproposal,proceduresfordecidinginvestmentpolicies,regulations,technicalstandardsandtechnology.Thesegroupsofsolutionsarefurtherspecifiedinseveralpolicies.TheHàN?iPeoplesCommitteewillbeallowedtoadjustthedesignateduseoflandinthetransit-orienteddevelopment(TOD)areatoexploitthelandfundandaddvaluefromlandtodevelopurbanrailwaylinesandurbanareas.IntheTODarea,thecitycanapplyspecificplanningcriteriainplaceoftheusualgeneralregulationsfortechnical,social,spatialandlanduse.BasedontheCapitalPlanning,thecitywillsetuproutesandlocationsofurbanrailwayprojectsandTODareaplanningatascaleof1per2000tomanageandreservelandforurbanrailwayandTODdevelopment.Themunicipalauthoritydecidesthecontent,order,andproceduresforpreparing,appraising,andapprovingroutesandlocationsofurbanrailwaysandTODareas.Regardingsiteclearanceandlandrecovery,HàN?iispermittedtodecideonthecontent,orderandproceduresofprojectimplementationforprojectappraisalandapproval.Siteclearancewillbecarriedoutintwophasesincludinginstallingpilestoreclaimlandinthedepotareas,routes,stationsandlandacquisitionfortheTODarea.Thecitywillbeallowedtoappointcontractorsforconsultingandconstructionpackagestorelocatetechnicalinfrastructureworksandfortheclearanceofbombsandmines.Intermsofengineeringandtechnology,thecityproposedthatitcandecideontechnicalstandardsandregulationsaswellasnorms,unitprices,implementationmethodsandpaymentsforurbanrailwayprojects.VNSVinhInternationalAirportinNgh?AnProvinceneedsanewrunwayandtaxiway.VNA/VNSPhotoNGH?AN–AirportsCorporationofVi?tNam(ACV)hasissuedadocumentrequestingtheMinistryofTransporttoconsiderandapproveaprojecttoupgradetherunwayandtaxiwayofVinhInternationalAirportinNgh?AnProvince.Theairportsrunwayandtaxiwayhavereachedtheendoftheirdesignlife,whilethenumberofpassengershasincreasedinrecentyears.ACVsreportshowsthatfrom2017untilnow,therunwayandtaxiwayhaveonlybeenmaintainedtoensuretheyareoperationallysafe,buttheyhavenothadanymajoroverhauls.Meanwhile,theairporthascontinuedtobecomebusier,withanaverageincreaseof15percentinvolumefrom2015to2019andpassengernumbersreachingmorethan2.6millionin2022.AccordingtoaninspectionfromAirportDesignandConstructionConsultancyOneMemberLimitedLiabilityCompany(ADCC),therunwayandtaxiwayattheairportbothneedtoberepaired.Theasphaltconcreteroadsurfacehasshowntypicaltypesofdamagesuchasadeformedasphaltsurface,tireruts,cracksandasphaltpeel-offthataffectoperationalsafety.Toensuresafe,sustainable,long-termoperationsandimprovetheoperationalcapacityoftheairport,whichcannowreceivemodernaircraftsuchasthefullyloadedAirbusA320/A321,ACVrecommendedthat,inadditiontoresurfacing,theybuildbrakestripsatbothendsoftherunwaysandrenovateandrepairthesafetystripsforthatandthetaxiway.Therunwayswouldbemadeofsteelmeshandconcretetoprolongitsworkinglifeandprovideadditionalprotectionagainstadverseweatherconditions.ACVestimatedthatthetotalinvestmentoftheprojectisVN?745billion(US$29.1million)usingaviationinfrastructuremaintenancecapital,investedinandmanagedtheState.Theprojectwilltakeaboutfourmonths,soACVrecommendedclosingtheairportaftertheLunarNewYearin2025andfinishingconstructionbeforethesummerpeakin2025,inordertominimisetraveldisruption.ACValsoproposedthattheMinistryofTransportco-ordinatewiththePeoplesCommitteeofNgh?AnProvincetostudyotherinvestmentplansincludinglandclearancework,arrangementoftheapproachlightsystem,increaseoftheflightstripsizeandconstructionofasecurityfence.Oneproposalistore-usetheapproachlightsystemswhichwillberemovedfollowingtheupgradesandrenovationsoftherunwaysatN?iBàiandTanS?nNh?tinternationalairportsfortheproject.VinhInternationalAirportisoneof22airportsmanagedandoperatedbyACV.From1993to2000,theairportsrunwaywasfirstexpandedto2,174mlongand30mwide.Thenin2003itwasfurtherextendedto2,400mand45msothatitcouldlandtheAirbusA320andA321planesortheirequivalent.VNS
StateAuditorGeneralNg?V?nTu?nrespondstoquestionsattheNationalAssemblyonWednesday.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nPh??ngHoaHàN?I—Therearestillscoresofauditrecommendationsgoingunheeded,amountingtomorethanVN?67trillion(US$2.6billion).ThatwastheresponseofNg?V?nTu?n,StateAuditorGeneraloftheStateAuditOffice,toNationalAssemblyDeputyMaiTh?ThúysquestiononWednesday.TheQAsessionwaspartoftheongoingseventhsessionofthe15thNationalAssembly.DeputyMaTh?ThúyfromTuyênQuangexpressedherconcernthatabout59percentofauditrecommendationsremainunimplemented,duetoauditedpartiesdraggingtheirfeet.ShequestionedtheSAGabouttheissueandrequestedsolutions.TheStateAuditorGeneralacknowledgedthedelaysandsaidhisofficeisworkingonwaystoensureauditedentitiesfollowthroughonauditfindings.AnotherquestionraisedbydeputyNguy?nTh?Y?nNhifromB?nTrewaswhysofewcasesuncoveredbyauditorshavebeenreferredtothepoliceforinvestigation.Tu?nsaidhisofficehadissued1,345financialreportsinthepastfiveyears,with19casesbeingflaggedforpotentiallegalviolations.Despiteafewcasesendingupwithinvestigators,theofficehadsparednoeffortinfightingcorruption.Ithadprovided1,609dossierstoinspectionagenciestosupporttheirinvestigationsandprosecutions.Hepledgedtocontinueprovidingcomprehensivedossierstotheagenciesandenhancingthequalityofauditreportstofacilitatetheidentificationandprosecutionoffraudsters.DeputyHà??cMinhfromLàoCaiquestionedtheSAGabouttheaccountabilityoftheStateAuditOfficeiftherearediscrepanciesbetweenauditfindingsconductedbytheofficeandsubsequentinvestigationsbyotheragencies.Tu?nrespondedbyemphasisingthelegalframeworkregulatingaccountabilityincasesofdiscrepancies.HecitedArticle68oftheLawonPreventionandCombatingCorruption,whichholdsauditagenciesresponsibleforaddressingsuchinconsistencies.Incaseswhereauditreportsdonotdetectanyviolationsbutsubsequentinvestigationsbyotheragenciesrevealwrongdoing,athoroughinvestigationintothematterisnecessary.Ifanyfaultisfound,appropriateactionwillbetaken,whetherintheformofcriminaloradministrativechargesandthelawclearlyoutlinestheresponsibilitiesofauditorsandtheofficeinsuchcases.Tu?nalsoaddressedaconcernraisedbyDeputyNguy?nNg?cS?nfromH?iD??ngregardingthequalifiedwithexceptionsauditopinionanditsimpactonauditquality.Tu?nexplainedthattheofficehastheauthoritytoissuefourtypesofopinions,namelyunqualifiedopinion,qualifiedopinionwithexceptions,adverseopinionanddisclaimerofopinion.Hesaidwhilethequalifiedwithexceptionsopiniondoesnotcompromisetheoverallqualityoftheaudit,itdoesaffecttheeffectivenessoftheofficesactivities.Thisopinionistypicallyissuedwhenanauditedentityfailstoprovidesufficientdocumentationtotheauditteam,hinderingitsabilitytodrawdefinitiveconclusionsandrecommendations.Healsorevealedthattheofficehadissued663reportsrecommendingdisciplinaryactionagainstindividualsoverthepastfiveyears.FollowingTu?nsquestioning,theMinisterofCulture,SportsandTourismNguy?nV?nHùngfacedquestionsregardingculturaltopicsintourism.DeputyChauQu?nhDaofromKiênGiangexpressedconcernsaboutthegrowingtrendofreplicatingforeigntourismproducts,arguingthatitcoulderodeVi?tNamsculturalidentity.Inresponse,theMinisterhighlightedthepositivegrowthofVi?tNamstourismsectorinthefirstfivemonthsoftheyear,attributingittotheenactmentoftwolegaldocumentsissuedbytheGovernment.HeacknowledgedtheexistenceofsomeproductsthatdeviatefromthelegalguidelinesbutemphasisedtheimportanceofculturalexchangeandtheneedtoembraceelementsfromotherculturestoenhanceVi?tNamsculturalheritage.DeputyV?Th?LiênH??ngfromQu?ngNg?iunderlinedthepotentialofnighttourismtorevitaliseVi?tNamstourismindustryandrequestedtheMinistertosharehisthoughtsonthismatter.TheMinisterrespondedbyunderliningthegovernmentsDecisionNO.1129onApprovingtheSchemefortheNighttimeEconomy,whichtaskedtheMinistrywithdevelopingnighttourismproducts.HerevealedthattheMinistryhadintroducednighttourismproductsin12provincesandcitiesandobtainedpositivefeedbackfromtourists.However,theMinistry,hesaid,stillhadalottodobeforenighttourismcouldgaintractionacrossthecountry.—VNS
Watertransportvehiclescarryinggoodscirculateoninlandwaterways.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofTransportwillconductacomprehensiveinspection,review,andproposeguidelinesforhandlingillegalwaterwaywharves.AccordingtoareportbytheVi?tNamInlandWaterwaysDepartment,thereareatotalof5,553inlandwaterwayportsandwharvesthathavebeenannounced,licensed,andarecurrentlyinoperation.Thisincludes310portsand5,243wharves.Meanwhile,thereare1,900unauthorisedinlandwaterwayportsandwharves,ofwhich991haveexpiredlicensesand909operatewithoutpermission.InthetwoprovincesofB?cNinhandB?cGiangalone,thereare134wharveswithexpiredlicensesthatcontinuetooperatewithoutpermission.B?cGiangProvincehas82wharveslocatedontheTh??ng-L?cNamriversandC?uRiver,whileB?cNinhProvincehas58wharvesoperatingontheC?uand?u?ngrivers.Despiteimplementingmanymeasurestolimitandhandleunlicensedportsandwharves,thesituationremainscomplexduetotheexistenceofmanywharvesthatarenotunderthedepartmentsmanagement,saidBùiThiênThu,directoroftheVi?tNamInlandWaterwaysDepartment.Somewharveshaveexistedforalongtime,Thusaid,andthedepartmentsinspectionforcelackstheauthoritytosanctionadministrativeviolations.So,theycanonlyremindviolatorsandmakerecommendationstolocalauthoritiesonhandling.Facedwiththissituation,theMinistryofTransporthasinstructedthedepartmenttosetupacomprehensiveinspectionplanforportsandwharvesnationwidefromJuly1toDecember31thisyear.However,theministryalsonotedthathandlingviolationsandsuspendingtheoperationsofwaterwayterminalsrequiresassessingtheimpactontransportationandproposingsolutionstoovercomechallengeswhilecreatingfavourableconditionsforbusinesses.Theupcominggeneralinspectionwillhelptheministryclearlyassesstheshortcomingsandproblems,therebyenablingtheproposalofamendmentsandsupplementstoregulationsandlegaldocumentsrelatedtoinlandwaterwayactivities,thuscreatingfavourableconditionsforthesafeandsustainabledevelopmentofwatertransport,Thusaid.—VNSAircraftparkingatN?iBàiInternationalAirportinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoHuyHùngHàN?I—TheMinistryofTransporthasorderedbettercontrolandmanagementofairfaresfromStateagenciesincludingtheCivilAviationAuthorityofVietnam(CAAV),theTransportDevelopmentStrategyInstitute(TDSI)andtheAirportsCorporationofVietnam(ACV).Statisticsshowthattheaveragepriceforeconomyclassticketsonseveraldomesticrouteshassurgedbyupto25percentyear-on-year.TheCAAVhasbeenorderedtoconductresearchandproposesolutionstoreduceticketpricesondomesticflightswhileharmonisingtheibenefitsoftheState,businessesandpassengers.TheauthoritywillalsoworkwiththeVietnamNationalAdministrationofTourism,localities,localairlinesandtravelagenciestodevelopservice‘combos,whichareexpectedtodiversifythemarketproductsandsupplychainsandreducecosts.ThetransportministryalsoorderedtheCAAVtoensurecompliancewithlawsonflightticketsalesandlistingsamongairlinesandenforceanyviolationsofpricingregulations.Thiscanbedonewiththeassistanceofspecialisedinspectionunitswhennecessary.Inadditiontoincreasingcapacityondomesticflightroutes,theCAAVwillalsofacilitateaddingmoreaircrafttoexistingfleetsinresponsetorisingtraveldemandsinpeakseasons,includingsummerandattheendoftheyear.Meanwhile,theTDSIisresponsibleforcoordinatingthedevelopmentofdatabasesrelatedtoairtraveldemandsandairfaresondomestic,regionalandinternationalroutes.Thisisexpectedtocontributetoanalysis,forecastsandpolicyadvicetoenhancetransportcapacity,therebyreducingtravelpricestoboosttourismactivitiesandeconomicgrowth.Localairlineshavealsobeenorderedtostrictlyadheretoregulationsondomesticairtransportaswellaspricelistings.Passengerticketpricecomponentsmustbedeclaredinfullandcannotmisleadcustomers.Carriersalsoneedtoadoptflexiblefarerangesaswellaspromotionpoliciesfordomesticflightsinalignmentwithtraveldemandsduringmajortourismandfestivalprogrammes,inadditiontoincreasingthesizeoftheirfleets.Theymustalsobeproactiveininformingtheircustomersaboutpromotionsandtourismproductsthroughthemedia,travelagencies,tourismdepartmentsandlocalities.—VNS
AforgedEnglishbachelorsdegreeseizedbypoliceinthedegreesellingscandalinvolving??ng??University.—Photolaodong.vnHàN?I—EnglishBachelorsDegreeProgrammes(EBDPs)haveskyrocketedinrecentyearsasmanypeopleseeasecondbachelorsdegreeinEnglishasagoldentickettocareeradvancement.However,theemergenceofEBDPswithdistancelearningoptionsandheavilyadvertisedpromisesofeasyadmission,easygraduationhasraisedconcernsaboutthequalityofeducationtheyprovide.TheissueisfurthercomplicatedbythefactthatseveraluniversitieswithoutatrackrecordofforeignlanguageeducationareofferingEBDPsdespitelackingthenecessaryexpertiseandresources.Andsomelearnershavetakenadvantageofthismixed-qualitysituationtoswitchfromreputable,quality-focusedprogrammestomorelenientonestobypassstringentqualitycontrol.N.H.L.,whoobtainedaseconddegreeinEBDP,revealsthatsheoptedforEBDPratherthantakingtheIELTStestbecausethedegreehaspermanentvalidityandoffersgreatflexibilityforfuturestudyandwork.ObtaininganIELTScertificateof5.5orhighertomeetdoctoralrequirementsischallenginganddelaysinthesiscompletioncanresultinexpiredcertificates,saidL.Meanwhile,adegreeofferslifetimevalidityandenjoyssimilarrecognitionascertificatesindoctoralpursuit.Therecentdegreesellingscandalat??ng??Universityhasfueledpublicscepticismaboutthequalityoftheseprogrammes.Someexpertssuggestimposingatwo-yearvalidityonsecondEnglishdegrees,similartointernationalcertificates,toensurelearnerscontinuouslystrivetoavoidknowledgeloss.However,othersarguethattheproposalwouldbeunreasonablelegallyandpractically,asdegreescertifycompletionofprofessionalknowledge,whichremainsvalidindefinitely.Nguy?n??cNgh?a,formerVicePresidentofVietnamNationalUniversityHCMCity,believesthatifseconddegreesinforeignlanguagesareallowedtolimittheirvalidity,thenallseconddegreesinotherfieldsmustimposesimilarrestrictionsforthesakeoffairness.Limitedvalidityonallseconddegreesisunreasonable,saidNgh?a.LêVi?tKhuy?n,VicePresidentoftheVietnamUniversitiesandCollegesAssociation,attributestherushforsecondEnglishdegreestojobandeducationalrequirements.Butnoteveryonehasthetimetostudywhileworking,resultingindegree-holdersinnameonly,saidKhuy?n.ThevicepresidentsuggestsrequiringproficiencyinallfourEnglishskillsorinternationalcertificatesforthosewishingtopursueadoctoratetoensuretheydonotobtainthedegreesforshowonly.HoàngNg?cVinh,formerDirectorofVocationalEducationDepartment,MinistryofEducationandTraining,emphasisestheneedforstrictqualitycontrolonsecondEnglishdegrees.Heurgestheministrytoregularlyinspectandsuperviseeducationalinstitutionsandenforceheavypenaltiesforviolationsregardingqualitycontrol.Healsocallsonlearnerstoshifttheirmindsetfromlearningforadegreetolearningforknowledge.Therearetwoformsofsecond-degreetraining:full-time,whichinvolveson-campusclasses,andpart-time,whichinvolvesdistancelearning.TheHigherEducationLawpassedonNovember19,2018,statesthatfull-timeandpart-timedegreesholdthesamevalue,facilitatingdiverselearningpathsforgraduates.Thetrainingperiodforapart-timedegreeinEnglishLanguagerangesfromtwoto2.5years,dependingontheprogrammeandthestudentsfirstdegree.—VNSPeoplein??kL?kProvincedonatebloodfollowingtheRedJourneyopeningceremony.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàiThu??KL?K—The12thnationalRedJourneyprogramme,adrivetoincreaseblooddonations,startedinBu?nMaThu?tCity,theCentralHighlandsprovinceof??kL?k.TheceremonywasorganisedbytheNationalInstituteofHematologyandBloodTransfusion(NIHBT)andtheprovincialSteeringCommitteeforVoluntaryBloodDonation.Speakingattheceremony,AssociateProfessorNguy?nHàThanh,directoroftheNIHBTandalsoheadoftheprogrammesorganiser,saidthataftermorethanadecade,theRedJourneyhadbecomethelargestblooddonationcampaigninVi?tNam.Todate,theprogrammehasattractedmillionsofparticipantsandreceivedover815,000unitsofblood.The12thRedJourneythisyearwilltakeplacein51provincesandcitiesacrosstwomonths,witharecordnumberoflocalitiesnowtakingpart.ItcanbeagreedthattheRedJourneyhasbecomeaprofoundsocialactivity,asymbolofcompassionandcompatriotism,hesaid.ThesloganRedJourney–ConnectingVietnameseBloodhasbecomearallyingcry,callingforpeopletouniteandjointhecampaign.TheRedJourneythisyearaimstotellmorethanamillionpeoplethinkingaboutblooddonationandhemolyticdisease,receiveatleast120,000unitsofbloodandgetatleast8,000volunteerstotakepartinhelpingoutwithhumanitarianactivitiesatlocaldonationpoints.Attheopeningceremony,BùiTh?Hòa,StandingDeputyHeadoftheNationalSteeringCommitteeforVoluntaryBloodDonationCampaignandChairwomanoftheVi?tNamRedCrossAssociation,urgedthesteeringcommitteesforlocalblooddonationstosetgoalsandtargetstodevelopplansinaccordancewithactualconditions.Groupswhohavealreadyansweredthecalltobecomedonorsandhaverespondedpositivelyaretheyoung,studentsandthearmedforces,whilebusinessesandreligiousordershavebeenlessresponsive.Localareas,shesaid,shouldpromoteformsofcommunicationaboutthehumanevalues??ofblooddonationandhoworgandonationcansavepeopleslives.Hòaexpressedhergratitudetothecompassionatepeoplewhoarewillingtosharepreciousdropsofbloodtosavelives,callingonallpeopletoregistertodonatetissuesandorgansinthespiritofOpeningkindness-Spreadinglove-Lightingfaith-Continuinghope-Sowingseedsoflife.Chairmanofthe??kL?kProvincePeoplesCommitteeawardedcertificatesofmerittofourindividualsfromtheNIHBTwithachievementsintheprovincesblooddonationintheperiod2014-24andhonoured56outstandingblooddonorsthisyear.Followingtheactualopeningceremony,morethan1,000peopleintheprovinceregisteredtodonatebloodwhile600unitsofbloodonthedayitself.—VNS
Itisnecessarytoboostcommunicationsongreenproductivityinsmall-andmedium-sizedbusinessesinVi?tNam,expertssaid.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Inthecontextofrapidurbanisationandindustrialisation,theapplicationofgreenproductivitybringsbenefitstobusinesses,saidNguy?nTùngLam,DeputyDirectoroftheVi?tNamProductivityInstituteundertheDirectorateforStandards,MetrologyandQuality.Theapplicationhelpsminimisewasteinproductionandbusinessactivities,saveproductioncosts,thuscreatingenvironmentallyfriendlyproductsandservices,anddevelopingresponsiblebusinesses,heexplained.Since1998,theVi?tNamProductivityCentre(nowtheVi?tNamProductivityInstitute)hascarriedoutapilotgreenproductivityprogrammethroughprojectssponsoredbytheAsianProductivityOrganisation(APO).Theprogrammeshighlightistheimplementationofcommunity-basedgreenproductivitymodelsin20provincesandcitiesacrossthecountry,mainlyintheagriculturalandservicesectors.Itmakeslocalsandbusinessesclearabouttheconceptofgreenproductivityaswellasapproachanduseoftoolstoanalyseandassessmattersinordertogivepriority.Vi?tNamimplementedgroupsofsolutionsandtoolsincommunityinsteadofinthemanufacturingenterprisesectorasusual,Lamsaid,addingthatthesuccessfulapplicationincommunityishighlyappreciatedbytheAPOanditsmembers.Throughtheprogramme,peoplesqualityoflifeandenvironmentalconditionshavebeensignificantlyimprovedthankstotheimplementationofaseriesofgreenproductivitysolutionssuchasapplyingbiogastechnologyandbuildingcentralisedwatersupplystationstoensurecleanwatersupplyforlocals,andtheapplicationofintegratedpestmanagement(IPM)techniquestoreducetheamountofpesticidesandchemicalfertilisers.Thegreenproductivityprogrammealsoaffirmsitsadvantageinbothenvironmentalprotectionandcommunitydevelopmentsolutionssuchasmushroomgrowing,wormraising,orenergy-savingkitchenmodels.Besides,theapplicationofgreenproductivityhasbroughtpracticalbenefitstomanybusinesses.Forexamples,greenproductivitysolutionshavehelpedtheHi?pThànhPaperJSCreducetheaverageamountofinputpaperwasteby4percent,andsaveenergymonthly.Thankstogreenproductivity,theHùngH?uFruitandVegetableCo.Ltdhasreducedwaterandelectricityconsumptionby15percent,cutwastetreatmentcostsbyupto10percent,andreducedworkerstimeineachstageby16.67percent.However,expertsassessthatmeetinggreenproductivitycriteriainthebusinesssectorisstilllimited.AccordingtoAssociateProfessor,Dr.V?HoàngNam,headoftheScientificManagementDepartmentatForeignTradeUniversity,greenproductivitymodelshavebeenappliedinmanyprojectsandbusinesses,butmainlyinlarge-sizedones.Meanwhile,themajorityofenterprisesinVi?tNamaresmallandmediumsized.Therefore,itisnecessarytoboostcommunicationsongreenproductivityinbusinesses.InVi?tNam,legalcriteriaongreenproductivityhavebeenbuiltintomanagementsystems,suchasISO14000environmentalmanagementsystem,ISO50001energymanagementsystem,solutionsforgreensupplychainmanagement,GlobalAgriculturalPracticesmodel,toolsinstatisticsandqualitymanagement5Sand3R.AssociateProfessor,Dr.PhanChíAnh,DirectoroftheCentreforBusinessAdministrationStudiesundertheUniversityofEconomicsandBusiness–Vi?tNamNationalUniversity,HàN?i,saidthatitistimetomakegreenproductivitymandatory.Regardingthisissue,inDecisionNo1322/Q?-TTgdatedAugust31,2020approvingthenationalprogrammetosupportbusinessesinimprovingproductivityandqualityofproductsandgoodsinthe2021-2030period,thePrimeMinisteraskedforresearchandimplementationofgreenproductivitysolutions,andatthesametimesupportforenterprisestoapplygreenproductivity.Astheresults,theapplicationofgreenproductivityisdrasticallypromotedinthebusinesssector,creatingmotivationsforthissectortoincreasinglyparticipateinthegreenproductivityprogramme.—VNSHCMCityhasonlydisbursedabout8percentoftotalpublicinvestmentcapitalinthefirstfivemonthsoftheyear.Photobaomoi.comHCMCITY—TheHCMCitydisbursedonlyVN?6.55trillion(US$267.1million)ofpublicinvestmentinthefivemonthsofthisyear,oronly8.3percentoftheyearstarget,accordingtotheCitysStateTreasury.Therefore,deputydirectoroftheCitysStateTreasuryBùiNh?tToànsaidthatheiscoordinatingwiththeDepartmentofFinanceandDepartmentofPlanningandInvestmenttoadvisetheCityPeoplesCommitteeonsolutionstoacceleratepublicinvestmentdisbursement.Toreachapublicinvestmentdisbursementtargetofatleast95percentthisyear,theCityPeoplesCommitteerequesteddepartments,agencies,districts,andTh???cCitytotaketheinitiativeinco-operationwithrelevantagenciestoremovedifficultiestospeeduptheexecutionofprojects.Specifically,forkeyprojects,investorsneedtosubmitweeklyreportstorelevantagenciestopromptlyupdatethespecificcapitalamountanddisbursementrateofeachmonth,aswellasanydifficultiesandproblems.Forprojectsthatarebehindschedule,themunicipalDepartmentofPlanningandInvestmentwillcoordinatewithrelevantunitstoreviewandurgeinvestorstoacceleratetheprogressofprojects.Atthesametime,theCitywillresolutelyhandletheresponsibilityofinvestorswhocannotensureconstructionprogressduetosubjectivereasons.—VNS