SpeakersattheReducingEmissionsfromTransportationandGreenEnergyTransitionTowardsEnvironmentalProtectiontable.Photokinhtedothi.vnHCMCITYElectricandclean-fuelvehiclesarebecomingmoreattractivetoconsumersfortheirenvironmentalbenefits,accordingtogreenenergyexpertsinaconferenceheldinH?ChíMinhCityonThursday.TakingplaceduringtheannualVietnamMotorShow,theforum,titled,ReducingEmissionsfromTransportationandGreenEnergyTransitionTowardsEnvironmentalProtectionbroughttogetherexpertsandpioneeringcompaniesinthegreenvehicleandrenewableenergysectors.Expertshighlightedthatelectricvehiclesarecurrentlythemosttalked-aboutgreenenergyvehicles.Vehicles,whichuseelectricitytopartiallyorfullyreplacetheroleofinternalcombustionengines,fallintotwomaincategories:hybridandfullyelectric.Hybridvehiclescombineinternalcombustionengineswithelectricmotorsanddifferentmanufacturersvarythepowerratiobetweenthesecomponentsbasedonvehicledesign.Thebatteryofahybridvehiclecanbechargedexternally(plug-inhybridelectricvehicles-PHEV)orbyrecoveringthevehicleskineticenergy.Fullyelectricvehicles(EVs),ontheotherhand,entirelyeliminateinternalcombustionengines,featuringanelectricmotorandahigh-capacitybatterylocatedbeneaththevehiclesfloor.Withzeroemissions,fullyelectricvehiclesareanidealsolutionforreducingairpollution.ThistrendofgoinggreenintermsoftransportisbecomingmorevisibleinVi?tNam,ashybridandfullyelectricvehiclesareincreasinglypopularacrossvariousbrands,frommainstreamtoluxury.InVi?tNam,fullyelectricvehiclesbenefitfromaspecialconsumptiontaxof3percent,whilePHEVsaretaxedat70percent,withnospecifictaxincentivesforregularhybrids.Alongsideelectrification,usingstandardisedfuelswithlowpollutantcontentcanalsohelpreduceharmfulemissions.SpecialistsattheconferencenotedthatVi?tNamselectricvehiclemarketisadvancing,supportedbygovernmentpoliciesandagrowingdemandforeco-friendlytransportation.Despitethisprogress,theelectricvehicletransitionfacessignificantchallenges,particularlyintermsofinfrastructure,suchaschargingstations,whicharestillinsufficientfortheneedsofelectricvehicleusers.Theyagreedthatrobustinvestmentsininfrastructureareessential.Inaddition,Euro5fuelplaysacrucialroleinreducingairpollutionandimprovingqualityoflife.Thisfuelstandardhelpsdecreasetoxicemissionsfromtraditionalvehicleswhileaidingtheshifttowardselectricvehicles.Italsoenhancesengineefficiency,lowersfuelconsumptionandextendsavehicleslifespan.VNS

Thedecreespecifiesthatupontheendofthesetrialperiods,businessesmustceaseallowingVietnamesecitizenstogambleuntiltheGovernmentissuesadecreeeitherendingorcontinuingpermissionforVietnamesecitizenstoplayatcasinos.Photochinhphu.vnHàN?I—TheVietnamesegovernmentisextendingthepilotprogrammetoallowVietnamesetogambleincasinos,accordingtoanewlyissueddecree.RegardingthepilotprogrammepermittingVietnamesecitizenstogambleatcasinos,thedecreestatedthatthepilotperiodisthreeyearsfromthedatethefirstcasinobusinessallowsVietnamesecitizenstoplay.Afterthreeyears,theGovernmentwillreview,evaluateanddecideonwhethertocontinuepermittingVietnamesecitizenstogambleatcasinosortoterminatethelicence.In2016,thePolitburoapprovedathree-yearpilotprogrammepermittingVietnamesecitizenstogambleatcasinosinPhúQu?cIsland(inthesouthernprovinceofKiênGiang)andVan??n(inthenorthernprovinceofQu?ngNinh).However,onlyPhúQu?cscasinobeganoperationsinJanuary2019,withthepilotprogrammescheduledtoconcludeinJanuary2022.In2022,theMinistryofFinanceproposedextendingthepilotfortwoadditionalyearsinPhúQu?c,citingtheCOVID-19pandemicsimpactoncasinooperationsandlimitedtrialresults.InMay,thePolitburoapprovedextendingthepilotprogrammeatPhúQu?cuntiltheendofthisyear.FortheVan??nproject,thethree-yearpilotwillbeginoncethecasinobecomesoperational(itisnotyetopen).Toswiftlycodifythispilotextension,theGovernmentissuedDecreeNo.145/2024/N?-CPonNovember4,2024,amendingClause2,Article12ofDecreeNo.03/2017/N?-CPtooutlinepilotprogrammedurationsasfollows:Forthefirstlicensedcasinobusiness,thepilotprogrammeisextendeduntilDecember31,2024,forothercasinoslicensedtoconductthepilot(ifany),thetrialperiodisthreeyearsfromthedateofbusinesscertification.Thedecreespecifiesthatupontheendofthesetrialperiods,businessesmustceaseallowingVietnamesecitizenstogambleuntiltheGovernmentissuesadecreeeitherendingorcontinuingpermissionforVietnamesecitizenstoplay.TheMinistryofFinance,incollaborationwiththeMinistryofPublicSecurity,theMinistryofPlanningandInvestment,theMinistryofCulture,SportsandTourism,theStateBankofVi?tNamandtheprovincialPeoplesCommitteesoverseeingthepilotcasinos,willconductassessmentsandreporttotheGovernmentonthefeasibilityofcontinuingorendingVietnamesecitizenaccess.ThesereportsareduebyNovember30,2024,forthefirstcasinotoreceiveapilotlicenceandsixtydaysbeforetheendofanysubsequenttrialperiodsforothercasinos.Basedonthecompetentauthoritiesfindings,theGovernmentwillissuearesolutiononwhethertoendorcontinuepermittingVietnamesecitizenstogambleatcasinos.Currently,ninecasinosoperateinVi?tNam,includingsixsmall-scalecasinosin??S?n(H?iPhòng),L?iLai,HoàngGiaandH?ngV?nHotel(Qu?ngNinh),InternationalHotel(LàoCai),SilverShores(?àN?ng).Therearethreelarge-scalecasinosinNamH?iAn(Qu?ngNam),H?Tràm(BàR?a-V?ngTàu)andPhúQu?c(KiênGiang).Amongthese,PhúQu?csCoronaCasino,developedbyPhúQu?cTourismInvestmentandDevelopmentJSC,hasbeenoperationalsince2019,setwithinacomplexwithatotalinvestmentexceedingVN?50trillion(US$1.97billion).ItiscurrentlytheonlycasinoallowingVietnamesecitizenstogamble.—VNSSinceitslaunchin2008,theprogrammehasconnectedmorethan46,000schools,includingthoseinremoteareas,providingfreeinternetaccessto25millionstudents,teachersandstaff.PhotocourtesyofViettelHàN?I—ViettelisthirdinFortunesChangetheWorld2024list,whichhonoursglobalcompaniesmakingasignificantpositiveimpactonsocietyandsustainabledevelopment.ViettelistheonlyVietnamesecompanyonthelistandtheonlytelecomcompanytoberecognisedthisyear.Therankinghighlightscompaniesthatleadinareassuchasclimateaction,educationandpublichealth.Viettelearneditsspotforitsinternetforschoolinitiative,whichhasimprovededucationqualityinVi?tNamanditstenoverseasmarkets.Sinceitslaunchin2008,theprogrammehasconnectedmorethan46,000schools,includinginremoteareas,providingfreeinternetaccessto25millionstudents,teachersandstaff.WithaninvestmentofaroundVN?2trillion(US$80million)over16years,Viettelhasdevelopedcriticaldigitalinfrastructureforeducation,enablingonlineteaching,learningandaccesstoresources.TheinitiativehashelpedincreaseinternetaccessinVi?tNamfrom15to85percent.ChairmanandCEOofViettel,MajorGeneralTào??cTh?ngsaid,Viettelsmissionistomaketheinternetaccessibletoall.Wehaveconnectedschoolswithultra-broadbandfibreoptics,creatingthefoundationforthegrowthofdigitallearningapplications.Beyondprovidingthenecessaryinfrastructure,Vietteliscommittedtodevelopingeducation-focusedtechnologies,creatingeducationalcontent,buildinganationaleducationdatabaseandimplementingane-educationsystem,includingonlinelearningresourcesandplatformsforteachingandlearning.ThecompanywasrecentlyalsorankedbyBrandFinanceasthestrongesttelecombrandinAsiafor2024.—VNS

Tr?nKh?c??c,29,wasarrestedbyHCMCityPoliceonSaturdayforthreateningnationalsecurity.—PhotocourtesyofHCMCityPoliceHCMCITY—Vietnameseauthoritieshavearresteda29-year-oldmanforallegedlythreateningnationalsecurityandpoliticalstabilityinconnectionwiththeso-called‘Democraticmulti-partycoalition.Tr?nKh?c??cwasarrestedbytheHCMCityPoliceonSaturdayforproductionanddisseminationofmaterialsopposingtheSocialistRepublicofVi?tNamunderArticle117ofthePenalCode.BeingpartoftheDemocraticmulti-partycoalition,??cisaccusedofhavingfollowedinstructionsfromitsleadersandwrittenarticlesthatinsultnationalleadersanddistorthistoricalfacts.Heisalsochargedwithbuildingdomesticsupportforthegroup,whichauthoritiesdeemaseriousthreat.Beforethearrest,hehadbeenwarnedmultipletimesabouthisactivities.ThecoalitionisledbyanindividualwithaVietnamesenameidentifiedasNguy?nGiaKi?ngcurrentlylivinginFrance,withnationalitybeingunclear,thepolicetoldlocalmedia.Theorganisationisreportedtobeusingsocialmediaplatformsforthepurposeofrecruitingmembers,violatingVietnameselaw,accordingtothepolice.Authoritiessaythatinthewest,democracyisoftenequatedwithmulti-partyelections,leadingmanytoviewsingle-partysystemsasrepressive.Vi?tNamsdemocraticpoliticalsystemis,however,solelyledbytheCommunistPartyofVi?tNam,anotionthatmayconfusethoseeducatedinthewest.—VNSC?uGi?yStationoftheHàN?iMetroLine3Nh?n-HàN?iStation.—VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nAnhHàN?I—The8kmelevatedsectionofHàN?iMetroLine3Nh?n-HàN?iStationhasbeenofficiallyinauguratedafterthreemonthsofcommercialoperationsataceremonyheldbytheHàN?iPeoplesCommitteeonSaturday.Theconstructionworksoftheundergroundsection(4additionalstationsconnectingtoHàN?iStation)havealsostartedlastJuly.ViceChairmanofHàN?iPeoplesCommitteeD??ng??cTu?nsaidthattherealityshowsthatwheretransportinfrastructuregoes,developmentfollows.Urbanmetroisahigh-quality,environmentallyfriendlytransportmethodthatmanycountrieshavebeenprioritisingtoresolvecongestionandpollution,Tu?nsaid,addingthattheurbanmetrodevelopmentisakeytaskforthecapitalcityinthenewera.Followingtheceremony,whichaffirmedthecommitmenttodevelopingthecapitalsurbanrailwaysystemtowardstheNetZerotargetby2050,thedelegatescarriedouttheplaqueattachingceremonyfortheprojectincelebrationofthe70thanniversaryoftheCapitalsLiberation(October10,1954-October10,2024).Thismilestonemarksanimportantstepinaprojectheraldedasaprominentexampleofinternationalcooperationinsustainableurbantransport,involvingVi?tNam,Franceandglobalfinanciers—theFrenchDevelopmentAgency(AFD),theEuropeanInvestmentBank(EIB),andtheAsianDevelopmentBank(ADB),whilealsosupportingVi?tNamsgreentransitioninlinewiththeJustEnergyTransitionPartnership(JETP)bypromotinglow-carbon,publictransportationoptionstoreduceurbanemissions.Line3benefitsfromsignificantfinancialsupportfromFrance,which,throughtheDirectorateGeneraloftheTreasury(MinistryofEconomy,FinanceandIndustrialandDigitalSovereignty)andtheAFD,hasprovidedconcessionalfinancingtoVi?tNamtotallingover500millioneuros.TheADBandtheEIBsglobalarm,EIBGlobal,alsocontributedwidelytoitsfunding,withADBproviding$407.8millionandEIBGlobalcontributing141millioneuros.Line3isexpectedtocontinueitsrouteunderTr?nH?ng??oStreet(HoànKi?mDistrict)neartheHàN?iStationandthensouthwardstoHoàngMai.Forthisextension,Vi?tNamexpectstoreceivefinancialsupportfromtheTeamEurope,includingAFD,andKfWDevelopmentBank,andtheADB.HàN?isleadersandforeignpartnersparticipatedintheplaqueerectionfortheHàN?iMetroLine3asaprojectconductedincommemorationofthe70thanniversaryoftheCapitalsLiberation(October10,1954-October10,2024).—VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nAnhTheinaugurationoftheelevatedsectionofHàN?iMetroLine3–thesecondlinetobecomeoperationalinVi?tNam–demonstratesthecapabilityofVietnameseandinternationalteamstosuccessfullyundertakecomplexandambitiousurbantransportprojects.ItalsoreflectsthecommitmentofpartnercountriesandinternationalfinancialinstitutionstosupportVi?tNamincombatingclimatechangebyprovidingthecountrywithtechnicalsolutionsthatmeetthehighestinternationalstandards.Uponitscompletion,theMetroLine3isexpectedtocontributetoreduce33,150tonsofCO2equivalentperannum.OlivierBrochet,AmbassadorofFrancetoVi?tNam,saidthatTheopeningofthissectionofHàN?iMetroLine3,thesecondlineinthecountrytobecomeoperational,demonstratestheabilityofFranco-Vietnameseteamstosuccessfullyundertakeambitiousinfrastructureprojectsintherailtransportsector.ItalsounderscoresourcountryscommitmenttosupportingVi?tNaminitstransitiontoalow-carboneconomy,notablybyprovidingthecountrywithtechnologiesthatmeetthehighestinternationalstandards.Frenchcompaniesandinstitutionswillbuildupontheknowledgegainedduringthisprojectandwillcontinuetoparticipateinvariousongoingrailmobilityprojectsinthecountry.Thisway,wehopetoplayaninstrumentalroletothedecarbonisationofVietnamesetransport.AsaComprehensiveStrategicPartner,innovationandsustainabledevelopmentarecoreprioritiesofourbilateralrelationship.Throughsuchprojectsandother,wehopetoplayaninstrumentalroletothedecarbonizationofVietnamesetransportsandbeonVi?tNamssideforotherinnovativeprojects,thediplomatstressed.JulienGuerrier,AmbassadoroftheEuropeanUniontoVi?tNam,remarkedthatundertheEUsGlobalGatewayinitiative,welookforwardtofurtherstrengtheningourcooperationwithVi?tNamandcontinuingtosupportimpactfulprojectsthatmakeatangibledifferenceinpeopleslives.TheEUstandscommittedtoworkingtogetherwithVi?tNamtocurbCO?emissions,includingthroughsustainabletransportmeans,whilealsoacceleratingtheenergytransition.HervéConan,AFDDirectorinVi?tNam,sharedthatthenewline3combinedwithadequatebusnetworkwillbeagamechangerforthesustainableurbantransportinHàN?i.Beyondlowcarbontransition,suchinfrastructurewillhaveahugeimpactonthelivingconditionsinHàN?i.ItwillprofittotheHàN?ipeopleandmodifytheirdailymobilityinasafer,cleanerandmorecomfortableway.EIBVice-PresidentNicolaBeer,whoisinchargeofBanksoperationsinSoutheastAsia:ThedevelopmentofHàN?iMetroLine3,includingthenewlyinauguratedelevatedsection,marksthefirstdeliveryundertheJustEnergyTransitionPartnershipandunderscoresourcommitmenttosustainabletransportinVi?tNam.Oncefullyoperational,Line3isexpectedtoserveupto90millionpassengersannually,helpingtoboostpublictransportusageinHàN?ifrom15percentto40percentandbringingVi?tNamclosertoitsnet-zeroemissionsgoalby2050.IthasbeenagreatopportunitytocollaboratewithourVietnameseandinternationalpartnersonsuchanimpactfulproject,combiningourexpertisetobringeffectivesustainablemobilitysolutionsalongwithleadingEuropeantechnologies.ShantanuChakraborty,ADBCountryDirectorforVi?tNam,saidthaturbanvehiclesinAsiascitiesaredoublingeverysixyears,andareamajorsourceofgreenhousegas.Manyofthesecities,includingHàNoi,sufferfromveryhighairpollution,withasmuchas80percentofsuchpollutionattributabletotransport.Toaddressthis,ADBisworkingextensivelywithitsmembercountriestodevelopcomprehensiveandintegratedtransportsystems.HàN?imetroline3willprovideaffordable,reliable,andsafepublictransport.Inaddition,itwillreducegreenhousegasemissionsandcuttraveltimealongtheprojectcorridorby25percent.—VNSLêV?nBình,ChairmanoftheVi?tNamFatherlandFrontCommitteeofNinhThu?nProvince,attendedthegroundbreakingceremonyfortheconstructionofaGreatSolidarityhouseforpoorlocals.VNAPhotoNINHTHU?N-NinhThu?nProvinceaimstobuild500housesbytheendof2024andeliminatetemporary,damaged,anddegradedhousesforthepoorandnear-poorbytheendof2025.Tohelpthepoorandnear-poorachievesettledlivingandastablelivelihood,theprovinceismobilisingallresourcesfromrelevantauthoritiestosupportandbuildhousingfordisadvantagedhouseholds.TheNinhThu?nProvincialPeoplesCommitteeisdirectingagenciestostudyandproposetheestablishmentofafundtosupporttheeliminationoftemporaryanddilapidatedhousingforpoorandnear-poorhouseholdsandtodevelopaprojecttoremovesuchhousing.Over2024–2025,theprovinceplanstosupporttheconstructionof1,948houses,with1,653newand295renovated,ataprojectedtotalcostofoverVN?205billion(US$8million).Ph?mTh?BíchHà,ViceChairwomanoftheVi?tNamFatherlandFrontCommitteeofNinhThu?n,saidthattheVi?tNamFatherlandFrontatalllevelsintheprovincewillcontinuemobilisingagenciesandbusinessestodonateandsupporttheconstructionoffreeGreatSolidarityhousesforpoorpeople.Shealsosharedthatrecently,theGovernmentandthePresidiumoftheCentralCommitteeoftheVi?tNamFatherlandFrontlaunchedaprogrammetosupportthenationwideefforttoeliminatetemporaryanddilapidatedhousingunderthethemeAWarmHomeforOurPeople.Inthisprogramme,V?nhPhúcprovincesupportedNinhThu?nwithVN?70billiontocarryouthousingconstructionforpoorandnear-poorhouseholds.Thu?nNamDistrictisassistingwiththeconstructionof47housesfordisadvantagedhouseholdsinthecommunesofPh??cNam,Ph??cNinh,Ph??cDiêm,Ph??cMinh,andPh??cDinh.Additionally,37housesarebeingbuiltinthehighlandcommuneofPh??cHà,eachcostingVN?100million,withVN?90millionprovidedassupportandtheremaindercontributedbythehouseholdsthemselves.AccordingtotheStandingCommitteeoftheVi?tNamFatherlandFrontCommitteeofNinhThu?n,theprovincespovertyandnear-povertyratesremainrelativelyhighcomparedtothenationalaverage,withover1,600householdsstilllivingintemporary,rundown,anddamagedhousesfacingsignificantchallenges.Toshowsolidaritywiththehousingchallengesfacedbythepoor,Tr?nQu?cNam,chairmanoftheProvincialPeoplesCommittee,hassentanopenlettertobusinesses,entrepreneurs,andbenefactorsinandoutsidetheprovince,appealingforcontinuedsupporttohelpbuildhousingforpoorandnear-poorhouseholdsforastablelivingenvironment.Recently,theVi?tNamFatherlandFrontCommitteeofNinhThu?nhasbeenimplementingsupportfortheconstructionofGreatSolidarityhousesunderthe2023–2025housingsupportprojectforpoorandnear-poorhouseholds.In2023,243houseswerebuiltandhandedover;in2024,500housesareplanned,withnearly300alreadycompleted,and500housesareplannedfor2025.-VNS

ByTrungHi?nThùyGiangDrNguy?nDuy??ng,headoftheL?ngCúHealthCentrein??ngV?nDistrictinthenorthernmountainousprovinceofHàGiang,onhiswaytogivehealthcheck-uptolocalresidents.VNA/VNSPhotosThegrassrootshealthcarenetworkispivotaltoprovidingaccessibleandaffordablehealthcaretopeopleacrossVi?tNam.Withsufficientinvestment,theseprimaryhealthcarefacilitiescanfulfiltheirmissionofpreventivecareandearlytreatment,DeputyMinisterofHealth??XuanTuyênhassaid.Bystrengtheningthecapabilityofthesecentres,hospitalscanalleviatechronicovercrowdingandexpandpublicaccesstohigh-qualityhealthcareservices.Newupgrades,newoutcomesTheV?nhH?uAHealthCentreinHòaBìnhDistrict,B?cLiêuProvince,servesasanexampleofhowlocalhealthcarefacilitiescanmakeasubstantialimpact.LedbyDrPh?mTh?BíchThu,thecentrenowmanagesover1,000patientswithhypertensionand600withdiabetes.Thissuccessinmanagingchronicdiseasesisnoteworthy,asfewhealthcentreshaveachievedsimilarresults.DrThuattributesthistoherteamsdiligenteffortsinpatientscreeningsandoutreach,activelyencouragingresidentstoseekhealthchecksforearlydetectionandregularfollow-up.DrThusapproachincludesassigningspecificstafftodesignatedareasandorganisingvisitstoremotevillageslikeGi?ngTra,located5-6kilometresaway.Thesevisits,scheduledmultipletimesayear,aimtoeducateresidentsandscreenforchronicdiseases,facilitatingearlyinterventionandongoingmanagement.TheV?nhH?uAHealthCentre,anewlyconstructedtwo-storyfacilitywith16rooms,officiallyopenedinJanuary2024.Operatingaround-the-clock,thecentreprovidesemergencycare,patientmonitoring,andreferralsforcasesthatrequirehigher-levelhospitalisation.Withateamofeighthealthcarestaff,thecentreservesroughly600patientsmonthlyinV?nhH?uACommune,whichhasapopulationofover9,000people,90percentofwhomarecoveredbypublichealthinsurance.TheV?nhH?uAHealthCentre,locatedinHòaBìnhDistrict,B?cLiêuProvince,hasbeennewlybuilttoencouragemorefrequentvisitstothecentre.Thecentrehandles70-80percentofthecommuneshypertensionanddiabetescases,alsoofferingmaternitycareandhealthmonitoringfor70-80pregnantwomenannually.Dr.Thusaidthataprimarygoalisbuildingpublictrust,whichencouragesmorefrequentpatientvisitsandtherebygeneratesstablerevenuethatbenefitsboththestaffandthecommunity.Withthecentresrecentupgrades,strengtheningourprofessionalskillstomeetthecommunitysneedsiscrucial,shesaid.Whenpeopletrustus,theywillseekcaremoreregularly,creatingastableincomesourceandasustainablefutureforthehealthcentre.Meanwhile,theCamTuy?nHealthCentreinCamL?District,Qu?ngTr?Province,inauguratedin2022,haswitnessedincreasedpatientvisitsduetoimprovedfacilityandequipment.Thetwo-storycentrecovers1,500squaremetresandoffersarangeofservices,includingmedicalcheck-ups,primarycare,vaccinations,andhealtheducation,servingmorethan5,000households.Thefacilityssix-memberteam,comprisingaphysician,amidwife,twonurses,andapharmacist,nowhandles15-17patientsdaily,upfrom7-10priortotheupgrades.Dr.HoàngNg?c??c,headoftheCamTuy?nHealthCentre,explainedthatthenewfacilitiesandstafftraininghadexpandedtheircapabilities.Theteamcannowhandleawiderarrayofprocedures,includingemergencyresponse,treatmentofanaphylacticshock,respiratoryissues,highfevers,seizures,bronchitis,andminorsurgeries,accordingto??c.DrHoàngNg?c??c,headofCamTuy?nHealthCentre,examinesababypatientatthecentreinCamL?District,Qu?ngTr?Province.Inthepast,evenminorcaseshadtobereferredtohigher-levelhospitals,asthecentresold,deterioratingfacilitiesdiscouragedvisits.Withtheimprovedinfrastructure,peoplebenefitfromcomfortableamenities,suchasfansandseatinginwaitingareas,aswellasspaciousexamrooms,post-vaccinationmonitoring,andday-stayrooms.PublichealthsgatekeepersTheMinistryofHealthreportsthatVi?tNamhasover11,400healthcentresacrossitscommunes,wards,towns,andvillages.Statisticsshowgrowingpublicuseofthesegrassrootsservices,withhealthinsurance-coveredvisitsatprimarycarefacilitiesincreasingfrom86millionin2012to113millionin2022,accountingforover70percentoftotalnationalhealthcarevisits.Traditionalmedicineservicesremainpopular,makingup14.6percentofdistrict-levelvisitsand30.5percentatthecommunelevel.ArecentoversightreportbytheNationalAssemblysSocialAffairsCommitteehighlightedtheextensivereachofVi?tNamsgrassrootshealthcarenetwork.Currently,99.6percentofcommunes,wards,andtownshipshaveahealthcarecentre,and92.4percenthaveatleastonemedicaldoctor.District-levelhealthcarestaffmakeup34.6percentoftotalhealthcarepersonnel,withcommune-levelstaffcomprising15.8percent.Thereportsaidthatpublicsatisfactionisincreasing,particularlyregardingthequalityandattitudesofhealthcareworkers.PhanLêThuH?ng,deputydirectorofthehealthministrysPlanningandFinanceDepartment,notedthatVi?tNamsgrassrootshealthcarenetworkhadbeensystematicallyorganisedtoprovideextensivecoverage,servingasthegatekeepersofpublichealth.Healthcentresoperateineverycommune,providingessentialservicestothecommunityandhelpingregulatethehealthcaresystem.MinisterofHealth?àoH?ngLansaidthatthePartyandStatehadstrengthenedthisgrassrootsnetwork,recognisingitasthebackboneofthecountryshealthcaresystem.TheNationalAssemblypassedaresolutioninJuly2021toallocateVN?24.13trillion(US$952million)forpublichealthcarefrom2021to2025.MoreoverinJanuary2022itaddedVN?14trillion($552million)forprimaryhealthcareconstructionandrenovation.InApril2024,DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàapprovedaplantoelevateprimaryhealthcarequality.Thisplanaimstoensureeveryhealthcentrehasatleastonepermanentdoctorandincludespoliciestoattractskilledprofessionalstoremoteandunderservedareas.Theinitiativesgoalsincludeprovidinghealthinsurancecoverageforover95percentofthoseusingprimarycareservicesandestablishingmanagedhealthprofilesforover95percentofthepopulation.High-riskindividualswillreceiveannualhealthchecks,aimingforroutinehealthassessmentsforallcitizens.InvestingfortransformativechangeAccordingtodeputydirectorH?ng,about80percentofpatientsrequireonlyprimarycare,whilejust20percentneedhospitalisation.Overcrowdingincentralhospitalsstemsfrombothlimitedspecialisedservicesandhighpatientdemand.Tobalancesupplyanddemand,strengtheninggrassrootscapacityisessential.Nguy?nTh?Nham,residentinV?nhh?uACommune,waitingforhermedicineattheV?nhH?uACommunesHealthCentre.Strengtheningprimaryhealthcarecancontroldemandforcentralhospitalsservices,creatingabalanced,efficienthealthcaresystem,H?ngsaid.Shesuggestedafocusondiseaseprevention,healthpromotion,andmanagingchronicconditionsatthecommunityleveltoreducetheneedforhigher-levelcare.Thisapproachprioritisesintegrated,long-termhealthmanagementwithanemphasisonpreventinghealthrisks.However,DeputyHealthMinister??XuanTuyênpointedoutthatmanyhealthcentresinremoteareasareseverelydeteriorating,hamperingeffectiveservicedelivery.Localfundsaloneareinadequatetoresolvetheseproblems,underscoringtheneedforstrongersupportfromtheGovernment.Tr?nQuangM?nh,directorofYênBáiCityHealthCentre,saidthatsomehealthstationsinYênBáiCity,includingNamC??ng,H?ngHà,andNguy?nTháiH?c,werepronetoflooding.TheNamC??ngHealthStation,locatedinalow-lyingarea,mustmoveequipmenttohigherfloorsduringstorms,limitingitscapacitytoserveinpatients.TuyênsaidtheMinistryofHealthwasurgentlyassessinggrassrootsneeds,withplanstoproposenecessaryinvestmentsthrough2030.Upgradinggrassrootshealthcarerequirescomprehensivepolicieswithstronginvestmentinbothhumanandfinancialresources,hesaid.Heurgedlocalauthoritiestoenhancemedicalcapabilitiesatthegrassrootslevel,implementelectronichealthrecords,andraisepublicawarenessofdiseaseprevention.Theministryalsosoughtincreasedsupporttoupgradeinfrastructure,provideessentialmedicalsupplies,andenhanceservices,buildingpublictrustandadvancingcommune-levelhealthcarereform.VNSTheYênS?newruralcommuneinHoài??cDistrict.HàN?I—Sinceachievingthenewruralstandardsin2017,Hoài??cDistrictinHàN?ihascontinuedtoimplementthedualgoalofbuildinganadvancednewruralarea,associatedwithcompletingthecriteriaforbecominganurbandistrict.Inparallelwithrealisingthetwogoals,Hoài??cDistrictsappearancehaschangedsignificantly,itscountrysidenowhavingthefaceofacivilisedandmodernurbanarea.Fornearly15consecutiveyears,YênS?hasbeenakeycommuneintheconstructionofnewruralareasandadvancednewruralareasinHoài??cDistrict.Todate,YênS?todayhaswitnessedmanychanges.AkindergarteninYênS?Commune.Thetrafficsystemhasbeeninvestedinandexpanded,themainroadsarepaved.Medicalstations,culturalhouses,flowergardensandparkshavebeenbuilttobettermeetthepeoplesneedsforhealthcareandimprovetheirspirituallife.ChairmanoftheYênS?CommunePeoplesCommittee,Nguy?nBáTr??ngYên,saidthatafteridentifyingeducationandtrainingasoneofthekeycriteria,thecommunehasfocusedoninvestingintheschoolsystem.Uptonow,schoolsinthecommunehavemetnationalstandardslevelone,whiletheYênS?Kindergartenhasmetthestandardofleveltwo,withspaciousandmodernfacilities,meetingtherequirementsofeducationalinnovationinthecurrentperiod.PreservingtraditionalcultureinCaoH?Village,??cGiangCommune.Previously,onbothsidesofthelagooninL?iYênCommune,householdsencroached,dischargingdomesticwastewaterandthewaterwaspollutedwithconstructionwaste.Followingthenewruralconstruction,thecommuneproposedthedistrictrenovatetheL?iYênLagoonwithatotalinvestmentofVN?40billion(US$1.5million).Theprojecthasembankments,newlybuiltroads,aseparatesystemofdomesticwastewatercollectionditches,anewlightingsystemandplantedgreentreesaroundthelagoontocreateabright-green-clean-beautifullandscape.Sincethen,therenovation,careoftreesandenvironmentalsanitationintheareaaroundthelagoonhavebecomeafavouritehobbyofpeopleinthecommune.Nguy?n?ìnhB?o,alocalresident,said:Thelagoonhasbeenimproved,allowingustoenjoyamuchhigherqualityoflifethanbefore.Weareallhappyandvolunteertotakecareofthelandscapearoundthelagoon.Hoài??cbuildsnewruralareaswiththegoalofdevelopingintoanurbandistrict.Hoài??cDistricthasaT??áydikerunningthroughninecommunes.Tobeautifythecountryside,thedistricthasbuiltandmaintaineda19.3kmmodeldikewithbloomingflowerswiththeenthusiasticparticipationofmanyforcessuchastheWomensUnion,theYouthUnionandlocalstudents.Notably,thebudgetforbuildingtheflowerdikeswasfundedwithcontributionsfromthepeopleofmorethanVN?3billion($118,150)toimprovethelandandinvestinseedlings.Afterthedikehadanewappearance,householdslivingalongthedikewereveryexcited,voluntarilytakingcareofandwateringtheplantseveryday.Everyweek,WomenUnionmembersorganiseweedingandgeneralcleaning,spreadingawarenessofprotectingandsprucinguptheenvironmentallandscapeforthepeople.DeputyChairmanoftheHoài??cDistrictPeoplesCommittee,Nguy?nTrungThu?n,saidthatsincebeingrecognisedasanewruraldistrict,theappearanceofvillageshadcontinuedtobeimproved,thepeoplesmaterialandspirituallifehasbeenenrichedandtheyareexcitedandproudwhentheirhometownbecomesalivablecountryside.Uptonow,Hoài??chasmettheconditionsandcompletedthedossiertobeconsideredandrecognisedbytheCentralGovernmentasmeetingtheadvancednewruralstandards.DeputyChiefoftheNewRuralDevelopmentProgrammeCoordinationOfficeofHàN?i,Nguy?nV?nChí,saidthatbuildingadvancednewruralareaswasimplementedsynchronouslyandeffectivelybyHoài??cDistrictwithmanycriteriametandexceededthesettargets.TheresultsachievedinbuildingnewruralareasareconsideredtheleverforHoài??ctodevelopurbanareasandbecomeanurbandistrictinthenearfuture.Accordingtothecapitalsgeneralconstructionplanning,Hoài??cDistrictisdividedintothreemainareasincludingareaoutsidethe?áyRiverdike,areafromthe?áyRiverdiketoRingRoad4andtheareaeastofRingRoad4.Determiningthatinvestmentandupgradingofurbantrafficinfrastructureplaysaparticularlyimportantrole,creatingmomentumforthesocio-economicdevelopmentprocess,thedistricthasinvestedthousandsofbillionsof??ngtorenovateandupgraderuraltrafficroutes.In19communesofthedistrict,atotalof774.51kmofcommune,inter-commune,village,inter-village,alleyandmainroadshavebeenconcretedandasphalted,meetingthetrafficcriteriarequirements.ThedistrictiscarryingoutaprojecttobuildanewHoài??cDistrictGeneralHospitalwhichwillhave500beds.Nguy?nV?nChí,DeputyChiefoftheNewRuralDevelopmentProgrammeCoordinationOfficeofHàN?i(firstleft),visitsthemodelofconvertingineffectivecropstogrowingfruittreeswithhighincomeinYênS?Commune.Hoài??cisadistrictwithrapidurban,industrialandhandicraftdevelopment.Thewholedistricthas52housing,serviceandtradedevelopmentprojectsunderway.Thedistrictalsohasmorethan4,000enterprises,53outof54villageswithcrafts,ofwhich12traditionalcraftvillageshavebeenrecognised,nineindustrialzonesandmanyhigh-qualityagriculturalproductionmodels,contributingtoeconomicrestructuring,buildingnewruralareas,bringingrevenuetothebudget,creatingmanyjobsforpeople.Sofar,Hoài??cDistricthasachieved27outof31urbandistrictcriteriaandonehundredpercentofcommuneshavemetwardcriteriaintermsofinfrastructure.NewruralareashavebeencreatingadrivingforcetohelpHoài??cDistrictsoondevelopintoanurbandistrict.—VNS*ThearticleispublishedunderthecoordinationoftheCoordinationOfficeoftheNew-StyleRuralDevelopmentProgrammeinHàN?i.

Yak-310aircraftwreckageinYok??nNationalPark.—VNA/VNSPhoto??KL?K—ThewreckageoftheYak-130militarytrainingaircraftthatcrashedonWednesdayhasbeenlocatedinYok??nNationalParktoday,twodaysafteritspilotswereforcedtoejectduetoanin-flightemergency.ThediscoverywasconfirmedonFridaybytheChairmanoftheBu?n??nDistrictPeoplesCommitteein??kL?kProvince.Theaircraft,belongingtothe940thRegimentoftheAirForceOfficerSchool,wasonatrainingflightfromPhùCátAirportinBình??nhProvincewhenitspilotsreportedencounteringaproblemthatpreventedthemfromlandingsafely.Aftermakingthreeattemptstoresolvetheissue,theywereforcedtoejectfromtheaircraftatanaltitudeof600masfuelranlow.BothpilotslandedsafelyinaforestedareainBình??nhandwererescuedhourslater.Amassivesearcheffortwaslaunchedinvolvingover550personnel,33vehiclesandanMi-17helicopter,coveringthethreeprovincesofBình??nh,GiaLai,and??kL?k.ThewreckagewasfinallylocatedonFridayabout250kmfromPhùCátAirport,followingareportfromalocalvillagerwhoheardanunusualexplosioninthewoods.Acloserinspectionrevealedthattheaircrafthadsufferedseveredamage,particularlytoitsunderside.Thestillgreenleavesandbranchessurroundingitindicatetherewasonlyprobablyasmallblazeornofireatall.AuthoritiesinKr?ngNaCommuneinBu?n??nDistricthadofferedarewardofVN?10million(approximatelyUS$400)forinformationleadingtothediscoveryoftheaircraft.—VNS

HCMCity-basedV?nLangUniversityhasmoveduptothe491-500groupintheQSAsiaUniversityRankings2025.—PhotoCourtesyofVLUHCMCITY—HCMCity-basedV?nLangUniversity(VLU)hasmovedupintothetop500intheQuacquarelliSymonds(QS)AsiaUniversityRankings2025.BritishhighereducationanalyticsfirmQSreleaseditsAsiaUniversityRankings2025onWednesday(November6),featuring985universitiesacrossAsia.SeventeenVietnameseuniversitieswereincludedintherankings,twomorethaninthepreviousyear.VLUsignificantlyimproveditsrankingfromthe701-750grouplastyeartothe491-500bracketthisyear,andmaintainedits86thpositioninSoutheastAsia.TheuniversityalsocontinuedtobeawardedtheResearchDiscovery-PerformanceImprovementcertificatethatdemonstratesasignificantimprovementinratingresultsbasedonanimprovementinaveragerank.TheachievementsreflectVLUssteadfasteffortstoestablishitsbrandandalignitseducationalqualitywithinternationalstandards.Theuniversityhasshownexceptionalprogressin2024,particularlyintermsofbrandreputationandinternationalcollaboration.QSisoneoftheworldsthreemostrespecteduniversity-rankingorganisations.Itsrankingsplacethemostweightonacademicandemployerreputationat30percentand20percent,respectively.Otherfactorsincludelecturer-to-studentratio,lecturerswithPhDs,researchpapersperlecturer,citationrateperresearchpaper,internationalresearchnetwork,internationallecturerratio,andinternationalstudentratio,witheachcontributingaround2.5-10percent.QSrecognisedVLUforitsstronggrowthindevelopingpartnerships,anincreasingnumberofinternationalexchangestudents,anditsbrandreputation.Theseaccomplishmentsalignwiththeuniversityscommitmenttoenhancingagloballearningenvironmentforstudents,fosteringinternationalcollaborationineducationandresearch,andbuildingarespectedbrandbasedonqualityeducationandacomprehensivedevelopmentexperienceforlearners.Inrecentyears,VLUhasmadecontinuousstridestowardbecominganinternationallyrecogniseduniversityknownforquality.Theuniversityhasactivelybuiltaninternationalnetworkanddemonstratedastrongcommitmenttoqualityassurance.StudentsfromtheUniversityofNewcastleinAustraliavisitV?nLangUniversitysdentistryfacilitiesforaneducationalexchange.—PhotoCourtesyofVLUV?nLangUniversityhasnearly200internationalpartnersacross25countriesonfourcontinents,includingprestigiousstrategicpartnersamongthetopuniversitiesinAsiaandworldwide.Throughanopenandgloballyorientedlearningenvironment,VLUstudentshaveaccesstointernationalexperiences,andthenumberofinternationalstudentscomingtotheuniversitycontinuestogroweachyear.QSrecognisedtheuniversityssignificantincreaseininternationalexchangestudents,surpassingtheregionalaverage.Inthe2023-24academicyear,morethan1,100internationalstudentsfrom25countriesstudiedandengagedinactivitiesatVLU.Around200VLUstudentsparticipatedinstudies,internships,andshort-termexchangesatinternationaluniversities.Morethan300internationallecturersfromAsia,theAmericas,andEuropearecurrentlyteachingatVLU.Theuniversityaimstonurturewell-rounded,ethical,lifelonglearnerswhomakeapositiveimpactandinspiresociety.Modernlearningfacilitiesatitscampuseshavesupportedvibrantacademic,cultural,artistic,andsportsactivities,withmorethan800eventsconnectinganever-growingstudentcommunity.VLUisamong11highereducationinstitutionsinVi?tNamthathaveachievedinternationalqualityaccreditation.In2024,itbecamethefirstprivateuniversityinthecountrytogettheEuropean-standardFIBAAaccreditation,meeting100percentofqualitycriteria,withnearly50percentofthesecriteriaexceedingtherequiredstandardsandtwocriteriarecognisedasoutstanding.ItcurrentlyhassixprogrammesaccreditedbytheASEANUniversityNetworkQualityAssurance(AUN-QA),alongwiththreepostgraduateprogrammesand23undergraduateprogrammesaccreditedaccordingtonationalstandards.Allitsprogrammesarebenchmarkedagainstthoseofgloballyrespecteduniversitiesrankedinthetop100-300,withthegoalofcreatingacomprehensivedevelopmentexperienceforlearners.VLUwasalsonamedinthe801-1,000groupintheImpactRankings2024releasedbytheTimesHigherEducation(THE).TheImpactRankingsistheonlyglobalperformancetablethatassessesuniversitiesagainsttheUnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs).TheB?ch??ngWharfPark,locatedbytheSaigonRiverinHCMCitysDistrict1,isseenfromanaerialperspective.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—HCMCityhasannouncedplanstobuild42parksalongtheSaigonRivertoenhancegreenspaces,stimulateeconomicgrowth,andimprovethequalityoflifeforresidents.Theinitiativeisakeycomponentofthecitysvisionfordevelopingariversideserviceeconomybytheyear2045.TheprojectencompassestheSaigonRivercorridor,traversingTh???cCity,districts1,4,7,and12,andBìnhTh?nhDistrict,andthesuburbandistrictsofC?ChiandHócM?n.Thedevelopmentstrategyemphasisestheintegrationofmultifunctionalgreeninfrastructuretoimproveconnectivityandalignwiththeoverarchingadjustmentstothecitysmasterplan.TheseparksarestrategicallydesignedtoleveragethepotentialoftheSaigonRiver,fosteringaservice-orientedeconomyandenhancingtheurbanlandscape.AccordingtothecityPeoplesCommittee,theplan,groundedinexpertconsultationsandresearch,willbeimplementedinphasesandcoordinatedwithriversideinfrastructureacrossvariousregions.TheSaigonRiverstretches256kilometres,originatinginBìnhPh??cProvinceandflowingthroughTayNinh,BìnhD??ng,andHCMCity.WithinHCMCity,theriverspans80kilometres,meanderingthroughurbanareasandformingsignificantpeninsulas,includingThanh?aandTh?Thiêm.Currently,HCMCityhasaround400parksbutonly500hectaresofgreenspace,equatingtojust0.55squaremetreperpersonforitsover10millionresidents.—VNS

DeputyPrimeMinisterLêThànhLongspeaksatthemeetingonFriday.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Vi?tNamaimstohaveallclassroomsacrossthecountrymeetrobustconstructionstandardsby2030,accordingtoMinisterofEducationandTrainingNguy?nKimS?n.TheMinisterwasspeakingatFridaysmeetingtoreviewtheschemeforschoolfacilityimprovementbetween2013and2023.S?nhighlightedthestarkcontrastbetweenthecomfortableconditionsenjoyedbymanyurbanpeopleandtheharshconditionsfacedbychildreninmountainousareas.Thousandsofchildreninmountainousprovinceshavetotrekthroughforestsforschools,onlytositinpoorlybuiltclassrooms,hesaid.Hepointedoutthatasignificantnumberofschoolsinmountainousareasarestillinpoorcondition.Incertainprovinces,therateofsubstandardschoolscanreachupto40percent.Severalmeasureswereurgedtoaddresstheissue,includingincreasingpublicinvestmentinschoolfacilitiesandencouraginggreaterprivatesectorinvolvementineducation.DeputyMinisterofEducationandTrainingPh?mNg?cTh??ngunderlinedtheremarkableprogressinVi?tNamsschoolfacilitiesoverthepastdecade,notingtherateofstandardclassroomsrosefromapproximately66percentin2013toover86percentin2023.Hecitedthegovernmentscommitmenttoeducationasthedrivingforcebehindtheimprovement.Healsohighlightedtheprivatesector,which,duringtheperiod,spentnearlyVN?33trillion(US$1.3billion)tohelpbuild36,000classroomsand1,300staffrooms.Theinvolvementoftheprivatesectorineducationhassignificantlyraisedtherateofschoolsmeetingnationalstandards,saidTh??ng.AccordingtotheDeputyMinister,56.9percentofpreschools,62.8percentofprimaryschools,72.3percentoflowersecondaryschools,49.6percentofuppersecondaryschools,and44.2percentofhighschoolswereuptostandardsbyJuly2023.Whilelargecorporations,suchasVingroupandViettel,banksandcommunityorganisationsmademonetarydonationstothescheme,thearmedforceslenttheirmanpower,contributingthousandsofworkingdaystoaccelerateconstruction.DeputyPrimeMinisterLêThànhLongpraisedtheMinistryofEducationandTrainingforitseffortsinimplementingtheschemeandacknowledgedthecontributionsofallrelevantministriesandagencies.Temporaryclassroomshavebeenreplacedbysolidandwell-equippedones,saidLong.Staffroomshavealsobeenrenovated,creatingbetterworkingconditionsforeducators.Despitetheachievements,theDeputyPrimeMinisterhighlightedtheongoingneedformoreschoolfacilities,especiallyinremoteandruralareas.Heproposeddevelopingfavourablepoliciestoattractmorebusinessestoinvestineducation.Healsoemphasisedtheimportanceofdatacollectionandplanning,suggestingtheMinistrycreateacomprehensivedatabaseoninfrastructureandequipment.Localgovernmentsweretaskedwithreviewingtheireducationfacilities,ensuringthereissufficientlandforschoolconstruction,especiallyinregionswithrapidpopulationgrowth.TheDeputyPrimeMinisterconcludedbycallingonbusinesses,organisations,andindividualstocontinuesupportingtheeducationsectortocreateabetterlearningenvironmentforstudents.—VNSTheChàmIslandsoffthecoastofH?iAnhavebeenhitwithbigwavesasTyphoonTramiapproachedin.Noreportsondamageofpropertyorlossofpeoplewasannounced.PhotocourtesyofTr?nQuyTay?àN?NG–Strongwindsgustingfrom15to18metrespersecondhavebeenrecordedasTyphoonTramiheadedinlandonSunday.Thewinds,fromgradesixtoeight,hittheislandsofLyS?n(Qu?ngNg?iProvince),theChàmIslandsoffthecoastofQu?ngNam,BàNàHillsMountainin?àN?ng,Nam??ngdistrictandinnerHu?CityasthetyphoonmovedclosertothecoastofcentralcoastalprovincesbetweenTh?aThiênHu?andQu?ngNamincluding?àN?ng,around8amonOctober27.Heavyrainfallswererecordedfrom200mmto400mminPhúL?cdistrict(268mm),Nam??ng(150mm),B?chM?Mountain(373.8mm)inHu?,in?àN?ng(135mm)andtheChàmIslandsoffH?iAn.ItsexpectedtheheavyrainswillcontinueinHu?and?àN?ngthroughOctober27andlow-layingareaswillbefloodedtemporarilyasdischargesystemscouldbeoverloadedwithrainwater.Ahouseholdinlow-lyingareaofHu?CityisfloodedasTyphoonTramiwasapproachedthecoastofTh?aThiênHu?Provinceand?àN?ng.PhotocourtesyofTh?aThiênHu?PortalTheChàmIslandswerehitwithgustsat18.6mpersecond(grade8),whilebigwavescrashedontobeachesofB?iLàngandB?iH??ng.WindsacrossLyS?nIslandswereatgrade6,accordingtothelatestreportfromthedistrictsauthorities.Bigwaveswithheightsofbetweenthreeandfivemetreshavebeenhittingthebeachesintheregionandthetideswereupfrom0.4mto0.6min?àN?ng,Qu?ngNamandChàmIslands(overnightOctober26to7amofOctober27).LocalresidentsinTh?aThiênHu?andChàmIslandswerewarnednottogooutfrom7amonOctober27.LocalrescueforcesinQu?ngNamProvincehadalreadyrelocated162residentstoasafelocationasofOctober26aftera50mlongcrackwasdiscoveredatamountaininNàN?villageofPh??cGiacommuneinthemountainousHi?p??cdistrict.AcrackisfoundatamountaininHi?p??cdistrictofQu?ngNamProvince.Rescueforceshadhelpedrelocate162residentslivingnearthelandslideriskarea.PhotocourtesyofQu?ngNamPortalNoreportsofdamagetopropertyorlossoflifeintheregionhassofarbeenreported.ThenextreportonTyphoonTramiwillcomeoutintheafternoonofOctober27.VNS

Householdswhoseroofswereblownoffandbuildingscollapsed,havereceivedlocalhelptorepairthedamageinthepoorhamletthatwaslitteredwithruinsafterTyphoonYagi.—VNA/VNSPhotosPh??ngTh?oHàN?I—ThelivesofpoorpeoplelivingunderLongBiênBridgeinHàN?ihavequicklyreturnedtonormalfollowingthedevastationcausedbythefloodingfollowingTyphoonYagi.Althoughtheystillfacechallengesintheirdailylives,thankstothehelpoflocalauthoritiesandmanybenefactors,peoplearerebuildingaretheirheavylosses.Floodwatershaverecededandthemudhasbeenclearedfromthepoorhamlet.Localresidentshavebeensupportedwithmanyessentialsincludingfooddeliveredbyphilanthropists.Amanrepairsadamagedframewhichwillbeusedtorebuildoneofthemakeshifthomes.Residentshavereturnedtogrowingcropsintheshadowofthefamousbridge.Manyvolunteers,somefromtheWomensUnionofwardsinHoànKi?mDistrict,helpwithplantingandtakingcareoftheflowergardeninthehamlet.Alocalmanalsohelpscultivatetheflowersinthebedsaroundthehamlet.PeoplewholiveundertheLongBiênBridgeinHàN?iarebusyrebuildingandreplanting.WhenTyphoonYagihitonSeptember7,followedbyhugefloodwatersfromupstream,manyofthemakeshifthomesandthefewpossessionsofthoselivingclosetothebridge,weresweptaway.—VNSVi?tNamstourismlikelytoboomunderSixCountries,OneDestinationvisainitiative.PhotoAlmaResort,CamRanhHàN?IAsharedvisazonefortheSoutheastAsiaregion,similartoEuropesSchengenvisamechanism,couldbeagame-changerforVi?tNamstourismsector.TheproposedSixCountries,OneDestinationinitiativeaimstofacilitateseamlesstravelacrosssixneighbouringcountries,thusboostingregionaltourism.Onthesidelinesofthe44thand45thASEANSummitsinLaosonOctober9,VietnamesePrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhandhisThaicounterpartPaetongtarnShinawatraagreedtopilotthetourisminitiativeinvolvingThailand,Malaysia,Singapore,Vi?tNam,Laos,andCambodia.OriginallyproposedbyThailandinApril2024,thisvisaplanwillallowtouriststotravelfreelybetweenthesesixcountriesintheregion,superchargingthelocaltourismindustry.Thailandevenhopestonegotiatevisa-freetravelbetweentheseASEANnationsandtheEuropeanUnionsSchengenzone.Vi?tNamhadfloatedasimilaridea14yearsagoincludingfivecountriescoveringtheMekongsub-region:Vi?tNam,Cambodia,Laos,Myanmar,andThailand,butnothingcameofit.Nguy?nQu?cK?,ChairmanofVietravelCorporation,whofirstproposedtheconcept,emphasisedtheimportanceofactingquicklyinthecurrenttourismlandscape.Afterthepandemic,tourismmarketshaveopenedup,andcountriesthatactfastcancapturethegrowingdemand.HepointedoutthatcountrieslikeThailand,Malaysia,andSingaporewereswiftinimplementingopenvisapolicies.WhileVi?tNamreopenedearlyafterthepandemic,itstourismpolicieshavebeenslowertoevolve.Currently,Vi?tNamoffersvisaexemptionstocitizensof26countries,farfewerthanThailandsnearly100.Ifthesixcountriesinitiativeisimplementedquickly,Vi?tNamcanleveragetheopenpoliciesofitsneighbourstoattractalargenumberofinternationaltourists,hesaid.Additionally,jointpromotioneffortswiththefiveothercountrieswouldprovidegreaterreachcomparedtoVi?tNamactingalone.However,Vi?tNamstilllacksanofficialtourismpromotionofficeabroad,puttingitatadisadvantageininternationalmarketing.ImplementingthissharedvisasystemwillsignificantlybenefitVi?tNamstourism.By2050,theAsia-Pacificregionisexpectedtodominateglobaltourism,withSoutheastAsiaasakeydestination.Vi?tNammustactquicklytocapitaliseonthisopportunityandstrengthenitspositionintheregionaltourismrace.However,expertswarnedthatasharedvisapolicycouldalsoincreasecompetitionamongthesixcountries.CaoTríD?ng,Chairmanofthe?àN?ngTourismAssociation,notedthatwhilethevisapolicycouldexpandthetourismmarketforASEAN,itwouldalsointensifycompetition.Thecountrieswillcompetetoattractvisitors,andthosewithlessattractivedestinationscanloseout.D?ngstressedtheneedforVi?tNamtopreparehigh-quality,uniquetourismproductstoensuretouristsstaylongerandspendmore.K?emphasisedtheneedtohighlightVi?tNamsdistinctculturalofferingsastouristsareseekingdiverseculturalexperiences.Vi?tNammustshowcaseitsuniquetraditions,cuisine,andeverydaylifetostandout,henoted.Additionally,Vi?tNamsdiverseclimate,rangingfromtemperatetotropicalzones,offerstouristsavarietyofexperiencesinasingletrip-anadvantagefewcountriescanmatch.Tostaycompetitive,K?calledforimmediateresearchonthekeytouristmarketsofthesixcountriesandananalysisoftheirproductstoensureVi?tNamcanoffersomethingdistinct.TheSixCountries,OneDestinationvisapresentsVi?tNamwithauniquechancetotransformitstourismsector,butsuccesswilldependonhowquicklyandeffectivelythecountrypreparestoaddressthechallenges.VNS