HowtobuytrainticketsinVi?tNamonGoogleMaps.—VNSScreenshotHàN?I—TrainpassengerscannowbuytheirticketsononlinemapservicessuchasGoogleMaps,accordingtotheVi?tNamRailways(VNR).Theservicehasbeenlaunchedincelebrationofthe78thanniversaryofVi?tNamRailwaysTraditionalDay(October21,1946-2024).ThisallowstravellersfromanywheretosearchfortrainschedulesandpurchasetrainticketsfortheirtripsinVi?tNam.Theonlinemapservicesalsoofferinformationinvariouslanguagesforusersconvenience.PassengerscanpurchasetheirtrainticketswithinternationalpaymentcardsorviaGooglePay,ApplePayandSamsungPay.Trainticketservicesthroughonlinemapscanbeseenasthenextstepinthesuccessofourcollaborationforticketsaleswithlocale-walletsandapplications,whichaimstodiversifypointsofpurchaseandreachmorecustomers,saidaVNRrepresentative.—VNS

DeputyMinisterofHealthTr?nV?nThu?nspeaksattheevent.—PhotocourtesyoftheKHospitalHàN?I—LocalandinternationalhealthexpertsarediscussingmeasurestoimprovethequalityofcancerpreventionandcontrolinVi?tNamataninternationalconferenceononcologyinHàN?ionOctober31.Thetwo-dayconferencewasjointlyorganisedbyK(Cancer)HospitalandtheVi?tNamCancerAssociationincollaborationwiththeAmericanSocietyofClinicalOncology.WiththethemeMultimodalTreatmentofCancerandHospitalManagementintheDigitalEra–BestofASCO2024,thescientificforumhostednearly1,400scientistsandexpertsfromVi?tNamandaroundtheworld.Speakingattheevent,DeputyMinisterofHealthTr?nV?nThu?npraisedtheVi?tNamCancerAssociationandKHospitalfororganisingthemeaningfulconferencetoprovideguidelinesandstrategiesforcancerpreventionaswellastocreateopportunitiestolearn,shareandexchangeexperiencescomprehensivelyinthefieldofcancertreatment.Cancerisbecomingamajorburdeninmanycountriesaroundtheworld,especiallyinlow-andmiddle-incomecountries.Itispredictedthatby2030,about75percentofcancerdeathswilloccurinlow-andmiddle-incomecountries.Furthermore,only10percentofpatientsinlow-incomecountriesand50-60percentinmiddle-incomecountrieshaveaccesstoradiotherapy,comparedto90percentinhigh-incomecountries.Thishighlightstheinequalitybetweenhigh-incomeandlow-middle-incomecountries,includingVi?tNam,saidThu?n.Cancerpreventionrequiresmodern,up-to-dateprofessionalknowledgeandtechniquesfromdoctorsandmedicalstaff.Ihopethattheconferencewillbringmanynewideas,makingpracticalcontributionstothedevelopmentofoncologyinparticularandVietnamesemedicineingeneral,addedThu?n.Attheevent,participantsheardthatmultimodalitytreatmentisacombinationofmanymethodstoimprovetheeffectivenessofcancercontrol.Thethreeclassictreatmentmethods(surgery,radiotherapyandchemotherapy)areincreasinglyprovingtheirimportanceincancertreatment.ThehealthsectorofVi?tNamhasrecentlyearnedmanyachievementsincancerpreventionandtreatmentinthepastyears.ThecurerateforsomecancersatHospitalKandsomeotherhospitalsisonparwithadvancedcountriesintheregionandtheworld.Anotherbigadvantageforcancerpatientsisthatmosttests,chemicals,radiotherapyandsurgeryarefullyorpartiallycoveredbyhealthinsurance,althoughthecostsareextremelyexpensive.Asthemostrecenthealthreportshowed,in2023,paymentsforcancertreatmentdrugswillamounttomorethanVN?7.5trillion,accountingfor15.8percentoftotalhealthinsurancemedicalexpenses,comparedtomorethanVN?6.6trillion(accountingfor14.5percent)in2022.Futuretrendsincancertreatmentwillcontinuetocombinemanymethods:surgery,radiotherapyandsystemictherapies,withanemphasisonpersonalisedapproachesforindividualcases.Therehavebeenmanyadvancesintreatmentrecently,suchasminimallyinvasivesurgicaltechniques;cutting-edgeradiotherapytechnologies;targetedtherapiesandimmunotherapiesthathavedemonstratedcurativepotentialfornumerouspatients,improvedsurvivaltimesandminimisedadverseeffects.DirectorofKHospitalProf.LêV?nQu?ngspeaksattheevent.—PhotocourtesyoftheKHospitalDirectorofKHospitalProfessorLêV?nQu?ngsaidthattheincreasingnumberofnewcancercaseshasledtoanoverloadatmanyoncologyhospitalsinVi?tNam.Theapplicationofadvancedtreatmentmethodsalongwithnewmedicationsrequireshighcostsfortreatingcancerpatients,whichalsoputssomefinancialpressureonthehealthinsurancesysteminVi?tNam.Asidefromthat,thecurrentoncologyworkforcehasnotyetmettheactualdemand,requiringustopaymoreattentiontoeducationalandtrainingactivities,saidQu?ng.Themanagementofoncologyhospitalsneedstobediscussed,withexperiencessharedbybothdomesticandinternationalexpertstoimprovethequalityofcancerpreventionandcontrolinVi?tNam,accordingtoQu?ng.Duringtheconferences16sessions,domesticandinternationalexpertswilldiscussmanytopics,includingadvancesindiagnosisandtreatment,hospitalmanagement,managementanduseofhealthinsurancefunds,smarthospitalsandradiationtherapyinmultimodalcancertreatment.Inparticular,forthefirsttimeinVi?tNam,theconferencewillhavethematicsessionsonmedicaladvancesandthepositiveresultsofASCO2024forbothdomesticandinternationalexperts.TheASCO2024eventwillfeature30presentationsondiversetopics,includingbreastcancer,gynecological-urologicalcancers,lungcancer,headandneckcancers,digestivecancersandhematology.Itwillalsocovertheapplicationofnewtechnologies,suchastransoralsurgery,photon-modulatedradiotherapyinheadandneckcancers,andtheuseofcirculatingtumourDNAinpersonalisedcoloncancertreatment.Additionally,findingsonthecorrelationbetweenbiomarkersandtreatmentefficacyinbreastcancerandriskfactorsforovarianandendometrialcancersrelatedtohormonereplacementtherapywillbehighlighted.Theeventprovidesavaluableopportunityforoncologydoctorsandresearcherstoexchangethelatestupdatesandsharehigh-valueclinicalpracticeexperiencesinanefforttocontributetotheadvancementofcancerdiagnosis,treatmentandpatientcareinVi?tNam.AccordingtoGLOBOCAN2022,thereareover19.9millionnewcancercasesand9.7millioncancer-relateddeathsgloballyeachyear.Vi?tNamcurrentlyranks101stintermsofnewcancerincidencesand42ndinmortalityrateamong185countriesandterritories.—VNSHócM?nGeneralHospitalinHCMCity.HCMCityhasbeenimplmentingmanypoliciestoattractinvestorsintohealthprojects.-Photosggp.org.vnHCMCITY-HCMCityisfocusingonattractinginvestmentintohealthcare,andhasunveiledanumberofpoliciestofacilitatethat.Thecityhas129hospitals,310medicalstationsand8,000clinicsthatgetaquarterofallvisitstomedicalfacilitiesaroundthecountryandatenthofinpatienttreatment.Someofthehospitalsareoverloaded,havepoorequipmentandhavedegradedovertheyears.HCMCityissolicitinginvestmentinmanyhealthcareprojectsunderthepublic–privatepartnershipmodel,andissuedDecreeNo.09/2023/NQ-H?NDtofacilitateloansfromtheState-ownedHCMCityFinancialInvestmentCompany(HFIC)forpriorityprojectsamongthem.Ithasapprovedaprogrammetomobiliseprivateresourcesfordevelopinghealthcarein2024–30,whichincludespoliciesandalegalframeworktoattractinvestors.RelevantagencieshavebeenorganisingconferencestoappriseVietnameseandforeignbusinessesaboutinvestmentopportunitiesinthehealthsector,andmanyhaveevincedinterest.Nguy?nNg?cHòa,chairmanofHFIC,saidmanybusinesseshavecompletedtherequiredadministrativeprocedurestoreceiveloans.ThecitysDepartmentsofPlanningandInvestmentandIndustryandTradehavecalledforformingtwocommitteestoassesswhichprojectsareeligiblefortheloans,andthiswouldmakeappraisalanddisbursementsofprojectsfaster.Nguy?nHoàiNam,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofHealth,saidHCMCityisstrivingtobecomeamedicalcarehubofSoutheastAsia,andisplanningmanylargeprojectslikesettingupsixmajormedicalclustersinbothitscentralandsuburbanareas.Investmentshavebeenmadesuccessfullyunderthepublic-privatepartnershipmodelinothersectors,andsothereishopethatthehealthprojectswouldbesimilarlysuccessful.TheNationalAssemblysDecree98onpilotingpoliciesandmechanismsforHCMCitysdevelopment(issuedlastyear)andthecitysownDecreeNo.09/2023/NQ-H?NDhavemadeiteasiertoinvestinprojects.Theynolongerneedreciprocalcapital,canborrowloansformultipleprojectsatonce,cancombinedifferentsourcesoffundingforaproject,andloantermsaremoreflexible.Thiscouldhelphospitalsinvestinfacilitiesandequipmenttobettertreatpatients,Namsaid.HCMCitywantsinvestorstopourmoneyintoimprovinghospitalsequipmentandfacilities.-Photothanhnien.vn??àoMinhChánh,deputydirectoroftheHCMCityInvestmentandTradePromotionCentre,saidthecityisplanning116healthinvestmentprojectsworthnearlyVN?24trillion(US$948.8million)in2021–25,and150othersworthVN?52trillionin2026–30.Itisseekinginvestorstohelpitsetupahubfortraininghigh-qualitymedicalstaffanddevelopinginfrastructureandmedicaltourism,headded.DuringadialogueinearlyOctober,thecitycalledforinvestmentfromVietnameseandforeignbusinessesinsixprojectsformedicaltreatmentforforeignpatients,high-techdiseasescreeningandstroketreatment,andmoreprojectswillbeaddedinthefuture.Theyaretooperateunderthepublic–privatepartnershipmodel.Decree98hasalsobeenhelpingHCMCityimplementinvestmentprojectsinotherareassuchaspovertymitigationandcreatingjobs,andfundinghasbeendisbursedforfivebuild-operate-transferprojectstoupgraderoadssettobecompletedby2028.Italsoapprovedofaninvestmentprojecttosupplyaround2,000socialhousingapartments.Alistof41investmentprojectsproposedinhealthcare,educationandculturethroughthepublic–privatepartnershipmodelwasalsoissuedlastDecember.-VNS

TyphoonYagileavesatrailofdestructioninitswakeinthenorthernprovinceofQu?ngNinh.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs(MOLISA)hasproposedatemporaryreliefmeasureforTyphoonYagi-hitbusinesses,allowingthemtohaltcontributionstotheirpensionanddeathbenefitfunds.ThismovefollowsarecommendationfromVi?tNamSocialSecurity(VSS),whichreportedthatTyphoonYagihadseverelyimpacted3,300tourismbusinessesinnorthernVi?tNam,with93,000employeesonthepayroll.VSSrecommendedasix-monthbreakfrompensionanddeathbenefitcontributionsforthe3,300businesses,whichwouldsavethemapproximatelyVN?740billion(US$29million).MOLISAgenerallyagreedwiththerecommendation,proposingtheGovernmentgrantVSStheauthoritytodeterminewhichbusinesstobetemporarilyexemptedfrompensionanddeathbenefitcontributions,foraperiodnotexceeding12months.—VNSAninternationalcourseonfemalesexualdysfunctionwasorganisedatBìnhDanHospitalinHCMCityfromOctober25to26.—VNSPhotoNguy?nDi?pHCMCITY—Femalesexualdysfunction(FSD)hasanegativeimpactnotonlyonwomensphysicalandmentalhealth,butalsoontheirmaritalrelationshipqualityandqualityoflife,attendeesheardatatwo-dayinternationalcourseheldinHCMCity.ThecoursewasorganisedfromOctober25to26bytheHCMCity-basedBìnhDanHospitalincollaborationwiththeInternationalSocietyforSexualMedicine(ISSM),InternationalSocietyfortheStudyofWomensSexualHealth(ISSWSH),AsiaPacificSocietyforSexualMedicine(APSSM)andVietnamSocietyforSexualMedicine(VSSM).Speakingattheevent,Tr?nV?nhH?ng,directorofBìnhDanHospital,saidthecoursewasorganisedforthefirsttimeinVi?tNamtoshareknowledgeandinformationonhealthcareissuesrelatingtofemalesexualdysfunction.Itprovidesdoctorsspecialisinginobstetricsandgynecology,urology,andrology,endocrinology,aesthetics,psychologyandsociologyanoverviewoffemalesexualdysfunction,andupdatescriteriafordiagnosisandtreatment,hesaid.TheconferencewascarriedoutbyprofessorsfromtheUS,Europe(Italy,GermanyandDenmark)andAsia(TheRepublicofKorea),alongwithleadingdomesticspeakers.Approximately40-50percentofwomenofallagesreportedatleastonesexualdysfunction,accordingtotheconsensusofthe4thInternationalConsultationonSexualMedicine(ICSM)heldin2015.Theresultsfromaglobalstudyof27,500people(abouthalfofwhomwerewomenaged40-80years)showedthatalargeproportionofwomenexperiencedmultiplesexualdysfunctions,with17percentinNorthernEuropeand34percentinSoutheastAsia.Womenwithpsychosisoftenhaveproblemswitharousal,delayedornoorgasm,lesssexualactivity,andlowersexualsatisfaction.Newresearchshowsthatsexualdesiremightnotbeaffectedmuchbypsychosis.Causesofsexualproblemsincludemedications,symptomsofpsychosis(bothpositiveandnegative),difficultieswithrelationships,stigma,andtimespentininstitutions.Womenwithpsychosisoftensaythelackofapartnerisareasonforlowsexualsatisfaction,PhDJuliaVelten,aclinicalpsychologist,cognitive-behavioraltherapistandsextherapist,said.Internalisedstigmamakesitharderforwomentoformcloserelationships,shesaid.About65percentofwomenwithpsychoticdisordershaveverylowsexualself-esteem(comparedto29percentofhealthywomen).Physicalissueslikemetabolicsyndrome,acne,sideeffectsfrommedications(extrapyramidalsymptoms),andbreastmilkleakagecanalsocausesexualproblems.Mentaldisordersarecommonandarestronglylinkedtosexualproblemsinwomen.Havingmentalhealthissuescanmakeithardertodiagnoseandtreatsexualproblems,shesaid.Sexualproblemscancausewomentostoptakingtheirprescribedmedications(non-compliance).Whenawomanhassexualproblems,theyshouldalwayscheckiftheseissuesareconnectedtoanyothermajormentalhealthconditions,shenoted.Whenawomanseekstreatmentforamentaldisorderlikedepression,anxiety,orPTSD,checkifthedisorderoritsmedicationiscausingserioussexualproblems.Thetwo-dayinternationalcourseprovidedanoverviewoffemalesexualdysfunction,andupdatedcriteriafordiagnosisandtreatment.—VNSPhotoNguy?nDi?pAnnamariaGiraldi,editor-in-chiefforsexualmedicinereviewsatISSM,discussedhowtoconductaninterviewaboutsexualdysfunction.Aquestionnaireisneverasubstituteforaclinicalinterview,shesaid.Barriersforthesexualhealthinterviewincludetaboos;fearofembarrassingthepatient;beingembarrassedyourself;lackoftime,privacyintheconsultation,language,andknowledgeabouttheproblemandtreatment;andcliniciansbelieving,itsnotsoimportantforthepatientandIftheyhaveproblems,theywilltellme.Ainterviewshouldbeinfoursteps:elicitthepatientsstory,nameand(re)frameattentiontosexualconcernsorproblems,empathicwitnessing,andreferral,orassessmentandtreatment.ShealsointroducedthePLISSIT(Permission,LimitedInformation,SpecificSuggestion,IntensiveTherapy)model.Themodelgivespatientspermissiontoraisesexualissuesandlimitedinformationaboutsexualproblemsandtreatments,shesaid.Italsomakesspecificsuggestionsbasedontheassessmentoftheproblem,andreferstoorinitiatesmoreintensivetherapylikesextherapy,specialisedmedicaltherapyandpsychotherapy,sheadded.Theneedforsexualcounselingisareality.Moreactivitiesareneededtoraiseawarenessonsexualhealthcare,Ng?Th?YênofthesexualcounselingunitofT?D?HospitalinHCMCitysaid.Theunitsdatain2023showedthatallofsixdomainsofFSD(desire,arousal,lubrication,orgasm,satisfactionandpain)arestillathighrates.Outstandingfactorsincludelackofknowledgeonthesexualresponsecycle,stressfuljob/lifeandalackofopentalkwithhusbandsaboutsexuality,shesaid.Successfultreatmentsforwomenarethankstotoolsfordiagnosis,medicalstaffpayingmoreattention,protocolsforintervention,andclientsawareness.AssociateProfessorTamiSereneRowenofObstetric,GynecologyandReproductiveattheUniversityofCaliforniasaidnosingletreatmentisidealforeverywoman.Donotforgettodoathoroughphysicalexam,shesaid.ItiscrucialtokeepinmindthebiopsychosocialmodelofFSD.Nearlyallwomenwithanylong-termpainwillhaveasignificantpsychologicalcomponentthatneedstobeaddressed.Manycommonobstetricandgynecologicconditionscanaffectsexualhealth.Itsimportanttoconsidertheeffectsonsexandrelationshipsandtoaddressthisintheclinic.Whencounselingpatientsontreatmentsfortheirconditions,pleaseconsidertheeffectsonsexualhealthandprovideanticipatoryguidanceandexplanationssotheyareawaretheremayinfactbeaneffectontheirsexualhealth.—VNSAsignpostinastreetinS?nTràdistrictof?àN?ngCitywithaQRcodeofferingdirectionsandinformationfortouristsandlocals.—PhotocourtesyofAnh?ào?àN?NG—ThecentralcityplanstoputQRcodesontrafficsignalsonallstreets,offeringinformationfortouristsandlocalresidents,aswellassomehistory,followingathree-yearpilotprojectinS?nTràdistrict.Itspartoftheprogressofthecitysdigitalisation,outlinedintheMasterPlaninbuilding?àN?ngintoa‘smartcityin2030-45period.ViceChairmanof?àN?ngCityPeoplesCommitteeTr?nChíC??ngsaidthecityhasassignedrelevantagenciesatdistrictleveltoimplementthecodesassoonaspossible.Theprojectwillhelplocalauthoritiesimproveurbanmanagementthroughdatabaseanddigitalapplications.AccordingtoS?nTràDistrictsauthorities,theQRcodeswillprovidefullinformationofastreet,includingitshistoricalnameandsitealongwithtrafficinstructions.Eachboardwillhelpvisitorsnavigatejourneysanddataofthestreetwhentouringthecity.S?nTràDistrict–atourismcentreof?àN?ng–wasassignedasthefirstsitetobuildtheQRmapping,integratingsoftwareintothemanagementsystemfrom2021.Thatsoftwarewillbeexpandedtootherdistrictsformassapplicationinthecity.?àN?nghassevendistricts–H?iChau,ThanhKhê,S?nTrà,Ng?HànhS?n,LiênChi?u,C?mL?andsuburbanHòaVangDistrict–with28wardsandmorethan1,000streets.CurrentlytheQRinformationisonlyprovidedintheVietnameselanguage,withanEnglishversiontobelaunchedatalaterdate.?àN?ngisseenasatrailblazerinboostingdigitaltransformationande-GovernmentinVi?tNam.TheadministrationalreadyhassealedQRcodesintoallonlinecompletedproceduresatthecitysadministrativecentre.—VNS

ThedamagedsiteontheLaS?n-TúyLoanHighway.Aleast15sitesontheroadhavealsosufferederosionsinthesectionthroughHòaVangdistrictof?àN?ngCity.PhotocourtesyofHoàiS?n?àN?NG—Atleast2,000cu.mofsoilandrockhaveslippedalongsitesoftheupperroadontheLaS?n-TúyLoanHighway(passingthethroughcentrallocalitiesof?àN?ngandTh?aThiên-Hu?)fillingupmanysectionsofroadsideroaddrainagesystemsanddamagingtrafficsignpostsandguardrails.Areportfromthe?àN?ng-basedDepartmentforRoadofVi?tNamNo3saiddownpourstriggeredbyTyphoonTramiandtropicallowpressurebrokeasectionofthepartitionconcretewallonanupperroadsidethrougha750mlongsectionofHòaVangdistrict.Erosionswerediscoveredat15sitesalongtheroadandataconcretepileofabridgefollowinganinitialcheckonOctober30.ItsaidtheerosionwillraisedangersfortrafficvehiclesasheavyrainfallisforecasttolastthroughthefirstweekofNovember.Thedepartmenthasbeenimplementingemergencyactivitiesinclearingfallensoilandbrokenconcretewalls,aswellaskeepingtrafficsafeforallvehiclestravellingontheroad.ConcretewallsareerodedontheupperroadsideoftheLaS?nTúyLoanHighway.PhotocourtesyofHoàiS?nThe66kmtwo-laneroadsectionoftheLaS?n-TúyLoanHighway,whichhelpsconnectLaS?njunctioninTh?aThiênHu?andHoàLiêncommuneof?àN?ng,wasputintooperationin2022.TheroadwilllinkwiththeongoingCamL?-LaS?n(fromQu?ngTr?ProvincetoTh?aThiênHu?Province)sectiontoreducetheloadonNationalHighway1.—VNSDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHà.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?n?i?pHàN?I—Promotingeconomicrestructuringofthenorthcentralandcentralcoastalregionsinconjunctionwithgrowthandinnovationisoneofkeytasksintheregionsplanintheperiod2021-30,withavisionto2050.TheplanwasissuedbyDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàintheDecisionNo1281/Q?-TTGonTuesday.Theplantargetstosetuppoliciesandsolutionstosupportthedevelopmentofsectors,sub-regionsandlocalitiesintheregions.Undertheplan,advantageousbasicindustries,processingindustriesandgreenindustrieswillbepromoted.Tourismwillbeenhancedtotrulybecomeaspearheadeconomicsectorsothattheregionswillbecomeakeytourismareaof??thewholecountry.Logisticswillbedevelopedinamodern,professionaldirection,applyingadvancedtechnologyandmeetingtherequirementsofinternationalintegration.Logisticscentreswillbeformedassociatedwithseaports,airportsandbordergates.Theregionsagriculturewillbeproducedinanecologicaldirection,effectivelyadaptingtoclimatechange.Theagriculture,forestry,mining,aquacultureandseafoodsectorswillberestructuredassociatedwiththeprocessingindustry,ensuringsustainabilityandhighefficiency.Marineeconomywillbepushedup,especiallycoastalurbanareasinharmonywiththeexploitationofoil,gasandothermarinemineralresources.Aquacultureandseafoodprocessingindustrieswillbeformedinconjunctionwithmarineenvironmentprotection,coastalandoffshoreindustries.SmartinfrastructureAnotherkeytaskoftheplanistobasicallyfoundasynchronous,modernandsmartinfrastructureframework,focusingontransport,energy,irrigation,disasterpreventionandcontrolandclimatechangeadaptation.Theplanwillcompletetheconstructionandexpansionofthenorth-southexpresswayaccordingtostandards,connectingspecialseaportsandinternationalairportswithlocalitiesintheCentralHighlands,LaosandCambodia.Regionalrailwayswillbebuiltwithprioritygiventolinesconnectingmajorcitieswithnationalrailwaystations,seaports,economiczones,industrialzones,logisticscentres,internationalbordergatestosoonimprovetransportefficiency.Inaddition,theplanwilldevelopthecentraldynamicregionandeconomiccorridorsalongthenorth-southaxis.Itwillpromotethenorthcentralsub-regionincludingThanhHoá,Ngh?An,HàT?nh,Qu?ngBìnhandQu?ngTr?provincestobecomeanimportantgrowthareainindustryandservicesoftheregionsandthewholecountry.Theplantargetstomake?àN?ngCityanationalgrowtharea,Qu?ngNamProvinceacentreofmechanicalindustryandsupportingindustry,Th?aThiên-Hu?Provinceacentreofculturalindustry,scienceandtechnology,education-training,high-qualityhealthcare,seaportservices,tradeandinternationalfinance.Qu?ngNg?iProvincewillbeacentreofpetrochemicalrefiningandenergy,seaandislandtourism,whereasBình??nhProvincewillbeacentreofinformationtechnologyindustry,servicesandtourismandmarineeconomicdevelopment.Thesouthcentralsub-regionincludingPhúYên,KhánhHoà,NinhThu?nandBìnhThu?nprovinceswillfocusonenergyindustry,tourismservicesandcoastalurbanareasfoundation.Aninter-regionalrenewableenergyindustryandservicecentrewillbebuiltinNinhThu?nProvince.Theeasterneconomiccorridor(sectionfromThanhHoátoBìnhThu?n)willbepromotedwithahigh-speedrailwayinthefuture.—VNS

ThuVanLàOCAI—NearlytwomonthshavepassedsincethedevastatingdisasterstruckLàngN?VillageonSeptember10,yettimehasdonelittletohealthedeepemotionalandphysicalscarsbornebyitssurvivors.Theoncepeacefulvillagewasravagedbycatastrophicfloodsandlandslides,leavingsixtypeopledeadandsevenmissing.HoàngTh???t,nowinhertemporaryhomeakilometreawayfromwherehervillageoncestood,feelsasifthetragedyhappenedonlyyesterday.HoàngTh?NóngandchildrenofLàngN?Villagetendtothenewlyplantedgarden.VNSPhotoThuVanWhenIthinkaboutit,Icantsleepatnight.Weallfeelemptyandexhausted.Itshardtodoanythingproperly,??tsaid.Shereminiscedabouttheclose-knitcommunitythatonceworkedsidebyside,helpingeachotherwithfarminganddailychores.Now,nearlyhalfofthevillagespopulationisgone.Sherecallsthewarmthoffamily,friendsandneighbourswhooncesurroundedher,likehernieceDuy,whowaspartofhereverydaylife.Thenightbeforetheflood,shecameovertohelpwiththecooking.Thenextday,shewasgone,??trecounted.HoàngTh???t.VNSPhotoThuVanShewasonly37,gentleandkind.Thisyear,shegrewglutinousricenearmyfieldsowecouldharvestandmakegreenricetogether.Nowthatshesgone,myheartacheseverytimeIlookatthatfield.Ihavenodesiretoharvestit.Forothers,likeNguy?nTh?Kim,thefloodsbroughtterrorandanear-deathexperience.IwasabouttogetupwhenIheardthesoundofstrongwinds.Ithoughttocovermysleepingdaughterwithablanketincaseshefeltcold.ThenIheardaviolentnoiseandeverythingwentdark…WhenIopenedmyeyes,Iwasbeingsweptawaybywater.Ithoughtitwasanightmare,sherecalled.Kimsrightarmwasbrokenandshehasntregainedfullmovement.Herrightearwasalsoinjured,leavingherwithimpairedhearing.Kimsthree-year-olddaughterwassweptawayaswell,butwasmiraculouslyfoundalivebylocals.Nguy?nTh?Kimandherdaughter.VNSPhotoNh?tH?ngPeoplesaidshelookedjustlikeateddybearinthemud,mixedwithdebris—noonerealiseditwasachilduntiltheyheardhercrying,Kimsaid,hervoicefilledwithreliefdespitethetragedy.Otherfamilieswerelessfortunateandinsomecases,noonesurvived.Idontthinkpeoplehavefeltbetteryet.Westillseemdazed,wakingupnotknowingwhattodo,howtostarttheday,Kimsaid,capturingthepervasivedisorientationandgriefhauntingthecommunity.ExpectantmotherL?cThiNh?ywasfortunateenoughtoescapewithherfamily,whoawokeearlyandfledasthewatersrose.Yet,thelossofneighboursandextendedfamilyweighsheavilyonherheart.IknowImluckymyfamilyissafe,butotherswerentsofortunate,shesaid,hervoicebreaking.Duringtheday,wetalk,tryingtoconsoleeachother,buthowcanthepainbelessened?Myfather-in-lawstwobrotherscouldntescape,thefloodcametoofastandnooneattheirhomessurvived.Afatherandsonwereatthehospitalthatdayandsurvived,buttheirlovedonesathomedidnt,shesaid,detailingthetragicfatesofherneighbours.Butwhennightfallsandeveryonereturnstotheirownhomes,thatswhenthesadnessreallysettlesin.Nguy?nV?nCai,anotherresident,sharedthathisextendedfamilylost14members.Inthepast,wewouldgathereverymorningtogotoworkandintheevenings,wedgatheragain,evenifweweretired.Now,theyreallgone,hesaid,hisvoicereflectingtheprofoundlossfeltthroughoutthesurvivingcommunity.CommunitysupportamidsorrowAmidthesorrow,localauthoritiesinB?oYênDistrictareworkingtirelesslytohelpresidentsrebuildtheirlivesandlivelihoods.Nh?Th?Tam,headoftheAgricultureDepartmentoftheB?oYênPeoplesCommittee,recalledthemomentsheandotherdistrictleadersfirstheardthenews.SomedistrictleadersdecidedtogotoLàngN?,andittooksixhourstotraveljust20kmfromthetowntothevillage.Theyhadtoswim,travelbyboat,walkandclimbthroughlandslidesandfloodwaterstoreachthesite,Tamrecounted.Itwasaheavyfeelingforallofus.Inthatmoment,noonethoughtaboutthemselves,everyonefocusedsolelyondoingwhattheycouldtosupportthepeople,shesaid,notinghowsheremainedattheofficefortwostraightweeksafterthedisaster.Toeasethepainofloss,thedistrictisprioritisingsupportforagriculturalrecovery,withover2,500hectaresoffarmlanddamaged,includingmorethan800hectaresofricefields.Revivingthewintercropiscrucialtorestoringthecommunitysfoodsupply.Restoringagriculturalproductionisincrediblymeaningfultoresidentsrightnow,Tamsaid.Itgivesthemanimmediatefocusandhelpsalleviatetheimpactoftheirgrief.Thedistricthasallocatedpartofitsbudgettoprovideseedsandmaterialsforthewintercrop,focusingoncropsthatcanbeharvestedquicklyandstoredlong-term,ensuringasustainableincomesource.Lookingfurtherahead,thedistrictisworkingtosecurefundsforagriculturaldevelopment,beyondtargettedprogrammefunds.Whilecentral,provincialanddistrictbudgetshavebeenused,theseresourcesarelimited.Therefore,weareprioritisingbusinesspartnershipsasakeystrategyforcommercialagriculture.Throughinitiativeslikelandconsolidationandassistancewithinvestmentapprovalsandconstructionpermits,weaimtofosterlong-termagriculturalgrowth,Tamsaid.Immediatelyaftertheflood,localauthoritiesmobilisedtoensurerapidsupportforthoseingreatestneed.Withinaweek,atemporaryresidencewasestablished,supportedbybothlocalagenciesandprivateenterprises.This2,000-square-metreareaincludes23sturdysteel-framehouses,eachstockedwithessentialsupplies,providingdisplacedfamilieswithsafetyandstabilitywhileawaitingpermanentresettlement.Flowersbloominfrontoftemporaryhouses.VNSPhotoThuVanMeanwhile,constructionofthenewresettlementareaforLàngN?Villageisprojectedforcompletionbytheendofthisyear.Situatedonahillabouttwokilometresfromthefloodsite,thenewlocationwillofferasaferfoundation.Theplanincludes40two-storeyhousesinthetraditionalTaystiltstyle,withessentialfacilitieslikekitchens,bathroomsandacommunitycentre.Infrastructureforroads,electricityandwaterwillalsosupportthelong-termstabilityofresidents.ViceChairmanoftheB?oYênPeoplesCommittee,Nguy?nV?nNh?t,emphasisedtheircommitmenttocompletethenewaccommodationbyDecember31.Ourpriorityisthewell-beingoftheresidentsandconstructingtheresettlementareaisbeingurgentlyaddressed,hesaid.Eachfamilywillreceivebetween800to1,000squaremetresforbothresidentialandagriculturaluse,allowingspaceforlivestockandcrops.Nguy?nDanhNamfromCorps12,undertheMinistryofNationalDefence,theconstructionunit,expressedtheirdedicationdespiteobstacles.Afterassemblingthefirsthouse,theteamencounteredheavyrainseachnightforthreeconsecutivedays.Nevertheless,westayedcommitted,assigningtasksandworkinginshiftsfrom6amtomidnightandsomedaysuntil2am,tostayonschedule,Namsaid.Thefirsthouses,nowcompletewithwalls,roofsandkitchens,standasasymbolofresilienceandrebuilding.PhotoCourtesyofCorps12Heexplainedthattheraincreatedmuddypatches,whichhinderedconstruction,requiringthemtouseexcavatorsandbulldozerstopullvehiclesupslopes.Withalloursincerity,we,alongwiththeofficersandsoldiersonthisproject,hopethecommunityfindsstabilitysoon.Wepromisetocontinueourutmosteffortstocompletethesehomesontime,Namadded.Soldiersandworkershavebeenworkingdaysandnighttocompletenewhomesfortheresidentsbytheendoftheyear.PhotoCourtesyofCorps12Attheconstructionsite,morethan200personnel,supportedby50piecesofheavymachinery,includingfivecranes,areworkingtoerectcolumns,assemblefloorsandinstallwalls.Tosavetime,theteampre-castconcretecolumns,supportbeamsandfloorpanelsoff-site,thentransportedthemtoassemblethecompletestilthouseframes.Thefirsthouses,nowcompletewithwalls,roofs,andkitchens,standasasymbolofresilienceandrebuilding.Formany,likeHoàngTh???t,eachhillsideandricefieldcarriesmemoriesofthoselost,servingasquietremindersoftheresilienceneededtorebuild.Infrontofthetemporaryresidence,avegetablegardenhasbeenplantedbyvolunteerswhocametoshowtheirsupport,withflowersbeginningtobloomnearby.Thepeacethatoncefilledthisplacehasnotyetreturnedandmaybealongtimecoming,butasthenewvillagetakesshape,residentsfindstrengthinknowingthattheentirenationstandsbehindthem.Stepbystep,theymoveforward,upheldbyaspiritofunityandhope.VNS

Nguy?nV?nTh?chatTh?chL?pCommunePoliceOffice.Photocongly.vnTHANHHóA—ThePeoplesProcuracyofNg?cL?cDistrictinthecentralprovinceofThanhHoáhasdecidedtocommencelegalproceedingsagainstanddetainNguy?nV?nTh?ch,24,onallegationsofsexualassaultinvolvingathree-year-oldgirl.Th?ch,residinginTh?chL?pCommune,Ng?cL?cDistrict,mayfacechargesunderClause3,Article142ofthePenalCoderelatedtooffencesagainstindividualsunder16yearsold.OnOctober17,Th?chandafriend,B.T.G.,hadlunchanddranktogetheratTh?chshome.Around3pm,theywenttoG.sresidencetocontinuedrinking.Whileinside,Th?chenteredtherestroomarea,whereheencounteredH.N.M.,athree-year-oldnieceofG.,playingalonenearby.Th?chwasallegedtohavebroughtthechildintotherestroom,whereG.reportedlyinterveneduponhearingsoundsofdistress.OnOctober22,Th?chvoluntarilyreportedtoTh?chL?pCommunePoliceOffice,acknowledginghisactions.Afterinitialinvestigation,thepoliceidentifiedthisasaseriouscase.WhileTh?chinitiallydeniedallegationsofseriousmisconduct,furtherquestioningledtoaconfession.Incooperationwithlocallawenforcement,additionalevidencewasgathered,whichcontributedtotheprosecutionscase.ThecasehasbeentransferredtotheThanhHóa(chǎn)ProvincialPoliceInvestigationDepartmentforfurtherlegalproceedings.—VNSAviewoftheHCMCity-LongThành-D?uGiayExpressway.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheVi?tNamExpresswayCorporation(VEC)reportedasignificantriseintrafficacrosstheexpresswaysitmanages,with50.5millionvehiclesusingtheroutes—anincreaseof11.3percentcomparedtothesameperiodin2023.Inthefourthquarterof2024,VECwillbeginaseriesofrepairprojectstoaddressroadsurfacedamagesontheN?iBài-LàoCai,C?uGi?-NinhBình,and?àN?ng-Qu?ngNg?iexpressways,aimedatenhancingroadqualityandensuringdriversafety.AccordingtoVECsreport,trafficonitsexpresswayscontinuedtogrowinthefirstninemonthsoftheyear.TheexpresswaysunderVECsmanagement—N?iBài-LàoCai,C?uGi?-NinhBình,?àN?ng-Qu?ngNg?i,andHCMCity-LongThành-D?uGiay—safelyserved50.5millionvehicles.TheHCMCity-LongThành-D?uGiayExpresswayhadthehighesttrafficvolume,with17.6millionvehicles,reflectinga14.1percentincreasecomparedtothesameperiodin2023.TheC?uGi?-NinhBìnhExpresswayfollowedwith16.9millionvehiclesbuthadthelowestgrowthrateat7.4percent.RankingthirdinbothtrafficvolumeandgrowthratewastheN?iBài-LàoCaiExpressway,whichrecorded13.9millionvehicles,markinga12.2percentrise.Despitethehighestgrowthrateof14.6percent,the?àN?ng-Qu?ngNg?iExpresswaysawthelowesttrafficvolume,withjust2.1millionvehicles.Inthefirstninemonthsofthisyear,trafficsafetyonVECsexpresswayswaswell-coordinatedbetweenoperatingunitsandlawenforcement.Management,operation,andmaintenancewereeffectivelyhandled,ensuringsmoothandsafetrafficflow,aVECrepresentativestated.Overthepastninemonths,nomajortrafficaccidentsorprolongedcongestionoccurredonVECsexpressways.Whilethenumberofcollisionsandinjuriesdroppedsignificantly—downby59collisionsand12injuries—thenumberofaccidentsandfatalitiesslightlyincreased,with31additionalaccidentsandonemoredeath.Importantly,therewasnodamagetotheroadinfrastructure.CongestionremainsachallengeontheN?iBài-LàoCai,C?uGi?-NinhBình,andHCMCity-LongThành-D?uGiayexpresswaysduringholidaysandT?tduetoincreasedtraffic,accidents,andvehiclebreakdowns,withthe?àN?ng-Qu?ngNg?iExpresswaybeingtheonlyexception.Despitewarnings,theissueofvehiclesrunningoutoffundsintheirelectronictollcollectionaccountshaspersisted,withmorethan480,000incidentsinthepastninemonths.Thishascontributedtoslowertrafficandraisedsafetyconcernsattollstations.Since6pmonSeptember13,2024,VEChasbeenofferingfreeroadserviceforvehiclestransportingreliefsuppliestonorthernprovincesaffectedbyTyphoonYagiandsubsequentfloods.ThisservicewillcontinueuntilmidnightonOctober13,2024,onallVEC-managedexpressways,includingN?iBài-LàoCai,C?uGi?-NinhBình,?àN?ng-Qu?ngNg?i,andHCMCity-LongThành-D?uGiay.—VNS

AclassroomintheUniversityofEconomicsH?ChíMinhCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—NineVietnameseuniversitieshavesecuredplacesintheprestigiousTimesHigherEducation(THE)WorldUniversityRankingsfor2025.THEreleasedits2025globalrankingsonWednesday,withnineuniversitiesfromVi?tNammakingthelist,threemorethaninthepreviousyear.TheUniversityofEconomicsH?ChíMinhCitydebutedintherankings,securingthehighestpositionamongthenine,placinginthe501-600bracket.DuyTanUniversityandT?n??cTh?ngUniversity,whichpreviouslyledtherankingsforVietnameseinstitutions,experiencedslightdropsbutmaintainedtheirpositionsinthe601-800bracket.NewentriesthisyearincludeHàN?iMedicalUniversity,rankedbetween801and1,000andH?ChíMinhCityOpenUniversity,placedinthe1,201-1,500range.Thismarksasignificantachievementforthelatter,whichwaspreviouslylistedasareporterinstitution,meaningithadprovideddatabutdidnotmeettherankingcriteriain2024.OtherVietnameseuniversitiesfeaturedintherankingsincludeVi?tNamNationalUniversityHàN?i(1,201-1,500),HàN?iUniversityofScienceandTechnology(1,501+),Hu?University(1,501+),andVi?tNamNationalUniversity,H?ChíMinhCity(1,501+).V?nLangUniversitywaslistedasareporterthisyear.TheUniversityofOxfordintheUKretaineditstopspotfortheninthconsecutiveyear,breakingHarvardUniversityspreviousrecordofeightyearsatnumberone.Oxfordsscorescontinuetoimprovesignificantly,particularlyinareasrelatedtoincome,researchqualityandteachingquality.Itsproportionofinternationalstudentsalsostandsout.IntheUS,theMassachusettsInstituteofTechnology(MIT)isthehighest-rankeduniversity,placingsecondwithatotalscoreof98.1,just0.4pointbehindOxford.StanfordUniversityunexpectedlydroppedfromsecondtosixthplace,itslowestrankingsince2010,duetodeclinesinteachingquality,researchenvironment,andinternationaloutlookscores.HarvardUniversitymovedupfromfourthtothirdplace,whilePrincetonUniversityrosefromsixthtofourth.Inthetop20,Asiahasthreerepresentatives:TsinghuaUniversity(12th),PekingUniversity(13th)andtheNationalUniversityofSingapore(17th).TsinghuaUniversitymaintaineditsposition,whilePekingUniversityandtheNationalUniversityofSingaporeeachrosebyoneandtwospots,respectively.Globally,the2025THErankingsevaluated2,092universitiesfrom115countriesandregions.Therankingsystemuses18indicatorsacrossfivekeyareas:theteachingenvironment,researchenvironmentandquality,internationaloutlook,andknowledgetransfer.—VNSEconomicmanagementexpertDrHoàngTh?ThuPh??ng.Photokinhtedothi.vnDrHoàngTh?ThuPh??ng,anexpertineconomicmanagement,speakstoKinhT???Th?(EconomicandUrbanAffairs)newspaperaboutHàN?istransitiontogreentransportation.WhatfunctiondoesgreentransportationplayinthecurrenturbangrowthtrendingeneralandinHàN?i?HàN?i,alargeurbanarea,isgrowingrapidly.Thecityhasmadegreatprogressandhasmuchpotential,yetchallengesexist.Reducingenvironmentalpollutionandtrafficcongestionisoneofthemostpressingissues.Sincetrafficistheeconomyslifeblood,environmentallyfriendlytransportationandautomobilesarecrucialtobuildingathrivingeconomyandamodern,civilisedmetropolitanarea.Thegreenrevolutionintransportationisaglobaltrend.WhatprogresshasHàN?imadeinthegreenrevolutionoftransport?Thecityhasmadegreateffortsinrecentyearsandachievedmanyimportantstepsindevelopinggreentransport.Amongthese,therearetwomainachievementsthatIcanhighlight.Firstly,thecityhasconstructedtwourbanrailwaylinesandlaidaninitialfoundationforatrulymodern,civilisedandgreenpublictransportsystem.Sincetheurbanrailwaylinewasputintooperation,publicawarenessaswellasStatemanagementofgreentransporthaveimprovedsignificantlyandpositively.Asaresult,theurbandevelopmentstrategyandpolicyhavealsoseencriticalturningpoints,bringinglong-termeffectiveness.Secondly,publictransport,withtheurbanrailwayasthemaindriver,hascreatedsignificantchangesinpublictravelhabits.Thedependenceonpersonalvehicleshasbeguntoshifttowardsgreatertrustinpublictransport.Thisformsanimportantbasisforthecitytocontinueitsplantoreducepersonalvehicleuse,therebycuttingdownontrafficcongestionandenvironmentalpollution.Thesearecriticalconditions,drivingHàN?itowardssustainableurbandevelopment.AnelectriccartakestouristsaroundHàN?icitycentretoexplorefamousdestinations.VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngHowshouldHàN?icontinuethegreenrevolutionintransportation?IwouldliketoemphasisethatHàN?ihasbeendoingquitewellinitstransitiontoenvironmentallyfriendlytransportationunderthecurrentcircumstances.Onemajorobjectiveinthisgreenrevolutionistoswitchtotheuseofgreencars,whichrequiresmorethoroughplanningandalong-termroadmap.Itisimportanttoacknowledgethatpublicelectricbicycles,electricbusesandelectrictrainscurrentlymakeuponlyarelativelysmallpercentageofallvehiclesinthecity.Inadditiontodevelopinganetworkofenvironmentallyfriendlypublictransportation,thecitymustalsolimitthenumberofpersonalvehicleswhilesimultaneouslypromotingtheuseofgreenercommercialvehicles.Currently,HàN?ihasdozensofcommercialvehiclesthatareusedtotransportpassengersandgoods,butthemajorityofthemstillrunonfossilfuels,causingenvironmentalpollution.Thisgroupposesthebiggestthreattothecitybecauseofhowfrequentlythesevehiclesareused.Ithinkthat,alongwithpublictransport,commercialvehiclesshouldbeprioritisedintheshiftalongthegreentrend.Thecitymustalsograduallyswitchfromgasoline-poweredpersonalvehiclestoelectricvehicles.Thoseareextremelylargeanddifficultgoals,arentthey?Thatscorrect,itsveryhardtochangepeopleshabitsandpreferences,especiallywithnearlytenmillionvehiclesneedingtobecominggreen.HàN?isgreentransportrevolutionisapathfilledwithdifficulties.However,Ibelievethecapitalhasenormouspotentialtoachievethattransformation.Theissueisthatwelackclearlaws,regulations,procedures,orincentivestoencouragepeopletoswitchtogreencars.Thereisashortageofcleanfuelandelectriccarinfrastructure,whichcurrentlyfailstomeetpublicdemand,creatinghesitation.Nevertheless,HàN?ihasagreatopportunityforchange.Thepeoplesaspirationforthegreentransportationrevolutionandthepoliticalwillfromthecentralgovernmentandlocalauthorities,isthemostcrucialfactor.Electricvehiclessuchasmotorbikes,cars,busesandtrainsarebeingwarmlywelcome,fosteringanenvironmentthatsupportstheirgrowthandappeal.Themostcrucialleverforthesuccessofthegreenrevolutionintransportationisthischangeinthepoliticalwillandmindset.WhatsolutionsareneededinthetransitiontogreenenergyforHàN?ismeansoftransport?Ithinktherearefourmaingroupsofsolutionstodevelopgreentransportandgreenvehicles.Thefirstandmostimportantispolicysolutions.Inshort,theGovernmentandthecitysadministrationneedtoadoptpoliciestorestricttheuseofgasolineanddiesel-poweredmotorvehicles,whilepromotingelectricandclean-fuelvehicles.TheStateshouldnotimposeabanbutsethigherandstricterrequirementsforgasolineanddieselvehicles.TheStatehassofarimplementedpoliciestoencouragethepopularadoptionofgreenvehiclesandrestricttheuseofelectricvehicles.Thesecondgroupofsolutionsinvolvestechnicalinfrastructuresolution.Thereneedstobeadetailedplanforapowergridcapableofsupportingthepopularadoptionofelectricvehicles.Inaddition,chargingstationsshouldbeexpanded,ideallyataone-on-oneratiowithgasandoilstations.Whereverthereisagasandoilstation,thereshouldbeatleastoneelectricchargingstationforcarsandmotorbikes.Carmanufacturersneedtoresearchandimprovetechnologytomakerechargingelectricvehiclessimplerandeasiersothatindividualsandfamiliescanconvenientlychargetheirvehicles,oreasilyfindachargingstation,justastheydowithgasstations.Thethirdsolutionisfinancial.Thecitycanofferfinancialsupportorreducetaxesandfeesforpeoplewhoshiftfromtheuseofgasoline-poweredvehiclestoelectricones.Therecouldalsobepreferentialparkingpricesandroadtollsforelectricvehiclescomparedtogasolineanddieselvehicles.Fourthly,communicationiscrucialtoraisingpublicawarenessaboutlimitingpersonalvehicleuseandswitchingtogreenvehiclestoreducetrafficcongestionandenvironmentalpollution.Thetoppriorityiscommunicationpromotingpublictransportastheprimarymodeoftransportation.Inareaswherepersonalvehiclesarestillnecessary,peopleshouldbeencouragedtochooseclean-fuelvehiclesasthefirstoption.Communicationiskeytochangingperceptionandgainingpublicsupport,therebyeffectivelydrivingthegreenrevolutionintransportation.HowdoyoupredictthegreeningprocessofHàN?istransportationinthefuture?Ihavehighexpectations,butIthinkthatitsunrealistictoexpectHàN?isgreenrevolutiontoachieveitsmajorgoalsinthenearfuture.Itisimportanttorememberthatthecitystillfacesmanychallengesandmustallocateresourcestomanysocialsectors,notjusttransportation.Hopefully,withinthenext10-20years,thecapitalwillbelargelycoveredbyagreenpublictransportsystem,withonlyasmallnumberofprivatevehiclesusingcleanfuel.VNS

DrV?V?nTi?n,principaloftheHighSchoolfortheGiftedatHàN?iNationalUniversityofEducation.—PhotocourtesyofDrV?V?nTi?nDrV?V?nTi?n,aneducationistandprincipaloftheHighSchoolfortheGiftedatHàN?iNationalUniversityofEducation,washonouredinJune2024withtheprestigioustitleofOutstandingTeacherbythePresident,recognisinghissignificantcontributionstoeducation.Ti?ntalkswithVi?tNamNewsonhisjourney,theinspirationsthatledhimtoteaching,andthevaluesthatcontinuetoguidehim.YouwereawardedthetitleOutstandingTeacher,oneofthemostprestigiousaccoladesineducationinJunethisyear.Whatdoesthistitlemeantoyoupersonally?ThetitleOutstandingTeacherisagreathonourfromtheState,awardedtoteachers,administrators,andresearcherswhomakesignificantcontributionstoeducation.Forme,thistitlerecognisesmy36yearsofdedicationtoteachingandeducationaldevelopment.Itfillsmewithjoy,pride,andmotivationtokeepcontributingtothefield.Teachingisanobleyetchallengingprofession.Couldyousharewhatinitiallyinspiredyoutopursueacareerineducation?Icompletedhighschoolin1983,atimewhenstudentscouldapplytoonlyoneuniversity,college,orvocationalschool.Comingfromaruralbackground,ourexposuretocareeroptionswaslimited,andvocationalguidancewasminimal.Moststudentsdidnthaveaclearsenseofcareerpaths.Ididwellinsecondaryandhighschool,especiallyinscience,andteachersoftenaskedmetodemonstratesolutionsontheboard.Whenitcametimeforuniversity,afewfriendsandIchosetheHàN?iUniversityofEducation.Entrywasverycompetitive,butIwasfortunatetopassonmyfirstattempt.IcompletedfouryearsofstudyandbeganteachingimmediatelyaftergraduatinginJune1987.Becomingateacherfeltnatural—almostlikeacalling.Youvebeenintheprofessionforalongtimeandmentoredmanystudents.Isthereaparticularmemoryfromyourcareerthatstandsout?Overmy37yearsineducation,Ivehadmanyjoyfulandchallengingexperienceswithdifferentgenerationsofstudents.OnememoryIllneverforgetwasonTeachersDay,onNovember20,1988.Agroupofstudentscametomyhomeearlywithafewguavasfromtheirgardenasagift.Theyexpressedadmirationandrespect,eventhoughtheyknewIdidntremembertheirnamebecausetheystruggledacademically.Teachersoftenrememberhigh-achievingstudents,butthisprofoundlessontaughtmethateverystudentisunique.Asteachers,wemustcarefor,encourage,andtreatallstudentsequally,regardlessoftheiracademicperformance.Manystudentsrememberyouaskindandapproachable.Howdoyoubalancethestrictnessrequiredofaheadmasterwithapproachability?ThelongerIworkineducation,themoreIrealisethatteachingisanincrediblychallengingjob.Astheheadoftheschool,Ineedtomaintainstrictnessandfairness,butIalsotrytolistenandunderstandmystudentsaspirationsandconcerns.Ispendtimespeakingwiththemandofferingguidanceonpersonalissues.Mygoalistobeastrictyetapproachableheadmaster,someonestudentscanseeasamentorandafriendwhenneeded.AttheHighSchoolfortheGifted,manyteachersexcelatthisbalance.Somearesobelovedbystudentsthattheyareidolised.Ourschoolstrivestocreatearigorousyetcompassionateenvironment—ahumanisticculturethathelpsstudentsshapetheircharacterandpreparesthemforthedemandsofmodernsociety.Basedonyourexperience,whataretheessentialqualitiesofanexcellentteacher?Throughoutmy37-yearcareer,including16asvice-principalandthenprincipal,IvecontinuedtoteachbecauseIconsideritmyprimaryprofession.Tobeanexcellentteacher,youneedstrongsubjectknowledge,effectiveclassroommanagement,and,mostimportantly,apassionforteachingandloveforstudents.Successisntguaranteedbysubjectmasteryalone.Thesamelessonmightresonatewellwithoneclassbutfailtoengageanother.Teachingisaboutnurturingpeopleandteachingpeoplehowtolive.Beforeimpartingknowledge,teachersmustbuildtrustandinspirestudentstoseethevalueoflearning.Ourschoolrecruitsstudentsfromacrossthecountry,eachwithdifferentbackgroundsandpersonalities.Everyteacherhereunderstandstheimportanceofinfusinglifeintoeachlesson,adaptingtovarioustypesofstudents,andmakingeachlessonfreshandengaging.Youvemanagedbothpersonalandschoolresponsibilitiesovertheyears.Whatmotivatesyoutokeepleadingtheschooltosuccessdespitethechallenges?Whetherteachingormanaging,Ialwaysputstudentsatthecentre,prioritisingtheirinterestsaboveallelse.Lookingintomystudentsinnocent,eagereyesmakesworldlyworriesfadeaway.Balancingmultipletasksischallenging,requiringharmonyandfocusonsolutions.Inteaching,myfocusisonstudents;inmanagement,itsonencouragingothers,sharingjoysandchallengeswithcolleagues,andworkingtogethertofulfilourschoolsmission.Overyourcareer,youhaveachievedalotinbothteachingandadministration.Asaseasonededucator,doyouhaveanyadviceforyoungpeopleconsideringacareerineducation?Teachingtodayismuchmoreconvenientthanwhenwefirstgraduated,butchoosingacareerishardernowduetotheabundanceofinformation.Forthosewhochoosetobecometeachers,thefirststepistolovethejob,people,andespeciallychildren.Teachersshouldbeempathetic,encouragestudentsindifficulttimes,andfindjoyintheirstudentsprogress,howeversmall.Theyshouldfeelconcernedwhenstudentsloseinterestorstruggle.Ateacher,whetherinclassroomorinlife,mustbeanexemplaryfigure,livingasamodelforstudentstofollow.VNSQuàngTh?Xuan,deputyheadmistressoftheM??ngL?nPrimaryBoardingSchoolinS?pC?pDistrict,S?nLaProvince,dedicatesherselftonurturingyoungmindsinthisremoteborderregion.VNA/VNSPhotoIntheruggedlandscapesofThanhHóa(chǎn)Province,LangChánhDistrictfindsitselfatacriticaljuncture,facedwithapersistentshortageofteachers.Despiteextensiveadvertisingandrecruitmentcampaigns,responseshavebeenlimited,highlightingthedifficultyinattractingteacherstothisremote,mountainousarea.AccordingtoNguy?nNg?cS?n,headofthedistrictsDepartmentofEducationandTraining,thedistrictcurrentlyhasashortfallin92teachingpositionscomparedtoitsquotaforthe2024-2025academicyear.ThisstaffingissueispartofabroadernationalchallengeimpactingeducationinmountainousandruralregionsacrossVi?tNam.InLangChánhDistrict,theproblemisfurtherexacerbatedbylowratesofuniversityenrolmentamonglocalstudents,withveryfewchoosingtotrainasteachers.Thistrendiscoupledwithastrongpulltowardsurbanareas,whereopportunities,amenities,andinfrastructurearemoredeveloped,whileincentivesforworkingintheseremoteregionsremaininsufficient.S?nexplainedthatoneofthemajorbarriersisfinance.Thesupplementalsalaryforteachersworkinginmountainousareasoverthoseinthelowlandsisjust0.1percentabovethebasewage—equatingtoaboutVN?234,000(roughlyUS$10).Thismeagredifferencedoeslittletopullincandidatesforthejob,especiallyinareaswherelivingconditionsarechallengingandsupportislimited.ThischallengeisnotisolatedtoLangChánhbutisseeninothermountainousdistrictsinThanhHóa(chǎn),suchasQuanS?n,QuanHóa(chǎn),andM??ngLát.Theseareasexperiencesimilardifficulties,strugglingtoattractandretainteachersandmeettheincreasingdemandsofagrowingnumberofstudents.Toaddressthesewidespreadissues,thegovernmentisconsideringaTeachersBill,currentlyunderdiscussionattheongoingsessionoftheNationalAssembly.Thisproposedlegislationaimstoenhancetheappealofteachingpositionsthroughincreasedsalaries,improvedbenefits,andstrongersupportsystems,particularlyinchallengingenvironments.HigherpaymentThedraftLawonTeachersproposesasignificantelevationofteacherssalariestothehighestlevelwithinthepublicservicepayscale,explainsV?Minh??c,DirectoroftheDepartmentofTeachersandEducationalManagementattheMinistryofEducationandTraining.Thisproposalnotonlyaimstoraisethebasesalarybutalsotoenhanceallowancesforpreschooleducatorsandteachersworkinginchallengingenvironmentssuchasethnicminorityregions,mountainousareas,coastalzones,andislands,aswellasthoseemployedatspecialisedinstitutionsorininclusiveeducationsettings.Moreover,thelegislationintroducesnewretirementpoliciestailoredspecificallyfortheteachingprofession.Forinstance,itallowspreschoolteacherstheoptionofearlyretirement,whereasteacherswithacademictitlessuchasprofessororassociateprofessor,orthoseholdingdoctoraldegreesinspecialisedfields,maychoosetoextendtheircareers,contingentoninstitutionalneedsandtheirpersonalhealth.Article1ofthedraftoutlinescomprehensivepoliciescoveringteachersrightsandduties,recruitmentprocesses,salarystructures,internationalcooperation,recognition,anddisciplinarymeasures.Article6,Clause5emphasisesastatecommitmenttoprioritisingteachercompensation.ChapterV,whichincludesArticles27to31,focusesonsalaryandbenefits,specifyingthatpublicschoolteacherswillreceivethehighestsalarieswithinthepublicservicepayscale,inadditiontoprofessionalallowancesbasedonthenatureoftheirworkandlocation.Enhancedallowancesarealsoproposedforpreschoolteachers,educatorsinremoteareas,teachersatspecialisedinstitutions,thoseinvolvedininclusiveeducation,andteachersfromethnicminoritybackgrounds.Newlyhiredteacherswillreceiveanimmediatesalaryincrementuponjoiningthepublicpayscale.Oursurveysshowthat61percentofteacherswholeavetheprofessionareunder35,oftenduetolowincomethatfailstocoverbasicneeds.Youngerteachers,facingfinancialandfamilyresponsibilities,requiresupporttoremaininthefield,??csays.Forteacherswithlessthanfiveyearsofexperience,salariesareverylow,sothisproposalencouragesyoungpeopletoenterandstayintheteachingprofession,hesays.BettersupportingpoliciesTeachersupportpoliciesintroducedinArticle28includeadditionalsupportmeasures,suchasallowancesbasedonworkingconditionsandlocation,opportunitiesfortrainingandprofessionaldevelopment,regularhealthchecks,andmobilityallowancesforteachersinvolvedinliteracyandgeneraleducationorteachingatmultiplesites.Teachersfacingchallengesinareassuchasethnicminorityregionsandremoteislands,andthoseinspecialisedorinclusiveeducation,willhaveaccesstocollectivehousing,governmentrentaloptions,andtravelallowancesforannualleaveandfamilyvisits.Localauthoritiesandeducationalinstitutionsareencouragedtodevelopfurthersupportinitiativesbasedontheirfinancialcapacity.Article29outlinesattractionpoliciesaimedatrecruitinghighlyqualifiedindividuals,outstandinggraduates,youngscientists,andthosewithspecialskills,focusingparticularlyonteachersindifficultareas,includingethnicminorityregionsandcoastalzones.Theseincentivesprovideallowancesandsupportforessentialhousingorrentals,especiallyinruralareas.RetirementpoliciesforteachersdetailedinArticle30adheretotheLabourCodeunlessotherwisestated.Clause2permitspreschoolteacherstoretireuptofiveyearsearlierwithoutareductioninpensionbenefits,whileClause31providesanextendedretirementoptionforpublicschoolteacherswithtitlessuchasprofessororassociateprofessor,orthosewithdoctorates,basedontheinstitutionsneedsandtheteachershealthandwillingness.Extensionperiodsarecappedatspecificdurationsdependingonqualifications,althoughallowancesorleadershiprolesareexcluded.AccordingtoProfessorNguy?nM?uBành,presidentoftheVi?tNamVeteranTeachersAssociation,raisingteacherssalariestothehighestpublicservicelevelwouldbeasignificantachievement,potentiallyencouragingteacherstoremaindedicatedtotheirprofessionwithpride.NationalAssemblydelegateTr?nQu?cTu?nfromTràVinhemphasisestheimportanceofprioritisingteachersalariestoreflecteducationsroleasatopnationalpriority,crucialforattractingandretainingtalentededucatorstosupportVi?tNamssustainableeducationaldevelopment.V?Minh??c,DirectoroftheDepartmentofTeachersandEducationalManagementattheMinistryofEducationandTraining,emphasisesthatthenewpoliciesaimtoenrichteacherslivesbeyondmeresalaryenhancements.Thisinitiativeseekstoelevatethestatureofteachers,ensuringtheyarerecognisedandrespectedbysociety,andtheirprofessionaldignityissafeguarded.Additionally,itpromisesimprovedworkingconditions,greaterlearningopportunities,andtheautonomytoinnovateandengagecreativelyintheirroles,??cexplains.Theproposeddraftoffersrobustlegaltoolsaimedatstreamliningtherecruitmentprocess,optimisingresourceutilisation,andattractingtalenttotheteachingprofession.Itaddressescriticalbottlenecksandfostersamoreconduciveenvironmentforteacherretentionanddevelopment,hesays.Asignificantaspectofthedraftisthepromotionofequalityindevelopmentopportunitiesbetweenpublicandnon-publicschoolteachers.Forthefirsttime,non-publiceducatorsaretobeformallyrecognisedunderthesamecategoryaspublicschoolteachers,movingawayfrombeingviewedmerelyascontractworkers.Thisrecognitionispivotalinenhancingtheirprofessionalstatusandensuringequitabletreatmentacrosstheeducationsector.Currently,1.6millionteachersworkacrossalleducationallevelsandregions—frompreschoolstouniversities,andurbancentrestoremoteislandsandmountainousareas.Ifpassed,thedraftLawonTeacherswouldestablishaconsistentandeffectivelegalframeworktosupportthegrowthofboththeteachingworkforceandtheeducationsector.VìTh?H?ng,ateacherintheLóngLu?ngPrimarySchoolinLóngLu?ngCommune,VanH?District,S?nLaProvince,caresforstudentsduringtheirnoonsnap.VNA/VNSPhotoPartychiefsviewDuringrecentdiscussions,theGeneralSecretaryoftherulingparty,T?Lam,hasstressedthatthebillmusthonourandsupportteachers,particularlythoseworkingindemandingenvironments.Henotedthatthecurrentdrafthadnotfullyaddressedtheuniquechallengesfacedbyteachersinremoteanddisadvantagedareas,includingthedifficultandspecialconditionsinprisonschoolsandremotemountainousregions.Basedonhisvisitstosuchareas,thePartychiefsharedhisobservationsoftheharshrealitiesteachersandstudentsface.Manystudentstravel20-30kmdailytoattendschool,whileteachersoftenlackadequateaccommodation.Howcanweexpecttheseteachersandstudentstosustainthiseffortwithoutpropersupport?heasked,urgingtheNationalAssemblytoconsidertailoredsolutionsfortheseregions.VNSEmpoweringeducationsectorrecruitmenttoaddressteachershortagesThedraftTeachersLawalsointroducessignificantreformsaimedatstreamliningtherecruitmentprocess,acriticalsteptowardresolvingtheacuteteachershortagesplaguingvariousregions.Thisstrategicshiftinpolicycouldrevolutionisethewayeducatorsareemployed,particularlyinunderservedareas,ensuringthatalleducationalinstitutions,regardlessoflocation,haveaccesstothequalifiedteachingstafftheyrequire.Underthisproposal,theMinistryofEducationandTraining,incollaborationwiththeMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs,willleadstrategies,planning,andteacherstaffingquotas.Thisautonomywillincludesettingrecruitmentcriteria,definingpracticalteachingrequirements,managingtheallocationofteachersinpublicschoolsaccordingtoapprovedquotas,andoverseeingrecruitment,evaluation,andappointmentsatbothnationalandlocalschoollevels.Thi?uV?nNam,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofEducationandTraininginKiênGiangProvince,assertsthatgrantingautonomyinrecruitmentwillmarkedlyimprovelocalemploymentefforts,particularlyintheprovince.UnderthecurrentregulationsoftheMinistryofHomeAffairs,teachersmustapplydirectlytoindividualschools,oftenleadingtoimbalanceswheresomeschoolsreceiveanexcessofapplicantsforsinglepositionswhileotherswithmultiplevacanciesattractfew,ifany,candidates.InKiênGiang,manyteachersoptforpositionsinurbanareaslikeR?chGiáCity,leavingeducationalinstitutionsontheislandsstrugglingtofindadequateteachingstaff.TheacuteshortageofpreschoolteachersinKiênGianghighlightsthenecessityforcleartechnicalguidelinestostreamlinetherecruitmentprocessatthelocallevel.EchoingNamssentiments,Nguy?nThúyHà,directorofthe??ngThápDepartmentofEducationandTraining,supportsthemovetowardsrecruitmentautonomy,notingthatitwillallowforbetteralignmentwithindividualschoolneedsandenhanceaccountability.Shecallsforcomprehensiveguidelinesonrecruitmentconditions,procedures,prioritygroups,examcontent,andtheemploymentofforeignteacherstohelpschoolsengagespecialisedtalent.Hàalsopromotesmoreefficientrecruitmentprocessesthatbalancequalitywithexpediencybyrequiringpracticalteachingexperienceandadherencetoprofessionalstandards.Forareaswithlimitedapplicants,shesuggestsdirectrecruitmentcouldbeanalternative,bypassingtraditionalexamsifcandidatesmeetthenecessaryqualifications.Ph?m??ngKhoa,headoftheEducationandTrainingOfficeofDistrict3,HCMCity,fullysupportsthepolicyofgrantingtheeducationsectorgreaterautonomyinteacherrecruitment.Ibelievethisisbothanecessaryandwell-consideredpolicythatenablestheeducationandtrainingsectortostrengthenanddevelopitsteachingworkforceinamorescientificandefficientmanner,whilealsoattractingandretainingtalentedteacherstoservethecauseofeducation,Khoasays.Withtheauthoritytorecruitautonomously,theeducationsectorcanproactivelyimplementpoliciestoattractandretainhighlyskilled,talentedindividualsandoutstandinggraduates,especiallyinfieldswhererecruitmentischallenging,suchasmusic,art,IT,andtechnology,hesays.VNS