DoctorsandnursesattheAgriculturalHospitalregisterasposthumousorgandonors.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–Vi?tNamhasestablisheditselfastheleadingnationinSoutheastAsiafororgantransplants,performingover1,000procedureseachyearforthepasttwoyears.Nguy?nTh?KimTi?n,formerMinisterofHealthandcurrentPresidentoftheVi?tNamTissueandOrganDonationAdvocacyAssociation,sharedthesefiguresduringthelaunchofanorgandonationregistrationprogrammeattheAgriculturalHospitalinHàN?ionTuesday.Ti?ncommendedthenationssignificantadvancementsinmedicalexpertiseandtransplanttechniques,markingoverthreedecadesofperformingcomplexsurgeries,includingkidney,liver,heart,lung,pancreas,andcornealtransplants.ThisaccomplishmentreflectsVi?tNamsremarkableprogressandplacesusonparwithotherregionalleadersinorgantransplantation,shestated.Currently,Vi?tNamboasts26transplantcentresthatarewell-equippedwithmoderntechnologyandskilledpersonnel.However,achallengeremains:96percentoforgandonationscomefromlivingdonors,withdonationsfrombrain-deaddonorscomprisingjust4percent,insufficienttomeetthegrowingdemandfortransplants.StatisticsfromtheVi?tNamTissueandOrganDonationAdvocacyAssociationindicatethatapproximately100,000individualshaveregisteredforposthumousorgandonation,yettensofthousandsarestillwaitingfortransplants.Thescarcityofavailableorgansleadstodozensofpatientdeathsdaily.Annually,around300brain-deadpatientscouldprovideover6,000organsandtissues,yetmanyarenotutilised.DrLêV?n,headoftheorgandonationbranchattheAgriculturalHospital,reportedreceivingnumerousorgandonationoffersfromfamiliesofbrain-deadpatientseagertoaidmedicalneeds.Notably,outofthehospitals700staffmembers,200havepledgedtodonatetheirorgansafterdeath.Lookingforward,theAgriculturalHospitalsorgandonationbranchaimstoenhancetrainingandinfrastructuretosupportorgantransplantoperationswithinthecomingyears,startingwithkidneytransplants.–VNS

AstudentatTi?nAnPrimarySchoolinB?cNinhCitylearnshowtofloat.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Althoughtheauthoritieshavetakenstepstopreventchildinjuries,theoutcomesremainunsatisfactory,requiringnewapproachestoestablishasafeenvironmentforchildren.TheMinistryofEducationandTraininghasintroducedguidelinesforschoolsafetyanddecreedmeasurestoreducechild-relatedtrafficaccidents.Still,severeaccidentscontinuedunabatedin2024.SeveralnotableexamplesincludetheaccidentatBùiTh?XuanPrimaryandSecondaryEthnicBoardingSchoolin??kL?kProvinceonSeptember16,whereaseven-year-oldstudentwaskilledafterbeingstruckbyacardrivingintotheschoolpremises.Thefollowingday,a5th-gradestudentat??iTh?ngPrimarySchoolinHàN?isufferedaseriousinjuryafterfallingfromthesecondflooroftheschoolbuilding.Lastweek,thecapsizingofaboatintheM?cRiverinThanhHóa(chǎn)Provinceclaimedthelivesoftwochildren,whowereoutenjoyingaboattripwiththeirfriends.Thesituationisnotmuchbetterwhenlookingatthebiggerpicture.Officialstatisticsindicateadeclineofaroundfourpercentinaccident-causedchildfatalitiesinVi?tNamoverthepastfewyears,whichtranslatesintoabout100fewerchilddeathsannually.Thefigureisencouraging,but,assomeexpertsputit,stillfallsshortofthelong-termgoalofinjuryprevention,especiallyconsideringthepersistentlyhighmortalitycausedbydrowningandtrafficaccidents,whichclaimapproximately3,600childlivesannually.Theministrycitedineffectivecommunicationcampaignsasthemainfactorimpedingitsmeasures.Italsoheldtheschoolaccountableforthechildsdeathin??kL?k,whichneglectedregulationstoallowacardrivingonitspremises.Someexpertssuggestedusinglocalfundstoexpandthesafehousemodeltocreateasafeenvironmentforchildren.Keysafetyfeaturesinsuchhousesincludefencesaroundwater,coveringwellsandwatertanks.Dangerousitemswouldbelockedaway,windowsstrengthenedwithsturdybarsandkitchenschildproofedwithbarriersandgates.D??ngKhánhVan,aWorldHealthOrganizationexpertinVi?tNam,emphasisedtheneedforamulti-facetedapproachtopreventchilddrowninginVi?tNam,includingsafetytrainingandcommunity-basedchildcare,especiallyduringfloodseasons.Shealsohighlightedtheimportanceofbuildingfencesaroundwaterbodies,installingwarningsitesandenforcingmandatorylifejacketuseforchildren.AccordingtoChairmanoftheEducationCouncilat?inhTiênHoàngHighschoolinHàN?i,Nguy?nTùngLam,whileschoolshavecomprehensivesafetyregulations,thekeyissueslieinensuringstrictadherence.Hesaidmorerigorousinspectionsandheavierpenaltiesforviolationswerenecessarytokeepchildaccidentsatbay.DirectoroftheDepartmentofChildrensAffairs,??ngHoaNam,highlightedthesignificantimpactofchildinjurypreventionprogrammes,whichcanreducechildmortalityratesbyapproximatelyhalf.Hethusemphasisedtheneedforincreasedinvestmentinsuchprogrammes,notingthatthecostswouldbeoutweighedbythebenefits.Heurgedlocalgovernmentstoprioritisechildsafetyintheirbudgetsandallocatemoreresourcesforchild-safetyinitiatives.AccordingtotheMinistryofHealth,morethan370,000childrensufferinjuriesinVi?tNamannually,ofwhichabout6,600succumbtotheinjuries,representingaboutone-thirdofthefigure.—VNSTwodoctorsevaluateapatientwhohasbeenweanedoffmechanicalventilationfollowingherordealwithmiraclewaterpoisoning.—Photo24h.com.vnHàN?I—Arecentsurgeincasesofseverepoisoninghasbeenlinkedtotheconsumptionofaso-calledmiraclewatertoutedasacure-allforvariousailments.TheB?chMaiHospitalinHàN?ihasreportedasteadyinfluxofpatientssufferingfromlife-threateningconditions,includingcomaandorganfailure,afterdrinkingthispurportedlyhealingelixir.Onenotablecaseinvolveda60-year-oldwomanfromSócS?n,HàN?i,whowasrushedtothehospitalinastateofextremeexhaustionaftervomitingcontinuouslyforseveraldays.Shewasdiagnosedwithalkalinewaterpoisoning,metabolicalkalosisandpotassiumdeficiency.Thepatienthadbeendrinkingaboutsixlitresofthemiraclewaterdailyafterhearingitcouldcureherchronichealthproblems.Accordingtothewoman,shestarteddrinkingthewaterafterhearingstoriesofsomeonerecoveringfromastrokeafterdrinkingit.Thetreatmentinvolvedinstructionstoconsumelargequantitiesofwaterfromafiltrationmachine,sometimesmixedwithsalt,whilefastingfornearlyhalfamonth.Aroundtenpeople,mostlyfromhervillage,wereundergoingasimilarregimenatthetime.Shenotedthatthewaterwasfree,andtherewasnolimitonhowmuchtheycoulddrink.Thefiltrationmachinewassecond-handfromJapan.Themachinesownerhasofferedtosellittoanyoneinterested.Withinfivedays,shebecametooweaktostandandwasadmittedtoB?chMaiHospitalincriticalcondition.Thiscaseisnotanisolatedincident.B?chMaiHospitalhadpreviouslytreatedthreepatientssufferingfromkidneyfailurewhoalsofollowedthisdangerousregimen.Thepatientswereadvisedtostopdialysisanddrinkthesamewater,consuminguptosixlitresdailywhilefasting.Afteronlyafewdays,theyexperiencedsevererespiratoryfailureandcoma.Bloodtestsrevealeddangerouslyelevatedlevelsofureaandcreatinine,indicatingtheirkidneyswerefailingrapidly.Fortunately,emergencydialysissavedtheirlives.Nguy?nTrungNguyên,DirectorofB?chMaiHospitalsPoisonControlCentre,warnedthatevenforhealthyindividuals,drinkingexcessiveamountsofwater,especiallyalkalinewater,cancauseserioushealthrisks,includingblooddilutionandbrainswelling,whichcanresultincoma,seizuresanddeath.DrinkinglargeamountsofalkalinewaternotonlyleadstooverhydrationbutalsocausesdangerouschangesinbloodpH,resultinginmetabolicalkalosis,whichisextremelydangerous,saidNguyên.Headvisedthatpeopleseekpropermedicalcareforhealthissuesandavoidunregulatedtreatments.Miraclewater,whileappealing,canleadtodevastatingconsequences.—VNS

HCMCitysfirstmetroline,stretching19.7kmfromB?nThànhMarkettoSu?iTiênThemePark,willbeginoperationslaterthisyear.Thecityplanstousesurplusbudgetrevenuetofinanceurbanrailwayprojects.—PhotocourtesyoftheHCMCityManagementAuthorityforUrbanRailwaysHCMCITY—HCMCityhasproposedtoretainallsurplusbudgetrevenuefrom2026to2030tofundurbanrailwayprojects.Theplan,submittedtotheFinanceMinistry,aimstomobilisecapitalforconstructing183kmofmetrolinesby2035,asoutlinedbythePolitburo.Thetotalfundingneededfortheurbanrailwayinitiativeby2035isestimatedatUS$37.45billion,withover$22.3billionrequiredfrom2026to2030.Thecityspublicinvestmentcapitalforthisperiodisprojectedatover$62.59billion,makingtherailwayprojectaccountforabout35percentofthattotal.Giventhesignificantfundingrequirementsandinsufficientlocalbudgetresources,thecityisexploringvariousfundingmechanisms,includingretainingallsurplusrevenuewhilestillcontributing79percenttothecentralbudget.Currently,localrevenueisclassifiedintothreecategories:fullyremittedtothecentralgovernment,partiallyretained,andfullyretained.Thecityseekstoregulatethesecondcategory,whereitoftenexceedsrevenueestimatessetbythecentralgovernment.Forexample,forcorporateincometax,thecitywillremit79percenttothecentralgovernmentandwillretain21percent.Overtheyears,thenationslargestcityhasconsistentlysurpasseditsrevenuetargets,collectingoverVN?381.53trillionin2021andoverVN?471.56trillionin2022.TheprojectedbudgetrevenueisoverVN?482.85trillionthisyear,withVN?371.3trillioncollectedinthefirstninemonths.Previouslythecityannouncedplanstoissuebondsfrom2025to2035tofinancemetroprojectsandreducedependenceonOfficialDevelopmentAssistance(ODA).PhanV?nM?i,chairmanofthemunicipalPeoplesCommittee,urgedcitizenstoinvestinmetrobondstosupportinfrastructure,despitelowerbankinterestrates.AnnualbondissuanceswillrangefromVN?10trilliontoVN?30trillion,adheringtoa120percentdebt-to-budgetrevenuelimit,accordingtoM?i.Thecityhaslatelyrequested14capitalmechanismsfromthecentralgovernmenttofund200kmofmetrolines,withonlytwoofeightlinesandthreemonorailscurrentlyunderconstruction.Thefirstmetroline,a19.7kmroutefromB?nThànhMarketinDistrict1toSu?iTiênThemeParkinTh???cCity,isexpectedtobeginoperationslaterthisyear.Theoverallmetroplantargetsover350kmby2045and510kmby2060,requiringanestimated$66.8billion.Expertshavestressedtheimportanceofassessingpublicdebtriskswhenissuingbonds,asmetrorevenuewillrelyheavilyonticketsales.Formanyyears,HCMCityhasalwaysbeentheleadinglocalityintermsofrevenueandcontributiontotheStatebudgetandhasexceededrevenueformanyyears.Forexample,in2021,HCMCitywasassignedtocollectnearlyVN?364.9trillion($14.6billion)buttherevenuereachedmorethanVN?381.5trillion($15.3billion),anexcessofnearlyVN?17trillion($683.7million).In2022,thecitycollectedmorethanVN?471.5trillion($19billion),reaching121.99percentoftheestimate.Thisyear,thecitysestimatedbudgetrevenueismorethanVN?482.8trillion($19.4billion).Inthefirstninemonthsofthisyear,thecitycollectedVN?371.3trillion($14.9billion).—VNSHCMCityauthoritiesmonitorfoodsafetyatBình?i?nwholesalemarket.–VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY–EnsuringsafetyoffoodssoldbystreetvendorsinHCMCityischallengingduetotheirmobility,lackoflicencesandfoodsafetycertificates,whichposeshealththreatsandcomplicatesfoodpoisoninginvestigations,themunicipalFoodSafetyDepartmenthasadmitted.SpeakingatameetingheldbythecityPeoplesCouncilsCultureandSocietyCommitteeonfoodsafetymanagementonOctober14,departmentdeputydirectorLêMinhH?isaidhisagencyisresponsibleforensuringfoodsafetyatthreewholesalemarketsthatsupplynearly80percentofthecitysfood.Italsoworkswithdistrictstoinspectfoodproductionanddistributionbusinesses,hesaid.Ithastoensuretraceabilityofporkandpoultryeggsandcollaboratewithprovincesandtheministryofagriculturetoensureasafefoodsupplychainforthecitysconsumers.AnofficialfromthecityDepartmentofEducationandTrainingsaidstreetvendorsremainubiquitousaroundschools,posingfoodsafetyrisks.H?ipointedoutthatstreetvendorsaretheresponsibilityofthecitysdistrictsandnothisdepartment.Nguy?nHoàiNam,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofHealth,saidtherehavebeenbotulismcasesthisyearlinkedtofoodboughtfromstreetvendorsandsmalloutlets,complicatingtraceabilityforinvestigators.–VNSManypeoplevisittheViê?tNam-ChinaEducationConference2024topushstudyingopportunitiesinbothcountriesinHa?N??i.PhotosoforganisersHA?N??I—VietnamesestudentswillhaveopportunitiestoenjoyscholarshipsandacademicstudiesinChinafollowingarecentconferenceconnectingeducatorsofbothcountriesinHa?N??i.TheevententitledViê?tNam-ChinaEducationConference2024wasjointlyorganisedbyPhenikaaUniversity,ChineseTestingInternationalCompany(CTI)andCTIVietnamInternationalEducationCompany.About500delegatesincludingrepresentativesofViê?tNamsMinistryofEducationandTraining,Ha?N??isDepartmentofEducationandTraining,ChineseEmbassyinViê?tNam,universitiesandViê?tNam-Chinaeducationalorganisationsandalargenumberoflecturersandstudents.Itwasconsideredaforumtoconnecteducationalmanagers,officials,lecturersandstudentsbetweentwocountries;exchangecurrenttrainingtrends;andpromoteeducationalexchanges.Atthesametime,theeventalsocreatedopportunitiesforlearnerstoaccessofficialinformationabouttrainingprogrammes,admissionandstudyconditions,scholarshipopportunities,andpost-graduationemploymentinViê?tNamandChina.Prof.Dr.Ph?mThànhHuy,PhenikaaUniversityprincipal,mentionedmanyimportantaspectsoftheeducationalcooperationrelationshipbetweenVi?tNamandChinainhisViê?tNam-Chinaeducationalcooperationspeech.Huyemphasisedthatthefriendshipandcooperationbetweenthetwocountrieswasincreasinglydevelopingwellinallfields,includingeducation.Activitiessuchasseminars,talksandeducationalexhibitionswereheldregularlywiththeparticipationofmanyagenciesfrombothcountries,demonstratingtheinterestoftheleadersandpeopleofthetwocountriesinthisfield.Speakersandexpertsprovideusefulpresentations,discussionandinformationforacomprehensiveviewofmoderneducationtrendsattheconference.Healsoaffirmedtheimportanceoftheconferenceincreatinganetworkbetweeneducationalinstitutions,managersandlearnersfrombothcountries.ThiseventnotonlycontributedtopromotingeducationalcooperationbutalsobroughtvaluableinformationtoVietnamesestudentswhowishedtostudyinChina.Inaddition,theconferencealsofeaturedin-depthpresentationsoncultural,linguisticandeducationalexchangesbetweenChinaandothercountries;informationabouttheChineseProficiencyTest(HSK)examsandtheprospectsandchallengesofChineseeducation,bringingalotofusefulinformationtoattendees.Withintheconferencesframework,delegatesandguestsvisitedtheVietnameseandChineseuniversitiesandeducationalorganisationsbooths.Meanwhile,studentsreceivedinformationandadvicesaboutstudyingprogrammesinChinaandenjoyed3,000freeslotstoparticipateintheHSKsimulationexam.VNS

PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhspeaksattheevent.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?NTH?—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhchairedaconferenceintheMekongDeltacityofC?nTh?onOctober15todiscusssolutionstoaprojectonsustainabledevelopmentofonemillionhectaresofhigh-quality,low-emissionricecultivationassociatedwithgreengrowthintheMekongDeltaby2030,whichwaslaunchedinNovember2023.Inhisspeech,thePMdescribedriceasakeystrategiccommodityofVi?tNam.Riceproduction,hestressed,isnotjustaboutensuringnationalfoodsecurityandsocialstability;itisalifelineformillionsoffarminghouseholdsandamajordriverofexports.Moreover,itplaysacriticalroleinglobalfoodsecurityandenhancesVi?tNamsinternationalreputation.Theprojectisofparamountsignificanceforregionalfarmers,riceindustry,andVi?tNamsbroadereffortstocombatclimatechange,aimingfornet-zeroemissionsinlinewithcommitmentsmadeatthe26thUnitedNationsClimateChangeConferenceoftheParties(COP26),hesaid.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD),incollaborationwith12regionalprovinces,hascarriedoutthisproject,alreadyachievingnotableinitialresults.Chínhcalledonrelevantministries,particularlytheMARDandlocalauthorities,tosubmitdetailedreportsontheprojectsimplementation,highlightinganyobstaclesfacedandproposingsolutionstoovercomethem.Afternearlyayearofconcertedefforts,ministries,agenciesandlocalauthoritieshaveissuedlegaldocumentstosupporttheproject,selectedandestablishedareasforinvolvement,andappliedtechnicalpackagesthatmeetsustainabilitycriteria.Trainingcourseshavebeenofferedtoreorganiseproductionandstrengthenvaluechainconnectivity,amongothers.—VNSPerspectiveofC?nTh?Bridge2combiningroadandrail.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–TheM?Thu?nProjectManagementBoardhasproposedtwooptionsforconstructingtheC?nTh?2Bridge,thatisexpectedtostartbeingbuiltin2026andcompletedin2029.ThisprojectiscrucialforcompletingtheNorth-SouthexpresswayrouteintheeasternregionoftheMekongDelta,connectingtheM?Thu?n-C?nTh?expresswaywiththeC?nTh?-CàMauexpressway.ThetwoconstructionoptionsforC?nTh?2BridgehaveestimatedinvestmentcostsofapproximatelyVN?9.8trillion(US$815million)andVN?27.5trillion($1.13billion),respectively.ThefirstoptionproposestheconstructionofC?nTh?2Bridgewithseparatelanesforroadandrail.Thebridgewillhaveamainspanlengthof550m,usingacompositesteelgirderstructurewithareinforcedconcretedeck.Themainbridgeis1,090mlong.Thisoptionhastheadvantageofseparatingroadandrailtraffic,enhancingsafetyandoperationalefficiencyforbothmodes.However,itsdrawbackisthehigherinvestmentcostduetotheneedtoconstructtwoseparatebridges.Thesecondoptionallowsrailtraffictosharelaneswithroadtraffic.Thebridgewillalsohaveamainspanlengthof550mbutisexpectedtouseasteeltrussgirderstructure.Thetotallengthofthemainbridgeis1,110m.Theadvantageofthisoptionislowerconstructioncostsandasmallerlandfootprint,asitrequiresonlyonebridge.However,thedrawbackisthatcombiningbothtypesoftrafficonasinglebridgemaypresentchallengesinmanagement,operationandmaintenance.Regardingtotalinvestment,optionone(separateroadandraillanes)isestimatedatVN?19,782billion($814.6million)withconstructionandequipmentcostsaccountingforVN?12,874billion($530million),projectmanagement,consultingandothercostsatVN?1,287billion($53million),acontingencyofVN?2,968billion($122.4million)andcompensation,supportandresettlementcostsofVN?2,653billion($109.2million).Optiontwo(sharedroadandraillanes)hasahighertotalinvestment,estimatedatVN?27,494billion($1.13billion)includingconstructionandequipmentcostsofVN?18,544billion($764million),projectmanagement,consulting,andothercostsatVN?1,853billion($76.4million),acontingencyofVN?4,276billion($176million)andcompensation,supportandresettlementcostsofVN?2,821billion($116million).TheC?nTh?2Bridgeprojecthasatotallengthofabout14.65kmandislocatedapproximately4.5kmdownstreamfromtheexistingC?nTh?Bridge.TheapproachroadontheV?nhLongProvincessideis8.38kmlong,withthemainbridgeandleadingspansstretching2.75kmandtheapproachroadandbridgeontheC?nTh?Cityssideextending3.52km.ThestartingpointoftheprojectconnectswiththeChàVàintersection(endoftheM?Thu?n-C?nTh?Expresswayproject,locatedinM?HòaCommune,BìnhMinhTown,V?nhLongProvince),andtheendpointconnectswiththeIC2intersection,whichintersectswithNationalRouteNamS?ngH?uinPhúTh?Ward,CáiR?ngDistrict(startingpointoftheC?nTh?-CàMauExpressway).Thebridgewillbedesignedwithanavigationalclearancewidthof300m,withamainchannelwidthof160mandaheightof39mandsidechannelswithaheightof30m.Thebridgedeckwidthwillbe24.75m,meetingthestandardscaleforafour-lanecarriagewayinlinewithTCVN5729:2012standards.Theapproachroadwillalsohaveafour-laneconfiguration,withawidthof24.75m,followingexpresswaystandards.Theprojectisexpectedtorequirealandclearanceareaofapproximately519.64ha.AccordingtotheM?Thu?nProjectManagementBoard,theinvestmentprojectfortheconstructionofC?nTh?2BridgeisthefinalsegmentintheNorth-SouthexpresswayrouteintheeasternregionoftheMekongDelta(connectingtheM?Thu?n-C?nTh?withtheC?nTh?-CàMau).Thisisakeynationalexpresswaysystem,ensuringthecontinuousandhigh-speedtransportationoflargevolumesofgoodsandpassengers.Theprojectaimstocreateseamlessconnectivitywithmajorseaports,keyurbanareas,industrialzones,inlandportsandlogisticshubsintheMekongDeltaregion.TheH?uRiver,about230kmlong,isoneofthetwobranchesoftheMekongRiverasitflowsintoVietnameseterritory,passingthroughtheprovincesofAnGiang,C?nTh?City,??ngTháp,V?nhLong,H?uGiang,TràVinhandSócTr?ng.Currently,therearethreecompletedbridgesonthisriveroftheC?nTh?Bridge,theVàmC?ngBridgeandtheChau??cBridge.VNS

AsectionofMaiS?n-HighwayNo45expressway.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Elevencomponentprojectsofthe2017-20North-Southexpresswaylackplannedreststopsandrefuellingstationsforvehiclesafterbeingopenedtotrafficmorethanayear.Inthenorthernregion,thebiggestconcernisthesectionfromNinhBìnhtoHàT?nhProvince,wherefourcomponentprojectsofMaiS?ntoHighwayNo.45,HighwayNo.45toNghiS?n,NghiS?ntoDi?nChau,andDi?nChautoB?iV?t,coveringmorethan210kmintotal,remainwithoutanyrestfacilities.Immediatelyaftertheseexpresswaysopened,thePrimeMinisterinstructedrelevantagenciestoexpeditetheconstructionofstopsbytheendof2023,aimingtoensuresafetyfordriversandpreventissuessuchasrunningoutoffuel,drivingbeyondlegalhoursorbeingstrandedonsectionswithnoemergencylanes.Yet,asofOctober2024,noreststopshavebeenbuilt.Withoutfuelstationsorlaybys,driverstravellingmorethan200kmstretchfromNinhBìnhtoHàT?nhworryaboutrunningoutoffuelincaseofprolongedtrafficjams.Long-distancedriversarealsoconcernedthat,withoutproperrestbreaks,theymightstruggletomeettheregulationlimitingcontinuousdrivingtofourhours,Nguy?nV?nQuy?n,chairmanoftheVi?tNamAutomobileTransportAssociation,said.Toaddressthis,investorsontheMaiS?n-HighwayNo45andNghiS?n-Di?nChauprojectshavesetuptemporaryreststops,butthesemakeshiftfacilities,coveringonlyaboutone-tenthoftherequiredarea,canaccommodateamaximumof20cars.Moreover,thesestopsconsistofmakeshifttentsindampconditions,withmanyclosingatnight,makingthemineffective.Accordingtotheoriginalplan,tenreststopswithfuelstationswereplannedfortheelevenNorth-SouthExpresswayprojects,whichspanthroughtheprovincesofNinhBình,HàT?nh,KhánhHòa,NinhThu?n,BìnhThu?nand??ngNai.Inresponsetothepersistentdelays,theMinistryofTransportrecentlyinstructedtheVi?tNamExpresswayAdministrationandprojectmanagementboardstoexpeditecontractorselectionandbeginconstruction.Todate,contractorshavebeenselectedforeightofthetenplannedreststops,includingthosealongtheMaiS?n-HighwayNo45,NghiS?n-Di?nChau,Di?nChau-B?iV?t,andCamLam-V?nhH?osections.TheMinistryofTransporthasmandatedthecompletionofessentialfacilitiessuchasparkingareasandrestroomsbyDecember31,2024.LamV?nHoàng,directoroftheVi?tNamExpresswayAdministration,saidthatdelayswereprimarilyduetoalackofinvestorinterestandongoingsiteclearanceissues.Aftersixmonthsofbidding,onlyeightcontractorshadbeenselected.Additionally,localauthoritieshavebeenslowinclearingconstructionsites,furtherdelayingprogress.Despitethedelays,theVi?tNamExpresswayAdministrationreportedthatthreereststopsontheMaiS?n-HighwayNo.45,Di?nChau-B?iV?t,andCamLam-V?nhH?oroutesnowhavebasicsiteclearance,withfinalproceduresunderwaybeforeconstructionbegins.ForotherprojectssuchasNhaTrang-CamLam,NghiS?n-Di?nChau,andPhanThi?t-D?uGiay,siteclearanceisexpectedtobecompletedbyOctober2024.TheVi?tNamExpresswayAdministrationhasinstructedtheprojectmanagementboardsandinvestorstofinishtheeightreststopsbeforetheLunarNewYear.—VNS

ThuVanHàN?I—WhenthesoldiersofRegiment98,Division316,arrivedatLàngN?VillagebymiddayonSeptember11,theyweremetwithutterdevastation.Theairwasthickwithgrief.Villagersweptandrowsofcoffinslinedthevillagesculturalhouse.Onceapeacefulsettlementnestledinagreenvalley,thevillagehadbeenreducedtoawastelandofshatteredwoodenstakes,bambootrunks,corrugatedironroofs,motorbikes,watercontainersandthecarcassesoflivestock,allemittingafoulstench.Muddytorrentsstillflowedfromthehighlands,carryingdebrisintheirwake.Thescaleofthetragedywasunimaginable–ithadunfoldedinamatterofmoments.Insomeplaces,themudreacheduptothesoldiersknees,thighs,waistsandevendeeper.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Thenightbefore,at11pmonSeptember10,LieutenantColonelNguy?nNg?cBa,CommanderofRegiment98,receivedacall.Ontheotherend,theDivisionCommandersvoiceissuedanurgentdirective:theunitmustimmediatelydeployforsearchandrescueoperationsinLàngN?Village,PhúcKhánhCommune,B?oYênDistrict,LàoCaiProvince.Earlierthatday,adeadlylandslidehadtornthroughthevillage,leavingmanydeadandhomesburied.Theorderwaspassedswiftlythroughtheranks,andthesoldiersworkedtirelesslythroughthenight,gatheringtools,equipmentandessentialsupplies.By5am,withbackpacksontheirshouldersandraincoatswrappedaroundthem,thesoldierswereready–undauntedbytherelentlessrainanddarkskies.Threehundredofficersandsoldiersembarkedonthiscriticalmission,bravingtorrentialrainanddangerous,landslide-pronemountainroads.Whentheyarrived,thescenewasoverwhelming.Themuddyplainswerelitteredwiththeremainsofcollapsedhomesandlivestock,whilevillagerssearchedfranticallyformissinglovedones.Witnessingthedevastation,soldierNguy?n??cQuy?nfromYênBáiwasleftspeechless.Whenwereachedthevillagesculturalhouse,whereeveryonehadgathered,Isawpeoplecrying.Butwhatbrokemyheartevenmorewerethecoffinslinedupinrows.Ifeltfrozen,Quy?ntoldVi?tNamNews.Theirmissionbeganimmediately–searchingforvictimsbeneaththethicklayersofmud.Equippedwithlifejackets,gloves,boots,ropesandsticks,thesoldiersmarcheddeterminedlytowardsthelandslide.Theground,coveredindeepmud,debrisandsharpobjects,didntdeterthemfromtheirsolemnduty.Tr?nMinhTh?o,asoldierofRegiment98,said:Thelocalswerethere,weepingandpleadingforhelp.Theyhadlosteverything.Theironlyhopewasthatwecouldrecoverthebodiesoftheirlovedonesforproperfunerals.Theirwordsgaveusthestrengthtocarryon.AmissionlikenootherItwasadauntingtasktofindthebodiesofvictims.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Fortheyoungsoldiers,themissionfeltoverwhelming.Manyhadneverexperiencedsuchadisaster.Duringthesearchformissingvictims,theyusedsmallbamboopolestoprobethemud,carefullyfeelingforanysignofabody.Whenevertheysuspectedsomeonemightbeburiedbeneaththethicklayersofearth,theygentlyusedrakes,hoesandshovelstoremovethemud,onedelicatelayeratatime.Somovedbytheirexperiences,someofthesoldiersputtheirthoughtsonpaper,creatingajournalofthetimespentinthevillage,sofuturesoldierscanrememberthetoughtimestheyfaced,andalsotoallowthosewhoexperiencedtherescue,timetoreflect.Wewerealwaysafraidofaccidentallydisturbingthevictims–theyhadalreadyenduredsomuch,andwedidntwanttoaddtotheirsuffering.Thatswhy,wheneverwefoundavictim,wewouldquietlyremindeachother,Begentle,Tri?uLaCáoofRegiment98wrote.Tr?nV?nThu?n,toldVi?tNamNews:MyfellowsoldiersandIhadneverbeenonsuchamission,andthesearchwasincrediblydifficult.Ipersonallycarriedthebodyofasmallchildoutofthemud.Itwasanintenselyemotionalmomentforme.Thehardestpartwaswhenitrainedandthesoldiersdidnthaveenoughdryclothestowear.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Onthefirstdayofthemission,Tr?nMinhTh?odiscoveredthebodyofanelderlywoman,wrappedinablanketandcaughtinthebranchesofatree.Hesaid:Iknewshewaselderlybecauseherhairwasgrey.Iassumedherhousehadbeenstruckbythelandslidewhileshewasstillasleep.LieutenantColonelL??ngV?nhPhúc,DeputyPoliticalCommissarofRegiment98,hasbeenservingformorethan20years,butinallthattime,nothingcomesclosetothismission.Ihaveparticipatedinmanysearchandrescueoperations,butthetragedyatLàngN?VillagewasthemostdevastatingIhaveeverwitnessed,hesaid.Theground,coveredindeepmud,debrisandsharpobjects,didntdeterthesoldiersfromtheirduties.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Beyondtheemotionaltoll,theharshweathermadethemissionevenmoregrueling.Whenitrained,itpouredrelentlessly,andwhenthesuncameout,itwasscorching.Alsowritinginthememoir,Nguy?nMinh??c,remembered:Insomeplaces,themudreacheduptoourknees,thighs,waists,andevendeeper.Theairwasheavilypolluted.Afterworkinginthemorningsandevenings,wehadtocleanourselvesthoroughly,butcleanwaterwasscarce.Thehardestpartwaswhenitrained,andwedidnthaveenoughdryclothes.Wehadtodrythembythekitchenfireorborrowfromeachother.Eachdaybroughtnewchallenges.Nguy?n??cQuy?n,fromYênBái,facedhisownpersonalhardshipduringthemission.OnhiswaytoLàngN?,helearnedthathisownhomesubmergedinfloodwaters.Afterfourlongdays,hefinallymanagedtocontacthismotherbyphoneandlearnedthatshewassafe,thoughtheirfamilyschickenfarmhadbeendestroyed.SourcesofstrengthAmidthegriefandhardship,thesoldiersdrewstrengthfromtheunwaveringsupportoftheirleadersandthelocalcommunity,neverfalteringintheirdetermination.ViV?nD??ngreflectedonthedeepbondthatformed.Whatmovedmethemostwashowthelocalsstoodbyusthroughoutthemission.Theyconstantlyencouragedusaswesearchedforthemissing,hesaid.Onscorchinghotdays,theybroughtusbottlesofwatertokeepusgoing.Thosemomentsareetchedinmymemory,andIwillneverforgetthem.DeputyPoliticalCommissarofRegiment98,L??ngV?nhPhúc,addedthatsomefamilieswereevenwillingtomovetheirentirehouseholdtomakespaceforthesoldierswhentheyhadnoplacetostay.Inareaswherewaterpipelineswerethemainsourceofwater,whenthepipesbroke,andthevillagersnoticedthatthesoldiershadnowatertobathe,theydidnthesitatetorepairthem.Theyalwaysshowedussuchwarmandcaringsupport.AresidentofLàngN?Villagebidsfarewelltothesoldiers.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Itwasntjustthevillagerswhokeptthesoldiersgoing.Eveninthemostdifficultconditions,thesupportfromcommandersandsmallactsofkindnesswithintheunitprovidedmuch-neededcomfort.BànV?nL?oftheRegimentrecalledalate-nightencounterwithhiscompanycommanderinthememoir.Hewrote:Itwasaround11pm,Iwascrouchedover,tryingtogetthefiregoingwhenIsuddenlylookedupandwasstartled.Ihadntevennoticedmycompanycommanderstandingnexttome.Iquicklyexplained,‘Sir,bothofmysetsofunderclothesarewet,soImdryingthemouttoweartobed.Ithoughthemightscoldme,butinstead,heturnedonhisflashlight,openedhisbackpack,pulledoutapairofmilitaryshorts,andhandedthemtome.‘Puttheseonandgetsomerest.Youllneedyourstrengthfortomorrow,hesaid.N?ngV?nHoàngalsosharedthattheencouragementfromhiscommanderskepthimgrounded.Aftermorethanaweekofsearchingforthemissingvictims,ourbodieswerebeginningtofeeltheexhaustion.Thereweremomentswhenwefeltlikegivingup,butourcommandersateverylevelcontinuedtomotivate,carefor,andsupportus.Afterdinner,theywouldcheckonus,andofferwordsofencouragement.Thankstotheirconcern,ourfatigueandhardshipsseemedtofadeaway,andwefoundthestrengthtokeepgoing,tosearchformorevictims,andcompleteourmissionasquicklyaspossible.Unitedbyloss,sustainedbytrustAfter14daysofrelentlesssearching,itwastimeforthesoldierstobidfarewelltoLàngN?Villageandreturntotheirunit.Thevillagers,whohadwitnessedthesoldiersdedicationandsacrifices,linedtheroadtoseethemoff.Themenshookhandswiththesoldiers,whilethewomenandmothersembracedthem,tearsstreamingdowntheirfaces.Thevillagerspresentedthesoldierswithbánhch?ng,riceballsandbottlesofwater.TheSecretaryoftheB?oYênDistrictPartyCommitteehandedthemanationalflagbearingtheinscriptionLàNGN?10-24/9/2024.Astheyreceivedtheflag,tearswelledupinthesoldierseyes.LieutenantColonelL??ngV?nhPhúcsaidtheyweredeeplymoved.ThisflagsymbolisednotonlytherecognitionfromthelocalPartyCommittee,authorities,andthepeopleofPhúcKhánhCommuneandLàngN?Village,butalsothetrusttheyplacedintheofficersandsoldiersofRegiment98andDivision316.Ifeltthatthisgestureconveyedboththeirgratitudeandconfidenceinus.Inturn,webecameapillarofsupportforthepeopleofLàngN?,andforthenationasawhole,duringthemostchallenginganddifficulttimes.Beforedeparting,thesoldiersstoodinsolemnformation,bowingtheirheadsandraisingtheirhandsinafinalmilitarysalutetothevictimsstilllyingbeneaththemud.—PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Despitetheirefforts,themissionremainedunfinishedintheheartsofthesoldiers.Ifeeldeeplysadandtroubledbecausewehaventfoundalltheremainsofthevillagerslovedones.Therearefathersstillsearchingfortheirchildren,andchildrenstillsearchingfortheirmothers.Itsheart-wrenching,trulyheartbreaking,saidTr?nMinhTh?o.Beforetheirdeparture,thesoldiersformedasolemnlinebeforethevastexpanseofmud.Theybowedtheirheadsandraisedtheirhandsinamilitarysalute–agestureofsilentapologytothevictimsstilllyingbeneath.ReflectingontheirtimeinLàngN?,thesoldiersheldfirmtotheguidingprinciplethathadseenthemthrough:Wealwaysremindourselvesofonecorebelief:thePeoplesArmycomesfromthepeopleandservesthepeople.Throughoutthemission,officersandsoldierstreatedthevillagersasiftheywerefamily,fullyawareoftheimmenselosstheywerefacing,saidDeputyPoliticalCommissarL??ngV?nhPhúc.Astheydepartedfromthedevastatedvillage,itwasntjustamissiontheywereleavingbehind,butareminderofthestrengththatcomesfromunity,compassionandtrustbetweenthearmyandthepeopletheyserve.—VNSAnewbreakwaterandfloodprotectionprojectforTháiAnVillageisunderconstruction.VNA/VNSPhotosNINHTHU?N—Anumberofinfrastructureprojectsarebeingbuiltinthesouth-centralprovinceofNinhThu?n,aftertheconstructionoftwonuclearpowerplantswasshelved.TheprojectsofNinhThu?n1NuclearPowerPlant,coveringanareaof??440ha,andNinhThu?n2NuclearPowerPlant,withanareaof??380haandatotalcapacityof4,000MW,wereapprovedbytheNationalAssemblyin2009.However,inNovember2016,theNationalAssemblydecidedtohalttheprojects.InJuly2023,thePeoplesCommitteeofNinhThu?nProvinceannouncedthecancellationoflandacquisitionforcompensationandsiteclearancerelatedtotheprojects.InV?nhH?iCommune,wheretheNinhThu?n2NuclearPowerPlantwasplannedtobeconstructed,fournewinfrastructureworksarebeingbuiltwithabudgetofVN?175billionsourcedfromtheState.TheyincludenewbreakwaterandfloodprotectionstructuresforTháiAnVillage,threeroadsconnectingproductionareas,anupgradeoftheoldprovincialroad702,B?uTróPond,andawatersupplysystemfromH?Qu?tStream.NinhThu?nProvincePeoplesCommitteehasallocatednearlyVN?55billionfromlocalbudgetsourcesinthe2021-25medium-termpublicinvestmentplantoimplementeightotherprojects,includingnewschools,repairingcommunityhouses,buildingdrainagesystems,roadsandirrigationworks.UpgradingB?uTróPondDirectoroftheNinhH?iDistrictConstructionInvestmentProjectManagementBoard(representingtheinvestor)Nguy?n??c??nh,saidthatwhencompleted,B?uTróPondwillprovideabout400,000cu.mofwatertoTháiAn-akeygrapegrowingarea.Otherprojectssuchasbreakwatersandfloodbarrierswillhelppreventlandslides,whileupgradedroadswillmaketransportationeasierandensuresafetyforlocalpeopleduringtherainyseason,hesaid.Theprojectmanagementboardandtheconstructionunitaredeterminedtospeedupprogresstocompletethesefourcomponentprojectsbytheendof2024.AnoverviewofV?nhTr??ngHamletinPh??cDinhCommunewheretheNinhThu?n1NuclearPowerPlantwasplannedtobeconstructed.InPh??cDinhCommune,wheretheNinhThu?n1NuclearPowerPlantwastohavebeenbuilt,sixprojectsareunderconstruction.UsingStateandlocalbudgetsofnearlyVN?200billiontheyincludetheupgradeandexpansionofRoadNo701,coveringover3.7km,constructionofthreenewroutesconnectingRoadNo701withacoastalroad,constructionofadrainagesystem,floodandwaveprotectionembankmentsandalocalkindergarten.ArouteconnectingRoad701withacoastalroadisunderconstructioninPh??cDinhCommune.Duringarecenton-siteinspection,ChairmanoftheNinhThu?nProvincePeoplesCommitteeTr?nQu?cNamsaidthesewereimportantprojectsthattheNationalAssemblyandtheGovernmenthadruledwouldbeapriority,freeingupinvestmentresourcestoimprovethelivesofpeopleinthearea.Aftercompletion,theprojectswillhelpensuresmoothtraffic,facilitateresponsestonaturaldisasters,tackletheimpactsofclimatechange,andstrengthennationaldefenceandsecurity,hesaid.—VNS

AruralroadwithabridgeinTanTayCommune,Th?nhHoáDistrict,LongAnProvince.Theprovinceisbuildinganumberofnewruralroadstofacilitatetravelforpeopleandthetransportofgoodsinruralareas.–VNA/VNSPhotoMinhH?ngLONGAN–LongAnProvinceisprioritisingdevelopmentoftransportinfrastructure,withafocusonbuildingnewbridgesandruralroads.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovinceisbuildingnewconcretebridgestoreplaceoldonesalongintra-provincialroads.OnProvincialRoad831,runningthroughtheborderdistrictsofTanH?ngandV?nhH?ng,arebeingbuiltsixconcretebridgestoreplaceoldironones.ConstructionoftheCanal28Bridge,oneofthesix,beganinJuneandisexpectedtobecompletedinDecember2025.Constructionoftherestwillbeginthisquarterandearlynextyear.TheywillcostnearlyVN?290billion(US$11.7million)andareestimatedtobecompletedby2027.ProvincialRoad831linksLongAnand??ngThápprovinces,andplaysanimportantroleinLongAnssocio-economicdevelopment,nationalsecurityandregionalconnectivity,accordingtotheprovinceDepartmentofTransport.??ngHoàngTu?n,directorofthedepartment,saidtheprovincealsohas19otheroldironbridges.Ofthem,sixareonProvincialRoad817,whichrunsthroughthedistrictsofTh?Th?a,Th?nhHoáandM?cHoá,andwillbebuiltin2025,withtherestcompletedbetween2026and2030,hesaid.AnoldironbridgeonProvincialRoad831inLongAnthathasdeteriorated.Theprovinceisimplementingaprojecttoreplacesixoldironbridgesontheroadwithconcreteones.–Photobaolongan.vnRuralroadsLongAnisimplementingaplantosupporttheconstructionofruralroadsonapilotbasisbetween2024and2025tomeetdevelopmentalneedsandacceleratethebuildingofnew-styleruralareas.Fundingforitcomesfromtheprovince,privateinvestorsandthepublic.Undertheplan,theprovincehasbegunconstructionofaroadalongKT8CanalinKhánhH?ngCommune,V?nhH?ngDistrict,betweenthehamletsofBàuSenandTàNu.Theroadis3.5kmlong,4metreswide,andwillcostVN?8.5billion(US$340,000).VicemHàTiênCementJointStockCompanyhasdonated1,247tonnesofcementworthVN?2.4billion(US$97,000)foritsconstruction.ThedistrictadministrationhasprovidedVN?4.3billion(US$173,000)forbuyingsandandrocks,andthecommuneiscoveringtheremainingcostslikeworkerswagesandmachineryrents.Tr?nV?nC??ng,chairmanoftheV?nhH?ngDistrictPeoplesCommittee,saidthatforthe2024-25plan,thedistrictisbeingallocatedaround5,000tonnesofcementtoconstruct13.9kmofhamletroads.Theconstructionoftheseroadsiscrucialformeetingthetransportneedsoflocalpeople,ensuringsafetravel,andcontributingtothedistrictssocio-economicdevelopment.Nguy?nMinhLam,deputychairmanoftheprovincePeoplesCommittee,hascalledonlocalitiestotakeallnecessarymeasuresandmobiliseallavailableresourcestoeffectivelyimplementapprovedprojectsundertheplan.Healsourgedauthoritiesatalllevelstomonitorconstructionqualityandspending.RelevantdepartmentsandsectorsmuststrictlyfulfilthetasksassignedbytheprovincePeoplesCommittee,hesaid.Thepublichasactivelycontributedtotheconstructionofruralroadsbydonatingland,moneyandlabour.Nguy?nC?ngH?uofPh??cLyCommuneinC?nGiu?cDistrictdonated1,000sq.moflandtowidenaroadinhisneighbourhood.Iseethatwideningtheroadhelpsstudentstraveltoschooleasierandenablespeopletotransportgoods,hesaid.Theprovinceaimstoconstruct153kmofhamletroadsatleastfourmetreswidebetween2024and2025.Aresolutionissuedbythe11thProvincialPartyCongress,term2020-2025,calledformobilisingallresourcestodevelopacomprehensivetransportinfrastructuresystem.Theprovincehas8,827kmofroadsnow,including1,119kmofearthenroads.Thenetworkislargelycompleted,contributingtosocio-economicdevelopmentandensuringnationaldefenceandsecurity,accordingtoTu?n.Thecompletionofkeytransportprojectstoenableindustrialandurbandevelopmenthasinstilledconfidenceininvestorsandattractedthemtotheprovince,hesaid.LongAnhasanimportantpositioninthesouthernregionasthegatewaybetweentheMekongDeltaandthesoutheasternregion,borderingCambodiaandHCMCityandlocatedinthesouthernkeyeconomiczone.–VNSSmokeseenfromtheaboveofthearea.VNA/VNSPhotosHàN?I—AhugeblazebrokeoutinthemiddleofnightonWednesdayatawarehouselocatedinanalleyoffV?nhTuyStreetinHàN?isHaiBàTr?ngDistrict,affectingdozensofhouseholdsnearby.Accordingtothecityspolice,thefirestartedatabout9.20pmatAlleyNo.124,V?nhTuyStreetandengulfedaround370sq.moftheglass,paperandcosmeticswarehouse.Therehavebeennohumancasualties.Thefirewasextinguishedat1amonThursday.Firetrucksmobilisedtothescene.Thewarehousewasfullofflammablematerials,sothefiregeneratedalotoftoxicsmokeandgasandquicklyspreadtoneighbouringfactoriesandwarehouses,policesaid.Theflamesbrokeoutinthemiddleòthenight.Firefightersworkingonthescene.Localresidentsrelocatetheirproperties.Thecauseofthefireisunderinvestigation.—VNS

AvocationalinstructordemonstrateselectricalinstallationtechniquestotwostudentsinavocationalcollegeinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—VocationalcollegesinVi?tNamfaceagrowingchallengeinattractingstudents,asmorehighschoolgraduatesareprioritisingauniversityeducation.LêLam,Presidentof??iVi?tSàiGònCollege,believesthathighschoolgraduatestendtoviewvocationaltrainingasalastresort,placingitatthebottomoftheirlistsofchoicesafterexhaustingalluniversityoptions.Thelackofinteresthasleftvocationalcollegesstrugglingtofillseats.Somehaveturnedtomiddleschoolgraduatestoboostenrolmentbuthaveyieldedlittleresult.Severalvocationalinstitutionshavetriedtocastawidernet,evenincludingmiddleschoolgraduates,butthesituationremainsbleak,saidLam.Heillustratestheseverityoftheissuewithasimplecalculation:Outofapproximatelyonemillionhighschoolgraduatesannually,aboutone-fifthdonotenrolinuniversity.Assumingallofthemweretogotovocationalcolleges,withmorethan2,000suchinstitutions,eachwouldreceivefewerthanahundredstudentsayear,barelyenoughtomaintainoperations.??ngV?nNg?c,PrincipalofTheHàN?iCollegeforElectro-Mechanics,believesthattheoverwhelmingpreferenceforacademicdegreeswillleadtoashortageofskilledworkersinthelongterm.Heemphasisestheneedforamorefocusedapproachtoinvestinginvocationaltraining,suggestingthatthegovernmentshouldprioritisekeyareasratherthanspreadingresourcestoothin.Additionally,headvocatesforamoreflexibleregulatoryframeworkthatgrantsvocationalinstitutionsgreaterautonomyinoperationsandpersonnelwhileensuringaccountabilitythroughsupervision.LêHuyNam,DirectoroftheEducationDepartmentunderthePartyCentralCommitteesCommissionforInformationandEducation,underlinesasignificantgapinthelabourmarket,with38millionindividualslackingformalvocationaltraining.Heattributesthegaptoseveralfactors,includingoutdatedpolicies,inadequategovernanceandweakcollaborationbetweenvocationalinstitutionsandenterprises.Ifleftunaddressed,hebelievestheissuecouldseverelyunderminethedevelopmentofahigh-qualityworkforceinVi?tNam,hinderingthecountrysprogresstowarditsindustrialisationtargets.Nguy?nKhánhC??ng,RectoroftheLILAMA2InternationalTechnologyCollege,underlinesthehighcostsofvocationaltraining,whichcanreachbillionsofVN?perstudentoverathree-yearprogramme,makingitunsustainablewithoutgovernmentsupport.HesuggestsVi?tNamadoptamodelsimilartoGermany,whereenterprisescontributetoafundforvocationaltraining.Healsosharesthathiscollegehaspartneredwithenterprisesincost-sharingandprogrammedesign.Ifthegovernmentinvolvesenterprisesinvocationaltraining,thismodelwillthriveandproducehighlyskilledgraduates,hesaid.Theirvoiceshavebeenheard,withDeputyMinisterofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsLêT?nD?ngstatingthatplansareunderwaytoreviewandinvestinvocationaleducation.Thefocuswillbeonkeysectors,alongsidestrengtheningcareerguidanceandjobplacement.TheMinistrywillprovideexpertadvicetothegovernmentonimprovingthevocationaltraininglandscapeanddevelopingahighlyskilledworkforce,saidD?ng.—VNSMorejobopeningsareexpectedtowardstheendoftheyearwhenretailbusinessesentertheirpeakperiod.—VNA/VNSPhotoTr?nVi?tHàN?I—PositivegrowthisprojectedforVi?tNamslabourmarketinthelastquarterof2024,butchallengesremaintobeaddressed,accordingtotheGeneralStatisticsOffice(GSO).Datafromtheofficeshowedthatinthefirstninemonthsofthisyear,theVietnameseeconomyrecordedincreasingnumbersofnewrecruits,newbusinessesenteringthemarketandrisingaveragemonthlyincome.Peopleofworkingageaccountfor51.4millionworkers,212,000morethaninthesameperiodlastyear.TheaveragemonthlyincomeincreasedbyVN?519,000(US$21).AccordingtoPh?mHoàiNam,headofGSOsPopulationandLabourStatisticsDepartment,thesearetheresultsofmorecompaniesenteringthemarketthanleaving,aswellasimprovementsintheexport-importsector.FromJanuarytoSeptember2024,Vi?tNamcountednearly122,000newbusinesseswithatotalregisteredcapitalofmorethanVN?1.16trillion($46.5million)andover735,000registeredemployees.Thisrepresentsa3.4percentincreaseinthenumberofbusinessesandregisteredcapital.Namaddedthatwhilethelabourmarketisontherecoverypath,multipleshortcomingsinhumanresourcesqualityremain.Currently,around37.6millionworkershavenotcompletedbasictraining.Onlyabout28.5percentofworkersnationwideareformallytrainedandcertified.Thenumberofemployedworkersisontherise,butthelabourmarketgrowthisnotsustainable,duetoasignificantproportionofinformalemploymentandunstablejobs.Thelastquarteroftheyearisthepeakperiodforretail,e-commerceandservicesduetorisingshoppingandconsumptiondemand,creatingmorejobopportunitiesforvariousqualificationsduringthistime.AccordingtotheHàN?iCentreforEmploymentService(HCES),thisyear-endperiodwillhaveabout120,000-150,000jobvacancies,mostlyforsales,serviceandtechnicalworkers.SalariesrangefromVN?7-20million($280-800)permonth,dependingonworkersqualifications.However,employersarefacingmultipleobstaclesinrecruitingseasonalworkersdespitethelargedemand,asmanyjobseekerslookforlong-termandstablepositions.HCESdeputydirectorV?QuangThànhtoldVoiceofVietnam(VOV):Inflationandrisinglivingcostshaveledtoworkersaskingforhigherwagesandbenefits.Thisputsgreatpressureonbusinesses,particularlysmallandmedium-sizedenterprises,tomaintainoperationalcostswhilerespondingtoworkersdemands.Healsonotedthatthecurrentlabourmarketlackshighlyskilledworkers.Thisisoneofthemajorchallengesforbusinesses,especiallythoseinfinanceandhigh-techindustries.Businessesarefacingintensecompetitioninattractingtalent,whichcompelsthemtooffermoreappealingsalaries,benefitsandworkingconditionstorecruitandretaintheiremployees.Theincreasingnumberofnewbusinessescanbringopportunitiesanddrivetheeconomyandlabourmarketforward,butthescaleofimpactdependsonthecompanysize,sectorandprofitability.Itischallengingtofindworkerswiththerightqualificationsastechnologydevelopmentsanddigitaltransformationrequirethemtoconstantlyupdateandadvancetheirskillset,saidThành.Therefore,skillandcapacitytrainingfornewworkersiscrucialtomeettherecruitmentdemandsofbusinesses,headded.—VNS