VietnamNewsAgency(VNA)DeputyGeneralDirectorNguy?nTu?nHùng(right)andPresidentofPrensaLatinaLuisEnriqueGonzalezAcosta.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—AdelegationoftheVietnamNewsAgency(VNA)ledbyDeputyGeneralDirectorNguy?nTu?nHùngvisitedCubafromJuly28toAugust3tofurtherenhancethetraditionalfriendshipandcooperationwithlargepressagenciesoftheCaribbeannation.VisitingtheheadquartersandmanyestablishmentsofPrensaLatina(LatinAmericanNewsAgency)inHavana,Hùnghighlightedthetwonewsagenciespracticalcooperationresultsoverthepastmorethan60yearsoftheircountriesclose-knitfraternity.Theyareimplementingthecooperationagreementfor2023-28throughvariousactivities,includingsharingdailynewsindifferentlanguagessuchasEnglish,French,andSpanishandexchanginglanguageeditors.UnitsoftheVNAhavekeptclosecoordinationtosupportthePrensaLatinabureauinHàN?iwhiletheCubansidehasalsostayedreadytoassistVNAcorrespondentsinHavana,hesaid.Hùngexpressedhishopethatthetwosideswillmaintainfruitfulcooperationinallaspects,addingtheVNAisreadytohelpPrensaLatinawithcapacitybuildingtocatchupwiththetrendofmodernjournalism.PresidentofPrensaLatinaLuisEnriqueGonzalezAcostaappreciatedtheVNAsassistance,especiallyamidnumerousdifficultiesfacingCubaandhisagency.HeaffirmedPrensaLatinaviewsthecooperationwiththeVNAasakeyandstrategicpartnership,andthattheVNAsproposals,recommendations,andsupportinthefieldareinvaluableforittosketchoutitsdevelopmentorientationsandmanyimportantprojectsinthefuture.Atthemeeting,thetwosidesdiscussedsomejointprojects,includingthecoverageofthe65thfoundinganniversaryoftheVi?tNam-Cubadiplomaticties(December2,1960-2025).TheyagreedtoincreasethepopularisationofVi?tNam,includingitspeople,cultureandeconomicachievements,bydistributingVi?tNamPictorialacrossLatinAmerica,consideringthisapracticalsteptohelpVi?tNamcomeclosertopeopleonthiscontinent,therebystrengtheningandexpandingtheSoutheastAsiancountrysconnectionswithAmericannations.AtaworkingsessionwiththeboardofdirectorsoftheCubanNewsAgency(ACN),HùngandACNDirectorEddaDizGarcesreviewedtheprogressinbilateralcooperation,reaffirmingthewishtofurtherreinforcetheirtime-testedlinks.TheVNADeputyGeneralDirectorhighlyvaluedtheexchangeofinformation,voicingthereadinesstoassisttheACNinbuildingcapacityanddiversifyingformsofnews.Forherpart,thehostofficialthankedtheVNAforitspracticalsupport,whichhashelpedtheACNtokeepitsflowofnewsuninterrupted.Expressingherhopeforstrongerbilateralcollaborationtoupholdthetraditionaltiesbetweenthetwoagenciesaswellasbetweentheircountries,EddaDizGarcesdescribedthebondsbetweentheACNandtheVNAastherelationshipbetweensincerecolleaguesandalsobetweenthosesharingthesameideal.Duringtheworkingtrip,theVNAdelegationalsopaidacourtesycalltoVietnameseAmbassadortoCubaLêQuangLong.—VNA/VNS

Nguy?nTh?Th?otakescareofaweek-oldnewborn,whochokedonmilkandstoppedbreathingandwassavedbyTh?o,atH?iPhòngChildrensHospitalinthenortherncityofH?iPhòng.—Photosuckhoedoisong.vnHàN?I—HealthMinister?àoH?ngLanhassentaletterofcommendationtonurseNguy?nTh?Th?ofromtheRespiratoryDepartmentofH?iPhòngChildrensHospital,forherquick-thinkingactionsinsavinganewbornwhohadstoppedbreathing,duetomilkaspiration,inataxi.OnJuly4,thirtyfouryearoldTh?osuccessfullyresuscitatedanewborn,whohadstoppedbreathing,inataxi,byusingherprofessionalreflexesandemergencyskills.Shehelpedthebabybreatheagainandcontinuedtosupporttheinfantstransporttothehospital,ultimatelysavingthebabyslifeandbringingimmensehappinesstothechildsfamily.Onbehalfofthehealthministry,LanpraisedandhonourednurseTh?oforherprofessionalism,humanity,responsibilityandethicalconduct.Youractionsexemplifythehighstandardsofmedicalethicsandthededicationtoservingthepeoplebyhealthsectorstaff,Lansaid.Intheletter,LanalsowishedTh?ogoodhealth,happinessinlife,professionalsuccessandcontinuedcontributionstothecauseofmedicalexamination,treatmentandpublichealthcare.Ataround9pmonJuly4,whileonherwayhome,Th?osawanelderlymaninapanic,holdingaseven-day-oldpalenewbornandrunningontotheroadasiflookingforataxitotakethebabytothehospital.Behindhim,awomanwasalsoinastateofpanic,cryingoutforhelp.Sensingthatthebabywasindanger,withtheinstinctsofamotherandtheskillsandresponsibilityofanurse,Th?oimmediatelystoppedhervehicle,ranoverandquicklyintroducedherselfasahealthcareworkerfromtheH?iPhòngChildrensHospital,offeringtosavethebaby.Whilespeaking,shetookthebabyfromtheelderlymansarmsandplacedtheinfantinthebackseatofanapproachingtaxi.Withoutwastinganytime,shefocusedintenselyonresuscitatingthebabywithexternalchestcompressions,mouth-to-mouthbreathinganddirectnasalandoralsuctionwhilethetaxiheadedtoTh?yNguyênGeneralHospital.Approximatelytenminuteslater,thetaxiarrivedatthehospital.There,Th?ohurriedlycarriedthebabyintothehospitalsEmergencyDepartmentandrequestedanendotrachealtubetoresuscitatethepatient.Shethenjoinedthedoctorsandnursesatthehospitalintheresuscitationefforts.Afteraboutaminuteofemergencycare,thenewbornspulsereturned,thenthebabywastransferredtoH?iPhòngChildrensHospitalforspecialisedtreatment.Nguy?nTh?Th?oreceivesanawardbySecretaryofH?iPhòngCitysPartyCommitteeLêTi?nChau(left)onMondayinthenortherncityofH?iPhòng.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngNg?cAftersixdaysoftreatment,thebabyshealthconditionimprovedsignificantly,withbloodparametresgraduallyreturningtonormal.Thebabyiscurrentlystillonoxygenandcontinuestobemonitoredandtreatedforrecovery.Th?osaid:Everythinghappenedsounexpectedlyforbothmeandthebabysfamily,butIbelieveanynurseinmypositionwouldhaveactedthesameway,notjustme.OnMonday,thePeoplesCommitteeofH?iPhòngCityapplaudedTh?oforherexceptionalperformanceinemergencycare,savingthelifeofaninfantoutsidethehospital.SecretaryofthecitysPartyCommittee,LêTi?nChau,saidthathehadcloselyfollowedthestorythroughthemediaandhewasmuchmoved.Hersimpleandeverydayactionhasmultipliedemotionsandstrengthenedfaithinthegood,inhumankindness,hesaid.—VNSThesiteoftheincidentattheCityLightBuildinginV?nhYênCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngHùngV?NHPHúC—Ablastoccurredatathree-storeyhouseinV?nhPhúcProvinceonTuesdaymorning,injuringsevenpeopleinwhatasuspectedgasexplosion.ThesiteoftheincidentwasashophouseonthefirstflooroftheCityLightBuildingonNguy?nT?tThànhStreetinV?nhYênCity,andhasbeenunderrenovationtobeopenasaKorean-styleBBQrestaurant.Atthetimeoftheincident,fourconstructionworkerswereinside,alongwithoneguardandtwoSouthKoreannationals.AlloftheinjuredhavebeentakentoV?nhPhúcProvincialGeneralHospitalfortreatment.Thereareseveralgascylindersonthescene,whilenumerouspiecesofdebrisandfurniturearescatteredinthesurroundingareaaftertheloudblast.Theexplosionalsoshatteredandfracturedtheglassdoorsandwindowsoftheadjacentstoresonthesamefloorofthebuilding.Therewasaloudblastbutthecauseoftheincidenthasnotyetbeendetermined,asgascylindersareunlikelytocreatesuchanexplosion,Nguy?nVi?tPh??ng,chairmanofV?nhYênCityPeoplesCommitteetoldVTCNews.Authoritieshavearrivedatthesceneandinvestigationsareongoing.—VNS

DeputyForeignMinisterLêTh?ThuH?ng.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–TheongoingVi?tNamSummerCamp2024willenableyoungoverseasVietnamese(OVs)towitnessthecountrysmodernanddynamicdevelopment,helpingdeepentheirunderstandingofthenation,andencouragingthemtocontributetoitsfuturedevelopment,accordingtoDeputyForeignMinisterLêTh?ThuH?ng.InaninterviewgrantedtotheVietnamNewsAgency,H?ng,whoisalsoChairwomanoftheStateCommitteeforOverseasVietnameseAffairs,saidthatnearly120youngOVsarescheduledtojoinactivitieshonouringtheirancestors,commemoratingheroesandmartyrs,andvisitingHeroicMothers.Throughtripstofamouslandscapes,historicalandculturalrelicsitesacrossthethreeregions,theywillembarkonacolourfulandmeaningfulculturalandhistoricaljourneywhichallowsthemtoexploreandgainadeeperunderstandingofVietnamshomeland,itspeople,culture,andhistory.ThecampisalsoanopportunitytostrengthensolidarityamongyoungOVsandbetweenthemwiththoseathome,H?ngstated,addingthatitwillhelppromoteandintroduceVi?tNamssocio-economicachievements,aswellasitsuniqueculturalvaluestotheworld.Accordingtotheofficial,thethemeoftheVietnamSummerCamp2024is??tn??ctr?nni?mvui(NationFullofJoy)tocelebratethe70thanniversaryofthe?i?nBiênPh?Victory(May7),HàN?is70thLiberationDay(October10),andtowardsthe50thanniversaryoftheliberationoftheSouthandnationalreunification(April30,1975-2025).Withthissignificance,thejourneywillcommencefromHanoiandconcludeinH?ChíMinhCity.Forthefirsttime,theopeningceremonywillbeheldatthefootoftheHàN?iFlagpoleattheMilitaryHistoryMuseumonJuly16evening,asthislocationholdsagreathistoricalvalue,symbolisingthestrongwillforindependenceandself-relianceoftheVietnamesepeople,shesaid.Notably,theparticipantswillhavechancestovisitseveralculturalandscientificestablishmentssetupbyOVs,includingtheCecileLePhamFineArtsMuseuminthecentralprovinceofTh?aThiên-Hu?,andtheInterdisciplinaryCentreforScientificResearchandEducation(ICISE)inthecentralprovinceofBình??nh.Thedeputyforeignministerexpressedherhopethataftervisitingthesetwoestablishments,theyoungOVswillbeinspiredtohavepassionforscientificresearchandcreativity,aswellasarouseinthemawarenessanddesiretocontributetothedevelopmentofVi?tNam.H?ngsaidshehopestheywillbringtheseemotionsandmemoriesbackhome,spreadandsharethemwiththeirfriendsandrelatives,thuscontributingtobuildingtheimageofabeautifulVi?tNam,richintraditionandfullofpotential.TheVi?tNamSummerCamp2024,whichgathersnearly120youngoverseasVietnamesefrom29countriesandterritories,istakingplacefromJuly14-29in12provincesandcitiesthroughoutthecountry,includingHàN?i,PhúTh?,Ngh?An,HàT?nh,Qu?ngBình,Qu?ngTr?andTh?aThiên-Huê.Firstheldin2004,thecamp,anannualprogrammeorganisedbytheStateCommitteeforOverseasVietnameseAffairsincoordinationwithrelevantagencies,hasbroughtthousandsofoutstandingyoungOVsfrom16-24yearsoldtovisittheirmotherland.VNSDiseasecontrolrepresentativesexplainhowtheyaretacklingthemeaslesoutbreakintheprovince.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?nS?KIêNGIANG—ThemeaslesepidemicisessentiallyundercontrolinKiênGiangProvince,saidTr?nTh?Vinh,DirectoroftheprovincialCentreforDiseaseControl(CDC).SpeakinginapressconferenceonMondayafternoon,hesaidthattheprovincebeganrecordingmeaslescasesfromthebeginningofApril.Uptonow,ithasseen127casesinsixdistrictsandcities.Amongthem,PhúQu?cCityleadsthelistwith111cases.NocaseshaverequiredmechanicalventilationanduptonowfourcasesarebeingtreatedinthePaediatricsWardattheKiênGiangChildrensHospital.Withtherapidspread,theriskofameaslesoutbreakisstillrelativelyhigh,soitisnecessarytomonitordevelopmentsclosely,saidVinh.HesaidthatassoonasthefirstcaseswerediscoveredinPhúQu?cCity,theCDCimplementedpreventionandcontrolmeasuressuchasreviewingclosecontacts,makingadailywatchlist,andgivinginstructionsonpreventingandcontrollinginfectionatschoolandinthecommunity.TheHCMPasteurInstitutehashadmanymonitoringsessionswiththeCDCandtheprovincialDepartmentofHealthtohandleanymeaslesepidemicinPhúQu?cCity.AninvestigationconductedbytheCDCshowsthatpopulationfluctuationhasoccurredinPhúQu?cinthepastthreemonths,affectingmeaslesvaccination.Inaddition,duetotheCOVID-19pandemicandtheinterruptionofvaccinesupplyintheExpandedImmunisationProgramme,about30percentofthesickchildrenareunvaccinatedorvaccinatednotenoughdoses.Fromthebeginningofthisyearuntilnow,theCDChasreceivedmorethan24,000dosesofmeaslesvaccine.Itallocatedlocalitiestocarryoutregularvaccinationsandmake-upvaccinationsforchildrenwithmissingdoses.Toeffectivelypreventandcontrolmeasles,theCDCwillreviewthevaccinationlistofchildrenfromagedonetotentoprepareforboostervaccinationsaccordingtoschedule.Itwillprepareadditionalvaccinationcampaignswhenvaccinesupplyisapproved.Healthunitspromotecommunicationondiseasepreventionandcontrol,whichfocusesonraisingpeoplesawarenessaboutthebenefitsandimportanceofvaccinationasrecommendedbythehealthsector.Measles-relatedcaseswillbequarantinedathometopreventandlimittheriskofinfectiontothecommunity.Vaccinationisthemosteffectivesolutioninpreventingandcontrollingmeasles.Therefore,theprovinceispreparingtobidfor6,000dosesforchildren,saidVinh.AccordingtotheGeneralDepartmentofPreventiveMedicineundertheMinistryofHealth,themostrecentassessmentabouttheriskofmeaslesin63provincesandcitiesacrossthecountryrecordedthatsevenlocalitiesareatveryhighriskincludingHàT?nh,HCMCity,??ngNai,LongAn,SócTr?ng,BìnhPh??candKiênGiang.—VNSApracticesessionofelectricalstudentsatVi?t??cNgh?AnCollege.VNA/VNSPhotoBíchHu?HàN?IThepercentageofyoungpeopleinVi?tNamundergoingvocationaltrainingmakesuplittlemorethan20percentoftheentireyouthpopulation,accordingtotheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsThenumberssuggestthereisanurgentneedtoenhanceyounglabourskillsandquality,giventhecontextofthefourthindustrialrevolutionandcurrentintegration,VietnamNewsAgencyreported.Theproductionandworkforcestructuresofthelabourmarketofthefuturehaveundergonemodificationsduetothefourthindustrialrevolution.Theeconomyhasundergonearapidtransitionfromonecentredonresourcesandcheaplabour,toonethatiscentredoninformation,withlabourbeingreplacedbymachines,robotsandartificialintelligence.Numerousconcernsregardingvocationaleducationhavebeenhighlighted,sinceitisthissectorwhichhasthestrongestandmostdirecttiestothelabourmarket.Vocationaleducation,incontrasttouniversityeducation,attemptstoteachhumanresourcesfromthegroundupsotheymayworkimmediatelyanddirectlyforaspecificpositioninthelabourmarket.Therearecurrently1,886vocationaleducationfacilitiesinVi?tNam,comprising429intermediateschools,399collegesand1,058vocationaleducationcentres.Over2.2millionenrolledinvocationaleducationin2023,comprising530,000collegeandintermediatelevelstudents,over1.7millionelementaryschoolstudents,alongwithavarietyofothervocationaltrainingprogrammes.Thesystemofvocationaleducationhasbeenexperiencingsignificantandtimelyinnovationinlinewiththeglobaltrendofvocationaleducationdevelopment.TheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairshasbeenactivelyinvolvedintheinnovationandimprovementofthequalityofvocationaleducation,fortifyingtieswithbusinesses,thelabourmarketandsocialsecurity,inordertoimprovevocationalskillsforworkersinthecontextofthefourthindustrialrevolution.Theindustryprioritisesnewsectorsandoccupationswhilefocusingonbreakthroughsinenhancingthequalityofhumanresources,particularlyhigh-qualityhumanresources,andimportantandspearheadindustriestomeetlabormarketdemands.Besidesopportunities,vocationaleducationisalsofacingmanynewchallengesintermsofmanagement,schooladministration,programmes,textbooks,facilities,teachercapacityaswellasnewskillsandtheemergenceofnewoccupations.Thatrequiresworkerstobetrainedpromptlytoappropriatelymeetdevelopmentneeds.AccordingtotheGeneralStatisticsOffice,asofthefirsthalfof2024,Vi?tNamslabourforce(aged15andabove)was52.5millionpeople.Amongthem,51.4millionpeopleareemployed,anincreaseof195,700peoplecomparedtothepreviousyear.Approximately28percentofworkerspossesscertificationsforcompetenttraining.Ingeneral,thenumberofemployedworkerstendstoincrease,butthelabourmarketdevelopmentremainsunsustainablewhenthenumberofworkerswithinformaljobsaccountsforalargeproportion.Accordingtotheoffice,theunemploymentrateforyoungpeople(thosebetweentheagesof15and24)hasincreasedto8percent,or0.49percentagepoints.Theyoungunemploymentrateisalwayshighandmorethanthreetimesgreaterthantheworking-agepopulationsrateduetotheyouthshigherdemandforjobs.Youngpeopleareoftenequippedwithgoodknowledgeandhighqualifications,sotheyhavemoreopportunitiestochoosetherightjobastheywantratherthanworkingintemporary,low-incomejobs.Therateofworkersnotusingtheirfullpotentialwas4.3percent,down0.1percentagepoints.ExpandingvocationaleducationNumerousexpertsbelievethatvocationaleducationneedsstronginnovation,tonotonlytrainworkers,butalsomeettherequirementsofintegrationandcompetition.TheGeneralDepartmentofVocationalEducationhasproposeddiversifyingtheformsofvocationaleducationandexpandingittothesecondarylevel.Aftercompletingsecondaryschool,studentsareencouragedbytheGovernmenttoenrollinvocationaleducation.Careerorientationhasreceivedattentionfromnumeroussecondaryschoolswhenstudentsarereadytograduatefromtheninthgradeandbeforetheyselectahighschool.Newmajorsandtuitiondiscountsareofferedbycollegesandvocationaltrainingprogrammestoenticestudents.TheGeneralDepartmentofVocationalEducationalsofocusesonimprovingtrainingqualityofvocationalschools,someofwhichhavepartneredwithcompaniestoplacegraduatesintopositions.??ngTrungChính,principalofHàN?iCollegeofIndustrialEconomics,saidallmajorsofferedbytheschoolaredependentonenrollmentrequirements.Additionally,theinstitutionhaspartneredwithseveralcompaniestoacceptgraduates.Becauseonlybusinessescanhavethemostcorrectorientationregardingtechnology,short-termandlong-termrequirementsfortheworkforce,itisnecessarytobuildindustryskillscouncilswiththeparticipationofbusinessestoplanmacropolicies,forecastlabourandemployment,determineindustrystandards.VNS

Prof.Nguy?n??ngPhong,chairmanoftheUniversityofEconomicsHCMCitycouncil,deliverstheopeningspeechattheResiliencebyTechnologyandDesign2024internationalscientificconferenceheldinHCMCityonJuly15.—VNSPhotoThuH?ngHCMCITY—LocalandinternationalscholarsandexpertsintechnologyanddesignarediscussingtechnologyanddesignsolutionstoenhanceresilienceincommunitiesattheResiliencebyTechnologyandDesign2024internationalscientificconferencethatopenedinHCMCityonMonday.ThesecondbiennialeventisbeingorganisedbytheUniversityofEconomicsHCMCity(UEH)incoordinationwithuniversitiesinItaly,Australia,theRepublicofKorea,Taiwan(China),Singapore,andJapan.Thefour-dayconference,whichhasthethemeFosteringSustainability,willprovidein-depthknowledge,updatesonthelatesttrendsandanalysesofnew,uniqueandmulti-dimensionalperspectivesfromleadingexpertsinthefieldsoftechnologyanddesign.Discussionswillfocusontopicsthatexploretheimportantroleofadvancedtechnologies,innovativedesignmethodsandcomprehensivedataanalyticsincreatingsolutionsthatalignwiththeprinciplesofenvironmentalresponsibility,economicviabilityandpotential,andsocialjustice.SomediscussionsessionswillalsobeheldattheUEH–V?nhLongbranchinthenamesakeC?uLong(Mekong)DeltaprovinceonWednesdayoninnovativesolutionsandideastocopewithcyclones,sealevelrise,salinisationofrivers,flooding,andlandslidestoensureamoresustainablefutureforthedelta.AfieldvisitwillbeorganisedtotheMekongDeltaonThursdaytofacilitateinteractionswithlocalcommunities.Speakingattheopeningceremony,Prof.Nguy?n??ngPhong,chairmanoftheuniversitycouncil,said:Fromcreatingagreensustainablecampustoworkingtowardsacirculareconomythroughresearch,UEHismakingamultidimensionalimpactonmanyareasoftechnologyandinnovation.TheResiliencebyTechnologyandDesign2024conferenceisonesuchinitiative,whichhasproventohaveaninternationaloutreachandiscreatingapromisingpartnershipamongresearchersthroughouttheworld,headded.—VNSLêVi?tD?ngHàN?I—TheinitiativetoremovedilapidatedhousesnationwideinVi?tNamismakingbigstridesandisontracktoreachitsgoalby2025.ItispartoftheNationalTargetProgrammeonSustainablePovertyReductionbetween2021and2025.BySeptember2023,morethan3,500impoverishedfamiliesinTuyênQuangProvincehadreceivedfinancialsupporttofixtheirhousesorbuildnewones.B?cGiangandYênBáiprovinceswerenotfarbehind,withapproximately3,800and3,500familiesgettingassistance,respectively.CaoB?ngProvinceisanothershiningexample.Thelocalgovernmenthasprovidedfundingtoover3,600familiesfornewhousesortorepairhousesasofMay2023.TheLyV?nNófamilyinTh??ngTh?nCommune,HàQu?ngDistrict,CaoB?ngProvince,isaheartwarmingexampleofhowthisinitiativeischanginglives.Withtenpeople(Nósparents,Nóa(chǎn)ndhiswife,andtheirsixchildren)crammedintoatiny40sq.mhouse,lifewastough.Thewallswerejustoldboardsproppedupbybamboopolesandtheleakyroofofferedlittleprotectionfromtheharshweather.Itwasawfulduringtherainyseason,Nórecalled.Waterwouldpourineverywhereanditwasalwayshotorcoldwithnoproperinsulation.Butweweresopoor,unabletoaffordtofixthehouse.Nósoldhouse,builtofoldboardsandbamboopolespoorlytiedtogether.—VNSPhotoLêVI?tD?ngLuckily,localofficialsnoticedtheirstruggle.Theysteppedin,assessedthesituationandprovidedfinancialaidforNótobuildanewhouse.Theyevenhelpedhimgetsomelivestocktoboosttheirincome.Thedifferenceisincredible.By2023,theNófamilywascelebratingtheirspaciousnew100sq.mhouse.Noleaks,nomoreextremetemperatures–justacomfortableplacetolive.Andtheirfinancialsituationislookinguptoo.Theirlivestockhasgrownintofourcows,acalfandtwobuffaloes.NotfarfromtheNófamily,theSùngV?n?ìnhfamilyalsogotassistancetobuildanewhome,butthatwasnotall.Localofficialsalsoconnected?ìnhwithsomeextraworktobringinmoreincomeontopofwhathemakesfromfarming.NowIcangrowcornandraiseducks,butIalsoworkinconstruction,?ìnhsaid.Gettingpaidbythedaymakesabigdifferenceformywife,ourfourchildrenandme.Th??ngTh?nCommuneisaprimeexampleofhowwellthisinitiativecanwork.In2021,25newhouseswerebuiltandfourwererepairedinthecommune,withatotalbudgetofVN?1.5billion(US$59,000).Thefollowingyear,19newhouseswerebuiltand22wererevamped.In2023,thenumbersweresixnewand12repaired.AlocalpoliceofficervisitsNósnewhouse,whichmeetstheThree-Strongcriteria(strongfoundation,strongwalls,andstrongroof).—VNSPhotoLêVi?tD?ngThisyear,Th??ngTh?nsauthoritiessetanambitiousgoalofbuilding50newhousesandfixinganother60.With455impoverishedfamiliesand86closetopoverty,replacingdilapidatedhouseswithbetteronesisatoppriorityforthelocalgovernmentanditsresidents.Onechallengetheyfaceisgettingbuildingmaterialstoremoteareas,becausetheroadsarenotalwaysidealinTh??ngTh?n,whichmakestransportingthingslikecement,sandandgraveldifficult.Toovercomethehurdle,thelocalgovernmentisgettingcreative.Itencouragedthecommunitytopitchinandhelpmovematerials,makingiteasierforthoseinneedtogetthehelptheydeserve.—VNS

HCMCITY—Strengtheninglabourstrategies,forecastingeffortsandcreatingfavourableconditionsintheworkforcesupply-demandchainareallkeystoboostingsocio-economicdevelopmentinthesoutheasternregion.Theregionisoneofthemostdynamiceconomicregions,attractingalargenumberofworkers,sothesemeasuresaredesignedtohelpthemfindjobsmoreeasilyandfacilitatebusinessoperationsintheregion.Targetingselectiveinvestmentsandhigh-qualitylabourHCMCity,whichisthecentralurbanareaofthesouthernregionandtheentirecountryaswell,hasanabundantlaboursupply.Accordingtotheofficialstatistics,thelabourforceinthiscityaccountsforovereightpercentofthenationalworkforce,withanaverageannuallabourgrowthrateofabout0.59percent.Eachyear,thecityseesalargeinfluxofnewlabourmarketentrantsandmigrantworkersofworkingagefromotherprovincesandcities,aswellasforeignworkerscomingintowork.StudentsattendajobfairinHCMCity.VNA/VNSPhotoThanhV?TheHCMCityslabourandemploymentstrategyforthe2023-2025periodwithavisionto2030,recentlyapprovedbytheCityPeoplesCommittee,pointsoutsomestrongadvantagesintermsofitslabourmarket.Theseincludeaplentifulanddiverseworkforce,ahigh-qualityvocationaleducationsystem,averyhighdemandforlabour,afavourablegeographicallocationwithinternationalgatewaystatusandasignificantappealtoinvestorsandhighlyskilledworkers.However,thecityhastofaceseveralchallengesinattractinglabourincludinghighlivingcosts,whichrequirescarefulconsiderationfromworkerswhendecidingtostudy,liveandworkinthecity.Therearealsosignificantskillgapsamongthelabourforce,leadingtoashortageofhigh-qualityworkersandasurplusoflabourunsuitableforthecitysdevelopment-orientedindustries.Thelaboursupplyisforecastedtobestableinthecityfrom2025to2030,buttrendslightlydownwarduntil2030.Labourdemandwillbehigherthansupplyfrom2023to2030.Theincreaseinlabourdemandisexpectedtoincreasefastercomparedtosupply,particularlyfrom2027onwards.Thiscouldresultinalabourshortageandputpressureoncompaniestoincreasewagestoattracttalent.Thelabourdemandinthecityhasbeennotedasbeinglinkedtotrendsofthedevelopingkeyeconomicsectors,digitaltransformation,industrieswithhighscientificandtechnologicalcontentanddevelopingcommercetowardsservice-orientedtrade.Therefore,toensureemployment,thecityneedstoprioritiseselectiveinvestments.Thecityshouldfocusonattractinginvestmentsinhigh-techindustrialproduction,applicationsofadvancedtechnologywhilelimitingprojectsthatoverlydependonlow-skilledlabourorposehighenvironmentalpollutionrisks.Businessesareencouragedtoinvestinmodernisingmachineryandequipment,advancedtechnologyanddevelopingagreen,digitalandcirculareconomy.Thecityisalsodevelopinghigh-endservicesectorswhicharepotentialadvantagesofthecitysuchastourism,financialcentres,wholesaletrade,internationalshoppingcentresorlogistics.BàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincesharesthesameneedinselectivelyattractinginvestmentlinkedtojobsforlabour,especiallyhigh-qualitylabour.Theprovinceforecaststhatthereareover8,500operatingbusinesseswithover250,000workerscurrentlyintheprovince.Itisestimatedthateachyear,businesseswillneedatleast20,000additionalworkers,withtrainedworkersaccountingforover80percentofthetotallabourforce.Thefocusonattractinghigh-qualitylabourintheprovincewillbeinsectorssuchaspetrochemicals,seaports,logistics,informationtechnology,mechanicalengineering,servicesandurbantourism.However,itisforecastedthatlocallaboursupplycannotmeetthedemand.Therefore,theprovinceplanstocontinuefocusingonselectivelyattractinginvestmenttoleverageadvantagesinthemaritimeeconomy,industrialdevelopment,seaports,servicesandtourism,transformingtheprovinceintoaregionalindustrialcentre,anationalmaritimeeconomiccentre,ahubofmaritimeservicesinSoutheastAsiaandahigh-qualityinternationaltourismcentre.BoostinglaboursupplyanddemandconnectionThecurrentlaboursupply-demandsituationinHCMCityrevealsseveralshortcomings.Dr.Tr??ngMinhHuyV?,deputydirectoroftheHCMCityInstituteforDevelopmentStudies(HIDS),saidthelabourmarketoperationisnotyetfullyefficient.V?said:Someworkersstruggletofindjobs,whilebusinessesstillhavetofacechallengesinhiringsuitablelabour.Healsostatesthatthecityneedspoliciestosupportinvestmentandtrainingaimedatimprovingthequalityofthelaboursupply-demandconnectionsystem,especiallyonlinejobexchangesandjobintroductioncentres,toeffectivelyconnectbusinessesandworkers.Developingacareerandemploymentinformationportalthatconnectsprovinces,cities,regionsandthecountryisalsocrucial.ThemunicipalPeoplesCommitteeplanstopromotedevelopingthelabourdemandforecastingsystemtomeettrainingneeds,adaptingtothejobrequirements.Thecitywillenhancetheapplicationofinformationtechnologytointegratethecityslabourmarketinformationsystemwiththenationalsystemtopromptlyupdatenationallabourmarkettrends.HCMCityalsoaimstoestablishalabourmarketinformationsystemfortheASEANregion,allowingworkersincertainindustriesandoccupationstomovefreelyamongmembercountriestocreatesustainable,productiveemploymentopportunities.By2030,thecityplanstocompletetheconstructionoftechnicalinfrastructure,applicationsoftware,connectionsystems,dataintegrationandsharingandundertakethetransformationtostandardisethelabourdatabases.ForBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvince,aprogrammetoattracthigh-qualitylabourforkeyeconomicsectorsintheregionduringthe2024-2030periodisalreadyunderway.Theprovinceaimstomeet75percentofthedemandforhigh-qualitylabourbytheendof2025andmeet90percentofthatdemandby2030.Toachievethesegoals,theprovinceisimplementingasynchronisedapproach.Functionalunitsneedtoprovideinformationoneconomicandsocialdevelopment,labourskillrequirementsandeducationalfieldsneededbylocalbusinesses.Thisinitiativeaimstooffercareerpathsforworkersandeducationalactivitiesatvocationalinstitutionstomeetlabourmarketdemands.Theprovincewillalsodevelopanapplication,calledVieclambariavungtau,whichwillprovidecomprehensiveinformationonrecruitmentneedsandtrainingopportunities.Itisexpectedtofosterconnectionsbetweenlaboursupplyanddemand,attractinghigh-qualityworkerstotheprovinceforemploymentopportunities.—VNS

Inresponsetoahighriskofmeaslesoutbreak,HCMCityplanstogivesupplementarymeaslesvaccinationstomorethan500,000childrenagedoneandfiveyears.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—Facingahighriskofameaslesoutbreak,HCMCityshealthdepartmentplanstogivesupplementarymeaslesvaccinationtomorethan500,000childrenagedonetofiveyearsinthecity.ThedepartmenthasrecommendedthemunicipalPeoplesCommitteetoapprovetheplantoadministersupplementarymeaslesvaccinationstoallchildrenagedonetofiveyears,regardlessoftheirpriorvaccinationstatus.Ifapproved,thesupplementarymeaslesvaccinationwillbegininJulyandgiveprioritytoareasatahighriskofmeaslesoutbreak.TheestimatedbudgetforthisinitiativeexceedsVN?4.3billion(US$169million),allocatedfromthecityDepartmentofHealths2024healthcarefunding.Dr.Nguy?nV?nV?nhChau,deputydirectorofthecitysDepartmentofHealth,saidasofmid-June,thecityhadreportedthreemeaslesoutbreaksinBìnhTan,HócM?nandBìnhChánhdistricts.AcommunityimmunitysurveyconductedbythecitysCentreforDiseaseControlincollaborationwiththeOxfordUniversityClinicalResearchUnit(OUCRU),HospitalforTropicalDiseases,andChildrensHospitalNo1revealedthatonly86percentofchildrenagedninemonthstounderfiveyearsinthecityhavemeaslesantibodies.AccordingtotheWorldHealthOrganisation(WHO),maintaininga95percentvaccinationratefortwodosesofmeaslesvaccineinchildrenundertwoyearsoldiscrucialformeasleselimination.ByusingtheWHOsriskassessmenttool,itwasfoundthattheentirecityfacesahighriskofmeaslesoutbreaks.Inresponsetothisalarmingsituation,healthstationsthroughoutthecityhavefocusedintensivelyoncatch-upandsupplementarymeaslesvaccinationsforchildrenlackingcompleteimmunisation.Localhospitalscontinuetoprovidecatch-upvaccinationstopediatricpatientswhowerenotfullyvaccinatedagainstmeaslesbeforedischarge,aimingtobolsterprotectionagainstthespreadofmeasles.—VNSSceneoftheaccident.Fourvictimswerepinnedagainstabridgeabutmentanddied.—Photonld.com.vnHàN?I—AtruckdrivercausedanaccidentkillingawomanandherthreechildrenandthenfledthesceneonTuesday.Theaccidentoccurredat11.00amonJuly16,inD??ngLi?uCommune,Hoài??cDistrict,HàN?iCity.Initialreportsshowthata15-tonnetruckcarryingconstructionmaterials,bearinglicenseplatenumber88C-288.49,washeadingtoMinhKhaiStreetwhenitfailedtoslowdownattheintersection.Thetrucksfrontendcollidedwiththerightsideofasmallertruck,bearinglicenseplatenumber29C-597.75,whichwasenteringtheintersection.ThecollisioncausedthesmalltrucktoveerintoamotorbikedrivenbyN.T.H.,whowascarryingherthreechildren,N.T.K.O.,N.T.T.M.,andN.T.S.Allfourwerepinnedagainstabridgeabutmentanddiedatthescene.Thedriverofthesmalltruck,identifiedasL.V.N.,wasinjuredwhereasthedriverofthe15-tonne,identifiedas?.V.L.,fledthesceneaftertheaccident.Policehavelaunchedasearchfor?.V.L,urginganyonewithinformationabouthiswhereaboutstocomeforward.—VNS

Apharmacistchecksmedicinalherbsamplesinacompanyin??cHòaCommune,theMekongDeltaprovinceofLongAn.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ng??tHàN?I—Specificpoliciesinthedevelopmentofmedicinalherbs,particularlyvaluableandeconomicallybeneficialmedicinalherbsneedtobeissued,asamatterofsomeurgency.Thatwasthedirectivecameunderthe86thconclusionoftheSecretariatondevelopingVi?tNamstraditionalmedicineandtheVi?tNamOrientallyTraditionalOrientalMedicineAssociationinthenewperiod,recentlysignedbythepermanentmemberofthePartyCentralCommitteesSecretariatL??ngC??ng.TheSecretariatorderedthatalllevelsofPartycommittees,authorities,theVi?tNamFatherlandFrontandsocio-politicalorganisationsmustplananddevelopareasforcultivatingmedicinalherbsonanindustrialscale,establishatraceabilitysystemandensurethesafetyofmedicinalherbs.Thedevelopmentofthemedicinalherbindustryshouldbelinkedwithscientificresearch,productionandpreservationandprocessingchains.Effortsshouldbeintensifiedtocoordinatebetweenministries,sectorsandlocalitiesinmanagingmedicinalherbs,enhancingqualitycontrolandresolutelyfightingagainstcounterfeit,substandardanduntraceabletraditionalmedicineproducts.Furthermore,theSecretariatcalledfortheeffectiveimplementationofDirective24,theresolutionsofthe13thNationalPartyCongressandthePartyspoliciesonprotecting,caringforandimprovingthehealthofthepeople.Itshouldrenewandenhancedissemination,educationanddeterminetheresponsibilityandactionsofalllevelsofPartycommittees,authorities,officials,PartymembersandthepublicindevelopingVi?tNamstraditionalmedicine,contributingtopreservingandpromotingthenationalculturalheritage,theconclusionsays.TheSecretariatdemandedareviewandcompletionofrelevantpoliciesandlaws,continuingtoconcretisepoliciesontraditionalmedicine,renewingthemanagementsystem,diversifyingandimprovingthequalityoftraditionalmedicineservicesinconjunctionwithhealthtourism.Investmentmustbeincreased,focusingontraininganddevelopingherbalistsandtraditionalmedicinepractitioners,ensuringsufficienthumanresourcesfromcentraltolocallevels.MobilisationofsocialresourcesforthedevelopmentofVi?tNamstraditionalmedicineneedstobestrengthened,theconclusionadds.Developingthetraditionalmedicinehealthcaresystem,especiallyatgrassrootshealthlevels,integratingtraditionalmedicinewithmodernmedicine,researchandtestingandprovingtheefficacyofnon-drugtreatmentmethodsshouldbeprioritised.Acomprehensivedatabaseofmedicinalherbsandtraditionalmedicinesmustbedeveloped,connectedwithnationalandspecialiseddatabases,promotingtheapplicationofscience,technologyanddigitaltransformationintraditionalmedicine.Proactiveinternationalintegrationandeffectiveinternationalcooperationshouldbepursued,promotingtheimageandbrandofVietnamesetraditionalmedicineandcreatingpoliciestoexporttraditionalmedicineproducts,includinghigh-qualityhumanresourcesandnon-drugtreatmentmethods.Participationinprofessionalandeducationalassociationsontraditionalmedicineregionallyandglobally;supportfordiscovering,registeringandprotectingintellectualpropertyrightsintraditionalmedicine;honouringandensuringtherightsofrenownedphysicians,implementingspecificpoliciesforregisteringandprotectingintellectualpropertyrights;andsafeguardingthesecretsoftraditionalmedicineformulationareamongtherequirementsfromtheSecretariat.TheSecretariatalsotoldtheVi?tNamTraditionalOrientalMedicineAssociationandsocio-politicalorganisationstoactivelydisseminateandprovideinformationonVietnamesetraditionalmedicine,effectiveremedies,andtreatmentmethodstobothdomesticandinternationalpopulations.Coordinationwithmediaagenciestointroduceandreplicateeffectivemodelsandexemplarypracticesintraditionalmedicinedevelopmentisnecessary.RelevantagencieshavetoboostthecampaignsVietnamesepeopleprioritiseusingVietnamesegoodsandVietnamesepeopleprioritiseusingVietnamesemedicine.TheGovernmenthasbeenaskedtodirecttheissuanceofdocumentstodevelopVietnamesetraditionalmedicineandtheVi?tNamTraditionalOrientalMedicineAssociationfortheperiod2025-30,withvisiontowards2045.TheMinistryofHealthandVi?tNamOrientalTraditionalOrientalMedicineAssociationaretaskedtocloselycoordinatewithrelevantagenciesandlocalitiestoeffectivelyimplementtheconclusions.ThePartyCentralCommitteesCommissionforPublicityandEducation,incollaborationwiththehealthministryandrelevantagenciesareassignedtoguide,superviseandperiodicallyreporttotheSecretariatontheimplementationoftheconclusions.—VNSAvehicleisinspectedatavehicleinspectioncentreinHàN?i.Currently,275CVIsremainactiveoutof295registeredCVIsinthecountry.—VNA/VNSPhotoPhanTu?nAnhHàN?I—TheMinistryofTransportistakingatoughstanceoncorruptioninthevehicleinspectionsystem,followingaseriesofhigh-profilecaseswhereinspectorswerecaughtacceptingbribestooverlooksafetyviolations.TheGiaLamDistrictPeoplesCourtinHàN?ionJuly15sentencedteninspectorstoprisonforacceptingbribestopassvehiclesthatdidnotmeetsafetystandards.Accordingtotheindictment,theinspectors,theCentreforVehicleInspection(CVI)29.02Ssformeremployees,instructedcarownerstoleavemoneyinsidetheirvehicles,rangingfromVN?100,000(US$4)toVN?200,000pervehicle.Theythencollectedanddivideditamongthemselves,withthecentresdirectortakingthelargestshare.ThecourtfoundtheyhadreceivedVN?426million(US$16,800)inbribes.Nguy?nKhánhTùng,thecentresformerdirector,wassentencedto33monthsinprisonandNguy?nKhánhH?ng,thecentresformerdeputydirector,31months.Theremainingeightconvictedweregivensuspendedsentencesofbetween26and30months.ThecaseisthelatestinaseriesofbriberyscandalsinvolvingVi?tNamsvehicleinspectionsystem.Inrecentmonths,manyotherinspectorshavebeenarrestedandchargedwithsimilaroffences.TheMinistryofTransporthasissuedadocumentoutliningamulti-prongedapproachtoimprovethesituation,whichinvolvesconsultingtheDepartmentofScience,TechnologyandEnvironmentforadviceontighteningcontrolsoninspectionactivities.ThedocumentalsohighlightsthetasksfortheVietnamRegister,whichincludereviewingandadvisingtheMinistryonlegalandtechnicalissuesrelatedtoinspectionwork,promotingtheuseofinformationtechnologyinsupervisionandmanagement,steppingupthetrainingofinspectorsandstayingvigilanttosectorsthataresusceptibletobribery.TheDepartmentsofTransportaretaskedwithcomplyingstrictlywiththeMinistrysinstructionsonsupervisinginspectionactivities,leveragingsurveillancecamerasforbettermonitoringandenforcementandconductingsurpriseinspectionstorootoutmisconductattheirprovincesCVIs.AccordingtotheNationalTrafficSafetyCommittee,275CVIsremainactiveoutof295registeredCVIsinthecountry.Inthefirstsixmonthsof2024,theyinspectedabout2.8millionvehicles,ofwhichmorethan450,000failedtomeettechnicalsafetystandards.Withmoreinspectorstobetriedinthecomingmonths,theVietnamRegisterisconcernedaboutinspectorshortagesthatcouldleadtovehiclesliningupinCVIs,causingcongestioninthesystem.Inresponse,theMinistryrevealsthatitisdraftinganewdecreeamendingDecreeNo.30andDecreeNo.139onvehicleinspection,whichisexpectedtoavertthebottlenecks.Inthefirsthalfoftheyear,CVIsalsoinspectedaround1,800railwaycarriages,130locomotivesand14,800inlandwaterwayvessels.Meanwhile,200,000newautomobilesand1,150,000motorcyclesandelectricmotorbikeswereregisterednationwide.—VNS

AircraftsatCátBiAirport.VNA/VNSPhotoH?IPHòNG—TheMinisterofTransportrecentlysignedadecisionapprovingthemasterplanforCátBiInternationalAirportinthenorthernportcityofH?iPhòngfortheperiod2021-30,withavisionto2050.Accordingtotheplan,duringthe2021-2030period,CátBiInternationalAirportwillbeclassifiedasa4Eairport(accordingtoICAOstandards)andalevel1militaryairport,withacapacityofapproximately13millionpassengersperyearand250,000tonnesofcargoperyear.CátBiAirportwillaccommodateaircrafttypesofcodeCsuchasA320/A321andequivalent,andcodeEsuchasB747/B777/B787/A350andequivalent.Theexistingapronwillbeexpandedtoaccommodateabout30aircraftparkingpositions.By2050,theairportwillmaintainitsclassificationasa4Eairportandalevel1militaryairport,withacapacityofabout18millionpassengersperyearand500,000tonnesofcargoperyearandisaccessibleforaircrafttypesofcodesCandEwithanexpandedaprontoaccommodateapproximately50aircraftparkingpositions.Regardingtherunwaysystem,duringthe2021-2030period,thecurrentrunwaywithdimensionsof3,050mx45mandamaterialshoulderwidthof7.5mwillbemaintained.By2050,asecondrunwaywillbeplanned,locatedapproximately215msouthoftheexistingrunwaycentreline,withalengthofabout2.4kmandmaterialshoulderdimensionsasperregulations.Anewairtrafficcontroltowerwillbebuiltatalocationnorthoftheairport,coveringanareaofapproximately1.8ha.TheMinistryofTransporthastaskedtheCivilAviationAuthorityofVi?tNam(CAAV)withstudyingandincorporatingfeedbackfromthePlanningandInvestmentDepartmentsappraisalreporttomanageandimplementtheplanaccordingtoregulations.CAAVwillcoordinatewithH?iPhòngCitysPeoplesCommitteeandrelevantagenciestoannounce,manage,andimplementtheplan.TheH?iPhòngPeoplesCommitteeisresponsibleforreviewingandupdatingtheplanningcontentsintothelocalplanning,allocatingandprotectinglandresourcestomeettheairportsdevelopmentneedsaccordingtotheapprovedplan.—VNSFreighttraincarriagesarestuckfollowingalandslideattheB?iGióTunnelthrough?èoC?connectingKhánhHòaandPhúYênprovinces,causingamajorblockageontheNorth-Southrailwayline.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Vi?tNamRailwayCorporation(VNR)hasrecommendedprioritisingtheallocationofapproximatelyVN?1.29trillion(US$50.7million)fortheurgentreinforcementofrailwayworksfacinghighsafetyrisks.ThisincludesaboutVN?500billion($19.6million)forreinforcing12criticaltunnels,VN?700billion($27.5million)forreinforcing94bridgesandVN?95billion($3.7million)forreinforcing14additionalworks.Thesecrucialprojectswillbepartofthemid-termpublicinvestmentcapitalplanfortheperiodof2026-2030,orwillsupplementannualmaintenanceandrepairfunding.ArepresentativefromtheVi?tNamRailwayAuthorityalsostatedthatinvestmentshouldfocusontheHàN?i–HCMCityrailwayline,whichhasthehighestpassengertraffic.FortheHàN?i-??ng??ng,YênViên-LàoCaiandGiaLam-H?iPhònglines,targetedinvestmentsshouldensuresafetyandprioritisestationswithhightransportationdemand.Regardingfundingsources,theauthorityhasproposedtotheMinistryofTransportthatsmallerprojectswithlesscomplextechnicalrequirementsshoulduseannualrailwayinfrastructuremaintenancefunds.Larger,moretechnicallycomplexprojectsshouldbeallocatedmid-termpublicinvestmentcapitalforthe2026-2031period.ApproximatelyVN?5billionwouldbeallocatedfromeconomicoperationalfundstoinspect12tunnelsontheHàN?i–HCMCityrailwayline,andaboutV?3billiontoinspectHàN?i,H?iPhòngand?àL?tstations.Additionally,aprojecttoreinforcetheweaktunnelsontheHàN?i–HCMCityrailwaylineaimedtoprovidetemporarysafetymeasuresforcriticalsectionswithhighsafetyrisksuntilacomprehensiverenovationprojectcanbecarriedout,itsaid.Whilewaitingfortheprojectstobeimplemented,theVNRwoulddirectrailwayjoint-stockcompaniestoinspect,monitorandbeonstandbywithsufficientmaterials,personnelandequipmenttorespondpromptlytoanyemergencysituations.Manyrailwaytunnelsandbridgesarefacingsafetyrisksduetotheirage,raisingseriousconcernsabouttrainsafety.InApril2024,theB?iGióTunnelonthenorth-southrailwaylinethrough?èoC?experiencedalandslideduringconstruction,causinganearlytendayblockageofthenationalrailway.Similarly,theChíTh?nhTunnelalsosufferedalandslideattheendofMay.Fortunately,therewerenocasualtiesfromeitherlandslide.TheVNRreportedthattheB?iGióTunnellandslidealonecostthecorporationoverVN?50.4billion.ThisincludedmorethanVN?3.6billioninemergencyresponsecosts,overVN?18.7billionindirectdamagesandoverVN?28billioninlostrevenueduetothedisruption.Additionally,theprolongedimpactoftheincidentledmanypassengersandshipperstoswitchtoalternativemodesoftransport,resultinginarevenuedeclineevenaftertheissuewasresolved.AccordingtotheVNR,theentirenetworkhas12tunnelswhichareconsideredinacriticalcondition,outofatotalof39.These12tunnelsareallontheHàN?i–HCMCityline,builtandputintooperationbetween1926and1936andhaveneverbeenrepaired,reinforcedorrenovated.Theconcreteliningsofthesetunnelshavedeteriorated,crackedandbecomewaterlogged,withnarrowclearancesposingsignificantsafetyrisks,requiringreducedtrainspeeds.AccordingtoNguy?nV?n??nh,headofthe?èoC?railwaymanagementteam,theareahasseventunnels,allbuiltduringtheFrenchcolonialperiodandnowheavilyweatheredandleaking.The?èoC?area,thesoilandrocksareloose,makinglandslidesmorelikelyduringtherainyseason.ArecentprojectwithabudgetofVN?7trillion(275.6million)onlyreinforcedthreetunnels,mainlyaddressingwaterleakagepoints.Theironsleepersusedinthesetunnels,datingbacktotheFrenchera,areheavilycorrodedandreplacementsarescarcesincetheyarenolongermanufactured.Theunithadtoselectusableironsleepersfromotherprojectstoreplaceconcreteonesasaprecaution.—VNS