HeadofVi?tNamdelegation,Tr?nV?nLamraisesflagatthesending-offceremonyoftheteamincompetitionatthe13thASEANSchoolsGamesin?àN?ngcityonJune1-7.PhotocourtesyofLêLam?A?N??NG—Vi?tNams189-strongteamwanttofinishinthetopthreeinthemedaltallyatthe13thASEANSchoolsGames(ASG).Theyareamong1,300athletesandcoachesfromsportsdelegationsof10regionalcountries,headingofftothegames,underthebanneroffriendshipandfairnessandamottoof–Connecttoshinebright.TheheadoftheVi?tNamdelegation,Tr?nV?nLamsaidatthesending-offceremony,thattheteamwilldoallitcantowin,butundertheumbrellaoffriendlycompetition.Wehavecollectedthebest137athletesfromnationalandregionalcompetitionstobuildastrongsquad,competingintoughgamesagainstregionalcontenders.Theteamhavebeengiventopprioritiesintraininginthecityinpreparationforthebiggestschoolsportsevent,Lamsaid.ItsalsoachanceforVietnameseschoolstudentstoshowofftheirpowerbutcarrypeacewishesamongregionalfriendsandpartners,promotingthehospitalityandsolidarityofthecountry.Nguy?nThanh??,deputyheadofthegamesorganisingcommittee,stressedthatthesportseventwasalsoachanceforVietnameseyoungsterstoshowofftheirphysicaltrainingandeducationoverthepastdecade.Vietnameseschoolstudentsjoinasend-offceremonyfortheASEANSchoolGamesin?àN?ng.Theteamwillcompeteinsixsportsincludingswimming,athletics,badminton,basketball,pencaksilatandvovinam.PhotocourtesyofTr?nLêLamBùiBíchPh??ng,abadmintonplayer,promisedthatshewouldgainvictorioustriumphforthecountryandtheteam,butalsosharingfriendlyconnectionsamongfriends.Shesaidalltheteammembershavebeenintopform,gainingmedalsathomethroughcompetitions.Morethan1,300athleteswillbecompetinginsixdisciplines,swimming,athletics,badminton,basketball,pencaksilatandvovinamfor107medalsetsfromJune1-7inthebeachcityof?a?N??ng.Firstheldin2009,theASEANSchoolsGamesisthelargestsportingeventforhighschoolstudentsintheASEANregion.Thailandtookthetopmedaltallyin2009,2011,2012,2016and2017,whileMalaysiawonin2010,2014and2018.Vi?tNamoncetooktheleadingpositionin2013asthehostofthegames.In2022,thegames,duetobehostedbythePhilippines,werecancelledduetoCOVID-19.TheopeningceremonywillbeheldatTiênS?nSportsCentreat8pmonJune1,afewhoursaftertheflagisraisedovertheevent.VNS

LeadersoftheNinhThu?nProvincePeoplesCommitteevisitagrapefruitorchardthathaswitheredbecauseirrigationwaterisaffectedbysaltwaterintrusioninNinhH?iDistrictsV?nhH?iCommune.–VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngTh?NINHTHU?N–NinhThu?nProvincesNinhH?iandNinhS?ndistrictslackthewaterrequiredtoirrigatehundredsofhectaresofcrops.InNinhH?i,190haofgrapesinV?nhH?iCommunearefacingashortagebecausethe?ngKinhreservoirhasdriedup.Farmershavehadtodigpondsandborewellstoirrigatecrops,butsomeofthelatterareaffectedbysaltwaterintrusion.InNinhS?n,farmersareworriedthat300haofsugarcaneinQu?ngS?nCommunecouldwitherawaybecauseofthehotweatherandlackofwater.Morethan200haoffruitorchardsinthedistrictsLamS?nCommuneareaffectedsinceGiaChiêuandothersmallspringsfromwhereirrigationwaterisobtainedhavedriedup.Somehavepondstostorewaterbutmostdependonthespringsandrainwater.Nguy?n??cHoà,deputychairmanoftheNinhS?nPeoplesCommittee,saidthedistricthaspetitionedtheprovincetoallocatefundsforlayingwaterpipes.Thesouth-centralprovinceisthecountrysdriestandnormallysuffersawatershortageinthedryseason,whichlastsfromDecembertoAugust.Tr?nhMinhHoàng,deputychairmanoftheprovincePeoplesCommittee,saidlocalauthoritiesaretaskedwithurgentlyimplementingmeasurestosecurewaterforagriculture,householduse,animals,andhigh-valueperennialtrees.PeoplesCommitteeleadershavetouredtheprovincetoinspectthewatersituationandinstructedlocalitiestoworkwiththeprovinceDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentandotherrelevantagenciestosecurewaterforgrapegrowingareas,especiallyinV?nhH?iCommune.Thefruitisoneoftheprovincesspecificallyidentifiedproducts.Relevantprovincialandlocalagenciesregularlygatherinformationaboutthelackofwateranditsimpactstoenablethemtotakepreventionmeasures.Theyhavestrengthenedadvocacytoenhanceawarenesssothatthepublicwillproactivelyparticipateinactivitiestocopesuchasstoringwaterandusingitefficiently.AccordingtotheNinhThu?nIrrigationManagementCompanyLimited,thetotalstorageinits23reservoirsis1.39millioncubicmetresasagainsttheircapacityof418millioncubicmetres.Twohavedriedupcompletelyandsixhavewaterbelowthedeadstoragelevel.–VNSStudentsinaclassatLêQuy??nSecondarySchoolinHCMCitysTh???ccity.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheHCMCityPeoplesCommitteehasreleasedaplantobuild4,500classroomsinresponsetoashortageofeducationalfacilities.Theworkwillalsocelebratethe50thanniversaryoftheLiberationoftheSouthandNationalReunification(April30,2025).Theprojecttargetstohave300classroomspertenthousandstudentstoensuresufficientclassroomspace.Thecitycurrentlyhasatotalof50,650classrooms,servingover1.7millionstudentsandpre-schoolers.Accordingly,by2025,thecitybudgetwillallocatetotalproposedcapitalofmorethanVN?32trillion(US$1.3billion)tobuild5,560newclassrooms.Amongthem,thecityhasalreadycarriedout117projectswithatotalinvestmentofmorethanVN?16.8trillion($659million)aftertheirinvestmentpolicieswereapproved.Themedium-termcapitalallocationinthe2021-2025periodismorethanVN?12trillion($471million).Some78projectshavenotbeengreenlityetbutdisplayedhighfeasibilityforprogressacceleration,withtotalinvestmentofmorethanVN?6.4trillion($251.3million)andanexpectedcapitalneedofVN?5.5trillion($214million).About82projectshaveland-relatedadvantagestospeeduptheirprogress,withatotalinvestmentofnearlyVN?9trillion($351.5million)andamedium-termcapitalallocationofVN?1.1trillion($41.5million)inthe2021-25period.Thecityplanstocallforinvestmentin110projectstobuild2,638classroomswithatotalofVN?24.8trillion($974million)underthepublic-privatepartnershipform.Currently,nearlyalleducationprojectsareintheBuild-Operate-Transferform.However,thecityfaceschallengessuchasland-useplanningforPPPprojectsandadelayinacquiringland,whichcouldincreasecostsandconstructiondelaysforschoolsandeducationalfacilities.Anotherriskisapotentialinterestrateincreaseandchangesinlawsorregulationsthatcouldadverselyimpacttheproject.Thecityneedstoaddresslandallocationissues,includingrelocatingandrecoveringabandonedland,aswellasincreasingincentivesforinvestingineducationalfacilities,expertssaid.TheGovernmentspolicieswillencouragePPPinvestmentineducationandhelptodevelopahealthyandcompetitiveenvironmentforteachingandlearning.However,educationusuallyrequireslong-terminvestmentwithlowprofitmargins,sobusinessesmayneedtooffsettheiroperatingcostsinthefirstfewyearstomaintainquality,expertssaid.—VNS

DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuang,ChairmanoftheNMMRCoordinationCouncil,speaksattheconference.—VNA/VNSPhotoT?V?nToànPHúTH?—Amasterplanforthenorthernmidlandsandmountainousregionhasambitiousgrowthtargetsofaneightpercentgrowthrate,everyyear,betweennowand2030.Theplanrepresentsasignificantstepforward,embodyingnewmindsetsandvisionsanddemonstratingaproactiveapproachtodevelopment.ThatmessagewasdeliveredbyNguy?nChíD?ng,MinisterofPlanningandInvestment,attheregionscoordinationcouncilconferenceonFriday.Hesaidtheplancentresaroundaddressingmajorinter-regionalandinter-provincialissuesandmobilisingresourcesforrapidsustainabledevelopment,aimingtoraisetheareasGrossRegionalDomesticProduct(GRDP)tobetween7.5and8.0percent,GRDPpercapitatobetweenUS$15,000and$18,000andtheHumanDevelopmentIndextomorethan0.75.Theplanalsocoverstopicsincludingthepreservationofculturalidentitiesoflocalethnicgroups,humanresourcequalityenhancementandtalentretentionandthepromotionofculture-basedtourismandagriculture.Severalmeasureshavebeenputforwardintheplanincludingbuildingecologicalcorridors,stripsofvegetationthatlinkforestsandecologicalsites,improvingforestqualityandintroducingnewtypesofforest-linkedservicessuchascarbonsequestration.Italsounderlinesthesignificanceofinter-regionalinfrastructureprojectsinimprovingNMMRsconnectivitywithotherregionsandcountries,especiallywithLaosandChina.Thehigh-speedrailprojectsconnectingL?ngS?n-HàN?iandLàoCai-HàN?i-H?iPhòng-Qu?ngNinhwillbeacceleratedinthatregard.Undertheplan,fiveeconomiccorridorsandaneconomicclusterwillalsobeestablishedtostrengthentheeconomictiesbetweenprovinces,namelyLàoCai-YênBái-PhúTh?-HàN?i,L?ngS?n-B?cGiang-HàN?i,?i?nBiên-S?nLa-HòaBình-HàN?i,HàGiang-TuyênQuang-PhúTh?-HàN?i,CaoB?ng-B?cK?n-TháiNguyên-HàN?iandB?c-Giang-TháiNguyên-PhúTh?.TheMinistercalledforclosecooperationbetweenlocalgovernmentsandtheestablishmentofarobustmechanismtoimplementtheplan.DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuang,ChairmanoftheNMMRCoordinationCouncil,acknowledgedthechallengesfacedbytheregion,butapplaudedeffortsoflocalgovernmentsinleveragingtheirstrengthsfordevelopment.Healsohighlightedinnovativeapproachesadoptedbysomelocalauthorities,emphasisingtheneedforwideradoptionofsuchpractices.Henotedthatregionalcoordinationinitiatives,despitehavingbeeninplaceforsometime,hadnotworkedoutaswellasexpected,duetoNMMRsresourceconstraints,infrastructuredeficienciesandweaklinks.Onthosegrounds,heurgedthelocalauthoritiestofocusonimplementingthecouncil-approvedprojectstoacceleratetheregionsgrowth,especiallythoserelatedtoinfrastructuredevelopment,climatechangeresponseanddigitaltransformation.Theareaishometoadiversepopulationofethnicgroupswithuniqueculturalidentitiesandawealthofhistoricalandculturalsites.ItalsoplaysacrucialroleinnationalwaterandenvironmentalsecurityandservesasthefenceofthenortherngatewayintoVi?tNam.—VNSOCOPproductsaredisplayedattheprovincialcoachstationinV?nhLongCity,V?nhLongProvince.–VNA/VNSPhotoPh?mMinhTu?nV?NHLONG–V?nhLongProvinceisdevelopingmoreproductsunderthenationalOneCommune-OneProductprogramme.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincenowhas159ofthem,100withthree-starproductsand59withfour,afterfiveyearsofimplementingtheprogramme,accordingtoitsDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.Thehighestratinghasfivestars.OnMay6theprovincerecognised36newfour-starproducts.ItsOCOPproductsincludefoodandbeverages,handicrafts,herbalproducts,andruraltourismservices.Theprogrammehashelpedimprovethevalueofproductsandruralincomes,andpromotedtheroleofthecommunityinpreservinganddevelopingtraditionalproducts,accordingtothedepartment.Ithashelpeddevelopmanyfarmingareasforproducingcleanmaterialsandusingtechnologies.IthashelpedOCOPproducerssellmoreandgethigherprices.Nguy?nTh?TrúcLinh,directoroftheThu?nDuyênFoodCompanyLimitedinTamBìnhDistrictsTanPhúCommune,saidshehadbeenintheprogrammesinceitsinceptionandhaddevelopedherproductionestablishmentintothecurrentcompany.In2020itregisteredforrecognitionforfiveproducts(tamarindfishsauce,chilli-garlic-vinegar-sugarsauce,chillisaucewithsesame,seasonedfermentedfish,andThaihotpotsauce)andtheywererecognisedasthree-starOCOPproducts.Shehassinceimprovedthequalityofherproductsandpackaginganddevelopedalogoandbrandnameandmorenewproducts.Itnowhasninethree-starandfour-starproducts,accordingtothedirector.Tr??ngThànhD?nh,directorofthedepartment,saidtheprogrammepromotedmanyprovincesproducts,improvedthecommunitysrole,boostedproductionundervaluechains,developedstart-ups,andpromotedthehouseholdandruraleconomy.OCOPproducersshouldresearchtoimprovequalityanddevelopbrandnames,hesaid.Relevantauthoritiesshouldstrengthenadvocacyabouttheprogrammeanditsimplementation,headded.AccordingtoNguy?nTh?Di?uHi?noftheSomoFarmC?uLongJointStockCompanyinM?ngThítDistricttheprogrammeisverymeaningfulandoffersmanybenefitstoparticipatingcompanies.Itoffersthemsupportfortradepromotionandadvertisement,andisimportantforthemtoselltheirproducts.ThePh??cH?uSafeVegetableCo-operativeinLongH?Districthas35membersandcultivatesvariouskindsofvegetables,mostlyherbs,toVietnamesegoodagriculturalpracticesstandardson15.5ha,andharvestsabout850tonnesayear.Itgrowsthreeherbsrecognisedasthree-starOCOPproducts.Tr?nV?nHi?n,itsdirector,saidtherecognitionwouldenabletheco-operativetointroduceitsproductstoconsumersintheprovinceandelsewhere.Theco-operativewouldmaintainandimproveitsproductqualitytodevelopsustainably,hepromised.Buttheachievementsnotwithstanding,therearealsoshortcomingssuchasthesmallproductionscaleandlowmanagementcapacityofmostOCOPproducersandtheirlackofknowledgeofthemarketeconomyandvaluechains,accordingtothedepartment.Mostco-operatives,co-operativegroupsandhouseholdsproduceandselltheirOCOPproductsthroughtraders,buttheprovincehasmanysupportpolicies.LastyearitcreatedsitesfordisplayingandsellingOCOPproductsattheprovincialcoachstationinV?nhLongCity,themonumentoflatePrimeMinisterV?V?nKi?tinV?ngLiêmDistrictandCocoHomeV?nhLongtourismhouseinLongH?District.–VNSCaption:FarmerTr?nDuyKhanhbreedsgrouperfishandotheraquaticspeciesinhismangroveforestinHòn??tDistrictsLìnhHu?nhCommuneinKiênGiangProvince.–VNA/VNSPhotoV?nS?HCMCITY–BreedingshrimpandotheraquaticspeciesinmangroveforestsintheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltabothoffersasteadyincometohouseholdsprotectingforestsandimprovesconservation.Thedelta,whichcomprises12provincesandC?nTh?City,hasmorethan73,000haofmangroveforests,or51percentofthecountrystotal.CoastalprovincessuchasCàMau,B?cLiêu,SócT?ng,KiênGiang,andB?nTrehavelargeforestareaswhereshrimpisfarmed.InKiênGiang,mangroveforestsplayanimportantroleinprotectingseadykesandpreventingerosion,andtheallocationoftheseforeststolocalhouseholdstoprotectandbreedaquaticspeciesinthemhashelpedthousandsescapepoverty.DanhTrung,anethnicKhmerinHòn??tDistrictsTh?S?nCommune,saidhisfamilyusedtobeapoorbeforelocalauthoritiesallocatedthreehectaresofmangroveforestsin2013.Forthefirstthreeyears,hisfamilyonlycaughtwhatshrimpandfishtherewereandearnedVN?30-50million(US$1,200-2,000)ayear.Afterlearningsomefarming,hebegantobuyshrimpandcrabtobreedintheforestin2016.Hisfamilynowharvestsmorethanonetonneofshrimp,crabandfishayearandearnsVN?100million($4,000),hesaid.Myfamilyhasescapedpovertyandcanpayfeesfortwochildrentogotoschool.Mostforest-protectionhouseholdsintheprovinceusedtosurviveoncatchingfishandotheraquaticspeciesinthewildbeforetheywereallottedforests.Bythen,theircatcheshadalsodwindledandlifehadbecomedifficult.LêV?nGiàu,headoftheHòn??tBureauofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidinthreecommunesinthedistrict,Th?S?n,LìnhHu?nhandBìnhS?n,thebreedingofblack-tigershrimp,white-leggedshrimp,mudcrab,andbloodcockleinmangroveforestshasdevelopedrapidly.Aquaticspeciesfarmedinmangroveforestsarebredtobiosafetystandardswithoutindustrialfoodsandchemicals,andsotastebetterthanthosebredusingindustrialorsemi-industrialmethods,hesaid.Thedistrictwouldco-operatewithrelevantgovernmentagenciesandcompaniestoexpandthebreedingofaquaticspeciestoVietnamesegoodagriculturalpracticesstandardstoimprovetheirvalueandfarmersincomes,hesaid.Ithasabout6,500haofmangroveforests.InTràVinhProvince,thousandsofhouseholdsincoastalareasarecarryingonaquaticspecies-forestryfarmingin8,000haofmangroveforestsandearnanaverageofVN?150million($6,000)perhectareayear.Itslucrativenaturehasmademorefarmersparticipateingrowingnewmangroveforests,helpingincreasetheprovincesforestcover.Tr?nTr??ngGiang,directoroftheTràVinhDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidtheprovinceencouragesfarmersincoastalareastoexpandfarmingofaquaticspeciesinforeststocopewithclimatechange.Ithaszonedmorethan23,980haincoastalareastodevelopthemodel.Itfinanciallyassistsfarmersbysubsidisingseedlingcostsby50percent.SustainabledevelopmentAuthoritiesinthedeltahaveallocatedmoremangroveforeststohouseholdstoprotectandexploittheirresources.Thesehouseholdscanuseupto30percentareaoftheforestlandtobreedshrimpandotheraquaticspecies.KiênGianghasallocatedforeststomorethan1,900householdssince2011,accordingtoitsDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.LêH?uToàn,itsdirector,saidthemanagementofforestshasbeeneffectiveandillegallogginghasreduced.Todevelopthemodels,theprovincefocusesongettingfarmerstoparticipateinco-operativegroupsandco-operativeswhichhavelinkages[withcompanies]tosecureoutlets.Theprovinceimplementsprogrammesandprojectsthathelpfarmersaccessadvancedtechniquesforbreedingaquaticspeciesincombinationwithofferingtourismservices,hesaid.Thedepartmentinstructsitsagenciestoinspecttheenvironment,waterresourcesandthebreedingcreaturestoensureproductivity,hesaid.InCàMauProvince,thereare40,500haofshrimp-forestfarming,thecountryslargestarea,accordingtoitsDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.MostoftheseforestsaresituatedinN?mC?nandNg?cHi?ndistricts.Todevelopthemodel,atthebeginningofthisyeartheprovinceintroduceditinN?mC?nDistrictsLamH?iCommune,where700householdshavebeenallotted2,500haofmangrove.–VNS

TayNinhProvincestrafficpoliceofficersonduty.-VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—ThedraftLawonRoadTrafficOrderandSafetywasdiscussedattheongoingsessionofthe15thNationalAssemblyandaproposalwhichwouldallowtrafficpolicetokeepasignificantportionofanyfinesthattheycollect.Howevertheproposal,whichcouldseethatmoneythenputintoacollectivepolicefund,sparkedaheatedexchangeamongthedeputies.Nguy?nTh?Y?nNhi,vicechairwomanofB?nTreProvincePeoplesCouncil,saidsanctioningadministrativeviolationsinvariousfieldsmustcomplywiththeLawonHandlingofAdministrativeViolations.Whydoesthisfieldhaveitsownregulationsinordertodeductapercentageoffines?sheasked.Shesaidstrengtheningfacilities,equipmentandmodernisingthetrafficpoliceforceisnecessary,butothersectorssuchasenvironment,marketmanagementalsoneededattention,notjustroadroadtraffic.Bycontrast,deputyPh?mV?nHòafrom??ngThápProvincesupportedtheplantoallowthepolicetokeepanydeduction,arguingthatthetrafficpolicehavetoworkhard.However,theremustbespecificregulationsonhowmuchmoneytheycandeduct,notsimplyreferredtoaspartiallydeducted.Previously,thedraftproposeddeducting70percentofthefinesfortrafficviolationsforthetrafficpolice.Publicopinionreactedduetosuchahighdeduction,hesaid.Whenthatproposalfora70percentdeductionwaswithdrawn,withfearsitmightleadtothefinessimplybeingincreased,thewordpartiallyhadbeenputininstead.Whenitfacedfiercepublicdebateafterwards,itwassaiditmightleadtothefactthatpolicewillstiffenthefines,the70percentproposalhadbeenwithdrawnandreplacedbypartially,hesaid.Hòasaidhestronglyagreeswiththeproposalofestablishingafundtoreducetrafficaccidents,butthatthemoneyshouldcomefromsourcesoutsidethebudgetandfrommoneyrecoveredfromthosewhocauseddeathorinjurybydriving.AnothertopicwhichwasraisedattheNationalAssemblywaswhethertoadoptazerotolerancebanonanydriverswithanydetectablealcohollevel.Tr?nhXuanAn,standingmemberoftheNationalAssemblyNationalDefenceandSecurityCommittee,saidtheproposalhasbeenwelcomedbythemajorityofthedeputies.—VNSHistoricfloodingin2020isolatedmanyareasinthecentralprovinceofQu?ngBình.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecastingpredictedthatnaturaldisastersin2024willbehighlycomplex,withmorefrequentandstrongerstormsandthepotentialreoccurrenceofthehistoricfloodingscenarioof2020.ThecentreattributedtheincreaseinweatherextremestothetransitionoftheENSOphenomenoncombinedwithclimatechange.DuetotheshiftfromElNinotoneutralandthentoLaNina,itisexpectedthatfromnowuntilAugust,theEastSea(internationallyknownastheSouthChinaSea)mightexperienceabout3-5stormsandtropicaldepressions,withapproximatelyonemakinglandfall.Thisnumberislowerthanthemulti-yearaverageof5-6storms,withtwoaffectingthemainland.Towardstheendoftheyear,LaNinacouldleadtoheavyrainsandmajorstorms.FromSeptembertoNovember,aroundseventoninestormsandtropicaldepressionsareexpectedintheEastSea,withapproximatelythreetofourmakinglandfall.Thisishigherthantheusualannualaverageofsixorsevenstorms,withtwoorthreehittingthemainland.Thecentrealsonotedthatthisyearsstormseasoncouldseestormswithcomplextrajectoriesandintensities.Particularly,LaNinasimpactinthelatterhalfof2024mayresultinheavy,concentratedrainsincentralVi?tNam,potentiallyrepeatingthehistoricfloodingof2020.ItindicatedthatinSeptember,thetotalrainfallinthecentralregionfromThanhHóa(chǎn)toTh?aThiênHu?willbe10-30percenthigherthanthemulti-yearaverage.InOctober,totalrainfallinthecentralregionisexpectedtobe20-40percenthigherthanthemulti-yearaverage.HeavyrainssubmergedmanyroadsinthecentralprovinceofTh?aThiên-Hu?inNovember,2023.VNA/VNSPhoto??Tr??ngMaiV?nKhiêm,directorofthecentrenotedthatcurrentweatherpatternsaresimilartoyearsofextremeandunusualnaturaldisasters,mostrecentlyin2020.Specifically,stormsandtropicaldepressionsareexpectedtobemorefrequentinthelatterhalfoftheseason,particularlyaffectingthecentralregion.Consequently,thereisasignificantneedforcaution,asthepossibilityoflarge,concentratedrainfallinthecentralregion,especiallyduringSeptember,OctoberandNovember,cannotberuledout.Incontrast,2023sawtheinfluenceofElNino,characterisedbyfewerstormsandrainfall.Thecountryexperiencedeightstormsandtropicaldepressions,lowerthanthemulti-yearaverage.Notably,nostormsmadelandfallinVi?tNamin2023.Hoàng??cC??ng,deputydirectoroftheGeneralDepartmentofMeteorologyandHydrologyundertheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentindicatedthatfoursignificanthightideeventsareforecastedforthesoutheastcoastduringtheperiodsofSeptember18-23,October16-22,November12-20andDecember12-18.DuringthehightidesonOctober16-22andNovember12-20,waterlevelsatV?ngTàureservoirsmayexceed4.3metres,posingrisksoffloodinginlow-lyingareasandregionsoutsidetheprotectivedykes,especiallyifthesetidescoincidewithstrongseasonalwinds.BetweenJulyandAugust2024,thesouthwesterncoastalprovincesmightexperienceoneortwounusualtidalsurgeswithlargewavescausingseaerosion,particularlyintheTr?nV?nTh?idistrictinCàMauProvince.UndertheLaNinaweathercondition,therainyseasoninthenorthernregionislikelytofollowthetypicalclimaticpattern,whileintheCentralHighlandsandsouthernregions,itmaystartlaterthanusual.HeavyrainfallisexpectedfromJulytoSeptemberinthenorthernregionandfromSeptembertoNovemberinthecentralregion.However,intenselocalisedrainfallof50-100mminoverthreetosixhoursmayfrequentlyoccur,posingrisksoflandslidesandflashfloodsinmountainousareasandurbanflooding.—VNS

ManysugarcaneareasinQu?ngS?nCommune,NinhS?nDistrictareatriskofdryingoutduetolackofwater.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngTh?NINHTHU?N—HundredsofhectaresofcropsinNinhThu?nProvinceareatriskofdryingout,asreservoirsdonothaveenoughwatertoirrigatetheareafollowingaprolongeddrought.Thecropsaresugarcane,wheat,cornandsomefruittrees,suchasdurianandgrapes,inNinhH?iandNinhS?ndistricts.InV?nhH?iCommune,NinhH?iDistrict,about190haofgrapevineslackirrigation.?ngKinhLakehasrundry,andlocalpeoplehavetodigpondsanddrillwellstostorewater.Butsomeofthewellsarecontaminatedwithsalinity,soeventheplantsthatarewateredcannotgrowandgraduallywither.Similarly,inLamS?nCommune,NinhS?nDistrict,morethan200haoffruittreesarewitheringduetowatershortages.AllofthecropsinthisareausenaturalwaterfromtheGiaChiêustreamandothersmallwaterways.Butduetotheprolongedhotweather,thestreamshavedriedup.InQu?ngS?nCommune,morethan300haofsugarcanearedryingout.Localpeopleareveryanxiousandworried,becausetheheatthereisstillintense.Moreimportantly,manytypesofcropsandfruittreesarenowinthegrowth,floweringandfruit-bearingstages.Watershortageswilldirectlyaffectthetreessurvivalrate,productivityandproductquality.LeadersoftheLamS?nCommunePeoplesCommitteesaidthatthecommitteewouldrequestfinancialsupportfromauthoritiesatalllevelsforthepeopleinaffectedareas.Thesupportwouldhelplocalfarmersdigpondsandinstallwaterpipestotemporarilyirrigatecropswhileawaitingtherainyseason.Forlessaffectedareas,thecommitteesuggestedthefarmersstorewaterandirrigatecropsinmoderation.DeputyChairmanoftheNinhS?nDistrictPeoplesCommitteeNguy?n??cHòasaidthattoeasedifficultiesforthepeople,thedistricthasproposedtheprovincialPeoplesCommitteeconsiderinvestinginirrigationpipelines.ThedistrictsuggestedlocatingawaterpumpdownstreamoftheS?ngPhaHydroelectricPlanttobringwatertotheGiaChiêustreamandthenusingthewatertoirrigatefruittrees.Tr?nhMinhHoàng,DeputyChairmanoftheNinhThu?nProvincialPeoplesCommittee,saidthat,giventheprolongeddroughtanditsnegativeimpactsonpeoplesproductivityanddailylives,provincialauthoritieshaveissuedaplantorespondtotheproblem.Thecommitteeassignedurgenttaskstoeachdepartmentandlocalityaspartoftheplantoconservewaterfordailyuse,livestockandhigh-valueperennialcrops.Overthepastfewdays,thecommitteehasexaminedlocalpeoplesproductionandlivingsituationsanddirectedsolutionsfortheareasmostaffectedbythedrought.Forgrapegrowingareas,especiallyinV?nhH?iCommune,provinceleadersaskedthelocalitytosupportandworkcloselywithagriculturalagenciesandlocalfarmers,becausegrapesareaspecialtyintheprovince.TheprovinceaskedtheManagementBoardofAgriculturalandRuralDevelopment,InvestmentandConstructionProjectstosupplywaterfromtheTanM?irrigationstationinBácáiDistrictto?ngKinhLaketoeasetheprovincesseveredroughtzone.OfficialsinNinhThu?nProvincecontinuouslymonitorthelatestinformationanddevelopmentsonthedroughttoissuetimelyandeffectiveguidance.Theprovinceisencouragingpeopletoactivelyrespondtothedroughtbystoringfreshwaterandusingwaterinmoderation.AccordingtotheNinhThu?nProvinceIrrigationWorksExploitationCo.Ltd.,thetotalamountofwaterinthecompanys23reservoirsisonly138to417millioncubicmetres.Ofthese,tworeservoirshavealreadydriedupandsixlakeshavewaterlevelslowerthanthedeadpoollevel,atwhichwatercannotflowdownstream.Expertsforecastthatthedroughtwillcontinuetogreatlyimpactpeopleslivesandproductioninthedaystocome.—VNS

Participantsatthelaunchingceremony-Photocourtesyofgiaoducthoidai.vnHàN?I–The2023SoutheastAsiaReport–TechnologyinEducationwaslaunchedinHàN?ionMay24byUNESCOandtheVietnamNationalInstituteofEducationalSciencesinpartnershipwiththeSoutheastAsiaMinistersofEducationOrganisation(SEAMEO)andtheGlobalEducationMonitoring(GEM)ReportTeambasedinUNESCO.ThemedTechnologyinEducation:AToolonWhoseTerms,the2023GEMReportforSoutheastAsiacoversanalysisof11countriesinSoutheastAsia,includingVietnam.Itstatedthattechnologyhaschangedtheorganisationofeducationintheregion,andrecognisedthattechnologyhashelpedenhancelearningaccesstostudentsinmountainousandremoteareasandinemergencycase.Besides,ithighlightedthattechnologyisnotacomprehensivetooltohandlemajorchallengesinthesector.Attheevent,Assoc.Prof.Dr.NguyenVanPhuc,DeputyMinisterofEducationandTraining,saidthereportsfindingsputforthaframeworktoreviewtheuseoftechnologyinVietnaminacomprehensivemanner,addingitsrecommendationshelpthecountryheadtowardsafair,integratedandqualityeducationforalllearnersamidstrapiddigitaltransformation.Itisnecessarytoshareexperienceanddiscussstrategiesandsolutionstotapontechnologytothefullestextentineducationwiththeparticipationofstakeholders,frommanagers,researchers,teachersandorganisations,toensureafairandqualityeducation.Meanwhile,DirectoroftheGEMReportManosAntoninisdescribedthereportasamaterialtoshapeupdigitaltransformationinVietnamandthewholeregionandassurethatlearnersareputatthecentreofthedecisiontointegratetechnologyintoeducation.Thereportcalledonpolicymakerstounderstandeducationchallengesbeforechoosingsuitabletechnologiestohandlethem,hestressed.Participantsattheeventalsodiscussedthecurrentuseoftechnologiesaswellaswaysaheadtopromotedigitaltransformationintheeducationsector.Accordingtothereport,SoutheastAsiaexperiencedafastgrowthrateintheuseofinternetinthepast10years,with400millionInternetusers.However,thereisayawninggapinaccessbetweentherichandthepoor,with95%childrenfromwealthyfamiliesbenefitfromtheInternetathomeascomparedto18%ofthosefromimpoverishedones.-VNSChildrenattheHoaSenKindergarteninVinhCity,thecentralprovinceofNgh?An.—VNA/VNSPhotoBíchHu?HàN?I—Five-year-oldchildrenwillbeexemptfromtuitionfeesfromthestartofthenextschoolyear.TheregulationwasdefinedinArticle15oftheGovernmentsDecree81/2021/N?-CP.Thedecree,whichtookeffectonOctober15,2021,containsregulationsontuitionandmanagementforeducationalinstitutionsunderthenationaleducationsystem.Itstipulatespoliciesontuitionexemption,reductionandservicepricesintheeducationandtrainingsector.AccordingtoClause6,Article15ofthedecree,atotalof19groupsofbeneficiariesareeligiblefortuitionexemption.TheMinistryofEducationandTraininghassentOfficialDispatchNo2179/BGD?T-KHTCtoministries,ministerial-levelagencies,socio-politicalorganisations,provincialandmunicipalpeoplescommitteesandschoolstoguidetheGovernmentsregulations.Othergroupswhoareexemptedfromfeesincludedisabledstudents,orphanstudentsasregulatedintheLawonVocationalEducation,andstudentsinseverelydisadvantaged,island,border,remoteandmountainousareas.Thebeneficiariesalsoincludechildrenfromfamilieswhohavemadeagreatcontributiontothenation,ethnicstudentsalongsidestudentswhostudymajorsincludingtuberculosis,leprosy,psychiatryandpathology,accordingtotheStatestargets.Theyalsoinvolvelearnersofspecificfieldsservingrequirementsofsocio-economicdevelopment,nationaldefenceandsecurity,basedontheLawonVocationalEducationandthePrimeMinistersregulations.—VNS

ThebuswherethechildwasfoundlateWednesdayafternoon.—VNA/VNSPhotoTHáIBìNH—Afive-year-oldboywaspronounceddeadlateWednesdayeveningafterbeingleftinaschoolbusinTháiBìnhProvince.Accordingtopreliminaryreports,thechild,identifiedbyhisinitialsasT.G.H.,wastakenfromhishousetoH?ngNhung2PreschoolwithhisclassmatesbytheirteacherQ.A.H.sfamilycouldnotfindhimwhentheycametotheschooltopickhimupintheafternoon.HewaslaterfoundintheschoolbusandwasrushedtotheemergencyroomatTháiBìnhProvincialHospital,wherehepassedaway.ThehighesttemperatureinTháiBìnhProvinceonWednesdayregisteredat36degreesCelsius.PhúXuanCommunesauthoritiesconfirmedthatH.waslivingwithhismaternalgrandmotherwhilehismotherwasawayforwork.TháiBìnhPolicehaslaunchedaninvestigationintothecase.—VNSDeputyMinisterofHealthNguy?nTh?LiênH??ngatthe77thWorldHealthAssemblyinGeneva,Switzerland.—VNA/VNSPhotosAnhHi?nGENEVA—AdelegationoftheMinistryofHealthledbyDeputyMinisterNguy?nTh?LiênH??ngisattendingthe77thWorldHealthAssembly(WHA77)fromMay27toJune1.H??ngtoldtheVietnamNewsAgencysreportersinGenevaonthesidelinesofthesessionthattheCOVID-19pandemicshowsthatmanycountrieshaveyettomakegoodpreparednessforaglobal-scaleepidemic,andwarnedthatanotherepidemicwouldhappenatanytime,requiringallcountriestostrengthentheircapacityandreadinessforit.Countriesalsoneedtocooperateandacttogethertobestrespondtoandminimiseglobalhealthsecuritythreats,andrespondquicklyandeffectivelytoallpossiblehealthrisks,H??ngsuggested.Shepointedtoseveralchallengestopublichealthcare,includingclimatechange,theillnessandmortalityburdenbynon-communicablediseases,unequalaccesstohealthservices,andtheriskofre-emergenceofinfectiousdiseases,especiallythosethatcanbepreventedbyvaccines.TheWorldHealthAssemblyinGenevaonMonday.WithintheWHA77framework,countrieswillconsideradoptingthePandemicTreatyandAmendmentstoInternationalHealthRegulations(IHR),whosecontentsincludeprovisionsonenhancingcooperation,informationexchangesandpromotingaccesstoproductiontechnologyanddiseasepreventionproducts.Oncethesedocumentsareapproved,thiswillbeabreakthroughfortheglobalhealthsysteminpreventingandrespondingtoepidemicsandmedicalemergencies.AmbassadorMaiPhanD?ng,PermanentRepresentativeofVi?tNamtotheUnitedNations,theWorldTradeOrganisation(WTO),andotherinternationalorganisationsinGeneva,saidthatthesedocumentswouldbeagreatopportunityforcountriesaroundtheworld,especiallydevelopingcountrieslikeVi?tNam,toaccessmedicalservices,equipment,vaccinesandbiologicalproducts.Thiswillhelpcreateabreakthroughineffectivelypreventingfuturepandemicsandsavingmorelivestowardsahealthyandequalworld,hesaid.—VNS

DeputyDirector-GeneraloftheEuropeanCommissionsDirectorate-GeneralforInternationalPartnershipsMyriamFerranspeakstothepressinNinhThu?nonWednesday.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngTh?NINHTHU?N—TheEuropeanUnion(EU)willcontinueitssturdysupportforVi?tNameffortstowardsthetargetofnetzeroemissionsby2050,saidMyriamFerran,DeputyDirector-GeneraloftheEuropeanCommission(EC)sDirectorate-GeneralforInternationalPartnerships.Speakingatamediabriefinginthesouth-centralprovinceofNinhThu?nonWednesday,FerransaidtheGlobalGatewaystrategyisanimportantinitiativeoftheEUimplementedthroughaTeamEuropeapproachandaimingtopromotesustainabledevelopment,peace,andstabilityaroundtheworld.Itsgoalistopromotesmart,clean,andsecurelinksworldwideandassistpartnercountriestoachievetheSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs),shenoted,sayingthestrategysprioritiesincludedigitaltechnology,energy,transport,health,educationandresearch.ThisstrategygeneratesnumerouscooperationchancesforVi?tNamandtheEUintheareasofsharedinterest,shesaid.TheofficialemphasisedthatVi?tNamisanimportantpartneroftheEUandwillkeephelpingwiththecountrystargetofnetzeroemissionsby2050,addingtheEUhasbeenassistingVi?tNamonthepathofenergytransitionthroughtheJustEnergyTransitionPartnership(JETP).InNinhThu?n,theB?cáipumped-storagehydropowerprojectisatypicalexampleandakeyprojectintheGlobalGatewaystrategy.TheEUanditsmemberstatespledgetoprovidepreferentialloansandaidpackagestogivetechnicalsupporttothisprojecttobuildthefirstpumped-storagehydropowerplantofVi?tNaminthelocality,accordingtoFerran.DuringtheirvisittoNinhThu?n,FerranandothermembersoftheEUdelegationalsosetouttolearnabouttheopportunitiesandchallengesoftheprovinceasanenergytransitioncentre.Speakinghighlyoflocalenergyandrenewablesdevelopment,shesaidthatdespitenumerousdifficultiescausedbyclimatechangeimpacts,NinhThu?nhasmanagedtoturnchallengesintopotentialandadvantagestoestablishitselfasanenergyandrenewablescentreofthecountry.TocarryouttheGlobalGatewaystrategy,theEUandtheFrenchDevelopmentAgency(AFD),withsupportfromtheKfWDevelopmentBankofGermanyandtheAsianDevelopmentBank(ADB),havesuppliedfundingfortheB?cáipumped-storagehydropowerproject.The1.2GWproject,investedbytheVietnamElectricity(EVN)group,hasatotalinvestmentofVN?21trillion(US$824.9million).Itwaslaunchedinearly2020andisexpectedtobecompletedin2029.Asidefromthisproject,theEUhasalsoassistedNinhThu?ninthefieldsofgreenanddigitalskilleducationandtraining.—VNSSouthKoreantouristsgettingtoknowaboutsouthernfruitspecialtiesatB?nThànhMarket,District1,HCMCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ng??tHàN?I—Vi?tNamwelcomed7.583millioninternationalvisitorsinthefirstfivemonthsof2024,withChinesetouristsinthehighestnumbershittingthetopspotinMay,thefirsttimethishashappenedinfiveyears.AccordingtothelatestreportfromtheGeneralStatisticsOffice,intotal,thefive-monthfigurerepresentsanincreaseofnearly65percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyearanda3.9percentincreasecomparedtothesameperiodin2019,theyearbeforeCOVID-19.Airtravelaccountedfor83.7percentofarrivals(6.3million),landtravelfor14.2percent(1.1million)andseatravelfor2.1percent(162,400).ThemajorityofthevisitorscamefromAsiawith5.89million,followedbyEurope,976,000,andtheAmericas,460,100.InMay,thenumberofforeigntouriststoVi?tNamreachednearly1.4million,a51percentincreasecomparedtothesameperiodlastyear,despiteitbeingtheoff-peakseason(Vi?tNamspeakseasonfallsbetweenSeptember-OctobertoApril),whichcouldbeattributedtofavourablevisapoliciesandenhancedtourismpromotionprogrammesin2024.ChinaregaineditsleadingpositionintheVietnamesetourismmarketwithnearly357,200visitors,a143percentincreasecomparedtothesamemonthlastyear.ThetotalnumberofChinesetouristsinthefirstfivemonthsofthisyearreached1.6million,morethana300percentincreasecomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Vi?tNamalsorecordedasignificantincreaseininternationalvisitorsfromTaiwan(China)withnearly111,000visitors,a90percentincrease;theUnitedStateswithover48,600visitors,a10.7percentincrease;Cambodiawith41,200visitors,a30percentincrease;andIndiawithover38,300visitors,a31percentincrease.Severalmoredistantmarketsalsosawconsiderablegrowth,suchasItalywithnearlya52percentincrease,Spainwitha34.4percentincrease,Francewitha30percentincrease,theNetherlandsandSwitzerlandwitha25percentincrease,andAustraliawitha23.4percentincrease.TheRussianmarketbegantorebound,withover16,000visitorstoVi?tNaminMay,risingby80percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Polishtourists,thoughfewerinnumberatjustover2,240,sawanimpressiveincreaseofover300percent.AccordingtotheGSO,revenuesfromaccommodationandfoodservicesinthefirstfivemonthsof2024nationwideisestimatedtoreachVN?296.3trillion(US$11.64billion),up15.1percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.SomelocalitiessawsignificantincreasessuchasKhánhHoà(26.4percentincrease),Qu?ngNinh(23.5percent),?àN?ng(22.2percent),H?iPhòng(14.9percent),HàN?i(12.4percent),andC?nTh?(11.5percent).Revenuefromtravelservicesinthefirstfivemonthsof2024isalsoprojectedtoreachVN?24.2trillion($950million),45.1percenthigheryearonyear.?àN?ngsawa52percentincrease,HCMCitya46percent,andHàN?ia44.6percentrise.—VNS