RollingstockofVietnamRailways.—Vietnamplus.vnPhotoHàN?I—TheVi?tNamRailwayAuthorityhassubmittedaproposaltotheMinistryofTransportforthereviewandapprovaloftheplanningfortheLàoCai-HàN?i-H?iPhòng-Qu?ngNinhrailwayline.Thisrailwaywillextendapproximately427km,beginningatLàoCaistation,whereitconnectswiththeChineserailway,andendingatH?Longstation,partoftheKép-H?Longline.Theroutewillcover41stationsandcrosstenprovincesandthecitiesofLàoCai,YênBái,PhúTh?,V?nhPhúc,HàN?i,B?cNinh,H?ngYên,H?iD??ng,H?iPhòngandQu?ngNinh.Theplanningconsortium,TRICC-TEDI,hasorganisedtherailwayintotwomainlinesandtwobranchlines.ThemainlinefromLàoCaitothenorthofH?iPhòngtoL?chHuy?nPortmeasures391.06km,whilethesegmentfromthenorthofH?iPhòngtoCáiLanis50.59kmlong.ThebranchlinefromthenorthofH?iPhòngtoNam??S?nPortis12.632km,andthebranchlinefromNam?ìnhV?to?ìnhV?extends7.418km.Projectedtransportdemandfortherailwayissignificant.By2030,itisexpectedtohandle12.77milliontonnesofcargoand4.65millionpassengers.Thisdemandisexpectedtogrowto14.94milliontonnesofcargoand6.22millionpassengersby2040,andreach17.48milliontonsofcargoand8.31millionpassengersby2050.TheconsultancyrecommendsthatinvestmentintheLàoCai-HàN?i-H?iPhòngsectionshouldbeinmadeby2030,withplansfortheH?iPhòng-Qu?ngNinhsectiontobeexploredafterward.ThiswillalignwiththeinvestmentstrategyforthecoastalrailwayconnectingNam??nh,TháiBình,H?iPhòngandQu?ngNinh.ThetotalfundingrequirementfortheLàoCai-HàN?i-H?iPhòng-Qu?ngNinhrailwayisestimatedatVN?179,126trillion(US$7.17billion).ThisincludesVN?23.448trillionforlandclearance,VN?107.26trillionforconstructionandequipment,withtheremainderallocatedforconsultancy,projectmanagementandcontingencies.Onceoperational,theLàoCai-HàN?i-H?iPhòng-Qu?ngNinhrailwayisexpectedtoenhancetransportcapacityandconnectivitywithseaports,industrialzonesandtouristareas,thuscontributingtothecountrysindustrialisationandmodernisationefforts.—VNS

BorderguardforcesandthecustomsdepartmentofthecentralNgh?AnProvincecaughtthegroupastheytravelledthroughN?mC?nInternationalBorderGateonMonday.—VNA/VNSPhotoNGH?AN—Fiveforeignersand70kgofketaminewereseizedinajointoperationbetweenNgh?AnProvincesborderguardforcesandcustomsdepartment.ThefiveallegedmembersofthedrugtraffickingringweretransportingillegalnarcoticsfromLaosthroughVi?tNamattheN?mC?nInternationalBorderGateataround2.30pmonMonday,whentheywerecaughtbythelocalauthorities.TheyareLasengthongYotdaling,32,DalavongKinnaveth,28,ChotthvongKhat,24,ChanthavongHongfa,22andPhabouMisouda,19-allofLaonationality.TheirLao-registeredcarwasseizedalongwith70kgofketaminereportedlydisguisedasteapackagesandhiddeninvariouspartsofthevehicle,includinginthefueltankandundertheseats.ThefiveLaonationalsandevidencefromthecasehavebeenhandedovertotheborderguardsforfurtherinvestigation.—VNSBusfaresinHàN?ihavebeenadjustedupfromNovember1.—VNA//VNSPhotoHàN?I—Busfares,appliedinHàN?isince2014,wereadjustedthismonthwiththelargestincreasereaching60percent.Manycommuterscontendthat,inlightofthefarehikes,servicequalityneedstoimprove,butthebuscompanysaysthenewfaresreflecttheexpandednetwork.ThecitysPublicTransportManagementCentreclaimsthatthebusticketprices,whichhadbeensubsidisedbythecitysbudgetsinceMay1,2014,arenowoutdated.In2014,thebusnetworkconsistedof72routesandbranchroutes,withthelongestroutemeasuring49.9km.Aftertenyears,thebusnetworknowincludes132routesthatconnect30cities,villagesanddistricts,withthelongestroutespanning61.05km.Chargingthesamepriceforroutesbetween30and60kmlongisconsideredinappropriate.Thecurrentbusfaresarebelievedtobereasonable,giventhecommutersabilitytopay,particularlylow-wageworkers.ThenewrateshavegoneupfromVN?7,000toVN?8,000fortripsunder15kmandfromVN?7,000toVN?10,000fortripsbetween15kmandlessthan25km.ThefeegoesupfromVN?8,000toVN?12,000eachjourneyforroutesthatare25kmtolessthan30kmlong.Pricesfortripsbetween30kmandlessthan40kmand40kmincreasedfromVN?9,000toVN?15,000,whiletrips40kmandlongernowcostVN?20,000.Themonthlyrateshaveincreasedby40percent.ThemonthlyticketforstudentsandindustrialparkworkerscommutingonasingleroutehasincreasedfromVN?55,000toVN?70,000.ManyHanoiansagreedthattheincreaseswerefairbutstillexpectedimprovementsinbusservicespeedandquality.D??ngV?nNguyên,adriveronbusrouteNo74,saidthemajorityofcommutershaveexpressedsatisfactionwiththerevisedfaressincethenewpricesweremadepublic.Onthefirstdayofthenewfares,passengersgenerallyfoundtheincreaseacceptable.Itcomesasabigsurprisetopeoplewhohaventupdatedtheinformation.Butnopassengerwantedtocancelthetripwhentheysawthepriceincrease,hetoldS?cKh?e??iS?ng(HealthandLife).Numerouspassengersfeltthatthequalityofthebusesandservicesonnumerousbuslinesshouldbeimproved,notjustmaintained,eventhoughtheyagreedwiththefareincreases.Therearereportedlystillcasesofoldvehicles,poorlymaintainedvehiclesstallingontheroad,leadingtominorbreakdowns.Somevehiclesstillemitblacksmoke,andpassengerscomplainedthattrafficbottleneckscauseddelays.Theseissueshavemadepublictransportpassengersfeeluncomfortable.AnhHào,astudentatauniversityin??ng?aDistrict,saidthefareincreaseshavelittleeffectonthoselikehimwhotravelshortdistances.However,hehopesthatthefareincreasesgohandinhandwithimprovementsinbusservicequality,asdriverssometimesspeed,brakesuddenly,andweavedangerouslyontheroad.MinhChau,anofficeworkerinHaiBàTr?ngDistrictsaid:Busesarenottheregularchoiceforstudentsandofficestaff.Manyofuswanttotakebusesbuttheyareslowerthanprivatecarsandride-hailingservicesduringrushhour.DirectorofthecitysTrafficManagementandOperationCentreTháiH?Ph??ngsaidthecentrehasbeenworkingwiththeDepartmentofTransportandcityauthoritiesonwaystoexpandthebusnetworkscoverageandimprovepublictransportstandards.Thedepartmentrecentlyadjustedthevalidityofthefreecardformeritoriouspeople,peoplewithdisabilitiesandtheelderly.Thosegroupsofpassengerscannowusefreebusticketswithoutanexpirationdate.—VNS

AYak-130duringatrainingmission.—Photocand.com.vnBìNH??NH—AYak-130militarytrainingaircraftexperiencedacriticalmalfunctionduringaroutinetrainingexerciseatPhùCátAirportinthecentralprovinceofBình??nhonWednesday.Theaircraft,belongingtothe940thAirRegimentoftheAirForceOfficerSchool,wasengagedinacomplextrainingmissioninvolvinglong-distance,no-horizonandcloudpenetrationflying,inchallengingweatherconditions.ColonelNguy?nV?nS?nandSeniorColonelNguy?nH?ngQuanwerepilotingtheaircraftwhentheincidentoccurred.Astheaircraftpreparedtolandaftercompletingitstrainingobjectives,thepilotsdiscoveredthelandinggearfailedtodeploy.Despiteattemptingemergencyprocedures,theywereunabletorectifytheissue.Withthesafetyofthecrewparamount,thepilotswereauthorisedtoejectfromtheaircraft.ColonelS?nandSeniorColonelQuansuccessfullyejectedatapproximately11am.TheAirDefence–AirForceisjoininghandswithcompetentforcesandlocalitiestoexpeditethesearchandrescueactivitiesonbothairandtheground.Updatesonthesituationwillbeprovidedasmoreinformationbecomesavailable.—VNSSceneofthefatalaccident.—Photonld.com.vn??KL?K—TwofarmersintheWesternHighlandprovinceof??kL?klosttheirliveswhentakingshelterfromtherainbeneathatractor.TheincidentoccurredonTuesdayinC?MlanCommune,EaSúpDistrict,wheresixfarmerswereharvestingcassava,whenasuddendownpourforcedthemtoseekcoverbeneathaparkedtractor.Thetractorsuddenlystarted,causingpanicamongthegroup.Whilefourmanagedtoescape,28-year-oldNguy?nV?nKhánhand27-year-oldL?cTh?Háoweretragicallyrunoverandkilled.EaSúpDistrictspolicearetakingstatementsfromthetractordriverandotherwitnessestodeterminetheexactcauseoftheincident.Accordingtolocalauthorities,Khánhwasthemainproviderforhisfamily,whoarenowfacingimmensehardshipwithhisfathersufferingfromastrokeandhiselderlymotherbattlingillness.Localauthoritieshaveofferedsupporttothegrievingfamily,assistingwithfuneralarrangementsandprovidingcondolences.—VNSAdelegationfromtheLaoFriendshipHospitalforChildrenandDeirdreNíFhallúin,AmbassadorofIrelandtoVi?tNamvisitedtheVietnameseNationalChildrensHospitalinHàN?ionTuesday.PhotoscourtesyoftheNationalChildrensHospitalHàN?I—AdelegationfromtheLaoFriendshipHospitalforChildrenvisitedtheVietnameseNationalChildrensHospitalinHàN?ionTuesdaytoexchangeexperiencesinmanagingmedicalequipmentandtheoperationofthehumanmilkbank,withafocusonensuringoptimalnutritionandhealthcareforchildren.ThelearningvisitwasfacilitatedbytheAliveThriveinitiativemanagedbyFHI360andsupportedbytheGovernmentofIreland,underthescopeoftheregionalprogrammetoaddressmalnutritionamongvulnerablepopulationsinCambodia,LaosandVi?tNam.Aspartofthevisit,thedelegationtouredtheHumanMilkBank,theKangarooMotherCareandIntensiveTreatmentCentrewithintheNeonatalUnitoftheNationalChildrensHospital.AssociateProfessorDrTr?nMinh?i?n,directoroftheVietnameseNationalChildrensHospital,said:TheestablishmentoftheHumanMilkBankisaprimeexampleofthepositiveimpactofthehospitalsinternationalpartnerships.AliveThriveandtheGovernmentofIrelandsignificantlysupportedusintermsoftechnicalprocessesandsomeessentialequipmenttoensurethebankssmoothoperation.Thankstothissupport,weareabletoprovidepasteuriseddonormilktopatientsatourhospitalandacrosstheHàN?iarea.Notably,duringTyphoonYagiinSeptember,wepromptlysupportedQu?ngNinhProvincialHospitalsMilkBankwithpasteurisedmilktoensurechildrenreceivedadequatenutritionduringthestormsaftermath.HesaidthehospitaliscommittedtoworkingalongsidetheGovernmentofIrelandandAliveThrivetotransfertechnicalexpertiseandfacilitateexchangevisitsandtraining,therebyhelpingtoestablishHumanMilkBanksinotherareasofVi?tNam,aswellasinLaosandCambodia.ThedelegationvisitedtheHumanMilkBankattheNationalChildrensHospitalinHàN?i.AmbassadorofIrelandtoVi?tNam,DeirdreNíFhallúin,saidtheIrishgovernmentscommitmenttotheHumanMilkBankinitiativeinVi?tNam,throughtheglobaldevelopmentassistanceprogramme,aimstoalleviatehunger,improvenutritionandfosterhealthcarecooperationbetweenthetwocountries.InSoutheastAsia,theGovernmentofIreland,inpartnershipwithAliveThrive/FHI360inVi?tNam,LaosandCambodia,haspledgedtoprovidetechnicalsupporttostrengthenandexpandthebenefitsofbreastfeeding.TheHumanMilkBankoftheVietnameseNationalChildrensHospital,wasestablishedinMarch2022inHàN?i,thefirstsuchfacility.Aftermorethantwoyearsofoperation,itnowprocessesapproximately350–400litresofdonatedbreastmilkmonthly,providingessentialnutritionforthousandsofneonatalpatientsundertreatmentatthehospital.—VNS

FemaleofficersofTh?X??ngWard,B?cGiangCityinstructlocalpeopletoscanQRcodestotakepartinthesurvey.B?CGIANG–Morethan12,300peopleinthenorthernprovinceofB?cGiangtookpartinasurveyonlocalgovernmentservicesatthecommune/wardandtown-leveloffices.ThesurveywasconductedfromOctober2to4bytheprovincialPartyCommissionforMassMobilisationandPeoplesCommittee.L?cNg?nDistrict,Vi?tYênTownandL?cNamDistrictreportedalargenumberofsurveyparticipants.L?cNg?nDistrictreported1,837respondents,whileVi?tYênTownandL?cNamDistrictreceived1,586and1,464responses,respectively.Themajorityofsurveyresponsesindicatethatthepublicissatisfiedwiththeatmosphereatthecommune-leveloffices,includingtheneat,orderly,welcomingofficeenvironment,courteousgovernmentpersonnel,andpromptprocedurehandling.AccordingtotheprovincialPartyCommissionforMassMobilisation,thesurveyaimedtoevaluatetheresultsofimprovementstoofficesandservicesofferedbythecommunalpeoplescommittees.ItwillbethefoundationforsuggestionsmadetotheprovincialPartyCommitteesStandingCommitteeonraisingthestandardsatlocalgovernmentofficesintermsofprofessionalcommunication,workingstyle,andconductofcadres,civilservants,andpublicemployees.Theassessmentlevelwillbeusedasabasisfordeterminingwhetherornotagenciesin2024satisfytherequirementsoffriendlygovernance.Thesurveyfeedbackwascollectedatthecommunalreceptiondesks.ResidentsofX??ngGiangWard,B?cGiangCity,areinstructedbyfemaleofficerstoparticipateinthesurveybyscanningQRcodes.Tomakethecollectionprocesseasierandguaranteeathoroughandimpartialsurvey,theprovincePartyCommissionforMassMobilisationworkedwithfunctionalunitstocreateQRcodesfor209commune-leveloffices.ResidentswereinstructedtoscantheQRcodesinordertocompletethesurveywhentheyvisitedthecommune-levelone-stopshoptocompleteadministrativetasks.Sevenquestionsabouttheattitudesofcivilservantsandcadres,facilities,servicequality,management,andoperationwereincludedinthesurvey.TheprovincialWomensUnionwasinchargeofcollaboratingwiththeprovincialPartyCommissionforMassMobilisationtooverseethegatheringofopinionsduringthesurveyperiod.Atthedistrict,town,andcitylevels,thesteeringcommitteesforcreatingfriendlygovernmentswereresponsibleforoverseeingthesurveycollectionprocess.Informationregardingthepollwaspreviouslydisseminatedbycommune-levellocalauthoritiesusingwebsitesandsocialmediaplatforms,includingFacebookandZalo.Localswerealsoinformedaboutthesurveybycommunitymobilisationgroups,villageandresidentialareaheads,andothers.–VNSB?cGiangspoliceofficersdonatemoneyandessentialitemstoafamilyofTr?nV?nLànhinSaLyCommune.—PhotocourtesyofB?cGiangProvincialPoliceB?CGIANG—B?cGiangProvincialPolicesYouthandWomenCommitteeshaverecentlylaunchedaheartwarminginitiative,Companion–Share-ConnectwithLove,atSaLyCommune,L?cNg?nDistrict.Theinitiative,heldincommemorationofthe80thanniversaryofthePeoplesPublicSecurityForcesandthe20thanniversaryofNationalSecurityDay,focusedonsupportingthelocalcommunityandbuildingsocialties.KeyactivitiesincludedrenovatingtwodilapidatedhousesinthecommunetoprovidesecurehousingforvulnerablefamiliesandrepaintingtheSaLyMartyrsCemeteryasagestureofrespectandremembrance.Thecommitteeofficersalsoinstalledasecuritycamerasystemforlocalpoliceuseandguidedresidentsoncreatingonlineaccountsandregisteringforpublicservices.Theyalsoconductedlegaleducationworkshopsatalocalsecondaryschoolandoffered40giftpackagestochildrenandfamiliesinneed.SaLyCommunespolicegotheextramilebyworkingonSundaystoprovideIDcardservicestoresidents.—PhotocourtesyofB?cGiangProvincialPoliceTheinitiativewasfinancedbydonationsfrompolicepersonnelacrosstheprovince,approximatelyVN?80million(US$3,200)invalue.Thedonationsincludedcashandavarietyofgoods,rangingfromessentialsuppliestomorespecialiseditemssuchassolarpanels.HeadoftheYouthCommittee?oànV?nPh??ngcitestheinitiativeasavaluableopportunityforpoliticalandideologicaleducationwithinthepoliceforce.Byengaginginactivitiesthatbenefitsociety,policeofficerscultivateasenseofempathy,responsibility,anddedicationtopublicservice.Onthesameday,B?cGiangProvincialPolicealsohostedaculturalexchangenightwiththelocalcommunity,furtherstrengtheningbondsandbuildingapositiveimageofpoliceofficers.SaLyisoneofthemosteconomicallychallengedcommunesintheprovince,inhabitedprimarilybySánChíandTàyethnicminorities.Agricultureandforestryaretheirprimarylivelihoods,with9.24percentofhouseholdsclassifiedaspoorand12.97percentnear-poor.—VNS

HeavyrainscausefloodinginresidentialareasonT?nTh?tThuy?tStreet,??ngHàCity,Qu?ngTr?Province.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Heavyrains,floodsandthunderstormssweepingthroughcentralVi?tNaminrecentdayshavecausedsignificantdamagetolives,propertyandinfrastructure,theDepartmentofDykeManagementandNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlhasreported.FloodwatersclaimedthelifeofaresidentinB?cHóa(chǎn)Village,Qu?ngBìnhProvince,whodrownedwhileattemptingtorescueastudent.Thefloodsdamagedtenhouses,rippingroofsoffsevenhomesinQu?ngTr?andthreeinLam??ng.Agriculturallossesincluded1.5haofcornand322fruittreesinLam??ngProvincedestroyed.InfrastructureinQu?ngBìnhwasseverelyimpacted,with52sectionsofnationalhighwayssubmergedbyupto1.5mofwaterandalandslideoccurringonanothersection.AschoolinQu?ngTr?wasalsodamagedandnearly1,000householdsinQu?ngBìnhwerecutoffbythefloodscausedbyrainsfromNovember3toNovember6.Evacuationswerenecessaryfor328householdsacrossaffectedareas,with287householdsinQu?ngBìnhand41inTh?aThiên-Hu?relocatedtosafety.TheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecastinghasissuedacontinuedrainfallwarningfortheregionfromQu?ngTr?toKhánhHòa,predictinglocaliseddownpoursof50-100mm,withsomeareasreceivingover200mmuntiltheendofThursday.Thecentrecautionsthattherain,whichmayexceed100mminjustsixhoursincertainareas,posesasignificantfloodandlandslideriskforlow-lyingareas,smallriversandsteepslopes.Thenaturaldisasterrisklevelforthisstormperiodremainsatlevelone.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmenthasdirectedlocalauthoritiestoadherestrictlytoemergencydirectives,instructingprovincesfromHàT?nhtoBình??nhtoproactivelyevacuateresidentsinhigh-riskareas.Localagencieshavebeenmobilisedunderthefouron-the-spotprinciple,ensuringemergencysupplies,personnel,andequipmentarereadytorespondtoallsituationseffectively.Ministriesandlocalauthoritiesarecoordinatingeffortstosafeguardreservoirsanddownstreamareas,carefullymanagingreservoirlevelstomitigatefurtherfloodrisk.Personnelareoncontinuousduty,overseeingtransportsafetyinaffectedareas,particularlyonsubmergedroutes,landslide-pronezonesandothermajorthoroughfares.Broadcastingandmediaagencieshavebeenaskedtoincreasepublicsafetymessages,keepingresidentsinformedaboutweatherdevelopments.Coastalprovincesarealsoadvisedtoprepareforpossiblestrongwinds,highwavesandthunderstormsatsea.Emergencyresponseteamsareonstandbyacrossaffectedregions,withregularsituationreportsrelayedtotheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmenttoensureallactioniscoordinatedandtimely.—VNS

AfterCOVID-19,therealestatemarketdeclinedasresultoftheshortcomingsandlimitationsinthepreviousperiodwereexposedunderthepressureoftheglobalpandemic.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ng??tHàN?I—Withthepricehikesinthepastfewyears,HàN?iandHCMCityapartmentshavebecomeunaffordableformostofitscitizens.AccordingtoarecentreportbytheNationalAssemblyssupervisiondelegationontherealestatemarketlaws,policiesandsocialhousingdevelopment,about3,63commercialhousingandurbandevelopmentprojectswereinitiatedin2015-2023,coveringatotalareaofnearly11,200hectares.However,in2022and2023,therealestatemarketdeclinedasresultoftheshortcomingsandlimitationsinthepreviousperiodwereexposedunderthepressureoftheCOVID-19pandemic,leadingtoalimitedsupply.Duringthesetwoyears,housingpricessoared,exceedingtheincomeincreaseofmostpeopleinthetwomostpopulatedcitiesinthecountry.Today,HàN?iandHCMCitynolongerhavearealestatemarketsegmentwithinthereachofmostcitizens,accordingtothereport.In2022,HàN?isawasurgeinitsapartmentprices.HCMCityalsoreportedpricehikesandasharpdeclineinrealestatetransactions,leadingtoadisparitybetweenpricesandvalues.Notably,asignificantnumberofhousingprojectswerefacingobstaclesanddelaysduringthisperiod.Withhugeresourcespouredintotheseprojects,thisstagnationcausedinefficiencyinfundingandlanduse,drivingupsaleprices.HàN?ihasresolved158outofthe404housingprojectsfacingissues,whileHCMCitycounts220projectsinlimbo.Inthepastthreeyears,realestatedevelopmentinthecapitalcityhasbeenstagnantwithnonewprojectsapprovedforinvestment,thereportsaid.Mostoftheresidencesonthemarketbelongtoprojectsapprovedinthepreviousperiod.Meanwhile,approximately800socialhousingprojectswereinitiatedbetween2015and2023,totalling567,000apartments.Amongthese,373projectswerecompleted,129beganconstructionand298wereapprovedforinvestment.Ingeneral,socialhousinglawsandpoliciesduring2015-2023lackstability.Someofthekeyregulationsforsocialhousingdevelopmentdidnotreceiveadequateattentionorspecificguidelines,resultingindifficultiesforlocalities,theNAreportreads.Duringthisperiod,manylocalitiesfailedtomeetthedeadlinesfortheirsocialhousingdevelopmentprogramme.Theapprovalprocessforsocialhousingbeneficiariesandpriceevaluationoftentakeslongerthanscheduled,whichgreatlyaffectstheinvestmentcycle,capitalrecovery,interestpaymentsforinvestorsandpublicaccesstosocialhousing.Theaveragepriceforasocialhousingdepartmentremainstoohighcomparedtotheincomeofintendedbeneficiaries.ThefinancialsupportfromStatebudgettowardspreferentialsocialhousingcreditprogrammesisstillinadequate,whilethelendingproceduresarecomplicatedandoverlapping,andthemaximumloanamountforsocialpolicybeneficiariesislimitedanddidnotalignwiththeactualsituation,theNAdocumentreads.TheNAsupervisiondelegationrecommendedthatthegovernment,alongwithrelevantagencies,establisheffectivemechanismstoradicallyaddressstagnantrealestateprojects,therebyfreeingupresourcesforthemarketandcreatemomentumforsocio-economicgrowth.Authoritiesmustalsopreventthemarketfrom‘overheatingor‘freezing,whichposethreatstotheoverallsocio-economicdevelopment.Theyalsorecommendeddiversifyingrealestateproducts,tobalancesupplyanddemandinalignmentwiththeaverageincomeofthepeopleandeffectivelydeploysocialhousingdevelopmentprogrammeswiththeallocatedsupportpackageofVN?120trillion(US$4.7billion).—VNSSwissAmbassadortoVi?tNam,H.E.ThomasGass,andWorldBankCountryDirectorforVi?tNam,CambodiaandLaoPDR,MariamJ.Sherman,atthesigningceremonyoftheVi?tNamAcceleratingGreenandResilientGrowthinLargeCitiesSingle-DonorTrustFund.—PhotocourtesyoftheWorldBankHàN?I—TheSwissGovernmentandtheWorldBankhavesignedanagreementtopromotegreenandresilientgrowthinVi?tNamsmajorcities.TheUS$5milliongrantinitiative,financedbytheSwissStateSecretariatforEconomicAffairs(SECO),alsoaimstostrengthentheongoingpartnershipbetweenSwitzerlandandtheWorldBankinadvancingsustainableurbandevelopmentinVi?tNam.Thisgrantenablesustosupportcontinueddialoguetointegratesustainablepracticeswithinthecitysurbanplanningandeconomicpolicies,buildingamodelforclimate-resilient,andlow-carbonurbandevelopment,saidMariamJ.Sherman,WorldBankCountryDirectorforVi?tNam,CambodiaandLaos.ThefundingwilldeepenourengagementwithViêttNamslargestcities,particularlyHCMCity,?àN?ngandC?nTh?,astheyadvancetowardavisionofgreengrowth.TheVi?tNamAcceleratingGreenandResilientGrowthinLargeCitiesSingle-DonorTrustFundaimstohelplargeVietnamesecitiesgrowmoresustainablywhilemanagingtheincreasingrisksandmitigatingthefutureimpactsofclimatechange.Underthisprogramme,theWorldBankwilldevelopaknowledgebaseoftechnicalandoperationalbestpractices,drawingoninternationalexpertiseadaptedtothelocalcontext,toprovidestrategicsolutionsforurbanchallenges.Theprogrammewillalsostrengthenpolicy-makingcapacityandsupportcitiesandnationalagenciesinmobilisinganddiversifyingfinancialresourcesforinvestmentprojectswhilepromotingcollaborationandknowledgesharing.ThispartnershipreflectsSwitzerlandscommitmenttosustainableurbandevelopmentinVi?tNam,saidH.E.ThomasGass,SwissAmbassadortoVi?tNam.BycombiningSwissfinancingwithWorldBankknowledge,weaimtohelpVietnamesecitiesachievetheirgreengrowthobjectiveswhilebuildingresilienceagainstclimatechallenges.SwitzerlandandtheWorldBankhavebeenlong-termstrategicpartnersinsupportingurbandevelopmentinVi?tNam.Thisinitiativebuildsonprevioussuccessfulcollaborations,includingonethatestablishedthecountrysfirstfloodriskmanagementsysteminC?nTh?.TheimpactofthesejointeffortsextendsbeyondVi?tNam,shapingtheWorldBanksSustainableUrbanandRegionalDevelopmentProgrammeandCityResilienceProgramme,bothofwhicharealsofinancedbySwitzerlandatthegloballevel.—VNS

HaiH?nlotusfieldtourismsitein??ngThápProvincesThápM??iDistrict.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nV?nTrí??NGTHáP—??ngThápProvincehasenhanceditsfocusondevelopingagriculturalandruraltourismtocapitaliseonitsstrengthsandimproveincomes.LêQuangBi?u,deputydirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofCulture,Sports,andTourism,saidthereissignificantpotentialforagriculturaltourismdevelopmentduetoitswell-knownspecialityproductslikeflowers,fruits,andseafood.Through??ngThápsagriculturaltourismtours,visitorscansampletheregionsspecialityfoods,suchasgrilledsnakeheadfishwrappedinyounglotusleavesanddippedintamarindfishsauceandthepopularsweetandsoursoupmadewithyounglinhfishand?iên?i?nflowers,bothseasonalproductsofthedeltasfloodingperiod.Visitorscanalsoenjoyover200dishesmadefromlotus,alocaldelicacy.Thelargestlotus-growingprovinceintheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaishometomanylotusfieldsthathavebeenadaptedtoserveastouristattractions.Itnowhas72sitesofferingagriculturalandcommunity-basedtourismservices,upfromonlytwoin2015,whenafive-yeartourismdevelopmentplanwasinitiated.TheyareprimarilylocatedinSa?écCityandthedistrictsofLaiVung,ThápM??iandTamN?ng.Sa?échas18ofthesites,oneofwhichisrecognisedasafour-starproductunderthenationalOneCommune–OneProduct(OCOP)programme,whilesixothershaveachievedthree-starrecognition.VisitorstoSa?éc,renownedforitsflowerandornamentalplantcultivation,canexplorehundredsofvarietiesofflowersandornamentalplantsandlearnabouttheircharacteristics,originsandculturalandeconomicsignificance.Thecityreceivesaroundonemilliontouristsannually,includingover40,000internationalvisitors.TheNg?cLanOrnamentalPlantFarminSa?écCity,recognisedasathree-starOCOPtourismproduct,attractsaround1,000visitorsmonthly.Theycantrytheirhandatgrowingflowersandornamentalplants,takephotographs,buyplants,andenjoypanoramicviewsfromthefarms18-metreobservationtower.OwnerTr?nH?uTàisaid:SincereceivingOCOPproductrecognition,thefarmhasbecomemorepopular,drawingtouristsandhelpingboostthecitystourismprofile.InLaiVungDistrict,16agriculturaltourismsitesprimarilyfeaturepinkmandarinorchardsthatattracthundredsofthousandsoftouristseachyear,especiallyduringT?t(LunarNewYear)whenthefruitripens.Atalotusfieldtourismsitemanagedby12householdsinThápM??iDistrict,visitorscangoboating,admiretheflowers,fish,andsavouravarietyoflotus-baseddishes.Theprovincehasintroducedagriculturaltourismservicesthatallowvisitorstoexperienceadayasafarmerortakepartintraditionalfishingactivitiesduringthe??ngThápM??i(PlainofReeds)floodseason.Therearealsoothernewtourismproductssuchasthe??nhYêncommunity-basedtourismvillageinL?pVòDistrictandTanThu?n,itscounterpartinCaoL?nhCity,LongKhánhscarfweavingvillageinH?ngNg?District,andruralmarketsinTanThu?n??ngandGòTháp.Combiningtourismwithagriculturehasaddedvaluetolocalproducts,createdjobsforruralresidentsandprovidedfarmerswithasteadyincome,accordingtotheDepartmentofCulture,Sports,andTourism.??ngThápreceivedmorethanfourmilliontouriststorankfourthamongthe12provincesandC?nTh?CityintheMekongDeltalastyear.TourismrevenuestoppedVN?1.9trillion(US$75million).AnethouseforgrowingflowersandornamentalplantsservestourismattheHappyLandHùngThyTourismAreain??ngThápProvincesSa?écCity.Thetourismareahasbeenrecognisedasafour-starproductunderthecountrysOneCommune–OneProduct(OCOP)programme.—VNA/VNSPhotoMinhH?ngSupportinitiatives??ngTháphasimplementedseveralpoliciestosupporttourismdevelopmentlikefinancialassistanceandsoftloansforcommunity-basedtourisminitiatives.IthasallocatedVN?17billion($672,000)tohelp47tourismestablishmentsgrowtheirbusinesses.Tr??ngV?nMai,owneroftheNamH??ngEcologicalFarminSaRàiTown,TanH?ngDistrict,said:Theprovincespoliciesencouragingtourismdevelopmentalignwellwithcurrenttrends,asmostvisitorstomyfarmseektoconnectwithnature.Toencouragethemtostaylonger,wehaveinvestedinfacilitiestomeettheirneedsfordining,relaxationandentertainment.Organicandenvironmentallyfriendlyfarmingmethodsarealsoessential,astheyarekeyreasonsvisitorscometomyfarm.Theprovincehasprioritisedinfrastructuredevelopmenttosupporttourism,particularlytransportprojectsthatlinktouristdestinations.Theseeffortshaveenhancedtheappearanceofruralareas,bolsteredlocaleconomies,preservedculturalandhistoricalsites,andprotectedtheenvironment.Hu?nhTh?HoàiThu,thedepartmentsdirector,said??ngThápwouldcontinuetomarketitstourismassetsandactivelyseekinvestmentinthesector.Theprovincewillcreatefavourableconditionsfortravelcompaniesandtourismdestinationstoshowcasetheirservicesattourismfairs,eventsandculturalfestivalsbothinandoutsidetheprovince.Wewillalsointegratewiththedeltastourismproductnetwork.Theprovincehopestoget4.2milliontourists,including50,000foreigners,andachievetourismrevenuesofVN?1.9trillion($75million)thisyear.By2025??ngThápstourismsectorisexpectedtocontribute5-6percentoftheprovincesgrossregionaldomesticproduct.Inthefirsthalfofthisyear,morethan2.5milliontouristsvisited??ngTháp,generatingVN?1.2trillion($48million)inrevenues.—VNSTr?nV?nH?owiththeseeddrill,hisfirststartupproductwhichhelpsmanyfarmers.—VNA/VNSPhoto??KL?K—Bornandraisedinapurelyagriculturalarea,Tr?nV?nH?oinTayNguyên(CentralHighlands)provinceof??kL?kunderstandsthehardshipandchallengesfacedbylocalfarmers.Drivenbypassion,the34yearoldhasexploredandinventedvariousmachinestoaidagriculturalproductioninordertohelphisfamily.Astheseventhchildinafamilyofninesiblings,fromayoungage,H?ounderstoodthedifficultieshisparentsfacedinraisingandeducatingtheirchildren.Throughouthis12yearsofschooling,H?otinkeredwithdesigningandcreatingmodelairplanes,carsandothertoys.ThischildhoodpassionledhimtopursueadegreeinAutomotiveEngineeringTechnologyattheIndustrialUniversityofHCMCity,afterhighschool.Aftergraduation,H?oworkedinHCMCityforthreeyears,enjoyingastableincome.However,duringhisvisitshome,hefeltdeeplytroubledseeinghisparentsandotherfarmersworkingstrenuouslyinthefields.Theyinvestedmucheffortforlowreturns,oftenfacinglabourshortages,H?osaid.Myparentssweatandtoilmotivatedmetoinventmachineryandequipmenttoprovidesupport,hesaid.In2015,H?odecidedtoreturntohishometowninKr?ngBúkCommuneofKr?ngP?cDistricttostartabusiness.Herentedlandtoopenasmallmechanicalworkshopandbeganexperimentingwithdesigningamulti-purposeseed-sowingmachine.Inthefirstyearofhisstart-upjourney,hefacedmanychallenges,continuouslyhavingtoadjustandimprovetheproduct.Afternumerousefforts,hesuccessfullycreatedhisfirstmulti-purposeseed-sowingmachine.Ihadasolidfoundationfrommyuniversityeducationandwasfortunatetohavemyparentssupportandencouragement,soIpersevered,unafraidoffailure,H?osaid.MyphilosophyistoseethingsthroughonceIamcommitted–nevergivingup.Additionally,livinginanagriculturalregionallowedmetotestthemachinerydirectlyinthefields,makingadjustmentstoperfectthem.Todaynearlytenyearsafterleavingthecityforthecountryside,H?omanagesa3,000sq.mworkshopwithvarioustypesofagriculturalmachinery,includingmulti-purposeseed-sowingmachines,agriculturaldryers,foodprocessingmachines,slicers,grasschoppers,rootwashersandturmericstarchproductionmachines.ThepricesforthesemachinesrangefromVN?1.5milliontoVN?40million(US$60-1,600)andhisworkshopnowproducesapproximately1,500machinesperyear,generatingoverVN?3billion($120,000)inrevenue.Hiscustomerbaseisrelativelystable,spanningfromtheNorthtotheSouthofVi?tNam.Nguy?nV?nTr?ng,aresidentofEaKu?ngCommuneofKr?ngP?cDistrict,hasbeenalong-timecustomerofH?o.Tr?nghastwohectaresofcornandbeanfields,forwhichheoftenstruggledtofindlabour.AfterlearningaboutH?osworkshop,Tr?ngsfamilypurchasedahand-operatedseed-sowingmachine,followedbyamulti-purposeseeder.Previously,4,000sq.moflandrequiredaboutsixworkers,butnow,withthemachine,theworkcanbedoneinjustthreehours,Tr?ngsaid.Additionally,themachinehelpscreatestraightrows,reducesweedsandallowsforsimultaneousfertiliserapplication.Duringidlefarmingperiods,heevenrentsoutthemachinetoassistotherfarmers,headded.Ph?m?ìnhPhùngsfamily,fromMinhH?pCommuneofQuyH?pDistrictincentralNgh?AnProvince,isalsoH?oscustomer,buyingthreemulti-purposeseed-sowingsystemsfromtheworkshop.Accordingtothefarmer,themachinesdesignedbyH?ohavemanyadvantagesandaresuitedtotheterrainofVi?tNamsfieldsandhills,areeasytooperate,alongwithbeingreasonablypriced.Moreover,themulti-purposeseederscanplantuptotenhectaresofsilagecornperday,significantlyreducingproductioncostsandboostingeconomicefficiency,enablinghisfamilytorecovertheinvestmentquickly,Phùngsaid.WhatimpressescustomersthemostisH?osenthusiasm,alwayswillingtoguideandsupportwheneverneeded.Additionally,H?olistenstocustomerfeedbacktocontinuouslyimproveandperfecthismachinery,maintainingcredibilitytoretainlong-termcustomers.AspiringtomoderniseruralareasMulti-purposeseedingmachinebyTr?nV?nH?oisusedinagriculture.—VNA/VNSPhotoLocated43kmfromBu?nMaThu?tCity,H?osmechanicalworkshopalsoprovidesregularemploymentforeightlocalworkers,withsalariesrangingfromVN?8milliontoVN?15million($320-600)permonth,dependingontheirskilllevel.Mostoftheworkershavebeenwiththeworkshopformanyyears,havingbeentrainedinmechanicsandkeptuptodatewithnewmachinerytechnologiesbyH?o.YNghìnNiê,aresidentofKr?iAHamletofKr?ngBúkCommune,hasworkedatTanHoànH?oforfouryears.YNghìnsaidthathisfamilyhasalittleagriculturallandandhissalaryofnearlyVN?9million($360)permonthisthemainsourceofincome,ashiswifedoesnothaveastablejob.HehaslearnedmuchfromH?o,whomhedescribesasskilledandfriendly,creatinganopenworkingenvironment.Withadesiretomoderniseruralareas,H?ocontinuestoinnovateandcreatenewagriculturalmachinery.Recently,hehasdevelopedagrass-cuttingmachinefordurianandcoffeegardens,thathelpstofinelychopgrasstocreateanorganicmulchlayer,retainingsoilmoisturewithouttheneedformuchlabour.Inthefuture,IhopetoaccesspreferentialloansourcesandsupportprogrammesfromtheFarmersUnionandYouthUniontoresearchnewproductsandexpandtheworkshop.Additionally,Ihopethelocalgovernmentcansupportmebypromotingtheproductswidely,especiallyone-commerceplatforms,H?osaid.Withaninventoryofovertentypesofmachines,rangingfromhand-operatedtomotorised,H?osproudestproductremainstheseed-sowingmachine.Thisistheproductthataccompaniedmethroughdifficulttimesandhasbornesweetfruitshelpingmanyfarminghouseholdsimprovetheireconomicsituation,H?osaid.Thisproducthasalsowontwosecond-placeawardsatthe??kL?kProvincialTechnicalInnovationCompetitionin2019and2021,alongwithseveralotherprovincialawards.AccordingtoBùiQuangH?p,presidentoftheFarmersUnioninKr?ngBúkCommune,despitebeingayoungmemberbusywithproductionandbusiness,H?oisalwaysactiveandenthusiasticinparticipatinginvillageandcommuneactivities,contributingtotheFarmersSupportFundandthenewruraldevelopmentmovement.Notably,H?ooffersinterest-freeloanstomembersindifficultsituationsanddonatesmachinestotheFarmersAssociationtobeusedrotationallybymembersforcultivation.WhatstandsoutaboutH?oishisfriendly,humbleandhonestnature,alwaysreadytosharehisknowledgewithfellowfarmers,H?psaid.TheFarmersUnioninKr?ngBúkCommunehasconsistentlysupportedandpromotedtheTanHoànH?omechanicalworkshop,showcasingitsproductsatmajorlocalevents,includingthedistrictsDurianFestival.H?ohasinspiredmanyyoungpeopleintheareatoactivelylearn,researchandengageinproductivelabour.Heisastandoutfarmerof??kL?kProvince,officiallyhonouredasanOutstandingVietnameseFarmerin2024.Beingthefirstpersonfromthecommunetoreceivethistitle,hehasbroughtpridetoKr?ngBúkCommuneandhascontributedtoadvancingthemovementforexcellentfarmingproductionandbusinessintheregion.—VNS

Some88percentofVietnameseprofessionalswanttotrialafour-dayworkweek.—Photonld.com.vnHCMCITY—Some88percentofprofessionalswouldliketotrialafour-dayworkweek,and62percentofthembelieveitwouldraisetheirproductivity,asurveybyRobertWalters,aglobaltalentsolutionsbusiness,hasfound.The4-dayworkweek:IsAsiareadyforit?surveyedover5,000professionalsandcompaniesacross11Asiancountriesandterritories.Italsofoundthat40percentofthoseagainstsuchatrialareconcernedaboutincreasedstressduetothesameworkloadbeingcondensedintofewerdays,andwouldprefersplittingtheirworkloadacrossfivedaysinstead.Therewerealsoconcernsabouttheimpactontheirfinances,with27percentsayingafour-dayweekwouldmeananincreaseinexpenditureduetomoretimespentoutsideofwork.Toachieveafour-dayworkweekwiththesameamountofpay,60percentofprofessionalsarewillinggiveuphybridworkingorworktwoadditionalhoursadayacrosstheworkweek.Acrosstheregion,employersandprofessionalsremainopentothevalueofafour-dayworkweektoincreaseproductivityandsupporttalentattractionandretention.ComparedtoothercountriesinAsia,thetransitiontoafour-dayworkweekislikelytobemoregradualforVi?tNam–with26percentofemployersmorewillingtoofferflexibleworkinghoursonFridays.PhúcPh?m,countrymanageratRobertWaltersVietnam,said:Anyoneconsideringashorterworkweekshouldkeepinmindthattheresnouniversalsolution.Therealfocusshouldbeonadaptingittofitthespecificneedsofyourbusiness,employeesandcustomers.Thebiggestconcernsforemployersaboutafour-dayworkweekarebadcustomerexperience(67percent),incurringcostsduetodelayedprojectsorhavingtohiremorepeople(62percent)andcausingemployeeresentmentduetodifficultyinimplementingacrosstheentireoffice(48percent).But,comparedtoaregionalaverageof66percent,75percentofemployerspositiveaboutafour-dayworkweekbelieveitcanyieldimprovedemployeeproductivitylevels,with50percentthinkingitwillhelpattractandretainemployees.—VNSPeopleregisterformedicalexaminationsatasmartmedicalkiosk.—Photosggp.org.vn?àN?NG—ASmartMedicalKioskSystemwasinauguratedat?àN?ngHospitalonMonday,aimingnotjustsimplifypatientaccess,buttohelpmovethenationforwardintermsofdatacapture.Thesystemaimstohelptheprojectondevelopingapplicationsofpopulationdata,identificationandelectronicauthenticationtoservenationaldigitaltransformationintheperiodof2022-25,withavisionto2030approvedbythePrimeMinister.?àN?ngHospitalisimplementingthesystemincoordinationwithHDBank.TheSmartKioskisawayforpatientstoregisterformedicalexaminationsandtreatmentsthroughchip-embeddedcitizenidentificationcardauthentication,VNeIDaccounts,integratingelectronichealthbooks,creatingbankaccounts,providingcreditproductstocustomersaccordingtoregulationsandpayingforexaminationsandtreatmentcosts,withoutusingcash.Thesystemhelpspeopleenterthehospitalusingfacialrecognitiontechnologyquicklyandconveniently.Thesolutionalsohelpstoshortenwaitingtimes,therebyimprovingthequalityofmedicalexaminationandtreatmentandincreasingpeoplessatisfaction.DirectorofthehospitalLê??cNhansaidthat,currently,thehospitalexaminedanaverageof2,000-2,500outpatientsandabout2,500inpatientseachday,sooverloadwasinevitable.Therefore,thesystemwillhelpthehospitalshortenthetimeforpatientsneedtoregister.Thesolutionisveryeffectiveforpatients.Patientscanregisterformedicalexaminationandtreatmentveryquicklyandproactively.Medicalstaffalsohavemoretimetotakecareofpatients.Wemanagepatientdatabetterandfullyintegratesufficientdata,saidLê??cNhan.DeputyDirectoroftheCentreforPopulationDataandCitizenIdentificationResearchandApplicationundertheMinistryofPublicSecurity(MoPS),Major?ào?ìnhNam,saidthattheSmartMedicalKioskSystemisoneofthebreakthroughprogrammes,realisingspecifictasksinthefieldsofhealthcareandbanking.NamsaidthattheMoPSsetagoalofhavingatleast1,001smartmedicalkiosksatmedicalfacilitiesnationwidebytheendof2025.Smartmedicalkioskslookverysimple,buttheirmeaningandvalueareextremelygreat,especiallycreatingdataforthemedicalsector.Currently,withmedicalkiosksatmedicalexaminationandtreatmentreceptionlocations,cleandatasetsarecreatedforthemedicalsectortoimplementotherecosystems.Thevalueofthisdatasetisalsorelatedtomanydigitaltransformationactivitiesofthemedicalsector,hesaid.—VNS