TensofthousandsofhectaresofriceinM???cDistrict,HàN?i,arefloodedandflattenedduetotheimpactofTyphoonYagi.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmenthascalledonbusinessesandassociationstojoineffortsinprovidingsupportandresourcesfortheswiftrecoveryofcropproduction,followingTyphoonYagiandthesubsequentfloodingandlandslides.Speakingattheministrysworkshoponsupportingcropproductionrecoveryafterthedisastersinthenorthernregion,DeputyMinisterHoàngTrungemphasisedtheurgentneedforriceseeds,estimatingarequirementofaround15,000tonnes.Thenationalreserveholdsonlyabout4,100tonnes.Thedemandforvegetableseedsisover100tonnes,whileonly150kgremaininstorage.Forcorn,over1,000tonnesareneeded,butthereserveholdsjust257tonnes.TheministryestimatedthattherecentstormandfloodshavecausedapproximatelyVN?4trillionindamagetocrops.AsofWednesdaymorning,312,000hectaresofcultivatedlandwerefloodedorflattened,withanestimated100,000hectarescompletelylost.Additionally,3,763aquaculturecagesweredamaged,orwashedawayand22,514livestockandoverthreemillionpoultrydied.Morethan200,000hectaresofricefieldsweresubmerged,50,612hectaresofvegetableswerefloodedand38,104hectaresoffruittreesweredamaged.Localorganisationsarestillcollectingdataforamorepreciseassessment.Theministryswiftlyconvenedmeetingstodirectrecoveryeffortsacrosslivestock,aquaculture,cropproductionandforestrysectors,providingtechnicalguidancetosalvageasmuchoftheaffectedareasaspossible.Emergencydrainagemeasureshavealsobeenimplemented.SpeakingatthemeetingonWednesday,DeputyDirectoroftheministrysDepartmentofCropProductionNguy?nTh?ThuH??ngnotedthatinadditiontoseedsupport,farmersurgentlyneedassistancewithagriculturalinputmaterials.Regardingpost-stormrecovery,H??ngadvisedthatforriceproduction,fieldsshouldbecleanedandwaterdrainedtoprepareforearlywinterplanting.Forvegetablecrops,localauthoritiesshouldpromptlyinspectanddrainthewater,cleanfieldsandpreparethesoilandseedsforreplanting.Priorityshouldbegiventoleafygreens,short-cyclevegetablesandwater-tolerantcropstosupplythemarketduringtheharvesttransition.Inresponsetothedemandforseedlings,theDepartmentofCropProductionhassentrequeststoassociations,businessesanduniversitiestoprepareagriculturalseedsforproductioninnorthernlocalities.Thedepartmentalsourgedseedproducersnottoraisepricesduringthisperiodtohelpeasethedifficultiesfacedbyfarmersinthedisaster-strickenregions.Asof11amonWednesday,18businessesandassociationshadcontributedseeds,fertilisers,agriculturalmaterialsandcash,totallingVN?15.2billion($616,190).—VNS

Representativesdiscussattheforum.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?iY?nBEIJING—Representativesfromnearly30VietnameseandChineseuniversitiesandinstitutesgatheredatadialogueforuminBejingonWednesdaytodiscussjournalismandmediatraining,cooperationinacademicexchange,andpromotionofhumanisticexchangesbetweenthetwonations.Attheopeningsession,ViceRectoroftheUniversityofSocialSciencesandHumanitiesundertheVi?tNamNationalUniversity,HàN?i??ngTh?ThuH??ngstressedthatjournalismandmediatrainingarefacingbothopportunitiesandchallenges,addingeducationestablishmentsneedtotransformtheirmindsetaswellastrainingapproachesandmethodologiestomeettherequirementsofthemultiplatformandmultimediajournalism.Bothsidesagreedtocontinueorganisingtheeventinasuitabletime,carryingoutdialoguesaswellasdiversifytheirformsforsustainablecooperation.Besides,theywillstudytodiversifyjointtrainingprogrammesandpromoteexchangesofscholarsandlecturers.DianlinHuangfromtheCommunicationUniversityofChinatoldtheVietnamNewsAgencythattheeventofferedanopportunityforthetwosidestoenhancetheirmutualunderstandingsoastobolstercollaborationintheareasofhumanresourcestrainingandscientificresearch.—VNSAhealthworkeradministersameaslesvaccinetoachildinHCMCitysDistrict8.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheHCMCityhealthsectorcontinuesrampingupitsmeaslesvaccinationcampaignaspartofitsefforttodeclareanendtotheoutbreak.Dr.Nguy?nV?nV?nhChau,deputydirectorofthemunicipalDepartmentofHealth,saidthecityreported96newcaseslastweek,showingsignsofstabilisationinthenumberofnewcases,withseveraldistrictsrecordingnocases.Todeclaretheoutbreakresolved,thecityrequires21dayswithoutnewcasespost-vaccination,accordingtoChau.Sincetheoutbreakbegan,therehavebeen743casesinthecity,primarilyinchildrenagedninemonthstofiveyears.Around35,000childrenagedonetofivehavebeenvaccinated,achievingover72percentofthetarget.However,Chaunotedthatcoveragevariesbydistrict,urginglowvaccinationdistrictstoimprovecoverage.Thecityhaslatelysetup12rapidresponseteamstocombatrisingmeaslescasesinschoolsandimprovevaccinationratesamongchildren.Eachteamincludesmembersfromthelocaldiseasecontrolcenterandchildrenshospitals.Theirdutiesincludemonitoringoutbreaks,implementingresponsemeasures,andadvisingschoolsonprevention.FollowingameaslesoutbreakdeclaredinlateAugustinthecity,afreevaccinationcampaignbeganonAugust31toboostcommunityimmunity.Measlesspreadsthroughrespiratorydropletsandpresentssymptomssuchasfever,respiratoryissues,conjunctivitis,andarash.Whilemostchildrenrecoverwithoutcomplications,vulnerablegroupsfacesevererisks.Measlesisahighlycontagiousrespiratorydiseasethatcanspreadrapidlyfollowinganincubationperiodofsevento21days.Medicalexpertscautionthatinadditiontoitpossiblyleadingtodeath,itcanleadtoseriouscomplications,includingpneumonia,encephalitis,otitismedia,keratitisanddiarrhea.Measlescanonlybeeffectivelymanagedwhenthecommunityimmunityratereaches95percentandeachindividualhasreceivedtwodosesofavaccine.—VNSAtextmessageonSeptember24fromtheHCMCityPeoplesCommitteerecommendsparentstakechildrenagedoneto10whohaventreceivedbothmeaslesvaccinedosestoschoolsorhealthstationsforfreevaccinations.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?p

DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàlistensreportsontheprogressoftheNorth-SouthHigh-SpeedRailwayProjectatthe10thsessionofthe13thPartyCentralCommittee(PCC)yesterdayinHàN?i.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–Developinghigh-speed,urbanrailwaysandrailwaysacrossVi?tNamwillservethenationaleconomy,accordingtoDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHà.Thedriveshouldbeacatalystforthemechanical,manufacturingandautomationindustries,amongothers,toservethenationaleconomyandpeopleslivelihoods,saidtheDeputyPM.HàwasaddressingreportsontheprogressoftheNorth-Southhighspeedrailprojectatthe10thsessionofthe13thPartyCentralCommittee(PCC)yesterdayinHàN?i.ThePCCagreedtothepolicyofinvestingintheNorth-Southproject,identifyingitasapoliticaltaskandprioritisingresourcesforearlyimplementation.Currently,theMinistryofTransport,relevantministries,agencies,andunitsareurgentlypreparingapre-feasibilityreportfortherailinvestmentproject,preparingthenecessaryproceduresforsubmissiontotheNationalAssembly.AccordingtoDeputyMinisterofTransportNguy?nDanhHuy,theprojectsobjectiveistobuildahigh-speedrailwaylinetomeettransportationneeds,contributingtotherestructuringoftransportmarketalongtheNorth-Southcorridorinanoptimalandsustainablemanner,creatingafoundationanddrivingforceforsocio-economicdevelopment,andensuringnationaldefenceandsecurity.Thespecifictargetistoapprovetheinvestmentpolicybefore2025,cleartheland,andstartbuildingbefore2030,withtheaimofcompletingtheentirelinebefore2045.TheinvestmentscopebeginsinHàN?iatNg?cH?iStation,ahubforpassengerandfreighttransportinthesouthernpartofthecapitalsrailwayhubandendsinHCMCityatTh?ThiêmStation,ahubforpassengertransportintheeasternpartofHCMCitysrailwayhub.Theprojectpassesthrough20provincesandcities,includingHàN?i,HàNam,Nam??nh,NinhBình,ThanhHóa(chǎn),Ngh?An,HàT?nh,Qu?ngBình,Qu?ngTr?,Th?aThiên-Hu?,?àN?ng,Qu?ngNam,Qu?ngNg?i,Bình??nh,PhúYên,KhánhHòa,NinhThu?n,BìnhThu?n,??ngNaiandHCMCity.Tooptimisetransportationcostsandtakeadvantageofthestrengthsofeachmodeoftransport,internationalexperience,existinginfrastructurecapacity,projectedtransportationdemandandthefunctionalityoftheNorth-Southrailway,thepre-feasibilitystudyproposestheconstructionofanewdouble-trackrailway,witha1,435mmgauge,electrified,designedforaspeedof350kmperhourandaloadcapacityof22.5tonnesperaxle,Huysaid.Thetotallengthisapproximately1,541kmwith23passengerstationsandfivefreightstations.Thehigh-speedrailwaywilltransportpassengersandmeetdual-userequirementsfornationaldefenceandsecurity,whilealsobeingabletotransportgoodsifnecessary.TheexistingNorth-Southrailwaywillbeusedforfreightandshort-distancepassengertravel.Thehigh-speedrailwaywillbeconstructedwith60percentofitslengthonbridges,10percentintunnelsand30percentontheground.Atthemeeting,leadersfromtheministriesofPlanningandInvestment,Finance,andScienceandTechnologydiscussedandclarifiedseveralgroupsofissuesinthepre-feasibilityreport,whichisbeingpreparedforsubmissiontotheNationalAssemblyintheupcomingsession.Theseissuesincludetheprojectsinvestmentscope,theeconomicefficiencyofoptionsforspecialisedpassengerorcombinedpassenger-freightservices,andthecomparisonbetweeninvestingintwosegmentsversustheentireline.Additionally,thereweresuggestionstoapplyspecialmechanismsandpoliciesalreadyinplaceforurbanrailwaysinHàN?iandHCMCitytothelocalitieswherethehigh-speedrailwaypassesthrough.DeputyMinisterofScienceandTechnologyBùiTh?Duyproposeddevelopingalistofspecifictechnologiestobeacquired,transferred,andmasteredintherailwayindustry.Inconclusion,DeputyPMHàrequestedtheMinistryofTransporttocontinuefollowingthePCCandthePolitburosdirectivesaswellasopinionsfromministries,sectors,experts,andthepublicintothepre-feasibilityreport.ThereportshouldthenbeupdatedandcompletedforsubmissiontotheNationalAssembly,focusingonissueswithscientificandpracticalfoundations,Hàsaid.Specifically,asidefromtheinvestmentscopefromtheprojectsstartingpointtoitsendpoint,theMinistryofTransportshouldconsiderextendingthehigh-speedrailwaylinefromMóngCáiCityinQu?ngNinhProvincetothesouthernmostCàMauProvince.TheMinistryofTransportshouldanalysetheadvantagesandbenefitsofinvestingintheentireline,whichwouldsynchronisewithothertransportnetworks,comparedtoinvestinginjustafewsegmentsfirst,thedeputyPMtoldthemeeting.Theeffectivenessofahigh-speedrailwayspecialisedforpassengertransport,orcombinedwithfreighttransportwhennecessary,shouldbeconsideredintermsoftheoveralleconomy,ratherthanbeinglimitedtotherailwaysector,hesaid.Furthermore,thepre-feasibilityreportshouldreflecttheviewthattherailwayshouldbedesignedtoachieveastraightalignmentasmuchaspossible,headded.Regardingthemethodofinvestmentimplementation,thedeputyPMaskedtheMinistryofTransporttoclarifytheadvantagesanddisadvantagesoftreatingtheentirerailwayasasingleprojectormultiplesub-projects.Healsoproposedspecialmechanismsandpoliciesforphasedinvestment,centralandlocalbudgetallocationinonegooreveryfiveyears,theuseofbonds,ODA,andotherlegitimatesources,andtheutilisationofpublicdebtlimits.Additionally,theMinistryofTransportshouldproposesolutionstoenhancedecentralisationandassignresponsibilityforlocalauthoritiesinpreparinglandandbuildingtechnicalinfrastructureandstations.Meanwhile,theGovernmentwouldoverseethemanagementofstandards,design,infrastructure,vehicles,andinformationandoperationssystemsaswellasmobiliseresourcesfromprivateenterprisestoreducetheStatescosts.SpecialmechanismsandpoliciesthathavebeenappliedtourbanrailwaysinHàN?iandHCMCityshouldbeconsideredforthelocalitieswherethehigh-speedrailwaypassesthrough,saidHà.HàalsotaskedtheMinistryofIndustryandTradewithco-ordinatingwiththeMinistryofTransport,theVi?tNamRailwayAuthority,Vi?tNamRailwaysandsomeenterprisestodevelopandimplementaroadmapfortechnologyacquisition,transferandmasteryintherailwayindustry.Theseincludetheproductionofequipment,operationandmanagementtoensuresynchronisationanduniformityintechnology,standardsandregulations.TheMinistryofEducationandTraining,incoordinationwiththeMinistryofTransport,shouldimplementtrainingprogrammestopreparehumanresourcescapableofmasteringtechnology,technicaldesign,equipmentmanufacturing,operationandmanagementintherailwaysector.VNSH?LongwasdevastatedbyTyphoonYagi.VNA/VNSPhotoMinhHi?uH?LONG—OnalateSeptemberday,itseemedlikeH?LongCity(Qu?ngNinhProvince)hasreturnedtoitsnormalrhythmafterthedevastationcausedbyTyphoonYagi.Nobodywouldhaverecognisedthenortherncoastalcity,hometotheworld-renownedH?LongBay,thatjusttwoweeksearlierwasinruinsandseverelydamagedbythedestructivepowerofnature.Amongthehardest-hitareasbyYagi,H?Longhadhundredsofhousesdestroyed,thousandsoftreesuprooted,roadscutoffandinfrastructureheavilydamaged.Thetyphoonplungedthecityintodayswithoutelectricityandwater,andwithnearlyparalysedtelecommunications.Immediatelyafterthestormsubsidedandthewaterreceded,thelocalgovernmentandresidentsofH?Longlaunchedemergencyreliefeffortsandbeganworkingtorecoverfromthedisasterasquicklyaspossible.ChairmanofH?LongCityPeoplesCommitteeNguy?nTi?nD?ngremarkedthatwitha:Lightning-fast,round-the-clockandstorm-beatingspirit,thecitylaunchedaseven-daycampaigntorecoverfromtheimpactsofYagirightafteritmadelandfallhereonSeptember9.Officials,citizensandlocalforcesworkedtirelessly,dayandnight,tocleanupandrepairthedamagecausedbythestorm.Effortsfocusedonclearingfallentrees,repairingdamagedbuildingsandcleaninguptheenvironmenttorestorenormallifeandreopenthecitystourism,servicesandbusinesses.InB?iCháyWard,Nguy?nThanhTùng,ChairmanofthePeoplesCommittee,saidthatuponreceivingdirectivesfromthecity,thewardsetupfourtaskforces,withleadersdirectlyoverseeingrecoveryeffortson-site.Theyfocusedonensuringenvironmentalhygiene,trafficsafetyandpreventingfloodingandlandslides.Thewardalsocreated25volunteergroupstohelpminimisedamagetopublicandprivateproperty.Afterthestorm,allofthewardsofficials,alongwiththelocalmilitia,veterans,andwomensassociations,weremobilisedtoassistwithstreetclean-upsandenvironmentalhygiene.Duringtheseven-daycampaign,officialsworkedtirelesslyfrom6amtomidnighteverydaytorestorethestreetstotheircleanandbeautifulcondition,Tùngsaid.Throughoutthecampaign,familiarscenesofresidentsworkingtogetherwithlocalauthoritiestocleanuptheaftermathofthestormcouldbeseenacrossthecity.Fallentrees,debrisandrubbishwerecleared,whiledamagedhomesandbelongingswerecleanedup,reflectingastrongsenseofcommunitysolidarity.BùiTh?Qu?nh,aresidentinB?iCháyWard,saidthatthestormhadknockeddownmanytrees,leavingstreetscoveredinmudandwaste.Weweresaddenedtoseethewidespreaddamagetothetrees.Asaresult,thevillagersbandedtogethertocleanup,replacetreesandcleardrainstodealwiththestormsaftermath,Qu?nhsaid.Despiteprogress,therewerestillchallengesinsomeareas,particularlywherepowerhadnotyetbeenrestored,limitingtheavailabilityofmachinerytocleardebrisinmoredifficultterrains.ChairmanoftheH?LongCityBusinessAssociation,Nguy?nThanhC?nh,saidthatfollowingthecitysdirectives,largeandsmallbusinessesintheareahadprovidedover200trucksand100excavatorstoclearfallentreesanddebrisfrombeaches,freeofcharge,for33wardsandcommunesofH?Long.Eventhoughbusinessessufferedsignificantlossesduetothestorm,theystillcametogethertosupportthecommunitywiththousandsoffreemeals,dozensofwaterfiltrationmachines,roofrepairassistanceanddirectcashdonations,totallingmorethanVN?400million(US$16,000),C?nhadded.Inadditiontorescueandclean-upefforts,utilitieslikeelectricity,waterandtelecommunicationswererestoredasquicklyaspossible,withworkersoperatingaroundtheclocktoensureessentialservicesforresidentswerereinstated.H?LongquicklywelcomesvisitorsagainafterrecoveringfromTyphoonYagi.—VNA/VNSPhotoRevivingaworldheritageregionFromacityinruins,H?Longhaslargelybeenrestoredtoitspreviouscleanlinessandbeauty.AccordingtotheH?LongPeoplesCommittee,withinsevendays,nearly65,000peoplehadbeenmobilisedtohelpwiththerecoveryefforts,withover1,000vehiclesand922chainsawsdeployedforcuttingtrees.Closeto600volunteergroupsinthevillagesandneighbourhoods,involvingthousandsofparticipants,contributedtotheclean-upandrecoveryfromthestorm.Now,100percentofthecitysstreetsandneighbourhoodshavebeencleared,over50,000cu.mofwastehavebeencollected,morethan80percentoffallentreeshavebeenreplanted,andover70percentofelectricityhasbeenrestored.Additionally,100percentofroadsarenowpassableandallschoolsandhospitalshaveresumedsafeoperations.Tourism,servicesandbusinessactivitiesaregraduallyreturningtonormal.Whilethecityhasnotyetfullyreturnedtoitspre-stormcondition,therapidrecoveryhasleftresidentsandvisitorswithpositiveimpressionsofthecitysresilientspirit.JeDong-Sun,atouristfromSouthKorea,wasquotedassaying:Weheardaboutthestormsdestruction,butbythetimewearrived,therecoverywasalreadywellunderway.Thehotelwasstillabletoofferagoodstay.Ilookforwardtoreturningtoseethecityevenmorebeautifulandgreen.Althoughsignificantprogresshasbeenmade,muchworkremainstobedone.Thelocalgovernment,businessesandresidentsareallcommittedtorestoringthecitytoitsformergreen,cleanandbeautifulstate.SecretaryoftheH?LongCityPartyCommittee,V?Quy?tTi?nsaidthataftertheseven-daycampaign,thecitywouldcontinuetomobiliseallavailableresourcestocleanupresidentialareas,launchacampaigntocleanH?LongBayandbeautifytheurbanenvironment.Thecityalsoplanstoplanttrees,flowersandsustainableurbanspacesaspartofitsvisiontobuildaCityofFlowersandaCityofFestivals.WiththemottoNoonewillbeleftwithoutahome,andnoonewillbeleftbehind,H?Longisquicklyimplementingsupportpoliciestohelpresidentsrecoverfromthestorm.Todate,thecityhasprovidedVN?14billion($569,000)inemergencyaidto33wardsandcommunesforstormrecoveryefforts.Additionally,thecityisofferingsupporttofamilieswholostlovedonesorsufferedsignificantdamage,particularlythosewhohadtoevacuate.H?Longisalsoimprovingurbanmanagement,resourceprotectionandenvironmentalconservation,addressingissuesthatsurfacedintheaftermathofthestorm.Thecitywillexplorenewregulationsforurbanplanningandconstructionstandards,especiallyforcoastalareasandproposeguidelinesforchoosingsuitableplantspeciesforcoastalenvironmentsandstandardsforoffshoreindustries.Withdetermination,resilienceandtheunityofthelocalgovernment,businesses,andpeople,H?LongCityispoisedtorebuilditselfintoanevenmorebeautiful,modernandprosperouscity.—VNSPanelistsattheforumoninnovationinthehealthcaresectorofVi?tNam.—PhotoVIRHàN?I—Localandinternationalhealthexperts,policymakersandpharmaceuticalfirmsdiscussedinnovationinthehealthcaresectorofVi?tNamataforuminHàN?i.Theevent,entitledEmpoweringInnovationforVi?tNamsSustainableHealthcare,wasorganisedbytheVietnamInvestmentReviewonSeptember25.Itwasaforumtodiscusssolutionsandmotivationsforinnovationinthemedicalandpharmaceuticalindustry,helpingtosustainablydevelopthehealthcareindustryandincreaseaccesstohigh-qualityhealthcareforpeople.Openingtheevent,VIReditor-in-chiefLêTr?ngMinhhighlightedtheimportantroleofhealthcareinnovationinchangingthedetectionandtreatmentofdiseasesandtransformingtheglobalhealthcareindustry.Toensureinnovationandsustainabilityinthehealthcareindustry,Vi?tNamshouldpromoteresearchanddevelopmentandtechnologytransferindiseaseprevention,detection,diagnosisandtreatment.Thisiscoupledwiththeproductionofmedicines,vaccines,biologicalsandhigh-qualitymedicalequipment.Thecountryshouldalsoperfectpoliciesonhealthinlinewithrealitywhilepromptlyadjustingrelevantlegalregulationstoaddressemergingissues,Minhsaid.Tofacilitatethegoal,itisvitaltoupdatemajorglobaltrends,learnthebestpracticesfromdevelopedcountriesandgaininsightsfromrelevantstakeholders.ThisisparticularlyimportantasVi?tNamiscompletingitslegalframeworkforthehealthcareindustrytoenteranewphaseofdevelopment,Minhadded.DeputyMinisterofHealth??XuanTuyênspeaksattheforum.—PhotoVIRSpeakingattheevent,DeputyMinisterofHealth??XuanTuyênsaidthat2024isapivotalyearwiththereviewandamendmentofimportantlawsthathaveshapedtheoperationsofthemedicalandpharmaceuticalindustry,contributingtopromotingasustainablehealthsystemandcreatingafavourableecosystemtopromoteinnovation.TheMinistryofHealthisreviewingandamendingthePharmacyLawtosubmittotheNationalAssemblyforconsiderationnextOctober.Thelawsorientationistoattractinvestmenttodeveloptechnologyresearchactivities,productionortechnologytransfertoproducepharmaceuticalsubstancesandnewdrugs,originalbrand-namedrugs,raredrugs,firstgenericdrugs,high-techdrugs,vaccinesandbiologicalproducts,drugsmadefrombloodandplasmaofforeignpharmaceuticalcorporationsinVi?tNamtoproactivelyandsustainablydevelopdomesticproductionwhilepromotingexportactivitiestoadvancedmarkets,saidTuyên.Vi?tNamisimporting80percentofmedicinalingredientsbuthasgreatpotentialinrawmaterialareas.AccordingtotherevisedPharmacyLaw,weproposeprioritiesfordrugproductioninVi?tNam,includingpriorityforinvestment,landandlicensingofdrugcirculation,especiallyinnovativedrugsandcancerdrugs,addedTuyên.AstraZenecaVietnamgeneraldirectorAtulTandonspeaksattheevent.—PhotoVIRAstraZenecaVietnamgeneraldirectorAtulTandonpraisedtheeffortsofVi?tNamtodriveinnovationanddevelopmentinthehealthindustry.TandonsaidthatAstraZenecahasbuiltmanylaboratoriestoimproveitsdiagnosticcapacity,withinitiativesthatcanbereplicatedfromVi?tNamtoothercountriesinAsia.Withitspatient-centricapproach,thecompanytracksthepatientjourneyandaccompaniespatientsfromscreeningtodiagnosisandtreatment,therebycontributingtosustainablehealthcaredevelopment.Wefirmlybelievethatcollaborationiskeytodrivingmeaningfulhealthcareinnovation.Tofosterstrongerpartnershipswithlocalstakeholders.Throughthesestrategies,weaimtocreateacollaborativeecosystemwherediversestakeholderscanworktogethertoaddresshealthcarechallengesandimprovepatientoutcomes,saidTandon.PharmaGroupchairmanDarrellOhsaidthatVi?tNamhasalotofpotentialtoattractFDIduetoitsgrowingdomesticmarket,politicalandeconomicstabilityand16activefreetradeagreements.Althoughtherehavebeensomedevelopmentsandgrowthinthepharmasectorinrecentyears,Vi?tNamhasyettofullycapitaliseonitsstrengthsandcompetitiveadvantage.Giventheintensecompetitionfromneighbouringcountriesthatareofferingincentivestoattractinvestorsandcontinuouslystreamlinetheirregulations,Vi?tNammustaccelerateitseffortsinthisracetoattractFDIandinnovationtothecountry.Toattractinvestment,OhsuggestedVi?tNamcreateanenvironmentthatismoreconducivetobusinessandinvestment.Thisisdoneviapoliciesthatarepredictableandsustainableforcompaniestobringininnovationearlyandreliablyinvestforthelongterm.Whatsalsoimportantisastrongcommitmenttothestreamlinedregulatoryprocess,adheringtoregulatorytimelinesandintellectualpropertyprotection.Vi?tNamshouldprovideincentivesthatprioritiseinnovation,suchasRDhubsandinvestmentintoearlyphasesofproductdevelopmentsuchasclinicaltrialsandadvancedmanufacturingcapabilities,addedthePharmaGroupChairman.—VNS

??AnhD?ng,ChairmanofTanHoàngMinhGroup,intrialonSeptember25,2024.—VNA/VNSPhotoPh?mKiênHàN?I—??AnhD?ng,ChairmanofTanHoàngMinhGroup,sawhissentencereducedfromeighttosevenyearsinprisonbytheHigh-levelPeoplesCourtinHàN?iduringanappealhearingonSeptember25.ThehearingreviewedD?ngsappealforalightersentence.Thecourtacknowledgedtheappeal,consequentlyreducinghisimprisonmentbyoneyearfromtheoriginalsentencehandeddownbythefirst-instancecourt.Accordingtothejury,Dungfacespunishmentforfraudulentappropriationofproperty.Duringtheproceedings,thedefendantactivelyinfluencedhisfamilytoremedytheconsequences,returningmorethanVN?8.6trillion(nearlyUS$349.7million)–theentireamountembezzledinthecase.ManyofhisvictimshadalsofiledpetitionsseekingleniencyforhimbeforetheappealtrialwhileTanHoàngMinhusedtoengageinnumerouscharitableactivities.Thesearenewdetailsforthecourttoconsider.Accordingtothefirst-instancejudgement,betweenJuly2021andMarch2022,D?ng,throughhisson,authorisedsubordinatestousethreesubsidiarycompaniestoissuenineseparatebondpackagesworthVN?10.3trillion(nearly$419million)inordertostealoverVN?8.6trillionfrom6,630investors.Thefirst-instancecourtsaidthatD?ngwasthemastermindwhoinitiatedtheschemefromthebeginningandgavedirectionsonhowtospendthemoneyappropriatedfromthevictims.Otherdefendantsgotjailtermsrangingfrom18to24months,withfiveofthemreceivingan18-monthsuspendedsentence.—VNSOverviewoftheconferenceanalysingeconomicindicators,jointlyorganisedbytheB?cGiangProvincialPeoplesCommitteeandtheVi?tNamChamberofCommerceandIndustry(VCCI).PhotocourtesyofB?cGiangPeoplesCommittee.B?CGIANGB?cGiangProvincewillcontinuetofocusonimprovingthebusinessandinvestmentenvironmentandenhancingitsProvincialCompetitivenessIndex(PCI)throughnextyear,accordingtoLêánhD??ng,ChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofB?cGiangProvince.Thenorthernprovinceisstrivingtomaintainitspositionamongthetop12provincesandcitiesnationwideintermsofGrossRegionalDomesticProduct(GRDP)by2025,whilealsoaimingtokeepitsPCIrankingwithinthetop15provincesandcitiesacrossthecountry.TheprovinceaimstoachieveatotalinvestmentcapitalofVN?230.5trillion(US$9.3million)forthe2021-2025period,includingbothdomesticandforeigndirectinvestment,orFDI.B?cGiangalsoseekstoestablish6,900newcompanies,bringingthetotalnumberofenterprisesintheprovinceto17,700.Provincialauthoritiesarecommittedtoaddressinglegalobstaclesforbusinessestoinvestinprojects,improvingthequalityofreformsinsectorsrequiringconditionalbusinessinvestmentsandenhancingbusinessconditions.Otherareasoffocusincludeincreasingmanagementefficiency,promotingreformsinspecialisedinspectionsofgoodsandeffectivelyimplementingtheNationalSingleWindowPortal.B?cGiangwillalsoworkononusingtechnologytosharedataamongstateagenciesandimprovetheefficiencyofadministrativeprocedures.Theprovinceisworkingtowardsbuildingafriendlygovernmentbysurveyingbusinesssatisfactionandimprovingfirmsaccesstocapital.B?cGiangalsoaimstorefinepoliciestoencouragebusinessestoinvest,withafocusoninnovation,digitaltransformationandsustainabledevelopment.Furthermore,theprovincewillimprovebusinessdevelopmentservicesandincreaseinvestorsaccesstocleanland.Untilnextyear,B?cGiangwillfocusallresourcesondevelopinginfrastructureforindustrialzonestoattractinvestment.Theprovinceisworkingtowardsanindustrialecosystemmodel,connectingindustrialzoneswithurbanservicesthatfeaturemodern,synchronisedtechnicalandsocialinfrastructure.Itisalsoresearchingandpreparingtoinvestresourcesinsemiconductorinfrastructure,digitalinfrastructure,researchanddevelopmentcentresandhigh-techzonestocreatebreakthroughsineconomicandsocialdevelopment.Since2021,theprovincehasworkedtocreateafavourable,transparentandfriendlybusinessenvironmenttoattractinvestmentanddevelopenterprises.Notably,theprovincesPCIrankinghasimprovedsignificantly,boostingB?cGiangsreputationandposition.TheprovincesGRDPhassteadilyexpanded,reachingVN?181.97trillion($7.4million)in2023,ranking12thnationwide.TheaverageGRDPgrowthratefrom2021to2023inB?cGiangwas14percentperyear.Fortwoconsecutiveyears,B?cGiangsPCIhasrankedamongthetopfiveprovincesandcitiesnationwide.In2022,theprovincerankedsecondoutof63provincesandcities,andin2023,itrankedfourthoutof63.From2021to2023,theprovincesawtheestablishmentof5,416newcompanies,bringingthetotalnumberofenterprisesinB?cGiangto15,955.Thetotalinvestmentcapitalrealisedbybusinessesintheprovincefrom2021to2023reachedVN?89.077trillion($3.6million),includingbothdomesticinvestimentandFDI.ItsFDIinflowhasnotonlyincreasedsignificantlyintermsofprojectnumbersandinvestmentcapital,buthasalsoseenawaveofinvestmentfrommajorAsiancountrieslikeSingapore,JapanandSouthKoreainindustrieslikesoftwareandsemiconductors,markingsubstantialimprovementsinthequalityofFDIattraction.From2021toJune2024,B?cGiangattractedVN?789million($32,141)intotalconvertedinvestmentcapital.TheFDIprojectsprimarilyfocusonmanufacturingandprocessingelectroniccomponents,textiles,andlogistics.Asofnow,30countriesandterritorieshaveinvestedinprojectsinB?cGiangprovince.VNS

PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhatthelaunchingceremonyoftheCentrefortheFourthIndustrialRevolution(C4IR)inHCMCityonSeptember25.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhinauguratedtheCentrefortheFourthIndustrialRevolution(C4IR)ofHCMCityattheSàiGònHi-TechParkinTh???cCityonSeptember25aspartoftheHCMCityEconomicForum2024.TheHCMCityC4IR,partofanagreementbetweenVi?tNamandtheWEF,isoneofthe19C4IRsoftheWorldEconomicForum(WEF)andthesecondoneinSoutheastAsia.Itoperatesintheformofapublic-privatepartnership,withfoundersincludinglarge-scaleenterprisesinVi?tNamandHCMCity.Alongwithmakingproposalsonsolutionsandpolicyrecommendationsinprioritisedareasinlinewithnationalandinternationaltrends,thecentreisexpectedtosupportthemobilisationofresources,assistingtheGovernmentandbusinessesinapplyingnewtechnologies.Atalaterworkingsessionwithleadersofministries,sectors,HCMCityandtheC4IRfoundingmemberenterprisesontheoperationalorientationsofthecentre,PMChínhaffirmedthatthecentreistheoutcomeofthePartyandStatespolicyontheFourthIndustrialRevolution,meetingthecountrysdevelopmentrequirementsinthenewperiod.ItreflectsVi?tNamsdeepandextensiveintegrationandjoiningwiththeworldinpromotingthedevelopmentofscience,technologyandinnovation,whileshowingthepioneeringroleofHMCCityinthisfield.Atthesametime,itdemonstratesthemettle,brainpower,prideandaspirationofVi?tNamintheFourthIndustrialRevolution,andaffirmstheclosetiesbetweentheWEF,theGovernmentleaderstated.TheGovernmentleaderclarifiedtheresponsibilityoftheGovernment,ministriesandsectorsinprovidingpolicyguidelineandbuildinginstitutionsforthecentresdevelopment,andaskedHCMCitytoensureinfrastructureandmechanismsservingthesmoothoperationsofthecentre.HesuggestedthatC4IRfounderscontinuetoinvestinthecentretocreatebetterfinancialconditionsforoperations,developingitsinfrastructureandattractingmoretalents.PMChínhrequestedthecentretopromotethespiritofself-reliance,self-improvementandcreativitybasedonitsfunctions,tasks,andfollowingthemottoofpioneering,cooperation,connection,digitalisation,greening,substantiality,effectiveness,spill-overeffects,forthecountry,andforthepeople.Representativesofministries,sectorsandenterprisesheldthatinorderforthecentretooperateeffectively,itisnecessarytogiveitsuperiorpoliciesandmechanisms,alongwithinvestmentinhumanresourcetrainingandfacilities,especiallymoderndigitalinfrastructure.ViettelDeputyGeneralDirector?àoXuanV?proposedtheestablishmentofanationalsteeringcommitteeonFourthIndustrialRevolutiontoworkwithrelevantsteeringcommitteestobuildnecessarypoliciesandstrategies,whileinvestingindigitalinfrastructure.PresidentofSovicoGroupNguy?nTh?Ph??ngTh?opledgedtoaccompanythecentre,theSàiGònHi-TechParkandHCMCityinmakingfulluseofachievementsoftheFourthIndustrialRevolution,andsupportstartupstorise.KivaAllgood,headoftheCentreforAdvancedManufacturingandSupplyChainandmemberoftheExecutiveCommitteeattheWorldEconomicForum,committedtoaccompanyingandsupportingthecentreinitsdevelopment.WEFwillgiveguidelinesandprovideprofessionalsupporttothecentre,connectingitwithothercentresinthesystemintheregionandaroundtheworld,shesaid,stressingthatVi?tNamneedstoimplementuniquesolutionsandmakeboldcommitmenttogreenerandmoredigitaldevelopmentbecausethosearethetwobestingredientstomaketheworldabetterplace.—VNS

MinisterofHealth?àoH?ngLanspeaksataconferenceofhospitaldirectorsinthenorthernprovincesinHàN?ionSeptember24.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iHàN?I—MinisterofHealth?àoH?ngLanaskedhospitalstorenewmanagementactivities,minimiseadministrativeproceduresandpromotetheapplicationoftechnologytocreatefavourableconditionsforpatientsaccesstoexaminationandtreatmentservices.Theministerwasspeakingataconferenceofhospitaldirectorsinthenorthernprovinces,whichwasorganisedbytheB?chMaiGeneralHospitalinHàN?ionSeptember24.?àoH?ngLansaidthatthehealthsectorcontinuestohavetodealwithdifficultiesandchallengesinthepost-COVID-19period,whilethereisadoubleburdenofdiseasewiththeriskofoutbreaksofdangerousepidemics,emergingandincreasingratesofnon-communicablediseasesalongwithhavingtodealwiththepopulationageing,naturaldisastersandtheincreasinglyhighanddiversehealthcareneedsofthepeople.Thechallengesposedinthenewsituationwhenthe4.0TechnologyRevolution,thedigitaleraistakingplaceverystronglyinallindustriesandfields,requiresthehealthsectortohaveadaptivesolutionstocompletethetaskofimprovingandtakingcareofpeopleshealth,shesaid.MinisterLansaidthatinmanyhospitals,thenumberofpeoplecomingformedicalexaminationandtreatmenthasincreasedsignificantly,requiringhospitaldirectorstomanagehumanresources,suppliesandmedicinestoensuresufficientmedicaldeliverytosatisfypatients.Lanrequestedhospitalleaderstocontinuetoresolvechallenges,obstaclesandinadequaciesrelatedtoimplementingtheautonomymechanism,procurement,healthinsurancepayment,establishingpricesformedicalexaminationandtreatmentservicesandovercrowdingincentralhospitals.Lanalsosuggestedhospitalspromotetheimplementationofprofessionalsupportandtechnicaltransfertolowerlevelstograduallyimprovethecapacityandqualityofmedicalexaminationandtreatmentworkoflower-levelunits,reducingtheoverloadonhigherlevels.TheministersaidthattheMinistryofHealthwillcontinuetostrengthenthelegalframeworkforhospitalmanagement,suchasdevelopingguidelinesonpricesformedicalexaminationandtreatmentservices,implementingtheLawonMedicalExaminationandTreatmentandupdatingsomecontentonHospitalRegulationsandreviewlegaldocumentsrelatedtotheLawonMedicalExaminationandTreatment,DecreeNo.96/2023/ND-CP.DirectorofB?chMaiHospitalandchairmanoftheNorthernHospitalDirectorsClub?àoXuanC?speaksattheevent.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iDirectorofB?chMaiHospitalandchairmanoftheNorthernHospitalDirectorsClub?àoXuanC?saidthathospitalsrecentlyhavegraduallyimprovedservicequality,upgradedinfrastructure,andappliedinformationtechnologyinhandlingadministrativeprocedurestoimprovethequalityofdiagnosis,treatmentandpatientcare.Theconferenceisaforumforhospitalmanagerstohavetheopportunitytodiscuss,learnandshareexperiencesinhospitalmanagementworks,includingpublicassetmanagement,biddingworkatmedicalfacilities,updatingofhealthinsurancepoliciesandresolvingdifficulties,methodsofestablishingmedicalexaminationandtreatmentprices,electronicmedicalrecordsanddigitaltransformationinhospitals,saidC?.TheconferenceisalsoanopportunityfortheMinistryofHealth,affiliatedunits,ministriesandbranchestolistentotheopinionsofhospitalsinbuildingandimplementingpoliciesonmanagement,healthinsuranceanddevelopingmedicalexaminationandtreatmentprices,implementingbiddingandelectronicmedicalrecordseffectivelyandfollowingthelaw,accordingtoC?.Effortsincooperation,improvedexpertiseandcontinuityinmedicalexaminationandtreatmentactivitiesbetweencentralandlocalhospitalshavehelpedimprovethequalityofmedicalexaminationandtreatment,reducewaitingtimeandreduceinconvenienceforpatients.WiththethemeofHospitalManagementintheNewEra,theforumaimstostrengthencooperationandtechnicalandprofessionalsupportbetweenhospitalsintheregionandacrossthewholecountry.Withthepatient-centredprinciple,themeetingaimstobringsatisfaction,safetyandthebestqualityofmedicalservicestopatients,meetingthepeoplesmedicalexaminationandtreatmentneeds.—VNSAclassroominTanHoàSecondarySchoolinTayNinhProvincesTanChauDistrict.–—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ng??tT?YNINH—TayNinhProvincehasincreasedinvestmentineducationandvocationaltraining,improvedtheirquality,strengtheneditslabourforce,andcreatedstablelivelihoodsforworkers.Thesoutheasternprovincehasbeenbuildinginfrastructureforschoolsatalllevelstoimprovetheirquality.Ithas151state-ownedschoolsfrompre-schooltoseniorhighlevelsrecognisedasmeetingnationalstandards,or36percentofallitspublicschools,accordingtoitsDepartmentofEducationandTraining.Inthe2023-24academicyearalone20schoolswererecognisedasmeetingnationalstandards.Duringthisschoolyearschoolsfrompre-schooltoseniorhighschoolhavesuccessfullyimplementedtheirtasksandproactivelydevelopedteachingplanssuitedtotheirlocality,studentsandindividualneeds,thedepartmentreported.Alllocalitieshaveeffectivelyprovidedcompulsoryprimaryeducation,withupto98.8percentofseniorhighschoolstudentsgraduatinglastyear.Itssoleethnicminorityboardingschoolhaseducatedhundredsofstudentsfrom13ethnicgroupssinceopeningin2012.VocationalTrainingTayNinhhadapopulationofnearly1.2million,including680,600peopleofworkingage(15yearsandabove)lastyear.Ofthisnumber,669,765peopleareemployedinvarioussectors.Thenumberofworking-ageindividualswithvocationalqualificationsisexpectedtoriseto210,000in2025from187,534lastyear.Theprovincehas17state-ownedandprivatevocationalinstitutions,includingacollege,intermediateschools,vocationaltrainingandcontinuingeducationcentres,drivingcentres,andacompany.Thestate-ownedTayNinhVocationalCollegeandTayNinhEconomics-TechnologyIntermediateSchooltrainaround1,500studentsannually.Theprovinceisimplementingaprojecttodevelopvocationaltrainingthatwillrunupto2030.TocostmorethanVN?190billion(US$7.7million),itisfundedbypublicandprivatesources.Itaimstotaketherateofworkerswithvocationalskillsto80percentby2030,with35percentholdingcertificates.Italsotargetshavingatleast45percentofsecondaryschoolgraduatespursuebasic-andintermediate-levelvocationaleducationand50percentofseniorhighschoolgraduatesoptingforcollege-levelvocationaleducation.TheprovinceisseekingfundsfromtheGovernmenttoupgradeitsvocationalschoolstomeettheneedsofthejobmarket.ItisalsosolicitingprivateinvestmenttobuildanintermediatevocationalschoolinPh??c??ngIndustrialParkinGòD?uDistrictandavocationalcollegeinD??ngMinhChauDistrict.Priorityisbeinggiventodevelopingvocationsthatsupporttheconstructionofnewruralareasthisyear.Thevocationsincludeagriculture,seafood,forestry,handicrafts,pottery,andtheproductionofwoodenandbambooproducts.Theyalsoinvolveproducingrawmaterialsformanufacturingproducts,textileandgarmentandsaltproduction,breedingornamentalfishandplants,andservices.Theprovincehas400householdsandoneco-operativeengagedintraditionalcraftssuchasmakingleafhats,aluminumandwoodenproducts,incense,bambooitems,andricepaper.Supportpolicieswillbeputinplacetodeveloptraditionalcraftsandpreservetraditionalcraftvillages.Thisyeartheprovinceaimstoprovide1,160ruralworkerswithagriculturalvocationalskillsand1,380otherswithnon-agriculturalskills.Itaimstoincreasetheemploymentrateofskilledworkerstoatleast80percentthisyear.Traditionalcraftshaveenabledmanyruralworkerstoensureasteadylivelihoodandescapepoverty,accordingtolocalauthorities.LêTh?KimThuyshandicraft-makingestablishmentinthebordercommuneofThànhLonginTayNinhProvincesChauThànhDistricthascreatedjobsfornearly100localwomen.—VNA/VNSPhotoGiangPh??ngLêTh?KimThuy,a52-year-oldwomanfromThànhLongCommuneinChauThànhDistrict,startedabusinessthatmakesplasticweavingproducts,providingjobstonearly100localwomenaftercompletingahandicraftscoursein2020.ThecommuneWomensUnionhelpedherenrolinthecourse.Inherarea,itisdifficultforolderpeopletofindsuitablejobstheycoulddointheirsparetime,shesaid.Shehadearlierstruggledtofindworkherself,andsowhenshebeganearningasteadyincomefromherstart-up,shetaughtotherlocalwomenhowtomakeplasticweavingproducts,shesaid.Dependingontheirskills,theecanearnVN?80,000–100,000($3-4)aday.Tr?nhTh?Thoa,chairwomanoftheThànhLongCommuneWomensUnion,saidmostwomenintheareabuyandsellgoodsorworkasdailylabourers,andsolackasteadyincome.Thuysstart-upmodelhashelpedwomenutilisetheirfreetimetoincreasetheirincomes,sheadded.—VNS

Delegatestothecongressinagroupphoto.VNA/VNSPhotoSYDNEYVietnameseStudentsinAustralia(SVAU),aunionofVietnamesestudentsorganisationsthere,aimstobuildaunitedassociationofthestudentsandpromotetheyouthfulspiritofdaringdynamismandcreativity,helditsthirdcongressinSydneyonOctober5.Thecongressdrewin-personandonlineparticipationofmorethanonehundredVietnamesestudentsfromalllocalitiesinAustralia.Inthe2022-2024tenure,theassociationhasshownstrongperformanceinmanyfields,includingorganisingvariousstudentactivitiesandmovements,andgatheringandconnectingVietnamesestudentsandyoungstart-upsacrosstheworld.Besides,itraisedmorethanonehundredmillionVietnamese??ng(overUS$4,000)tosupportvictimsofTyphoonYagiathome,whileconductingmanycharityactivities.Addressingtheeventviateleconferencing,Nguy?nMinhTri?t,SecretaryoftheH?ChíMinhCommunistYouthUnionCentralCommitteeandPresidentoftheVietnameseStudentsAssociationCentralCommitteepraisedtheeffortsbytheSVAUoverthepasttenurewithbreakthroughprogress,revealingitsactiveandpioneeringrole.MinisterCounsellorNghiêmXuanHòafromtheVietnameseEmbassyinAustraliasaidhehopesthattheassociationwillcontinueconnectingVietnamesepeopleinAustralia,helpingmaintaintheVietnameseculturalidentityandpromotingtheimageofVietnamesepeopleinthehostcountry.Atthecongress,delegateselecteda26-memberexecutivecommitteeforthe2024-2026tenure,includingapresidentandfourvicepresidents.Hu?nhT?n??t,whowasre-electedPresidentoftheSVAU,toldtheVietnamNewsAgencythatinthecomingtime,theassociationwillcontinuetoaccompanyandsupportVietnamesestudentsinAustralia,whileorganisingpracticalactivitiestoassisttheminintegratingintothehostcountry.VNA/VNSThàoTh?Mua(firstfromleft),residentinLangQuángCommune,YênS?nDistrictinthenorthernmountainousprovinceofTuyênQuangstandsinfrontofhisnewhouse.Muaisamongbeneficiariesoftheemulationmovementtoremovetemporaryanddilapidatedhousesby2025.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhonSundayissuedanofficialdispatchonacceleratingtheeliminationoftemporaryanddilapidatedhousesacrossthenation.Underthedispatch,thePMacknowledgedenthusiasticresponseofministries,agencies,secretariesoftheprovincialandmunicipalpartycommittees,chairmenofthepeoplescommitteesofprovincesandcentrally-runcities,businessesandindividualstotheemulationmovementonworkingtogethertoremovetemporaryanddilapidatedhousesby2025launchedbythePrimeMinisterinthenorthernmountainousprovinceofHòaBìnhonApril13.Heexpressedhisbeliefthatthemovementwillcontinuecreatingstrongandwidespreadmotivationamongthepublic,helpingrealisethesetgoal.TheGovernmentleaderorderedcitiesandprovincesenhancementoftheirself-relianceaswellasrationalmechanismsenablinglocalitiestoprovidesupportforthosewithdifficultiesineliminatinghousesinpoorconditions,addingitisnecessarytomobiliseministries,agencies,businesses,banks,organisationsandindividualsbothdomesticallyandinternationallytoassistthework.HecalledforconcertedeffortsanddrasticactionsofsectorsandlocalitiestocompletethesetgoalbyDecember31nextyear,withhousingsupportforpeoplewhorenderedservicetothenation,housingassistanceunderthenationaltargetprogrammesandoneundertheremovaloftemporaryanddilapidatedhousesforlocalresidents.TheMinistryofConstructionwasorderedtourgethepeoplescommitteesofprovincesandcentrally-runcitiestostudyanddesignseveralhousingmodelsmeetingtechnicalandqualityrequirementsaswellasensuringtheyaresuitablewithculture,practicesandfeaturesofeachlocalityandregion.TheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairswasaskedtojoinhandswithcompetentministriesandagenciestomakereportsandproposetheestablishmentofacentralsteeringcommitteeonimplementationtheeliminationworktothePrimeMinisterbeforeOctober10,withthePrimeMinisterbeingtheheadofthecommitteeandChairmanoftheVietnamFatherlandFrontCentralCommittee,PermanentDeputyPrimeMinisterandMinisterofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsdeputyheads.Besides,membersofthecommitteeincludeleadersfromtheministriesofConstruction,Finance,PlanningandInvestment,NationalDefenceandPublicSecurityandStateBankofVi?tNamandGeneralDirectorofVi?tNamTelevision,VoiceofVi?tNamandVietnamNewsAgency.ThecommitteewillberesponsibleforproposingthePrimeMinistersolutionsandspecificwaystoeliminatetemporaryanddilapidatedhousesacrossthenation,assuringtheworksprogress.TheGovernmentsOfficewasorderedtokeepclosetabsontheimplementationoftheofficialdispatchandreporttothePrimeMinisteronanyissuesthatexceeditsauthority.—VNS

AhealthofficialsprayformosquitoestocontroladenguefeverhotspotinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—ThenumberofdenguefevercasesinHàN?ihasrisensignificantlyinrecentweeks,raisingconcernsamonghealthofficials.AccordingtothecitysCenterforDiseaseControl(CDC),therewere284confirmedcasesreportedbetweenSeptember27andOctober3,fivemorethantheweekbefore.Thediseasehasbeennowreportedin29outof30districtsandtowns.Themosthard-hitsofarwere?anPh??ngwith35cases,followedbyThanhXuanwith30andHà??ngwith25.Thecityalsosawanincreaseinoutbreaksacross13districtsandtowns,particularlyinthehotspotsofCh??ngM?,HoànKi?mandTh?chTh?t,bringingthetotalnumberofoutbreaksto206fortheyear,with39stillactive.Despitetherecentuptickinweeklycases,thisyearscasecounthasdroppedby80percentcomparedtolastyear,indicatingalessseveresituation.Inadditiontodengue,HàN?ialsorecordedasmallnumberofmeaslescases.Healthofficialsurgedparentstoensuretheirchildrenarevaccinatedagainsttheseandotherpreventablediseases.TheHàN?iDepartmentofHealthhasimplementedvariousmeasurestostemthespreadofdengue,includingmonitoring,outbreakinvestigationsandpublichealthcampaigns.—VNSParticipantsattheworkshop.—VNSPhotoT?Nh?HàN?I—Biotechnologyhasrevolutionisedagriculture,drivingkeyinnovationsthathavestrengthenedglobalfoodsecurity,reducedpesticideusageandenhancedbothsoilqualityandenvironmentalsustainabilityoverthepast30years.AssociateProfessorDrNguy?nH?uNinh,DeputyDirectoroftheDepartmentofScience,Technology,andEnvironmentattheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD),saidthattheadvantagesofgeneticallymodified(GM)cropsareundeniableandshouldbeembracedswiftlyintodayseraofinternationalintegration.DuringtheworkshoptitledAchievementsandFutureDirectionsinBiotechnologyApplicationforSustainableAgriculturalDevelopmentintheContextofInternationalIntegration,hostedbyMARDinHàN?ionSaturday,DrNinhemphasisedtheimportanceofclosecollaborationbetweenscientists,businesses,andfarmers.Statepoliciesalsoplayacrucialroleinencouragingtheapplicationofbiotechnologyinagricultureandfosteringsustainabledevelopment.Healsostressedtheneedforpoliciesaimedattrainingskilledhumanresourcesinbiotechnologyandfacilitatingtheimplementationofnewresearchprojects.BuildingabrandforVietnameseagriculturalproductsbasedonbiotechnologywouldenhancetheirvalueandcompetitivenessininternationalmarkets.AccordingtoMARD,thereareapproximately200millionhectaresofGMcropsbeingcultivatedglobally,withsoybeansaccountingfornearly80percentofthattotal.Maizealsocoversover25percent.Beyondmaize,biotechnologyhasadvancedtheuseofbiologicalproducts,ensuringbettercropyieldsandincreasingfarmersincomes.Unfortunately,Vi?tNamsadoptionofbiotechnologyhasbeenslow,andthegapbetweenVi?tNamandtherestoftheworldiswidening.WehaveyettomeetthetargetssetbythePartyandtheState,primarilyduetoalackofawareness,saidDrCao??cPhát,formerministerofMARDandchairmanoftheInternationalRiceResearchInstitute.ItisnecessarytoremovebarrierstotheadoptionofGMcropsinVi?tNam.AccordingtotheInternationalServicefortheAcquisitionofAgri-biotechApplications,73countrieshavealreadyembracedGMcrops,recognisingtheirimportanceinboostingfarmersincomes,savingtimeandlabourandreducingpesticideusesignificantly.Duringtheforum,expertshighlightedsignificantachievements,particularlythedevelopmentofnewcropvarietiesusingbiotechnology.Thesevarietiesexhibitgreaterresistancetopestsanddiseases,improvingbothyieldandproductquality.Biotechnologyhasalsobeenappliedinpost-harvestpreservation,reducinglossesandincreasingexportvalue.Furthermore,microbialtechnologieshavebeenwidelyadoptedtoimprovesoilqualityandreducetheuseofchemicalfertilisers,enhancingthesustainabilityoffarmingsystems.Dr??Ti?nPhát,headofthePlantCellTechnologyDepartmentattheBiotechnologyInstitute,saidthatVi?tNamsagriculturalsectormustaccelerateitsadoptionofbiotechnologytomeetthedemandsofinternationalintegration.TechnologiessuchasgeneeditingandprecisionagriculturewillenhanceVi?tNamscompetitivenessinglobalmarketsandhelpthesectoradapttoclimatechange.Biotechnology,hesaid,isnotjustatrendbutthekeytobuildingasustainableandcompetitiveagriculturalindustryinVi?tNam.DirectorofBiotechnologyatCropLifeAsia,SonnyTababa,highlightedtheimportanceofbiotechnologyinaddressingglobalagriculturalchallengeslikeclimatechangeandrisingsealevels.ShepraisedtheVietnamesegovernmentseffortsinpromotingbiotechcropsolutions,particularlythroughscientificresearch,technologytransferpartnerships,andthecontinuousrefinementofregulatoryframeworkstomaximisethebenefitsofthesesolutions.Vi?tNamisoneofthecountrieswiththemostadvancedlegalframeworksforGMcrops.CropLifeiseagertocontinuesupportingpublic-privatepartnershipstointroducethenextgenerationofbiotechcropstoVietnamesefarmers,providingthemwithimprovedfarmingtoolstoachievetheirmissionofensuringfoodsecurityandfosteringsustainableagriculture.YoungscientistNguy?nDuyPh??ngandhisteamhavedevelopedtheTBR225mutantricevariety,whichreducescadmiumcontaminationinhigh-cadmiumareas,protectingpublichealth.Enhancedthroughgene-editing,italsoresistsbacterialleafblight,withstableresistanceprovenacrossthreegenerations,whilemaintainingtraitssimilartotheoriginalvariety.However,DrPh??ngexpressedconcernaboutthelackofclearregulationsforgene-editedcropsinVi?tNam.Henotedthatgene-editedvarietiestakethreetofouryearstodevelopatafractionofthecostofGMcrops.Heurgedthegovernmenttoestablishalegalframeworktosupporttestingandcommercialisation.BySeptember30,MARDhadrecognised31GMmaizevarieties,withsixdeemedbiosafe.Since2015,Vi?tNamhasimportedover13,000tonnesofGMmaizeseeds,covering662,000hectares,withofficialcultivationstartinginMarch2015.—VNS