StateAuditorGeneralNg?V?nTu?nrespondstoquestionsattheNationalAssemblyonWednesday.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nPh??ngHoaHàN?I—Therearestillscoresofauditrecommendationsgoingunheeded,amountingtomorethanVN?67trillion(US$2.6billion).ThatwastheresponseofNg?V?nTu?n,StateAuditorGeneraloftheStateAuditOffice,toNationalAssemblyDeputyMaiTh?ThúysquestiononWednesday.TheQAsessionwaspartoftheongoingseventhsessionofthe15thNationalAssembly.DeputyMaTh?ThúyfromTuyênQuangexpressedherconcernthatabout59percentofauditrecommendationsremainunimplemented,duetoauditedpartiesdraggingtheirfeet.ShequestionedtheSAGabouttheissueandrequestedsolutions.TheStateAuditorGeneralacknowledgedthedelaysandsaidhisofficeisworkingonwaystoensureauditedentitiesfollowthroughonauditfindings.AnotherquestionraisedbydeputyNguy?nTh?Y?nNhifromB?nTrewaswhysofewcasesuncoveredbyauditorshavebeenreferredtothepoliceforinvestigation.Tu?nsaidhisofficehadissued1,345financialreportsinthepastfiveyears,with19casesbeingflaggedforpotentiallegalviolations.Despiteafewcasesendingupwithinvestigators,theofficehadsparednoeffortinfightingcorruption.Ithadprovided1,609dossierstoinspectionagenciestosupporttheirinvestigationsandprosecutions.Hepledgedtocontinueprovidingcomprehensivedossierstotheagenciesandenhancingthequalityofauditreportstofacilitatetheidentificationandprosecutionoffraudsters.DeputyHà??cMinhfromLàoCaiquestionedtheSAGabouttheaccountabilityoftheStateAuditOfficeiftherearediscrepanciesbetweenauditfindingsconductedbytheofficeandsubsequentinvestigationsbyotheragencies.Tu?nrespondedbyemphasisingthelegalframeworkregulatingaccountabilityincasesofdiscrepancies.HecitedArticle68oftheLawonPreventionandCombatingCorruption,whichholdsauditagenciesresponsibleforaddressingsuchinconsistencies.Incaseswhereauditreportsdonotdetectanyviolationsbutsubsequentinvestigationsbyotheragenciesrevealwrongdoing,athoroughinvestigationintothematterisnecessary.Ifanyfaultisfound,appropriateactionwillbetaken,whetherintheformofcriminaloradministrativechargesandthelawclearlyoutlinestheresponsibilitiesofauditorsandtheofficeinsuchcases.Tu?nalsoaddressedaconcernraisedbyDeputyNguy?nNg?cS?nfromH?iD??ngregardingthequalifiedwithexceptionsauditopinionanditsimpactonauditquality.Tu?nexplainedthattheofficehastheauthoritytoissuefourtypesofopinions,namelyunqualifiedopinion,qualifiedopinionwithexceptions,adverseopinionanddisclaimerofopinion.Hesaidwhilethequalifiedwithexceptionsopiniondoesnotcompromisetheoverallqualityoftheaudit,itdoesaffecttheeffectivenessoftheofficesactivities.Thisopinionistypicallyissuedwhenanauditedentityfailstoprovidesufficientdocumentationtotheauditteam,hinderingitsabilitytodrawdefinitiveconclusionsandrecommendations.Healsorevealedthattheofficehadissued663reportsrecommendingdisciplinaryactionagainstindividualsoverthepastfiveyears.FollowingTu?nsquestioning,theMinisterofCulture,SportsandTourismNguy?nV?nHùngfacedquestionsregardingculturaltopicsintourism.DeputyChauQu?nhDaofromKiênGiangexpressedconcernsaboutthegrowingtrendofreplicatingforeigntourismproducts,arguingthatitcoulderodeVi?tNamsculturalidentity.Inresponse,theMinisterhighlightedthepositivegrowthofVi?tNamstourismsectorinthefirstfivemonthsoftheyear,attributingittotheenactmentoftwolegaldocumentsissuedbytheGovernment.HeacknowledgedtheexistenceofsomeproductsthatdeviatefromthelegalguidelinesbutemphasisedtheimportanceofculturalexchangeandtheneedtoembraceelementsfromotherculturestoenhanceVi?tNamsculturalheritage.DeputyV?Th?LiênH??ngfromQu?ngNg?iunderlinedthepotentialofnighttourismtorevitaliseVi?tNamstourismindustryandrequestedtheMinistertosharehisthoughtsonthismatter.TheMinisterrespondedbyunderliningthegovernmentsDecisionNO.1129onApprovingtheSchemefortheNighttimeEconomy,whichtaskedtheMinistrywithdevelopingnighttourismproducts.HerevealedthattheMinistryhadintroducednighttourismproductsin12provincesandcitiesandobtainedpositivefeedbackfromtourists.However,theMinistry,hesaid,stillhadalottodobeforenighttourismcouldgaintractionacrossthecountry.—VNS

TouristsvisitacaveintheTràngAnLandscapeComplexinNinhBìnhProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoNinh??cPh??ngHàN?I—Vi?tNamranked59thamong119countriesandterritoriesintermsoftheTravelTourismDevelopmentIndex(TTDI)in2024,fallingfromits52ndpositionin2022.TTDI,publishedbytheWorldEconomicForum,aggregatesfactorsandpolicies,underfivemainlistings,17subdirectoriesand102individualindicators,tocreatethelistfortheglobalTravelTourism(TT)sector.Vi?tNamsoverallTTDIratingwas3.96(onascaleof7.0)in2024,placingit59thamongthe119countriesandterritories,asignificantdeclinefrom2022whenitwasin52ndplacewithascoreof4.10.Itslowest-scoringstandardwasinTourismServicesandInfrastructureat2.20,rankingitin80thplaceglobally,butintermsofhowVi?tNamprioritisesTravelTourism,itonlyscored3.63(for98thplace).Itsworst-performingpillarwasTTSocioeconomicImpactat2.95,placingnearthebottomat115th.ThepillarmeasurestheeconomicandsocialimpactofTT,includinginducedeconomiccontribution,theprovisionofhigh-wagejobsandworkforcegenderequality.Onabrighternote,thecountrydidquitewellinPriceCompetitivenesswithascoreof5.68(16th)andSafetyandSecuritywith6.19(23rd).ItalsoachievedgoodrankingsinNaturalResources(26th),CulturalResources(28th)andNon-LeisureResources(38th).InSoutheastAsia,Singaporeledat13thinTTDI,whileIndonesia(22nd),Malaysia(35th)andThailand(47th)rankedaboveVi?tNam.Indonesiamadethemostprogressintheregionwithaleapfrombeingplacedat36thupto22ndsincethepreviousassessment.OnJanuary5,Vi?tNamsgovernmentissuedalegaldocumentoutliningplanstoraiseVi?tNamsTTDIrankingbyatleasttwoplacesby2025.ItsinitialphaseinvolvesliftingthecountrysPrioritisationofTTrankingbyfiveplacesandTourismServicesandInfrastructurebythreeplacesin2024.—VNSAforeignpatienttreatedatVi?tNam-GermanyHospitalinHàN?i.—PhotocourtesyofthehospitalHàN?I—MoreandmoreforeignpatientsarechoosingVi?tNamforhealthcare,asthecountryisconsideredabrightspotinspecialisedmedicalexaminationandtreatment.Thetopdermatologicalexaminationfacilityinthenation,theNationalHospitalofDermatologyandVenereology,hasseenanincreaseinforeignpatientsinrecentyears,aswellasinVietnamesenationalswhohavelivedandworkedoverseasbutareseekingdermatologicalexaminationandtreatmentinVi?tNam.ForeignpatientsarechoosingVi?tNaminpartbecauseitcantakealongtimetoseeadermatologistabroad.Somepatientshadalreadyseentheirfamilyphysicians,butexperiencedunsatisfactoryoutcomesfromtheirmedicaltreatmentabroad.Inoneparticularcase,afive-year-oldboywhohadgrownupinJapanwasidentifiedatfourmonthsoldashavingatopicdermatitis.Inayear,theillnessreturnednumeroustimes.InaJapanesehospital,thepatientreceivedcareandexamination.Butlately,hehasexperiencedanincreaseinseverityofhissymptoms,withseveralsevereeczemalesionsanddryskinalloverthebody.ThepatientwasadmittedtotheNationalHospitalofDermatologyandVenereologysDepartmentofSkinDiseaseTreatmentforWomenandChildren.Followingsevendaysoftherapy,thepatientsskinwaslessdry,hehadnoeczemalesions,andhewasallowedtoleavethehospital.DoctorNguy?nDo?nTu?n,DepartmentofSkinDiseaseTreatmentforWomenandChildren,saidthegrowingnumberofforeignpatientsseekingmedicalcareinVi?tNamindicatesthatthenationshealthcaresystemisonparwiththatofdevelopednationsworldwide.AttheNationalHospitalofDermatologyandVenereology,weregularlyupdatenewmedicalknowledgeandmoderntreatmenttechniques,aswellasupgradefacilitiestoservemedicalexaminationandtreatmentforpeople,hesaid.Numerousotherhealthcareestablishments,likeCentralMilitaryHospital108andB?chMaiHospital,havealsodrawninternationalpatientsfordiagnosisandcare.Afteringestingchemicalsusedtocleantoiletsresultinginburnstoherupperdigestivetract,23-year-oldfemalepatientK.V.S.fromLaoshashaddifficultyeatingordrinkingforayear.Bythetimeshewasadmittedtothehospital,thepatienthaddroppedfromahealthy74kgtojust34kg.Shehadlosttheabilitytoswallowsolidfoodandwasunabletoevendrinkwater.Thepatientunderwentnumeroustherapies,includingstentimplantationandesophagealdilatation,atnumerousmedicalfacilitiesinVientiane,Laos,butnoneofthemweresuccessful.AssociateProfessorTr?nM?nhHùng,headoftheGeneralSurgeryDepartmentatB?chMaiHospital,saidthepatientwashospitalisedinastateofseveremalnutritionandsufferedburnstotheentireupperdigestivetractasaresultofacorrosivesubstancethatcausedtheentireesophagustocontract,narrow,andtighten.Thepatientunderwentamajoreight-houroperation,recoveredwell,andwasabletoeatporridgeonherowneightdayslater.ImprovedservicequalityTheCentralMilitaryHospital108recentlysuccessfullytreateda42-year-oldforeignmanwhosufferedfromurethraldamageduetoatrafficaccident.Afterundergoinglaparoscopicsurgerytoimplantaself-expandingurethralstent,asrecommendedbyphysicians,hewasabletorecuperatequickly.HesaidIsincerelyappreciatethephysiciansatCentralMilitaryHospital108.IwasgivencommittedcareassoonasIarrivedatthehospital.Ithinkthefacilityoffersexcellentmedicalcare.TheMinistryofHealthestimatesthateachyearabout300,000peoplefromabroadcometoVi?tNamformedicalexaminationandtreatment.ThisisoneofthegoalsstatedintheministrysProjecttoattractforeigners,Vietnameselivingabroadandhigh-incomeVietnamesetoreceivehigh-qualitymedicalexaminationandtreatmentinVi?tNamduringthe2020-2030period.TheenhancedqualityofhealthcareservicesinVi?tNam,alongwithmuchlowerexpensescomparedtooverseastreatment,aretwofactorsdrawingalargenumberofpatients.Vietnamesephysicianspossessskillscomparabletothoseofphysiciansinaffluentnations.—VNS

PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhcommendesthefourmenwhoriskedtheirlivestosavevictimsfromadeadlyhousefireinHàN?isHoànKi?mDistrictlastweek.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhascommendedthefourmenwhoriskedtheirlivestosavevictimsfromadeadlyhousefireinHàN?isHoànKi?mDistrict.TheblazebrokeoutatahouseinanalleyonTrungKínhStreetinTrungHòaward,C?uGi?yDistrict,ataround0:46amlastFriday,killingandinjuringmanypeople.Inaletterofcommendationtothem,thePMsaidthisisanextremelyseriousandheartbreakingincident,addinghewasmovedbytheheroicactsbythemenwhogotladdersandhammerstorescuethevictims.TheyhavesetshiningexamplesofthespiritofcourageanddemonstratedthetraditionofcompassionoftheVietnamesepeople,theleadersaid.HeaskedtheMinistryofPublicSecurity,themunicipalPeoplesCommitteeandrelevantagenciestoofferrewardstothem,whilecallingoncitizenstoraiseawarenessoffirepreventionandcontrol.Theleaderalsourgedcoordinationamongsectorsandadministrationsinseriouslyfollowingrelevantregulations,rollingoutonalargerscalegoodfirepreventionandcontrolmodels,andputtingforthincentivestoencouragethepublictojointheefforts.—VNSPortbusinesseshavesaidthatdredgingisessentialtoensureasafeanddeepchannelforshipsenteringandexitingthedock.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngNh?HàN?I—Anewdecreeondredgingatseaportwatersandinlandwaterwayshasbeenapproved,stressingcompliancewiththelawsonenvironmentprotectionandmarineresources.ThedocumentissettotakeeffectonJuly5.Thedecreestatesthatifthedredgedmaterialisdisposedofinanonshoreareaorlocationapprovedbytheprovincial-levelPeoplesCommittee,theprojectheadinvestor,organisationorindividualreceivingthematerialdoesnotneedtofollowregulationsonnaturalresourcesandminerals.Ifthedredgingactivityisassignedtoanorganisationorindividual,theprojectheadinvestorneedstoreporttotheprovincial-levelPeoplesCommitteeformanagement.Theymustalsodevisesolutionstostoreorhandlethedredgedmaterialstoensurethatnoenvironmentalpollutionoccursinthesurroundingarea.Inthecaseofseadumping,afterthedisposaliscompleted,theprojectheadinvestorisresponsibleforreportingtotheauthoritiesregardingthedisposalandenvironmentalmonitoringinthesurroundingarea.Inregardtothedredgedmaterialdisposallocations,theprovincial-levelPeoplesCommitteemustpublishtherelevantinformation,includingwhereitisscouting,notjustatitsheadquartersbutalsoonthelocale-portaleveryyear.ApplicationstoreceivedredgingmaterialscanbesenttotheprovincialPeoplesCommitteeattheoffice,viathepostoronlinepublicservicesystem.Regardingseadumping,thePeoplesCommitteewillcompileandannouncethelistofdisposallocations,includingthewaterssixnauticalmilesawayfromtheshore,onitse-portalandatitsheadquarters.Basedonthislist,investorscansubmitarequesttothePeoplesCommitteeforapprovalofmaterialdisposalfortheirprojectsorconstructionsites,whichmustbeissuedwithin30daysofrequestsubmission.Iftheapplicationisunsuccessful,theprovincialPeoplesCommitteemustdisclosethereasonsfortherequestdenialinawritingandnotifythemanagementofthedisposalareaofthedecision.Inrecentmonths,manybusinessesoperatinginBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincesseaportshavebeenunhappyabouttheirdredgingactivitiesbeingsubjectedtothesamefinancialobligationsofmineralmining.Thesecompaniessaidannualdredgingattheportwatersisessentialtoseaportbusinessoperations,asthisensuresasafeanddeeptransitforshipsenteringandexitingthedock.Theyexplaineddredgingisnotmineralminingorawayofmakingadditionalprofitsoutsidetheirmainoperations,whichmeansthistypeofdredgingshouldnotbesubjectedtotheobligationsasstatedintheminerallaw.InaninterviewwiththeGiaoth?ng(Transport)newspaper,arepresentativeoftheVi?tNamSeaportsAssociation(VPA)saidthatthisissuemustbepromptlyaddressedforseaportmarketdevelopmentandeconomicgrowth.Thehighcostsfordisposalofdredgedmaterialswillpushportbusinessestofindotherwaysforcapitalrecovery.Thiswillhaveadirectimpactonotherexpenses,especiallylogisticcosts,therebyaffectingimport-exportbusinessesandtheeconomyatlarge,saidtheVPArepresentative.—VNSPoliceofficersinvestigatethesiteoftheaccidentatLeochSuperPowerCoLtdinBìnhPh??cProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoBìNHPH??C—TheDepartmentofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsofthesouthernBìnhPh??cProvincehasestablishedtwoinspectionteamstolookintotwoseparatefatalaccidentsthatoccuredinCh?nThànhTownoverthepastweek.OnMay25,afemaleworkeratLeochSuperPowerCoLtdwasrepairingasteampipeinsideadryingchamberwhenthedoors,whereshewasstanding,suddenlystartedoperating.Theincidentcausedherfatalinjuries.Earlier,ontheafternoonofMay23,amaleworkerataplywoodproductioncompanyinthesametownwascaughtinamixersrotatingshaftwhenpouringflourintothemachine.HesuccumbedtohisinjuriesonSunday.Aprovincial-levelinvestigationteamcomprisingrepresentativesfromthelocaltradeunionandhealthdepartment,headedbythechiefinspectorofBìnhPh??cLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs,visitedtheaccidentsitestoworkwiththelocalpoliceandprocuracyagencies.Furtherinvestigationsarebeingcarriedout.—VNS

TherateofregularcigaretteuseamongadultmeninVi?tNamhasdecreasedbyanannualaverageof0.5percent.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Tobaccoisaburdenonsocietywithatotalcostofmedicalexamination,treatment,illnessandfatalityofVN?108trillion(US$4.24billion)ayear,healthminister?àoH?ngLantoldameetinginHàN?ionSunday.TheeventwasheldtocommemorateWorldNoTobaccoDay2024(May31)andtheNationalNo-TobaccoWeekfromMay25-31.LancitedstatisticsfromtheWorldHealthOrganisation(WHO)assayingthateachyearmorethan8milliondeathsarereportedtoberelatedtotobaccouseglobally.Theministersaidthatareportsummingupthe10-yearimplementationoftheLawonTobaccoHarmPreventionandControlshowsthattherateofregularcigaretteuseamongadultmendecreasedbyanannualaverageof0.5percent,from47.4percentin2010to38.9percentin2023Healthminister?àoH?ngLanaddressedtheeventonSunday.Thesmokingrateamongadolescentshasdecreased,from5.36percentin2013to2.78percentin2019intheagegroupof13-17,andthatofsecond-handsmokeexposurehasalsoreducedsignificantlyinhouseholdsandpublicplacesandatworkplaces.Theseareveryencouragingresultsintheworkofpreventingandcontrollingtheharmfuleffectsoftobacco,shesaidHowever,sheaddedthattheseachievementsareatriskduetotherapidincreaseintherateofnewtobaccouse,mainlyelectronicandheatedtobaccos.Notably,intheagegroupof13-15,theratedoubledfrom3.5percentin2022to8percentin2023,theministeremphasised.OnMay13,thePrimeMinisterissuedanofficialdispatchdirectingrelevantministries,sectorsandagenciestostrengthenmeasurestopromptlyprevente-cigarettesandheatedtobaccoproductsnationwide.WHORepresentativeinVi?tNamDrAngelaPrattsaidthatbanningelectronicandheatedcigarettes,andincreasingtobaccotaxeswillhelpthecountryachievethegoalssetoutintheVi?tNamHealthPlan,aswellasitsinternationalcommitmentstotheSustainableDevelopmentGoals.—VNSSeenfromabove,theburnedhousewaslocatedinadenselypopulatedarea.—VNA/VNSPhotoPhanTu?nAnhHàN?I—Fourbravecitizenswhohelpedrescuevictimstrappedinthefatalfirethatkilled14peopleintheearlyhoursofFridaymorninghavebeenawardedbytheC?uGi?yDistrictPeoplesCommitteefortheirheroicactions.AfterdiscoveringthefireatahouseonTrungKínhStreet,Ph?mQu?cLu?t,analuminiumandglassworkerwhoalsodrivesaGrabmotorbiketaxiatnight,immediatelyfoundaladder,hammerandothertoolstotrytosavepeople—despitethedanger.LocalresidentsNguy?nKimLong,??ngV?nTu?nandHoàngV?nTu?nalsocamequicklytoassistLu?t.Togethertheybrokeasecond-floorwall,wheresomepeopleweretrapped.OnSaturday,PartySecretaryofTrungHòaWardTr?nánhD??ngsaidthatthefourcitizensquickactiondemonstratedingenuityanddauntlessbravery.C?uGi?yDistrictleadershaveproposedthatthemenreceivecertificatesofmeritaswell.InvestigationandresponseMeanwhileHàN?iPolicehaveannouncedafurtherinvestigationintothetragicfire,asidentificationofthe14victimskilledisongoing.ThefiretookplacejustaftermidnightlastFridayinahouseonasmallalleyinTrungHòaWard.Itwasextinguishedafteraboutonehour.Rescueforcessavedsevenpeople,but14otherswerefounddead.ThemunicipalPoliceDepartmenthasdirectedthePoliceInvestigationAgencytoclarifyandstrictlyhandleviolationsbasedonapplicablelaws.TheC?uGi?yDistrictPolicewillcoordinatewithrelevantdepartmentsandagenciestovisit,encourageandsupportthevictimsfamiliestohelpthemquicklyovercomethefiresconsequences.Thehousewherethefireoccurredisafamilyhousewithroomsforrentandatotalareaofabout150sq.m.Sevenofthepropertyownersfamilymemberslivedthere,andmanyotherpeoplearealsoregisteredastenantsinthehouse.Thehostfamilyhadparticipatedintrainingonfireprevention,fightingandrescueorganisedbylocalauthorities.Immediatelyafterreceivinginformationaboutthefire,leadersoftheGovernment,NationalAssembly,municipalPartyCommittee,PeoplesCouncil,PeoplesCommitteeandFatherlandFrontcametothescenetodirectfirefighting,rescueandrecoverywork.ThevictimsfamiliesonFridayreceivedsupportofVN?50million(US$1,900)foreachfatalityandVN?30million($1,170)foreachinjuredperson.ChairmanoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommitteeTr?nS?Thanhissuedinstructionsonstrengtheningfireprevention,fightingandrescueforboardinghousesinthecity.HeassigneddistrictPeoplesCommitteestoreviewandcheckallboardinghousesinthearea.Theworkmustbecompletedbeforethemiddleofnextmonth.—VNS

AnaerialviewofCh?Townshipcentre,B?cGiangProvince.B?CGIANG–L?cNg?nDistrictinB?cGiangProvinceissteppingupitseffortstofulfilltherequirementsforthedevelopmentofCh?Townshipby2025.Thisplanisinharmonywiththeeconomic,socialandurbandevelopmentstrategiesoutlinedbytheprovincialauthorities.LocatedineasternB?cGiangProvince,L?cNg?nDistrictcoversanareaof1,032.53sq.km,featuringcomplexterrain.Theunevenpopulationdistributionposeschallengesinmanagement,administrationandtheimplementationofsocialwelfarepolicies,resultinginsignificantincomedisparitiesbetweenresidentsinthetownandthoseinthehighlandareas.Undertheplan,theprovinceaimstoexpandCh?TownshiptomeetClass-4urbanstandards.Thisexpansionwillincludetheentirenaturalareaoftencommunesandtownships:Ch?TownshipandcommunesofM?An,NamD??ng,QuyS?n,Ph??ngS?n,TrùH?u,KiênThành,KiênLao,H?ngGiang,andThanhH?i.Ch?Township,Ph??ngS?n,H?ngGiang,TrùH?u,andThanhH?icommunesareexpectedtomeetthecriteriaforwardstatus.Ch?isaimingtodevelopintoacentralurbanareaintheeasterneconomicregionoftheprovince,specialisinginagriculturalproduction,supplyingagriculturalmaterialsandproducinghigh-qualityspecialtyfruits.Itisalsosettobecomeahubforcultural,ecologicalandleisuretourism,aswellaslogistics,whilemaintainingastrongethnicculturalidentity.V??ngTu?nNgh?a,SecretaryoftheL?cNg?nDistrictPartyCommittee,highlightedtheexpansivescopeofL?cNg?n,including29communes,wardsandtownships.Ethnicminoritiesrepresentover65percentofthepopulationin19highlandcommunes.Hesaidthattheurbandevelopmentiscurrentlyconcentratedmainlyinthewesternpartoftheprovince,creatinganunevendistributionofurbangrowth.Itsessentialtoestablishacentralurbanareaintheeasternregion,includingS?n??ng,L?cNg?n,andL?cNamdistricts,torectifythisimbalanceandensurefairurbandevelopmentthroughouttheprovince.ExpandingCh?Townwillofferlocalresidentsaccesstourbaninfrastructure,promotingeconomicgrowth,labourproductivity,job,attractinginvestmentandenhancingoveralllivingstandards.ToachieveClass-4urbanstandardsby2025,L?cNg?nDistrictismobilisinginvestmentsandpushingaheadwith25urbaninfrastructureprojectstotalingoverVN?492billion.InfrastructuredevelopmentsynchronisationRecenteffortshavefocusedonurgentroadrenovation,sidewalkconstruction,greeneryimprovementandlightingsysteminstallation.StartedinearlyApril,theprojectisexpectedtocompletebymid-June.Weareacceleratingprogress,mobilisinglabourandmachineryforround-the-clockconstruction.Wearecommittedtocompletingtheprojectonemonthaheadofschedule,saidNguy?nV?ngM?nh,theprojectsofficer.Tr?nV?nNg?c,DeputyDirectoroftheL?cNg?nDistrictProjectManagementBoard,saidthatofthe25projectstargetingClass-4urbanstandardsforCh?Township,18arecomplete,withtherestongoing.Since2010,L?cNg?nDistricthasprioritisedinfrastructureinvestment,achievingsignificantimprovementsandimprovingresidentslivingstandards.Despiteprogress,significantdeficienciespersistinCh?Township,notablyineconomicandsocialinfrastructure.SecretaryNgh?aunderscoresthegoalforCh?tobecomeaneco-friendly,liveableurbanspace.Toachievethis,L?cNg?nDistrictispoolingresourcestoattractmajorinvestorsfortourismandcommercialprojects,whilefocusingonhigh-qualityfruitcultivation.Thedistrictalsoprioritisestechnicalinfrastructure,transportationandinvestmentsinindustry,logisticsandagriculture.—VNS

AconsultationworkshopwasheldtodiscussadraftstandardprocedureforhandlingsexualharassmentintheworkplaceinHCMCityonMay24.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhV?HCMCITY—HCMCityisbuildingastandardprocedureforhandlingactsthatareconsideredsexualharassmentintheworkplace.ThecitysDepartmentofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsonMay24incollaborationwiththeUnitedNationsEntityforGenderEqualityandtheEmpowermentofWomen(UNWomen)organisedaconsultationworkshoptodiscussthedraftstandardprocedureforhandlingsexualharassmentintheworkplaceinthecitydevelopedbyUNWomen.Speakingattheworkshop,UNWomenrepresentativeNguy?nTh?Di?uH?ngsaidthedraftstandardprocedureforhandlingsexualharassmentintheworkplacewillbeimplementedaccordingtotheprinciplesofconfidentialityandprivacyforbothcomplainantandcomplainee.Italsoensuresthatthepersoncomplainingofsexualharassmentandanyoneelseinvolvedwillnotfacenegativeeffectsduringtheprocedureprocess.Itisdevelopedbasedonlegalbasisandpractice.AccordingtotheprovisionsofArticle118ofthe2019LabourCode,everyemployershallissuetheirowninternallabourregulations.Anemployerthathasatleast10employeesshallhavewritteninternallabourregulations.Partofthecontentoftheinternallabourregulationsisactionsagainstsexualharassmentintheworkplace.Inaddition,employerregulationsonpreventingandcombatingsexualharassmentintheworkplaceinArticle85ofDecree145/2020detailandguidetheimplementationofanumberofarticlesoftheLabourCoderegardingworkingconditionsandindustrialrelations.H?ngsaidthedraftstandardprocedureforhandlingsexualharassmentwillbeimplementedthroughsevensteps,includingreceivingcomplaints;resolvinginternaldisputesthroughmediationifthecaseis‘notveryserious;appointingapersontoverifythecase;conductingverificationofthecase;notifyingtheverificationresult;anddisciplinaryactionandcompensation.Manyexpertsandrepresentativesofdepartmentsandagenciesalsoagreedthatitisnecessarytodevelopacoordinationprocesstohandlesexualharassmentcomplaintsintheworkplace.Whenthevictimofsexualharassmentisunabletoprovideorcollectevidenceofsexualharassmenttothepolice,itcanresultinaninabilitytorequestlegalaidtoprotecttheirrights,theysaid.Thisprocedureisexpectedtoextendtherightsofvictimstolegalaidupontheirrequest.Nguy?nH?ngHà,deputyheadoftheDivisionofLabour,WagesandSocialInsuranceunderthecitysDepartmentofLabour,WarInvalidsandSocialAffairs,saidenterprisesneedtoclearlyspecifysexualharassmentactsintheirlabourregulations.Ifthesexualharassmentacthascriminalelements,theenterprisemusttransferthecasetocompetentauthoritiesforhandling,shesaid.Nguy?nB?oKham,apoliceofficer,saiditistruethatinthecurrentcontext,Vi?tNamneedtodevelopastandardprocedureforhandlingsexualharassmentintheworkplace.Afterthepilotimplementation,adjustmentscouldbemadetosuittherealityofsociety,hesaid.Currently,ifasexualharassmentcomplaintintheworkplaceisnotresolvedsatisfactorily,thecomplaintcanbefiledwiththepolice.Thewardandcommunepolicewillreceiveitfirst,andreporttoahigherauthorityincaseofseriousviolations.Nguy?nT?ngMinh,deputydirectorofthecitysDepartmentofLabour,WarInvalidsandSocialAffairs,saidallcommentsandsuggestionswillbecollectedandresearchedtocompletethedraftstandardprocedureforhandlingsexualharassmentintheworkplace.—VNSAssociateProfessorBùiQuangHùng,deputydirectoroftheUniversityofEconomicsHCMCity,introducesFinTechNovationCredentials,acollaborativeinitiativespearheadedbytheuniversityandUnitedOverseasBank(UOB)Vietnam,ataninformationdayheldonJune7.—PhotocourtesyofUEHHCMCITY—TheUniversityofEconomicsHCMCity(UEH)onFridaykickedoffFinTechNovationCredentials,acollaborativeinitiativespearheadedbytheuniversityandUnitedOverseasBank(UOB)Vietnam.Theinitiative,sponsoredbytheSingaporeBusinessFederation,isaimedatcultivatingahighlyskilledworkforcecapableofdrivinginnovationandshapingthefutureoffinance,saidAssociateProfessorBùiQuangHùng,deputydirectorofUEH.Theprogrammewillbenefit1,000students,givingthemopportunitiestolearnskillsandobtainhands-onexperienceinthebusinesssector,hesaid.Ph?mTi?uGiang,teamleadofcountrystrategiccommunicationsandbrandatUOBVietnam,saidtheprogrammeisexpectedtobeexpandedtoprovidealearningopportunityforallVietnamesestudents.Theprogramme,whichisfacilitatedbyUEHInstituteofInnovation,encompassesacomprehensivecurriculumoftrainingcoursescalled‘FinTechMasterClass,anintensivebootcampnamed‘FinNovationBootcamp,andasandboxprogramme‘UIISandboxProgrammespecificallydesignedforstudentspursuingcareersinthefieldsoftechnology,finance,andbanking.TheFinTechMasterClassisahybridmodelofactivelearningandcase-methodteachingmasterclass,includingaseriesofonlineshortcoursesonvarioustopicsoffintech,andofflinesessionswithindustryexperts.FinNovationBootcampisaninnovationchallengethatcombinesanintensiveseriesoftrainingprogrammesandinterestingassignmentsforstudentsandyoungentrepreneursaboutthetopicofinnovationandfintech.UIISandboxProgrammeisa10-weekincubationprogrammedesignedforundergraduatestoaccelerateandtransformtheirbreakthroughideasintoviablebusinesses.—VNS

Nguy?nV?Qu?cHuy,rectoroftheHu?UniversityofMedicineandPharmacy,receivestheKnightoftheNationalOrderofMeritofFrancefromFrenchAmbassadortoVi?tNamOlivierBrochet.VNA/VNSPhotoT??ngViTH?ATHIêN-HU?TheKnightoftheNationalOrderofMeritofFrancehasbeenbestoweduponNguy?nV?Qu?cHuy,rectoroftheHu?UniversityofMedicineandPharmacy(HueUMP)undertheHu?UniversityinthecentralprovinceofTh?aThiên-Hu?,forhiscontributionstothebilateralrelations.ThisisoneofFrancestwohighestordersconferredonFrenchcitizensaswellasforeignnationalsfortheircontributions,commitmentsandsupport.AttheawardceremonyheldonJune8,FrenchAmbassadortoVi?tNamOlivierBrochetlaudedHuysscientificresearchachievementsandpracticalcontributionstorelationsbetweenthetwocountries,aswellasbetweenHueUMPandtheHu?University,anduniversitiesandorganisationsinFrance,especiallyinmedicalandFrenchlanguagefields.Forhispart,Huyexpressedhispridetoreceivesuchnobleorder,sayingitalsoacknowledgescontributionsbytheFrancophonecommunityandtheFrancophonemedicalcommunityinHu?andVi?tNamatlargeoverthepastyears,hesaid.Overthepast30years,hehascontributedtoacceleratingtheestablishmentofrelationswithmanypartnersincludinguniversities,hospitals,regionsandnon-governmentalorganisationsofFranceandtheinternationalFrancophonecommunity.HehasalsoplayedaroleinpromotingspecialisedFrenchlanguagecoursesandFrench-Vietnameseculturalexchanges,therebycreatingopportunitiesforyoungdoctorstostudyinFranceforatleastoneyear.VNSThedamagedpiglorrybeingcrushedtosmithereensatthesceneoftheaccident.VNA/VNSPhotoHàT?NH—Amulti-vehicletrafficaccidentoccuredonSaturdaymorningatNationalHighway1throughC?mTh?nhCommune,C?mXuyênDistrict,HàT?nh,andkilledthreepeople,accordingtotheHàT?nhTrafficPoliceDepartment.Accordingtothereport,whiletravellingonNationalHighway1throughHàT?nh,alorrytransportingpigsunexpectedlycollidedwithtwoothervehicles.Theaccidentresultedinthedeathsofthreepeoplewhowereonthepiglorry.Atapproximately6amonSaturday,thepiglorry,bearingthelicenceplate38C-180.65,wastravellingonNationalHighway1.AsthelorryturnedtoapetrolstationinC?mTh?nhCommune(C?mXuyênDistrict),itcollidedwithacarwithaHàN?ilicenceplatethatwastravellinginthesamedirection.Thestrongimpactcausedthepiglorrytobethrownintotheoppositelane,whereitthencollidedwithatractor-trailerwiththelicenceplate63C-076.68travellingintheoppositedirection.Theaccidentresultedintheimmediatedeathofthreepeopleonthepiglorry,withtwobodiestrappedinthecabin.AllthreevictimswereidentifiedasresidentsofC?mHàCommune,C?mXuyênDistrict.Atthescene,allthreevehicleswereseverelydamaged,withthepiglorrycrushedanditscabinseparatedfromthevehiclebody.Authoritiesquicklyarrivedatthesceneoftheaccidenttoregulatetrafficandextractthetrappedbodiesfromthecabin.Thecauseoftheaccidentiscurrentlyunderinvestigationbytherelevantauthorities.VNS

InMay2024,theBritishUniversityVietnam(BUV)andtheCentreforForeignAffairsandLanguagesTraining(CEFALT)ofVietnamsMinistryofForeignAffairsjoinedforcesinanalliancetoenhancelanguageeducationandlifelonglearninginHoChiMinhCity.ThesigningceremonyoftheMemorandumofUnderstanding(MOU)wasperformedbyProf.RickBennett–BUVDeputyVice-ChancellorandVice-PresidentandMr.MaiAnhThai–CEFALTDirector.Thecollaboration,sealedwithaMemorandumofUnderstanding(MOU)signedbyProf.RickBennett–BUVDeputyVice-ChancellorandVicePresidentandMr.MaiAnhThai–CEFALTDirector,aimstoelevatelanguageteachingstandardsandfostercontinuouslearningopportunities.Thesigningceremony,gracedbyMs.EmilyHamblin-theBritishConsulGeneralinHoChiMinhCity-andMr.TranPhuocAnh-DirectorGeneraloftheHCMCDepartmentofForeignAffairs-markedasignificantamilestoneinthisendeavour.ThispartnershipfocusesonenhancingforeignlanguagetrainingandEnglisheducationthroughinnovativeteachertrainingprogramsandexchangeinitiatives.Thepartnershipwillalsospearheadjointresearchanddevelopmentinitiativestoimproveeducationalapproaches,includingmodernteachingmethodsandtheincorporationofAIintoeducation.Notably,BUVsSchoolofPathways,EnglishandLifelongLearning(SPELL)andCEFALTwilljointlydeveloptheBUV-HCMCLifelongLearningCentreatCEFALTtopromoteBritisheducation,exchangeknowledgebetweenBUVandpartners,organisationsandbusinessesinHoChiMinhCity.Ms.EmilyHamblin-theBritishConsulGeneralinHoChiMinhCityspeakingatthemeeting.Witnessingthemeaningfulmilestone,Ms.EmilyHamblin-theBritishConsulGeneralinHoChiMinhCitysaid:BUV,knownasthepremiumUKeducationhubinVietnam,hasbeenabeaconofBritisheducationexcellenceinVietnamandsince2008.BUVhascontinuallydemonstrateditscommitmenttoprovidingworld-classeducationandfosteringinternationalpartnerships.Likewise,CEFALTsdedicationtoenhancinglanguageproficiencyandprofessionalskillsalignsperfectlywithBUVsvisionforholisticeducation.TheConsulGeneralexpressedastrongbeliefthatthepromotionoftrainingprogramsforeducators,staffandprofessionalsinEnglishlanguageproficiencyandessentialskillsisaboutmorethanjustimprovingindividualcapabilities;itisalsoaboutupliftingVietnamscapacityinhumanworkforcedevelopment,empoweringcommunities,drivinginnovationandfosteringlifelonglearning.RepresentativesfromBUVandCEFALTattheMOUsigningceremony.Prof.Dr.RaymondGordon-BUVVice-ChancellorandPresident-said:BUVandCEFALTarecommittedtoenhancingthequalityoftheworkforcebyimplementingcomprehensivetrain-the-trainerprograms,ensuringthateducatorsarewell-equippedtoinspireandeducatefuturegenerations.Thispartnershipembodiesoursharedvisionoffosteringavibrant,knowledgeable,andskilledcommunity.Mr.MaiAnhThai-CEFALTDirector-said:ThecollaborationbetweenBUVandCEFALTextendsbeyondacademicpursuits.Together,weenvisiontheestablishmentoftheBUV-HCMCLifelongLearningCenteratCEFALT,atestamenttoourcommitmenttopromotingtheBritisheducationsystemandfosteringknowledgeexchangewithinthevibrantlandscapeofHoChiMinhCity.ThecollaborationbetweenBUVandCEFALTaimstointroduceinnovativeprograms,facilitateknowledgeexchangeandimprovelearningopportunitiesforstudents,educatorsandprofessionalsinHoChiMinhCityandthesurroundingareas.ThisinitiativeisthelatesteffortbyBUV,atrustedpartnerofboththeVietnameseandUKgovernments,tobridgethenationsandconnectpeopleandculturesthrougheducation,asithasdoneforthepast15years.BUVisthefirstandonlyinternationaluniversityinVietnamauthorisedtodeliveruniversitydegreesfromtheUK.BUVisVietnamsfirstandonly5-starQuacquarelliSymonds(QS)certifiedinstitution,aswellasthefirstuniversityinVietnamandASEANtoreceiveglobalqualityaccreditationbyQAA,theQualityAssuranceAgencyforUKHigherEducation.BUVsdynamiccurriculumisdesignedtostayaheadofindustrytrendsbycombiningtheoryandpractice,ensuringthat100%ofstudentsareemployedorpursuinghighereducationwithinthreemonthsofgraduation.Theexpansive6.5-hectarecampus,withatotalplannedinvestmentof165millionUSD,embodiessustainabilityandoffersanenrichingenvironmentforacademicandpersonaldevelopment.ConstructionworkerspourconcreteontheLongThànhInternationalAirportsrunway.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nC?ngPhongHàN?I—TheMinistryofTransporthasproposedtothePrimeMinisterthattheState-ownedAirportsCorporationofVi?tNam(ACV)beinchargeofdrawinguptheplansforthenextphaseoftheLongThànhInternationalAirportProject.ItcomesafterthePrimeMinisterinstructedthemtocontactrelevantagenciestodraftthenextstagesoftheworkthatneedstobedone,followingthecompletionofPhase1in2026.Accordingtoprojectdossiers,ACVhasdevelopedabusinessstrategytogatherfundsforPhase2andaroughschemeforPhase3.Phase2isexpectedtocostVN?48trillion(US$1.9billion)andtobecovertheperiod2028to2032.LongThànhInternationalAirportisbeingbuiltonanareaof5,000hainthesouthernprovinceof??ngNaiProvince,withatotalfinalcapacityof100millionpassengersandfivemilliontonnesofcargoannually.Phase1isprojectedtobeputintooperationin2026,withanannualcapacityof25millionpassengersand1.2milliontonnesofcargo.InPhase2,theairportwillbeexpandedwithanadditionalopen-configurationrunwayandterminaltoservice50millionpassengersperyear.WhenPhase3iscompleted,theairportwillbethelargestairportinVi?tNamandoneofthebusiesttransitairportsintheregion.Thetotalestimatedinvestmentfortheprojectisapproximately$16billion.—VNS