DoctorsatChildrensHospital2inHCMCityperformorgantransplantsurgeryonachild.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—ChildrensHospitalNo.2inHCMCityhasrecentlyperformedalivertransplantforathree-year-oldchildwithBudd-Chiarisyndrome,ararevasculardisorderoccurringinonly1in1,000,000people.ThisisthefirstlivertransplantforachildwiththesyndromeinVi?tNamandthe36thlivertransplantperformedatChildrensHospitalNo.2.AccordingtoDr.Nguy?nH?ngVanKhánh,deputyheadoftheHepatobiliaryandTransplantationDepartment,thethree-year-oldgirlfromBìnhThu?nProvincewasdiagnosedwithBudd-Chiarisyndrome,whichcausedtheveinsthatcarrybloodawayfromthelivertobecomenarrowedorblocked.Beforethelivertransplant,thechildexperiencedmultipleepisodesofgastrointestinalbleeding,requiringseveralhospitalisationsforinternaltreatment,Khánhsaid.Byearlythisyear,thechildhadprogressedtocirrhosisandliverfailure,necessitatingalivertransplant,sheadded.Duringthetransplant,thedoctorsidentifiedthatthechildhadahighriskofdevelopingpost-transplantbloodclotsandwouldrequireprolongedanticoagulanttherapy.Thepresenceofextensivecollateralcirculationmadethesurgerycomplex.Moreover,abnormalitiesintheinferiorvenacavarequiredvascularreconstructionduringtheprocedure.Eightdayspost-transplant,thechildcouldeatorallywithoutsupportandisgraduallyrecovering.Dr.BùiH?iTrung,deputyheadoftheHepatobiliaryandTransplantationDepartment,saidthatsuchlivertransplantsarerarenotonlyinVi?tNambutalsoworldwide.Performingthistransplantwashighlyrisky,Trungsaid.Thesuccessoftheprocedureheavilydependedontheconnectionofthehepaticartery,aspost-transplanthepaticarterythrombosiscanresultina20percentmortalityrate,headded.ThefirstpaediatriclivertransplantatChildrensHospitalNo.2wasperformedbackinMay2005.Initially,thenumberoflivertransplantswaslimitedduetoconstraintsinmanpowerandequipment.Additionally,organtransplantationactivities,includinglivertransplants,wereinterruptedduetoexternalconditions.PostCOVID-19,thehospitalintensifieditspaediatriclivertransplantactivities.Todate,thehospitalhasperformed36livertransplantsand30kidneytransplants.ByApril30,2025,thehospitalaimstoinauguratetheSouthernRegionalPaediatricTransplantCentre,expandingtohearttransplantsforchildren,alongsideregularliver,kidney,andstemcelltransplants.Dr.Ph?mNg?cTh?ch,deputydirectorofChildrensHospitalNo.2,notedthatabout200childrenwithliverfailureareawaitingtransplantsatthehospital,with20alreadyhavingidentifieddonors.Unlikechildrenwithkidneyfailurewhohavealternativetreatmentoptions,childrenwithliverfailurerelysolelyonlivertransplantsforsurvival.Thewaitingperiodforalivertransplantinchildrenisconsideredthegoldentime;failuretoreceiveatransplantwithinthisperiodresultsindeath.Tragically,manychildrenhavenotsurvivedthewaitforalivertransplant.Therefore,untiltheestablishmentofthePaediatricTransplantCentre,ChildrensHospitalNo.2willcontinuetoenhanceitslivertransplantprogrammetosavemorechildren.—VNS

On-sitequarantineareainamotelroominB?cGiangProvince.VNA/VNSPhotoB?CGIANG—AnotherpositivecaseofdiphtheriainB?cGiangProvince,reportedB?cGiangHealthDepartmentonWednesdaynight.ThepatientisnamedasB.H.G,bornin1995,fromthenorthernprovinceofHoàBìnhandcurrentlylivinginTrungHòaHamlet,MaiTrungCommune,Hi?pHòaDistrictofB?cGiangProvince.HeworksatanInternetcaféinthedistrictsTrungTamHamletofH?pTh?nhCommune.Heisoneofthefifteenclosecontacts(F1)ofthepatientMoongTh?B,whowastheroommateofastudentwithdiphtheriawhoseconditionturnedfatalearlyJuly5morning.UponconductinganepidemiologicalinvestigationofB.H.Gscase,authoritiesidentifiedthatfromthenightofJuly2to5,GregularlywentfromhislodgingtotheInternetcafétohavedinnerwithpatientMoongTh?B.OnJuly3and4,GvisitedtheS?ngQuêkaraokebarinH?pTh?nhCommune,wherehesanganddrankbeerwiththreeotherpatronswhoseidentitiesandwhereaboutsremainunknown,beforereturningtohislodging.FromJuly4to6,Gstayedinhisroomanddidnotgoout.OnJuly7,uponlearningthatMoongTh?Bhadtestedpositive(F0),GreportedhisepidemiologicalinformationattheH?pTh?nhCommuneHealthStationandthenquarantinedhimselfinhisroom.HeunderwentthefirsttestonJuly7,whichcamebacknegative.Twodayslater,Gwastestedagainandgotpositivefordiphtheria.HewasthentransferredtotheNationalHospitalofTropicalDiseases,??ngAnhfacility,inHàN?ifortreatment.Aftertracing,healthauthoritiesidentifiedsevenindividualswhohadclosecontactwithpatientGwhowereamongthefifteenpreviouslyidentifiedF1contactsandhadbeenundermedicalquarantinesinceJuly7.Immediatelyafterdiscoveringthecase,B?cGiangHealthDepartmentinstructedtheMaiTrungCommuneHealthStationtodisinfectGslodgingandsurroundingenvironment.Theyalsomonitoredthehealthandtoldhisclosecontactstoisolateathome,aswellasprescribedpreventiveantibioticsforsevendays.Healthmonitoringwillcontinueforfourteendaysfromthelastclosecontactwiththeconfirmedcase.Additionally,theHi?pHòaDistrictHealthCentreintensifiedcommunicationeffortsaboutdiphtheriapreventionmeasures,thebenefitsofvaccination,andensuringcompleteandtimelyvaccinations.TheyreviewedthevaccinationstatusofchildreninthedistrictwhohadnotreceivedorhadnotcompletedthethreedosesoftheBH-HG-UV-VGB-HibandDPT4vaccines,organisingcatch-upvaccinationsduringregularsessionstoensuresafety.—VNSTrafficpoliceinQu?ngTr?chDistrict,Qu?ngBìnhProvince,weighvehiclessuspectedofbeingoverloaded.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Trafficpolicenationwidehaverevokednearly500drivinglicencesafterinspectingover26,960casesinthefirstweekofJuly.Thetrafficpolice,viatheVNeIDapplication,focusedonviolationsleadingtoaccidents,documenting6,892casesandseizing2,000licences,withastrongemphasisonalcohol-relatedoffences.Effortstocombatillegalracingandenforcehelmetuseforridersonmotorcyclesandelectricbicyclesareongoing.Onrailways,inspectionsandenforcementoftrafficrulesatlevelcrossings,securityregulationsandoperationalcompliancebyrailwaystaffwereintensified.Thewaterwaypolicehavetargetedoverloadingbeyondsafewaterlinemarks,non-compliancewithregistrationandinspectionregulations,vesselmodificationandrepair,crewandoperatorregulationsandportmanagement.Inthefirstsixmonthsof2024,thetrafficpoliceforceinspectedandhandledover2.13millioncasesoftrafficorderandsafetyviolationsonroads,railwaysandwaterways,imposingfinestotallingVN?4trillion(nearlyUS$156million),revoking407,700drivinglicences,andseizingover715,400vehicles.Comparedtothesameperiodin2023,therewasanincreaseofnearly450,700caseshandledandanincreaseinfinesbyVN?800billion.Alcohol-relatedtrafficaccidentsdecreasedby37.6percent,therewasa66.2percentdropinthenumberoffatalitiesand11percentfallinthenumbersinjuredinaccidents.—VNS

Amedicalworkerspraysdisinfectantatapreschoolwithchildrensufferingfromhand-foot-mouthdiseaseinPhúYênProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoT??ngQuanHàN?I—TheMinisterofHealth(MoH)hasaskedprovincesandcitiestostrengthendiseasepreventionduringsummerthisyear.Therequirementwasreleasedaftertheinfectiousdiseasesurveillancesystemshowsthatcurrently,anumberofepidemicssuchasdenguefever,hand-foot-mouthdiseaseandmeaslesareontherise.TheMoHsaidthatthecountryisexperiencinghotandrainysummerweatheranditisalsothepeaktourismseason,withincreasedriskofsickness,especiallymeaslesanddenguefever.Toproactivelydeployinfectiousdiseasespreventionandcontrol,theMoHrequestslocalitiestopromotemonitoringandearlydetectionofsuspectedcasesandoutbreaksinthecommunity,aswellasatmedicalfacilities.Affectedareasandpatientsmustbequarantinedandsamplesmustbetakentoidentifypathogens.HealthunitsshouldworkcloselywiththeNationalInstituteofHygieneandEpidemiologyandthePasteurInstitutetoassessrisks,analysethesituationtodeploymeasures,handleoutbreaksandorganisevaccinationcampaigns.Localitiesmustpushupregularvaccinationtoensuresafetyandeffectiveness,reviewandholdadditionalvaccinationforthosewhohavenotbeenvaccinatedorhavenotreceivedenoughvaccinations.Medicalfacilitiesshouldencouragefamiliestogetchildrenandpregnantwomenvaccinatedfullyandonschedule.TheMoHdemandshealthstationstoensuregoodandactivetreatment,minimisingseriouscomplicationsanddeaths,strictlyimplementpersonalprotectionmeasures,infectioncontrolmeasuresandcross-infectionprevention.Theirdutyisalsotoprovidetimelyandcompleteinformationoninfectionpreventionmeasuresforpatientsandcaregivers.Localitiesareresponsiblefororganisingactivitiestoeducatepersonalhygieneandfoodhygiene,andlaunchingenvironmentalsanitationcampaigns.Provincesandcitieswillreviewandensurethereadinessoflogistics,drugsandmedicalequipmenttomeettherequirementsofepidemicpreventionandcontrol.Thelocalhealthsectorwillconducttrainingtoimprovecapacityinmonitoring,detecting,investigatingpathogens,outbreaktreatmentmeasuresandguidanceondiagnosis,treatment,firstaidandresuscitation.—VNSLeadersoftheMinistryofConstructionchairtheconference.—Photobaochinhphu.vnHàN?I—TheMinistryofConstruction(MoC)willpromotecoordinationwithministriesandlocalstoremovedifficultiesindevelopingsocialhousingaccordingtotheGovernmentsdirection,expertssaidinaconferenceheldonWednesdayinHàN?i.AttheMoCsconferencetoreviewtheworkduringthefirstsixmonthsthisyearandsettasksfortheremainderoftheyear,??uMinhThanh,theChiefoftheoffice,saidthatsince2021,503socialhousingprojectshavebeenstartedoverthecountrywith418,200houses.Amongthem,75projectshavebeencompleted,offering39,884houses.ThisyearsoveralltargetsetbytheGovernmentisfor130,000socialhousestobecompletednationwide.Thus,thenumberofcompletionwasfarfromthetargetassignedbytheGovernment,saidThanh.FutureplanOneofthekeytasksoftheMoCfortheremainingmonthsofthisyearisurginglocalitiestoimplementtheprojectBuildingatleastonemillionsocialhousesforlow-incomeearnersandindustrialzoneworkersintheperiod2021-30.Atthesametime,theministrywillproactivelyproposesolutionstorebalancesupplyanddemand,restructuretherealestatemarket,increasehousingsupply,strengthenforecastinformationandrespondwhenthemarkethasunusualfluctuations.DirectoroftheHàN?iDepartmentofPlanningandArchitectureNguy?nTr?ngK?Anhsaidthatthedepartmenthadproposedninelandareasforbuildingsocialhousingwithanareaofabout600hainCh??ngM?,Qu?cOai,Hà??ng,ThanhTrì,Th??ngTín,?anPh??ng,??ngAnh,GiaLamandtheMêLinhdistricts.LandfundsforsocialhousingdevelopmentareasolidbasisforthecapitalcitytocompletetargetassignedbythePrimeMinisterfortheperiod2021-30andstabilisetherealestatemarketandlocaleconomy,hesaid.Alsoattheconference,MinisterofConstructionNguy?nThanhNgh?suggestedsolutionsinoverallmanagementandadministration.Herequestedunitstofirmlygraspthedomesticandinternationalsituationtohaveaccurateforecasts,timelyadviceandeffectiveandpracticalmeasuresready.Alongwithtighteningdisciplineandorder,theconstructionindustrywillapplyinformationtechnologyindirection,managementandadministration,reviewtheassignmentoftaskstowardsthemottoofrightpeople-rightjobs-rightstrengths,saidNgh?.Fromthere,wewillcompletelyovercomethesituationofavoidingduty,notdaringtodothings,notdaringtotakeresponsibility.Thesectorwillalsoenhancetheresponsibilityofleaders,promoteinter-ministerialandlocalcoordination,whileimplementingtheministrysstatemanagementfunction.TheMoCwantstoinnovateitsapproachandcloselygrasplocalsituationstojointlysolvearisingproblemsandcreateconsensusintheworkimplementationprocess.—VNSThebridgeonHCMCitysfirstmetrolinespanningtheSàiGònRiver.Buildingaself-drivingtramlinerunningoncanalsisproposedtohelpreducecongestionintheTanS?nNh?tairportsvicinity.—VNA/VNSPhotoAnHi?uHCMCITY—Aprivateinvestorhasproposedtobuildaself-drivingtramlinerunningonHCMCityscanalstoreducecongestionnearTanS?nNh?tairport.AccordingtothecitysDepartmentofTransport,thelinewouldrunbetweenTanS?nNh?tAirportinTanBìnhDistrictand??mSenCulturalParkinDistrict11.Itwouldhavealengthofnearly30kmandanestimatedcostofaboutVN?20trillion(US$780million).PhanC?ngB?ng,deputydirectorofthemunicpalDepartmentofTransport,saidthedepartmenthassentadocumenttothecitysDepartmentofPlanningandArchitectureandtheUrbanRailwayManagementBoardtoseektheiropinionsontheproposaloftheHàN?i-basedTh?chBànParkJSC.Theworkisplannedtobecarriedoutinthreephases.ThefirstphasewillbefromtheairporttoNguy?nKi?uIsletinDistrict4withalengthof12.7kmrunningalongNhiêuL?c-Th?NghèCanal.Inthesecondphase,itwillbeextendedfromtheislettoBàTàngBridgeinDistrict8,adistanceof5.7km,along??iCanal.Thethirdphaseisan11.5kmsectionfromBàTàngBridgetotheintersectionofHoàngV?nTh?andútT?chstreetsalongTanHóa(chǎn)CanalandL?cLongQuanStreet.Accordingtothecompany,theworkisexpectedtoproceedsmoothlysinceitwillrunalongcanals,therefore,thereisnoproblemwithlandacquisitionandclearancechallenges.Itwouldmainlybebuiltofsteel,allowingmassproductioninfactoriestospeedupprogress,itsaid.Self-drivingtramshavetheadvantageofswitchinglaneseasilycomparedtomonorails,andthecostisalsolower,itsaid.Theworkisexpectedtobecompletedinfiveyears.Itwouldaddresscongestionneartheairportwhilealsohelpingdevelopthecitysurbanrailnetwork,itsaid.Themainstationswillbeconnectedtothemetrosystem.Thecityplanstobuildeightmetroroutesandthreetramlineswithatotallengthof220kmatanestimatedcostof$25billion.ThefirstmetrolinebetweenB?nThànhMarketinDistrict1andSu?iTiênThemeParkinTh???ccityisalmostcomplete,withthelatestplansayingitshouldbeputintooperationthisyear,andworkhasstartedonthesecond.ItisfundedbyofficialdevelopmentaidloansandtheGovernment.Theremaininglinesareintheplanningstage.Therehavebeennospecificplansforthetramlines.—VNS

HàN?I—Parentsareexpectedtohavegreaterautonomyindecidingthenumberofchildrentohaveandthetimingbetweenchildbirthsinanefforttoimprovethecountrysbirthrate,accordingtothedraftpopulationlaw.Theirdecisionsshouldbebasedontheirhealthandfinancialconditions,accordingtotheproposalbytheMinistryofHealth(MoH).ThisisseenasaradicalchangecomparedtothecurrentPopulationOrdinance,whichcalledforeachcoupleorindividualtohaveonetotwochildren,withexceptionstoberegulatedbythegovernment.Vi?tNamissuedthePopulationOrdinancein2003,whichwasamendedin2008.Thelawaimstoaddresspopulationchallengesatthetime,includingbirthrateandpopulationdistribution.Whentheordinancecameintoeffect,Vi?tNamhadnotachievedreplacement-levelfertilityuntil2006.Aroundthesametime,genderimbalanceatbirthbecamemorepronounced.Thecountryspopulation,nowstandsatover100million,enteredthe‘goldenperiodin2007andtheageingphasein2011.The‘goldenpopulationhascreatedacompetitiveedgeforVi?tNaminitssocio-economicdevelopment,alongsidebetterpopulationdistributionaswellasimprovedhumanresourcequality,ahigherhumandevelopmentindex(HDI)andlongeraveragelifeexpectancy.TheMoHhascalledforchangestoupdatethePopulationOrdinanceinalignmentwiththecurrentsituation.ThismeanstakingintoaccountchangesinthePartysdirectioninshiftingfromfamilyplanningtopopulationdevelopment,radicallyaddressingissuesrelatedtopopulationsize,structure,distributionandquality,aswellasrights,responsibilitiesandframeworksfordifferentstakeholdersinpopulationmanagement.Intheimpactassessmentreportonthepopulationlawproject,whichisopenforpubliccomments,theMoHsaidthatthereplacement-levelfertilitylevelisatthelowestinthepast12yearsandisexpectedtocontinuedeclining.Vi?tNamstotalfertilityratein2022was2.01childrenperwoman.In2023,thisfigurewasestimatedat1.96.Thereportalsohighlightssignificantfertilityratedisparitiesbetweengroupsandregions.Thetendencytohavefewchildrenornoneatallhasbeenemerginginurbanareas,whereeconomicconditionsarehigh.Meanwhile,inseveralareaswithsocio-economicchallenges,fertilityratesremainelevated,reaching2.5childreninsomelocations.Tosustainablymaintainthereplacementfertilitylevelof2.1childrenperwomannationwide,theMoHproposesparentsshouldhavehigherautonomyinchildbirth.TheMoHexpectsthatthismeasurewillpreventbirthratesfromplummeting,resultinginaseverelyageingpopulationanditsadverseimpactsonsocio-economicdevelopmentaswellasnationalsecurityanddefence.—VNSProfessorNguy?nQuangTu?n.—VNA/VNSPhotoT?tS?nHàN?I—ProfessorNguy?nQuangTu?n,57,formerdirectorofB?chMaiHospitalandHàN?iHeartHospital,whowenttoprisononchargeofcorruptioninmedicalbidding,isworkingasaninternatHàN?i-basedH?uNgh?Hospitaltoobtainanewprofessionalcertification.Sourcestoldlocalmediathatafterreceivingtheapplication,thehospitalfacilitatedTu?nsinternshipinaccordancewithregulations.ThesourcesalsosaidthatTu?nmuststartfromscratchlikeafreshmedicalgraduatetoqualifyforprofessionalcertification.Tu?nstartedhisinternshiponJuly1.Asperregulations,Tu?nwillneedtointernfor12months.Aftercompletingtheinternshipperiod,Tu?ncanproceedwithapplyingforanewprofessionalcertification.Oncehegetsthathecanresumemedicalpracticeandprescription-writing,thesourcessaid.Tu?nisreportedlyworkingintheinternalmedicinedepartmentofthehospital.Regulationsstipulatethatdoctorsmustinternforninemonthsininternalmedicinedepartmentsandthreemonthsintheintensivecare.Previously,Tu?nwassentencedtothreeyearsinprison(includingthedetentionperiod)forviolatingregulationsonbidding,causingseriousconsequencesonApril2023bythePeoplesCourtofHàN?i.In2012,Tu?nwasappointedasDirectorofHàN?iHeartHospital.Theindictmentstatedthatsince2015,Tu?nallowedtwocompanies--HoàngNgaMedicalEquipmentJSCandKimHòaPhátBiotechnologyJSC--tosendmedicalsuppliestobeusedinadvancebythehospital.Afterextensivebiddingprocedureswerelegitimatelycompleted,shortenedbiddingroutewasdesignatedandTu?napprovedthedecisionforthesetwocompaniestowinthecontractforextensivepackagesin2016andfourdesignatedpackagesin2017.Tu?nandother11defendantsofthecaseabusedtheirpositionstoillegallyinterveneinbiddingactivities,thecourtdecided.Theycarriedoutmanyviolationsfromthebiddingdossier,unitprice,type,quantityofstentsandothermedicalsupplies.ThedefendantsatthehospitalcolludedwiththedefendantsatAIC–Vi?tNamValuationandInvestmentJSC,toissueappraisalcertificatesattherequestandafixedpriceofthehospital,whichTu?napproved.ThisensuredthatthetwocompanieswonthebidsandsoldmedicalequipmentinviolationoftheProcurementLaw,causingmorethanVN?53.6billion($2.2million)indamagestothehospitalandtheSocialInsuranceFundacrossallfivebiddingpackages.Thecourtpointedoutthatitwasaveryseriouscase,infringingontheStateseconomicmanagementorderinthebiddingfortheprocurementofmedicalequipmentandsupplies,affectingthereputationofthehealthsectorandthehospital,causinginsecurityamongthepeopleandgoingagainstthecurrentfightagainstcorruption.Tu?n,whoheldthehighestpositionattheHàN?iHeartHospital,hadtobearthehighestresponsibilityfortheviolations.ButthecourtalsodeterminedthatTu?ncommittedthecrimewhilethehealthsectorfacedmanydifficultiesandtheprocurementofmedicalsuppliescouldnotbemetintimeduetoshortcomingsoflegalregulations.ThecourtalsotooknoticeofthefactthatTu?nwasaleadingphysicianwithprofessionalqualificationsinthefieldofcardiologyandwashighlyregardedbybothdomesticandinternationalexperts.Thecourtheardthatduringhiswork,hewasawardedmanynoblemedals,trainedgenerationsofdoctorsandsavedmanylives.Duringtheinvestigationandatthetrial,Tu?nwassincere,repentantandattemptedtoremediatetheconsequences.Healreadyreturned$10,000thathereceivedfromHoàngNgaMedicalEquipmentJSCandVN?6billion($256,000).Thesewerebelievedtobeextenuatingcircumstancestomitigatethesentenceforhim,thecourtsaid.Tu?nisnotprohibitedfromassumingpositionsorpractisinghisprofession,hecanresumepractisingimmediatelyuponreceivinghiscertification.In2018,Tu?nwasrecognisedbytheStateCouncilforProfessorofVi?tNamforachievingthestandardofProfessorinMedicinein2017andwasawardedthehighestprizeintheVietnameseTalentAwardsinthemedicalfieldforthetopicInterventionofcoronaryarterystenosisviastentplacement.InMarch2020,Tu?nwasappointeddirectorofB?chMaiHospital.Atthattime,theCOVID-19pandemicwasongoingandtheimagesofdoctorsfromB?chMaiHospitalappearedinalmosteveryregionsupportingpandemicpreventionefforts.—VNS

E-cigarettesamplesaredesignedtoresembletoysandmilkcartonstoattractchildren.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Thenumberofhospitalisationsduetoelectroniccigaretteusehasbeenincreasingrecently,withmostcasesinvolvingyoungpatientsexperiencingacutepoisoning.Inthefirstsixmonthsof2024,thePoisonControlCentreatHàN?isB?chMaiHospitalhastreatedaround100casesofe-cigarettepoisoning.OnJune26,a20-year-oldmaninHàN?iwasrushedtoB?chMaiHospitalafterfallingintoacomaandsufferingmultipleorgandamageduetousinge-cigarettes.Around4amthatday,hisfamilyheardstrangenoisesandfoundhimconvulsingandunconscious.HewasimmediatelytakentoanearbyhospitalandthentransferredtothePoisonControlCentreinacomatosestatewithrespiratoryfailure,multipleorgandamage,brainandheartinjuries,severemetabolicacidosisandkidneyfailure.Testsonthee-cigarettehehadusedrevealedthepresenceofsyntheticcannabis.Theyoungmanhadahistoryofusinge-cigarettesformanyyearsandhadpreviouslybeenhospitalisedfore-cigarettepoisoningin2023.DrNguy?nTrungNguyên,DirectorofthePoisonControlCentresaid:Inthefirstsixmonthsof2024alone,thecentrereceivedapproximately100casesofe-cigarettepoisoning.Incontrast,intheyears2022and2023,thecentrereceivednearly130casesofhospitalisationforthesamereason.Notably,manytestsonpatientse-cigaretteshavereturnedpositiveresultsfordrugs.AsurveyconductedbythePoisonControlCentreone-cigarettesamplesusedby120patientsrevealedthat16ofthesesamplestestedpositivefordrugs,accountingfor13.3percent.ToxicologytestsonsomespecimenssenttotheforensicinstitutedetecteddrugsincludingADB-Butinaca,MDMB-Butinaca,ADB-4en-PINACA,MDMB-4en-PINACA,EDMB-4en-PINACA,THCandPB-22.AccordingtoNguyên,hospitalisationsduetotheuseofnewtobaccoproductshavebeenincreasingrecently.Thewidespreaduseofe-cigarettesisgrowingrapidly,withmostcasesinvolvingyoungpatientssufferingfromacutepoisoningafterusingthistypeofcigarette.Manypeople,especiallyteenagers,believethate-cigarettesareharmlessbecausetheydonotcontainaddictivenicotine.Thisisamisconception.E-cigarettesposethreemajorhealthrisks:nicotine,artificialflavoringsanddrugs.Currently,thetreatmentcostsforacutepoisoningcasesfromdrug-lacede-cigarettesrangefromover10milliontohundredsofmillionsof??ng,Nguyênsaid.E-cigarettes,heatedtobaccoproductsandothernewtypesoftobaccoareharmfultohealth.Theypavethewayforabuse,addictionandexposuretosyntheticchemicals,leadingtonumerousnewdiseasesandhealthissues.Theyalsocomplicatetheproblemsassociatedwithtraditionaltobaccoanddrugs.Therefore,itiscrucialnottoevaluate,researchorexperimentwiththeseproducts,hewarned.EasilypurchasedonlineNguy?nTh?An,DirectorofHealthBridgeCanadainVi?tNam,saidthate-cigaretteproductscouldnowbeeasilypurchasedthroughsocialmediaplatformslikeFacebookande-commercesites.Shesaidthatwithcolleaguestheyhadtriedorderinge-cigarettesthemselvesandwhenthepackagearrived,itwaslabelledasanti-acnecosmeticsasawayforchildrentoeasilydeceivetheirparentsandteachersandpurchaseandusee-cigarettes.Inourresearch,whenweaskedwhystudentsusede-cigaretteproducts,60percentsaidtheystartedbecausetheirfriendssharedthem.WithaproductcostingonlyaroundVN?10,000,studentscaneasilyshareanduseitinclassasitisveryaffordable.Theycanevenbuythesenew-generationtobaccoproductsbyskippingjustonebreakfast,shesaid.Analsonotedthattheseproductswereincrediblyeasytopurchase,convenientandaccessibleatanytime,evenbeingsoldastoysatdrinkstallsrightoutsideschoolgates.Thatswhywealwaysemphasisethatifnewtobaccoproductsareonlybannedforchildrenunder18,itisafailure.Productslabelledasmilkareclearlytargetingchildren.Moreover,e-cigaretteswithappealingflavoursareobviouslyaimedatchildren.Fromaneconomicperspective,Anpointedoutthatallowingnewtobaccoproductswouldnotprovideanyeconomicbenefitand,inthelongrun,negativelyimpactthehealthoffuturegenerations.Asurveyshowedthatin2019,therateofnewtobaccoproductuseamong13-to17-year-oldswas2.6percent.Thisrateincreasedto3.5percentin2022and7percentin2023.Specifically,among13-to15-year-olds,the2023surveyindicatedausagerateofupto8percent.Accordingtoreportsfromnearly700healthcarefacilities,in2023alone,therewereover1,200hospitalisationsduetotheuseofe-cigarettesandheatedtobaccoproducts.Theprimarysymptomsuponadmissionwereallergies,poisoningandacutelungdamage.Expertshaveproposedanurgentbanontheimport,production,distributionandsaleofe-cigarettesandheatedtobaccoproducts,aswellasbanningadvertisingandpromotionoftheseproductsinVi?tNam.Inthelongterm,regulationsfromtheresolutionshouldbeincorporatedintotherevisedLawonPreventionandControlofTobaccoHarm,theysaid.—VNS

PhanLêThuH?ng,DeputyDirectoroftheDepartmentofPlanningandFinanceattheMinistryofHealthandDirectoroftheCentralProjectManagementUnit.VNA/VNSPhotoMinhNgh?aHàN?I-TheProjectforInvestmentandDevelopmentofPrimaryHealthcareServicesSystem,fundedbyloansandgrantsfromtheWorldBank(WB),hasbeenoperatingsince2020.Theprojectholdssignificantimportanceforthehealthcaresector,particularlyfortheprimaryhealthcarenetworkinthirteeneconomicallyandsociallydisadvantagedprovinces.InaninterviewwiththeVNA,PhanLêThuH?ng,DeputyDirectoroftheDepartmentofPlanningandFinanceattheMinistryofHealthandDirectoroftheCentralProjectManagementUnit,providedinsightsintotheprojectsachievementssofar.CouldyouprovidedetailsontheprogressoftheProjectforInvestmentandDevelopmentofPrimaryHealthcareServicesSystembeingimplementedinthe13provinces?Theprojectisdesignedtoenhancethequalityandefficiencyofhealthcareservicesintheprimaryhealthcarenetworkof13provinces.Itisbeingexecutedatthecentrallevelandin13provinces,includingHàGiang,B?cK?n,S?nLa,YênBái,HòaBình,Qu?ngBình,Qu?ngTr?,Qu?ngNg?i,NinhThu?n,TràVinh,H?uGiang,B?cLiêu,andLongAn.Theprojectadoptsacomprehensiveinvestmentstrategy:upgradinginfrastructure,renewingmedicalequipment,traininghealthcarepersonnel,improvinghealtheducationcommunicationactivities,supportingthecompletionofpolicyframeworksrelatedtoprimaryhealthcareandpilotinginnovativeprimaryhealthcareservicedeliverymodels.Theprojectisexpectedtoenhancethecapacityoftheprimaryhealthcarenetwork,therebyensuringhealth,increasinglifeexpectancyandimprovingthequalityoflifeforpeopleindifficultareas.Regardingfundingscale,theInvestmentinandDevelopmentofPrimaryHealthcareServicesSystemprojectisoneofthelargestinvestmentprojectsinthehealthcaresector,withatotalbudgetofapproximatelyUS$120million.Thisreflectsthehealthcaresectorsstrategyofprioritisinginvestmentresourcesforprovidingessentialhealthcareservicesinchallengingareas.Onagovernancelevel,thisisconsideredoneofthefirstprojectsinthehealthcaresectorimplementedunderanewgovernancemodelthatmaximiseslocalautonomy,wherebytheprojectprovincesactasthemaininvestorsforthesub-projectsimplementedintheirareas.Thisgovernancemodelpromisestohavealong-termpositiveimpactontheprojectmanagementcapacityoflocalities,whichpreviouslyreliedheavilyoncentral-levelmanagementstructures.MedicalstaffprovidehealthconsultationstopeoplevisitingCamChínhCommuneHealthStation,CamL?District,Qu?ngTr?Province.VNA/VNSPhotoCouldyousharetheinitialresultsoftheprojectinthesethirteenprovinces?TheprojectwasimplementedonMay18,2020,coincidingwiththeonsetoftheCOVID-19pandemic,posingsignificantchallengesinthefirsttwoyears.Despitethis,theprojecthasreceiveddecisivedirectionfromtheMinistryofHealth,theeffortsofthethirteenprovincialPeoplesCommittees,thecommitmentoftheCentralProjectManagementUnitandprovincialprojectmanagementboardsandenthusiasticsupportfromdonorstopromoteactivitiesaimedatachievingthebestresults.Aftermorethanfouryearsofimplementation,theprojecthasachievedexpectedresults.ThelatestevaluationbytheMinistryofHealthandtheWorldBankinMay2024showsthatdespiteseriousobjectivechallengessuchasthenegativeimpactsofCOVID-19andchangesinODAdisbursementandprojectmanagementpoliciesoftheGovernment,theprojectisstillratedasmeetingrequirements.TheWorldBankrecognisesthisprojectasthebest-evaluatedamongallhealthcareprojectsfundedbytheWorldBankinVi?tNam.Intermsofinvestment,412constructionprojects,includingupgradedornewlybuilthealthstationsandmedicalcentresin109districts/townsofthethirteenprojectprovinces,havebeencompletedandputintouse,reachingover86percentoftheplannedprojects.TheremainingprojectsareunderconstructionandareexpectedtobefullycompletedbyNovember2024.Mostprovinceshavealsosignedcontractstodeliveressentialequipmenttolocalhealthstations,thussupplementingthestationswithequipmentforprofessionaltasks.ResidentsbringtheirchildrenforvaccinationsatCamTuy?nCommuneHealthStation,CamL?District,Qu?ngTr?Province.VNA/VNSPhotoHowhastheprojectspecificallyimplementedcapacity-buildingforprimaryhealthcarestaff?Thecapacity-buildingcomponentoftheproject,usinggrantaidfromtheWorldBankandco-financiers,aimstoaddressthecapacityshortfallofprimaryhealthcarestaff.Theprojectstrainingfocusesonenhancingservicedeliveryandmanagingpriorityhealthissuesattheprimarylevel,suchashypertension,diabetes,cervicalcancer,maternalandchildcare,tuberculosis,chronicobstructivepulmonarydisease,acupunctureandrehabilitation.Toensuresustainablecapacitybuilding,theprojectdevelopsacomprehensivetrainingplanwithatwo-stepapproach:trainingprovincialtrainers(TOT)andtrainingprimaryhealthcarestaff.Thismethodensuresthataftertraining,provincialtrainerscanconductcapacity-buildingsessionsforallcommune-levelstaffinthethirteenprojectprovinces.Thecoveragerateoftrainedcommunehealthstaffishigh.Provincialtrainers,besidestrainingcommune-levelstaff,alsocontinuetosuperviseandsupportthemaftertheprojectendstoensuresustainablecapacitymaintenance.Todate,1,857provincialtrainersanddistrictsupervisorshavebeentrained(96percentofthetotaltrainingplan)and24,346communehealthstaffhavebeentrained(85.2percentofthetrainingneedsoftheprovinces).Regardinginitiativestoimprovethequalityofcommune-levelhealthcareservices,theprojecthasdesignedandpilotedaQualityScorecardforhealthstationstoself-assessservicequality,enablingthemtoplanimprovementsforunmetservicecriteria.BoththeWorldBankandtheMinistryofHealthhaveevaluatedthisinterventionasatechnicalhighlight.Intermsofcoverage,bytheendof2024,thepercentageofhealthstationsapplyingthescorecardisexpectedtoreach56percent,morethandoubletheinitialplan,andintermsofpolicyimpact,duetotheoutstandingresultsinthethirteenprojectprovinces,theMinistryofHealthhasdecidedtoconductanin-depthevaluationofthisinitiativetoprovideascientificbasisforscalingitup.TheWorldBankrecognisesthisprojectasthebest-evaluatedamongallhealthcareprojectsfundedbytheWorldBankinVi?tNam.Couldyousharelessonslearnedthatotherprojectscanlearnfrom?Afterfouryearsofprojectimplementationamidstmanyunfavourableobjectivefactors,theprojecthasdrawnseveralvaluablepracticallessons,notonlyfortheremainingphaseoftheprojectbutalsoforotherprogrammesandprojectsinthehealthcaresector.Firstly,thesuccessoftheprojectdependsonthegovernancecapacityoftheparticipatinglocalities,actingasthemaininvestorsforthesub-projectsintheirareas.Specifically,itinvolvesthedirectionandcoordinationcapacityoftheprovincialPeoplesCommittees,thecoordinationcapacityamongrelevantprovincialdepartments(DepartmentsofFinance,Construction,Health,ProvincialProjectManagementBoards),andthemanagementcapacityoftheProvincialProjectManagementBoards.Provincesneedtopersistentlypursuethelong-termgoalssetbytheprojectbutbeflexibleintheirimplementationsolutionstoadapttochangingcontextsandenvironments.Regularandcontinuouscoordination,support,guidanceandsupervisionbytheCentralProjectManagementUnitandtheWorldBankfortheprojectprovincesiscrucial,especiallygiventherelativelylimitedprojectmanagementcapacityofmanyprovinces.Notably,thequalitychecklistmodelappliedtocommunehealthstations,designedbyCentralProjectManagementUnitexperts,andthemanagementandtreatmentmodelfornon-communicablediseasesatcommunehealthstationswithtechnicalsupportfromunitshavebeenevaluatedastechnicalhighlightsoftheproject.VNSAnoverviewoftheEnoughnutritioninitiativelaunchceremony.—VNSPhotoThuTrangHàN?I—Enough–anutritioninitiativewaslaunchedonMondayinHàN?iwiththevisionofaworldwhereeverychildenjoysenoughnourishingfoodtobeabletothrive.TheprojectwaskickedoffbytheWorldVisionInternationalinVi?tNamandtheNationalInstituteofNutrition(NIN).TheeventalsohonourstheWorldBreastfeedingWeek,whichisobservedeveryyearfromAugust1toAugust7.WiththethemeClosethegap–Breastfeedingsupportforall,thisyearsbreastfeedingweekfocusesonachainofbreastfeedingsupporttoreduceinequalityinaccesstomaternalandchildhealthcareservices.Speakingatthelaunchceremony,Nguy?nTriTh?c,DeputyMinisterofHealth,said:TheMinistryofHealthexpectsdepartmentsandorganisationsnationwidetoprioritiseandallocatefundswiselyincarryingoutessentialnutritionactions,especiallytargetingchildreninmountainousareasandethnicminorities.WeconsidertheEnoughnutritioninitiativeanexcellentexampleofmutualeffortsinbuildingaworldwhereeverychildhasaccesstoenoughnutritiousfoodtothrive,isprotectedfromdiseasesandhasimprovedstature,physicalstrengthandintelligence.Vi?tNamhassignificantlyreducedchildstuntedgrowthprevalencefrom29.3percentin2010,to19.6percentintenyears.However,thecountrystillfacesadoublenutritionalburden.Childrenwholiveinmountainousorethnicminorityareashaveahighrateofstuntedmalnutrition.TheratesintheCentralHighlandsandnorthernmidlandare29.8percentand27.1percent,respectively,accordingtostatisticsfromNIN.Simultaneously,thereisariseinmicronutrientdeficienciesinchildreninvariouspartsofthenation,aswellasoverweightandobesityinchildrenunderfiveinbothurbanandruralareas.Furthermore,theclimateemergencyisseverelyimpactinghouseholdfoodsecurity,creatinganotherbarriertoimprovingchildrensnutrition.Inthelightofthis,theEnoughnutritioninitiativetargetschildwellness,especiallyforvulnerablechildren.Thisinitiativeunitesthecommunity,agencies,enterprisesanddonorstoensuresustainablecommunitywellbeing.DosebaTuaSinay,NationalDirectorofWorldVisionInternationalinVi?tNam,said:Theinitiativeisoneofoureffortstofulfillourpromisetohealthcareandmorebroadly,toensuresustainedchildwellbeing.Westronglybelievethat,withourjointefforts,wecanstrivetoendalltypesofmalnutritioninVietnamesechildrenandcreatepositivechangesforchildren,sothateverychildenjoyslifeinallitsfullness,hesaid.Theprimarygoaloftheprojectistoimproveandenhancethesourceofnutritiousandhealthyfoodforchildrenthroughhouseholdslivelihoodenrichmentactivitiesandincreasenutritioncarepracticesforchild-careprovidersthroughcommunicationsandcommunityconsultationactivities.Therewillalsobeforumstosharegoodpractices,lessonslearned,evidenceandrecommendationsforpromotingtheimplementationoftheGovernmentspoliciesonnutritionandnutritionsensitivity,mobilisingstakeholdersparticipationandresourcecontributioninaddressingtheinitiativespriorityareas.Theseactionswillbeintegratedintothe25areaprogrammesactivitiesincitiesandprovincesacrossthecountrywhereWorldVisionoperates,including?i?nBiên,H?iPhòng,ThanhHóa(chǎn),Qu?ngTr?,?àN?ng,Qu?ngNam,Qu?ngNg?i,??kN?ngandHCMCity.APh?,14,saidthatinhishometown,therewerestillplentyofchildrenmalnourishedcasesduetomothersgivingbirthatayoungage,poorhealthandlackofknowledgeaboutchildcare.Hehoped:Therewillbemorecommunicationactivitiesforparentsandchildrenonnutritionimportanceandhowtopreparesafe,nutritiousmealsandtheconsequencesofearlymarriage.ThanhPh??ng,17,fromQu?ngTr?centralprovince,raisedtheissueoffastfoodwhichisofunknownoriginandunhygienic,andmadealotofsalesnearschools,whichmayharmstudentshealth.Contributingopinionsattheconference,AssociateProfessorTr?nThanhD??ng,DirectoroftheNIN,calledforcooperationfromallparties:TowardsabrightfutureforVietnamesechildren.—VNS

DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuanginspectsthedamagefollowingdevastatingfloodsin?i?nBiênProvinceonSunday.VNA/VNSPhoto?I?NBIêNTheGovernmenthasdecidedtourgentlyallocateVN?10billion(US$398,700)tothenorthernmountainousprovinceof?i?nBiêntoovercometheconsequencesofrecentrainfallandfloodsandstabiliselocallivelihoods.DuringaworkingsessionwithlocalauthoritiesonMonday,DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuangaskedrelevantagenciestocloselymonitorweatherdevelopmentsandstrengthenforecastingandwarnings.Localauthoritieshavebeentoldtopreparescenariostorespondtoextremenaturalincidentsandensuresafetyoflakes,dams.Theymustalsostrengtheninformationandcommunicationworkforthesteeringcommitteesfornaturaldisasterprevention,control,searchandrescueatalllevelsandlocalpeople.Accordingtolocalauthorities,theprovincehassufferedfrom26naturaldisasterssinceearlythisyear,whichhavekilledninepeople,injured12andleftfourothersmissing.About1,300housesweredamagedwhileover1,700haofagriculturallandwasdestroyed.Floodshavecauseddamagetomanyinfrastructureprojectsintransportation,irrigation,electricity,communications,healthcareandeducation.ThetotaldamagefromearlythisyeartoAugust2wasestimatedatVN?256.5billion.Theheavyrains,floods,flashfloodsandlandslidesfromJuly23toAugust2aloneleftdestructionofaboutVN?211.5billion.DeputyPMQuangaskedtheprovincetomaximiselocalforcestoparticipateindamagerecoveryandimprovesearchandrescueefficiency.Localauthoritiesalsoneedtosupportresidentsinnaturaldisasterareastostabilisetheirlivesandproduction,hesaid.Inarelatedmove,PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhasissuedanofficialdispatch,demandingproactivemovestoprevent,control,andaddressnaturaldisasterconsequences.Thedispatchnotedthatabnormalandunpredictablenaturaldisastershavecontinuedoccurringsincethestartof2024.Strongheatwaves,droughtandprolongedsaltwaterintrusionintheyearsbeginningwerefollowedbycontinuousheavyrains,landslidesandfloodinginmanyplaces,especiallyinthenorthern,north-centralandCentralHighlandsregions.DespitethePMsdirectionsandministries,sectors,andlocalitiesmovestopreventandrespondtonaturaldisasterstominimisedamage,thecalamitieshavestilltakenaheavytollonpeopleslivesandproperty,infrastructure,alongwitheconomicactivities.DatafromtheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentshowthat104peoplehavediedorwentmissinginnaturaldisasters,mainlylandslidesandfloods,sofarthisyear.TheNationalCentreforHydrometeorologicalForecastingpredictedthattheLaNinaphenomenonislikelytoaffectVi?tNamfromAugustandresultinmoreseverestorms,downpours,flooding,flashfloods,landslidesandreservoirunsafety,posingseriousthreatstoeconomicanddailyactivities,aswellaspeopleslivesandproperty.Facingthatfact,PMChínhdemandedministers,headsofministry-levelagencies,Governmentagenciesandchairpersonsoftheprovincial-levelPeoplesCommitteestokeepauthoritiesataclosewatchondisasterdevelopmentsandcarryoutstrong,timelyandefficientmeasuresfordisasterresponseanddealingwiththeaftermath.Leadersofprovincial-leveladministrationswereaskedtostaymoreactiveindirectingandorganisingtheprevention,control,andsettlementofnaturaldisasterconsequencesinlinewithon-sitecommand,on-siteforces,on-sitevehiclesandsupplies,andon-sitelogistics,withthemostactive,timely,andresolutespirittoguaranteelifesafetyandminimisepropertylossesforpeopleandtheState.Inthedispatch,theGovernmentleadertoldlocalitiestoquicklyperfectresponseplansforeachtypeofpossiblecalamity,especiallystorms,flooding,landslides,andflashfloods,toidentifyvulnerableplaces,readyresponseforcesandvehiclesandacceleratepreparationsbeforetheseasonoffloodsandstorms.Inaddition,theywerealsorequestedtoevacuateresidentsandpropertyfromdangerousareas,especiallythosesusceptibletolandslides,flashfloodsandfloodingandarrangefundingfromthelocalbudgetfordisasterresponseactivitiestoensurenooneisleftwithoutalivingplace,food,orotheressentialsupplies,preventseriousdiseaseoutbreaksandenvironmentalpollutionandavoidseriousimpactonstudentslearning.VNSUniversitystudentsataseminaronsemiconductortechnologyatSaigonHi-techParkinMarch2024.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhV?HàN?I—IdentifyingtalentshasbeendeterminedasthetoppriorityforthesemiconductorindustryasVi?tNampushesforthenationalstrategytodevelopthesector.Thecountryhasenvisioneditselfasafuturehubforsemiconductordesign,packagingandtestingwithplansuntil2030withavisionto2050.However,whilethisindustryisconsideredthedriverforothersectorsintheageoftechnology,thehumanresourcecapabilityinVi?tNamremainsmodest.AccordingtotheMinistryofInformationandCommunications(MIC),theworkforcedemandforinformationtechnology(IT)andotherdigitalindustriesinVi?tNamisestimatedatabout150,000engineersperyear.Thecountrysactuallabourforcecanonlyrespondtoabout40-50percentofthisfigure,whileforthesemiconductorindustry,onlyaround20percentofitslabourdemandcanbemet.V?QuangHùng,deputydirectoroftheVi?tNamInstituteofStrategyandPolicyforIndustryandTrade(VIOIT)saidthatwhilethecountryhaslongbeenapartofthesemiconductorsupplychain,itsengagementremainsonlyatthepackingandtestingstagesforseveralmajorchipmanufacturers,likeIntel.Semiconductorsareavailableinawidevariety,butVi?tNamspackagingcapacityhasonlybeenabletorespondtosimplertypes,headded.Accordingto??Th?ThúyH??ng,anexecutiveboardmemberoftheVi?tNamElectronicIndustriesAssociation(VEIA),thesemiconductorindustryinvolvesmultipletechnicalaspects,fromproductioninvestmentstotechnologyprocessesandupdates.Therefore,whilequalifiedintegratedcircuit(IC)designengineersareveryimportant,thisfast-pacedindustryalsodemandsaworkforcethatcanalsomasterthesemiconductormanufacturingprocesses.ExpertsbelievethatVi?tNamhasagreatopportunitytogrowitssemiconductorindustrywiththeinvolvementofmultipleleadingglobaltechnologycompanies.Itisforecastthatbytheendof2024,Vi?tNamssemiconductorindustrywillexceedUS$6.16billioninvalue,becomingoneofthekeymanufacturinghubsofmanyglobalenterprises.InadditiontoSamsung,whichhaschosenVi?tNamasitslargestproductdevelopmentcentreinSoutheastAsia,severalDutchsemiconductorcompanieshavebegundirectingtheirinvestmentstotheirVietnamesefacilities.BESemiconductorIndustriesN.V.,fromtheNetherlands,hasobtainedaninvestmentcertificateatSaigonHi-techParkwithacapitalofmorethanVN?115billion($4.9million)inthefirstphase.ThecompanysprojectisexpectedtoenteroperationinQ1of2025.Meanwhile,SouthKoreansemiconductorproviderAmkorTechnologyinSeptemberincreasedthecapitalinitsfactoryinYênPhongII-CIndustrialPark(B?cNinhProvince)byover$1.07billion.InJune,thenorthernprovincealsoissuedaninvestmentregistrationcertificatetoFoxconnCircuitPrecision(Vietnam)Co.Ltd.forits$383.33-millionfactoryinNamS?n-H?pL?nhIndustrialPark.InJuly,USSecretaryoftheTreasuryJanetYellensaidduringherfirstvisittoVi?tNamthatthecountryhasemergedasacriticalnodeintheglobalsemiconductorsupplychain.Vi?tNamandtheUShavealsoworkedtogethertobolsterresilientsupplychains,especiallyinregardtothesemiconductorindustry,sheadded.ThisisbothanopportunityandachallengetoVi?tNam,requiringthecountrytodevelopitsinfrastructure,institutionsandhumanresourcestogrowandattractinvestmentstothesemiconductorindustry.FPTTelecomchairmanHoàngVi?tAnhsaidthatwhilethereareonlyabout5,000engineersworkingin40semiconductorandchipproductioncompaniesinVi?tNam,thecountryhassetaplantoincreasethisfiguretenfoldby2030.MajorVietnameseITcompaniesincludingViettel,VietnamPostsandTelecommunicationsGroup(VNPT)andFPTarealsoproactivelytakingactionstoincreasetheircapacityinresearch,developmentandproductioninthissector.VEIAexecutiveboardmember??Th?ThúyH??ngsaidthattoquicklynurturehigh-qualityhumanresourcesfortheworkforce,itisessentialtoconnecttraininginstitutionsandbusinessestoensurepracticalskillsinthisrapidlyevolvingindustry.—VNS

AninternationalseminarheldinHCMCitytodiscusstheroleofVietnamesebusinessmenandintellectualsabroadinthecitysdevelopment.—Photowww.sggp.org.vnHCMCITY—HCMCityplanstobuildadatabaseofoverseasVietnamese(OVs)toconnectthemandpromotetheircontributionstothecitysdevelopment.TheHCMCityCommitteeforOverseasVietnameseAffairshasorganisedthesecondget-together‘OverseasVietnameseMeetingPointof2024withthethemeofeffectivesolutionsforbuildingadatabaseofoverseasVietnameseinthedigitalageandcurrentinternationalintegration.TheeventaimstospreadandpromotethevaluesoftheHCMCityCulturalSpace-OverseasVietnameseMeetingPoint.ItalsoprovidesanopportunityfortheOVscommunityandtheirrelativesinthecitytoconnect,shareinformation,andcollaborateinvariousfields.ThisisanopportunityfortheOVscommunitytoparticipateinresearchandcontributeconstructiveopinionstotheplanforbuildingadatabaseofOV.Theget-togethersparticipantsproposedprioritisingthefocusonOVintellectualsandentrepreneurstoestablishappropriateaccessmechanismstoconnectandattractresourcesand‘softpowerforthecity.V?Th?Hu?nhMai,ChairwomanofHCMCitysCommitteeforOverseasVietnameseAffairs,highlyappreciatedtheopinionsandproposalsoftheparticipatingdelegates.BuildingadatabaseofOVsisessentialinthedigitalageandalignswiththegeneraltrendofdevelopinge-governmentanddigitaltransformation,shesaid.Throughthisdatabase,therightsofOVscanbebetterensured,suchastimelysupportforimmigrationprocedures,repatriation,confirmationofVietnameseorigin,andregularadministrativeproceduresrelatedtoresidency.Thecityhasabout2.8millionoverseasVietnamesein130countriesandterritories.However,regardingthefieldsinwhichOVsoperateandtheiroccupations,thecitydoesnothavedata.BuildinganoverseasVietnamesedatabaseisexpectedtobeadrivingforcetogatherOVsinallcountriesandterritoriessothateachgroupcanpromotetheirroletosupportthecitywhenneeded.—VNSAnofficergivesguidanceaboutworkingabroadforresidentsinSócTr?ngProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nPhiHàN?I—Vi?tNamsentmorethan78,000workersabroadinthefirsthalfofthisyear,fulfilling62.4percentoftheyearlytarget,accordingtotheDepartmentofOverseasLabourundertheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs.Japan,Taiwan(China),andtheRepublicofKorea(RoK)remainedthelargestrecipientsofVietnameseguestworkers.Apartfromthemarkets,VietnameseworkerswerealsosenttoEuropeancountrieslikeGermany,Romania,andHungary,saidPh?mVi?tH??ng,deputyheadofthedepartment.Lastyear,over159,000workerswentabroadforemployment,surpassingtheyearlytargetby33.3percent,andthehighestrecordedoverthepast10years.Forthisyear,theministryaimstosend125,000workersabroad,focusingonkeytraditionalmarketssuchasJapan,Taiwan,andtheRoK.Iteyestohave120,000-143,000peopleworkinginforeigncountrieseveryyear,whosendhometotalremittancesofaroundUS$3.5-4billion.TheGovernmenthasissuedaplantocarryoutadirectiveofthePartyCentralCommitteesSecretariatonenhancingthePartyleadershiponsendingworkersoverseasinthenewsituation.AlongwithbuildingstrategiestosendVietnameselabourerstoforeigncountries,theplanoutlinessolutionstoraisepublicawarenessoflawobservanceaswellascoordinationmechanismstohandlerelevantissues.—VNS