CensustakerscollectinformationfromethnicminorityhouseholdsinTúLyCommune,?àB?cDistrict,thenorthernprovinceofHoàBình.—VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nAnhHOàBìNH—TheGeneralStatisticsOffice(GSO),incoordinationwiththeCommitteeforEthnicMinorityAffairs,hasstartedacensustocollectsocio-economicdetailsof53ethnicminoritygroups.ThestatisticgatheringwillrununtilAugust15.ThegoalistogatherdatafortheNationalStatisticalIndicatorSystemandtheStatisticalIndicatorSystemonethnicminorityaffairs.Thiswillinformthedevelopmentandpolicy-makingprocessforsocio-economicdevelopmentinethnicminorityregionsfortheperiod2026-2030.Attheofficiallaunchceremony,MinisterandChairmanoftheCommitteeforEthnicMinorityAffairs,H?uAL?nh,spokeofthecriticalimportanceofthelocal-levelinformationcollectionphase.Hesaid:CollectingcompleteandaccurateinformationonthepopulationandhousingstatuswillassistthePartyandtheStateinformulatingcorrectplansandstrategies,layingthefoundationfortherapidandsustainabledevelopmentofthecountryandethnicminorityregions.L?nhexpressedhopethatthissurveywouldcontinuetoprovidequalityinformationanddatatotheParty,NationalAssembly,Government,agencies,ministries,sectorsandlocalitiesforstrategicplanningofethnicpolicies.Thiseffortaimstograduallyresolvedifficultiesfacingandmaximisethepotentialofethniccommunitiesandregions,tostrengthennationalunity.DeputyMinisterofPlanningandInvestmentTr?nQu?cPh??ngsaiditwasimportanttogettheethniccommunitiestohelp.Thesuccessfulorganisationofthelaunchceremonyisvitalincommunicatingtotheethnichouseholdsintheprovincethepurposeandsignificanceofthesurvey,therebyencouragingactivecooperationwithcensustakerstoprovidecomplete,accurate,andtimelyinformation,Ph??ngsaid.Furthermore,thelaunchceremonyhelpsprovincialleadersandtheentirepoliticalsystemunderstandtheimportanceofthesurvey,ensuringitseffectiveimplementation.MattJackson,UNFPARepresentativeinVi?tNam,statedthatUNFPAalwayscallsoncountriesworldwidetoprioritiseinvestinginimprovingpopulationdatasystems,ensuringsafetyforeveryonewhencollectingdata,andespeciallyensuringthatdisadvantagedcommunitiesarerepresented.Onlywhentheyaretruthfullyincludedinthedatasystemwithalltheirdiversitycanwecombatprejudiceandinequality,andbuildaresilient,peaceful,andprosperousfutureforall,theUNFPAofficialnoted.AccordingtotheGSO,thecensuswillbeconductedacross54provincesandcentrally-governedcities,including51provinceswithcommunesinethnicandmountainousregions.?MinisterandChairmanoftheCommitteeforEthnicMinorityAffairsH?uAL?nhspeakingattheopeningceremonyonMonday.—VNA/VNSPhoto?Thisdecision,approvedbythePrimeMinister,outlinestheListofcommunesinareasIII,II,andIinethnicminorityandmountainousregionsfortheperiod2021-25.Additionally,thecensuswillcoverthreeprovincesandcitieswithsignificantethnicminoritypopulations:HCMCity,LongAn,andHàT?nh.Thesurveytargetsethnicminorityhouseholdsandactualresidentslivinginthesehouseholdsatthetimetheyarequestioned.Thisincludesindividualsinthearmedforcescurrentlyresidinginthesehouseholdsbutexcludesthoselivinginmilitaryandpolice-managedareas.Thefocuswillbeonthesocio-economic,cultural,healthandeducationalstatusofcommunesinareasIII,II,andI,aswellasothercommuneswithethnicminoritypopulations.Forhouseholds,thesurveywillcollectdataondemographiccharacteristics,education,migration,marriage,healthinsuranceusage,employment,birthhistoryandcontraceptiveuseoffemalesagedtentoforty-nine,informationonhouseholddeathsinthepasttwelvemonths,housingandlivingconditions,residentialandproductionland,keylivestockandaccesstopublicservices.ForcommunePeoplesCommittees,thesurveywillgatherinformationonthecommunescharacteristics,electricityusage,roads,transportation,schoolsandteacherqualifications,culturalhouses,healthandenvironmentalsanitation,markets,qualificationsofcommune-levelofficialsandcivilservants,religionandbeliefsandphoneandinternetcoverage.TheresultsofthesurveywillbehandedovertotheCommitteeforEthnicMinorityAffairsinApril2025andareexpectedtobeannouncedbetweenMayandJuly2025.—VNS

BayerVietnamisworkingwithHanoiStrokeAssociationandtheUniversityofOxfordtoimprovestrokecareandresearch.—PhotocourtesyofBayerVietnamHàN?I—Bayer,theHanoiStrokeAssociation(HNSA),andtheUniversityofOxfordrecentlysignedaMemorandumofUnderstanding(MoU)toenhancethequalityofstrokemanagementandscientificresearchinVi?tNam.TheMoUsingingceremonytookplaceattheStrokeCentre,B?chMaiHospital,HàN?i.Vi?tNamisoneofthecountrieswiththehighestincidencerateofstroke,withabout200,000strokepatientseveryyear.StrokesarenowamongthetopcausesofdeathinVi?tNam,withmorefatalcasesthancardiovasculardiseases.Amongsurvivors,thisconditioncausesdisabilityandcreatesagreatburdenonfamilymembersandcommunities.However,Vi?tNamfacesacriticallackofdataandinformationtoenhancestrokecareandresearch.AttheMoUsigningceremony,AssociateProf.Dr.MaiDuyT?n,directoroftheStrokeCentatB?chMaiHospitalandchairmanoftheHanoiStrokeAssociation,highlightedtheimportanceofupdatingknowledgeformedicalstaff.ManyVietnamesedoctorsarenotfullyawareoftheroleofscientificresearchinsupportingtreatmentpractice.Whilemostattentionispaidtopatientcare,itisvitalforhealthcareprofessionalstoupdatescientificknowledgetoimprovediagnosticcapacityandtreatmentoutcomes.UndertheMoU,thethreepartieswilldevelopacomprehensiveprogrammetitledImprovingtheQualityofScientificResearchandStrokeManagement,period2024-2025,comprisingvariouskeyareasofco-operation,includingscientificresearch,educationalprogrammes,datadevelopmentandpublication.Bynarrowingdatagaps,thiscollectiveeffortsupportsimprovedclinicaldecision-makingandpatientcareoptimisation.IngoBrandenburg,ManagingDirectorofBayerVietnam,said:Bayerwillactivelycollaboratewithmedicalexpertsinthedevelopmentoftrainingprogrammesforhealthcareprofessionalsandthecommunity.Leveragingourscientificexpertise,wewillprovideinputtoenhancethequalityoftrainingandeducationprogrammes,facilitateknowledgeupdates,furthercontributingtotheoverallobjectivesofthepartnership,inconsultationwiththeHanoiStrokeAssociation,UniversityofOxford,andrespectiveexpertsinvolved.Tr?nMinhC?ng,postdoctoralresearcherattheUniversityofOxford,said:Todayssigningmarksthebeginningofanewchapterinourcollaborativeeffortstoenhancethecapacityofscientificresearchandstrokemanagement.ThiscollaborationwiththeHanoiStrokeAssociationandBayerVietnamunderscoresoursharedvisionofimprovinghealthcareoutcomesthroughinnovativeresearch,comprehensiveclinicaltraining,andthedevelopmentofcutting-edgemedicalguidelines.Furthermore,thepartnershipseekstoestablishandnurtureprofessionalcollaborationwithinternationalorganisationstoelevatethequalityofstrokeresearchinVi?tNam.Bycombininglocalexpertiseanddatawithtechnicalguidancefromexpertsatleadingmedicalinstitutionsoverseas,multi-nationalprojectsareexpectedtogeneratemorerobustinsightsapplicableworldwide,strengtheningtheglobalcontributionofVietnamesestrokespecialistswhilespeedingupadoptionofevidence-basedbestpracticesinthecountry.VNSTheappearanceof?anPh??ngDistrictsnewruralareas.HàN?I–AftermorethanadecadeofimplementingHàN?isnewruraldevelopmentprogramme,?anPh??ngDistricthasconsistentlyledthecitysefforts,thankstothetirelessworkofboththelocalgovernmentandresidents.Theircollectivededicationhastransformedthedistrictintoaplacethatisbright,green,clean,beautiful,safe,andsmart.?anPh??ngDistrictimpressesvisitorswithitsspacious,litter-freevillageroadsandalleywaysacrossmostcommunes.Theroadsidesareadornedwithneatlyplantedgreentreesthatprovideshade,alongwithvibrantflowerbedsthataddtothescenicbeauty.Nguy?nTh?Thu,aresidentofSongPh??ngCommune,sharedherexperience:WhenSongPh??ngCommunelaunchedtherurallandscapedevelopmentmovement,myfamilyandotherhouseholdsinthecommuneactivelyrenovatedanddecoratedourhousegatesandgardens,andplantedflowersandgreeneryinfrontofourhomes.Acleanenvironmentandbeautifulsceneryhaveimprovedourhealth,boostedourworkingspirit,andbroughtjoytoeveryone,sheadded.Youngpeoplejointhecompetitiontokeepingtheirvillagebright,green,clean,beautiful,safe,andsmart.Thishashelpedraisepublicawarenessandencouragedresidentstoactivelyparticipateinenvironmentalbeautificationandcleanliness.AftermorethanadecadeofimplementingHàN?isnewruraldevelopmentprogramme,?anPh??ngDistricthasconsistentlyledthecitysefforts,thankstothetirelessworkofboththelocalgovernmentandresidents.Theircollectivededicationhastransformedthedistrictintoaplacethatisbright,green,clean,beautiful,safe,andsmart.?anPh??ngDistrictimpressesvisitorswithitsspacious,litter-freevillageroadsandalleywaysacrossmostcommunes.Theroadsidesareadornedwithneatlyplantedgreentreesthatprovideshade,alongwithvibrantflowerbedsthataddtothescenicbeauty.Nguy?nTh?Thu,aresidentofSongPh??ngCommune,sharedherexperience:WhenSongPh??ngCommunelaunchedtherurallandscapedevelopmentmovement,myfamilyandotherhouseholdsinthecommuneactivelyrenovatedanddecoratedourhousegatesandgardens,andplantedflowersandgreeneryinfrontofourhomes.Acleanenvironmentandbeautifulsceneryhaveimprovedourhealth,boostedourworkingspirit,andbroughtjoytoeveryone,sheadded.TheroadinThápTh??ngHamlet,SongPh??ngCommune,?anPh??ngDistrict,islinedwithgreentreesandcolourfulflowers.ThefirststepforQuyHamletwastoinstallacompletelightingsystemonallroads.Inaddition,thehamletencouragedeveryonetoparticipateinenvironmentalcleaning,withhouseholdsinvolvedintradesorlivestockmanagementtakingresponsibilityforcleaningaroundtheirhomes.?àoTh?H?ng,ViceChairwomanofthe?anPh??ngDistrictPeoplesCommittee,reportedthatthedistricthasdevelopedmodelareasforvillagesandresidentialgroupstobebright,green,clean,beautiful,safe,andsmartovertheyears.Since2019,thedistricthasmobilisedoverVN?35billion(US$1.39million)toenhancetheappearanceofvillagesandhamlets.ThisincludespaintingsinthecommunesofSongPh??ng,Th??ngM?,and?anPh??ng,aswellastheconstructionofmodeldykesinH?ngHà,H?M?,TrungChau,LiênTrung,andSongPh??ngcommunes.AuthoritiesinspecttheimplementationofthenewruraldevelopmentmovementinH?M?Commune,?anPh??ngDistrict.Throughthisinitiative,thedistricthasestablishedover460flowerroutes,paintedmorethan15,000squaremetresofmuralsandceramicartworks,andupgradednumerousstreetsandalleyswithasphaltpaving,welcomegates,andvibrantdecorations.Notably,manyresidentshavevoluntarilydonatedlandtobuildroadsandwidenalleys.Currently,?anPh??ngboastsover200villagesandresidentialareasrecognisedfortheirachievementsinthisprogramme.Nguy?nV?nChí,DeputyDirectoroftheHàN?iNewRuralDevelopmentProgrammeOffice,statedthat?anPh??nghasconsistentlyledthenewruraldevelopmentmovementinthecityformanyyears.Hehighlightedthedistrictsinnovativeapproachtomaintainingenvironmentalcleanliness,notingthatithassignificantlyraisedpublicawarenessaboutprotectingtheirlocalenvironment.Headdedthat?anPh??ngsnewruraldevelopmentexperiencesarehighlycommendableandserveasavaluablemodelforotherregions,contributingtomakingHàN?isruralareasmoreprosperousandlivable.?anPh??ngisnowthefirstdistrictinthecitywhereall15communeshaveachievednewruraldevelopmentstandards.-VNS*ThearticleispublishedunderthecoordinationoftheCoordinationOfficeoftheNew-StyleRuralDevelopmentProgrammeinHàN?i.

SatellitecitiesandtheareassurroundingHàN?iaremakingprogressinagriculturewhilepreservingandpromotingthevaluesofancientvillages.—PhotocourtesyofHàN?iDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentHàN?I—HàN?iboastsauniqueagriculture,intheheartofthecity,whichrequiressignificanteffortstosustainablydevelopthesectorfollowingmodern,cleanandorganicpractices.Thecitysagriculturalgrowthmustalsobelinkedwiththecirculareconomyandtheprocessingindustryandensuresustainableconnectiontotheglobalvaluechains.AccordingtoNguy?nM?nhQuy?n,vicechairmanofHàN?iPeoplesCommittee,withthecapitalcityscurrentconditions,thefocusliesintheproduceandfarmingmodels,ratherthantheproductionprocess.Thesemustbesuitabletotheecologicalconditions,environmentalprotectionmeasures,aswellasthecapitalcityseconomicscale.Therefore,HàN?iagriculturemustleverageitsintellectualpowerinproduction,hesaid.Whilethescalemightnotbeextensive,thesectormustemployadvancedtechnologyforhighqualityandproductvalue.Inaddition,localfarmingshouldutiliseHàN?isecologicalandculturalstrengthstodevelopauniqueagriculture.Asthecapitalcityandaneconomicandculturalcentreofthecountry,HàN?imustalsoactasafocalpointofthemarketeconomy,atranshipmenthubandanintermediatepointbetweenmunicipalandprovincialeconomiesnationwide,saidQuy?n.DirectorofHàN?iDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentNguy?nXuan??iaddedthatHàN?iaspirestotransformthesuburbanzonesofthecitywithanewapproach,whichemphasisesthetraditionalculturalfoundationandimprovedlivingstandardsintheseareas.Thecitysconceptof‘urbanareaswithinvillages,villageswithinurbanareasisalsoexpectedtocontributetotheformationofagriculturalandsuburbantourismdestinations.HàN?ialsoneedstofocusonplanningfarmingzonesbasedoneconomicandecologicalfunctions,todevelopmodernurbanagriculture,basedonitspeoplesculturalvalues,theRedRiverDeltaagriculturalcivilisationandinalignmentwithinternationalintegrationandglobalconnections,said??i.Accordingly,thecapitalcitymustdevelopspecificmechanismsintheplanningandmanagementofitsagriculturalzones,aswellasagrowthdirectionthatfitseachofitsdevelopmentzones.Specifically,inthehistoricalinner-city,HàN?ishoulddevelopurbanagriculturefollowingthemodelofacirculareconomywithhightechnology,eliteandsmartfarmingpractices,creatinggreenspacesandecologicallandscapes.Meanwhile,inthelargerurbanarea,thegrowthdirectionshouldfollowthemodelof‘citywithincity,whiletheouterzoneswithinfuturecitydistrictsshouldbescaleduptourbanareaswhereagriculturalmodelsalignwitheco-tourism,offeringtouristexperiencesandleisureactivities.Satelliteurbanzonesandadjacentareasshouldbedesignatedforagriculturalproductionandpreservingandpromotingthevaluesofancientvillages,craftvillages,aswellaseducationalandexperientialtourism.KeyagriculturalproductionareasincludethedistrictsofBaVì,PhúcTh?,?ngHòa,M???c,Qu?cOaiandTh?chTh?t,whichwillfocusonlarge-scalecommodityagriculturalproduction,agriculturalwithindustrialcombination,high-techagricultureandscience-technologyapplications,linkedwiththedevelopmentofagriculturalsupplychainsintheRedRiverDelta.Aimingtobeatranshipmentandconnectionhub,HàN?ihasbeenmakinggreatprogressinforminglinksthatallowforsafe,high-qualityfarmproducesupplyforpeople.Thecapitalcitycontinuestomaintainandgrowits159safeagriculturalproductionandconsumptionchains,ofwhich53areforanimalproductsand106areforvegetables.Thesechainshavesuccessfullyengagedmultiplebusinesses,cooperativesandfarmers.HàN?isagriculturalsectoralsocoordinateswith43citiesandprovincesnationwidetoproactivelymanageandsupportthedevelopmentof926safefoodsupplychainsforthecapitalcity.DirectorofBigGreenCoLtdNguy?nTi?nH?ngaddedthathiscompanyhasestablishedvariousstoresinHàN?itointroducefarmproducefromothercitiesandprovinces.WiththeshrinkingfarminglandinHàN?i,agriculturalbusinessesinthecityneedtodevelopmorelinkswithothercitiesandprovincesforasteadysupplyforthepeople.Currently,productsundertheOCOP(OneCommune-OneProduct)Programmeaccountfor60-65percentofBigGreensoffering.Thecompanyalsohas85OCOPproductsalepointsin25townsanddistricts,wherestoremanagerswillprioritisemarketingHàN?isOCOPproducts.Meanwhile,thankstocroprestructuringandfocusingonhigh-qualityseedlings,HàN?ihasdevelopedmultiplehigh-techandcost-effectivemodels.Thecitynowboasts285high-techagriculturalproductionmodels,including185inplantcultivation,45inlivestockfarming,54inaquacultureandonecombiningplantcultivationandlivestockfarming.Severalmodelshaveinvestedinadvancedtechnologyandequipment,whichhasbroughtpositiveeconomicresultsinalignmentwiththecityscircumstances.Alongsidecroprestructuring,HàN?ihasalsobeenworkingonmultiplegreenagriculturalmodelslinkedwitheco-tourism.Todate,58.9percentofthecapitalcityslandisruralandagriculturalareasconnectedwithgreenproductionzones.HàN?ismajorplansinexecutionhaveidentifiedafocusoninvestinganddevelopingecologicalagricultureandmaximisingresourcesfromurbanagriculture.DrTr?n??cViên,chairmanoftheAcademyCouncilattheVietnamNationalUniversityofAgriculture,believesthatHàN?isagriculturalsectorisontherighttrack.Thelocalagricultureshouldleveragethecityshumanresources,intellectualpoweranditspositionasaneconomiccentre,hesaid.Theagriculturaleconomyisnotsimplyaboutproductionbutalsotheefficiencyofproductionmodels,Viênsaid,addingthatHàN?imustbethesupplysourceofhigh-qualityrawmaterialsandinputsaswellasintellectualpowertoothercitiesandprovinces.HàN?ineedstodevelopappropriatelandresourcesalongsideafavourableinfrastructurefortheecologicalenvironmentandtheplannedsatellitecities,allwhileformingspacesforthecitysbufferzoneswherethelocalagriculturalsectorleveragesitsstrengths,hesaid.—VNSAnaircraftseenatTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportinHCMCity.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—TanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportinHCMCityisfacingsignificantaviationsafetyconcernsduetoincidentsinvolvingdronesandlasersdirectedataircraftcockpitsduringcriticalflightphases,airportauthoritieswarn.Duringarecentflightsafetyconference,airportofficialsreportedthatover20percentofsafety-relatedincidentsinVi?tNamsbiggestairportinvolvedunmannedaerialvehiclesandlaserilluminations.Theincidentsmostlyhappenedwithinrestrictedairspacewhileaircraftwerepreparingtolandatnighttime,particularlyataltitudesofaround1,300metres.TheNationalCommitteeofCivilAviationSecuritywarnssuchactionscanleadtosevereeyeinjuriesforpilotsandcandistractortemporarilyblindthemduringtakeoffandlanding,posingasignificantrisktoaviationsafety.Pilotsareadvisedtoreporttheseincidentstothecontroltower,whichwillinformlocallawenforcement.Ahotlineforrapidresponsetolaserattacksisrecommended,alongsideraisingpublicawarenessoftheissuetopreventfurtherincidents.Similarconcernshavebeenreportedatotherairports,includingN?iBàiinternationalairportinHàN?i,whereacircuswasrecentlyidentifiedasthesourceoflaserincidents.Currently,individualsresponsibleforsuchactionsmayfacefinesofVN?30milliontoVND40million,andexpertsarecallingforstricterregulationsonlaserdevicesales.Inadditiontolaserthreats,TanS?nNh?tInternationalAirporthasrecordedothersafetyincidents,withnearly56percentinvolvingaircraftoverrunningstoplineswhiletaxiing.Theairportoperatesanaverageof600flightsdailyandservedover20.2millionpassengersinthefirsthalfoftheyear.—VNSFloodwaterstillinundatesHàN?istreetsatnoononJuly24.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?IPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhonWednesdayaskedministries,agenciesandlocalitiestofocusonsettlingtheconsequencesofstormPrapiroon–thesecondofitskindduetohitVi?tNamthisyear.Duetotheinfluenceofthestormcirculation,thenorthernregionandthenorthcentralprovincesofThanhHóa(chǎn)andNgh?Anhavesufferedheavytoveryheavyrainsfollowedbyseriousfloodingthathavebeenaffectingproduction,businessandpeopleslives,particularlythoseinHàN?isCh??ngM?DistrictandS?nLaCityinS?nLaProvince.Thestormhasleftatleastfivedead,fourmissingandoneinjured.PMChínhsenthisdeepregardsandcondolencestorelativesofthevictimsandthelocalitiesthathavebeenhithardbythestormandflooding.InhisOfficialDispatchNo72/CD-TTgdatedJuly24,thePMaskedministries,agenciesandlocaltiestotakeprompactionstotackletheconsequencesofthestorm.NowistherainyandfloodseasoninthenorthernregionandtheCentralHighlands.Inthecomingtime,floodsandrainswillcontinuetobecomplicatedandunpredictable,posinghighrisksofmajorfloods,flashfloods,andlandslides,thedocumentwrote.ToquicklyovercometheconsequencesofrainsandfloodscausedbystormPrapiroonandproactivelyrespondtootherfloodsinthecomingtime,thePMrequestedlocalitiestokeepvigilance,continuetocloselymonitornaturaldisasterdevelopments,proactivelydirectanddeployresponsemeasures.Specifically,heaskedS?nLaProvincetotakedrasticsearchandrescueactivitiesandprovidesupportforvictimsfamilies.TheministriesofPublicSecurity,andNationalDefencewereaskedtocoordinatewithS?nLaProvinceandaffectedlocalitiestoconductsearchandrescueoperationsaswellasthesettlementofconsequences.TheMinistryofTransportwasrequestedtocooperatewithrelevantagenciesandlocalitiestoensuresafetransportandhelplocalitiestorepairroutes,particularlyhighwaysandmajorroadsthatareaffectedbylandslides.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentandtheMinistryIndustryandTradewereassignedtocoordinatewithlocalitiestodirectthesafeoperationofirrigationandhydroelectricreservoirs,especiallylargereservoirson?àRiver,ensureabsolutesafetyforworks,minimisefloodsfordownstreamareas,andeffectivelyexploitwaterresources.Theministrieswerealsourgedtodirectworktoensuresafetyforagriculturalandindustrialproduction;quicklyrestorethedamagedpowersystem,andensuresafepowersupplyforproductionandpeoplesdailyactivities.TheMinistryofConstructionwasaskedtocoordinatewithlocalitiesthathavebeensufferingfromseriousfloodinurbanareasandlandslidesduringheavyrainsincludingtheprovincesofS?nLa,HàGiang,TháiNguyên,B?cGiangandLam??ng,and?àN?ngCitytoexamineandidentifycausesandresponseplanstominimisedamageandimpactsofthefloodingonproduction,businessandpeopleslives.Meanwhile,theMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentwasorderedtodirectthehydro-meteorologicalforecastingagencytocontinuecloselymonitoringdevelopmentsoffloodsandnaturaldisastersandpromptlyinformingauthoritiesandpeople.StormPrapiroonmadelandfallinthecoastalnorthernprovinceofQu?ngNinhandH?iPhòngcityonJuly23andweakenedintoatropicaldepressionlaterthesameday.Itisforecasttocontinueinducingprolongeddownpours,causingfloodingandlandslides.VNS

ThejobofcuttingstrawmushroomoffersstableincomeformanyelderlywomeninHoàBìnhCommuneinV?nhLongProvincesTrà?nDistrict.Theprovincehastakenvariousmeasurestocreatejobsforpeople,especiallythepoor.–VNA/VNSPhotoLêThuyH?ngV?NHLONG–V?nhLongProvincehaseffectivelytakenmeasurestoreducepovertysustainablyandimprovethelivesofpoorpeople.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincehasimplementedmanyprojectstodiversifylivelihoods,supportpeopletoproduceanddobusiness,developvocationaltrainingandcreatejobs,helpingmanypoorhouseholdsescapepoverty.Ithasprovidedsoftloansforpoorhouseholdstoenterbusiness,andtoworkoverseas.Inthepast10years,theVi?tNamBankforSocialPoliciesV?nhLongProvinceBranchhasprovidedsoftloansworthatotalofVN?6.5trillion(US$256million)for260,000householdswhoarepoor,near-poorandsocialpolicybeneficiaries.BùiV?nNghiêm,secretaryoftheprovincePartyCommitteeandchairmanoftheprovincePeoplesCouncil,saidsocialpolicycredithasbecomeanimportantpillarofthenationaltargetprogrammeonsustainablepovertyreduction,andthisisthemostwidelyimplementedpolicytomeetthecapitaldemandsofthepoor.Thispolicyhashelpedreducetheprovincespovertyratefrom5.9percentin2014to0.42percentlastyear,hesaid.Theprovincessocial-politicalorganisationshaveimplementedmanymeasurestohelppoorhouseholds.TheprovincesWomensUnionsatalllevelshavemobilisedresourcesfromprogrammes,projectsandtheirmemberstohelpnearly48,000womendevelopfamilyeconomicsskillslastyear.Theyprovidedvocationalskillsandintroducedjobsformorethan13,000womenlastyear.Nguy?nTh?KimAnh,chairwomanoftheprovincialWomensUnion,saidthatwiththeiractivitiessupportingwomentodevelopfamilyfinances,theprovincesWomensUnionsatalllevelshavejoinedhandswithlocalitiestohelppoorhouseholdsescapepoverty.Therewere226poorwoman-headedhouseholdsintheprovinceescapingpovertylastyear,shesaid.Theprovincehad2,808poorhouseholdsattheendoflastyear.Mostofthemlackbasicsocialserviceindicatorssuchasemployment,healthinsurance,housing,cleanwaterandtoilets.TheprovincewillimplementpovertyreductionmeasuressynchronouslyandassistthepoortoaccessprojectsthatprovidesoftloansfromtheVi?tNamBankforSocialPoliciesforthemtoproduceanddobusiness.Itwillstrengthenadvocacyactivitiestoenhancetheawarenessofthepoorabouttheirrolesandresponsibilities,astheyarebothsubjectsandbeneficiariesofthepovertyreductionprogramme,sothattheywillmakemoreeffortstoescapepovertysustainably.Itwillincreaseco-operationwithcompaniestocreatejobsforpoorandnearpoorpeopletohelpthemimprovetheirlivesandescapepovertysustainably.Inthefirsthalfoftheyear,theprovincecreatedjobsfor14,935people,including850goingtoworkoverseas,whichmeets75percentoftheprovincestargetofcreatingjobsforpeoplethisyear,accordingtoitsPeoplesCommittee.–VNSGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ng,analumnusofHàN?isNguy?nGiaThi?uHighSchoolandhisformerteacherLê??cGi?ng,lookbackatphotosfromnearly60yearsago.—VNA/VNSPhotoTríD?ngHàN?I—Inthememoriesofthestaff,teachersandemployeesofNguy?nGiaThi?uHighSchoolinHàN?i,PartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngisrememberedasahumbleandapproachablefigure.DuringthesorrowfultimefortheentirenationfollowingthepassingofGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ng,thosefortunateenoughtohavemetandinteractedwithhimrecallpreciousmomentswithagreatyetmodestandhumbleleader.Attheschoolgate,theGeneralSecretarygotoutofthecar,andIquicklysteppedforwardtogreethim.Atthattime,theGeneralSecretaryshealthwasnotgood.Itookhishandandwalkedwithhim.Suddenly,theGeneralSecretarytiltedhisheadandsoftlysaidtome,Letswalkhandinhandtogether.Thisisanunforgettablememoryinmylife,recountedLêTrungKiên,PrincipalofNguy?nGiaThi?uHighSchoolinLongBiênDistrict.AmodestleaderReflectingonthepast,KiênsharedthatmemoriesofGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngarealwaysinhisheart,especiallyduringtheschools70th-anniversarycelebrationonNovember14,2020.IhadtheopportunitytomeetGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngtoinvitehimtothecelebration.Despitehisbusyschedule,hegavemequitealotoftime.Interestingly,throughoutourconversation,theGeneralSecretaryaddressedmeasteacherandreferredtohimselfasstudent,herecalled.Besidestalkingabouttheschool,healsoaskedifwehadinvitedformerteachersandstudents.WhenIsaidwedid,hewasvisiblyhappy.HisdelicacyandhumilityasthehighestleaderofthePartyandStatearetrulyprecious.Thatyear,theGeneralSecretaryattendedtheanniversarycelebrationasaformerstudent.PartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngattendstheopeningceremonyofthe2014-2015schoolyearatHàN?isNguy?nGiaThi?uHighSchool.—VNA/VNSPhotoTríD?ngIneveryconversation,GeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngalwaysexpresseddeepgratitudeandrespectfortheteacherswhoeducatedandshapedhischaracter,aswellassharingaclosebondwithNguy?nGiaThi?uHighSchool.InthetraditionalroomofNguy?nGiaThi?uHighSchool,thereisadisplayfeaturingimagesofthestudent,youngmanandleaderNguy?nPhúTr?ng.Amongthesearephotosofmonitorandyouthunionsecretaryofthe9Band10BclassesNguy?nPhúTr?ngwithhisgentlesmile,aphotoofstudentNguy?nPhúTr?ngwithhisclosefriends,aphotoofNguy?nPhúTr?ngwithhisclassmatesandpicturesoftheGeneralSecretaryvisitingtheschoolandgivinggiftstoNguy?nGiaThi?uHighSchoolstudentswhoscoredhighonuniversityentranceexams.Goingthroughtheschoolsoldrecords,PrincipalKiênreadtheteacherscommentsaboutstudentNguy?nPhúTr?ngbeforegraduationwithemotion:RatedA2.Outstandinginallsubjects.Dedicatedtostudying,enthusiasticinlabour,highlyresponsibleintasks,significantlycontributedtothecollective,goodcharacter,goodattitudetowardsteachersandfriends.Hesaid:StoriesofGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngschallengingyouthandhisexcellentacademicachievementsarealwaysrecountedinourspecialsessions,servingasmotivationforbothteachersandstudentstostriveforexcellence.WecansaythattheGeneralSecretaryisthespiritualsupportofourschool.TeacherV?Ng?cHu?nhalsopassionatelyrecountedstoriesoftheintelligent,diligentstudentNguy?nPhúTr?ng.Backthen,Itaught6th-grademath,andTr?ng,alongwithsomeotherstudentsfrom??ngAnh,cametostudy.Theyallcamefromverypoorfamilies,hadtobringrice,staywithlocalfamiliesorteachersandevencollectfirewoodfromtheRedRivertocooktheirmeals.Despitethesehardships,theyallstudiedwell,werewell-behavedandhadastrongwilltosucceed.DuringhissixyearsatNguy?nGiaThi?uHighSchool,GeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngalwaysparticipatedincity-levelacademiccompetitions,particularlyexcellinginliterature.Whenhewasin10thgrade,heimpressedhispeerswithalengthypresentationduringextracurricularactivitiesontheplightoffarmersinNg?T?tT?snoveltitledT?t?èn(Turningofflights),NguyênH?ngsnoveltitledB?V?(Thieves)andtheconditionofwomeninT?H?uspoetry.Eventhen,hefeltthepainofhumansufferingandwasdeeplyconcernedwiththethemesofgoodandevil,lossandpreservation.TeacherPhúcIdidntgettoseeTr?ngonelasttime,saidteacher??ngTh?Phúc,whotaughtGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngin4thgrade,asshesobbeduncontrollably.Attheageof92,Phúcshearinghasdeteriorated,herlegsareweakandhermemoryoftenfails,makingherrepeatherselfattimes.Despitethis,hermemoriesofthespecialstudentNguy?nPhúTr?ngremainvivid.Aboywithaside-sweptfringeandpaleskin,whoworethesamebrownoutfitwithahigh-collaredshirtandtwosidepocketsthroughouttheschoolyear.Tr?ngsfamilylivedin??ngH?i,whilePhúctaughtinMaiLam.Since??ngH?ionlyhad15fourth-gradestudents,theyjoinedthe33studentsinMaiLam.Inaclassof48,Tr?ngstoodoutastheyoungestbutthebeststudent,alwaysparticipatingandcontributingtolessonsTr?ngsfamilywaspoor.Theyatesweetpotatoesandcassavaandwentbarefootallyearround.Hehadonlyonebrownoutfitanddidntevenhaveatornshirttowearunderhisclothesduringthecoldwinter.IlovedTr?ngasifheweremyyoungestbrother,Phúcrecalled.Becausehewasthetopstudent,Tr?ngwaschosentorepresentthestudentsofbothvillagesattheend-of-yearceremony.Watchingthesmallboyinhisusualbrownoutfitandbarefeet,Phúcfeltamixofprideandheartache.After4thgrade,Tr?ngmovedontoNguy?nGiaThi?uSchoolandPhúcrelocatedtoHàN?i.Theylostcontactfromthenon.In2001,afterattendingareunionwithherformerfourth-gradestudentsandlearningthatheronce-littlestudenthadbecomesuccessful,PhúcwasoverjoyedandwroteapoemtitledTheLittleStudentofthePast,dedicatedtoN.P.T.Attwelve,withinnocenthair,Inbrownclothesandbarefeet,Cornandsweetpotatoesyourfare,Theyoungest,butnonecouldcompete.Eagerly,youwouldalwaysspeak,Wheneverthelessonwasclear,Astudent,humbleandunique,Yourpassionevident,sincere.PartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngvisitshisteacher,MsPhúc,afteryearsofsearchingduetolostcontact.—PhotocourtesyofMs??ngTh?PhúcFouryearslater,in2005,shehadtheopportunitytoreadthispoematateacherspoetrygathering.Itwasthispoemthathelpedthelittlestudentofthepastfindhisoldteacher.Oneday,IreceivedaphonecallandwasverysurprisedwhenthevoiceontheotherendwasTr?ng,sayinghewouldcometovisit.Atthattime,Tr?ngwastheSecretaryoftheHàN?iPartyCommitteeandverybusy,soIdismissedtheidea,sayingtherewasnoneedtovisit.Butafewdayslater,Tr?ngcame.Uponseeingme,hesaid,IhavebeenlookingforyoufordecadesandnowthatIhavefoundyou,youstillwontletmevisit.Weweresomovedwecouldntspeak.Backthen,myhairwasstillblack,buthishadalreadyturnedgray,Phúcrecounted.AhandwrittenNewYearsletterfromGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngtohisformerteacher.—VNA/VNSPhotoVi?tAnhWithtremblinghands,sheopenedahandwrittenNewYearsletterfromherformerstudent.DespitebeingtheGeneralSecretary–thehighestleaderinthecountryandburdenedwithcountlessresponsibilities–heneverforgothisoldteacherfromtheclassroominMaiLamVillage.Thesimpleletter,withanordinaryenvelope,containednotitlesorhintsofhishighstatus,onlytheheartfeltwishesofstudentNguy?nPhúTr?ngtohisoldteacher:WishingyouandyourfamilygoodhealthandlongevityintheNewYear;mayyourfamilybeprosperous,everythinggoessmoothly,andyouhavemanynewjoys.Iwillalwayscherishthedeep,unfadingmemoriesoftheyearsyoutaughtme.Havingadvancedthroughmanyhighereducationallevelsandheldimportantpositionsinthecapital,theNationalAssembly,thePartyandtheState,studentNguy?nPhúTr?ngbecameagreatleader,readytofacechallenges,bearresponsibilitiesandupholdthePartyspurityandthenationsenduringvalues.At80yearsold,GeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngwasashiningexampleofrevolutionaryethics,asharpandintelligentpoliticianandanoutstandingtheoreticianoftheParty.Hededicatedhislifetotheidealsofnationalindependenceandsocialismandthehappinessofthepeople.TheheartofthetruecommunistNguy?nPhúTr?nghasstoppedbeating,buthisspiritandcharacterwillliveonforever.—VNS

GeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?nganddelegatessingasongaboutPresidentHoChiMinhattheflowerofferingceremonyatthePresidentHoChiMinhMonumentonthegroundsoftheAsianCivilizationsMuseuminSingaporeonSeptember12,2012.—VNA/VNSPhotoSingapore–Simplicity,humility,andstrategicvisionareimpressionsofscholarsinSingaporeofPartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngthroughtheirmeetingswiththelateleader.Tr?ngpaidanofficialvisittoSingaporeinSeptember2012,duringwhichhedeliveredaspeechthemedForaSoutheastAsiaofpeace,stability,cooperationanddevelopmentattheLeeKuanYewSchoolofPublicPolicywhichreceivedhighevaluation.AssociateProf.Dr.V?MinhKh??ng,aVietnameselecturerattheschool,saidhewasextremelyimpressedbyhumilityandprofoundnessofthePartychiefwhodeliveredaspeechaffirmingthatVi?tNamalwaystreasuresrelationswithSingaporeandhopestolearnSingaporesexperiencealongthepathtoprosperity.ThelecturersaidthathestillrememberstheimpressiveanswersbythePartychieftoparticipantsquestionsfollowingthespeech.ApaintingthatGeneralSecretaryTr?ngpresentedtotheschoolisbeinghunginasolemnplace,rightnexttothePrincipalsroom,hesaid.Kh??ng,whometthePartychiefmanytimes,saidthathewillneverforgettheeyesofGeneralSecretaryTrongwhenheproposedthatVi?tNammustsetgoalsfor2030–ayearthatmarksthe100thanniversaryofthefoundingoftheCommunistPartyofVi?tNam-and2045-thecentenaryofindependentVi?tNam,tobecomeadevelopedcountryonparwithothercountriesoftheOrganisationforEconomicCooperationandDevelopment(OECD).Isawhiseyes,thoseofacomrade,ofafamilymember,andofaveryresponsibleleader,statedKhuong,addingthattheymadethescholarconfidentinthegreatlegacythatthePartychiefleftforthecurrentgenerationofleadersandhisvisiontobringVi?tNamtoprosperityinthenextdecades.KishoreMahbubani,aformerofficialoftheMinistryofForeignAffairsofSingaporewhoservedastheDeanoftheLeeKuanYewSchoolofPublicPolicythenandcurrentlyanhonoraryscholarattheAsianResearchInstituteoftheNationalUniversityofSingapore(NUS),recalledthechancehelistenedtotheVietnamesePartychiefsspeechandhadhisquestionedansweredbytheleader,sayingthathewasgreatlyimpressedbytheconfidenceofGeneralSecretaryTrongwhenheansweredquestionsattheevent.MahbubanisaidhebelievesthatthiswasthereasonwhyGeneralSecretaryTrongwasoneofthemostsuccessfulleadersofVietnam.Vi?tNamsachievementsineconomicdevelopmentinthepast20-30yearsareextremelyspecialtoanystandards.Insomeaspects,meetingtheleaderresponsibleforVi?tNamsremarkabledevelopmentwasawonderfulexperiencefortheschool.Weareextremelyhonouredtowelcomehim,hestated.ShowinghisimpressionatVietnamssuccessundertheleadershipofGeneralSecretaryTrong,MahbubanicommentedthatthestrongestimprintofthelateleaderwashiscarefulthinkingabouthowVi?tNamcansucceedineconomicdevelopment.Inmanyways,oneofthewisestdecisionsthatVi?tNammadeattheendoftheColdWarwastoswitchtoeconomicdevelopmentandseekpartnerstocooperatewith,andoneofVietnamschoicewasSingapore,henoted.TheformerSingaporeanForeignAffairsofficialunderlinedthattherearemanyreasonswhyGeneralSecretaryTrongwasoneofVi?tNamsmostsuccessfulleaders.HeemphasisedthatnoteverycountrywithresourcesisasdevelopedasVi?tNam,clarifyingthatVi?tNamssuccessunderTr?ngsleadershiphasshownthatthecountryhastalentedleaderswhomadewisedecisionstopromoteeconomicdevelopmentandbringaboutmoreprosperouslife.MahbubanialsohighlyevaluatedVi?tNamsexternalpolicyunderGeneralSecretaryTr?ngsleadershipandVi?tNamsabilitytonavigatetheincreasinglycomplexinternationalandregionalgeopoliticalenvironment.Thescholar,whohasresearchedgeopoliticsformorethan50years,heldthatthereareonlyafewcountriesintheworldthathaveawisegeopoliticalstrategy,andVi?tNamisoneofthem.HesaidhebelievesthatalthoughGeneralSecretaryTr?nghaspassedaway,otherleadersofVi?tNamwillensurethatlegaciesandeffortsofthePartyleadercontinue,headingtoagoodgovernance,shapingcorrecteconomicpoliciesandeliminatingcorruption.VNS

Anoverviewofthefundlaunchingceremony.—Photovov.vnHàN?I—AnutritionfundwaslaunchedonTuesdaytogivemorethan80,000jarsofwheytochildreninfourCentralHighlandsprovincesincludingGiaLai,??kL?k,??kN?ngandKonTum.ThefundlaunchingceremonywasorganisedinHàN?ibytheVi?tNamChildrensFundundertheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsanditspartners.Speakingattheceremony,V?Th?ThúyHi?n,DeputyDirectoroftheVi?tNamChildrensFund,saidthatthiswasatrulymeaningfulandnecessaryprogrammeforchildren,especiallythoseintheCentralHighlands.DatafromtheNationalInstituteofNutrition(NIN)showsthat38percentofethnicchildrenunderfiveyearsoldaremalnourishedandstunted,leadingtoaweakstateandconstantillness.ChildrenintheseareasstillfacemanydifficultiesrelatedtonutritionandtheVi?tNamChildrensFundhassurveysfromtheNIN,showingthatchildrenintheprovincesneedmosthelp.Therefore,thefundandsponsorschoosetheCentralHighlandsprovincessothatchildrentherehavemoreopportunitiestoimprovetheirnutritionanddevelop.Huy?nsaidthattheproportionofchildrenintheCentralHighlandsprovinceshavingaccesstomilkorusingdairyproductswasverylow.Withwidespreadpoverty,sometimestheirmealsonlyconsistofriceoronlyricewithvegetables.Suchmealsarecompletelylackinginnutrientsforchildrentofullydevelop.Overmorethan32yearsinoperation,theVi?tNamChildrensFundhascoordinatedwithdifferentunitstojointlycarryoutprogrammestodonatemilktochildrenindisadvantagedareas.Thefundhasimplementedanumberofnutritioncampaigns,suchastheVi?tNamStandTallMilkFundthathasbeenoperatingfor15yearsin63provincesandcitiesandthefreemilksupportprogrammeforprimaryschoolswhichwasimplementednationwideforfiveyears.Inaddition,theHappyNoodlePackageprogrammeprovidednoodlestochildreninsheltersandchildreninpoorareas.Inthefuture,thefundwillcontinueitsmissionofprovidingnutritionalandlearningopportunitiesforchildren,especiallythoseinpoorerremoteregions.Huy?naffirmedthatthefundwouldalsocreateresourcestosupportpoorchildrennationwideanditwillbeaskingindividuals,organisationsandphilanthropiststojoininthesupportwork.—VNSHCMCITY—HCMCityincollaborationwith22provincesandcitiesinthesouthernregionwillhostaregionaljobfaironJuly31.Thiseventwillbeheldbothin-personatFPTPolytechnicCollegelocatedinsideQuangTrungSoftwareCityinHCMCitysDistrict12andonlinethroughplatformslikeSkypeandZoom.Thein-personeventisexpectedtoattract50-60businessesand1,200-1,500jobseekers.Theonlineeventinotherprovincesisanticipatedtodrawover100businessesand1,000-1,200jobseekers.Thisregionaljobfairisexpectedtoeffectivelyconnectjobseekerswithemploymentopportunitiesinawidergeographicalarea.Provinceswithabundantlaboursupplycanprovideworkerstobothlocalbusinessesandthoseinotherlocalitieswithrecruitmentneeds.Businessesinneedoflabourerswillhavemorechancestofindsuitablecandidates.Manybusinessesarecurrentlyseekingtohirenewemployees,whileothersarefacingchallengesandhavehadtoscalebackoperations,leadingtomassivelayoffs.Therefore,organisingregionaljobfairsiscrucialtoconnectingbusinesseswithjobseekers.Thecityhasbeenactivelyfacilitatingthesejobfairstoensureemploymentopportunitiesforworkers,boththosecomingfromotherprovincestothecityandthosereturningtotheirhometowns.Inthefirsthalfof2024,thecitycollaboratedwithprovincesintheMekongDelta,southeastregion,andotherlocalitiestoorganise32jobfairs.Thesefairsprovidedjobcounsellingtoover112,000individualsandintroducedjobopportunitiesto11,665labourersinneed.Additionally,businessesinthecitycreated166,135newjobopportunitiesandfacilitatedemploymentforover74,000individuals.Moreover,over4,100peopleweresenttoworkabroad.Itisforecastthatinthelasthalfofthisyear,thecitywillneedupto161,500labourers,includingabout108,000positionsinthecommerceandservicesectors,whichaccountsfor67percentoftotallabourdemand,followedbyindustryandconstructionatnearly33percent.Thesefiguresindicateasubstantialanddiversedemandforlabouracrossvarioussectorsandskilllevelsinthecity.However,manybusinessesarestrugglingtofindsuitablecandidates.Meanwhile,manyunemployedindividualsareeitherwaitingforbetteropportunities,hesitanttoseekemployment,orunabletofindjobsthatalignwiththeirqualificationsanddesiredincome.—VNS

Ph?mV?nHi?ufixesapotholeatnight.—Photonld.com.vnHàN?I—Ph?mV?nHi?uhasdedicated14yearsofhislifetofillinginpotholesonHàN?isroads.Inspiredbyapersonalaccident,the33-year-oldlivinginHàH?iCommune,Th??ngTínDistrict,HàN?i,beganhissolitarymissiontoimproveroadsafetyin2010.Whileridinghomefromwork,hewassenttumblingwhenhismotorbikehitafloodedpothole.Luckily,heescapedwithminorinjuries.Ashepickedhimselfup,hesawanothermotorist,awoman,sufferasimilarfate.Theincidentleftalastingimpactonhismind.Icouldntshaketheimageofthosepeoplefallingintothatpothole,Hi?usaid.Irealisedthatifnothingweredone,moreaccidentswouldhappen.Drivenbyasenseofresponsibility,hedecidedtotakemattersintohisownhands,reportedtheNg??ilao??ng(TheLabourer)newspaper.Asapaperdeliveryman,hewasnostrangertothecityspockmarkedroadsand,usinghisownmoney,hestartedbuyingasphaltandgravel.Toavoidtraffic,heworkedmostlyatnight,fillingpotholesoneatatime.HisinitialrepairsitesincludedbusythoroughfareslikeTamTrinhandTr??ngChinhroads.Hedusuallybehomeby7pm,butthenhedcomeinaround11pm.WhenIasked,hedsayhewasworkingovertime,LêTh?Chi?n,hismother,recalled.Hislateworkcausedherconcern,butlittledidsheknowhersonwaswagingaone-manwaronpotholes.Whenshediscoveredwhathehadbeendoing,shewarnedhimaboutthepotentialrisks,tellinghim,ThatstheGovernmentsjob.Peoplemightthinkyouredamagingtheroad.ButHi?ustayedhiscourse.Hisselflesseffortsoftenwentunnoticedor,worse,misunderstood.Somepeoplethoughthewasuptonogoodwhentheywitnessedhimmeddlingwiththeroad.Once,Iwasworkingonapotholearound8pmwhensomeonereportedmetotheauthorities.Luckily,theyunderstoodafterIexplainedmyself,saidHi?u.Forsixyears,Hi?ukepthisgooddeedsunderwraps,shunningthelimelight.Hismotivationwassimple:toimproveroadsafetyforeveryone,notpersonalglory.Hecouldntgiveanexactnumberofpotholeshehasrepairedovertheyears.Forhim,itwasntaboutstatisticsbutaboutmakingadifference.Heestimatestacklingtwoorthreepotholesweekly,mainlyinHàN?issoutherndistricts.Hissolitarycrusadeattractedattention.Movedbyhisdedication,agroupofyoungpeoplejoinedforceswithHi?uin2016,formingtheTh??ngTínYouthVolunteerGroup.Withmorehandsondeck,theireffortsbecamemoreorganised.Spottingapotholewasnowacalltoaction,withthegroupquicklymobilisingtofixtheproblem.Thegroupseffortswentbeyondtime.Membersalsocontributedmoneytobuyingrepairmaterials,andconstructioncompaniessometimesdonatedsurplussupplies.Astheirimpactgrew,sodidtheirreach.StartinginHàN?issoutherndistricts,thegroupexpandeditsworkacrossthecityandintoneighbouringprovinceslikeHàNam,H?ngYên,andHòaBình.Wedonthaveafixedschedule,saidLêTh?Vi?t,along-timemember.Wheneverwespotabadroad,wemobilise.Everyonecontributes,whetheritstimeormoneyandourgoalissimple:saferroadsforeveryone.Oneparticularlychallengingrepairfortheteamwasamassivesix-metrepotholenearasugarfactoryinPhúXuyênDistrict.Luckily,thecommunitycametogethertohelp,quicklytransformingthateyesoreintoasmoothroad.Despitestartingafamily,hiscommitmenttotheroadshasntwavered.Hishomeisamakeshiftrepairshop,stockedwithasphalt,toolsandprotectivegear.Determinedtodothejobright,heevensoughtadvicefromacivilengineer.Heworksalldayandthenheadsouttofixpotholesatnight,saidhiswife,LêTh?Ph??ng.Iworryabouthishealth,butthisishispassion.Ouryoungdaughterevenhelpsoutsometimesandshessoproudofherdad.Healsoassistsaccidentvictims,rushingthemtothenearesthospital.Heslostcountofthelivesheshelpedsave,butonerecentincidentstandsout,rescuingamotorcyclistwhohadfallenoffthePhápVan–C?uGi?Expressway.Youcantjustleavesomeonestranded,especiallyatnight.Helpingothersiswhatmattersmosttome,heexplained.Beyondroadrepairs,thegrouphasorganisedclean-updrives,tree-plantinginitiativesandcharityevents.Inrecognitionofhisoutstandingcontributions,HàN?iauthoritiesgrantedhimtheGoodPerson,GoodDeedawardin2023.—VNSThetrialinHàN?ionMonday.—VNA/VNSPhotoPh?mKiênHàN?I—ProsecutorsinthefraudandstockmanipulationcaseofFLCGroupsaythedefendantsviolationsareconsciousanddeliberateactions.IntheongoingtrialagainstFLCchairmanTr?nhV?nQuy?tand49otherdefendants,prosecutorsonMondaysaidthatQuy?tisthemastermindbehindthecasewhomadeallnecessarypreparationstoorganise,coordinateanddelegateotherdefendantsinaseriesofdeliberatefraudulentactionsovermanyyears,withmultipleinstancesofunwarrantedincreaseofcapitalcontributions.TheprosecutionstatementsaidthatthisseriesofviolationsstartedfromthepurchaseofGreenBeltCompany(laterrenamedFaros),withfiveallegedlybaselessincreasesinownerscapitalcontributionfromVN?1.5billion($59,300)toVN?4.3trillion($170million).Thedefendantsthenallegedlyarrangedpaperworktolistthecompanysstocks,ROS,ontheHCMCityStockExchange(HOSE).Withmorethan391millionsharessoldattheirinflatedvalue,thedefendantsaccumulatedmorethanVN?4.8trillion($190million)andembezzledoverVN?3.6trillion($142.4million)ofstockinvestors,accordingtotheprosecutors.ProsecutorsalsosaidthattheotherdefendantsareQuy?tsfamilymembers,subordinatesandacquaintances.AmongthemaretwoofQuy?tsyoungersistersTr?nhTh?MinhHu?andTr?nhTh?ThúyNga,whohetrustedandassignedvariousfraudulentactions,includingposingasshareholdersonpaper,holdinginvestmententrustmenttolegitimiseinflatedcapitalcontributions,recordingfalsifiedinformationinfinancialstatementsforaudits,aswellasotherdocumentsaspartofthenecessaryprocedurestolistROSonthestockexchange.OtherdefendantsarefromtheDepartmentofPublicCompanySupervision(undertheStateSecuritiesCommission),theVi?tNamSecuritiesDepositoryandClearingCorporationandtheHOSEusedthefraudulentinformationinFarosfinancialstatementsanddocumentstoapprovethecompanyanditsstockregistration,listing430millionROSsharesontheHOSE.Accordingtotheprosecutors,withoutthecontributionsofanyofthedefendantsinthelistingofROSshares,Quy?twouldhavebeenunabletosellmorethan391millionstockstoinvestors.AtthetrialonMonday,mostdefendantsaccusedofhelpingQuy?t,Hu?andothersintheirwrongdoingsadmittedtotheactionsandchargesbroughtagainstthembytheprosecutors.However,theyandtheirdefencelawyerssaidtheyareunawareoftheinflatedcapitalinvestmentsandROSsharelistingforfraudulentappropriationofproperty.Inresponse,theprosecutorssaidthatthesedefendantssigneddocumentsrelatedtotheunwarrantedcapitalcontributionincreasesmultipletimes,andacceptedinvestmententrustmentswithouthavingactualcapitalfundingorinvolvingininvestmentactivitiesthemselves.Therefore,theymusthaveknownthattheirsignatureonthesefalsifieddocumentsisillegal,accordingtotheprosecutors.Thesedocumentsincludecapitalincreasedocuments,financialstatementsandpaymentorderstosevenorganisationsandsevenindividualsborrowingfundingfromFaros,withouttakingintoaccountthecompanysactualoperations,itsregulationsorbusinesslaws,butatthedirectionofQuy?t,Hu?andDo?nV?nPh??ng(FLCsCEO,whoareinhiding).Therefore,theprosecutorsrejectedthereasoningofthedefendantsandtheirlawyers,whilealsoassertingtheinterconnectionofthedefendantsrolesandactionsasaccompliceswithQuy?t,Hu?andNga.—VNS

HàN?I—TheInternationalCooperativeAllianceAsia-Pacific(ICA-AP),incollaborationwiththeICA-APWomensCommitteeandtheVi?tNamCooperativeAlliance(VCA),convenedtheICA-APRegionalBoardMeetinginHàN?ionMondayInheropeningspeech,VCAChairwomanCaoXuanThuVancommendedtheICA-APRegionalBoardforitseffortstouniteICA-APmembercountriesandcreateplatformsforfemalecooperativeleadersintheregiontosharevaluableexperienceineconomicdevelopment.SheexpressedheroptimismabouttheupcomingapprovalandimplementationoftheICA-APstrategicplanfor2025-2030,acrucialdocumentinlightoftheInternationalYearofCooperativesin2025.TheVCAwillalwaysbearesponsiblememberoftheICA-AP,activelyjoiningothermembercountriesinfutureactivitiestoimprovethealliancesoperatingefficiencyandglobalstanding,Vanremarked.SheaddedthattheVCAwillfacilitatethesharingofexperienceandmutuallybeneficialcooperationamongcooperativesindifferentcountries,contributingtothegrowthofthecooperativemovementbothregionallyandglobally.Inparticular,theVCAiscommittedtomakingeveryefforttosuccessfullyhosttheAsia-PacificWomenCEOsinCooperativesSummitoverthenexttwodays.ThebiannualICA-APRegionalBoardMeetingservesasaplatformformemberorganisationstoreportontheiractivities,discussongoinginitiatives,andaligneffortswiththeUnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoals.Along-standingmemberoftheICAsince1988,theVCAhasbeeninstrumentalinpromotingVi?tNamscooperativeeconomyandfosteringinternationalcollaboration.Foundedin1895,theICArepresentsaglobalnetworkofaround3millioncooperativesandmutualorganisationswithacombinedmembershipof1.2billionpeople,constitutingatleast12percentoftheworldspopulation.Thetop300cooperativesworldwidegeneratedatotalrevenueof2.4trillionin2022,providingstableandqualityemploymentformorethan280millionpeople.—VNA/VNSForeigntouristscheckingoutsouvenirsonsaleatB?nThànhMarket,HCMCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ng??tHàN?I—AsofJuly2024,internationalarrivalstoVi?tNamreachednearly10million,anincreaseof51percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyearand1.9percenthigherthanin2019,beforeCOVID-19pandemicstruck,accordingtothelatestreportfromtheGeneralStatisticsOfficeofVi?tNam.Travellersarrivingbyairreached8.4million,accountingfor84.2percentofthetotalinternationalarrivals,whilearrivalsbylandreached1.4million,accountingfor14.1percentandarrivalsbyseareached165,500(1.7percent,triplingcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear).ThetourismindustryrecordedstronggrowthinthenumberofvisitorsfromEurope,witha47.3percentincrease.Othermarketsalsosawhighincreases,suchasAsiawith57.1percent(mainlyduetotheincreaseinChinesevisitors),Australiawith27.3percentandtheAmericaswith9.7percent.SouthKoreaandChinaremainthetwolargestinternationaltouristmarketsforVi?tNam.Julysaw1.15millioninternationalarrivals,theleastnumberofforeigntravellersintheyearsofar,continuingthedownwardtrendforthelowseason(Vi?tNamspeakinternationaltourismseasonisfromOctobertoMarchnextyear),butthisisstill11percenthigherthanlastJuly.AlthoughthenumberofChinesetravellersinJulydecreasedcomparedtoJune(with310,000and249,200visitorsrespectively),overthefirstsevenmonthsofthisyear,Chinesevisitorsstillincreasedby190percentandSouthKoreanvisitorsincreasedby37.2percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.InthelistoftopmarketswiththelargestnumberofinternationalgueststoVi?tNaminJuly,Taiwan(China)had101,465visitors,theUnitedStateshad62,900visitors,Japan44,569visitorsandAustraliahad37,853visitors.Notably,thenumberofvisitorsfromEuroperecordedstronggrowth,withatotalofmorethan103,000visitorsinJuly,up9.4percentcomparedtothepreviousmonth.Amongthem,Russianvisitorsincreasedby75.7percent,Italianvisitorsby61percent,Frenchvisitorsby33.4percent,Britishvisitorsby25.2percent,Spanishvisitorsby38.3percentandGermanvisitorsby27.4percent.Thegrowthisattributedtothefavourablevisapoliciesandeffortsbymanagementagenciesandtouristbusinessesandlocalitiesinpromotingandpromotingtourism.ThesummerperiodVi?tNamisusuallypeakseasonfordomestictourism,asstudentsenjoythesummerbreakandfamiliesusuallytakethisopportunitytogoonholiday.Travelandtourismrevenueinthefirstsevenmonthsof2024isestimatedatVN?35.2trillion(nearlyUS$1.4billion),up31.8percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.SomelocalitiessawstrongincreasessuchasHCMCity(upby42.2percent),?àN?ng(up38.6percent),C?nTh?(up33.7percent),HàN?i(up29.7percent)andQu?ngNinh(up21percent).—VNS