ti?p thu v ghi nh?n cc ki?n ph?n nh.

AsectionoftheNorth-SouthExpresswayProject.—VNA/VNSPhotoBùiV?nLanhHàN?I—ThefeasibilityoftheGiaNgh?a-Ch?nThànhexpressway,asectionoftheWesternNorth-SouthExpresswayProject,wasdiscussedattheNationalAssemblyonMonday.DeputyPh?mV?nHòafrom??ngThápProvinceexpressedhissupportforthesection,citingitasacruciallinkbetweenthesouthwestandsoutheastregions.HeproposedthesectionbefinancedbyacombinationofStatebudgetandprivatefunding,andimplementedunderthePublic-PrivatePartnership(PPP)model.AnotherproposalwastoupgradetheexistingCh?nThành-??cHòaexpresswaysectiontofourlanestomatchtheGiaNgh?a-Ch?nThànhsection.Accordingtotheplan,thesectionwillhavesixlanes,saidHòa.Butduetolimitedcapital,wewillfirstconstructfourlanes.Theremainingtwowillbedividedintophasesforfutureinvestment.Giventhatapproximately1,300householdsareaffectedbytheproject,heemphasisedtheimportanceofpropercompensationandresettlementpolicies,callingonlocalauthoritiestoprioritisethesemeasures.DeputyNguy?nTr??ngGiangfrom??kN?ngProvincesaidthesectionwillopenupneweconomicspace,strengthenregionalconnectivityandcreateanetworkofhighwayslinkedtoLongThànhInternationalAirportandCáiMép-Th?V?iPort.Toensuretheprojectsprogress,IsuggestitscontractorsbeexemptedfromapplyingforaMineralExploitationLicencewhentheyexploitmineralstoproduceconstructionmaterialsfortheproject,saidGiang.Deputy?i?uHu?nhSangfromBìnhPh??cProvinceunderlinedtheprojectspotentialtoalleviateinfrastructurebottlenecks,stimulatesocio-economicgrowthinthesouthwestandsoutheastregionsandenhancenationaldefenceandsecurity.MinisterofTransportNguy?nV?nTh?ngrevealedthatthesectionwasdesignedforsixlanesbutwillinitiallybeconstructedwithfourlanes,halfofwhicharefinancedbytheStatebudget.Furtherexpansiontosixlanesisplannedfor2045.Healsoemphasisedtheprojectsattractivereturnoninvestment,withapaybackperiodofapproximately18years.Somedeputiesraisedconcernsabouttheprojects2026completiontarget,butTh?ngexpressedconfidencetheprojectwouldmeetthisdeadline,citingVi?tNamsextensiveexperienceinconstructingexpressways.HedrewparallelswiththeconstructionoftheEasternNorth-SouthExpresswayPhase2,whichwascompletedwithin24monthsdespiteinitialchallenges.Th?ngattributedthissuccesstotheoptimisationofconstructionprocessesandtheshorteningofprojecttimelines.Theministeralsohighlightedseveralfactorsthatwillexpeditethesectionsconstruction,includingreadilyavailablematerialresourcesidentifiedbylocalauthoritiesandstronglocalcommitmenttolandacquisition.Addressingconcernsaboutlocalfundingconstraints,hereiteratedthestrongcommitmentof??kN?ngandBìnhPh??cProvincestoimplementtheprojectandcitedthesuccessfulfinancingof?i?nBiênAirportasanexampleofwhataprovincewithstrongcommitmentcanachieve.DespitehavinganannualbudgetofbetweenVN?800billiontoVN?1.2trillion,?i?nBiênwasabletobuild?i?nBiênAirport,whichcostVN?1.2trillion,saidTh?ng.Thisdemonstratesaprovincesabilitytoundertakelarge-scaleinfrastructureprojectsdespitefinancialconstraints.Thereforethereisreasontobelievethat??kN?ngandBìnhPh??ccanalsoachievesimilarsuccessintheirinfrastructureendeavors,henoted.—VNSFarmersinthenorthern?i?nBiênProvincecleantheirpigpentopreventdisease.—VNA/VNSPhotoTrungKiênHàN?I—DeputyMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentPhùng??cTi?nstressedthatpreventionisbetterthancure,asheaddressedaconferenceondiseasesamonglivestockandpoultryonMonday.Attheevent,lookingatpreventionandcontrolmeasureswhichneedtobetakeninthelatterhalfof2024,hestressedthatlocalitiesmustcontinuetheireffortsinaddressinganimalproductsmuggling,inadditiontoimprovingvaccinationrates.Theillegaltradeoflivestockbreedsisconsideredaprimaryreasonforthespreadofseriousdiseasessuchasavianinfluenza,blueeardisease,foot-and-mouthdisease(FMD),lumpyskindiseaseorAfricanswinefever,allofwhichseverelydamagedthefarmingindustry,hesaid.DeputyMinisterTi?nsaidthatlocalauthoritiesmustworkwithtransportandmarketmanagementagenciesonthismatter.DeputyMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentPhùng??cTi?naddressesthemeetingonMonday.—VNA/VNSPhotoBíchH?ngAccordingtotheDepartmentofAnimalHealth(undertheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment–MARD),dangerousdiseasesinanimalhusbandryhaveremainedcomplexsincethebeginningof2024,withthenumberofoutbreaksandinfectedanimalsshowinganupwardtrendcomparedtothesameperiodin2023.Intermsofavianflu,onedeathrelatedtotheA/H5N1strainandoneinfectionofA/H9N2havebeenreported.Atotalof44peopleacrossthecountrydiedfromrabies(a30percentrise),whilenearly97,000peopleweretreatedforwoundsinflictedbypotentiallyrabidanimals.Equallyconcerningisthatoutbreaksoffoot-and-mouthdoubled,whilethenumberofAfricanswinefeverclustersincreased2.4fold,withthemostsevereclustersintheprovincesofB?cK?n,L?ngS?n,Qu?ngNamandQu?ngNinh.Inarecentdispatchsenttoleadersofprovincesandcentrally-runcitiesandseveralministries,PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhorderedaconcerted,drasticandeffectiveimplementationofsolutionstopreventandcontroldiseasesinthelivestocksector.Thechairsofthelocalpeoplescommitteeswereaskedtodirectandmobiliselegalresourcestohandleoutbreaksandpreventnewonesfromarising,cullingallinfectedorsuspectedofbeingdiseasedanimals.Theywereorderedtotakemeasurestosupportaffectedfarmers,whilealsopromptlydetecting,preventingandhandlingcasesoftradingandtransportingsickanimals,aswellasimpropercullingthatspreadsdiseasesandpollutestheenvironment.Atleast80percentofthetotalavailablelivestockmustbeinoculatedassoonaspossible,theGovernmentleaderstressed,orderingatimelyvaccinationprogrammeagainstavianinfluenza,rabiesandAfricanswinefever,amongothers.PhanQuangMinh,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofAnimalHealth,saidthattheriskofwidespreadAfricanswinefeverisveryhigh,asfarmersoftentrytoquicklyrepopulatetheirherdstotakeadvantageofrisingporkprices.Thelocalvaccinationdriveisstillmodestintermsofbothscaleandfinances,whilesomefarmersdontpractisefundamentalveterinaryhygienefordiseasepreventionandcontrol.Cullingofinfectedanimalsisalsochallengingduetotheshortageofveterinarypractitioners,aswellasalackoffundingforchemicalsandequipmentrequired.TheDepartmentofAnimalHealthisnowworkingwithlocalitiestomonitordiseasesituationsandimplementfivenationalprogrammestocontrolillnessesamonganimalhusbandry.Thedepartmentalsostressedactivesupervisionofthetransmissionofdiseaseswithinmarkets,vaccinationefficiencyandevaluation.Anepidemiologicalmapofdangerousdiseasesamonglivestockandpoultryisalsoexpectedtobedevelopedasaguideforpreventionandcontroleffortsandtoenhancetestingcapacities.Specialisedunitsandlocalitiesneedtoguidelivestockandpoultryownerstogetthemtousesafefarmingtechniquesandpreventdiseasesthroughhygiene,disinfectionandpestcontrol.Localauthoritiesmustalsobeproactiveindetectingdangerousoutbreaksforpromptwarningandhandling.Thefocuswillbeondevelopingdisease-freefarmingareasandvaluechains,especiallythoserespondingtothestandardsdemandedbytheWorldOrganisationforAnimalHealth(WOAH)forexports.—VNS

Rescueworkatthesceneofthefirein??nhC?ngWardinHàN?ionJune16.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhasissuedanofficialdispatchtodirectallministries,branchesandlocalitiestofocusondealingwiththeconsequencesoftwoconsecutivefatalhousefires,whichkilledseven,includingfourchildren,overtheweekend.Heaskedministries,peoplescommitteesandrelevantagenciestoimplementeffectivepreventionmeasuresandcomeupwithwaystocontainandpreventfires,aswellasteachingpeoplehowtoescape,followingthedeadlyblazesinHàN?iandB?cGiangProvince.ThefiresoccurredinHàN?is??nhC?ngWardinHoàngMaiDistrict,wherefourdied,threeofthemchildrenandB?cGiangProvinces?aMaiWard,whichkilledthree,includinganeightyearoldgirl.Thedispatch(No.59/C?-TTgon17/6/2024)wassenttoministers,headsofministerialandGovernmentlevelagenciesandpeoplescommitteeschairmenofHàN?i,B?cGiangandallprovincesandcentrally-runcities.ItstressedthatonlyrecentlytheGovernmentandthePrimeMinisterissueddirectivestostressthesignificanceoffireprevention,firefightingandmakingresidentialbuildingssafe,butonJune16,thetwoseriousfiresclaimedanothersevenlives.OnbehalfoftheGovernment,thePrimeMinistersentsincerecondolencestotherelativesandfamiliesofthevictimsandgaveinstructionstopeoplescommitteesandrelevantagencies.ThepeoplescommitteesofHàN?iandB?cGiangProvincevisitedthescenesofthefirestoofferencouragementandmaterialandspiritualsupportforthevictimsfamilies.TheyalsobeganworkwiththeMinistryofPublicSecuritytodirectfunctionalforcesonhowtoovercometheconsequencesofthedeadlyblazesandasamatterofurgency,investigatetoestablishwhowasresponsible,handlingviolations(ifany)accordingtotheprovisionsoflaw.TheMinistryofPublicSecurityisresponsibleforpresidingoverandcoordinatingwithrelevantministries,sectors,agencies,andthepeoplescommitteesofcentrally-runcitiesandprovincestocontinuetoseriously,decisively,effectivelyandsubstantivelyimplementtheGovernmentsandPrimeMinistersdirectivesonfirepreventionandfire-fightingoperations.Theministryhastoreview,classifyandimmediatelyimplementeffectivefirepreventionandfirecontrolsinrentalhousing,especiallymulti-storey,multi-apartmentbuildingsandstrictlyhandleanyviolationsaccordingtothelaw.Additionally,effortsshouldbeintensifiedtoguidefirepreventionmeasuresandteachrescueandescapeskillstopeoplelivinginhighriskareas.TherelevantagenciesareurgentlytaskedwithdraftingandsubmittingtothePrimeMinisteradirectiveoneffectivelypreventingandcontrollingfiresinsuchareas,particularlyinmulti-storey,multi-apartmentbuildings,rentalhousing,residential-commercialcombinedbuildingsandhowtobetterensurethesafetyofelectricaldevices,beforeJuly15.ThePrimeMinisterrequiresstrictaccountabilityforlocalpartyandgovernmentleadersifhigh-riskestablishmentsoperatewithoutensuringfiresafetyconditions,oriffiresandexplosionsoccurtoalackofleadership,inspectionorfullresponsibilitywithintheirmanagementscopeforfireprevention,fightingandrescuework.TheMinistryofInformationandCommunicationsandtheMinistryofEducationandTrainingaretoco-ordinatewiththepeoplescommitteesofcentrally-runcitiesandprovincestoenhancefireandexplosionriskwarnings,especiallyonhotdays,andcontinuetoraiseknowledgeandskillsforstudentsandchildrenduringthesummerholidays.TheMinistryofIndustryandTradeandlocalpeoplescommitteesmustrequiretheelectricitysectortoassignofficerstovisiteveryhousetoinspectandguidepeopleonsafeelectricityusage,rectifyimproperandunsafesystems,toreducetheprobabilityofelectricalfiresandexplosions.TheGovernmentOfficeandtheMinistryofPublicSecurityaretoregularlymonitor,urgeandpromptlyreporttothePrimeMinisteronthesituationandresultsoftheimplementationofthisdispatch.HàN?isupportvictimsfamiliesOnJune16,Nguy?nTh?Tuy?n,permanentdeputysecretaryoftheHàN?iPartyCommitteevisitedtooffercondolencesandsupporttothevictimsfamiliesofthefireattheresidentialhouse,inwhichfourpeopleperished.Specifically,thecityprovidedsupportofVN?50million(US$2,200)perdeceasedpersonandVN?30million($1,200)perinjuredperson,whilethecitysVi?tNamFatherlandFrontsupportedthevictimsfamilieswithVN?20million($800).Onthesameday,leadersofHoàngMaiDistrictvisitedandhandedoverVN?88million($3,500)andanadditionalVN?10million($400)tothevictimsfamilies.ThedistrictsVi?tNamFatherlandFrontalsoofferedsupportofVN?20million.OtherpoliticalandsocialorganisationsinthedistrictsupportedthevictimsfamilieswithVN?25million($1,000),thedistrictDepartmentofEducationandTraining,withVN?50million($2,000)andthedistrictRedCross,VN?35million($1,400).—VNSStaffoftheAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentDepartmentintheMekongDeltaprovinceofH?uGiangcheckstheobeyofanimalquarantineforporkmeatataslaughterhouseintheprovince.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhasorderedtheconcerted,drasticandeffectiveimplementationofsolutionstopreventandcontroldiseasesonlivestockandpoultry,asariskofacontinuousspreadislooming.Inhisdispatchsenttoleadersofprovincesandcentrally-runcitiesandseveralministries,theGovernmentleaderaskedtheChairpersonsofthelocalPeoplesCommitteestodirectandmobiliselegalresourcestocompletelyhandleoutbreaksandpreventnewonesfromarising;cullinfectedorsuspectedanimals;proactivelycarryoutmeasuresandpoliciestosupportaffectedfarmers;andpromptlydetect,prevent,andresolutelyhandlecasesoftradingandtransportingsickanimals,anddumpingdeadonesthatspreaddiseasesandpollutetheenvironment.Itisessentialtocarryoutthevaccinationagainstdiseasesforlivestock,ensuringthatatleastover80percentofthetotalavailablelivestockareinoculatedassoonaspossible,hestressed,askingforatimelyandeffectiveimplementationofvaccinationagainstavianinfluenza,rabies,Africanswinefever,foot-and-mouthdisease,andothers.TheGovernmentleaderemphasisedtheneedtostepupthedisseminationworktoraisefarmersawarenessandresponsibilityabouttheriskofepidemicsandmeasurestopreventandcontrolthem.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentwasrequiredtocoordinatewithotherministries,sectors,andlocalitiestofocusondirecting,guiding,promoting,andinspectingdiseasepreventionandcontrolinlocalities;andtocloselymonitortheepidemicsituationtoensureearlydetectionandwarningandthoroughhandlingofoutbreaks.TheMinistryofHealthmustprovideprofessionalandtechnicaldirectionsandguidance,andenhanceinspectionofandsupervisionoverthepreventionandcontrolofdiseasestransmittedbetweenanimalsandhumans,whiletheMinistryofIndustryandTrademuststrengthenmarketmanagement,andproactivelydetectandstrictlyhandlecasesoftransportingandtradinganimalsandproductsofunknownoriginsonthemarket.Statisticsshowthatsofarthisyear,Africanswinefeverhasbeenreportedin410communesin40provincesandcities,with17,400animalsculled,up53.74percentyear-on-year,whilefoot-and-mouthdiseasehasbeenseenin44communesof13provincesandcities,rabiesin34provincesandcities,populardermatitisinover60communesofnineprovinces,andA/H5N1birdfluinsevenprovinces.Notably,onepersondiedfrombeinginfectedwiththeA/H5N1birdfluvirusandanotherwasinfectedwiththeA/H9N2birdfluvirus.—VNSThesceneoftheincidentwherethreemembersofafamilywerekilledaround11:20amonSundayinLongPh??cHamlet,?LongV?Commune,ChauPhúDistrict,intheMekongDeltaprovinceofAnGiangduetoelectricshock.—VNA/VNSPhotoANGIANG—ChauPhúDistrictsPoliceOfficeonMondayreportedthatthreemembersofafamilywerekilledaround11:20amonSundayinLongPh??cHamlet,?LongV?Commune,ChauPhúDistrict,intheMekongDeltaprovinceofAnGiangduetoelectricshock.Earlier,at11:20amonSunday,LêTh?Tuy?tLoan,24,residinginthehamlet,wenttothehomeofherhusbandsbrothernamedNg?V?nHùng.ShefoundHùngsseven-year-oldsonlyingmotionless.Shecalledontheboybuthedidnotrespond.Then,shealsofoundHùng,49,andhis45-year-oldwife,dead.Sheimmediatelyinformedofthecasetothecommunepolice.Afterreceivingthereport,localpolicewenttothescenetoinvestigate.Initialfindingsindicatedthatthethreepeoplediedfromelectricshock.Thepolicearecontinuingtofurtherinvestigatethecase.—VNS

TouristsatBìnhS?nBeachinthecoastalprovinceofNinhThu?n.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nThànhHàN?I—Vi?tNamaimstoturntourismintoamajoreconomicsectorwithgreengrowthandworld-classdevelopmentpotentialby2030.Thisispartofamasterplanontourismforthe2021-2030periodrecentlyapprovedbyDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHà.Theplansgoalsfor2025areforVi?tNamtowelcomebetween25millionand28millioninternationalarrivals,with130milliondomestictravellersandanannualgrowthrateof8-9percentinthenumberofdomestictourists.By2030,thenumberofinternationaltouristswillreach35million,increasing13-15percenteachyear,whiledomestictravellerswillreach160millionandgrow4-5percentannually,accordingtotheplan.Tourismisexpectedtodirectlycontribute8-9percentand13-14percentofgrossdomesticproduct(GDP)by2025and2030,respectively.Underthemasterplan,thissectorwillcreateabout6.3millionjobs(including2.1milliondirectjobs)by2025,and10.5millionjobs(including3.5milliondirectones)by2030.Vi?tNamisworkingtorecoverandgrowdomestictourismoverthenextfewyears.Meanwhile,itissettotapintothemarketsofhigh-spendingtouristsandtouriststhatstayforlongperiodsoftime,alongwithnewmarketslikegolf,sportsandadventuretourism.Effortsarebeingmadetorevivetraditionalmarketsandattractvisitorsfromemergingones,likeIndiaandMiddleEasterncountries.Overthenextseveralyears,Vi?tNamisplanningtomaintainandexpandtraditionalmarketsinNortheastAsia,SoutheastAsia,Europe,NorthAmerica,Russia,EasternEuropeandOceania,whilediversifyingmarketstoincreasetheproportionofwealthytravellers.By2045,tourismisexpectedtoestablishitselfasamaineconomicdriver,andVi?tNamwillbecomeagloballydesirabledestinationandoneofthecountrieswiththestrongesttourismdevelopmentintheAsia-Pacificregion,accordingtothemasterplan.Theplanalsohopestoachieve70millioninternationalarrivalsandaboutVN?7.3quadrillion(US$287billion)intourismrevenue,increasingthetourismsectortocontribute17-18percentofGDPby2045.Tourismdevelopmentisexpectedtoplayaroleinpreservingandpromotingculturalvalues,creatinglivelihoodsforthelocalcommunitiesandimprovingtheirqualityoflife.Environmentalprotectionandclimatechangeresponseisalsoafocus,withagoalthatnotouristdestinations,accommodationsorserviceestablishmentsusesingle-useplasticproductsandnon-biodegradablebagsby2030.Thesectorisalsoexpectedtocontributetothecountryssocialorderandsafetyandoverallsecurity,aswellasterritorialintegrity.NinhCh?BeachinNinhThu?nProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoProductdevelopmentwillprioritiseseaandislandtourismpotential,particularlyecotourismproductsbasedonVi?tNamsstrengthinnaturalresourceswithworldbiospherereservesandnationalparksaswellasnatureandmarinereserves.Meanwhile,urbantourismwillexpandculturalindustriesandthenightlifeeconomy.Newtourismmodelswillbedevelopedinalignmentwithnewmarkettrendssuchashealthandwellnesstourism,agriculturalandruraltourism,sportandadventuretourismorMICE(Meetings,Incentives,ConferencesandExhibitions)tourismamongothers.Eachregionalsoplanstocustomisetheirtourismproductsbasedontheiruniquefeatures,whilealsobuildingregionaltourismbrandsbystrengtheningregionalconnections.Theplanalsooutlinesthecountrysspatialdevelopmentfortourism,whichincludesvarioustourismzones,growthdrivers,maintourismroutesandtourismcentres,aswellasnationaltourismdestinations.—VNSAmedicalteamperformsadonorkidneytransplantatHCMCitysCh?R?yHospital.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Thecostoforgantransplantscurrentlyexceedsthefinancialcapacityofmanypatientsfamilies,particularlythosewhoareeconomicallydisadvantaged.Tosolvethisproblem,medicalexpertsaresuggestingthathealthinsurancepoliciescovermoreexpensestoincreaseaccesstoorgantransplantproceduresandextendpatientslives.Organtransplantsrequiresubstantialfunds,eventhoughthecostofperformingatransplantinVi?tNamisamongthelowestintheworld.Accordingto?inhV?nL??ng,DirectoroftheNationalLungHospital,thefirstlungtransplantatthehospitalcostVN?1.3billion(US$51,096)andthesecondcostVN?1.1billion($43,235).Theseamountswerebeyondwhatthepatientsfamiliescouldafford,sothehospitalhadtoprovidenearlyVN?1billioninfinancialsupporttoperformthesetransplants.Thesituationissimilarforlivertransplants.AssociateProfessorLêV?nThành,DirectoroftheInstituteofDigestiveSurgeryandHeadoftheDepartmentofHepato-Pancreato-BiliarySurgeryatthe108MilitaryCentralHospital,statedthatthetotalcostofalivertransplantisaboutVN?1billion($39,300).HealthinsurancecoversonlyaboutVN?200million($7,860)forpatientseligiblefor100percentcoverage.Forthosenotfullycovered,insuranceonlypaysVN?163million($6,400).Thisleavesawidegapbetweencurrentinsurancecoverageandthecostofalivertransplant.Inadditiontothecostsoftransplantingorgans,therearerelatedexpensesincludingforresuscitationactivities,braindeathdiagnosis,organretrieval,preservation,coordinationandtransportation.ThesecostshavenotbeenuniformlyregulatedinVi?tNam,makingitdifficultforhospitalstosettlepayments,especiallythoseperformingorgandonations.Forexample,theVi?tNam-SwedenHospitalinQu?ngNinhProvinceprovidesconsultation,resuscitationandbraindeathdiagnosis,butorgansaretransferredtootherhospitalsfortransplants.MeanwhiletherearestillnomechanismsorpoliciesinplaceinVi?tNamforconsultingonorgandonationfrombrain-deadorheart-deadindividuals.Giventherealitythatmanypatientsinneedoftransplantsfacefinancialdifficulties,numerousexpertshaveproposedincreasedcoveragefromthehealthinsurancefundandothersocialsources.AssociateProfessor??ngV?nH?,DirectoroftheNationalCoordinatingCentreforHumanOrganTransplantation,emphasisedthenecessityofestablishingorgandonationadvisoryteamsathospitals.Overtime,thecostsfortransplantpatientsandimmunosuppressivemedicationswillbecheaperthandialysis.Tofurtherdevelopandsustainthefieldoforgantransplantation,itisessentialtoestablishadvisoryteamsathospitalswithpotentialbrain-deaddonorsandtosetupfundingforconsultationandcoordinationactivities,H?said.DoctorsfromtheAnesthesiaandResuscitationCentreatVi?tNam-GermanyHospitalexamineapatientafteralivertransplant.VNA/VNSPhotoDr.Nguy?nThanhXuanfromHu?CentralHospitalproposeddevelopingastructuredpricingsystemfororgantransplantsasabasisforhealthinsurancereimbursement,tobeapplieduniformlyacrossallmedicalfacilitiesnationwide.Healsosuggestedestablishingahumanitariansupportfundtoassistpatientsanddonors,reducingthefinancialburdenonmedicalinstitutionsperformingorganretrievalandtransplantation.Thisincludesfullreimbursementfororganretrieval,apost-donationhealthcarandperiodichealthchecksatthedonationfacilityoraconvenientlocationforthedonor.Xuanalsorecommendedpoliciestohonourlivingdonors,providingthemwithlifetimehealthinsurancethatoffersprioritisedandfullycoveredhealthcareatanysuitablemedicalfacility.Additionalspecificbenefitsandrewardsshouldbeincluded.Furthermore,heproposedcreatingapaymentmechanismforthetreatmentandresuscitationofbrain-deaddonors,evaluatingorganfunction,organretrievalsurgeryandtransportationcosts.Xuanalsosuggestedestablishingfundsandpaymentmechanismsrelatedtobrain-deaddonors,suchasfuneralandburialexpenses.Immediatefamilymemberssuchasparents,spousesandchildrenofdeceaseddonorsshouldreceivelifetimefreehealthinsurancewithmaximumcoverageandpriorityfororgantransplantsiftheyneedone.Asupportfundshouldbesetuptocovertheeducationandupbringingofthedonorschildrenuntiltheyreach18yearsofage,hesaid.ProfessorTr?nV?nThu?n,DeputyMinisterofHealth,statedthatVi?tNamhasachievedmanymilestonesinorgantransplantation,leadingSoutheastAsiainthenumberoftransplantsperformedeachyearwithtechnologyonparwiththerestoftheworld.AccordingtotheNationalCoordinatingCentreforHumanOrganTransplantation,livingdonorsstillconstitute95percentofdonorsinVi?tNam,whereasindevelopedcountrieslikeSpainandSouthKorea,over50percentofdonationscomefrombrain-deadindividuals.However,thenumberofdonatedorgansonlymeetsasmallfractionoftheactualdemand.Thisshortfallispartlyduetoculturalbeliefsthatthebodyshouldremainintactafterdeathandalackofawarenessaboutorgantransplantationinthecommunity.Additionally,thepromotionoforgandonationhasnotbeenfullydevelopedoroptimisedandcoordinationamonghospitalsandrelevantagenciesremainsinadequate.Currently,only23centralhospitalshaveorgandonationadvisoryteams,butfewoftheseteamsareactivelyfunctioningandthereisnosupportmechanismfortheseadvisoryteams.—VNS

ThesceneofaboilerexplosionataSunriseWoodTradingProductionCo.,Ltd.factorythatkilledsixandinjuredfiveonMay1.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nS?TuyênHàN?I—Arecentstringofdeadlyworkplaceaccidentshasrippedthroughfactoriesinseveralprovinces,raisingseriousconcernsaboutgapsinworkplacesafetymeasures.Justinthepasttwomonths,workplaceaccidentshaveclaimedashockingnumberoflives.AhorrificaccidentatacementfactoryownedbyYênBáiCementandMineralsJSCleftsevenworkersdeadandthreeinjuredinApril.Onemonthlater,anotherataSunriseWoodTradingProductionCo.,Ltd.factoryclaimedsixlivesandleftfivehurt.HàT?tTh?ng,DirectoroftheWorkSafetyDepartmentundertheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs,admitstheresaproblem.Whilethetotalnumberofworkplaceaccidentshasdippedin2024,theseverityoftheserecentincidentsisalarming.Th?ngblamestheaccidentsonemployerswhoarenotfollowingsafetyrulesandworkerswhohavenotreceivedpropersafetytraining.Thelackofknowledgeandskills,coupledwitharelaxedattitudetowardssafety,createahazardousworkingenvironment.TheLawonOccupationalSafetyandHealthisclear:employersmustprioritisesafety.Thismeanstheyarerequiredtoestablishasystemtomanagerisks,developclearproceduresandrules,assignsupervisorsandmostimportantly,trainworkersbeforetheyevenstepontothejobsite.Forhigh-riskjobs,companiesalsoneedtocreatedetailedworkplansandhaverescuemeasuresinplaceincaseofemergencies.Unfortunately,recentaccidentssuggestbothemployersandworkersarecuttingcornersonsafety.Nguy?nAnhTh?,DirectoroftheInstituteofOccupationalSafetyandHealthundertheGeneralConfederationofLabour,believesmanybusinesseshaveaskewedviewofworkplacesafety.Herevealsthatmanybusinessesstillseespendingmoneyonsafetyasawaste.Theydothebareminimumtocomplywithregulationsinsteadofrecognisingitasaninvestmentintheirworkerswell-beingandthecompanysfuture.Companiesneedarealitycheck,Th?argues.Goodworkingconditions,fairlabourstandards,andcompetitivewagesandbenefitsareessentialforattractingandkeepinggoodemployees.Expertsemphasisethatensuringworkplacesafetyisasharedresponsibility.Governmentagenciesmuststepupinspectionsandcrackdownoncompaniesviolatingsafetyregulations.Employersmustprioritisesafetytrainingfortheirworkers,provideadequateprotectivegearandimproveworkingconditionsoverall.Workersmustbemoreawareofsafetyrisksandfollowrulesintheworkplace.TheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsistakingactionbyissuingadocumenturginglocalauthoritiestorampupinspectionsandensureemployersfollowoccupationalsafetylaws.Thefocuswillbeoncompaniesthatprovideservicesrelatedtoworkplacesafety,suchastraining,technicalinspectionsandenvironmentalmonitoring.TheMinistryisalsodirectingitsinspectorstocrackdownonviolations.Forseriousoffenders,theMinistrycouldtemporarilysuspendtheirlicencesorevenpursuecriminalcharges.Therewere7,394workplaceaccidentsnationwidein2023,resultingin7,553casualties,including1,720seriouslyinjuredand699killed.ThetotalcostofworkplaceaccidentshitmorethanVN?16trillion(US$625million).—VNS

Thefireonthefourthfloorofthebuilding.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—FourbodieswerefoundintheaftermathofanothertragicfireincidentinthecapitalcityHàN?ionSunday,includingthreeyoungchildren,accordingtothecityspolice.Afirereportedlybrokeoutat6:22pmtodayonthefourthfloorofasix-storeybuildingon??nhC?ngH?Street,??nhC?ngWard,HoàngMaiDistrict,whenaheavyrainwasbearingdownonthecityafterastringofhotandhumiddays.LieutenantGeneralNguy?nTu?nAnh,DirectoroftheFirePrevention,Fighting,andRescuePoliceDepartment,andLieutenantGeneralNguy?nH?iTrung,DirectoroftheHàN?iCityPoliceDepartment,alongwiththeleadersofthedistrictpoliceandthePeoplesCommitteeofHoàngMaiDistrict,werepresentatthescenetodirectlyoverseethefirefightingandrescueefforts.Theblazewascontainedbyabout8:30pmandfirefightersstartedtogetinsidetolookfortrappedvictims.Thesearchwasconcludedaround10:30pmandthefirefightingunitsstartedtowithdrawfromtheincidentsite.TheidentitiesofthefourbodiesfoundintheburntbuildingweredeterminedtobeN.T.H(bornin1971),N.?.?.S(bornin2013),N.D.K(bornin2022),andN.T.A(bornin2018),thecityspolicereported.Thecauseoftheincidentisstillbeinginvestigated.ThepolicearealsocoordinatingwithHàN?iandHoàngMaiDistrictsauthoritiestovisitandsupportthefamiliesofthevictimsandtoaddresstheconsequencesofthefire.Justlastmonth,aseriousfireatabuildinginC?uGi?yDistrictkilled14peopleandinjuredanotherthree,promptingacity-widefiresafetycompliancereviewsofallbuildingsthatareusedforrenting.—VNS100firefightingpoliceofficersalongwith12firefightingtrucksweredeployedtothescene.—VNA/VNSPhotoFULLOFMEMORIES:VeteranjournalistTr?nMaiH??ng.—PhotocourtesyofH??ngTr?nMaiH??ng,formerGeneralDirectorofVietnamNewsAgency(VNA),arenownedjournalist,witnessedthecountryshistoricmomentonApril30,1975,attheIndependencePalaceinHCMCity.Onthe99thanniversaryofVi?tNamRevolutionaryPressDay(June21,2024),Vi?tNamNewsspokewithH??ngabouthismemoriesandthoughtsonjournalismtoday.Asanexperiencedjournalist,howdoyouviewjournalismtoday?Ithinkjournalismisanecessaryandimportantjob,anobleprofessionthatrequiresalotofdedicationandsacrifice.AtVNA,thereweremorethan260journalistmartyrs.Ioncewroteapoemaboutwarcorrespondents,callingthempeoplewhowritehistorywiththeirbloodinfireandbullets.Duringthewar,itwasimportanttobepresentandwitnesshistoricaleventsandreflectthemwithnews,articlesandimages,andthegreattruthoftheheroicfightofthepeople,officers,andsoldiersonallbattlefields.Thoseworkingasjournalistsoftenhadtoovercomemanyhardships,andsometimessacrificetheirlives.Today,Vi?tNamispeacefulanddevelopingstrongly,andjournalismhaschangedalot,butIthinkjournalismisstillcrucial.Thejournalistsvocationistocontributetothecountrysdevelopmentsoitcanbeastrongcountryaswellasfair,democraticandcivilisedsociety.Intheprocessofglobalisation,thechallengesofjournalismtodayarehuge.Moreandmoreinformationchannels,developmentsinscience,technology,andsocialnetworksmakethemediasbridgingrolechallenging.Thisrequirespressagenciesandjournaliststomakeeffortsincompetingforinformationandattractingreaders,whilestillensuringaccuracyandtrustworthiness.Howdidyougetintojournalism?WhenIwasyoung,IdidntthinkIwouldbecomeajournalist.Atthattime,Ihadapassionforliteratureandwriting,butIlovedtostudymaths,physics,andchemistry,soIthoughtIwouldstudyatatechnicaloreconomicsuniversity.In1968,IwassurprisedwhenIreceivedasummonstostudyattheUniversityofPhysicalEducationandSportsbecauseinmyresume,myteacherwrotemytalentwastoplaytabletenniswell,eventhoughmyschoolprofilewasgood.IwonderedwhetherIshouldgototheUniversityofPhysicalEducationandSportsasIdidntreallylikeit.Fortunately,fatecametomewhenthepersoninchargeoftrainingattheVNAsentalettertomyfatherinvitingmetoattendtheeighthjournalisttrainingclassorganisedbyVNA.Iwastheyoungestintheclass,only16yearsold.ThemoreIstudied,themoreIlikedjournalism,theprofessiongraduallysankinandIwantedtotryharder.Afterfinishingthetrainingcourse,IwenttoworkatthebureauoftheVNAinHàTayProvince(nowpartofHàN?i).During1971-1972,Iworkedandlearnedhowtowritenewsarticles.Ialsoself-studythroughbooksborrowedfromthelibrary.Twoyearslater,Iwassenttoworkasawarcorrespondent.JournalistsTr?nMaiH??ng,Tr?nMaiHanh(secondandthirdfromright)andThuLan(thepersonholdingthephoto,sisterofmartyrThuH?ng)offerincenseatGioLinhMartyrsCemeteryinApril,2024.—PhotocourtesyofH??ngYouonlyhadtwoyearsofworkandstudybeforeyouenteredthebattlefield?Thatsright.In1972,Ireceivedorderstogotothebattlefield,atthattimeIwasonly20yearsold.Doingjournalismonthebattlefieldisdifficult.Besidesthebombsandsacrifices,themostimportantthingforareporterwastobeabletowrite-tohaveajournalisticproduct.Writingnewsstoriesandtakingphotosonthebattlefieldwasdifficult,butsendingthembacktotheagencywasevenmoredifficult,requiringgreateffort,evenblood.ThereisamemoryIwillalwaysremember.In1972,afterliberating??ngHàTown,Qu?ngTr?Province,IreturnedtoBíchLa??ngVillage,Tri?uPhongDistricttomeetandspeakwithpeopleabouttheirnewlifeinthenewlyliberatedland,includingthefamilyofLêDu?n,FirstSecretaryofthePartyCentralCommittee.IaskedthelocalauthoritiestoinviteDu?nsrelativestotheLêfamilychurchtotakeaphoto.Morethan30peoplewereinthephotoandIclearlyannotatedeachpersonthensentittoHàN?i.ThenIwrotethearticleLiberationofBíchLa??ng,whichwaspublishedinmanynewspapersatthattime.Later,IheardthatthephotosItookatBíchLa??ngwereenlargedandsenttoDu?n.Hewasverytouchedbecausehesawimagesofhishometown,familyandneighbours.Howdidithappenthatyouweresentbacktothebattlefieldin1975?Itsastoryoffate.Inearly1975,IwasatworkinHàN?iwhenIwasinformedthatIwouldgotoworkatthebureauoftheVNAinV?nhLinh(Qu?ngBình)toreplacejournalistPh?mTàiNguyên.NeartheLunarNewYearGeneral??ngS?Nguyên-CommanderoftheTr??ngS?nArmyinspectedthebattlefield,visitedtheborderareaandworkedwiththeV?nhLinhRegionalPartyCommittee.Iwasabletoattendthatmeeting.Duringthemeeting,throughtheinformationIgathered,Ifeltthatabigcampaignwasabouttotakeplace.Afterthat,IreturnedtoHàN?itocontinuetostudyatNationalEconomicsUniversity.AstheVietnamesearmyattackedBu?nMaThu?tinMarch1975,onadayofffromuniversity,Iwenttotheofficeandsawtherewereseveralgroupsofjournalistspreparingtoenterthebattlefield.IimmediatelymetjournalistLêChau,DeputyHeadoftheNorthernPhotoNewsDepartment,andaskedtogo.ButChausaidthatthedelegationswerefull,andIwasstillstudyingsotheagencydidnotwanttosendme.But,seeingmydetermination,hesaidthatifIwantedtogo,theonlywaywastomeetjournalist??Ph??ng,DeputyGeneralDirectoroftheVNA.Thatafternoon,IwenttoseePh??ngandaskedtoreturntothebattlefield.Heagreed.AndhowwereyouluckyenoughtobeoneofthefirstreporterspresentinHu?and?àN?ngonthefirstdayofliberation?Inmid-March1975,whenHu?wasabouttobeliberated,ourgroupoffivepeoplewentbycartoM?ChánhVillage,Qu?ngTr?Provincewhenthebridgecollapsed.Wedecidedtowalkallnight,crossingadistanceof40km,inawarzone,toenterHu?.ArrivinginHu?,weimmediatelydividedupthework,andIwrotethefirstarticleaboutliberatedHu?withthetitleHu???c?bay(Hu?intheredcolourofthenationalflags).IwasinHu?forafewdayswhenIheardthat?àN?ngwasliberatedonMarch29,1975.Weimmediatelyborrowedtwomotorcyclestogoto?àN?ng.Wewenttotheairport,thenalongtheHànRiver,Tr?nhMinhTh?Bridge,andontoS?nTrà,toentertheenemycommandpostandgetdocuments.Aftercollectingtheinformation,Itookamotorcyclealonefrom?àN?ngto??ngHà,Qu?ngTr?Province,carryingfilmsandphotos.Uponarrival,Iquicklywrotesixpages:?àN?ngsfirstdayofliberationtobesenttoHàN?i.However,Iimmediatelyreceivednewsthatduetobadweather,HàN?ididnotreceivemymanuscript.Soat9.30pm,weusedthesignalmachinetosendthearticletotheofficeinHàN?iandfinisheditaftermidnight.Around5am,VoiceofVi?tNambroadcastthearticle.Welistenedtogether,swallowingeverywordandoverflowingwithemotion.AftertheliberationofHu?,ourgroupfollowedArmyCorps2inanoldcar.Alongtheway,Isearchedfordirections,metwithpartycommitteesandseveralpeopletowritearticles,andsentthemtoHàN?i.Atthesametime,anothergroupofjournalistsfollowedthesoldiersto?àL?t.Mycolleague,journalist?inhQuangThànhstoppedbytheheadquartersoftheSàiGònArmysMapDepartmenttotakephotosandfindamapthatThànhlatergavetotheArmyCorps2,helpingthesoldiersfindtheirwayandorganisetheirattacklines.ThatmapisnowattheMuseumofArmyCorps2.Followingthatroute,IwasluckyenoughtobeinSàiGòn(nowHCMCity)totaketheiconicphotographofaVietnameseArmytankgoingthroughthegateoftheIndependencePalaceonApril30,1975,markingtheendofalongandbloodywaragainsttheUS.IMMORTALIZED:ThephotooffemaleguerrillaThuH?ngwastakenbyjournalistTr?nMaiH??ngin1972,afewmonthsbeforeherdeath.—PhotocourtesyofH??ngHowwasitwhenyourevisitedmanyoftheoldplacesyouhadbeenatduringthewar?InApril,mybrotherTr?nMaiH?nhandIwentonatripacrossVi?tNamwithsomefriends.AverymemorablememoryofthistripwaswhenIreturnedtoGioLinhCemetery,burningincensetocommemoratemartyrThuH?ngandtheheroesandmartyrsthere.Afterthat,wemetThuLan,martyrH?ngsyoungersister.H?ngisthecharacterwhoseportraitItookwhileshewasshootingagun.ThephotoofH?ngisinmynewlypublishedbook.ThatwasalsooneofthefirstphotosItookwhenIenteredtheQu?ngTr?Battleinearly1972.JournalistTr?nMaiH??ngatthegraveofmartyrThuH?nginApril,2024.—PhotocourtesyofH??ngOnthisoccasion,LaninvitedH?ngsoldteammatesforustomeeteachother.IreadthepoemAgeof20writtenaboutH?ng.ThroughLan,IhadmorecontactwithQu?ngTr?sguerrillasinthepast.Duringthetrip,in?àN?ng,wehadanexceptionalmeetingwithacharacterinmyarticle?àN?ngsfirstdayofliberation.ItwasV?nhAn.ShedroveVNAsreporterstotakephotosof?àN?ngonthefirstdayofliberation.VNS

AchildinjuredinatrafficaccidentreceivingtreatmentatChildrensHospital2inHCMCity.—VNA/VNSPhoto?inhH?ngHCMCITY—Despitenumerouswarnings,eachsummerwitnessesanincreaseinthenumberofchildrenbeinginjuredandinvolvedinaccidents,leadingtonotjustphysicalproblems,butalsopsychologicalimpacts.Dr.LêH?iL?ifromtheEmergencyDepartmentatHCMCitysChildrensHospital2saidthatchildaccidentsoccuryear-round,buttypicallyincreaseduringthesummer.Onaverage,thehospitalhandlestwotothreechildinjurycasesdaily,includingtrafficaccidents,drownings,fallsfromclimbingandbitesfromsnakesorinsects.Recently,ChildrensHospital1inHCMCityadmittedaneleven-year-oldgirlfromKiênGiangProvincewhowasbittenbyavenomoussnake.Accordingtoherfamily,onJune6,shewasbittenontherightanklebyasnakeinthegarden.Shebecamedrowsyandhaddifficultybreathing,leadingtoinitialtreatmentatalocalhospitalbeforebeingtransferredtoChildrensHospital1.Thehospitalhasalsoseenseveralcasesofchildrenbeingstungbybeessincethebeginningofsummer.Dr.Nguy?nMinhTi?n,deputydirectorofthehospital,notedthatsummerisatimewhenchildrenareonvacation,travelling,returningtotheirhometownsandmaynotbecloselysupervisedbytheirfamilies.Commonaccidentsduringthisperiodincludeburnsfromelectricity,fuelorchemicals,drownings,beestings,snakebitesandtrafficaccidents.KsorYPhát,atwelve-year-oldboyfrom??kL?kProvince,waselectrocutedwhileclimbingontoarooftoretrieveakitehehadbeenflyingwithfriends.Hesustainedburnsonthelowerhalfofhisbody.Afterinitialtreatmentatalocalhospital,YPhátwastransferredtoChildrensHospital2forfurthercare,includingskingrafts.Atthesameroominhospital,thenine-year-oldLamH?nhDungfromBìnhD??ngProvincewasinpain.Tendaysago,shefellwhileridingherbicycleataneighbourshouse,knockingoverapotofboilingwater,whichspilledontoher.Shesufferedsevereburnsfromhershoulderstoherbuttocks.ThesearejusttwoofmanycasesofchildrenbeingtreatedforinjuriesatChildrensHospital2inHCMCity.StatisticsfromtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalManagement,MinistryofHealth,showthatover370,000childrenundersixteensufferaccidentseachyearnationwide,resultingin6,600fatalities.InHCMCityalone,morethan19,000casesofchildinjurieswerereportedin2023,withover8,000occurringathome.Thismeansthateveryday,hundredsofchildrenandadolescentsinVi?tNamareinjured.Theconsequencesofsuchaccidentsareoftensevere,doctorssaid.Forinstance,M.T.,atwelve-year-oldgirlfromKiênGiangProvince,lostbothherlegsinatrafficaccident,alongwithotherseriousinjuries.RushedtoChildrensHospital,sheunderwentimmediatesurgerytoamputatebothhips.Whenshewokeup,M.T.criedinconsolably,unabletobelieveshehadlostherlegsforeverandhermothersaidsheisuncertainaboutherdaughtersfuturenowthatsheiswithoutlegs.InearlyJune,thedrowningdeathsoftwoyounggirlsataswimmingpoolduringafamilytriptoQu?ngNinhProvinceshockedmany.Whiletheadultswerenotpayingattention,thegirlsfellintothepool.Theywererushedtothehospital,butbothpassedaway.Doctorsemphasisethatthephysicalandpsychologicalimpactofinjuriesonchildrenissevereandcanbefatalandthatparentsmusttakeresponsibilityforpreventingaccidents.Doctorsadviseparentstowatchtheirchildrencloselyduringthesummer,teachthemtoavoiddangerousactivitiesandneverleavethemhomealoneorallowthemtogooutunsupervised.Parentsshouldequiptheirchildrenwithknowledgeonself-protectionandbasicemergencyresponseskills.Whenplanningatrip,parentsshouldresearchpotentialrisksandequipthemselveswithbasicfirstaidskillsinordertodealwithanyemergencies.—VNSStreetvendorsinHàN?imakeuseofanyshadetotakearest.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?IOverthepastfewweeks,long-lastingextremeheatwaveshaveaffectedpeopleallacrossthecountry,makingespeciallyitdifficultforthoseworkingoutdoors.MotorbiketaxidriverNguy?nV?nKh?i,whoworksinHàN?i,saidhemustwearlongsleevesandahelmetwithafaceshieldwheneverheisoutsideinordertoprotecthimselffromthesunsdangerousrays.Hetakesadvantageofthemomentswhentherearenopassengerstositandrelaxbeneaththebridgeorundertheshadeofatree.Ihavetoworkforthesakeoflife,eventhoughtheweatherishotandharsh,hetoldVietnamNewsAgency.LêNg?cLam,aworkerattheTuynelbrickfactoryinTri?uS?nDistrict,ThanhHóa(chǎn)Province,saidhenormallystartsworkat7ambutwhenthetemperaturesareforecasttohit40degreesCelsiusandtheheatisatitsworst,hemustbeginworkingat4aminordertocompleteby10am.Isweatalotinhotweatherbecausemydailyjobistoloadandunloadbricksfromthepits.Ihavetodrinkalotofwaterandwearprotectivegear,hesaid.InHCMCity,theheatcanbefeltfrom8am.Manypeoplewhogotoworkinthemorningfeeltiredduetomorningheat.Ph?mV?nTàifromTanTh?iHi?pWardinDistrict12said:Ihavealreadyseenthebrightsunshinewhiletakingmychildtoschoolat7am.Duetotraffic,hehastospendaboutanhourtraveling12kmfromhishomeinDistrict12toDistrict3.Ifeelexhaustedinthemorningfromtheheatandthetraffic,hesaid.Inmanyotherplaces,theheathasalsobroughtdroughts.TheDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentintheCentralHighlands??kN?ngProvincereportsthattheprolongedheatwavecausednumerouslakes,riversandstreamstoprogressivelydryup.Over8,000haofcropsintheprovincearevulnerableduetowaterscarcity.Numeroussmallriversandstreamsintheareahavedriedup,reducingtheamountofwaterinirrigationreservoirsanddecreasingtheflowofnearbyriversandstreams.Sometinypondshavelosttheirwatersource,andtheamountofwaterthatpeoplehadbeenstoringinsmallpondstoirrigatecropsinstreamsandhighfoothillshasalsodropped.Thesoutherndroughtshavegottenworsebecauseoftheheat.Astateofemergencyhasbeendeclaredinfourprovinces-Ti?nGiang,CàMau,KiênGiang,andLongAn-asaresultofdroughts.InCàMauandKiênGiang,thedroughthasresultedinlandslidesandsubsidence.TheNationalCentreforHydrometeorologicalForecastingpredictsthattemperatureswillgenerallybebetween0.5and1degreeCelsiushigherthantheaverageformanyyearsduringtheupcomingmonths,particularlyfromJulytoSeptember.Therewillbemoreintenseheatwaves,particularlyinthenorthandcentralregions.HoàngPhúcLam,thecentresdeputydirector,saidextremeheatisprobablygoingtooccurmorefrequentlythanithasinmanypastyears.Thelastmonthsof2024willseecontinuedheatinthenorthernandcentralregions.TheheatinthenorthwillpersistuntilAugust,withJulybeingthekeyheat-producingmonth.TheheatwillpersistinthecentralregionthroughSeptember,withJulyandAugustbeingthepeakmonths.Medicalexpertswarnthatexcessiveheatwillhavenegativeeffectsonpeopleshealth.Forthosewhohavetoworkinhotweather,itisnecessarytoarrangeworkingtimeincoolweathersuchasearlymorningorlateafternoon,andavoidworkinginhightemperatures.Ifworkinginahotenvironment,employeesshouldlimittheirworkhours,refrainfromengaginginstrenuousphysicalactivity,andtakea15–20minutebreakinacoolareaafter45–60minutesofwork.Theyareadvisedtowearloose,airy,sweat-absorbentclothing,avoidusingalcoholcompletely,andsticktodrinkingwaterwithaddedsaltandminerals,suchOresol,insteadofexposinganypartoftheirbodytodirectsunlight,especiallytheneckandshoulderarea.Localauthoritieshavebeenurgedtotakepromptmeasurestohelplocalresidentsavoidtheheat,especiallyensuringdomesticwatersupply.VNS

Ahi-techshrimpfarminB?cLiêuProvincethatissustainableandcaneasepressureonthemarineenvironment.VNA/VNSPhotoChanh?aMEKONGDELTA–CoastalprovincesintheMekongDeltahavebeenfocusingondevelopingasustainable,environmentallyfriendlyandclimatechangeadaptivemaritimeeconomytoensurestrongdevelopmentandimprovethelivesoftheirpeople.B?nTreProvinceaimstohaveasustainableandstrongmarineeconomythatfocusesondevelopingrenewableenergy,aquacultureandtourismby2030.Tothisend,ithasprioritisedoff-shoreaquacultureandfishingandpromotedmarineconservation.Ithasalsofine-tunedpolicies,investedininfrastructure,supportedlocalbusinessesandfarmersandencouragedthemtoapplytechnologyinproducingandsellingenvironmentallyfriendlyproducts.Effortshavebeenmadetoraiseawarenessofenvironmentalprotectionanddevelopsustainableagriculturalpractices.Localauthoritiessaidanybusinessmodelorpracticethatcoulddoharmtotheenvironmentwouldnotbelicensed.Besides,B?nTrewilldevelopover50,000haofitseasternregionunderadevelopmentplanforuntil2030.Itwillfocusonbuildingavibrantmaritimeeconomythatcanalsoprotecttheenvironment,preventcoastalerosionandadaptwelltoclimatechange.Tr?nNg?cTam,chairmanoftheprovincialPeoplesCommittee,saidB?nTrehasinvestedinmaritimeinfrastructuresuchastheC?a??iBridgeconnectingwithTi?nGiangProvince,theR?chMi?u2BridgeandthePhúThu?nIndustrialZone,amongothers.Ithasalsodevisedsolutionstominimisegreenhousegasessuchasexpandingagriculturalmodelswithalowcarbonfootprint,buildinggrid-connectedwindpowerplantsanddevelopingorganicfarming.B?cLiêuProvincehasbeenfocusingonprotectingitsmaritimebiodiversityandresourcesandutilisingtheiradvantages.Ithasincreasedtheuseoftechnologytoforecastandwarnaboutnaturaldisasters,enablingauthoritiestoproactivelydevisepreventivemeasuresandadaptfastertoclimatechangeandsealevelrise.Ithasalsobuiltcoastalresidentialareasthatareeco-friendlyandwelladapttoclimatechange.Tofosterthemarineeconomy,ithasactivelyappliednewtechnologiesinfishing,marinefarmingandseafoodprocessing.Ithasswitchedfromtraditionaltomoreadvancedandenvironmentallyfriendlymodels,focusingondevelopingahi-techclosedvaluechaintochurnouthigh-qualityproducts.Weathermonitoringstationsaroundtheprovincehavebeeninstalledwithhi-techequipment.ThesouthernmostprovinceofCàMauhasadvantagesfordevelopingvariousmarineindustries,butarapidincreaseincoastalservices,excessivefishingandurbanisationhaveplacedenormouspressureonthemarineenvironment.??QuangH?ng,deputydirectoroftheprovincesDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment,saiditwascrucialtousethemediatoraiseawarenessofenvironmentalprotectionandeducatepeopleontherisksofoilspillstoprecludepossibledisasters.Thedepartmentsaiditwouldcontinuetohaveprogrammesformarineprotection,suchasestablishingaseaconservationarea,placingartificialcoralreefsatconservationareasandbuildingmaritimecorridorstoprotectcoastalareas.H?ngsaiditwasalsoimportanttoinvestinprojectsthatutilisethemaritimeadvantagesandprotecttheenvironmentandbiodiversity.–VNSThefishermensboatsaresafelyanchored.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Alow-pressureareamayforminthenorthernandcentralpartsoftheEastSeaaroundJune22-23thatcouldintensifyintoatropicaldepressionorstorm,accordingtotheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting.ThetropicaldepressionmaydirectlyaffectthenorthernandcentralareasoftheEastSea(internationallyknownastheSouthChinaSea),includingthewatersaroundtheHoàngSaarchipelagoandtheGulfofTonkinoverthefollowingtwodays,reportedtheagency.Forecastsindicatethatapproximately65-75percentofthislow-pressureareamayintensifyintoatropicaldepression,witha20-30percentchanceofdevelopingintoastorm.Inaddition,duetotheinfluenceoftheincreasinglyactivesouthwestmonsoon,thecentralandsouthernpartsoftheEastSea,includingthewatersaroundtheTr??ngSaarchipelago,thewatersfromBình??nhProvincetoCàMauProvince,fromCàMauProvincetoKiênGiangProvinceandtheGulfofThailand,areexpectedtoexperienceheavyrainshowersandthunderstorms.Duringthosethunderstorms,therewillbeachanceoftornadoesandstrongwindsatlevels6-7,withwaveheightspotentiallyrisingabovetwometres.ThewatersfromBìnhThu?ntoCàMauandthewesternpartofthesouthernEastSea,includingthewesternwatersoftheTr??ngSaarchipelago,areexpectedtohavestrongsouthwestwindsatlevel5(29-38kmperhour),sometimesreachinglevel6(39-49kmperhour),withgustsatlevels7-8,roughseasandhighwavesof1.5-2.5m.TheStandingOfficeoftheNationalSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlonThursdayhasissueddocumentNo246/VPTTtotheCommandforNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlandSearchandRescueofthecoastalprovincesandcitiesfromQu?ngNinhtoKiênGiangtoprepareforemergencymeasuresincaseofworseningweather.ThecommitteeaskedthelocalofficesoftheNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlandSearchandRescuebeready,tocloselymonitorwarningsandwatchweatherbulletinsincaseofstrongwinds,highwavesatseaandthepotentialformationoflow-pressureareasinthecomingdays.Warningsneedtobesenttocaptains,ownersofvesselsandboatsoperatingatseatoproactivelypreventanddevelopappropriateproductionplans,ensuringthesafetyofpeopleandproperty.Localauthoritiesshouldbeprepared,keepingforcesonalertincasetheyneedtoscramblerescueandreliefoperations.TheyshouldalsomaintainstrictdutyshiftsandregularlyreporttotheNationalSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlandthelocalofficesoftheNationalCommitteeforDisasterIncidentResponseandSearchandRescue.—VNS