AcornerofH?LongBayinthenorth-easternprovinceofQu?ngNinh.—VNA/VNSIllustrativePhotoQU?NGNINH—ThePeoplesCommitteeofH?LongCity,Qu?ngNinhProvincehasorderedauthoritiestofocusoninvestigating,clarifyingandrigorouslyhandlingindividuals,engagedinfraudulentactivitiesofrentalaccommodation.ThemovecameafterlocalmediareportedthatonThursday,aVietnamese-Americanwoman,recountinghertravelexperiences,saidshehasbeenscammedwhenbookingaccommodationinH?LongCity.Sheusedtwobookingwebsitesbutthenshecouldnotfindouttheaddressesoftheaccommodation.Consequently,thecitydecidedtomakerandominspectionsontemporaryresidencedeclarationsatvillas,apartmentsandcondominiumswithinitsjurisdiction.Thatwasthecitysdecisiveactionaimingatrectifyingthetourismbusinessenvironment,safeguardingthetourismimageofthecityinparticularandtheprovinceingeneral.ThecitysPoliceDepartmenthascoordinatedwithrelevantunitstoverifyandhandlethecase,reportingoutcomestothePeoplesCommitteebeforenextMonday(July15).ThecommitteehastaskedtheCultureandInformationOfficetowidelydisseminateandpublishinformationonrecognisedlodgingfacilitiesbyStatemanagementauthoritiestoinformresidentsandtouristsfortheirchoicesofservices.Furthermore,thePeoplesCommitteesofwardsandcommunesinthecityweretoldtocontinuereviewingandupdatingcomprehensivelistsofoperatinglodgingfacilities,providingservicestoresidentsandtouristswithintheareas.Previously,onThursday,thelocalmediareportedthataVietnamese-AmericanwomanrecountedhertriptoH?LongCityandwasdefraudedinbookingaccommodationtwice.Sheandherfamilyfirstbookedafour-roomapartmentinthecitythroughtheBookingwebsite,costingUS$260.However,whentheyarrivedinH?LongCityfromHàN?i,theyfailedtofindtheaddress.Theycalledtherentalunitandreceivedanannouncementthattheroomwasoccupied.Theunitsuggestedshechangetoanotherapartmentwithonlytwobedrooms,butshedidnotagree.Then,theunitaskedhertocancelherbookingsherselfontheBookingwebsite,butthiswouldhaveledthewomantoforfeitherdeposit.Next,thewomancontinuedbookanotherapartmentonanotherbookingwebsite,pricedat$176andthesamesituationoccurredagain.—VNS

Aricefieldinthepilotmodelforonemillionhectaresofhigh-qualityriceprojectinC?nTh?City.—VNA/VNSPhotoThuHi?nHàN?I—DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuanghasaskedfortheaccelerationoftheimplementationofaprojecttodeveloponemillionhectaresofspecialisedricecultivationwithhighqualityandlowemissionsassociatedwithgreengrowthintheMekongDeltaregion.SpeakingatameetinginHàN?ionWednesday,discussingtheprojectsprogress,QuangemphasisedthatitcreatesanewproductionmethodsuitablefortheworldsproductionandconsumptiontrendsandgeneratesabreakthroughinagriculturethinkingintheMekongDelta,whichisfacingtheeffectsofrapidandunpredictableclimatechange.ThisisexpectedtoimprovetheincomeandlivingconditionsoffarmersandbusinesseswhilehelpingVi?tNamrealiseitsgoalofachievingnetzeroemissionsby2050.Agreeingwiththeopinionsontheneedtohavetheengagementofauthoritiesatthecentrallevelaswellaslocalities,farmersandbusinessesinimplementingtheproject,thedeputyPMrequiredtheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD)toretainacoordinatingroleandandreporttothePMonissuesbeyondthat.RegardingborrowingloansfromtheWorldBank(WB),theministrymustclarifyinvestmentitemsandworkcontentstoensureconsistency,noduplicationandnooverlapwithotherprojectsunderwayintheregion,Quangadded.DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuangaddressesthemeetingonWednesday.—VNA/VNSPhotoAn??ngMARDDeputyMinisterTr?nThanhNamtoldthemeetingthattocarryouttheproject,fromnowto2030,hisministryhasestablishedasteeringcommitteetooverseetheprojectimplementation.ThiscommitteeincludesrepresentativesfromtheMinistryofPlanningandInvestment,theMinistryofFinance,theMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment,theStateBankofVietnam,theWorldBankand12MekongDeltalocalities.Theministryhasdevelopedatechnicalprocessforproducinghigh-quality,low-emissionriceintheregionandaplantoenhancecapabilitiesforpartnersandagriculturalcooperativesindevelopingvaluechainlinkagesundertheproject.Ithasalsocollaboratedwithlocalitiestoreviewthecurrentstatusofproductionareas,infrastructure,productionorganisationandfarmingpracticesandtoassessthesituationofcooperativesintheVi?tNam-SustainableAgricultureTransformationProjectinthe2015-2022period.NamsaidtheMARDiscurrentlyworkingwiththeWBandthe12localitiestofinalisealoanprojectforinfrastructureandtechnicalsupportforhigh-quality,low-emissionriceintheMekongDeltaregion.Accordingtotheofficial,theministryhasimplementedsevenpilotmodelsinC?nTh?Cityandtheprovincesof??ngTháp,KiênGiang,TràVinhandSócTr?ng.Initialassessmentsshowthatthericefarmingmodel,duringthe2024Summer-AutumncropinC?nTh?,hasyieldedpositiveresults.Inputcosts,includingthoseforseed,fertilisers,andirrigationwater,havedecreasedby10-15percent.Thepilotmodelsyieldrangedfrom6.13-6.51tonnesperhectare,comparedto5.89tonnesperhectareunderusualpractices.ItsprofitsreachedVN?21-25.8million(US$830-1,020)perhectare,surpassingthenormalmodelbyVN?1.3-6.2million($50-245)perhectare.Moreover,thepilotmodelcontributedtoreducingCO2emissionsbytwotonnesperhectarecomparedtothemodelthatremovesricestrawfromthefieldsandby12tonnesperhectarecomparedtothepracticeofricestrawburialafterharvesting.AsVi?tNamisthefirstcountryintheworldtohavealarge-scaleprojectonriceproductiontowardssustainablegrowthandemissionsreduction,itisfacingalotofdifficulties,Namsaid,proposingthegovernmentsubmittotheNationalAssemblyaresolutiontopilotcertainspecificpoliciesregardingtheuseofofficialdevelopmentassistance(ODA)andconcessionalloansfromforeigndonorsduringthelegislaturesplenarysessioninOctober.Additionally,theministryrecommendedthatthegovernmentallowtheministrytocollaboratewiththeAsianDevelopmentBank(ADB)toprepareaprojectfora$270millionloanandtosupporttheimplementationoftheproject.—VNA/VNSDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàspeaksatthesecondmeetingofthetaskforceoverseeingtheprogressofurbanrailwayprojectsinHàN?iandHCMCityonWednesday.VNA/VNSPhotoAn??ngHàN?I–DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàhasdirectedHàN?iandHCMCitytoselecttopdesignconsultancyfirmstofinaliseandappraisethemasterplansfortheirurbanrailwaynetworks,envisioningacentury-longdevelopment.HealsourgedthePeoplesCommitteesofHàN?iandHCMCitytoexpeditetheopeningoftheelevatedsectionsoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationandB?nThành-Su?iTiênmetrolinesaheadofschedule.Hemadetheremarksduringthesecondmeetingofthetaskforceoverseeingtheprogressofurbanrailwayprojectsinbothcities,attheGovernmentheadquartersonWednesday.DeputyPMHànotedthatsincethefirstmeeting,taskforcemembershavecompletednineoutof16assignedtasksandarecontinuingtoimplementtheremainingseventasksasplanned.Regardingthetwourbanrailnetworkdevelopmentproposalsforthetwocities,theDeputyPMemphasisedtheneedforaunifiedperspectiveonobjectives,tasks,solutionsandgeneralpolicies,whilealsoconsideringlocalcharacteristicssuchasconstructionplanning,developmentspace,economicgrowthforecastsandpopulationsize.TheMinistryofTransportisresponsibleforcompilingandsubmittingproposalstotheappropriateauthoritiesaccordingtoregulations.TheurbanrailnetworksinHàN?iandHCMCitymustalsointegrateseamlesslywiththeNorth-Southhigh-speedrailway,includingaspectslikestations,technicaldesignstandardsfortracks,locomotives,carriagesandoperatingsystems.TheDeputyPMsuggestedlearningfromcountrieswithadvanced,modernsubwaynetworkstodevelopcomprehensiveandfeasibleplansfortechnologytransfer,includingconstructionofundergroundstructures,locomotives,carriages,management,operationsandhumanresourcetraining,aimingtobuildasynchronised,modernrailwayindustry.DeputyPMHàaskedtheMinistryofFinancetoleadtheevaluationoftheoveralleconomicimpactoftheurbanraildevelopmentproposalsforthetwocities,aswellastheNorth-Southhigh-speedrailwayandtoassessthefeasibilityofbalancingpublicinvestmentcapital.Basedonthisevaluation,thePeoplesCommitteesofbothcitiesshouldcontinuetoworkcloselywithrelevantministriestodeveloppolicypackagesandplanstomobilisethehighestpossiblelevelsofsocialisedresourcesthroughmethodslikeTransit-OrientedDevelopment(TOD),Public-PrivatePartnerships(PPP)andBuild-Operate-Transfer(BOT).ThemechanismsandpoliciesfordevelopingurbanrailnetworksinHàN?iandHCMCitymustbesynchronised,feasibleandspecific,clearlyoutliningtheprocedures,responsibleparties,obstaclesandproposalsforresolutiontothecompetentauthorities,hestressed.Atthemeeting,DeputyMinisterofTransportNguy?nDanhHuyreportedthatHàN?ihasmadesignificantprogressontheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetroline.Thecityoutlineplannedforcompletionoftheline,conductingtrialoperationsoftheelevatedsection,finalisingfiresafetyreviewsandtrainingpersonnel.TheMinistryofTransport,MinistryofConstruction,andMinistryofFinancehavedirectedeffortstoevaluateandcertifysafetyfortheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetroline,inspectthesite,reviewacceptanceconditions,completeproceduresandsignoffonloanallocationsfortheundergroundsegment.Anenvironmentalpermitassessmentcouncilhasalsobeenestablished.D??ng??cTu?n,ViceChairmanoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommittee,saidthattheelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetrolineisexpectedtobecompletedandoperationalbytheendofJuly2024.Similarly,theB?nThành-Su?iTiênmetrolineinHCMCityhasfinalisedthetimelineadjustmentsandsubmittedinvestmentcapitalallocationrequeststotheappropriateauthorities.Thecityisexpeditingthecompletionoftheremainingconstructiontasks,conductingtrialruns,operatingsystemtests,ensuringfiresafetycomplianceandobtainingenvironmentalapprovalsforoperationalstatusbyDecember2024.Duringthemeeting,thetaskforcereviewedandprovidedfeedbackonthetwourbanrailwaynetworkdevelopmentproposalsforHàN?iandHCMCityby2035,focusingonmechanisms,policiesandresourcemobilisationstrategiessuitableforeachcityssocio-economicdevelopment.LeadersfromtheMinistryofTransport,MinistryofJustice,andMinistryofConstructionemphasisedthatthesearelargeandcomplexprojectsinvolvingmultipledisciplines.Giventhecurrentlegalconstraints,itisnecessarytoconductthoroughresearch,analysisandevaluation,drawingoninternationalexperiencesandpastinvestmentpractices,toproposeobjectivesandsolutionsforbuildingmodern,integratedurbanrailwaysystems.TheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetroprojectstretches12.5kmandincludeseightelevatedandfourundergroundstations.Constructionbeganin2009,withaninitialcompletiontargetof2015.Afterfourextensions,theprojectisnowexpectedtobecompletedin2027.TheB?nThành-Su?iTiênmetrolinecovers19.7km,connectingB?nThànhMarketinDistrict1toLongThànhDepotinTh???cCity.Thelinefeaturesthreeundergroundand11elevatedstations.Constructionstartedin2012,buttheprojecthasseenmultipledelays,withcostsescalatingtooverVN?43.7trillion($1.71billion).–VNS

AclassattheUniversityofMedicineandPharmacyoftheVi?tNamNationalUniversity,HàN?i.PhotocourtesyoftheVNU.HàN?ITheUniversityofMedicineandPharmacyattheVi?tNamNationalUniversity,HàN?i,hasannouncedithasfinalisedagreementswithIndiatostartamastersprogrammethisSeptemberinfourspecialisations:internalmedicine,surgery,paediatrics,andradiology.Theprogrammewillinitiallyenrol40doctorsorgraduatesfromIndia.Theuniversityplanstoopenthefirstgeneralmedicineanddentistrycoursesforapproximately100Indianstudentsbyearly2025.Currently,Vi?tNamalreadyhastheC?nTh?UniversityofMedicineandPharmacytrainingIndiangeneralpractitioners,withthefirstintakestartingin2022.ThisinitiativerepresentsanewdirectionforVietnameseuniversitiesthatiscapableofprovidingeducationforforeignstudents,withcurriculaandinstructionconductedinEnglish.Additionally,thousandsofforeigndoctorshavealreadycometoVi?tNamforshort-termcoursesinendoscopicsurgery,thyroidsurgery,radiology,andcancertreatmentatvariousVietnamesehospitals.VNSAfirefightercutopenatigercagetomakeasecondaryescaperouteforafamilyinHàN?i.—Photohanoionline.vnHàN?I—Thefireatanapartmentbuildingon??nhC?ngH?StreetinHàN?ithatkilledfourpeoplelastmonthhasonceagainraisedconcernsaboutthesafetyofso-calledtigercages(chu?ngc?p).Tigercagesrefertothemetalbarsorgrillsinstalledaroundbalconies,windowsandotheropeningsinbuildings,particularlyinolderapartmentblocks.Peopleofteninstallthesestructurestoexpandtheirlivingspaceorforsecuritypurposes.However,theycanposesignificantfiresafetyhazardsbytrappingpeopleandhinderingtheworkoffirefightersintheeventofafire.Aglanceatneighborhoodswithahighconcentrationofoldapartmentblocks,suchasthoseinThanhXuanB?c,TrungT?,andThànhC?ngWards,revealsacrisscrossoftigercagesoneverybuilding.?oànV?nM?opurchaseda30-square-metreapartmentinThànhC?ngin1992.Ashischildrengrewolder,thelivingspacebecamecramped,promptinghimtobuildatigercagetoexpandtheareato45sqm.M?osaidhisneighbourshadtomakesimilarexpansionsforthesamereason,creatinganetworkofenclosedcagesintheapartmentblock.Despitetheirillegalityandtherepeatedwarningsspurredbyfireincidents,thesestructuresremainstubbornlyinplace,creatingalabyrinthofobstructedescaperoutes.Thedangersoftigercagesareparticularlyacuteinapartmentblockswithasinglestaircaseservingastheprimaryescaperoute.Whenafireerupts,smokeandflamescanquicklyblockthispassageway,leavingresidentstrappedontheirfloors.Theenclosednatureoftigercagesfurtherhindersescapeefforts,asfirefightersstruggletocutthroughthesturdymetalbars,wastingprecioustimethatcouldbeusedtorescuetrappedindividuals.Withapproximately1,600oldapartmentblocksequippedwithtigercagesacrossthecity,HàN?iauthoritieshavecampaignedforresidentstodismantlethesestructurestocreatesecondaryescaperoutesincaseoffire.However,thecampaignshadmixedresults.Whilesomepeopleheededthecall,othersturnedadeafeartoit.Forinstance,inTrungT?,abouthalfofthefamiliesinapartmentblocksD8andC5hadtheirtigercagescutopenforsecondaryescaperoutes.ThesituationisbetterinThanhXuanB?cwhere90percentoffamilieswereonboardwhereastheremainingsittightforvariousreasons,includingabsenthomeownersandstructurallimitations.Wewillcontinueoureffortstopersuadethemtocreatesecondaryescaperoutes,exceptforthosewhoseapartmentdesignsprecludethecreationofsuchroutes,saidHoàngTh?Dung,ActingChairwomanofThanhXuanB?cPeoplesCommittee.V?Ng?cAnh,DirectoroftheScience,TechnologyandEnvironmentDepartmentundertheMinistryofConstruction,emphasisedtheneedforstricterenforcementoffiresafetystandardsacrossallhousingtypes,notjustlargebuildingsandfactories.Accordingtothedirector,whiletheMinistryhasissuedCircularNo.06/2022/TT-BXD,whichoutlinesfiresafetyrulesforbuildings,peopletendtocutcornersonitwhenconstructingindividualhouses.AsurveybytheMinistryrevealedthatmostindividualhouseshavebalconies,loggiasandaccesstotheroofsealedoffwithsolidstructures,creatinglimitedornoescaperoutes.ThedirectoralsorevealedthattheMinistrywasdraftingasetofnationalstandardsforindividualhouses,aimingtoincorporatefiresafetyconsiderationsintodesignandconstructionpractices.However,hewasconcernedthatthenewruleswouldnotcarrymuchweightwithhomeownersiftheywereonlyrecommendationsandvoluntary.Itneedstobeelevatedtothestatusofamandatorysetofstandardstoimprovethesituation,saidAnh.InameetingonJuly2,HàN?iauthoritiesapprovedtheSchemetoEnhanceFirePreventionandFightfightingCapacityintheCityby2025,settingthetargetof100percentofapartmentsinthecityhavingsecondaryescaperoutes.—VNSStudentsexplorethetopicofprotectingchildrenonlineatthe2023ChildrensForuminC?nTh?City.—VNA/VNSPhotoTrungKiênHàN?I—TheDepartmentofChildAffairsundertheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs(MOLISA)emphasisedtheurgencyofimprovinglegalregulationsonprotectingchildrenintheonlineenvironment,whichisessentialtosafeguardchildrenfromthehighrisksposedbycriminalgroupsontheinternet.Vi?tNamhas24.7millionchildren,mostofwhomhaveaccesstotheinternetanddigitaldevicesfromaveryyoungage.TheaverageageofVietnamesechildrenusingtheinternetisnineyearsold,fouryearsearlierthantheglobalaverage.SurveydatafromtheMOLISAin2023showsthat89percentofchildrenaccessandusetheinternet,with87percentofthemusingitdaily.Apartfromtimespentonstudying,childrenspendaverage5-7hoursperdayonsocialmedia.Healthorganisationsrecommendthatchildrenshouldonlyspendbetweentwoandthreehoursperdayonline.Additionally,statisticsfromtheCentreforCreativeInitiativesinHealthandPopulationrevealedthatnearly36.5percentofchildrenhaveencounteredinformationandimagesrelatedtoviolenceontheinternetandmorethan13percenthavebeenexposedtounwantedpornographicmaterial.Therearenumerousreasonsforthehighrateofchildabuseontheinternet,withalackofknowledgeandskillsinsafeinternetusagebeingamajorfactor.Childrenoftendonotfullyrecognisethepotentialrisksonlineandcaneasilybecomevictimsofscams,sexualexploitationandbullying.N.V.H.,afatherofa12-year-olddaughterinHàN?isHà??ngDistrictnoticedthathisdaughterwasspendingalotoftimeonhermobilephone.Uponcheckingherphone,hewasshockedtofindthatshewasinvolvedinmanyinappropriategroupsandchatsonsocialmedia.Shewasinvariouschatgroupsdiscussingwaystoskipclassesandevenmoredangerously,somegroupstalkedaboutadult-sensitivetopicsandsharedexplicitinformationandimages.Ihadtotakestrongmeasuresbybanningherfromusingthephoneforawhileandexplainingthedangersofparticipatinginsuchgroups,hesaid.Anationalreportonpreventingharmfulbehaviourandevidenceofchildexploitationandsexualabuseonline,showedthat23percentofchildrenaged12-17hadunintentionallyseensensitiveimagesorvideosonline,while5percenthadreceivedunwantedsensitiveimages.Additionally,8percenthadreceivedinappropriatecommentsaboutthemselvesand2percenthadbeenaskedtodiscusssexualtopicsagainsttheirwill.However,43percentofchildrendidnotreporttheseincidentstoanyone,believingthatdoingsowouldnotresolvetheissue.StatisticsfromtheMinistryofPublicSecurityshowthatoverthepastthreeyears,lawenforcementnationwidehasprosecutedmorethan380casesinvolvingover550individualsforcrimesrelatedtochildabuseandthedistributionofobscenematerials.Policehavealsoblocked30,000websiteswithcontentthatviolatesthelaw,includingscams,harmfulviolence,childsexualabuseanddefamatorymaterial.Tensofthousandsofharmfulcontentlinkshavebeendisabled.Thenationalchildprotectionhotline,111,hasrecorded1,500interventionsupportcalls,including419reportsofonlinechildabuse.LeoTh?L?ch,astandingmemberoftheNationalAssemblysCouncilofEthnicMinorities,notedthatwhileinternetcoverageinmountainousandethnicminorityareasisincreasing,childrenintheseregionsarenotadequatelyprotectedfromonlineexploitation.ArecentincidentinL?cNg?nDistrictinB?cGiangProvince,involvedagirlintheseventhgradewhometanddevelopedarelationshipwithaboyonsocialmedia,resultinginpregnancyandchildbirthwithoutherfamilysknowledge.SafeenvironmentforchildrenTheMinistryofInformationandCommunicationsisdraftinganamendmenttotheGovernmentsDecree72issuedonJuly15,2013,onthemanagement,provisionanduseofinternetservicesandonlineinformation.Thedraftemphasisestheresponsibilitytoprotectchildrenandadolescentsonlineasacrucialmeasureforinternetdevelopment.Itincludesadditionalregulationsonsocialmediamanagement,limitsonchildrenssocialmediause,warningsaboutharmfulcontentforchildrenandtheresponsibilitiesofagencies,organisationsandeducationalinstitutionsinpreventingharmfulinformationandmonitoringandprotectingchildrenonline.Nguy?nTh?Nga,DeputyDirectoroftheMOLISAsDepartmentofChildAffairs,highlightedthatVi?tNamhasactivelybuiltandperfectedthelegalsystemtoprotectchildrenonline.ThisincludesDecreeNo.56/2017/ND-CPissuedonMay9,2017,detailingcertainprovisionsoftheLawonChildren;DecisionNo.830/QD-TTgissuedonJune1,2021,approvingtheprogrammetoprotectandsupportchildrenforsafeandcreativeinteractionsonline;andDirectiveNo.23/CT-TTgissuedonMay26,2020,onstrengtheningmeasurestoensurechildrensrightsandprotectchildren.Ngasaiditisessentialtoenhanceeducationandraiseawarenessamongchildrenaboutonlinesafetysothattheyhavetheknowledgeandskillstoprotectthemselvesfromonlinerisks.Authorities,schoolsandfamiliesneedtocollaboratetoguidechildreninusingtheinternetsafelyandhealthily.Theexpertemphasisedtheneedforclosecooperationbetweenagencies,organisationsandcommunitiestocreateasafeonlineenvironmentforchildren.Technologycompaniesshoulddeveloptoolsandsoftwaretomonitorandfilterinappropriatecontent.Creatinghealthyandcreativeonlineplaygroundsforchildreniscrucial.Giventheincreasinglycomplexandriskyonlineenvironment,buildingasafeandhealthycyberspaceforchildrenisatopprioritythatrequiresthecollectiveeffortofsociety,shesaid.—VNS

DoctorsattheendoscopyroomatQuánS?Branch,HospitalKinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheNationalCancerHospital(HospitalK)willsoonopenanewbranch,itsfourthsite,inH?uHoàCommune,ThanhTrìDistrict,HàN?i.ProfessorLêV?nQu?ng,directorofthehospital,announcedonWednesdayafternoonthatthisfourthbranchwillhousetheProtonTherapyCentre,aradioisotopeproductionareaforon-siteuse,andtreatmentbeds.TheProtonTherapyCentre,thefirstofitskindinnorthernVi?tNam,willspecialiseintreatingnervoussystemcancers,particularlyinchildren,aswellaslungandprostatecancers.Theinvestmentinthishigh-qualitycancertreatmentcentre,equippedwithadvancedradiationtherapysystems,aimstoenhancecancertreatmentforVietnamesepatientsdomestically,eliminatingtheneedforoverseastreatment,hesaid.TheHàN?iadministrationhasgrantedpreliminaryapprovalforthehospitalsfourthbranchtobelocatedonan8.6-hectaresite,nearlyoneandahalftimeslargerthanthehospitalsthirdbranch.Constructionisexpectedtocommenceinthethirdquarterofthisyearoncethelandtransferiscompleted.WiththeadditionofthisnewbranchinH?uHoàCommune,ThanhTrìDistrict,thehospitalwilloperatefourfacilities:thefirstbranchatNo.43QuánS?Street,HoànKi?mDistrict;thesecondbranchatT?uLi?t-TamHi?pStreet,ThanhTrìDistrict;andthethirdbranchatNo.30C?uB??uStreet,ThanhTrìDistrict.Currently,thecapacityofcancertreatmentfacilitiesmeetsonlyabout20percentofdemand.Theadditionofmoderntreatmentfacilitiesisexpectedtoalleviatepressureonexistingspecialisedcancerhospitals.ProfessorQu?ngsaidthatafterlegalproceduresarefinalisedbytheMinistryofHealthandtheHàN?iPeoplesCommittee,landclearancewouldbeginaroundSeptembertoOctoberthisyear.Statisticsshowedthatinthefirstsixmonthsofthisyear,thehospitalreceivedandtreatedatotalof209,887patients,bothoutpatientandinpatient.Thehospitalhasimplementednewtechniques,particularlyinsurgicaloncology,suchassingle-incisionendoscopicsurgerycombinedwithbreastcancerreconstructionandroboticendoscopicsurgeryfordigestive,renal,andthyroidcancers.Thehospitalhasalsoorganisedonlineconsultationprogrammesandremotehealthcareservices,whichhavegarneredhighpraisefromcolleagues,patients,andthepublic.—VNS4oPolicearedeployedoutsidetheGrandHyattErawanHotelinBangkok,Thailand,wherethebodiesofVietnameseindividualswerediscoveredon.—XINHUA/VNAPhotoHàN?I—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhasinstructedtheMinistryofForeignAffairstocloselycoordinatewithThailandininvestigatingthedeathsofsixindividuals,includingfourVietnamesecitizens,discoveredattheGrandHyattErawanHotelonTuesday.MeasureswillbeimplementedtoprotectthelegitimaterightsandinterestsofVietnamesecitizens.ThisdirectivefollowsthePrimeMinistersissuanceofCircularNo.69/C?-TTg,datedJuly17,2024,concerningthedeathsofVietnamesetouristsinBangkok,Thailand.ThecircularwassenttotheMinistersofForeignAffairs,PublicSecurity,andtheAmbassadorofVi?tNamtoThailand.ThaipolicefoundsixfatalitiesattheGrandHyattErawanHotelinPathumWanDistrict,Bangkok,includingfourVietnamesecitizensandtwoofVietnamesedescent,suspectedtohavebeenpoisoned.Thaiauthoritiesarecontinuingtheirinvestigationtoclarifytheincident.ChínhhasalsoinstructedtheMinistryofForeignAffairstoproactivelymanagediplomaticissueswithThailandandprovidetimelyupdatestothepressandpublicregardingtheincident.TheMinistryofPublicSecurityhasbeenassignedtocoordinatewithThaiauthoritiestoinvestigatetheincidentandshareinformationaboutthevictimsfamilieswiththeMinistryofForeignAffairsforcitizenprotectionpurposes.TheVietnameseAmbassadortoThailandistaskedwithcloselymonitoringthesituation,reportingontheprogressoftheinvestigation,andcarryingoutcitizenprotectionmeasures.Thisincludesprovidingassistance,guidance,andsupporttothevictimsfamiliesinaccordancewithregulations.—VNS

LecturerLêQuangPhonginstructshisstudentsontheirexperimentswiththeecofoodwrap.Photogiaoducthoidai.vnHCMCITYAteamofstudentsattheVietnamNationalUniversity(VNU),HCMCityhasinventedfoodwrapfromagriculturalbyproductsthatcanchangeitscolourwhenfoodspoils.DragonfruitandpassionfruitpeelshavebeenusedbyNguy?nHoàngKimLong,Nguy?nNg?cThùyD??ngandLêThùyLinhfromtheDepartmentofBiotechnology,VNUInternationalUniversitytomakethewrap.Longsaidtheyrealisedthatfarmersmostlyfocusoneconomicvaluesoffarmproduceandignoreitsbyproducts,whichcanberecycledtomakeenvironmentally-friendlyitems.Learningthatpassionfruitpeelcontainsalotofpectin-anaturalfibreoftenusedtoimproveconsistencyandcreategelinmanydishes-theystartedtoexperiment.ThankstotheinstructionoflecturerLêQuangPhong,headoftheAppliedChemistryDepartment,InternationalUniversity,infourmonths,thestudentsconductedteststocheckthegrowthrateofmicroorganismsandqualitymanagementtoprovethesafetyoftheproduct.D??ng,oneofthestudents,saidtheprocessofcreatingfoodwrapincludescollecting,cleaninganddryingfruitpeels.Throughtheextractionprocess,pectinfromthepassionfruitpeelandbetacyanininreddragonfruitpeelareobtained.Theseextractsaremixedwithwaterthenpouredintomouldsanddriedat60degreesCelsiusfor24hours.Afterobtainingthefinishedproduct,itwillbelaminatedandshapedtocompletethebiologicalfoodwrap,shesaid.Thisprocesslastsaboutseventotendays.Thehighlightofthebiologicalfoodwrapdevelopedbytheteamisitsabilitytochangecolourwhenfoodisdamaged.ThebetacyaninpigmentinreddragonfruitpeelhastheabilitytochangecolourbasedonthepHoftheenvironment.Iffoodssuchasmeat,fisharespoiled,thepHlevelwillgraduallydecrease.Whenfoodbeginstospoil,thewrapwillgraduallychangefrompinkishredtoyellowortransparent,shetoldGiáoD?cTh?i??i(EducationandTimes)newspaper.Justbyobservingthefoodwrapscolour,userscanrecognisetowhatextentthefoodisspoiled,therebypreventingfoodpoisoningcases.Thefoodwrapalsohasgoodantibacterialandantioxidantproperties,helpingtoextendfoodlife,D??ngsaid.With200gramsoffruitpeel,theteamcancreatea20-metrerolloffoodwrapwithanestimatedcostofVN?70,000perroll.Comparedtoplasticwrap,thisproductismorecostly,butcomparedtoothertypesofbiofilmonthemarket,theirecofoodwraphasamorecompetitiveprice.D??ngadmittedthatherwrapisnotassmoothasnylonwrap.Theproducthasashelflifeofthreetofourweeksunderlowtemperatureconditions(inarefrigeratorenvironment)andmustavoiddirectexposuretosunlight.Iftheaboveconditionsarenotmet,thewrappingfilmwillloseitscolourandchangefeatures,shesaid.D??ngsaid:Ourteamwantstobeabletosolvewastepeelsinfarming,helpingfarmershaveanewsourceofincomefromdiscardedproducts.Wealsohopethatpeoplecanreduceplasticwaste,changelivinghabitsandusefriendlyproductstomaketheenvironmentgreener.LecturerLêQuangPhongsaidtheprojectwascreativeandthestudentsknewhowtouserenewableandorganicmaterialsthatarefriendlytohumans.Thegrouptookadvantageoffruitpeelstomakeproductswithhigheconomicvalue,supportingfarmersandmeetingconsumerneeds.Today,consumersareveryconcernedabouthealthandtheenvironment,sothereisahighdemandforgreenproducts.Theecofoodwrapiscompletelycapableofbeingcommercialisedandsoldtothemarket,hesaid.VNS

AsoursoporchardinH?uGiangProvincesLongM?Districtwithanautomaticirrigationsystem.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ngTháiH?UGIANG—H?uGiangProvinceisdevelopingnature-basedagricultureandapplyingadvancedtechniquestoincreaseefficiency.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovinceisaffectedbyclimatechange,especiallysaltwaterintrusioninitsriversinthedryseason,whichimpactsagriculture.Tocope,ithasrestructuredcultivationanddevelopednature-basedfarmingmodelssuitableforeachlocality.LongM?Districtnormallysuffersfromashortageofirrigationwaterinthedryseason,andsolocalauthoritiesencouragericefarmerstoswitchtodrought-resistantcropssuchassoursop.InthedistrictsThu?nHoàCommune,thesoilwasseverelycontaminatedbyaluminthepastandfarmerscouldonlygrowcajuput.Afteranirrigationnetworkwascreatedinthecommune,farmersswitchedtoricebutyieldswerelow.Inthelast10yearstheyswitchedtosoursopbecausethefruitisresistanttodroughtandsaltwater.V?V?nQuang,whohasa1hasoursoporchardinThu?nHoà,saidthelivesoflocalshaveimprovedsignificantlyaftermakingtheswitch.MyfamilyearnsVN?80-100million(US$3,100-3,900)ayearfromgrowingsoursop.Theprovincehasdevelopedmanynature-basedfarmingmodelstocopewithnaturaldisasters,accordingtoitsDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.Inplacesaffectedbyalumandsaltwaterintrusion,itrecommendsaswitchtovegetables,livestock,aquaticspecies,andrice-aquaticspecies,andseekstodevelopecotourism.Wherericeremainspredominant,itdevelopslarge-scalericefieldsbypoolingsmallerholdingsandincreasestheuseofadvancedfarmingtechniquesandmechanisation.Wherefarmersgrowvegetablesandfruits,itseekstouseefficientautomaticirrigation,researchesandcreatesplantvarietiesthatcangrowinsaltwater-anddrought-affectedareas.Itpropagatesgreateruseoforganicfertilisersandcreationofditchesinorchardsandfieldstostorewaterforirrigation.Ng?MinhLong,directorofthedepartment,saidtorestructureanddevelopnature-basedagriculturetoproducehigh-qualityanddiverseproducts,hisagencyisdevelopinghigh-tech,cleanandsmartagricultureadaptedtoclimatechange.Itwouldresearchandapplytechnology,identifysuitablecropsforeachlocality,developconcentratedfarmingareas,andteachfarmersgrowingprocesses,hesaid.Itwouldprioritisecropvarietieswithhighqualityandyieldsthatcouldadapttoclimatechange,hesaid.Itwouldconvertfieldsthatgrowjustriceintoonesthatalternatethegrainwithvegetablesoraquaticspeciestoadapttoclimatechange,hesaid.Farmlandsaccountfor86percentoftheprovincestotalarea.TheprovinceispartoftheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentsprojecttosustainablydeveloponemillionhectaresofhigh-qualityandlow-emissionricecultivationassociatedwithgreengrowthintheMekongDelta,andaimstohave46,000haunderriceby2030undertheproject.Itproduces1.1milliontonnesofpaddyayearandriceaccountsfor40percentofitsagriculturalproductioninvalueterms.Itsfruitsincludeseedlesslime,greenskinandpinkfleshgrapefruit,soursop,andjackfruit,alotofitgrowntoVietnameseandglobalgoodagriculturalpracticesstandards.Farmersalsogrowvegetablesinnetandpolygreenhousesequippedwithautomaticirrigation.Theprovincehas32companiesand38co-operativesthathavelinkedwithnearly40,000farmersowningatotalof38,656ha.OCOPproductsTheprovincehasembracedthenationalOneCommune–OneProduct(OCOP)programmetoimprovevalue,agriculturalefficiencyandthelivesofruralpeople.Ithas266OCOPproductsratedbetweenthreeandfourstars.Thehighestratingundertheprogrammeisfive.Theseproductsaresoldnationwide,throughmanysupermarkets,andexported,accordingtotheDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.Long,itsdirector,saidtheprovincehasdevelopedmorethan20agriculturalandruraltourismsitesthatintroduceandsellOCOPproducts.InPh?ngHi?pDistrict,thenumberoftourismsiteshasincreasedfromeighttwoyearsagoto10now.TheyhavelinkedupwithtraditionalcraftvillagesandOCOPproducingestablishmentstooffertourismservices.Theyattracted240,000touristslastyear,upfivetimesfrom2022.ManyOCOPmakingestablishmentsalsoofferexperiencetourismforadditionalincomes.TheNg?c?àoGoatMilkFarminChauThànhADistrictsTanHoàCommunehassixfour-starOCOPproducts–pasteurisedgoatmilk,freeze-driedgoatmilkyogurt,freeze-driedfermentedgoatmilk,andfreeze-driedfermentedgoatmilkwithjackfruit,durianandmango.Thefarmraisesaround350goatsandproduces1,000litresofgoatmilkamonth.Ithasbeenofferingtourismservicessince2018andvisitorscantrytheirhandsatfeedinggoatsandwatchtheprocessesofmakingproductsfromgoatmilkandalsotrythem.T?ThanhTùng,ChairmanoftheTanHoàPeoplesCommittee,said:Ng?c?àoGoatMilkFarmisthecommunesonlytourismsiteandattractsmanytourists.Intheabsenceofothertourismsitestolinkwiththefarm,itcouldnotpromoteitsecotourismstrength,hesaid.Ithaspetitionedthedistrictandprovinceauthoritiestoinvestindevelopingmoretourismsitesinthecommuneandintransportinfrastructurefortourists,headded.—VNSHCMCITY—TheHCMCityUniversityofMedicineandPharmacyHospitalannouncedonJuly10thatithassuccessfullyperformedsurgeryandtreatmentforaforeignsurgeonwithrectalcancer.ThisunderscoresthecredibilityandexpertiseofVietnamesedoctors,whichareincreasinglyrecognised,andcreatestrustamonginternationalpatients.The64-year-oldIndonesiandoctorwasdiagnosedwithrectalcancerinearly2024.Asasurgeon,helearnedaboutplacesthatcouldtreathisdisease.ReceivingadvicefromIndonesiancolleagueswhohadpreviouslyparticipatedintrainingcoursesattheHCMCityhospital,hedecidedtogotoVi?tNaminFebruary.DoctorNguy?nH?uTh?nhfromthehospitalsDepartmentofGastroenterologysaidthatthepatientsdiseasehasdevelopedtoStage3withalargetumorandmanymetastaticlymphnodesinthemesorectum.Afterthesurgery,thepatientresumednormalactivitiesandwasdischargedfivedayslater.HesharedthatafterexperiencingthetreatmentprocessforoverfourmonthsinVi?tNam,hefeelshappywithhisdecision.Th?nhsaidthatrectalcancer,notuncommoninVi?tNam,canbetreatedsuccessfullyifdetectedearly.Athishospital,eachyearmorethan800casesofrectalcancerarediagnosedandtreatedwitha5-yearsurvivalrateofupto70percentforStage3cancer.Besidestreatment,thehospitaliscurrentlyatrainingcentreforrectallaparoscopicsurgeryfordomesticandforeigndoctors.Overthepast15years,763doctorsfromcountriessuchasIndonesia,Malaysia,Myanmar,Pakistan,thePhilippines,Singapore,andThailandhaveattendedlaparoscopicsurgerytrainingcourseshere.—VNS

Afireata2,000sq.mfactoryinBìnhD??ngProvincelastweek.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Fireskilled57peopleandinjured45othersinthefirstsixmonthsofthisyear,accordingtothePoliceDepartmentofFirePrevention,FightingandRescue.Thecountryreport2,222firesduringthisperiodwiththepropertylossesincurringtoVN?127.9billion.Thedepartmentalsoreported125forestfiresinthefirsthalfwith529hadestroyed.Comparedtothesameperiodin2023,thenumberoffiresanddeathsbothincreasedwhilethepropertylossesdeclined.Mostofthefires(1,343)werereportedinurbanareas,accountinggot60.4percent.Residentialareafireswerethemostcommontypewith823incidents.Otherblazeswerereportedatbusinessandproductionfacilitiesandwarehouses.Ofthe2,222fires,upto1,299wereinvestigatedwiththemaincausesidentifiedaselectricfailuresandcarelessuseofheatsources.Accordingtothepolice,mostofthefireswerereportedatindustrialparks,households,housescombinedwithproductionandbusinessandestablishmentswithcrowdedpeople(miniapartments,boardinghouses).Anumberoffirescausedserioushumandamage.Leadersoflocalauthoritieshavenottakenfullresponsibilityforfirepreventionandcontrolwork.Atsomeplaces,localauthoritieshaveloosenedmanagement,leadingtoviolations.Therearemanyconstructionsbuiltwithoutpermissionordonotmeetfiresafetyrequirements.Manyconstructionshavechangedthehousingpurposesfromresidencetobusinessorcombinedbothpurposeswithoutcomplyingwithregulationsonfiresafetyandprevention,saidthepolice.Manyprojectsaretoooldandcannotberenovatedorrepaired.Othershavebeenarrangedtoberelocated,butpeoplehavenotcomplied.Inthesecondhalfoftheyear,thepolicewillstepupinvestigationandstiffenpunishmentsonestablishmentswhofailtofollowfiresafetyregulations.Thepoliceplantoapplytwomodelsoffiresafetytaskforceandfirefightingatpubliclocationstopromotefirepreventionandcontrolworkinthecommunity.—VNSThesceneoftheaccident,involvingthreevehicles,includingaminibus,ontheHàN?i–H?iPhòngExpressway,resultinginthedeathsoftwodriversandinjuriesto14othersonThursdaymorning.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ID??NG—Aserioustrafficaccidentoccurredinvolvingthreevehicles,includingaminibus,ontheHàN?i–H?iPhòngExpressway,resultedinthedeathsoftwodriversandinjuriesto14othersonThursdaymorning.Amongtheinjuredisonedriverincriticalcondition,whohasbeenrushedtohospital,whiletheremaininginjuredaremainlypassengersaboardtheminibus.Initialreportsindicatethatthemulti-vehiclecollisionoccurredat9amonThursdayontheexpressway,runningthroughGiaL?cDistrict,inthenorthernprovinceofH?iD??ng.Thedistrictspolicesaidthatithaddispatchedofficerstothesiteoftheincident,coordinatingwiththetrafficdepartmentundertheMinistryofPublicSecurityandtheExpresswayManagementBoardtomanagethetraffic,conductrescueoperationsandinvestigatethecauseofthefatalcrash.ThesceneoftheaccidentontheHàN?i–H?iPhòngExpressway,killstwodriversandinjuriesto14othersonThursdaymorning.—VNA/VNSPhotoPreliminaryinvestigationrevealedthattheaccidentwascausedwhenawhitepickuptruckandaminibuscollidedlightly,abruptlystoppinginthemiddleoftheexpresswayshighest-speedlaneheadingfromHàN?iCitytoH?iPhòngCity.Theabrupthaltcausedthedriveroftheseven-seatervehiclefollowingbehind,todirectlyrear-endthestationaryvehicleinfront.Theseven-seatersustainedfrontaldamage,deployingairbagsandcomingtorestsidewaysacrossthetwoexpresswaylanes.Theinvestigativeauthoritiesarecontinuingtoexaminethescenetoestablishtheexactcauseoftheaccident.—VNS

UncleT?(left)carrieswoodfromhisboattotheriverbanktobuildhousesforthepoor.—Photonld.com.vnC?NTH?—Fortwodecades,Tr??ngV?nKi?mandhisteamhavebuiltnearly600housesforthepooracrossthesouthwesternprovincesofVi?tNam.InTanL?cWard,Th?tN?tDistrict,C?nTh?City,heisaffectionatelyknownasUncleT?,atestamenttohisfar-reachingimpact.At72,UncleT?remainsrobustandhealthy,thankstothephysicaldemandsofhishouse-buildingwork.Hewasonceafarmerbutmovedbytheplightofimpoverishedfamilies,heunexpectedlybecameabuilder.UncleT?recallsaneveningin2003whenhewascaughtinaheavyrainwhilefetchingherbalmedicine.Hesawanelderlywomanchoppingdownatreeandaskedherwhy.Sheexplainedthatherhousehadcollapsedandsheneededwoodtorebuildit.Seeingherstruggle,heinquiredaboutherchildren,whoshesaidonlydrankalcoholanddidnothelpher.Deeplymoved,UncleT?usedhissavingstobuildanewhousefortheelderlywoman.Thisactofkindnessmarkedthestartofhislifelongmissiontoprovidefreehousingforthepoor.Hischildrensfinancialsupport-VN?100million(US$3,934)annually-alongwiththeincomefromlandrentalsandoccasionalbankloans,fundshisefforts.IboughtalargeboatfornearlyVN?100millionandasmalleroneforVN?70milliontotransportwoodthroughouttheMekongDeltatobuildhouses,saidKi?m.Initiallyself-taught,UncleT?learnedbuildingtechniquesfromhisfriend,LêV?nM??i.Withinthreeyears,hebecameskilledenoughtoleadtheconstruction,significantlycuttingcosts.HisworksoonattractedlocalvolunteersinTanL?c,forminga20-memberteamdedicatedtothischaritablecause.Todate,theyhavebuilt582housesforimpoverishedfamilies,orphansandtheelderly,eachcostingaroundVN?30million(US$1,180).TheireffortsearnedthemtheNationalVolunteerAwardin2020.Despitecriticismforhiswastefulgenerosity,UncleT?remainedsteadfast.Hebelieveseveryonedeservesasafehome,especiallyduringharshweather.Wheneverhehearsofafamilyinneed,heandhisteaminvestigateandoffertohelp.Theirprocessisefficient.Prefabricatedframesaretransportedbyboatandassembledon-sitewithinaday.Toaddapersonaltouch,UncleT?oftenbuildsfurnitureforthenewhomeowners,makingtheirhousestrulyfeellikehomes.TeammemberNguy?nV?nBéT?,despitelosingtwofingersinanaccident,findsjoyinthiswork.Iworkwithoutpay,purelyfrommyconscience,hesaid.Hu?nhV?nS?n,anothervolunteer,sharedsimilarsentiments,recallingemotionalmomentswithgratefulfamilies.UncleT?simpactextendsbeyondC?nTh?,reachingprovinceslikeAnGiang,KiênGiangandCàMau.FamilieslikeH?Th?LanhandNguy?nV?nThànhexpresstheirdeepestgratitudefortheirnewhomes,highlightingthespiritofcommunityUncleT?fosters.IheardaboutUncleT?scharityhouse-buildingandreachedouttohim.saidThành.HisteambuiltthishouseformeandIamincrediblygratefultothem.UncleT?evengoesbeyondhouse-building,oncedelivering50kgofricetoabedriddencouple,exemplifyinghisdedicationtohelpingothers.Nowolder,UncleT?focusesonmanagingandmentoringhisteam,ensuringhismissioncontinues.Withenoughwoodfor300morehouses,hehopestokeepbuildingandtrustshisteamtocarryonhislegacy.Ivehadtwosurgeries,butdoinggooddeedsismybestmedicine.Itswhatkeepsmegoing,hesaid.UncleT?sstoryisapowerfulreminderoftheprofoundimpactoneindividualscompassioncanhaveoncountlesslives.Hislegacyisoneofkindness,communityandunwaveringdedicationtohelpingthoseinneed.—VNSAnurseintheNeonatalDepartmentatHùngV??ngHospitalinHCMCitycaringforanewborn.VNA/VNSPhoto?inhH?ng.HàN?I–Lookingbackon30yearssinceVi?tNamadoptedtheactionprogrammeattheInternationalConferenceonPopulationandDevelopmentthecountryhasachievedsignificantaccomplishmentsinpopulationwork.However,Vi?tNamneedsinnovationstoaddressexistingchallengestosustaineconomicandsocialdevelopment.ThiswasdeliveredbyhealthexpertsontheWorldPopulationDay2024(July11)underthethemeInvestinginPopulationWorkisInvestinginSustainableDevelopment.In1994inCairo,Vi?tNam,alongwith178countriesworldwide,signedthefar-reachingactionprogrammethatplacedpeopleatthecentreofdevelopmentattheICPD.Thisprogrammeemphasisedthecloserelationshipbetweenpopulationandsustainabledevelopment,promotinganintegratedapproachineconomic,socialandpopulationpolicies.Vi?tNamsprogressOverthepast30years,Vi?tNamhasimplementedmanyinnovativemethodstoaddressinequalityandnarrowthesocio-economicdevelopmentgapbetweenregionsandpopulationgroups.Resolution21-NQ/TWonPopulationWorkinthenewsituationclearlyoutlinedthe12thPartyCentralCommitteesguidingprinciple,whichconsiderspopulationworkanddevelopmentbothanurgentandlong-termstrategictask.Vi?tNamsachievementsinthefieldofpopulationanddevelopmenthavebeenrecognisedovertheyears.Since2006,thepopulationgrowthratehasbeensuccessfullycontrolled,maintainingreplacementfertilitylevels.Thepopulationstructurehasshiftedpositively,withthelabourforceoftheworkingageincreasingsignificantly.AccordingtotheMinistryofHealth,in2023,Vi?tNamspopulationsurpassed100million,makingitthe15thcountryintheworldwithapopulationofover100millionpeople.Thenumberandproportionofthepopulationofworkingageaccountfornearly70percent,duringthegoldenpopulationstructureperiod.Thequalityofthepopulationhascomprehensivelyimproved,withtheaveragelifeexpectancyrisingrapidly,surpassingmanycountrieswithsimilaraverageincomelevels.AccordingtotheresultsofVi?tNamspopulationcensusessince1989,theaveragelifeexpectancyofVietnamesepeoplehascontinuouslyincreased,from65.2to73.7attheendof2023.Intermsoflifeexpectancy,thecountryranksfourthinSoutheastAsia(with66beingthelowestintheregion)andexceedstheglobalaverageof73.4years.ThestatureandphysicalfitnessofVietnamesepeoplehavealsosignificantlyimproved.AccordingtotheresultsoftheNationalNutritionSurvey2017-2020,theaverageheightof18-year-oldmalein2020reached168.1cm,anincreaseof3.7cmcomparedto2010,andforfemales,itreached156.2cmin2020comparedto154.8cmin2010.Vi?tNamhassurpassedglobaltrendsinreducingmaternalmortalityratesandachievinghighratesofmoderncontraceptiveuse.AccordingtotheMinistryofHealth,theunder-fivemortalityrateinVi?tNamin2023was18.9perthousand,withanaverageannualdecreaseof0.22perthousandoverthepastfiveyears.ThepovertyreductionpoliciesandprogrammesofthePartyandStatehavebeenwell-implemented,graduallyimprovingandenhancingthelivingconditionsofpoorhouseholds.Thecentralbudgetallocatedforimplementingpovertyreductionpoliciesin2023exceededVN?20trillion.ProperpoliciesPh?mV?Hoàng,DeputyDirectoroftheMinistryofHealthsGeneralOfficeofPopulationandFamilyPlanning,statedthatthePartyandStatehavealwaysadjustedpoliciestosuittherealityinVi?tNam,inlightofinternationalanddomesticpopulationdemands.OnOctober25,2017,the12thCentralPartyCommitteessixplenarysessionissuedResolutionNo21-NQ/TWonpopulationwork.Itsaim-by2030,90percentofyoungmenandwomenwillreceivepre-maritalcounsellingandhealthcheck-ups.Thenumberofchildmarriageswillbereducedby50percentandconsanguineousmarriagesby60percent.70percentofpregnantwomenwillbescreenedforatleastfourofthemostcommoncongenitaldiseases.90percentofnewbornswillbescreenedforatleastfiveofthemostcommoncongenitaldiseases.TheaveragelifeexpectancyofVietnamesepeoplewillreach75years.Allelderlypeoplewillhavehealthinsurance,managetheirhealth,receivemedicalexaminationsandtreatment.By2030,theheightof18-year-oldmaleswillreach168.5cmandfemales157.5cm.TheHumanDevelopmentIndex(HDI)willbeamongthetopfourinSoutheastAsia.Toimplementtheresolution,onSeptember2,2018,thePrimeMinisterapprovedtheVi?tNamHealthProgrammetoimprovethewell-being,stature,lifespanandlifequalityofVietnamesepeople.From2018to2030,theprogrammefocuseson11areasdividedintothreegroups,includinghealthpromotion,healthprotectionanddiseaseprevention,primaryhealthcareanddiseasecontrol.ApopulationofficerraisesawarenessamongtheresidentsofVanH?DistrictinS?nLaProvinceaboutgenderimbalanceatbirth.VNA/VNSPhotoH?uQuy?tToenhancematernalandchildhealthcareandreduceunder-fivemortalityrates,onJune26,theMinistryofHealthissuedDirective05/CT,callingforincreasingbudgetallocationsforinterventionstoreducechildmortality,improvingemergencyandneonatalresuscitationcapabilitiesandessentialcareformothersandnewborns.InJuly,theGovernmentissuedDecree76/2024/N?-CP,raisingthesocialallowancefortheelderly,withthehighestlevelreachingVN?1.5million.ThePartyandStatehaveimplementedmanyspecificpoliciestoimprovethelivingstandardsofethnicminoritycommunities.TheCommitteeforEthnicMinorityAffairsreportedthattherearecurrently188policiesinplaceforethnicminoritiesandmountainousregions.In2023,thepercentageofpoorhouseholdsamongethnicminoritiesdecreasedtoapproximately17.82percent,areductionof3.2percentcomparedto2022.ContinuingchallengesHowever,Vi?tNamstillfacesseveralsignificantchallenges,suchasdisparitiesinbirthratesacrossregions,rapidpopulationagingandgenderimbalanceatbirth.Theconsiderabledifferencesinfertilityratesbetweenregionsandgroups,alongwiththeriskofnotachievingthegoalofmaintainingreplacementfertilitynationwide,posesignificantchallenges.Therapidagingofthepopulationandtheprospectofbecominganagingsocietyearlypresentmajordifficultiesforeconomicdevelopmentandsocialwelfare.Thesexratioatbirthremainshighwhileearlymarriageandconsanguineousmarriagesareslowtobeaddressed.Thequalityofthepopulation,especiallyinremote,isolatedanddisadvantagedareas,remainslimited.InanticipationofWorldPopulationDayonJuly11thisyear,theMinistryofHealthhasurgedlocalhealthauthoritiestofocusonactivitiesaimedatraisingawarenessandpromotingreproductivehealth.Awarenesscampaignsemphasisethebenefitsofhavingtwochildren,genderequalityandreproductiveautonomy.Additionally,premaritalhealthcheck-upsandcounsellingforyoungpeopleshouldbeconductedregularlytoensurehealthypregnanciesandpreventgeneticdiseases.Legalcomplianceagainstearlymarriageandconsanguineousmarriagesshouldbefocusedonprotectinggeneticdiversity.Nationwidepubliccommunicationalsoseekstoenhancetheroleandstatusofwomenandgirlswithinfamilies,communitiesandsociety,itsaid.Accordingtotheministry,movingforward,Vi?tNammustcontinuetoimprovepopulationquality,reduceregionaldisparitiesandensurebalancedandsustainabledevelopmentforfuturegenerations.–VNS