PeoplechoosefoodatthePhùngKhoangMarketinNamT?LiêmDistrict,HàN?i.TheStateandtheGovernmentsaythatalongsideincreasingwages,theywillcontrolmarketpriceswell.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?SinhHàN?I—Theregionalminimumwagewillincreasebysixpercentstartingnextmonth,butthisisnotalljoyfulnews.Manyworkersareworriedastheyseemarketpricessoar.WagesinthemaintwocitiesinVi?tNam,Region1,willgoupfromVN?4.68million(US$192)toVN?4.96million($204)permonth.ThesixpercentincreaseisequivalenttoariseofVN?250,000inRegion2andVN?220,000and200,000inRegions3and4,respectively.Currently,theminimummonthlysalaryofworkersinenterprisesinRegion2isVN?4.16million,inRegion3itisVN?3.64million($149.4)andinRegion4itisVN?3.25million($133.3).Region1coverstheurbanareasofHàN?iandHCMCity,Region2encompassestheruralareasofHàN?iandHCMCity,alongwithmajorurbanareasinthecountrysuchasC?nTh?,?àN?ngandH?iPhòng,Region3coversprovincialcitiesandthedistrictsofB?cNinh,B?cGiangandH?iD??ngprovincesandRegion4istherestofthecountry.JoyInadditiontoanincreaseinincome,socialinsurancewillalsogoup,inlinewiththenewbasesalary.Thisisgoodnewsforpublicemployees.Nguy?nThuMinh,apreschoolteacherinC?uGi?yDistrict,HàN?i,foundoutaboutthesalaryincreaseafewmonthsago.Sheisveryhappyandhopesherfamilysdailylifewillbeimproved.Inthecurrentdifficulteconomiccontext,evenalittleextramoneyisprecious,shesaid.?inhH?ngH?nh,anofficeemployeeinBa?ìnhDistrictinHàN?i,agreed,saying:Thesalaryraiseisacommonjoyformanyworkerslikeus.Besidesworkattheoffice,wedonthavetimetodoanyotherwork.Therefore,nomatterhowlittleorhowmuchthesalaryincreaseis,wearestillveryexcitedandhopethatwecanlivebetter.DifficultiesHowever,alongwiththejoy,manyworkersareworried.Inreality,formanyyears,everytimeasalarygoesup,workerswillimmediatelyfacetheskyrocketingpricesofgoods,andtheincreasesneverkeeppace.?àoThuH??ng,wholivesinHoàngMaiDistrict,saidthatsheandherhusbandarebothStateemployees.Theyareworriedthatifthesalaryincreasesbyone??ng,thegoodspriceswillalsoincreasebyone??ng,orevendouble.Withthenewpolicy,myfamilystotalincomewillbenearlyVN?15million($587)permonth.Butaroundoneortwomonthsago,pricesofmanyessentialgoodsstartedtointensify,saidH??ng.Expertsbelievethattomakethesalaryraisereallywelcome;itisnecessarytocontrolinflationandstabilisepricesandthemacroeconomy.TheysaytheStateshouldhavestrictcontroloverpricesandseverepunishmentsforthosewhoraisethemunreasonably.AccordingtoeconomicexpertV?VinhPhú,increasingwagesisonlymeaningfulifpricesremainrelativelystable.Hesaid,theremustbepricecontrolsonallessentialgoodssuchaselectricity,water,petrolandfood.Associateprofessor?inhTr?ngTh?nh,seniorlecturerattheAcademyofFinance,saidthatthesalaryreformwassomethingthatmanyworkerswerelookingforwardtobecausethecurrentsalarywastoolowandnotenoughtoliveinbigcities.Butthatjoywillbelimitedbecauseoftheaccompanyingworryofpriceincreasesoutstrippingtheadjustedwage.Th?nhsaidthatmanytimesandovermanyyears,theGovernment,theMinistryofFinance,theMinistryofIndustryandTradeandotherrelevantministriesanddepartmentshaddeterminedthatwhenincreasingwages,theyneedtocontrolmarketpriceswell.Recently,priceshavebeenundermorepressureduetohighergoldpricesandexchangerates,aswellasrisingpricesofinputmaterialsforsomeindustries.Inthefirstfourmonthsofthisyear,inflationwasonly3.53percent,stableanddecreasing.Therefore,stabilisinginflationandthevalueofmoneyneedstomakethehopeofincreasedwages,togetherwithreasonableprices,becomeareality.Ifso,theincreaseinsalarywillbringcompletejoytoworkersasdesiredbytheGovernmentandtheNationalAssembly,saidTh?nh.Th?nhpredictsthattheStatewillmanagethepricesofgoodsitsetsthepricefor,suchashospitalservices,schools,electricity,andwater,sothattheyareappropriate.Inorderforasalaryincreasetoencourageworkerstoworkmoreenthusiastically,itisnecessarytocurbinflation,stabilisepricesandcontrolthemacroeconomyandstrictlyhandleanyviolations,saidTh?nh.—VNS

ThebuswherethechildwasfoundlateWednesdayafternoon.—VNA/VNSPhotoTHáIBìNH—Afive-year-oldboywaspronounceddeadlateWednesdayeveningafterbeingleftinaschoolbusinTháiBìnhProvince.Accordingtopreliminaryreports,thechild,identifiedbyhisinitialsasT.G.H.,wastakenfromhishousetoH?ngNhung2PreschoolwithhisclassmatesbytheirteacherQ.A.H.sfamilycouldnotfindhimwhentheycametotheschooltopickhimupintheafternoon.HewaslaterfoundintheschoolbusandwasrushedtotheemergencyroomatTháiBìnhProvincialHospital,wherehepassedaway.ThehighesttemperatureinTháiBìnhProvinceonWednesdayregisteredat36degreesCelsius.PhúXuanCommunesauthoritiesconfirmedthatH.waslivingwithhismaternalgrandmotherwhilehismotherwasawayforwork.TháiBìnhPolicehaslaunchedaninvestigationintothecase.—VNSDeputyMinisterofHealthNguy?nTh?LiênH??ngatthe77thWorldHealthAssemblyinGeneva,Switzerland.—VNA/VNSPhotosAnhHi?nGENEVA—AdelegationoftheMinistryofHealthledbyDeputyMinisterNguy?nTh?LiênH??ngisattendingthe77thWorldHealthAssembly(WHA77)fromMay27toJune1.H??ngtoldtheVietnamNewsAgencysreportersinGenevaonthesidelinesofthesessionthattheCOVID-19pandemicshowsthatmanycountrieshaveyettomakegoodpreparednessforaglobal-scaleepidemic,andwarnedthatanotherepidemicwouldhappenatanytime,requiringallcountriestostrengthentheircapacityandreadinessforit.Countriesalsoneedtocooperateandacttogethertobestrespondtoandminimiseglobalhealthsecuritythreats,andrespondquicklyandeffectivelytoallpossiblehealthrisks,H??ngsuggested.Shepointedtoseveralchallengestopublichealthcare,includingclimatechange,theillnessandmortalityburdenbynon-communicablediseases,unequalaccesstohealthservices,andtheriskofre-emergenceofinfectiousdiseases,especiallythosethatcanbepreventedbyvaccines.TheWorldHealthAssemblyinGenevaonMonday.WithintheWHA77framework,countrieswillconsideradoptingthePandemicTreatyandAmendmentstoInternationalHealthRegulations(IHR),whosecontentsincludeprovisionsonenhancingcooperation,informationexchangesandpromotingaccesstoproductiontechnologyanddiseasepreventionproducts.Oncethesedocumentsareapproved,thiswillbeabreakthroughfortheglobalhealthsysteminpreventingandrespondingtoepidemicsandmedicalemergencies.AmbassadorMaiPhanD?ng,PermanentRepresentativeofVi?tNamtotheUnitedNations,theWorldTradeOrganisation(WTO),andotherinternationalorganisationsinGeneva,saidthatthesedocumentswouldbeagreatopportunityforcountriesaroundtheworld,especiallydevelopingcountrieslikeVi?tNam,toaccessmedicalservices,equipment,vaccinesandbiologicalproducts.Thiswillhelpcreateabreakthroughineffectivelypreventingfuturepandemicsandsavingmorelivestowardsahealthyandequalworld,hesaid.—VNS

DeputyDirector-GeneraloftheEuropeanCommissionsDirectorate-GeneralforInternationalPartnershipsMyriamFerranspeakstothepressinNinhThu?nonWednesday.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngTh?NINHTHU?N—TheEuropeanUnion(EU)willcontinueitssturdysupportforVi?tNameffortstowardsthetargetofnetzeroemissionsby2050,saidMyriamFerran,DeputyDirector-GeneraloftheEuropeanCommission(EC)sDirectorate-GeneralforInternationalPartnerships.Speakingatamediabriefinginthesouth-centralprovinceofNinhThu?nonWednesday,FerransaidtheGlobalGatewaystrategyisanimportantinitiativeoftheEUimplementedthroughaTeamEuropeapproachandaimingtopromotesustainabledevelopment,peace,andstabilityaroundtheworld.Itsgoalistopromotesmart,clean,andsecurelinksworldwideandassistpartnercountriestoachievetheSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs),shenoted,sayingthestrategysprioritiesincludedigitaltechnology,energy,transport,health,educationandresearch.ThisstrategygeneratesnumerouscooperationchancesforVi?tNamandtheEUintheareasofsharedinterest,shesaid.TheofficialemphasisedthatVi?tNamisanimportantpartneroftheEUandwillkeephelpingwiththecountrystargetofnetzeroemissionsby2050,addingtheEUhasbeenassistingVi?tNamonthepathofenergytransitionthroughtheJustEnergyTransitionPartnership(JETP).InNinhThu?n,theB?cáipumped-storagehydropowerprojectisatypicalexampleandakeyprojectintheGlobalGatewaystrategy.TheEUanditsmemberstatespledgetoprovidepreferentialloansandaidpackagestogivetechnicalsupporttothisprojecttobuildthefirstpumped-storagehydropowerplantofVi?tNaminthelocality,accordingtoFerran.DuringtheirvisittoNinhThu?n,FerranandothermembersoftheEUdelegationalsosetouttolearnabouttheopportunitiesandchallengesoftheprovinceasanenergytransitioncentre.Speakinghighlyoflocalenergyandrenewablesdevelopment,shesaidthatdespitenumerousdifficultiescausedbyclimatechangeimpacts,NinhThu?nhasmanagedtoturnchallengesintopotentialandadvantagestoestablishitselfasanenergyandrenewablescentreofthecountry.TocarryouttheGlobalGatewaystrategy,theEUandtheFrenchDevelopmentAgency(AFD),withsupportfromtheKfWDevelopmentBankofGermanyandtheAsianDevelopmentBank(ADB),havesuppliedfundingfortheB?cáipumped-storagehydropowerproject.The1.2GWproject,investedbytheVietnamElectricity(EVN)group,hasatotalinvestmentofVN?21trillion(US$824.9million).Itwaslaunchedinearly2020andisexpectedtobecompletedin2029.Asidefromthisproject,theEUhasalsoassistedNinhThu?ninthefieldsofgreenanddigitalskilleducationandtraining.—VNSSouthKoreantouristsgettingtoknowaboutsouthernfruitspecialtiesatB?nThànhMarket,District1,HCMCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ng??tHàN?I—Vi?tNamwelcomed7.583millioninternationalvisitorsinthefirstfivemonthsof2024,withChinesetouristsinthehighestnumbershittingthetopspotinMay,thefirsttimethishashappenedinfiveyears.AccordingtothelatestreportfromtheGeneralStatisticsOffice,intotal,thefive-monthfigurerepresentsanincreaseofnearly65percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyearanda3.9percentincreasecomparedtothesameperiodin2019,theyearbeforeCOVID-19.Airtravelaccountedfor83.7percentofarrivals(6.3million),landtravelfor14.2percent(1.1million)andseatravelfor2.1percent(162,400).ThemajorityofthevisitorscamefromAsiawith5.89million,followedbyEurope,976,000,andtheAmericas,460,100.InMay,thenumberofforeigntouriststoVi?tNamreachednearly1.4million,a51percentincreasecomparedtothesameperiodlastyear,despiteitbeingtheoff-peakseason(Vi?tNamspeakseasonfallsbetweenSeptember-OctobertoApril),whichcouldbeattributedtofavourablevisapoliciesandenhancedtourismpromotionprogrammesin2024.ChinaregaineditsleadingpositionintheVietnamesetourismmarketwithnearly357,200visitors,a143percentincreasecomparedtothesamemonthlastyear.ThetotalnumberofChinesetouristsinthefirstfivemonthsofthisyearreached1.6million,morethana300percentincreasecomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Vi?tNamalsorecordedasignificantincreaseininternationalvisitorsfromTaiwan(China)withnearly111,000visitors,a90percentincrease;theUnitedStateswithover48,600visitors,a10.7percentincrease;Cambodiawith41,200visitors,a30percentincrease;andIndiawithover38,300visitors,a31percentincrease.Severalmoredistantmarketsalsosawconsiderablegrowth,suchasItalywithnearlya52percentincrease,Spainwitha34.4percentincrease,Francewitha30percentincrease,theNetherlandsandSwitzerlandwitha25percentincrease,andAustraliawitha23.4percentincrease.TheRussianmarketbegantorebound,withover16,000visitorstoVi?tNaminMay,risingby80percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Polishtourists,thoughfewerinnumberatjustover2,240,sawanimpressiveincreaseofover300percent.AccordingtotheGSO,revenuesfromaccommodationandfoodservicesinthefirstfivemonthsof2024nationwideisestimatedtoreachVN?296.3trillion(US$11.64billion),up15.1percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.SomelocalitiessawsignificantincreasessuchasKhánhHoà(26.4percentincrease),Qu?ngNinh(23.5percent),?àN?ng(22.2percent),H?iPhòng(14.9percent),HàN?i(12.4percent),andC?nTh?(11.5percent).Revenuefromtravelservicesinthefirstfivemonthsof2024isalsoprojectedtoreachVN?24.2trillion($950million),45.1percenthigheryearonyear.?àN?ngsawa52percentincrease,HCMCitya46percent,andHàN?ia44.6percentrise.—VNSThespreadoffakenewswilloccuronamuchlargerscale,expertshavewarned.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—A29-year-oldVietnamesesingerhasfiledalawsuitagainstseveralsocialmediaaccountsforspreadingfalseinformationandmanipulatingimagestodamageherreputation.Thesinger,whorecentlyreturnedtoVi?tNamafterstudyingintheUS,allegesthateditedimagesshowingherwithtwoboysledtorumorsofhergivingbirth,causingfinanciallossesduetocanceledcontractswithbrandpartners.TheTh???ccitypoliceinHCMCityareinvestigatingtheclaims,withthesingerslawyerstatingthatthecirculationofmanipulatedimagesandfalseinformationonlineconstitutesdefamationunderVietnameselaw.Vi?tNamhasregulationsinplacetopenalisethespreadoffakenewsonsocialnetworks,withfinesofuptoVN?20millionforprovidingfalseinformationthatharmsthereputationofindividualsororganisations.Associalmediacontinuestobeapopularsourceofnews,thereisagrowingconcernaboutthespreadoffakenews,negativeinformation,andtoxiccontent,expertssaid.Mainstreammediamustadaptandprovidereliableandofficialinformationonsocialmediaplatformsinadditiontotraditionaloutlets,whichwillhelpregainthetrustofreadersandcombatthenegativeeffectsofmisinformationonline,theynoted.Individualsaffectedbyfakenewsarerecommendedtoreportthearticlesandsocialmediaaccountscontainingharmfulinformation,andseeklegalrecoursewhennecessary.—VNS

Engineersdomaintenanceworkonapowerlinein?àN?ngCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoTr?nLêLamHàN?I—NationwidepowerconsumptionexceededonebillionkWhonTuesdaythisweek,anewrecordinthehistoryofthenationalenergysector.AccordingtotheStateutilitygroupVi?tNamElectricity(EVN),theincreasinglyhotweatherhasresultedinasignificantsurgeinpoweruseacrossallthreeregionsofthecountry.Thenationalpowergridcapacityalsoreachedarecordhighof47,670MWattheendofApril.Forecastsnotedthatthisisnotyetthepeakofthehotseasoninthenorthernregion,whichmeanspowerconsumptionisexpectedtoriseinthenearfuture.EVNiscallingforpeopletosaveelectricity,especiallyduringthepeakhoursduringtheday(11am-3pm)andtheevening(7pm-11pm).Thenationalpowersuppliernotedthatpeopleshouldonlyturnonairconditionerswhennecessary,andsetthetemperatureatnolowerthan26-27degreesCelsius.EVNalsoadvisedagainstusingmultipleenergy-consumingappliancesatthesametimeduringpeakhours.Thesemeasuresarealsoexpectedtominimisetherisksofelectricalfaultsandcostlyelectricitybills.ArepresentativeofthecompanysaidthattoensuretheannualpowersupplyperthedirectionofthePrimeMinister(PM),EVNanditssubsidiarieshavetakencomprehensivemeasurestooptimisepowersystemoperationsandtheelectricitymarket,increaseelectricityimports,accelerateinfrastructuredevelopmentandadvocateforsavingenergyamongitscustomers.EVNsNationalLoadDispatchCentrehasalsodeviseddifferentplanstomanagethepowersystemandtheelectricitymarket,preparingforpowersupplyindifferentscenariosandmakingweeklyupdatesonelectricityproduction,loaddemandsandhydrologicalfactorstomakeadjustmentstothepowersystemoperationswhennecessary.LocalpowerunitswillcoordinatewiththeirPeoplesCommitteetoeffectivelyexecuteenergy-savingmeasuresaccordingtothePMsrequest.EVNisalsomakingeffortstohitthedeadlineforcommissioningkeypowersupplyandpowergridprojects,notablythe500kVpowertransmissionlinefromQu?ngTr?ch(centralQu?ngBìnhProvince)toPh?N?i(northernH?ngYênProvince).—VNSAmedicalworkerexaminesababybeforevaccination.—VNA/VNSPhotoThùyDungHCMCITY—TheHCMCityDepartmentofHealth(DoH)hasrecordedtwocasesofmeaslesininfantsfromBìnhTanDistrict.Bothbabiesare13to15monthsoldandhavenotbeenvaccinatedagainstmeasles.Inbothcases,thefirstsymptomtoappearwasfever,withrashesappearingafewdayslateraccompaniedbyrespiratoryinfection.Thefirstcaseisa13-month-oldgirllivinginBìnhH?ngHòaBWard.Shewashospitalisedwithfeveronthesixthday,andhadarunnynose,rashesscatteredalloverherbody,swolleneyelidsandasorethroat.Afterexaminationandtesting,shewasdiagnosedwithmeaslescomplicatedbypneumonia.ThegirliscurrentlybeingmonitoredandtreatedatthemunicipalChildrensHospital.Thesecondcaseisa15-month-oldboylivinginTanT?oWard.Hewashospitalisedwithfeveronthefourthdayandalsohadarunnynose,alongwitharaspycough,diarrhoea,andrashesonhisears,eyesandbody.Theboywasdiagnosedwithmeaslesandsuper-infectedpneumonia.HeisbeingkeptunderspecialsupervisionattheIntensiveCareWardoftheHCMCityHospitalforTropicalDiseases.Immediatelyafterrecordinginformationaboutthetwocases,theDoHdirectedthecitysCentreforDiseaseControltocoordinatewiththeBìnhTanDistrictHealthCentretoinvestigateepidemiologyandimplementpreventionmeasuresinthecommunity.Accordingtoaninitialepidemiologicalinvestigation,nonewcasesrelatedtothetwopatientshavebeendetectedintheirhomes.Inbothcases,theinfantshavenotbeenfullyvaccinatedaccordingtotherecommendedschedule,andneitherhasbeenvaccinatedagainstmeaslesatall.Familymemberssaidthatthechildrenhadnotbeenvaccinatedbecausetheywereoftensick,andbecausetheparentsworkedfarawayandcouldnottakethemtogetvaccinated.TheDoHsaidthatduetotheimpactoftheCOVID-19pandemic,thesupplyofvaccineswasinterruptedin2022.Ithasaffectedthevaccinationrateforchildren.Manychildrenhavenotbeenvaccinatedonscheduleorhavenothadenoughdoses.Afterthevaccinesupplysituationwasstabilisedthisyear,theDoHdeployedmassvaccinationinallcommunes,wardsandtownsthroughoutthecitytoproactivelypreventdangerousinfectiousdiseasesinchildren.ReportsshowedthatbytheendofAprilthisyear,therateofchildrenwhohavereceivedtwomeaslesshotsis93.2percentforthosebornin2018,90.1percentforthosebornin2019,91.7percentforthosebornin2020,and93.6percentforthosebornin2021.ThiscoveragemeetstheminimumtargetrequiredbytheMinistryofHealth,butdoesnotmeetthe95percenttargetsetbyHCMCity,whichisthenecessarycoverageleveltocreateherdimmunity,preventdiseaseoutbreaksandmovetowardthegoalofeliminatingmeasles.TheDoHcontinuestocallonparentstotaketheirchildrentohealthstationsforvaccination.—VNS

ThànhH?iCommuneinPhanRang-ThápChàmCityinNinhThu?nProvince.Thecommunetargetstobecometheprovincesfirstexemplarynew-styleruralcommunethisyear.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nThànhNINHTHU?N—Thesouth-centralprovinceofNinhThu?nisboostingthedevelopmentofnew-styleruralareastoimprovethelivesofpeople.Afterimplementingthenationalprogrammeofbuildingnew-styleruralareasfor13years,NinhThu?nProvincehas32ofits47communesrecognisedasnew-styleruralcommunes.Anew-styleruralcommunemustmeettheprogrammes19criteriarelatedtoinfrastructure,irrigation,powerandwatersupply,income,education,healthcare,socialsecurity,culture,environmentandothers.Twelveofthe32new-styleruralcommuneshavebeenrecognisedasadvancednew-styleruralcommunes,whichachievehigherstandardsacrossall19criteriathannew-styleones.Theprovinceaimstohaveadditionaltwotothreenew-styleruralcommunes,threetofouradvancednew-styleruralcommunesandoneexemplarynew-styleruralcommunebyyearend.Anexemplarynew-styleruralcommunemustachievehigherstandardsthananadvancedone.Tr?nhMinhHoàng,deputychairmanofNinhThu?nPeoplesCommittee,saidtheprovincewillstrengthenmobilisingresourcesfromitsbudget,loans,companies,economicorganisationsandcommunitiestoimplementtheprogramme.Itwillfocusonimplementingtheprogrammescriteriawhicharedifficulttoachieveandmaintainsuchasincome,multidimensionalpovertyreduction,healthinsurance,environmentprotectionandfoodsafety.TheprovincialPeoplesCommitteehasorderedallsixdistrictsandPhanRang-ThápChàmCitytofocusoncriteriawhichrelatedirectlytothespiritualandmateriallivesofpeople.Thedistrictsandcityshouldsetupplansforimplementingtheprogramme,andinstructtheircommunestoimplementtheplans,itsaid.New-styleruralcommunes,whichaimtoachieveadvancedstatus,shouldcompletecriteriaaboutinfrastructuretomeettherequirementsoffoodmarkets,healthcareandschools.Theyshouldco-operatewithsocial-politicalorganisationstoencouragepeopletogethealthinsurancesotheycanmeettherequiredrateofpeoplehavinghealthinsurance.ThànhH?iinPhanRang-ThápChàmCitytargetstobecometheprovincesfirstexemplarynew-styleruralcommunethisyearsoitshouldselectoneofthesixexemplaryfieldsregulatedundertheprogrammetoimplement.Itshouldfocusondevelopingagriculturalproduction,creatingjobstoimproveincomeforpeople,andtargetingtoachieveanaverageincomeof1.2timeshigherthantheregulatedincomeofadvancednew-styleruralcommunes.MobilisingIn2021-23,theprovincemobilisedmorethanVN?1.5trillion(US$59million)tobuildnew-styleruralareas.Theprovincesbordersoldiershaveparticipatedinbuildingnew-styleruralareas,includingassistingdifficulthouseholds.TàLaTh?Nhi?usfamilyin?áHangHamletinNinhH?iDistrictsV?nhH?iCommunehashadadifficultylife,andtheV?nhH?iBorderGuardStationhasregularlyprovidedherfamilyrice,moneyandfarmingtechniques.ThankstothesupportoftheofficialsandsoldiersoftheV?nhH?iBorderGuardStation,peopleherehaveamorestablelife,shesaid.Thestationssoldiersparticipateinclearingbushes,pavingruralroads,explaininglegalregulationstopeopleandencouragingthemtoeliminatebackwardcustoms.Theprogrammehashelpedimprovetheappearanceofruralareasandthelivesofruralpeople.Tr?nTh?QuyêninNinhS?nDistrictsHòaS?nCommune,anew-styleruralcommune,said:Iwasgladwhenthecommunewasrecognisedasanew-styleruralcommune.Thankstothis,theappearanceofruralareashaschangedpositivelyandthespirituallivesofpeoplehavebeenenhanced.Hamletsinthecommunehavebuiltspaciousculturalhousesandthesehousesareplacesformeetings,culturalexchanges,artperformancesandsports,shesaid.RuralroadsinHòaS?narepavedandhaveinstalledelectriclampsandcameras.Allhouseholdsinthecommunehaveaccesstocleanwaterandelectricity.Nguy?nV?nH?i,deputychairmanoftheHòaS?nPeoplesCommittee,saidthecommunewillcontinuetotakemeasures,setuptargetsandpromoteitspotentialandadvantagesineachareatobuildnew-styleruralareastoimprovepeoplesincome.Itwillmobilisefinancialresourcesandtheparticipationofpeopleinimplementingtheprogramme,andtargettoachievetherecognitionofanadvancednew-styleruralcommunenextyear,hesaid.—VNS

FishingsquidatnightonH?LongBay.Photovietnamnet.vnH?LONG—ThePeoplesCommitteeofQu?ngNinhProvincehasrequestedtheH?LongCityPolicetostrictlyhandlefishingvesselsandboatscarryingtouristsforillegalfishingatnightonH?LongBay.Sincethebeginningofthisyear,thepolicehavediscoveredandhandled12vehiclesillegallycarryingtouristsonH?LongBay,includingsevenvehiclesillegallytransportingpeopleforsquidfishingatnight.Inspectionsrevealedthatmostoftheviolatingvehicleswerenotregisteredorinspected,didnotensuretechnicalsafety,orenvironmentalsanitation,andlackedlife-savingorrescueequipment.Additionally,about30vesselswerediscoveredandhandledforillegalfishingusingprohibitedfishinggearinthecoreareaofthebay,andtwocaseswereprosecutedforthecrimeofdestroyingaquaticresources.Facedwiththeincreasingnumberofpeopleillegallyfishingatnightandusingprohibitedfishinggeartoexploitaquaticresourcesinthebay,theQu?ngNinhauthorityhasaskedtheH?LongPolicetostrengthenpatrolsanddrasticallyhandleviolationstoensuresecurityandsafetyfortourists,andtobuildahealthytourismbusinessenvironment.Accordingtothecitypolice,althoughnightfishingactivitiesareillegal,touristscaneasilyfindadvertisementsfornightsquidfishingtoursontheInternet.Toavoidinspectionandhandlingbytheauthorities,thoseorganisingtheseillegalactivitiesoftenchangepick-upanddrop-offlocations,takingadvantageofthelongcoastline.Someothersuselookoutstoinformvesselownerstosuspendactivitieswhendetectingapatrolforceatsea.VNSFULLOFMEMORIES: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