AninternationalseminarheldinHCMCitytodiscusstheroleofVietnamesebusinessmenandintellectualsabroadinthecitysdevelopment.—Photowww.sggp.org.vnHCMCITY—HCMCityplanstobuildadatabaseofoverseasVietnamese(OVs)toconnectthemandpromotetheircontributionstothecitysdevelopment.TheHCMCityCommitteeforOverseasVietnameseAffairshasorganisedthesecondget-together‘OverseasVietnameseMeetingPointof2024withthethemeofeffectivesolutionsforbuildingadatabaseofoverseasVietnameseinthedigitalageandcurrentinternationalintegration.TheeventaimstospreadandpromotethevaluesoftheHCMCityCulturalSpace-OverseasVietnameseMeetingPoint.ItalsoprovidesanopportunityfortheOVscommunityandtheirrelativesinthecitytoconnect,shareinformation,andcollaborateinvariousfields.ThisisanopportunityfortheOVscommunitytoparticipateinresearchandcontributeconstructiveopinionstotheplanforbuildingadatabaseofOV.Theget-togethersparticipantsproposedprioritisingthefocusonOVintellectualsandentrepreneurstoestablishappropriateaccessmechanismstoconnectandattractresourcesand‘softpowerforthecity.V?Th?Hu?nhMai,ChairwomanofHCMCitysCommitteeforOverseasVietnameseAffairs,highlyappreciatedtheopinionsandproposalsoftheparticipatingdelegates.BuildingadatabaseofOVsisessentialinthedigitalageandalignswiththegeneraltrendofdevelopinge-governmentanddigitaltransformation,shesaid.Throughthisdatabase,therightsofOVscanbebetterensured,suchastimelysupportforimmigrationprocedures,repatriation,confirmationofVietnameseorigin,andregularadministrativeproceduresrelatedtoresidency.Thecityhasabout2.8millionoverseasVietnamesein130countriesandterritories.However,regardingthefieldsinwhichOVsoperateandtheiroccupations,thecitydoesnothavedata.BuildinganoverseasVietnamesedatabaseisexpectedtobeadrivingforcetogatherOVsinallcountriesandterritoriessothateachgroupcanpromotetheirroletosupportthecitywhenneeded.—VNS

TheconvictsattheappealtrialonJuly17.—VNA/VNSPhotoPh?mKiênHàN?I—SevenconvictsinthenotoriousVi?táCasewereproposedforsentencereductionsduringanappealtrialonJuly17.PhanQu?cVi?t,Vi?tácompanysformerGeneralDirector,isamongthoseappealingforreducedprisonterms.Hewassentencedto25yearsbehindbarsduringthefirst-instancetrial,forbribingseveralgovernmentofficialstoobtainlicencestosellCOVID-19testingkitsathighpricesduringthepandemic.Duringtheappealtrial,heardbytheCentralMilitaryCourt,theprosecutorarguedthatthepaymentofVN?200million(US$7,890)incompensationfordamagesbyVi?táandhisroleinthefightagainsttheCOVID-19pandemiccouldbeconsideredanextenuatingcircumstanceinhisfavour.Theprosecutor,accordingly,proposedreducinghissentencefrom25yearsto22years.Tr?nhThanhHùng,formerDirectoroftheDepartmentofScienceandTechnologyforEconomic-TechnicalSectorsandH?AnhS?n,formerDeputyDirectoroftheMilitaryMedicalAcademysInstituteofBiomedicineandPharmacy,areotherconvictswhohavefiledappealsseekingsentencereductions.HùngandS?nwerefoundguiltyofabusingtheirpowersastheycollaboratedwithVi?ttoenlistVi?táastheAcademysprojectpartner,enablingittosecurelicencesfortestkitmassproduction.TheprosecutorproposedareducedsentenceforHùng,from15yearsto13yearsinprison,onthegroundsofaDeputyMinisterofScienceandTechnologysrequest,hiscompensationfordamagesandhisroleinthefightagainsttheCOVID-19pandemic.Similarly,theprosecutorproposedS?ntobesentencedto10yearsimprisonment,downfromhisoriginal12-yearterm.Anotherconvict,Nguy?nV?nHi?u,formerHeadoftheAcademysEquipmentandSuppliesDivision,wasalsorecommendedforareducedsentence.Hi?uwasconvictedofviolatingbiddingregulationstohelpVi?táwinbids,becomingthetestkidsupplierfortheAcademy.Vi?tpaidHi?umorethanVN?3.5billion(US$138,000)forthehelp.Afterweighingthemitigatingfactors,theprosecutorproposedHi?ubeunderlockandkeyforfiveyears,insteadofsevenyearsasruledinthefirst-instanceverdict.ThreeotherconvictsrecommendedforreducedsentencesareV??ìnhHi?p,Vi?tásformerDeputyGeneralDirector,LêTr??ngMinh,formerHeadoftheAcademysPharmaceuticalChemistryDepartmentandNg?AnhTu?n,formerHeadoftheAcademysFinanceDepartment.Hi?p,convictedofbribinggovernmentofficialstowincontractswithvariousCentresforDiseaseControl,andMinh,accusedofforgingdocumentstohelpVi?táwinthebids,wererecommendedtohavetheirsentencereducedfromsixyearstofouryearsinprison.Tu?n,foundguiltyoftakingVi?tsmoneytoassisthiminhisschemeisappealingforatwo-yearjailtermwiththesentencesuspended.Hewassentencedtofouryearsatthefirst-instancetrial.—VNSHCMCityssmarttrafficmonitoringandoperationcentre.—VNA/VNSPhotoTi?nL?cHCMCITY—HCMCityisimplementingsolutionstoensureinformationsecurity,includingafour-layerprotectionmodel.Lam?ìnhTh?ng,directorofthecitysDepartmentofInformationandCommunications,answeredquestionsfromdelegatesatthe17thsessionofthemunicipalPeoplesCouncilmeetingonMonday,focusingonthecityssocio-economicanddefense-securitysituation.Hesaidthecityiscarryingoutasurveillancesystemopen24hoursadayandsevendaysaweek,andbuildingabackupdatabasecentre.Itsetsatargetofreviewing100percentoftheinformationtechnologyinfrastructureandensuringconnectivityamongthecity,districts,wards,communesandtowns.Thedepartmentiscollaboratingwithrelevantunitstoreviewandidentifytheneedforinvestmentinover3,000devicesforunitsandlocalitiesofVN?150billion(US$5.9million).Regardingslownetworkaccessinlocalitiesaffectingtheinteractionbetweenresidentsandauthorities,thedepartmentgavethreereasons,includingoldanddegradedcomputerinfrastructure;hugedemandfordigitaltransformationandthearisingrequirementstriggeringdifficultiesforplatformmanagement;andsoftwareandplatformsofministriesandagenciesnotinaccordancewiththecity.Regardinginformationsecurityandnetworksecurity,thecityisimplementinganumberofsolutionssuchasplacingalldatainthecitysdatacentre,whichismonitored24hoursadayandsevendaysaweek.Thecityisresearchingandbuildingabackupdatacentreproject.Itisdeployingthefour-layerinformationsecurityprotectionmodelatagenciesandunits,adatabasecentre,ateamofindependentassessmentexpertsandsystem-to-systemconnectionensuredbycentrally-runagencies.Thecityalsohasaninformationsecurityresponsenetworktosupportunitswhenincidentsoccur.Asfordatasharing,thecitysdatabasesystemhasbeenlinkedtoanintegratedandshareddigitaldatabaseplatformsuchasasystemforhandlingadministrativeprocedures,receivingandresolvinginformationviaswitchboard1022,andaunifiedsystemforresolvingcomplaintsanddenunciations.Intheupcomingtime,thecitywillputintooperationsystemsforlandmanagement,constructionlicenses,electronicschoolrecordsandelectronicmedicalrecords.—VNS

BikelaneshavebeenbuiltonpavementsonsomeofHu?smostcongestedstreetstoimprovetrafficsafety.—Phototuoitre.vnTH?ATHIêN-HU?—Hu?CityisthefirstlocalityinVi?tNamtobuildbicyclelanesonpavements,withtheworkbeinginitsfinalstage.Theyspanthecitysmainroadsandrunforovereightkilometres.OncongestedstreetssuchasV?NguyênGiápandT?H?u,twolanesarebeingcreated.BikelaneshavealsobeenbuilteachinthenewAnVanD??ngurbanareaandPhúXuanWard.Thebikelanes,aroundametrewide,ispaintedgreeninthemiddleandyellowintheedges.AbikelaneintheAnVanD??ngurbanarea.—Phototuoitre.vnLêThànhB?c,deputyheadofthebikelaneconstructionmanagement,saidcreatingbikelanesonpavementswouldimprovetrafficsafety.Butsomelocalsareunhappywiththenewplan.N.T.H.toldTu?iTr?(Youth)newspaperitisnotsafeforpedestriansandcycliststosharethepavement.Pavementsareusuallyusedtoparkmotorbikes,meaningthereisalreadylittlespaceforpedestrianstowalksafely,andtherewouldbeevenlessifbikelanesareadded,hesaid.TheworkispartofaVN?1.7trillion(US$66.976million)plantoimprovetrafficinfrastructureandreduceflooding.ItisalsopartoftheSecondaryCitiesDevelopmentProjectII(GreenCities)forthreesmallercities,HàGiang,Hu?andV?nhYên.VNSNguy?nTh?H?ng(secondfromleft),formervicechairwomanofHCMCity,andotherex-officialsattheVietnamRubberGroup,havebeenarrestedfortheirinvolvementinascandalattheVietnamRubberGroup.—PhotocourtesyofthepoliceHCMCITY—TheformerViceChairwomanofHCMCityPeoplesCommitteeNguy?nTh?H?nghasbeenarrestedforallegedabuseofpowerduringherofficialduties,thepolicesaidonWednesday.ThearrestispartofanongoinginvestigationintoaccusationsofbriberyandpowerabuseattheState-ownedVi?tNamRubberGroup(VRG),andotherrelatedentities.H?ngisalsofacingallegationsofmisconductregardingapropertydevelopmentprojectinHCMCitysDistrict4.H?ng,69,previouslyheldthepositionofdirectorofthecitysDepartmentofFinanceandlaterservedasdeputychairwomanin2005beforeretiringafteradecadeinoffice.Currently,atotalof16individualsimplicatedinthecasehavebeenprosecuted,includingvariousex-officialsatthegroup,foracceptingbribesandbreachingregulationsonthemanagementofStateassets,resultinginlossandinefficiency.TheseactionshavebeensanctionedbytheSupremePeoplesProcuracy.Theinvestigationintothescandalremainsongoing.—VNSBangkokpolicecommissionerThithiSaengsawangspeaksatthepressbriefingonthecase.—GETTY/VNAPhotosHàN?I—ThaipoliceonWednesdaymorningannouncedthepreliminaryresultsoftheinvestigationintothecaseofsixpeoplefounddeadattheGrandHyattErawanHotelinBangkok.Accordingtothepolice,onepersonkilledfiveothersintheroomthentooktheirownlife.Itisunderstoodthekillingsstemfromdebt-relatedissues.Thaipolicehavealsoidentifiedaseventhperson,whopresumablycheckedintothehotelroomswiththeothers,butthatpersonisyettobeapprehended.Policedidstressthatwomanisunlikelytobeconnectedtothedeaths.TwoofthedeceasedwereidentifiedasSherineChong,56,andDangHungVan,55,bothcarryingUSpassports.IthasbeenreportedthatitwasChongwhocarriedoutthemurdersbeforetakingherownlife.FourotherswereVietnamesenationals,includingNguyenThiPhuongLan,47,PhamHongThanh,49,TranDinhPhu,37,andNguyenThiPhuong,46.InitialinvestigationsonTuesdayevening,whenthevictimswerefound,showedthattheirroomwaslockedfromtheinsidewithnotraceofphysicalviolence.TheirbodiesweretransportedtoanearbyhospitalwhiletheluggagewasmovedtotheLumpiniareapolicestation.PoliceattheGrandHyattErawanHotelinBangkokonTuesdayevening,wherethebodieswerefound.InanannouncementonWednesdaymorning,ThaiPrimeMinisterSretthaThavisinconfirmedthatagroupoftheUSFederalBureauofInvestigation(FBI)agentswillarriveinThailandtoassistinfurtherinvestigation,astwoUScitizenswereamongthedeceased.UnderthedirectionoftheVietnameseMinistryofForeignAffairs(MoFA),theEmbassyofVi?tNaminThailandisworkingcloselywithThaiauthoritiesonthecase,saidtheministrysspokespersonPh?mThuH?ngonWednesday,whileextendingcondolencestothevictimsfamilies.TheVietnameseembassywillalsoprovideallnecessaryhelpforinvestigationsandcoordinatewithrelevantdepartmentsinVi?tNamtoprovidesupportforthevictimsfamiliesandadoptnecessarycitizenprotectionmeasures.TheVietnameseMoFAandtheMinistryofPublicSecurityarealsotakingurgentactiontoverifytheidentitiesofthefourVietnamesevictims.Onceconfirmed,theirfamilieswillbenotifiedandassistedincompletingnecessaryprocedurestorepatriatetheremainsassoonasThaiauthoritiesallow,saidVietnameseAmbassadortoThailandPh?mVi?tHùng.HeappreciatedthepromptresponsefromThaiPMThavisinandhigh-rankingThaipoliceofficials,whowerepresentatthesceneandheldanurgentpressbriefingonthecase.—VNS

ThanTh?Thànhandevidenceseizedinthesmugglingcase.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàT?NH—PoliceinthecentralprovinceofHàT?nhhavedetainedtwowomenallegedlyinvolvedinacross-bordercurrencysmugglingscheme.ThanTh?H??ng,54,andhersister,ThanTh?Thành,47,bothresidentsofS?nTayCommune,H??ngS?nDistrict,havebeenchargedwithsmugglingandtheillegaltransportofcurrencyacrosstheVi?tNam-Laosborder.OnNovember28,inHàTraiHamlet,S?nKim1Commune,policesaidtheystoppedacarwithLaoregistrationplate2079drivenbyNguy?nV?nB?ng,36,alsofromS?nTayCommune.AccompanyinghimwasThành.AsearchofthevehicleallegedlyuncoveredUS$230,000(VN?5.8billion)hiddenamongothercargo.Subsequentraidsonthehomesofthetwosistersallegedlyyieldedanadditional$7,700aswellas570,000Japaneseyen,191,120,000Laokip,and142,000Thaibaht,withatotalvalueofapproximatelyVN?450million.InvestigatorsdeterminedthatH??nghadbeensmugglingforeigncurrenciestoLaosforprofit,whileThànhactedashercourier,accordingtopolice.Thesistersadmittedtotransportingover$4.5million(VN?100billion)sinceJuly2023,exploitingexchangeratedifferencestogenerateincome.—VNSSoaringpepperpricesinthefirsthalfofthisyearhaveallowed??ngNaifarmerstofreshlyplantpepperseedlingstoreplaceoldones.—VNA/VNSPhoto??NGNAI—Pepperpricesincreasedinthefirsthalfofthisyear,bringingcheertofarmersinthesouthernprovinceof??ngNaiandencouragingmanytogrowitagain.ThespiceissoldatuptoVN?200,000(US$7.82)perkilogramme,andseedlingpriceshaveincreasedfromVN?8,000-10,000(US$0.31-0.39)toVN?20,000-25,000(US$0.78-0.97)inthepastmonth.Peppergrowershavebeenfocusingonrenovatingoldorchardsandexpandingthecropinthehopeofmakingakillingthisseason.Tr?nV?nV?nh,whohasaone-hectarepepperfarminC?mM?DistrictsLamSanCommune,saidhisfirstharvestfetchedatVN?180,000(US$7.03)perkilogramme,enoughforhimtoplantnewseedlingstoreplaceunproductiveones.Pepperplantsadaptwelltotheprovincestopographyandyieldgreatoutputifgivenenoughcare.Hehopedpriceswouldremainsteadytoensurefarmersgetstableincomes.LêQuangThànhofXuanL?cDistrictsXuanTh?Communesaidthehighpriceshaveallowedhimandotherfarmerstoconfidentlyinvestagainingrowingpepper.Yearsoflowpriceshavediscouragedfarmersfromcontinuingplantingpepper,andsomeevenabandontheircrops.Thisresultedina30-50percentdropinoutputinthepastfewyearsandtheareaunderthespiceshrinkingtojust11,000hafromover19,000hain2018.Nguy?nV?nTh?ng,deputydirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidfarmersneedtoimprovesoilqualitybeforeplantingnewpepperplants,especiallywheretherehavebeenmassdeathsinthepast.Itisimportanttocarefullyresearchandchoosequalityseedlingsandundertakeorganicfarmingtopreservesoilquality,hesaid.Farmersneedtolinkupwithcooperativestogetguidanceandsupportforsustainableplanting,cultivationandharvesting,headded.Nguy?nThanhTan,vicechairmanoftheXuanL?cDistrictFarmerAssociation,saidthoughmostlocalfarmersareexperiencedingrowingpepper,thedistrictwouldcontinuetoteachthemnewplantingandcaringmethodsandencouragethemtooptfororganicfarming.—VNS

AssociateProfessor,Dr.Nguy?nTh?KimTi?n,formerMinisterofHealthandchairmanoftheVietnameseAssociationforOrganandTissueDonation,speaksattheworkshop.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iHàN?I—Vi?tNamrecordedabout1,000peoplereceivingorgantransplantsin2023,makingVi?tNamacountrywiththemostpeoplereceivingorgantransplantsinSoutheastAsia,participantsheardataworkshoponJuly16.Attheworkshoponorgantissuedonation,transplantationandcoordinationinVi?tNam,healthexpertssharedadvancesinorgantransplantationtechniquesandthelatestorgantransplantmiracles,whilealsoworryingaboutexistingbarriersinthefield.Thefirstbarrierisawareness.AssociateProfessor,Dr.Nguy?nTh?KimTi?n,formerMinisterofHealthandchairmanoftheVietnameseAssociationforOrganandTissueDonation,emphasisedthatthedifficultyinregisteringfororgandonationinVi?tNamwasstilllargelyduetopeoplesconceptofCh?tph?itoànthay(whenyoudie,youmusthaveawholebody).Inaddition,mostpeopledonotrealisethatorgandonationiscultural,responsibleandcompassionatetothecommunity.Theyalsodonotclearlyunderstandhowtoregisterfororgandonation.AssociateProfessorDr.??ngV?nH?,DeputyDirectorofVi?tNam-GermanyFriendshipHospitalanddirectoroftheNationalOrganTransplantCoordinationCentre,saidthatthenumberofpeoplewhoreceivedorgantransplantswasmainlyfromlivingdonors,donationsfromthedeceasedonlynumbered12.Theorgandonationratefrombrain-deadpeopleinVi?tNamisonly0.15peronemillionpeople,whileintheworldtherateis50peopleperonemillionpeople,saidDr.H?.AssociateProfessorDr.??ngV?nH?,DeputyDirectorofVi?tNam-GermanyFriendshipUniversityHospitalanddirectoroftheNationalOrganTransplantCoordinationCentre.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iTheneedforpatientsneedingorgantransplantsishuge.Becauseofthelackoforgansfrombrain-deaddonors,organsfromlivingdonorsshouldbetaken.However,westillwantorganstobedonatedfrombrain-deadorheart-deadpeoplemore,becauseabrain-deadorheart-deadpersoncandonateuptoeightorgans,includingtwokidneys,twolivers,twolungs,theirheart,pancreasandcornea.Livingpeoplecanonlydonateoneorgan,nottomentiontherearehealthrisksforthedonorafterorgandonation,saidDr.H?.Nextarelegalbarriers.Dr.H?saidthattherearemanycaseswherepeoplehaveregisteredtodonateorganswhenthey,unfortunately,passaway,butdoctorsstillcannotgetorganstodonatetosavelives.Thereareevencaseswherealmosttheentirefamilyhasagreedtodonatetheorgansofabrain-deadrelative,butatthelastminute,ifjustonefamilymemberdoesnotagree,theentireorganretrievalteamhastostopandwait.Becausethecurrentlawstipulatesthatifonefamilymemberdoesnotagree,theorgancannotberemoved,accordingtoDr.H?.Dr.Ti?nsaidthatcurrentlegalregulationsneedtobeadjustedtoincreasetheopportunitytodonateorgans,suchasageconditionsfororgandonation(currentlyover18yearsold),regimefororgandonorsandfamilies,financialmechanismoncostsandpaymentsfordonationmobilisation,transplantationandpost-transplantation.Morethan150doctorsandnursesfromCentralMilitaryHospital108performanorganremovalandtransplantation.—PhotoVGPAccordingtoDr.Ti?n,thelegalregulationsofsomecountriesaroundtheworlddonothaveproceduresforregisteringorgantissuedonation,buttheprincipleofinferenceisnatural.Afterbraindeath,organscanbedonatedwiththeconsentofthefamily(somecountriesdonotrequirethefamilysconsent)orwhenthedriverslicencehasasignindicatingconsenttoorgandonationafterdeath.Therefore,theformerMinisterofHealthproposedthatintheupcomingrevisedLawonOrganDonation,itisnecessarytoresearchandincludearegulationthatevenifpeoplewerenotregisteredwhentheywerealive,iftheydie,theirfamilycanstillagreetoorgandonation.Atthesametime,intheconsultingworkonorgandonationregistrationathospitals,theorgandonationregistrationconsultingteamcannothaveanemergencyresuscitationdoctor,becauseitisasensitiveissueforthepatientsfamily.Anotherproblemisthatorgancoordinationtimeisstillachallenge.AssociateProfessorDr.H?citedarecentbrain-deadorgandonationcaseinPhúTh?Province.IttooktheOrganTransplantCoordinationCentre16hourstoselecttwosuitablepatientsoutof58patientswaitingforanorgantransplant.Themostrecentbraindeathcasehadtocontact119patientsovera16-hourperiodtoidentifyfivepatientswithsuitableindicatorstoreceiveliver,kidneyandheart.Toincreasethesourceoforgandonationsforpatientswaitingfortransplants,Dr.H?saidthatitisexpectedthatfromAugust2024,humanorgandonationandtransplantationwillbeincludedintheregulartrainingprogrammeatHCMCityandHàN?iMedicaluniversities.Trainingcontentincludesorgantissuedonation,thelawonorgandonationandwhatmedicallyconstitutesbraindeath.—VNS

ConstructionofpedestrianoverpassestoninestationsonmetrolineNo.1isbeingspeededuptoensurecompletionbySeptember,accordingtotheHCMCityManagementAuthorityforUrbanRailways(MAUR).—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—ConstructionofpedestrianoverpassestoninestationsonmetrolineNo.1isbeingspeededuptoensurecompletionbySeptember,accordingtotheHCMCityManagementAuthorityforUrbanRailways(MAUR).The19.7kmlinefromB?nThànhMarketinDistrict1toSu?iTiênThemeParkinTh???cCityhas14stations,threeofwhichareunderground.TheninepedestrianoverpassesarebeingbuiltatTanC?ng,Th?o?i?n,AnPhú,R?chChi?c,Ph??cLong,BìnhThái,Th???c,SàiGònHigh-techPark,andVi?tNamNationalUniversityHCMCitystations.Amongthefinalitemsofconstruction,theyprovideeasieraccesstothestationsfromacrossHàN?iHighwayandfromtwostreetsrunningparalleltoit.AccordingtoMAUR,thestaircasesandbridgesneedtoavoidotherinfrastructuresuchaspower,telecomandwaterlines,drains,trees,andlights.Mostinfrastructurehasbeenrelocatedtoenabletheconstructionofboredpiles,pilecaps,columns,andbridgecaps.Thecontractorisinstallinglargecrossbeamsmeasuring22to37metresinlengthandweighing46to75tons,withtheworkbeingdonefrom10pmto5amdailyandinthemorningsonweekendstoavoidtrafficdisruptions.TheinstallationofbeamsatTh?o?i?nStationwascompletedinlastweek.Itwasachallengingtasksinceitiscloseto110kVpowerlinesandcomplextrafficintersectionsnearSàiGònBridge.Besides,thebeamswerebroughtonsuper-sizedheavyvehicleswhoseweighttheinfrastructuretherecouldnotsupport.Trafficthrough?enBridgehasbeentemporarilyhalted,andatemporarybridgehasbeenbuiltabovetheexistingstructureforthepassageofthegiantvehicles.MAURtargetscompletingbyJulyfiveoftheninepedestrianbridgesatTanC?ng,R?chChi?c,Ph??cLong,BìnhThái,andSàiGònHigh-Techparkstations.TheonesatTh?o?i?nandAnPhúwillbecompletedinAugust.Theremainingtwo,atTh???candVi?tNamNationalUniversity-HCMCitystations,willbefinishedinSeptember.Theywillbesubjecttofiresafetyandrescueinspectionsinthefourthquarter.—VNSHàN?I—MultipleMyeloma(MM),arelativelyuncommonbloodcancerthataffectsplasmacells,whichareresponsibleforantibodyproductioninthebody,posesasignificanthealthchallenge.AccordingtodatafromtheInternationalAgencyforResearchonCancer(IARC),therewillbeapproximately187,952newcasesofMMworldwidein2022.InVi?tNam,thereportednumberofMMcasesis607newcaseseveryyear,withahighmortalityrate.Early-stagesymptomsofthisdiseaseincludefatigue,lossofappetite,weightlossandmildboneandjointpain.WhileMMremainsanincurablecondition,advancementsinmedicalresearchhaveintroducedvarioustreatmentmethodsthatgreatlycontributetoimprovingpatientsoverallwell-being.ExpertsfromleadinghospitalsinVi?tNamsharedthelatestaboutadvancementsintreatmentofMM.ThesignsandsymptomsofMMcancer??Huy?nNga,HeadoftheHematologyDepartmentatVi?tNamNationalCancerHospitalMMisnotacommonlyoccurringcancer.However,itisachronicdiseaserequiringlong-termtreatment.Consequently,theprogressionofMMaccumulatesovertime.Thisdiseaseprimarilyaffectsindividualsaged60yearsandolder.Patientspresentwithadiversesetofsymptoms.Forinstance,atthehematologyinstitute,patientsoftenseekmedicalattentionwhentheyexperiencesignsofbloodformuladisorders.AttheVi?tNamNationalCancerHospital,mostcasesinvolvebonedamage,suchaspathologicalfracturesandspinalcordcompression.Incontrast,atCh?R?yHospital,patientstypicallypresentwithkidneyfailure.Accordingtointernationalrecords,theaverageageofinfectionis68yearsold.However,inVi?tNam,basedonclinicalobservations,itappearsthatthediseaseaffectsindividualsatayoungeragecomparedtotheglobalaverage.Whileworldwidecasesofthisdiseasearerarelyseeninindividualsundertheageof30,westillencounterpatientsunder30yearsoldinVi?tNam.Theexactcauseofthediseaseremainsunclear.However,earlyindicationsoftenmanifestthroughelevatedlevelsofmonoclonalglobulin.Insteadofseekingspecialisedcare,patientsoftenturntoafamilydoctororageneralpractitioner.Inothercountries,whenelevatedglobulinlevelsaredetectedintheblood,doctorstypicallyorderadditionaltestsasaprecautionarymeasure.However,inVi?tNam,earlydetectionisnotcommonandpatientsoftenpresentthemselvesatthehospitalalreadyexhibitingtypicalsymptomsofMM.HoàngTh?ThúyHà,DeputyHeadofHematologyDepartment,Ch?R?yHospitalWhileMMtreatmenthasnotyetreachedthelevelofglobaladvancements,significantprogresshasbeenmadeinrecentyearswiththeadoptionofmanyeffectivetreatmentmethods.Therecommendeddrugregimensfornewlydiagnosedorrelapsedstageshavesuccessfullyaddressedmosttreatmentneeds.Dr.V???cBình,DeputyDirectoroftheNationalInstituteofHematologyandBloodTransfusionAsthespecialtyhospitalfortreatingMM,theNationalInstituteofHematologyandBloodTransfusionreceivesalargenumberofpatients.Manypatientswhocometothehospitalhavetreatment-resistantrelapsesandaretransferredfromlower-levelfacilitieswhentheirtreatmentcapacityisexceeded.Additionally,somepatientspresentcomplicationssuchaskidneyfailure,bonepainandjointpain,butdonotgetbetterwithtreatment,thenarediscoveredtohavemultiplemyeloma.SomeotherpatientswerediagnosedwithMMafterundergoingsurgeryforbone-relatedissues.However,therecognitionofthediseasecanbebasedonclinicalsignssuchasbonepainatvariouslevels,anemiacausedbyincreasedcellproliferationinthebonemarrowandkidneyfailure.Doctorsthenproceedwithfurtherdiagnostictests.Thecostoftreatmentposesaburdenforpatients,regardlessofwhetherthediseaseisdetectedearlyorlate.ThedifficultiesintreatingMMpatientsHoàngTh?ThúyHà:TreatingMMpatientscomeswithseveralchallenges.Firstly,itisachronicdiseasethatrequireslifelongtreatment.Patientsoftenundergointensivetreatmentinitially,followedbymaintenancetreatment.Iftheconditionworsensduringfirsttreatments,theymayrequireanotherroundofintensivetreatmentandthistreatmentcyclemustbecontinued.Onemajordifficultyfacedbypatientsisthefinancialburden.Thecostofdrugscanbequitehigh,onaverage,themonthlycostformaintenancetreatmentisaroundVN?4toVN?5million,whichistheminimumexpense.Duringtheinitialtreatmentphaseofmaintenancetreatment,patientstypicallyneedtovisitthehospitaltwiceaweekforinjections,usuallynoteverymonth.Ifwehaveaccesstothenecessarymedications,wecanalleviatethisburdenonpatients.Whilepatientsresidinginurbanareasmayhaverelativelyfewerchallenges,thosefromprovincesfacesignificantdifficulties.Manypatientshavetorentaccommodationnearthehospitaltoundergotheirtreatment.Additionally,prolongedtreatmentcanleadtodrug-relatedsideeffectsthatfurthercomplicatethepatientscondition.AdvancedmedicalmethodsavailablefortreatingMMDr.V???cBình:Whenitcomestotreatingchronicdiseases,researchersworldwidearecontinuouslyexploringnewtreatmentapproaches.Thesetreatmentscanbeadministeredorally,intravenously,orsubcutaneously,eachmethodhavingitsadvantagesanddisadvantages.Oraladministration(thetripleoraltreatmentregimen)offersseveralbenefitsforpatientsasitallowsforoutpatienttreatment.Patientscantakethemedicationhomeandundergoregularfollow-uptests.However,notallpatientscanusetheoralroute.Thosewithgastrointestinalconditions,suchasstomachissuesorreflux,mayneedtoreceiveinjectionsinstead.Dependingonthepatientsconditionandtheflexibilityofthemedicalstaff,asuitabletreatmentregimenisdeterminedforeachindividual,consideringboththepatientsfinancialsituationandthehospitalsresources.??Huy?nNga:Thisoraltripleregimenisindicatedforpatientswithmulti-refractoryMM.Itcanalsobeasuitableoptionforelderlypatientswhocannotfrequentlyvisitthehospital.Currently,thesemedicationsarenotcoveredbyinsurance,makingaccessevenmorechallenging.However,whendiscussingadvantages,oraltreatmentimprovespatientcompliancewiththeregimenandreducestherateoftreatmentdiscontinuation.Intermsofhealtheconomics,studieshaveevaluatedthatthecostofmedicationisequivalentwhetheritisadministeredthroughinjections,intravenously,ororally.However,theinjectionrouteincursadditionalexpensessuchashospitalisation,theneedforahospitalbedandmedicalstaff,makingitslightlycostlier.Intermsofeffectiveness,bothregimensyieldcomparableresults.Therefore,optingfortheinjectionregimencombinedwiththeoralroutetendstobepreferredsinceitiscoveredbyhealthinsurance.FacilitatingpeoplesaccesstoupcomingtreatmentsHoàngTh?ThúyHà:Regardingconvenience,oralmedicationsoffermuchgreaterconvenience.ConsideringtherecentCOVID-19pandemic,ithasbeenchallengingforpatientstovisithospitalssopatientswhocantaketheirmedicationathomeexperiencesignificantbenefits.Moreover,elderlypatientsoftenhaveconcernsaboutgoingtothehospital.SomepatientshaveonlyrecentlyresumedtheirtreatmentaftertheCOVID-19pandemic.ThiscontentisendorsedbytheVietnamAssociationofHematologyandBloodTransfusion.—VNS

Thesceneoftheaccidentkilled2onthewesternbypasssectionontheH?ChíMinhExpresswayofBu?nH?TownpassingthroughC?MgarDistrictof??kL?kProvince.—VNA/VNSPhoto??KL?K—AseriousaccidentinvolvingthreevehicleskilledtwopeopleandinjuredfourinC?MgarDistrictoftheCentralHighlandsprovince??kL?k.ThelocalpolicereportedthattheaccidentoccurredlateTuesdayonthewesternbypasssectionontheH?ChíMinhExpresswayofBu?nH?TownpassingthroughC?MgarDistrict.Accordingtotheinitialinformation,atractor-trailerwithlicenceplatenumber82H-018.04andtrailerlicenceplatenumber81R-010.83(driversidentityunknown)wastravellingfromGiaLaiProvinceto??kL?kProvince.Whenthetractor-trailerreachedtheabovelocation,itencounteredaproblemandstoppedontheroad.Ataround8.30pm,atthesamelocation,twotruckswithlicenceplatenumbers81C-239.11and60H-047.00(bothdriversidentitiesremainunknown)travellingfromGiaLaito??kL?kprovincescollidedwitheachotherandthenconsecutivelycrashedintotheparkedtractor-trailer.Thereweresixpeopleinthecabinsofthetwotrucksatthetimeoftheaccident.Asaresult,thedriverofthetruckwithlicenceplatenumber60H-047.00diedatthescene.Fiveotherswereseriouslyinjuredandtakentothehospitalforemergencytreatment.However,oneofthefivevictimspassedawayatthehospitalduetocriticalinjuries.Atthescene,thefrontsofbothtruckswereseverelycrushedandheavilydamaged.Immediatelyaftertheaccident,??kL?kProvincesPolicewerepresentatthescenetoconductrescueoperations,regulatetraffic,andinvestigatethecauseoftheaccident.Theaccidentcausedtrafficjamsformanyhoursasalargevolumeoftrafficusuallypassesbythisroad.—VNSFoursuspectsconnectedtothehumantraffickingringwerearrestedinMay.—Photocand.com.vnHàN?I—ManyVietnamesewomenhavebeenrescuedfromhumantraffickingnetworksinBokeoProvinceinLaosoverthepastfewyears.TheHàT?nhBorderGuard,workingcloselywiththeBlueDragonOrganisationandLaotianprovincialgovernments,spearheadedtheoperations.H?nhandLiên,twooftherescuedvictims,werejust13whentheirlivestookadarkturn.BornintoapoorfamilyinLàoCaiProvince,theywereluredawayin2020byawell-dressedwomanwhoofferedthemgiftsandpromisedthemafun-filledtriptoLàoCaiCity.Instead,theyweretakenacrosstheborderintoChina,wheretheywerelockedinasmallroomforsixdaysbeforebeingtransportedtoMyanmar.Thenightmarebeganwhentheywereforcedintosexexploitation,workingdayandnightwithoutpay.Resistancemeantbrutalbeatings.EverytimeIwastorturedtoexhaustion,Iwouldtakearazorbladeandcutmyarm,saidLiên,tearswellingup.Ifitstillhurt,IknewIwasalive,Iknewtherewasstillawayhome.Soldthroughthreecountries,fromChinatoMyanmar,thentoBokeoinLaos,thegirlswerefinallyrescuedinMay2024.SettingfootatC?uTreoBorderGatetoreturnhome,theywerefilledwithjoyastheirlivesturnedanewpage.Nganisanothervictimwhosestoryisoneofabduction,forcedlabourandresilience.Twoyearsago,whileoutwithafriendinHCMCity,shewasabductedbyagroupofstrangers,blindfoldedandtakentoCambodiawhereshewasforcedintosexexploitation.Despiteherfamilysrelentlesseffortstofindher,shewassoldacrossthreecountries—Cambodia,Myanmar,andfinallyLaos.Eachdayfeltlikeaneternity,filledwithdespairandlongingforhome.Whenanopportunityarose,shesentapleaforhelptotheHàT?nhBorderGuardCommand.Hermessagewasreceived,andherpathhomewasfinallypaved.ShewasrescuedinApril2024.Beingabletoreturnhomehasgivenmylifenewmeaning,saidNgan.Thinkingbacktotheyearsoftortureandexploitationsendsshiversdownmyspine.Khánh,a30-year-oldwomanfromB?nTreProvince,wasluredbyamessageshesawonline.Itread:Sittingathometypingonthecomputer,youcanearnVN?50million(US$2,000)monthly.Shefellpreytosuchaschemein2019.Promisedalucrativejobabroad,shewasinsteadtraffickedintoChina,andthenLaos,whereshewastrainedinscamming,becomingatoolforhercaptors.Despitebeingprovidedwithnecessities,herlifewasfarfromcomfortable.Iwasbeatenandforcedtoworkbetween14to20hoursaday,withnopay,Khánhrecalled.Resistanceonlyledtomoreseverepunishment,includingelectricshocks.Escapeattemptsprovedfutile.Theheavilyguardedcompound,withitsomnipresentsurveillancecameras,madeleavingimpossible.Tosurvive,shejoinedtheranksofonlinescammers.Herjobsinvolvedcreatingfakeaccounts,luringintargets,andcoercingthemintodepositingmoneyintoonlinegamblingapps.Khánhwasfortunatetoberescuedandreturnedhome,unlikemanyotherswhohavetriedtoescapebutfailedtomakeittoVi?tNam.Therearevictimswhoescaped,buthalfwaythroughtheirjourney,theywerecaughtagainandtakenbacktoBokeo,aborderguardofficerrevealed.Wearestilltryingtolocatethem,butthereisnoinformationyet.TraffickingringsinBokeoarerunbyheavilyarmedcriminals.Theirnetworkoffortifiedcompoundsisvirtuallyinaccessibletooutsiders.Bokeosuniquelegallandscapefurtherhindersauthoritiesabilitytoconductinvestigations.Withscoresofcompoundsintheregion,locatingandrescuingvictimsisadauntingtask.RescuingvictimsfromBokeoisahigh-stakesendeavour,demandingquickthinking,skillandunwaveringcourage.Accordingtoborderofficials,rescueoperationsofteninvolveundercoverinfiltrationtothecompounds,wheretheygathercrucialintelligencewhilefacingimmensedanger.Nguy?nPhiHùng,aseasonedsoldieroftheHàT?nhBorderGuard,revealedthatthesemissionscanstretchforweeks,requiringimmensepatienceandcaution.Everyrescueisavictory,hesaid,butthefightisfarfromover.Manyvictimsremaintrapped,andsomeareevenrecapturedbeforereachingsafety.InMay,ajointoperationledtothedismantlingofamajortraffickingringinBokeo,rescuing36Vietnamesecitizens.TheinvestigationexposedtheringleaderstiestoaChinesecriminalorganisationthatluredvictimswithfalsejobpromises.Despitethissuccess,thescaleoftheproblemremainssignificant.HàT?nhBorderGuardstatisticsindicatethat93victimshavebeenrescuedsince2023,withastaggering75rescuedfromBokeoin2024,thehighestnumberinrecentyears.Thefightagainsthumantraffickinginthisnotoriousregioncontinues,withofficerslikeHùngriskingtheirlivestobringhopetothosetrappedintheshadows.—VNS

AplanepicksuppassengersattheC?n??oAirport.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofTransport(MoT)isplanningtoupgradeandexpandC?n??oAirportsoitcanlandbiggerplanes.InadocumentsenttoPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhandDeputyPMTr?nH?ngHà,theMoTproposedtoupgradeandexpandtheairportbypublicinvestmentcapitalsoitcanacceptoperationaircraftcodeC(A320sandtheirequivalent).TheMoTassessesthattheinvestmentplanensureseffectiveuseofcapitalwithreasonablecostsandwillbetterservepeoplestravelneeds,ensuringsafety,nationaldefenceandsecurity.TheprojecttorenovateandupgradetherunwayandtaxiwayatC?n??oAirporthasbeenapprovedwithatotalinvestmentofaboutVN?1.6trillion(US$66.9million).ItwasassignedbythePMasamedium-termpublicinvestmentplanusingStatebudgetfortheperiod2020-25.Theprojectwillexpandtheexistingrunwaywithasizeof1,830mx45m,buildanewparalleltaxiwayandconnectingtaxiwaysandimprovenightlighting.ThelandingsystemwillmeanaircraftssuchastheA319andB737willbeabletousetheairport,inaccordancewithPMChínhsinstructions.Previously,basedoncalculatingtheexpectedflightroutesandoperatingconditions,theADPiinternationalconsultantfromFranceconcludedthatthe1,830-metrerunwayatC?n??oAirportissufficienttoreceivemosttypesofaircraftscodeC,exceptfortheA321aircraft.Airlinesareadvisedtooperatemedium-sizedaircraftstoensurethehighestworkefficiencyandensuretheoperationofalldomesticroutesinVi?tNamandsomeinternationalroutestoSoutheastAsiaandNorthAsia.Regardingworksensuringflightactivities,accordingtocurrentregulations,theVi?tNamAirTrafficManagementCorporation(VATM)isresponsibleforinvesting,upgradingandexpandingtechnicalinfrastructureattheairport.Regardingcivilaviationprojects,theMoTleaderssaidthatfromnowupto2030,itwasnecessarytoresearchandinvestintobuildinganewcivilaviationareaincludingapassengerterminalandparkingwithacapacityofaroundtwomillionpassengersperyear.TheestimatedinvestmentcostisaboutVN?2.1trillion($83.5million)underthepublic-privatepartnership(PPP)method.Therefore,theMoTsuggestedthePMtodirecttheBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincePeoplesCommitteetostudyanddevelopaprojectoncivilaviationareaunderthePPPmethodandreporttothePMforpermission.Atpresent,therunwayandtaxiwayattheC?n??oAirport,whichwerebuiltin2004,areinapoorconditionandthe30metrewiderunwaycanonlybeusedforplanessuchastheATR72andequivalent.—VNSHealthstaffinHàN?isQu?cOaiDistricthaveconducteddisinfectionprocessesinflood-affectedareastopreventandcontroldiseaseoutbreaks.VNA/VNSPhotoMinhQuy?tHàN?I—HàN?iwillimplementstrictmonitoringandearlydetectionofinfectiousdiseasecasesinthecommunitytounderstandtheepidemicsituationandorganisetimelyinvestigationandmanagementofcasesandoutbreaks.OnAugust5,theHàN?iCentresforDiseaseControl(CDC)reportedthatduringtheweek,theHàN?iCDCcarriedoutenvironmentalsanitationanddiseasepreventionmonitoringintheflood-affecteddistrictsandcommunesofCh??ngM?,Qu?cOaiandM???c.Householdsinthefloodedareasareregularlycleaningtheirlocalenvironment,witheffortsproceedingasthewaterrecedes.Wasteisbeingcollectedandtransportedbypublicservicesthroughouttheweek.Localauthoritieshaveorganised27environmentalsanitationcampaigns,inspecteddiseasepreventionmeasuresin102,111householdsand777otherareassuchasschoolsandpublicplacesandaddressed12,190containersofstandingwaterwithmosquitolarvae.Inthepastweek,thecityrecorded171casesofdenguefever,withnodeathsreported.Patientsaredistributedacross23districts,withhighernumbersin?anPh??ng,Hà??ng,Th?chTh?t,andPhúcTh?.Notably,areaswithhigherdenguefevercasesincludePh??ng?ình,??ngTháp,andTanH?icommunesin?anPh??ngDistrict;D??ngN?iWardinHà??ngDistrict;H?uB?ngCommuneinTh?chTh?tDistrict;andHi?pThu?nCommuneinPhúcTh?District.Sincethebeginningof2024,thecityhasrecorded1,579casesofdenguefeverwithnodeaths.Lastweek,HàN?ialsoreportedeightnewdenguefeveroutbreaksin?anPh??ng,PhúcTh?,B?cT?Liêm,Th?chTh?tandQu?cOaidistricts,whichisareductionoftwooutbreakscomparedtothepreviousweek.Cumulatively,in2024,thecityhasrecorded57outbreaks,with20stillactive.TheHàN?iCDChasdeployedanemergencyresponseteamtocollaboratewithrelevantunitsinmonitoringandmanagingdenguefeveroutbreaksatfivelocations:Village5inPhúcTh?District;Village7and8in?anPh??ngDistrict;íchV?nhVillagein?anPh??ngDistrict;??iKimAreainPhúXuyênDistrict;andAlley80NhanHòaStreetinThanhXuanDistrict.Inthepastweek,HàN?irecorded40casesofhand,footandmouthdisease,withnodeathsreported,anincreaseof12casesfromthepreviousweek.Cumulatively,in2024,thecityhasrecorded1,749casesofhand,footandmouthdiseasewithnodeaths.Thecityreportedtwooutbreaksin??ngAnhandHoàngMaidistrictslastweek.Sofarin2024,therehavebeen41outbreaks,withtwostillactive.HàN?irecorded10casesofwhoopingcoughwithnodeaths,anincreaseofthreecasesfromthepreviousweek.In2024,thecityhasrecorded210casesacross29districts,withnodeaths.Casesaremainlyamongyoungchildrenwhohavenotyetreceivedvaccinationsorarenotfullyvaccinated.Additionally,fromJuly25toJuly30,SócS?nDistrictrecordedthreerabiesoutbreaksindogsacrossthreecommunesofMinhPhú,Hi?nNinhandThanhXuan.Thereweretenpeopleexposedtotherabiddogs.Thesecaseshavebeentreated,advisedtoreceiverabiesvaccinationsandmonitoredaccordingtoregulations.TheHàN?iCDChasnotedthatrabiesinanimalsisbecomingincreasinglycomplex.Thisweek,threeadditionalrabiesoutbreaksindogswererecordedinSócS?nDistrict,bringingthetotalnumberofrabiesoutbreaksindogsinthedistricttosixfor2024.ThecityalsoreportedonecaseofStreptococcussuisinfectioninQu?cOaiDistrict.Otherdiseaseswerenotreportedthisweek.TheDepartmentofHealthsaidithadintensifieditscommunicationefforts,providingtimelyandcomprehensiveinformationondiseaseoutbreaksandpreventivemeasuresforhand,footandmouthdisease,whoopingcough,chickenpox,measlesandrubella,aswellaszoonoticdiseaseslikerabiesandStreptococcussuis.Basedonthis,thehealthsectoradvisedparentstoensurethattheirchildrenreceivevaccinationsonschedule.Additionally,HàN?ihadalsoenhanceditshealthquarantinemeasuresatN?iBàiInternationalAirporttopromptlydetectandaddressanysuspectedcasesofdisease.—VNS