Here’s the interface Hawaii officials say was used during mistaken missile alarm
BoatracingontheHànRiverin?àN?ngCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoTr?nLêLam?àN?NG—?àN?ngCityhasplansforanumberofbiginfrastructureprojectsincludingmovingtherailwaystation,buildingbridgeacrosstheHànRiverandbuildingtunnelsthroughtheairport,saidthemunicipalpeoplescommittee.Theprojecttorelocatethe?àN?ngRailwayStationandrelatedworksoutofthecitycentreisconsideredoneoftheimportantprojectsforinfrastructure,socio-economicandsecuritydevelopmentofthecity.However,currentlyinvestmentresourcesfortherailwayindustryarestilllimited,alongwiththeGovernmentsprioritytofocusontheexpresswaynetwork,leadingtoprolongedtimetorelocatetherailwaystationtoanewplace.AccordingtotheReportNo223/BC-UBND,issuedintheendoflastmonththe?àN?ngPeoplesCommitteehasaleadyselectedaconsultingunit,researchedandcompiledaplantorelocatetherailway.ThemunicipalPartyCommitteeapprovedtheplan,inwhichallauxiliaryworksandrailwayagenciesofthestationwillmovetoKimLiênStation,thepassengerspartwillmovetoTrungNgh?aLakearea.Currently,thecityisaskingforopinionsfromtheMinistryofTransportandrelevantagencies.ItisexpectedthatbyOctoberthisyear,thedetailedplanningwillbecompletedandbyOctobernextyear,thefeasibilitystudyreportwillbecompleted.AnothermajorpieceofengineeringworkisthebridgeacrosstheHànRiverconnectingthe??ng?a-Tr?nPhúStreetinH?iChauDistricttotheVan??n-Tr?nH?ng??oStreetinS?nTràDistrict),alsoknownastheHànRivertunnel.Itisunderthecitysplanningfortheperiodof2021-30,visionto2050,whichwasapprovedbythePrimeMinister.The?àN?ngDepartmentofTransporthasworkedwithunitstoevaluateandapproveinvestmentpreparation.Itisexpectedtocompletetheprojectspre-feasibilitystudyreportandsubmittocompetentauthoritiesforappraisalintheendofthisyear.Forthe?àN?ngAirportTunnelproject,the?àN?ngPeoplesCommitteeproposedtoallocatecapitalthisyeartocarryoutinvestmentpreparationworkasabasisforimplementation.Inaddition,theHòaLiên-TúyLoanExpresswayprojecthasatotallengthof11.5kmandinvestmentofmorethanVN?2.1billion(US$82.4million).Ofwhich,siteclearancecompensationismorethanVN?951billion($37.3million).Resettlementlandwillbefullycompletednextyear.—VNS
PMPh?mMinhChínhspeaksatthemeeting.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhascalledforthecompletionofthe500kVCircuit-3transmissionlinebythe79thanniversaryofAugustRevolutionandNationalDay(September2).The519kmtransmissionline,stretchingfromPh?N?iinthenorthernprovinceofH?ngYêntoQu?ngTr?chinthecentralprovinceofQu?ngBình,traversesnineprovincesandhasacostofaroundVN?22trillion(US$916million).ItsconstructionbeganinJanuary2024tomeetgrowingdemandforpowerinpeaktimes.Compensationandsiteclearancehavealreadybeencompleted,pavingthewayforswiftprogress.Chairingameetingwithministries,agenciesandlocalitiesonJuly22,thefourthofitskindinthepastsixthmonths,PMChínhsaidtheprojectholdssignificancetosocio-economicdevelopment,nationaldefence-securityandsocialwelfareoflocalitiesitserves.Heurgedministries,agencies,localitiesandunitstoredoubletheirefforts,strengthenunity,boostdeterminationandeffectivenesstocompletetheprojectwiththehighestsenseofresponsibility.SpecifictaskswerealsoassignedtotheMinistryofIndustryandTrade,theVietnamElectricity(EVN),theNationalPowerTransmissionCorporation(EVNNPT),andotherstoensurethatallaspectsoftheprojectarecarriedoutsmoothlyandontime.VNSRepresentativesattendtheconference.—Photobaoquangtri.vnQU?NGTR?—Peaceisaprerequisiteforhumanitytoexistandpursuehappiness.ThatwastheopeningstatementfromformerStateVicePresidentandalsoHonoraryChairwomanoftheVi?tNamPeaceandDevelopmentFund(VPDF)Nguy?nTh?BìnhataninternationalconferenceheldonMondayinQu?ngTr?centralprovince.Shetoldtheassembledaudiencethatinpeace,peoplecandreamofhavingeverything,butinwar,peopleonlydesireonething:peace.TheconferenceisaresponsetotheFestivalforPeace2024.ItaimstosharelessonsandmessagesabouttheVietnamesepeoplesvalues??andaspirationsforpeaceandsuggestinitiativestohelpbuildpeaceglobally.Preservingandprotectingpeaceisthecommonresponsibilityofallhumanity,allcountriesandeachofus,saidBình.Havinggonethroughmanyresistantwarsfornationalindependenceandunification,Vi?tNamespeciallyappreciatesthevalueofpeace,andalwaysactivelycallsforpeoplearoundtheworldtorespect,protectandstrivetocreateapeacefulworld.DeputyChairmanoftheQu?ngTr?PeoplesCommitteeHoàngNamsaidthatQu?ngTr?carriedthenationseternaldesireforpeace,oncestronglyanddeeplyshakingtheconscienceofpeace-lovinghumanity.Andforalongtime,Qu?ngTr?hasbecomeadestinationofgratitude,acommonsymbolofthenationsdesireforpeace.Itisadestinationforinternationalfriendstoshareandhonourthevalueofpeace,hesaid.NamsaidhehopedthatscholarsanddelegatesattendingtheconferencewouldadvisetheprovinceonthenextstepstocontinuewritingthestoryofpeaceonthislandsothatQu?ngTr?cantrulybecomeaspaceofpeace,adestinationforpeaceofdomesticandinternationaltourists.Duringtheconference,speakerspresentedvalues??ofpeaceaswellasinitiativestobuildworldpeace.Representativesagreedthatpreventingwarsandprotectingpeacewastheurgenttaskofallpeace-lovingforcesaroundtheworld.Theysuggestedpromotinginclusivecollectivesecuritymechanismstoresolvedisputes,preventconflicts,andmaintainpeaceinregions.Theyalsowantedtoenhancedisarmamenttoreplacethearmsraceandpromotecooperationinsteadofconfrontationandantagonism.Inthatmission,thevoicesofthepeopleandsocialorganisationsplayaveryimportantrole.Regardingpeacebuildinginitiatives,delegatesemphasisedtheimportanceofhavingasmanypartnersaspossibletocreateaunitedalliancetosupportVi?tNamingeneralandQu?ngTr?Provinceinparticular,healwarwounds,andcreateasaferfutureofdevelopmentinpeace.FromtheexperiencesofVi?tNamandQu?ngTr?,expertssaidthatitwasnecessarytobuildtrustandvaluedialoguessothatmessagesofpeacewouldbecomedailythemesandinspirecooperationandmutualprosperity.TheydesiredtobuildacityforpeaceonthelandofQu?ngTr?,startingfromcreatingtrust,towritewishesforworldpeace.—VNS
AcitizencreateshiselectronicidentificationaccountontheVNeIDapp.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhNh?tAnHàN?I—StartingAugust1,Vietnamesecitizenscanregisternewvehiclesonline,markingamilestoneinthecountrysdigitaltransformation.Toregisteranewvehicle,citizenswillneedaLevel2electronicidentificationaccountandfollowaseven-steponlineprocess.Step1:VehicleownerslogintotheiraccountonthePublicServicePortalorVNeIDapp,fillintheonlinevehicleregistrationformanduploadclearimagesofthevehicle(takenfroma45-degreeanglefromthefront).Step2:Vehicleownersselectalicenceplatenumberfromavailableoptions(iftheyhaveadesignatedorauctionedplate)orgenerateanewonethroughthePortalorVNeIDapp.Step3:VehicleownerspaytheregistrationfeeviathepaymentutilityonthePortalorVNeIDapp,usingacodeprovidedbyeitherplatform.Step4:VehicleownersreceivethenotificationconfirmingsuccessfulpaymentofthefeeonthePortalorVNeIDapp.Step5:Registrationofficersprocessthedata,reviewingandverifyingitbeforetransferringittothemanagementsystem.Theofficersthenpreparetheregistrationcertificateandotherrelevantdocumentsforauthorisedofficialsapproval.Step6:VehicleownersreceiveanotificationoftheregistrationapplicationstatusviaSMS,emailorVNeIDapp.TheythensubmitthevehiclesfactoryqualityinspectioncertificatethroughthePortalorVNeIDapp.Theregistrationcertificateandlicenseplatewillbemailedtothem.Step7:Registrationofficerscross-referencethefactoryqualityinspectioncertificatewithsystemrecords,verifyvehicledetailsandupdatetheregistrationfile.Theofficersalsoscananduploadrelevantdocumentstothesystem.Vehicleregistrationmustbecompletedwithintwoworkingdaysofreceivingallrequireddocuments.Forre-issuingnumberplatesandregistrationcertificates,theprocesstakesnomorethansevenworkingdays.ProvincialTrafficPoliceDepartmentsareinchargeofregisteringautomobiles,tractors,trailers,semi-trailers,vehiclesapplyingforauctionednumberplatesandothersimilarvehiclesownedbyVietnamesecitizensresidinginurbanareaswithintheprovince.District-levelDepartmentsofPublicSecurityareresponsibleforregisteringautomobilesandmotorcyclesownedthoseresidinginthedistrict,exceptincaseswhereregistrationishandledbyprovincialorcommune-levelauthorities.Commune-levelDepartmentsofPublicSecurityaretaskedwithregisteringmotorcyclesandmopedsownedbythoseresidinginthecommune.—VNSArudimentarygarbagecollectionvehiclecollectshouseholdwasteonPh?mV?n??ngStreetinHCMCitysTh???cCity.Phototuoitre.vnHCMCITY–TheHCMCityDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentsaidthecityissteppingupfinancialsupportforgarbagecollectionbusinessesthatneedfundingtoconvertrudimentaryvehiclesintomodernones.Butthegarbagevehiclesneedtomeettechnical,safetyandenvironmentalrequirementsasstipulatedbytheTransportationLaw.Specialisedvehiclesmusthavethecapabilitytocompacthouseholdsolidwasteandleachatestorageequipment.Garbagetrucksmustnotscattersolidwasteoremitodourswhilebeingtransported,andmustbesprayedwithdeodorantsaftertheytransportrubbish.Tohelpcollectionbusinessesconverttheirvehiclestoensurethesestandards,thedepartmentsEnvironmentalProtectionFundhasstartedofferingloansatlowinterestratestoindividuals,organisationsandbusinesses.Itprovidesupto70percentofthecostofaprojectforsevenyearsat3.86percentinterest.T?ngNh?tThànhofthedepartmentsaidthatinadditiontomodernisingwastecollectionvehicles,TamSinhNgh?aCompanyhasstartedconstructionofaplanttoincineratewasteandgenerateelectricity.–VNAThedirectionofthetyphoonPrapiroon.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Torrentialrains,withrainfallofupto300mmandthunderstormsareforecasttobatterthenorthernregionfromMondaythroughtoWednesdayduetotheimpactsofthetyphoonPrapiroon.TheNationalCentreforHydro-meteorologicalForecastingwarnedonMondaymorningthatthenorth-easternpartofthenorthernregionwaspredictedtoreceiverainfallbetween100-200mm,withsomeareasexceeding300mm.Inotherareasofthenorth-westernregionandThanhHóa(chǎn)Province,therainfallwasexpectedtorangefrom50-100mm,withisolatedareasreceivingover200mm.Additionally,thenorthandmiddlepartsofthecentralregion,theCentralHighlandsandthesouthernregionwouldexperiencescatteredshowersandthunderstorms,withisolatedareasreceivingheavyrainfallof15-30mmandsomeplacesover70mm(primarilyintheafternoonandevening).TheheavyrainsinthenorthernregionandThanhHóa(chǎn)ProvincewereexpectedtograduallydecreasesinceThursday.OnSundaymorning,thetropicallow-pressuresystemovertheHoàngSa(Paracel)Archipelagowatersstrengthenedintoatyphoon,becomingthesecondtyphoontohittheEastSeathisyear.AccordingtotheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting,by10amonMonday,theeyeofthestormwasabout150kmsoutheastofB?chLongV?.Thestrongestwindspeedsnearthestormscentrewere75-102kmperhour,andthetyphoonmovednorthwestataspeedof10-15kmperhour.PreparednessToproactivelyrespondtothetyphoon,DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuangsignedDirectiveNo.70/C?-TTgonSunday,callingforconcentratedeffortstorespondtothetyphoonandflooding.Thedirectiverequiresministersandprovincialandcitychairpersonstocontinuedirectingandpromptlyimplementingeffectivemeasurestorespondtotyphoonsandfloods,ensuringthesafetyoflivesandminimisingpropertydamageforresidents.TheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentwastaskedtocloselymonitorthetyphoonandfloodingdevelopments,providingtimelyforecastsandinformationtorelevantauthoritiesandthepublicforproactiveresponseefforts.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentandtheMinistryofIndustryandTrade,wereassignedtocoordinatewithlocalitiestodirecttheregulationofreservoirs,ensuringscientificandabsolutelysafeoperationofirrigationandhydroelectricdams,preventingartificialfloodsandcontributingtofloodreductionfordownstreamareas.Theyhadtotakesafetymeasuresforfisheries,agriculturalproductionandindustrialactivitiesandensurethesafetyofthepowersystem.TheMinistryofNationalDefenceandtheMinistryofPublicSecurityweretoldtoorderrelevantunitstocloselycoordinatewithlocalities,proactivelydeployingforcesandmeanstosupporttheevacuationandrelocationofresidentsfromdangerousareas,organiserescueandreliefeffortsandaddresstheaftermathwhenrequestedbylocalauthorities.SeabanInQu?ngNinhProvince,theAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentDepartmentonMondaymorningissuedDocumentNo.4086/SNNPTNT-TL,requestingrelevantagenciestosuspendpermitsforvesselstogooffshore,temporarilysuspendingpermitsfortouristvesselsandovernightstaysatseatouristdestinationsstartingfromnoononMonday.Vesselswerestillallowedtoreturnfromislandstothemainlandforshelter,finishingby4pmonMonday.TheProvincialMilitaryCommand,BorderGuardCommandandProvincialPoliceweretoldtobereadytosupportlocalitiesandunitsforrescueactivities.TheprovincialDepartmentofTourismmustcloselymonitorthenumberoftourists,especiallyincoastaltouristareas,andinformtourismenterprisesofthetyphoonsituationtoproactivelyarrangeguestreception.TheprovincialadministrationalsorequestedtheVi?tNamNationalCoalandMineralIndustriesGroupand??ngB?cCorporationtoreviewdisasterpreventionplansforundergroundminingareas,wastedumpsandflood-proneorlandslide-proneareasduringheavyrainsandpreparerescueandreliefoperationswhennecessary.Nam??nhProvinceenforcedasuspensionofallseaactivitiesstartingfrom10amonMonday.Thesuspensionwillremainineffectuntilthefinalupdateonthetyphoonisissued.TháiBìnhProvincealsobannedboatsfromgoingouttosea,miningandfishingandotheractivitiesinestuary,coastalandoffshoreareasfrom9amonMonday.—VNS
C?nTh?authoritiesenroutetoinspectinginlandwaterwaytransportsafetyinBìnhThu?Districtlastmonth.–VNA/VNSPhotoThanhLiêmHCMCITY–AuthoritiesintheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltahavetightenedsafetymeasuresforinlandwaterwaytransportfortheongoingrainyseason.Thedelta,whichcomprises12provincesandC?nTh?City,hasadenseriverandcanalnetwork,whichplaysamajorroleintransportingpeopleandgoods.Ti?nGiangProvincehasanimportantwaterwayroutebetweenM?Thu?nBridgeandtheseathroughtheCh?G?oCanal.The132-kmwaterwayhasstrongflows,whichcauseahighriskofaccidentsduringtherainyseasonwhentherearealsostrongwindsandstorms.Thecanalis28kmlongandhasmanyferrystationsandthousandsofvesselsberthingthereeveryday.TheprovincesTrafficSafetyCommitteehascalledoncompetentagenciestothoroughlychecksafetyconditionsatthestationsandwharves,theircompliancewithregulationsrelatedtolife-savingandrescueequipmentandthenumberofpassengersvesselsallowedtotransport.Nguy?nV?nD?ng,headoftheprovincetrafficpolice,saidhisagencyhadimplementedcomprehensivemeasurestoensurewaterwaytrafficsafety,preventaccidentsandmitigatetheimpactscausedbyrainsandstorms.Itproactivelymonitoredtheweathertotakepromptmeasurestosecurewaterwaysafetyandpropagatedlegalregulationstoensureownersofpassengerandcargovesselscomplywiththem,hesaid.Therewasonewaterwaytrafficaccidentinthefirstfivemonthsoftheyearinwhichonepersondied.Thedeltaisexpectedtohavebadweatherduringthisrainyseason,andthetrafficpoliceinits12provincesandC?nTh?Cityhavesteppedupcheckstoensurewaterwaysafetyandpropagationofregulationstothepublic.InTràVinhProvince,theyregularlycheckvesselsandadvisepeopleusingthemtowearlifevests.D??ngV?nHo?i,aresidentofTràVinhCitysLong??cCommune,saidmostpeoplelivingneartheC?ChiênRiverinhiscommuneearnalivingfromfishing.Thetrafficpoliceroutinelyadvisepeopletravellingbyboattowearlifeveststosecuretheirsafety.Therainyseasoncoincideswithschoolsummervacationsandmanychildrengoouttoplayandusewaterwaytransport,andsoboatownersandparentshavetoremindthemtowearlifevests,accordingtothetrafficpolicedivision.Nguy?nV?nH?i,itshead,saidthepolicewouldmaintainthreespecialinspectiongroupstouncoverandhandleviolations.C?nTh?advocatessafetyregulationsatwaterwaytransportsites,includingferrystationsandfloatingmarkets,andinspectstheiroperations.InMayitsadministrationcheckedtheCáiR?ngfloatingmarket,oneofthecitysmostwell-knowntourismdestinations,andgaveawaylifejacketstosmalltradersatthefloatingmarket.Localauthoritiesacrossthedeltainspectroutesthathaveahighriskofaccidentsandsuspendtheoperationofvesselsthatfailtocomplywithsafetyregulations.BùiTrungKiên,headoftheB?cLiêuProvincetrafficpolice,saidinspectionteamswouldinspectandpenaliseviolationsthatareoftenthedirectcausesoftrafficaccidentssuchasunlicensedpassengerwharves,illegalconstructioninwaterwayssafetycorridorsandfishingactivitiesthatobstructtransport.Waterwaytransportvehicleswhichlacktheprescribedsafetyequipment,exceedtheirauthorisedpassengerandcargocapacityorhaveunlicensedpilotswillbeseverelypenalised.–VNSLongThành-D?uGiayHighway.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I-DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàhassignedadecisiontoimplementtheplanforconstructingajoined-upinfrastructuresystemacrossVi?tNam,withplanstobeinplacebytheendof2024.Theplanisprojectedtotransformthecountryintoanindustrialisednation,orientedtowardsmodernity.Allorganisationsatlocallevelsarebeingaskedtocombineforcestopromotethedevelopmentofregional,inter-regionalandlocalconnectivityinfrastructure,narrowingregionalandlocaldisparities.Theplanoutlineskeytasksandsolutions,whichincludecontinuingtoeffectivelyimplementviewpoints,objectives,anddevelopmentorientationsforvariousinfrastructurefieldsasperResolutionNo.13-NQ/TWandmajorsolutionstodevelopamodernandsynchronousinfrastructuresystemwithfocus,priorityonkeyareasandadvancedstepsahead.Ministries,branchesandlocalitiescontinuetothoroughlygraspandeffectivelyimplementtheviewpoints,goalsandorientationsforsynchronousandgraduallymoderninfrastructuredevelopmentassociatedwiththeorganisationofnationaldevelopmentspace,regionsandeconomiccorridorsaccordingtothenationalmasterplan,regionalplan,provincialplanandrelatedplansunderthemanagementoftheirsectors,fieldsandlocalities.Theyarealsoaskedtocontinuetomanage,exploit,andusethebuiltinfrastructuresystemeffectively,promotingthedevelopmentinfrastructure,narrowingregionalandlocaldisparitiesaswellasuseland,water,forestandotherresourcesrationallyandefficiently.Accordingtothedecision,managementagencieswillco-ordinatewithotherministries,agenciesandlocalitiestoreviewpoliciesandlawsrelatedtoinfrastructuredevelopmentthathaveshortcomingstopresentproposedamendmentstothePrimeMinisterandtheGovernmentbythefourthquarterof2025.TheMinistryofPlanningandInvestmentwillreviewandproposeamendmentstopoliciesandlawsrelatedtopublic-privatepartnership(PPP)investment,detailingpublicinvestment-privatemanagementandprivateinvestment-publicusemodels.Thecompletiontargetisthefourthquarterof2024.TheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentisinchargeofreviewing,studyingandproposingtothePrimeMinistermechanismsandpoliciestoshortenthecompensationandlandclearanceprocessbythefourthquarterthisyear.TheMinistryofFinanceisrequestedtoreviewandproposeamendmentstopoliciesandlawsonStateBudgetmanagement,infrastructureservicepricingandfeesmanagement,andpublicassetmanagementrelatedtoinfrastructuredevelopment.Thisistobecompletedbythesecondquarterof2025.TheMinistryofInformationandCommunicationshastoreviewandproposeamendmentstopoliciesandlawsrelatedtodigitalinfrastructure,digitaleconomy,anddigitalsocietydevelopment.Thisistargetedforcompletionbythefourthquarterthisyear.TheMinistryofPlanningandInvestment,inco-ordinationwiththeMinistryofFinancewillprioritisetheallocationofStateBudgetcapitalforcriticalprojectsincludingprojectsofinter-regionalimpact,disasterpreventionandsustainableeconomicdevelopment.TheywillalsofocusonprojectsthatcannotrecovercapitaloraredifficulttoattractinvestmentfromoutsidetheStatesector.TheMinistryofFinancewillcontinuetostudyandmobiliseappropriateODAandconcessionalloans,improvingtheirutilisationefficiencyandensuringtheGovernmentsrepaymentcapacity.Thiswillalsoinvolvedevelopingthefinancialmarkettosupplycapital,diversifyinginvestmententities,andinvestmentformsparticipatinginthecapitalmarket.Theministrywillflexiblyusethestructureofpublicdebtfordeficitcompensation,ensuringitstayswithinapprovedsafetylimits,alignedwiththe10-yearsocio-economicdevelopmentstrategyfor2021-2030,toprioritiseinfrastructureinvestment.TheministryisalsoaskedtostudyandproposetheestablishmentofaninfrastructuredevelopmentfundtothePrimeMinisterandtheGovernmentbythesecondquarterof2025.Ministries,sectors,localities,andunitsusingcapitalwillcloselymonitordisbursementprogressaspertheplanaswellasevaluate,supervise,andinspectthemanagementanduseofcapital,ensuringeffectiveutilisationofresourcesforinfrastructuredevelopment.VNS
PartyGeneralSecretaryandStatePresidentNguy?nPhúTr?ngandhisspousereleasecarps,atraditionalpracticeaheadofaLunarNewYear,atthe2019HomelandSpringprogramme,whichgatheredoverseasVietnamese,atHoanKiemLakeinHanoi.VNAphotoHàN?I–ManyoverseasVietnamese(OVs)havegrievedforthepassingofPartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ng,whowasanexcellentleaderoftheParty,State,andpeopleofVi?tNamanddevotedhimselftoworkingforthepeoplessake.MaiTh?o,ChairmanoftheVietnamesePeoplesAssociationinCuba,toldtheVietnamNewsAgency(VNA)thatVietnamesepeopleinCubaaredeeplysaddenedbythenewsoftheleadersdeath,whichisagreatlosstotheParty,State,andpeopleofVi?tNam.HedescribedGeneralSecretaryTr?ngasaneminentcadrewhodedicatedhisentirelifetotherevolutionandpeopleandalwaysworkedwithastrongrevolutionaryspirittoservethePartyandjoinhandswithpeopletodevelopVi?tNamintoanincreasinglybeautifulnationasPresidentH?ChíMinhwished.ThePartychiefhadspecialsentimenttowardsCubaandusedtovisittheCaribbeannationmanytimeswhileservingindifferentpositions,Th?ocontinued,notingthatheusedtomeettheGeneralSecretaryseveraltimesandstillrememberstheleadersrequestthatpoliticaltiesaretheNo.1priorityoftheVi?tNam-Cubarelations,buteconomiclinkshaveyettomatchthat,soitisnecessarytobringbilateraleconomicpartnershipsonparwiththepoliticalties.Highlightingtheleaderssubstantialcontributions,Nguy?nH?ngS?n,ChairmanoftheUnionofVietnameseAssociationsinJapan,saidwhileactingasSecretaryofHàN?iPartyCommittee,Tr?nggreatlyhelpedwiththedevelopmentofthecapitalcity.Thepoliciesonurbandevelopment,culturalheritagepreservation,andinfrastructureimprovementheinitiatedhelpedcreateamodernandcivilisedHàN?ithatstillmaintainsitstraditionalbeauty.Japanesefriends,onmanyoccasions,weresurprisedwithHàN?isdevelopmentandperceivedthatthisresultwaslargelyattributedtothelocalleadership,S?nsaid.AstheNationalAssemblyChairman,Tr?ngmadeanumberofimportantdecisionshelpingbuildandperfectthelegalsystem,boostadministrativereform,andenhancetheparliamentssupervisoryrole.Hisclear-sightedandstrongleadershipmadeconsiderablestridesinimprovingthelegislativebodysefficiencyandcontributedtothebuildingofalaw-governed,democratic,andcivilisedstate.Meanwhile,asPartyGeneralSecretary,hecontinuedshowinghisleadershiptalentanddevotiontothecountry,S?nadded.S?nvoicedhisbeliefthatOVswillfurthertrustandsupportthehomelandthankstotheleadersworkingforthepeoplessakeliketheGeneralSecretary.Inparticular,theanti-corruptioncampaign,launchedbythePartyleader,hasreinforcedtrustamongtheVietnamesecommunityinJapan.ImpressedbytheGeneralSecretaryshighsenseofresponsibilityandcareforeveryaspect,fromeconomy,societytopeopleslife,LêTrungThành,aPhDpostgraduateinBeijing(China),describedTr?ngasatalentedleaderwhoalwayspaidattentiontopeopleslife.ThànhalsoexpressedhisadmirationforthePartychiefsdeterminationinthecorruptionfight,addingthattheleaderledandtookmanystrongmeasurestocleanthestateapparatus,enhancetransparency,andpromotesocialequality,whichsubsequentlyreinforcedpeoplestrustinthePartyandState.HesharedthatTr?ngnotonlystoodoutintermsofpoliticsbutalsomadelargecontributionstoeducation,culturalandsocialaffairs.Healwaysexertedall-outeffortsfornationaldevelopmentandpeopleshappinessandputtheFatherlandsinterestsaboveall.ThediversityandcomprehensivenessinhisleadershipstylehelpedgeneratevariousachievementsforthenationandraiseVi?tNamsstatureandprestigeintheinternationalarena.InThànhseyes,theleaderssimplicity,accessibility,andwillingnesstolistentopeoplesopinionsmadehimlikeagentleandbeloveduncle,thepostgraduatesaid.ExpressingthesadnessaboutTrongspassing,NinhVi?tTh?ng,aVietnameseinThailand,saidhecouldfeeltheleaderswarmandsinceresentimenttowardsOVswhentheGeneralSecretaryvisitedThailandorthetimeTh?ngreturnedtothehomelandandhadachancetomeetthePartychief,whoalwayspromotedthePartyandStatespolicyofconsideringOVsasanintegralpartofVi?tNam.Nguy?nV?nHòa,anotherexpatriateinThailand,saidtheOVcommunityarealwaysgratefultotheGeneralSecretary,whopushedVi?tNamonthepathofdevelopmentandreformtobecomearichandstrongcountryandbeknownwidelyatinternationalforums.Forherpart,PhanBíchThi?n,memberoftheVi?tNamFatherlandFrontCentralCommittee,ChairwomanoftheFundforHungary-Vi?tNamRelations,PresidentoftheVietnameseWomenForuminEurope,andViceChairwomanoftheVietnamesePeoplesAssociationinHungary,saidthepassingofGeneralSecretaryTr?ngwasagreatloss,praisingthedeceasedasabrightexampleofdignity,adedicatedandvisionaryleaderworkingforthepeoplessake,acitizendevotinghimselftothenation,andalsoahumanisticperson.Shesaidtheleaderalwayspaidattentiontotheintensificationofthegreatnationalsolidarity.ToOVs,hebecameasymboloftheirtrustintheParty,Government,andhomeland.RecallingtheGeneralSecretarysmeetingwithOVrepresentativesinHungaryduringhisvisittotheEuropeannationin2018,Thi?nsaidtheleaderenquiredaftereachperson.Thoughthemeetingwasinitiallyscheduledtonotlastforlong,hestillallowedtheeventtobeextendedsothathecouldlistentoallopinionsandaspirationsofOVs.Thiswasavividdemonstrationofaleaderalwaysopentopeoplesfeelingsandworkingforthepeoplessake.VNA/VNS
AviewofHCMCitysskylineatnight.Thecityplanstoconsolidatewardsin80wardsacross10districtsaspartofitsefforttoenhancestatemanagement.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—HCMCityauthoritieshavefinalisedaplantoconsolidate80wardsacrossvariousdistrictswithinthecity,resultinginareductionof39wards.Themergersaimtoenhancestatemanagement,leadingtosignificantcostsavingsrelatedtocivilservantssalaries,allowances,andtheconstructionorupkeepofadministrativefacilities.ThedistrictsaffectedbytheinitiativeincludeDistricts3,4,5,6,8,10,11,BìnhTh?nh,GòV?p,andPhúNhu?n.Theplandetailsscenariosformergerssuchascombiningtwoorthreewardsintoone.Severalnewwardswillalsobeestablishedbyadjustingexistingwardboundaries.TheproposalwillbesubmittedtotheMinistryofHomeAffairsforevaluationbeforebeingsubmittedtotheGovernment,whichwillsubmitittotheNationalAssemblyforfinalapprovalinSeptember.TheDepartmentofHomeAffairsanticipatesaround450redundantofficialsandcivilservantsmaybeimpactedbythemergers.ThereasonbehindthemergersistoalignwithcriteriasetbytheNationalAssemblyregardingthepopulationsizeandareaofawardinadistrict,accordingtothedepartment.Awardmusthaveapopulationofatleast15,000andcoveranareaof5.5squarekilometres,whilecommunesshouldhaveapopulationof5,000andcoveranareaof30squarekilometres,thedepartmentsaid.Authoritieshaveassuredthepublicthateffortswillbemadetominimiseanyadverseeffects.Theyarealsoexpectedtoassistinupdatingadministrativedocumentsforresidentsandsupportingaffectedofficialsandcivilservantsinmergedwardswithsecuringsuitablejobplacementsoraddressingemploymentconcerns.Currently,thecountryslargestcitycomprises16districts,fiveoutlyingdistrictsandTh???cCity,encompassingatotalof312wards,communes,andtownships.Theinitiativetomergewardswithinthedistrictswasapprovedduringthe17thsessionofthePeoplesCouncilmeetingwhichconcludedonWednesday.Thethree-daymeetingdiscussedwaystoachieveagrowthrateof7.5-8percentthisyear,includingacceleratingpublicspending,improvingpublicservices,streamliningadministrativeprocesses,andothers.Particularemphasiswasplacedonexpeditingpublicspending,boostingconsumption,andaddressingbusinesschallengesinthesecondhalfof2024.ThecityaimstodisburseVN?73trillion,or95percentofpublicinvestment,bytheendof2024.Itgrew6.46percentinthefirsthalf,accordingtotheStatisticsOffice.—VNSHarvestingpomelosinthePhúDi?nCommuneofHàN?isNamT?LiêmDistrict.—PhotocourtesyoftheHàN?iAgriculturalPromotionCentreHàN?I—HàN?isagriculturalsectorhasforseveralyearsfocusedondevelopingpomelocultivationandisblessedwithaspecialvarietyofthefruit.Withitsinherentpotentialandadvantages,thecityisidentifiedasakeypomelogrowingregionofthecountry.Currently,themarketdemandforpomelocontinuestoincrease.However,theexportturnoverofpomelohasonlyaccountedforabout0.1percentofexportvalues,toaroundUS$1.1-1.2billionannually.V?Th?H??ng,directoroftheHàN?iAgriculturalPromotionCentreundertheHàN?iDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,said:HàN?icurrentlyhasnearly10,000haofpomelocultivationmainlyindistrictslikeCh??ngM?,PhúcTh?,?anPh??ng,Qu?cOaiandPhúXuyên.HàN?ihasabouttenvarietiesofpomelo,ofwhichtheDi?npomelo–aspecialvariety–occupiesnearly81percentofthetotalwhileothervarietiesarealsowidelycultivatedandbringhigheconomicefficiencyincludingQu?D??ngpomelo,Hi?pThu?nsweetpomelo,VanHàpomelo,PhúXuyênpomeloandSàiS?nsourpomelo.Inrecentyears,HàN?isagriculturalsectorhassupportedlocalitiesinbuildingpomeloproductionmodelsthatmeetVietGAPandorganicstandards,providinghigherproductivity,ensuringgreaterqualityandpotentialearningsofVN?400-500million($17,000-20,000)perhectareperyear.Farmersparticipatinginthesemodelsreceivetechnicalguidanceandgrowingsystemsbasedonrecordingtheircultivationactivities.ProducingpomelosunderVietGAPstandardsnotonlycreatessafeproductsforconsumersbutalsocontributestothehealthofproducersandisbeneficialfortheenvironmentandcanboostexports.Ch??ngM?Districthasfavourableconditionsforfruittreecultivationandhasencouragedresidentstoconvertlow-economic-valuelandtofruitcultivation,mainlypomelo.Thedistricthascollaboratedwithrelevantagenciestoorganisetrainingcoursesandtransferscientificandtechnicaladvancesingardenrenovation,pomelograftingandproductionfollowingVietGAPstandards.LêH?uDi?n,directorof??cH?u-L?uQuangCleanAgriculturalCo-operativeinTrungHòaCommuneofCh??ngM?District,said:Theco-operativehasnearlythreehectaresofpomelomeetingVietGAPstandards,withmuchhigherproductivitythanordinarypomeloandwhichiscompletelypurchasedbyenterprises.TheVietGAPpomeloissweeter,haslesspestdamage,hasagolden,shinyskin,fragrantflesh,juicysegmentsandalovelytaste.Meanwhile,intheSàiS?nCommuneofQu?cOaiDistrict,PhanNhanL?isfamilypreviouslyhad400Di?npomelotrees,butfaceddifficultiesinsellingtheharvestduetolowprices.AfterreceivinghelptoswitchtoVietGAPstandards,salesbecameeasierandthepricewasabout20percenthigherthantraditionalmethods.L?isaid:Togrowhigh-qualitypomelosthatmeetVietGAPstandards,growersneedtopayattentiontofertilisationtechniques,operatemainlyorganicallyandusecomposedmanuretoensuregoodfloweringandfruitingrates.Nguy?nNh?H?o,directorofQu?D??ngSafePomeloProductionCo-operativeinHoài??cDistrict,believedthatexpandingVietGAPproductionmodelsrequirescontinuoustechnicaltrainingandinfrastructureinvestmenttoapplymechanisationandhightechnologyinlarge-scaleproduction,buildbrandsandestablishgeographicalindicationsforlocalspecialties.Nguy?nM?nhPh??ng,deputydirectoroftheHàN?iDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidthattheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmenthasapprovedaplantodevelopkeyfruittreesby2025,withavisionto2030,choosingHàN?iasakeyareaforpomelodevelopment.HàN?iwillcontinuetoworkwithlocalitiestoselecthigh-qualitypomelovarietiessuitableforeachregionsclimateandsoilconditions,strictlyfollowsafeproductionprocesses,andensurequality,Ph??ngsaid.Thecitywillalsoexpandhigh-techagriculturalmodelsandlinkproductionwithmarketaccess,hesaid.Forfurtherdevelopment,HàN?iplanstosupportlocalitiesinimplementingprojectsinQuangMinhCommuneofMêLinhDistrict,Xuan?ìnhCommuneofPhúcTh?DistrictandSongPh??ngCommuneof?anPh??ngDistrict,overascaleof20ha.Thecityaimstomaintainabout70percentoftheareaformain-seasonpomelovarietiesand30percentforoff-seasonharvesting.Inadditiontotraditionalvarieties,theagriculturalsectorwillrefinelocalvarieties,developnewhigh-qualityvarietiesandencouragebusinessestoinvestinpomeloprocessingfordomesticconsumptionandexport.—VNS
AricefieldundertheNewGreenFarmCo-operativeinC?nTh?sTh?tN?tDistricthasasolar-poweredenvironmentmonitoringsystem.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhLiêmC?NTH?—C?nTh?isencouragingtheestablishmentofco-operativesandco-operativegroupsandprovidingthemthesupporttheyneedtooperateefficiently.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltacityhas341co-operativesoperatinginagriculture,industry,cottageindustry,transport,construction,trade,servicesandcreditservices,accordingtoitsCo-operativeAlliance,theoverarchingregulatoryentity.Nguy?n??cPh??ng,itschairman,saidtheemulationmovementinthefieldofcollectiveeconomyandco-operativesin2022-24hasbeenusheringinimportantchangeswithregardtothedevelopmentofco-operativesandco-operativegroups.Theyhaveexpandedintermsofnumberofmembers,registeredcapital,infrastructure,andareasofoperation,hesaid.Intheagriculturalsector,forinstance,manyco-operativesnowhavemorethan100members,registeredcapitalofVN?2-7billion(US$78,000-270,000)andcombinedfarmingareasof300ha-1,000ha.TheKhi?tTamCo-operativeinV?nhTh?nhDistrictproducesriceseedsforcultivationandhigh-qualityriceforconsumption,andprovidesservicessuchasploughingandharvesting.Nguy?nNg?cHu?n,itsdirector,saidtheco-operativehaslinkedupwithotherstakeholderstogrowriceonlarge-scale–referringtopooling–fieldstoreducecostsandharvestlargevolumestomeettherequirementsofprocessingandexportingcompanies.ItsmembersearnVN?2-4million($80-160)perhectareperyearmorethanfarmerswhoarenotmembersofco-operatives,hesaid.Thecityaimstohave400co-operatives,upfromthecurrent341,with25,000membersby2030.Itgot10newonesinthefirstfourmonthsoftheyear,seveninagricultureandthreeintransportation.Ithasorganisedcoursestoimprovetheskillsofco-operativemanagersandadvocatetheCo-operativeLawandmeasurestoimplementdigitaltransformationforco-operatives.TheCo-operativeAlliancewillassistagriculturalco-operativesandco-operativegroupsinregisteringforcollectivebrandnamesandgrowingareacodes,applyinggoodagriculturalpractices,accessingsoftloans,linkingupwithcompaniestobuyinputsatlowercostsbutwithhighquality,andsecuringsalesoftheirharvests.Thecityhas179agriculturalco-operatives,andencouragesthemtoapplymodernfarmingmethodstoincreaseyieldsandquality.Hu?nhV?nChi?n,directoroftheThanThi?nAgriculturalCo-operative,saidithas34membersandlinkageswithnearly500otherfarmerstogrowfruitsandvegetables.Withsupportfromauthorities,ithasimproveditsefficiencyandinstructeditsmembersandpartner-farmerstoapplygoodagriculturalpractices.Ithasinvestedininfrastructuretoprovideinputsandtiedupwithbuyerstosecuresalesoftheproduce.TheTr??ngKh??ngACo-operativeinPhong?i?nDistrictsTr??ngLongCommunehasencouragedits34memberstoapplyVietGAPstandardstogrowdurian,milkappleandotherfruitssince2017.Ithaslinkedupwithcompaniestobuyinputsforitsmembersandsecuresalesfortheiroutput.ItsmembersearnanaverageofVN?100million($3,900)ayear.—VNSTrafficlightswithcountdowntimersattheNguy?nV?nTr?i-Tr?nHuyLi?uIntersectioninHCMCitysPhúNhu?nDistrict.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ng??tHàN?I—ManytransportexpertshaveagreedthatthepilotprogrammetoremovecountdowntimersfromtrafficsignalsatseveralmajorintersectionsinHCMCityisasoundandappropriateinitiative,whichmayhelpdriversbemoreproactiveandmayreducetheriskoftrafficcollisions.TheHCMCitysUrbanTrafficManagementCentrehasimplementedapilotprogrammebyremovingcountdowntimersatthreeintersectionsalongNguy?n?ìnhChi?uStreet,includingtheintersectionswithTr??ng??nhStreet,BàHuy?nThanhQuanStreet,andCáchM?ngTháng8Street.ThemodelhasnowbeenexpandedandisbeingtrialledattheMaiChíTh?-T?H?uintersectionneartheTh?ThiêmTunnel.Withthenewmodel,trafficlightsaresettochangecoloursatflexibleintervals,withoutdisplayinganumberedcountdown.TheseintersectionsareequippedwithsurveillancecamerasconnectedtotheUrbanTrafficManagementCentreforremotemanagement.V?KhánhH?ng,deputydrectoroftheHCMCitysDepartmentofTransport,notedthatcountdowntimersatintersectionshelproadusersanticipatetrafficsignalchanges.However,despitetheirbenefits,thereareinstanceswherepeoplespeeduptopasswhenthegreenlightisabouttoendortrytocrossbeforetheredlightfullychanges.Additionally,driversinfrontareoftenhonkedatbythosebehindthem.Therushfrombothlinesoftraffictotakeadvantageofthelastfewsecondsisaleadingcauseoftrafficcollisions.Basedonthis,thedepartmenthasstudiedtheremovalofcountdowntimersandpiloteditatfourintersections,hesaid.PhDKh??ngKimT?o,formerdeputychiefofstaffoftheNationalTrafficSafetyCommittee,saidthatremovingcountdowntimersfromtrafficsignalsisaverysensibleandappropriatedecision.DevelopedcountriessuchastheUnitedStates,Germany,France,Japanandothersnolongerusecountdowntimers.Ifweremovethecountdowntimers,driverswillonlyneedtofocusonthetrafficsignals,whichwillleadtosaferbehaviours,hesaid.AccordingtoT?o,thedurationofyellowlights,asstipulatedinthe2008RoadTrafficLaw,isnotclearlydefined,leadingmanytomistakenlybelievethatdriversshouldbepenalisedforcrossingduringayellowlight.However,the2024RoadTrafficSafetyLawallowsalldriverstopassthroughayellowlight.Thereisnopenaltyfordriversgoingthroughayellowlight.Trafficstandardsdictatethedurationofyellowlightsisbasedonthespeedofvehiclesapproachingtheintersectionandthewidthoftheintersection.Thisdesignensuresthatdrivershaveenoughtimeandspacetostopbeforetheredlightappears.Therefore,driversonlyneedtocomplywiththetrafficlightcolourstoensuresafety,heexplained.Anotherpointhighlightedbytheexpertisthatdevelopedcountriesusetrafficsignalstosupportpublictransport,sobusesandemergencyvehicles,forexample,aregivenpriority.Busesareequippedwithdevicesthatnotifytrafficsignalcontrolcentreswhentheyareapproachinganintersection.Asabusnearsanintersection,thetrafficsignalwillturngreenforthebus,whileallotherdirectionsturnyellowandred.Ifweusecountdowntimers,wecannotimplementtheprioritylightsystem,hesaid.Nguy?nXuanTh?y,anurbantrafficexpert,expressedhisviewthattheredlightdurationshouldnotexceedoneminuteanditshouldbekeptunder50secondsinstead.Itisbettertosegmenttheflowofvehiclesratherthanhavingacontinuousstreamofcarsstretchingforkilometres,whichexacerbatescongestion,hesaid.Regardingtheideaofremovingcountdowntimersfromtrafficsignals,Th?ysaiditwasaninnovativeapproach.Inmyopinion,itisbettertoremovethecountdowntimeronlyfortheredlight.Whenmovingthroughagreenlight,driversstillknowhowmuchtimetheyhave,whichpreventsthemfromspeedingorrushingunnecessarily.Removingthecountdowntimerwillhelpdiscouragerecklessbehaviour,andthelikelihoodoftrafficaccidentswillgraduallydecrease.AccordingtoTh?y,themostcrucialfactorremainstheawarenessandadherencetotrafficlawsandthatdriversneedtorecognisetheimportanceoffollowingregulations.—VNS
FarmersharvesthighqualityriceinthefieldsofTi?nThu?nCooperativeintheMekongDeltacityofC?nTh?.—VNA/VNSPhotoThuHi?nC?NTH?—Apilotmodelforplantingmillionsofhectaresofhigh-quality,low-emissionriceintheMekongDeltahasyieldedpositiveresults,includingreducingtheamountofseedandfertiliserused,loweringcarbondioxide(CO2)emissionswhileincreasingprofits.ThefindingswereannouncedonMondayatareviewworkshopfortheinitialresultsofthepilotmodel,heldinC?nTh?City.TheeventwasjointlyorganisedbytheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,theDepartmentofCropProduction,theInternationalRiceResearchInstitute(IRRI),thePeoplesCommitteeofC?nTh?CityandtheC?nTh?CitysDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.BackonApril5,Ti?nThu?nCooperativeinthecitywasselectedbytheagriculturalministryasoneoffivesitesacross12provincesandcitiesinthedeltatopilotthemodel.Theprojectsaw50haofricefromthecooperativeusingcertifiedseedssuppliedbytheMekongDeltaRiceInstituteplantedatarateof60kgperha.Thecooperativeranamachinecombiningseedswithfertiliser,applyingthemixtospecialisedzones,integratingpestmanagement,applyingmechanicalharvestingandstrawcollection.Speakingattheworkshop,Nguy?nNg?cHè,deputychairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofthecity,saidthatthe50hapilotfieldinV?nhTh?nhDistrictmetallthecriteriaoftheprojecttogrowonemillionhectaresofhigh-quality,low-emissionricelinkedtogreengrowthintheMekongDelta.Nguy?nNg?cHè,deputychairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofthecity,delivershisspeechattheworkshopinC?nTh?City.—VNA/VNSPhotoThuHi?nThemodelresultsshowedareductioninseedusagefrom140kgperhato60kgperha,adecreaseinfertiliserapplicationsfrom3-4timespercroptojusttwicepercropandaminimum20percentreductionininorganicfertiliseruse.Therewasalsoasignificantreductioninirrigationwater,decreasedriskofdiseasesandreducedpost-harvestlosses.Thesuccessofthemodellaysthefoundationforthecitysagriculturesectortoexpandtheprojectsimplementationacrosstheentirecommittedarea,hesaid.Nguy?nV?nHùngfromtheInternationalRiceResearchInstitutesaidthattheseedreductionof60kgperhasavedVN?1.2million(US$47)andthereductioninfertiliserof30kgperhapercropsavedVN?700,000($27).Thus,thecombinedcostsavingsamountedtoVN?1.9million($74)perha.Afterimplementingthemodel,summer-autumnriceyieldsreached6.13-6.51tonnesperha,about7percenthigherthanusual.LowerinputcostsresultedinfarmersincreasingtheirprofitsbyVN?1.3-6.2million($50-240)perha.ReductionofuptosixtonnesofCO2Nguy?nCaoKh?i,directorofthecooperative,saidthatthemostsignificantbenefit,besidescostsavingsandincreasedprofits,wasthereductioninenvironmentalpollutionduetotheproperapplicationofproductionprocesses.Hùng,fromtheInternationalRiceResearchInstitute,saidthatifthemodelwasstrictlyfollowed,itcouldreducegreenhousegasemissionsby2-6tonnesCO2perha,dependingonwhetherfarmersfollowedwatermanagementpracticesincoordinationwiththecooperative.Theemissionreductionwasattributedtowaterandstrawmanagement.Cao??cPhát,chairmanoftheBoardofDirectoroftheInternationalRiceResearchInstituteandformerMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidthatthemodelaimedtoachievetwomaingoals.Thefirstwastoapplynewtechnicalprocessestoreducecosts,increaseproductivityandenhancevaluetoboostfarmersincome.Thesecondwastoreduceenvironmentalpollutionandgreenhousegasemissionsbydecreasingseed,pesticideandwaterusage,thusfulfillingVi?tNamsinternationalcommitments.Pháthopedthatthemodelwouldcontinuetospreadacrossthedeltaandthroughoutthecountry.(Byrunningthemodel),wearemeetingtheexpectationsoffarmersandricegrowersforabetterlife,higherincomes,acleanerenvironmentandcontributingtotheglobalefforttocombatclimatechange,hesaid.LêThanhTùng,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofCropProduction,saidthatanessentialfactorbesidestheprojectscriteriawasthestronglinkagebetweeninputsuppliers,agriculturalmaterialcompaniesandricepurchasingbusinessesforfarmers.Thecollaborationneededtobemorepracticalandresponsible,adheringtothecommitmentsmadebyallpartiesinthecomingtime.Thesearethefactorsfortheinitialmodelssuccess,whichwebelievecanbeexpandedtothecityandotherprovinceswhenimplementingtheproject,hesaid.—VNSRedchiliplantsaregrowninanethouseinTràVinhProvincesDuyênH?iDistrict.VNA/VNSPhotoThanhHòaTRàVINH—VegetablefarmersinTràVinhProvinceareearninghighprofitsbecauseofhighsellingpricesanddemand.ThepricesofvegetablesarenowVN?3,000-10,000(10-40UScents)perkilogrammehigherthanaweekagobecauseofsupplydoesnotmeetdemand.ThedemandinHCMCityandsoutheastprovincesisincreasingbecauseitistherainyseasonsovegetableoutputislowerthanduringthedryseason,accordingtotheprovincesPlantCultivationandProtectionSub-department.KimThi,whogrowsvegetablesina2,000sq.mnethouseinChauThànhDistrictsHòaL?iCommune,saidtheprovincehadalotofraininthepastweekwhichimpactedtheyieldofvegetables,especiallythosegrowninopenair.Thankstothenethouse,hisvegetableshavehighyieldandqualityandtheirsellingpricesare15-20percenthigherthannormalvegetables,hesaid.HeearnsanaverageprofitofVN?120million($4,700)ayear,hesaid.ThedistrictsBureauofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentassistedhimtogetasoftloantobuildthenethouseandinstalladripirrigationsystemin2022,hesaid.Net-house-grownvegetablesofferaprofitof1.5totwotimeshigherthanthosegrowninopenairbecausetheyhavehigheryield,qualityandsellingprices,accordingtofarmers.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincehasencouragedandassistedfarmerstoinvestinnethouses.ItprovidesfinancialsupportofuptoVN?50million($1,950)forfarmerstobuildanopennethouseanduptoVN?100million($3,900)foraclosednethouse,whichcovers1,000sq.meach.Farmersarealsoassistedtoaccesssoftloans.LêV?n??ng,directoroftheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidhisagencyisrestructuringcropcultivationinmixedorchardsandunproductivericefields,andisencouragingfarmerstoswitchtovegetables,especiallyinnet-housefarms.Ithasprovidedfinancialsupportforfarmerswhohavesustainablefarmingmodelstoinvestinfarmingfacilities,machinesandinfrastructure,hesaid.Ricefarmerswhoswitchedtogrowingvegetablesearnaprofitoftwotothreetimeshigherthangrowingrice.VegetablefarmersearnanaverageprofitofVN?120-130million($4,700-5,000)perhectareayear,accordingtothedepartment.Th?chTh?nhinChauThànhDistrictsHòaL?iCommunesaidthatundertheencouragementoflocalagriculturalofficials,heturnedhis2,000sq.mricefieldintovegetableslastyearashisfarmisfarawayfromirrigationcanalsandcouldnotgrowtwotothreericecropsayear.Hegrowstomato,cucumber,greenmustardandherbs,andearnsanaverageprofitofVN?20million($800)duringavegetablecropthatlaststwotothreemonths,hesaid.Theprovinceaimstoturn1,400haofunproductivericefieldsintodifferentcropsthisyear,accordingtothedepartment.Lastyear,morethan2,300haofricefieldswereturnedintovegetables,othercropsorforbreedinganimals.Farmershaveplantedmorethan33,000haofvegetablessofarthisyear,up1,100hafromthesameperiodlastyear.TheprovinceaimstoincreaseitsagricultureproductionvaluetoVN?145million($5,700)perhectareayearin2025,upVN?15million($600)comparedtonow.–VNS