Economic pessimism deepens among consumers, businesses
Thesceneofthefactorycollapsethatresultedinthreecasualties.—VNA/VNSPhoto??cPh??ngNINHBìNH–AtragicaccidentoccurredonFridaymorninginNinhBìnhProvincewhenapackagingfactorycollapsed,killingtwoworkersandinjuringanother.Theincidenttookplaceataround8.30amaswallsandtheroofofthefactoryin??ngQuanHamlet,NinhVanCommune,HoaL?District,cavedin,trappingthreeofthesixworkersinside.Threeothersmanagedtoescapeunharmed.Localresidents,uponhearingthecollapse,rushedtothescenetoassistinrescueeffortsandimmediatelyalertedtheauthorities.Emergencyrespondersquicklyarrivedandtransportedthevictimstothehospital.Twooftheworkers,identifiedasN.T.N,62,andN.V.C,49,fromGiaVi?nDistrict,succumbedtotheirinjuriesatthehospital.Thethirdvictimremainsincriticalconditionandisreceivingintensivemedicalcare.Policeconductedaninvestigationatthesceneandarecompilingareportontheincident.Thefactory,whichhadbeenconvertedfromaformergrainstoragefacility,wasbeingusedbythecurrentownerforpackagingproductionatthetimeofthecollapse.—VNS
WorkersatHanoigarmentfactoryinKurskoblast.—VNA/VNSPhotoDuyTrinhMOSCOW—Around100VietnameselabourersworkingattheHanoigarmentfactory-thelargestgroupofVietnameseworkingnearconflictzonesinRussiasKurskoblast,havebeenstillworkinghardtoensuretimelydeliveryofproductstocustomers,despitetheongoingconflictinborderareasbetweenRussiaandUkraine.LocatednearZheleznogorskcity,about120kmfromthecentreofKurskprovinceandabout140kmfromtheconflictzone,theroadleadingtothefactoryshowsalmostnosignsofthenearbyconflict.Insidethegarmentfactory,threeproductionlinesarestilloperatingasusual.Workersarebusysewingandprocessingwinterclothingitemstomeetthemarketdemand.N?ngMinh??c,fromthenorthernprovinceofCaoB?ng,whohasbeenworkingatthefactoryfortwoyears,saidthesituationhaslargelyremainedunchangedsincethenewsoftheconflict.Ng?Th?ThuyQu?nh,aworkerfromthesouthernprovinceSócTr?ng,wasquiteworriedinthebeginningwhenshefirstlearnedthenews,buteverythingseemstoremainfine,andordersarestillgood.Nguy?nThanhB?o,managerofthefactory,fromthesouthernprovinceof??ngNai,saidthesituationthereisstillstable,addingthateveryoneisfocusedontheirwork,andthecompanyhasnotbeennegativelyaffected.TheVietnameseEmbassyinRussiaismaintainingdailycontactswithrepresentativesoftheVietnamesecommunityinKursktokeepupdatedoninformationrelatedtooverseasVietnamesethere.—VNSTheInformationSecurityDepartmentwarnsoffakeinformationpagesoforganisationstoappropriateassets.—Photovietnamnet.vnHàN?I—StatisticsoftheInformationSecurityDepartmentundertheMinistryofInformationandCommunicationsrevealthatitreceivedover2,000reportsfromthepublicregardingfraudulentactivitiesbetween29Julyand11August.Fakingwebsites,fanpages,fake4Gmobilephones,impersonatingdeliverystaff,fraudonlineandrealestateinvestmentfraud,havebeenidentifiedassixkeytargetsforcriminalactivitiesonline.Recently,theinternationalEnglishlanguagecentreOceanEduwastargetedbyfraudsterswhocreatedmultiplefakefanpages,usingthecompanyslogo,competitionnamesandimages.Onthefraudulentpages,scammerssolicitedparentsandstudentstoregisterforcontests,intendingtodefraudthemoftheirmoney.Accordingtothedepartment,brandimpersonationwasnotanewtactic,butremainspopularlyusedbyscammers.Theycreatedsophisticatedandprofessional-lookingfakewebsitesandsocialmediapages,oftenusingdomainnamesthatweresimilartogenuineonesormakingminoralterationstoconfuseusers.Tobolstertheircredibility,scammersproducedmaterials,advertisements,orproductsfeaturingwell-knownbrandnamesandlogosandpostedenticingcompetitioncontenttolurevictims.Thatledpeopletoprovidepersonalinformationandpayfeesfornon-existentcontestsorpromotions,resultinginfinancialloss.Thedepartmentadvisesthepublictobecautiouswhenparticipatinginonlinecompetitions.Peopleshouldverifytheidentityofindividualsororganisationsbeforeengagingwithanyserviceorcompetition,confirmtheauthenticityofwebsitesandemailsbycheckingtheURLandcontactingthebrandororganisationthroughofficialchannels.Peopleshouldneverprovidepersonalorbankinginformationunderanycircumstances.Fake4GmobilephonesExploitingtheswitchfrom2Gto4Gandthedemandfornewphones,somefraudstershaverecentlydeceivedpeopleintobuying2Gphonesdisguisedasnewermodels,sellingthemforVN?400,000-500,000(US$16-20)each.Thescammersoftenusesocialmediaordirectsalesmethodstotrickconsumersintopurchasingfake4Gphones.Aftercompletingthesale,thescammerseitherdeletetheirsalesaccountsorblockthebuyer.Manyconsumers,attractedbylowpricesandlackingknowledge,endupbuyingphonesfromscammers,onlylaterrealisingwhenthenewSIMcardrevealsthephoneisnot4G.Thedepartmentadvisespeopletonotbuymobilephonesfromunknownsourcesonsocialmedia.Theyshouldbuyfromreputabledistributors.Ifapersonsuspectsascam,heorsheshouldreportitimmediatelytotherelevantauthoritiesorconsumerprotectionorganisationsfortimelyassistanceandprevention.ImpersonatingdeliverystaffSomepeoplearevictimsofscammersposingasdeliverystafffromreputablecouriercompanies.Theirtacticinvolvescallingvictims,claimingtobedeliverypersonnelandinformingthemofapendingorderwhilerequestingpaymentforthedelivery.Oncepaymentismade,thescammerclaimstherehasbeenanerrorandthattheaccountusedisforadeliverymembershipprogramme,whichwillautomaticallychargeVN?3.5million($140)monthly.TheythensendafakeFacebooklinkandcontactnumbertocancelthemembership.Clickingonthefraudulentlinkandenteringpersonaldetailsrisksfinancialtheftfromthevictimsbankaccount.Sothedepartmenturgesconsumerstobevigilantwhenpayingforonlinedeliveries.Peopleshouldalwaysverifyinformationrelatedtoservicesorpromotions,avoidtransferringmoneybeforereceivinggoodsorservicesanddonotclickonlinksfromunknownsources.RealestateinvestmentfraudAccordingtothedepartment,thedeveloperoftheQMSTOPTOWERproject(arealestateproject)inHàN?ihasrecentlyuncoveredtwocasesoffraudinvolvingprospectivebuyers.Victims,followingthefraudstersinstructions,paiddepositsbeforesigningcontracts,resultinginlossesofhundredsofmillionsof??ng.Thefraudstersemployedasophisticatedscheme,advertisingfalselyattractiveapartmentpricestolureincustomers.Wheninterestedbuyerscontactedthem,theywereaskedtodepositmoneyintothedevelopersaccount.Oncethedepositwasmade,thescammerscutoffcontactandabscondedwiththemoney.Sothedepartmentadvisesthoseinterestedinrealestateinvestmentstobeparticularlycautiouswithonlinebrokers.Peopleshouldnotmakepaymentsforapartmentswithoutconfirmationfromthedeveloperorofficialnotificationsfromsalespartners.Peopleareadvisedtoverifytheidentityoftheentityorbusinessbeforetransferringanydeposits.OnlineinvestmentfraudAccordingtothedepartment,Singaporeanpolicerecentlyreported897casesofinvestmentfraudinlessthantwomonths,withvictimslosingatleast$36millionthroughscamsonchatgroupsandsocialmediaplatforms.FraudsterstypicallylurevictimsintochatgroupsonmessagingappslikeTelegramoraddthemonsocialmediaplatforms.Theyimpersonatecelebritiesorreputablecompanyemployees,sharinginvestmentschemesandscreenshotsofpurportedprofitstoenticevictims.Oncedeceived,victimsareintroducedtoaseriesofinvestmentplansandaskedforpersonaldetailslikebankaccountnumbers,namesandphonenumbers.VictimsarethendirectedtotransfermoneytobankaccountsorPayNow.Somefraudulentwebsitesorinvestmentappsdisplayfakeprofitstofurtherdeceivevictims.ScammersalsoreachoutviasocialmediaplatformslikeFacebook,WhatsApp,ordatingappslikeCoffeeMeetsBagel.Inlightoftheincidents,thedepartmentrecommendsthatsocialmediausersimplementsecuritymeasuressuchasnotallowingstrangersintochatgroups,settingtransactionlimitsforonlinebankingandenablingtwo-factorauthentication.Usersshouldverifythelegitimacyofinvestmentopportunitiesbyaskingdetailedquestionsandcheckingthecredibilityofthecompany.—VNS
Theboywasfoundatabout20kmfromwherehehaddisappeared.—PhotosuppliedbylocalresidentsYêNBàI—PoliceinV?nYênDistrict,thenorthernmountainousprovinceofYênBái,reportedthatasix-year-oldboy,whowentmissingintheforest,hasbeenfoundaliveafterfivedaysofintensivesearches.Theboy,?.V.L.,wasdiscoveredonWednesdayafternoonbyalocalresidentinaforestareaofLangThípCommune,V?nYênDistrict,about20kmfromwherehehaddisappeared.L.wasimmediatelytakentoamedicalcentreforcareandhealthmonitoring.Earlier,ontheafternoonofAugust17,L.hadgonewithagrouptopickfruitonahillbehindhishouse.Hewanderedoffonhisowninadifferentdirectionandbecamelost.Whenthealarmwasraised,authoritiesmobilisedmorethan150peopletosearchfortheboy.Localofficialsandresidentsdrainedapondcoveringnearly80sq.mneartheareawherehewentmissingandreviewedfootagefromcamerasalongProvincialRoad164.Inaddition,severalgroupssearcheddeepholes,cavesandstreamsoverthefollowingdays,buttherewasnosignofhim.—VNSManyhouseholdsinXuanC?mCommuneproducewoodenfurniture,handicrafts,mechanicalgoods,andgarments,creatinghundredsofjobs.B?CGIANG—SettledintheheartofHi?pHòaDistrict,B?cGiangProvince,thecommuneofXuanC?misanimportantplaceinVi?tNamsrevolutionaryhistory.Recognisedasoneof16SafetyZoneorAnToànKhu(ATK)inVietnamese,thissmallcommuneonceplayedacrucialroleinshelteringrevolutionarycadresduringtheresistancewars.Today,XuanC?misnotonlypreservingitsrevolutionarylegacybutisalsoshowcasingaremarkabletransformationinitsjourneytowardsmodernisationandruraldevelopment.Itisalsoacommuneofresilience,patriotismanddeepcommitmenttoVi?tNamsstruggleforindependence.Intheearly1940s,thiscommunebecameapivotalredaddressfortherevolution,hostingkeyleaderssuchasHoàngQu?cVi?t,LêThanhNgh?,andNguy?nTr?ngT?nh,whobuiltandnurturedtherevolutionarymovementhere.On12March1945,undertheleadershipofLêThanhNgh?andNguy?nTr?ngT?nh,thepeopleofXuanBi?uvillageroseupandseizedpower,markingthefirstsuccessfuluprisinginB?cGiangProvince-asparkthatignitedtheAugustRevolutionnationwide.AcompletetransformationDeputyChairmanNguy?nQuangLiêmsaidthisrevolutionaryspirithasinsteadfuelledtheirongoingeffortstodevelopthecommune,particularlythroughthenewruraldevelopmentmovement.In2015,afteryearsofconcertedeffort,XuanC?mwasrecognisedasanewruralcommune,amilestonethatlaidthefoundationforfurtherprogress.Oncecharacterisedbynarrow,unpavedroadsandmodestinfrastructure,thecommunetodayboastssynchroniseddevelopment.ThemainroadsinallfiveofXuanC?msvillageshavebeenwidened,withsomenowspanningupto12metres,greatlyimprovingconnectivityandaccessibility.Thisprogressshowcasestheimpactofcollectiveeffortandforward-lookingleadershipindrivingmeaningfulchange.Educationisalsoapriority,withallthreeofthecommunesschoolsmeetingnationalstandards.Butthetransformationismostevidentintheeconomy.XuanC?mhasembracedagriculturalinnovation,introducinghigh-yieldcropsandmodernfarmingtechniques.Theestablishmentofa30-hectarepeach-growingmodelservingtheT?tfestivalinC?mHoàngvillageisastandoutsuccess,generatingoverVN?1billion(US$40,000)perhectareannually.Large-scalefieldmodelscoveringover200hahavealsobeendevelopedacrossthecommunes,includingtheprovincesfirstmechanisedriceplantinginitiativeinC?mTrungvillage.Dronesnowbuzzoverthefields,sprayingpesticidesovermorethan30hectares.Additionally,XuanC?mCommunehasfosteredthegrowthofhandicraftsandcottageindustries,whichprovidesteadyemploymentforhundredsoflocalworkers.WithmonthlyincomesrangingfromVN?8milliontoVN?12million,theseindustrieshavebecomeacornerstoneofthecommuneseconomicvitality.OneofthemostremarkableaspectsofXuanC?mstransformationisthecommunityswillingnesstouniteforthegreatergood.ResidentsofXuanC?mCommunegenerouslydonatelandtofacilitatetheexpansionoftheroadInalandwherethememoriesofsacrificearestillvivid,over500householdsinthecommunehavevoluntarilydismantledpartsoftheirhomesandauxiliarystructures,donatingover20,000squaremetresoflandtoexpandroadsandimproveinfrastructure.Thisgenerosityhaspavedthewayfordevelopment,withtheexpandedroadsnowstretchingnearly8km.ThevalueofthedonatedlandaloneexceedsVN?300billion.Theseeffortshavepaidoffhandsomely.TheaverageincomepercapitainXuanC?mnowstandsatVN?52.28millionperyear,asignificantincreaseoverthepreviousyear.Meanwhile,thecommunesmultidimensionalpovertyratehasdroppedto2.21percent,downby2.13percentfromtheyearbefore.PreservingculturalheritageAsXuanC?mmodernises,itremainsdeeplyconnectedtoitsculturalroots,particularlythroughpreservingquanh?folksongs,anintegralpartoftheregionsculturalheritage.Despitenotbeingatraditionalquanh?village,XuanC?mhasembracedthisartformwithenthusiasm,saidNguy?nQuangLiêm,deputychairmanofXuanC?mCommunesPeoplesCommittee.Inrecentyears,thecommunehasestablishedfivequanh?clubs,drawingover200membersfromacrossitsvillages.Theinitiativehasevenextendedintothelocalschools,wherequanh?youthclubshavebeenformed,ensuringthatthisbeautifultraditionispassedontofuturegenerations.Nguy?nV?nHùng,theheadofthequanh?clubinC?mXuyênvillage,recalledhowtheclubbeganwithjust25members,unitedbytheirloveforthemelodiesofquanh?.Today,theclubhasgrownsignificantly,thrivingonitsmemberspassionandvoluntarycontributionsTheclubgathersatthevillageculturalhouseeveryweekendtopractiseandsharetheirloveforquanh?.Thecommuneregularlyorganisesculturalandartisticfestivals,encouragingexchangesbetweenitsquanh?clubsandthoseinneighbouringareas,suchasthetraditionalquanh?villagesofHòaLongWardinB?cNinhCity.Thisculturalexchangeenrichesthecommunity,ensuringthatquanh?remainsavibrantandlivingtradition.By2026,thecommuneaimstoestablishfivequanh?villages,contributingtotheoverallnumberandqualityofsuchvillagesinB?cGiangProvince,deputychairmanLiêmsaid.Fromitsrevolutionarypasttoitsmodernsuccesses,XuanC?mexemplifiesresilience,innovationandculturalpreservation,ensuringitremainsaharmoniousplacetolive.—VNSDelegatescuttheribbontoinauguratetheInpatientTreatmentCentreundertheB?cGiangOncologyHospital,whichhasatotalinvestmentofnearlyVN?150billion(US$6million)fromtheprovincialbudget.—PhotocourtesyofB?cGiangProvinceB?CGIANG—TotalStatebudgetinvestmentforthenationaltargetprogrammeinB?cGiangProvincenextyearwillbemorethanVN?8.2trillion(US$330.5million),saidtheprovincialPeoplesCommittee.Sevennewprojectsmanagedbytheprovincewillbeconductednextyear,withacapitalofnearlyVN?540billion($21.6million).TheyincludetheroadconnectingRoad295–Road290(QuyS?n-H?ngGiangsection)inL?cNg?nDistrict,upgradingtheRoad291fromTayYênT?toH?LongCityinQu?ngNinhProvince,buildingtheB?cGiangDrugAddictionRehabilitationCentrephasetwo,purchasingmedicalequipmentfortheB?cGiangOncologyHospitalandbuildingalanddatabaseforL?cNg?nandS?n??ngdistricts.AsofAugust15thisyear,thetotalStatebudgetinvestmentmanagedbyB?cGiangProvincewasnearlyVN?10.4trillion($417.9million).ThetotaldisbursementvaluereachedoverVN?3.6trillion($147.6million),equalto39.7percentoftheplan.SomeprojectshavebeenrealisedquicklysuchasconstructiononthenewB?cGiangInter-Agency,constructionontheB?cGiangCentreforDiseaseControlandincreasingthenumberofhospitalbedsattheS?n??ngDistrictMedicalCentre.Alsoconstructiononthe??ngS?nBridgeinYênTh?andL?ngGiangdistricts,constructionontheRoad295fromtheB?nTu?nBridgetoCaoTh??ngTownandfromCaoTh??ngTowntoB?N?iBridgeinTanYênDistrictandbuildingthe??ngVi?tBridgeinYênD?ngDistrict.B?cGiangProvinceisaimingtodisburseallpublicinvestmentcapitalsourcesbytheendofthisyearandbyJanuary31nextyearwillcompletethedisbursementofallpublicinvestmentcapitalassignedthisyear.MeantimeB?cGiangDepartmentofPlanningandInvestmentwillstrengthenmonitoringandcloselysupervisetheuseofcapitalaccordingtotheprogressregisteredbylocalitiesandinvestorsandapprovedbyChairmanoftheprovincialPeoplesCommittee.Itwillpromptlyreview,adjustandsupplementcapitalplansfromslowprojectstocompletedprojectsandprojectsinneedofadditionalcapitaltospeedupanyimplementationprogress.Investorsproactivelycoordinatewithlocalitiestopreparenecessaryconditionsrelatedtoland,materialmines,dumpingsitesandcarryoutproceduresformineralexploitation,changingforestusepurposes,changinglandusepurposesandallocatinglandforconstruction.Atthesametime,theyshoulddirectcontractorstospeedupbuildingprogress,immediatelypayforcompletedworkandconductworkatthetreasurytousecapitalfortransitionalprojectsaccordingtothesetschedule.Districts,townsandcitiesfocusonresolvingcompensationandsiteclearance,timelyandproperlysupportresettlementfordisplacedresidentsandensuringcompliancewiththelawandharmonisingtheinterestsoftheStateandthepeople.Inaddition,B?cGiangProvinceregularlykeepsclosewatchonthedetaileddisbursementplansandtargetsofeachpublicinvestmentprojecttoofferguidance.Itcloselyfollowsweatherdevelopmentstocopewithnaturaldisastersandfloodsandorganisesappropriateconstructionsolutions.Atthesametime,theprovincetransferscapitalfromprojectswhicharenoteligiblefordisbursementorwithslowdisbursementtoprojectsthatarecapableofquickdisbursementandneedadditionalcapitalaccordingtoregulations.Theprovinceresolutelyhandlescasesofintentionaldelayinimplementationprogress,capitaldisbursement,causingcorruption,lossandwaste.—VNS
Thesceneoftheaccident.—VNA/VNSPhotoGIALAI—AtragicaccidentontheH?ChíMinhRoadinCh?P?hDistrict,GiaLaiProvince,hasresultedinonefatalityand18injuries.TheaccidentoccurredonAugust17,involvingabuswith18passengersonboardandamotorcycledrivenbyR.L.H,a41-year-oldlivinginIaRongCommune,Ch?P?hDistrict.Accordingtotheauthorities,thebuscollidedwiththemotorcyclewhileattemptingtoavoidit.Theimpactcausedthebustooverturn,inflictingsevereinjuriesonR.L.H.,whotragicallypassedawayonAugust21despitemedicalefforts.Theremaining18passengerssustainedvariousinjuries,withsixsufferingfracturesandheadtrauma.Fortunately,allweredischargedfromthehospitalonAugust20.Initialinvestigationsindicatethatthemotorcycleriderfailedtoyieldwhileenteringthemainroad,contributingtotheaccident.Thebusdriverwasfoundtobesoberandpossessavalidlicence.—VNSTheperspectiveoftheurbanrailwayline,connectingNamTh?ngLongUrbanareatoTr?nH?ng??oStreet.—Photobaogiaothong.vnHàN?I—TheimplementationtimeoftheHàN?isurbanrailwayline2project,connectingNamTh?ngLongUrbanareatoTr?nH?ng??oStreet,istobecompletedby2031insteadof2015aspertheinitialplan.Thereasonforadjustingtheprojectimplementationtimeisthattheprocessofreviewing,examiningandappraisingtheprojectadjustmenthaslastedfrom2012untilnow,buthasnotbeencompleted,sotheconstructionandequipmentpackagesoftheprojecthavenotbeenimplemented.Therefore,itisnecessarytoadjusttheprogressandimplementationtimelineoftheprojecttosuitthecurrentcircumstances.HàN?ihasscheduledthecompletionandcommissionoftheprojectby2029,followedbyanadditionaltwoyearsforoperationalandmaintenancetraining.ItwaspartofProposalNo275submittedbythecityadministrationtoPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhtoreviewandapproveadjustmentstotheinvestmentplanfortheHàN?iUrbanrailwayline2project.D??ng??cTu?n,deputychairmanoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommittee,saidduetothelongerthanexpectedprocessofimplementingproceduresoftheproject,suchashavingtochangethelocationofstationC9andchangingregulationsonpublicinvestmentanddebt,meansplansmustbeadjustedtofitthecurrentreality.Accordingtothedocument,theproposedtotallengthoftheprojectis11.5km,consistingof8.9kmofundergroundtrackand2.6kmofelevatedtrack,withafleetoftentrains,eachcomprisingfourcarriages.ComparedtoDecisionNo2054,issuedonNovember13,2008,bytheHàN?iPeoplesCommittee,whiletheoveralllengthoftheprojectremainsunchanged,modificationshavebeenmadetothelengthoftheundergroundsection(increasedfrom8.5kmto8.9km)andtheelevatedsection(reducedfrom3kmto2.6km).Additionally,thenumberoftrainshasbeendecreasedfrom14.Anotheradjustmentconcernstheestimatedtotalinvestmentfortheproject,whichisproposedtorisetoVN?35.58trillion(approximatelyJPY200.74billion/US$1.42billion),anincreaseofVN?16.03trillion(JPY95.5million/$642million)since2008.Ofthis,OfficialDevelopmentAssistance(ODA)loansfromtheJapanInternationalCooperationAgency(JICA)undertheSpecialTermsforEconomicPartnership(STEP)willamounttoJPY167.07billion,equivalenttoVN?29.67trillion($1.19billion),upbyVN?13.187trillion($527million).HàN?isowncontributionfromitsbudgetissetatVN?5.9trillion(aroundJPY33.665billion/$235million),anincreaseofVN?2.846trillion($113.7million).Underthesubmission,HàN?iadministrationproposedthattheGovernmentallocatecapitalfortheprojectoverthreemiddle-termpublicinvestmentperiodstoalignwiththerevisedprojecttimeline.TheallocationconsistedofaboutVN?9.2trillion($366billion)forthe2021-25period,aboutVN?19.9trillion($791million)for2026-30andaroundVN?5.58trillion($221.8million)for2031.Currently,the2019LawonPublicInvestmentdoesnotspecificallyaddressthebalanceandallocationofmid-termpublicinvestmentfundsoverconsecutiveperiods.Thus,HàN?isadministrationsaiditwouldproposethePrimeMinistertoapprovetheadjustmentsandwouldreporttheprojectsstatustotheNationalAssemblyinlatethisyear,inaccordancewithArticle104oftheGovernmentsDecreeNo29onmajornationalprojectassessmentandmonitoring.SincetheMinistryofPlanningandInvestmentcompleteditsreportontheinvestmentadjustmentinMay2021andwiththeGovernmentOfficesapprovaloftheC9undergroundstationlocationasnotedinNotificationNo328onOctober14,2022,HàN?isubmittedfourrequestsforapprovaloftheadjustments,includingthreein2024alone.Thatdemonstratesthecomplexityoftheproject,whichwasinitiallyapprovedbyHàN?iPeoplesCommitteeunderDecisionNo2054issuedonNovember13,2008.OnSaturday,PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChính,headoftheH?ng(Red)RiverDeltaCoordinationCouncil,chairedthefourthmeetingregardingtheissue.Heorderedrelevantministries,agenciesandlocalitiestoexpeditethecompletionofprocedurestoacceleratetheimplementationofregionalandinter-regionalprojects,includingtheUrbanrailwayline2fromNamTh?ngLongUrbanareatoTr?nH?ng??oStreet.PMChínhalsocalledforproposalsonspecialmechanismsandpoliciesfortheGovernmenttoreviewanddecide.TheUrbanrailwayline2project,approvedbytheHàN?iPeoplesCommitteeinNovember2008,stretchesfromNamTh?ngLongUrbanarea,Nguy?nV?nHuyênStreet,HoàngQu?cVi?tStreet,HoàngHoaThámStreet,Th?yKhuêStreet,Phan?ìnhPhùngStreet,HàngGi?yStreet,Hàng???ngStreet,HàngNgangStreet,Hàng?àoStreet,?inhTiênHoàngStreet,HàngBàiStreetandendsatTr?nH?ng??oStreet.ItconsistsofthreeelevatedstationsandsevenundergroundstationsandadepotlocatedinXuan??nhWard,B?cT?LiêmDistrict.—VNS
PatientswaitingtoreceivemedicationthroughtheirhealthinsuranceplansattheGeneralHospitalinB?cLiêuProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofHealth(MoH)hasrespondedtovoterconcernsregardingthelimitedavailabilityofcancertreatmentdrugscoveredbyhealthinsuranceinpublichospitals,medicationsthatwereonceincludedbutarenowexcluded.Theministryhaspledgedtocontinueitseffortstoexpandtherangeofcoveredtreatmentsandenhancethequalityofcareforpatients.Initscommitmenttouniversalhealthinsurance,MoHhasprioritisedthedevelopmentandimprovementofpolicies,particularlythoserelatedtodrugcoverage.Vi?tNamisrecognisedasoneofthefewcountrieswitharelativelycomprehensivelistofmedicationscoveredbyhealthinsurance,alignedwiththepremiumspaid.UnderacircularissuedonDecember31,2022,theministryprovidedanupdatedlistofchemicaldrugs,biologicalproducts,radiopharmaceuticalsandmarkerseligibleforinsurancecoverage.Thisextensivelistincludes1,037activeingredients,dividedinto27majorgroups,alongwith59radiopharmaceuticalsandmarkers.Significantly,thelistfeatures76activeingredientsspecificallyforcancertreatmentandimmunomodulatorydrugs,underscoringtheministryscommitmenttosafeguardingtherightsofcancerpatients.Thelistspecifiesmedicationsbyactiveingredientratherthanbybrandname,ensuringflexibilityintheselectionofdrugscoveredbytheHealthInsuranceFundatmedicalfacilities,regardlessoftreatmentindicationsorspecialities.MoHplanstocontinuereviewingandamendingthecircularthatgovernsthelistofdrugscoveredbytheHealthInsuranceFund.Thisongoingeffortaimstobroadentreatmentoptionsandensurehigh-qualitycareforpatients.Additionally,MoHisworkingwithrelevantagenciestoestablishregulationsforthedirectreimbursementofdrugandmedicaldevicecostsforinsuredpatients.Thisinitiativeisdesignedtoaddresspotentialdrugshortagescausedbyexternalfactors,ensuringthatpatientstreatmentneedsandinsurancerightsareprotected.InarelatedresponsetovotersinC?nTh?City,theministryhighlightedthattheinsurancecoverageextendsbeyondmodernpharmaceuticaldrugstoincludetraditionalmedicinesandherbalremedies.AcircularissuedonMarch17,2015,outlinesalistof229traditionalmedicinesandherbaldrugs,organisedinto11functionalgroups,and349traditionalmedicinalherbs,dividedinto30groupsbasedontraditionalmedicineprinciples.ThecurrentlistofdrugscoveredbytheHealthInsuranceFundencompassesawiderangeoftreatmentsacrossvariousmedicalspecialities,bothinmodernandtraditionalmedicine,meetingpatientsneedswhilealigningwiththeFundspaymentcapacity.Tofurtherenhancemedicationavailabilityandqualityforinsuredpatients,theministrywillperiodicallyreviewandexpandthelistofcovereddrugs,withaparticularfocusontheneedsofchildren,theelderly,andtheeconomicallydisadvantaged,whilemaintainingthefinancialbalanceoftheHealthInsuranceFund.—VNS
Asmanyas99.7percentoffishingboatshavethevesselmonitoringsystem(VMS)installed.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nThànhHàN?I—Identifyingthefightagainstillegal,unreported,andunregulated(IUU)fishingasaprioritytoremovetheEuropeanCommissions(EC)‘yellowcardwarningagainstVietnameseseafood,thecoastalprovincesinthesouthernpartoftheH?ngRiverDelta,namelyTháiBình,Nam??nhandNinhBình,areworkinghardtopreventillegalfishing.Decisiveaction,clearprogressGiventhatlocalfishermenprimarilyoperatenearshore,andfollowingtheGovernmentsdirectivesoncombatingIUUfishing,thethreecoastalprovinceshaveactivelymonitoredillegalfishingtopreventallviolations.Withdecisive,regular,andcontinuousinstructions,recenteffortshavefocusedonaddressingweaknessesinseafoodexploitationpointedoutbytheEC,thusleadingtoapositivechangeincompliancewithlawsamongfishermen.CaoTh?Nga,headoftheFisheriesInspection,Control,andManagementOfficeofNam??nhProvince,saidthatawarenessofthepenaltiesforillegalfishinghasimprovedamonglocalfishermen.Theynowadheretoregulationsbyreportingbeforedeparture,loggingtheircatches,andsubmittingtheirlogs.Asaresult,violationsrelatedtofishinghavesignificantlydecreased,andnofishingvesselsintheprovincehaveinfringeduponforeignwatersorbeendetainedbyforeignauthorities.AsofMay15,533outof542fishingvesselswithalengthof15mormoreinNam??nh,or98.34percent,havebeenequippedwiththevesselmonitoringsystem(VMS).Theremainderhavenotinstalledmonitoringdevicesastheyareinactive,docked,oroutofservice.AccordingtotheDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentofTháiBìnhProvince,asofJune30,thelocalityhadregistered706fishingvesselsthatmeettherequirementsforseafoodexploitationinthenationalfishingvesseldatabaseVnFishbase,withatotalcapacityofover101,000KW.Inadditiontodisseminationcampaignstoraisefishermensawareness,thedepartmentorganisedeightinspectionteamsinthefirsthalfof2024todetectviolations.SeniorLieutenantColonelTr?nV?nKha,DeputyCommanderandChiefofStaffoftheNinhBìnhBorderGuard,statedthattheBorderGuardhasproactivelydevelopedplansandenhancedmonitoringatseatopromptlydetectandaddressanyviolationswhilesupportingfishermenindevelopingsustainablemaritimeeconomy.Restructuring,protectingnaturalresourcesTheprovinceshaveacontinuouscoastlinestretchingnearly150km,withthousandsofhectaresofmudflatsandavastcontinentalshelf.Thispresentshugepotentialandadvantagesfordevelopingthemarineeconomy.Alongsideeffortstohavethe‘yellowcardwarninglifted,theselocalitiesarerestructuringtheirfishingindustrytowardssustainabledevelopment,thuscreatingsuitablelivelihoods,andimprovingthequalityoflifeforfishermen.Tr?n??cVi?t,DeputyDirectoroftheDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentofNam??nhProvince,saidthatinthecomingtime,thedepartmentandlocalitieswillcontinuetoreshuffletheagriculturalsector,restructurethefleetoffishingvesselsbygraduallyreducingthenumberofthoseoperatingnearshore.Theplanisalsotoinvestincommunicationsystemstoensurethemonitoringoffishingactivities,thusmeetingtherequirementsofVietnameselawandinternationalconventions.Meanwhile,leveragingexistingadvantages,TháiBìnhaimstobecomealeadingagriculturalproductioncenterintheH?ngRiverDelta,withafocusondevelopingandmodernisingtheproductionofagricultural,forestry,andaquaticproducts,aswellasimprovingthevaluechainofagriculturalproductsintheprovince.Forsustainabledevelopment,theprovincewillenhancetheapplicationofscienceandtechnologyinaquaculture,fishing,andprocessingbythevaluechain,meetingdomesticconsumptionandexports.AlthoughNinhBìnhhasonlyonecoastaldistrict-KimS?n,theprovincehasmaximisedthisadvantageovertheyearstodevelopaquaculture,generatinghighincomeforitsresidents.Withatotalaquacultureareaofnearly5,000ha(includingupto4,000haofsaltwaterandbrackishwateraquaculture),KimS?nhasidentifiedsaltwaterandbrackishwateraquacultureincoastalmudflatsasadevelopmentfocus.InOctober2024,theECwillsenditsfifthinspectionteamtoVi?tNamtoassessthecountryscompliancewithrecommendationsoncombatingIUUfishing.ThisinspectionwillbedecisiveindeterminingwhetherVi?tNamcanremovetherestrictionsonitsseafoodexportstotheEU.ThethreecoastalprovincesinthesouthernpartoftheRedRiverDeltacontinuetomonitoranddetectfishingviolations,contributingtothenationwideeffortstoregainthegreencard.—VNSCrewmembersfromHisMajestysCanadianShip(HMCS)MontréaloftheRoyalCanadianNavyarehelpingplanttreesattheTìnhM?2CharityShelterinBìnhD??ngProvinceonAugust17.—PhotofromtheEmbassyofCanadatoVi?tNamHCMCITY–Forty-fivecrewmembersfromHisMajestysCanadianShip(HMCS)MontréaloftheRoyalCanadianNavyalongwithCanadasambassadortoVi?tNam,ShawnSteil,visitedtheTìnhM?2CharityShelterinBìnhD??ngProvinceonAugust17.TìnhM?2,ashelterformanyorphansandyoungmothersthatcurrentlyhousesover80children,islocatedinH?ng??nhWard,Thu?nAnCity,BìnhD??ngProvince.CanadianAmbassadortoVi?tNam,ShawnSteil(themanontheleft),ishelpingtoplantatreeattheTìnhM?2CharityShelterinBìnhD??ngProvinceonAugust17.—Photonld.com.vnThecrewmembersandCanadianAmbassadortoVi?tNamhaveparticipatedinmanycommunityserviceactivitiestosupporttheshelter,includingplantingtrees,repairingfacilities,andsharingmealswiththechildren.OneofthecrewmembersfromHisMajestysCanadianShip(HMCS)MontréaloftheRoyalCanadianNavyisstabilisingbricksattheTìnhM?2CharityShelterinBìnhD??ngProvinceonAugust17.–PhotofromtheEmbassyofCanadatoVi?tNamThisactivityispartofavisitbyHisMajestysCanadianShip(HMCS)MontréaloftheRoyalCanadianNavy,commandedbyLieutenantColonelTravisBain,alongwith247crewmembers,toHCMCityfromAugust15to19.Duringthevisit,thesailorsalsoengageincommunityandculturalactivities,includingmeetingstudentsfromtheUniversityofSocialSciencesandHumanitiesinHCMCity,learningtomakebánhxèo(crispypancake)atB?nThànhMarket,andparticipatinginsportsactivities.HMCSMontrealsfirstvisittoVi?tNamispartofOperationHORIZON,whichaimstopromotefreedom,stabilityandarules-basedinternationalorderunderCanadasIndo-PacificStrategy.—VNS
PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhspeaksatthemeetingonSaturday.—VNA/VNSPhotoD??ngGiangHàN?I—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhonAugust17askedtheRedRiverDeltaregiontotakeapioneeringroleininnovation,andtheutilisationofscience-technologyandresultsofthefourthindustrialrevolution.ChairingameetingoftheCoordinatingCouncilforRedRiverDeltaRegion,theGovernmentleadersaidtheregionshouldalsoleadthewayindevelopingthedigitaleconomy,greeneconomy,circulareconomy,sharingeconomy,knowledge-basedeconomy,andnight-timeeconomy,aswellasinadministrativereform,decentralisationassociatedwithresourcesallocation,andintheimprovementofenforcementcapacity,inspectionandsupervision.Atthesametime,theregionshouldputpeopleandbusinessesatthecentreofdevelopment,andtaketheleadinmobilisingsocialresources,especiallypublic-privatepartnership,forsustainabledevelopment,ensuringsocialequalityandprogressandprotectingtheenvironment,saidChính,whoisalsoChairmanofthecouncil.Heaskedtheregiontoreviewtheimplementationofsettargetsandtaskswithaviewtoidentifyingwhichtargetscanberealisedandwhichcannot,soastoworkoutsuitablesolutions.Fortheoperationofthecouncil,thePMsaiditshouldpaymoreattentiontoconnectivitybetweentheRedRiverDeltaanditsadjacentregions,andproposespecificinstitutions,mechanismsandpoliciestoenhanceregionalconnectivityanddevelopment,andoptimiseitsuniquepotential,opportunitiesandadvantages.Herequestedministries,agenciesandlocalitiestoquicklyworkoutaplantoimplementtheregionalmasterplanwithclearpolicy,concertedinfrastructure,andsmartadministration.ChínhsaidtheregionshouldfollowtheorientationofforminganationalgrowthdrivingzoneencompassingHàN?iandtheareasalongNationalHighways5and18runningthroughtheprovincesofB?cNinh,H?ngYên,H?iD??ng,andQu?ngNinh,andH?iPhòngcity;twosub-regions–thenorthandsouthoftheRedRiver;fourgrowthpoles-HàN?i,B?cNinh,Qu?ngNinh,andH?iPhòng;andfivedomesticeconomiccorridorsandinternationalconnections,comprisingtheeconomiccorridorsofB?cNinh-HàN?i-HàNam-NinhBình,LàoCai-HàN?i-H?iPhòng-Qu?ngNinh,HàN?i-TháiNguyên-B?cK?n-CaoB?ng,coastalQu?ngNinh-H?iPhòng-Nam??nh-NinhBình,and?i?nBiên-S?nLa-HòaBình-HàN?i.Theregionneedstorestructureitseconomicsectors,andreformitsgrowthmodeltowardsmodernity,promoteculturalindustries,science-technologyandinnovationservices,education-training,andhealthcare,anddevelophigh-tech,organic,circularagricultureinassociationwithnew-styleruralareabuilding,hecontinued.ThePMemphasisedtheneedtoprioritisemajorprojectsthatwoulddirectlyimpactsocio-economicdevelopment,alongwithinter-regionalandinternationalconnectivity,developnewandrenewableenergy,andupgradeirrigationinfrastructure.Hepointedtoothertasksregardinghumanresourcesdevelopment,climatechangeresponse,tourismdevelopment,administrativereform,investmentenvironmentimprovement,tradepromotion,andFDIattraction.Accordingtoareportpresentedatthemeeting,theregionseconomyexpanded7.21percentinthefirsthalfofthisyear,higherthanthenationalaverage.ItstotalStatebudgetcontributioninthefirstsevenmonthsexceededVN?521trillion(US$20.79billion),thehighestnationwide,makingup41percentofthecombinedStatebudgetrevenue.Duringtheperiod,theregionsexportwasvaluedatover$80billion,accountingfor35percentofthecountrystotalexportturnover.Theregionattracted$5.7billioninnewlyregisteredforeigninvestmentcapitalwith645projectsintheJanuary-Julyspan.—VNSHàN?I—HàN?iisgearingupforadoublecelebrationastheIndependenceDayandtheAugustRevolutiondrawnear.Thecityisalreadyadornedwithvibrantflagsandcolourfulbannersinpreparationfortheupcomingfestivities.Herearesomephotosthatcapturetheatmosphereinthecity.FlagsflyhighoneverystreettocelebrateIndependenceDayandtheAugustRevolution.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngAftermaintenance,theH?ChíMinhMausoleumhasre-openedtothepublic.PeoplecanvisittheMausoleumduringthefestivitiestopayrespecttoVi?tNamsFoundingFather.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngAneye-catchingposteradornsastreetinthecapitalcity.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngAstreetisawashwithcelebratoryflagsandbanners.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngAbannerthatreadsWarmlycelebratingthe79thanniversaryoftheAugustRevolution.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngVi?tNamflagproudlywavesatopHàN?isiconicflagpole.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùng
Sceneoftheaccident.—VNA/VNSPhotoQU?NGNINH—AdevastatingaccidentonBìnhMinhBridgehasleftfourteenagersdeadorinjured.Thecollisionoccurredataround9.00pmonFridayinH?LongCity,Qu?ngNinhProvince.H.A.T.,16,wasdrivingamotorbikewithV.D.H.,16,asapassengerwhentheycollidedwithanothermotorbikedrivenbyT.M.D.,16,withN.V.N.,15,asapassenger.Tragically,H.A.TandT.M.Dwerekilledintheaccident.V.D.H.andN.V.N.sustainedseriousinjuriesandwererushedtoQu?ngNinhsProvincialGeneralHospitalfortreatment.Theimpactcausedsignificantdamagetobothvehicles.Theaccidentisunderfurtherinvestigation.—VNSWorkersonamedicinalherbfarminThanhHoáProvince.—Photobaotintuc.vnExpertshavehighlightedtheneedforgreatereffortsfromboththeStateandbusinessestoachievethesustainabledevelopmentofVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustry.Vi?tNamiscurrentlyamongthecountrieswiththehighestpharmaceuticalmarketvalueandgrowthrateglobally.In2023,thecountryspharmaceuticalmarketwasvaluedatapproximatelyUS$7billion,withaverageconsumptionreachingUS$70percapita–10timeshigherthanin2000.Overthepastdecade,thedomesticpharmaceuticalindustryhasenjoyedsignificantgrowth,withacompoundannualrateof7.3percent.AccordingtotheWorldHealthOrganisationsclassification,Vi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustryisatlevel3,indicatingitscapabilitytoproducegenericdrugsandexportcertainpharmaceuticalproducts.UnderthenationalstrategyfordevelopingVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustryuntil2030,withavisionto2045,thecountryaimstobecomeakeyhubforthemanufacturing,processing,andtechnologytransferofbrand-namedrugs,particularlyinSoutheastAsia.Additionally,thestrategyseekstoelevatethedomesticpharmaceuticalindustrytoWHOlevel4,withagoalofcontributingover$20billiontothecountrysGDPby2045.TechniciansinalabatDHGPharmaceutical.—Photodhgpharma.com.vnThestrategyalsotargetsdomesticmedicineproductiontomeetabout80percentofthecountrysdemandformedicines,representing70percentofthemarketvalue,andtoproduce20percentoftherawmaterialsrequiredfordomesticdrugproduction.By2045,Vi?tNamenvisionsthatdomesticallyproduceddrugswillnotonlymeetlocaldemandbutalsosignificantlyincreaseforexport.Thenationiscommittedtodeepintegrationintotheglobalpharmaceuticalsupplychainasoutlinedinthestrategy.Alongsidethestrategy,theGovernmenthassubmittedadraftlawtoamendthe2016PharmacyLaw.Expectedtobeapprovedlaterthisyear,thelawwillintroducevariouspoliciesandguidelinesaimedatadvancingthepharmaceuticalindustry.LêV?nTruy?n,associateprofessor,PhD,formerDeputyMinisterofHealth,saidthatthestrategyandtheamendedlawpresentedsignificantopportunitiesforthedevelopmentofVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustryinboththeshortandlongterm.ChallengesremainTruy?n,however,notedthatVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustrywasfacingnumerouschallenges,especiallyasthecountryintegrateswiththeglobaleconomy.Amongthesechallengesaretheindustryslowmaterial-technical-technologybaseandtheabsenceofconcentratedpharmaceuticalandbiopharmaceuticalindustrialparks,accordingtoTruy?n.Suchparks,completewithecosystemsthatincluderesearchanddevelopmentcentres,bioequivalenceandbioavailabilitytestingfacilities,clinicaltrials,andpharmaceuticalandpackagingfactories,areessentialforsustainablegrowth.Meanwhile,mostdomesticpharmaceuticalcompaniesremainsmallinscalewithlimitedsales,andtherearenonational-scalepharmaceuticalcorporations.Digitaltransformationalsoposesasignificantchallengeformanydrugbusinesses.Hepredictedthattheshiftinthepharmaceuticalmarketstructurefromchemicaldrugstobiologicalandbiosimilardrugswouldacceleraterapidlyinthecomingyears.Truy?nemphasisedtheneedforVi?tNamtoenhanceitsresearchcapacityandtechnologyapplicationindrugproduction,aimingtobecomeacentreformanufacturing,processing,andtechnologytransfer.Heurgedbusinessestoproactivelyproducespecialiseddrugs,newtreatments,vaccines,andmedicalbiologicalproducts.Truy?nalsosuggestedthateachbusinessshouldreconsider,adjust,andadaptitsmedium-andlong-termdevelopmentstrategyinlinewiththeStatesguidelinesandtheevolvinginternationalanddomesticbusinessenvironmenttoimprovethecompetitivenessofVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustry.AccordingtoTr?nTh?Th?,vicepresidentoftheVietnamPharmaceuticalBusinessAssociation,domesticbusinessesshouldleverageinternalresourcestothrive.Sherecommendedthatsmallfirmsfocusonkeyproducts,avoidingduplicationwithlargerenterpriseswithmoreadvancedproductionlines.Th?saidthatnewlyestablishedorEU-GMP-certifiedbusinessescouldtargettheETCmarketsegment(drugsdistributedtohospitals),specialisinginproductssuchasvaccines,biologicalproducts,andmedicinalingredients.Shealsosuggestedthatbusinessesshouldcapitaliseonfreetradeagreements(FTAs)tocollaboratewithforeigninvestors,therebyproducingpharmaceuticalswithhightechnicalcontent.Meanwhile,V?Th?Tu?nAnh,presidentofNewtechcoGroup,underscoredtheimportanceofbuildinganecosystemthatencompassesproductresearch,theapplicationofnewtechnologiesinpharmaceuticalproduction,andthedevelopmentofwidespreaddistributionchannels,particularlyasmostdrugenterpriseshavelimitedfinancialresourcesandscatteredoperations.Anhhighlightedhergroupseffortstoattractfinancialresources,internationalinvestors,andtechnologyexpertsforthepharmaceuticalandbiopharmaceuticalindustrialparkprojectinTháiBìnhProvince.ThiswouldbethefirstprojectofitskindinVi?tNam,dedicatedtothedevelopmentofthepharmaceuticalandbiopharmaceuticalindustry.Itaimstobeahubforexpertsinbiotechnologyandpharmaceuticalchemistry,fosteringproductioninvestment,technologytransfer,training,andstartupincubationintheindustry.Expertsagreethatcollaborativeventureswithforeignpartnerswillbecrucialinenhancingdomesticcapabilities,fosteringinnovation,andincreasingthecompetitivenessofVietnamesepharmaceuticalproducts,especiallyasVi?tNamencouragesdomesticcompaniestointegrateintotheglobalpharmaceuticalsupplychain.VNS-----------------PharmaceuticalsectorseesgloomyperformanceinQ2/2024Mostpharmaceuticalcompaniesstruggledtoimprovetheirbusinessperformanceinthesecondquarterofthisyear,withsomeevenreportinglossesduetohighoperatingcosts.InQ2,DHGPharmaceuticalJSC(DHG)reporteda4percentyear-on-yeardeclineinnetrevenuetooverVN?1.1trillion,attributedtodecreasedpurchasingpower.Thecompanysafter-taxprofitalsodropped27percentyear-on-yeartoVN?192.4billion,accordingtothuonggiaonline.vn.Forthefirsthalfofthisyear,DHGspre-taxandafter-taxprofitsreachedVN?463billionandVN?415billion,respectively,downby32percentand33percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear,thecompanysfinancialstatementshows.Similarly,VidiphaCentralPharmaceuticalJSCsawitsaccumulatedprofitdeclineby30percentyear-on-yeartooverVN?33billioninH1,mainlyduetoasharpdecreaseinsalesandservicerevenueinQ2comparedtothepreviousyear.Anotherfirm,Traphaco,reportedanafter-taxprofitofoverVN?132billioninH1,down16percentyear-on-year,partlyduetoskyrocketingproductioncosts.VNS