MinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentLêMinhHoanspeaksattheForum.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—FarmersandcooperativesnationwidehaveraisedurgentconcernsaboutrestoringagriculturalproductionfollowingTyphoonYagiandrecentfloods,callingforimmediatesupportinseeds,livestockandagriculturalinputs.Theyalsoproposeddebtdeferrals,extendedrepaymentperiodsandnewloanstohelpaffectedhouseholdsswiftlyresumefarmingactivities.Theissueswerebroughttolightatthe9thNationalFarmersForumheldonMondayinHàN?i,chairedbytheCentralVi?tNamFarmersUnionandtheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.TheeventwaspartofthePrideofVietnameseFarmers2024programme.Attheforum,Nguy?nS?Bính,fromPh?tC?AquacultureCooperativeinnorthernQu?ngNinhProvince,saidthatthetyphoonhadwipedoutallthecooperativesaccumulatedfarmingassets,witheachmemberfacinglossesofaroundVN?5-6billion.Torestoreproduction,thecooperativeisinurgentneedoffinancialsupport.BínhurgedtheGovernment,relevantagenciesandtheFarmersUniontoparticipateindamageassessmentsandexpeditethedisbursementofpost-typhoonfinancialassistance.Hecalledonministriesandagenciestocontinueseekingfundsandprovidefarmerswithloans,debtdeferralsandpreferentialinterestratestohelpthemrebuildessentialinfrastructureforproduction.MinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentLêMinhHoanexpressedadmirationforfarmersresilienceinthewakeofTyphoonYagi.Hepraisedtheirdeterminationtorebuildandresumeproduction,notingthatjusttwotothreedaysafterthefloods,manyhadalreadybegunplantingwintercrops.Oneofthemostpressingconcernsforfarmersishowtoaccessfundingquicklytorestartproduction.TheStateBankofVi?tNamhasmovedswiftly,instructingcommercialbankstoassistfarmersinovercomingdifficultiesandrebuildingtheirlivelihoods,MinisterHoansaid.TheministeralsoannouncedthattheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentwouldholdfurtherdiscussionswiththecentralbankandcommercialbanksinthecomingweektoensurethatfundingreachesfarmersassoonaspossible.Hereaffirmedtheministryscommitmenttosupportingfarmersinrebuildinganddevelopingagriculturalproduction.Tacklinglandchallengeswithnewmulti-purposelandregulationsAttheforum,manyfarmersalsohighlightedtheneedforpoliciesandmechanismstosupportagriculturaldevelopment,particularlyintermsoflandplanning.Acommonissueraisedwasthelackofavailablelandforexpandingeconomicallyefficientproductionmodels.Tr?nKimPhi,afarmerfromB?cHòaVillageinNg?Th?yB?cCommune,L?Th?yDistrict,centralQu?ngBìnhProvince,explainedthatraisingsnakeheadfishincanvas-linedpondsonthesandylandofthedistrictisanewindustryprovidingjobsandbetterincomesforfarmers.However,expansionofthemodelishinderedbyashortageofavailableland.Similarly,Nguy?nH?uánh,anoutstandingfarmerfromsouthernCàMauProvince,sharedthatwhiletheregionisrichinaquaticresources,likeshrimpandfish,farmersfacechallengesinexpandingsuccessfulmodelsforeelandmarbledgobyfarming.CàMauProvincesuniquesoilconditionshaveprovenidealforeelfarming,butthecurrentlandplanningdesignates100percentoftheareaforagriculture,preventingchangesinlandusepurposeandlimitingopportunitiesforexpansion.Whilesomehouseholdsleavelandfallowbecausericefarmingresultsinlosses,manyotherswhowanttoswitchtoeelfarmingareunabletodosoduetorestrictionsonchangingagriculturallandusepurpose,ánhsaid.HeurgedtheGovernmenttoreconsiderlandusepoliciesinareaswherecertaincropsorlivestockaremoreeconomicallyviable,allowingfarmerstoimprovetheirhouseholdeconomiesandcontributetolocaldevelopment.PresidentoftheVi?tNamFarmersUnionL??ngQu?c?oànsharedtheseconcerns,notingthathehadvisitedlocalareasandobservedthepotentialforeelfarming.HeinvitedtheSecretaryofCàMauProvincePartyCommitteetovisittheregionandbothagreedtoseeksolutionstoresolvethesechallengesforfarmers.MinisterLêMinhHoanhighlightedthatthe2024LandLawintroducedtheconceptofmulti-purposeland,allowingagriculturallandtobeusedforaquaculture,animalhusbandry,oreventourism.Henoted,however,thatlocalauthoritiesarestilluncertainabouthowtoimplementthesechangesinthelaw.Theministerexpressedconfidencethatthenewlandconceptwouldhelpresolvelong-standinglandconversionissues,fromeelfarminginCàMautosnakeheadfishfarminginQu?ngBìnhandotherregions.Theforumalsoaddressedarangeofotherissues,includingbuildingagriculturalproductbrands,promotingthemondigitalplatforms,andimplementingpoliciestoencouragegreen,sustainableagricultureaimedatreducingemissions,inlinewiththegoalofachievingnetzero.—VNS

B?cGiangspoliceofficersdonatemoneyandessentialitemstoafamilyofTr?nV?nLànhinSaLyCommune.—PhotocourtesyofB?cGiangProvincialPoliceB?CGIANG—B?cGiangProvincialPolicesYouthandWomenCommitteeshaverecentlylaunchedaheartwarminginitiative,Companion–Share-ConnectwithLove,atSaLyCommune,L?cNg?nDistrict.Theinitiative,heldincommemorationofthe80thanniversaryofthePeoplesPublicSecurityForcesandthe20thanniversaryofNationalSecurityDay,focusedonsupportingthelocalcommunityandbuildingsocialties.KeyactivitiesincludedrenovatingtwodilapidatedhousesinthecommunetoprovidesecurehousingforvulnerablefamiliesandrepaintingtheSaLyMartyrsCemeteryasagestureofrespectandremembrance.Thecommitteeofficersalsoinstalledasecuritycamerasystemforlocalpoliceuseandguidedresidentsoncreatingonlineaccountsandregisteringforpublicservices.Theyalsoconductedlegaleducationworkshopsatalocalsecondaryschoolandoffered40giftpackagestochildrenandfamiliesinneed.SaLyCommunespolicegotheextramilebyworkingonSundaystoprovideIDcardservicestoresidents.—PhotocourtesyofB?cGiangProvincialPoliceTheinitiativewasfinancedbydonationsfrompolicepersonnelacrosstheprovince,approximatelyVN?80million(US$3,200)invalue.Thedonationsincludedcashandavarietyofgoods,rangingfromessentialsuppliestomorespecialiseditemssuchassolarpanels.HeadoftheYouthCommittee?oànV?nPh??ngcitestheinitiativeasavaluableopportunityforpoliticalandideologicaleducationwithinthepoliceforce.Byengaginginactivitiesthatbenefitsociety,policeofficerscultivateasenseofempathy,responsibility,anddedicationtopublicservice.Onthesameday,B?cGiangProvincialPolicealsohostedaculturalexchangenightwiththelocalcommunity,furtherstrengtheningbondsandbuildingapositiveimageofpoliceofficers.SaLyisoneofthemosteconomicallychallengedcommunesintheprovince,inhabitedprimarilybySánChíandTàyethnicminorities.Agricultureandforestryaretheirprimarylivelihoods,with9.24percentofhouseholdsclassifiedaspoorand12.97percentnear-poor.—VNSHeavyrainscausefloodinginresidentialareasonT?nTh?tThuy?tStreet,??ngHàCity,Qu?ngTr?Province.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Heavyrains,floodsandthunderstormssweepingthroughcentralVi?tNaminrecentdayshavecausedsignificantdamagetolives,propertyandinfrastructure,theDepartmentofDykeManagementandNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlhasreported.FloodwatersclaimedthelifeofaresidentinB?cHóaVillage,Qu?ngBìnhProvince,whodrownedwhileattemptingtorescueastudent.Thefloodsdamagedtenhouses,rippingroofsoffsevenhomesinQu?ngTr?andthreeinLam??ng.Agriculturallossesincluded1.5haofcornand322fruittreesinLam??ngProvincedestroyed.InfrastructureinQu?ngBìnhwasseverelyimpacted,with52sectionsofnationalhighwayssubmergedbyupto1.5mofwaterandalandslideoccurringonanothersection.AschoolinQu?ngTr?wasalsodamagedandnearly1,000householdsinQu?ngBìnhwerecutoffbythefloodscausedbyrainsfromNovember3toNovember6.Evacuationswerenecessaryfor328householdsacrossaffectedareas,with287householdsinQu?ngBìnhand41inTh?aThiên-Hu?relocatedtosafety.TheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecastinghasissuedacontinuedrainfallwarningfortheregionfromQu?ngTr?toKhánhHòa,predictinglocaliseddownpoursof50-100mm,withsomeareasreceivingover200mmuntiltheendofThursday.Thecentrecautionsthattherain,whichmayexceed100mminjustsixhoursincertainareas,posesasignificantfloodandlandslideriskforlow-lyingareas,smallriversandsteepslopes.Thenaturaldisasterrisklevelforthisstormperiodremainsatlevelone.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmenthasdirectedlocalauthoritiestoadherestrictlytoemergencydirectives,instructingprovincesfromHàT?nhtoBình??nhtoproactivelyevacuateresidentsinhigh-riskareas.Localagencieshavebeenmobilisedunderthefouron-the-spotprinciple,ensuringemergencysupplies,personnel,andequipmentarereadytorespondtoallsituationseffectively.Ministriesandlocalauthoritiesarecoordinatingeffortstosafeguardreservoirsanddownstreamareas,carefullymanagingreservoirlevelstomitigatefurtherfloodrisk.Personnelareoncontinuousduty,overseeingtransportsafetyinaffectedareas,particularlyonsubmergedroutes,landslide-pronezonesandothermajorthoroughfares.Broadcastingandmediaagencieshavebeenaskedtoincreasepublicsafetymessages,keepingresidentsinformedaboutweatherdevelopments.Coastalprovincesarealsoadvisedtoprepareforpossiblestrongwinds,highwavesandthunderstormsatsea.Emergencyresponseteamsareonstandbyacrossaffectedregions,withregularsituationreportsrelayedtotheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmenttoensureallactioniscoordinatedandtimely.—VNS

AfterCOVID-19,therealestatemarketdeclinedasresultoftheshortcomingsandlimitationsinthepreviousperiodwereexposedunderthepressureoftheglobalpandemic.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ng??tHàN?I—Withthepricehikesinthepastfewyears,HàN?iandHCMCityapartmentshavebecomeunaffordableformostofitscitizens.AccordingtoarecentreportbytheNationalAssemblyssupervisiondelegationontherealestatemarketlaws,policiesandsocialhousingdevelopment,about3,63commercialhousingandurbandevelopmentprojectswereinitiatedin2015-2023,coveringatotalareaofnearly11,200hectares.However,in2022and2023,therealestatemarketdeclinedasresultoftheshortcomingsandlimitationsinthepreviousperiodwereexposedunderthepressureoftheCOVID-19pandemic,leadingtoalimitedsupply.Duringthesetwoyears,housingpricessoared,exceedingtheincomeincreaseofmostpeopleinthetwomostpopulatedcitiesinthecountry.Today,HàN?iandHCMCitynolongerhavearealestatemarketsegmentwithinthereachofmostcitizens,accordingtothereport.In2022,HàN?isawasurgeinitsapartmentprices.HCMCityalsoreportedpricehikesandasharpdeclineinrealestatetransactions,leadingtoadisparitybetweenpricesandvalues.Notably,asignificantnumberofhousingprojectswerefacingobstaclesanddelaysduringthisperiod.Withhugeresourcespouredintotheseprojects,thisstagnationcausedinefficiencyinfundingandlanduse,drivingupsaleprices.HàN?ihasresolved158outofthe404housingprojectsfacingissues,whileHCMCitycounts220projectsinlimbo.Inthepastthreeyears,realestatedevelopmentinthecapitalcityhasbeenstagnantwithnonewprojectsapprovedforinvestment,thereportsaid.Mostoftheresidencesonthemarketbelongtoprojectsapprovedinthepreviousperiod.Meanwhile,approximately800socialhousingprojectswereinitiatedbetween2015and2023,totalling567,000apartments.Amongthese,373projectswerecompleted,129beganconstructionand298wereapprovedforinvestment.Ingeneral,socialhousinglawsandpoliciesduring2015-2023lackstability.Someofthekeyregulationsforsocialhousingdevelopmentdidnotreceiveadequateattentionorspecificguidelines,resultingindifficultiesforlocalities,theNAreportreads.Duringthisperiod,manylocalitiesfailedtomeetthedeadlinesfortheirsocialhousingdevelopmentprogramme.Theapprovalprocessforsocialhousingbeneficiariesandpriceevaluationoftentakeslongerthanscheduled,whichgreatlyaffectstheinvestmentcycle,capitalrecovery,interestpaymentsforinvestorsandpublicaccesstosocialhousing.Theaveragepriceforasocialhousingdepartmentremainstoohighcomparedtotheincomeofintendedbeneficiaries.ThefinancialsupportfromStatebudgettowardspreferentialsocialhousingcreditprogrammesisstillinadequate,whilethelendingproceduresarecomplicatedandoverlapping,andthemaximumloanamountforsocialpolicybeneficiariesislimitedanddidnotalignwiththeactualsituation,theNAdocumentreads.TheNAsupervisiondelegationrecommendedthatthegovernment,alongwithrelevantagencies,establisheffectivemechanismstoradicallyaddressstagnantrealestateprojects,therebyfreeingupresourcesforthemarketandcreatemomentumforsocio-economicgrowth.Authoritiesmustalsopreventthemarketfrom‘overheatingor‘freezing,whichposethreatstotheoverallsocio-economicdevelopment.Theyalsorecommendeddiversifyingrealestateproducts,tobalancesupplyanddemandinalignmentwiththeaverageincomeofthepeopleandeffectivelydeploysocialhousingdevelopmentprogrammeswiththeallocatedsupportpackageofVN?120trillion(US$4.7billion).—VNSLêNg?cNgh?,headofCátD?aRangerStationunderCátBàNationalPark,inapatrolinCátBàNationalPark.Photonguoiduatin.vnH?IPHòNG–TheforestrangersofCátBàNationalParkinH?iPhòngCityhavenotonlydedicatedtheiryouthtoprotectingtheforest,buttheyhavealsopassedontheirloveforittothenextgeneration.LêNg?cNgh?,headofCátD?aRangerStationunderCátBàNationalPark,isoneoftherangerswhohasbeenattachedtotheforestformorethan40years.In1983,IstartedworkingasalaboureratCátBàForestStation.In1986,whenCátBàNationalParkwasestablished,Ibecamearangerhereandhavebeeneversince.Mygreatestjoyiscontributinginasmallwaytoprotectingtheforest,Ngh?recalled.Ngh?isoneofthefirstrangersoftheCátBàNationalPark.Overnearly40years,manyhaveretired,somelosttheirworkingability,leavingonlyhimandoneothercolleaguewhostillremaintoprotecttheforest.Accordingtotheforestranger,whentheparkwasfirstestablished,thebiggestchallengewastransitioningfromforestexploitationtoforestprotection.Fortherangers,thejobbecameevenmorechallengingduetoconflictswithmanylocalpeoplewhohadlongreliedontheforestforwood,medicinalplants,andhunting,Ngh?toldnguoiduatin.vn.Between1986and1990,conflictsescalatedaslocalpeopledependentontheforestresentedtherangersofCátBàNationalParkforrestrictingtheiraccesstotheirlivelihood,hesaid.Since1990,thetensionshavegraduallyeasedandstopped.Nowadays,therangersaregreetedwarmlybypeopleinmanyareassuchasVi?tH?i,GiaLu?n,Hi?nHào,Xuan?ám,andTranChauinCátH?iDistrict.Explainingthischange,Ngh?saidthatthroughactiveoutreachandpersuasion,peoplehavecometounderstandandsympathisewiththerangerswork.Inparticular,astourismhasdeveloped,manylocalshaveshiftedtotourism-relatedjobs,whichofferhigherandmorestableincomes,helpingthemleavebehindthedifficultanddangerouslifeofforestwork.Havingdedicatedmyyouthtoprotectingtheforestandsoonretirement,Ionlyhopethatyoungerrangerswillcontinuethiswork,Ngh?said.Protectingtheforestmeanssafeguardingthelivelihoodoffuturegenerationsandpreservingvaluablegeneticresources,hesaid.SilentlangurguardiansFatherandsonNguy?nHuyC?mandNguy?nHuyThành.Photonguoiduatin.vnAmongthosewholovetheCátBàlangur—theworldssecondmostendangeredprimate,foundonlyinCátBàNationalPark—everyoneknowsNguy?nHuyC?m,deputyheadofEoBùaRangerStationunderCátBàNationalPark.C?mhasbeendedicatedtotheCátBàlangurfornearly20yearsandcapturednumerousinvaluableimagesandfootageofthem.C?msaidthathebeganworkingasarangeratCátBàNationalParkin1994.WhentheparkestablishedalangursanctuaryinGi?Cùng,hewasassignedthere.Later,hebecametheparksspecialenvoytocollaboratewithandassistanon-governmentalorganisationintheCátBàLangurConservationProject.Recently,duetohisparentsseriousillnesses,C?mrequestedtobetransferredtoEoBùaRangerStationtobeclosertothem.ThroughoutmytimewiththeCátBàlangur,twoincidentshaveleftalastingsadness.Thefirstwasinthewinterof2019.Whilepatrollingbysea,Isawamalelangurattackinganothergroup.Itbitanewbornlangur,throwingitintothesea.Despitethecold,IjumpedintothewatertosavethebabylangurandbroughtittotheCátBàNationalParkcentre.ThebabylangurwasthensenttotherescuecentreatCúcPh??ngNationalParkfortreatment.Unfortunately,itdiedenrouteduetosevereinjuries,herecalled.Thesecondincidentoccurredsometimelater,whenhewitnessedamalelangurkillfivenewborns.Afterobservingclosely,Isawoneinfantsbodyfloatingonthewater,stillbarelyalive.Itookitbacktotheparkcentre,butittoodidnotsurvive,C?msaidwitheyesmoistwithtears.C?mslovefortheforestandtheCátBàlangurhasbeenpassedontohisson,Nguy?nHuyThành,bornin1998.ThànhofficiallybecamearangeratCátBàNationalParkinOctober2024.SinceIwasyoung,Iwenttotheforestwithmyfatherwheneverpossible.Igrewtolovetheforestthroughhisstoriesandthoseofotherrangers,especiallytheimagesofthelangurherdsthathecapturedandcherished,Thànhsaid.So,eventhoughIhadopportunitiestoworkincompanieswithincomesthreetofourtimeshigher,IchosetofollowinmyfathersfootstepsasarangertoprotecttheforestandtheCátBàlangur,thenewly-employedrangersaid.LangursinCátBàNationalPark.Photonguoiduatin.vnAccordingtoPh?mV?nPhúc,deputydirectorofCátBàNationalPark,sincethebeginningoftheyear,15newlangurbabieshavebeenborn,bringingthetotalpopulationtooverninetyindividuals—thehighestcountindecades.Recently,goldenmonkeyshavebeenspotteddescendingtotheparkcentretoplay.Atnight,thecallsofgeckosfilltheair,andoccasionally,peoplecatchsightoflargeBurmesepythonsglidingalongtheroadside.NotonlytheCátBàlangur,butotherwildlifeinCátBàNationalParkisalsorevivingthankstoprotectionefforts.VNSJobseekersattendaninterviewattheUEHCareerFairinHCMCityonNovember3.—PhotocourtesyoftheUniversityofEconomicsHCMCityHCMCITY—Despiteeconomicuncertainties,overalljobordersinthethirdquarterofthisyearheldstablecomparedtothesameperiodlastyear,drivenbyrobusthiringinmanufacturingandtentativesignsofrecoveryinbankingandfinancialservices,accordingtoareportreleasedbythepayroll,recruitmentandhumanoutsourcingagencyAdeccoVietnam.Duringtheperiod,industrialsalesalsoexperiencedaslightriseindemand,whilehiringforback-officefunctionsremainedconsistentyearoveryear,theVietnamTalentMarketUpdateshowed.Themanufacturingandsourcingsectorssawasubstantialriseinjoborders,upby35percentyear-over-yearand52percentfromthepreviousquarter.Thisgrowthhasbeenboostedbyincreasingexportdemandandforeigndirectinvestment(FDI),particularlyintheelectronics,textile,garment,andrenewableenergysectors.Nguy?nTh?ThuPh??ng,directorofpermanentrecruitmentservicesatAdeccoVietnam,said,Weareseeinganuptickindemandforspecialisedroleslikeproductionleaders,qualityengineers,andsourcingmanagers,withChineselanguageskillsincreasinglydesired.ThiscomesinthewakeofsignificantFDIinflows,whichreachedUS$24.78billioninthefirstninemonthsof2024,withover60percentdirectedtowardthemanufacturingandprocessingindustry,shesaid.Industrialsalespositionsalsorecordedamodestrise,notablyinmechanicalandelectrical(ME)rolesasfirmsexpandtonavigateeconomicshifts.Technologyhiringhasshownconsistentgrowth,mainlydrivenbyongoingdigitaltransformationtrends,withhighdemandforJava,DevSecOpsandcybersecurityskills.Nationwidehiringintechhasincreased35percentyear-over-year,withaslight5percentrisefromQ2.ThebankingandfinancialservicessectorssawanupswinginhiringduringQ3,whichhasbeenpartlysupportedbychangesinfinancialconditions.FollowingseveralratecutsbytheStateBankofVietnam,banksbenefitedfromincreasedliquidity,whicheasedsomepressureontheircapitalandhelpedimprovehiringinareaslikeinvestmentandrelationshipmanagement.Jobordersinthissectorroseby35percentcomparedtothequieterperiodlastyear.High-demandpositionsincludeinvestmentmanagers,corporaterelationshipmanagers,andcollectionspecialists.Back-officeroleslikehumanresourcesandfinanceaccountinghavestayedsteady,whichmatchesindustryprioritiesofcautiousgrowthamideconomicuncertainties.ThenotableincreaseinFMCGmarketingandsalesrolessuggeststhatcompaniesinthissectorareinvestinginbrandgrowthandmarketshareexpansion,likelydrivenbyconsumerspendingrecovery.Inhealthcare,hiringfornursingandmedicaltechnologyrolesremainsstablebutmodest,reflectingthesectorsbalancedapproachtoscalingoperationswhilemanagingresourceseffectively.KeyaccountmanagersandsalesandmarketingprofessionalsareinhighdemandacrossbothFMCGandhealthcaresectors.Nguy?nHoàngThanhCh??ng,headofpermanentrecruitmentserviceatAdeccoVietnam,said,Afterachallengingfirstninemonths,foreigninvestmentandarecoveringglobaleconomyhavesupportedrecentmomentum.Lookingahead,Q4isexpectedtosustainthistrend,withananticipatedreboundinrealestateandcontinueddemandforskilledtalentacrossindustries.Localtalentshouldprioritisenotonlysecuringcurrentopportunitiesbutalsopreparingforfuturecareeradvancement.CareerFairMorethan30companiestookpartintheUEHCareerFairthatopenedinHCMCityonNovember3.Thesecompaniesofferedmorethan2,000jobvacanciesforstudentsandworkersinthecityandneighbouringprovinces.Theeventfeaturedaseriesofactivitiestohelpstudentsassesscareerorientationandinternships,andimprovetheirskillstointegrateintothelabourmarket.Assoc.Prof.BùiQuangHùng,deputydirectoroftheUniversityofEconomicsHCMCity,theeventsorganiser,saiditwasthesecondtimethefairhadbeenorganisedthisyear,reaffirmingitscommitmenttoconnectingorganisations,businesses,andindividualstoworktogetherforthegoalofsustainabledevelopmentforeducationandsociety.—VNS

OfficialsfromtheB?cGiangProvincialPeoplesCommittee,YouthUnionandYouthFederationpresenttheVolunteerAwardstoindividualsandgroups.B?CGIANG—TheB?cGiangProvincesH?ChíMinhCommunistYouthUnionandtheprovincialYouthFederationhavepresentedVolunteerAwardsto11individualsandorganisations,commemoratingthe25thanniversaryoftheSummerVolunteerCampaign.TheunionandfederationalsogavetheOctober15Awardtoatotalof12individuals.TheawardisfromtheVi?tNamYouthFederationgiventoindividualswithoutstandingachievementsinunionworkandyouthmovements.Alongsidethese,tenexemplaryyoungindividualswerealsogiventheBeautifulYouthaward.Theawardsaimtohonour,encourageandpromotetheachievementsofoutstandingindividualsandgroups,whohavemadesignificantcontributionstovolunteerworkinthecommunity.SecretaryoftheprovincialYouthUnionandPresidentoftheprovincialYouthFederationThanTrungKiên,saidthat25yearsago,theH?ChíMinhCommunistCentralYouthUnionofficiallylaunchedthenationwideyouthvolunteermovement.Overthepastquartercentury,remarkableresultswereachievedbyyouthunion,theyoungfederation,youthvolunteersandorganisationsacrossthecountry,contributingtolocaleconomicandsocialdevelopment,aswellashelpingtoliftdisadvantagedareas.InB?cGiangProvince,themovementbeganwithtwovolunteerteams,comprisingjust50members.Today,theprovinceboastshundredsofregularvolunteerteamswithmillionsofvolunteersparticipatingacrossdifferentsectors.RepresentativesfromtheCentralYouthUnionandtheYouthFederationofB?cGiangProvinceawardtheBeautifulYouthprizetoexemplaryindividuals.Numerousvolunteermovementsandmodelsinitiatedbytheyouthunionhadproducedpracticaloutcomes,becomingshiningexamplesandspreadingnationwide.NotableinitiativesincludedtheEmt?i?ithiprogramme,thecampaigntoeliminatetemporaryanddilapidatedhomes,digitisinghistoricalsitesandstreetnames,buildingonlinesalesplatformstohelpyoungpeoplegainmoreincomeandpromotingagriculturalproduceviae-commerceplatforms.ActingChairmanoftheprovincialPeoplesCommitteeMaiS?n,praisedtheachievementsofthecampaignoverthepast25years.Hecommendedthecontributionsofyoungpeople,studentsandtheyouthunionandfederationacrosstheprovince.Hefurtherurgedtheyouthunionandfederationtocontinuetreatingthecampaignasavitalpoliticalactivitytostrengthentheorganisationanditsapparatus.Throughthevolunteermovement,hesaid,itispossibletoidentifyandnurtureoutstandingtalentsfortheyouthunion,providinghigh-qualityhumanresourcesforlocalPartyandGovernmentofficials.Hecalledforcontinuedeffortstofostervolunteermovementsthattransformedtheenergyofyouthintoaction,inspiringyoungpeopletofullyharnessthepotentialoftheiryouthandcontributetothenationsprogressasitenteredanewera.—VNS??Th?MaifromKhiêuHamlet,Ph??ngS?nTown,withherchickenssupportedthroughthesustainablepovertyreductionprogramme.B?CGIANG—PovertyreductioneffortsinB?cGiangProvincehaveachievedremarkablesuccessinrecentyears,drivenbyacombinationofstronggovernmentsupportandtheunwaveringdeterminationoflocalresidents.Theseinitiativeshavenotonlyresultedinsignificantimprovementsinlivingconditions,buthavealsolaidthegroundworkforsustainabledevelopmentintheregion.TheprovinceincreasinglyaffirmsitscommitmenttothegoalofWorkingTogetherforthePoor-NoOneLeftBehindthroughflexibleandinnovativemethodstailoredtolocalconditions.AspartoftheNationalTargetProgrammeonSustainablePovertyReductionfortheperiod2021-2025,B?cGiangaimstoreducetheprovincialpovertyratebyanaverageofonepercenteachyear.Todate,theprovincehasconsistentlyexceededitstargets,achievinganaverageannualpovertyreductionof1.32percentfrom2021to2023.In2021,thefirstyearunderthenewpovertystandards,theprovincialpovertyratestoodat5.27percent.Thisfiguredecreasedto3.81percentin2022andfurtherto2.63percentin2023.Notonlyhastheprovinceachievednotablereductionsinpoverty,butthesustainabilityofitspovertyalleviationmeasureshasalsoimproved.From2016to2020,theaveragerateofhouseholdsfallingbackintopovertywas0.64percentandthisfiguredecreasedto0.39percentduringthe2021-2023period.DeputydirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs,Tr??ng??cHu?n,saidthattheprovincesapproachinvolvesmobilisingtheentirepoliticalsystemandsociety,fosteringaspiritofself-relianceamongthepoor.S?n??ngDistrict,oneofthepoorestdistrictsinthecountry,hasachievedanaverageannualpovertyratereductionoffivepercentfrom2020to2023,surpassingthetargetof2.5to3percent.In2023alone,thedistrictrecordedapovertyreductionof5.23percent,exceedingitsgoalof4percent.LocalauthoritiesandresidentsarenowfocusedonimplementingstrategiestoliftS?n??ngoutofpovertyby2025.DeputychairwomanofS?n??ngDistrictPeoplesCommittee,T?ngTh?H??ngGiang,notedthatthedistrictcombinessolutionstosupportproduction,createjobsandincreaseincomesforthepoorwhileprioritisingresourcesforinfrastructuredevelopment.Throughtheprojectforsupportinginvestmentinsocio-economicinfrastructureinpoordistricts,apartoftheNationalTargetProgrammeonSustainablePovertyReductionfortheperiod2021-2025,S?n??nghasreceivedoverVN?374.4billion(US$14.74million).Thisfundinghasfacilitatedtheimprovementandconstructionoffiveinter-communaltransportprojects,enhancinggoodstransportandcommunityservices,alongsidetheestablishmentoffourhealthstationsservingover3,500households.Thedistricthasalsomaintainedandrepaired44ruralroadsandpumpingstations,strengtheningessentialinfrastructureforproductionandlivingstandards,creatingregionalconnectivityandpromotingtradetosupportsustainablepovertyreduction.B?cGiangaimstoreducetheprovincialpovertyrateto1.8percentbytheendof2024,andto0.9percentbytheendof2025.PrioritisingresourcesfordifficultareasB?cGianghasallocatednearlyVN?720.7billionfortheNationalTargetProgrammeonSustainablePovertyReductionduringthe2021-2024period,encompassingsevencomponentprojects.BàngV?nVisfamilyfromTu?n??oCommune,S?n??ngDistrict,showcasestheirsuccessfulmedicinalplantcultivationmodel.Localauthoritieshaveadoptedflexibleandinnovativemeasurestoprioritiseresourcesforchallengingareas,applyingappropriatesupportmethodsthatalignwiththerealconditionsofthepoortomaximiseeffectiveness.From2021to2023,underthelivelihooddiversificationandpovertyreductionmodelexpansionproject,B?cGianghasimplemented230projectssupportingproductiondevelopment,including27cropprojectsand203livestockprojects,benefittingnearly3,300poorhouseholdsand1,840near-poorhouseholds,with335householdsescapingpoverty.L?cNam,oneofthemountainousdistrictsinB?cGiangwithasignificantethnicpopulation,hasalsoseenprogress.In2024,thelocalauthorityallocatedfundsfor25projectstosupporthouseholdsinlivestockandcropproduction,withatotalbudgetofoverVN?5.1billion.HeadoftheDepartmentofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsinL?cNamdistrict,V?HoàiS?n,saidthattoenhancetheeffectivenessofsupportforresidents,localauthoritiesprovideinformationaboutsupportprogrammeswithoutimposingrestrictions,allowinghouseholdstochoosesuitablecropsandlivestockbasedontheirproductionconditions,climateandlocalsoilquality.Theyalsoformgroupsofexperiencedfarmerstoassistpoorerhouseholds.Afterbeingclassifiedasapoorhouseholdduetohealthissues,??Th?Mai,40,fromKhiêuHamlet,Ph??ngS?nTown,received450chicksthroughthesustainablepovertyreductionprogramme.Localofficialsassistedherinbuildingchickencoopsandprovidedtraininginanimalcare.Choosingpoultryfarmingtosuitherfamilysneeds,Maisflockisnowthrivingandsheanticipatesescapingpovertybyyearsend.Toaddressthehousingshortageforpoorandnear-poorhouseholds,L?ngGiangDistricthasintensifiedadvocacyandmobilisedcommunityresourcesfrombusinesses,philanthropists,partymembers,andthepublic.In2024,localauthoritiesidentified156householdsinthedistrictneedingneworrepairedhousing.Withinsevenmonthsoflaunchingthecampaign,theymobilisedoverVN?5.1billionincash,successfullyeliminatingtemporaryanddilapidatedhomesforpoorfamiliesandveterans.TheseinnovativeapproacheshavesignificantlyimprovedthematerialandspirituallivesofthepoorinB?cGiang,encouragingamindsetshifttowardsself-empowerment.Eachyear,hundredsofhouseholdsrequestremovalfromthepovertylist,with113familiesoptingtoescapepovertyin2023alone.—VNS

FishingboatequippedwithajourneymonitoringdeviceinQu?ngBình.VNA/VNSPhotoTáChuyênHàN?IPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhorderedauthoritiestolaunchastrictcampaigninNovembertocombatfishingvesselsthatlackproperdocumentationandfailtomeetlegalstandardsforfishingactivities.DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàsignedadirectiveonMonday,onbehalfofthePrimeMinister,regardingurgentmeasurestocombatillegal,unreportedandunregulated(IUU)fishing.ThedirectivealsocallsforthoroughpreparationtohosttheEuropeanCommissions(EC)fifthinspectionteam.ThedirectivewassenttoministersfromtheMinistriesofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,Finance,PlanningandInvestment,InformationandCommunications,ForeignAffairs,PublicSecurity,andNationalDefence,alongwithchairsofthe28coastalprovincialandcityPeoplesCommitteesandthechairpersonsofrelevantfisheryassociations,suchastheVi?tNamFisheriesAssociation.ThedirectivehighlightsthatdespitesevenyearsofIUUcountermeasures,numerouscriticaltargetsandobjectivesremainunmet.Theseincluderegistration,issuanceoffishingpermits,addressingthethree-nos(noregistration,noownership,nofishinglicences)vesselsandensuringcompliancewithvesselmonitoringsystem(VMS)regulations.TolifttheYellowCardwarningfromtheEC,whichcouldaffectVi?tNamsfisheriessector,thePrimeMinisterhasurgedthateachagencyestablishesspecificrolesandresponsibilities,clearcompletiontimelinesandoutcomes.Thedirectiverequiresstrictaccountabilityfromagencyheadsforthecompletionofassigneddutiesandencouragestimelyrecognitionordisciplinaryactionforcomplianceornegligence.ThroughoutNovember,lawenforcementagenciesareinstructedtoconductintensivepatrolstoidentifyandaddressthree-nosvessels,unauthorisedfishingactivitiesandunregisteredvesselsstilloperating.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,togetherwiththeMinistryofInformationandCommunicationsandtheMinistryofScienceandTechnology,willstandardisespecificationsforVMSdevicestopreventtamperingandensureconnectivityfortrackingfishingvessels.TheywillworkwithrelevanttechnologycompaniestoenhanceVi?tNamsfisheriesinformationmanagementsystem,theVNFishbasenationalfisheriesdatabaseandVMSmonitoringwithAItechnology.TheMinistryofNationalDefencewilltasktheNavy,BorderGuard,andCoastGuardtoincreasepatrolsnearborderareaswithothercountries,whereVietnamesefishingvesselshaverepeatedlyinfringeduponforeignwaters.TheMinistryofPublicSecuritywilldirectcoastalprovincialpolicetoregulateundocumentedfishingvesselsales,purchasesandtransfers.TheMinistryofForeignAffairswillencouragediplomaticcooperationtoshareandobtaindatafromforeignauthorities,aswellastosignbilateralagreementsandestablishhotlineserviceswiththesecountriestocoordinateactiononVietnamesefishingvesselsandcrewmembers.Specifically,thechairpersonsofthe28coastalprovincialandcityPeoplesCommitteesareexpectedtoleadlocalIUUpreventionefforts.Theyareinstructedtopromptlycategoriseandassessthestatusofallvessels,addressremainingissuesrelatedtoundocumentedvesselsandensuretheirdetailsarerecordedintheVNFishbasedatabase,tobecompletedbyNovember20.VNS

PassengersontheCátLinh-Hà??ngelevatedrailwayline.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–HàN?iwilldeployelectriccarstocarrypassengersfromresidentialareastotwourbanrailwaylines,accordingtothecitysDepartmentofTransport.ManyindividualsnowchoosetogotoworkandschooleverydayviatheCátLinh-Hà??ngelevatedrailwaylineandtheNh?n-HàN?iRailwayStationline.However,residentialneighbourhoodsarestillnotconnectedtotheseurbantrainlines.Afternearlythreeyearsofoperation,theCátLinh-Hà??ngelevatedrailwaylinehasrecordedmorethan35,000dailypassengers,47percentofwhomarecommutingtowork,45percentarestudentsand8percentaretravellingforotherpurposes.TheNh?n–HàN?iRailwayStationMetroline,whichwasputintocommercialoperationonAugust23,2024,isalsobeingusedbymanypassengersforcommuting.Thecurrentsystem,whichconsistsofnineconnectingbusroutesand36busroutes,hasconnectedthetworailwaylines.However,peoplestillwantmorebusroutesfromresidentialareastostations.AccordingtoDirectoroftheDepartmentofTransportNguy?nPhiTh??ng,thecityplanstohavetenurbanrailwayrouteswithatotallengthof417km.Todate,tworouteshavebeenputintooperation.ThemunicipalPeoplesCommitteehasproposedthatthePrimeMinisterallowthecitytoadjustthetrafficplanningfrom10routesto14routescoveringnearly600km.TheCátLinhStationoftheCátLinh–Hà??nglineiscurrentlyabout400mawayfromtheCátLinhStationoftheNh?n–HàN?iline.Wehaveproposedinvestinginatunnelconnectingthetwostations,hesaid.Inadditiontotheelectriccars,thecitywoulddevelopapublicbicyclesystemtofacilitatepassengerstotravelfromresidentialareastourbanrailwaylines,hesaid.–VNSFirefightersatthesceneofadeadlyblazethatengulfedakaraokebarinthesouthernprovinceofBìnhD??ng,inSeptember,2022,killing32people.—VNA/VNSPhotoBìNHD??NG—AkaraokebarownerhasbeensentencedtoeightyearsinprisonforfiresafetyviolationsthatcausedafireinBìnhD??ngProvincethatkilled32peopletwoyearsago.TheBìnhD??ngProvincialPeoplesCourtonWednesdayfoundLêAnhXuan,owneroftheAnPhúkaraokebar,failedtoinspectfirepreventionsystemsduringrenovations,leadingtothedeadlyfire.ThejudgesimposedasentencelongerthantheProcuracysrecommendationoffivetosixyearsforthe43-year-oldman.Otherdefendants,includingformerfiredepartmentofficials,receivedprisonsentencesbetweenfiveyearsandsevenyearsandsixmonthsforthesamecharge.AformerofficeroftheThu?nAnCityFireDepartmentwassentencedtofouryearsfornegligence,causingseriousconsequences.Thecourtalsoorderedthedefendantstocollectivelycoverfuneralcosts,mentalanguishdamages,andsupportforthevictimschildrenuntilage18.AformerlieutenantcolonelandheadofThu?nAnCitysFirePreventionPoliceTeamwasindictedonsimilarcharges,buthiscasewasdismissedafterhedied.Theblaze,whicheruptedinBìnhD??ngProvincenearthecommercialhubofHCMCity,promptedtheclosureofthousandsofkaraokebarsacrossthecountryduetonon-compliancewithfiresafetyregulations.Thefireengulfedthesecondfloorofthe30-roomAnPhúkaraokebuildinginSeptember2022,trappingpatronsandstaffasthicksmokefilledthestaircaseandobstructedtheemergencyexit.Manysoughtrefugeonabalconytoescapetheflames,whichrapidlyspreadthroughthewoodeninterior,whileotherswerecompelledtojumpfromthebuilding.Atotalof32individualsperishedintheblaze,including17menand15women.Authoritieshavetightenedthemanagementofkaraokebarsnationwidesincethedeadlyaccident.Vi?tNamstruggleswithfiresafetyviolations,especiallyinkaraokebarsinnarrow,poorlydesignedbuildingswithinsufficientexits,asanescapeduringafireisalmostimpossible.—VNS

TunnelNo.2oftherailwayrenovationprojectintheKheNétPasswasdugaheadofschedule.—Photobaodautu.vnQU?NGBìNH—Tunnelnumbertwo,partoftherailwayrenovationprojectintheKheNétPassareaofthecentralprovinceofQu?ngBình,wasofficiallyclearedonWednesday(October30),twomonthsaheadofschedule.TherailwayrenovationprojectintheKheNétpassarea,partoftheHàN?i-HCMCityrailwayline,beganinApril2024,hastunnelwithlengthof580mandtunnelNo.2withlengthof355m.ArepresentativefromtheprojectmanagementboardexplainedthatthetwotunnelsintheKheNétpassareahaveuniquecharacteristics,runningalongmountainsideswiththinsurfacelayersandcomplex,constantlychanginggeologythatdidnotmatchtheinitialtechnicaldesigns.Toaddressthesechallenges,thecontractorconsortiumworkedcloselywiththeprojectownerandmonitoringconsultantstofollowtheconstructionsiteanddevelopappropriatereinforcementmethodstoensuresafetyandqualityaccordingtotheactualgeologicalconditions.Inaddition,themanagementboardencounteredsomedifficultiesduetodelaysinlandhandovercomparedtotheoriginalplan,aswellasobstaclesinleasinglandforserviceroadsandfindingsuitablelocationsforwastedisposalsites.Specifically,somedesignatedwastedisposalsitesarelocatedonagriculturalland,causingdifficultiesinlandclearanceduetothelackofcompensationfromtheprojectowner.Tomeetthescheduledtimeline,thecontractorconsortiummadeconcertedefforts,proactivelyimplementingconstructionsolutionsandenhancinginternaltrainingtoincreaseproductivityamongengineersandworkers,withthree-shift,four-teamoperations.Thecontractorconsortiumalsocontinuouslymonitoredthegeologytopromptlyadjustreinforcementmethods,ensuringtheprojectssafetyandquality.Currently,mostofthedifficultieshavebeenresolved.ThegoalistocompletetunnelonebyApril2025,followedbyconcreteliningandfinishingworksfortunnelonebyNovember2025,andtunneltwobySeptember2025.Theprojectcomprisestwocontractpackages,XL01andXL02,involvingtheconstructionoftworailwaytunnelsaswellasbridge,railway,andsignallinginfrastructure,withatotalinvestmentofoverVN?2trillion(US$79million).VNSAyoungpersondoesawheeliemanoeuvreonacrowdedstreetinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofPublicSecurityrecentlyproposedraisingthefinesforallowingaminortooperateavehicletofive-foldthecurrentlevel.Ifapproved,thepenaltyforallowinganunderagepersontodrivewouldincreasetoVN?28-30million(US$1,100-1,180),fromthecurrentVN?4-6million($160-240).SpeakingtoVietnamnet,SeniorColonelPh?mQuangHuy,deputydirectoroftheTrafficPolicedepartmentsaidthatthepublicsecurityministryisampingupeffortstopreventstudentsandminorsfromrecklessdriving.Inadditiontodirectfinesforminormotorists,wemustholdthosewhoallowthemtodriveaccountable,asthisactionindirectlyincreasestheaccidentrisksforothersandrequiresstrictpenalties,saidHuy.Thefineincreaseisalsoaformofdeterrenceandwouldraiseawarenessfortrafficlawcompliance,hesaid.Inadditiontohandlingviolations,theTrafficPoliceDepartmentalsoconductscampaignswithlocalauthorities,educationalinstitutions,andorganisationstopreventminorsfromcommittingviolationsthatputthemselvesandothersatrisk.—VNS

Vàngwastakenintocustodybythepolice.—Photoanninhthudo.vnHàN?I—TheMinistryofHomeAffairshasissuedanationwidewarningfollowingtheexposureofafraudulentschemeinwhichagroupcreatedafakeorganisationtoissueconterfeitEnglishlanguagecertificates.CambridgeInternationaltargetedindividualsseekinglanguagecredentialsforcareeradvancement.Thegroup,ledbyLêV?nVàng,43,andL??ngVi?tAnh,37,initiallyaimedtoprovideEnglishtrainingcourses,buttheplanwassuspendedduetoCOVID-19.SeeingademandforEnglishcertification,theyestablishedconnectionswithaneducationalinstitutewhereVi?tAnhservedasdirector,tolaunchunauthorisedEnglishproficiencyexams.Theseexams,advertisedasgloballyrecognised,wereconductedonlineandmarketedtopeopleinneedofcertificates.Accordingtotheinvestigation,VàngandhisassociatespromotedCambridgeInternationalasaprestigiousinternationalorganisation,dupingover4,200candidates.Theexamswereheldonweekends,andcertificatesweresoldforbetweenVN?2.3million(US$91)andVN?18million($701)each.Thegroupalsocreatedtwowebsites,cambridgetest.onlineandcbriglobal.info,tofacilitateonlinetestingandattractmorecandidates.Theexamstructuremimickedinternationallyacceptedtests,suchasIELTS,withautomaticscoringacrossfourlanguageskills:listening,speaking,readingandwriting.Inanattempttolendcredibilitytotheirorganisation,thegroupcreatedafakeAcceptanceLettersignedbyafictionalrepresentative,MaxMooney,underaforgedCambridgeInternationalCEFRseal.Authoritiesuncoveredthisfraudafterseizingmultipledevicesanddocumentsrelatedtothescheme,includingtwofakesealsbearingtheorganisationsname.Followingtheincident,theMinistryofHomeAffairshasurgedallministriesandagenciestoreviewthecredentialsofofficialsandcivilservantswhomayhaveusedthesefraudulentcertificates.Anyofficialsfoundtohavefalsifiedtheirqualificationswillbesubjecttodisciplinaryaction.TheMinistryhasalsoadvisedincreasingawarenessaboutsuchfraudulentschemes,emphasisingtheimportanceofcautionandduediligenceinselectinglanguagecertificationproviders.—VNSFirst-yearstudentsofHCMCityUniversityofMedicineandPharmacyenrollinadmission.AmongState-ownedhealthcaretraininginstitutes,theuniversitychargesthehighesttuition.Photothanhnien.vnHCMCITYThemedicalfieldhassomeofthehighesttuitionfeesandlongesttrainingperiodsinacademia,butnotallgraduatesareabletofindemploymentthatmatchestheirefforts.Thepastfewyearshaveseenhighnumbersofmedicalstaffinpublichealthcarefacilitiesquittheirjobstomovetoprivatehealthcare,duemainlytolowsalariesandbenefitsinthepublicsector.Tuitionfeesforhealthsciencemajorsatuniversitiesandcolleges,especiallythoseinvolvedinmedicine,arecurrentlyextremelyhigh,atnearlyVN?200millionperyearatsomeinstitutions.Accordingtothetuitionfeescheduleannouncedforthe2024-2025schoolyear,non-autonomous(orState-supported)schoolscancollectamaximumofVN?27.6millionperstudenteachschoolyear,whichlastsfortenmonths.SchoolsthatareabletoensureregularexpenditurescancollectamaximumofVN?55.2millionperstudentperyear,whileautonomousschoolscancollectfeeofuptoVN?69millionperstudentperyear.Studentsinaccreditedprogrammesmustpayhigherfeesbasedontheirschool.AmongState-ownedhealthcaretraininginstitutes,HCMCityUniversityofMedicineandPharmacychargesthehighesttuitionatVN?80millionperacademicyear.H?ngBàngInternationalUniversityhasthehighesttuitioncostsamongprivateuniversitieswithfeesofVN?180millioneveryacademicyear,followedbyTanT?oUniversityandNguy?nT?tThànhUniversity,bothofwhichchargeVN?150million.Currenttuitionfeesforhealthcareandpharmaceuticalmajorsaretentimeshigherthantheyweretenyearsago.Thehighestmedicaltuitioncostsforthe2014-2015schoolyearwerejustVN?8million.Asidefromthehighcostofeducation,medicalstudentsalsohavetogothroughalonganddifficultlearningprocess.Buttheincomeofferedtoyoungdoctorsatpublichealthfacilitiestodayisnotmuchofanincentive.AftergraduatingfromHCMCityUniversityofMedicineandPharmacysFacultyofMedicinein2022,Nguy?nThuPh??ngsoughtajobatahospitalinTh???cCity.Shefirsthadtocompleteatwo-monthapprenticeshipwithamonthlyassistancestipendofVN?1.5million,followedbyatwo-monthprobationaryperiodwithwagesofoverVN?3million.Afterthat,hermonthlybasicwageofVN?3.5millionwaspaidinfull.Ph??ngslowincomepreventedherfrombeingabletoaffordthehighcostoflivinginthecity.Shewasalsounabletoworkpart-timeinclinicstoincreaseherincome,becauseshelackedacertificatetopractise.Eventually,shewasabletosecureextraweekendhoursatahospitalinthenearbyprovinceofLongAnaftercompletingayearofstudytoobtainhercredentials.DuringtheweekIworkinHCMCity.AttheweekendIrideabiketoLongAn,Ph??ngsaid.Ihavetostayupallnightanddonthaveanydaysoffthroughouttheweek.ThereweretimeswhenIwastravelingfromHCMCitytoLongAn,andIhadtoparkmybikeontheroadsidetotakeanaptohavetheenergytocontinueworking,shetoldThanhNiên(YoungPeople)newspaper.Ph??ngscurrentincome--includingsalary,allowancesandnightshiftpayatthehospitalinHCMCity--isaboutVN?8millionpermonth,andherpart-timejobinLongAnbringsherVN?4million.IonlyhaveenoughtomeetthecostoflivinginHCMCity,althoughIworksohardandwithoutdaysoff.Ifeelsorryformyselfsometimes,shesaid.Aftersixyearsofstudyandanadditionalyeartogetacertificate,Ihadalongerlearningcurvethanmanyofmyfriends.EvenifIworkconsiderablyharder,myfriendsearntwoorthreetimesasmuchasIdo.IhavetoremindmyselfthatIjustreceivedmydegreeandthatIstillneedtogetadditionalknowledgeandexperience.MyincomewillincreaseafterIbecomeadecentdoctor,butthatprocesswilllikelytakealongtime,sheadded.Inspiteoflongtrainingperiodsandhightuitionfees,manymedicalgraduatesgetlowpay.Photothanhnien.vnAyoungdoctorinHCMCitywhodeclinedtobenamedtoldThanhNiênthathecouldearnoverVN?10millionpermonthincludingbasicsalary,nightshiftallowancesandothers.MeanwhileadoctorwhoworksataprivateclinictwodaysperweekcouldearnuptoVN?6millionpermonth.Afreshgraduatehastogothroughanapprenticeshipforonetothreeyearstobeabletoearnaliving.TheaverageincomeisaroundVN?6-8millionpermonth,pluswhateverdoctorscanmakefrompart-timejobs.ThetotalmightrangefromVN?12-15millionpermonth.Thisisalowwage,notcomparablewiththeefforttheyspendworkingandstudying,hesaid.A.D.,anotheryoungdoctorinHCMCitysDistrict3,saidthatfromfivetotenyearsaftergraduation,doctorsincomesareoftenstillnotequaltowhattheyspentontuition.Anumberofphysiciansandotherhealthcareprofessionalsatpublichospitalshaverecentlyquittheiremploymentasadirectresultofinadequatepayandexcessiveworkpressure.Upto166doctorsandhealthcareprofessionalsinBìnhD??ngProvinceresignedfromtheirpositionsinthefirstsevenmonthsof2022asaresultofinadequatepayandbenefits,ademandingworkenvironment,hardlabourandongoingexposuretoriskfactors.Fromearly2021toJuly2022,Ngh?AnProvincealsosaw119physiciansandmedicalstaffmembersleavingtheirpositionsinpublichospitals.Two-thirdsofthemwentontoworkinprivatehospitals.TheNgh?AnDepartmentofHealthclaimedthatatthetime,newgraduatesatpublichospitalswereonlypaidVN?5-7millionpermonth,whereasprivateinstitutionswerewillingtopayVN?15-20million.AmedicalresidentcanearnasalaryofuptoVN?15millionpermonthatpublichospitals,butprivatehospitalsarereadytopaythemVN?70-100millionpermonth.DrTr??ngH?uKhanh,anepidemiologistandformerHeadoftheDepartmentofInfectiousDiseases-NeurologyatPaediatricsHospitalNo1inHCMCity,saidmedicalworkersinthepublicsystemfacemanychallenges,includingthefactthattheirpayisnotcommensuratewiththeirlevelofknowledge.Thosewhocontinueworkinginthepublicsystemseekasettinginwhichtheycancontributetosocietyandadvancetheirknowledgeandskills.Peoplehavemoreoptionswhentheyaremoretalented,hesaid.Impoverishedpatientswouldultimatelysufferifgifteddoctorsleftthepublicsystem,hesaid.Comparedtootherprofessions,thepayinpublichospitalsisnotcomparablewiththeamountofworkthatmedicalstaffmembersputin.Theeasiesttimeformedicalstafftoquittheirpositionsbecauseoflowpayisthefirsttenyearsaftergraduation,hesaid.IncreasingsubsidiesTheMinistryofHealthhasproposedanewsubsidyrateformedicalworkersduetoincreasingbasepay.Surgeryandprocedureallowancesaswellason-dutyandmealallowancesarealsoexpectedtoincrease.AccordingtotheGovernmentsDecree81,studentspursuingdemandingandpotentiallyhazardouscareers—suchasgeneralpractitioners,pharmacists,nurses,midwivesandmedicaltestingtechnicians—willgettheirtuitioncostsreducedby70percent.TheMinistryofHealthhasalsosuggestedthattheGovernmentandotherorganisationsadoptavarietyoffavourablepoliciesformedicalandpharmaceuticalstudents.OneproposalisforthestatebudgettogiveVN?3.63millioninlivingexpensesforpharmaceuticalandmedicalstudents.VNS