QuintenLataire,actingcountrydirectorforUNAIDSinVi?tNam.PhotocourtesyofUNAIDSQuintenLataire,actingcountrydirectorforUNAIDSinVi?tNam,talkstoViê?tNamNewsreporterNh?tH?ngonthecountrysHIVresponseonthesidelinesofthesecondSoutheastAsiaRegionalWorkshoponHIV-relatedstigmaanddiscriminationheldearlythismonthinBangkok,ThailandWhatisthecurrentprogressinaddressingHIV/AIDSintheregionandparticularlyinVi?tNam?AsiaandthePacifichasseenanoveralldeclineinnewHIVinfectionssinceitspeakattheendofthelastcentury,butthatdeclinehassignificantlysloweddowninthelastdecadeandsomecountrieswithintheregionhaveevenseenasubstantialincreaseinnewHIVinfections,suchasthePhilippines.TheHIVepidemicintheregionalsodisproportionatelyaffectspeoplefromkeypopulations,especiallyyoungpeople.InthePhilippines,forinstance,newinfectionsamongmenwhohavesexwithmen(MSM)haveseenasix-foldincrease,whileinLaosnewinfectionsamongMSMdoubledandinCambodiathatnumberhastripledsince2010.InVi?tNam,whiletherehasbeenacommendabledeclineinnewHIVinfectionsoverall,thereisaconcerningtrendofrisinginfectionsamongMSMsince2010.Asignificantproportionofthesenewinfections,onethird,occursinyoungpeoplebetween15and24yearsold.ThishighlightsaconcentratedepidemicwithinVi?tNamwhereMSMaredisproportionatelyaffected,andwithintheMSMgroup,youseethatyoungpeoplearespecificallyvulnerabletoHIV.SnapshotofVi?tNamsHIV/AIDSdata,releasedbytheUNAIDSin2023.VNSScreenshotWhatisthecurrentsituationregardingstigma/discriminationtowardspeoplelivingwithHIV(PLHIV)intheregion?CouldyousharesomeofthebestpracticesintheregionandtherecommendationsforVi?tNam?Letmefirstexplainthedifferencebetweenstigmaanddiscrimination.HIV-relatedstigmareferstothenegativebeliefs,feelingsandattitudestowardsPLHIVaswellasgroupsassociatedwithPLHIV,suchasthefamiliesofPLHIV,andotherkeypopulationsathigherriskofHIVinfection,suchaspeoplewhousedrugs,sexworkers,menwhohavesexwithmen,transgenderpeopleandpeopleindetention.HIV-relateddiscrimination,ontheotherhand,referstotheunfairandunjusttreatmentofanindividualbasedonhisorherrealorperceivedHIVstatus.Thereisawholebodyofevidencewhenitcomestostigmaanddiscriminationreductionprogramming.CommunityorganisationsinVi?tNamhavebeenveryactiveinimplementingspecificinterventionmodels.OneexampleisthePLHIVStigmaIndexwhich,inVi?tNam,isbeingimplementedbytheVietnamNetworkofPeopleLivingwithHIV(VNP+).TheStigmaILIXI88ndexisastandardisedtooltogatherevidencefromPLHIVonhowstigmaanddiscriminationimpacttheirlives.Thatcommunity-leddatacollectionisanimportantstigmameasuringtoolforeffectiveprogramming.AnotherexampleisthemobilisationofkeyopinionleadersandmassmediatoreduceHIV-relatedstigmaanddiscriminationthattheBlueSkySocialEnterprisehasbeenengagingin.Theyhavebeenleveragingthepowerofkeyopinionleaders,suchasjournalists,artists,beautypageantwinnersandmorebroadlythemassmedia,tostrengthenpublicHIVawarenessraisingandcallforthereductionofHIV-relatedstigmaanddiscrimination.ThenumberofPLHIVamongtheMSMgroupisseeinganupwardtrend.HowdoyouevaluateVi?tNamsactionplansandmeasuresregardingthistrend?Whatshouldbedonetointerveneandcurbtheriseofinfectionsamongthisgroup?LetmefirsthighlightthefactthatVi?tNam,initsHIVresponse,hasbeenverysuccessful.Vi?tNamstandsoutasoneoftheleadingexamplesinthisregionwhenitcomestoaneffectiveHIVresponse.ThissuccessistheresultoftheworkofVi?tNamsstrongnationalHIVauthority,complementedbysubstantialsupportfrominternationalpartners.ThesecollaborativeeffortshaveresultedinastrongoveralldeclineinnewHIVinfectionsinVi?tNam.Forexample,inresponsetotherisingepidemicamongpeoplewhoinjectdrugstwodecadesago,Vi?tNamimplementedeffectiveevidence-basedinterventionssuchasneedleandsyringeprogrammesandmethadone,andthathasproventobehighlyeffective.Thishealth-centredapproachhasledtoanotabledeclineinnewinfectionsamongpeoplewhoinjectdrugsandtheircommunities.Thelandscapeoftheepidemicisshifting,withaconcerningriseinnewHIVinfectionsamongyoungMSM.Thatalsorequiresprogrammaticadjustments.YoungMSM,forinstance,needtohavemoreaccesstopreventionmeasuressuchasPrEP(pre-exposureprophylaxis).PrEPisacost-effectivemeasuretoreducetheHIVepidemicamongthatspecificgroupofpeopleandanimportanttooltogettheepidemicinthecountrygoingdown.Acommunity-basedorganisationinthenorthernprovinceofTháiNguyênconsultswithaclientonHIVpreventionandcontrolmeasures.VNA/VNSPhotoD??ngNg?cWhataretherolesofcommunity-basedorganisations(CBOs)andprivatehealthcarefacilitiesinHIV/AIDSpreventionandcontrolinVi?tNam?CBOsandprivatehealthcarefacilitieshaveaveryimportantroletoplay.Youcanseethemastheextendedarmofthepublichealthsystem.CBOsandprivatehealthcarefacilitiescanhelpaddresspotentialgapsintheHIVresponse.Forexample,somepeoplemightnotbeabletovisitpublichealthfacilitiesduringopeninghoursorwouldliketogetpeercounselling.PrivatehealthclinicsandCBOscanhavedifferentopeninghours,ortheycanprovideonlinepeersupportfromapersonlivingwithHIVorfromsomeonefromakeypopulationgroup.Assuch,theymakesurethatweleavenoonebehindintheHIVresponse.Sustainablefinancingiscrucialforthelong-termsuccessofHIV/AIDSprogrammes.HowisUNAIDSadvocatingforincreasedinvestmentinHIVresponseeffortsintheregionandVi?tNam?DifferentcountriesareatvariousstagesoftheirHIVresponse.Vi?tNamhasproventobeoverallverysuccessful.Onaglobalscale–andIneedtostressthatthishasnothingtodowithVi?tNamsperformance–thereisaconcerningtrendofdecliningfundingforHIV.Inlightofthissituation,thereisagrowingneedforgreaterdomesticresourcesinVi?tNam,particularlyforpreventionefforts.Thesefinancialresourcesshouldbeallocatedbothnationallyandattheprovinciallevel,aligningwiththedecentralisationofVi?tNamshealthcaresystem.Ensuringsufficientdomesticfundingattheprovinciallevelisessentialtoguaranteecomprehensivecoverageofallpreventionandtreatmentmeasuresacrossthecountry.WhatcanVi?tNamdotoreducestigmaanddiscriminationcomparedtoothercountriesthatmightbemoreopenintermsofgenderdiversity?Comparingcountriescanbechallengingbecauseofdifferentsystemsandpoliticaldynamics.However,oneobservationstandsout:whenlegalandpolicyenvironmentsaresupportiveofkeypopulationgroups,stigmaanddiscriminationdecrease,leadingtofewerbarriers.This,inturn,reducesnewHIVinfections,resultinginamoreeffectiveHIVresponse.Itsverysimple:ifyoucriminalisepeopleforwhotheyare,theywillgounderground.Ifpeoplegounderground,itwillbemuchharderforthemtogetaccesstohealthcare.So,thesethingsareverymuchcorrelated.Again,themoreenablingthelegalandpolicyenvironment,themoreeffectiveyourHIVresponsewillbe.Inaddressingstigmaanddiscrimination,itiscrucialtotargetthespecificcausesdrivingthem.Forexample,ifahealthcareworkerwearstwopairsofgloveswhentreatingsomeonewithHIV,itisanirrationalresponsestemmingfromfearorignorance.Tocombatthis,effortsshouldfocusondispellingthesefearsandignorance.Effectivestigmareductionprogrammesdirectlytackletheseunderlyingdriversofstigma.Soaddressingtheunderlyingdriversofstigmawillalsocreateamoreeffectivepolicyandlegalenvironment.Ifyouhaveamoreeffectivepolicyandlegalenvironment,youwillhaveamoreeffectiveHIVresponse.Itisallverymuchinterrelated.VNS*Thisinterviewhasbeeneditedforlengthandclarity.

Cambodiassandreservescanadequatelymeetthelong-termconstructionandreclamationneedsofthesouthernprovincesofVi?tNam.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofIndustryandTradeandtheMinistryofTransportconductedafieldsurveyonthefeasibilityofimportingconstructionsandfromCambodiatoVi?tNam.Accordingtotheresults,Cambodiassandreservescanadequatelymeetthelong-termconstructionandreclamationneedsofthesouthernprovincesofVi?tNam.StatisticsshowthatCambodiaiscurrentlyexportingapproximately50,000to60,000cubicmetresofsandtoVi?tNameveryday.TheCambodiangovernmentsupportsfreemarkettradingofsand,doesnotinterveneinpricingandwillissuecertificatesoforigin.Italsorequiresproperlicences,taxpaymentsandadherencetoregulationsforsandextraction,transportationandexport.TheMinistryofIndustryandTraderecommendedthatthegovernmentassigntheMinistryofTransporttoleadandcoordinatewithrelevantministriesandagenciestoreviewanddeterminethetotaldemandandquantityofsandneededbyVietnameseenterprisesandconstructioncontractors.ThiswillenableproactivenegotiationswithCambodiancompaniesforsandpurchasecontractsinaccordancewiththeregulationsofbothcountries.Currently,Cambodiahasgrantedextractionandexportlicencestoonlythreedomesticcompanies(foreigncompaniesarenotpermittedtoextractsand).Amongthese,ChaktomukCambodiaCompanyexportsaround40,000to60,000cubicmetresofsanddailytoabout15to20Vietnamesecompanies.SokThearaCompany,whichhasasandminereserveofover200millioncubicmetres,hasnotyetexportedsandtoVi?tNam.GlobalGreenEnergyCompanysuppliesapproximately10,000cubicmetresperdaytotwoorthreeVietnamesecompanies.AccordingtotheMinistryofIndustryandTrade,CambodiaisreadytoissuecertificatesoforiginforsandpurchasedinCambodiatominimisefraudandsmuggling.InearlyApril,DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàchairedameetinginH?ChíMinhCitywithrelevantministries,sectorsandlocalitiestodiscussthesituationofsandmaterialsforthefoundationoftheH?ChíMinhCityRingRoad3project.Duringthemeeting,theMinistryofTransportstatedthatfrom2021-2025,theMekongDeltaandSoutheastregionswereimplementing21expresswayandkeytrafficcomponentprojects.Thetotaldemandforroadembankmentmaterialsfortheseprojectswouldbenearly77millioncubicmetres,includingabout7millioncubicmetresofsoilandnearly70millioncubicmetresofsand.AccordingtotheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment,thedemandforsandforthefoundationofH?ChíMinhCityRingRoad3isapproximately9.3millioncubicmetres,withaboutsixmillioncubicmetresneededin2024alone.Currently,theamountofsandfromdomesticminescommittedtotheprojectisaboutsevenmillioncubicmetresleavingashortfallofabout2.3millioncubicmetres.TheH?ChíMinhCityRealEstateAssociationreportedthatCambodiawaswillingtoexportabout100millioncubicmetresofsandtoVi?tNamwithinoneyear.Therefore,theDeputyPrimeMinisterrequestedtheMinistryofIndustryandTradetoreportontheresultsofnegotiationsforimportingconstructionandfoundationsandfromCambodiaforconsiderationanddecision.—VNS?QuanCh??ng,oneofHàN?isoldcitygates,inHàng?àoWardinthecapitalcitysoldquarter.Theareahasnarrowstreetsandisoftencrowdedwithvehicles.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—VotersfromHàng?àoWardhavesuggestedtocityauthoritiesthatsmallerbusesbeallowedintheoldquarterstoreducecongestion.AtthemeetingwithvotersinHoànKi?mDistrictinpreparationforthe17thsessionoftheHàN?iPeoplesCouncilheldrecently,aproposalwasalsomadetoallocatelandoutsidetheH?ng(Red)Riverdykeorspaceoutsidetheurbanarea,forparking.Inresponse,leadersfromHoànKi?mDistrictsaidthattheyhadproposedtothecitythatcarsberestrictedfromtheoldquarterandlargebusestoobebannedfromthemainradialaxis.Theareasuffersfromtrafficjams,particularlyontheweekends,sothedistricLIXI88thasbeenresearchingpossibletrafficsolutionsforthearea.Intheimmediatefuture,localauthoritieswilldeploystatictrafficarrangementsinundergroundareassuchastheOperaHouseflowergardenandtheMay1Squareandlookatusingminibuses,ratherthanfull-sizedbuses.HàN?icurrentlyhas154busroutesinoperation,accordingtothecitysstatisticsandasmanyas11transportunitsoperatebusrouteswithmorethan2,300vehicles,transportingtensofthousandsofpassengerseveryday.Lastyear,theHàN?iTransportCorporationreviewedandproposedthemunicipalDepartmentofTransporttoadjusttheworkofeightbusroutestomaketraveleasierandenhancebusconnections.Thespreadofbusserviceshasbeenexpanded,howeverthereisstillnobussystemintheoldquarter.Nguy?nHoàngH?i,DeputyChairmanoftheHàN?iPublicTransportAssociation,saidthatbringingminibusesintotheoldquartersdidnotdependonthepeopleswishes,butontheinfrastructure.BusesinHàN?icomeinmanysizes,fromsmalltolarge.Iftheinfrastructureissuitable,puttingbusesintousewouldbeverygood.ButIthinkthatbringingbusesinisnotjustaboutdriving,butalsoaboutorganisingtraffic,ensuringsecurity,orderandsafety,saidH?i.Withthecurrenttrafficsituationintheoldquarters,H?iacknowledgedthatitwouldnotbeeasytodeploybusesandauthoritieswouldneedtomakeanychangesstepbystepandtrialsystemswhichwouldthenbereviewed.Vi?tNamstrafficproblem,inparticularthatinHàN?i,H?ibelieves,mustbehandledinasynchronisedway.Themanagementagencywouldhavetoconsiderwhattypesofvehiclestochoose,whatroutetotakeandwheretoarrangestopssoasnottoobstructtrafficandnotaffectthelivesofpeopleintheoldquarters.Themanagementagencywillhavetoanswermanyquestionsfromengineers,trafficorganisationandworkmanagementteams.IthinkthatifHàN?isurveyscarefullyandcarriesoutgradually,wecanletminibusesruninseveralsections.Infact,atpresentsomeminibusesarerunningonsomeinnercitystreets,hesaid.Emphasisingthatthistypeofpublictransportwouldnottakecustomersfromtaxicompanies,H?istatedthateachtypeofvehiclewouldserveitsowngroupofpassengers.Taxisservepassengerswhoneeddoor-to-doorpickupsovershortormediumdistances,buseswillservepassengersonlongertrips,followingafixedroute.—VNS

DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuangspeaksattheconferenceoftheLam??ngProvincialPlanningfortheperiodof2021-2030,withavisionto2050.VNA/VNSPhotoL?M??NG—DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuangsaidthatwiththeexistingpotential,alongwiththeupgradeofLiênKh??ngAirporttoaninternationalairport,Lam??ngProvincecananticipaterobustanddistinctivedevelopmentinthefuture.HewasspeakingwhilechairingtheLam??ngProvincialPlanningConferencefortheperiodof2021-2030,withavisionto2050,andpromotinglocalinvestmentonSunday.DeputyPMQuanghighlightedthatLam??nghasbordergatesandnumeroushighwaysconnectingittootherregions,especiallythesoutheastregion.Theprovincessuccessfulimplementationofhigh-techagricultureprovidedconfidencethatitwouldbecomethestandard-bearerandexemplarymodelforhigh-techagriculture.ViceChairmanoftheLam??ngProvincialPeoplesCommitteeV?Ng?cHi?psaidthatby2030,Lam??ngaimedtobecomeacomprehensivelydevelopedprovinceinVi?tNamanddevelop?àL?tCityanditssurroundingsintoahigh-qualitytourismcentreofnationalandSoutheastAsiansignificance.Lam??ngwouldaccelerateeconomicgrowth,focusingonagricultureandforestryasthemainpillars,theprocessingindustryasthedrivingforceandtourismasthebreakthroughsector.Theprovinceaimedtodevelopasustainable,modern,high-efficiency,organicagriculturaleconomy,forminglarge-scalespecialisedfarmingareasandbecominganationalandinternationalcentreforhigh-techorganicresearchandproduction,hesaid.Hi?palsostressedthattheprovincewouldprioritisesustainabledevelopmentofthebauxite,alumina,aluminiumextractionandprocessingindustries,andtheprocessingofagriculturalandforestryproducts.Itwouldinvestinmodern,comprehensiveinfrastructuresystemstoconnectregionslinkingurbanandruralareasanddevelopefficient,sustainableurbanspaces.Accordingtotheplan,by2050,Lam??ngaimstomeetthestandardstobecomeacentrally-governedcitythatismodern,distinctive,green,smartandworthlivingin.Lam??ngaimstodevelopthreekeysectors,includingagriculture-forestry-fisheries,servicesandindustryconstruction.Hi?psaidtheprovincewouldfocusonbecomingahubfororganicagricultureandhigh-valuecommoditiesintheSoutheastAsianmarket.Cropcultivationwouldprioritisehigh-economic-valueproductsforexport,suchasvegetables,flowers,silk,coffee,tea,fruittreesandtissue-culturedplantvarieties.Livestockfarmingwillbedevelopedonanindustrialscale,usinghigh-tech,closed-loopsystems,accordingtotheplan.Tradewillbestrengthenedthroughcloseeconomiclinkswiththesoutheastregion,HCMCity,thesouth-centralcoast,theCentralHighlandsandotherkeyeconomicregions.By2030,Lam??ngaimstobecomeattractivetop-tiereco-tourism,wellnessandsportsresortsinVi?tNamandSoutheastAsia.?àL?tanditssurroundingareaswilltransformintohigh-qualityurbancentres,featuringvibrantnighteconomiesandachievinginternationalstandards.Theindustrialsectorwillestablishclustersinpriorityindustriessuchasmineralprocessingandfoodprocessing.High-tech,large-investmentindustrialprojectswillbeprioritised,alongwithexpandingandenhancingexistingbauxiteprojectsandinvestinginnewaluminaextractionprojects.By2050,Lam??ngaspirestobecomeacentrally-governedcity,withitsurbanareaencompassinganexpanded?àL?tCity,includingthecurrent?àL?t,L?cD??ngDistrict,andfivecommunesfromLamHà,??cTr?ngandB?oL?cCity.ThesuburbanareawillincludethreetownsofLamHà,??nD??ng,DiLinhandthreenewlyformeddistrictsof?amR?ng,B?oLam,and??Huoai.Underthisplan,theprovincewillfocuson227projects,including36transportationprojects,11industrialprojects,34cultural,sportsandtourismprojects,36healthcareprojects,20tradeandserviceprojects,62residentialandurbandevelopmentprojectsand12agriculturaldevelopmentprojects.Keyprojectsincludethe?ankia-Su?iVàngNationalTourismArea,theTanPhú-B?oL?cExpressway,theB?oL?c-LiênKh??ngExpressway,theNhaTrang-LiênKh??ngExpressway,theexpansionofLiênKh??ngAirport,thebauxiteminingandaluminaprocessingplantcomplex,the?àL?tHigh-TechAgriculturalZoneanddryportsin??cTr?ngDistrictandB?oL?cCity.Attheconference,theLam??ngProvincialPeoplesCommitteepresentedinvestmentregistrationcertificates,investmentpolicyapprovaldecisionsandinvestmentmemorandumsofunderstandingtoseveralbusinessesandinvestorspreparingtoinvestintheprovince.OnSundaymorning,DeputyPMQuangattendedtheceremonyannouncingtheofficialupgradeofLiênKh??ngAirporttoaninternationalairport,aneventorganisedbytheMinistryofTransportandtheLam??ngProvincialPeoplesCommittee.LiênKh??ngAirportiscurrentlyclassifiedasa4DairportaccordingtotheregulationsoftheInternationalCivilAviationOrganisation(ICAO).Theairportfeaturesarunwaythatis3,250metreslongand45metreswide.Duringthe2021-2030period,LiênKh??ngAirportisprojectedtohandleapproximately5millionpassengersand20,000tonnesofcargoannually.Thecurrentrunwayconfigurationwillremainunchanged.Lookingaheadto2050,theairportscapacityisexpectedtoincreaseto7millionpassengersand30,000tonnesofcargoperyear.Additionally,theexistingrunwaywillbeextended350metrestothewest,makingit3,600metreslongand45metreswide.Thetotalplannedareafortheairportwillexceed340hectares.—VNSInordertoencouragefarmersandcooperativestoactivelyapplymechanisationinagriculturalproduction,HàN?isagriculturesectorhasorganisedtheGoodCropTransplanterOperatorof2024contest.PhotocourtesyoftheHàN?iAgriculturalExtensionCentreHàN?I-Inrecentyears,HàN?isagriculturesectorhaspromotedsynchronousmechanisationinriceproductionandformedmanyqualitycommodityriceproductionareas,onaconcentratedscale,aimedatexport.AccordingtothedatafromtheHàN?iAgriculturalExtensionCentre,HàN?icurrentlyhasanannualricegrowingareaofabout160,000hectares,andisoneoftheprovincesandcitieswithalargericegrowingareainthenorth.Inordertoencouragefarmersandcooperativestoactivelyapplymechanisationinagriculturalproduction,especiallysynchronousmechanisationinriceproduction,onJune26,inNamPhongCommune,PhúXuyênDistrict,HàN?isDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentorganisedtheGoodCropTransplanterOperatorof2024contest.Itsaimistocreateaplatformforfarmerstoexchangetheirknowledgeandlearnfromothersexperienceandnewtechnicaladvances,contributingtoagriculturalproductivityandagriculturalproductqualityimprovement,aswellastosustainableagriculturaldevelopment.AccordingtoV?Th?H??ng,theDirectoroftheHàN?iAgriculturalExtensionCentre,theGoodCropTransplanterOperatorof2024contesthastenteamsfromdifferentdistrictssuchasPhúXuyên,?ngHòa,Th??ngTín,etc.Eachteamconsistsoffivepeopleparticipatinginoperatingricetransplantersonanareaof1,800squaremetres,equivalenttofiveacres.Theorganisingcommitteeselectedricevarietiesbasedonneeds,soil,andlocalfarmingpracticesandprovidedseedlingtraysfortransplantersforeachcompetingteam.Duringthecompetition,eachteammustensurethattheyfollowthejudgesscoringcriteriasuchastheuniformitybetweenrowsoftransplantedrice(thedistancebetweenriceclusters);theprecisionratiooftransplantedriceclusters;theplantingdepthandthecompletiontime.The50contestantsareallfarmersdirectlyinvolvedinagriculturalproduction.Theyhavedeepunderstandingofscienceandtechnology,alotofcreativefarmingworkexperienceandareexemplaryfacesrepresentinghundredsofdiligentandcreativefarmersinHàN?iCity.Nguy?nV?nTh?ngfromNamPhongCommunesaid:IlearnedaboutthiscontestthroughinformationfromtheHàN?iAgriculturalExtensionCentre.Thisyear,NamPhongCommunewaschosenasthepilotcommunetoapplythemachinetransplantingmodel,promisingtoincreaseproductivityandriceyield.Throughthiscontest,IhopethismodelwillbefurtherreplicatedinagriculturalproductioninHàN?i.Nguy?nM?nhPh??ng,DeputyDirectorofthecitysDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentadded:Thecontestprovidesachanceforfarmerstodirectlyexperiencemachineplanting,therebyhelpingthemseetheoptimaleffectivenessofthismethod,whichisliberatinglabour,reducingcosts,increasingproductionefficiencyandprotectingtheenvironment.Thecontestalsogivesfarmersaccesstonewscienceandtechnology,therebygraduallychangingtheirproductionmethods.Forthecitysagriculturesector,thisbringsaboutasolutiontograduallyremovethedifficultiesoflabourshortageforagriculturalproductioninruralareas,promotingmechanisationtobecomeakeyfactorinHàN?isagriculturalproduction.Ph??ngalsosaid:Recently,HàN?isagriculturesectorhasfocusedonsupportingandencouragingfarmerstoapplysynchronousmechanisationinriceproduction,withprioritygiventothemechanisationofsowingandtransplanting.Inaddition,thecitysagriculturesectoralsosupportsfarmersinbringingnewricevarietieswithhighyield,goodquality,andadaptationtoclimatechangeintoproduction,increasingtheproportionofhigh-qualityricetomeetconsumerexpectationsandaimforexport.Inthefuture,theagriculturesectorwillstepuppropaganda,promotion,buildingandstrengtheningchainsofriceproductionandconsumption,promotingtradeandproductconsumptiontoattractdomesticandinternationalinvestorstosignconsumptioncontractswithcooperatives,contributingtoimprovingthevalueofricegrains,aswellasincreasingtheincomeoffarmersinHàN?i.Thecitysagriculturesectoralsoidentifiedthisasoneofthekeytaskstoincreaseeconomicvaluefromricegrowing,pullingfarmersbacktothefields,ensuringfoodsecurityandenhancingthecitysricebrand.Inaddition,thecitysagriculturesectorwillcontinuetobringhigh-qualityricevarietiesintoproduction.Inparticular,intheperiodof2021-2025,HàN?istrivestohaveitshigh-qualityriceseedstructurereachover80percentofthecultivatedarea,formingthreetofivedomesticandriceexportchains.--VNSPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhmeetsengineersandconstructionworkersoftheproject.VNA/VNSPhotoD??ngGiangNGH?AN--PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhonSundayinspectedthesectionofthe500kVCircuit-3Qu?ngTr?ch-Qu?nhL?upowertransmissionlineprojectcrossingthecentralprovinceofNgh?An.Accordingtoareportontheprogressofthe500kVpowerlineprojectinNgh?AnasofJune21bytheNgh?AnProvincialPeoplesCommittee,theprojectspansfromQu?ngTr?chinQu?ngBìnhProvincetoQu?nhL?uinNgh?AnProvince,withatotallengthofapproximately82.33km.Itincludes168polefoundationscorrespondingto169polesectionsinthedistrictsofNam?àn,NghiL?c,Di?nChau,YênThành,andQLIXI88u?nhL?u.VietnamElectricity(EVN)andtheNationalPowerTransmissionCorporation(EVNNPT)alsoreportedasofJune20,the500kVCircuit-3powerlineprojectsfromQu?ngTr?chtoPh?N?ihadmettheplannedprogress.Forthe500kVQu?nhL?u-ThanhHóa(chǎn)powerlineproject,thelandclearancehadbeenhandedovertotheinvestor.Thelocalauthoritieshadhandedovertheentireareaforpolefoundationsandtheentireroutecorridor.Theprojectshadcompletedtheapprovalofthecadastralmaps,issuedlandacquisitionnoticesandwerecontinuingtodeterminelandorigins,pricevaluationsandpostingsfortheapprovalofcompensationplansforsomeremainingpolefoundationsandcorridors.Compensationplanshadbeenapprovedfor186outof202polepositions,with16positionsremainingandfor89outof110corridorsrequiringcompensation.?The500kVCircuit-3Qu?ngTr?ch-Ph?N?ipowertransmissionlineprojecthasatotallengthofabout519km.VNA/VNSPhotoThePrimeMinisteremphasisedthatthecompletionofthe500kVCircuit-3powerlinewouldenhanceelectricitysupplyforNgh?An,improvetheintegratedtransportsystemandfacilitatetheprovincesrapidandsustainabledevelopment.HedirectedtheprojecttobecompletedbyJune31,2024,urgingeffortstoaccelerateprogresswithaclearfocusonresponsibilities,timelinesanddeliverables,ensuringquality,environmentalcleanlinessandclosecoordinationwithEVN,EVNNPTandlocalauthorities.Healsoencouragedtheinvolvementofyouth,women,veteransandthesupportoflocalresidentsfortheproject.Visitingandpresentinggiftstoworkersattheconstructionsite,PMChínhexpressedhisdelightatthebustlingworkingatmospherethereandhailedtheworkersandengineersaswellaslocalresidentsandyoungstersfortheirhardworkandsupportfortheproject.OnSaturday,PMChínhinspectedthepowertransmissionlineprojectssectioninthecentralprovinceofThanhHoá.HedirectedthattheprojectbecompletedbyJune30,2024despitesomecurrentdifficultiesaffectingprogress.Whilevisitingandpresentinggiftstoworkersatthe500kVtransformerstationinThi?uPhúcCommune,Thi?uHóa(chǎn)DistrictandC?uL?cCommuneofH?uL?cDistrict,PMChínhhighlightedtheprojectssignificance.Hestressedtheneedforhighdetermination,decisiveactionsandmobilisationofresources,especiallyforgroundclearance.Heaskedcontractorstoprioritiseresources,equipment,andpersonnel,andencouragedworkerstoovercomedifficultiesandworkcontinuouslytocompletetheNam??nh-ThanhHóa(chǎn)sectionbyJune30andthe500kVThanhHóa(chǎn)transformerstationbyJune28.Healsourgedministries,sectorsandlocalitiestocoordinatecloselytoaddressarisingproblemsandensureworkersafety.VNA/VNS

PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhvisitsworkersattheconstructionsiteoftheprojectatC?uL?cCommuneofH?uL?cDistrict,ThanhHóa(chǎn)Province.—VNA/VNSPhotoTHANHHóA—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhonJune22inspectedthe500kVCircuit-3Qu?ngTr?ch-Ph?N?ipowertransmissionlineprojectssectioncrossingthecentralprovinceofThanhHóa(chǎn).SpanningfromQu?ngTr?chinthecentralprovinceofQu?ngBìnhtoPh?N?iinnorthernH?ngYênProvince,theprojecthasatotallengthofabout519km,anditstotalinvestmentisoverVN?22.3trillion(US$876million).Itincludesfourcomponentprojects,namelyQu?ngTr?ch-Qu?nhL?u,Qu?nhL?u-ThanhHóa(chǎn),ThanhHóa(chǎn)-Nam??nh1ThermalPowerPlant,andNam??nh1ThermalPowerPlant-Ph?N?i.ConstructiononthesecomponentprojectsstartedinOctober2023andJanuary2024.ThePrimeMinisterhasdirectedtocompletetheprojectbeforeJune30,2024.However,currentlytherearestillsomedifficultiesaffectingtheprogress.Visitingandpresentinggiftstoworkersattheconstructionsiteofthe500kVtransformerstationatThi?uPhúcCommune,Thi?uHóa(chǎn)District,andworkersatC?uL?cCommuneofH?uL?cDistrict,PMChinhexpressedhisdelightatthebustlingworkingatmospherethereandhailedtheworkersandengineersaswellaslocalresidentsandyoungstersfortheirhardworkandsupportfortheproject.The500kVCircuit-3Qu?ngTr?ch-Ph?N?ipowertransmissionlineprojecthasatotallengthofabout519km.VNAphotoUnderliningthesignificanceoftheproject,hehighlightedtheneedforhighdeterminationanddrasticactions,andthemobilisationofresourcesandforcesforitsimplementation,especiallygroundclearance.Heaskedcontractorstoprioritiseresources,equipment,andpersonnelfortheproject,andencouragedworkerstoovercomealldifficultiestoworkcontinuously,strivingtocompletetheNam??nh-ThanhHóa(chǎn)sectionoftheprojectbyJune30,andthe500kVThanhHóa(chǎn)transformerstationbyJune28.TheGovernmentleaderrequestedministries,sectors,andrelevantlocalitiestocontinuecoordinatingcloselytodealwithallarisingproblemsandensurethesafetyofworkers.—VNA/VNSApensionerreceiveshisbenefitsataculturalhouseinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngTrungHi?uHàN?I—TheGovernmentispressingfora15percentincreaseinpensionsandsocialinsurancebenefitsthatwouldtakeeffectonJuly1.Theincreasewouldbeappliedtopensionersandsocialinsurancebeneficiariesacrosstheboard.However,forpensionerswhoretiredbefore1995,theirmonthlypensionswouldbeincreasedadditionallybyVN?300,000(US$12)ifbeinglowerthanVN?3.2millionandbeincreasedtoVN?3.5millionifbeingbetweenVN?3.2millionandVN?3.5millionaftertheadjustment.TheGovernmentalsoproposesraisingthestandardmonthlyallowanceforveteransfromVN?2.055milliontoVN?2.789million.Atthesametime,themonthlysocialassistancetodisadvantagedpeoplewouldbeliftedfromVN?360,000toVN?500,000.Additionally,theGovernmentproposesa6percentincreaseinminimumwagesfortheprivatesector,effectiveJuly1.Forthepublicsector,abonussystemwouldbeintroduced,financedbyabonusfundequivalentto10percentofthesalaryfund.Thesystemofbasicsalaryandsalarycoefficientswillbeabolishedinthefutureandreplacedwithanewsystembasedonjobpositionsandperformancethatstillneedstobethoroughlystudiedandconsidered.However,inthemeantime,theGovernmentproposesadjustingthebasicmonthlysalaryfromVN?1.80milliontoVN?2.34million(up30percent)startingfromJuly1.Theoverallimpactofthemeasuresisexpectedtobesubstantial,affectingapproximately18millionsocialinsurancebeneficiaries,50millionpeoplereceivingstate-subsidisedhealthinsurance,30millionpeoplecoveredunderprovincial-levelsocialassistancepolicies,and16millionstudents.The30percentincreaseinthebasicmonthlysalarymarksthehighestsuchincreaseinhistory.Thissignificantstepreflectsthegovernmentsrecognitionoftheneedtoaddressrisinglivingcostsandimprovethewell-beingofitscitizens.Itisalsoseenasameasuretoboostproductivity,enhanceworkefficiency,andpromotesocialstability.—VNS

AnAfricanswinefeveroutbreakwasdetectedinTi?nPhongCommune,Qu?ngYênTown,Qu?ngNinhProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD)hasurgedfourprovincesofB?cK?n,L?ngS?n,Qu?ngNinh,andHòaBìnhtoimplementrigorousmeasuresagainstAfricanswinefever.Sinceearly2024,thediseasehasseverelyimpactedalleightdistrictsinB?cK?nProvince,resultinginthecullingofnearly10,000pigs,accountingforover40percentofthenationaltotal.InL?ngS?n,thefeveraffects10districts,withalmost4,000pigsculled,orabout17percentofthenationalfigure.Qu?ngNinhhasseenoutbreaksin23communes,withnearly1,600pigsculled.HòaBìnhhasreportedoutbreaksin18communes,resultinginthecullingofnearly1,300pigs.Followingtheseoutbreaks,theVeterinaryDepartmentidentifiedseveralcausescontributingtothediseasesspread,includingdelayedreportingaboutthediseaseatdistrictandprovinciallevelsandinadequateimplementationofpreventionmeasures.Despiteavailablevaccines,lessthan1percentofpigsnationwidehavebeenvaccinated.Inresponse,MARDhasinstructedprovincialcommitteestodeclareoutbreaks,focusonpreventionmeasures,andallocateresourcesfordisinfectionandcontainmentefforts.Theyarealsotoenforcestrictsanitationanddisinfectionprotocolsinaffectedareas.Localitiesarerequiredtoguidelivestockfarmerstorigorouslyenforcedailysanitationpractices,includingdisinfectionusinglimepowderandchemicalsinandaroundtheirbreedingareas.Theyarealsoensuringthathouseholdsandbreedingfacilitiesaffectedbythediseasethoroughlydisinfecttoeliminatepathogensandpreventfurtherspread.Provincesareconductingreviewsandmandatingallpersonnelengagedinepidemicpreventiontoadherestrictlytopersonalprotectivemeasures,sanitationprotocols,anddisinfectionprocedurestopreventdiseasetransmissionduringthehandling,transportation,anddisposalofinfectedpigs.Theprovincesareurgedtoallocatefundsforvaccinatinglivestockagainstdiseasesandenhanceveterinarycapacities,ensuretimelyreporting,anddisseminateinformationondiseasepreventionandvaccineuse.—VNS

TheOrientOilAndGasJointStockCompany(OrientOil)inC?nTh?.ThecompanyhasataxdebtexceedingVN?760billionasoftheendofMay.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheC?nTh?-basedOrientOilAndGasJointStockCompany(OrientOil)hasataxdebtexceedingVN?760billion(US$29.85million),accordingtotheC?nTh?TaxDepartment.Theamountaccountsfornearly36percentofthetotaltaxdebtinC?nTh?CityasoftheendofMay,accordingtothedepartment.ThetaxdebtofOrientOilhasresultedinthetemporaryrestrictionofthecompanysCEO,Hu?nhTr?nH?ngH?i,fromleavingthecountry.Establishedin2010inC?nTh?City,OrientOilisengagedintheproductionandtradingofpetroleum,solvents,liquefiedgas,andpetrochemicalproducts,withaproductionplantcapacityof130,000metrictonnesperyear.UndertheleadershipofNguy?nThanhTùng,itsformerchairman,OrientOilhasfacedchallengesrelatedtotaxdebts.ItstaxresponsibilitiesamountedtoVN?108billionin2018,whichescalatedtonearlyVN?1trillionbytheendofJune2021.Lastyear,thecompanyalsodefaultedonbankloanrepayments,promptingassetrecoverymeasuresbytheBankforInvestmentandDevelopmentofVietnam(BIDV)duetoitsfailuretorepayVN?1.19trillioninprincipalandinterest.InadditiontoOrientOil,theC?nTh?TaxDepartmenthasalsoidentified162companieswithunresolvedtaxobligationsworthatotalofVN?1.37trillion.Vietnameseauthoritiesareimplementingstringentmeasurestocombattaxevasion,includingrestrictingindividualswithoutstandingtaxdebtsfromleavingthecountryuntiltheirobligationsaresettled.Theinitiativeaimstorecovertaxdebts,particularlylanduseandleasetaxes,toupholdstatebudgetrevenue.ConnectiontoV?nTh?nhPhátscandalNguy?nThanhTùng,theformerchairmanofOrientOil,hasbeenimplicatedintheV?nTh?nhPhátscandal,accordingtopoliceinvestigations.TùngwasidentifiedasakeyfigureinthescandalinvolvingfinancialfraudwithTr??ngM?Lan,chairwomanofV?nTh?nhPhátgroup.TùngwasaccusedofcollaboratingwithLantocreatefakeloandocumentstoobtainloansfromtheSaigonCommercialJointStockBank(SCB),resultinginalossofoverVN?1.2trilliontothelender.Tr??ngM?LanatatrialearlierthisyearreceivedthedeathpenaltyforfinancialfraudatSCBandwasalsoorderedtopaycompensationofVN?673.8trillion($27billion)tothebank.OtherbankexecutivesandStateofficialsinvolvedinthescandalreceivedvarioussentencesrangingfromthreeyearstolifeforembezzlementandviolatingbankingregulations.LanownedasignificantstakeinSCBundervariouspeoplesnamesandwasfoundguiltyofusingthebanktofundherowncompany,V?nTh?nhPhát.In1992,LanandherfamilyfoundedV?nTh?nhPhát,oneofthecountrysmostprominentrealestatecompanies.Herarrestwaspartofanationalanti-corruptioncampaignwhichhasintensifiedsince2021.—VNSTouristsnearthepopularSaintBasilsCathedral,anOrthodoxchurch,inRedSquareinMoscow.PhotocourtesyofRussianVisaHCMCITY—VietnamesetravelfirmsarepreparingtosendtourgroupstoRussiaagainstartinginSeptemberafterapauseduetotherecentterroristattackinMoscow.DanhNamTravelandsixotherHàN?ifirmsareplanningtosendthreegroupswhosetourswererescheduledaftertheattackonatheatreinMarch.ThefirmssaidtheyhavedoneathoroughsafetyassessmentoftouristattractionsinRussiatoensurethesafetyofcustomers.L?uTh?Thu,deputydirectorofHoàngVi?tTravel,saidthetourpricesremainunchanged.Theeaseofobtaininge-visasandtheimprovedqualityofaccommodationandfoodmakeRussiantoursanattractiveoption,shesaid.PopulardestinationsinthecountryincludeSt.Petersburg,Moscow,Murmansk,LovozeroTundras,andTeriberka.Popularoptionsincludea10-daytourofMoscowandSaintPetersburg,andan11-daytourofMoscow,SaintPetersburg,andKaliningrad.VietnamAirlinesoffersdirectflightsfromHCMCityandHàN?itoMoscow,whileQatarAirwaysandTurkishAirlinesofferdirectflightstoSaintPetersburg.Aneight-daypackagetour,costinguptoUS$2,000,wouldexplorethebeautifularchitectureandhistoryofSt.PetersburgandMoscowandtakevisitorstomajorattractionssuchastheHermitageMuseumandRedSquare.TheattackontheconcerthallwasthedeadliestinRussiainovertwodecades,resultinginthelossofover130lives.TheIslamicStateclaimedresponsibilityfortheattack.—VNS

LeadersoftheNinhThu?nProvincePeoplesCommitteevisitagrapefruitorchardthathaswitheredbecauseirrigationwaterisaffectedbysaltwaterintrusioninNinhH?iDistrictsV?nhH?iCommune.–VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngTh?NINHTHU?N–NinhThu?nProvincesNinhH?iandNinhS?ndistrictslackthewaterrequiredtoirrigatehundredsofhectaresofcrops.InNinhH?i,190haofgrapesinV?nhH?iCommunearefacingashortagebecausethe?ngKinhreservoirhasdriedup.Farmershavehadtodigpondsandborewellstoirrigatecrops,butsomeofthelatterareaffectedbysaltwaterintrusion.InNinhS?n,farmersareworriedthat300haofsugarcaneinQu?ngS?nCommunecouldwitherawaybecauseofthehotweatherandlackofwater.Morethan200haoffruitorchardsinthedistrictsLamS?nCommuneareaffectedsinceGiaChiêuandothersmallspringsfromwhereirrigationwaterisobtainedhavedriedup.Somehavepondstostorewaterbutmostdependonthespringsandrainwater.Nguy?n??cHoà,deputychairmanoftheNinhS?nPeoplesCommittee,saidthedistricthaspetitionedtheprovincetoallocatefundsforlayingwaterpipes.Thesouth-centralprovinceisthecountrysdriestandnormallysuffersawatershortageinthedryseason,whichlastsfromDecembertoAugust.Tr?nhMinhHoàng,deputychairmanoftheprovincePeoplesCommittee,saidlocalauthoritiesaretaskedwithurgentlyimplementingmeasurestosecurewaterforagriculture,householduse,animals,andhigh-valueperennialtrees.PeoplesCommitteeleadershavetouredtheprovincetoinspectthewatersituationandinstructedlocalitiestoworkwiththeprovinceDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentandotherrelevantagenciestosecurewaterforgrapegrowingareas,especiallyinV?nhH?iCommune.Thefruitisoneoftheprovincesspecificallyidentifiedproducts.Relevantprovincialandlocalagenciesregularlygatherinformationaboutthelackofwateranditsimpactstoenablethemtotakepreventionmeasures.Theyhavestrengthenedadvocacytoenhanceawarenesssothatthepublicwillproactivelyparticipateinactivitiestocopesuchasstoringwaterandusingitefficiently.AccordingtotheNinhThu?nIrrigationManagementCompanyLimited,thetotalstorageinits23reservoirsis1.39millioncubicmetresasagainsttheircapacityof418millioncubicmetres.Twohavedriedupcompletelyandsixhavewaterbelowthedeadstoragelevel.–VNSStudentsinaclassatLêQuy??nSecondarySchoolinHCMCitysTh???ccity.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheHCMCityPeoplesCommitteehasreleasedaplantobuild4,500classroomsinresponsetoashortageofeducationalfacilities.Theworkwillalsocelebratethe50thanniversaryoftheLiberationoftheSouthandNationalReunification(April30,2025).Theprojecttargetstohave300classroomspertenthousandstudentstoensuresufficientclassroomspace.Thecitycurrentlyhasatotalof50,650classrooms,servingover1.7millionstudentsandpre-schoolers.Accordingly,by2025,thecitybudgetwillallocatetotalproposedcapitalofmorethanVN?32trillion(US$1.3billion)tobuild5,560newclassrooms.Amongthem,thecityhasalreadycarriedout117projectswithatotalinvestmentofmorethanVN?16.8trillion($659million)aftertheirinvestmentpolicieswereapproved.Themedium-termcapitalallocationinthe2021-2025periodismorethanVN?12trillion($471million).Some78projectshavenotbeengreenlityetbutdisplayedhighfeasibilityforprogressacceleration,withtotalinvestmentofmorethanVN?6.4trillion($251.3million)andanexpectedcapitalneedofVN?5.5trillion($214million).About82projectshaveland-relatedadvantagestospeeduptheirprogress,withatotalinvestmentofnearlyVN?9trillion($351.5million)andamedium-termcapitalallocationofVN?1.1trillion($41.5million)inthe2021-25period.Thecityplanstocallforinvestmentin110projectstobuild2,638classroomswithatotalofVN?24.8trillion($974million)underthepublic-privatepartnershipform.Currently,nearlyalleducationprojectsareintheBuild-Operate-Transferform.However,thecityfaceschallengessuchasland-useplanningforPPPprojectsandadelayinacquiringland,whichcouldincreasecostsandconstructiondelaysforschoolsandeducationalfacilities.Anotherriskisapotentialinterestrateincreaseandchangesinlawsorregulationsthatcouldadverselyimpacttheproject.Thecityneedstoaddresslandallocationissues,includingrelocatingandrecoveringabandonedland,aswellasincreasingincentivesforinvestingineducationalfacilities,expertssaid.TheGovernmentspolicieswillencouragePPPinvestmentineducationandhelptodevelopahealthyandcompetitiveenvironmentforteachingandlearning.However,educationusuallyrequireslong-terminvestmentwithlowprofitmargins,sobusinessesmayneedtooffsettheiroperatingcostsinthefirstfewyearstomaintainquality,expertssaid.—VNS

DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuang,ChairmanoftheNMMRCoordinationCouncil,speaksattheconference.—VNA/VNSPhotoT?V?nToànPHúTH?—Amasterplanforthenorthernmidlandsandmountainousregionhasambitiousgrowthtargetsofaneightpercentgrowthrate,everyyear,betweennowand2030.Theplanrepresentsasignificantstepforward,embodyingnewmindsetsandvisionsanddemonstratingaproactiveapproachtodevelopment.ThatmessagewasdeliveredbyNguy?nChíD?ng,MinisterofPlanningandInvestment,attheregionscoordinationcouncilconferenceonFriday.Hesaidtheplancentresaroundaddressingmajorinter-regionalandinter-provincialissuesandmobilisingresourcesforrapidsustainabledevelopment,aimingtoraisetheareasGrossRegionalDomesticProduct(GRDP)tobetween7.5and8.0percent,GRDPpercapitatobetweenUS$15,000and$18,000andtheHumanDevelopmentIndextomorethan0.75.Theplanalsocoverstopicsincludingthepreservationofculturalidentitiesoflocalethnicgroups,humanresourcequalityenhancementandtalentretentionandthepromotionofculture-basedtourismandagriculture.Severalmeasureshavebeenputforwardintheplanincludingbuildingecologicalcorridors,stripsofvegetationthatlinkforestsandecologicalsites,improvingforestqualityandintroducingnewtypesofforest-linkedservicessuchascarbonsequestration.Italsounderlinesthesignificanceofinter-regionalinfrastructureprojectsinimprovingNMMRsconnectivitywithotherregionsandcountries,especiallywithLaosandChina.Thehigh-speedrailprojectsconnectingL?ngS?n-HàN?iandLàoCai-HàN?i-H?iPhòng-Qu?ngNinhwillbeacceleratedinthatregard.Undertheplan,fiveeconomiccorridorsandaneconomicclusterwillalsobeestablishedtostrengthentheeconomictiesbetweenprovinces,namelyLàoCai-YênBái-PhúTh?-HàN?i,L?ngS?n-B?cGiang-HàN?i,?i?nBiên-S?nLa-HòaBình-HàN?i,HàGiang-TuyênQuang-PhúTh?-HàN?i,CaoB?ng-B?cK?n-TháiNguyên-HàN?iandB?c-Giang-TháiNguyên-PhúTh?.TheMinistercalledforclosecooperationbetweenlocalgovernmentsandtheestablishmentofarobustmechanismtoimplementtheplan.DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuang,ChairmanoftheNMMRCoordinationCouncil,acknowledgedthechallengesfacedbytheregion,butapplaudedeffortsoflocalgovernmentsinleveragingtheirstrengthsfordevelopment.Healsohighlightedinnovativeapproachesadoptedbysomelocalauthorities,emphasisingtheneedforwideradoptionofsuchpractices.Henotedthatregionalcoordinationinitiatives,despitehavingbeeninplaceforsometime,hadnotworkedoutaswellasexpected,duetoNMMRsresourceconstraints,infrastructuredeficienciesandweaklinks.Onthosegrounds,heurgedthelocalauthoritiestofocusonimplementingthecouncil-approvedprojectstoacceleratetheregionsgrowth,especiallythoserelatedtoinfrastructuredevelopment,climatechangeresponseanddigitaltransformation.Theareaishometoadiversepopulationofethnicgroupswithuniqueculturalidentitiesandawealthofhistoricalandculturalsites.ItalsoplaysacrucialroleinnationalwaterandenvironmentalsecurityandservesasthefenceofthenortherngatewayintoVi?tNam.—VNSOCOPproductsaredisplayedattheprovincialcoachstationinV?nhLongCity,V?nhLongProvince.–VNA/VNSPhotoPh?mMinhTu?nV?NHLONG–V?nhLongProvinceisdevelopingmoreproductsunderthenationalOneCommune-OneProductprogramme.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincenowhas159ofthem,100withthree-starproductsand59withfour,afterfiveyearsofimplementingtheprogramme,accordingtoitsDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.Thehighestratinghasfivestars.OnMay6theprovincerecognised36newfour-starproducts.ItsOCOPproductsincludefoodandbeverages,handicrafts,herbalproducts,andruraltourismservices.Theprogrammehashelpedimprovethevalueofproductsandruralincomes,andpromotedtheroleofthecommunityinpreservinganddevelopingtraditionalproducts,accordingtothedepartment.Ithashelpeddevelopmanyfarmingareasforproducingcleanmaterialsandusingtechnologies.IthashelpedOCOPproducerssellmoreandgethigherprices.Nguy?nTh?TrúcLinh,directoroftheThu?nDuyênFoodCompanyLimitedinTamBìnhDistrictsTanPhúCommune,saidshehadbeenintheprogrammesinceitsinceptionandhaddevelopedherproductionestablishmentintothecurrentcompany.In2020itregisteredforrecognitionforfiveproducts(tamarindfishsauce,chilli-garlic-vinegar-sugarsauce,chillisaucewithsesame,seasonedfermentedfish,andThaihotpotsauce)andtheywererecognisedasthree-starOCOPproducts.Shehassinceimprovedthequalityofherproductsandpackaginganddevelopedalogoandbrandnameandmorenewproducts.Itnowhasninethree-starandfour-starproducts,accordingtothedirector.Tr??ngThànhD?nh,directorofthedepartment,saidtheprogrammepromotedmanyprovincesproducts,improvedthecommunitysrole,boostedproductionundervaluechains,developedstart-ups,andpromotedthehouseholdandruraleconomy.OCOPproducersshouldresearchtoimprovequalityanddevelopbrandnames,hesaid.Relevantauthoritiesshouldstrengthenadvocacyabouttheprogrammeanditsimplementation,headded.AccordingtoNguy?nTh?Di?uHi?noftheSomoFarmC?uLongJointStockCompanyinM?ngThítDistricttheprogrammeisverymeaningfulandoffersmanybenefitstoparticipatingcompanies.Itoffersthemsupportfortradepromotionandadvertisement,andisimportantforthemtoselltheirproducts.ThePh??cH?uSafeVegetableCo-operativeinLongH?Districthas35membersandcultivatesvariouskindsofvegetables,mostlyherbs,toVietnamesegoodagriculturalpracticesstandardson15.5ha,andharvestsabout850tonnesayear.Itgrowsthreeherbsrecognisedasthree-starOCOPproducts.Tr?nV?nHi?n,itsdirector,saidtherecognitionwouldenabletheco-operativetointroduceitsproductstoconsumersintheprovinceandelsewhere.Theco-operativewouldmaintainandimproveitsproductqualitytodevelopsustainably,hepromised.Buttheachievementsnotwithstanding,therearealsoshortcomingssuchasthesmallproductionscaleandlowmanagementcapacityofmostOCOPproducersandtheirlackofknowledgeofthemarketeconomyandvaluechains,accordingtothedepartment.Mostco-operatives,co-operativegroupsandhouseholdsproduceandselltheirOCOPproductsthroughtraders,buttheprovincehasmanysupportpolicies.LastyearitcreatedsitesfordisplayingandsellingOCOPproductsattheprovincialcoachstationinV?nhLongCity,themonumentoflatePrimeMinisterV?V?nKi?tinV?ngLiêmDistrictandCocoHomeV?nhLongtourismhouseinLongH?District.–VNS