ICHAMrepresentativesdelivercharitablegiftsattheYênBáiProvincialFatherlandFrontCommittee.—PhotocourtesyofICHAMHàN?I—TheItalianChamberofCommerceinVi?tNam(ICHAM)anditsmembercompanieshaveorganisedacharitablemissiontosupportpeoplehardesthitbyTyphoonYagiinthenorthernprovincesofYênBái,HàGiang,andLàoCai.ThisinitiativewascarriedoutlastweekinresponsetothecallfromtheCentralCommitteeoftheVi?tNamFatherlandFronttohelpaffectedpeopledealwiththeaftermathofTyphoonYagi.KeyparticipantsinthemissionincludedFedericoVasoli,VicePresidentofICHAM,andTr?nThanhQuy?t,ExecutiveDirectorofICHAM,andotherbusinessrepresentatives.Theydelivered130waterpurifiers,tentelevisionsand400setsofschoolsuppliesto20schoolsand120familiesintheprovinces.TheyalsovisitedandprovidedgiftstofamiliesseverelyimpactedbythestormsandinjuredteachersandstudentswhohadlostparentstothefloodsinM??ngKh??ngandSapa.ICHAMhopesthatthecharitableendeavourwillinspireotherstojoinintherecoveryeffortsandcontributetorebuildingthelivesofthoseaffectedbyTyphoonYagi.—VNS

SùngYMúaencouragesM?ngwomeninHangKiaCommuneinHòaBìnhProvincetovisitthehealthcentreformedicalcheck-ups,childbirthassistanceandmaternalandchildhealthcare.VNA/VNSPhotosTr?ng??tHòABìNH—SùngYMúa,ahealthofficerattheHangKiaCommuneMedicalCentreinMaiChauDistrictinthemountainousnorthernprovinceofHòaBình,isapioneerinchangingthemindsetsofM?ngyouthsinthecommune.Withheryouthfulenergyandprofessionalknowledge,MúaisproactiveandcreativeinfindingwaystoimproveherhomelandwhilepreservingM?ngculture,contributingtoabettercommunity.InAugust2005,aftergraduatingfromamedicaltrainingprogramme,Múareturnedtohervillage,takingupahealthofficerroleinHangKiaCommune.Overthepast20years,shehasworkedtirelesslywithlocalauthoritiesinHangKiaandPàCòcommunestoeducatetheM?ngcommunityondiseasepreventionandtoencourageM?ngwomentovisitthehealthcentreformedicalcheck-ups,childbirthassistanceandmaternalandchildhealthcare.Múahasalsoworkedwithorganisationsandrespectedvillageelderstoformteamsthatgotoeveryhouseholdinthecommune,sharinginformationaboutPartypoliciesandStatelaws.Múagoestoeveryhouseholdinthecommune,sharinginformationaboutPartypoliciesandStatelaws.Thisapproachhasgraduallyhelpedreduceissuessuchasdrugabuse,childmarriageandsuperstitionsamongtheM?ngcommunityinHangKiaCommune.Múahasadeepcommitmenttohelpingchildrenindifficultcircumstances,includingintwoparticularfamilies,KhàAVáuandVàngYDua.Recognisingthechallengesfacedbythesefamiliesandotherslikethem,shedecidedtosupporttheirtwochildren,KhàYBàoandKhàAL?nh.Forthepastsixyears,Múahasregularlyvisitedthechildren,providingrice,schoolsuppliesandclothingtoensuretheystayhealthyandcanattendschool.Múahasalsoestablishedthreedanceteams,personallyteachingtraditionalM?ngdancesandsongstotheyoungergenerationinhopesofpreservingtheirculturalheritage.MúateachingtraditionalM?ngdancesandsongstoM?nggirlsinhopesofpreservingculturalheritage.VàngAPáo,ViceChairmanoftheHangKiaCommunePeoplesCommittee,sharedthatovertheyears,alongsideotherstaffattheHangKiaHealthCentre,Múahasshowngreatdedicationincaringforthecommunityshealth.ShehasbeeninstrumentalineducatingthepeopleofHangKia,helpingthemgraduallyabandonoutdatedpracticeslikechildmarriageanddruguse,aswellasmisconceptionsabouthealthandsuperstitions.Now,mostresidents,especiallyM?nggirlsandwomen,activelycometothehealthcentreforcheck-ups,medicineandchildbirthservices,hesaid.VisionforaprosperousandmodernM?ngVillageMúaisdeterminedtobreakthecycleofpovertyforM?ngwomenbyreducinghighratesofschooldropouts,earlymarriage,andothercustomsnowseenasbackward.Inthemid-1990s,HangKiabegantoseechange,withthearrivalofbothdomesticandinternationaltouristscomingtoexplorethelivesandtraditionsoftheM?ngcommunity.AsanativeofHangKia,Múaunderstandstheimportanceofpreservingtheculturalbeautythatisfading.ThisincludesculturalactivitieslikebuildingM?ngtraditionalhouses,M?ngcooking,playingfolkgames,brocadeweavingandwaxpainting.Múainstructsforeigntouriststomakebrocadeweavingatherhomestay.Thisrealisationgaveheraboldideatohelplifthercommunityoutofpovertybybuildingontheseculturalstrengths.MúabecameatrailblazerforM?ngwomenbystartingahomestaybusinessontheuniqueterrainofHangKia-PàCòinMaiChauDistrict.Hersuccessfulcommunitytourismmodel,HomestayYMúainHangKiaCommune,hasencouragedotherstojointhiseffort.Apartfromthecommunitytourismmodel,MúaisdevelopingaculturalspacetopreserveboththetraditionalandmodernculturalvaluesoftheM?ngpeople.Thisspacewilloffervisitorsacompleteexperienceoftheregionsrichheritage.Currently,HangKiahassixhomestaysservingtheneedsoftourists.Eachyear,visitornumbersincrease,helpingtosustainandgrowtraditionalcraftsandtourismproductsuniquetotheM?ngcommunity.VàngAVáu,PartySecretaryofHangKiaCommune,saidthattheYMúaHomestayhaspromotedthebeautyoftheM?ngvillageofHangKiatobothdomesticandinternationaltourists,fosteringthegrowthoflocalcommunitytourism.Hoàng??cMinh,ViceChairmanofMaiChauDistrictsPeoplesCommitteesaidthatHangKiahasnowbecomearecogniseddestinationonthetourismmap,knownforitsgoodweatherandthefriendlinessandhospitalityofitspeople.MúaseffortshavestronglyinspiredtheM?ngcommunityanditsyoungergenerationstofindcreativewaystoprosperintheirhomelandwhilepreservingM?ngculture,hesaid.—VNSPeopleseekingmedicalcareattheOutpatientDepartmentforRequiredServicessreceptiondesk.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—B?chMaiHospitalsrecentinitiativetoextendmedicalexaminationandtreatmenthourshasprovenaresoundingsuccess.Implementedtwomonthsago,theextendedhourshavebeenmetwithpositivefeedbackfrompatientsandenthusiasticsupportfromthehospitalstaff.Thehospitalnowoperatesfrom6amto9pmonweekdaysand6.30amto4.30pmonweekendsatitsOutpatientDepartmentforRequiredServices,allowingforgreaterflexibilityandconvenienceforpatients,particularlythosewhoworkortravelfromfarawayprovinces.P.H.N.,aHàN?iresident,praisedthenewsystemafterbookinganappointmentthroughthehospitalsFacebookpage.Forbusypeoplelikeme,beingabletoseethedoctorafterworkisincrediblyconvenient,shesaid.Ifeltreassuredwiththeprofessionalismanddedicationofthemedicalstaff.P.V.K.fromHòaBình,whoregularlytravelstoB?chMaifortreatmentofchronichepatitis,nolongerfacesthestressofarrivingintheearlymorningtoqueueformedicalservices.Theafternoonhoursaremuchmoreconvenient,especiallyforelderlypatientslikemewhocomefromdistantprovinces,hesaid.Now,Icantraveltothehospitalintheafternoon,getmytestsdonequicklyandheadhomebyeveningwithoutthehassleoflongwaits.Thehospitalhasensuredthatpatientscanaccessallregularmedicalservicesduringtheextendedhours,includingconsultations,bloodtests,ultrasounds,X-raysandMRIscans.DeputyHeadoftheOutpatientDepartmentforRequiredServices,Tr?nMinhTh?o,emphasisedthatthecostofservicesremainsunchangedandthatpatientsstillreceivefullmedicalsupport,justastheywouldduringregularhours.Theinitiativehasalsohelpedeasetheworkloadonmedicalstaff,allowingforacalmerandmorefocusedenvironment,improvingdiagnosisandtreatmentefficiency.Nguy?nQu?cThái,whoisadoctorintheInfectiousDiseaseDepartment,highlightedthereducedwaitingtimesandtheabilityofdoctorstoprovidefasterandmoreaccuratediagnoses.Withafter-hoursexaminations,patientscanquicklygetnecessarytestsandexaminationswithouthavingtowaitandgetimmediateresults,sotheyfeelmorecomfortableandsatisfied,DrTháisaid.Patientsrequiringbloodtests,X-raysandultrasoundscanreceivetheirresultswithintwohours.ForthoseneedingonlyultrasoundsorstandardX-rays,resultsareavailablewithinthehour.B?chMaiHospitalsDirector?àoXuanC?notedthatthehospitalhasrecentlyaddedstate-of-the-artmedicalequipment,includingMRIandCTscanmachines,tofurtherenhanceitsservices.WithsevenMRImachinesnowinoperation,patientscanreceivetheirscansonthesameday,withoutdelays,hesaid.InlinewiththeGovernmentspushfordigitaltransformationinhealthcare,thehospitalisstreamliningadministrativeprocedures,implementingcashlesspaymentsandmovingtowardseveryonehavingelectronicmedicalrecords.InAugust2024,thehospitalstartedphasingoutmedicalfiles,savingapproximatelyVN?30billion(US$1.2million)annually.—VNS

LaoandCambodianstudentsandVietnamesefamilieshostingthemparticipateintheculturalexchangeeventonSunday.VNA/VNSPhotoBìNHTHU?N–AculturalexchangeeventconnectingLaoandCambodianstudentsstudyinginHCMCityandVietnamesefamilieshostingthemhavebeenheldinthesouthernprovinceofBìnhThu?n,aimingtostrengthenthefriendshipandcomprehensiveandsustainablecooperationbetweenVi?tNamanditstwoneighbouringcountries.Takingplaceovertheweekend,theannualeventsawapproximately160studentsvisitinglocalscenicspotsandhistoricalsites,andengaginginculturalexchangeswiththeirVietnamesepeersandhostfamilies.TheypaidtributetoPresidentH?ChíMinhatalocalmuseumdedicatedtothelateVietnameseleaderandtouredthe??cThanhschool,whereheoncetaughtbeforeleavingthecountrytoseekawayfornationalsalvation.Additionally,theparticipantsengagedinaseriesofexchangeactivities,includingaknowledgecontestaboutthelife,career,andlegacyofPresidentH?ChíMinhaswellasthehistoricalandculturaltiesbetweenVi?tNam,Laos,andCambodia.Inhisremarks,VicePresidentoftheHCMCityFederationofLabourPhùngTháiQuangsaidthatthefriendshipamongthethreepeopleswasforgedthroughchallengingtimes,especiallyduringtheirstrugglesforindependenceandfreedom.HehighlightedthatthehomestayprogrammenotonlyoffersmaterialandemotionalsupportforLaoandCambodianstudentsfarfromhomebutalsoservesasastrongbridgebetweenthemandtheirVietnamesehostparents.Itsimpactgoesbeyondfamilialbonds,resonatingbroadlyasavividtestamenttointernationalsolidarityandcross-borderfriendship,Quangnoted.XaiyavongDuangmany,aLaostudentattheNguy?nT?tThànhUniversitywhohaslivedinVi?tNamsince2019,saidheandhisfriendslearnaboutcultureandknowledgeatschoolaswellaslifeskills,dailyroutines,andthecustomsofVietnamesefamilieswhichtheyconsidertheirbelovedsecondhome.–VNS?TrainrunningontheelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetrolineonthefirstdayopentothepublicinAugust2024.—VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nAnh?Urbanareasplayacrucialroleinservices,industry,economicgrowth,andGDP.ForsustainableurbandevelopmentinmajorcitieslikeHàN?iandH?iPhòng,thegoalshouldbegreen,civilisedandmodern.LêTrungHi?u,deputydirectoroftheHàN?iPlanningandInvestmentDepartment,spoketoVietnamNewsAgencyaboutthepotentialoftheTOD(Transit-OrientedDevelopment)modeltoenhanceinfrastructureandtransportsystems.CanyougiveusanoverviewoftheTODmodelandthebenefitsofimplementingitinHàN?i?TODisdefinedatvariouslevelsandscales,dependingonthegoalsoftheurbanplan.Itcanbeastrategyforurbandevelopment,promotingcommunitiesthatarepublictransport-friendly,oraspecificurbandesignapproach.Locally,TODistypicallyseenastheintegrationofhigh-densityurbanareaswithpublictransport,cyclingandwalking.Itcombineshousing,retailspaces,andofficeswithpedestrian-friendlyzones,makingcommutingandshoppingmoreconvenient.HàN?iiscurrentlygrapplingwithanimbalancebetweenurbangrowthandtransportinfrastructure,leadingtoseveretrafficcongestion,increasedpollutionrisksandwastedsocialresources.ThecitynowviewsTODasacoresolutionfortransport-focusedurbandevelopment.Thismodelrevolvesaroundurbanplanningandredevelopment,withurbanrailsystemsatitscentre.Inessence,transportdrivesurbanexpansion.ByadoptingTOD,HàN?iseekstoboostland-useefficiency,improvepublicfacilities,enhancecommunityhealth,reducerelianceonprivatevehicles,cutemissionsandstrengthenconnectionsbetweenkeyareas.PassengersontheelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iurbanrailwayline.HàN?inowviewsTODasacoresolutionfortransport-focusedurbandevelopment.—VNA/VNSPhotoTuy?tMaiDoyoubelieveTODisthebestsolutionforHàN?isurbandevelopment?OneofthecoreprinciplesofTODiscompacturbandevelopment.Thisapproachensuresthatessentialservicesfordailylifearewithinashortwalkingdistance.Insuchcities,residentsprimarilywalktonearbydestinationsandrelyonurbanrailsystemsforlongerjourneys.Withawell-developedurbanrailnetwork,HàN?icancertainlybeplannedasacompactcity.However,theimmediatechallengeisthatHàN?icurrentlylacksthenecessarylegalframeworktoimplementTODplanningandfullycapitaliseonlandvalueinTODzones.EstablishingthislegalframeworkiscrucialforunlockingthefullpotentialofTODtoreshapeanddevelopthecity.TherecentlyrevisedCapitalLaw,passedbytheNationalAssembly,opensanewchapterforHàN?isdevelopment.ItoutlinesalegalframeworkforTOD,focusingonthreekeyareas:urbanplanning,landaccumulation,andcapturingtheaddedvalueofland.Specialemphasisisplacedonthelatter,withsignificantinvestmentdedicatedtocapturingthisvalue.Urbanplanningrequiresdetaileddata,includinginformationonlanduse,populationdensity,pedestrianandcyclistinfrastructure,publicspacesandtheintegrationofvarioustransportmodes.TODzoneswillrequirespecificregulationstoallowforflexiblelanduse,maximisinglandvalue.Thesezonesshouldbepermittedtoapplyuniquecriteriaforplanning,architectureandinfrastructurethatdifferfromnationalstandards.Additionally,urbanplansmustbeflexible,adaptingovertimetomarkettrendsandshiftsinurbandevelopmentneeds.IsmaximisingtheaddedvalueoflandacriticalfactorforthesuccessfulimplementationofTOD?GlobalexperiencesshowthattheearlyintegrationofurbanplanningandtheacquisitionoflandforinvestmentinurbanrailsystemsandTODareasareessentialforthesuccessoftheTODmodel.Assuch,itisvitaltoimplementregulations,mechanisms,andpoliciesforcompensation,support,resettlement,andlandrecovery.Thesemustensureaharmoniousbalanceofinterestsamongresidents,thestate,andbusinessestomaximiselandaccumulationinTODzones.ToeffectivelymobiliseresourcesfromlandthroughtheTODmodel,weneedarobustlegalframeworkforplanningandlanduse,governedbylandlaw,planninglaw,andotherrelevantlegislation.Thisframeworkshouldincludespecificprovisionsregardingtheuseofbothundergroundandabove-groundspaces,allowingforadjustmentstolanduseratiosandbuildingdensities.EstablishingalegalframeworktocaptureaddedlandvalueinTODareasiscrucial.Thiscanbeachievedthroughmechanismssuchaslandauctionsandtenders,alongsiderevenuefrompropertytaxes,landtaxesandinfrastructureimprovementfees.Additionally,thereshouldbealegalstructureforTODunderpublic-privatepartnership(PPP)models,complementedbymechanismsforinvestinglandinexchangeforinfrastructure,therebyenhancingcapitalgenerationfromland.ToincreaserevenuefromTOD,landuseplanningwithintheseareascanbeadjustedalongsidehikesinvarioustaxesandfees,includingthosefromlandauctionsandtenders,state-fundedinfrastructureimprovementfeesandtaxesonpropertiessurroundingTODzones.FuturetaxrevenuesandincomefromleasingundergroundspacesinTODareasshouldalsobeconsidered.HàN?iismakingcautiousyetdeterminedstrideswithinanappropriatelegalframework.ThereisamplereasontobelievethatourcapitalwillsuccessfullyimplementtheTODmodelandevolveintoamodern,sustainableurbanenvironment.VNSTrafficcongestiononNguy?nTr?iStreet,HàN?isThanhXuanDistrict.—VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nAnhHàN?I—HàN?iismovingforwardwithaplantorestrictpollutingvehiclesacross12districts,alongwithsomesoon-to-be-upgradeddistrictsandtwonewcities,aimingtoimproveairqualityandreducecongestion.Followingpublicfeedbackonaninitialdraftforlow-emissionzones(LEZs),thecityhasissuedarevisedproposaldetailingsixcriteriatodesignateLEZs.UnderHàN?isurbanmasterplan,LEZswillrangeallemission-restrictedareasthroughto2030,withavisionextendingto2050.The12targeteddistrictsincludedenselypopulatedareassuchasBa?ình,HoànKi?m,??ng?a,HaiBàTr?ng,ThanhXuan,C?uGi?y,HoàngMai,TayH?,LongBiên,B?cT?Liêm,NamT?LiêmandHà??ng.Fivemoredistrictsof??ngAnh,GiaLam,ThanhTrì,Hoài??c,and?anPh??ngareexpectedtobeestablishedby2025andwilljointheLEZplanalongsidetwoplannedcitiestothenorth(??ngAnh,MêLinh,SócS?n)andwest(HòaL?c,XuanMai).LEZdesignationwillextendtoareaswithfrequenttrafficcongestion,ratedatservicelevelsDtoF.ThisnationalroadstandardclassifiestrafficflowfromA(smooth)toF(gridlock),withthehighestlevelsofcongestionfallingunderlevelsD,E,andF.Additionalcriteriaincludezoneswithconsistentlypoorairquality,particularlythosefailingnationalstandardsforayearormoreandareaswithpublicsupportforstricteremissionstandards.Eco-friendlyvehiclesusinggreenenergywillbeexemptfromrestrictionswithinLEZs,providedtheyareregisteredwithspeciallabelsorplates.TheCapitalLawallowsemission-restrictedareastoapplyspecifictrafficrestrictionsbasedonlocalneeds,ensuringthatplansaccommodateeachareassocioeconomiccharacteristics.Intheshortterm,thedraftadviseslocalauthoritiestobanheavydieseltrucks,prioritisevehiclesmeetingEuro4emissionstandards,andimposeentryfeesforvehiclesbelowthisstandardorthosefailingtomeetemissionregulations.ResidentsandbusinesseswithinLEZswillhave12monthstotransitiontolow-emissionorcompliantvehicles.ThisdraftaimstotranslatetheCapitalLawof2024intopracticalstepstoreducevehicularpollutionandimproveurbanairquality.ThepilotLEZmodel,withaccompanyingvehiclerestrictions,isexpectedtolaunchinearly2025.—VNS

ThenewruralappearanceofTh??ngTínDistrictinHàN?i.HàN?I—HàN?iiscurrentlytheleadinglocalityinthecountryinbuildingnewruralareasandadvancednewruralareas.HanoiPartyCommittee(term17)hasissuedProgramNo04-CTr/TUonpromotingtheeffectiveimplementationoftheNationalTargetProgramBuildingnewruralareasassociatedwithrestructuringtheAgriculturesectoranddevelopmentofruraleconomy,improvingthematerialandspirituallivesoffarmersintheperiod2021-2025.Theprogramhasorientedtheexploitationandhighlightingofthecapitalsuniquecharacteristicsofagriculturalandruraltourism.TocreateapremiseforthedevelopmentofruralagriculturaltourismintheCapital,Hanoihasfocusedonbuildinganewlookforthecountryside,helpingvillagesinthesuburbsofHanoitobefullofnewvitalityandculture,modernity.IfpeoplehadtheopportunitytovisitTh??ngTínDistrictonthedayswhenHàN?icelebratedthe70thanniversaryofcapitalcitysLiberation(October10,1954-October10,2024),theywouldhaveseenthecountrysidebedeckedwithbeautifulflags,bannersandslogans.InHoàBìnhCommune,allvillageshaveculturalhouses.InThu??ngVillagealone,alloffourhamletshavespaciousculturalhousesand100percentofthevillageshavepublicentertainmentareas,outdoorsportsandexerciseequipmenttoservethepeople.AsforNguy?nTr?iCommune,thankstothegoodindustrialdevelopment,allofthelabourersinthecommunehavejobsandstableincomes.Promotinglocalstrengths,HongVancommune(ThuongTindistrict,Hanoi)hasshiftedfrompureagriculturalproductiontoagriculturaldevelopmentassociatedwithcraftvillageeco-tourism.Nguy?nTu?nCh?nh,SecretaryofV?nhM?VillagePartyCommitteeinNguy?nTr?iCommune,saidthatthenewruralareahashelpedthelocalitychangedramatically.Theinfrastructureiscompleteandlocalpeoplepromotetrade,servicesandsmall-scaleindustrydevelopment.SpecificallytheQu?t??ngIndustrialClusterinthecommuneiscreatingjobsforhundredsofworkers.ThecommunealsohasthreetraditionalembroideryvillagesincludingXómB?n,GiaKhánhand?ìnhT?,thankstowhichmanyolderworkerscanalsoearnmoney,sonooneininthoseareasisunemployed.AlsointheseOctoberdays,joycametoMai?ìnhCommuneinSócS?nDistrictwhenthePartyCommittee,authoritiesandpeopleinthecommunereceivedthetitleofacommunemeetingadvancednewruralstandards.ChairwomanoftheMai?ìnhCommunePeoplesCommittee,Nguy?nTh?ThanhHuy?n,saidthatinlessthanoneyear,thecommunehadbeenrecognisedbythecitytwiceasmeetingadvancednewruralstandards.ThefirsttimewasonFebruary23,thesecondwasonAugust12thisyear.Atpresent,theaverageincomeofthecommunereachesnearlyVN?76million(US$2,900)perperson,peryear.Healthcareandeducationqualityisafocusandsocialsecurityisguaranteed.Inter-communeruralroadsinTh??ngTínDistrict.Returningtotheregionthatsufferedmanylossesintheresistancewar,theformercommunesofKhuCháySafeZonesuchas??ngTan,TrungTú,Tr?mL?ngand??ngL?in?ngHoàDistricthavechangeddramaticallyandarefullofvitality.Thevillageroadsthatwereoncemuddyandnarrowarenowspacious,cleanandshadedbygreentrees.KhuCháytodayhasbecomeakeyrice-growingareawithahigh-qualityricevaluechainandthebrandnameKhuCháyQualityRice.Thenewruralconstructioncampaignhastrulyspreadwidelytoeverycitizenandvillage.ManylocalitieshavepracticalandeffectivemodelsandmethodssuchasSócS?n,?anPh??ng,BaVìand?ngHoàdistricts.PrimaryandjuniorsecondaryschoolsinPhúXuyênTown,PhúXuyênDistrict.Everyyear,localitiesorganiseacontestKeepingvillagesandresidentialgroupsbright,green,clean,beautifulandsafe,whichhasreceivedpositiveresponsesfromthepeople.ChairmanoftheSócS?nDistrictPeoplesCommittee,Ph?mV?nMinh,saidthatasofSeptemberthisyear,11communesinthedistrictreachedtheadvancednewruralareastandard.Thedistrictstrivestoreachthenewruralareaconstructiontargetoneyearaheadofschedule,accordingtotheResolutionofthe12thDistrictPartyCongressforthe2020-2025term.In?ngHoàDistrict,Nguy?nChíVi?n,StandingDeputySecretaryofthedistrictPartyCommitteeinformedthatthedistricthas28outof28communesmeetingnewruralstandards,ofwhichninemeettheadvancednewruralstandards.Fromapooragriculturalarea,?ngHoàDistrictisdevelopingstronglyalongwiththecapitalandthecountry.ThetouristrouteNamTh?ngLong–HàN?iHeritageRoadandthedestinationQu?ngPhúC?uIncenseStickCraftVillageattractalargenumberoftourists,promotinglocalcultureandproducts.DeputyChiefoftheStandingOfficeoftheHàN?iNewRuralDevelopmentProgramme,Nguy?nV?nChí,saidthataftermorethan10yearsofimplementingtheNationalTargetProgrammeonNewRuralDevelopment,thankstoclosedirectionofthemunicipalPartyCommittee,PeoplesCommittee,andPartycommitteesatalllevels,localauthoritiesandthepeoplesparticipation,thesuburbanareasofHàN?iaregrowingpositively.From2021tonow,HàN?ihascalledforVN?83trillion($3.2billion)toinvestinruralareas.Thankstothat,HàN?isruralareashavehadsynchronousandmoderninfrastructure,inharmonywithurbandevelopment.DirectoroftheHàN?iDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,Nguy?nXuan??i,saidthatasofJulythisyear,all382outof382communesinthecapitalcitymetthenewruralstandards,188communeshavemettheadvancednewruralstandards(exceedingthesettarget).Currently,fourdistrictsincludingGiaLam,??ngAnh,ThanhTrìandHoài??chavecompletedtheadvancednewruraldistrictdossierandhaveappliedtocompetentauthoritiesforconsiderationandrecognition.Inaddition,ThanhOai,Th??ngTínand?anPh??ngdistrictsarecompletingtheadvancednewruraldistrictdossier.ItcanbeseenthatthesuburbanareasofHàN?iaredevelopingdaybydaytowardscivilisation,modernityandanewrichidentity.Thegreen,cleanandbeautifulcountrysidehasbeenandiscontributingsignificantlytobeautifyingthecapitalcitytodevelopworthyofitsthousandyearsofcivilisation.—VNS*ThearticleispublishedundertheCoordinationOfficeoftheNew-StyleRuralDevelopmentProgrammeinHàN?i.Tr?nV?nútundercustody.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—PoliceinHàN?ihavearrestedamanaccusedofusingafakecelltowertosendscammessagestohundredsofthousandsofmobilephoneusers.Tr?nV?nút,34,wascaughtred-handedonWednesdayattheV?nPhúIntersectioninHà??ngDistrict.AuthoritiesseizedaToyotaInovacontainingsophisticatedequipment,includingamakeshiftbasetransceiverstation(BTS)assembledfromablackbox,alaptop,apowersupplyunit,andaSamsungphone.ThisequipmentallowedúttoimpersonatelegitimatecelltowersandsendfraudulentSMSmessagestoViettelandMobiphonesubscribers.Themessageswarnedrecipientsthattheiraccountshadbeenflaggedasunusualandwouldbelockedwithin12hours,promptingthemtoclickalinktoafakeTelegramwebsite.Thisphishingschemewaslikelydesignedtostealpersonalinformationandpotentiallygainaccesstovictimsaccounts.HeconfessedtooperatingthefakeBTSafterbeingcontactedbyanindividualclaimingtobeChineseviaTelegram.HewaspromisedamonthlysalaryofVN?50million(approximatelyUS$2,000)tocarryouttheoperation.Policebelieveútmayhavesentmessagestoasmanyas389,494mobiledevicesbetweenOctober20andhisarrest.—VNS

AssociateProfessorTr?nMinh?i?n,DirectoroftheNationalPediatricHospital,speaksatthe25thNationalPediatricCongressinHu?CityonNovember1-2.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iHU?CITY—Vi?tNamsetsagoaltoreducethestuntingrateinunder-5childrentobelow15percentby2030,butthisratecurrentlyisstillhighat18.2percent.IfVi?tNamdoesnotactivelydeployinterventionmeasuresbothinhospitalsandinthecommunity,itwillbedifficulttoachievethesetgoalofreducingthestuntingratetobelow15percentby2030.Healthexpertswerespeakingatthe25thNationalPediatricCongress,themedFromSciencetoPolicyandPractice,heldinHu?CityonNovember1-2.Theeventisanopportunityforlocalandinternationalhealthexpertsanddoctorstoupdatetheirknowledgeandexchangeexperiencesinexamination,screeningandnutritionalinterventionforchildren.Thisisalsoanimportantopportunityformedicalprofessionalstodiscussadvancesinthefieldofpaediatrics,especiallychildnutrition.Speakingattheconference,DirectorofthehealthministrysDepartmentofMothersandChildren?inhAnhTu?nsaidthatunderweightmalnutritioninunder-fivechildreninVi?tNamhasdecreasedsharply,butthestuntingrateisstillhigh.Onaverage,abouttwooutof10childrenarestunted.Therateisespeciallyhighinethnicminorityandmountainousareas.Malnutrition,includingstunting,affectsphysicalstrength,statureandintelligenceofVietnamesepeople,saidTu?n.Accordingtothenationalnutritionsurveyin2023,thestuntingrateinchildrenunder5yearsoldinVi?tNamwas18percent.Vi?tNambelongstothegroupofcountrieswitharateofstuntinginchildrenunder20percent-averagelevelaccordingtotheclassificationoftheWorldHealthOrganisation(WHO).However,thisratewasstillhighinthenorthernmidlands,mountainsandCentralHighlands,uptoabout30percent.Dr.PhanH?uPhúc,GeneralSecretaryoftheVietnamPediatricAssociationandDeputyDirectoroftheNationalPediatricHospital,speaksatthe25thNationalPediatricCongressinHu?CityonNovember1-2.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iDr.PhanH?uPhúc,GeneralSecretaryoftheVietnamPediatricAssociationandDeputyDirectoroftheNationalPediatricHospitalsaidthattheannualrateofreductioninstuntinginchildrenunderfiveyearsoldwasslowingdown,atlessthanonepercentperyearsince2015.PhúcalsoaddedthattheheightofVietnameseadultsisstillinthe30percentofcountrieswiththelowestaverageheightintheworld.Theaverageheightofmenisbelow1.7mandwomenarebelow1.6m.AccordingtoPhúc,adultheightdependsonmanyfactors,includingstatureinthefirstyearsoflife.Malnourishedandstuntedchildrengreatlyaffecttheiradultstature.Therefore,itisnecessarytohavetimelynutritionalinterventionsforchildren,inwhichtheroleofscreeningandearlydetectionoftheriskofstuntingandmalnutritionisveryimportant,stressedPhúc.Currently,eachhospitalhasadifferentnutritionalassessmentscreeningtable.Thereisnounifiedscreeningtoolset.Evaluationsmainlyfocusonacutemalnutrition,oftenmissingscreening/interventionofchildrenatriskofstunting;notfocusingontheriskofmalnutritionandinterventionforchildrenwhoaresickandatriskofmalnutrition.Fromthisreality,expertsfromtheMinistryofHealthandtheVietnamPediatricAssociationcoordinatedwithhospitalstobuildaconsensusonguidelinesforscreeningnutritionalinterventionsforpediatricpatients.Nutritionalconsultationexaminationatthe??cGiangGeneralHospitalinHàN?i.—VNSPhotocourtesyofthehospitalAssociateProfessorTr?nMinh?i?n,DirectoroftheNationalPediatricHospital,said:Currently100percentofchildrencomingforinpatienttreatmentatthehospitalhavebeenevaluatedfornutritionalscreeningandinterventionwasgiventoabout30percentofchildrenwithsignsofmalnutrition.Specifically,afterchildrenarescreened,doctorswillgiveparentsinstructionsandnutritionalinterventionswithdietandoralnutritionalfoodssuitableforeachchild,notonlyforseverelymalnourishedchildrenbutalsoforchildrenatrisk,said?i?n.Accordingtoexperts,oneofthenewpointsinaddressingmalnutritioninchildrentodayistofocusonscreeninggroupsofchildrentreatedinbothoutpatientandinpatienthospitals.Inaddition,doctorswillfocusonevaluatingchronicallymalnourishedchildrenandearlydetectionandinterventionoftherisksofacuteandchronicmalnutritionandstuntinginchildren.Attheconference,theVietnamPediatricAssociationmadesixrecommendations,callingonhospitalstoimplementthemsystematically,forpaediatricianstopractiseandjoinhandstodrivebackmalnutritionandimprovethestatureofVietnamesepeople.Inparticular,outpatientswillbescreenedfornutritionalriskfactors.Inpatientswillbescreened,evaluatedfornutritionalstatus,diagnosedandprescribednutritionaltreatmentwithin36hoursfromthetimeofadmissionandrecordedinthemedicalrecord.Screening,assessmentandnutritionalinterventionsshouldbemaintainedthroughouttreatmentandbeforethepatientisdischargedfromthehospital.Inpatientandoutpatientnutritionalinterventionplansformalnourishedchildrenmustbeappropriateandensuresufficienttime.Phúcaddedthatthebenefitsoforalnutritionalsupplementsofmedicalnutritionalfoodshelpreducehospitalstaysby14.8percentandmedicalcostsby9.7percent.—VNS

TheMasjidJamiulAzharMosqueinChauPhongCommune,TanChauDistrictfeatureswhiteandemeraldgreencolours,withtall,spaciousdomesandaconjoinedsymbolofacrescentandastar.VNA/VNSPhotoTr?ngChínhTheMekongDeltaprovinceofAnGiangishometoaround13,000Ch?methnicpeoplewhopracticeIslamthatliveinthedistrictsofAnPhú,TanChau,PhúTanandChauPhúalongtheH?uRiver.TheCh?mcommunityhasbuiltmanybeautifulmosquesalongtheriverbanks,whichservenotonlyasplacesofworshipbutalsoasvenuesforcommunityculturalactivitiesandforlearningCh?mscriptandtheQuran.TheareasurroundingthemosqueservesasaburialgroundfordeceasedMuslimbelievers.VNA/VNSPhotoTr?ngChínhTheMasjidJamiulAzharMosqueinChauPhongCommune,TanChauDistrictisoneoftheoldestandmostbeautifulmosquesinAnGiang.Themosquefeatureswhiteandemeraldgreencolours,withtall,spaciousdomesandaconjoinedsymbolofacrescentandastar.TheareasurroundingthemosqueservesasaburialgroundfordeceasedMuslims.ChauV?nMách,aCh?methnicinthecommune,saidthatthemosquewasoriginallybuiltofwoodaroundthe1700sandwasnamedMasjidYahya.Itunderwentseveralrenovationswithstonein1952,andin1959,itwasrenamedasMasjidJamiulAzhar.ChauAnMách,aCh?methnicinChauPhongCommune,renovatesthegravestoneofadeadrelative.VNA/VNSPhotoTr?ngChínhThestonecolumnsinsidethemosquefeaturestunningemerald-greenpatterns.VNA/VNSPhotoTr?ngChínhTheMubarakMosqueinPhúHi?pCommune,TanPhúDistrictwasrecognisedasanationalarchitecturalandspiritualheritagesitein1989,andisregardedasasacredreligioussymbolfortheMuslimcommunitylivinginthisarea.Everyyear,theMubarakMosquehostsvariousfestiveactivitiesandcommunityculturaleventsfortheCh?m,includingtheMawlidcommemoratingthebirthdayoftheIslamicprophetMuhammad,theRojaHajifestivaltocelebrateCh?mNewYear,andRamadan.TheMubarakMosqueinPhúHi?pCommune,TanPhúDistrictwasrecognisedasanationalarchitecturalandspiritualheritagesitein1989.VNA/VNSPhotoTr?ngChínhAlongwiththeMasjidJamiulAzharandMubarakmosques,othermosquesintheregion,suchastheMasjidAl-EhsaninCh?m?aPh??cVillageinAnPhúDistrict,aswellasthoseinsurroundingvillages,warmlywelcomevisitors.VNSCh?mpeopledressedintraditionalattireparticipateintheeveningprayerattheMubarakMosqueinPhúHi?pCommune,TanPhúDistrict.VNA/VNSPhotoTr?ngChínhForMuslims,adayincludesfivedesignatedprayertimes,includingdawn,noon,afternoon,evening,andnight.OnFridaynoon,menmustgotothemainmosquetopray,whilewomenprayathome.VNA/VNSPhotoTr?ngChínhACh?mgirlwearsanabayaandcoversherhairwithahijab.VNA/VNSPhotoTr?ngChínhFishingboatequippedwithajourneymonitoringdeviceinQu?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.–VNSBùiV?nTu?n,41,wasarrestedonMonday.—PhotofromThanhHoáPoliceTHANHHOá—PoliceinNh?XuanDistrict,thecentralprovinceofThanhHoá,havelaunchedaprobeintoandtemporarilydetainedamanforabusingtherightstodemocracyandfreedomtoinfringeontheStatesinterestsandrightsandlegitimateinterestsoforganisationsandindividuals.OnSeptember1and7,BùiV?nTu?n,41,residinginNh?XuansBìnhL??ngCommune,reportedlyusedaFacebookaccountunderthenameTu?nD?ngtolivestreamanddeliveroffensiveremarks,spreadingfalseinformation,distortingfacts,slandering,defaming,andinsultingcertainhigh-rankingPartyandStateleaders,alongwithofficialsinthedistrict.Furthermore,heincitedlargegatheringstoobstructtheoperationsofagenciesandorganisationsduringtheimplementationofprojectsinNh?Xuan.Uponlearningaboutthecase,competentforcescollecteddocumentsandevidenceandrequestedverificationofthevideoclipsthemanhadpostedonFacebook.ThechargeofabusingtherightstodemocracyandfreedomtoinfringeontheStatesinterestsandrightsandlegitimateinterestsoforganisationsandindividualsisstipulatedinClause2ofArticle331ofthePenalCode.—VNA/VNS

OneofthechildrenundergoesamedicalexaminationattheLaiChausProvincialGeneralHospital.—VNA/VNSPhotoLAICH?U—Twentychildren,agedbetween23-34months,fromGiangMaPreschoolinthenorthernmountainousprovinceofLaiChauarecurrentlyinstableconditionfollowingfearsthattheymayhaveingestedratpoison.AuthoritiesreportedthatthechildrenwerequicklyhospitalisedafterateacherfoundseveralstudentsintheclassholdingwhatappearedtoberatpoisontabletsonTuesday.Fearingtheymayhavemistakenthetabletsforsweets,theteacherpromptlyalertedthelocalhealthstationandthechildrenwereimmediatelytransportedtoLaiChausProvincialGeneralHospitalformedicalexaminationandtreatment.Emergencyprocedureswerecarriedoutbythehospitalsdoctors,whilethePoisonControlCentreatHàN?i-basedB?chMaiHospital,theleadingpublichospitalinthenorthernregion,providedremotemedicalassistance.Thedoctorsobservedthattwochildrendisplayedsymptomsofabdominalpainandnausea,whichcouldindicateexposuretothepoison.Theotherchildrenshowednounusualsymptomsbutwerekeptunderobservationasaprecautionarymeasure.Bylateafternoon,theyconfirmedthatall20childrenwerestable,thoughtheywouldremainatthehospitalunderobservationforthenext24to72hours.Authoritiesrevealateacherboughttheratpoisontoaddressarodentproblemintheschoolsstorageroom,whichisadjacenttothechildrensclassroom.ThepoisonwasplacedintheroomonMonday,buttheteacherreportedlyforgottoinformcolleaguesaboutit.Theauthoritiesaretakingfurtherprecautions,sendingsamplesfromthechildrentocentralhealthlabsfortestingtoconfirmthecauseoftheirsymptoms.—VNSThemomentofthefatalcrashonTr?nH?ng??o-BàTri?uintersectiononSundaynight,capturedbyanearbysecuritycamera.—PhotocourtesyofOFFBSubHàN?I—HoànKi?mDistrictPolicetodaysaidtheyhavelaunchedprosecutionproceedingsforamotorcycleaccidentthatkilleda27-year-oldwomanonSundaynightinHàN?ithathavedrawnmuchpublicattentioninrecentdays.Tenmotorcyclistswhowereallegedlyinvolvedinillegalracingatthetimeofthecrashhavebeenarrestedforfurtherinvestigation.Earlyreportsindicatethatthefemalevictim,whoseinitialsaregivenasN.H.Q.,waswaitingfortheredlightattheTr?nH?ng??o-BàTri?uintersectionataround12.15amwhenagroupof25to30motorcyclistsallegedlyracedthroughthearea.OneofthesuspectedracerswasN.H.N.,19,whowascarryingN.P.A.,19,goingintheoppositedirection.PolicesaidtheycrashedintoQ.smotorbike,causinghertofalltotheground.Shortlyafterwards,anothermotorbikeinthesuspectedracergangoperatedbyN.T.M.K.,16,andL.?.C.,16,reachedtheintersectionandallegedlyranoverQ.withspeedof60-70km/h.Thevictimwaskilledonthespot.Thegroupfledthescenebuthavebeenlaterarrestedbythepolice.PolicesaidN.H.N.sustainedinjuriesinthecrashandwastreatedatalocalhospital.Shepreviouslydroppedoutofschoolandwasseenasa‘leaderofagroupofdelinquentsinXuanLaVillageinHàN?isTayH?District,accordingtoHàN?iM?i(NewHanoi)newspaper.Allmembersoftheracergangarebetween16and19yearsold.Thúy,thevictimsaunt,toldDanTrínewspaper:Weonlyhopeforjusticesothatnootherfamilyhastobearthesametragedyasours.Q.isrememberedbyherfamilyandfriendsasakind,hard-workingyoungwoman.Shehadbeenplanningtogetmarriedearlynextyear,aftertheT?t(LunarNewYear)holiday.Onthenightoftheaccident,Q.wasouttosendoffafriendwhowasgoingbacktoHCMCity.AftergrowingworriedwhenQ.didnotpickupherphone,hermothercontactedherfriendsandwentouttosearchforherwithherbrotherbasedontheirguessesoftherouteshemightgo.TheylaterreceivedacallfromQ.sfriend,whosawhermotorbikeinanaccidentattheTr?nH?ng??o-BàTri?uintersection,andfoundoutthatQ.wasthevictimofthecrash.—VNS