HàN?iforestrangerscoordinatewith??ngXuanCommuneinQu?cOaiDistricttorehearseforestfirefightingskills.—Photohanoimoi.com.vnHàN?I—HàN?iisenteringdryseason.Withthickvegetation,justalittlecarelessnessamongthetreeswithanopenflamecancauseaforestfire.Toproactivelypreventforestfires,thecapitalcityhasimplementedmanysolutionstoenhancetheroleandresponsibilityofforestowners,rangersandlocalresidents.HàN?ihasatotalforestareaandsub-forestareaof??nearly27,100ha,acrosssevendistrictsandtownsincludingBaVì,SócS?n,M???c,S?nTay,Ch??ngM?,Qu?cOaiandTh?chTh?t.ForestsinHàN?iaremainlyplantedones,includingtreessuchaspine,acaciaandeucalyptus,highlyflammableplantspecies,sotheriskofforestfiresisveryhigh.Withhot,dryweatherandlowhumidityoveralongperiod,thecitysforestfirepreventionandcontrolmustalwaysbeinreadinesstominimiseanydamage.Ng?XuanThanh,aworkerofthemobileteamforforestfirepreventionandfightingundertheHàN?iPreventiveForestManagementBoard,saidthatinthedryseason(fromearlyOctobertotheendofMay),SócS?nDistrictisalwaysahotspotforforestfires.Themostworryingissueisthatfirefightingequipmentisrudimentary.Firefightingmeasuresaresimple,mainlyusinghoesandshovelstoclearvegetationtopreventanyfirefromspreadingandusingfreshbranchesandblowerstoputouttheflames.DeputyHeadofForestProtectionDepartmentNo4undertheHàN?iForestProtectionDepartment(FPD)LêV?n??csaid:Inthedryseason,althoughtherehavebeenwarningsatdifferentlevels,manypeople,especiallytourists,stillbringfiresourcesorlightfiresnearforests.Ifnotdetectedandextinguishedearly,thefirespreadisinevitable.StatisticsfromtheFPDshowthatfromthebeginningofthisyear,twoforestfireshavebeenrecordedinthecity.Ofwhich,oneblazewasacrossanareaof??1.5hainTh?chTh?tDistrict,whereasanotherwithanareaof??0.5haoccurredinSócS?nDistrict.Thefiresweredetectedandpromptlyextinguished,thustheycausednomajordamagetoforestresources.Comparedtothesameperiodlastyear,thenumberofforestfiresdecreasedby32andthefiredamagedareafellbymorethan38ha.DeputyHeadoftheFPDNguy?nTi?nLamsaidthatthenumberofforestfireswasdownsharplybecauselocalitieshaddoneagoodjobofforestmanagementandprotection.ItisalsobecausethisyearHàN?ihashadalotofrain,thethickvegetationhasaccumulatedwaterandhumidity,makingareaslessflammable.Buttheweatherforecastfromnowuntiltheendoftheyearisforittobedrywithlittlerain,solocalitieswithforestsneedtoproactivelydevelopplanstopreventandfightforestfires.TheHàN?iDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(DARD)hasissuedmanydocumentsrequestingdepartments,branches,militaryunits,police,districtsandtownswithforeststocoordinatewellinforestprotectionworkandminimisethechanceofforestfirestakinghold.DeputyDirectoroftheDARDNguy?nM?nhPh??ngsaidmostrecently,localareaswithforestedareashavebeengivendrillsaboutfirefighting,raisingawarenessofresponsibilityinconductingStateregulationsonforestprotectionanddevelopment,alongwithfirepreventionandfirefightingforofficialsandpeoplefromofallwalksoflife.Herequesteddistrictsandtownstoregularlyinspectandurgedepartments,units,peoplescommitteesofcommunesandtownstostrictlyrealiseforestfirepreventionmeasures.Atthesametimelocalauthoritieshavebeenstrengtheningthecommandcommitteeandforestfirepreventionandfightingteamsincommunes,guidingandstrictlymanagingthevegetationclearingaccordingtotheplan.Inaddition,theFPDdirectedforestrangerstocoordinatewithlocalauthoritiestoguidecommunesandforestownerstostrictlyimplementtheestablishedforestfirepreventionandfightingplan.Theymustregularlyreviewandadjustitastheseasonsandlocaldevelopmentschangeovertime.Wearealwaysproactiveinallsituations,includingmeansandforces,promptlyhandlingforestfirestominimisedamage,ensuringabsolutesafetyforpeopleandproperty,saidLam.—VNS

TheconferenceontheimplementationoftheProjecttoImproveSoilHealthandManageCropNutrition,organisedbytheMinistryofAgriculture(MARD)onFridayinHàN?i.—VNSPhotoT?Nh?HàN?I—Landisacriticalmeansofproduction,servingasahometovariousecosystemsandsosoilhealthisanissueofconcernforbothVi?tNamandmanyothercountriesaroundtheworld,saidDeputyMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentHoàngTrung.Accordingtothedeputyminister,thecurrentaveragelandareapercapitaislow,compoundedbyintensiveandmonoculturefarmingpracticesanddamagedbyimbalanceduseoffertilisersandpesticides.Inmanyareassoilhealthhasbeendramaticallyreducedduetothedevelopmentofindustrialzonesandcraftvillages,alongwiththeimpactsofclimatechange,leadingtodrought,salinisationandsoilacidification.InlightofdecliningsoilhealthinVi?tNam,amidincreasingdemandforfoodandtheurgentneedforsustainableproduction,numerousmanagementandtechnicalactivitieshavebeenimplemented,HoàngTrungsaidattheconferenceProjecttoImproveSoilHealthandManageCropNutrition,organisedbytheMinistryofAgriculture(MARD)onFridayinHàN?i.Thelegalframeworkforsoilhealthhasalsobeensubstantiallycompletedtomeetpracticalneeds,howeverthereremainmanyissuesinsoilhealthmanagementthatneedfocusedattention,Trungsaid.AccordingtoV?Th?ng,deputyheadoftheFertiliserManagementDepartmentofthePlantProtectionDepartment,inVi?tNam,therearecurrently11.8millionhectaresofdegradedland,withoverfourmillionhectaresbeingagriculturalland.Soildegradationandtheriskofdesertificationareprogressingrapidly,withthemostsevereimpactsinthreeregions:theNorthwest,CentralHighlandsandSouth-CentralCoast,hesaid.Thisisduetobothobjectiveandsubjectivefactors.Subjectivefactorsincludecultivationpracticesinvolvingmultiplecropsperyear,excessiveuseofinorganicfertilisers,animbalancebetweenorganicandinorganicinputs,useofchemicalpesticidesandalackofmeasurestopreventerosionandrunoff.Regardingthedeclineinsoilbiodiversity,harmfulmicroorganismsinthesoilareincreasingfaster,whichacceleratessoilqualitydegradation.Concerningsoilhealthassessmentcriteria,differentcountrieshavedifferentsetsofcriteriaforassessingsoilhealth.However,Vi?tNamlacksasetofindicatorsforevaluatingsoilqualityincropproduction.Theindicatorsusedinresearchdonotfullyreflectthevariousaspectsofsoilhealthandqualityasisdoneglobally,hesaid.Th?ngalsosaidthatthegoaloftheprojectistoincreasethevalueoflanduse,managecropnutritioneffectively,therebycontributingtotherestructuringoftheagriculturalsectorandbuildingnewruralareas.Accordingly,theprojectincludeskeyelementssuchastheimprovementofthelegalsystemandtechnicalstandards.Itaimstoestablishanationalstandardsystemforassessingsoilhealthandcropnutrition,inalignmentwithinternationalstandards.Additionally,itseekstobuildanationaldatabaseonsoilhealthtomonitorandtracksoilqualityacrossthecountry.Moreover,theprojectemphasisesresearchanddevelopmentofadvancedtechnologicalsolutions,includingtheapplicationofbeneficialmicroorganisms,bio-fertilisersandslow-releasefertilisers.Italsofocusesonresearchingsustainablefarmingmethods,particularlyonproblematicsoilslikenutrient-poororerosion-pronelands.—VNSGREENCROP:Farmersharvestingthericegrownaspartofthepilotprojectforhigh-quality,low-emissionriceproductioninThápM??iDistrict,theMekongDeltaprovinceof??ngThápinSeptember.—VNA/VNSPhotoNh?tAnHàN?I—Knownasamajorriceproducerworldwide,Vi?tNamismakingsignificantstridesinreducingtheenvironmentalimpactofthisstaplecrop.Ricefarming,whichsustainsmillionsofpeople,particularlyinAsia,isanotablesourceofgreenhousegasemissionsduetoitsuniquecultivationmethods.Floodedfieldscreateidealconditionsforbacteriatobreakdownorganicmatter,primarilyricestraw,whichreleasesmethane.Theoveruseofnitrogen-basedfertilisersbyfarmersalsocontributestonitrousoxideemissions.IntheMekongDelta,themainrice-producingregioninVi?tNam,around29milliontonnesofricestrawareproducedannually,withover80percentburnedonthefieldsafterharvest—aquickbutemissions-heavydisposalmethod.Additionally,inefficientricedryingandmillingpracticescontributetofoodloss,waste,andfurtheremissionsthroughoutthevaluechain.Toaddressthisissue,giventhatVi?tNamisoneofthetopriceproducersandexporters,andaspartofitsambitiouspledgetoachievenetzeroby2050,thecountrybecamethefirstintheworldtoimplementalarge-scalehigh-quality,low-emissionriceprogramme—coveringonemillionhectaresintheMekongDelta.Thisinitiativewasapprovedinlate2023andhasattractedconsiderableattentionfrominternationalpartners.Asidefromenvironmentalcommitments,theprojectalsoaimstoenhancethebrandofVi?tNamsriceindustryandimprovethelivelihoodsoflocalfarmers.Theprojectisdividedintotwophases.Phase1(2024-25)willfocuson200,000hectareswithappropriateproductioninfrastructureandcooperativecapacitytoproduceandconnectwithbusinesses,targetinghigh-quality,low-emissionrice.Phase2(2026-30)willfocusoninvestmenttocompleteinfrastructureandstrengthenthesystemscapacitytoexpandtoanadditional800,000hectares.HighlypositiveoutcomesAfteroneyearofimplementation,theMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD)reportedsignificantprogress.Keylegalframeworks,includingtechnicalprocessesforhigh-quality,low-emissionriceproductionintheMekongDeltaandanationalplantomeasureemissionreductions,havebeenissued.Sevenpilotmodelshavebeenestablishedinfiveprovincesandcities(C?nTh?,??ngTháp,KiênGiang,TràVinh,andSócTr?ng),withfourreportinghighlypositiveresultsforthe2024summer-autumncrop.Theseresultsincludea20-30percentreductionincosts(withover50percentlessseedusage,30percentlessnitrogenfertiliser,2-3fewerpesticideapplications,and30-40percentlesswaterusage).Meanwhile,productivityincreasedby10percent(6.3-6.6tonnes/hacomparedto5.7-6tonnes/haincontrolfields),andfarmersincomesroseby20-25percent(anadditionalVN?4-7.6million/ha).OverallCO2emissionsdroppedby3-5tonnesperhectare.BusinessescontractedalltheharvestedoutputatpricesVN?200-300/kghigherthanaverage.AtarecentconferencereviewingthepilotprogrammeinC?nTh?,Tr?nThanhNam,deputyagricultureminister,saidthatthesuccessofthepilotmodelshadgreatlyencouragedfarmersandcooperativestoactivelyparticipateintheproject.Basedonthepilotmodelsimplementation,theministryhadcollaboratedwithlocalauthoritiesandexpertsfromtheWorldBankandtheInternationalRiceResearchInstitutetodevelopaMeasurement,ReportingandVerification(MRV)systeminlinewithinternationalstandards,providingascientificbasisformeasuringemissionsacrosstheentireprojectarea.Buoyedbytheinitialsuccess,theMARDagreedwithlocalauthoritiestoexpandthesustainable,low-emissionfarmingmodelsacross12provincesintheMekongDelta,startingwiththe2024autumn-winterand2024-25winter-springcrops.Additionally,theministrylaunchedaplantostrengthenthecapacityofaround620agriculturalcooperativesandnearly200,000householdsinvolvedintheproject,focusingonvaluechaindevelopment.Namsaidtheministrywasalsoworkingwithlocalauthoritiestoreviewcurrentinfrastructureinriceproductionareas,compileprovincialrequests,andseekfundingforinfrastructureupgradesduringthe2026-30phase.Tosecurefunding,aUS$430millionWorldBankloanisproposedbytheendof2023fortheHigh-Quality,Low-EmissionRiceInfrastructureandTechnicalSupportintheMekongDeltaproject.Thisincludes$330millioninloansand$100millionincounterpartfunding,mainlyforthe2026-27period,accordingtothedeputyminister.Inadditiontodirectfunding,theStateBankofVi?tNamhasworkedwiththeministrytodraftacreditprogrammetosupportbusinessesandcooperatives.Between2025and2027,aroundVN?20trillion($800million)willbeneeded,sourcedfromenterprises,cooperatives,andfarmers.Thiswillcovermaterials,rice,mechanisedequipment,andtheconstructionofstorageandlogisticssystems.Tomobilisethisfunding,aVN?10trillion($400million)creditpackagefromcommercialbanksisessential.Asthefirstcountrytoimplementalarge-scalelow-emissionriceproductionprogramme,Vi?tNamfaceschallengesduetothelackofprecedents,policies,andresourcestoguidetheproject.Farmersareusedtounsustainabletraditionalricefarmingmethodswithlittlecollaboration.Strongcommunication,capacitybuilding,anddemonstrationmodels,alongwithpolicyandresourcesupport,areessentialtomotivateandenablefarmerstoshifttheirproductionmindset,anofficialsaid.Inaddition,theirrigationinfrastructureinsomeareasisincomplete,andresourcemobilisationhasnotkeptpacewiththeprojectsprogress.Tomeettheprojectstimelineanddonorrequirements,theministryhasproposedseveralmeasures,includingpilotingpoliciesforusingODAandpreferentialWorldBankloans,implementingresults-basedpayments,andtransferringcarboncreditsfromlow-emissionriceproduction.TheWorldBankhasasserteditsstrongcommitmenttotheprogramme,proposingthattheGovernmentestablishaninter-ministerialworkinggrouptoharmoniseproceduresandcreateafeasibleimplementationmechanism,withthegoalofsigningtheloanagreementassoonaspossible.RicerevolutionPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhascalledforrevitalisingthericeproductionthroughdigitaltechnology,greendevelopment,thecirculareconomy,thesharingeconomy,theknowledgeeconomy,andtheapplicationofscience,technology,andinnovation.Wemustlovericeasweloveourselves,aswelovewhatisdearestinourlives,tomakearevolutionforricecultivation,PMChínhsaid.Healsocalledformobilisinganddiversifyingresources,includingpublic-privatepartnerships,loans,bonds,andsocialisedcapital,whileensuringresourcesreachlocalities,productionfacilities,andfarmers.Theentirepoliticalsystemwouldbeengagedintheproject,butlocalitiesmustfirstpromoteself-relianceandresilience,andmechanismsmustbeinplacetomobilisethestrengthoftheindividualsandbusinesses.PMChínhurgedforfasterprogressinachievingthetargetofonemillionhectaresofhigh-quality,low-emissionrice,aimingfor14-15milliontonnesofriceand9-10milliontonnesofhigh-qualityriceby2030,orearlierifpossible.Amongthekeytasks,theapplicationofscienceandtechnologywouldbecriticaltobuildinghigh-qualityricebrands,includinggeographicalindications,traceability,andplantingareacodes.CitingtheST25fragrantricevariety,whichwasnamedtheWorldsBestRice2023,PMChínhemphasisedtheimportanceofbranding.Forclimatechangeresponseanddisasterrecovery,theagricultureandenvironmentministrieswouldcollaboratetodevelopacomprehensiveplantoprotecttheMekongDelta,includingrice-growingland,withphasedinvestmenttobecompletedbythefirstquarterof2025.Intermsofemissionreduction,theministriesresponsibleforagriculture,tradeandfinancewouldcoordinatetoensurethatproductsrelatedtomethanereductionandcarboncreditsareavailablebythesecondquarterof2025.PMChínhstressedthatthepowerofthepeoplemustnotbeunderestimatedandmustbeorganisedthroughcooperativestopromoteself-reliance,dynamismandcreativity.Thepeoplemakehistory;thericerevolutioncannothappenwithouttheirstrength,hesaid.Healsohighlightedthatbothmaterialandspiritualbenefitsmustbeguaranteedtoensurefarmersparticipation.Wemustlisten,share,worktogether,wintogether,developtogether,andsharejoy,happiness,andpridetogether,headded.VNS

DoctorsatBìnhDanHospitalinHCMCityhavesuccessfullyusedarobottoassistsurgerytoremoveacanceroustumourfroma89-year-oldVietnamesewomanwithcolorectalcanceratStage3.—PhotoCourtesyofthehospitalHCMCITY—DoctorsatBìnhDanHospitalinHCMCityhavesuccessfullyusedarobottoassistsurgerytoremoveacanceroustumourfroma89-year-oldVietnamesewomanwithcolorectalcancer.Thewomanislivinginthecity.Whenhospitalised,sheonlyweighed34kgandcouldnotwalkbyherself.Dr.Nguy?nPhúH?uofthehospital,whoperformedthetwo-hoursurgery,saidthereisabigchallengetoconductasurgeryforanoldpatientwithstage-3colorectalcancerandseveremalnutrition.Thewomanistheoldestpatientamongnearly3.000roboticsurgeriesperformedatthehospitalsince2016untilnow.Wehadamultidisciplinaryconsultationandpreparedverycarefullytobeabletoperformthesurgery,respondingtothepatientsresilienceandtrustinus,hesaid.Thehospitalssurgeonsworkedwithanutritionisttostrengthentheoldwomansphysicalconditionfor10daysbeforethesurgery.Finally,thesurgerywasagreatsuccess.Thetumourwascompletelyremoved,thelymphnodeswerequicklyremovedandmostimportantly,thehealthytissueinthepatientsabdomenwaspreserved.Previously,duetosignsofblackstoolsanddullpainintherightabdomen,theoldwomanwastakentoahospitalbyherfamilyforacheck-up.AnabdominalCTscanshowedatumourintherightcolonandmanysurroundinglymphnodes.Thebiopsyresultafteranendoscopyconfirmedthatthiswasacanceroustumor.Thiscausedtheoldwomantohavepoorappetite,anemia,andherbodytobecomeincreasinglyemaciatedandloseweight.Inaddition,thepatientalsohadaheartrhythmdisorder.Shewasdischargedfromthehospitalandhadtobehospitalisedforabloodtransfusioneverytwoweeks.Aftercarefulconsideration,shedecidedtogotoBìnhDanHospitalforroboticsurgeryinthehopeofhavingabetterqualityoflifeandbeingabletotakecareofherself.Aftersurgery,shewascaredforandbeganeatingagainonthethirdpostoperativeday.Shecontinuedtoreceivenutritionalcareandphysicaltherapytohelphermoveearlyaftersurgery,increaselungventilation,avoidvascularandpulmonaryembolism,preventtheriskofpneumoniaandpreventnastomoticleakage.Thepatientsabdominalultrasoundontheseventhpostoperativedayshowedacleanabdomenwithnofluid.Shewasdischargedonthe10thpostoperativeday.Thefemalecancerpatientthanksthedoctorforhissurgerytosaveher.—PhotoCourtesyofthehospitalShethankedthedoctorforgivingherlifeagain.IfelttiredwhenIfirsthadthesurgery,butitgraduallydecreased,andnowIfeelhealthy,shesaid.Worldwide,colorectalcanceristhethirdmostcommontypeofcancerinmenandthesecondmostcommoninwomen,withapproximately1.8millionnewdiagnosesin2018.In2018,approximately881,000deathswereattributedtocolorectalcancerglobally.Inrecentyears,thankstotheexperienceofinterdisciplinarycoordinationandtheapplicationofsurgicalroboticsystems,thehospitalhassuccessfullytreatedgastrointestinaldiseases,especiallygastrointestinalcancers.Manyelderlypatientswithweakenedphysicalstrengthcanstillsuccessfullyundergocancersurgery.—VNSB?ng x?p h?ng AFF Cup 2024 (ASEAN Cup) m?i nh?t: Vi?t Nam ??nh b?ngB?ng x?p h?ng AFF Cup 2024 ( ASEAN Cup 2024) - C?p nh?t s?m và chính xác nh?t b?ng x?p h?ng bóng ?á gi?i v? ??ch ??ng Nam á 2024.VTV C?n Th?Video bàn th?ng Lào 1-4 Vi?t NamXem ASEAN Cup 2024 tr?c ti?p và tr?n v?n trên FPT Play.

vnLink xem tr?c ti?p Singapore ??u v?i Campuchia: B?ng A AFF Cup 2024Link xem tr?c ti?p bóng ?á Singapore ??u v?i Campuchia.thu?c b?ng A ASEAN Cup 2024 (AFF Cup).

VTV520h00Malaysia vs Timor LesteAFPT Play.

L?ch thi ??u ASEAN CUP 2024 (AFF Cup) h?m nayNgàyGi?Tr?n ??uB?ngTr?c ti?p11/1218h00Singapore vs CampuchiaAFPT Play.InternationalandVietnamesestudentsatT?n??cTh?ngUniversity.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I-Overrecentyears,thenumberofinternationalstudentsstudyingatVietnameseuniversitieshassteadilyincreased,reflectingagrowingrecognitionofVietnamshighereducationquality.Thisriseisattributedtouniversitiesfocusingonqualityassurance.AccordingtotheMinistryofEducationandTraining(MoET)sInternationalCooperationDepartment,therewereapproximately22,000internationalstudentsinVietnameseinstitutions,withnearly4,000studyingunderbilateralagreementsandtheremainderonaself-fundedbasisorthroughuniversity-specificpartnerships,forthe2023-2024academicyear.Vietnameseuniversitiesareactivelypromotingstudentexchangeandfull-timeenrollmentoptionsforinternationalstudents,withnotablegrowthatseveralinstitutions.TheInternationalUniversityundertheVietnamNationalUniversity-H?ChíMinhCity(VNU-HCMC)hasnearlydoubleditsinternationalexchangestudentsoverthelastfiveyears,primarilyinBusinessAdministration,Biotechnology,BiomedicalEngineering,andInformationTechnology.Currently,612internationalstudentsareenrolledinbothfull-timeandexchangeprogrammes,with52full-timestudentsregisteredforthefirstsemesterof2024-2025.Alongsideacademics,theuniversityorganisesculturalandacademicexchangeevents.TheT?n??cTh?ngUniversityhasenrolledaround10,000internationalstudentsforstudies,internships,andculturalexchangesinthepastfiveyears.For2023-2024,itattracted2,065internationalstudents,withover400enrolledinfull-timeprogrammesindiversefields.ThesestudentscamefromcountriesacrossAsia,suchasLaos,Myanmar,Cambodia,Thailand,Indonesia,thePhilippines,India,andtheRepublicofKorea(RoK).TheMoETemphasisesthattheseexchangesfosterculturalties,academiccooperation,andstrongerinternationalrelationships.Currently,self-fundedinternationalstudentscompriseasubstantialproportionofinternationalenrolleesatprominentinstitutions.Nguy?nTh?BíchNg?c,HeadofCommunicationsattheVNU-HCMCsInternationalUniversity,acknowledgedthatitsstatusasapublicinstitutionteachingentirelyinEnglishhascontributedtoitsbroadappealamonginternationalstudents,supportingitsroleinintegratingVietnameseeducationwithglobalstandardsandfosteringamulticulturalacademicenvironment.VNS

AmanlivingwithHIVreceivesadviceontakingantiviraldrugsbydoctorsfromthe??kL?kProvinceCentreforDiseaseControl.VNA/VNSPhotoNguyênDungKhánhD??ngHàN?I—Theincreasinguseofstimulantdrugsamongmenwhohavesexwithmen(MSM)maybecontributingtomorenewHIVinfectionswithinthispopulation,whichaccountsforthebiggestshareofnewHIVinfectionsinVi?tNam,healthcareexpertshavewarned.WhilethepublichealthsectorfindsithardtoaccessMSMengaginginsexualiseddruguse(usuallyreferredtoaschemsex),community-basedorganisationshavedemonstratedtheirroleasextendedarmsofthepublichealthcaresectorinprovidingcareandcounsellingtolimitchemsexandminimiseHIVinfection.DrNguy?nTh?MinhTam,headofthePreventionDepartmentattheVi?tNamAdministrationofHIV/AIDSControl(VAAC)undertheMinistryofHealth,saidthepatternofHIVinfectioninVi?tNamhasshiftedfromtransmissionthroughbloodindruginjectionstosexualcontact,especiallyamongMSMandtransgenderwomen.Therearenow267,391peoplelivingwithHIVinVi?tNam,followingthediscoveryofthefirstcaseofHIVinfectioninHCMCityin1990.AccordingtonationalHIVsentinelsurveillancedata,HIVprevalenceamongMSMhasgrownrapidly,from7.4percentin2016to12.5percentin2022.MSMareexpectedtobetheprimaryriskgroupforVi?tNamsHIVepidemic.Over40percentoftotalnewHIVinfectionseveryyearinVi?tNamareamongMSM.Tamsaid:InVi?tNam,druguseandHIVinfectionarelinkedtogether.ThisissuchaconcerningissuethatstimulantdruguseamongMSMhassignificantlyimpactedthecountryseffortstopreventandcontrolHIV/AIDS.ArapidHIVtestingserviceprovidedbyasocialenterpriseinVi?tNamforpeopleatriskofHIVinfection.Photobaotintuc.vnIn2020,LighthouseSocialEnterpriseconductedresearchonsexualrisksamongVi?tNamsMSMusingamphetamine-typestimulantsinsexualcontexts.Itinterviewed269VietnameseMSMaged18orolder,andfoundthattheparticipantsstartedengaginginchemsexatamedianageof20yearsold.Amajorityofinterviewparticipants--71percent--donotalwaysusecondomsandlubricantsinchemsexsessions,and5percentneverusetheseprotectivemeasures.Thesefiguresarealarming,sincejust11percentofstudyparticipantsknewtheHIV/sexuallytransmittedinfectionstatusofalloftheirsexualpartnersinchemsexsessions.Meanwhile,34percentknewthestatusofafewoftheirpartners,and31percentdidnotknowanything.AssociateProfessor??V?nD?ng,directoroftheHIV-AddictionTechnologyTransferCentreundertheHCMCityUniversityofMedicineandPharmacy,saidstimulantdruguseappearedtoraisetheriskofHIVinfection.GroupsthatparticipateinchemsexwereevenmoresusceptibletoHIVtransmission,hesaid.Chemsexencourageshavingsexwithmultiplepartnerswithouttakingprecautions.ManyMSMshareneedles,forgettousecondomsandforgettotakeotherHIVpreventivemeasureslikepre-exposureprophylaxis(PreP),henoted.InadditiontotheriskofHIVinfection,chemsexposesamentalhealthrisk,includingariskofanxietydisorders,lossofappetite,stressanddepression,aswellastheriskoftoxicityandoverdoseduetodruguse,withsomedrugusersexperiencingmentaldisordersandevendeath,accordingtoD?ng.ArmswideopenTheLighthousesresearchpointedoutthatMSMwhoengageinchemsexaremoreanxiouswhenaccessingharmreductionservices.Morethan90percentofthosewhoengageinchemsexworryaboutbeingjudgedorpoorlytreatedbyhealthcareproviders,includingfearsoftheprovidersdisclosingtheirinformation.Asavulnerablegroup,theyseemtobelieveintheircommunitymorethanhealthprovidersorexperts,accordingtothereport.Community-basedorganisationsareactuallyconsideredthemosttrustworthybyMSM.Theyhaveshownthemselvestobeapowerfulforceinpromotingbothsexualandmentalwellness.B?o?n,directoroftheCentreforAppliedResearchonMenandCommunityHealth,saidMSMsreadinessforpsychologicalcounsellingwasthemostimportantfactor.ForcustomersusingPrEPwhofacepsychologicalproblems,organisationscouldremindthemaboutmedicationadherenceandsafetymeasuresuntiltheyaremorereadyforpsychologicalcounselling,hesaid.Therootreasonforstimulantdrugusemaybeginasacopingsolutionforstressorloneliness,oritmaybeinfluencedbysocialstigmaatwork,schoolorotherenvironments.Thesemenmayhavetrouble‘comingout.Somepeopleexperiencepsychologicalpainasaresultofdisclosingtheirsexualorientationandturntodrugsasadifferentkindofcoping,hetoldVi?tNamNews.Managingstimulantdruguse,reducingfrequencyorstoppingdruguserequirestimeandresourcestoaddresstheseunderlyingcauses.Itcannotbedoneinashorttimeandrequiresacertainamountoffinancialresourcesfortreatmentbothphysicallyandpsychologically,accordingto?n.Nguy?nMinhTrang,programmemanagerofHarmReductionandAddictionTreatmentunderthenon-profitorganisationSupportingCommunityDevelopmentInitiatives(SCDI),saidherorganisationhadchosenapeer-ledapproachthatisessentialforbuildingtrustamongchemsexshard-to-reachpopulations.Weworkwithyoungpeoplewhousemethamphetamine(meth).Werealisedthattheyoungpeoplewhousemethrequiredifferentthingsfrompeopleinjectingheroin,shesaid.Theydontgotomethclinics.Theydontgotoneedleexchangeprogrammes.Theyneedcounsellingandmentalhealthsupport.Theyneedtobelistenedtoabouttheiradversechildhoodexperiences,thereasonswhytheystartedusingdrugstobeginwith,andtheirrelationshipswithpeopleintheirlife,shenoted.TheSCDIhasdesignedaninterventionpackageprovidedbythecommunityforMSMengaginginchemsex.Thepackageincludespre-session,during-sessionandpost-sessionsupport.Trangsaid:Mentalhealthsupportisextremelyimportanttopeopleengaginginchemsex.Thatsupportcanonlybedeliveredbythecommunityitself,andnothealthexperts,becausepeoplearenotopentosharingtheirexperienceswithanyonetheydonttrust.ChallengespersistTrangsaidpersistentsocialstigmaaroundchemsexlimitedcommunity-basedorganisationsoutreachtoMSMengaginginthepractice.Talkingaboutsexistabooinourculture.Itshardforpeopleinourcommunitytotalkaboutdruguse,becauseitisstillprohibitedinVi?tNamandmanycountriesinAsia,shesaid.Otherchallengescamefromconnectingtoharmreductionservices.Mental,physicalandsexualhealthservicesshouldbefriendlyenoughforpeopletoreachandavailableforthecommunitytoaccess,shesaid.Representativesfromcommunity-basedorganisationsalsosuggestedthatVi?tNamneededtocreateasupportiveenvironmentforaccessingharmreductionservices.—VNSDoctorsandnursesattheAgriculturalHospitalregisterasposthumousorgandonors.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–Vi?tNamhasestablisheditselfastheleadingnationinSoutheastAsiafororgantransplants,performingover1,000procedureseachyearforthepasttwoyears.Nguy?nTh?KimTi?n,formerMinisterofHealthandcurrentPresidentoftheVi?tNamTissueandOrganDonationAdvocacyAssociation,sharedthesefiguresduringthelaunchofanorgandonationregistrationprogrammeattheAgriculturalHospitalinHàN?ionTuesday.Ti?ncommendedthenationssignificantadvancementsinmedicalexpertiseandtransplanttechniques,markingoverthreedecadesofperformingcomplexsurgeries,includingkidney,liver,heart,lung,pancreas,andcornealtransplants.ThisaccomplishmentreflectsVi?tNamsremarkableprogressandplacesusonparwithotherregionalleadersinorgantransplantation,shestated.Currently,Vi?tNamboasts26transplantcentresthatarewell-equippedwithmoderntechnologyandskilledpersonnel.However,achallengeremains:96percentoforgandonationscomefromlivingdonors,withdonationsfrombrain-deaddonorscomprisingjust4percent,insufficienttomeetthegrowingdemandfortransplants.StatisticsfromtheVi?tNamTissueandOrganDonationAdvocacyAssociationindicatethatapproximately100,000individualshaveregisteredforposthumousorgandonation,yettensofthousandsarestillwaitingfortransplants.Thescarcityofavailableorgansleadstodozensofpatientdeathsdaily.Annually,around300brain-deadpatientscouldprovideover6,000organsandtissues,yetmanyarenotutilised.DrLêV?n,headoftheorgandonationbranchattheAgriculturalHospital,reportedreceivingnumerousorgandonationoffersfromfamiliesofbrain-deadpatientseagertoaidmedicalneeds.Notably,outofthehospitals700staffmembers,200havepledgedtodonatetheirorgansafterdeath.Lookingforward,theAgriculturalHospitalsorgandonationbranchaimstoenhancetrainingandinfrastructuretosupportorgantransplantoperationswithinthecomingyears,startingwithkidneytransplants.–VNS

ApatientwithdenguefeverbeingtreatedatBàR?aHospitalinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvince.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–TheMinistryofHealth(MoH)isconsideringproposingincludingadenguevaccineintheexpandedimmunisationprogramme,offeringitfreeofchargetothepublic.AccordingtostatisticsfromtheministrysDepartmentofPreventiveMedicine,asoftheendofSeptember2024,approximately80,000casesofdenguefeverand12deathshavebeenrecordednationwide,representinga15.5percentdecreaseincasesand14fewerdeathscomparedtothesameperiodin2023.Vi?tNamcurrentlyhasallfourdenguevirustypescirculating,withDENV-1andDENV-2beingthemostprevalent.In2023,DENV-2accountedfor88percentofcases,in2024,DENV-2accountedforabout70percentofthosefallingill.TheDENV-2typeisoftenassociatedwithseverecasesofdengueandoutbreaks,beingamajorcauseofdengue-relateddeaths.Healthexpertsnotethatapersoncancontractdenguemultipletimesintheirlife,withdifferentvirustypesandthattheriskofseveresymptomsmaybehigheruponsubsequentinfections.InVi?tNam,adenguepreventionvaccinehasbeenresearchedanddevelopedtohelppreventthedisease.Currently,theQdengadenguevaccineislicensedfordistributionunderDecision308/Q?-QLDdated14May2024bytheDrugAdministrationofVi?tNamandisavailableasapaidservice.Somedomesticandinternationalresearchondenguevaccinesisalsoongoing,aimingtoprovideadditionalpreventionoptionsforthepublic.Thedenguevaccineisanewtoolinprevention,aimingtoreducecasesandlimitseverecasesrequiringhospitalisationorresultingindeath,contributingtotheoverarchinggoalofprotecting,caringforandimprovingpublichealth.TheDepartmentofPreventiveMedicinesaidthatincorporatingthedenguevaccineintotheexpandedimmunisationprogrammemustfollowtheLawonInfectiousDiseasePreventionandControl,whichrequiresaddingthevaccine-preventableinfectiousdiseasetotheimmunisationprogrammeandensuringfreeaccessforthepublic.Additionally,includingitintheexpandedimmunisationprogrammewillrequireevaluatingthediseaseburden,safety,immuneefficacy,publicacceptanceandcost-effectivenessofthedenguevaccine.MoHisworkingwithagenciestoevaluatethesefactors,afterwhichitwillsubmitaproposaltothegovernmentifsuitable,aimingtoofferthevaccinefreeofcharge.Accordingtoepidemiologists,inthepast,dengueoutbreaksinVi?tNamtypicallypeakedduringtherainyseason,fromJunetoNovembereachyear.However,healthfacilitieshaverecentlyrecordeddenguecasesthroughouttheyear,includinglife-threateningcases.Moreover,whileoutbreakspreviouslyconcentratedinthecentralandsouthernregions,dengueisnowincreasinglybeingreportedinthenorthernregions.Thissituationindicatestheneedtoincreaseresourcesandintroduceproactivedenguepreventionmeasures,suchasvaccinationwhenavaccineisavailable.TheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)estimatesthataroundfourbillionpeopleworldwideareatriskofcontractingarboviruses(virusestransmittedthrougharthropods)andthisfigureisexpectedtorisetofivebillionby2050.DenguecaseshavesurgedacrossallsixWHOregions,withcasesdoublingeachyearsince2021.AsoftheendofAugust2024,therewereover12.3millioncasesworldwide,nearlydoublethe6.5millioncasesreportedforallof2023.Denguefeverisendemicintropicalandsubtropicalclimates,particularlyinSoutheastAsia,theWesternPacific,theAmericasandincreasinglyinAfrica.Therefore,WHOhaslaunchedtheGlobalArbovirusPreparednessandResponsePlan(SPRP)toaddressdenguefeverandotherarbovirusdiseasestransmittedbyAedesmosquitoes.Bypromotingacoordinatedglobalresponse,theplanaimstoreducetheburdenofillnessandmortalityfromdengueandotherarbovirusdiseases,suchasZikaandChikungunya,whicharealsotransmittedbyAedesmosquitoes.VNSAnelderlywomanhasherblooddrawnfortestingatahospitalinHCMCity,whichaimstoincreasethelifeexpectancyofitsresidentsto77yearsby2030,withahealthylifespanofatleast68years.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—HCMCityplanstoestablishitselfintoahealthcarehubwithintheASEANregionby2030,withafocusonenhancingmedicalservicesandimprovinghealth.Theproject,titledDevelopingtheHCMCityHealthcareSystemintotheASEANHealthcareCentreby2030andBeyond,hasbeenapprovedbythePeoplesCommittee.Theprojectisexpectedtoyieldsubstantialsocio-economicbenefits,contributingtoimprovementsinhealth,well-being,longevity,andoverallqualityoflifeforresidents.Undertheinitiative,thecityaimstoachieveahealthcareworkforcedensityof23physiciansand40nursesper10,000residentsby2030.Keyobjectivesincludeproviding42hospitalbedsforevery10,000individualsandmaintainingatotalfertilityrateof1.6.Everyresidentwillundergoanannualhealthassessmentanddiseasescreening,supportedbytheestablishmentofelectronichealthrecordsforallindividuals.Theinitiativeaimstoenhancehealthcareinfrastructurethroughurbanplanning,establishqualitytrainingformedicalpersonnel,createaspecialisedmedicalindustrialpark,andpromotemodernmedicaltechniques.Italsoseekstobuildacomprehensivecarenetwork,boostmedicaltourism,andfosterhealthcareresearchanddevelopment.TheestablishmentofspecialisedmedicalcentresisexpectedtomakeHCMCityaleadingdestinationfordomesticandregionalmedicalcare.Inaddition,theASEANhealthcarecentrewillimprovelocalhealthcarecapacityinthesouthernregion,relievingpressureontertiaryhospitalsandenhancingservicequality.Undertheproject,itaimstoincreasethelifeexpectancyofitsresidentsto77yearsby2030,withahealthylifespanofatleast68years.Thetotalfertilityrateisprojectedtostabiliseat1.6childrenperwomanofchildbearingage.ApatientreceivestreatmentatahospitalinHCMCity.ThenationslargestcityplanstobecomeacentralhealthcarehubintheASEANregionby2030.—VNA/VNSPhotoCurrently,thenumberofhospitalbedsper10,000residentsinthecityremainssignificantlylowerthaninseveraladvancedcountriesworldwide.Atrendofresidentsoptingforhospitaltreatmentiscausingovercrowdingintertiaryhospitals,limitingtheirabilitytodevelopspecialisedmedicaltechniques.Thecityiscurrentlyhometo131hospitals,fivebedlessmedicalcentres,310grassrootshealthfacilities,over8,000privateclinics,andmorethan10,000pharmaceuticalenterprises.Theout-of-hospitalemergencycaresystemincludes115EmergencyCentresand42satellitestations.Thecitycurrentlylackscertainhealthcareservicemodels,suchasadvancedtechnology-basedearlydiseasescreeningcentresandfacilitiesdedicatedtoeldercare.Thecityhasyettofullycultivateitspharmaceuticalandbiomedicalindustries.Effortstowarddigitaltransformation,theapplicationofartificialintelligence,andtheimplementationofelectronicmedicalrecordsarestillconstrainedincertainhealthcarefacilities.Despiteongoingeffortstoenhancethehealthcaresystem,thecurrentprovisionofonly42hospitalbedsper10,000inhabitantsisconsiderablylowerthanthatofcountriessuchasJapan,whichboasts131beds,Germanywith82,andSouthKoreawith71.Severalhospitalsareexperiencingsignificantdeteriorationandovercrowding,includingtheOrthopedicandRehabilitationHospital,thePsychiatricHospital,andtheTropicalDiseasesHospital.Theintegrationofinformationtechnologyandnewtechnologieswithinhealthcarefacilitiesremainsinconsistentandlimited.—VNS