JANM Decries Remarks by Czech President Minimizing Incarceration of JAs
AsectionoftheHCMCity-LongThành-D?uGiayExpressway.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngPhongHàN?I—Thelong-awaitedexpansionoftheHCMCity-LongThànhExpresswayhastakenasignificantstepforwardwiththefinalisationofaplan,whichhasbeensubmittedtotheGovernmentforapproval.Theplan,initiatedbytheCommissionfortheManagementofStateCapitalatEnterprises,involvesexpandingtheExpresswayby21km,stretchingfromHCMCitytoLongThànhDistrict,??ngNaiProvince.ItalsoinvolveswideningtheroadtoeightlanesbetweenRingRoad2andRingRoad3IntersectionsandtenlanesbetweenRingRoad3andBiênHòa-V?ngTàuIntersections,requiringadditionallandclearanceonbothsides.Itstrafficcapacitywillalsobesupplementedwiththeconstructionofanewfour-lanebridge,mirroringtheexistingLongThànhBridge.Iftheplanisapproved,theVietnamExpresswayCorporation(VEC)willbedesignatedastheprojectinvestor,adheringtotheInvestmentLaw.ThetotalinvestmentisestimatedtobeapproximatelyVN?15trillion(US$600million),ofwhichaboutVN?5.6trillioncomefromVECandtheremainingfromcommercialloans.ConstructionworkisscheduledtocommenceinMarch2025andconcludeinDecember2027.TheCommissionalsounderlinedtwoconditionsforVECtoimplementtheplansmoothly.Firstly,anincreaseinthecompanyschartercapitalfromVN?1.1trilliontoVN?38.6trillionisnecessary.SuchanincreasewouldenableVECtosecurelargerloansfrombanks,whicharehesitanttolendsubstantialamountstocompanieswithlowchartercapital.Secondly,VECshouldbegrantedpermissiontodeferprincipalandinterestpaymentsonbondloanspreviouslycoveredbytheMinistryofFinance.Thedeferralwouldprovidemorefinancialflexibility,asthesepaymentsamounttoVN?5.3trillion.TheMinistryofTransporthasgivenitsnodtotheplanandrecommendedbuildingmoreintersectionstolinktheExpresswaywithLongPh??cRoad.Meanwhile,theMinistryofFinancehasobjectedtotheCommissionsproposaltoallowVECtodeferprincipalandinterestpaymentsonbondloanspreviouslycoveredbytheMinistry.Inresponse,theCommissionsrepresentativeclarifiedthatVECsabilitytoundertaketheexpansionprojecthingesonthePrimeMinistersapprovalforthedeferral.Withoutapproval,VECsfinancialplanwouldbedisrupted,jeopardisingitsabilitytosecurethenecessaryfundingfortheproject.Inlightofthedifferingopinions,DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàhasdirectedrelevantministriesandagenciestocontinuereviewingtheplanandprovidingadditionalinput.Ameetingwillbescheduledtodiscussthematterfurtheronceadditionalinputhasbeengathered.HCMCity-LongThànhExpresswayispartofthe55km-longfour-laneHCMCity-LongThành-D?uGiayExpresswaymanagedbyVEC,servingasacrucialtransportationarteryconnectingHCMCitywiththeSoutheastandtheCentralHighlandsregions.—VNS
PartyGeneralSecretaryandPresidentT?LamdelivershisspeechattheworkingsessiononSaturday.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—PartyGeneralSecretaryandPresidentT?LamonAugust17askedHCMCitytoseekwaystogrowrapidlyandsustainably,withthequalityandspeedhigherthanthenationalaverage.SpeakingataworkingsessionwiththemunicipalPartyCommittee,thetopleaderlaudedthesouthernmetropolisforitsgreatcontributionstothecountryintermsofgrossdomesticproduct,budgetcollection,productivity,aswellanewmechanisms,policiesandbusinessmodels,sayingthecityhasprovenitsroleasaneconomiclocomotiveoverthepasttime.Healsopointedtolimitationsinthecity,notablyeconomicgrowthyettomatchitsposition,role,potentialandadvantages,andothersregardinginfrastructure,culturaldevelopment,politicalsecurity,socialorderandsafety,andPartybuilding.Giventhis,HCMCityshouldbeenvisionedasaglobalcitywithsmart,modernanddynamicdevelopmentandintegration;andgreen,inclusiveandsustainablegrowth,hesaid,askingittooptimisepotentialandadvantagesforrapidandsustainableeconomicdevelopmentintandemwithgrowthmodelreform,improvethelocalinvestmentenvironment,createbreakthroughsinurbaninfrastructure,andsupplementmechanismsandpoliciestoencourageeconomicsectorstojoininvestment.Itisnecessarytocontinueimprovingeducation-trainingquality;developinghumanresources,especiallyhigh-qualityworkforce;promotingscience-technologyinassociationwiththeknowledge-basedeconomy,digitaltechnologyanddigitalsociety;andconsolidatingthehealthcarenetwork,Lamsaid.HealsoaskedHCMCitytopaymoreheedtoculturalmanagement,thefightagainstsocialmisconductandcrimes,andensuringpoliticalandsocialstabilityinallcircumstances.Theleadertoucheduponpreparationsforthe14thNationalPartyCongressandthe12thCongressofthemunicipalPartyCommittee,sayingtheselectedpersonnelmustbeoutstanding,moral,talentedandvisionaryPartymembersthatarereadytothinkbig,actbold,andbearresponsibility.Inthefirstsixmonthsofthisyear,HCMCitysGRDPgrew6.46percent,whichisestimatedat7.5percentforthewholeyear.ItsexportvaluereachedUS$157.5billion,ayear-on-yearriseof28.53percent.—VNSCMSCViceChairman??H?uHuyspeaksattheseminar.—VNA/VNSPhotoWASHINGTONDC—AseminarhasbeenheldintheUStoconnectbusinessesofVi?tNamandtheUS,aswellasseekcooperationopportunitiesinthefieldsofenergy,manufacturing,insuranceandfinance.Theeventwasco-organisedbyadelegationoftheCommissionfortheManagementofStateCapitalatEnterprises(CMSC),theVi?tNamTradeOfficeintheUS,andtheAsianAmericanChamberofCommerce(AACC).Attheseminar,CMSCViceChairman??H?uHuysaidthatbytheendof2023,Vi?tNamhad676state-ownedenterprises(SOEs),ofwhich478are100percentstate-owned,withtotalassetsofaboutUS$150billion.SOEsholdlargecapitalandassets,technology,andhigh-qualityhumanresourcesandcontributesignificantlytothestatebudget.TheyplayadominantandleadingroleinmanyimportantsectorsandfieldsoftheVietnameseeconomy.Operatingsince2018,theCMSCrepresentstheStateownershipin19corporationsandcompaniesin16economicandtechnicalsectorsandfields,hesaid,notingthecommissionhasactivelycoordinatedwithStatemanagementagenciesandpolicy-makingagenciestodetectobstaclesandfacilitateproductionandbusinessactivities.TheVietnameserepresentativealsotoldUSbusinessesaboutinvestmentcooperationopportunitiesbetweenthetwocountries.Dr.GerganaD.YordanovaoftheSchoolofPolicyandGovernmentatGeorgeMasonUniversitysaidthatafterthetwocountriesupgradedtheirrelationshiplastyear,theireducationalcooperationhasseenmanynewdirections,withtrainingmajorsexpanded.Currently,theuniversityhasprovidedtrainingtoalargenumberofVietnamesestudents.IthasplanstocooperatewithuniversitiesinVi?tNam.Meanwhile,manyUSbusinessessaidtheyhaveplannedtocometoVi?tNamassoonaspossibletocontinueimplementingstepsintheirinvestmentcooperationagreementsthathavebeenreachedatthisseminar.TheseminarwasheldwithintheframeworkoftheCMSCdelegationsworkingvisittotheNorthAmericanregion.—VNS
CrewmembersfromHisMajestysCanadianShip(HMCS)MontréaloftheRoyalCanadianNavyarehelpingplanttreesattheTìnhM?2CharityShelterinBìnhD??ngProvinceonAugust17.—PhotofromtheEmbassyofCanadatoVi?tNamHCMCITY–Forty-fivecrewmembersfromHisMajestysCanadianShip(HMCS)MontréaloftheRoyalCanadianNavyalongwithCanadasambassadortoVi?tNam,ShawnSteil,visitedtheTìnhM?2CharityShelterinBìnhD??ngProvinceonAugust17.TìnhM?2,ashelterformanyorphansandyoungmothersthatcurrentlyhousesover80children,islocatedinH?ng??nhWard,Thu?nAnCity,BìnhD??ngProvince.CanadianAmbassadortoVi?tNam,ShawnSteil(themanontheleft),ishelpingtoplantatreeattheTìnhM?2CharityShelterinBìnhD??ngProvinceonAugust17.—Photonld.com.vnThecrewmembersandCanadianAmbassadortoVi?tNamhaveparticipatedinmanycommunityserviceactivitiestosupporttheshelter,includingplantingtrees,repairingfacilities,andsharingmealswiththechildren.OneofthecrewmembersfromHisMajestysCanadianShip(HMCS)MontréaloftheRoyalCanadianNavyisstabilisingbricksattheTìnhM?2CharityShelterinBìnhD??ngProvinceonAugust17.–PhotofromtheEmbassyofCanadatoVi?tNamThisactivityispartofavisitbyHisMajestysCanadianShip(HMCS)MontréaloftheRoyalCanadianNavy,commandedbyLieutenantColonelTravisBain,alongwith247crewmembers,toHCMCityfromAugust15to19.Duringthevisit,thesailorsalsoengageincommunityandculturalactivities,includingmeetingstudentsfromtheUniversityofSocialSciencesandHumanitiesinHCMCity,learningtomakebánhxèo(crispypancake)atB?nThànhMarket,andparticipatinginsportsactivities.HMCSMontrealsfirstvisittoVi?tNamispartofOperationHORIZON,whichaimstopromotefreedom,stabilityandarules-basedinternationalorderunderCanadasIndo-PacificStrategy.—VNSPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhspeaksatthemeetingonSaturday.—VNA/VNSPhotoD??ngGiangHàN?I—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhonAugust17askedtheRedRiverDeltaregiontotakeapioneeringroleininnovation,andtheutilisationofscience-technologyandresultsofthefourthindustrialrevolution.ChairingameetingoftheCoordinatingCouncilforRedRiverDeltaRegion,theGovernmentleadersaidtheregionshouldalsoleadthewayindevelopingthedigitaleconomy,greeneconomy,circulareconomy,sharingeconomy,knowledge-basedeconomy,andnight-timeeconomy,aswellasinadministrativereform,decentralisationassociatedwithresourcesallocation,andintheimprovementofenforcementcapacity,inspectionandsupervision.Atthesametime,theregionshouldputpeopleandbusinessesatthecentreofdevelopment,andtaketheleadinmobilisingsocialresources,especiallypublic-privatepartnership,forsustainabledevelopment,ensuringsocialequalityandprogressandprotectingtheenvironment,saidChính,whoisalsoChairmanofthecouncil.Heaskedtheregiontoreviewtheimplementationofsettargetsandtaskswithaviewtoidentifyingwhichtargetscanberealisedandwhichcannot,soastoworkoutsuitablesolutions.Fortheoperationofthecouncil,thePMsaiditshouldpaymoreattentiontoconnectivitybetweentheRedRiverDeltaanditsadjacentregions,andproposespecificinstitutions,mechanismsandpoliciestoenhanceregionalconnectivityanddevelopment,andoptimiseitsuniquepotential,opportunitiesandadvantages.Herequestedministries,agenciesandlocalitiestoquicklyworkoutaplantoimplementtheregionalmasterplanwithclearpolicy,concertedinfrastructure,andsmartadministration.ChínhsaidtheregionshouldfollowtheorientationofforminganationalgrowthdrivingzoneencompassingHàN?iandtheareasalongNationalHighways5and18runningthroughtheprovincesofB?cNinh,H?ngYên,H?iD??ng,andQu?ngNinh,andH?iPhòngcity;twosub-regions–thenorthandsouthoftheRedRiver;fourgrowthpoles-HàN?i,B?cNinh,Qu?ngNinh,andH?iPhòng;andfivedomesticeconomiccorridorsandinternationalconnections,comprisingtheeconomiccorridorsofB?cNinh-HàN?i-HàNam-NinhBình,LàoCai-HàN?i-H?iPhòng-Qu?ngNinh,HàN?i-TháiNguyên-B?cK?n-CaoB?ng,coastalQu?ngNinh-H?iPhòng-Nam??nh-NinhBình,and?i?nBiên-S?nLa-HòaBình-HàN?i.Theregionneedstorestructureitseconomicsectors,andreformitsgrowthmodeltowardsmodernity,promoteculturalindustries,science-technologyandinnovationservices,education-training,andhealthcare,anddevelophigh-tech,organic,circularagricultureinassociationwithnew-styleruralareabuilding,hecontinued.ThePMemphasisedtheneedtoprioritisemajorprojectsthatwoulddirectlyimpactsocio-economicdevelopment,alongwithinter-regionalandinternationalconnectivity,developnewandrenewableenergy,andupgradeirrigationinfrastructure.Hepointedtoothertasksregardinghumanresourcesdevelopment,climatechangeresponse,tourismdevelopment,administrativereform,investmentenvironmentimprovement,tradepromotion,andFDIattraction.Accordingtoareportpresentedatthemeeting,theregionseconomyexpanded7.21percentinthefirsthalfofthisyear,higherthanthenationalaverage.ItstotalStatebudgetcontributioninthefirstsevenmonthsexceededVN?521trillion(US$20.79billion),thehighestnationwide,makingup41percentofthecombinedStatebudgetrevenue.Duringtheperiod,theregionsexportwasvaluedatover$80billion,accountingfor35percentofthecountrystotalexportturnover.Theregionattracted$5.7billioninnewlyregisteredforeigninvestmentcapitalwith645projectsintheJanuary-Julyspan.—VNSHàN?I—HàN?iisgearingupforadoublecelebrationastheIndependenceDayandtheAugustRevolutiondrawnear.Thecityisalreadyadornedwithvibrantflagsandcolourfulbannersinpreparationfortheupcomingfestivities.Herearesomephotosthatcapturetheatmosphereinthecity.FlagsflyhighoneverystreettocelebrateIndependenceDayandtheAugustRevolution.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngAftermaintenance,theH?ChíMinhMausoleumhasre-openedtothepublic.PeoplecanvisittheMausoleumduringthefestivitiestopayrespecttoVi?tNamsFoundingFather.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngAneye-catchingposteradornsastreetinthecapitalcity.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngAstreetisawashwithcelebratoryflagsandbanners.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngAbannerthatreadsWarmlycelebratingthe79thanniversaryoftheAugustRevolution.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngVi?tNamflagproudlywavesatopHàN?isiconicflagpole.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùng
Sceneoftheaccident.—VNA/VNSPhotoQU?NGNINH—AdevastatingaccidentonBìnhMinhBridgehasleftfourteenagersdeadorinjured.Thecollisionoccurredataround9.00pmonFridayinH?LongCity,Qu?ngNinhProvince.H.A.T.,16,wasdrivingamotorbikewithV.D.H.,16,asapassengerwhentheycollidedwithanothermotorbikedrivenbyT.M.D.,16,withN.V.N.,15,asapassenger.Tragically,H.A.TandT.M.Dwerekilledintheaccident.V.D.H.andN.V.N.sustainedseriousinjuriesandwererushedtoQu?ngNinhsProvincialGeneralHospitalfortreatment.Theimpactcausedsignificantdamagetobothvehicles.Theaccidentisunderfurtherinvestigation.—VNSWorkersonamedicinalherbfarminThanhHoáProvince.—Photobaotintuc.vnExpertshavehighlightedtheneedforgreatereffortsfromboththeStateandbusinessestoachievethesustainabledevelopmentofVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustry.Vi?tNamiscurrentlyamongthecountrieswiththehighestpharmaceuticalmarketvalueandgrowthrateglobally.In2023,thecountryspharmaceuticalmarketwasvaluedatapproximatelyUS$7billion,withaverageconsumptionreachingUS$70percapita–10timeshigherthanin2000.Overthepastdecade,thedomesticpharmaceuticalindustryhasenjoyedsignificantgrowth,withacompoundannualrateof7.3percent.AccordingtotheWorldHealthOrganisationsclassification,Vi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustryisatlevel3,indicatingitscapabilitytoproducegenericdrugsandexportcertainpharmaceuticalproducts.UnderthenationalstrategyfordevelopingVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustryuntil2030,withavisionto2045,thecountryaimstobecomeakeyhubforthemanufacturing,processing,andtechnologytransferofbrand-namedrugs,particularlyinSoutheastAsia.Additionally,thestrategyseekstoelevatethedomesticpharmaceuticalindustrytoWHOlevel4,withagoalofcontributingover$20billiontothecountrysGDPby2045.TechniciansinalabatDHGPharmaceutical.—Photodhgpharma.com.vnThestrategyalsotargetsdomesticmedicineproductiontomeetabout80percentofthecountrysdemandformedicines,representing70percentofthemarketvalue,andtoproduce20percentoftherawmaterialsrequiredfordomesticdrugproduction.By2045,Vi?tNamenvisionsthatdomesticallyproduceddrugswillnotonlymeetlocaldemandbutalsosignificantlyincreaseforexport.Thenationiscommittedtodeepintegrationintotheglobalpharmaceuticalsupplychainasoutlinedinthestrategy.Alongsidethestrategy,theGovernmenthassubmittedadraftlawtoamendthe2016PharmacyLaw.Expectedtobeapprovedlaterthisyear,thelawwillintroducevariouspoliciesandguidelinesaimedatadvancingthepharmaceuticalindustry.LêV?nTruy?n,associateprofessor,PhD,formerDeputyMinisterofHealth,saidthatthestrategyandtheamendedlawpresentedsignificantopportunitiesforthedevelopmentofVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustryinboththeshortandlongterm.ChallengesremainTruy?n,however,notedthatVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustrywasfacingnumerouschallenges,especiallyasthecountryintegrateswiththeglobaleconomy.Amongthesechallengesaretheindustryslowmaterial-technical-technologybaseandtheabsenceofconcentratedpharmaceuticalandbiopharmaceuticalindustrialparks,accordingtoTruy?n.Suchparks,completewithecosystemsthatincluderesearchanddevelopmentcentres,bioequivalenceandbioavailabilitytestingfacilities,clinicaltrials,andpharmaceuticalandpackagingfactories,areessentialforsustainablegrowth.Meanwhile,mostdomesticpharmaceuticalcompaniesremainsmallinscalewithlimitedsales,andtherearenonational-scalepharmaceuticalcorporations.Digitaltransformationalsoposesasignificantchallengeformanydrugbusinesses.Hepredictedthattheshiftinthepharmaceuticalmarketstructurefromchemicaldrugstobiologicalandbiosimilardrugswouldacceleraterapidlyinthecomingyears.Truy?nemphasisedtheneedforVi?tNamtoenhanceitsresearchcapacityandtechnologyapplicationindrugproduction,aimingtobecomeacentreformanufacturing,processing,andtechnologytransfer.Heurgedbusinessestoproactivelyproducespecialiseddrugs,newtreatments,vaccines,andmedicalbiologicalproducts.Truy?nalsosuggestedthateachbusinessshouldreconsider,adjust,andadaptitsmedium-andlong-termdevelopmentstrategyinlinewiththeStatesguidelinesandtheevolvinginternationalanddomesticbusinessenvironmenttoimprovethecompetitivenessofVi?tNamspharmaceuticalindustry.AccordingtoTr?nTh?Th?,vicepresidentoftheVietnamPharmaceuticalBusinessAssociation,domesticbusinessesshouldleverageinternalresourcestothrive.Sherecommendedthatsmallfirmsfocusonkeyproducts,avoidingduplicationwithlargerenterpriseswithmoreadvancedproductionlines.Th?saidthatnewlyestablishedorEU-GMP-certifiedbusinessescouldtargettheETCmarketsegment(drugsdistributedtohospitals),specialisinginproductssuchasvaccines,biologicalproducts,andmedicinalingredients.Shealsosuggestedthatbusinessesshouldcapitaliseonfreetradeagreements(FTAs)tocollaboratewithforeigninvestors,therebyproducingpharmaceuticalswithhightechnicalcontent.Meanwhile,V?Th?Tu?nAnh,presidentofNewtechcoGroup,underscoredtheimportanceofbuildinganecosystemthatencompassesproductresearch,theapplicationofnewtechnologiesinpharmaceuticalproduction,andthedevelopmentofwidespreaddistributionchannels,particularlyasmostdrugenterpriseshavelimitedfinancialresourcesandscatteredoperations.Anhhighlightedhergroupseffortstoattractfinancialresources,internationalinvestors,andtechnologyexpertsforthepharmaceuticalandbiopharmaceuticalindustrialparkprojectinTháiBìnhProvince.ThiswouldbethefirstprojectofitskindinVi?tNam,dedicatedtothedevelopmentofthepharmaceuticalandbiopharmaceuticalindustry.Itaimstobeahubforexpertsinbiotechnologyandpharmaceuticalchemistry,fosteringproductioninvestment,technologytransfer,training,andstartupincubationintheindustry.Expertsagreethatcollaborativeventureswithforeignpartnerswillbecrucialinenhancingdomesticcapabilities,fosteringinnovation,andincreasingthecompetitivenessofVietnamesepharmaceuticalproducts,especiallyasVi?tNamencouragesdomesticcompaniestointegrateintotheglobalpharmaceuticalsupplychain.VNS-----------------PharmaceuticalsectorseesgloomyperformanceinQ2/2024Mostpharmaceuticalcompaniesstruggledtoimprovetheirbusinessperformanceinthesecondquarterofthisyear,withsomeevenreportinglossesduetohighoperatingcosts.InQ2,DHGPharmaceuticalJSC(DHG)reporteda4percentyear-on-yeardeclineinnetrevenuetooverVN?1.1trillion,attributedtodecreasedpurchasingpower.Thecompanysafter-taxprofitalsodropped27percentyear-on-yeartoVN?192.4billion,accordingtothuonggiaonline.vn.Forthefirsthalfofthisyear,DHGspre-taxandafter-taxprofitsreachedVN?463billionandVN?415billion,respectively,downby32percentand33percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear,thecompanysfinancialstatementshows.Similarly,VidiphaCentralPharmaceuticalJSCsawitsaccumulatedprofitdeclineby30percentyear-on-yeartooverVN?33billioninH1,mainlyduetoasharpdecreaseinsalesandservicerevenueinQ2comparedtothepreviousyear.Anotherfirm,Traphaco,reportedanafter-taxprofitofoverVN?132billioninH1,down16percentyear-on-year,partlyduetoskyrocketingproductioncosts.VNS
AhugefireisseenatabuildingunderrenovationonPhó??cChínhStreetonFridayevening.—VNSPhotoAnh??cHàN?I—AlargefirebrokeoutatNo67Phó??cChínhStreetinHàN?ionFridayevening.Nocasualtieshavebeenreported.Thebuildingwassaidtobeabarunderrenovation.Constructionworkersinsidewereabletoevacuateatthetimeofthefire,Vi?tNamNewsreporterAnh??creported.Firefightersarriveatthescene.—VNA/VNSPhotoMinhQuy?tAccordingtoinitialreportsfromTrúcB?chWardPolice,thebuildingwasstoringmultipleflammablematerialssuchaswood,paintandotherconstructionmaterials,whichquicklyfueledtheflames.Thehousewasdestroyedwhileseveraladjacentbuildingswereaffected.—VNA/VNSPhotoMorethan10firetrucksweredispatchedtothescene.Thecauseofthefireiscurrentlyunderinvestigation.—VNS
TheHCMCitysCreativeAwardswillbeheldeverythreeyears,startingfromitsfourtheditionin2025.—Photowww.sggp.org.vnHCMCITY—TheHCMCityCreativeAwardswillbeheldeverythreeyears,startingfromitsfourtheditionin2025.ThemunicipalPeoplesCommitteehasissuedanewdecisiononrulesforitsCreativeAwards,replacingpreviousdecisionsin2020and2022.Accordingly,prizeswillbegrantedtoproductscoveringsevencategoriesincludingeconomicdevelopment,defenseandsecurity,publicadministration,media,literatureandarts,scienceandtechnology,andinnovativeandcreativestartups.Theawardhasamaximumnumberof70forindividualsandcollectives,including10prizesgrantedtooutstandingproductsofthecategoriesofeconomicdevelopment,publicadministration,andliteratureandarts;fiveprizesgrantedtosubmissionsofthecategoriesofdefenseandsecurity,andmedia;and15prizesawardedtosubmissionsofeachcategoryconsistingofscienceandtechnologyandinnovativestartups.Eachcategoryhasonefirstprize,andseveralsecondandthirdprizes.ThefirstprizewinnerwillreceiveacashprizeofVN?200million(US$8,000).Thesecondandthird-placewinnerswillgetacashprizeofVN?150million($6,000)andVN?100million($4,000),respectively.ThePeoplesCommitteehasestablishedaorganisationalboardoftheHCMCityCreativeAwardsheadedbythechairmanofthemunicipalPeoplesCommittee.DeputyheadsincludeavicechairmanofthePeoplesCommitteewhoisresponsibleforcarryingoutemulationandcommendationwork,thedirectorofthecitysDepartmentofHomeAffairs,andthedirectorofthecitysDepartmentofScienceandTechnology.TheHCMCityCreativeAwardsisoneofthemostprestigiousprizeshonoringVietnameseindividuals,organiations,andbusinessesathomeandabroadforoutstandingresearchworks,innovativesolutions,products,andservicesforthecitysdevelopment.ThefourtheditionoftheCreativeAwardsisexpectedtobeheldonnextyearsNationalDay(September2,2025).Thepreviouseditionoftheawardswasheldeverytwoyears.—VNSTheyouthunionmembersinB?cGiangareassistingresidentsinscanningQRcodestoparticipateinsurveysatthereceptionandresults-returnsectionsofthePeoplesCommitteesatvariouslevels.—VNA/VNSPhotoB?CGIANG—TheMassMobilisationCommitteeofB?cGiangProvince,inpartnershipwiththeprovincialYouthUnion,hasinitiatedasurveytomeasurecitizensatisfactionwithcivilservantshandlingadministrativeproceduresatPeoplesCommitteesatalllevel.Thesurveyaimstogatherpublicopinionsontheattitude,responsibility,skills,andprofessionalguidanceprovidedbycivilservants,saidPh?mV?nTh?nh,headoftheMassMobilisationCommittee.ThedatacollectedwillhelpassesslocaladministrativereformsandprovideinsightsfortheprovincialPartyStandingCommitteetoenhancethequalityofservices.Thisinformationwillalsobeusedtoevaluateandrecogniseunitsthatmeetthefriendlyadministrationstandardsfor2024.Conductedinmid-July2024,thesurveyisexpectedtocollectaround20,000responses.Toensureobjectivityandconvenience,theMassMobilisationCommitteehascreated220QRcodesforlocationsincludingtheprovincialpublicadministrationservicecentreandreceptionsectionsoftendistricts,towns,cities,and209communes,wards,andtowns.YouthUnionmembersarestationedatsurveysitestoassistandguidecitizensthroughtheadministrativeproceduresandsurveyprocess,ensuringthatresponsesremainobjective.Participantswillanswertenquestionsabouttheattitude,responsibility,skills,andprofessionalismofcivilservants,coveringtopicssuchaswaitingtimes,staffattitudes,timelydocumentprocessing,andadditionalfeesforexpeditedservices.TheMassMobilisationCommitteehasestablishedataskforcetomonitorandsupervisethesurvey.Steeringcommitteesforbuildingfriendlyadministrationsatdistrict,town,andcitylevelsareoverseeingthepromotionandimplementationofthesurvey.Atthecommunelevel,workinggroupsledbythedeputysecretaryofthePartyCommitteeareensuringthesurveysobjectivity.Priortothesurvey,localgovernmentspromotedthesurveyplanthroughpublicpostings,villageandcommuneloudspeakerannouncements,andpostsonelectronicinformationsitesandsocialmediasuchasZalo,Facebook.Notificationswerealsodisseminatedthroughvillageheads,neighbourhoodgroupleaders,andcommunitymobilisationteams.—VNS
AbabyistreatedatthePaediatricsDepartmentoftheCentralHospitalforTropicalDiseases.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheNationalHospitalforTropicalDiseasesreportedthatthePaediatricsDepartmenthadadmittedaone-month-oldboyfromHàN?iwhowasapproximatelyonthefifteenthtotwentiethdayofwhoopingcough(pertussis).Uponadmission,thechildexhibitedcharacteristicsymptomsofprolongedcoughingepisodeslastingsixtosevenhourseach,phlegm,redface,cyanoticlips,andpoorappetite.Afterthesecoughingepisodes,thechildproducedlong,stickyphlegmresemblingchewinggum.Followingexaminationbydoctors,thechildwasdiagnosedwithseverepneumoniainconjunctionwithpertussis.Medicalhistoryrevealedthatwhenthechildfirstshowedsignsofcoughing,thefamilyimmediatelytookhimforacheck-up.Whenthetestresultsconfirmedpertussis,hewasadmittedfortreatment.However,aftertendays,despitethetreatment,thechildcontinuedtohaveseverecoughingfits.ThefamilythenbroughthimtotheNationalHospitalforTropicalDiseasesforcontinuedtreatment.Currently,thechildisfever-free,andthecoughingfitshavedecreased.Dr.Nguy?nThànhLê,deputyheadofthePaediatricsDepartment,saidthatsincethebeginningoftheyear,thedepartmenthasreportedscatteredcasesofwhoopingcough.Whoopingcoughoftenstartssubtlywithsymptomsresemblingnasalinflammation,suchasnasalcongestion,runnynose,mildsorethroat,amilddrycough,andsometimeslowfeverornofever,lastingforaboutonetotwoweeks.Thisstageiseasilyconfusedwithsymptomsofmildrespiratoryinfections,especiallyinyoungchildren,asthecoughisminimalandcanbemistakenforbronchiolitis.Thechildmentionedaboveisatypicalcase,saidDrLê.Aftertheinitialphase,thecoughbecomesmoresevere,withprolongedepisodeslastingtentotwentyhoursorthirtysecondstoaminuteofcontinuouscoughingwithoutabreath,causingrespiratorydistressduetolackofoxygen.Theseverecoughingfitsendwithawhoopingsounduponinhalationandmaybeaccompaniedbyvomiting.Althoughchildrenareoftenexhaustedaftertheseseverefits,theyappearrelativelyhealthybetweenepisodes.DrLêemphasisedthatthefrequencyandseverityoftheseseverecoughingfitsincreaseasthediseaseprogresses,lastingfromtwotosixweeks,andaremorefrequentatnight.Thediseasemaybemilderandlackthecharacteristicwhoopingcoughinvaccinatedchildren,adolescents,andadults.Typically,thediseaselastsaboutthreemonthsfromtheinitialstagetofullrecovery.Pertussiscanresolveonitsownandiscommonlyseeninchildrenundertwomonthsold.Toprotectthemselvesandtheirfamilies,especiallyyoungchildren,thedoctoradvisedthepublictoensurefullvaccinationandseekmedicalattentionpromptlywhensymptomsappear.Ifdetectedandtreatedearly,pertussishasabetterprognosis.However,delayeddetectioncanleadtoseverecomplications.Commoncomplicationsthatseverelyimpacthealthincludepneumonia-bronchitis,respiratoryfailure,encephalopathyduetohypoxiaduringrespiratorydistress,andothercomplicationssuchasconjunctivalhaemorrhage,pneumothorax,herniastrangulation,rectalprolapse,otitismedia,seizures,intellectualdisability,paralysis,umbilicalandrectalhernia.Therefore,earlyandproperdetectionandtreatmentofpertussisarecrucial,headded.—VNSAdoctorchecksachildforaneyeprobleminHCMCity.Manychildreninthecityhaverefractiveerrors.-Photolaodong.vnHCMCity-ArecentstudybytheCentreforDiseaseControlofHCMCityhasfoundthecityhasahighrateofchildrenwithvisionproblemsduetoanumberoffactors,butmainlybadhabits.Over50percentofschool-agechildrensufferfromrefractiveerrors,whichcauseblurredvision.Thestudy,titledTheStatusofCommonSchoolDiseasesandRelatedFactorsinthe2023-2024AcademicYearinHCMCity,polled1,230studentsfrompreschooltohighschoolateightrandomlyselectedschools.TheHCMCityEyeHospitalgetsanaverageofover500childpatientsperday.Manyofthesechildpatientssufferfromeyestrainandblurryvision.DrLêTh?KimChi,deputyheadofthehospitalsrefractivedepartment,toldTu?iTr?newspaperthattheoccurrenceofrefractiveerrorsisparticularlyhigh,especiallyamongschool-agechildren.Whiletheexactcausesofrefractiveerrorsarenotclearlyknown,theyareassociatedwithgeneticfactors,extensiveuseofelectronicdevices,poorposture,andintensivestudying.Withoutcorrectivelenses,childrenwithrefractiveerrorsexperiencesignificantblurriness,whichaffectstheiracademicperformanceanddailyactivities.Properlyprescribedglassescanmanageschool-relatedmyopiaandenableclearvision,butifnotdetectedearly,complicationssuchasamblyopia,strabismus,retinaldegeneration,andretinaldetachmentcouldoccur.DrNguy?nTh?B?chTuy?t,anophthalmologistatPaediatricsHospital2,alsoblamedheavyacademicloads,excessivegamingandnutritionaldeficiencies,particularlyofsomeessentialnutrientssuchasvitaminA,omega-3,vitaminC,andcalcium.Chisaidtopreventandslowtheprogressionofrefractiveerrors,parentsshouldensurechildrenmaintainapropersittingposturewhilestudying,useappropriatelysizedchairsandtables,keepbooksatasuitabledistancefromtheeyes,andhaveadequatelighting.Theyshouldalsowatchoutforsignsofrefractiveerrorsintheirchildrentodetectandaddressthempromptly,shesaid.Inurbanareas,whereplaygroundsarescarce,parentsneedtomotivatetheirchildrentoengageinoutdooractivitiestoreducetheiruseofelectronicdevices.Schoolsshouldbeequippedwithsuitabletablesandchairsandproperlighting,andinfirmariesshouldincludeeyechartsforstudentstochecktheirvisionunderteacherguidance,sheadded.Vi?tNamhasaroundfivemillionchildrenwithrefractiveerrors,withmyopiaaccountingfor40percent.Theproblemismostprevalentinurbanareas.-VNS
DelegatesvisitAO/dioxinvictims.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—DeputyDefenceMinisterSen.Lieut.Gen.HoàngXuanChi?nvisitedandpresentedgiftstothosestayingattheHàN?icentreforcaring,nurturingandtreatingvictimsofAgentOrange(AO)/dioxininBaVìsuburbandistrictonAugust6,ontheoccasionofthe63rdanniversaryoftheDayforAO/dioxinVictims(August10).AlsoattendingtheeventwereLieut.Gen.Nguy?nH?uCh?nh,ChairmanoftheVi?tNamAssociationforVictimsofAO/Dioxin,andUSAmbassadortoMarcKnapper.Chi?n,whoisalsoheadofthestandingboardoftheNationalSteeringCommitteeonOvercomingPost-WarUnexplodedOrdnanceandToxicChemicalConsequences,highlyvaluedtheeffortsbythecentresleadersandstaff,sayinghehopesthattheywillovercomealldifficultiesandbettertheworkofcaringfordioxinvictims.Heaffirmedthatoverthepasttime,theimplementationofpoliciesandtheimprovementofhealthcareandlivingconditionsforthesevictimshavereceiveddueattentionfromtheParty,State,Government,ministries,andlocalauthorities,aswellassupportfrombothdomesticcitizensandinternationalfriends.Theseworkshaveseenalotofcommendableimprovements.TheofficialrequestedthesteeringcommitteetoworkcloselyandeffectivelywithrelevantagenciesandunitstoensuretimelyandincreasinglypracticalsupportforAOvictims.HealsoproposedtheUS,especiallytheUSAgencyforInternationalDevelopment(USAID),makeitsutmosteffortsalongsideVi?tNamtoeffectivelyimplementprojectsthatimprovethequalityoflifeforthesevictims.AmbassadorMarcKnapperemphasisedthatco-operationinaddressingpost-warconsequencesisoneofthebasicelementsfortheUSandVi?tNamtobuildtrust,demonstratetheircommitments,andadvancetheirbilateralrelationshiptobecomeacomprehensivestrategicpartnershipasitistoday.Heexpressedhisbeliefthatwitheffortsforthecommoninterests,thetwocountrieswillcontinuetoovercomethehistoryandbuildabetterfutureforthevictimsofAgentOrange/dioxin.Vi?tNamhasabout4.8millionpeopleexposedtoAO/dioxin,ofthemabout3.2millionvictims,livinginallprovincesandcities.—VNSFarmersgrowmedicinalplantsundernaturalforestcanopiesinNamS?nCommuneinHàN?isSócS?nDistrict.PhotocourtesyofHàN?isDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentHàN?I–HàN?isDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentemphasisedthatwithitsstrengthsinmedicinalplantdevelopment,itneedstoimplementpoliciestosupporttheconservationandrestorationofraremedicinalplantspecieswhilealsoproducingcertainspecialisedmedicinalplantstoattractbusinessinvestmentsinthissector.Vi?tNamisrecognisedforitsdiversemedicinalplantresources,withover5,100species,offeringgreatpotentialindevelopingmedicinalplantsintoasignificanteconomicsector.HàN?iisoneofthelocalitieswithalarge,richanddiversemedicinalplantresourcebase.Currently,thecityhasabout250hectaresdedicatedtogrowingmedicinalplants,mainlyindistrictsandtownssuchasSócS?n,PhúXuyên,??ngAnh,S?nTay,Qu?cOai,Ch??ngM?andBaVì.Thetypesofmedicinalplantsarerelativelyvaried,includingspecieslikecàgaileo(Solanumprocumbens),honeysuckle,?inhl?ng(polysciasfruiticose),goldencameliaandjasmine.ThegeneticresourcesofmedicinalplantsinHàN?iarequitediverse,withover170geneticsources,concentratedmainlyinthedistrictsofSócS?nandBaVì.Thesearemountainousareaswithforestsandsuitableclimaticconditionsforthedevelopmentofmedicinalplantspecies.Therefore,HàN?iaimstodevelopspecialisedcultivationareasformedicinalplantsandestablishproduction,preservationandprocessingchains,graduallymakingmedicinalplantsamajorcrop,itsaid.Ph?mTh?Ly,directoroftheUnionofVietnameseHerbalMedicineandOrganicAgricultureCooperatives,statedthatwiththesupportoflocalauthoritiesandresidents,theunionhasintroducedmedicinalplantstobegrownundernaturalforestcanopiesinNamS?nCommuneinSócS?nDistrict.Thisnewapproachneitherimpactstheforestecosystemnoraffectssustainablelivelihoodsforlocalfarmers.Todate,wehavemobilisedseveralfamiliestoestablishamedicinalplantconservationvillageinTam??oMountainFootwithover50hectaresofforestandhillyland,wherewehaveplantedmorethan10,000goldencameliaplantsovernearlytenhectares,shesaid.Thefamilyof??ngV?nYênfromXuanGiangCommuneinSócS?nDistrictcurrentlyhassevenhectaresdedicatedtogrowingmedicinalplants.TheSócS?nMedicinalPlantConservationandDevelopmentCooperativehasprovidedseeds,scientificandtechnicalguidanceandpurchasedalltheproducts.HecouldearnVN?420million(US$16,716)perhectareperyear,threetimeshigherthanothercrops.Inadditiontotraditionalmedicinalplants,SócS?nDistricthasalsointroducednewmedicinalplantvarieties,suchasburdock(ArctiumlappaLinn)fromJapan.Burdockrootsarepurchasedforuseinsoysauceandfoodproducts.Nguy?nV?nD?ngfromXuanThuCommuneinSócS?nDistrictexplainedthatafterswitchingfromgrowingvegetablesinthealluvialareasalongtheCàL?Rivertocultivatingburdock,hefoundthatthismedicinalplantiswell-suitedtotheriverbanksoilandgrowswell.D?ngsaid:Currently,burdockrootsarepurchasedbythecooperativeatVN?90,000perkilogram.Withanaverageyieldofover400kilogrammespersào,afterproductioncosts,myfamilyearnsaboutVN?20millionpersào.Comparedtotraditionalricecultivation,thisvalueisseveraltimeshigher.T?V?nT??ng,deputydirectorofthecitysDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidtopreserveandsustainablydevelopmedicinalplantvarieties,HàN?irecentlyissuedtheplanfordevelopingmedicinalplantsinHàN?ifor2024-2025.Theplanprioritisesthedevelopmentof16typesofmedicinalplants,includinggoldencamelia,honeysuckle,?inhl?ng,càgaileo,ginseng,holybasil,sweetgrass,basil,peppermint,gingerandmanyothers.Additionally,basedonlocaladvantagesandactualconditions,eachareacanchooseanddevelopotherplantsthathaveeconomicvalue,marketpotential,andaresuitableforlocalclimaticandsoilconditions,suchasAustraliancowplant,artichoke,v?ngtea,malepapayaflowers,fishmintandgrassjelly.Nguy?nTh?ThuH?ng,headofHàN?isQuality,Processing,andMarketDevelopmentDepartment,saidthatsince2020,HàN?ihadpilotedsustainableandstablemedicinalplantcultivationmodels.Thesemodelshadinitiallyproveneffective,creatingproductionandconsumptionlinkagesandcontributingtoincreasedincomesforlocalpeople.T??ngsaidHàN?ineededtosupportthedevelopmentofmedicinalplantmodelslinkedtoproductconsumption.ThisshouldincludesupportingtheestablishmentofspecialisedcultivationareastogrowmedicinalplantsthatmeetGACP-WHOstandards,withplanstoreach400hectaresby2025and1,000hectaresby2030inregionswithsuitablesoilandclimaticconditions.Currently,HàN?iwasdirectingareviewtoidentifyanddevelopdetailedplansforspecialisedcultivationareasforeachtypeofmedicinalplantinvariouscommunes,andcreatesystemsforpurchasing,preserving,processingandsellingmedicinalproducts.Thisapproachaimedtoleveragegeographicandnaturaladvantages.Additionally,itincludedconvertinglessproductivelandtomedicinalplantcultivationwiththegoalofgraduallymakingmedicinalplantsamajorcropinHàN?i,hesaid.–VNS