Thegreentaxiusedbythesuspectsistakenintopolicecustody.—Photobaovephapluat.vnQU?NGBìNH—ThreeChinesenationalshavebeenarrestedinconnectionwiththemurderofaVietnamesetaxidriverlastweek.Thesuspects,twomalesandonefemale,havebeennamedasH.J.C.,18,L.S.J,16,andG.Y.,17.Thethreearebeingquestionedovertheallegedlykillingthedriverduringacross-countrytaxiridebeforeleadingpoliceonahigh-speedchase.TheincidentcametolightonJuly28whenthepoliceinthecentralprovinceofQu?ngBìnhspottedataxiwithplatenumber14A-325.45behavingerratically.Theyattemptedtopullitoverbutweremetwithdefiance.Thedriverfled,hittingtwovehiclesasheevadedcapture.Asthesituationescalated,thepolicemobilisedadditionalunitstojointhepursuit.Uponapprehendingthesuspects,theydiscoveredthebodyofadriver,lateridentifiedasNguy?nV?nH?i,47,livinginHàPhongWard,H?LongCity,thenorthernprovinceofQu?ngNinh.H?iistheownerofthetaxiandworkedforthetaxicorporationMaiLinhinQu?ngNinh.InitialinvestigationsrevealedthatthethreeforeignershiredH?iforacross-countryjourneyonJuly27andsubsequentlymurderedhiminQu?ngNg?ionthesameday.ThesuspectsweretransferredtoQu?ngNg?iProvinceonJuly29forfurtherquestioning.—VNS

AtrafficpoliceofficerchecksthealcoholconcentrationlevelofadriverinPhanThi?tCityinthesouthernprovinceofBìnhThu?n.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–TheMinistryofPublicSecurityhasproposedasignificantreductioninfinesfordriverswithalcoholconcentrationlevelsthatdonotexceed50mgin100mlofbloodor0.25mginonelitreofbreath.Specifically,theministrysuggestedimposingfinesrangingfromVN?800,000toVN?1million(US$39.6)fordriverswithalcoholconcentrationlevelbeloworequalto50mgin100mlofbloodor0.25mgin1litreofbreath.Thecurrentregulations,underDecree100/2019/N?-CPwhichtookeffectonJanuary1,2020,stipulatedthefinerangingfromVN?6-8million($237-317).Theministrysaidthatreducingthefinesstipulatedinthedecreeforalcoholconcentrationlevelstobetteralignwiththenatureandseverityoftheviolation.Itiscurrentlyseekingfeedbackonthechanges.Forviolationswherealcohollevelsinthebloodorbreathexceed50milligramsto80milligramsper100millilitresofblood,or0.25milligramsto0.4milligramsperlitreofbreath,theministryproposedmaintainingthecurrentfineofVN?16-18million($634-713).Thefineforalcohollevelsexceeding80milligramsper100millilitresofbloodor0.4milligramsperlitreofbreathremainsatVN?30-40million($1,189-1,586).Theministryalsoproposedfinesfordrunkmotorbikeriders.FinesrangingfromVN?400,000toVN?600,000willbeappliedforriderswithalcohollevelsintheirbloodorbreathnotexceeding50mgin100mlofbloodor0.25mgin1litreofbreath.Currently,thefineforsuchviolationsrangesfromVN?2milliontoVN?3million.TheministryalsosuggestedfinesbetweenVN?800,000andVN?1millionforoperatorsofspecialisedmotorvehicleswithalcohollevelsintheirbloodorbreathnotexceeding50mgin100mlofbloodor0.25mgin1litreofbreath.TheexistingfineforthisoffenseisVN?3milliontoVN?5million.TheRoadTrafficSafetyLaw,recentlyapprovedbytheNationalAssemblyandeffectivefromJanuary1,2025,stipulatesacompletebanonalcoholconsumptionfordriversoperatinganyvehicleonpublicroads.Specifically,itprohibiteddrivingwithanylevelofalcoholinthebloodorbreath.TheMinistryofHealthhasbeenassignedtoregulatethehealthconditionsofdriversandoperatorsofspecialisedmotorvehiclesandtoestablishguidelinesfordeterminingbothbloodalcohollevelsandendogenousalcoholconcentrations.AccordingtotheMinistryofPublicSecurity,aftertrafficpoliceintensifiedcrackdownondriversviolatingalcohollimitsin2023,thenumberoftrafficaccidentsrelatedtoalcoholconsumptiondecreasedby25percent,thenumberofdeathsdecreasedby50percentandthenumberofinjuriesdecreasedby22percentcomparedtothesameperiodin2022.–VNSMajorandmilitarydoctorNguy?nBáL??ng(right)talkstopeoplecomingtothe‘BordermedicinecabinetinPhúcS?nCommuneforahealthcheck.—VNA/VNSPhotoXuanTi?nNGH?AN—The‘BordermedicinecabinetmodeloperatedbythePhúcS?nBorderGuardStationinthepastfiveyearshaspromotedeffectivenessofhealthcareandtreatmentsinfourbordervillages.ItisoneofeightbordermedicinecabinetssetupbytheNgh?AnProvinceBorderGuard.Inadditiontomaintainingsecurityandorder,theGuardStationhascoordinatedwithlocalauthoritiestoeffectivelyimplementeconomicandsocialdevelopmentprogrammes.Itcreateslivelihoodsandhelpslocalpeopleeradicatediseasesandhunger,therebygainingthetrustandloveoflocalofficialsandpeople.HealthcareMajorandmilitarydoctorNguy?nBáL??ng,51,isinchargeofthePhúcS?nBorderGuardStationsmedicalcabinet.Rainorshine,hediligentlyexaminespatients.ViTh?Thi?t,58,aTháiethnicwomaninCaoV?u2Village,PhúcS?nCommune,AnhS?nDistrict,saidthatsheregularlycametothe‘BorderMedicineCabinettohaveherbloodpressuremeasured,heartrateandjointscheckedandtoreceivefreemedicine.Previously,whenthemedicinecabinetwasnotthere,everytimeshewassick,shehadtoaskrelativestotakeherbymotorbiketothecommunehealthstation,whichismorethan20kmalongtheforestroad,alongthehillsandmountains.Itwasareallyhardjourney.Manyotherpatientssaidthatsincethe‘BorderMedicineCabinetwasestablished,medicalexaminationandtreatmenthasbecomemuchmoreconvenient.MilitarydoctorsfromthePhúcS?nBorderGuardStationareregularlypresenttopromptlyprovidehealthcaretopeoplewithaveryenthusiasticattitudeandthoughtfuladvice.Regardlessofnightorday,everytimepeopleneedtobeexamined,themilitarydoctorsarepresent,ortheywillcrossmountainsandforeststolocalpeopleshousestochecktheirhealth.TheCaoV?u1,2,3,4villagesinPhúcS?nCommunearelocatedupstreamofGiangandV?urivers,inthebufferzoneofthePùMátprimevalforest.Morethan40yearsago,theareawasfullofmountainsandforests,withonlyafewdozenTháiethnichouseholdssettling.Currently,thefourvillageshavenearly400households,withmorethan1,340people,ofwhichTháipeopleaccountformorethan84percent.In2002,theAnhS?nDistrictPeoplesCommitteebuilttheCaoV?uMedicalSubstation.Itarrangesthreemedicalworkerstogivefirstaidtothepeople.In2014,themedicalsubstationmovedneartheHighwayNo7.Sincethen,everytimepeoplegetsick,theyhavetotravelmorethan20kmtothecommunehealthstation.SeniorLieutenantColonelHoàngThanhTùng,PoliticianofthePhúcS?nBorderGuardStation,saidthatheunderstoodthepeoplesdifficultiesintakingcareoftheirhealth,especiallyfortheelderlyandchildren.TheunithadproposedtheNgh?AnBorderGuardCommandsetupamedicinecabinetanditwasapproved.FromFebruary2019,the‘BorderMedicineCabinetmodelwasestablished,locatedinCaoV?u2Villagewithonemilitarydoctortosupplyfreehealthcareandmedicinetothepeople.TheoperatingbudgetforthecabinetmainlycomesfromsupportoftheprovincialBorderGuardCommand,thePhúcS?nBorderGuardStation,theRedCrossSociety,theAnhS?nDistrictWomensUnionandotheragenciesandbenefactors.MajorL??ng,whomanagedthecabinet,saidthatinthepastfiveyears,theunithadexamined,treatedandgivenfreemedicinetoabout5,000people.Sometimesthesoldiershavetogothroughtheforesttoexamineandtreatpeopleathome,withthefurthesthousemorethan6kmfromtheunit.Peoplecomemainlyforhighbloodpressureproblems,cardiovascularissuesandboneandjointdiseases.Childrenhaveacuterespiratoryandintestinalinfections.Workaccidentsinproductionalsohappenalotandarepromptlytreatedbymilitarydoctors.Foremergencycases,theunitwilladvisethepatientfortimelyreferraltoanuppertierhospital.PovertyreductionLieutenantColonelTùngsaidthatthestationmanagedandprotectedmorethan26kmofborder,withsevenlandmarks,(numbers441to447).TheareaisadjacenttoXaychamphoneDistrict,BolikhamsaiProvinceofLaos.Witharuggedmountainousterrain,manystreams,frequentfloods,landslidesandtrafficdisruptionintherainyseason,itisadifficultterraintoguard,buttheunithasworkedprofessionallytoprotectbordersovereigntyandsecurity.Atthesametime,itmaintainsgoodexternalaffairstobuildaunitedborderarea,growingfriendship,withspecialsolidarityandcomprehensivecooperationbetweenVi?tNamandLaosandNgh?AnandBolikhamsaiProvince.Toeffectivelyconductsocio-economicdevelopmentprogrammesinthelocality,theunitcoordinateswiththedistrictFatherlandFrontandFarmersAssociationtocarryoutanumberofmodelssuchashelpingimpoverishedstudents,raisingpigsandchickensandgrowingplants.Manyhouseholdssupportedbytheguardstationhaveescapedpoverty.NganTh?Loan,wholivesinCaoV?u4Village,isacaseinpoint.Shewassupportedwithtwobreedingpigs,100chickensandtechnicalhelpandhasnowaccumulatedcapitaltoexpandalivestockfarm,growsonehectareofteaand1.000sq.mofcassava.—VNS

MinisterofInformationandCommunicationsNguy?nM?nhHùngandRepublicofKoreasMinisterofScienceandICTLeeJong-hoduringtheirmeetinginSeoul.—VNA/VNSPhotoKhánhVanSEOUL—MinisterofInformationandCommunicationsNguy?nM?nhHùngpaidaworkingtriptotheRepublicofKorea(RoK)inearlyAugust,aimingatbolsteringcooperationbetweenthetwocountriesintheareasofdigitaltransformationandAI.AtaworkingsessionwithMinisterofScienceandICTLeeJong-ho,HùngstressedthatVi?tNamispromotingeconomicgrowthbasedondigitaltechnology,aswellasboostingthedevelopmentofITandcommunications,particularlyArtificialNarrowIntelligenceandSpecialisedAI-theareasthatneedinternationalcooperationinpolicysharingandhumanresourcestraining.Thetwoministersdiscussedcooperationmeasuresonthebasisofthevisionsandpoliciestoboostdigitalinnovationforgrowth,andpledgedtoenhancecooperationinthedomainsofICT,withthefocusgiventoAIresearchanddevelopment,andhigh-qualityhumanresourcestrainingforthesemiconductortechnology.TheVietnameseministeralsohaddiscussionswithrepresentativesfromtheRoKsDigitalPlatformGovernmentandtheMinistryofScienceandICT(MSIT)sNationalInformationSocietyAgency,KoreaInternetSecurityAgencyandNationalITIndustry,whoprovidedtheVietnamesesidewithinformationrelatedtotheRoKsICTpolicyresearchandmaking.DuringhisstayinthecountryonAugust1-2,HùngvisitedandhadaworkingsessionwiththeSeoulCyberUniversity(SCU)andattendedtheinauguralceremonyforthecoordinationtrainingofficebetweenVi?tNamsPostsandTelecommunicationsInstituteofTechnologyandtheSCU.Hecongratulatedthetwoestablishmentsfortheireffectivecooperation,andhighlightedthattheSCUsdigitaluniversitymodelisanadvancedoneandanexampleforVietnameseuniversities.Ontheoccasion,theVietnameseMinistryofInformationandCommunicationsjoinedhandswiththeMSITandrelatedassociationsofthetwonationstoorganisetheVi?tNam–RoKdigitalforum,drawingtheparticipationof20technologyfirmsfromVi?tNam,and150representativesfromRoKassociationsandenterprises.ThiswasanopportunityfortheVietnameseICTbusinesscommunitytopromotetradeandseekinternationalpartnersintheRoK.Italsohelpedpromotecoordinationandsharingofpolicies,initiativesandadvancedtechnologymeasuresbetweenthetwonations.HùngalsohadtalkswithVietnamesestudentswhoarestudyingICT,andvisitedFPTrepresentativeofficeintheRoK.—VNSV?MinhQuan,orQuanV?,istheauthorofProfit-DrivenDigitalMarketingwhichwasclassifiedasTop#1BestSellerintheGlobalMarketingcategoryonAmazononlyamonthafteritsrelease.Photogiaoducthoidai.vnV?MinhQuanhasbeenwell-knownathomeandabroadforhisbookProfit-DrivenDigitalMarketing,whichwasclassifiedTopNewReleases,andthenTop#1BestSellerintheGlobalMarketingcategoryonAmazononlyamonthafteritsrelease.The37-year-oldauthor,alsoknownasQuanV?,releasedProfit-DrivenDigitalMarketinginMarchthisyear.Itisavailableinthreeformats,ebook,paperbackandhardcover.TheEnglishaudiobookversionwasreleasedbytheendofJuneandisavailableonvariousglobalplatformssuchasGooglePlay,BarnesNoble,Libro.fm,Kobo,andAudiobooks.com.Thebookhasreachedreadersworldwide,includingtheUS,theUK,Ireland,theNetherlands,Japan,GermanyandCanada.ThisglobalversionhasalsobeenincludedinthelibrariesoftwelveuniversitiesinIreland.ThenewbiesfirstbookisinVietnameseentitledDigitalMarketingchonhàqu?nly(DigitalMarketingforManagers)releasedbytheendof2022.DigitalMarketingchonhàqu?nlyhasbeenavailableone-commercechannels,majorbookstoresinVi?tNam,andwasnominatedforTop5MostLovedVietnameseBusinessBooksandTop10Must-ReadBusinessBooksof2023bySaigonBusinessmagazine.QuanwasastudentintheadvancedComputerScienceprogrammeattheUniversityofScienceinHCMCity,inpartnershipwiththeUnitedStatesPortlandStateUniversity.HehasstartedventuresinvariousfieldsandiscurrentlytheCEOofadigitalmarketingcompanyinHCMCityandavisitinglectureronentrepreneurshipattheUniversityofScience.Iwasnotanall-roundstudentinsecondaryschooljustwasaverageinliteratureandpoorinchemistrybecauseIwasnotgoodatmemorisingformulas,hetoldgiaoducthoidai.vn:However,fromhistimeasaphysicsmajorstudentuntilnow,hehasalwaysmaintainedcuriosityaboutsocialsciences.TheolderIget,themoreIenjoyreadingandexploringsocialsciences,literatureandartsbecausetheyareinteresting.AsIgrewolder,mycuriosityincreasedandIreadmanybooksonvarioustopics,bothinVietnameseandEnglish.Thisappliesalottomycurrentjobandthemotivationtowriteabookthatmanypeoplewouldlove,Quansaid.Ofcourse,makingthebookglobalwasnoteasy.Besidesthesupportfromtheplatforminpromotingthebook,Ihadtoovercomemanychallengestowritethebooktoensureitisnotoutdatedandsuitsthetastesofforeignreaders.ForQuan,writingabookisnotjustaboutsharingwhatheknowsbutthinkingabouttheproductseriously,fromthetitle,coverdesign,price,publicityandmore.Alltheseaspectsrequireaninvestmentoftimeandspecialisedpersonnel.Regardingcontent,hebelieveditisessentialtobeengagingandrelatable.Readersshouldfindvalueinthebook,relatetothesituationstheyhaveexperiencedandapplythelessonsintheirlives.Idonthaveastrongpersonalbrandintheglobalmarket,sobringingthebooktotheinternationalmarketrequiredcarefulpreparation,treatingitasaseriousproductwithmarketresearchandhavingacleartargetaudience,Quansaid.Thecompetitionone-commerceplatformslikeAmazonisextremelyfierce.Buyerspartlyrelyontheauthorsbrand,whethertheyarefamousandtrustworthy.Whileforeignmarketsarevastanddiverse,withcountlessexpertsinvariousfields,thecompetitionforanewauthorlikemeisevenmorecomplex.Self-publishingplatformInVi?tNam,QuanworkswiththeteamatGiverBookspublishingcompany.Likeotherpublishers,GiverBookssupportsauthorsincontentediting,coverdesign,obtainingpublicationlicences,printing,distributingandpromotingthebook.However,topublishtheEnglishbook,insteadofseekingacomprehensivesupportpublisherabroad,Quanchosetobuildhisownteamtohelpwithcoverdesign,editingandensuringthebookssuitabilityfortheinternationalmarket.Additionally,heexploredtheKindleDirectPublishing(KDP)platform,anAmazonservicesupportingself-publishingauthors.Establishedin2007,KDPisusedbymanyauthorsworldwidebutisstillrelativelyunfamiliartoVietnameseauthors.Authorroyaltiesdependonthebookformatsold-paperback,hardcover,orebook-rangingfrom35percentto70percentofthelistedprice.Amazoncalculatesroyaltiesbysubtractingprintingcosts(forprintbooks)andtaxesbasedonthecountryorterritoryoforigin,hesaid.IfanauthorwantsAmazontosupportdistributiontoretailers,theycanpayanadditionalfee.Theprofitanauthorreceivesperbookisnothigh,butinreturn,justbyuploadingthebookfileandcoverdesigntotheplatform,Amazontakescareoftherest.Self-publishingonAmazonallowsforprint-on-demanddistribution,whichallowsauthorstocontroltheprintquantityaccordingtodemand,savingprintingcosts.Furthermore,Amazonhasprintingfacilitiesinseveralcountries.Theexpandingnetworkofprintingfacilitiescanprofoundlychangethepublishingindustrybyeliminatingtheneedforphysicaltransportationofbooksacrossnationalborders.AccordingtoauthorQuan,KDPisbreakingdowntraditionalbarriersinpublishingprocedures,pavingthewayforbookstoreachreadersmoreeasily.Quanalsospendsalotoftimeresearchingandanalysing,choosingkeywordstomakeiteasierforbuyerstofindhisbookonsearchengines.Selectingthebookscategoryforclassificationiscrucial,suchastheGlobalMarketingcategoryonAmazon.Additionally,factorslikecoverdesign,presentationformatandpricing,basedonresearchofforeignbooksinthesamefield,areessentialforpackagingthebookasaninternationalproduct.Healsoconsiderspriceadjustmentsatdifferenttimestohelpthebookcompeteandbecomeabest-seller.InspiringhischildrenQuanV?sbooksareavailableinlibrariesof20universitiesinVi?tNam.Photogiaoducthoidai.vnItisknownthatoneofthemotivationsfortheauthortowritebooksisforhischildrentofindtheirfathersachievementsonline.Accordingtohim,personaleffortisawaytopushboundaries,pavingthewayforhischildren.Whatheachievescanserveasanexampleforhischildrentofollow.LikesellingbooksfromVi?tNamtotheworld,notmanypeoplethoughtitwaspossiblebefore.Istrivetomakeithappen,Quansaid.Iwantmychildrentounderstandthatwhentheylikedoingsomething,despitedifficultiesandwhatothersmightsay,iftheytryhardenough,theywillachieveit.IhopewhatIamdoing,includingwritingandsellingbooksonAmazonandexportingknowledgefromVi?tNamtotheworld,willgivemychildrenmoreconfidenceandmotivationtoliveuptotheirpotentialandinterestsandnotbelimitedbyanyprejudicesorbarrierssocietymayimpose.Quanstartedfromscratch,figuringouteachstepalongtheway.Heconstantlychallengeshimselfwithdifferentmilestones,overcomingnumerousdifficultiesinthejourneyofexportingknowledge.MywishistocontributetocreatingawaveofVietnameseauthorsdaringtopackageandsharetheirknowledgeandexperienceswithglobalreaders,fosteringconfidenceandprideinVietnameseintellect,hesaid.VNSAnofficialin??kT?ngCommune,KonPl?ngDistrict,guidelocalpeopleonhowtorespondtoearthquakes.—VNA/VNSPhotoCaoNguyênHàN?I—Anotherearthquakeof3.8magnitudehitDistrict,theCentralHighlandsprovinceofKonTum,onSaturday,accordingtotheInstituteofGeophysics.Itoccurredat12:44pmatadepthofabout8.1km,withnodisasterrisk.EarthquakeshavebeenrecordedfrequentlyinKonPl?ngsince2021.Recently,theareawashitbya5.0magnitudeearthquakeonJuly28withitsdisasterriskcategorisedasLevel2-thestrongesteverrecordedinthisarea.Thequakecausedsomedamagetopublicbuildingsandresidentialhomes.ResidentsintheCentralHighlandsandcentralVi?tNamfeltthetremorsandshaking.Thelocalityexperiencedatotalof21earthquakesonJuly28,followedbyanadditional11tremorsbetweenmidnightand7amonJuly29,raisingconcernsaboutunusualseismicactivityintheregion.Nguy?nXuanAnh,DirectoroftheInstituteofGeophysics,statedthatearthquakesareforecasttocontinuehittingKonTumProvinceinthenearfuture,butareunlikelytobestrongerthan5.5degrees.Localauthoritiesandcompetentagenciesneedtoconductdamageassessments,reviewandevaluateweakstructuresatriskofbeingaffectedbyearthquakesforsolutions.Between1903and2020,KonPl?ngDistrictrecordedabout33earthquakeswithmagnitudesof2.5orhigher.From2021toAugust2022,theareaexperiencednearly200newearthquakes.—VNS

Sceneoftheaccident.Theworkerswereliftedbythecranetoworkonthesilosthatstorematerialsforafactory.—VNA/VNSPhotoL?cH??ngThuLàOCAI—AcraneaccidentonFridayataphosphorusslag-crushingplantinT?ngLo?ngIndustrialPark,B?oTh?ngDistrict,LàoCaiProvince,hasleftthreeworkersdeadandthreeothersinjured.Initialinvestigationssuggestthetragedyoccurredat11:30amwhenacablehoistcarryingthesixworkerssuddenlysnapped,sendingthecontainertheywereinplummetingtotheground.Thecontainerwasthenstruckbyafallingpulley,compoundingthedevastatingimpact.ThetwoworkerswholosttheirliveshavebeenidentifiedasL.V.C.,ageunknown,andP.V.N,34.Theformerdiedatthescenewhilethelattersucummedtoinjurieswhilebeingrushedtothehospital.Theidentityofthethirdworkerwholosthislifeduringhospitaltreatmenthasnotbeenannounced.Thethreeinjuredarereceivingmedicalattention.Thepolicehaveconcludedthattheconstructioncompanysuseofatowercranetotransportworkersviolatedlaboursafetyregulations.TheypressedchargesagainstitonAugust2.—VNSAlibrarianinasecondaryschoolin??kL?kProvince.Photogiaoducthoidai.vnNguy?nTh?Ng?cH??nghadworkedasacontractlibrarianatapublicschoolinDuyTiênTownship,inthenorthernprovinceofHàNam,since2010andonlybecameacivilservantin2022.Afterdedicating14yearstoherjob,hercurrentincome,afterdeductinginsurance,isVN?4.6million(US$180)permonthwithoutanyadditionalallowances.Thismeagresalarymakesitchallengingforhertomakeendsmeet.[AccordingtotheGeneralStatisticsOfficetheaverageincomeofworkingpeopleinthefirsthalfof2024wasVN?7.5million(nearlyUS$300)permonth.]Shehastotakeextraworkasgoodsshipping,farmingworkandsellinggoodsonlineinhersparetimetosupportherfamily,However,theydependmainlyonherhusbandsfreelancebusinessfortheirlivelihoodandtheirtwochildrenseducation.Besidesourmaindutiesinkeepingandlendingbooks,wealsofacilitateteachersandstudentstoaccessinformationandresourcesinthelibrary,particularlyhandletaskstypicallyassignedtoteachers,H??ngtoldgiaoducthoidai.vn.Theseincludeplanninglessonsandhandlingadministrativework.Insomeplaces,weareinvolvedinliteracycampaigns,medicalcareduties,assistingwithlessonplanning,andsupportingteachersduringspeciallessonsandteachingcompetitions,sheadded.GivinguphalfwayBusyworkandlowincomehavediscouragedmanyschoollibrarians.Infact,myjobasalibrarianisharderthanthatofateacherbecauseIhavetosimultaneouslyteachlifeskillsandmorallessons,andorganisereadingactivitiesinclassrooms,thelibraryroom,andevenduringoutdoorbreak,Ph?mTh?Chiêm,aschoollibrarianinTháiBìnhProvince,said.Wealsoinspectstudentsbooks,stationery,andmonitortheirstudyhabitsonmonthlybasis.Meanwhile,LêTh?Ng?c,aschoollibrarianinV?nhL?cDistrict,ThanhHóa(chǎn)Province,commutesnearly50kmdailyfromhometoschoolandbackforaboutthreehours,whichisespeciallychallengingduringbadweather.Workingeighthoursadayatschool,andcaringforthreeyoungchildrenathome,shefindsnotimetotakeextrawork.Herhusbandisalsoagovernmentworkerwithlowincome,soherfamilysfinancesareoftenunstable.Tenyearsago,Iconsideredquittingmyjobatschool,butmyparentsencouragedmetostay,valuingmyeducationandyearsofdedication,Ng?csaid.Itriedtolivefrugallyonmysmallsalary.Inearly2023,facinghealthissues,stagnantwages,andrisingcostsasmychildrengrew,Ireluctantlysubmittedmyresignation.Itwasheart-wrenchingtoleaveafter18yearsofdevotedservice,shesaid.Currently,thereareover35,000schoollibrariansnationwide.Althoughgovernmentpoliciestoimprovethelivingofeducationalworkersexist,theyhavenotbeeneffectivelyimplemented,leavingmanyunabletosustainthemselvesontheirsalaries.DelayinapplyingpoliciesTheworkofaschoollibrarianincludesguidingstudentsinreadingbooksatthelibrary.Photogiaoducthoidai.vnDespiteregulationsfromtheMinistryofHomeAffairs,theMinistryofCulture,SportsandTourism,andtheMinistryofEducationandTraining(MoET),schoollibrarystaffstillreceivenoadditionalincomebeyondtheirbasicsalary.Thissituationhasledtofinancialdifficultiesandfrustrationamongthisworkforce.TheMinistryofCultureandInformation(nowtheMinistryofCulture,SportsandTourism)issuedacircularinFebruary2006stipulatingtheseallowancesandin-kindbenefitsforpublicservantsintheculturalinformationsector.TheHàNamprovincialDepartmentofEducationandTrainingsentanofficialdispatchtothePeoplesCommittees[administrations]ofdistricts,towns,andcitiesonMay6,2024,urgingthemtodirectrelevantagenciesandpubliceducationalinstitutionsundertheirjurisdictiontoimplementexistingregulationsonallowancesforschoolstaff,ensuringcorrectsubjectsandlevelsofallowancesbasedonjobpositions.OnOctober30,2023,MoETissuedacircularprovidingguidanceonjobpositions,thestructureofpublicemployeesaccordingtoprofessionaltitles,andstaffingnormsingeneraleducationinstitutions.Thefundingsource,calculation,andpaymentoftheseallowancesshouldfollowtheinstructionsprovidedintherelevantdocumentsissuedbythemanagingministriesandcurrentstateregulations.Thedepartmentalsorequiredaffiliatedunitstothoroughlystudytheregulationsregardingsubjects,levelsofallowances,calculationmethods,andpaymentproceduresforemployees.Basedontheactualtasksassignedtoemployeesineachunit,thecorrectsubjectsandlevelsofallowancesshouldbeidentifiedandimplemented,ensuringappropriatepaymentofpreferential,responsibility,hazardous,anddangerousallowancesasperregulations.Infact,theworkoflibrariansissomewhatlikethatofteachers;wealsohavetopreparespecificcontenttoorganiseareadingperiodasalessonplanbeforeclass,H??ngsaid.Librariansmustwriteprofessionalessaysintroducingtheroleoftheschoollibraryinservingteachingandlearning,andnumerousarticlesintroducingbooksonvarioussubjectstoreaders,requiringdidacticskills.Despitetheseguidelines,HàNamProvincehadnotpaidtheallowancepaymentsforlibrarystaffbytheendofMay2024;evenMoETissuedanofficialdispatchonDecember26,2023,regardingtheimplementationofpoliciesandpromotionofprofessionaltitlesforschoolstaff,sheadded.Thedelayandinconsistencyinapplyingtheseregulationshaveleftmanylibrariansstrugglingfinanciallyandprofessionally.Thereisapressingneedforconcertedeffortsfromallrelevantauthoritiestoensurethatpoliciesarenotonlywell-documentedbutalsoexecutedefficientlytosupportandmotivatethisessentialworkforce.AccordingtoV?Minh??c,PhD,directoroftheDepartmentofTeachersandEducationalManagersatMoET,theministryhasacknowledgedthesignificantdifficultiesfacedbyschoolstaff.Currently,thetotalincomeofschoolstaff,includinginsurancecontributions,forthosewithlessthan15yearsofservicerangesfromVN?3.6milliontounderVN?7millionpermonth,??csaid.Thisisdespitethelargeworkloadandthenecessitytotakeonvariousadditionaltasks.Tohelpschoolstaffincreasetheirincome,stabilisetheirlives,andfeelsecureintheirroles,theeducationministryhasproposedtotheMinistryofHomeAffairsthatschoolstaffreceiveaprofessionalallowanceatanappropriateleveltorecognisetheirworkandresponsibilities.Theyalsoaimtoreviewandassessthecomplexityofeachjobpositionheldbyschoolstaff,whichwillserveasabasisforadjustingregulationsregardingjobresponsibilities,professionalstandards,andprofessionalrankclassifications.Theseadjustmentsaimtoimproveincomethroughsalaryenhancementsandprovidebettercareeradvancementopportunitiesforschoolstaff.ThestoriesofH??ng,ChiêmandNg?creflectabroaderissuefacingschoollibrarystaffacrossVi?tNam.Despitetheirimportantroleineducation,theirworkremainsundervaluedandunderpaid,leadingtofinancialhardshipandjobdissatisfaction.Addressingtheseissuesrequiresconcertedeffortsfromgovernmentauthoritiestoensurefaircompensationandsupportforthesededicatedworkers.VNS

ThefirstWorldStudentFestivalHCMCity2024andtheeighthInternationalStudentScienceForumwereofficiallykickedoffinHCMCityonAugust2.—PhotoCourtesyoftheorganiserHCMCITY—ThefirstWorldStudentFestivalHCMCity2024andtheeighthInternationalStudentScienceForumwereofficiallykickedoffinHCMCityonFriday(August2).Speakingattheopeningceremony,themunicipalPeoplesCommitteeDeputyChairwomanTr?nTh?Di?uThúysaidtheyouthinallcountriesplayacriticalrole,particularlytheirpioneeringroleincreatingroadstowardssustainabledevelopmentgoalsforcommunities.Thecityhasalwayscreatedfavourableconditionsforstudentsandyoungsterstomaximisetheirpotentialandcapabilitiesthrougharangeofactivities,shesaid.Thefestivalandforumareexpectedtocontributetoenhancingexchangesandconnections,fosteringmutualunderstandingamongyouthsandstudentsfromvariouscountriesandterritorieswiththeirpeersinVi?tNamingeneralandHCMCityinparticular,shesaid.Tr?nThuHà,deputysecretaryofH?ChíMinhCommunistYouthUnion-HCMCitychapterandpresidentoftheVietnameseStudentAssociationinHCMCity,saidthefestivalsthemeIgnitingyouth-ledsocialimpact:fromlocaltoglobalunderscoresthepioneeringroleofyouthandstudentsinpromotingpositivechangesforcommunitydevelopment,encouragingtheircontributionstoglobalissues,especiallythe17SustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)oftheUnitedNations.Thefour-dayfestivalseekstocreateanenvironmentthatenhancesskills,fostersleadership,anddrivespositivecommunitychanges.Activitiesallowlocalandinternationalstudentstointeractandexperiencediversecultures,andpromotethecitysculturalbeautyanddevelopmentachievementsglobally.Theeventhasattractedsignificantinterestfromstudentsatuniversities,colleges,andinstitutesbothdomesticallyandinternationally.Fromnearly500studentregistrationsforthefestivalandsubmissionsfortheInternationalStudentScienceForum,theorganisingcommitteeselected177officialdelegatesfrom11countries.Thisincludes79internationalstudents,sevenrepresentativesfromVietnamesestudentassociationsabroadand20studentsfromvariousregionswithinVi?tNam.Thesedelegatesareoutstandingrepresentativesinvariousfields,comingtogethertoaffirmtheircommitmenttocommunityactionbyestablishingtheFriendshipYouthNetworkduringthefestivalsformalsession.Thefestivalalsofeaturestourstoculturalandhistoricalsitesinthecity,traditionalculturalandartisticactivitiesatthePh??ngNamTheatre,andavisittothemunicipalPeoplesCommitteeheadquarters,amongothers.—VNS

FishermeninThanhHóa(chǎn)ProvinceareinformedabouttheFisheriesLawandIUUfishingregulations.—Photovneconomy.vnHàN?I—Thenorth-centralprovinceofThanhHóa(chǎn)hasintensifiedinspectionsatseaandfishingportswhileworkingwithownersofvesselsthatviolatedregulationsonillegal,unreported,andunregulated(IUU)fishingaspartofitseffortstoclampdownontheillicitfishing.DuringtheJanuary-Julyperiod,localauthoritieshandled80violationcasesandleviedatotalfineofVN?967million(overUSD$38,300)onlocalfishermenandboatownerswhocommittedillegalacts.Alistof306fishingvesselswithhighrisksofviolationswasmadepublicatfishingports,whilethosewithoutnecessarydocumentsandvesselmonitoringsystemswerebannedfromdockingatthefishingports.Throughoutexaminations,theauthoritiesfoundoutseveralcommonmistakesofshipowners,includingexpiringsafefishingvesselcertificates,losingconnectionsignalsforover10days,andfailingtobuyinsuranceforcrewmembers.AccordingtothedeputyheadoftheprovincialDepartmentoffisheriesLêV?nSáng,theprovincewillcontinueenhancingthecommunicationsworktoraisepublicawarenessofIUUregulationsandresolvetometeoutstrictpunishmentsforanyviolations.Inthesamevein,thecentralprovinceofQu?ngTr?hasworkedtohandlehundredsoffishingboatsfrom6to15metresinlengthhavingnoregistration,nofishinglicenses,andnocertificatesprovingtheirseaworthiness(threenos).TheprovincialPeoplesCommitteedirectedlocalitiestotightenmanagementoverfishingvesselstoensurethattherearenoadditionalboatswiththree-nos.—VNSTrafficpoliceinQu?ngTr?chDistrict,Qu?ngBìnhProvince,weighvehiclessuspectedofbeingoverloaded.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Trafficpolicenationwidehaverevokednearly500drivinglicencesafterinspectingover26,960casesinthefirstweekofJuly.Thetrafficpolice,viatheVNeIDapplication,focusedonviolationsleadingtoaccidents,documenting6,892casesandseizing2,000licences,withastrongemphasisonalcohol-relatedoffences.Effortstocombatillegalracingandenforcehelmetuseforridersonmotorcyclesandelectricbicyclesareongoing.Onrailways,inspectionsandenforcementoftrafficrulesatlevelcrossings,securityregulationsandoperationalcompliancebyrailwaystaffwereintensified.Thewaterwaypolicehavetargetedoverloadingbeyondsafewaterlinemarks,non-compliancewithregistrationandinspectionregulations,vesselmodificationandrepair,crewandoperatorregulationsandportmanagement.Inthefirstsixmonthsof2024,thetrafficpoliceforceinspectedandhandledover2.13millioncasesoftrafficorderandsafetyviolationsonroads,railwaysandwaterways,imposingfinestotallingVN?4trillion(nearlyUS$156million),revoking407,700drivinglicences,andseizingover715,400vehicles.Comparedtothesameperiodin2023,therewasanincreaseofnearly450,700caseshandledandanincreaseinfinesbyVN?800billion.Alcohol-relatedtrafficaccidentsdecreasedby37.6percent,therewasa66.2percentdropinthenumberoffatalitiesand11percentfallinthenumbersinjuredinaccidents.—VNS

Amedicalworkerspraysdisinfectantatapreschoolwithchildrensufferingfromhand-foot-mouthdiseaseinPhúYênProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoT??ngQuanHàN?I—TheMinisterofHealth(MoH)hasaskedprovincesandcitiestostrengthendiseasepreventionduringsummerthisyear.Therequirementwasreleasedaftertheinfectiousdiseasesurveillancesystemshowsthatcurrently,anumberofepidemicssuchasdenguefever,hand-foot-mouthdiseaseandmeaslesareontherise.TheMoHsaidthatthecountryisexperiencinghotandrainysummerweatheranditisalsothepeaktourismseason,withincreasedriskofsickness,especiallymeaslesanddenguefever.Toproactivelydeployinfectiousdiseasespreventionandcontrol,theMoHrequestslocalitiestopromotemonitoringandearlydetectionofsuspectedcasesandoutbreaksinthecommunity,aswellasatmedicalfacilities.Affectedareasandpatientsmustbequarantinedandsamplesmustbetakentoidentifypathogens.HealthunitsshouldworkcloselywiththeNationalInstituteofHygieneandEpidemiologyandthePasteurInstitutetoassessrisks,analysethesituationtodeploymeasures,handleoutbreaksandorganisevaccinationcampaigns.Localitiesmustpushupregularvaccinationtoensuresafetyandeffectiveness,reviewandholdadditionalvaccinationforthosewhohavenotbeenvaccinatedorhavenotreceivedenoughvaccinations.Medicalfacilitiesshouldencouragefamiliestogetchildrenandpregnantwomenvaccinatedfullyandonschedule.TheMoHdemandshealthstationstoensuregoodandactivetreatment,minimisingseriouscomplicationsanddeaths,strictlyimplementpersonalprotectionmeasures,infectioncontrolmeasuresandcross-infectionprevention.Theirdutyisalsotoprovidetimelyandcompleteinformationoninfectionpreventionmeasuresforpatientsandcaregivers.Localitiesareresponsiblefororganisingactivitiestoeducatepersonalhygieneandfoodhygiene,andlaunchingenvironmentalsanitationcampaigns.Provincesandcitieswillreviewandensurethereadinessoflogistics,drugsandmedicalequipmenttomeettherequirementsofepidemicpreventionandcontrol.Thelocalhealthsectorwillconducttrainingtoimprovecapacityinmonitoring,detecting,investigatingpathogens,outbreaktreatmentmeasuresandguidanceondiagnosis,treatment,firstaidandresuscitation.—VNSLeadersoftheMinistryofConstructionchairtheconference.—Photobaochinhphu.vnHàN?I—TheMinistryofConstruction(MoC)willpromotecoordinationwithministriesandlocalstoremovedifficultiesindevelopingsocialhousingaccordingtotheGovernmentsdirection,expertssaidinaconferenceheldonWednesdayinHàN?i.AttheMoCsconferencetoreviewtheworkduringthefirstsixmonthsthisyearandsettasksfortheremainderoftheyear,??uMinhThanh,theChiefoftheoffice,saidthatsince2021,503socialhousingprojectshavebeenstartedoverthecountrywith418,200houses.Amongthem,75projectshavebeencompleted,offering39,884houses.ThisyearsoveralltargetsetbytheGovernmentisfor130,000socialhousestobecompletednationwide.Thus,thenumberofcompletionwasfarfromthetargetassignedbytheGovernment,saidThanh.FutureplanOneofthekeytasksoftheMoCfortheremainingmonthsofthisyearisurginglocalitiestoimplementtheprojectBuildingatleastonemillionsocialhousesforlow-incomeearnersandindustrialzoneworkersintheperiod2021-30.Atthesametime,theministrywillproactivelyproposesolutionstorebalancesupplyanddemand,restructuretherealestatemarket,increasehousingsupply,strengthenforecastinformationandrespondwhenthemarkethasunusualfluctuations.DirectoroftheHàN?iDepartmentofPlanningandArchitectureNguy?nTr?ngK?Anhsaidthatthedepartmenthadproposedninelandareasforbuildingsocialhousingwithanareaofabout600hainCh??ngM?,Qu?cOai,Hà??ng,ThanhTrì,Th??ngTín,?anPh??ng,??ngAnh,GiaLamandtheMêLinhdistricts.LandfundsforsocialhousingdevelopmentareasolidbasisforthecapitalcitytocompletetargetassignedbythePrimeMinisterfortheperiod2021-30andstabilisetherealestatemarketandlocaleconomy,hesaid.Alsoattheconference,MinisterofConstructionNguy?nThanhNgh?suggestedsolutionsinoverallmanagementandadministration.Herequestedunitstofirmlygraspthedomesticandinternationalsituationtohaveaccurateforecasts,timelyadviceandeffectiveandpracticalmeasuresready.Alongwithtighteningdisciplineandorder,theconstructionindustrywillapplyinformationtechnologyindirection,managementandadministration,reviewtheassignmentoftaskstowardsthemottoofrightpeople-rightjobs-rightstrengths,saidNgh?.Fromthere,wewillcompletelyovercomethesituationofavoidingduty,notdaringtodothings,notdaringtotakeresponsibility.Thesectorwillalsoenhancetheresponsibilityofleaders,promoteinter-ministerialandlocalcoordination,whileimplementingtheministrysstatemanagementfunction.TheMoCwantstoinnovateitsapproachandcloselygrasplocalsituationstojointlysolvearisingproblemsandcreateconsensusintheworkimplementationprocess.—VNS

ThebridgeonHCMCitysfirstmetrolinespanningtheSàiGònRiver.Buildingaself-drivingtramlinerunningoncanalsisproposedtohelpreducecongestionintheTanS?nNh?tairportsvicinity.—VNA/VNSPhotoAnHi?uHCMCITY—Aprivateinvestorhasproposedtobuildaself-drivingtramlinerunningonHCMCityscanalstoreducecongestionnearTanS?nNh?tairport.AccordingtothecitysDepartmentofTransport,thelinewouldrunbetweenTanS?nNh?tAirportinTanBìnhDistrictand??mSenCulturalParkinDistrict11.Itwouldhavealengthofnearly30kmandanestimatedcostofaboutVN?20trillion(US$780million).PhanC?ngB?ng,deputydirectorofthemunicpalDepartmentofTransport,saidthedepartmenthassentadocumenttothecitysDepartmentofPlanningandArchitectureandtheUrbanRailwayManagementBoardtoseektheiropinionsontheproposaloftheHàN?i-basedTh?chBànParkJSC.Theworkisplannedtobecarriedoutinthreephases.ThefirstphasewillbefromtheairporttoNguy?nKi?uIsletinDistrict4withalengthof12.7kmrunningalongNhiêuL?c-Th?NghèCanal.Inthesecondphase,itwillbeextendedfromtheislettoBàTàngBridgeinDistrict8,adistanceof5.7km,along??iCanal.Thethirdphaseisan11.5kmsectionfromBàTàngBridgetotheintersectionofHoàngV?nTh?andútT?chstreetsalongTanHóa(chǎn)CanalandL?cLongQuanStreet.Accordingtothecompany,theworkisexpectedtoproceedsmoothlysinceitwillrunalongcanals,therefore,thereisnoproblemwithlandacquisitionandclearancechallenges.Itwouldmainlybebuiltofsteel,allowingmassproductioninfactoriestospeedupprogress,itsaid.Self-drivingtramshavetheadvantageofswitchinglaneseasilycomparedtomonorails,andthecostisalsolower,itsaid.Theworkisexpectedtobecompletedinfiveyears.Itwouldaddresscongestionneartheairportwhilealsohelpingdevelopthecitysurbanrailnetwork,itsaid.Themainstationswillbeconnectedtothemetrosystem.Thecityplanstobuildeightmetroroutesandthreetramlineswithatotallengthof220kmatanestimatedcostof$25billion.ThefirstmetrolinebetweenB?nThànhMarketinDistrict1andSu?iTiênThemeParkinTh???ccityisalmostcomplete,withthelatestplansayingitshouldbeputintooperationthisyear,andworkhasstartedonthesecond.ItisfundedbyofficialdevelopmentaidloansandtheGovernment.Theremaininglinesareintheplanningstage.Therehavebeennospecificplansforthetramlines.—VNSHàN?I—Parentsareexpectedtohavegreaterautonomyindecidingthenumberofchildrentohaveandthetimingbetweenchildbirthsinanefforttoimprovethecountrysbirthrate,accordingtothedraftpopulationlaw.Theirdecisionsshouldbebasedontheirhealthandfinancialconditions,accordingtotheproposalbytheMinistryofHealth(MoH).ThisisseenasaradicalchangecomparedtothecurrentPopulationOrdinance,whichcalledforeachcoupleorindividualtohaveonetotwochildren,withexceptionstoberegulatedbythegovernment.Vi?tNamissuedthePopulationOrdinancein2003,whichwasamendedin2008.Thelawaimstoaddresspopulationchallengesatthetime,includingbirthrateandpopulationdistribution.Whentheordinancecameintoeffect,Vi?tNamhadnotachievedreplacement-levelfertilityuntil2006.Aroundthesametime,genderimbalanceatbirthbecamemorepronounced.Thecountryspopulation,nowstandsatover100million,enteredthe‘goldenperiodin2007andtheageingphasein2011.The‘goldenpopulationhascreatedacompetitiveedgeforVi?tNaminitssocio-economicdevelopment,alongsidebetterpopulationdistributionaswellasimprovedhumanresourcequality,ahigherhumandevelopmentindex(HDI)andlongeraveragelifeexpectancy.TheMoHhascalledforchangestoupdatethePopulationOrdinanceinalignmentwiththecurrentsituation.ThismeanstakingintoaccountchangesinthePartysdirectioninshiftingfromfamilyplanningtopopulationdevelopment,radicallyaddressingissuesrelatedtopopulationsize,structure,distributionandquality,aswellasrights,responsibilitiesandframeworksfordifferentstakeholdersinpopulationmanagement.Intheimpactassessmentreportonthepopulationlawproject,whichisopenforpubliccomments,theMoHsaidthatthereplacement-levelfertilitylevelisatthelowestinthepast12yearsandisexpectedtocontinuedeclining.Vi?tNamstotalfertilityratein2022was2.01childrenperwoman.In2023,thisfigurewasestimatedat1.96.Thereportalsohighlightssignificantfertilityratedisparitiesbetweengroupsandregions.Thetendencytohavefewchildrenornoneatallhasbeenemerginginurbanareas,whereeconomicconditionsarehigh.Meanwhile,inseveralareaswithsocio-economicchallenges,fertilityratesremainelevated,reaching2.5childreninsomelocations.Tosustainablymaintainthereplacementfertilitylevelof2.1childrenperwomannationwide,theMoHproposesparentsshouldhavehigherautonomyinchildbirth.TheMoHexpectsthatthismeasurewillpreventbirthratesfromplummeting,resultinginaseverelyageingpopulationanditsadverseimpactsonsocio-economicdevelopmentaswellasnationalsecurityanddefence.—VNS