Thesuspectsinacreditcardfraudschemeledby?àoTh?Ki?uOanh.—PhotocourtesyofthepoliceHCMCITY—A35-year-oldwomanandheraccompliceshavebeenaccusedofimpersonatingbankemployeestodefraud614VisaandMasterCardcardholders,resultingintheembezzlementofoverVN?1.8billion(US$72,000).TheHCMCityPoliceonTuesday(October16)arrested?àoTh?Ki?uOanhand14otherindividualsforusingelectronicmeanstocommittheft.ThisoperationispartofabroaderinvestigationintoacriminalnetworkledbyOanhandanotherwoman,LêTh?KimHoa,31,alongotherindividuals.FromOctobertoDecember2022,thegroupdeceivedcardholdersintowithdrawingmorethanVN?7.2billion,andthusmisappropriatingoverVN?1.8billionfromthem.Theyclaimedtoofferapolicyallowingcustomerstoconvert75percentoftheircreditlimitintocashatlowinterestrates.Aftergainingcardinformation,theyconductedfraudulenttransactionsthroughelectronicpaymentgateways,transferringmoneyintoaccountstheycontrolled,accordingtothepolice.ThepoliceraidedthreeofficesonDecember28,2022,detainingOanh,Hoa,andover80others,seizingvariousequipmentincludingcomputers,phones,andvehicles.Theinvestigationisongoing.—VNS

Vàngwastakenintocustodybythepolice.—Photoanninhthudo.vnHàN?I—TheMinistryofHomeAffairshasissuedanationwidewarningfollowingtheexposureofafraudulentschemeinwhichagroupcreatedafakeorganisationtoissueconterfeitEnglishlanguagecertificates.CambridgeInternationaltargetedindividualsseekinglanguagecredentialsforcareeradvancement.Thegroup,ledbyLêV?nVàng,43,andL??ngVi?tAnh,37,initiallyaimedtoprovideEnglishtrainingcourses,buttheplanwassuspendedduetoCOVID-19.SeeingademandforEnglishcertification,theyestablishedconnectionswithaneducationalinstitutewhereVi?tAnhservedasdirector,tolaunchunauthorisedEnglishproficiencyexams.Theseexams,advertisedasgloballyrecognised,wereconductedonlineandmarketedtopeopleinneedofcertificates.Accordingtotheinvestigation,VàngandhisassociatespromotedCambridgeInternationalasaprestigiousinternationalorganisation,dupingover4,200candidates.Theexamswereheldonweekends,andcertificatesweresoldforbetweenVN?2.3million(US$91)andVN?18million($701)each.Thegroupalsocreatedtwowebsites,cambridgetest.onlineandcbriglobal.info,tofacilitateonlinetestingandattractmorecandidates.Theexamstructuremimickedinternationallyacceptedtests,suchasIELTS,withautomaticscoringacrossfourlanguageskills:listening,speaking,readingandwriting.Inanattempttolendcredibilitytotheirorganisation,thegroupcreatedafakeAcceptanceLettersignedbyafictionalrepresentative,MaxMooney,underaforgedCambridgeInternationalCEFRseal.Authoritiesuncoveredthisfraudafterseizingmultipledevicesanddocumentsrelatedtothescheme,includingtwofakesealsbearingtheorganisationsname.Followingtheincident,theMinistryofHomeAffairshasurgedallministriesandagenciestoreviewthecredentialsofofficialsandcivilservantswhomayhaveusedthesefraudulentcertificates.Anyofficialsfoundtohavefalsifiedtheirqualificationswillbesubjecttodisciplinaryaction.TheMinistryhasalsoadvisedincreasingawarenessaboutsuchfraudulentschemes,emphasisingtheimportanceofcautionandduediligenceinselectinglanguagecertificationproviders.—VNSFirst-yearstudentsofHCMCityUniversityofMedicineandPharmacyenrollinadmission.AmongState-ownedhealthcaretraininginstitutes,theuniversitychargesthehighesttuition.Photothanhnien.vnHCMCITYThemedicalfieldhassomeofthehighesttuitionfeesandlongesttrainingperiodsinacademia,butnotallgraduatesareabletofindemploymentthatmatchestheirefforts.Thepastfewyearshaveseenhighnumbersofmedicalstaffinpublichealthcarefacilitiesquittheirjobstomovetoprivatehealthcare,duemainlytolowsalariesandbenefitsinthepublicsector.Tuitionfeesforhealthsciencemajorsatuniversitiesandcolleges,especiallythoseinvolvedinmedicine,arecurrentlyextremelyhigh,atnearlyVN?200millionperyearatsomeinstitutions.Accordingtothetuitionfeescheduleannouncedforthe2024-2025schoolyear,non-autonomous(orState-supported)schoolscancollectamaximumofVN?27.6millionperstudenteachschoolyear,whichlastsfortenmonths.SchoolsthatareabletoensureregularexpenditurescancollectamaximumofVN?55.2millionperstudentperyear,whileautonomousschoolscancollectfeeofuptoVN?69millionperstudentperyear.Studentsinaccreditedprogrammesmustpayhigherfeesbasedontheirschool.AmongState-ownedhealthcaretraininginstitutes,HCMCityUniversityofMedicineandPharmacychargesthehighesttuitionatVN?80millionperacademicyear.H?ngBàngInternationalUniversityhasthehighesttuitioncostsamongprivateuniversitieswithfeesofVN?180millioneveryacademicyear,followedbyTanT?oUniversityandNguy?nT?tThànhUniversity,bothofwhichchargeVN?150million.Currenttuitionfeesforhealthcareandpharmaceuticalmajorsaretentimeshigherthantheyweretenyearsago.Thehighestmedicaltuitioncostsforthe2014-2015schoolyearwerejustVN?8million.Asidefromthehighcostofeducation,medicalstudentsalsohavetogothroughalonganddifficultlearningprocess.Buttheincomeofferedtoyoungdoctorsatpublichealthfacilitiestodayisnotmuchofanincentive.AftergraduatingfromHCMCityUniversityofMedicineandPharmacysFacultyofMedicinein2022,Nguy?nThuPh??ngsoughtajobatahospitalinTh???cCity.Shefirsthadtocompleteatwo-monthapprenticeshipwithamonthlyassistancestipendofVN?1.5million,followedbyatwo-monthprobationaryperiodwithwagesofoverVN?3million.Afterthat,hermonthlybasicwageofVN?3.5millionwaspaidinfull.Ph??ngslowincomepreventedherfrombeingabletoaffordthehighcostoflivinginthecity.Shewasalsounabletoworkpart-timeinclinicstoincreaseherincome,becauseshelackedacertificatetopractise.Eventually,shewasabletosecureextraweekendhoursatahospitalinthenearbyprovinceofLongAnaftercompletingayearofstudytoobtainhercredentials.DuringtheweekIworkinHCMCity.AttheweekendIrideabiketoLongAn,Ph??ngsaid.Ihavetostayupallnightanddonthaveanydaysoffthroughouttheweek.ThereweretimeswhenIwastravelingfromHCMCitytoLongAn,andIhadtoparkmybikeontheroadsidetotakeanaptohavetheenergytocontinueworking,shetoldThanhNiên(YoungPeople)newspaper.Ph??ngscurrentincome--includingsalary,allowancesandnightshiftpayatthehospitalinHCMCity--isaboutVN?8millionpermonth,andherpart-timejobinLongAnbringsherVN?4million.IonlyhaveenoughtomeetthecostoflivinginHCMCity,althoughIworksohardandwithoutdaysoff.Ifeelsorryformyselfsometimes,shesaid.Aftersixyearsofstudyandanadditionalyeartogetacertificate,Ihadalongerlearningcurvethanmanyofmyfriends.EvenifIworkconsiderablyharder,myfriendsearntwoorthreetimesasmuchasIdo.IhavetoremindmyselfthatIjustreceivedmydegreeandthatIstillneedtogetadditionalknowledgeandexperience.MyincomewillincreaseafterIbecomeadecentdoctor,butthatprocesswilllikelytakealongtime,sheadded.Inspiteoflongtrainingperiodsandhightuitionfees,manymedicalgraduatesgetlowpay.Photothanhnien.vnAyoungdoctorinHCMCitywhodeclinedtobenamedtoldThanhNiênthathecouldearnoverVN?10millionpermonthincludingbasicsalary,nightshiftallowancesandothers.MeanwhileadoctorwhoworksataprivateclinictwodaysperweekcouldearnuptoVN?6millionpermonth.Afreshgraduatehastogothroughanapprenticeshipforonetothreeyearstobeabletoearnaliving.TheaverageincomeisaroundVN?6-8millionpermonth,pluswhateverdoctorscanmakefrompart-timejobs.ThetotalmightrangefromVN?12-15millionpermonth.Thisisalowwage,notcomparablewiththeefforttheyspendworkingandstudying,hesaid.A.D.,anotheryoungdoctorinHCMCitysDistrict3,saidthatfromfivetotenyearsaftergraduation,doctorsincomesareoftenstillnotequaltowhattheyspentontuition.Anumberofphysiciansandotherhealthcareprofessionalsatpublichospitalshaverecentlyquittheiremploymentasadirectresultofinadequatepayandexcessiveworkpressure.Upto166doctorsandhealthcareprofessionalsinBìnhD??ngProvinceresignedfromtheirpositionsinthefirstsevenmonthsof2022asaresultofinadequatepayandbenefits,ademandingworkenvironment,hardlabourandongoingexposuretoriskfactors.Fromearly2021toJuly2022,Ngh?AnProvincealsosaw119physiciansandmedicalstaffmembersleavingtheirpositionsinpublichospitals.Two-thirdsofthemwentontoworkinprivatehospitals.TheNgh?AnDepartmentofHealthclaimedthatatthetime,newgraduatesatpublichospitalswereonlypaidVN?5-7millionpermonth,whereasprivateinstitutionswerewillingtopayVN?15-20million.AmedicalresidentcanearnasalaryofuptoVN?15millionpermonthatpublichospitals,butprivatehospitalsarereadytopaythemVN?70-100millionpermonth.DrTr??ngH?uKhanh,anepidemiologistandformerHeadoftheDepartmentofInfectiousDiseases-NeurologyatPaediatricsHospitalNo1inHCMCity,saidmedicalworkersinthepublicsystemfacemanychallenges,includingthefactthattheirpayisnotcommensuratewiththeirlevelofknowledge.Thosewhocontinueworkinginthepublicsystemseekasettinginwhichtheycancontributetosocietyandadvancetheirknowledgeandskills.Peoplehavemoreoptionswhentheyaremoretalented,hesaid.Impoverishedpatientswouldultimatelysufferifgifteddoctorsleftthepublicsystem,hesaid.Comparedtootherprofessions,thepayinpublichospitalsisnotcomparablewiththeamountofworkthatmedicalstaffmembersputin.Theeasiesttimeformedicalstafftoquittheirpositionsbecauseoflowpayisthefirsttenyearsaftergraduation,hesaid.IncreasingsubsidiesTheMinistryofHealthhasproposedanewsubsidyrateformedicalworkersduetoincreasingbasepay.Surgeryandprocedureallowancesaswellason-dutyandmealallowancesarealsoexpectedtoincrease.AccordingtotheGovernmentsDecree81,studentspursuingdemandingandpotentiallyhazardouscareers—suchasgeneralpractitioners,pharmacists,nurses,midwivesandmedicaltestingtechnicians—willgettheirtuitioncostsreducedby70percent.TheMinistryofHealthhasalsosuggestedthattheGovernmentandotherorganisationsadoptavarietyoffavourablepoliciesformedicalandpharmaceuticalstudents.OneproposalisforthestatebudgettogiveVN?3.63millioninlivingexpensesforpharmaceuticalandmedicalstudents.VNS

AnoverviewoftheVi?tNamMigrationProfile2023launchceremony.—VNSPhotoThuTrangHàN?I—ApictureofthechangingfaceofVi?tNam,with860,000workersgoingtoworkabroadundercontractsinthesixyearsupto2023,hasbeenhighlightedinareportintohowpeoplehavemigratedintoandoutofthecountry.TheVi?tNamMigrationProfile2023demonstratestheimportanceofmigrationdataforpolicyandlawmakingonmigrationaswellasVi?tNamscontinuouseffortsinmigrationgovernancetothebenefittoall.Thelaunchceremonyattractednearly80delegatesfromministries,embassiesofvariouscountriesandinternationalorganisations,whoactivelydiscussedtheoutstandingtrendsofmigrationinrecentyears.TheeventonTuesdayinHàN?iwasorganisedbytheMinistryofForeignAffairs(MoFA)incoordinationwiththeInternationalOrganisationforMigration(IOM).Speakingatthelaunch,Nguy?nMinhV?,AssistantMinisterofForeignAffairs,assessedthattheprofilehadsomeoutstandingpointscomparedtothetwopreviousmigrationprofilespublishedin2011and2016.Thenewone,forthefirsttime,addedanalysisofforeignmigrationflowsintoVi?tNam,policiesandlawsrelatedtoforeignmigration,collectedandanalysedasystemofdataandinformationoninternationalmigrationwithmanystatisticalsubgroups.Nguy?nMinhV?,AssistantMinisterofForeignAffairs.—VNSPhotoThuTrangTheprofileof2023morefullyassessedpoliciesandpracticestoensurewomensrightsduringthemigrationprocessandprovidedinformationandresultsoftheimplementationoftheGlobalCompactforSafe,OrderlyandRegularMigration(GCM)ofVi?tNam.Promotinglegalmigration,preventingandcombatingmigrationthroughunofficialways,ensuringsafemigration,protectingthelegitimaterightsandinterestsofmigrants,includingVietnamesecitizensandforeignersmigratingtoVi?tNam,hadalwaysbeenVi?tNamsconsistentpolicy,hesaid.V?affirmedthatVi?tNamwishedtopromotecooperationwithcountriesaswellastheUnitedNationsandinternationalorganisationstoenhanceexperiencesharinginmigrationmanagement,buildandmanageamigrationdatasystem,promotesafelegalmigrationandminimisevulnerabilityformigrants.TheVi?tNamMigrationProfile2023wascompiledbytheMoFAsConsularDepartmentwithparticipationofdifferentagencies.ItwashostedundertheprojectSupportingevidence-basedpoliciesandprogrammesinthecontextofcross-bordermobilityinVi?tNamjointlyimplementedbytheMoFAandIOMwithfundingfromtheIOMDevelopmentFund.TheprofilesynthesisesandanalysesthemigrationflowsofVietnamesecitizensabroad,themigrationflowsofforeignersintoVi?tNamandpoliciesandlawsrelatedtomigrationintheperiod2017-23.AppreciatingtheroleofmigrantsinpromotingsocialdevelopmentandeconomicgrowthinVi?tNamandrelatedcountriesandterritories,theprofilestatedthatinternationalmigration,ifeffectivelymanaged,willpushupsustainableandsocio-economicdevelopmentofeachcountry,eachlocality,communityandofmigrantsthemselves.Accordingtotheprofile,intheperiod2017-23,labourmigrationcontinuestobethemainformofmigrationinVi?tNamwithnearly860,000workersgoingtoworkabroadundercontracts,equivalenttomorethan100,000peoplesentannually,mostlyconcentratedinJapan,Taiwan(China)andSouthKorea.Migrationforstudyabroadalsohasasimilarincrease.Therehavebeennoexactfiguresyet,buttheestimatednumberiscurrentlyover250,000people,mainlyinSouthKorea,Japan,Australia,theUS,Taiwan(China),Canada,China,theUKandGermany.TheproportionofVietnamesefemalemigrantshastendedtoincrease.TheflowofforeignmigrationintoVi?tNamisalsorelativelydiverse,mostnotablylabourmigrationwith475,198foreignersgrantedworkpermitsfrom2017to2022.MitsuePembroke,OfficerinChargeofIOMinVi?tNam,speaksattheevent.—PhotocourtesyoftheIOMMitsuePembroke,OfficerinChargeofIOMinVi?tNam,saidthattheresearch,dataandfindingsfromthismigrationprofilewouldundoubtedlyassistVi?tNaminformulatingappropriatepoliciestobettermanagemigration.Inanerawhenmigrationquestionsarebecomingmorechallengingduetoeconomic,cultural,andsecurityeventsandtrends,greaterengagementfromgovernmentandotherstakeholdersisrequiredtopromoteabetterpublicunderstandingofthebenefits,challenges,andrisksassociatedwithmigration,shesaid.BylaunchingthethirdcomprehensiveoverviewofmigrationinVi?tNam,theConsularDepartmentisfacilitatingtheimportantdiscussionsonhowtoinvestinanadequateresponsetothechallengesofmigration.TheVi?tNamMigrationProfile2023alsopointsoutanumberofchallengessuchasensuringsafemigration,preventingillegalmigrationandhumantraffickingacrossbordersandprotectingthelegitimaterightsandinterestsofmigrantsinthefaceofalarmingonlinescamsofeasyjobswithhighsalaries.AsoneoftheleadingcountriesimplementingtheGCMAgreement,throughtheprofile,Vi?tNamhasdemonstrateditsstrongcommitmenttoprovidingpracticalsolutionstopromotesafemigrationandtheneedforevidence-basedpolicydevelopment.Itisanimportantpolicytool,contributingtotheimprovementofVi?tNamslegalpoliciesoninternationalmigrationinareassuchaslabourmigration,studyabroad,foreign-relatedmarriages,foreign-relatedadoptionandpreventionofhumantrafficking.Ittargetstobuildaninternationalmigrationmanagementmechanismbasedoneffectivecoordinationandinformationsharingamongconcernedministriesandagencies,withclosecooperationwithcountriestoprotectthelegitimaterightsandinterestsofmigrantsandstrengthenthepositiveaspectsofmigrationforsustainabledevelopment.—VNSTheNationalChildrensHospitalssecondfacilitylocatedinNg?cThanVillage,Ng?cM?Commune,Qu?cOaiDistrictinHàN?i.Photobaochinhphu.vnHàN?I—TheNationalChildrensHospitalssecondfacility,locatedinNg?cThanVillage,Ng?cM?Commune,Qu?cOaiDistrictinHàN?i,isexpectedtoofficiallybeputintouseinthefirstquarterof2025.Thehospitalwillhave300inpatientbedsandprovideoutpatientservicesforapproximately2,000patientseveryday.Thisprojecthasreceivedcomprehensiveinvestmentininfrastructureandmedicalequipment,withateamofhighlyskilledspecialistsandstaffacrossavarietyofmedicalfields.ThehospitalaimstoreducetheoverloadattheNationalChildrensHospitalindowntownHàN?iandisexpectedtobecomeanationalcentreforpaediatricmedicaltraining.Tr?nhNg?cH?i,DeputyDirectoroftheNationalChildrensHospital,saidthatthehospitalisawaitingtheremainingfunding,approximatelyVN?400billion(US$15.7million)outoftheVN?882billion($34.7million)allocatedfortheconstructionofsecondfacility,whichisbeingfundedundertheStatebudget.Aftermorethanayearandahalfunderconstruction,thehospitalisacceleratingeffortstocompletetheproject.Intermsofmedicalequipment,H?isaidinadditiontoGovernment-fundedpurchases,thehospitalplanstouseitsowndevelopmentfundtoacquiremodernequipmentfordiagnosticsandtreatment.Theplannedinvestmentincludesexaminationandfunctionaltestingequipment,interventionalequipment,ultrasoundmachines,X-rays,surgicalroomdevicesandlaboratorytestingfacilities.Beyondspecialisedmedicalsolutions,thehospitalhasalsoimplementedadministrativeandoperationalplanscoveringsecurity,infrastructureandtechnicalsupport,suchaspower,watersupplyandwastewatertreatment.ThehospitalisworkingwithHàN?iauthoritiestoorganiseandstreamlinetrafficfromtheLángHoàL?cExpresswaytoensuresmoothaccessforambulances,patienttransportanddeliveryofgoodsandsupplies.Thisalsofacilitatescoordinationbetweenthehospitalstwofacilities.Additionally,thehospitalhaspreparedanITinfrastructure.Thissystemwillplayavitalrolebylinkingthetwofacilitiesformanagingmedicalrecords,providingprofessionaltrainingandintegratingelectronichealthrecordswiththeSocialInsurancepaymentgateway.H?isaidthatovertheyears,theNationalChildrensHospitalhascontinuouslytraineditsmedicalstaff,especiallyoncethesecondfacilityprojectwasapproved.Itisexpectedthatabout400-500staffmembers,includingdoctors,nurses,technicians,managersandadministrativepersonnelwillworkatthesecondfacility.Thehospitalhasinformedallstaff,includingdoctors,nursesandtechnicians,ofthisplanandeveryoneissupportive,H?isaid,notingthatthehospitalcurrentlyemploysover2,000personnel.Whenthesecondfacilitybeginsoperations,adeputydirectorwillbeassignedtooverseeit.Theleadership,staffandspecialistsfromvariousdepartmentswillrotatethroughthesecondfacilityforsixmonthstooneyeartosupportitsmedicalactivities.Ourstaffareveryreassured,astheyreceiveequalpayandbenefitswhenworkingatthesecondfacility,hesaid.HumanresourcetrainingisacriticalmissionfortheNationalChildrensHospital,whichwillcontinuetoupdateskills,introducenewtechniquesandrecruittoreplaceretiringstaff,therebymaintainingandenhancingtheexpertiseofthecurrentworkforce.Thisisanessential,ongoingtask.Withoutcontinualtrainingandadoptionofnewtechniques,thehospitalrisksfallingbehind,hesaid.Currently,mostpatientstreatedatthefirstfacilityareoutpatientsfromnorthernandnorth-centralprovinces.Thehospitalwasquicktomakeassurancesthattherewillbesufficientstafftohandlepatientneedsatbothfacilities.—VNSMetroline1willbecompletedallnecessaryworkandproceduretobegincommercialoperationsbyDecember22.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheHCMCityUrbanRailwayManagementBoard(MAUR)launchedtheFiftyDaysandNightstoCompleteMetroLine1(B?nThành-Su?iTiên)campaignonOctober28.ThecitylaunchedthecampaignonMondaytofinaliseallnecessaryworkandprocedurestobegincommercialoperationsofmetrolineNo.1byDecember22.Themovecamefollowingdirectionsfromthecitygovernmenttogetthelineoperatingbytheendofthisyearafterseveraldelays.Speakingattheevent,headofMAURPhanC?ngB?ngstatedtheywouldworkwithMetroLine1Co.,Ltd.untilDecember20tocompletealarge,complexworkloadandaddressunresolvedissues.FromnowuntilDecember20,theMAURandtheHoChiMinhCityUrbanRailwayNo.1CompanyLimited(HURC1)willcoordinatewithallstakeholderstocompletetheremainingitemsandprocedures.Theprojectsmainphaseshavebeencompletedafterabout12yearsofconstruction,includingequipmentinstallationandtrainingofdriversandstaff.B?ngstressed:Allrelevantunitswillworkwithoutadayoffduringthecampaigntoensureitssuccess.HCMCityauthoritiesstartedatwo-monthtrialrunforthemetrolinesinceOctober1.MAURaddedthatthelinewouldrun200tripsbetween5amand10pmduringthefirstsixmonthsofcommercialoperation.Afterthat,thelinewilloperatefrom5amto11pm,with276tripsdailybetweenMondayandFriday.Onweekendsandholidays,thenumberoftripswillfallto226.Therouteis19.7kilometreslong,including2.6kmofundergroundrailwayand17.1kmofelevatedtrack.ItrunsfromB?nThànhMarketinDistrict1toSu?iTiênThemeParkinTh???cCity,throughthreeundergroundstationsand11stopsaboveground.Thelinehasatotalof17trains,eachcapableofaccommodating930passengers,including147sittingand783standing.—VNS

ConstructionsiteofWesternRingRoadProjectinC?nTh?City.VNA/VNSPhotoC?NTH?–CapitaldisbursementoftheWesternRingRoadprojectinC?nTh?CitywasjustVN?57.4billion(US$2.26million),achieving18.54percentofthetargetbylateOctoberalthoughtheprojectwasallocatedoverVN?300billion($11.86million)thisyear,reportedDepartmentofPlanningandInvestment.Mostprojectsareproposedtoadjustandsupplementthepublicinvestmentplanfor2024basedonactualimplementation,followingtheschedulesetbytheprojectowner.However,inadditiontoprojectswithdisbursementprogressmeetingorexceedingtheplan,someprojectsarebehindschedule.RegardingtheWesternRingRoadprojectinC?nTh?CityconnectingNationalHighway91toNationalHighway61C,thelandclearancehasreached54percent,andapproximately50percentofthesitehasbeenhandedovertocontractors.Fouroutofsevenconstructionpackageshavebeencarriedout.Currently,theprojectisundergoinganinvestmentpolicyadjustment,andoncecompleted,theremainingthreeconstructionpackageswillbeimplemented.AccordingtoNguy?nHoàngTùng,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofTransport,theprojectfaceddelaysduetotimespentontestingthefoundationandpilesofbridgestructures.Untilthesetestsarecompleted,thenextstepscannotproceed.ThetestingpackagewasonlystartedinJuly2024,andnowtheDepartmentofTransportisinstructingcontractorstoacceptcompletedworkvolumeforsubsequentimplementation,hesaid.Additionally,theshortageofsandremainsasignificantchallengeforthisproject.Risingsandpricesandashortageofsupplyhaveimpactedtheproject.Althoughtheprojecthasreceivedsandfromvarioussources,qualitycheckshavefounditunsuitable,leadingtheinvestortoreturnittothesuppliers,Tùngexplained.Afterinspection,wefoundthatsomesandsourceswerecontaminatedwithsalt,makingthemunusableasC?nTh?Cityhasyettoapprovetheuseofsalt-contaminatedsandforlocalprojects,hesaid.Furthermore,certainareasoftheringroadprojectarestillawaitinglandclearance,affectingtheoverallprojectprogress.TheWesternRingRoadprojectinC?nTh?CitywasofficiallylaunchedinNovember2022withtotalinvestmentofnearlyVN?3.8trillion($150million),ofwhichVN?2trillion($78.9million)isfromtheCentralBudgetandVN?1.8trillion($71million)isfromthelocalbudget,includingVN?2.6trillion($102million)forconstructioncostsandoverVN?1trillion($39.4million)forcompensation,support,andresettlementexpenses.Theprojectisscheduledforimplementationfrom2021to2026,impactingaround1,243households,ofwhich464willrequireresettlement.Theentirerouteis19.3kmlong,withacross-sectionof16.5moneachsideandadesignspeedof50-60kmperhour,andincludes25bridges.VNSHàN?I–DozensofchildrenwithsevereurologicalbirthdefectsandrareurologicalconditionsinHCMCity,Vinh,HàN?iand?àN?ngarereceivingfreegenitalsurgeriesunderthe‘Thi?nNhanFriendsprogramme–aprojectthatofferschildgenitalreconstructionsurgeriesinVi?tNam.Partofanannualprogrammethatstarted18yearsago,thesesurgeriesarebeingperformedfromOctober18toNovember9byavolunteermedicalteamfromItaly,England,EgyptandtheUAE,ledbyItaliansurgeonDrRobertoDeCastro.ItaliansurgeonDrRobertoDeCastro(left)andhisteamconductexaminationsanddiagnosesforchildrenwithurologyandgenitaldefectattheNationalPediatricHospitalinHàN?ionOctober25.Photocourtesyof‘Thi?nNhanHisFriendsprogrammeThesurgeriestakeplaceatChildrensHospital2inHCMCity,theNgh?AnObstetricsandPediatricsHospitalinVinhCity,theNationalPediatricHospitalandVi?t??cHospitalinHàN?i,andthe?àN?ngChildrenandWomensHospitalin?àN?ngCity.Overdecades,DrDeCastrohasperformedpioneeringsurgicaltechniquestoeffectivelytreatgenitalmalformationsandinjuriesinbothboysandgirlstoallowthemtolivefulllives.OneofDeCastrosbiggestsuccessstoriesisPhùngThi?nNhan,whowasabandonedbyhisbiologicalmotheratbirthinaremoteareainthecentralprovinceofQu?ngNam.WhenNhanwasfoundthreedayslater,hewasbarelyaliveandhadlostmostofhisgenitalsandonelegduetoabrutalattackbywildanimals.Internationaldoctorsofthe‘Thi?nNhanFriendsprogrammeconductexaminationsanddiagnosesforchildrenwithurologyandgenitaldefectattheVi?t??cHospitalinHàN?ionOctober26.Photocourtesyof‘Thi?nNhanFriendsprogrammeTheinfantsurvivedtheincidentandwassubsequentlyadoptedbyjournalistTr?nMaiAnh,movingtoHàN?iwithhisnewfamily.WiththesupportofDeCastro,Thi?nNhanreceivedsuccessfulreconstructivesurgeryinJanuary2011.Hisfostermother,MaiAnh,laterbecamethefounderofthe‘Thi?nNhanFriendsprogrammewhich,togetherwiththeAsiaInjuryPrevention(AIP)Foundation,paysforsurgeries,travelcostsandmedicalsuppliesforpoorVietnamesechildrenneedinggenitalreconstruction.Overtheyears,theThi?nNhanFriendsprogrammehasconducted630surgeries,examinationsanddiagnosesfor2,000children,withanother1,000patientsstillawaitingtreatment.Dozensofleadingexpertsinpaediatricreconstructiveandurologicalsurgeryfromaroundtheworldhaveparticipatedintheprogramme.InVi?tNam,alongwithconductingexaminationsandsurgeries,theinternationalspecialistsalsoholdscientificworkshopsandhands-ontrainingsessionswithVietnamesemedicalstaff,sharingtheirexperiencesandintroducingthelatestadvancedmethodsinpaediatricurologicalsurgery.AccordingtofounderoftheAIPFoundationandco-founderofthe‘Thi?nNhanFriendsprogrammeGreigCraft,themissionoftheprogammeisnotjusttotreatasmallnumberofchildrenwithgenitaldisabilities.Internationalvolunteermedicalteamofthe‘Thi?nNhanHisFriendsprogrammeposeforphotowithmedicalworkersattheVi?t??cHospitalinHàN?ionOctober26.Photocourtesyof‘Thi?nNhanHisFriendsprogrammeByspreadingtheinspirationtoliveandsharingmedicalknowledgeasleadingexpertscometogether,webelievethattheimpactwillextendbeyondtheconfinesoftheprogramme.WearefortunatethatThi?nNhan,ourfirstpatient,sharesthisvisionandhaschosentobecomeascientistinthefuture,hesaid.Eighteenyearsafterbeingfoundinthejungleandgivenasecondchanceatlife,Thi?nNhanhasentereduniversity.HechosethefieldofArtificialIntelligence,believingthatAIhasthepotentialtorevolutionisehealthcareandimprovethelivesofmanypeople,justasmylifewastransformedthroughmedicalintervention.Fromthese18yearsofexperience,theyoungmanisconvincedthatempathyandpatiencewillleadtomiraculousachievements.VNS

PeoplecanregisterforapersonalVNPTSmartCAdigitalsignaturedirectlyonVNeID.HàN?I—AsofOctober28,peoplearenowabletocreateapersonaldigitalsignaturedirectlythroughtheMinistryofPublicSecuritysVNeIDapplication,providingfreedigitalsigningaccessonpublicserviceportals.Thisintegrationallowse-identificationappVNeIDlevel2userstoregisterforVNPTSmartCAsignaturesontheVNeIDapp,withtheiridentitiesalreadyverifiedbytheMinistryofPublicSecurity.Thisstreamlinedprocesseliminatestheneedtosubmitphysicaldocuments,makingregistrationmoreaccessibleandconvenient.VNPThasbecomethefirstdigitalsignatureprovidercertifiedtomeetthesecuritystandardsrequiredforintegrationwithVNeID,followingapprovalfromtheNationalPopulationDataCentrefortheMinistryofPublicSecuritysidentityandauthenticationsystemtoconnectwiththeVNPTVinaPhoneInformationSystem.AccordingtoVNPT,thisconnectionbetweenthetwosystemsistheproductofextensivetechnicalresearchandpreparation,ensuringcompliancewithlegalstandardsandmaintainingdatasecurity.VNPTSmartCAsintegrationextendsacrossmorethan900applications,includingtheNationalPublicServicePortal,theMinistryofPublicSecuritysPublicServicePortal,theGeneralDepartmentofTaxationsystems,theStateTreasury,provincialandmunicipalpublicserviceportals,aswellasapplicationsinbanking,finance,insurance,educationandhealthcare.Initscommitmenttothedigitaltransformation,VNPTprovidesdigitalsigningservicescompletelyfreeofchargeforadministrativeprocedures,aimingtoexpanddigitalsignatureusagenationwide.ThisinitiativeisalignedwiththeGovernmentsgoalofequipping50percentoftheadultpopulationwithdigitalorelectronicsignaturesby2025,risingtoover70percentby2030.—VNS

HàN?I—ThelatestresearchfindingsandsolutionstotheproblemsofinjuriesamongchildrenwerepresentedatarecentconferenceinHàN?i.Thefourthnationalscientificconferenceoninjuryprevention,themedReducingtheBurdenofInjuries:TheEffectivenessofSustainablePoliciesandInterventions,washeldonMonday,featuringengagingdiscussionsbyover200Vietnameseandinternationalhealthcareprofessionals.Theconferenceisco-organisedbytheDepartmentofEnvironmentalHealthandtheUniversityofPublicHealth.FiveyearsaftertheThirdNationalScientificConferencein2019,theFourthNationalScientificConferenceonInjuryPreventionwasheldtoshareresearchfindingsandproposesolutionsinthecurrentcontext.DeputyMinisterofHealthLê??cLu?nspokeattheconference.—PhotocourtesyoftheorganisersThisyearsconferenceisanopportunitytoengagestakeholdersandboosttheeffectivenessofinjurypreventionefforts.Delegatesexchangedexperiencesandstrategies,emphasisingtheimportanceofmeasuresfrombothdomesticandinternationalpractices.Speakingattheconference,DeputyMinisterofHealthLê??cLu?nstated:AccordingtotheWHO,injuriesaccountfor11percentoftheglobaldiseaseburden,with80percentindevelopingcountries.StatisticsfromVietnamesehealthcarefacilitiesindicatethat,onaverage,over1.1millionpatientsseektreatmentforinjurieseachyear,resultinginmorethan30,000deaths,headded.DespiteVietnamssignificanteffortsininjuryprevention,itremainsaconcerningissue.Roadtrafficaccidents,drowningandworkplaceaccidentsaretheleadingcausesofinjury-relatedfatalities.Thishighlightsthat,whilesomeprogresshasbeenmade,Vi?tNamneedstocontinueitseffortsandinvestfurthertominimiseinjuriesandtheirconsequences,heemphasised.Theconferencefeaturednearly200domesticexperts,alongsidespecialistsfromtheWorldHealthOrganizationinGeneva,JohnsHopkinsUniversityandvariousinternationalandVietnameseNGOs.DrDavidMeddingsfromtheWorldHealthOrganizationnotedthatdrowning,fallsandroadtrafficaccidentsarethetopcausesofdeathamongchildrenandadolescents.DrowningistheleadingcauseofdeathforchildrenunderfiveinVi?tNam.Dr.DavidMeddingspresentedattheconference.—PhotocourtesyoftheorganisersThirty-twoscientificreportsfromVietnameseandinternationalresearcherswerepresentedattheconference,focusingonroadtrafficinjuryprevention,firstaidandrehabilitation,drowningpreventionandcommunity-basedinjuryprevention.Remarkably,specialiseddiscussionsessionthreeonpreventingdrowningandchildhoodinjuriesreceivedhighpraise.?oànThuHuy?n,CountryDirectorinVi?tNamfortheCampaignforTobacco-FreeKids,presentedsixrecommendationstoensurethesustainabilityofVi?tNamschilddrowningpreventionprogramme.Preventingchilddrowningmustbeseenasamultidisciplinaryissue,primarilytheresponsibilityoffamiliesandcaregivers,shesaid.Drowningpreventioninterventionsmustbeimplementedwithcoordinatedsolutionsandclosecollaborationamongagenciesandorganisations.Enhancingthecapacityofrelevantbodiesandtrainingphysicaleducationteachersinsafeswimminginstructioninschoolsiscrucial,sheadded.Studiesevaluatingtheeffectivenessofinterventions,theireconomicandsocialimpacts,andparticularlytheeffectsofdrowningonfamiliesplayacrucialroleinchilddrowningpreventionefforts.?oànThuHuy?npresentedrecommendationsonVi?tNamschilddrowningpreventionprogramme.—PhotocourtesyoftheorganisersHuy?nalsoemphasisedtheneedtoenhancepoliciesandestablishflexiblemechanismsthatenablebusinessesandprivateorganisationstocollaboratewithschoolsandinvestinswimmingpools,andtoorganisesafeswimmingclassesforstudentsduringthesummermonths.Ongoingcommunicationcampaignstoraiseawarenessandpromotesafebehavioursamongparentsandcaregiversareessential,sheadded.DrNguy?nNg?cAnh,DirectorofthePolicyandDevelopmentResearchCenter(DEPOCEN),presentedfindingsontheeconomicimpactofchilddrowninginVi?tNam.Eachyear,over2,000Vietnamesechildrendrown,leadingtovariouseconomicburdensacrossprovinces.Thetotaleconomicburdenofchildrendrowningnationwidereaches$767million.Theeconomicburdenofdrowningishighestamongchildrenunderfouryearsold,withHàN?ifacingthegreatestimpactat$43million,whileYênBáireportsthelowestat$4million.Planninginterventionprogrammesshouldconsiderlocaleconomicconditions,balancingeconomicbenefitswithsocialequityandfocusingonsupportforvulnerablefamilies.Strategiesmustensureefficientresourceallocationandaligninterventionswiththeneedsofeachprovince.Injuriesresultinsignificantlossoflifeandcreatesubstantialeconomicandsocialburdens,particularlyinlow-andmiddle-incomecountries.Moreover,injuryandviolencepreventionisacrucialindicatorforachievingsustainabledevelopmentgoals.—VNSThenewruralappearanceofTh??ngTínDistrictinHàN?i.HàN?I—HàN?iiscurrentlytheleadinglocalityinthecountryinbuildingnewruralareasandadvancednewruralareas.HanoiPartyCommittee(term17)hasissuedProgramNo04-CTr/TUonpromotingtheeffectiveimplementationoftheNationalTargetProgramBuildingnewruralareasassociatedwithrestructuringtheAgriculturesectoranddevelopmentofruraleconomy,improvingthematerialandspirituallivesoffarmersintheperiod2021-2025.Theprogramhasorientedtheexploitationandhighlightingofthecapitalsuniquecharacteristicsofagriculturalandruraltourism.TocreateapremiseforthedevelopmentofruralagriculturaltourismintheCapital,Hanoihasfocusedonbuildinganewlookforthecountryside,helpingvillagesinthesuburbsofHanoitobefullofnewvitalityandculture,modernity.IfpeoplehadtheopportunitytovisitTh??ngTínDistrictonthedayswhenHàN?icelebratedthe70thanniversaryofcapitalcitysLiberation(October10,1954-October10,2024),theywouldhaveseenthecountrysidebedeckedwithbeautifulflags,bannersandslogans.InHoàBìnhCommune,allvillageshaveculturalhouses.InThu??ngVillagealone,alloffourhamletshavespaciousculturalhousesand100percentofthevillageshavepublicentertainmentareas,outdoorsportsandexerciseequipmenttoservethepeople.AsforNguy?nTr?iCommune,thankstothegoodindustrialdevelopment,allofthelabourersinthecommunehavejobsandstableincomes.Promotinglocalstrengths,HongVancommune(ThuongTindistrict,Hanoi)hasshiftedfrompureagriculturalproductiontoagriculturaldevelopmentassociatedwithcraftvillageeco-tourism.Nguy?nTu?nCh?nh,SecretaryofV?nhM?VillagePartyCommitteeinNguy?nTr?iCommune,saidthatthenewruralareahashelpedthelocalitychangedramatically.Theinfrastructureiscompleteandlocalpeoplepromotetrade,servicesandsmall-scaleindustrydevelopment.SpecificallytheQu?t??ngIndustrialClusterinthecommuneiscreatingjobsforhundredsofworkers.ThecommunealsohasthreetraditionalembroideryvillagesincludingXómB?n,GiaKhánhand?ìnhT?,thankstowhichmanyolderworkerscanalsoearnmoney,sonooneininthoseareasisunemployed.AlsointheseOctoberdays,joycametoMai?ìnhCommuneinSócS?nDistrictwhenthePartyCommittee,authoritiesandpeopleinthecommunereceivedthetitleofacommunemeetingadvancednewruralstandards.ChairwomanoftheMai?ìnhCommunePeoplesCommittee,Nguy?nTh?ThanhHuy?n,saidthatinlessthanoneyear,thecommunehadbeenrecognisedbythecitytwiceasmeetingadvancednewruralstandards.ThefirsttimewasonFebruary23,thesecondwasonAugust12thisyear.Atpresent,theaverageincomeofthecommunereachesnearlyVN?76million(US$2,900)perperson,peryear.Healthcareandeducationqualityisafocusandsocialsecurityisguaranteed.Inter-communeruralroadsinTh??ngTínDistrict.Returningtotheregionthatsufferedmanylossesintheresistancewar,theformercommunesofKhuCháySafeZonesuchas??ngTan,TrungTú,Tr?mL?ngand??ngL?in?ngHoàDistricthavechangeddramaticallyandarefullofvitality.Thevillageroadsthatwereoncemuddyandnarrowarenowspacious,cleanandshadedbygreentrees.KhuCháytodayhasbecomeakeyrice-growingareawithahigh-qualityricevaluechainandthebrandnameKhuCháyQualityRice.Thenewruralconstructioncampaignhastrulyspreadwidelytoeverycitizenandvillage.ManylocalitieshavepracticalandeffectivemodelsandmethodssuchasSócS?n,?anPh??ng,BaVìand?ngHoàdistricts.PrimaryandjuniorsecondaryschoolsinPhúXuyênTown,PhúXuyênDistrict.Everyyear,localitiesorganiseacontestKeepingvillagesandresidentialgroupsbright,green,clean,beautifulandsafe,whichhasreceivedpositiveresponsesfromthepeople.ChairmanoftheSócS?nDistrictPeoplesCommittee,Ph?mV?nMinh,saidthatasofSeptemberthisyear,11communesinthedistrictreachedtheadvancednewruralareastandard.Thedistrictstrivestoreachthenewruralareaconstructiontargetoneyearaheadofschedule,accordingtotheResolutionofthe12thDistrictPartyCongressforthe2020-2025term.In?ngHoàDistrict,Nguy?nChíVi?n,StandingDeputySecretaryofthedistrictPartyCommitteeinformedthatthedistricthas28outof28communesmeetingnewruralstandards,ofwhichninemeettheadvancednewruralstandards.Fromapooragriculturalarea,?ngHoàDistrictisdevelopingstronglyalongwiththecapitalandthecountry.ThetouristrouteNamTh?ngLong–HàN?iHeritageRoadandthedestinationQu?ngPhúC?uIncenseStickCraftVillageattractalargenumberoftourists,promotinglocalcultureandproducts.DeputyChiefoftheStandingOfficeoftheHàN?iNewRuralDevelopmentProgramme,Nguy?nV?nChí,saidthataftermorethan10yearsofimplementingtheNationalTargetProgrammeonNewRuralDevelopment,thankstoclosedirectionofthemunicipalPartyCommittee,PeoplesCommittee,andPartycommitteesatalllevels,localauthoritiesandthepeoplesparticipation,thesuburbanareasofHàN?iaregrowingpositively.From2021tonow,HàN?ihascalledforVN?83trillion($3.2billion)toinvestinruralareas.Thankstothat,HàN?isruralareashavehadsynchronousandmoderninfrastructure,inharmonywithurbandevelopment.DirectoroftheHàN?iDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,Nguy?nXuan??i,saidthatasofJulythisyear,all382outof382communesinthecapitalcitymetthenewruralstandards,188communeshavemettheadvancednewruralstandards(exceedingthesettarget).Currently,fourdistrictsincludingGiaLam,??ngAnh,ThanhTrìandHoài??chavecompletedtheadvancednewruraldistrictdossierandhaveappliedtocompetentauthoritiesforconsiderationandrecognition.Inaddition,ThanhOai,Th??ngTínand?anPh??ngdistrictsarecompletingtheadvancednewruraldistrictdossier.ItcanbeseenthatthesuburbanareasofHàN?iaredevelopingdaybydaytowardscivilisation,modernityandanewrichidentity.Thegreen,cleanandbeautifulcountrysidehasbeenandiscontributingsignificantlytobeautifyingthecapitalcitytodevelopworthyofitsthousandyearsofcivilisation.—VNS*ThearticleispublishedundertheCoordinationOfficeoftheNew-StyleRuralDevelopmentProgrammeinHàN?i.

Tr?nV?nútundercustody.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—PoliceinHàN?ihavearrestedamanaccusedofusingafakecelltowertosendscammessagestohundredsofthousandsofmobilephoneusers.Tr?nV?nút,34,wascaughtred-handedonWednesdayattheV?nPhúIntersectioninHà??ngDistrict.AuthoritiesseizedaToyotaInovacontainingsophisticatedequipment,includingamakeshiftbasetransceiverstation(BTS)assembledfromablackbox,alaptop,apowersupplyunit,andaSamsungphone.ThisequipmentallowedúttoimpersonatelegitimatecelltowersandsendfraudulentSMSmessagestoViettelandMobiphonesubscribers.Themessageswarnedrecipientsthattheiraccountshadbeenflaggedasunusualandwouldbelockedwithin12hours,promptingthemtoclickalinktoafakeTelegramwebsite.Thisphishingschemewaslikelydesignedtostealpersonalinformationandpotentiallygainaccesstovictimsaccounts.HeconfessedtooperatingthefakeBTSafterbeingcontactedbyanindividualclaimingtobeChineseviaTelegram.HewaspromisedamonthlysalaryofVN?50million(approximatelyUS$2,000)tocarryouttheoperation.Policebelieveútmayhavesentmessagestoasmanyas389,494mobiledevicesbetweenOctober20andhisarrest.—VNSAssociateProfessorTr?nMinh?i?n,DirectoroftheNationalPediatricHospital,speaksatthe25thNationalPediatricCongressinHu?CityonNovember1-2.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iHU?CITY—Vi?tNamsetsagoaltoreducethestuntingrateinunder-5childrentobelow15percentby2030,butthisratecurrentlyisstillhighat18.2percent.IfVi?tNamdoesnotactivelydeployinterventionmeasuresbothinhospitalsandinthecommunity,itwillbedifficulttoachievethesetgoalofreducingthestuntingratetobelow15percentby2030.Healthexpertswerespeakingatthe25thNationalPediatricCongress,themedFromSciencetoPolicyandPractice,heldinHu?CityonNovember1-2.Theeventisanopportunityforlocalandinternationalhealthexpertsanddoctorstoupdatetheirknowledgeandexchangeexperiencesinexamination,screeningandnutritionalinterventionforchildren.Thisisalsoanimportantopportunityformedicalprofessionalstodiscussadvancesinthefieldofpaediatrics,especiallychildnutrition.Speakingattheconference,DirectorofthehealthministrysDepartmentofMothersandChildren?inhAnhTu?nsaidthatunderweightmalnutritioninunder-fivechildreninVi?tNamhasdecreasedsharply,butthestuntingrateisstillhigh.Onaverage,abouttwooutof10childrenarestunted.Therateisespeciallyhighinethnicminorityandmountainousareas.Malnutrition,includingstunting,affectsphysicalstrength,statureandintelligenceofVietnamesepeople,saidTu?n.Accordingtothenationalnutritionsurveyin2023,thestuntingrateinchildrenunder5yearsoldinVi?tNamwas18percent.Vi?tNambelongstothegroupofcountrieswitharateofstuntinginchildrenunder20percent-averagelevelaccordingtotheclassificationoftheWorldHealthOrganisation(WHO).However,thisratewasstillhighinthenorthernmidlands,mountainsandCentralHighlands,uptoabout30percent.Dr.PhanH?uPhúc,GeneralSecretaryoftheVietnamPediatricAssociationandDeputyDirectoroftheNationalPediatricHospital,speaksatthe25thNationalPediatricCongressinHu?CityonNovember1-2.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iDr.PhanH?uPhúc,GeneralSecretaryoftheVietnamPediatricAssociationandDeputyDirectoroftheNationalPediatricHospitalsaidthattheannualrateofreductioninstuntinginchildrenunderfiveyearsoldwasslowingdown,atlessthanonepercentperyearsince2015.PhúcalsoaddedthattheheightofVietnameseadultsisstillinthe30percentofcountrieswiththelowestaverageheightintheworld.Theaverageheightofmenisbelow1.7mandwomenarebelow1.6m.AccordingtoPhúc,adultheightdependsonmanyfactors,includingstatureinthefirstyearsoflife.Malnourishedandstuntedchildrengreatlyaffecttheiradultstature.Therefore,itisnecessarytohavetimelynutritionalinterventionsforchildren,inwhichtheroleofscreeningandearlydetectionoftheriskofstuntingandmalnutritionisveryimportant,stressedPhúc.Currently,eachhospitalhasadifferentnutritionalassessmentscreeningtable.Thereisnounifiedscreeningtoolset.Evaluationsmainlyfocusonacutemalnutrition,oftenmissingscreening/interventionofchildrenatriskofstunting;notfocusingontheriskofmalnutritionandinterventionforchildrenwhoaresickandatriskofmalnutrition.Fromthisreality,expertsfromtheMinistryofHealthandtheVietnamPediatricAssociationcoordinatedwithhospitalstobuildaconsensusonguidelinesforscreeningnutritionalinterventionsforpediatricpatients.Nutritionalconsultationexaminationatthe??cGiangGeneralHospitalinHàN?i.—VNSPhotocourtesyofthehospitalAssociateProfessorTr?nMinh?i?n,DirectoroftheNationalPediatricHospital,said:Currently100percentofchildrencomingforinpatienttreatmentatthehospitalhavebeenevaluatedfornutritionalscreeningandinterventionwasgiventoabout30percentofchildrenwithsignsofmalnutrition.Specifically,afterchildrenarescreened,doctorswillgiveparentsinstructionsandnutritionalinterventionswithdietandoralnutritionalfoodssuitableforeachchild,notonlyforseverelymalnourishedchildrenbutalsoforchildrenatrisk,said?i?n.Accordingtoexperts,oneofthenewpointsinaddressingmalnutritioninchildrentodayistofocusonscreeninggroupsofchildrentreatedinbothoutpatientandinpatienthospitals.Inaddition,doctorswillfocusonevaluatingchronicallymalnourishedchildrenandearlydetectionandinterventionoftherisksofacuteandchronicmalnutritionandstuntinginchildren.Attheconference,theVietnamPediatricAssociationmadesixrecommendations,callingonhospitalstoimplementthemsystematically,forpaediatricianstopractiseandjoinhandstodrivebackmalnutritionandimprovethestatureofVietnamesepeople.Inparticular,outpatientswillbescreenedfornutritionalriskfactors.Inpatientswillbescreened,evaluatedfornutritionalstatus,diagnosedandprescribednutritionaltreatmentwithin36hoursfromthetimeofadmissionandrecordedinthemedicalrecord.Screening,assessmentandnutritionalinterventionsshouldbemaintainedthroughouttreatmentandbeforethepatientisdischargedfromthehospital.Inpatientandoutpatientnutritionalinterventionplansformalnourishedchildrenmustbeappropriateandensuresufficienttime.Phúcaddedthatthebenefitsoforalnutritionalsupplementsofmedicalnutritionalfoodshelpreducehospitalstaysby14.8percentandmedicalcostsby9.7percent.—VNS

TheMasjidJamiulAzharMosqueinChauPhongCommune,TanChauDistrictfeatureswhiteandemeraldgreencolours,withtall,spaciousdomesandaconjoinedsymbolofacrescentandastar.VNA/VNSPhotoTr?ngChínhTheMekongDeltaprovinceofAnGiangishometoaround13,000Ch?methnicpeoplewhopracticeIslamthatliveinthedistrictsofAnPhú,TanChau,PhúTanandChauPhúalongtheH?uRiver.TheCh?mcommunityhasbuiltmanybeautifulmosquesalongtheriverbanks,whichservenotonlyasplacesofworshipbutalsoasvenuesforcommunityculturalactivitiesandforlearningCh?mscriptandtheQuran.TheareasurroundingthemosqueservesasaburialgroundfordeceasedMuslimbelievers.VNA/VNSPhotoTr?ngChínhTheMasjidJamiulAzharMosqueinChauPhongCommune,TanChauDistrictisoneoftheoldestandmostbeautifulmosquesinAnGiang.Themosquefeatureswhiteandemeraldgreencolours,withtall,spaciousdomesandaconjoinedsymbolofacrescentandastar.TheareasurroundingthemosqueservesasaburialgroundfordeceasedMuslims.ChauV?nMách,aCh?methnicinthecommune,saidthatthemosquewasoriginallybuiltofwoodaroundthe1700sandwasnamedMasjidYahya.Itunderwentseveralrenovationswithstonein1952,andin1959,itwasrenamedasMasjidJamiulAzhar.ChauAnMách,aCh?methnicinChauPhongCommune,renovatesthegravestoneofadeadrelative.VNA/VNSPhotoTr?ngChínhThestonecolumnsinsidethemosquefeaturestunningemerald-greenpatterns.VNA/VNSPhotoTr?ngChínhTheMubarakMosqueinPhúHi?pCommune,TanPhúDistrictwasrecognisedasanationalarchitecturalandspiritualheritagesitein1989,andisregardedasasacredreligioussymbolfortheMuslimcommunitylivinginthisarea.Everyyear,theMubarakMosquehostsvariousfestiveactivitiesandcommunityculturaleventsfortheCh?m,includingtheMawlidcommemoratingthebirthdayoftheIslamicprophetMuhammad,theRojaHajifestivaltocelebrateCh?mNewYear,andRamadan.TheMubarakMosqueinPhúHi?pCommune,TanPhúDistrictwasrecognisedasanationalarchitecturalandspiritualheritagesitein1989.VNA/VNSPhotoTr?ngChínhAlongwiththeMasjidJamiulAzharandMubarakmosques,othermosquesintheregion,suchastheMasjidAl-EhsaninCh?m?aPh??cVillageinAnPhúDistrict,aswellasthoseinsurroundingvillages,warmlywelcomevisitors.VNSCh?mpeopledressedintraditionalattireparticipateintheeveningprayerattheMubarakMosqueinPhúHi?pCommune,TanPhúDistrict.VNA/VNSPhotoTr?ngChínhForMuslims,adayincludesfivedesignatedprayertimes,includingdawn,noon,afternoon,evening,andnight.OnFridaynoon,menmustgotothemainmosquetopray,whilewomenprayathome.VNA/VNSPhotoTr?ngChínhACh?mgirlwearsanabayaandcoversherhairwithahijab.VNA/VNSPhotoTr?ngChínhPeoplelineuptoregisterforalandaunctioninHàN?iCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—StartingJanuary1,2025,biddersinlandandmineralauctionswillfaceabanrangingfromsixmonthstofiveyearsiftheyfailtohonourtheirwinningbids.Thisnewregulation,stipulatedbytheRevisedAuctionLaw,aimstocurbbidbondabandonmentandmarketmanipulationinhigh-valueassetauctions.TheMinistryofJusticeisdraftingalegalproposaltosupplementtheregulationwithspecificprovisions.Oneprovisionstipulatesthattheauthoritieswouldhave10daystoissueabanafteranauctionwinnerdefaultsonpayment.Theauthoritieswouldnotifythebannedpartieswithinsevenworkingdays,andthenpublishtheirnamesontheNationalPropertyAuctionPortaltoensurepublicawareness.Affectedindividualsandorganisationshavetherighttoappealorinitiatelegalproceedingsiftheywishtocontesttheban.Officialsbelievethattheregulationwillpreventbiddersfrommanipulatingauctionoutcomesthroughforfeitureschemes,whichcandriveupmarketpricesartificially.TheAssetAuctionServiceCentreinTháiNguyênProvincehasexpresseditssupport,statingthattheregulationwillbolsterlegalintegrityandcurbmarketexploitation.ThissentimentwasechoedinrecentNationalAssemblydiscussions,whereconcernswereraisedaboutforfeiture-driveninflationintherealestatemarket.Duringthediscussions,DeputyHoàngV?nC??ngfromHàN?iproposedrequiringbidderstoprovetheirfinancialcapabilitybeforeparticipating.Thisapproach,henoted,woulddeterthosewithpurelyspeculativeorprofit-seekingmotives.DeputyD??ngV?nPh??cfromQu?ngNamProvincehighlightedtheroleofdepositregulationsinaddressingforfeitureissues.CitingarecentauctionwherethewinningbidforasandminesurgedfromVN?1billion(US$40,000)toVN?370billion($14.6million)withhighforfeiturerisk,headvocatedforprogressivedepositincreasesineachbiddingroundtoensurethatparticipantscarefullyconsidertheirfinancialcommitmentbeforebidding.—VNS