DelegatesattendtheconferenceonScientificandTechnologicalDevelopmentandInnovationinAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentheldonMay20inHàN?i.—Photonongnghiep.vnHàN?I–Science,technologyandinnovationplayanincreasinglyimportantroleinagriculturalgrowth,accordingtoPhùng??cTi?n,deputyministerofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.Researchshowedthattechnologicalinnovationcancontributesignificantlytothegrowthoftheagriculture,forestryandfisheriessectors,helpingachievetargetincreasesofmorethan50percent,Ti?nsaidataconferenceonScientificandTechnologicalDevelopmentandInnovationinAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentheldbytheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD)onMay20inHàN?i.ThisshowsthatVietnameseagricultureisshiftingfromabreadth-basedmodeltoanin-depthgrowthmodelbasedonscience,technologyandinnovation,hetoldtheconference.Innovationhashelpedimprovelivestockbreedsandincreasecropandlivestockproductivity.Thescientificcommunityhasrecentlyrecognised529newtypesofcropsandlivestock,including393cropvarietiesaswellas12aquaticbreeds,82forestryvarietiesand42livestockbreeds.Theworkofselecting,breedingandproducingseedhasbeenhighlyeffective,contributingsignificantlytotheproductivityandqualityofagriculture.Newtechnologyhasalsohelpedtopromotemechanisationandlabourproductivityinagricultureandrelatedindustries.Scientificapplicationshavehadalargeimpactonkeygoodsatboththenationalandprovinciallevels,includingseedproduction,farming,andprocessingofmarineproductslikeshrimpandcatfish.Manylarge-scaleVietnameseenterprisesarealreadyusingadvancedglobaltechnology.TheseincludeTHdairycompany,Dabacoinlivestock,Nafoodsfruitgrowingandprocessingcompany,andMasanGroupinthemeatprocessingindustry.However,therearelimitationsinthefieldofscienceandtechnology,suchastheslowcommercialisationandapplicationofresearchresults,lackofastrongscientificresearchworkforce,andpoorequipmentandfacilitiesforresearch,thedeputyministersaid.Attheconference,delegatesfromresearchinstitutes,theSchoolofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentPersonnelManagement,theCentreforDigitalTransformationandAgriculturalStatistics,andtheNationalAgriculturalExtensionCentrediscussedinnovativethinkingandpoliciesforthedevelopmentoftechnologicalinnovationintheagriculturalandruraldevelopmentsectoruntil2030.Othertopicsofdiscussionincludedtraininghumanresourcesandusingscienceandtechnologyinagriculturalextensionwork.—VNS

TheCollegeofAsianScholarsintheThainortheasternprovinceofKhonKaenandtheVietnameseConsulateGeneralinKhonKaenlaunchesanewVietnamesestudiescentreinthecollegescampusonSaturday.—VNA/VNSPhotoBANGKOK—TheCollegeofAsianScholars(CAS)intheThainortheasternprovinceofKhonKaenandtheVietnameseConsulateGeneralinKhonKaenlaunchedanewVietnamesestudiescentreinthecollegescampusonSaturday.ThismarkedthesecondcentreofitskindinThailand,followingtheinauguraloneestablishedatUdonThaniRajabhatUniversity.ItreflectsgrowinginterestinVietnamanditslanguageamongThaicitizens,andtheongoingeffortsofVietnameserepresentativeagenciesinThailandtopromoteVietnameselanguagelearninginThaieducationalinstitutions.VietnameseConsulGeneralinKhonKaenChu??cD?ngbelievedthatthenewcentrewillcontributetoeffectivelymeetingthedemandforVietnameselanguageskillsacrossvarioussectors,includinggovernmentagenciesandorganisationsinteaching,business,interpretation,tourguiding,andotherfieldsinVi?tNamandThailand.Heofferedhisvisionforthecentresfuture,encouragingcooperationagreementswithseveralVietnameseuniversitiestofacilitatestudentexchangesandtemporaryworkopportunities.HealsoproposedincorporatingVietnameselanguagedirectlyintotheuniversitycurriculum,potentiallyenablingittobecomeanofficialsubject.Additionally,D?ngsuggestedofferingscholarshipstoVietnamesestudentsandestablishingconnectionsbetweenThaiscientific,technologicalinstitutions,organisationsandbusinesseswiththeirVietnamesecounterparts.Lookingahead,theofficialexpressedhishopethatthenewlylaunchedcentrewillmaintainregularexchangeswiththeestablishedcentreattheUdonThaniRajabhatUniversitytoaligntheirgoalsforthedevelopmentofVietnameselanguageeducation,towardtheawardingofdegreesinVietnameselanguagetograduatesofKhonKaenUniversity.—VNSFishingboatsinBình??iDistrict,B?nTreProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoB?NTRE—ThePeoplesCommitteeofthesouthernprovinceofB?nTrehasissuedaplantoimplementthePartyCentralCommitteeSecretariatsDirectiveNo.32-CT/TWdatedApril10,2024,onstrengtheningthePartysleadershipanddirectiononthecombatagainstillegal,unreported,unregulated(IUU)fishingandthesustainabledevelopmentofthefisheriessector,soastocreateachangeinpublicawarenessoftheroleandimportanceoftheseworks.Accordingly,B?nTreisconcertedlyandeffectivelyimplementinglegalregulationsonfisheriesaswellasmeasurestofightIUUfishing,withadeterminationtoachievethegoalofhavingtheEuropeanCommissionremoveitsyellowcardwarningonVietnameseseafoodexportsin2024.Theprovinceisalsomanagingfishingactivities,protectingseafoodresourcesandmarineecosystems,anddevelopingfisheriesinasustainable,responsibleandinternationallyintegrateddirection,inordertoimprovethelivelihoodsofpeopleincoastalareas.Itaimstohave100percentoffishingvesselsupdatedinthenationalfisheriesdatabase(VNFishbase);monitorandsupervise100percentofthoseoperatingatseathroughthevesselmonitoringsystem(VMS);andinspectallwithamaximumlengthof15mormoreonoperationconditionswhenarrivingandleavingtheport.Allfishingvesselsoperatingwithinandoutsidetheprovinceandthoseofotherprovincesoperatinginsidetheprovincearebeingputundercontrol,andanyviolationswillbepunishedstrictly.AccordingtoViceChairmanoftheprovincialPeoplesCommitteeNguy?nMinhC?nh,toachievethesetgoals,thelocalityhasimprovedtheeffectivenessofcommunicationsanddisseminationwork,trainingandadvocacytoraiseawarenessandsenseofresponsibilityforthepreventionofIUUfishing.Theprovincehasstronglycarriedoutsolutionstoreducedependenceonfishingforfishermen;andinvestedincompletingfishingportinfrastructureandstormsheltersforfishingvesselsinBaTriandBình??idistricts.StatisticsoftheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentshowthatB?nTrecurrentlyhas98.58percentofitsshipsinstalledwiththeVMSdevice.Sincethebeginningofthisyear,nolocalvesselhasbeenarrestedordealtbyforeigncountries.Overtherecentyears,inadditiontoimplementingcommunicationprogrammesinkeycommunesasplanned,theprovincehasmaintainedthedisseminationsworkagainstIUUfishingweeklyviaSMSmessagessenttofishingboatownersandcaptains.—VNS

Farmersharvestthewinter-springricecropinC?nTh?sC???DistrictinFebruary.—VNA/VNSPhotoThuHi?nC?NTH?—C?nTh?willestablishconcentratedfarmingareaswithproductioncode,origintraceabilityandvaluechains.Underitsstrategytodevelopagricultureuntil2030,theC?uLong(Mekong)Deltacitywilldevelopcircularagriculturetofarmsustainablywithlowgreenhousegasemissionsandotherenvironment-friendlypractices.Itwillcreateplantvarietieswithhighyieldsandquality,diseaseresistanceandadaptationtoclimatechange.Itwillimprovemanagingtheuseandtradeofseedsandseedlings,fertilisersandpesticides.Itwillusenaturalresourceseffectively,protecttheenvironment,copewithclimatechangeandmitigatetheimpactsofnaturaldisasters.IttargetsfarmlandsadoptingVietnamesegoodagriculturalpractices(VietGAP)accountingfor10-15percentofthetotal.Itwantsfarmingdonewithlinkagesbetweenvariousstakeholderstoaccountfor30-35percent.ItaimsagriculturalproductionvaluewillreachVN?200million(US$7,800)perhectareayearby2030.Thecitywilldevelopitskeycrops–rice,vegetables,short-termcommercialcrops,fruits,flowers,andornamentalplants.Itincludesmaintaining48,000haofhigh-qualityandlow-emissionsriceandproducingonemilliontonnesofpaddyayearby2030.Itnowhas25,000haoffruitorchardswithanannualoutputof1.36milliontonnes,including11,889haofconcentratedgrowingareasforkeybrandedfruits.Ithas480hagrowntoVietGAPorequivalentstandardsandhas120fruitgrowingareascovering1,100hawithproductioncodes.Co-operativesandco-operativegroupsinthecityhavetiedupwithcompaniestogrowfruitsonatotalof846.9haforexport.Thecitywillgiveprioritytogrowingfruitsthathavehighdemandsuchasmango,banana,milkappleanddurian.Itwilldevelopvaluechainsforagriculturalproductionincombinationwithofferingtourismservices,andboostthedevelopmentofhightech,smartandcircularagriculture.ItwillimplementtheLawonCropProductionincombinationwithinvestingintechnicalinfrastructureanddevelopinglinkagesinspecialisedfarmingareas.Itplanstostrengthenadvocacytoenhancepublicawareness,renovateproductionandtrading,developmarketsforagriculturalproducts,applyscienceandtechnology,andimplementagriculturalextensionactivities.ItwillfocusonbuildinginfrastructureandenhancetheStatesmanagementcapacity,boostinternationalco-operationandco-operatewithinstitutes,universities,provinces,andcitiesnationwidetodevelopagriculture.DiversifyingThecityDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmenthassupportedfarmerswithrestructuringanddiversifyingcultivationtoimproveefficiencyandproducemorekindsofagriculturalproducts.Ph?mTh?MinhHi?u,headofthedepartmentsPlantCultivationandProtectionSub-department,saidheragencyhastaughtfarmersnewfarmingtechniquesanddiseasepreventionmethodsandexpandedeffectivefarmingmodels.Ithasenabledfarmerstouseagriculturalmachineryandnewfarmingtechniques,andlinkupwithcompaniestogrowandsellproducts,shesaid.Inthe2023-24dryseason,thecitytaughtfarmershowtotendcropsandfruitorchardsamidawatershortage.Tr?nTháiNghiêm,deputydirectorofthedepartment,saidthedepartmenthasinstructedfarmerstoimplementsuitablefarmingmeasurestoproactivelycopewithhotweather.Ithasinstructedthemtousecanalsandpondstostorewaterandusericestrawandmudtocovertherootsofplants,pruneoldbranchesanduseautomaticirrigation,organicfertilisersandbioproducts.Nguy?nV?nTríinTh?iLaiDistrictsTr??ngTh?ngCommunesaidhehasstoredwaterinpondsinhis2.5hadurianorchard,andirrigatediteveryotherday.Ihaveincreasedtheuseoforganicfertilisersandreducedtheuseofchemicalfertilisersandpesticides.Thecityhasinstructedricefarmerstoswitchtoothercropsonunproductivericefieldsorrotatebetweenthegrainintherainyseasonandadrought-resistantcropinthedryseasononthesamefields.Itplanstogrow,on2,519haofunproductivericefields,othershort-termcrops,fruitsandotherperennialtreesthisyear.Intheongoingsummer-autumncrop,moreandmorericefarmershaveswitchedtoothershort-termcropstosavewaterandincreasetheirincomes.Nguy?nV?nSang,whohasa4,000sq.mricefieldin?M?nDistrictsTh??ngL?cWard,said:Inthesummer-autumncropIdonotgrowriceandswitchtookratosavewaterandcopewithhotweather.Okraoffershighyieldsandsellingprices,andsohecanearnVN?15-20million($590-790)per1,000sq.mpercrop,threeorfourtimeswhathemakesfromrice,headded.—VNSAforeignteacheratanEnglishclassinaprimaryschoolinV?nhPhúcProvince.TheintroductionofPCTsisexpectedtotightenqualitycontroloverforeignnationalsteachinginVi?tNam.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nTh?Th?oHàN?I—TheMinistryofEducationandTraining(MoET)isseekingpublicinputonthedraftlawonteachers,whichisexpectedtobesubmittedtotheGovernmentforconsiderationinJuly.Thedraftincludesseveralnewprovisionsincludingacomprehensivelegaldefinitionofwhoqualifiesasateacher,acrossalllevelsofeducation,definestheirteachingactivitiesandestablishesstandardslinkedtotheirjobtitles.Italsooutlinestheirrightsandobligations,theprohibitedconductbyteacher-affiliatedindividualsandorganisationsandthepenaltiesforanyviolations.AnothernewprovisioncentresaroundtheProfessionalCertificatesforTeachers(PCTs),documentsissuedbyaspecificpublicagencytothosewhomeetteachingstandards.Thedraftingcommitteebelievesthattheprofessionalcertificateswillalsoimprovehowteachercanmovearoundtodifferentposts,asthenationallyvaliddocumentseliminatetheneedforrepeatinternshipsandtraining.TheintroductionofPCTsisexpectedalongsidetheabolitionoftheoldTrainingCertificateslinkedtoteachersjobtitles,soitwillmakeexchangeofteachersbetweencountrieseasierandallowqualitycontroloverforeignnationalsteachinginVi?tNam.Thedrafthasasmoothtransitionplanforthe1.6millionteacherswhowererecruitedintotheindustrybeforethenewlaw,theywillbegrantedPCTsautomaticallywithoutassessment.RetiredteacherscanalsoobtainPCTstohavetheirlife-longservicerecognised.Itishopedthatthedraftwillmeantopteachingtalentwillnotslipthroughthecracksandallteacherswillhaveequalopportunitiestotransferjobs,tostudyoverseaandtakepartinexchanges.Thedraftlaysdownanewpaysystem,stipulatingthatteachersinprivate,non-publicandautonomouseducationalinstitutionsarepaidnolessthanthantheirpubliccounterpartswiththesamequalifications,iftheyhaveworkedforthesamenumberofyears.Thecommitteesaiditwasworkingonapilotschemetobringinmoreteacherswhomaynotbeemployedbyeducationalinstitutionsbutengageinteachingactivities.V?Minh??c,directoroftheTeachersandEducationalManagersDepartmentundertheMinistryofEducationandTraining,saidtherearemanyonlinetrainingcoursesforteachersbuttheabsenceoflegalgroundsmakesthemdifficulttoregulate.Thedraftingcommitteewillpilotaschemetooverseesomeoftheseindividualsbeforeincorporatingtheregulationsonself-proclaimedteachersintotheLawonTeachersinthefuture,said??c.Accordingto??c,individualsnotemployedbyeducationalinstitutionsbutengaginginteachingactivitiescanobtainPCTsiftheymeetrequirementsandpasstheassessmentexams.—VNSAsocialhousingdevelopmentinHCMCity.Localitiesacrossthecountryarefocusingonsocialhousingdevelopmentaspartofanationalstrategytomeetthegrowingneedsofthepopulace.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—Therearethousandsofunoccupiedresettlementhousesevenasashortageofaffordablehousingplaguesthecountry,expertssaid.AccordingtoareportbytheVietnamAssociationofRealEstateBrokers,13,000apartmentsbuilttoresettlepeoplewhoselandswereacquiredforpublicworksinHCMCityandHàN?iarecurrentlyempty.Poorconstructionqualityandinconvenientlocationshavebeenblamedforthesituation,resultinginwastedmaintenancecosts.ExpertssaidthelackofbasicinfrastructureandamenitiesinresettlementareasandcomplicatedcompensationandresettlementprovisionsintheLandLawarecontributingfactors.Nguy?nV?n?ính,chairmanoftheVietnamAssociationofRealtors,saidthepresenceofunoccupiedresettlementhousesamidashortageofaffordablehousingisamajorwaste.Expertsrecommendrepurposingthemassocialhousingtomeetthedemandforaffordablehousingandpreventthesquanderofresources.Butthereareobstaclestotheconversionprocess,especiallywiththesizeofsomeapartmentsexceedingthelimitsetforsocialhousingof70squaremetres.Theexpertssuggestdividinglargeunitstocomplywiththeregulations.Ph?m??cTo?n,directorgeneralofEZProperty,proposedauctioningoffunoccupiedresettlementapartmentsandusingtheproceedstodevelopnewaffordablehousing.EconomistNguy?nTríHi?ucalledforconductingsurveysbeforedevelopingcomprehensiveplansfortheconversion.HCMCityhasstartedauctioningunusedapartmentsforpotentialconversionintoaffordablehousingunits.Localauthoritiesarerequiredtoprovidereportsonthemanagementandutilisationofresettlementhousingandsuggestviablesolutions.SocialhousingTheGovernmentisactivelyworkingondevelopingsocialhousingprojectstoaddresstheaffordablehousingshortageinthecountry.PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhcalledforcollaborationbetweenthepublicandprivatesectorstoensuresuccessinbuildingonemillionsocialhousingunitsby2030.SomeVN?849trillion($36.1billion)hasbeenallocatedtobuild428,000socialhousingunitsby2025,withfundingcomingfromvarioussourcestomakehousingmoreaccessibletolow-andmiddle-incomefamiliesinurbanareasandindustrialareas.Localitiesareencouragedtoparticipateintheseprogrammes,simplifyproceduresforpotentialborrowersandenforceregulationsrelatedtolandandrealestate.Thereareover2.7millionworkersinindustrialzones,with1.2millioninneedofhousingassistance.Thecountryhascompleted301socialhousingandworkershousingprojects,providingatotalof155,800homes,andanother503socialhousingprojectsareunderwaywith418,200apartments.—VNS

TheRedRiverinHàN?i.—VNSPhotoKhánhD??ngKhánhD??ngHàN?I—Nguy?nV?nTan,aretireelivinginaresidentialareaalongthebanksoftheH?ng(Red)RiverinHàN?isHoànKi?mDistrict,hastroublefindingaspacetoexerciseinthemorning,eventhoughhelivesnearthewaterfrontarea.IhavetowalktonearbyHoànKi?mLaketoexercise.Thespacesforwalking,strollingandevenexercisingarealllocatedontrafficroads,withmotorbikesmovingaround,soitisquitedangerousforelderlypeoplelikeme,orpeopleinapoorstateofhealth,hesaid.Accordingtoarecentsurveyof308HàN?iresidentsinthetworiversidewardsofPhúcTanandCh??ngD??ng,33percentoftheintervieweessaidthereisnopublicspacewithinafive-minutewalkfromtheirhouses.ThesurveywasconductedwiththeassistanceoftheLivableHanoiNetworkandUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP).ItshowedthatasignificantnumberoflocalresidentsintheriverineareasalongtheRedRiverbanksinHoànKi?mDistrictwanttheseareastobetransformedintopublicamenities,includingplaygrounds,sportsfacilities,riversidewalks,ecologicalareasandforestgardens.Morethan80percentofrespondentswantpublicspacestobeturnedintoplaygroundsintheirarea,whileover60percentwantmoresportandfitnessareas.Halfofthemwishtheycouldhavemoreriversidewalkwaysinpublicspaces,saidarchitectPh?mAnhTu?n,oneoftheresearchersfromtheHanoiUniversityofCivilEngineering.Tansaid:Iwishtheareainfrontofmyhousewouldbeturnedintoaplaygroundwheremygrandchildrencanhavefuninthesummerbreak.Nguy?nM?nhHà,directoroftheCentreforNatureConservationandDevelopment,saidthealluvialislandandriverinezonesoftheRedRiverinHàN?ihavelotsofuntappedpotential.ThegreenareapercapitainHàN?iremainslow.TheRedriverinezonecanbetransformedintoanareaforstudentsoutdooractivitiesandothersportsactivitiesforlocals,hesaid.However,thereisalotofworktodotobalanceecologicalandsocialneedsandturntheareaintoasustainableandinclusivespace.Theenvironmentisapersistentproblem.Tu?nsaidtheareaisecologicallydiverse,with166plantsand24animalspecies.Buttheecologicalspacehasrecentlybeencontaminatedwithjunk.Manyareasalongtheriverbanksclosetoresidentialzoneshavebecomedumpinggroundsforhouseholdwaste,plasticbags,constructiondebrisandbrokenfurniture,graduallyturningintounauthorisedlandfillsovertime.Tu?nsaid:Itiscommontoseegarbagedumpswithbothdomesticwasteandconstructionwasteillegallydumpedontheroadside.Therivernowhasbecomeawastedump.Localresidentsareturningtheirbackagainsttheriver.Whattheyaredoingcompletelygoesagainstthedesiretohaveasustainableecologicalspace,hesaid.ConstructionanddomesticwastedumpedintheRedriverinearea.—PhotocourtesyofPh?mAnhTu?n,HanoiUniversityofCivilEngineeringTheriverineareas,servingasafloodcorridoralongtheRedRiverandprotectingHàN?i,arecurrentlyafflictedwithsevereair,soilandwaterpollution.AcomprehensiveapproachtoaddressingtheenvironmentalpollutionwillrejuvenatetheRedRiver,transformingitintoavitalandecologicallysignificantcorridorforHàN?i,hesaid.SabinaStein,assistantresidentrepresentative/headofgovernanceandparticipationattheUNDPinVi?tNamsaidmorecanandshouldbedonetoimproveenvironmentalmanagementinsomeareasinHàN?i,citingthatnearlyhalfoftheresidentsinterviewedinthestudyreportedhealthissuesduetowaste.Whilemosthouseholdshaveaccesstowastecollectionservices,illegaldumpingpersists.Thecommunityexpressesreadinesstosourcewaste,particularlyorganicandrecycledmaterials.Manydontknowhowtodoso,shesaid.Shesaidthegoodnewsismostinterviewedresidentswanttobepartofthesolution.Theyexpressastrongwillingnesstoengageinsanitationactivitiesandshowinterestincommunity-basedsolutionsforwastemanagement.Manyarealsowillingtocontributelabourandresourcestorenovateplaygrounds,walkwaysandecologicalareas,shesaid.MakingHàN?ialivablecityThebanksoftheRedRiverserveasaprotectivedyke,safeguardingtheheartofHàN?ifromtheriversflowandpotentialflooding.Theresearchteamsaidtransformingthespaceintoasolutionforenvironmentalmanagementwouldbereasonableandeffective.Inthelongterm,itwouldnotonlyresolvethewasteproblembutalsocreatemorevaluefortheecology,economy,cultureandsocietyinHoànKi?mandHàN?imorebroadly.Tu?nsaid:Rightinthecitycentre,wehavesuchamajorspacethatisoftenforgotten.Whydontweturnitintoanareawhereournextgenerationcanenjoythespace?Whenturningtheriversidezoneintoacommunityarea,weshouldnotleavelocalpeoplebehind,headded.Theyshouldbenefitfromtheirownservicesintheareasothattheywillbecomeprotectorsofthespaceandmakeitanidealspace.Tu?nagreedthatweshouldincludeaneducationalfunctioninthecommunityspace.Insteadoftakingourchildrentotravel60-70kmawayfromthecity,wewillhaveanopenspacetoexperiencenaturerightinthecitycentre.Studiesshowthatwhenchildrenhavecontactwithsoil,itincreasestheirbodiesdefences.LêQuangBình,coordinatorattheLivableHàN?iNetwork,said:Alivablecitymusthavegreenpublicspace.Everytreeisvaluablewhenwearegettingintothesummer.AccordingtoBình,thesecondthingthatmakesacitylivableisinclusivity.Alivablecityisacitynotforanysinglegroupofpeoplebutforall.Nomatterifyouareanelderlyperson,achild,amigrantoralocal,youcanallbenefit,hesaid.—VNSTheheadquartersofSaigonCommercialJointStockBank(SCB)inHCMCitysdowntownDistrict1.ExpertsdemandSCBbeheldaccountableforthebondfraud,givenamajorityofthevictimswerethebanksdepositors.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—TheSaigonCommercialJointStockBank(SCB)isfacingaccusationsofamassivefinancialfraudschemeagainstitscustomersinwhathasbeenconsideredthemostextremefraudcaseinthehistoryofVi?tNam.Atleast35,000bondholdershavebeenidentifiedasvictimsofthescam,thepolicehavealleged.OwnedbyTr??ngM?Lan,alsothechairwomanofthetroubledV?nTh?nhPhátGroup,SCBisaccusedofbeinginvolvedinabondfraudschemewherecounterfeitbondswereissuedtoinvestorsthroughfakecompaniesunderthegroup.Thescamwasuncoveredattheendof2022,withLanbeingaccusedofmastermindingtheschemetotargetSCBsdepositors,accordingtothepolice.SinceLansarrest,victimshavereportedlynotreceivedanyinterestorprincipalpaymentsontheirinvestmentsthroughSCB,thelargestprivatelenderbyassetsinVi?tNam.ThevictimsweremisledbySCBpersonnel,whoreassuredthemthebondswereassafeasasavingsaccountproductduetoTr??ngM?Lansownershipofthebankasthechairwomanofthegroup.LêThuThu?,51,ofHCMCity,saidshehadunintentionallypurchasedcorporatebondsinsteadofdepositingmoneyinasavingsaccount.Ineverintendedtopurchasecorporatebonds.Ijustwantedtodepositmoneyinasavingsaccount,shetoldVi?tNamNews.Inresponse,SCBstatedtheywereonlyactingasanintermediaryinsellingthebondsanddidnotguaranteeanyrepaymenttoinvestors.However,expertsstatedthatSCBmaybeheldaccountableforfailingtoprovideaccurateandcomprehensiveinformationabouttherisksassociatedwiththebonds.IfSCBisfoundtobeinviolationofregulationswhilesellingthebonds,theycouldbelegallyobligatedtorepurchasethematanycost,theexpertsnoted.InvestigationfindingsAthoroughinvestigationconductedbythepoliceattheendof2022hasrevealedthatTr??ngM?LanorchestratedaschemetomanipulateSCBintoissuingfakebondssince2018inordertoaddressthelendersfinancialwoes.ThefraudulentactivitiesresultedinlossesofoverVN?30trillionformorethan35,000victims,accordingtothepolice.LanhasadmittedtocollaboratingwithformerexecutivesofSCB,TanVi?tSecuritiesandV?nTh?nhPháttodevelopaspecificplantofabricatebondsthroughboguscompanieswithinthegroup.ThelendersformerCEOwasfoundtohaveconductedtrainingsessionsforover2,500salesstaffatvariousbranchesnationwideonhowtodefraudcustomers,thepolicestated.Initiallydenyinganyinvolvement,Lanfinallyadmittedtoherwrongdoingsinthescamandpromisedtorepaythevictims,thepoliceadded.TheyhavealreadyseizedmillionsofdollarsinassetsconnectedtoLaninabidtorepaythevictimsaffectedbythefraud.Lanandotherindividuals,includingherChinesehusband,arealsoaccusedofengaginginotherillegalactivitiessuchastransportingandlaunderingbillionsofdollarsacrossbordersoverthepasttenyears.Thescamhasledtoalossofmarketconfidence,causingahaltinbondissuanceandcausingoverallmarketinstability.ExpertscautionitmaytakeyearstoaddressalloftheconsequencesofthescandalasoneofSoutheastAsiasworstfinancialcrimes.TheconstructionofabuildingnearB?nThànhMarket,believedtobeownedbyVivaLand,asubsidiaryofV?nTh?nhPhátGroup,stalledattheendof2022followingthearrestofTr??ngM?Lan.Thepolicehavesaidthemoneyandassetsrecoveredfromthescandalwillbereturnedtovictims.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pLanandherfamilyfoundedV?nTh?nhPhátin1992asoneofthecountrysprominentrealestatecompanies,withluxurypropertiesinmajorcitiessuchasHCMCityandHàN?i.WhileLansarresthasexposedthemassivescaleofthefraud,expertshavewarnedthescandalisjustthetipoftheiceberginthefinancialsector,raisingconcernsaboutthecross-ownershipissueincreditinstitutionsinVi?tNam.TheGovernmenthasannouncedplanstotightenbankownershipregulationstopreventfuturescandals.—VNS

AtrafficmonitoringsystemwillbeinstalledattheintersectionofPhamV?nBach-HoangQuanChistreets,C?uGi?ydistrict.--Photo:hanoimoi.vnHàN?I-TheHanoiDepartmentofTransportsproposaltopilotasmarttrafficsysteminthecapitalinthelasthalfoftheyearhasbeenapproved,aspartofthecitysbroaderefforttograduallydevelopasmarttransportnetworkwithinitssmartcityframework.UnderthepilotplanproposedbytheViettelMilitaryIndustryandTelecomsGroup(Viettel),asmarttrafficmanagementcentrewillbeestablishedatthemunicipalpublictransportmanagementandoperationcentreatNo.1KimM?street,Ba?ìnhdistrict.Additionally,equipmentwillbeinstalledattwopilotintersectionsonPh?mV?nB?chstreetinC?uGi?ydistrict.Thesmartmanagementcentreissettofeaturesoftwaretomanageandrecordvideostreamswithcapabilitiestoconnectandmonitorsecuritycameras,displayreal-timeimages,andprovidealertsonequipmentstatusandnewlydetectedtrafficviolations.Thesystemwillalsoincludesoftwarefortrafficflowmeasurement,violationmonitoring,andtrafficlightcontrol.Meanwhile,atthetwointersections,cameraswillbeinstalledtomeasurevehicledensity,integratetrafficdatawithmappingapplications,andmonitorspeed.Thesecameraswillalsorecordanddetecttrafficviolationstoassistintheirresolution.AccordingtothemunicipalDepartmentofTransport,developingasmartandsustainabletrafficsystemisatrendforurbanareasworldwide.By2030,thecapitalaimstobecomeamodernsmartcity,graduallyintegratingwithregionalandglobalsmarturbannetworks.Smarttrafficmanagementisacrucialcomponentofthisvision.Thedepartmentsreportindicatesthattheapplicationofscientific-technologicaladvancesinsmarttrafficmanagementinHàN?ibeganin2014,throughaprojecttorenovateandupgradethetrafficsignalcontrolandperipheralequipmentcentrewithatotalinvestmentofapproximatelyVN?231billion(US$9.24million).Todate,outof2,310intersectionscitywide,540havetrafficsignallights,with474beingconnectedtothecontrolcentre.-VNS

ProlongedheavyrainscausefloodingonT?ng??nStreet,HoànKi?mDistrictinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoPh?mKiênHàN?I—TheNationalSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlhasaskednorthernlocalitiestoactivelyrespondtoheavyrainaccompaniedbytornadoes,lightning,hailandstrongwinds.TherequestwasreleasedonSunday,afterthenorthernregionexperiencedheavyrainsoverthepastfewdays.AccordingtoHàN?iSewerageandDrainageOneMemberCo.Ltd.,thecityhasbeenseeingwidespreadshowerswithanaveragerainfallof30-80mm.Thisfigurewentupto100-140mminthedistrictsofHoàngMai,LongBiênandThanhTrì.HeavyraincausedfloodinginseveralareasofthecapitalcityfromSaturdaynighttoearlySundaymorning,notablyonthestreetsofNguy?nV?nC?(LongBiênDistrict),Tr??ng??nh(HoàngMaiDistrict)andthePhanB?iChau-LyTh??ngKi?tintersection(HoànKi?mDistrict).HàN?iSewerageandDrainageOneMemberCo.Ltd.ismonitoringkeypumpingstationstolowerthewaterlevelandreadytheirresponseincaseofcontinuingshowers.SeverefloodingwasalsorecordedinH?iPhòngCityandtheprovincesof?i?nBiênandQu?ngNinhearlySundaymorning.Rain-inducedinundationinthecoastalH?iPhòngCityalsocoincidedwithhightides,resultinginthemostseverefloodingsincethebeginningoftherainyseason.Inthemountainouspartsof?i?nBiênandQu?ngNinhprovinces,warningshavebeenissuedforflashfloodsandlandslides.Heavyfloodingalsoresultedintrafficcongestionandcropdamageintheselocalities.TheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecastingsaidthattheNorthwouldcontinuetoseeheavyrain,insomeplacestorrentialrainofupto80mmandevenupto150mm.Theregionmightexperiencethunderstorms,tornadoes,lightning,hailandstrongwinds.Italsofacesariskofflashfloods,landslidesinmountainousareasandfloodinginlow-lyingandurbanareas.Toproactivelyrespondandminimisedamage,thenationalsteeringcommitteerequestedprovincesandcitiescloselymonitorwarningandforecastbulletinsandregularlynotifyandguideauthoritiesandresidentsatalllevels.Localitiesmustprepareon-siteforcestoassistpeopleifnecessary.Thenorthernregionshouldalsodeploysecurityforcestoinspectandreviewresidentialareasalongrivers,streamsandlow-lyingareaswithhighrisksofflooding,flashfloodsandlandslides.Theymustrelocateandevacuatepeoplewhenneeded.Localitiesdirectspecialisedagenciestocoordinatewithlocaltelevisionstationsandotherinformationandcommunicationagencies,especiallyatagrassrootslevel,toeducateandinstructpeopleonhowtocopewithrainsaswellasthunderstormsaccompaniedbytornadoes,lightning,hailandstrongwinds.Anumberofreferencedocumentshavebeendevelopedbythenationalsteeringcommitteeandpostedonthewebsitephongchongthientai.mard.gov.vn/Pages/Tai-lieu-truyen-thong-pctt.aspx.Atthesametime,provincesandcitiesareresponsibleforfrequentlyandcloselymonitoringweatherdevelopmentsandnaturaldisasters,synthesisingreportsandsendingthemtotheNationalSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPreventionandControl.—VNSHà Nam) ?i?u khi?n ? t? ??u kéo mang BKS 29H- 406.

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Apartofthevideosharedonsocialmediashowingthewomaninfrontoftheoncomingtrain.—sourcefromInternetHàN?I—TheownerofacafeonHàN?isfamoustrainstreethasbeenfinedVN?7.5million(US$300)forallowingaforeigntouristtoposeforaphotographontherailtrackasatrainapproached.HoànKi?mDistrictPolicepunishedthe61-year-oldownerofthecafeatNo.5Tr?nPhúStreet,HàngB?ngWard,HoànKi?mDistrictforhavingnoregistrationlicense,andallowingcustomerstoengageinbehaviourthatendangeredsafety.OnJune18,avideoonFacebookwentviralshowingawomancomingoutontothetrackandseeminglyposeforaphoto,asthetrainapproached.Asthetrainnears,amancamerunningtopushthewomantosafety.Themanwaslateridentifiedasthecafeowner.Followingtheincident,HoànKi?mDistrictPeoplesCommitteehasrequestedthatthePeoplesCommitteesoftheHàngB?ng,C?aNam,C?a??ng,HàngM?,and??ngXuanwards,throughwhichtherailwayruns,intensifyinspectionsandstrictlyhandleanybusinessactivitiesviolatingrailwaytrafficsafetyregulations.Additionally,HoànKi?mDistrictPolicehavebeenorderedtoincreasetheirpresencetopreventtouristsfromeating,drinking,filming,takingphotos,etc.,withintherailwaytrafficsafetycorridor.Measuresmustbetakentoensurethatpeopledonotengageindangerousactionsthatcouldaffectrailwayoperations,itsaid.Coordinationwiththerailwaysectortomancheckpointsandensurerailwaytrafficsafetyisalsorequired.HoànKi?mDistricthasalsoinstructedthewardsandrelevantauthoritiestocontinuetostrengthenthedisseminationoflawsregardingrailwaytrafficorderandsafety.ThefocusshouldbeonpublicisingprohibitedbehaviouraccordingtotheRailwayLaw.Morebarriersandwarningsignsshouldbeinstalledandfurtherpersonneltomonitorandaddressurbanorderandsafetyviolationswithintherailwaycorridor,withstricthandlingofanyviolations.—VNSLamH?ngPh??nginB?nTreProvincesGi?ngTr?mDistrictfeedshergoats.Herfamilyhasescapedpovertyafterbeingprovidedasoftloanforbreedinganimals.—VNA/VNSPhotoCh??ng?àiB?NTRE—B?nTreProvincehaseffectivelytakenmeasurestoreducepovertysustainablyandimprovethelivesofthepoor.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincehasprovidedsoftloans,vocationalskilltraining,jobs,freehealthinsuranceandothersupportforpoorhouseholds.LamH?ngPh??ng,44,inGi?ngTr?mDistrictsBìnhHoàCommune,usedtobepoorandhasbeenprovidedasoftloanworthVN?25million(US$1,000)fromVi?tNamBankforSocialPolicysTi?nGiangBranchtobreedcows.Afterafewyears,sheincreasedthenumberofhercattleandbeganbreedinggoats,escapingpovertyin2022,shesaid.SheearnedVN?60million($2,400)fromsellingtwocowsand20goatslastmonth,shesaid.Thankstothesoftloan,herfamilyhasmoneytobreedcattle,buildahouseandpaythefeesfortheirchildrentogotoschool,shesaid.TheprovincehaslaunchedmanyprogrammestohelppoorpeoplesuchastheemulationmovementForthepoor–leavingnoonebehind.BaTriDistrict,whichhasahighrateofpoorhouseholds,hastakenmanycreativemeasurestohelpthepoorescapepoverty.Ithasintroducedeffectivepovertyreductionmodelstopoorhouseholdsandtakenupadvocacyactivitiestoenhancetheirawarenessofproactivelyescapingpoverty.Overthepastthreeyears,ithasprovidedfreehealthinsurancecardsforallpoorhouseholds,builtcharityhousesformorethan400poorhouseholds,andimplementeddozensofpovertyreductionmodelswhichbreedcowsandgoats,withtheparticipationofhundredsofpoorhouseholds.Thedistrictisimplementingsustainablemeasurestoreducepovertysuchasprovidingvocationalskillsforrurallabourers,creatingjobsanddiversifylivelihoodsforthem.TheaverageincomepercapitaofruralpeopleintheprovincewasVN?55million($2,200)lastyear,upVN?2millionfrom2022.Theprovincehad10,600poorhouseholdsasoftheendoflastyear,accountingfor2.6percentofitstotalhouseholds.Tr?nNg?cTam,chairmanoftheprovincePeoplesCommittee,saidtheprovincewouldsynchronouslyimplementexistingnationaltargetprogrammestocreatesustainablejobsforthepoor,improvetheirlivelihoods,increasetheirabilitytoaccessbasicsocialservices,andreducethepovertyrateandthegapbetweenrichandpoorhouseholds.Theprovinceaimedtoreducethepovertyrateto2.3percentthisyear,hesaid.Toachievethetarget,itwouldhelpthepooraccesssoftloansandusethemeffectively,instructthemonproductionmethodsandtechniques,assistthemwithlinkagesinproductiontosecuresalesfortheirproducts.Itwouldexpandeffectivepovertyreductionmodels,andpromotethepotentialandadvantagesofeachlocalityandtheparticipationofthepoorandcommunitiesinreducingpoverty.Itwouldimplementpromptlyandsufficientlypoliciesaboutsocialwelfareandpovertyreduction,givingprioritytoactivitiesoftrainingvocationalskillsandintroducingjobs.—VNS