ByLêVi?tD?ngNguy?nT?tTh?ng,co-founderoftheSocialImpactBusiness(SIB)G?mSenPottery,isnotjustshapingclayintobeautifulceramicsbutalsomouldingbrighterfuturesfordisadvantagedpeople.ThroughG?mSenPotterysdiverserangeoffreeclasses,heprovidesvaluableknowledgeandskillstohelplearnersriseabovetheircircumstancesandunlocktheirfullpotential.T?tTh?ngspassionforceramicswaskindledfromayoungageinthethousand-year-oldpotteryvillageofKimLan,GiaLamDistrict,HàN?i.Aftergraduation,hevolunteeredforUnitedNationshumanitarianprojectsfocusedoneducation,whichdeepenedhisbeliefinthetransformativepoweroflearning.Thisledhimtoco-foundG?mSenPotteryandofferfreeclassestothedisadvantagedinBátTràngVillage,notfarfromKimLan.Theclassesinitiallyattractedonlyafewparticipants,astheywerenotwidelyknown.AturningpointcamewhenREACH,anon-profitorganisationspecialisinginvocationaltrainingandjobplacementfordisadvantagedyouths,partneredwithG?mSenPotterytoexpanditsreach.Now,theclasseshave35learners,supportedbyfundingfromREACH,G?mSenPottery,andbenefactors.Learnersattendapotterypaintingclass.—PhotocourtesyofG?mSenPotteryThecurriculumoffersavarietyofcourses,frompottery-makingtoEnglishlanguageskills,tailoredtoeachlearnerscareerpath.Thegoalistoempowerthemtotakecontroloftheirfutures.Uponfinishingthecourses,learnerscanjoinG?mSenPottery,becomeentrepreneursintheceramicindustry,orpursueotherpaths,saidT?tTh?ng.Thedecisionistheirstomake.Thispersonalisedapproachhasledtopositivechangesamongthelearners.Somewithdisabilitieshaveovercomeself-doubtandshownremarkableimprovement.OneexampleisV.T.T.H.,a19-year-oldgirlwithprofoundhearingandspeechimpairments.Shehadfacedsomuchridiculefromherpeersthatshewithdrewfromsocialcontactforyears.Herparents,overprotectiveandwell-intentioned,shieldedherfromresponsibilities,whichonlydeepenedherdepression.Whenshefirstjoinedtheclasses,V.T.T.H.wasuncooperativeandoftenleftwithoutpermission.Sheavoidedinteractingwithothers,whichsometimescausedresentmentamongolderlearners.T?tTh?ng,understandingherstruggles,enrolledherinapotterypaintingcourse,hopingartwouldhealheremotionalwounds.Healsoencouragedherclassmatestobeunderstandingandsupportive.Itoldthemtobepatientwithherandencouragedthemtogreetherfirstwhenevertheymeether,justlikeIdo,saidT?tTh?ng.Hispersistencepaidoff.Afterfivemonths,V.T.T.H.beganattendingclassesmoreregularlyandgreetingeveryonewithawaveandasmile.Herpassionforpotterypaintinggrew,andnowshecreatesbeautifulceramicpieceswithintricatepatternsthatarehighlypraisedbytourists.Herconfidencegetsahugeboostwheneversomeonecomplimentsherpottery,saidT?tTh?ng.Itprovestoherthatsheisnotworthlessasshethoughtbutcapableofgreatthings.Nguy?nT?tTh?ngshowsanautisticlearnerhowtopaintapotteryjar.—VNSPhotoLêVi?tD?ngL.U.N.,also19,isanotherexampleofhowtheclasseshavetransformedlives.Bornintoafamilyofeight,withparentsstrugglingasfarmers,hersituationworsenedwhenhermotherwasdiagnosedwithcancer.Forcedtoquitschoolandworktosupportherfamily,shefoundhopeintheclasses,whereshelearnedpotteryandcontinuedherEnglishstudies,asubjectshelovedbutcouldnotafford.Injustafewmonths,L.U.N.hasmadeincredibleprogress.ShecannowholdsimpleconversationsinEnglishwithtourists,andherpotteryskillsarerapidlyimproving.OnceIfinishthesecourses,ImgoingtoworkhardtosupportmyfamilyanddothingsIvealwaysdreamedof,saidL.U.N.Someceramicpiecesmadebythelearners.—PhotocourtesyofG?mSenPotteryThediversityofthelearnersbackgroundsmakesteachingtheclasseschallenging,requiringatailoredapproach.Tr?nL?u,aG?mSenPotteryco-founderandadrawingteacher,explainedthatautisticlearnersneedextraattentionandfamiliaritytofeelcomfortable,makingverbalrapportessentialforengagement.Forhearing-impairedlearners,physicalaffectionlikehugsandhandshakescanbuildtrust,whiletheirstrongvisuallearningabilitiesallowthemtograspconceptsquicklythroughdemonstrations.SometimesIusebodylanguageandwrittenwordstohelphearing-impairedlearnersunderstandbetter,saidL?u.YvonneAdhiambo,aKenyanEnglishteacheratG?mSenPottery,saidshebelievedthateverylearnerdeservedcomprehensivesupport,regardlessoftheiracademicperformance.Sheemphasisedthateffectiveteachingrequiredadaptingtoeachlearnersneeds.TherearestudentswhoareproficientinEnglishbutshyinexpressingthemselves.WeshouldnotjustneglectthemandsaytheyareA-gradestudentswhoneedsupportnomore,saidAdhiambo.Iobservethemandseehowtheyworkwithwhattheyhaveandtheirabilities,andthengofromthere.Itsforthemtoteachmehowtoteachthem.Toaddresslearnersfrustrations,Adhiambosapproachissimpleyeteffective:sheadvisesthemtotakeabreakandpractisetheskillstheyaregoodat.Buildingconfidenceintheirabilitieshelpsthemtacklethethingsthatinitiallyfrustratethem.Recognisingthattraditionalclassroomsettingsmaybestressfulforautisticlearners,theteachershaveorganisedoutdoorclassesandfieldtripstohelpthemengagewiththeworld.Thisapproachhasmadeasignificantdifference,makingthemmoreexcitedaboutlearningandmoreopentointeractingwithothers.KenyanEnglishteacherYvonneAdhiambodemonstrateshowtospellanEnglishwordtothelearners.—VNSPhotoLêVi?tD?ngG?mSenPotteryscommitmenttosupportingdisadvantagedpeoplehasearneditaspotamongthetop10SIBsselectedfortheSIBSignatureProgramme,ledbytheResearchInstituteforInnovationandDevelopment(IID).Theprogrammeisdesignedtohelpthesebusinessesexpandtheirmarketreachthroughintensivecoachingandcross-selling.DrawingteacherTr?nL?udemonstrateshowtopaintlotusflowerstofourlearnersinanoutdoorclass.—VNSPhotoLêVi?tD?ngG?mSenPotteryhasgonetogreatlengthstooffervocationaltrainingtodisadvantagedpeoplewhilekeepingthetraditionalartofpotteryalive.Thesocialmissionbehinditsworkisevident,saidTr??ngTh?NamTh?ng,leadresearcheratIID.Lookingahead,T?tTh?ngplanstoaddnewcoursestothecurriculumandbuildanenvironmentallyfriendlyfactorystaffedprimarilybygraduatedlearnerswholovepottery.Heaimstocreatemorejobsforthedisadvantagedandpromotesustainableproductionpracticeswithintheindustry.G?mSenPotterysteamtakesagroupphotoafteritwascertifiedasaSIBSignatureparticipantonAugust7.—VNSPhotoLêVi?tD?ngInthenextseveralmonths,thecurriculumwillcovernewcoursessuchasself-defenceandsoftskillsforsocialinteraction,saidT?tTh?ng.MariaLarmen,aSpanishtouristwhovisitedG?mSenPotteryinAugust,wasamazedbythebeautyoftheceramicpiecesmadebythelearners.Shesaidshehopedtheclasseswouldbecomemorewidelyknownsothatmoredisadvantagedpeoplecouldreceivethesupporttheyneededtobreakthecycleofpoverty.SpanishtouristMariaLarmen(right)andherfriendsexaminetwojarsmadebydisadvantagedpeople.—VNSPhotoLêVi?tD?ngTherearefewclasseslikethisinSpain,butweareworkingtochangethesituation,saidLarmen.SIBsarebusinessesthatadoptatriplebottomline,drivingprofitalongwithsocialandenvironmentalimpact.Thereareapproximately22,000SIBsinVi?tNam,playingacrucialroleinsupportingvulnerablegroups,mostlybycreatingjobsanddeliveringessentialservices.VNS

and robbery before dismembering the victim.The package contained ketamine.

Violent crimes of extreme brutality also drew public outrage.Phong emphasized the courts commitment to upholding justice.Chief Prosecutor of HCMC Peoples Procuracy.

Chief Justice Le Thanh Phong of the HCMC Peoples Court reported that the citys courts handled 79Thechildcarefacilitywherethefive-year-oldmentally-disabledboydied.VNA/VNSPhotoGIALAI—AuthoritiesintheCentralHighlandsprovinceofGiaLaihavelaunchedinvestigationintothedeathofamentally-disabledboywhodiedofsuspectedviolence.AccordingtotheprovincialDepartmentofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs,atabout2.30pmonSeptember1,theboysmotherreportedtothelocalpolicethatherson,bornin2019,wasthevictimofviolenceatachildcarefacilityat57Tr?nNh?tDu?tStreetinPleikuCity.Thefive-year-oldwasrushedtoalocalhospitalforemergencytreatmentaftersufferingacardiacandrespiratoryarrest.Healsosufferedfromdistendedabdomen,hadscratchesontheforehead,petechiaearoundtheeyelidsandbruisesonhischin.Hediedat3pmthesameday.TheboywasunabletospeakduetohismentaldisabilityandwassentbyhisfamilytotheprivatefostercarefacilitymanagedbyPh?mTh?H?ng.Thechildcarefacilitydoesnothavealicensetoestablishaprivatesocialprotectionfacility,saidthepolice.Itwasorderedtobeclosedaftertheincident.Thefacilityhasbeenclosedpendingfurtherinvestigation.TheprovincialDepartmentofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsaskedthecityPeoplesCommitteeandrelevantunitstoinvestigateandimposestiffenedsanctionsonthosefoundtohavecommittedillegalacts.Authoritieshavebeenrequestedtoclassifyandmakealistofparents/relativesofdisabledchildrenbeingcaredatthefacility.ChildrenwhohaveunidentifiedparentsorrelativeswillbetakentotheGiaLaiProvincialSocialProtectionCentreortheprovincialSOSVillage.—VNS

Over2,200boatsandvesselsinQu?ngYênTownhavebeenadvisedtoseeksafeshelteraheadofthestormslandfall.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Van??nInternationalAirportinQu?ngNinhProvincewillhaltallaircraftoperationsfrom4amto4pmonSaturday.ThistemporarysuspensioncomesasaprecautionarymeasureagainsttheloomingthreatofSuperTyphoonYagi,whichisexpectedtobringintensewindsandsevereweather,posingasignificantrisktoairportsafety.TwoscheduledVietnamAirlinesflights,settolandat8:05amanddepartat8:50amonSaturday,willbecancelledasaresult.TheairportisworkingcloselywithVietnamAirlinestonotifyaffectedpassengersandrelevantserviceproviders.Inpreparationforthestorm,Van??nInternationalAirportisundertakingseveralprotectivemeasures,includingsecuringequipment,dredgingdrainagesystemsandactivatingstormresponseplansasoutlinedbyprovincialauthorities.Qu?ngNinhProvincehasalsoimposedaseabanstartingat11amonFriday.TheDepartmentofTransport,theQu?ngNinhMaritimePortAuthority,theInlandWaterwayPortAuthorityandcoastallocalauthoritieshavesuspendedallmaritimeactivity,prohibitingvesselsfromsettingsail.Accordingtotheprovincialhydrometeorologicalstation,asof4amonFriday,theeyeofSuperTyphoonYagiwaslocatedoverthenorthernwatersoftheEastSeaatapproximately19.2degreesnorth,112.7degreeseast,oraround200kilometreseast-southeastofHainanIsland,China,and620kilometressoutheastofQu?ngNinh.Withmaximumsustainedwindsaroundtheeyeatlevel16(184-201kmperhour)andgustsexceedinglevel17,thetyphoonwasmovingwestataround20kmperhour.BymiddayonFriday,strongouterwindsreachinglevel6-7areexpectedtodevelopintheeasternpartoftheGulfofTonkin,includingoverB?chLongV?Island.Bytheevening,thesewindswillintensifytolevel8-9,increasingfurthertolevel10-11,withareasnearthetyphoonscentreexperiencingwindsatlevel12-14andgustsexceedinglevel17.Roughseasareexpectedtofollow.ThetyphoonisforecasttomakelandfallinQu?ngNinhfrommiddaythroughFridayafternoon,bringingstrongwindstotheC?T?-??oTr?nsearegionandtheislandcommunesofVan??nDistrict.Windsinthenorthernregionareexpectedtoincreasegraduallytolevel6-7,beforereachinglevel10-11nearthestormscentre,withgustsatlevel14-15.HeavyrainfallispredictedfromFridaynightuntilthemorningofSeptember9(Monday),withexpectedamountsrangingfrom200to300mmacrosstheprovince,andsomeareaspotentiallyseeingover400mm.Thiscouldleadtofloodinginriversandstreams,trafficdisruptionsandinundationinlow-lyingareasandurbancentres.Flashfloodsandlandslidesmayoccurinhigh-riskzones,particularlyinconstructionareasandcoalwastedumps.Thestormswide-reachingeffectsmaytriggerthunderstorms,tornadoesandstronggustsbothbeforeandduringlandfall.—VNS

WastewaterfromapaperproductionfacilityinPhongKhêWard.—Photovov.vnB?CNINH—B?cNinhCityPeoplesCommitteehasheldtalkswithpaperproductionbusinessesfromPhongKhêWard,outliningplanstorelocatethemduetoenvironmentalconcerns.Nguy?nM?nhHi?u,chairmanofthePeoplesCommittee,revealedthat341paperproductionfacilitiescurrentlyoperateinPhongKhêWard,with228locatedinresidentialareasonillegallyoccupiedland.Thesefacilitiesemployover4,000workers,manywithoutproperlabourcontractsorinsurance,theVoiceofVi?tNamreported.Mostoftheseoperationsrelyonoutdated,discardedmachineryfromfactories,Hi?usaidduringthemeetingonThursday.Thisresultsinlowproductivityandsignificantpollutionofwater,air,andland.SinceNovember2021,B?cNinhauthoritieshaveintensifiedinspections,issuedfinesandplannedtherelocationofthesebusinessestoensureenvironmentalsustainability.FollowinganenvironmentalreviewinJuly,aninter-agencyinspectionteamhasassessed70ofthe228residential-basedfacilities,withsevenrefusingtocooperate.Mostinspectedbusinessesand53steamsupplycompanieswerefoundinviolationofenvironmental,safety,taxandconstructionregulations.Thecityplanstorelocatethesebusinessesby2029,offeringrelocationassistanceofuptoVN?200million(US$8,00)perhousehold.NewlocationsinindustrialclustersinB?cK?nandLàoCaiprovinceshavebeensuggestedforbusinesseswishingtocontinueoperations.EffortsareunderwaytoprovidealternativeemploymentforthedisplacedworkerswithinB?cNinhsindustrialzones,ensuringtheyreceivesalariesequaltoorbetterthantheircurrentearnings.Currently,132unitsarestilloperational.Theinspectionteamaimstoreview50unitsinSeptember,50moreinOctober,andcompleteallinspectionsbyNovember.Violatorswillbeshutdownimmediately,withnoneedtowaitfortheDecember31deadline.InspectionswillalsotargetthePhongKhêIandIIindustrialclusters,withimmediateclosuresforanynon-compliantfacilities,longbeforethe2029deadline,accordingtoHi?u.HesaidthatB?cNinhProvincewillnotallocatelandforrecycledproductionwithinitsborders,limitingfutureinvestmentsintheprovincesindustrialzones.Mostbusinessrepresentativesagreedwiththecitysrelocationpolicybuturgedbettercommunicationtoensurepublicunderstanding.Theyalsoraisedconcernsaboutthecapacityofwastewatertreatmentplants.Someindicatedwillingnesstorelocatetootherindustrialclusterswithintheprovince.However,somebusinessownersarguedthattheinspectionprocesswasunfair,claimingtheywerecoercedintosigningagreementstodismantleandhaltoperations.Inresponse,Hi?ureiteratedthatallpaperproductionfacilitiesinPhongKhêmustrelocateby2029,addingthatanyviolationsbeforethenwouldleadtoimmediateclosure.Thecitysgoalistoensuretransparency,fairness,andthesustainabletransformationofPhongKhêintoagreenandcleanarea.Underthecitysrelocationplan,allpaperproductionwithinresidentialareaswillceasebyDecember31.Bytheendof2029,authoritieswillstrictlymanagetheremainingfacilitiesinthePhongKhêIandIIindustrialclusters.AlloperationsintheseclusterswillceasebyDecember31,2029,withthelandrepurposedforurbandevelopment,housingandcommercialservices.—VNSAchildisvaccinatedinC?nTh?CityaspartofthenationalExpandedProgrammeonImmunisation.—PhototheEPIHàN?I—TheMinistryofHealthlaunchedacampaigntoprovidemeaslesvaccinesforchildrennationwideatahybridconferenceonThursday,tomarkWorldImmunisationWeek2024.Speakingattheevent,HealthMinister?àoH?ngLancalledonparentsandcaregiverstogetchildrenvaccinatedfullyandonschedule,forthehealthofthechildrenthroughregularvaccinationsandvaccinationcampaigns.Vaccinationisoneofthemostimportantmeasurestopreventdangerousinfectiousdiseases.Thankstovaccination,manydangerousinfectiousdiseasesareeliminatedorcontrolled.ItisestimatedthattheglobalExpandedProgrammeonImmunisation(EPI)preventstwotothreemilliondeathseachyear,saidLan.Withtheriskofameaslesoutbreakintheworld,includingVi?tNam,thehealthministryhascoordinatedwithWHOandUNICEFtodevelopandissueacampaigntoprovideavaccineagainstmeaslesin2024with1,134,200dosesofvaccinefundedbytheAustralianGovernment.Thecampaignwillbedeployedateducationalunitsandmedicalfacilitiesindistrictsatriskofmeaslesoutbreaks.Vaccinesareprovidedfreeofchargeforchildrenagedonetoten,alongwithmedicalstaffatriskatmedicalexaminationandtreatmentfacilitiesandthosewhohavenothadtherequirednumberofvaccinationsasprescribed.HealthMinister?àoH?ngLanchairstheonlineconferenceonAugust22,tomarkWorldImmunisationWeekfor2024.—PhotocourtesyoftheMinistryofHealthAccordingtoHealthMinisterLan,thevaccinationprogrammewillstillfacemanydifficultiesandchallengesduetotheunpredictablesituationofinfectiousdiseasesandthelowvaccinationratefollowingtheCOVID-19pandemic.Environmentalpollution,climatechange,naturaldisasters,floodsandurbanisationcreatedfavourableconditionsforinfectiousdiseasestoreappear,spreadandbreakout.LansuggestedthePeoplesCommitteesofprovincesandcitiespromotetheimplementationofregularvaccinationforchildrenundertheEPItoensuresafetyandeffectivenessandencouragefamiliestogettheirchildrenvaccinatedfullyandonschedule.WHORepresentativeinVi?tNamAngelaPrattremarkedthathundredsofthousandsofchildreninVi?tNamhavemissedoutonvaccinationssince2021duetopandemic-relateddisruptionsandtherecentlackofvaccinestock,leadingtothelargestsustaineddeclineinratesofchildhoodimmunisationinVi?tNaminover20years.WHORepresentativeinVi?tNamAngelaPrattspeaksattheevent.—PhotoMoHAsaresult,wearealreadyseeingmorecasesandclustersofvaccine-preventablediseases–includingdiphtheriaandpertussisandweareworriedthatwecurrentlyfacetheveryrealriskofalarge-scalemeaslesoutbreak,saidPratt.TheWHOrepresentativealsopraisedthePrimeMinistersoffice,theNationalAssemblyandtheMinisterofHealthfortheleadershipandimmenseeffortslastyeartounlockthesupplyofvaccines.Iknowwecannowcountonthesameleadershipandcommitmenttorespondtothemeaslesoutbreakswearecurrentlyseeinginseveralprovinces,thethreatofoutbreakselsewhereandindoingsoavoidlarge-scaletransmission.PrattalsosaidthattheWHOhasfinalisedtheprocurementofanemergencysupplyofmorethanonemilliondosesofmeasles-rubellavaccines,tobeusedforoutbreakresponseandsupplementaryimmunisationactivitiesinthehighest-riskareas.InVi?tNam,therearecurrently11typesofvaccinestopreventinfectiousdiseases,includingtuberculosis,diphtheria,whoopingcough,tetanus,measles,polio,hepatitisB,JapaneseBencephalitis,rubellaandrota,alldeployedinthenationalEPI.Inthefuture,thehealthministrywillimplementaplantoaddnewvaccinestotheEPI,includingvaccinestopreventdiarrhoeacausedbytherotavirus,avaccinetopreventpneumococcaldiseaseandthevaccinetopreventcervicalcancercausedbytheHPVvirus.Overthepast40years,hundredsofmillionsofvaccinedoseshavebeengiventoVietnamesechildrenandwomenforfree.TheEPIhasmadeanimportantcontributiontoachievingpolioeradicationin2000andeliminatingneonataltetanusin2005.—VNS

Marketmanagementofficersinspectamooncakeproductionestablishmentin?àN?ngCityanddiscovered1,800cakeswithoutorigincertificates.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?IAstheMid-AutumnFestivaldrawsnear,authoritiesareintensifyingeffortstocombatthesaleoffoodproductswithunclearorigins,particularlyamidgrowingconcernsovertheinfluxofsmuggled,counterfeit,andsubstandardgoods,includingpopularfestivalitemslikemooncakes.Theheighteneddemandduringthisfestiveperiodhaspromptedincreasedscrutiny,withrecentinspectionsinHàN?iuncoveringsignificantviolations,underscoringtheneedforstringentenforcementoffoodsafetyandhygienestandards.Earlierthismonth,ateamfromtheHàN?iMarketManagementDepartmentinspectedtwostoresinBa?ìnhDistrict,uncoveringasignificantquantityofsmuggledconfectioneryproducts.Theshopownerswereunabletoproduceinvoicesordocumentationverifyingtheoriginandqualityoftheproducts.Amongtheconfiscateditemswerenearly600mooncakeslackingproperdocumentationtosubstantiatetheiroriginorquality.Authoritieshavealsoinspectedcraftvillagestoensurethatanyviolationsimpactingconsumerhealtharepromptlyaddressed.InLaPhùVillage,Hoài??cDistrict,theauthoritiesconfiscated240mooncakesand72packsofwafercakeslabelledinaforeignlanguage.HàN?i,H?ChíMinhCity,and?àN?ngCityarekeyareaswithhighpurchasingpower,promptingmarketmanagementforcestointensifyinspectionsandcontrolsofbusinessestablishmentstopreventviolations.Arepresentativeofthe?àN?ngMarketManagementDepartmentreportedthatlastweek,morethan1,800smuggledmooncakesofvarioustypeswerediscoveredandtemporarilyseizedfromshopsonK???ngStreet,ThanhKhêDistrict.Despitethepresenceofreputableproductionandbusinessestablishmentsensuringproductsafety,someorganisationsandindividualscontinuetosellsmuggledgoodswithunclearorigins,whichnegativelyaffectsconsumerhealth,saidarepresentativeofthe?àN?ngMarketManagementDepartment.Therefore,consumersshouldmakeinformedchoicesbyselectingsafeproductsforthemselvesandtheirfamilies,headvised.Foodsafetyremainsacriticalissue,withmarketmanagementforcesdetectingandaddressinghundredsofviolationseachyear.Specificallyregardingmooncakes,fraudulentpracticesarebecomingincreasinglysophisticated.V??ngBáD?ng,headofTeam24oftheHàN?iMarketManagementDepartment,reportedthatthroughinspections,authoritieshavedetectedsomeestablishmentsmixingsmuggledgoodswithlegitimateproductsandstackingthemtogethertoevadedetection.Additionally,manyviolatorsoperatefromconcealedlocationsdeepwithinresidentialareastofacilitatesales.Asaresult,theteamhasinstructedmarketmanagementofficerstoraiselocalawareness,maintainstringentmarketcontrols,andpromptlydetectsignsofviolations.Thisapproachwillenablethemtoinspectandhandlegoodslackingproperorigindocumentation,whichcouldcompromiseproductqualityandconsumerhealth.Inspectionsandenforcementmustbeconductedrigorouslyandinaccordancewithregulationstoensurethatthegoodsreachingconsumersareofhighqualityandsafe,saidD?ng.Mooncakesareaseasonalproduct,leadingmanysmallbusinessestofallshortininvestinginadequatefacilitiesorstrictlyadheringtofoodsafetyprocedures.Nguy?n??cLê,DeputyDirectoroftheOperationsDepartment(GeneralDepartmentofMarketManagement),notedthatmooncakeproductionactivitiesbeganbeforeJulyofthelunarcalendar,withconsumptionpeakingaroundtheMid-AutumnFestivalon15August(lunarcalendar).Authoritieshavediscoveredsomeestablishmentsusingingredientsofunclearoriginandfailingtomeetsafetystandardsintheirmooncakes.Asaresult,theGeneralDepartmentofMarketManagementhasconsistentlyurgedlocalunitstointensifyinspections.Inparticular,theGeneralDepartmenthasdevelopedaspecialisedinspectionprogrammeforeachlocalitytopromptlydetectandpreventtheuseofunsafefoodproductsduringthecurrentMid-AutumnFestival.Regardingmooncakefillings,Lêpointedoutthatsomeestablishmentsstillresorttocheapingredientsandunsanitaryprocessingmethods,resultinginsubstandardqualitycomparedtoreputablebrands.Moreover,alackofawarenessamongsomeconsumers,whoprioritiselowpricesoverproductorigin,hascreatedopportunitiesforunscrupuloustraderstofloodthemarketwithmooncakesofunclearorigin,posingpotentialfoodsafetyrisksduringtheMid-AutumnFestival,Lêwarned.ToensurefoodsafetynotonlyduringtheMid-AutumnFestivalbutthroughouttheyear,marketmanagementforceshavecollaboratedwithlocalauthoritiestostrengtheninspectionsandimposestrictpenaltiesonviolators,Lêadded.Theforceshavealsopartneredwithbusinesses,associations,industrysectors,andlocalgovernmentstoenhancepublicawareness,encouragingconsumerstomakeinformedchoicesbypurchasingqualityproductswithclearoriginsandcertifiedsafety.Healsoadvisedconsumerstobevigilantabouttheoriginandauthenticityofconfectioneryproductswhenpurchasingonline,andtoconsidercustomerreviewsandratingsforthoseproducts.VNSAyouthunionmemberassistsaresidentinscanningQRcodesurveysatMaiTrungCommunePeoplesCommittee,Hi?pHòaDistrict.B?CGIANG—B?cGiangprovinceisdeterminedtoaddressitsweaknessesandimprovebothitsscoreandrankingintheProvincialCompetitivenessIndex(PCI),aimingtobeamongthetopprovincesnationwide,chairmanoftheProvincialPeoplesCommitteeMaiS?nsaid.TheprovincerecentlyheldaconferencetoanalysethePCIcomponentindicatorsfor2023andplanstodevelopandimplementastrategytoenhancethePCIin2024.Departments,sectorsandlocalitieswillconductcomprehensivereviewsandevaluationsofbothcollectiveandindividualresponsibilitiesregardingachievedresults,existingissues,limitationsandthereasonsbehindthecomponentindicatorsofthePCIthatfellshortofthe2023targets.Theywillconsultwithandlearnfromotherlocalitiestoformulateeffective,practicalandsustainablesolutionsfor2024.ProvincialdepartmentsandsectorswillcontinuetofocusoneffectivelyimplementingtasksandsolutionstoimprovetheinvestmentandbusinessenvironmentandenhancethePCIaccordingtotheprovincesplan.B?cGiangwillsoonimplementtheInformationandCommunicationontheInvestmentandBusinessEnvironmentoftheprovince.MediaagenciesandbusinessassociationswillintensifyeffortstopromotetheimportanceofimprovingtheinvestmentenvironmentandenhancingthePCI.Additionally,B?cGiangisworkingtoenhancetheeffectivenessoftheProvincialSteeringCommitteeanditssupportunits.Theprovinceaimstoimprovethereceptionandhandlingoffeedbackfrombusinessesandinvestors,promptlyresolvinganydifficultiesencounteredininvestment,productionandbusinessoperations.AccordingtothePCI2023report,B?cGiangscored69.75points,adecreaseof3.05pointsfrom72.80pointsin2022.ThismarksthesecondconsecutiveyearthatB?cGiangranksinthetopfiveprovincesandcitieswiththebesteconomicgovernancequalityin2023anditholdsthetoppositionamongthenorthernmidlandsandmountainousprovinces.TheVietnamChamberofCommerceandIndustry(VCCI)hasnotedthatthedeclineinPCIscoresforprovinceslikeB?cGiangwillputsignificantpressureonleadingprovincestoinnovateandcreateafavourableinvestmentandbusinessenvironment,whilemaintainingeffectivereformefforts.Thispressurearisesasmanytrailingprovincescatchupbyleveragingtheirlatecomeradvantagesandlearningfromthesuccessfulexperiencesofhigher-performingregulatoryagencies.In2023,B?cGiangimprovedinthreePCIindicators,includingmarketentry,timecostsandbusinesssupportpolicies.However,itsawdeclinesinsevenindicators:accesstoland,transparency,informalcosts,equalcompetition,proactivityofprovincialleadership,labourtrainingandlegalinstitutionsandsecurity.AlocalresidentisguidedtoscanaQRcodetofilloutasatisfactionsurveyonadministrativeproceduresatthePeoplesCommitteeofTamD?Commune,L?cNamDistrict.DeputydirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofPlanningandInvestmentL??ngV?nNghi?psaidthedepartmenthasacceleratedadministrativereformsanddigitaltransformationinbusinesssupportbystandardisingadministrativeproceduresandlistingallofthematthepublicadministrativeservicecentre.Wereceiveandprocessallapplicationsonline,makingiteasierforcitizensandbusinessestoregisterandoperate,hesaid.Nguy?nXuanVi?t,directorofVifocoImport-ExportJointStockCompany,saidthattheDepartmentofIndustryandTradehassupportedthecompanybyconnectingitwithtradecounselorsabroadandforeignimport-exportpartners.Thishasfacilitatedcloserandfasterconnectionsbetweenforeignenterprises,helpingusmeetimportmarketdemandsandVifocosproductionplans.Ng?Qu?cH?ng,deputychairmanoftheTanYênDistrictPeoplesCommittee,saidthattheysupportbusinessadministrativereformsbydirectingspecialisedagencies,especiallyininvestmentandtaxsectors,toofferoptimalconditions.Theyregularlyreviewadministrativeprocedures,suggestingreductionsoramendmentswhenfeasibleandstayupdatedwithnewregulationstocreateidealbusinessconditions.—VNS

ThePeoplesCommitteeofB?cGiangProvinceheldaconferencetomeetandtalkwiththebusinesscommunityinJune.—PhotocourtesyofthePeoplesCommitteeofB?cGiangProvinceB?CGIANG—ThePeoplesCommitteeofB?cGiangProvincewillcontinueitseffortstoenhancethequalityofadministrativereformandsignificantlyimprovethebusinessinvestmentenvironment,closelylinkedtocomprehensivedigitaltransformationthisyear.TheeffortsaimtopositionB?cGiangamongtheleadingprovincesnationwideinadministrativereform,businessinvestmentenvironmentandprovincialcompetitiveness,creatingmomentumforbreakthroughsandattractinginvestmentresourcestotheprovince.Theprovinceiscurrentlyfocusingonmodernisingleadershipandmanagementmethodsbyeffectivelyapplyingdigitaltransformationachievementstobuildamoreprofessional,disciplined,dynamic,transparentandefficientprovincialadministration.Itaimstoprovidethebestpossibleconditionsforresidentsandbusinesses.Fromnowuntiltheendoftheyear,theprovinceisprioritisingtheimprovementofpublicservicequalityandthebusinessinvestmentenvironment,contributingtomaintainingandenhancingtheProvincialCompetitivenessIndex(PCI),theProvincialGovernanceandPublicAdministrationPerformanceIndex(PAPI)andtheProvincialAdministrativeReformIndex(PARINDEX)thisyear,aimingtobeamongthetoplocalitiesnationwide.Todothat,B?cGiangwillintensifyinspectionsandsupervisionofagenciesandunits,particularlyfocusingontheleaders,toensuretheeffectiveimplementationofadministrativereformefforts.Additionally,theprovincewillcontinuetoinnovateandimprovethequalityofitsannualassessmentsanddeterminationoftheAdministrativeReformIndexofGovernmentagencies,movingtowardsacomprehensive,multi-dimensional,transparentandpublicapproach,whileenhancingtheapplicationofinformationtechnologyinevaluations.Furthermore,theprovincewillstrengthenleadershipandcommunicationefforts,continuepromotingtheapplicationofinformationtechnologyanddigitaltransformationtoimproveoperationalefficiency,publicservicequalityandtheeffectivenessofadministrativeagencieswithintheprovince.AchievementsSince2021,theprovincehasfocusedonadvancingadministrativereformundertheactionmotto:Discipline,integrity,actionandservice.Allcommunes,wardsandtownsacrosstheprovincehaveimplementedaso-calledfriendlygovernmentmodel.TheprovincesAdministrativeReformIndex(PARIndex)hasconsistentlyrankedamongthetopinthecountrysince2021.Itrankedseventhin2021andfourthoutof63provincesinboth2022and2023.SpecificallywithinthearenaofStateadministrativeapparatusreform,itrankedsecondoutof63provincesandcitiesnationwidein2022.Theprovincehasalsostrengthenedtheapplicationofinformationtechnologyanddigitaltransformationinmanagementandgovernance,whichisinlinewiththeconstructionofadigitalande-governmentframework.Theprovinceisamongthetop10provincesandcitiesnationwideintheDigitalTransformationIndex.TheprovincialPeoplesCommitteeissuedDecisionNo.1264/Q?-UBNDonAugust2023,approvingthefive-stepelectronicprocessforhandlingadministrativeprocedures.Theinitiativesupportsthedigitalisationandextractionofdataacrosstheprovince.Additionally,theprovincehasdirectedtheimplementationofinnovativemodelsinadministrativereform,suchastheVirtualAssistant,whichguidescitizensthroughadministrativeprocedures,theuseofQRcodestodisseminateinformationandguidecitizensandbusinessesonadministrativeproceduresandonlinepaymentsatone-stopshopadministrativecentreacrossalllevels.ModelssuchastheFastFridayAppointment-FreeFridayandSundayforthePeoplehavealsobeenintroduced.Asaresult,theprovincehasconsistentlyachievedarateofover98percentforthetimelyandearlyresolutionofadministrativedossiers.AlllegaldocumentsissuedbytheprovincehavebeenpromulgatedinaccordancewithproperproceduresandareconsistentandalignedwiththecentralGovernmentslegalsystem.Furthermore,allinternaladministrativeproceduresbetweenGovernmentagencieshavebeenpubliclyannounced,simplifiedandreviewed,ensuringthatover90percentofadministrativedossiersatreceptionandresultscentresatalllevelsareresolvedpromptly,withmorethan60percentbeingcompletedaheadofschedule.Over95percentofworkdossiersattheprovinciallevel,85percentatthedistrictleveland65percentatthecommunelevelhavebeenprocessedonline.Thepercentageofapplicationsfullyprocessedonlineviatheadministrativeprocedureresolutioninformationsystemexceeds70percent.Morethan60percentofthepopulationusesonlinepublicservices,andover60percentofallpublicservicetransactionsarecompletedthroughtheNationalPublicServicePortal.—VNSAbeachofBình??nhProvince.Over6.68milliontouristsvisitedBình??nhinthefirstsevenmonthsof2024,anincreaseof97.9percentoverthesameperiodlastyear.—VNA/VNSPhotoBìNH??NH—Bình??nhandKoreanAirshouldworktogethertolaunchadirectairroutefromthecentralVietnameseprovincetotheRepublicofKorea(RoK)bytheendofthisyear,anofficialsaidonAugust21.AtaworkingsessionwithaKoreanAirdelegationinHCMCity,ChairmanoftheBình??nhPeoplesCommitteePh?mAnhTu?nrequestedtheprovincialPeoplesCommitteeOffice,theDepartmentofTourism,theDepartmentofExternalAffairs,andrelevantagenciesestablishaworkinggroupandaccomplishproceduresinordertoopentheairroutebytheyearsend.Havingrealisedtheimportanceofpartneringwiththeaviationindustrytodrawtouristsandcontributetotourismdevelopment,Bình??nhhasimplementedmanyactivitiestocallforinvestment,opencharterflights,andorganisemanycultural,sportsandtourismevents.From2020toJuly2024,theprovinceattracted465investmentprojectsinvariousfieldswithregisteredcapitaltotallingoverVN?184.3trillion(nearlyUS$7.4billion),including22tourismprojectscapitalisedwithVN?22.38trillion.Thisresultindicatesthatdomesticandinternationalinvestorshaveveryhighdemandfortravellingto/fromBình??nhbyairtosurveyandexploreinvestmentopportunities,hesaid.Over6.68milliontouristsvisitedBình??nhinthefirstsevenmonthsof2024,anincreaseof97.9percentoverthesameperiodlastyear.TheprovincealsorecordedalmostVN?18.1trillionintourismrevenue,surging68.7percentyearonyear.Tu?nsuggestedthatKoreanAirpromotecooperationwithVietnameseandinternationaltravelagenciestoorganisecharterflightstobringKoreantouriststoBình??nhandviceversainthecomingtime.HealsocalledonthecarriertointroducethelocaltourismtotravelcompaniesintheRoKandpopulariseimagesofBình??nhonitsflightsandmediachannels.AgreeringwithBình??nhsproposal,aleaderofKoreanAircommittedtocollaboratewiththeVietnameseprovincetosoonoperatecharterflightsbytheendofthisyear.KimKyeYong,ChiefRepresentativeofKoreanAirinHCMCity,saidtheairlineislookingforwardtoworkingwiththeprovincetolaunchflightsfromtheRoKtoQuyNh?nCityofBình??nhinthefuture.Ithopestoreceivesupportfromthelocaladministrationandrelevantagenciesinthisregard.Bình??nhishometoPhùCátAirport,about30kmtothenorthwestofQuyNh?nCity.ThisairportisservingtherouteslinkingQuyNh?nwithHCMCityandHàN?ioperatedbyVietnamAirlines,VietjetAir,JetstarPacific,andBambooAirways.In2023,ithandled10,350flightswithover1.9millionpassengers.Therespectivefiguresstoodat2,505andover450,000duringthefirstsevenmonthsof2024.—VNS