Brown Appoints API Superior Court Judges
AviewofHCMCitysskylineatnight.Thecityplanstoconsolidatewardsin80wardsacross10districtsaspartofitsefforttoenhancestatemanagement.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—HCMCityauthoritieshavefinalisedaplantoconsolidate80wardsacrossvariousdistrictswithinthecity,resultinginareductionof39wards.Themergersaimtoenhancestatemanagement,leadingtosignificantcostsavingsrelatedtocivilservantssalaries,allowances,andtheconstructionorupkeepofadministrativefacilities.ThedistrictsaffectedbytheinitiativeincludeDistricts3,4,5,6,8,10,11,BìnhTh?nh,GòV?p,andPhúNhu?n.Theplandetailsscenariosformergerssuchascombiningtwoorthreewardsintoone.Severalnewwardswillalsobeestablishedbyadjustingexistingwardboundaries.TheproposalwillbesubmittedtotheMinistryofHomeAffairsforevaluationbeforebeingsubmittedtotheGovernment,whichwillsubmitittotheNationalAssemblyforfinalapprovalinSeptember.TheDepartmentofHomeAffairsanticipatesaround450redundantofficialsandcivilservantsmaybeimpactedbythemergers.ThereasonbehindthemergersistoalignwithcriteriasetbytheNationalAssemblyregardingthepopulationsizeandareaofawardinadistrict,accordingtothedepartment.Awardmusthaveapopulationofatleast15,000andcoveranareaof5.5squarekilometres,whilecommunesshouldhaveapopulationof5,000andcoveranareaof30squarekilometres,thedepartmentsaid.Authoritieshaveassuredthepublicthateffortswillbemadetominimiseanyadverseeffects.Theyarealsoexpectedtoassistinupdatingadministrativedocumentsforresidentsandsupportingaffectedofficialsandcivilservantsinmergedwardswithsecuringsuitablejobplacementsoraddressingemploymentconcerns.Currently,thecountryslargestcitycomprises16districts,fiveoutlyingdistrictsandTh???cCity,encompassingatotalof312wards,communes,andtownships.Theinitiativetomergewardswithinthedistrictswasapprovedduringthe17thsessionofthePeoplesCouncilmeetingwhichconcludedonWednesday.Thethree-daymeetingdiscussedwaystoachieveagrowthrateof7.5-8percentthisyear,includingacceleratingpublicspending,improvingpublicservices,streamliningadministrativeprocesses,andothers.Particularemphasiswasplacedonexpeditingpublicspending,boostingconsumption,andaddressingbusinesschallengesinthesecondhalfof2024.ThecityaimstodisburseVN?73trillion,or95percentofpublicinvestment,bytheendof2024.Itgrew6.46percentinthefirsthalf,accordingtotheStatisticsOffice.—VNS
AfamilyparticipatesinAEONEkiden2024atAEONLongBiêninHàN?i.—PhotocourtesyofAEONVietnamHàN?I—Buildingonthepasttwoyearssuccess,theAEONEkidencombinedwiththeVietnam-Japanculturalfestival,beganitsthirdseason,promisingtobringexcitingexperiencesforfamiliesandrunningenthusiastgroups.WiththethemeRelayRoad,TogetherHaveFun,thisyearsAEONEkidencontinuestodemonstrateitscommitmenttosustainabledevelopmentthroughuniqueelementssuchasmedalsmadefromrecycledplasticandeco-friendlyhandfans.Morethan3,000enthusiastsranthefirststageoftheAEONEkiden2024race,whichstartedatLongBiêninHàN?ionJune30andwillmovetoAEONBìnhD??ngCanaryonJuly28andAEONTanPhúCeladoninHCMCityonAugust25.AEONVietnamnotonlyservesconsumerswithqualityproductsandservices,bringingpeaceofmindandsafetytodailylifebutalsostrivestomakeeverypaymenttransactionwhencustomersshopatAEONVietnamthroughitssustainabledevelopmentstrategy.Indoingso,AEONVietnamaimstocollaboratewiththecustomerstocreateasustainablefuturethroughenvironmental,socialandeconomicaspects.Aspartofthesocialsustainabilitycommitment,throughtheAEONEkidenrace,AEONVietnamaimstopromoteahappylifestyleandbuildadiverseandinclusivecommunity.CollaboratingwithlocalcommunitieswhereverAEONVietnamispresent,thecompanytirelesslyorganisesactivitiestoenhancementalandphysicalwell-being.DeputyGeneralDirectoroftheOfficeDivision,AEONVietnamTakeuchiTakashispeaksattheevent.—PhotocourtesyofAEONVietnamSince2022,theAEONEKIDENrelayracehasbecomeanannualandiconiceventforlocalcommunity.TheeventwasorganisedacrossthreelocationsinVi?tNamwithnearly4,000participantsrunningtogether,bonding,andcreatingmemorablemomentswiththeirfamiliesandfriends,saidTakeuchiTakashi,DeputyGeneralDirectoroftheAEONVietnamOfficeDivision,attheceremony.AEONEkidenisnotjustaregularrace,butauniquecombinationoftwoelements:sportsandculturalexchange.Itaimstobringparticipantsinterestingandmeaningfulculturalexperiencesthroughtwomainactivities,thethree-centreraceandaVietnam-JapanCulturalFestivalheldinthemorning,alongwiththeAEONCosplayFestivalheldintheafternoon.TheVietnam-JapanCulturalFestivalhasspecialappealforfamilieswithyoungchildrenandanyone,especiallytheyoungergeneration,interestedinlearningmoreaboutthetraditionalandmodernculturesofthetwocountries.ThiseventaimstoenrichthecommunitysexperiencesandstrengthenrelationsbetweenVietnamandJapan.ThewinnersofcosplayperformancecompetitionsaspartoftheAEONCosplayExpo2024.—PhotocourtesyofAEONVietnamAEONCosplayFestivalisaplaygroundthatconnectsyoungpeoplewiththesamepassion,promotingthespiritofpursuingpassionamongtheyouthandunderstandingJapanesecultureintheVietnameseyouthcommunity.Attheevent,participantshadchancestoexperienceVietnameseculturewithVietnamesefolkgameslikeTòHe(clayfigurines)andT?T??ng(claysculpture)andalsotoexploreJapanesefolkculturebroughttoVi?tNamthroughDarumadollsorluckycharms.—VNSForeigntouristsintheHoànKi?mwalkingstreetarea,HàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngHàN?I—Vi?tNamhaswelcomed8.832millionforeigntouristsinthefirstsixmonthsof2024,upby58.4percentyear-on-year,accordingtotheH1reportfromtheGeneralStatisticsOffice.Thenumberalsorepresentsaslightincreaseof4.1percentcomparedtothesameperiodin2019,beforethedisruptionscausedbytheCOVID-19pandemic.Favourablevisapolicies,andstrongeffortsintourismpromotioncampaignsbylocalitiesacrossthecountryhaveattractedaratherhighnumberofinternationalguestscomparedtolastyearsnumber,theGeneralStatisticsOffice.explainedontherise.InJune,1.2millioninternationaltouristsvisited,risingby28.1percentcomparedtolastyears,butlowerthanthegrowthpaceof51percentthatMaysaw.Amongthe8.832millionvisitorssofarthisyear,arrivalsbyairaccountfor83.8percent(7.4million),14.3percentbyroad(1.3million)and1.9percentbysea(164,900).Vi?tNamreceived6.944milliontouristsfromAsiancountries,markinga65.7percentincreaseyear-on-year.Europecontributedover1million,showinga52.4percentincrease.TheAmericasaccountedfor536,800tourists,ariseof13.4percent.FromOceania,therewere266,600tourists,upby31.8percent.WhileAfricasaw25,300tourists,thehighestincreaseat104.4percent.SouthKoreacontinuestoleadinnumberofvisitorstoVi?tNamwith2.28million,followedbyChinawith1.89million.Theothermarketsinthetop10includeTaiwan(China),theUnitedStates,Japan,Malaysia,Australia,India,CambodiaandThailand.Thetourismsectorhassetoutthetargetofreceiving17-18millionforeigntouriststhisyear,muchhigherthanthetargetof12.6millionin2023.ThepeakofinternationaltourismforVi?tNamstartsfromaroundSeptembertonextyearsMarch-April.DatafromtheGeneralStatisticsOfficealsoshowsthatserviceexportturnoverisestimatedtoreachUS$11.25billion,anincreaseof20percentcomparedtothesameperiodin2023.Ofthis,tourismservicesaccountedfor$6billion(53.1percentofthetotal),anincreaseof40.1percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Serviceimportturnoverforthefirstsixmonthsof2024reaches$16.11billion,upby22percentyear-on-year.Ofthis,transportationservicesaccountedfor$6.9billion(42.7percentofthetotal),anincreaseof18.6percent;andtourismservicesaccountedfor$4.9billion(30.4percentofthetotal),anincreaseof52.9percent.Inthefirsthalfoftheyear,2.6millionVietnamesehavegoneabroad,upby11.4percentyear-on-year.SomelocalitiesthathavepostedgoodtourismresultsincludethecapitalcityofHàN?iwith14milliontouristssofarintheyear,withinternationalarrivalsupby5.2.6percent;thecentralprovinceofThanhHoáwith9.8millionvisitors;thecoastalprovinceofKhánhHoàwith5.2millionstayingvisitors,upby88percentcomparedtolastyear.TheVi?tNamNationalAdministrationofTourism(undertheMinistryofCulture,SportsandTourism)hasbeenactivelypromotingandadvertisingtocontinueattractinginternationaltourists.FromJune24toJuly2,theadministrationhasheldeventsinParis(France),Milan(Italy),andFrankfurt(Germany)topromoteVi?tNamstourism.EuropeisakeymarketforVietnamesetourism,withtouristsoftenchoosinglongvacationsandhighspending.Additionally,fromJune29toJuly3,theministryisalsoholdingtheVi?tNamTourismandCulturePromotionFestivalinSouthKorea2024.ThefestivalintroducedthecountrysimageandpeopleandpromotedVi?tNamstourismbrand,destinations,services,andtourismpotentialtotheKoreanpublicthroughculturalandtourismactivities.TheadministrationreportedthatSouthKoreahasalwaysbeenatoptargetmarketforVietnamesetourism.ThenumberofSouthKoreantouriststoVi?tNamincreasedfivefoldfrom2014to2019,withanaverageannualgrowthrateof38percent.In2023,SouthKoreawasthelargestsourcemarketfortouriststoVi?tNam,with3.6millionvisitors.Vi?tNamwasalsotheleadingsourcemarketfortouriststoSouthKoreainSoutheastAsia,withabout420,000Vietnamesevisitors.—VNS
Residentscasuallycrosstherailwaytoshopatthemakeshiftmarketnexttothetracks.Photokinthtedothi.vnHàN?I-Despitetheeffortsoftheauthorities,theviolationofrailwaysafetycorridorscontinuestooccurdailyinHàN?i,especiallyindenselypopulatedareas.AccordingtotheMinistryofTransport,from2019to2023,therewerestillover3,000unauthorisedrailwaycrossingsnation-wide,primarilyinurbanareaswithhightraintraffic.Despiteworktostopdangerousrailtrackcrossingsandclose-to-the-trackbuilds,overthepastfiveyears,only777outof4,093(lessthan20percent)prohibitedcrossingsindenselypopulatedareashavebeeneliminated.Commonviolationsincludetheconstructionofshacks,businessesoperatingnearrailwaytracks,illegalcrossingsandignoringwarningsigns.Theseactivitiesarewidespread,posingsignificantrisksofaccidents.Residentscrossingrailwayareaswithoutbarriersfacesignificantrisks.Photokinhtedothi.vnNotably,inHàN?i,alongtherailwayroutesthroughB?cT?Liêm,ThanhTrì,andTh??ngTíndistricts,violationsofrailwaysafetycorridorsareprevalent.Forexample,atalleyNo.119inC?Nhu?StreetofB?cT?LiêmDistrict,anunofficialmarkethaslongbeenestablishedparalleltotherailway.Residentscasuallycrosstherailstoshopatthemarketadjacenttothetracksandthismarketcausestrafficcongestionandposesseriousriskstorailwaysafety.Therailwaycorridorisalsousedfordryingclothes,despiteprohibitorysigns,creatinganuntidyandhazardousenvironment.??Ph??ngTh?o,aresidentinthearea,toldkinhtedothi.vn:Themarkethereposesariskofaccidents.Ifatraincomesandpeopledontmoveintime,theconsequencescouldbedire.Inthesamearea,therailwaysectionpassingthroughAlleyNo.104inC?Nhu?Streetlacksbarriersseparatingtheroadfromtherailway,leadingresidentstocrossthetracksrecklessly.LieutenantD??ngThanhKhánh,atrafficpoliceman,said:Thewardpolicefrequentlyaddresstheseviolations,preventingstallswithintherailwaysafetycorridor.WehaveproposedthatthedistrictauthoritiesandHàTháiRailwayCompanyerectprotectivefencesalongthecorridor.Meanwhile,westrivetomaintainorderandsafety,butitischallengingtomonitorconstantly.AlongNg?cH?iStreet,seld-madepathsacrosstheraillineappearcontinuouslyandbusinessisconductedrightnexttothetracks.Photokinhtedothi.vnUnauthorisedcrossingscuttingthroughrailwaytracksareaprimarycauseofmanytrafficaccidents.AlongNg?cH?iStreet,fromsectionatT?K?PagodainHoàngLi?tWard,HoàngMaiDistricttoV?n?i?nTown,ThanhTrìDistrict,numerousunauthorisedcrossingsareseeneveryfewmetres.Thesecrossingslackproperbarriersandwarningsignsandresidentscrossthetrackscarelessly.Shopsareopenedclosetotherailwaytracks.Nguy?nTh?Trí,aresidentlivinginV?n?i?nTownsaid:Residentsarequitenegligentwhencrossingthetracks.Onlyoneortwocrossingsshouldbeopenforresidents,asmanyunauthorisedonesaredangerous.Evenasatrainapproachespeople,includingtheelderlyandchildren,stillcalmlycrossthetrainline.Itisverycommonandisaterrifyingsight.Mostofthesecrossingsarecreatedillegallybyresidentswithmakeshiftconcreteslabs.Overtime,theseshortcutsbecomepermanentpaths,convenientbutrisky.Nguy?nTh?H??ng,chairwomanofthePeoplesCommitteeofV?n?i?nTown,said:Wehavereviewedandinstalledwarningsignstoalertresidentswhencrossingthetracks.Atcertainaccident-pronespots,thetownmobilisesgroupstomonitorduringpeakhours.However,manpowerisstilllimited.Thelocalauthoritieshaveclosednineoutoffifty-nineunauthorisedcrossingswithoutaffectingtheadjacenthouseholdstraffic.H??ngemphasisedthattoresolverailwayaccidentsdefinitively,allunauthorisedcrossingsmustbeclosed.Forthistohappen,aprojecttoconstructparallelroadsforresidentsmustbeinitiated.Thelocalauthoritiesarereviewinglandalongtherailwaysafetycorridortoproposethisprojecttothehigherauthorities.Violationsofrailwaysafetycorridorsprimarilystemfromalackofawarenessamongsomeresidentswhofailtorecognisethesevereconsequencesoftheiractions,saidthechairwoman.Moreover,localauthoritiesneedtotightenmanagement,collaboratewiththerailwaysectorandenforcetheremovalofviolationstopreventre-encroachment.Atparticularlytroublesomespots,constructingparallelroadsforresidentsisessentialtoensuresafeandconvenienttravel,sheadded.VNSSocialhousingforworkersandlow-incomeearnersin??nhHoàCommune,Th?D?uM?tCityinBìnhD??ngProvince.VNA/VNSPhotoChíT??ngBìNHD??NG—BìnhD??ngislookingforcreditofatleastVN?65trillion(US$2.55billion)todevelopapproximately160,300socialhousingunitsforworkersandlow-incomeearnersfromnowuntil2030.Thisplanaimstomeetthehousingneedsofabout552,458people,farexceedingthetargetsetbytheGovernment.Thatwasfor86,877socialhousingunitsduringthe2021-2030period.However,undertheapprovedSocialHousingandWorkerHousingDevelopmentProjectforthe2021-2025period,withavisiontowards2030,theprovincehasraisedthisandisplanningtobuildatotalof160,325units.ThisprojectfollowedthePrimeMinistersapprovalofaplantobuildatleastamillionsocialhousingapartmentsforlow-incomeearnersandindustrialparkworkersby2030.Undertheplan,BìnhD??ngwillinvestin155,289apartmentsand5,036houses,withabout32,065unitsdesignatedforrental.Thetotallandareaforsocialhousingdevelopmentisabout470.4hectares,withanestimatedconstructionfloorareaof9,253,924squaremetres.ThetotalinvestmentforthisprojectisestimatedatVN?84.75trillion($3.32billion),surpassingtheGovernmentstarget.OverfouryearsBìnhD??ngwillallocateabout136.1hectaresoflandandinvestincompletingapproximately42,440socialhousingunits,meetingtheneedsofabout138,326people,withatotalinvestmentofaboutVN?23.81trillion($935million).Inthe2026-2030period,theprovincewillallocateabout334.3hectaresoflandandinvestincompletingapproximately117,880socialhousingunits,meetingtheneedsofabout414,132people,withatotalinvestmentofaboutVN?60.93trillion($2.39billion).TherapiddevelopmentofindustrialzoneshasattractedalargenumberofresidentstoBìnhD??ngforlivingandworking,increasingthedemandforhousing;however,owningahomeremainsbeyondmanylocalincomes.V?HoàngNgan,DirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofConstruction,statedthatdevelopingsocialhousingandworkerhousingisanimportantpartofBìnhD??ngssocio-economicdevelopmentpolicy.Thisaimstofacilitateaccesstoaffordablehousingforworkers,labourersandvulnerablegroups,aligningwiththeirabilitytopayandthereforeattractingahigh-qualityworkforce.Theprojectalsoencouragesvariouseconomicsectorstoinvestinthedevelopmentofsocialhousingandintroducessupportivehousingpoliciesforlow-incomeurbanresidentsandindustrialparkworkers,hesaid.DuringtheinspectionoftheprogressofsocialhousingconstructionattheChánhM?EcologicalUrbanAreaprojectinChánhM?Ward,Th?D?uM?tCity,Nguy?nV?nL?i,SecretaryoftheBìnhD??ngProvincialPartyCommittee,requestedlabourunionsreviewworkersneedsforsocialhousing.Healsourgedrelevantdepartmentsandinvestorstoresolveanydifficultiesandobstaclestoensuretheprojectsearlycompletionandeffectiveoperation.L?iacknowledgedthechallengesfacedbyinvestorsduringtheprojectsimplementationandappreciatedtheprogressmade.Henotedthattheprojecthaslargelycompletedthenecessarylegalproceduresandemphasisedtheneedtofocusonpoliciesforcompensation,resettlementandensuringtherightsofresidentsintheclearedareas.TheChánhM?EcologicalUrbanAreaprojectallocatesmorethan27hectaresforsocialhousing,includingsix12-storyapartmenttowerswith978apartmentsrangingfrom38.5squaremetresto63.5squaremetres.Whilethesocialhousingisunderconstruction,around1,200applicationshavebeenregisteredbythoseinterestedinpurchasinganapartment.Phase1oftheproject,withthehandoverofthreetowerswith456apartments,isforecasttobecompletedinthethirdquarterof2025.—VNSPeopleofJraiethnicminoritygroupintheCentralHighlandsprovinceofGiaLai.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ng?i?pHàN?I—Asocio-economiccensusamong53ethnicminoritiesinVi?tNamwillbecarriedoutbytheGeneralStatisticsOffice(GSO)andtheCommitteeforEthnicMinorityAffairs(CEMA)startingMonday.GSOdeputydirectorgeneralNguy?nTrungTi?nsaidthatthecensusholdsgreatsignificanceindefiningthenationalstatisticalindicatorsystems,whichwillserveasthefoundationforsocio-economicdevelopmentpoliciesforethnicminorityareasinthe2026-2030period.TheGSOandCEMAconductedtwosimilarcensusesin2015and2019.SurveyswillbecarriedoutfromJuly1toAugust15thisyearin54citiesandprovincesacrossthecountry.Enumeratorswillgodoortodoor,directlycollectingdataondemographics;education;migration;marriage;healthinsurance;employment;pregnancyhistoryanduseofcontraceptionamongthefemalepopulationaged10to49;aswellasinformationonthedeceased;housingandlivingconditions;residentialandproductionland;maintypesoflivestock;andaccesstopublicservices.Thecensuswillalsotakeintoaccountcommune-levelPeoplesCommitteesthroughinformationonthecommunesspecificfeatures;useofelectricity,roadsandtraffic;schoolsandteacherqualifications;commonculturalhouses;healthandsanitation;marketsandindustrialzones;qualificationsofcommune-levelpublicofficialsandemployees;religionsandbeliefs;aswellasmobileandinternetcoverage.Thecriteriaforsamplesizeshavealsochanged,witheligiblelocalitiesdefinedaswhereethnicminoritiesaccountforatleast15percentofthetotalpopulation,insteadof30percentinthepreviousroundsofthecensus.GSOdeputydirectorgeneralTi?nsaidthatamajorityoftheselocationsareinremoteareaswithdispersedpopulations,makingitchallengingfordatacollection.Withthedirectsurveysconductedin45days,localstatisticofficeshaveworkedoncarefulpersonnelselectionandtraining,prioritisingthosewithahighsenseofresponsibility,goodexpertiseanddigitalliteracy(forcomputer-assistedpersonalinterviewing,orCAPI).Theymustalsohaveagoodunderstandingofethnicminorityculturesandtheareastheyareassigned.Significanteffortsarealsogiventocommunicationtowardsethnicminoritygroupssothattheyunderstandthepurposeandmeaningofthecensusandprovideaccurate,completeandupdatedinformationtoenumerators.Thesurveyresultswillbepromptlyprocessedtoensurecredibilityandaccuracy,servingasimportantinsightsforthePartyandthestatetopromulgatesuitablepoliciesforrapidandsustainablesocio-economicdevelopmentpoliciesforethnicminorityareasforthe2026-2030period,leavingnoonebehind,saidTi?n.—VNS
PeopleinB?cGiangProvinceuseIDcardsforhealthinsurancecheck-ups.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?IForthefirsttime,VietnamesechildrenundertheageofsixcanbeissuedIDcardsuponrequestastheLawonIdentificationcomesintoeffectonJuly1,2024.Thelegalrepresentativeofthechildmustcompletetheprocedurethroughthepublicserviceportalornationalidentificationapplication.Authoritiesdonotcollectidentificationandbiometricinformationforpeopleundersixyearsold.ThelawhaschangedthecitizensIDcardandremovedinformationonhometown,placeofpermanentresidence,fingerprintsandidentifyingcharacteristicsreplacingthemwiththecitizensplaceofbirthregistrationandplaceofresidence.Vietnamesecitizensunder14yearsoldcanbeissuedIDcardsuponpersonalrequest.IfthecurrentresidenceinformationofVietnamesecitizenswhoarenoteligibletoregisterforpermanentortemporaryresidenceisupdatedintheNationalPopulationDatabase,theywillalsobeissuedIDcards.FromJuly1,authoritieswillissueidentitycertificatestopeopleofVietnameseoriginwhosenationalityisunknown.ThisisanidentificationdocumentcontaininginformationabouttheidentityofpeopleofVietnameseoriginwhosenationalityisunknownandwhohavebeenlivinginVi?tNamfor6monthsormore.ThecertificatesproveidentitytocarryouttransactionsandexercisetheownerslegalrightsandinterestsintheterritoryofVi?tNam.ThenewIDlawhasintegratedhealthinsurancecards,socialinsurancebooks,driverslicences,birthcertificatesandmarriagecertificatesintotheIDcard.Accordingtothenewlaw,eachVietnamesecitizenisissuedanelectronicIDcard,whichwillbecreatedbytheMinistryofPublicSecuritysidentificationmanagementagencyimmediatelyaftercitizenscompletetheproceduresforalevel2electronicIDaccountontheVNeIDapp.OtherlawstakingeffectfromJuly1NineotherlawswillalsocomeintoforceonJuly2024:theLawonForcesParticipatingintheProtectionofSecurityandOrderattheGrassrootsLevel,theLawonCreditInstitutions,theElectronicTransactionLaw,theTelecommunicationsLaw,thePriceLaw2023,theLawonConsumerRightsProtection,theCivilDefenceLaw,theCooperativeLaw,andtheWaterResourcesLaw.TheLawonForcesparticipatingintheProtectionofSecurityandOrderattheGrassrootsLevelstipulatesthattheforcesarearrangedinvillagesandresidentialgroupsandactasthecoresupportingthecommune-levelpolicetohelpthePeoplesCommitteeatthesamelevelinprotectingsecurityandorderandbuildingthenationalsafeguardingmovement.ThehighlightofthenewLawonCreditInstitutionsistoprohibitthesaleofoptionalinsuranceaccompanyingloans.Thelawprohibitscreditinstitutions,foreignbankbranches,managers,executives,andemployeesofcreditinstitutionsandforeignbankbranchesfromsellingoptionalinsuranceproductsalongwiththeprovisionofbankingproductsandservicesinanyform.TheLawonElectronicTransactionssupplementsregulationsandprohibitedactsinelectronictransactionsincludingtakingadvantageofelectronictransactionstoinfringeuponnationalinterests,nationalsecurity,order,socialsafety,publicinterests,legitimaterightsandinterestsofagencies,organisationsandindividuals.ItemsthatdonotapplythePriceLawinclude:land,housing,electricityandelectricityservices,medicalexaminationandtreatmentservices,tuition,servicefeesandpriceseducation-trainingandvocationaleducation.AccordingtotheLawonConsumerProtectionofConsumerRights,multi-levelmarketingorganisationsandindividualsarestrictlyprohibitedfromactssuchasrequiringotherstodeposit,payasumofmoneyorbuyacertainquantityofgoodstoparticipateinmulti-levelmarketing.Theyarealsobannedfromprovidingfalseandmisleadinginformationtoconsumersandindividualsparticipatinginmulti-levelmarketing.VNSCountingtheshipmentofdrugshiddenintoothpastetubesseizedfromtheluggageoffourflightattendantsinTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportinHCMCityinMarch2023.VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—Legalproceedingsareunderwayagainst961suspectsaccusedofproducing,trafficking,storingandusingdrugsfollowingayear-longinvestigationintothecaseofflightattendantsillegallytransportingdrugsfromFrancetoTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirport.ThepoliceannouncedthattheyhavesuccessfullybrokenuphundredsofdrugtraffickingringsinHCMCity,BìnhD??ngProvinceand??ngNaiProvince.Thepolicealsoseizedmorethan319kilogrammesofvarioussyntheticdrugs,12firearms,67bullets,threegrenadesandnumerousrelatedexhibitsduringtheinvestigation.Theinitialinvestigationsresultsalsorevealedthatpriortotheirarrest,thesuspectshadillegallytradedhundredsofkilogrammesofdrugs,amountingtotransactionsvaluedatoverVN?28trillion(US$1.09billion).ThecasebeganonMarch16lastyearwhenTanS?nNh?tcustomsdetectedsuspiciousitemsintheluggageoffourfemaleflightattendantsreturningfromFrance.CustomsofficersnotifiedtheDrugCrimeInvestigationPoliceDepartment(C04)undertheMinistryofPublicSecurityandtheDrugCrimeInvestigationOffice(PC04)undertheHCMCitysPoliceDepartment,wholaunchedaunitedandcoordinatedinspection,leadingtothewideroperationbeingrevealed.Subsequentexaminationrevealedthatofthe327toothpastetubesintheattendantsluggage,almosthalf,157tubes,containedover11.2kilogrammesofsyntheticdrugs.Throughouttheinvestigation,authoritiessaidthattheairlinestaffinsistedthattheywereunawarethatthegoodstheytransportedfromFrancetoVi?tNamcontaineddrugs.—VNS
TheNApassestherevisedSocialInsuranceLawonSaturday.—VNA/VNSPhotoAnV?n??ngHàN?I—TheNationalAssembly(NA)passedtherevisedSocialInsuranceLawonSaturday,whichwilltakeeffectonJuly1,2025.Therevisedlawpassedwith454outof465deputiesinfavour,representing93.42percentoftheNA.Earlier,aspecificprovisionofthelawregardingone-timewithdrawalsofsocialsecuritybenefitsalsoreceived93.83percentoftheNAsapproval.Undertheprovision,individualswhoceaseparticipationinsocialsecuritycanonlybeentitledtoone-timesocialsecuritypaymentiftheyfallintooneofthefollowingcategories:Theyhavereachedtheageofretirementbuthavenotyetpaid15yearsofsocialsecuritycontributions;theygoabroadtosettlepermanently;theysufferfromoneofthefollowingdiseases:cancer,paralysis,severecirrhosis,severetuberculosisandAIDS;theyhaveaworkcapacityreductionof81percentorhigher;ortheyareclassifiedasseverelydisabled.Nguy?nThúyAnh,ChairmanoftheNAsSocialAffairsCommittee,saidtheprovisionaimstoapproachinternationalstandardsandadapttoVi?tNamsrapidlyagingpopulation.Therevisedlawwillonlyenableone-timesocialsecuritypaymentundercertaincircumstances,increasingthenumberofpeoplewhoremaininthesocialsecuritysystemforlong-termbenefits,saidAnh.TheNAsStandingCommitteeencouragedworkersnottooptforone-timesocialsecuritypaymentbutratherstayinthesystemforlong-termbenefits.ThecommitteealsourgedtheGovernmenttolaunchcommunicationcampaignstokeepthemwell-informedabouttheadvantagesofmonthlypaymentsoverone-timepayments.—VNS
WorkerspullaunderseaopticalcableashoreinQuyNh?nCity.—Photobaotintuc.vnHàN?I–Vi?tNamplanstobuildatleast10newunderseacableroutesby2030,increasingthetotalnumberto15withaminimumcapacityof350Tbps.Accordingtothedevelopmentstrategyforthenationsinternationalfiberopticcablesystemto2030withavisionuntil2035,issuedbytheMinistryofInformationandCommunications,atleasttwoofthesenewcableswillbeownedbyVi?tNamandwillconnectdirectlytoregionaldigitalhubs.By2027,thecountryaimstolaunchfournewroutes,boostingthetotalcapacitytoatleast134Tbps.ItwillcontinuetoensurethatSingapore,HongKong(China),andJapanremaintheprimarydigitalhubsforconnections.Between2028and2030,sixmorerouteswillbeadded.Thisphasewillaimtomaintainupto90percentoftheunderseacablecapacitylinkedtofourmajordigitalhubsinAsia,witha10percentcapacityreservedforbackupconnectionstosignificantdigitalhubsintheAmericasandEurope.TheinternationalfiberopticcablesystemisacrucialpartofVi?tNamsdigitalinfrastructure,requiringbiginvestmentstoensureultra-highcapacity,widebandwidth,safety,andsustainability.Thisinfrastructurewillprovidethenecessaryspaceforseveralurbancentrestobecomeregionaldatahubs.Lookingtowards2035,thestrategyoutlinesthatthesystemwillbeamongthoseleadingtheregionintermsofquantity,capacity,andquality.Thisdevelopmentwillattractmajorcloudserviceprovidersandfacilitatetheestablishmentoflargedatacentres.—VNSThesiteoftheincidentattheCityLightBuildinginV?nhYênCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngHùngV?NHPHúC—Ablastoccurredatathree-storeyhouseinV?nhPhúcProvinceonTuesdaymorning,injuringsevenpeopleinwhatasuspectedgasexplosion.ThesiteoftheincidentwasashophouseonthefirstflooroftheCityLightBuildingonNguy?nT?tThànhStreetinV?nhYênCity,andhasbeenunderrenovationtobeopenasaKorean-styleBBQrestaurant.Atthetimeoftheincident,fourconstructionworkerswereinside,alongwithoneguardandtwoSouthKoreannationals.AlloftheinjuredhavebeentakentoV?nhPhúcProvincialGeneralHospitalfortreatment.Thereareseveralgascylindersonthescene,whilenumerouspiecesofdebrisandfurniturearescatteredinthesurroundingareaaftertheloudblast.Theexplosionalsoshatteredandfracturedtheglassdoorsandwindowsoftheadjacentstoresonthesamefloorofthebuilding.Therewasaloudblastbutthecauseoftheincidenthasnotyetbeendetermined,asgascylindersareunlikelytocreatesuchanexplosion,Nguy?nVi?tPh??ng,chairmanofV?nhYênCityPeoplesCommitteetoldVTCNews.Authoritieshavearrivedatthesceneandinvestigationsareongoing.—VNS
DeputyForeignMinisterLêTh?ThuH?ng.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–TheongoingVi?tNamSummerCamp2024willenableyoungoverseasVietnamese(OVs)towitnessthecountrysmodernanddynamicdevelopment,helpingdeepentheirunderstandingofthenation,andencouragingthemtocontributetoitsfuturedevelopment,accordingtoDeputyForeignMinisterLêTh?ThuH?ng.InaninterviewgrantedtotheVietnamNewsAgency,H?ng,whoisalsoChairwomanoftheStateCommitteeforOverseasVietnameseAffairs,saidthatnearly120youngOVsarescheduledtojoinactivitieshonouringtheirancestors,commemoratingheroesandmartyrs,andvisitingHeroicMothers.Throughtripstofamouslandscapes,historicalandculturalrelicsitesacrossthethreeregions,theywillembarkonacolourfulandmeaningfulculturalandhistoricaljourneywhichallowsthemtoexploreandgainadeeperunderstandingofVietnamshomeland,itspeople,culture,andhistory.ThecampisalsoanopportunitytostrengthensolidarityamongyoungOVsandbetweenthemwiththoseathome,H?ngstated,addingthatitwillhelppromoteandintroduceVi?tNamssocio-economicachievements,aswellasitsuniqueculturalvaluestotheworld.Accordingtotheofficial,thethemeoftheVietnamSummerCamp2024is??tn??ctr?nni?mvui(NationFullofJoy)tocelebratethe70thanniversaryofthe?i?nBiênPh?Victory(May7),HàN?is70thLiberationDay(October10),andtowardsthe50thanniversaryoftheliberationoftheSouthandnationalreunification(April30,1975-2025).Withthissignificance,thejourneywillcommencefromHanoiandconcludeinH?ChíMinhCity.Forthefirsttime,theopeningceremonywillbeheldatthefootoftheHàN?iFlagpoleattheMilitaryHistoryMuseumonJuly16evening,asthislocationholdsagreathistoricalvalue,symbolisingthestrongwillforindependenceandself-relianceoftheVietnamesepeople,shesaid.Notably,theparticipantswillhavechancestovisitseveralculturalandscientificestablishmentssetupbyOVs,includingtheCecileLePhamFineArtsMuseuminthecentralprovinceofTh?aThiên-Hu?,andtheInterdisciplinaryCentreforScientificResearchandEducation(ICISE)inthecentralprovinceofBình??nh.Thedeputyforeignministerexpressedherhopethataftervisitingthesetwoestablishments,theyoungOVswillbeinspiredtohavepassionforscientificresearchandcreativity,aswellasarouseinthemawarenessanddesiretocontributetothedevelopmentofVi?tNam.H?ngsaidshehopestheywillbringtheseemotionsandmemoriesbackhome,spreadandsharethemwiththeirfriendsandrelatives,thuscontributingtobuildingtheimageofabeautifulVi?tNam,richintraditionandfullofpotential.TheVi?tNamSummerCamp2024,whichgathersnearly120youngoverseasVietnamesefrom29countriesandterritories,istakingplacefromJuly14-29in12provincesandcitiesthroughoutthecountry,includingHàN?i,PhúTh?,Ngh?An,HàT?nh,Qu?ngBình,Qu?ngTr?andTh?aThiên-Huê.Firstheldin2004,thecamp,anannualprogrammeorganisedbytheStateCommitteeforOverseasVietnameseAffairsincoordinationwithrelevantagencies,hasbroughtthousandsofoutstandingyoungOVsfrom16-24yearsoldtovisittheirmotherland.VNSDiseasecontrolrepresentativesexplainhowtheyaretacklingthemeaslesoutbreakintheprovince.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?nS?KIêNGIANG—ThemeaslesepidemicisessentiallyundercontrolinKiênGiangProvince,saidTr?nTh?Vinh,DirectoroftheprovincialCentreforDiseaseControl(CDC).SpeakinginapressconferenceonMondayafternoon,hesaidthattheprovincebeganrecordingmeaslescasesfromthebeginningofApril.Uptonow,ithasseen127casesinsixdistrictsandcities.Amongthem,PhúQu?cCityleadsthelistwith111cases.NocaseshaverequiredmechanicalventilationanduptonowfourcasesarebeingtreatedinthePaediatricsWardattheKiênGiangChildrensHospital.Withtherapidspread,theriskofameaslesoutbreakisstillrelativelyhigh,soitisnecessarytomonitordevelopmentsclosely,saidVinh.HesaidthatassoonasthefirstcaseswerediscoveredinPhúQu?cCity,theCDCimplementedpreventionandcontrolmeasuressuchasreviewingclosecontacts,makingadailywatchlist,andgivinginstructionsonpreventingandcontrollinginfectionatschoolandinthecommunity.TheHCMPasteurInstitutehashadmanymonitoringsessionswiththeCDCandtheprovincialDepartmentofHealthtohandleanymeaslesepidemicinPhúQu?cCity.AninvestigationconductedbytheCDCshowsthatpopulationfluctuationhasoccurredinPhúQu?cinthepastthreemonths,affectingmeaslesvaccination.Inaddition,duetotheCOVID-19pandemicandtheinterruptionofvaccinesupplyintheExpandedImmunisationProgramme,about30percentofthesickchildrenareunvaccinatedorvaccinatednotenoughdoses.Fromthebeginningofthisyearuntilnow,theCDChasreceivedmorethan24,000dosesofmeaslesvaccine.Itallocatedlocalitiestocarryoutregularvaccinationsandmake-upvaccinationsforchildrenwithmissingdoses.Toeffectivelypreventandcontrolmeasles,theCDCwillreviewthevaccinationlistofchildrenfromagedonetotentoprepareforboostervaccinationsaccordingtoschedule.Itwillprepareadditionalvaccinationcampaignswhenvaccinesupplyisapproved.Healthunitspromotecommunicationondiseasepreventionandcontrol,whichfocusesonraisingpeoplesawarenessaboutthebenefitsandimportanceofvaccinationasrecommendedbythehealthsector.Measles-relatedcaseswillbequarantinedathometopreventandlimittheriskofinfectiontothecommunity.Vaccinationisthemosteffectivesolutioninpreventingandcontrollingmeasles.Therefore,theprovinceispreparingtobidfor6,000dosesforchildren,saidVinh.AccordingtotheGeneralDepartmentofPreventiveMedicineundertheMinistryofHealth,themostrecentassessmentabouttheriskofmeaslesin63provincesandcitiesacrossthecountryrecordedthatsevenlocalitiesareatveryhighriskincludingHàT?nh,HCMCity,??ngNai,LongAn,SócTr?ng,BìnhPh??candKiênGiang.—VNS
ApracticesessionofelectricalstudentsatVi?t??cNgh?AnCollege.VNA/VNSPhotoBíchHu?HàN?IThepercentageofyoungpeopleinVi?tNamundergoingvocationaltrainingmakesuplittlemorethan20percentoftheentireyouthpopulation,accordingtotheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsThenumberssuggestthereisanurgentneedtoenhanceyounglabourskillsandquality,giventhecontextofthefourthindustrialrevolutionandcurrentintegration,VietnamNewsAgencyreported.Theproductionandworkforcestructuresofthelabourmarketofthefuturehaveundergonemodificationsduetothefourthindustrialrevolution.Theeconomyhasundergonearapidtransitionfromonecentredonresourcesandcheaplabour,toonethatiscentredoninformation,withlabourbeingreplacedbymachines,robotsandartificialintelligence.Numerousconcernsregardingvocationaleducationhavebeenhighlighted,sinceitisthissectorwhichhasthestrongestandmostdirecttiestothelabourmarket.Vocationaleducation,incontrasttouniversityeducation,attemptstoteachhumanresourcesfromthegroundupsotheymayworkimmediatelyanddirectlyforaspecificpositioninthelabourmarket.Therearecurrently1,886vocationaleducationfacilitiesinVi?tNam,comprising429intermediateschools,399collegesand1,058vocationaleducationcentres.Over2.2millionenrolledinvocationaleducationin2023,comprising530,000collegeandintermediatelevelstudents,over1.7millionelementaryschoolstudents,alongwithavarietyofothervocationaltrainingprogrammes.Thesystemofvocationaleducationhasbeenexperiencingsignificantandtimelyinnovationinlinewiththeglobaltrendofvocationaleducationdevelopment.TheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairshasbeenactivelyinvolvedintheinnovationandimprovementofthequalityofvocationaleducation,fortifyingtieswithbusinesses,thelabourmarketandsocialsecurity,inordertoimprovevocationalskillsforworkersinthecontextofthefourthindustrialrevolution.Theindustryprioritisesnewsectorsandoccupationswhilefocusingonbreakthroughsinenhancingthequalityofhumanresources,particularlyhigh-qualityhumanresources,andimportantandspearheadindustriestomeetlabormarketdemands.Besidesopportunities,vocationaleducationisalsofacingmanynewchallengesintermsofmanagement,schooladministration,programmes,textbooks,facilities,teachercapacityaswellasnewskillsandtheemergenceofnewoccupations.Thatrequiresworkerstobetrainedpromptlytoappropriatelymeetdevelopmentneeds.AccordingtotheGeneralStatisticsOffice,asofthefirsthalfof2024,Vi?tNamslabourforce(aged15andabove)was52.5millionpeople.Amongthem,51.4millionpeopleareemployed,anincreaseof195,700peoplecomparedtothepreviousyear.Approximately28percentofworkerspossesscertificationsforcompetenttraining.Ingeneral,thenumberofemployedworkerstendstoincrease,butthelabourmarketdevelopmentremainsunsustainablewhenthenumberofworkerswithinformaljobsaccountsforalargeproportion.Accordingtotheoffice,theunemploymentrateforyoungpeople(thosebetweentheagesof15and24)hasincreasedto8percent,or0.49percentagepoints.Theyoungunemploymentrateisalwayshighandmorethanthreetimesgreaterthantheworking-agepopulationsrateduetotheyouthshigherdemandforjobs.Youngpeopleareoftenequippedwithgoodknowledgeandhighqualifications,sotheyhavemoreopportunitiestochoosetherightjobastheywantratherthanworkingintemporary,low-incomejobs.Therateofworkersnotusingtheirfullpotentialwas4.3percent,down0.1percentagepoints.ExpandingvocationaleducationNumerousexpertsbelievethatvocationaleducationneedsstronginnovation,tonotonlytrainworkers,butalsomeettherequirementsofintegrationandcompetition.TheGeneralDepartmentofVocationalEducationhasproposeddiversifyingtheformsofvocationaleducationandexpandingittothesecondarylevel.Aftercompletingsecondaryschool,studentsareencouragedbytheGovernmenttoenrollinvocationaleducation.Careerorientationhasreceivedattentionfromnumeroussecondaryschoolswhenstudentsarereadytograduatefromtheninthgradeandbeforetheyselectahighschool.Newmajorsandtuitiondiscountsareofferedbycollegesandvocationaltrainingprogrammestoenticestudents.TheGeneralDepartmentofVocationalEducationalsofocusesonimprovingtrainingqualityofvocationalschools,someofwhichhavepartneredwithcompaniestoplacegraduatesintopositions.??ngTrungChính,principalofHàN?iCollegeofIndustrialEconomics,saidallmajorsofferedbytheschoolaredependentonenrollmentrequirements.Additionally,theinstitutionhaspartneredwithseveralcompaniestoacceptgraduates.Becauseonlybusinessescanhavethemostcorrectorientationregardingtechnology,short-termandlong-termrequirementsfortheworkforce,itisnecessarytobuildindustryskillscouncilswiththeparticipationofbusinessestoplanmacropolicies,forecastlabourandemployment,determineindustrystandards.VNSProf.Nguy?n??ngPhong,chairmanoftheUniversityofEconomicsHCMCitycouncil,deliverstheopeningspeechattheResiliencebyTechnologyandDesign2024internationalscientificconferenceheldinHCMCityonJuly15.—VNSPhotoThuH?ngHCMCITY—LocalandinternationalscholarsandexpertsintechnologyanddesignarediscussingtechnologyanddesignsolutionstoenhanceresilienceincommunitiesattheResiliencebyTechnologyandDesign2024internationalscientificconferencethatopenedinHCMCityonMonday.ThesecondbiennialeventisbeingorganisedbytheUniversityofEconomicsHCMCity(UEH)incoordinationwithuniversitiesinItaly,Australia,theRepublicofKorea,Taiwan(China),Singapore,andJapan.Thefour-dayconference,whichhasthethemeFosteringSustainability,willprovidein-depthknowledge,updatesonthelatesttrendsandanalysesofnew,uniqueandmulti-dimensionalperspectivesfromleadingexpertsinthefieldsoftechnologyanddesign.Discussionswillfocusontopicsthatexploretheimportantroleofadvancedtechnologies,innovativedesignmethodsandcomprehensivedataanalyticsincreatingsolutionsthatalignwiththeprinciplesofenvironmentalresponsibility,economicviabilityandpotential,andsocialjustice.SomediscussionsessionswillalsobeheldattheUEH–V?nhLongbranchinthenamesakeC?uLong(Mekong)DeltaprovinceonWednesdayoninnovativesolutionsandideastocopewithcyclones,sealevelrise,salinisationofrivers,flooding,andlandslidestoensureamoresustainablefutureforthedelta.AfieldvisitwillbeorganisedtotheMekongDeltaonThursdaytofacilitateinteractionswithlocalcommunities.Speakingattheopeningceremony,Prof.Nguy?n??ngPhong,chairmanoftheuniversitycouncil,said:Fromcreatingagreensustainablecampustoworkingtowardsacirculareconomythroughresearch,UEHismakingamultidimensionalimpactonmanyareasoftechnologyandinnovation.TheResiliencebyTechnologyandDesign2024conferenceisonesuchinitiative,whichhasproventohaveaninternationaloutreachandiscreatingapromisingpartnershipamongresearchersthroughouttheworld,headded.—VNS