DoctorsperformcorneatransplantsurgeryinHu?CentralHospital.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Vi?tNamhaswitnessedarisingnumberofcorneadonorssincethefirsttransplantofthiskindinVi?tNamnearlytwodecadesago,butwitha300,000strongwaitinglist,thecountryhasmuchworktodotoensuredonatedcorneasreachthosewhoneedthem.AccordingtoDrNguy?nTh?KimTi?n,chairwomanoftheVi?tNamTissueandOrganDonationAdvocacyAssociationandformerhealthminister,Vi?tNamstechnicalskillsintermsoforgantransplantarenowonparwiththeregionandtheworld.However,thewaitinglistfortransplantscontinuestoincrease,whilethenumberofregistereddonorsremainsmodest.Thesituationisparticularlycriticalforcorneatransplants,withsomepatientsalreadywaitingforfivetosixyearswithoutanydonorbeingfound.Overthepast15years,Vi?tNamrecordedabout45,000peoplesignedupascorneadonors.Ofthe3,000whohavereceivedcorneareplacementssince2007,morethanhalfwerehelpedbydomesticdonors.FromMay2024todate,thenumberoforgandonationsfrombrain-deadpatientsincreasedthree-fold,withtransplantsurgeriesrisingby10percent.However,Vi?tNamstillhasabout300,000visuallyimpairedpeopleinneedofcorneareplacements.Accordingtomedicalprofessionals,corneatransplantationiscurrentlytheonlyandmosteffectivemethodtohelprestorevisioninpatientswithcornealdamage,especiallyincaseswhereinternalmedicinetreatmentsyieldlittleresult.InadditiontothelimiteddonationsavailableinVi?tNam,challengesalsostemfromthecomplextransferandpreservationprocedurestoreceivecorneadonationsfromabroad.Therefore,authoritiesandfacilitiesreceivingcorneaforcollectionandtransplantshouldworkwithrelevantagenciestofacilitatethetransferofcorneadonationsfromabroad,andconductthesurgeryforpatientsassoonaspossible,saidTi?n.Overthepasteightmonths,theHàN?iEyeHospital2hasreceived57corneadonations,ofwhichtwowerefrompatientsinVi?tNam,whiletheremaindercamefromAmericaneyebanks.Thehospitalsuccessfullycarriedout42corneatransplantoperationsanddistributedtheremainingdonationstoothermedicalfacilities.DoctorsretrieveacorneaattheVi?tNamNationalEyeHospital.—VNA/VNSPhotoMinh??cDrHowardCajucom-UyYu,acouncilmemberoftheAssociationofEyeBanksofAsia,saidthatcorneadonationshavenonegativeaestheticeffectonthedeceased,asthisisonlyathin,translucentlayerontopoftheeyeball,butmultiplebarriersexistintermsofencouragingdonors.Theseincludelocaltraditions,customs,religions,beliefs,theemotionalstateofthedonorsfamily,ormisconceptionsregardingthelawrelatedtoorgandonationandtransplant.Sharingthesameperspective,DrNguy?nHoàngPhúc,deputydirectoroftheVi?tNamNationalCoordinatingCentreforHumanOrganTransplantation,saidthatthesefactorshavelimitedthenumberofdonatedcorneasnotonlyinVi?tNam,butalsoaroundtheworld.Therefore,itisnecessarytohavebetterawarenesscampaigns,arealisticlegalframeworkandtoincludeorganandtissuedonationasanevaluationcriteriaofthehealthcaresector,saidPhúc.—VNS

DeputyPrimeMinisterLêThànhLongspeaksatthemeetingonFriday.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Vi?tNamaimstohaveallclassroomsacrossthecountrymeetrobustconstructionstandardsby2030,accordingtoMinisterofEducationandTrainingNguy?nKimS?n.TheMinisterwasspeakingatFridaysmeetingtoreviewtheschemeforschoolfacilityimprovementbetween2013and2023.S?nhighlightedthestarkcontrastbetweenthecomfortableconditionsenjoyedbymanyurbanpeopleandtheharshconditionsfacedbychildreninmountainousareas.Thousandsofchildreninmountainousprovinceshavetotrekthroughforestsforschools,onlytositinpoorlybuiltclassrooms,hesaid.Hepointedoutthatasignificantnumberofschoolsinmountainousareasarestillinpoorcondition.Incertainprovinces,therateofsubstandardschoolscanreachupto40percent.Severalmeasureswereurgedtoaddresstheissue,includingincreasingpublicinvestmentinschoolfacilitiesandencouraginggreaterprivatesectorinvolvementineducation.DeputyMinisterofEducationandTrainingPh?mNg?cTh??ngunderlinedtheremarkableprogressinVi?tNamsschoolfacilitiesoverthepastdecade,notingtherateofstandardclassroomsrosefromapproximately66percentin2013toover86percentin2023.Hecitedthegovernmentscommitmenttoeducationasthedrivingforcebehindtheimprovement.Healsohighlightedtheprivatesector,which,duringtheperiod,spentnearlyVN?33trillion(US$1.3billion)tohelpbuild36,000classroomsand1,300staffrooms.Theinvolvementoftheprivatesectorineducationhassignificantlyraisedtherateofschoolsmeetingnationalstandards,saidTh??ng.AccordingtotheDeputyMinister,56.9percentofpreschools,62.8percentofprimaryschools,72.3percentoflowersecondaryschools,49.6percentofuppersecondaryschools,and44.2percentofhighschoolswereuptostandardsbyJuly2023.Whilelargecorporations,suchasVingroupandViettel,banksandcommunityorganisationsmademonetarydonationstothescheme,thearmedforceslenttheirmanpower,contributingthousandsofworkingdaystoaccelerateconstruction.DeputyPrimeMinisterLêThànhLongpraisedtheMinistryofEducationandTrainingforitseffortsinimplementingtheschemeandacknowledgedthecontributionsofallrelevantministriesandagencies.Temporaryclassroomshavebeenreplacedbysolidandwell-equippedones,saidLong.Staffroomshavealsobeenrenovated,creatingbetterworkingconditionsforeducators.Despitetheachievements,theDeputyPrimeMinisterhighlightedtheongoingneedformoreschoolfacilities,especiallyinremoteandruralareas.Heproposeddevelopingfavourablepoliciestoattractmorebusinessestoinvestineducation.Healsoemphasisedtheimportanceofdatacollectionandplanning,suggestingtheMinistrycreateacomprehensivedatabaseoninfrastructureandequipment.Localgovernmentsweretaskedwithreviewingtheireducationfacilities,ensuringthereissufficientlandforschoolconstruction,especiallyinregionswithrapidpopulationgrowth.TheDeputyPrimeMinisterconcludedbycallingonbusinesses,organisations,andindividualstocontinuesupportingtheeducationsectortocreateabetterlearningenvironmentforstudents.—VNSTheChàmIslandsoffthecoastofH?iAnhavebeenhitwithbigwavesasTyphoonTramiapproachedin.Noreportsondamageofpropertyorlossofpeoplewasannounced.PhotocourtesyofTr?nQuyTay?àN?NG–Strongwindsgustingfrom15to18metrespersecondhavebeenrecordedasTyphoonTramiheadedinlandonSunday.Thewinds,fromgradesixtoeight,hittheislandsofLyS?n(Qu?ngNg?iProvince),theChàmIslandsoffthecoastofQu?ngNam,BàNàHillsMountainin?àN?ng,Nam??ngdistrictandinnerHu?CityasthetyphoonmovedclosertothecoastofcentralcoastalprovincesbetweenTh?aThiênHu?andQu?ngNamincluding?àN?ng,around8amonOctober27.Heavyrainfallswererecordedfrom200mmto400mminPhúL?cdistrict(268mm),Nam??ng(150mm),B?chM?Mountain(373.8mm)inHu?,in?àN?ng(135mm)andtheChàmIslandsoffH?iAn.ItsexpectedtheheavyrainswillcontinueinHu?and?àN?ngthroughOctober27andlow-layingareaswillbefloodedtemporarilyasdischargesystemscouldbeoverloadedwithrainwater.Ahouseholdinlow-lyingareaofHu?CityisfloodedasTyphoonTramiwasapproachedthecoastofTh?aThiênHu?Provinceand?àN?ng.PhotocourtesyofTh?aThiênHu?PortalTheChàmIslandswerehitwithgustsat18.6mpersecond(grade8),whilebigwavescrashedontobeachesofB?iLàngandB?iH??ng.WindsacrossLyS?nIslandswereatgrade6,accordingtothelatestreportfromthedistrictsauthorities.Bigwaveswithheightsofbetweenthreeandfivemetreshavebeenhittingthebeachesintheregionandthetideswereupfrom0.4mto0.6min?àN?ng,Qu?ngNamandChàmIslands(overnightOctober26to7amofOctober27).LocalresidentsinTh?aThiênHu?andChàmIslandswerewarnednottogooutfrom7amonOctober27.LocalrescueforcesinQu?ngNamProvincehadalreadyrelocated162residentstoasafelocationasofOctober26aftera50mlongcrackwasdiscoveredatamountaininNàN?villageofPh??cGiacommuneinthemountainousHi?p??cdistrict.AcrackisfoundatamountaininHi?p??cdistrictofQu?ngNamProvince.Rescueforceshadhelpedrelocate162residentslivingnearthelandslideriskarea.PhotocourtesyofQu?ngNamPortalNoreportsofdamagetopropertyorlossoflifeintheregionhassofarbeenreported.ThenextreportonTyphoonTramiwillcomeoutintheafternoonofOctober27.VNS

Householdswhoseroofswereblownoffandbuildingscollapsed,havereceivedlocalhelptorepairthedamageinthepoorhamletthatwaslitteredwithruinsafterTyphoonYagi.—VNA/VNSPhotosPh??ngTh?oHàN?I—ThelivesofpoorpeoplelivingunderLongBiênBridgeinHàN?ihavequicklyreturnedtonormalfollowingthedevastationcausedbythefloodingfollowingTyphoonYagi.Althoughtheystillfacechallengesintheirdailylives,thankstothehelpoflocalauthoritiesandmanybenefactors,peoplearerebuildingaretheirheavylosses.Floodwatershaverecededandthemudhasbeenclearedfromthepoorhamlet.Localresidentshavebeensupportedwithmanyessentialsincludingfooddeliveredbyphilanthropists.Amanrepairsadamagedframewhichwillbeusedtorebuildoneofthemakeshifthomes.Residentshavereturnedtogrowingcropsintheshadowofthefamousbridge.Manyvolunteers,somefromtheWomensUnionofwardsinHoànKi?mDistrict,helpwithplantingandtakingcareoftheflowergardeninthehamlet.Alocalmanalsohelpscultivatetheflowersinthebedsaroundthehamlet.PeoplewholiveundertheLongBiênBridgeinHàN?iarebusyrebuildingandreplanting.WhenTyphoonYagihitonSeptember7,followedbyhugefloodwatersfromupstream,manyofthemakeshifthomesandthefewpossessionsofthoselivingclosetothebridge,weresweptaway.—VNSVi?tNamstourismlikelytoboomunderSixCountries,OneDestinationvisainitiative.PhotoAlmaResort,CamRanhHàN?IAsharedvisazonefortheSoutheastAsiaregion,similartoEuropesSchengenvisamechanism,couldbeagame-changerforVi?tNamstourismsector.TheproposedSixCountries,OneDestinationinitiativeaimstofacilitateseamlesstravelacrosssixneighbouringcountries,thusboostingregionaltourism.Onthesidelinesofthe44thand45thASEANSummitsinLaosonOctober9,VietnamesePrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhandhisThaicounterpartPaetongtarnShinawatraagreedtopilotthetourisminitiativeinvolvingThailand,Malaysia,Singapore,Vi?tNam,Laos,andCambodia.OriginallyproposedbyThailandinApril2024,thisvisaplanwillallowtouriststotravelfreelybetweenthesesixcountriesintheregion,superchargingthelocaltourismindustry.Thailandevenhopestonegotiatevisa-freetravelbetweentheseASEANnationsandtheEuropeanUnionsSchengenzone.Vi?tNamhadfloatedasimilaridea14yearsagoincludingfivecountriescoveringtheMekongsub-region:Vi?tNam,Cambodia,Laos,Myanmar,andThailand,butnothingcameofit.Nguy?nQu?cK?,ChairmanofVietravelCorporation,whofirstproposedtheconcept,emphasisedtheimportanceofactingquicklyinthecurrenttourismlandscape.Afterthepandemic,tourismmarketshaveopenedup,andcountriesthatactfastcancapturethegrowingdemand.HepointedoutthatcountrieslikeThailand,Malaysia,andSingaporewereswiftinimplementingopenvisapolicies.WhileVi?tNamreopenedearlyafterthepandemic,itstourismpolicieshavebeenslowertoevolve.Currently,Vi?tNamoffersvisaexemptionstocitizensof26countries,farfewerthanThailandsnearly100.Ifthesixcountriesinitiativeisimplementedquickly,Vi?tNamcanleveragetheopenpoliciesofitsneighbourstoattractalargenumberofinternationaltourists,hesaid.Additionally,jointpromotioneffortswiththefiveothercountrieswouldprovidegreaterreachcomparedtoVi?tNamactingalone.However,Vi?tNamstilllacksanofficialtourismpromotionofficeabroad,puttingitatadisadvantageininternationalmarketing.ImplementingthissharedvisasystemwillsignificantlybenefitVi?tNamstourism.By2050,theAsia-Pacificregionisexpectedtodominateglobaltourism,withSoutheastAsiaasakeydestination.Vi?tNammustactquicklytocapitaliseonthisopportunityandstrengthenitspositionintheregionaltourismrace.However,expertswarnedthatasharedvisapolicycouldalsoincreasecompetitionamongthesixcountries.CaoTríD?ng,Chairmanofthe?àN?ngTourismAssociation,notedthatwhilethevisapolicycouldexpandthetourismmarketforASEAN,itwouldalsointensifycompetition.Thecountrieswillcompetetoattractvisitors,andthosewithlessattractivedestinationscanloseout.D?ngstressedtheneedforVi?tNamtopreparehigh-quality,uniquetourismproductstoensuretouristsstaylongerandspendmore.K?emphasisedtheneedtohighlightVi?tNamsdistinctculturalofferingsastouristsareseekingdiverseculturalexperiences.Vi?tNammustshowcaseitsuniquetraditions,cuisine,andeverydaylifetostandout,henoted.Additionally,Vi?tNamsdiverseclimate,rangingfromtemperatetotropicalzones,offerstouristsavarietyofexperiencesinasingletrip-anadvantagefewcountriescanmatch.Tostaycompetitive,K?calledforimmediateresearchonthekeytouristmarketsofthesixcountriesandananalysisoftheirproductstoensureVi?tNamcanoffersomethingdistinct.TheSixCountries,OneDestinationvisapresentsVi?tNamwithauniquechancetotransformitstourismsector,butsuccesswilldependonhowquicklyandeffectivelythecountrypreparestoaddressthechallenges.VNSDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàspeakingattheteleconferenceonSaturday.PhotocourtesyoftheGovernmentPortal.HàN?IDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàhasrequestedputtinganendtothesituationwherefishingvesselsareoperatingatseabutremainunmanageable.Atateleconferencebetweenthenationalsteeringcommitteeforcombatingillegal,unreported,andunregulated(IUU)fishingandministriesandlocalitiesonOctober25,Hà,whoisalsochairmanofthesteeringcommittee,setacleardeadline-byNovember20,allthreeNosvesselsthatlackproperregistration,fishinglicensesorinspectioncertificationsmustberemoved.Basedonlocaldatabasesidentifyingtheseso-calledghostships,thenavy,coastguard,borderguard,andfisherysurveillanceforcesaretolaunchacomprehensiveinspectioncampaigntothoroughlyremovethem,hesaid.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD),incoordinationwithministries,agenciesandlocalauthorities,wasrequestedtoadopttechnicalsolutionstohandleviolationsrelatedtovesselmonitoringsystem(VMS).Penaltiesfornon-compliancemustbesevere,includingconfiscationofgoods,fishingvessels,andevenlicensesofcaptainswhoflouttherules.Seasonaladjustmentstofishingmanagementregulationsarealsounderconsiderationtoimproveregulatoryeffectiveness.Theprovincial/municipalDepartmentsofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentmustworkwithregistrationagenciestoestablishstringentstandardsfortheinspectionandregistrationoffishingvessels.InformationoncrewmembersaboardfishingvesselsmustbeintegratedwiththeNationalPopulationDatabasetoensurecomprehensiveoversight.TheMARDwasassignedtocollaboratewithlocalauthoritiestodraftregulationsthatclarifytheresponsibilitiesoforganisations,individuals,andbusinessesinvolvedinthesaleandexportofseafoodproductsofunclearorigin,enforcingIUUfishingrulesmorerigorously.HeaddedthatmechanismstoencouragecompliancewithIUUstandardsamongfishermenshouldbeputinplace.Theministrywasalsotaskedwithproposingupgradestokeyfishingportstoenhancethecapacitytomanagefishingvesselsandcatchvolume,particularlyforseafoodprocessedforexport.DeputyMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentPhùng??cTi?nreportedsignificantprogressincombatingIUUfishingfollowingfourinspectionroundsbytheEuropeanCommission(EC).Notableachievementsincludestrengtheningthelegalframework,installingtheVesselMonitoringSystem(VMS),establishingtheNationalFisheriesDatabase(VNFishbase),andregulatingseafoodimportsundertheAgreementonPortStateMeasures(PSMA).LawenforcementandpenaltiesforIUUviolationshavealsobeenintensified.TheEChasrecognisedVi?tNamsstrongpoliticalcommitment,particularlythedecisiveguidanceandoversightprovidedbytheGovernment,hesaid.Withtheserobustmeasuresinplace,Vi?tNamispoisedtomakesignificantstridesincombatingillegalfishing,safeguardingitsmarineecosystem,andupholdinginternationalstandards.VNS

??ngH?iAirportinQu?ngBình.Photothanhnien.vnHàN?ITheCivilAviationAuthorityofVietnamhasdecidedtotemporarilysuspendoperationsatfourairports:?àN?ng,PhúBài,??ngH?i,andChuLaionOctober27toensuresafetyduringTyphoonTrami.PhúBàiInternationalAirport(Th?aThiênHu?)willhaltoperationsfrom06:00amto10:00pm,while??ngH?iAirport(Qu?ngBình)willstopoperationsfrom06:00amto07:00pmonOctober27.?àN?ngInternationalAirportwillsuspendoperationsfrom06amonOctober27until04:00amonOctober28,andChuLaiAirport(Qu?ngNam)willbeclosedfrom10:00amonOctober27until10:00amonOctober28.TheCivilAviationAuthorityofVietnamhasstatedthatTyphoonTramiposesapotentialthreattothesafetyofoperationsatseveralairportsincentralVi?tNam,necessitatingthetemporarysuspension.TheVietnamAirTrafficManagementCorporationhasbeeninstructedtonotifyincomingflightstocentralVi?tNamandensuresafeairtrafficoperations.By10:00amonOctober27,thestormisforecasttoreachtheoffshorewatersofthecentralcoast,maintainingwindspeedsoflevels10-11,withgustsuptolevel14.Thestormwillthenshifttoasouthwestandeastwarddirection,reducingitsspeedto5-10km/h.Duetotheslowmovementandchangeofdirection,theimpactonlandisexpectedtolastoveraday,fromOctober27untilthemorningofOctober28.?àN?ngCityandTh?aThiênHu?Provincewouldbemajorlyaffectedareasofthestorm,withrainfallexpectedfrom200mmto400mm,orover500mminsomemountainousareas.TyphoonTramiisexpectedtocausestrongwindsinmainlandareasfromQu?ngBìnhtoQu?ngNg?i,and?àN?ngCitysdistrictsofH?iChau,ThanhKhê,Ng?HànhS?n,S?nTrà,LiênChi?uandHoàVangwillbeaffectedwithwindspeedsfrom8thto9thlevel(between62-74kmhand75-88kmh).HeavyrainfallisexpectedfrommidnightonOctober26tonoononOctober28,causingpartialfloodinginsomelow-lyingareasandstreets.Morethan1,500fishingboatshadalreadydockedatTh?QuangportbytheafternoonofOctober26.ThecityalsobannedallaccesstotheS?nTràMountainandnearbybeachesstartingfromnoononOctober26.A1kmsectionofseadykeinTh?aThiênHu?ProvincesThu?nAnbeachhasbeenreinforcedbytheafternoonofOctober26topreventseriouserosionfromthestorm.Theprovincehasplannedtorelocate52,000residentsinthecoastalandlow-lyingareastosafeshelters,while1,800boatscarryingmorethan10,000labourersandfishermenwerereturningtothehomeports.TyphoonTramiformedfromatropicaldepressioninthewaterseastofthePhilippines.ItintensifiedintoastormonOctober22andcauseddevastationinthePhilippinesonOctober23,resultinginatleast66fatalitiesandtheevacuationof47,500peopleduetoheavyrainsandflooding.VNSHundredsoffishingraftsandboatsbelongingtofishermeninDi?nKimCommune(Di?nChauDistrict,Ngh?AnProvince)werepulledashoreandsecurelytiedunderthecasuarinaforest.VNA/VNSPhotoXuanTi?nNGH?ANTyphoonTrami,thesixthstormoftheseasoninVi?tNam,isapproachingthecentralprovinces,promptingseveralprovincestoissuebansoncoastalactivities,andimplementflexiblestrategiestominimisedamagetolivesandproperty.InDi?nChaudistrict,oneoffivecoastaldistrictsinNgh?AnProvince,wheremorethan1,000boatsandraftsarepresentwithover500dedicatedtooffshorefishing,fishermenhaveproactivelytakenprecautionarymeasures.Fortwodays,fromOctober23to24,alargenumberofvesselshavedockedattheportsofDi?nKim,Di?nTh?y,andL?chV?n.AsofOctober23,mostlargeoffshorefishingvesselshavesuspendedoperations.PhanXuanVinh,ViceChairmanofDi?nChausPeoplesCommittee,notedthatthedistricthasissuedurgentnotificationstolocalauthorities,requiringthemtocloselymonitorthestormsprogress,keepshipownersinformed,andprepareemergencyresponseteamsforrescueoperationsasneeded.InQu?ngBình,onSaturdayauthoritiesannouncedabanonallcoastalactivitiesfrommidnightonOctober27untilthestormpassesandtheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecastingissuesnofurtherstorm-relatedwarnings.Relevantauthoritieshavebeeninstructedtomaintainstrictmonitoringofthesituationandensurethatnooneunderestimatesthestormsrisks.Qu?ngBìnhsBorderGuardCommand,DepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,andcoastalauthoritiesareactivelyreviewingandinformingshipownersandcaptainsaboutthestormspathandpotentialhazards.Measuresareinplacetosafeguardtourismactivities,aquaculture,andfishingoperationsalongcoastalandriverareas,includingtheevacuationofaquacultureworkersfromraftstosafeareas.InQu?ngTr?,theProvincesChairmanonSaturdayissueddirectivesforallcoastaldistrictsandC?nC?IslandtoworkwiththeBorderGuardandMaritimeAuthoritytoensurethesafereturnofallfishingvessels.Additionalmeasuresincludeclosemonitoringofareasatriskofflooding,landslides,andstrongwaves,alongwithincreasedforecastingeffortstokeeplocalauthoritiesinformed.TheprovinceofQu?ngNamimposedacoastalbanforallfishing,passenger,andtouristboatsstartingat10am.Thebanwillremainuntilconditionsreturntonormal.Authoritieshavebeentaskedwithpreparingon-siteemergencyresourcesandreviewingsafetyprotocolsfordamsandreservoirs.TheprovincialMeteorologicalandHydrologicalStationisresponsibleforissuingregularforecastsandmonitoringriverlevelstoaidinfloodmanagement.Relevantdepartmentsareoverseeingmineextractionandpowergridoperationstopreventstorm-relatedhazards.ThePhúYênProvincialSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPreventionandSearchandRescuehasinstructedlocalauthoritiestobefullypreparedunderthefouron-the-spotprinciple,ensuringsufficientpersonnel,resources,equipment,andprovisions.Theprovincehasnearly2,000fishingvessels,withcloseto300currentlyoperatingatsea,andallvesselownershavebeeninformedofthestormspath.AccordingtoNguy?nTr?ngTùng,DeputyHeadofPhúYênsDisasterResponseCommittee,proactivemeasureswillbetakentopreventfishingduringstormimpact.Reservoirmanagersareinstructedtocloselymonitorinflowlevels,adjustwaterretention,andensuresafetydownstream.InNinhThu?n,officialsarecloselycoordinatingwithlocalagenciestoregularlyupdateresidentsonthestormsprogress.Localauthoritiesareactivelymonitoringfishingvesselmovementstopreventthemfromenteringdangerzones.TheprovincialDepartmentofFisheriesconfirmsthatallvesselsfromNinhThu?narecurrentlyfishinginsouthernwaters,andcommunicationsareongoingtoensuresafeshelter.Authoritiesarealsooverseeingaquaculture,livestock,andcropprotection,andreservoiroperations.Precautionsarebeingtakentoensuresafeevacuationofresidentsfromvulnerableareas,particularlyalongthecoast,rivers,andlow-lyingregionsathighriskofstormsurgeandflooding.FishingboatsoffishermenfromDi?nNg?cCommune(Di?nChauDistrict,Ngh?AnProvince)aredockingamidstrongwindsandhighwaves.VNA/VNSPhotoXuanTi?nTramitobringstrongwinds:NCHMFMaiV?nKhiêm,DirectoroftheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting,hasreportedthatTyphoonTrami,characterisedbyawidecirculationareaandunpredictablepath,ispoisedtobringseverewinds,highwaves,potentialseasurges,flashfloods,landslides,andfloodinginmountainousandlow-lyingareasfromHàT?nhtoBình??nhandNorthernCentralHighlandsurbanareas.Asof10amonOctober26,apowerfulstormwaslocatednortheastoftheHoàngSaarchipelago,approximately510kmeast-northeastof?àN?ng,withwindsreachinglevel11(103-117kph)andgustsuptolevel14.Thestormismovingwest-southwestatroughly20kph.Overthefollowingdays,thestormisexpectedtotrackwest-southwest,approachingCentralVi?tNamsoffshorewatersbyOctober27withsustainedwindsatlevel10-11andguststolevel14.ForecastsindicateashiftfirsttoasouthwestandthentoaneastwarddirectionalongCentralVi?tNamscoastthroughOctober29,withagradualdecreaseinwindintensity,reachinglevel8,gustingtolevel10.Disasterriskremainsatlevel3foraffectedareasthroughoutthisperiod.Duetothestormsimpact,thenorthwesternEastSeaareawillexperiencestrongwindsoflevel8–9,andnearthestormscentre,windsmayreachlevel10–11(89–117km/h),gustingtolevel14,withwavesof5–7mandupto7–9mnearthecentre.Theseawillbeseverelyrough.FromQu?ngBìnhtoQu?ngNg?i,includingC?nC?,CùLaoChàm,andLyS?nislands,windswillreachlevel6–7,increasingtolevel8–9,andnearthestormscentre,level10–11,gustingtolevel14,withwavesof3–5mandupto5–7mnearthecentre,causingsevereroughseas.FromthemorningofOctober27,coastalareasfromQu?ngBìnhtoQu?ngNammayexperiencestormsurgesfrom0.4to0.6m.Boatsinthesedangerousareas(especiallyaroundtheHoàngSaarchipelago)andcoastalareasfromQu?ngBìnhtoQu?ngNg?iarelikelytobeaffectedbythunderstorms,whirlwinds,strongwinds,andlargewaves.Manyboatshaveproactivelydockedat??ngH?iFishingPort(PhanRang-ThápChàmCity)totakeshelterfromthestorm.VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngTh?ThereisahighriskofcoastalembankmentanddykeerosionfromQu?ngTr?toQu?ngNamduetolargewavesandstormsurges.FromthemorningofOctober27,coastalareasfromQu?ngBìnhtoQu?ngNg?iwillseewindsintensifyingtolevel6–7,withareasnearthestormscentrereachinglevel8–9,gustingtolevel11.FromlateafternoonandeveningofOctober26tothenightofOctober28,Qu?ngBìnhtoQu?ngNg?iwillexperienceheavytoveryheavyrainfall,totalling300–500mmandlocallyover700mm.Thereisawarningofheavyrainfallwithamountsexceeding100mmover3hoursinsomeareas.HàT?nh,Bình??nh,andthenorthernCentralHighlandswillexperienceheavyrain,withsomeareasseeingtotalsof100–200mmandlocallyover300mm.VNS

SpeakersattheReducingEmissionsfromTransportationandGreenEnergyTransitionTowardsEnvironmentalProtectiontable.Photokinhtedothi.vnHCMCITYElectricandclean-fuelvehiclesarebecomingmoreattractivetoconsumersfortheirenvironmentalbenefits,accordingtogreenenergyexpertsinaconferenceheldinH?ChíMinhCityonThursday.TakingplaceduringtheannualVietnamMotorShow,theforum,titled,ReducingEmissionsfromTransportationandGreenEnergyTransitionTowardsEnvironmentalProtectionbroughttogetherexpertsandpioneeringcompaniesinthegreenvehicleandrenewableenergysectors.Expertshighlightedthatelectricvehiclesarecurrentlythemosttalked-aboutgreenenergyvehicles.Vehicles,whichuseelectricitytopartiallyorfullyreplacetheroleofinternalcombustionengines,fallintotwomaincategories:hybridandfullyelectric.Hybridvehiclescombineinternalcombustionengineswithelectricmotorsanddifferentmanufacturersvarythepowerratiobetweenthesecomponentsbasedonvehicledesign.Thebatteryofahybridvehiclecanbechargedexternally(plug-inhybridelectricvehicles-PHEV)orbyrecoveringthevehicleskineticenergy.Fullyelectricvehicles(EVs),ontheotherhand,entirelyeliminateinternalcombustionengines,featuringanelectricmotorandahigh-capacitybatterylocatedbeneaththevehiclesfloor.Withzeroemissions,fullyelectricvehiclesareanidealsolutionforreducingairpollution.ThistrendofgoinggreenintermsoftransportisbecomingmorevisibleinVi?tNam,ashybridandfullyelectricvehiclesareincreasinglypopularacrossvariousbrands,frommainstreamtoluxury.InVi?tNam,fullyelectricvehiclesbenefitfromaspecialconsumptiontaxof3percent,whilePHEVsaretaxedat70percent,withnospecifictaxincentivesforregularhybrids.Alongsideelectrification,usingstandardisedfuelswithlowpollutantcontentcanalsohelpreduceharmfulemissions.SpecialistsattheconferencenotedthatVi?tNamselectricvehiclemarketisadvancing,supportedbygovernmentpoliciesandagrowingdemandforeco-friendlytransportation.Despitethisprogress,theelectricvehicletransitionfacessignificantchallenges,particularlyintermsofinfrastructure,suchaschargingstations,whicharestillinsufficientfortheneedsofelectricvehicleusers.Theyagreedthatrobustinvestmentsininfrastructureareessential.Inaddition,Euro5fuelplaysacrucialroleinreducingairpollutionandimprovingqualityoflife.Thisfuelstandardhelpsdecreasetoxicemissionsfromtraditionalvehicleswhileaidingtheshifttowardselectricvehicles.Italsoenhancesengineefficiency,lowersfuelconsumptionandextendsavehicleslifespan.VNS

AfterTyphoonYagi,about6milliontonnesofflammabledeadleavesandbrokenbranchesremainontheforestfloor,posingahighriskoffiresduringthedryseason.VNA/VNSPhotosThanhVanByV?n??cThanhVanMorethanamonthhaspassedsinceTyphoonYagisweptthroughthenorthernregion,yetforestersinQu?ngNinhProvincearestillreelingfromitsdevastatingeffects.Vastareasofdamaged,dyingforests,largepilesofunusabletimber,andashortageofseedlingsneededforrecoveryremainpressingchallenges.Theurgenttaskofrevivingtheseforestshasbecomecriticalfortheprovince.InjustfourhoursonSeptember7,Yagidestroyedover119,000hectaresofforestsintheprovince,causingnearlyVN?6.5trillion(US$256.8million)ineconomiclossesrelatedtoforestry.TravellingalongRoad234,NationalHighway279,andHighway18,fromH?LongCitytoVan??n,TiênYên,BaCh?,andBìnhLiêudistricts,onecanseenothingbutbarren,witheredtrees.AccordingtoQu?ngNinhsForestryDepartment,over119,000hectaresofforesthadbeenaffectedbytheendofSeptember,includingmorethan112,400haofplantedforestsandover6,600haofnaturalforests.Atotalof22,390householdsinvolvedinforestrysufferedlosses,includingthosewhowereallocatedforestlandorcontractedtoplantlumbertreesforlocalforestrycompanies.H?LongCitywasthehardesthit,withdamageestimatedatVN?1.15trillion($45.4million).Mostofthedamageoccurredtoplantedforests,withmorethan22,800outof37,000hadestroyed,resultinginlossesofapproximately$45million.Special-useforestssuffered50haofdamage,valuedatabout$593,000.ThelushgreenforestsinthenortherncoastalprovinceofQu?ngNinhweredevastatedinjustfourhoursafterTyphoonYagimadelandfallinVi?tNaminearlySeptember.BurdenedwithdebtTheimmensedestructionleftdozensofforestersindebtandatriskoffallingbackintopoverty.TrinhH?ngQuy?t,63,inKhe??ngVillageinTanDanCommune,H?LongCity,isoneofthoseaffected.Hisfamilyownsaround30haofforest,14ofwhichareplantedwithacaciaandeucalyptustreesagedtwotothreeyears.Justastheywerepreparingforharvest,TyphoonYagihit,leavingbehindpilesofuprootedtrees.Itisextremelydifficulttofindworkerstocleartheland,aseveryoneisbusycleaninguptheirownforests,Quy?tsaid.ThedailywageforforestworkershasrisenfromVN?200,000tobetweenVN?300,000-350,000,andyetitsstillhardtofindhelp.AccordingtoQuy?tclearingfallentreesismuchmorechallengingthanregularlogging.Tomakemattersworse,thepriceforsalvagedtimberislow,withsomebuyerspressuringfarmerstoacceptreducedratesduetothelargevolumeoffallentrees.Aftercoveringallexpenses,manyforestownersareleftwithdoublelossesandnoincometorelyon.Quy?tisparticularlyconcernedabouttheshortageofseedlingsneededforreplanting.Butseedlingpriceshaveskyrocketed,moreoverthecurrentsupplyisinsufficient.TyphoonYagidevastatesover119,000hectaresofforestinQu?ngNinhProvince.MountingconcernsPh?mV?nHùnginNàS?nVillageinB?nSenCommune,Van??nDistrict,saidthathisfamilyhadsufferednearly$79,000inlosses.His17-hectareforestwasalmostentirelydestroyedbythestorm.Iplantoclearthelandandreplantinthecomingspring,Hùngsaid.However,hefacesanotherchallenge:hehadborrowed$11,850fromthebankandisunsurehowtorepayit,whichcomplicatessecuringadditionalloansforforestrestoration.Heestimatesthatitwilltakeatleastfiveyearsbeforehecanseeanyincomefromtheforestagain,emphasisingtheneedforgovernmentsupport.Tr?nTh?V?,81,anativeofHàTràngTayVillagein??ngH?iCommune,TiênYênDistrict,isatriskoffallingbackintopoverty.Thetyphoonnotonlydestroyedherforestbutalsocausedextensivedamagetoherhomeandbelongingsduetoflooding.Despiteherage,shecontinuestocareforherillson.TwoforestrangersfromH?ngHàWardinH?LongCitydiscoversandpromptlyextinguishesasmolderingfirefromatreetrunkduringatourofinspectingforestfire.UrgentforestrestorationNguy?nThanhKh??ng,deputydirectorofQu?ngNinhsForestryDepartment,saidthatforestswereaprimarysourceofincomeformanyhouseholds.However,therecentdevastationputtheirlivelihoodatrisk.Additionally,about6milliontonnesofflammabledeadleavesandbrokenbranchesremainontheforestfloor,posingahighriskofforestfiresduringthedryseason,accordingtoKh??ng.BetweenSeptember28andOctober15alone,15forestfiresbrokeout,primarilyinareasofacaciaandeucalyptustreesdamagedbythetyphoon.Restoringtheprovincesforestareas,referredtoasthegreenlungsofthenortheastregion,hasbeenidentifiedbylocalauthoritiesasanurgentpriority.ThePeoplesCommittee[Administration]ofQu?ngNinhlaunchedonOctober1anintensivecampaignfordamagedforestclearances,withthegoalofcompletingtheworkbytheendofthemonth.Localauthoritieshavemobiliseddepartmentsandorganisationstoassistforesterswithcleanupeffortsonweekends,whileforestrycompaniescontinuetheirworkdaily.However,asHoàngMaiDung,aresidentofS?nH?iVillageinNamS?nCommune,BaCh?District,pointedout,thesellingpricesforsalvagedtimberweretoolowtomakeupfortheloss.Localforesterscollectdamagedtimbertrees,asTyphoonYagileftatrailofdestructioninitswake.GovernmentsupportUnderthecurrentgovernmentregulationgoverningsupportforagriculturalproductioninareasaffectedbynaturaldisasters,thosewithover70percentoftheirforestareabeingdamagedareentitledtofinancialsupportof$158perhectare.Thosewith30-70percentdamageareeligibleforVN?2million($79)perhectare.Tofurthersupportforesters,Qu?ngNinhsForestryDepartmenthasproposedthattheDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentprovidefinancialassistancethroughtheQu?ngNinhFatherlandFrontFund.ThisincludesVN?1million($39.50)perhectareforforestareaswithmorethan30percentdamage,withthetotalbudgetforthefirstphaseexpectedtobeover$3million.V?DuyV?n,deputydirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidthatlocalitiesweremakingplanstoreplantthedamagedforests,aimingtorestoreforestcoverageby2027.Addressingconcernsaboutseedlingshortage,V?nsaidlocalnurseriescouldproduceover100millionseedlingsannually.Theagriculturalsectorwouldworkwithlocalitiestoguidefarmersinseedlingpropagationandwouldhelpthelocalnurseriesmaximisetheirseedlingproductioncapacity.ThedepartmentalsoreachedouttotheVi?tNamAcademyofForestSciencesandneighbouringprovincestosourcehigh-qualityseedlingsforlocalfarmers.V?nemphasisedthattheagriculturalsectorwasfocusingonlong-termtimbertrees,nativespecies,andmulti-functionalwoodtreesthatareresilienttowind,storms,andpests.Nurseriesmusthireadditionallabourersandextendworkinghourstourgentlycultivatealargenumberofacaciaseedlingsfortheupcomingreforestationseason.Localauthoritiesareguidingfarmerstocultivateeconomicallyvaluable,short-cyclecrops,suchasbamboo,whichcanprovidebothbambooshootsasfood,andrawmaterialsformanufacturing.Effortstorecovertheforestrysectorincludedamageassessments,collaborationwithtechnologyandforestrycompaniestoresearchtreespecies,andworkingwithbankstorescheduledebtpaymentsandofferfavourablepoliciesforreinvestmentandrecovery.OnJuly10,2024,theprovincialPeoplesCouncil[Assembly]introducedspecialpoliciestoencouragesustainableforestrydevelopment.TheprovinceisofferinguptoVN?20millionperhectareforseedlingpurchaseandcare,orVN?5millionhigherthanthenationallevel.Additionally,loansarebeingofferedthroughtheSocialPolicyBanktocooperativemembers,households,andindividualsforreforestationefforts,withaninterestrateinlinewiththoseofferedtolow-incomehouseholds.VNSTheSub-project3oftheBiênHòa-V?ngTàuExpresswaypassingPhúM?TowninthesouthernBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvinceisunderconstruction.VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngNh?BàR?A-V?NGTàU–Duetohigherlandclearancecostsandtheadditionofnewinterchanges,thetotalinvestmentfortheBiênHòa-V?ngTàuExpresswayconstructionprojectisexpectedtoincreasebyapproximatelyVN?5.4trillion(US$217.4million)comparedtotheinitialapprovedestimate,theMinistryofTransporthasannounced.InareportsubmittedtotheNationalAssembly(NA)ontheinvestmentfortheprojectsfirstphase,MinisterofTransportNguy?nV?nTh?ngstatedthatthefirstphaseoftheexpresswaywillspan53.7kilometres,with4-6lanesplannedandaninvestmentofoverVN?17.82trillion($717.5million).ThegoalistocompleteandintegratetheexpresswaywiththeeasternsectionoftheNorth-SouthExpresswayandLongThànhInternationalAirport,whilealsoconnectingmajoreconomicandportcentres.Theprojectisdividedintothreesub-projects,allfundedbypublicinvestment.Sub-project1,managedby??ngNaiProvincialPeoplesCommittee,coversapproximately16kilometresatapreliminaryinvestmentofoverVN?6.01trillion($241.9million).Sub-project1includestwoconstructionpackages,whichbeganinJune2023.However,only38.4percentofthe137.64hectaresofrequiredlandhasbeenhandedover,limitingconstructiontoafewbridgestructuresandprefabricationofcomponents.Sub-project2,overseenbytheMinistryofTransport,spansapproximately18.2kilometreswithapreliminaryinvestmentofoverVN?6.85trillion($275.8million).Twoconstructionpackagesforthissub-projectarealsounderway.Todate,58.05percentofthe176.74hectaresoflandneededhasbeencleared,allowingworktobeginonsomebridgestructures,underpasses,drainagesystemsandafewroadsections.Forsub-projects1and2in??ngNaiProvince,constructionprogresshasnotmetexpectationsduetodelaysinlandhandover,Th?ngnoted.Sub-project3,managedbytheBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincialPeoplesCommittee,covers19.5kilometreswithoneconstructionpackageandapreliminaryinvestmentofoverVN?4.96trillion($199.7million).TheentiresiteforSub-project3hasbeenhandedover,andcontractorshavebegunworkacrosstheproject,meetingtherequiredprogressgoals.AccordingtoGovernmentResolutionNo90/NQ-CPissuedonJuly25,2022,localitieswereexpectedtohandover70percentofthelandforconstructionpackagesbytheendoflastJuneandtocompletelandclearancebytheendoflastDecember.However,inreality,onlysub-project3hasmetthelandclearancerequirements.Meanwhile,compensationandresettlementeffortsforthesub-projectsin??ngNaiProvincehavebeenprogressingveryslowly.Accordingtoreportsfromlocalities,landclearancecostsforthesub-projectshaveincreasedbyapproximatelyVN?3.26trillion($131.2million)comparedtotheestimatesinthetotalinvestmentapprovedunderNAResolution59/2022/QH15.Specifically,sub-project1willseeanincreaseofVN?120billion($4.8million),sub-project2anincreaseofoverVN?1.27trillion($51.1million)andsub-project3anincreaseofoverVN?1.87trillion($75.2million).TheriseinlandclearancecostshasledtothetotalprojectinvestmentexceedingtheinitialestimateapprovedbytheNA,necessitatingadjustmentstotheinvestmentpolicy,Th?ngsaid.Meanwhile,forsub-project3,theBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincialPeoplesCommitteehasproposedaddingtheM?Xuan-Ng?iGiaointerchangetoenhancetransportationcapacityandconnecttheCáiMép-Th?V?iPortareawithLongThànhInternationalAirport.ThisadditionwouldincreasecostsbyanestimatedVN?1.58trillion($63.6million),includingVN?768billionforconstructionandVN?813billionforlandclearance.Asaresult,thetotalprojectinvestmentisexpectedtoincreasebyaroundVN?5.4trillion.TheMinistryofTransportiscurrentlyconductinganinternalassessmentoftheprojectsadjustedinvestmentpolicyandpreparingtosubmitittotherelevantauthoritiesasrequired.Onthisbasis,theGovernmenthasrequestedtheNAandtheNAsStandingCommitteetoaddresstheongoingissuesrelatedtolandclearance,resettlementandtherelocationoftechnicalinfrastructure.TheGovernmentalsoemphasisedtheneedforsolutionstotheshortageofconstructionmaterialstoensuretheprojectcangoaheadasplanned.Furthermore,ithascalledforclosecoordinationbetweentheMinistryofTransportandotherrelevantministriesandagenciestostrengthenmanagementandsupervisetheprojectsimplementationincompliancewithlegalregulations.TheGovernmenthasalsorequestedthattheNAconsiderandapprovetheprojectsadjustedinvestmentpolicytoensuretheavailabilityofcapital.–VNS

YoungpeopleattendajobsfairinB?cK?nnorthernprovince.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngGiangHàN?I—Thelabourforceaged15andoverinthethirdquarterisestimatedat52.7million,anincreaseof114,100peoplecomparedtothepreviousquarter,accordingtotheGeneralStatisticsOffice(GSO).Theoverallnumberofpeopleinworkacrossthecountryhasincreasedby238,800peoplecomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Inthefirstninemonthsthisyear,thelabourforceaged15andoverwas52.5millionpeople,anincreaseof210,600peopleoverthesameperiodlastyear.Theemployednumberwas51.5millionpeople,upby212,000onescomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.DirectoroftheDepartmentofPopulationandLabourStatisticsundertheGSO,Ph?mHoàiNam,saidthatwhilethenumberofemployedworkerstendedtoincrease,thelabourmarketdevelopmentwasnotsustainablewhenthenumberofinformalworkersaccountedforalargeproportion.Thetotalnumberofinformallyemployedworkersinthethirdquarterwas33million,accountingfor63.9percentofthetotalemployedworkers.Itwasdown1.3percentcomparedtothepreviousquarteranddown1.1percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Inthefirstninemonths,therateofinformallyemployedworkerswas64.6percent,down0.3percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.TheaverageincomeofworkersinthethirdquarterwasupbyVN?176,000($7)comparedtothepreviousquarterandupbyVN?519,000($20)comparedtothesameperiodlastyear.TheaverageincomeofworkersinurbanareaswasVN?9.3million($370)permonth,whileinruralareasitwasVN?6.6million($260)permonth.DirectorNamsaid:Thelabourmarketcontinuestorecover,however,thelabourqualitystillhasmanyshortcomingsandlimitations,notmeetingthedemandofamodern,flexible,sustainableandintegratedlabourmarket.Todate,about37.6millionworkershavenotreceivedprimarytrainingorover,whilenationwideonlybout28.5percentofworkershavebeencertifiedashavingtraining.AccordingtotheGlobalEmploymentTrendsforYouth2024reportoftheInternationalLabourOrganisation(ILO),theglobalyouthunemploymentratelastyearwas13percentandisforecastedtodeclineto12.8percentthisyearandnextyear.InVi?tNam,theunemploymentrateofyoungpeopleaged15-24inthethirdquarterthisyearwas7.75percent,lowerthantheglobalaverage,butstillhigh.Comparedtothegeneralunemploymentrate,theyouthunemploymentrateisalwayshigher.Theyouthforceisoftenequippedwithbetterknowledgeandhigherqualifications.Theyhavemoreopportunitiestochoose,sotheydonotparticipateinthelabourmarket.Theymaynotacceptlow-incometemporaryjobsandwilldelayuntiltheyfindasuitablejob,saidNam.—VNSTheNh?n-HàN?iStationurbantraininHàN?i.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–DetailedplanforthedevelopmentofbothsidesoftheRedRiverhasbeenofficiallysignedoffwithafocusonconnectivityandtacklingcongestion.Theplan,whichaimstocompleteaframeworkwherebusinesscanflourishandwillpositiontheareaasaleaderacrossmultiplesectors,includingcreationofadigitalhub,wassignedbytheDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHà.TheblueprintisforacompleteimplementationoftheRed(H?ng)RiverDeltaRegionPlanningfortheperiodof2021-2030,withavisionto2050.UndertheDecision1131/Q?-TTg,themainfocusareasoftheplanincludedevelopingasynchronised,moderninfrastructurenetworkwithregional,inter-regional,andinternationalconnectivity.PositioningtheRedRiverDeltaregionasaleaderineducation-training,science,technology,innovation,digitaleconomy,anddigitalsocietydevelopment;promotingculturalvaluesforsocio-economicdevelopment,ensuringabalancedandsustainableurbansystemwithstronglinkagestoruralareas,fosteringgreen,smartgrowthwithclimateresilienceandaddressingenvironmentalchallenges,utilisingresourcesefficientlyandsecuringwatersecurity.Intermsofdevelopinganintegrated,moderninfrastructurenetworkwithregional,inter-regional,andinternationalconnectivity,thefocusisondevelopingtheNorth-SoutheconomiccorridorsalongtheNorth-SouthExpressway(easternandwesternroutes),NationalRoute1(B?cNinh-HàN?i-NinhBình),theHàN?i-H?iPhòng-Qu?ngNinheconomiccorridor,thecoastaleconomiccorridoroftheGulfofTonkin(fromMóngCáiCityofQu?ngNinhProvincetoKimS?nDistrictofNinhBìnhProvince),andNationalRoute18(N?iBài-H?Long).Theplanfocusesondevelopingadvancedindustrialandservicesectors,includingelectronics,softwareproduction,artificialintelligence,automotivemanufacturing,supportingindustries,trade,logistics,finance-banking,tourism,telecommunicationsandspecialisedhealthcare.Italsoaimstoexpandhigh-techandcleanagriculture,forminglarge-scaleproductionareasconnectedtoprocessingindustriesandprioritisesdevelopinganintegratedproductchainforculturaltourism,historicalsightseeing,recreationalcoastaltourismandurbantourisminthekeytourismareasofHàN?i-Qu?ngNinh-H?iPhòng-NinhBình.Theplanwillacceleratethecompletionofkeynationalinfrastructureprojectswithregionalconnectivity,digitalinfrastructure,urbaninfrastructure,urbantransportprojects,ringroads,radialaxes,andstatictransportsystems.ItincludesdevelopingurbaninfrastructureinHàN?i,suchasurbanrail,undergroundspacesandaddressingtrafficcongestionandflooding.Investmentwillfocusonmodern,safetelecommunicationsinfrastructure,especiallybroadbandtelecommunications,cloudcomputing,andIoTaswellascultural,sportsandtourismprojects.Investmentonwasteandwastewatercollectionandtreatmentfacilitiesisalsoenhanced.Regardingestablishmentofeconomiczonesandindustrialparks,theplanaimstodevelopeconomiczones,industrialparks,concentratedITzonesandfreetradezonesbasedonimprovedpolicies,developmentmodels,andmanagementsystemstocreatebreakthroughsinshiftingeconomicstructuresandrenewinggrowthmodelsintheregion.TomaketheRedRiverDeltaleadineducation-training,science,technology,innovation,digitaleconomy,anddigitalsocietydevelopment,theplanincludesdevelopingacomprehensiveeducationandtrainingsystemfrompreschooltohighereducationthatismodern,integrated,effective,fairandtransparent.Vocationaleducationqualitywillbeenhancedwithaflexibleandopenapproachtodevelopaskilledworkforcethatmeetstherequirementsofthefourthindustrialrevolutionandinternationalintegration.Theplanalsoincludesstrengtheningtheinnovationsystemintheregion,promotingastart-upandinnovationecosystemandboostingthecapacityofinnovationcentresandlocalsupportcentrestofacilitatetechnologytransferandinnovation.Anationalinnovationstart-upsupportcentreinHàN?iandotherregionalcitiesandprovincesconnectingscientificandtechnologicalorganisationswithhigh-techzones,high-techagriculturezones,financialcentres,venturecapitalfunds,universitiesandresearchinstituteswillbesetup.Investmentineconomiczonesandindustrialparkswillbeselective,alignedwiththedevelopmentpotentialoftheregionanditslocalities.Prioritywillbegiventoprojectsthatuseadvancedtechnologies,involvetechnologytransfer,ensurequality,efficientuseofresourcesandlabour,providehighaddedvalueandintegrateintoglobalvaluechains,adaptingtothefourthindustrialrevolution.Alongwitheconomicdevelopment,theplanalsofocusesonpreservingandpromotingculturalheritagevaluesforsocio-economicdevelopment,especiallynationalhistorical-culturalrelicsaffectedbyothereconomicactivities,suchashistoricalsites,culturalsites,andscenicspotsassociatedwiththe?inh,LyandTr?ndynastiesinthenation-buildinganddefenceprocess,andnationalrelics,templesandpagodas.Italsoemphasisesinterconnectingculturalsectorstoeffectivelyleverageexistingresourceswhilemeetingthediversesocio-economicdevelopmentneedsoflocalitiesintheregionenhancingtheroleofnational-levelcentreslikeHàN?iinculturalactivitiesanddevelopingaculturalindustrybasedonleveragingandpromotinghistoricalandtraditionalvalues.TheplanaimstoestablisharegionallinkagealongtheculturalandspiritualheritagesitesalongtheRedRiveraxis,suchasTh?ngLong-Ph?Hi?n-TamChúcPagoga-Bái?ínhPagoga–H??ngPagoga,connectedwithregionaltransportinfrastructureinHàN?i,andH?ngYên,HàNamandNinhBìnhprovinces.Toensurebalanced,sustainableurbandevelopmentwithcloseconnectionstoruralareas,fosteringgreen,smartgrowthandclimateresilience,theplanprioritisesthedevelopmentofamodern,smart,sustainableurbannetworkthatisclimate-adaptivethatwillensurethattheRedRiverDeltabecomesamajorurbanregionwithahighurbanisationrateandgoodlivingquality,usingpublictransportasabasisforurbanplanning(followingtheTOD-transit-orienteddevelopmentmodel).TheplanfocusesondevelopingurbanareasalongthebanksoftheRedRiverandothermajorrivers,meetingflooddischargerequirements,disasterprevention,andefficientlyusinglandandspace.Italsoaimstodevelopprovincialandcityadministrativecentrestoenhanceconnectivity,formingurbanchainsandacceleratingurbanisation.Theplanwillimplementpoliciesandinvestinurbaninfrastructureprojectstoalleviatecongestionandfloodinginmajorcities,particularlyHàN?iandH?iPhòngandpromotesatelliteurbandevelopment.ThecitywillcontinuerelocatinguniversitiesandhospitalsoutofthecentralHàN?iareaandintroducepoliciesdevelopingsocialhousingforlow-incomeearners,housinginindustrialzonesforworkers,andtheconstructionofculturalfacilities,especiallyforworkersinindustrialzones.VNS

Teachersandstudentsattheopeningceremonyofthenewschoolyearof2024-25atVi?t??cHighSchoolinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nAnhHàN?I—HàN?ihasachievedremarkablemilestonesinenhancingliteracy,nurturingtalentandprovidingcomprehensiveeducationalqualityoverthepast70yearssincetheliberationofthecapital.DirectorofthemunicipalEducationandTrainingDepartment,Tr?nTh?C??ng,saidthecitycurrentlyboasts2,913publicschools,educatingnearly2.3millionstudents,supportedbyaround130,000teachers.Theschoolsincludeoneinstitutionfortrainingeducationalstaffand29centresforvocationalandeducation,withnearly80percentofpublicschoolsmeetingnationalstandards.Thecityhasrecognised23high-qualityschoolsandispreparingtoinvestintheconstructionofsevenadvancedandmodernmulti-levelschools,eachspanningoverfivehectares.Fortheacademicyear2023-24,HàN?iledthenationwith184studentswinningawardsattheNationalExcellentStudentSelectionExam-anincreaseof43studentscomparedto2023.Additionally,threestudentssecuredaccoladesattheNationalScienceandTechnologyCompetition,while35studentsreceivednationalrecognitioninthestudententrepreneurshipcontest.Manystudentsexcelledininternationalcompetitions,withtwostudentsearninggoldmedalsattheInternationalBiologyOlympiadandtheInternationalChemistryOlympiad.ResultsfromtheNationalHighSchoolGraduationExamshowedsignificantimprovement,withHàN?irisingfiveplacestorank11thnationally.Thecapitalalsorecordedthehighestnumberofperfectscoresinthecountry,with915fullmarks.Furthermore,HàN?istudentsachieved339medals,placingsecondoverallatthe2024NationalPhù??ngSportsFestival.Previously,in1954,HàN?ihadjustthreekindergartens,96primaryschools,foursecondaryschoolsandonevocationalschool,servingfewerthan10,000students.Theprovisiononlymet20percentofthedemand,leaving80percentofchildrenfromworking-classfamiliesuneducated.UnwaveringeffortsAtthattime,in1954,thecityimplementedvariousmeasurestoencourageliteracy,mobilisingteachersandvolunteerstofacilitateeducation.Despitenumerouschallenges,justtendaysafterthecapitalcitywascompletelyliberated,HàN?ischoolsbeganthefirstacademicyear.PrimaryschoolsbeganonOctober15andsecondaryschoolsbeganonOctober18,1954.Thefirstdecadebetween1954and1965followingliberationwascrucial.Theeducationsectorwastaskedwithhealingthewoundsofwarwhilerevitalisingtheeconomyandachievingeducationaldevelopmentgoalsthatcontributedtothecapitalsoverallprogress.Educatorsandeducationmanagersworkedtirelesslytoovercomehardships,focusingnotonlyonincreasingthequantityofschoolsbutalsoonenhancingquality.From1965to1975,thenationfacedseverechallenges.Whileprovidingsupporttothesouthernfront,theycontendedwiththedestructiveaerialbombardmentbyAmericanforcesinthenorth,allwhileensuringtheeducationsectorremainedstableandprogressive.Teachersandstudentswereevacuatedtoremoteruralareastocontinuetheirstudies.Theteachersworkedrelentlesslyeducatingthestudentswhilethenumberofschools,classesandstudentsconsistentlygrew.Followingthecompleteliberationofthesouthandtheunificationofthecountryin1975,HàN?iseducationsector,concentratedonimprovingeducationalquality,emphasisingtheimportanceofholisticeducation,vocationaltrainingandcareerguidanceforstudents.Studentsattheexperienceandcreativityareaof??Tr?ngV??ngSecondarySchoolinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngMajoreducationalhubFrom1986to2007,asthenationembarkedonareformjourney,thecityseducationsectorsawrobustgrowth,innovatingbothcurriculumandteachingmethods.Thecapitalbecameabeaconofeducationaldevelopment,beingthefirstlocalityinthecountrytoachieveuniversalprimaryeducationin1990andlowersecondaryeducationin1999.Diverseeducationallevelsandtypesflourished,includingpublic,semi-public,privateschools,demonstratingsignificantprogressinscale,qualityandeffectiveness,affirmingitsstatusasamajoreducationalhubnationwide.Since2008,followingtheadoptionofResolutionNo15oftheNationalAssemblyregardingadministrativeboundaryadjustments,HàN?ihascontinuedtoexpandinbothsizeandscope.Thescaleofeducationhassurged,positioningthecityattheforefrontofthenationintermsofthenumberofschools,teachersandstudents.HàN?ihasdevelopednumerouseducationalmodelsthatcatertotheincreasinglydiverselearningneedsofitscitizens.Generationsofstudentsfromthecapitalhaveemergedasahigh-qualityworkforce,contributingtheirtalentsandintellecttotheindustrialisationandmodernisationofboththecapitalandthecountry.Inrecentyears,themunicipalPartyCommittee,PeoplesCouncilandPeoplesCommitteeofHàN?ihaveconsistentlyprioritisedcomprehensiveeducationalreform,aimingtoelevatethequalityofhumanresourcesandcultivatearefinedandcivilisedcitizenry.Themissionisdeemedcrucialforthesustainabledevelopmentofthecapitalinthefuture.Notably,inJune2024,therevisedCapitalLawwasofficiallypassedbytheNationalAssemblyandwilltakeeffectfromJanuary1,2025.Thelawcreatesarobustframeworkforthecitytoconcentrateresourcesandachievecomprehensivedevelopment,includingineducationandtraining.Article22ofthelawoutlinesstrategiesforadvancingeducation,assertingthegoalofmakingHàN?iaprominentcentreforhigh-qualityeducation,adaptabletothenationaldigitaltransformation,innovationandinternationalintegration.Thelawalsounderscoresthenecessityofinvestingintheestablishmentofhigh-qualitypublicschools,educationalinstitutionsandmulti-leveleducationalfacilitiesthatensureconducivelearningenvironments.Italsomandatesthatpubliceducationalinstitutionscollaboratewithforeigneducationalestablishmentstonarrowthegapbetweenthepublicschoolsandprivateschools.TheinnovativemeasuresregardingeducationandtrainingintheArticle22showaprofoundcommitmenttoeducationalpriorities,affirmingthecontinuityandcoherenceofthePartyandStatesperspectiveoneducationasacornerstoneforpromotinganddevelopingthesocio-economiclandscapeofHàN?irapidlyandsustainably.Moreover,theaspirationsforadvancingthecityseducationalmissionwillensureitstandsasaleadingcentreforhigh-qualityeducation,responsivetonationaldigitaltransformations,innovationandinternationalintegration.Nguy?nTùngLam,VicePresidentoftheVi?tNamPsychologicalandEducationalScienceAssociation,saidthatthelaw,withitsuniqueprovisions,enabledHàN?itoundertakenumerousinitiatives.Theeducationsectormustleadthenation,maintainingitspositionasthelocomotive,hesaid.Torealisethis,thecityseducationsectormustfocusonestablishingschoolscentredonfourkeyelementsofautonomy,democracy,humanityandcreativity,withautonomybeingparamount.Eachschoolshouldhavetheindependencetoselecteducationalmethodsanddevelopcurriculathatcatertostudentsneedsandeducationalconditions,thusmaximisingtheirpotentialandqualities,headded.—VNSAsectionof?uC?-NghiTàmroadsinTayH?Districtisseenfromabove.—VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nAnhHàN?I—HàN?istandsonthecuspofsignificantopportunitiestoevolveintoacivilised,culturedandmoderncapital,characterisedbyahighstandardoflivingandqualityoflife,seventyyearsafteritsliberation.Itseconomy,cultureandsocietyareexpectedtodevelopcomprehensively,showcasingdistinctiveandharmoniousfeaturesthatrepresentthenation,whileachievingalevelofdevelopmentcomparabletothatofcapitalsintheregionandacrosstheglobe.ThatwasemphasisedbyBùiTh?MinhHoài,memberofthePolitburoandSecretaryofthecitysPartyCommittee,duringaspeechattheconferencecommemoratingthe70thanniversaryofthecapitalsliberation(October10,1954-October10,2024).InResolutionNo15issuedin2022,outliningthedirectionandtasksforthedevelopmentofHàN?iuntil2030,withavisiontowards2045,thePolitburoidentifiedtheH?ng(Red)Riverasacentralgreenaxis,enhancingtheurbanlandscapealongbothbanks.Plansincludedevelopingurbanmodelsinthenorthernareasof??ngAnh,MêLinhandSócS?ndistrictsandthewesternregionsofHòaL?candXuanMai.Additionally,thereisacommitmenttocreatingasmartcitybasedonthedevelopmentoftheareasalongtheNh?tTan-N?iBàicorridor,focusingonurbanplanning,investmentinconstructionandstabilisingresidencyalongthebanksofboththeH?ng(Red)and?u?ngrivers.Thespatialplanningalsoaimstoincorporateundergroundurbanspaces,greenareasandpublicspaces.Thestrategicorientationspresentanopportunityforthecapitaltoconcentrateitsresourcestowardsdevelopment,reflectingavisionandaspirationtoconstructacivilised,culturedandmoderncapital.AccordingtoHoài,theresolutionservesasanewmanifestoforthecapitalsdevelopmentinthenewera.TherecentlypassedCapitalLaw2024,whichoperationalisestheResolution,allowsthecapitaltoadoptspecific,superiormechanismsandpoliciesinitsgovernancestructure,decentralisation,resourcemobilisationandtheattractionandutilisationoftalentandhigh-qualityhumanresources.Moreover,thecapitalsplanningfortheperiod2021-30,withavisiontowards2050andtheadjustmentplanforthecapitalsgeneralplanninguntil2045,lookingtowards2065,werereportedtothePolitburoandtheNationalAssembly,awaitingapprovalfromthePrimeMinister.Thatwillpavethewayfornewdevelopmentspacesofthecapitalcity.VicePresidentoftheVi?tNamUrbanDevelopmentPlanningAssociationandformerDirectorofthecitysPlanningandInvestmentDepartment,?àoNg?cNghiêm,toldThanhNiên(YoungPeople)newspaperthattheplanningframeworksasessentialcentresthatwouldsignificantlyguidethecitysfuturegrowth.RedRivermiracleInpursuitofthegoaltodevelopacivilised,culturedandmoderncapital,Hoàistressedtheneedtosynchronouslyimplementaseriesofkeytasks.Thetasksrangedfromenvironmentalprotectionandlandscapeenhancementtourbanandruraldevelopment,alongsideeconomicprogress.Shehighlightedtheimperativetoaddressairandwaterpollutioncomprehensively,eliminatelocalflooding,treatwastewaterandrevitaliseriversystemsandcreateadistinctiveenvironmentallandscapeforthecapital,withtheRedRiverasacentralvisualaxisforcultural,commercial,serviceandtourismdevelopment.Thetasksalsoincludedenhancingpublictransport,completingtheurbanrailwaysystem,ringroadsandbridgesacrosstheRedRiverby2035,whileeffectivelyaddressingcongestionaturbangatewaysandwithinthecitycentre.Regardingtheeconomy,shesaiditneededrestructuringtoalignwithagrowthmodeldrivenbyscience,technologyandinnovation.Thereshouldbeafocusondevelopingadigitalandgreeneconomyandacircularandsharingeconomy,aimingforindustrialisationandmodernisationtobecompletedby2030.Prioritisingthesemiconductorindustry,artificialintelligence,digitaltechnologyandemergingsectorswasalsocrucial.Intermsofculturalandsocialdevelopment,aswellasscienceandtechnology,sheunderscoredtheimportanceofcreatingdistinctiveculturalspacesthatpromotedthedevelopmentoftheculturalandcreativeindustries.Thatrequiredexceptionalmechanismsandpoliciesforattracting,usingandrewardingtalent,especiallyhigh-levelexperts,inventorsandcreators,bothdomesticallyandinternationallytoliveandworkinthecapital.Nh?tTanBridge–auniquesymbolofHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nAnhExceptionaleffortsHowever,toturntheplansintoarealitythatdefinesthefutureofHàN?iasaRedRivermiracleexceptionaleffortsarenecessary.Stressingtheroleofinstitutionalreformasapivotalsolutionforthecapitaldevelopment,Tr?n?ìnhThiên,formerpresidentofVi?tNamInstituteofEconomics,suggestedthatratherthanmerelyseekingspecialmechanisms,thecityshouldpursueinstitutionalreform.Hesaidthatthecityshouldproposemechanismsthatencouragecreativetalentandattracthigh-levelinvestmentsthroughunconventionalsolutions.Themechanismofaskingandgivingresourcescanstifleopportunitiesformotivation,hesaid.Abreakthroughapproachwasessentialtoproposesuperior,evenunconventionalmechanisms.Withoutthis,itwillbechallengingtoenvisagehowHàN?icanleverageitsmillennium-oldculturalheritagewithinamoderncontext,headded.HàN?imustrealiseitsnewlyinstitutionalisedexpandedrights,asoutlinedinthecapitallaw.Hesaidthatthecapitallawestablishedsignificantstridesindecentralisationandempoweringthecapitaladministration,providingcreativeautonomytoitscitizensanddevelopmentalstakeholders.However,therealisationoftheadvancements,evenifinstitutionalised,requiresnewconditionsandcapacities,heconcluded.PresidentoftheVi?tNamUrbanDevelopmentPlanningAssociation,ArchitectTr?nNg?cChính,saidtheapprovedplanningoftheRedRiverurbanareawouldexpeditethecapitalscomprehensiveandsustainabledevelopment,especiallyasmanycentraldistrictsfacedlandscarcityforsocialwelfareprojects.Therefore,breakthroughandeffectivesolutionsareneededtoexpeditethedevelopmentofspaces,particularlyinutilisingriverbanklandandmid-riverareasfortourismservicesandrecreationalparks,sothattheRedRivermustbecometheRedRivermiracleofHàN?i,hesaid.NotallrosesInherremarks,Hoàialsoacknowledgedthatthecityalsofacednumerouschallengesineconomicdevelopmentandurbanmanagement.Thechallengesincludeunstableandunsustainablegrowth,urbandevelopmentissuesarisingfromrapidurbanisation,tensionsbetweenconservationanddevelopment,particularlyintheoldquarterandhistoricalurbanareas,infrastructuraloverload,wideningwealthdisparitiesandcomplexissuesofpublichealthandfoodsafetyandhygiene.Thechallengesmustbeaddressedpromptlytoachievethegoalofacivilised,cultured,andmoderncity,shesaid.Nghiêmpointedoutthatsincetheadministrativeboundarieswereexpandedin2008,manydevelopmentaldirectiveswereproposed,however,severalremainedunfulfilled.Asignificantexistingissuewastheinfrastructuresystem,whichwascriticalforthecapitalsdevelopmentbutwasnoteffectivelymanagedduetovariousfactors.Additionally,theurbanclustermodel,whichincludedacentralcity,satellitetownsandecologicalclusters,hadyettoberealised,failingtogeneratetheappealofsatellitetownsthatalleviatedpressureonthecitycentre.Thiên,saidthatHàN?ihadnotfullyharnesseditssubstantialdevelopmentalpotentialoverthepasttime.Asalocalitywithuniquecharacteristicsandadistinctivemission,thecapitalhasyettobegranteditsappropriatepowers,hesaid.Thelimitationresultedinalackofclearandcomprehensivecreativespaceinimplementingstrategiesanddevelopmentalplans.Itisfundamentallysimilartootherlocalitiesacrossthenation,themechanismsofaskingandgivingstilldominatetheallocationofresourcesandmanagementofthecapitalsdevelopment,hesaid.Withthespiritoflaunchinganewdevelopmentaltrajectory,theCapitalLawandtheHàN?iplanningfortheperiod2021-30,withavisiontowards2050,encompassedmanysolutionstotranscendtheaforementionedinstitutionalchallenges.However,thisisonlythebeginning.Thechallengesofimplementationhaveyettofullymanifest,whilethedemandsforbreakthroughsandinstitutionalrefinementfromadecentralisedandempoweredperspectivetomeetmoderndevelopmentalneedsremainexceedinglyhigh,hesaid.—VNS