TheB?ch??ngWharfPark,locatedbytheSaigonRiverinHCMCitysDistrict1,isseenfromanaerialperspective.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—HCMCityhasannouncedplanstobuild42parksalongtheSaigonRivertoenhancegreenspaces,stimulateeconomicgrowth,andimprovethequalityoflifeforresidents.Theinitiativeisakeycomponentofthecitysvisionfordevelopingariversideserviceeconomybytheyear2045.TheprojectencompassestheSaigonRivercorridor,traversingTh???cCity,districts1,4,7,and12,andBìnhTh?nhDistrict,andthesuburbandistrictsofC?ChiandHócM?n.Thedevelopmentstrategyemphasisestheintegrationofmultifunctionalgreeninfrastructuretoimproveconnectivityandalignwiththeoverarchingadjustmentstothecitysmasterplan.TheseparksarestrategicallydesignedtoleveragethepotentialoftheSaigonRiver,fosteringaservice-orientedeconomyandenhancingtheurbanlandscape.AccordingtothecityPeoplesCommittee,theplan,groundedinexpertconsultationsandresearch,willbeimplementedinphasesandcoordinatedwithriversideinfrastructureacrossvariousregions.TheSaigonRiverstretches256kilometres,originatinginBìnhPh??cProvinceandflowingthroughTayNinh,BìnhD??ng,andHCMCity.WithinHCMCity,theriverspans80kilometres,meanderingthroughurbanareasandformingsignificantpeninsulas,includingThanh?aandTh?Thiêm.Currently,HCMCityhasaround400parksbutonly500hectaresofgreenspace,equatingtojust0.55squaremetreperpersonforitsover10millionresidents.—VNS

Adoctorperformsahealthcheck-uponpatient?.T.M.L.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—DoctorsatGia??nhPeoplesHospitalinHCMCityhavesuccessfullysavedawomanwhowascriticallyinfectedwithBurkholderiapseudomallei,thebacteriaresponsibleforWhitmoresdisease,oftenreferredtoastheflesh-eatingbacteria.Thepatient,identifiedas?.T.M.L,isa33-year-oldresidentofGòV?pDistrictinHCMCity.Sheinitiallysoughtmedicalattentionforahighfeveratalocalclinic.However,herconditionrapidlydeterioratedandwithinthreedays,shedevelopedrespiratoryfailure.ShewasthenrushedtoGia??nhPeoplesHospital,whereshewasdiagnosedwithacuterespiratoryfailurecausedbyseverepneumonia,with70percentofherlungtissuedamaged.Doctorsimmediatelyplacedheronextracorporealmembraneoxygenation(VV-ECMO),alife-savingprocedure.TestsconfirmedthatshewasinfectedwithBurkholderiapseudomallei,asoil-dwellingbacterium.Thankstopromptandtargetedtreatment,herconditionimprovedafterfourdays.Shewasremovedfromtheventilatoraftersevendaysandmadeanalmostcompleterecoverywithintwoweeks.Thepatientlaterrevealedthatshefrequentlywalkedbarefootinparksaspartofherexerciseroutine,ahabitshebelievesmayhaveledtotheinfection.PhóThiênPh??c,aspecialistatGia??nhPeoplesHospital,notedthatBurkholderiapseudomalleiiscommonlyfoundintropicalregions,includingSoutheastAsiaandNorthernAustralia.Thebacteriathriveincontaminatedsoilandwaterandposeasignificantrisktoindividualswithweakenedimmunesystems,suchasthosewithdiabetesorchronickidneydisease.RecentstatisticsfromcountrieslikeThailandandSingaporeshowalarmingmortalityratesofupto50percentforsepsiscasescausedbythispathogen.Forpatientswithseverepneumonia,themortalityratecanreachashighas75percent.Ph??cemphasisedthatearlydiagnosisandimmediate,aggressivetreatmentareessentialforimprovingsurvivalchances.Quickinterventionhelpsavoidtheneedforcostlyresuscitationmethods,hesaid.Accordingto??DuyC??ng,DirectoroftheTropicalDiseaseCentreatB?chMaiHospital,earlydetectionthroughproperdiagnosticsiskeytoreducingfatalityrates.Headvisespeopletoavoiddirectcontactwithcontaminatedsoilorwater,especiallyiftheyhaveopenwounds.Thoseworkinginagriculturearealsoencouragedtowearprotectivegeartominimisetheriskofinfection.Healsostressedtheimportanceofprotectinghealthcareworkersfromexposureduringpatientcare.WhilethereisnovaccineforWhitmore,timelyandaccuratetreatmentcanleadtorecovery.However,thediseasestillcarriesahighmortalityrateofupto40percent,evenwithmedicalintervention.AsWhitmorecasescontinuetosurface,healthofficialsareurgingthepublictobevigilant,especiallythosewithunderlyinghealthconditionssuchasdiabetes,whichsignificantlyincreasestheriskofseverecomplications.—VNSSUPERHIGHWAY:TheroadleadingfromNguy?nKhoáidiketoV?nhTuyBridgeinHàN?i.VNA/VNSPhotosRecentinvestmentsinHàN?istransportinfrastructurehavesignificantlyenhancedconvenienceforresidentsandcatalysedurbangrowth.Awiderangeofprojects,includingexpressways,ringroads,regionalconnectors,andbridgesovertheH?ngand?u?ngrivers,havebeendeveloped,formingamoreintegratedtransportnetworkforthecity.Uponcompletion,thesedevelopmentshavenotonlyshortenedtraveltimes,butalsoalleviatedtrafficcongestionandsupportedthecitysexpansionintonewurbanspaces.InfrastructureshapingurbangrowthAccordingtotheHàN?iDepartmentofTransport,thecityhasfullycompletedkeymotorwayprojectstotalling111km,alongwithnationalroutesthathavebeendevelopedandarenowoperational.Additionally,workisadvancingonsevenringroads,whicharegraduallybeingconstructedandnearingcompletion.PresentlyacrosstheH?ngRiverareninebridges:Th?ngLong,Ch??ngD??ng,ThanhTrì,V?nhTuy,Nh?tTan,V?nhTh?nh,V?nLang,TrungHà,andLongBiên.Meanwhile,sixnewbridgesareundergoingfinalproceduresforconstruction,includingT?Liên,H?ngHàandM?S?.Regardingthe?u?ngRiver,fouroftheeightplannedbridgeshavebeencompleted:?u?ng,Phù??ng1and2,and??ngTrù.Currently,thenew?u?ngBridgeisunderconstruction,whiletheremainingthreebridges—GiangBiên,MaiLamandNg?cTh?y—areinthepipelinefordevelopment.BeyondRingRoad4,otherkeyprojectsarebeingdeveloped,includingtheHoàngC?u-VoiPh?csectionofRingRoad1andtheupgradeofNationalRoute6(BaLatoXuanMai).AnextensionofTh?ngLongHighwayisalsounderwaytoconnectRoute21andtheHàN?i-HòaBìnhexpressway.Toeasetrafficcongestion,thecitybuilt12flyoversatcriticalpoints,whileunderpassesatintersectionssuchasKimLiên-X??ànonRingRoad1,ThanhXuan,andLêV?nL??ng-RingRoad3haveimprovedtrafficflow.AdditionalunderpasseswillsoonbeconstructedattheC?Linhinterchange,alongtheTayTh?ngLongroutecrossingRingRoad3,andattheM?Trì-D??ng?ìnhNgh?-RingRoad3junction.TherearealsoplanstoexpandkeyroutessuchasRingRoad2(fromNg?T?S?toC?uGi?y)andHoàngQu?cVi?tStreet(fromPh?mV?n??ngtoTr?nV?Street),featuringadirectunderpassthroughPh?mV?n??ng.Nguy?nV?nH?i,aresidentofThanhXuanDistrict,observedtherapidgrowthofHàN?istransportinfrastructureandhowithasacceleratedurbandevelopment.CAPITALCONNECTION:Nh?tTanBridgeinHàN?icapitalcity–thelargestcable-stayedbridgeinVi?tNamspanningtheRedRiver.Thecitysgrowingroadnetwork,includingnewlightweightflyoversandbridges,hasgreatlyimprovedtrafficflowandrelievedcongestion,H?isaid.HàN?ishistoricalcharm,oncecharacterisedbythe36-streetOldQuarter,isnowcomplementedbymodernexpresswaysandbridgesovertheH?ngRiver,goingbeyondoldiconslikeLongBiênBridgeandTh?ngLongCitadeltoincludenewerstructureslikethebridgesofThanhTrì,V?nhTuy,Nh?tTan,??ngTrù,andV?nhTh?nh.AddressingbottlenecksDespitethisprogress,Nguy?nPhiTh??ng,directoroftheDepartmentofTransport,acknowledgedthatsomestrategicgoalshaveyettobefullyachieved.Theareadesignatedfortransportinfrastructurecurrentlycoversonly10.35percentofurbanland,fallingshortofthetargetof20-26percent,andthelandavailableforstatictransportislessthan1percent,comparedtothegoalof3-4percent.Connectivitybetweenkeyintra-andinter-regionaltransportroutesalsoremainsinsufficient.Severalkeysectionsofmajorroads,includingRingRoads2.5,3,and3.5,arestillunderdevelopment,withfullconnectivityyettobeachieved.Additionally,RingRoad4isstillintheinvestmentphase,andmanymainrouteslinkingcentralHàN?itoitssatellitetownscontinuetorelyonexistingnationalhighways.Onemajorchallengeincompletingtheseprojectsisfunding.Only20percentoftherequiredbudgetiscoveredbythecity,with80percentexpectedfromprivateinvestment.Landclearancedifficultiesandalackofpoliciesincentivisinginvestmentalsocontinuetodelayprogress.Toaddresstheseissues,HàN?iisrevisingitstransportinfrastructureplanstoalignwithitsbroaderurbandevelopmentstrategy.Keyprojectssuchasringroadsandhighways,alongwiththeconstructionofnewbridges,areexpectedtoboostregionalconnectivityandpromotethegrowthofsatellitetowns.Futuredevelopmentswillseemajorroadslinkingthecitycentretosatellitetownswidenedtobetween40and60metres,withaminimumofsixlanes.KeyroutesincludeTayTh?ngLong(connectingRingRoad4toS?nTaysatellitetown),WestLake-BaVì(fromRingRoad4toHòaL?csatellitetown),Hà??ng-XuanMai,andNg?cH?i-PhúXuyên.StrategicfocusforfuturegrowthTorealisethesegoals,HàN?iisprioritisingthreestrategicbreakthroughs.First,thecityaimstodevelopanintegratedtransportnetworkconnectingtheinnercitywithitssuburbs,satellitetowns,andregionalprovinces.Second,itplanstoenhanceitsdigitalinfrastructureanddatasystemstosupportthedigitaleconomyandsocialdevelopment.Lastly,thefocuswillbeonacceleratingcriticaltransportprojectsforeachdevelopmentphase.Eachyear,halfofHàN?isinvestmentresourcesareallocatedtotransportinfrastructure,creatingbetterconditionsforexpansion.Urbantransportprogrammeshavesteadilyimproved,increasinginqualitywitheachterm.ThecityhasalsoreceivedstronggovernmentbackingtocollaboratewithsurroundingprovincestofundandbuildRingRoad4,akeyinter-regionalroutethatisvitalforbothsocioeconomicdevelopmentandnationalsecuritywithinthecapitalregion.Duringimplementation,thecitywillcontinuouslyreviewandprioritiseurgentinfrastructureprojectsforfocusedinvestment.Wewillensureclearguidelinesoninvestmentmethods,funding,andtimelinestoachievethesestrategicgoals,DirectorTh??ngsaid.VNS

GLIMPSEOFTHEFUTURE:Vi?tNamwillnotrelyheavilyonforeignloanswhenimplementingtheNorth-Southhigh-speedrailwayproject.Photovtv.vnAproposedNorth-Southhigh-speedrailwayprojectcouldsoonturnthedreamofhavingbreakfastinHàN?iandlunchinHCMCityintoareality.Withatraveltimeofjustfiveandahalfhoursbetweenthetwocities,theprojectpromisestorevolutionisedomestictravel.Thecurrenttrainsystemtakessignificantlylongertocoverthesamedistance,andevencoachjourneysareconsiderablyslower.Thehigh-speedrailway,however,issettotransformtraveltimesbetweenHàN?iandkeycitiessuchasVinh,?àN?ng,andNhaTrang.Travellingbetweenthesecitieswillbereducedto1hr18mins,2hrs42mins,and4hrs18mins,respectively.Insomecases,journeysbytrainwillevenbequickerthanflying,consideringthetimespentwaitingatairportsandgoingthroughsecurity.Recognisedasacrucialandnecessaryinfrastructuredevelopment,theprojecthasrecentlyreceivedapprovalfromthePolitburoandtheCentralCommitteeoftheVi?tNamCommunistParty.TheGovernmentissettopresenttheinvestmentplantotheNationalAssemblyduringthismonthsmeeting.Thehigh-speedrailwayisnotonlyexpectedtoimproveconnectivitybetweenregionsbutalsotocreatesignificanteconomicopportunities.Itisforecasttogenerateeconomicspillovers,openingupnewareasfordevelopmentandtransformingthewayurbanspacesarestructured.TheMinistryofTransportemphasisesthattherailwaywillboostthecompetitivenessoftheeconomybyimprovingtheefficiencyoftransportandreducingtravelcosts.Theministryhasproposedadesignspeedof350km/hforthe1,541-kilometrerailway,whichwillfeaturetwintracksanda1,435-mmgauge.TheprojectisestimatedtocostUS$67.34billion.Oncecompleted,theelectrifiedrailwaywillinclude23passengerstationsandfivefreightstations,withconnectionstomajorcargohubsacrossthecountry.StartingfromNg?cH?istationinHàN?i,thelinewillpassthrough20provincesandcitiesbeforeendingatTh?ThiêmstationinHCMCity.ReducingrelianceonforeignfinancingNguy?nDanhHuy,deputyministeroftransport,saidthatthehigh-speedrailwaywouldprimarilybefundedbytheStatebudget.Withaspiritofindependenceandself-reliance,thePolitburohasdecidedthatwewillnotrelyheavilyonforeignloans.Borrowingfromothercountriesoftencomeswithconditions,andwewanttoavoidthat,Huysaid.Whileforeignloansmightbeconsideredifnecessary,HuysaidthattheseloanswouldbeminimalandmustinvolvetechnologytransfertoVi?tNam.Thedecisionwouldalsotakeintoaccountcostsandthepotentialtodevelopdomestictechnology.Huyacknowledgedthescaleoftheproject,notingthatitsvastscopeandthepressuretomeetdeadlineswouldpresentsignificantchallenges.Toaddressthesechallenges,theGovernmentwouldmobiliseresourcesfromacrossthepoliticalsystemandseekpartnershipswithbothdomesticandforeigncontractors.Itwouldalsoinvolvedesignandsupervisionconsultantstoensuretheprojectstaysontrack.FASTTRACK:StartingfromNg?cH?istationinHàN?i,themegarailwaylinewillpassthrough20provincesandcitiesbeforeendingatTh?ThiêmstationinHCMCity.PhotoAIAsforwhichcountrystechnologywouldbechosenforthehigh-speedrailway,Huysaidthatthisdecisionwoulddependontheconditionsofthetechnologytransferandthelevelofsupportoffered.PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhasorderedtheimplementationofspecialmechanismstoexpeditetheproject.Thesemechanismsareexpectedtostreamlineproceduresandaimtoshortentheconstructiontimeline,allowingtherailwaytobecompletedwithintheproposedtimeframe.TrainingtheworkforceBuildingandoperatingtheNorth-Southhigh-speedrailwaywillrequireasignificantlabourforce.Around13,800workerswillbeneededtooperateandmaintaintherailway,accordingtoV?H?ngPh??ng,directoroftheRailwayProjectsManagementBoard.Additionally,between700and1,300peoplewillneedtobetrainedforprojectmanagement,whileanother1,000to1,300willberequiredforconsultancyroles.Duringtheconstructionphase,approximately220,000workerswillbeneededtohandlemanufacturing,construction,andmaterialproduction.Tomeetthesedemands,aportionoftheworkforcewillreceivetrainingassoonastheprojectisapproved.Thistrainingwillfocusonstudyingthetypeoftechnologytobeused,projectmanagement,andoverseeingtheprojectsvariousstages.TheMinistryofTransporthasoutlinedahumanresourcetrainingprogramme,whichwillincludeamixofdomesticandinternationaltraining.Workerswillbetrainedatdifferentlevels—technicians,engineers,MAandPhDholders—toensurethatVi?tNamhastheskilledworkforceneededtocompletetheprojectsuccessfully.ComplementingairtravelAddressingconcernsaboutcompetitionwithairlines,Huysaidthatthehigh-speedrailwaywouldnotcompetewithairtravelbutwouldcomplementit.Bothmodesoftransportwillenhanceeachother,hesaid.Therailwaywasexpectedtoplayacrucialroleinreshapingthepassengertransportmarketbyprovidingasustainablealternativetoroadandairtravelformediumdistances(between150and800km).Thisshiftwouldnotonlyreducetrafficaccidentsbutalsolowerenvironmentalemissions.Forshorterdistances,roadtravelwouldremainthemostefficientoption,whilethehigh-speedrailwaywoulddominateroutesbetween150and800km.Airtravelwouldcontinuetobethepreferredmodeforlongerdistances(morethan800km).Huynotedthatoncethehigh-speedrailwaywasoperational,airlineswereexpectedtogiveupshorterroutesandfocusonlong-haulflights,wheretheyhaveacompetitiveadvantage.Meetingthe2035deadlineManyhavequestionedwhetherthehigh-speedrailwaycanbecompletedwithintheeight-yeartimeframe,giventheprojectsscale.Constructionisscheduledtobeginin2027,withcompletionexpectedby2035.HuyacknowledgedthatVi?tNamhadnoexperienceinbuildinghigh-speedrailways,whichwouldaddtothechallenges.Hesaidsiteclearancealonecouldbealengthyprocess,withmanyprojectsinitiallyexpectedtoclearsitesinthreeyearsbuttakingfivetosixyearsinpractice.However,Huyexpressedconfidencethatwithpoliticalresolveandthemobilisationofresources,theprojectwouldbecompletedontime.Hepointedtosuccessfuldomesticinfrastructureprojects,suchastheM?Thu?ncable-stayedbridgeandtheNorth-SouthExpressway,asexamplesofVi?tNamsgrowingcapacitytohandlelarge-scaleprojects.AccordingtotheWorldBank,thisistherighttimeforVi?tNamtoinvestinhigh-speedrail.WithGDPpercapitaexpectedtorisetoaround$7,500by2030andtheeconomyprojectedtogrowto$564billionby2027,thecountryiswell-positionedtofinancetheproject.Vi?tNamspublicdebtisalsorelativelylow,atjust37percentofGDP.TheseencouragingindicatorssuggestthatVi?tNamhasboththeresourcesandthecapabilitytocompletetheNorth-Southhigh-speedrailwayproject,bringingthecountryonestepclosertorealisingitslong-termeconomicgoals.VNSThespouseofPartyGeneralSecretaryandStatePresidentT?Lam,Ng?Ph??ngLy(frontrow,4thfromright),andherguestsatthemeetinginHàN?ionOctober11.VNAphotoHàN?I-ThespouseofPartyGeneralSecretaryandStatePresidentT?Lam,Ng?Ph??ngLy,metwiththeExecutiveBoardoftheASEANWomensCircleofHàN?i(AWCH)andinvitedguestsinHàN?ionthemorningofOctober11.EstablishedonAugust11,2015,theAWCHgroupsfemaleambassadors,ambassadorsspouses,femaleleadersandofficialsfromtheASEANembassiesinthecapital,aswellasspousesofofficialsandfemalerepresentativesfromtheVietnameseMinistryofForeignAffairs(MoFA).Atthereception,AWCHHonoraryPresidentV?BíchNg?chighlightedthegroupsexpansionovertheyears,creatinganetworkthatnowinvolves19ASEANpartnersandextendstoASEANcapitals.ShenotedthatitsactivitieshadconsistentlyreceivedstrongsupportfromtheMinistryofForeignAffairsandfromthespousesofhigh-rankingleadersovertheyears.ThespouseofthetopleadersaidtheAWCHsculturalandpeople-to-peopleexchanges,suchascelebrationsofASEANFamilyDayandInternationalWomensDay,internationalculinaryfestivals,andotherevents,contributedtobolsteringtheblocsunity.Itsoperationpromotedwomensrolesandcontributionswithinsocietyandspreadpositivecommunityvaluesacrossmemberstatesandbeyond.LypledgedhercontinuedsupportfortheAWCHsfutureendeavourstoenhanceintra-blocrelationships,unity,andfriendship.Speakingonbehalfofthefemaleambassadorsandspousesinattendance,LaoAmbassadortoVi?tNamKhamphaoErnthavanhnotedthatVi?tNamplayedacrucialroleinadvancingwomensempowermentandhighlightedtheenduringcontributionsofVietnamesewomentonation-buildingandsocio-economicprogress.ThediplomatheldthattheAWCHseffortsexemplifythecontributionofASEANwomenindiplomacy,servingasabridgeforfosteringfriendshipsbetweenASEANanditspartnersandothercountries.Theeventtreatedparticipantstoafriendlyexchange,traditionalVietnamesedishes,andafashionshowofáodài–Vi?tNamstraditionaldress.TheyalsoobservedthecraftingofKimHoàngpaintings,atraditionalVietnameseartformfromthelate18thcenturyinKimHoàngVillage,Hoài??cDistrict,HàN?i.VNSSwedishAmbassadorJohanNdisi(third,left)andHàAnh(third,right)attheeventonFridayinHàN?i.—PhotocourtesyofPlanInternationalVi?tNamHàN?I—GirlTakeover2024,aninitiativetoempoweryoungwomentostepintoleadershiprolesandpromotegenderequality,waslaunchedonFridaybytheEmbassyofSwedenandPlanInternationalVi?tNam.ThelaunchaimstocelebratetheInternationalDayoftheGirl.Throughthisinitiative,girlswilltakeoverkeyleadershippositionsforaday,symbolisingtheircapacitytoleadandinfluencetheworldaroundthem.HàAnh,a20-year-oldlawstudentinHàN?i,hadachancetotakeovertheroleoftheSwedishAmbassadortoVi?tNamfromAmbassadorJohanNdisi,experiencingwhatadayofanambassadorwaslikeandparticipatinginameaningfuldiscussionwiththeAmbassadoroverthetopicofempoweringgirlsandyoungwomeninleadership.GirlTakeover2024showcasedtheincrediblepotentialofgirlsandyoungwomentoleadandinstigatepositivechange,shesaid.Thisplatformgivesusavoicetoaddresschallengesandadvocateformeaningfulsolutions.Werejustgettingstarted!shesaid.SwedishAmbassadorJohanNdisiemphasisedSwedensstrongcommitmenttogenderequalitythatbysupportingthenextgenerationoffemaleleaders,theinitiativeaimedtobreakdowntraditionalgendernorms.Whenagirlisempowered,shenotonlychangesherownlifebutalsoupliftsherfamilyandcommunity,headded.HefurthersaidthatSwedenwasrankedasthesecondmostinnovativecountryintheworld,andgoodworkingconditionsforwomenwerekeyforthistobethecase.TheEmbassyofSwedencontinuesitsdedicationtofosteringaninclusivefuture,empoweringyoungleaderslikeHàAnhtodrivesocialchangeandpromotegenderequality.Researchshowsthatwhenyoungwomenaregiventhechancetorealisetheirpotential,theyinspireothers,createcollectivestrength,andcontributetomoreresilienteconomies.MigenaShulla,CountryDirectorofPlanInternationalVi?tNam,saidEmpoweringyoungpeopleisessentialforlong-term,sustainablesolutions.InitiativeslikeGirlTakeoveramplifiedtheirvoicesandequippedthemtoeffectrealchange.Whengirlsareinvolvedindecision-making,theybringuniqueperspectivesthatarecrucialforcreatingamoreequitableandresilientsociety.AsVi?tNamfacedrisingclimatechallengessuchassea-levelriseandnaturaldisasters,theneedforfemaleleadershipinclimateresilienceandsustainabilitywasbecomingincreasinglyurgent.Womensparticipationinclimateactionhadprovencriticalinhelpingcommunitiesadapt,mitigaterisks,andthrivedinthefaceofenvironmentalchanges.PlanInternationalcontinuestocollaboratewithpartnersandstakeholderstoensurethatgirlslikeHàAnhnotonlyhaveaseatatthetablebutalsoleadthewayinaddressingpressingglobalchallenges,fromgenderinequalitytoclimatechange.—VNS

ThecaptainofPalau-flaggedSEAHERMESshipoffthecoastofBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvinceonOctober10requestedtheurgentevacuationofanillcrewmemberformedicaltreatment.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhS?nBàR?A-V?NGTàU—AcrewmemberfromthePhilippineswhowasseriouslyillonboardthePalau-flaggedSEAHERMESshipinwatersoffthesouthernprovinceofBàR?a-V?ngTàuhasbeenbroughtashorefortreatmentbyVietnameserescuers.TheMaritimeSearchandRescueCoordinationCentreRegion3(MRCC3)onFriday(October11)morningannouncedthatthecentrereceivedamessagefromtheshipMMSI511101504around2pmonOctober10sayingthattheillcrewmember,CruzJesus,52,wasonthewayfromtheUnitedArabEmirates(UAE)toChina.TheMaritimeSearchandRescueCoordinationCentreRegion3srescueshipSAR413transferredtheillcrewmemberofthePalau-flaggedSEAHERMESshipashoreforurgenttreatment.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhS?nTheSEAHERMESshipscaptainrequestedtheurgentevacuationoftheillcrewmemberformedicaltreatment.Uponreceivingthisinformation,thecentreguidedtheshiptomovetowatersnearV?ngTàucityforfurtherassistance.Facedwithalife-threateningemergencysituation,andunderthedirectionoftheNationalCommitteeforDisasterIncidentResponseandSearchandRescue,theMinistryofTransport,andtheVi?tNamMaritimeAdministration,aspecialisedsearch-and-rescueshipSAR413carryingrescuersanddoctorswassentfromthecentretothesceneandcollectedtheillcrewmember.Theillcrewmemberwashandedovertothelocalauthorities,andthensenttotheFranco-Vietnamese(FV)HospitalinHCMCityforfurthertreatment.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhS?nAtaround9pmonthesameday,theshipSAR413foundtheSEAHERMESship,andthedoctorsgavefirstaidtreatmenttotheillcrewmemberonboard.ItsuccessfullytransportedthevictimtoitsportintheprovincesV?ngTàuCitytohandovertothelocalauthorities,andthensenthimtotheFranco-Vietnamese(FV)HospitalinHCMCityforfurthertreatment.—VNSDruglordV?HoàngOanh.—PhotocourtesyoftheMinistryofPublicSecurity.HàN?I—A67-year-oldwomanistofacetrialaccusedofbeingakingpininaninternationaldrugssmugglinggang.V?HoàngOanhand34accomplicesarechargedwithsmugglinganddistributingillegaldrugsfromCambodiaintoVi?tNam,targetingkeycitiesincludingHCMCity,H?iPhòng,Nam??nh,HàN?i,andsurroundingareas.Theyareallegedtohavehandledmorethan626kgofheroinconcealedinusedcargearboxes.Oanh,67,nicknamed‘Hà,fromH?iPhòngCity,faceschargesofillegaltradingofdrugsunderClause4,Article251ofthe2015PenalCode.Twenty-sevenothersfacesimilarcharges,whilesixarebeingprosecutedforillegaltransportationofdrugs.Anotherdefendantischargedwithillegalpossessionofdrugs.TheSupremePeoplesProcuracyhascalledforall35individualstostandtrialattheHCMCityPeoplesCourt.TheindictmentdetailshowOanhorchestratedandmanagedatransnationaldrugsmugglingoperationfrom2019to2022.TheringtransporteddrugsfromCambodiaintoVi?tNam,distributingthedrugsacrosskeycitiesandprovincesinthenorthandsouthofthecountry.Initially,OanhhiredNguy?nV?nNamtotransportheroinfromPhnomPenhtoHCMCityfordistribution.Later,sheemployedNguy?nAnhB?oQu?ctoreceivedrugshipmentsconcealedinusedcargearboxes,smuggledintothecityfromCambodia.Theseshipmentsweredismantledtoextractthedrugs,whichwerethenstoredanddeliveredtobuyersinHCMCityandnearbyregions.Innorthernregion,OanhinstructedNamtocollectdrugshiddeningearboxesfromH?ChíMinhCityandtransportthemtoH?iPhòng,wherethenarcoticsweredistributedtocustomersinH?iPhòng,Nam??nh,HàN?i,andothernorthernprovinces.Intotal,theringsmuggled129oldcargearboxesacrosstheborder.Eachgearboxreportedlycontainedabout50kgofdrugs.Authoritiesdescribethecaseasanespeciallyserious,transnationaldrugtraffickingoperation,involvingbothVietnamesenationalslivingabroadanddomesticcollaborators.TheindictmentoutlineshowthegroupcoordinatedtheiractivitiesusingtheSignalmessagingapp,adoptingaliasestoevadedetection.Tofurtherconcealtheiroperations,theycommunicatedviaSignalusingUSandCambodianphonenumbersandconductedpayments,totallingVN?1.4trillionVN?(US$56.4million),throughanintermediaryaccountunderthenameHoangCongTu.Inadditiontothe35defendantsfacingprosecutionbytheSupremePeoplesProcuracy,twoothers,Tr?nV?nhH?andV?Th?Vòng,remainatlargeandarewantedbytheMinistryofPublicSecurity.Oanh,identifiedastheringleader,hasahistoryofcriminalconvictions.In2006,shewassentencedto20yearsinprisonfordrugtrafficking,butwasgrantedamnestyin2009.In2011,shewashandedafour-yearsentencefororganisinggambling,andin2015,thePeoplesCourtin?àL?tCity,Lam??ngProvince,sentencedherto18monthsinprisonforgambling.—VNS

DeputyMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentNguy?nHoàngHi?pdeliversaspeechattheceremonyinresponsetotheInternationalDayforDisasterRiskReductionandASEANDayforDisasterManagementinHu?City.VNA/VNSPhotoTH?ATHIêNHU?—TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentcoordinatedwiththeUnitedNations(UN)representativeagenciesinVi?tNamandtheTh?aThiên-Hu?provincialPeoplesCommitteeonFridayheldaceremonyinresponsetotheInternationalDayforDisasterRiskReductionandASEANDayforDisasterManagementinHu?City.UnderthethemeEmpoweringthenextgenerationforaresilientfuture,the2024InternationalDayforDisasterRiskReductionhighlightstheroleofeducationinprotectingandempoweringyouthforadisaster-freefuture.DeputyMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentNguy?nHoàngHi?psaidthatyoungpeopleneedtohaveproperawareness,skills,andknowledgesoastoensuretheirownsafetyfromdangerscausedbynaturaldisasters.Oncetheycanprotectthemselves,theycanhelpothers.Regardinginternationalcooperationinthisfield,hesaidthetwomainprioritiesareenhancingcommunityresilience,especiallyinvulnerableareas,andstrengtheninginfrastructure,withspecialattentiontoforecastingandearlywarningsystems.HeurgedUNagencies,developmentorganisations,andfundstohelpcountriesaccessfinancialresourcestodevelopprogrammesandprojectsenhancingcommunityresilience.Theofficialsaidchildrenareamongthemostvulnerablegroupstonaturaldisasters.Therefore,appropriateapproachesbasedontheiragesandawarenessareneeded.TheInternationalDayforDisasterRiskReductionisobservedbytheUNeveryyearonOctober13.Itisdedicatedtofosteringawarenessofdisastersandtheirimpactonlivingbeingsaswellastopraisingindividualsandgroupsworkinginthefieldofnaturaldisasterpreventionandcontrol.ThedayisalsochosenasASEANDayforDisasterManagement,aimingtoattracttheattentionoftheASEANcommunityinthisregardandcallforinternationalcooperationtojoinhandstobuildsafecommunitiesandareasthatareresilienttonaturaldisasters.—VNS

TheimageofC?nTh?CityTrafficPoliceguidingataxicarryingapregnantwomanwhohadsuddenlygoneintolabourtothehospitalwasrecordedbyasurveillancecamera.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?NTH?—C?nTh?trafficpolicehaveusedtheirspecialisedmotorbiketoguideataxicarryingapregnantwomantohospitalfortimelyemergencycare,ensuringsafetyforbothmotherandherbabyboy.At1.40pmonThursday,acontingentoftrafficpolicewerepatrollingontheNationalHighway1AwhentheymetataxitravellingfromTi?nGiangProvincetoC?nTh?City.Thetaxidrivertoldthepolicethathewascarryingapregnantwomanwhoseamnioticsachadbrokenandheneededtogetherurgentlytothehospital.Shewastravellingaloneandintheearlystagesofadangerouslabour.Aftercheckingandrealisingthecriticalsituation,thetaskforcecommanderassignedLieutenantColonelMaiH?ngPhongtouseaspecialisedmotorbiketoguidethetaxicarryingthepregnantwomantotheC?nTh?MaternityHospitalfortimelyemergencycare,ensuringthesafetyofbothmotherandbaby.OnThursdayevening,arepresentativefromthehospitalsaidthatthe32-year-oldpregnantwoman,wholivedinTi?nGiangProvince,hadbeenonherwaytoherhometown.ButwhenshereachedC?nTh?Bridge,theamnioticsacsuddenlybrokeandshewentintolabour.Afterbeingguidedtohospital,herbaby,thewomansthirdchild,wassuccessfullydeliveredat38.4weeks.Thebabyboywasbornweighingnearly3.4kg.Themotherandbabyarecurrentlyinstablecondition.—VNSAmbassadorV?QuangMinh(fifthfromleft)posesforaphotowithVietnamesetrainees.—VNA/VNSPhotoPh??ngHoaHàN?I–Leipzig,Germany,hasofficiallywelcomed32Vietnamesetraineeswhowillreceivevocationaltrainingandemploymentwithinthecity.ThisinitiativemarksthefirsttimethatVi?tNamhasdispatchedapprenticestoGermanytotrainastrainandbusdrivers,addressingcriticalworkforceshortagesinthesesectors.Thewelcomingceremony,heldonThursday,wasattendedbynotablefiguresincludingtheVietnameseAmbassadortoGermany,V?QuangMinh,DeputyMayorofFinanceTorstenBonew,DeputyMayorandHeadoftheDepartmentofEconomicAffairs,EmploymentandDigitalTransformationClemensSchülke,ClaudiaPfefferle,ManagingDirectorofSt.GeorgHospital,andKatrinLukas,ManagingDirectorofHumanResourcesatthePublicTransportCompany(LVG).Underthispilotscheme,14apprenticeswilltrainwithLeipzigsLVG,andanother14willundergotrainingatSt.GeorgHospital.ThisprojectstemsfromeconomiccooperationfosteredbyabusinessdelegationfromLeipzigtoVi?tNamearlierthisyear.Duringtheceremony,DeputyMayorBonewhighlightedtheenduringrelationshipbetweenLeipzigandVi?tNam,particularlynotingthesistercitypartnershipwithH?ChíMinhCity.HeattributedthearrivaloftheVietnamesetraineestonumerousvisitsanddiscussionsbetweenthetwosides.DeputyMayorSchülkelaudedthesignificantcontributionofVietnameseworkerstoLeipzigseconomy,notingthatover30apprenticeshavecommencedvocationaltraininginthecitythisyear.ThispartnershipnotonlyreinforcesthefriendshipbetweenGermanyandVietnambutalsostrengthensLeipzigseconomyoverthelongtermthroughtheinclusionofdynamicandskilledyoungapprentices.Iwarmlywelcomethemandwishthemeverysuccess,heremarked.VietnameseAmbassadorV?QuangMinhexpressedprideinthepositivereceptionofVietnameseworkers,emphasisingtheimportanceofprofessionssuchastrainmaintenance,driving,andnursing,whicharecrucialtobothVi?tNamandGermany.Heencouragedthetraineestoexcelintheirtrainingandcareers,assuringthemoftheembassyssupportinachievingtheirgoals.Inadditiontotransportandhealthcare,VietnameseapprenticesinLeipzigarereceivingtraininginfieldssuchasculinaryarts,hospitality,andnursing.—VNS

AruralroadinV?nhPhong,anew-styleruralcommuneinKiênGiangProvincesV?nhThu?nDistrict,ispavedwithcementandplantedflowers.–VNA/VNSPhotoV?nS?KIêNGIANG–Thebuildingofnew-styleruralcommunesinKiênGiangProvincehashelpedimprovetheappearanceofruralareasandthelivesoflocalpeople.Afterimplementingthenationalprogrammeofbuildingnew-styleruralareasfor10years,theC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincehas111ofall116communesrecognisedasnew-styleruralcommunesNew-styleruralcommunesmustmeettheprogrammes19criteriarelatedtoinfrastructure,irrigation,electricity,environment,income,education,healthcare,socialsecurity,cultureandothers.Theprovincealsohas19advancednew-styleruralcommunes,whichachievehigherstandardsacrossthe19criteriathannew-styleruralcommunes.Innew-styleruralcommunes,roadsandotherinfrastructurefacilitieshavebeenbuiltsufficientlyandthesehelpfacilitatethelivesoflocalpeople.GòQuaoDistrictsTh?iQu?nisoneoftheprovincesfirstcommunesrecognisedasanew-styleruralcommunein2017andthenitwasrecognisedasanadvancednew-styleruralcommunelastyear.Nguy?nThanhPhong,chairmanoftheTh?iQu?nPeoplesCommittee,said:Allinter-hamletroadsinthecommunearepavedwithasphaltorcementandare3-4metreswide,allowingvehiclestotransportagriculturalproductseasily.Theworkoftakingcareofpeopleshealthandprovidingschoolingforchildrenhavebeenimplementedbetterandtherateofhouseholdswithaccesstocleanandhygienewaterhasreachedmorethan99percent,hesaid.Before2015,mostroadsinthecommunewere1.5–2metreswideandunpaved.Theprogrammehasattractedactiveparticipationoflocalpeopleastheyareitsdirectbeneficiariesandtheyhavedonatedland,moneyandlabourtobuildinfrastructuresuchasroadsandbridges.PhanThuThu?inGi?ngRi?ngDistrictsNg?cTrúcCommunehasdonated300sq.mlandofherorchardandVN?30million(US$1,200)incashtowidenaroadinfrontofherhouse.Inthepastthreeyears,sheandherhusbandandotherneighbourshavewalkedontheroaddoingexerciseinthemorningandafternooneveryday,shesaid.Wefeelproudofrurallandscapeswithbeautifultreesandflowers,andtruckscantraveltohousestotakeanddeliveragriculturalgoods,shesaid.LêH?uToàn,directoroftheprovinceDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentanddeputyheadoftheprovincessteeringcommitteefornationaltargetprogrammes,saidtheprogrammehasbecomeanactiveemulationmovementandhasspreadwidelyinthewholeprovinceafter10yearsofimplementation.Theprogrammehashelpeddevelopruralsocio-economicinfrastructuresuchasroads,bridges,healthclinicsandschools,andhascreatedfavourableconditionsforlocalstodoagricultureproductionandbusiness,hesaid.TheaverageincomepercapitaofruralpeoplehasincreasedfromVN?46.7million($1,900)in2020toVN?57.8million($2,300)in2023,hesaid.TheprogrammehascontributedtodevelopinghundredsoffarmingmodelsandmanyproductsunderthecountrysOneCommune-OneProduct(OCOP)programme,improvedincomeforruralpeopleandreducedpovertysustainably,hesaid.Theprovinceaimstohavefiveadditionalnew-styleruralcommunes,12advancednew-styleruralcommunesandthreeexemplarynew-styleruralcommunesthisyear.OCOPproductsKiênGianghas269OCOPproductsratedbetweenthreeandfivestars,accordingtoitsDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.Theseproductsincluderice,driedshrimpandfish,fermentedfish,fishsauce,honey,pepper,gingerandturmericessentialoil,andsoursoptea.Nguy?nTh?H?ngLiên,headoftheprovincesSub-departmentofRuralDevelopment,saidthedevelopmentofOCOPproductshasexploitedandpromotedthepotentialandadvantagesofruralareastoimproveincomeforlocals,andcontributedtorestructureagricultureproductionincombinationwithdevelopingacottageindustry,servicesandruraltourism.TheOCOPprogrammehashelpeddeveloptheruraleconomysustainably,managenaturalresources,andpreserveculturevalues,biodiversity,landscapesandtheruralenvironment,shesaid.RelevantdepartmentsandagenciesintheprovincehaveboostedadvocacyactivitiestoadvertiseandpromoteOCOPproductsatfairs,exhibitions,andcultureandtourismevents.Theprovincehastargetedtodevelophigh-qualityproductsofeachlocalitytoeffectivelyimplementtheOCOPprogramme,andimprovethequalityofproductsthathavehighcompetitivenessforsalesdomesticallyandexporting.IthasidentifiedtodevelopOCOPproductsincombinationwithdevelopingtheirbrandnamesandruraltourism.ItwilldevelopruraltourisminKiênH?i,UMinhTh??ng,ChauThành,Gi?ngRi?ng,GòQuaoandHòn??tdistrictsandHàTiênandPhúQu?ccities.Theprovincereceived7.6milliontouristsinthefirsteightmonthsoftheyear,including665,000foreigners,accordingtoitsDepartmentofTourism.–VNSTouristsvisitHònTh?mIslandinKiênGiangProvincesPhúQu?cCity.–VNA/VNSPhotoLêHuyH?iNguy?nTh?Bình(left)andareporter,holdingthebody-retrievingtool.—Photonld.com.vnHàN?I—Nguy?nTh?Bình,aresidentofT?LiênWard,TayH?District,HàN?iCity,hasdedicatedherlifetoauniqueandoftenoverlookedjob:retrievingdeadbodiesfromtheRedRiver.Foroverfourdecades,shehastirelesslyscouredtheriverswaters,providingsolacetogrievingfamiliesandofferingafinalrestingplaceforthosewhohavelosttheirlivesintheriver.Thedeathswereduetoamyriadofreasons:drowninginfloods,drowninginboatcapsizes,suicidesduetobusinesslosses,suicidesduetofamilyconflicts,andsoon.WhenafamilyapproachesBìnhseekinghelpinretrievingtheirdrownedlovedone,sheassuresthemofherunwaveringsupport.Thenshetakesasipofwineandfishsaucetorituallywarmherselfandpushesherboatintothemiddleoftherivertosearchbackandforth.Hertoolissimpleyeteffective:abunchoffishinglinesadornedwithcountlesssharphooks.Ifthehookssnagontheclothesorfleshofabody,shewillpullitclosetoherboatandjumpintotieittoarope,draggingittoshoreandhandingitovertothefamilyforburial.Sometimessheencountersabodythathasbeendecomposedforalongtime,withwhichshehastobeverycarefulasevenalighttouchcouldcausethefreshtofallapart.Sometimessheretrievesabodythatnofamilyclaims.Inthatcase,shetakesitashoreandbuildsagraveforthepersonherself.TherearemanyfishermenontheRedRiverbutonlyBìnhdoesthisjobbecausemostpeoplelivingontheriverconsiderretrievingbodiesataboo.Accordingtothem,retrievingbodiesisrobbingHebo(ariverdeity)ofhisfoodandcouldresultinpunishment.ButBìnhthinksdifferently.ShebelievesthatretrievingthebodiesofthosewhohavedrownedisagooddeedanditmakesnosenseforHebotopunishsomeonewhoisdoingagooddeed.Whenaskedhowmuchshegetspaidforthejob,sherepliedshelivesmainlyfromfishingandoccasionallyasagravediggerforhire.Retrievingbodiesissimplyafreejobshedoestohelppeople.Forsomepoorfamilies,sheevenhastopayforburialshrouds.IfIhadtakenmoneyfrompeopleforretrievingbodiesoverthepastfewdecades,myfamilywouldprobablyberich,notpooraswearenow,saidBình.Bìnhandherchildliveinahousewithacorrugatedironroof.Thereisnothingofvalueinthehouseasfishingdoesnotbringinmuchmoney.Shesaidifshehadthemoney,shewouldfixthewallsandroof,andbuyabedandaTVtowatchthenewseveryday.Evenonhotdays,rainydays,orwhenshewasseriouslyillifsomeonecametoherforhelpfindingabody,shewouldforgetallaboutherillnessandrushdowntotheboatandgooutontherivertosearch.Butnotallhersearcheshadresults.Onemonthago,afamilycametoheraskingforherhelpinfindingtheirdaughtersbody,whohadcommittedsuicidebyjumpingintotheriver.Despitetherapidcurrentoftheriverthatday,sheagreedtohelp.Theriverwaterwasrisinghigh,swirlingandroaringsoloudlythatjustlookingatitmademedizzy,butIhelpedthemregardless,shesaid.Shetookhertoolandsetoff.Sherowedherboatandcastherfishinglines,searchingalongastretchoftheriverbutcouldntfindthebody.Themotherstoodonthebanksobbing,beggingforherdaughtersbodytofloattothesurfacesothatthefamilycouldbringherhomeforburial,buttonoavail.Onanotheroccasion,amanaskedhertofindhiswifesbody.Hetoldherthewholestory,abouthowtheyarguedonthebridge.Inafitofanger,heslappedhiswife,andtohissurprise,shejumpedoffthebridgeandcommittedsuicide.Isearchedfordaysonmyboatbutcouldntfindherbody,saidBình.HerbodywaslaterfounddownstreaminNam??nhProvince.Nowthatsheisover60,shehasthoughtmanytimesaboutretiring,butfateseemsdeterminedtokeephertiedtothisjob.—VNS

Participantsattheconference.—VNSPhotoT?Nh?HàN?I—Ministries,sectorsandlocaldepartmentsareunderpressuretoensurethatregisteredadvancednew-styleruralcommunesanddistrictsmeettheir2024targets.DelayscausedbytheCOVID-19pandemicandtropicalstormNo.3haveslowedprogress.MinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,LêMinhHoan,calledforintensifiedeffortsduringanonlineconferenceonWednesday.HeurgedlocalitiestomobiliseallavailableresourcesanddiversifycommunicationcampaignstoraiseawarenessoftheNewRuralDevelopment(NRD)programme.Keychallengesremain,includingrigidwastemanagementregulationsanddifficultiesintheOneCommuneOneProduct(OCOP)programme,wheremanyproductslackthecompetitiveedgeneededformarketsuccess.MinisterHoanalsostressedtheimportanceofachievingatleastonecertifiednew-styleruralcommuneperdistrict,bywayofsettinganexampleforothers.HehighlightedChinasruraldevelopmentprogrammeasamodel,advocatingforpragmatic,localisedsolutionstoaddressresidentsissuesquickly.Onmultidimensionalpoverty,ministerHoancalledfortargetedsupport.Localauthoritiesshouldidentifyspecificcausesofpovertyandprovidetailoredassistance,suchasincreasingincomesthroughOCOPdevelopmentandproduction-consumptionlinkages.ReportingontheprogressoftheNationalTargetProgrammeforNewRuralDevelopment,Ng?Tr??ngS?n,headofthecentralNRDCoordinationOffice,saidthattodate,6,320outof8,162communeshavebeencertifiedasmeetingtheNRDstandards.Twenty-twocentrallygovernedprovincesandcitieshaveachieved100percentcertification.Accordingtoreportsandlocalregistrations,bytheendof2024,anestimated79to79.5percentofcommuneswillberecognisedasmeetingNRDstandards,nearingthesetgoalof99percentby2025.ChallengespersistHowever,manylocalitiesarestillstruggling.InL?ngS?nprovince,98communesmeetNRDstandards,butprogressisslowinsomepartsduetoscatteredpopulationsandpoorinfrastructure,saidNguy?nH?uChi?n,directorofprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.Nam?àndistrictinNgh?Anprovince,whichissettobecomeamodelnewruralarea,lackstheresourcestomeetits2025goal.TheMinistryshouldpetitionthegovernmenttointroduceappropriatesupportpolicies,ensuringthatresidentsinthesedifficultareasavoidfallingbackintopovertyandremainmotivatedtocompletetheNRDobjectives,saidNguy?nV?n??,arepresentativeofNgh?AnprovincesDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.AnGiangProvincesvicechairwoman,Nguy?nTh?MinhThúy,raisedconcernsaboutthepovertyreductioncriterion,arguingthatthesetrateofunderfourpercentisunrealisticformanyareas.OtherprovincesfacedelaysindigitaltransformationandspecialisedNRDprogrammeslikeruraltourism.Environmentaltargetsarealsolagging.Only80percentofcommunesmeetenvironmentalandfoodsafetystandards,wellbelowthe90percentgoalfor2025.Overlappingoversightbymultipleministriescomplicatesprogress,particularlyinnorthernmountainousregionsandtheCentralHighlands.Nguy?nHoàngánh,fromtheEnvironmentalPollutionControlDepartment,calledforprovincestoestablishsolidwastetreatmentmodelstoenhanceenvironmentalcriteriaoutcomes.Localitiesmustallocateresourcestomaintainwastetreatmentfacilitieswhilekeepingresidentssatisfactionhigh,ánhsaid.V?Ng?cH?ng,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofFinanceattheMinistryofPlanningandInvestment,saidthatsomeprovincesstillhavedistrictsfailingtomeetNRDcriteria.By2025,thePrimeMinistersplanrequirestheseshortcomingbeaddressed,withcentralbudgetsupportavailable.—VNSSmogcausedbyvehicleemissionsblanketsNguy?nChíThanhStreetinHàN?iin2023.Thecityisworkingonaplantophaseoutmotorbikesinitscentreby2030.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—HàN?isauthoritiesaregatheringpublicinputsforadraftresolutionthatwouldmandatelow-emissionzonesandphaseoutmotorbikesintheinnercityby2030.Thedraftoutlinesfivekeycriteriafordesignatinglow-emissionzones:demographics,airpollutionlevels,transportationfacilityaccessibility,readinessforstricterstandardsandpublicacceptance.Itsultimategoalistograduallyrestrictmotorbikeuseinthedesignatedareas,pavingthewayforacompletemotorbikebanintheinnercitybytheendofthedecade.Thegoalwillbesupportedbyincreasedinvestmentinpublictransport,includingmetrolinesandbusrapidtransit(BRT)routes,awareness-raisingcampaignsandincentivesforthemotorbikestobeleftathome.TransportationisamajorcontributortoHàN?isairpollution,withovereightmillionvehiclesontheroad,including1.2millioncars.Fineparticulatematter(PM2.5)levelsinthecityarenearlytwicethenationalstandardandtransportisresponsibleforbetween58to74percentofPM2.5emissions.—VNS