Ho Van Impressive combat skills and crime-suppression display by Vietnams police Crime-scene examiners need cool head.

TheTháiNguyênIndustrialCollege.—VNA/VNSPhotoTHáINGUYêN—OnestudenthasdiedafterfourteenstudentsoftheTháiNguyênIndustrialCollegelivinginthesamedormitorywerehospitalisedwithanunidentifiedfever.TheTháiNguyênCentreforDiseaseControl(CDC)saidthatduringthefour-dayNationalDayholiday,fromlastSaturdaytoTuesday,threestudentsfromthecollegeweresickandhadtobetransferredtotheTháiNguyênCentralHospitalfortreatment.TheCDCworkedwiththeTháiNguyênCityMedicalCentretoinvestigate.InitialreportsshowthatthemostseriouscasewasV.M.C.,16,fromS?ngTràCommune,MèoV?cDistrict,thenorthernmountainousprovinceofHàGiang.C.isastudentofIntermediateElectricityclassK57,livinginroom209K2ofthecollegesdormitory.LastThursdayevening,C.hadabdominalpainandvomited.C.wastransferredtoTháiNguyênCentralHospitalforexaminationandtreatment.Onedaylater,C.wasinacomaandwasdiagnosedwithmeningitis,cholecystitisandgallbladderpolyps.Onthesameday,intheafternoon,thepatientsconditionworsened,showingsignsofacutemyocarditis.Thepatientwasprescribedendotrachealintubation,bloodfiltration,endotrachealintubation,mechanicalventilationandwasdiagnosedwithmultipleorganfailure,acuteheartfailureandhepatitisBandhadaverypoorprognosis.OnSaturday,C.sfamilyaskedthehospitaltoletthestudentgohome,whereC.laterdied.ThesecondpatientisH.M.N.,15,alsofromMèoV?cDistrict.N.isstudyingattheIntermediateElectricityBclassK58,livinginroom206K3ofthedormitory.OnSundayevening,N.hadheadache,stomachache,afeverof40degreesCelsiusandfatigue.ThecollegemedicalstaffexaminedandtransferredN.totheTháiNguyênCentralHospitalforhealthmonitoringwithsymptomsofhighfever,headache,chestpainandstomachacheofunidentifiedcause.N.thenwastransferredtotheNationalChildrensHospitalfortreatment.ThethirdpatientisT.M.M,15,alsofromMèoV?cDistrict,astudentofIntermediateElectricityBK58wholivesinroom203K3.OnMonday,M.hadconvulsionsandwastakentotheTháiNguyênCentralHospital.Thepatientisbeingtreatedattheemergencywardandisinacoma,onaventilator.Inadditiontothesecases,theTháiNguyênCentralHospitalalsorecorded11otherpatientswithfeverswhoarecollegestudentslivinginthesamedormitory.Theyareallunderspecialsupervision.Aftermanystudentswerehospitalisedduringtheholiday,theTháiNguyênCityMedicalCentreandthecollegedisinfectedtheentireK1,K2,K3dormitoriesandtheschoolscafeteria.Allstudentsinthreedormitoryroomswiththeillyoungsterswerequarantinedandaskedtoselfmonitortheirhealthandnotifythecollegeiftheyhaveanyunusualsymptoms.—VNSAhealthcareworkerconductingbloodtests.—Photovietnamplus.vnHàN?I—TheHàN?iCentreforDiseaseControl(CDC)hasreportedasignificantsurgeindenguefevercases,with265newinfectionsrecordedbetweenAugust23and30,bringingthetotalnumberto2,500sincethebeginningoftheyear.Nofatalitieshavebeenreported.Thediseasehasspreadacross29districts,with?anPh??ng,Hà??ng,HoàngMai,HaiBàTr?ng,PhúcTh?,B?cT?Liêm,NamT?Liêm,andC?uGi?ytheareashithardest.Thesituationremainsconcerning,as16newoutbreaksweredetectedlastweekinseveraldistricts,including?anPh??ngandGiaLam.Thecityhasseenatotalof120dengueoutbreaksthisyear,withthirtystillactive.AccordingtotheCDC,thecombinationofhotweatherandfrequentrainhascreatedidealconditionsformosquitoes,whichtransmitthedisease,toproliferate.Thenumberofcasesisexpectedtocontinuerising,withsomeoutbreakspersistingandnewpatientsemerging.Surveillanceeffortsatoutbreaksiteshaverevealedthatmosquitopopulationsremainabovetheriskthreshold,indicatingapotentialincreaseincasesinthecomingweeks.Inresponsetotheongoingthreat,localauthoritieslastweekconducted18sanitationcampaigns,inspectingover136,000householdsand731publicareasandtreatingnearly20,000watercontainerstoeliminatemosquitolarvae.Thecityalsorecorded34casesofhand,footandmouthdiseaselastweek.Healthofficialspredictanincreaseininfectionsaskindergartensandprimaryschoolsreopenaftersummerholiday.Meanwhile,measlescasesareontheriseinseveralregions,includingHCMCity.HàN?ihasreportedtwocasesofmeaslessincethestartoftheyear,withhealthauthoritiesanticipatingmorecasesinthecomingtime.TheHàN?iCDCplanstostepupmonitoringandearlydetectionofinfectiousdiseasesinthecommunityandhealthcarefacilitiestoswiftlymanageoutbreaks.—VNS

TheairtrafficcontroltowerofLongThànhInternationalAirportwillbecompletedandhandedoverbeforeDecember8.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TwokeyprojectsoftheHCMCityAirTrafficControlCentreandtheFacilitiesforAirTrafficManagementatLongThànhInternationalAirport,arebeingfinishedaheadofschedule.ThetwoareelementsofpartPhase1oftheexpansionoftheairport,reportedtheVi?tNamAirTrafficManagementCorporation(VATM).VATMrecentlylaunchedacampaignwithaconsortiumofcontractorstofasttracktheschedulemarkingthe30thanniversaryofthetransferofairspacemanagementrightsoverthesouthernpartoftheHCMCityFlightInformationRegion(FIRHCM).LêHoàngMinh,chairmanoftheVATMmemberscouncil,saidthattheprojectsarestrategicallyimportandwillenhancetheairtrafficmanagementcapacityofVATM.Howeverheaddedthattheyareenteringacriticalconstructionphaseofworkattheairportandwillencountermanyunforeseendifficulties,especiallytherequirementtoworkatheights,whichmightslowdowntheprogress.Therefore,hesaidthatcontractorsandsupervisoryconsultantswererequestedtofocusonmobilisingallavailableresources,includinglabourandmaterials,alongwithequipmenttoensurethattheprojectsarecompletedonschedule.Theyneedtocommittoreducingthetimelineasmuchaspossiblewhileabsolutelyensuringqualityandsafetyforbothpersonnelandequipment,andpreventinganyaccidentsduringhigh-altitudework.TheprojectmanagementboardsandspecialiseddepartmentsofVATMmustcreateallconditionsandmechanismstomaximiseconveniencewithinthelegalframework,aimingtoresolveanyfinancialpressuresoncontractors,ensuringtimelydisbursementsothattheyhavetheconditionstoenhancelabour,machineryandmaterialstomeetconstructionprogressrequirements.Uponcompletion,theseprojectswillmeetthegrowthdemandsofaviationtransportdomesticallyandregionally,promotesustainableeconomicandenvironmentaldevelopment,andensurethesecurityanddefenceofthenationsairspace,thechairmansaid.Representativesoftheinvestorsprojectmanagementboardsandcontractorshavesignedacommitmenttotheprogressmilestonesoftheprojectcomponentsduringthiscampaign.Specifically,theprojectofFacilitiesforAirTrafficManagementcommitstocompletingtheconcretepouringoftheaircontroltoweruptoaheightof107.88mbeforeSeptember24(aspertheapprovedplan,thisistobecompletedbyNovember25);selectingthecontractorforthepackageofsupplyingandinstallingprimaryandsecondaryradarsystemsbeforeSeptember24;andhandingoverthenavigationguidancebuildingbyDecember8–theanniversaryofthe30thyearofmanagingthesouthernpartoftheFIRHCM.TheprojectofHCMAirTrafficControlCentrecommitstocompletingthealuminiumandglasscladdingandexteriorpaintingoftheoperationsbuildingbeforeDecember31,aheadoftheapprovedscheduledateofFebruary21,2025.—VNSThemovementofStormYagiat4amonWednesday.Thestormmovesinawest-northwestdirectionatabout10kph.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheNationalCentreforHydrometeorologicalForecastinghasoutlinedtwopotentialscenariosforthetrajectoryofStormYagi,thethirdtropicalstormthisyear.Bothscenariospredictheavyrainfall,posingasignificantriskofflashfloods,landslides—especiallyinmountainousregions—andurbanflooding.OnTuesdayevening,V?AnhTu?n,DeputyHeadoftheWeatherForecastingDepartment,reportedthatafterenteringtheEastSea(knowninternationallyastheSouthChinaSea),thestormisgraduallymovingwestwardataslowpacewhileintensifying.AsofTuesdayevening,thestormscentrehasreachedawindspeedoflevel10(75-102km/h),anincreaseoftwolevelscomparedtotheforecastissuedonSundaymorning.AsthestormadvancesfurtherintotheEastSea,itisexpectedtocontinuestrengthening,possiblyreachinglevel14inthenorthernpartoftheEastSeabyFridayafternoon(6September).Thenaturaldisasterrisklevelhasbeenraisedtolevel4.RegardingthecharacteristicsofStormYagi,Tu?nnotedthatinadditiontoitsintensificationuponenteringtheEastSea,thestormswindradiusisalsoexpanding,whichwillamplifyasthestormstrengthens.Moreover,strongthunderstormsmaydevelopaheadofthestormsinfluence,potentiallycausingtornadoesandstrongwindsatsea.Tu?nmentionedthatthestormisexpectedtomaintainasteadywestwarddirectionataspeedofabout10-15km/huntilFridaymorning(6September).Afterthat,twoscenarioscouldunfold,bothdirectlyimpactingVi?tNamsmainland.Inthefirstscenario,Yagimaymovenorthward,passingoverHainanIsland(China)andenteringthenorthernpartoftheGulfofTonkinaround6-7September.ThisscenariocouldbringheavyrainfalltonorthernVi?tNam.Inthesecondscenario,byFridayafternoon,thestormcouldshiftsouthwest,loopsouthofHainanIsland,andenterthesouthernpartoftheGulfofTonkin.Thisoutcomecouldresultinheavyrainfallinbothnorthernandnorth-centralVi?tNam.Ineitherscenario,substantialrainfallisanticipated,significantlyincreasingtheriskofflashfloods,landslides—particularlyinmountainousareas—andurbanflooding.Additionally,asthestormmovesinland,itswidecirculationmaygeneratestrongwindsalongthecoastofnorthernandnorth-centralcitiesandprovinces.Tu?nstressedthatStormYagiisverypowerful,andbesidestheexpectedstrongwinds,itcouldgeneratewavesashighas7-9metresintheeasternpartofthenorthernEastSeabetweenWednesdaynight(4September)andFriday(6September).Thisposesaseriousdangertovesselsoperatinginthearea,withevenlargeshipsatriskofcapsizingduetothewaves.—VNSConstructionatLongThànhInternationalAirport.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–InvestmentinthesecondrunwayinLongThànhInternationalAirportatthisstageisnotappropriate,saidtheMinistryofTransport(MoT).TheMoTwasrespondingtotheproposalbytheAirportsCorporationofVi?tNam(ACV)regardingtheinvestmentinthesecondrunwayandthelevellingoftheareaforthepassengerterminal,T3,atLongThành.Regardingtheinvestmentproposalforthesecondrunway,theministrysaidthattheairportprojectwasapprovedbytheNationalAssemblyasaninvestmentpolicyinResolutionNo.94/2015/QH13,whichincludedanumberoftopicssuchasgoals,scale,totalinvestmentandlanduseneeds.Accordingly,theprojectisdividedintothreephases,inwhichphaseonefocusesonconstructingonerunwayandonepassengerterminal.Itincludesauxiliaryfacilitiestohandle25millionpassengersannuallyand1.2milliontonnesofcargo,planningforthosetobecompletedby2025.Thesecondphaseistobuildanadditionalrunwayonthesouthsideoftheairportwithopenconfigurationaccordingtotheapprovedpre-feasibilitystudyreport.TheproposaltoinvestinACVssecondrunwayatthisstageisnotappropriateintermsoftimeandinvestmentlocationaccordingtothescaleofinvestmentphasingdecidedbytheNationalAssembly(NA)intheinvestmentpolicyoftheproject,affirmedtheministry.Therefore,ACVsproposaltochangethescaleofinvestmentphasing,asapprovedbytheNAsresolution,needstocarryoutproceduresforsubmittingandapprovingprojectinvestmentadjustments.Specifically,itmustadjustthecontentinClause6,Article2oftheresolution.Onthatbasis,thePrimeMinisterwillapprovetheadjustmentofprojectcomponentthreeofDecisionNo.1777/Q?-TTgdatedNovember11,2019toaddthisitem,saidtheministry.Regardingtheproposaltolevelthepassengerterminal,T3area,theministrysaidthattheproposedcontentisnotthemaininvestmentscaleoftheprojectsphaseone.Theimplementationofthisitemissimilartogatheringandcompactingexcesslandinphaseonetoservethenextphaseswithinthe722-halandareaofphasetwo.Regardingtheproposaltousepublicinvestmentcapitaltoimplementthisitem,theministryfoundthat,accordingtothecontentoftheinvestmentapprovalforthefirstphase,ACVhasbuiltabusinessplan,accumulatedmoneytoimplementphasetwooftheprojectworthaboutVN?48trillion(US$1.92billion)from2028to2032andorientedforstagethree.Thus,ACVhasdeterminedtocontinueinvestinginandoperatingtheairportinthenextstages.Currently,theministryspublicinvestmentcapitalforthe2021-2025periodisnolongeravailabletoarrangetheimplementationofthisitem.Ifimplementedintheperiod2026-2030,therequiredcompletionschedulewillnotbeguaranteed.Therefore,ACVshouldundertakelevelingworkattheT3passengerterminaltoensuresynchronisationandimplementationprogress.Basedontheanalysis,theministryrequestedACV,asaninvestor,toreviewandupdatethetotalinvestmentofprojectcomponentthreetoresearchandsupplementtheaboveitems,includingrunwaynumbertwoandlevelingtheT3terminal,toensureconvenienceinprocedures,capitalsources,andinvestmentprogress.Incasethetotalinvestmentofprojectcomponentthreeisexceeded,ACVmustreportandaskfortheagreementoftheStateCapitalManagementCommitteeasabasisforsubmittingadditionalappraisalandapproval.VNS

Caption:WorkerspackrambutanforexportbythePhúPh?ngAgriculturalCo-operativeinB?nTreProvincesCh?LáchDistrict.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngTríB?NTRE—TheMekongDeltaprovinceofB?nTrehastakenmeasurestoimprovethefunctioningofitsco-operativesectortocreatejobsandimproveruralincomes.Ithasidentifiedcertainco-operativestoparticipateinaprojectforselecting,perfectingandreplicatingeffectivenew-styleco-operativesacrossthecountryinthe2021-25period.TheyincludeB?oThu?nFisheriesCo-operativeandM?ChánhAgricultureCo-operativeinBaTriDistrict,B?nTreGreenSkinandPinkFleshGrapeFruitAgricultureCo-operativeinChauThànhDistrictandTh?iTh?nhAgricultureCo-operativeinTh?nhPhúDistrict.Th?iTh?nh,establishedin2017,growscoconut,breedschickenandgiantriverprawns,suppliesagriculturalinputs,andoffersvariousagriculturalservices.Ithas124memberswhogrow200,000organiccoconutsamonthonatotalof200ha.Tr?nQu?c?ng,itschairman,said:Theco-operativehasidentifiedorganiccoconutcultivationas[lucrative]foritsmembers.Italsosemi-processescoconutfleshfortheL??ngQ??iCoconutCo.LtdinChauThànhDistrictandmakescoconutcaramelsauceusedforcooking.Thesaucehasbeenrecognisedasathree-starproductunderthenationalOneCommune-OneProductprogramme.?ngsaidtheco-operativewouldadoptaproductionmodelthathasavaluechaintocreatefavourableconditionsformemberstoselltheirproductsandoffersthemsteadypricesfortheirinputs.Nguy?nMinhC?nh,deputychairmanoftheprovincePeoplesCommitteeandheadofitsSteeringCommitteefordevelopingthecollectiveeconomy,saidrelevantauthoritieswouldhelpco-operativesoperateefficiently,resolvetheirproblemsrelatedtolandsandloansandenablethemtocreatelinkagestoselltheirproduce.Theywouldfocusondevelopingnew-styleco-operatives,headded.Theprovinceplanstoestablishatleastthreeco-operativesthisyearthatusehightechnologyanddevelopvaluechainsforkeyproducts.Ithas193co-operativeswith49,674membersand1,161co-operativegroupswith20,779members,accordingtoitsCo-operativeAlliance.TheircombinedrevenuestoppedVN?194billion(US$7.8million)lastyearandtheirmembershadanaverageincomeofVN?5-7million($200-280)amonth.Theyareinindustrialproduction,includingcottageindustries,agriculture,fisheries,creditservices,trading,transport,naturalresources,andenvironment.Agriculturalco-operativesaccountforalargenumberoftheprovincestotalco-operativesbutmostofthemaresmallwithlimitedmanagementcapacityandunstablelinkagesbetweenvariousstakeholders.TheCo-operativeAlliancehashelpedresolvedifficultiesfacedbyco-operativesandsafeguardtheirmembersbenefits,Nguy?nThanhPh??ng,itschairman,said.Ithasenabledthemtogetsoftloans,improvetheirmanagementskillsandcarryoutpromotionsfortheirproducts,hesaid.Ithasprovidedconsultancyandorganisedfairstohelpco-operativesincreasetheircompetitiveness,hesaid.Itplanstostrengthenadvocacyactivitiestoencouragetheestablishmentofmoreco-operatives,headded.Theprovincehopestohave225co-operativein2025,including167infarming,by2025.—VNSAteapickingexperienceatthecommunity-basedtourismhamletofB?nVeninXuanL??ngCommune,YênTh?District,B?cGiangProvince.—PhotocourtesyofB?cGiangProvinceB?CGIANG—B?cGiangProvincehasmadegreatstridesinitsnew-styleruralprogramme,significantlytransformingitsrurallandscape.Communesacrosstheprovincearepoolingtheirresourcestoachievetheprogrammegoalswithinthesettimeframe.RuraltransformationunderwayThepicturesquebambooforestinthecommunity-basedtourismhamletofB?nVeninYênTh?District,B?cGiangProvince.—PhotocourtesyofB?cGiangProvinceOneofthestandoutexamplesisXuanC?mCommuneinHi?pHòaDistrict,whichachievedadvancednew-styleruralstatusin2023.Thecommuneisworkingtobecomeanexemplarynew-styleruralcommuneinlate2024,withvisibleinfrastructureimprovementsandeconomicopportunities.ViceChairmanofXuanC?mPeoplesCommitteeNguy?nQuangLiêmunderlinedthesubstantialinvestmentallocatedfortheruraltransformationefforts,totallingVN?123billion(US$4.9million).Themoney,alargepartofwhichcomesfromhighergovernmentssponsorshipandaboutVN?17billion($683,000)fromthecommunesbudgetandcommunitycontributions,hasbeenspentoneducationalfacilities,culturalcentresandpublicinfrastructure.Thecommunehasalsoadoptedadvancedagriculturaltechniques,suchasmechanisedriceplantinganddrone-assistedpesticideapplication,contributingtoasteadyriseinhouseholdincomesandadropinpovertyrates.Notably,theannualincomepercapitainthecommunerosetoapproximatelyVN?52.3million($2,100)in2023,fromVN?47.2millionin2022.Itspovertyratesdeclinedsteadily,withonly2.21percentofhouseholdsnowbelowthepovertyline.XuanC?msprogressmirrorsthebroadertransformationseeninotherpartsofB?cGiang.Acrosstheprovince,145outof182communeshavemetthenew-styleruralstandards,with59achievingadvancednew-styleruralstatusand12reachingexemplarynew-styleruralstatus.Thesecommuneshavealsoseenanarrowingincomegapwithurbanareas,improvedenvironmentalqualityandbettertransportationinfrastructure.PushingforwardThesmarthamletmodelinXuanC?mCommune,Hi?pHòaDistrict,B?cGiangProvince,featuresmodernQRcodesforhouseidentification.Thecommuneachievedtheadvancednew-styleruralstatusin2023.—PhotocourtesyofB?cGiangProvinceTheprovinceaimstohavefiveadditionalcommunesand12hamletsachievenew-styleruralstatus,12additionalcommunesreachadvancednew-styleruralstatusandsevencommunesand79hamletsqualifyasexemplarynew-styleruralareasin2024.However,theprogresshasbeenslowerthanexpected,withonlythreeoutofthe79plannedexemplarynew-styleruralhamletsmeetingtherequiredstandardssofar.Apublicofficialattributestheslowprogresstothestringentnew-styleruralcriteriaforthe2021-2025period,whicharemoredemandinganddifficulttoachievewithinthegiventimeframe.Additionally,thedelaysinthedeliveryofcentralgovernmentfundsandthelimitedbudgetatthelocallevelhavealsoplayedapartinhamperingtransformationefforts.District-levelgovernmentshavesupplementedcentralandprovincialsupportwiththeirfundingmechanismstoovercometheobstacles.Forinstance,L?cNamDistrictoffersVN?2.5billion($100,500)toeverycommunewithanew-styleruralstatusandbetweenVN?2billionandVN?4.5billiontoonewithanexemplarynew-styleruralstatus.ChairmanofB?cGiangPeoplesCommitteeLêánhD??nghascalledonlocalitiestoacceleratefundingandconstructionworktoachievetheruraltransformationtargetsasplanned.Communestargetingnew-style,advancednew-styleandexemplarynew-stylestatusin2024,hesaid,mustfinaliseassessmentsandsubmitnecessarydossiersbytheendofNovember.Hehasalsourgedthecommunestofocusondifficult-to-meetcriteria,suchasmeetingtherequirementforcleanwateraccessbyconstructingmoreconnectionstotheexistingwaterfacilities.Hehasalsounderlinedtheroleofawarenesscampaigns,includingtheAllpeopleunitetobuildnew-styleruralareasandcivilisedcitiescampaign,inboostingpublicinvolvement.AviewoftheBích??ngTown,Vi?tYênCounty,B?cGiangProvince.—PhotocourtesyofB?cGiangProvinceInthewordsofDeputyDirectorofB?cGiangDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,HàMinhQuy,thesuccessofthenew-styleruralprogrammeliesinchangingthemindsetoflocalauthoritiesandresidents.B?cGiangwillcontinuetorefineitsnew-styleruralcriteriatoraisethebaronruralcommunitiesandalignthecriteriawiththeirresidentsevolvingneeds,saidQuy.—VNS

TheprovinceofB?cGiangiswitnessingaremarkabletransformationinitsruralareas,particularlyinAnToànKhuII,Hi?pHòa.PhotoscourtesyofB?cGiangProvinceB?CGIANGAccordingtoD??ngThanhTùng,DirectoroftheDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentinB?cGiang,theprovinceisfocusingonresolvingdifficultiesandspeedinguptheprogressofbuildingnewruralareasintheregion.B?cGiangaimstoachievespecifictargetsby2025,includinghavingsevendistrict-levelunitsmeetthenewruralstandardsorcompletetheirnewruralconstructiontasks,160communesachievingnewruralstandards,78communesreachingadvancednewruralstandards,and15communesbecomingexemplarynewruralareas.TheprovincecontinuestopromotetheB?cGiangcollectivelybuildsanewcountrysideforthe2021-2025periodmovement.ItdirectscommunestoreviewandupdateaccordingtothecriteriasetbytheNewRuralDevelopmentProgramfor2021-2025.Thefocusisonimplementingadvanced,modelnewruralcommunesandmodelnewruralvillagesincommunesthathavemetthestandards.Thegoalistocreateattractivelivingenvironmentsinlocalities,integratingdigitaltransformationintotheformationofsmartvillagesandcommunes.Moreover,thereisanemphasisondevelopingnewruralareasconnectedwithruraltourismtoincreaseincomefortheresidents.B?cGiangisalsorestructuringtheagriculturalsectortoalignwiththedevelopmentofaneco-friendlyandsustainableagriculturalindustry.Theprovinceiskeenonenhancingthequalityandvalueofagriculturalproductsandshiftingfromquantity-basedproductiontoefficientagriculture.TheimplementationoftheOneCommune,OneProduct(OCOP)programisintegral,focusingonthemainproductsandpotentialoftheprovince.Aspartofthecommemorativeeventsmarkingthe50thanniversaryoftheestablishmentofdiplomaticrelationsbetweenVietNamandJapan(September21,1973-September21,2023),aspecialprogrammewasorganisedbythePeoplesCommitteeofB?cGiangprovince.TheeventalsofeaturedculturalexchangesbetweenVietNamandJapan,showcasingthestrongandenduringbondbetweenthetwonations.Inthephoto,theChukyoVietnam-JapanFriendshipAssociationandYokoiMouldVietnamCompanypresentedB?cGiangprovincewith120cherryblossomtrees,including10matureonesdesignatedforplantingattheTayYênT?SpiritualandEcotourismArea.Inadditiontoruraldevelopment,B?cGiangisconcentratingonindustrialandservicesectordevelopmenttoshiftthelaborstructureandimproveincomeforruralresidents.Theprovinceisalsoaddressingissuesrelatedtoruralsecurity,wastedisposal,andgraduallyreducingtherural-urbandevelopmentgap.Furthermore,B?cGiangprioritisesresourcesfortheNationalTargetProgramforNewRuralDevelopment,investingintheconstructionofcomprehensiveandmodernruralinfrastructure,particularlyinareasclosetourbancentres.Thisincludesupgradingtransportationinfrastructure,digitaltransformation,culture,education,andhealthcare.Theprovinceiscommittedtourgentlyandresolutelyaddressingenvironmentalpollutioninruralareas,especiallywasteandwastewater,whilecreatingbright,green,clean,beautiful,culturallyrichrurallandscapes.AsofJune2023,L?cNamdistrictinB?cGianghasachieved100percentrecognitionofitscommunesmeetingthenewruralstandards,withthreeoutof25communesacknowledgedforreachingadvancednewruralstandards.Thedistrictisstrivingtocompletethecriteriaforadvancednewruraldistrictsandexpectstosubmitthemforcentralreviewinthefourthquarterof2023.TraditionalJapanesedanceperformancecharmsaudienceattheEventinTayYênT?SpiritualandEcotourismArea,B?cGiangProvince.Inthesameperiod,B?cGiangprovincehasadded27communesrecognisedasmeetingthenewruralstandards.Currently,148outof182communesintheprovince(81.3percent)haveachievedthenewruralstandards.ItisanticipatedthatbyDecember31,2023,154communes(84.6percent)willmeetthenewruralstandards.Additionally,37communeshavereachedadvancednewruralstandards,withaprojected55communes(30.2percent)expectedtoachieveadvancednewruralstandardsbytheendof2023.Furthermore,onecommunehasbeenrecognisedasanexemplarynewruralarea,anditisexpectedthat10communeswillachievethisstatusbytheendof2023.Theprovinceseffectiveimplementationofagriculturalrestructuringandruraleconomicdevelopmentfrom2021tothepresenthascontributedsignificantlytosustainableincomegrowthforthelocalpopulation.TheOCOPprogram,focusingondevelopingkeyproducts,hasbecomeastrongdrivingforceinbuildingthenewcountrysideandruraleconomicdevelopment.Currently,theprovincehas205productsmeetingtheOCOPstandards,with31productsachieving4stars(15.1percent)and174productsachieving3stars(84.9percent).Oneproduct(H?ngXuanL?cNg?nlychee)hasthepotentialfora5-starrating,alreadysubmittedtotheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentforevaluationandclassification.Additionally,oneruraltourismproduct(EcotourismandCulturalTourisminB?nVen)hasbeenrecognised.TouristsenjoycitrusandpomeloorchardsinL?cNg?n,B?cGiang.AfterbeingratedandmeetingOCOPstandards,theseproductshaveshownsignificantimprovementsinqualityanddesign.Over60percentofOCOPentitieshaveexperiencedanaverageannualrevenueincreaseofover15percent.Currently,117entitieswithOCOPproductshavebeenevaluatedandclassified,with88.3percentbeingcooperativesandbusinesses,and11.7percentbeinghouseholds.Nguy?nV?nMinh,DeputyHeadoftheProvincialNewRuralCoordinationOffice,commented:Implementingthecriteriaforthenewruraldevelopmentphase2021-2025,despitemanydifficulties,withinnovativemethodsandhighdetermination,theprovincesnewruraldevelopmentprogramcontinuestoachievecomprehensiveresults,goingdeeper,maintainingitsleadingpositioninthenorthernmountainousregion.Tr??ngTh?H?u,fromV?nNonHamlet,L?cS?nCommune,L?cNamDistrict,B?cGiang,expressedhersatisfaction,saying:Thereisnowaplaceforhealthcheck-upsandeverychildrenheregotoschool.Itssomethingveryuplifting.Thesecondthingisthattherearetransportationservicesforthechildrentogotoschool,andnowtransportationisveryconvenient,sopeoplefeelveryexcited.Ph?mV?nTh?,ChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofL?cS?ncommune,L?cNamDistrict,B?cGiang,noted:Thepeoplessupportisveryhigh.VNS

ThedirectionofthetyphoonYagi.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Asof7a.m.onSeptember3,theeyeofTropicalStormYagiwaslocatedoverthenortheasternwatersoftheNorthEastSea,accordingtotheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting.Windsnearthestormscentreweremeasuredatlevel8(62-74kmperhour),withgustsreachinguptolevel11.ThestormisforecasttoentertheEastSeabytheafternoonoreveningofSeptember3,makingitthethirdstormoftheyear.Overthenext24hours,Yagiisexpectedtomovewest-northwestatapproximately10kmperhour,enteringtheEastSeaandintensifyingfurther.By7a.m.onSeptember4,thestormscentreisprojectedtobeabout740kmeastofHainanIsland,China,withwindsstrengtheningtolevels9-10andgustsatlevel12.Inthesubsequent24to48hours,thestormisexpectedtoshiftwestwardatabout10kmperhour,continuingitstrajectoryintotheEastSeaandpotentiallygainingmorestrength.By7a.m.onSeptember5,Yagiisforecastedtobeapproximately400kmeastofHainanIsland,withwindsreachinglevels11-12andgustsatlevel14.Thestormisexpectedtomaintainawestwardcourseoverthenext48to72hours,withfurtherintensificationlikely.By7a.m.onSeptember6,YagiscentreisanticipatedtobeovertheeasternwatersofHainanIsland,withwindsreachinglevel13andgustsuptolevel16.Overthefollowing72to120hours,Yagiisexpectedtocontinuemovingwest-northwestat10-15kmperhour,withthepotentialforfurtherstrengthening.StartingfromSeptember3,thenortheasternwatersoftheNorthEastSeawillexperienceincreasinglystrongaircurrents,reachinglevel6,withwindsnearthestormscentreatlevels8-9andgustsabovelevels11-12,leadingtoroughseas.ThemeteorologicalagencyhasissuedawarningthatfromSeptember4-6,TyphoonYagicouldreachverystronglevelsinthenortheasternpartoftheEastSea,withmaximumwindspotentiallyreachinglevels12-13andgustsatlevel16nearthestormscentre.Forthenext24hours,theeasternwatersoftheNorthEastSeawillseewavesnearthestormscentrereaching3-5metres,possiblyincreasingto5-7metreslater.Theseawillbeextremelyroughandhighlydangerousforvessels.Nguy?nV?nH??ng,headoftheweatherforecastingdivisionattheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting,notedthatasTyphoonYagienterstheEastSea,conditionssuchaswind,airpressure,andseasurfacetemperaturesof30-31°Cwilllikelycontributetofurtherintensification.AsoftheafternoonofSeptember2,bothVietnameseandinternationalforecastingcentresagreethatonceitenterstheEastSea,TyphoonYagiwillpredominantlymovewestwardandintensify.AllforecastssuggestthatTyphoonYagiwillreachitspeakintensityintheeasternareaofHainanIsland,China,althoughtherearesignificantdifferencesinpredictions.Japanforecastsapeakintensityatlevel13,withgustsatlevel17,whileChinaandHongKongforecastamaximumintensityatlevel15.TheUSpredictslevel16(asupertyphoon),withgustsexceedinglevel17.—VNSAttheeventannouncingtheimplementationofsupportmeasuresforVietnamesecitizensundertheprogramme.-VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I-TheAustralianGovernmentwillpermitupto1,000Vietnameseworkerstobeemployedinitsagriculturalsectoratanygiventime,aspartofthelabourmobilityprogrammebetweenthetwocountries.OnSeptember6,theMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsandtheAustralianEmbassyannouncedtheimplementationofsupportmeasuresforVietnamesecitizensunderthisprogramme.Accordingly,participatingVietnameseworkerscanundertakeshort-termwork(lastingfromsixtoninemonths)orlong-termassignments(fromonetofouryears).Thejobpositionsavailablerequireonlylowtosemi-skilledagriculturalwork,includingcropcultivation,meatprocessing,aquaculture(includingfishfarming),andforestry.InearlyMarch,theprimeministersofbothcountriesjointlyannouncedtheplanfortheimplementationoftheprogramme.TheselectionofVietnameseserviceprovidersforsendingworkersabroadandAustralianemployersparticipatingintheprogrammeissettotakeplaceinSeptember,withthechoosingoftheformercoordinatedbytheministryandAustraliangovernment.Inthefirstyearoftheprogramme,onepublicserviceunitanduptosixenterprisesspecialisinginsendingVietnameseworkersoverseaswillbeselected.RecruitmentfeeswillbepaidbyAustralianemployerstotheVietnameseserviceproviders.DeputyMinisterofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsNguy?nBáHoànstatedthatlabourcooperationisacrucialcomponentoftheVietnam-Australiacomprehensivestrategicpartnership.HenotedthatthisagreementwouldmeetthewishesofVietnameseworkersseekingtoworkinAustraliatoimprovetheirlanguageskills,gainknowledge,andenhancetechnicalexpertiseinagriculturewhileearninghigherincomes.Atthesametime,itwouldalsocatertorelevantdemandfromAustralianemployers.AustralianDeputyAmbassadorRenéeDeschampshighlightedthesignificanceofthiscooperativeprogrammeforbothsides.Thenationsarecommittedtoensuringthesafetyofparticipatingworkersandminimisingrisksrelatedtofraud,unethicalrecruitmentpractices,andlabourexploitation,shesaid.-VNA/VNS

AircraftsatN?iBàiInternationalAirport(HàN?i)havebeenmovedtosafelocationsandsecuredinanticipationoftyphoonYagi.—VNA/VNSPhotoVi?tHùngHàN?I—TheCivilAviationAuthorityofVi?tNamhastodaydecidedtoextendtheclosuretimeofN?iBàiInternationalAirportbyanadditionaltwohoursontheeveningofSeptember7(Saturday),duetoconcernsoverdownpourscausedbytheapproachingtyphoonYagi.Specifically,theairportinHàN?iwilltemporarilysuspendaircraftoperationsfrom10amto9pmonSeptember7,insteadoffrom10amto7pmaspreviouslydecided.TheCivilAviationAuthorityofVi?tNamhasrequesteddomesticairlinestoreplenishfuelreservesforflightsfrom9pmonSeptember7to2amonSeptember8,incaseofdelaysortheneedtodiverttoalternativeairports.Intheeventthatthestormdissipatesearlierandtheairportcanoperate,theCivilAviationAuthorityofVi?tNamwilladjusttheoperationscheduleaccordingly.TheauthorityhastaskedtheVi?tNamAirTrafficManagementCorporationwiththedevelopmentofflightcontrolplansatN?iBàiAirportafterthestorm,prioritisinglong-distanceandinternationalflights.Duetothestormsimpact,Van??n,CátBi,andTh?XuanairportswillalsosuspendoperationsduringcertaintimeframesonSeptember7.RainandthunderstormsareforecastedtoaffectoperationsatVinh,?i?nBiên,and??ngH?iairports.Over300flights--240domesticand70internationalones--willhavetobecancelledduetotheshutdowns.AccordingtotheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting,asof4pmtoday,thetyphoonscentrewasapproximately415kmeastofcoastofthenorthernprovinceQu?ngNinh.Themaximumwindspeedsnearthestormscentrereachedlevel16(184-201km/h),withgustsexceedinglevel17.ThestormisexpectedtopassoverHainanIslandofChinaandentertheGulfofTonkintonight.Aroundnoontomorrow,thestormwillmakelandfallbetweenQu?ngNinhandNam??nhprovincesinnorthernVi?tNam,withanintensityoflevels11-12(103-117km),andgustsoflevel15.—VNSAtreefellontopofacarnearLinh?àmResidentialAreaduringthethunderstormonFridayafternooninHàN?i.VNA/VNSPhotoPh?mMaiHàN?ISupertyphoonYagiclaimeditsfirstcasualtyinthecapital,asa41-year-oldwomanwaskilledaftera15-metretreefellontopofherintheareanearLinh?àm,HàN?i.Thetree,withadiameterof30centimetre,wasuprootedandcollapsedupontwopeoplewhoweretravellingonamotorbikeatNguy?nH?uTh?Street.Thewoman,whowassittingattheback,diedinstantly,whilethemaledriveriscurrentlyhospitalisedinB?chMaiHospitalforasevereheadinjury.Localofficialsrushedtothescenetorescuethevictimsandcleanuptopreventtrafficdisruptions.Elsewhereintheoldquarter,anothertreewasalsouprootedanddestroyedanancienthouseinHàngCáStreet,injuringthreepeople.Thetreetrunkcollapsedontheouterwallofthehouse,andevenfellatopanelectriccarcarryingtourists.Passengersonthecarwerefortunatelyunharmed,asthetoppledoverthehoodofthecar.ThesceneofthefallentreeinHàngCástreet.Photovtcnews.vnBlackcloudscoveringtheLongBiênareabeforethethunderstorm.VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nAnhTrafficjaminTh?ngLongBoulevardafterthethunderstorm.Photolaodongthudo.vnThethirty-minutethunderstorm,causedbyastormcloudfromTyphoonYagi,causedheavyrainfallandtremendouslystrongwindsinthecapital.Thestormalsofrightenedmanycitizens,withmanytriedtogethomeearlycausingmassivetrafficjamsduringtherushhour.MainstreetssuchasHoàngV?nThái,Nguy?nChíThanh,Lángwerecloggedwithvehicles,withcarsandmotorbikesliterallystuckforaroundtwohoursinplacessuchasMaiD?chOverpassinC?uGi?y.DatafromGoogleMapssuggesteddelaysofupto40minutesonareasinC?uGi?y,ThanhXuan,andmostofRingRoadNo.3.VNS

TouristsinNorthKoreain2019.AFP/VNAFilePhotoHàN?IAccordingtoSputnikNews,NorthKorearecentlyannouncedthatitwillofficiallyresumeinternationaltourismactivitiesbytheendof2024,nearlyfiveyearsafterthecountrycompletelycloseditsbordersduetotheCOVID-19pandemic.Followingthisannouncement,severaltravelcompaniesinVi?tNamhavebegunissuingnotificationsaboutorganisingtourstoNorthKoreanextyear.InVi?tNam,tourstoNorthKoreasurgedafterthesecondUS-NorthKoreasummittookplaceinHàN?iinearly2019.Previously,Nguy?nC?ngHoan,CEOofFlamingoRedtours,sharedwithSputnikthatthemostconvenientrouteforVietnamesetouriststravellingtoNorthKoreaistoflytoBeijingandthencontinueontoPyongyang.OnAugust14,KoryoTours,atravelagencybasedinBeijing,announcedthroughitsofficialwebsitethattourstoNorthKoreawillresumefromDecember.ThefirstdestinationwillbeSamjiyon,acityneartheChineseborder,withthepossibilityofopeningupotherlocationsacrossthecountrylater.WearedelightedthatNorthKoreaisreopeningafterfouryears,saidarepresentativeofthetravelagency,addingthattheirNorthKoreanpartnerswillprovidespecificschedulesnextweek.KTGTours,atouroperatorspecialisinginNorthKoreantravel,alsoannouncedthatforeigntouristscanvisitSamjiyonfromthiswinter,expressinghopethatPyongyangwillsoonwelcometouristsagain.SamjiyonisbeingdevelopedbyNorthKoreaasamodelofacivilisedmountaintownwithapartments,hotels,skiresortsandvariousnewcommercialfacilities.VNSVietnameselanguagepromotedamongoverseascommunities.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–Apressbriefingonthe2024VietnameseLanguageAppreciationDayandagalatohonourthelanguagewasheldbytheMinistryofForeignAffairsStateCommitteeforOverseasVietnamese(SCOV)inHàN?ionFriday.Nguy?nM?nh??ng,DeputyChairmanoftheSCOV,highlightedsuccessofthisyearscelebration,whichincludedavarietyofactivitiesbothathomeandabroadwhichhavemadesignificantstridesinpromotingandpreservingVietnameseamongoverseasVietnamesecommunities.TheVietnameseLanguageAmbassadorcontestattractedgreaternumberofparticipantsthisyearcomparedto2023,with158entriesfrom14countries.Amongthefiveoutstandingambassadorsnamed,onewasan8-year-oldoverseasVietnamesestudent,andanotherwasaLaoenthusiastfortheVietnameselanguage.ThecontestencouragesyoungergenerationstopreservetheVietnameselanguage,fosteringculturalconnectionsworldwide.TheGratitudeinitiative,organisedincooperationwiththeministry,theVietnamEducationPublishingHouse,andvariousoverseasVietnameseassociations,aimstohonourindividualsandorganisationsfortheiractivepromotionoftheVietnameselanguagepreservation.IthasbeensuccessfullyimplementedincountrieslikeFranceandtheCzechRepublic,withplansforexpansion.EffortstoestablishtheVietnameseLanguageBookshelfprojecthavecontinued,withfivebookshelvesnowsupportingcommunitiesincountriessuchasAustria,Laos,andHungary.VariousVietnameseculturalcentresandassociationsworldwidehavebeenactivelyinvolvedinorganisingforums,seminars,anddiscussionsonteachingmethodsforVietnamese.EventslikeLunarNewYearandNationalDaycelebrationsarealsointegratedwithVietnameselanguagepromotionefforts,contributingtothepreservationoftheculturalidentity.TheBelovedVietnamesegalaonSeptember8willhonourthetopfiveambassadorsandrecognisethecontributionsbyindividualsandorganisationsinpromotingtheVietnameselanguage.VNS