AmedicalworkercheckstheRussianmanshealth.—Photosnhandan.vnTHáIBìNH—TheauthoritiesofnorthernprovinceTháiBìnhauthoritieshaveidentifieda46-year-oldmanwithRussiannationality,driftinginthecoastaltidalflatareaofTh?yTr??ngCommune,TháiTh?yDistrict??sufferingfromfatigueandhungerbutwithoutanyinjuriesonhisbody.HisnameisRomanBorisivandhaspassportvaliduntilNovember9,2028.At14.00onMonday,theDiêm?i?nPortBorderGuardStationinTháiTh?yDistrictreceivedareportfromTr?nXuanC?nh,46,in??ngHoàngCommune,Ti?nH?iDistrict,aboutthediscoveryofamaleforeignerinacoastaltidalflatarea.Afterreceivingtheinformation,theborderguardstationsentofficersandsoldierstothescene.TheworkinggroupandlocalpeopletookthemantoanoysterwatchtowerformedicalcareandfirstaidduetohispoorhealthandthentookhimtotheDiêm?i?nPortBorderGuardStation.ImmigrationchecksshowedthatheenteredVi?tNamonJuly15,2024,undertheunilateralvisaexemptionprogrammethroughtheTayTrangInternationalBorderGatein?i?nBiênProvince.AuthoritiescheckedRomanBorisovspersonalbelongingsandfoundonlydailynecessitiesandclothes,nomoneyorweapons.HesaidthatbeforeenteringVi?tNam,hehadbeeninThailandandLaos.Hestayedin?i?nBiênforaboutthreedays.Becausehehadnomoney,hewalkedandhitchedaridetoH?iPhòngCityonJuly20.Seeinghimwanderingaround,H?iPhòngpeoplegavehimshelterandfood.OnJuly28,hemovedtothecoastalmangroveforestarea.Localslenthimafoamraft,whichherowedalongthecoastanddriftedtothetidalflatareaof??Th?yTr??ngCommune.HispassportisvalidfortemporaryresidenceinVi?tNam.BorisovsaidhewishestocontinuetotravelfreelyinVi?tNam.Whenhistemporaryresidenceexpires,hewillgotoLaosandCambodiaviathelandbordergates.Currently,theRussianmanisbeingtemporarilycaredforandrestingattheDiêm?i?nPortBorderGuardStation.TháiBìnhProvinceauthoritiesdeterminedthathehadcompletedallproceduresaccordingtothelawanddidnotdiscoveranysuspiciousissuesrelatedtonationalsecurity.TheydecidedtoguidehimonVietnameseregulationsandlawssothathecancontinuehisjourneyinVi?tNam.—VNS

ForeigntouristsvisitHoànKi?mLakeinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTùngHàN?I—Forthefourthconsecutiveyear,Vi?tNamhasbeenlistedasthemostaffordablecountryintheworldforexpats,rankingfirstoutof53destinationswhenitcomestopersonalfinances,accordingtoa2024InterNationsstudy.Vi?tNamalsocamein40thplaceforqualityoflife,29thplaceforexpatessentialssuchasdigitallife,housingandlanguageand14thforworkingabroad–withconsiderationslikecareerprospects,salaryandjobsecurityfactoredin.Morethan12,000expatsacross174countriesandterritoriesworldwideparticipatedinthebroaderExpatInsider2024surveywhichprovidedinsightsincludingthebestandworstplacestolive,qualityoflife,workingabroadandcosts.ForthePersonalFinanceIndex,InterNationsaskedsurveyrespondentstoranktheirpersonalsatisfactionlevelsinthreeareas:generalcostofliving,satisfactionwiththeirfinancialsituationandwhetherdisposablehouseholdincomewasenoughtoleadacomfortablelife.Thisdatawasusedtocompilethereportwhichremainslargelyunchangedfromlastyear,withtheexceptionofanewentrytothelist–Brazil(ninth)–replacingMalaysia,whichdroppedfromfifthin2023to11ththisyear.OthertopdestinationsexpatssaidweregoodfortheirpersonalfinancesincludeCambodia,Indonesia,Panama,thePhilippines,India,Mexico,Thailand,BrazilandChina.OutofthosesurveyedinVi?tNam,86percentrateditscostoflivingfavourably–thatsmorethantwicetheglobalaverageof40percentand65percentofrespondentsinthecountrysaidtheyweresatisfiedwiththeirfinancialsituationcomparedto54percentglobally,accordingtothereport.Inaddition,68percentofrespondentssaidtheirdisposablehouseholdincomewasmorethanenoughtoleadacomfortablelife,comparedto41percentglobally,thesurveyshowed.Notonlyarecostsoflivinglow,expatstendtobepaidmoreinVi?tNam,whichisclosetodoubletheglobalaverage,reportingagrossyearlyincomeofUS$150,000ormore,accordingtothesurvey.Inaddition,generaljobsatisfactionisalsoveryhighamongexpatsinthecountry.Vi?tNamjumpedfrom24thranklastyearto3rdin2024forthisfactor,whichispartoftheWorkCultureSatisfactionsubcategory,accordingtoKathrinChudoba,chiefmarketingofficerforInterNations.Generally,work-lifebalancetrumpscareeradvancementinVi?tNam,accordingtothereport.Notably,lessthanhalf(46percent)ofthecountrysexpatpopulationworkfulltime,comparedtotheglobalaverageof57percent.Aboutoneinfiveexpats(21percent)workpart-timeandabout18percentofexpatsareretired.Alongwithmeasuringexpatssatisfactioninspendingterms,theInterNationsExpatInsiderstudyalsogathereddataonwhichdestinationsoverallarebestforexpatsglobally.Thisbroaderlistexploreshowexpatsfeelacrossotheraspectsoflifeabroad,basedonfiveindices:generalhappiness,qualityoflife,easeofsettlingin,workingabroadandtheirexpatessentialsindex,whichisbasedonadministration,housing,digitallifeandlanguage.Outof53destinationsglobally,fourAsiancountriesmadeitintotheoveralltop10listthisyear:Indonesia(thirdoverall),Thailand(sixthoverall),Vi?tNam(eighthoverall)andthePhilippines(ninthoverall).—VNSStudentsareattheVi?tNamNationalUniversity-HàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—AtotalofnineVietnamesehighereducationinstitutionsfeatureintheBestGlobalUniversitiesRankings2024-2025,recentlyreleasedbyNewsWorldReportoftheUnitedStates.ThelocaleducationestablishmentswhichmadethisyearslistareDuyTanUniversity,T?n??cTh?ngUniversity,Vi?tNamNationalUniversity-HàN?i(theVNU-HàN?i),Vi?tNamNationalUniversity-HCMCity(VNU-HCMCity),HàN?iUniversityofScienceandTechnology,Nguy?nT?tThànhUniversity,Hu?University,HCMCityUniversityofTechnology,andC?nTh?University,theVoiceofVi?tNam(VOV)citedthesourceassaying.ThelatestrankingscomeafterBestGlobalUniversitiesratedatotalof2,250universitiesacross104countriesandterritoriesworldwide.Regardingthemethodologyinjudgingthehighereducationinstitutions,thelistassessesuniversitiesaccordingto13indicators,focusingonresearchreputation(throughsurveys)andresearchqualitythroughdataanalysispublishedintheClarivateAnalyticsInCitesdatabase.—VNS

Bi?nhD??ngProvinceapprovedinvestmentinindustrial,urban,serviceandlogisticsbeltsalongRingRoad4inB?nCátCity.—Photobaoxaydung.com.vnBìNHD??NG—ThesouthernprovinceofBìnhD??nghasissuedaplantodevelopindustrial,urban,serviceandlogisticsbeltsalongRingRoadNo.4.Accordingly,tenurbanareasandfourportswillbedevelopedonanareaof??about2,702hectaresinB?nCátCity.TheseurbanareasandportswillplayanimportantroleinbeingatraffichubofBìnhD??ngProvince,andagatewayconnectingwithHCMCitythroughtheRingRoad4trafficroute.TotalestimateddevelopmentcostisVN?134trillion(US$5.5billion).Theprojectisexpectedtobecompletedin2040.InvestmentcapitalwillbemobilisedbytheprovincefrommanydifferentsourcessuchastheStatebudget,privatesectorsandbonds.—VNSHàN?I—TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentandtheUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP)inVi?tNamco-chairedapolicydialogueconferenceinHàN?ionMondaytodiscussenhancinginternationalcooperationandmulti-sectoralcoordinationincirculareconomyinagriculture.DeputyMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentPhùng??cTi?nhighlightedVi?tNamscommitmenttoacirculareconomy,pointingtoexistingpoliciesanddirectives,includingArticle142ofthe2020LawonEnvironmentalProtection.Theagriculturalsectorhaspromotedtheapplicationandimplementationofcircularagriculture,explicitlyaddressedinthe2021-30strategyforsustainableagricultureandruraldevelopment(withavisionto2050),andaschemepromotingtheapplicationandtransferofsci-techforacircularagriculturaleconomyby2030,hesaid.RamlaKhalidi,UNDPResidentRepresentativeinVi?tNam,commendedthecountryseffortstofulfilitsNationallyDeterminedContributions(NDCs)-commitmentsmadeundertheParisAgreement.Sheacknowledgedthemultifacetedbenefitsofcircularagriculture–addressingclimatechangegoals,enhancingeconomiccompetitiveness,andprotectinghumanhealthandecosystems.Shecalledforstrongercollaborationtobuildandperformcirculareconomypolicies.Thisincludesensuringequitableinvestmentallocation,fosteringknowledgesharingandcooperation,andleveragingthepowerofagriculturalvaluechainsandsci-techforcommunicationcampaignstoraiseawareness.UNDP,shereaffirmed,remainscommittedtosupportingtheVietnameseGovernmentinthisjourney.Representativesfrominternationalandnon-governmentalorganisations,theprivatesector,ministriesandagenciessharedinsightsoninternationalcooperationmechanisms,interdisciplinarycoordinationtopromotecircularagriculturepractices,andsuccessfulcasestudies.Participantsunderlinedpublic-privatepartnershipsindrivingthesuccessofcircularagriculture,withtheprivatesectorapplyingsci-techtoadvancerelevantinitiatives.—VNSPaneliststalkaboutusingsocialnetworksforhealthcarecommunicationataroundtableheldbytheHCMCityUniversityMedicalCentreonJuly6.—PhotocourtesyofHCMCityUniversityMedicalCentreHCMCITY—Socialnetworksareapowerfultoolforhealthcarefacilitiesandhealthcareprofessionalstodisseminatemedicalknowledge,promoteaccuratemedicalinformationandincreasepublicawarenessofriskfactorsandpathologies,aroundtablehasheard.V?M?nhC??ng,directorofthehealthministrysNationalCentreforHealthEducationandCommunication,toldtheroundtableheldbytheHCMCityUniversityMedicalCentreonSaturdaythatVietnamesespendanaverageoftwohoursand33minutesonsocialnetworkseveryday.Soitmakeseminentsenseforhealthfacilitiestousedigitalchannelstocommunicatewithpatientsandshareknowledgeandinformationonthemandpreventthespreadofmisinformation,hesaid.Tophospitalmanagersandhealthcareprofessionalsneedtoacknowledgetheroleofsocialmediainfluencersinhelpingpromotemedicalinformationandimprovepublichealth,headded.Nguy?nV?nTh?ngLong,alectureratRMITVietnam,saidaround66percentofhealthcarefacilitiesusetraditionalmethodstodisseminateinformationtopatients,withafocusonstatisticsandmedicaljargon.Butonsocialmedia,whichattractslargenumbers,misinformationisrampant,helamented.Healthcarefacilitiesneedtotransformcontentsintoinspiringstoriestoattractthepublicandhelphealthcareprofessionalscommunicateondigitalchannels,headded.—VNS

TheMinistryofPublicSecurityholdsasix-monthreviewintoitsinvestigations.—PhotocourtesyoftheministryHàN?I—TheMinistryofPublicSecuritycrackeddownmorethan3,000corruption,economicandsmugglingcases,withmorethan4,900defendantsinvolvedinthefirsthalfofthisyear,aconferencehasbeentold.Thenumbersofcasesanddefendantswere21.63percentand47.12percenthigher,comparedtothesameperiodlastyear.TheministryheldaconferenceonMondaytoreviewitsperformanceinthefirstsixmonthsofthisyear,withtheparticipationofPresidentT?Lam,whopraisedtheirwork.AccordingtoDeputyMinisterTr?nQu?cT?,thefightagainstcrimehasintensifiedastheministrydiscoveredevermorecomplexmethodscriminalswereusing.Inthefirstsixmonthsof2024,theministrylaunchedinvestigationinto22,022crimesrelatedtosocialorder,higherthanthetargetsetbytheNationalAssembly.Theministrysped??uptheinvestigationandhandlingofmajorcasesandnewcases,saidT?.ThepublicsecurityforcehastakendrasticmeasurestoimplementtheGovernmentsProject06ondevelopingtheapplicationofpopulationdata,e-identificationandauthenticationfornationaldigitaltransformation.Therateofonlinepublicserviceprovisioninthefirstsixmonthsreached97.13percent.Regardingsalvageandrescueefforts,theministryperformed581rescuesandsaved362people.PresidentT?Lampraisedtheministryforitsachievementsinthefirsthalfoftheyearandorderedtheforcetocontinuetofocusprimarilyonanti-corruptionworkandthenpreventingandcombatingnegativephenomenaandcorruption.Theministryhasbeenurgedtobestrategicaboutitsperformance,protectingnationalsecurity,fightingcrimesandcontinuingtoexpandinternationalcooperationinsecurity,maintainingsafety,order,disciplineandmaintainingthesocio-economichealthofthecountry,whilealsopromotinginternationalintegration.HehopedthattheforcewillovercomealldifficultiesandcompletealltasksassignedbytheParty,Stateandpeople,firstofallsuccessfullyimplementingtheresolutionsofthePartyandtheministrysCentralCommitteeParty.—VNSAfirebrokedoutonJune8atahouseonHàngV?iStreetinHoànKi?mDistrict,HàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—ThePeoplesCommitteeofHàN?ihasdevelopedseveralmeasurestoenhancefirepreventionandcontrolinmulti-storeyresidentialbuildings,multi-apartmenthousing,andhousescombinedwithproductionandbusinessactivities.HàN?iPolicewillprovideadvisorysupportforimplementingregulationsanddirectives.IncollaborationwiththeDepartmentofConstruction,HàN?iPolicewillissuedocumentsonurgentmeasurestoenhancefiresafetyconditions,tailoredtolocalrealities,tobecompletedby30July2024.HàN?iPolicewillorganisereviews,inspectionsandclassifications,andissuefiresafetymeasuresformulti-storeyresidentialbuildings,multi-apartmenthousing,andhousesusedasproductionandbusinessestablishments(includingrentalhousing).FacilityheadsandhomeownersmustcommittoatimelineforimplementingthefiresafetymeasuresissuedbythePeoplesCommittee,withallmeasurestobecompletedby30March2025.Non-compliantbusinessestablishmentswillberequiredtoceaseoperationsuntilcomplianceisachieved.TheChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteehasinstructedHàN?iPolicetostrictlyhandleestablishmentsthatdonotmeetfiresafetyrequirements,particularlythoseinusebeforeFirePreventionandControlLawNo.27/2001/QH10tookeffecton4October2001.Thisincludesrectifyingandhandlingallbuildingsputintousewithoutapprovalorinspectionforfiresafetyandensuringnonewnon-compliantbuildingsareused.Forfirescausingseriousdamage,HàN?iPolicewillinvestigatethecauses,identifyresponsibilities,andhandlethemstrictlyaccordingtolegalregulations.Theywillensureaccountabilityoflocalpartyandgovernmentleadersifhigh-riskestablishmentsoperatewithoutadequatesafetyconditions,resultinginseriousconsequencesduetoalackofleadership,direction,inspection,orsupervision.ThePeoplesCommitteeofHàN?irequiresallsectorsandlocalitiestoclearlydefineresponsibilities,emphasisingtheresponsibilityofleadersinimplementingassignedduties.Theymustproactivelypreventandmitigatefireincidentstominimisedamage.Relevantunitsmustpromptlyresolvearisingdifficultiestoensureeffectiveimplementation.Headsofunitsshouldregularlyguide,inspect,andsupervisefirepreventionmeasures.Localpartycommitteesandgovernments,especiallyatthegrassrootslevel,arecalledtocollaboratewiththepoliceinleading,directing,andexecutingfireprevention,firefighting,andrescuetasks.Inspectionsmustbeintensified,andanylapsesorlaxmanagementinfirepreventionandrescuemustbehandled,includingconsideringcriminalliabilityoflocalpartiesandgovernmentleaders.Thecitywillreviewandproposeamendmentstothecurrentlegalframeworkforfirepreventioninmulti-storeyresidentialbuildings,multi-apartmenthousing,andsingle-familyhomescombinedwithproductionandbusinessactivities(includingrentalhousing).Intheshortterm,authoritiesmustbeadvisedonremovingimpracticalregulationsthathinderfirepreventioneffortsandaddressingshortcomingsinstatemanagementregulationsforthistypeofhousing.HàN?iwillcontinuetodevelopitsfirepreventioninfrastructureinlinewiththeHàN?iMasterPlanfor2021-2030,withavisiontowards2050,andtheHàN?iMasterPlanAdjustmentSchemeto2045,withavisionto2065.Thisincludesbuildingtransportationnetworks,watersupplysystems,andcommunicationsystemsthatmeetfirepreventionandrescuerequirements.Thecitywillalsofocusoninspecting,supervising,andpromptlyaddressinginadequaciesinfirepreventionandrescueeffortstopreventandeliminatecausesleadingtofires.HàN?iwillissueandimplementacomprehensiveplantoimprovefirepreventionandrescuecapacity,ensuringsafetyinthecapitaluntil2025,withavisionextendingto2030.VNS

PeopledonatebloodattheRedJourneyopeningceremonyinV?nhPhúcProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngHùngV?NHPHúC—TheeighthRedJourneyofV?nhPhúcProvinceisunderwaywithhopesthat8,000donorswillheedthecallanddonate5,100unitsofbloodbytheendofJuly.TheblooddonationpushstartedonSundaywiththeCentralRedJourneyOrganiserandtheprovincialsteeringcommitteeforvoluntaryblooddonation.Speakingattheopeningceremony,ChairmanoftheV?nhPhúcRedCrossSocietyTr?nPhúPh??ngsaidthatinrecentyears,thevoluntaryblooddonationcampaignhadbecomesomethingculturallybeautifulforalllocalpeopleanditspopularityhadspread.HeaskedforallStateemployees,armedforcesandworkerstocontinuepromotingthespiritofkindnessandactivelyparticipateinthedonationprogramme.ThisyearistheeighthconsecutiveyearthatV?nhPhúcProvincehasjoinedintheRedJourney,attractingalargenumberofpeoplefromallwalksoflife.Oversevenpreviousdonationcampaigns,theprovincehascollectedmorethan16,000unitsofblood.Fromthestartoftheyear,theprovincehasorganised39voluntaryblooddonationsessions,attractingmorethan12,000peopleandcollectingmorethan11,000unitsofblood,therebyovercomingandlimitingbloodshortageforemergencyandtreatmentinthearea.LêLam,DeputyDirectoroftheNationalInstituteofHematologyandBloodTransfusionandalsoDeputyHeadoftheNationalSteeringCommitteeforVoluntaryBloodDonation,saidthatafter11years,58provincesandcitieshaveparticipatedintheRedJourney.Millionsofpeoplevolunteeredtodonatebloodandtotaldonationshaveexceeded815,000unitsofblood.TheRedJourneyhadgonebeyondasimplevoluntaryblooddonationprogrammeandhadbecomeaprofoundsocialactivity,asymbolofcompassionandcompatriotism,hesaid.Attheopeningceremony,atotalof52individuals,fourfamiliesand18groupswerehonouredfortheiroutstandingachievementsinblooddonationthisyear.TheyincludedPhùng??cVi?t,aworkerfromPHflexVinaCoLtdwhohasdonatedblood30timesandNguy?nTh?BíchTh??ng,ateacherattheXuanHòaJuniorSecondarySchoolinPhúcYênCity,whohasdonatedblood35times.AlongwithcoupleNguy?nV?nHi?nandH?Th?H?ngG?minXuanHòaWard,PhúcYênCity,whohavetogetherdonatedbloodnearly100times,Hi?n45timesandG?m48times.—VNS

DelegateslaunchVi?tNam-Japandigitaltransformationassociation(VADXJAPAN).VNA/VNSPhotoTOKYO–TheVi?tNam-Japandigitaltransformationassociation(VADXJAPAN)madeitsdebutinTokyoonJuly7.ItisexpectedtobecomeaplatformconnectingVietnamesebusinessesoperatingintheinformationtechnology(IT)sectorinJapan,whilepromotingcooperationandsharingadvancedtechnologyinitiativesandsolutionsbetweenthetwocountries.AmbassadorPh?mQuangHi?uemphasisedthatsince2005,whenthefirstVietnameseITcompanyopeneditsbranchinJapan,therehavebeenbynowover60companiesthathaveestablishedbranchesorstartednewoperationintheEastAsiancountry.TheestablishmentofVADXJAPANmarksasignificantmilestoneinthestronggrowthofVietnameseITenterprisesinJapan,characterisedbydevelopmentsinreputation,quality,workforcescale,revenue,andfuturedevelopmentopportunities,hestressed,expressinghishopethatinthecomingtime,itwillhelpVietnameseITenterprisesinJapanadvancefurtherwithadeterminationtoleadinpromotingdigitaltransformationandmakingpracticalcontributionstothetwocountriescooperation,forthebenefitsofthetwopeoples.VADXJAPANChairman??V?nKh?caffirmedthattheassociationisnotonlyahubconnectingbusinessesinvolvedindigitaltransformationandinnovation,butalsoaimstobecomearobustbridgeforbringingtechnologicalinitiativesandsolutionsfromVi?tNamtoJapanandviceversa.Additionally,ITenterprisesfrombothcountrieswillhaveampleopportunitiestocollaborate,contributingsignificantlytoenhancingandimprovingthequalityofITworkforcecurrentlyinshortageinJapan.VADXJAPANwillorganiseactivitiestopromoteinnovation,technologytransfer,researchanddevelopment,andapplicationofadvanceddigitaltechnologiesforitsmembers.Asforhumanresourcesdevelopment,itaimstobuildacontingentoftensofthousandsofhigh-qualityengineersinJapanandhundredsofthousandsofproficientJapanese-speakingengineersinVietnam.ThiseffortseekstohelpalleviateJapanslabourshortage,estimatedtoreachnearly800,000peopleby2030accordingtodatafromtheMinistryofEconomy,Trade,andIndustryofJapan,statedKhac.AccordingtoVADXJAPANsassessment,Japansdemandforsoftwaredevelopmentoutsourcingisestimatedatover30billionUSDannually,whilecurrentlyVietnameseITenterprisesonlyholda6-7%marketshare.Therefore,thepotentialandlong-termopportunitiesfortheminJapanremainbig.Theassociationaimstoachieveatotalrevenueof1trillionJPY(approximatelyUS$7billion)ofVietnameseITenterprisesinJapanby2033.Thisgoalunderscorestheirambitiontobecomeareputableandstrongorganisation,makingsignificantcontributionstothedigitalandgreentransformationofbothcountries.VNSProf.Nguy?n??ngPhong,chairmanoftheUniversityofEconomicsHCMCitycouncil,deliverstheopeningspeechattheResiliencebyTechnologyandDesign2024internationalscientificconferenceheldinHCMCityonJuly15.—VNSPhotoThuH?ngHCMCITY—LocalandinternationalscholarsandexpertsintechnologyanddesignarediscussingtechnologyanddesignsolutionstoenhanceresilienceincommunitiesattheResiliencebyTechnologyandDesign2024internationalscientificconferencethatopenedinHCMCityonMonday.ThesecondbiennialeventisbeingorganisedbytheUniversityofEconomicsHCMCity(UEH)incoordinationwithuniversitiesinItaly,Australia,theRepublicofKorea,Taiwan(China),Singapore,andJapan.Thefour-dayconference,whichhasthethemeFosteringSustainability,willprovidein-depthknowledge,updatesonthelatesttrendsandanalysesofnew,uniqueandmulti-dimensionalperspectivesfromleadingexpertsinthefieldsoftechnologyanddesign.Discussionswillfocusontopicsthatexploretheimportantroleofadvancedtechnologies,innovativedesignmethodsandcomprehensivedataanalyticsincreatingsolutionsthatalignwiththeprinciplesofenvironmentalresponsibility,economicviabilityandpotential,andsocialjustice.SomediscussionsessionswillalsobeheldattheUEH–V?nhLongbranchinthenamesakeC?uLong(Mekong)DeltaprovinceonWednesdayoninnovativesolutionsandideastocopewithcyclones,sealevelrise,salinisationofrivers,flooding,andlandslidestoensureamoresustainablefutureforthedelta.AfieldvisitwillbeorganisedtotheMekongDeltaonThursdaytofacilitateinteractionswithlocalcommunities.Speakingattheopeningceremony,Prof.Nguy?n??ngPhong,chairmanoftheuniversitycouncil,said:Fromcreatingagreensustainablecampustoworkingtowardsacirculareconomythroughresearch,UEHismakingamultidimensionalimpactonmanyareasoftechnologyandinnovation.TheResiliencebyTechnologyandDesign2024conferenceisonesuchinitiative,whichhasproventohaveaninternationaloutreachandiscreatingapromisingpartnershipamongresearchersthroughouttheworld,headded.—VNS

LêVi?tD?ngHàN?I—TheinitiativetoremovedilapidatedhousesnationwideinVi?tNamismakingbigstridesandisontracktoreachitsgoalby2025.ItispartoftheNationalTargetProgrammeonSustainablePovertyReductionbetween2021and2025.BySeptember2023,morethan3,500impoverishedfamiliesinTuyênQuangProvincehadreceivedfinancialsupporttofixtheirhousesorbuildnewones.B?cGiangandYênBáiprovinceswerenotfarbehind,withapproximately3,800and3,500familiesgettingassistance,respectively.CaoB?ngProvinceisanothershiningexample.Thelocalgovernmenthasprovidedfundingtoover3,600familiesfornewhousesortorepairhousesasofMay2023.TheLyV?nNófamilyinTh??ngTh?nCommune,HàQu?ngDistrict,CaoB?ngProvince,isaheartwarmingexampleofhowthisinitiativeischanginglives.Withtenpeople(Nósparents,Nóa(chǎn)ndhiswife,andtheirsixchildren)crammedintoatiny40sq.mhouse,lifewastough.Thewallswerejustoldboardsproppedupbybamboopolesandtheleakyroofofferedlittleprotectionfromtheharshweather.Itwasawfulduringtherainyseason,Nórecalled.Waterwouldpourineverywhereanditwasalwayshotorcoldwithnoproperinsulation.Butweweresopoor,unabletoaffordtofixthehouse.Nósoldhouse,builtofoldboardsandbamboopolespoorlytiedtogether.—VNSPhotoLêVI?tD?ngLuckily,localofficialsnoticedtheirstruggle.Theysteppedin,assessedthesituationandprovidedfinancialaidforNótobuildanewhouse.Theyevenhelpedhimgetsomelivestocktoboosttheirincome.Thedifferenceisincredible.By2023,theNófamilywascelebratingtheirspaciousnew100sq.mhouse.Noleaks,nomoreextremetemperatures–justacomfortableplacetolive.Andtheirfinancialsituationislookinguptoo.Theirlivestockhasgrownintofourcows,acalfandtwobuffaloes.NotfarfromtheNófamily,theSùngV?n?ìnhfamilyalsogotassistancetobuildanewhome,butthatwasnotall.Localofficialsalsoconnected?ìnhwithsomeextraworktobringinmoreincomeontopofwhathemakesfromfarming.NowIcangrowcornandraiseducks,butIalsoworkinconstruction,?ìnhsaid.Gettingpaidbythedaymakesabigdifferenceformywife,ourfourchildrenandme.Th??ngTh?nCommuneisaprimeexampleofhowwellthisinitiativecanwork.In2021,25newhouseswerebuiltandfourwererepairedinthecommune,withatotalbudgetofVN?1.5billion(US$59,000).Thefollowingyear,19newhouseswerebuiltand22wererevamped.In2023,thenumbersweresixnewand12repaired.AlocalpoliceofficervisitsNósnewhouse,whichmeetstheThree-Strongcriteria(strongfoundation,strongwalls,andstrongroof).—VNSPhotoLêVi?tD?ngThisyear,Th??ngTh?nsauthoritiessetanambitiousgoalofbuilding50newhousesandfixinganother60.With455impoverishedfamiliesand86closetopoverty,replacingdilapidatedhouseswithbetteronesisatoppriorityforthelocalgovernmentanditsresidents.Onechallengetheyfaceisgettingbuildingmaterialstoremoteareas,becausetheroadsarenotalwaysidealinTh??ngTh?n,whichmakestransportingthingslikecement,sandandgraveldifficult.Toovercomethehurdle,thelocalgovernmentisgettingcreative.Itencouragedthecommunitytopitchinandhelpmovematerials,makingiteasierforthoseinneedtogetthehelptheydeserve.—VNSHCMCITY—Strengtheninglabourstrategies,forecastingeffortsandcreatingfavourableconditionsintheworkforcesupply-demandchainareallkeystoboostingsocio-economicdevelopmentinthesoutheasternregion.Theregionisoneofthemostdynamiceconomicregions,attractingalargenumberofworkers,sothesemeasuresaredesignedtohelpthemfindjobsmoreeasilyandfacilitatebusinessoperationsintheregion.Targetingselectiveinvestmentsandhigh-qualitylabourHCMCity,whichisthecentralurbanareaofthesouthernregionandtheentirecountryaswell,hasanabundantlaboursupply.Accordingtotheofficialstatistics,thelabourforceinthiscityaccountsforovereightpercentofthenationalworkforce,withanaverageannuallabourgrowthrateofabout0.59percent.Eachyear,thecityseesalargeinfluxofnewlabourmarketentrantsandmigrantworkersofworkingagefromotherprovincesandcities,aswellasforeignworkerscomingintowork.StudentsattendajobfairinHCMCity.VNA/VNSPhotoThanhV?TheHCMCityslabourandemploymentstrategyforthe2023-2025periodwithavisionto2030,recentlyapprovedbytheCityPeoplesCommittee,pointsoutsomestrongadvantagesintermsofitslabourmarket.Theseincludeaplentifulanddiverseworkforce,ahigh-qualityvocationaleducationsystem,averyhighdemandforlabour,afavourablegeographicallocationwithinternationalgatewaystatusandasignificantappealtoinvestorsandhighlyskilledworkers.However,thecityhastofaceseveralchallengesinattractinglabourincludinghighlivingcosts,whichrequirescarefulconsiderationfromworkerswhendecidingtostudy,liveandworkinthecity.Therearealsosignificantskillgapsamongthelabourforce,leadingtoashortageofhigh-qualityworkersandasurplusoflabourunsuitableforthecitysdevelopment-orientedindustries.Thelaboursupplyisforecastedtobestableinthecityfrom2025to2030,buttrendslightlydownwarduntil2030.Labourdemandwillbehigherthansupplyfrom2023to2030.Theincreaseinlabourdemandisexpectedtoincreasefastercomparedtosupply,particularlyfrom2027onwards.Thiscouldresultinalabourshortageandputpressureoncompaniestoincreasewagestoattracttalent.Thelabourdemandinthecityhasbeennotedasbeinglinkedtotrendsofthedevelopingkeyeconomicsectors,digitaltransformation,industrieswithhighscientificandtechnologicalcontentanddevelopingcommercetowardsservice-orientedtrade.Therefore,toensureemployment,thecityneedstoprioritiseselectiveinvestments.Thecityshouldfocusonattractinginvestmentsinhigh-techindustrialproduction,applicationsofadvancedtechnologywhilelimitingprojectsthatoverlydependonlow-skilledlabourorposehighenvironmentalpollutionrisks.Businessesareencouragedtoinvestinmodernisingmachineryandequipment,advancedtechnologyanddevelopingagreen,digitalandcirculareconomy.Thecityisalsodevelopinghigh-endservicesectorswhicharepotentialadvantagesofthecitysuchastourism,financialcentres,wholesaletrade,internationalshoppingcentresorlogistics.BàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincesharesthesameneedinselectivelyattractinginvestmentlinkedtojobsforlabour,especiallyhigh-qualitylabour.Theprovinceforecaststhatthereareover8,500operatingbusinesseswithover250,000workerscurrentlyintheprovince.Itisestimatedthateachyear,businesseswillneedatleast20,000additionalworkers,withtrainedworkersaccountingforover80percentofthetotallabourforce.Thefocusonattractinghigh-qualitylabourintheprovincewillbeinsectorssuchaspetrochemicals,seaports,logistics,informationtechnology,mechanicalengineering,servicesandurbantourism.However,itisforecastedthatlocallaboursupplycannotmeetthedemand.Therefore,theprovinceplanstocontinuefocusingonselectivelyattractinginvestmenttoleverageadvantagesinthemaritimeeconomy,industrialdevelopment,seaports,servicesandtourism,transformingtheprovinceintoaregionalindustrialcentre,anationalmaritimeeconomiccentre,ahubofmaritimeservicesinSoutheastAsiaandahigh-qualityinternationaltourismcentre.BoostinglaboursupplyanddemandconnectionThecurrentlaboursupply-demandsituationinHCMCityrevealsseveralshortcomings.Dr.Tr??ngMinhHuyV?,deputydirectoroftheHCMCityInstituteforDevelopmentStudies(HIDS),saidthelabourmarketoperationisnotyetfullyefficient.V?said:Someworkersstruggletofindjobs,whilebusinessesstillhavetofacechallengesinhiringsuitablelabour.Healsostatesthatthecityneedspoliciestosupportinvestmentandtrainingaimedatimprovingthequalityofthelaboursupply-demandconnectionsystem,especiallyonlinejobexchangesandjobintroductioncentres,toeffectivelyconnectbusinessesandworkers.Developingacareerandemploymentinformationportalthatconnectsprovinces,cities,regionsandthecountryisalsocrucial.ThemunicipalPeoplesCommitteeplanstopromotedevelopingthelabourdemandforecastingsystemtomeettrainingneeds,adaptingtothejobrequirements.Thecitywillenhancetheapplicationofinformationtechnologytointegratethecityslabourmarketinformationsystemwiththenationalsystemtopromptlyupdatenationallabourmarkettrends.HCMCityalsoaimstoestablishalabourmarketinformationsystemfortheASEANregion,allowingworkersincertainindustriesandoccupationstomovefreelyamongmembercountriestocreatesustainable,productiveemploymentopportunities.By2030,thecityplanstocompletetheconstructionoftechnicalinfrastructure,applicationsoftware,connectionsystems,dataintegrationandsharingandundertakethetransformationtostandardisethelabourdatabases.ForBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvince,aprogrammetoattracthigh-qualitylabourforkeyeconomicsectorsintheregionduringthe2024-2030periodisalreadyunderway.Theprovinceaimstomeet75percentofthedemandforhigh-qualitylabourbytheendof2025andmeet90percentofthatdemandby2030.Toachievethesegoals,theprovinceisimplementingasynchronisedapproach.Functionalunitsneedtoprovideinformationoneconomicandsocialdevelopment,labourskillrequirementsandeducationalfieldsneededbylocalbusinesses.Thisinitiativeaimstooffercareerpathsforworkersandeducationalactivitiesatvocationalinstitutionstomeetlabourmarketdemands.Theprovincewillalsodevelopanapplication,calledVieclambariavungtau,whichwillprovidecomprehensiveinformationonrecruitmentneedsandtrainingopportunities.Itisexpectedtofosterconnectionsbetweenlaboursupplyanddemand,attractinghigh-qualityworkerstotheprovinceforemploymentopportunities.—VNS

Inresponsetoahighriskofmeaslesoutbreak,HCMCityplanstogivesupplementarymeaslesvaccinationstomorethan500,000childrenagedoneandfiveyears.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—Facingahighriskofameaslesoutbreak,HCMCityshealthdepartmentplanstogivesupplementarymeaslesvaccinationtomorethan500,000childrenagedonetofiveyearsinthecity.ThedepartmenthasrecommendedthemunicipalPeoplesCommitteetoapprovetheplantoadministersupplementarymeaslesvaccinationstoallchildrenagedonetofiveyears,regardlessoftheirpriorvaccinationstatus.Ifapproved,thesupplementarymeaslesvaccinationwillbegininJulyandgiveprioritytoareasatahighriskofmeaslesoutbreak.TheestimatedbudgetforthisinitiativeexceedsVN?4.3billion(US$169million),allocatedfromthecityDepartmentofHealths2024healthcarefunding.Dr.Nguy?nV?nV?nhChau,deputydirectorofthecitysDepartmentofHealth,saidasofmid-June,thecityhadreportedthreemeaslesoutbreaksinBìnhTan,HócM?nandBìnhChánhdistricts.AcommunityimmunitysurveyconductedbythecitysCentreforDiseaseControlincollaborationwiththeOxfordUniversityClinicalResearchUnit(OUCRU),HospitalforTropicalDiseases,andChildrensHospitalNo1revealedthatonly86percentofchildrenagedninemonthstounderfiveyearsinthecityhavemeaslesantibodies.AccordingtotheWorldHealthOrganisation(WHO),maintaininga95percentvaccinationratefortwodosesofmeaslesvaccineinchildrenundertwoyearsoldiscrucialformeasleselimination.ByusingtheWHOsriskassessmenttool,itwasfoundthattheentirecityfacesahighriskofmeaslesoutbreaks.Inresponsetothisalarmingsituation,healthstationsthroughoutthecityhavefocusedintensivelyoncatch-upandsupplementarymeaslesvaccinationsforchildrenlackingcompleteimmunisation.Localhospitalscontinuetoprovidecatch-upvaccinationstopediatricpatientswhowerenotfullyvaccinatedagainstmeaslesbeforedischarge,aimingtobolsterprotectionagainstthespreadofmeasles.—VNSPresidentT?LamandmembersoftheAssociationofFormerVietnameseYouthVolunteersinHàN?ionMonday.—VNA/VNSPhotoNhanSángHàN?I—PresidentT?LamhashailedtheVi?tNamYouthVolunteerForceasashiningsymbolofrevolutionaryheroism,embodyingthefinestqualitiesoftheVietnamesenationandservingasaperpetualsourceofprideforVietnameseyouth.MeetinginHàN?ionMondaywith150representativesattendingthefifthNationalCongressoftheAssociationofFormerVietnameseYouthVolunteers,ontheoccasionofthe74thanniversaryoftheTraditionalDayoftheVi?tNamYouthVolunteerForce,PresidentLamrecalledthegloriousachievementsandsignificantcontributionsoftheforceduringthestrugglefornationalindependenceandsubsequentnationalconstruction.TheParty,State,andpeoplewillforeverrememberandbegratefulfortheimmensecontributionsoftheVi?tNamYouthVolunteerForce,heaffirmed,expressinghisdelightattheassociationsaccomplishmentsinthepastterm,includingthelaunchofmeaningfulcampaignsalignedwiththePartyandStatespoliciesandguidelines.Theassociationwasalsocommendedforitsclosecollaborationwithdepartmentsandagenciestoensurepolicybenefitsforformeryouthvolunteers,assistinthesearchandrepatriationofmartyrsremains,andpromotesocio-economicdevelopmentfollowingCOVID-19.Thepresidentcalledonministriesandagencies,especiallytheH?ChíMinhCommunistYouthUnion,tocontinuestudyingandcreativelyapplyingH?ChíMinhsideologyregardingtheGreatSchoolofYouthVolunteers,buildingastrongcontingentofofficialsandfosteringagenerationofVietnameseyoungpeoplewhoarepatriotic,resilientandproudofthenation.Thisgeneration,henoted,shouldhavepoliticalmettle,revolutionaryethics,competence,andcouragetoengageinglobalintegration,alongwithgreatdreamsandambitions.Theywerealsourgedtoactivelyandeffectivelyengageinnationalrenovation,constructionanddefencewhilepreservingandrenovatinghistoricallandmarksandsitesrelatedtotheforce.Ontheoccasion,theleaderpresentedaphotoofPresidentH?ChíMinhtakenwiththeyoungvolunteersanddonatedVN?200million(US$8,300)tohelptheassociationprepareattirefordelegatesattendingthecongress.PresidentoftheassociationV?Tr?ngKimnotedthattherehavebeenover650,000formeryouthvolunteersjoiningthepaststrugglefornationalindependenceandthecurrentnationaldevelopment.Theassociationhasdonated1,107housesandrepaired509others,presentedgiftsandotheritemslikesavingbooks,food,clothingandschoolsuppliesworthoverVN?269billion($10.6million).Additionally,thememberssupportedeachotherduringtheCOVID-19pandemicwithmorethanVN?2billion($79,000)andvariousitems.—VNS