North Korean leader vows to elevate relations with China to new strategic point_ww88
AfloorwormfarminYênBáiProvince.—Photoyenbai.gov.vnYêNBáI—Farmingsilkwormsonthefloorisapracticethatwasrecentlytestedasapotentialalternativeforthetraditionalmethodofraisingthewormsonbambootrays–butafteratrial,themodelhasbeendroppedintwooutofthreeareas.Amongthethreecommunesthathadtestedthissilkwormmodel,onlyVi?tThanhintheTr?nYênDistrictofthemountainousnorthernY?nBáiProvinceisstillholdingon.Meanwhile,Ng?cL?CommuneinHàNamProvinceandNamTh?ngCommuneinNam??nhProvince,bothinthenortherndeltaregion,nolongerhavesilkworms.LêH?ngVan,directoroftheCentralMulberryResearchCentre,saidthatraisingsilkwormsonthegroundrequiresaseparatebreedinghouseandalargefloorarea,whichareverydifficulttofindinthecrowdednortherndeltaregion.Normally,traditionalhousesintheareahavealtarsinthemiddleandtwobedroomsoneithersideofthehome.Forgroundsilkwormfarmingtowork,peoplehadtoremovealloftheirfurniture,includingbeds,cabinets,tablesandchairs,tomakespace,livinginsteadinsmallroomsinthehouse.Thismadetheirlivesuncomfortableduringasmallpilotprogrammetotestoutthesilkwormfarmingmethod.Afterashorttrialperiodwithagoodevaluation,peopleputtheirbelongingsbackintheirhousesandreturnedtothetraditionalmethodofraisingsilkwormsonbambootrays.Vansaidthenewmethodofraisingsilkwormsonthefloorismoresuitableforregionswherepeoplehavebighouseswithmorespaceavailableforfarming.ThatswhyonlyVi?tThanhCommuneinthenorthernmountainousprovinceofYênBáifoundthemodeltobeasuccess,Vansaid.Nowthesilkwormfarmingmethodisverypopularintheprovince.Raisingsilkwormsonthegroundactuallymakesthingssimpler.Peoplenolongerhavetocatchthesilkwormstoputthemonbambootrayswhentheyrereadytospintheircocoons.Withthenewmethod,whenthesilkwormsareready,farmerscanarrangetheminarowandthenplacetrayssothewormscancrawlupontheirown.Thishelpsbreederssavetimeandlabour.Inthenorthernplainsregion,itisimpossibletocleananddisinfectthesilkwormsarea,becausepeoplearelivinginthesamehouses.ButinYênBáiProvince,silkwormsareraisedinseparateareas,sotheycanberegularlycleanedwithdisinfectant.Breederscanalsosprinklewhitelimeonthesilkwormseverydaytobothdisinfectanddrythefarmingarea.Asforthewormsfavouritefood,mulberryleaves,farmershavebeengrowingnewerhybridvarietiesthatyieldmoreleavesthanever.Beforethe1970s,farmersgrewanindigenousvarietyofmulberry,withayieldofonlww88y12-15tonnesofleavesperhectare.Thenewhybridvarietieshavebeenaroundsince1993,andcanachieveayieldof30-35tonnesofleavesperhectare.Currently,newmulberryvarietiesaccountforover90percentofallmulberryplantsgrown.Meanwhile,achangeinsilkwormbreedingsawashiftfromindigenoussilkwormswithyellowcocoonsandverythinshellstoahybridvariety,changingfromwormswithyellowcocoonstothosewithwhitecocoonsfromChina.Theshiftwastriggeredbyarecessionthatcausedthebreedingsituationinthecountrytostaggerin1993andeventuallycollapsefollowingtheSilkwormCorporationsgoingbankrupt.Dozensofsilkwormfarmsthroughoutthecountry–includinginthenortherndeltaaswellasmoremountainousareaslikeM?cChauDistrictinS?nLaProvinceandtheBàNàareain?àN?ngCity–wereallsoldoff.Inthese‘chaotictimes,privatetradersthenstartedimportingsilkwormeggsfromChina,resultinginaninfluxofwormswithwhitecocoons.Indigenousvarieties,includingsilkwormswithyellowcocoonsandcassavasilkworms,eventuallyaccountedforupto20percentofthemarketshare.By2012,themulberrygrowingareahadbeguntoincreaseagain.Itcurrentlysitsatnearly14,000hectares,doublethesizeitwasduringthelowestgrowingperiodbutstilllessthanhalfofthepeakmulberrygrowingarea.However,cocoonoutputisnowmorethan16,800tonnes,nolessthanitwasduringthepeakperiod.SilkoutputofVi?tNamin2021reached1,067tonnes,rankingfourthintheworldwithexportturnoverofUS$72million,afterChina,IndiaandUzbekistan–evenhigherthanitwasduringtheheightofthesilkboominthe90s.Whilemanycountriesarestillseeingadeclineinmulberrygrowingarea,Vi?tNamhasincreasedthefastestintherankings,whileThailand,whichpreviouslyhadamassivemulberrygrowingarea,hasnotyetovercomeitsdecline.SilkreelingfactoriesinVi?tNamhavealsoshiftedtoautomatictechnologythatallowsformuchhigherproductivityandhigherqualityofsilk.VillagesraisesilkwormsforfoodRaisingcassavasilkwormsforfoodinPhúTh?Province.—Photonongnghiep.vnAccordingtoVan,inthepast,peopleraisedsilkwormsmainlyforsilkproduction,butnowthepracticeismulti-purpose.Silkwormsarevulnerabletochemicals,andsoarethemulberryleavestheyeat,notanytypeofpesticidecanbeusedontheseplants.Sosilkwormareanaturallysafefood,suitableforfuturefoodtrendsincludingadoptingamorenutrient-rich,insect-baseddiet,theexpertremarked.Vietnamesepeopletypicallyeatpupae.Thecocoonsarestoredinacoldcontainersobreederscansellthepupaeasfoodandhelpsilkbreedersincreasetheirrevenue.Meanwhile,peopleinothercountriesdonotusuallyeatthepupae,sowhenmakingsilktheydrythecocoons,reelthesilkandthenprocessthepupaeintoanimalfeed.Duringaperiodofmarketfluctuationswhensilkcouldnotbesold,farmershadtosellthesilkwormsthemselvesorcutcocoonstosellthepupae.ThatswhyinVi?tNam,amarketforraisingsilkwormsandsellingpupaeasfoodhasgraduallyformedintraditionalsilkwormfarmingareas.Forexample,H?ngPhongCommuneintheV?Th?DistrictofTháiBìnhProvincehasabout250haofmulberryplantsspecificallyusedtoraisesilkwormsforpupae.Althoughtheyieldisonly5-6kgofcocoonforeacheggcycle,withanaveragesellingpriceofVN?100,000(US$25)perkiloofcocoon,raisingsilkwormsthiswayisstillquiteeconomicallyefficient.TháiBình,B?cGiang,andB?cNinhprovincesalsohaveseveraldozensofhectaresformulberrycultivation,toraisesilkwormsforpupae.Becausemulberryisacropwithjustoneuse,themulberrygrowingareacangiveestimatesastotheyieldofsilkwormsandsilk.Butcassavaisarootcrop,andonlyinsomeplacesaretheleavesusedtoraisesilkworms.Thismeansitisimpossibletoestimatethesilkoutputfromthecropitself.Cassavasilkwormyieldscanonlybeestimatedthroughthenumberofeggs.Raisingcassavasilkwormsisusefulforfarmersbecausethefarmercantakeadvantageofavailablecassavafarmingareas,usinglessthanonethirdoftheleavesforsilkwormssoasnottoaffecttherootsbelow.Thesetypesofsilkwormsarealsoverypopularasfood.Thereiscurrentlyavillageproducingcassavasilkwormsforfoodin??ngL??ngCommuneinPhúTh?Province.ViTi?nC??ng,chairmanofthe??ngL??ngCommunePeoplesCommittee,saidthatinthepast,thelocalpeoplemainlyplantedeucalyptusinthearea,whichhasafive-yearcycle,andsoldnearlyVN?100million($3,900)perhectare,equivalenttolessthanVN?20million($780)perhectareperyear.Sincepeopleconvertedtogrowingcassavaforleavestofeedsilkworms,theharvestisVN?200million($7,800)perhaperyear,upto10timestheprofitsfromgrowingeucalyptus,C??ngsaid.Afterthefirstyearofpickingleaves,peoplecutoffthecassavastem,leavingtheroottosproutmoreleaves.Attheendofthesecondyear,theydigupthetuberstosellasanimalfeed,heexplained.Itisestimatedthatthewholecommunecurrentlyhasabout300workersinvolvedinraisingcassavasilkwormsforfoodandsilk,providingmostofthebreedsforthewholenorthernregion,andbringinginanannualrevenueofuptoVN?60billion($2.4million),hesaid.—VNS
TwopeoplewerekilledafterafirebrokeoutinahouseinTanLongWard,TháiNguyênCityinTháiNguyênProvince.—Photodththainguyen.vnTHáINGUYêN—TwopeoplehavediedafterafirebrokeoutonWednesdaymorningatahouseinthenortherncityofTháiNguyên.Theblazestartedaround4aminthetwo-storeypropertyonD??ngT?MinhStreet,TanLongWard.ThebuildingisusedbothasahomeandtheofficeofBodhiTradingDevelopmentCo,Ltd.,specialisinginonlinesalesofbraceletsandincense.Atthetimeofthefire,thereweresixpeopleinthehouse,theowner,herIndianhusband,theirchildandgrandchildandtwohelpers.Fourpeopleonthefirstfloormanagedtoescapebuttheownerandherhusbandwerebothtrappedonthesecondfloor.EventuallythefirewasbroughtundercontrolandthetwoweretakentoTháiNguyênCentralHospitalwheretheybothdied.Aninvestigationintothecauseofthefireisunderway.—VNSFishingboatsinCàMauProvince.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I-TheEuropeanCommission(EC)sfifthinspectiononVi?tNamsfightagainstillegal,unreportedandunregulated(IUU)fishingwillbethedecisivetimeforVi?tNamtohavetheECsyellowcardwarningremoved,requiringthewholepoliticalsystemtotakethisasanimportanttaskandactwiththehighestdetermination,accordingtoaGovernmentOfficeannouncementonDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuanww88gsconclusionsatarecentconference.TheannouncementsaidthatattheNationalSteeringCommitteeforIUUFishingPreventionandControl,theDeputyPMhighlyvaluedeffortsbyministries,sectors,andlocalitiesoverthepasttime.However,hepointedoutexistingshortcomingsandweaknesses,sayingthatseveralmissionshavelaggedbehindtheECsrecommendationsduetothepoorawarenessofbothlocalleadersandfishermenandlimitationsincoordinationbetweenauthoritiesaswellastheinspectionandhandlingofviolations.Therefore,DeputyPMQuangrequestedhighconcentrationonimplementingurgentandkeytasksandsolutionsfromnowtoSeptember,ensuringtherearespecificdataandprovenresultstoworkwiththeECinspectionteam.ItisamusttoseriouslyputinplacethePartyCentralCommitteesSecretariatandGovernmentsrelateddocumentswithaviewtohavingtheEuropeanCommission(EC)syellowcardwarningagainstVietnameseseafoodremovedsoon,hestressed.Theofficialalsorequiredlocalitiestooptimisetheirresources,bolstercoordinationwithcompetentauthorities,androlloutharmoniousanddrasticsolutions,includingthehandlingofviolations,theimprovementoftraceability,andtheenhancementofinspectionsandsupervisionsoverboatsoperation,whilepromotingstandoutexamplesinthefight.VNS
Adoctorguidesaparentandherchildonhowtoinjectinsulin.Photobenhviennhitrunguong.gov.vnHàN?I-Type1diabetescurrentlyaccountsfor90percentofdiabetescasesinchildren.InVi?tNam,datafrommajorpaediatrichospitalsindicatethatnearly2,000childrenhavebeendiagnosedwithType1diabetes,withtheconditionshowinganincreasingtrend.Diabetesisaglobalpublichealththreat,includinginVi?tNam,saidNguy?nTr?ngKhoa,DeputyDirectoroftheDepartmentofMedicalExaminationandTreatmentManagement.Diabetescausesnumeroushealthcomplicationssuchascardiovasculardisease,eyeproblemsandnervedamageandisamajorcauseofkidneyfailureandothercomplications.Diabeticpatientswithcomplicationsnotonlyfaceincreasedmedicalcosts,butalsoareducedqualityoflife.Medicalexpensesforadultdiabetespatientsaccountfor12percentofglobalhealthcarecosts.AccordingtotheInternationalDiabetesFederation(IDF),around537millionadultsworldwidewerelivingwithdiabetesin2021,anumberprojectedtoriseto783millionby2045.AccordingtoKhoa,uptohalfofalldiabetescasesremainundiagnosed.ManypeoplelivewithType2diabetesforanextendedperiodwithoutrealisingitandbythetimetheyreceiveadiagnosis,complicationshaveoftenalreadysetin.However,70percentofType2diabetescasescanbepreventedordelayedthroughhealthylifestylechoices.ComprehensiveepidemiologicaldataonType1diabetesinchildrenisnotyetavailableinVi?tNam.However,datafromleadingpaediatrichospitalsindicateanincreasingtrendoverthepastsevenyears,highlightingongoingchallengesindiagnosisandtreatment.Tr?nMinh?i?n,PresidentoftheVi?tNamPaediatricsAssociationandDirectoroftheNationalChildrensHospital,explainedthatType1diabetes,alsoknownasinsulin-dependentdiabetes,canoccuratanyage,frominfancyonwards.Unfortunately,somecaseswereonlydetectedwhenthepatientwasinacriticalcondition,suchasacomaordiabeticketoacidosis.ThecausesofType1diabetesarelinkedtovariousfactorssuchasgeneticsusceptibility,environmentalinfluences,theimmunesystemandβ-cellfunction.However,thespecificrolesofthesefactorsarestillunclear.PatientswithType1diabetesrequireinitialinsulintreatmentinthehospital,followedbystabledosemanagementathome.Thefocusshouldbeonmonitoringandappropriatetreatmenttominimisecomplications,?i?nsaid.Previously,theNationalChildrensHospitalmanagedonly10-15casesofType1diabetesannually.However,inrecentyears,thenumberofcaseshasrapidlyincreased,withhundredsofchildrennowreceivingtreatmenteachyear.Thehospitalcurrentlymanagesabout200-300childrenwithType1diabeteswhoregularlyattendforcheck-upsandtreatment.?i?nhighlightedthatifonlyafewmajorhospitals,suchastheNationalChildrensHospital,ChildrensHospital1,andHu?CentralHospital,managedthesepatients,itwouldbechallengingduetothelimitednumberofpaediatriciansspecialisingindiabetes.Hesuggestedexpandingthemanagementnetworktomorehealthcarefacilities,includingsmallerunitscapableofhandling15-20patients,toalleviatetheburdenonmajorhospitalsandreducetheneedforpatientstotraveltothebiggerhospitals.HealsoadvisedfamilieswithchildrenundergoingtreatmentforType1diabetestoworkcloselywithhealthcareprofessionalstomanagetheconditioneffectively,ensuringthatthechildrencanlivenormallives.Earlydetection,diagnosisandtimelytreatmentNguy?nTr?ngKhoafurtherexplainedthattostandardisetheexamination,monitoringandtreatmentofType1diabetesinchildren,theMinistryofHealthhadissuedspecificguidelines.Developedandbasedonbothdomesticandinternationalresources,theseguidelinesfocusontheclinicalpracticeofdiagnosingandtreatingType1diabetes.Theyareparticularlyusefulforgeneralpractitionersandspecialistsworkingintheirdailymedicalpractice,accordingtoKhoa.Theguidelinesaretheresultofcollaborationbetweentwoprofessionalassociations:theVi?tNamAssociationofEndocrinologyandDiabetesandtheVi?tNamPaediatricsAssociation.Thispartnershipbringstogetherexpertsinendocrinologyandpaediatricswithextensiveclinicalandteachingexperience.TheDepartmentofMedicalExaminationandTreatmentManagementonMondayorganisedanonlinetrainingsessionforgrassrootshealthcarestaffonimplementingtheguidelinesfordiagnosingandtreatingType1diabetesinchildrenandadolescents.Throughthistraining,theguidelinesfordiagnosisandtreatmentwillbeimplementedacrossalllevelsofmedicalexaminationandtreatmentfacilities,supportingbothgeneralandspecialisedpractitioners,Khoasaid.Theultimategoalisearlydetection,timelydiagnosis,effectivetreatment,andgoodcontrolofType1diabetes.Thiswillreducetheburdenonchildrenandfamilieslivingwiththeconditionandhelppatientsleadlongandhealthylives.VNSBùiV?nD?ng,33,andNguy?nTh?Ng?cwiththeirfirstbabythroughinvitrofertilisation(IVF)combinedwithembryoscreening.PhotocourtesyoftheAndrologyandInfertilityHospitalofHàN?iHàN?I—BùiV?nD?ng,33,andNguy?nTh?Ng?c,24,ayoungcouplefromtheimpoverishedcountrysideofL?cTh?yDistrictinHòaBìnhProvince,neverthoughttheywouldbecomeparents.Theymarriedin2018andlongedforachild.Duringtheirfiveyearsofmarriage,Ng?cconceivednaturallythreetimesbutsufferedmiscarriageseachtime.Feelingsad,exhaustedanddisappointed,Ng?candherhusbandsavedupandwenttotheAndrologyandInfertilityHospitalofHàN?iin2022forahealthcheck.Itwastherethattheylearnedbothcarriedthegeneforthalassemia,ahereditaryblooddisorder,whichwasthecauseofNg?csrepeatedmiscarriages.Aglimmerofhopeappearedwhenthedoctoradvisedthattheyhada25percentchanceofhavingahealthybabythroughinvitrofertilisation(IVF)combinedwithembryoscreening.However,thehighcostmadethemconsidergivingup.Theyweretheninformedaboutaprogrammebythehospital,offeringfreeIVFtreatmentto15infertilecouplesindifficultcircumstancesfromvariouscitiesandprovincesacrossthecountry.Thecoupleregisteredandreturnedhometowait.Lucksmiledontheminearly2023whenthehospitalcalledtoinformthemthattheywereeligibleforthefreeIVFsupportpackageanditsmiledagainwhentheysuccessfullyconceivedonthefirstattempt.InAugust2023,thecouplewelcomedtheirnewbornbaby.Reflectingontheirsix-yearjourneytoparenthood,D?ngsaid:Ourchildisalmostoneyearold,butIcantforgetthehappinessIfelthearingthefirstcryatbirth.Tootherinfertilecouples,keephopingandtrustinmodernmedicine.Ifthebabydoesntcometoyou,seekitout.FifteeninfertilecouplesindifficultcircumstancesreceivedfreeIVFtreatmentattheAndrologyandInfertilityHospitalofHàN?i.PhotocourtesyoftheAndrologyandInfertilityHospitalofHàN?iPhan?ìnhTh?ng,34,andBN??chTh?Tron,36,couldnthidetheiremotionsastheyrecountedtheir12-yearjourneytoparenthood.Tron,fromtheC?TuethnicgroupinQu?ngNamProvince,andTh?ng,fromtheKinhethnicgroupinHàT?nhProvince,overcameculturaldifferencesandgotmarriedin2012aftersometimeofgettingtoknoweachother.Justayearlater,Tronbecamepregnantnaturallyandtheyoungcouplesjoyknewnobounds.However,thisjoywasshort-livedwhenTronsufferedamiscarriageateightweeks.ThefamilysincomereliedsolelyonthreeacresofricefieldsandtheoccasionalworkTh?ngdidharvestingacaciatreesforadailywageofVN?150,000.In2014,aftersavingsomemoney,thecouplewenttoHàN?iforamedicalcheck-up.Thedoctorssaidtherewasnothingwrong.Feelingreassured,wewentbackhometocontinuehopingforgoodnews.Butastimewentby,thelongerwewaited,thelesslikelyitseemedwedeverhavethehappinessofwelcomingachildandthislastedfor12years,saidTh?ng.Duringthattime,wehardlydaredvisitanyoneforfearofhearinghurtfulremarksaboutourinabilitytohavechildren.Someevensaidourfamilywascursed,Tronrecounted.Attheendof2023,theyheardfromaneighbourwhohadachildthroughIVF.ThecoupleonceagainwenttoHàN?iforacheck-upandtheywereguidedthroughtheprocessofapplyingforfreeIVFtreatment.Th?ngsaidthathecouldntbelievetheirluckandtheyeventhoughtitmightbeascamuntiltheyreceivedtheofficialsupportdecisionandsawotherinfertilecoupleswhohadsucceeded.Thisrenewedtheirhopeofhavingachild.Nguy?nV?nChamfromtheTàyethnicgroupinHàGiangProvinceandhiswifesharedasimilarsentimenttoTh?ngwhentheyreceivedacallnotifyingthemthattheirapplicationhadbeenapproved.Isawanunfamiliarnumberanddidntanswerbecausetherearesomanyscamcallsthesedays.ThenmywifereceivedacallfromthehospitalinformingusthatweweregrantedfreeIVFtreatment.Webothcriedbutstillcouldntbelieveit,fearingitmightbeamistake,Chamsaid.Chamsfamilyarequiteunique.Hisfatherpassedawayearly,hismotherhascancer,hisgrandmotherisoldandfrailandhisbrotherhasalsobeeninfertilefornineyearsduetoageneticblooddisorder.Additionally,thefamilysupportstwoorphanedcousins.Allfourgenerationsliveinasimplethatchedhouse.Tosupportthefamilyandhelphisbrotherwithreproductivetreatment,ChamandhiswifemovedtoB?cNinhProvincetoworkasfactoryworkers.Ijusthopethatthistime,luckwillsmileonusandgrantusachild,Chamsaid.Forthesixthconsecutiveyear,thehospitalhasbeenprovidingfreeIVFtreatmenttocouplesinparticularlydifficultcircumstances,aimingtoalleviatetheirfinancialburdenandopenthedoortocompletehappiness.DrLêTh?ThuHi?n,thehospitalsmedicaldirector,said:Todate,morethan50familieshavereceivedfreeIVFsupport,resultinginthebirthof60healthybabies.Thisbringsusjoyandmotivationtocontinuetheprogrammeandofferadditionalsupportinthecomingyears.Inadditiontothe15couplesreceivingfreeIVFtreatmentthisyear,thehospitalalsoprovidesnumerousfreesupportpackagesforcasesrequiringadvancedreproductivetechniquessuchasMicroTESEforspermretrieval,hysteroscopyforuterineexploration,embryoscreeningforgeneticdiseasesandembryomonitoringusinganautomatedsystem.—VNSAPET/CTscanimageofapatientatCh?R?yHospitalinHCMCity.Ch?R?yHospitalhassuccessfullyformulatedtwonewradiopharmaceuticalsfordiagnosingandmonitoringthetreatmentofprostatecancerandneuroendocrinetumors.Thisadvancementsparespatientsfromthehighcostsoftravelingabroadforthesetreatments.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Healthexpertssayclinicalresearchplaysasignificantroleindevelopingandapplyingnewmethodsfordiagnosingandtreatingcancer,whichhashelpedextendthelivesoflate-stagelungcancerpatientsfrommeremonthstoyears.AccordingtoDr??AnhTú,DeputyDirectoroftheNationalCancerHospital,inVi?tNam,lungcancerranksthirdinprevalenceafterliverandbreastcancer,butithasthesecond-highestmortalityrate.Eachyear,thereare26,262newcasesoflungcancerinVi?tNam,with23,797deathsannually.ThisindicatesthatlungcancerremainsasignificantburdenbothgloballyandinVi?tNam.Thedoctorpointedoutthatmostearly-stagelungcancerpatientsdonotexhibitclearclinicalsymptoms.Thediseaseprogressessilently,anditisonlywhensymptomsappearthatpatientsseekmedicalattention,bywhichtimethecancerisusuallyadvancedandmetastatic.Forinstance,in2023,73.6percentoflungcancerpatientstreatedatHCMCitysCh?R?yHospitalwereinadvanced,metastaticstages,withonlyover26percentdetectedatanearlystage.Currently,withavailabletreatmentmethodsandthecapabilitiesofhealthcareprofessionals,lungcancercanbecuredifdetectedandtreatedearly.AccordingtoTú,althoughVi?tNamdoesnotyethaveanationalscreeningprogramme,effortsindiagnosishaveincreasedthesurgeryratesforlungcancerpatients.Hesaid:Wearelivingintheeraoftargetedtherapyandimmunotherapy,buttraditionaltherapieslikechemotherapy,radiationtherapyandsurgeryremainthebackboneoftreatment.Thecombinationofclassicandnewmethodshasimprovedtreatmentoutcomesforpatients.Inparticular,thesurvivaltimeforlate-stagelungcancerpatients,whichusedtobemeasuredinmonths,cannowextendtoseveralyears.Túemphasisedthecriticalimportanceofclinicaltrialsintreatingcancerpatients,includingthosewithlungcancer,toachievetheseresults.AmongthemanyclinicalstudiesconductedinVi?tNam,theresearchonpatientswithlocallyadvanced,inoperablenon-smallcelllungcancerhasproducedparticularlyoutstandingresults.Thisstudywasrecentlypresentedatthe2024AmericanSocietyofClinicalOncology(ASCO)Conference.Specifically,thepatientssurvivaltimewithoutdiseaseprogressionwasextendedto39.1months.Thissuccessistheresultofcollaborationandjointeffortsbyresearchersfromvarioushospitalsacrossthecountry.AccordingtoDrNguy?nNg?Quang,ActingDirectoroftheDepartmentofScience,TechnologyandTrainingundertheMinistryofHealth,thenumberofclinicalstudiesinVi?tNamhasincreasedrapidlyinrecentyears.Thisreflectsthededicationandcommitmentofscientists,doctorsandtheentirehealthcaresystem.ThisgrowthalsodemonstratesVi?tNamspotentialandaspirationsfordevelopmentinthehealthcaresector.In2023,theUSFoodandDrugAdministration(FDA)inspectedresearchattwoclinicaltrialsitesinVi?tNam.Theresultsshowedthatnoadditionalmeasureswerenecessary.ThisisasourceofprideforVi?tNam,showcasingtheadvancementsinclinicalresearchandearninghightrustfromtheinternationalcommunity.Clinicalresearchisacrucialandnecessaryphaseintheprocessofdevelopingnewtreatmentsolutionsorpharmaceuticals,contributingtochangesintreatmentpracticesandhavingapositiveimpactonhumanhealth.DeputyMinisterofHealthNguy?nTh?LiênH??ngbelievesthatVi?tNamhasgainedsignificantadvancementsfromtraditionalchemotherapymethodstotargeteddrugsandadvancedimmunotherapyincancertreatment.Theseachievementshavenotonlyimprovedtreatmentefficacybutalsobroughthopetomanypatients.H??ngsaidtheapprovalofresearchproposalsindicatedthatclinicaltrialunitsinVi?tNamhadactivelyparticipatedandweretrustedbyinternationalorganisationsasresearchsites.Asaresult,thenumberofclinicaltrialsinourcountryhadincreasedrapidlyinrecentyears.Manyhospitalshadparticipatedinmulti-centreclinicaltrials,conductedaccordingtointernationalstandards.Numerousstudieshadpositivelycontributedtochangingclinicalpracticemethodsanddiscoveringnewdrugsthatimprovepatientoutcomes,fromextendingsurvivaltimesandenhancingqualityoflifetoincreasingchancesofcure,sheadded.Clinicaltrialsprovidedmanypatientswithopportunitiestoaccessnewmedications,reducingtreatmentcosts.H??ngsaidtheministryhadalwaysregardedthepromotionofscientificresearchandthedevelopmentofnewproductsasoneofitstoppriorities.Inrecenttimes,theministryhadestablishedandrefinedthelegalframeworkfortheseactivities.Basedonthisfoundation,theministryhadstandardisedprocedures,conductedevaluations,andissuedGoodClinicalPractice(GCP)certificatestoclinicaltrialfacilities.Additionally,theministryhadenhancedthecapabilitiesofresearcherstofacilitatethedevelopmentandimplementationofhigh-qualityclinicaltrialsfornewproductdevelopment,ensuringtheymeetinternationalstandards,shestressed.—VNSww88
VicechairwomanofL?ngS?nProvincialPeoplesCommittee?oànThuHàpresentsagifttoNguy?nH?uThanh,awoundedsoldierin?ìnhL?pDistrict.VNA/VNSPhotoAnhTu?nHàN?I–PresidentT?LamonTuesdaysignedadecisiononthepresentationofgiftstorevolutioncontributorsontheoccasionofthe77thanniversaryoftheWarInvalidsandMartyrsDay(July27).ThebeneficiariesincludewomenholdingthetitleofHeroicVietnameseMother,woundedandsicksoldiers,thoseservingtheresistancewarsandsufferingfromtoxicchemicals,relativesofmartyrs,representativesofmartyrsrelatives,andpersonsinchargeofworshipingmartyrs(incaseamartyrdoesnthaveanyrelatives).GiftsworthVN?600,000(US$23.6)andVN?300,000perpersonwillbepresentedbasingoncertaincriteria.ThePrimeMinister,ChairpersonofthePresidentialOffice,MinisterofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs,MinisterofFinance,andrelevantstateagencieswereassignedtoimplementthedecision.Presentinggiftsisoneoftheactivitiesheldannuallytoexpressgratitudetothosewholaiddowntheirlivesormadesignificantcontributionstotherevolution.In1947,thenPresidentH?ChíMinhdesignatedJuly27astheWarInvalidsandMartyrsDaytoremindtheentireParty,armedforcesandpeopleofthetraditionofexpressinggratitudetoforerunners,therebycontributingtothegreatnationalsolidarityandpublictrustinthePartyandState.–VNSV?nhTuy2Bridge,oneofkeytransportprojectsinHàN?i.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I-HàN?ispublicinvestmentdisbursementratehasreached21.2percentasofJune15,fallingfarbehindthewholeyeartargetof95percent,the18thmeetingoftheExecutiveCommitteeoftheHàN?iPartyCommitteewastoldonTuesday.Nguy?nM?nhQuy?n,vicechairmanofthemunicipalPeoplesCommittee,saidthecityspublicinvestmentcapitalallocatedforthisyearwasoverVN?81trillion(US$3.1billion).AsofJune15,morethanVN?17.1trillionhadbeendisbursed.Hesaidtohitthetargetofdisbursing95percentofpublicinvestmentin2024,thecityneededtotakedrasticmeasures.Localauthoritiesproposedadjustingpublicinvestmentplansthisyeartoacceleratethedisbursementrate,hesaid.Investmentwouldneedtobeprioritisedforprojectswithhigherdisbursementrate,urgentorkeyprojects,orthoseinculture,educationandrelics.ThecitysauthoritiesdecidedtoincreasecapitalofoverVN?2.5trillionfor202tasksandprojectsthathavemaintainedgooddisbursementrate,includingthesecondphaseoftheV?nhTuyBridge.VicechairmanQuy?nsaidthecityPeoplesCommitteeproposedVN?81.4trillionforthepublicinvestmentcapitalin2025,anincreaseofoverVN?358.9billioncomparedtothisyear.FromthisaboutVN?48.6trillionwouldbeallocatedforthecitylevelpublicinvestmentprojectsin2025,includingfromODAsourcesandtheStateandcitybudgets.PrioritywouldbegiventocapitalspentonkeyprojectssuchasRingRoad4,theYênXáwastewatertreatmentsystem,theprojecttobuildapilotrailwayline(Nh?n–HàN?iStation)andtheSouthTh?ngLong–Tr?nH?ng??ourbanrailwayproject.VNS
AresidentbuysafireextinguisherforhisfamilyinC?uGi?yDistrict,HàN?i.—VNAVNSPhotoHoàngHi?uHàN?I—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhasrequestedkeyorganisationstostrengthenfirepreventionandfightingformulti-storeyhousesandhomeswhicharealsousedasworkshopsorastradingfacilities.ThePrimeMinistersaidthatrecenttragicfiresandexplosionshadclearlyshownthattacklingandpreventingfireshadbecomemorecomplicated,particularlyinthecaseofhomesoverseveralfloors,oronesalsousedasabusiness.Afireinamulti-storeyhouseonSeptember12lastyearatKh??ngH?Street,inKh??ng?ìnhWardinHàN?ikilled56people.AhousefireonMay24inTrungHòaWard,C?uGi?yDistrictkilled14people.AfireinahousewhichwasalsousedasaproductionfacilitykilledfourpeopleonJune16in??nhC?ngWard,HoàngMaiDistrict.Topreventsuchtragediesandminimiselossoflifeorpropertydamage,PMChínhrequestedministries,Governmentagencies,provincesandcitiestoidentifyfirepreventionasakeytaskthatneedsregularwork.ThePMsDirective(No19/CT-TTg)explicitlycalledonallkeyorganisationstotackletheincreasinglycomplexproblemoffiresandexplosionstopreventfurtherlossoflifeandproperty.Theymustreview,amend,supplementandperfectthesystemoflegaldocumentsonfirepreventionandfightingformulti-storeyhousesandbusinesspremises.Theymustbuildtraffic,watersupplyandcommunicationnetworkstomeettherequirementsforfirefightingandrescue.Firepreventionandfightinginfrastructuremustbesetupinassociationwithindustryandlocalplanning.Localitiesmuststrengtheneducationtoensurepeopleknowhowtotackleafireorwhoisresponsibleforfireprevention,fightingandrescue.Advancedexamplesshouldbereplicatedwhileorganisationsandindividualswhodoundertakefirerescuesorinstallexemplaryfirepreventionmeasures,shouldberewarded.Ministriesmusthavemorepowertoinspect,detectandpenalisethosewhodonotfollowthefiresafetylaw,tocloseanylegalloopholesandaddressinadequaciesinfirepreventionandfighting.SpecificdutiesThePMrequestedtheMinisterofPublicSecuritytosupplementspecificregulationsonfiresafetyconditionsforhousescombinedwithproductionandtradefacilitiesintheLawonFirePrevention,FightingandRescue.TheMinistryofConstruction(MoC)isgiventheresponsibilityforpublishingtechnicaldocumentsguidingsafetyconditionsrelatedtofirepreventionmeasuresformulti-storeyhouses,includingrentalhouseswhichmustbecompletedbeforethemiddleofnextmonth.TheMoCisalsogiventhedutyoftraininglocalitiesandbusinessesaboutthenationaltechnicalregulationsonfiresafetyandgeneralrequirementsforhousingstandards.MinistryofIndustryandTradeshouldaddmoreregulationsonelectricityuse,clarifyresponsibilitiesofagenciesandunitsinelectricitymanagementatestablishmentsandhouseholds.Itwillregularlyorganiseinspectionsandhelphouseholdsmanageanduseelectricitysafely,minimisingfiresandexplosionscausedbypowerissues.Headsofestablishmentsandhouseholdersmustcommittoandhavearoadmaptoimplementsolutionsforfirepreventionandfighting.Provincesandcitiesmustissuedocumentsguidingurgentsolutionsforfirepreventionandfightingsafetyconditionsinaccordancewithactuallocalconditionsbeforetheendofnextmonth.Theymustcheckbusinessregistrationcertificatesformulti-storeyhousesandhousescombinedwithproductionandbusiness.Whilegrantingconstructionpermits,theymustrequestheadsofestablishmentsandhouseholdersimplementsolutionsandconditionstoensurefirepreventionandsafety.—VNS
Nguy?nV?nYên,formerViceChairmanofthePartyCentralCommittee(PCC)sCommissionforInternalAffairs.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–AprobehasbeenlaunchedintothecaseofappropriatingstatesecretdocumentsthathappenedinHàN?iandsomeotherlocalities,alongwithNguy?nV?nYên,formerViceChairmanofthePartyCentralCommittee(PCC)sCommissionforInternalAffairs,forhisallegedinvolvementinthiscase.Yên,bornin1966andresidinginHàN?isTayH?District,wasalsoputintotemporarydetentionforthechargeofappropriatingstatesecretdocuments,stipulatedinArticle337ofthePenalCode,andhadhishousesearchedbypolice,theMinistryofPublicSecurity(MPS)saidonJune25.ThemovesweremadefollowingtheapprovaloftheSupremePeoplesProcuracy.TheMPSsInvestigationSecurityAgencyisconductingtheprobetodealwiththecaseinlinewithlaw.–VNSDeputyMinisterofTransportNguy?nDanhHuydeliversaspeechattheAus4TransportfinalprogrammeworkshopheldonThursdayafternooninHàN?ibyVi?tNamsMinistryofTransportandtheAustralianEmbassyinVi?tNam.—VNSPhotoNguy?nH?ngHàN?I—BuildinginlandwaterwaytransportinVi?tNam,supportingthedevelopmentoflowcarbontransportandconnectingethnicminoritiesandfarmerstotheGreaterMekongSubregioneconomiccorridoraresomeofthesignificantachievementsoftheAustralia-fundedprogrammeAus4Transport.Aftermorethansixyears,theAUD30million(US$20million)programmewillbewrappedupattheendofthismonth.TheresultswerereportedattheAus4TransportfinalprogrammeworkshopheldonThursdayafternooninHàN?ibyVi?tNamsMinistryofTransportandtheAustralianEmbassyinVi?tNam.Aus4Tranpostisalong-termtransportinfrastructuredevelopmentprogrammethataimedtoincreaseinvestmentsinVi?tNamstransportinfrastructureandcontributetoanenhancednationaltransportnetworkthatsupportsinclusivesocio-economicgrowthandalleviatespovertyinthecountry.Theprogrammealsohelpednormalisegenderequalityandsocialinclusionacrossthetransportsector,supportVi?tNamseffortstoreducetheroaddeathtoll,makee-Governmentatangiblerealityforthetransportministry,boostsharedprosperityandenablegrowthinthecentralregionofVi?tNam,aswellasassistthetransportministrymovetowardsagreenerandmoreinclusivetransportsector.Theprogrammestartedinearly2018andwillfinishonJune30aftersixandahalfyears.Incollaborationwiththetransportministry,Aus4Transporthassupportedimprovementsinthesectorscapacitytodesignanddevelophighqualityprojectsandbringthemtomarketfaster.Ithasprovidedtechnicalsupportforprojectpreparationanddevelopmentandhelpedsecureaccesstohigh-qualityfinancingforprioritytransportinfrastructure.Speakingattheconference,AustraliasAmbassadortoVi?tNamAndrewGoledzinowskisaidAus4TransporthadhelpedVi?tNamtomorequicklypreparehigh-qualityprojectsatinternationalstandardstoleverageoverUS$445millionfromtheMultilateralDevelopmentBanksfortransportinfrastructuredevelopment.Theprogrammehassupportedcapacitybuildingatthetransportministryanditsinstitutionsandagencies.TogetherwithM?Thu?nandCaoL?nhbridges,Aus4Transportwillprovidelastinglinksbetweenthepeopleofthetwocountriesandpositivemomentumforfuturecooperationunderourforthcomingdevelopmentcooperationprogramme,hesaid.DeputyMinisterofTransportNguy?nDanhHuysaid:IamproudoftheworkthatwehavedoneunderAus4Transport.HealsoaddedthathelookedforwardtothetwocountriesworkingtogetherontheAus4GrowthprogrammetosupportVi?tNamsongoingeconomicdevelopment.KateMcCubbin,headofAus4Transportstechnicalconsultantteam,saidAustraliaandVi?tNamhaveenjoyedalongandsuccessfultransportpartnershipspanningmorethan30years.ThepartnershiphasseenAustraliasupporttheplanningandconstructionofcrucialnationalinfrastructure,includingtheM?Thu?nandCaoL?nhbridgesandinlandwaterwaysinfrastructureintheMekongDelta.Aspartofthatpartnership,Aus4Transportwasdesignedaround2017anditsgoalwastoincreaseinvestmentinVi?tNamstransportinfrastructure,leadingtoanimprovednationaltransportnetworkthatsupportseconomicgrowthandpovertyreduction.Itmarkedanimportantshift,ashiftfromsupportinfrastructureforhardinfrastructuretosoftinfrastructure,shesaid.Itwasfocusedonenhancingprocessesandsystemstoimprovestrategictransportinfrastructuremanagement.ThistypeofassistancewasnewtoVi?tNam,shesaid.ItwasnewtotheVi?tNam–Australianpartnership,sheadded.Thegoldstandardwasbasedonatruepartnershipmodelalignedtobothcountriesstrategicpriorities.Italsointroducedanewapproachwherebythetransportministry,theAustralianEmbassyandAus4Transportworkedsidebysideateachstageofprojectconception,design,developmentandimplementation.McCubbinnotedthattheprogrammealsoworkedtosupporttheGovernmentofVi?tNamscommitmenttoe-Governmentanddigitaltransformationthroughthedevelopmentofthreecustomisedmanagementinformationsystems.ThesystemsweredesignedtosupportthespecificrequirementsassociatedwithofficialsfromthetransportministrymanagingVi?tNamslargeandcomplextransportinfrastructurenetworks.TheManagementInformationSystemcollectstechnicalinformationfrommorethan17,000kmofwatertransportroutesandinlandwaterwaysinfrastructure,including283ports,8,668landingstagesand251,000vessels.Thesystemhelpstoimprovemulti-modaltransportconnectivity,boostefficiencyandimproveenvironmentalsustainabilityandkeyeconomiczonessuchastheMekongandRedRiverdeltas.Wearelookingforwardtothefurtheranddeepeningthepartnershipbetweenourtwonations,shesaid.—VNS
Ph??ngMaiWindPowerPlantattheNh?nH?iEconomicZoneinQuyNh?nCity,Bình??nhProvince.Photobaodautu.vnBìNH??NH–ThecentralcoastalprovinceofBình??nhisanareafrequentlyaffectedbynaturaldisasterssuchasstorms,heavyrainfallandfloods,landslidesanddroughts.Climatechangeexacerbatestheintensityofthesephenomena,significantlyimpactingsocio-economicdevelopmentandposingriskstobiodiversity.AccordingtoNguy?nTu?nThanh,ViceChairmanoftheBình??nhPeoplesCommittee,theprovincehascompletedfourprojectsrelatedtoclimatechangewithatotalinvestmentofoverVN?912billion(US$35.7million),includingconstructionofclimate-resilientinfrastructureforethnicminorities,greenhousegasinventory,emissionmanagementsolutions,buildingfloodresilienceforcommunitiesandmonitoringclimatechangeusingremotesensingtechnology.Forreducinggreenhousegasemissions,theprovincialDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment(DoNRE)hascoordinatedwithrelevantagenciestoreviewandupdatethelistofgreenhousegas-emittingestablishmentsinordertoconductgreenhousegasinventorieswithintheirmanagedareasandverifytheinventoryresultsaccordingtosectormanagement.Asforapilotprojectintroducingelectricfour-wheelvehiclesfortouristsinpartsofQuyNh?nCityandnearbytouristspots,threetransportcompanieshavebeenparticipating,withatotalof95electricvehicles.Theprovincealsohasninesolarandwindpowerprojectsunderconstruction,ofwhichfoursolarpowerprojectsarecurrentlyoperationalandonehascompletedphaseone.Allofthesolarprojectstogetherhaveatotalcapacityof529.5MWp.Meanwhilefourwindpowerprojectswillhaveatotalcapacityof107.4MWp.Theprovincealsohasabout2,092rooftopsolarpowersystemswithatotalcapacityof228MWp.ForestryprotectionanddevelopmentForthelastyear,Bình??nhhasmadeforestryprotectionanddevelopmentapriority.Mostofthebarelandandbarrenhillshavebeenreforested,contributingtodisastermitigation,climatechangeadaptationandenvironmentalstability.Thequalityandareaofforestshavebeenconsiderablyimprovedyearbyyear,providingenvironmentalbenefitsandcreatingrawmaterialareasfortheprocessingindustry,aswellasincreasingincomeforlocalresidents.Todate,Bình??nhhasplannedagricultural,forestryandfisheriesproductionareasthatsufferclimatechangeimpacts,adjustedcropstructureandseasonstoadaptwithclimatechange,andresearchedtoensurelivelihoodsforpeopleintheareasseverelyaffectedbyclimatechange,suchasregionsfrequentlyhitbyflashfloodsandlandslides.Simultaneously,climatechangemitigationanddisasterpreventionhavebeenintegratedintotheprovincesplanningfor2021-2030,thedistrict-levellanduseplanningfor2021-2030andplansforurbanconstructionandruraldevelopment.Theprovincehasprotecteda134kmcoastalcorridorthatwasmarkedwithboundarymarkers.Ithasalsoconductedsurveysandidentifiedlandslide-proneareas,relocatedresidentsfromhazardouszones,developedaprogrammeforprotectingandrestoringupstreamforests,restructuredtheagriculturesectortoadapttoclimatechangeandcreatedcommunicationplanstoadapttoclimatechangewhileintegratingsocio-economicsolutions.Thanhsaid:Thelocalagenciesincreasinglyfocusonimplementingpoliciesandlawsrelatingtoclimatechangepreparednessandresponses.Climatechangeresponseanddisastermitigationactivitieshavebeenaccelerated,suitableforprovincialconditionsinthecontextofnationalandglobalclimatechangeimpacts,Thanhtoldtainguyenmoitruong.vn.Theeffectivenessofclimatechangeprogrammesandprojects,includinginfrastructureprojects,hasbeenenhancedboostingtheeffectivenessofclimatechangeresponsecapacity,includingsaltwaterintrusionprevention,hesaid.Furthermore,theestablishmentandoperationofgreenenergyprojectsandtheuseofenvironmentallyfriendlyenergyhavecontributedtoensuringenergysecurity,mitigatingclimatechange,protectingtheenvironmentandpromotingsustainablesocio-economicdevelopmentintheprovince,thevicechairmansaid.Inthefuture,Bình??nhwillcontinueintegratingitsclimatechangeresponseintostrategies,plansandsocio-economicdevelopmentplans,suchasdroughtandsalinewaterintrusionprevention,stormandfloodresponses,throughprovincial-levelscientificandtechnologicaltasks,constructionactivitiesandforestprotectionanddevelopment.Effortswillfocusonreducinggreenhousegasemissions,substancesdepletingtheozonelayer,developingrenewableenergyandrecoveringenergyfromwaste.Theprovincewillpromotethedevelopmentandapplicationofclimatechangeresponsetechnologies,restructuretheagriculturesectorforbiologicalsafetyinlinewithclimatechangeandreducegreenhousegasemissions.Buildingaclimatechangemonitoringdatabase,developingclimatechangeresponsescenariosandusingremotesensingtechnologyinmonitoringclimatechangewillbeprioritised,headded.VNSHCMCITY—ThereisahighriskofameaslesoutbreakinHCMCityoverlappingexistingdiseases,includingdenguefeverandhand,foot,andmouthdisease,accordingtothecitysDepartmentofHealth.Thewarningwasgivenatanonlineconferenceonstrengtheningdiseasepreventionandcontrolin2024fortheSouthernregionheldbythePasteurInstituteofHCMCity.Themostconcerningtrendistheincreaseinvaccine-preventablediseasessuchaswhoopingcoughandmeasles,saidDr.Nguy?nV?nV?nhChau,deputydirectoroftheHCMCityDepartmentofHealth.Whilehand,foot,andmouthdiseaseanddenguefeverareundercontrol,thecityshealthsectorisconcernedabouttheriskofmeaslesspreadingafterrecording16cases.Asofthe23rdweekof2024,thecityhasrecorded30casesofwhoopingcough,90percentofwhicharechildrenunderfiveyearsold,with44percentnotyethavingreachedtheagetoreceivethefirstdoseofthewhoopingcoughvaccine.Inaddition,ithasrecorded16casesofmeasles,ofwhich15casesarechildrenunderfiveyearsoldand85percentofthosecaseshavenotbeenfullyvaccinatedaccordingtoschedule.ThepatientsarelivingindistrictsofHócM?n,BìnhTan,BìnhChánhand8.Facingahighriskofameaslesoutbreak,thehealthsectorhassteppedupvaccinationsandcatch-upvaccinationsagainstmeaslesforchildrenathealthstations.TheDepartmentofHealthadvisesthemunicipalPeoplesCommitteetoissueaplantopreventmeaslesinthecityproactively.Undertheplan,thecitywillfocusonearlydetectionofsuspectedmeaslesandrashfevercases,takebloodsamplesfortesting,andconductepidemiologicalinvestigations.HCMCitysChildrensHospital,ChildrensHospital1,ChildrensHospital2,andthecitysHospitalforTropicalDiseasesareresponsibleforreceivingandtreatingmeaslespatientswhilepreventingcross-contaminationinmedicalfacilities.Sofar,thecityhasrecorded6,210casesofhand,foot,andmouthdisease.Thecumulativenumberofdenguefevercasesinthecityasofthe23rdweekof2024was3,677withnodeaths,andthenumberofcaseshasdecreasedcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Thirty-sixmonkeypoxcaseshavebeenrecordedin21of22districtsandTh???ccity.Allhavebeenmalepatientswithoutdeaths.—VNS
TheSaigonCommercialJointStockBankinwhichTr??ngM?Lan,chairwomanofV?nTh?nhPhátgroup,ownedasignificantstake.Shehasbeensentencedtodeathforfinancialfraudsatthebank.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—Twoforeignersarewantedbyauthoritiesfortheirallegedinvolvementinillegalcross-bordertransfersofUS$4.5billionrelatedtoV?nTh?nhPhátgroupanditschairwoman,Tr??ngM?Lan.ChenYiChungandChiuBingKeungKenneth,formerexecutivesofSaigonCommercialJointStockBank(SCB),havefledthecountryafterassistingLan,currentlyondeathrowforfinancialfraud,effectthetransfers.ApoliceinvestigationfoundLanandheraccomplicesillegallymovedover$4.5billion(VN?107trillion)andlaunderedVN?445trillionoveradecade.ChungandKennethmanaged11subsidiariesofV?nTh?nhPhátandassistedLaninmovingoverVN?50trillionintoandoutofthecountry,accordingtothepolice.ChungandKennethhelpedtransferVN?16trillionandVN?34trillionbyfakingcontractsandagreementswithforeigncompanies,thepolicesaid.Theircurrentwhereaboutsareunknown.Lanisthemastermindbehindthelargestfinancialfraudinthecountry,involvingassetmisappropriation,illegalcurrencytransfersandmoneylaundering,thepolicesaid.ShedidnotholdanypositionatSCBbutownedover90percentofitdirectlyandthroughothers,andacourtfoundherguiltyofmanipulatingthebanksoperationstoborrowmoneyandfundV?nTh?nhPhátsoperations.ThepolicehavealsouncoveredaschemeinvolvingV?nTh?nhPhát,TanVi?tSecuritiesandSCBandorchestratedbyLantoissuefakebondstodeceiveinvestors,mostlySCBdepositors.The1,000-oddfakecompaniesundertheV?nTh?nhPhátgroupcarriedoutfraudulentbondissuancesworthsomeVN?30trillion($1.24billion)andsoldthemtoover35,000victims,thepolicesaid.Shehasadmittedherwrongdoingandpromisedtorepaythevictims,theysaid.Theyhaveseizedsubstantialassetslinkedtothescamworthbillionsofdollars,includingsharesinvariouscompaniesandproperties,andareseekingtorecompensethevictims.AthertrialinApril,LanreceivedthedeathpenaltyforfinancialfraudatSCBandwasalsoorderedtopaycompensationofVN?673.8trillion($27billion)tothebank.Otherbankexecutivesandstateofficialsinvolvedinthescandalreceivedvarioussentencesrangingfromthreeyearstolifeforembezzlementandviolatingbankingregulations.ThearrestofLanandherassociatesispartofabroaderanti-corruptioncampaignaimedatcleaningupthebankingsector.In1992sheandherfamilyfoundedV?nTh?nhPhát,oneofthecountrysmostprominentrealestatecompanies.Whileherarresthasexposedthemassivescaleofthefraud,expertshavewarnedthatthescandalisjustthetipoftheiceberginthefinancialsector.TheGovernmenthasblamedtheMinistryofFinanceandthecentralbankfortheirpoormanagementofthesectorthatledtothescams.Ithastightenedbankownershipregulationsandcalledforincreasedoversighttoprecludefuturescandals.—VNSThelauchingceremonyofatissuebankandabranchforpromotinghumantissueandorgandonationattheHàN?iEyeHospital2onThursday.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—HàN?iEyeHospital2onThursdaybecamethefirstprivatehospitalinVi?tNamtolaunchatissuebankandestablishabranchforpromotinghumantissueandorgandonation.ThemoveisinresponsetoPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhsappealataceremonytolaunchtheorganandtissuedonationcampaignonMay19.DeputyMinisterofHealthTr?nV?nThu?nstatedthatcorneadonationisanobleact,bringinglightandhopetothosewhounfortunatelylosttheirsight.TheMinistryofHealthwillcontinuesupportingandcreatingthemostfavourableconditionsfortissue,organandcorneadonation,headded.AssociateProfessor,Dr.HoàngTh?MinhChau,Directorofthehospital,saidthataccordingtoincompletestatistics,since2017,thecountryhashadmorethan300,000peoplesufferingfromvisualimpairmentduetocornealdiseases,ofwhomhalfhavevisionlossinbotheyes.InVi?tNam,cornealtransplantsurgerywasperformedforthefirsttimein1950,butthenumberremainsmodestduetotheresources.Attheevent,Thu?ncalledonpeopletoparticipateincorneadonation.SincethefirstcorneadonationinApril2007,thecountryhasrecorded963corneadonors,mainlyinNinhBìnhProvince(437),andNam??nh(332).Todate,morethan20provincesandcitieshavehadpeopledonatecorneasafterdeath.—VNS