ThelandslideonNationalHighway34inT?MòVillage,Yên??nhCommune,B?cMêDistrict,HàGiangnorthernmountainousprovince.—VNA/VNSPhoto??cTh?HàN?I—TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD)hasrequestedprovincesandcitiestoactivelyandcloselymonitordevelopmentsoftropicaldepressions,inordertobereadytorespondtoanyemergencysituations.InanofficialdispatchsenttolocalitiesandconcernedorganisationsonSaturday,MinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentrequiredcoastalareastostrictlymanageoffshorevehicles,notifyvehiclesownersandshipscaptainsaboutlocation,movementdirectionandevolutionoftropicaldepressionstoproactivelymanageescapesfromareasindanger.Thedangerzonewillbeupdatedindailyweatherforecastbulletins.Formainlandareas,localitiesneedtoassignforcestoguard,supportandguidevehiclestoensuresafetrafficforthepeople,especiallyinundergroundanddeepfloodingzones.Supervisionmustbeenhancedonareaswherelandslideshaveoccurredorareatriskoflandslides.Localitieshavebeenurgedtokeepclosewatchonwarningandweatherforecastbulletinsandtoregularlynotifyandguidethepeopletoproactivelyminimiseanydamage.Theyshoulddeployforcestoinspectandreviewresidentialareasalongrivers,streams,low-lyingareas,athighriskofflooding,flashfloods,andlandslidestorelocateandevacuatepeoplewhenneededandatthesametimeprepareforcesandmeansforrescuewhenrequired.TheVietnamNewsAgency,Vi?tNamTelevision,VoiceofVi?tNamandmassmediaagenciesfromcentraltolocallevelswillstrengtheninformationondevelopmentsofthetropicaldepressionandheavyraintoletauthoritiesandpeopleknowtorespond.LocalitiesandconcernedorganisationsmustbestrictaboutremainingondutyandregularlyreporttotheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentthroughtheDepartmentofDykeManagementandNaturalDisasterPreventionandControl.OnSaturdaymorning,heavyraincausedalandslideonNationalHighway34inT?MòVillage,Yên??nhCommune,B?cMêDistrict,HàGiangnorthernmountainousprovince.Thelandslidekilled11peopleandinjuredfourothers.ThePrimeMinisteronSaturdayissuedOfficialDispatchNo.67/C?-TTgondirectingmeasurestoovercomethelandslideconsequences.OnFriday,theMARDsentalettertocoastalprovincesandcitiesfromQu?ngNinhtoBìnhThu?naskingthemtorespondtobadweatheratseaandwidespreadheavyrain.AccordingtotheNationalCentreforHydrometeorologicalForecasting,fromnowuntilWednesday,thenorthandcentralregionswillhaverainfallofbetween100-200mm,withsomeplacesexperiencingover250mm.TheCentralHighlandsandtheSouthwillhaverainfallfrom60-120mm,withsomeareasseeingover200mmofrain.—VNS

ManystreetsinHàN?iaredecoratedwithnationalflagstocelebratetheNationalDayholiday.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?n?i?pHàN?I—Vi?tNamsNationalDaybreak,thefinalholidaythisyear,willtakeplacefromAugust31toSeptember3,theMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairshasannounced.Civilservantsareentitledtofourconsecutivedaysoff,includingoneweekendday(Saturday),twonationalholidays(SundayandMonday)andoneadditionalday(Tuesday).EmployersarerequiredtoinformemployeesoftheNationalDayholidayschedulefor2024atleast30daysinadvance.Theministryencouragesemployerstoapplytheholidayscheduleforemployeessimilarlytothatforcivilservants.Theministryalsonotedthatagenciesandcompaniesoperatingonweekends(SaturdayandSunday)maydeterminetheholidayschedulefortheiremployeesbasedontheirworkroutines.Foremployeeswhohaveaone-dayweeklyoffonSunday,theNationalDayholidayfromSeptember2willspanthreedays,fromSeptember1toSeptember3,iftheholidayisobservedonSunday(September1).IftheholidayisobservedonTuesday(September3),itwilllasttwodays,fromSeptember2toSeptember3.ForemployeeswhohaveatwodaysaweekoffonSaturdayandSunday,theNationalDayholidaywilllastfourdays,fromAugust31toSeptember3.—VNSPoliceapprehendmultipleindividualsinvolvedintheringattherestaurantinHCMCity,.—Photoplo.vnHCMCITY—Thepolicehavearrestedsevenindividuals,includingtheownersofGGRestaurant,foroperatingaprostitutionringthatcateredexclusivelytoforeigncustomers.Investigationsrevealedthattherestaurant,locatedinNguy?nTháiBìnhWard,District1,HCMCity,employedover120femalehostesses,whowereencouragedtoengageinprostitutionforafee.Itsowners,identifiedasVietnamesenationalsHoàngAnhHàoandNg?Th?Ng?cThúy,alongwithKoreannationalsChoKiwanandYuSungho,luredcustomersthroughonlineadvertisementspromisingasafeandfunatmospherewithsexydancingandwillingfemalehostesses.Theyalsoofferedtransportationservicestonearbyhotelsandluxuryapartmentswheretheprostitutiontookplace.Therestaurantstaffwereinstructedtoadmitonlyforeigncustomers(mostlyChineseandSouthKoreans)andchecktheirpassportsuponentry.Thosewithoutpassportswererequiredtohaveaguarantorforentering.Withpromisesofhighpayandcommissions,therestauranthasdrawnmanySouthKoreanmanagersandVietnamesemadamstowork.Securityguardswereconstantlypostedoutsidetherestaurant,taskedwithdispersinganyVietnameseindividualslingeringinthearea.Theyalsofrequentlychangedprostitutionlocationstoevadelawenforcement.TheillicitbusinesshasbeenoperatingsinceMay2024andissaidtohavelinedtheownerspocketswithaboutVN?10billion(US$400,000).Duringapoliceinterrogation,HoàngAnhHào,YuSungho,andNg?Th?Ng?cThúyconfessedtoinstructingstafftoengageinprostitutiontoboostrevenue.Sevenindividuals,includingthefourabovementionedowners,areinpolicecustodyandexpectedtofacechargesofbrokeringprostitution.—VNS

AlocalresidentstillhastotravelbyboatinNamPh??ngTi?nCommune,Ch??ngM?District,HàN?ionThursday.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nCúcHàN?I—TheHàN?iSteeringCommitteeforDisasterPreventionandSearchandRescuehasdirecteddistrict,townauthoritiesaswellasrelevantagenciestointensifyeffortstoaddresstheaftermathofflooding,triggeredbytyphoonPrapiroonandproactivelyprepareforfuturefloodsandlandslides.Underthedispatch,localauthoritiesandagenciesmustremainvigilantandavoidcomplacency.Theywereinstructedtocloselymonitorweatheranddisasterdevelopments,issuetimelyandeffectiveresponseswithintheirauthorityandensureactionsalignedwiththeactualconditionsontheground.ThedirectivewasoutlinedinDispatchNo.04/C?-BCH,whichfocusesonmeasurestominimisehumancasualtiesandproactivelyhandleupcomingfloodandlandslidesituations.Additionally,thereshouldbeincreasedpublicawarenesscampaignsandguidanceondealingwithheavyrainfall,floods,landslidesandwaterloggingthroughvariousinformationsystemsandsocialmedia.Localitiesandsectorswerealsourgedtoreviewandbolsterpersonnelfortrafficmanagementandsafetyatcrossingpoints,landslide-proneareasandregionsaffectedbysevereflooding.Theymustpreventpeopleandvehiclesfrompassingthroughunsafeareas.Authoritieshadtoprepareresourcesandpersonnelforrescueoperationsifneededandensurestrictmonitoringandtimelyreportingofdisasterdevelopments,damageandresponseeffortstothesteeringcommitteeasperregulations.Duetotheimpactofthetyphoonandextremeweatherphenomena,thecityhasexperienceddifficultfloodingandlandslides.Waterlevelsinmajorreservoirsandlocalriversarecurrentlyhittingdangerouslyhighlevels.RecentseverefloodinginseveralcommunesinCh??ngM?andQu?cOaidistrictshascausedsignificantdamagetothousandsofhouseholdsintheareas,withanincreasedriskofdiseaseoutbreaks.DiseasepreventionInarelatedmove,thecitysHealthDepartmenthasinstructedrelevantunitstoenhancemedicalresponsesduringandafterthefloodsandtopreventdiseaseoutbreaksamongthepopulation.DeputydirectorofthehealthdepartmentNguy?n?ìnhH?ngsaidthatthedepartmentorderedhospitalsandhealthcentrestosetupemergencyteamsandmobilediseasepreventionunits,ensuringanadequatesupplyofmedicinesfortreatingflood-affectedresidents.Peopleparticipateinenvironmentalsanitationinpost-floodedareasinTuy?tNgh?aCommune,Qu?cOaiDistrict,HàN?ionThursday.—VNA/VNSPhotoMinhQuy?tInareascompletelyisolatedbyfloodwaters,mobileemergencyteamswouldvisithouseholdstoprovideimmediateassistanceandtransportresidentstohospitalsasneeded.ThecitysCentreforDiseaseControlhasestablishedfivemobilediseasepreventionteamstoguidelocalhealthcentresandcoordinatewithauthoritiestoprepareCloraminBforenvironmentalsanitationasfloodwatersrecede.ThecitysFoodSafetyandHygieneDivisionhasformedfiveteamstohandlefoodpoisoningandfoodbornediseases,readytorespondtoanyoutbreaksinflood-affectedareas.InCh??ngM?District,thecitysfloodhotspot,mobilehealthstationshavebeensetupinNamPh??ngTi?nCommune,withfouremergencyteamspermanentlystationedtohandleemergencies,diseasepreventionandrespondtostormsandflooding.Thedistrictshealthcentreinstructed32healthstationstoproactivelymanageenvironmentalconditionsbefore,during,andafterthefloods.Theywerealsopreparingmedicinesforcommonpost-floodailmentssuchasconjunctivitis,acutediarrhoea,andvariousskinconditions.??HoàngAnhChau,ViceChairmanofCh??ngM?DistrictPeoplesCommittee,hasrequestedthatalldepartmentsandlocalauthoritiesstrengthendiseasepreventioneffortsduringtherainyseason.ThedistrictsHealthCentrewastoldtoassessandaddressdiseaserisksinflood-affectedareasandimplementmeasuresfordiseaseprevention,environmentalsanitation,cleanwatermanagementandmedicalwastedisposal.Totackleenvironmentalsanitationafterthefloodwatersrecede,thehealthcentredistributednearly200kgofCloraminBtosubmergedcommunestotreatwateranddisinfecttheenvironment,withadditionalsuppliesavailable.Staffareon24hourspersevendaysstandbywithfourmobileteamsmonitoringandassistinginaffectedareas.TheHealthCentrewasalsotrackingpregnantwomeninfloodedcommunesandassigningmedicalstafftomonitortheirconditionsandguidethemtosaferlocations.InQu?cOaiDistrict,thedistrictsHealthCentredistributed10gofCloraminBtofloodedcommunesforwaterandenvironmentaltreatmentandinstructedlocalhealthstationstoincreasemedicalservicesandmanagepatientcareinaffectedregions.OnThursday,thedistrictmobilisedapproximately300peopletoconductacomprehensiveenvironmentalclean-upinallaffectedcommunes.Nguy?nTr??ngS?n,ChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofthedistrictsaidonThursdaythatpost-floodenvironmentalpollutionwasthemostpressingconcern.Authoritiesmusturgentlymitigatetheenvironmentalimpactofthedisaster,ensuringsanitationeffortskeeppacewithrecedingwatersandprovidingadequatemanpower,medicines,chemicalsandequipmentfordecontamination.Publicawarenesscampaignsshouldalsoencourageresidentstomaintainenvironmentalhygieneandpreventdiseaseoutbreaksfollowingthefloods.—VNSThepickuptrucksfrontendwasextensivelydestroyedaftercollidingwithamotorbikeonNationalHighwayNo.26in??kL?kProvinceonFridaymorning.—VNA/VNSPhoto??KL?K—Afatalroadaccident,involvingapickuptruckandamotorbike,onNationalHighwayNo.26,runningthroughtheCentralHighlandsprovinceof??kL?k,resultedinthedeathsofthreefamilymembersintheearlymorningofFriday.Initialreportsindicatethatthepickuptruck,registrationnumber47C-286.03,wasdrivenbyTr?nDo?nTùng,49,residinginKr?ngP?cDistrict.HewastravellingtowardsBu?nMaThu?tCityfromKr?ngP?c.Asthevehicleapproachedthenationalhighway,itcollidedheadonwithamotorbike,registrationnumber47F1-476.48.ThemotorbikewasriddenbyV?V?nH.,41,livinginEa?arCommune,EaKarDistrict,??kL?k.Hewascarryinghis36-year-oldwifeand13-year-oldsonandheadingintheoppositedirection.Thesevereimpactresultedintheimmediatedeathsofallthreeoccupantsonthemotorbike.Themotorbikesustainedsignificantdamagetothefrontend,whilethepickuptrucksfrontendwasextensivelydestroyedandthencrashingintoafenceatanearbyplantation.Uponreceivingthereport,thecityspolicedispatchedofficerstosecurethesceneandinvestigatetheincident,includingidentifyingthevictims.Thepickuptruckdriversufferedminorinjuriesandiscurrentlyatthepolicestationassistingwiththeinvestigation.RelativesofthevictimsrevealedthatonThursday,H.andhisfamilyhadtravelledfromEaKarDistricttoBu?nMaThu?tCityforavisit.OnFridaymorning,at6.30amtheywerereturninghometoEaKarDistrictwhentheaccidentoccurred.—VNSFamilymembersreunitethankstohelpfromthepolice.—Photonhandan.vnPHúTH?—Afamilyhasreunitedafternearly30yearsthankstothenationalpopulationdatabasesystem,saidthepoliceofthenorthernprovincePhúTh?.Atthebeginningoflastmonth,the??ngL??ngCommunePolicesFacebookfanpagereceivedarequestforhelpfromHoàngTh?Bích,28,whoresidesinMinhChi?ngVillage,MinhL??ngCommune,V?nBànDistrict,thenorthernmountainousprovinceofLàoCai,whoislookingforhermothersfamily.BíchsmotherisNguy?nTh?Hoan,laterchangedhernametoNguy?nTh?Dungandiscurrentlylivingatthesameaddress.HoanshometownisLamThaoDistrictandherhousewasnearariverbank.Shelosttouchwithherfamilyfornearly30yearsandinspiteofmanysearchesnorelativeshaveeverbeentraced.NowHoanshealthisveryweak,wishingtoreunitewithherparentsandrelatives.ReceivingBíchsrequest,fromthelittleinformationprovided,officersandsoldiersofthe??ngL??ngCommunePoliceconductedareviewonthenationalpopulationdatasystem.Theyalsoaskedthesecurityandorderprotectionteamsin11residentialareastogotoeveryhousetocheck.Aftersomesearchesandwithgreatdeterminationandeffort,thepoliceascertainedthat??ngTh?Hi?n,aged85,andlivingin??nNg?aZonein??ngL??ngCommunemostlikelyhadarelationshipwithHoan.Hi?nsaidthathereldestdaughterBùiTh?Hoan,63,hasbeenmissingsince1988andhasnotreturnedyet.Herfamilyhassearchedforhermanytimesbuttonoavail.ThroughexchanginginformationwithHi?nandBích,thepolicerealisedthatalthoughHoansfirstandlastnamesdidnotexactlymatch,theinformationonbothsideshadmanysimilarities,sotheycontactedthetwofamiliestomeet.OnJuly7,Hi?nsfamilyandrelativeswenttoMinhChi?ngVillagetomeetHoansfamily.Bothfamiliesconfirmedthattheyhadrecognisedthemissingfamilymemberandreunited.OnJuly25,BíchandheruncleBùiNg?cHu?nwenttothe??ngL??ngCommunePolicetothankthemfortheirhelpinfindingtheirlostrelative.—VNS

Theaftermathofthefirein2022inAnPhúkaraoke.—Photovov.vnBìNHD??NG—BìnhD??ngProvincialPeoplesProcuracyonThursdayindictedsixpeopleresponsibleforthedeadlyAnPhúkaraokefirethatkilled32victimsonSeptember6,2022.ThesixdefendantsbeingprosecutedareLêAnhXuan(ownerofAnPhúkaraoke),V?Tr??ngS?n,Ph?mQu?cHùng,Ph?mTh?H?ng(formerofficersoftheBìnhD??ngProvincialFirePreventionandRescuePoliceDepartment),andNguy?nThànhLuan(constructioncompanydirector).Theyarebeingprosecutedonchargeoffirepreventionandfirefightingregulations.Nguy?nV?nV?(formerofficeroftheThu?nAnCityFirePreventionandRescuePoliceDepartment)isbeingprosecutedfornegligence.Theinitialcauseofthekaraokefirewasdeterminedtobeanelectricalshortcircuit.Followingtheincident,authoritieslaunchedaninvestigationandinitiatedcriminalproceedings.OnSeptember16,2022,theinvestigatingagencyinitiatedproceedingsanddetainedtheownerXuan.Subsequently,S?n,Hùng,V?,andNguy?nDuyLinh(formerheadoftheFirePreventionandRescuePoliceTeaminThu?nAnCity)wereprosecuted.However,theinvestigationagainstLinhwassuspendedfollowinghisdeathduetoillnessinJune2023.Bytheendof2023,thepolicesinvestigationintotheAnPhúkaraokefirewascompletedandtheProcuracytransferredthecasefiletotheBìnhD??ngProvincialPeoplesCourtfortrial.OnMarch1,2024,thecourtreturnedthefiletotheProcuracy,requestingadditionalinvestigationintoseveralrelatedissues.Followingthesupplementalinvestigation,theinvestigatingagencyprosecutedadditionaldefendantsPh?mTh?H?ngandNguy?nThànhLuan.—VNSTr?nDuy(right)andhisheadteacherHàDuyH?ng.—Photovietnamnet.vnHàN?I—Tr?nDuy,12thgraderoftheHighSchoolforGiftedStudentsundertheHàN?iNationalUniversityofEducation(HNUE),haswonasilvermedalattheInternationalMathematicalOlympiad(IMO)2024.HeisoneoftwocontestantsfromtheVietnameseteam.Threeyearsago,DuycamefirstintheentranceexamtotheclassspecialisinginmathsoftheHighSchoolforGiftedStudentsundertheHNUE.InterestDuyhashadapassionformathematicssincehewasveryyoung.Howeveritwasnotuntilhewasineighthgradethathethoughtaboutmajoringinthesubject.Injuniorsecondaryschool,Duyshowedhistalentswhenhewasthebestatmathematicsamongallthesubjectshewasstudyingandwasalsothemostoutstandingintheclass.Duysaidthatheachievedtheresultstodaybecauseofhisfathersinspiration.HisfatherisTr?n??c,aformerstudentofthemathsclassatDuyshighschool.Myfathergivesmetheclearestguidanceandbelievesinmyabilities.WhenIcamefirstintheentranceexamtohighschool,myfatherthoughtIwillgofurtherandIdonotdisappointhimwithtodaysresults,Duysaid.Thisschoolyear,Duywonfirstprizeinthenationalmathscompetitionandthenasilvermedalatinternationallevel.PromisingstudentV?V?nTi?n,PrincipaloftheHighSchoolforGiftedStudents,saidthatwhenheheardthatDuywonthesilvermedalattheIMO,notonlyhimbutallthestaffandteachersattheschoolwereveryhappy.Wewerenottoosurprisedbecauseaccordingtoteachersassessment,Duyhasalwaysbeenaverypromisingstudent,saidTi?n.TeacherssaythatDuyhaspotentialtosolvethemostdifficultmathsproblemsinthegiftedstudentteam.Sincejoiningtheteam,Duyhasshownhisdifference.Hehasauniquewayofsolvingproblems.TeacherHàDuyH?ng,DuysheadteacherandalsotheteacherinchargeoftheschoolsIMOteam,saidthatduringthelearningprocess,theteamhadmanyexcellentstudentsbutthemostoutstandingwasDuy.Hehasagreatlearningability,atalentformathematicsandagreatpassion.Duyhasverygoodstudyingachievements,haswonmanyawardsandmedalsinmathscompetitions.Duyisalsoastudentwhooftenhasthehighesttestscoresintheteam,saidH?ng.Passionateaboutmathsandhavingagoodstudystrategy,teacherH?ngaffirmedthatDuymadegreatprogressfromgrade11tograde12.Especiallyinthefinalstageofgrade12,Duyhadagreatleapforward.Talkingabouthislearningstyle,Duysaidthatheusuallyfocusesonacquiringknowledgeinclass,fromtheteacherslectures.WhenIgethome,Ispendtimereviewinganddevelopingknowledgebutdonotstudytoolate,toavoidpsychologicalpressureandaffectingthenextdaysstudy,Duysaid.Ispendalotoftimeonmaths.Maybebecauseofmypassion,Ineverfeeltiredwhenstudyingmath,hesaid,addingthathealwaysgoestobedat11pm.Withthisresult,Duywillbeadmitteddirectlytouniversity.HeisconsideringbetweentheHàN?iUniversityofScienceandTechnologyandtheHàN?iUniversityofNaturalSciences–Vi?tNamNationalUniversity.Inthefuture,Duywantstostudyabroad.Thisyear,theHighSchoolforGiftedStudentshastwostudentsbeingselectedfortheIMO2024team.Theotherstudent,T???cAnh,alsoinDuysclass,wonacertificateofmeritatthecompetition.Sinceitsfoundationin1966,theHighSchoolforGiftedStudentsundertheHNUEhaswonnearly80internationalOlympicmedalsinvarioussubjects,ofwhichmathematicsaccountsformorethan60medals.—VNS

Ng?Th??ngMekongCo-operativescowfarminH?uGiangProvincesPh?ngHi?pDistrict.–VNA/VNSPhotoH?ngTháiH?UGIANG–H?uGiangProvincehastakenmeasurestosupportthedevelopmentofthecollectiveeconomy,especiallyco-operatives.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincehasimplementedmanyprogrammesandprojectsinwhichco-operativesaregivenfinancialandothersupporttodeveloptheirproduction.TheyincludetheVi?tNam-SustainableAgricultureTransformation(VnSAT)Projectandtheprojectforsustainableagriculturedevelopmentandclimatechangeadaptationin2021-25.K?Nh?Co-operativeinPh?ngHi?pDistrictsTh?nhHoàCommuneisaco-operativethathasbeenprovidedfinancialsupporttodevelopproduction.Itbreedsfeatherbackfishandmakesproductsfromthefishsuchasfishpaste,driedfishandsnacks,andprocessesotherseafood,vegetableandfruitproducts.Itsupplies30-35tonnesoffreshfishamonthtothemarketandhas11productsrecognisedasthree-andfour-starproductsunderthecountrysOneCommune-OneProduct(OCOP)programme.Nguy?nKimThu?,itsdirector,saidtheprovincehasmanysupportpoliciesforco-operativessuchasfinancialsupport,OCOPproductregistrationandtradepromotion.Theprovincehassupportedherco-operativewithpartofthecostofbuyingasolardryerworthVN?540million(US$21,500)andafreezerworthnearlyVN?1billion($40,000),shesaid.Theco-operativeisbuildingaworkshop,warehouseandheadquartersworthatotalofVN?11billion($440,000)fromtheprovincesfinancialsupport,shesaid.ItearnedrevenueofVN?14billion($560,000)lastyearandhas65permanentworkerswhoearnanincomebetweenVN?6-9million($240-360)amonth.TanTi?nAgricultureServiceCo-operativeinV?ThanhCitysV?TanCommunewasgivenfinancialsupportfromtheVnSATProjectin2018tobuilda1,000sq.mwarehouseandbuyaricedrierandharvester.LêV?nTh?ng,itsdirector,saidthankstothesupport,theco-operativecansolvetheissueofstoringharvestedriceforitsmembers,andcanproactivelyharvest,processandpreserverice,whichhelptoreduceproductioncost.Theprovincehasestablished71co-operativeswithnearly2,000memberssince2022,accordingtotheprovincialCo-operativeAlliance.Ithas271co-operativesandfouroperativeunionswhichhaveatotalofmorethan8,500membersand13,000workers.Thealliancetargetstosetup30co-operativegroupsand16newco-operativesthisyear.SolvingdifficultiesH?V?nPhú,chairmanofthealliance,saidmostco-operativeshavedifficultiessuchassmall-scaleproductionandweakoperationcapacity.Thebiggestdifficultyisthelackofinvestmentcapital,hesaid.Tr??ngC?nhTuyên,permanentdeputychairmanoftheprovincialPeoplesCommittee,said:Tosolvedifficultiesindevelopingthecollectiveeconomy,theprovincewillfocusonremovingthebottleneckofcapitalforco-operatives.Itwillclassifyco-operativesthathavegood,moderateorweakoperationalefficiencytohavemeasurestosupportthem,hesaid.Itwillfocusontraininghumanresourcesforcollectiveeconomy,implementtradepromotionforco-operatives,andassistthemtorecruituniversityandcolleaguegraduatestoworkforalimitedperiod,hesaid.Co-operativeswillbesupportedtoinvestininfrastructureandfacilities,expandtheirproductionandimproveproductquality,hesaid.Linkagesamongco-operativesandotherstakeholdersinproducingproductswillbedevelopedtoimproveproductionefficiency,andtheapplicationofadvancedtechnologieswillbeprioritised,hesaid.TheprovincehasprovidedfinancialsupporttobuildinfrastructureandprocessingfacilitiescostingatotalofVN?144billion($5.7million)for13co-operativesandtwoco-operativeunions,accordingtothealliance.IthasusedmorethanVN?40billion($1.6million)fromitsfundtoassist50co-operativestobuymachines,productionfacilities,seedsandanimalfood.IthasgivenVN?1.6billion($64,000)to33universityandcolleaguegraduateswhoworkforalimitedperiodat13co-operativesandthreeco-operativeunions.Ithasorganised45co-operativestoparticipateintradepromotionactivitiesinHCMCity,HàN?iandotherprovinces,andcreatedconditionsforco-operativestolinkwithcompaniestoproduceandselltheirproducts.–VNS

ArubberfarminBìnhPh??cProvincesBùGiaM?pDistrict.–VNA/VNSPhotoBìNHPH??C–BìnhPh??cProvinceisdevelopinglinkagesbetweenvariousstakeholdersinagriculturalsupplychaintoimprovefarmersincomesandensuresustainability.Thesoutheasternprovincehas425,000haoffarmlands,withlargeareasunderindustrialcrops,accordingtoitsDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.Itisencouragingfarmerstoformco-operativesandco-operativegroupstoproducehigh-qualityproducts,increasetheiroutputandmeetmarketrequirements.Ithas213agriculturalco-operatives,accordingtoitsCo-operativeAlliance.Nguy?nThanhPh??ng,itschairman,saidtheprovincetargetsatleast30percentofagriculturalco-operativesestablishedwiththesupportoftheFarmersAssociationhavinglinkageswithcompaniesandothereconomicentitiesintheagriculturalsectorandsellingtheirproduce.Accordingtothedepartment,areasforfarmingandprocessingagriculturalproducewillbezonedandlinkagescreatedbetweenvariousstakeholdersinagriculture,animalhusbandryandforestry.Itskeyexportproductsarepork,chicken,cashew,andwoodenproducts.Todevelopindustrialcrops,theprovincewillfocusonestablishingvaluechainsfortheirproductsandprioritisetheirexports.Forcashew,forinstance,theprovincewilldeveloplinkagesbetweenfarmers,co-operativesandcompaniesandsetupprocessingplantstoproducehigh-qualityproductsinconsistentquantities.ItwilldeveloptheBìnhPh??cCashewbrand.Inthecaseofrubber,itwillproducevariousrubberproductssuchaslatex,pillows,mattresses,tyres,andothers.ItwillgrowpepperaccordingtoVietnamesegoodagriculturalpractices,RainforestAllianceandorganicstandards.ItexportsmorethanUS$4billionworthofagriculturalproductsayear,andisamongthecountrystop20citiesandprovincesintermsofexports.Ittargetsexportsof$4.56billionthisyear.ItsagriculturaloutputwasworthVN?17.5trillionlastyearafterachieving10.3percentgrowth,thehighestinthecountry,accordingtothedepartment.Iteyesgrowthof5percentthisyear.PotentialPh?mThu?Lu?n,directoroftheagriculturedepartment,saidtheprovincestillhasampleroomfordevelopingagriculture,especiallytech-based.Itgrowsadiverserangeofhigh-qualityagriculturalproductssuchasdurian,red-pulpguava,greenskinandpinkfleshgrapefruit,mangosteen,avocado,jackfruit,honeydewmelon.MostofthemaregrowntoVietnameseandglobalgoodagriculturalpracticesstandards,andrecognisedasproductsunderthecountrysOneCommune-OneProductprogramme.Theprovincehas3,801haoffarmingareasthathavereceivedproductioncodestomeetexportrequirements.Itsindustrialcropslikecashew,rubber,coffee,andpepperareexportedtomanymarkets,includingtheEU,SouthKorea,theUS,Singapore,China,andCambodia.Ithasnearly150,000haofcashew,or50percentofthecountrystotal,and241,000haofrubber(26percent).Ithasattractedmanylargelivestockbreedingbusinessesandhas480largeanimalfarms.Ithastwomillionpigsand13.5millionpoultrybirds.Underitszoningplanfor2021-30,theprovincewillbuildaslaughterhouse,developfruitorchardsecotourismdestinationsandformfivefruitgrowingareaswithatotalof5,000ha,a3,000hapeppergrowingarea,and9,500haofhigh-techanimalhusbandryby2030.By2030itwillsetupfivehigh-techagriculturezonesof68-650haeach.Itissolicitinginvestmentinhigh-techagriculturefrommajorinternationalcompanies.IthasmanyagriculturalproductsthathavebeengrantedacollectivebrandnamesuchasL?cNinhpepper,ThanhL??ngbackyardchickenThanhL??ngsmall-seedlongan.ItscashewhasbeengrantedtheBìnhPh??cCashewgeographicindication.Ithas157productsundertheOneCommune-OneProductprogrammewiththreetofivestars,includingfoods,beveragesandhandicraftproducts.Underitsrestructuringplan,by2030,itwilldevelopecological,green,organic,andhigh-techagriculture.Itwilldevelopagriculturetogetherwiththeprocessingindustry,recyclingofagriculturalby-productsandwastesandtourismservices.Itwillspeedupdigitaltransformationandincreasetheuseofadvancedagriculturaltechniquestoincreaseyieldsandqualityandsecureoutlets.Experiencedfarmers,companiesandorganisationsproactivelyusesocialmediatoteachfarmersnewfarmingtechniquesandintroducetheirproductstoconsumers.–VNSChairmanoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommitteeTr?nS?Thanh(right)ononeofthetrainsoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetroduringhisinspectionoftheprojectonTuesdaymorning.—VNA/VNSPhotoTrungNguyênHàN?I—ChairmanoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommitteeTr?nS?ThanhonAugust6inspectedthepreparationsfortheoperationoftheelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationurbanrailwayproject,thecitysmetrolineNo.3,aheadoftheexpectedcommercialrunslaterthisweek.Reportingonthepreparations,Nguy?nCaoMinh,HeadoftheHàN?iMetropolitanRailwayManagementBoard,saidthatall10trainshadbeentestedsinceMayandnowmeettechnicalrequirements.V?H?ngTr??ng,ChairmanoftheBoardandGeneralDirectorofHàN?iMetroOneMemberCompanyLtd(HMC),statedthatallpreparationsregardingpersonnelandoperationalprocesseshadalsobeencompleted.Forthetimebeing,theelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationlinewillapplyatemporarypricingforticketsandmaintenancesimilartotheCátLinh-Hà??ngline,Tr??ngsaid.Thetrialrunwilllastfortwotothreemonths,andinthefirst15dayspassengerscanenjoytheridesfreeofcharge.TheinvestorhasaskedforpermissiontoruntheelevatedsectionfromAugust9,2024,hetoldChairmanThanh.Theplantoconnectbusrouteswiththeelevatedsectionofthislinehasbeenpreparedandisawaitingcityapproval,headofHàN?istransportdepartmentNguy?nPhiTh??ngsaid.ThedepartmentrecommendsthatthecityallowstheHàN?iMetropolitanManagementBoardtohandoverthelineasistoHMCtemporarily,makingsurethatallconditionsaremetforthelinestimelyoperationtoservethepublic.Remainingissueswillbeaddressedintime,Th??ngnoted.HàN?isChairmanThanhpraisedtheeffortsofthemanagementboard,HMC,thetransportdepartment,andrelateddepartmentsandlocalities,statingthattheelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationprojectwasreadyforoperation.Withthecurrentstateofthepreparations,heaskedforthemetroscommercialoperationstostartfromAugust8,onedayearlierthantheproposeddate.Healsorequiredallunitstofocusonquicklycompletingthefinalprocedures,withthetopprioritybeingthesafeandproperoperationofthetrain.AnyissuesmustbereportedimmediatelyandthePeoplesCommitteeandIwillsupportresolvingthem.Thepreparationworkmustbecomprehensiveandthorough,coveringsafety,technicalaspects,personnel,andsanitation,hestressed.Themetroline,thesecondtobeoperationalinthecapitalcity,is12.5kmlong,withtheelevatedsection(Nh?n-C?uGi?yDistrict)being8.5kmandtheundergroundsection(C?uGi?yDistrict-HàN?iStation)being4kmlong.Eachhour,about8,000passengerscanbetransportedoneachdirectionontheelevatedsection.OnJuly30,thetunnelboringmachinebeganoperationsontheundergroundsectionofthemetroline,whichpassesthroughseveraldenselypopulatedareassomanychallengesmayarise,accordingtotheinvestor.Themetroprojectstartedin2009andwasoriginallyslatedtobefinishedin2015butafterdelaysandsetbacks,thecompletiondateisnow2027.TheoriginalinvestmentcostsofVN?18,408trillion(US$732.14million,currentexchangerate)havenowswellednearlytwo-foldtoVN?34,532trillion($1.373billion).—VNS

PartofthecrackintheearthwhichhasshiftedinHu?iL?pVillage,Qu?ngLamCommuneinthenorthernmountainousprovinceof?i?nBiên.—VNA/VNSPhoto?I?NBIêN—TheSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlandSearchandRescueofM??ngNhéDistrict,?i?nBiênProvincehasurged23householdstotemporarilyrelocatetorelativeshomesaftertheyweredesignatedathighriskofbeingcaughtinalandslide.Thearea,whichislocatedinHu?iL?pVillage,Qu?ngLamCommune,posesahighriskoflandslipsduetotheprolongedheavyrainsinrecentdays.T?V?nS?n,chairmanofthePeoplesCommittee,saidthattheareawasadjacenttoNationalHighway4H,withacracklengthofabout300metresandasubsidencedepthofuptoonemetre.Theheightofthecrackfromthesurfaceofthenationalhighwaywasapproximately200metres.Asubstantialamountofmudandsoilhadflowedthroughsmallcrevicesfromtheareaontothehighway,causingtrafficcongestionandimpacting23householdswith117residentslivingalongthehighwaybeneaththearea.Upondiscoveringthelandslide,thesteeringcommitteeurgedthe23householdstomovetotheirrelativeshomestemporarily.OnSunday,authoritiesdiscoveredanadditionalcrackabout60metreslongand0.5mto0.8mdeepabovethepreviouslyidentifiedlandslidearea.OnMonday,thePeoplesCommitteeofthedistrictrequestedthattheprovincialPeoplesCommitteeandtheprovincialSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlandSearchandRescueformaninteragencyinspectionteamtopromptlyassess,evaluateandproposemeasurestoensurethesafetyofresidentsandinfrastructureinthehigh-risklandslideareainthevillage.ThedistrictalsoaskedtheprovincialPeoplesCommitteeandtheDepartmentofFinancetoconsiderallocatingfundsforresettlingthe23households.TheCentreforCleanWaterandEnvironmentalSanitationwastoldtocoordinatewiththedistricttosurveyresettlementpointsandarrangefortherelocationofresidentsfromthedisasterarea.FollowingthedistrictPeoplesCommitteesrequest,theprovincialPeoplesCommitteeissuedofficialdocumentNo.3459onMonday,regardingtheinspection,assessmentandproposalofsafetymeasuresforresidentsandinfrastructureinthehigh-risklandslideareainthevillage.ThedistrictPeoplesCommitteewasorderedtoproactivelyallocateemergencyfundstosupportfoodandessentialsuppliesforhouseholdsatriskofhunger,ensurethesafetyoftemporaryhousingandimplementmeasurestopreventdiseaseandmaintainenvironmentalsanitationfortheresidents.Thedistricthadtocontinuetomonitortheweather,increasewarningsandbeondutyfornaturaldisasterprevention24/7topromptlydetectandorganisetherelocationofpeopleandpropertytoensuresafetyduringincidents.TheDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentwasassignedtoleadandcoordinatewithrelevantdepartmentsandagenciestourgentlyinspectthesite,assessthecurrentsituationandforecastthelandslideriskinthevillage.Basedontheassessment,theyhadtoproposeandimplementmeasurestoensuretheabsolutesafetyofresidentsandpropertyintheaffectedareaandreporttheresultstotheprovincialPeoplesCommitteebyAugust15.—VNSNguy?nH?uTi?nH?ngandhisgoldmedalfromthe56thInternationalChemistryOlympiad.VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTh??ngHàN?INguy?nH?uTi?nH?ng,astudentoftheB?cNinhHighSchoolforGiftedStudentsinthenorthernprovinceofB?cNinh,dreamsofbecomingadoctor.ThegoldmedalH?ngwonrecentlyatthe56thInternationalChemistryOlympiadinSaudiArabiahasbroughthimclosertothedream.Borninaplacewithstrongacademictraditionsandtoawell-educatedfamily,H?nghasalwaysmaintainedhistopspotintheclassrankings.Hehasalwayshadaparticularlovefornaturalsciences,especiallychemistry.Hisoldersister,apreviousstudentofB?cNinhHighSchoolforGiftedStudentschemistryclass,motivatedhimthemost.Hesaid:Iampassionateaboutchemistrybecauseitallowsmetowitnessthefascinatingphenomenaofchemicalreactions,whichresultinavarietyofcolours,precipitationandevaporation.Withmyknowledgeofchemistry,Icannowinvestigatethecomposition,structure,propertiesandchangesofmatterandexplainsubstancesandeventswithease.Itisreallyrelatabletoallpeopleslives.Thisisasubjectwithmanyapplicationsinreallife,hetoldVietnamNewsAgency.Hewaschosenforthespecialchemistryclasswhenhewasgradenine.Thatsameyear,hewonthefirstprizeinthechemistrycompetitionforexcellentstudentsinB?cNinhProvince.H?ngsaidinordertolearnchemistryproperly,onemustfirstmasterthefundamentalconceptsandthenworkthroughchallengingsituationsbyunderstandingtheunderlyingcausesoftheissues.Hecreatesacomfortableandexcitingroutineforhimselfeachdaythatbalancesleisuretimewithstudying,whichmakesiteasierforhimtotakeininformationandresearchpapers.Sharinghissecrettowinningagoldmedalattherecentinternationalcompetition,hesaid:Atfirst,whenIreadtheexamquestions,Ifeltabitconfusedbecausetheexamquestionshadmanynewpointsandwerealsotopical,requiringcandidatestohavetheabilitytothinkcomprehensivelyandperformoperationalskillsaccurately.Thetheoreticalexammentionedtheapplicationsofchemistryinindustry,environmentalpollutiontreatment,andadvancedmaterials.Atthattime,Iquicklyregainedmyconfidence,rememberingthewordsofencouragementfrommyteacherstosolveproblemsfrombasicknowledge,withthemottoofdoingeasythingsfirst,difficultthingslater,doingthingsfirmlyasmuchaspossible.Iwastheninacomfortablemoodandachievedgoodresults.Recallingthemomentwhenhisnamewascalledoutasagoldmedalwinnerattheinternationalcontest,hesaid:IfelthappyandproudbecauseIhavecontributedatinyparttobringachievementstotheFatherland,theprovince,theschoolandmyfamily.Thisisnotonlymyownachievementbutalsotheeffortsoftheentireteamofteachersintheschool,alongwiththesupportandencouragementofmyfamily,hesaid.ThefirstpersonIsharedmyjoywithwasteacherV?Th?Len[hishighschoolteacher]whosmiledandcriedatthesametimewhenIannouncedtheresult.Nguy?nQuangHòa,H?ngsfather,whofollowseverystepofhisson,couldnothidehisemotion.Itwasajustrewardforwhathehaddone.OurfamilyisalwaysappreciativeofH?ngsteachersconcernandencouragement,hesaid.AfterworkingwithH?ngforthreeyears,teacherLenclaimedtohaveathoroughunderstandingofeachstudentsstrengthsandlimitations,enablinghertodevelopeffectiveteachingstrategiesthatmaximisetheirpotential.H?ngexhibitsall-aroundqualitiesalongwithaparticularfondnessandenthusiasmforchemistry.Healwaysgetsthegreatestgradesinchemistryinhisclassbecauseheplanshisdaysrationally,worksoutandstudieschemistryonhisown.H?nghadpreviouslyreceivedchemistryawardsbothlocallyandnationally.H?ngsaidhewillpursuehisdreamofbecomingagooddoctorandtreatingpeoplebyattendingtheHàN?iMedicalUniversity.VNS

??ngThuNgatakescareofachildinthevillage.—Photosuckhoedoisong.vnHCMCITY—Familyplaysaveryimportantroleintheformationanddevelopmentofchildrenspersonality,buttherearemanyunfortunatechildrenwhoareorphansandneedprotectionandhelp.Nearly50yearssinceitsestablishment,theTh???cYouthVillageinHCMCityhascaredforandraisedtensofthousandsoforphansanddisadvantagedchildrenfromacrossVi?tNam.Althoughlessfortunatethantheirpeers,withthelove,care,helpandeducationofthestaffoffathersandmothershere,thechildrenhaveovercomedifficultiesandpressuresinlifetocontinuewritingtheirdreams.Everymeal,everysleep,everylesson,thechildrenherearetakencareofbythevillagesstaffasiftheyweretheirownchildren.Theyareablenottojuststudyuptohighschool,butalsogotouniversityorstudyatvocationalschools.Nguy?nH?uTài,DirectoroftheTh???cYouthVillagesaid:Icantcounthowmanyteachers,doctorsandbankofficershavecomefromhere.Therearealsomanychildrenwhohavefinishedschoolandbecomesuccessfulinlife.Agreatnumberofthemdecidetoreturnheretotakecareofchildrenwiththedesiretogiveloveforchildreninthesamesituationasthemselves.BackhomeOnechildwhoreceivedlove,care,nurturingandeducationfrommothersinthevillage,??ngThuNga,36,afterworkingasanaccountant,decidedtoreturntoworkinitsnewbornward.AlthoughIhavebeenworkingoutsideforalongtime,Istillcontinuetoreceivehelpfromeveryoneinthevillage,soIlearntmoreknowledgerelatedtoinfantsandpreschoolchildrentoreturnandcontributetothevillage,saidNga.Ngasaidthatitwasdifficulttotakecareofnormalchildren,butitismuchmoredifficulttotakecareofchildrenwithrarediseases.Childreninthevillageareseparatedaccordingtotheirphysicalcondition.Theoneswithcongenitaldisabilitiesordevelopmentaldisorderswillbearrangedinaclasswithspecialcareandteaching.Ngabelievesthatchildrenwhoneedinterventionmustbetaughtwithspeciallessonplans.However,thevillagesstaffdonothavemuchknowledgeandexperienceincaringforsuchchildren,sotheirworkmeetsmanyobstacles.Understandingthat,thevillagesBoardofDirectorshasinvitedspecialisedteachersanddoctorstotrainstaffwhodirectlyteachandcareforspecialchildren.Ph?mTh?Trang,31,fromNgh?Ancentralprovince,chosetheTh???cYouthVillageasherlong-termworkplaceaftergraduating.Shesaidthatsheandmostofworkersherearepreschoolorprimaryschoolteachers,sowhenshewasassignedtoteachchildreninneedofinterventionandtheoneswithdevelopmentaldisorders,shethoughtthisjobwouldnotbetoodifficult.However,realityhasshownteachersthatraisingthespecialchildrenisverydifficult.Mostofthemarenotabletocontroltheirbehaviour,sotheteacherscannotunderstandtheirthoughtsandwishes.Therefore,inadditiontobasicknowledge,teachersherehavetoexploretoknowthepersonalityofeachchildinordertocomeupwithappropriateeducationalmethods.Afterparticipatingintheinterventionclass,manychildrenhaveclearlychanges,reactingquicklyandcanfollowcommands.Weareoverwhelmedbythechildrensprogress.Thechildrenspositivechangeshavecreatedgreatmotivationforus.Wehopethattheycanintegrateintolife,gotoschoolliketheirpeersandcanbeindependentwhentheygrowup,saidTrang.GoldentimeRegardinginterventionforchildrenwithdevelopmentaldelays,Nguy?nTr?nNam,DeputyDirectoroftheHCMCityChildrensHospital,saidthatmanypsychologicalreasonsmadechildrenslowtospeaksuchasexpressivelanguagedisorderandautism.Alotofclinicaldatashowsthatbeforethreeyearsoldistheso-calledgoldentimetointervenechildrenwithdevelopmentalproblems.Therefore,takingchildrentomedicalfacilitieswithpsychologicalspecialistsforexaminationandassessmentisnecessarytoguideappropriatesolution.Earlyinterventionhelpschildrenbettertheirlanguageandcommunicationskills,creatingasolidfoundationfortheirfuture,hesaid.Asfortheteamdirectlyinstructingchildren,itisnecessarytobeequippedthemwiththeoreticalandpracticalknowledge.Iftheydonothaveenough,theycansupplementitduringtheirworkingprocess,saidNam.DirectorTàiaffirmedthatthevillagesstaffalwaystriedtheirbest,withenthusiasm,loveforchildrenandasenseofresponsibilitytotakecareofandbringthebestthingstothechildren.—VNSContractorsrepairthenationalroadsurfaceinTuyAnDistrictinPhúYênProvince.VNA/VNSPhotoXuanTri?uHàN?I–TheVi?tNamRoadAdministration(VNRA)undertheMinistryofTransporthasproposedrevokingtheauthorityoflocalitiesthatfailtokeepupwiththedisbursementprogressforroadmaintenancefunds.Localleaderswillbeheldaccountableforanydelaysindisbursementbytheendofthisyear.Thismeasureispartofaseriesofsolutionsaimedatacceleratingthedisbursementprocessforroadmaintenancethisyear.?oànChíHi?u,headoftheVNRAsPlanningDepartment,saidthatin2024,theadministrationwasallocatedVN?11.5trillion(US$454.8million)forroadmaintenance.AsoftheendofJune2024,onlyoverVN?3.2trillion($126.5million)hasbeendisbursed,reaching28percentoftheplannedamount.TayNinhhasthelowestdisbursementrateat3.7percent,followedbyV?nhPhúcat5.28percent,Nam??nhat8.1percentandKhánhHoàat8.5percent.TheprovincesofQu?ngNinh,HoàBình,KiênGiangandQu?ngNg?ihaverelativelylowdisbursementratesof10percent,12percent,13percentand14.1percent,respectively.Notably,70outof147projectsthattheadministrationhasallocatedfundsforhavenotyetundergonemaintenance.Thereasonistheslowprogressinselectingcontractorsandsigningconstructioncontractsbythelocalities.Specifically,HoàBìnhhaseightoutof15pendingprojects,V?nhPhúchasallthreependingprojects,CaoB?nghasfiveoutof15pendingprojectsandQu?ngNg?ihasalltenpendingprojects.Theadministrationhadrequiredlocalitiestodevelopdisbursementplansforthelastsixmonthsoftheyear.Mostunitshadregisteredfor100percentdisbursement,butmanylocalitieshavebeenslowinpreparingmonthlydisbursementplans.Localitiesthathavenotachieved70percentoftheirdisbursementplansincludeHòaBình,LaiChau,LàoCai,V?nhPhúc,TuyênQuang,HàGiang,B?cK?n,Qu?ngNinh,B?cNinh,TháiBình,Qu?ngNam,GiaLai,BàR?a-V?ngTàu,LongAnandKiênGiang.Ph?mTr?ngTài,deputydirectorofthe?i?nBiênProvincesTransportDepartment,saidthattheadministrationhascurrentlyauthorisedthetransportdepartmentstoapproverepairprojectscostinglessthanVN?5billion.However,ifadjustmentsareneededduringtheconstructionprocess,theymustbeapprovedbytheinvestmentdecisionmaker.Herecommendedastrongerdelegationofauthority,proposingthattheentiremaintenanceprocessbeentrustedtotheinvestorstoavoiddelayscausedbytheneedtoconsulttheadministrationforurgentrepairs.Toexpeditethedisbursementprogressinthefinalmonthsoftheyear,theadministrationhasinstructedtheroadmanagementzones,transportdepartmentsandprojectmanagementboardstopromptlyselectcontractors,signcontractsandreportanyissuestoacceleratetheprocess.Additionally,theyarerequiredtoreviewandre-registerplanstoensurethedisbursementrateofallocatedfunds.BùiQuangThái,directoroftheVNRA,addedthattheannualmaintenancefundingonlymeets40percentoftheneedsbutremainsunspent,withalargeamountofcarryoverfundingfromthepreviousyear.Heemphasisedtheneedtospendfundscorrectlyandentirelywithinthefiscalyear,notingthatwhiledecentralisationisbeingstrengthened,itmustbeimplementedappropriately.Forthe2025maintenanceplan,theadministrationhasintroducedseveralmeasurestospeedupthebiddingandcontractorselectionprocessestoensureprojectscanstartearlyintheyearandmeetdisbursementdeadlines.Transportdepartmentsthatcontinuetodelaydisbursementwillhavetheirauthoritytomanagenationalroadsrevokedandleadersofthedepartmentswilltakeresponsibilityforthedelay.—VNS