PartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngduringavisittothecentralprovinceofPhúYêninthisphotodatedMay3,2016.—VNA/VNSPhotoTríD?ngHàN?I—PartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngsgreatcontributionstothePartyandthenationhaveleftdeepimpressionsonPartymembersandpeoplenationwide,whohavespecialsentimentsforthelateleader.Ph?m??iD??ng,SecretaryofthePartyCommitteeandheadofthedelegationofNationalAssemblydeputiesofthecentralprovinceofPhúYên,saiduponhearingthenewsofthePartychiefspassing,officials,Partymembersandresidentsintheprovinceexpressedtheirboundlessgrief.ThePartyleadersetabrightexampleofsimplicity,approachability,andmodesty,D??ngsaid,callinghimagreatpersonalityofthenation,whohasbeenlovedandrespectedbynotonlypeopleathomebutalsointernationalfriends.HisdirectiononPartyandpoliticalsystembuilding,socio-economicdevelopment,nationaldefenceandsecurity,andnew-styleruralareabuildingduringavisittoPhúYênhavebeenmaterialisedoverthepastyears,withsignificantachievementsreaped,D??ngsaid.Theleadersguidingprinciples,andtheoreticalandpracticallessonswillcontinuetobewidelyspreadamonglocalofficials,Partymembersandpeople,hepledged,emphasisingtheirabsoluteconfidenceinthePartyleadershipandtheStategovernance,aswellastheirsolidarity,unityandconsensusinrealisingtargetssetatthe13thNationalPartyCongressandthe17thprovincialPartyCongress.Nguy?nTh?Di?u,akindergartenteacherinthemountainousdistrictofS?ngHinh,PhúYênProvince,whohadachancetomeetthePartychiefinHàN?ilastyearasarolemodelinstudyingandfollowingPresidentH?ChíMinhsexample,expressedherdeeprespectforGeneralSecretaryTr?ng,sayinghewasaveryapproachableleader.ForTri?u??cThanh,formerDeputySecretaryofthePartyCommitteeandformerChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofnorthernHàGiangProvince,theGeneralSecretarywasastaunch,capable,knowledgeableandrespectablecommunist.ImyselfandofficialsandpeopleinHàGiangalwayshaveabsolutetrustinthePartyleadership,andstayunitedtosuccessfullycompletethetargetssetatthe13thNationalPartyCongress,hesaid,highlightingthePartychiefsanti-graftcrackdown,withzerotoleranceoncorruption.Tri?u??cThanh,formerDeputySecretaryoftheprovincialPartyCommitteeandformerChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofHàGiangProvincespoketothepressinmemoryofthelatePartyGeneralSecretary.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ngMíDe,formerheadoftheprovincialPartyCommitteesInformationandEducationBoard,saidinanycircumstances,theGeneralSecretaryalwaysskillfullyhandleddomesticandforeignaffairs,contributingtothePartysstrength,thecountrysdevelopment,andaprosperousandhappylifeforallpeople.D??ngTh?Ph??ng,aresidentinresidentialareaNo5,Tr?nPhúWard,HàGiangCity,showedhergriefatthePartyleadersdeath,andherbeliefthatthecountrywillgrowfirmlyandstronglyunderthePartyleadership.MaiV?nTrí,aPartymemberinThu?nL?cWardinthecentralcityofHu?,saidGeneralSecretaryTr?ngwasaneminentsonofthenation,notingheandthePartyCentralCommittee,thePolitburoandtheSecretariathadrolledoutvariousguidelinestohelpVi?tNamovercomedifficultiesandsteadilymoveforward.WhattheleaderdidcontributedtoconsolidatingthePartysposition,andwontheabsolutetrustofofficials,Partymembersandpeoplenationwide,heaffirmed.MaiV?nTrí,aPartymemberinThu?nL?cWardinthecentralcityofHu?expressedappreciationtoPartyGeneralSecretaryTr?ngscontributionstoVi?tNam.—VNA/VNSPhotoT??ngViNguy?nV?nThu?n,aretiredofficialinV?nhNinhWard,Hu?City,saidGeneralSecretaryTr?ngwasanexcellentdiscipleofPresidentH?ChíMinh,andthathewasalwaysdedicatedtotakingcareofpeopleslives.ThegreatachievementsinnationalconstructionanddevelopmentoverthepasttimesawthehugecontributionsofthePartyleader,hesaid.—VNS

AparkinglotwhichencroachesintopublicspaceinD?chV?ngH?uWard,C?uGi?yDistrict,HàN?i.VNA/VNSPhotoTotakesomepressureoffparkinginHàN?i,ithasbeenproposedthatvacantspacesorlandlotsofprojectswithslowprogressshouldbegrantedtemporarypermitstobecomeparkinglots.TransportexportV?HoàngChungtalkstoKinhT???Th?(EconomicandUrbanAffairs)newspaperaboutthistopic.HowdoyouevaluateHàN?ispolicyofgrantingtemporaryparkingpermitstobehind-scheduleprojects?Ithinkthisisanecessarypolicy.Inthecontextthatthecitylacksstatictrafficinfrastructureandthedemandissogreattoday,turningemptyspacesintheheartofthecityintoparkingareasisanimportantsolutionthatwillbeeffective.Itissuchawastetoleavegovernment-managedlandplotswithoutinvestmentprojectsorwithbehind-scheduleprojects.Infact,ifwedontgranttheparkingpermitstothoselandlots,theywouldstillbeillegallyturnedintoparkinglotsandbenefitindividuals.Insomeplaces,illegalcarparkshaveexistedfordecades.Trillionsof??ngareestimatedtohavebeencollectedwithnotax.Meanwhile,thecitysauthoritieshavetoborrowmoneytoinvestintransportinfrastructure.Thatisaparadoxthatmustbedealtwithandthebestsolutionislicensingtomanageandcollecttaxes.Thisisalreadyaproperpolicybuttheimplementationprogressremainsslow.Inyouropinion,whatisthereasonbehind?Ithinkthebiggestreasonisthelackofaclearlegalcorridor,leadingtothefactthatmanagementagenciesstaycautiousanddonotdaretograntlicences.Otherreasonsshouldbementioned,forexample,enterpriseslackexperienceandunderstandinginthisservicefield.Inyouropinion,whatshouldHàN?idotoremoveobstaclesandsoonlaunchtemporarycarparkinglotsonvacantland?Firstofall,thecityneedstorecogniseandappreciatetheroleofthissolutioninurbanlife.Ithasgreatsignificanceinthecurrentcontextandinthelongterm,soitneedstobeorganisedandimplementedsystematicallyandstrictly.Inmyopinion,thecitycansetupajointsteeringcommitteetoovercomedifficultieswiththetemporaryparkinglotmodel.Thesteeringcommitteewillreviewrealityandcollectdatatodevelopageneralregulationandprocessforgrantingtemporaryparkingpermitsforvehiclesinvacantplotsoflandandlandofslow-movingprojects.Whencompletingtheregulations,thesteeringcommitteecanbedissolvedorconvertedtoworkinanotherfield.ThecommitteewillhelpthecityPeoplesCommitteereduceworkloadwhileunitsandlocalitieshaveclearerdirectionincompletingtheprocessthroughadministrativeandlegalprocedures.Whatconditionsarerequiredfortemporaryparkinglotstobelicensed?IseethatHàN?iisverysuccessfulwiththenon-cashfeecollectionmodelinparkingservices.Thatisaveryimportantconditionformanagingandexploitingthismodel.Itisnecessarytoconsidertheapplicationofcashlesstollcollectionasamandatoryconditionforunitsthatwanttoapplyforalicence.Inaddition,localitiesshouldbegiventheauthoritytoappraise,licenseandmanagethesetemporaryparkingspots.Atthesametime,taxesandfeesarepaidintothelocalbudget,thuscreatingadditionalrevenueforlocalitiestoreinvestininfrastructure.Theconditionsforfireprevention,fighting,andtrafficorganisationmustalsobeensured.Themostimportantthingtopayattentiontoisthetimelinefortemporaryparkinglotlicensing.Manybusinesseswithweakcapacityornotwillingtoimplementtheprojectmayconsiderapplyingforaparkingpermitasanexcusetoprocrastinate.Itisnecessarytoclearlyclassifywhichplotsoflandcanbelicensedandforhowlong.Forprojectlandplotsthathavebeenleftunusedfortoolong,wemustconsiderwithdrawingthemtotransfertoanotherinvestor,especiallyplannedstatictrafficprojects.Ontheotherhand,forvacantlandplotsmanagedbythelocality,itisnecessarytoclearlydefinethemaximumperiodoftimethatcanbelicensed,forexample,twoyearsorthreeyearsandencouragebusinessestoinvestandapplyforalicence.Itshouldnotbepossibletoissuealicencewithatooshortterm.Thecityalsoneedstoadjustparkingprices,especiallyintheinnercityarea.Withthepricebasedonthecurrentregulations,notmanyunitsarewillingtoapplytobegrantedaparkinglotlicence,butillegallybuildtheirown.VNSDeputyMinisterofScienceandTechnologyBùiTh?Duy.—Photovnexpress.netHàN?I—The2013LawonScienceandTechnologywillbeamendedandrenamedtheLawonScience,TechnologyandInnovation,helpingtoremoveinstitutionalobstaclesandpromoteresearchresultstothemarket,accordingtoDeputyMinisterofScienceandTechnologyBùiTh?Duy.Duysaidthattheamended2013LawonScienceandTechnologywillbesubmittedtotheNationalAssemblyforconsiderationandcommentsinMay2025.Accordingtotheofficial,oneofthebottlenecksthatmakesitdifficultforresearchresultstobetranslatedintopracticeisrelatedtothelegalframework.Inparticular,thelawonscienceandtechnologyandmanyrelatedlawsdonotacceptthefactthatsometimesscientistsdoresearchwithoutproducingresults.Thisleadstothefactthatwhenregisteringtasks,scientistsdonotdaretoregisternewcontent,mainlycreatingcontentatasafelevelsoitisnotnewandcannotbebroughttolife.Besides,scientificandtechnologicalresultsalsotakealongtime,10-20years,tobebroughttolife,soifweonlyevaluatetheresultsofcommercialisationinonetofiveyears,itisnotcomplete,saidDuy.Thesecondreasonisduetotheseparationbetweenresearch-developmentandproduction-businesssectors.Duysaidthatthe2013LawonScienceandTechnologymentionedtheissueoforderingresearch,buttheorderingmustbefrombusinessesorassociatedwithuniversitiesandbusinessesmustbethroughstaffexchangeactivities.Currently,thestaffexchangecorridorisnotfavourableoramandatoryactivityforlecturersandresearchers.Theproposedrevisedlawsuggestsintroducingacorridorforscientiststoworkwithbusinesses,whicharestillconsideredresearchandteachingactivities,Duysaid.Clearlydefiningthestagesinresearchanddevelopmentactivitiesandinnovationactivitiesisalsoanissueofconcerninamendingthelaw.Currently,thefactthatuniversityresearchmustbetransferredtobusinessesisnotpractical.Therefore,therevisedlawneedstopromoteexperimentalproductioninbusinessesandanalysethemarkettoproducefinalproducts.Theamendedlawwillcreateacorridorforintermediaryorganisationstoprotectintellectualpropertyandformanewscienceandtechnologymarkettofacilitatethetransferofresults,saidthedeputyminister.Healsosuggestedthatnationalprogrammesneedtohaveamechanismtoassignresultstothemostfavourablehostorganisation,consideringscienceandtechnologyinvestmentasalong-terminvestment,automaticallyassigningauthorityfortheleadagencytocontinueusingitforcommercialisationandfurtherinvestmenttocreatenewproducts.IntheproposalstoamendtheLawonScienceandTechnology,DeputyMinisterDuyalsoemphasisednewgroupsofpolicyissues.Accordingly,todevelopscienceandtechnologyactivitiesinuniversities,itisnecessarytohaveresearchcontent,activitiesandinvestmentfundsfortheuniversity.Forexample,thereneedstobeaprogrammetotraingraduatestudentswithfundingfromscienceandtechnology.Duysaidthatmanycountriesaroundtheworldconsidergraduatestudentsasthemainresearchforcebecausetheyareyoung,creativeandpassionateabouttheirwork.Therefore,itisnecessarytodeveloptrainingprogrammes,consideringthemasresearchersandresearchworkers,notjuststudents.AViettelengineerdoingsomeresearch.—Photovnexpress.netProf.Dr.Nguy?nH?u??c,HanoiNationalUniversity,expectsthattheamendedlawwillcreateanewlegalcorridor,creatingconditionsfordevelopmentandencouraginginnovation.Thisisthefirsttimewehaveformalisedtheconceptofinnovation,whichwillhelpbuildanewcultureforVietnamesepeople,??csaid.HanoiNationalUniversitycurrentlyfocusesoninvestingincreativestudentstartups.AccordingtoProfessor??c,itisnecessarytopreparehumanresourcesforinnovation,addingsubjectsoninventiveandcreativeentrepreneurshipintogeneralsubjectssothatstudentshavetheskillsandcapacitytobepioneers.ShortcomingsinfinancialinvestmentmechanismsforscienceandtechnologyCurrently,thefinancialinvestmentmechanismforscienceandtechnologystillhasmanyshortcomings.DeputyMinisterDuysaidthattheMinistryofScienceandTechnologyhasresearchedandevaluatedtheentirelegalsystem,includingmanyrelatedlaws.Therealityisthatthereisalackofsynchronisationbetweenlawsonscienceandtechnologyandlawsonfinance.Oncethereareinvestmentfundsandresources,theyneedtobeusedeffectively,openlyandquickly.Toachievethis,thescienceandtechnologyindustryneedstostronglyamendregulationsrelatedtoscienceandtechnologytasks,topics,projects,decentralisationandreformofadministrativeprocedures,saidDuy.Thegoalistobeopenandtransparent,therebyselectingthebesttopicsandtasksquicklyandconveniently.ThefirstthingthatneedstoberesolvedishowtosynchronisetheprovisionsoftheLawonScienceandTechnologywithexistingfinancialpolicies,tomakethemostofallofthesepolicies.Inaddition,itisnecessarytoadjustregulationsonprocurementandbiddingwhenusinginvestmentfundsfortechnology,includingpublicinvestmentfundsfromtheStateandfundsfromenterprises.ThiswillencourageStatesupportmechanisms.Itisnecessarytoresearchnewissues,coretechnologiesandevenpurchaseresearchresultsandinventionsfromabroad,thentransferthemtobusinessessotheycanuseanddevelop,saidDuy.Tofindacommonvoicebetweenmanagers,financialinvestorsandscientists,theDeputyMinisterbelievesthatitisnecessarytosharetheviewthatStatefundingforscienceandtechnologyresultsshouldbeconsideredalong-terminvestment.Insteadofrequiringimmediatepayment,fundsshouldbeassignedtothehostunitsandproductionunitssotheycaninvestanddevelopproductionandbusiness.Whentheseunitscreatejobsandpaytaxes,theStatewillrecovercapitalthroughtaxesandreinvestinscientificandtechnologicalactivities.Toachievethis,thereneedstobeclosecooperationbetweenscienceandtechnologyagenciesandfinancialagenciestounderstandeachotherandcoordinateeffectively.Therefore,theministryproposesthattheLawwillregulatethedeterminationofwhatispropertyandwhatisnotpropertyinscientificandtechnologicalresults.Forexample,resultsthathavebeenwidelypublishedandbecomehumanknowledgecannotbeconsideredprivateproperty.WebelievethatsharingthisperspectivewillhelpadjustthelegalcorridoroftheLawonScienceandTechnologyaswellasotherlaws,sothattheybecomemoreappropriateandoperatemoreeffectively,therebycreatinganopenenvironmentforscience,technologyandinnovationactivities,emphasisedDuy.—VNS

StudentsatafreeEnglishclassforethnicminoritychildreninWard4,V?ThanhCity,theMekongDeltaprovinceofH?uGiang.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nH?ngH?UGIANG—DanhTh?Di?mMy,anethnicminoritystudent,ofWard4,V?ThanhCity,theMekongDeltaprovinceofH?uGiang,iseagerlylearningEnglishalongsideotherchildrenattheP?ThiR?ngSaypagoda.Di?mMysaidsheandherfriendshadmorefreetimeinthesummerandinadditiontolearningKhmeratthepagoda,theyalsoattendedfreeEnglishclassestaughtbytheyouthvolunteers.Eachlessonhelpsmelearnnewvocabulary.TheEnglishquizgameswithprizesmakeeveryoneexcited.Everyweek,theethnicminoritychildrenalwayslookforwardtotheirEnglishclasses,whichareheldtwiceaweekforfreeasannouncedbythecitysYouthUnion.Theclasses,whichattractaround20youngpeople,covervarioustopicseachsession,usingpartcipatorymethodstohelpthechildrenquicklygraspnewvocabularyandimprovetheirlistening,speaking,readingandwritingskills.Inadditiontolearningnewwords,thechildrenaredividedintogroupstodiscuss,exchangeideasandparticipateinEnglishquizgames.Manyextracurricularactivitiesarealsoincorporatedtoprovidethechildrenwithadditionalusefulskillsduringthesummer.ChildrenareexcitedatafreeEnglishclassforethnicminoritychildreninWard4,V?ThanhCity,theMekongDeltaprovinceofH?uGiang.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nH?ngLêHoàngPhiLong,alsofromtheward,saidEnglishwashisfavouritesubject.Foreachlessonateacherintroducedanewtopic,suchasanimals,vehicles,traffic,continentsaswellaseverydayvocabulary.Whennewwordsaretaught,Iwritethemdowncarefully,thenrewritethemathometoremembertheirmeaningsandpronunciation,hesaid.Thankstothat,heknewallthewordstaughtinclassbyheart.IstrivetostudyhardanddreamofbecominganEnglishandKhmerteachertopassonknowledgetochildreninmyvillage,hesaid.AmeaningfulinitiativeForthemembersandvolunteersofthecitysYouthUnion,theinitiativeoforganisingfreeEnglishclassesforlocalethnicminoritychildrenishighlysignificant.Itservesasamotivationtoengagemorecloselywithchildrenfromremoteandethnicminorityareas,helpingthemhaveameaningfulsummerandacquireusefulknowledgebeforethenewschoolyear2024-25.?oànNh?Hu?nh,astudentatH?uGiangCommunityCollege,saidthatwasthefirstyearshehadparticipatedinteachingEnglishtoethnicminoritychildren.Thechildrenareverybrightandendearing.Thefriendlyconnectionintheteachingandlearningprocesshasleftalastingimpressiononme,shesaid.ShehopedtobeinvolvedinmoreEnglishteachingsessionsinthefuture,especiallyforchildreninremoteandethnicminorityareas,tobringknowledgeandpositiveexperiencestothem.AvolunteerteachesEnglishforethnicminoritychildreninWard4,V?ThanhCity,theMekongDeltaprovinceofH?uGiang.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nH?ngCurrently,thecitysYouthUnionhasoperatedthreefreeEnglishclassesforethnicminoritychildreninWard3andWard4,withover60participants.Theclassesareorganisedandtaughtbyvolunteersfromvariousuniversitiesandcolleges,bothwithinandoutsidetheprovince.V?Th?ThúyB?ng,deputysecretaryofthecitysYouthUnion,saidthatsincethestartofsummer,theunionhadbeenwidelyannouncingtheforeignlanguagecoursesforchildren,particularlyforethnicminoritychildreninthearea.TheunionscheduledtocontinueofferingfreeclasseseverySaturdayandSundaythroughoutthe2024-25academicyearforunderprivilegedandethnicminoritychildren.AccordingtotheprovincesYouthUnion,thefreeEnglishclassesforethnicminoritychildreninthecitywereconsideredoneofthepioneeringactivitiesoftheprovincialyouthduringthesummervolunteercampaign.Theyhelpedthechildrenupdateandsupplementtheirforeignlanguageskillsandcreatedanenvironmentformoreactiveparticipationinextracurricularactivities.SecretaryoftheprovincesYouthUnion,BùiH?uL?c,saidthecitysYouthUnionwaseffectivelyimplementingthedirectivesoftheprovincesYouthUnion.TheprovincesYouthUnionwouldcontinuetopromoteandexpandthemodel,hesaid.StatisticsfromtheYouthUnion,showthattherearecurrently47freeEnglishclassesforchildrenacrosstheprovincewithover1,450participants,showcasingastrongcollaborationbetweenyouthunions,localauthoritiesandparentsinsupportingandguidingchildrenfromremoteandethnicminorityareas.—VNSAnoverviewoftheEnoughnutritioninitiativelaunchceremony.—VNSPhotoThuTrangHàN?I—Enough–anutritioninitiativewaslaunchedonMondayinHàN?iwiththevisionofaworldwhereeverychildenjoysenoughnourishingfoodtobeabletothrive.TheprojectwaskickedoffbytheWorldVisionInternationalinVi?tNamandtheNationalInstituteofNutrition(NIN).TheeventalsohonourstheWorldBreastfeedingWeek,whichisobservedeveryyearfromAugust1toAugust7.WiththethemeClosethegap–Breastfeedingsupportforall,thisyearsbreastfeedingweekfocusesonachainofbreastfeedingsupporttoreduceinequalityinaccesstomaternalandchildhealthcareservices.Speakingatthelaunchceremony,Nguy?nTriTh?c,DeputyMinisterofHealth,said:TheMinistryofHealthexpectsdepartmentsandorganisationsnationwidetoprioritiseandallocatefundswiselyincarryingoutessentialnutritionactions,especiallytargetingchildreninmountainousareasandethnicminorities.WeconsidertheEnoughnutritioninitiativeanexcellentexampleofmutualeffortsinbuildingaworldwhereeverychildhasaccesstoenoughnutritiousfoodtothrive,isprotectedfromdiseasesandhasimprovedstature,physicalstrengthandintelligence.Vi?tNamhassignificantlyreducedchildstuntedgrowthprevalencefrom29.3percentin2010,to19.6percentintenyears.However,thecountrystillfacesadoublenutritionalburden.Childrenwholiveinmountainousorethnicminorityareashaveahighrateofstuntedmalnutrition.TheratesintheCentralHighlandsandnorthernmidlandare29.8percentand27.1percent,respectively,accordingtostatisticsfromNIN.Simultaneously,thereisariseinmicronutrientdeficienciesinchildreninvariouspartsofthenation,aswellasoverweightandobesityinchildrenunderfiveinbothurbanandruralareas.Furthermore,theclimateemergencyisseverelyimpactinghouseholdfoodsecurity,creatinganotherbarriertoimprovingchildrensnutrition.Inthelightofthis,theEnoughnutritioninitiativetargetschildwellness,especiallyforvulnerablechildren.Thisinitiativeunitesthecommunity,agencies,enterprisesanddonorstoensuresustainablecommunitywellbeing.DosebaTuaSinay,NationalDirectorofWorldVisionInternationalinVi?tNam,said:Theinitiativeisoneofoureffortstofulfillourpromisetohealthcareandmorebroadly,toensuresustainedchildwellbeing.Westronglybelievethat,withourjointefforts,wecanstrivetoendalltypesofmalnutritioninVietnamesechildrenandcreatepositivechangesforchildren,sothateverychildenjoyslifeinallitsfullness,hesaid.Theprimarygoaloftheprojectistoimproveandenhancethesourceofnutritiousandhealthyfoodforchildrenthroughhouseholdslivelihoodenrichmentactivitiesandincreasenutritioncarepracticesforchild-careprovidersthroughcommunicationsandcommunityconsultationactivities.Therewillalsobeforumstosharegoodpractices,lessonslearned,evidenceandrecommendationsforpromotingtheimplementationoftheGovernmentspoliciesonnutritionandnutritionsensitivity,mobilisingstakeholdersparticipationandresourcecontributioninaddressingtheinitiativespriorityareas.Theseactionswillbeintegratedintothe25areaprogrammesactivitiesincitiesandprovincesacrossthecountrywhereWorldVisionoperates,including?i?nBiên,H?iPhòng,ThanhHóa(chǎn),Qu?ngTr?,?àN?ng,Qu?ngNam,Qu?ngNg?i,??kN?ngandHCMCity.APh?,14,saidthatinhishometown,therewerestillplentyofchildrenmalnourishedcasesduetomothersgivingbirthatayoungage,poorhealthandlackofknowledgeaboutchildcare.Hehoped:Therewillbemorecommunicationactivitiesforparentsandchildrenonnutritionimportanceandhowtopreparesafe,nutritiousmealsandtheconsequencesofearlymarriage.ThanhPh??ng,17,fromQu?ngTr?centralprovince,raisedtheissueoffastfoodwhichisofunknownoriginandunhygienic,andmadealotofsalesnearschools,whichmayharmstudentshealth.Contributingopinionsattheconference,AssociateProfessorTr?nThanhD??ng,DirectoroftheNIN,calledforcooperationfromallparties:TowardsabrightfutureforVietnamesechildren.—VNSDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuanginspectsthedamagefollowingdevastatingfloodsin?i?nBiênProvinceonSunday.VNA/VNSPhoto?I?NBIêNTheGovernmenthasdecidedtourgentlyallocateVN?10billion(US$398,700)tothenorthernmountainousprovinceof?i?nBiêntoovercometheconsequencesofrecentrainfallandfloodsandstabiliselocallivelihoods.DuringaworkingsessionwithlocalauthoritiesonMonday,DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuangaskedrelevantagenciestocloselymonitorweatherdevelopmentsandstrengthenforecastingandwarnings.Localauthoritieshavebeentoldtopreparescenariostorespondtoextremenaturalincidentsandensuresafetyoflakes,dams.Theymustalsostrengtheninformationandcommunicationworkforthesteeringcommitteesfornaturaldisasterprevention,control,searchandrescueatalllevelsandlocalpeople.Accordingtolocalauthorities,theprovincehassufferedfrom26naturaldisasterssinceearlythisyear,whichhavekilledninepeople,injured12andleftfourothersmissing.About1,300housesweredamagedwhileover1,700haofagriculturallandwasdestroyed.Floodshavecauseddamagetomanyinfrastructureprojectsintransportation,irrigation,electricity,communications,healthcareandeducation.ThetotaldamagefromearlythisyeartoAugust2wasestimatedatVN?256.5billion.Theheavyrains,floods,flashfloodsandlandslidesfromJuly23toAugust2aloneleftdestructionofaboutVN?211.5billion.DeputyPMQuangaskedtheprovincetomaximiselocalforcestoparticipateindamagerecoveryandimprovesearchandrescueefficiency.Localauthoritiesalsoneedtosupportresidentsinnaturaldisasterareastostabilisetheirlivesandproduction,hesaid.Inarelatedmove,PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhasissuedanofficialdispatch,demandingproactivemovestoprevent,control,andaddressnaturaldisasterconsequences.Thedispatchnotedthatabnormalandunpredictablenaturaldisastershavecontinuedoccurringsincethestartof2024.Strongheatwaves,droughtandprolongedsaltwaterintrusionintheyearsbeginningwerefollowedbycontinuousheavyrains,landslidesandfloodinginmanyplaces,especiallyinthenorthern,north-centralandCentralHighlandsregions.DespitethePMsdirectionsandministries,sectors,andlocalitiesmovestopreventandrespondtonaturaldisasterstominimisedamage,thecalamitieshavestilltakenaheavytollonpeopleslivesandproperty,infrastructure,alongwitheconomicactivities.DatafromtheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentshowthat104peoplehavediedorwentmissinginnaturaldisasters,mainlylandslidesandfloods,sofarthisyear.TheNationalCentreforHydrometeorologicalForecastingpredictedthattheLaNinaphenomenonislikelytoaffectVi?tNamfromAugustandresultinmoreseverestorms,downpours,flooding,flashfloods,landslidesandreservoirunsafety,posingseriousthreatstoeconomicanddailyactivities,aswellaspeopleslivesandproperty.Facingthatfact,PMChínhdemandedministers,headsofministry-levelagencies,Governmentagenciesandchairpersonsoftheprovincial-levelPeoplesCommitteestokeepauthoritiesataclosewatchondisasterdevelopmentsandcarryoutstrong,timelyandefficientmeasuresfordisasterresponseanddealingwiththeaftermath.Leadersofprovincial-leveladministrationswereaskedtostaymoreactiveindirectingandorganisingtheprevention,control,andsettlementofnaturaldisasterconsequencesinlinewithon-sitecommand,on-siteforces,on-sitevehiclesandsupplies,andon-sitelogistics,withthemostactive,timely,andresolutespirittoguaranteelifesafetyandminimisepropertylossesforpeopleandtheState.Inthedispatch,theGovernmentleadertoldlocalitiestoquicklyperfectresponseplansforeachtypeofpossiblecalamity,especiallystorms,flooding,landslides,andflashfloods,toidentifyvulnerableplaces,readyresponseforcesandvehiclesandacceleratepreparationsbeforetheseasonoffloodsandstorms.Inaddition,theywerealsorequestedtoevacuateresidentsandpropertyfromdangerousareas,especiallythosesusceptibletolandslides,flashfloodsandfloodingandarrangefundingfromthelocalbudgetfordisasterresponseactivitiestoensurenooneisleftwithoutalivingplace,food,orotheressentialsupplies,preventseriousdiseaseoutbreaksandenvironmentalpollutionandavoidseriousimpactonstudentslearning.VNS

UniversitystudentsataseminaronsemiconductortechnologyatSaigonHi-techParkinMarch2024.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhV?HàN?I—IdentifyingtalentshasbeendeterminedasthetoppriorityforthesemiconductorindustryasVi?tNampushesforthenationalstrategytodevelopthesector.Thecountryhasenvisioneditselfasafuturehubforsemiconductordesign,packagingandtestingwithplansuntil2030withavisionto2050.However,whilethisindustryisconsideredthedriverforothersectorsintheageoftechnology,thehumanresourcecapabilityinVi?tNamremainsmodest.AccordingtotheMinistryofInformationandCommunications(MIC),theworkforcedemandforinformationtechnology(IT)andotherdigitalindustriesinVi?tNamisestimatedatabout150,000engineersperyear.Thecountrysactuallabourforcecanonlyrespondtoabout40-50percentofthisfigure,whileforthesemiconductorindustry,onlyaround20percentofitslabourdemandcanbemet.V?QuangHùng,deputydirectoroftheVi?tNamInstituteofStrategyandPolicyforIndustryandTrade(VIOIT)saidthatwhilethecountryhaslongbeenapartofthesemiconductorsupplychain,itsengagementremainsonlyatthepackingandtestingstagesforseveralmajorchipmanufacturers,likeIntel.Semiconductorsareavailableinawidevariety,butVi?tNamspackagingcapacityhasonlybeenabletorespondtosimplertypes,headded.Accordingto??Th?ThúyH??ng,anexecutiveboardmemberoftheVi?tNamElectronicIndustriesAssociation(VEIA),thesemiconductorindustryinvolvesmultipletechnicalaspects,fromproductioninvestmentstotechnologyprocessesandupdates.Therefore,whilequalifiedintegratedcircuit(IC)designengineersareveryimportant,thisfast-pacedindustryalsodemandsaworkforcethatcanalsomasterthesemiconductormanufacturingprocesses.ExpertsbelievethatVi?tNamhasagreatopportunitytogrowitssemiconductorindustrywiththeinvolvementofmultipleleadingglobaltechnologycompanies.Itisforecastthatbytheendof2024,Vi?tNamssemiconductorindustrywillexceedUS$6.16billioninvalue,becomingoneofthekeymanufacturinghubsofmanyglobalenterprises.InadditiontoSamsung,whichhaschosenVi?tNamasitslargestproductdevelopmentcentreinSoutheastAsia,severalDutchsemiconductorcompanieshavebegundirectingtheirinvestmentstotheirVietnamesefacilities.BESemiconductorIndustriesN.V.,fromtheNetherlands,hasobtainedaninvestmentcertificateatSaigonHi-techParkwithacapitalofmorethanVN?115billion($4.9million)inthefirstphase.ThecompanysprojectisexpectedtoenteroperationinQ1of2025.Meanwhile,SouthKoreansemiconductorproviderAmkorTechnologyinSeptemberincreasedthecapitalinitsfactoryinYênPhongII-CIndustrialPark(B?cNinhProvince)byover$1.07billion.InJune,thenorthernprovincealsoissuedaninvestmentregistrationcertificatetoFoxconnCircuitPrecision(Vietnam)Co.Ltd.forits$383.33-millionfactoryinNamS?n-H?pL?nhIndustrialPark.InJuly,USSecretaryoftheTreasuryJanetYellensaidduringherfirstvisittoVi?tNamthatthecountryhasemergedasacriticalnodeintheglobalsemiconductorsupplychain.Vi?tNamandtheUShavealsoworkedtogethertobolsterresilientsupplychains,especiallyinregardtothesemiconductorindustry,sheadded.ThisisbothanopportunityandachallengetoVi?tNam,requiringthecountrytodevelopitsinfrastructure,institutionsandhumanresourcestogrowandattractinvestmentstothesemiconductorindustry.FPTTelecomchairmanHoàngVi?tAnhsaidthatwhilethereareonlyabout5,000engineersworkingin40semiconductorandchipproductioncompaniesinVi?tNam,thecountryhassetaplantoincreasethisfiguretenfoldby2030.MajorVietnameseITcompaniesincludingViettel,VietnamPostsandTelecommunicationsGroup(VNPT)andFPTarealsoproactivelytakingactionstoincreasetheircapacityinresearch,developmentandproductioninthissector.VEIAexecutiveboardmember??Th?ThúyH??ngsaidthattoquicklynurturehigh-qualityhumanresourcesfortheworkforce,itisessentialtoconnecttraininginstitutionsandbusinessestoensurepracticalskillsinthisrapidlyevolvingindustry.—VNSAninternationalseminarheldinHCMCitytodiscusstheroleofVietnamesebusinessmenandintellectualsabroadinthecitysdevelopment.—Photowww.sggp.org.vnHCMCITY—HCMCityplanstobuildadatabaseofoverseasVietnamese(OVs)toconnectthemandpromotetheircontributionstothecitysdevelopment.TheHCMCityCommitteeforOverseasVietnameseAffairshasorganisedthesecondget-together‘OverseasVietnameseMeetingPointof2024withthethemeofeffectivesolutionsforbuildingadatabaseofoverseasVietnameseinthedigitalageandcurrentinternationalintegration.TheeventaimstospreadandpromotethevaluesoftheHCMCityCulturalSpace-OverseasVietnameseMeetingPoint.ItalsoprovidesanopportunityfortheOVscommunityandtheirrelativesinthecitytoconnect,shareinformation,andcollaborateinvariousfields.ThisisanopportunityfortheOVscommunitytoparticipateinresearchandcontributeconstructiveopinionstotheplanforbuildingadatabaseofOV.Theget-togethersparticipantsproposedprioritisingthefocusonOVintellectualsandentrepreneurstoestablishappropriateaccessmechanismstoconnectandattractresourcesand‘softpowerforthecity.V?Th?Hu?nhMai,ChairwomanofHCMCitysCommitteeforOverseasVietnameseAffairs,highlyappreciatedtheopinionsandproposalsoftheparticipatingdelegates.BuildingadatabaseofOVsisessentialinthedigitalageandalignswiththegeneraltrendofdevelopinge-governmentanddigitaltransformation,shesaid.Throughthisdatabase,therightsofOVscanbebetterensured,suchastimelysupportforimmigrationprocedures,repatriation,confirmationofVietnameseorigin,andregularadministrativeproceduresrelatedtoresidency.Thecityhasabout2.8millionoverseasVietnamesein130countriesandterritories.However,regardingthefieldsinwhichOVsoperateandtheiroccupations,thecitydoesnothavedata.BuildinganoverseasVietnamesedatabaseisexpectedtobeadrivingforcetogatherOVsinallcountriesandterritoriessothateachgroupcanpromotetheirroletosupportthecitywhenneeded.—VNS

AnofficergivesguidanceaboutworkingabroadforresidentsinSócTr?ngProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nPhiHàN?I—Vi?tNamsentmorethan78,000workersabroadinthefirsthalfofthisyear,fulfilling62.4percentoftheyearlytarget,accordingtotheDepartmentofOverseasLabourundertheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs.Japan,Taiwan(China),andtheRepublicofKorea(RoK)remainedthelargestrecipientsofVietnameseguestworkers.Apartfromthemarkets,VietnameseworkerswerealsosenttoEuropeancountrieslikeGermany,Romania,andHungary,saidPh?mVi?tH??ng,deputyheadofthedepartment.Lastyear,over159,000workerswentabroadforemployment,surpassingtheyearlytargetby33.3percent,andthehighestrecordedoverthepast10years.Forthisyear,theministryaimstosend125,000workersabroad,focusingonkeytraditionalmarketssuchasJapan,Taiwan,andtheRoK.Iteyestohave120,000-143,000peopleworkinginforeigncountrieseveryyear,whosendhometotalremittancesofaroundUS$3.5-4billion.TheGovernmenthasissuedaplantocarryoutadirectiveofthePartyCentralCommitteesSecretariatonenhancingthePartyleadershiponsendingworkersoverseasinthenewsituation.AlongwithbuildingstrategiestosendVietnameselabourerstoforeigncountries,theplanoutlinessolutionstoraisepublicawarenessoflawobservanceaswellascoordinationmechanismstohandlerelevantissues.—VNS

VietnamNewsAgency(VNA)DeputyGeneralDirectorNguy?nTu?nHùng(right)andPresidentofPrensaLatinaLuisEnriqueGonzalezAcosta.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—AdelegationoftheVietnamNewsAgency(VNA)ledbyDeputyGeneralDirectorNguy?nTu?nHùngvisitedCubafromJuly28toAugust3tofurtherenhancethetraditionalfriendshipandcooperationwithlargepressagenciesoftheCaribbeannation.VisitingtheheadquartersandmanyestablishmentsofPrensaLatina(LatinAmericanNewsAgency)inHavana,Hùnghighlightedthetwonewsagenciespracticalcooperationresultsoverthepastmorethan60yearsoftheircountriesclose-knitfraternity.Theyareimplementingthecooperationagreementfor2023-28throughvariousactivities,includingsharingdailynewsindifferentlanguagessuchasEnglish,French,andSpanishandexchanginglanguageeditors.UnitsoftheVNAhavekeptclosecoordinationtosupportthePrensaLatinabureauinHàN?iwhiletheCubansidehasalsostayedreadytoassistVNAcorrespondentsinHavana,hesaid.Hùngexpressedhishopethatthetwosideswillmaintainfruitfulcooperationinallaspects,addingtheVNAisreadytohelpPrensaLatinawithcapacitybuildingtocatchupwiththetrendofmodernjournalism.PresidentofPrensaLatinaLuisEnriqueGonzalezAcostaappreciatedtheVNAsassistance,especiallyamidnumerousdifficultiesfacingCubaandhisagency.HeaffirmedPrensaLatinaviewsthecooperationwiththeVNAasakeyandstrategicpartnership,andthattheVNAsproposals,recommendations,andsupportinthefieldareinvaluableforittosketchoutitsdevelopmentorientationsandmanyimportantprojectsinthefuture.Atthemeeting,thetwosidesdiscussedsomejointprojects,includingthecoverageofthe65thfoundinganniversaryoftheVi?tNam-Cubadiplomaticties(December2,1960-2025).TheyagreedtoincreasethepopularisationofVi?tNam,includingitspeople,cultureandeconomicachievements,bydistributingVi?tNamPictorialacrossLatinAmerica,consideringthisapracticalsteptohelpVi?tNamcomeclosertopeopleonthiscontinent,therebystrengtheningandexpandingtheSoutheastAsiancountrysconnectionswithAmericannations.AtaworkingsessionwiththeboardofdirectorsoftheCubanNewsAgency(ACN),HùngandACNDirectorEddaDizGarcesreviewedtheprogressinbilateralcooperation,reaffirmingthewishtofurtherreinforcetheirtime-testedlinks.TheVNADeputyGeneralDirectorhighlyvaluedtheexchangeofinformation,voicingthereadinesstoassisttheACNinbuildingcapacityanddiversifyingformsofnews.Forherpart,thehostofficialthankedtheVNAforitspracticalsupport,whichhashelpedtheACNtokeepitsflowofnewsuninterrupted.Expressingherhopeforstrongerbilateralcollaborationtoupholdthetraditionaltiesbetweenthetwoagenciesaswellasbetweentheircountries,EddaDizGarcesdescribedthebondsbetweentheACNandtheVNAastherelationshipbetweensincerecolleaguesandalsobetweenthosesharingthesameideal.Duringtheworkingtrip,theVNAdelegationalsopaidacourtesycalltoVietnameseAmbassadortoCubaLêQuangLong.—VNA/VNSGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?nganddelegatessingasongaboutPresidentHoChiMinhattheflowerofferingceremonyatthePresidentHoChiMinhMonumentonthegroundsoftheAsianCivilizationsMuseuminSingaporeonSeptember12,2012.—VNA/VNSPhotoSingapore–Simplicity,humility,andstrategicvisionareimpressionsofscholarsinSingaporeofPartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngthroughtheirmeetingswiththelateleader.Tr?ngpaidanofficialvisittoSingaporeinSeptember2012,duringwhichhedeliveredaspeechthemedForaSoutheastAsiaofpeace,stability,cooperationanddevelopmentattheLeeKuanYewSchoolofPublicPolicywhichreceivedhighevaluation.AssociateProf.Dr.V?MinhKh??ng,aVietnameselecturerattheschool,saidhewasextremelyimpressedbyhumilityandprofoundnessofthePartychiefwhodeliveredaspeechaffirmingthatVi?tNamalwaystreasuresrelationswithSingaporeandhopestolearnSingaporesexperiencealongthepathtoprosperity.ThelecturersaidthathestillrememberstheimpressiveanswersbythePartychieftoparticipantsquestionsfollowingthespeech.ApaintingthatGeneralSecretaryTr?ngpresentedtotheschoolisbeinghunginasolemnplace,rightnexttothePrincipalsroom,hesaid.Kh??ng,whometthePartychiefmanytimes,saidthathewillneverforgettheeyesofGeneralSecretaryTrongwhenheproposedthatVi?tNammustsetgoalsfor2030–ayearthatmarksthe100thanniversaryofthefoundingoftheCommunistPartyofVi?tNam-and2045-thecentenaryofindependentVi?tNam,tobecomeadevelopedcountryonparwithothercountriesoftheOrganisationforEconomicCooperationandDevelopment(OECD).Isawhiseyes,thoseofacomrade,ofafamilymember,andofaveryresponsibleleader,statedKhuong,addingthattheymadethescholarconfidentinthegreatlegacythatthePartychiefleftforthecurrentgenerationofleadersandhisvisiontobringVi?tNamtoprosperityinthenextdecades.KishoreMahbubani,aformerofficialoftheMinistryofForeignAffairsofSingaporewhoservedastheDeanoftheLeeKuanYewSchoolofPublicPolicythenandcurrentlyanhonoraryscholarattheAsianResearchInstituteoftheNationalUniversityofSingapore(NUS),recalledthechancehelistenedtotheVietnamesePartychiefsspeechandhadhisquestionedansweredbytheleader,sayingthathewasgreatlyimpressedbytheconfidenceofGeneralSecretaryTrongwhenheansweredquestionsattheevent.MahbubanisaidhebelievesthatthiswasthereasonwhyGeneralSecretaryTrongwasoneofthemostsuccessfulleadersofVietnam.Vi?tNamsachievementsineconomicdevelopmentinthepast20-30yearsareextremelyspecialtoanystandards.Insomeaspects,meetingtheleaderresponsibleforVi?tNamsremarkabledevelopmentwasawonderfulexperiencefortheschool.Weareextremelyhonouredtowelcomehim,hestated.ShowinghisimpressionatVietnamssuccessundertheleadershipofGeneralSecretaryTrong,MahbubanicommentedthatthestrongestimprintofthelateleaderwashiscarefulthinkingabouthowVi?tNamcansucceedineconomicdevelopment.Inmanyways,oneofthewisestdecisionsthatVi?tNammadeattheendoftheColdWarwastoswitchtoeconomicdevelopmentandseekpartnerstocooperatewith,andoneofVietnamschoicewasSingapore,henoted.TheformerSingaporeanForeignAffairsofficialunderlinedthattherearemanyreasonswhyGeneralSecretaryTrongwasoneofVi?tNamsmostsuccessfulleaders.HeemphasisedthatnoteverycountrywithresourcesisasdevelopedasVi?tNam,clarifyingthatVi?tNamssuccessunderTr?ngsleadershiphasshownthatthecountryhastalentedleaderswhomadewisedecisionstopromoteeconomicdevelopmentandbringaboutmoreprosperouslife.MahbubanialsohighlyevaluatedVi?tNamsexternalpolicyunderGeneralSecretaryTr?ngsleadershipandVi?tNamsabilitytonavigatetheincreasinglycomplexinternationalandregionalgeopoliticalenvironment.Thescholar,whohasresearchedgeopoliticsformorethan50years,heldthatthereareonlyafewcountriesintheworldthathaveawisegeopoliticalstrategy,andVi?tNamisoneofthem.HesaidhebelievesthatalthoughGeneralSecretaryTr?nghaspassedaway,otherleadersofVi?tNamwillensurethatlegaciesandeffortsofthePartyleadercontinue,headingtoagoodgovernance,shapingcorrecteconomicpoliciesandeliminatingcorruption.VNS

Anoverviewofthefundlaunchingceremony.—Photovov.vnHàN?I—AnutritionfundwaslaunchedonTuesdaytogivemorethan80,000jarsofwheytochildreninfourCentralHighlandsprovincesincludingGiaLai,??kL?k,??kN?ngandKonTum.ThefundlaunchingceremonywasorganisedinHàN?ibytheVi?tNamChildrensFundundertheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsanditspartners.Speakingattheceremony,V?Th?ThúyHi?n,DeputyDirectoroftheVi?tNamChildrensFund,saidthatthiswasatrulymeaningfulandnecessaryprogrammeforchildren,especiallythoseintheCentralHighlands.DatafromtheNationalInstituteofNutrition(NIN)showsthat38percentofethnicchildrenunderfiveyearsoldaremalnourishedandstunted,leadingtoaweakstateandconstantillness.ChildrenintheseareasstillfacemanydifficultiesrelatedtonutritionandtheVi?tNamChildrensFundhassurveysfromtheNIN,showingthatchildrenintheprovincesneedmosthelp.Therefore,thefundandsponsorschoosetheCentralHighlandsprovincessothatchildrentherehavemoreopportunitiestoimprovetheirnutritionanddevelop.Huy?nsaidthattheproportionofchildrenintheCentralHighlandsprovinceshavingaccesstomilkorusingdairyproductswasverylow.Withwidespreadpoverty,sometimestheirmealsonlyconsistofriceoronlyricewithvegetables.Suchmealsarecompletelylackinginnutrientsforchildrentofullydevelop.Overmorethan32yearsinoperation,theVi?tNamChildrensFundhascoordinatedwithdifferentunitstojointlycarryoutprogrammestodonatemilktochildrenindisadvantagedareas.Thefundhasimplementedanumberofnutritioncampaigns,suchastheVi?tNamStandTallMilkFundthathasbeenoperatingfor15yearsin63provincesandcitiesandthefreemilksupportprogrammeforprimaryschoolswhichwasimplementednationwideforfiveyears.Inaddition,theHappyNoodlePackageprogrammeprovidednoodlestochildreninsheltersandchildreninpoorareas.Inthefuture,thefundwillcontinueitsmissionofprovidingnutritionalandlearningopportunitiesforchildren,especiallythoseinpoorerremoteregions.Huy?naffirmedthatthefundwouldalsocreateresourcestosupportpoorchildrennationwideanditwillbeaskingindividuals,organisationsandphilanthropiststojoininthesupportwork.—VNSBoatstakeshelterfromthestormataportinC?T?.—VNA/VNSPhotoBùi??cHi?uHàN?I—Qu?ngNinhprovinceandH?iPhòngcity,thetwonortherncoastallocalitieshitbyStormPrapiroon,arequicklydealingwithitsconsequencesafteritmadelandfallonJuly23.Thestorm,whichweakenedintoatropicaldepressionthesameday,isforecasttocontinueinducingprolongeddownpours,causingfloodingandlandslides.H?LongcityandC?T?IslanddistrictofQu?ngNinhhavebeenhardesthitbyPrapiroon,thesecondtropicalstormintheEastSeasofarthisyear,withseverallandslidesitesspotted,varioustreesuprooted,andcropsdestroyed.FivehouseholdsinH?Longwereevacuatedurgentlywhileabout50roadsidetreesinC?T?pulleddown.Rightafterthestormdowngraded,residentsandcompetentforcesinC?T?joinedhandsinhandlingitsaftermaths.Qu?ngNinhhasaskeditslocalities,especiallymountainousandcoastalareasthathouseminesandprojects,topromptlytakemeasuresagainstpossiblelandslidesandflooding,andpersonneltoworkroundtheclockintheareaspronetosuchdisastersandtoevacuateresidentstheretosafeplaces.TheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmenthasmaintaineditsclosecoordinationwithrelevantagenciesinmonitoringthesituationandkeepinglocalitiesandunitsupdatedonweatherdevelopmentstotakeresponsemeasures.Competentforcesintheprovincealsostandreadytoprovideaidwhenneeded,ensuringhumanandpropertysafety.ThestandingofficeofthesteeringcommitteefornaturaldisasterpreventionandsearchandrescueofthenorthernprovinceofB?cGiangalsoreportedthatasof4pmonJuly23,heavyrainshadinundated2,273haofriceand5.5haofothercropsacrossthelocality,causedlandslidesinLucNamdistrict,andfloodedsomestreetsinB?cGiangcity.InthecentralprovinceofThanhHóa(chǎn),thestormalsodamagedmanysectionsofroadsandseveralhousesinM??ngLát,QuanS?n,andQuanHóa(chǎn)districts.—VNS

SeaweedandseagrassecosysteminNúiChúaNationalParksMarineProtectedAreainNinhH?iDistrict,thecoastalsouth-centralprovinceofNinhThu?n.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—ScientistsfromtheInstituteofBiotechnologyunderVi?tNamAcademyofScienceandTechnologyhavesuccessfullydeveloped69extractsfrom11species,belongingtoeightgeneraofseaweedfordietaryuseinAlzheimerstreatment.TheachievementstemsfromtheprojectNeuroprotectiveeffectsagainstAlzheimersdiseasebysomeVietnameseseaweedspecies.Withinthescopeoftheirresearch,seaweedfromtheeightgenera,Ulva,Kappaphycus,Sargassum,Eucheuma,Gracilariopsis,Caulerpa,GracilariaandPalzheimerinawereexamined.Significantly,forthefirsttime,themolecularmechanismsofactionoffucoxanthin(anaturalcompoundderivedfrombrownseaweed)isolatedfromS.oligocystum(awidespreadspeciesinmanyAsianandAmericancoastalregions)andethanolextractsfromSargassumspp.(agenusoffloatingseaweedintheSargassaceaefamily)werestudied.Thecompoundswerefoundtopossessantioxidantproperties,inhibitAChE(acetylcholinesterase)andprotectagainstcellulartoxicityinanAlzheimers-inducedmodelusingH2O2onC6nervecelllines.Professor??ngDi?mH?ng,theprojectleader,saidthattheresearchdemonstratedthatfucoxanthinextractedfromS.oligocystumand96percentethanolextract(withultrasound)fromSargassumspp.aresaferegardingacuteandsub-chronictoxicityandcanimprovecognitivedeclinecausedbyscopolamine(similartodonepezilatadoseof5mg/kgbodyweightinmice)inexperimentalanimalmodels.TheresearchteamhaspublishedtwoscientificpapersininternationalSCI-Eindexedjournals,onepaperinanationaljournal(VAST02),presentedonereportattheISS2023internationalconference,anddeliveredafullpaperatthe2022NationalBiotechnologyConference.TheprojectreceivedexcellentevaluationandclassificationfromtheVi?tNamAcademyofScienceandTechnology.Withthesepromisingresults,H?nghopedthattheresearchprojectcouldcontinueandbetestedtorefinethenatural,nutrient-richhealth-protectiveproducts.TheendeavouraimstocontributeeffectivelytothetreatmentofAlzheimerspatientsandthoseworkingunderstrenuousconditionsinVi?tNaminthenearfuture,shesaid.Vi?tNamhasitsextensivecoastlinespanning3,260kmandabundantbiodiversityinbothmarineandnon-marineresources.AfishermangathersseaweedinthewatersofNh?nH?iCommune,NinhH?iDistrict,thecoastalsouth-centralprovinceofNinhThu?n.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nThànhThecountryhasdocumented878seaweedspecies,consistingof439speciesofredalgae(Rhodophyta),196greenalgae(Chlorophyta),156brownalgae(Ochrophyta-Phaeophyceae),87cyanobacteria(Cyanophyta)and15seagrassspecies.GenerasuchasCaulerpa,Sargassum,Gracilaria,Ulva,KappaphycusandEucheumaareeconomicallyimportantseaweedgenerawithsubstantialnaturalcultivationandextractioncapabilities,yieldinghighoutputs.Theyprovidearichsourceofnaturalingredients,suitableforfooduseandextractionofbiologicallyactivecompounds,includingthosewithneuroprotectiveeffectsandmemoryenhancementforhumans.AlzheimersdiseaseAlzheimersdiseaseisoneofthemostcommoncausesofmemorydeclineintheelderly,typicallyappearingbetweentheagesof50to65.Itischaracterisedbytheprogressivelossofnervecellsandcertainbrainregions.Thediseasetendstoworsenovertime,impactingdailyactivities,memory,languageandcognitivefunctionsofpatients.Accordingtotheacademy,thenumberofAlzheimerspatientsisexpectedtoexceed100millionby2050.Currently,thereisnocompletecureforthedisease,whiletreatmentsmainlyfocusonearlydetectionandprevention.PrescriptiondrugsusedinthetreatmentandmanagementofAlzheimers(suchasrasagline,rivastigmineanddonepezil)areprimarilyrelatedtoinhibitingcholinesteraseandβ-secretase(BACE-1)enzymes,orinhibitingtheN-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA)receptorwithmemantine.However,thesedrugscanhavesideeffectssuchasnausea,vomiting,dizziness,livertoxicityandgastrointestinaldisorders.Consequently,apromisingfuturetreatmentdirectionistheuseofnaturalproductsrichinnutrients,withneuroprotectiveactivityandfewerornosideeffectscomparedtosyntheticdrugs.—VNSCivilservantsattheGeneralDepartmentofTaxation.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofHomeAffairshasannouncedrevisionstocivilservantrecruitmentregulations,includingeliminatingtheneedforacriminalbackgroundcheck,aimedatstreamliningadministrativeproceduresandenhancingrecruitmentquality.Thesereformsaimtoimprovetherecruitmentprocessbyensuringthatonlyhigh-performingcandidatesareselectedforequivalentpositionsacrossvariousagencies.Successfulcandidateswillalsohavetheflexibilitytochoosemorethantwojobpreferences.ProposedamendmentstoDecree138/2020/ND-CPincludereducingtherecruitmentprocessdurationfrom195-225daysto125-145daysandremovingtherequirementforforeignlanguageandITcertificatesduringexaminations.Underthenewproposal,candidatesmustachieveaminimumscoreof50inthesecondroundoftesting.Forcombinedwrittenandinterviewexams,candidatesmustscore50ormoreineachcomponent.Selectionwillbebasedonthecombinedscoresandanyapplicableprioritypoints.Candidatesarerequiredtocompletetheirrecruitmentdocumentationwithin20daysoftheresultsbeingpubliclyannounced.Thisincludessubmittingcopiesofrequireddiplomas,certificatesandproofofanyprioritystatus.Theproposalalsosuggestseliminatingtheneedforacriminalbackgroundcheckandreducingthedocumentsubmissionperiodbytendays.Failuretocompletethedocumentationoranysubmissionoffalseinformationwillresultintheinvalidationofrecruitmentresults.Additionally,anyfraudulentactivitywilldisqualifycandidatesfromfuturerecruitmentopportunities.Forpositionswheretherecruitmentissharedamongseveralagencies,ifaselectedcandidateschosenagencyhasnoavailablepositions,therecruitmentcouncilwillnotifythecandidateofotheravailableagencies.Ifnoselectionismade,thepositionwillbeofferedtothenexthighest-scoringcandidate.TheministryalsoplanstorevisethetestingformatbyremovingtheITtest,expandingexemptionsforforeignlanguagerequirementsandallowingforeitherwrittenorcombinedwrittenandinterviewformatsforprofessionalexams.Thesechangesareintendedtoalignwithcontemporaryadministrativepracticesandreduceproceduralcomplexities.Furthermore,theministrywillrevisepoliciesforacceptingcivilservantsbyremovingtheexaminationrequirementfortransferringlower-levelofficialstohigherpositionsandclarifyingrecruitmentconditionsbasedonexperienceandqualifications.TheministrywillalsoconsiderrecommendationsfromtheMinistryofJusticeandtheMinistryofForeignAffairsconcerningprioritygroupsandforeignlanguageproficiencyrequirements,ensuringthatrecruitmentpracticesalignwithnationalstandardsandspecificjobrequirements.—VNS