AdesertedLongBiênBridgeafteritwasclosedonTuesday.—VNA/VNSPhotoMinhQuy?tHàN?I—InlightofrecentfloodingontheH?ng(Red)River,theHàN?iDepartmentofTransporthasdecidedtocloseLongBiênBridgefrom3pmonTuesday.Nopassengersnorvehiclesareallowedtocrossthebridgefrombothsides,accordingtoanannouncementbytheHàN?iDepartmentofTransport.Wedecidedtoextendthisban(ofvehiclesandpassengers)untilwaterintheRedRiverrecedesandsafetyisensured,anofficialoftheHàN?iDepartmentofTransporttoldthemedia.EarlieronTuesdaymorning,VietnamRailways(VNR)bannedtrainsfromcrossingthroughLongBiênBridge,anotheroldbridgebuiltintheearly1900s.HàN?i-H?iPhòngtrainsnowdepartsfromGiaLamStationinsteadofHàN?iStation.Thedecisionisduetothewaterlevelreachingasafetylimitfortrains,accordingtoPhanQu?cAnh,DeputyDirectorofVNR.HàN?iDepartmentofTransportearlierannouncedthatpassengercoachbuseswithovernineseatsandfreightvehiclesheavierthan0.5tonnesarebannedfromtravelingonCh??ngD??ngBridge,anotherbridgecrossingtheRedRiver,inthewakeofthebridgecollapsethatkilledeightpeopleinPhúTh?Province.Thedecisionhascomeintoeffectsince8.30am.HàN?ismosticonicbridgecrossingtheRedRiver,andtheoldestat122yearsold,wasbuilton1898duringtheFrenchoccupation,andhadarailroadtrackinthemiddleofthebridge.Duringwartime,thebridgewasdamagedandunderwentrepairs.Therepairscontinuedfrom1995-2010,andonceagainin2015withatotalinvestmentofVN?416billion(US$16.5million).From2021-2022,VNRperformedrepairsinLongBiênBridge,inboththerailandtheroadsectionsofthebridge.—VNS

PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhandsoverthedecisionontheapprovalofBìnhD??ngmasterplaninthe2021-30periodwithavisionto2050tothelocalleader.—VNA/VNSPhotoD??ngGiangBìNHD??NG—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhasurgedBìnhD??ngsauthoritiestostrengthenregionaleconomicties,promoteagreenanddigitaleconomy,andbuildcutting-edgeandsustainableindustrialparks.PMChínhwasspeakingattheconferenceannouncingBìnhD??ngsMasterPlanforDevelopmentinthe2021-30periodwithalong-termvisionstretchingto2050onThursday.HenotedthatBìnhD??nghadexperiencedsignificantgrowthinthepastthreedecades,transformingfromanagriculture-gearedprovinceintoathrivingindustrialhubandamagnetforforeigninvestors.WithanincomepercapitaofVN?172.5million($7,005)in2023,BìnhD??nghassignificantlyoutperformedthenationalaverageandestablisheditselfasoneofthetoptenprovincesinVi?tNamintermsofeconomicgrowth,FDIinflows,andurbanisation.Heurgedauthoritiestoimplementtheplanatafastpacebutensuretheimplementationalignswiththenational,regional,andsectorialplanningframeworks.BìnhD??ngsauthoritiesmustleveragepublic-privatepartnershipsandfosterinvestmentininfrastructuretounlockitsfullpotential,saidthePM.PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhexaminesthemapoftheHCMCity-Th?D?uM?t-Ch?nThànhExpresswayprojectonThursday.—VNA/VNSPhotoHesuggestedthatBìnhD??ngsauthoritiesfocusonthefivestrategicmeasureshighlightedinthePlan,andallocatemorefinancialresourcestofosteringregionalcooperation,enhancingconnectivity,andintegratingintoglobalsupplychains.Heemphasisedthecriticalroleofhumancapitalandurgedtheauthoritiestoinvestheavilyineducationandtrainingandimplementmeasurestoimproveliteracyandattracttalent.Healsostressedtheneedforacceleratingadministrativereformsandupliftingbusinessenvironmentindicatorstoimprovetheinvestmentclimatetoattractlarge-scaleinvestors.Healsosuggestedbuildingaplanningcentreintheprovincetoserveasahubforpublicengagement,knowledgesharing,andtradepromotion.Inthecentre,planningdocumentswouldbepublishedtokeeppeopleawareofthePlan.HecalledforclosecoordinationamongministriesandagenciestoensuretheeffectiveimplementationofthePlan,highlightingtheGovernmentscommitmenttocreatingafavourablebusinessenvironmentbasedontheprinciplesofmutualbenefitsandsharedrisks.Onthesameday,thePMalsovisitedtheElectricEnergyShow2024andAutomationWorldVietnam2024andconductedanon-siteinspectionoftheprovincesHCMCity-Th?D?uM?t-Ch?nThànhExpresswayproject.ThePlanwasapprovedbythePrimeMinisteronAugust,coveringfivecitiesandfourdistrictsunderthemanagementofBìnhD??ngProvince.ItsoverallgoalisforBìnhD??ngtobecomeacentrally-governedmetropolisandaSoutheastAsianpowerhouseby2030,takingtheleadininnovation,technology,infrastructure,andgreengrowth.Anothergoalistoimproveitspeoplesqualityoflife,buildathrivingandmodernsociety,andstrengthennationaldefenceandpublicsafety.TheprovincealsoaimstoachieveanannualGDPgrowthrateof10percentandapercapitaincomeofUS$15,800,withtheindustrialandconstructionsectorbeingthebackbone,accountingfor64percentofitseconomy,andtheurbanisationratereachingapproximately90percent.Theprovincealsoaimstoreachapopulationof4.04millionin2030,withahighlyskilledworkforce,qualityeducation,andimprovedhealthcare.Keyindicatorsincludealabourforcetrainingrateof87percent,anationalstandardattainmentrateforschoolsof80percent,andadoctor-to-populationrateof19per10,000people.Coincidingwiththereleaseoftheplan,BìnhD??ngsauthoritiesalsobrokegroundonseveralmajorinfrastructureprojects,includingRingRoad4andHCMCity-Th?D?uM?t-Ch?nThànhExpressway.Theseprojectsareexpectedtobethekeycatalystsfortheprovinceseconomicgrowthintheshortterm.—VNSDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàvisitslocalsaffectedbyheavyfloodinginthecentralprovinceofThanhHóa(chǎn).—Photochinhphu.vnHàN?I—DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàonThursdayledadelegationtoreviewdisasterreliefeffortsinthecentralThanhHóa(chǎn)Province,whichhasbeenimpactedbystorm-inducedfloodsandlandslidessinceearlySeptember.WhileinspectingrepairworkatN?Th?nSewerage,wherestructuraldamagesinceTuesdayhasbeenposingathreattoadikeontheM?RiverinThanhHóa(chǎn),DeputyPMHàpraisedthearmedforces,militiaandlocalresidentsfortheirearlydetectionofrisksatthesite.HealsoorderedanurgentassessmentofthestructuralstabilityofthedikesalongtheM?River.Solidersworktorepairtheflood-induceddamageatN?Th?nSewerageontheleftdikeofM?RiverinThanhHóa(chǎn)Province.—VNA/VNSPhotoDuringthetrip,hevisitedstudentsandteachersfromtheLamPhúSecondarySchool,whichwasdamagedduringconstructionduetostormimpacts.Localauthoritieshavedeclaredanemergencyattheschoolandevacuatedall300studentstosafety.TheyhavesincebeentemporarilyrelocatedtotheLamPhúPrimarySchool,sevenkilometresawayfromtheiroriginalcampus.TheGovernmentleaderapplaudedtheproactiveresponseoftheprovincetoalleviatetheconsequencesofTyphoonYagiandStormSoulik,bothofwhichhittheareaaftersweepinginfromtheEastSeainSeptember.Regardingissuesthatexceedlocalauthority,thecentralGovernmentwillcontinueitsattentionandsupportforurgenttaskstoquicklystabiliselocalpeopleslives,theGovernmentleadersaid.Prioritywillbegiventoessentialinfrastructuresuchastransportation,educationandhealthcare.Onthesameday,DeputyPMHàalsovisitedandpresentedgiftstohouseholdsaffectedbyheavyfloodingintheprovincesTh?chThànhDistrict.Localauthoritieshavebeenaskedtoarrangeresettlementordevelopflood-resistantresidencesforthoseaffectedbythedisaster.SincethebeginningofSeptember,ThanhHóa(chǎn)Provincehasbornetheimpactoftwoconsecutivestorms,YagiandSoulik,whichhaveledtoheavydownpours,floodinganderosioninmultipleareas.Thesedisastersresultedinonedeathandtwoinjuredaswellasvariousagriculturalandinfrastructuredamage.Thecostofthedestructionfromthefloodinghasnotyetbeenfullyestimated,asfloodspersistintheregion.Localauthoritieshavemobilisedallavailableresourcestoensuresocialwelfareandtherecoveryofinfrastructureandbusinesses.—VNS

TheHCMCityCentrefortheFourthIndustrialRevolutionwasopenedonSeptember25.-Photonld.com.vnHCMCITY–HCMCityneedstocollaboratewithinternationalpartnersandtrainitsworkforcetogainfullyutiliseitsnewCentrefortheFourthIndustrialRevolution(C4IR),expertshavesaid.ThecentrewasopenedattheSàiGònHi-TechParkinTh???cCityonSeptember25duringthe5thHCMCityEconomicForum,wheretheywerediscussinghowitneedstooperate.Itsremitincludessuggestingsolutionsandpoliciesforindustrialtransformation,fosterinvestmentintechparksandassisttheGovernmentandbusinesseswithadoptingnewtechnologies.SetupunderanagreementbetweenVi?tNamandtheWorldEconomicForum(WEF),itisoneof19C4IRsgloballyandthesecondinSoutheastAsia.Itoperatesasapublic-privatepartnershipbetweenmajorcompaniesandtheHCMCitygovernment.ElinaRoslan,seniordirectoroftheMalaysiaC4IR,whichhasbeenhelpingdraftpoliciesforAIethicsandmanagement,saiditshowcaseshowthecentrescouldbenefittheirrespectivecountries.Hershasbeenworkingwithgovernmentagenciesandkeyacademicinstitutionstopromotetheadoptionoffourthindustrialrevolutiontechnologies,whichhelpsalignthecountrywithglobalbestpractices.HCMCityshouldstrengthenitsco-operationwithotherlocalitiesinVi?tNamandwithcountriesaroundtheworld,andbewillingtodemonstrateitsleadershipthinkingintheareasofenergytransformation,sustainabledevelopmentanddigitaltransformation,shesuggested.Trainingtheworkforcetoquicklyadapttonewtechnologiesisimportant,shesaid.Withthecentresopeningcomesnewco-operationbetweenVi?tNamandMalaysia,whohavethesamegoalsofapplying4.0technologiesandsustainabledevelopment,sheadded.KyriakosTriantafyllidis,headofgrowthandstrategyfortheWEFsCentreforAdvancedManufacturingandSupplyChains,saidtheHCMCityC4IRneedstofocusonforecastingandunderstandingglobaltrendsthataffectproductionactivities,whichwouldhelpinthedevelopmentofpolicies.Nguy?nH?uTu?n,deputydirectorofViettelSolutions,oneofthefounders,saidthecentrehasdevelopedadetailedactionplanforuntil2027.Itfocusesonresearchintoandapplicationofmoderntechnologiesinmanufacturingandbuildingdevelopmentpolicies.Thegovernmentauthorityneedstoclearlyorientthecentresgoalsandvisions,makingsuretheyareinlinewiththecountrysgeneraldevelopmentstrategy,especiallyregardingtheapplicationof4.0tech,hesaid.Italsoneedstoissuefavourabletaxpolicies,providefinancialassistance,developmanpower,andimprovedigitalinfrastructure,headded.TheHCMCityEconomicForumsagendawasfocusedonthecitysindustrialtransformation,andwasattendedbyVi?tNamstopofficialsandeconomistsfromaroundtheworld.-VNSAnIndianfalconisreleasedintothewild.—VNA/VNSPhotoTáChuyênQU?NGBìNH—FifteenwildanimalswerereturnedtotheirnaturalhabitatonWednesdaybytheCentreforRescue,Conservation,andDevelopmentofLivingCreatures,partofthePhongNha-K?BàngNationalParkManagementBoard.Thereleasedanimalsincludedeightgoldenmonkeys,twoboxturtles,anIndianfalcon,apython,ajunglefowl,aporcupine,andaratsnake.Thesespeciesarelistedamongendangered,precious,andrareanimals.Theanimalshadbeenvoluntarilyhandedovertothecentrebyorganisationsandindividualsforcare,rehabilitation,andeventualreleasebackintothewild.Apythonisreleasedintothewild.—VNA/VNSPhotoTáChuyênFollowingasufficientquarantineperiod,thespecialisedagencyreleasedtheanimalsintothenaturalenvironmentofPhongNha-K?BàngNationalPark,enhancingtheeffectivenessofbiodiversityconservationefforts.Sincethestartoftheyear,thecentrehasreceivedandrescued47wildanimals,with17beingreleasedbackintothewild.Currently,thecentreistakingcareof73wildanimals.—VNSRepresentativesdiscussattheforum.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?iY?nBEIJING—Representativesfromnearly30VietnameseandChineseuniversitiesandinstitutesgatheredatadialogueforuminBejingonWednesdaytodiscussjournalismandmediatraining,cooperationinacademicexchange,andpromotionofhumanisticexchangesbetweenthetwonations.Attheopeningsession,ViceRectoroftheUniversityofSocialSciencesandHumanitiesundertheVi?tNamNationalUniversity,HàN?i??ngTh?ThuH??ngstressedthatjournalismandmediatrainingarefacingbothopportunitiesandchallenges,addingeducationestablishmentsneedtotransformtheirmindsetaswellastrainingapproachesandmethodologiestomeettherequirementsofthemultiplatformandmultimediajournalism.Bothsidesagreedtocontinueorganisingtheeventinasuitabletime,carryingoutdialoguesaswellasdiversifytheirformsforsustainablecooperation.Besides,theywillstudytodiversifyjointtrainingprogrammesandpromoteexchangesofscholarsandlecturers.DianlinHuangfromtheCommunicationUniversityofChinatoldtheVietnamNewsAgencythattheeventofferedanopportunityforthetwosidestoenhancetheirmutualunderstandingsoastobolstercollaborationintheareasofhumanresourcestrainingandscientificresearch.—VNS

AhealthworkeradministersameaslesvaccinetoachildinHCMCitysDistrict8.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheHCMCityhealthsectorcontinuesrampingupitsmeaslesvaccinationcampaignaspartofitsefforttodeclareanendtotheoutbreak.Dr.Nguy?nV?nV?nhChau,deputydirectorofthemunicipalDepartmentofHealth,saidthecityreported96newcaseslastweek,showingsignsofstabilisationinthenumberofnewcases,withseveraldistrictsrecordingnocases.Todeclaretheoutbreakresolved,thecityrequires21dayswithoutnewcasespost-vaccination,accordingtoChau.Sincetheoutbreakbegan,therehavebeen743casesinthecity,primarilyinchildrenagedninemonthstofiveyears.Around35,000childrenagedonetofivehavebeenvaccinated,achievingover72percentofthetarget.However,Chaunotedthatcoveragevariesbydistrict,urginglowvaccinationdistrictstoimprovecoverage.Thecityhaslatelysetup12rapidresponseteamstocombatrisingmeaslescasesinschoolsandimprovevaccinationratesamongchildren.Eachteamincludesmembersfromthelocaldiseasecontrolcenterandchildrenshospitals.Theirdutiesincludemonitoringoutbreaks,implementingresponsemeasures,andadvisingschoolsonprevention.FollowingameaslesoutbreakdeclaredinlateAugustinthecity,afreevaccinationcampaignbeganonAugust31toboostcommunityimmunity.Measlesspreadsthroughrespiratorydropletsandpresentssymptomssuchasfever,respiratoryissues,conjunctivitis,andarash.Whilemostchildrenrecoverwithoutcomplications,vulnerablegroupsfacesevererisks.Measlesisahighlycontagiousrespiratorydiseasethatcanspreadrapidlyfollowinganincubationperiodofsevento21days.Medicalexpertscautionthatinadditiontoitpossiblyleadingtodeath,itcanleadtoseriouscomplications,includingpneumonia,encephalitis,otitismedia,keratitisanddiarrhea.Measlescanonlybeeffectivelymanagedwhenthecommunityimmunityratereaches95percentandeachindividualhasreceivedtwodosesofavaccine.—VNSAtextmessageonSeptember24fromtheHCMCityPeoplesCommitteerecommendsparentstakechildrenagedoneto10whohaventreceivedbothmeaslesvaccinedosestoschoolsorhealthstationsforfreevaccinations.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàlistensreportsontheprogressoftheNorth-SouthHigh-SpeedRailwayProjectatthe10thsessionofthe13thPartyCentralCommittee(PCC)yesterdayinHàN?i.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–Developinghigh-speed,urbanrailwaysandrailwaysacrossVi?tNamwillservethenationaleconomy,accordingtoDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHà.Thedriveshouldbeacatalystforthemechanical,manufacturingandautomationindustries,amongothers,toservethenationaleconomyandpeopleslivelihoods,saidtheDeputyPM.HàwasaddressingreportsontheprogressoftheNorth-Southhighspeedrailprojectatthe10thsessionofthe13thPartyCentralCommittee(PCC)yesterdayinHàN?i.ThePCCagreedtothepolicyofinvestingintheNorth-Southproject,identifyingitasapoliticaltaskandprioritisingresourcesforearlyimplementation.Currently,theMinistryofTransport,relevantministries,agencies,andunitsareurgentlypreparingapre-feasibilityreportfortherailinvestmentproject,preparingthenecessaryproceduresforsubmissiontotheNationalAssembly.AccordingtoDeputyMinisterofTransportNguy?nDanhHuy,theprojectsobjectiveistobuildahigh-speedrailwaylinetomeettransportationneeds,contributingtotherestructuringoftransportmarketalongtheNorth-Southcorridorinanoptimalandsustainablemanner,creatingafoundationanddrivingforceforsocio-economicdevelopment,andensuringnationaldefenceandsecurity.Thespecifictargetistoapprovetheinvestmentpolicybefore2025,cleartheland,andstartbuildingbefore2030,withtheaimofcompletingtheentirelinebefore2045.TheinvestmentscopebeginsinHàN?iatNg?cH?iStation,ahubforpassengerandfreighttransportinthesouthernpartofthecapitalsrailwayhubandendsinHCMCityatTh?ThiêmStation,ahubforpassengertransportintheeasternpartofHCMCitysrailwayhub.Theprojectpassesthrough20provincesandcities,includingHàN?i,HàNam,Nam??nh,NinhBình,ThanhHóa(chǎn),Ngh?An,HàT?nh,Qu?ngBình,Qu?ngTr?,Th?aThiên-Hu?,?àN?ng,Qu?ngNam,Qu?ngNg?i,Bình??nh,PhúYên,KhánhHòa,NinhThu?n,BìnhThu?n,??ngNaiandHCMCity.Tooptimisetransportationcostsandtakeadvantageofthestrengthsofeachmodeoftransport,internationalexperience,existinginfrastructurecapacity,projectedtransportationdemandandthefunctionalityoftheNorth-Southrailway,thepre-feasibilitystudyproposestheconstructionofanewdouble-trackrailway,witha1,435mmgauge,electrified,designedforaspeedof350kmperhourandaloadcapacityof22.5tonnesperaxle,Huysaid.Thetotallengthisapproximately1,541kmwith23passengerstationsandfivefreightstations.Thehigh-speedrailwaywilltransportpassengersandmeetdual-userequirementsfornationaldefenceandsecurity,whilealsobeingabletotransportgoodsifnecessary.TheexistingNorth-Southrailwaywillbeusedforfreightandshort-distancepassengertravel.Thehigh-speedrailwaywillbeconstructedwith60percentofitslengthonbridges,10percentintunnelsand30percentontheground.Atthemeeting,leadersfromtheministriesofPlanningandInvestment,Finance,andScienceandTechnologydiscussedandclarifiedseveralgroupsofissuesinthepre-feasibilityreport,whichisbeingpreparedforsubmissiontotheNationalAssemblyintheupcomingsession.Theseissuesincludetheprojectsinvestmentscope,theeconomicefficiencyofoptionsforspecialisedpassengerorcombinedpassenger-freightservices,andthecomparisonbetweeninvestingintwosegmentsversustheentireline.Additionally,thereweresuggestionstoapplyspecialmechanismsandpoliciesalreadyinplaceforurbanrailwaysinHàN?iandHCMCitytothelocalitieswherethehigh-speedrailwaypassesthrough.DeputyMinisterofScienceandTechnologyBùiTh?Duyproposeddevelopingalistofspecifictechnologiestobeacquired,transferred,andmasteredintherailwayindustry.Inconclusion,DeputyPMHàrequestedtheMinistryofTransporttocontinuefollowingthePCCandthePolitburosdirectivesaswellasopinionsfromministries,sectors,experts,andthepublicintothepre-feasibilityreport.ThereportshouldthenbeupdatedandcompletedforsubmissiontotheNationalAssembly,focusingonissueswithscientificandpracticalfoundations,Hàsaid.Specifically,asidefromtheinvestmentscopefromtheprojectsstartingpointtoitsendpoint,theMinistryofTransportshouldconsiderextendingthehigh-speedrailwaylinefromMóngCáiCityinQu?ngNinhProvincetothesouthernmostCàMauProvince.TheMinistryofTransportshouldanalysetheadvantagesandbenefitsofinvestingintheentireline,whichwouldsynchronisewithothertransportnetworks,comparedtoinvestinginjustafewsegmentsfirst,thedeputyPMtoldthemeeting.Theeffectivenessofahigh-speedrailwayspecialisedforpassengertransport,orcombinedwithfreighttransportwhennecessary,shouldbeconsideredintermsoftheoveralleconomy,ratherthanbeinglimitedtotherailwaysector,hesaid.Furthermore,thepre-feasibilityreportshouldreflecttheviewthattherailwayshouldbedesignedtoachieveastraightalignmentasmuchaspossible,headded.Regardingthemethodofinvestmentimplementation,thedeputyPMaskedtheMinistryofTransporttoclarifytheadvantagesanddisadvantagesoftreatingtheentirerailwayasasingleprojectormultiplesub-projects.Healsoproposedspecialmechanismsandpoliciesforphasedinvestment,centralandlocalbudgetallocationinonegooreveryfiveyears,theuseofbonds,ODA,andotherlegitimatesources,andtheutilisationofpublicdebtlimits.Additionally,theMinistryofTransportshouldproposesolutionstoenhancedecentralisationandassignresponsibilityforlocalauthoritiesinpreparinglandandbuildingtechnicalinfrastructureandstations.Meanwhile,theGovernmentwouldoverseethemanagementofstandards,design,infrastructure,vehicles,andinformationandoperationssystemsaswellasmobiliseresourcesfromprivateenterprisestoreducetheStatescosts.SpecialmechanismsandpoliciesthathavebeenappliedtourbanrailwaysinHàN?iandHCMCityshouldbeconsideredforthelocalitieswherethehigh-speedrailwaypassesthrough,saidHà.HàalsotaskedtheMinistryofIndustryandTradewithco-ordinatingwiththeMinistryofTransport,theVi?tNamRailwayAuthority,Vi?tNamRailwaysandsomeenterprisestodevelopandimplementaroadmapfortechnologyacquisition,transferandmasteryintherailwayindustry.Theseincludetheproductionofequipment,operationandmanagementtoensuresynchronisationanduniformityintechnology,standardsandregulations.TheMinistryofEducationandTraining,incoordinationwiththeMinistryofTransport,shouldimplementtrainingprogrammestopreparehumanresourcescapableofmasteringtechnology,technicaldesign,equipmentmanufacturing,operationandmanagementintherailwaysector.VNS

H?LongwasdevastatedbyTyphoonYagi.VNA/VNSPhotoMinhHi?uH?LONG—OnalateSeptemberday,itseemedlikeH?LongCity(Qu?ngNinhProvince)hasreturnedtoitsnormalrhythmafterthedevastationcausedbyTyphoonYagi.Nobodywouldhaverecognisedthenortherncoastalcity,hometotheworld-renownedH?LongBay,thatjusttwoweeksearlierwasinruinsandseverelydamagedbythedestructivepowerofnature.Amongthehardest-hitareasbyYagi,H?Longhadhundredsofhousesdestroyed,thousandsoftreesuprooted,roadscutoffandinfrastructureheavilydamaged.Thetyphoonplungedthecityintodayswithoutelectricityandwater,andwithnearlyparalysedtelecommunications.Immediatelyafterthestormsubsidedandthewaterreceded,thelocalgovernmentandresidentsofH?Longlaunchedemergencyreliefeffortsandbeganworkingtorecoverfromthedisasterasquicklyaspossible.ChairmanofH?LongCityPeoplesCommitteeNguy?nTi?nD?ngremarkedthatwitha:Lightning-fast,round-the-clockandstorm-beatingspirit,thecitylaunchedaseven-daycampaigntorecoverfromtheimpactsofYagirightafteritmadelandfallhereonSeptember9.Officials,citizensandlocalforcesworkedtirelessly,dayandnight,tocleanupandrepairthedamagecausedbythestorm.Effortsfocusedonclearingfallentrees,repairingdamagedbuildingsandcleaninguptheenvironmenttorestorenormallifeandreopenthecitystourism,servicesandbusinesses.InB?iCháyWard,Nguy?nThanhTùng,ChairmanofthePeoplesCommittee,saidthatuponreceivingdirectivesfromthecity,thewardsetupfourtaskforces,withleadersdirectlyoverseeingrecoveryeffortson-site.Theyfocusedonensuringenvironmentalhygiene,trafficsafetyandpreventingfloodingandlandslides.Thewardalsocreated25volunteergroupstohelpminimisedamagetopublicandprivateproperty.Afterthestorm,allofthewardsofficials,alongwiththelocalmilitia,veterans,andwomensassociations,weremobilisedtoassistwithstreetclean-upsandenvironmentalhygiene.Duringtheseven-daycampaign,officialsworkedtirelesslyfrom6amtomidnighteverydaytorestorethestreetstotheircleanandbeautifulcondition,Tùngsaid.Throughoutthecampaign,familiarscenesofresidentsworkingtogetherwithlocalauthoritiestocleanuptheaftermathofthestormcouldbeseenacrossthecity.Fallentrees,debrisandrubbishwerecleared,whiledamagedhomesandbelongingswerecleanedup,reflectingastrongsenseofcommunitysolidarity.BùiTh?Qu?nh,aresidentinB?iCháyWard,saidthatthestormhadknockeddownmanytrees,leavingstreetscoveredinmudandwaste.Weweresaddenedtoseethewidespreaddamagetothetrees.Asaresult,thevillagersbandedtogethertocleanup,replacetreesandcleardrainstodealwiththestormsaftermath,Qu?nhsaid.Despiteprogress,therewerestillchallengesinsomeareas,particularlywherepowerhadnotyetbeenrestored,limitingtheavailabilityofmachinerytocleardebrisinmoredifficultterrains.ChairmanoftheH?LongCityBusinessAssociation,Nguy?nThanhC?nh,saidthatfollowingthecitysdirectives,largeandsmallbusinessesintheareahadprovidedover200trucksand100excavatorstoclearfallentreesanddebrisfrombeaches,freeofcharge,for33wardsandcommunesofH?Long.Eventhoughbusinessessufferedsignificantlossesduetothestorm,theystillcametogethertosupportthecommunitywiththousandsoffreemeals,dozensofwaterfiltrationmachines,roofrepairassistanceanddirectcashdonations,totallingmorethanVN?400million(US$16,000),C?nhadded.Inadditiontorescueandclean-upefforts,utilitieslikeelectricity,waterandtelecommunicationswererestoredasquicklyaspossible,withworkersoperatingaroundtheclocktoensureessentialservicesforresidentswerereinstated.H?LongquicklywelcomesvisitorsagainafterrecoveringfromTyphoonYagi.—VNA/VNSPhotoRevivingaworldheritageregionFromacityinruins,H?Longhaslargelybeenrestoredtoitspreviouscleanlinessandbeauty.AccordingtotheH?LongPeoplesCommittee,withinsevendays,nearly65,000peoplehadbeenmobilisedtohelpwiththerecoveryefforts,withover1,000vehiclesand922chainsawsdeployedforcuttingtrees.Closeto600volunteergroupsinthevillagesandneighbourhoods,involvingthousandsofparticipants,contributedtotheclean-upandrecoveryfromthestorm.Now,100percentofthecitysstreetsandneighbourhoodshavebeencleared,over50,000cu.mofwastehavebeencollected,morethan80percentoffallentreeshavebeenreplanted,andover70percentofelectricityhasbeenrestored.Additionally,100percentofroadsarenowpassableandallschoolsandhospitalshaveresumedsafeoperations.Tourism,servicesandbusinessactivitiesaregraduallyreturningtonormal.Whilethecityhasnotyetfullyreturnedtoitspre-stormcondition,therapidrecoveryhasleftresidentsandvisitorswithpositiveimpressionsofthecitysresilientspirit.JeDong-Sun,atouristfromSouthKorea,wasquotedassaying:Weheardaboutthestormsdestruction,butbythetimewearrived,therecoverywasalreadywellunderway.Thehotelwasstillabletoofferagoodstay.Ilookforwardtoreturningtoseethecityevenmorebeautifulandgreen.Althoughsignificantprogresshasbeenmade,muchworkremainstobedone.Thelocalgovernment,businessesandresidentsareallcommittedtorestoringthecitytoitsformergreen,cleanandbeautifulstate.SecretaryoftheH?LongCityPartyCommittee,V?Quy?tTi?nsaidthataftertheseven-daycampaign,thecitywouldcontinuetomobiliseallavailableresourcestocleanupresidentialareas,launchacampaigntocleanH?LongBayandbeautifytheurbanenvironment.Thecityalsoplanstoplanttrees,flowersandsustainableurbanspacesaspartofitsvisiontobuildaCityofFlowersandaCityofFestivals.WiththemottoNoonewillbeleftwithoutahome,andnoonewillbeleftbehind,H?Longisquicklyimplementingsupportpoliciestohelpresidentsrecoverfromthestorm.Todate,thecityhasprovidedVN?14billion($569,000)inemergencyaidto33wardsandcommunesforstormrecoveryefforts.Additionally,thecityisofferingsupporttofamilieswholostlovedonesorsufferedsignificantdamage,particularlythosewhohadtoevacuate.H?Longisalsoimprovingurbanmanagement,resourceprotectionandenvironmentalconservation,addressingissuesthatsurfacedintheaftermathofthestorm.Thecitywillexplorenewregulationsforurbanplanningandconstructionstandards,especiallyforcoastalareasandproposeguidelinesforchoosingsuitableplantspeciesforcoastalenvironmentsandstandardsforoffshoreindustries.Withdetermination,resilienceandtheunityofthelocalgovernment,businesses,andpeople,H?LongCityispoisedtorebuilditselfintoanevenmorebeautiful,modernandprosperouscity.—VNS

PanelistsattheforumoninnovationinthehealthcaresectorofVi?tNam.—PhotoVIRHàN?I—Localandinternationalhealthexperts,policymakersandpharmaceuticalfirmsdiscussedinnovationinthehealthcaresectorofVi?tNamataforuminHàN?i.Theevent,entitledEmpoweringInnovationforVi?tNamsSustainableHealthcare,wasorganisedbytheVietnamInvestmentReviewonSeptember25.Itwasaforumtodiscusssolutionsandmotivationsforinnovationinthemedicalandpharmaceuticalindustry,helpingtosustainablydevelopthehealthcareindustryandincreaseaccesstohigh-qualityhealthcareforpeople.Openingtheevent,VIReditor-in-chiefLêTr?ngMinhhighlightedtheimportantroleofhealthcareinnovationinchangingthedetectionandtreatmentofdiseasesandtransformingtheglobalhealthcareindustry.Toensureinnovationandsustainabilityinthehealthcareindustry,Vi?tNamshouldpromoteresearchanddevelopmentandtechnologytransferindiseaseprevention,detection,diagnosisandtreatment.Thisiscoupledwiththeproductionofmedicines,vaccines,biologicalsandhigh-qualitymedicalequipment.Thecountryshouldalsoperfectpoliciesonhealthinlinewithrealitywhilepromptlyadjustingrelevantlegalregulationstoaddressemergingissues,Minhsaid.Tofacilitatethegoal,itisvitaltoupdatemajorglobaltrends,learnthebestpracticesfromdevelopedcountriesandgaininsightsfromrelevantstakeholders.ThisisparticularlyimportantasVi?tNamiscompletingitslegalframeworkforthehealthcareindustrytoenteranewphaseofdevelopment,Minhadded.DeputyMinisterofHealth??XuanTuyênspeaksattheforum.—PhotoVIRSpeakingattheevent,DeputyMinisterofHealth??XuanTuyênsaidthat2024isapivotalyearwiththereviewandamendmentofimportantlawsthathaveshapedtheoperationsofthemedicalandpharmaceuticalindustry,contributingtopromotingasustainablehealthsystemandcreatingafavourableecosystemtopromoteinnovation.TheMinistryofHealthisreviewingandamendingthePharmacyLawtosubmittotheNationalAssemblyforconsiderationnextOctober.Thelawsorientationistoattractinvestmenttodeveloptechnologyresearchactivities,productionortechnologytransfertoproducepharmaceuticalsubstancesandnewdrugs,originalbrand-namedrugs,raredrugs,firstgenericdrugs,high-techdrugs,vaccinesandbiologicalproducts,drugsmadefrombloodandplasmaofforeignpharmaceuticalcorporationsinVi?tNamtoproactivelyandsustainablydevelopdomesticproductionwhilepromotingexportactivitiestoadvancedmarkets,saidTuyên.Vi?tNamisimporting80percentofmedicinalingredientsbuthasgreatpotentialinrawmaterialareas.AccordingtotherevisedPharmacyLaw,weproposeprioritiesfordrugproductioninVi?tNam,includingpriorityforinvestment,landandlicensingofdrugcirculation,especiallyinnovativedrugsandcancerdrugs,addedTuyên.AstraZenecaVietnamgeneraldirectorAtulTandonspeaksattheevent.—PhotoVIRAstraZenecaVietnamgeneraldirectorAtulTandonpraisedtheeffortsofVi?tNamtodriveinnovationanddevelopmentinthehealthindustry.TandonsaidthatAstraZenecahasbuiltmanylaboratoriestoimproveitsdiagnosticcapacity,withinitiativesthatcanbereplicatedfromVi?tNamtoothercountriesinAsia.Withitspatient-centricapproach,thecompanytracksthepatientjourneyandaccompaniespatientsfromscreeningtodiagnosisandtreatment,therebycontributingtosustainablehealthcaredevelopment.Wefirmlybelievethatcollaborationiskeytodrivingmeaningfulhealthcareinnovation.Tofosterstrongerpartnershipswithlocalstakeholders.Throughthesestrategies,weaimtocreateacollaborativeecosystemwherediversestakeholderscanworktogethertoaddresshealthcarechallengesandimprovepatientoutcomes,saidTandon.PharmaGroupchairmanDarrellOhsaidthatVi?tNamhasalotofpotentialtoattractFDIduetoitsgrowingdomesticmarket,politicalandeconomicstabilityand16activefreetradeagreements.Althoughtherehavebeensomedevelopmentsandgrowthinthepharmasectorinrecentyears,Vi?tNamhasyettofullycapitaliseonitsstrengthsandcompetitiveadvantage.Giventheintensecompetitionfromneighbouringcountriesthatareofferingincentivestoattractinvestorsandcontinuouslystreamlinetheirregulations,Vi?tNammustaccelerateitseffortsinthisracetoattractFDIandinnovationtothecountry.Toattractinvestment,OhsuggestedVi?tNamcreateanenvironmentthatismoreconducivetobusinessandinvestment.Thisisdoneviapoliciesthatarepredictableandsustainableforcompaniestobringininnovationearlyandreliablyinvestforthelongterm.Whatsalsoimportantisastrongcommitmenttothestreamlinedregulatoryprocess,adheringtoregulatorytimelinesandintellectualpropertyprotection.Vi?tNamshouldprovideincentivesthatprioritiseinnovation,suchasRDhubsandinvestmentintoearlyphasesofproductdevelopmentsuchasclinicaltrialsandadvancedmanufacturingcapabilities,addedthePharmaGroupChairman.—VNSThesixsuspectsarrestedonchargesoftraffickingpeopleunder16.—Photovietnamplus.vnBìNH??NH—AsuspectedhumantraffickingringoperatingintheCentralRegionsandCentralHighlandsofVi?tNamhasbeendismantled,leadingtothearrestofsixsuspectsandtherescueof10victims,includingatleastsevenchildren.Ofthe10victimsrescuedintheoperation,sevengirlsunder16wereallegedlyforcedtoworkinkaraokebarsandmotels.InvestigationsbeganinJulywhenauthoritiesdetectedsuspiciousactivitiesinvolvingtherecruitmentandcoercionofminorstoworkinentertainmentvenues,restaurants,andotherbusinesses.TheCentralRegionAnti-DrugandCrimeTaskForce(TaskForce2)undertheBorderGuardCommandquicklylaunchedacrackdownonthenetwork,raidingeightlocationsinthecentralprovinceofBình??nhandthesouth-centralprovinceofPhúYênbetweenAugustandSeptember.Sixmalesuspectshavebeenarrestedinconnectionwiththering,includingfivefromBình??nhProvince--LêNg?cLinh,26,Tr??ngMinhV?,36,Lê??cD?ng,22,Bùi??cTín,20,Nguy?nThànhNh?t,29,and32-year-oldHu?nhNg?cAnhfromPhúYênProvince.TheseindividualsallegedlytransportedvictimsfromtheCentralHighlandsprovinceofKonTumandforcethemtoworkinBình??nhandPhúYên.TaskForce2haspressedchargesagainstthesuspectsfortraffickingpeopleunder16andhandedoverthecasetoBình??nhPoliceforfurtherlegalactions.—VNS

ThroughthemassmobilisationprogrammecalledTheCoastGuardaccompaniesfishermen,theCoastGuardRegionNo.3CommandonSeptember8presentnationalflags,lifejackets,leafletsandlegalhandbookstolocalfishingboatownersandfishermeninTi?nGiangProvince.—PhotoCourtesyofVCGTI?NGIANG—CoastGuardRegionNo.3CommandhascarriedoutmanyactivitiestosupportfishermeninGòC?ng??ngDistrictintheC?uLong(Mekong)provinceofTi?nGiang.MakingeffortstoimplementtheVi?tNamCoastGuardsmassmobilisationmovement,theV?ngTàuCity-basedCoastGuardRegionNo.3CommandonSundaytogetherwithTi?nGiangProvincesPartyCommitteesCommissionforMassMobilisationandthePeoplesCommitteeandPartyCommitteeofGòC?ng??ngDistrict,organisedamassmobilisationprogrammecalledTheCoastGuardaccompaniesfishermen.Duringtheprogramme,theCoastGuardRegionNo.3Commandinformedlocalcadres,civilservants,publicemployees,fishingboatowners,fishermen,andpeopleinthedistrictaboutthecurrentsecuritysituationatseaandonislands.ItalsoprovidedupdatesonthePartysviewpointsandpoliciesonthenationalsovereigntyontheseaandislands,theVi?tNamCoastGuardLawandFisheriesLaw,andlegalprovisionsonillegal,unreportedandunregulated(IUU)fishingpreventionandcontrol.Itpresented20nationalflags,lifejackets,leafletsandlegalhandbookstolocalfishingboatownersandfishermen.Italsovisitedandpresented200gifts(includingrice,fishsauce,instantnoodles,andothernecessities)tolocalpolicybeneficiaryfamiliesandpeopleindifficultcircumstances.TheCoastGuardRegionNo.3CommandonSeptember8togetherwithlocalauthoritiesorganisedamassmobilisationprogrammecalledTheCoastGuardaccompaniesfishermeninTi?nGiangProvincesGòC?ng??ngDistrict.—PhotoCourtesyofVCGIncollaborationwithHùngV??ngHospital,doctorsprovidedfreehealthcheck-upsandmedicinetomorethan300localpolicybeneficiaryfamilies,fishermenandpeopleindifficultcircumstances.ItplanstocontinuetheimplementationofthismassmobilisationprogrammeinHCMCityandBàR?a-V?ngTàuandBìnhThu?nprovincesinSeptember.OnSeptember8,thepolicybeneficiaryfamilies,fishermenandpeopleindifficultcircumstancesinTi?nGiangProvincereceivefreehealthcheck-upsandmedicinethroughthemassmobilisationprogrammecalledTheCoastGuardaccompaniesfishermenorganisedbytheCoastGuardRegionNo.3Command.—PhotoCourtesyofVCGTheCoastGuardRegionNo.3CommandundertheVi?tNamCoastGuardistaskedwithmanagingtheseafromCùLaoXanhIslandinthecoastalsouth-centralprovinceofBình??nhtothenorthernbankof??nhAnestuaryintheMekongDeltaprovinceofTràVinh,includingthewatersoftheTr??ngSa(Spratly)IslandsandDK1rigs.Overthepastyears,ithascompleteditstaskofprotectingthenationssovereigntyandenforcingthelawatsea.—VNSApartofPhongChauBridgecollapsedthismorning.—PhotoprovidedbylocalresidentPHúTH?—PhongChauBridge,spanningtheH?ngRiverandconnectingLamThaoDistrictwithTamN?ngDistrict,waspartiallysweptawaybyfloodwatersamidseriousdownpourstriggeredbyTyphoonYagi.Theincidenttookplacearound10amMondaymorning,accordingtothePhúTh?ProvincialPeoplesCommittee.AsreportedbyVietnamNewsAgencycorrespondentson-site,onepierandtwospansofthebridgeweresweptawaybythewaters.Nocasualtiesordamagetopropertyhavebeenreportedsofar,butinitialreportsindicatethattherewerepeopleandvehiclesonthebridgeatthetimeoftheincident.ThePhúTh?ProvincialPeoplesCommitteeiscurrentlymobilisingforcestoconductrescueoperations,ensurepublicorder,andmanagetrafficdiversions.PartofPhongChauBridgehascollapsedMondaymorning.—VNA/VNSPhotoT?ToànDeputyPrimeMinisterH???cPh?candleadersoftheMinistryofNationalDefence,MinistryofPublicSecurity,MinistryofTransport,andtheNationalCommitteeforIncidentResponse,NaturalDisasterResponse,andSearchandRescueimmediatelyarrivedatthescenetocoordinatewithlocalauthoritiestodirecttheinspectionandimmediateimplementationofworktoovercomethecollapseofPhongChaubridge,focusingonsearchandrescueefforts.PhongChauBridge,completedandputintouseonJuly28,1995,is375.36mlongandlocatedonNationalHighway32C,connectingthecityofVi?tTrìandLamThaoDistrictwithTamN?ng,ThanhTh?y,ThanhS?n,andTanS?ndistricts,aswellastheprovincesofHòaBìnhandS?nLa.—VNS

TrafficonD??ngV?nBéStreet,HoàngMaiDistrict,hasresumedafterauthoritiesclearedfallentrees.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nV?nC?nhHàN?i—HàN?isroadshavebeenfullyclearedonMondayandtrafficismostlynormalaftersupertyphoonYagihitthecityovertheweekend,bringingdownthousandsoftreesandcausingmajordisruptions.Uprootedtrees,brokenbranches,andfloodingwerereportedacrossthecity,causingsignificantdamagetoinfrastructureanddisruptingdailylife.Accordingtothelatestreports,25,156treeswereeitherbrokenoruprooted,withmostincidentsoccurringinthedistrictsofHoàngMai,LongBiên,GiaLam,??ngAnh,andNamT?Liêm.Thefallingtreescausedinjuriesanddamagedvehiclesandbuildings.InTh?chTh?tDistrict,landslidesoccurred,whileCh??ngM?Districtsawdykecollapses,submergedroads,andwidespreaddamagetohomes,livestockpens,andpowerpoles.Qu?cOaiandBaVìdistrictsalsoreportederodedroads,toppledpowerpoles,andsunkenboats.HeavyrainsonSaturdaytriggeredblackoutsacrosspartsofthecity,particularlyinsuburbanareas,thoughmostpowerwasrestoredbySunday.Floodingaffectedbothurbanandruralareas,withthousandsofhectaresofcropsruined.Thedisasterhasleftfourpeopledeadand17injured,withthecitymobilisingresourcestomanagetheaftermath.Authoritiesarefocusedonhealthcare,safetyinschools,restoringpower,clearingdebris,andensuringessentialgoodsfortheresidents.LieutenantGeneralNguy?nH?iTrung,directorofHàN?iPolice,instructedpoliceforcesatthedistrict,commune,andwardlevelstoworkcloselywithlocalauthoritiestocleardebrisandrestoreorder.Prioritywasgiventoremovingfallentreesandensuringkeyroadswerepassable,allowingemergencyworkersandresidentstomovesafely.BySundayafternoon,policeandemergencyserviceshadclearedmuchofthedamagefrommajorstreets.However,authoritieshavewarnedthatmorerainisexpectedduetothelingeringeffectsofthestorm.HàN?iresidentshavebeenadvisedtodrivecarefully,adheretotrafficregulations,andfollowinstructionsfrompolicestationedatkeyintersections.Inpreparationforthestormsimpact,thecityspoliceforcehadbeenonhighalert.Officersandequipmentwerefullymobilisedforfloodresponse,ensuringcontinuouscommunicationandreadinessforanyemergencies.Thepolicewerealsopreparedfordisastermanagementandsearch-and-rescuemissionsinlinewiththefouron-siteprinciple.OnSaturdayandSunday,HàN?isfireandrescuepolice,alongsidedistrictandtownunits,deployednearly300vehiclesandaround2,000officers.Theyrespondedto172incidents,includingfallentrees,damagedroofs,andblockedroads.Authoritieshavedirectedallforces,includingthepolice,tocontinuethecleanupeffortsandensurethecitysroadsremainclearfortraffic.—VNSVisitorsbrowseGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngsbookonsocialism.—VNA/VNSPhotoBRUSSELS—ThebookonthepathtosocialisminVi?tNambylatePartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngattractedspecialattentionfrominternationalfriendsattheannualManifiesta(Solidarity)FestivalheldrecentlybytheWorkersPartyofBelgium.OndisplaywereFrench,English,andDutchversionsofthebookSometheoreticalandpracticalissuesonsocialismandthepathtosocialisminVi?tNam,whoseVietnameseversionwaslaunchedontheoccasionofthe92ndfoundinganniversaryoftheCommunistPartyofVi?tNam(February3,1930-2022).ThePartyleadershighlypopularbookgathershis29outstandingarticlesandspeeches,aimingtohelpcadres,Partymembers,andpeoplegainaninsightintosocialismandthepathtothesysteminVi?tNamsoastopromoteconsensusinthesocietyandbringintoplaythegreatnationalsolidaritytoachievethestrategicgoalssetbytheParty,latePresidentH?ChíMinh,andthepeople.SimonJacquet,a70-year-oldfestival-goer,expressedherwishtointroducethebooktoherchildren,sayingtheyallloveVi?tNamandadmirethecountrysrobustdevelopment.ZenoEngelen,26,saidhebelievesthatthebookwillgivehimaninsightintothepathtosocialisminVi?tNam.Apartfromthebook,theVietnameseboothalsoshowcaseddocumentsonPresidentH?ChíMinh,drawingthosewholovetheVietnamesehistoryandculture.Onthisoccasion,theVi?tNamNewsAgencydisplayedspecialpublicationsbyitsVi?tNamPictorialandLeCourrierduVietnam.VisitorsweretreatedtoVietnamesecoffee,tea,andgreenbeancake,andotherspecialtiesfromtheSoutheastAsiannation.Thefestival,whichtookplaceonSeptember7-8,welcomedmorethan15,000visitorswithvariousactivities.—VNS