TheheadquartersofHCMCitysPeoplesCommitteeinDistrict1.Thecityadministrationhasapprovedaprojectfor2024-30tocreateamoreefficientcivilservice.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—TheHCMCityadministrationhasapprovedaprojecttocreateamoreefficientcivilserviceby2030tobetterservethepublicwhilepromotingitsgrowth.PhanV?nM?i,chairmanofthePeoplesCommittee,saidtheprojectwouldfocusondevelopinghighlyskilledcivilservantsthatbetterservethepublicandsupportcitygrowth.Theinitiativeincludeskeytaskssuchasimprovingthequalityofthepublicservantworkforce,refiningorganisationalstructure,investingininfrastructure,andproposinginstitutionalreforms,amongothers.Undertheproject,thecitywillenhancehousingbenefits,incomesupport,recognitionprogrammes,andwork-lifcwinebalanceforcivilservants.Leadershipappointmentswillinvolvecompetitiveexaminationsandwillprioritisecandidateswhoexhibitgenuineability,commitment,andcreativity.IndividualswhoarenotmembersofthePartywillalsobeeligibleforconsideration.Inthepast,onlyPartymembershavebeenconsideredforseniorpositionsinthepoliticalsystem.Thecitywillalsoreviewdismissalregulationsandcivilservantqualitystandards.Thecitywilltakemeasurestosupportinnovativeofficialsandpromoteremotework.Itwillalsoutilisetechnologytoreduceworkpressures,includingdeployingvirtualassistantsforcivilservantsandcitizens.SurveyCityauthoritiesrecentlyconductedasurveytoevaluatetheperspectivesofpublicofficialsandcivilservantsregardingthecityscivilservice.Theresultsindicatedthatover75percentofpublicofficialsviewtheirworkloadassignificant.Over43percentareconsideringalternativesduetolowpay,heavyworkloads,andlimitedadvancement.Thisresulthassuggestedthatwork-relatedpressuresgreatlyaffecttheircommitmenttopublicservice.Thesurveyalsofoundthatover80percentofofficialsattheward,commune,andtownlevelsratedtheirworkloadsashighorveryhigh.Incontrast,70percentofcivilservantsreportedsatisfactionwithworkplacerelationshipsandarenotinclinedtoleaveforhighersalaries.Despitethis,personnelshortagesandfundingissuespersist,contributingtostressamongcivilservants.About50percentfeeltheirpayisreasonableforthepublicsector,accordingtothesurvey.Responsesweregatheredfrom12,869publicofficialsand76,601civilservants.—VNS

Manyyoungpeopledonatetheirhairatthefestival.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?nhQuyênHàN?I—Atotalof303setsofhairweredonatedbykind-heartedpeopleduringthethirdHairDonationFestival,namedDreamHairStation,whichtookplaceattheNationalInstituteofHematologyandBloodTransfusion(NIHBT)onSunday.Thefestivalisanopportunityforparticipantstodonatetheirhairtochildrenwithcancer.Alongwiththehairdonations,thisyearseventalsoincludedotherworthwhileactivities,suchasgivingwigsmadefromrealhairtobothchildrenandadultswithcancer,freehaircutsforpatients,meetingsandexchangesbetweenpatientsandvolunteersanddisplayingwishesfromhairdonorstocancerpatients.Nguy?nThànhLinh,DeputyHeadoftheSocialWorkDivisionundertheNIHBT,saidthattheDreamHairStationprogrammehasalwayssupportedcancerpatientsattheinstitute.Donationsofhairareverymeaningfulforcancerpatients,helpingthemconfidentlyliveanormallife.Amongthehairdonorsweremanyfamilieswhobroughttheirchildrentoparticipate.Evenpeoplewiththalassemia,ablooddisorder,alsodonatedtheirhairtothesickchildren.H?aTh?Li?u,along-termpatientwiththalassemia,saidthattheideaof??donatinghaircamefromherdaughter,aneighthgrader.Shewasgratefultotheblooddonorswhohelpedhermotherstayaliveandwantedtosendhermothershairasathankyou.Althoughshecouldnotcomewithhermotherduetodistance,herideasparkedthegiftofhermotherslonghair.Attheevent,HoàngTh?Di?uThu?n,theprogrammesfounder,sharedherownstorywithemotion.Shewasonceacancerpatientherself,receivingtreatmentformanyyearsattheNIHBT.Afterthat,shecontinuedtosupportcancerpatientswithavarietyofactivities.Todate,morethan13,000peoplehaveparticipatedinthehairdonationprogramme,whichhasbeenrunningsince2022.ManypaediatricpatientsattheNIHBTandtheNationalChildrensHospitalhavereceivednewhairthroughtheprogramme.Childrenandadultswithcancerexperiencedmanydifferentemotionsattheevent.Somechildrenwerehappyandexcited,laughingandjoking,butsomeweresomovedthattheycouldnotholdbacktheirtearswhenreceivingtheirnewhair.AchildpatientwhoisbeingtreatedatthePediatricHematologyWardsaid:Iamveryhappyandexcitedtoreceivethishair.IneverthoughtIwouldgetsickandhavetoshavemyhair.Iamtrulygratefultoeveryone.Alsoatthefestival,NIHBTcleaner??Th?Thucreatedanemotionalmomentwhenshedonatedpartofherlonghair.Everyday,Thuseesthechildrenbeingtreated,andsaidshealwaysworriesandwantstohelp.Seeingthechildrenlosetheirhair,Ioftencantholdbackmytears.Thisismysmallpresenttothem.Iwishthechildrencouldovercometheirdifficulties,Thusaidwithemotion.Forchildrenwithcancer,hairlossduetochemotherapyandradiotherapyisnotonlyalossofpartoftheirappearance,butalsotheirconfidence,oftenmakingthemshyandhesitantwheninteractingwithpeople.Theywishtohavehairagainsotheycangotoschoolandmeettheirfriendswithself-assurance.Tohelpthemrealisethissmallbutmeaningfuldream,theDreamHairStationprogrammewasorganisedbytheNetworkforChildrenwithCancer.Theprogrammeprovidesdetailedinstructionsforhairdonationstomeetstandards:naturalhairasshortas25cmcanbedonated,whereaschemicallytreatedhaircanbedonatedifitis35cmlong.Allofthedonatedhairmustbewashed,driedandstoredinapaperbagaftercuttingfornolongerthanoneyear.Donorscanbringthecuthairtotheeventorcutitdirectlyatthefestival.TheDreamHairStationfestivalhasbecomeabridge,bringingpeopleclosertogethertosharewarmthandgivemoremotivationtochildrenwithcancerduringtheirjourneytofightthedisease.—VNSTheTamChungBorderGuardStationinstallsandcompletes15polesand500Wsolarlightsalongbothsidesoftheroadleadingtotheresettlementareaof??ónVillage.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoaMaiTHANHHOá—UndertheBrightBorderVillagesinitiative,civilworksarebeinginstalledbytheThanhHoáProvincialBorderGuardintheirjurisdiction.Theinitiativespositiveresultsnotonlybringjoytopeopleinborderareas,butalsoraisethereputationofsoldiers.TheTamChungBorderGuardStationislocatedintheM??ngLátborderdistrict.Soldiersatthestationaretaskedwithmanagingandprotecting7.3kmofbordersencompassingfournationalbordermarkers,frommarker270tomarker273.InTamChungCommune,thereareeightvillageswith837householdsand4,011peoplebelongingtosixethnicgroupslivingtogether,includingM?ng,Thái,Kinh,M??ng,DaoandKh?Mú.Overthepastfewyears,theTamChungBorderGuardStationhasworkedwiththelocalPartyCommitteeandauthoritiestodeploymanynewinitiativesandpracticestohelppeopledeveloptheeconomy,stabilisetheirlivesandensuresecurityandorder.OnegoodexampleistheBrightBorderVillagesinitiative.Aspartoftheproject,thestationsoldierspouredconcretefor15pilcwinlarsandinstalled500Wsolarbulbsalongbothsidesoftheroadleadingtotheresettlementareaof??ónVillageinTamChungCommune.Theunit,alongwiththecommunalWomensUnion,YouthUnionandlocalpeople,alsocleaneduptheenvironmentandplantedandcaredfornearly2kmofflowerbedsalongtheroads,creatingagreen,cleanandbeautifulspaceandlandscape.LòV?nLi?u,ChairmanoftheTamChungCommunePeoplesCommittee,said:Theborderguardssupportforinstallingsolarpowersystemsonroadsleadingtovillagesisacreativeandpracticalwaytoimprovethepeoplesculturalandspirituallife,creatinganewlookforthevillage.OurlocalityhopestohavemoreBrightBorderVillagesprojectstofacilitatepeoplestravelandensuresecurityandorderinthearea.LieutenantColonelNg?MinhQuang,HeadoftheTamChungBorderGuardStation,said:Closelyfollowingthelocalityandunderstandingthepeopleswishes,thestationsPartyCommitteeandCommandandthecommunalPartyCommitteeandPeoplesCommitteehavecoordinatedandunifiedinleadershipanddirection.Tocompletetheproject,thestationassignedofficersandsoldierstoerectpolesandpullwires.Atthesametime,theunitselectedpeoplewithmechanicalskillswhoknowhowtouseweldingandcuttingmachinestoinstallthelampsystemtoensureaesthetics,sustainabilityandefficiency.Wevereceivedapprovalandsupportfromlocalpeople,hesaid.GoodworkInM??ngLátDistrict,therearefiveborderposts,allofwhichareworkingontheBrightBorderVillagesinitiative.ThepostsaretheTamChungBorderPostinónVillage,theTénT?nBorderGuardStationin?oànK?tResidentialQuarter,M??ngLátTown,theQuangChi?uBorderStationinPù??aVillage,theTrungLyBorderStationinTàCómVillageandthePùNhiBorderStationinC?mVillage.Afteronlyafewmonths,theprojectspositiveeffectshavespreadwidelyacrosstheborderroadsofThanhHoáProvince.TheBátM?tBorderGuardStationinTh??ngXuanDistricthaschosenRu?ngVillagetodeploytheinitiativethisyear,helpingpeopletherereducepoverty,developtheeconomyandensurenationaldefenceandsecurity.Tothisend,thestationhasbeencoordinatingwiththeBátM?tCommunePeoplesCommitteeandsocio-politicalorganisationstosupportRu?ngVillageinrenovating,restoringandexpandingitsagriculturallandareasandbuildingamodelforhouseholdeconomicdevelopment.Inparticular,thestationunitplanstofocusonsupportingvillagerstoraisesnails,livestock,poultryandbeesforhoney,aswellasplanting,maintainingandprotectingforests.Theywillalsoworktorestoreandpromotepiecesofnationalculturalidentity,suchasKh?pTháiandKhuaLu?ngcostumesandfolkgames.ColonelLêV?nLong,ChiefofPoliticsoftheThanhHoáProvincialBorderGuard,saidthatduringthe2024-2027period,theProvincialBorderGuardCommandwillcoordinatewiththePartycommitteesandauthoritiesofthe11poorestvillagesinfiveborderdistricts,includingTh??ngXuan,LangChánh,QuanS?n,QuanHoáandM??ngLát,ontheBrightBorderVillagesproject.Theinitiativewillbeevaluatedandthenreplicatedinothervillages.TheBrightBorderVillagesprojectisacreativewayfortheProvincialBorderGuardtopromotethecombinedstrengthoftheentirepoliticalsystem,concentratingresourcestobuildnewruralareasandhelppeoplereducepoverty.Withthisgoalinmind,theyhaveworkedtoimprovecoordinationbetweenBorderGuardsandlocalPartycommittees,authorities,departmentsandorganisationsinbuildingandprotectingterritorialsovereigntyandnationalbordersecurityaswellaskeepinganincreasinglystrongborderdefence.—VNS

StormYinxingsmovementdirectionupdatedat4amonMonday,November11.Thestormscenterlocationisabout17.5degreesNorthlatitude;111.8degreesEastLongitude,inthenorthernseaof??HoangSaarchipelago.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–TyphoonYinxinghasweakened,withwindspeedsreducingtolevel9,gustingtolevel11,andmovingsouthwestataspeedof10-15kmperhourearlyMondaymorning(November11),accordingtotheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting.At1amonMonday,thestormscentrewaspositionedapproximatelyat17.9degreesNorthlatitudeand112.1degreesEastlongitude,inthewesternseaareaofthenorthernEastSea,about130kmnorthoftheHoàngSa(Paracel)Islands.Thestrongestwindsnearthestormscentrereachedlevel9(75-88kmph),gustingtolevel11,movingsouthwestat10-15kmph.By1amonTuesday(November12),thestormscentreisforecastedtobelocatedatabout15.3degreesNorthlatitudeand109.8degreesEastlongitude,intheseaareabetweenQu?ngNamandBình??nhprovinces.Thestrongestwindsnearthestormscentreareexpectedtodecreasetolevel7,gustingtolevel9,movingsouthwestataround15kmph,weakeningintoatropicaldepression.Thehazardousareaisexpectedtorangefrom14.5degreesto19.5degreesNorthlatitudeandfrom108.5degreesto113.5degreesEastlongitude.ThisincludesthewesternseaareaofthenorthernEastSea(includingtheHoàngSaislands)andtheoffshoreareafromTh?aThiên-Hu?toBình??nhprovinces,classifiedasdisasterrisklevel3.Overthenexttwodays,thestormispredictedtoapproachtheareafromGiaLaitoBình??nhprovinces,withthestrongestwindsaround15kmph,graduallyweakeningintoalow-pressurearea.OnMonday,inthewesternseaareaofthenorthernEastSea(includingtheHoàngSaislands),windsareexpectedtoreachlevel7,withareasnearthestormscentreexperiencingwindsatlevels8-9,gustingtolevel11,withwaveheightsof2-4m,andinareasnearthestormscentre,4-6m;theseawillbeveryrough.Vesselsoperatingintheaforementionedhazardousareasarelikelytoencounterthunderstorms,squalls,strongwinds,andlargewaves.InrelationtothedevelopmentsofTyphoonTORAJIneartheEastSea,earlyMondaymorning,thetyphoonmovedwest-northwestataspeedofapproximately20kmph.ThecentreofthetyphoonwaslocatedintheeasternseaareaofLuzonIsland,Philippines.VNSTheM?ThànhNamCo-operativeinTi?nGiangProvincesCaiL?yDistrictharvestsitssummer-autumnricecrop.–VNA/VNSPhotoMinhTríTI?NGIANG–Ti?nGiangProvincehasbeenstrengtheninglinkagesamongvariousstakeholdersinagriculturalproductiontoensuresustainabledevelopment.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincehasapprovedfinancialandotherformsofsupportfor97linkageprojectsandplansforthe2021-25period.Ofthem,16projectsand20plansarecurrentlyunderwayatacostofVN?154.7billion(US$6million),withVN?24.1billion($950,000)providedbytheprovince,accordingtotheSub-departmentofRuralDevelopment.V?V?nL?p,itshead,saidstakeholdersparticipatingintheseprojectswouldhaveaccesstosupportpolicies,includingconsultancy,tosetupprojectsandfinancialassistanceforpurchasingmachineryandfacilities.Participantswouldalsobenefitfromthetransferofadvancedtechnologiesandadditionalsupporttodevelopsustainablelinkages,hesaid.Companiesandco-operativesinvolvedintheselinkagesareguaranteedasteadysupplyofhigh-qualityinputmaterials,whilefarmersareassuredofastablemarketfortheirproducts,hepromised.Theselinkageswillensuretheproductionofclean,safeagriculturalproducewithclearoriginsandcreatejobs.Theprovincehassuccessfullyimplementedseveraleffectivelinkagemodels.Forinstance,threeco-operativesinGòC?ng??ngandGòC?ngTaydistrictshaveformedapartnershiptogrowcleanvegetablestoVietnamesegoodagriculturalpracticestandards.TheyincludetheTan??ngSafeVegetableCo-operativeinGòC?ng??ng,andthePhúQu?iandTh?nhH?ngSafeVegetableCo-operativesinGòC?ngTay.Together,theyproducethreetofourtonnesofvegetablesdaily,supplyingsupermarkets,restaurantsandexportmarketsinJapanandtheEU.Fruitco-operativesintheprovincehavepartneredwithcompaniesandfruittradingestablishmentstoensurestableoutletsandpricesfortheirmembers.Ti?nGiang,thecountryslargestfruit-producingprovince,hasover84,000hectaresoffruitorchardsthatyield1.8milliontonnesannually.TheprovinceisknownforitsspecialityfruitslikeHoàL?cmango,grapefruit,durian,milkapple,pineapple,anddragonfruit.Nguy?nThànhHi?n,directoroftheTrade,ServicesandAgricultureCo-operativeinTanPh??cDistrict,saidhisco-operativehadafarmingcontractwiththeMinhHùngpineappletradingestablishment,ensuringasteadymarketfortheirproduce.OurmembersreceiveVN?500perkilogrammorethanthemarketprice,andtheyareverypleasedwiththehigherincome.Relevantprovincialdepartmentsareimplementingsupportpoliciestostrengthentheselinkages.TheDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentispromotingtheproductionofOCOP(OneCommune-OneProduct)itemsthroughlinkagesbetweenvariousstakeholders.Theseproductswillreceivemarketingandbrandingsupport,enhancingtheirvisibilityandmarketvalue.Thedepartmentisalsoassistingco-operativestobuildoperationalcapacity,enablingthemtobetterserveasabridgebetweenfarmersandcompanies.Theprovinceisencouraginginvestmentinconcentratedfarmingareasthatproducehigh-qualityproductswithtraceableoriginsandrobuststakeholderlinkages.AdurianorchardisequippedwithanautomaticsprayirrigationsysteminTi?nGiangProvincesCaiL?yDistrict.Durianfarmersintheprovincehaveadoptedefficientirrigationmethodstosavewaterandcopewithsaltwaterintrusionuprivers.–VNA/VNSPhotoMinhTríRiceproductioninitiativesManyricecompaniesinTi?nGianghaveestablishedpartnershipswithfarmersandco-operativestoproducehigh-qualityricethatmeetsexportstandards.HKTradingCompanyLimited,basedinM?ThoCity,collaborateswithco-operativestocultivatericeonpooledfieldsinGòC?ng??ng,GòC?ngTay,CaiL?yTown,andGòC?ngCity.ChauMinhH?i,thecompanysdirector,said:Weareimplementinglinkagestogrow1,800to2,000haofricepercrop.Farmersaretaughtorganicfarmingmethods,andweassistthemwithsoilimprovement,cropcare,andproperfertilisation.TheM?Q??iAgriculturalServiceCo-operative,incollaborationwiththePh??cL?cThiênH?CompanyLimitedinCáiBèDistrictsH?uM?B?cBCommune,cultivates100haofriceusingorganicandhigh-techmethods.Theirtworicevarieties,ST24andNàngHoa9,havebeenrecognisedasfour-starOCOPproducts.Ti?nGianghasover54,000haunderthegrainandproducesaround800,000tonnesofpaddyannually.Thoughitsricegrowingareahasshrunk,productivityandqualityhaveimprovedthankstoadvancedfarmingtechniquesandmechanisation.Yieldshaveincreasedby1.2-2.2tonnesperhectarepercropfromfiveyearsago.Theprovincehasalsodevelopedbrandnamesforhigh-qualityricevarieties,suchasGòC?ngrice,VD20,NàngHoa9,OM4900,andOM5451,enhancingtheirmarketvalueandcompetitiveness.Itisimplementinganationalprojecttodeveloponemillionhectaresofhigh-quality,low-emissionricecultivation,contributingtogreengrowthinthedelta,by2030.Tr?nHoàngNh?tNam,thedepartmentsdeputydirector,saidtheprojectfocusesonkeyrice-growingareaslikeCáiBè,CaiL?y,TanPh??c,GòC?ng??ng,andGòC?ngTaydistricts,CaiL?yTownandGòC?ngCity.Theseplaceswillcultivate22,100haby2025,increasingto29,500haby2030.Theprojectwilltrain20,000farmersinsustainablericefarmingtechniquessuchasreducingseeduseto80-100kgperhectareandwater,pesticideandfertiliseruseby20percentcomparedtotraditionalmethods.Sensor-basedwatermonitoringsystemswillbeinstalledtomanageirrigationeffectively.Allrice-growingareasundertheprojectwillcoveratleast50haandbecultivatedthroughlinkagesbetweencompanies,co-operativesandfarmergroups.Theprovinceisalsoinvestinginriceprocessingtoenhancequalityforexports,assisting15companiestoimproveprocessingcapacity.With500ricemillingcompanies,Ti?nGiangexportsnearly200,000tonnesofriceannually.–VNSEcotourismandtourismwillbeafocusintheTayNguyênRegionalPlanning.Photokinhtedothi.vnHàN?I–DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàhasgiventhegreenlighttothefutureevolvementanddevelopmentoftheareawhichconstitutestheVi?tNam-Laos-Cambodiatriangle.HerecentlysignedadecisionontheagendaimplementingTayNguyên(CentralHighlands)RegionalPlanningintheperiod2021-2030,withavisionto2050.Underthedecision,sixkeytaskgroupsincludeeconomicstructuretransformation,infrastructuredevelopment,economiccorridorsdevelopment,urbanandruraldevelopment,resourcemanagementandenvironmentalprotectionandnationaldefenceandsecurity.Inagriculture,forestryandfisheries,theplanningfocusesondevelopinghigh-value,ecologicalandlarge-scaleagricultureassociatedwithconcentratedagriculturalproductionareasthatapplyhigh-techsolutionssuitedtotheregionsnaturalconditions,concentratingonkeycrops.Itisnecessarytocreateagriculturalhubslinkedwitheconomiccorridors,developforestryandforest-basedeconomies,encouragetheplantingofproductionforestsinsuitableareastoproviderawmaterialsforprocessingplants,promotethecultivationofmedicinalplantsandnon-timberforestproductsandensuresustainabledevelopmentofresourceareasforeconomicbenefitwhileprotectingtheenvironmentinforestproductextractionandprocessing.Fortheindustrysector,prioritywillbegiventoacceleratingstructuraltransformationtowardsincreasingtheproportionofprocessingandmanufacturingindustriesandenvironmentallyfriendly,technology-intensivesectors.Itwillstrengthenlinkswiththesouthcentralandsoutheastregions,aswellastheVi?tNam-Laos-CambodiaDevelopmentTriangle,toexpandmaterialsupplyandproductmarkets.Itneedstodevelopsustainableindustrialzonesandpromotetheestablishmentofsustainable,specialisedhubsforagricultureandforestryprocessingassociatedwithcentralurbanareasandeconomiccorridorsaswellassustainablydevelopmining,bauxiteandaluminiumprocessingindustriesin??kN?ngandLam??ngprovincesandmechanical,textile,chemical,pharmaceutical,fertiliserandbio-fertiliserindustriesintheregion.Itwillexpandrenewableenergyindustriesinlinewiththenationalpowerdevelopmentplanandnaturalconditions,especiallyinGiaLaiand??kL?kprovinces.Todevelopserviceindustriessynergisticallywithagricultureandindustry,theplanningfocusesonexpandingsupplyanddemandmarketswithinandoutsidetheregionthroughregionalconnectioncorridorsandseaportstointernationalmarketsandstrengtheningbordertradeactivities.Thiswillmeaninfrastructureimprovementsatkeyinternationalbordergates,suchasB?YinKonTumProvince,L?ThanhinGiaLaiProvinceand??kPeurin??kN?ngProvincetoenhancetradewithLaosandCambodia.Eco-tourismandculturaltourismwillalsobehighlighted,combinedwithpreservingandpromotingtheculturalvaluesandidentityofTayNguyênethnicgroups.Ininfrastructure,thetransportnetworkwillbeenhancedtoalignwithapprovedtransportplansandleveragetransportmodesadvantages,ensuringcomprehensiveandmodernconnectivityacrosstheregiontomajorports,domesticandinternationalairports,reducingtransportationcosts.EnergyinfrastructurewillbedevelopedwiththeNationalEnergyDevelopmentPlanandamodernisedelectricitynetworkwillbecompleted.FuelandgasstorageandsupplyinfrastructureaccordingtotheNationalStorageandSupplyInfrastructurePlanfor2021-2030,withavisionto2050willbecarriedout.TheTayNguyênregionwillalsoconcentrateonthreepillarsofdigitaltransformation-government,economyandsociety,ensuringsynchronicityandmodernity,inalignmentwiththeInformationandCommunicationsInfrastructurePlanfor2021-2030,withavisionto2050.VNScwin

A2.5hamangoorchardisplantedundertheorganicfarmingmethodin??ngThápProvincesTamN?ngDistrict.Youngmangoesarecoveredwithplasticbagstopreventpests.–VNA/VNSPhotoMinhH?ng??NGTHáP–Morefarmersin??ngThápProvincehaveswitchedtocultivatingtheircropsundertheorganicfarmingmethodbecauseitimprovesproductqualityandvalue,andisenvironmentfriendlyandsustainable.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincehaslargepotentialfordevelopingorganicagricultureasithasvastfertilefarmlands.Ithasimplementedvariousorganicfarmingmodelsandtheyareoperatedeffectively,accordingtoitsPeoplesCommittee.Tr?nNg?c?n,chairmanoftheTanAnFarmersClubhouseinCaoL?nhCitysM?TanCommune,saystheclubsmembersgroworganicmangoesandenjoyhigheconomicefficiency.Usingalargequantityofchemicalfertilisersandpesticidestogrowcropswillhaveanegativeimpactonsoilfertilityandcausehighproductioncostsandunstableproductsales,hesays.Thecultivationofmangounderorganicfarminghashelpedtreesgrowandhavehigh-qualityfruit,offeringaprofitofVN?1,000akilo,higherthantraditionally-grownmangoes,hesays.Myfamilyisusingadvancedfarmingtechniquestoharvestfruitsyear-roundtoprovidefavourableconditionsforbuyers.Withthisfarmingmethod,afterdeductingproductioncost,myfamilyearnsaprofitofVN?300million(US$11,900)ayear,hesays.Thepricesofoff-seasonmangoesare1.5–2timeshigherthanmain-seasonmangoes,accordingtofarmers.Mangoisoneoftheprovinceskeyagriculturalproducts,withmorethan14,900haofmangoplantedin??ngTháp,thedeltaslargestmangogrowingprovince.Nguy?nV?nV?Minh,directoroftheprovinceDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saystheprovincehas8,368haofmangothathavebeengrantedproductioncodes,including280haplantedwithorganicmethods.Theprovincehasalsodevelopedgrowingmoreorganicricetomeetexportrequirements.TheorganicricegrowingmodelofthePhúTh?Co-operativeinTamN?ngDistrictsAnLongCommunehasbeenimplementedeffectivelyon14hawiththeparticipationof10members.Participatinginthemodel,themembersaretrainedintechniquestogrowandtendrice,andafterharvestingpaddy,theyusestrawstoplantricemushrooms,withtheusedstrawsthenusedtomakeorganicfertiliser.PhanHoàngEm,deputydirectoroftheco-operative,saysthemodeliseconomicallyeffective,protectstheenvironmentandissafeforfarmersandconsumers.Themodelsaveragericeyieldis10-15percenthigherthantraditionalgrowingmethods.Riceplantsgrowwell,havestrongrootsandfewdiseases,hesays.Nguy?nV?nQuy,chairmanoftheAnLongCommunePeoplesCommittee,says:Themodelofgrowingricewithorganicfarmingmethodsundertheco-operationbetweenthePhúTh?Co-operativeandtheQu?LamGrouphashelpedtochangetheawarenessoffarmersaboutswitchingfromindividualsmall-scalefarmingtoconcentratedlargescalefarming,whichfeaturesacontractbetweenfarmersandcompaniesundertheStatesmanagement.Theprovincehasdeveloped20haoforganiclotusplantedbysevenhouseholdsinThápM??iDistrictsH?ngTh?nhCommune.Thelotusareausesmechanisationandhigh-techfarming,andenjoyssecurebuyers.??ngTháp,whichisthedeltaslargestlotusproducingprovince,hasmorethan1,108haoflotus,andlotusfarmersearnanaverageprofitofVN?42million($1,700)perhectareayear.Manyfarmershaveofferedeco-tourismservicesattheirlotusfieldstoimproveincome.Nguy?nTr??ngAninThápM??iDistrictsM?HoàCommunesayspreviouslyheonlygrewlotustoharvestlotusseedsandstemsandtheprofitwasunstable.Afterswitchingtoofferingtourismservicesathis3halotusfieldandsellinglotusproductstotourists,heearnsahigherprofit.ThápM??iDistrict,theprovinceslargestlotusgrowingarea,has152haoflotusfieldsofferingeco-tourismservices.Todeveloporganicagriculture,theprovincesrelevantdepartmentsandagencieshaveimplementedvariousmeasuresandpoliciestosupportfarmers.TheprovincesPlantCultivationandProtectionSub-departmentinco-operationwiththeprovinceUnionofScienceandTechnologyAssociationshaveorganisedmanyseminarstoprovidefarmersknowledgeabouttheroleoforganicfertilisersincropcultivationinH?ngNg?,L?pVòandThápM??idistricts.Theunionhasstrengthenedadvocacyactivitiesaboutorganicfarmingmodelswhichcontrolplantdiseasesandimproveproductquality,andenhancetheawarenessoffarmersaboutswitchingtouseorganicfertilisersandplantprotectionbioproducts.Theswitchhashelpedreduceenvironmentalpollution,increaseprofitandsecurethehealthoffarmersandconsumers.MaiH?uTaminChauThànhDistrictsAnNh?nCommunesaysthatpreviously,whengrowinglongan,heusedorganicfertilisersboughtfromfertilisershopsandthetreesgrewbuttheproductioncostwashigh.Afterparticipatinginseminarsaboutmakingorganicfertilisersorganisedbytheunionin2023,Iandotherfarmersinthecommunehavemadeorganicfertiliserfromwaterhyacinthstofertiliseourorchards.Makingorganicfertiliserhelpsreduceproductioncostby30percentwhilethefruityieldissecuredanditcontributestoprotecttheenvironment,hesays.Theprovinceprovidedtrainingaboutorganicagriculturefor40agriculturalofficialslastyearandorganisedforthemtovisitorganicfarmingmodels.–VNSAlotusfieldofferstourismservicesin??ngThápProvincesThápM??iDistrict.–VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nV?nTríEachhouseholdthatlosttheirhouseinTyphoonYagiinTr?mT?uDistrictreceivedVN?100million(US$3,900)insupportfromthedistrictauthoritiesandothersponsors.—VNA/VNSPhotoTi?nKhánhYêNBáI—ThesevereconsequencesofTyphoonYagicausedthousandsofhomesinthemountainousnorthernprovinceofYênBáitobesweptaway,buriedorremainathighriskoffurtherlandslides.Currently,manyfamiliesareindireneedofhousing,soconstruction,placementandresettlementinnewhomesisbecominganurgenttaskforthePartyCommitteeandauthoritiesatalllevelsintheprovincetostabilisepeopleslives.NewhousingStatisticsonhousingdamagecausedbyTyphoonYagiinYênBáishowthatthewholeprovincesawmorethan27,300homesdamaged,ofwhich326completelycollapsedand973wereseverelydamaged.Afternearlytwomonths,manyfamilieshaverepairedhomesthatwereslightlydamagedandwereabletoreturntonormallife.Meanwhile,thousandsofotherscouldnotreturnhomeduetotheirhouseslocationsinareasathighriskoflandslides.Theyarenowhopingtohaveanewplacetolivethatissaferandmoreconvenient.DeputyDirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentNguy?nXuanSangsaidthatthusfar,theprovincehadarrangedrelocationforpeopletoavoidtheriskoflandslidesandflooding.Theprovincehopedthatbytheendofthisyear,thoseinneedwouldhavenewaccommodation.Followinginspectionsandreviewsin14communesofL?cYênDistrict,authoritiesfoundthatnearly1,400householdswereaffectedbyandsuffereddamageinthetyphoon;ofthese,76houseshadcompletelycollapsed,whilemorethan100householdswerelocatedinhigh-riskareasthatarenotsafetolivein.Thedistricthasaplantoarrangelandfundsandbuildresettlementareastoensurethatnearly200householdscanmovetonewhomes.Locatedinaflood-pronearea,V?nYênDistricthadtoevacuateover2,500householdswithover7,100peopletosafeshelters.Afterthetyphoon,109houseseithercompletelycollapsedorsufferedseveredamage,268houseslosttheirroofsorwerepartiallydamaged,and1,833otherswerefloodedforalongtime.Morethan300householdsneednewhousingimmediately.Meanwhile,inthelongterm,thelocalitywillneedtoarrangenewhousingfornearly2,000households.YênBáiCitysufferedthemostseverehousingdamageofanylocalityafterTyphoonYagi.Thestormaffectedtensofthousandsofhouseholdsinthecity,includingthousandsofhomesthatweredamagedbylandslideswithoveronemillioncubicmetresofsoilandrockandhadtoberelocatedtoensuresafety.Thelandslideswereconcentratedin?uLauandV?nPhúcommunesandNguy?nTháiH?c,YênNinh,MinhTan,NamC??ngand??ngTamwards.AccordingtoDeputyChairmanofYênBáiCityPeoplesCommitteePhùngTi?nThanh,thecityhasmorethan1,400householdswith4,830peoplewhohavetoberelocated.ResettlementareasAnurgenttaskforlocalitiesinYênBáiProvinceiscreatingsafeaccommodationtorestorethequalityoflifeforresidentsandproductionfortheeconomyafterthetyphoon.Localitiesarecurrentlyfocusingonthearrangementoftemporaryaccommodationforhouseholdsthathavelosttheirhomes.Atthesametime,theyarereviewingandselectingsafeandconvenientlocationstodesignandbuildlong-termresettlementareasforthoseinneed.DeputyChairmanofYênBáiProvincialPeoplesCommitteeNguy?nTh?Ph??csaidthatensuringthepeoplessafetywasthetoppriority,withafocusonlandallocationandprovisionofhousingforpeopleasquicklyaspossible.Authoritiesarealsograduallyworkingtocompleteinfrastructure,electricityandwaterfortheresettlementareas.Theseareasarecarefullyselectedbytheprovinceforconstructionatasafedistancefrommountainouslocationswithahighriskoflandslides,ensuringplentyofagriculturallandfornewresidents.Authoritiesarealsotakingintoaccountresidentsneedforbothshelterfromnaturaldisastersaswellasaplaceforculturalactivitieswhenbuildinginfrastructure.Sincethebeginningoflastmonth,L?cYênDistricthasquicklystartedtobuildaresettlementareafor11householdsinátTh??ngVillage,MinhXuanCommune.Nguy?nNg?cS?n,headofthedistrictsDivisionofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment,saidthatintheshortterm,thedistrictwouldquicklybuild31housesattheoldlocation,relocate17housesintheresidentialarea,andproposetochangeagriculturallandtoresidentiallandforsevenmorehouses.Inthelongterm,L?cYênDistrictplanstobuildresettlementareas,specificallyanareaof??over13,000sq.mfor31householdsinLàngM??ngVillage,T?M?uCommuneandanotherareaof??over5,000sq.mfor19householdsinKheP?nVillage,KhánhHoàCommune.V?nCh?nDistricthasplannednineresettlementareas,ofwhichtwowillbecompletedthisyear.Theremainingsevenwillbeconstructedby2030torelocateallhouseholdsinareasathighriskoflandslides.MaiM?ngTuan,SecretaryoftheV?nCh?nDistrictPartyCommittee,saidthatalthoughtheworkwasveryurgent,eachresettlementareawasplannedindetail,andwouldincludeallnecessaryinfrastructure.—VNS

PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhchairsthefirstmeetingofthecentralsteeringcommitteeontheprogrammeoferadicationofmakeshift,dilapidatedhousesacrossthecountryinHàN?ionSunday.—VNA/VNSPhotoD??ngGiangHàN?I—Theprogrammeontheeradicationofmakeshift,dilapidatedhousesacrossthecountryisahumanisticplanwhichmustbecarriedoutwithasenseofhighresponsibility,strongemotionandwitharenewedmindset,PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhassaid.ChairingthefirstmeetingofthecentralsteeringcommitteeontheissueinHàN?ionSunday,PMChính,whoisalsoheadofthesteeringcommittee,saidthecontinuationofthemovementwouldbedecidedbybrainpoweranddetermination.Hesaiditwasanall-peopleandcomprehensiveprogrammeoftheentirepoliticalsystem,aimingtocreateanunstoppableforcetopromotetheachievementofgoals,withallheartsandvirtuesforrevolutioncontributors,poorhouseholdsandhouseholdsaffectedbynaturaldisasters.HerecognisedandappreciatedtheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs,VietnamTelevision,ministries,sectors,agencies,businesses,localities,organisationsandindividualsthathaveorganisedandrespondedactivelytotheemulationmovementThewholecountryjoinshandstoeliminatetemporaryanddilapidatedhousesandTheprogrammetoeliminatemakeshiftanddilapidatedhousesnationwide.PMChínhemphasisedthatthePartyandStatehadalwayspaiddueattentiontothesettlementofhousingforthepeople,especiallypeoplewithmeritoriousservicestotherevolution,poorhouseholdsandhouseholdsaffectedbynaturaldisaster,consideringitasakeytaskofsocialsecurityandsustainablepovertyreduction.ThePartyandStatehadissuedmanyresolutions,conclusions,decisions,programmesandplansandeffectivelyimplementedmanyhousingpoliciesforpeoplewithmeritoriousservicestotherevolutionaswellaspoorhouseholdsandhouseholdsaffectedbynaturaldisasters.Statingclearlythegoalofstrivingtocompletetheeliminationoftemporaryanddilapidatedhousesnationwidein2025,fiveyearsearlierthantheinitialtarget,thegovernmentleaderemphasisedthatitwouldbenecessarytofocusonmobilisingsocialresourcescombinedwithstateresourcestocompleteallthreetasksin2025.Thetasksincludehousingsupportforrevolutioncontributors,housingsupportaccordingtonationaltargetprogrammesandeliminatingtemporaryanddilapidatedhousesforpeoplenationwide.ItwasnecessarytothoroughlygraspthemottoThePartyleads,theStatemanages,theFatherlandFrontandmassorganisationssupportandthepeopletakeownership,thePMrequestedfocusingoneffectivelyimplementingtheprogrammeinthespiritofclearthinking,highdetermination,greatefforts,drasticactionsandclearfocus,inwhichundertheleadershipoftheParty,localauthoritiesatalllevelsplayadecisiveroleforthesuccessoftheprogramme.Heurgeddiversifyingresources,includingtheStatebudget,andcalledonallorganisations,peopleandbusinessestodiversifyformsofsupportsoastocreateamovement,trendandfestivalforthepoorandforthemovementoneliminatingtemporaryhousesanddilapidatedhouses.ThePMrequestedsteppingupthecommunicationswork,creatingmotivationandinspiringsocietyforeveryonetosupport,shareandjoinhandstosupporttheimplementationoftheprogrammewiththespiritofnotlettinganyonebeleftbehind.PMChínhagreedtosetupsteeringcommitteesfortheeradicationoftemporaryanddilapidatedhousesattheprovincial,districtandcommunelevelsandthatmustbecompletedbeforeNovember30toorganisesynchronousimplementationfromthecentraltolocallevels.AgreeingwiththeplanstoallocatesupportresourcesandthesupportlevelfortheconstructionofanewhouseisVN?60million(US$2,300)andthesupportlevelfortherepairofahouseisVN?30million,heassignedtheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairstocoordinatewiththeStandingCommitteeoftheVietnamFatherlandFrontCentralCommitteetoreviewandcompletetheplanforallocatingresourcesmobilisedfromtheprogrammeontheeradicationoftemporaryanddilapidatedhousesandexistingresourcesoftheFundforthePoor.TheGovernmentleaderrequestedthePeoplesCommitteesofprovincesandcentrally-runcitiestofocusonorganisingandsynchronouslyanddrasticallydeployinghousingsupportforpeoplewithmeritoriousservices,andtheemulationmovementJoininghandstoeliminatetemporaryhousesanddilapidatedhousesnationwidein2025.HeaskedtheMinistryofInformationandCommunicationstodevelopaneffectivecommunicationplanandannounceformsofsupportforeliminatingtemporaryanddilapidatedhousesthroughtextmessages.PMChínhrequestedtheVietnamTelevision,RadioVoiceofVietnamandVietnamNewsAgencyandotherpressagenciestoproactivelydevelopeffectivecommunicationplans,tospreadthemovement,createavibrantemulationatmosphereandcreatesocialconsensusforpeopleandbusinessestosupportandjoinhandstoprovidehousingforpeoplewithmeritoriousservicestotherevolutionandeliminatetemporaryhousesanddilapidatedhousesforpoorandnear-poorhouseholds.Aswasheardatthemeeting,withthespecialattentionofthePartyandState,theparticipationofministries,sectorsandlocalitiesandtheactiveparticipationoforganisations,communities,businessesandpeoplehashelpedabout340,000householdswithmeritoriousservicestotherevolutionandover800,000poorandnear-poorhouseholdswithhousingdifficulties.However,uptonow,thewholecountrystillhasabout315,000householdswithhousingdifficulties,ofwhichabout106,000householdshavemeritoriousservicestotherevolution,46,000householdsbelongtothenationaltargetprogrammesand153,000otherpoorandnear-poorhouseholds.—VNS

Thedecreespecifiesthatupontheendofthesetrialperiods,businessesmustceaseallowingVietnamesecitizenstogambleuntiltheGovernmentissuesadecreeeitherendingorcontinuingpermissionforVietnamesecitizenstoplayatcasinos.Photochinhphu.vnHàN?I—TheVietnamesegovernmentisextendingthepilotprogrammetoallowVietnamesetogambleincasinos,accordingtoanewlyissueddecree.RegardingthepilotprogrammepermittingVietnamesecitizenstogambleatcasinos,thedecreestatedthatthepilotperiodisthreeyearsfromthedatethefirstcasinobusinessallowsVietnamesecitizenstoplay.Afterthreeyears,theGovernmentwillreview,evaluateanddecideonwhethertocontinuepermittingVietnamesecitizenstogambleatcasinosortoterminatethelicence.In2016,thePolitburoapprovedathree-yearpilotprogrammepermittingVietnamesecitizenstogambleatcasinosinPhúQu?cIsland(inthesouthernprovinceofKiênGiang)andVan??n(inthenorthernprovinceofQu?ngNinh).However,onlyPhúQu?cscasinobeganoperationsinJanuary2019,withthepilotprogrammescheduledtoconcludeinJanuary2022.In2022,theMinistryofFinanceproposedextendingthepilotfortwoadditionalyearsinPhúQu?c,citingtheCOVID-19pandemicsimpactoncasinooperationsandlimitedtrialresults.InMay,thePolitburoapprovedextendingthepilotprogrammeatPhúQu?cuntiltheendofthisyear.FortheVan??nproject,thethree-yearpilotwillbeginoncethecasinobecomesoperational(itisnotyetopen).Toswiftlycodifythispilotextension,theGovernmentissuedDecreeNo.145/2024/N?-CPonNovember4,2024,amendingClause2,Article12ofDecreeNo.03/2017/N?-CPtooutlinepilotprogrammedurationsasfollows:Forthefirstlicensedcasinobusiness,thepilotprogrammeisextendeduntilDecember31,2024,forothercasinoslicensedtoconductthepilot(ifany),thetrialperiodisthreeyearsfromthedateofbusinesscertification.Thedecreespecifiesthatupontheendofthesetrialperiods,businessesmustceaseallowingVietnamesecitizenstogambleuntiltheGovernmentissuesadecreeeitherendingorcontinuingpermissionforVietnamesecitizenstoplay.TheMinistryofFinance,incollaborationwiththeMinistryofPublicSecurity,theMinistryofPlanningandInvestment,theMinistryofCulture,SportsandTourism,theStateBankofVi?tNamandtheprovincialPeoplesCommitteesoverseeingthepilotcasinos,willconductassessmentsandreporttotheGovernmentonthefeasibilityofcontinuingorendingVietnamesecitizenaccess.ThesereportsareduebyNovember30,2024,forthefirstcasinotoreceiveapilotlicenceandsixtydaysbeforetheendofanysubsequenttrialperiodsforothercasinos.Basedonthecompetentauthoritiesfindings,theGovernmentwillissuearesolutiononwhethertoendorcontinuepermittingVietnamesecitizenstogambleatcasinos.Currently,ninecasinosoperateinVi?tNam,includingsixsmall-scalecasinosin??S?n(H?iPhòng),L?iLai,HoàngGiaandH?ngV?nHotel(Qu?ngNinh),InternationalHotel(LàoCai),SilverShores(?àN?ng).Therearethreelarge-scalecasinosinNamH?iAn(Qu?ngNam),H?Tràm(BàR?a-V?ngTàu)andPhúQu?c(KiênGiang).Amongthese,PhúQu?csCoronaCasino,developedbyPhúQu?cTourismInvestmentandDevelopmentJSC,hasbeenoperationalsince2019,setwithinacomplexwithatotalinvestmentexceedingVN?50trillion(US$1.97billion).ItiscurrentlytheonlycasinoallowingVietnamesecitizenstogamble.—VNSH?uRiverswaterlevelisforecasttoincreaseduetoheavyrainfallovertheMekongRiverBasininNovember.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?ULONGDELTA—ManyareasintheC?uLong(Mekong)DeltaregionareathighriskoffloodingduetotidalsurgescombinedwithheavyrainfallinthefirsthalfofNovemberthisyear,accordingtotheVi?tNamNationalMekongCommittee.Duetothiscombination,inearlyNovember,manyareasinC?nTh?CityandtheprovincesofV?nhLong,CàMau,B?cLiêu,SócTr?ng,andH?uGiangwillbefacingahighriskofflooding.Localitiesintheregionarethereforebeingurgedtoproactivelyimplementmeasurestoprotectlow-lyingfieldsandareaswithoutfloodprotectiondikestomitigaterisksandprepareforpotentialbreachesandlandslidesinflood-proneregions.AccordingtotheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting,theMekongRiverCommissionandinternationalorganisationsforecast,totalrainfallovertheMekongRiverBasininthefirsthalfofNovemberisforecastedtobeapproximately3-5percenthigherthanthemulti-yearaverage.Currently,reservoirsonLanTh??ngRiverarestoringabout95percentoftheirtotalusefulcapacity,whilereservoirsinthelowerMekongBasinarealsoupto80percentoftheirusefulcapacityandareexpectedtocontinuegeneratingelectricity.ItisanticipatedthattheflowreachingKratie(Cambodia)willgraduallydecreaseastheregionentersthetransitionseason.Therefore,thetotalflowpassingthroughtheKratiestationinthefirsthalfofthismonthisforecastedtorangefrom16billioncu.mto19billioncu.m,whilethecurrentwaterstorageinTonleSapLakeis39.1billioncu.m,whichwillcontinuetocontributetothemainMekongRiverflow.TheVi?tNamNationalMekongCommitteepredictedthatthemaximumdailywaterlevelattheTanChaustationinTayNinhProvinceinearlythismonthwillfluctuatewiththetidesbetween2.4and2.8m,higherthanthemulti-yearaverage.TheaveragedailyflowthroughTanChaustationinthefirsthalfofthismonthisexpectedtorangefrom15,000cu.mpersecondto18,800cu.mpersecond,higherthanthemulti-yearaverage.Thetotalflowatthisstationduringthisperiodisprojectedtobebetween21.9billioncu.mand23.4billioncu.m,higherthanthemulti-yearaveragebutcomparabletothesameperiodin2023.AttheChau??cstationinAnGiangProvince,themaximumdailywaterlevelisexpectedtorangefrom2.2to2.5m,belowthefloodwarninglevel1.TheaveragedailyflowthroughChau??cstationduringthisperiodisforecastedtofluctuatebetween2,500cu.mpersecondand3,800cu.mpersecond.ThetotalflowthroughChau??cstationisprojectedtobebetween4.5billioncu.mand4.8billioncu.m,similartothemulti-yearaveragebutlowerthanin2023.Duetothecombinationoftidalsurges,localrainfallandupstreamflows,themaximumwaterlevelsattheTanChauandChau??cstationsareforecastedtoremainbelowwarninglevel1.However,incentralareaslikeC?nTh?CityandM?Thu?nDistrictofV?nhLongProvince,waterlevelsareexpectedtoreachwarninglevelsof2to3.Mostcoastalstationsareanticipatedtoreachfloodwarninglevel1orhigherduetotidalsurges.—VNS

Vaccinationagainsttetanusanddiphtheriaisthemosteffectivemethodofpreventingthediseases.—IllustrativePhotoyte.daklak.gov.vn??KL?K—Allsecond-gradestudentsinthe2024-25academicyearandseven-year-oldchildrennotattendingschoolinthe15districts,townsandcitiesintheCentralHighlandsprovinceof??kL?kwillreceiveadoseofthetetanus-diphtheriavaccinestartingthismonth.Anestimated27,188childrenareexpectedtobevaccinatedduringthecampaign.Thoseattendingschoolwillreceivetheirvaccinationson-site,whileunenrolledchildrenwillbeimmunisedatlocalhealthstations.Mobilevaccinationteamswillbedeployedtoremoteordifficult-to-reachareas.ThemovecameaftertheprovincialHealthDepartmentissuedaplantoimplementthetetanus-diphtheriavaccinationaspartoftheExpandedImmunisationProgrammeacrosstheprovince.Theinitiativeaimstoincreaseherdimmunityagainsttetanusanddiphtheriatoproactivelypreventoutbreaksandreducemortalityratesinhigh-riskareas.Tetanusanddiphtheriaarebothseriousinfectiousdiseases.Tetanusisanacuteinfectiousdiseasecausedbythetetanusbacillus,primarilytransmittedthroughdamagedskinandmucousmembranes.Childrenunderfiveandolderadultsareparticularlysusceptibletosevereillness,withmortalityratesrangingfrom30to50percent,andnewbornsfaceanextremelyhighriskofdeath.Diphtheria,ontheotherhand,isanacutebacterialinfectioncausedbythediphtheriabacterium.Whileitcommonlyaffectsyoungchildren,adultscanalsocontractthediseaseiftheylackimmunity.Diphtheriaprimarilyaffectsthenoseandthroatandspreadsmainlythroughrespiratorydropletsfromdirectcontactorindirectlythroughcontaminatedobjects,clothingorfood.Thediseasecanleadtoseriouscomplicationsandmaybefatalduetocardiovascularcollapse.Vaccinationagainsttetanusanddiphtheriaisthemosteffectivemethodofpreventingthediseases.—VNSTayNinhfirefightersassistedCambodiainputtingoutacasinofireonNovember3.—Photonld.com.vnT?YNINH—TayNinhProvincehashelpedCambodianrescueteamsinputtingoutafireatacasinoinTbongKhmumProvince,savingfourtrappedemployeesonNovember3,saidtheprovincialpoliceonNovember4.At8.30am,afirebrokeoutonthetopandseventhfloorofacasinoinPonhiaKretDistrict.TheCambodianfirefightingforcessentthreefiretruckstothescene,buttheywereunabletoextinguishtheblazeandsosoughtassistancefromtheborderingTayNinhProvince.TheTayNinhpoliceforcesent15officialsandthreefiretrucksovertheborderintoCambodia.Atthescene,threebedroomsonthefloorwereablaze,withthefirecoveringaround80m2.Smokeandtoxicfumeshadspreadtothefourth,fifthandsixthfloors.TheTayNinhfirefightingpolicerescuedfourinjuredpeople,whohadbeentrappedonthefifthandsixthfloors.Thefirewasputoutat1.30pm.TheCambodianauthorityexpressedtheirgratitudetotheTayNinhfirefightingforce.Accordingtotheinitialinvestigation,thecauseofthefirewasduetoanelectricalproblemwithinoneofthebedrooms.VNS

Indevelopingcountries,motorcyclesaremorethanpersonalformsoftransport–theyarealsotoolsforbusiness,productionandtransportofgoodsandservices.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngHi?uHàN?I—Withnearly74millionmotorcyclesfromatotalpopulationof100millionpeople,Vi?tNamneedstocontinueitseffortstostrengthenroadsafetyandreducethemortalityraterelatedtothistypeofvehicle.ThiswastheviewoftherepresentativeoftheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)toVi?tNam,AngelaPratt,ataninternationalworkshoponbestpracticesandchallengesinmotorcyclesafetyinHàN?ionMonday.Thetwo-dayworkshopwasorganisedbyVi?tNamsTransportDevelopmentandStrategyInstitute(TDSI),incollaborationwiththeWHOandrelatedstakeholders.ItisalsoseenasanimportantpieceofpreparationforthefourthGlobalMinisterialConferenceonRoadSafety,whichisscheduledtotakeplaceinMoroccoinlateFebruarynextyear.Theworldneedstocollaborateindevelopingsolutionstopreventtrafficaccidentrisksandshouldnotviewtheseasunavoidableincidents,shesaid.Withnineoutof10vehiclesontheroadbeingmotorcycles,Vi?tNamhasmadesignificantpolicyimprovementstoraiseawareness,upgradeinfrastructureandreducetrafficinjuries,resultinginadecreaseofmorethan40percentintraffic-relateddeathsfrom2010to2021.WHOhasbeenworkingwithVi?tNamandothercountriestoensuremotorcyclesafety,especiallyforchildrenwhogotoschoolontheirparentsmotorcycleonadailybasis,saidPratt.TheyalsohopetoincreasecooperationwithVietnameseagenciesinthefuturetohelpimplementtheLawonRoadTrafficOrderandSafetyandLawonRoad,whichwilltakeeffectonJanuary1,2025.Addressingtheevent,TDSIdirectorDrKhu?tVi?tHùngsaidthatensuringmotorcyclesafetyiscurrentlyapressingissueataglobalscale,notonlyinVi?tNamorIndia,wherethisistheprimarymodeoftransport.Indevelopingcountries,motorcyclesaremorethanpersonalvehicles-theyarealsotoolsforbusiness,productionandtransportofgoodsandservices.However,theconvenienceandpopularityofmotorcyclespresentsignificantchallengesintrafficsafety,whichgreatlyaffectpeopleslivesandtheeconomyinmanycountries.Motorcycleaccidentsaccountfortwo-thirdsofthetotalroadtrafficincidentsinVi?tNam,whichdemandsmorecomprehensiveanddeterminedsolutionstoprotectmotorcyclistsandminimisetheinjuriesandcasualtiesrelatedtothistypeofvehicle.Thecountryhasputforwardpoliciesandprogrammes,suchasmandatoryuseofhelmetswhiledriving,monitoringthebloodalcoholconcentrationofmotorcyclists,improvingroadinfrastructureandraisingpublicawarenessoftrafficsafety,whichhaveyieldedencouragingresults.Thetwo-dayinternationalworkshoponmotorcyclesafetystartsinHàN?ionMonday.—Photobaogiaothong.vnHowever,thereremainmultipleshortcomingsintrafficsafetyregulationswhichneedtobeaddressed,accordingtoTr?nH?uMinh,headoftheofficeoftheNationalTrafficSafetyCommittee.Oneofthekeyissuesisthegroupofadolescentsaged16-18,whoarelegallyallowedtodrivescootersofbelow50ccbutlacktrafficsafetyknowledgeandproperdrivingskills.Inadditiontostrengtheningtrainingandtestingfordrivinglicences,Minhaddedthatitisnecessarytotightenregulationsonthemandatoryuseofhelmetsforchildren,astherearenospecificstandardsforhelmetsforchildrenbelowsixandnopenaltyspecifiedforcaseswhenchildrenofthisagegrouparetravellingonamotorcyclewithoutahelmet.Meanwhile,despiteamotorcycleregistrationbeinginplace,theactualnumberofmotorcyclesincirculationislowerthanthenumberregistered.InHàN?iandHCMCity,75percentofthetotalregisteredmotorcyclesarenotinuseduetovariousreasons,suchasbeingmovedtoothercitiesandprovincesbeforebeingdisassembledandsoldforparts.Therefore,thecurrentregistrationfiguresdonotreflecttheactualnumberofmotorcyclesontheroads.Furthermore,althoughmotorcyclestandardshavebeenputforward,safetylevelsformotorcyclesinVi?tNamareconsideredrelativelylow.Thesevehiclesarealsonotyetsubjecttomandatorytechnicalsafetyinspections,whichhasledtosomeoldandunsafemotorcyclesstillincirculation.Shortcomingsinurbanplanningandtransportinfrastructurealsoledtoexcessiveuseofmotorcyclesfortripsthatcouldbemadeonfootorbybicycles.Therefore,thechallengesandsolutionstoensuremotorcyclesafetyshouldbeprioritisedinupcomingtrafficsafetyprogrammes,Minhsaid.—VNSTr??ngM?Lan,forrmerchairwomanofV?nTh?nhPhátGroup,atherappealstrialattheHCMCityPeoplesHighCourtonMonday.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheHCMCityPeoplesHighCourtonMondaybegandeliberationsregardingpropertytycoonTr??ngM?Lansappealagainstherdeathpenaltyverdictrenderedatatrialearlierthisyearformassivefraud.ThecourtwillreviewtherequestoftheV?nTh?nhPhátchairwomanforareducedsentence,aswellastheappealsof47otherdefendants,duringathree-weeksessionattendedby100legalrepresentatives.Inherfive-pagehandwrittenappeal,Lansaidthedeathsentenceimposeduponherwasexcessivelysevereandharsh.Sheurgedthecourttoadoptamorelenientandhumaneapproach.Inpursuitofmypassionforbusinessandmyaspirationtocontributetosocietybydevelopingworld-classprojectsforVi?tNam,Ihavemadesignificantpersonalsacrifices,affectingbothmyhappinessandthatofmyfamily,statedherappeal.Lanexpressedthatshehasenduredconsiderabledistressduetothepressuresofnegativepublicperception.Eachnight,Ifindmyselftormented,questioningwhymyfamilyandIaresubjectedtothesecircumstances,shewrote.LanwassentencedtodeathinatrialinAprilforembezzlingUS$27billionfromSaigonCommercialBank(SCB),equivalentto6percentofVi?tNamsGDPin2023.Lanalsoreceivedalifesentenceinaseparatetriallastmonthforfraudulentappropriationofassetsthroughcounterfeitbondissuanceandillegalcross-bordermoneytransfers,amongothers.Recentdatafromauthoritiesshowedthatatleast42,000victims,whoboughtthefakebondsissuedbythebank,sufferedsignificantfinanciallosses,shockingthenationandincitingrareprotestsfromaffectedindividuals.ThecourtmandatedthatLancompensatetheentireamountofthefraud.Lanshusband,EricChu,andherniece,Tr??ngHu?Van,receivedsentencesofnineand17years,respectively,fortheirrolesinabettingheractions.??Th?Nhàn,theheadbankinginspectoroftheStateBankofVi?tNam,wasconvictedofacceptingbribestotaling$5.2millionfromLanandwassentencedtolifeimprisonment.Nguy?nCaoTríwasfoundguiltyofdefraudingLanoutofVN?1trillionandreceivedaneight-yearprisonsentence.Hehassincereturnedthefullamount.—VNS