ThedamagedEvaAiraircraftatTanS?nNh?tAirport.PhotoDi?n?ànHàngKh?ng(AirForum)H?CHíMINHCITYAplanetaxiingonarunwayatTanS?nNh?tAirportinHCMCitystruckalightpoleafterthepilottookawrongturning.TheEvaAirflightwasheadingtoTaoyuanAirportinTaiwanChinawhenthecollisiontookplacejustafter4pmonJuly3.Thepolewasdamagedandtheplaneswingdented.Nopassengersonboardsufferedanyinjuriesandthecrashdidntcauseanydisruptiontootherflights.AccordingtoairportstafftheBoeing777,flightnumberBR396(SGN-TPE),wasdepartingfromTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirport(HCMCity)toTaoyuanInternationalAirport(Taiwan-China).Whiletaxiingtotherunway,theaircraftmistakenlyenteredaparkingbay,causingdamagetoalightingpoleanddentingtheleftwingoftheplane.TanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportdealtwiththeincidentandhavepreparedareportfortheaviationregulatoryauthorities.Atthetimeoftheincident,theairportsrunways,signalmarkings,andsignagewereallsafeforoperation.Accordingtothesummeroperationplan(fromJune2024toAugust2024)forTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirport,thereareanaverageof680flightsperday,withweekenddaysexpectedtoreachupto710flights.Theaveragedailypassengercountisanticipatedtobearound110,000.Theairporthasproactivelyheldpre-summermeetingsandestablishedunifiedplanswithunitsinvolvedinairportoperations.Theairportalsocloselycoordinateswithairlinesinupdatingflightschedules,resources,groundserviceequipmentandpassengerservices.Theairporthasalsoproactivelyreviewedinfrastructure,processes,operationplans,andresourceallocation;inspectedandmaintainedtechnicalsystemstoensureequipmentreadiness.Planshavebeenmadetoensureoperationalsafety,trafficmanagementandtoaddresspotentialunusualsituations.VNS

IllustrativePhotovneconomy.vnHàN?I–TheAuthorityofInformationSecurity(AIS)undertheMinistryofInformationandCommunications(MIC)andMeta-theparentcompanyofFacebookhavelaunchedtheIdentifyingScamscampaigninVi?tNamfor2024.Thecampaignaimstohelpsocialmediauserstoavoidsixofthe24onlinescamtypesthattheAISidentifiedashotspotsinVi?tNam.Theseareinvestmentscams,jobscams,financialscams,loanscams,lotteryscams,andimpersonationscams.Duringthecampaign,aseriesofimagesandshortvideosonhowtorecogniseanddealwithonlinescamswillbepostedonMetassocialmediaplatformsandtheNationalCybersecurityCentres(NCSC)informationportalmanagedbytheAIS,aswellasonMetasWeThinkDigitalwebsiteatwethinkdigital.fb.com.Notably,thecampaignwillfeaturecontributionsfromprominentcontentcreatorsinVi?tNamtowidelydisseminatepracticalandeasy-to-remembertipsthathelpsocialmediausersprotectthemselvesfromonlinescams.Nguy?nPhúL??ng,DeputyDirectoroftheNCSC,emphasisedthatsocialmediaisafertilegroundforcybercriminalstocarryoutscams.Hewarnedthatjustamomentofcarelessness,alackofawareness,andpeoplecanfallintotrapsatanytime.HesaidraisingpublicawarenessaboutonlinescamsisoneoftheAISstoppriorities.Whenindividuals,especiallyvulnerablegroups,learnhowtorecognizeandbewaryoffraudulenttactics,itcanhelpreducetheprevalenceofonlinescams,hesaid.Lastyear,MetaimplementedthefirstphaseoftheIdentifyingScamscampaigntailoredforVi?tNam.Accordingly,millionsofsocialnetworkusersaccessedwethinkdigital.fb.comtogetusefulinformation.–VNSForeigndelegatesatHCMCityEconomicForum2023.–Photodaidoanket.vnHCMCITY–ThePeoplesCommitteeofHCMCityissettoorganisethesecondfriendshipdialogueandthefiftheconomicforumwithafocusonindustrialtransformationthisSeptember,expectingtowelcomealargenumberofinternationaldelegates.TheHCMCityFriendshipDialogue(FD)andtheHCMCityEconomicForum(HEF)providenotonlyaframeworkforenhancingthesoutherneconomichubsfriendshipwithforeignlocalitiesbutalsoachancetoshareanddiscussexperiences,orientations,andsolutionstopromotecooperationsoastoboostsustainabledevelopmentandrelationswithforeignpartners,Tr?nPh??cAnh,DirectorofthemunicipalDepartmentofExternalAffairs,toldapressconferenceonThursday.AhighlightofthesecondFD,slatedforSeptember23-24,isaconferenceofmayorswhichwillgathercentralandlocalofficials,alongwithrepresentativesofthe58localitieshavingfriendshipandcooperativetieswithHCMCityfromsuchcountriesasGermany,theUS,Thailand,Cambodia,Japan,China,Canada,andFinland.Participantswilldiscusstheirlocalitiesadvantages,priorities,andinternationalcooperationpotentialwhileproposinglocality-to-localitycooperationinitiativestostepupindustrialtransformationtoservesustainabledevelopment,Anhnoted.Representingtheorganisingboard,ChairmanoftheHCMCityBusinessAssociationNguy?nNg?cHòasaidthefifthHEFfromSeptember24to27aimstoshareexperiencesandcollectopinionsfromdomesticandinternationalfinancialinstitutions,enterprises,andexpertsaboutthecityssocio-economicdevelopment,targets,andkeyprogrammes,therebyhelpingpromoteVietnamandHCMCitysreputationintheworld.TheforumisexpectedtobeattendedbythePrimeMinister,officialsofVietnameseministriesandsectors,alongwith1,200-1,500delegatesfrominternationalfinancialinstitutionssuchastheWorldBank(WB),InternationalMonetaryFund(IMF),InternationalFinanceCorporation(IFC),andAsianDevelopmentBank(ADB),internationalorganisationsliketheWorldEconomicForum(WEF),Vietnameseandforeignlocalities,diplomaticagencies,andbusinesses.Itwillalsoattractmanyexpertsineconomy,technology,industrialtransition,andsustainabledevelopment.HeaddedtheHEF2024willfocusonsuchissuesasmainindustrialtransformationtrendsintheworld,thegovernanceecosystemandpoliciesforboostingindustrialtransformation,HCMCitysindustrialtransformationstrategyandnewtechnologytrends,andtheroleofthecitysCentrefortheFourthIndustrialRevolution(C4IR)inindustrialtransformation.Aspartoftheforum,HCMCityisscheduledtoinauguratetheC4IRonSeptember25.–VNS

Diphtheriavaccinationat??ngNaiCentreforDiseaseControl.VNA/VNSPhoto??NGNAI–Manyresidentsin??ngNaiProvincehavebeenrushingtovaccinationcentresoverthepastweektogetvaccinatedagainstdiphtheria.Duetotherecentdiphtheriascare,vaccinationcentresin??ngNaihaveseenasignificantinfluxofpeopleseekingthevaccine.Atthe??ngNaiCentreforDiseaseControlontheWednesdaymorning,aroundonehundredpeopleofvariousagesarrivedfordiphtheriavaccination.However,duetothesuddenspikeindemand,thecentreranoutoftheBelgian3-in-1vaccine(diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus)Bosstrix.Similarly,??ngNaiChildrensHospitalhasseenasignificantincreaseinthenumberofchildrenbeingbroughtinfordiphtheriavaccination.Previously,thehospitalvaccinatedfiftytoseventychildrenperday,butrecently,thenumberhasincreasedbyabout30percent.Accordingtothe??ngNaiDepartmentofHealth,thetotaldemandforthe5-in-1vaccineintheprovincefor2024isover90,000doses.However,asofJuly2024,theprovincehasonlyreceived35,500doses.Dr.Nguy?nTr?ngNgh?a,deputydirectorof??ngNaiChildrensHospital,statedthatinrecentdays,thedemandfordiphtheriavaccinationamongresidentshassurged.Thehospitalcurrentlyhasadequatesuppliesofthe5-in-1vaccineandotherservicevaccinestomeettheneedsofthepublic,Ngh?asaid.Althoughtheprovincehasnotrecordedanydiphtheriacases,doctorsrecognisethepotentialriskduetothemissedvaccinationsduringtheCOVID-19pandemicandtheprolongedshortageofthe5-in-1vaccinein2023,leadingtoconcernsaboutapotentialoutbreak.Ngh?asaid:Thehospitalispreparedwithisolationandspecialtreatmentareasincaseofanoutbreak.Shouldadiphtheriacasebedetected,thepatientwillbeimmediatelyisolatedandtreatedwithcareprovidedsolelybymedicalstaff.Thehospitalisalsoequippedwithspecificantibioticsfortreatingdiphtheria.Thedoctoradvisedresidentsshouldnottopanic.Itisimportantforthepublictounderstandthediseaseandproactivemeasurestopreventit,suchasregularhandwashingwithsoap,coveringthemouthwithacleanclothorelbowwhencoughingorsneezing,maintainingpersonalhygiene,limitingcontactwithsuspectedcases,ensuringgoodhygieneinhomes,kindergartensandclassroomsandpracticingproperfoodhygiene.Anysignsorsuspicionofthediseaseshouldbereportedtohealthauthoritiesimmediatelyforisolation,examinationandtimelytreatment,thedoctorsaid.VNSApartmentsforlow-incomepeopleinTh???cCity.VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—Twosocialhousingprojectswith50,831squaremetresoffloorspacewerecompletedinHCMCityinthefirsthalfoftheyear,accordingtoareportbythecityDepartmentofConstruction.TheNguyênS?nsocialhousingprojectinBìnhChánhDistricthas242apartmentsandthehousingprojectforworkersinTh???cCitysTh?nhM?L?iwardhas368.Thecityhasatargetofbuilding69,700–93,000socialhousingunitsin2021-30aspartofanationalprogrammetobuildatleastonemillionforlow-incomepeopleandindustrialparkworkers.Since2021thecityhascompletedfourprojectswith1,233units.Sixothersarenowunderconstruction,includingfiveforlow-incomeearnersandoneforworkerswithatotalof4,386apartments.TheDepartmentofConstructionattributedtheslowdevelopmentpaceofsocialhousingtocomplexinvestmentproceduresandissuesrelatedtolanduseandallocation.—VNSAricefieldinthepilotmodelforonemillionhectaresofhigh-qualityriceprojectinC?nTh?City.—VNA/VNSPhotoThuHi?nHàN?I—DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuanghasaskedfortheaccelerationoftheimplementationofaprojecttodeveloponemillionhectaresofspecialisedricecultivationwithhighqualityandlowemissionsassociatedwithgreengrowthintheMekongDeltaregion.SpeakingatameetinginHàN?ionWednesday,discussingtheprojectsprogress,QuangemphasisedthatitcreatesanewproductionmethodsuitablefortheworldsproductionandconsumptiontrendsandgeneratesabreakthroughinagriculturethinkingintheMekongDelta,whichisfacingtheeffectsofrapidandunpredictableclimatechange.ThisisexpectedtoimprovetheincomeandlivingconditionsoffarmersandbusinesseswhilehelpingVi?tNamrealiseitsgoalofachievingnetzeroemissionsby2050.Agreeingwiththeopinionsontheneedtohavetheengagementofauthoritiesatthecentrallevelaswellaslocalities,farmersandbusinessesinimplementingtheproject,thedeputyPMrequiredtheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD)toretainacoordinatingroleandandreporttothePMonissuesbeyondthat.RegardingborrowingloansfromtheWorldBank(WB),theministrymustclarifyinvestmentitemsandworkcontentstoensureconsistency,noduplicationandnooverlapwithotherprojectsunderwayintheregion,Quangadded.DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuangaddressesthemeetingonWednesday.—VNA/VNSPhotoAn??ngMARDDeputyMinisterTr?nThanhNamtoldthemeetingthattocarryouttheproject,fromnowto2030,hisministryhasestablishedasteeringcommitteetooverseetheprojectimplementation.ThiscommitteeincludesrepresentativesfromtheMinistryofPlanningandInvestment,theMinistryofFinance,theMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment,theStateBankofVietnam,theWorldBankand12MekongDeltalocalities.Theministryhasdevelopedatechnicalprocessforproducinghigh-quality,low-emissionriceintheregionandaplantoenhancecapabilitiesforpartnersandagriculturalcooperativesindevelopingvaluechainlinkagesundertheproject.Ithasalsocollaboratedwithlocalitiestoreviewthecurrentstatusofproductionareas,infrastructure,productionorganisationandfarmingpracticesandtoassessthesituationofcooperativesintheVi?tNam-SustainableAgricultureTransformationProjectinthe2015-2022period.NamsaidtheMARDiscurrentlyworkingwiththeWBandthe12localitiestofinalisealoanprojectforinfrastructureandtechnicalsupportforhigh-quality,low-emissionriceintheMekongDeltaregion.Accordingtotheofficial,theministryhasimplementedsevenpilotmodelsinC?nTh?Cityandtheprovincesof??ngTháp,KiênGiang,TràVinhandSócTr?ng.Initialassessmentsshowthatthericefarmingmodel,duringthe2024Summer-AutumncropinC?nTh?,hasyieldedpositiveresults.Inputcosts,includingthoseforseed,fertilisers,andirrigationwater,havedecreasedby10-15percent.Thepilotmodelsyieldrangedfrom6.13-6.51tonnesperhectare,comparedto5.89tonnesperhectareunderusualpractices.ItsprofitsreachedVN?21-25.8million(US$830-1,020)perhectare,surpassingthenormalmodelbyVN?1.3-6.2million($50-245)perhectare.Moreover,thepilotmodelcontributedtoreducingCO2emissionsbytwotonnesperhectarecomparedtothemodelthatremovesricestrawfromthefieldsandby12tonnesperhectarecomparedtothepracticeofricestrawburialafterharvesting.AsVi?tNamisthefirstcountryintheworldtohavealarge-scaleprojectonriceproductiontowardssustainablegrowthandemissionsreduction,itisfacingalotofdifficulties,Namsaid,proposingthegovernmentsubmittotheNationalAssemblyaresolutiontopilotcertainspecificpoliciesregardingtheuseofofficialdevelopmentassistance(ODA)andconcessionalloansfromforeigndonorsduringthelegislaturesplenarysessioninOctober.Additionally,theministryrecommendedthatthegovernmentallowtheministrytocollaboratewiththeAsianDevelopmentBank(ADB)toprepareaprojectfora$270millionloanandtosupporttheimplementationoftheproject.—VNA/VNS

DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàspeaksatthesecondmeetingofthetaskforceoverseeingtheprogressofurbanrailwayprojectsinHàN?iandHCMCityonWednesday.VNA/VNSPhotoAn??ngHàN?I–DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàhasdirectedHàN?iandHCMCitytoselecttopdesignconsultancyfirmstofinaliseandappraisethemasterplansfortheirurbanrailwaynetworks,envisioningacentury-longdevelopment.HealsourgedthePeoplesCommitteesofHàN?iandHCMCitytoexpeditetheopeningoftheelevatedsectionsoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationandB?nThành-Su?iTiênmetrolinesaheadofschedule.Hemadetheremarksduringthesecondmeetingofthetaskforceoverseeingtheprogressofurbanrailwayprojectsinbothcities,attheGovernmentheadquartersonWednesday.DeputyPMHànotedthatsincethefirstmeeting,taskforcemembershavecompletednineoutof16assignedtasksandarecontinuingtoimplementtheremainingseventasksasplanned.Regardingthetwourbanrailnetworkdevelopmentproposalsforthetwocities,theDeputyPMemphasisedtheneedforaunifiedperspectiveonobjectives,tasks,solutionsandgeneralpolicies,whilealsoconsideringlocalcharacteristicssuchasconstructionplanning,developmentspace,economicgrowthforecastsandpopulationsize.TheMinistryofTransportisresponsibleforcompilingandsubmittingproposalstotheappropriateauthoritiesaccordingtoregulations.TheurbanrailnetworksinHàN?iandHCMCitymustalsointegrateseamlesslywiththeNorth-Southhigh-speedrailway,includingaspectslikestations,technicaldesignstandardsfortracks,locomotives,carriagesandoperatingsystems.TheDeputyPMsuggestedlearningfromcountrieswithadvanced,modernsubwaynetworkstodevelopcomprehensiveandfeasibleplansfortechnologytransfer,includingconstructionofundergroundstructures,locomotives,carriages,management,operationsandhumanresourcetraining,aimingtobuildasynchronised,modernrailwayindustry.DeputyPMHàaskedtheMinistryofFinancetoleadtheevaluationoftheoveralleconomicimpactoftheurbanraildevelopmentproposalsforthetwocities,aswellastheNorth-Southhigh-speedrailwayandtoassessthefeasibilityofbalancingpublicinvestmentcapital.Basedonthisevaluation,thePeoplesCommitteesofbothcitiesshouldcontinuetoworkcloselywithrelevantministriestodeveloppolicypackagesandplanstomobilisethehighestpossiblelevelsofsocialisedresourcesthroughmethodslikeTransit-OrientedDevelopment(TOD),Public-PrivatePartnerships(PPP)andBuild-Operate-Transfer(BOT).ThemechanismsandpoliciesfordevelopingurbanrailnetworksinHàN?iandHCMCitymustbesynchronised,feasibleandspecific,clearlyoutliningtheprocedures,responsibleparties,obstaclesandproposalsforresolutiontothecompetentauthorities,hestressed.Atthemeeting,DeputyMinisterofTransportNguy?nDanhHuyreportedthatHàN?ihasmadesignificantprogressontheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetroline.Thecityoutlineplannedforcompletionoftheline,conductingtrialoperationsoftheelevatedsection,finalisingfiresafetyreviewsandtrainingpersonnel.TheMinistryofTransport,MinistryofConstruction,andMinistryofFinancehavedirectedeffortstoevaluateandcertifysafetyfortheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetroline,inspectthesite,reviewacceptanceconditions,completeproceduresandsignoffonloanallocationsfortheundergroundsegment.Anenvironmentalpermitassessmentcouncilhasalsobeenestablished.D??ng??cTu?n,ViceChairmanoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommittee,saidthattheelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetrolineisexpectedtobecompletedandoperationalbytheendofJuly2024.Similarly,theB?nThành-Su?iTiênmetrolineinHCMCityhasfinalisedthetimelineadjustmentsandsubmittedinvestmentcapitalallocationrequeststotheappropriateauthorities.Thecityisexpeditingthecompletionoftheremainingconstructiontasks,conductingtrialruns,operatingsystemtests,ensuringfiresafetycomplianceandobtainingenvironmentalapprovalsforoperationalstatusbyDecember2024.Duringthemeeting,thetaskforcereviewedandprovidedfeedbackonthetwourbanrailwaynetworkdevelopmentproposalsforHàN?iandHCMCityby2035,focusingonmechanisms,policiesandresourcemobilisationstrategiessuitableforeachcityssocio-economicdevelopment.LeadersfromtheMinistryofTransport,MinistryofJustice,andMinistryofConstructionemphasisedthatthesearelargeandcomplexprojectsinvolvingmultipledisciplines.Giventhecurrentlegalconstraints,itisnecessarytoconductthoroughresearch,analysisandevaluation,drawingoninternationalexperiencesandpastinvestmentpractices,toproposeobjectivesandsolutionsforbuildingmodern,integratedurbanrailwaysystems.TheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetroprojectstretches12.5kmandincludeseightelevatedandfourundergroundstations.Constructionbeganin2009,withaninitialcompletiontargetof2015.Afterfourextensions,theprojectisnowexpectedtobecompletedin2027.TheB?nThành-Su?iTiênmetrolinecovers19.7km,connectingB?nThànhMarketinDistrict1toLongThànhDepotinTh???cCity.Thelinefeaturesthreeundergroundand11elevatedstations.Constructionstartedin2012,buttheprojecthasseenmultipledelays,withcostsescalatingtooverVN?43.7trillion($1.71billion).–VNSAclassattheUniversityofMedicineandPharmacyoftheVi?tNamNationalUniversity,HàN?i.PhotocourtesyoftheVNU.HàN?ITheUniversityofMedicineandPharmacyattheVi?tNamNationalUniversity,HàN?i,hasannouncedithasfinalisedagreementswithIndiatostartamastersprogrammethisSeptemberinfourspecialisations:internalmedicine,surgery,paediatrics,andradiology.Theprogrammewillinitiallyenrol40doctorsorgraduatesfromIndia.Theuniversityplanstoopenthefirstgeneralmedicineanddentistrycoursesforapproximately100Indianstudentsbyearly2025.Currently,Vi?tNamalreadyhastheC?nTh?UniversityofMedicineandPharmacytrainingIndiangeneralpractitioners,withthefirstintakestartingin2022.ThisinitiativerepresentsanewdirectionforVietnameseuniversitiesthatiscapableofprovidingeducationforforeignstudents,withcurriculaandinstructionconductedinEnglish.Additionally,thousandsofforeigndoctorshavealreadycometoVi?tNamforshort-termcoursesinendoscopicsurgery,thyroidsurgery,radiology,andcancertreatmentatvariousVietnamesehospitals.VNS

AfirefightercutopenatigercagetomakeasecondaryescaperouteforafamilyinHàN?i.—Photohanoionline.vnHàN?I—Thefireatanapartmentbuildingon??nhC?ngH?StreetinHàN?ithatkilledfourpeoplelastmonthhasonceagainraisedconcernsaboutthesafetyofso-calledtigercages(chu?ngc?p).Tigercagesrefertothemetalbarsorgrillsinstalledaroundbalconies,windowsandotheropeningsinbuildings,particularlyinolderapartmentblocks.Peopleofteninstallthesestructurestoexpandtheirlivingspaceorforsecuritypurposes.However,theycanposesignificantfiresafetyhazardsbytrappingpeopleandhinderingtheworkoffirefightersintheeventofafire.Aglanceatneighborhoodswithahighconcentrationofoldapartmentblocks,suchasthoseinThanhXuanB?c,TrungT?,andThànhC?ngWards,revealsacrisscrossoftigercagesoneverybuilding.?oànV?nM?opurchaseda30-square-metreapartmentinThànhC?ngin1992.Ashischildrengrewolder,thelivingspacebecamecramped,promptinghimtobuildatigercagetoexpandtheareato45sqm.M?osaidhisneighbourshadtomakesimilarexpansionsforthesamereason,creatinganetworkofenclosedcagesintheapartmentblock.Despitetheirillegalityandtherepeatedwarningsspurredbyfireincidents,thesestructuresremainstubbornlyinplace,creatingalabyrinthofobstructedescaperoutes.Thedangersoftigercagesareparticularlyacuteinapartmentblockswithasinglestaircaseservingastheprimaryescaperoute.Whenafireerupts,smokeandflamescanquicklyblockthispassageway,leavingresidentstrappedontheirfloors.Theenclosednatureoftigercagesfurtherhindersescapeefforts,asfirefightersstruggletocutthroughthesturdymetalbars,wastingprecioustimethatcouldbeusedtorescuetrappedindividuals.Withapproximately1,600oldapartmentblocksequippedwithtigercagesacrossthecity,HàN?iauthoritieshavecampaignedforresidentstodismantlethesestructurestocreatesecondaryescaperoutesincaseoffire.However,thecampaignshadmixedresults.Whilesomepeopleheededthecall,othersturnedadeafeartoit.Forinstance,inTrungT?,abouthalfofthefamiliesinapartmentblocksD8andC5hadtheirtigercagescutopenforsecondaryescaperoutes.ThesituationisbetterinThanhXuanB?cwhere90percentoffamilieswereonboardwhereastheremainingsittightforvariousreasons,includingabsenthomeownersandstructurallimitations.Wewillcontinueoureffortstopersuadethemtocreatesecondaryescaperoutes,exceptforthosewhoseapartmentdesignsprecludethecreationofsuchroutes,saidHoàngTh?Dung,ActingChairwomanofThanhXuanB?cPeoplesCommittee.V?Ng?cAnh,DirectoroftheScience,TechnologyandEnvironmentDepartmentundertheMinistryofConstruction,emphasisedtheneedforstricterenforcementoffiresafetystandardsacrossallhousingtypes,notjustlargebuildingsandfactories.Accordingtothedirector,whiletheMinistryhasissuedCircularNo.06/2022/TT-BXD,whichoutlinesfiresafetyrulesforbuildings,peopletendtocutcornersonitwhenconstructingindividualhouses.AsurveybytheMinistryrevealedthatmostindividualhouseshavebalconies,loggiasandaccesstotheroofsealedoffwithsolidstructures,creatinglimitedornoescaperoutes.ThedirectoralsorevealedthattheMinistrywasdraftingasetofnationalstandardsforindividualhouses,aimingtoincorporatefiresafetyconsiderationsintodesignandconstructionpractices.However,hewasconcernedthatthenewruleswouldnotcarrymuchweightwithhomeownersiftheywereonlyrecommendationsandvoluntary.Itneedstobeelevatedtothestatusofamandatorysetofstandardstoimprovethesituation,saidAnh.InameetingonJuly2,HàN?iauthoritiesapprovedtheSchemetoEnhanceFirePreventionandFightfightingCapacityintheCityby2025,settingthetargetof100percentofapartmentsinthecityhavingsecondaryescaperoutes.—VNS

Studentsexplorethetopicofprotectingchildrenonlineatthe2023ChildrensForuminC?nTh?City.—VNA/VNSPhotoTrungKiênHàN?I—TheDepartmentofChildAffairsundertheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs(MOLISA)emphasisedtheurgencyofimprovinglegalregulationsonprotectingchildrenintheonlineenvironment,whichisessentialtosafeguardchildrenfromthehighrisksposedbycriminalgroupsontheinternet.Vi?tNamhas24.7millionchildren,mostofwhomhaveaccesstotheinternetanddigitaldevicesfromaveryyoungage.TheaverageageofVietnamesechildrenusingtheinternetisnineyearsold,fouryearsearlierthantheglobalaverage.SurveydatafromtheMOLISAin2023showsthat89percentofchildrenaccessandusetheinternet,with87percentofthemusingitdaily.Apartfromtimespentonstudying,childrenspendaverage5-7hoursperdayonsocialmedia.Healthorganisationsrecommendthatchildrenshouldonlyspendbetweentwoandthreehoursperdayonline.Additionally,statisticsfromtheCentreforCreativeInitiativesinHealthandPopulationrevealedthatnearly36.5percentofchildrenhaveencounteredinformationandimagesrelatedtoviolenceontheinternetandmorethan13percenthavebeenexposedtounwantedpornographicmaterial.Therearenumerousreasonsforthehighrateofchildabuseontheinternet,withalackofknowledgeandskillsinsafeinternetusagebeingamajorfactor.Childrenoftendonotfullyrecognisethepotentialrisksonlineandcaneasilybecomevictimsofscams,sexualexploitationandbullying.N.V.H.,afatherofa12-year-olddaughterinHàN?isHà??ngDistrictnoticedthathisdaughterwasspendingalotoftimeonhermobilephone.Uponcheckingherphone,hewasshockedtofindthatshewasinvolvedinmanyinappropriategroupsandchatsonsocialmedia.Shewasinvariouschatgroupsdiscussingwaystoskipclassesandevenmoredangerously,somegroupstalkedaboutadult-sensitivetopicsandsharedexplicitinformationandimages.Ihadtotakestrongmeasuresbybanningherfromusingthephoneforawhileandexplainingthedangersofparticipatinginsuchgroups,hesaid.Anationalreportonpreventingharmfulbehaviourandevidenceofchildexploitationandsexualabuseonline,showedthat23percentofchildrenaged12-17hadunintentionallyseensensitiveimagesorvideosonline,while5percenthadreceivedunwantedsensitiveimages.Additionally,8percenthadreceivedinappropriatecommentsaboutthemselvesand2percenthadbeenaskedtodiscusssexualtopicsagainsttheirwill.However,43percentofchildrendidnotreporttheseincidentstoanyone,believingthatdoingsowouldnotresolvetheissue.StatisticsfromtheMinistryofPublicSecurityshowthatoverthepastthreeyears,lawenforcementnationwidehasprosecutedmorethan380casesinvolvingover550individualsforcrimesrelatedtochildabuseandthedistributionofobscenematerials.Policehavealsoblocked30,000websiteswithcontentthatviolatesthelaw,includingscams,harmfulviolence,childsexualabuseanddefamatorymaterial.Tensofthousandsofharmfulcontentlinkshavebeendisabled.Thenationalchildprotectionhotline,111,hasrecorded1,500interventionsupportcalls,including419reportsofonlinechildabuse.LeoTh?L?ch,astandingmemberoftheNationalAssemblysCouncilofEthnicMinorities,notedthatwhileinternetcoverageinmountainousandethnicminorityareasisincreasing,childrenintheseregionsarenotadequatelyprotectedfromonlineexploitation.ArecentincidentinL?cNg?nDistrictinB?cGiangProvince,involvedagirlintheseventhgradewhometanddevelopedarelationshipwithaboyonsocialmedia,resultinginpregnancyandchildbirthwithoutherfamilysknowledge.SafeenvironmentforchildrenTheMinistryofInformationandCommunicationsisdraftinganamendmenttotheGovernmentsDecree72issuedonJuly15,2013,onthemanagement,provisionanduseofinternetservicesandonlineinformation.Thedraftemphasisestheresponsibilitytoprotectchildrenandadolescentsonlineasacrucialmeasureforinternetdevelopment.Itincludesadditionalregulationsonsocialmediamanagement,limitsonchildrenssocialmediause,warningsaboutharmfulcontentforchildrenandtheresponsibilitiesofagencies,organisationsandeducationalinstitutionsinpreventingharmfulinformationandmonitoringandprotectingchildrenonline.Nguy?nTh?Nga,DeputyDirectoroftheMOLISAsDepartmentofChildAffairs,highlightedthatVi?tNamhasactivelybuiltandperfectedthelegalsystemtoprotectchildrenonline.ThisincludesDecreeNo.56/2017/ND-CPissuedonMay9,2017,detailingcertainprovisionsoftheLawonChildren;DecisionNo.830/QD-TTgissuedonJune1,2021,approvingtheprogrammetoprotectandsupportchildrenforsafeandcreativeinteractionsonline;andDirectiveNo.23/CT-TTgissuedonMay26,2020,onstrengtheningmeasurestoensurechildrensrightsandprotectchildren.Ngasaiditisessentialtoenhanceeducationandraiseawarenessamongchildrenaboutonlinesafetysothattheyhavetheknowledgeandskillstoprotectthemselvesfromonlinerisks.Authorities,schoolsandfamiliesneedtocollaboratetoguidechildreninusingtheinternetsafelyandhealthily.Theexpertemphasisedtheneedforclosecooperationbetweenagencies,organisationsandcommunitiestocreateasafeonlineenvironmentforchildren.Technologycompaniesshoulddeveloptoolsandsoftwaretomonitorandfilterinappropriatecontent.Creatinghealthyandcreativeonlineplaygroundsforchildreniscrucial.Giventheincreasinglycomplexandriskyonlineenvironment,buildingasafeandhealthycyberspaceforchildrenisatopprioritythatrequiresthecollectiveeffortofsociety,shesaid.—VNSTr?n?ìnhTíninChau??cDistrictsBìnhGi?CommuneinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincegrowscacoatreesinhisorchard,whichusedtobeapepperorchard.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngNh?BàR?A-V?NGTàU—MorefarmersinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincesChau??cDistricthaveswitchedtogrowingcacaobecauseofitshighdemandandstableincome.Thesouthernprovincehas625haofcacao,withChau??caccountingfornearly600haasithasweatherandsoilsuitableforgrowingthetree.Cacaoisidentifiedasthedistrictskeycropbutitsoutputnowmeetsonlyone-thirdofthedemandofprocessingestablishmentsandcompanies.Tr?n?ìnhTíninBìnhGi?Communeturned5,000sq.mofhis1.5haoldpepperorchardintogrowingcacaotreesonatrialbasislastyear.Afterseeingthetreesgrowwell,heswitchedcompletelytogrowingcacaoinhisorchardinthisrainyseason.Hechosetogrowcacaobecausehesawoneofhisrelativesgrowingthetreefor20yearsandithasstableyield,fewdiseases,andstablepricesandsales,hesaid.TheChau??cBureauofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentgavehim950cacaoseedlings,hesaid.Ascacaotreeshavebeenrootedinthedistrictforabout20years,thedistrictauthoritieshavebeenencouragingfarmerstoestablishco-operativestoenhancefarmingefficiency.TheChau??cCacaoCo-operativewasestablishedin2022,with11memberhouseholdswhogrewatotalof60hainthedistrictandPhúM?Town.Itsmembershiphasincreasedto86memberswithatotalgrowingareaof80ha.LêNg?cC?n,itsdirector,saidthedistrictscacaoproductsaresoughtbymanydomesticandforeigncompaniesforexport.Wehavemanyordersfromourpartnersbutthesupplydoesnotmeetthedemand.Wheneverfarmersharvestcacao,webuythewholecrop,andfarmersdonotworryaboutsalesandprices.Therefore,farmersfeelsecuretoexpandgrowingareas.Thedistrictscacaoisconsideredoneoftheworlds100bestcacao.Itscacaohasayieldof2.4-3tonnesofdryseedsperhectareayear.ThedistrictisencouragingfarmerstogrowcacaotoVietnamesegoodagriculturalpractices(VietGAP)ororganicstandards.Manycompanieshaveco-operatedwithco-operativesandfarmerstogrowcacao,harvestfreshfruitsandfermentcacaoseedsunderstrictprocessingprocessestosecurefoodsafety.??ChíKh?i,headofthebureau,saidthedistricthasimplementedmanyprogrammesandplanstodevelopcacaocultivation,includingaprogrammeofgivingfarmersfreeseedlingsandfertilisers.ItwillgrantVN?5billion(US$200,000)tolinkstakeholdersingrowingandsellingcacaothisyear.Themoneyisusedforbuyingseedlings,fertiliserandotherinputmaterials.Itaimstohave600haofcacaonextyearandisencouragingandassistingcompanies,co-operativesandfarmerstogrowcacaotoorganicstandardstomeetexportrequirements.Ithasprovidedtechniquesofgrowingthecroptofarmers.TheBàR?a-V?ngTàuTrade,ServicesandAgricultureCo-operativehasfivemembersandoperatesin27fields,includingsellingseedlingsandinputmaterials.Ithaslinkedwith76farmerstogrow116haofcacao,including5haoforganiccacao.Tr?nNh?Phong,whohasa2haorganiccacaoorchardandlinkswiththeco-operative,said:Myorchardharvestsabout17tonnesoffreshfruitsperhectareayear.Theco-operativebuysallthecrop,sofarmersfeelsecuretogrowthefruit.Underthedistrictscacaodevelopmentplan,theco-operativewillexpandcacaogrowingareas,whichhavegrownunderlinkageswithfarmersto200hathisyear.Somecacaogrowingcompaniesinthedistricthaveofferedtourismservicesintheirorchardsinwhichtouristscanexperiencegrowingandtendingcacaotreesandmakingcacaoproducts.—VNS

Tropicaldepressioncausesthunderstorms,strongwindsanddangerousweather.VNAVNSPhotoHàN?I–Localitieshavebeenurgedtoreadythemselvesforanyincomingstorms,checkingoutdrainagesystemsforobstructionsandclearingwaterchannelstoreducethepossibilityofurbanflooding.DeputyMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,Nguy?nHoàngHi?p,hasissuedawarningaboutthecomplexdevelopmentsofnaturaldisastersandcalledforproactivemeasuresfromministries,sectorsandlocalities.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD)onMondayheldameetingtoaddresstheresponsetothetropicaldepressionandheavyrainfall,chairedbyDeputyMinisterHi?p.Tocopewiththeupcomingnaturaldisasters,especiallyheavyrainfall,Hi?purgedaffectedareastoreviewdrainage,mobilisefunctionalforcestocheckandremoveobstructionsandclearwaterchannelstoreduceurbanflooding.Localitiesaffectedbythelow-pressuresystemanditsremnantsmustbecautiousofflashfloodsandlandslidestominimisetheirimpactonpeopleslivesandproduction.Tropicaldepressionmayweaken,butcoastalareasshouldbeonalertforheavyrainandthunderstorms,saidHi?p.HealsorequestedtheDirectorateofWaterResourcestoreviewallirrigationreservoirsanddirectlocalitiestotimelydrainwaterincaseoffloodingsituations.Addressingfuturenaturaldisasterscenarios,Hi?phighlightedtheneedforministries,sectorsandlocalitiestocloselymonitorforecastsandwarningsfromtheNationalHydro-MeteorologicalForecastingCentreandtheactualsituationlocallytobeproactiveinresponse.FollowingtheseverelandslideinHàGiangProvinceonJuly13,functionalagenciesshouldresearchandincreaseadvisoriesagainstnighttimetravel,particularlyduringtherainyseason,thedeputyministersaid.Ifconditionssuchastraffic,embankments,andnaturaldisastersaredeemedunsafe,authoritiesshouldenforcebansonpeopleandvehiclesindangerousareas,especiallyatnight,headded.Furthermore,heurgedlocalitiestointensifyinspectionsandpreparecontingencyplanstoensurethesafetyofreservoirsanddownstreamareas,especiallysmallhydropowerplantsandvulnerableirrigationreservoirs.Healsorecommendedstationingforcestooperateandhandlesituationsastheyarise.TropicaldepressionweakeningbutcausingheavyrainHoàngPhúcLam,DeputyDirectoroftheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting,reportedthatthetropicaldepressionismovingwest-northwestataspeedofabout10kmperhour,withwindspeedsreachinglevelsix(39-49kmperhour)andgustsuptoleveleight.By7amonJuly16thetropicaldepressionisexpectedtomovewest-northwestatabout15kmperhourandgraduallyweakenintoalow-pressurearea.Duetothetropicaldepression,thenorthwestpartofthecentreoftheEastSeaandthesouthwestpartofthenorthoftheEastSea(includingtheHoàngSaArchipelago)andtheoffshoreareasfromQu?ngBìnhtoQu?ngNg?iprovinceswillexperienceheavyshowersandstrongthunderstorms,withwindsreachinglevelsixandgustsuptoleveleight,causingroughseas.TheoffshoreareasfromBình??nhtoCàMauprovinces,thesouthoftheEastSeaincludingtheTr??ngSa(Spratlys),willhavestrongwindsreachinglevelsixandgustsuptoleveleight-nine.TheGulfofTonkinwillhavestrongwindsatlevelfive,occasionallyreachinglevelsix,causingroughseas.UntilJuly17,duetotheinfluenceofthetropicaldepressionanditsremnants,theRedRiverDeltaandnortherncoastalareas,TayNguyên(CentralHighlands),andthesouthernregionwillreceiverainfallrangingfrom50-100mm,withisolatedplacesreceivingover200mm.ThenorthernandcentralCentralregionswillreceive70-150mmofrainfall,withisolatedplacesreceivingover250mm.Thereisariskofflashfloodsandlandslidesinthenorthernmountainousregion,thenorth-centralregion,andsouthernTayNguyên.Asof6amMonday,theBorderGuardCommandreportedthattheBorderGuardforcestrackedandguided40,146boatswith196,741peopletoavoidthetropicaldepression,including1,037boatswith6,187peopleoperatingintheseaareafromQu?ngTr?toQu?ngNg?iprovincesandtheHoàngSaarea.Th?aThiên-Hu?ProvincebannedanyactivityatseasincetheafternoonofSunday.AirportsaffectedbytropicaldepressionTheVi?tNamAirTrafficManagementCorporation(VATM)iscloselymonitoringtheweatherdevelopmentsduetothetropicaldepression,whichhavebeenimpactingseveralairportsandissuingwarningsduringflightoperations.Duetotheinfluenceofthetropicaldepression,manyairportsacrossthecountrywereaffectedbyheavyrainandstrongthunderstorms,limitingvisibility.AccordingtoareportfromVATM,ataround10-11pmonSunday,thetropicaldepressionenteredthemainlandintheareafromTh?aThiên-Hu?toQu?ngTr?provincesthenweakenedintoalow-pressurearea(belowlevelsix)overcentralLaos.Thetropicaldepressionaffectedsectors1,4,and5intheHCMCityFlightInformationRegion(FIR)andsectors3and4intheHàN?iFIR,withthunderstorms,rainandotherhazardousweatherphenomenasuchasmoderatetosevereturbulenceandaircrafticing.Notably,onSundayevening,Vinhand??ngH?iairportsexperiencedthunderstormsandstrongwindswhile??ngH?i,PhúBài,?àN?ng,andChuLaiairportsonMondayexperiencedheavyrainandstrongthunderstorms,withvisibilityrangingfrom2,000-4,000m.At?àN?ngAirport,thevisibilityoccasionallydroppedto1,500minheavyrainandstrongthunderstorms,withstronggusts.Topreventandminimisedamagecausedbythetropicaldepression,theVATMsAviationMeteorologicalCentrehasdirecteditssubordinateunitstocontinuouslymonitorthedevelopmentsandactivitiesofthetropicaldepression,analysingvariousmeteorologicaldatasuchassatelliteimages,weatherradar,andexchangingweatherinformationwithmeteorologicalagenciesinJapan,ChinasHongKong,thePhilippinesandSingapore.Thisinformationisusedtomakedecisionsonforecastcontentandwarningsaffectingaviationactivitiesandequipmentatairports,providingearlyplansforsafeflightoperationsandproactivemeasurestomitigatetheimpactsofthetropicaldepression.VNSRickDeLuca,president,MSDAnimalHealth,isexcitedtowelcomenewcolleaguestoMSDAnimalHealth.RAHWAY,N.J.—MSDAnimalHealth,adivisionofMerckCo.,Inc.,inRahway,N.J.,USA,hasrecentlycompletedtheacquisitionofElancoAnimalHealthIncsaquabusiness.ThisstrategicmovebolstersMSDAnimalHealthspresenceintheaquacultureindustry,exemplifyingacomprehensivecommitmenttoenhancingfishhealth,welfareandsustainabilityacrossaquaculture,conservationandfisheries.Withthecompletionofthisacquisition,wearewellpositionedwithintheaquacultureindustrywitharobustandcomprehensiveportfolioacrosswarmwater,coldwater,vaccines,anti-parasitictreatments,watersupplementsandnutrition,saidRickDeLuca,president,MSDAnimalHealth.WeareexcitedtowelcomeournewcolleaguestoMSDAnimalHealthandwelookforwardtoworkingtogether,drivenbyourcommonpurposeoftheScienceofHealthierAnimals,hesaid.Followingthisacquisition,MSDAnimalHealthnowpossessesinnovativeproductslikeCLYNAV,agroundbreakingDNA-basedvaccinesafeguardingAtlanticsalmonfrompancreasdisease,andIMVIXA-ananti-parasitictreatmentforsealice,alongsidewatertreatmentproductsforwarmwaterproduction,synergisticallycomplementingMSDAnimalHealthsprevailingvaccineofferings.Theincreasingutilisationofmedications,vaccines,nutritionalsupplementsandproductsforaquaticspeciesismotivatedbytherisingglobaldemandforproteinandfoodsafety,ensuringtheprovisionofhigh-qualityfoodandsafeguardingpublichealth.MSDupholdsaunifiedmissionofleveragingcutting-edgesciencetosafeguardandenhancelivesworldwide.Withoveracenturyofpioneeringresearch,thecompanycontinuestodevelopandoffermedicines,vaccinesandpioneeringhealthsolutionsforsomeofthemostchallengingglobaldiseases.MSDAnimalHealth,theglobalanimalhealthentityofMSDunderMerckCo.,Inc.,Rahway,N.J.,USA,isdeeplycommittedtoTheScienceofHealthierAnimals.Offeringveterinarians,farmers,producers,petownersandgovernmentsanextensivearrayofveterinarypharmaceuticals,vaccines,healthmanagementsolutionsandservices,alongwithasuiteofconnectedtechnologiesencompassingidentification,traceabilityandmonitoringproducts,MSDAnimalHealthisdedicatedtoadvancingthehealth,well-beingandperformanceofanimalsandtheircaretakers.Thecompanyinvestsextensivelyincutting-edgeRDresourcesandmaintainsamodern,globalsupplychain.Presentinover50countries,MSDAnimalHealthsproductsareaccessibleinapproximately150marketsworldwide.

??kN?ngdurianfarmersenjoybountifulharvestsandimprovedpricesthankstosustainablefarmingpracticesinitiatedbytheprovince.??KN?NG–??kN?ngProvincedurianfarmersenjoybountifulharvestsandimprovedpricesthankstothesustainablefarmingpracticesinitiatedbyBayerincollaborationwiththelocalagriculturalextensioncentre(PAEC)andthePlantProtectionDepartment(PPD).EstablishedinOctober2023,thispublic-privatepartnershipaimstodevelopandreplicateeffectiveandsustainabledurianfarmingmethodsacrosstheprovince.Inthe10monthssince,theircollaborativeeffortshaveyieldedimprovementsindurianfarming,includingasignificantdecreaseinpestanddiseaselevels,higherproductivityandfruitqualityandtheabilitytomeetexportstandards,ultimatelyresultinginfavourablemarketpricesforfarmers.Nguy?n?ìnhTr??ng,adurianfarmerin??kWerhamlet,expressedhisdelightatbeingoneofthefarmerstotakepartintheprojectandadoptsustainabledurianfarmingpractices.Tr??nghasgrown800duriantreesoverthepastsixyears,harvested100tonnesofthefruitthisyear,andsoldthematVN?73,000(US$2.87)perkilogramme.Itisquitedifficulttogrowduriantrees,especiallyinextremeweatherconditionsandseverefluctuationsintemperatures.However,thankstothesupportfromBayerandthe??kN?ngPAEC,Ihaveswitchedfromtraditionalmethodstosustainablecultivation,rangingfrompestanddiseasemanagementtoeffectivefloweringandfruitingandcontrolofcropprotectionresidues.Asaresult,thisyearscrophasahigheryieldandqualitythanpreviousyears,Tr??ngsaid.PhanVi?tC??ng,anotherdurianfarmerinthesamelocality,willalsoreapabumperharvestatagoodpricethisyear.Inhisthree-hectareorchard,hehas500MonthongorGoldenPillowduriantreesgrownusingsustainablefarmingpractices.Thisyear,thefarmisexpectedtoyieldover60tonnesofdurianandfetchapriceofVN?82,000perkilogramme.Iamextremelyhappywiththeoutcomethisseason.ThroughdiligentcareandsupportfromBayersexperts,mytreeshavethrived,exhibitingrobusthealthwithlush,verdantleaves.Iobservedaremarkable90percentdecreaseinpestsanddiseases,leadingtoasignificantproductivityincreaseof20percentto20tonnesperhectare.Thefruitshaveattainedsubstantialsizeanddisplayconsistentqualityforanimpressive80percentclassificationasGradeA,C??ngsaid.Thefindingsfromthetwodurianorchardsrevealthatonaverage,97percentoftreesexhibitedhealthygrowthduringtheharvestperiod.ThecooperativeprogrammebetweenBayerandthe??kN?ngPAECalsopromotessafe,responsiblecropprotectionproductusetoensureenvironmentalprotectionandcommunitywell-being.KgKrishnamurthy,countrycommercialleadatBayerVietnamscropsciencedivision,attributedtheachievementstoallthestakeholders,includingBayer,the??kN?ngPAECandthedurianfarmersthemselves.AtBayer,wearecommittedtosupportingfarmersbyprovidingsuitablesolutionstoaddressissuesintheirgardens.Wefocusoncropprotection,nutritionandirrigationsolutionstoenablefarmerstoadoptsustainableduriancareprocesses.Weaimtotransformfarmersintoexpertsinthedurianfieldsothattheycanenhanceproductivityandearnahighincome.Ng?Xuan??ng,deputydirectorofthe??kN?ngDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,said,inasimilarvein:Durianhasbecomeapromisingfruitfor??kN?ng,whichishometo11,700hectares.Overthepastfewyears,thedurianfarmingareahasincreasedsharplyinthelocality.Thedepartmentisrollingoutsustainablefarmingpracticestoformduriancultivationzonesandmeetexportrequirements.Thefocusisalsoonimprovingdurianqualitythroughsustainabledevelopmentmodels,??ngsaid.Movingforward,Bayer,??kN?ngPAECandPPDremaindedicatedtosupportingVietnamesedurianfarmersinadoptingsustainablefarmingpracticestoincreaseproductivityandenhanceexportqualityandsafety.Throughcontinuedcollaborationandtraining,theprogrammeaimstodrivetransformationacrossthedurianindustryin??kN?ng,fosteringsustainabledevelopmentandabrighterfutureforlocalfarmers.ThesceneofthelandslidethatkilledonememberofafamilyoffourinLam??ngProvinceonMonday.—VNA/VNSPhotoL?M??NG—AlandslideinthecentralhighlandsprovinceofLam??ngearlyMondaymorningkilledonememberinafamilyoffour,whosehomewasburiedundertonnesofearthanddebris.Accordingtoinitialreports,theincidenttookplaceinthe?amR?ngDistrictataround4amtodaywhilethefamilyof??ngQuangLànhwasasleep.Heandhistwochildrenmanagedtoescape,whilehiswife,whosenameinitialsweregivenasN.T.T,wasdeadbythemassivevolumecrushedintothehome.Thesurroundingresidentsimmediatelyreportedtolocalauthoritiesandjoinedtherescueforce.DozensofofficersandvehiclesfromtheLam??ngEconomic-DefenceCorps(underMilitaryRegion7),whicharestationednearby,alsoarrivedatthescene.Asof9amthesameday,rescueeffortsandsiteclearancewerestillongoing.Accordingto?amR?ngDistrictPeoplesCommitteechairmanTr??ngH?u??ng,thefamilyspropertieshavebeenmovedtosafety.LocalauthoritieswillprovidethevictimsfamilywithVN?20million(US$790)assupportwhilealsoofferingassistanceforfuneralarrangements.Lam??nghasbeenwitnessingprolongedrainsduetoarecenttropicaldepression.Forecastssaytheprovinceisamongthe12localitiesatriskofflashfloodsandlandslidesinthenextsixhours.—VNS