Children’s Village Film Screens at JACCC Jan. 7
FarmersworkatCu?iQuyHigh-TechOrganicVegetableCooperativein?anPh??ngCommune,?anPh??ngDistrict.—PhotocourtesyofHàN?iDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentHàN?I—High-techagricultureisdeliveringsignificantsuccessforHàN?i,enhancingthevalueofproductionandmovingthecitytowardsamodernagriculturalsector.DatafromthecitysAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentDepartmenthasrevealedthatthecapitalcurrentlyhas406high-techagriculturalproductionmodels.Theseconsistof262modelsincropcultivation,119livestockenterprisesand25aquacultureprojects,mainlylocatedinthedistrictsofHoài??c,MêLinh,GiaLam,Th??ngTín,??ngAnhandThanhOai.Notably,thevalueofproductsfromthe406modelsaccountsfor40percentofthecitystotalagriculturalproductionvalue.??ngTh?Cu?i,DirectoroftheCu?iQuyHigh-TechOrganicVegetableCooperativein?anPh??ngCommune,?anPh??ngDistrict,saidthatthecooperativeusedonlyorganicfertilisersandmicrobialagents,whileplantdiseasesweremanagedthroughagas-poweredburningmachine.Seedsaresownusingmachinesthatmovefromtheinsideout.Onceplantingiscomplete,thedoorsaresealed,withmistingsystemsmaintaininghumidityuntilharvest.Thecooperativehasmadethemostofsocialmediaplatformstomarketandpromoteitsproducts.Thankstotheproactiveadoptionofdigitaltechnology,ithasadvertiseditsproductsthroughsocialplatformssuchasFacebookandZalo.Asaresult,thecooperativesorganicvegetablebrandhasgainedsignificantrecognitionbothdomesticallyandinternationally,shesaid.Eachvegetablepackageincludesabarcodethatconsumerscanscanwiththeirsmartphonestoaccessinformationontheproductionprocess,includingthefarmslocation.Thecooperativesentirefivehectaresoforganicvegetables,including17differentvegetablevarieties,havebeencertifiedasOCOP(OneCommune-OneProduct)andaretraceablefromfarmtotable,sheadded.??V?nKiên,DirectoroftheTamH?ngAgriculturalCooperativeinTamH?ngCommune,ThanhOaiDistrict,saidthecooperativehadapplieddigitaltechnologytomanageandmonitorits20hariceproductionarea.Surveillancecamerasareinstalledinthefields,andallactivitiessuchasplanting,fertilisationandmaintenanceareloggedelectronicallythroughtheEgapdigitaldiary.Theproductionprocessisfullydocumented,withfootageavailableforconsumerstoverifyviaimageextraction.Currently,thecooperativesriceproductsfeaturetraceableoriginlabelsandareavailableforpurchaseone-commerceplatforms.V?Th?H??ng,directorofthedepartmentsAgriculturalExtensionCentre,saidthathigh-techagriculturewasoneofthekeyareasthatthecentrehadbeenworkingoninpartnershipwithlocalauthoritiestosupportfarmers.Throughtrainingsessions,cooperativesandfarmersaretaughthowtoincorporatehigh-techmethodsintoagriculturalproduction,setupsmartsurveillancesystemsandpromoteproductsviadigitalplatforms.Asaresult,anincreasingnumberofmodelsareintegratingadvancedtechnologyintotheirproductionmethods,changingtraditionalfarmingpracticesinandaroundHàN?i.Theapplicationofhigh-techsolutionshasnotonlyhelpedfarmersincreasetheirincomes,reducecostsandimproveproductquality,buthasalsoenabledthemtoaccessmodernproductiontechniques,pavingthewayforsustainabledevelopmentofthecitysagriculturalsector.AnagriculturalrevolutionWorkersarepackingvegetablesatCu?iQuyHigh-TechOrganicVegetableCooperativein?anPh??ngCommune,?anPh??ngDistrict.Nguy?nXuan??i,directorofHàN?isDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidthatthecityisundergoingarevolutioninagriculture,wherehigh-techsolutionsanddigitaltransformationhavebecomemorethanjusttrends.Theyarenowareality,deliveringoutstandingeconomicbenefitsandimprovingproductquality,hesaid.Manyenterprises,cooperativesandfarmershaveappliedautomaticirrigation,dripirrigationandclimatecontrolingreenhouses.Thetechnologiescontributetosavingsinlabourandwater,whileboostingcropyields.Thesuccessstoriesemergingfromhigh-techagriculturemodelsinthecityprovideclearevidenceoftheeffectivenessofdigitaltransformation,hesaid.DatafromtheagriculturaldepartmentalsoshowsthatHàN?icurrentlyhas68high-techagriculturalcooperativesthatareintegratedintoproductionandproductdistributionnetworks,withastrongfocusonqualitystandards.Approximately20businesseshavealsobeguninvestinginhigh-techagriculture.Thedepartmentsaidthatdevelopingahigh-techagriculturalsectorisapressingneedthatrequirescollaborationandsupportfromrelevantdepartmentstoensurethecitysagriculturalsectordevelopsinamodern,sustainableway,inlinewithglobaltrends.HàN?iaimsforover70percentofthecitysagriculturalproductstobeproducedusinghigh-techmethodsby2030.Thecityplanstocontinuepromotingresearch,technologytransferandtheapplicationofscientificadvancementsinagriculture,foodprocessingandbusinessoperationsinthenextfewyears.Trainingprogrammeswillfocusonimprovingthequalityoftheworkforceinvolvedinhigh-techagriculture.Ahigh-techagriculturecentrewillalsobedevelopedtoapplycutting-edgetechniquesandnewtechnologies.Tosupporttheseefforts,HàN?ihasallocatedoverVN?10billion(nearlyUS$393,000)for2024-2025toimplementapolicythatsupportsthepurchaseofmachineryandequipmentforadigitaltransformationinagriculture,inlinewithResolutionNo08/2023/NQ-H?NDissuedonJuly4,2023.Thefundingprovidesanexcellentopportunityforlocalfarmers,cooperativesandenterprisestoincorporatedigitaltechnologyintotheirproductionprocesses.Furthermore,thecitysagriculturalsectorwillcontinueworkingwithlocalitiestodeveloppilotprogrammes,projectsandmodelsforhigh-techagriculture.Thesewillbescaledup,withpromotionsforproductsandproductionmethodsgraduallytransformedtobecomesmarterandmoremodern.—VNS
HCMCitysfirstmetroline,stretching19.7kmfromB?nThànhMarkettoSu?iTiênThemePark,willbeginoperationslaterthisyear.Thecityplanstousesurplusbudgetrevenuetofinanceurbanrailwayprojects.—PhotocourtesyoftheHCMCityManagementAuthorityforUrbanRailwaysHCMCITY—HCMCityhasproposedtoretainallsurplusbudgetrevenuefrom2026to2030tofundurbanrailwayprojects.Theplan,submittedtotheFinanceMinistry,aimstomobilisecapitalforconstructing183kmofmetrolinesby2035,asoutlinedbythePolitburo.Thetotalfundingneededfortheurbanrailwayinitiativeby2035isestimatedatUS$37.45billion,withover$22.3billionrequiredfrom2026to2030.Thecityspublicinvestmentcapitalforthisperiodisprojectedatover$62.59billion,makingtherailwayprojectaccountforabout35percentofthattotal.Giventhesignificantfundingrequirementsandinsufficientlocalbudgetresources,thecityisexploringvariousfundingmechanisms,includingretainingallsurplusrevenuewhilestillcontributing79percenttothecentralbudget.Currently,localrevenueisclassifiedintothreecategories:fullyremittedtothecentralgovernment,partiallyretained,andfullyretained.Thecityseekstoregulatethesecondcategory,whereitoftenexceedsrevenueestimatessetbythecentralgovernment.Forexample,forcorporateincometax,thecitywillremit79percenttothecentralgovernmentandwillretain21percent.Overtheyears,thenationslargestcityhasconsistentlysurpasseditsrevenuetargets,collectingoverVN?381.53trillionin2021andoverVN?471.56trillionin2022.TheprojectedbudgetrevenueisoverVN?482.85trillionthisyear,withVN?371.3trillioncollectedinthefirstninemonths.Previouslythecityannouncedplanstoissuebondsfrom2025to2035tofinancemetroprojectsandreducedependenceonOfficialDevelopmentAssistance(ODA).PhanV?nM?i,chairmanofthemunicipalPeoplesCommittee,urgedcitizenstoinvestinmetrobondstosupportinfrastructure,despitelowerbankinterestrates.AnnualbondissuanceswillrangefromVN?10trilliontoVN?30trillion,adheringtoa120percentdebt-to-budgetrevenuelimit,accordingtoM?i.Thecityhaslatelyrequested14capitalmechanismsfromthecentralgovernmenttofund200kmofmetrolines,withonlytwoofeightlinesandthreemonorailscurrentlyunderconstruction.Thefirstmetroline,a19.7kmroutefromB?nThànhMarketinDistrict1toSu?iTiênThemeParkinTh???cCity,isexpectedtobeginoperationslaterthisyear.Theoverallmetroplantargetsover350kmby2045and510kmby2060,requiringanestimated$66.8billion.Expertshavestressedtheimportanceofassessingpublicdebtriskswhenissuingbonds,asmetrorevenuewillrelyheavilyonticketsales.Formanyyears,HCMCityhasalwaysbeentheleadinglocalityintermsofrevenueandcontributiontotheStatebudgetandhasexceededrevenueformanyyears.Forexample,in2021,HCMCitywasassignedtocollectnearlyVN?364.9trillion($14.6billion)buttherevenuereachedmorethanVN?381.5trillion($15.3billion),anexcessofnearlyVN?17trillion($683.7million).In2022,thecitycollectedmorethanVN?471.5trillion($19billion),reaching121.99percentoftheestimate.Thisyear,thecitysestimatedbudgetrevenueismorethanVN?482.8trillion($19.4billion).Inthefirstninemonthsofthisyear,thecitycollectedVN?371.3trillion($14.9billion).—VNSHCMCityauthoritiesmonitorfoodsafetyatBình?i?nwholesalemarket.–VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY–EnsuringsafetyoffoodssoldbystreetvendorsinHCMCityischallengingduetotheirmobility,lackoflicencesandfoodsafetycertificates,whichposeshealththreatsandcomplicatesfoodpoisoninginvestigations,themunicipalFoodSafetyDepartmenthasadmitted.SpeakingatameetingheldbythecityPeoplesCouncilsCultureandSocietyCommitteeonfoodsafetymanagementonOctober14,departmentdeputydirectorLêMinhH?isaidhisagencyisresponsibleforensuringfoodsafetyatthreewholesalemarketsthatsupplynearly80percentofthecitysfood.Italsoworkswithdistrictstoinspectfoodproductionanddistributionbusinesses,hesaid.Ithastoensuretraceabilityofporkandpoultryeggsandcollaboratewithprovincesandtheministryofagriculturetoensureasafefoodsupplychainforthecitysconsumers.AnofficialfromthecityDepartmentofEducationandTrainingsaidstreetvendorsremainubiquitousaroundschools,posingfoodsafetyrisks.H?ipointedoutthatstreetvendorsaretheresponsibilityofthecitysdistrictsandnothisdepartment.Nguy?nHoàiNam,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofHealth,saidtherehavebeenbotulismcasesthisyearlinkedtofoodboughtfromstreetvendorsandsmalloutlets,complicatingtraceabilityforinvestigators.–VNS
ManypeoplevisittheViê?tNam-ChinaEducationConference2024topushstudyingopportunitiesinbothcountriesinHa?N??i.PhotosoforganisersHA?N??I—VietnamesestudentswillhaveopportunitiestoenjoyscholarshipsandacademicstudiesinChinafollowingarecentconferenceconnectingeducatorsofbothcountriesinHa?N??i.TheevententitledViê?tNam-ChinaEducationConference2024wasjointlyorganisedbyPhenikaaUniversity,ChineseTestingInternationalCompany(CTI)andCTIVietnamInternationalEducationCompany.About500delegatesincludingrepresentativesofViê?tNamsMinistryofEducationandTraining,Ha?N??isDepartmentofEducationandTraining,ChineseEmbassyinViê?tNam,universitiesandViê?tNam-Chinaeducationalorganisationsandalargenumberoflecturersandstudents.Itwasconsideredaforumtoconnecteducationalmanagers,officials,lecturersandstudentsbetweentwocountries;exchangecurrenttrainingtrends;andpromoteeducationalexchanges.Atthesametime,theeventalsocreatedopportunitiesforlearnerstoaccessofficialinformationabouttrainingprogrammes,admissionandstudyconditions,scholarshipopportunities,andpost-graduationemploymentinViê?tNamandChina.Prof.Dr.Ph?mThànhHuy,PhenikaaUniversityprincipal,mentionedmanyimportantaspectsoftheeducationalcooperationrelationshipbetweenVi?tNamandChinainhisViê?tNam-Chinaeducationalcooperationspeech.Huyemphasisedthatthefriendshipandcooperationbetweenthetwocountrieswasincreasinglydevelopingwellinallfields,includingeducation.Activitiessuchasseminars,talksandeducationalexhibitionswereheldregularlywiththeparticipationofmanyagenciesfrombothcountries,demonstratingtheinterestoftheleadersandpeopleofthetwocountriesinthisfield.Speakersandexpertsprovideusefulpresentations,discussionandinformationforacomprehensiveviewofmoderneducationtrendsattheconference.Healsoaffirmedtheimportanceoftheconferenceincreatinganetworkbetweeneducationalinstitutions,managersandlearnersfrombothcountries.ThiseventnotonlycontributedtopromotingeducationalcooperationbutalsobroughtvaluableinformationtoVietnamesestudentswhowishedtostudyinChina.Inaddition,theconferencealsofeaturedin-depthpresentationsoncultural,linguisticandeducationalexchangesbetweenChinaandothercountries;informationabouttheChineseProficiencyTest(HSK)examsandtheprospectsandchallengesofChineseeducation,bringingalotofusefulinformationtoattendees.Withintheconferencesframework,delegatesandguestsvisitedtheVietnameseandChineseuniversitiesandeducationalorganisationsbooths.Meanwhile,studentsreceivedinformationandadvicesaboutstudyingprogrammesinChinaandenjoyed3,000freeslotstoparticipateintheHSKsimulationexam.VNSPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhspeaksattheevent.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?NTH?—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhchairedaconferenceintheMekongDeltacityofC?nTh?onOctober15todiscusssolutionstoaprojectonsustainabledevelopmentofonemillionhectaresofhigh-quality,low-emissionricecultivationassociatedwithgreengrowthintheMekongDeltaby2030,whichwaslaunchedinNovember2023.Inhisspeech,thePMdescribedriceasakeystrategiccommodityofVi?tNam.Riceproduction,hestressed,isnotjustaboutensuringnationalfoodsecurityandsocialstability;itisalifelineformillionsoffarminghouseholdsandamajordriverofexports.Moreover,itplaysacriticalroleinglobalfoodsecurityandenhancesVi?tNamsinternationalreputation.Theprojectisofparamountsignificanceforregionalfarmers,riceindustry,andVi?tNamsbroadereffortstocombatclimatechange,aimingfornet-zeroemissionsinlinewithcommitmentsmadeatthe26thUnitedNationsClimateChangeConferenceoftheParties(COP26),hesaid.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD),incollaborationwith12regionalprovinces,hascarriedoutthisproject,alreadyachievingnotableinitialresults.Chínhcalledonrelevantministries,particularlytheMARDandlocalauthorities,tosubmitdetailedreportsontheprojectsimplementation,highlightinganyobstaclesfacedandproposingsolutionstoovercomethem.Afternearlyayearofconcertedefforts,ministries,agenciesandlocalauthoritieshaveissuedlegaldocumentstosupporttheproject,selectedandestablishedareasforinvolvement,andappliedtechnicalpackagesthatmeetsustainabilitycriteria.Trainingcourseshavebeenofferedtoreorganiseproductionandstrengthenvaluechainconnectivity,amongothers.—VNSPerspectiveofC?nTh?Bridge2combiningroadandrail.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–TheM?Thu?nProjectManagementBoardhasproposedtwooptionsforconstructingtheC?nTh?2Bridge,thatisexpectedtostartbeingbuiltin2026andcompletedin2029.ThisprojectiscrucialforcompletingtheNorth-SouthexpresswayrouteintheeasternregionoftheMekongDelta,connectingtheM?Thu?n-C?nTh?expresswaywiththeC?nTh?-CàMauexpressway.ThetwoconstructionoptionsforC?nTh?2BridgehaveestimatedinvestmentcostsofapproximatelyVN?9.8trillion(US$815million)andVN?27.5trillion($1.13billion),respectively.ThefirstoptionproposestheconstructionofC?nTh?2Bridgewithseparatelanesforroadandrail.Thebridgewillhaveamainspanlengthof550m,usingacompositesteelgirderstructurewithareinforcedconcretedeck.Themainbridgeis1,090mlong.Thisoptionhastheadvantageofseparatingroadandrailtraffic,enhancingsafetyandoperationalefficiencyforbothmodes.However,itsdrawbackisthehigherinvestmentcostduetotheneedtoconstructtwoseparatebridges.Thesecondoptionallowsrailtraffictosharelaneswithroadtraffic.Thebridgewillalsohaveamainspanlengthof550mbutisexpectedtouseasteeltrussgirderstructure.Thetotallengthofthemainbridgeis1,110m.Theadvantageofthisoptionislowerconstructioncostsandasmallerlandfootprint,asitrequiresonlyonebridge.However,thedrawbackisthatcombiningbothtypesoftrafficonasinglebridgemaypresentchallengesinmanagement,operationandmaintenance.Regardingtotalinvestment,optionone(separateroadandraillanes)isestimatedatVN?19,782billion($814.6million)withconstructionandequipmentcostsaccountingforVN?12,874billion($530million),projectmanagement,consultingandothercostsatVN?1,287billion($53million),acontingencyofVN?2,968billion($122.4million)andcompensation,supportandresettlementcostsofVN?2,653billion($109.2million).Optiontwo(sharedroadandraillanes)hasahighertotalinvestment,estimatedatVN?27,494billion($1.13billion)includingconstructionandequipmentcostsofVN?18,544billion($764million),projectmanagement,consulting,andothercostsatVN?1,853billion($76.4million),acontingencyofVN?4,276billion($176million)andcompensation,supportandresettlementcostsofVN?2,821billion($116million).TheC?nTh?2Bridgeprojecthasatotallengthofabout14.65kmandislocatedapproximately4.5kmdownstreamfromtheexistingC?nTh?Bridge.TheapproachroadontheV?nhLongProvincessideis8.38kmlong,withthemainbridgeandleadingspansstretching2.75kmandtheapproachroadandbridgeontheC?nTh?Cityssideextending3.52km.ThestartingpointoftheprojectconnectswiththeChàVàintersection(endoftheM?Thu?n-C?nTh?Expresswayproject,locatedinM?HòaCommune,BìnhMinhTown,V?nhLongProvince),andtheendpointconnectswiththeIC2intersection,whichintersectswithNationalRouteNamS?ngH?uinPhúTh?Ward,CáiR?ngDistrict(startingpointoftheC?nTh?-CàMauExpressway).Thebridgewillbedesignedwithanavigationalclearancewidthof300m,withamainchannelwidthof160mandaheightof39mandsidechannelswithaheightof30m.Thebridgedeckwidthwillbe24.75m,meetingthestandardscaleforafour-lanecarriagewayinlinewithTCVN5729:2012standards.Theapproachroadwillalsohaveafour-laneconfiguration,withawidthof24.75m,followingexpresswaystandards.Theprojectisexpectedtorequirealandclearanceareaofapproximately519.64ha.AccordingtotheM?Thu?nProjectManagementBoard,theinvestmentprojectfortheconstructionofC?nTh?2BridgeisthefinalsegmentintheNorth-SouthexpresswayrouteintheeasternregionoftheMekongDelta(connectingtheM?Thu?n-C?nTh?withtheC?nTh?-CàMau).Thisisakeynationalexpresswaysystem,ensuringthecontinuousandhigh-speedtransportationoflargevolumesofgoodsandpassengers.Theprojectaimstocreateseamlessconnectivitywithmajorseaports,keyurbanareas,industrialzones,inlandportsandlogisticshubsintheMekongDeltaregion.TheH?uRiver,about230kmlong,isoneofthetwobranchesoftheMekongRiverasitflowsintoVietnameseterritory,passingthroughtheprovincesofAnGiang,C?nTh?City,??ngTháp,V?nhLong,H?uGiang,TràVinhandSócTr?ng.Currently,therearethreecompletedbridgesonthisriveroftheC?nTh?Bridge,theVàmC?ngBridgeandtheChau??cBridge.VNS
AsectionofMaiS?n-HighwayNo45expressway.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Elevencomponentprojectsofthe2017-20North-Southexpresswaylackplannedreststopsandrefuellingstationsforvehiclesafterbeingopenedtotrafficmorethanayear.Inthenorthernregion,thebiggestconcernisthesectionfromNinhBìnhtoHàT?nhProvince,wherefourcomponentprojectsofMaiS?ntoHighwayNo.45,HighwayNo.45toNghiS?n,NghiS?ntoDi?nChau,andDi?nChautoB?iV?t,coveringmorethan210kmintotal,remainwithoutanyrestfacilities.Immediatelyaftertheseexpresswaysopened,thePrimeMinisterinstructedrelevantagenciestoexpeditetheconstructionofstopsbytheendof2023,aimingtoensuresafetyfordriversandpreventissuessuchasrunningoutoffuel,drivingbeyondlegalhoursorbeingstrandedonsectionswithnoemergencylanes.Yet,asofOctober2024,noreststopshavebeenbuilt.Withoutfuelstationsorlaybys,driverstravellingmorethan200kmstretchfromNinhBìnhtoHàT?nhworryaboutrunningoutoffuelincaseofprolongedtrafficjams.Long-distancedriversarealsoconcernedthat,withoutproperrestbreaks,theymightstruggletomeettheregulationlimitingcontinuousdrivingtofourhours,Nguy?nV?nQuy?n,chairmanoftheVi?tNamAutomobileTransportAssociation,said.Toaddressthis,investorsontheMaiS?n-HighwayNo45andNghiS?n-Di?nChauprojectshavesetuptemporaryreststops,butthesemakeshiftfacilities,coveringonlyaboutone-tenthoftherequiredarea,canaccommodateamaximumof20cars.Moreover,thesestopsconsistofmakeshifttentsindampconditions,withmanyclosingatnight,makingthemineffective.Accordingtotheoriginalplan,tenreststopswithfuelstationswereplannedfortheelevenNorth-SouthExpresswayprojects,whichspanthroughtheprovincesofNinhBình,HàT?nh,KhánhHòa,NinhThu?n,BìnhThu?nand??ngNai.Inresponsetothepersistentdelays,theMinistryofTransportrecentlyinstructedtheVi?tNamExpresswayAdministrationandprojectmanagementboardstoexpeditecontractorselectionandbeginconstruction.Todate,contractorshavebeenselectedforeightofthetenplannedreststops,includingthosealongtheMaiS?n-HighwayNo45,NghiS?n-Di?nChau,Di?nChau-B?iV?t,andCamLam-V?nhH?osections.TheMinistryofTransporthasmandatedthecompletionofessentialfacilitiessuchasparkingareasandrestroomsbyDecember31,2024.LamV?nHoàng,directoroftheVi?tNamExpresswayAdministration,saidthatdelayswereprimarilyduetoalackofinvestorinterestandongoingsiteclearanceissues.Aftersixmonthsofbidding,onlyeightcontractorshadbeenselected.Additionally,localauthoritieshavebeenslowinclearingconstructionsites,furtherdelayingprogress.Despitethedelays,theVi?tNamExpresswayAdministrationreportedthatthreereststopsontheMaiS?n-HighwayNo.45,Di?nChau-B?iV?t,andCamLam-V?nhH?oroutesnowhavebasicsiteclearance,withfinalproceduresunderwaybeforeconstructionbegins.ForotherprojectssuchasNhaTrang-CamLam,NghiS?n-Di?nChau,andPhanThi?t-D?uGiay,siteclearanceisexpectedtobecompletedbyOctober2024.TheVi?tNamExpresswayAdministrationhasinstructedtheprojectmanagementboardsandinvestorstofinishtheeightreststopsbeforetheLunarNewYear.—VNSThuVanHàN?I—WhenthesoldiersofRegiment98,Division316,arrivedatLàngN?VillagebymiddayonSeptember11,theyweremetwithutterdevastation.Theairwasthickwithgrief.Villagersweptandrowsofcoffinslinedthevillagesculturalhouse.Onceapeacefulsettlementnestledinagreenvalley,thevillagehadbeenreducedtoawastelandofshatteredwoodenstakes,bambootrunks,corrugatedironroofs,motorbikes,watercontainersandthecarcassesoflivestock,allemittingafoulstench.Muddytorrentsstillflowedfromthehighlands,carryingdebrisintheirwake.Thescaleofthetragedywasunimaginable–ithadunfoldedinamatterofmoments.Insomeplaces,themudreacheduptothesoldiersknees,thighs,waistsandevendeeper.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Thenightbefore,at11pmonSeptember10,LieutenantColonelNguy?nNg?cBa,CommanderofRegiment98,receivedacall.Ontheotherend,theDivisionCommandersvoiceissuedanurgentdirective:theunitmustimmediatelydeployforsearchandrescueoperationsinLàngN?Village,PhúcKhánhCommune,B?oYênDistrict,LàoCaiProvince.Earlierthatday,adeadlylandslidehadtornthroughthevillage,leavingmanydeadandhomesburied.Theorderwaspassedswiftlythroughtheranks,andthesoldiersworkedtirelesslythroughthenight,gatheringtools,equipmentandessentialsupplies.By5am,withbackpacksontheirshouldersandraincoatswrappedaroundthem,thesoldierswereready–undauntedbytherelentlessrainanddarkskies.Threehundredofficersandsoldiersembarkedonthiscriticalmission,bravingtorrentialrainanddangerous,landslide-pronemountainroads.Whentheyarrived,thescenewasoverwhelming.Themuddyplainswerelitteredwiththeremainsofcollapsedhomesandlivestock,whilevillagerssearchedfranticallyformissinglovedones.Witnessingthedevastation,soldierNguy?n??cQuy?nfromYênBáiwasleftspeechless.Whenwereachedthevillagesculturalhouse,whereeveryonehadgathered,Isawpeoplecrying.Butwhatbrokemyheartevenmorewerethecoffinslinedupinrows.Ifeltfrozen,Quy?ntoldVi?tNamNews.Theirmissionbeganimmediately–searchingforvictimsbeneaththethicklayersofmud.Equippedwithlifejackets,gloves,boots,ropesandsticks,thesoldiersmarcheddeterminedlytowardsthelandslide.Theground,coveredindeepmud,debrisandsharpobjects,didntdeterthemfromtheirsolemnduty.Tr?nMinhTh?o,asoldierofRegiment98,said:Thelocalswerethere,weepingandpleadingforhelp.Theyhadlosteverything.Theironlyhopewasthatwecouldrecoverthebodiesoftheirlovedonesforproperfunerals.Theirwordsgaveusthestrengthtocarryon.AmissionlikenootherItwasadauntingtasktofindthebodiesofvictims.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Fortheyoungsoldiers,themissionfeltoverwhelming.Manyhadneverexperiencedsuchadisaster.Duringthesearchformissingvictims,theyusedsmallbamboopolestoprobethemud,carefullyfeelingforanysignofabody.Whenevertheysuspectedsomeonemightbeburiedbeneaththethicklayersofearth,theygentlyusedrakes,hoesandshovelstoremovethemud,onedelicatelayeratatime.Somovedbytheirexperiences,someofthesoldiersputtheirthoughtsonpaper,creatingajournalofthetimespentinthevillage,sofuturesoldierscanrememberthetoughtimestheyfaced,andalsotoallowthosewhoexperiencedtherescue,timetoreflect.Wewerealwaysafraidofaccidentallydisturbingthevictims–theyhadalreadyenduredsomuch,andwedidntwanttoaddtotheirsuffering.Thatswhy,wheneverwefoundavictim,wewouldquietlyremindeachother,Begentle,Tri?uLaCáoofRegiment98wrote.Tr?nV?nThu?n,toldVi?tNamNews:MyfellowsoldiersandIhadneverbeenonsuchamission,andthesearchwasincrediblydifficult.Ipersonallycarriedthebodyofasmallchildoutofthemud.Itwasanintenselyemotionalmomentforme.Thehardestpartwaswhenitrainedandthesoldiersdidnthaveenoughdryclothestowear.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Onthefirstdayofthemission,Tr?nMinhTh?odiscoveredthebodyofanelderlywoman,wrappedinablanketandcaughtinthebranchesofatree.Hesaid:Iknewshewaselderlybecauseherhairwasgrey.Iassumedherhousehadbeenstruckbythelandslidewhileshewasstillasleep.LieutenantColonelL??ngV?nhPhúc,DeputyPoliticalCommissarofRegiment98,hasbeenservingformorethan20years,butinallthattime,nothingcomesclosetothismission.Ihaveparticipatedinmanysearchandrescueoperations,butthetragedyatLàngN?VillagewasthemostdevastatingIhaveeverwitnessed,hesaid.Theground,coveredindeepmud,debrisandsharpobjects,didntdeterthesoldiersfromtheirduties.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Beyondtheemotionaltoll,theharshweathermadethemissionevenmoregrueling.Whenitrained,itpouredrelentlessly,andwhenthesuncameout,itwasscorching.Alsowritinginthememoir,Nguy?nMinh??c,remembered:Insomeplaces,themudreacheduptoourknees,thighs,waists,andevendeeper.Theairwasheavilypolluted.Afterworkinginthemorningsandevenings,wehadtocleanourselvesthoroughly,butcleanwaterwasscarce.Thehardestpartwaswhenitrained,andwedidnthaveenoughdryclothes.Wehadtodrythembythekitchenfireorborrowfromeachother.Eachdaybroughtnewchallenges.Nguy?n??cQuy?n,fromYênBái,facedhisownpersonalhardshipduringthemission.OnhiswaytoLàngN?,helearnedthathisownhomesubmergedinfloodwaters.Afterfourlongdays,hefinallymanagedtocontacthismotherbyphoneandlearnedthatshewassafe,thoughtheirfamilyschickenfarmhadbeendestroyed.SourcesofstrengthAmidthegriefandhardship,thesoldiersdrewstrengthfromtheunwaveringsupportoftheirleadersandthelocalcommunity,neverfalteringintheirdetermination.ViV?nD??ngreflectedonthedeepbondthatformed.Whatmovedmethemostwashowthelocalsstoodbyusthroughoutthemission.Theyconstantlyencouragedusaswesearchedforthemissing,hesaid.Onscorchinghotdays,theybroughtusbottlesofwatertokeepusgoing.Thosemomentsareetchedinmymemory,andIwillneverforgetthem.DeputyPoliticalCommissarofRegiment98,L??ngV?nhPhúc,addedthatsomefamilieswereevenwillingtomovetheirentirehouseholdtomakespaceforthesoldierswhentheyhadnoplacetostay.Inareaswherewaterpipelineswerethemainsourceofwater,whenthepipesbroke,andthevillagersnoticedthatthesoldiershadnowatertobathe,theydidnthesitatetorepairthem.Theyalwaysshowedussuchwarmandcaringsupport.AresidentofLàngN?Villagebidsfarewelltothesoldiers.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Itwasntjustthevillagerswhokeptthesoldiersgoing.Eveninthemostdifficultconditions,thesupportfromcommandersandsmallactsofkindnesswithintheunitprovidedmuch-neededcomfort.BànV?nL?oftheRegimentrecalledalate-nightencounterwithhiscompanycommanderinthememoir.Hewrote:Itwasaround11pm,Iwascrouchedover,tryingtogetthefiregoingwhenIsuddenlylookedupandwasstartled.Ihadntevennoticedmycompanycommanderstandingnexttome.Iquicklyexplained,‘Sir,bothofmysetsofunderclothesarewet,soImdryingthemouttoweartobed.Ithoughthemightscoldme,butinstead,heturnedonhisflashlight,openedhisbackpack,pulledoutapairofmilitaryshorts,andhandedthemtome.‘Puttheseonandgetsomerest.Youllneedyourstrengthfortomorrow,hesaid.N?ngV?nHoàngalsosharedthattheencouragementfromhiscommanderskepthimgrounded.Aftermorethanaweekofsearchingforthemissingvictims,ourbodieswerebeginningtofeeltheexhaustion.Thereweremomentswhenwefeltlikegivingup,butourcommandersateverylevelcontinuedtomotivate,carefor,andsupportus.Afterdinner,theywouldcheckonus,andofferwordsofencouragement.Thankstotheirconcern,ourfatigueandhardshipsseemedtofadeaway,andwefoundthestrengthtokeepgoing,tosearchformorevictims,andcompleteourmissionasquicklyaspossible.Unitedbyloss,sustainedbytrustAfter14daysofrelentlesssearching,itwastimeforthesoldierstobidfarewelltoLàngN?Villageandreturntotheirunit.Thevillagers,whohadwitnessedthesoldiersdedicationandsacrifices,linedtheroadtoseethemoff.Themenshookhandswiththesoldiers,whilethewomenandmothersembracedthem,tearsstreamingdowntheirfaces.Thevillagerspresentedthesoldierswithbánhch?ng,riceballsandbottlesofwater.TheSecretaryoftheB?oYênDistrictPartyCommitteehandedthemanationalflagbearingtheinscriptionLàNGN?10-24/9/2024.Astheyreceivedtheflag,tearswelledupinthesoldierseyes.LieutenantColonelL??ngV?nhPhúcsaidtheyweredeeplymoved.ThisflagsymbolisednotonlytherecognitionfromthelocalPartyCommittee,authorities,andthepeopleofPhúcKhánhCommuneandLàngN?Village,butalsothetrusttheyplacedintheofficersandsoldiersofRegiment98andDivision316.Ifeltthatthisgestureconveyedboththeirgratitudeandconfidenceinus.Inturn,webecameapillarofsupportforthepeopleofLàngN?,andforthenationasawhole,duringthemostchallenginganddifficulttimes.Beforedeparting,thesoldiersstoodinsolemnformation,bowingtheirheadsandraisingtheirhandsinafinalmilitarysalutetothevictimsstilllyingbeneaththemud.—PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Despitetheirefforts,themissionremainedunfinishedintheheartsofthesoldiers.Ifeeldeeplysadandtroubledbecausewehaventfoundalltheremainsofthevillagerslovedones.Therearefathersstillsearchingfortheirchildren,andchildrenstillsearchingfortheirmothers.Itsheart-wrenching,trulyheartbreaking,saidTr?nMinhTh?o.Beforetheirdeparture,thesoldiersformedasolemnlinebeforethevastexpanseofmud.Theybowedtheirheadsandraisedtheirhandsinamilitarysalute–agestureofsilentapologytothevictimsstilllyingbeneath.ReflectingontheirtimeinLàngN?,thesoldiersheldfirmtotheguidingprinciplethathadseenthemthrough:Wealwaysremindourselvesofonecorebelief:thePeoplesArmycomesfromthepeopleandservesthepeople.Throughoutthemission,officersandsoldierstreatedthevillagersasiftheywerefamily,fullyawareoftheimmenselosstheywerefacing,saidDeputyPoliticalCommissarL??ngV?nhPhúc.Astheydepartedfromthedevastatedvillage,itwasntjustamissiontheywereleavingbehind,butareminderofthestrengththatcomesfromunity,compassionandtrustbetweenthearmyandthepeopletheyserve.—VNS
Arenderingoftheproposed48kmrailwaylinelinkingHCMCitytotheunder-constructionLongThànhairportinneighbouring??ngNaiProvince.—PhotocourtesyoftheMinistryofTransportHCMCity—A48kmrailwaylinelinkingHCMCitytotheunder-constructionLongThànhairportinneighbouring??ngNaiProvincewillbebuiltbetween2026and2029,costingVN?84.7trillion(US$3.42billion).TheproposedTh?Thiêm–LongThànhlinewillinclude41.8kmofthemainroute(11.7kminHCMCityand30.8kmin??ngNai)and4.4kmfordepotaccess.TheMinistryofTransportisseekingfeedbackontheprojectsroute,landuse,andstationconnectivityfromlocalauthorities,includingHCMCity,??ngNaiProvince,andministries.Themetrosystemwillhaveamaximumspeedof110km/honthemainrouteand80km/hintunnels.Undertheministrysproposal,thelinewillstartatTh?ThiêmStationinTh???cCity,crossthe??ngNaiRiver,andtransitionundergroundinLongThànhDistrict.Ultimately,therailwaywillconnectwiththeNorth-Southhigh-speedrailwayandfacilitateaccesstoLongThànhInternationalAirport,whichiscurrentlyunderconstruction.Theprojectwillencompassbothelevatedandundergroundsections,featuringfourundergroundstationslocatednearLongThànhAirport,alongwithtwodepots—onecovering21.4hainLongThànhformaintenanceandanotherspanning1.2hainTh???cforminorrepairs.Between2035and2045,thelineisprojectedtoutiliseninefour-cartrains,increasingto28trainsbetween2045and2055,andultimatelyemploying31six-cartrainsby2055.Thetrainswillincorporatedistributedpowertechnology,similartothatutilisedintheproposedNorth-Southhigh-speedrailway.Accordingtotheproposal,Statefundsandbondswillbeutilisedforlandclearanceandconstruction,whileofficialdevelopmentassistance(ODA)loanswillbeallocatedfortheprocurementoftrainsandticketingsystems.Ifapproved,constructionisexpectedtocommencebylate2026,withcommercialoperationsprojectedtobeginin2030.Currently,theLongThanh–D?uGiayexpresswayistheonlyrouteconnectingtheairporttocentralHCMCity,whichiscongested.Theprojectalignswithglobaltrendsofconnectingmajorairportstocitycentresviahigh-capacityrail.HCMCitysmetrodevelopmentplanincludeseightmetrolinesandthreemonoraillines,totalingabout220km,withtwolinesunderconstruction.Thefirstmetrolineisexpectedtobeoperationallaterthisyear,whilethreeadditionalrailwaylinesareprojectedforthesouthernregionby2030.—VNS
PassengersdisembarkfromaBambooAirwaysflightatTanS?nNh?tAirportinHCMCity.TheairlinewillrestartflightstoBangkoknextmonthafterayear-longsuspension.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—BambooAirwayshasannouncedtheresumptionofitsflightsbetweenH?ChíMinhCityandBangkok,Thailand,nextmonth,markingitsfirstinternationalflightafteraone-yearhiatusduetofinancialchallenges.Thecarrierwilloperateonedailyround-tripflightbetweenthetwocitiesstartingonNovember26.TheflightwilldepartfromHCMCitysTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportat11:15amandarriveatBangkoksDonMueangInternationalAirportat2pm.Ticketsarecurrentlyavailableforpurchase,withround-tripfaresstartingatVN?3.56million(US$143),asannouncedontheairlinesFacebookpage.BambooAirwaysinitiallylaunchedtheHCMCitytoBangkokrouteinApril2022andtheHàN?itoBangkokrouteinMarch2023.Atthattime,flightswereroutedtoBangkokslargerSuvarnabhumiInternationalAirport.BambooAirwayspreviouslyhadabroadflightnetworkacrossSoutheastAsia,NortheastAsia,Europe,andAustralia.However,inOctoberlastyear,itsuspendedinternationalflightsduetorisingdebt,lossesfromrapidexpansion,theimpactofCOVID-19,andincreasingfuelprices.ThailandwelcomedoveronemillionVietnamesetravelersin2023,whileVi?tNamremainsapopulardestinationforThaitourists.—VNSPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhspeaksattheevent.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?NTH?—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhchairedaconferenceintheMekongDeltacityofC?nTh?onOctober15todiscusssolutionstoaprojectonsustainabledevelopmentofonemillionhectaresofhigh-quality,low-emissionricecultivationassociatedwithgreengrowthintheMekongDeltaby2030,whichwaslaunchedinNovember2023.Inhisspeech,thePMdescribedriceasakeystrategiccommodityofVi?tNam.Riceproduction,hestressed,isnotjustaboutensuringnationalfoodsecurityandsocialstability;itisalifelineformillionsoffarminghouseholdsandamajordriverofexports.Moreover,itplaysacriticalroleinglobalfoodsecurityandenhancesVi?tNamsinternationalreputation.Theprojectisofparamountsignificanceforregionalfarmers,riceindustry,andVi?tNamsbroadereffortstocombatclimatechange,aimingfornet-zeroemissionsinlinewithcommitmentsmadeatthe26thUnitedNationsClimateChangeConferenceoftheParties(COP26),hesaid.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD),incollaborationwith12regionalprovinces,hascarriedoutthisproject,alreadyachievingnotableinitialresults.Chínhcalledonrelevantministries,particularlytheMARDandlocalauthorities,tosubmitdetailedreportsontheprojectsimplementation,highlightinganyobstaclesfacedandproposingsolutionstoovercomethem.Afternearlyayearofconcertedefforts,ministries,agenciesandlocalauthoritieshaveissuedlegaldocumentstosupporttheproject,selectedandestablishedareasforinvolvement,andappliedtechnicalpackagesthatmeetsustainabilitycriteria.Trainingcourseshavebeenofferedtoreorganiseproductionandstrengthenvaluechainconnectivity,amongothers.—VNS
PerspectiveofC?nTh?Bridge2combiningroadandrail.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–TheM?Thu?nProjectManagementBoardhasproposedtwooptionsforconstructingtheC?nTh?2Bridge,thatisexpectedtostartbeingbuiltin2026andcompletedin2029.ThisprojectiscrucialforcompletingtheNorth-SouthexpresswayrouteintheeasternregionoftheMekongDelta,connectingtheM?Thu?n-C?nTh?expresswaywiththeC?nTh?-CàMauexpressway.ThetwoconstructionoptionsforC?nTh?2BridgehaveestimatedinvestmentcostsofapproximatelyVN?9.8trillion(US$815million)andVN?27.5trillion($1.13billion),respectively.ThefirstoptionproposestheconstructionofC?nTh?2Bridgewithseparatelanesforroadandrail.Thebridgewillhaveamainspanlengthof550m,usingacompositesteelgirderstructurewithareinforcedconcretedeck.Themainbridgeis1,090mlong.Thisoptionhastheadvantageofseparatingroadandrailtraffic,enhancingsafetyandoperationalefficiencyforbothmodes.However,itsdrawbackisthehigherinvestmentcostduetotheneedtoconstructtwoseparatebridges.Thesecondoptionallowsrailtraffictosharelaneswithroadtraffic.Thebridgewillalsohaveamainspanlengthof550mbutisexpectedtouseasteeltrussgirderstructure.Thetotallengthofthemainbridgeis1,110m.Theadvantageofthisoptionislowerconstructioncostsandasmallerlandfootprint,asitrequiresonlyonebridge.However,thedrawbackisthatcombiningbothtypesoftrafficonasinglebridgemaypresentchallengesinmanagement,operationandmaintenance.Regardingtotalinvestment,optionone(separateroadandraillanes)isestimatedatVN?19,782billion($814.6million)withconstructionandequipmentcostsaccountingforVN?12,874billion($530million),projectmanagement,consultingandothercostsatVN?1,287billion($53million),acontingencyofVN?2,968billion($122.4million)andcompensation,supportandresettlementcostsofVN?2,653billion($109.2million).Optiontwo(sharedroadandraillanes)hasahighertotalinvestment,estimatedatVN?27,494billion($1.13billion)includingconstructionandequipmentcostsofVN?18,544billion($764million),projectmanagement,consulting,andothercostsatVN?1,853billion($76.4million),acontingencyofVN?4,276billion($176million)andcompensation,supportandresettlementcostsofVN?2,821billion($116million).TheC?nTh?2Bridgeprojecthasatotallengthofabout14.65kmandislocatedapproximately4.5kmdownstreamfromtheexistingC?nTh?Bridge.TheapproachroadontheV?nhLongProvincessideis8.38kmlong,withthemainbridgeandleadingspansstretching2.75kmandtheapproachroadandbridgeontheC?nTh?Cityssideextending3.52km.ThestartingpointoftheprojectconnectswiththeChàVàintersection(endoftheM?Thu?n-C?nTh?Expresswayproject,locatedinM?HòaCommune,BìnhMinhTown,V?nhLongProvince),andtheendpointconnectswiththeIC2intersection,whichintersectswithNationalRouteNamS?ngH?uinPhúTh?Ward,CáiR?ngDistrict(startingpointoftheC?nTh?-CàMauExpressway).Thebridgewillbedesignedwithanavigationalclearancewidthof300m,withamainchannelwidthof160mandaheightof39mandsidechannelswithaheightof30m.Thebridgedeckwidthwillbe24.75m,meetingthestandardscaleforafour-lanecarriagewayinlinewithTCVN5729:2012standards.Theapproachroadwillalsohaveafour-laneconfiguration,withawidthof24.75m,followingexpresswaystandards.Theprojectisexpectedtorequirealandclearanceareaofapproximately519.64ha.AccordingtotheM?Thu?nProjectManagementBoard,theinvestmentprojectfortheconstructionofC?nTh?2BridgeisthefinalsegmentintheNorth-SouthexpresswayrouteintheeasternregionoftheMekongDelta(connectingtheM?Thu?n-C?nTh?withtheC?nTh?-CàMau).Thisisakeynationalexpresswaysystem,ensuringthecontinuousandhigh-speedtransportationoflargevolumesofgoodsandpassengers.Theprojectaimstocreateseamlessconnectivitywithmajorseaports,keyurbanareas,industrialzones,inlandportsandlogisticshubsintheMekongDeltaregion.TheH?uRiver,about230kmlong,isoneofthetwobranchesoftheMekongRiverasitflowsintoVietnameseterritory,passingthroughtheprovincesofAnGiang,C?nTh?City,??ngTháp,V?nhLong,H?uGiang,TràVinhandSócTr?ng.Currently,therearethreecompletedbridgesonthisriveroftheC?nTh?Bridge,theVàmC?ngBridgeandtheChau??cBridge.VNSAsectionofMaiS?n-HighwayNo45expressway.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Elevencomponentprojectsofthe2017-20North-Southexpresswaylackplannedreststopsandrefuellingstationsforvehiclesafterbeingopenedtotrafficmorethanayear.Inthenorthernregion,thebiggestconcernisthesectionfromNinhBìnhtoHàT?nhProvince,wherefourcomponentprojectsofMaiS?ntoHighwayNo.45,HighwayNo.45toNghiS?n,NghiS?ntoDi?nChau,andDi?nChautoB?iV?t,coveringmorethan210kmintotal,remainwithoutanyrestfacilities.Immediatelyaftertheseexpresswaysopened,thePrimeMinisterinstructedrelevantagenciestoexpeditetheconstructionofstopsbytheendof2023,aimingtoensuresafetyfordriversandpreventissuessuchasrunningoutoffuel,drivingbeyondlegalhoursorbeingstrandedonsectionswithnoemergencylanes.Yet,asofOctober2024,noreststopshavebeenbuilt.Withoutfuelstationsorlaybys,driverstravellingmorethan200kmstretchfromNinhBìnhtoHàT?nhworryaboutrunningoutoffuelincaseofprolongedtrafficjams.Long-distancedriversarealsoconcernedthat,withoutproperrestbreaks,theymightstruggletomeettheregulationlimitingcontinuousdrivingtofourhours,Nguy?nV?nQuy?n,chairmanoftheVi?tNamAutomobileTransportAssociation,said.Toaddressthis,investorsontheMaiS?n-HighwayNo45andNghiS?n-Di?nChauprojectshavesetuptemporaryreststops,butthesemakeshiftfacilities,coveringonlyaboutone-tenthoftherequiredarea,canaccommodateamaximumof20cars.Moreover,thesestopsconsistofmakeshifttentsindampconditions,withmanyclosingatnight,makingthemineffective.Accordingtotheoriginalplan,tenreststopswithfuelstationswereplannedfortheelevenNorth-SouthExpresswayprojects,whichspanthroughtheprovincesofNinhBình,HàT?nh,KhánhHòa,NinhThu?n,BìnhThu?nand??ngNai.Inresponsetothepersistentdelays,theMinistryofTransportrecentlyinstructedtheVi?tNamExpresswayAdministrationandprojectmanagementboardstoexpeditecontractorselectionandbeginconstruction.Todate,contractorshavebeenselectedforeightofthetenplannedreststops,includingthosealongtheMaiS?n-HighwayNo45,NghiS?n-Di?nChau,Di?nChau-B?iV?t,andCamLam-V?nhH?osections.TheMinistryofTransporthasmandatedthecompletionofessentialfacilitiessuchasparkingareasandrestroomsbyDecember31,2024.LamV?nHoàng,directoroftheVi?tNamExpresswayAdministration,saidthatdelayswereprimarilyduetoalackofinvestorinterestandongoingsiteclearanceissues.Aftersixmonthsofbidding,onlyeightcontractorshadbeenselected.Additionally,localauthoritieshavebeenslowinclearingconstructionsites,furtherdelayingprogress.Despitethedelays,theVi?tNamExpresswayAdministrationreportedthatthreereststopsontheMaiS?n-HighwayNo.45,Di?nChau-B?iV?t,andCamLam-V?nhH?oroutesnowhavebasicsiteclearance,withfinalproceduresunderwaybeforeconstructionbegins.ForotherprojectssuchasNhaTrang-CamLam,NghiS?n-Di?nChau,andPhanThi?t-D?uGiay,siteclearanceisexpectedtobecompletedbyOctober2024.TheVi?tNamExpresswayAdministrationhasinstructedtheprojectmanagementboardsandinvestorstofinishtheeightreststopsbeforetheLunarNewYear.—VNS
ThuVanHàN?I—WhenthesoldiersofRegiment98,Division316,arrivedatLàngN?VillagebymiddayonSeptember11,theyweremetwithutterdevastation.Theairwasthickwithgrief.Villagersweptandrowsofcoffinslinedthevillagesculturalhouse.Onceapeacefulsettlementnestledinagreenvalley,thevillagehadbeenreducedtoawastelandofshatteredwoodenstakes,bambootrunks,corrugatedironroofs,motorbikes,watercontainersandthecarcassesoflivestock,allemittingafoulstench.Muddytorrentsstillflowedfromthehighlands,carryingdebrisintheirwake.Thescaleofthetragedywasunimaginable–ithadunfoldedinamatterofmoments.Insomeplaces,themudreacheduptothesoldiersknees,thighs,waistsandevendeeper.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Thenightbefore,at11pmonSeptember10,LieutenantColonelNguy?nNg?cBa,CommanderofRegiment98,receivedacall.Ontheotherend,theDivisionCommandersvoiceissuedanurgentdirective:theunitmustimmediatelydeployforsearchandrescueoperationsinLàngN?Village,PhúcKhánhCommune,B?oYênDistrict,LàoCaiProvince.Earlierthatday,adeadlylandslidehadtornthroughthevillage,leavingmanydeadandhomesburied.Theorderwaspassedswiftlythroughtheranks,andthesoldiersworkedtirelesslythroughthenight,gatheringtools,equipmentandessentialsupplies.By5am,withbackpacksontheirshouldersandraincoatswrappedaroundthem,thesoldierswereready–undauntedbytherelentlessrainanddarkskies.Threehundredofficersandsoldiersembarkedonthiscriticalmission,bravingtorrentialrainanddangerous,landslide-pronemountainroads.Whentheyarrived,thescenewasoverwhelming.Themuddyplainswerelitteredwiththeremainsofcollapsedhomesandlivestock,whilevillagerssearchedfranticallyformissinglovedones.Witnessingthedevastation,soldierNguy?n??cQuy?nfromYênBáiwasleftspeechless.Whenwereachedthevillagesculturalhouse,whereeveryonehadgathered,Isawpeoplecrying.Butwhatbrokemyheartevenmorewerethecoffinslinedupinrows.Ifeltfrozen,Quy?ntoldVi?tNamNews.Theirmissionbeganimmediately–searchingforvictimsbeneaththethicklayersofmud.Equippedwithlifejackets,gloves,boots,ropesandsticks,thesoldiersmarcheddeterminedlytowardsthelandslide.Theground,coveredindeepmud,debrisandsharpobjects,didntdeterthemfromtheirsolemnduty.Tr?nMinhTh?o,asoldierofRegiment98,said:Thelocalswerethere,weepingandpleadingforhelp.Theyhadlosteverything.Theironlyhopewasthatwecouldrecoverthebodiesoftheirlovedonesforproperfunerals.Theirwordsgaveusthestrengthtocarryon.AmissionlikenootherItwasadauntingtasktofindthebodiesofvictims.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Fortheyoungsoldiers,themissionfeltoverwhelming.Manyhadneverexperiencedsuchadisaster.Duringthesearchformissingvictims,theyusedsmallbamboopolestoprobethemud,carefullyfeelingforanysignofabody.Whenevertheysuspectedsomeonemightbeburiedbeneaththethicklayersofearth,theygentlyusedrakes,hoesandshovelstoremovethemud,onedelicatelayeratatime.Somovedbytheirexperiences,someofthesoldiersputtheirthoughtsonpaper,creatingajournalofthetimespentinthevillage,sofuturesoldierscanrememberthetoughtimestheyfaced,andalsotoallowthosewhoexperiencedtherescue,timetoreflect.Wewerealwaysafraidofaccidentallydisturbingthevictims–theyhadalreadyenduredsomuch,andwedidntwanttoaddtotheirsuffering.Thatswhy,wheneverwefoundavictim,wewouldquietlyremindeachother,Begentle,Tri?uLaCáoofRegiment98wrote.Tr?nV?nThu?n,toldVi?tNamNews:MyfellowsoldiersandIhadneverbeenonsuchamission,andthesearchwasincrediblydifficult.Ipersonallycarriedthebodyofasmallchildoutofthemud.Itwasanintenselyemotionalmomentforme.Thehardestpartwaswhenitrainedandthesoldiersdidnthaveenoughdryclothestowear.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Onthefirstdayofthemission,Tr?nMinhTh?odiscoveredthebodyofanelderlywoman,wrappedinablanketandcaughtinthebranchesofatree.Hesaid:Iknewshewaselderlybecauseherhairwasgrey.Iassumedherhousehadbeenstruckbythelandslidewhileshewasstillasleep.LieutenantColonelL??ngV?nhPhúc,DeputyPoliticalCommissarofRegiment98,hasbeenservingformorethan20years,butinallthattime,nothingcomesclosetothismission.Ihaveparticipatedinmanysearchandrescueoperations,butthetragedyatLàngN?VillagewasthemostdevastatingIhaveeverwitnessed,hesaid.Theground,coveredindeepmud,debrisandsharpobjects,didntdeterthesoldiersfromtheirduties.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Beyondtheemotionaltoll,theharshweathermadethemissionevenmoregrueling.Whenitrained,itpouredrelentlessly,andwhenthesuncameout,itwasscorching.Alsowritinginthememoir,Nguy?nMinh??c,remembered:Insomeplaces,themudreacheduptoourknees,thighs,waists,andevendeeper.Theairwasheavilypolluted.Afterworkinginthemorningsandevenings,wehadtocleanourselvesthoroughly,butcleanwaterwasscarce.Thehardestpartwaswhenitrained,andwedidnthaveenoughdryclothes.Wehadtodrythembythekitchenfireorborrowfromeachother.Eachdaybroughtnewchallenges.Nguy?n??cQuy?n,fromYênBái,facedhisownpersonalhardshipduringthemission.OnhiswaytoLàngN?,helearnedthathisownhomesubmergedinfloodwaters.Afterfourlongdays,hefinallymanagedtocontacthismotherbyphoneandlearnedthatshewassafe,thoughtheirfamilyschickenfarmhadbeendestroyed.SourcesofstrengthAmidthegriefandhardship,thesoldiersdrewstrengthfromtheunwaveringsupportoftheirleadersandthelocalcommunity,neverfalteringintheirdetermination.ViV?nD??ngreflectedonthedeepbondthatformed.Whatmovedmethemostwashowthelocalsstoodbyusthroughoutthemission.Theyconstantlyencouragedusaswesearchedforthemissing,hesaid.Onscorchinghotdays,theybroughtusbottlesofwatertokeepusgoing.Thosemomentsareetchedinmymemory,andIwillneverforgetthem.DeputyPoliticalCommissarofRegiment98,L??ngV?nhPhúc,addedthatsomefamilieswereevenwillingtomovetheirentirehouseholdtomakespaceforthesoldierswhentheyhadnoplacetostay.Inareaswherewaterpipelineswerethemainsourceofwater,whenthepipesbroke,andthevillagersnoticedthatthesoldiershadnowatertobathe,theydidnthesitatetorepairthem.Theyalwaysshowedussuchwarmandcaringsupport.AresidentofLàngN?Villagebidsfarewelltothesoldiers.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Itwasntjustthevillagerswhokeptthesoldiersgoing.Eveninthemostdifficultconditions,thesupportfromcommandersandsmallactsofkindnesswithintheunitprovidedmuch-neededcomfort.BànV?nL?oftheRegimentrecalledalate-nightencounterwithhiscompanycommanderinthememoir.Hewrote:Itwasaround11pm,Iwascrouchedover,tryingtogetthefiregoingwhenIsuddenlylookedupandwasstartled.Ihadntevennoticedmycompanycommanderstandingnexttome.Iquicklyexplained,‘Sir,bothofmysetsofunderclothesarewet,soImdryingthemouttoweartobed.Ithoughthemightscoldme,butinstead,heturnedonhisflashlight,openedhisbackpack,pulledoutapairofmilitaryshorts,andhandedthemtome.‘Puttheseonandgetsomerest.Youllneedyourstrengthfortomorrow,hesaid.N?ngV?nHoàngalsosharedthattheencouragementfromhiscommanderskepthimgrounded.Aftermorethanaweekofsearchingforthemissingvictims,ourbodieswerebeginningtofeeltheexhaustion.Thereweremomentswhenwefeltlikegivingup,butourcommandersateverylevelcontinuedtomotivate,carefor,andsupportus.Afterdinner,theywouldcheckonus,andofferwordsofencouragement.Thankstotheirconcern,ourfatigueandhardshipsseemedtofadeaway,andwefoundthestrengthtokeepgoing,tosearchformorevictims,andcompleteourmissionasquicklyaspossible.Unitedbyloss,sustainedbytrustAfter14daysofrelentlesssearching,itwastimeforthesoldierstobidfarewelltoLàngN?Villageandreturntotheirunit.Thevillagers,whohadwitnessedthesoldiersdedicationandsacrifices,linedtheroadtoseethemoff.Themenshookhandswiththesoldiers,whilethewomenandmothersembracedthem,tearsstreamingdowntheirfaces.Thevillagerspresentedthesoldierswithbánhch?ng,riceballsandbottlesofwater.TheSecretaryoftheB?oYênDistrictPartyCommitteehandedthemanationalflagbearingtheinscriptionLàNGN?10-24/9/2024.Astheyreceivedtheflag,tearswelledupinthesoldierseyes.LieutenantColonelL??ngV?nhPhúcsaidtheyweredeeplymoved.ThisflagsymbolisednotonlytherecognitionfromthelocalPartyCommittee,authorities,andthepeopleofPhúcKhánhCommuneandLàngN?Village,butalsothetrusttheyplacedintheofficersandsoldiersofRegiment98andDivision316.Ifeltthatthisgestureconveyedboththeirgratitudeandconfidenceinus.Inturn,webecameapillarofsupportforthepeopleofLàngN?,andforthenationasawhole,duringthemostchallenginganddifficulttimes.Beforedeparting,thesoldiersstoodinsolemnformation,bowingtheirheadsandraisingtheirhandsinafinalmilitarysalutetothevictimsstilllyingbeneaththemud.—PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Despitetheirefforts,themissionremainedunfinishedintheheartsofthesoldiers.Ifeeldeeplysadandtroubledbecausewehaventfoundalltheremainsofthevillagerslovedones.Therearefathersstillsearchingfortheirchildren,andchildrenstillsearchingfortheirmothers.Itsheart-wrenching,trulyheartbreaking,saidTr?nMinhTh?o.Beforetheirdeparture,thesoldiersformedasolemnlinebeforethevastexpanseofmud.Theybowedtheirheadsandraisedtheirhandsinamilitarysalute–agestureofsilentapologytothevictimsstilllyingbeneath.ReflectingontheirtimeinLàngN?,thesoldiersheldfirmtotheguidingprinciplethathadseenthemthrough:Wealwaysremindourselvesofonecorebelief:thePeoplesArmycomesfromthepeopleandservesthepeople.Throughoutthemission,officersandsoldierstreatedthevillagersasiftheywerefamily,fullyawareoftheimmenselosstheywerefacing,saidDeputyPoliticalCommissarL??ngV?nhPhúc.Astheydepartedfromthedevastatedvillage,itwasntjustamissiontheywereleavingbehind,butareminderofthestrengththatcomesfromunity,compassionandtrustbetweenthearmyandthepeopletheyserve.—VNSArenderingoftheproposed48kmrailwaylinelinkingHCMCitytotheunder-constructionLongThànhairportinneighbouring??ngNaiProvince.—PhotocourtesyoftheMinistryofTransportHCMCity—A48kmrailwaylinelinkingHCMCitytotheunder-constructionLongThànhairportinneighbouring??ngNaiProvincewillbebuiltbetween2026and2029,costingVN?84.7trillion(US$3.42billion).TheproposedTh?Thiêm–LongThànhlinewillinclude41.8kmofthemainroute(11.7kminHCMCityand30.8kmin??ngNai)and4.4kmfordepotaccess.TheMinistryofTransportisseekingfeedbackontheprojectsroute,landuse,andstationconnectivityfromlocalauthorities,includingHCMCity,??ngNaiProvince,andministries.Themetrosystemwillhaveamaximumspeedof110km/honthemainrouteand80km/hintunnels.Undertheministrysproposal,thelinewillstartatTh?ThiêmStationinTh???cCity,crossthe??ngNaiRiver,andtransitionundergroundinLongThànhDistrict.Ultimately,therailwaywillconnectwiththeNorth-Southhigh-speedrailwayandfacilitateaccesstoLongThànhInternationalAirport,whichiscurrentlyunderconstruction.Theprojectwillencompassbothelevatedandundergroundsections,featuringfourundergroundstationslocatednearLongThànhAirport,alongwithtwodepots—onecovering21.4hainLongThànhformaintenanceandanotherspanning1.2hainTh???cforminorrepairs.Between2035and2045,thelineisprojectedtoutiliseninefour-cartrains,increasingto28trainsbetween2045and2055,andultimatelyemploying31six-cartrainsby2055.Thetrainswillincorporatedistributedpowertechnology,similartothatutilisedintheproposedNorth-Southhigh-speedrailway.Accordingtotheproposal,Statefundsandbondswillbeutilisedforlandclearanceandconstruction,whileofficialdevelopmentassistance(ODA)loanswillbeallocatedfortheprocurementoftrainsandticketingsystems.Ifapproved,constructionisexpectedtocommencebylate2026,withcommercialoperationsprojectedtobeginin2030.Currently,theLongThanh–D?uGiayexpresswayistheonlyrouteconnectingtheairporttocentralHCMCity,whichiscongested.Theprojectalignswithglobaltrendsofconnectingmajorairportstocitycentresviahigh-capacityrail.HCMCitysmetrodevelopmentplanincludeseightmetrolinesandthreemonoraillines,totalingabout220km,withtwolinesunderconstruction.Thefirstmetrolineisexpectedtobeoperationallaterthisyear,whilethreeadditionalrailwaylinesareprojectedforthesouthernregionby2030.—VNS