DoctorLêH?uSong,directorofMilitaryCentralHospital108shareshisthoughtsaboutPartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ng.—Photodantri.com.vnHàN?I—AtHàN?isMilitaryCentralHospital108,PartyGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngwasseenasastraightforward,approachable,simple,humorousleaderwhowasdedicatedtohisworkfortheParty,thecountryandthepeopleuntilhisfinalmoments.Duringhisyearsofmedicaltreatment,GeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngalwaysfeltsecure,trustedandadheredtothetreatmentplansprovidedbythemedicalexpertsandstaffatthehospital.ThePartychiefpassedawayatMilitaryCentralHospital108intheafternoonofJuly19.Hispassingcausedimmensesorrowamongallthemedicalstaffatthehospital,manyofwhomweptopenly.Overthepastfouryears,theyhadcaredforhimandweredeeplymovedbyhiskindnessanddedication.MajorGeneralLêH?uSong,directorofMilitaryCentralHospital108,expressedhisprofoundgriefandspecialaffectionfortheGeneralSecretary.HenotedthatthehospitalwashonouredtobeentrustedbytheParty,theStateandtheArmywiththetaskofprovidinghealthcareforseniorofficialsandthepublic,especiallyintheircareforGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ng.TocarefortheGeneralSecretary,theCentralHealthcareProtectionCommitteeandMilitaryCentralHospital108consultedwithbothdomesticandinternationalmedicalexpertstoprovidethebesttreatmentplans.AllthemedicalstaffatthehospitalheldaspecialaffectionfortheGeneralSecretary,akintothatforagrandfather,afatheroraclosefamilymember.ThisbondwasfosteredbytheGeneralSecretarysownaffectionanddedicationtothehospitalstaffandhisworkforthepeopleandthecountry.AftereveryconsultationwiththeCentralHealthcareProtectionCommittee,whenwepresentedthetreatmentplantotheGeneralSecretary,healwayswarmlyrespondedwithIcomply.Thisgaveusconfidence,relievedallfatigueandmotivatedustoprovidethebestpossiblecareforhim,saidSong.GeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngmetwithleadersofMilitaryCentralHospital108ontheoccasionofthe70thAnniversaryoftheHospitalsTraditionalDay(April1,1951-April1,2021)onApril19,2021.—VNA/VNSPhotoTríD?ngSongrecalledthatthroughoutthetreatmentprocess,despitefeelingfatigued,GeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngalwaysmadeanefforttograduallyregainhishealth.Evenwhenhefelttootiredtoeat,headheredtotheprescribeddiettomaintainhisstrengthforwork.Hisdeterminationinspiredthehospitalstafftoworkevenharder.Inparticular,duringhisfinaldaysashishealthdeclined,GeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngcontinuedtoworkdiligently.Althoughthemedicalteamhadanticipatedtheprogressionofhisillness,theywerestillastonishedbyhisworkethic.Thatimpressionmadeusfeelhumbled.TheGeneralSecretarysenergyinspiredustostriveevenharder,hesaid.DoctorNguy?nPh??ng??ngfromthehospitalsDepartmentofHealthProtectionandCareforCentralOfficials,whohaddirectlycaredfortheGeneralSecretaryformanyyears,sharedthatevenashishealthweakened,hemaintainedhisworkschedule.Everyday,fromaround9amto9.30am,theGeneralSecretarywouldlistentoreportsfromhisassistantsandsecretaries.After10.30amandintheafternoon,hewouldmeetwithPartyandStateleaders.Wheneverhefeltwell,hewouldreadandstudydocuments.Heworkeduntilhislastbreath.OnJuly13,hewasstillworking,butintheafternoon,wehadtoplacehimonaventilator.Inhisfinalmoments,knowingwecouldntsavehim,wefeltlikewewerelosingafather,aclosefamilymember.Manyofuscried.Wefeltimmensesadness,emptinessandadeepsenseofloss,asifsomethingsacredhadbeentakenfromus,??ngsaid.AspecialandhumblepatientTothemedicalstaff,theGeneralSecretarywasaspecialpatientbecausehealwayscooperatedandadheredtotreatmentplansandhewasconfidentandsatisfiedwiththeexpertise,dedicationandcareofthehospitalsmedicalteam.NurseNguy?nTh?H?nghadthehonourofdirectlycaringfortheGeneralSecretaryoverthepastyears.—Photodantri.com.vnNurseNguy?nTh?H?ng,whohadthehonourofdirectlycaringfortheGeneralSecretaryoverthepastfourtofiveyears,sharedthathewasverysimple,modestandkind,leavingdoctorsandnurseswithmanylovingmemoriesandemotions.Wheneverhemetus,healwaysaskedaboutourchildren,howtheyweredoinginschool,theiragesandifwefacedanydifficulties.Whenhesatbytheriverorwalkedalongthecorridor,healwayschattedhappily.Hewaslikefamilytous,afatheroranuncle.Heempathisedwithourhardworkandalwaysencouragedustodoourbestincaringforpatients.Beingbesidehim,welearnedfromhisgentlenessanddedicationtohiswork,saidH?ng.LookingtowardstheroomwheretheGeneralSecretarywasundertreatment,H?ng,withtearyeyes,said:Evenafterheleftthisroom,whenwereturnedthenextday,oureyeswerestilldrawntohisroom.Thedailyroutines,thecareactivitiesweperformedforhim,stilllingeredinourminds.Heleftuswithsomuchloveandanobleexampleofarevolutionarysoldier.AdmiringtheGeneralSecretarysextraordinaryworkethic,H?ngmentionedthatherarelytookmuchrest.Uponwaking,asidefromhismorningteaandexercise,hespenthistimereadingnewspapers,workingandmeetingguests.Onlywhenhefelttired,didheasktorest.H?ngsaidshefelthonoredtositbesidetheGeneralSecretaryateachmeal.Whenheate,Iencouragedhimtoeatmorebecauseitmadehimstronger.Hisfavouritedishwasyogurt.Ifeltluckyandhonoredtotakecareofhim.ThenurserevealedthattheGeneralSecretaryhadafondnessformaltpeanutcandy.Therewasalwaysajarofcandyonhisdesk.Wheneverthedoctorsandnursesgatheredaroundtolistentohisstories,hewouldsharethecandy,fosteringawarmandcloseatmosphere.Besideswork,duringhismorningandeveningexercisewalksalongthehospitalcorridor,theGeneralSecretarylovedtosingthesong‘BàicaB?cS?n(B?cS?nsong).Thestaffondutywouldjoinhiminexerciseandsingalong.Thecorridorwouldcomealivewithmusic.Outsidehistreatmentroom,awoodentableandchairswerearrangedinthecorridorasadailyrelaxationspotforGeneralSecretaryNguy?nPhúTr?ngandthemedicalstaff.HisseatfacedtheH?ng(Red)River.Everyday,hewouldspendtimeinthemorningandlateafternoonrelaxing,takinginthesunriseandsunsetovertheriver.Duringthesetimes,hewoulddiscusseventsorsharelightheartedstoriesforrelaxation.Sometimes,thedoctorsandnurseswouldperformphysicaltherapyforhiminthecorridor.Occasionally,hewouldrecitepoemsaboutthesceneryandlife.Moreoften,hesharedthehardshipsandchallengesfacedbythemedicalstaff.Thesememoriesremainvividinthemindsofthehospitalstaff.Hisexampleofamodelleader–simple,modest,andapproachable–servesasalessonforeachmedicalworkertocontinuestriving,dedicatingthemselvestotheirmissionofcaringforthehealthofsoldiersandthepeople.—VNS

VehiclesonMaiS?n-NationalHighway45Expressway.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofTransport(MoT)hasreportedsignificantgrowthininfrastructuretransportsectors,overlandandwater.Forthefirsthalfofthisyear,MoThasacceleratedkeynationaltransportationprojects,contributingtorobustgrowthinmanytransportsectors.IthasmadeoperationalnumerousNorth-SouthExpresswayprojects,bringingthetotallengthofexpresswaysnation-widetoover2,000km.Thisexpansionhasfedintooverallnumberswiththeministrysayingthatallfivetransportsectors,roads,railways,airports,seaportsandinlandwaterways,sawgrowth.Therehasbeensignificantprogressinexpresswayconstruction,railwayprojectsandaviationandmaritimetransport.U?ngVi?tD?ng,theministrysChiefofOffice,speakingduringaconferenceevaluatingtheministrysperformanceforthefirstsixmonthsearlierthisweek,thatsevenroadprojectswerecommencedinthefirsthalfoftheyearincludingR?chS?i-B?nNh?t,GòQuao-V?nhThu?n,upgradingNationalHighway28BthroughBìnhThu?nandLam??ngprovinces,the??ngHàcitybypassinQu?ngTr?Province,upgradingtheCaoL?nh-L?T?route,upgradingasectionofNationalHighway4BinL?ngS?nProvince,upgradingtheL?T?-R?chS?iroute,andCh?Chu-TrungS?nintersection.TwocomponentsoftheH?ChíMinhRoadproject,whencompleted,willconnecttheentireroutefromCaoB?ngtoM?iCàMauby2025,D?ngsaid.ArailwayprojecttoupgradetheKheNétpassareaisalsounderway.Theministryaimstocompletesomesectionsofthe2021-2025North-SouthExpresswayfromQu?ngNg?iprovincetoKhánhHòaprovinceaheadofschedulebythreetosixmonths.Fourprojectswerecompletedincludingtwopublic-privatepartnership(PPP)expresswayprojectsofCamLam-V?nhH?oandDi?nChau-B?iV?t,whichsinceJune30havebeenopen.TheMinistryofTransporthasoperationalisedall11componentsofthe2017-2020North-Southexpressway,totalling653km,D?ngsaid.ThisconnectsandreducestraveltimefromHàN?itoNgh?AnProvincesVinhcityandfromH?ChíMinhCitytoNhaTrangCity,raisingthetotalexpresswaylengthtoover2,000km.Inrailways,sixprojectsareintheprocessofbeingmadeactive,withtheministryapprovingandselectingcontractorsforanODAprojectandaprojectusing2022savings.TwourbanrailwayprojectsinHàN?iandHCMCityareprogressing,withtheNh?n-HàN?iStationlineexpectedtobeoperationalinJulyandtheB?nThành-Su?iTiênlineinDecember.TheministryhastaskedtheRailwayProjectManagementUnitwithpreparingfeasibilityreportsfortheHàN?i-LàoCai-H?iPhòng,EasternHàN?iRingRoad,HCMCity-C?nTh?,andBiênHòa-V?ngTàu-Th?Thiêm-LongThànhrailwayprojects,andrevisingthefeasibilityreportfortheYênViên-Ph?L?i-H?Long-CáiLanproject.Investorshavebeenrequestedtopreparepre-feasibilityreportsfortheV?ngáng-M?Gi?project.Inaviation,LongThànhInternationalAirportspackage5.10isaheadofscheduleandtheT3passengerterminalatTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportisontracktobecompletedthreemonthsearly.Inmaritimetransport,theprojectsofupgradingtheCáiMép-Th?V?ichannelandportsinsouthernNghiS?nofThanhHóa(chǎn)Provinceareonschedule.PreparationsareunderwayfortheQuyNh?nchannelupgradeandthesouthernwaterwayandlogisticscorridordevelopmentproject.Inthemeeting,D?ngreportedthatallfivetransportsectorssawgrowthcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Inaviation,theministryhasrequiredairlinestoadjustandincreasetake-offandlandingslotsatsomeairportsduringpeakhours,stabiliseairfaresandexpanddirectflightsbetweenVi?tNamandothercountriesandterritories.Inthefirstsixmonths,passengervolumereached38.1million,up6.7percentandcargovolumereached599,000tonnes,up22percent.Inmaritimetransport,theministryhasbeentalkingtoabout300businessestoboostthesector,supportshippingcompaniesandenforcepricemanagementatseaports.Cargovolumethroughseaportsinthefirsthalfreached427.645milliontonnes,increasingby18percent,withcontainercargoat14.399millionTEUs,up22percent.Ininlandwaterways,cargovolumereachedover258milliontonnes,up10.4percentandpassengervolumereached189million,risingby10.9percent.Theministryhasimplementedupgrades,cutprocedures,reducedtaxesandfeesandsimplifiedadministrativeprocessestosupportwaterwaytransportandbusinesses.Anewrouteconnectingindustrialzonesandinlandcontainerdepots(ICDs)toH?iPhòngandQu?ngNinhportsisexpectedtoreduce30kmoftravel,savethreehoursintimetravellingandlowerlogisticscosts.Ontherailways,theMinistryhasupgradedtwostationsofSóngTh?nandCaoXáinBìnhD??ngprovinceandH?iD??ngprovince,respectively,tointernationalfreightstations,activatedmorequalitytrainsandintegratedITintoticketsalesleadingtoa114percentincreaseincargovolumeanda112percentincreaseinpassengervolumecomparedtothesameperiodin2023.—VNSNguy?nH?uThu?n,residentinHCMCitysTh???cCity,visitstheSacombank)branchonNguy?nTr?iStreetseekinghelptoupdatebiometricinformationonthebanksapp.Phototuoitre.vnHCMCITY–Manycustomershavebeenforcedtovisittheirbanksforhelpinupdatingbiometricinformationonlinetoauthenticatemoneytransfertransactions,howevereventhensomestillcannotcompletethebiometricupdateprocess.OnTuesdaycustomerTfromHCMCitysDistrict5,wenttotheSàiGonTh??ngTínCommercialJointStockBank(Sacombank)branchonNguy?nTr?iStreetseekinghelptoupdatebiometricinformationonthebankingapp,ashecouldnotdoitathome.Despitemultipleattemptsbyafemalebankemployeetoassisthim,theapprepeatedlyreportedthatthebiometricupdateprocesscouldnotbecompleted.Asaresult,theemployeeadvisedhimtoreturnanothertimeortemporarilytransferamountsoverVN?10millionusingtheSacombankmBankingappinsteadoftheSacombankPayapp.AccordingtoT,intheprecedingdays,healsocouldnotupdatehisbiometricinformationontheappoftheVietnamMaritimeCommercialJointStockBank(MSB)andhadtovisitthebankforassistance.NeedingtotransferoverVN?10million,onthemorningofJuly2,Nguy?nH?uThu?n,fromTh???cCity,triedusingtheappsofTechcombank,ACB,Vietcombank,andHDBank,butallfourbanksreportederrors,statingtheycouldnotscanhisIDcard,eventhoughhisiPhonehasNFCfunctionalityforinformationverification.Laterthatday,Thu?ntookadvantageofhislunchbreaktovisittheTechcombankbranchonX?Vi?tNgh?T?nhStreetinBìnhTh?nhDistricttohavehisinformationupdatedinperson.OnlyafterabankemployeedirectlyscannedhiscitizenIDcardusingthebanksreader,wasThu?nabletocompletetheupdateandproceedwithhistransactions.MyphonehasNFCpaymentintegrationandworksnormally,butIdontunderstandwhyIcantupdatebiometricinformation.NowIhavetovisiteachbankonebyonetogetstaffassistance,hesaid.OnthemorningofTuesday,manypeoplevisitedtheHDBankbranchonNguy?nC?TrinhStreetinDistrict1forassistanceinupdatingtheirbiometricinformation.LêNguy?nHùngC??ng,amaleemployee,notedthatmanyuserswitholderphones,faultydevicesorincorrectoperationshadtovisitthebankfordirectassistance.Lateintheafternoon,abranchofVietinBankinTh???cCitystillsawalargenumberofcustomersupdatingtheirbiometricinformation.Accordingtoabankemployee,onJuly1andthemorningofJuly2,anoverloadinthesystempreventedupdatesviatheappduetothehighnumberofusersattemptingtoupdatetheirinformation.AccordingtoTechcombank,asofJuly1,over1.4millioncustomershadsuccessfullyupdatedtheirbiometricdataontheTechcombankMobileapp,representingmorethan80percentofcustomerswhofrequentlyconducttransactionsexceedingVN?10million.Weareintensifyingcommunicationeffortstoencouragecustomerstoproactivelyupdatetheirinformationviatheapp.CustomersunabletodosocanvisitthenearestTechcombankbranchortransactionofficeforsupport,arepresentativefromthebanksaid.Meanwhile,ACBreportedthat500,000customershadsuccessfullycompletedfacialrecognitionauthenticationthroughtheACBONEdigitalbankingapp,enhancingaccountsecurityandprotectinghigh-valueonlinetransactions.ACBsCEO,T?Ti?nPhát,toldtheTu?iTr?(Youth)onlinenewspaperthatthenewbiometricssystemeffectivelyaddressessecurityandaccountsafetyrisks.Withfacialrecognition,onlytheaccountownercantransfermoney.Evenifaccountinformationisleakedandcriminalstakecontrolofthephone,theycannottransfermoneywithoutmatchingthefacialauthentication.Nguy?nMinhTam,deputyCEOofSacombank,saidthatmostofSacombankscustomershaveregisteredandsuccessfullyauthenticatedtheirbiometricinformationfortransactionsoverVN?10millionpertransaction,orVN?20millionperday.Wecontinuetonotifycustomerstoupdatetheirbiometricinformationtoensuresmoothonlinetransactions,avoidingdisruptionstodailylifeandwork,Tamsaid.HeaddedthatmostcustomerscanupdatetheirbiometricinformationthroughtheSacombankPayapp.Forspecificcases,suchaselderlycustomersorthosewithoutNFC-enableddevices,bringingtheirchip-embeddedcitizenIDtoourtransactionpointswillallowourstafftoassistthem,hesaid.–VNS

ThefireengulfsthefactoriesonWednesdaynight.—Photolaodong.vnBìNHD??NGAfirebrokeoutatafactoryintheNamTanUyênIndustrialParkinBìnhD??ngProvinceonWednesdaynight.Theblazeeruptedaround10:30PMatawoodenfurnituremanufacturingfactoryintheindustrialpark.Withinminutes,theflamesintensified,engulfingnearbyfactories.Tocombatthefire,17fireenginesand100firefighterswereswiftlydispatchedtothescene.By11:10PM,theyhadextinguisheditcompletely.Thefireravagedanareaofabout2,000squaremetersofthefactories,whosestructuresweremadeofsteelandmetalsheetroofs.Theprimarycombustiblematerialswerewood,fabric,andpackaging.Bythismorning,thepolicehadconfirmedthatthefirecausednocasualties.Propertydamageisstillbeingassessed.Thecauseofthefireisunderinvestigation.—VNSThesuspectsaftertheirarrest.-Photonhandan.vnHàN?I–AsophisticatedgangshippingcannabisacrossHàN?ihasbeensmashedbypoliceinthecapitalcity.TheDrugCrimeInvestigationPoliceDepartmenthavearrestedelevenpeopleandseizedmorethan700kgofthedrug.PolicefirstbecameawareoftheillegalactivitiesbackinFebruarywhentheyweremonitoringdrugtransportationroutes.Theylearnedcourierswithoutcriminalrecordshadbeenhiredtoshippackagesofcannabisaroundthecitythathadbeenvacuumsealedtoavoidanyodours.Threeseparatetaskforceswereestablishedtomakethearrests.ThefirsttookfourpeopleintocustodyincludingHoàngV?nHà,oneoftheringleaders,born1999,fromV?nYênDistrictofYênBáiProvinceandlivinginM?Trìward,NamT?LiêmDistrict.Theyalsorecovered90.49kgofcannabis,sixelectronicscales,oneheatgun,onevacuumpackingmachineandotherrelateditemsanddocuments.ThesecondtaskforcearrestedV?H?ngCúc,born1990,athisaddressinLyTháiT?,HoànKi?mDistrictandconfiscated74.04kgofcannabis,oneelectronicscaleandotherrelateditems.Thethirdtaskforcearrestedsixpeople,includinganotherringleader,Hu?nhH?uHoàng,born1988,fromCamLamDistrictofKhánhHòaProvinceandresidinginV?nhC?uDistrictof??ngNaiProvince.Itwasheretheyseizedthelargestamountofcannabiswith600kg,onevacuumpackingmachine,sixhydraulicpressesandthreeelectronicscales.Atthepolicestation,thesuspectsconfessedtotheircriminalactivities.Theauthoritiesareexpandingtheirinvestigationandpursuitofthecasetoapprehendedothersconnectedtothering.-VNSAceremonyheldtohandoverahousetoapoorfamilyinBìnhPh??cProvincesBìnhLongTown.–VNA/VNSPhotoBìNHPH??C–BìnhPh??cProvinceaimstowrapupitsprogrammeofeliminatingtemporaryanddilapidateddwellingsandreplacethemwithconcretehousesforpoorpeoplenextyear.Thesoutheasternprovincehasmobilisedfundingfromvarioussourcestobuildhousesforthepoorinrecentyears.Theyareatleast50sq.meachandhavecorrugatedironroofs.In2019-23thelocalFundforthePoorprovidedVN?313billion(US$12.3million)to5,017familiestorebuildtemporaryordilapidatedhouses.Theprovinceisbuilding99housesforpoorethnicpeopleunderanationalprogrammethisyear.InthefirsthalfoftheyearitsFatherlandFrontCommitteeassisted121poorandnear-poorhouseholdsinBùGiaM?p,L?cNinh,Bù??ng,andBù??pdistrictswithbuildinggreatsolidarityhouses.ThisNhà??i?oànk?tprogrammeismeantforpoorandnear-poorhouseholdswiththesupportoforganisationsandindividuals.LamBangofL?cNinhDistrictsL?cQuangCommunehasrebuilthis67.5sq.mhouseusingVN?80million($3,200)givenbytheFundforthePoor.Hewasgladtoreceivetheassistanceandhisfamilywoulddoitsfarmingbettertoensureastablelife,hesaid.??Th?MaiH??ngin??ngPhúDistricts??ngTamCommuneusedtobepoorasherhusbandsufferedfrommentalillnessandtheyhadthreeschool-agedchildren.TheFatherlandFrontCommitteeprovidedherwithVN?80million($3,200)torebuildherhouseandthedistrictFundforthePoorgaveheracowthatwasworthVN?30million($1,200)andproducedcalves.Withahousetolivein,shefeelssecureaboutgoingtoworktoincreaseherincome,andherfamilyhasthusescapedpoverty,shesaid.Ph??cLongandCh?nThànhtownsand??ngXoàiCityhavecompletedtheprogrammetoeliminatetemporaryanddilapidatedhouses.LêTh?XuanTrang,headoftheprovincePartyCommitteesmassmobilisationboardandchairwomanoftheFatherlandFrontCommittee,saidlocaladministrationsshouldaddresstheproblemofhousinglandandconstruction.FatherlandFrontCommitteesatalllevelsshouldenhanceadvocacyaboutreducingpovertysustainablyandmobilisemoreresourcestobuildhousesforthepoor,sheadded.–VNS

CustomersaregivenreusablebagswhenshoppingatBigCTh?ngLongSupermarketonInternationalPlasticBagFreeDay.—VNSPhotoQu?nhAnhNh?tH?ng,Qu?nhAnhHàN?I—Light,cheapandtheycancontainanythingfromsolidtoliquid;plasticbagshavealwaysbeenpopularforgroceryshoppinginVi?tNam.However,recognisingtheadverseeffectsofthesenon-biodegradablebagsontheenvironment,retailersareadvocatingforchangesinconsumerhabits.July3thisyearmarkedthesecondtimethePlasticBagReductionRetailersAllianceofVi?tNamcelebratedtheInternationalPlasticBagFreeDaywithvariouscustomerinitiatives.Nguy?nThùyAnh,SeniorCommunicationsandOutreachOfficeroftheInternationalUnionforConservationofNatureinVi?tNamsaid:Thisyearscampaignseesactiveparticipationfrommanybusinessesandthisnumberisincreasing.Severalretailersarealsoimplementingcampaignactivitiesnationwide,whichisagoodsignthatshowstheirproactiveness.WehopethatthiscampaignwillnotonlytakeplaceonJuly3,InternationalPlasticBagFreeDay,butthatbusinessesandretailersbemoreproactiveinreducingtheuseofplasticbagsallyearround.Asamemberofthealliance,AEONVi?tNamnowletsshoppersrentareusablebagfortheirpurchasesatonlyVN?5,000(20UScents),whichisfullyrefundedwhentheyturnthebagatthecounter.Thesupermarketchainalsohasa‘greenline–aprioritycheck-outlaneforcustomerswhooptforenvironment-friendlyproducts,withnoplasticcontainersorpackagingfromitsfoodcourt.CentralRetailVi?tNam,whichownsGO!,BigCandTopsMarket,hasbeencallingforcustomerstobringtheirownshoppingbagsandgivingoutreusableonesonJuly3.Customerscanalsobuythesemulti-usebagsatVN?9,000onnormaldays,orchoosethefree,recycledcardboardboxesofferedbythesupermarket.BigCTh?ngLongsupermarketdirectorNguy?nMinhTu?nsaid:Thisinitiativeaimstoencouragecustomerstousethesebagsformultipleshoppingtrips.Additionally,wehavecollaboratedwithover30foodsupplierstoswitchfromplasticpackagingtobiodegradablematerials.Thechangesandeffortshavebeenmetwithpositiveresponsefromcustomers.BettyAdrian,anIndonesianwomanwhohaslivedinVi?tNamforthepastsevenyears,saidsheonlytookthesingle-usebagstheveryfirsttimeshewentshoppinghere.EverytimeIgotothesupermarketorothershops,Ialwaysbringmyownbags.IfIuseplastic,itsnotgoodfortheearth,shetoldVi?tNamNews.Othershoppers,likeNg?Thuy?t,takeitupanotchbymindfullybringingdesignatedcontainersfortheirshoppingtrips.Ibringmyowninsulatedbagforfrozenitems,andanotherreusablebagfordrygoods.WhenIbuyalotofthings,Ipackthemupincardboardboxes[atthecashier]toreducetheuseofplasticbags,shesaid.Ng?Thuy?tpackstheitemssheboughtinherreusableshoppingbagstoreducesingle-useplastics.—VNSPhotoNh?tH?ngNg?cLinh,asenior-yearstudentwhooftenshopsatBigC,agreedandsaidpeopleshoulduseplasticbagsless.Iusedtobeacashier,andwhencustomerstakealotofplasticbags,theyoftenthrowthemawayandthatsnotgood.Sometimesthesearealsoreusedastrashbags,whichIthinkshouldnotberecommended.CallforchangeStatisticsfromtheWorldwatchInstituteestimatethatonaveragesince2002,aboutfivetrillionplasticbagshavebeenproduced,usedanddiscardedeveryyear.InVi?tNam,datafromtheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentshowsthatthecountrycountsover1.8milliontonnesofplasticwasteannuallyandamongthatthereare30billionplasticbags.Onaverage,onehouseholdinVi?tNamcanuseuptoakilogrammeofplasticbagseachmonth,ofwhich80percentarethrownawayafterjustoneuse.Plasticwasteaccountsfor8-12percentofhouseholdsolidwaste,butonlyabout12percentofthemundergotreatmentandarerecycled,whiletherestareeitherburiedorburnedinlandfills,accordingtoVietnamPlasticsAssociation.Recognisingthenegativeimpactsofthesenon-biodegradablecontainersandpackagingtotheenvironment,Vi?tNamhasbeentakingactionstoaddresstheissue.The2020LawonEnvironmentalProtectionstipulatestheextendedproducerresponsibilityonrecyclingandwastetreatment,whilethePrimeMinistersDecision1316/Q?-TTgonstrengtheningplasticwastemanagementinVi?tNamwasapprovedinJuly2021.Nguy?nTrungTh?ng,DeputyDirectorGeneraloftheInstituteofStrategyandPolicyonNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentsaid:Ourcountryhasadoptedmanystrategiesandpoliciestoreduceplasticwaste,amajorityofthemnon-biodegradableplasticbags.Therefore,activitiesthataimtoreducenon-biodegradableplasticbagsareofgreatsignificance,sothateveryonecanjoininreducingplasticwasteinourenvironment.—VNSAdoctoratNguy?nTriPh??ngHospitalinHCMCityuseselectronicmedicalrecords.VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—Theadoptionofelectronicmedicalrecords(EMRs)byhospitalshasbeenextremelyslowlargelyduetolackoffundsandtechnologicalinfrastructure.OnlyfourpublichospitalsinHCMCityhavereplacedthetraditionalpaper-basedrecord-keepingwithdigitalsystems:theHCMCityUniversityMedicalCentre,ChildrensHospital,Nguy?nTriPh??ngHospital,andTr?ngV??ngHospital,accordingtoHCMCitysDepartmentofHealth.AcrossVi?tNam70healthcarefacilitieshaveswitchedtoEMRs.Therearenearly1,500publichospitalsandmorethan300privateonesinthecountry.ThoughtheMinistryofHealthwantsallhospitalstoswitchtoEMRsby2025,thepaceofchangeisslow,Nguy?nTr??ngNam,deputydirectoroftheministrysdepartmentofinformationtechnology,admitted.Heattributedittothehighcostsofacquiringandinstallingthedigitalsystems.ToswitchtoEMRsataprovincial-levelhospitalwith300-500bedscostsmorethanVN?10billion(US$393,000).ItcostsmajorhospitalssuchasCh?R?yinHCMCity,andB?chMai,Vi?t??candKhospitalsinHàN?imuchmoretoacquireandimplementEMRsystems,hesaid.Otherfactorsforthetardypaceincludelackoftechnologicalinfrastructure.DrL??ngC?ngMinh,deputydirectorofNguy?nTriPh??ngHospital,saidtheshiftbeganathishospitalatthebeginningofthisyear.IthascostVN?13billion($510,800)forequipmentanddevicesandpersonneltraining,hesaid.EHRsbringnumerousbenefitstobothpatientsandhealthcareproviders,helpingdoctorsprovideeffectivediagnosisandpromotingqualityofcareandtreatmentoutcomes,hesaid.Buttheirimplementationcontinuestofacechallengessuchastechnicalissuesandhighcostofuse,hesaid.Nguy?nAnhD?ng,deputydirectoroftheHCMCityDepartmentofHealth,listedotherchallengessuchasstafflimitationsandprivacyconcerns.Findingthefundstodeveloptherequiredinfrastructureandpersonnelistoochallengingformanyhealthcarefacilities,headded.—VNS

??uTh?Khuyên,52,Nguy?nTh?Ng?cH?ng,46,andNguy?nV?nKhánh,28.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–TwowomenandamanhavebeenarrestedforfacilitatingpeoplesmugglingtoAustraliathroughBuddhistinstitutionsusingfakecredentials.Thegangwenttoextremelengthsandeveninstructedamantoshavehishead,wearrobesandtakephotographsatapagodainordertogivetheimpressionhewasaBuddhistmonk.TheythencontactedBuddhistorganisationsinAustraliatoobtainaninvitationlettersothemancouldenterthecountry.ButtheplanwasthatwhenhearrivedinAustralia,hewouldnotbetheretostudyataretreat,butinsteadworkillegallyonafarm.TheInvestigationSecurityAgencyinthecentralprovinceofHàT?nhhavearrestedthetriofortraffickingandforgingsealsanddocumentsofagenciesandorganisations.ThedecisionhasbeenapprovedbythePeoplesProcuracyatthesamelevel.Thethreepeoplearrestedare??uTh?Khuyên,52,fromHàT?nhProvincesNghiXuanDistrict,Nguy?nTh?Ng?cH?ng,46,frominHCMCitysDistrict7,andNguy?nV?nKhánh,28,wholivesin??ngNaiProvince.Accordingtothecasefile,sincetheendof2023,HàT?nhProvincePolicehadobtainedinformationthatseveralindividualswereexploitingBuddhistinstitutionsfrequentorganisationofstudyretreatsinAustraliaforBuddhistsworldwide.TheyconnectedandorganisedformanypeopleinvariouslocalitiestoillegallyfleetoAustraliaforlabourbyforgingmonkcredentials.ThecostforeachsuccessfultripwasVN?300millionperperson.Thepolicedeterminedthatatthebeginningof2024,KhuyênandH?ngagreedtoorganiseforH?V?nThìn,36,residinginNgh?AnProvince,togotoAustraliaforlabourundertheguiseofamonkonastudyretreat.OnceThìnsuccessfullyenteredAustralia,H?ngwouldarrangeforanacquaintancetopickhimupandplacehiminagriculturalworkinAustralia.InFebruary2024,H?ngandKhuyêndirectlyarrangedforThìntoshavehishead,wearmonkrobes,andgotoKimQu?ngPagodain?àN?ngCitysLiênChi?uDistricttotakephotos,pretendingtoparticipateinthepagodasactivitiesforthevisaapplicationfiletoAustralia.Next,H?ngcontactedreligiousinstitutionsinAustraliatoobtainaninvitationletterforThìntoparticipateinBuddhistactivitiesundertheguiseofamonkpracticingatKimQu?ngPagodawiththemonasticnameThíchGiácNg?.H?ngthencontactedKhánhtoalterThìnsportraitonhiscitizenidentificationcardtomakehimappearasaBuddhistfollower.OnthenightofMay4,afterreceivingpayment,H?nghandedoverthetravelvisatoAustraliatoThìnandarrangedforacartotakehimtoHCMCitysTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportfordepartureprocedures.Attheairport,Thìnwasstoppedbyauthoritiestoclarifyrelatedmatters.ThereisnosuggestionanyBuddhistorganisationwasawareoftheillegalactivities.TheHàT?nhProvincePolicearecontinuingtoinvestigatethecase.–VNS

Afirefightercarriesthe92-year-oldwomantosafetyfromtheburningbuilding.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—AfirebrokeoutinashophouseinHàN?ionWednesdaywithafamilytrappedinside.FirefighterswerecalledtotheincidentonT?Hi?uStreet,C?uGi?yataround4.20amafterresidentsreportedseeingthickblacksmokefromtheproperty.Theteamquicklyextinguishedthefireusingwaterandfoam,rescuinga92-year-oldwomanandleadingthreeotherstosafety.Initialreportsindicatenocasualties,butthepropertydamageisbeingassessed.Thecauseofthefireisunderinvestigation.Thefour-storyshophousehasatoystoreonthegroundfloor,sellingtoys,bicyclesandstrollers.Itispartofafiresafetyneighbourhoodmodel,equippedwithaportablefireextinguisherandasecondfireescaperoute.—VNSDiseasecontrolrepresentativesexplainhowtheyaretacklingthemeaslesoutbreakintheprovince.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?nS?KIêNGIANG—ThemeaslesepidemicisessentiallyundercontrolinKiênGiangProvince,saidTr?nTh?Vinh,DirectoroftheprovincialCentreforDiseaseControl(CDC).SpeakinginapressconferenceonMondayafternoon,hesaidthattheprovincebeganrecordingmeaslescasesfromthebeginningofApril.Uptonow,ithasseen127casesinsixdistrictsandcities.Amongthem,PhúQu?cCityleadsthelistwith111cases.NocaseshaverequiredmechanicalventilationanduptonowfourcasesarebeingtreatedinthePaediatricsWardattheKiênGiangChildrensHospital.Withtherapidspread,theriskofameaslesoutbreakisstillrelativelyhigh,soitisnecessarytomonitordevelopmentsclosely,saidVinh.HesaidthatassoonasthefirstcaseswerediscoveredinPhúQu?cCity,theCDCimplementedpreventionandcontrolmeasuressuchasreviewingclosecontacts,makingadailywatchlist,andgivinginstructionsonpreventingandcontrollinginfectionatschoolandinthecommunity.TheHCMPasteurInstitutehashadmanymonitoringsessionswiththeCDCandtheprovincialDepartmentofHealthtohandleanymeaslesepidemicinPhúQu?cCity.AninvestigationconductedbytheCDCshowsthatpopulationfluctuationhasoccurredinPhúQu?cinthepastthreemonths,affectingmeaslesvaccination.Inaddition,duetotheCOVID-19pandemicandtheinterruptionofvaccinesupplyintheExpandedImmunisationProgramme,about30percentofthesickchildrenareunvaccinatedorvaccinatednotenoughdoses.Fromthebeginningofthisyearuntilnow,theCDChasreceivedmorethan24,000dosesofmeaslesvaccine.Itallocatedlocalitiestocarryoutregularvaccinationsandmake-upvaccinationsforchildrenwithmissingdoses.Toeffectivelypreventandcontrolmeasles,theCDCwillreviewthevaccinationlistofchildrenfromagedonetotentoprepareforboostervaccinationsaccordingtoschedule.Itwillprepareadditionalvaccinationcampaignswhenvaccinesupplyisapproved.Healthunitspromotecommunicationondiseasepreventionandcontrol,whichfocusesonraisingpeoplesawarenessaboutthebenefitsandimportanceofvaccinationasrecommendedbythehealthsector.Measles-relatedcaseswillbequarantinedathometopreventandlimittheriskofinfectiontothecommunity.Vaccinationisthemosteffectivesolutioninpreventingandcontrollingmeasles.Therefore,theprovinceispreparingtobidfor6,000dosesforchildren,saidVinh.AccordingtotheGeneralDepartmentofPreventiveMedicineundertheMinistryofHealth,themostrecentassessmentabouttheriskofmeaslesin63provincesandcitiesacrossthecountryrecordedthatsevenlocalitiesareatveryhighriskincludingHàT?nh,HCMCity,??ngNai,LongAn,SócTr?ng,BìnhPh??candKiênGiang.—VNS

ApracticesessionofelectricalstudentsatVi?t??cNgh?AnCollege.VNA/VNSPhotoBíchHu?HàN?IThepercentageofyoungpeopleinVi?tNamundergoingvocationaltrainingmakesuplittlemorethan20percentoftheentireyouthpopulation,accordingtotheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsThenumberssuggestthereisanurgentneedtoenhanceyounglabourskillsandquality,giventhecontextofthefourthindustrialrevolutionandcurrentintegration,VietnamNewsAgencyreported.Theproductionandworkforcestructuresofthelabourmarketofthefuturehaveundergonemodificationsduetothefourthindustrialrevolution.Theeconomyhasundergonearapidtransitionfromonecentredonresourcesandcheaplabour,toonethatiscentredoninformation,withlabourbeingreplacedbymachines,robotsandartificialintelligence.Numerousconcernsregardingvocationaleducationhavebeenhighlighted,sinceitisthissectorwhichhasthestrongestandmostdirecttiestothelabourmarket.Vocationaleducation,incontrasttouniversityeducation,attemptstoteachhumanresourcesfromthegroundupsotheymayworkimmediatelyanddirectlyforaspecificpositioninthelabourmarket.Therearecurrently1,886vocationaleducationfacilitiesinVi?tNam,comprising429intermediateschools,399collegesand1,058vocationaleducationcentres.Over2.2millionenrolledinvocationaleducationin2023,comprising530,000collegeandintermediatelevelstudents,over1.7millionelementaryschoolstudents,alongwithavarietyofothervocationaltrainingprogrammes.Thesystemofvocationaleducationhasbeenexperiencingsignificantandtimelyinnovationinlinewiththeglobaltrendofvocationaleducationdevelopment.TheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairshasbeenactivelyinvolvedintheinnovationandimprovementofthequalityofvocationaleducation,fortifyingtieswithbusinesses,thelabourmarketandsocialsecurity,inordertoimprovevocationalskillsforworkersinthecontextofthefourthindustrialrevolution.Theindustryprioritisesnewsectorsandoccupationswhilefocusingonbreakthroughsinenhancingthequalityofhumanresources,particularlyhigh-qualityhumanresources,andimportantandspearheadindustriestomeetlabormarketdemands.Besidesopportunities,vocationaleducationisalsofacingmanynewchallengesintermsofmanagement,schooladministration,programmes,textbooks,facilities,teachercapacityaswellasnewskillsandtheemergenceofnewoccupations.Thatrequiresworkerstobetrainedpromptlytoappropriatelymeetdevelopmentneeds.AccordingtotheGeneralStatisticsOffice,asofthefirsthalfof2024,Vi?tNamslabourforce(aged15andabove)was52.5millionpeople.Amongthem,51.4millionpeopleareemployed,anincreaseof195,700peoplecomparedtothepreviousyear.Approximately28percentofworkerspossesscertificationsforcompetenttraining.Ingeneral,thenumberofemployedworkerstendstoincrease,butthelabourmarketdevelopmentremainsunsustainablewhenthenumberofworkerswithinformaljobsaccountsforalargeproportion.Accordingtotheoffice,theunemploymentrateforyoungpeople(thosebetweentheagesof15and24)hasincreasedto8percent,or0.49percentagepoints.Theyoungunemploymentrateisalwayshighandmorethanthreetimesgreaterthantheworking-agepopulationsrateduetotheyouthshigherdemandforjobs.Youngpeopleareoftenequippedwithgoodknowledgeandhighqualifications,sotheyhavemoreopportunitiestochoosetherightjobastheywantratherthanworkingintemporary,low-incomejobs.Therateofworkersnotusingtheirfullpotentialwas4.3percent,down0.1percentagepoints.ExpandingvocationaleducationNumerousexpertsbelievethatvocationaleducationneedsstronginnovation,tonotonlytrainworkers,butalsomeettherequirementsofintegrationandcompetition.TheGeneralDepartmentofVocationalEducationhasproposeddiversifyingtheformsofvocationaleducationandexpandingittothesecondarylevel.Aftercompletingsecondaryschool,studentsareencouragedbytheGovernmenttoenrollinvocationaleducation.Careerorientationhasreceivedattentionfromnumeroussecondaryschoolswhenstudentsarereadytograduatefromtheninthgradeandbeforetheyselectahighschool.Newmajorsandtuitiondiscountsareofferedbycollegesandvocationaltrainingprogrammestoenticestudents.TheGeneralDepartmentofVocationalEducationalsofocusesonimprovingtrainingqualityofvocationalschools,someofwhichhavepartneredwithcompaniestoplacegraduatesintopositions.??ngTrungChính,principalofHàN?iCollegeofIndustrialEconomics,saidallmajorsofferedbytheschoolaredependentonenrollmentrequirements.Additionally,theinstitutionhaspartneredwithseveralcompaniestoacceptgraduates.Becauseonlybusinessescanhavethemostcorrectorientationregardingtechnology,short-termandlong-termrequirementsfortheworkforce,itisnecessarytobuildindustryskillscouncilswiththeparticipationofbusinessestoplanmacropolicies,forecastlabourandemployment,determineindustrystandards.VNSProf.Nguy?n??ngPhong,chairmanoftheUniversityofEconomicsHCMCitycouncil,deliverstheopeningspeechattheResiliencebyTechnologyandDesign2024internationalscientificconferenceheldinHCMCityonJuly15.—VNSPhotoThuH?ngHCMCITY—LocalandinternationalscholarsandexpertsintechnologyanddesignarediscussingtechnologyanddesignsolutionstoenhanceresilienceincommunitiesattheResiliencebyTechnologyandDesign2024internationalscientificconferencethatopenedinHCMCityonMonday.ThesecondbiennialeventisbeingorganisedbytheUniversityofEconomicsHCMCity(UEH)incoordinationwithuniversitiesinItaly,Australia,theRepublicofKorea,Taiwan(China),Singapore,andJapan.Thefour-dayconference,whichhasthethemeFosteringSustainability,willprovidein-depthknowledge,updatesonthelatesttrendsandanalysesofnew,uniqueandmulti-dimensionalperspectivesfromleadingexpertsinthefieldsoftechnologyanddesign.Discussionswillfocusontopicsthatexploretheimportantroleofadvancedtechnologies,innovativedesignmethodsandcomprehensivedataanalyticsincreatingsolutionsthatalignwiththeprinciplesofenvironmentalresponsibility,economicviabilityandpotential,andsocialjustice.SomediscussionsessionswillalsobeheldattheUEH–V?nhLongbranchinthenamesakeC?uLong(Mekong)DeltaprovinceonWednesdayoninnovativesolutionsandideastocopewithcyclones,sealevelrise,salinisationofrivers,flooding,andlandslidestoensureamoresustainablefutureforthedelta.AfieldvisitwillbeorganisedtotheMekongDeltaonThursdaytofacilitateinteractionswithlocalcommunities.Speakingattheopeningceremony,Prof.Nguy?n??ngPhong,chairmanoftheuniversitycouncil,said:Fromcreatingagreensustainablecampustoworkingtowardsacirculareconomythroughresearch,UEHismakingamultidimensionalimpactonmanyareasoftechnologyandinnovation.TheResiliencebyTechnologyandDesign2024conferenceisonesuchinitiative,whichhasproventohaveaninternationaloutreachandiscreatingapromisingpartnershipamongresearchersthroughouttheworld,headded.—VNS

LêVi?tD?ngHàN?I—TheinitiativetoremovedilapidatedhousesnationwideinVi?tNamismakingbigstridesandisontracktoreachitsgoalby2025.ItispartoftheNationalTargetProgrammeonSustainablePovertyReductionbetween2021and2025.BySeptember2023,morethan3,500impoverishedfamiliesinTuyênQuangProvincehadreceivedfinancialsupporttofixtheirhousesorbuildnewones.B?cGiangandYênBáiprovinceswerenotfarbehind,withapproximately3,800and3,500familiesgettingassistance,respectively.CaoB?ngProvinceisanothershiningexample.Thelocalgovernmenthasprovidedfundingtoover3,600familiesfornewhousesortorepairhousesasofMay2023.TheLyV?nNófamilyinTh??ngTh?nCommune,HàQu?ngDistrict,CaoB?ngProvince,isaheartwarmingexampleofhowthisinitiativeischanginglives.Withtenpeople(Nósparents,Nóa(chǎn)ndhiswife,andtheirsixchildren)crammedintoatiny40sq.mhouse,lifewastough.Thewallswerejustoldboardsproppedupbybamboopolesandtheleakyroofofferedlittleprotectionfromtheharshweather.Itwasawfulduringtherainyseason,Nórecalled.Waterwouldpourineverywhereanditwasalwayshotorcoldwithnoproperinsulation.Butweweresopoor,unabletoaffordtofixthehouse.Nósoldhouse,builtofoldboardsandbamboopolespoorlytiedtogether.—VNSPhotoLêVI?tD?ngLuckily,localofficialsnoticedtheirstruggle.Theysteppedin,assessedthesituationandprovidedfinancialaidforNótobuildanewhouse.Theyevenhelpedhimgetsomelivestocktoboosttheirincome.Thedifferenceisincredible.By2023,theNófamilywascelebratingtheirspaciousnew100sq.mhouse.Noleaks,nomoreextremetemperatures–justacomfortableplacetolive.Andtheirfinancialsituationislookinguptoo.Theirlivestockhasgrownintofourcows,acalfandtwobuffaloes.NotfarfromtheNófamily,theSùngV?n?ìnhfamilyalsogotassistancetobuildanewhome,butthatwasnotall.Localofficialsalsoconnected?ìnhwithsomeextraworktobringinmoreincomeontopofwhathemakesfromfarming.NowIcangrowcornandraiseducks,butIalsoworkinconstruction,?ìnhsaid.Gettingpaidbythedaymakesabigdifferenceformywife,ourfourchildrenandme.Th??ngTh?nCommuneisaprimeexampleofhowwellthisinitiativecanwork.In2021,25newhouseswerebuiltandfourwererepairedinthecommune,withatotalbudgetofVN?1.5billion(US$59,000).Thefollowingyear,19newhouseswerebuiltand22wererevamped.In2023,thenumbersweresixnewand12repaired.AlocalpoliceofficervisitsNósnewhouse,whichmeetstheThree-Strongcriteria(strongfoundation,strongwalls,andstrongroof).—VNSPhotoLêVi?tD?ngThisyear,Th??ngTh?nsauthoritiessetanambitiousgoalofbuilding50newhousesandfixinganother60.With455impoverishedfamiliesand86closetopoverty,replacingdilapidatedhouseswithbetteronesisatoppriorityforthelocalgovernmentanditsresidents.Onechallengetheyfaceisgettingbuildingmaterialstoremoteareas,becausetheroadsarenotalwaysidealinTh??ngTh?n,whichmakestransportingthingslikecement,sandandgraveldifficult.Toovercomethehurdle,thelocalgovernmentisgettingcreative.Itencouragedthecommunitytopitchinandhelpmovematerials,makingiteasierforthoseinneedtogetthehelptheydeserve.—VNSHCMCITY—Strengtheninglabourstrategies,forecastingeffortsandcreatingfavourableconditionsintheworkforcesupply-demandchainareallkeystoboostingsocio-economicdevelopmentinthesoutheasternregion.Theregionisoneofthemostdynamiceconomicregions,attractingalargenumberofworkers,sothesemeasuresaredesignedtohelpthemfindjobsmoreeasilyandfacilitatebusinessoperationsintheregion.Targetingselectiveinvestmentsandhigh-qualitylabourHCMCity,whichisthecentralurbanareaofthesouthernregionandtheentirecountryaswell,hasanabundantlaboursupply.Accordingtotheofficialstatistics,thelabourforceinthiscityaccountsforovereightpercentofthenationalworkforce,withanaverageannuallabourgrowthrateofabout0.59percent.Eachyear,thecityseesalargeinfluxofnewlabourmarketentrantsandmigrantworkersofworkingagefromotherprovincesandcities,aswellasforeignworkerscomingintowork.StudentsattendajobfairinHCMCity.VNA/VNSPhotoThanhV?TheHCMCityslabourandemploymentstrategyforthe2023-2025periodwithavisionto2030,recentlyapprovedbytheCityPeoplesCommittee,pointsoutsomestrongadvantagesintermsofitslabourmarket.Theseincludeaplentifulanddiverseworkforce,ahigh-qualityvocationaleducationsystem,averyhighdemandforlabour,afavourablegeographicallocationwithinternationalgatewaystatusandasignificantappealtoinvestorsandhighlyskilledworkers.However,thecityhastofaceseveralchallengesinattractinglabourincludinghighlivingcosts,whichrequirescarefulconsiderationfromworkerswhendecidingtostudy,liveandworkinthecity.Therearealsosignificantskillgapsamongthelabourforce,leadingtoashortageofhigh-qualityworkersandasurplusoflabourunsuitableforthecitysdevelopment-orientedindustries.Thelaboursupplyisforecastedtobestableinthecityfrom2025to2030,buttrendslightlydownwarduntil2030.Labourdemandwillbehigherthansupplyfrom2023to2030.Theincreaseinlabourdemandisexpectedtoincreasefastercomparedtosupply,particularlyfrom2027onwards.Thiscouldresultinalabourshortageandputpressureoncompaniestoincreasewagestoattracttalent.Thelabourdemandinthecityhasbeennotedasbeinglinkedtotrendsofthedevelopingkeyeconomicsectors,digitaltransformation,industrieswithhighscientificandtechnologicalcontentanddevelopingcommercetowardsservice-orientedtrade.Therefore,toensureemployment,thecityneedstoprioritiseselectiveinvestments.Thecityshouldfocusonattractinginvestmentsinhigh-techindustrialproduction,applicationsofadvancedtechnologywhilelimitingprojectsthatoverlydependonlow-skilledlabourorposehighenvironmentalpollutionrisks.Businessesareencouragedtoinvestinmodernisingmachineryandequipment,advancedtechnologyanddevelopingagreen,digitalandcirculareconomy.Thecityisalsodevelopinghigh-endservicesectorswhicharepotentialadvantagesofthecitysuchastourism,financialcentres,wholesaletrade,internationalshoppingcentresorlogistics.BàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincesharesthesameneedinselectivelyattractinginvestmentlinkedtojobsforlabour,especiallyhigh-qualitylabour.Theprovinceforecaststhatthereareover8,500operatingbusinesseswithover250,000workerscurrentlyintheprovince.Itisestimatedthateachyear,businesseswillneedatleast20,000additionalworkers,withtrainedworkersaccountingforover80percentofthetotallabourforce.Thefocusonattractinghigh-qualitylabourintheprovincewillbeinsectorssuchaspetrochemicals,seaports,logistics,informationtechnology,mechanicalengineering,servicesandurbantourism.However,itisforecastedthatlocallaboursupplycannotmeetthedemand.Therefore,theprovinceplanstocontinuefocusingonselectivelyattractinginvestmenttoleverageadvantagesinthemaritimeeconomy,industrialdevelopment,seaports,servicesandtourism,transformingtheprovinceintoaregionalindustrialcentre,anationalmaritimeeconomiccentre,ahubofmaritimeservicesinSoutheastAsiaandahigh-qualityinternationaltourismcentre.BoostinglaboursupplyanddemandconnectionThecurrentlaboursupply-demandsituationinHCMCityrevealsseveralshortcomings.Dr.Tr??ngMinhHuyV?,deputydirectoroftheHCMCityInstituteforDevelopmentStudies(HIDS),saidthelabourmarketoperationisnotyetfullyefficient.V?said:Someworkersstruggletofindjobs,whilebusinessesstillhavetofacechallengesinhiringsuitablelabour.Healsostatesthatthecityneedspoliciestosupportinvestmentandtrainingaimedatimprovingthequalityofthelaboursupply-demandconnectionsystem,especiallyonlinejobexchangesandjobintroductioncentres,toeffectivelyconnectbusinessesandworkers.Developingacareerandemploymentinformationportalthatconnectsprovinces,cities,regionsandthecountryisalsocrucial.ThemunicipalPeoplesCommitteeplanstopromotedevelopingthelabourdemandforecastingsystemtomeettrainingneeds,adaptingtothejobrequirements.Thecitywillenhancetheapplicationofinformationtechnologytointegratethecityslabourmarketinformationsystemwiththenationalsystemtopromptlyupdatenationallabourmarkettrends.HCMCityalsoaimstoestablishalabourmarketinformationsystemfortheASEANregion,allowingworkersincertainindustriesandoccupationstomovefreelyamongmembercountriestocreatesustainable,productiveemploymentopportunities.By2030,thecityplanstocompletetheconstructionoftechnicalinfrastructure,applicationsoftware,connectionsystems,dataintegrationandsharingandundertakethetransformationtostandardisethelabourdatabases.ForBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvince,aprogrammetoattracthigh-qualitylabourforkeyeconomicsectorsintheregionduringthe2024-2030periodisalreadyunderway.Theprovinceaimstomeet75percentofthedemandforhigh-qualitylabourbytheendof2025andmeet90percentofthatdemandby2030.Toachievethesegoals,theprovinceisimplementingasynchronisedapproach.Functionalunitsneedtoprovideinformationoneconomicandsocialdevelopment,labourskillrequirementsandeducationalfieldsneededbylocalbusinesses.Thisinitiativeaimstooffercareerpathsforworkersandeducationalactivitiesatvocationalinstitutionstomeetlabourmarketdemands.Theprovincewillalsodevelopanapplication,calledVieclambariavungtau,whichwillprovidecomprehensiveinformationonrecruitmentneedsandtrainingopportunities.Itisexpectedtofosterconnectionsbetweenlaboursupplyanddemand,attractinghigh-qualityworkerstotheprovinceforemploymentopportunities.—VNS