TheYênS?newruralcommuneinHoài??cDistrict.HàN?I—Sinceachievingthenewruralstandardsin2017,Hoài??cDistrictinHàN?ihascontinuedtoimplementthedualgoalofbuildinganadvancednewruralarea,associatedwithcompletingthecriteriaforbecominganurbandistrict.Inparallelwithrealisingthetwogoals,Hoài??cDistrictsappearancehaschangedsignificantly,itscountrysidenowhavingthefaceofacivilisedandmodernurbanarea.Fornearly15consecutiveyears,YênS?hasbeenakeycommuneintheconstructionofnewruralareasandadvancednewruralareasinHoài??cDistrict.Todate,YênS?todayhaswitnessedmanychanges.AkindergarteninYênS?Commune.Thetrafficsystemhasbeeninvestedinandexpanded,themainroadsarepaved.Medicalstations,culturalhouses,flowergardensandparkshavebeenbuilttobettermeetthepeoplesneedsforhealthcareandimprovetheirspirituallife.ChairmanoftheYênS?CommunePeoplesCommittee,Nguy?nBáTr??ngYên,saidthatafteridentifyingeducationandtrainingasoneofthekeycriteria,thecommunehasfocusedoninvestingintheschoolsystem.Uptonow,schoolsinthecommunehavemetnationalstandardslevelone,whiletheYênS?Kindergartenhasmetthestandardofleveltwo,withspaciousandmodernfacilities,meetingtherequirementsofeducationalinnovationinthecurrentperiod.PreservingtraditionalcultureinCaoH?Village,??cGiangCommune.Previously,onbothsidesofthelagooninL?iYênCommune,householdsencroached,dischargingdomesticwastewaterandthewaterwaspollutedwithconstructionwaste.Followingthenewruralconstruction,thecommuneproposedthedistrictrenovatetheL?iYênLagoonwithatotalinvestmentofVN?40billion(US$1.5million).Theprojecthasembankments,newlybuiltroads,aseparatesystemofdomesticwastewatercollectionditches,anewlightingsystemandplantedgreentreesaroundthelagoontocreateabright-green-clean-beautifullandscape.Sincethen,therenovation,careoftreesandenvironmentalsanitationintheareaaroundthelagoonhavebecomeafavouritehobbyofpeopleinthecommune.Nguy?n?ìnhB?o,alocalresident,said:Thelagoonhasbeenimproved,allowingustoenjoyamuchhigherqualityoflifethanbefore.Weareallhappyandvolunteertotakecareofthelandscapearoundthelagoon.Hoài??cbuildsnewruralareaswiththegoalofdevelopingintoanurbandistrict.Hoài??cDistricthasaT??áydikerunningthroughninecommunes.Tobeautifythecountryside,thedistricthasbuiltandmaintaineda19.3kmmodeldikewithbloomingflowerswiththeenthusiasticparticipationofmanyforcessuchastheWomensUnion,theYouthUnionandlocalstudents.Notably,thebudgetforbuildingtheflowerdikeswasfundedwithcontributionsfromthepeopleofmorethanVN?3billion($118,150)toimprovethelandandinvestinseedlings.Afterthedikehadanewappearance,householdslivingalongthedikewereveryexcited,voluntarilytakingcareofandwateringtheplantseveryday.Everyweek,WomenUnionmembersorganiseweedingandgeneralcleaning,spreadingawarenessofprotectingandsprucinguptheenvironmentallandscapeforthepeople.DeputyChairmanoftheHoài??cDistrictPeoplesCommittee,Nguy?nTrungThu?n,saidthatsincebeingrecognisedasanewruraldistrict,theappearanceofvillageshadcontinuedtobeimproved,thepeoplesmaterialandspirituallifehasbeenenrichedandtheyareexcitedandproudwhentheirhometownbecomesalivablecountryside.Uptonow,Hoài??chasmettheconditionsandcompletedthedossiertobeconsideredandrecognisedbytheCentralGovernmentasmeetingtheadvancednewruralstandards.DeputyChiefoftheNewRuralDevelopmentProgrammeCoordinationOfficeofHàN?i,Nguy?nV?nChí,saidthatbuildingadvancednewruralareaswasimplementedsynchronouslyandeffectivelybyHoài??cDistrictwithmanycriteriametandexceededthesettargets.TheresultsachievedinbuildingnewruralareasareconsideredtheleverforHoài??ctodevelopurbanareasandbecomeanurbandistrictinthenearfuture.Accordingtothecapitalsgeneralconstructionplanning,Hoài??cDistrictisdividedintothreemainareasincludingareaoutsidethe?áyRiverdike,areafromthe?áyRiverdiketoRingRoad4andtheareaeastofRingRoad4.Determiningthatinvestmentandupgradingofurbantrafficinfrastructureplaysaparticularlyimportantrole,creatingmomentumforthesocio-economicdevelopmentprocess,thedistricthasinvestedthousandsofbillionsof??ngtorenovateandupgraderuraltrafficroutes.In19communesofthedistrict,atotalof774.51kmofcommune,inter-commune,village,inter-village,alleyandmainroadshavebeenconcretedandasphalted,meetingthetrafficcriteriarequirements.ThedistrictiscarryingoutaprojecttobuildanewHoài??cDistrictGeneralHospitalwhichwillhave500beds.Nguy?nV?nChí,DeputyChiefoftheNewRuralDevelopmentProgrammeCoordinationOfficeofHàN?i(firstleft),visitsthemodelofconvertingineffectivecropstogrowingfruittreeswithhighincomeinYênS?Commune.Hoài??cisadistrictwithrapidurban,industrialandhandicraftdevelopment.Thewholedistricthas52housing,serviceandtradedevelopmentprojectsunderway.Thedistrictalsohasmorethan4,000enterprises,53outof54villageswithcrafts,ofwhich12traditionalcraftvillageshavebeenrecognised,nineindustrialzonesandmanyhigh-qualityagriculturalproductionmodels,contributingtoeconomicrestructuring,buildingnewruralareas,bringingrevenuetothebudget,creatingmanyjobsforpeople.Sofar,Hoài??cDistricthasachieved27outof31urbandistrictcriteriaandonehundredpercentofcommuneshavemetwardcriteriaintermsofinfrastructure.NewruralareashavebeencreatingadrivingforcetohelpHoài??cDistrictsoondevelopintoanurbandistrict.—VNS*ThearticleispublishedunderthecoordinationoftheCoordinationOfficeoftheNew-StyleRuralDevelopmentProgrammeinHàN?i.

TrafficpolicemakeareportonaviolatingdriverinH?uGiangProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nH?ngHàN?I—CardriverscouldbefinedVN?30-40million(US$1,200-1,600)andlose12pointsofftheirdrivinglicenceiftheydriveinthewrongdirectionorreverseonhighways,accordingtoanewproposalfromtheMinistryofPublicSecurity(MPS).Theproposalisunderadraftdecreeregulatingadministrativesanctionsforviolationsoftrafficorderandsafetyontheroads,whichisbeingreviewedbytheMinistryofJustice.ThedraftdecreeismeanttoguideprovisionsoftheLawonRoadTrafficOrderandSafetyandwilllikelytakeeffectfromthebeginningofnextyear.DuringapriordiscussiononthedraftdecreeinAugust,proposedfinesforthesameviolationwereVN?16-18million($640-720),withsixpointsdeductedfromthedriverslicence.AccordingtothelawanddraftdecreecompiledbytheMPS,eachdriverslicencestartswith12points.Alsointhenewdraftdecree,theMPShasproposedafineofVN?10-12million($400-480)forstoppingorparkingonthehighwayinanincorrectplace,notsignallingwithemergencylightsatleast150mbehindthevehiclewhenstoppingorparkingincaseoftechnicalproblemsorotherforcemajeure,ormakingaU-turnonthehighway.Inadditiontothefine,sixpointswillalsobedeductedfromthedriverslicence.ThefineproposedforthistypeofviolationisthesameasdiscussedinthedraftinAugust,butthedrivinglicencepointdeductionhasdoubled,fromthreetosixpoints.Otherfinesarealsosettobeincreasedundertheproposal.TheseincludefinesofVN?6-8million($240-320)fornotobeyingtrafficlightsignalsorinstructionsoftrafficcontrollersandgoingthewrongwayonaone-waystreetoraroadwithanoentrysign,upfromtheVN?4-6million($160-240)finesproposedinAugust.Thedrivinglicencedeductionfortheseviolationsisalsothreeorfourpointshigherthanthatunderthelastproposal.Similarly,thedrafthasalsosuggestedanincreaseinfinesformotorcyclistswhodonotcomplywithtrafficlights.IntheproposalfromAugust,theMPSplannedafineofVN?800,000-1million($30-40)forthistypeoftrafficviolation,butinthelatestdraft,thefineissetatVN?2-3million,withafourpointdrivinglicencededuction.Thenewdraftdecreealsorecommendsconfiscatingthevehiclesofmotorcyclistswhocommitviolationslikelettinggoofbothhandswhiledriving,usingtheirfeettocontrolthevehicle,sittingsidesaddletocontrolthevehicle,lyingontheseattocontrolthevehicle,changingthedriverwhilethevehicleisrunning,turningbackwardstocontrolthevehicleordrivingwhileblindfolded.Thesamepunishmentwillalsobeappliedfordrivingatwo-wheeledvehicleononewheel,orathree-wheeledvehicleontwowheels.Asidefromhavingthevehicleconfiscated,theseactionswillalsoresultinadeductionof12pointsfromthedriverslicence.—VNSD??ngV?nS?n,chairmanoftheBoardofDirectorsofGi?ngT??ngAgriculturalServiceCooperative,owns10hectaresofJapanesericefields,harvestingover140tonnesofriceperyear.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?nS?KIêNGIANG—TheagriculturalbusinessisboominginKiênGiang,withthousandsoffarmersmakingbillionsof??nginannualincome,duetotheapplicationofnewtechnologiesinfarming.OneexemplaryfarmerisD??ngV?nS?n,wholivesinV?nhPhúCommune,locatedneartheborderwithCambodiaintheprovincesGiangThànhDistrict,andwhohadbeenprovidingagriculturalservicesforadecade.Admiredbylocalauthoritiesandfellowfarmersalike,S?nhasbeeninvolvedinricefarmingsincehisyouth,workingalongsidehisparents.Hecontinuedworkinginricecultivationafterstartinghisownfamily.Atfirst,heandhiswifehadonly1.5hectaresofland.Butaftermorethan20yearsofworkandsavingup,thefamilynowowns11hectaresofricefields.Before2010,thelandinV?nhPhúandGiangThànhwasaffectedbysalinityandacidity,resultinginpoorriceyieldsofaroundtwotonnesperhectare.However,since2011,theregionhastransformedduetoimprovedirrigation,additionalcanaldredgingandtheintroductionofmechanisedlandcultivation.Today,V?nhPhúproducestworicecropsperyear:winter-springandsummer-autumn.Winter-springcropstypicallyyielduptoninetonnesperhectare,whilesummer-autumncropsyieldbetweensixand6.5tonnesperhectare.Withnearly11hectaresofland,S?nsfamilyharvestsover150tonnesofriceannually,generatingaroundVN?1.2billion(US$48,000)inincomeandVN?400million($16,000)inprofitsafterexpenses.Asidefromricecultivation,S?nalsoownsploughingandtillingmachinestoprovideagriculturalservicesforlocalfarmers.In2020,heledtheformationoftheGi?ngT??ngAgriculturalServiceCooperativeandwaselectedaschairman.The45-membercooperativeprovidesservicessuchasploughing,tilling,irrigationandfertilisationforitsown217hectares,aswellasforaround150localfarmerswithover500hectares.Joiningthecooperativehasmadericeproductionmoreconvenient,savingcostswhileachievinghigheryieldsandincreasingprofits.Notonlymembers,butalsootherfarmersinthecommunehaveprospered,S?nsaidproudly.AnotherfarmerknownforhissharpbusinessacumenandcontributionstothecommunityisNguy?nV?nSu?t,61,fromV?nhPhú.Heownsover20hectaresofricefieldsandtwobargesthattransportcementandricebetweenprovincessuchasAnGiang,KiênGiang,C?nTh?andH?uGiang.Su?tsaidthatfrom1985to1990,hisfamilyownednearlytwohectaresofricefields.However,lowyieldsandpricesatthetimemadeitdifficultforfarmerstoprosper.Sothefamilyrentedouttheirfieldsandinvestedinbargestopurchasericefromfarmersandsellittoexportcompanies.Overtime,Su?taccumulatedenoughmoneytobuymoreland,andby2018,theyownedover20hectares.By2020,seeingstablericepricesandtheavailabilityoftechnologyforricefarming,theystoppedleasingthelandandresumeddirectcultivation.With20hectaresofricefields,Su?tsfamilyproducesaround310tonnesofriceannually,generatinganincomeofVN?2.3billion($92,000)andearningaroundVN?700million($28,000)inprofits.HistwobargesalsoprovideanadditionalincomeofaboutVN?400million($16,000)annually.Thankstomodernmachineryforfertilisingandsprayingpesticides,myfamilyisnowabletomanageover170fields,whichwasimpossibleinthepast.WithstablericepricesofuptoVN?8,000($0.32)perkilogrammeandtheGovernmentscontrolofagriculturalinputcosts,Ibelievericefarmerswillgrowwealthierintheyearstocome.Ruralareaswillalsodevelopfurther,Su?tnoted.Hisfamilysgrowingincomehasenabledthemtocontributetobuildingroadsandothersocialwelfareinitiativesinthecommunity.Nguy?nV?nSu?t(inyellowshirt),anexemplaryfarmerfromGiangThànhDistrict,owns20hectaresofricefields,harvestingtwiceayear.Healsoownstwobargesusedfortransportingriceandcement,generatinganincomeofapproximatelyVN?2.7billion(aroundUS$110,000)peryear.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?nS?TimelysupportpoliciesAccordingtotheKiênGiangFarmersAssociation,theprovincesmovementoffarmersstrivingforexcellentproductionandbusinessresultshasexpanded,becomingbetterandmoreeffective.Thismovementhashelpedimplementthenationalpoliciesforagriculturalandruraldevelopment.In2023,nearly78,000householdsintheprovincewererecognisedfortheirachievementsinproductionandbusiness.Morethan10,000ofthesewereawardedatprovincialanddistrictlevels,andover2,000householdsroseoutofpoverty.Bythefirstninemonthsof2024,over100,000householdshadregisteredtoberecognisedasexcellentfarmers.LamQu?cToàn,deputychairmanoftheKiênGiangFarmersAssociation,notedthatthemovementhasfosteredsolidarityandmutualassistanceamongfarmers,andhashelpedreducepoverty,contributingtoruralsocio-economicdevelopmentandthenewruralconstructioninitiative.Tohelpfarmerssucceed,theFarmersAssociationsatvariouslevelsregularlyorganisetrainingsessionstoteachaboutnewtechnologies,runagriculturaltrainingclassesandcoordinatewiththeSocialPolicyBanktoprovideloansforthousandsofhouseholds.TheyalsofacilitatetimelydisbursementoffundsfromtheFarmersSupportFundandtheNationalEmploymentSupportFund.Theassociationencouragesfarmerstocreategroupslikefarmersclubstoshareknowledgeandcollaborateinproduction.Theyalsoencouragefarmerstoformcooperatives,providingguidanceongrowthstrategies,productionscaleandsectorexpansion.Moreover,theassociationpromotesthedigitisationoffarmingpractices,helpsfarmersparticipateintradefairsandexhibitions,andconnectsthemwithenterprisestosupplyinputsandsecureoutputmarkets.Theseeffortsaimtosupportsustainableproductionandbusinessgrowth.Wearealsoworkingonsynchronisedsolutionstosupportthedigitaltransformationandtechnologytransferforcooperativemembers.Farmersareencouragedtoparticipateintradepromotions,connectwithbusinessesandaccessdeferredpaymentsforagriculturalinputs,helpingthemtosustainandgrowtheirbusinesses,Toànnoted.—VNS

DoctorsperformcorneatransplantsurgeryinHu?CentralHospital.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Vi?tNamhaswitnessedarisingnumberofcorneadonorssincethefirsttransplantofthiskindinVi?tNamnearlytwodecadesago,butwitha300,000strongwaitinglist,thecountryhasmuchworktodotoensuredonatedcorneasreachthosewhoneedthem.AccordingtoDrNguy?nTh?KimTi?n,chairwomanoftheVi?tNamTissueandOrganDonationAdvocacyAssociationandformerhealthminister,Vi?tNamstechnicalskillsintermsoforgantransplantarenowonparwiththeregionandtheworld.However,thewaitinglistfortransplantscontinuestoincrease,whilethenumberofregistereddonorsremainsmodest.Thesituationisparticularlycriticalforcorneatransplants,withsomepatientsalreadywaitingforfivetosixyearswithoutanydonorbeingfound.Overthepast15years,Vi?tNamrecordedabout45,000peoplesignedupascorneadonors.Ofthe3,000whohavereceivedcorneareplacementssince2007,morethanhalfwerehelpedbydomesticdonors.FromMay2024todate,thenumberoforgandonationsfrombrain-deadpatientsincreasedthree-fold,withtransplantsurgeriesrisingby10percent.However,Vi?tNamstillhasabout300,000visuallyimpairedpeopleinneedofcorneareplacements.Accordingtomedicalprofessionals,corneatransplantationiscurrentlytheonlyandmosteffectivemethodtohelprestorevisioninpatientswithcornealdamage,especiallyincaseswhereinternalmedicinetreatmentsyieldlittleresult.InadditiontothelimiteddonationsavailableinVi?tNam,challengesalsostemfromthecomplextransferandpreservationprocedurestoreceivecorneadonationsfromabroad.Therefore,authoritiesandfacilitiesreceivingcorneaforcollectionandtransplantshouldworkwithrelevantagenciestofacilitatethetransferofcorneadonationsfromabroad,andconductthesurgeryforpatientsassoonaspossible,saidTi?n.Overthepasteightmonths,theHàN?iEyeHospital2hasreceived57corneadonations,ofwhichtwowerefrompatientsinVi?tNam,whiletheremaindercamefromAmericaneyebanks.Thehospitalsuccessfullycarriedout42corneatransplantoperationsanddistributedtheremainingdonationstoothermedicalfacilities.DoctorsretrieveacorneaattheVi?tNamNationalEyeHospital.—VNA/VNSPhotoMinh??cDrHowardCajucom-UyYu,acouncilmemberoftheAssociationofEyeBanksofAsia,saidthatcorneadonationshavenonegativeaestheticeffectonthedeceased,asthisisonlyathin,translucentlayerontopoftheeyeball,butmultiplebarriersexistintermsofencouragingdonors.Theseincludelocaltraditions,customs,religions,beliefs,theemotionalstateofthedonorsfamily,ormisconceptionsregardingthelawrelatedtoorgandonationandtransplant.Sharingthesameperspective,DrNguy?nHoàngPhúc,deputydirectoroftheVi?tNamNationalCoordinatingCentreforHumanOrganTransplantation,saidthatthesefactorshavelimitedthenumberofdonatedcorneasnotonlyinVi?tNam,butalsoaroundtheworld.Therefore,itisnecessarytohavebetterawarenesscampaigns,arealisticlegalframeworkandtoincludeorganandtissuedonationasanevaluationcriteriaofthehealthcaresector,saidPhúc.—VNSThanhCaoKinokoImport-ExportCo.Ltd.locatedin??cTínCommune,M???cDistrict,HàN?i,isapioneerinapplyingadvancedJapanesetechnologyinagriculturalproduction.PhotocourtesyoftheHàN?iAgriculturalPromotionCentreHàN?I—ManycooperativesandenterprisesinHàN?ihaveadopteddigitaltechnologyonalargescale,producinghigh-qualityagriculturalproductsthatensurefoodsafetyandcanadapttoclimatechange.Advancedtechnologiessuchasblockchain,artificialintelligence,datamanagement,IoT,bigdataanddronesarebeingappliedintheproduction,processinganddistributionofagriculturalproducts.Thankstosmartdevices,manyfarmerscanmanagetheirfarmsconvenientlyandefficiently.Theycanwater,fertiliseandmonitorthegrowthoftheircropsremotely,simplyusingasmartphone.DirectorofQu?ngB?AgriculturalCooperativeinCh??ngM?District,Nguy?nVi?tHùng,sharedthatforthespring2024crop,thecooperativeuseddronestosowseedsover400hectares,reducingcostsandincreasingproductivity.Thevalueoftheircropsisnowtwoorthreetimeshighercomparedtotraditionalmethods.DirectoroftheCh?TamCleanVegetableCooperativeinGiaLamDistrict,Tr?nV?nTu?n,saidthatthecooperativeproducesvarioustypesofvegetableandfruits,suchascabbage,tomatoes,cucumbers,beansandcarrots.Byapplyingtechnologieslikesprinkleranddripirrigationandcultivationingreenhousesandnethouses,thecooperativesupplies200-300kgofcleanvegetablesdaily,generatingrevenueofVN?50-70million(US$1,980-2,780)permonth.DirectorofHàN?iDepartmentofQuality,ProcessingandMarketDevelopment,Nguy?nTh?ThuH?ng,emphasisedthatthedigitalerahasempoweredfarmerstoautomateproductionprocesses,monitorsupplychainsandensuretransparency,safetyandhygiene.ThishasincreasedproductivityandimprovedthecompetitivenessofVietnameseagriculturalproductsintheinternationalmarket.Applyingdigitaltechnologyhasraisedeconomicefficiencyby10-15percentcomparedtotraditionalfarmingmethods,shesaid.DirectoroftheHàN?iAgriculturalPromotionCentre,V?Th?H??ng,emphasisedthattheapplicationofdigitaltechnologyisakeyfocusthatthecentreiscollaboratingonwithlocalauthoritiestosupportfarmers.Throughtrainingsessions,cooperativesandfarmersareguidedonhowtobuildmodelsthatapplydigitaltechnologyinproduction,implementsmartmonitoringsystemsandpromoteandsellproductsondigitalplatforms.Duringthesesessions,thecentrealsoaddressesanychallengesthatfarmersencounterintheprocess,particularlyhelpingthemnavigatee-commerceplatformsandequippingthemwithskillstoboostproductmarketingandexpandtheirmarket.Asaresult,anincreasingnumberofmodelsareintegratingmechanisationanddigitaltechnologyintoproduction,transformingthefarmingpracticesofHàN?isfarmers.DatafromHàN?isDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentshowthatthecityhasdeveloped406pioneeringhigh-techagriculturalmodels,with262innovationsincropproduction,119livestockenterprisesand25aquacultureprojects,primarilylocatedindistrictssuchasHoài??c,MêLinh,GiaLam,Th??ngTín,??ngAnhandThanhOai.DirectorofHàN?isDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,Nguy?nXuan??i,saidthattheagriculturalsectorisdraftingahigh-techagriculturaldevelopmentplanforHàN?iby2030.Thisstrategyaimstorevolutioniseseedproduction,farmingmethodsandtheprocessingofagriculturalproducts,pavingthewayforamodernandsustainableagriculturalsectorinthecapital.By2030,HàN?iaimstomasterkeyhigh-techinnovations,manageproductionthroughintegratedvaluechainsandpromotehigh-techagriculturalmodels.Theplanincludesestablishingaround30high-techagriculturalcooperativesandnurturingatleast40enterprisesinthisdynamicfield.Additionally,thereisagoaltobuild250high-techagriculturalcooperativemodels,allalignedwithsustainabledevelopmentandvalueenhancement.??ihighlightedthattheproductsfromHàN?ishigh-techagriculturalenterprisesmustnotonlymeetstrictsafetyandenvironmentalstandardsbutalsoachieveinternationalcertification.Thiscommitmentwillenhanceproductvalueandstrengthenthecompetitivenessofthecitysagriculturalproducts.—VNSInrecentyears,theCampaignAllpeopleunitetobuildnewruralareasandcivilizedcitieshasalwaysbeenpaidattentionandwidelydeployedbyalllevelsofHanoicitygovernment,attractingalargenumberofpeoplefromallwalksoflife.ThankstothesynchronousimplementationoftheCampaignAllpeopleunitetobuildnewruralareasandcivilizedcities,Hanoihasbecomeoneoftheleadinglocalitiesinthecountryintermsofachievementsinbuildingnewruralareas.Fromthisresult,culturallifeinruralareashashadmanypositivechanges,whenthesystemofculturalhouseswascompleted,alongwithmanymeasurestoorganizeactivitiesdeployed,manyculturalfeaturesispreserved.HàN?I—AsHàN?igrowsanddevelops,authoritiesarefocusedonbuildingadvancednew-styleruralareastoboostvillagesandruralspacesalongsideurbandevelopment.TheseeffortsarebeingmadeunderthemunicipalPartyCommitteesSchemeNo04-CTr/TUaimedatimplementingtheNationalTargetProgramme.Thisprogrammefocusesonbuildingnew-styleruralareasassociatedwithrestructuringtheagriculturalsector,developingtheruraleconomy,andimprovingthelivesoffarmers.Manypartsofthecapitalcityaresimultaneouslybuildingnew-styleruralareasaswellasadvancednew-styleruralareasasaprerequisiteforurbandevelopment.??ngAnhDistricttodayhastheappearanceofafutureurbanarea.TanL?pCommunehasthefastesturbanisationratein?anPh??ngDistrict.TanL?ptodayresemblesacity,withitsdenselypackedhigh-risebuildings.Thestreetsarecrowdedandconstantlybustlingwithvehicles.Agriculturalproductionisgraduallyshrinkingasservicesandtraderapidlydevelop.Withinthecommune,TanTay??UrbanAreaishometohundredsofhouseholds.Nguy?nV?nH?c,ChairmanoftheTanL?pCommunePeoplesCommittee,saidthatTanL?phascompletedconstructionofadvancednew-styleruralareas.Withagoaloftransformingthecommuneintoaward,duringtheprocessofconstructingnew-styleruralareas,TanL?phasinvestedinastandardinfrastructuresystem.TheTanL?pKindergarten,TanL?pBPrimarySchool,andTanL?pJuniorSecondarySchoolhaveallmetleveltwonationalstandards.Currently,theaverageincomeforresidentsinthecommuneexceedsVN?82million(US$3,300)perpersonperyear,higherthantheaveragein?anPh??ngDistrictoverall.Automatedproductionlineofmotorbikesparepartsatthe??ngAnhChainJointStockCompany.Wearefocusingonleadership,directionandcallingforresourcesaswestrivetotransformthecommuneintoawardby2025.Sofar,thecommunehasachieved13outof16criteriaforaward,H?csaid.C??ngNg?VillageinT?Hi?pCommune,ThanhTrìDistrict,usedtohaveaverysmallentranceroad.Nowtheroadhasbeenwidenedtofivemetresandpavedwithasphaltandconcrete.Tr?nV?nVinh,SecretaryoftheC??ngNg?VillagePartyCommittee,saidthatsincetheroadwaswidened,manyhouseholdshavestartedbusinessesorrentedout,creatingastreetinthevillage.TheChuV?nAnJuniorSecondarySchoolinT?Hi?pCommune,ThanhTrìDistrictisanationalstandardschool,investedinandbuiltinaccordancewithnew-styleruralareacriteria.Peopleslivesareincreasinglyprosperousandhappy,withmanyadoptingnewlifestyles,waysofthinkingandwaysofdoingthings.Manypeoplehavestoppedlitteringandhavestartedplantingtreesandflowerstobeautifythevillage,makingitamorelivableplace.Theurbanappearanceof??ngAnh,ThanhTrì,GiaLam,?anPh??ngandHoài??cdistrictsisgraduallytakingshape.Inadditiontoimprovingtheinfrastructuresystem,thedistrictsarefocussingoncreatingbright,green,cleanandbeautifullandscapes.Theyaredevelopingflower-linedroads,renovatepondsandlakes,andbuildplaygroundsandflowergardens,helpingruralareasbecomemoremodern,deservingoffuturecitystatus.??ngTh?Huy?n,ChairwomanoftheGiaLamDistrictPeoplesCommittee,saidthatachievementsinbuildingadvancednew-styleruralareashavegivenadvantagesforitscommunesinquicklymeetingcriteriatodevelopintowards.Currently,all20communesofGiaLamDistricthavemettheadvancednew-styleruralareastandards.ThedistrictalsosubmittedadossierforDistrictmeetingadvancednew-styleruralareastandardstorelevantauthoritiesforrecognition.Achievementsintheadvancednew-styleruralareasconstructioninGiaLamDistricthavebecomeadvantagesforitscommunesinquicklymeetingcriteriatodevelopintowards.Thu?nQuangVillageinD??ngXáCommuneisapilotmodelforsmartvillagesinGiaLamDistrictsnew-styleruralareadevelopmentplan.Nguy?nNhanKh?,SecretaryofthevillagesPartyCommittee,saidthatthevillagehasmobilisedresourcestoinstallafreehigh-speedwifisystem.ItalsoinstalleddozensofsecuritycamerasinpublicareasandalongmainroadsandestablishedinformationpagesforvillagesandorganisationsontheZalosocialnetworkplatform,allowingpeopletoquicklyaccessaccurateandtimelyinformation.ThepilotmodelinThu?nQuangVillagehasbeenreplicatedintheremainingsevenvillagesandresidentialgroupsofD??ngXáCommune,withtheaimofbuildingasmartcommuneandlayingthefoundationforD??ngXátobeasmarturbanareawhenitdevelopsintoaward.Nguy?nV?nChí,DeputyChiefoftheHàN?iStandingOfficeforNew-StyleRuralAreaDevelopmentProgramme,saidthatnew-styleruralareadevelopmentandurbandevelopmenteachhavespecificcriteria.Tomeethesecriteriainparallel,communesstrivingtodevelopintowardshavemergedthetwosetsofcriteria,linkingthe?rdevelopmentintoadvancednew-styleruralareas.Atpresent,??ngAnhandGiaLamdistrictshavecompletedtherequiredcriteriaandmettheminimumstandards,whileThanhTrì,Hoài??cand?anPh??ngdistrictsarespeedinguptheirimplementationandcompletionofthesequalifications.ThisarticlehasbeenpublishedunderthecoordinationoftheCoordinationOfficeoftheNew-StyleRuralAreaDevelopmentProgrammeinHàN?i.—VNS

TheSpiritofSaigonbuildinginHCMCitysDistrict1halteddevelopmentattheendof2022afterthearrestofchairwomanTr??ngM?Lan.Thecourthasorderedpolicetoinvestigatediscrepanciesrelatedtotheproject.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—TheassetsofconvictedrealestatemagnateTr??ngM?Lan,chairwomanofV?nTh?nhPhátGroup,includingholdingsincompaniesandrealestateproperties,willremainfrozentofacilitatecompensationfor36,000victimsastheauthoritiesattempttountangleVi?tNamsworstfinancialfraud.TheHCMCityPeoplesCourtonThursdayruledthatthemajorityofLansassetswillcontinuetobeconfiscatedaspartofeffortstocompensatevictims.Thisincludesher18percentstakeinaventurethatownstheVietcombank–Bonday–B?nThànhBuilding,oneofthetallestskyscrapersinHCMCity.Inaddition,thelistofconfiscatedassetsincludeshersharesvaluedatVN?4.5trillioninpropertydeveloperNg?cVi?n??ngandVN?600billion(US$23.8million)inFWDInsurance.RegardingTheSpiritofSaigonbuildingprojectinHCMCitysDistrict1,althoughLanhaddisbursedVN?15.7trillion($624million)totheBitexcoGrouptoacquireit,thecourtnotedthatVN?4trillionofthesefundswasderivedfromembezzlementatSaigonCommercialBank(SCB).Sothecourthasmandatedthatthepolicecontinuetoinvestigatethecircumstancessurroundingthistransactionduetodiscrepanciesintheinformationprovided.Thejudges,however,orderedthereleaseofapropertylocatedat29Li?uGiaiinHàN?i,ownedbyLansdaughter,asitwasdeemedunrelatedtothecase.Inaddition,thecourtliftedthefreezeonthebankaccountsofLanshusband,EricChu,followinghisreturnofVN?33billionthathadbeenlaundered.AnaccountcontainingVN?10billionbelongingtoLansbrotherhasalsobeenunfrozen.However,accountstotallingVN?100billionheldbyotherfamilymembersremainsubjecttothefreeze.Afteramonth-longtrial,thecourtsentencedLantolifeimprisonmentforoffensesincludingfraud,moneylaundering,andillegalcross-bordercurrencytransfer,addingtoherpreviousdeathsentenceforembezzlement.ThecourtfoundLanculpablefordefraudingnearlyVN?31trillion($1.23billion)fromaround36,000bondinvestors,launderingVN?445.7trillion,andillegallytransferring$4.5billionabroad.Between2018and2020,incollaborationwithexecutivesfromSCBandtheV?nTh?nhPhátGroup,Lanutilisedfourcompaniestoissue25fraudulentbondtranches,asestablishedbyjudicialfindings.TheschemesorchestratedbyLanwerefacilitatedbycorruptofficials,includingaformercentralbankinspectorwhohassincebeensentencedtolifeimprisonmentforaccepting$5.2millioninbribestooverlookthemisconductatSCB.Fundsobtainedfromthesaleofthefraudulentbondswereutilisedtosettledebts,addressfinancialchallengesfacedbySCB,andinvestinvariousrealestateprojects,withsubstantialamountsunlawfullytransferredabroad.Lancommittedtousingallherassetstocompensatethevictimsofherfraudulentactivities.ShewassentencedtodeathinapriortrialinAprilforembezzlingVN?677trillionfromSCB;however,shehasappealedthatverdict.—VNSAperformanceinHàN?icelebratingVietnameseWomensDayonSundaywithover70,000womenparticipating.—VNA/VNSPhotosHàN?I—Vi?tNamhasmadeconsiderableprogressinpromotinggenderequalityoverthepastyears,andtheVi?tNamWomensUnion(VWU)hasbeenapplyingitselftothiswork,saidVWUVicePresidentNguy?nTh?MinhH??ng.TalkingtotheVietnamNewsAgency,H??ngsaidsincetheBeijingDeclarationandPlatformforActionwasadoptedbytheUNin1995,Vi?tNamhasmadestridesinrealisingthecommitmentsonwomensrights.Inparticular,sheelaborated,thelegalsystemhasbeenincreasinglyperfected,withthe2006LawonGenderEqualityandthedocumentsguidingitsenforcementimplementedandprovingeffective.Thelegaldocumentsrevisedorsupplementedhavealsoincludedgenderquality-relatedissuestocreatealegalframeworkfacilitatinggendergapnarrowingandgenderequalitypromotion.Allthe12areasoftheBeijingPlatformforActionhavebeenseriouslyandfruitfullycarriedoutbyVi?tNam,notablytheareasofwomenandpoverty,womenandhealth,womenandtheeconomy,womenandtheenvironment,andthegirlchild.Besides,genderequalityhasbeenmainstreamedinthenationaltargetprogrammesonsustainablepovertyreduction,new-stylecountrysidebuilding,andsocio-economicdevelopmentinethnicminorityandmountainousareas.VicePresidentofVi?tNamWomensUnionNguy?nTh?MinhH??ng.H??ngcitedtheUNDPsHumanDevelopmentReportassayingthatin2022,Vi?tNamranked107amongthe193countriesandterritoriesintermsoftheHumanDevelopmentIndex(HDI).ItsGenderDevelopmentIndex(GDI)alonestoodatthe91stposition,higherthanitsHDIaswellastherankingofitseconomyascalculatedonthebasisofpercapitaGDP(101stamong179economiesin2022).WiththisGDI,Vi?tNamwasinthetopgroup,whichrecordedthehighestequalityintermsofhumandevelopmentbetweenmalesandfemales.Inaddition,theGlobalGenderGapIndex,releasedannuallybytheWorldEconomicForum,showedVi?tNamsobservableprogresssincethecountrywasincludedintherankings,whichmeasuregender-basedgapinfourkeyareasofeconomicparticipationandopportunity,educationalattainment,healthandsurvival,andpoliticalempowerment.Vi?tNamsscoreincreasedfrom0.689in2007to0.715in2024,whichindicatestheincreasinglynarrowedgendergap,shenoted.ShewentontosaythatallactivitiesoftheVWUareaimedatpromotinggenderequalityandprotectingwomensrightsandlegitimateinterests.Ithassupervisedtheimplementationofpolicies,givenfeedbackondraftlawsandpoliciesandencouragedwomentoparticipateinthePartyandpoliticalsystembuilding.SomeproposalsoftheVWUhavebeenacceptedandbecomepoliciesatnationalandlocallevelssuchastheGovernmentsDecreeNo39/2015/N?-CPonsupportforlow-incomewomenofethnicminoritiescomplyingwiththepopulationpolicy,ormanyplansonassistanceforwomentodeveloplivelihoodsandprotecttheenvironment.Theunionhasalsoorganisedmanyactivitiestoimprovewomenslegalknowledgesothattheyareawareoftheirrightsandprotectthemselves,helpwomenexercisetheirrightsineconomicandfamilyaffairs,andresolvecasesofwomenandchildrensrightsabuse.Inparticular,theVWUCentralCommitteewasassignedtocoordinatetheimplementationofaprojectonpromotinggenderequalityandresolvingpressingissuesofwomenandchildren.Thisprojectaimstoraisepublicawareness,changegenderbias,andcareforthematerialandspirituallifeofwomenandgirlsinparticularlydisadvantagedareastohelpachievegenderequality,accordingtoH??ng.—VNA/VNS

StudentsataneducationalinstitutioninHCMCityundergomedicalexaminationsonthepremises.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheHCMCityhealthsectorplanstoestablishahealthdatabaseforover1.7millionstudentsinthecitytobetteridentifyandaddressschool-relatedillnesses.T?ngChíTh??ng,directorofthecitysDepartmentofHealth,saidthattheinitiativeispartoftheSmartHealthProjectfor2021-2025,withavisionto2030,anditaimstocreateacomprehensivehealthstatusdatabase.TheDepartmentofHealthhasworkedwiththeDepartmentofEducationtostandardisehealthexaminationformsusedinschools,andhasdevelopedguidelinesforhealthcheckteams.Startingfromthe2024-2025academicyear,allhealthcarefacilitiesmustusethestandardisedexaminationforms,andresultswillbeenteredintoaCommunityHealthManagementSystem.Tosupportthisinitiative,thedepartmentwillholdthreetrainingsessionsforhealthcarepersonnelthismonth,featuringexpertlecturersfromvarioushospitals.Topicswillincludeassessmentmethodologiesandtheuseofthenewhealthexaminationforms.Alistofaccreditedfacilitiesforstudenthealthexaminationswillbepublishedonthehealthsectorselectronicportal.Nearly3,000healthcareworkersandover500educationalinstitutionshavealreadyregisteredforthetraining.Regularhealthexaminationswillbeconductedforstudentsfrompreschooltojuniorhigh,includingnutritionalassessments.Recently,thecityhasalsoprovidedfreehealthassessmentsforoveronemillionelderlyindividuals,digitisingtheresultsforbetterhealthcaremanagement.GrassrootshealthcareSpeakingatarecentmeeting,PhanV?nM?i,chairmanofthePeoplesCommittee,saidthecityiscommittedtoinvestingingrassrootshealthcarewithafocusonthementalandphysicalwell-beingofresidents.Rapidurbanisationhassubstantiallyaffectedhealth,particularlyamongtheyouth,hesaid.Thecitywillimplementacomprehensiveprogrammeaddressingthehealthneedsofbothyoungindividualsandtheelderly,headded.Inaddition,thecityisseekingincreasedinvestmentsinthehealthcaresectortoestablishitselfasamedicalhubwithintheASEANregion.By2025,thecitywillinitiateatotalof116healthcareprojectswithaninvestmentexceedingVN?23trillion($925million),withprojectionsfor150projectsandoverVN?52trillion($2.1billion)intotalinvestmentby2030.—VNS

Morethan150peoplefromrelevantagenciesonOctober19participatedinadrilltoraisechemicalincidentresponsecapabilityinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhS?nBàR?A-V?NGTàU—Morethan150peoplefromrelevantagenciesonSaturday(October19)participatedinadrillinthesoutherncoastalprovinceofBàR?a-V?ngTàutoraisechemicalincidentresponsecapability.Theprovince-leveldrillonchemicalincidentresponse,rescue,andcommunityevacuationwasorganisedbytheprovincesPeoplesCommitteeincollaborationwithrelevantagenciesandunits,andtookplaceatLongS?nPetrochemicalsComplexinV?ngTàucity.Speakingattheevent,Nguy?nV?n??ng,directoroftheprovincesDepartmentofIndustryandTradeanddeputyheadofthedrillssteeringcommittee,saidtheprovincehasstrongindustrialdevelopment,soactivitiesrelatedtochemicalsarecommon.Thedrillaimstoraiseawarenessandresponsibilityforalldepartments,sectors,chemical-relatedbusinessesandthepublictoproactivelypreventandeffectivelyrespondtochemicalincidents,hesaid.Thedrillscenarioisbasedonaworst-casescenariothatwasdesignedtoincludechemicalspillresponse,rescueandcommunityevacuation.Itisdifficulttohandlethescenariobyainternalincidentmanagementprocess.Itrequiressupportfrommultipleforcesandrelevantagencies,hesaid.Some20firetrucksandambulanceswerealsomobilisedforthedrill.Theprovince-leveldrillonchemicalincidentresponse,rescue,andcommunityevacuationwasorganisedatLongS?nPetrochemicalsComplexinV?ngTàucity.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhS?nInthehypotheticalsituation,whileapetrochemicalscomplexwasimportingHClacidfromamedicaltanktruckwithaflammablechemicalsufferedapipeleak.Asaresult,thechemicaldispersedintotheenvironmentandspreadwiththewind.Duetotheimpactofthechemical,oneworkersufferedburnstotheneckandhands,andtwoothersworkingontopofthetankfainted.Whilemoving,thechemicaltrucksdriverlostcontrolandcollidedwithaconstructionnearby,causingthetanktobepunctured,thedrivertobestrappedinsidethetruckcabin,andthechemicaltospill.EmployeesofLongSonPetrochemicalsCo.Ltd.(LSP),whichoperatesthecomplex,wereimmediatelymobilisedtohandletheincident,emergency,rescueandworkerevacuation.However,theincidentprogressedinacomplicatedmanner,beyondthecontrolofthecomplex,asthegasspreadandaffectedthesurroundingareas.ThecompanyquicklyreportedtheincidenttotheprovincesIncidentResponseSteeringBoardforsupport.Theboardmobilisedfirefightingvehiclestogothescene,andrequestedsupportfromrelevantdepartmentsandagencies,andthechemicalunitundertheHighCommandofMilitaryRegion7oftheVi?tNamPeoplesArmy.Localauthoritiesalsoevacuatedresidentslivingnearthecomplextosafeplacestoavoidpoisonousgases.After45minutesofthedrill,withcloseandeffectivedistributionbetweenthecompanysresponseforceandsupportforces,thechemicalincidentwascompletelycontrolled.Thechemicalincidentdrilltookplaceinasafeandeffectivemannerasplanned.FirefightersspraywatertoputoutafireduringadrillheldattheLongS?nPetrochemicalsComplexinV?ngTàucityonOctober19.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhS?nKulachetDharachandra,generaldirectorofLSP,saidthedrillprovidesthecompanyandalltheinvolvedunitsanopportunitytoreview,exchangeinsights,andlearnfromoneanother.Itwillhelphiscompanydevelopmoreeffectiveincidentresponseplansandensurecomprehensivepreparationforfutureemergencies.Ourforemostpriorityisthesafetyofeveryone,notonlyforthoseworkingwithinthecomplexbutalsoforthesurroundingcommunity,hesaid.Withafirmcommitmenttoincidentprevention,thecompanyisdedicatedtosafeoperations,ensuringthehealthandwell-beingofallemployeesandresidents.—VNSConstructionsiteofWesternRingRoadProjectinC?nTh?City.VNA/VNSPhotoC?NTH?–CapitaldisbursementoftheWesternRingRoadprojectinC?nTh?CitywasjustVN?57.4billion(US$2.26million),achieving18.54percentofthetargetbylateOctoberalthoughtheprojectwasallocatedoverVN?300billion($11.86million)thisyear,reportedDepartmentofPlanningandInvestment.Mostprojectsareproposedtoadjustandsupplementthepublicinvestmentplanfor2024basedonactualimplementation,followingtheschedulesetbytheprojectowner.However,inadditiontoprojectswithdisbursementprogressmeetingorexceedingtheplan,someprojectsarebehindschedule.RegardingtheWesternRingRoadprojectinC?nTh?CityconnectingNationalHighway91toNationalHighway61C,thelandclearancehasreached54percent,andapproximately50percentofthesitehasbeenhandedovertocontractors.Fouroutofsevenconstructionpackageshavebeencarriedout.Currently,theprojectisundergoinganinvestmentpolicyadjustment,andoncecompleted,theremainingthreeconstructionpackageswillbeimplemented.AccordingtoNguy?nHoàngTùng,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofTransport,theprojectfaceddelaysduetotimespentontestingthefoundationandpilesofbridgestructures.Untilthesetestsarecompleted,thenextstepscannotproceed.ThetestingpackagewasonlystartedinJuly2024,andnowtheDepartmentofTransportisinstructingcontractorstoacceptcompletedworkvolumeforsubsequentimplementation,hesaid.Additionally,theshortageofsandremainsasignificantchallengeforthisproject.Risingsandpricesandashortageofsupplyhaveimpactedtheproject.Althoughtheprojecthasreceivedsandfromvarioussources,qualitycheckshavefounditunsuitable,leadingtheinvestortoreturnittothesuppliers,Tùngexplained.Afterinspection,wefoundthatsomesandsourceswerecontaminatedwithsalt,makingthemunusableasC?nTh?Cityhasyettoapprovetheuseofsalt-contaminatedsandforlocalprojects,hesaid.Furthermore,certainareasoftheringroadprojectarestillawaitinglandclearance,affectingtheoverallprojectprogress.TheWesternRingRoadprojectinC?nTh?CitywasofficiallylaunchedinNovember2022withtotalinvestmentofnearlyVN?3.8trillion($150million),ofwhichVN?2trillion($78.9million)isfromtheCentralBudgetandVN?1.8trillion($71million)isfromthelocalbudget,includingVN?2.6trillion($102million)forconstructioncostsandoverVN?1trillion($39.4million)forcompensation,support,andresettlementexpenses.Theprojectisscheduledforimplementationfrom2021to2026,impactingaround1,243households,ofwhich464willrequireresettlement.Theentirerouteis19.3kmlong,withacross-sectionof16.5moneachsideandadesignspeedof50-60kmperhour,andincludes25bridges.VNS

HàN?I–DozensofchildrenwithsevereurologicalbirthdefectsandrareurologicalconditionsinHCMCity,Vinh,HàN?iand?àN?ngarereceivingfreegenitalsurgeriesunderthe‘Thi?nNhanFriendsprogramme–aprojectthatofferschildgenitalreconstructionsurgeriesinVi?tNam.Partofanannualprogrammethatstarted18yearsago,thesesurgeriesarebeingperformedfromOctober18toNovember9byavolunteermedicalteamfromItaly,England,EgyptandtheUAE,ledbyItaliansurgeonDrRobertoDeCastro.ItaliansurgeonDrRobertoDeCastro(left)andhisteamconductexaminationsanddiagnosesforchildrenwithurologyandgenitaldefectattheNationalPediatricHospitalinHàN?ionOctober25.Photocourtesyof‘Thi?nNhanHisFriendsprogrammeThesurgeriestakeplaceatChildrensHospital2inHCMCity,theNgh?AnObstetricsandPediatricsHospitalinVinhCity,theNationalPediatricHospitalandVi?t??cHospitalinHàN?i,andthe?àN?ngChildrenandWomensHospitalin?àN?ngCity.Overdecades,DrDeCastrohasperformedpioneeringsurgicaltechniquestoeffectivelytreatgenitalmalformationsandinjuriesinbothboysandgirlstoallowthemtolivefulllives.OneofDeCastrosbiggestsuccessstoriesisPhùngThi?nNhan,whowasabandonedbyhisbiologicalmotheratbirthinaremoteareainthecentralprovinceofQu?ngNam.WhenNhanwasfoundthreedayslater,hewasbarelyaliveandhadlostmostofhisgenitalsandonelegduetoabrutalattackbywildanimals.Internationaldoctorsofthe‘Thi?nNhanFriendsprogrammeconductexaminationsanddiagnosesforchildrenwithurologyandgenitaldefectattheVi?t??cHospitalinHàN?ionOctober26.Photocourtesyof‘Thi?nNhanFriendsprogrammeTheinfantsurvivedtheincidentandwassubsequentlyadoptedbyjournalistTr?nMaiAnh,movingtoHàN?iwithhisnewfamily.WiththesupportofDeCastro,Thi?nNhanreceivedsuccessfulreconstructivesurgeryinJanuary2011.Hisfostermother,MaiAnh,laterbecamethefounderofthe‘Thi?nNhanFriendsprogrammewhich,togetherwiththeAsiaInjuryPrevention(AIP)Foundation,paysforsurgeries,travelcostsandmedicalsuppliesforpoorVietnamesechildrenneedinggenitalreconstruction.Overtheyears,theThi?nNhanFriendsprogrammehasconducted630surgeries,examinationsanddiagnosesfor2,000children,withanother1,000patientsstillawaitingtreatment.Dozensofleadingexpertsinpaediatricreconstructiveandurologicalsurgeryfromaroundtheworldhaveparticipatedintheprogramme.InVi?tNam,alongwithconductingexaminationsandsurgeries,theinternationalspecialistsalsoholdscientificworkshopsandhands-ontrainingsessionswithVietnamesemedicalstaff,sharingtheirexperiencesandintroducingthelatestadvancedmethodsinpaediatricurologicalsurgery.AccordingtofounderoftheAIPFoundationandco-founderofthe‘Thi?nNhanFriendsprogrammeGreigCraft,themissionoftheprogammeisnotjusttotreatasmallnumberofchildrenwithgenitaldisabilities.Internationalvolunteermedicalteamofthe‘Thi?nNhanHisFriendsprogrammeposeforphotowithmedicalworkersattheVi?t??cHospitalinHàN?ionOctober26.Photocourtesyof‘Thi?nNhanHisFriendsprogrammeByspreadingtheinspirationtoliveandsharingmedicalknowledgeasleadingexpertscometogether,webelievethattheimpactwillextendbeyondtheconfinesoftheprogramme.WearefortunatethatThi?nNhan,ourfirstpatient,sharesthisvisionandhaschosentobecomeascientistinthefuture,hesaid.Eighteenyearsafterbeingfoundinthejungleandgivenasecondchanceatlife,Thi?nNhanhasentereduniversity.HechosethefieldofArtificialIntelligence,believingthatAIhasthepotentialtorevolutionisehealthcareandimprovethelivesofmanypeople,justasmylifewastransformedthroughmedicalintervention.Fromthese18yearsofexperience,theyoungmanisconvincedthatempathyandpatiencewillleadtomiraculousachievements.VNSPeoplecanregisterforapersonalVNPTSmartCAdigitalsignaturedirectlyonVNeID.HàN?I—AsofOctober28,peoplearenowabletocreateapersonaldigitalsignaturedirectlythroughtheMinistryofPublicSecuritysVNeIDapplication,providingfreedigitalsigningaccessonpublicserviceportals.Thisintegrationallowse-identificationappVNeIDlevel2userstoregisterforVNPTSmartCAsignaturesontheVNeIDapp,withtheiridentitiesalreadyverifiedbytheMinistryofPublicSecurity.Thisstreamlinedprocesseliminatestheneedtosubmitphysicaldocuments,makingregistrationmoreaccessibleandconvenient.VNPThasbecomethefirstdigitalsignatureprovidercertifiedtomeetthesecuritystandardsrequiredforintegrationwithVNeID,followingapprovalfromtheNationalPopulationDataCentrefortheMinistryofPublicSecuritysidentityandauthenticationsystemtoconnectwiththeVNPTVinaPhoneInformationSystem.AccordingtoVNPT,thisconnectionbetweenthetwosystemsistheproductofextensivetechnicalresearchandpreparation,ensuringcompliancewithlegalstandardsandmaintainingdatasecurity.VNPTSmartCAsintegrationextendsacrossmorethan900applications,includingtheNationalPublicServicePortal,theMinistryofPublicSecuritysPublicServicePortal,theGeneralDepartmentofTaxationsystems,theStateTreasury,provincialandmunicipalpublicserviceportals,aswellasapplicationsinbanking,finance,insurance,educationandhealthcare.Initscommitmenttothedigitaltransformation,VNPTprovidesdigitalsigningservicescompletelyfreeofchargeforadministrativeprocedures,aimingtoexpanddigitalsignatureusagenationwide.ThisinitiativeisalignedwiththeGovernmentsgoalofequipping50percentoftheadultpopulationwithdigitalorelectronicsignaturesby2025,risingtoover70percentby2030.—VNS

HàN?I—ThelatestresearchfindingsandsolutionstotheproblemsofinjuriesamongchildrenwerepresentedatarecentconferenceinHàN?i.Thefourthnationalscientificconferenceoninjuryprevention,themedReducingtheBurdenofInjuries:TheEffectivenessofSustainablePoliciesandInterventions,washeldonMonday,featuringengagingdiscussionsbyover200Vietnameseandinternationalhealthcareprofessionals.Theconferenceisco-organisedbytheDepartmentofEnvironmentalHealthandtheUniversityofPublicHealth.FiveyearsaftertheThirdNationalScientificConferencein2019,theFourthNationalScientificConferenceonInjuryPreventionwasheldtoshareresearchfindingsandproposesolutionsinthecurrentcontext.DeputyMinisterofHealthLê??cLu?nspokeattheconference.—PhotocourtesyoftheorganisersThisyearsconferenceisanopportunitytoengagestakeholdersandboosttheeffectivenessofinjurypreventionefforts.Delegatesexchangedexperiencesandstrategies,emphasisingtheimportanceofmeasuresfrombothdomesticandinternationalpractices.Speakingattheconference,DeputyMinisterofHealthLê??cLu?nstated:AccordingtotheWHO,injuriesaccountfor11percentoftheglobaldiseaseburden,with80percentindevelopingcountries.StatisticsfromVietnamesehealthcarefacilitiesindicatethat,onaverage,over1.1millionpatientsseektreatmentforinjurieseachyear,resultinginmorethan30,000deaths,headded.DespiteVietnamssignificanteffortsininjuryprevention,itremainsaconcerningissue.Roadtrafficaccidents,drowningandworkplaceaccidentsaretheleadingcausesofinjury-relatedfatalities.Thishighlightsthat,whilesomeprogresshasbeenmade,Vi?tNamneedstocontinueitseffortsandinvestfurthertominimiseinjuriesandtheirconsequences,heemphasised.Theconferencefeaturednearly200domesticexperts,alongsidespecialistsfromtheWorldHealthOrganizationinGeneva,JohnsHopkinsUniversityandvariousinternationalandVietnameseNGOs.DrDavidMeddingsfromtheWorldHealthOrganizationnotedthatdrowning,fallsandroadtrafficaccidentsarethetopcausesofdeathamongchildrenandadolescents.DrowningistheleadingcauseofdeathforchildrenunderfiveinVi?tNam.Dr.DavidMeddingspresentedattheconference.—PhotocourtesyoftheorganisersThirty-twoscientificreportsfromVietnameseandinternationalresearcherswerepresentedattheconference,focusingonroadtrafficinjuryprevention,firstaidandrehabilitation,drowningpreventionandcommunity-basedinjuryprevention.Remarkably,specialiseddiscussionsessionthreeonpreventingdrowningandchildhoodinjuriesreceivedhighpraise.?oànThuHuy?n,CountryDirectorinVi?tNamfortheCampaignforTobacco-FreeKids,presentedsixrecommendationstoensurethesustainabilityofVi?tNamschilddrowningpreventionprogramme.Preventingchilddrowningmustbeseenasamultidisciplinaryissue,primarilytheresponsibilityoffamiliesandcaregivers,shesaid.Drowningpreventioninterventionsmustbeimplementedwithcoordinatedsolutionsandclosecollaborationamongagenciesandorganisations.Enhancingthecapacityofrelevantbodiesandtrainingphysicaleducationteachersinsafeswimminginstructioninschoolsiscrucial,sheadded.Studiesevaluatingtheeffectivenessofinterventions,theireconomicandsocialimpacts,andparticularlytheeffectsofdrowningonfamiliesplayacrucialroleinchilddrowningpreventionefforts.?oànThuHuy?npresentedrecommendationsonVi?tNamschilddrowningpreventionprogramme.—PhotocourtesyoftheorganisersHuy?nalsoemphasisedtheneedtoenhancepoliciesandestablishflexiblemechanismsthatenablebusinessesandprivateorganisationstocollaboratewithschoolsandinvestinswimmingpools,andtoorganisesafeswimmingclassesforstudentsduringthesummermonths.Ongoingcommunicationcampaignstoraiseawarenessandpromotesafebehavioursamongparentsandcaregiversareessential,sheadded.DrNguy?nNg?cAnh,DirectorofthePolicyandDevelopmentResearchCenter(DEPOCEN),presentedfindingsontheeconomicimpactofchilddrowninginVi?tNam.Eachyear,over2,000Vietnamesechildrendrown,leadingtovariouseconomicburdensacrossprovinces.Thetotaleconomicburdenofchildrendrowningnationwidereaches$767million.Theeconomicburdenofdrowningishighestamongchildrenunderfouryearsold,withHàN?ifacingthegreatestimpactat$43million,whileYênBáireportsthelowestat$4million.Planninginterventionprogrammesshouldconsiderlocaleconomicconditions,balancingeconomicbenefitswithsocialequityandfocusingonsupportforvulnerablefamilies.Strategiesmustensureefficientresourceallocationandaligninterventionswiththeneedsofeachprovince.Injuriesresultinsignificantlossoflifeandcreatesubstantialeconomicandsocialburdens,particularlyinlow-andmiddle-incomecountries.Moreover,injuryandviolencepreventionisacrucialindicatorforachievingsustainabledevelopmentgoals.—VNSThepoliticalcommissaroftheCoastGuard,LieutenantGeneralBùiQu?cOai,speaksataconferenceheldinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvinceonOctober24.—PhotoCourtesyofVCGBàR?A-V?NGTàU—AcontestonVi?tNamsmaritimesovereigntyheldeveryyearincoastalprovincesandcitieswillbecomeanationaleventfrom2030,accordingtotheCoastGuard.Ilovenationalseaandislandsismeanttospreadknowledgeaboutthecountryswatersandislands,thePeoplesArmyandCoastGuard,Vietnameselaws,internationaltreatiesrelatedtothecountrysmaritimeterritories,andthehistoryofthenationstraditionofbuildinganddefendingthecountry,aconferenceheldbytheCoastGuardRegionNo.3CommandbasedinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvinceheardonThursday(October24).LieutenantGeneralBùiQu?cOai,politicalcommissaroftheCoastGuard,saidthecontestisofgreateducationalandpoliticalsignificanceandattractstheparticipationofalargenumberofstudents,teachersandotherseveryyear.Ithasincreasedpublicawarenessofthecountryssovereigntyoveritsseasandislands,andpromotedcoordinationbetweenvariousagenciesinvolvedindisseminationofthecountrysmaritimelaws,hesaid.Ithasarousedinstudentsapassionforlearningaboutthetaskofprotectingsovereigntyovertheseasandislandsandprotectingthenationandloveforhomeland.TheCoastGuardRegionNo.3CommandonOctober24signeddealswiththedepartmentsoftrainingandeducationofthecoastalprovincesincooperationtoorganisethecontest.—PhotoCourtesyofVCGSince2013theCoastGuradhassuccessfullyorganisedthecontestat389secondaryschoolsin35provincesandcitieswiththeparticipationofmorethan54,000students.Itandthecontestsponsorshaveawardedmorethan4,800scholarships,2,000bicycles,16,000notebooks,and800schoolbagstocontestantswhoperformedwell.—VNS