DelegatespressthebuttontoinauguratetheIntelligentTrafficOperationsCentreinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoTuy?tMaiHàN?I—TheHàN?iDepartmentofTransporthasrespondedtothecitysrequirementsofintelligenttransportinthecapital.OnThursday,thedepartmentlaunchedthepilotimplementationoftheTrafficOperationsCentre(TOC)attheHàN?isTrafficManagementandOperationsCentre.TheIntelligentTransportationSystem(ITS)isasystemwhichappliestechnicalandtechnologicalsolutionstoefficientlyorganise,manageandoperatethetransportationsystem,ensuringtrafficsafety,reducingtraveltimesandcosts,andprotectingtheenvironment.WiththeapprovaloftheHàN?iCitysPeoplesCommittee,thedepartmentcoordinatedwiththeMilitaryIndustryandTelecomsGroup(Viettel)toestablishtheTOCattheHàN?iCitysTrafficManagementandOperationsCentre,locatedatKimM?StreetintheBa?ìnhDistrict.Thecentreisequippedwithcomputers,videowallmonitors,firewalls,networkdevices,accompanyingaccessoriesandcontrolsoftware,includingwaystomeasuretrafficvolumes,monitortrafficviolationsandwatchovertrafficsignals,alongwithinstallationofperipheraldevicesattwopilotintersectionsonPh?mV?nBáchStreet.Thefunctionsoftheintelligenttransportationsystemduringthepilotphasewillincludetrafficmonitoring,trafficinformationprovision,trafficcontrol,publictrafficmanagement,incidentmanagement,trafficinfrastructuremanagement,parkingmanagementandelectronicpublictransportticketmanagement.Theparkingmanagementandelectronicpublictransportticketmanagementfunctionswillbeintegratedoncethecitysseparatepilotprojectsarereadyforoperation.Additionally,thesystemisdesignedtoensureopennessandreadinessforexpansion,capableofintegratingall12functionswhenapplicationsarefullydevelopedandconditionsfordataconnectionandsharingaremet.Speakingattheinaugurationceremony,Nguy?nPhiTh??ng,directorofthecitysDepartmentofTransport,statedthattheoperationoftheTOCissignificant.Itservesasthefoundationalcorefortheformationoftheintelligenttransportationsystemandisacrucialpracticalbasisforcompletingtheprojectofintelligenttransportationinthecity.Currently,thisisonlytheinitialpilotphase,sothereismuchworktobedone,hesaid,whichwillincluderevisionsfromanyissueswhichariseduringthepilotoperation.Afterthepilotphase,thedepartmentwillcollaboratewithrelevantunitstocomprehensivelyevaluatetheexistingissuestoproposeoptimaltechnicalandtechnologicalsolutionsfortheintelligenttransportationsystem,particularlytheTOC.Thiswillserveasthebasisforeffectivelyandfeasiblyimplementingtheintelligenttransportationinthecity,hesaid.—VNS

Qu?ngYênTownsofficialsduringthesearchforthevictimsbodyonThursday.VNA/VNSPhotoQU?NGNINHThebodyofthemissingvictiminthecrashbetweentwovesselsatQu?XoàiLagoonareahasbeenfound,accordingtoTr?n??cTh?ng,ChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofQu?ngYênTownonFriday.ThedeceasedLêV?nC??ng(alsoknownasLêV?nC?ng),whowasbornin1983andwholivedin??ng2Hamlet,LiênV?Commune,Qu?ngYênTown,wasdiscoveredaround5am,closetothesiteofthecollision.Ataround8.30amonWednesday,LêV?nC??ngandeightotherswenttocutoystersinthe?ènBaL?ngwatersofLiênHòaCommune.Atapproximately12.30amonThursday,theirboatcollidedwithanothershipcarryingsoil,causingbothC??ngandanotherman,LêV?nC??ng,tofallintothesea.C??ngmanagedtoswimandclingtotheothership,butC??ng,whocouldnotswim,wentmissing.Thepeopleontheshipimmediatelyorganisedasearchbutcouldnotfindhim.Assoonastheincidentreportwasreleased,Qu?ngYênTownmobilisedforcesandequipmenttosearchforthevictim.Th?ngwaspresentanddirectlyinvolvedinthesearchandrescueoperations,directingforcesandurginglocalresidentstocomeandhelp.HealsocoordinatedwithTh?yNguyênandCátH?idistricts(H?iPhòng)toassistinlookingforthemissingperson.However,searcheffortswerehamperedbyfluctuatingtidallevelsandafteradayandanightofcombingtheseas,atdawnonFriday,theauthoritiesfoundC??ngsbodynearthecollisionsite.ThevictimsbodyhasbeenhandedovertothefamilyforfuneralarrangementsandQu?ngYênTownwillimplementsupportpoliciesasperStateregulations.VNSTheentireareaofonehectare-sizedfishpondinBùiV?nDoanhin?oànK?tVillageof??iS?nCommuneinYênBáiProvince??iS?nCommunewasburiedbysoilandrocksfromtheconstructionofroadNo.175.VNA/VNSPhotoYêNBáI–DozensofhouseholdsinAnTh?nh,??iS?nandM?VàngcommunesinYênBáiProvincearebeingsignificantlyimpactedbylandslidesanddebrisduringtheconstructionofroadprojectconnectingNgh?aL?townwiththeN?iBài-LàoCaiExpressway.Thelocalresidentssaythattheirgardens,ponds,andricefieldsarebeingburied,althoughtheyliveoutsidetheprojectsclearanceboundary.In?oànK?tVillageof??iS?nCommune,whereconstructionisbeingcarriedoutbyaconsortiumofH?iPhongConstructionandTransportationJointStockCompanyandHoàngKimConstructionandTradingJointStockCompany,thereareseveralpointsofsidings,withtheriskoflandslides.Ontheroad,manypositionsunderconstructionhavedeepgroovescausedbyerosiononbothsidesduetoincompletedrainagesystems.AlongtheprovincialroadNo.175,thereareseveralhighmoundsofdirtpiledupandsomeareasofponds,gardensandricefieldshavebeenburiedduetoblockeddrainageditches.TheroadleadingtoonehamletoftheethnicM?ngpeople,hasbrokentarmacduetoconstructionandexcavationsthatarecausingseriousproblemsforresidentswhoneedtocommute.ThefamilyofBùiV?nDoanhin?oànK?tVillagehashadtheirfishpondburiedwithdebrisfromtheconstructionofprovincialroadNo.175sinceMarch2024.However,localauthoritiesandinvestorshavenotyetinventoriedorproposedanysupportplans.Everytimeitrainsheavily,mudflowsintomypond,Doanhsaid.H?iPhongCompanyhasdumpeddirtontheroad.Idontknowifitwasalandfillornot.Ifitwasnotalandfillandtheydumpeditontheroadthatflowedintomypond,Irequestthecompanyandthecommuneauthoritiestoresolveandcompensateus.EvenifIexcavatethemud,itwillcontinuetoflowin,makingitimpossibletoraisefish,saidDoanhangrily.Similarly,LêThanhQuyshouseinthevillagehasalargeareaofcinnamon-growinghillthathasbeenerodedduetoconstructionbythecontractor,buttheissuehasnotbeenresolved.Thehillareaisalsoatriskoffurtherlandslides.Accordingtoofficialdocumentsprovidedbyauthorities,theprovincialroadNo.175projectconnectingNgh?aL?TownwiththeN?iBài-LàoCaiExpresswayispartoftheNorthernMountainousTransportConnectionProjectwithatotallengthof53km.ThestartingpointistheintersectionoftheN?iBài-LàoCaiExpresswayinV?nYênDistrictofYênBáiProvince,andtheendpointistheintersectionwithNationalHighway32inLiênS?nTown,V?nCh?nDistrict,YênBáiProvince.Theprojectisdividedintothreemainpackages,CW-09,CW-10,andCW-11,withatotalinvestmentofnearlyVN?1.3trillion(US$51million)whichstartedJune23,2022.TheprogressofCW-09andCW-10packageshasbeenhamperedduetosomelocalproblemsandlandclearanceissues.InV?nYênDistrict,roadNo.175passesthroughAnTh?nh,??iS?n,andM?Vàngcommunes,withatotallengthofnearly40km.Accordingtolocalauthorities,38householdsoutsidetheclearanceboundaryareaffectedbytheconstructionofthisroad,including11householdsinAnTh?nhCommune,20inM?VàngCommuneandsevenin??iS?nCommuneaffectedbylandslides.LêHoàn,chairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeof??iS?nCommune,saidthattheroadconstructioninV?nYênDistrictthrough??iS?nCommuneis80-90percentcomplete.Landclearancein??iS?nCommuneisnolongeranissue.However,deepsubsidenceandlandslidesduringconstructionhavecausedproblemsforsevenhouseholds.ThecommunehassentateamtoinspecttheconstructionsiteandreporttothedistrictsLandClearanceCouncil,theMinistryofTransport,theinvestorsandthetwocontractorsofHoàngKimandH?iPhongcompaniestocoordinateinresolvingissuesoutsidetheclearanceboundaryfortheaffectedhouseholds,saidHoàn.Thedistrictisplanningtoholdameetingwiththeinvestorandthecontractorstoresolvethelandclearanceissuesinthethreecommunesinlinewithrealityandlegalregulations,LêHoànsaid.Meanwhile,L?uTrungKiên,viceChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofV?nYênDistrict,statedthatonJuly22,thedistrictsPeoplesCommitteehadworkedwiththecommunes,investorsandcontractorstodefinetheresponsibilitiesofrelatedpartiesanddiscusssolutionstoovercomethesituation.TheroadconnectingNgh?aL?TownwiththeN?iBài-LàoCaiExpresswaywillmeetthetravelneedsoflocalresidents,openingupnewopportunitiesforethnicminorityandmountainousareas,promotingeconomicdevelopment,ensuringsocialwelfare,andsustainablyreducingpoverty,hesaid.VNS

BoatracingontheHànRiverin?àN?ngCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoTr?nLêLam?àN?NG—?àN?ngCityhasplansforanumberofbiginfrastructureprojectsincludingmovingtherailwaystation,buildingbridgeacrosstheHànRiverandbuildingtunnelsthroughtheairport,saidthemunicipalpeoplescommittee.Theprojecttorelocatethe?àN?ngRailwayStationandrelatedworksoutofthecitycentreisconsideredoneoftheimportantprojectsforinfrastructure,socio-economicandsecuritydevelopmentofthecity.However,currentlyinvestmentresourcesfortherailwayindustryarestilllimited,alongwiththeGovernmentsprioritytofocusontheexpresswaynetwork,leadingtoprolongedtimetorelocatetherailwaystationtoanewplace.AccordingtotheReportNo223/BC-UBND,issuedintheendoflastmonththe?àN?ngPeoplesCommitteehasaleadyselectedaconsultingunit,researchedandcompiledaplantorelocatetherailway.ThemunicipalPartyCommitteeapprovedtheplan,inwhichallauxiliaryworksandrailwayagenciesofthestationwillmovetoKimLiênStation,thepassengerspartwillmovetoTrungNgh?aLakearea.Currently,thecityisaskingforopinionsfromtheMinistryofTransportandrelevantagencies.ItisexpectedthatbyOctoberthisyear,thedetailedplanningwillbecompletedandbyOctobernextyear,thefeasibilitystudyreportwillbecompleted.AnothermajorpieceofengineeringworkisthebridgeacrosstheHànRiverconnectingthe??ng?a-Tr?nPhúStreetinH?iChauDistricttotheVan??n-Tr?nH?ng??oStreetinS?nTràDistrict),alsoknownastheHànRivertunnel.Itisunderthecitysplanningfortheperiodof2021-30,visionto2050,whichwasapprovedbythePrimeMinister.The?àN?ngDepartmentofTransporthasworkedwithunitstoevaluateandapproveinvestmentpreparation.Itisexpectedtocompletetheprojectspre-feasibilitystudyreportandsubmittocompetentauthoritiesforappraisalintheendofthisyear.Forthe?àN?ngAirportTunnelproject,the?àN?ngPeoplesCommitteeproposedtoallocatecapitalthisyeartocarryoutinvestmentpreparationworkasabasisforimplementation.Inaddition,theHòaLiên-TúyLoanExpresswayprojecthasatotallengthof11.5kmandinvestmentofmorethanVN?2.1billion(US$82.4million).Ofwhich,siteclearancecompensationismorethanVN?951billion($37.3million).Resettlementlandwillbefullycompletednextyear.—VNSThesecondASEANConsortiumforInnovationandResearch(ACIR)plusforumin?àN?ngcityonJuly18.VNA/VNSPhoto?àN?NG–ThesecondASEANConsortiumforInnovationandResearch(ACIR)plusforumwasheldinthecentralcityof?àN?ngonJuly18,aimingtopromotethequalityoftraining,innovation,andscientificresearch.TheACIR+2024,heldbytheVi?tNam-KoreaUniversityofInformationandCommunicationTechnology(VKU)undertheUniversityofDaNang,gatheredsomeoftheworldsleadingscientistsininformationtechnology,communications,anddigitaleconomyfrommajoruniversitiesoftheUK,Poland,theRepublicofKorea,Ireland,France,Germany,andSoutheastAsiancountries.Attheforum,representativesofsevenACIRmemberunitstalkedaboutideasofjointlyholdingin-depthconferencesandworkshopsontrainingareas.ParticipantsalsolistenedtoVi?tNamandothercountriesleadingprofessorssharinginnovationandscientificresearch-relatedexperiences.Inhisopeningspeech,VKURectorAssoc.Prof.DrHu?nhC?ngPhápsaidthatwiththeparticipationoftopexpertsfrommanycountriesandsupportfrominternationalorganisations,theACIR+2024wasameaningfulforumforsharingknowledge,experience,andnewinitiatives.ItaffirmstheVKUspioneeringroleinfosteringinnovationandimprovingthetrainingquality,whilealsodemonstratingthesolidarityandcooperationoftheregionalandinternationalacademiccommunity.AcademicandscientificresearchcooperationactivitiesamongACIRmembersandinternationalpartnersarealsogeneratingpositiveresults,openingupmanysustainabledevelopmentopportunitiesforuniversitiesandtheirstudentsandalsocontributingtothedevelopmentofeducationandscientificresearchinSoutheastAsiaandtheworld,Phapadded.TheACIRwasinitiatedbytheVKUin2023withsupportfromtheKoreaInternationalCooperationAgency(KOICA)andforeignscientists.Itlookstoenhancecooperationtoimprovethequalityoftraining,innovation,andscientificresearchintheregion,andattractnewideas.VNSBorderguardsraiseawarenessabouthumantraffickingamonglocalsintheborderdistrictofK?S?n,Ngh?AnProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nV?nTyHàN?I—Thepolicedismantled35humantraffickingnetworksinthefirstsixmonthsof2024,arresting78suspectsandrescuing103victims,accordingto?inhV?nTrình,DeputyDirectoroftheDepartmentNumber05undertheMinistryofPublicSecurity.TrìnhwasspeakingatapressconferenceonhumanrightsonThursday.Hesaidhumantraffickinghadtakenacomplexturn,astraffickersincreasinglyleveragesocialmediaplatformstotrapunsuspectingindividuals.AcommontacticisusingFacebooktobefriendvictimsandpromisethemeasyjobswithhighpayincountrieslikeChinaorCambodia.Oncethevictimsareluredacrossborders,theyareforcedintoillegallabourorheldforransom.AnothertacticinvolvescreatingsecretZalogroupsdedicatedtoadoption,totargetpregnantwomenwhoeitherlackthemeansorthedesiretoraisetheirchildren.Thetraffickersthenacquirethechildrenthroughadoptionorpurchaseandresellthemtoothersundertheguiseoflegaladoption.Theyfalsifydocumentstolegitimisethechildsoriginsandprofitfromthetransaction.TherehavebeenreportsofVietnamese-lednetworksspecialisingintraffickingforeignersthroughVi?tNamtothirdcountries,saidTrình.HealsosaidhumantraffickinginVi?tNamwasmostprevalentinthenorthernprovincesborderingChina,howeverrecentborderfenceconstructionhaspromptedasouthwardshiftintraffickingactivities.Tocombattheevolvingthreat,thepolicehaveimplementedarangeofmeasurestostrengthenitsanti-traffickingefforts,includingexpeditingthefinalisationandpassageoftherevisedAnti-TraffickingLawandsteppingupcommunicationinitiatives.L?H?ngLinh,arepresentativeoftheVietnamWomanUnion(VWU)sCentralCommittee,sharedthatVWUunitsacrossthecountryhavecalledoutagainst1,364casesofsexualassaults,domesticviolenceandhumantraffickinginthefirsthalfof2024.Theyhaveprovidedcomprehensivesupporttothevictims,includingpsychologicalcounseling,legalaidandsponsorship.InHàN?iCity,17victimshavereceivedassistance,while28and11victimshavebeensupportedinYênBáiandThanhHóa(chǎn)Provinces,respectively.Additionally,fromJanuarytoMay,fiveOSSOofficesundertheVWUscollaborationwiththeInternationalOrganizationforMigration(IOM)haveassisted115migrantwomenreturninghome.Thesewomenhavereceivednearly700health,employmentandfamilyconsultations.LinhalsosaidtheVWUunitshadprioritisedcommunicationinitiativesalongsidetheirdirectsupportservicesforvictims.Duringthesixmonths,theyorganised20awarenesseventsacrossfourprovinces,reachingasignificantaudience.Theprimarymessagesconveyedthroughthesecampaignscentrearoundunderstandingthemodusoperandiofhumantraffickersandequippingindividualswithskillstorecogniseandrespondtotraffickingattempts,saidLinh.LinhsaidthatVWUisdeterminedtomaintainitsmomentuminthecomingsixmonths.Plansincludecontinuedassistancetovictims,alongsidearobustpublicawarenesscampaign.AnotableeventinthisregardistheupcomingAnti-TraffickingForuminTayNinhProvinceattheendofJuly.HoàngNg?cThanh,arepresentativeoftheVietnamBorderGuardCommand(BGC),revealedthatborderforcessuccessfullyhandled208humantraffickingcasesinsixmonths,apprehending118traffickersandprovidingassistanceto375victimsandsuspectedvictims.Recognisingtheimportanceofpublicawareness,BGChasprioritisedcommunicationefforts,conductingmorethan56,000anti-humantraffickingtalks,reachinganearly1.6millionindividuals.Communicationeffortsatbordergateshaveresultedin926workersvoluntarilyabandoningtheirplanstoleavethecountryafterrecognisingthepotentialdangersofbecominghumantraffickingvictims,saidThanh.Lookingahead,BGCremainssteadfastinitscommitmenttoeradicatinghumantrafficking.Plannedmeasuresincludeintensifiedborderpatrols,collaborationwithinternationalorganisationstoconductcapacity-buildingtrainingsessionsforborderguardsandstrengthenedcooperationwithlawenforcementagenciesinneighboringcountries.—VNS

PhanRangMarketinPhanRang–ThápChàmCityisoneofNinhThu?nProvincesfood-safetymarkets.–VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nThànhNINHTHU?N–NinhThu?nProvinceismobilisingresourcestodevelopthemodeloffood-safetymarketsasitisconsideredaneffectivesolutiontoimprovemarketmanagement,ensurefoodsafetyandprotectconsumersrights.Thesouth-centralprovincehasimplementedthemodelsince2017andhasbuiltsevenfood-safetymarkets.TheyareThu?nB?cDistrictCentreMarket,CàNáinThu?nNamDistrict,TanS?nandNh?nS?ninNinhS?nDistrict,PhanRanginPhanRang-ThápChàmCity,AnH?iinNinhPh??cDistrictandThanhH?iinNinhH?iDistrict.ThanhH?i,forinstance,isathird-classmarket,hasanareaof4,000sq.mandwasbuiltatacostofVN?11.6billion(US$450,000)bythePhúTh?nhRealEstateInvestmentCompanyLimited.Itwasputintooperationin2018andmeetsthenationalcriteriaforfoodmarkets.Ithas134boothsthatsellmeat,seafood,vegetables,fruits,andfoodinseparatedareas.Theoriginofitsfoodsistraceable.Nguy?nTh?L??m,aregularconsumeratThanhH?iMarket,saidsheandherdaughter-in-lawoftenbuyfoodtherebecauseitisfreshanddelicious.Vegetablesandfruitsarediverse,poultryandporkarequarantinedbycompetentagencies,ensuringfoodsafety.Smalltradersareveryenthusiasticandsellfoodatreasonableprices,shesaid.AccordingtotheprovincesDepartmentofIndustryandTrade,thereisonetradecentre,fivesupermarkets,and103wetmarketsinurbanandruralareas.Tr?nQu?cSanh,itsdeputydirector,saidwetmarketsarestillthemaindistributionchannelthatsuppliesmeat,fish,vegetablesandfruitsforpeople.Theprovincesrelevantdepartmentsandagencieshavetakenseveralmeasurestoensurefoodsafetyandhygieneatmarkets,hesaid.However,manymarketshavebeendegradedanddonotmeetthenationalcriteriaforfoodmarkets,sothedevelopmentoffood-safetymarketsisnecessaryandurgent,hesaid.Currently,theprovincesbudgetforbuildingfood-safetymarketsislimited,andmobilisingprivateinvestmenttobuildamarketisdifficultbecauseitrequireslargeamountsofcapitalandtakesalongtimetorecoverinvestmentcosts.Theprovincesbudgetforbuildingfood-safetymarketsisonlyenoughtobuildonesuchmarketperyear.Thisyear,theprovinceselectedC?ngThànhMarketinPhanRang–ThápChàmCitysThànhH?iCommunetodevelopintoafood-safetymarket.TheprovincehaspetitionedthecentralGovernmenttograntfinancialsupportfromnationaltargetprogrammesforittobuildmarketswhichmeetthenationalcriteriaforfoodmarkets.–VNSPoliceinHàN?icheckingalcohollevelwithacardriveronthenightofJune12th.—VNA/VNSPhotosHàN?I—Despiteeffortsbytrafficpolice,thenumberoftrafficviolationsremainshigh,particularlythoseinvolvingdrivingundertheinfluenceofalcohol.Fromthebeginningoftheyear,thetrafficpoliceforcehasimplementedmanymeasurestoensuretrafficorderandsafety,addressingkeybehavioursthatleadtotrafficaccidentssuchasdrinkdriving,speeding,overloadingandcarryingmorepassengersthanallowed.Inthesecondquarterofthisyear,thenumberoftrafficaccidentfatalitiesdecreasedbymorethansevenpercentandtrafficcongestiondecreasedbyover70percentcomparedtothesameperiodin2023.Inthefirstsixmonthsoftheyear,trafficaccidentfatalitiesdecreasedbynearly11percentandtrafficcongestiondecreasedbynearly66percentcomparedtothesameperiodin2023.MajorGeneralNguy?nV?nTrung,DirectoroftheTrafficPoliceDepartment,toldVi?tNamNewsAgencythatthetrafficorderandsafetysituationremainscomplex,withtrafficaccidentsinthesecondquarterincreasingbyover11percentandtrafficinjuriesincreasingbyover22percent,comparedtothesameperiodin2023.ThreeparticularlyserioustrafficaccidentsinHàT?nh,NinhBìnhand??kL?kprovincesresultedinsixteendeaths,mainlyduetodrivernegligence.Accidentsmostlyoccuronnationalhighwaysandatnightandearlymorning.Alltrafficaccidentperpetratorsweremen,mostlyaged28-55,withmotorcyclesinvolvedinover50percentoftheaccidents.Trungsaidthatinthesecondquarter,overonemilliontrafficviolationswerehandled,with275,130casesofalcoholviolations,accountingfor22,23percentoftotalviolations.Inthefirstsixmonthsofthisyear,outofover2.1millionroad,rail,andwaterwaytrafficviolations,therewereover501,000casesofdrinkdriving,accountingfor19,85percentofallviolations.InHCMCity,inthesecondquarterof2024alone,nearly40,900thousandcasesofalcoholanddrugviolationswerehandled,anincreaseof10.9percentcomparedtothesameperiod.TrafficpoliceinL?ngSonProvincehandlingdriversviolatingalcoholconcentrationlimits.HàN?isViceChairmanoftheCityPeoplesCommittee,D??ng??cTu?n,saidthatinthesecondquarterofthisyear,TaskForce141ofthecityspolicedetectedandhandled2,151casesofdrinkdriving.In??ngNaiProvince,theprovincialpolicedeployedover14,000patrolteamstohandletrafficorderandsafetyviolations,detecting123,300casesinthefirstsixmonths,withover16,700ofwhichrelatedtoalcoholviolations,markinganincreaseofover7,000casesfromthesameperiodlastyear.Ng?TanPh??ng,ViceChairmanofB?cNinhProvince,saidtheprovincedirectedthepolicetointensifypatrolsandhandletrafficviolations,focusingonkeybehavioursleadingtotrafficaccidents,suchasdrugandalcoholviolationsandspeeding.Inthefirstsixmonthsoftheyear,authoritiespenalisednearly28,500cases,withalmost12,000involvingalcoholviolations.Thisrepresentsa101percentincreasecomparedtothesameperiodin2023.InHàT?nhProvince,wherethetrafficaccidentsituationissevere,therewere233accidentsresultingin111deathsand160injuriesinthefirstsixmonthsoftheyear.Thesefiguresreveala40percentincreaseinaccidents,a13.3percentincreaseindeaths,anda67percentincreaseininjuriescomparedtothesameperiodin2023.TheprovincialTrafficSafetyDepartmentleadersaidthatover80percentofaccidentswereduetotheawarenessofroadusers,withalcoholviolationsaccountingfor14percent.Despitedeterminedenforcement,alcoholviolationsremainthehighestamongallviolations.Eachday,over5,000casesofalcoholandspeedingviolationsarehandled,MajorGeneralTrungsaid.Over20percentoftrafficaccidentsarerelatedtoalcoholuse.Thisisamatterwehavefocusedonaddressingresolutely,butthesituationhasnotimprovedsignificantly.ViceChairmanPh??ngofB?cNinhProvincestressedtheneedforacomprehensiveapproachtoreducetrafficaccidents,focusingparticularlyonbehaviourslikealcoholandspeedingviolations.Hehighlightedproactivelocalmeasurestoensuretrafficsafety,tailoredtoregionalneeds,includingthedevelopmentofaTrafficSafetyProvince.InHàN?i,ViceChairmanTu?nrecommendedintensifyinginspectionsandenforcementoftrafficregulations.HeproposedthattheMinistryofTransportadvocateforincreasedpenaltiesonspecificviolationsknowntocausecongestionandaccidents,suchasalcoholviolations,overloadingandspeeding.MajorGeneralTrungurgedlocalauthoritiestostrictlyadheretogovernmentdirectivesaimedatenhancingroadsafetyandorder.—VNS

Peoplelookatlotus-basedproductsataboothatHàN?iLotusFestivallastweek.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngHi?uHàN?I—HàN?ihaspromotedthedevelopmentofcraftvillagesthatproducelotus-basedproducts,integratingtourismandenhancingtheimpressionofthelocalarea.Theinitiativeaimstocreateuniqueproductswhichattracttouriststoexperiencethebeautyandcultureofthelotusinthecity.Nguy?nM?nhQuy?n,deputyChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofthecity,saidthatinVietnameseculture,thelotussymbolisedpurityandclarity,embodyingthespiritandidentityoftheVietnamesepeople.Beyonditsspiritualandreligioussignificance,thelotuswasaversatileplantofferingnutritionalandpracticaluses.Mostpartsofthelotusplantcanbeusedasfood,medicineorhigh-qualitymaterialsforthetextileindustry.L?uTh?Hi?n,ownerofHi?nXiêmLotusTeainTayH?Districtsaidherfamilyhadalongtraditionofmakinglotustea.Inthepast,itwasmainlyforpersonaluseandgiftsduringholidays.Asthemarketeconomydeveloped,morepeoplesoughtoutlotusteaasauniquegiftofHàN?i,increasingdemandandleadingustoexpandourfamilybusiness,shesaid.HerfamilycurrentlyrentssevenhaofWestLaketocultivateB?chDi?plotus.AccordingtoHi?n,producingonekilogrammeoflotustearequires1,500lotusflowers,costingseveralmillion??ng.WestLakelotustea,knownastheteaoftheancients,offersadelicate,refreshingflavour.ThetasteresultsfromtheblendoftealeavesandthefragrantBáchDi?plotus,shesaid.L?QuangKhanh,directorofMêLinhLotusVillageCooperative,saidthattheycultivate50haoflotus,includingB?chLiênandB?chDi?pvarieties,originatingfromtheWestLake.FromMaytoSeptember,thecooperativeharvestedandsuppliedthemarketwith8,000to10,000lotusflowersdaily.Inadditiontomeetinglocaldemandforlotusflowers,thecooperativealsocollaboratedwithTamTràTháiCooperativeinthenorthernprovinceofTháiNguyênandB?cS?nTeaproducersinHàN?isSócS?nDistricttosupplylotusflowersandleaves.Bothlotusflowersandlotusteahavebeenrecognisedasthree-starandfour-starOne-CommuneOneProduct(OCOP)productsbyHàN?i.ThelotusflowersandlotusteaweresupportedbyMêLinhDistricttobuildthebrandofB?chthiênsenH?iLinhthatshowcasedatvariousfairsandexhibitions.TheOCOPlotusteaconsistedoffreshandvacuum-driedvarieties.Toenhancequalityanddiversifyproducts,thecooperativeplannedtointroducelotusteabagsandlotusleafteabytheendofthisyear,hesaid.HàN?ihasdevelopednumerousspecialtyproductsmadefromlotus,reflectingthecitysculturalheritageandprovidingeconomicbenefits.TheproductsincludeHi?nXiêmlotusteainTayH?District,Qu?ngAnlotusteainTayH?District,??mLonglotusseedsinBaVìDistrict,lotusleafteainSócS?nDistrict,lotusheartteainThanhTrìDistrictandNg?Th?cgreenstickyricewithlotusseedsinNamT?LiêmDistrict.Amongthe2,723OCOP-ratedproductsinHàN?i,thereare18lotus-basedproducts.IntegratingecotourismLotusteamarinatingatafamilyofartisansinTayH?District,HàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoKhánhHòaAccordingtoassociateProfessor??ngV?n??ngfromtheInstituteofVegetablesandFruits,undertheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,Vi?tNamsdistinctregionseachhadcharacteristiclotusvarieties.TherearepinklotusintheMekongDeltaprovinceof??ngTháp,whitelotusinthecoastalcentralprovinceofHu?,andBáchDi?plotusinWestLakeinHàN?i.BáchDi?plotuswasavaluablespecies,requiringpreservationanddevelopment.TorestoreandexpandtheBáchDi?plotusvariety,thecitysAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentDepartment,theInstituteofVegetablesandFruitsandthePeoplesCommitteeofTayH?DistricthaveimplementedtheprojectBuildingalotusproductionmodelassociatedwithdevelopingecotourismalongthevaluechaininTayH?-HàN?i.TheprojectalsoaimedtolinklotuscultivationwithecotourisminTayH?District.InadditiontotherenownedWestLakelotustea,thelotus-themedfeast,auniqueculinarytourismproduct,ispopularin???ngLamancientvillage,featuringovertenlotus-baseddishes.LamTh?Na,ownerofarestaurantinthevillagesaid;Initially,weofferedafewlotusdisheslikelotusstickyrice,lotusrootsaladandlotusseedsweetsoup.Thenmanyvisitorssuggestedcreatingaspecialisedlotusfeasttoattracttouristsandnowitsapopularorderamongvisitorstothevillage.TextileindustrymaterialsToday,lotuscultivationinHàN?issuburbandistrictssupplieshigh-qualitymaterialsforthetextileindustry,producingfragrancesandstarch.Theuniquelotussilk,craftedbyartisanPhanTh?Thu?ninPhùngXáCommune,M???cDistrict,isparticularlynotable.Thu?nslotussilkscarves,apotentialfive-starOCOPproduct,areusedbytheGovernmentOfficeasgiftsforforeigndignitaries.Currently,HàN?ihasover600haoflotuscultivation,withplanstoexpandto900habynextyear.MajorcultivationareasincludeM???c(188ha),BaVì(70ha),MêLinh(65ha),PhúcTh?(25ha),?ngHòa(25ha),B?cT?Liêm(25ha),TayH?(19.6ha)andQu?cOai(18ha).Nguy?n?ìnhHoa,deputydirectorofthecitysAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentDepartmentsaidthedepartmenttaskedtheAgriculturalPromotionCentreandtheInstituteofVegetablesandFruitstotestover30newlotusvarietiesinthecity.Thenthedepartmenthadselected20lotusvarietiesthatshownexcellentadaptabilitytoHàN?issoil.Thelotusvarietiesincludespecialisedlotustypesforroots,flowers,silkandseedswithhighyieldandquality.AdvancesinscienceandtechnologyhaveextendedHàN?islotusseasonfromApriltoNovember.—VNS

AnofficialofHCMCitysDistrict5visitsandpresentsagifttoadisadvantagedhousehold.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheHCMCityPeoplesCommitteehassubmittedaproposaltoallocatenearlyVN?2.9trillion(US$114million)moreforthecityssustainablepovertyreductionprogrammeforthe2021-25period.Atthe17thsessionofthemunicipalPeoplesCouncilmeetingheldonJuly15,thePeoplesCommitteeproposedthatthePeoplesCouncilrevisethemultidimensionalpovertymeasurementcriteria,includingtheaverageincomecriteriaofVN?46million($1,805)perpersonperyear.Indicatorsmeasuringbasicsocialservicesincludenutrition,healthinsurance,adulteducationlevel,schoolattendancestatusofchildren,job,socialinsurance,dependentsinthefamily,housingquality,housingareapercapita,domesticwatersource,hygieniclatrines,telecommunicationsservices,andmeansofaccessinginformation.ThePeoplesCommitteealsoproposedpovertythresholdsforpoorandnear-poorhouseholds,andhouseholdswithaveragelivingstandardsinthe2021-25period.Accordingly,peoplewithanaverageincomeofVN?46millionorlessperyearandlackingthreeormoreindicatorsmeasuringbasicsocialservicesarecertifiedasnear-poorhouseholds.PeoplewithanaverageincomefromVN?46milliontoVN?69million($2,705)peryeararethosecertifiedashouseholdswithanaveragestandardofliving.Thecityssustainablepovertyreductionprogrammeforthe2021-25periodhasatotalcapitalofVN?15.1trillion($595million).Underthecityspovertystandardsforthe2021-25period,apoorhouseholdhasanaverageincomeofbelowVN?36million($1,530)perpersonperyear,andanear-poorhouseholdfromVN?36milliontoVN?46million($1,950).Measurestohelpthepoorincludeloans,vocationaltraining,jobintroductionandscholarships,aswellassupportforeducation,housing,healthcare,andlegalaidforthepoorandnear-poor.Thesolutionsandpoliciessupportingsocio-economicdevelopmentareimplementedtograduallyreducefinancialassistanceandincreasesupportforproductionandbusinesses,helpingpoorandnear-poorhouseholdsliftthemselvesoutofpoverty.Localitiesanddepartmentsregularlyreviewandupdatethelistofpoorhouseholdstopromptlyprovidesupport.Bytheendoflastyear,thecityhadmorethan8,290poorhouseholdsand14,574near-poorhouseholds,accountingfor0.33percentand0.57percentofthecitystotalhouseholds,respectively.—VNSM??ngP?n1villageinM??ngP?nCommune,?i?nBiênDistrictinthenorthernmountainousprovinceof?i?nBiênliesinruinsaftertheflashfloodinWednesdaynight.VNA/VNSPhotoXuanT??BP—Flashfloodsandfloodingcausedbyprolongedheavyrainsledtotwodeaths,twoinjuredandleftfivepeoplemissingafterwreakinghavoconM??ngP?nCommune,?i?nBiênDistrictinthenorthernmountainousprovinceof?i?nBiênonWednesdaynight.Theflashfloodsweptawaymanyhousesanddozensofhectaresofricefields.Thefloodsinjuredtwopeopleandcausedsignificantpropertydamage.Familymembersanxiouslyawaitnewsaboutthemissingvictims.Abouttenhousesweresweptaway,eighthousescollapsedandaround100otherhouseswerepartlydamaged.Manyhectaresofricefieldswerecompletelydestroyed.Localauthoritiesandresidentsworktoaddresstheaftermathoftheflashflood.ThetotalestimateddamageisVN?2.7billion(US$106,520).LandslidesandmudblockedroadscausedtrafficcongestiononNationalHighway12,passingthroughtheL?nhvillageareainM??ngP?nCommune.Rescueforcesmakeeffortstosearchforthemissingvictims.Authoritiesarestillsearchingforthemissingpersonsandaddressingtheflooddamage.—VNS

BayerVietnamisworkingwithHanoiStrokeAssociationandtheUniversityofOxfordtoimprovestrokecareandresearch.—PhotocourtesyofBayerVietnamHàN?I—Bayer,theHanoiStrokeAssociation(HNSA),andtheUniversityofOxfordrecentlysignedaMemorandumofUnderstanding(MoU)toenhancethequalityofstrokemanagementandscientificresearchinVi?tNam.TheMoUsingingceremonytookplaceattheStrokeCentre,B?chMaiHospital,HàN?i.Vi?tNamisoneofthecountrieswiththehighestincidencerateofstroke,withabout200,000strokepatientseveryyear.StrokesarenowamongthetopcausesofdeathinVi?tNam,withmorefatalcasesthancardiovasculardiseases.Amongsurvivors,thisconditioncausesdisabilityandcreatesagreatburdenonfamilymembersandcommunities.However,Vi?tNamfacesacriticallackofdataandinformationtoenhancestrokecareandresearch.AttheMoUsigningceremony,AssociateProf.Dr.MaiDuyT?n,directoroftheStrokeCentatB?chMaiHospitalandchairmanoftheHanoiStrokeAssociation,highlightedtheimportanceofupdatingknowledgeformedicalstaff.ManyVietnamesedoctorsarenotfullyawareoftheroleofscientificresearchinsupportingtreatmentpractice.Whilemostattentionispaidtopatientcare,itisvitalforhealthcareprofessionalstoupdatescientificknowledgetoimprovediagnosticcapacityandtreatmentoutcomes.UndertheMoU,thethreepartieswilldevelopacomprehensiveprogrammetitledImprovingtheQualityofScientificResearchandStrokeManagement,period2024-2025,comprisingvariouskeyareasofco-operation,includingscientificresearch,educationalprogrammes,datadevelopmentandpublication.Bynarrowingdatagaps,thiscollectiveeffortsupportsimprovedclinicaldecision-makingandpatientcareoptimisation.IngoBrandenburg,ManagingDirectorofBayerVietnam,said:Bayerwillactivelycollaboratewithmedicalexpertsinthedevelopmentoftrainingprogrammesforhealthcareprofessionalsandthecommunity.Leveragingourscientificexpertise,wewillprovideinputtoenhancethequalityoftrainingandeducationprogrammes,facilitateknowledgeupdates,furthercontributingtotheoverallobjectivesofthepartnership,inconsultationwiththeHanoiStrokeAssociation,UniversityofOxford,andrespectiveexpertsinvolved.Tr?nMinhC?ng,postdoctoralresearcherattheUniversityofOxford,said:Todayssigningmarksthebeginningofanewchapterinourcollaborativeeffortstoenhancethecapacityofscientificresearchandstrokemanagement.ThiscollaborationwiththeHanoiStrokeAssociationandBayerVietnamunderscoresoursharedvisionofimprovinghealthcareoutcomesthroughinnovativeresearch,comprehensiveclinicaltraining,andthedevelopmentofcutting-edgemedicalguidelines.Furthermore,thepartnershipseekstoestablishandnurtureprofessionalcollaborationwithinternationalorganisationstoelevatethequalityofstrokeresearchinVi?tNam.Bycombininglocalexpertiseanddatawithtechnicalguidancefromexpertsatleadingmedicalinstitutionsoverseas,multi-nationalprojectsareexpectedtogeneratemorerobustinsightsapplicableworldwide,strengtheningtheglobalcontributionofVietnamesestrokespecialistswhilespeedingupadoptionofevidence-basedbestpracticesinthecountry.VNSTheappearanceof?anPh??ngDistrictsnewruralareas.HàN?I–AftermorethanadecadeofimplementingHàN?isnewruraldevelopmentprogramme,?anPh??ngDistricthasconsistentlyledthecitysefforts,thankstothetirelessworkofboththelocalgovernmentandresidents.Theircollectivededicationhastransformedthedistrictintoaplacethatisbright,green,clean,beautiful,safe,andsmart.?anPh??ngDistrictimpressesvisitorswithitsspacious,litter-freevillageroadsandalleywaysacrossmostcommunes.Theroadsidesareadornedwithneatlyplantedgreentreesthatprovideshade,alongwithvibrantflowerbedsthataddtothescenicbeauty.Nguy?nTh?Thu,aresidentofSongPh??ngCommune,sharedherexperience:WhenSongPh??ngCommunelaunchedtherurallandscapedevelopmentmovement,myfamilyandotherhouseholdsinthecommuneactivelyrenovatedanddecoratedourhousegatesandgardens,andplantedflowersandgreeneryinfrontofourhomes.Acleanenvironmentandbeautifulsceneryhaveimprovedourhealth,boostedourworkingspirit,andbroughtjoytoeveryone,sheadded.Youngpeoplejointhecompetitiontokeepingtheirvillagebright,green,clean,beautiful,safe,andsmart.Thishashelpedraisepublicawarenessandencouragedresidentstoactivelyparticipateinenvironmentalbeautificationandcleanliness.AftermorethanadecadeofimplementingHàN?isnewruraldevelopmentprogramme,?anPh??ngDistricthasconsistentlyledthecitysefforts,thankstothetirelessworkofboththelocalgovernmentandresidents.Theircollectivededicationhastransformedthedistrictintoaplacethatisbright,green,clean,beautiful,safe,andsmart.?anPh??ngDistrictimpressesvisitorswithitsspacious,litter-freevillageroadsandalleywaysacrossmostcommunes.Theroadsidesareadornedwithneatlyplantedgreentreesthatprovideshade,alongwithvibrantflowerbedsthataddtothescenicbeauty.Nguy?nTh?Thu,aresidentofSongPh??ngCommune,sharedherexperience:WhenSongPh??ngCommunelaunchedtherurallandscapedevelopmentmovement,myfamilyandotherhouseholdsinthecommuneactivelyrenovatedanddecoratedourhousegatesandgardens,andplantedflowersandgreeneryinfrontofourhomes.Acleanenvironmentandbeautifulsceneryhaveimprovedourhealth,boostedourworkingspirit,andbroughtjoytoeveryone,sheadded.TheroadinThápTh??ngHamlet,SongPh??ngCommune,?anPh??ngDistrict,islinedwithgreentreesandcolourfulflowers.ThefirststepforQuyHamletwastoinstallacompletelightingsystemonallroads.Inaddition,thehamletencouragedeveryonetoparticipateinenvironmentalcleaning,withhouseholdsinvolvedintradesorlivestockmanagementtakingresponsibilityforcleaningaroundtheirhomes.?àoTh?H?ng,ViceChairwomanofthe?anPh??ngDistrictPeoplesCommittee,reportedthatthedistricthasdevelopedmodelareasforvillagesandresidentialgroupstobebright,green,clean,beautiful,safe,andsmartovertheyears.Since2019,thedistricthasmobilisedoverVN?35billion(US$1.39million)toenhancetheappearanceofvillagesandhamlets.ThisincludespaintingsinthecommunesofSongPh??ng,Th??ngM?,and?anPh??ng,aswellastheconstructionofmodeldykesinH?ngHà,H?M?,TrungChau,LiênTrung,andSongPh??ngcommunes.AuthoritiesinspecttheimplementationofthenewruraldevelopmentmovementinH?M?Commune,?anPh??ngDistrict.Throughthisinitiative,thedistricthasestablishedover460flowerroutes,paintedmorethan15,000squaremetresofmuralsandceramicartworks,andupgradednumerousstreetsandalleyswithasphaltpaving,welcomegates,andvibrantdecorations.Notably,manyresidentshavevoluntarilydonatedlandtobuildroadsandwidenalleys.Currently,?anPh??ngboastsover200villagesandresidentialareasrecognisedfortheirachievementsinthisprogramme.Nguy?nV?nChí,DeputyDirectoroftheHàN?iNewRuralDevelopmentProgrammeOffice,statedthat?anPh??nghasconsistentlyledthenewruraldevelopmentmovementinthecityformanyyears.Hehighlightedthedistrictsinnovativeapproachtomaintainingenvironmentalcleanliness,notingthatithassignificantlyraisedpublicawarenessaboutprotectingtheirlocalenvironment.Headdedthat?anPh??ngsnewruraldevelopmentexperiencesarehighlycommendableandserveasavaluablemodelforotherregions,contributingtomakingHàN?isruralareasmoreprosperousandlivable.?anPh??ngisnowthefirstdistrictinthecitywhereall15communeshaveachievednewruraldevelopmentstandards.-VNS*ThearticleispublishedunderthecoordinationoftheCoordinationOfficeoftheNew-StyleRuralDevelopmentProgrammeinHàN?i.

SatellitecitiesandtheareassurroundingHàN?iaremakingprogressinagriculturewhilepreservingandpromotingthevaluesofancientvillages.—PhotocourtesyofHàN?iDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentHàN?I—HàN?iboastsauniqueagriculture,intheheartofthecity,whichrequiressignificanteffortstosustainablydevelopthesectorfollowingmodern,cleanandorganicpractices.Thecitysagriculturalgrowthmustalsobelinkedwiththecirculareconomyandtheprocessingindustryandensuresustainableconnectiontotheglobalvaluechains.AccordingtoNguy?nM?nhQuy?n,vicechairmanofHàN?iPeoplesCommittee,withthecapitalcityscurrentconditions,thefocusliesintheproduceandfarmingmodels,ratherthantheproductionprocess.Thesemustbesuitabletotheecologicalconditions,environmentalprotectionmeasures,aswellasthecapitalcityseconomicscale.Therefore,HàN?iagriculturemustleverageitsintellectualpowerinproduction,hesaid.Whilethescalemightnotbeextensive,thesectormustemployadvancedtechnologyforhighqualityandproductvalue.Inaddition,localfarmingshouldutiliseHàN?isecologicalandculturalstrengthstodevelopauniqueagriculture.Asthecapitalcityandaneconomicandculturalcentreofthecountry,HàN?imustalsoactasafocalpointofthemarketeconomy,atranshipmenthubandanintermediatepointbetweenmunicipalandprovincialeconomiesnationwide,saidQuy?n.DirectorofHàN?iDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentNguy?nXuan??iaddedthatHàN?iaspirestotransformthesuburbanzonesofthecitywithanewapproach,whichemphasisesthetraditionalculturalfoundationandimprovedlivingstandardsintheseareas.Thecitysconceptof‘urbanareaswithinvillages,villageswithinurbanareasisalsoexpectedtocontributetotheformationofagriculturalandsuburbantourismdestinations.HàN?ialsoneedstofocusonplanningfarmingzonesbasedoneconomicandecologicalfunctions,todevelopmodernurbanagriculture,basedonitspeoplesculturalvalues,theRedRiverDeltaagriculturalcivilisationandinalignmentwithinternationalintegrationandglobalconnections,said??i.Accordingly,thecapitalcitymustdevelopspecificmechanismsintheplanningandmanagementofitsagriculturalzones,aswellasagrowthdirectionthatfitseachofitsdevelopmentzones.Specifically,inthehistoricalinner-city,HàN?ishoulddevelopurbanagriculturefollowingthemodelofacirculareconomywithhightechnology,eliteandsmartfarmingpractices,creatinggreenspacesandecologicallandscapes.Meanwhile,inthelargerurbanarea,thegrowthdirectionshouldfollowthemodelof‘citywithincity,whiletheouterzoneswithinfuturecitydistrictsshouldbescaleduptourbanareaswhereagriculturalmodelsalignwitheco-tourism,offeringtouristexperiencesandleisureactivities.Satelliteurbanzonesandadjacentareasshouldbedesignatedforagriculturalproductionandpreservingandpromotingthevaluesofancientvillages,craftvillages,aswellaseducationalandexperientialtourism.KeyagriculturalproductionareasincludethedistrictsofBaVì,PhúcTh?,?ngHòa,M???c,Qu?cOaiandTh?chTh?t,whichwillfocusonlarge-scalecommodityagriculturalproduction,agriculturalwithindustrialcombination,high-techagricultureandscience-technologyapplications,linkedwiththedevelopmentofagriculturalsupplychainsintheRedRiverDelta.Aimingtobeatranshipmentandconnectionhub,HàN?ihasbeenmakinggreatprogressinforminglinksthatallowforsafe,high-qualityfarmproducesupplyforpeople.Thecapitalcitycontinuestomaintainandgrowits159safeagriculturalproductionandconsumptionchains,ofwhich53areforanimalproductsand106areforvegetables.Thesechainshavesuccessfullyengagedmultiplebusinesses,cooperativesandfarmers.HàN?isagriculturalsectoralsocoordinateswith43citiesandprovincesnationwidetoproactivelymanageandsupportthedevelopmentof926safefoodsupplychainsforthecapitalcity.DirectorofBigGreenCoLtdNguy?nTi?nH?ngaddedthathiscompanyhasestablishedvariousstoresinHàN?itointroducefarmproducefromothercitiesandprovinces.WiththeshrinkingfarminglandinHàN?i,agriculturalbusinessesinthecityneedtodevelopmorelinkswithothercitiesandprovincesforasteadysupplyforthepeople.Currently,productsundertheOCOP(OneCommune-OneProduct)Programmeaccountfor60-65percentofBigGreensoffering.Thecompanyalsohas85OCOPproductsalepointsin25townsanddistricts,wherestoremanagerswillprioritisemarketingHàN?isOCOPproducts.Meanwhile,thankstocroprestructuringandfocusingonhigh-qualityseedlings,HàN?ihasdevelopedmultiplehigh-techandcost-effectivemodels.Thecitynowboasts285high-techagriculturalproductionmodels,including185inplantcultivation,45inlivestockfarming,54inaquacultureandonecombiningplantcultivationandlivestockfarming.Severalmodelshaveinvestedinadvancedtechnologyandequipment,whichhasbroughtpositiveeconomicresultsinalignmentwiththecityscircumstances.Alongsidecroprestructuring,HàN?ihasalsobeenworkingonmultiplegreenagriculturalmodelslinkedwitheco-tourism.Todate,58.9percentofthecapitalcityslandisruralandagriculturalareasconnectedwithgreenproductionzones.HàN?ismajorplansinexecutionhaveidentifiedafocusoninvestinganddevelopingecologicalagricultureandmaximisingresourcesfromurbanagriculture.DrTr?n??cViên,chairmanoftheAcademyCouncilattheVietnamNationalUniversityofAgriculture,believesthatHàN?isagriculturalsectorisontherighttrack.Thelocalagricultureshouldleveragethecityshumanresources,intellectualpoweranditspositionasaneconomiccentre,hesaid.Theagriculturaleconomyisnotsimplyaboutproductionbutalsotheefficiencyofproductionmodels,Viênsaid,addingthatHàN?imustbethesupplysourceofhigh-qualityrawmaterialsandinputsaswellasintellectualpowertoothercitiesandprovinces.HàN?ineedstodevelopappropriatelandresourcesalongsideafavourableinfrastructurefortheecologicalenvironmentandtheplannedsatellitecities,allwhileformingspacesforthecitysbufferzoneswherethelocalagriculturalsectorleveragesitsstrengths,hesaid.—VNSAnaircraftseenatTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportinHCMCity.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—TanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportinHCMCityisfacingsignificantaviationsafetyconcernsduetoincidentsinvolvingdronesandlasersdirectedataircraftcockpitsduringcriticalflightphases,airportauthoritieswarn.Duringarecentflightsafetyconference,airportofficialsreportedthatover20percentofsafety-relatedincidentsinVi?tNamsbiggestairportinvolvedunmannedaerialvehiclesandlaserilluminations.Theincidentsmostlyhappenedwithinrestrictedairspacewhileaircraftwerepreparingtolandatnighttime,particularlyataltitudesofaround1,300metres.TheNationalCommitteeofCivilAviationSecuritywarnssuchactionscanleadtosevereeyeinjuriesforpilotsandcandistractortemporarilyblindthemduringtakeoffandlanding,posingasignificantrisktoaviationsafety.Pilotsareadvisedtoreporttheseincidentstothecontroltower,whichwillinformlocallawenforcement.Ahotlineforrapidresponsetolaserattacksisrecommended,alongsideraisingpublicawarenessoftheissuetopreventfurtherincidents.Similarconcernshavebeenreportedatotherairports,includingN?iBàiinternationalairportinHàN?i,whereacircuswasrecentlyidentifiedasthesourceoflaserincidents.Currently,individualsresponsibleforsuchactionsmayfacefinesofVN?30milliontoVND40million,andexpertsarecallingforstricterregulationsonlaserdevicesales.Inadditiontolaserthreats,TanS?nNh?tInternationalAirporthasrecordedothersafetyincidents,withnearly56percentinvolvingaircraftoverrunningstoplineswhiletaxiing.Theairportoperatesanaverageof600flightsdailyandservedover20.2millionpassengersinthefirsthalfoftheyear.—VNS