AworkerfillsoutpaperworktoclaimunemploymentbenefitsattheHàN?iEmploymentServiceCentre.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Vi?tNamslabourmarketfacesacriticalchallengeasmanylow-skilledworkers,despitelosingtheirjobs,arereluctanttopursuevocationaltrainingprogrammesaimedathelpingthemswitchcareers.DatafromtheHàN?iEmploymentServiceCentrerevealsthat,whileunemploymentbenefitswereapprovedfor8,500workersinSeptember,only204optedtoenrollinvocationaltraining.DeputyDirectorofthecentre,V?QuangThành,explainedthatwhencompaniescuttheirworkforce,theyoftenfocusonreducinglow-skilledmanualworkers,retainingthosewithhigherqualifications.Despitethis,mostofthelaid-offworkersseekunemploymentbenefitsratherthanparticipatingintrainingprogrammes.AccordingtoThành,thecurrentfinancialsupportforvocationaltrainingisinsufficienttoattractworkers,withtrainingdurationsoftentooshorttomakeasignificantimpact.Low-skilledworkerslikeHàTh?N?fromBiênHòaCityinthesouthernprovinceof??ngNai,whowaslaidoffinJulyafter13yearsinthewoodindustry,saythatattendingvocationaltrainingisnotfeasible.N?,whonowworkstemporaryjobstomakeendsmeetsaid:Learninganewskillmightprovidejobopportunities,butIdonothavetimetoattendtraining.Theextracostsfortransportationandmealsmakeitimpossible.Others,likeLêThu?nNamfromBiênHòaCity,aformersecurityguard,plannedtotakeadrivingcoursebutabandonedtheideaduetohighcosts.ThedrivingcoursecostsaroundVN?20million(US$780),farbeyondtheVN?9million($355)supportcap,hesaid.Nam,likemanyothers,foundthelower-costtrainingoptions,suchascookingortailoring,unsuitableforhissituation.Eventhoseinterestedinvocationaltraining,likeD??ngTh?Ng?cfromBiênHòaCity,arehesitantduetoadditionalexpenses.Ng?c,whoconsideredafour-monthmake-upcourse,isstrugglingfinanciallyafterlosingherjobandreceivingjustVN?3.5million($138)inmonthlyunemploymentbenefits.Employmentexpertshavecalledforanoverhaulofthevocationaltrainingsupportsystem.DeputyDirectoroftheHàN?iEmploymentServiceCentre,V?Th?ThanhLi?ubelievesthatthecurrentsupportneedstobeadjustedtocovertransportationandmealallowancestomaketrainingprogrammesmoreaccessibleforlaid-offworkers.AccordingtoLi?u,thesupportforvocationaltrainingiscappedatVN?4.5millionforathree-monthcourseandVN?9millionforonelastingfromthreetosixmonths.However,thecostoflivingandspecialisedcoursescanoftenexceedtheselimits,makingitdifficultforunemployedworkerstoretrainandfindnewemployment.TheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsisalreadyworkingonrevisionstotheEmploymentLaw,withproposalstoincreasethesupportforvocationaltraining,expandthescopetoimproveworkersskills,andprovidesupporteventothosenotreceivingunemploymentbenefits.Accordingtoministrydata,from2015to2023,only256,350peoplenationwidereceivedvocationaltrainingsupport,averagingjust28,483peopleannually.Expertssuggestthattomakevocationaltrainingmoreeffective,unemploymentbenefitsshouldberaisedto75percentoftheaveragesalaryfromthesixmonthsbeforeindividualslosttheirjobs,alongwithincreasedtrainingsupportandextendedcoursedurations.TherevisionstotheEmploymentLawareexpectedtoprovidemuch-neededadjustmentstohelplaid-offworkerstransitionintonewcareers,butfornow,manycontinuetofacebarriersinaccessingvocationaltrainingopportunities.—VNS

LêV?nBình,ChairmanoftheVi?tNamFatherlandFrontCommitteeofNinhThu?nProvince,attendedthegroundbreakingceremonyfortheconstructionofaGreatSolidarityhouseforpoorlocals.VNAPhotoNINHTHU?N-NinhThu?nProvinceaimstobuild500housesbytheendof2024andeliminatetemporary,damaged,anddegradedhousesforthepoorandnear-poorbytheendof2025.Tohelpthepoorandnear-poorachievesettledlivingandastablelivelihood,theprovinceismobilisingallresourcesfromrelevantauthoritiestosupportandbuildhousingfordisadvantagedhouseholds.TheNinhThu?nProvincialPeoplesCommitteeisdirectingagenciestostudyandproposetheestablishmentofafundtosupporttheeliminationoftemporaryanddilapidatedhousingforpoorandnear-poorhouseholdsandtodevelopaprojecttoremovesuchhousing.Over2024–2025,theprovinceplanstosupporttheconstructionof1,948houses,with1,653newand295renovated,ataprojectedtotalcostofoverVN?205billion(US$8million).Ph?mTh?BíchHà,ViceChairwomanoftheVi?tNamFatherlandFrontCommitteeofNinhThu?n,saidthattheVi?tNamFatherlandFrontatalllevelsintheprovincewillcontinuemobilisingagenciesandbusinessestodonateandsupporttheconstructionoffreeGreatSolidarityhousesforpoorpeople.Shealsosharedthatrecently,theGovernmentandthePresidiumoftheCentralCommitteeoftheVi?tNamFatherlandFrontlaunchedaprogrammetosupportthenationwideefforttoeliminatetemporaryanddilapidatedhousingunderthethemeAWarmHomeforOurPeople.Inthisprogramme,V?nhPhúcprovincesupportedNinhThu?nwithVN?70billiontocarryouthousingconstructionforpoorandnear-poorhouseholds.Thu?nNamDistrictisassistingwiththeconstructionof47housesfordisadvantagedhouseholdsinthecommunesofPh??cNam,Ph??cNinh,Ph??cDiêm,Ph??cMinh,andPh??cDinh.Additionally,37housesarebeingbuiltinthehighlandcommuneofPh??cHà,eachcostingVN?100million,withVN?90millionprovidedassupportandtheremaindercontributedbythehouseholdsthemselves.AccordingtotheStandingCommitteeoftheVi?tNamFatherlandFrontCommitteeofNinhThu?n,theprovincespovertyandnear-povertyratesremainrelativelyhighcomparedtothenationalaverage,withover1,600householdsstilllivingintemporary,rundown,anddamagedhousesfacingsignificantchallenges.Toshowsolidaritywiththehousingchallengesfacedbythepoor,Tr?nQu?cNam,chairmanoftheProvincialPeoplesCommittee,hassentanopenlettertobusinesses,entrepreneurs,andbenefactorsinandoutsidetheprovince,appealingforcontinuedsupporttohelpbuildhousingforpoorandnear-poorhouseholdsforastablelivingenvironment.Recently,theVi?tNamFatherlandFrontCommitteeofNinhThu?nhasbeenimplementingsupportfortheconstructionofGreatSolidarityhousesunderthe2023–2025housingsupportprojectforpoorandnear-poorhouseholds.In2023,243houseswerebuiltandhandedover;in2024,500housesareplanned,withnearly300alreadycompleted,and500housesareplannedfor2025.-VNSByTrungHi?nThùyGiangDrNguy?nDuy??ng,headoftheL?ngCúHealthCentrein??ngV?nDistrictinthenorthernmountainousprovinceofHàGiang,onhiswaytogivehealthcheck-uptolocalresidents.VNA/VNSPhotosThegrassrootshealthcarenetworkispivotaltoprovidingaccessibleandaffordablehealthcaretopeopleacrossVi?tNam.Withsufficientinvestment,theseprimaryhealthcarefacilitiescanfulfiltheirmissionofpreventivecareandearlytreatment,DeputyMinisterofHealth??XuanTuyênhassaid.Bystrengtheningthecapabilityofthesecentres,hospitalscanalleviatechronicovercrowdingandexpandpublicaccesstohigh-qualityhealthcareservices.Newupgrades,newoutcomesTheV?nhH?uAHealthCentreinHòaBìnhDistrict,B?cLiêuProvince,servesasanexampleofhowlocalhealthcarefacilitiescanmakeasubstantialimpact.LedbyDrPh?mTh?BíchThu,thecentrenowmanagesover1,000patientswithhypertensionand600withdiabetes.Thissuccessinmanagingchronicdiseasesisnoteworthy,asfewhealthcentreshaveachievedsimilarresults.DrThuattributesthistoherteamsdiligenteffortsinpatientscreeningsandoutreach,activelyencouragingresidentstoseekhealthchecksforearlydetectionandregularfollow-up.DrThusapproachincludesassigningspecificstafftodesignatedareasandorganisingvisitstoremotevillageslikeGi?ngTra,located5-6kilometresaway.Thesevisits,scheduledmultipletimesayear,aimtoeducateresidentsandscreenforchronicdiseases,facilitatingearlyinterventionandongoingmanagement.TheV?nhH?uAHealthCentre,anewlyconstructedtwo-storyfacilitywith16rooms,officiallyopenedinJanuary2024.Operatingaround-the-clock,thecentreprovidesemergencycare,patientmonitoring,andreferralsforcasesthatrequirehigher-levelhospitalisation.Withateamofeighthealthcarestaff,thecentreservesroughly600patientsmonthlyinV?nhH?uACommune,whichhasapopulationofover9,000people,90percentofwhomarecoveredbypublichealthinsurance.TheV?nhH?uAHealthCentre,locatedinHòaBìnhDistrict,B?cLiêuProvince,hasbeennewlybuilttoencouragemorefrequentvisitstothecentre.Thecentrehandles70-80percentofthecommuneshypertensionanddiabetescases,alsoofferingmaternitycareandhealthmonitoringfor70-80pregnantwomenannually.Dr.Thusaidthataprimarygoalisbuildingpublictrust,whichencouragesmorefrequentpatientvisitsandtherebygeneratesstablerevenuethatbenefitsboththestaffandthecommunity.Withthecentresrecentupgrades,strengtheningourprofessionalskillstomeetthecommunitysneedsiscrucial,shesaid.Whenpeopletrustus,theywillseekcaremoreregularly,creatingastableincomesourceandasustainablefutureforthehealthcentre.Meanwhile,theCamTuy?nHealthCentreinCamL?District,Qu?ngTr?Province,inauguratedin2022,haswitnessedincreasedpatientvisitsduetoimprovedfacilityandequipment.Thetwo-storycentrecovers1,500squaremetresandoffersarangeofservices,includingmedicalcheck-ups,primarycare,vaccinations,andhealtheducation,servingmorethan5,000households.Thefacilityssix-memberteam,comprisingaphysician,amidwife,twonurses,andapharmacist,nowhandles15-17patientsdaily,upfrom7-10priortotheupgrades.Dr.HoàngNg?c??c,headoftheCamTuy?nHealthCentre,explainedthatthenewfacilitiesandstafftraininghadexpandedtheircapabilities.Theteamcannowhandleawiderarrayofprocedures,includingemergencyresponse,treatmentofanaphylacticshock,respiratoryissues,highfevers,seizures,bronchitis,andminorsurgeries,accordingto??c.DrHoàngNg?c??c,headofCamTuy?nHealthCentre,examinesababypatientatthecentreinCamL?District,Qu?ngTr?Province.Inthepast,evenminorcaseshadtobereferredtohigher-levelhospitals,asthecentresold,deterioratingfacilitiesdiscouragedvisits.Withtheimprovedinfrastructure,peoplebenefitfromcomfortableamenities,suchasfansandseatinginwaitingareas,aswellasspaciousexamrooms,post-vaccinationmonitoring,andday-stayrooms.PublichealthsgatekeepersTheMinistryofHealthreportsthatVi?tNamhasover11,400healthcentresacrossitscommunes,wards,towns,andvillages.Statisticsshowgrowingpublicuseofthesegrassrootsservices,withhealthinsurance-coveredvisitsatprimarycarefacilitiesincreasingfrom86millionin2012to113millionin2022,accountingforover70percentoftotalnationalhealthcarevisits.Traditionalmedicineservicesremainpopular,makingup14.6percentofdistrict-levelvisitsand30.5percentatthecommunelevel.ArecentoversightreportbytheNationalAssemblysSocialAffairsCommitteehighlightedtheextensivereachofVi?tNamsgrassrootshealthcarenetwork.Currently,99.6percentofcommunes,wards,andtownshipshaveahealthcarecentre,and92.4percenthaveatleastonemedicaldoctor.District-levelhealthcarestaffmakeup34.6percentoftotalhealthcarepersonnel,withcommune-levelstaffcomprising15.8percent.Thereportsaidthatpublicsatisfactionisincreasing,particularlyregardingthequalityandattitudesofhealthcareworkers.PhanLêThuH?ng,deputydirectorofthehealthministrysPlanningandFinanceDepartment,notedthatVi?tNamsgrassrootshealthcarenetworkhadbeensystematicallyorganisedtoprovideextensivecoverage,servingasthegatekeepersofpublichealth.Healthcentresoperateineverycommune,providingessentialservicestothecommunityandhelpingregulatethehealthcaresystem.MinisterofHealth?àoH?ngLansaidthatthePartyandStatehadstrengthenedthisgrassrootsnetwork,recognisingitasthebackboneofthecountryshealthcaresystem.TheNationalAssemblypassedaresolutioninJuly2021toallocateVN?24.13trillion(US$952million)forpublichealthcarefrom2021to2025.MoreoverinJanuary2022itaddedVN?14trillion($552million)forprimaryhealthcareconstructionandrenovation.InApril2024,DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàapprovedaplantoelevateprimaryhealthcarequality.Thisplanaimstoensureeveryhealthcentrehasatleastonepermanentdoctorandincludespoliciestoattractskilledprofessionalstoremoteandunderservedareas.Theinitiativesgoalsincludeprovidinghealthinsurancecoverageforover95percentofthoseusingprimarycareservicesandestablishingmanagedhealthprofilesforover95percentofthepopulation.High-riskindividualswillreceiveannualhealthchecks,aimingforroutinehealthassessmentsforallcitizens.InvestingfortransformativechangeAccordingtodeputydirectorH?ng,about80percentofpatientsrequireonlyprimarycare,whilejust20percentneedhospitalisation.Overcrowdingincentralhospitalsstemsfrombothlimitedspecialisedservicesandhighpatientdemand.Tobalancesupplyanddemand,strengtheninggrassrootscapacityisessential.Nguy?nTh?Nham,residentinV?nhh?uACommune,waitingforhermedicineattheV?nhH?uACommunesHealthCentre.Strengtheningprimaryhealthcarecancontroldemandforcentralhospitalsservices,creatingabalanced,efficienthealthcaresystem,H?ngsaid.Shesuggestedafocusondiseaseprevention,healthpromotion,andmanagingchronicconditionsatthecommunityleveltoreducetheneedforhigher-levelcare.Thisapproachprioritisesintegrated,long-termhealthmanagementwithanemphasisonpreventinghealthrisks.However,DeputyHealthMinister??XuanTuyênpointedoutthatmanyhealthcentresinremoteareasareseverelydeteriorating,hamperingeffectiveservicedelivery.Localfundsaloneareinadequatetoresolvetheseproblems,underscoringtheneedforstrongersupportfromtheGovernment.Tr?nQuangM?nh,directorofYênBáiCityHealthCentre,saidthatsomehealthstationsinYênBáiCity,includingNamC??ng,H?ngHà,andNguy?nTháiH?c,werepronetoflooding.TheNamC??ngHealthStation,locatedinalow-lyingarea,mustmoveequipmenttohigherfloorsduringstorms,limitingitscapacitytoserveinpatients.TuyênsaidtheMinistryofHealthwasurgentlyassessinggrassrootsneeds,withplanstoproposenecessaryinvestmentsthrough2030.Upgradinggrassrootshealthcarerequirescomprehensivepolicieswithstronginvestmentinbothhumanandfinancialresources,hesaid.Heurgedlocalauthoritiestoenhancemedicalcapabilitiesatthegrassrootslevel,implementelectronichealthrecords,andraisepublicawarenessofdiseaseprevention.Theministryalsosoughtincreasedsupporttoupgradeinfrastructure,provideessentialmedicalsupplies,andenhanceservices,buildingpublictrustandadvancingcommune-levelhealthcarereform.VNS

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.Yak-310aircraftwreckageinYok??nNationalPark.—VNA/VNSPhoto??KL?K—ThewreckageoftheYak-130militarytrainingaircraftthatcrashedonWednesdayhasbeenlocatedinYok??nNationalParktoday,twodaysafteritspilotswereforcedtoejectduetoanin-flightemergency.ThediscoverywasconfirmedonFridaybytheChairmanoftheBu?n??nDistrictPeoplesCommitteein??kL?kProvince.Theaircraft,belongingtothe940thRegimentoftheAirForceOfficerSchool,wasonatrainingflightfromPhùCátAirportinBình??nhProvincewhenitspilotsreportedencounteringaproblemthatpreventedthemfromlandingsafely.Aftermakingthreeattemptstoresolvetheissue,theywereforcedtoejectfromtheaircraftatanaltitudeof600masfuelranlow.BothpilotslandedsafelyinaforestedareainBình??nhandwererescuedhourslater.Amassivesearcheffortwaslaunchedinvolvingover550personnel,33vehiclesandanMi-17helicopter,coveringthethreeprovincesofBình??nh,GiaLai,and??kL?k.ThewreckagewasfinallylocatedonFridayabout250kmfromPhùCátAirport,followingareportfromalocalvillagerwhoheardanunusualexplosioninthewoods.Acloserinspectionrevealedthattheaircrafthadsufferedseveredamage,particularlytoitsunderside.Thestillgreenleavesandbranchessurroundingitindicatetherewasonlyprobablyasmallblazeornofireatall.AuthoritiesinKr?ngNaCommuneinBu?n??nDistricthadofferedarewardofVN?10million(approximatelyUS$400)forinformationleadingtothediscoveryoftheaircraft.—VNSHCMCity-basedV?nLangUniversityhasmoveduptothe491-500groupintheQSAsiaUniversityRankings2025.—PhotoCourtesyofVLUHCMCITY—HCMCity-basedV?nLangUniversity(VLU)hasmovedupintothetop500intheQuacquarelliSymonds(QS)AsiaUniversityRankings2025.BritishhighereducationanalyticsfirmQSreleaseditsAsiaUniversityRankings2025onWednesday(November6),featuring985universitiesacrossAsia.SeventeenVietnameseuniversitieswereincludedintherankings,twomorethaninthepreviousyear.VLUsignificantlyimproveditsrankingfromthe701-750grouplastyeartothe491-500bracketthisyear,andmaintainedits86thpositioninSoutheastAsia.TheuniversityalsocontinuedtobeawardedtheResearchDiscovery-PerformanceImprovementcertificatethatdemonstratesasignificantimprovementinratingresultsbasedonanimprovementinaveragerank.TheachievementsreflectVLUssteadfasteffortstoestablishitsbrandandalignitseducationalqualitywithinternationalstandards.Theuniversityhasshownexceptionalprogressin2024,particularlyintermsofbrandreputationandinternationalcollaboration.QSisoneoftheworldsthreemostrespecteduniversity-rankingorganisations.Itsrankingsplacethemostweightonacademicandemployerreputationat30percentand20percent,respectively.Otherfactorsincludelecturer-to-studentratio,lecturerswithPhDs,researchpapersperlecturer,citationrateperresearchpaper,internationalresearchnetwork,internationallecturerratio,andinternationalstudentratio,witheachcontributingaround2.5-10percent.QSrecognisedVLUforitsstronggrowthindevelopingpartnerships,anincreasingnumberofinternationalexchangestudents,anditsbrandreputation.Theseaccomplishmentsalignwiththeuniversityscommitmenttoenhancingagloballearningenvironmentforstudents,fosteringinternationalcollaborationineducationandresearch,andbuildingarespectedbrandbasedonqualityeducationandacomprehensivedevelopmentexperienceforlearners.Inrecentyears,VLUhasmadecontinuousstridestowardbecominganinternationallyrecogniseduniversityknownforquality.Theuniversityhasactivelybuiltaninternationalnetworkanddemonstratedastrongcommitmenttoqualityassurance.StudentsfromtheUniversityofNewcastleinAustraliavisitV?nLangUniversitysdentistryfacilitiesforaneducationalexchange.—PhotoCourtesyofVLUV?nLangUniversityhasnearly200internationalpartnersacross25countriesonfourcontinents,includingprestigiousstrategicpartnersamongthetopuniversitiesinAsiaandworldwide.Throughanopenandgloballyorientedlearningenvironment,VLUstudentshaveaccesstointernationalexperiences,andthenumberofinternationalstudentscomingtotheuniversitycontinuestogroweachyear.QSrecognisedtheuniversityssignificantincreaseininternationalexchangestudents,surpassingtheregionalaverage.Inthe2023-24academicyear,morethan1,100internationalstudentsfrom25countriesstudiedandengagedinactivitiesatVLU.Around200VLUstudentsparticipatedinstudies,internships,andshort-termexchangesatinternationaluniversities.Morethan300internationallecturersfromAsia,theAmericas,andEuropearecurrentlyteachingatVLU.Theuniversityaimstonurturewell-rounded,ethical,lifelonglearnerswhomakeapositiveimpactandinspiresociety.Modernlearningfacilitiesatitscampuseshavesupportedvibrantacademic,cultural,artistic,andsportsactivities,withmorethan800eventsconnectinganever-growingstudentcommunity.VLUisamong11highereducationinstitutionsinVi?tNamthathaveachievedinternationalqualityaccreditation.In2024,itbecamethefirstprivateuniversityinthecountrytogettheEuropean-standardFIBAAaccreditation,meeting100percentofqualitycriteria,withnearly50percentofthesecriteriaexceedingtherequiredstandardsandtwocriteriarecognisedasoutstanding.ItcurrentlyhassixprogrammesaccreditedbytheASEANUniversityNetworkQualityAssurance(AUN-QA),alongwiththreepostgraduateprogrammesand23undergraduateprogrammesaccreditedaccordingtonationalstandards.Allitsprogrammesarebenchmarkedagainstthoseofgloballyrespecteduniversitiesrankedinthetop100-300,withthegoalofcreatingacomprehensivedevelopmentexperienceforlearners.VLUwasalsonamedinthe801-1,000groupintheImpactRankings2024releasedbytheTimesHigherEducation(THE).TheImpactRankingsistheonlyglobalperformancetablethatassessesuniversitiesagainsttheUnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs).

AviewoftheDàiBeach,acoastalstretchinnorthernCamRanhlinedwithhotelsandresorts.—VNA/VNSPhotoKHáNHHòA—CamRanh,acoastalcityinthecentralprovinceofKhánhHòa,aimstobecomeasmarttourismcityby2045,creatingahigh-profilepresenceonregionalandglobaltourismmaps.CamRanhsauthoritiesareseekingpublicinputtobuildintoanewdevelopmentplan,underwhichtourismwillbeestablishedasthecityskeyeconomicdriveroverthenextdecade,providingasubstantialboosttoKhánhHòasGrossRegionalDomesticProduct.By2025,thecityaimstoattractabout300,000touristsandgenerateVN?300billion(aroundUS$12million)inrevenue.Toaccommodatethedemand,itwillmakeavailable2,000hotelrooms,ofwhichover600needtoberatedfourstarsandabove.By2030,thenumberoftouristsisprojectedtoreachapproximately450,000,witharevenuetargetsetatVN?565billion(around$22million).Accommodationcapacitywillexpandto3,500hotelrooms,withhalfmeetingfour-andfive-starstandards.Thecityhasevenmoreambitiousplansfor2045,projectinganinfluxof6.7milliontouristsannuallyand50,000hotelroomsavailable,80percentofwhichwillmeetorexceedathree-starrating.Severalkeyinfrastructureandtourismprojectsareplannedtosupportthisgrowth,includingaCamRanhInternationalTourismServiceComplexwithaninitialoutlayofVN?2trillion(about$80million),aneco-culturalandspiritualtourismsiteatHònR?ngMount,worthVN?200billion($8million)andawellnessresorttailoredforseniorvisitors,withaninvestmentofVN?500billion($20million).CamRanhwillalsoprioritisesustainabletransportinfrastructuretoenhanceaccessibilityandenvironmentalfriendliness.Notably,itsportsandmarinasystemswillbeungraded,alongwiththeintroductionofhigh-qualityseavesselsandyachts,toelevatetourismstandards.—VNSInternationalarrivalsatTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportinHCMCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ng??tHàN?I—Anewe-visaapplicationportalwillsoonbelaunchedwithmultipleimprovementsforusersconvenience,accordingtotheImmigrationDepartmentundertheMinistryofPublicSecurity.StartingfromNovember11,thee-visawebsitethithucdientu.gov.vnwillbeoperatingalongsidethecurrentevisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn–whichhasbeenprocessingmorethan15,000applicationseveryday.Thenewuserinterfacehasbeenupgradedandimproved,withaFAQsectionavailableinbothEnglishandVietnamese,saidarepresentativeoftheimmigrationdepartment.SinceAugust15lastyear,Vi?tNamse-visavalidityhasbeenextendedto90daystofacilitateinternationalarrivalsinthecountry.However,manytouristshaveenteredtheirinformationintonon-officialwebsites,orsubmittedincorrectorincompleteinformationontheofficiale-visaportalbymistake,prolongingthetimetoprocesstheire-visa.Therefore,theImmigrationDepartmentadvisesthatapplicantsmakesuretheyareaccessingtheofficiale-visaportalsandfillouttheirfullinformationasrequiredtoavoidhavingtheirapplicationsrejected.E-visaapplicantsshouldalsofamiliarisethemselveswiththelocalregulationsregardingentry,transitandstaysinVi?tNamandensurethattheiractivitiesarecorrectlyreflectedintheirrequestforentry.AccordingtotheImmigrationDepartment,thenumberofinternationalvisitorstoVi?tNamisontheriseandhasreturnedtopre-pandemiclevels.Thecountryaimstowelcome17-18millionvisitorsoverthewholeof2024.Withthegoaloffurtherstrengtheningadministrativereforms,theImmigrationDepartmentsaiditisopentofeedbackandcomments,andwillmakeappropriateandnecessaryadjustmentsforserviceimprovementinthenearfuture.Inthefirsttenmonthsof2024,Vi?tNamhaswelcomedover14millionforeignarrivals.—VNS

StudentsatDuyTanUniversity.—PhotoDuyTanUniversityHàN?I—Vi?tNamhas17universitieslistedintheQuacquarelliSymonds(QS)AsianUniversityRankingsfor2025,anincreaseoftwoinstitutionscomparedtolastyear.Therankings,publishedbyQS,agloballeaderineducationalevaluations,highlightDuyTanUniversityasVi?tNamshighest-rankedinstitution,holdingthe127thpositiondespitedropping10placesfromthepreviousyear.Vi?tNamNationalUniversity,HàN?i(161st),andVi?tNamNationalUniversity,H?ChíMinhCity(184th)follow,withT?n??cTh?ngUniversityalsofeaturedinthetop200at199th.Otheruniversitiesplacedwithinthe300-500rangeincludeNguy?nT?tThànhUniversity(333rd),Hu?University(348th),theUniversityofEconomics–H?ChíMinhCity(369th),andHanoiUniversityofScienceandTechnology(388th).NotableshiftsthisyearincludeT?n??cTh?ngUniversitys61-placedrop,whileV?nLangUniversityandtheIndustrialUniversityofH?ChíMinhCityeachroseover200spots,reflectingsubstantialgains.ThetopfourpositionsintheQSAsianRankingsremainthesameaslastyear,ledbyPekingUniversity(1st),theUniversityofHongKong(2nd),theNationalUniversityofSingapore(3rd),andNanyangTechnologicalUniversity(4th).Chinacontinuestodominateregionallywithfouruniversitiesinthetop10,includingPekingUniversity(1st),FudanUniversity(5th),TsinghuaUniversity(7th),andZhejiangUniversity(8th).Singaporehastwoinstitutionsinthetop10,representedbytheNationalUniversityofSingapore(3rd)andNanyangTechnologicalUniversity(4th).SouthKorea,whilerepresentedsolelybyYonseiUniversityinthetop10,boaststhemostuniversitiesinthetop20,withsixinstitutionslisted.TheQSAsianUniversityRankings2025feature984universitiesfrom29countriesandterritories,evaluatedonacademicreputation,employerreputation,faculty/studentratio,internationalresearchnetwork,papercitations,andinternationaldiversity.Academicreputationholdsthehighestweight,at30percent.QSisamongthethreeleadingglobaluniversityrankingorganisations,alongsideTimesHigherEducation(THE)andtheAcademicRankingofWorldUniversities(ARWU).—VNS

AreligiousgatheringinthenorthernprovinceofHòaBình.—VNSPhotoLêVi?tD?ngHàN?I—RespectingthefreedomofbeliefandreligionandimplementinganationalunitypolicyareconsistentprinciplesofthePartyandStateofVi?tNam.Vi?tNamisacountrywithvariousreligionsandbeliefsthatvaryinstructure,size,originandinfluenceonpolitical,cultural,andsociallifeinVi?tNam.TheVietnamesePartyandStatehaveconsistentlyrecognisedreligiousandethnicaffairsasstrategicissuesofparticularimportance.ThePartyandStateaimtobuildapeaceful,independent,andunitedVi?tNamwithwealthypeople,astrongnation,andademocratic,fair,andcivilisedsociety,whichservesasthecommongroundamongreligions,whilerespectingdifferencesthatdonotconflictwiththecommoninterestsofthenationandthepeople.Nationalspirit,humanitariantraditions,andtoleranceareupheldtouniteallVietnamesepeopleandinvigoratethenationalunitybloc.Inthecurrentcontextwhennewreligionsandreligiousphenomenaareemerging,itisurgenttopreventandresolutelycombatactsthatexploitbeliefsandreligionsandactivitiesthatcontravenelegalprovisions.TheVietnamesePartyandStatealsoencouragethepromotionofthepositiveculturalandethicalvaluesofreligions.Thisapproachnotonlyutilisesandenhancesthecultural,ethical,andhumanitarianvaluesthathavecrystallizedinreligionsoverthousandsofyearsbutalsodemonstratesthePartysrespectforthesevalues,thusattractreligiouspeopletothenationalunitybloc.TheStateiscommittedtofacilitatingreligiousorganisationsactivitiesinaccordancewiththeirchartersandlegalregulations,therebycontributingpositivelytothecauseofnationalconstructionandprotection.ReligiousorganisationsinVi?tNamactivelyengageininternationalexchangeswithreligiousinstitutionsworldwideinthespiritofpeaceandfriendship.ManydomesticreligiousorganisationshaveinvitedforeigncounterpartstovisitandworkinVi?tNam,andsoughtpermissiontoconductsermonsandteachingsatvariousreligiousestablishments.Throughtheseactivities,religionsinVi?tNamhaveenhancedinformationexchange,enablingforeignreligiousorganisationstogainaclearerunderstandingofthestateofreligiousfreedominthecountry.AccordingtoNguy?nH?uD?ng,VicePresidentoftheCentralCommitteeoftheVi?tNamFatherlandFront(VFF),thedocumentsadoptedbythe13thNationalPartyCongressclearlysay:Promotingthefineculturalandethicalvaluesandtheresourcesofreligionsforthedevelopmentofthenation.Currently,commonviewpointsregardingtheresourcesofreligionsaffirmtheroleofreligionandconsideringreligionspositiveimpactsasoneoftheimportantresourcesinthenationalconstructionanddefenceefforts.Thoseviewpointsrecognisereligionsspiritualandmaterialresources,withagreateremphasisonspiritualresources,particularlytheculturalandethicalvaluesinherentinreligions.Itisassertedthatresourcesofreligionshavecontributedtoallareasofnationalconstructionanddefence,particularlyineducation,healthcare,socialwelfare,andhumanitarianefforts.ProfessorTh??ngMaiThanh,HeadoftheManagementBoardofHàN?iCaodaiparish,saidthatnationalunityisapreciouslong-lastingtraditionoftheVietnamesepeople.Now,thestrengthofnationalunityisstronglyaffirmed,withreligioussolidaritybeingawisepolicyofthePartythathasbeenyieldingmanypracticalresultsinsociallife.Tofurtherharnesstheresourcesofreligionseffectively,theVi?tNamFatherlandFrontneedstocontinueengagingandpromotingtheroleofreligiousdignitaries,Thanhrecommended.HighlightingtheethicalandculturalvaluesofcertainreligionsinVi?tNam,AssociateProfessorDr.ChuV?nTu?nfromtheInstituteofReligiousStudiesattheVi?tNamAcademyofSocialSciencesproposedthatthefocusshouldfirstbeonpromotingthevaluesofreligionsinshapingtheethicalstandardsandlifestylesofcontemporaryVietnamesepeople.Additionally,hesuggestedleveragingtheethicalaspectsofreligionforpubliceducationthroughvariousformats,suchasoninformationportals,socialmedia,inreligiousspaces,andduringfestivals,todisseminatemoralvalues,guideindividualstowardsgoodness,andhelpcitizensunderstandtheimportanceofbeingresponsiblemembersofthecommunity.Recognisingthesignificantroleofreligiousaffairs,Nguy?nTh?KimDung,ViceChairwomanoftheVFFHàN?iCommittee,saidthatrecently,theVFFchaptersatalllevelsinthecityhavefocusedonleadinganddirectingtheeffectiveimplementationofthePartyspoliciesandtheStateslawsconcerningreligiousaffairs,facilitatingthepracticeofreligionsandbeliefsinaccordancewithlegalprovisions.Basedontherespectandassuranceofthepeoplesfreedomofbeliefandreligion,Vi?tNamisresolutelyfightingagainsthostileforcesthatexploitreligionstounderminetherevolution,whilealsorespectingandpromotingthefinevaluesofreligions.Thisapproachenrichestheculturalheritageofthenationandservesasacrucialfoundationforunitingpeopleofallfaithstowardsthecommonnationalgoalofbuildingasolidnationalunityblocforthepurposeofprosperouscitizens,strongnation,andafair,democratic,civilisedsociety.Thepromotionofnationalunityandreligioussolidarityisalwayslinkedtotheneedtomaintainorderacrossallaspectsofsociallife.—VNSDeputyAmbassadorofVi?tNamtotheUKT?MinhThuandthewinnersoftheVi?tNamInternationalAwards.—VNA/VNSPhotoLONDON—TheawardceremonyoftheVi?tNamInternationalAwardstookplaceinLondononOctober20tohonourVietnameseandforeignorganisationsandindividualswithoutstandingcontributionstothecommunity.ThisyearsVi?tNamInternationalAwardsincludes12categorieswith60nominationsthatareorganisationsandindividualsfromtheUK,VietnamandEuropeancountries,focusingonthefieldsofhealth,education,law,business,innovationaswellascommunityandvolunteeractivities.TheCommunityAmbassadorawardcametoQu?nhNguy?n,ExecutiveDirectoroftheVietnameseFamilyAssociation(VFP),acharityorganisationthatteachesVietnamese,holdsactivitiestopromotetheVietnameseculture,andprovidessupportservicestoVietnamesepeopleintheUK.TheexcellenteducationawardwenttoTheProjectDarts,aprojectthattrains,mentors,andsupportsVietnamesestudentsintheUKintheircareerdevelopment.KevinNguy?n,an8-graderfromNantes,France,wontheyoungachieveraward.CurrentlyinhissixthyearofstudyingsaxophoneattheNantesConservatoryofMusic,KevinhascontributedtopromotingVietnameseculturethroughhismusicaltalentaswellasfundraisingactivitiestosupportdisadvantagedchildren.TheoutstandingglobalcharityawardwaspresentedtoR?ngXanh(BlueDragon)ChildrensFoundation,anAustraliancharitythathasbeenworkinginVi?tNamsince2002tosupportdisabledchildren,streetchildren,andvictimsofhumantrafficking.KatrinKandel,CEOofFacingtheWorld(FTW),receivedtheinnovationoftheyearaward.FTWisacharityorganisationfoundedin2002intheUK,specialisinginsupportingsurgeryforVietnamesechildrenwithcongenitalfacialdeformities,providingprofessionaltrainingforVietnamesesurgeons,andsponsoringmedicalequipmentandtechnologyforremotemedicalexaminationandtreatmentforVietnamesehospitals.SpeakingtotheVietnamNewsAgency,ProfessorMichaelMainelli,recipientofthelifetimeachievementspecialaward,underlinedthesignificanceoftheawardincreatingconnectionsamongcommunities.HehighlyvaluedthecontributionsbytheVietnamesecommunityintheUKtothediversityandrichnessofLondonslifeandculture.Attheawardceremony,participantshadachancetoenjoyaVietnamesetraditionalAodaiperformance,andanartperformancetointroducethebeautyofVietnameseculturetointernationalfriends,whilejoiningcharityauctionactivities.Theannualaward,launchedin2022,aimstopromotetheimage,understanding,andcontributionsofoverseasVietnamese,andfosterconnectionsamongtheircommunitiesincountriesaswellasconnectivitybetweenthecommunitiesandoutsidepartners.Theawardwasco-foundedbyHoàngHà,VicePresidentoftheVietnamWomenUnionofinEurope,andNguy?nNh?Tho?i,FoundingPresidentoftheAssociationofVietnameseWomenandChildrenintheUK.—VNS

Anoverviewoftheevent.—VNSPhotoThuTrangHàN?I—SeveralkeyorganisationsonTuesdaycommittedtoworkalongsideeachothertocarryouthumanitarianassistanceinresponsetoTyphoonYagiinnorthernVi?tNam.ThecommitmentwasmadebytheEuropeanCivilProtectionandHumanitarianAidOperations?(ECHO)andaconsortiumconsistingofWorldVision,CAREInternationalinVi?tNamandPlanInternational.EuropeanCommissionDeputyPresidentforPromotingourEuropeanWayofLife,MargaritisSchinas,commendedtheworkofVietnamesefirstlinerespondersandhumanitarianorganisationsliketheRedCrossandWorldVision.Throughitspartnersontheground,theEUhasbeendeliveringvitalassistancetothosewhoneeditthemost.Thisisanimportantstepintheever-closerpartnershipbetweentheEUandASEANandbetweentheEUandVi?tNam,whichwillhelpusdomoretoprotectthepeopleinourregions,hesaid.TyphoonYagi,thestrongesttohitVi?tNamin30years,left330deadandmissinginthecountry.ItsweptoverthenorthernregionofVi?tNamonSeptember7,causingheavyrains,large-scaleflooding,flashfloodsandlandslides.Thedisasterhasimpactedmillionsofpeople,includingchildren,across26provincesandcities.CaoB?ng,HàGiangandYênBáiprovinceswereamongthehardesthitwithseveredamage,withriverlevelsata60-yearhigh.DeputyPresidentoftheVi?tNamRedCrossSociety,V?ThanhL?u,said:TheVi?tNamRedCrossSocietyisurgentlybuildingacomprehensivereliefprogrammeincludinginterventionsandsupportfromtheInternationalRedCross-RedCrescentAssociation,internationalpartnersinsideandoutsidethemovement,domesticandforeignpartnerstosupportemergencyreliefandrecoveryforareasaffectedbyTyphoonYagi.TherewasacallforemergencyassistancefromtheGovernmenttoWorldVision,PlanInternationalandCAREInternationalamonthago.Inthespiritofcollaborationandpartnership,thereisajointinitiative,theHumanitarianAssistanceResponsetoTyphoonYagiandtheAftermathinVi?tNam(HARYAV)–underthetitleHurryup.Thisinitiativestandsasatestamenttothepowerofunity,ledbyWorldVisionandimplementedthroughthededicatedeffortsofWorldVision,alongsidepartnersCAREandPlanInternationalandlocalgovernmentorganisations,includingtheprovincialchaptersoftheVi?tNamRedCross.Together,theconsortiumaimstoimproveaccesstosafewater,sanitation,andhygiene(WASH),enhancesafeandinclusivelearningforchildrentoreturntoschoolandsupportvulnerablehouseholdsinmeetingdailysubsistenceandimmediateneedsthroughmulti-purposecashtransfers.Theprojectalsoprovidessupportservicestochildrenandwomenaffectedbyabuseandviolence;alsoreducespost-disasterchildabuseandviolenceandgender-basedviolencerisksforwomen,girls,andothervulnerablegroupsandconnectsthemtoreferralpathwaysinschoolsandcommunities.FromnowuntilMarchnextyear,theprojectwillprioritisethemostseverelyimpactedpeopleinL?cYênandYênBìnhdistrictsofYênBáiProvince,HoàngSuPhìDistrictofHàGiangProvinceandB?oL?cDistrictofCaoB?ngProvince.Theselectedhouseholdsincludepeopledisplacedbythefloods,flashfloodsandlandslides,hostsandfloodreturners,inthemostunderservedandhardtoreachareas.Intotalitisexpectedthat12,205peoplewillbedirectlyimpacted,particularly2,900girlsand2,735boys–including239childrenwithdisability,3,375womenand3,195men–including290adultswithdisabilities.DosebaTuaSinay,NationalDirectorofWorldVisionInternationalinVi?tNam,givesaspeechatthesigningceremony.—PhotocourtesyoftheWorldVisionNationalDirectorofWorldVisionInternationalinVi?tNam,DosebaTuaSinaysaid:Asweimplementthisresponse,wemustemphasisetheimportanceofprioritisingthosewhoaremostvulnerable–children,women,andindividualswithdisabilities.Ourapproachnotonlyaddressestheirimmediateneedsbutalsoaimstoprotectthemagainstpost-disastergender-basedviolenceandensurethatchildrencansafelyreturntotheireducation.Thisholisticsupportwillempowerfamiliesandgivechildrenthechancetorebuildtheirfutures.Thetotalprojectbudgetisover700,000euros(US$757,400),includingover50,000euros($54,100)contributionfromtheconsortiummembers.ThegroupwillcollaboratewithprovincialRedCrosssocietiesinYênBáiandCaoB?ngprovincesandDepartmentofEducationandTraininginHàGiangProvincetodelivertheemergencyresponse.—VNSVi?tNamismullingtherestartingofnuclearpowerprojectstoensureenergysecurityandmeetnetzerocommitments.—AFP/VNAPhotoforillustrationpurposeHàN?I—TheMinistryofScienceandTechnologysaysitisinfavourofrestartingnuclearenergyprojectsinVi?tNam,inresponsetorenewedinterestfromthecentralGovernmentinthispowersource.AccordingtoPh?mQuangMinh,DeputyDirectoroftheVi?tNamAtomicEnergyInstitute(underthesci-techministry),theresumptionofnuclearpowerprojectsinVi?tNamalignswithsustainableenergydevelopmentpolicies,whichwillensurebothenergysecurityandthecommitmenttoreducingcarbonemissions,aimingtoachievecarbonneutralityby2050,TheGovernmentStandingCommitteerecentlyaskedtheMinistryofIndustryandTradetostudyothercountriesexperiencesindevelopingnuclearenergytoserveVi?tNamsownfutureimplementation,sparkingfreshlifeintothiscontroversialenergysourcethatwasoncediscardedinthecountry.AmidglobaleffortstocombatclimatechangeandbalanceCO2emissions,aspledgedatthe26thand28thUnitedNationsClimateChangeConferences(UNCOP26andCOP28),agreenenergytransitionisessentialforrestructuringVi?tNamspowersector,accordingtoMinh.Currently,manycountriesaredevelopingnuclearpowerincombinationwithrenewableenergy.Nuclearpowerplaysacrucialroleinprovidingbaseload(i.e.theminimumamountofelectricitysuppliedtothepowergridoverthecourseoftheday),ensuringreliabilityandstabilityforthepowersystem.Accordingtotheofficial,nuclearenergyproducesnearlyzeroCO2orothergreenhousegasemissions(roughlythesameashydroandwindpower)andwillbeanimportantcomponentinthepowerstructureofmanycountriesinthefuture.NuclearpowerisconsideredakeysolutionforensuringenergysecurityinVi?tNam,especiallygiventherapidlyincreasingdemandforelectricity,Minhsaid.Alongsiderenewableenergysources,nuclearpowercanhelpbalanceenergysupply,ensuringlong-termstabilityfortheeconomyandsociety.Intheeventofrestartingnuclearpowerprojects,applyingadvancednucleartechnologiesandensuringthehighestsafetystandardswouldbecrucial,henoted.Furthermore,thedevelopmentofnuclearpowerwouldcreateahigh-qualityworkforcetodrivethenationsprogress,thenuclearenergyexpertadded.Headded:Italsooffersanopportunitytosignificantlypromotescienceandtechnology,particularlyintheapplicationofnucleartechniquesandradiationtechnologiesinsectorssuchashealthcare,agriculture,industry,andenvironmentalresources.Itwillalsostimulatefoundationalindustriescrucialfornationaldevelopment,includingmechanicalengineering,metrology,automatedcontrol,chemicaltechnologyandmetallurgicalmaterials.TheVi?tNamAtomicEnergyInstitutebelievesthatresearchingandconsideringtherestartofnuclearpowerprojectstosupportsocio-economicdevelopmentisbothimportantandnecessaryatthistime.Inthepast,Vi?tNamhashadaplantobuilda4,000MWnuclearpowerplantinthesouth-centralprovinceNinhThu?n,butduetovariousdifferingopinions,especiallyfollowingthedisasteratthenuclearplantFukushimainJapanin2011andthetheneconomicconditionsofthecountryperagovernmentofficial,theprojectwasshelvedin2016.Sixyearslater,duringdiscussionsonthisissue,theNationalAssemblysEconomicCommitteesuggestedreconsideringthedevelopmentofthisenergysourcebasedonacomprehensive,scientificandaccurateassessmentofthecurrentenergysituationandfuturesupply-demandprojections.—VNS

StudentsattendaclassinVinhUniversityinthecentralprovinceofNgh?An.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheGovernmentrecentlyissuedanewdecreetooverhaultheregulatoryframeworkgoverningforeigninvestmentintheeducationsector.Akeyhighlightofthedecree,isthesimplificationof14administrativeforms,theintroductionofonlinesubmissionsandtheenhancementofdatasharingamonggovernmentagencies.Thedecree(DecreeNo.124)alsooffersinvestorsmoreflexibilitybyallowingforaphasedinvestmenttimeline,particularlyfornewlyestablishededucationalinstitutionswithlowerenrollmentnumbers.Itmandatesthatinvestorsdemonstrateasubstantialcommitmenttotheirprojectsbyrealisingatleasthalftheircommittedinvestmentbeforesecuringoperationalapproval.Theyarealsorequiredtorealisefullinvestmentwithinafive-yeartimeframe.Disclosurerequirementsaretightened,witheducationalinstitutionsobligedtoprovidedetailedandaccurateinformationtothepublic,includinginformationonthecurriculumandtheinstitutionsdemographiccomposition.Suchdisclosuresmustbemadeavailableontheirwebsites.Thedecreealsooutlinesguidelinesfornamingforeign-investededucationalinstitutionsinVi?tNam,requiringtheirnamestobeclear,distinctandfreefrommisleadinginformation.TheymustalsoadheretoVietnameseculturalnormsandtraditions,avoidingtheuseofdisrespectfulandoffensivetermsorsymbols.ThedecreealsooutlinestheregulatoryrequirementsforforeignuniversitiespartneringwithVietnameseinstitutions.TheseuniversitiesmustbeauthorisedbytheirrespectivegovernmentsandtheirprogrammesinVi?tNammustcomplywiththequalityassurancestandardssetbythegovernmentsandarecognisedqualityassurancebody.ItisalsomandatedthatforeignuniversitiesseekingtoestablishbranchcampusesinVi?tNammeetstringentcriteria,includingbeingamongthetop500universitiesgloballyinthepreviousthreeyearsandcommittingtomaintaintheacademicstandardssetbytheirhomecountries.TheirbranchcampusesmustalsocomplywithVietnameseregulationsonfacilitiesandfacultyqualifications.ThedegreealsosetsoutregulatoryrequirementsforforeignearlychildhoodandgeneraleducationprogrammesimplementedinVi?tNam.Suchprogrammesmustbeaccreditedbyarelevantforeigneducationalbody,beimplementedsuccessfullyforatleastfiveyearsintheirhomecountriesandbecompatiblewithVi?tNamseducationalgoals.Foreignearlychildhoodandgeneraleducationinstitutions,additionally,arerequiredtoconsultwithlocaleducationauthoritiestoensuretheirprogrammesareimplementedproperlyinthecountry.IssuedonOctober5,2024,thedecreewillcomeintoeffectonNovember20,2024.—VNSHiênCu?niscalledleaderoftheteamofbuildersintheVi?tNam-LaosborderareainQu?ngNamProvince.Phototienphong.vnQU?NGNAM–AVeethnicmaninQu?ngNamProvinceisknownastheleaderofthevolunteerconstructionteamintheVi?tNam-Laosborderarea.Formorethantwoyears,hehasdedicatedhiseffortsthroughthesunandraintochangethelivesofthelocalpeople.HiênCu?n,30,isthesecretaryoftheYouthUnionofVillage49a,??cPringCommuneofNamGiangDistrict.Growingupasoneoffoursiblings,HiênCu?nlosthismotherattheageofeight.In2013,hevolunteeredformilitaryservice.Aftercompletinghisservice,hetravellednearly200kmtoTamK?CityofQu?ngNamProvincetocompletehighschoolandstudyconstruction.Afterthreeyears,hereturnedtohishometownof??cPringCommune,wherehenoticedthatmanypeopleintheborderareawantedtobuildhouses,butskilledlabourersrarelycamefromthelowlands,andhiringthemwasexpensive.Usinghisbasicskills,Cu?npersuadedotheryoungpeopleinthevillagetoformaconstructionteamfortheborderarea.Ibelievethatthosewhohavethestrengthandtheheartshouldjoinintohelp,Cu?ntoldtienphong.vn.Atfirst,thevillagerswouldcookourteammeals,whichwasheartwarming.Later,theyofferedsmallamountsformaterials,fuel,andothernecessities,andweappreciatedtheirgesture,HiênCu?nsaid.HerecallsmostvividlythetimehebuiltahomeinPêTaBoót,aremoteareaof??cPringCommune,whereevenhiswifeaskedtohelpwiththework.Thepathtothevillagewasanarrowtrail,growingmoreisolatedthefurtherwewent,withnomobilesignal,hesaid.Tofinishthehousequickly,thevolunteersatewildbambooshoots,youngpumpkinvines,cassavaleavesandchillisaltalongwiththefoodsupplieswebrought.Ihavefondmemoriesofoftensleepinginahammockandgettingbittenbyleechesandmosquitoes,HiênCu?nrecalled.ThevolunteerconstructionteamofyoungpeoplecompletedthefirstsolidconcretehouseinalocalclusterofVi?tNam-Laosborderresidents.HiênCu?nandhisteaminVi?tNam-Laosborderarea.Phototienphong.vnAfterovertwoyearsofactiveefforts,whereverHiênCu?nsteamhasbeen,theyhavebeenwelcomedwarmlybythelocalpeople.Aboveall,Cu?nfindsgreatfulfilmentingatheringyoungpeopletoparticipateinvoluntaryactivities.Someyoungpeopleinthevillagewhousedtobeunemployedandgotinvolvedindrinking,causingtrouble,incurringdebts,orevenbeinginvolvedintheft,havenowchangedtheirmindsetandbecomemoreresponsible.Theynowhelpotherswithoutexpectinganythinginreturn,HiênCu?nsaid.Nowadays,HiênCu?nalsoregularlyholdstrainingclassesforYouthUnionmembersinthevillage,helpingthemjoinconstructionteamsandtakeonprojectslargeandsmallintheborderregion.Forpoororvulnerablehouseholds,weofferfreeconstructionservices,whetheritsrepairingorbuildingnewhomes.Forregularhouseholds,wechargeonlyhalfofwhattheconstructionteamsfromthelowlandswouldcharge,Cu?nexplained.Forhiscontributiontothecommunity,HiênCu?nwasrecognisedasoneoftherecipientsoftheYouthwithBeautifulLivesAwardin2024.Whenhereceivedthenewsthathewasbeinghonouredthetitle,Cu?nwasverysurprised.ThehumbleyoungVemansaid:Ineverthoughtofdoingvolunteerworktoreceiveanaward.Ibelievethatvolunteeringmeansgivingwithoutexpectinganythinginreturn.Iwanttoactfrommyheart.BùiTh?Anh,secretaryoftheNamGiangDistrictYouthUnion,saidHiênCu?nisnotonlyanexampleofresilienceandovercomingadversity,butalsoarolemodelofayoungpartymemberwhohasbuiltnewmodelsandinnovativemethods,contributingtochangingthemindsetofyoungpeopleinremoteareas.Theyoungethnicmanhascreatedexcitementandanewspiritofenthusiasticworkandvolunteerismamongtheyouthintheborderregion.HiênCu?nistirelesslybuildingdreams,offeringhopetostrugglingpeopleinneedofasafeandsturdyhome.Hesaidthathisideaofameaningfullifeissimplyhelpingothersintheplacewherehewasborn.VNS