Thered-shankeddouclangurspeciesispartofathrivingconservationprojectontheS?nTràPeninsula.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?nD?ng?àN?NG—ThemonkeysatS?nTràMountain,onceanattractivefeaturetotourists,havenowturnedintoafrighteningordeal.However,itisnottheprimatestoblame,butrather,thehumanvisitors.Thesite,sometimescalledMonkeyMountainin?àN?ng,isaplacebustlingwithvisitorsonweekends.Butaclosekinofthehumankindhavealsocrowdedthesmallpeninsulas,themonkeys,whoclimbeddownfromthehillstoseekfood.Theprimatesarequiteboldandtendtoclingtotouristswhenofferedfood.Someevenjumponpeople,grabbingfoodoranyitemtheycan,causingfrustrationamongvisitors.Clutchingapacketofbiscuitstightly,eight-year-oldT.K.?.fromHàN?i,whowasvisiting?àN?ngwithhisfamily,hurriedlyfollowedhismother,nervouslyglancingaroundinfearofthemonkeys.Seeingthelargegroupofmonkeysshowingnofearandgrabbingattheclothesofavisitorahead,H?iAnh,T.K.?smother,quicklyliftedhersonup.Atfirst,thekidswereexcitedtoseethemonkeysandwantedtofeedthem,butthesemonkeysareaggressive.Ateenagegirlaheadofus,probablyahighschoolstudent,hadherphoneyankedoffherchestbecauseshedidntofferfoodandamonkeyscratchedherneck.Mysongotsoscaredheclungtome,askingtobecarried,H?iAnhrecounted.Foralongtime,themonkeysatS?nTràhavegrownaccustomedtobeingfedbytourists.TheyincreasinglygatherattheLinh?ngPagoda(B?iB?t).Whenthefoodprovidedbyvisitorsisntenough,hundredsofmonkeysrummagethroughthegarbagebehindthepagodaforscraps.Xuan,avolunteeratLinh?ngPagoda,notedthatsinceearly2018,groupsofmonkeys,includingred-bottomedmacaques,baboonsandrhesusmonkeys,havebeengatheringatthepagodasrubbishsite,disturbingtourists.Thereareincidentsalmostdailywheremonkeysattackvisitorsandonsomedays,thereareuptofourorfivecasesofpeoplebeingattackedwhilefeedingmonkeys.Fortunately,theyveonlysufferedminorcutsandbruises.Previously,themonkeyswouldreactiftouristsgottoocloseorteasedthem,butnowtheycomedownfrequentlybecausetheyresousedtobeingfed.Iftheydontgetfood,theydemanditandattacktourists.Thepagodahadtoenclosetherubbishbinstopreventthemonkeysfrommakingamess,whichcouldspoilthesurroundingsandspreaddiseases,Xuansaid.ButS?nTràisnttheonlyplacetroubledbymonkeys.InHCMCity,C?nGi?,oncefamousforitsownMonkeyIsland,isnowasourceoffearformanyvisitors.Recallinganincidentfromfouryearsago,H?ngNgafromDistrict11,HCMCity,stillshuddersatthecunningandboldnessofthemonkeysinC?nGi?,assheandherten-year-oldsonwereattacked.WhentheyoungboyheldoutapacketofsnacksuponarrivingatMonkeyIsland,amonkeylungedathim,grabbingthepacket.Caughtoffguard,hersonreflexivelytriedtopullitback,onlytohavehishandscratchedbythemonkey.Beforetheycouldrecover,anothermonkeysnatchedthesunglasseshangingonhershirtcollar.Themoreshechasedit,thedeeperitranintotheforest,eventuallyclimbingatalltree.AsecurityguardthenadvisedNgatobuyapacketoffoodtoexchangefortheglasses.Fromhighup,themonkeyclungtotheglasses,eyeingeverymoveofits‘victim.Onlywhenthepacketoffoodwaslaidoutonawoodenplank,didthemonkeydroptheglassesintothemudbelowandrushdowntograbthefood.Itwasterrifying.Icouldntbelievethemonkeysthereweresocunning.Notonlydidtheysnatchthingsifnotfed,buttheyalsoknewhowtoblackmailforfood.ThatwasthefirstandlasttimeItookmysontoMonkeyIslandinC?nGi?.Now,wheneverhehearsaboutvisitingmonkeysanywhere,hegetsscared,H?ngNgasaid.Amonkeysearchingforfoodinrubbishbags.—Phototuoitre.vnNotallfunandgamesAccordingtoofficials,thereasonwhybenignmonkeysareturningintomuggersismainlyduetotherecklessbehaviouroftouristswhoteaseandfeedthemindiscriminately.Despitenumerouswarningsignsagainstfeedingmonkeys,visitorscontinuetobuysnacksfromvendors,suchasicecream,coconuts,fruitsandsweets,tolurethemonkeyssothattheycantakephotosorvideosofthemwiththeirphones.Someevenshooktreestoscarethemonkeysorprovokethemforamusement.Thesebehaviours,inturn,haveinadvertentlymadethemonkeysmoreaggressiveandfamiliarwithhumanpresence,accustomedtobeingfedandevendevelopingatasteforhumanfood.PhanTh?D?ng,chiefoftheForestProtectionDivision(DepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,?àN?ngCity),disclosedthatmonkeysnownotonlyattackvisitorsorraidtrashbins,butalsoentershrinestotakefood,damagestatues,andcausegeneralhavoc.Recently,themonkeyshavemovedintothesurroundingareasoftheS?nTràPeninsula,enteringresidentialareasandevenoffices,toscavengeforfoodandattackpeople,leadingtoconflictsbetweenhumansandanimals.ResidentsofTh?QuangWardatthefootofS?nTràPeninsulahavealsocomplainedaboutmonkeysdestroyingtheirgardensandenteringtheirhomesinsearchoffood.Monkeysnolongerjustsearchforfoodatshrinesortemples,largegroupsnowwaitalongtouristpaths,suchasnearB?iB?c,LêV?nL??ngRoadandLinh?ngPagoda,tobeg.However,sometouristscontinuetobringfoodforthemonkeys,gatheringinlargenumbersandstoppingvehiclesontheroadtoviewthemonkeys,creatingtraffichazardsandaffectingpublicorder.Theincreasedfrequencyofmonkeyattacks,causinginjuriestotourists,isworrying.Additionally,therehavebeencaseswheremonkeysclimbpowerpolestogettotheroadstobegforfood,onlytobeelectrocutedandfalltotheirdeathorsufferinjuries.Thisisanalarmingsituation,D?ngsaid.PhanMinhH?i,deputyheadoftheS?nTràPeninsulaand?àN?ngBeachesTourismManagementBoard,emphasisedthattouristsfeedingmonkeyschangestheirinstinctsandforaginghabits.Inappropriatefoodsourcesaffectthehealthoftheseanimalsandclosecontactwiththemposesariskofattacksonhumans,threateningtheenvironmentandadverselyaffectingtheecosystem.Notonlydopeopledirectlyfeedmonkeys,butmanyalsoleavefoodpacketsandlitteralongtheroad,leadingmonkeystosearchthroughthetrash,scatteringrubbishalongtouristroutesandruiningthescenicbeauty.AlthoughstafffromtheS?nTràPeninsulaand?àN?ngBeachesTourismManagementBoard,alongwiththeS?nTrà-Ng?HànhS?nForestProtectionSubdivision,regularlypatrolandremindtouristsnottofeedmonkeys,theyresumewhenthestaffarenotaround.ThemanagementboardregularlydeploysstafforcoordinateswiththeS?nTrà-Ng?HànhS?nForestProtectionSubdivisiontopatrolandremindvisitorsalongtheroutefromtheLê??cTh?intersectiontoB?iB?c,theLinh?ngPagodaarea,especiallyduringpeakhoursandonweekends.However,thestaffcannotcovertheentirerouteorbeonduty24hoursperdayandsevendaysperweektoissuereminders.Therefore,self-awarenessamongthepubliciscrucial,saidH?i.—VNS

InrecentyearsGiaLamhasmadesignificanteffortstobuildadvancedandexemplarynew-styleruralareaswiththeaimofbecominganurbandistrict.—PhotoscourtesyofHàN?iCoordinationOfficeoftheNew-StyleRuralDevelopmentProgrammeHàN?I—AhighlightinbuildingadvancedruralareasinHàN?i,GiaLamDistrict,putsconstructingnew-styleruralareadevelopmentinalignmentwithurbandevelopmentasitskeypoliticalmission.Inrecentyears,GiaLamDistricthasseenanincreasinglylively,bustlingatmosphere,similartothatofanurbandistrict.ItsD??ngXáCommunecompletedthetasksofbuildinganew-styleruralareaacrossallthreeaspectsofhealthcare,cultureandtourismin2022,saidthecommunalPeoplesCommitteechairmanT?H?uV?nh.Statisticsshowthatart,culturalandsportsactivitiesattract60percentofthelocalpopulation,whilelocalclubactivitiesareeffectivelymaintained.Thelocalityhasalsoupgradeditshealthcarefacilities,toallowresidentsbetteraccesstomedicalexaminationandtreatment.LocalsonastreetofD??ngXáCommune,whichcompletedbuildinganew-styleruralareaacrossallthreeaspectsofhealthcare,cultureandtourismin2022.Meanwhile,inC?Bi,anothercommuneinGiaLamthathascompleteditsprocesstobuildnew-styleruralareas,multipletraditionalculturalactivitieshavebeenrevivedinthepasttwodecades.Theseincludechèosinging,tu?ngsingingandquanh?singing,inadditiontopreservingandrestoringtemples,pagodasandotherancientstructures.Notably,aspartofitsexemplarynew-styleruralareadevelopment,thecommunesH?iVillagehassuccessfullyestablishedasmartvillagemodel.GoldlaminatingandgildinginKiêuK?VillageareamongthelocalcraftsthatserveastheculturalfoundationforGiaLamsgrowth.Keepingupthemomentumfollowingitsrecognitionasanadvancednew-styleruralareain2022,NinhHi?pCommunehascontinueditsdirectionandimplementationtomaintaingoodresultsinallstandards.Asoftoday,NinhHi?piseffectivelymobilisingresourcestorealise19criteriainbuildinganadvancednew-styleruralarea.Particularly,thecommunefocusesonimprovinglocalincomes,havingonesmartvillageaswellasensuringorder,safetyandculturaldevelopment.EducationandtrainingareoneofthetopprioritiesforGiaLamDistrictinitsprocessofbuildingnew-styleruralareas.GiaLamDistrictPeoplesCommitteechairwoman??ngTh?Huy?nsaidthatthegoalofbuildinganew-styleruralareaandbeyondisthefoundationforGiaLamtotransformintoanurbandistrict.Notably,GiaLamhasbeenrealisingplanstobuildanadvancedandexemplarynew-styleruralareaforthistransition.Huy?nhighlightedthatagriculture,farmersandruralareasarekeyfactorsinthelocalitysindustrialisationandmodernisationprocesses.Theyalsoserveasacrucialfoundationanddrivingforceforlocalsocio-economicdevelopment,securityandpoliticalstability,aswellastheGiaLamsaccomplishmentinmeetingadvancednew-styleruralstandardsandbecomingaprosperous,cultured,modernandsustainabledistrict.GiaLamhasbeenfocusingondevelopingitsruraleconomywithavisionofanurbanone,whilerestructuringtheagriculturalsector,enhancingtheaddedvaluesandincreasingincomesforlocals.Thedistrictalsopromotesruraleconomicdevelopmentinruralproductionzonesaccordingtoplanning,aswellastechnologyapplicationinfarmingforqualityproducewithhigheconomicvalues.AgriculturaltourismnotonlycontributestopromotingtraditionalculturalvaluesandecologicallandscapebutalsobringslivelihoodstothepeopleofGiaLamdistrict.GiaLamhasestablishedseveralspecialisedcultivationareaswithascaleof20hectaresormore,suchasthefruitgrowingzonesinKimS?n,PhúTh?,L?Chi,D??ngQuang,C?BiandD??ngXácommunes,high-qualityflowergrowingzonesinPhù??ng,KimLanandL?ChicommunesandvegetableproductionzonesinV?n??c,??ngXá,YênTh??ngandYênViêncommunes.Manyoftheseproductionmodelshaveproventobeeconomicallyeffective,withtheVietGAP-standardvegetableandfruitproductionmodelgeneratingVN?500-600million(US$20,000-24,000)perhectare.Thehigh-techflowergrowingmodelyieldsbetweenVN?800million($32,000)andVN?1billion($40,000)perhectareandthelivestockfarmingmodelbringsinVN?150-200million($6,000-8,000)perhouseholdperyear.SecretaryofGiaLamPartyCommitteeNguy?nVi?tHàsaidthatbytheendof2023,allofits20communesachievedthestandardsofadvancednew-styleruralareasandfiveamongthemmeetthecriteriaforexemplarynew-styleruralareas.Thedistrictasawholealsometallninecriteriaand38indicatorsofanadvancednew-styleruraldistrictandsubmittedadossierforofficialrecognitionfromtheCentralAppraisalCouncil.AtraditionalperformanceprogrammecelebratingthelocalGióngFestivalandrecognitionofPhù??ngCommuneasanexemplarynew-styleruralareain2023.EvaluatingGiaLamseffortsinbuildingnew-styleruralareas,Nguy?nV?nChí,deputychiefoftheHàN?iCoordinationOfficeoftheNew-StyleRuralDevelopmentProgrammesaidthatthedistrictgoalsistoalignitsprogresswithurbangrowth.TherecognitionofGiaLamasanadvancednew-styleruraldistrictwillencouragethissuburbanareaonitspathtobecomeanurbandistrictofthecapitalcity,hesaid.—VNS*ThisarticleispublishedunderthecoordinationoftheCoordinationOfficeoftheNew-StyleRuralDevelopmentProgrammeinHàN?i.AVietnamAirlinesaircraftparkedatTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportinHCMCity.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—TheMinistryofTransportistakingstepstostabilisecurrentlyhighdomesticairfares.Theministryhasannouncedplanstoconductathoroughreviewofthefeesandoperationalcostsincurredbyairlinesandgroundserviceproviders.TheCivilAviationAuthorityofVi?tNam(CAAV)undertheministryhasconfirmedthattherecentincreaseindomesticairfareisinaccordancewithregulationsestablishedbytherelevantauthorities.Theministryhasattributedthisriseinfarestoseveralfactors,includingincreasedfuelprices,fluctuationsinexchangerates,enginerecalls,costsassociatedwithaircraftleasing,andheighteneddemand.Furthermore,ithasissuedawarningthatsustainedhighdemandcouldleadtoadditionalpriceincreasesduringpeakseasons.Proposedstrategiestomitigatefareincreasesincludetheoptimisationofaircraftschedulesandtheenhancementofoperationalefficiency.Theministryhasmandatedstrictcompliancewithregulationspertainingtodomesticpassengerairtransportpricingandfaredeclarations.Theministrysaiditwillstrengthenoversightoffaredeclarationsandpromoteearlyticketpurchasestofacilitatemorefavourablepricing.Vietnameseairlinesareencouragedtoexpandtheirtransportcapacityandserviceofferingsacrossbothinternationalanddomesticroutes.Theyareurgedtocollaboratewithglobalaircraftleasingpartnerstobolsterfleetcapacity,whichmayinvolvereplacinggroundedaircraftandexploringoptionstoincreaseseatcapacityonfrequentlytravelleddomesticroutes.Airlinesarealsoencouragedtoadoptflexiblepricingstrategiesandmaintainpoliciesthatallowfordiscountedfares.Currently,localairlinesoperatearound160aircraft,whichis60to70unitsbelowpre-pandemiclevels.Expertssaidthatadiverseandhigh-performancefleetiscrucialforairlinestomitigatetheimpactofaircraftshortagesandenhanceoperationalefficiency.TheyproposedinvestmentsinsupplychainhubsbeincreasedandnegotiationswithmajormanufacturerssuchasBoeingandAirbusbepursuedtoensuretimelydeliveryofaircraft.Analysesofflightcostcomponentsshowedthatfuelexpensesaccountfor37-42percent,maintenanceconstitutes32-41percent,andgroundservicesrepresent6-7percent,withremainingcostsmakingup16-19percent.—VNS

HàN?I—Topromptlydetectdomesticandimportedcasesofmpox,Vietnameseauthoritieshavesteppedupeffortsinmonitoringandpreventingthespreadoftheviraldiseaseandprovidingguidanceonrelatedsurveillanceandcontrolmeasures,theMinistryofForeignAffairssSpokespersonPh?mThuH?nghassaid.MakingherstatementattheministrysregularpressbriefingonThursdayinreplytoaquestionregardingthecontrolofthediseaseinVi?tNam,H?ngnotedthattheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)hasdeclaredmpoxapublichealthemergencyofinternationalconcernduetoitsrapidspreadinseveralAfricancountries.Accordingtothespokeswoman,theMinistryofHealthonAugust19issuedadocumentdeliveredtothepeoplescommitteesofprovincesandcentrally-runcities,theNationalInstituteofHygieneandEpidemiology,PasteurInstitute,andinfectiousdiseasetreatmentcentrestoenhancempoxpreventionefforts.TheywereurgedtostrictlyadheretotheinstructionsinthePrimeMinistersdispatchdatedAugust1,2022,onstrengtheningthepreventionandcontrolofthedisease.Thedispatchalsocoversthediagnosisandtreatmentofmpox,aswellasmeasurestopreventitstransmissioninhealthcareestablishments.Accordingly,Vi?tNamhasintensifiedthemonitoringanddetectionofsuspectedcasesatbordergatesandwithinpublicandprivatehealthcareestablishments.Inaddition,healthauthoritiesandrelevantagenciesareworkingcloselywithlocalitiestoenhancepubliccommunicationsonpreventivemeasures,overseeanddirectanti-epidemicefforts,whilereviewingandupdatingcontingencyplanstoensurereadinessinresponsetopotentialoutbreaks.Inthetimetocome,healthagenciesanddiseasecontrolbodieswillcontinuetoassessandcloselymonitorthesituationtopromptlyimplementnecessarymeasurestoprotectpublicsafety.—VNSTr?nT?Nga.—AFP/VNAPhotoPARIS—TheParisCourtofAppealsrejectionofthelawsuitfiledbyTranToNgaagainstUSmanufacturersofAgentOrange(AO)/dioxinisnotasurprisefortheFrench-Vietnamesewoman,whosaidshewillnotgiveupbutcontinuetopursuethislawsuit.OnAugust22,theParisCourtofAppealrejectedthelawsuitfiledbyNgaagainsttheUSchemicalcorporationsthatsuppliedAO/dioxinfortheUSarmytouseduringthewarinVi?tNam.TalkingtotheVietnamNewsAgency(VNA),Nga,whoisalsoanAO/dioxinvictimherself,saidsheisnotsurprisedatthisruling,andthatshewillnotgiveupbutkeeppursuingthislawsuit.AsNgasrepresentatives,WilliamBourdonandBertrandRepoltfromtheBourdonlawofficeexpressedtheirdeterminationtostayontheirclientsside.Thefightbytheirclientdoesnotendwiththisruling,andtheywilltakethecasetothehighestappealscourt,thelawyerssaid,notingthatjudgesoftheParisCourtofAppealheldaconservativeattitudethatrunscountertothemodernityoflaw,aswellasinternationallawandEuropeanlaw.Thehighestappealscourtwillmakethedecision,theyadded.Ngaspursuitofthelawsuitoverthepast15yearsshowedherextraordinarywillandthefirmsupportofpeace-lovingpeopleforher.Bornin1942inthesouthernprovinceofSócTr?ng,NgausedtoworkasawarcorrespondentoftheLiberationNewsAgency(nowVietnamNewsAgency)andbecamecontaminatedwithdioxinduringwartime.Medicalexaminationresultsshowthatthedioxinlevelinherbloodishigherthantheregulatedlevelthatleadstoserioushealthimpacts.Shesufferedfromfiveoutofthe17diseases,disorders,deformities,andmalformationsassociatedwithdioxinexposurerecognisedbytheUS.NotonlyNgaherselfbutherchildrenalsosufferedfromheartandbonedefects.Herfirstchilddiedofheartdefectsat17monthsofage.In2009,NgaappearedasawitnessattheCourtofPublicOpinioninParisagainsttheUSchemicalcompaniestosupportAO/dioxinvictimsinVi?tNam.Afterthat,withsupportfromsomeFrenchlawyersandsocialactivists,shedecidedtosuetheUSchemicalcompanies.SheisoneofthefewpersonsabletopursueAO/dioxin-relatedlawsuitssinceshehasallthethreenecessaryconditionsofbeingaFrench-Vietnamesecitizen;residinginFrance,wherelawyersarepermittedtofileinternationallawsuitsindefenceofFrenchcitizensagainstanothercountryharmingthem;andbeingavictimofAO/dioxin.InMay2013,theCrownCourtofEvrycity,whereNgaresides,acceptedherpetitionagainstthechemicalcompaniesthatsuppliedherbicidefortheUSarmytouseinthebattlefieldinVi?tNam.However,after19proceduralsessions,initsrulingissuedonMay10,2021,thiscourtacceptedtheargumentsofthedefendants,sayingtheyhadactedundertheorderofandfortheStateoftheUSandthus,theywereentitledtotherighttoimmunity.LawyersofNgaobjectedtothisrulingandsaidthosecompanieshadsubmittedatender,whichmeanttheyhadnotbeenforcedtoact.ThelawyersperceivedthattheEvryCrownCourtappliedout-of-dateprinciplesrunningcountertothemodernprinciplesofinternationallawandFrance.Notdisappointedbythatloss,shortlyaftertheEvryCrownCourthadruledthatitdidnothavesufficientcompetencetohandlethecaserelatedtotheUSGovernmentsactsduringwartime,Nga,withsupportfromlawyersandtheassociationssupportingVietnameseAOvictims,filedanappealtotheParisCourtofAppeal.AtahearingheldonMay7thisyear,NgaslawyerspointedoutthatthereissufficientevidenceprovingthosecompanieshadvoluntarilyjoinedinthebiddingandhadtherighttodeterminetheproductionaswellascontentofdioxinintheherbicidesuppliedfortheUSarmyinVi?tNamduring1961-1971.TheseactionscausedcatastrophicconsequenceswhichstilllingeruntiltodayforpeopleandtheenvironmentinVi?tNam.Ngaherselfisadioxinvictimandhassufferedfromveryseriousconsequences,thelawyerssaid,notingthattheirclientlostherfirstchild,herotherchildrenhadtoendurehealthproblemswhileshealsobecamecancerous.TheyaddedtherighttoatrialisafundamentalrightofNga,andtheyhopedtoregainjusticeforthevictim.Fortheirpart,thelawyersdefendingthe14USchemicalcompaniesdeniedtheirclientsresponsibility,arguingthatthefirmshadactedattherequestoftheUSarmy.Giventhis,theycitedthestateimmunitythatallowsasovereignstatenottobeprosecutedatacourtofanothersovereignstatesoastodenythecompaniesresponsibilityfortheconsequencescausedbytheirproductsintheVietnamesebattlefield.Ononeoccasion,NgatoldVNAcorrespondentsinFrancethatwhenshebeganthelawsuit,therewerealreadymorethan3millionAOvictimsinVi?tNam.Thisfigurehurtherheartandpromptedhertofilethelawsuit.After12yearsofpursuingjustice,thefigurekeptincreasing,toover4millionvictimsandAOeffectshavereachedthefourthgeneration.ShestressedthatherstruggleaimstonotonlyfightagainsttheuseofAObutalsoserveasabasisforothercombatsfortheenvironment.IfightnotonlyformyselfbutalsoalldioxinvictimsinVi?tNamandothercountries,Ngasaid,affirmingthatshewillfighttothebitterend.Duringher15-yearjourneytoseekjustice,NgahasreceivedsupportfromnotonlyVietnamesepeopleinthehomelandbutalsoVietnameseexpatriatesinFranceandaroundtheworld,aswellasFrenchandinternationalfriends,includinglawyersWilliamBourdonandBertrandRepolt,theVi?tNamAssociationforVictimsofAO/dioxin,theInternationalAssociationofDemocraticLawyers,theVietnamesePeopleAssociationinFrance,theFrance–Vi?tNamFriendshipAssociation,thecommitteeforsupportforTr?nT?Ngaslawsuit,andCollectifVietnamDioxine.AlargenumberofmarchesandmeetingshavealsobeenorganisedtoshowsolidaritywithNgaandVietnameseAOvictims.Ngaslettertoappealforsupportforthelegalstrugglereceivedthousandsofsignatures,includingthoseofmanyimportantfigures,politicians,diplomats,researchers,scholars,doctors,andartists.From1961to1971,theUSmilitaryconducted19,905missionssprayingmorethan80millionlitresoftoxicchemicals,61percentofwhichwasAOcontaining366kgofdioxin,onnearly26,000hamletsandvillagesthatcovered3.06millionhectares,equivalenttoalmostone-fourthoftheareaofSouthVi?tNam.AOhascausedstrongandenduringimpactsontheenvironmentandhumanhealth.About4.8millionpeopleinVi?tNamwereexposedtoAO/dioxin,statisticsshowed.—VNSAtChildrensHospital2inHCMCity,adoctorpresentsgiftstoachildpatientontheoccasionofInternationalChildrensDay(June1).—VNA/VNSPhotoThuH??ngHCMCITY—Inanefforttoaddressitsdecliningfertilityrate,HCMCityisconsideringsolutionstobettercareforpregnantwomen,newborns,andchildreninthecity.ThecitysDepartmentofHealthhassubmittedaproposaloutliningsolutionstoincreasethecitysfertilityrateby2030tothemunicipalPeoplesCommitteesforapproval.Undertheproposal,pregnantwomen,newbornsandchildreninthecitywillbeeligibleforsupportfromthecitygovernment.Itincludesfullycoveringthecostsforpregnantwomenparticipatinginprenatalandnewbornscreeningprogrammes.Italsoprovidesfullreimbursementofexpenses(afterdeductingtheamountcoveredbyhealthinsurance)forregularprenatalcheck-upsandchildbirth.Additionally,theproposalsuggestsplanningandconstructingchildcarecentresandkindergartensthatcatertotheneedsofmothers,especiallyinexportprocessingzones,industrialareas,andurbandistricts.Italsoaimstopilotworker-friendlyservicessuchasadjustingchildcarehoursandsupportingboardingschoolexpensesforpreschoolandelementarystudents.Italsoencouragestheestablishmentofbreastfeedingroomsatworkplaces.AccordingtothecitysDepartmentofHealth,HCMCityisoneof21provincesandcitieswiththelowestfertilityratesinthecountry.Thecitysfertilityrateis1.32childrenperwomanofreproductiveage,steadilydecreasingfromarateof1.76in2000.Adeclineinfertilityratesimpactspopulationsize,agedistribution,reductionintheworking-agepopulation,migrationtrendsandaccelerationofpopulationaging.Italsohampersthepotentialofdemographicdividends.Therefore,thecitygovernmentisstrengtheningstatepopulationmanagementtoimproveitslowfertilityrate.—VNS

AworkingsessionbetweenFPTGroupandthecentralQu?ngNg?iprovincialpeoplescommitteeindevelopinganeducationcomplexintheprovince.FPThasdevelopedtwoeducationcomplexesin?àN?ngandTh?aThiênHu?Province.PhotocourtesyofFPTQU?NGNG?I—ITgiantFPTGrouphasputforwardaplantodevelopasixhectareeducationcomplextosupportthecentralprovinceindigitaltransformationprocessesineducation,healthcare,databases,digitalinfrastructure,e-Governmentandtheeconomy.GeneraldirectorofFPTGroup,Tr?nV?nKhoasaidataworkingsessionwiththecentralprovincialpeoplescommittee,thatthegroupwouldbuildupamulti-levelschoolsystemandvocationaltrainingsystemtosupplymanpowertoaidtheindustrialisationoftheprovince.KhoasaidFPTwillcooperatewiththeprovinceinbuildingdigitalisationtransformationplan,cybersecuritysolutionsanddatabases.Newly-appointedchairmanoftheprovincialpeoplescommittee,Nguy?nHoàngGiangsaidrelevantagenciesoftheprovincewillbeboostingproceduresandmakingpreparationsfortheFPTGrouptobeginthecomplexsoon.FPThasalsodonatededucationalfacilitiesandequipmentworthVN?100million(US$4,000)toV?H?ngS?nSchoolforchildrenwithdisabilities.Thegrouphasbeencooperatingwith?àN?ngCityandTh?aThiênHu?Provinceindigitaltransformation.Ithasalreadydevelopedasecondaryschoolanduniversityin?àN?ngandstartedconstructiononaneducationcomplexintheH??ngTràtownshipofHu?City.FPTGrouphavealsodevelopededucationsystemsfromprimaryschoolsuptotheuniversitylevelinH?iPhòng,B?cNinh,?àN?ng,C?nTh?,Bình??nh,HàN?iandotherco-operativeprojectswiththeUKandAustraliapartnersinVi?tNam.VNSTheareawherethedogsarekept.—Photothanhnien.vnL?M??NG—The?àL?tCityPolicehavelaunchedaninvestigationaftervideosshowingtheabuseofanAlaskandogwentviralonsocialmedia.Thedogsowner,L.S.L.,whoresidesonLêV?nTámRoadinWard10,confirmedtothepolicethathehadpurchasedfiveAlaskandogsforVN?300million(US$12,000)aroundMaythisyear.HeintendedtousethedogsforanillegalphotographyserviceatLamViênSquare,rentingthemouttotouristsforphotoopportunities.L.rentedapigstyinC?u?úcAlley,Ward10,?àL?tCity,tohousethedogs.Lastmonth,L.boughtanadditionalreddish-brownAlaskandognamedB?nforVN?25million(US$1,000).P.T.T.T,a39-year-oldwomanfromWard9,contributedVN?10million(US$400)topartnerwithL.inthebusiness.T.taskedher13-year-oldson,T.T.Q.,astudent,withmanagingthedogfortouristsduringhissummervacation.OnJuly20,whileQ.washoldingB?nfortouristsatLamViênSquare,thedogbithimonthehand.Inresponse,Q.kickedthedogandlaterconfinedittoacageinC?u?úcAlley,whereherepeatedlystruckitwithaplasticpipe,27mmindiameterandabout80cmlong.Atthebeginningofthismonth,L.tookovermanagingthedogafterreturningT.sUS$400,asQ.couldnolongerhandletheanimal.L.statedthatduetothedogsaggressivebehaviour,hewasretrainingitandhadpausedthebusiness.L.alsoinformedthepolicethathewasunawareoftheincidentinvolvingQ.beingbitten,whichreportedlyoccurredbetweenJuly20and23,untilthevideossurfacedonline.Thepolicearecontinuingtheirinvestigationintothecase.—VNS

HàN?I—Vi?tNamsforeignministryonThursdaysaiditcompletelyandfirmlyopposethefalseinformationthatBritishtravellerstoVi?tNamfacepotentialpassportseizuresandexitbans.ThiscautionisissuedbytheUKForeignOfficeforthetravelguidancetoVi?tNam.Vi?tNamconsistentpolicyistocreatefavourableconditionsforforeignerstoenter,exitandresideinVi?tNam,soastocontributetothecountryssocio-economicdevelopment,spokeswomanfortheforeignministryPh?mThuH?ngtoldthepress.Overthepastyears,competentVietnameseauthoritieshavetakennumerousactionstofacilitatethetravellingofforeignerstoVi?tNamtostudy,work,invest,explorethemarket,andfortourismpurposes,incompliancewithVietnameseregulationsandlaws,H?ngsaid.TheUKdirectivelistsoutanumberofsituationsthatcouldtriggeranexitbanfromVietnameseauthorities,whichmayberelatedtoinvestigationsintoanindividual,theirfamilyoranemployer,criminalandcivilmatters,suchasbusinessdisputesormotorvehicleaccidents,employmentwithoutaworkvisa[or]unpaidfinancialdebts.—VNS

AchildisvaccinatedinC?nTh?CityaspartofthenationalExpandedProgrammeonImmunisation.—PhototheEPIHàN?I—TheMinistryofHealthlaunchedacampaigntoprovidemeaslesvaccinesforchildrennationwideatahybridconferenceonThursday,tomarkWorldImmunisationWeek2024.Speakingattheevent,HealthMinister?àoH?ngLancalledonparentsandcaregiverstogetchildrenvaccinatedfullyandonschedule,forthehealthofthechildrenthroughregularvaccinationsandvaccinationcampaigns.Vaccinationisoneofthemostimportantmeasurestopreventdangerousinfectiousdiseases.Thankstovaccination,manydangerousinfectiousdiseasesareeliminatedorcontrolled.ItisestimatedthattheglobalExpandedProgrammeonImmunisation(EPI)preventstwotothreemilliondeathseachyear,saidLan.Withtheriskofameaslesoutbreakintheworld,includingVi?tNam,thehealthministryhascoordinatedwithWHOandUNICEFtodevelopandissueacampaigntoprovideavaccineagainstmeaslesin2024with1,134,200dosesofvaccinefundedbytheAustralianGovernment.Thecampaignwillbedeployedateducationalunitsandmedicalfacilitiesindistrictsatriskofmeaslesoutbreaks.Vaccinesareprovidedfreeofchargeforchildrenagedonetoten,alongwithmedicalstaffatriskatmedicalexaminationandtreatmentfacilitiesandthosewhohavenothadtherequirednumberofvaccinationsasprescribed.HealthMinister?àoH?ngLanchairstheonlineconferenceonAugust22,tomarkWorldImmunisationWeekfor2024.—PhotocourtesyoftheMinistryofHealthAccordingtoHealthMinisterLan,thevaccinationprogrammewillstillfacemanydifficultiesandchallengesduetotheunpredictablesituationofinfectiousdiseasesandthelowvaccinationratefollowingtheCOVID-19pandemic.Environmentalpollution,climatechange,naturaldisasters,floodsandurbanisationcreatedfavourableconditionsforinfectiousdiseasestoreappear,spreadandbreakout.LansuggestedthePeoplesCommitteesofprovincesandcitiespromotetheimplementationofregularvaccinationforchildrenundertheEPItoensuresafetyandeffectivenessandencouragefamiliestogettheirchildrenvaccinatedfullyandonschedule.WHORepresentativeinVi?tNamAngelaPrattremarkedthathundredsofthousandsofchildreninVi?tNamhavemissedoutonvaccinationssince2021duetopandemic-relateddisruptionsandtherecentlackofvaccinestock,leadingtothelargestsustaineddeclineinratesofchildhoodimmunisationinVi?tNaminover20years.WHORepresentativeinVi?tNamAngelaPrattspeaksattheevent.—PhotoMoHAsaresult,wearealreadyseeingmorecasesandclustersofvaccine-preventablediseases–includingdiphtheriaandpertussisandweareworriedthatwecurrentlyfacetheveryrealriskofalarge-scalemeaslesoutbreak,saidPratt.TheWHOrepresentativealsopraisedthePrimeMinistersoffice,theNationalAssemblyandtheMinisterofHealthfortheleadershipandimmenseeffortslastyeartounlockthesupplyofvaccines.Iknowwecannowcountonthesameleadershipandcommitmenttorespondtothemeaslesoutbreakswearecurrentlyseeinginseveralprovinces,thethreatofoutbreakselsewhereandindoingsoavoidlarge-scaletransmission.PrattalsosaidthattheWHOhasfinalisedtheprocurementofanemergencysupplyofmorethanonemilliondosesofmeasles-rubellavaccines,tobeusedforoutbreakresponseandsupplementaryimmunisationactivitiesinthehighest-riskareas.InVi?tNam,therearecurrently11typesofvaccinestopreventinfectiousdiseases,includingtuberculosis,diphtheria,whoopingcough,tetanus,measles,polio,hepatitisB,JapaneseBencephalitis,rubellaandrota,alldeployedinthenationalEPI.Inthefuture,thehealthministrywillimplementaplantoaddnewvaccinestotheEPI,includingvaccinestopreventdiarrhoeacausedbytherotavirus,avaccinetopreventpneumococcaldiseaseandthevaccinetopreventcervicalcancercausedbytheHPVvirus.Overthepast40years,hundredsofmillionsofvaccinedoseshavebeengiventoVietnamesechildrenandwomenforfree.TheEPIhasmadeanimportantcontributiontoachievingpolioeradicationin2000andeliminatingneonataltetanusin2005.—VNSAjointperformanceoftheUS-Vi?tNaminthePacificPartnership2024-2(PP24-2)andPacificAngel2024-3(PA24-3)inthecentralQu?ngNg?iProvince.Theprogrammeclosedafteratwo-weekmission.PhotocourtesyoftheUSConsulGeneralinHCMCityQU?NGNG?I–PacificPartnership2024-2(PP24-2)andPacificAngel2024-3(PA24-3)wrappedupatwo-weekmissionwithaclosingceremonyinthecentralprovinceonAugust30.ThisisthefirsttimePacificPartnershipandPacificAngelhaveworkedtogethertoconductajointmission.TheeventmarkedtheculminationofjointeffortstoenhancedisasterresponsecapabilitiesandstrengthentiesbetweentheUSandVi?tNam.AsthelargestannualmultilateraldisasterreliefpreparednessmissionintheIndo-Pacific,theUSNavysPacificPartnershipjoinedforcesforthefirsttimewiththeUSAirForcesPacificAngeltoexecuteaseriesofhumanitarianresponseexercises.Thisyearsmissionbroughttogetherapproximately200participantsfromAustralia,Chile,Japan,theUK,theUSandVi?tNam,allworkingtowardacommongoal.USandVietnameseofficialsexchangedbestpracticesandlessonslearnedoncriticalissueslikeforestfireprevention,coastalerosionandnaturaldisastermanagement.AsitesurveyoftheNgh?aAnanti-erosionembankmentofferedahands-onopportunitytoassessanddiscussreal-worldchallengesandopportunitiestostrengthencoastalcommunityresilienceandinternationalcooperation.Healthcareprofessionalsplayedapivotalroleinthismission,conducting40expertexchangesandtrainingsessionsathospitalsandmedicalcentresacrosstheprovince.Thesessionscoveredabroadspectrumoftopics,fromadvancedlifesupporttoneurology,directlybenefitingover180Vietnamesehealthcareprofessionalsandnearly100Vietnamesepatients.Theteamalsosuccessfullyconductednumeroussurgeries.AnEnglishandmusicexchangeeventbetweentheUSandVi?tNamduringthePacificPartnership2024-2(PP24-2)andPacificAngel2024-3programmeinQu?ngNg?iProvince.PhotocourtesyoftheUSConsulGeneralinHCMCityCommanderofLogisticsGroupWesternPacific/TaskForce73,RearAdmiralToddCimicatasaid:IthastrulybeenanhonourtobeinVi?tNam,workingalongsidetheprofessionalsinQu?ngNg?i,learningfromoneanother,andcreatingconnectionswithpatients,students,fellowcitizensandoneanother.Manythanksforyourcommitmenttothe20thiterationofPacificPartnershipandthe16thiterationofPacificAngel.Constructioneffortswereanothercornerstoneofthemission,withrenovationsandrepairsenhancinglocalfacilitiessuchasT?nhMinhKindergartenandT?nhKhêElementarySchool.Theseprojectsnotonlyimprovedinfrastructurebutalsobolsteredtheresilienceofcommunitysitesindisasterpreparedness,highlightingthespiritofPacificPartnershipandPacificAngelofbuildinglocalcommunityresilienceandbenefitingthelocalpeople.Communityengagementaddedaculturaldimensiontothemission.Throughaseriesofculturalexchangeprogrammes,English-languagedialogues,sportingeventsandbandperformances.USNavyandAirForcepersonnelmetwithapproximately800students,teachersandadministratorsthroughoutQu?ngNg?i.Inaddition,AmericanveteranswereinvitedaboardtheexpeditionaryfasttransportshipUSNSCityofBismarck(T-EPF9)foratour.Reflectingontheexperience,USNavyCaptainDanielKeeler,PP24-2missioncommander,said:Ourvisitwasincrediblyrewardingandsignificantlyexpandedourcapacitytorespondtonaturaldisasterstogether.Wegainedvaluableinsightsfromeachotherinthemedicalfieldandeagerlysupportedfourbuildingprojects.ThehospitalityofthepeopleofQu?ngNg?iwasoutstanding,andwearedeeplythankfulfortheopportunityandtheexperience.MajorBradleyEmmett,PA24-3missioncommander,summedupthesentimentofthemission:WeareextremelygratefulfortheopportunitygiventoustoworkwithinQu?ngNg?iandQu?ngNamprovincesaspartofPacificAngel24-3.WealsoappreciateeachprovinceswillingnesstohostengagementssuchasPacificAngel,andtrulyappreciatethekindnessandcoordinationoftheseprovincescommunitypartnersandleaderswhoensuredthismissionwasasuccess.ThecompletionofPP24-2andPA24-3representsasignificantmilestoneinUS-Vi?tNamrelations,comingnearlyayearafterthetwocountriesupgradedtoaComprehensiveStrategicPartnership.ThismissionisatestamenttotheenduringstrengthanddynamismoftheUS-Vi?tNamrelationship,asbothnationsworktogethertowardsharedgoals.Qu?ngNg?iProvincesparticipationinthismultinationalmissionunderscorestheprovincescommitmenttoglobalpartnershipsanddisasterpreparedness.VNS

TheB?ch??ng2Bridgelinks??ngNaiwithBìnhD??ng.–Photonld.com.vn??NGNAI-B?ch??ng2Bridge,whichconnects??ngNaiProvincewithBìnhD??ngProvince,wasopenedfortrafficonSeptember2.ThebridgeisoneofthekeytrafficprojectstoboostconnectivityinsoutheasternVi?tNam,andhasbeenlong-awaitedbymanylocals.Theprojectaimstofacilitatethetransportationofgoodsandthesocio-economicdevelopmentofthetwolocalities.ThelengthofB?ch??ng2Bridgeandthetworoadsleadingtoitoneachsidetotalaround2.8km.Thebridgeitselfis17mwideandhasfourlanes.Itbeganconstructioninlate2021withaninvestmentofVN?490billion(US$19.7million)fromthebudgetsofBìnhD??ngand??ngNai.ItwassupposedtobefinishedandputintoserviceinQ1of2023,butitwasdelayedduetotheCOVID-19pandemicandlandclearanceissues.ConstructionstaffwillreturnonSeptember3tofinishthelaststepssuchasroadsurfacemarkingsandlighting.–VNSPeoplerejoiceonNationalDayinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoKhánhHoàHàN?I—AlargenumberofpeoplefromalloverthecountrygatheredatBa?ìnhSquare,HàN?ionMondaytocelebratethe79thNationalDayoftheSocialistRepublicofVi?tNam(September2,1945-September2,2024).PeoplegatheratBa?ìnhSquare,HàN?ionMondaytocelebratethe79thNationalDayoftheSocialistRepublicofVi?tNam(September2,1945-September2,2024).—VNA/VNSPhotoKhánhHoàPeopletakeagroupphotoatBa?ìnhSquare,HàN?ionNationalDay.—VNA/VNSPhotoKhánhHoàChildrencelebrateNationalDayatBa?ìnhSquareonMondayinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoKhánhHoàFatheranddaughteratBa?ìnhsquareonNationalDayinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoKhánhHoàBa?ìnhsquareonNationalDay.—VNA/VNSPhotoKhánhHoàCrowdsofpeopleatBa?ìnhsquareonNationalDaysearlymorning.—VNA/VNSPhotoTu?n??cPeoplerejoiceonNationalDayinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoKhánhHoàChildrencelebrateNationalDayatBa?ìnhSquareonMondayinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoKhánhHoàOnSeptember2,1945atHàN?isBa?ìnhSquare,PresidentH?ChíMinhreadtheDeclarationofIndependencedeclaringthebirthoftheDemocraticRepublicofVi?tNam(nowtheSocialistRepublicofVi?tNam).—VNS

Acityalleyisdecoratedwithflutteringnationalflags.—VNA/VNSPhotoQu?cKhánhHàN?I—Onthe79thanniversaryofNationalDay,September2,thecapitalseemstobewearinganewcoatofbrilliantredduetoallofthenationalflags.ManynationalflagshanginanalleytocelebrateNationalDay.—VNA/VNSPhotoQu?cKhánhNotonlythemainroadsandhigh-risebuildings,butalsosmallalleysandpeacefulstreetcornersofthecityaredecoratedwiththeflutteringnationalflags.—VNSThebrilliantredofthenationalflagsinanalleyinthecity.—VNA/VNSPhotoQu?cKhánhAsmallalleyisdecoratedwithnationalflagsonNationalDayinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoQu?cKhánhPeoplecapturetheirmomentswiththenationalflags.—VNA/VNSPhotoQu?cKhánhPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhtalksto?àN?ngleaders.—VNA/VNSPhoto?àN?NG—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhonSeptember1requestedthecentralcityof?àN?ngtowellimplementthreepioneeringtaskstoachievebalanced,rapid,andsustainabledevelopment.AtaworkingsessionwiththeStandingBoardofthemunicipalPartyCommitteeonthecityssocio-economicdevelopmentresultsinthefirstsevenmonthsof2024andthedirectionsandtasksfortheupcomingperiod,Chínhstressedthat?àN?ngmustleadinperfectinginstitutionsofthesocialist-orientedmarketeconomy;ininnovatingandeffectivelyapplyingscientificachievements,anddevelopinggreeneconomy,digitaleconomy,circulareconomy,andsharingeconomy;andindecentralisation,allocationofresources,andadministrativeprocedurereform.TheGovernmentleaderurgedthecitysofficialstogainathoroughunderstandingofthecitysrole,position,potential,andimportance,aswellasitsmissionasaleader,pioneer,aneconomicdriverinthenorthcentralandcentralcoastalregions,andagrowthhubforthecentralregionandtheentirecountry.Effortsshouldbemadetosuccessfullyachievethegoalsandtaskssetfor2024andtheentireterm,strivingforaGRDPgrowthrateof8-8.5percentin2024,andensuringmajorbalances,controllinginflation,andstabilisingthemacro-economy,Chínhstated.Herequiredthecitytomaximiseallresourcesfordevelopment;increasetheeffectivenessofinvestmentattractionanduse;speedupdigitaltransformationaswellasthebuildingofdigitaladministration,digitalsocietyanddigitalcitizen;andenhancetheresearch,developmentandapplicationofartificialintelligence(AI).ThePMalsoremindedthecitythatsocio-economicdevelopmentshouldbecoupledwiththepreservationandpromotionoftraditionalculturalvaluesandenvironmentalprotection,theeffectivesettlementofsocialissues,enhancementofintegrationandforeignrelations,strengtheningofnationaldefenceandsecurity,andthemaintenanceofpoliticalstability,socialorder,andsafety.HehighlightedtheimportanceofbuildingthePartyandthepoliticalsysteminatransparentandstrongdirection,improvingtheleadershipcapacityandthecombatstrengthofPartyorganisationsandmembers.ThePrimeMinisteralsoaskedministriesandsectorstocoordinatewithandsupport?àN?ngincarryingoutitstasks,particularlyinaddressingrelatedissuesandpromotingdevelopment.AccordingtothemunicipalPartyCommittee,thecitysGRDPgrowthrateisestimatedat5percentinthefirsthalfof2024.Inthefirstsevenmonths,thecityserved6.6milliontouristsandearnedoverVN?20trillion(US$804million)fromtourism,up33percentand30percentyear-on-year,respectively.Itsindexofindustrialproduction(IIP)roseby4.7percent,andtotalimport-exportturnoverisestimatedatover$1.8billion,up11.5percent.AsofAugust15,itstotalstatebudgetrevenuehadtoppedVN?16trillion,achieving85.23percentoftheyearlyestimate.—VNS