AsectionoftheHCMCityRingRoad4passingB?nCátTownshipofBìnhD??ngProvince.Photonld.com.vnHàN?I–TheMinistryofTransport(MoT)recentlysentanofficialdocumenttotheMinistryofPlanningandInvestmentandtheHCMCityPeoplesCommitteeoutliningoptionsforimplementingtheHCMCityRingRoad4Project.MoTagreedtostudythevariousoptionsinordertochoosethebestapproachandpromptlyproposesolutionstoacceleratetheprojectsprogress.Specifically,regardingimplementationplans,theministrysaidthatonemajorproposalistomergethefivecomponentprojectsacrossfivelocalitiesintoonecomprehensiveprojectforsubmissiontotheinvestmentapprovalprocess.ThisdiffersfromapreviouslyapprovedplanoutlinedinthePrimeMinistersDirectiveNo.1263/TTg-CN,dated29thSeptember2021.ThetransportministryrecommendedthattheMinistryofPlanningandInvestmentcoordinatewiththeHCMCityPeoplesCommitteeandrelevantlocalitiestoclarifytheadvantagesandfeasibilityofthisapproachbeforereportingtothePrimeMinisterforafinaldecision.Asformergingtheprojectsintoacomprehensiveplan,MoTrecognisedthatassigningtheHCMCityPeoplesCommitteetheresponsibilityoffinalisingthepre-feasibilitystudyreportisasimilarapproachtothattakeninimplementingtheRingRoad4ProjectforHàN?iandRingRoad3forHCMCity.MoTalsoagreedthattheprojectsinvestmentapplicationshouldbeexpedited,withagoalofsubmittingtheinvestmentapprovaltotheNationalAssemblyduringitssessioninOctoberthisyear.TheministryurgedHMCCity,alongwiththeprovincesofBàR?a-V?ngTàu,??ngNai,BìnhD??ngandLongAntomobilisetheirresourcestomeetthistimeline.ThetransportministryhasaskedtheMinistryofPlanningandInvestmenttocoordinatewithHCMCityandrelevantlocalitiestoreviewandreconstructtheprojectsimplementationplan.ThisshouldtakeintoaccounttheactualprogressofrecentsimilarprojectsandtheproceduresforprojectevaluationundertheLawonPublicInvestmenttoensureafeasibleandpracticaltimelineforreportingtothePrimeMinister.Asfortheallocationofcentralgovernmentfunds,theMoTemphasisedthatthisprojectrequiressubstantialinvestment,withapreliminarytotalinvestmentofmorethanVN?128trillion(US$5.27billion),makingthecombinationofcentralandlocalgovernmentbudgetscrucial,especiallyconsideringthefinancialchallengesofcertainlocalities.TheMinistryofPlanningandInvestmentshouldreporttothePrimeMinistertoensureabalancedallocationofcentralgovernmentfundsfortheproject,accordingtoMoT.ThefundsshouldbeproportionatetothefinancialresourcesavailableandbereportedtotheNationalAssemblyinOctober.TheHCMRingRoad4Projecthasatotallengthof207km,ofwhichthesectionpassingthroughLongAnProvinceisover78km.ThesectionsinBìnhD??ngProvinceis47.5km,??ngNaiProvinceis45.6km,BàR?a-V?ngTàuProvinceis18.1kmandHCMis17.3km.ThepreliminarytotalinvestmentismorethanVN?128trillion($5.2billion),ofwhichconstructioncostsstandatnearlyVN?77trillion($3.1billion)andlandclearanceatoverVN?51trillion($2billion).Theprojectisproposedunderthepublic-privatepartnership(PPP)model,specificallyabuild-operate-transfer(BOT)contract.Theprojectissettobecompletedbefore2030.VNS

AninterfaceoftheLittleSune-learningplatform.HàN?I—Afreeonlinee-learningplatformdedicatedtochildcareandnutritionnamedLittleSunwasupgradedandrelaunchedonThursday.IntheaftermathofSuperTyphoonYagi,theplatform,whichwaslaunchedbyInstituteofNutritionandthesocialenterpriseSSVNSurvivalSkills,hasprovidedcrucialsupportwhenin-personlearningandcounselingarelimitedduetodamagedinfrastructure.Itscoursescoverkeytopicssuchasmaternalcareduringpregnancyandbreastfeeding,complementaryfeeding,careforsickchildrenandassessingchildrensnutritionalstatus.BasedontheMinistryofHealthschildnutritionguidelines,theplatformoffers20in-depthlessonsonchildnutritionandcounselingskillsforbothparentsandcaregivers,aswellashealthstaffseekingtoenhancetheirknowledgeandskillsinnutritionandhealthcounseling,withtheopportunitytoachievecertification.H?TháiBình,SSVNdirector,saidTheLittleSune-learningplatformonchildcareandnutrition,developedbySSVN,isdesignedtobeuser-friendlyandaccessible,allowinguserstolearnanytime,anywhere,withanintuitiveinterfaceavailableonbothcomputersandphones.AssociateProfessorDr.Tr??ngTuy?tMai,deputydirectoroftheNationalInstituteofNutritionsaidtheinstitutionispartneringwithlocalitiestoimplementmodelsthatenhancenutritionforchildrenunderfiveandaddressstuntingandwasting.Despitetheseefforts,provincesencounterdifficultiesinchoosingcost-effectivestrategiestoreachthesegoals.TheLittleSunchildnutritioncounselingmodelanditsonlinelearningplatformoffervaluableresourcesthatcanhelplocalitiesnavigatethesechallengeseffectively,shesaid.Atthelaunchevent,healthcarestafffromprovincialcentresfordiseasecontrolacross63localities,alongwithcaregiversandmothers,highlypraisedtheeffectivenessandqualityoftheonlinetrainingsystem.Withinjusttwohoursofthelaunch,nearly300peopleregisteredforthecoursethroughthewebsite.—VNSAconferencebeingheldinHCMCityonSeptember19todiscussdigitaltransformationinurbanmanagement.-Photonld.com.vnHCMCITY—AconferenceheldinHCMCityonSeptember19discussedtheimportanceandapplicationofdigitaltransformationinurbanmanagement,especiallytraffic.ThelocalDepartmentofInformationandTechnologysaidthecityisworkingtowardslaunchingseveraltechnologysolutionstooptimisedatacollectionfordecisionmaking,helpingcreateasmarturbanmanagementsystem.Itisfocusingonexpandingitsdatacentretoensurelargedatastorage,processingandsharingcapabilitiesandbuildingspecialiseddatabaseswhichapplyGeographicInformationSystemstechnologiesforland,traffic,environmentandotherareas,itsaid.ThecityalsoaimstolaunchautomaticdatacollectionsystemsusingInternetofThings-basedsensorstogatherreal-timedataontheenvironment,trafficandothers.Artificialintelligencewillbeutilisedtoanalysephotosandcamerastodetectincidentsandmakepredictions.Itwillusebigdataanalysistechnologiestoprocesslargevolumesofdatafromvarioussources,anddevelopAImodelstoassistindecisionmakinginemergenciesandmakeautomaticdecisionsforroutineissues,whichwilldecreasethestaffworkloadandincreaseefficiency.Furthermore,thecitywilldevelopmodernnetworksecuritysolutionstoprotectitsdatabases.Th?chPh??cHùngoftheInstituteforRegionalDevelopmentResearchandConsultingsaidHCMCityisfocusingonsmarttrafficmanagementsystem,alsoknownasSmartMobility.Thoughitiskeenondigitaltransformation,itsresourcesarelimitedanditneedstoselectivelyinvestinkeyareastodevelopthissystemandpicktherighttechnologiestoadopt,hesaid.Hewantedthecitytobuildmonitoringandforecastingmodelsthatcansendwarningstotrafficthroughappsandelectronicsignstoalleviatecongestion.V?KhánhH?ng,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofTransport,saidhisagencyhasbeenworkingwiththeDepartmentofInformationandTechnologytoapplydigitaltransformationtotrafficmanagementlikemonitoringbusstopsandtripsandissuinge-ticketsonsomeroutes.Bytheendof2024thisinitiativewillcoverallroutes,andalltheinformationwillbeavailabletothepubliconapplicationsandwebsitessuchasGo!Bus.Thetechnologydepartmentisprovidingassistanceforintegratingthedataintothecitysdatabase.Healsosaidthathisdepartmentisworkingonpilotingsmarttrafficlightsystems,whichcanautomaticallyadjustthedurationofthelightsignalsaccordingtotrafficflow.ButthereisaproblemwithattractingmanpowersinceITengineerstendtoearnlowersalariesatstateagenciescomparedtoothersectors,andmanyhighlyqualifiedpersonnelwhohadstudiedabroadonlyworkatthecityssmarttrafficmanagementcentreforashorttime.Investmentinupgradingtrafficmanagementtechnologiesislimited,andawarenessoftheimportanceofdigitaltransformationislowatthelowerlevels.Accordingtoexpertsattheconference,itisimportanttoraiseawarenessofdigitaltransformationamongauthoritiesinchargeofinvestmentintrafficsothattheyallocatemoreforsmarttrafficsystems.Acomprehensiveplanwithaspecificvision,solutionsandroadmapsiscrucialfortheinvestmenttobeeffective.HCMCityshouldhaveco-operationprogrammeswithdomesticandforeignuniversitiesandresearchinstitutestotrainfutureworkers.HCMCityisfocusingondigitaltransformationintrafficmanagement.-Photolaodong.vn?TheDepartmentofNaturalResourceandEnvironmenthasalsobeenpayingcloseattentiontousingtechnologiestomanagenaturalresourcesandmonitortheenvironmentinthepastfewyears.V?V?nThái,directoroftheNaturalResourceandEnviromentInformationalTechnologyCentre,saidthedepartmentisimplementingasystemtomonitorvehiclestransportingsolidwastes,whichallowsoversightofwastecollectioninrealtime.DuringtheCOVID-19pandemicin2021italsopilotedamodeltomonitorthecollectionofmedicalwastesinquarantineareas.Thedepartmentisworkingonacomprehensiveenvironmentalmanagementsystemcoveringmanyareassuchaswastemanagement,issuanceofpermits,inspections,andreports.Itwillincludeadatabaseforwastesourceswhich,whencompleted,willbesharedacrossrelevantorganisationsandagencies.Theconferenceheardthatvariousauthoritiesneedtoworktogethercloselyforbuildingdatabasesandinvestingintechnologies,andthatAIcouldhelptremendouslyinprocessingdataanddecisionmaking.TheconferencewasorganisedbyNg??iLao??ng(Labourer)newspaper.VNS

Reliefaid--includingsolar-poweredflashlights,kitchensets,waterfiltersandtents--fromSamaritansPurseandtheSwissGovernmentweredeliveredtoN?iBàiInternationalAirportinHàN?ionSeptember16,2024,beforebeingtransportedtothethreenorthernmountainousprovinceshardesthitbythepowerfultyphoonYagi(LàoCai,CaoB?ng,andYênBáiprovinces).—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Thesupportfromtheinternationalcommunity,aswellasfromoverseasVietnamese,forthevictimsofTyphoonYagiisimmenselyvaluable,spokespersonfortheMinistryofForeignAffairsPh?mThuH?ngsaidonThursday.TyphoonYagiisthemostpowerfulstormtohitmainlandVi?tNamin70years.Thetyphoon,alongwiththeseverefloodingandlandslidescausedbyheavydownpoursinitswake,hasleft329peopledeadandmissingin26northernlocalities,whileeconomicdamageshavereachedupwardsofUS$2.5billion.AtapressbriefingheldinHàN?i,thespokespersonsaidthatrecently,manycountriesandinternationalorganisationshavesentlettersandmessagesofcondolencetoexpresssolidarityandextendtheirsympathiesoverthehugescaleofhumanlossandpropertydamagefacedbytheGovernmentandpeopleofVi?tNam,particularlyinthenorthernprovincesandcitiesseverelyaffectedbythetyphoon.Manyhavealsoprovideddirectandindirectsupport,intheformoffinance,accommodationsupplies,rescueandreliefequipment,essentialgoods,aswellasexpertstohelpVi?tNamrecoverfromtheseriousconsequencesofthetyphoonasquicklyaspossible,H?ngtoldthemedia.Followingthespiritofmutualsupportandthecallofdomesticauthorities,theVietnamesecommunitybothinVi?tNamandabroadhasdonatedmoney,equipmentandnecessarysuppliestodirectlyandindirectlyassistpeopleintheaffectedprovincesandcities,helpingthemquicklystabilisetheirlives.AccordingtoH?ng,sofaroverseasVietnamesehavecontributedVN?13billion(about$529,000)indirectsupportandwillcontinuetoraisemorefundstoassistthelocalitiesandpeopleaffectedbytheseverestorm.AsofSeptember18,anincompletereportindicatedthattheembassiesofcountries,UNorganisationsandotherinternationalorganisationshavecommittedover$13millioninaidtoVi?tNam.Thecountryhasalsoreceived200tonnesofsuppliesfromAustralia,Switzerland,India,Japan,ASEANAHA,UNICEFandUNDPaswellasSamaritansPurse.Vi?tNamcherishesthespiritofsolidarity,thetimelymessagesofgoodwillandthesupportoftheinternationalcommunityandoverseasVietnamesefortheGovernmentandpeopleofVi?tNaminovercomingtheseveredamagecausedbynaturaldisasters,stormsandfloods.Thishelpsstabilisethesituationsopeoplecanresumetheirdailylives,restoreproductionandbusinessactivitiesandpromotegrowth,spokespersonH?ngunderlined.Alsoatthepressconference,inresponsetoaquestionregardingtheprotectionandsafetyofVietnamesefishermenandboatsseekingshelterfromTyphoonSoulik,whichhassinceweakenedintoatropicaldepression,thespokespersonsaidtheGovernmentleaderhassignedadirectiveonresponsestothetropicaldepression/typhoon.FollowingthePrimeMinistersandForeignMinistrysdirectives,Vi?tNamsdiplomaticmissionsinChinaandnearbyareashaveurgentlyworkedwithlocalauthoritiestoprovideupdatesandinformationaboutTyphoonSoulikandrequestsupportforVietnameseboatsandfishermenatseawhowereunabletoreturntolandtotakeshelterfromthestorm.TheMinistryofForeignAffairshasalsosentdiplomaticnotestoforeignembassiesinHàN?i,coordinatingthetimelyexchangeofinformationtoreportbacktotheirrespectivecountriesandtakenecessarysupportmeasuresincaseofemergencyrescueandreliefforVietnamesefishermenandboats,H?ngsaid.—VNSTheProvincialMilitaryCommandofQu?ngBìnhProvinceisreadytorespondtothetyphoonSoulik.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhastoldthePeoplesCommitteesinthecentralprovincesandcitiestoquicklydeployplansforrespondingtoTyphoonSoulik,whichweakenedasatropicaldepressiononThursdayafternoon,ensuringthesafetyoflivesandminimisingdamagetocitizensproperty.ThedirectivewasissuedinanofficialdispatchtothePartysecretariesandchairsinThanhHóa(chǎn),Ngh?An,HàT?nh,Qu?ngBình,Qu?ngTr?,Th?aThiênHu?,?àN?ng,Qu?ngNam,Qu?ngNg?iandBình??nh,aswellastorelevantministries.Hetaskedtheheadsoftheprovincesandcitiestoimplementresponsemeasuresthatalignwiththeactualdevelopmentsintheirareas,proactivelyaddressingtheworst-casescenariosthatmayarise.Thetasksincludeguidingfishingvesselstoavoidorexitdangerousareas,ortoseeksafeharboursandtakingimmediatemeasurestoensurethesafetyofvesselsandequipmentinmooringareas,aswellasactivitiesincoastalwaters,particularlyaquaculturefarms,touristsitesandcoastalserviceareas.Theyshouldimplementmeasurestolimitdamagetohousing,offices,schools,healthcarefacilities,businesses,dikes,damsandconstructionsites,especiallytransportationprojectsandincompletedikes.Additionally,theymustproactivelyarrangeforcesandequipment,particularlyinareasexpectedtobedirectlyaffectedbythetyphoonandfloodingtobereadytorespondinemergencies.TheMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmenthasbeenaskedtoestablisha24/7monitoringsystemtooverseethesituation,proactivelyurgelocalitiestoimplementappropriateresponsemeasuresandreportanymattersexceedingtheirauthoritytothePrimeMinisterandDeputyPrimeMinister.TheMinisterofTransportwasrequiredtoensuresafetymeasuresforvesselsoperatingatseaandonrivers,maintainroad,railandairtransportsafetyandimplementmeasurestoprotectpeople,vehicles,andsignificantnationalinfrastructureprojectscurrentlyunderconstructionintheregion.MinistersofIndustryandTrade,andAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentweretoldtocloselycollaboratewiththelocalauthoritiestoensuresafety,andthescientificoperationofhydropowerandirrigationdamstoprotectinfrastructureandhelpmitigatedownstreamflooding.TheMinistersofDefence,andPublicSecuritywererequiredtoinstructrescueforcestobeonstandby,readytoassistcitizens,protectpropertyandrespondtootheremergencies.TheVietnamNewsAgency,Vi?tNamTelevisionandVoiceofVi?tNam,alongwithothermediaoutlets,hadtoincreasetheirbroadcaststoprovidethepublicwithaccurateandtimelyinformationaboutthedevelopmentsofthetyphoon.Inarelevantmove,theMinistryofEducationandTrainingaskedthedirectorsofeducationandtrainingdepartmentsinthe17provincesandcitiestoconsiderclosingschoolswhennecessary,particularlyinareasvulnerabletostormimpacts.Themoveaimstoensuretheabsolutesafetyofstudents,teachersandeducationstaffduringthestorms.DonotbecomplacentThedirectionofthetyphoonSoulik.—VNA/VNSPhotoThetyphoon,internationallynamedSoulik,formedonThursdaymorningfromatropicaldepressionoverthenorth-easternareaoftheHoàngSaArchipelagos.However,ithadweakenedasatropicaldepressionagainonThursdayafternoon.TheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecastingsaidthatasof10amonThursday,thetyphoonseyewaslocatedovercoastalwatersfromQu?ngBìnhProvincetoTh?aThiênHu?Province,withmaximumwindspeedsreachinglevel8(62-74km/h).Duetotheimpactofthetyphoonanditsresidualeffects,torrentialrainsareexpectedintheprovincesfromHàT?nhtoQu?ngNg?i,withtherainfallfrom100to300mm,withsomeareasexceeding500mm.ThanhHóa(chǎn)andNgh?Anareforecastedtoreceivebetween70to150mm,withisolatedareaslikelytoexceed250mm.Thereisahighriskoffloodinginlow-lyingareasalongrivers,aswellasflashfloodsandlandslidesontheslopesinthemountainousregionsfromThanhHóa(chǎn)ProvincetoTh?aThiênHu?Province.DeputyheadoftheDisasterResponseandRecoveryDepartmentunderVi?tNamDisasterandDikeManagementAuthority,Nguy?nXuanTùng,saidAlthoughthetyphoonhasslightlyweakerwindsthanTyphoonYagi,residentsshouldnotbecomplacent,asthiscouldleadtounfortunateconsequences.Peoplemustnotunderestimatethetyphoonsintensity.Hefurthernotedtheimportanceofbeingvigilantregardingpost-stormrainfallandflooding.Healsowarnedaboutflashfloodsandlandslidescouldoccurinmountainousareas,particularlyinThanhHóa(chǎn),Ngh?An,HàT?nh,Qu?ngBình,Qu?ngTr?andTh?aThiênHu?.DeepfloodingmightoccurinHàT?nhProvinceandalongtheriversinQu?ngBình,Qu?ngTr?,andTh?aThiênHu?provinces.DirectoroftheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting,MaiV?nKhiêm,saidDespitethetyphoonbeingclassifiedasalevel8storm,residentsinaffectedareasmustremainalert.Thetyphoonscirculationcoveredavastarea,impactingnotonlythecentralnorthandcentralsouthregionsdirectlybutalsoextendingtootherareassuchasthesouthernpartoftheRedRiverdelta,CentralHighlandsandthesouthernregion.Withintheadverseweathersystem,thunderstormsandstronggustingwindscouldhappenatanytime.Wehaverepeatedlystressedthatthestronggustsassociatedwiththunderstormscanbeevenmoredangerousthanthoseofaseveretyphoon.Thisposessignificantrisksforactivitiesatseaandalongthecoast,particularlyinareaswherevesselsaremooredandaquacultureispractised.So,peoplemustnotunderestimatetheimpactsofthislevel8typhoon,hesaid.InitialdamagesInQu?ngTr?Province,heavyrains,whichweretriggeredbythetyphoon,causeddisruptionstotransportinseveralareaswithinthemountainousdistrictsof?akr?ngandH??ngHóa(chǎn)onThursday.In?akr?ngDistrict,floodingatcrossingsreacheduptohalfametre,affectingroutessuchasANgo-ABung,TàR?t-ANgo,LyT?nandLàngCát.InH??ngHóa(chǎn)District,somecrossingsweresubmergedbyuptoametreofwater,isolatingareasincludingCoocHamletinH??ngLinhCommune,LoaandTrùmvillagesinBaT?ngCommune.BymiddayonThursday,theprovincialSteeringCommitteeforDisasterPreventionandSearchandRescuereportedthatheavyrainsoccurredwithrainfalllevelsrangingfrom80to140mm.Therainfalllevelsevenreached223mminLaTó,195.8mminTàLongand152.8mminBaNangin?akr?ngDistrict.AuthoritiesintheprovincewarnedthatcontinuedheavytoveryheavyrainswereexpecteduntiltheendofFriday,withtotalrainfallofbetween100and220mm,exceeding300mminsomeareas.Afloodalertwasanticipated,withwaterlevelsonlocalriversexpectedtoreachlevels1to2.InQu?ngBìnhProvince,betweenWednesdayandThursdaymorning,heavyrainswerereportedinthemountainousborderdistrictsofMinhHóa(chǎn)andTuyênHóa(chǎn).RisingwaterlevelsinstreamsinDanHóa(chǎn)andTr?ngHóa(chǎn)communesledtolocalisedflooding.Duetothetyphoonsimpact,TamK?CityinQu?ngNamProvinceexperiencedheavyrainonWednesday,resultinginfloodingonnumerousstreets,causingproblemsforresidentsandtransport.—VNSVietnameseAmbassadortoFrance?inhToànTh?ngspeaksattheeventinParistoraisefundstosupportpeoplewhowereaffectedbyTyphoonYagiandsubsequentfloodsandlandslides.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheVietnameseEmbassiesinFranceandCubaonWednesdaycalledonoverseasVietnameseinthehostcountriestoraisefundstosupportpeopleaffectedbyTyphoonYagiandsubsequentfloodsandlandslidesinthehomeland.ThemovecamefollowingtheappealoftheGeneralSecretaryoftheCommunistPartyofVi?tNamCentralCommitteeandStatePresidentT?LamandthePresidiumoftheVi?tNamFatherlandFront(VFF)CentralCommittee.AtahybridmeetingwithrepresentativesofVietnameseassociationsinParisandmanyotherlocationsinFrancesuchasBordeaux,Lyon,Marseille,andGrenoble,VietnameseAmbassadortoFrance?inhToànTh?ngcalledonVietnameseorganisations,associations,businesscommunity,overseasVietnameseandinternationalfriendstojoinhandsinassistingtyphoon-hitvictims.Reviewingthedamagecausedbythetyphoonanditssubsequentfloodsandlandslides,Thangalsoacknowledgedthesolidarityandsendingofcondolencesfrominternationalfriends,especiallytheFrenchGovernment,organisationsandpeople.TheVietnameseEmbassy,agenciesandorganisationsandFrenchfriendshasraisednearlyVN?2billion(overUS$81,100)tosupportvictimsinthehomecountry.Meanwhile,JeromeTham,arepresentativeoftheAssociationofVietnameseinFrance(UGVF),announcedthataweekago,theassociationlaunchedadonationcampaigntosupportthetyphoonvictims.Ithassofarreceivedabout15,000Euros,ofwhich10,000EuroshavebeensenttotheVFF.PresidentoftheFrance-Vi?tNamFriendshipAssociation(AAFV)Nguy?nH?iNamsaidthatassoonashereceivedinformationabouttheheavydamagecausedbythetyphoon,AAFVcalledfordonationsfromitsmembers.Nguy?nPhanB?oTh?y,PresidentoftheUnionofVietnameseYouthsandStudentsinFrance(UEVF),announcedthattheunionproactivelycalledonpartnersandmemberstosupportpeopleintyphoon-hitareas,particularlythenorthernprovinceofLàoCai,whichwasamongthehardest-hitlocalities.Meanwhile,theVietnameseEmbassyinCubalaunchedafund-raisingcampaignonthesameday.AmbassadorLêQuangLongcalledonthebusinesscommunityandoverseasVietnameseinCubaandothercountriesintheCaribbeanregiontohelpthevictimsovercomethisdifficulttime.—VNS

Ng?Th?Nh?Hu?andNguy?n??cThànhHuyhavebeenarrestedforillegallytradingtoxicsubstances.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—AmanandawomanarebeinginvestigatedforillegallytradingtoxicsubstancesinHCMCity.BìnhTh?nhDistrictsPolicehaveinitiatedlegalproceedingsagainstNg?Th?Nh?Hu?andNguy?n??cThànhHuy,overclaimstheydoldthedeadlypoisoncyanide.Hu?,39,fromHi?pThànhWard,District12,servesasheadofBusinessOperationsforNamPh??ngChemicalsCompanyLimited.Sheallegedlysoldatotalof2.55tonnesofcyanideforaboutVN?373.8million(US$15,100)to11customerssince2019.Thecrimescametolightafterpolicereceivedatipfromlocalresidentsaboutasuspiciouspackagecontainingawhitepowdermistakenlydeliveredtoaresidence.Initialexaminationsconfirmedthepackagecontained300grammesofcyanide.Uponreceivingtheinformation,thecitysPoliceDepartmentinstructedthedistrictPoliceOficetoworkswiftlywithrelevantagenciestoinvestigatethecase.Followingleads,investigatorsapprehendedHuyandseizedoveronekilogrammeofcyanidehiddenathishome,intendedforsale.Duringquestioning,HuydisclosedthatheusedFacebookaccountsnamedHóa(chǎn)ch?tNamPh??ngandHóa(chǎn)ch?tXim?toadvertiseandfacilitatethesaleofcyanide.Whencustomersexpressedinterest,hewouldpackageanddelivertheproductsviacash-on-deliveryservices.Cansofcyanideseizedbythepolice.—VNA/VNSPhotoFromMarch2023untilhisarrest,Huyadmittedthathesoldmorethan100kgofcyanidetohundredsofcustomersacrossvariousprovinces,disregardingwhethertheyheldthenecessarypermitstohandlesuchhazardoussubstances.Authoritiesalsofoundthatmanyindividualspurchasingcyanidelacklegalawareness,oftenusingitforplating,painting,dyeingorasrodenticide.However,therewere16casesinthecityandnearbyprovinceswhereindividualsattemptedtopurchasecyanideforsuicide;twowerefortunatetoreceivetimelymedicalassistance,whiletheremaining14reconsideredanddisposedofthetoxicsubstance.InvestigationsintothecyanidesupplychainrevealedthatHu?exploitedherpositionandthelaxmanagementofhazardouschemicalsalestocreatefictitiouscontracts,enablinghertodivertcyanidetootherbuyersacrossvariousregionsforprofit.Huywasidentifiedasakeyplayerinresellingthesubstanceforillicitgain.ThedistrictsPoliceOfficeconfiscated149.2kgofcyanideinthecase.—VNSSinTh?Tamweptasshetriedtorecallherrescueefforts.—Photothanhnien.vnLàOCAI—Forthepastfivedays,rescueforceshavebeenracingagainsttimetosearchformissingvictimsinN?mT?ngvillageinN?mLúcCommune,B?cHàDistrict,LàoCaiProvince.Despitechallengingconditionssuchasintenseheat,noelectricityandnophonesignal,about150people,includingpolice,militarypersonnelandvoluntaryrescueteams,havebeenworkingtirelesslytoassistthevillagers.Walkingformanyhoursalongapproximatelyeightkilometresofsteepmountainpathsduringheavyrainfall,SinTh?Tam,theChiefoftheN?mLúcCommuneHealthStation,willneverforgetthepleadingeyesofthevillagersinN?mT?ng,afteradevastatinglandslidestrucktheirvillage.Asoneofthefirstrespondersatthescene,SinTh?Tamsaidthatat12.30pmonSeptember10,sheandlocalauthoritiesreceivednewsfromtheheadofN?mT?ngvillageaboutalandslide,whichhadcausedmultipleinjuries.Localleadersandpolicedeterminedthat,duetothevillagesisolation,theonlywaytoaccessitwasbyfoot,theThanhNiên(Youngpeople)reported.Westartedmovingfromthecommunecentreat3pm.Iwastheonlyhealthcareworkerinthegroup,asotherstaffwerealsoisolatedduetothefloods.Alongtheway,wehadtonavigatethroughsteepmountainpathsanddozensoflandslidepoints,reachingthesceneby7.30pm.Therewefoundfourbodiesand11injuredpeople,Tamrecounted.Thatnight,shedidnotsleep,racingagainsttimetoprovidefirstaidtotheinjured,hopingtoensurethesafetyofall11victims.Thefollowingmorning,localauthoritiesandmilitiacarriedthepatientsout,despiteextremelychallengingroadconditions.Withnovehiclesavailableandlandslideseverywhere,theroadswerecompletelycutoff.Wehadtomakestretchersbyweavingbamboo.Sixpeoplewouldtaketurnscarryingeachstretcher.Amongthe11patients,fourhadtobecarriedonstretchers,whilefourchildrenwerecarriedonpeoplesbackstobetransportedout,Tamexplained.ThefirststopforthevictimswasB?oNhaiCommuneHealthStation—thenearestfacilitytoassesstheircondition-beforetransferringthemtoahospital.RescueofficershardatworksearchingfortheremainingvictimsonSeptember15.—Photothanhnien.vnTearsofregretTamsaidshecouldneverforgetthedesperatelooksintheeyesofN?mT?ngvillagers.Theinjuredlayinpainandthevillagers,unsureofwhattodo,anxiouslytriedtocarrypeopledowntothecommunecentre,hopingtomeettherescueteam.Whentheyarrived,thevillagersasked,Havethemedicalworkersarrived?-thiswasaquestionTamcouldneverforget.Ireplied‘yes,andthentheytoldme,‘Theresababywitharupturedabdomen,intestinesexposed,butstillalive.Iimmediatelyrantothechild,butbythetimeIgotthere,thebabyhadpassedaway.Thatimagewillstaywithmeforever.Ifonlytheroadhadnotbeenblockedbylandslides,Icouldhavearrivedsoonerandperhapshelpedthechildfindsomepeacebeforepassing.ButIcouldntmakeitintime,Tamsaid,hervoicebreaking.Duringthosemoments,thedoctorsfromhigher-levelhospitalsalsowantedtocomeandhelp,buttheheavyrainspreventedthemfromreachingthesite.Forthefirsttwodays,Ihadnotimetoeveneatanditwasntuntilthethirdday,whenthingsbegantoimprove,thatIwasabletoreturntoamorenormalroutine,Tamcontinued,addingthatshewouldremainonsiteuntilallthemissingpeoplewerefound.AsofWednesdayafternoon,thirteenbodieshavebeenfoundatthesite.—VNS

Thecapitalcitysmainsourceofdustemissionscomesfromroadvehiclesandroaddust.—Photomoitruong.net.vnHàN?I—Therapidurbanisationprocess,coupledwiththeoverloadofresidentsandvehicles,hasmadeairpollutionacrisisforbigcitiesofHàN?iandHCMCity.PeoplelivingincentralHàN?iareprobablytoofamiliarwiththeairquality,whichoftenresemblesamistyhaze.Whetheritisdayornight,theresidentsofthecapitalmustlivewithairpollution.MonitoringdatashowsthatHàN?isairqualityindex(AQI)frequentlyshowshighlevelswithorange,red,purpleandevenbrownindicators,showingonmonitoringapplications.Insomeinstances,HàN?ihasbeenrankedasoneofthetopthreemostpollutedcitiesintheworld.Airpollutionhasbecomesoseverethatresidentscanactuallyfeelit.Livingonthe21stfloorofahigh-risebuildinginThanhXuanDistrict,HoàngTh?Trangtoldmoitruong.net.vnthatshealmostneverdarestoopenherwindowsintheearlymorning,eveninthemiddleofsummer.Manytimeswhensheopenedthewindowstoletinsunlight,shewasdisappointedtofindanoppressive,thickatmosphere,makingitdifficulttobreatheandveryuncomfortable.Thatisondrydays,butonhumiddays,peopleinthecapitalareevenmorefrustratedandsickwithairpollution.Nguy?nV?nS?n,aresidentinHà??ngDistrictsaidthathisthree-year-oldsonfrequentlyhastobehospitalisedforrespiratoryillnesses.S?nsaidthattheairpollutioninHàN?iissobadthatheisworriedaboutthehealthofhischildrenandelderlyparents.Evenondrydays,hissonsbronchitisonlylessensbutnevercompletelygoesaway.HCMCityisnotfarbehindwhenitcomestoairpollution.Fromearlymorninguntilnoon,walkingalongthestreets,thepeoplesufferwiththeairshroudedinathicklayerofsmog.Accordingtoexperts,thisisacommonphenomenoninthesouthernregionattheendoftheyear,duringthetransitionperiodbetweentherainyanddryseasons.Thisphenomenon,termedphotochemicalsmoghasbeenreportedbytheCitysDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment.Majorcitiesareconstantlygrapplingwiththepersistentissueofsmogandpollution,withtheoverwhelmingnumberofvehiclesandthelargepopulationallcontributingtoahighlypollutedatmosphere.Inreality,PM2.5particles—knownasthesilentkiller—canpenetratedeepintothelungsdespitetheuseofmultiplelayersofmasks,causingnumerousrespiratoryandcardiovasculardiseases,particularlyamongsensitivegroupsliketheelderlyandchildren.ThepeopleinHCMCitysuffer,withathicklayerofsmog.Photomoitruong.net.vnMaincausesAccordingtotheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment,airqualityinlargeurbanareasandsomeindustriallydevelopedcitiescontinuestorecordpollutionatcertaintimesoftheyear,withdustpollutionbeingamajorconcern.Theconcentrationofdust(PM2.5,PM10,andTSP)insomeareasremainshigh,particularlyalongtrafficroutes,mainroadsandindustrialzonesinmajorcities.AssociateProfessor,BùiTh?An,directoroftheInstituteforEnvironmentalResourcesandCommunityDevelopment,saidlargecitiesarecurrentlysubjectedtoavastamountofharmfulemissionsintotheair.Amongthese,urbantransportationandemissionsfrompersonalvehiclesaretheleadingcausesofairpollutioninlargecities.Currently,inbothHàN?iandHCMCity,motorcyclesaccountfor95percentofthetotalnumberofvehicles,consumingonly56percentoffuelbutemittingupto94percentofhydrocarbons(HC),87percentofcarbonmonoxide(CO)and57percentofnitrogenoxides(NOx)intotalvehicleemissions.Theemissionsofthesegasesincreaseannuallyintandemwiththerisingnumberofvehiclesontheroads.Specifically,duringtrafficcongestion,theleveloffuelemissionscanincreasebyfourtofivetimescomparedtonormalconditions.Moreover,thequalityofvehiclesisalsoaconcerningissue.Mostoftheoldcarsandmotorcyclescurrentlyincirculationdonothaveemissioncontrolsystems.Thesecondleadingcauseofairpollutioninlargecitiesisconstructionactivities.Eachyear,Vi?tNamconstructstensofmillionsofsq.mofnewhousing,hundredsofkilometresofroadsanddozensofmediumandlargebridges,whichallgeneratelargevolumesofdust.Alongwithconstruction,thedemolitionanddestructionofoldstructurescausesdusttospreadacrossthesky.Thethirdcauseofairpollutionisfromindustrialandagriculturalproduction.Industrialzonesandoccupationvillagesnotonlycauseairpollution,butarealsoaleadingcauseofwaterpollution,whichhasledtotheemergenceofwhatarebeingdubbedcancervillages.ThemainreasonscausingairpollutioninVi?tNamisduetooutdatedproductiontechnologyandlowefficiencyofusingcleanresourcesandenergy,saidAn.Particularly,itisbecauseoftheincreaseofpersonalvehiclesandmanyofthemarebeyondtheirusefullifeanddonotmeetemissionsregulations,shesaid.ChairmanoftheVi?tNamCleanAirNetworkHoàngD??ngTùngsaidthatalthoughitisacknowledgedthatsolvingairpollutioninmajorcitiesisnosimplematter,weneedtohaveacomprehensiveandholisticviewofboththerootandbranchoftheissue.Thisapproachwillhelpusidentifyspecificandpracticalsolutionsthatcansignificantlycontributetoreducingairpollutioninlargecities,Tùngsaid.SolutionsFacedwithincreasinglyconcerningairpollution,HàN?ihascontinuouslyimplementedmeasurestomitigateairpollution.Thecityisbuildingamechanismtoencourageco-operativestoadoptcleanproductionmodels,supportfundingforstrawprocessingproducts,purchasestraw-pressingmachinesandintroducecooperativemodelsforcollectingstrawafterharvests.Thishelpsreduceairpollutionsignificantly.HàN?isDepartmentofTransporthasbeentaskedwithimplementing:zoningrestrictionsonmotorcycleactivitiesinlinewithinfrastructurecapacityandthepublictransportsystemsservicecapability,leadingtoacompletebanonmotorcyclesinurbandistrictsby2030.AccordingtodatafromtheDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment(DoNRE),HàN?ihaseliminatedmorethan99percentofcoal-burningstoves,reducedeightypercentofstrawburninginsuburbanareasandshutdownhundredsofmanualbrickkilns.Furthermore,thecityhasintroducedanetworkof34automaticairqualitymonitoringstationsandsixsurfacewatermonitoringstationstosupervisetheenvironmentalqualityofindustrialzonesandproductionfacilities.Recently,thePeoplesCommitteehasapprovedtheairqualitymanagementplanforHàN?iuntil2030,withavisiontowards2035andanorientationuntil2050.Thecitywillminimiseairpollution,ensuringthatairqualityremainsatagoodtomoderatelevelontheAQIforatleast75percentofthedaysintheyearby2030andreducePM2.5emissionsfrommajorsources,withanoverallreductionofabouttwentypercentofPM2.5levelscomparedtothebaseyearof2019,equivalenttoareductionof6,200tonnesofPM2.5.Meanwhile,HCMCityhasalsoissuedaplantoenhanceairpollutioncontrolforthe2024–2025period.Thisplanalignswiththenationalairqualitymanagementplanfor2021–2025,tailoredtothecityseconomicandsocialdevelopmentgoals.Theoverallobjectiveoftheplanistostrengthenairqualitymanagementbycontrollingemissions,monitoringairqualityandissuingforecastsandwarnings,therebyimprovingtheenvironmentandsafeguardingpublichealth.HCMCityaimsreduce85percentofairpollutioncausedbytransport,ensureatleast90percentofconstructionprojectstocomplywithenvironmentalprotectionregulationsandalllarge-scaleindustrialfacilitiesinstallautomaticemissionmonitoringequipment,withdataconnecteddirectlytoDoNRE.Plantingmoretreeshasalsoproventobeaneffectivesolutionforimprovingairqualityinthecity.Sothecityaimstoplanttenmilliontreesby2025,inlinewiththenationalplantoplantonebilliontreesby2025.ExpertsbelievedthatcitysgreeneconomicdevelopmentgoalsandVi?tNamscommitmenttonet-zeroemissionsdependheavilyontransitioningtransportationtocleanenergy.Focusingongreentransportwillhelpreduceairpollutionandcontributetoenvironmentalimprovementeffortsandpublichealthprotection.Thecityisgraduallydevelopingapublictransportsystemtoreducepersonalvehicleuseandreachatargetofallpublictransportvehiclesrunningonelectricenergyfrom2030onwards.Stricteremissioncontrolpoliciesformotorcyclesandcars,particularlyoldervehiclesthatfailtomeetemissionsstandardswillbewidelycarriedout.AccordingtoDoNRE,bytheendof2023,thecitysenvironmentalmonitoringnetworkincluded271manualmonitoringstations,34ofwhicharelocatedinareasborderingneighbouringprovinces.Therearealsofourcontinuousautomaticmonitoringstationsforsurfacewaterandairquality.Monitoringactivitieshavebeencarriedoutsystematically,ensuringcompliancewithenvironmentalmonitoringprocedures,therebyprovidingacomprehensiveandtimelyassessmentofenvironmentalqualityandreliabledataforairqualitymanagement.VNS

TheNgòiMóngBridgecollapses.—PhotocourtesyoftheHoàBìnhCityPoliceHOàBìNH—TheNgòiMóngBridgeinHoàBìnhCitycollapsedintheearlyhoursofThursdaymorningaftertheroadconnectingthestructurecrackedopen.Nocasualtieswerereported.Localteamshaveropedoffthebridgeandputupsignsprohibitingpeopleandvehiclesfromapproachingtheareawhilethereasonforthecollapseisbeinginvestigated.TheNgòiMóngBridgecrossesthestreamwiththesamenameatKm0+250ontheprovincialroadNo445connectingK?S?nWardandH?pThànhCommuneofHoàBìnhCity.Thebridgehasaspanofover30metres,is4.5metreswideandisabouttenmetreshigh.Itwasconstructedsometimeagoofload-bearingsteel,withoutacentralpillarandonlyhastwoabutmentsonbothsides.Onthebridgesurface,therearehardrailingsmadeofreinforcedconcreteonbothsides.Thisisaresidentialbridge,mainlyservingpeopleandvehicles.SincethearrivalofTyphoonYagionSeptember7therehadbeenheavyraininHoàBìnhProvinceandlandslidesandthecitypolicehadalreadywarnedpeoplenottousethebridge.Duetothetyphoonsimpact,theprovincialroadNo445sufferedalandslideandsubsidenceoftheroadsurfaceatKm3+500,damagingtheroadinfrastructure.TheprovincialDepartmentofTransportannouncedabanonallvehiclesonrouteKm3+500untilrepairsarecompleted.—VNSHàN?I—Vi?tNamhasincreasedforestcoveragefrom23percentin1994tomorethan45percenttoday,demonstratingaremarkablecommitmenttoforestation,accordingtoAlexisCorblin,RegionalTechnicalAdvisoroftheUnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramme(UNEP).CorblinwasspeakingatTuesdaysworkshopontheForestEcopreneur2024programme,whichispartoftheSAFEInitiativefundedbytheKoreaForestServicesandimplementedbyUNEP,BridgeforBillions,andtheResearchInstituteforInnovationandDevelopment(IID).HesaidVi?tNamwasleadingthewayasthefirstcountrytohosttheDemoDayworkshopforthefirstincubationcycleundertheSAFEInitiative,whoseobjectiveistoconserveandrestoreforestecosystemsinBhutan,Laos,CambodiaandVi?tNam.Vi?tNamhasalwaysbeenattheforefrontoftheinitiativesinceitsbeginning,saidCorblin.Tr??ngTh?NamTh?ng,LeadResearcheratIID,said35businesseshadbeenselectedfromapoolofapplicantstoparticipateintheForestEcopreneur2024.BetweenMayandSeptember2024,theprogrammeengagedthemindiversecapability-buildingactivities,includingfouronlinetrainingmodules,threenetworkingevents,andafieldtriptoKonTumProvince,tosupporttheirgrowth.Theyhavealsobeenprofiledontheimapvietnam-aninteractivedigitalmapofVi?tNamsSIBsector-andtheCatalyst2030globalnetwork,saidTh?ng.TheprogrammeculminatedintheDemoDayworkshopwheresevenofthe35businesseswereshortlistedforapitchcompetition.TheInnovativeFoodsTechnologyCompanywasawardedfirstplace,followedbyAnXuanOrganicHerbCOLTDinsecondplaceandGoongLocalKnowledgeCooperativeinthirdplace.Anentrepreneurpitcheshisideastothepanelofexpertsattheworkshop.—VNSPhotoLêVi?tD?ngThirdprize-winningCh?oTh?Y?ntoldVi?tNamNewsthathercooperative,whichproducesagriculturalcommodities,aimstocreatesocialandenvironmentalimpactbyplanting10haofforestandreducepovertyratesinthelocalcommunityfrom85percentto45percentinthenextthreeyears.OurprimaryobjectivesaretwooftheSustainableDevelopmentGoals:lifeonlandandnopoverty,saidY?n.Shesaidhercooperativeaimstoachievethedualgoalsbyplantinghigh-valuespeciessuchasmacadamiaandintercroppingthemwithmedicinalherbs.Shealsounderlinedtheproblemofproductmisrepresentation,wheresomesellersfalselylabeltheirproductsaslocal,dilutingthebrandequityofgenuinelocalproducts.Thethreewinnersofthepitchcompetition,withthethirdprizegoingtoCh?oTh?Y?n(firstfromleft).—VNSPhotoLêVi?tD?ngIIDLeadResearcherTh?ngtoldVi?tNamNewsthattheprogrammeisopentoforest-linkedsmallandmedium-sizedbusinessesintheinitialphaseoftheirstart-up.Shesaidmorethanhalfoftheprogrammesbusinessesarewomen-ownedandnearlyallofthemareeitherfoundedorrunbyentrepreneurswithethnicminoritiesbackground.Theprogrammealsocontributestothepreservationofculturalheritagebyincorporatingproductscraftedbyethnicminorities,saidTh?ng.—VNS

Floods,triggeredbytheTyphoonYagi,devastatethenorthernmountainousprovinceofYênBáionSeptember12.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—CountriesandinternationalorganisationscontinuepitchinginfortyphoonYagireliefworkinVi?tNamsnorthernlocalities.TheInternationalOrganisationforMigration(IOM)inVi?tNamsaidonTuesdaythatithasprovidedmorethan3,800people,mostlywomenandchildren,whowereforcedtoevacuateduetothesuperstorm,withessentialitemslikefreshwater,blankets,soapsandtents.TheemergencyassistancehasbeenjointlydeliveredbytheIOM,theMinistryofHealthandlocalmedicalstations.UnderacooperationagreementbetweentheIOMandtheministryinearlySeptember,variousmeasuresinresponsetothenaturaldisasterhavebeensteppedupoverthepasttime.IOMVi?tNamChiefofMissionParkMi-HyungsaidthattheIOMstandsreadytoaccompanytheVietnameseGovernmentandtheMoHinparticulartohelpthenorthernlocalitiesrecoverfromthetyphoon.Thesameday,theFrenchEmbassyinVi?tNamsaidmorethanVN?19billion(overUS$772,000)wasmobilisedfromtheFrenchagenciesandcommunitiestosupportVi?tNamsreliefefforts.Meanwhile,theBritishEmbassyannouncedthatapartoftheUKshumanitarianaidforVietnamtoaddresstheaftermathofthetyphoonwasbroughttoaffectedlocalitiesbytheUNChildrensFund(UNICEF).Theassistancefocusesonprotectingchildrenshealthandprovidingcashsupport,hygienesuppliesandcleanwaterinYênBáiProvince.TheembassysaidtheUKcommitstoaccompanyingVietnamtosupportandprotectchildrenduringtherecoveryprocess.TheUKGovernmenthasprovided1millionGBP($1.32million)toassistVi?tNamssettlementofthetyphoonaftermath.—VNSAmissilelaunchedfromIranisinterceptedbyIsraeliairdefencesystemsovertheWestBankcityofNablusonTuesday.—XINHUA/VNAPhotoTELAVIV—TheVietnameseEmbassyinIsraelhasrecommendedVietnamesepeoplelivingheretostrictlyadheretotheregulationsandguidanceregardingsafetyandsecuritymeasuressetbylocalauthorities,givenrocketattackrisksfromIran.Initsnotice,theembassysaidthatat2pm(localtime)onTuesday,theHomeFrontCommandofIsraelissuednewdirectivesonsecurityandsafetyguidance,whichlimitgatheringsto30peopleinopenspacesand300peopleinclosedspaces,requiretheclosureofbeaches,andadviseindividualstoreachaprotectedspacewithin90seconds.Thedirectives,appliedforbothnorthernandcentralIsrael,includingTelAvivandJerusalem,willbeineffectuntilOctober5at8pm.VietnamesepeopleareadvisedtoactivelyprepareplanstoensuretheirsafetyandkeepaclosewatchonreputablelocalmediaforupdatesonthesituationinIsrael.Itisnecessarytoavoidareasthataredeemedunsafeorhaveahighriskofattacks,suchasgovernmentfacilities,militaryzones,andfuelstorageareas;andtostayinclosecontactwiththeembassy.Incaseofemergencies,theyarerequiredtoseekassistanceandinformationregardingcitizenprotectionmeasures,theembassysaid.—VNS

Manyresidentsofthecapitalventureoutearly,donninglightjacketstocombatthechill.—VNA/VNSPhotosMinhQuy?tHàN?I—Acoldspellhashitthenorthernregion,resultinginnoticeablycoolertemperaturesinHàN?ionWednesdaymorning.AwomanwearslightjacketsonWednesdaymorning.Manyresidentsofthecapitalventuredoutearly,donninglightjacketstocombatthechill.AccordingtotheNationalCentreforMeteorologicalandHydrologicalForecasting,nightsandearlymorningsareexpectedtobeparticularlycold,withmountainousareasexperiencingasharpdropintemperatures.AwomanwearsaraincoattokeepwarmonWednesdaymorning.PeopledrivesthroughLongBiênBridgeinHàN?ionWednesdaymorning.MinimumtemperaturesinthenorthandThanhHóa(chǎn)Provinceareforecasttorangefrom19to22degreesCelsius,whilemountainousregionscouldseelowsof17to19degrees,withsomehigh-altitudeareasdroppingbelow16degrees.AnelderlywomanwearslongsleeveshirtwhenHàN?isweatherbecomeschillyonWednesdaymorning.PeoplehavetowearlightjacketsonWednesdaymorning.AmothertakesherchildrentogototheschoolinHàN?ionWednesdaymorning.AwomanwalksalongalocalpavementinHàN?ionWednesdaymorning.PeopledrivesthroughLongBiênBridgeinHàN?ionWednesdaymorning.InNgh?AnProvinceandHàT?nhProvince,minimumtemperaturesareanticipatedtobebetween20and23degreesCelsius.—VNSInthephoto,aperformancebymorethan2,000membersoftheHanoiAssociationofOutdoorHealthfortheMiddle-agedandElderly.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Populationageingisanirreversibleglobaltrendandhasastrongimpactonallareasofsociety.Thechallengesthatpopulationagingbringstoeconomicgrowth,politicsandsocialsecurityissuesaredirectlyaffectingtheelderly.Vi?tNamiscurrentlyinthegroupof15countrieswithapopulationofmorethan100millionpeople.Accordingtonationalpopulationdata,thecountryhasabout16.1millionelderlypeople,accountingforover16percentofitspopulation.Oftheelderly,about2.6millionpeopleareover80yearsold;morethanninemillionpeoplearewomen;and10.3millionpeopleliveinruralareas.Vi?tNamisstillinthegoldenageofpopulation-theperiodwhentheproportionofpeopleintheworkingage(15-64yearsold)istwicetheproportionofdependents(under15yearsoldandover64yearsold).However,thecountryisfacingrapidageingpopulationandadecliningbirthrate.JobsfortheelderlyIndevelopedcountries,populationageingoccursafterthegoldenpopulationperiodwhenthesenationsaccumulateconditionstoensuresocialsecurityfortheelderly.Meanwhile,althoughVi?tNamhasjustenteredthegroupofcountrieswithmiddleincome,theproportionofelderlypeopleishighinitspopulationstructure.Moreover,notmanyofthemgetpensions,themajorityofelderlypeoplehavetorelyonthecareoftheirchildrenandgrandchildrenandpartlyonsocialassistance.Infact,withtheirowndynamism,theelderlyinVi?tNamhavepromotedthespiritofdiligence,hardwork,andperseverance.Theystillkeepworkingandworkasbreadwinners.Accordingtostatistics,bytheendof2023,thewholecountryhadabout2.7millionelderlypeoplereceivingmonthlypensionsandsocialinsurancebenefits,accountingformorethan20percentofthetotalelderlypopulation.About60percentoftheelderlyaged60-69arestillworking;about40-45percentoftheelderly,includingpost-retirementworkers,participateineconomicactivities,about3-4percentoftheworkingelderpeoplearemanagingenterprisesorfarmsthatoffermillionsofjobsforworkersacrossthecountry.Inaddition,tensofthousandsofelderlypeople,includingpost-retirementworkers,participateinscientificresearch,teaching,andculturalandartisticactivities,amongothers.AccordingtotheGeneralStatisticsOffice,by2036,Vi?tNamwillofficiallyentertheperiodofageingpopulation,withmorethan21millionelderlypeople,accountingfor19.48percentofthetotalpopulation.Theelderlysworkingpotentialisstilllarge.Accordingtoexperts,inthenexttenyears,tensofmillionsofelderlypeopleareexpectedtorequirevocationaltrainingandnewjobs.Thatposesahugeconcernforsociety.However,iftheemploymentissueforolderworkersisaddressedproperly,theywillbeanimportantlabourforcethatcontributestothecountryseconomicgrowth.Astheskillsandexperienceofelderlyworkersareveryvaluable,itsaninevitableandurgenttasktosupportthemtochangelivelihoodsorstartnewventures.InthecontextofrapidpopulationageinginVi?tNam,theCentralCommitteeoftheVi?tNamAssociationoftheElderly(VAE)isproposingtothePrimeMinisteraprojectontheparticipationofelderlypeopleinstart-ups,employment,digitaltransformationandgreentransition.AccordingtoVAEChairmanNguy?nThanhBình,sectorsandlocalitiesneedtocoordinatebetterwiththeassociationtoassistelderlypeopleinvocationaleducation,employmentandhousing.Itisalsonecessarytoperfectpoliciesonemployment,vocationaltraining,jobcreationandcareerorientation,especiallyfortheelderlyindifficultcircumstances.Bìnhurgedsectorsandlocalitiestosupportpilotmodelsofstart-upsandbusinessdevelopmentforolderworkersandgiveprioritytothemtoaccessloanswithpreferentialinterestrates.CompletingnationalstrategyontheelderlyThroughoutthehistoryofVi?tNam,theelderlyhavemadegreatcontributionstothecauseofnationalconstructionanddefence.ThevaluabletraditionsandheritageoftheelderlyinVi?tNamwerepromotedbytheCommunistPartyofVi?tNamandlatePresidentH?ChíMinh.PresidentH?ChíMinhoncesaid:Theelderlyshouldertheburdenofensuringprosperityandexistenceofacountry.Theyareapreciousresourceofthenation,animportantforceofthecountry,andpillarsofVietnamesefamiliesandsociety.Tappingthepotentialoftheelderlyisanurgenttaskthatrequiressocietytohaveproperawarenessandtimelyactionssothattheforceofnearly20percentofthepopulationcanimprovetheirlives,makingworthycontributionstothecountryseconomic,socialandculturaldevelopment.Tosupporttheelderlyincareertransition,inDecember2021PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhissuedDecisionNo2156/QD-TTgapprovingtheNationalActionProgrammefortheElderlyforthe2021-2030period,asproposedbytheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs(MOLISA).Theprogrammesetsoutspecificgoals.Inthe2022-2025period,atleast50percentoftheelderlywiththeneedandabilitytoworkwillhavejobs,andatleast20,000elderlypeoplewillbesupportedtostartbusinessesandreceivevocationaltraining.Inthe2026-2030period,atleast70percentoftheelderlywhohavetheneedandabilitytoworkwillhavejobs,atleast30,000elderlypeoplewillbesupportedtosetupnewventures,orreceivevocationaltraining.Theministryalsoproposedaddingregulationsonsupportingjobtransitionandemploymentfortheelderly,includingsupportforvocationaltraining,counselling,andjobreferralsforolderworkers,andincentivesforbusinessesthatemployolderworkers.InordertopromptlyandeffectivelyrespondtotherapidpopulationageingprocessinVi?tNamtoday,DeputyPrimeMinisterLêThànhLonghasrequestedtheMoLISAtourgentlycompletethenationalstrategyfortheelderlyandsubmitittocompetentauthoritiesforapprovalinthefourthquarterof2024.Inparticular,itisnecessarytopayattentiontosolutionsandpoliciesfortheageingpopulationandemploymentfortheelderly.LongrequestedtheMoLISAtofurtherstrengthentheinspectionandsupervisionoftheimplementationofworkrelatingtotheelderly;trainandimprovetheprofessionalcapacity,skillsandexpertiseofcadres,employeesandcollaboratorsworkingtosupporttheelderly;andcoordinatewiththeCentralCommitteeoftheVAEtosooncompletetheregulationsontheoperationoftheVi?tNamNationalCommitteefortheElderly.Inaddition,theDeputyPMassignedtheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmenttocoordinatewiththeCentralCommitteeoftheVAEtostudy,developandcompletetheprojectElderlypeopleparticipatinginstart-ups,jobcreation,digitaltransformation,andgreentransition.VNS