StudentsareattheVi?tNamNationalUniversity-HàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—AtotalofnineVietnamesehighereducationinstitutionsfeatureintheBestGlobalUniversitiesRankings2024-2025,recentlyreleasedbyNewsWorldReportoftheUnitedStates.ThelocaleducationestablishmentswhichmadethisyearslistareDuyTanUniversity,T?n??cTh?ngUniversity,Vi?tNamNationalUniversity-HàN?i(theVNU-HàN?i),Vi?tNamNationalUniversity-HCMCity(VNU-HCMCity),HàN?iUniversityofScienceandTechnology,Nguy?nT?tThànhUniversity,Hu?University,HCMCityUniversityofTechnology,andC?nTh?University,theVoiceofVi?tNam(VOV)citedthesourceassaying.ThelatestrankingscomeafterBestGlobalUniversitiesratedatotalof2,250universitiesacross104countriesandterritoriesworldwide.Regardingthemethodologyinjudgingthehighereducationinstitutions,thelistassessesuniversitiesaccordingto13indicators,focusingonresearchreputation(throughsurveys)andresearchqualitythroughdataanalysispublishedintheClarivateAnalyticsInCitesdatabase.—VNS

AnownerofapigfarminghouseholdinKhánhHòaProvincesprayingdisinfectantinthebarn.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuangonbehalfoftheGovernmenthasissuedanofficialdispatch,orderingministries,sectors,andlocalitiestostrictlyimplementmeasurestopreventandcontrolAfricanswinefeverasthediseasehasspreadwidelyacrossmanylocalities.Sincethebeginningofthisyear,thecountryhasreportedmorethan660outbreaksofAfricanswinefeverin44provincesandcities,resultinginthecullingofover42,400pigs.ProvincessuchasB?cK?n,L?ngS?n,Qu?ngNinh,HòaBình,S?nLa,Qu?ngNamandLongAnhavebeensignificantlyaffected.Thediseaseposesahighriskofwidespreadtransmission,potentiallyaffectingfoodsupplies,publichealth,theconsumerpriceindex,andtheenvironment.Inresponse,localauthoritiesweredirectedtoimprovesanitationanddisinfectioninhigh-risklivestockareas,promotebiosafetypracticesinanimalfarming,andcreatedisease-freezones.Theymustalsomaintainaccuraterecordsofpigpopulationsandvaccinationratesforthedisease,andallocatebudgetaryresourcesforpurchasingvaccinesandorganisingsynchronisedvaccinationcampaigns.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentwillleadeffortstocoordinatewithrelevantministries,sectors,andlocalitiestoallocateresourcesforimplementingthenationalplanforAfricanswinefeverpreventionandcontrolinthe2020-25period,includingdiseasesurveillance,timelywarningsissuance,andoverseeingoutbreakmanagementtopreventfurtherspread.TheMinistryofIndustryandTradewillcollaboratewithveterinaryauthoritiesandlawenforcementtostrengthencontrolsoverthetradeandtransportationofdiseasedpigsandporkproducts.Additionally,theMinistryofInformationandCommunicationswillintensifypublicawarenesseffortsondiseasepreventionmeasures,andtheMinistryofFinancewillallocatefundstosupportpreventionactivitiesaspercurrentregulations.TheMinistryofHomeAffairswillassistinrestructuringveterinarymanagementagenciesattheprovincialanddistrictlevelstobolsterdiseasepreventioncapabilities.Relevantministries,sectors,andtheNationalSteeringCommitteeforAfricanswinefeverpreventionandcontrolwillcoordinatecloselytoensureeffectiveimplementationofpreventionmeasures.—VNSLêThanhTh?o,anofficerfromtheNationalInstituteofMalariology,ParasitologyandEntomologycapturesdisease-carryingmosquitoesfromapre-preparednetinthecoreareaofBaVìNationalParkinHàN?i.—Photosnhandan.vnHàN?I—Asduskfalls,V?Vi?tH?ng,anofficerfromtheNationalInstituteofMalariology,ParasitologyandEntomology,alongwithhiscolleagues,begantheirroutinemosquito-huntingtripinthecoreareaofBaVìNationalParkinHàN?i.Dressedneatlyinprotectivegear,H?ngstretchedoutapre-preparednet,leavingitsbaseabout40cmoffthegroundandturnedonasoftlight.Inside,hiscolleague,LêThànhTrung,satonafoldingchairtoserveasbait.Withinminutes,mosquitoesfromalldirectionsstartedbuzzingin.Theyslippedunderthenet,hoveredneartheearsandboldlylandedonthehandsofthebait.Swarmsofmosquitoes,resemblingfootball-sizedclouds,withtheirbuzzingwings,quicklyfliedabovethemosquitohuntersbeforedescendingontoexposedskintobite.V?Vi?tH?ng,anofficerfromtheAnophelesUnitoftheDepartmentofEntomology,toldNhanDan(People)onlinenewspaperthathuntingmosquitoesinthewildisaplannedactivitybytheNationalInstituteofMalariology,ParasitologyandEntomology.Itsupportsbiologicalexperiments,surveillanceandinvestigationofvirusestransmittingdenguefeverandmalariainhumans,therebywarningpeopletoproactivelyimplementdiseasepreventionmeasures.Mosquitohuntingtakesplaceinvariouslocations,inforests,amonghouseholdsorinlivestockpens.Inrecentyears,themethodofusingdirectbaitbyexposingarmsandlegsformosquitoestolandandthencapturingthemwithatubeisnolongerusedinsomeinternationalprojectsduetoethicalconcerns.However,ifconductedproperlywithsuitableprotectivemeasures,itremainsoneofthemosteffectivemethodsforhuntingdisease-carryingmosquitoes,H?ngsaid.Despitetheitching,burningandraisedweltsontheirhandsandfeet,noonedaredtoscratch.Allcapturedmosquitoesmustbealiveandintact.So,nomatterhowitchyitgets,wehavetoendureit,Trungwhispered.Moremosquitoesgathered,spottingthewhitenetwithblackdots.LêThanhTh?oquietlyapproached,shonealightonafemalemosquitowithanupturnedabdomenandblack-and-whitescalesonitswingsandgentlycaptureditinatesttube.Th?oexplainedthatwhenthenettrapissetup,varioustypesofmosquitoeswillenter.Atthispoint,thebaitmustremainstilltoallowcolleaguestofilterandselecttherightspeciestocapture.MosquitoesinthewildHesaidthatadultAnophelesmosquitoesaredarkbrownandblack.Theirbodylengthtypicallymatchesthelengthoftheirproboscis.Thesemosquitoesaremostactivefromaround7-9pmdaily,soaftersunset.Sometimes,inordertocatchjustoneortwospecificindividuals,teammembersmustenduredozensofbites.H?ngfurtherexplainedthatmosquitohuntingisinfluencedbyvariousfactorssuchastime,weatherandclimate.Asaresult,therearenightswhentheteamcatcheshundredsofmosquitoes,buttherearealsotimeswhentheyonlyharvestafewindividuals.Anofficersitsonafoldingchairtoserveasbaittoluremosquitoes.Additionally,dependingonthespecies,mosquitoeswillconcentrateinspecificareas.Forexample,AnophelesdirusprimarilyappearsintheforestedareasoftheCentralHighlands,whilethemalariavectorinthenorthernregionisAnophelesminimus.Denguefevermosquitoes,ontheotherhand,aremorecommonincities,hesaid.AftercatchingmorethanadozenAnophelesmosquitoes,Th?odecidedtoreplaceTrungasthemosquitobait.The50-year-oldmanquicklychangedintoshorts,exposinghislowerthighsandcalves,thentookachairtoadarkcornerandsatquietly.Innotime,Th?oslegsturnedblackwithmosquitoes.Underthebeamofhisheadlamp,hecarefullyobservedandusedaglasstubetocaptureamosquitothatwasengorgedwithblood.H?ngmentionedthattoachievemaximumeffectiveness,mosquitohuntersshouldavoidusingfragrantsoap,perfumeoressentialoilsbeforestartingtheirwork.Moreover,thosewhodirectlyserveasbaitmustbethoroughlytrainedinidentificationmethods.Aftermanyyears,wecanidentifythespeciesofamosquitowith80percentaccuracyjustbyitsflight,hesaid.Additionally,thosedirectlyinvolvedmustknowhowtoprotectthemselvestoavoidgettingsick.Iftheyareworkinginareaswithhighmosquitodensity,theymusttakepreventivemedication.ThemethodofusinghumanbaittocatchmosquitoesatnightisregulatedaccordingtotheMinistryofHealthsguidelinesonmalariasurveillanceandprevention,issuedonOctober25,2021,inDecisionNo.4922/Q?-BYT.Thestaffrecalledthateveryoneintheteamhadahistoryofcontractingmalariaanddenguefeverseveraltimes,exceptforTh?o.Th?oreminiscedabout1997whenheandhiscolleagueswenttoV?nhHàandV?nhLinhdistrictsinthecentralprovinceofQu?ngTr?tosurveyamalariaoutbreak.Atthattime,twoofthembroughtonlyalimitedamountofmedicationforemergencies.Atthecommunehealthstation,theymetayoungVanKi?uethnicpatientwhohadcontractedmalariaandwasabouttoenteraseverephase.Theclinichadrunoutofmedicineandifthepatienthadtobetransferredtothedistricthospital,thechancesofsurvivalwouldbeveryslim.Inthatsituation,ourteamdidnthesitatetogiveourpreventivemedicinetothechild.Whenhepassedthecriticalphase,weallbreathedasighofrelief.MosquitoesinthelabAfterbeingcaptured,mosquitoesareclassifiedbeforebeingbroughtintothelabattheNationalInstituteofMalariology,ParasitologyandEntomology.Mosquitoesareplacedinbreedingroomsforresearchpurposes.Pointingtoatrayfullofwrigglinglarvae,?àoMinhTrang,deputyheadoftheDepartmentofEntomology,saidthatoncemosquitoesarecapturedinthefield,theyareplacedinbreedingroomsforresearchpurposes.Thisresearchaimstofindeffectivepreventionmeasuresandsuitablechemicalsforextermination.Themosquitobreedingprocessincludesfeedingcycles,facilitatingmatingandlayingeggs,andtakingcareofthelarvae.Tokeepmosquitoesalive,thebreedingroomsarespeciallyarrangedwithairconditioningrunningalmostaroundtheclockandmaintainingabsolutecleanliness.Thetemperatureisstrictlycontrolledandkeptat26degreesCelsius.Additionally,humiditylevelsmustadheretothemoststringentregulations.Somemosquitospeciesareverydifficulttomateincaptivity,sowehavetoemployartificialmethods.Moreover,eachyearwesupplythousandsofmosquitoestovariousdepartmentsandresearchinstitutionsbothwithinandoutsidetheInstituteforscientificresearch,sowefrequentlyneedtofacilitatetheirmating,shesaid.Nguy?nTr??ngAn,ayoungofficerintheMosquitoBreedingUnit,explainedthathehastobeattheunitby7amdailytochecktechnicalparametres,feedthelarvae,pickoutthoseabouttobecomemosquitoestoplacethemincagesandcleanthetrays.Forfemalemosquitoes,weallowthemtodirectlysuckbloodtoincreasethehatchingrateofeggslater,hesaid.Anexplainedthatdependingonthemosquitostrain,thefeedingtimelastsfrom15to20minutes.Thisprocesscanbeobservedvisually,putsimply,whenmosquitoesstopbiting,itmeanstheyarefull.Avolunteerdirectlyfeedsfemalemosquitoestoincreasethehatchingrateofeggs.Initially,Iwasscared,butnowImusedtoit.Moreover,ourresearchhelpsthecommunity,soeveryonetriestheirbest,hesaid.Nguy?nV?nD?ng,headoftheDepartmentofEntomology,saidthatdespitethechallengesfacedduringmosquitohuntingandbreeding,thestaffsdedicationandresponsibilitytowardtheirworkhavemadesignificantcontributionstoresearch.Thisresearchhelpsidentifymosquitocharacteristics,leadingtothedevelopmentofoptimaldiseasepreventionmeasures.—VNS

Nguy?nTh?Nham,80,hasbeencóiweavingfor70years.SheisoneofelderlyinTayAnCommuneofTháiBìnhProvincepreservingthetraditionalcraft.—Photodanviet.vnTHáIBìNH—ManyelderlypeopleinTháiBìnhProvincestillmaintainthetraditionalcraftofcóiweavingwhichtheyhavedonefordecades.Withskillfulhandsandadeeploveforthecraft,theykeepthetraditionaliveandpassitdowntofuturegenerations.Productsmadefromcóiarenowexportedtomanycountriesworldwide.WeavingateightyThepeopleofTi?nH?iDistrictareknownfortheirdexterityandhavepasseddownthecóiweavingcraftthroughgenerations.Thishasledtothewomenintheareabeingrecognisedfortheirmeticulousness,agilityanddeeppassionforthecraft.Inthepast,whenlifewasmorechallenging,residentsgrewandharvestedcóitoproducecóibagsandhatsforlocalsaletosupplementtheirincome.Associetydeveloped,thevillagesproductsbegantobeintroducedandexportedfurtherafield.Nguy?nTh?NhamofTayAnCommuneofTi?nH?iDistricthasbeeninvolvedinthetraditionalcraftsinceshewastenandisnoweighty-fiveyearsold.Nhamtolddanviet.vn:Thecóiweavingcrafthasbeeninthiscommuneforgenerations.FromthetimeIwasborn,Iwastaughtbymygrandparentsandparents.IwastoldthattheplacewhereIwasbornistherootofthecóicraft,whichlaterspreadtootherareaslikeH?ngHàDistrictofTháiBìnhProvinceandNgh?aH?ngDistrictofneighbouringNam??nhProvince.Despiteherfailingeyesight,Nhamshandsremainquickandskillfulinweavingcói.Whenwewereyoung,theonlycraftinthecommunewascóiweaving.Manypeoplereliedonthiscrafttosupporttheirfamilies.Childrenwereabletostudyproperlyandsucceed,soIcherishitgreatly,Nhamsaid.Evenatmyage,manypeoplestillweavecóidailytoearnextraincomeandtosetanexamplefortheyoungergenerationtopreservethistraditionalcraft,shesaid.Theweavingcraftrequirespatienceasitinvolvesmanymeticuloussteps,fromselectingsedge,washing,soakingit,dryingandthenpressingit.Theselectedgrassmustbeoftherightmaturity–nottoooldortooyoung–foreasypressing.Soakinggrassrequiresskillandexperience,especiallywhentheplantsaresoakedorswollen,theyneedtobehandledcorrectly.Afterdrying,thegrassispressedtocreatematerialsforweaving.Next,thegrassisputthroughamachinetobethreshedanddyedtoachieveattractivecoloursbeforebeingpressedforsoftness.Itiscrucialtokeepthecoloursconsistenttoproducebeautifulproducts.Oncethegrassstrandsmeetstandards,theartisansbeginweavingthemintofinishedproducts.Afterweaving,theproductsaredriedandthencut,trimmed,taggedandpackagedforsale.Oncepressed,thegrassmustbesortedbysizeandcolourtoensureaharmoniousweave.Productsfromthegrassareverydiversefrombaskets,hats,bagstomats.Wecanweaveanything,Nhamsaid.Thebasketsmadeofcóihavegonefromhavingnonameorbrand,justhangingaroundinruralmarkets,tonowbeingpresentinmanyprovincesandcitiesinthecountryandbeingshippedabroad.—Photodanviet.vnExportingcóiproductsAccordingtotheartisan,productsfromTayAnCommunehaveevolvedfrombeingnamelessandbrandless,onlysoldlocally,tonowbeingsoldinmanyotherprovincesandevenexported.ThesignificantcontributortothisdevelopmentisPh?mTh?Ng?n,whofoundedacompanyandmarketedtheproductstovariouscompanies.Ng?nquicklygraspedmarketdemandsandforeigntastes,graduallyhelpingTayAnscóiproductsreachtheworld.Ng?nsaysproudly:Eachmonth,ourcompanyexportsmanyproductslikehandbagsandbasketstocountriessuchastheUS,JapanandThailand,creatingjobopportunitiesforthousandsofworkers.ThisisasourceofprideandmotivationforTayAnresidentstocontinuepreservinganddevelopingthecóiweavingcraft,contributingtotheprosperityofthehomeland.Ng?nsaidthatshehasalwaysdreamedofcreatingmorejobsforruralworkers,especiallywomen.Thankstothepresenceofcóiproductcompanies,manywomen,especiallytheelderly,inTayAnCommunehavefoundpart-timejobstoincreasetheirincome.Tr?nTh?Di?p,80,said:IwastaughttoweavecóibymymothersinceIwaslittle.Later,aftergettingmarried,Icontinuedwithmymother-in-law.Ireceivecóifromthecompanytoweaveandearnawage.Forlargeitems,Di?pcanweavetwotothreepiecesperday,whilesmalleritemscanbesevenpieces.Forsmallboxes,thewageisVN?10,000(4UScent)perpiece,whilelargerproductscanearnuptoVN?100,000($4)perpiece.Nguy?nTh?Th?m,45,said:EventhoughIhaveastablejob,IstillreceivecóifromNg?nscompanytoweaveintheevenings.Eachmonth,Iweave50-60different-sizedproducts,earningadecentincome.Today,cóiproductsarecontinuallybeingimproved,attractingmorecustomersandincreasingbothqualityandprofitability.Cóiproductsarenowdecoratedwithpatternsanddesignsbeforehittingthemarket,ratherthanbeingsoldasrawproductslikebefore.Thecóiweavingcrafthasexpandedtoover20communesinTi?nH?iDistrict,creatingjobsforover1,500people.Fromnaturalsedgematerials,theskilledhandsofcraftsmenhavecreatedintricateandbeautifulhats,baskets,andmore.Cóiweavedproductsareintroducedinfairs.—Photodanviet.vnCurrently,theTi?nH?iDistrictElderlyAssociationplacesgreatemphasisonorganisingtraditionalcraftconferencesandawardingcertificatesandcommendationstoencourageelderstocontinuepassingontheirskills.Additionally,manybusinesseshavelaunchedprojectsencouraginglocalstointroduceworkerstotraditionalcóiweavingcompanieswithattractivecommissions,therebyexpandingthecraftnetworkintheprovince.AndtheauthoritiesregularlyorganiseexhibitionslikeOneCommuneOneProduct(OCOP)fairstointroducelocalcóiproducts,thusexpandingthemarketandbringingthecraftclosertothepublic.—VNSH?ChíMinhMausoleuminHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—AdraftordinanceonthemanagementandpreservationofH?ChíMinhMausoleumisunderway,aimingforself-relianceinhumanresourcestrainingandequipmentsupplyespeciallyagainstoutsidedisruptions.AccordingtotheMinistryofNationalDefence(MOD),investmentpoliciesforscientificresearcharenecessaryforthemissionofpreservinglatePresidentH?ChíMinhsbodyandensuringthetechnicalrequirementsofthemausoleum,especiallyasthecomplicatedglobaldevelopmentscausedmultiplechallengestothetechnicalsupplyandresourcesfromabroad.Throughout55yearsofpreservationandprotectionofthelatepresidentsbody(since1969)and49yearsofthehistoricalmausoleum,thePresidentH?ChíMinhMausoleumHighCommandandtheestablishmentsmanagementboardhaveupheldcompliancewiththedirectionandleadershipofthePartyandtheState,particularlytheGovernment,PrimeMinister,theCentralMilitaryCommissionandtheMODtoaccomplishthespecialpoliticalmissionassigned.Theconditionofthebodyremainsunchangedbetweendifferentinspections(from1970to2009).InauguratedonAugust29,1975,theH?ChíMinhMausoleumhaswelcomednearly70millionvisitors,ofwhichmorethan10millionareinternational.Onaverage,theestablishmentreceivesapproximately10,000visitorsperday.Thisfiguregoesuptoaround32,000onnationalholidayssuchastheLunarNewYear,IndependenceDay(September2)andthelatepresidentsbirthday(May19).ThepreservationoflatePresidentH?ChíMinhsbodywascarriedoutwiththecompleteassistanceoftheSovietUnionfrom1969to1991,thereforeVi?tNamhasnotissuedanyregulation,oradoptedacomprehensivelegalbasisfortheState-levelscientificcouncilandthemedicalscientificcouncilworkingonthismission.FollowingthedissolutionoftheSovietUnionin1991,themausoleumsmanagementboardhassteppeduptotakechargeofthetechnicalproceduresandrequirementstopreservethelatepresidentsbody,whichcallsfortheissuanceoflawsandordinancestoregulatethismission.Anumberofshortcomingsandissueshavebeenpointedout,includingtheriskofshortageorhinderedimportofsingle-purposeequipmentmanufacturedabroadintheeventofglobaldisruptions(suchasCOVID-19pandemicorRussia-Ukraineconflict)whichnecessitatesinvestmentinresearchandhumanresourcesdevelopmenttoensureself-sufficiencyinthelong-termpreservation.Anotherissuewastheneedforspecialallowanceregimesforofficials,publicemployeesandworkersofthemausoleumsmanagementboardgiventhattheyaretrainedinhighlyspecialisedandnarrowfieldsthatareapplicableonlyintheworkofpreservationofPresidentH?ChíMinhsbody,inordertoretainandattracttalentsinthisimportanttask.Themanagementboardalsowantedclearer,moreuniformpoliciesontheauthorisationofimportantpoliticalanddiplomaticceremoniesandeventsthatareconductedatthemausoleumandBa?ìnhSquare,aswellaspoliciesonthedualfunctionsofthemausoleum(preservationofH?ChíMinhsremainsandmaintenanceofsafetyandsecurityinthecomplex,whileenhancingtheservingofdomesticandinternationalvisitorswhowishtopayrespecttothelatePresident).Thisdraftordinanceisdevelopedwithfourcorepolicies,whichareimprovingregulationsonthelong-termpreservationandprotectionoflatePresidentH?ChíMinhsbody;enhancingregulationsonthemanagementandprotectionofstructuresandrelicswithinthehistoricalsiteofH?ChíMinhMausoleum;personneltaskedwithpreservingandprotectingthelatepresidentsbody;andperfectingregulationsonensuringhumanresourcesaswellasrelatedpoliciesandemploymentbenefitsforthesemissions.—VNSElderlypeopleatacommunityhomeinthesouthernprovinceofV?nhLong.—VNA/VNSPhotoLêThúyH?ngHàN?I—Withanaverageelderlypersonhavingthreechronicdiseasesandatriskoffunctionaldecline,buildingastrongfoundationforhealthcareandqualityoflifefortheseniorpopulationbecomestheresponsibilityofnotonlytheGovernmentbuttheentiresociety.Vietnamesepeopleslifeexpectancynowstandsat73.6,buttheirhealthyyearsareonlyuntil63.2formenand70forwomen,accordingtotheWorldHealthOrganisation.Thismeansthatoldermenandwomenspendupto11yearslivingwithillnesses.Statisticsalsorevealedthatnearly46percentoftheseniorpopulationisdiagnosedwithhypertension,34percentofthemhavearthritisandmanyotherssufferfromcardiovasculardiseases,bronchitis,urinarydiseasesormusculoskeletaldisorders.Asaresult,insteadofenjoyingtheirretirement,theyhavetospendmostoftheirtimevisitinghospitals.Theirhealthalsonaturallydeterioratesastheyage,includingtheirimmunesystem.Therefore,theyaremoresusceptibletoacquiringdiseaseswhichoftenturnchronicorrecurrent.At68,HoàngV?nThanhstillworksasamotorbiketaxidriverinHàN?i,makingaroundVN?50,000-100,000(US$2-4)aday.Hiswife,65,alsoworksasanhourlyhousekeeperforseveralhouseholdsinthecity,butsufferingfromlowbloodpressuremeanssheoftenhastotakedaysoff.Theymakeenoughtocovertheirfoodexpensesandrelyontheirchildrenfortherest.Whilemorefortunatewiththeirpensions,someelderlyhavetospendalargeportionoftheirpensionsonregularcheck-upsandmedications,meaningtheyhavetotightentheirbeltonlivingexpenses.DrPh?mV?Hoàng,deputydirectorgeneraloftheGeneralOfficeforPopulationandFamilyPlanning(undertheMinistryofHealth),saidthatthecurrenthealthcaresystemhasnotkeptpacewiththegrowingneedsoftheelderly.Mostelderlypeopleinthecountrylivewiththeirfamiliesandwishtobecaredforathomebytheirchildrenorrelatives.However,Vi?tNamsprevalentfamilymodelisshiftingfromthetraditionalextendedhouseholds(familieswiththreeormoregenerationslivingtogether)tonuclearfamilies(twogenerationfamiliesincludingparentsandchildren).Caregiversfortheelderlyathomeareotherpeopleintheseniorpopulationgroup,manyofthemwomen.Developingelderly-friendlyspacesandlong-termhealthcareserviceswithincommunitiesalsofacesmultiplechallengesandrequiresmuchmoreeffort.Multiplechangeshavebeenmadetopopulationmanagementandrelatedpoliciesinresponsetothecurrentcontext.ThesixthNationalCongressofthe12thPartyCentralCommitteesetthegoalsinitsResolutionNo21-NQ/TWtocomprehensivelyandcohesivelyaddressissuesrelatedtopopulationsize,structure,distributionandqualityinalignmentwithsocio-economicdevelopment.Torealisethisresolution,theGovernmenthasassigned39projectsandmissionsto11ministriesanddepartmentsinResolutionNo137/NQ-CP.Manyofthemareindirectresponsetoanageingpopulation,suchastheVi?tNamPopulationStrategyto2030,theHealthcareProgrammefortheElderlyto2030,theProjectonTakingAdvantageoftheGoldenPopulationandAdaptingtoPopulationAgeing,aswellastheNationalActionProgrammefortheElderly.Thenationwidehealthinsuranceprogramme,inwhichseniorcitizenscanenjoyinsurancebenefitsatadiscountedpremiumorfreeofcharge,facilitatestheiraccesstohealthcareservices,especiallythoselivingindisadvantagedareas.Elderlypeoplewithoutpensionsorwhohavelowincomesaregivenwelfareassistance,whilepublicnursinghomesareunderdevelopmenttoprovidecareandaccommodationforthosewithoutfamilies.Vi?tNamismakingeffortstoimprovethequalityoflifefortheelderly,butbetterresultsrequirestrongcoordinationbetweentheGovernment,socialorganisationsandthecommunity.—VNS

VietnameseteamattheInternationalBiologyOlympiad(IBO)2024heldinKazakhstan.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheVietnamesenationalteamhassecuredthreegoldandonesilvermedalsattheInternationalBiologyOlympiad(IBO)2024,rankingthirdoutof81participatingcountriesandterritories.AccordingtotheMinistryofEducationandTraining,thethreegoldmedalists,all12thgraders,are??nTu?nAnhfromChuV?nAnHighSchoolinHàN?i,Nguy?nTi?nL?cfromHighSchoolforGiftedStudentsinNaturalSciencesundertheVi?tNamNationalUniversity,HàN?i,andNguy?nS?Hi?ufromTr?nPhúHighSchoolforGiftedStudentsinthenorthernportcityofH?iPhòng.Meanwhile,H???cTrung,alsoa12thgraderfromQu?cH?cHu?HighSchoolforGiftedStudentsinthecentralprovinceofTh?aThiên-Hu?obtainedthesilvermedal.ThisyearsperformancemarkedthebestresultforVietnamesestudentsattheIBOsince2019.Notably,itwasthefirsttimemultipleVietnamesestudentshadexcelledinthehighlydemandingpracticalexamsofthecompetition.The35thIBO,heldinKazakhstanfromJuly7-13,sawthelargestparticipationtodate,with320contestantsfrom81countriesandterritories.Thestudentsunderwenttwoofficialexamdays,eachlasting6to8hours.Intotal,theOlympiadawarded28gold,56silver,and84bronzemedalstowinners.—VNSThelandslideonNationalHighway34inT?MòVillage,Yên??nhCommune,B?cMêDistrict,HàGiangnorthernmountainousprovince.—VNA/VNSPhoto??cTh?HàN?I—TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD)hasrequestedprovincesandcitiestoactivelyandcloselymonitordevelopmentsoftropicaldepressions,inordertobereadytorespondtoanyemergencysituations.InanofficialdispatchsenttolocalitiesandconcernedorganisationsonSaturday,MinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentrequiredcoastalareastostrictlymanageoffshorevehicles,notifyvehiclesownersandshipscaptainsaboutlocation,movementdirectionandevolutionoftropicaldepressionstoproactivelymanageescapesfromareasindanger.Thedangerzonewillbeupdatedindailyweatherforecastbulletins.Formainlandareas,localitiesneedtoassignforcestoguard,supportandguidevehiclestoensuresafetrafficforthepeople,especiallyinundergroundanddeepfloodingzones.Supervisionmustbeenhancedonareaswherelandslideshaveoccurredorareatriskoflandslides.Localitieshavebeenurgedtokeepclosewatchonwarningandweatherforecastbulletinsandtoregularlynotifyandguidethepeopletoproactivelyminimiseanydamage.Theyshoulddeployforcestoinspectandreviewresidentialareasalongrivers,streams,low-lyingareas,athighriskofflooding,flashfloods,andlandslidestorelocateandevacuatepeoplewhenneededandatthesametimeprepareforcesandmeansforrescuewhenrequired.TheVietnamNewsAgency,Vi?tNamTelevision,VoiceofVi?tNamandmassmediaagenciesfromcentraltolocallevelswillstrengtheninformationondevelopmentsofthetropicaldepressionandheavyraintoletauthoritiesandpeopleknowtorespond.LocalitiesandconcernedorganisationsmustbestrictaboutremainingondutyandregularlyreporttotheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentthroughtheDepartmentofDykeManagementandNaturalDisasterPreventionandControl.OnSaturdaymorning,heavyraincausedalandslideonNationalHighway34inT?MòVillage,Yên??nhCommune,B?cMêDistrict,HàGiangnorthernmountainousprovince.Thelandslidekilled11peopleandinjuredfourothers.ThePrimeMinisteronSaturdayissuedOfficialDispatchNo.67/C?-TTgondirectingmeasurestoovercomethelandslideconsequences.OnFriday,theMARDsentalettertocoastalprovincesandcitiesfromQu?ngNinhtoBìnhThu?naskingthemtorespondtobadweatheratseaandwidespreadheavyrain.AccordingtotheNationalCentreforHydrometeorologicalForecasting,fromnowuntilWednesday,thenorthandcentralregionswillhaverainfallofbetween100-200mm,withsomeplacesexperiencingover250mm.TheCentralHighlandsandtheSouthwillhaverainfallfrom60-120mm,withsomeareasseeingover200mmofrain.—VNS

PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhattheworkingsessionwithheadsofministriesandleadersof13provincesandcitiesintheMekongDeltaontheprogressofexpresswaysintheregion.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhadaworkingsessiononSaturdaywithministriesandlocalitiesinMekongDeltatoresolveobstaclesandpromotestrategictransportationinfrastructuredevelopment,afterconcludingtwofieldinspectionsoftheconstructionofexpressways.ThiswasthethirdmeetingoftheGovernmentleaderwithministers,secretariesandchairsof13provincesandcitiesintheMekongDeltaontheissue.Accordingtoreports,theMekongDeltaiscurrentlyimplementingfivekeytransportationprojectsincluding:theeasternsectionoftheNorth-SouthExpresswayprojectfromC?nTh?toCàMau;Chau??c-C?nTh?-SócTr?ngExpressway;CaoL?nh-AnH?uExpressway;M?An-CaoL?nhExpressway;andtheH?ChíMinhRoadproject(11kmR?chS?i-B?nNh?tsection,and41kmGòQu?o-V?nhThu?nsection).Todate,fouroutoffiveprojectshavecompletedinvestmentproceduresandareunderconstructionandtheM?An-CaoL?nhExpresswayisslatedtostartconstructionatthebeginningof2025.Siteclearance,oneofthemostimportantstepswhichcoulddefineprogressandsettheconstructionschedule,isnearlycomplete.However,ifanyissuesareunresolvedbytheendofJuly2024,itcouldaffecttheoverallcompletionoftheprojects.Intensiveeffortsarebeingmadeinconstruction,buttheprogresshasnotmettheplannedschedule,mainlyduetoapreviousshortageofsand.Fortunately,thematerialsupplyhasnowbeenstable,withabout65millioncu.mguaranteed.Highlightingsomedifficultiesandproposalstopromoteprojectimplementation,ministries,sectorsandlocalitiespledgedtocontinuecooperationandsupporttoensuresmoothprojectprogressandachievethesetgoals.Concludingtheconference,PMChínhcongratulatedthe13provincesandcitiesintheMekongDeltaforinitiallyforminganexpresswaynetworkafterthreeyearsofactiveimplementation,significantlydevelopingthetransportationinfrastructureinlinewiththestrategicbreakthroughspiritofthe13thNationalPartyCongressResolution.VariousmodesoftransportationhavedevelopedrapidlyandcomprehensivelyintheMekongDelta.OnbehalfoftheGovernment,PMChínhpraisedtheeffortsanddedicationofministries,sectors,localities,projectmanagementboards,companies,contractors,supervisoryconsultantsandtheteamofofficials,engineers,andworkerswhohavebeenworkingdiligentlyattheprojectsites.Healsothankedandpraisedthefamilies,communitiesandindividualswhosupportedandquicklyhandedoverlandforprojectconstruction.TheGovernmentleaderurgedagenciesandunits,especiallyleaders,toprioritisenationalandethnicinterests,fulfilltheirresponsibilitiesandhaveintegrity,talent,responsibilityandefficiency.Managementmustcontinuouslybeimproved,practical,smart,digitalisedandreduceadministrativeburdensandcompliancecostsforpeopleandbusinesses.Heemphasisedthegoalofhaving600kmofexpresswaysintheMekongDeltaby2025and1,200kmby2030,assigningprogresstargetsforeachproject,focusingontheNorth-SouthandEast-Westexpressways.PMChínhrequestedministries,sectors,andlocalitiestothoroughlyimplementtheprincipleofonlydiscussingactions,notsetbacks,makingalleffortstocompleteexpresswayprojectsontime,oraheadofschedule,whichwillopenupnewopportunitiesanddevelopmentspacefortheentireMekongDeltaregion,aswellthecountry.Constructionmustbeconductedinthespiritofpersistencethroughrainorshine,workingdayandnight,throughholidays,throughT?t,throughweekends.Heurgedmobilisationoftheentirepoliticalsystemtoparticipateinthe500-daycampaigntocomplete3,000kmofexpresswaystocelebratethe50thanniversaryoftheLiberationoftheSouthandreunificationofthecountry,the80thNationalDay,andthe14thPartyCongress.Regardingcapital,PMrequestedministriesandsectorstocoordinatewithlocalitiestocarefullycalculateandreporttocompetentauthorities.TheMinistryofFinanceandtheMinistryofPlanningandInvestmentmustadviseandreasonablyallocatefundsandtheGovernmentwillresolveissueswithinitsauthority.Regardingsiteclearance,PMChínhrequestedlocalsecretariesandchairpersonstomobilisethecombinedstrengthoftheentirepoliticalsystemtosupportprojectimplementation,particularlyrelocatingtechnicalinfrastructure,withafocusonresolvingsiteclearancecomprehensivelytoprovidelandforprojectconstruction.Healsoorderedlocalitiestotakecareofthelivesofrelocatedhouseholds,ensuringthattheirconditionsatnewlocationsareequaltoorbetterthanbefore,focusingonemploymentandlivelihoods,andensuringthesafetyofpeopleslivesandpropertyduringconstruction.Regardingmaterials,herequestedensuringsupplyandcompletingonschedule.Forsandfillmaterials,localitiesmustactivelyenhancetheminingcapacityofmaterialmines,transfermaterialsbetweenprojectstomeetprogressrequirementsandcompleteproceduresformininglicencesinJuly.—VNS

AtraingoesthroughtheH?iVanMountainPassin?àN?ngcentralcity.—VNA/VNSPhotoQu?cD?ngHàN?I—Anappraisalcouncilforrailwaylinesandstationsintheareasof??HàN?ihasbeenestablishedunderadecisionoftheMinistryofTransport(MoT).Thecouncilwilllookatexistingplansforrailwayroutesandthemostefficientwaystogetnewhighspeedlinesintothecity.ThecouncilincludesleadersoftheVi?tNamRailwaysAuthority(VNRA),theGeneralStaffsDepartmentofOperationsundertheMinistryofNationalDefence;theDepartmentofEconomicSecurityundertheMinistryofPublicSecurity;theDepartmentofUrbanInfrastructureDevelopmentundertheMinistryofPlanningandInvestment;andtheDepartmentofTechnicalInfrastructureundertheMinistryofConstruction.ParticipatinginthecouncilarealsoleadersoftheDepartmentofTechnologyEvaluation,AppraisalandInspectionandtheDepartmentofPlanningandFinanceundertheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment;theDepartmentofPlanningundertheMinistryofIndustryandTrade;andtheDepartmentofTechnologyandInfrastructureundertheCommitteeforManagementofStateCapitalatEnterprises.MembersofthecouncilencompassheadsoftheHàN?isDepartmentofTransport,theHàN?isDepartmentofPlanningandArchitecture,theV?nhPhúcProvincesDepartmentofConstruction,thedepartmentsoftransportofHàNam,B?cNinh,H?ngYênandTháiNguyênprovincesandanumberofadvisoryagenciesundertheMoT.TheMoTassignedtheVNRAtoprovidefullinformationanddocumentstomembersoftheappraisalcouncilduringtheirworkingprocessandensureworkingconditionsandoperatingcostsforthecouncilaccordingtoregulations.InthedraftplanningoftherailwayrouteincentreHàN?i,theVNRAproposedtorenovateandmaintainfiveexistingradialrailwayroutesincludingHàN?i-??ng??ng,HàN?i-HCMCity,HàN?i-H?iPhòng,HàN?i-LàoCaiandHàN?i-TháiNguyên.Theplanalsotargetsbuildingfournewhigh-speedlines:HàN?i-HCMCity,LàoCai-HàN?i-H?iPhòng,HàN?i-L?ngS?nandHàN?i-Qu?ngNinh.ItwillfurtherdeveloptheroutesNg?cH?i-L?c??o-B?cH?ng-Th?chL?iandwesternNg?cH?i-Th?chL?i.TheVNRAproposedtousetheYênViênStationasapassengertransporthubfortrainsheadingwest,northwest,andnorthdirections.TheYênTh??ngStationisthenorthernjunctionstationforroutestoL?ngS?n,CáiLanandTháiNguyên.TheB?cH?ngStationisanintermediatestationwhereastheNg?cH?iStationisforsoutherndirection.—VNSTheCityInternationalHospitalonJune27donated84dosesofGardasilvaccineagainstHPVtowomenindifficultcircumstancesinHCMCitysBìnhTanDistrict.—PhotoCourtesyofCIHHCMCITY—HCMCitysCityInternationalHospital(CIH)hasdonated84dosesofGardasilvaccine,whichcombatshumanpapillomavirus(HPV)andcervicalcancer,towomenindifficultcircumstancesinBìnhTanDistrict.TheUS-madeGardasilvaccineisconsideredsafeandcanbehighlyeffectiveinprotectingwomenfromcervicalcancerandotherHPV-relatedinfections.ThehospitalprovidedfreevaccinationsforwomenatthehospitalsvaccinationcentreonJune27and28withthefirstshots.Womenwillgetsecondshotstwomonthsafterthefirstshot,andthirdshotsfourmonthsafterthesecondshots,orasdirectedbydoctorsafterscreening.Nguy?nTh?Thu,oneofthewomenvaccinatedtopreventcervicalcanceronJune27,saidwhenshearrivedatCIHhospital,shereceivedpre-vaccinationscreeningandconsultationbythedoctors.IheardalotaboutcervicalcancerbutIstilldontfullyunderstandthedangersofthedisease,shesaid.Shethankedthehospitalsdoctorsandwillgetvaccinatedfollowingthescheduletoboosttheeffectivenessoftheprevention.Nguy?nPh??c??ng,deputyexecutivedirectorofCIH,saidcervicalcanceristhethirdmostcommoncancercausingdeathforwomen.GettingvaccinatedagainstHPVisconsideredthemosteffectivepreventivemeasureforwomentoreducetheriskofthisdangerousdisease.Bydonatingthevaccine,thehospitalhopestojoinhandswithlocalauthoritiesincontrollingandpreventingcervicalcancer,hesaid.Inpastyears,thehospitaltogetherwithlocalauthoritieshaveorganisedmanyactivitiessuchasvisitingandpresentinggiftstopolicybeneficiaryfamiliesandpeoplewithmeritoriousservicestotherevolution,andprovidingfreehealthchecksandmedicine.Inthecomingtime,itwillcontinuecollaborationwithlocallauthoritiestoimplementprogrammestobettertakecareofpeopleshealth.Cervicalcancercanbecuredifdiagnosedatanearlystageandtreatedpromptly.Eachyear,Vi?tNamrecordsmorethan4,000newcasesofcervicalcancerandabout2,000deathsduetothisdisease.Thecostofcervicalcancertreatmentisexpensive,andthisdiseasealsohasahugeimpactonwomensmentalhealthissuesandhappiness.—VNS

British50poundnotes.AFP/VNAillustrationimageHàN?I—AnoverseasVietnamesewomanwithBritishcitizenshipisbeingprosecutedforillegallytransportingcurrencyacrosstheborder.HàN?isPeoplesProcuracyhasbegancriminalproceedingagainstNguy?nThanhHuy?n,bornin1960,aBritishnationalresidinginLondon,UnitedKingdom.SheenteredVi?tNamcarrying￡215,000(overVN?6.3billion)inherluggagewithoutdeclaringittocustomsattheborder.Accordingtotheindictment,around6amonNovember30,2023,theCustomsSub-DepartmentatHàN?isN?iBàiInternationalAirport,incoordinationwithHàN?iPoliceDepartment,monitoredtheluggageandgoodsofpassengersenteringandexitingviaair.Huy?n,afterretrievingherluggagefromtheconveyorbelt,wentthroughGate2,whichwasdesignatedforgoodsnotrequiringcustomsdeclaration,withoutdeclaringhercurrencyatthecustomscheckpoint.Duringtheluggagescreening,thepoliceteamdetectedimagesofnumerouspaperstackssuspectedtobeforeigncurrencyandrequestedHuy?ntoenterthecustomsinspectionroomforathoroughcheck.Theinspectionrevealedatotalof￡215,000inHuy?nsluggage,including9,500￡20notesand2,500￡10notes,totalling￡215,000.AccordingtotheArticle2oftheStateBankofVi?tNamsCircularNo15/2011/TT-NHNNissuedonAugust12,2011regulatingtheamountofforeigncurrencyandVietnamesecurrencyincashthatmustbedeclaredattheborderwhenexitingorenteringthecountry,Huy?ncarried￡215,000withoutdeclaringit,exceedingtheallowedlimitby￡210,899,equivalenttooverVN?6.3billion.TheCustomsSub-DepartmentdrewupaviolationreportagainstHuy?nandhandedthecaseovertotheHàN?iPoliceDepartmentforfurtherinvestigation.Duringtheinvestigation,Huy?nstatedthatshehademigratedtotheUKin1979andacquiredBritishcitizenshipin1982.Sincethen,shehasfrequentlyreturnedtoVi?tNamtovisitherfamily.Huy?nclaimedthemoneywasfromherbusinessearnings.SheintendedtousethemoneytobuyahouseandpurchasegoodstoexporttohersupermarketinLondon.Huy?ndidnotdeclaretheamountofmoneywhendepartingfromtheUK,nordidshedeclareittocustomsuponenteringVi?tNam.—VNSAsceneofaseriousaccidentearlierthismonth.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–Therewere12,321trafficaccidents,resultingin5,255deathsand9,599injuriesnationwideinthefirsthalfthisyear,reportedtheNationalTrafficSafetyCommittee.Althoughthenumberoftrafficaccidentsacrossthecountryincreased,thenumberofdeathssignificantlydecreasedcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear,thecommitteesaid.Comparedtothefirstsixmonthsof2023,trafficaccidentsincreasedby1,842cases,up17.58percent,deathsdecreasedby702people,down11.78percent,andinjuriesincreasedby2,707people,up39.28percent,saidTr?nH?uMinh,thecommitteeshead.Outofthese,therewere12,225roadtrafficaccidents,causing5,191deathsand9,584injuries.Railwaysexperienced66accidents,resultingin48deathsandteninjuries,waterwayshad27accidents,leadingto15deathsandfiveinjuriesandatsea,therewerethreeaccidents,causingonedeath.Thisyearalone,from15Mayto14June2024,therewere1,894accidentsacrossVi?tNam,resultingin849deathsand1,373injuries,anincreaseof140cases(up7.98percent),adecreaseindeathsby92(down9.78percent)andanincreaseofaccidentscausinginjuriesof194(up16.45percent),respectively,comparedtothesameperiodlastyear.VNS

HàN?I—CustomsauthoritiesandthepoliceinHàN?ihavesuccessfullyinterceptedalargeshipmentofsyntheticdrugs,markingthelargestseizureofitskindviaairtransport.Theoperation,codenamedHP524,wasinitiatedonMay30,followingintelligencegatheredthroughsurveillance,investigationsandextensiveexperienceincombatingdrugtrafficking.TheoperationspecificallytargetedasuspecteddrugtraffickingringsmugglingMethyl?enedioxy?methamphetamine(MDMA)fromGermanyintoVi?tNamthroughN?iBàiInternationalAirport.Theswiftresponseoftheauthoritieshasultimatelyledtothearrestoffoursuspectsandtheconfiscationofapproximately179kgofthesyntheticdrugcommonlyknownasecstasy.Lastweek,thepolicesaidlegalproceedingswereunderwayagainst961suspectsaccusedofproducing,trafficking,storingandusingdrugsfollowingayear-longinvestigationintothecaseofflightattendantsillegallytransportingdrugsfromFrancetoTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirport.ThepoliceannouncedthattheyhavesuccessfullybrokenuphundredsofdrugtraffickingringsinHCMCity,BìnhD??ngProvinceand??ngNaiProvince.179kilogramsofMDMAsyntheticdrugsconcealedwithin46packages.—Photoanninhthudo.vnSuspectscutopenapplejuicecanstohidetheillicitdrugs.—Photoanninhthudo.vnSomeoftheconfiscateddrugs.—Photoanninhthudo.vnRescueforcesatthesiteoftheincidentonSundaynight.—PhotocourtesyofB?cK?nPoliceB?CK?N—OnemanhasbeenrescuedafteracavecollapsedinthenorthernB?cK?nProvince,withanotherinjuredandoneotherstillmissing.Themanwastrappednearthecavesentranceandsustainedminorinjuries.AnotherpersonsustainedabrokenarmfromthecollapseandwastakentoB?cK?nProvincialGeneralHospitalfortreatment.Theaccidentsiteislocatedabout500mfromthemainroad,whichhascauseddifficultyforrescueforces.Theyareusinghydraulicjackstoremoverocksandlocatetheremainingpersontrappedinthecave.Accordingtolocalauthorities,thecollapseoccurredaround5.30pmonSundayandissuspectedtobeanillegalgoldminingcase.B?cK?nProvincialPeoplesCommitteemobilisedrescueandpoliceforcestothescenetocarryoutanurgentsearchoperationforthevictimsuponlearningabouttheaccident.—VNS