AconferencehasbeenhearingofthechallengesbusinessesintheculturalandsocialsectorsinVi?tNamarefacing.Overahundredbusinessesfromthecapitalwereattheconference,entitledDialoguetoResolveChallengesforBusinessesintheCulturalandSocialSectors2024heldattheHàN?iCityPeoplesCommitteeheadquarters.ChairedbyTr?nS?Thanh,MemberoftheCentralCommittee,DeputySecretaryoftheCityPartyCommittee,andChairmanoftheHàN?iCityPeoplesCommittee,theeventwasachanceforthecommitteetogaindeeperinsightsintothedifficultiesbusinessesface.Itaimedtoproposeeffectivesolutionsonsupportpolicies,administrativeprocessesandfinancialneeds,withthegoaloffacilitatinginvestmentintheculturalandsocialsectors.OrganisedbytheHanoiPromotionAgency,theconferenceonAugust16,wasattendedbyleadersfromtheHàN?iCityPeoplesCommittee,representativesfromassociations,departmentsandsectors,districtandtownofficialsand120businessesrepresentinginvestorsandorganisationsintheculturalandsocialsectorsacrossthecity.ViceChairmanoftheHanoiCityPeoplesCommittee,V?ThuHà,deliveredtheopeningspeechattheconference.PhotoTrinhNguyenVNSTheorganisersreceivedandreviewednearly70submissionsfrom57businesses,organisationsandindividuals.Thesewerecategorisedintosixareasand20issuegroups,includingeducation-relatedconcernssuchasexpandingeducationallevels,establishingprivateschools,registeringforsocialisationincentivesandobtainingeducation-relatedlicences.Invocationaltraining,issuesincludedsupportpolicies,licensingoftraininginstitutionsandworkersandmechanismsforvocationaltrainingorders.Otherconcernscoveredsupportmechanisms,theinvestmentenvironmentandcollaborationinhealthcare.Intheculturalandartssector,submissionsfocusedoninfrastructureinvestment,eventorganisation,artworkassessmentandlicensingandartreproduction,withadditionalissuesinadvertisingandsports.Delegatesspokeattheconference.PhotoMinhPh??ng/VNSQuestionsfromdelegatesattheconferencewereansweredindetailbythecitysrelevantdepartmentsandagencies.Notably,thesummaryspeechbytheChairmanoftheHanoiCityPeoplesCommitteedirectedcitydepartmentstointensifyeffortstoaddressobstaclesininvestmentandoperationswithintheculturalandsocialsectors,aimingtodrivethesustainabledevelopmentofHanoisculturalandsociallandscape.UnderthecloseguidanceoftheCityPartyCommitteeandtheCityPeoplesCouncil,HàN?ihasachievedsignificantresultsininvestinganddevelopingeducation,healthcare,cultureandsports.Ineducationandtraining,Hanoihasmadesignificantinvestmentsinbuildingandupgradingschools,particularlyinmodernandhigh-qualityfacilities.Improvementsineducationqualityincludeenhancedcurriculum,theuseofnewtechnologiesandbetter-trainedteachers.SomeofHàN?isuniversitiesandacademieshaveachievedhighrankingsbothnationallyandinternationally.Inhealthcare,thecityhasfocusedonexpandingandupgradinghospitalsandmedicalfacilities,bothpublicandprivate,toprovidebetterservices.HàN?ihasalsointroducedcommunityhealthprograms,boostedtheskillsofmedicalstaffandintegratednewtechnologiesforimproveddiagnosisandtreatment.Intheculturalsector,HàN?iisactivelyworkingonpreservingandrestoringkeyculturalandhistoricalsitessuchastheTempleofLiterature,theImperialCitadelofTh?ngLong,theC?LoacitadelandtheH??ngPagoda.Thecityalsoorganisesnumerouslargeculturalandartisticevents,fosteringcreativityandculturalexchangelocallyandinternationally.Insports,HàN?ihasinvestedininfrastructure,upgradingsportsfacilitieslikestadiums,sportscentresandpublicswimmingpools.Thecityhassuccessfullyhostedmajorsportsevents,offeringresidentsmoreopportunitiestoparticipateinandenjoyvarioussports.BysupportingbusinessesanddrivingthedevelopmentofHanoiandthenation,holdingdialoguestotacklechallengesintheculturalandsocialsectorsisastepintherightdirection.ThisapproachwillhelpHanoidevelopasustainablestrategyforitsculturalandsocialsectorsmovingforward.

MaheshChandGiri(right),arepresentativeoftheIndianConsulateGeneralinHCMCityandarepresentativeofLam??ngProvincechairtheconference.—VNA/VNSPhotoQu?cHùngL?M??NG—AconferencewasheldintheCentralHighlandsprovinceofLam??ngonThursdaytohelplocaltourismbusinesseslearnmoreaboutHalaltourismindustrystandardsandconnectwithIndiantouroperators.TheeventwasorganisedbytheprovincesDepartmentofCulture,SportsandTourism,theLam??ngInvestment,TradeandTourismPromotionCentre,andtheLam??ng–?àL?tTourismAssociation.Attheevent,participantswereintroducedtoLam??ngshistory,culture,peopleanditstypicaltourismproducts.LocaltourismbusinessesandIndianfirmsalsodiscussedmeasurestoexpandtourstoattractmoreIndiantouriststoLam??ngingeneralanditsresortcityof?àL?tinparticular.Ph?mS,ViceChairmanoftheprovincialPeoplesCommittee,saidthattoexploittheIndianmarketwithitsuniquecultural,religiousandlifestyle,itrequirestailoredservicesandstandards,hesaid,urginglocalagenciestocooperatewithtourismbusinessesinstudyingHalalstandardsfortourists,andimplementdiverseactivitiestostimulatelocaltourism.Healsoaskedthemtostudyanddevelopnewtourismproducts,andexploitmoretourstoIndia.MaheshChandGiri,arepresentativeoftheIndianConsulateGeneralinHCMCity,saidVi?tNamandIndiaareimportantpartnersofeachother.Bilateraltradehasgrownimpressivelyinrecentyears.Oneofthepotentialforthetwocountriestostrengthentheirforeignrelationsisculturalandpeople-to-peopleexchange.Hesaidthetourismindustryplaysanimportantroleinexchangingvaluesbetweenthetwosides.TheConsulateGeneralofIndiawillactivelyparticipateinpromotingthedevelopmentofIndiantourisminVi?tNamasithasdoneforthetourismmarketsofothercountries.Attheconference,sixbusinessesfrombothsidesagreedtosigncooperationagreementstoincreasetheeffectivenessoftourismpromotionactivitiesbetweenLam??ngandIndia.—VNSSùngAC?i(right)andavolunteerplantingtreesonahillinYênBáiProvince.—Photocafef.vnYêNBáI—A32-year-oldyoungHmongmanfromthemountainousYênBáiProvinceismakingasignificantimpactonhiscommunitybyplantingmorethanonemilliontrees.SùngAC?ismissionisdeeplyrootedintraumaticexperiencesinhischildhood.Hevividlyrecallstherelentlessonslaughtofflashfloodsandlandslidesthatravagedhisvillageandlaidhisfamilyscropstowaste.Flashfloodsandlandslidesburiedourcropsundermud,saidC?i.Ittookmyfamilyanagonisingtwoyearstorebuildourlives.HewasadmittedtotheHanoiNationalUniversityofEducation,wherehestudiedGeography.Thecoursehelpedhimrealisetherootcausesofthefrequentfloodsandlandslidesplaguinghisvillagewereclimatechangeanddeforestation.Aftergraduation,heinitiatedtheMillionTreesDreamproject,providingfarmerswithfreeseedlingstoreforestbarrenandlandslide-proneareas.Thegoalwastomitigatetheimpactofclimatechangeandimprovepeopleslivelihoods.Theprojectsguidingprincipleissimpleyetprofound,everylittlebitcounts,saidC?i.Amilliontreescanrisefromamillionhands.Theprojectsearlydayswerefraughtwithchallenges,includinginsufficientfundstopurchaseseedlingsandhighmortalityratesduetoadverseweatherconditions.Thesituationwascompoundedbyhisdemandingjob,whichlimitedhisabilitytomonitorthetreestoweekendsonly.Buthesoonbouncedbackwiththehelpofthecommunity,particularlyvolunteersanddonors.Alargepartoffundingfortheprojectnowcomesfromdonationsandfundraisingactivities.Aftertheseedlingsarehandedovertofarmers,programmevolunteerswillsupportthemforthreeyearsastheynurturetheirnewtrees.Afterthisperiod,theywillassumefullresponsibilityforthetreesuntiltheyreachmaturity.Imakeitapointtovisittheplantedtreesandscoutfornewplantingsiteseverycoupleofmonths,saidC?i.Aspartofourvisits,thevolunteersandIalsocheckinontheparticipatingfarmers,offeringsupportandencouragement.Aftersevenyears,theprogrammehasturnedbarrenhillsanddesolatelandintogreenforests.Insomereclaimedareas,groundwaterhasreappeared,andbirdpopulationshavestartedtorebound.AsIhuggedthetreeIplantedwithmyownhandsandlistenedtothebirdssinginghappily,Ifeltarenewedsenseofhopeandbeliefinabrighterfutureformyvillage,C?isharedwithjoy.Theprogrammevolunteershaveplantedmorethan82,000trees,whilethefarmershavecontributedanadditional950,000.IthasexpandedbeyondC?ishometownofV?nCh?nDistrict,YênBáiProvince,reachingneighbouringprovincesincludingHòaBình,S?nLa,LaiChauand?i?nBiên.Theprogrammehasalsoimprovedthefarmersenvironmentalconsciousness.Manyhavestartedtheirownnurseriestocultivateavarietyoftreespecies,othershaveusedtheirearningsfromtimbersalestoexpandtheirtreeplantingefforts,becomingmoreself-sufficient.VàngAGi?ng,alongtimeparticipant,hasseenhisfamilysfortunesimprovesignificantly.Theyhavebeenabletobuyarefrigeratorandarenowfinanciallysecure,saidC?i.Beyondreforestationefforts,C?iandhisteamhaveestablishedfreelibrariesandinitiatedtheForestandYouprogrammetoprovidecareercounsellingandsupporttoethnicminoritystudents,helpingthemachieveacademicsuccessandfinancialindependence.Lookingtothefuture,C?iplanstoincorporatehigh-valuemedicinalandlow-growingplantsintotheprogrammetoprovideadditionalincomeopportunitiestofarmers.Healsoaimstoexpanditsreachtocoastalprovincestoseemoreforestsrestoredacrossthecountry.Hehopestoseemorepeopleandorganisationsinvolvedintreeplantingandsustainabledevelopmentprojectsforunderprivilegedcommunitiesinmountainousregions,creatinglastingbenefitsforfuturegenerations.—VNS

HackershavebeenusingmaliciousIPaddresses/domainsascommandandcontrolserverstolaunchtheirattacks.—ImagecourtesyofAppotaHàN?I—Atotalof85casesofcyberattacksonVi?tNamswebsitesandinformationportalswerereportedinthepastweek,accordingtotheAuthorityofInformationSecurity(undertheMinistryofInformationandCommunications).Seventyfourwerephishingattacksandelevenweremalwareinstallations.Accordingtotheinformationsecurityauthority,attackershavebeenusingmaliciousIPaddresses/domainsascommandandcontrol(CC)serverswithinabotnet,whichisanetworkofprivatecomputersinfectedwithmalicioussoftwareandcontrolledasagroupwithouttheownersknowledge.ThroughtheCCservers,theattackerscanlaunchdistributeddenial-of-service(DDoS)attacks,spreadingmalwareandspamandaccessingandstealingdata.TheAuthorityofInformationSecurityhasidentified20IPaddresses/domainsbelongingtobotnetsthatareaffectingVietnameseinternetusers.Theyaredifferentia.ru;restless.su;disorderstatus.ru;andall.servicesql.info;atomictrivia.ru;griefcube.cc;amnsreiuojy.ru;uyhgqunqkxnx.pw;hzmksreiuojy.ru;xiaoe.com;xjpakmdcfuqe.biz;vqelhmqyuphr.info;restlesz.su;rikip.com;xjpakmdcfuqe.com;mildwave.com;xjpakmdcfuqe.in;maxisurf.net;xjpakmdcfuqe.ru;ljjskttqximu.in.Therefore,thedepartmentrecommendsreviewingandopeningserviceportalsthatcouldbeexploitedforcyberattacks,withregularserverinspectiontopromptlydetectandhandlepossiblerisks.ForIPaddresses/domainswithmultipleconnections,itisnecessarytoinspectandreviewalldevicesinthenetworksystemiftherearesignsoflinkstomaliciousdomains.—VNSWatermelonfieldsinV?nhLongProvincesBìnhTanDistrict.Theprovinceisgrowingmorecleanwatermelonandvegetablestomeetmarketrequirements.–VNA/VNSPhotoLêThuyH?ngV?NHLONG–V?nhLongProvinceaimstodevelop14,000haofvegetablesthathaveorigintraceabilityby2030,accountingfor30percentofitstotalvegetablegrowingarea.UnderitsPeoplesCommitteesplantodevelopcleanvegetablegrowingareasto2030,theC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincewilldevelopsuchareasbasedontheadvantagesofsoil,weatherandclimateineachlocality.Theseareaswillbeestablishedincombinationwiththedevelopmentofprocessingagriculturalproducetoserveexports.TheprovincealsoaimstoexportUS$30millionofvegetablesin2030.Itwillincreaseimplementingpreferentialpoliciestoattractinvestmentinagricultureandruraldevelopment,andboostthedevelopmentoflinkagesamongstakeholdersinproducing,processingandsellingagriculturalproduce.Itwilldevelopproductioncodesforfarmingareastosecureorigintraceabilityandresearchfarmingprocessesthatproducecleanvegetablesandapplyhigh-techfarmingtechniques.Itwillassistcompanies,co-operativesandfarmerstodevelopbrandnamesforcleanvegetables,diversifysalechannelsandstrengthentradepromotionactivitiesforcleanvegetables.Farmersintheprovincegrowmorethan45,000haofvegetableswithanoutputof900,000tonnesayear,accordingtotheprovinceDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.Ofthe45,000ha,1,388haareplantedtogoodagriculturalpractices(GAP)standards.Theprovinceaimstodevelopitsvegetablegrowingareato47,000hain2030,including10,000haofsweetpotato,3,500haofspringonion,2,000haofwatercress,2,000haofwatermelonand4,000haofmushroom.Ithasdevelopedvegetablecultivationtoestablishconcentratedgrowingareasandencouragedfarmerstoturnunproductivericefieldsproductivebyrotatinggrowingriceandvegetablesorintercroppingthem.Ithasestablishedco-operativesandco-operativegroupstolinkwithcompaniestoproduceadvantagedvegetables,andenhancedtheawarenessoffarmersinapplyingadvancedfarmingtechniques.BìnhTanDistricthasdevelopedgrowingcleansweetpotatoesunderorganicmethodsasthisfarmingmodelproduceshigh-qualityproducts,hasstableyieldsandmeetsexportrequirements.Themodelhashelpedfarmersreduceproductioncostsandgethighersellingpricesthantraditionalgrowingmethods.LêV?nSánginthedistrictsThànhTrungCommunehasswitchedfromgrowingsweetpotatoesusingtraditionalfarmingmethodstoorganiconesbecausetheformersefficiencywasnothigh.Hehasappliedintegratedpestmanagementandincreasedtheuseofbioproducts,thusproducingcleanproductsthatensurefoodsafetyandmeetmarketrequirements,hesaid.Ihopetocontributetothedevelopmentofthebrandnameandcompetitivenessofthedistrictssweetpotatointhemarket,hesaid.InTamBìnhDistrict,Ng?iT?Communeisoneoftheprovinceslargestvegetablegrowingareas.Nguy?nHoàngDi?u,deputychairmanofthecommunePeoplesCommittee,saidpreviouslyfarmersmostlyrotatedgrowingriceandvegetablesinthesamefields.Becausetheefficiencyofgrowingvegetablesishigher,manyfarmershaveswitchedcompletelytogrowingvegetablesinunproductivericefields,hesaid.Thecommunehasplantedmorethan829haofvegetableinthefirsthalfoftheyear,including385haofvegetableplantedinricefields,hesaid.Theswitchfromgrowingricetovegetablesprovidesfarmersaprofitofthreetofivetimeshigherandalsohelpstoimprovesoilfertility,hesaid.Accordingtothedepartment,farmershavegrownnewvarietiesofvegetables,appliedadvancedfarmingtechniques,reducedusingchemicalpesticidesandincreasedusingorganicfertilisers,andthesemethodsofferhighproductionefficiencyandmeettherequirementsofconsumersabouthighqualityagriculturalproduce.–VNSAruralroaddecoratedwithmuralsin??ngNaiProvincesTh?ngNh?tDistrict.–VNA/VNSPhotoH?ngNhung??NGNAI–??ngNaiProvinceexpectstospendVN?179trillion(US$7.2billion)onthenationalprogrammeforbuildingnew-styleruralareasthisyear.Thesoutheasternprovincegotallits120communesrecognisedasnew-styleruralcommunesundertheprogrammein2019,andhopestogetallofthemrecognisedasadvancednew-styleruralonesby2025.New-styleruralcommunesmustmeet19criteriarelatedtoinfrastructure,irrigation,electricity,environment,income,education,healthcare,socialsecurityandculture.Advancedcommuneshavetomeethigherstandardsacrossthosecriteria.Theprovincehad106meetingtheadvancedcriteriaasofthemiddleofthisyear,with30meetingthenexthigher–andhighestasofnow--standards,thoseofexemplarynew-styleruralcommunes.Ithadthreenewadvancedandonenewexemplarycommunesinthefirsthalfoftheyear.V?V?nPhi,deputychairmanoftheprovincePeoplesCommittee,saidthenewoneshavebeenfocusingonbuildinginfrastructure,improvingpeoplesincomesandprotectingtheenvironment.??ngNaiisoneofthecountrysleadingprovincesinimplementingtheprogramme.InAprilthisyear,XuanL?cwasrecognisedasanadvancednew-styleruraldistrict.In2014ithadbecomethefirstnew-styleruraldistrictinthecountry.Itnowhasnineofits14communesrecognisedasmeetingexemplarynorms.Nguy?nTh?CátTiên,deputysecretaryoftheXuanL?cPartyCommitteeandchairwomanofitsPeoplesCommittee,saidthedistricthadmanypoorcommuneswhenitstartedtheprogramme.AfarmergrowsmarigoldflowersinTh?ngNh?tDistrictsGiaTan3Communein??ngNaiProvince.Thedistricts10communesareallrecognisedasnew-styleruralcommunesandfiveofthem,includingGiaTan3,havereachedahigherlevel:thatofadvancednew-styleruralcommunes.–VNA/VNSH?ngNhungThisachievementisowedtotheeffortsofthedistrictsadministrationandpeoplesparticipationintheprogramme,shesaid.Tr?nTu?nKhanh,owneroftheRing-NeckPheasantFarminthedistrictsXuanPhúCommune,saidhislocalityhaschangedandincreasinglydevelopedinallaspects.Itssocioeconomicdevelopmentwasmostvigorousafteradoptingtheprogramme,hesuggested.ThedistrictspercapitaincomewasVN?90million($3,600)lastyear,higherthantheprovinces,accordingtothedistrictPartyCommittee.Theprogrammehasimprovedlivesinruralareas,especiallyforethnicpeople.XuanL?csXuanH?ngCommune,Hamlet4hasnearly3,000Ch?mpeople.MoHaMachAMine,headofHamlet4andsecretaryofitsPartyCell,said:Withtheassistanceoflocalauthorities,theCh?mpeopleinHamlet4haveadoptedadvancedtechniquesforgrowingperennialtreesandbreedinglivestock.Theprogrammehassignificantlyimprovedthelivesoflocalpeopleandthehamletlooksgreen,clean,andbeautiful,hesaid.ManyCh?mpeopleinHamlet4haveannualincomesofhundredsofmillionsof??ngtoabillion,hesaid.Theprogrammehashelpedachievesocialsecurityandreducetrafficaccidents,andchildrenhaveasafeplacetoplayatthehamletsculturalhouse,hesaid.VoluntaryparticipationLocalpeoplehavevoluntarilyparticipatedintheprogrammeanddonatedland,moneyandlabourforbuildingthenew-styleruralareas.Ph?mV?nRay,amemberoftheQuangTrungCommuneFarmersAssociationinTh?ngNh?tDistrict,hasdonatednearly1haoflandworthVN?10billion($400,000)andVN?500million($20,000)incashtobuildaroadinL?cS?nHamletthathelpshundredsofhouseholdstraveleasierandimprovethepricesoftheiragriculturalproduceastraderscaneasilytraveltotheirfields.Hehasalsodonatedhundredsofmillionsof??ngforinstallingelectricitylinesinhisownlocality.HewasawardedthePrimeMinistersMeritCertificateforfollowingH?ChíMinhsthoughts,moralityandlifestyleontheoccasionofUncleH?sbirthdayonMay19thisyear.Theprovincehaseffectivelymobilisedlocalresidentsfortheprogrammewithitsmottothatpeopleareboththesubjectandbeneficiaryofnew-styleruralareas.LêV?nG?i,deputydirectoroftheprovinceDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidlocalitieshavealsocreativelyselectedsuitablemodelstodevelopagriculture,protecttheenvironmentandpreservetheirculture.–VNS

AconstructionsitetobuildahouseforapoorhouseholdinthenorthernmountainousprovinceofYênBái,—VNA/VNSPhotoYêNBáI—ThenorthernmountainousprovinceofYênBái,guidedbythemottoofLeavingnoonebehind,isconcentratingitsresourcesonhelpinglocalcommunitieseradicatetemporaryanddilapidatedhousing.Theeffortaimstoprovidenewhomestoresidentsinimpoverishedmountainareas,allowingthemtosettleandbuildstablelives.Todate,constructionandrepairworkonover1,250houseshasstartedacrosstheprovince.Fromamongthose,528housesarebeingbuiltinMùCangCh?iDistrict,162inV?nCh?nDistrictand204inTr?mT?uDistrict.Theprovincesplantosupporttheconstructionandrepairlocalhousesconsistsofbuilding1,046newhomesandrepairing378,withatotalbudgetofoverVN?70billion(US$2.8million).DeputydirectoroftheprovincialLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsDepartment,V?LêThànhAnhsaidthattheprovinceissuedanannualplantailoredtocurrentconditions,prioritisingresourcestoeliminatetemporaryanddilapidatedhousinginhighmountainousareas.TheapproachwasfortheStatetocoverthemajorityofcosts,withcontributionsfromsocialsourcesandbenefitinghouseholdsmakinguptheremainder.Forimpoverishedhouseholdsinmountainousregions,localauthoritiesweretaskedwithmobilisingresourcestofacilitateconstruction.Thankstoacomprehensivesetofmeasures,mobilisationofresourcesbeyondGovernmentsupporthadbeenhighlyeffective,accountingforover85percentofthetotalimplementationbudget.Specifically,theprovincesupportedVN?50million($2,000)pernewhouseandVN?25million($1,000)forrepairs.IntheparticularlydisadvantageddistrictsofTr?mT?uandMùCangCh?i,thesupportwasVN?60million($2,400)fornewbuildsandVN?30million($1,200)forrepairs,surpassingcentralGovernmentregulationsbyatleast20percentto40percentperhouse.Additionally,eachhouseholdcouldborrowVN?40million($1,600)fromtheVi?tNamBankforSocialPolicies.Annually,throughtheForthePoorFund,officialsacrossYênBáicontributedatleastonedayssalarytosupporthousingconstruction.InadditiontoGovernmentfunding,localauthoritieshadmobilisedthousandsofdaysoflabour,primarilyfrommilitarypersonnel,police,militia,youthvolunteers,localfarmersandwomen,allcontributingtotheconstructionefforts.Thecoordinationhadminimisedcostsformaterialsandlabour.DeputychairwomanoftheprovincialFatherlandFrontCommittee,N?ngTh?KimCúc,saidthatoverthepasttwoyears,numerouscompaniesandphilanthropists,bothwithinandoutsidetheprovince,donatedinkind,valuedatoverVN?50billion($2million).Manydistrictsnowcompletedmorethan80percentoftheirhousingtargetssetbytheprovince.Notably,MùCangCh?iandTr?mT?udistrictshadachieved95percentoftheirtargetsthisyear.Itwasanticipatedthattheprovincewouldmeetitsgoalofeliminatingtemporaryanddilapidatedhousingforthe2020-25periodbytheendofthisyear.CriteriaforsupportLocalmilitiaandyouthunionmembershelptobuildahouseforapoorhouseholdinthenorthernmountainousprovinceofYênBái,—VNA/VNSPhotoThedeterminationandhardworkofimpoverishedhouseholdsarebelievedtoplayacrucialroleintheselectionprocessforreceivingassistance.Thecriterionwasmandatoryandinvolvedcommunityverificationandpublicendorsement.ChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofTr?mT?uDistrict,V?LêChungAnh,saidtoensuretheprogrammetargetedtherightbeneficiariesandfosteredcommunitysupport,theassessmentandevaluationofhousingconditionsandneedsofpoorhouseholdswerecarriedoutmeticulouslyinthreestages.Itstartedfromvillageorhamletmeetingsforinitialassessment,followedbycriteriaverificationandapprovalatthecommunelevelandfinalapprovalbythedistrictauthoritiesforfunding.Inpractice,theprogrammenotonlyprovidedstablehousingbutalsostrengthenedcommunitybonds,enhancedtrustinlocalgovernanceandcontributedtothesuccessfulimplementationofruraldevelopmentprojects.ChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofMùCangCh?iDistrict,LêTr?ngKhang,saidfollowinghousingsupport,mostthepoorandnear-poorhouseholdsweremotivatedtoworkharder,learnbettereconomicpracticesandaimtoovercomepovertyindependently,reducingrelianceonStateaid.Theapproachtopovertyreduction,especiallythroughtheeliminationoftemporaryhousing,alleviatedthedebtburdenofconstructingnewhomesforthepoor,enablingeconomicdevelopmentandsustainablepovertyalleviation.Thesupportisnotjustmaterialbutalsoasignificantmoraleboost,encouragingresidentstoimprovetheirlivingstandards,hesaid.Theprogrammealsoembodiedhumanitarianvalues,demonstratingmutualsupportandfosteringasenseofresponsibilityamongthepoortowardssociety,headded.—VNSPassengersqueueforsecuritycheck-upsatN?iBàiInternationalAirport.—VNA/VNSPhotoHuyHùngHàN?I—TheN?iBàiInternationalAirport(NIA)inHàN?iisexpectedtowelcomeabout338,000passengersand2,100flightsduringthisyearsNationalDayholidayfromAugust31toSeptember3,up11percentcomparedtonormaldays.Duringthisperiod,thepeakday(September3)isforecasttocatertomorethan96,000passengers,includingnearly35,000foreignandmorethan61,000domesticvisitors,and238internationalflightsand331domesticones.FollowingadirectivefromtheCivilAviationAuthorityofVi?tNam(CAAV),theairportwillimplementenhancedaviationsecuritymeasuresatLevel1,andproactivelyprepareforpeakserviceduringtheNationalDayholiday.TheCAAVencouragespassengerstouseiNIAappontheirsmartphonestoquicklyaccessinformationonflightsandcheck-inareas.—VNS

AchildwithseveremeaslesonaventilatoratChildrensHospitalinC?nTh?City.—VNA/VNSPhotoánhTuy?tHàN?I—TheMinistryofHealth(MoH)hasurgedlocalauthoritiestointensifytheireffortstomonitorandmanagediseaseamidasurgeinmeaslescasesnationwide.DatafromtheDepartmentofPreventiveMedicinerevealsthatmeaslescaseshavesurgedbyover800%sincethebeginningof2024comparedtothesameperiodin2023,withthediseasespreadinginseveralregions.OnTuesday,theHCMCityPeoplesCommitteeofficiallydeclaredameaslesoutbreak,categorisingitasaCategoryBinfectiousdisease.Inresponse,theMoHhaslaunchedanationwidemeaslesvaccinationcampaignfor2024.Theministryhasreleasedguidelinesforproactivediseasepreventionasthenewschoolyearbegins,withspecificinstructionsonmeaslesvaccinationandprevention.MoHisworkingcloselywithprovincialandmunicipalgovernments,relevantministriesandotherstakeholderstoensurethatthesemeasuresarerigorouslyenforced.InHCMCity,theDepartmentofPreventiveMedicinehascalledforstrictadherencetodiseasecontrolprotocolsfollowingtheoutbreakdeclaration.Theseincludetheformationandstrengtheningofdiseasecontrolcommitteesatalladministrativelevels,accuratereportingofoutbreaks,organisingemergencycareandtreatment,mobilisingnecessaryresourcesandmaintaininground-the-clockreadinesstocombatthedisease.Othercriticalmeasuresinvolveimplementingmedicalisolationandensuringpersonalprotectivemeasuresarefollowed.Localitiesacrossthecountryneedtomaintainvigilantmonitoringoftheepidemic,conductproactivesurveillance,swiftlyidentifyandaddressoutbreaksandregularlyassessriskstoproposetimelyandeffectiveinterventions.Cooperationwithneighbouringregionsisalsoessentialtoshareinformationandimplementcoordinatedmeasurestopreventthespreadandescalationofmeasles.Theministryisalsoemphasisingtheneedtointensifymeaslesvaccinationcampaigns.Thepublicisadvisedtostayinformedaboutthesituation,ensurechildrenreceiveallrecommendedvaccinationsonscheduleandfollowpreventivemeasures,suchasavoidinglargegatherings,practisingregularhandwashingwithsoapandwearingmasksinpublicspaces.—VNS

Achildisvaccinatedagainstmeasles.VNA/VNSPhoto?inhH?ngHCMCITY—TheHCMCityDepartmentofHealthwillcarryoutamasscampaigntosupplementmeaslesvaccinationsforchildrenstartingAugust31.Atotalof300,000dosesofMeasles-Rubella(MR)vaccineisbeingtransportedtotheHCMCityCentreforDiseaseControlfromHàN?i.TheMRvaccineisproducedbytheCentreforResearchandProductionofVaccinesandBiologicalsandusedundertheexpandednationalimmunisationprogramme.TheHCMCityCentreforDiseaseControlexpectstoreceiveMRvaccinesonAugust30andallocatethemtoallhealthstationsin22districtsandTh???cCityforthemeaslesvaccinationcampaignthatwillrunthroughouttheupcomingNationalDayholidayonSeptember2.Alllocalchildrenagedonetofive,regardlessoftheirpreviousvaccinationrecordandchildrenagedsixto16whoarebeingtreatedathospitals,regardlessoftheirpreviousvaccinationrecord,willbevaccinatedthroughthecampaign.Childrenagedsixtotenwhohavemissedtheirroutinedosesofmeasles-containingvaccineandhealthcareworkersatriskofexposuretomeasles,willalsobeimmunised.HCMCityPeoplesCommitteehasdeclaredameaslesoutbreakinthecityamidsurginginfectioncasesandthreefatalities.Thecampaignwillhelpincreasethecommunityimmunityrate,reduceinfectionsandpreventdeathsfrommeasles,particularlywithinhigh-riskgroupsofchildrenwhoexperienceseverecomplicationsfrommeasles,accordingtothedepartment.VNSLocalpeoplevoluntarilycollectgarbageonC?n??oIsland.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—ManylocalitiesinVi?tNamhavedevelopedstrategiesandactionplanstoraiseenvironmentalprotectionsandtakemeasurestoreduceplasticwaste.Localauthoritiesofcoastalprovincesandcitieshavepaidattentiontothesustainabledevelopmentofeconomicsectorsincludingtourismandeffectivelyexploitmarineresourcesbutcombinedwitheco-systemprotection.Seaandislandtourismhasbeenselectedasoneoftheprimaryproductsinthenationaltourismstrategyforthe2021–30period,withavisionuntil2045.By2030,alltouristdestinations,attractions,lodgingfacilitiesandserviceprovidersincoastalareaswillcompletelystopusingsingle-useplasticsandnon-biodegradableplasticbagsinordertofulfillthegoalofsustainabletourismdevelopment,whichislinkedtoenvironmentalpreservationandanefficientresponsetoclimatechange,accordingtotheplan.AnattractionfortouristsinsouthernKiênGiangProvince,PhúQu?cIsland,hostsover5.5milliontouristsannually.Despitehavingthebenefitofislandtourismresources,PhúQu?chasnumerousobstaclesinthedevelopmentofgreentourism,includingenvironmentalpreservationandplasticwastereduction.ThePeoplesCommitteeofPhúQu?cCityiscommittedtopromotingeco-friendlyandsustainablegrowthinseveraleconomicareas,includingtourism.By2025,thecityhopestobansingle-useplasticsentirelyintouristdestinations,seasideservicesandnightmarketestablishments.About80percentofareasinthePhúQu?cmarineprotectedareawillnolongerhaveplasticwaste.Nguy?nTh?M?Qu?nhfromWorldWideFund(WWF)forNatureinVi?tNamsaidtheyhavecoordinatedwithauthoritiestocarryouttheprojectofPhúQu?clookingtowardsanon-plasticwasteisland.Numeroususefulactivitieshavebeenconductedwithintheprojectsframeworktoeducatethepublic,businessesandtouristsaboutenvironmentalprotectionandthereductionofplastictrash.Inaddition,theprojecthasintroducedgreencollectionstationstogatherrubbishandgiveouteco-friendlyshoppingbagstovisitorsstayingathotelsandresorts.C?n??oDistrict,BàR?a-V?ngTàuProvince,isanotherpopularislanddestinationfortravellers.Itstrivesforsustainablesocio-economicdevelopment,whichincludesecologicallyfriendlytourismexpansion,tomakethisplaceatop-notchtraveldestination.Publicknowledgeofenvironmentalpreservationhasbeenraisedthroughcommunicationinitiativesimplementedaspartofalocalcirculareconomyconcept.Bothvisitorsandlocalshavereceivedtrainingontheclassificationofgarbageatsource.Localtravelagenciesandtransportationprovidershavepledgedtocutbackonplasticusageintheirservices.C?n??oDistrictPeoplesCommitteeandWWF-Vi?tNamhandedouthundredsofwasteclassificationmanualsandbagsmadefromrecycled,waterprooffabrictotourismserviceestablishments.C?n??oNationalMonumentsConservationCentrehasimplementedthemodelofSaynotoplasticbagsatHàngD??ngCemetery.TheinitiativehasbeenputintopracticebytheC?n??oNationalMonumentsConservationCentre.ThemanagementboardofC?n??oNationalParkhascoordinatednumerousrubbishcollectionandoceanwastetreatmentcampaignsonroads,beachesandtouristdestinations.V?ThanhM?,ViceChairmanofBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvinceTourismAssociation,said:Theassociationhasstrengthenedcommunicationonthetourismbusinesscommunitytoactivelyapplythecirculareconomymodelintheislanddistrictandminimisetheuseofdisposableplasticproductsintourismandserviceactivities.Alargenumberoflodgingfacilitiesandserviceprovidersintheareahaveseparatedwasteatthesource,M?said.ArepresentativeofNicobarC?n??oHotelsaidglasswaterbottleshavetakentheplaceofplasticones.Weprovideshampooandshowergeltovisitorsintinyglassbottlesthattheycanreusemultipletimes,therepresentativetoldVietnamNewsAgency.TheSecretC?n??oHoteluseseasilydecomposable,eco-friendlywastebags,aROwaterfilteringsystemandglassbottlesratherthanplasticbottlesforguestwater.Inanefforttoreduceitsrelianceonelectricity,thehotelhasmadeaninvestmentinasolarenergysystemwitha65KWhdesigncapacityperhour.Inordertoproducedrinkingwaterwithoutusingsingle-useplasticbottles,SixSensesC?n??oResort,whichaimstoboostzeroplasticwastemodel,hasconstructedawaterfiltrationsystem.??ngThuHiên,atouristfromHàN?i,said:C?n??oisaspiritualtourismdestinationfamiliartomeandmanypeople.Whilevisitingrelicsontheisland,touristslikemehavebeenencouragedtousebaskets(tocarryworshippingitems)withoutplasticproducts.Althoughthisisaverysmallaction,ifeverytouristvoluntarilyadoptsthehabit,itwillhelppreservetheenvironmentoftheC?n??ointheshortandlongterm,shesaid.—VNS

Oneoftheendangeredelephantspecies(ElephasMaximusindicus)inaforestincentralVi?tNam.TheCentralHighlandsprovinceof??kL?khaslaunchedtheBu?nMaThu?tCitySaysNotoIllegalWildlifeProductsModelincommemorationofWorldElephantDay.PhotocourtesyofUSAID??KL?K—TheCentralHighlandsprovinceof??kL?k,inco-operationwiththeUnitedStatesAgencyforInternationalDevelopment(USAID)SavingThreatenedWildlifeprojectandWWF,thisweekhaslaunchedacampaign–Bu?nMaThu?tCitySaysNotoIllegalWildlifeProducts--incommemorationoftheWorldElephantDayintheprovince.Thismodel,whichissupportedbyUSAIDandimplementedbytheManagementBoardforForestryProjects(MBFP),MinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentandWWFin2024-25,withavisionto2030,isamovetowardspreventingtheillegaltradeinwildlifeandwildlifeproductsinthecentralhighlandsprovince.In2024,supportedbytheSavingThreatenedWildlifeprojectandincollaborationwiththe??kL?kFatherlandFrontCommittee,asurveyofmarketsandshopsinBu?nMaThu?tCitywasundertaken.Thesurveyrevealedwidespreadillegalwildlifetradeinthecity,with13outof16wards(afull81.3percent)hostingatleastonefacilityengagedinillicitwildlifeactivities.Approximately44percentofthesurveyedlocations,includingrestaurants,petshopsandtraditionalmedicineshops,werefoundtobeinvolvedintheillegalwildlifetrade.Thestudyidentified20protectedspecieslistedunderDecree06/2019/ND-CP,14specieslistedintheVietnamRedDataBook2007,and41specieslistedintheIUCNRedListincludingCriticallyEndangeredandEndangeredspeciesavailableforpurchaseasliveanimals,productsfromtheseanimalsorasmeat.Toaddressthisissue,the??kL?kFatherlandFrontCommitteeissuedDecision387/Q?-MTTQonJune24,2024,officiallyapprovingtheimplementationplanforthecampaign.TheDecisiondetailedkeyactivitiesandstrategiestoeliminatetheavailabilityofillegalwildlifeproductsandpromotesustainablepracticesthatprotecttheprovincesbiodiversityandpreciousnaturalresources.YGiangGryNieKnong,ChairmanoftheprovincialFatherlandFrontCommitteesaid:TheCommitteeisdedicatedtoengagingwithBu?nMaThu?tCityandlocalauthoritiestoraiseawarenessandensurethatthemessageofthismodelresonateswitheverycitizenofthecity.TwocustomofficersinspectacargoofillegalivoriesataportinVi?tNam.TheseillegalproductsweresmuggledfromanothercountryintoVi?tNambeforeshippingtothethirdcountrysport.PhotocourtesyofENVBu?nMaThu?tSaysNotoIllegalWildlifeProductsModelwillincreaseawarenesswithinthecityonthelawsrelatedtothesaleandconsumptionofwildlifeproducts,engagebusinessestoensurethatillegalwildlifeproductsarenotofferedforsale,andseeincreasedattentionfromrelevantenforcementagenciestoconfiscateillegalproductsandprosecutecasesofunlawfulactivity.B?TrungAnh,StandingmemberfromtheNationalAssemblysCouncilofEthnicAffairsshared:ThisModelhighlightstheclosecollaborationbetweentheUSGovernmentandtheVietnamesegovernmentnotjustineconomicandculturalareasbutalsoinbiodiversityconservation,specificallytocountertheillegalwildlifetrade.ActivitiessuchasthisdeepentherecentlyupgradedComprehensiveStrategicPartnershipbetweenthetwocountries.CollaborativeinitiativessuchasthisreaffirmcommitmentsfromVi?tNamtoworkwithinternationalpartnerstofirmlyandmethodicallyputanendtotheillegalwildlifetradeandensureasustainableenvironmentandfutureforthenextgenerations.Informationandconcernsrelatedtotheillegalwildlifetradeandtheimpactsonbiodiversityweredisplayedatthe8thInternationalCoffeefestivalinBu?nMaThu?tCitylastyear.Thisyearslaunchwastoraiseawarenessabouttheimportanceofprotectingendangeredwildlife,throughtheplacementofbillboardsinthecityandanexhibitiononillegalwildlifetrade,theprojectwelcomestheopportunitytocontributetoachievingthegoaloftheBu?nMaThu?tCitysaysNotoIllegalWildlifeProductsModel.Wehopethatwiththecollectiveeffortfromallstakeholders,thecitywillbecomearolemodelinpreventingtheillegalwildlifetradeforotherprovincestoreplicate,saidMichelleOwen,ChiefofParty,SavingThreatenedWildlife,WWF.VNSChildrenarecaredatakindergartenschoolin?àN?ng.ThebeachcityisputtingasideafundofVN?108billionforfreeschoolingforstudentsfromkindergartentohighschoolsofbothstate-ownedandprivateschoolsin2024-25.Photocourtesyof?àN?ngCitysForeignAffairsDepartment?àN?NG—ThecentralcitywillallocateafundofVN?108billiontoofferfreeschoolingforstudentsfromkindergartentohighschools,ofbothstate-ownedandprivateschools,in2024-25.ThedecisionwasofficiallyratifiedatthecitysPeoplesCouncilmeetinglastmonth,statingthatfreeeducationwillnotapplytoforeign-investedorusingforeignsponsorshipschools.Thecitysaidthedecisionmeansitwillalsosubsidiseeducationfeesforvocationalschoolsandregulareducationcentresin?àN?ng.ItsthethirdyearinarowthecityhasgivenfinancialsupportforeducationsinceitbeganofferingsupporttoeasethefinancialburdencausedbyCOVID-19in2020-22.?àN?ngwasthefirstandtheonlycityinVi?tNamofferingfreeeducationforbothstate-fundedandprivateschools.InadditionthecitysPeoplesCouncilsaiditwillgivenafundofVN?2million($80)foreachdisadvantagedfamilyinthecityforbuyingasmartphone,astheshutdownof2GnetworkisplannedforSeptember.Itsaid3,800poorhouseholdsinthecityhaveyetbeenabletogetasmartphone,buttelecommunicationandphonecompanieshaveagreedtosponsorfreephonesfor2,000families.?àN?ngplanstobea‘smartand‘greencityby2030.ThecentralcitywasalsothefirstinVi?tNamtoholdapilotprojectoncaringforbabiesfromsixto18monthsat21publickindergartens,aspreparationforthecityssocial-securitymasterplanfor2020-25.Anumberofforeign-investedkindergartensareoperatinginthecity,providingservicesforexpatsandthoselookingforinternationalcurriculums.Thecity,incooperationwiththeAmericanHalftheSkyFoundation,openedtheOneSkykindergartenattheHòaKhánhIndustrialZone,thefirstcarecentreandkindergartenforchildrenagedfromsixmonthstosixyears.TheJapaneseJPHoldingsGroupoperatestheJapanese-ledCOHAS?àN?ng,orSmileSchool,forchildrenagesonetosix,whileLeaveaNest,aneducationorganisationfromJapan,withtheSelfWingVi?tNamCompany,launchedaprojectonnatureresearchandeducationforstudentsatsecondaryschoolsinthecity.VNS

Mi?nTayBusStationisexpectedtohavethehighestnumberofpassengersduringthisyearsholiday.VNAPhotoHCMCITY-HCMCitywillprovidequalityandsmoothtransportationservicesforbusridersduringtheupcomingSeptember2holiday.ThenumberofpassengerstravelingduringtheSeptember2holidaythroughHCMCitysbusstationsisexpectedtoincreasesignificantlycomparedtothesameperiodin2023anddoubletheusualdailyvolume.TheroutestotheMekongDeltaremainahotspotduringtheholiday,withpeakdailypassengernumbersreachingnearly60,000.Currently,thebusstationshavedevelopedplanstoensurethatthereareenoughbusestomeetdemand.Mi?nTayBusStationinBìnhTanDistrictisexpectedtohavethehighestnumberofpassengersduringthisyearsholiday,duetoitsadvantageofhavingshort-distanceroutestoMekongDeltaprovinces.Duringthefive-dayholiday,thebusstationisexpectedtoservemorethan200,000passengers(over8,500buses).Comparedtonormaldays,passengervolumeisexpectedtoincreasebymorethan114percentandthenumberofbusesbymorethan47percent.PassengerstravelingtoMekongDeltaprovinceswillbemostconcentratedonAugust30and31,withMi?nTayBusStationservingnearly60,000passengersperday,doubletheusualnumber;onAugust31(aSaturday),peaktrafficmayreach59,000passengersperday,with1,890busesdepartingdaily.Mi?nTayBusStationwillsellticketsfrom5amto9pmdailyforbuscompaniesauthorisedtosellticketsatthestation,and24/7forcompaniesthatselltheirowntickets.Additionally,companiesthatselltheirowntickets,suchasPh??ngTrang,ThànhB??i,KumhoSamco,Tu?nNga,HùngC??ng,andotherbrandedbusoperators,haveplanstosellticketsinadvancethroughhotlinesandtheirwebsites.Accordingto??ngNguy?nNguyênHuan,generaldirectorofMi?nTayBusStation,thebusstationwillarrangeschedulesanddeployvehiclesappropriatelytoquicklydispersepassengers.Thestationwillalsomonitorpassengervolumeandvehicleactivityoneachroutetoadjustplans,focusingonkeyroutestopreventcongestionandpassengeroverflow.Duringrecentholidays,theroadsleadingtoMekongDeltaprovinceshaveoftenbeenoverloaded,withtrafficjamsmakingitdifficultforbusestoreturntopickuppassengers.ThebusstationhasproposedthattheHCMCityDepartmentofTransportcoordinatewiththeDepartmentsofTransportinTi?nGiang,B?nTreandV?nhLongprovincestomanagetrafficonNationalHighway1,theHCMCity-TrungL??ng-M?Thu?nExpressway,R?chMi?uBridge,andM?Thu?nBridgeduringtheholiday,arepresentativeofMi?nTayBusStationsaid.Intheareaaroundthebusstation,Mi?nTayBusStationhasalsorequestedlocalpolicesupporttoensuresecurityandorder,whilethetrafficpoliceforcewillassistinhandlingandresolvingtrafficjamsanddirectingtrafficduringpeakdays.Toensuresufficientbuses,italsorequestedthattheHCMCityPublicTransportManagementCentreissue100additionalfixed-routevehiclepermits;50ofthesepermitsareforbusescoveringdistancesofupto300km,and50permitsareforbusescoveringlongerdistances.Additionalbuseswillalsobedeployedtopromptlyalleviatepassengercongestiononpeakdays.StableticketpricesAtthenewMi?n??ngBusStationinTh???cCity,theSàiGònTransportationMechanicalCorporation,orSamco,whichmanagesinter-provincialbusstationsinHCMCity,reportedthatpassengernumbersandbusactivityatthenewstationduringtheSeptember2holidayareexpectedtoincreasecomparedtonormaldays,primarilyonroutesfrom?àN?ngtoHCMCity.AccordingtoNguy?nLamH?i,deputydirectorofthenewMi?n??ngBusStation,althoughpassengervolumehasimprovedrecently,itremainsquitelowcomparedtothestationscapacity.Thelowpassengervolumeisattributedtothecontinuedoperationofillegalbusstopsandunlicensedbusesinthecitycentre,onmajorhighways,andatpick-up/drop-offpoints.Illegalpick-upanddrop-offactivitiesinfrontofthenewbusstationstilloccur,andsometransportcompanieshavesetupunauthorisedpick-uppointsaroundthestation.Duringthefive-dayholidayperiodthisyear,thenewMi?n??ngBusStationisexpectedtoserveapproximately36,300passengerswith2,340busespassingthroughthestation,anincreaseofabout70-80percentinpassengersandbustripsyear-on-year.ThepeakdayisexpectedtobeAugust30,withabout500busesdepartingwith9,000passengers,anincreaseofabout100percentinpassengersandnearly140percentinbustripscomparedtothesameperiodin2023.-VNSRailtransportstillfacesmanyinfrastructurebottlenecks.VNA/VNSPhoto??NGNAI–TheVi?tNamRailwayAdministrationhasproposedtheMinistryofTransporttoallocateVN?700billion(US$29.6million)fromthemedium-termpublicinvestmentfundfortheperiod2026-2031,toaddressthebottleneckontheHàN?i-HCMCityrailwaysectionbetweenLongKhánhandD?uGiay–TrungHòa.LongKhánhandD?uGiay–TrungHòasectionispassingsouthern??ngNaiprovincespanning19km.TheHàN?i-HCMCityrailway,withatotallengthof1,726.2km,hasfouridentifiedcriticalareaswheretransportationbottlenecksfrequentlyoccuroftheHòaDuy?tsection,theKheNétpass,theH?iVanpassandtheLongKhánh-D?uGiaysection.TwoprojectshavealreadybeeninitiatedusingOfficialDevelopmentAssistance(ODA)loansfromtheSouthKoreangovernmenttosolvesomeofthesebottlenecks.ThefirstistheHòaDuy?t-ThanhLuy?nsectionupgrade,withatotalinvestmentofVN?1.481trillion($62.6million),whichisexpectedtobecompletedby2027.ThesecondprojectfocusesonupgradingtheKheNétpasssection,withatotalinvestmentofoverVN?2trillion($85million),andiscurrentlyunderconstruction.Apre-feasibilitystudyhasbeenconductedfortheH?iVanpassrailwayupgradeproject.However,theMinistryofTransporthastaskedtheRailwayProjectManagementUnitwithpreparinginvestmentplanswithinthe2021-2025medium-termpublicinvestmentplan.Currently,thisprojectisonholdtosynchronisewiththehigh-speedrailwayproject.Incontrast,theLongKhánh-D?uGiaysectionhasyettobeincludedinanyupgradeorrepairstudy.Therefore,theVi?tNamRailwayAdministrationhasproposedtheprojectforthe2026-2031periodtoresolvethis,ensuringtrafficsafetyandfacilitatingtransportation.VNS