Nguy?nTh?Bình(left)andareporter,holdingthebody-retrievingtool.—Photonld.com.vnHàN?I—Nguy?nTh?Bình,aresidentofT?LiênWard,TayH?District,HàN?iCity,hasdedicatedherlifetoauniqueandoftenoverlookedjob:retrievingdeadbodiesfromtheRedRiver.Foroverfourdecades,shehastirelesslyscouredtheriverswaters,providingsolacetogrievingfamiliesandofferingafinalrestingplaceforthosewhohavelosttheirlivesintheriver.Thedeathswereduetoamyriadofreasons:drowninginfloods,drowninginboatcapsizes,suicidesduetobusinesslosses,suicidesduetofamilyconflicts,andsoon.WhenafamilyapproachesBìnhseekinghelpinretrievingtheirdrownedlovedone,sheassuresthemofherunwaveringsupport.Thenshetakesasipofwineandfishsaucetorituallywarmherselfandpushesherboatintothemiddleoftherivertosearchbackandforth.Hertoolissimpleyeteffective:abunchoffishinglinesadornedwithcountlesssharphooks.Ifthehookssnagontheclothesorfleshofabody,shewillpullitclosetoherboatandjumpintotieittoarope,draggingittoshoreandhandingitovertothefamilyforburial.Sometimessheencountersabodythathasbeendecomposedforalongtime,withwhichshehastobeverycarefulasevenalighttouchcouldcausethefreshtofallapart.Sometimessheretrievesabodythatnofamilyclaims.Inthatcase,shetakesitashoreandbuildsagraveforthepersonherself.TherearemanyfishermenontheRedRiverbutonlyBìnhdoesthisjobbecausemostpeoplelivingontheriverconsiderretrievingbodiesataboo.Accordingtothem,retrievingbodiesisrobbingHebo(ariverdeity)ofhisfoodandcouldresultinpunishment.ButBìnhthinksdifferently.ShebelievesthatretrievingthebodiesofthosewhohavedrownedisagooddeedanditmakesnosenseforHebotopunishsomeonewhoisdoingagooddeed.Whenaskedhowmuchshegetspaidforthejob,sherepliedshelivesmainlyfromfishingandoccasionallyasagravediggerforhire.Retrievingbodiesissimplyafreejobshedoestohelppeople.Forsomepoorfamilies,sheevenhastopayforburialshrouds.IfIhadtakenmoneyfrompeopleforretrievingbodiesoverthepastfewdecades,myfamilywouldprobablyberich,notpooraswearenow,saidBình.Bìnhandherchildliveinahousewithacorrugatedironroof.Thereisnothingofvalueinthehouseasfishingdoesnotbringinmuchmoney.Shesaidifshehadthemoney,shewouldfixthewallsandroof,andbuyabedandaTVtowatchthenewseveryday.Evenonhotdays,rainydays,orwhenshewasseriouslyillifsomeonecametoherforhelpfindingabody,shewouldforgetallaboutherillnessandrushdowntotheboatandgooutontherivertosearch.Butnotallhersearcheshadresults.Onemonthago,afamilycametoheraskingforherhelpinfindingtheirdaughtersbody,whohadcommittedsuicidebyjumpingintotheriver.Despitetherapidcurrentoftheriverthatday,sheagreedtohelp.Theriverwaterwasrisinghigh,swirlingandroaringsoloudlythatjustlookingatitmademedizzy,butIhelpedthemregardless,shesaid.Shetookhertoolandsetoff.Sherowedherboatandcastherfishinglines,searchingalongastretchoftheriverbutcouldntfindthebody.Themotherstoodonthebanksobbing,beggingforherdaughtersbodytofloattothesurfacesothatthefamilycouldbringherhomeforburial,buttonoavail.Onanotheroccasion,amanaskedhertofindhiswifesbody.Hetoldherthewholestory,abouthowtheyarguedonthebridge.Inafitofanger,heslappedhiswife,andtohissurprise,shejumpedoffthebridgeandcommittedsuicide.Isearchedfordaysonmyboatbutcouldntfindherbody,saidBình.HerbodywaslaterfounddownstreaminNam??nhProvince.Nowthatsheisover60,shehasthoughtmanytimesaboutretiring,butfateseemsdeterminedtokeephertiedtothisjob.—VNS

Diamondsarehiddeninsideminttins.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TwopassengersfromIndiaenteringTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportinHCMCityhavebeenfoundtobecarryingover1,000naturalandsyntheticdiamonds,withanestimatedvalueoftensofbillionsofVN?.Accordingtoinformationfromtheairportscustomsauthorities,onOctober23,throughX-rayscreeningofluggage,theImportedLuggageProceduresTeamhavedetectedsuspiciousimagesfromtheluggageofamannamedP.S.H(Indiannationality),whohadenteredVi?tNamfromIndia.AuthoritiesdiscoveredseveralsmalldocumentsprintedwiththelettersIGIand10nylonbagscontaining716naturalandsyntheticdiamondshiddeninawallet,mixedwithclothesandpersonalitems.Duringquestioning,themanadmittedthatthesmallitemsinthe10nylonbagswerediamonds,transportedfromIndiatoVi?tNamtodelivertocustomers,buthehadnotdeclaredthemtocustomsasrequired.IndiannationalP.S.HattheHCMCityofficefollowingthesmugglingofdiamonds.—VNA/VNSPhotoOnOctober25,theImportedLuggageProceduresTeamonceagaindetectedsuspicioussignsintheluggageoftouristD.A.K.(Indiannationality),whohadenteredfromHongKong.Theyfound15nylonbagscontaining362diamondshiddenatthebottomoftwomintboxes,coveredwithrealmints.Thesetwocandyboxesweremixedinwithotherpersonalitemsforcamouflage.BothcaseshavebeentransferredtotheEconomicPoliceDepartmentofHCMCityforfurtherinvestigation,inaccordancewithregulations.InvestigatorsbelievethisispartofanillegaldiamondsmugglingoperationthroughTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirport,wherethediamondsaresoldtostoreownersinHCMCityforlargeillicitprofits.—VNSRepresentativesoftheVietnamWomensUnion(VWU)andNovartisVietnamsignapartnershiponRaisingawarenessandenhancingsupportforwomeninthepreventionandcontrolofbreastcancerinVi?tNam.—PhotocourtesyoftheVWUHàN?I—TheVietnamWomensUnion(VWU)andNovartisVietnamhavepartneredupintheprogrammeRaisingawarenessandenhancingsupportforwomeninthepreventionandcontrolofbreastcancerinVi?tNam.Theinitiative,scheduledtorunfromOctober2024toDecember2026,aimstopromotecommunicationsandenhanceknowledgeofbreastcancerinthecommunity.ViceChairmanoftheVWUNguy?nTh?MinhH??ngsaidonOctober30:ThepartnershipbetweentheVietnamWomensUnionandNovartisVietnamholdspracticalmeaning,aimingtocontributetotheVietnamWomensUnionsessentialmissionofsupportingwomeninhealthcare,movingtowardsthegoalofbuildingKnowledgeable,HealthyFamilies.ThePresidiumoftheCentralVietnamWomensUnionisconfidentthattheimplementationofthiscooperativeprogrammewillempowerwomen,promotegenderequality,andcontributetothecountrysbroadereffortstoachievesustainabledevelopmentgoals.TheeventispartoftheAPPIS(AlliancePartnershipsforPatientInnovationSolutions)platform,developedandsponsoredbyNovartistoprovidebetterhealthcarequalityforpeopleintheAsia-Pacific,MiddleEastandAfricaregions.Theprogrammeincludesawiderangeofactivities,suchascommunitycommunications,aimingtoraiseawarenessinbreastcancerpreventionandreducestigmaagainstdiseasesrelatedtoreproductivehealth.Atthesametime,variousformsofcommunicationonsocialmediaanddigitalplatformswillbeimplementedtohelpwomenaccesshealthcareknowledgemoreeasilyandconveniently.Thiswillencouragethehabitofregularhealthcheck-upsandbreastselfexaminationsforearlydiseasedetection.Theprogrammealsoaimstoorganiseinspirationaleventsanddevelopadedicatedsocialnetworkhealthcaremodelforwomenwithbreastcancer,managedbyVWU.Theseinitiativeswillnotonlypromotecommunityconnectionsbutalsoprovidemuch-neededsupportandencouragementtowomenfacingthedisease.Puttingwomenatthecentre,theprogrammesactivitieswillbedevelopedbasedonlisteningtoandunderstandingtheneedsofwomenandbreastcancerpatientsthemselvesinaccessinginformationaboutthedisease.ThiswillinvolvepatientorganisationssuchastheResilientWomensClubNetwork,SaltCancerInitiative,andCommunityMedicineOrganisation.AccordingtoGlobocandatain2022,breastcanceristhemostcommontypeofcanceramongVietnamesewomen,with24,563newcasesreported,accountingfor28.9percentofcancercasesinwomen.Thismeansthatanestimated24.5outofevery100,000peoplearenewlydiagnosedwithbreastcancer.Thediseasecausesover10,000deathseachyear,representing8.3percentoftotalcancer-relateddeathsinVi?tNam.—VNS

DeputyMinisterofHealthTr?nV?nThu?nspeaksattheevent.—PhotocourtesyoftheKHospitalHàN?I—LocalandinternationalhealthexpertsarediscussingmeasurestoimprovethequalityofcancerpreventionandcontrolinVi?tNamataninternationalconferenceononcologyinHàN?ionOctober31.Thetwo-dayconferencewasjointlyorganisedbyK(Cancer)HospitalandtheVi?tNamCancerAssociationincollaborationwiththeAmericanSocietyofClinicalOncology.WiththethemeMultimodalTreatmentofCancerandHospitalManagementintheDigitalEra–BestofASCO2024,thescientificforumhostednearly1,400scientistsandexpertsfromVi?tNamandaroundtheworld.Speakingattheevent,DeputyMinisterofHealthTr?nV?nThu?npraisedtheVi?tNamCancerAssociationandKHospitalfororganisingthemeaningfulconferencetoprovideguidelinesandstrategiesforcancerpreventionaswellastocreateopportunitiestolearn,shareandexchangeexperiencescomprehensivelyinthefieldofcancertreatment.Cancerisbecomingamajorburdeninmanycountriesaroundtheworld,especiallyinlow-andmiddle-incomecountries.Itispredictedthatby2030,about75percentofcancerdeathswilloccurinlow-andmiddle-incomecountries.Furthermore,only10percentofpatientsinlow-incomecountriesand50-60percentinmiddle-incomecountrieshaveaccesstoradiotherapy,comparedto90percentinhigh-incomecountries.Thishighlightstheinequalitybetweenhigh-incomeandlow-middle-incomecountries,includingVi?tNam,saidThu?n.Cancerpreventionrequiresmodern,up-to-dateprofessionalknowledgeandtechniquesfromdoctorsandmedicalstaff.Ihopethattheconferencewillbringmanynewideas,makingpracticalcontributionstothedevelopmentofoncologyinparticularandVietnamesemedicineingeneral,addedThu?n.Attheevent,participantsheardthatmultimodalitytreatmentisacombinationofmanymethodstoimprovetheeffectivenessofcancercontrol.Thethreeclassictreatmentmethods(surgery,radiotherapyandchemotherapy)areincreasinglyprovingtheirimportanceincancertreatment.ThehealthsectorofVi?tNamhasrecentlyearnedmanyachievementsincancerpreventionandtreatmentinthepastyears.ThecurerateforsomecancersatHospitalKandsomeotherhospitalsisonparwithadvancedcountriesintheregionandtheworld.Anotherbigadvantageforcancerpatientsisthatmosttests,chemicals,radiotherapyandsurgeryarefullyorpartiallycoveredbyhealthinsurance,althoughthecostsareextremelyexpensive.Asthemostrecenthealthreportshowed,in2023,paymentsforcancertreatmentdrugswillamounttomorethanVN?7.5trillion,accountingfor15.8percentoftotalhealthinsurancemedicalexpenses,comparedtomorethanVN?6.6trillion(accountingfor14.5percent)in2022.Futuretrendsincancertreatmentwillcontinuetocombinemanymethods:surgery,radiotherapyandsystemictherapies,withanemphasisonpersonalisedapproachesforindividualcases.Therehavebeenmanyadvancesintreatmentrecently,suchasminimallyinvasivesurgicaltechniques;cutting-edgeradiotherapytechnologies;targetedtherapiesandimmunotherapiesthathavedemonstratedcurativepotentialfornumerouspatients,improvedsurvivaltimesandminimisedadverseeffects.DirectorofKHospitalProf.LêV?nQu?ngspeaksattheevent.—PhotocourtesyoftheKHospitalDirectorofKHospitalProfessorLêV?nQu?ngsaidthattheincreasingnumberofnewcancercaseshasledtoanoverloadatmanyoncologyhospitalsinVi?tNam.Theapplicationofadvancedtreatmentmethodsalongwithnewmedicationsrequireshighcostsfortreatingcancerpatients,whichalsoputssomefinancialpressureonthehealthinsurancesysteminVi?tNam.Asidefromthat,thecurrentoncologyworkforcehasnotyetmettheactualdemand,requiringustopaymoreattentiontoeducationalandtrainingactivities,saidQu?ng.Themanagementofoncologyhospitalsneedstobediscussed,withexperiencessharedbybothdomesticandinternationalexpertstoimprovethequalityofcancerpreventionandcontrolinVi?tNam,accordingtoQu?ng.Duringtheconferences16sessions,domesticandinternationalexpertswilldiscussmanytopics,includingadvancesindiagnosisandtreatment,hospitalmanagement,managementanduseofhealthinsurancefunds,smarthospitalsandradiationtherapyinmultimodalcancertreatment.Inparticular,forthefirsttimeinVi?tNam,theconferencewillhavethematicsessionsonmedicaladvancesandthepositiveresultsofASCO2024forbothdomesticandinternationalexperts.TheASCO2024eventwillfeature30presentationsondiversetopics,includingbreastcancer,gynecological-urologicalcancers,lungcancer,headandneckcancers,digestivecancersandhematology.Itwillalsocovertheapplicationofnewtechnologies,suchastransoralsurgery,photon-modulatedradiotherapyinheadandneckcancers,andtheuseofcirculatingtumourDNAinpersonalisedcoloncancertreatment.Additionally,findingsonthecorrelationbetweenbiomarkersandtreatmentefficacyinbreastcancerandriskfactorsforovarianandendometrialcancersrelatedtohormonereplacementtherapywillbehighlighted.Theeventprovidesavaluableopportunityforoncologydoctorsandresearcherstoexchangethelatestupdatesandsharehigh-valueclinicalpracticeexperiencesinanefforttocontributetotheadvancementofcancerdiagnosis,treatmentandpatientcareinVi?tNam.AccordingtoGLOBOCAN2022,thereareover19.9millionnewcancercasesand9.7millioncancer-relateddeathsgloballyeachyear.Vi?tNamcurrentlyranks101stintermsofnewcancerincidencesand42ndinmortalityrateamong185countriesandterritories.—VNSHócM?nGeneralHospitalinHCMCity.HCMCityhasbeenimplmentingmanypoliciestoattractinvestorsintohealthprojects.-Photosggp.org.vnHCMCITY-HCMCityisfocusingonattractinginvestmentintohealthcare,andhasunveiledanumberofpoliciestofacilitatethat.Thecityhas129hospitals,310medicalstationsand8,000clinicsthatgetaquarterofallvisitstomedicalfacilitiesaroundthecountryandatenthofinpatienttreatment.Someofthehospitalsareoverloaded,havepoorequipmentandhavedegradedovertheyears.HCMCityissolicitinginvestmentinmanyhealthcareprojectsunderthepublic–privatepartnershipmodel,andissuedDecreeNo.09/2023/NQ-H?NDtofacilitateloansfromtheState-ownedHCMCityFinancialInvestmentCompany(HFIC)forpriorityprojectsamongthem.Ithasapprovedaprogrammetomobiliseprivateresourcesfordevelopinghealthcarein2024–30,whichincludespoliciesandalegalframeworktoattractinvestors.RelevantagencieshavebeenorganisingconferencestoappriseVietnameseandforeignbusinessesaboutinvestmentopportunitiesinthehealthsector,andmanyhaveevincedinterest.Nguy?nNg?cHòa,chairmanofHFIC,saidmanybusinesseshavecompletedtherequiredadministrativeprocedurestoreceiveloans.ThecitysDepartmentsofPlanningandInvestmentandIndustryandTradehavecalledforformingtwocommitteestoassesswhichprojectsareeligiblefortheloans,andthiswouldmakeappraisalanddisbursementsofprojectsfaster.Nguy?nHoàiNam,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofHealth,saidHCMCityisstrivingtobecomeamedicalcarehubofSoutheastAsia,andisplanningmanylargeprojectslikesettingupsixmajormedicalclustersinbothitscentralandsuburbanareas.Investmentshavebeenmadesuccessfullyunderthepublic-privatepartnershipmodelinothersectors,andsothereishopethatthehealthprojectswouldbesimilarlysuccessful.TheNationalAssemblysDecree98onpilotingpoliciesandmechanismsforHCMCitysdevelopment(issuedlastyear)andthecitysownDecreeNo.09/2023/NQ-H?NDhavemadeiteasiertoinvestinprojects.Theynolongerneedreciprocalcapital,canborrowloansformultipleprojectsatonce,cancombinedifferentsourcesoffundingforaproject,andloantermsaremoreflexible.Thiscouldhelphospitalsinvestinfacilitiesandequipmenttobettertreatpatients,Namsaid.HCMCitywantsinvestorstopourmoneyintoimprovinghospitalsequipmentandfacilities.-Photothanhnien.vn??àoMinhChánh,deputydirectoroftheHCMCityInvestmentandTradePromotionCentre,saidthecityisplanning116healthinvestmentprojectsworthnearlyVN?24trillion(US$948.8million)in2021–25,and150othersworthVN?52trillionin2026–30.Itisseekinginvestorstohelpitsetupahubfortraininghigh-qualitymedicalstaffanddevelopinginfrastructureandmedicaltourism,headded.DuringadialogueinearlyOctober,thecitycalledforinvestmentfromVietnameseandforeignbusinessesinsixprojectsformedicaltreatmentforforeignpatients,high-techdiseasescreeningandstroketreatment,andmoreprojectswillbeaddedinthefuture.Theyaretooperateunderthepublic–privatepartnershipmodel.Decree98hasalsobeenhelpingHCMCityimplementinvestmentprojectsinotherareassuchaspovertymitigationandcreatingjobs,andfundinghasbeendisbursedforfivebuild-operate-transferprojectstoupgraderoadssettobecompletedby2028.Italsoapprovedofaninvestmentprojecttosupplyaround2,000socialhousingapartments.Alistof41investmentprojectsproposedinhealthcare,educationandculturethroughthepublic–privatepartnershipmodelwasalsoissuedlastDecember.-VNSTyphoonYagileavesatrailofdestructioninitswakeinthenorthernprovinceofQu?ngNinh.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs(MOLISA)hasproposedatemporaryreliefmeasureforTyphoonYagi-hitbusinesses,allowingthemtohaltcontributionstotheirpensionanddeathbenefitfunds.ThismovefollowsarecommendationfromVi?tNamSocialSecurity(VSS),whichreportedthatTyphoonYagihadseverelyimpacted3,300tourismbusinessesinnorthernVi?tNam,with93,000employeesonthepayroll.VSSrecommendedasix-monthbreakfrompensionanddeathbenefitcontributionsforthe3,300businesses,whichwouldsavethemapproximatelyVN?740billion(US$29million).MOLISAgenerallyagreedwiththerecommendation,proposingtheGovernmentgrantVSStheauthoritytodeterminewhichbusinesstobetemporarilyexemptedfrompensionanddeathbenefitcontributions,foraperiodnotexceeding12months.—VNS

AninternationalcourseonfemalesexualdysfunctionwasorganisedatBìnhDanHospitalinHCMCityfromOctober25to26.—VNSPhotoNguy?nDi?pHCMCITY—Femalesexualdysfunction(FSD)hasanegativeimpactnotonlyonwomensphysicalandmentalhealth,butalsoontheirmaritalrelationshipqualityandqualityoflife,attendeesheardatatwo-dayinternationalcourseheldinHCMCity.ThecoursewasorganisedfromOctober25to26bytheHCMCity-basedBìnhDanHospitalincollaborationwiththeInternationalSocietyforSexualMedicine(ISSM),InternationalSocietyfortheStudyofWomensSexualHealth(ISSWSH),AsiaPacificSocietyforSexualMedicine(APSSM)andVietnamSocietyforSexualMedicine(VSSM).Speakingattheevent,Tr?nV?nhH?ng,directorofBìnhDanHospital,saidthecoursewasorganisedforthefirsttimeinVi?tNamtoshareknowledgeandinformationonhealthcareissuesrelatingtofemalesexualdysfunction.Itprovidesdoctorsspecialisinginobstetricsandgynecology,urology,andrology,endocrinology,aesthetics,psychologyandsociologyanoverviewoffemalesexualdysfunction,andupdatescriteriafordiagnosisandtreatment,hesaid.TheconferencewascarriedoutbyprofessorsfromtheUS,Europe(Italy,GermanyandDenmark)andAsia(TheRepublicofKorea),alongwithleadingdomesticspeakers.Approximately40-50percentofwomenofallagesreportedatleastonesexualdysfunction,accordingtotheconsensusofthe4thInternationalConsultationonSexualMedicine(ICSM)heldin2015.Theresultsfromaglobalstudyof27,500people(abouthalfofwhomwerewomenaged40-80years)showedthatalargeproportionofwomenexperiencedmultiplesexualdysfunctions,with17percentinNorthernEuropeand34percentinSoutheastAsia.Womenwithpsychosisoftenhaveproblemswitharousal,delayedornoorgasm,lesssexualactivity,andlowersexualsatisfaction.Newresearchshowsthatsexualdesiremightnotbeaffectedmuchbypsychosis.Causesofsexualproblemsincludemedications,symptomsofpsychosis(bothpositiveandnegative),difficultieswithrelationships,stigma,andtimespentininstitutions.Womenwithpsychosisoftensaythelackofapartnerisareasonforlowsexualsatisfaction,PhDJuliaVelten,aclinicalpsychologist,cognitive-behavioraltherapistandsextherapist,said.Internalisedstigmamakesitharderforwomentoformcloserelationships,shesaid.About65percentofwomenwithpsychoticdisordershaveverylowsexualself-esteem(comparedto29percentofhealthywomen).Physicalissueslikemetabolicsyndrome,acne,sideeffectsfrommedications(extrapyramidalsymptoms),andbreastmilkleakagecanalsocausesexualproblems.Mentaldisordersarecommonandarestronglylinkedtosexualproblemsinwomen.Havingmentalhealthissuescanmakeithardertodiagnoseandtreatsexualproblems,shesaid.Sexualproblemscancausewomentostoptakingtheirprescribedmedications(non-compliance).Whenawomanhassexualproblems,theyshouldalwayscheckiftheseissuesareconnectedtoanyothermajormentalhealthconditions,shenoted.Whenawomanseekstreatmentforamentaldisorderlikedepression,anxiety,orPTSD,checkifthedisorderoritsmedicationiscausingserioussexualproblems.Thetwo-dayinternationalcourseprovidedanoverviewoffemalesexualdysfunction,andupdatedcriteriafordiagnosisandtreatment.—VNSPhotoNguy?nDi?pAnnamariaGiraldi,editor-in-chiefforsexualmedicinereviewsatISSM,discussedhowtoconductaninterviewaboutsexualdysfunction.Aquestionnaireisneverasubstituteforaclinicalinterview,shesaid.Barriersforthesexualhealthinterviewincludetaboos;fearofembarrassingthepatient;beingembarrassedyourself;lackoftime,privacyintheconsultation,language,andknowledgeabouttheproblemandtreatment;andcliniciansbelieving,itsnotsoimportantforthepatientandIftheyhaveproblems,theywilltellme.Ainterviewshouldbeinfoursteps:elicitthepatientsstory,nameand(re)frameattentiontosexualconcernsorproblems,empathicwitnessing,andreferral,orassessmentandtreatment.ShealsointroducedthePLISSIT(Permission,LimitedInformation,SpecificSuggestion,IntensiveTherapy)model.Themodelgivespatientspermissiontoraisesexualissuesandlimitedinformationaboutsexualproblemsandtreatments,shesaid.Italsomakesspecificsuggestionsbasedontheassessmentoftheproblem,andreferstoorinitiatesmoreintensivetherapylikesextherapy,specialisedmedicaltherapyandpsychotherapy,sheadded.Theneedforsexualcounselingisareality.Moreactivitiesareneededtoraiseawarenessonsexualhealthcare,Ng?Th?YênofthesexualcounselingunitofT?D?HospitalinHCMCitysaid.Theunitsdatain2023showedthatallofsixdomainsofFSD(desire,arousal,lubrication,orgasm,satisfactionandpain)arestillathighrates.Outstandingfactorsincludelackofknowledgeonthesexualresponsecycle,stressfuljob/lifeandalackofopentalkwithhusbandsaboutsexuality,shesaid.Successfultreatmentsforwomenarethankstotoolsfordiagnosis,medicalstaffpayingmoreattention,protocolsforintervention,andclientsawareness.AssociateProfessorTamiSereneRowenofObstetric,GynecologyandReproductiveattheUniversityofCaliforniasaidnosingletreatmentisidealforeverywoman.Donotforgettodoathoroughphysicalexam,shesaid.ItiscrucialtokeepinmindthebiopsychosocialmodelofFSD.Nearlyallwomenwithanylong-termpainwillhaveasignificantpsychologicalcomponentthatneedstobeaddressed.Manycommonobstetricandgynecologicconditionscanaffectsexualhealth.Itsimportanttoconsidertheeffectsonsexandrelationshipsandtoaddressthisintheclinic.Whencounselingpatientsontreatmentsfortheirconditions,pleaseconsidertheeffectsonsexualhealthandprovideanticipatoryguidanceandexplanationssotheyareawaretheremayinfactbeaneffectontheirsexualhealth.—VNSAsignpostinastreetinS?nTràdistrictof?àN?ngCitywithaQRcodeofferingdirectionsandinformationfortouristsandlocals.—PhotocourtesyofAnh?ào?àN?NG—ThecentralcityplanstoputQRcodesontrafficsignalsonallstreets,offeringinformationfortouristsandlocalresidents,aswellassomehistory,followingathree-yearpilotprojectinS?nTràdistrict.Itspartoftheprogressofthecitysdigitalisation,outlinedintheMasterPlaninbuilding?àN?ngintoa‘smartcityin2030-45period.ViceChairmanof?àN?ngCityPeoplesCommitteeTr?nChíC??ngsaidthecityhasassignedrelevantagenciesatdistrictleveltoimplementthecodesassoonaspossible.Theprojectwillhelplocalauthoritiesimproveurbanmanagementthroughdatabaseanddigitalapplications.AccordingtoS?nTràDistrictsauthorities,theQRcodeswillprovidefullinformationofastreet,includingitshistoricalnameandsitealongwithtrafficinstructions.Eachboardwillhelpvisitorsnavigatejourneysanddataofthestreetwhentouringthecity.S?nTràDistrict–atourismcentreof?àN?ng–wasassignedasthefirstsitetobuildtheQRmapping,integratingsoftwareintothemanagementsystemfrom2021.Thatsoftwarewillbeexpandedtootherdistrictsformassapplicationinthecity.?àN?nghassevendistricts–H?iChau,ThanhKhê,S?nTrà,Ng?HànhS?n,LiênChi?u,C?mL?andsuburbanHòaVangDistrict–with28wardsandmorethan1,000streets.CurrentlytheQRinformationisonlyprovidedintheVietnameselanguage,withanEnglishversiontobelaunchedatalaterdate.?àN?ngisseenasatrailblazerinboostingdigitaltransformationande-GovernmentinVi?tNam.TheadministrationalreadyhassealedQRcodesintoallonlinecompletedproceduresatthecitysadministrativecentre.—VNS

ThedamagedsiteontheLaS?n-TúyLoanHighway.Aleast15sitesontheroadhavealsosufferederosionsinthesectionthroughHòaVangdistrictof?àN?ngCity.PhotocourtesyofHoàiS?n?àN?NG—Atleast2,000cu.mofsoilandrockhaveslippedalongsitesoftheupperroadontheLaS?n-TúyLoanHighway(passingthethroughcentrallocalitiesof?àN?ngandTh?aThiên-Hu?)fillingupmanysectionsofroadsideroaddrainagesystemsanddamagingtrafficsignpostsandguardrails.Areportfromthe?àN?ng-basedDepartmentforRoadofVi?tNamNo3saiddownpourstriggeredbyTyphoonTramiandtropicallowpressurebrokeasectionofthepartitionconcretewallonanupperroadsidethrougha750mlongsectionofHòaVangdistrict.Erosionswerediscoveredat15sitesalongtheroadandataconcretepileofabridgefollowinganinitialcheckonOctober30.ItsaidtheerosionwillraisedangersfortrafficvehiclesasheavyrainfallisforecasttolastthroughthefirstweekofNovember.Thedepartmenthasbeenimplementingemergencyactivitiesinclearingfallensoilandbrokenconcretewalls,aswellaskeepingtrafficsafeforallvehiclestravellingontheroad.ConcretewallsareerodedontheupperroadsideoftheLaS?nTúyLoanHighway.PhotocourtesyofHoàiS?nThe66kmtwo-laneroadsectionoftheLaS?n-TúyLoanHighway,whichhelpsconnectLaS?njunctioninTh?aThiênHu?andHoàLiêncommuneof?àN?ng,wasputintooperationin2022.TheroadwilllinkwiththeongoingCamL?-LaS?n(fromQu?ngTr?ProvincetoTh?aThiênHu?Province)sectiontoreducetheloadonNationalHighway1.—VNS

DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHà.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?n?i?pHàN?I—Promotingeconomicrestructuringofthenorthcentralandcentralcoastalregionsinconjunctionwithgrowthandinnovationisoneofkeytasksintheregionsplanintheperiod2021-30,withavisionto2050.TheplanwasissuedbyDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàintheDecisionNo1281/Q?-TTGonTuesday.Theplantargetstosetuppoliciesandsolutionstosupportthedevelopmentofsectors,sub-regionsandlocalitiesintheregions.Undertheplan,advantageousbasicindustries,processingindustriesandgreenindustrieswillbepromoted.Tourismwillbeenhancedtotrulybecomeaspearheadeconomicsectorsothattheregionswillbecomeakeytourismareaof??thewholecountry.Logisticswillbedevelopedinamodern,professionaldirection,applyingadvancedtechnologyandmeetingtherequirementsofinternationalintegration.Logisticscentreswillbeformedassociatedwithseaports,airportsandbordergates.Theregionsagriculturewillbeproducedinanecologicaldirection,effectivelyadaptingtoclimatechange.Theagriculture,forestry,mining,aquacultureandseafoodsectorswillberestructuredassociatedwiththeprocessingindustry,ensuringsustainabilityandhighefficiency.Marineeconomywillbepushedup,especiallycoastalurbanareasinharmonywiththeexploitationofoil,gasandothermarinemineralresources.Aquacultureandseafoodprocessingindustrieswillbeformedinconjunctionwithmarineenvironmentprotection,coastalandoffshoreindustries.SmartinfrastructureAnotherkeytaskoftheplanistobasicallyfoundasynchronous,modernandsmartinfrastructureframework,focusingontransport,energy,irrigation,disasterpreventionandcontrolandclimatechangeadaptation.Theplanwillcompletetheconstructionandexpansionofthenorth-southexpresswayaccordingtostandards,connectingspecialseaportsandinternationalairportswithlocalitiesintheCentralHighlands,LaosandCambodia.Regionalrailwayswillbebuiltwithprioritygiventolinesconnectingmajorcitieswithnationalrailwaystations,seaports,economiczones,industrialzones,logisticscentres,internationalbordergatestosoonimprovetransportefficiency.Inaddition,theplanwilldevelopthecentraldynamicregionandeconomiccorridorsalongthenorth-southaxis.Itwillpromotethenorthcentralsub-regionincludingThanhHoá,Ngh?An,HàT?nh,Qu?ngBìnhandQu?ngTr?provincestobecomeanimportantgrowthareainindustryandservicesoftheregionsandthewholecountry.Theplantargetstomake?àN?ngCityanationalgrowtharea,Qu?ngNamProvinceacentreofmechanicalindustryandsupportingindustry,Th?aThiên-Hu?Provinceacentreofculturalindustry,scienceandtechnology,education-training,high-qualityhealthcare,seaportservices,tradeandinternationalfinance.Qu?ngNg?iProvincewillbeacentreofpetrochemicalrefiningandenergy,seaandislandtourism,whereasBình??nhProvincewillbeacentreofinformationtechnologyindustry,servicesandtourismandmarineeconomicdevelopment.Thesouthcentralsub-regionincludingPhúYên,KhánhHoà,NinhThu?nandBìnhThu?nprovinceswillfocusonenergyindustry,tourismservicesandcoastalurbanareasfoundation.Aninter-regionalrenewableenergyindustryandservicecentrewillbebuiltinNinhThu?nProvince.Theeasterneconomiccorridor(sectionfromThanhHoátoBìnhThu?n)willbepromotedwithahigh-speedrailwayinthefuture.—VNSUNESCORepresentativetoVi?tNamJonathanWallaceBakerspeaksattheevent.VNAphotoHàN?I-Nearly300delegates,includingeducationalmanagers,studentsandrepresentativesofUNagencies,gatheredataneventinV?nhLongonOctober12,whichfocusedonpromotinggenderequalityandgirlsrightsinVi?tNam.OrganisedbyUNWomenandUNESCOwiththecollaborationoftheprovincialDepartmentofEducationandTraining,theeventaimedtopromotegenderequalityandempowergirlsineducation.Theeventfeaturedexhibitions,interactivegames,andartcontests,encouragingstudentstoexpresstheirviewsongirlsrolesinshapingtheirfutures.StudentsjoinedinaspecialBeijing30BusTourwhichrecognisedVi?tNamsprogressingenderequalityinimplementingtheBeijingDeclarationandPlatformforActionoverthepast30years.Inspiringtalksfromprominentwomenineducation,sports,andsciencemotivatedthestudents,especiallygirls,toenvisiontheirfutureandpursuetheirdreamswithconfidence.UNWomenRepresentativeCarolineNyamayemombeemphasisedtheimportanceofequippinggirlswithSTEMskillsforsuccessinthefast-evolvingdigitalandgreeneconomy.UNESCORepresentativetoVi?tNamJonathanWallaceBakerhighlightedthecriticalroleofteachersinfosteringaninclusiveandequitableeducationsystemforasustainablefuture.Throughtheevent,theorganisersexpectedtoenhanceawarenessoftheimportanceofinvestmentineducationforgirlsandhonourthecontributionsofeducatorsinsupportinggirlscomprehensivedevelopment.VNA/VNS

PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhspeakingattheevent.VNAphotoHàN?I–PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhonOctober12stressedtheneedtopromotethreestrategicbreakthroughsofdigitalinstitutions,digitalinfrastructure,anddigitalhumanresourcestoenableVi?tNamtocatchupwithothernations,advance,andthriveinthenewera.ChairinganeventtocelebratetheNationalDigitalTransformationDay2024heldattheGovernmentheadquartersandconnectedonlinewith63provincesandcities,Chính,whoisChairmanoftheNationalCommitteeforDigitalTransformation,emphasisedthatdigitaltransformationwasaninevitabletrend,anobjectiverequirement,astrategicchoiceandatoppriorityforrapidandsustainabledevelopment.ItisamissionoftheentireParty,army,andpeople,contributingtotherealisationoftheaspirationtobuildastrongandprosperousnation,wherethepeopleenjoyawealthyandhappylife,andnooneisleftbehind,hestated.TheGovernmenthadidentifiedtheimplementationofadualgoalofdevelopingadigitalgovernment,digitaleconomy,anddigitalsocietyatahighlevel,andformingVietnamesetechnologycompaniescapableofcompetingglobally,saidChính.Heexpressedhisdelightattheachievementsofthenationaldigitaltransformationwhichhashadpositiveimpactsonallsocio-economicandculturalaspectsandbeenappreciatedbytheinternationalcommunity.Vi?tNamhasmadesignificantprogressininternationaldigitaltransformationrankings.In2024,itse-governmentdevelopmentindexincreasedby15places,ranking71stoutof193countriesandterritories;theglobalinnovationindexrosebytwoplacesto44thoutof133;andtheglobalcybersecurityindeximprovedbyeightplacesto17thoutof194.RevenuefromthedigitaltechnologyindustryinthefirstninemonthsofthisyearwasestimatedatUS$118billionandthatfromsoftwareanddigitalservicesat$6.64billion.Theexportsofdigitaltechnologyproductsfetched$100.8billion.Tohavebetterdigitaltransformation,theGovernmentleadercalledforthecompletionofadigitallegalframeworkforallmattersrelatedtotheeconomy,civiltransactions,production,andbusiness,inalignmentwithimprovingtheinvestmentandbusinessenvironment,reformingadministrativeprocedures,reducingcompliancecosts,exemptingorreducingtaxes,fees,andcharges,andpromotingdecentralisationofauthority.Heurgedtheearlycommercialisationof5Gtechnologyinseveralmajorcitiestoenhancethequalityofdigitalservicesandpromotemodernproduction.Hecalledfortheupgradingofthenationaltelecommunicationsinfrastructure,diversifyingconnectivitymethods,expandinginternationalsubmarinecableconnections,anddevelopingsatelliteservicestokeepupwithadvancedcountriesintheregionandaroundtheworld.ThePMhighlightedthenecessitytoestablishcleanlandreservestocreateandbuildlarge-scaledigitalindustrialcentresforemergingsectors,attractinvestmentresources,particularlyforeigndirectinvestment(FDI),toconstructdatacentres,speedupconstructiontoputtheNationalDataCentreNo.1intooperationbytheendof2025,andsoonestablishnational-andregional-levelincidentresponsecentresforcybersecurityandinformationsafetytoprotectnationalcybersovereigntyearlyandfromafar.Regardinghumanresourcestraining,Chínhemphasisedtheneedtodiversifytrainingmethods,withfocusondigitalskillsthatalignwithmarketdemands,andsupportnationaldigitaltransformationandthedevelopmentofthedigitaleconomyandsociety.Healsoencouragedenhancinginternationalcooperationinthisfield,andtakingmoremeasurestoensuresecurityandsafetyduringthedigitaltransformationprocess,particularlyincyberspace.VNA/VNSPartyGeneralSecretaryandStatePresidentT?LamattheceremonyonSaturday.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—PartyGeneralSecretaryandStatePresidentT?LamonOctober12visitedtheVi?tNamNationalUniversityofAgriculture(VNUA)andattendedaceremonytoopenthe2024-25academicyearoftheschoolandinaugurateaprojecttoenhancetrainingandscienceandtechnologycapacityusingODAcapitalfromtheWorldBank.Addressingtheevent,LamemphasisedthattheVietnamesePartyandStatehadalwaysplacedspecialimportanceonagriculturaldevelopment.Notably,overthepastnearly40yearsofrenewal,Vi?tNamsagriculturehadseensignificantgrowthinbothscaleandproductionlevels,affirmingitscrucialroleasapillaroftheeconomy.Thesectornotonlyensurednationalfoodsecuritybutalsoexportedleadingagriculturalproductstoothercountries,withmanyofthemcontributingtoVi?tNamsreputationontheinternationalstage.HerequestedtheagriculturalsectoringeneralandtheVNUAinparticulartoclearlyidentifytheirrolesandresponsibilitiesinordertocontinuallyinnovateandstrivetoadvancerobustlytokeeppacewiththetimes,thuscontributingtothebuildingofaprosperous,civilised,andhappynation.Researchattheuniversityshouldcontributetothegoalofbuildingecologicalagriculture,modernruralareas,andcivilisedfarmers;andfocusondevelopingsmartagriculturethatadaptstoclimatechange,promotesgreengrowth,andachieveshighaddedvalue,comparabletoadvancedcountriesaroundtheworld,Lamstressed.ThetopleaderurgedtheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentandtheMinistryofScienceandTechnologytocreatethebestconditionsfortheuniversitytoactivelyparticipateinscientificandtechnologicalprogrammes,firstlythoseinvolvedinnew-styleruralareabuilding,climatechangeadaptation,andlowemissions.HeexpressedhisbeliefthattheVNUA,withits68-yeartradition,wouldcontinuetoachieveevenmoreoutstandingaccomplishments,andinnovateitselftodeservealeadingcentrefortraining,scientificresearch,andstartupinVi?tNam,andcontributemoretothedevelopmentofVi?tNamsagricultureduringthisrobustdigitaltransformation,andeffectivelyservethecountrysindustrialisationandmodernisationefforts.EstablishedonOctober12,1956,theVNUAiscurrentlytrainingover26,000students.Ithasengagedincooperativerelationswitharound120universitiesandresearchinstitutesin25countriesaroundtheworld.—VNS

Adoctorperformsahealthcheck-uponpatient?.T.M.L.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—DoctorsatGia??nhPeoplesHospitalinHCMCityhavesuccessfullysavedawomanwhowascriticallyinfectedwithBurkholderiapseudomallei,thebacteriaresponsibleforWhitmoresdisease,oftenreferredtoastheflesh-eatingbacteria.Thepatient,identifiedas?.T.M.L,isa33-year-oldresidentofGòV?pDistrictinHCMCity.Sheinitiallysoughtmedicalattentionforahighfeveratalocalclinic.However,herconditionrapidlydeterioratedandwithinthreedays,shedevelopedrespiratoryfailure.ShewasthenrushedtoGia??nhPeoplesHospital,whereshewasdiagnosedwithacuterespiratoryfailurecausedbyseverepneumonia,with70percentofherlungtissuedamaged.Doctorsimmediatelyplacedheronextracorporealmembraneoxygenation(VV-ECMO),alife-savingprocedure.TestsconfirmedthatshewasinfectedwithBurkholderiapseudomallei,asoil-dwellingbacterium.Thankstopromptandtargetedtreatment,herconditionimprovedafterfourdays.Shewasremovedfromtheventilatoraftersevendaysandmadeanalmostcompleterecoverywithintwoweeks.Thepatientlaterrevealedthatshefrequentlywalkedbarefootinparksaspartofherexerciseroutine,ahabitshebelievesmayhaveledtotheinfection.PhóThiênPh??c,aspecialistatGia??nhPeoplesHospital,notedthatBurkholderiapseudomalleiiscommonlyfoundintropicalregions,includingSoutheastAsiaandNorthernAustralia.Thebacteriathriveincontaminatedsoilandwaterandposeasignificantrisktoindividualswithweakenedimmunesystems,suchasthosewithdiabetesorchronickidneydisease.RecentstatisticsfromcountrieslikeThailandandSingaporeshowalarmingmortalityratesofupto50percentforsepsiscasescausedbythispathogen.Forpatientswithseverepneumonia,themortalityratecanreachashighas75percent.Ph??cemphasisedthatearlydiagnosisandimmediate,aggressivetreatmentareessentialforimprovingsurvivalchances.Quickinterventionhelpsavoidtheneedforcostlyresuscitationmethods,hesaid.Accordingto??DuyC??ng,DirectoroftheTropicalDiseaseCentreatB?chMaiHospital,earlydetectionthroughproperdiagnosticsiskeytoreducingfatalityrates.Headvisespeopletoavoiddirectcontactwithcontaminatedsoilorwater,especiallyiftheyhaveopenwounds.Thoseworkinginagriculturearealsoencouragedtowearprotectivegeartominimisetheriskofinfection.Healsostressedtheimportanceofprotectinghealthcareworkersfromexposureduringpatientcare.WhilethereisnovaccineforWhitmore,timelyandaccuratetreatmentcanleadtorecovery.However,thediseasestillcarriesahighmortalityrateofupto40percent,evenwithmedicalintervention.AsWhitmorecasescontinuetosurface,healthofficialsareurgingthepublictobevigilant,especiallythosewithunderlyinghealthconditionssuchasdiabetes,whichsignificantlyincreasestheriskofseverecomplications.—VNSSUPERHIGHWAY:TheroadleadingfromNguy?nKhoáidiketoV?nhTuyBridgeinHàN?i.VNA/VNSPhotosRecentinvestmentsinHàN?istransportinfrastructurehavesignificantlyenhancedconvenienceforresidentsandcatalysedurbangrowth.Awiderangeofprojects,includingexpressways,ringroads,regionalconnectors,andbridgesovertheH?ngand?u?ngrivers,havebeendeveloped,formingamoreintegratedtransportnetworkforthecity.Uponcompletion,thesedevelopmentshavenotonlyshortenedtraveltimes,butalsoalleviatedtrafficcongestionandsupportedthecitysexpansionintonewurbanspaces.InfrastructureshapingurbangrowthAccordingtotheHàN?iDepartmentofTransport,thecityhasfullycompletedkeymotorwayprojectstotalling111km,alongwithnationalroutesthathavebeendevelopedandarenowoperational.Additionally,workisadvancingonsevenringroads,whicharegraduallybeingconstructedandnearingcompletion.PresentlyacrosstheH?ngRiverareninebridges:Th?ngLong,Ch??ngD??ng,ThanhTrì,V?nhTuy,Nh?tTan,V?nhTh?nh,V?nLang,TrungHà,andLongBiên.Meanwhile,sixnewbridgesareundergoingfinalproceduresforconstruction,includingT?Liên,H?ngHàandM?S?.Regardingthe?u?ngRiver,fouroftheeightplannedbridgeshavebeencompleted:?u?ng,Phù??ng1and2,and??ngTrù.Currently,thenew?u?ngBridgeisunderconstruction,whiletheremainingthreebridges—GiangBiên,MaiLamandNg?cTh?y—areinthepipelinefordevelopment.BeyondRingRoad4,otherkeyprojectsarebeingdeveloped,includingtheHoàngC?u-VoiPh?csectionofRingRoad1andtheupgradeofNationalRoute6(BaLatoXuanMai).AnextensionofTh?ngLongHighwayisalsounderwaytoconnectRoute21andtheHàN?i-HòaBìnhexpressway.Toeasetrafficcongestion,thecitybuilt12flyoversatcriticalpoints,whileunderpassesatintersectionssuchasKimLiên-X??ànonRingRoad1,ThanhXuan,andLêV?nL??ng-RingRoad3haveimprovedtrafficflow.AdditionalunderpasseswillsoonbeconstructedattheC?Linhinterchange,alongtheTayTh?ngLongroutecrossingRingRoad3,andattheM?Trì-D??ng?ìnhNgh?-RingRoad3junction.TherearealsoplanstoexpandkeyroutessuchasRingRoad2(fromNg?T?S?toC?uGi?y)andHoàngQu?cVi?tStreet(fromPh?mV?n??ngtoTr?nV?Street),featuringadirectunderpassthroughPh?mV?n??ng.Nguy?nV?nH?i,aresidentofThanhXuanDistrict,observedtherapidgrowthofHàN?istransportinfrastructureandhowithasacceleratedurbandevelopment.CAPITALCONNECTION:Nh?tTanBridgeinHàN?icapitalcity–thelargestcable-stayedbridgeinVi?tNamspanningtheRedRiver.Thecitysgrowingroadnetwork,includingnewlightweightflyoversandbridges,hasgreatlyimprovedtrafficflowandrelievedcongestion,H?isaid.HàN?ishistoricalcharm,oncecharacterisedbythe36-streetOldQuarter,isnowcomplementedbymodernexpresswaysandbridgesovertheH?ngRiver,goingbeyondoldiconslikeLongBiênBridgeandTh?ngLongCitadeltoincludenewerstructureslikethebridgesofThanhTrì,V?nhTuy,Nh?tTan,??ngTrù,andV?nhTh?nh.AddressingbottlenecksDespitethisprogress,Nguy?nPhiTh??ng,directoroftheDepartmentofTransport,acknowledgedthatsomestrategicgoalshaveyettobefullyachieved.Theareadesignatedfortransportinfrastructurecurrentlycoversonly10.35percentofurbanland,fallingshortofthetargetof20-26percent,andthelandavailableforstatictransportislessthan1percent,comparedtothegoalof3-4percent.Connectivitybetweenkeyintra-andinter-regionaltransportroutesalsoremainsinsufficient.Severalkeysectionsofmajorroads,includingRingRoads2.5,3,and3.5,arestillunderdevelopment,withfullconnectivityyettobeachieved.Additionally,RingRoad4isstillintheinvestmentphase,andmanymainrouteslinkingcentralHàN?itoitssatellitetownscontinuetorelyonexistingnationalhighways.Onemajorchallengeincompletingtheseprojectsisfunding.Only20percentoftherequiredbudgetiscoveredbythecity,with80percentexpectedfromprivateinvestment.Landclearancedifficultiesandalackofpoliciesincentivisinginvestmentalsocontinuetodelayprogress.Toaddresstheseissues,HàN?iisrevisingitstransportinfrastructureplanstoalignwithitsbroaderurbandevelopmentstrategy.Keyprojectssuchasringroadsandhighways,alongwiththeconstructionofnewbridges,areexpectedtoboostregionalconnectivityandpromotethegrowthofsatellitetowns.Futuredevelopmentswillseemajorroadslinkingthecitycentretosatellitetownswidenedtobetween40and60metres,withaminimumofsixlanes.KeyroutesincludeTayTh?ngLong(connectingRingRoad4toS?nTaysatellitetown),WestLake-BaVì(fromRingRoad4toHòaL?csatellitetown),Hà??ng-XuanMai,andNg?cH?i-PhúXuyên.StrategicfocusforfuturegrowthTorealisethesegoals,HàN?iisprioritisingthreestrategicbreakthroughs.First,thecityaimstodevelopanintegratedtransportnetworkconnectingtheinnercitywithitssuburbs,satellitetowns,andregionalprovinces.Second,itplanstoenhanceitsdigitalinfrastructureanddatasystemstosupportthedigitaleconomyandsocialdevelopment.Lastly,thefocuswillbeonacceleratingcriticaltransportprojectsforeachdevelopmentphase.Eachyear,halfofHàN?isinvestmentresourcesareallocatedtotransportinfrastructure,creatingbetterconditionsforexpansion.Urbantransportprogrammeshavesteadilyimproved,increasinginqualitywitheachterm.ThecityhasalsoreceivedstronggovernmentbackingtocollaboratewithsurroundingprovincestofundandbuildRingRoad4,akeyinter-regionalroutethatisvitalforbothsocioeconomicdevelopmentandnationalsecuritywithinthecapitalregion.Duringimplementation,thecitywillcontinuouslyreviewandprioritiseurgentinfrastructureprojectsforfocusedinvestment.Wewillensureclearguidelinesoninvestmentmethods,funding,andtimelinestoachievethesestrategicgoals,DirectorTh??ngsaid.VNS