‘Allegiance’ Returning to the Big Screen
StudentsattendaclassinVinhUniversityinthecentralprovinceofNgh?An.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheGovernmentrecentlyissuedanewdecreetooverhaultheregulatoryframeworkgoverningforeigninvestmentintheeducationsector.Akeyhighlightofthedecree,isthesimplificationof14administrativeforms,theintroductionofonlinesubmissionsandtheenhancementofdatasharingamonggovernmentagencies.Thedecree(DecreeNo.124)alsooffersinvestorsmoreflexibilitybyallowingforaphasedinvestmenttimeline,particularlyfornewlyestablishededucationalinstitutionswithlowerenrollmentnumbers.Itmandatesthatinvestorsdemonstrateasubstantialcommitmenttotheirprojectsbyrealisingatleasthalftheircommittedinvestmentbeforesecuringoperationalapproval.Theyarealsorequiredtorealisefullinvestmentwithinafive-yeartimeframe.Disclosurerequirementsaretightened,witheducationalinstitutionsobligedtoprovidedetailedandaccurateinformationtothepublic,includinginformationonthecurriculumandtheinstitutionsdemographiccomposition.Suchdisclosuresmustbemadeavailableontheirwebsites.Thedecreealsooutlinesguidelinesfornamingforeign-investededucationalinstitutionsinVi?tNam,requiringtheirnamestobeclear,distinctandfreefrommisleadinginformation.TheymustalsoadheretoVietnameseculturalnormsandtraditions,avoidingtheuseofdisrespectfulandoffensivetermsorsymbols.ThedecreealsooutlinestheregulatoryrequirementsforforeignuniversitiespartneringwithVietnameseinstitutions.TheseuniversitiesmustbeauthorisedbytheirrespectivegovernmentsandtheirprogrammesinVi?tNammustcomplywiththequalityassurancestandardssetbythegovernmentsandarecognisedqualityassurancebody.ItisalsomandatedthatforeignuniversitiesseekingtoestablishbranchcampusesinVi?tNammeetstringentcriteria,includingbeingamongthetop500universitiesgloballyinthepreviousthreeyearsandcommittingtomaintaintheacademicstandardssetbytheirhomecountries.TheirbranchcampusesmustalsocomplywithVietnameseregulationsonfacilitiesandfacultyqualifications.ThedegreealsosetsoutregulatoryrequirementsforforeignearlychildhoodandgeneraleducationprogrammesimplementedinVi?tNam.Suchprogrammesmustbeaccreditedbyarelevantforeigneducationalbody,beimplementedsuccessfullyforatleastfiveyearsintheirhomecountriesandbecompatiblewithVi?tNamseducationalgoals.Foreignearlychildhoodandgeneraleducationinstitutions,additionally,arerequiredtoconsultwithlocaleducationauthoritiestoensuretheirprogrammesareimplementedproperlyinthecountry.IssuedonOctober5,2024,thedecreewillcomeintoeffectonNovember20,2024.—VNS
DeputyMinisterofHealthTr?nV?nThu?nbroughtgiftstoprematurelybornchildreninB?cNinhProvince.—PhotocourtesyofMoHB?CNINH—TheVietnameseMinistryofHealthandB?cNinhProvincewiththesupportofKimberly-ClarkandUNICEFhostedaspecialeventonSaturdaytopromoteaccesstoqualitycarefornewborns,particularlytolow-birth-weightandpretermbabies,inobservationoftheWorldPrematurityDay.Theday,fallingonNovember17eachyear,isdedicatedtoraisingawarenessaboutinfantsbornprematurelyandthedifficultiestheyface.ThethemeofthedaythisyearwasOver13millionbabiesbornprematurelyeveryyear.Accesstoqualitycareeverywhere!whichhighlightsthestarkglobaldisparitiesinhealthcareandcallsforuniversalaccesstohigh-qualitycareforpretermbabies,regardlessoftheirbirthcircumstancesorlocation.Pretermbirthremainstheleadingcauseofdeathforchildrenunderfive,andmanywhosurvivefacelifelongdisabilitiesduetoinadequatehealthcare.Itisestimatedthat13.4millionbabiesarebornprematurelyworldwideeveryyear.InVi?tNam,prematuredeathsaccountforapproximately45percentofallchildmortalitycases.ThethemeofWorldPrematurityDay2024isacallforurgentactiontoclosethehealthcaregap,advocatingforbettermaternalandneonatalcareworldwide.Today,onWorldPrematurityDay,weareremindedoftheneedtominimisedisparitiesinhealthcareaccess.Preterminfantsfacesignificantchallenges,makingitimperativetohavetimelyandequitableaccesstoqualitycare,asthiscansignificantlyimprovetheirsurvivalchances,long-termhealth,andwell-being,UNICEFRepresentativetoVi?tNamSilviaDanailovremarked.Aswecelebratetheresilienceoftheseinfantsandtheirfamilies,wealsopaytributetothoselosttopreventablecomplications,underscoringtheurgencyofourwork,shenoted.Inhiscalltoaction,DeputyMinisterofHealthTr?nV?nThu?nstatedthatreducingprematureandlowbirthweightbirths,andconsequentlyloweringinfantmortality,requiredaunifiedapproach.TheVietnameseofficialsaidthatthisdidntjustinvolvetheeffortsoftheHealthSector,butalsonecessitatedcollaborationfromvariousMinistries,localauthorities,andthecommunityatlarge.Additionally,hehighlightedthecriticalroleofexpectantmothersawareness,alongwiththesupportofinternationalanddomesticorganisations.Thu?nemphasisedthattheirfocusshouldbeonimplementingsolutionsforimprovedprenatalcare,preventingprematurebirths,andensuringcomprehensivetreatmentforprematurebabies.—VNSSen.Lt.GeneralHoàngXuanChi?n(L),memberofthePartyCentralCommitteeandDeputyMinisterofNationalDefenceofVi?tNam,andKonstantinMogilevsky,RussiasDeputyMinisterofScienceandHigherEducationexchangetheminuteofthemeeting.—VNA/VNSPhotoMOSCOW—The35thmeetingoftheVietnam-RussiaTropicalCentre(VRTC)CoordinatingCommitteewasheldonNovember15inSt.Petersburg,Russia,co-chairedbyGeneralHoàngXuanChi?n,memberofthePartyCentralCommitteeandDeputyMinisterofNationalDefenceofVi?tNam,andKonstantinMogilevsky,RussiasDeputyMinisterofScienceandHigherEducation.Atthemeeting,bothsidespraisedtheachievementsoftheVRTCin2024,particularlyitsscientificandtechnologicalactivitiesanditseffortstobuildupthecentrescapabilities.Chi?nhighlightedthevariousRussiangovernmentagenciesthathavesupportedresearchinitiativesandpromotedtechnologytransferintheVRTCframework.Henotedspecificadvancements,suchasthedeliveryofasecondmobiletestingvehicle,thecooperationinbuildingaLevel3biosafetylaboratory,andtrainingprogrammesforVietnamesepersonnel.Healsoreiteratedthejointstatementsbytheheadsofstateofbothnations,emphasisingtheirdesiretofurtherstrengthencooperation,withtheaimofdevelopingthecentreintoamodelofbilateralcooperationthatisonparwithregionalandinternationalstandards.Mogilevskystressedthegrowingimportanceofthecentreinthefieldsofscienceandtechnology,notingthatthetwocountrieshadsuccessfullycarriedoutmeaningfulscientificandpracticaltasksoverthepastyear.Theseactivitiesservevitalpurposesinmilitary,defence,economicdevelopment,andenvironmentalprotection.Healsohighlightedtheconsensusreachedonthescientificresearch,technology,andapplicationprogrammeforthecentreforthe2025-29period.Bothsidesagreedtoboosteffortsin2025toimplementactionsoutlinedintheVRTCDevelopmentStrategyfortheperiodupto2035.Thisincludesfurtherinvestmentininfrastructureandhumanresources.Additionally,theyagreedtocompletethedocumentationandpresentittothegovernmentsofbothcountriesforthesigningofanagreementontransferringownershipoftheresearchvesselProfessorGagarinskytoVi?tNambyJune30,2025.Furthermore,workwillcontinueonequippingthelaboratorywithadditionalfacilities,aimingforitscompletionandoperationallaunchin2025.Attheconclusionofthemeeting,thetwosidessignedseveraldocuments,includingtheMinutesofthe35thmeeting,theVRTCs2025-29ScientificResearchandApplicationProgramme,the2025researchanddevelopmentplanforthecentre,andaLetterofIntentbetweentheMinistryofNationalDefenceofVi?tNamandtheMinistryofScienceandHigherEducationofRussiaconcerningtechnologytransferintheVRTCframework.Earlier,Chi?nandhisentouragevisitedSt.PetersburgMiningUniversity,wheretheydiscussedresearchareasrelatedtominingscienceandtechnology.Heemphasisedthepotentialforenhancedcooperationbetweentheuniversity,thecentre,andVi?tNamsMinistryofNationalDefence,particularlyinareassuchasecologicalprotection,sustainableuseofnaturalresources,andmaterialstechnology.OnNovember14,theofficiallaidflowersattheH?ChíMinhMonumentinSt.Petersburg.—VNS
ThefunctionalforcesoftheCoastGuardRegionNo3CommandandB?nTreProvincesBorderGuarddiscoveredavesselcaryingseasandofunknownoriginonNovember13.—PhotoCourtesyofVCGBàR?A-V?NGTàU—TheCoastGuardRegionNo3CommandundertheVi?tNamCoastGuard(VCG)onNovember15officiallylaunchedacampaigntofightagainstalltypesofcrimeatsea,includingdrug-relatedcrimesandhumantrafficking,aswellassmuggling,tradefraudandcounterfeitgoodsintheperiodaheadoftheupcomingT?t(LunarNewYear).ThecampaignwillrunfromNovember1,2024toFebruary28,2025.Itfocusesonimplementingthethreebests,includinghighestawarenessandresponsibility;performingtaskswiththehighestresults;andmaintainingsafety,solidarityandstrictestdiscipline.TheCoastGuardRegionNo3CommandincollaborationwithB?nTreProvincesBorderGuardhavediscoveredandarrestedtwocasesofillegalsandexploitationandtransportationandawomanillegallystoringdrugsonthesoutherncoastofVi?tNam.At5amonNovember13,thefunctionalforcesoftheCoastGuardRegionNo3CommandandB?nTreProvincesBorderGuardstopedandinspectedavesselBTr-8661registeredtoB?nTreProvince,andfoundabout100cubicmetres(cu.m)ofseasandonthewaterbetweenB?nTreandTi?nGiangprovinces.Thevesselscaptain,??HoàngDuy,26,ofB?nTre,andthreecrewmemberswereonboard.Duyfailedtofurnishdocumentsprovingtheoriginofthesand.Around9amonthesameday,theyalsodiscoveredanothervesselBTr-8653transportingabout250cu.mofseasand.Hu?nhV?nTy,thevesselscaptain,43,ofB?nTre,failedtofurnishdocumentsprovingtheoriginofthesand.AVietnamesewomanwascaughtred-handedillegallystoringaboutsixgramsofmethamphetamineintheseaborderareaofV?ngTàuCityonNovember13.—PhotocourtesyofVCGTheCoastGuardRegionNo3CommandandthepoliceforcesofV?ngTàuCityinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincecaughtred-handedasubjectillegallystoringaboutsixgramsofmethamphetamineataround1:20pmonthesamedayintheseaborderareaofV?ngTàuCity.ThesubjectLêTh?Tuy?tKim,36,ofV?ngTàuCity,storedthedrugsforthepurposeofresellingtoaddictswhoarecrewmembersonfishingboatsandcargoshipsintheportarea.Thecaseswerebroughtashoreandhandedovertothefunctionalforcesforfurtherinvestigation.—VNSTheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsonNovember15inHCMCityheldtheworkshopoftheASEANCommissiononthePromotionandProtectionoftheRightsofWomenandChildren.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhV?HCMCITY—Vi?tNamwillstrengthencoordinationwithotherASEANmembercountriestodeveloparoadmaptoimplementtheDeclarationontheEliminationofBullyingofChildreninASEAN,attendeesheardataworkshopheldinHCMCityonFriday(November15).TheworkshopoftheASEANCommissiononthePromotionandProtectionoftheRightsofWomenandChildren(ACWC)wasorganisedbytheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs.Itattractedtheparticipationofmanydomesticandforeignexpertsinwomenandchildren-relatedissueswhoexchangedanddiscussedkeyhighlightsofVi?tNamin2024,priorityareasfortherightsofwomenandchildrenpost-2025,andcooperationactivitiesatbothnationalandregionallevels.HàTh?Minh??c,deputydirectorgeneraloftheministrysDepartmentofInternationalCooperation,briefedparticipantsonremarkableachievementsinimprovingthelifequalityforwomenandchildreninASEAN.AccordingtostatisticsfromtheMinistryofPublicSecurity,therewere1,317casesinvolving1,697individualsrelatedtotheabuseofover1,300childreninVi?tNam,adecreaseof31casescomparedtothesameperiodin2023.Ofthetotal,casesofsexualabusedecreasedby0.2percentcomparedtothepreviousyear.ThecountryisconductingafinalreviewoftheASEANRegionalPlanofActionontheEliminationofViolenceagainstChildrenandWomenforthe2015-25period,anddevelopinganewactionplanforthe2026-35period,??csaid.ItisproposingtocontinueconsultationsbetweenACWCVi?tNamandnetworkmembers,especiallyforprojectschairedbyVi?tNam,shesaid.Vi?tNamwillcarryouttheregionalprojectonenhancingthecapacityoffrontlineofficialsinpreventingandcombatinghumantraffickingthroughtheuseofvictim-centeredandgender-sensitiveapproachesatthenationallevel,shesaid.LêH?ngLoan,chiefofChildProtectionatUNICEFVi?tNam,saidabouttheorganisationsprioritiesbothregionallyandinVi?tNam.Theyincludeprotectingchildrenduringthe2022-26periodbysupportingevidencecollection,researchinginternationalstandardsandbestpractices,andsharingresultstopublicisetheimprovementofpoliciesandlawsonsocialwork,childrensrights,andchildprotection.UNICEFalsofocusesonstrengtheningchildprotectionsystemsandservices,developingaskilledsocialservicesworkforce,providingjudicialassistanceforjuveniles,anddevelopingcomprehensivedatabasesandmanagementsystemsforchildprotection,shesaid.Regardingthepreventionandresponsetogender-basedviolenceforthe2022-26period,LoansaidtheUnitedNationsPopulationFund(UNFPA)willfocusonpromotingtheimprovementoflawsandpoliciesongender,gender-basedviolence,andfamilyviolence.Itwillalsostrengtheneffortstopreventgender-basedviolenceanddomesticviolence,promoteinter-sectoralcoordinationtoensuretheprovisionofhigh-qualityessentialsupportservicesforwomenandgirlsaffectedbyviolence,andenhancecoordinationinrespondingtogender-basedviolenceinemergencyanddisastercontexts.Manyparticipantsdiscussedthepossibilityforcontinuedcoordinationandactionstoensuretherightsofchildrenatthenationallevelinthecomingperiod,andproposedcooperationactivitiesatbothnationalandregionallevels.Vi?tNamandotherASEANmembercountriesalsoagreedtoadopttheDeclarationontheProtectionofChildrenfromallFormsofOnlineExploitationandAbuseinASEANin2019.—VNSPermanentDeputyPrimeMinisterNguy?nHòaBìnhworkedwiththepeoplescommitteesof12central-levellocalitiesataconferenceheldinHCMCityonNovember14topromotetheimplementationofProject06onacceleratingnationaldigitaltransformation.—VN/VNSPhotoTi?nL?cHCMCITY—InNovember,thePolitburowillissueanewresolutiononnationaldigitaltransformation,PermanentDeputyPrimeMinisterNguy?nHòaBìnhsaidataconferenceheldinHCMCityonNovember14.Bìnhchairedtheconferencewiththepeoplescommitteesof12central-levelprovincesandcitiestopromotetheimplementationofProject06thatfocusesondevelopingtheapplicationofpopulationdata,e-identificationandauthenticationfornationaldigitaltransformationinthe2022-25period,withavisionto2030.ThenewresolutionwillincludemanysolutionscombinedwiththeimplementationofprogrammesunderProject06,hesaid.ManydigitaltransformationandinformationtechnologyexpertspointoutthatoneoftheweaknessesisthatVi?tNamsdatabaseconstructionremainsfragmentedanddoesnotyethavelargedatacentres.ThegoalofProject06istobuildlargedatacentres,hesaid.Implementingdigitaltransformationinareassuchaselectronichealthrecords,criminalrecords,andlandandcivilstatusisveryimportantbutsomelocalitieshavenotcompletedthem,hesaid.HeaskedthelocalitiestopaymoreattentiontoimplementingnationaldigitaltransformationprogrammesandProject06.Accordingtostatistics,uptonow,thewholecountryhasintegrated14.8millioncitizenselectronichealthrecordsintotheelectronichealthbookdataontheVNeIDapplication.AsofNovember13,47localitieshavedeployedtheissuanceof24,887criminalrecordsonVNeID,and15localitieshavecompleteddigitisingcivilstatusdata.ColonelV?V?nT?n,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofAdministrativePoliceforSocialOrderundertheMinistryofPublicSecurity,saidHCMCityhasdigitised12.8millioncivilstatusrecords(100percent),whileBìnhD??ngProvincehasbasicallycompletedthetask.Theremaining10localitiesareatriskofnotcompletingtheplantodigitisecivilstatusdatathisyear,hesaid.KiênGianghasnotyetimplementedit,whileNam??nhandNinhThu?nprovinceshaveonlyachievedonepercentand16percent,respectively.TheMinistryofPublicSecurityrequestedthelocalitiestourgentlycompletedigitisation,andusedigitisedcivilstatusandlanddatatoreduceadministrativeprocedures.Theyshouldfocusoncompletingdigitisationandcleaningupdataonjudicialrecords,criminalrecords,andexpungementdocumentsbeforeMarch31,2025toshortentheprocessingtimeforissuingcriminalrecordcertificates.DigitaltransformationisanobjectiverequirementandaninevitabletrendgloballyinthecontextoftheFourthIndustrialRevolution.Ithasbeenpresentinthedailyactivitiesofeachpersonandeachfamily.Vi?tNamregardsdigitaltransformationasastrategicchoiceandatoppriorityforrapid,sustainabledevelopment,andcalledonministries,agencies,localitiesandtheentiresocietytojoinhandsinspurringsocio-economicdevelopmentbasedondigitaltransformation,science-technology,innovationandstart-ups.Project06isahighlightandakeytaskofnationaldigitaltransformationoverthepastyears,withHàN?iandHCMCitytappedforpilotimplementation.Itaimstoservefivemaingroups,includingadministrativeproceduresandprovidingonlinepublicservices;economicandsocialdevelopment;digitalcitizens;connectingtheecosystem,exploitandenrichresidentialdata;andthedirectionandadministrationofleadersatalllevels.Inshort,theVNeIDapplicationortheelectronicchip-embeddedCCCDcardwillgraduallyreplacecitizensdocumentsinanumberoftransactionsasprescribedbylaw,providingpublicservices,commercialservicesservingcitizensdigitalutilitiessuchasresidentialservices,e-commerce,e-paymentandotherservices.—VNS
The?áBàncleanwaterplantinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincewithacapacityof20,000cu.mperdaysuppliescleanwatertoover34,000householdsacrossninecommunesandtwotownsin??t??andLong?i?nDistricts.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–Vi?tNamcurrentlyhas18,109ruralwatersupplyfacilitiesprovidingstandardisedcleanwaterto9,374,264ruralhouseholds,saidL??ngV?nAnh,deputydirectoroftheWaterResourcesDepartment(MinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment).Amongthesefacilities,32percentoperatesustainably,27percentoperateunsustainablyand14.8percentarenon-operational,Anhsaid.Despitetheseachievements,41.8percentofthefacilitiesarestilloperatingbelowsustainabilitystandards,hetoldtheNationalConferenceonRuralCleanWaterSupplywhichwasorganisedbytheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentonFriday,inHàN?i.Bytheendoflastyear,74.2percentofruralhouseholdsnation-widehadaccesstocleanwaterthatmeetsestablishedstandards,with55.1percentofhouseholdsreceivingstandardisedwaterfromcentralisedsupplysystemsand19.1percentusinghousehold-levelwatersources.Accordingtothedeputydirector,theRedRiverDeltaregionhasthehighestrateofruralhouseholdsusingstandardisedcleanwaterwith91.9percent,whiletheTayNguyên(CentralHighlands)hasthelowestratewith39.5percent.ThenorthernmountainousregionandtheCentralHighlandshavethelowestpercentagesofruralhouseholdsusingcleanwaterthatmeetsnationalstandards.Theseregionsalsoreportthelowestratesofhouseholdsusingwaterfromcentralisedsupplysystems,bothcomparedtootherregionsandtothenationalaverage.While74.2percentofruralhouseholdsusecleanwaterthatmeetsnationalstandards,someprovinceshaveverylowratesofstandardisedcleanwaterusagefromcentralisedwatersupplyfacilitiesincludingHàGiang,GiaLai,YênBái,CaoB?ng,Lam??ngand?i?nBiênprovinces.RuralwatersupplyeffortshavecontributedtotheachievementsoftheNationalTargetProgrammeonNewRuralDevelopment,with6,289outof8,162communes(equivalentto77.1percent)meetingnewruralstandards.Amongthese,2,146communeshaveachievedadvancedruralstandards,and465communeshavemetmodelruralstandards.Additionally,6,512communes(79.7percent)meetthecriteriaforEnvironmentandFoodSafety,whichincludesruralcleanwatertargets.Duetofactorslikepopulationdistribution,terrainandwaterresourceconditions,thescaleofruralwatersupplyfacilitiesvariesgreatly,rangingfrombelow50cu.mperdaytoover1,000cu.mperday.Smallerfacilitiesareprimarilygravity-fedsystemslocatedinmountainousareas,whilelargerfacilitiesareconcentratedinplainswithhigherpopulationdensitiesandbettersocio-economicconditions.DeputyMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentNguy?nHoàngHi?pstatedattheconferencethat,despiteachievingencouragingresults,ruralcleanwatersupplyfacesnumerouschallenges.First,thepolicyframeworkforwatersupplyremainsincomplete,withnospecificwatersupplylaw,whileexistingregulationsareinsufficient,inconsistentandlackpracticaleffectiveness.Second,thereisasignificantneedforinvestmentinruralcleanwatertomeetthetargetof80percentofruralpopulationshavingcleanwaterby2030.However,fundingreliesprimarilyonthelimitedStatebudget,withsocialresourcesbeingmobilisedmainlyindenselypopulatedplains,whilemountainousandremoteareaslacksolutionstoattractinvestment.Thereisalsoavarietyoforganisationalmodelsformanagingcentralisedruralwaterfacilities,butnospecific,unifiedregulationsonmanagementmodelsandcapacity.Lowwaterprices,insufficientrevenuetocovercostsandalackoffinancialsupportleadtohighratesofineffectiveornon-operationalfacilitiesandlowservicequality.Lastly,freshwatersourcesareincreasinglydegradedinbothquantityandquality.Climatechangeexacerbatesextremeweather,naturaldisasters,floods,droughts,watershortagesandsalinisation,leadingtowaterpollution.Thisimpactsthereliabilityofcleanwatersupply,withmanyfacilitiesforcedtooperatebelowcapacityorevenshutdownduetoinsufficientwaterresources,affectingthesustainableandsafeprovisionofcleanwaterforruralresidents.Waterplaysacrucialroleinsocio-economicdevelopment,environmentalintegrityandasanessentialcomponentoflife.Ensuringthateveryonehasaccesstosafe,cleanwaterisakeygoaloftheParty,Government,ministries,localauthorities,andruralcommunities,Hi?psaid.Thus,theconferencewasanopportunityforofficials,expertsandmanagerstoreviewachievements,addresschallengesandoutlinecomprehensive,coordinatedsolutionstoensuresustainabledevelopmentinruralcleanwatersupply,sothateveryruralresidentcanaccesssafe,affordablewater,leavingnoonebehind,headded.VNSDeputyPrimeMinisterLêThànhLongspeaksatthe8thNationalAssemblysessiononNovember12.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Therearestillmanyconflictingviewsfrommanager,scientistsandthebusinesscommunityregardingthenewtobaccomanagementpolicy,accordingtoDeputyPrimeMinisterLêThànhLong.Atthe8thNationalAssemblysessiononNovember12,DeputyPMLongemphasisedthatthisisaconcernforthepublicandvotersnationwide.InthespiritoftheGovernmentsdirective,policiestocontrolheatedtobaccoproductsandelectroniccigarettes(ore-cigarettes),collectivelyknownasnew-generationcigarettes,shouldbeissuedwhenthereisafullscientificconsensustoensureharmonybetweenthoseinvolved.Formanyyears,althoughtheGovernmentrepeatedlydirectedministriesandbranchestosubmitproposalsforappropriatemanagementpolicies,therewasstillnoagreementonaplan.Theemergenceofnew-generationtobaccoproductsgloballyhasledtomanymanagementchallengesincountries,includingVi?tNam.MinisterofIndustryandTradeNguy?nH?ngDiênsaidthatviolationsinvolvingtraditionalcigarettesornewgenerationcigarettesaremainlyduetosmugglingorillegalimports.Expertssaidthatproblemswithsmugglingnew-generationcigarettesareduetothelong-termlackofalegalframework.Theinevitableconsequenceisaseriesofproductqualityproblemsanddrugsdisguisedine-cigarettes.ManagementplansproposedbytheMinistryofIndustryandTradeoverthepast10yearshavealsocontinuallychanged,inadditiontoaproposedbanfromtheMinistryofHealth.Asforwhetherallnew-gentobaccoproductsshouldbebanned,DeputyChairmanoftheNationalAssemblysCultureandEducationCommitteeT?V?nH?saidthatauthoritiesneedtoconsiderscientificevidenceonthelevelofharmforeachproductandcompareitwiththelevelofharmfortraditionalcigarettestohaveabasisformakingdecisions.AttheNAsession,MinisterofHealth?àoH?ngLanemphasisedthattheuseofe-cigarettesandheatedtobaccoproductsisrapidlyincreasingandposespotentialhealthandsafetyrisks,especiallyforyoungpeople.TheMinistryhasproposedtheNAbane-cigarettesandheatedtobaccoproductsbeforetherevisedLawonPreventionandControlofTobaccoHarmisreviewedandpassed.MinisterLanhopesthatthisproposalwillbeconsideredinthesessionandthattheNAwillissueadecisiontobantheseproductstoprotectpublichealth.Adomesticmedicalexpertsaidthatitsokaytoban[theseproducts],theresnoneedtoresearchorevaluatewhencitingthetoxicityofnew-gentobaccoproducts.Thisopinionisbasedonthenumberofhospitalisationsduetousinge-cigarettescontainingbannedsubstances.WHORepresentativeinVi?tNamAngelaPratthasalsoconfirmedthatnicotineproducts,includinge-cigarettesandheatedtobaccoproducts,areveryharmfultohealthbecausetheycontainmanytoxinsthatcancausecancer,cardiovasculardiseaseandchroniclungdisease,aswellasacutelunginjurysyndrome,apotentiallyfataldisease.DrNguy?nMinh??cfromPh?mNg?cTh?chUniversityofMedicineinHCMCitysaidthatalltypesofcigarettesareaddictiveandtoxic,butthattraditionalcigarettes,heatedcigarettesande-cigarettesarenotdrugs.DeputyPMLongaskedthattheMinistryofHealthcoordinatewithrelevantagenciestocomeupwithappropriatemanagementsolutionsinthenearfuture.ThePrimeMinisterhasrepeatedlydirectedthisissue,assigningtheMinistryofHealthtopresideoverandcoordinatewiththeMinistryofJusticeandrelevantagenciestotakeappropriatemeasurestostrengthenthemanagementofe-cigarettesandheatedcigarettesandothertobaccoproductstoreporttotheNationalAssembly.Atthesametime,theGovernmentassignedtheMinistryofHealthtoresearchanddevelopaprojecttoamendtheLawonTobaccoHarmPrevention,saidtheDeputyPrimeMinister.AccordingtothespiritoftheGovernmentslaw,themanagementpolicyfornew-generationcigarettesnotonlycoversheatedcigarettesande-cigarettesbutalsotargetsfuturenew-generationtobaccoproducts.PolicydevelopmentfortheseproductsisnotonlytheresponsibilityofthetwomainadvisoryagenciestotheGovernment,theMinistryofHealthandtheMinistryofJustice,butalsorequirescoordinationbetweenotherrelevantagenciessuchastheMinistryofIndustryandTrade,theMinistryofScienceandTechnologyandtheMinistryofFinance.—VNS
ManystructureswererazedtogroundinQu?ngNinhProvinceduringTyphoonYagi,stressingtheneedforresilientbuildingsinVi?tNam.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—WhilethetransportationsectorinVi?tNamisshiftingtowardsgreenerpracticeswithmoreelectriccarsontheroad,thebuildingsectorisnotreallyontrack,accordingtoOmmidSaberi,thegloballeadfortheBuildingResilienceIndexProgrammeattheInternationalFinanceCorporation(IFC).OmmidSeberiwasspeakingattheworkshopEnhancingResilienceforBuildingsonFriday.HehighlightedIFCsdefinitionofresilientbuildings,whichcanwithstandthenaturaldisastersandclimatehazardstheyareexposedto,andideallycontinuetheiroperationswithoutdisruptionfollowingacrisis.HesaidtheBuildingResilienceIndex(BRI)isanIFCinnovationthatisonlineandgloballyavailabletousersfreeofcharge.AsofOctober2024,usershaveself-assessed162projects,resultingin9.8millionsq.mofassessedfloorspaceandUS$4.3billionintotalassets.TheIFCspecialistsaidBRIstakeholders,includingconstructiondevelopers,banksandoccupants,cantakeadvantageoftheindexinavarietyofways.DeveloperscanusetheBRItoassessandimproveresiliencetosite-specifichazards,thesecondtomakeinformedinvestmentdecisionsbasedonriskstobuildings,andthethirdtoreducetheriskoflossesduetonaturalandclimatehazards.HealsorevealedthatVi?tNamslocalhazardmapshavebeenfullyintegratedintotheBRIapp,with68,000sq.mofgrossfloorareaand300,000sq.mofseaportsunderverification.ProfessorTu?nNg?fromtheUniversityofMelbournenotedthatextremeweather,whichcostsAustraliansbetween$900millionand$4billionannually,canimpactbuildingsinvariousways.HeunderlinedtheroleofresilientbuildingsinreducingcostsandincreasingcommunityresilienceandintroducedtheBushfireResilienceRatingHomeSelf-Assessmentapp,whichisafreecommunityservicefundedbytheAustralianFederalGovernment.Theprofessorsaidthepurposeoftheappistohelpimprovehomeresiliencetobushfires.AhighResilienceRatingmeanstheusershomeismorelikelytosurviveabushfireandbeoperationalwithindaysorweeks.Tr?nPh??ng,aspecialistfromtheVi?tNamInstituteforBuildingScienceandTechnology,citedTyphoonYagiasanaturaldisasterthatdealtaheavyblowtonorthernVi?tNam.Heunderlinedseveraltypesofstructuresthatwereheavilydamagedbythestorm,includinghigh-risebuildings,factories,andcolumnandtowerstructures.Thespecialistrecommendedmeasurestomitigatenaturaldisasterdamagetobuildings,includingkeepingwinddatauptodate,organisingtrainingprogrammesontyphoondamagemitigation,andstrengtheningequipmentattachedtobuildings.—VNS
Delegationattheevent.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheHCMCityPeoplesCommitteeonNovember14welcomedthe48thShipfortheSoutheastAsianandJapaneseYouthProgramme(SSEAYP)delegation.ThisisapartoftheirongoingvisittothecityfromNovember14-17.DelegatesareoutstandingyoungpeoplewhopassedmanyselectionroundstorepresenttheircountriestoparticipateinthemeaningfulSSEAYPvoyage.V?V?nHoan,ViceChairmanoftheHCMCityPeoplesCommitteeexpressedhishopethateachdelegatewillsharetheircountryssuccessstorieswhilebringingthecultureandpeopleofHCMCityclosertointernationalcommunities.UndertheprogrammethemedYouthParticipation,delegatesjoinsixdiscussions,includingSoftPowerandYouthPeopletoPeopleDiplomacy,EconomicGrowthandSustainableCommunity,GlobalEnvironmentandClimateChange,DisasterRiskReductionandRecovery,GoodHealthandWell-being,andDigitalSociety.In2024,Vi?tNamcelebratesits25thyearofparticipationintheprogramme.TheNationalCommitteeonYouthofVi?tNamhashostedtheSSEAYPshipinHCMCity18times.Thedelegatespresenthereareoutstandingyoungfaces,havingpassedmanyroundsofselectiontorepresenttheircountryinthemeaningfulSSEAYPjourney,saidViceChairmanofHCMCityPeoplesCommitteeV?V?nHoan.YourpresenceisnotonlyajoybutalsoanopportunityforthepeopleandyouthofHCMCitytofullyexpresstheirfriendshipandhospitality,aswellasintroducethehistory,culture,societyanddevelopmentalachievementsofthecity,HoanaddedTheSSEAYPprogramhasalwaysreceivedmuchaffectionandattentionfromthepeopleandyouthofthecity.ThereturnoftheNipponMaruShiptoHCMCaffirmedtheenduringfriendshipbetweenSoutheastAsiancountriesandJapan.ShunsukeFujimori,ExecutiveDirectoroftheInternationalYouthExchangeProgramattheCabinetOfficeofJapanandAdministratorofthe48thSSEAYPProgram,sincerelythankedtheNationalCommitteeonYouthofVi?tNamandVietnameseagenciesfortheircontinuoussupportandcommitmenttoSSEAYPandsharedthatthiswasamemorablevisitafterfiveyearsinterruptedbytheCOVID-19pandemic.SSEAYPisacollaborativeinitiativebetweenthegovernmentsofthetenmemberstatesoftheAssociationofSoutheastAsianNations(ASEAN)andJapan,aimedatfosteringfriendshipandexchangesamongyouthfromASEANandJapan.AwarmwelcomeofHCMCitytotheSoutheastAsianandJapaneseYouthProgramme(SSEAYP)delegation.VNA/VNSPhotoTheprogramme,initiatedin1974,hasenjoyedVietNamsparticipationsince1995.ItsprimaryobjectiveistostrengthenmutualunderstandingandfriendshipamongyoungpeoplefromJapanandASEANcountries.Foreachparticipant,thisprogrammeoffersauniqueopportunitytoexploreandexperiencediversecultureswithintheregion,thusenhancingtheircapacityforinternationalintegration.ThearrivaloftheShipforSoutheastAsianYouthPrograminHCMCityprovidesanexcellentplatformtointroducetointernationalfriendsagenerationofHCMCityyouthwhoembodythespiritofPatriotism,Solidarity,Proactiveness,Creativity,andIntegrationinthisneweraofnationaldevelopment.Vi?tNamofficiallyjoinedSSEAYPin1996,afterbecomingamemberofASEANinJuly1995.Sincethen,theVietnamesecontingenthasleftaprofoundandspecialmarkontheprogramme.TheSoutheastAsianandJapaneseYouthShipdockedatTanC?ng-Hi?pPh??cPortandoperatedinH?ChíMinhCityfromNovember14toNovember17.Theprogrammetookplacewiththeparticipationof168delegatesfromnineASEANcountries,Timor-LesteandJapan,ofwhichVi?tNamhad15delegates.VNSRawmaterialsfortheLongThànhAirportconstruction.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngThànhHàN?I—SomeworksundertheLongThànhInternationalAirportProjectscomponentfourarebeingdelayedbecausesomeofficersfromthebiddingunitforselectinginvestorshavelittleexperienceandareafraidofmakingmistakes.ThisisoneofthenotabledetailsfromOfficialDispatchNo768/CP–CNthattheGovernmenthassenttotheNationalAssembly(NA)reportingontheinvestmentpolicyoftheairportproject.Regardingthecausesforthedelaysinphaseone,theGovernmentsaidthat,aftertheprojectwasapprovedbytheNAintermsofinvestmentpolicy,theGovernmentdirectedthepreparationforphaseone.Thedesign,biddingandconstructionwerescheduledtobecompletedandputintooperationnextyear.However,duringtheprocess,thereemergedsomedifficulties,sophase1oftheprojectwillnotbecompletedbynextyear.ThemaincauseshavebeenassessedbytheGovernmentinDocumentNo747/TTr-CPissuedlastweek.Specifically,theCOVID-19pandemichasaffectedthetechnicaldesign,especiallycallingforforeignexperts.Inaddition,aftertwoinvitationstobid,theAirportsCorporationofVi?tNam(ACV)–investorofcomponent3-couldselectacontractorwithcapacityandexperiencetoimplementthebiddingpackageConstructionandinstallationofequipmentforthepassengerterminal.Moreover,aftertheprojectpolicywasapproved,theLawonConstruction2014andtheGovernmentsDecreeNo59/2015/N?-CPdatedJune18,2015,alsocameintoeffect,sotheprojectspassengerterminalhadtoorganiseanarchitecturalcompetition.Thisisamajorproject,regardedasanationalsymbol,sothearchitecturalcompetitionlastedfrom2016untiltheendof2017.Duetoitslargeandcomplexscale,theFeasibilityStudyReportofphaseonewascompletedandreportedtotheGovernmentinJune2018,andwasreportedtotheNAforapprovalinNovember2019.BasedonthemaincontentsapprovedbytheNA,thePrimeMinisterapprovedtheinvestmentprojectattheendof2020.Thus,theinvestmentpreparationlastedaboutfiveyears.Inaddition,theCOVID-19pandemicledtoaprolongedtechnicaldesignprocess.TheACVinvitedbidsforpackage5.10–Constructionandinstallationofequipmentforthepassengerterminal,inwhichtheconstructionprogressisdeterminedtobe33months,sothattheprojectwillbeputintooperationinthefourthquarterofnextyear.But,thebiddingwasunsuccessful,becauseinternationalcontractorsassessedthatthisdeadlinewouldaffectconstructionquality.UnderthedirectionoftheGovernmentandthePM,atthesecondbidding,ACVadjustedtheconstructionperiodto39months(sixmonthslongerthantheoriginalplan)tosuittherealityandincreasetheattractivenessoflarge,capable,experiencedandreputableinternationalcontractors.Asaresult,theVietTurInternationalContractorConsortiumwonthebidforthepassengerterminalpackageconstruction.Thus,thecompletionprogressofphaseonewillbeextendedtothethirdquarterof2026.—VNS
AdoctoratHCMCitysChildrensHospitalNo1checkstheCambodianboyafterhissugergy.VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY–HCMCitysChildrensHospitalNo1hassuccessfullyperformedemergencyheartsurgeryonaCambodianboysufferingfromaseverecongenitalheartdefect.ThehospitalalsosaidmorethanVN?100million(US$4,000)hasbeenraisedtosupportthechild.Twoweeksago,thetwo-year-oldboywasbroughttothehospitalinacriticalcondition,strugglingwithseverebreathingdifficultiesandrestlessness.Throughaninterpreter,theboysmother,26-year-oldSayNia,explainedthathersonhadbeenexperiencingfevers,aproductivecoughandbreathingissuesforthepastfourmonths.InitiallydiagnosedwithpneumoniainCambodia,hewasmonitoredforpotentialtuberculosis.Despitefrequentmedicalcheck-upsandprescribedhometreatments,hisconditiondidnotimprove.DrNguy?nTh?Ph??ngChaufromthehospitalsCardiologyDepartmentrevealedthatuponadmission,doctorsdiagnosedararedefectinthemembraneofhisleftatrium,accompaniedbyseverepulmonaryhypertension.Thisconditionmimickedsymptomsofpneumoniaorpulmonaryedemaandcouldbeeasilyconfusedwithtuberculosis.Thedelayeddiagnosishadsignificantlyworsenedtheboysheartmusclefunctionandescalatedhispulmonaryarterypressure.Immediatesurgerybecameimperativetosavehislife.However,thecostswereasignificantconcernforSayNia,whoconsideredreturningtoCambodia.Themedicalteam,committedtosavingthechild,proceededwiththesurgeryandgarneredfinancialsupportfromcharitabledonorstocovertheexpenses.Aweekafterthesurgery,theboysconditionhasstabilised,andheispreparingtobedischargedfromthehospital.Donationscoveredtheentirecostofthesurgery.SayNiasharedherreliefandgratitude:WhenwearrivedinVi?tNam,IhadonlyVN?10million.Almostallwasspentwithinaweek,andIhadjustoveronemillionleftwhenthedoctorssaidmysonneededsurgery.Iplannedtotakehimhome,butthedoctorssecuredfinancialsupport,allowingmysontorecover.IamprofoundlygratefultotheVietnamesedoctors.DrNguy?nTríHào,HeadoftheCardiologyDepartment,notedthatleftatrialmembranedefectsareexceedinglyrare,withonlyoneortwocasestreatedannuallyatthehospital.Despitebeingaheartcondition,theassociatedsymptomsoftenleadtomisdiagnosesaspneumoniaortuberculosis,headded.–VNSThefoursuspectsincustody.—Photokienthuc.net.vnHòABìNH—PoliceinthenorthernprovinceofHòaBìnhhavedismantledahumantraffickingringinvolvedinthesaleofnewbornbabies,apprehendingseveralsuspectsconnectedtotheillicitoperation.Followingcomprehensivesurveillance,policeidentifiedsuspiciousactivitiesinvolvingagroupofindividualsfrequentlyvisitingawoman,B.T.T.,35,whohadrecentlygivenbirthatHòaBìnhGeneralHospital.Thesuspects,identifiedasNguy?nLêThanhTam,29,D??ngTh?HoàiVan,33,andD??ngTh?Th?oS??ng,33,werestayingatahotelinPh??ngLamWard.Whileresidingthere,theyallegedlytookturnsvisitingB.T.T.tonegotiatethesaleofhernewbornson.ThesuspectshavebeentransportedtoHòaBìnhsCriminalPoliceDepartmentforfurtherinvestigation.—VNS
CàMauProvinceisstrengtheningmeasurestocrackdownonfishingvesselsinthefightagainstillegal,unreportedandunregulatedfishing.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhAnhCàMAU—ThesouthernmostprovinceofCàMauissteppingupmeasurestoaddressthethree-nos(noregistration,noinspectioncertificationandnofishinglicence)thatfishingvesselscannotoperatewithout.TheprovincesDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentplannedtostrengthencoordinationwithrelevantagenciesandunitstoeffectivelymanageandcontrolthethreeNosvesselsinthefightagainstillegal,unreportedandunregulated(IUU)fishing.Theprovincestillhas274threeNosvessels,ofwhich65boatshavebeensoldbuttheirnewownershavenotregisteredtocompetentauthorities.Theunregisteredtransferoffishingvesselscausesdifficultiesfortheauthoritiesinmanaging,investigatingandverifyingviolations.PhanHoàngV?,directorofthedepartment,saidtheprovincecurrentlyhasmorethan4,330fishingvessels,includingabout1,550vesselswiththelengthofmorethan15m.Duetothelargenumberofvessels,thevesselmanagementandcontrolactivitieshavebeencarriedoutflexiblyinmanyforms,hesaid.Specifically,theprovinceusessoftwareforcontrollingfishingvesselsandGoogleSheets--acloud-basedspreadsheetapplicationthatallowsuserstocreate,edit,andformatspreadsheetsonline,hesaid.Theauthoritieshavecloselymonitored,managedandcontrolledfishingvesselsoperatingatseaandfishingvesselsstayingonshore.ThisisaneffectivesolutiontopreventfishingvesselsfromviolatingtheIUUfishingpreventionandcontrolregulations,aswellasviolatingforeignwaters.TheCàMauProvinceborderguardscloselymonitorallfishingvesselsthatenterorleaveportsatbordercontrolstationsandmobilecheckpointsatriver-mouths.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhAnhTheprovincehasimplementedprojectstorestoreandregenerateaquaticresources.Someseafoodexploitationoccupationsthataffectmarineresourcesandtheecologicalenvironmenthavebeenconverted.ColonelLê?ìnhS?n,deputycommanderoftheprovincesBorderGuard,saidthelocalborderguardshavecontinuedtoresolutelyandsynchronouslydeploymeasurestocombatIUUfishing,andsoonputanendtothesituationoffishingvesselsandfishermenintheprovinceviolatingforeignwatersandillegallyexploitingseafood.Theyhaveeffectivelypromotedtheapplicationofinformationtechnologyandsoftwareformanagingandcontrollingfishingvessels,hesaid.Allvesselownersandcaptainsareurgedtosignacommitmentnottoviolateforeignwaters,nottoexploitseafoodillegally,andstrictlycomplywithIUUfishingpreventionandcontrolregulations,hesaid.Borderguardshavestrictlyinspectedallvesselsthatenterorleaveportsatbordercontrolstationsandmobilecheckpointsatrivermouths.Theborderguardshavegraspedthesituationatseaandinborderareas,promptlydetected,verified,investigatedandhandledorganisationsandindividualswhomediateandorganisethesendingofVietnamesefishingvesselsandfishermentoillegallyexploitseafoodinforeignwaters.Theyhavecoordinatedwithlawenforcementforcesatseaandlocalauthoritiestodeploy,review,manage,monitor,controlandcloselysupervisefishingvesselsthatexploitseafoodfarfromtheshoreandforlongperiodsatsea.InSeptember,CàMaulaunchedapeakcampaigntofightIUUfishing.LêV?nS?,vicechairmanoftheprovincialPeoplesCommittee,saidtheprovincehasmobilisedallresourcesandorganisedspecialisedtrainingforthemanagementoffishingvessels,promotethedisseminationoflegalregulations,andencourageshipownersandfishermentosigncommitmentstoavoidIUUfishing.Theprovincealsoimplementeddigitalisationofallrecordsforfishingvesselswithexpiredlicenses,expiredregistrations,lostconnections,vesselssoldbutnotyettransferredownership,andthoseoperatingbeyondtheirallowedboundaries.—VNSInternationalandVietnamesestudentsatT?n??cTh?ngUniversity.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I-Overrecentyears,thenumberofinternationalstudentsstudyingatVietnameseuniversitieshassteadilyincreased,reflectingagrowingrecognitionofVietnamshighereducationquality.Thisriseisattributedtouniversitiesfocusingonqualityassurance.AccordingtotheMinistryofEducationandTraining(MoET)sInternationalCooperationDepartment,therewereapproximately22,000internationalstudentsinVietnameseinstitutions,withnearly4,000studyingunderbilateralagreementsandtheremainderonaself-fundedbasisorthroughuniversity-specificpartnerships,forthe2023-2024academicyear.Vietnameseuniversitiesareactivelypromotingstudentexchangeandfull-timeenrollmentoptionsforinternationalstudents,withnotablegrowthatseveralinstitutions.TheInternationalUniversityundertheVietnamNationalUniversity-H?ChíMinhCity(VNU-HCMC)hasnearlydoubleditsinternationalexchangestudentsoverthelastfiveyears,primarilyinBusinessAdministration,Biotechnology,BiomedicalEngineering,andInformationTechnology.Currently,612internationalstudentsareenrolledinbothfull-timeandexchangeprogrammes,with52full-timestudentsregisteredforthefirstsemesterof2024-2025.Alongsideacademics,theuniversityorganisesculturalandacademicexchangeevents.TheT?n??cTh?ngUniversityhasenrolledaround10,000internationalstudentsforstudies,internships,andculturalexchangesinthepastfiveyears.For2023-2024,itattracted2,065internationalstudents,withover400enrolledinfull-timeprogrammesindiversefields.ThesestudentscamefromcountriesacrossAsia,suchasLaos,Myanmar,Cambodia,Thailand,Indonesia,thePhilippines,India,andtheRepublicofKorea(RoK).TheMoETemphasisesthattheseexchangesfosterculturalties,academiccooperation,andstrongerinternationalrelationships.Currently,self-fundedinternationalstudentscompriseasubstantialproportionofinternationalenrolleesatprominentinstitutions.Nguy?nTh?BíchNg?c,HeadofCommunicationsattheVNU-HCMCsInternationalUniversity,acknowledgedthatitsstatusasapublicinstitutionteachingentirelyinEnglishhascontributedtoitsbroadappealamonginternationalstudents,supportingitsroleinintegratingVietnameseeducationwithglobalstandardsandfosteringamulticulturalacademicenvironment.VNS