AnoverviewoftheVi?tNamMigrationProfile2023launchceremony.—VNSPhotoThuTrangHàN?I—ApictureofthechangingfaceofVi?tNam,with860,000workersgoingtoworkabroadundercontractsinthesixyearsupto2023,hasbeenhighlightedinareportintohowpeoplehavemigratedintoandoutofthecountry.TheVi?tNamMigrationProfile2023demonstratestheimportanceofmigrationdataforpolicyandlawmakingonmigrationaswellasVi?tNamscontinuouseffortsinmigrationgovernancetothebenefittoall.Thelaunchceremonyattractednearly80delegatesfromministries,embassiesofvariouscountriesandinternationalorganisations,whoactivelydiscussedtheoutstandingtrendsofmigrationinrecentyears.TheeventonTuesdayinHàN?iwasorganisedbytheMinistryofForeignAffairs(MoFA)incoordinationwiththeInternationalOrganisationforMigration(IOM).Speakingatthelaunch,Nguy?nMinhV?,AssistantMinisterofForeignAffairs,assessedthattheprofilehadsomeoutstandingpointscomparedtothetwopreviousmigrationprofilespublishedin2011and2016.Thenewone,forthefirsttime,addedanalysisofforeignmigrationflowsintoVi?tNam,policiesandlawsrelatedtoforeignmigration,collectedandanalysedasystemofdataandinformationoninternationalmigrationwithmanystatisticalsubgroups.Nguy?nMinhV?,AssistantMinisterofForeignAffairs.—VNSPhotoThuTrangTheprofileof2023morefullyassessedpoliciesandpracticestoensurewomensrightsduringthemigrationprocessandprovidedinformationandresultsoftheimplementationoftheGlobalCompactforSafe,OrderlyandRegularMigration(GCM)ofVi?tNam.Promotinglegalmigration,preventingandcombatingmigrationthroughunofficialways,ensuringsafemigration,protectingthelegitimaterightsandinterestsofmigrants,includingVietnamesecitizensandforeignersmigratingtoVi?tNam,hadalwaysbeenVi?tNamsconsistentpolicy,hesaid.V?affirme79kingdthatVi?tNamwishedtopromotecooperationwithcountriesaswellastheUnitedNationsandinternationalorganisationstoenhanceexperiencesharinginmigrationmanagement,buildandmanageamigrationdatasystem,promotesafelegalmigrationandminimisevulnerabilityformigrants.TheVi?tNamMigrationProfile2023wascompiledbytheMoFAsConsularDepartmentwithparticipationofdifferentagencies.ItwashostedundertheprojectSupportingevidence-basedpoliciesandprogrammesinthecontextofcross-bordermobilityinVi?tNamjointlyimplementedbytheMoFAandIOMwithfundingfromtheIOMDevelopmentFund.TheprofilesynthesisesandanalysesthemigrationflowsofVietnamesecitizensabroad,themigrationflowsofforeignersintoVi?tNamandpoliciesandlawsrelatedtomigrationintheperiod2017-23.AppreciatingtheroleofmigrantsinpromotingsocialdevelopmentandeconomicgrowthinVi?tNamandrelatedcountriesandterritories,theprofilestatedthatinternationalmigration,ifeffectivelymanaged,willpushupsustainableandsocio-economicdevelopmentofeachcountry,eachlocality,communityandofmigrantsthemselves.Accordingtotheprofile,intheperiod2017-23,labourmigrationcontinuestobethemainformofmigrationinVi?tNamwithnearly860,000workersgoingtoworkabroadundercontracts,equivalenttomorethan100,000peoplesentannually,mostlyconcentratedinJapan,Taiwan(China)andSouthKorea.Migrationforstudyabroadalsohasasimilarincrease.Therehavebeennoexactfiguresyet,buttheestimatednumberiscurrentlyover250,000people,mainlyinSouthKorea,Japan,Australia,theUS,Taiwan(China),Canada,China,theUKandGermany.TheproportionofVietnamesefemalemigrantshastendedtoincrease.TheflowofforeignmigrationintoVi?tNamisalsorelativelydiverse,mostnotablylabourmigrationwith475,198foreignersgrantedworkpermitsfrom2017to2022.MitsuePembroke,OfficerinChargeofIOMinVi?tNam,speaksattheevent.—PhotocourtesyoftheIOMMitsuePembroke,OfficerinChargeofIOMinVi?tNam,saidthattheresearch,dataandfindingsfromthismigrationprofilewouldundoubtedlyassistVi?tNaminformulatingappropriatepoliciestobettermanagemigration.Inanerawhenmigrationquestionsarebecomingmorechallengingduetoeconomic,cultural,andsecurityeventsandtrends,greaterengagementfromgovernmentandotherstakeholdersisrequiredtopromoteabetterpublicunderstandingofthebenefits,challenges,andrisksassociatedwithmigration,shesaid.BylaunchingthethirdcomprehensiveoverviewofmigrationinVi?tNam,theConsularDepartmentisfacilitatingtheimportantdiscussionsonhowtoinvestinanadequateresponsetothechallengesofmigration.TheVi?tNamMigrationProfile2023alsopointsoutanumberofchallengessuchasensuringsafemigration,preventingillegalmigrationandhumantraffickingacrossbordersandprotectingthelegitimaterightsandinterestsofmigrantsinthefaceofalarmingonlinescamsofeasyjobswithhighsalaries.AsoneoftheleadingcountriesimplementingtheGCMAgreement,throughtheprofile,Vi?tNamhasdemonstrateditsstrongcommitmenttoprovidingpracticalsolutionstopromotesafemigrationandtheneedforevidence-basedpolicydevelopment.Itisanimportantpolicytool,contributingtotheimprovementofVi?tNamslegalpoliciesoninternationalmigrationinareassuchaslabourmigration,studyabroad,foreign-relatedmarriages,foreign-relatedadoptionandpreventionofhumantrafficking.Ittargetstobuildaninternationalmigrationmanagementmechanismbasedoneffectivecoordinationandinformationsharingamongconcernedministriesandagencies,withclosecooperationwithcountriestoprotectthelegitimaterightsandinterestsofmigrantsandstrengthenthepositiveaspectsofmigrationforsustainabledevelopment.—VNS

WavescrashoveraseawallasSuperTyphoonKong-reynearedthecoastofTaitung,Taiwan,onThursday.—AFP/VNAPhotoHàN?I—VietnameseairlineshavemadeadjustmentstotheirflightschedulestoandfromTaiwan(China)onOctober31andNovember1duetotheimpactofTyphoonKong-rey.NationalflagcarrierVietnamAirlineshasrescheduleddeparturetimesforflightstoavoidthestorm-affectedareasaroundtheTaoyuanInternationalAirportinTaipei.Specifically,flightsVN570fromHCMCitytoTaipeionOctober31andVN571fromTaipeitoHCMCityonNovember1wererescheduledtodepartatthesametimeonNovember1andNovember2,respectively.FlightVN586fromHàN?itoKaohsiungonOctober31willdepartat4:15amonNovember1,whileflightVN580fromHCMCitytoKaohsiungonOctober31wasrescheduledtodepartat2:25amonNovember1.ArepresentativeofVietnamAirlinessaidthatthecarrierhasadjusteditsflightschedulestoensuresafety,aimingtomaintainoriginaldepartureandarrivaltimes.However,asmultipleairlinesarereroutingtoavoidthetyphoon,airtrafficcongestionmayoccur,potentiallycausingfurtherdelays.Vietjethasalsoadjustedflightsto/fromTaiwan(China)onOctober31.FlightsVJ948fromHàN?itoTaichungonOctober31andVJ949fromTaichungtoHàN?ionOctober31wererescheduledtodepartat7amand11:30amonNovember1,respectively.FlightsVJ852fromHCMCitytoTaichungandVJ853fromTaichungtoHCMCityonOctober31wererescheduledfor8amand13.20pmonNovember1.Someotherflightsarealsoexperiencingdelays.Accordingtoairlinerepresentatives,adverseweatherduringstormsisanunavoidablesituationthatincurssignificantcostsforairlines,includingfuelexpenses.However,passengersafetyremainsthetoppriority.Passengershavebeenadvisedtokeepaclosewatchonthetyphoonwhileanyflightchangesarisingfromweatherconditionswouldbeupdatedontheairlinesfanpagesandwebsitesorviaphoneandemailprovidedbycustomers.—VNA/VNSThetwowartimebombshavebeensafelydetonated.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?NHPHúC—AuthoritiesinthenorthernprovinceofV?nhPhúconThursdaydetonatedtwobombswhichhadbeendiscoveredinB?chL?uCommuneofS?ngL?District.Theb79kingombs,weighing300-400kgeach,weresaidtobeleftoverfromtheresistancewaragainstUSimperialists.Earlier,theDivisionofEducationandTrainingofS?ngL?DistrictrequestedthetemporarysuspensionofteachingandlearningonthemorningofOctober31atschoolsinsixcommunesandonetowntoensuresafetyforlocalteachersandstudents.Inrecentyears,somelocalitiesinV?nhPhúchavediscoveredanddetonatedbombsandammunitionleftfromthewar.OnOctober24,awar-timebombweighing1,362kgwasalsoremovedtoasafelocationinthecapitalcityofHàN?i.—VNSS?ngL?Districtsmilitaryofficersmovedthebombstothesafedetonationlocation.—VNA/VNSPhoto

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.—VNSDeputyMinisterofHealthTr?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,about779king5percentofcancerdeathswilloccurinlow-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.—VNS

HócM?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.—VNS

AsignpostinastreetinS?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.—VNSPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhspeaksattheevent.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?NTH?—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhchairedaconferenceintheMekongDeltacityofC?nTh?onOctober15todiscusssolutionstoaprojectonsustainabledevelopmentofonemillionhectaresofhigh-quality,low-emissionricecultivationassociatedwithgreengrowthintheMekongDeltaby2030,whichwaslaunchedinNovember2023.Inhisspeech,thePMdescribedriceasakeystrategiccommodityofVi?tNam.Riceproduction,hestressed,isnotjustaboutensuringnationalfoodsecurityandsocialstability;itisalifelineformillionsoffarminghouseholdsandamajordriverofexports.Moreover,itplaysacriticalroleinglobalfoodsecurityandenhancesVi?tNamsinternationalreputation.Theprojectisofparamountsignificanceforregionalfarmers,riceindustry,andVi?tNamsbroadereffortstocombatclimatechange,aimingfornet-zeroemissionsinlinewithcommitmentsmadeatthe26thUnitedNationsClimateChangeConferenceoftheParties(COP26),hesaid.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD),incollaborationwith12regionalprovinces,hascarriedoutthisproject,alreadyachievingnotableinitialresults.Chínhcalledonrelevantministries,particularlytheMARDandlocalauthorities,tosubmitdetailedreportsontheprojectsimplementation,highlightinganyobstaclesfacedandproposingsolutionstoovercomethem.Afternearlyayearofconcertedefforts,ministries,agenciesandlocalauthoritieshaveissuedlegaldocumentstosupporttheproject,selectedandestablishedareasforinvolvement,andappliedtechnicalpackagesthatmeetsustainabilitycriteria.Trainingcourseshavebeenofferedtoreorganiseproductionandstrengthenvaluechainconnectivity,amongothers.—VNS

PerspectiveofC?nTh?Bridge2combiningroadandrail.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–TheM?Thu?nProjectManagementBoardhasproposedtwooptionsforconstructingtheC?nTh?2Bridge,thatisexpectedtostartbeingbuiltin2026andcompletedin2029.ThisprojectiscrucialforcompletingtheNorth-SouthexpresswayrouteintheeasternregionoftheMekongDelta,connectingtheM?Thu?n-C?nTh?expresswaywiththeC?nTh?-CàMauexpressway.ThetwoconstructionoptionsforC?nTh?2BridgehaveestimatedinvestmentcostsofapproximatelyVN?9.8trillion(US$815million)andVN?27.5trillion($1.13billion),respectively.ThefirstoptionproposestheconstructionofC?nTh?2Bridgewithseparatelanesforroadandrail.Thebridgewillhaveamainspanlengthof550m,usingacompositesteelgirderstructurewithareinforcedconcretedeck.Themainbridgeis1,090mlong.Thisoptionhastheadvantageofseparatingroadandrailtraffic,enhancingsafetyandoperationalefficiencyforbothmodes.However,itsdrawbackisthehigherinvestmentcostduetotheneedtoconstructtwoseparatebridges.Thesecondoptionallowsrailtraffictosharelaneswithroadtraffic.Thebridgewillalsohaveamainspanlengthof550mbutisexpectedtouseasteeltrussgirderstructure.Thetotallengthofthemainbridgeis1,110m.Theadvantageofthisoptionislowerconstructioncostsandasmallerlandfootprint,asitrequiresonlyonebridge.However,thedrawbackisthatcombiningbothtypesoftrafficonasinglebridgemaypresentchallengesinmanagement,operationandmaintenance.Regardingtotalinvestment,optionone(separateroadandraillanes)isestimatedatVN?19,782billion($814.6million)withconstructionandequipmentcostsaccountingforVN?12,874billion($530million),projectmanagement,consultingandothercostsatVN?1,287billion($53million),acontingencyofVN?2,968billion($122.4million)andcompensation,supportandresettlementcostsofVN?2,653billion($109.2million).Optiontwo(sharedroadandraillanes)hasahighertotalinvestment,estimatedatVN?27,494billion($1.13billion)includingconstructionandequipmentcostsofVN?18,544billion($764million),projectmanagement,consulting,andothercostsatVN?1,853billion($76.4million),acontingencyofVN?4,276billion($176million)andcompensation,supportandresettlementcostsofVN?2,821billion($116million).TheC?nTh?2Bridgeprojecthasatotallengthofabout14.65kmandislocatedapproximately4.5kmdownstreamfromtheexistingC?nTh?Bridge.TheapproachroadontheV?nhLongProvincessideis8.38kmlong,withthemainbridgeandleadingspansstretching2.75kmandtheapproachroadandbridgeontheC?nTh?Cityssideextending3.52km.ThestartingpointoftheprojectconnectswiththeChàVàintersection(endoftheM?Thu?n-C?nTh?Expresswayproject,locatedinM?HòaCommune,BìnhMinhTown,V?nhLongProvince),andtheendpointconnectswiththeIC2intersection,whichintersectswithNationalRouteNamS?ngH?uinPhúTh?Ward,CáiR?ngDistrict(startingpointoftheC?nTh?-CàMauExpressway).Thebridgewillbedesignedwithanavigationalclearancewidthof300m,withamainchannelwidthof160mandaheightof39mandsidechannelswithaheightof30m.Thebridgedeckwidthwillbe24.75m,meetingthestandardscaleforafour-lanecarriagewayinlinewithTCVN5729:2012standards.Theapproachroadwillalsohaveafour-laneconfiguration,withawidthof24.75m,followingexpresswaystandards.Theprojectisexpectedtorequirealandclearanceareaofapproximately519.64ha.AccordingtotheM?Thu?nProjectManagementBoard,theinvestmentprojectfortheconstructionofC?nTh?2BridgeisthefinalsegmentintheNorth-SouthexpresswayrouteintheeasternregionoftheMekongDelta(connectingtheM?Thu?n-C?nTh?withtheC?nTh?-CàMau).Thisisakeynationalexpresswaysystem,ensuringthecontinuousandhigh-speedtransportationoflargevolumesofgoodsandpassengers.Theprojectaimstocreateseamlessconnectivitywithmajorseaports,keyurbanareas,industrialzones,inlandportsandlogisticshubsintheMekongDeltaregion.TheH?uRiver,about230kmlong,isoneofthetwobranchesoftheMekongRiverasitflowsintoVietnameseterritory,passingthroughtheprovincesofAnGiang,C?nTh?City,??ngTháp,V?nhLong,H?uGiang,TràVinhandSócTr?ng.Currently,therearethreecompletedbridgesonthisriveroftheC?nTh?Bridge,theVàmC?ngBridgeandtheChau??cBridge.VNSAsectionofMaiS?n-HighwayNo45expressway.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Elevencomponentprojectsofthe2017-20North-Southexpresswaylackplannedreststopsandrefuellingstationsforvehiclesafterbeingopenedtotrafficmorethanayear.Inthenorthernregion,thebiggestconcernisthesectionfromNinhBìnhtoHàT?nhProvince,wherefourcomponentprojectsofMaiS?ntoHighwayNo.45,HighwayNo.45toNghiS?n,NghiS?ntoDi?nChau,andDi?nChautoB?iV?t,coveringmorethan210kmintotal,remainwithoutanyrestfacilities.Immediatelyaftertheseexpresswaysopened,thePrimeMinisterinstructedrelevantagenciestoexpeditetheconstructionofstopsbytheendof2023,aimingtoensuresafetyfordriversandpreventissuessuchasrunningoutoffuel,drivingbeyondlegalhoursorbeingstrandedonsectionswithnoemergencylanes.Yet,asofOctober2024,noreststopshavebeenbuilt.Withoutfuelstationsorlaybys,driverstravellingmorethan200kmstretchfromNinhBìnhtoHàT?nhworryaboutrunningoutoffuelincaseofprolongedtrafficjams.Long-distancedriversarealsoconcernedthat,withoutproperrestbreaks,theymightstruggletomeettheregulationlimitingcontinuousdrivingtofourhours,Nguy?nV?nQuy?n,chairmanoftheVi?tNamAutomobileTransportAssociation,said.Toaddressthis,investorsontheMaiS?n-HighwayNo45andNghiS?n-Di?nChauprojectshavesetuptemporaryreststops,butthesemakeshiftfacilities,coveringonlyaboutone-tenthoftherequiredarea,canaccommodateamaximumof20cars.Moreover,thesestopsconsistofmakeshifttentsindampconditions,withmanyclosingatnight,makingthemineffective.Accordingtotheoriginalplan,tenreststopswithfuelstationswereplannedfortheelevenNorth-SouthExpresswayprojects,whichspanthroughtheprovincesofNinhBình,HàT?nh,KhánhHòa,NinhThu?n,BìnhThu?nand??ngNai.Inresponsetothepersistentdelays,theMinistryofTransportrecentlyinstructedtheVi?tNamExpresswayAdministrationandprojectmanagementboardstoexpeditecontractorselectionandbeginconstruction.Todate,contractorshavebeenselectedforeightofthetenplannedreststops,includingthosealongtheMaiS?n-HighwayNo45,NghiS?n-Di?nChau,Di?nChau-B?iV?t,andCamLam-V?nhH?osections.TheMinistryofTransporthasmandatedthecompletionofessentialfacilitiessuchasparkingareasandrestroomsbyDecember31,2024.LamV?nHoàng,directoroftheVi?tNamExpresswayAdministration,saidthatdelayswereprimarilyduetoalackofinvestorinterestandongoingsiteclearanceissues.Aftersixmonthsofbidding,onlyeightcontractorshadbeenselected.Additionally,localauthoritieshavebeenslowinclearingconstructionsites,furtherdelayingprogress.Despitethedelays,theVi?tNamExpresswayAdministrationreportedthatthreereststopsontheMaiS?n-HighwayNo.45,Di?nChau-B?iV?t,andCamLam-V?nhH?oroutesnowhavebasicsiteclearance,withfinalproceduresunderwaybeforeconstructionbegins.ForotherprojectssuchasNhaTrang-CamLam,NghiS?n-Di?nChau,andPhanThi?t-D?uGiay,siteclearanceisexpectedtobecompletedbyOctober2024.TheVi?tNamExpresswayAdministrationhasinstructedtheprojectmanagementboardsandinvestorstofinishtheeightreststopsbeforetheLunarNewYear.—VNS

ThuVanHàN?I—WhenthesoldiersofRegiment98,Division316,arrivedatLàngN?VillagebymiddayonSeptember11,theyweremetwithutterdevastation.Theairwasthickwithgrief.Villagersweptandrowsofcoffinslinedthevillagesculturalhouse.Onceapeacefulsettlementnestledinagreenvalley,thevillagehadbeenreducedtoawastelandofshatteredwoodenstakes,bambootrunks,corrugatedironroofs,motorbikes,watercontainersandthecarcassesoflivestock,allemittingafoulstench.Muddytorrentsstillflowedfromthehighlands,carryingdebrisintheirwake.Thescaleofthetragedywasunimaginable–ithadunfoldedinamatterofmoments.Insomeplaces,themudreacheduptothesoldiersknees,thighs,waistsandevendeeper.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Thenightbefore,at11pmonSeptember10,LieutenantColonelNguy?nNg?cBa,CommanderofRegiment98,receivedacall.Ontheotherend,theDivisionCommandersvoiceissuedanurgentdirective:theunitmustimmediatelydeployforsearchandrescueoperationsinLàngN?Village,PhúcKhánhCommune,B?oYênDistrict,LàoCaiProvince.Earlierthatday,adeadlylandslidehadtornthroughthevillage,leavingmanydeadandhomesburied.Theorderwaspassedswiftlythroughtheranks,andthesoldiersworkedtirelesslythroughthenight,gatheringtools,equipmentandessentialsupplies.By5am,withbackpacksontheirshouldersandraincoatswrappedaroundthem,thesoldierswereready–undauntedbytherelentlessrainanddarkskies.Threehundredofficersandsoldiersembarkedonthiscriticalmission,bravingtorrentialrainanddangerous,landslide-pronemountainroads.Whentheyarrived,thescenewasoverwhelming.Themuddyplainswerelitteredwiththeremainsofcollapsedhomesandlivestock,whilevillagerssearchedfranticallyformissinglovedones.Witnessingthedevastation,soldierNguy?n??cQuy?nfromYênBáiwasleftspeechless.Whenwereachedthevillagesculturalhouse,whereeveryonehadgathered,Isawpeoplecrying.Butwhatbrokemyheartevenmorewerethecoffinslinedupinrows.Ifeltfrozen,Quy?ntoldVi?tNamNews.Theirmissionbeganimmediately–searchingforvictimsbeneaththethicklayersofmud.Equippedwithlifejackets,gloves,boots,ropesandsticks,thesoldiersmarcheddeterminedlytowardsthelandslide.Theground,coveredindeepmud,debrisandsharpobjects,didntdeterthemfromtheirsolemnduty.Tr?nMinhTh?o,asoldierofRegiment98,said:Thelocalswerethere,weepingandpleadingforhelp.Theyhadlosteverything.Theironlyhopewasthatwecouldrecoverthebodiesoftheirlovedonesforproperfunerals.Theirwordsgaveusthestrengthtocarryon.AmissionlikenootherItwasadauntingtasktofindthebodiesofvictims.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Fortheyoungsoldiers,themissionfeltoverwhelming.Manyhadneverexperiencedsuchadisaster.Duringthesearchformissingvictims,theyusedsmallbamboopolestoprobethemud,carefullyfeelingforanysignofabody.Whenevertheysuspectedsomeonemightbeburiedbeneaththethicklayersofearth,theygentlyusedrakes,hoesandshovelstoremovethemud,onedelicatelayeratatime.Somovedbytheirexperiences,someofthesoldiersputtheirthoughtsonpaper,creatingajournalofthetimespentinthevillage,sofuturesoldierscanrememberthetoughtimestheyfaced,andalsotoallowthosewhoexperiencedtherescue,timetoreflect.Wewerealwaysafraidofaccidentallydisturbingthevictims–theyhadalreadyenduredsomuch,andwedidntwanttoaddtotheirsuffering.Thatswhy,wheneverwefoundavictim,wewouldquietlyremindeachother,Begentle,Tri?uLaCáoofRegiment98wrote.Tr?nV?nThu?n,toldVi?tNamNews:MyfellowsoldiersandIhadneverbeenonsuchamission,andthesearchwasincrediblydifficult.Ipersonallycarriedthebodyofasmallchildoutofthemud.Itwasanintenselyemotionalmomentforme.Thehardestpartwaswhenitrainedandthesoldiersdidnthaveenoughdryclothestowear.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Onthefirstdayofthemission,Tr?nMinhTh?odiscoveredthebodyofanelderlywoman,wrappedinablanketandcaughtinthebranchesofatree.Hesaid:Iknewshewaselderlybecauseherhairwasgrey.Iassumedherhousehadbeenstruckbythelandslidewhileshewasstillasleep.LieutenantColonelL??ngV?nhPhúc,DeputyPoliticalCommissarofRegiment98,hasbeenservingformorethan20years,butinallthattime,nothingcomesclosetothismission.Ihaveparticipatedinmanysearchandrescueoperations,butthetragedyatLàngN?VillagewasthemostdevastatingIhaveeverwitnessed,hesaid.Theground,coveredindeepmud,debrisandsharpobjects,didntdeterthesoldiersfromtheirduties.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Beyondtheemotionaltoll,theharshweathermadethemissionevenmoregrueling.Whenitrained,itpouredrelentlessly,andwhenthesuncameout,itwasscorching.Alsowritinginthememoir,Nguy?nMinh??c,remembered:Insomeplaces,themudreacheduptoourknees,thighs,waists,andevendeeper.Theairwasheavilypolluted.Afterworkinginthemorningsandevenings,wehadtocleanourselvesthoroughly,butcleanwaterwasscarce.Thehardestpartwaswhenitrained,andwedidnthaveenoughdryclothes.Wehadtodrythembythekitchenfireorborrowfromeachother.Eachdaybroughtnewchallenges.Nguy?n??cQuy?n,fromYênBái,facedhisownpersonalhardshipduringthemission.OnhiswaytoLàngN?,helearnedthathisownhomesubmergedinfloodwaters.Afterfourlongdays,hefinallymanagedtocontacthismotherbyphoneandlearnedthatshewassafe,thoughtheirfamilyschickenfarmhadbeendestroyed.SourcesofstrengthAmidthegriefandhardship,thesoldiersdrewstrengthfromtheunwaveringsupportoftheirleadersandthelocalcommunity,neverfalteringintheirdetermination.ViV?nD??ngreflectedonthedeepbondthatformed.Whatmovedmethemostwashowthelocalsstoodbyusthroughoutthemission.Theyconstantlyencouragedusaswesearchedforthemissing,hesaid.Onscorchinghotdays,theybroughtusbottlesofwatertokeepusgoing.Thosemomentsareetchedinmymemory,andIwillneverforgetthem.DeputyPoliticalCommissarofRegiment98,L??ngV?nhPhúc,addedthatsomefamilieswereevenwillingtomovetheirentirehouseholdtomakespaceforthesoldierswhentheyhadnoplacetostay.Inareaswherewaterpipelineswerethemainsourceofwater,whenthepipesbroke,andthevillagersnoticedthatthesoldiershadnowatertobathe,theydidnthesitatetorepairthem.Theyalwaysshowedussuchwarmandcaringsupport.AresidentofLàngN?Villagebidsfarewelltothesoldiers.PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Itwasntjustthevillagerswhokeptthesoldiersgoing.Eveninthemostdifficultconditions,thesupportfromcommandersandsmallactsofkindnesswithintheunitprovidedmuch-neededcomfort.BànV?nL?oftheRegimentrecalledalate-nightencounterwithhiscompanycommanderinthememoir.Hewrote:Itwasaround11pm,Iwascrouchedover,tryingtogetthefiregoingwhenIsuddenlylookedupandwasstartled.Ihadntevennoticedmycompanycommanderstandingnexttome.Iquicklyexplained,‘Sir,bothofmysetsofunderclothesarewet,soImdryingthemouttoweartobed.Ithoughthemightscoldme,butinstead,heturnedonhisflashlight,openedhisbackpack,pulledoutapairofmilitaryshorts,andhandedthemtome.‘Puttheseonandgetsomerest.Youllneedyourstrengthfortomorrow,hesaid.N?ngV?nHoàngalsosharedthattheencouragementfromhiscommanderskepthimgrounded.Aftermorethanaweekofsearchingforthemissingvictims,ourbodieswerebeginningtofeeltheexhaustion.Thereweremomentswhenwefeltlikegivingup,butourcommandersateverylevelcontinuedtomotivate,carefor,andsupportus.Afterdinner,theywouldcheckonus,andofferwordsofencouragement.Thankstotheirconcern,ourfatigueandhardshipsseemedtofadeaway,andwefoundthestrengthtokeepgoing,tosearchformorevictims,andcompleteourmissionasquicklyaspossible.Unitedbyloss,sustainedbytrustAfter14daysofrelentlesssearching,itwastimeforthesoldierstobidfarewelltoLàngN?Villageandreturntotheirunit.Thevillagers,whohadwitnessedthesoldiersdedicationandsacrifices,linedtheroadtoseethemoff.Themenshookhandswiththesoldiers,whilethewomenandmothersembracedthem,tearsstreamingdowntheirfaces.Thevillagerspresentedthesoldierswithbánhch?ng,riceballsandbottlesofwater.TheSecretaryoftheB?oYênDistrictPartyCommitteehandedthemanationalflagbearingtheinscriptionLàNGN?10-24/9/2024.Astheyreceivedtheflag,tearswelledupinthesoldierseyes.LieutenantColonelL??ngV?nhPhúcsaidtheyweredeeplymoved.ThisflagsymbolisednotonlytherecognitionfromthelocalPartyCommittee,authorities,andthepeopleofPhúcKhánhCommuneandLàngN?Village,butalsothetrusttheyplacedintheofficersandsoldiersofRegiment98andDivision316.Ifeltthatthisgestureconveyedboththeirgratitudeandconfidenceinus.Inturn,webecameapillarofsupportforthepeopleofLàngN?,andforthenationasawhole,duringthemostchallenginganddifficulttimes.Beforedeparting,thesoldiersstoodinsolemnformation,bowingtheirheadsandraisingtheirhandsinafinalmilitarysalutetothevictimsstilllyingbeneaththemud.—PhotocourtesyofRegiment98Despitetheirefforts,themissionremainedunfinishedintheheartsofthesoldiers.Ifeeldeeplysadandtroubledbecausewehaventfoundalltheremainsofthevillagerslovedones.Therearefathersstillsearchingfortheirchildren,andchildrenstillsearchingfortheirmothers.Itsheart-wrenching,trulyheartbreaking,saidTr?nMinhTh?o.Beforetheirdeparture,thesoldiersformedasolemnlinebeforethevastexpanseofmud.Theybowedtheirheadsandraisedtheirhandsinamilitarysalute–agestureofsilentapologytothevictimsstilllyingbeneath.ReflectingontheirtimeinLàngN?,thesoldiersheldfirmtotheguidingprinciplethathadseenthemthrough:Wealwaysremindourselvesofonecorebelief:thePeoplesArmycomesfromthepeopleandservesthepeople.Throughoutthemission,officersandsoldierstreatedthevillagersasiftheywerefamily,fullyawareoftheimmenselosstheywerefacing,saidDeputyPoliticalCommissarL??ngV?nhPhúc.Astheydepartedfromthedevastatedvillage,itwasntjustamissiontheywereleavingbehind,butareminderofthestrengththatcomesfromunity,compassionandtrustbetweenthearmyandthepeopletheyserve.—VNSArenderingoftheproposed48kmrailwaylinelinkingHCMCitytotheunder-constructionLongThànhairportinneighbouring??ngNaiProvince.—PhotocourtesyoftheMinistryofTransportHCMCity—A48kmrailwaylinelinkingHCMCitytotheunder-constructionLongThànhairportinneighbouring??ngNaiProvincewillbebuiltbetween2026and2029,costingVN?84.7trillion(US$3.42billion).TheproposedTh?Thiêm–LongThànhlinewillinclude41.8kmofthemainroute(11.7kminHCMCityand30.8kmin??ngNai)and4.4kmfordepotaccess.TheMinistryofTransportisseekingfeedbackontheprojectsroute,landuse,andstationconnectivityfromlocalauthorities,includingHCMCity,??ngNaiProvince,andministries.Themetrosystemwillhaveamaximumspeedof110km/honthemainrouteand80km/hintunnels.Undertheministrysproposal,thelinewillstartatTh?ThiêmStationinTh???cCity,crossthe??ngNaiRiver,andtransitionundergroundinLongThànhDistrict.Ultimately,therailwaywillconnectwiththeNorth-Southhigh-speedrailwayandfacilitateaccesstoLongThànhInternationalAirport,whichiscurrentlyunderconstruction.Theprojectwillencompassbothelevatedandundergroundsections,featuringfourundergroundstationslocatednearLongThànhAirport,alongwithtwodepots—onecovering21.4hainLongThànhformaintenanceandanotherspanning1.2hainTh???cforminorrepairs.Between2035and2045,thelineisprojectedtoutiliseninefour-cartrains,increasingto28trainsbetween2045and2055,andultimatelyemploying31six-cartrainsby2055.Thetrainswillincorporatedistributedpowertechnology,similartothatutilisedintheproposedNorth-Southhigh-speedrailway.Accordingtotheproposal,Statefundsandbondswillbeutilisedforlandclearanceandconstruction,whileofficialdevelopmentassistance(ODA)loanswillbeallocatedfortheprocurementoftrainsandticketingsystems.Ifapproved,constructionisexpectedtocommencebylate2026,withcommercialoperationsprojectedtobeginin2030.Currently,theLongThanh–D?uGiayexpresswayistheonlyrouteconnectingtheairporttocentralHCMCity,whichiscongested.Theprojectalignswithglobaltrendsofconnectingmajorairportstocitycentresviahigh-capacityrail.HCMCitysmetrodevelopmentplanincludeseightmetrolinesandthreemonoraillines,totalingabout220km,withtwolinesunderconstruction.Thefirstmetrolineisexpectedtobeoperationallaterthisyear,whilethreeadditionalrailwaylinesareprojectedforthesouthernregionby2030.—VNS