AtChildrensHospital2inHCMCity,adoctorpresentsgiftstoachildpatientontheoccasionofInternationalChildrensDay(June1).—VNA/VNSPhotoThuH??ngHCMCITY—Inanefforttoaddressitsdecliningfertilityrate,HCMCityisconsideringsolutionstobettercareforpregnantwomen,newborns,andchildreninthecity.ThecitysDepartmentofHealthhassubmittedaproposaloutliningsolutionstoincreasethecitysfertilityrateby2030tothemunicipalPeoplesCommitteesforapproval.Undertheproposal,pregnantwomen,newbornsandchildreninthecitywillbeeligibleforsupportfromthecitygovernment.Itincludesfullycoveringthecostsforpregnantwomenparticipatinginprenatalandnewbornscreeningprogrammes.Italsoprovidesfullreimbursementofexpenses(afterdeductingtheamountcoveredbyhealthinsurance)forregularprenatalcheck-upsandchildbirth.Additionally,theproposalsuggestsplanningandconstructingchildcarecentresandkindergartensthatcatertotheneedsofmothers,especiallyinexportprocessingzones,industrialareas,andurbandistricts.Italsoaimstopilotworker-friendlyservicessuchasadjustingchildcarehoursandsupportingboardingschoolexpensesforpreschoolandelementarystudents.Italsoencouragestheestablishmentofbreastfeedingroomsatworkplaces.AccordingtothecitysDepartmentofHealth,HCMCityisoneof21provincesandcitieswiththelowestfertilityratesinthecountry.Thecitysfertilityrateis1.32childrenperwomanofreproductiveage,steadilydecreasingfromarateof1.76in2000.Adeclineinfertilityratesimpactspopulationsize,agedistribution,reductionintheworking-agepopulation,migrationtrendsandaccelerationofpopulationaging.Italsohampersthepotentialofdemographicdividends.Therefore,thecitygovernmentisstrengtheningstatepopulationmanagementtoimproveitslowfertilityrate.—VNS

Atthemeeting.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàhascalledforportplanninganddevelopmenttoprioritisemechanismsandpoliciesthatguaranteethesafeandefficientgrowthofseaportinfrastructure,aimingtoattractinvestmentfromleadingglobalshippinglines.Heemphasisedtheneedforadynamicandopenapproachtoensuretimelyadaptationtotechnologicaladvancementsandinternationalchanges.Hemadetherequestwhilechairingameetingyesterdaywithvariousministries,sectorsandlocalitiestodiscussthedraftoftheDetailedMasterPlanforSeaportGroups.Theplan,whichcoversports,terminals,wharvesandfloatingdocks,setsoutdetailsfortheperiod2021-2030,withavisionextendingto2050.Duringthemeeting,DeputyMinisterofTransportNguy?nXuanSanghighlightedthesignificanceoftheplanasacrucialstepinrefiningthebroadermasterplanfortheseaportsystem.Heemphasisedthatthisplanningisvitalfordevelopingpoliciesandstrategiesthatalignwithsocio-economicgrowth,whilesafeguardingthesecurityoflocal,regionalandnationalinterests.Theplanincludesspecificprojectionsforeachseaportandportarea,detailingthenumberofberths,docksandporttypesneededby2030.Italsoestimatesthescaleofmajorportareasforthe2030-2050periodtoattractcomprehensiveinvestment.KeyareasoffocusincludeNam??S?n,ConOng-HònNét,LiênChi?u,C?nGi?,CáiMépH?,theCáiMépH?lower-areaandTr?n??.Theplanfurtherproposesthedevelopmentofpublicmaritimeinfrastructure,guidelinesforconnectingtransportinfrastructureandorientationsfortheexpansionofotherdocksandberths,layingafoundationforfutureplanningefforts.Targetsaresetforcargoandpassengervolumes,alongwithinfrastructureneeds,foreachportgroup,aligningwithforecastedgrowth.By2030,totalcargovolumeisprojectedtoexceedatleast1,249milliontonnes(underalowscenario)and1,493milliontonnes(underahighscenario)withcontainercargonumbersrangingfrom46.3to54.3millionTEUs.Passengernumbersareexpectedtoreachbetween17.382and18.845milliontrips.TheplanalsoupdatesH?ChíMinhCitysseaport,referencedasaspecialpotentialport,incorporatingtheC?nGi?InternationalTranshipmentPort(inaccordancewithDecisionNo442/QD-TTg).Thisupdateaimstooptimiseinvestmentefficiencyinseaportinfrastructureandensureasystematic,coordinatedconnectionamongseaports,sectorsandregionsnationwide,whilesafeguardingsocialsecurityandnationaldefence.Throughoutthediscussions,representativesfromministries,sectors,localities,andcorporationsprovidedfeedbackontheplan.Theirinsightsareexpectedtosignificantlyenhanceservicesrelatedtocontainerportoperations,includingcontainerhandling,customs,freighttransportandtheuseofdocks,berthsandbuoystations.EnvironmentmustbeprioritisedLaterthesameday,DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàreviewedtheinvestmentpolicyfortheSaigonGatewayInternationalTranshipmentPortProject.TheDeputyPMdirectedtheMinistryofPlanningandInvestmenttocoordinatewiththeMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,theMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment,theMinistryofTransport,HCMCityPeoplesCommitteeandotherrelevantministriesandsectors,toensuretheprojectsalignmentwithrelatedplans.Heurgedtheswiftcompletionofthedossierforinvestmentpolicyapproval.DeputyPMHàemphasisedthattheenvironmentmustnotbecompromised,advocatingforoverallandharmoniousbenefitswhileavoidingconflictswithotherprojects.Hestressedthattheprojectmustcontributetothegoalofdevelopinginternationallyandregionallycompetitiveseaports,attractinginvestorswithstrongtechnological,humanresourceandmanagementcapabilities.AccordingtotheMinistryofPlanningandInvestment,theSaigonGatewayProjectinC?nGi?Districtiscurrentlyunderconsiderationforinvestmentpolicyapproval.Theprojectinvolvesservicesrelatedtocontainerportoperations,withaprojectedlanduseof571haandatotalinvestmentofapproximatelyVN?113.5trillion(overUS$4billion)tobeimplementedoversevenphases,spanning22years.ArepresentativeoftheHCMCityPeoplesCommitteereassuredthatanenvironmentalimpactassessmentwouldbethoroughlyconductedduringthefeasibilitystudy,inaccordancewithenvironmentallaws,toensurethattheprojectdoesnotimpacttheC?nGi?MangroveBiosphereReserve.Theprojectwilladheretomodern,environmentallyfriendlyportoperationtechnologiestoprotecttheecologicalenvironment,particularlytheC?nGi?MangroveBiosphereReserve.RepresentativesfromtheMinistryofForeignAffairsandtheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmenthighlightedtheprojectslocationwithinthebufferzoneofthebiospherereserve,whichincludesaUNESCO-recognisedregeneratingmangroveforest.Theystressedthenecessityofrigorousenvironmentalimpactassessmentsandfurtherevaluationoflanduseplanningaroundtheprojectareatoensureitsalignmentwiththeoverallmasterplan.DeputyMinisterofScienceandTechnologyHoàngMinhpointedoutthelengthyprojecttimelineandsuggestedthattheprojectreportclarifydevelopmenttrendsandtechnologytransfertoavoidpoorlyforecastedtechnologydevelopmentsthatcouldleadtoinadequateinvestmentsandearlyobsolescence.VNSPartyGeneralSecretaryandStatePresidentT?Lamattendstheopeningofarefreshercourseforthecadresnominatedformembershipofthe14th-tenurePartyCentralCommittee.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–Arefreshercourseforthecadresnominatedformembershipofthe14th-tenurePartyCentralCommitteewasopenedinHàN?ionWednesdayinthepresenceofPartyGeneralSecretaryandStatePresidentT?Lam.Thecourse,thesecondheldbythePartyCentralCommitteesOrganisationCommissionandtheH?ChíMinhNationalAcademyofPolitics,engages50traineeswhowilllearnanddiscuss33topicscoveringnationallyimportantaffairsinthecurrentperiod,includingthecoreissuesofthePartysideologicalandtheoreticalfoundation;thebuildingoftheParty,theState,andthepoliticalsystem;economic,cultural,andsocialdevelopment;nationaldefence,security,andexternalrelations;andthescienceofleadershipandmanagementinthenewcontext.GeneralSecretaryandPresidentLamnotedthatineveryperiodoftherevolution,thePartyalwayspaysspecialattentiontopersonnelaffairs,andpersonneltrainingisidentifiedasthecoreofallcoretasksinthePartybuilding.HecitedlatePresidentH?ChíMinhassayingthatpersonnelandpersonnelaffairsareacriticallyissueandthedecisivefactorofeverywork,cadresformtherootofallwork,sotrainingpersonnelisaroottaskoftheParty.Sincethe11thNationalPartyCongress,refreshercoursesforthecadresnominatedforstrategic-levelpositionsandmembershipofthePartyCentralCommitteehavebeencontinuouslyreformedandprofessionalised.HowtosoonachievethestrategicgoalsforthecentenaryofthePartyin2030andthe100thfoundinganniversaryoftheDemocraticRepublicofVi?tNam,nowtheSocialistRepublicofVi?tNam,in2045dependslargelyonthequalityofhumanresources,firstlythestrategic-levelpersonnel,whomustreceivetraining,reformtheirmindset,visionandworkmethodology,andbeeligibleintermsofpoliticalvirtues,morality,lifestyle,capacity,andprestigetofulfilltasksinthenewperiod,accordingtotheleader.LamsaidtherefreshercoursereflectsthehighsenseofresponsibilityandstrategicvisionofthePartyCentralCommittee,thePolitburo,andthePartyCentralCommitteesSecretariattowardsthetrainingofstrategic-levelcadresfortheParty.Heexpressedhisbeliefthatthecoursewillfulfillallthesettargetsandtasks.–VNS

PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhchairsameetingheldonWednesdaytoreviewresultsoftheIUUfishingcombat.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhasdemandedeffortsberampeduptoeradicateillegal,unreportedandunregulated(IUU)fishingwhileleadersofpoor-performinglocalitiesbestringentlyhandledasaEuropeanCommission(EC)delegationwillcometoVi?tNamforthefifthinspectionthisOctober.HemadetherequestwhilechairingameetingheldonWednesdaytoreviewresultsoftheIUUfishingcombatineffortstohavetheECsyellowcardwarninglifted.Theeventwasconnectedwithallthe28coastalprovincesandcitiesviavideoconference.Participantssharedtheviewthatafternearlysevenyearsofendeavours,thefightagainstIUUfishinghasreapedcertainpositiveresults,includingthelegalframeworkperfected,vesselmonitoringsystems(VMS)installed,thenationalfisheriesdatabase(VNFishbase)built,importedseafoodcontrolledinlinewiththeAgreementonPortStateMeasures,andthesettlementofruleviolationsenhanced.Localitieshavelaunchedlegalproceedingsagainst11caseswhilethreeothersarebeinginvestigatedforsuspectedwrongdoingslinkedwithillegalseafoodexploitation,trading,andtransportation.TheEChashighlyvaluedthepoliticalresolveofVi?tNam,particularlytheattentionandstrongdirectionsfromthecentrallevel,officialsnoted.However,theypointedoutthatthereremainmanyshortcomingsatthelocallevel,thusfailingtomeetrequirementsintheECsrecommendationsissuedduringthefourthinspectioninOctober2023.Amongtheshortcomings,somelocalitieshaventcompletedthegrantingofseafoodexploitationlicences,orthoroughlydealtwithunregistered,unchecked,andunlicensedfishingvessels.SomevesselsstilldisconnectVMSwhileVietnamesefishingvesselsandfishermensinfringementofforeignwatershasyettobeeradicated.Theyblamedthoseproblemsonnotonlyfishermenslimitedawarenessbutalsothelackofasenseofresponsibilityamongcertaincollectivesandindividualstowhichanti-IUUfishingtasksareassigned,thelackofstrongdirectionsfromleadersofsectorsandall-levelauthorities,alongwiththelackofexamination,inspectionandsupervision,amongothers.Participantssharedtheviewthatifexistingproblemsandshortcomingsarenotquicklyaddressedandanti-IUUfishingrulesnotenforcedseriously,itwillbeverydifficulttohavetheyellowcardwarninglifted,andthecountrymayevenfacearedcard.Speakinghighlyofministries,sectors,andlocalitiesactiveness,PMChínhsaidthemanagementandlawenforcementtofightIUUfishingbystateagencies,Partycommittees,andadministrationsatalllevels,especiallythegrassrootslevel,haveyettobestringentenough.Hedemandedtheirleaders,evensecretariesofprovincial-levelPartycommittees,bedealtwithstrictlyinconformitywithDirectiveNo.32-CT/TW,datedApril10,2024,ofthePartyCentralCommitteeSecretariat.ToachievethebestpossibleresultsduringtheECdelegationsfifthinspectioninOctober,heaskedheadsofministries,centralsectors,andrelatedlocalitiestoboostleadership,direction,andactiontosooncompleteaddressingtheabovementionedproblems.TheGovernmentleaderrequestedallresourcesbesummonedforputtinganendtofishingvesselsinfringementofforeignwaters,especiallythevehiclesfromKiênGiang,CàMau,andBình??nhprovinces.Policeandborderguardforcesmustenhancecoordinationwithlocaladministrationstostepupawareness-raisingcommunicationsandearlydetectandpreventthefishermenintendingtoworkillegallyinforeignwaters.ItisalsonecessarytoeffectivelycarryouttheresolutionreleasedbytheSupremePeoplesCourtscouncilofjudgesthatguidestheapplicationofthePenalCodesregulationsontheactsofillegalseafoodexploitation,trading,andtransportation,headded.Inhisremarks,thePMassigneddetailedtaskstoministries,leadersofthecoastallocalities,fisheriesassociationsandbusinesses,alongwithpressagencies,callingonallpeopletoimprovetheirawarenessandnottoengageinIUUfishingforthesakeofthecountryandthemselves.–VNSAweatherballoonisreleasedfromtheLangSonagriculturalmeteorologicalstationinL?ngS?nProvincetomeasurewinddirectionandspeed.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–Asmanyas62,000havegainedaccesstoinformationonclimatechangeanddisasterrisksunderaprojectfinancedbytheGreenClimateFundthroughtheUNDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP).AccordingtoUNDPResidentRepresentativeinVi?tNamRamlaKhalidi,theoutcome,whichwasfarhigherthanitssettargetof20,000,hascontributedtothecapacitybuildinginresponsetonaturaldisastersforindividuals,communities,andorganisations,helpingthembetterpreparefortheirresponseplans.ThiswaspartoftheprojectImprovingtheResilienceofVulnerableCoastalCommunitiestoClimateChangeRelatedImpactsinVi?tNamcarriedoutinthenorthernprovinceofNam??nh,thecentralprovincesofQu?ngBình,Th?aThiên–Hu?,Qu?ngNam,andQu?ngNg?i,andthesouthernmostprovinceofCàMaufrom2017toJuly2024.Hundredsoftrainingcoursesonoutliningplanstoevaluatedisasterriskswerearrangedtoimprovethecommunityscapacity,helpingthemintegrateriskmitigationmeasuresintoplanningandbudgetingprocesses.Alsoundertheproject,24disasterriskearlywarningsystemswereinstalledinthesevenlocalities.TheUNDPsaidVi?tNamisamongthecountrieshardhitbyextremeweatherconditionscausedbyclimatechange.Thecountrylosesonaverage1-1.5percentofGDPannuallytoclimate-relateddisasters.VNSAdoctoratNguy?nTriPh??ngHospitalinHCMCityviewsapatientsdiagnosticimagingresultsonacomputer.—VNA/VNSPhoto?inhH?ngHCMCITY—TheHCMCityDepartmentofHealthhascoordinatedwithrelevantdepartmentsandunitstocreatetechnicalplansfortheimplementationofelectronichealthrecords(EHR).DeployinganEHRsystemaimstoensurethehealthdataofresidentstobeinterconnectedbetweengrassrootshealthcarefacilitiesandcentral-levelmedicalunits.TheDepartmentofHealthhasalsocooperatedwiththeconsultingunitofthecitysDigitalTransformationCentretofinaliseproceduresforimplementingEHRs.ThedepartmentwillcreateinitialdataforthecityresidentsrecordsbyusingCOVID-19vaccinationandimmunisationdata.ResidentshealthdatawillbeintegratedintotheelectronichealthrecordontheVNeIDapp,startingwithhealthdatafortheelderly,withover100,000recordsnowavailable.Accordingtothecitysdigitaltransformationprogramme,theDepartmentofHealthwillcreateinitialdataforelectronichealthrecordsfor90percentofthecitysresidents.Healthdataandinformationonelectronichealthrecordswillbeintegratedfromhealthcheckupsfortheelderlyandmedicalrecordsfromhealthcarefacilities.ThemunicipalPeoplesCommitteehastargetedallcityresidentstohaveelectronicmedicalrecordsconnectedtothecityshealthfacilitiesdatabaseby2025.Recordshavebeencompiledfrom2019.Thedatabasewillupdateinformationonpatientsand,ultimately,universalhealthcoverageforallitsresidents.By2022,thecityhadcollectedinitialdataonresidentshealth,includingname,age,gender,birth,address,ID,andmedicalhistory.Thedatawillbeupdatedyearbyyearuntil2025.Aftercollectingandsettingupthedata,relevantagencieswillanalyseandcarryoutahealthindexofresidentstoevaluatediseasescenariosinthecity.Artificialintelligencewillbeappliedinresearchandwillforecasttrendsrelatedtohealth.Later,suitablestrategiestoimprovethehealthofresidentswillbesuggested.ThecommitteealsoinstructedrelevantagenciestoincreaseinvestmentinITinfrastructuretoensuredatasecurity.SoftwareusedforelectronicmedicalrecordsmustmatchthecityselectronicarchitectureandtheMinistryofHealthstechnicalstandards.Thesoftwarewillalsobeusedwidelyandbecompatiblewithrelevanthealthinformationsystems.Whenahealthfacilityadmitsapatient,itisresponsibleforsearchingthesystemforinformationrelatedtothepatientshealthandmedicalhistoryandupdatingthepatientsmedicalinformationintheirelectronicmedicalrecords.Viaelectronicmedicalrecords,patientswillbeexaminedandtreatedmorerapidlyandaccurately.Whendoctorstypethecodeofapatientselectronicmedicalrecord,theyaccessthelatestinformationaboutthepatient,helpingthemimprovediagnosisandtreatment.Residentsinthecitywillalsohaveaccesstoandbeawareoftheirrecordssotheycanbeproactiveinmonitoringtheirhealth.—VNS

LieutenantColonelTr?nTrungHi?u,DeputyChiefofTanBìnhDistrictPolice,providesinformationabouttheinfanttraffickingringatthepressconference.Phototuoitre.vnHCMCITY—HCMCityPoliceDepartmentonWednesdayannouncedithassuccessfullytackledalarge-scalebabytraffickingring.ColonelPh?m?ìnhNg?c,headoftheHCMCityPolicesCriminalInvestigationDepartment,chairedapressbriefingtoday,providingmoreinformationabouttheirinvestigationandhowtheydismantledanationwideinfanttraffickingringthatdisguiseditselfasanadoptionservice,spanning32citiesandprovincesacrossthecountry.Accordingtoinitialfindings,within30daysofreceivingatip-off,thepolicesuccessfullydismantledthetraffickingnetworkinvolvedinthesaleofnewborns,forgeryofdocumentsandtheuseofprivategroupsontheinternettoconductillegalactivities.Sixteenindividualsinvolvedinthenetworkhavebeendetainedforfurtherinvestigation,facingchargesoftraffickinginpersonsunder16yearsofageandforgeryofsealsanddocumentsofagenciesandorganisations.Afterreceivinginformationanddocumentsrelatedtothesaleofnewborns,thepoliceassignedMajorGeneralMaiHoàng,DeputyDirectoroftheHCMCityPoliceandheadofthecitysCriminalInvestigationAgency,toworkwiththeCriminalInvestigationOfficeofTanBìnhDistrictsPoliceandotherrelevantunitstoidentifythesuspectsinthecriminalnetwork,withaparticularfocusonrescuingtheinfantvictims.Basedonthecollectedinformation,theinvestigationteamsummonedNguy?nTh?ánh?ào,35,residinginthecentralprovinceofNgh?An,whowasfoundcaringforathree-day-oldmaleinfantatahotelinWard2,TanBìnhDistrict.?àoinitiallyadmittedtoclaimtoadoptthechildduetoinfertility,butactuallyintendedtohandoverthebabytoacoupleinHCMCityforanillegalprofitofVN?40million(US$1,600).Astheinvestigationexpanded,thepoliceidentifiedalarge-scaleinfanttraffickingringoperatingundertheguiseofadoption,ledbyNguy?nTh?ánh?ào,HoàngTh?Nhung,both42,residinginthesouthernprovince??ngNai,??Th?ThúyNgan,30,inHàN?i,andCaoTh?ThuPh??ng,41,inthenorthernprovinceH?iD??ng.Theringwasassistedbysixbrokers.Sinceearly2024,thiscriminalnetworkusedprivategroupsonsocialmediatoconnectwithwomenfacingfinancialdifficultiesaftergivingbirth,buying16infantsagedfromthreedaystothreemonthsoldforamountsrangingfromVN?10-23millionperchild.TheinfantswerethensoldforamountsrangingbetweenVN?35-75millioneach,generatingillegalprofitsofhundredsofmillionsof??ng.Tolegitimisethesaleofnewbornsundertheguiseofadoption,theperpetratorscollaboratedwithadocument-forgingringledbyPhanPh??ngNam,35,in??ngNaiProvince,whoprovidedfakebirthcertificatestofacilitateadoptionproceduresandregisterthebirthofthetraffickedinfants.Thesuspectsinthecase.—PhotofromtheHCMCityPoliceDuringasearchofthedocument-forginglocationinBiênHoàCityin??ngNaiProvince,thepoliceseized49toolsandthousandsoffakedocuments,includingmanyfakebirthcertificates.Usinginformationfromtheseizedbirthcertificates,thepoliceestablishedninetaskforcestourgentlyinvestigate84casesofsuspectedinfanttraffickingin32citiesandprovincesacrossthecountry.Theysuccessfullyidentifiedandrescuedthetraffickedchildren,coordinatingwithlocalauthoritiestoprotectandcareforthevictims.Notably,theydiscoveredandrescueda20-day-oldbabyboywhohadbeenboughtbyViTh?Anh,38inS?nLaProvince,whoisawaitingtheexecutionoftwosentencestotallingover12yearsandsixmonthsinprisonforillegaldrugtrafficking,usingthepretextofadoptiontodelayservingherprisonterm.Thecaseisunderfurtherinvestigation.—VNSSueLines,PresidentoftheAustralianSenateandDrNguy?nXuanTh?ng,DirectorofH?ChíMinhNationalAcademyofPoliticsattheVi?tNam-AustraliaForum2024—VNA/VNSPhotosV?n?i?pHàN?I—AustraliaisproudofthemutualsupportwithVi?tNamastheyfacemodernchallengesinanintertwinedfuture,saidAustralianSenatePresidentSueLinesattheVi?tNam-AustraliaForum2024onWednesdaymorning.Followingthesuccessofthefirstforumbetweenthetwocountriesin2023,thisyearseventcentredonenhancingeconomicengagementandasharedvisionforprosperitybetweenthetwocountries.Globalissueshavelocaleffects,andourleadersneedtobeabletograpplewiththese,shesaid.Amongthesechallengesisthepaceofchange,evidentintheneedforimmediateresponsetoclimatechange,navigatingconstantlyevolvingchangesintheglobaleconomy,andharnessingdigitaltransformationandemergingtechnologies,shenoted.Thesechallengesneedafocusonaless-frequently-spoken-aboutissuethatisacoreelementIhaveobservedinmylongcareerinpublicservice–goodgovernance,andtheimportanceofequalityandincludingarangeofvoicestoitsachievement,saidtheAustralianleaderassheunderlinedfemalerepresentationinleadershiproles.Inthiscontext,theVi?tNam-AustraliaCentre,whichbeganin2022onthecampusofH?ChíMinhNationalAcademyofPolitics(HCMA)inHàN?i,allowspeopleofthetwocountriestosharemeaningfulknowledgeexchangeandexpertiseandseekstotacklecommonchallenges.Gatheringmorethan600delegatesincludingpolicymakers,Governmentofficialsandindustryexperts,theforumonWednesdaywasjointlyorganisedbytheHCMAandtheEmbassyofAustraliainVi?tNam,ontheoccasionoftheAustralianSenatePresidentsvisit.ItalsomarksanimportantmilestonefollowingtheelevationoftheirbilateralrelationstoaComprehensiveStrategicPartnershipinMarch,aswellasVi?tNamsupcoming40thanniversaryof??iM?i(Renewal).Addressingtheforuminhisopeningremarks,HCMADirectorDrNguy?nXuanTh?ngsaid:Frombeingthefirstpartnerstobecomingcompanionsandtwoclosefriends,Vi?tNamandAustraliahavebeenwritinga‘newstorywhichisremarkable,profoundandatypicalexampleofafriendshipthathasgrownoutofsincerity,trust,goodwill,knowledgeandmutualrespectaswellasasharedvisionandconfidenceofastable,peacefulandprosperousregion.GrowthprospectsTheVi?tNam-AustraliaComprehensiveStrategicPartnershiphasopenedanewerainwhichtheprivatesectorhastheopportunitytoleverageclearinitiativesandtargetstosucceedandthrivebetweenthetwocountries,accordingtotheAustralianChamberofCommerceinVi?tNam(AusCham)VicePresident,NatalieFairlie.Inadditiontotheincreasingbusinessprospects,AusChamalsorecognisedVi?tNamsongoingcommitmenttostreamlineitsregulatoryframework.ItisprogressinganditissupportingFDI(foreigndirectinvestment)toenhanceitseffectivenessbystreamliningthoseregulatoryrequirements,saidFairlieduringthepaneldiscussion.ThepanelofexpertsattheVi?tNam-AustraliaForum2024onWednesdaySharingthesameperspective,Vi?tNamChamberofCommerceandIndustry(VCCI)VicePresidentNguy?nQuangVinhagreedthatFDIbusinessescanperceiveVi?tNamseffortsinreformingadministrativeproceduresandbusinessenvironmentforamoreopen,competitiveconditionscomparedtoothersintheregion.Multipleministriesanddepartments,includingtheMinistryofPlanningandInvestment,theMinistryofFinance,theStateBankofVietnamaswellaslocalauthoritieshavebeencoordinatingtoperfectthepolicyframeworksandimprovethebusinessandinvestmentenvironment,saidVinh.VCCIalsoplaysanactiveroleintheProvincialAccountabilityandPerformanceIndex(PAPI)forbusinessconditionimprovementatboththenationalandlocallevels,andAustraliaalsolendsahandtothisinitiative.However,despitetheimpressiveeconomicperformanceandprogress,achievingthehigh-incomestatusby2045remainsaveryambitioustargetforVi?tNam,notedAndreaCoppola,WorldBanksleadeconomistforthecountry.WorldBankestimatesthatVi?tNamseconomywillgrowby6.1percentin2024andfurtheracceleratenextyearat6.5percent,whichwillpositionthecountryamongthefastest-growingeconomiesinEastAsiaandatthegloballevel.However,thebanksforecastmodelalsoshowsthatunderthecurrentcondition,ifnosignificantreformsarepassed,growthisexpectedtodeceleratetoanaverageof5.2percentbetween2025and2030,thendownto4.7between2031and2040,thento4.1percentbetween2041and2045.Vi?tNamisdoingverywelltoday,andactuallyitmightachievethemiddle-incomestatusbefore2030.Butgoingforward,itwillneedtodoevenmore,growevenfasterandfindwaystoaccelerateproductivitygrowthwhilecontinueincreasingbothprivateandpublicinvestment,saidCoppola.AmongthesixpillarsofcooperationintheVi?tNam-AustraliaComprehensiveStrategicPartnership,threeconcerneconomicengagement,accordingtothepanelattheevent.TheOceaniancountryisalsolaunchingitsinvestmentdealteamhubsinSingapore,Jakarta(Indonesia)andHCMCity,whichexpertssayisopeningupnewtradeopportunitiesinadditiontothefocusareaofpoliticalandsecuritycooperationbetweenVi?tNamandAustralia.—VNS

Theuniversity-industrydialogueoncollaborationforhigh-skilledworkforcedevelopmentwasheldinHCMCityonAugust27.—VNSPhotoNguy?nDi?pHCMCITY—Cooperationwithbusinessesintrainingandresearchactivitieshashelpeduniversitiestoimprovetheirtrainingprogrammesandmeettherecruitmentneedsofbusinesses,V?H?iQuan,chancellorofVi?tNamNationalUniversity-HCMCity(VNU-HCM)saidatadialogueheldinHCMCityonTuesday(August27).Theuniversity-industrydialogueoncollaborationforhigh-skilledworkforcedevelopmentwasco-organisedbyVNU-HCM,theUSConsulateGeneralinHCMCity,theConsulateGeneralofJapaninHCMCity,andtheConsulateGeneraloftheRepublicofKoreainHCMCity.Speakingattheevent,VNU-HCMchancellorV?H?iQuansaidtheuniversityidentifiescooperationwithbusinessesasafulcrumforresearchresultstobeappliedinpractice.Thecooperationisbasedonmutualbenefitsandawin-winpartnership.InMarch,amemorandumofunderstanding(MoU)wassignedbetweenVNU-HCMandtheUS-basedelectronicdesignautomation(EDA)companySynopsystocollaborateindevelopinghigh-qualityhumanresourcesforthesemiconductorindustry,especiallyinthefieldofICdesign.ThetwosideswillcollaboratetoestablishtheVNUHCMSemiconductorResearchInstitute(VSRI),whichwillbecomeaplaceprovidingequipmentfortrainingandresearchforuniversitiesandstartups,andacentreforconnectinganddevelopingcooperationinthefieldofsemiconductorsamongVNU-HCMandbusinesses,institutesanduniversitiesathomeandabroad.AccordingtostatisticsfromSynopsys,morethan53percentofengineersworkingforICdesignbusinesseshavegraduatedfromVNU-HCMsmemberuniversities.VNU-HCMistrainingabout6,000studentsinmajorsrelatedtosemiconductortechnology.Intheperiodof2021-30,withavisionto2045,VNU-HCMCidentifiesthreekeyareasoftrainingandresearch,includingsemiconductortechnology,biotechnologyandartificialintelligence.Theuniversityhaseightmemberuniversitiesandonememberresearchinstitute,andboaststhecountryslargesttrainingplatformofabout100,000undergraduatesandpostgraduates.Itcurrentlyleadsthecountryinthenumberofinternationallyaccreditedtrainingprogrammesandinternationalpublications.By2030,ittargetstotrainabout1,500engineersand500mastersdegreestudentsinintegratedcircuit(IC)design;andtrainandgrantindustrialandinternationalcertificationsinICdesigntoaround15,000engineers.Itwillalsotrain10,000engineers,3,200mastersdegreeand600doctoraldegreestudentsinbiotechnologyandrelatedfields;and20,000engineers,2,000mastersdegree,300doctoraldegreestudentsinITandAI.ItaimstobeamongtheleadinghighereducationinstitutionsinAsiaby2045.AI-basedproductsdisplayedattheArtificialIntelligenceEducationandTrainingCentreofVi?tNamNationalUniversity-HCMCity.—VNSPhotoNguy?nDi?pAccordingtotheWorldBank,thecountryhasnotfullyunlockeditspotentialandismainlyengaginginthelowvalue-addstepofmidstreamproductionintheEEglobalvaluechain(GVC).Itssupplyofaskilled,innovativeworkforceisincreasingslowly,butfallsshortofdemandbytech-intensiveindustries.AndreaCoppola,WorldBanksleadeconomistandprogrammeleaderforVi?tNam,CambodiaandLaos,saidVi?tNamsambitionofbecomingahigh-incomeeconomyby2045willdependonitsabilitytotransitionitsroleintheglobaleconomytowardshigher-valuemanufacturingandservices.Movingupthevaluechainintech-intensiveindustriesdemandsmoreworkerswithtertiaryeducation,sophisticatedskills,andSTEMdegrees,hesaid.Tobuildastrongsupplyofhighlyeducatedengineersandscientists,thecountryneedssustainedcommitmentforasignificantperiod,asbuildingthisworkforcerequiresasubstantialpipelineofundergraduate,graduateandpostgraduateeducationandpracticaltraining,hesaid.Toimprovetrainingforskilledtechnicians,itneedstocreateupskillingprogrammesthatmeetindustrysneedswithstandardisedprogrammes,includingtransparentmetricsofperformance.Toexpandthepipelineandaddressaffordability,itneedstoreduceopportunitycostsoftraininginscienceandtechnologythroughimprovingindustryawareness,favourableloansandincentives.Italsoneedstostrengthenpublicsupporttoincentivizereskillingandupskillingprogrammesforemployees,hesaid.????cD?ng,headofS/WSolutionGroupatSamsungRDCentreVietnam(SRV),saidsinceitsestablishmentin2012,theSRVsworkhasbeenconsistentlyexpanding.SRVaimstodevelopthebestglobalproductswithexcellentVietnameseengineers.SamsungbelievesthateffortstodiscoverandsupportexcellentstudentswillgrowinbothVi?tNamsITandSamsungsgrowth,hesaid.In2012,SamsungstarteditsuniversitycooperationprogrammebecausethecompanyneededmanyexperiencedS/Wengineersbuttherewasnotenoughtalentinthemarket.Thecompanydecidedonalong-termstrategyofprovidingstudentstheknowledgeandskillsetsthatcompaniesneed,hesaid.Now,ithasastrongpipelinefromwhichitcanhireenoughengineers.WecallittheSamsungtalentprogramme,hesaid.SamsungstalentcultivationstrategyprovidesuniversitystudentswiththeopportunitytolearntheskillsSamsungandtheITindustryneed,sharesthecompanysknow-howgenerouslywithfuturetalents,andsupportsanenvironmentwheretheycanlearnskills.—VNS

ThebuildinginGiaLaiwheretheblastoccurred.—Photocongluan.vnGIALAI—AloudexplosionrockedtheheadquartersofthePeoplesCommitteeofIaPn?nCommunein??cC?District,theCentralHighlandsprovinceofGiaLaionTuesday,killingamilitiamember.Thevictim,identifiedas18-year-oldS.K.,waspartofagroupcleaningagardenbehindthebuilding.FourpeoplewereinvolvedinthegroupactivitybutonlyS.K.remainedintheareawhentheblastoccurred.Theauthoritiessuspectanunexplodedordnancefromthewarwasaccidentallydetonatedduringthecleanup,leadingtothedeath.Onthesameday,anotherexplosionlevelledahouseinTamH?pCommune,Qu?H?pDistrict,thecentralprovinceofNgh?An.Theblastkilledthehomeowners--H.V.Q,53,andH.T.H,49--andscattereddebrisdozensofmetresaway.Thecausesoftheexplosionsareunderinvestigation.—VNSAPTVNsteamdisposesofalargebombweighingapproximately227kg,discoveredataquarryinTanH?pCommune,H??ngHóa(chǎn)District,Qu?ngTr?Province.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?C?uQU?NGTR?—Decadesaftertheendofthewar,thebattle-scarredQu?ngTr?Provinceisundergoingaremarkablerebirth.Effortstoclearunexplodedordnancehavereclaimedvasttractsofland,allowingfarmerstosafelycultivatetheircrops.Thewarleftadeadlylegacy.Millionsoftonnesofunexplodedordnances(UXOs)scatteredacrossthecountry.Qu?ngTr?borethebruntwithnearly84percentofitslandcontaminated.Thesedormantexplosivesareeverywhere–backyards,fields,evenunderhomes–earningthemthechillingnicknametheGrimReaper.Thehumantollisheartbreaking.About7,000people,includingmorethan3,000children,havefallenvictimtobombandammunitionaccidentsintheprovincesincetheendofthewar.H?V?nHiên,residinginC?nVillage,TanL?pCommune,H??ngHóa(chǎn)District,wassuchavictim.Whenhewasseven,hepickedupwhathethoughtwasatoyinhisgarden,onlytohaveitexplodeinhishands.Hewasluckyenoughtobealiveastheblastonlycosthimafinger,however,notallthevictimswereasfortunate.H?ABui,afellowvillager,recalledahorrificaccidenthewitnessed18yearsago.AmassiveexplosionrockedtheareaabouttwokilometresawaywhensomeindividualsattemptedtodismantleUXOstosalvagescrapmetal.WhenIreachedthescene,itwasanightmare,saidBui.Fivepeoplewerekilled,theirbodiesmangledbeyondrecognition.Everythingchangedin1996whenQu?ngTr?begantopartnerwithinternationalorganisations,notablyPeaceTreesVietnam(PTVN),inUXOclearanceefforts.InH??ngHóa(chǎn)alone,PTVNsteamshavedisposedofmorethan45,000explosivedevicessince2005,reclaimingnearly1,700haoflandforfarmers.BeyondremovingUXOs,theyhavealsofinanciallysupportedfarmersbyspendingmorethanUS$2.7milliononlivelihood-improvinginitiatives.LifewasaconstantstruggleforpeopleinH??ngHóa(chǎn)beforethelandwasclearedofUXOs,saidBui.Wetriedtofarm,butthefearofhiddenexplosivesmadeitalmostimpossibletomakealiving.Thelandiscomingalivethankstotheirefforts.FarmerslikeH?ABuicannowharvestcropswheretheyoncefearedtotread.Hisrecentpepperharvestbroughtinasmallbuthopefulincome.ThegreenshootsofrecoveryhaveemergedbutthespecteroftheGrimReaperstilllingersoverQu?ngTr?.ExpertsestimateitcouldtakecenturiestofullyclearUXOsintheprovince.Despitethedauntingchallenge,disposalteamsstaytheircourse.Tr?nV?nThành,ateamleader,saidthatthelandisstilllitteredwithUXOs,whichfarmerscouldstumbleuponwhileworkingintheirfields.PTVNsoperationshavehelpedreduceexplosionrisks,butthereisstillalongwaytogobeforeQu?ngTr?canbetransformedintoaUXO-freeland.UXOdisposalisnotsomethingyoucanlearnonthejob,saidThành.Everydiscoveryisanewchallengeaswehavetodecidehowtoproceed.Hesaidthatsometimeshisteamcouldnotmovethebombtheyfound,theyhadtoevacuatepeopleanddetonateitinplace,whichisincrediblydangerous.Onemistakecancostlives.Thatswhyprecisioniseverything,hesaid.Thereliefwefeelafterasuccessfuloperationisimmense,knowingwevemadethecommunitysafer.Recently,Qu?ngTr?governmenthasteamedupwiththeUK-basedMinesAdvisoryGrouptodoubleitseffortsonUXOdisposal.Thethree-yearinitiative,fundedbytheUSDepartmentofStateandotherdonors,aimstodisposeof42,000explosivedevicesandorganise350trainingsessionsforlocalpeople.—VNS

Thewildboarfarming,redwormproductionandorganicvegetablecultivationmodelunderthe??iNgàncleanvegetablebrandatHoaViênFarmisdevelopedinagreen,safeandenvironmentallyfriendlydirection.—PhotocourtesyoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommitteeHàN?I—Tokeeppacewiththeglobaltrendofgreenagriculturaldevelopmentandproducegoodsthatmeetconsumerdemand,HàN?isagriculturalsectorhasguidedfarmerstowardsfocusingongreen,safeandenvironmentallyfriendlyagriculturalproduction.Thisapproachhasgivenrisetomanygreenagriculturalmodels,whichnotonlyachievehigheconomicefficiencyandgreaterexports,butalsocontributetoreducingenvironmentalpollution.Ch??ngD??ngCommuneinTh??ngTínDistrictwasoncethoughttobesuitableonlyforwetriceandtraditionalcrops.Nowadays,thecommunehasfoundanewdirectionwiththeVietGAP-standardblacksummergrapecultivationmodel,whichbroughthighincometolocalfarmers.?àoDuyT?i,directorofDuyT?iCooperative,said:WithtechnicalsupportfromHàN?isagriculturalofficials,ourcooperativehasbeengrowingblacksummergrapesforthepasttwoyears.Toachieveproductivegrapevineyards,thesoilmustbecarefullyimprovedtosuittheblacksummergrapevarietyandthecultivationtechniquesmustbemet.WiththecurrentsellingpriceofVN?130,000(US$5.18)perkilo,theblacksummergrapemodelisprovingtobefivetosixtimesmoreeconomicallyeffectivethanrice.HoaViênFarm,locatedinYênBìnhandYênTrungcommunesofTh?chTh?tDistrict,ownedbyTr??ngKimHoa,hasimplementedamodelofwildboarfarming,redwormproductionandorganicvegetablecultivationunderthe??iNgàncleanvegetablebrand.Thefarmspansover60hectaresoflandsurroundingahill,whereHoasfamilyboldlylaunchedlarge-scalewildboarfarming.Theyuseorganicfertilisertobreedredwormsanduseprocessedmanuretofertilisecrops.Eachyear,thefarmsuppliesthemarketwithover10,000wildboarpigletsandcommercialproducts,andmorethan300tonnesofvegetables.The??iNgànbrandfromHoaViêniscurrentlyinhighdemand,supplyingover30storesinthecityandhasbeencertifiedasorganicaccordingtotheIFOAMNormforOrganicProduction,gainingmuchconsumerappreciation.BùiH??ngBích,Directorof?anHoàiCooperativein?anPh??ngDistrict,statedthattomakegreen,safe,andenvironmentallyfriendlyfarmproduce,thecooperativehasinrecentyearsfocusedontheapplicationofscienceandtechnology.Theyhaveinvestedin85greenhousesandnethouses,coveringanareaofabout20,000squaremetresandappliedadvancedirrigationsystemstosavewaterwhileregulatingtemperatureandlightduringthecultivationandcareprocesses,includingmassfloweringofPhalaenopsisorchids.Thankstoscientificandmethodicalinvestment,thecooperativenowsuppliesaroundonemillionPhalaenopsisseedlingsandcommercialorchidstothemarketeachyear,generatingannualrevenueofVN?5billion(US$199,000).V?Th?H??ng,directoroftheHàN?iAgriculturalExtensionCentre,HàN?iDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidthatfromthebeginningof2024tothepresent,thecentrehasimplementedeighteenagriculturalextensionmodels,includingtencropcultivationmodels,fourlivestockmodelsandfouraquaculturemodels.Thesemodelsmainlyfocusonthedevelopmentoforganic,VietGAP-compliantvegetables,flowersandfruits,withtheapplicationofhightechnology,climatechange-adaptedagriculturalproductionandenvironmentalprotection,inlinewithmarketdemand.Currently,inagriculturalproduction,manyindividuals,enterprises,andcooperativesarechoosinggreenproductionmethodstomeetconsumptiontrends.Additionally,agriculturalgreenoutputalsoreflectstheresponsibilityofbusinessestothecommunity,contributingtoenvironmentalandecosystemprotection.HàN?inowhas2,000hectaresoforganiccropsandovertenhectaresoforganicaquaculture.Toencouragefarmerstoadoptthisapproach,theHàN?iagriculturalsectorhassupportedthemthroughvariousprogrammes,integratingagriculturalpolicyfunds.Inreality,comparedtoconventionalproduction,organicproductionmodelshaveproventobemoreeconomicallyeffectivebecausethequality,competitivenessandvalueofagriculturalproductsarehigher.Toexpandgreenandsafeagriculturalproductionmodels,??ngTh?Vinh,directorofH?ngHàSafeVegetableandFruitCooperativeinPhúXuyênDistrict,suggestedthatfunctionalsectorsshouldannuallyallocatepriorityfundstosupportcooperativesingreenagriculturalproduction.Furthermore,cooperativesshouldbeguidedinregisteringprocesses,improvingpackagingandtracinglabels,contributingtothedevelopmentofbrandnamesforagriculturalproducts.Theestablishmentandimplementationofaspecialisedtradingplatformforsafeagriculturalproductsshouldalsobepromotedtoconnectproducers,cooperativesandconsumers.AccordingtoNguy?nTh?Tuy?tAnh,headoftheEconomicDepartmentofThanhTrìDistrict,todevelopgreen,safeandsustainableagriculture,thedistrictcontinuestosupportcooperativesandfarmersinsafeproductionprocesses,especiallyinpestcontroloncrops,diseasepreventioninlivestockandaimingtoproducesafe,cleanproductsaccordingtoVietGAPstandards.Thedistrictalsostrengthenscooperation,investmentpromotion,tradeandagriculturalmarketdevelopment,creatingfavourableconditionsforfarmers,enterprisesanddomesticandforeigninvestorstoproducequality,safeagriculturalproducts.Nguy?n?ìnhHoa,deputydirectoroftheHàN?iDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,notedthatfarmersneedtoshifttheirproductionmindsetfromhabitualpracticestoagricultureguidedbyexperts,scientists,andStatemanagementagencies.Greenagriculturehasbecomeaninevitabletrendinmodernagriculture,ofwhichHàN?isagriculturalsectorisfocusingonrestructuringproduction,enhancingthequality,valueandefficiencyofkeyanddistinctiveagriculturalproducts.ItispromotingtheOneCommuneOneProduct(OCOP)programmeanddigitaltransformationinagriculture;effectivelyimplementingmechanismsandpoliciestoboostproduction;strengtheningtheapplicationandtransferofscientificandtechnologicaladvancements;andshiftingfromaproductionmindsettoaneconomicmindset,aimingtowardsgreenvaluescreatedthroughgreentransformation,greenconsumptionandagreeneconomy.—VNSArailwaycrossinginNam??nh.TheVi?tNamRailwayAuthoritystatedthatthisprojectinvolvestheconstructionofoverpassesandunderpassesincombinationwiththelocalroadsystemsalongtherailwaylinestoeliminateunauthorisedcrossings.—Photobaogiaothong.vnHàN?I—TheVi?tNamRailwayAuthorityhasproposedallocatingmedium-termcapitalforthe2026-31periodtoconstructoverpassesandunderpasses,aimingtoeliminateunauthorisedrailcrossingsandreducerailwayaccidents.TheVi?tNamRailwayAuthoritystatedthatthisprojectinvolvestheconstructionofoverpassesandunderpassesincombinationwiththelocalroadsystemsalongtherailwaylinestoeliminateunauthorisedcrossingsinaccordancewithDecision358/2020ofthePrimeMinister,whichapprovedtheSchemeonEnsuringRailwayTrafficCorridorSafetyandEliminatingUnauthorisedRailCrossings(Scheme358).Accordingly,297overpassesand149underpasseswillbeconstructed.ThetotalinvestmentisestimatedatVN?1.8trillion(US$71.3million),sourcedfrommedium-termpublicinvestmentforthe2026-31period.Scheme358aimstoeliminateunauthorisedrailcrossingsby2025throughvariousmeasures,includingtheconstructionof297newoverpassesand149underpassesduringthe2021-25period.However,thefundingfortheseconstructionsandothersupportingstructuressuchasoverpasses,fencesandroadwayshasnotyetbeenallocatedaccordingtotheplannedschedule.AccordingtotheVi?tNamRailwayAuthority,thenationalrailwaynetworkcurrentlyhas4,772levelcrossingsbetweenroadsandrailways.Amongthese,1,510areauthorisedcrossings,including677mannedcrossings,ninecrossingswithautomaticwarningdevices,738crossingswithautomaticwarningdevicesandautomaticbarriers,and86crossingswithwarningsigns.Regardingunauthorisedcrossings,therearestill3,262locations,accountingfor68.3percentoftotallevelcrossings.Priorefforts,usingcentralandlocalfunds,haveeliminated838dangerousunauthorisedcrossingsfromDecember2020toJune2024,areductionof21.7percent.Inthefirstsixmonthsof2024alone,66dangerousunauthorisedcrossingswereeliminated.Thereremainfourblackspotsand1,010potentialaccident-pronelocationsonthecurrentrailwaylines,areductionofoneblackspotand77potentialaccident-pronelocationscomparedtoDecember31,2023.—VNS

AtrafficpoliceofficermeasuresamotoristsbloodalcohollevelinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoPh?mKiênHàN?I—TheMinistryofPublicSecurity(MPS)recentlyproposedadministrativefinereductionsfordriverswithpositivebloodalcoholconcentrationtests,whichhasbeenmetwithmixedreactionfromthepublic.Thedocumentiscurrentlyreceivingfeedbackonthechanges.SpeakingtotheVoiceofVietnam(VOV),VietnamAutomobileTransportationAssociationChairmanNguy?nV?nQuy?nsaidhesupportedtheproposal,explainingthattheviolationsatthelowestlevelofbloodalcoholconcentration(BAC)poseinsignificantrisks.ManycaseswithlowBAClevelsconsumedalcoholicdrinksthepreviousnightorquietawhilebeforetheydrive,buteveryonehasdifferentmetabolismrates,whichmeanstheirBACtestresultremainspositivethemorningafter,headded.Atsuchlowthresholds,thedrivershavelittleriskofbeingunabletocontroltheirvehicles,saidQuy?n.Inaddition,certaintypesoffoodanddrinksorendogenousalcoholconcentrationscanalsocauseapersonsBACleveltorise.Therefore,Quy?nbelievedthatadjustingpenaltiesforviolatorswithlowBAClevels,accordingtotheMPSproposal,isreasonable.Meanwhile,criminalpsychologistDr?oànV?nBáusaidthatwhentheregulationisenforcedtoraisepublicawarenessandhasachievedthisgoal,maintaininghighpenaltiesmightnolongerbeappropriate.ThisisnotonlyapplicabletoBAClevelsindrivingbutalsotoothertypesoftrafficviolations.Regardingconcernsaboutwhetherthereductionswillleadtolowerlawcomplianceamongdrivers,Báubelievedthatthepurposeofadministrativefinesistoletpeopleunderstandtheirmistakeandtoavoidcommittingviolationsinthefuture,nottocollectmoney.Inreality,therearecaseswherethevalueoftheviolatingvehiclesismuchcheaperthanthepenalty,thereforethedriverdecidestoabandontheir[confiscated]vehicle,hesaid.Eachpersonsalcoholtoleranceisdifferentfromanother.Somecangetdrunkandoutofcontroljustafteronedrink,butsomeothersarefineevenafterconsumingbottlesofliquor,hesaid,thereforethezero-tolerancepolicyisstrictlynecessarytoensuresafetyforall.Inregardtoendogenousethanolorthe‘a(chǎn)uto-brewerysyndromethatleadstopositiveBACleveltestsevenwithoutalcoholconsumption,BáusaidthatthelawsallownormalBAClevels.WhatshouldbedoneistodifferentiatebetweenendogenousBAClevelsandthoseofpeoplewhoconsumealcoholandimposefinesonthosewhododrinkanddrive,hesaid.TheMinistryofHealthhasbeenassignedtoestablishguidelinesfordeterminingbothBAClevelsfromdrinkingandendogenousalcoholconcentrations.—VNSNonijuicemadebySKNoniTradingProductionCompanyLimitedinCàMauProvincesTr?nV?nTh?iDistricthasafour-starratingundertheOneCommune–OneProductprogramme.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhAnhCàMAU—CàMauProvinceistakingmeasurestoimprovethequalityofitsproductsrecognisedbythenationalOneCommune–OneProduct(OCOP)programmeandpromotetheirsalesthroughmoderndistributionchannels.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincehas29four-starand113three-starOCOPproducts.Ithasnonefive-star,thehighestlevel.Nguy?nV?nQuan,deputydirectorofitsprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidtheprovinceishelpingproducersupgradetheirratingstofour-andfive-starlevelsthisyear.Itexpectstohave22three-starandninefour-starproductsregisteringforupgrades,includingatleastonecommunity-basedtourismorecotourismproductortourismsite.ItalsotargetshavingatleasthalftheproducerssellingtheirOCOPproductsthroughmoderndistributionchannelssuchassupermarkets,conveniencestoresande-commerceplatforms.ThePeoplesCommitteehastaskedrelevantdepartmentsandagenciestosupportproducerseffortstosetupmodernproductionfacilities,improvepackagingandgetnecessarycertificationtoenableexports.Withitsdiversifiedandabundantagricultural,forestryandseafoodproduce,theprovincehasenormouspotentialsfordevelopingOCOPproducts.Ithasbeenimplementingtheprogrammeformorethanfiveyearsandhasfacilitatedthesettingupofco-operatives,co-operativegroupsandsmallandmedium-sizedenterprises.TanPhátL?iDriedShrimpCo-operativeinNg?cHi?nDistrictsTan?nTayCommunehassetupawebsitetoselldriedshrimp,fermentedfishandotherproducts,enablingconsumerseasieraccesstothem.BùiV?nCh??ng,itsdirector,saidtheco-operativesellstwotothreetonnesofproductsamonthandnearly90percentofthemonthewebsite.AfterOCOPproductsbegantobesoldonline,theirsaleshaveincreasedby20-30percent,accordingtoproducers.Ng?cHi?nistheprovincessouthernmostdistrictandamajorseafoodproducer.Ithas21three-starandonefour-starOCOPproducts,includingdriedshrimp,shrimpchips,saltedthree-stripedcrab,andfermentedfish.LêHoàiPh??ng,deputyheadofthedistrictBureauofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidthedistricthascollaboratedwithrelevantdepartmentsandagenciestoteachproducersonlinesalesskillsandhelpthemregisterforopeningbankpaymentaccountsandonlineshops.IthashelpednineproducersselltheirOCOPproductsone-commerceplatforms,hesaid.CàMauhas46OCOPproductsonprestigiousdistributionchannels,140onitse-commerceplatform(madeincamau.com)and57ontheVi?tNamPostCorporationse-commerceplatform(buudien.vn).VNS