Fifty-fiveartistsfromninecountriesparticipatedinthe2024InternationalArtCreationCampheldatHCMCity-basedV?nLangUniversityfromJuly15to20.—PhotoCourtesyofVLUHCMCITY—Fifty-fiveartistsfromninecountrieshadanopportunitytointeract,create,andexchangeacademicideasatthe2024InternationalArtCreationCampheldinHCMCityfromJuly15to20.WiththethemeHARMONY,thecampwasorganisedbyV?nLangUniversity(VLU)aspartofactivitiescommemoratingthe30thanniversaryofVLUsestablishment.Theeventnotonlycreatedopportunitiesforculturalexchangebutalsoallowedartiststosharetheiruniqueartisticperspectivesandviews.TheartistswereprofessorsofuniversitiesfromKorea,India,Mauritius,thePhilippines,Malaysia,Thailand,Poland,Indonesia,andVi?tNam.Theycreatedartworkswithstrongpersonalimprints,contributingtoenrichingculturalandartisticlife.Tr?nTh?M?Di?u,presidentofVLU,saidthecampnotonlycreatesuniqueartproducts,enrichesculturalandartisticlife,butalsohelpstoinspiregenerationsofstudents,therebyfosteringtheappreciationofartistictraditionsandfuturedevelopment.ThisisatestamenttoVLUscommitmenttobeinganinternationalculturalexchangecentreaccompanyingandmaintainingtheexistenceofart,contributingtoglobalculturaldiversityandaffirmingtheroleofartcreationinspreadingartisticandculturalvalues,shesaid.Thiseventisnotjustanacademicworkshopbutalsoaninternationalculturalexchangeforumwhereartistscanshareviewsandlearnfromeachother.Itisexpectedtobringinspirationandarouseexcitementintheheartsofparticipants,encouragingartiststocontinuetocreateanddevelopinthefuture,shesaid.Atthecreationcamp,expertscreateduniqueartproductssuchasmonotypeprinting,zincprinting,woodcut,rubbercarving,alongwithpaintingtechniqueslikegraphicprintsandpaintings.Beyondjustcreatingartworks,anartworkshopofferedanopportunityforartistsandprofessorstoshareteachingexperiencesandacademicknowledge,forminganinternationalacademicexchangenetworkamongspecialisedartuniversities.Additionally,theeventbroughtmanypracticalskillstostudents.VLUstudentshadtheopportunitytoaccessthelatestmethods,techniquesandtechnologiesinthefieldofartandprinting,therebyimprovingtheirpracticalandcreativeskills.Theseactivitiesenrichedthecurriculumandbroughtprofoundandrewardingexperiencestostudentscreativecareers.Afterfivedaysofcreation,theartistsproduced91artworks,including58worksinacrylicand33worksfromprintmaking.Withtheorientationtobecomeaninternationalculturalexchangecentreencouragingthecreationandpreservationofculture,VLUregularlyorganisesculturalandartisticeventstopromotethedevelopmentofartandmaintainthetraditionalculturalvaluesofthecountry.—VNS

AplanepicksuppassengersattheC?n??oAirport.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofTransport(MoT)isplanningtoupgradeandexpandC?n??oAirportsoitcanlandbiggerplanes.InadocumentsenttoPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhandDeputyPMTr?nH?ngHà,theMoTproposedtoupgradeandexpandtheairportbypublicinvestmentcapitalsoitcanacceptoperationaircraftcodeC(A320sandtheirequivalent).TheMoTassessesthattheinvestmentplanensureseffectiveuseofcapitalwithreasonablecostsandwillbetterservepeoplestravelneeds,ensuringsafety,nationaldefenceandsecurity.TheprojecttorenovateandupgradetherunwayandtaxiwayatC?n??oAirporthasbeenapprovedwithatotalinvestmentofaboutVN?1.6trillion(US$66.9million).ItwasassignedbythePMasamedium-termpublicinvestmentplanusingStatebudgetfortheperiod2020-25.Theprojectwillexpandtheexistingrunwaywithasizeof1,830mx45m,buildanewparalleltaxiwayandconnectingtaxiwaysandimprovenightlighting.ThelandingsystemwillmeanaircraftssuchastheA319andB737willbeabletousetheairport,inaccordancewithPMChínhsinstructions.Previously,basedoncalculatingtheexpectedflightroutesandoperatingconditions,theADPiinternationalconsultantfromFranceconcludedthatthe1,830-metrerunwayatC?n??oAirportissufficienttoreceivemosttypesofaircraftscodeC,exceptfortheA321aircraft.Airlinesareadvisedtooperatemedium-sizedaircraftstoensurethehighestworkefficiencyandensuretheoperationofalldomesticroutesinVi?tNamandsomeinternationalroutestoSoutheastAsiaandNorthAsia.Regardingworksensuringflightactivities,accordingtocurrentregulations,theVi?tNamAirTrafficManagementCorporation(VATM)isresponsibleforinvesting,upgradingandexpandingtechnicalinfrastructureattheairport.Regardingcivilaviationprojects,theMoTleaderssaidthatfromnowupto2030,itwasnecessarytoresearchandinvestintobuildinganewcivilaviationareaincludingapassengerterminalandparkingwithacapacityofaroundtwomillionpassengersperyear.TheestimatedinvestmentcostisaboutVN?2.1trillion($83.5million)underthepublic-privatepartnership(PPP)method.Therefore,theMoTsuggestedthePMtodirecttheBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincePeoplesCommitteetostudyanddevelopaprojectoncivilaviationareaunderthePPPmethodandreporttothePMforpermission.Atpresent,therunwayandtaxiwayattheC?n??oAirport,whichwerebuiltin2004,areinapoorconditionandthe30metrewiderunwaycanonlybeusedforplanessuchastheATR72andequivalent.—VNSHealthstaffinHàN?isQu?cOaiDistricthaveconducteddisinfectionprocessesinflood-affectedareastopreventandcontroldiseaseoutbreaks.VNA/VNSPhotoMinhQuy?tHàN?I—HàN?iwillimplementstrictmonitoringandearlydetectionofinfectiousdiseasecasesinthecommunitytounderstandtheepidemicsituationandorganisetimelyinvestigationandmanagementofcasesandoutbreaks.OnAugust5,theHàN?iCentresforDiseaseControl(CDC)reportedthatduringtheweek,theHàN?iCDCcarriedoutenvironmentalsanitationanddiseasepreventionmonitoringintheflood-affecteddistrictsandcommunesofCh??ngM?,Qu?cOaiandM???c.Householdsinthefloodedareasareregularlycleaningtheirlocalenvironment,witheffortsproceedingasthewaterrecedes.Wasteisbeingcollectedandtransportedbypublicservicesthroughouttheweek.Localauthoritieshaveorganised27environmentalsanitationcampaigns,inspecteddiseasepreventionmeasuresin102,111householdsand777otherareassuchasschoolsandpublicplacesandaddressed12,190containersofstandingwaterwithmosquitolarvae.Inthepastweek,thecityrecorded171casesofdenguefever,withnodeathsreported.Patientsaredistributedacross23districts,withhighernumbersin?anPh??ng,Hà??ng,Th?chTh?t,andPhúcTh?.Notably,areaswithhigherdenguefevercasesincludePh??ng?ình,??ngTháp,andTanH?icommunesin?anPh??ngDistrict;D??ngN?iWardinHà??ngDistrict;H?uB?ngCommuneinTh?chTh?tDistrict;andHi?pThu?nCommuneinPhúcTh?District.Sincethebeginningof2024,thecityhasrecorded1,579casesofdenguefeverwithnodeaths.Lastweek,HàN?ialsoreportedeightnewdenguefeveroutbreaksin?anPh??ng,PhúcTh?,B?cT?Liêm,Th?chTh?tandQu?cOaidistricts,whichisareductionoftwooutbreakscomparedtothepreviousweek.Cumulatively,in2024,thecityhasrecorded57outbreaks,with20stillactive.TheHàN?iCDChasdeployedanemergencyresponseteamtocollaboratewithrelevantunitsinmonitoringandmanagingdenguefeveroutbreaksatfivelocations:Village5inPhúcTh?District;Village7and8in?anPh??ngDistrict;íchV?nhVillagein?anPh??ngDistrict;??iKimAreainPhúXuyênDistrict;andAlley80NhanHòaStreetinThanhXuanDistrict.Inthepastweek,HàN?irecorded40casesofhand,footandmouthdisease,withnodeathsreported,anincreaseof12casesfromthepreviousweek.Cumulatively,in2024,thecityhasrecorded1,749casesofhand,footandmouthdiseasewithnodeaths.Thecityreportedtwooutbreaksin??ngAnhandHoàngMaidistrictslastweek.Sofarin2024,therehavebeen41outbreaks,withtwostillactive.HàN?irecorded10casesofwhoopingcoughwithnodeaths,anincreaseofthreecasesfromthepreviousweek.In2024,thecityhasrecorded210casesacross29districts,withnodeaths.Casesaremainlyamongyoungchildrenwhohavenotyetreceivedvaccinationsorarenotfullyvaccinated.Additionally,fromJuly25toJuly30,SócS?nDistrictrecordedthreerabiesoutbreaksindogsacrossthreecommunesofMinhPhú,Hi?nNinhandThanhXuan.Thereweretenpeopleexposedtotherabiddogs.Thesecaseshavebeentreated,advisedtoreceiverabiesvaccinationsandmonitoredaccordingtoregulations.TheHàN?iCDChasnotedthatrabiesinanimalsisbecomingincreasinglycomplex.Thisweek,threeadditionalrabiesoutbreaksindogswererecordedinSócS?nDistrict,bringingthetotalnumberofrabiesoutbreaksindogsinthedistricttosixfor2024.ThecityalsoreportedonecaseofStreptococcussuisinfectioninQu?cOaiDistrict.Otherdiseaseswerenotreportedthisweek.TheDepartmentofHealthsaidithadintensifieditscommunicationefforts,providingtimelyandcomprehensiveinformationondiseaseoutbreaksandpreventivemeasuresforhand,footandmouthdisease,whoopingcough,chickenpox,measlesandrubella,aswellaszoonoticdiseaseslikerabiesandStreptococcussuis.Basedonthis,thehealthsectoradvisedparentstoensurethattheirchildrenreceivevaccinationsonschedule.Additionally,HàN?ihadalsoenhanceditshealthquarantinemeasuresatN?iBàiInternationalAirporttopromptlydetectandaddressanysuspectedcasesofdisease.—VNS

AstreetfoodstallonNhàTh?Street,HàN?i.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I-Morethan16percentofstreetfoodestablishmentswhichwereinspectedinHàN?iviolatedfoodsafetyregulations,accordingtothecitysFoodSafetyDepartment.Sinceearlythisyear,thedepartmenthasconductedthesafetyinspectionsat5,820streetfoodestablishmentsincludingfacilitiesatfestivals,fairs,exhibitionsandtouristareas,includingstreetvendors.About83.7percentoftheestablishmentsmetthesafetystandards,saidthedepartment.ThemunicipalDepartmentofHealthhasprovidedhotlinenumbers(0823.88.9095,0922.55.9095)sothatresidentscanreportfoodsafetyviolationstotheFoodSafetyDepartment.Localauthoritiesalsoheldinspectionstotracethefoodoriginat15kitchensofprimaryschoolsand10foodproductionfacilities,processingandtradingestablishmentswhichprovideingredientsforschoolsacross15districtsandtowns.Fromthe324supervisedestablishments,298mettherequirements.Thecityalsomanagedfoodsafetyatbigpartiesat440communesandwardsof20districtsandtowns.Theinspectionteamsinstructedlocalpeopletofollowfoodsafetyregulationsatbigfamilypartiestoensurethatonehundredpercentofhouseholdssignedcommitmentstoensurefoodsafety.LocalauthoritieshavepilotedthemodeloffoodsafetycontrolforcateringservicesandstreetfoodaroundschoolgatesinTràngTi?nandHàngTr?ngwards,HoànKi?mDistrictwhere21restaurants,threehotels,52foodstalls,24streetfoodestablishmentsandfivefoodestablishmentsarelocated.Ofthese,67outof73establishmentshavevalidcertificatesofestablishmentsmeetingfoodsafetyconditions.AccordingtothecitysSteeringCommitteeagainstSmuggling,CounterfeitGoodsandTradeFraud,transportingandtradinggoodsofunknownoriginandqualityarestillongoing.Low-qualityfoodsincludericeflakes,snacks,sausages,chickenwings,frozenfoodandanimalorgans.Tradersandsmugglerschangedlabelsorcommittedotherfraudulentactstoextendexpirydates.VNSElectricworkerserecttemporarypolestosupplyelectricitytopeopleinChi?ngN?iCommune.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ngC??ngS?NLA—Atotalof149householdsinChi?ngN?iCommune,MaiS?nDistrict,thenorthernmountainousprovinceofS?nLaonMondayregainedaccesstoelectricity,whichhadbeentemporarilycutduetofloods.TheMaiS?n-YênChauRegionalPowerCompany,theS?nLaPowerCompany,localauthoritiesandresidentstogethererectedbambooelectricpolestobringinthepowersupplies.Prapiroontyphoon–thesecondonethisyear-causedseriousdamagetothepeopleinthecommune.Sixpeopledied,eighthouseswerecompletelyburiedand81householdshadtobeurgentlyrelocated.Roadstovillageswereseriouslyerodedandmorethan100haofcropsofallkindswereflooded.Threesuspensionbridgeswerewashedawayandanotherwasdamaged.Thefloodsalsobroughtdown16low-voltageelectricpolesand33powerboxesweresweptaway,alongwithmanyassetsincludingelectricwires.C?mV?nTr?c,ChairmanoftheChi?ngN?iPeoplesCommittee,saidthatthemostdifficultthingforthelocalitywastheroads.Mostofroadstovillagesaredirtonesandthefloodwhichcausedlandslides,mademanyplacesimpassableevenformotorbikesandsomesectionsweresocongestedthatvehiclescarryingelectricpolescouldnotgainaccess.WiththespiritandresponsibilityofAllforthepeople,theMaiS?n-YênChauRegionalPowerCompanysstaffandworkersdidnothesitatetofaceobstacles,overcominglandslides,workingtogetherwithlocalauthoritiesandpeopletocutbambootomakepolestotemporarilyrestorethepowersystem.Theyensuredsafepowersupplyforthepeople,helpingthemtobringsomenormalitybacktheirlivesafterthefloods.TheS?nLapowercompanyisadvisinglocalshowtouseelectricitysafelyduringtherainyseasonandtheyhaveahotlinewhichtheycanreportpowerproblems:19006769.TheS?nLaPowerCompanyisdirectingunitstocloselymonitorandquicklyfixtheproblemwhenthefloodwaterrecedeandcontinuetocheckthegridsystem,powersourcesandreportdamagecausedbythefloodifanyarise.—VNSDefendants,includingalawfirmsdeputydirector,appearinTi?nGiangProvincePeoplesCourtonTuesdaytofaceextortioncharges.—VNA/VNSPhotoTI?NGIANG—Ti?nGiangProvincePeoplesCourtonTuesdaybeganproceedingsagainst111defendants,includingadeputydirectorofalawfirm,chargedwithextortion.Thetrial,heldinM?ThoCity,involvesTr?nV?nChau,deputydirectorofPhápVi?tCompany,identifiedasthemastermindbehindanorganisedcrimegroupengagedinunauthoriseddebtcollectionactivities.Thegroupwasidentifiedasanorganisedcrimesyndicate,withChauandH?Qu?cH?ngplayingleadingroles.Accordingtoinvestigators,fromJanuary2021toFebruary2023,thetwomenexploitedthenameofPhápVi?tCompanytosignlegalconsultingcontractswithmultiplecommercialbanksandlendingfirms,whileactuallyconductingillegaldebtcollection.Thegroupwastoreceivebetween18percentto50percentofthetotalamountcollected,dependingonthedurationoftheoverduedebt.ThepolicefoundthatChauandH?ngdirectedaworkforceof579employeestointimidatenearly173,000borrowersinordertoextortuptoVN?456billion.TheywereabletoearnoverVN?168billionoftheextortedamountinexchangefortheirservice,ofwhichChaureceivedVN?15billionandH?ngVN?12billion,accordingtopolice.AparticularlyalarmingincidentinvolvedthreatsdirectedatanelementaryschoolinCaiL?yTown,resultinginaneight-year-oldgirldiscontinuingherattendanceduetofear.ThesituationarosefromadebtofVN?50million($2,000)owedbythegirlsuncle,whohadabscondedafterfailingtorepaythedebt.Authoritieshavealsoseizedmultiplepropertiesandvehicleslinkedtothetwomen.Nearly100defendantsvoluntarilyreturnedportionsoftheirillicitgains.Duringtheinvestigation,victimsdidnotseekcompensation.Thetrial,whichhasattractedpublicattentionduetoitsviolentnature,willlastuntiltheendofthemonth.Lastmonth,theHCMCityPeoplesCourtsentencedsevenformeremployeesofalendingcompanytoasmuchasnearlyfiveyearsinprisonforthesamecharge.Theywerefoundtohaveconductedvariousunauthoriseddebtcollectionactivities,includingsendingthreateningmessagestohundredsofthousandsofcustomerstocoercedebtrepayments.—VNS

ChairmanoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommitteeTr?nS?Thanh(right)ononeofthetrainsoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetroduringhisinspectionoftheprojectonTuesdaymorning.—VNA/VNSPhotoTrungNguyênHàN?I—ChairmanoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommitteeTr?nS?ThanhonAugust6inspectedthepreparationsfortheoperationoftheelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationurbanrailwayproject,thecitysmetrolineNo.3,aheadoftheexpectedcommercialrunslaterthisweek.Reportingonthepreparations,Nguy?nCaoMinh,HeadoftheHàN?iMetropolitanRailwayManagementBoard,saidthatall10trainshadbeentestedsinceMayandnowmeettechnicalrequirements.V?H?ngTr??ng,ChairmanoftheBoardandGeneralDirectorofHàN?iMetroOneMemberCompanyLtd(HMC),statedthatallpreparationsregardingpersonnelandoperationalprocesseshadalsobeencompleted.Forthetimebeing,theelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationlinewillapplyatemporarypricingforticketsandmaintenancesimilartotheCátLinh-Hà??ngline,Tr??ngsaid.Thetrialrunwilllastfortwotothreemonths,andinthefirst15dayspassengerscanenjoytheridesfreeofcharge.TheinvestorhasaskedforpermissiontoruntheelevatedsectionfromAugust9,2024,hetoldChairmanThanh.Theplantoconnectbusrouteswiththeelevatedsectionofthislinehasbeenpreparedandisawaitingcityapproval,headofHàN?istransportdepartmentNguy?nPhiTh??ngsaid.ThedepartmentrecommendsthatthecityallowstheHàN?iMetropolitanManagementBoardtohandoverthelineasistoHMCtemporarily,makingsurethatallconditionsaremetforthelinestimelyoperationtoservethepublic.Remainingissueswillbeaddressedintime,Th??ngnoted.HàN?isChairmanThanhpraisedtheeffortsofthemanagementboard,HMC,thetransportdepartment,andrelateddepartmentsandlocalities,statingthattheelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationprojectwasreadyforoperation.Withthecurrentstateofthepreparations,heaskedforthemetroscommercialoperationstostartfromAugust8,onedayearlierthantheproposeddate.Healsorequiredallunitstofocusonquicklycompletingthefinalprocedures,withthetopprioritybeingthesafeandproperoperationofthetrain.AnyissuesmustbereportedimmediatelyandthePeoplesCommitteeandIwillsupportresolvingthem.Thepreparationworkmustbecomprehensiveandthorough,coveringsafety,technicalaspects,personnel,andsanitation,hestressed.Themetroline,thesecondtobeoperationalinthecapitalcity,is12.5kmlong,withtheelevatedsection(Nh?n-C?uGi?yDistrict)being8.5kmandtheundergroundsection(C?uGi?yDistrict-HàN?iStation)being4kmlong.Eachhour,about8,000passengerscanbetransportedoneachdirectionontheelevatedsection.OnJuly30,thetunnelboringmachinebeganoperationsontheundergroundsectionofthemetroline,whichpassesthroughseveraldenselypopulatedareassomanychallengesmayarise,accordingtotheinvestor.Themetroprojectstartedin2009andwasoriginallyslatedtobefinishedin2015butafterdelaysandsetbacks,thecompletiondateisnow2027.TheoriginalinvestmentcostsofVN?18,408trillion(US$732.14million,currentexchangerate)havenowswellednearlytwo-foldtoVN?34,532trillion($1.373billion).—VNSPartofthecrackintheearthwhichhasshiftedinHu?iL?pVillage,Qu?ngLamCommuneinthenorthernmountainousprovinceof?i?nBiên.—VNA/VNSPhoto?I?NBIêN—TheSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlandSearchandRescueofM??ngNhéDistrict,?i?nBiênProvincehasurged23householdstotemporarilyrelocatetorelativeshomesaftertheyweredesignatedathighriskofbeingcaughtinalandslide.Thearea,whichislocatedinHu?iL?pVillage,Qu?ngLamCommune,posesahighriskoflandslipsduetotheprolongedheavyrainsinrecentdays.T?V?nS?n,chairmanofthePeoplesCommittee,saidthattheareawasadjacenttoNationalHighway4H,withacracklengthofabout300metresandasubsidencedepthofuptoonemetre.Theheightofthecrackfromthesurfaceofthenationalhighwaywasapproximately200metres.Asubstantialamountofmudandsoilhadflowedthroughsmallcrevicesfromtheareaontothehighway,causingtrafficcongestionandimpacting23householdswith117residentslivingalongthehighwaybeneaththearea.Upondiscoveringthelandslide,thesteeringcommitteeurgedthe23householdstomovetotheirrelativeshomestemporarily.OnSunday,authoritiesdiscoveredanadditionalcrackabout60metreslongand0.5mto0.8mdeepabovethepreviouslyidentifiedlandslidearea.OnMonday,thePeoplesCommitteeofthedistrictrequestedthattheprovincialPeoplesCommitteeandtheprovincialSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlandSearchandRescueformaninteragencyinspectionteamtopromptlyassess,evaluateandproposemeasurestoensurethesafetyofresidentsandinfrastructureinthehigh-risklandslideareainthevillage.ThedistrictalsoaskedtheprovincialPeoplesCommitteeandtheDepartmentofFinancetoconsiderallocatingfundsforresettlingthe23households.TheCentreforCleanWaterandEnvironmentalSanitationwastoldtocoordinatewiththedistricttosurveyresettlementpointsandarrangefortherelocationofresidentsfromthedisasterarea.FollowingthedistrictPeoplesCommitteesrequest,theprovincialPeoplesCommitteeissuedofficialdocumentNo.3459onMonday,regardingtheinspection,assessmentandproposalofsafetymeasuresforresidentsandinfrastructureinthehigh-risklandslideareainthevillage.ThedistrictPeoplesCommitteewasorderedtoproactivelyallocateemergencyfundstosupportfoodandessentialsuppliesforhouseholdsatriskofhunger,ensurethesafetyoftemporaryhousingandimplementmeasurestopreventdiseaseandmaintainenvironmentalsanitationfortheresidents.Thedistricthadtocontinuetomonitortheweather,increasewarningsandbeondutyfornaturaldisasterprevention24/7topromptlydetectandorganisetherelocationofpeopleandpropertytoensuresafetyduringincidents.TheDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentwasassignedtoleadandcoordinatewithrelevantdepartmentsandagenciestourgentlyinspectthesite,assessthecurrentsituationandforecastthelandslideriskinthevillage.Basedontheassessment,theyhadtoproposeandimplementmeasurestoensuretheabsolutesafetyofresidentsandpropertyintheaffectedareaandreporttheresultstotheprovincialPeoplesCommitteebyAugust15.—VNS

Nguy?nH?uTi?nH?ngandhisgoldmedalfromthe56thInternationalChemistryOlympiad.VNA/VNSPhotoThanhTh??ngHàN?INguy?nH?uTi?nH?ng,astudentoftheB?cNinhHighSchoolforGiftedStudentsinthenorthernprovinceofB?cNinh,dreamsofbecomingadoctor.ThegoldmedalH?ngwonrecentlyatthe56thInternationalChemistryOlympiadinSaudiArabiahasbroughthimclosertothedream.Borninaplacewithstrongacademictraditionsandtoawell-educatedfamily,H?nghasalwaysmaintainedhistopspotintheclassrankings.Hehasalwayshadaparticularlovefornaturalsciences,especiallychemistry.Hisoldersister,apreviousstudentofB?cNinhHighSchoolforGiftedStudentschemistryclass,motivatedhimthemost.Hesaid:Iampassionateaboutchemistrybecauseitallowsmetowitnessthefascinatingphenomenaofchemicalreactions,whichresultinavarietyofcolours,precipitationandevaporation.Withmyknowledgeofchemistry,Icannowinvestigatethecomposition,structure,propertiesandchangesofmatterandexplainsubstancesandeventswithease.Itisreallyrelatabletoallpeopleslives.Thisisasubjectwithmanyapplicationsinreallife,hetoldVietnamNewsAgency.Hewaschosenforthespecialchemistryclasswhenhewasgradenine.Thatsameyear,hewonthefirstprizeinthechemistrycompetitionforexcellentstudentsinB?cNinhProvince.H?ngsaidinordertolearnchemistryproperly,onemustfirstmasterthefundamentalconceptsandthenworkthroughchallengingsituationsbyunderstandingtheunderlyingcausesoftheissues.Hecreatesacomfortableandexcitingroutineforhimselfeachdaythatbalancesleisuretimewithstudying,whichmakesiteasierforhimtotakeininformationandresearchpapers.Sharinghissecrettowinningagoldmedalattherecentinternationalcompetition,hesaid:Atfirst,whenIreadtheexamquestions,Ifeltabitconfusedbecausetheexamquestionshadmanynewpointsandwerealsotopical,requiringcandidatestohavetheabilitytothinkcomprehensivelyandperformoperationalskillsaccurately.Thetheoreticalexammentionedtheapplicationsofchemistryinindustry,environmentalpollutiontreatment,andadvancedmaterials.Atthattime,Iquicklyregainedmyconfidence,rememberingthewordsofencouragementfrommyteacherstosolveproblemsfrombasicknowledge,withthemottoofdoingeasythingsfirst,difficultthingslater,doingthingsfirmlyasmuchaspossible.Iwastheninacomfortablemoodandachievedgoodresults.Recallingthemomentwhenhisnamewascalledoutasagoldmedalwinnerattheinternationalcontest,hesaid:IfelthappyandproudbecauseIhavecontributedatinyparttobringachievementstotheFatherland,theprovince,theschoolandmyfamily.Thisisnotonlymyownachievementbutalsotheeffortsoftheentireteamofteachersintheschool,alongwiththesupportandencouragementofmyfamily,hesaid.ThefirstpersonIsharedmyjoywithwasteacherV?Th?Len[hishighschoolteacher]whosmiledandcriedatthesametimewhenIannouncedtheresult.Nguy?nQuangHòa,H?ngsfather,whofollowseverystepofhisson,couldnothidehisemotion.Itwasajustrewardforwhathehaddone.OurfamilyisalwaysappreciativeofH?ngsteachersconcernandencouragement,hesaid.AfterworkingwithH?ngforthreeyears,teacherLenclaimedtohaveathoroughunderstandingofeachstudentsstrengthsandlimitations,enablinghertodevelopeffectiveteachingstrategiesthatmaximisetheirpotential.H?ngexhibitsall-aroundqualitiesalongwithaparticularfondnessandenthusiasmforchemistry.Healwaysgetsthegreatestgradesinchemistryinhisclassbecauseheplanshisdaysrationally,worksoutandstudieschemistryonhisown.H?nghadpreviouslyreceivedchemistryawardsbothlocallyandnationally.H?ngsaidhewillpursuehisdreamofbecomingagooddoctorandtreatingpeoplebyattendingtheHàN?iMedicalUniversity.VNS

??ngThuNgatakescareofachildinthevillage.—Photosuckhoedoisong.vnHCMCITY—Familyplaysaveryimportantroleintheformationanddevelopmentofchildrenspersonality,buttherearemanyunfortunatechildrenwhoareorphansandneedprotectionandhelp.Nearly50yearssinceitsestablishment,theTh???cYouthVillageinHCMCityhascaredforandraisedtensofthousandsoforphansanddisadvantagedchildrenfromacrossVi?tNam.Althoughlessfortunatethantheirpeers,withthelove,care,helpandeducationofthestaffoffathersandmothershere,thechildrenhaveovercomedifficultiesandpressuresinlifetocontinuewritingtheirdreams.Everymeal,everysleep,everylesson,thechildrenherearetakencareofbythevillagesstaffasiftheyweretheirownchildren.Theyareablenottojuststudyuptohighschool,butalsogotouniversityorstudyatvocationalschools.Nguy?nH?uTài,DirectoroftheTh???cYouthVillagesaid:Icantcounthowmanyteachers,doctorsandbankofficershavecomefromhere.Therearealsomanychildrenwhohavefinishedschoolandbecomesuccessfulinlife.Agreatnumberofthemdecidetoreturnheretotakecareofchildrenwiththedesiretogiveloveforchildreninthesamesituationasthemselves.BackhomeOnechildwhoreceivedlove,care,nurturingandeducationfrommothersinthevillage,??ngThuNga,36,afterworkingasanaccountant,decidedtoreturntoworkinitsnewbornward.AlthoughIhavebeenworkingoutsideforalongtime,Istillcontinuetoreceivehelpfromeveryoneinthevillage,soIlearntmoreknowledgerelatedtoinfantsandpreschoolchildrentoreturnandcontributetothevillage,saidNga.Ngasaidthatitwasdifficulttotakecareofnormalchildren,butitismuchmoredifficulttotakecareofchildrenwithrarediseases.Childreninthevillageareseparatedaccordingtotheirphysicalcondition.Theoneswithcongenitaldisabilitiesordevelopmentaldisorderswillbearrangedinaclasswithspecialcareandteaching.Ngabelievesthatchildrenwhoneedinterventionmustbetaughtwithspeciallessonplans.However,thevillagesstaffdonothavemuchknowledgeandexperienceincaringforsuchchildren,sotheirworkmeetsmanyobstacles.Understandingthat,thevillagesBoardofDirectorshasinvitedspecialisedteachersanddoctorstotrainstaffwhodirectlyteachandcareforspecialchildren.Ph?mTh?Trang,31,fromNgh?Ancentralprovince,chosetheTh???cYouthVillageasherlong-termworkplaceaftergraduating.Shesaidthatsheandmostofworkersherearepreschoolorprimaryschoolteachers,sowhenshewasassignedtoteachchildreninneedofinterventionandtheoneswithdevelopmentaldisorders,shethoughtthisjobwouldnotbetoodifficult.However,realityhasshownteachersthatraisingthespecialchildrenisverydifficult.Mostofthemarenotabletocontroltheirbehaviour,sotheteacherscannotunderstandtheirthoughtsandwishes.Therefore,inadditiontobasicknowledge,teachersherehavetoexploretoknowthepersonalityofeachchildinordertocomeupwithappropriateeducationalmethods.Afterparticipatingintheinterventionclass,manychildrenhaveclearlychanges,reactingquicklyandcanfollowcommands.Weareoverwhelmedbythechildrensprogress.Thechildrenspositivechangeshavecreatedgreatmotivationforus.Wehopethattheycanintegrateintolife,gotoschoolliketheirpeersandcanbeindependentwhentheygrowup,saidTrang.GoldentimeRegardinginterventionforchildrenwithdevelopmentaldelays,Nguy?nTr?nNam,DeputyDirectoroftheHCMCityChildrensHospital,saidthatmanypsychologicalreasonsmadechildrenslowtospeaksuchasexpressivelanguagedisorderandautism.Alotofclinicaldatashowsthatbeforethreeyearsoldistheso-calledgoldentimetointervenechildrenwithdevelopmentalproblems.Therefore,takingchildrentomedicalfacilitieswithpsychologicalspecialistsforexaminationandassessmentisnecessarytoguideappropriatesolution.Earlyinterventionhelpschildrenbettertheirlanguageandcommunicationskills,creatingasolidfoundationfortheirfuture,hesaid.Asfortheteamdirectlyinstructingchildren,itisnecessarytobeequippedthemwiththeoreticalandpracticalknowledge.Iftheydonothaveenough,theycansupplementitduringtheirworkingprocess,saidNam.DirectorTàiaffirmedthatthevillagesstaffalwaystriedtheirbest,withenthusiasm,loveforchildrenandasenseofresponsibilitytotakecareofandbringthebestthingstothechildren.—VNSV?MinhQuan,orQuanV?,istheauthorofProfit-DrivenDigitalMarketingwhichwasclassifiedasTop#1BestSellerintheGlobalMarketingcategoryonAmazononlyamonthafteritsrelease.Photogiaoducthoidai.vnV?MinhQuanhasbeenwell-knownathomeandabroadforhisbookProfit-DrivenDigitalMarketing,whichwasclassifiedTopNewReleases,andthenTop#1BestSellerintheGlobalMarketingcategoryonAmazononlyamonthafteritsrelease.The37-year-oldauthor,alsoknownasQuanV?,releasedProfit-DrivenDigitalMarketinginMarchthisyear.Itisavailableinthreeformats,ebook,paperbackandhardcover.TheEnglishaudiobookversionwasreleasedbytheendofJuneandisavailableonvariousglobalplatformssuchasGooglePlay,BarnesNoble,Libro.fm,Kobo,andAudiobooks.com.Thebookhasreachedreadersworldwide,includingtheUS,theUK,Ireland,theNetherlands,Japan,GermanyandCanada.ThisglobalversionhasalsobeenincludedinthelibrariesoftwelveuniversitiesinIreland.ThenewbiesfirstbookisinVietnameseentitledDigitalMarketingchonhàqu?nly(DigitalMarketingforManagers)releasedbytheendof2022.DigitalMarketingchonhàqu?nlyhasbeenavailableone-commercechannels,majorbookstoresinVi?tNam,andwasnominatedforTop5MostLovedVietnameseBusinessBooksandTop10Must-ReadBusinessBooksof2023bySaigonBusinessmagazine.QuanwasastudentintheadvancedComputerScienceprogrammeattheUniversityofScienceinHCMCity,inpartnershipwiththeUnitedStatesPortlandStateUniversity.HehasstartedventuresinvariousfieldsandiscurrentlytheCEOofadigitalmarketingcompanyinHCMCityandavisitinglectureronentrepreneurshipattheUniversityofScience.Iwasnotanall-roundstudentinsecondaryschooljustwasaverageinliteratureandpoorinchemistrybecauseIwasnotgoodatmemorisingformulas,hetoldgiaoducthoidai.vn:However,fromhistimeasaphysicsmajorstudentuntilnow,hehasalwaysmaintainedcuriosityaboutsocialsciences.TheolderIget,themoreIenjoyreadingandexploringsocialsciences,literatureandartsbecausetheyareinteresting.AsIgrewolder,mycuriosityincreasedandIreadmanybooksonvarioustopics,bothinVietnameseandEnglish.Thisappliesalottomycurrentjobandthemotivationtowriteabookthatmanypeoplewouldlove,Quansaid.Ofcourse,makingthebookglobalwasnoteasy.Besidesthesupportfromtheplatforminpromotingthebook,Ihadtoovercomemanychallengestowritethebooktoensureitisnotoutdatedandsuitsthetastesofforeignreaders.ForQuan,writingabookisnotjustaboutsharingwhatheknowsbutthinkingabouttheproductseriously,fromthetitle,coverdesign,price,publicityandmore.Alltheseaspectsrequireaninvestmentoftimeandspecialisedpersonnel.Regardingcontent,hebelieveditisessentialtobeengagingandrelatable.Readersshouldfindvalueinthebook,relatetothesituationstheyhaveexperiencedandapplythelessonsintheirlives.Idonthaveastrongpersonalbrandintheglobalmarket,sobringingthebooktotheinternationalmarketrequiredcarefulpreparation,treatingitasaseriousproductwithmarketresearchandhavingacleartargetaudience,Quansaid.Thecompetitionone-commerceplatformslikeAmazonisextremelyfierce.Buyerspartlyrelyontheauthorsbrand,whethertheyarefamousandtrustworthy.Whileforeignmarketsarevastanddiverse,withcountlessexpertsinvariousfields,thecompetitionforanewauthorlikemeisevenmorecomplex.Self-publishingplatformInVi?tNam,QuanworkswiththeteamatGiverBookspublishingcompany.Likeotherpublishers,GiverBookssupportsauthorsincontentediting,coverdesign,obtainingpublicationlicences,printing,distributingandpromotingthebook.However,topublishtheEnglishbook,insteadofseekingacomprehensivesupportpublisherabroad,Quanchosetobuildhisownteamtohelpwithcoverdesign,editingandensuringthebookssuitabilityfortheinternationalmarket.Additionally,heexploredtheKindleDirectPublishing(KDP)platform,anAmazonservicesupportingself-publishingauthors.Establishedin2007,KDPisusedbymanyauthorsworldwidebutisstillrelativelyunfamiliartoVietnameseauthors.Authorroyaltiesdependonthebookformatsold-paperback,hardcover,orebook-rangingfrom35percentto70percentofthelistedprice.Amazoncalculatesroyaltiesbysubtractingprintingcosts(forprintbooks)andtaxesbasedonthecountryorterritoryoforigin,hesaid.IfanauthorwantsAmazontosupportdistributiontoretailers,theycanpayanadditionalfee.Theprofitanauthorreceivesperbookisnothigh,butinreturn,justbyuploadingthebookfileandcoverdesigntotheplatform,Amazontakescareoftherest.Self-publishingonAmazonallowsforprint-on-demanddistribution,whichallowsauthorstocontroltheprintquantityaccordingtodemand,savingprintingcosts.Furthermore,Amazonhasprintingfacilitiesinseveralcountries.Theexpandingnetworkofprintingfacilitiescanprofoundlychangethepublishingindustrybyeliminatingtheneedforphysicaltransportationofbooksacrossnationalborders.AccordingtoauthorQuan,KDPisbreakingdowntraditionalbarriersinpublishingprocedures,pavingthewayforbookstoreachreadersmoreeasily.Quanalsospendsalotoftimeresearchingandanalysing,choosingkeywordstomakeiteasierforbuyerstofindhisbookonsearchengines.Selectingthebookscategoryforclassificationiscrucial,suchastheGlobalMarketingcategoryonAmazon.Additionally,factorslikecoverdesign,presentationformatandpricing,basedonresearchofforeignbooksinthesamefield,areessentialforpackagingthebookasaninternationalproduct.Healsoconsiderspriceadjustmentsatdifferenttimestohelpthebookcompeteandbecomeabest-seller.InspiringhischildrenQuanV?sbooksareavailableinlibrariesof20universitiesinVi?tNam.Photogiaoducthoidai.vnItisknownthatoneofthemotivationsfortheauthortowritebooksisforhischildrentofindtheirfathersachievementsonline.Accordingtohim,personaleffortisawaytopushboundaries,pavingthewayforhischildren.Whatheachievescanserveasanexampleforhischildrentofollow.LikesellingbooksfromVi?tNamtotheworld,notmanypeoplethoughtitwaspossiblebefore.Istrivetomakeithappen,Quansaid.Iwantmychildrentounderstandthatwhentheylikedoingsomething,despitedifficultiesandwhatothersmightsay,iftheytryhardenough,theywillachieveit.IhopewhatIamdoing,includingwritingandsellingbooksonAmazonandexportingknowledgefromVi?tNamtotheworld,willgivemychildrenmoreconfidenceandmotivationtoliveuptotheirpotentialandinterestsandnotbelimitedbyanyprejudicesorbarrierssocietymayimpose.Quanstartedfromscratch,figuringouteachstepalongtheway.Heconstantlychallengeshimselfwithdifferentmilestones,overcomingnumerousdifficultiesinthejourneyofexportingknowledge.MywishistocontributetocreatingawaveofVietnameseauthorsdaringtopackageandsharetheirknowledgeandexperienceswithglobalreaders,fosteringconfidenceandprideinVietnameseintellect,hesaid.VNS

Anofficialin??kT?ngCommune,KonPl?ngDistrict,guidelocalpeopleonhowtorespondtoearthquakes.—VNA/VNSPhotoCaoNguyênHàN?I—Anotherearthquakeof3.8magnitudehitDistrict,theCentralHighlandsprovinceofKonTum,onSaturday,accordingtotheInstituteofGeophysics.Itoccurredat12:44pmatadepthofabout8.1km,withnodisasterrisk.EarthquakeshavebeenrecordedfrequentlyinKonPl?ngsince2021.Recently,theareawashitbya5.0magnitudeearthquakeonJuly28withitsdisasterriskcategorisedasLevel2-thestrongesteverrecordedinthisarea.Thequakecausedsomedamagetopublicbuildingsandresidentialhomes.ResidentsintheCentralHighlandsandcentralVi?tNamfeltthetremorsandshaking.Thelocalityexperiencedatotalof21earthquakesonJuly28,followedbyanadditional11tremorsbetweenmidnightand7amonJuly29,raisingconcernsaboutunusualseismicactivityintheregion.Nguy?nXuanAnh,DirectoroftheInstituteofGeophysics,statedthatearthquakesareforecasttocontinuehittingKonTumProvinceinthenearfuture,butareunlikelytobestrongerthan5.5degrees.Localauthoritiesandcompetentagenciesneedtoconductdamageassessments,reviewandevaluateweakstructuresatriskofbeingaffectedbyearthquakesforsolutions.Between1903and2020,KonPl?ngDistrictrecordedabout33earthquakeswithmagnitudesof2.5orhigher.From2021toAugust2022,theareaexperiencednearly200newearthquakes.—VNSSceneoftheaccident.Theworkerswereliftedbythecranetoworkonthesilosthatstorematerialsforafactory.—VNA/VNSPhotoL?cH??ngThuLàOCAI—AcraneaccidentonFridayataphosphorusslag-crushingplantinT?ngLo?ngIndustrialPark,B?oTh?ngDistrict,LàoCaiProvince,hasleftthreeworkersdeadandthreeothersinjured.Initialinvestigationssuggestthetragedyoccurredat11:30amwhenacablehoistcarryingthesixworkerssuddenlysnapped,sendingthecontainertheywereinplummetingtotheground.Thecontainerwasthenstruckbyafallingpulley,compoundingthedevastatingimpact.ThetwoworkerswholosttheirliveshavebeenidentifiedasL.V.C.,ageunknown,andP.V.N,34.Theformerdiedatthescenewhilethelattersucummedtoinjurieswhilebeingrushedtothehospital.Theidentityofthethirdworkerwholosthislifeduringhospitaltreatmenthasnotbeenannounced.Thethreeinjuredarereceivingmedicalattention.Thepolicehaveconcludedthattheconstructioncompanysuseofatowercranetotransportworkersviolatedlaboursafetyregulations.TheypressedchargesagainstitonAugust2.—VNS

Alibrarianinasecondaryschoolin??kL?kProvince.Photogiaoducthoidai.vnNguy?nTh?Ng?cH??nghadworkedasacontractlibrarianatapublicschoolinDuyTiênTownship,inthenorthernprovinceofHàNam,since2010andonlybecameacivilservantin2022.Afterdedicating14yearstoherjob,hercurrentincome,afterdeductinginsurance,isVN?4.6million(US$180)permonthwithoutanyadditionalallowances.Thismeagresalarymakesitchallengingforhertomakeendsmeet.[AccordingtotheGeneralStatisticsOfficetheaverageincomeofworkingpeopleinthefirsthalfof2024wasVN?7.5million(nearlyUS$300)permonth.]Shehastotakeextraworkasgoodsshipping,farmingworkandsellinggoodsonlineinhersparetimetosupportherfamily,However,theydependmainlyonherhusbandsfreelancebusinessfortheirlivelihoodandtheirtwochildrenseducation.Besidesourmaindutiesinkeepingandlendingbooks,wealsofacilitateteachersandstudentstoaccessinformationandresourcesinthelibrary,particularlyhandletaskstypicallyassignedtoteachers,H??ngtoldgiaoducthoidai.vn.Theseincludeplanninglessonsandhandlingadministrativework.Insomeplaces,weareinvolvedinliteracycampaigns,medicalcareduties,assistingwithlessonplanning,andsupportingteachersduringspeciallessonsandteachingcompetitions,sheadded.GivinguphalfwayBusyworkandlowincomehavediscouragedmanyschoollibrarians.Infact,myjobasalibrarianisharderthanthatofateacherbecauseIhavetosimultaneouslyteachlifeskillsandmorallessons,andorganisereadingactivitiesinclassrooms,thelibraryroom,andevenduringoutdoorbreak,Ph?mTh?Chiêm,aschoollibrarianinTháiBìnhProvince,said.Wealsoinspectstudentsbooks,stationery,andmonitortheirstudyhabitsonmonthlybasis.Meanwhile,LêTh?Ng?c,aschoollibrarianinV?nhL?cDistrict,ThanhHóa(chǎn)Province,commutesnearly50kmdailyfromhometoschoolandbackforaboutthreehours,whichisespeciallychallengingduringbadweather.Workingeighthoursadayatschool,andcaringforthreeyoungchildrenathome,shefindsnotimetotakeextrawork.Herhusbandisalsoagovernmentworkerwithlowincome,soherfamilysfinancesareoftenunstable.Tenyearsago,Iconsideredquittingmyjobatschool,butmyparentsencouragedmetostay,valuingmyeducationandyearsofdedication,Ng?csaid.Itriedtolivefrugallyonmysmallsalary.Inearly2023,facinghealthissues,stagnantwages,andrisingcostsasmychildrengrew,Ireluctantlysubmittedmyresignation.Itwasheart-wrenchingtoleaveafter18yearsofdevotedservice,shesaid.Currently,thereareover35,000schoollibrariansnationwide.Althoughgovernmentpoliciestoimprovethelivingofeducationalworkersexist,theyhavenotbeeneffectivelyimplemented,leavingmanyunabletosustainthemselvesontheirsalaries.DelayinapplyingpoliciesTheworkofaschoollibrarianincludesguidingstudentsinreadingbooksatthelibrary.Photogiaoducthoidai.vnDespiteregulationsfromtheMinistryofHomeAffairs,theMinistryofCulture,SportsandTourism,andtheMinistryofEducationandTraining(MoET),schoollibrarystaffstillreceivenoadditionalincomebeyondtheirbasicsalary.Thissituationhasledtofinancialdifficultiesandfrustrationamongthisworkforce.TheMinistryofCultureandInformation(nowtheMinistryofCulture,SportsandTourism)issuedacircularinFebruary2006stipulatingtheseallowancesandin-kindbenefitsforpublicservantsintheculturalinformationsector.TheHàNamprovincialDepartmentofEducationandTrainingsentanofficialdispatchtothePeoplesCommittees[administrations]ofdistricts,towns,andcitiesonMay6,2024,urgingthemtodirectrelevantagenciesandpubliceducationalinstitutionsundertheirjurisdictiontoimplementexistingregulationsonallowancesforschoolstaff,ensuringcorrectsubjectsandlevelsofallowancesbasedonjobpositions.OnOctober30,2023,MoETissuedacircularprovidingguidanceonjobpositions,thestructureofpublicemployeesaccordingtoprofessionaltitles,andstaffingnormsingeneraleducationinstitutions.Thefundingsource,calculation,andpaymentoftheseallowancesshouldfollowtheinstructionsprovidedintherelevantdocumentsissuedbythemanagingministriesandcurrentstateregulations.Thedepartmentalsorequiredaffiliatedunitstothoroughlystudytheregulationsregardingsubjects,levelsofallowances,calculationmethods,andpaymentproceduresforemployees.Basedontheactualtasksassignedtoemployeesineachunit,thecorrectsubjectsandlevelsofallowancesshouldbeidentifiedandimplemented,ensuringappropriatepaymentofpreferential,responsibility,hazardous,anddangerousallowancesasperregulations.Infact,theworkoflibrariansissomewhatlikethatofteachers;wealsohavetopreparespecificcontenttoorganiseareadingperiodasalessonplanbeforeclass,H??ngsaid.Librariansmustwriteprofessionalessaysintroducingtheroleoftheschoollibraryinservingteachingandlearning,andnumerousarticlesintroducingbooksonvarioussubjectstoreaders,requiringdidacticskills.Despitetheseguidelines,HàNamProvincehadnotpaidtheallowancepaymentsforlibrarystaffbytheendofMay2024;evenMoETissuedanofficialdispatchonDecember26,2023,regardingtheimplementationofpoliciesandpromotionofprofessionaltitlesforschoolstaff,sheadded.Thedelayandinconsistencyinapplyingtheseregulationshaveleftmanylibrariansstrugglingfinanciallyandprofessionally.Thereisapressingneedforconcertedeffortsfromallrelevantauthoritiestoensurethatpoliciesarenotonlywell-documentedbutalsoexecutedefficientlytosupportandmotivatethisessentialworkforce.AccordingtoV?Minh??c,PhD,directoroftheDepartmentofTeachersandEducationalManagersatMoET,theministryhasacknowledgedthesignificantdifficultiesfacedbyschoolstaff.Currently,thetotalincomeofschoolstaff,includinginsurancecontributions,forthosewithlessthan15yearsofservicerangesfromVN?3.6milliontounderVN?7millionpermonth,??csaid.Thisisdespitethelargeworkloadandthenecessitytotakeonvariousadditionaltasks.Tohelpschoolstaffincreasetheirincome,stabilisetheirlives,andfeelsecureintheirroles,theeducationministryhasproposedtotheMinistryofHomeAffairsthatschoolstaffreceiveaprofessionalallowanceatanappropriateleveltorecognisetheirworkandresponsibilities.Theyalsoaimtoreviewandassessthecomplexityofeachjobpositionheldbyschoolstaff,whichwillserveasabasisforadjustingregulationsregardingjobresponsibilities,professionalstandards,andprofessionalrankclassifications.Theseadjustmentsaimtoimproveincomethroughsalaryenhancementsandprovidebettercareeradvancementopportunitiesforschoolstaff.ThestoriesofH??ng,ChiêmandNg?creflectabroaderissuefacingschoollibrarystaffacrossVi?tNam.Despitetheirimportantroleineducation,theirworkremainsundervaluedandunderpaid,leadingtofinancialhardshipandjobdissatisfaction.Addressingtheseissuesrequiresconcertedeffortsfromgovernmentauthoritiestoensurefaircompensationandsupportforthesededicatedworkers.VNSThefirstWorldStudentFestivalHCMCity2024andtheeighthInternationalStudentScienceForumwereofficiallykickedoffinHCMCityonAugust2.—PhotoCourtesyoftheorganiserHCMCITY—ThefirstWorldStudentFestivalHCMCity2024andtheeighthInternationalStudentScienceForumwereofficiallykickedoffinHCMCityonFriday(August2).Speakingattheopeningceremony,themunicipalPeoplesCommitteeDeputyChairwomanTr?nTh?Di?uThúysaidtheyouthinallcountriesplayacriticalrole,particularlytheirpioneeringroleincreatingroadstowardssustainabledevelopmentgoalsforcommunities.Thecityhasalwayscreatedfavourableconditionsforstudentsandyoungsterstomaximisetheirpotentialandcapabilitiesthrougharangeofactivities,shesaid.Thefestivalandforumareexpectedtocontributetoenhancingexchangesandconnections,fosteringmutualunderstandingamongyouthsandstudentsfromvariouscountriesandterritorieswiththeirpeersinVi?tNamingeneralandHCMCityinparticular,shesaid.Tr?nThuHà,deputysecretaryofH?ChíMinhCommunistYouthUnion-HCMCitychapterandpresidentoftheVietnameseStudentAssociationinHCMCity,saidthefestivalsthemeIgnitingyouth-ledsocialimpact:fromlocaltoglobalunderscoresthepioneeringroleofyouthandstudentsinpromotingpositivechangesforcommunitydevelopment,encouragingtheircontributionstoglobalissues,especiallythe17SustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)oftheUnitedNations.Thefour-dayfestivalseekstocreateanenvironmentthatenhancesskills,fostersleadership,anddrivespositivecommunitychanges.Activitiesallowlocalandinternationalstudentstointeractandexperiencediversecultures,andpromotethecitysculturalbeautyanddevelopmentachievementsglobally.Theeventhasattractedsignificantinterestfromstudentsatuniversities,colleges,andinstitutesbothdomesticallyandinternationally.Fromnearly500studentregistrationsforthefestivalandsubmissionsfortheInternationalStudentScienceForum,theorganisingcommitteeselected177officialdelegatesfrom11countries.Thisincludes79internationalstudents,sevenrepresentativesfromVietnamesestudentassociationsabroadand20studentsfromvariousregionswithinVi?tNam.Thesedelegatesareoutstandingrepresentativesinvariousfields,comingtogethertoaffirmtheircommitmenttocommunityactionbyestablishingtheFriendshipYouthNetworkduringthefestivalsformalsession.Thefestivalalsofeaturestourstoculturalandhistoricalsitesinthecity,traditionalculturalandartisticactivitiesatthePh??ngNamTheatre,andavisittothemunicipalPeoplesCommitteeheadquarters,amongothers.—VNS