‘Okinawa: The Afterburn’ to Be Screened in Gardena, Torrance
Nguy?nTh?ThuH??ngatablooddonationevent.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nLànhNAM??NH—BlooddonationissteadilybecomingastrongmovementinthenorthernprovinceofNam??nh,withenthusiasticparticipationfromeveryone,includingcivilservants,workersandlocalresidents.Nguy?nTh?ThuH??ng,alectureranddeputysecretaryoftheH?ChíMinhCommunistYouthUnionatNam??nhUniversityofNursing,isaprominentvolunteerintheuniversitysblooddonationmovement.Shehadbeeninstrumentalinspreadingthemessageofblooddonationamongstudentswith17blooddonations.Evenasastudentoftheuniversity,H??ngwasactivelyinvolvedinblooddonation.Herfirstdonationwasin2007,rightaftershewasadmittedtothenursingprogrammeattheuniversity.Asamedicalstudent,sheunderstandsthemessageOnedropofbloodgiven,onelifesaved,so,sheregularlyregisterstodonateherblood.H??ngalsojoinedtheuniversitysBloodDonationDisseminationandMobilisationTeam.In2011,aftergraduatedfromtheuniversity,shewasselectedasalecturerandcontinuedherinvolvementintheblooddonorcampaignsattheuniversity.In2023,theuniversitysBloodDonationDisseminationandMobilisationTeamrecruitedover1,500peopleforvoluntaryblooddonation,collecting1,026unitsofblood,surpassingtheirtargetby293percent.Similarly,LêTh?H?nh,ahealthcareworkerattheYênTh?PrimarySchoolinYYênDistrictintheprovincehasdonatedblood34timesoverthepast11years.In2023,shewasrecognisedasoneofthe100exemplaryblooddonorsnationwidebytheNationalSteeringCommitteeforVoluntaryBloodDonation,theVi?tNamRedCrossSocietyandtheNationalInstituteofHaematologyandBloodTransfusion.H?nhsaid:Bloodcanwaitforpatientsbutpatientscannotwaitforblood.Whenshebegandonatingbloodin2013,theblooddonationmovementwasnotasdevelopedasitisnow,especiallyinruralareas,wheremanywerehesitantduetofearsabouttheimpactonhealth,shesaid.Soshesigneduptodonateherbloodwheneverateamofvolunteerscametoherschoolsothatsurroundingpeoplecouldseethatblooddonationwouldnotimpacttheirhealth.ShenotonlyparticipatesinlocalblooddonationeventsbutalsoregistersherphonenumberwiththeprovincialGeneralHospitalandtheuniversitytobeavailableforemergencyblooddonations.Whenshereceivesurgentblooddonationcall,shewilltravelnearly40kmfromherhousetothehospitaltodonateblood.SpreadingblooddonationmovementLocalsteeringcommitteesforvoluntaryblooddonationatalllevelshaveintensifiedcommunicationcampaignsinrecentyears,enhancingcommunityawarenessofvoluntaryblooddonationtofurtherdeveloptheblooddonationmovementintheprovince.Theprovincenowhasnineblooddonationclubswith425activemembers.TheprovincialRedCrossvolunteersactivelycoordinatewithvariousuniversity,collegeandvocationalschoolteamstoorganiseblooddonationeventsattheprovincialGeneralHospitalonthethirdSundayofeverymonth.Ph?mMinhPh??ng,chairmanoftheNam??nhRedCrossSociety,saidpreviously,voluntaryblooddonationwasunfamiliartomanypeople.Initialscepticismandpsychologicalbarriersoftenresultedinlowerparticipationrates.However,theintensifiedcommunicationeffortshadhelpedthemovementgainmomentumandbecomedeeplyingrainedinthecommunity.Observingthatblooddonationdoesnotadverselyaffecthealthandcansavelives,morepeoplearegraduallydrawnintothemovement,creatingabroad-basedinitiative,Ph??ngsaid.Inthefirstsixmonthsofthisyear,theprovinceorganised13voluntaryblooddonationevents,attractingnearly4,300participantsandcollecting4,626unitsofblood,witha60percentrepeatblooddonationrate.Ph??ngsaidlocalitiesshouldfocusonbuildingnetworksofblooddonationvolunteersacrossvariousgroupsandareastoensurethecontinuedexpansionofthevoluntaryblooddonationmovement.—VNS
Policecarsparkoutsidethehotelwheresixpeople,includingfourVietnamesenationals,werefounddeadonTuesday.Photokhaosodenglish.comBANGKOK–Sixpeople,includingfourVietnamesenationals,werefounddeadintheGrandHyattErawanHotelinBangkok,ThailandonTuesday,accordingtolocalsources.TheincidentoccuringinPathumWanDistrictwasreportedtothepoliceforceinBangkoksLumpiniareaataround5:30pmonthesameday.Thevictimswerediscoveredinaroomwithnosignsofastruggle,andtheirluggagewasfoundnearthefrontdoor.InitialinvestigationshaveidentifiedthevictimsastwoVietnamesenationalswhoheldAmericancitizenship,alongwithfourVietnamesecitizens.Basedontheinitialevidencediscoveredatthescene,itissuspectedthatthesixvictimsmayhavediedasaresultofpoisoning.However,itremainsunclearwhetherthepoisoningwasintentionalorifthevictimscommittedsuicide.Thaipoliceareinvestigatingtheincident,examiningclosed-circuittelevisionfootageandquestioningwitnessesforpossibleclues.ThaiPrimeMinisterSretthaThavisinvisitedthesceneoftheincident.SpeakingtoVietnamNewsAgencycorrespondentsbasedinBangkok,VietnameseAmbassadortoThailandPh?mVi?tHùngsaidthatembassyofficialsareworkingwithlocalauthoritiestoverifytheincidentandtocarryoutnecessarycitizenprotectionmeasures.–VNSDefendantsatthetrialonTuesday.4,830kgofgoldweresmuggledfromCambodiaintoVi?tNam.VNA/VNSPhotoH?ngGiangHCMCITY—ThetrialbeganonTuesdayofagroupofpeopleaccusedofsmugglingalargeamountofgoldfromCambodiaintoVi?tNam,totakeadvantageofhigherpricesforthepreciouscommodity,withthegangexpectedtomakearound$700,000fromtheillicitdeal.ThecourtheardthatagangplannedtotakeadvantageofthedifferentialingoldpricesinVi?tNam,tosmugglemorethansixtonnesofgoldbarsovertheborderintoseveralprovinces.ThePeoplesCourtofH?ChíMinhCityonTuesdaystartedthefirsthearingsintothelarge-scalegoldsmugglingcasethatoccurredinTayNinhProvince,HCMCityandseveralotherlocalities.Nguy?nMinhPh?ng,43,fromBình??nhProvince,Nguy?nTh?Ng?cGiàu,44,fromTayNinhProvince,Nguy?nTh?KimPh??ng,39,fromTayNinhProvince,andtheiraccomplicesaretrialledforallegedlysmugglingoversixtonnesofthehighlypricedmetalfromCambodiatoVi?tNam.Thetrial,whichisexpectedtolastforthreedays,isbeingpresidedoverbyJudgeNguy?nTh?Hà.Accordingtothecasefile,Ph?nghadpreviouslyworkedatagoldshop,dealingingold,silver,andforeigncurrencyexchange,andhadconnectionsinthejewelleryindustryinHCMCity,TayNinhandCambodia.NoticingthatthegoldpriceinVi?tNamwashigherthaninCambodia,thedefendantagreedandarrangedtosellsmuggledgoldtodomesticgoldshopowners.Theindictmentstatesthatin2022,Ph?ngbeganestablishingandoperatingasmugglingringtobuyandsellgoldbarsfromCambodiatoVi?tNam.Ph?ngwouldreceiveordersfromdomesticcustomersandcontactcounterpartsinCambodiatoplaceorders.Giàuwasresponsiblefororganisingthetransportationofmoneyandgoldacrosstheborder.Giàu,aborderresidentlivingnearChàngRi?cbordergateinTayNinhProvince,exploitedborderpoliciesbyhidinggoldunderice-ladentricyclestosmuggleitacrosstheborder.InvestigationsrevealedthatfromAugust3toSeptember28of2022,Ph?ngandherassociatessmuggled4,830kgofgoldbarsworthVN?6.644trillion(US$260million),makingaprofitofVN?17.6billion($697,000).Ph?ngprofitedVN?2.4billion($94,700),GiàuprofitedVN?13.8billion($544,000),withtheremainingsplitamongtheother20defendants.TheindictmentdeterminedthatPh?ngsold4,830kgofgoldbarstomanypeople,including560kgtoHu?nhMinhKhánh(KhánhKimLoangoldshop),268kgtoNguy?nTh?Minh(KimHi?nBìnhMinhgoldshop),294kgto??ngTh?ThanhH?ng,1,828kgto36othercustomersand1,804kgtounidentifiedretailcustomers.Theinvestigationagencyseized76kgofgold.Additionally,anothergoldsmugglingring,ledbyNguy?nTh?KimPh??ng(Giàusyoungersister),smuggled1,320kgofgoldbarsworthoverVN?1.8trillion(approximatelyUS$70.9million).Ph??ngprofitedoverVN?3billion($119,000)andGiàuVN?3.7billion($146,000).Connectedtothecase,??ngTh?ThanhH?ng(theownerofPhúcH?nggoldshop)leftthecountrybeforeprosecutionbegan,leadingtheMinistryofPublicSecuritytoissueawarrantforherarrest,withfurtheractiontobetakenuponhercapture.—VNS
Nguy?nTh?Th?otakescareofaweek-oldnewborn,whochokedonmilkandstoppedbreathingandwassavedbyTh?o,atH?iPhòngChildrensHospitalinthenortherncityofH?iPhòng.—Photosuckhoedoisong.vnHàN?I—HealthMinister?àoH?ngLanhassentaletterofcommendationtonurseNguy?nTh?Th?ofromtheRespiratoryDepartmentofH?iPhòngChildrensHospital,forherquick-thinkingactionsinsavinganewbornwhohadstoppedbreathing,duetomilkaspiration,inataxi.OnJuly4,thirtyfouryearoldTh?osuccessfullyresuscitatedanewborn,whohadstoppedbreathing,inataxi,byusingherprofessionalreflexesandemergencyskills.Shehelpedthebabybreatheagainandcontinuedtosupporttheinfantstransporttothehospital,ultimatelysavingthebabyslifeandbringingimmensehappinesstothechildsfamily.Onbehalfofthehealthministry,LanpraisedandhonourednurseTh?oforherprofessionalism,humanity,responsibilityandethicalconduct.Youractionsexemplifythehighstandardsofmedicalethicsandthededicationtoservingthepeoplebyhealthsectorstaff,Lansaid.Intheletter,LanalsowishedTh?ogoodhealth,happinessinlife,professionalsuccessandcontinuedcontributionstothecauseofmedicalexamination,treatmentandpublichealthcare.Ataround9pmonJuly4,whileonherwayhome,Th?osawanelderlymaninapanic,holdingaseven-day-oldpalenewbornandrunningontotheroadasiflookingforataxitotakethebabytothehospital.Behindhim,awomanwasalsoinastateofpanic,cryingoutforhelp.Sensingthatthebabywasindanger,withtheinstinctsofamotherandtheskillsandresponsibilityofanurse,Th?oimmediatelystoppedhervehicle,ranoverandquicklyintroducedherselfasahealthcareworkerfromtheH?iPhòngChildrensHospital,offeringtosavethebaby.Whilespeaking,shetookthebabyfromtheelderlymansarmsandplacedtheinfantinthebackseatofanapproachingtaxi.Withoutwastinganytime,shefocusedintenselyonresuscitatingthebabywithexternalchestcompressions,mouth-to-mouthbreathinganddirectnasalandoralsuctionwhilethetaxiheadedtoTh?yNguyênGeneralHospital.Approximatelytenminuteslater,thetaxiarrivedatthehospital.There,Th?ohurriedlycarriedthebabyintothehospitalsEmergencyDepartmentandrequestedanendotrachealtubetoresuscitatethepatient.Shethenjoinedthedoctorsandnursesatthehospitalintheresuscitationefforts.Afteraboutaminuteofemergencycare,thenewbornspulsereturned,thenthebabywastransferredtoH?iPhòngChildrensHospitalforspecialisedtreatment.Nguy?nTh?Th?oreceivesanawardbySecretaryofH?iPhòngCitysPartyCommitteeLêTi?nChau(left)onMondayinthenortherncityofH?iPhòng.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngNg?cAftersixdaysoftreatment,thebabyshealthconditionimprovedsignificantly,withbloodparametresgraduallyreturningtonormal.Thebabyiscurrentlystillonoxygenandcontinuestobemonitoredandtreatedforrecovery.Th?osaid:Everythinghappenedsounexpectedlyforbothmeandthebabysfamily,butIbelieveanynurseinmypositionwouldhaveactedthesameway,notjustme.OnMonday,thePeoplesCommitteeofH?iPhòngCityapplaudedTh?oforherexceptionalperformanceinemergencycare,savingthelifeofaninfantoutsidethehospital.SecretaryofthecitysPartyCommittee,LêTi?nChau,saidthathehadcloselyfollowedthestorythroughthemediaandhewasmuchmoved.Hersimpleandeverydayactionhasmultipliedemotionsandstrengthenedfaithinthegood,inhumankindness,hesaid.—VNSThesiteoftheincidentattheCityLightBuildinginV?nhYênCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngHùngV?NHPHúC—Ablastoccurredatathree-storeyhouseinV?nhPhúcProvinceonTuesdaymorning,injuringsevenpeopleinwhatasuspectedgasexplosion.ThesiteoftheincidentwasashophouseonthefirstflooroftheCityLightBuildingonNguy?nT?tThànhStreetinV?nhYênCity,andhasbeenunderrenovationtobeopenasaKorean-styleBBQrestaurant.Atthetimeoftheincident,fourconstructionworkerswereinside,alongwithoneguardandtwoSouthKoreannationals.AlloftheinjuredhavebeentakentoV?nhPhúcProvincialGeneralHospitalfortreatment.Thereareseveralgascylindersonthescene,whilenumerouspiecesofdebrisandfurniturearescatteredinthesurroundingareaaftertheloudblast.Theexplosionalsoshatteredandfracturedtheglassdoorsandwindowsoftheadjacentstoresonthesamefloorofthebuilding.Therewasaloudblastbutthecauseoftheincidenthasnotyetbeendetermined,asgascylindersareunlikelytocreatesuchanexplosion,Nguy?nVi?tPh??ng,chairmanofV?nhYênCityPeoplesCommitteetoldVTCNews.Authoritieshavearrivedatthesceneandinvestigationsareongoing.—VNSDeputyForeignMinisterLêTh?ThuH?ng.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–TheongoingVi?tNamSummerCamp2024willenableyoungoverseasVietnamese(OVs)towitnessthecountrysmodernanddynamicdevelopment,helpingdeepentheirunderstandingofthenation,andencouragingthemtocontributetoitsfuturedevelopment,accordingtoDeputyForeignMinisterLêTh?ThuH?ng.InaninterviewgrantedtotheVietnamNewsAgency,H?ng,whoisalsoChairwomanoftheStateCommitteeforOverseasVietnameseAffairs,saidthatnearly120youngOVsarescheduledtojoinactivitieshonouringtheirancestors,commemoratingheroesandmartyrs,andvisitingHeroicMothers.Throughtripstofamouslandscapes,historicalandculturalrelicsitesacrossthethreeregions,theywillembarkonacolourfulandmeaningfulculturalandhistoricaljourneywhichallowsthemtoexploreandgainadeeperunderstandingofVietnamshomeland,itspeople,culture,andhistory.ThecampisalsoanopportunitytostrengthensolidarityamongyoungOVsandbetweenthemwiththoseathome,H?ngstated,addingthatitwillhelppromoteandintroduceVi?tNamssocio-economicachievements,aswellasitsuniqueculturalvaluestotheworld.Accordingtotheofficial,thethemeoftheVietnamSummerCamp2024is??tn??ctr?nni?mvui(NationFullofJoy)tocelebratethe70thanniversaryofthe?i?nBiênPh?Victory(May7),HàN?is70thLiberationDay(October10),andtowardsthe50thanniversaryoftheliberationoftheSouthandnationalreunification(April30,1975-2025).Withthissignificance,thejourneywillcommencefromHanoiandconcludeinH?ChíMinhCity.Forthefirsttime,theopeningceremonywillbeheldatthefootoftheHàN?iFlagpoleattheMilitaryHistoryMuseumonJuly16evening,asthislocationholdsagreathistoricalvalue,symbolisingthestrongwillforindependenceandself-relianceoftheVietnamesepeople,shesaid.Notably,theparticipantswillhavechancestovisitseveralculturalandscientificestablishmentssetupbyOVs,includingtheCecileLePhamFineArtsMuseuminthecentralprovinceofTh?aThiên-Hu?,andtheInterdisciplinaryCentreforScientificResearchandEducation(ICISE)inthecentralprovinceofBình??nh.Thedeputyforeignministerexpressedherhopethataftervisitingthesetwoestablishments,theyoungOVswillbeinspiredtohavepassionforscientificresearchandcreativity,aswellasarouseinthemawarenessanddesiretocontributetothedevelopmentofVi?tNam.H?ngsaidshehopestheywillbringtheseemotionsandmemoriesbackhome,spreadandsharethemwiththeirfriendsandrelatives,thuscontributingtobuildingtheimageofabeautifulVi?tNam,richintraditionandfullofpotential.TheVi?tNamSummerCamp2024,whichgathersnearly120youngoverseasVietnamesefrom29countriesandterritories,istakingplacefromJuly14-29in12provincesandcitiesthroughoutthecountry,includingHàN?i,PhúTh?,Ngh?An,HàT?nh,Qu?ngBình,Qu?ngTr?andTh?aThiên-Huê.Firstheldin2004,thecamp,anannualprogrammeorganisedbytheStateCommitteeforOverseasVietnameseAffairsincoordinationwithrelevantagencies,hasbroughtthousandsofoutstandingyoungOVsfrom16-24yearsoldtovisittheirmotherland.VNS
Diseasecontrolrepresentativesexplainhowtheyaretacklingthemeaslesoutbreakintheprovince.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?nS?KIêNGIANG—ThemeaslesepidemicisessentiallyundercontrolinKiênGiangProvince,saidTr?nTh?Vinh,DirectoroftheprovincialCentreforDiseaseControl(CDC).SpeakinginapressconferenceonMondayafternoon,hesaidthattheprovincebeganrecordingmeaslescasesfromthebeginningofApril.Uptonow,ithasseen127casesinsixdistrictsandcities.Amongthem,PhúQu?cCityleadsthelistwith111cases.NocaseshaverequiredmechanicalventilationanduptonowfourcasesarebeingtreatedinthePaediatricsWardattheKiênGiangChildrensHospital.Withtherapidspread,theriskofameaslesoutbreakisstillrelativelyhigh,soitisnecessarytomonitordevelopmentsclosely,saidVinh.HesaidthatassoonasthefirstcaseswerediscoveredinPhúQu?cCity,theCDCimplementedpreventionandcontrolmeasuressuchasreviewingclosecontacts,makingadailywatchlist,andgivinginstructionsonpreventingandcontrollinginfectionatschoolandinthecommunity.TheHCMPasteurInstitutehashadmanymonitoringsessionswiththeCDCandtheprovincialDepartmentofHealthtohandleanymeaslesepidemicinPhúQu?cCity.AninvestigationconductedbytheCDCshowsthatpopulationfluctuationhasoccurredinPhúQu?cinthepastthreemonths,affectingmeaslesvaccination.Inaddition,duetotheCOVID-19pandemicandtheinterruptionofvaccinesupplyintheExpandedImmunisationProgramme,about30percentofthesickchildrenareunvaccinatedorvaccinatednotenoughdoses.Fromthebeginningofthisyearuntilnow,theCDChasreceivedmorethan24,000dosesofmeaslesvaccine.Itallocatedlocalitiestocarryoutregularvaccinationsandmake-upvaccinationsforchildrenwithmissingdoses.Toeffectivelypreventandcontrolmeasles,theCDCwillreviewthevaccinationlistofchildrenfromagedonetotentoprepareforboostervaccinationsaccordingtoschedule.Itwillprepareadditionalvaccinationcampaignswhenvaccinesupplyisapproved.Healthunitspromotecommunicationondiseasepreventionandcontrol,whichfocusesonraisingpeoplesawarenessaboutthebenefitsandimportanceofvaccinationasrecommendedbythehealthsector.Measles-relatedcaseswillbequarantinedathometopreventandlimittheriskofinfectiontothecommunity.Vaccinationisthemosteffectivesolutioninpreventingandcontrollingmeasles.Therefore,theprovinceispreparingtobidfor6,000dosesforchildren,saidVinh.AccordingtotheGeneralDepartmentofPreventiveMedicineundertheMinistryofHealth,themostrecentassessmentabouttheriskofmeaslesin63provincesandcitiesacrossthecountryrecordedthatsevenlocalitiesareatveryhighriskincludingHàT?nh,HCMCity,??ngNai,LongAn,SócTr?ng,BìnhPh??candKiênGiang.—VNSApracticesessionofelectricalstudentsatVi?t??cNgh?AnCollege.VNA/VNSPhotoBíchHu?HàN?IThepercentageofyoungpeopleinVi?tNamundergoingvocationaltrainingmakesuplittlemorethan20percentoftheentireyouthpopulation,accordingtotheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsThenumberssuggestthereisanurgentneedtoenhanceyounglabourskillsandquality,giventhecontextofthefourthindustrialrevolutionandcurrentintegration,VietnamNewsAgencyreported.Theproductionandworkforcestructuresofthelabourmarketofthefuturehaveundergonemodificationsduetothefourthindustrialrevolution.Theeconomyhasundergonearapidtransitionfromonecentredonresourcesandcheaplabour,toonethatiscentredoninformation,withlabourbeingreplacedbymachines,robotsandartificialintelligence.Numerousconcernsregardingvocationaleducationhavebeenhighlighted,sinceitisthissectorwhichhasthestrongestandmostdirecttiestothelabourmarket.Vocationaleducation,incontrasttouniversityeducation,attemptstoteachhumanresourcesfromthegroundupsotheymayworkimmediatelyanddirectlyforaspecificpositioninthelabourmarket.Therearecurrently1,886vocationaleducationfacilitiesinVi?tNam,comprising429intermediateschools,399collegesand1,058vocationaleducationcentres.Over2.2millionenrolledinvocationaleducationin2023,comprising530,000collegeandintermediatelevelstudents,over1.7millionelementaryschoolstudents,alongwithavarietyofothervocationaltrainingprogrammes.Thesystemofvocationaleducationhasbeenexperiencingsignificantandtimelyinnovationinlinewiththeglobaltrendofvocationaleducationdevelopment.TheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairshasbeenactivelyinvolvedintheinnovationandimprovementofthequalityofvocationaleducation,fortifyingtieswithbusinesses,thelabourmarketandsocialsecurity,inordertoimprovevocationalskillsforworkersinthecontextofthefourthindustrialrevolution.Theindustryprioritisesnewsectorsandoccupationswhilefocusingonbreakthroughsinenhancingthequalityofhumanresources,particularlyhigh-qualityhumanresources,andimportantandspearheadindustriestomeetlabormarketdemands.Besidesopportunities,vocationaleducationisalsofacingmanynewchallengesintermsofmanagement,schooladministration,programmes,textbooks,facilities,teachercapacityaswellasnewskillsandtheemergenceofnewoccupations.Thatrequiresworkerstobetrainedpromptlytoappropriatelymeetdevelopmentneeds.AccordingtotheGeneralStatisticsOffice,asofthefirsthalfof2024,Vi?tNamslabourforce(aged15andabove)was52.5millionpeople.Amongthem,51.4millionpeopleareemployed,anincreaseof195,700peoplecomparedtothepreviousyear.Approximately28percentofworkerspossesscertificationsforcompetenttraining.Ingeneral,thenumberofemployedworkerstendstoincrease,butthelabourmarketdevelopmentremainsunsustainablewhenthenumberofworkerswithinformaljobsaccountsforalargeproportion.Accordingtotheoffice,theunemploymentrateforyoungpeople(thosebetweentheagesof15and24)hasincreasedto8percent,or0.49percentagepoints.Theyoungunemploymentrateisalwayshighandmorethanthreetimesgreaterthantheworking-agepopulationsrateduetotheyouthshigherdemandforjobs.Youngpeopleareoftenequippedwithgoodknowledgeandhighqualifications,sotheyhavemoreopportunitiestochoosetherightjobastheywantratherthanworkingintemporary,low-incomejobs.Therateofworkersnotusingtheirfullpotentialwas4.3percent,down0.1percentagepoints.ExpandingvocationaleducationNumerousexpertsbelievethatvocationaleducationneedsstronginnovation,tonotonlytrainworkers,butalsomeettherequirementsofintegrationandcompetition.TheGeneralDepartmentofVocationalEducationhasproposeddiversifyingtheformsofvocationaleducationandexpandingittothesecondarylevel.Aftercompletingsecondaryschool,studentsareencouragedbytheGovernmenttoenrollinvocationaleducation.Careerorientationhasreceivedattentionfromnumeroussecondaryschoolswhenstudentsarereadytograduatefromtheninthgradeandbeforetheyselectahighschool.Newmajorsandtuitiondiscountsareofferedbycollegesandvocationaltrainingprogrammestoenticestudents.TheGeneralDepartmentofVocationalEducationalsofocusesonimprovingtrainingqualityofvocationalschools,someofwhichhavepartneredwithcompaniestoplacegraduatesintopositions.??ngTrungChính,principalofHàN?iCollegeofIndustrialEconomics,saidallmajorsofferedbytheschoolaredependentonenrollmentrequirements.Additionally,theinstitutionhaspartneredwithseveralcompaniestoacceptgraduates.Becauseonlybusinessescanhavethemostcorrectorientationregardingtechnology,short-termandlong-termrequirementsfortheworkforce,itisnecessarytobuildindustryskillscouncilswiththeparticipationofbusinessestoplanmacropolicies,forecastlabourandemployment,determineindustrystandards.VNS
Prof.Nguy?n??ngPhong,chairmanoftheUniversityofEconomicsHCMCitycouncil,deliverstheopeningspeechattheResiliencebyTechnologyandDesign2024internationalscientificconferenceheldinHCMCityonJuly15.—VNSPhotoThuH?ngHCMCITY—LocalandinternationalscholarsandexpertsintechnologyanddesignarediscussingtechnologyanddesignsolutionstoenhanceresilienceincommunitiesattheResiliencebyTechnologyandDesign2024internationalscientificconferencethatopenedinHCMCityonMonday.ThesecondbiennialeventisbeingorganisedbytheUniversityofEconomicsHCMCity(UEH)incoordinationwithuniversitiesinItaly,Australia,theRepublicofKorea,Taiwan(China),Singapore,andJapan.Thefour-dayconference,whichhasthethemeFosteringSustainability,willprovidein-depthknowledge,updatesonthelatesttrendsandanalysesofnew,uniqueandmulti-dimensionalperspectivesfromleadingexpertsinthefieldsoftechnologyanddesign.Discussionswillfocusontopicsthatexploretheimportantroleofadvancedtechnologies,innovativedesignmethodsandcomprehensivedataanalyticsincreatingsolutionsthatalignwiththeprinciplesofenvironmentalresponsibility,economicviabilityandpotential,andsocialjustice.SomediscussionsessionswillalsobeheldattheUEH–V?nhLongbranchinthenamesakeC?uLong(Mekong)DeltaprovinceonWednesdayoninnovativesolutionsandideastocopewithcyclones,sealevelrise,salinisationofrivers,flooding,andlandslidestoensureamoresustainablefutureforthedelta.AfieldvisitwillbeorganisedtotheMekongDeltaonThursdaytofacilitateinteractionswithlocalcommunities.Speakingattheopeningceremony,Prof.Nguy?n??ngPhong,chairmanoftheuniversitycouncil,said:Fromcreatingagreensustainablecampustoworkingtowardsacirculareconomythroughresearch,UEHismakingamultidimensionalimpactonmanyareasoftechnologyandinnovation.TheResiliencebyTechnologyandDesign2024conferenceisonesuchinitiative,whichhasproventohaveaninternationaloutreachandiscreatingapromisingpartnershipamongresearchersthroughouttheworld,headded.—VNS
LêVi?tD?ngHàN?I—TheinitiativetoremovedilapidatedhousesnationwideinVi?tNamismakingbigstridesandisontracktoreachitsgoalby2025.ItispartoftheNationalTargetProgrammeonSustainablePovertyReductionbetween2021and2025.BySeptember2023,morethan3,500impoverishedfamiliesinTuyênQuangProvincehadreceivedfinancialsupporttofixtheirhousesorbuildnewones.B?cGiangandYênBáiprovinceswerenotfarbehind,withapproximately3,800and3,500familiesgettingassistance,respectively.CaoB?ngProvinceisanothershiningexample.Thelocalgovernmenthasprovidedfundingtoover3,600familiesfornewhousesortorepairhousesasofMay2023.TheLyV?nNófamilyinTh??ngTh?nCommune,HàQu?ngDistrict,CaoB?ngProvince,isaheartwarmingexampleofhowthisinitiativeischanginglives.Withtenpeople(Nósparents,Nóa(chǎn)ndhiswife,andtheirsixchildren)crammedintoatiny40sq.mhouse,lifewastough.Thewallswerejustoldboardsproppedupbybamboopolesandtheleakyroofofferedlittleprotectionfromtheharshweather.Itwasawfulduringtherainyseason,Nórecalled.Waterwouldpourineverywhereanditwasalwayshotorcoldwithnoproperinsulation.Butweweresopoor,unabletoaffordtofixthehouse.Nósoldhouse,builtofoldboardsandbamboopolespoorlytiedtogether.—VNSPhotoLêVI?tD?ngLuckily,localofficialsnoticedtheirstruggle.Theysteppedin,assessedthesituationandprovidedfinancialaidforNótobuildanewhouse.Theyevenhelpedhimgetsomelivestocktoboosttheirincome.Thedifferenceisincredible.By2023,theNófamilywascelebratingtheirspaciousnew100sq.mhouse.Noleaks,nomoreextremetemperatures–justacomfortableplacetolive.Andtheirfinancialsituationislookinguptoo.Theirlivestockhasgrownintofourcows,acalfandtwobuffaloes.NotfarfromtheNófamily,theSùngV?n?ìnhfamilyalsogotassistancetobuildanewhome,butthatwasnotall.Localofficialsalsoconnected?ìnhwithsomeextraworktobringinmoreincomeontopofwhathemakesfromfarming.NowIcangrowcornandraiseducks,butIalsoworkinconstruction,?ìnhsaid.Gettingpaidbythedaymakesabigdifferenceformywife,ourfourchildrenandme.Th??ngTh?nCommuneisaprimeexampleofhowwellthisinitiativecanwork.In2021,25newhouseswerebuiltandfourwererepairedinthecommune,withatotalbudgetofVN?1.5billion(US$59,000).Thefollowingyear,19newhouseswerebuiltand22wererevamped.In2023,thenumbersweresixnewand12repaired.AlocalpoliceofficervisitsNósnewhouse,whichmeetstheThree-Strongcriteria(strongfoundation,strongwalls,andstrongroof).—VNSPhotoLêVi?tD?ngThisyear,Th??ngTh?nsauthoritiessetanambitiousgoalofbuilding50newhousesandfixinganother60.With455impoverishedfamiliesand86closetopoverty,replacingdilapidatedhouseswithbetteronesisatoppriorityforthelocalgovernmentanditsresidents.Onechallengetheyfaceisgettingbuildingmaterialstoremoteareas,becausetheroadsarenotalwaysidealinTh??ngTh?n,whichmakestransportingthingslikecement,sandandgraveldifficult.Toovercomethehurdle,thelocalgovernmentisgettingcreative.Itencouragedthecommunitytopitchinandhelpmovematerials,makingiteasierforthoseinneedtogetthehelptheydeserve.—VNSDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàspeaksatthesecondmeetingofthetaskforceoverseeingtheprogressofurbanrailwayprojectsinHàN?iandHCMCityonWednesday.VNA/VNSPhotoAn??ngHàN?I–DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàhasdirectedHàN?iandHCMCitytoselecttopdesignconsultancyfirmstofinaliseandappraisethemasterplansfortheirurbanrailwaynetworks,envisioningacentury-longdevelopment.HealsourgedthePeoplesCommitteesofHàN?iandHCMCitytoexpeditetheopeningoftheelevatedsectionsoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationandB?nThành-Su?iTiênmetrolinesaheadofschedule.Hemadetheremarksduringthesecondmeetingofthetaskforceoverseeingtheprogressofurbanrailwayprojectsinbothcities,attheGovernmentheadquartersonWednesday.DeputyPMHànotedthatsincethefirstmeeting,taskforcemembershavecompletednineoutof16assignedtasksandarecontinuingtoimplementtheremainingseventasksasplanned.Regardingthetwourbanrailnetworkdevelopmentproposalsforthetwocities,theDeputyPMemphasisedtheneedforaunifiedperspectiveonobjectives,tasks,solutionsandgeneralpolicies,whilealsoconsideringlocalcharacteristicssuchasconstructionplanning,developmentspace,economicgrowthforecastsandpopulationsize.TheMinistryofTransportisresponsibleforcompilingandsubmittingproposalstotheappropriateauthoritiesaccordingtoregulations.TheurbanrailnetworksinHàN?iandHCMCitymustalsointegrateseamlesslywiththeNorth-Southhigh-speedrailway,includingaspectslikestations,technicaldesignstandardsfortracks,locomotives,carriagesandoperatingsystems.TheDeputyPMsuggestedlearningfromcountrieswithadvanced,modernsubwaynetworkstodevelopcomprehensiveandfeasibleplansfortechnologytransfer,includingconstructionofundergroundstructures,locomotives,carriages,management,operationsandhumanresourcetraining,aimingtobuildasynchronised,modernrailwayindustry.DeputyPMHàaskedtheMinistryofFinancetoleadtheevaluationoftheoveralleconomicimpactoftheurbanraildevelopmentproposalsforthetwocities,aswellastheNorth-Southhigh-speedrailwayandtoassessthefeasibilityofbalancingpublicinvestmentcapital.Basedonthisevaluation,thePeoplesCommitteesofbothcitiesshouldcontinuetoworkcloselywithrelevantministriestodeveloppolicypackagesandplanstomobilisethehighestpossiblelevelsofsocialisedresourcesthroughmethodslikeTransit-OrientedDevelopment(TOD),Public-PrivatePartnerships(PPP)andBuild-Operate-Transfer(BOT).ThemechanismsandpoliciesfordevelopingurbanrailnetworksinHàN?iandHCMCitymustbesynchronised,feasibleandspecific,clearlyoutliningtheprocedures,responsibleparties,obstaclesandproposalsforresolutiontothecompetentauthorities,hestressed.Atthemeeting,DeputyMinisterofTransportNguy?nDanhHuyreportedthatHàN?ihasmadesignificantprogressontheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetroline.Thecityoutlineplannedforcompletionoftheline,conductingtrialoperationsoftheelevatedsection,finalisingfiresafetyreviewsandtrainingpersonnel.TheMinistryofTransport,MinistryofConstruction,andMinistryofFinancehavedirectedeffortstoevaluateandcertifysafetyfortheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetroline,inspectthesite,reviewacceptanceconditions,completeproceduresandsignoffonloanallocationsfortheundergroundsegment.Anenvironmentalpermitassessmentcouncilhasalsobeenestablished.D??ng??cTu?n,ViceChairmanoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommittee,saidthattheelevatedsectionoftheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetrolineisexpectedtobecompletedandoperationalbytheendofJuly2024.Similarly,theB?nThành-Su?iTiênmetrolineinHCMCityhasfinalisedthetimelineadjustmentsandsubmittedinvestmentcapitalallocationrequeststotheappropriateauthorities.Thecityisexpeditingthecompletionoftheremainingconstructiontasks,conductingtrialruns,operatingsystemtests,ensuringfiresafetycomplianceandobtainingenvironmentalapprovalsforoperationalstatusbyDecember2024.Duringthemeeting,thetaskforcereviewedandprovidedfeedbackonthetwourbanrailwaynetworkdevelopmentproposalsforHàN?iandHCMCityby2035,focusingonmechanisms,policiesandresourcemobilisationstrategiessuitableforeachcityssocio-economicdevelopment.LeadersfromtheMinistryofTransport,MinistryofJustice,andMinistryofConstructionemphasisedthatthesearelargeandcomplexprojectsinvolvingmultipledisciplines.Giventhecurrentlegalconstraints,itisnecessarytoconductthoroughresearch,analysisandevaluation,drawingoninternationalexperiencesandpastinvestmentpractices,toproposeobjectivesandsolutionsforbuildingmodern,integratedurbanrailwaysystems.TheNh?n-HàN?iStationmetroprojectstretches12.5kmandincludeseightelevatedandfourundergroundstations.Constructionbeganin2009,withaninitialcompletiontargetof2015.Afterfourextensions,theprojectisnowexpectedtobecompletedin2027.TheB?nThành-Su?iTiênmetrolinecovers19.7km,connectingB?nThànhMarketinDistrict1toLongThànhDepotinTh???cCity.Thelinefeaturesthreeundergroundand11elevatedstations.Constructionstartedin2012,buttheprojecthasseenmultipledelays,withcostsescalatingtooverVN?43.7trillion($1.71billion).–VNS
AclassattheUniversityofMedicineandPharmacyoftheVi?tNamNationalUniversity,HàN?i.PhotocourtesyoftheVNU.HàN?ITheUniversityofMedicineandPharmacyattheVi?tNamNationalUniversity,HàN?i,hasannouncedithasfinalisedagreementswithIndiatostartamastersprogrammethisSeptemberinfourspecialisations:internalmedicine,surgery,paediatrics,andradiology.Theprogrammewillinitiallyenrol40doctorsorgraduatesfromIndia.Theuniversityplanstoopenthefirstgeneralmedicineanddentistrycoursesforapproximately100Indianstudentsbyearly2025.Currently,Vi?tNamalreadyhastheC?nTh?UniversityofMedicineandPharmacytrainingIndiangeneralpractitioners,withthefirstintakestartingin2022.ThisinitiativerepresentsanewdirectionforVietnameseuniversitiesthatiscapableofprovidingeducationforforeignstudents,withcurriculaandinstructionconductedinEnglish.Additionally,thousandsofforeigndoctorshavealreadycometoVi?tNamforshort-termcoursesinendoscopicsurgery,thyroidsurgery,radiology,andcancertreatmentatvariousVietnamesehospitals.VNSAfirefightercutopenatigercagetomakeasecondaryescaperouteforafamilyinHàN?i.—Photohanoionline.vnHàN?I—Thefireatanapartmentbuildingon??nhC?ngH?StreetinHàN?ithatkilledfourpeoplelastmonthhasonceagainraisedconcernsaboutthesafetyofso-calledtigercages(chu?ngc?p).Tigercagesrefertothemetalbarsorgrillsinstalledaroundbalconies,windowsandotheropeningsinbuildings,particularlyinolderapartmentblocks.Peopleofteninstallthesestructurestoexpandtheirlivingspaceorforsecuritypurposes.However,theycanposesignificantfiresafetyhazardsbytrappingpeopleandhinderingtheworkoffirefightersintheeventofafire.Aglanceatneighborhoodswithahighconcentrationofoldapartmentblocks,suchasthoseinThanhXuanB?c,TrungT?,andThànhC?ngWards,revealsacrisscrossoftigercagesoneverybuilding.?oànV?nM?opurchaseda30-square-metreapartmentinThànhC?ngin1992.Ashischildrengrewolder,thelivingspacebecamecramped,promptinghimtobuildatigercagetoexpandtheareato45sqm.M?osaidhisneighbourshadtomakesimilarexpansionsforthesamereason,creatinganetworkofenclosedcagesintheapartmentblock.Despitetheirillegalityandtherepeatedwarningsspurredbyfireincidents,thesestructuresremainstubbornlyinplace,creatingalabyrinthofobstructedescaperoutes.Thedangersoftigercagesareparticularlyacuteinapartmentblockswithasinglestaircaseservingastheprimaryescaperoute.Whenafireerupts,smokeandflamescanquicklyblockthispassageway,leavingresidentstrappedontheirfloors.Theenclosednatureoftigercagesfurtherhindersescapeefforts,asfirefightersstruggletocutthroughthesturdymetalbars,wastingprecioustimethatcouldbeusedtorescuetrappedindividuals.Withapproximately1,600oldapartmentblocksequippedwithtigercagesacrossthecity,HàN?iauthoritieshavecampaignedforresidentstodismantlethesestructurestocreatesecondaryescaperoutesincaseoffire.However,thecampaignshadmixedresults.Whilesomepeopleheededthecall,othersturnedadeafeartoit.Forinstance,inTrungT?,abouthalfofthefamiliesinapartmentblocksD8andC5hadtheirtigercagescutopenforsecondaryescaperoutes.ThesituationisbetterinThanhXuanB?cwhere90percentoffamilieswereonboardwhereastheremainingsittightforvariousreasons,includingabsenthomeownersandstructurallimitations.Wewillcontinueoureffortstopersuadethemtocreatesecondaryescaperoutes,exceptforthosewhoseapartmentdesignsprecludethecreationofsuchroutes,saidHoàngTh?Dung,ActingChairwomanofThanhXuanB?cPeoplesCommittee.V?Ng?cAnh,DirectoroftheScience,TechnologyandEnvironmentDepartmentundertheMinistryofConstruction,emphasisedtheneedforstricterenforcementoffiresafetystandardsacrossallhousingtypes,notjustlargebuildingsandfactories.Accordingtothedirector,whiletheMinistryhasissuedCircularNo.06/2022/TT-BXD,whichoutlinesfiresafetyrulesforbuildings,peopletendtocutcornersonitwhenconstructingindividualhouses.AsurveybytheMinistryrevealedthatmostindividualhouseshavebalconies,loggiasandaccesstotheroofsealedoffwithsolidstructures,creatinglimitedornoescaperoutes.ThedirectoralsorevealedthattheMinistrywasdraftingasetofnationalstandardsforindividualhouses,aimingtoincorporatefiresafetyconsiderationsintodesignandconstructionpractices.However,hewasconcernedthatthenewruleswouldnotcarrymuchweightwithhomeownersiftheywereonlyrecommendationsandvoluntary.Itneedstobeelevatedtothestatusofamandatorysetofstandardstoimprovethesituation,saidAnh.InameetingonJuly2,HàN?iauthoritiesapprovedtheSchemetoEnhanceFirePreventionandFightfightingCapacityintheCityby2025,settingthetargetof100percentofapartmentsinthecityhavingsecondaryescaperoutes.—VNS
Studentsexplorethetopicofprotectingchildrenonlineatthe2023ChildrensForuminC?nTh?City.—VNA/VNSPhotoTrungKiênHàN?I—TheDepartmentofChildAffairsundertheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs(MOLISA)emphasisedtheurgencyofimprovinglegalregulationsonprotectingchildrenintheonlineenvironment,whichisessentialtosafeguardchildrenfromthehighrisksposedbycriminalgroupsontheinternet.Vi?tNamhas24.7millionchildren,mostofwhomhaveaccesstotheinternetanddigitaldevicesfromaveryyoungage.TheaverageageofVietnamesechildrenusingtheinternetisnineyearsold,fouryearsearlierthantheglobalaverage.SurveydatafromtheMOLISAin2023showsthat89percentofchildrenaccessandusetheinternet,with87percentofthemusingitdaily.Apartfromtimespentonstudying,childrenspendaverage5-7hoursperdayonsocialmedia.Healthorganisationsrecommendthatchildrenshouldonlyspendbetweentwoandthreehoursperdayonline.Additionally,statisticsfromtheCentreforCreativeInitiativesinHealthandPopulationrevealedthatnearly36.5percentofchildrenhaveencounteredinformationandimagesrelatedtoviolenceontheinternetandmorethan13percenthavebeenexposedtounwantedpornographicmaterial.Therearenumerousreasonsforthehighrateofchildabuseontheinternet,withalackofknowledgeandskillsinsafeinternetusagebeingamajorfactor.Childrenoftendonotfullyrecognisethepotentialrisksonlineandcaneasilybecomevictimsofscams,sexualexploitationandbullying.N.V.H.,afatherofa12-year-olddaughterinHàN?isHà??ngDistrictnoticedthathisdaughterwasspendingalotoftimeonhermobilephone.Uponcheckingherphone,hewasshockedtofindthatshewasinvolvedinmanyinappropriategroupsandchatsonsocialmedia.Shewasinvariouschatgroupsdiscussingwaystoskipclassesandevenmoredangerously,somegroupstalkedaboutadult-sensitivetopicsandsharedexplicitinformationandimages.Ihadtotakestrongmeasuresbybanningherfromusingthephoneforawhileandexplainingthedangersofparticipatinginsuchgroups,hesaid.Anationalreportonpreventingharmfulbehaviourandevidenceofchildexploitationandsexualabuseonline,showedthat23percentofchildrenaged12-17hadunintentionallyseensensitiveimagesorvideosonline,while5percenthadreceivedunwantedsensitiveimages.Additionally,8percenthadreceivedinappropriatecommentsaboutthemselvesand2percenthadbeenaskedtodiscusssexualtopicsagainsttheirwill.However,43percentofchildrendidnotreporttheseincidentstoanyone,believingthatdoingsowouldnotresolvetheissue.StatisticsfromtheMinistryofPublicSecurityshowthatoverthepastthreeyears,lawenforcementnationwidehasprosecutedmorethan380casesinvolvingover550individualsforcrimesrelatedtochildabuseandthedistributionofobscenematerials.Policehavealsoblocked30,000websiteswithcontentthatviolatesthelaw,includingscams,harmfulviolence,childsexualabuseanddefamatorymaterial.Tensofthousandsofharmfulcontentlinkshavebeendisabled.Thenationalchildprotectionhotline,111,hasrecorded1,500interventionsupportcalls,including419reportsofonlinechildabuse.LeoTh?L?ch,astandingmemberoftheNationalAssemblysCouncilofEthnicMinorities,notedthatwhileinternetcoverageinmountainousandethnicminorityareasisincreasing,childrenintheseregionsarenotadequatelyprotectedfromonlineexploitation.ArecentincidentinL?cNg?nDistrictinB?cGiangProvince,involvedagirlintheseventhgradewhometanddevelopedarelationshipwithaboyonsocialmedia,resultinginpregnancyandchildbirthwithoutherfamilysknowledge.SafeenvironmentforchildrenTheMinistryofInformationandCommunicationsisdraftinganamendmenttotheGovernmentsDecree72issuedonJuly15,2013,onthemanagement,provisionanduseofinternetservicesandonlineinformation.Thedraftemphasisestheresponsibilitytoprotectchildrenandadolescentsonlineasacrucialmeasureforinternetdevelopment.Itincludesadditionalregulationsonsocialmediamanagement,limitsonchildrenssocialmediause,warningsaboutharmfulcontentforchildrenandtheresponsibilitiesofagencies,organisationsandeducationalinstitutionsinpreventingharmfulinformationandmonitoringandprotectingchildrenonline.Nguy?nTh?Nga,DeputyDirectoroftheMOLISAsDepartmentofChildAffairs,highlightedthatVi?tNamhasactivelybuiltandperfectedthelegalsystemtoprotectchildrenonline.ThisincludesDecreeNo.56/2017/ND-CPissuedonMay9,2017,detailingcertainprovisionsoftheLawonChildren;DecisionNo.830/QD-TTgissuedonJune1,2021,approvingtheprogrammetoprotectandsupportchildrenforsafeandcreativeinteractionsonline;andDirectiveNo.23/CT-TTgissuedonMay26,2020,onstrengtheningmeasurestoensurechildrensrightsandprotectchildren.Ngasaiditisessentialtoenhanceeducationandraiseawarenessamongchildrenaboutonlinesafetysothattheyhavetheknowledgeandskillstoprotectthemselvesfromonlinerisks.Authorities,schoolsandfamiliesneedtocollaboratetoguidechildreninusingtheinternetsafelyandhealthily.Theexpertemphasisedtheneedforclosecooperationbetweenagencies,organisationsandcommunitiestocreateasafeonlineenvironmentforchildren.Technologycompaniesshoulddeveloptoolsandsoftwaretomonitorandfilterinappropriatecontent.Creatinghealthyandcreativeonlineplaygroundsforchildreniscrucial.Giventheincreasinglycomplexandriskyonlineenvironment,buildingasafeandhealthycyberspaceforchildrenisatopprioritythatrequiresthecollectiveeffortofsociety,shesaid.—VNSDoctorsattheendoscopyroomatQuánS?Branch,HospitalKinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheNationalCancerHospital(HospitalK)willsoonopenanewbranch,itsfourthsite,inH?uHoàCommune,ThanhTrìDistrict,HàN?i.ProfessorLêV?nQu?ng,directorofthehospital,announcedonWednesdayafternoonthatthisfourthbranchwillhousetheProtonTherapyCentre,aradioisotopeproductionareaforon-siteuse,andtreatmentbeds.TheProtonTherapyCentre,thefirstofitskindinnorthernVi?tNam,willspecialiseintreatingnervoussystemcancers,particularlyinchildren,aswellaslungandprostatecancers.Theinvestmentinthishigh-qualitycancertreatmentcentre,equippedwithadvancedradiationtherapysystems,aimstoenhancecancertreatmentforVietnamesepatientsdomestically,eliminatingtheneedforoverseastreatment,hesaid.TheHàN?iadministrationhasgrantedpreliminaryapprovalforthehospitalsfourthbranchtobelocatedonan8.6-hectaresite,nearlyoneandahalftimeslargerthanthehospitalsthirdbranch.Constructionisexpectedtocommenceinthethirdquarterofthisyearoncethelandtransferiscompleted.WiththeadditionofthisnewbranchinH?uHoàCommune,ThanhTrìDistrict,thehospitalwilloperatefourfacilities:thefirstbranchatNo.43QuánS?Street,HoànKi?mDistrict;thesecondbranchatT?uLi?t-TamHi?pStreet,ThanhTrìDistrict;andthethirdbranchatNo.30C?uB??uStreet,ThanhTrìDistrict.Currently,thecapacityofcancertreatmentfacilitiesmeetsonlyabout20percentofdemand.Theadditionofmoderntreatmentfacilitiesisexpectedtoalleviatepressureonexistingspecialisedcancerhospitals.ProfessorQu?ngsaidthatafterlegalproceduresarefinalisedbytheMinistryofHealthandtheHàN?iPeoplesCommittee,landclearancewouldbeginaroundSeptembertoOctoberthisyear.Statisticsshowedthatinthefirstsixmonthsofthisyear,thehospitalreceivedandtreatedatotalof209,887patients,bothoutpatientandinpatient.Thehospitalhasimplementednewtechniques,particularlyinsurgicaloncology,suchassingle-incisionendoscopicsurgerycombinedwithbreastcancerreconstructionandroboticendoscopicsurgeryfordigestive,renal,andthyroidcancers.Thehospitalhasalsoorganisedonlineconsultationprogrammesandremotehealthcareservices,whichhavegarneredhighpraisefromcolleagues,patients,andthepublic.—VNS4o