Webb Space Telescope Image Stirs Excitement as NASA Teases More Photos
EachhouseholdthatlosttheirhouseinTyphoonYagiinTr?mT?uDistrictreceivedVN?100million(US$3,900)insupportfromthedistrictauthoritiesandothersponsors.—VNA/VNSPhotoTi?nKhánhYêNBáI—ThesevereconsequencesofTyphoonYagicausedthousandsofhomesinthemountainousnorthernprovinceofYênBáitobesweptaway,buriedorremainathighriskoffurtherlandslides.Currently,manyfamiliesareindireneedofhousing,soconstruction,placementandresettlementinnewhomesisbecominganurgenttaskforthePartyCommitteeandauthoritiesatalllevelsintheprovincetostabilisepeopleslives.NewhousingStatisticsonhousingdamagecausedbyTyphoonYagiinYênBáishowthatthewholeprovincesawmorethan27,300homesdamaged,ofwhich326completelycollapsedand973wereseverelydamaged.Afternearlytwomonths,manyfamilieshaverepairedhomesthatwereslightlydamagedandwereabletoreturntonormallife.Meanwhile,thousandsofotherscouldnotreturnhomeduetotheirhouseslocationsinareasathighriskoflandslides.Theyarenowhopingtohaveanewplacetolivethatissaferandmoreconvenient.DeputyDirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentNguy?nXuanSangsaidthatthusfar,theprovincehadarrangedrelocationforpeopletoavoidtheriskoflandslidesandflooding.Theprovincehopedthatbytheendofthisyear,thoseinneedwouldhavenewaccommodation.Followinginspectionsandreviewsin14communesofL?cYênDistrict,authoritiesfoundthatnearly1,400householdswereaffectedbyandsuffereddamageinthetyphoon;ofthese,76houseshadcompletelycollapsed,whilemorethan100householdswerelocatedinhigh-riskareasthatarenotsafetolivein.Thedistricthasaplantoarrangelandfundsandbuildresettlementareastoensurethatnearly200householdscanmovetonewhomes.Locatedinaflood-pronearea,V?nYênDistricthadtoevacuateover2,500householdswithover7,100peopletosafeshelters.Afterthetyphoon,109houseseithercompletelycollapsedorsufferedseveredamage,268houseslosttheirroofsorwerepartiallydamaged,and1,833otherswerefloodedforalongtime.Morethan300householdsneednewhousingimmediately.Meanwhile,inthelongterm,thelocalitywillneedtoarrangenewhousingfornearly2,000households.YênBáiCitysufferedthemostseverehousingdamageofanylocalityafterTyphoonYagi.Thestormaffectedtensofthousandsofhouseholdsinthecity,includingthousandsofhomesthatweredamagedbylandslideswithoveronemillioncubicmetresofsoilandrockandhadtoberelocatedtoensuresafety.Thelandslideswereconcentratedin?uLauandV?nPhúcommunesandNguy?nTháiH?c,YênNinh,MinhTan,NamC??ngand??ngTamwards.AccordingtoDeputyChairmanofYênBáiCityPeoplesCommitteePhùngTi?nThanh,thecityhasmorethan1,400householdswith4,830peoplewhohavetoberelocated.ResettlementareasAnurgenttaskforlocalitiesinYênBáiProvinceiscreatingsafeaccommodationtorestorethequalityoflifeforresidentsandproductionfortheeconomyafterthetyphoon.Localitiesarecurrentlyfocusingonthearrangementoftemporaryaccommodationforhouseholdsthathavelosttheirhomes.Atthesametime,theyarereviewingandselectingsafeandconvenientlocationstodesignandbuildlong-termresettlementareasforthoseinneed.DeputyChairmanofYênBáiProvincialPeoplesCommitteeNguy?nTh?Ph??csaidthatensuringthepeoplessafetywasthetoppriority,withafocusonlandallocationandprovisionofhousingforpeopleasquicklyaspossible.Authoritiesarealsograduallyworkingtocompleteinfrastructure,electricityandwaterfortheresettlementareas.Theseareasarecarefullyselectedbytheprovinceforconstructionatasafedistancefrommountainouslocationswithahighriskoflandslides,ensuringplentyofagriculturallandfornewresidents.Authoritiesarealsotakingintoaccountresidentsneedforbothshelterfromnaturaldisastersaswellasaplaceforculturalactivitieswhenbuildinginfrastructure.Sincethebeginningoflastmonth,L?cYênDistricthasquicklystartedtobuildaresettlementareafor11householdsinátTh??ngVillage,MinhXuanCommune.Nguy?nNg?cS?n,headofthedistrictsDivisionofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment,saidthatintheshortterm,thedistrictwouldquicklybuild31housesattheoldlocation,relocate17housesintheresidentialarea,andproposetochangeagriculturallandtoresidentiallandforsevenmorehouses.Inthelongterm,L?cYênDistrictplanstobuildresettlementareas,specificallyanareaof??over13,000sq.mfor31householdsinLàngM??ngVillage,T?M?uCommuneandanotherareaof??over5,000sq.mfor19householdsinKheP?nVillage,KhánhHoàCommune.V?nCh?nDistricthasplannednineresettlementareas,ofwhichtwowillbecompletedthisyear.Theremainingsevenwillbeconstructedby2030torelocateallhouseholdsinareasathighriskoflandslides.MaiM?ngTuan,SecretaryoftheV?nCh?nDistrictPartyCommittee,saidthatalthoughtheworkwasveryurgent,eachresettlementareawasplannedindetail,andwouldincludeallnecessaryinfrastructure.—VNS
HàN?I–DozensofchildrenwithsevereurologicalbirthdefectsandrareurologicalconditionsinHCMCity,Vinh,HàN?iand?àN?ngarereceivingfreegenitalsurgeriesunderthe‘Thi?nNhanFriendsprogramme–aprojectthatofferschildgenitalreconstructionsurgeriesinVi?tNam.Partofanannualprogrammethatstarted18yearsago,thesesurgeriesarebeingperformedfromOctober18toNovember9byavolunteermedicalteamfromItaly,England,EgyptandtheUAE,ledbyItaliansurgeonDrRobertoDeCastro.ItaliansurgeonDrRobertoDeCastro(left)andhisteamconductexaminationsanddiagnosesforchildrenwithurologyandgenitaldefectattheNationalPediatricHospitalinHàN?ionOctober25.Photocourtesyof‘Thi?nNhanHisFriendsprogrammeThesurgeriestakeplaceatChildrensHospital2inHCMCity,theNgh?AnObstetricsandPediatricsHospitalinVinhCity,theNationalPediatricHospitalandVi?t??cHospitalinHàN?i,andthe?àN?ngChildrenandWomensHospitalin?àN?ngCity.Overdecades,DrDeCastrohasperformedpioneeringsurgicaltechniquestoeffectivelytreatgenitalmalformationsandinjuriesinbothboysandgirlstoallowthemtolivefulllives.OneofDeCastrosbiggestsuccessstoriesisPhùngThi?nNhan,whowasabandonedbyhisbiologicalmotheratbirthinaremoteareainthecentralprovinceofQu?ngNam.WhenNhanwasfoundthreedayslater,hewasbarelyaliveandhadlostmostofhisgenitalsandonelegduetoabrutalattackbywildanimals.Internationaldoctorsofthe‘Thi?nNhanFriendsprogrammeconductexaminationsanddiagnosesforchildrenwithurologyandgenitaldefectattheVi?t??cHospitalinHàN?ionOctober26.Photocourtesyof‘Thi?nNhanFriendsprogrammeTheinfantsurvivedtheincidentandwassubsequentlyadoptedbyjournalistTr?nMaiAnh,movingtoHàN?iwithhisnewfamily.WiththesupportofDeCastro,Thi?nNhanreceivedsuccessfulreconstructivesurgeryinJanuary2011.Hisfostermother,MaiAnh,laterbecamethefounderofthe‘Thi?nNhanFriendsprogrammewhich,togetherwiththeAsiaInjuryPrevention(AIP)Foundation,paysforsurgeries,travelcostsandmedicalsuppliesforpoorVietnamesechildrenneedinggenitalreconstruction.Overtheyears,theThi?nNhanFriendsprogrammehasconducted630surgeries,examinationsanddiagnosesfor2,000children,withanother1,000patientsstillawaitingtreatment.Dozensofleadingexpertsinpaediatricreconstructiveandurologicalsurgeryfromaroundtheworldhaveparticipatedintheprogramme.InVi?tNam,alongwithconductingexaminationsandsurgeries,theinternationalspecialistsalsoholdscientificworkshopsandhands-ontrainingsessionswithVietnamesemedicalstaff,sharingtheirexperiencesandintroducingthelatestadvancedmethodsinpaediatricurologicalsurgery.AccordingtofounderoftheAIPFoundationandco-founderofthe‘Thi?nNhanFriendsprogrammeGreigCraft,themissionoftheprogammeisnotjusttotreatasmallnumberofchildrenwithgenitaldisabilities.Internationalvolunteermedicalteamofthe‘Thi?nNhanHisFriendsprogrammeposeforphotowithmedicalworkersattheVi?t??cHospitalinHàN?ionOctober26.Photocourtesyof‘Thi?nNhanHisFriendsprogrammeByspreadingtheinspirationtoliveandsharingmedicalknowledgeasleadingexpertscometogether,webelievethattheimpactwillextendbeyondtheconfinesoftheprogramme.WearefortunatethatThi?nNhan,ourfirstpatient,sharesthisvisionandhaschosentobecomeascientistinthefuture,hesaid.Eighteenyearsafterbeingfoundinthejungleandgivenasecondchanceatlife,Thi?nNhanhasentereduniversity.HechosethefieldofArtificialIntelligence,believingthatAIhasthepotentialtorevolutionisehealthcareandimprovethelivesofmanypeople,justasmylifewastransformedthroughmedicalintervention.Fromthese18yearsofexperience,theyoungmanisconvincedthatempathyandpatiencewillleadtomiraculousachievements.VNSPeoplecanregisterforapersonalVNPTSmartCAdigitalsignaturedirectlyonVNeID.HàN?I—AsofOctober28,peoplearenowabletocreateapersonaldigitalsignaturedirectlythroughtheMinistryofPublicSecuritysVNeIDapplication,providingfreedigitalsigningaccessonpublicserviceportals.Thisintegrationallowse-identificationappVNeIDlevel2userstoregisterforVNPTSmartCAsignaturesontheVNeIDapp,withtheiridentitiesalreadyverifiedbytheMinistryofPublicSecurity.Thisstreamlinedprocesseliminatestheneedtosubmitphysicaldocuments,makingregistrationmoreaccessibleandconvenient.VNPThasbecomethefirstdigitalsignatureprovidercertifiedtomeetthesecuritystandardsrequiredforintegrationwithVNeID,followingapprovalfromtheNationalPopulationDataCentrefortheMinistryofPublicSecuritysidentityandauthenticationsystemtoconnectwiththeVNPTVinaPhoneInformationSystem.AccordingtoVNPT,thisconnectionbetweenthetwosystemsistheproductofextensivetechnicalresearchandpreparation,ensuringcompliancewithlegalstandardsandmaintainingdatasecurity.VNPTSmartCAsintegrationextendsacrossmorethan900applications,includingtheNationalPublicServicePortal,theMinistryofPublicSecuritysPublicServicePortal,theGeneralDepartmentofTaxationsystems,theStateTreasury,provincialandmunicipalpublicserviceportals,aswellasapplicationsinbanking,finance,insurance,educationandhealthcare.Initscommitmenttothedigitaltransformation,VNPTprovidesdigitalsigningservicescompletelyfreeofchargeforadministrativeprocedures,aimingtoexpanddigitalsignatureusagenationwide.ThisinitiativeisalignedwiththeGovernmentsgoalofequipping50percentoftheadultpopulationwithdigitalorelectronicsignaturesby2025,risingtoover70percentby2030.—VNS
HàN?I—ThelatestresearchfindingsandsolutionstotheproblemsofinjuriesamongchildrenwerepresentedatarecentconferenceinHàN?i.Thefourthnationalscientificconferenceoninjuryprevention,themedReducingtheBurdenofInjuries:TheEffectivenessofSustainablePoliciesandInterventions,washeldonMonday,featuringengagingdiscussionsbyover200Vietnameseandinternationalhealthcareprofessionals.Theconferenceisco-organisedbytheDepartmentofEnvironmentalHealthandtheUniversityofPublicHealth.FiveyearsaftertheThirdNationalScientificConferencein2019,theFourthNationalScientificConferenceonInjuryPreventionwasheldtoshareresearchfindingsandproposesolutionsinthecurrentcontext.DeputyMinisterofHealthLê??cLu?nspokeattheconference.—PhotocourtesyoftheorganisersThisyearsconferenceisanopportunitytoengagestakeholdersandboosttheeffectivenessofinjurypreventionefforts.Delegatesexchangedexperiencesandstrategies,emphasisingtheimportanceofmeasuresfrombothdomesticandinternationalpractices.Speakingattheconference,DeputyMinisterofHealthLê??cLu?nstated:AccordingtotheWHO,injuriesaccountfor11percentoftheglobaldiseaseburden,with80percentindevelopingcountries.StatisticsfromVietnamesehealthcarefacilitiesindicatethat,onaverage,over1.1millionpatientsseektreatmentforinjurieseachyear,resultinginmorethan30,000deaths,headded.DespiteVietnamssignificanteffortsininjuryprevention,itremainsaconcerningissue.Roadtrafficaccidents,drowningandworkplaceaccidentsaretheleadingcausesofinjury-relatedfatalities.Thishighlightsthat,whilesomeprogresshasbeenmade,Vi?tNamneedstocontinueitseffortsandinvestfurthertominimiseinjuriesandtheirconsequences,heemphasised.Theconferencefeaturednearly200domesticexperts,alongsidespecialistsfromtheWorldHealthOrganizationinGeneva,JohnsHopkinsUniversityandvariousinternationalandVietnameseNGOs.DrDavidMeddingsfromtheWorldHealthOrganizationnotedthatdrowning,fallsandroadtrafficaccidentsarethetopcausesofdeathamongchildrenandadolescents.DrowningistheleadingcauseofdeathforchildrenunderfiveinVi?tNam.Dr.DavidMeddingspresentedattheconference.—PhotocourtesyoftheorganisersThirty-twoscientificreportsfromVietnameseandinternationalresearcherswerepresentedattheconference,focusingonroadtrafficinjuryprevention,firstaidandrehabilitation,drowningpreventionandcommunity-basedinjuryprevention.Remarkably,specialiseddiscussionsessionthreeonpreventingdrowningandchildhoodinjuriesreceivedhighpraise.?oànThuHuy?n,CountryDirectorinVi?tNamfortheCampaignforTobacco-FreeKids,presentedsixrecommendationstoensurethesustainabilityofVi?tNamschilddrowningpreventionprogramme.Preventingchilddrowningmustbeseenasamultidisciplinaryissue,primarilytheresponsibilityoffamiliesandcaregivers,shesaid.Drowningpreventioninterventionsmustbeimplementedwithcoordinatedsolutionsandclosecollaborationamongagenciesandorganisations.Enhancingthecapacityofrelevantbodiesandtrainingphysicaleducationteachersinsafeswimminginstructioninschoolsiscrucial,sheadded.Studiesevaluatingtheeffectivenessofinterventions,theireconomicandsocialimpacts,andparticularlytheeffectsofdrowningonfamiliesplayacrucialroleinchilddrowningpreventionefforts.?oànThuHuy?npresentedrecommendationsonVi?tNamschilddrowningpreventionprogramme.—PhotocourtesyoftheorganisersHuy?nalsoemphasisedtheneedtoenhancepoliciesandestablishflexiblemechanismsthatenablebusinessesandprivateorganisationstocollaboratewithschoolsandinvestinswimmingpools,andtoorganisesafeswimmingclassesforstudentsduringthesummermonths.Ongoingcommunicationcampaignstoraiseawarenessandpromotesafebehavioursamongparentsandcaregiversareessential,sheadded.DrNguy?nNg?cAnh,DirectorofthePolicyandDevelopmentResearchCenter(DEPOCEN),presentedfindingsontheeconomicimpactofchilddrowninginVi?tNam.Eachyear,over2,000Vietnamesechildrendrown,leadingtovariouseconomicburdensacrossprovinces.Thetotaleconomicburdenofchildrendrowningnationwidereaches$767million.Theeconomicburdenofdrowningishighestamongchildrenunderfouryearsold,withHàN?ifacingthegreatestimpactat$43million,whileYênBáireportsthelowestat$4million.Planninginterventionprogrammesshouldconsiderlocaleconomicconditions,balancingeconomicbenefitswithsocialequityandfocusingonsupportforvulnerablefamilies.Strategiesmustensureefficientresourceallocationandaligninterventionswiththeneedsofeachprovince.Injuriesresultinsignificantlossoflifeandcreatesubstantialeconomicandsocialburdens,particularlyinlow-andmiddle-incomecountries.Moreover,injuryandviolencepreventionisacrucialindicatorforachievingsustainabledevelopmentgoals.—VNSThepoliticalcommissaroftheCoastGuard,LieutenantGeneralBùiQu?cOai,speaksataconferenceheldinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvinceonOctober24.—PhotoCourtesyofVCGBàR?A-V?NGTàU—AcontestonVi?tNamsmaritimesovereigntyheldeveryyearincoastalprovincesandcitieswillbecomeanationaleventfrom2030,accordingtotheCoastGuard.Ilovenationalseaandislandsismeanttospreadknowledgeaboutthecountryswatersandislands,thePeoplesArmyandCoastGuard,Vietnameselaws,internationaltreatiesrelatedtothecountrysmaritimeterritories,andthehistoryofthenationstraditionofbuildinganddefendingthecountry,aconferenceheldbytheCoastGuardRegionNo.3CommandbasedinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvinceheardonThursday(October24).LieutenantGeneralBùiQu?cOai,politicalcommissaroftheCoastGuard,saidthecontestisofgreateducationalandpoliticalsignificanceandattractstheparticipationofalargenumberofstudents,teachersandotherseveryyear.Ithasincreasedpublicawarenessofthecountryssovereigntyoveritsseasandislands,andpromotedcoordinationbetweenvariousagenciesinvolvedindisseminationofthecountrysmaritimelaws,hesaid.Ithasarousedinstudentsapassionforlearningaboutthetaskofprotectingsovereigntyovertheseasandislandsandprotectingthenationandloveforhomeland.TheCoastGuardRegionNo.3CommandonOctober24signeddealswiththedepartmentsoftrainingandeducationofthecoastalprovincesincooperationtoorganisethecontest.—PhotoCourtesyofVCGSince2013theCoastGuradhassuccessfullyorganisedthecontestat389secondaryschoolsin35provincesandcitieswiththeparticipationofmorethan54,000students.Itandthecontestsponsorshaveawardedmorethan4,800scholarships,2,000bicycles,16,000notebooks,and800schoolbagstocontestantswhoperformedwell.—VNSThe??ngCamirrigationdam,arecognisednationalheritagesite,isrenownedforitsuniquelandscape,architectureandengineering,withalegacyspanningoveracentury.—VNA/VNSPhotoXuanTri?uPHúYêN—AproposaltobuildanewhydroelectricplantontheBaRiverinthesouth-centralprovinceofPhúYênhasraisedconcernsamonglocalauthoritiesandresidents,especiallyasthreehydroelectricplantsarealreadyoperationalontheriver.Theinvestor,ElectricalEngineeringConstructionJSC(AGRIMECO),hassubmittedtheprojectproposaltothePhúYênPeoplesCommittee,intendingtoconstructtheplantnearthe??ngCamdam-anationalheritagesite,VietnamNewsAgencyreported.Theproposedplant,tobelocatedaboutonekilometredownstreamof??ngCamdam,hastriggeredalarmamongprofessionalbodiesinPhúYên,whofearitcouldaffectthedamsarchitecturalandscenicvalue.The??ngCamirrigationdam,morethanacenturyold,wasrecognisedin2022asanationalscenicsiteduetoitshistoricalsignificanceanduniqueengineering.Thehydroelectricprojectwouldspananareaof51.8hectares,includingpartsofPhúHòaandTayHòadistricts,withatotalinvestmentofVN?1.471trillion(overUS$57.8million).TheprovincialDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmenthasraisedconcerns,stressingthattheprojectmustalignwiththeprovincessocio-economicdevelopmentplansandland-usestrategyforthe2021-30period.TheprovincialDepartmentofCulture,SportsandTourismhasalsoexpressedworries,notingthattheplantsinfrastructurewouldbesituatedtooclosetothe??ngCamirrigationdam.Someplannedstructures,suchasthepressuretunnel,wouldfallwithinthedamsprotectedzone,requiringapprovalfromtheMinistryofCulture,SportsandTourism.FurtherquestionshavearisenfromtheprovincialDepartmentsofPlanningandInvestmentandAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,whichrequestedclarificationonpotentialoverlapsbetweenthehydroelectricplantsinfrastructureandthe??ngCamheritagesite.Theprojectincludesconstructingarubberdam,twokilometresupstreamoftheirrigationdam,designedtostore15.4millioncubicmetresofwater.AGRIMECOhasarguedthattheproposed??ngCamhydroelectricplantwilluseuntappedenergypotentialwithoutdisruptingtheoperationofupstreamreservoirsorthe??ngCamirrigationsystem.Theyclaimthattheprojectiscrucialforlocaleconomicdevelopment.However,theDirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofIndustryandTrade,Nguy?nThanhTu?n,saidthattheprojectisnotyetincludedinNationalPowerDevelopmentPlan8,whichlistsonlythreeotherhydroelectricplantsintheprovince.TheinvestorhascommittedtoconductingdetailedsurveysandseekingapprovalfromboththePhúYênPeoplesCommitteeandtheMinistryofIndustryandTradetoincludetheprojectintheNationalPowerDevelopmentPlan.AGRIMECOsproposalalsoaimstointegratetheprojectintoPhúYênssocio-economicdevelopmentstrategyforthe2021-2030period,withavisionfor2050.Asidefromtheheritageconcerns,therearefearsthatthehydroelectricprojectcouldnegativelyaffectwatersupplyforhouseholds,agricultureandsaltwaterintrusioncontroldownstream.ThreewatertreatmentplantsalongtheBaRivercurrentlyserveover35,000householdsinTuyHòacity,??ngHòatownshipandnearbydistricts.WaterfromtheBaRiveristheprimarysourceforthreewatertreatmentplantsthatsupplydomesticneeds.In2021,watershortagesintheseareaswereexacerbatedbysaltwaterintrusionintotheriver,leadingtotheshutdownofoneoftheplants.ThePhúYênWaterSupplyandSewerageJSC(Pywase)hasraisedconcernsthattheprojectcouldfurtherthreatenwatersupplies.DeputydirectorofPywase,Nguy?nT?nThu?n,supportstheprojectinprinciple,provideditalignswithlocaldevelopmentgoals,buthestressedthatensuringstablewatersupplyiscritical,particularlyduringthedryseason.ThePhúYênDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmenthasalsopointedoutthattheinvestorsreporthasnotadequatelyaddressedrisksofsaltwaterintrusion,sedimentflow,andotherenvironmentalimpacts.The??ngCamirrigationsystemisvitaltotheregion,supplyingwaterto19,000hectaresofricepaddiesintheTuyHòaplain.AGRIMECOhasassuredthatthehydroelectricplantsreservoirwouldaidwatermanagementduringdryperiods,helpingtomitigateshortages.However,Nguy?nMinhHu?,Chairmanof??ngCamIrrigationJSC,emphasisedthatthewatersupplyfordownstreamagriculturemustbeguaranteedbeforetheprojectcanproceed.Whiletheprojectcouldgeneratebenefitssuchasboostingenergyproductionandcreatingnewscenicareas,theprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmenthasraisedconcernsabouthowthehydroelectricplantsfloodcontrolmeasureswillfunctionalongsidetheexistingsystem,particularlyduringpeakfloodseasons.ChairmanofthePhúYênPeoplesCommitteeT?AnhTu?nhasreaffirmedtheprovincesposition,stating:Wewillnottradetheenvironmentfordevelopment,especiallywhenitcomestohydropowerprojects.ThePeoplesCommitteehascalledforathoroughassessmentoftheprojectspotentialbenefitsanddrawbacksbeforeanyfurtherdecisionsaremade.—VNS
70-year-oldNguy?nTh?H??ngtakingcareofachildsufferingfromdisabilitiescausedbyAgentOrange.VNA/VNSPhoto?inhH??ngQU?NGNG?I-Raisingandeducatingnormalchildrenischallengingenough,butcaringforchildrenwhoarevictimsofAgentOrangeexposureisevenmoredifficult.However,attheCentreforNurturingandRehabilitationofAgentOrange/DioxinvictimsinNgh?aTh?ng,T?Ngh?aDistrict,Qu?ngNg?iProvince,twowomenhavenotshiedawayfromthedifficultiesandhardshipsofcaringforthesechildren,ensuringtheyarefed,caredforandloved.ThecentreinNgh?aTh?nghasbeenoperationalsince2011andiscurrentlyprovidingdaycarefortenindividuals,mostlychildren.Additionally,fiveindividualsarereceivingparttimeeducation.Thecentrehasthreestaffmembers,twoofwhomarewomendirectlyresponsibleforcaregiving,nurturingandhelpingwithrehabilitation,Nguy?nTh?H??ngandTr?nTh?M?Di?u.SeventyyearoldNguy?nTh?H??ngfromNgh?aTh?ngCommune,T?Ngh?aDistrict,hasheldvariousrolesinthepast,suchasaliaisonofficerattheMilitaryRegion5PostOffice,adepartmentheadatNgh?aBìnhRoadandBridgeCompany2,amemberof??ngTh?ngCooperativeinNgh?aTh?ngCommuneandPresidentoftheWomensUnioninNgh?aTh?ng.Shehasbeenworkingatthecentresince2011.AtH??ngsage,manywouldchoosetospendtheirtimesurroundedbyfamily,butforher,caringforchildrenaffectedbyAgentOrangehasbecomeamission.Overtheyears,despitehavingtotakeonmultipleresponsibilitiessuchascleaning,cookingandensuringthechildrenssleep,H??nghasalwaysdiligentlyfulfilledherduties.Explainingherdecisiontojointhecentre,H??ngsaysthatasamotherandawomaninvolvedinsocialwork,sheunderstandsthehardshipsofchildrenbornwithdisabilities.Whenthecentrewasestablished,sheleftherroleattheWomensUniontoworkthere,hopingtocareforandcompensateforthesufferingthesechildrenhaveendured.AccordingtoH??ng,caringforchildrenwithdisabilitiesduetoAgentOrangeexposurerequirespatienceandperseverance,aseachchildexhibitsdifferentsymptoms.Inadditiontoreadingbooks,attendingtrainingclassesandhelpingthefamilies,shecarefullyobservesthechildrensbehavioursandactionstoguidethemwithoutcausingharm,helpingthemgraduallyintegrateintothecommunity.Ph?mTh?T.fromNgh?aThu?nCommune,T?Ngh?aDistrict,hasachildwhoisanAgentOrangevictimandwasbornwithdevelopmentaldelays.Sincethecentreopened,herfamilyhasbeenabletosendherchildthere,allowinghertoworkandearnmoreincome.Sinceattendingthecentre,herchildhaslearnedmanythings,suchasfeedinganddressingthemselvesandhelpingwithsomehouseholdchores.Tr?nTh?M?Di?u(right)teachingachildatthecentre.VNA/VNSPhoto?inhH??ngHavingworkedthereforfiveyears,26-year-oldTr?nTh?M?Di?ufromNgh?aTh?ngCommuneisseenasabearerofloveforthechildrenaffectedbyAgentOrange.Di?u,whograduatedinnursing,foundherselfworkinginthisfieldbychance.Sheexplainsthataftergraduationshelearnedthatthecentrewashiringanurse,sosheapplied.Withabackgroundinnursing,Ihadbeenexposedtomanypatientsduringmystudies.However,IneverimaginedIwouldendupworkingwithchildrenaffectedbyAgentOrange.Intheearlydays,Ifoundtheworknewtomeandfacedmanychallengesincommunicatingwiththechildren.However,withencouragementfromH??ng,Ibecamemoreconfidentandopenwheninteractingwiththem.Gradually,Iunderstoodandempathisedwiththeirpainandmyloveforthemgrew,Di?usays.TheworkatthecentreisexhaustingandthecontractsalaryforH??ngandDi?uisonlyVN?1.5millionpermonth.Bothwomenhavethoughtaboutquittingattimes,buttheyremainbecausetheyworryaboutwhowouldtakecareofthechildreniftheyleft.Tosupporttheirfamilies,theytakeonadditionaljobsoutsideoftheirtimeatthecentre.Tomanageboththecentresworkandcareformyhusbandandchildren,Ihavetowakeupearly,stayuplateandmakeuseofeverysparemomentforhouseholdandfarmwork.Itstrulyexhaustingattimes,butknowingthechildrenandtheirfamiliesarewaitingformemotivatesmetokeepgoing,Di?usays.LêV?nTi?n,DirectoroftheCentreforNurturingandRehabilitationofAgentOrange/DioxinvictimsinNgh?aTh?ng,says:Withsuchalowsalary,itschallengingtofindindividualswhohaveboththeexpertiseandthecompassiontoworkhere.Therefore,thededicationofH??ngandDi?uiscommendable.TheyhavebeenrecognisedandhonouredbylocalauthoritiesandorganisationsfortheircontributionstoalleviatingthepaincausedbyAgentOrange.Inthefuture,thecentrewillcontinuetoseeksupportfromthecommunitytocareformoreAgentOrangevictims,whilealsocallingonauthoritiestoraisetheincomeforthestaff.VNSTheCh?mBàuTrúcPotteryCo-operativesproductsinNinhThu?nProvincesNinhPh??cDistrict.Itsproductswererecognisedasnationaloutstandingruralindustrialgoodsin2023.–VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngTh?NINHTHU?N–NinhThu?nProvincehasexpandeditsnumberofco-operativesandimprovedtheiroperationalquality.Thesouth-centralprovinceestablishedfivenewco-operativesinthefirstsevenmonthsoftheyear,bringingthetotalnumberto126,accordingtoitsDepartmentofPlanningandInvestment.The126co-operativeshavemorethan19,000membersandoperateinsectorssuchasagriculture,industry,transport,credit,andotherservices.LêHoàiNam,chairmanoftheProvincialCo-operativeAlliance,said:Theprovincesco-operativeshaveoperatedstablyanddeveloped.Manynew-styleco-operativesoperatingundertheCo-operativeLaweffectivelylinkedwithcompanies,confirmingtheirkeyroleindevelopingthelocaleconomy,hesaid.Theyrestructuredthecultivationofcropsandthebreedingofanimals,focusingonproducingcommercialproducts.TheNamMi?nTrungHigh-techAgricultureCo-operativeinBácáiDistricthassuccessfullycultivatedhoneydewmelonandwatermeloningreenhousesonatotaloffivehectares.Itpartnerswithfarmerstogrowthesefruits,supplyinginputmaterialsandfarmingtechniquestothem,andpurchasingtheirproduce.ItearnsaprofitofVN?250-300million(US$8,000-12,000)ayear.Anincreasingnumberofco-operativeshaveadoptedadvancedtechniquestoproducehigh-qualityproductsthatmeetmarketdemand.TheThanhH?iAgriculturalServicesandAgriculturalProductTradingCo-operativeinNinhH?iDistrictgrowsredonionandPhanRanggarlictoVietnamesegoodagriculturalpracticesonatotalof20hectares,with103membersparticipating.Nguy?nTh?H?nh,itsdirector,saidtheco-operativealsoboughtPhanRanggarlicfromotherfarmersinneighbouringcommunessuchasNh?nH?i,V?nhH?i,andPhanRang-ThápChàmCity.Theco-operativeusedoriginstampsanddevelopedalogoandlabelforitsproducts,shesaid.FarmersgrowingPhanRanggarlicearnedaprofitofVN?60-70million($2,400-2,800)per1,000sq.mayear,sheadded.ThanhH?i,alongwithtwootherco-operativesintheprovince,hasbeengrantedtherighttousethecollectivebrandnamePhanRangflavourofsunandwindfortheirfreshanddriedgarlicproducts.PhanRanggarlicisoneoftheprovinces12specificallyidentifiedproductsalongwithgrapes,jujube,asparagus,aloevera,sheep,andgoats.Co-operativesintheprovincehaveproducedmanyproductsunderthenationalOneCommune-OneProduct(OCOP)programme.Nguy?n??cTùngoftheTháiAnAgricultureGeneralServiceCo-operativeinNinhH?iDistrictsV?nhH?iCommunesaid:Theco-operativehaseightfreshandprocessedgrapeproductsrecognisedasOCOPproductswiththreeandfourstars.Thisrecognitionincreasedconsumerawarenessoftheco-operativesproducts,enhanceditsreputationandhelpeditexpanditsmarket,hesaid.Italsoofferedtourismservices,suchasgrapeorchardtours,grapeproductprocessingdemonstrations,andtastings,headded.1.TouristsvisittheTu?nTúGeneralServiceCo-operativeinNinhThu?nProvincesNinhPh??cDistrict.Theco-operativesasparagusproductshavebeenrecognisedunderthecountrysOneCommune-OneProductprogramme.–VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngTh?SupportNinhThu?nProvinceishelpingeffectivenew-styleco-operativesexpandproductionandgrowtheirbusinessmodels.Tr?nhMinhHoàng,deputychairmanoftheprovincePeoplesCommittee,saidthedevelopmentofnew-styleco-operativeswasimportantforbuildingtrustamongindividualsandcompanies,enablingcollaborationandraisingpublicawarenessofthecollectiveeconomysroleandimportance.Underitsplantodevelopthem,theprovincehasselectedfourefficientco-operativestoparticipateintheprogrammein2021-25,theTu?nTúGeneralServiceCo-operativeandtheCh?mBàuTrúcPotteryCo-operativeinNinhPh??cDistrict,theNinhThu?nEvergreenGrapeCo-operativeinPhanRang–ThápChàmCityandtheAnXuanAgricultureTradeandProductionCo-operativeinNinhH?iDistrict.Thefourhavealargenumberofmembersandactivelyparticipateincommunityactivitiesaspartofthenew-styleruralareaprogramme.Theyproducetheprovincesspeciallyidentifiedproducts,partnerwithcompaniestoensuresalesoftheirproducts,developvaluechainsfortheirproduce,adoptadvancedscienceandtechnology,andhaveahighproportionoffemalemembers.Relevantprovincialdepartmentsandagencieshavepromotedregulationsforthecollectiveeconomyandassistedtheseco-operativeswithrecruitingyoung,highlyskilledlabourtoimprovetheirhumanresourcequality.Theprovincehasalsoprovidedthemwithaccesstolow-interestloansforproduction,andsupportedeffortstoenhanceproductqualitytocomplywithVietnameseandglobalgoodagriculturalpractices,theOCOPprogrammeandexportstandards.Threeofthefourco-operativeshavehadeightproductsrecognisedundertheOCOPprogramme.Theprovincehasalsohelpedco-operativesapplyadvancedtechnologiesanddeveloppackaging,labels,brandnames,origintraceability,andqualitycertificationsfortheirproducts.In2024-25theprovinceismobilisingresourcestoassisttheseco-operativesininvestingininfrastructureandproductionfacilities.–VNS
BoatsbecomestheprimarymodeoftransportforpeoplelivingintheinundatedareasofL?Th?yDistrictinthecentralprovinceofQu?ngBình.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecastinghasissuedawarningforheavyrainacrosscentralVi?tNamonTuesday,particularlyfromsouthernHàT?nhtoTh?aThiên-Hu?.Theseregionsareexpectedtoexperiencemoderatetoheavyrainfall,withlocaliseddownpoursreachingbetween100to200mm,andsomeareasreceivingover400mm.Intense,short-durationrainfall,potentiallyexceeding100mmwithinthreehours,isalsoexpected.Thisweathercouldleadtofloodinginlow-lyingareas,flashfloodsonsmallrivers,andlandslidesonsteepslopes.Scatteredshowersandthunderstormsarealsoanticipatedthroughoutthesouthernregion,withsomeareasreceivingheavyrainupto30mm,andisolatedspotspotentiallyexceeding50mm.MarinewarningshavebeenissuedfortheGulfofTonkin,thewesternEastSea(internationallyknownastheSouthChinaSea),includingtheHoàngSa(Paracel)archipelago,andareasstretchingfromQu?ngTr?toKiênGiangandtheGulfofThailand.Strongwindsreachinguptolevel7(50-61km/h),withgustsuptolevel8(62-74km/h),willaccompanythesestorms,potentiallycausingtornadoesanddangerousseaconditionswithwavesbetween2to4.5mhigh.OnOctober30,strongnortheasternwinds,reachinguptolevel7insomeareas,areforecasttointensifyintheGulfofTonkinandnorthernEastSea,raisingwavestobetween3and5m.HàN?iandthenorthwestwillbemostlycloudy,withlight,scatteredrainexpectedinthemorning.Temperatureswillrangefrom20to22°C,withhighsbetween25and27°C.Thenortheastandothernorthernregionswillseecoolertemperatures,droppingtoaslowas17°Cinmountainousareas.AreasfromThanhHóa(chǎn)toTh?aThiên-Hu?arelikelytoexperiencesteadyrain,withthunderstormsinthesouth.Coastalareasshouldbraceforstrongwinds,especiallyinsouthernregions,wheregustscouldreachlevel6(39-49km/h).Thunderstormsandheavyrainareanticipatedtopeakinthelateafternoonandeveningacrossthesouthernregion,withsomelocalareaspotentiallyexperiencingintensestormscapableofproducinglightning,tornadoes,andgustywinds.TheCentralHighlandswillexperiencecloudyskiesaccompaniedbyisolatedshowersandthunderstorms,primarilyinthesouthernareasduringtheafternoonandevening.Temperatureswillvaryfrom17to27°C.—VNS
High-endcruisesontheheritagewatersofH?LongBayoffertravellersanunforgettableexperience.—PhotoVietnamplus.vnHàN?I—Intodaystravellandscape,luxurymaynotbedefinedbyextravaganthotelsorlavishoffers,butbyunforgettablejourneysenrichedwithprofoundexperiencesandunexpectedinsights,wheretheemotionsoftravellersplayapivotalroleindeterminingthetruevalueoftheiradventures.Whenguestsfeelgenuinelyimpressedandfullyimmersed,theyareoftenwillingtospendsignificantlyintheseservices,embodyingthetruespiritofluxurytourism.ButhowcanVi?tNamattracthigh-endtouristsandinspirethemtopurchasebeautifulexperiences?DeputyMinisterofCulture,SportsandTourism,H?AnPhong,highlightsapromisinglandscapeforluxurytourism.Arecentstudyindicatesthatthegloballuxurytourismmarket,whichwasoverUS$2.1trillionin2023,isprojectedtoexceed$3trillionby2032,maintaininganannualgrowthrateoffourpercentfrom2024to2032.Interestingly,inEurope,oneoftheworldsforemosttraveldestinations,luxurytourismaccountsforonlyabouttwopercentoftotalvisitors,yetrepresentsanastonishing22percentoftravelexpenditure,estimatedat130-170billioneuros.PhongseesasignificantopportunityforVi?tNamtoharnessthismarket,pavingthewayforarevivalandrobustdevelopmentofitstourismsector.Whileheacknowledgesthatluxurytourismisoneofthefastest-growingsegmentsglobally,contributinghighrevenueandoperationalefficiency,heemphasisesthatthequalityoftheclienteleremainsparamount.Thechallengeliesinencouragingvisitorstoprolongtheirstaysandincreasetheirspending,whileexploringVi?tNam.Inrecentmonths,Vi?tNamhasemergedasacoveteddestinationforbillionairesseekinguniqueexperiencesandluxuriousretreats.Thishasattractednumerousultra-wealthycouples,particularlyfromIndia,whoarechoosingVi?tNamsexclusivebeachresortsfortheirweddings.Theendorsementsofpoliticalfigures,celebritiesandtheelitehavefurtherenhancedVi?tNamsinternationalimageasapremiumtouristdestination,provingthecountryscapabilitytomeetthedemandsofdiscerningtravellers.Thelastthreemonthsoftheyeararepeakseasonsforwelcominginternationalvisitors.Therefore,thisisagoldenopportunityforustoassessandforecaststrategiesforattractinghigh-endtouriststoVi?tNam,thedeputyministertellsVietnamplus.vn.Asthedemandforpersonalisedandexclusivetravelexperiencesrises,expertssuggestthatluxurytravellersareincreasinglyinclinedtowardshigh-endoptionsandarepreparedtopayapremiumforqualityproductsandservices.Tocatertothisdesireforuniqueexperiencesandculturalexploration,varioustourismservicesinVi?tNamhavebeendesignedwithanemphasisonindividualisation.AprimeexampleisthetourtoexploreS?n?oòngCaveinQu?ngBìnhProvince.Whileitappealstoanichemarketandcomeswithahighpricetag,thistouroftensellsoutquicklywhenbookingsopenatthebeginningoftheyear.Nguy?nChauá,founderandCEOofOxalisGroup,whichexclusivelyoperatesS?n?oòngtours,revealsthattherearecurrently45knowncavesinPhongNha-K?Bàng,representingonly30percentoftheareascavesystem.Thistourisspecificallydesignedforadventureseekersratherthanthegeneralpublic.TravellersembarkonanadventurethroughthecavesysteminPhongNha-K?Bàng.Sinceitsinception,S?n?oònghaswelcomedover50,000visitors,establishingVi?tNamasthelargesthubforadventuretourisminAsia.Toensurethesafetyofeachexpeditiongroupoftenguests,werequire30supportstaff,includingacaveexpert,atourguide,fivesafetyassistants,aforestranger,twochefsand20porters,ásaid.ThisluxurytourismofferingnotonlygeneratesconsistentprofitsforoperatorsbutalsocontributestolocalcommunitiesandsignificantlyenhancesthetourismbrandofQu?ngBình,showcasingtheallureofcaveexplorationandthewondersofPhongNha-K?Bàngtotheworld.Additionally,helicoptertoursprovidingbreathtakingaerialviewsofH?LongBayandHCMCity,alongsideprojectsmergingtourismwithmusic,golf,MICEevents,cruisetourismandwellnessretreats,holdsubstantialpromiseforattractinghigh-spendinginternationalvisitors.Ng?Th?H??ng,DeputyGeneralDirectorofVinpearlJointStockCompany,sharedinsightsintohowthecompanyaimstocreateamulti-experiencedestinationthatfeaturesnovelofferingsuniquetoVi?tNamwhileensuringtouristsafetyisatoppriority.AccordingtoH??ng,uniqueculinaryexperienceswillattractaffluenttourists.Visitorsprioritisementalhealthandwellness.SouthKoreanvisitors,inparticular,showastrongpreferenceforgolf.Insomemarkets,touristsareincreasinglyinterestedingreentourism.ThenumberofIndiantouristsvisitingVi?tNamisontherise.In2024,VinpearlhasalreadyhostedovertenweddingsforIndianbillionaires,withplanstodoublethisnumberin2025.Vi?tNamisemergingasaprominentdestinationforweddings,MICEtourism,andgolftourismglobally,H??ngsaid.Meanwhile,LiamCordinglyfromtheOxfordEconomicResearchOrganisationhighlightedthelimitedandhighlycompetitivenatureoftheluxurytourismmarket.Inasurveyof1,800potentialtouristsfromthefivelargestsendingmarketstoSoutheastAsia,China,SouthKorea,Australia,theUSandtheUK,wefoundthatculinaryservicesareasignificantdriverintheirchoiceofdestination.Notably,luxurytravellersshowagreaterinterestinculinaryexperiencescomparedtomid-rangeandbudgettravellers.Todeveloptheluxurymarket,Cordinglyrecommendedfocusingonhigh-endculinaryexperiences,whichincludesbuildingessentialsupplychainsbothdomesticallyandinternationallytoenhancethequalityofthetravelexperience.Itiscrucialtocreateconditionsforhigh-qualityproducts,restaurantsandbarstooperatelegallyandtoemphasisesafetyandreliabilityinfoodasacoreelementthatshapestheimageandreputationofatouristdestination.Toeffectivelycatertotheneedsofluxurytravellers,expertsrecommendthattravelbusinessesfocusontheFiveCs:Culture,Cuisine,Customisation,CommunityandContent.AnIndiancouplechoosesVinpearlResortSpaH?LongasthevenuefortheirweddingceremonyinMarch2023.—PhotocourtesyofVinpearlByintegratingthesefiveessentialelementsintotheirtravelprogrammes,companiescanattractanddelighteventhemostdiscerningtourists.Nguy?nTrùngKhánh,DirectoroftheVietnamNationalTourismAdministration,believesthatacomprehensivesolutionisneededtotacklethechallengeofattractinghigh-endvisitors.Thisapproachinvolvesconductingthoroughmarketresearch,investingininfrastructureandtechnicalfacilities,andimplementingpoliciesthatfosterthedevelopmentofhigh-qualitytourismproductsandprofessionalservices,alongsidetrainingskilledpersonnel.Khánhfurtherassertsthatthetourismandtravelsectorsmustrollouttargetedpromotionalcampaignsthatspotlightspecificmarketsegments,products,services,destinationsandthepremiumtourismbrandofVi?tNam.Additionally,leveragingthemediaexposuregeneratedbytripsundertakenbyglobalcelebritiescansignificantlyenhancethepromotionofVi?tNamstourism.Byconductingmarketresearchtogaininsightsintotheconsumptionbehavioursandpreferencesofhigh-endtravellers,theindustrycandeviseeffectivecommunicationstrategiesandestablishacompellingbrandimage.—VNSVisitorscheckanautomaticproceduresupportserviceat?àN?ngCitysAdministrativeCentre.Vi?tNamhasbeenspeedingupdigitalisationoverpastdecadesinordertobuildadigitalgovernment,economyandsociety.VNSPhotoC?ngThành?àN?NG—Drasticmeasuresandacceleratedadministrationreformhaveledtothesimplificationof4,751outof5,000publicproceduresfromprovincesandcitiesnationwideoverthepastdecade.ThechangeshavealsosavedanestimatedUS$2billion,whichcommunitiesandbusinesseswouldhavespentonadministrativepaperwork.DeputyheadoftheAdministrativeProceduresControlAgencyundertheGovernmentOffice,Nguy?nDuyHoànggavethefigurestoanaudienceattheVi?tNamDigitalGovernmentSummitinthecentralcitylastweek,addingthat71.5percentofadministrativeproceduresarenowavailableonline.Residentsandbusinessescannowapplyfor3,627completelyonlineserviceprocedures,whichrepresentsanincreasefrom20percentin2022,to59percentin2024,accordingtotheofficial.Howevermorethan1,000onlineproceduresdonotmeetthecriterianeededfromthedemandsofpeopleandbusinessesatsomeprovincesandcities.AmantestsavirtualdeviceatapavilionondigitalisationandITapplicationin?àN?ngCity.VNSPhotoC?ngThànhWecheckedand449outof1,800onlineproceduresateachlocalityweredisqualifiedandlocalresidentshavestillhadtocomeintoanofficeforofflinefinalpapercheck.Meanwhile,only1.21percentofonlineserviceswerecompletedintime,hecomplained.Heexplainedthatpoorperformanceofonlineprocedureprocessingresultedfrommismatcheddataexploitationandsolutionsamongdifferentmanagementdivisionsandagencies.Qu?ngNinhwasthefirstprovinceinVi?tNamtointroduceaone-stopshopin2015,beforetheservicewasexpandednationwidein2018.Vicechairpersonof?àN?ngCityspeoplescommittee,Nguy?nTh?AnhThisaidthat?àN?ngwasseenasaleaderintermsofonlinepublicadministrativeprocedures,withperformanceratingsof95and65percent.Shesaidthecitydebutede-governmentfrom2014andstartedafulldigitaltransformationplanin2021.Wehavebeenspeedingupthedigitalisationprocess,tobuild?àN?ngintothefirst‘smartcityinVi?tNamby2030.Thecitysdigitaleconomyaccountedfor20.7percentofGrossRegionalDomesticProduct(GRDP)in2023andthefigureisexpectedtoreachfrom35percentto45percentin2030-45,Thisaid.SmartmanagementandsolutionsareintroducedattheVi?tNamDigitalGovernmentSummitin?àN?ngCity.VNSPhotoC?ngThànhDeputydirectorofthecitysInformationTechnologyandCommunicationsdepartment,Tr?nNg?cTh?chsaid18outof30percentofonlineprocedureswereworking,addingthatacompletedigitalecologicalsystemhasbeenbuilttoprovide41,000QRcodesattachedtofinishedonlineprocedures.ThecitysFacebookpageoperatesasanonlinepublicevaluationtoolonadministrativeproceduresacross56communes,precinctsanddepartmentsthroughoutthecity.?àN?ngisalsoreadytoconnectupwiththe126smartcitiesnetworkinASEAN,accordingtoTh?ch.SenioradvisortoSovicoGroupLê??ngD?ng,saidhiscompanyhadbeenwidelyapplyingAIindataanalysisanddecisionmaking,aswellasusingchatbotsandvirtualassistantsacrossmanybusinessesfrombanking,airservice,hospitalityandrealestate.ButD?ngwarnedthatlegalframeworkforadigitalbusinessenvironmentiwasstilllimitedinVi?tNaminbuildingtrustamonginvestors.Hesaidthattherewasnotastrongorstrictenoughlegalframeworkforprotectingtrans-borderdatabasesandcybersecuritywasamajorconcernforinvestors,includingGooglegroupsintheUS.Vi?tNamshouldlookatbeingreadytowelcomeinvestmentinnewtechsectorsincludingArtificialGenerativeIntelligence(AGI),quantumcomputation,theaerospaceindustryandnuclearpower,sectorswhichwouldbeboomingin2030,hesaid.D?ngsaidashareddatabasewasbeingdevelopedforuseamongdifferentbusinesssectorsofSovicowithamanpowerof40,000worldwide.Healsourgedrapidchangeinbuildinganeffectivedigitalsocietyandlegalframeworkreforminreceivingnewwavesofinvestment,withinthedevelopmentoftheglobaldigitalera,thesemiconductorindustryandsupplychains.VNS
Morethan15,000householdsarebeingsubmergedduetotheimpactofStormTrami,whichmadelandfallintheearlyafternoonofSunday.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–LocalitiesinthecentralregionhavebeentakingactionsinresponsetoimpactsofStormTramiwhichmadelandfallintheearlyafternoonofSunday.ThesixthtohittheEastSeathisyearhastakenitstollonvariouslocalities,accordingtotheDepartmentofDykeManagementandNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlundertheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.Asof6pmonSunday,onepeoplewasreportedmissinginQu?ngBìnhProvincewhiletwoothersdeadinTh?aThiên-Hu?Province.Asmanyas210housesweredamagedinTh?aThiên-Hu?,18inQu?ngNamProvince,and62in?àN?ngCity.InTh?aThiên-Hu?,extremewaveshitThu?nAnbeachzone,leavingmanystreetsinnearbyresidentialareas30-40cmunderwater.InH?iD??ngCommune,somelow-lyingareasareeven1metredeepunderwater.About1kmofcoastlinefromPhúThu?nCommuneofPhúVangDistricttoThu?nAnwardofHu?Citywaseroded.Localauthoritieshaveevacuatedmorethan600residentsininundatedareasofThu?nAnWard.Evacuationwillalsobecarriedoutinothercoastalareas.OnSundaymorning,the?àN?ngmunicipalPeoplesCommitteeestablishedafrontlinecommandforcopingwithStormTramiandaccompanyingdownpour.Authoritieshavemovedmorethan6,200peoplefrommakeshifthousesandareaspronetolandslides,flashfloods,andsealevelrisetosaferplaces.ThecitysMilitaryCommanddeployedfourarmouredvehiclesforperformingdutieswhennecessary.InQu?ngNam,nearly19,000residentsindangerousplaceswerealsoevacuatedonSundaymorning.Manyworkinggroupshavebeensenttocoastallocalitiestodirectstormresponsetominimisehumanandpropertylosses.Meanwhile,competentagenciesinQu?ngBìnhProvincehavesealedoffNationalHighways9B,9C,and15,alongwithProvincialRoad558B.SomelocalitiesandroadsinQu?ngTr?Provincehavealsobeenseverelyinundated,forcingtheadministrationtoblockthoseareas.Particularly,manycommunesinV?nhLinhDistrictarefloodedasriversthereareinfullspate,disruptingpowersupplyfornearly18,000clients.Besides,acoastalembankmentinGioLinhDistrictwaseroded.Inthefaceofheavyrains,Qu?ngTr?planstoevacuateabout35,160residentstoavoidflooding,over9,680toavoidflashfloods,and5,920inanticipationoflandslides.Theprovincialadministrationalsodemandedlocalitiesandagenciestoreadyessentialgoods,especiallyinvulnerableareas,tocopewithprolongeddownpourandflooding.InresponsetoTramianditscirculation,theairportsof?àN?ngin?àN?ngCity,PhúBàiinTh?aThiên-Hu?Province,??ngH?iinQu?ngBìnhProvince,andChuLaiinQu?ngNamProvincewereclosedtemporarily.Tocopewiththestormsimpacts,DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàhasalsoassignedconcretetaskstothehydro-meteorologicalforecastingstations,theMinistryofNationalDefence,theMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,theMinistryofIndustryandTrade,theMinistryofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment,theMinistryofTransport,theMinistryofInformationandCommunications,alongwithpowerandtelecommunicationsbusinesses.-VNSParticipantsjoinaphotosessionattheconference:ChallengesofVi?tNamtowardahigh-incomecountryby2045at?àN?ngCitys??ngáUniversity.—VNSPhotoC?ngThành?àN?NG—Vi?tNamneedsadramaticchangethroughinstitutionalandlegalreformsalongwitheconomicrestructuringfortherapidandsustainabledevelopmentrequiredtoachieveitsgoalofbecomingahigh-incomecountryby2045.ThisstatementwassharedbyDrV?TríThành,ChairoftheVietnameseCommitteeforPacificEconomicCooperationCouncil(PECC)andSeniorExpertattheCentralInstituteforEconomicManagement(CIEM),ataconferencecalledChallengesofVi?tNamtowardahigh-incomecountryby2045.ThànhsaidVi?tNamhasbeenworkingtowardsbecomingaprosperouscountryforthe100thanniversaryofIndependenceDayin2045.Vi?tNamisseenasoneofthemostopeneconomiesgloballyintermsofgrowingtradeandinvestmentsincethecountryinitiatedthe??iM?i(Renewal)policynearlyfourdecadesago.Thecountryhadtransitedfromapoorcountrytoamiddle-incomecountry,withmorethan930,000enterprisesandfivemillionhouseholdbusinessesestablished,Thànhsaid.However,anewdrasticandwidespreadreformprocessisneededforthecountrytoperformwellandrisealongwiththeworldsleadingeconomies,hesaid.AworkerweldsasteelstructureatanindustrialparkincentralVi?tNam.Thecountryaimstodevelopintoahigh-incomenationby2045.—PhotocourtesyofDoosanVinaThecountryshouldseeanaverageannualgrowthrateofupto5.5percentoverthenexttwodecadestoreachthemilestoneofbecomingadeveloped,high-incomecountry,hepointedout.Thànhwarnedthatdespitesuccessfulachievementsresultingfromthe??iM?ipolicy,Vi?tNamwillfinditchallengingtoescapefromthe‘middle-incometrapandpursuehighereconomicdevelopment.Theeconomistaddedthatotherchallenges,suchascapital,environment,technology,institutionalreform,workforcetrainingandespeciallyreachingthenet-zerotargetsby2050,willsetupsignificanthurdlesforVi?tNamtoattainitsgoalofprosperity.Vi?tNammustbuilda‘greentransformationeconomytoavoidlosing13to19percentinGDP,or70percentofexportturnoverinthenextfewdecades,henoted.DrTr?nV?nTh?,professoremeritusatWasedaUniversityinTokyo,JapansuggestedVi?tNamshouldboostinvestmentsininnovation-basedandnewtechindustriesforfastandsustainablegrowth,aswellasimprovinglabourproductivity.Hesaidthecountrymusttransformdrastically,fromexport-orientedproductionwithafocusonlow-cost,intensivelabourintohighadded-valueindustriestocreateacompetitiveadvantageintheglobalmarket.Vi?tNamshouldsupportsmallandmedium-sizedenterprisesinkeyindustriestojoinglobalvalueorsupplychainsratherthanjustprocessingandassemblingproductsforexport,Th?shared.Thecountrywilleyetrainingahigh-qualityworkforceforhighadded-valueindustrialmanufacturingindustries.ThisisbecauseprocessingandassemblingindustriesareseenasimportantinVi?tNam,buttheyhavelimitedaddedvalue.Meanwhile,export-orientedproductionisheavilydependentonimportingmaterialsandkeyequipmentforproduction,heexplained.Th?saidvalue-addedindustrialproductionpercapitainVi?tNamwasquitelowincomparisontoregionalcountries.Acruisedocksat?àN?ngCitysTiênSaPort.Vi?tNamhastargetedtobeadevelopedcountrywithhighincomein2045.—VNSPhotoC?ngThànhIngettingoutofthemiddle-incometrap,labourproductivity,theinformaleconomicsectorandagriculture–whichaccountfor63percentoftotallabourers–mustdevelopaslargerbusinessgroupsorkeyhi-techindustries,orbuildhi-techjoint-venturepartnershipsforglobalvalueorsupplychains,headded.Thecountryneedsgreaterinvestmentinsupportiveindustries,innovation,technologyandRDfortheeconomictransformation.Currently,RDonlyhasa0.7percentshareinGDP,sohighandmedium-skillmanufacturingindustriesshouldberapidlygivenpriority,whileunskilledworkersinlabour-intensive,export-orientedmanufacturingshouldbelimited.Th?notedthatonly3,400outof110,000businessesinVi?tNam(excluding1,100FDIenterprises)areengagedinsupportingindustriesandadded-valueproduction.Nguy?nAnhD??ng,fromCIEM,highlightedthedigitaltransformationandAIindevelopingamodelforahigh-incomecountry.Hesaidthatmanufacturingandprocessingindustriesaccountforonly20percentofGDP,whileAIapplicationsinindustrialproductioncouldcontributeanywherefromUS$20billionto$220billionby2030.ProfessorTetsuyaWatanabe,PresidentoftheEconomicResearchInstituteforASEANandEastAsia(ERIA),emphasisedVi?tNamstargetofbecomingahigh-incomenationby2045atthe13thCommunistPartyCongressin2021.Insupportingthe2045target,ERIA,alongwithformerJapaneseAmbassadortoVi?tNamYamadaTaki,spenttwoyearspreparingthereport:Vi?tNam2045-DevelopmentIssuesandChallengeswithcooperationfrom30VietnameseandJapaneseexpertsaswellasresearchersfromothercountries.The600-pagereportalsoincludesmanyrecommendationsforbuildingplansandmakingpoliciestoreachthetarget.In2021,Vi?tNamsgrossdomesticproduct(GDP)percapitawas$3,694,anditsGrossNationalIncome(GNI)percapitawas$3,560.Thecountrywilllikelyreachtheuppermiddle-incomelevelin2025,accordingtoERIA.Vi?tNamhassetalong-termgoalofbecominganindustrialisedcountrywithaGDPof$2.5trillionbythemid-21stcentury,achievingaround$18,000inGNIpercapita.—VNS
TyphoonKong-reyisexpectedtostrengthenandmayapproachtheEastSea.PhotocourtesyoftheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecastingHàN?I–TyphoonKong-rey,currentlynearthePhilippines,isforecasttointensifyandpossiblyapproachtheEastSea,accordingtotheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting.V?AnhTu?n,thedeputyheadofweatherforecastingatthecentre,notedthatKong-reyisactivenearLuzonIsland,Philippines.Asof1pmonSunday,thetyphoonwasover1,000kmoffshoreandcontinuedtogainstrengthwhilemovingwestward.However,recentdataindicatesthatthestormisshiftingslightlytotheleftandmayfollowalowertrajectorythaninitiallypredicted,Tu?nexplained.ThisadjustmentmeansthereisapossibilitythatKong-reycouldmoveclosertotheEastSearegion.TheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecastingiscloselymonitoringthetyphoontoprovideupdates,headded.TheJapanMeteorologicalAgencyreportedthatasof4pmonSunday,Kong-reywaslocatedatapproximately16.9degreesNorthlatitudeand130.5degreesEastlongitude.Themaximumwindspeednearthecentreofthetyphoonreached20mps,withgustsof30mps.Theagencyforecaststhatthetyphoonwillcontinuemovingwestwardtoday,thenshiftnorthwestandeventuallynorth-northwesttowardsTaiwan.Thestormmaystrengthento45mpswithgustsreaching60mps.Similarly,theHongKongMeteorologicalAgencyforecaststhatKong-reycouldescalateintoasupertyphoonwithwindsof185kph.–VNSTheB?ch??ngWharfPark,locatedbytheSaigonRiverinHCMCitysDistrict1,isseenfromanaerialperspective.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—HCMCityhasannouncedplanstobuild42parksalongtheSaigonRivertoenhancegreenspaces,stimulateeconomicgrowth,andimprovethequalityoflifeforresidents.Theinitiativeisakeycomponentofthecitysvisionfordevelopingariversideserviceeconomybytheyear2045.TheprojectencompassestheSaigonRivercorridor,traversingTh???cCity,districts1,4,7,and12,andBìnhTh?nhDistrict,andthesuburbandistrictsofC?ChiandHócM?n.Thedevelopmentstrategyemphasisestheintegrationofmultifunctionalgreeninfrastructuretoimproveconnectivityandalignwiththeoverarchingadjustmentstothecitysmasterplan.TheseparksarestrategicallydesignedtoleveragethepotentialoftheSaigonRiver,fosteringaservice-orientedeconomyandenhancingtheurbanlandscape.AccordingtothecityPeoplesCommittee,theplan,groundedinexpertconsultationsandresearch,willbeimplementedinphasesandcoordinatedwithriversideinfrastructureacrossvariousregions.TheSaigonRiverstretches256kilometres,originatinginBìnhPh??cProvinceandflowingthroughTayNinh,BìnhD??ng,andHCMCity.WithinHCMCity,theriverspans80kilometres,meanderingthroughurbanareasandformingsignificantpeninsulas,includingThanh?aandTh?Thiêm.Currently,HCMCityhasaround400parksbutonly500hectaresofgreenspace,equatingtojust0.55squaremetreperpersonforitsover10millionresidents.—VNS