ManyhouseholdsinXuanC?mCommuneproducewoodenfurniture,handicrafts,mechanicalgoods,andgarments,creatinghundredsofjobs.B?CGIANG—SettledintheheartofHi?pHòaDistrict,B?cGiangProvince,thecommuneofXuanC?misanimportantplaceinVi?tNamsrevolutionaryhistory.Recognisedasoneof16SafetyZoneorAnToànKhu(ATK)inVietnamese,thissmallcommuneonceplayedacrucialroleinshelteringrevolutionarycadresduringtheresistancewars.Today,XuanC?misnotonlypreservingitsrevolutionarylegacybutisalsoshowcasingaremarkabletransformationinitsjourneytowardsmodernisationandruraldevelopment.Itisalsoacommuneofresilience,patriotismanddeepcommitmenttoVi?tNamsstruggleforindependence.Intheearly1940s,thiscommunebecameapivotalredaddressfortherevolution,hostingkeyleaderssuchasHoàngQu?cVi?t,LêThanhNgh?,andNguy?nTr?ngT?nh,whobuiltandnurturedtherevolutionarymovementhere.On12March1945,undertheleadershipofLêThanhNgh?andNguy?nTr?ngT?nh,thepeopleofXuanBi?uvillageroseupandseizedpower,markingthefirstsuccessfuluprisinginB?cGiangProvince-asparkthatignitedtheAugustRevolutionnationwide.AcompletetransformationDeputyChairmanNguy?nQuangLiêmsaidthisrevolutionaryspirithasinsteadfuelledtheirongoingeffortstodevelopthecommune,particularlythroughthenewruraldevelopmentmovement.In2015,afteryearsofconcertedeffort,XuanC?mwasrecognisedasanewruralcommune,amilestonethatlaidthefoundationforfurtherprogress.Oncecharacterisedbynarrow,unpavedroadsandmodestinfrastructure,thecommunetodayboastssynchroniseddevelopment.ThemainroadsinallfiveofXuanC?msvillageshavebeenwidened,withsomenowspanningupto12metres,greatlyimprovingconnectivityandaccessibility.Thisprogressshowcasestheimpactofcollectiveeffortandforward-lookingleadershipindrivingmeaningfulchange.Educationisalsoapriority,withallthreeofthecommunesschoolsmeetingnationalstandards.Butthetransformationismostevidentintheeconomy.XuanC?mhasembracedagriculturalinnovation,introducinghigh-yieldcropsandmodernfarmingtechniques.Theestablishmentofa30-hectarepeach-growingmodelservingtheT?tfestivalinC?mHoàngvillageisastandoutsuccess,generatingoverVN?1billion(US$40,000)perhectareannually.Large-scalefieldmodelscoveringover200hahavealsobeendevelopedacrossthecommunes,includingtheprovincesfirstmechanisedriceplantinginitiativeinC?mTrungvillage.Dronesnowbuzzoverthefields,sprayingpesticidesovermorethan30hectares.Additionally,XuanC?mCommunehasfosteredthegrowthofhandicraftsandcottageindustries,whichprovidesteadyemploymentforhundredsoflocalworkers.WithmonthlyincomesrangingfromVN?8milliontoVN?12million,theseindustrieshavebecomeacornerstoneofthecommuneseconomicvitality.OneofthemostremarkableaspectsofXuanC?mstransformationisthecommunityswillingnesstouniteforthegreatergood.ResidentsofXuanC?mCommunegenerouslydonatelandtofacilitatetheexpansionoftheroadInalandwherethememoriesofsacrificearestillvivid,over500householdsinthecommunehavevoluntarilydismantledpartsoftheirhomesandauxiliarystructures,donatingover20,000squaremetresoflandtoexpandroadsandimproveinfrastructure.Thisgenerosityhaspavedthewayfordevelopment,withtheexpandedroadsnowstretchingnearly8km.ThevalueofthedonatedlandaloneexceedsVN?300billion.Theseeffortshavepaidoffhandsomely.TheaverageincomepercapitainXuanC?mnowstandsatVN?52.28millionperyear,asignificantincreaseoverthepreviousyear.Meanwhile,thecommunesmultidimensionalpovertyratehasdroppedto2.21percent,downby2.13percentfromtheyearbefore.PreservingculturalheritageAsXuanC?mmodernises,itremainsdeeplyconnectedtoitsculturalroots,particularlythroughpreservingquanh?folksongs,anintegralpartoftheregionsculturalheritage.Despitenotbeingatraditionalquanh?village,XuanC?mhasembracedthisartformwithenthusiasm,saidNguy?nQuangLiêm,deputychairmanofXuanC?mCommunesPeoplesCommittee.Inrecentyears,thecommunehasestablishedfivequanh?clubs,drawingover200membersfromacrossitsvillages.Theinitiativehasevenextendedintothelocalschools,wherequanh?youthclubshavebeenformed,ensuringthatthisbeautifultraditionispassedontofuturegenerations.Nguy?nV?nHùng,theheadofthequanh?clubinC?mXuyênvillage,recalledhowtheclubbeganwithjust25members,unitedbytheirloveforthemelodiesofquanh?.Today,theclubhasgrownsignificantly,thrivingonitsmemberspassionandvoluntarycontributionsTheclubgathersatthevillageculturalhouseeveryweekendtopractiseandsharetheirloveforquanh?.Thecommuneregularlyorganisesculturalandartisticfestivals,encouragingexchangesbetweenitsquanh?clubsandthoseinneighbouringareas,suchasthetraditionalquanh?villagesofHòaLongWardinB?cNinhCity.Thisculturalexchangeenrichesthecommunity,ensuringthatquanh?remainsavibrantandlivingtradition.By2026,thecommuneaimstoestablishfivequanh?villages,contributingtotheoverallnumberandqualityofsuchvillagesinB?cGiangProvince,deputychairmanLiêmsaid.Fromitsrevolutionarypasttoitsmodernsuccesses,XuanC?mexemplifiesresilience,innovationandculturalpreservation,ensuringitremainsaharmoniousplacetolive.—VNS

AirpassengersatN?iBàiInternationalAirportinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoHuyHùngHàN?I—VietnameseaircarriershavebeenincreasingflightsfortheNationalIndependenceDay(September2)holidaytomeettraveldemands,withpricesexpectedtobelowerthanthefirsthalfoftheyear.Thefour-daybreakwilllastfromAugust30toSeptember9.NationalflagcarrierVietnamAirlineshasaddednearlyhalfamillionseats,acrossitsdomesticandinternationalflightsforthisoccasion.FocusedroutesincludethosebetweenHàN?iorHCMCityand?àN?ng,?àL?t,CamRanh,andbetweenHCMCityandHu?,PhúQu?cIsland.DomesticseatsonVietnamAirlinesflightsduringthisholidayareapproximately330,000,equivalenttoa19percentyear-on-yearincrease.Wehavealsoaddedmoreinternationalflights,especiallythosebetweenVi?tNamandIndia,China,ThailandandAustralia,totallingmorethan150,000seats,saidtheairlinesrepresentative.Meanwhile,VietravelAirlinesoffersnearly28,000seatsduringthisholiday,withtheflightroutesfromHCMCityto?àN?ng/QuyNh?n,fromHàN?ito?àN?ngandfromHàN?i/HCMCitytoBangkok(Thailand).Theairlinesaretryingtomeettraveldemandamidtheglobalaircraftshortageasmultiplejetengineswererecalledforinspection.VietnamAirlineshasobtainedonemoreAirbusA320neoandonemoreBoeing787-10,whileVietjetisexpectedtoaddtenaircrafttoitsfleetfromAugustuntiltheendoftheyear.BambooAirwaysisalsoexpectedtoreceiveadditionalaircraftinQ4-2024,whilealsoincreasingtheaverageflighthoursperaircraftperdayto12.5withmorenightflights.RegardingcommercialflightschedulesfortheNationalDayholiday,theCivilAviationAuthorityofVi?tNam(CAAV)hasissuedanofficialdocumenttorequirecoordinationbetweenVietnameseaircarriersandtravelagenciestopromotekeytouristdestinations.Airlinesarealsorequiredtoreportonfleetoperationplans,traveldemands,flightincreases,ticketsalesandreservations,andseatsupplyondomesticroutesduringtheholiday.Datafromtheirwebsitesshowthatseatavailabilityisstillhighandairfareshavedecreasedcomparedtothebeginningoftheyear.—VNSIllustrativePhotovov.vnLieutenantColonelPhanAnhTrung,deputyheadofDivision6,InvestigationPoliceDepartmentofDrug-RelatedCrimesundertheMinistryofPublicSecurity,speakstoVoiceofVietnam(VOV)aboutdrugusepreventionandcontrolatschoolsaheadofanewschoolyear.Whatisyouropinionontheexpansionofdrug-relatedoffencesthatoccurinschools?Whatkindsofdrugsaremostfrequentlytakenbystudentsnowadaysandhowhasthischanged?Weestimatethattherearenowmorethan1,700studentsaddictedtodrugsandillegallyusingdrugs.Currently,over100studentshaveengagedindrug-relatedoffenses.Althoughthispercentagemayseemlow,thefactthatitisrising,particularlyinschools,makesitquiteconcerning.Inthepast,itwasmainlyopiumandheroinaddiction,followedbysomesyntheticdrugsoftheAmphetamineandMethamphetaminegroups(suchasheroinandecstasy).Thesedays,addicts—includingthosewhoareyoung—oftenturntosyntheticsubstanceslikeketamine,bromazepamandgamma-hydroxybutyrate,whichareextremelypoisonousbutsimpletoobtain,sell,concealandconsume.Thesesubstancesarefrequentlyusedtomakebeveragesincludingcoffee,strawberryjuiceandso-calledhappywater.Amongthemarijuanaandsyntheticmarijuanaproductsthatareusedtomakeshadowdrugsarecandies,electroniccigarettes,tobacco,herbs(sometimescalledAmericangrass)andvariouscosmeticandhealthcareitems.Druguseisreportedathomeaswellasinbars,coffeeshopsandcafés.HowhasthecollaborationfordrugcrimepreventionwiththeMinistryofEducationandTraining,schoolsandfamiliesbeengoing?TheInvestigationPoliceDepartmentofDrug-RelatedCrimeshascoordinatedwithunitsoftheMinistryofEducationandTraining,thelocaldepartmentsofeducationandtrainingtoadviseleadersatalllevelstoissuemajorguidelinesanddecisions,focusingonthelegaldisseminationtoraisepublicawareness,strengtheningmanagementandeducationonstudentstohelpthemstayawayfromdrugevils.Studentswhotakedrugsorareaddictedwillhavetheoptionofbeingmanagedaccordingtoregulationsorsenttodrugrehabilitationfacilities,withtheoptiontoreturntoschoolfollowingrehabilitation.Sincepreventionisalwaysbetterthancure,communicationandeducationwillcontinuetobeseenasthemostcrucialapproach.Wewillalsoconcentrateoncombatingthosewhomanufacture,distribute,transportandstoredrugsillegally.Managingdrugaddictsandthepost-rehabphaseforeducators,administratorsandstudentsinschoolsisequallyessential.Whatobstaclesdoyouseeinthewayofcombatingdrug-relatedcrimestodayandhowmaythesebeovercome?Therearefavorableconditionssurroundingthefightagainstdrugoffences,includingguidanceandcloseattentionfromtheMinistryofPublicSecurity,theParty,theGovernmentandothersectors,aswellassupportfromthegeneralpublicandtheglobalcommunity.Therearestillsomedifficulties,forexample,Vi?tNamsterrainstretchesfromnorthtosouth.OurcountryislocatedclosetotheGoldenTrianglearea-theworldsmajordrugcentre.Incertainplaces,peoplestilldontknowmuchaboutthelaw,evenwhileemergingandhazardousdrugsarebecomingmorecommonthanever.Theyareeasytobepurchasedandusedwithmoresophisticatedtricks.Drugrehabilitationisineffectiveandtherecurrencerateremainshigh,particularlywhenitcomestoinpatientandoutpatienttreatment.Duetoovercrowdinginthemajorityofpublicdrugrehabcentres,manydrugaddictsremainintheircommunities.Localauthoritiesneedtocontinuetopayattentionandcoordinatecloselywiththepolicetocarryoutdrugpreventionandcontroltasks.Controlmeasuresmustbetightenedandprivateassociationsandgroupsthatrecruityoungpeopletotakedrugsorengageincriminalactivitymustnotbeallowedtoformincyberspace.Itisnecessarytopayattentiontoinvestinginspecialiseddrugpreventionandcombatforceslikepolice,customs,borderguardsandcoastguardtoeffectivelyfightdrugcrimesearly,fromafar,rightintheborderareasaswellasinland.Inordertohelplowerthesourceofdrugdemand,weneedalsodecreaserelapseratesandenhancetheefficacyofrehabilitationandpost-rehabmanagement.VNS

AmilkbankattheQu?ngTr?GeneralHospital.—PhotoscourtesyofAliveThriveQU?NGTR?—ThecentralQu?ngTr?ProvinceinauguratedahumanmilkbankonAugust14attheprovincialgeneralhospitalandwelcomedthesecondcentreofexcellenceforbreastfeedingatthe?akr?ngDistrictHospital.TheseeffortshavecontributedtotheMinistryofHealthsgoalofensuringnutritionduringthefirst1,000daysoflife,especiallyforethniccommunitiesinVi?tNam.HumanmilkdeliveredtotheQu?ngTr?GeneralHospital.ThenewlyinauguratedbabymilkbankserviceatQu?ngTr?GeneralHospital,inconnectionwiththe?àN?ngmilkbankwillprovidepasteuriseddonorhumanmilkto500at-riskinfantseachyear,withaparticularfocusonethnicminoritychildrenintheprovince.Speakingatthecentreofexcellenceforbreastfeedingdesignationceremonyatthe?akr?ngDistrictHospital,Tri?uV?nBình,deputyheadoftheNationalAssemblyOfficeofEthnicAffairs,said:Themalnutritionrateamongethnicminoritychildrenisthreetimeshigherthanthenationalaverage.Ihighlyappreciatethisapproachandmodel,asitwillbringsustainableimpactstothefurthest-behindcommunitiesandshouldbescaledupandpromotedinthefuture.PhanXuanNam,directorofQu?ngTr?GeneralHospital,said:Breastfeedingisalife-savingresourceforprematureorillinfants,reducingtheriskofinfectionby19percentandshorteninghospitalstays.Itismorethanjustnutrition,itismedicinethatcansignificantlyimprovehealthoutcomesandsupportrecovery.Itisestimatedthatnearly250millionlitresofbreastmilkarelostannuallyinVi?tNamduetoinadequatesupportformothers,makingitchallengingforthemtobreastfeedconfidently.ThislossisvaluedatmorethanUS$25billion,accordingtotheMothersMilkTooldevelopedbyAliveThriveandtheAustralianNationalUniversity.Amotherishelpedtobreastfeedat?akr?ngDistrictHospitalRogerMathisen,AliveThriveEastAsiaPacificregionaldirectorfromFHI360,said:Ittakesavillagetosupportbreastfeeding.Overthepastdecade,therateofexclusivebreastfeedinginthefirstsixmonthshasdoubled,butithasonlyreachedaround45percent.ThismeansthathalfofthemothersandbabiesborninVi?tNamarenotenabledtobreastfeedexclusively.Moreeffortisneededfrommaternityprotectionentitlements,families,workplacesandespeciallyhealthcarefacilities,toprovidemotherswiththeknowledge,skillsandsupportiveenvironmentsforbreastfeeding,hesaid.—VNSThewomensunionsofthecentralprovinceofQu?ngBìnhandtheLaoprovinceofKhammouanehadameetingonWednesday.—VNA/VNSPhotoQU?NGBìNH—ThewomensunionsofthecentralprovinceofQu?ngBìnhandtheLaoprovinceofKhammouanesolidifiedtheirpartnershiponWednesdaywiththesigningofanewcooperationagreementforthe2024-26period.Duringtheirtalks,heldinQu?ngBìnhProvinces??ngH?iCity,bothsidessharedinsightsintothesocio-economicdevelopmentoftheirrespectiveprovincesandthebestpracticesandachievementsintheirwomensunionworkandmovements.Theyunderlinedthepivotalroleofwomeninensuringsecurity,buildingaborderlineofpeaceandfriendship,andstrengtheningsolidaritybetweenVi?tNamandLaos.Reflectingonthesuccessoftheir2022-24cooperationagreement,theyproposedideastofurtherenhancebilateralcollaborationinthecomingyears.Areasoffocusincludejointeffortstoeducateandraiseawarenessoftheirmembersandthepublicaboutthespecialfriendshipandsolidaritybetweenthetwonationsandtheirwomensunions.TheyalsoagreedtocollaborateineducatingbordercommunitiesandwomenonthestrictobservanceoftheVi?tNam-LaosNationalBorderDelimitationTreaty,aswellasinmanagingandsafeguardingbordersecurity.Thetwosidesvowedtocontinuesharingexperienceinbuildingstrongwomensunionorganisations,managingandutilisingfinancialresources,andsupportingwomenineconomicdevelopment,startingabusinessandreducingpoverty;andbuildingprosperous,progressiveandhappyfamilies.Theyalsodiscussedeffortstocontributetonew-styleruraldevelopmentandcombatthetraffickingofwomenandchildren.Thetwounionswillworktogethertopromotelegalmigrationandregisteredmarriagesamongwomeninborderareas,preventearlyandconsanguineousmarriages,andstrengthencross-bordercooperation.Additionally,theywillfacilitateexchangesbetweenwomensunionsofthetwoprovincesandtheirdistrictswithsharedborders,aswellasbetweenfemaleentrepreneursinbothprovinces.Earlier,therepresentativesofQu?ngBìnhandKhammouaneprovincesofferedincenseandflowersattheTempleofPresidentH?ChíMinhandthememorialfortheheroesandmartyrsofQu?ngBìnhProvince.Theyalsotouredthemodelsonfamilywell-beingandenvironmentalsustainabilityinMaiThu?Commune,L?Thu?District.—VNSAsectionoftheHCMCity-LongThành-D?uGiayExpressway.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?ngPhongHàN?I—Thelong-awaitedexpansionoftheHCMCity-LongThànhExpresswayhastakenasignificantstepforwardwiththefinalisationofaplan,whichhasbeensubmittedtotheGovernmentforapproval.Theplan,initiatedbytheCommissionfortheManagementofStateCapitalatEnterprises,involvesexpandingtheExpresswayby21km,stretchingfromHCMCitytoLongThànhDistrict,??ngNaiProvince.ItalsoinvolveswideningtheroadtoeightlanesbetweenRingRoad2andRingRoad3IntersectionsandtenlanesbetweenRingRoad3andBiênHòa-V?ngTàuIntersections,requiringadditionallandclearanceonbothsides.Itstrafficcapacitywillalsobesupplementedwiththeconstructionofanewfour-lanebridge,mirroringtheexistingLongThànhBridge.Iftheplanisapproved,theVietnamExpresswayCorporation(VEC)willbedesignatedastheprojectinvestor,adheringtotheInvestmentLaw.ThetotalinvestmentisestimatedtobeapproximatelyVN?15trillion(US$600million),ofwhichaboutVN?5.6trillioncomefromVECandtheremainingfromcommercialloans.ConstructionworkisscheduledtocommenceinMarch2025andconcludeinDecember2027.TheCommissionalsounderlinedtwoconditionsforVECtoimplementtheplansmoothly.Firstly,anincreaseinthecompanyschartercapitalfromVN?1.1trilliontoVN?38.6trillionisnecessary.SuchanincreasewouldenableVECtosecurelargerloansfrombanks,whicharehesitanttolendsubstantialamountstocompanieswithlowchartercapital.Secondly,VECshouldbegrantedpermissiontodeferprincipalandinterestpaymentsonbondloanspreviouslycoveredbytheMinistryofFinance.Thedeferralwouldprovidemorefinancialflexibility,asthesepaymentsamounttoVN?5.3trillion.TheMinistryofTransporthasgivenitsnodtotheplanandrecommendedbuildingmoreintersectionstolinktheExpresswaywithLongPh??cRoad.Meanwhile,theMinistryofFinancehasobjectedtotheCommissionsproposaltoallowVECtodeferprincipalandinterestpaymentsonbondloanspreviouslycoveredbytheMinistry.Inresponse,theCommissionsrepresentativeclarifiedthatVECsabilitytoundertaketheexpansionprojecthingesonthePrimeMinistersapprovalforthedeferral.Withoutapproval,VECsfinancialplanwouldbedisrupted,jeopardisingitsabilitytosecurethenecessaryfundingfortheproject.Inlightofthedifferingopinions,DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàhasdirectedrelevantministriesandagenciestocontinuereviewingtheplanandprovidingadditionalinput.Ameetingwillbescheduledtodiscussthematterfurtheronceadditionalinputhasbeengathered.HCMCity-LongThànhExpresswayispartofthe55km-longfour-laneHCMCity-LongThành-D?uGiayExpresswaymanagedbyVEC,servingasacrucialtransportationarteryconnectingHCMCitywiththeSoutheastandtheCentralHighlandsregions.—VNS

AviewoftheauctionedlandplotsinThanhTh?nHamlet,ThanhCaoCommune,ThanhOaiDistrict,onAugust13.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—HàN?islandmarketisexperiencingasurgeinactivity,fuelledbytherecentimplementationofnewrealestatelawsandinvestorconfidence.ArecentlandauctioninThanhOaiDistrict,wherepricessoaredmultifoldhigherthanthestartingbids,hasraisedconcernsaboutpotentialpricebubblesinthemarket.About2,000biddersshowedupattheauction,biddingon68landplotsinThanhTh?nHamlet,ThanhCaoCommune,ThanhOai.Thebiddingfrenzydrovepricesfarbeyondexpectations,withfinalbidsrangingfromVN?63million(US$2,500)toVN?100millionpersq.m,whichisfivetoeighttimesthestartingprices.Suchhighpricesmightnotberepresentativeofthebroadermarketasdatafrombatdongsan.com.vnrevealthatthetypicallistingpriceinThanhCaoinQ2wasjustVN?27millionpersq.m.Eventhehighestrecordedpriceoverthepastfiveyears,VN?48millionpersq.m,paleincomparisontotheauctionsresults.InvestorsandbrokershaveseizedonthesefigurestojustifypricehikesacrossHàN?i,raisingconcernsaboutaspeculativebubbleforming.ExpertsbelievedHàN?isinfrastructureinvestmentsandeffortstoreduceinner-citycongestionhadcontributedtothegrowinginterestinsuburbanareas.Newurbandevelopmentswithattractiveamenitiesmaketheseareasmoreappealing,leadingtoincreasedtransactionsandagreaterwillingnessamongresidentstorelocate.However,theyalsowarnedthatthistrendcouldleadtoadangerousinflationofpropertypricesinthecityandlandauctionscouldbecomeahotbedforspeculation.Nguy?nV?n?ính,ChairmanoftheVietnamAssociationofRealEstateBrokers,saidthesuburbanlandsegmentinHàN?ihadpickedupsteamsincethefirsthalfof2024,buttheincreasedactivitydoesnotnecessarilyindicateahealthymarketbecausesomeareasareshowingsignsofpricemanipulation.Headvisedhomebuyerstoexercisecautioninsuchanenvironment.??Th?ThuH?ng,DirectorofSavillsHanoisAdvisoryServices,citedtheimplementationoftheLandLaw,HousingLawandRealEstateBusinessLawonAugustasaturningpointforHàN?islandmarketastheyareexpectedtoaddresslong-standingissuesandleadtoanewcycleinthemarket.Shealsocitedtheissueoftightsupplyasakeyconcern.Whensupplyisrestricted,choicesarelimitedandpricestendtorise,butthelawsareexpectedtoimprovesupply,leadingtoamorestablemarket.However,shecautionedthatresolvingthesupplyshortagewilltaketimeasmanyprojectsarestillwaitingforfurtherguidancebeforetheycanproceed.Whilethelawsofferapositiveoutlook,theirfullimpactonthemarketremainstobeseen.Nguy?nV?n??c,arealestateinvestorinHàN?i,saidthesoaringpricesintheauctionhadcaughthimoffguard.Henotedthatwhiletheoverallmarkethadseenareboundthisyear,investorspeculationofatightersupplyunderthenewlawshadtriggeredarushtohoardproperties,furtherdrivingupprices.Expertssaidthecurrenthighpricesinthemarketareimpactinginvestmentdecisionsandliquidity.However,withtheentryintoeffectofthelawsandthegradualissuanceofguidingdocuments,thereshopeforgreaterstabilityandbenefitsforthepublic.Thelawsareexpectedtoaddressseveralkeyissues,includinglimitedsupply,unapprovedprojectsandregulationsforsellingfutureproperties.Theywillalsoprovideclarityonmatterssuchaslandusefees,landleasesandsocialhousingdevelopment.Theearlyenactmentoftheselawsisexpectedtoboostconfidenceamongbuyersandinvestors,helpingthemmakemoreinformeddecisions.Forexample,theRealEstateBusinessLawnowlimitssellerstocollectingdepositsofuptofivepercentofthepropertyvalue,andonlywhentheprojectmeetslegalconditionsforsale.Thisprotectsbuyersfrompotentialfraudandallowsthemmoretimetopreparefinancially,fosteringgreatertrustinthemarket.Whilethefullimpactoftheselawsremainstobeseen,theyrepresentasignificantsteptowardsamorestableandtransparentrealestatemarketinVi?tNam.—VNSFishingboatsdockedatCàTyRiverofBìnhThu?nProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?ng??tB?NTRE/BìNHTHU?N—ThesouthernprovinceofB?nTreisintensifyingitseffortstomeettherequirementsforfishingvesselregistrationandfishinglicensingaspartofeffortstofightillegal,unreportedandunregulated(IUU)fishing.Currently,86.7percentoflocalfishingvesselshavebeenregisteredand82percentgrantedfishinglicences.TherateofvesselsequippedwithVMS(vesselmonitoringsystem)deviceshasreached98.62percent.Thetotalnumberofthreenosboats–vesselswithnoregistration,nolicenceandnoinspection–isputat1,149,ofwhich317haveregistered,whileauthoritieshaveinspectedandguided543othersinundertakingregistrationprocedures.Nguy?nMinhC?nh,DeputyChairmanoftheprovincialPeoplesCommittee,emphasisedthattheprovincewillcontinuetoimplementdrasticmeasurestoaddressshortcomingsandpreparefortheEUsupcominginspectiondelegation.HesaidB?nTreisintensifyingeducationalactivitiestargetingfishermenonlegalrequirementsandIUUviolations.Fishermen,boatownersandtheirfamiliesarerequiredtosigncommitmentsacknowledgingtheresolutionandpledgingnottoengageinIUUfishingorinfringeintoforeignwaters.Tofurtherenhancecompliance,B?nTreisexpandingitsoutreachtoboatownersthroughtargetedcommunications,particularlyfocusingonhigh-riskvesselssuspectedofviolatingforeignwaters.Eachvesselownerwillbedirectlysupportedbyalocalofficialorpartymembertoensureeffectivemonitoringandmanagement.TheprovinceisalsofocusingonthemanagementofthreenosboatsinlinewiththeMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentsguidelinesandisenforcingstrictpenaltiesforviolations.B?nTrewillmaintainstrictmonitoringofalloff-shorefishingvessels,especiallythoseoperatinginoffshoreareasandhigh-riskzones.Theprovinceiscommittedtopreventingviolationsofforeignwatersbycoordinatingcloselywithauthorisedforcestoaddressissues,inreal-time,atsea.Additionally,theprovincefacilitateseffectiveoperationsofitsfisheriescontrolteams,ensuringrigorousinspectionoffishingvesselsenteringandleavingports,monitoringcatchvolumesandtracingtheoriginofseafood.Theimplementationofelectroniclogsanddatabasesystemsisunderwaytofacilitateeasierstorage,trackingandmanagementoffishingdata.Since2022,B?nTrehasimplementedastrategyassigninglocalofficialsandpartymemberstooverseehigh-riskfishingvessels.Currently,237officialsaredirectlyresponsiblefor356vesselowners,managingatotalof506boatsintheprovince.Meanwhile,thesouth-centralprovinceofBìnhThu?nisalsotighteningitsgriponIUUfishingaheadofthecrucialinspectionbytheEuropeanCommission(EC).Localdepartments,agencies,andauthoritieshavebeenorderedtotakedecisiveactionsagainstIUUfishing,particularlyduringthepeakmonthsofAugustandSeptember.ViceChairmanoftheprovincialPeoplesCommitteeNguy?nH?ngH?ihasstressedtheurgentneedtocompletetheregistrationandlicensingofallfishingvesselsbySeptember15.Incaseoflostcommunicationatsea,thelocalfishingvesselmonitoringcentremustanalysethecauseandprovideaclearconclusiontoguideappropriateaction,hesaid,callingforimmediaterepairsandupgradestodeterioratingfishingportinfrastructure,ensuringthatportsmaintainhighstandardsofenvironmentalsanitation.Nguy?nV?nChi?n,DeputyDirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,highlightedthesignificantstridesBìnhThu?nhasmadeinimplementingtheECsrecommendationstohavetheIUUyellowcardwarninglifted.Theprovincehasrigorouslytakenmeasurestopreventandendfishingvesselviolationsinforeignwaters.ithasreportednoincidentsofsuchviolationssincemid-2023,atestamenttotheeffectivenessofitsstringentpolicies,hesaid.BìnhThu?nhasalsomadesubstantialheadwayinregisteringitsfishingfleet,with71percentofthevesselsnowofficiallypermittedtooperate.Inaconcertedefforttotackletheissueofso-calledghostships-vesselsoperatingwithoutproperdocumentation-ithastemporarilyregisterednearlyallofthem.Sofar,1,370fishingvesselshavebeenassistedincompletingthenecessarypaperworkforofficialregistration.Toenhancemonitoringcapabilities,theprovincehasinstalledtrackingdevicesonallthefishingvesselsmeasuringover15metresinlengthandmeticulouslymonitoredover21,100tonnesofseafoodlandedatlocalports.Stringentpenaltieshavealsobeeninplace,withfinesissuedin283casesofIUUfishingviolations.—VNS

GeneralDirectoroftheVietnamNewsAgency(VNA)V?Vi?tTrang(secondfromright)andChairmanoftheNationalPressCouncilofThailandandSeniorAdvisortotheThaiJournalistsAssociationChavarongLimpattamapaneehadtalksonWednesday.—VNA/VNSPhotoAn??ngHàN?I—GeneralDirectoroftheVietnamNewsAgency(VNA)V?Vi?tTrangonWednesdayreceivedChairmanoftheNationalPressCouncilofThailandandSeniorAdvisortotheThaiJournalistsAssociationChavarongLimpattamapaneeandaThaidelegationwhoareonaworkingvisittoVi?tNam.Welcomingtheguests,TrangsaidthatthevisittakesplaceatatimewhenexternalactivitiesbetweenVi?tNamandThailandarebeingheldvigorouslyandtherearevariouspressexchangeactivitiesbetweenthetwocountries.ShebriefedthedelegationontheorganisationalapparatusanddevelopmentdirectionsofVNA,stressingthatVNAisoneofthesixkeynationalpressagenciesthatprovideVi?tNamsmainstreaminformationforthedomesticandforeignpresssystems.Inrecentyears,VNAhasalsodirectlyprovidedinformationtothepublic.VNAoperatesundertheconsortiummodelwith15newsunitsfordomesticandforeignservice(consistingoffiveeditorialdepartments,twosourcenewscentresandeighteditorialoffices),alongwithfivenewssupportcentres,apublishinghouse,andtwoprintingcompanies.Withrepresentativeofficesinall63citiesandprovincesnationwideand30overseasbureausacrossthefivecontinents,VNAhasastrongcontingentofmorethan1,000reportersworkingacrossthecountryandinmostofthekeyareasaroundtheworld.TheGeneralDirectornotedthatVNAhasbilateralandmultilateralcooperationwithmorethan40majornewsagenciesandpressorganisationsintheworld,includingtwopressagenciesofThailand,namelytheThaiNewsAgency(TNA)andThaiPublicRelationsDepartment(PRD).ItisamemberoftheExecutiveBoardoftheOrganisationofAsia-PacificNewsAgencies(OANA).VNAsrepresentativeofficeinThailandwasthefirstresidentbureauthatthenewsagencyopenedinaforeigncountry,inearly1946rightaftertheDemocraticRepublicofVi?tNamwasestablished.Throughoutitsoperationprocess,despiteatemporaryclosureduetotheworldsituation,VNAsresidentreportersinBangkokhavealwaysworkedeffectively,fulfillingtheirtasks,promotingtheimageofVi?tNamtotheThaipeople;providingaccurateandtimelyinformationaboutthesituationinThailandandtheregion,Trangsaid.Forhispart,ChavarongsaidhehasworkedfortheThaiNationalPressCouncilofThailandwiththetaskofconnectingVietnameseandThaijournalismsince1994.InThailand,journalistsmattersandrelatedissuesaremanagedbypressagencies.Throughthisvisit,hehopestolearnaboutexperienceinmanagingjournalistsissues,handlingviolations,aswellasdealingwithfakenews.Atthereception,thetwosidesdiscussedissuesrelatingtoprofessionalethicsofjournalists.Trangsaidthatprofessionalethicsalwaysplayanimportantroleinprofessionalactivitiesofeachjournalistbecausethepresshasasocialorientationrole.TheVNAjournalistsassociationnowhas1,112membersandtheyarerequiredtocomplywiththeprovisionsofthe2016PressLaw,theCodeofEthicsforJournalistsissuedbytheVi?tNamJournalistsAssociation,aswellastheCodeofConductonSocialMediaissuedbytheMinistryofInformationandCommunicationsin2021,shesaid.Complyingwiththeseregulationshelpsthememberscreateaccurateandtimelyinformation,Trangsaid,addingthattheyareresponsiblefortheinformationtheyshareonsocialmediaintheircapacityasbothcitizensandjournalists,andproactivelyjointhefightagainstfakenews.VNArecognisesthatjournalistswhocomplywithprofessionalethicscontributetoenhancingtheprestigeandpositionofthepressagenciestheyworkfor,shesaid,addingthatgainingpublictrustisthetargetpressagenciesaimfor.—VNA/VNS

ThaiPrincessMahaChakriSirindhornandtheleadersofLàoCaiProvincevisitstheNamC??ngPrimarySchoolinnortherncityLàoCaionAugust14,2024.—VNA/VNSPhotoLàOCAI—ThaiPrincessMahaChakriSirindhornandaThairoyaldelegationvisitedNamC??ngPrimarySchoolinLàoCaiCityoftheprovinceofthesamenameonWedesdayaspartofherongoingworkingvisittoVi?tNamattheinvitationofVicePresidentV?Th?ánhXuan.PrincessMahaChakriSirindhornsvisitaimstoexpandaprojectonimprovingthequalityoflifeofchildrenandyouthintheAsia-PacificregioninVi?tNam,contributingtothedevelopmentoffriendlyrelationsandcooperationbetweenthetwocountries.NamC??ngPrimarySchoolisamongunitsunderasurveyforjoiningtheproject.Coveringanareaofnearly16,000sq.m,theschoolhas20classeswith690studentsinthe2024-25schoolyear.Onceparticipatingintheproject,studentswillpracticeanumberofactivitiessuchasmakingbeansprouts,growinghydroponicvegetables,andgrowingvegetablesintheschoolgardentoimprovetheirlunch.Theywillalsoreceivenutritionalhealthcare,regularhealthcheck-upsandinstructionsonhowtopreventseasonaldiseases.TheprojectonimprovingthequalityoflifeofchildrenandyouthintheAsia-PacificregionsponsoredbyPrincessMahaChakriSirindhorninanumberofschoolsinVi?tNamsince2006hascontributedtoenhancingtheoverallqualityofstudentsindisadvantagedareas.PrincipalofNamC??ngPrimarySchool?oànTh?Duy?nsaidthattheschoolhasalargeareaforgrowingvegetables,flowers,andfruittrees,addingthatitconsidersagriculturaldevelopmentaneducationalactivityforstudentstopracticewithbasicskillsinlinewiththegeneraleducationprogrammeoftheMinistryofEducationandTraining.Theschoolaimstoensurethatallstaff,teachers,employeesandstudentsreceiveregularhealthcareandarehealthyenoughtoworkandstudy,shecontinued.Duringthetrip,thePrincessandtheThairoyaldelegationalsovisitedsomefacilitiesattheschoolsuchasthemedicalroom,libraryandhandwashingwardaswellasattendedanEnglishlessonforstudents.—VNSStudentsfromtheCollegeofScienceandEducationundertheUniversityof?àN?ngdevelopthemulti-purposecleaningsolutionmadefromorganicwaste.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?nD?ng?àN?NG—AgroupofstudentsfromtheCollegeofScienceandEducationundertheUniversityof?àN?nghavedevelopedamulti-purposecleaningsolutionmadefromorganicwaste,aimingtotransformwhathouseholdsthrowawayintosomethinguseful.Thecleaningsolution,caneffectivelycleangrease,dirtandgrimefromceramic,glass,plasticitems,tilesandevenremovelong-standingresiduesindrains.Besidesensuringconsumerhealth,thissolutionsignificantlyreducestheamountofchemicalsandorganicwastereleasedintotheenvironment.Thestudentsarepromotingtheproductbyteachingpeoplehowtomakeitathome.Sharingtheinspirationbehindtheidea,Tr?nTh?Qu?nhNh?,achemistrystudentatthecollege,explainedthatinhercommunity,mosthouseholdsusechemicalcleanersfordailytaskssuchashousecleaning,dishwashingandlaundry.Thesechemicalsnotonlyaffecthealth,butalsopollutewaterandsoil.Additionally,eachhouseholdgeneratesasignificantamountoforganicwastedaily,suchasvegetablescrapsandfruitpeels,whichoftenproduceunpleasantodours.Withthedesiretocreateacleaningsolutionfromorganicwaste,inApril2024,Nh?,alongwithfourotherstudents,includingNguy?nTh?Th?o,LêV?Nh?Thùy,Tr?nTh?KimOanhandNguy?nThànhToàn,cameupwiththeprojectofproducingamulti-purposeenzyme-cleaningsolutionfromplantby-products.Explainingtheproductionprocess,Th?osaidthatthroughresearch,thegroupdiscoveredthatthefermentationprocesscouldusegreenvegetablesandsugarandcellulose-richfruits.Therefore,theyselectedorganicwastematerialssuchasgreenvegetables,fruitpeelsandmolassesforfermentation,usingsoapnutsasanaturalfoamingandcleaningagent.Lemonandgrapefruitpeels,alongwithmintandcinnamonessentialoils,wereusedforfragranceandcornstarchwasaddedtoachievethedesiredthicknessandconsistency.Theproductionprocessinvolvesseveralsteps,includingcollecting,processingmaterials,fermentingandfilteringtheproductandthenmixingupthefinalsolution.AccordingtoTh?o,theproductcanbeusedfordishwashing,floorcleaning,sanitisingbathroomsanduncloggingdrains.Additionally,itcanimprovesoilqualityandrepelinsects,meetingdailyhouseholdneedswhileensuringusersafetyandenvironmentalprotection.Inparticular,themulti-purposeenzymecleaningsolutionhasnoexpirationdateandbecomesmoreeffectiveovertime.Spreadingeco-friendlyproductsWiththetrustandsupportoftheirprofessorsattheCollegeofScienceandEducation,inJuly2024,duringtheGreenSummerprogramme,thestudentsusedtheirhomemademulti-purposeenzymecleaningsolutiontodonatetoresidentsof?i?nPhongCommune,?i?nBànTowninQu?ngNamProvince.Thestudentsalsoorganisedaworkshoptoshowresidentshowtocreatethecleaningsolutionthemselvesusingtheirdailyorganicwaste.Studentsshowaresidentof?i?nPhongCommune,?i?nBànTowninthecentralprovinceofQu?ngNamhowtocreatethecleaningsolution.MaiTh?T?nh,residentin?i?nPhongCommune,?i?nBànTown,expressedherenthusiasmafterreceivingtheproductandlearninghowtomakeit.Imveryhappytolearnthateverydayorganicwastecanbeturnedintosuchausefulproduct.Afterusingit,Ifoundtheproductsqualitytobeexcellent.Itcanreplacecommercialcleanerslikedishwashingliquidandfloorcleaner.Thismethodnotonlyprotectsmyfamilyshealthbutalsoreducesdailylivingcostsandhelpsmaintainenvironmentalcleanliness,shesaid.PhanPh??c???c,secretaryofthe?i?nPhongCommuneYouthUnion,notedthattheprogrammereceivedpositivefeedbackfromthecommunity.Theproductcontributestoenvironmentalprotectionbyrepurposingorganicwasteintousefulitems,helpingresidentssavemoneyoncleaningproducts.Nguy?nTh?Kimánh,deputysecretaryoftheUniversityof?àN?ngsYouthUnion,commendedthestudentsscientificresearchefforts,highlightingthattheirproduct,bornfromanenvironmentalprotectionidea,hasalreadyyieldedpracticalbenefits.Ithelpsraiseenvironmentalawarenessamongthecommunityandreflectsthestudentsspiritofcreativity,responsibilityandcommitmenttocontributingtothecommunity.Theprojectofproducingmulti-purposeenzymecleaningsolutionfromplantby-productswonthirdprizeinthestart-upprojectsforruralyouthcompetitionorganisedbythe?àN?ngYouthUnionandadvancedtothesemifinalsofthe2024ruralyouthstart-upprojectcompetitionheldbytheCentralYouthUnion.—VNS

PassengersqueueuptocompleteproceduresattheTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportinHCMCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoTi?nL?cHàN?I—Airlineswilloperatemorethan4,200flightsduringtheNationalDayholiday,whichwilllastfromAugust31toSeptember3,accordingtoreportsfromVietnameseairlines.Theywillhave840flightsperdayonaverage,anincreaseof3percentcomparedtotheweekbeforetheholidayandup3.5percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Ofwhich,domesticflightswillaccountforabout600flightsperday,up5percentcomparedtothepreviousweekandup2.8percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Therewillbenearly250internationalflightsperday,down2percentcomparedtotheweekbeforeholidayandup5.1percentcomparedtolastyear.RegardingdomesticflightsonNorth-SouthroutesconnectingthethreemajorcitiesofHàN?i-?àN?ng-HCMCity,Vietnameseairlineshaveincreasedoperationswithanaverageofmorethan240flightsperday,anincreaseof8percentcomparedtotheweekbeforetheholidayandanincreaseof14.9percentcomparedtolastyear.Thosearethebusiestdomesticroutes,withhighoperatingfrequencynotonlyonmajorholidaysbutalsoonnormaldays.DomestictouristflightstoVinh,Bình??nh,?àL?t,NhaTrang,PhúQu?caswellasfromHàN?iandHCMCitytolocalitiesarealsoincreasedbyairlines,withanaverageof171flightsperdayand187flightsperday,up2and4percentrespectivelycomparedtotheweekbeforeholiday.TicketpricesSurveyofairlineticketpricesonAugust20showedthatticketpricesduringtheNationalDayholidayincreasedbyabout20percentcomparedtobeforetheholiday.OntheHàN?i–NhaTrangroute,theairfaresannouncedbytheairlinesareVN?2.4-3million(US$95-120)eachway,anincreaseofabout24percentcomparedtothepreviousweekoftheholiday.Theairfarestendtoincrease,butmainlyonthedaysstartingandendingtheholiday.Forthedaysinthemiddleoftheholiday,theairfaresarerelativelystable,equivalenttothedaysbeforetheholiday.TheCivilAviationAuthorityofVi?tNam(CAAV)commendedtheVietnameseairlinesforbalancingandarrangingtheirpassengerplansduringtheupcomingNationalDayholiday,inthecontextofmanydifficulties,especiallyfromhavingareducednumberofplanes.TheCAAVrecommendsthatduringtheupcomingholidaypeakperiod,passengersshouldproactivelymonitorflightschedulesandarrangetraveltimetoairportstoavoidcongestionorinconvenienceduetoflightdelays.Inaddition,dependingoneachindividualsconditions,passengerscanconsiderbookingticketsonflightsdepartingearlyorlateintheday,tohavemoreoptionsforcheaperprices,saidtheCAAV.—VNSMinisterofForeignAffairsBùiThanhS?n(8thfromright)andDeputyMinisterofForeignAffairsLêTh?ThuH?ng(9thfromright),ChairwomanoftheStateCommitteeforOverseasVietnamese,witnessthesigningof10MemorandaofUnderstandingandcooperationagreementswithintheframeworkoftheconferenceandtheforum.PhotoVNA?VNSHàN?I–MinisterofForeignAffairsBùiThanhS?nonAugust21laudedcontributionsmadebyoverseasVietnamese(OVs)tothecountry,andhighlightedpoliciesforthem,anintegralpartofthenation.Speakingatagaladinnerformorethan400Vietnameseexpatswhoreturnedhometoattendthe4thWorldConferenceofOverseasVietnameseandthe2024forumofOVintellectualsandexperts,S?nexpressedhisdelightatthegrowingOVcommunitythathasbeenappreciatedbylocalauthoritiesfortheirgoodcharacteristicsandcontributionstohostsocieties.TheministeraffirmedthatthePartyandtheState,particularlytheMinistryofForeignAffairs,alwaystakecareofthecommunity,citingtheissuanceofpoliciesforthem,alongwitharangeofprogrammesandactivitiesthatbringthembacktotheirroots.S?nalsocommendedtheperformanceoftheStateCommitteeforOverseasVietnameseundertheMinistryofForeignAffairs,whichhostedthegaladinner,sayingithasservedasabridgebetweenVietnameseabroadandtheirhomeland,contributingtostrengtheningthegreatnationalsolidaritybloc.TheministernotedhishopethatOVswillmakemorecontributionstohostcountriesaswellasnationalconstructionanddefenceathome,maintaintheirsolidarity,andpreservetraditionaltraitsandtheVietnameselanguage.Onthisoccasion,S?nandDeputyMinisterofForeignAffairsLêTh?ThuH?ng,chairwomanofthecommittee,witnessedthesigningof10MemorandaofUnderstandingandcooperationagreementswithintheframeworkoftheconferenceandtheforum.VNS

Expertsdiscussthisyearsreviewofprovinciale-serviceportalsacrossthecountryattheeventonWednesday.—PhotocourtesyofUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP)inVi?tNamHàN?I—Thisyearsevaluationof63provinciale-serviceportals(PESPs)showsimprovementintheprovisionofonlinepublicadministrativeservices(OPASs)comparedtothe2023findings,accordingtoexperts.Theywererespondingtothereviewof63publicserviceportalsfromauserpointofview,ataneventjointlyhostedbytheUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP)inVi?tNamandtheInstituteforPolicyStudiesandMediaDevelopment(IPS)onWednesday,markingthesecondyeartheIPShasundertakensuchareview.ManyPESPsperformedwellintheevaluationcriteriaofProvidingsupportinginformationandEaseofuseoflookuptools,however,thereremainssignificantroomforimprovementintermsofconvenience,user-friendlinessandaccessibility.Inhisopeningremarks,Nguy?nMinhH?ng,chairmanoftheVi?tNamDigitalCommunicationsAssociation,highlightedthatinthecontextoftherapidlydevelopingdigitalgovernment,PESPsplayacrucialroleinconnectingthegovernmentauthoritieswithcitizensandbusinesses.Althoughtherehavebeenmanyimprovementssince2021,therateofonlineapplicationsstillfallsshortofexpectationsandservicequalityremainslimited.H?ngsaid:Evaluatingpublicserviceportalsfromtheusersperspectiveisextremelyimportanttoensurethatdigitaltransformationmeetstheneedsandexpectationsofthepublic.Accordingtotheevaluationresults,overall,PESPshavenotserveduserseffectivelyandhaveyettoachievetheprimarygoalofprovidingconvenienceforusersinperformingadministrativeprocedures.Mostusersmustrelyondirectguidanceorassistancefromcivilservantsatone-stopshops.Thegoodnewsisthat,comparedto2023,moreprovinciale-servicewebsitesarenowaccessibletopersonswithdisabilities,saidUNDPResidentRepresentativeRamlaKhalidi.However,thereisstillsubstantialroomtomakee-servicesmoreconvenient,moreuser-friendlyandmoreaccessibletoall.Theassessmenthasprovidedvaluableinsightsonhowtoimproveaccessibilityandusabilityforcitizens,particularlythoseatriskofbeingleftbehindinthedigitaltransformation.Ihopethatprovincialauthoritieswillfindtherecommendationsusefulandactionable.Asmoredisadvantagedcitizensandunderservedcommunitiesgainaccesstoonlinepublicadministrativeservices,Vi?tNamwillbecomeamoreinclusivesociety,sheadded.TherearekeyreasonsexplainingwhyPESPshavebeenratedlowintheirperformance.UsershavestillstruggledwithvaryinginterfacesandimplementationmethodsonPESPsinasinglesessionduetothelackoflinksbetweenthemandtheNationalE-ServicePortalorwithministriesESPs.Additionally,theadministrativeprocedurehandlingprocessisnotfullytransparentorpresentedinaclearandeasilyaccessiblemannerandcannotbetrackedonthePESPs,makingitdifficultforuserstounderstandthenecessarystepsforusingPESPsandtomonitortheprogressoftheirapplications.Theresearchresultsindicatethatupto60PESPsdidnotmeetthePersonaldataprotectionandprivacycriterionand39PESPsdidnotmeettheAccessforpeoplewithdisabilitiescriterion.MostPESPswereattheaveragelevelintermsofcompatibilitywithbothcomputersandsmartphones.Noneof63PESPshaveattainedmorethan50percentoftheevaluationcriteriaata‘goodlevel.Additionally,thedifferencesbetweenPESPsevaluationscoresareminimal.However,theseissuesareonlythetipoftheicebergintheprovisionofonlinepublicadministrativeservices.Oneoftherootsoftheseshortcomingsandchallengesisthecomplexityofthepublicadministrativeprocessesandprocedures,whichareunsuitableforonlineservices.Meanwhile,OPASsonPESPsarestillprocessedbasedontheadministrativeprocessesandproceduresbeingappliedfortraditional,in-personinteractions.Furthermore,thetechnicalinfrastructureinmanylocalitieshaslimitations,thedigitalcompetencyofpublicofficials,civilservantsandpublicemployeesacrossdifferentgovernmentlevelsisinconsistentandsupportmeasuresforperformingOPASsarenotyeteffective,allofwhicharealsosignificantchallengestothewidespreadimplementationofPESPs.ToenhancetheeffectivenessofPESPsandtherebyimprovethedeliveryofOPASs,thereporthasprovidedrecommendationsrangingfromspecificactionstothedigital-firstapproach,withauser-centricfocus.Firstandforemost,provincesshouldconductself-reviewsoftheirOPASplatforms.Theeffectiveness,quality,transparency,andpublicityofinformationontheOPASshouldbeensuredtoimproveuser-friendliness,particularlyforethnicminoritiesandpeoplewithdisabilities.FinancialresourcesneedtobediversifiedforOPASdelivery,theOPAScapacityofpublicofficials,civilservantsandpublicemployeesshouldbeenhancedandpublicawarenessofPESPsshouldbeincreased.However,themostimportantaspectisembracingadigital-firstapproach,focusingondevelopingOPASpoliciesfromadigitalgovernancemindset,whichemphasisesnaturalinteractioninthedigitalenvironmentbetweenserviceprovidersandusers.Leveragingdigitaltechnology,connectingdigitaldatamustbeimplementedflexiblytoeliminategeographicaladministrativebarrierswhileensuringeffectivedatasharinganddataintegration.Legaldocumentsrelatedtoadministrativeproceduresneedtoberevisedtobetteralignwiththedigitalenvironment.Theimplementationofadministrativeproceduresthatarenotboundbyadministrativeboundariesshouldalsobeprioritised,theeventwastold.—VNSParticipantsattheVi?tNam-JapanworkforcecooperationforuminTokyo.—VNA/VNSPhotoTOKYO—TheVi?tNam-Japanqualityagriculturalworkforcecooperationforum,ajointeffortbetweentheVietnameseMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD)andtheJapanInternationalCooperationAgency(JICA),tookplaceinTokyoonWednesday.Sincetheestablishmentofdiplomaticties,JapanhasbeenakeypartnerinVi?tNamsagriculturalmodernisation,providingassistanceinirrigationsystems,water-savingtechnologies,livestockandcropproductiontechniques,andpost-harvestprocessing.Moreover,JapanhasinvestedinthefutureofVietnamsagriculturebytrainingnumerousofficials,engineersandfarmersintheapplicationofcutting-edgetechnologies.Speakingattheevent,DirectoroftheEconomicDevelopmentDepartmentatJICAShimokawaTakaolaudedVi?tNamasJapanslargestsourceoflabour.Heinformedthatbetween2021and2023,JICAdispatchedagriculturalworkforcedevelopmentadvisorstotheVi?tNamNationalUniversityofAgriculturetosupporttechnicalinternsaspiringtoworkinJapansagriculturalsector.WhilethenumberofVietnamesetechnicalinternsinagricultureinJapanhasbeendeclining,TakaoexpressedhopethattheintroductionofspecificskillassessmentsinagriculturesinceMarchwouldencouragemoreVietnamesetopursuecareeropportunitiesthere.DelegatesheardpresentationsfromrepresentativesofJICA,theThu?L?i(WaterResources)University,theVi?tNamNationalUniversityofForestry,theB?cGiangAgricultureandForestryUniversity,theVi?tNamNationalUniversityofAgriculture,theHiroshimaUniversity,representativesfromMiyazakiprefecture,andVietnameseandJapaneseenterprises.Adiscussionsessioncappedofftheevent,providingdelegateswithaplatformtoaskquestionsandshareideasandinformationonopportunitiesandmeasurestobolsterbilateralcooperationintrainingandusingqualityhumanresourcesinthesector.—VNS