AYak-130duringatrainingmission.—Photocand.com.vnBìNH??NH—Authoritieshaveestablishedcontactwithbothofthetwopilotsinvolvedinamilitaryaircraftcrash,whichoccurredduringatrainingflightoverTayXuanCommuneinthesouthcentralprovinceofQu?ngBìnhsTayS?nDistrictonNovember6.AccordingtotheMinistryofNationalDefence,ataround6:45pm,rescueteamsreceivedinformationviaamobilephoneofColonelNguy?nV?nS?n,CommanderofAirForceRegiment940.Earlier,atapproximately4:30pm,SeniorLieutenantColonelNguy?nH?ngQuan,thechiefflightinstructorfromthesameregiment,hadcontactedhisunitusinghismobilephone.Hereportedthathewasonamountainpeak,thoughtheexactlocationwasunclearduetoweakmobilesignals,andconfirmedhewasingoodhealth.Currently,thesearchandrescueteamsareemployingadvancedtechnologytolocatebothpilotsandexpeditetherescueefforts.TheYak-130militaryaircrafttookofffromPhùCátairportat9:55amforalong-distanceandcloud-crossingtrainingsession.Theaccidenthappenedwhentheytriedtolandasthelandinggearcouldnotbereleasedandtheiremergencymeasuresdidnotwork.Theywereabletoparachutefromtheplaneat10:51amatTB2shootingrangeinTayS?nDistrict.—VNS

??Th?MaifromKhiêuHamlet,Ph??ngS?nTown,withherchickenssupportedthroughthesustainablepovertyreductionprogramme.B?CGIANG—PovertyreductioneffortsinB?cGiangProvincehaveachievedremarkablesuccessinrecentyears,drivenbyacombinationofstronggovernmentsupportandtheunwaveringdeterminationoflocalresidents.Theseinitiativeshavenotonlyresultedinsignificantimprovementsinlivingconditions,buthavealsolaidthegroundworkforsustainabledevelopmentintheregion.TheprovinceincreasinglyaffirmsitscommitmenttothegoalofWorkingTogetherforthePoor-NoOneLeftBehindthroughflexibleandinnovativemethodstailoredtolocalconditions.AspartoftheNationalTargetProgrammeonSustainablePovertyReductionfortheperiod2021-2025,B?cGiangaimstoreducetheprovincialpovertyratebyanaverageofonepercenteachyear.Todate,theprovincehasconsistentlyexceededitstargets,achievinganaverageannualpovertyreductionof1.32percentfrom2021to2023.In2021,thefirstyearunderthenewpovertystandards,theprovincialpovertyratestoodat5.27percent.Thisfiguredecreasedto3.81percentin2022andfurtherto2.63percentin2023.Notonlyhastheprovinceachievednotablereductionsinpoverty,butthesustainabilityofitspovertyalleviationmeasureshasalsoimproved.From2016to2020,theaveragerateofhouseholdsfallingbackintopovertywas0.64percentandthisfiguredecreasedto0.39percentduringthe2021-2023period.DeputydirectoroftheprovincialDepartmentofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs,Tr??ng??cHu?n,saidthattheprovincesapproachinvolvesmobilisingtheentirepoliticalsystemandsociety,fosteringaspiritofself-relianceamongthepoor.S?n??ngDistrict,oneofthepoorestdistrictsinthecountry,hasachievedanaverageannualpovertyratereductionoffivepercentfrom2020to2023,surpassingthetargetof2.5to3percent.In2023alone,thedistrictrecordedapovertyreductionof5.23percent,exceedingitsgoalof4percent.LocalauthoritiesandresidentsarenowfocusedonimplementingstrategiestoliftS?n??ngoutofpovertyby2025.DeputychairwomanofS?n??ngDistrictPeoplesCommittee,T?ngTh?H??ngGiang,notedthatthedistrictcombinessolutionstosupportproduction,createjobsandincreaseincomesforthepoorwhileprioritisingresourcesforinfrastructuredevelopment.Throughtheprojectforsupportinginvestmentinsocio-economicinfrastructureinpoordistricts,apartoftheNationalTargetProgrammeonSustainablePovertyReductionfortheperiod2021-2025,S?n??nghasreceivedoverVN?374.4billion(US$14.74million).Thisfundinghasfacilitatedtheimprovementandconstructionoffiveinter-communaltransportprojects,enhancinggoodstransportandcommunityservices,alongsidetheestablishmentoffourhealthstationsservingover3,500households.Thedistricthasalsomaintainedandrepaired44ruralroadsandpumpingstations,strengtheningessentialinfrastructureforproductionandlivingstandards,creatingregionalconnectivityandpromotingtradetosupportsustainablepovertyreduction.B?cGiangaimstoreducetheprovincialpovertyrateto1.8percentbytheendof2024,andto0.9percentbytheendof2025.PrioritisingresourcesfordifficultareasB?cGianghasallocatednearlyVN?720.7billionfortheNationalTargetProgrammeonSustainablePovertyReductionduringthe2021-2024period,encompassingsevencomponentprojects.BàngV?nVisfamilyfromTu?n??oCommune,S?n??ngDistrict,showcasestheirsuccessfulmedicinalplantcultivationmodel.Localauthoritieshaveadoptedflexibleandinnovativemeasurestoprioritiseresourcesforchallengingareas,applyingappropriatesupportmethodsthatalignwiththerealconditionsofthepoortomaximiseeffectiveness.From2021to2023,underthelivelihooddiversificationandpovertyreductionmodelexpansionproject,B?cGianghasimplemented230projectssupportingproductiondevelopment,including27cropprojectsand203livestockprojects,benefittingnearly3,300poorhouseholdsand1,840near-poorhouseholds,with335householdsescapingpoverty.L?cNam,oneofthemountainousdistrictsinB?cGiangwithasignificantethnicpopulation,hasalsoseenprogress.In2024,thelocalauthorityallocatedfundsfor25projectstosupporthouseholdsinlivestockandcropproduction,withatotalbudgetofoverVN?5.1billion.HeadoftheDepartmentofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsinL?cNamdistrict,V?HoàiS?n,saidthattoenhancetheeffectivenessofsupportforresidents,localauthoritiesprovideinformationaboutsupportprogrammeswithoutimposingrestrictions,allowinghouseholdstochoosesuitablecropsandlivestockbasedontheirproductionconditions,climateandlocalsoilquality.Theyalsoformgroupsofexperiencedfarmerstoassistpoorerhouseholds.Afterbeingclassifiedasapoorhouseholdduetohealthissues,??Th?Mai,40,fromKhiêuHamlet,Ph??ngS?nTown,received450chicksthroughthesustainablepovertyreductionprogramme.Localofficialsassistedherinbuildingchickencoopsandprovidedtraininginanimalcare.Choosingpoultryfarmingtosuitherfamilysneeds,Maisflockisnowthrivingandsheanticipatesescapingpovertybyyearsend.Toaddressthehousingshortageforpoorandnear-poorhouseholds,L?ngGiangDistricthasintensifiedadvocacyandmobilisedcommunityresourcesfrombusinesses,philanthropists,partymembers,andthepublic.In2024,localauthoritiesidentified156householdsinthedistrictneedingneworrepairedhousing.Withinsevenmonthsoflaunchingthecampaign,theymobilisedoverVN?5.1billionincash,successfullyeliminatingtemporaryanddilapidatedhomesforpoorfamiliesandveterans.TheseinnovativeapproacheshavesignificantlyimprovedthematerialandspirituallivesofthepoorinB?cGiang,encouragingamindsetshifttowardsself-empowerment.Eachyear,hundredsofhouseholdsrequestremovalfromthepovertylist,with113familiesoptingtoescapepovertyin2023alone.—VNSFishingboatequippedwithajourneymonitoringdeviceinQu?ngBình.VNA/VNSPhotoTáChuyênHàN?IPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhorderedauthoritiestolaunchastrictcampaigninNovembertocombatfishingvesselsthatlackproperdocumentationandfailtomeetlegalstandardsforfishingactivities.DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàsignedadirectiveonMonday,onbehalfofthePrimeMinister,regardingurgentmeasurestocombatillegal,unreportedandunregulated(IUU)fishing.ThedirectivealsocallsforthoroughpreparationtohosttheEuropeanCommissions(EC)fifthinspectionteam.ThedirectivewassenttoministersfromtheMinistriesofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,Finance,PlanningandInvestment,InformationandCommunications,ForeignAffairs,PublicSecurity,andNationalDefence,alongwithchairsofthe28coastalprovincialandcityPeoplesCommitteesandthechairpersonsofrelevantfisheryassociations,suchastheVi?tNamFisheriesAssociation.ThedirectivehighlightsthatdespitesevenyearsofIUUcountermeasures,numerouscriticaltargetsandobjectivesremainunmet.Theseincluderegistration,issuanceoffishingpermits,addressingthethree-nos(noregistration,noownership,nofishinglicences)vesselsandensuringcompliancewithvesselmonitoringsystem(VMS)regulations.TolifttheYellowCardwarningfromtheEC,whichcouldaffectVi?tNamsfisheriessector,thePrimeMinisterhasurgedthateachagencyestablishesspecificrolesandresponsibilities,clearcompletiontimelinesandoutcomes.Thedirectiverequiresstrictaccountabilityfromagencyheadsforthecompletionofassigneddutiesandencouragestimelyrecognitionordisciplinaryactionforcomplianceornegligence.ThroughoutNovember,lawenforcementagenciesareinstructedtoconductintensivepatrolstoidentifyandaddressthree-nosvessels,unauthorisedfishingactivitiesandunregisteredvesselsstilloperating.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,togetherwiththeMinistryofInformationandCommunicationsandtheMinistryofScienceandTechnology,willstandardisespecificationsforVMSdevicestopreventtamperingandensureconnectivityfortrackingfishingvessels.TheywillworkwithrelevanttechnologycompaniestoenhanceVi?tNamsfisheriesinformationmanagementsystem,theVNFishbasenationalfisheriesdatabaseandVMSmonitoringwithAItechnology.TheMinistryofNationalDefencewilltasktheNavy,BorderGuard,andCoastGuardtoincreasepatrolsnearborderareaswithothercountries,whereVietnamesefishingvesselshaverepeatedlyinfringeduponforeignwaters.TheMinistryofPublicSecuritywilldirectcoastalprovincialpolicetoregulateundocumentedfishingvesselsales,purchasesandtransfers.TheMinistryofForeignAffairswillencouragediplomaticcooperationtoshareandobtaindatafromforeignauthorities,aswellastosignbilateralagreementsandestablishhotlineserviceswiththesecountriestocoordinateactiononVietnamesefishingvesselsandcrewmembers.Specifically,thechairpersonsofthe28coastalprovincialandcityPeoplesCommitteesareexpectedtoleadlocalIUUpreventionefforts.Theyareinstructedtopromptlycategoriseandassessthestatusofallvessels,addressremainingissuesrelatedtoundocumentedvesselsandensuretheirdetailsarerecordedintheVNFishbasedatabase,tobecompletedbyNovember20.VNS

PassengersontheCátLinh-Hà??ngelevatedrailwayline.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–HàN?iwilldeployelectriccarstocarrypassengersfromresidentialareastotwourbanrailwaylines,accordingtothecitysDepartmentofTransport.ManyindividualsnowchoosetogotoworkandschooleverydayviatheCátLinh-Hà??ngelevatedrailwaylineandtheNh?n-HàN?iRailwayStationline.However,residentialneighbourhoodsarestillnotconnectedtotheseurbantrainlines.Afternearlythreeyearsofoperation,theCátLinh-Hà??ngelevatedrailwaylinehasrecordedmorethan35,000dailypassengers,47percentofwhomarecommutingtowork,45percentarestudentsand8percentaretravellingforotherpurposes.TheNh?n–HàN?iRailwayStationMetroline,whichwasputintocommercialoperationonAugust23,2024,isalsobeingusedbymanypassengersforcommuting.Thecurrentsystem,whichconsistsofnineconnectingbusroutesand36busroutes,hasconnectedthetworailwaylines.However,peoplestillwantmorebusroutesfromresidentialareastostations.AccordingtoDirectoroftheDepartmentofTransportNguy?nPhiTh??ng,thecityplanstohavetenurbanrailwayrouteswithatotallengthof417km.Todate,tworouteshavebeenputintooperation.ThemunicipalPeoplesCommitteehasproposedthatthePrimeMinisterallowthecitytoadjustthetrafficplanningfrom10routesto14routescoveringnearly600km.TheCátLinhStationoftheCátLinh–Hà??nglineiscurrentlyabout400mawayfromtheCátLinhStationoftheNh?n–HàN?iline.Wehaveproposedinvestinginatunnelconnectingthetwostations,hesaid.Inadditiontotheelectriccars,thecitywoulddevelopapublicbicyclesystemtofacilitatepassengerstotravelfromresidentialareastourbanrailwaylines,hesaid.–VNSBùiV?nTu?n,41,wasarrestedonMonday.—PhotofromThanhHoáPoliceTHANHHOá—PoliceinNh?XuanDistrict,thecentralprovinceofThanhHoá,havelaunchedaprobeintoandtemporarilydetainedamanforabusingtherightstodemocracyandfreedomtoinfringeontheStatesinterestsandrightsandlegitimateinterestsoforganisationsandindividuals.OnSeptember1and7,BùiV?nTu?n,41,residinginNh?XuansBìnhL??ngCommune,reportedlyusedaFacebookaccountunderthenameTu?nD?ngtolivestreamanddeliveroffensiveremarks,spreadingfalseinformation,distortingfacts,slandering,defaming,andinsultingcertainhigh-rankingPartyandStateleaders,alongwithofficialsinthedistrict.Furthermore,heincitedlargegatheringstoobstructtheoperationsofagenciesandorganisationsduringtheimplementationofprojectsinNh?Xuan.Uponlearningaboutthecase,competentforcescollecteddocumentsandevidenceandrequestedverificationofthevideoclipsthemanhadpostedonFacebook.ThechargeofabusingtherightstodemocracyandfreedomtoinfringeontheStatesinterestsandrightsandlegitimateinterestsoforganisationsandindividualsisstipulatedinClause2ofArticle331ofthePenalCode.—VNA/VNSOneofthechildrenundergoesamedicalexaminationattheLaiChausProvincialGeneralHospital.—VNA/VNSPhotoLAICH?U—Twentychildren,agedbetween23-34months,fromGiangMaPreschoolinthenorthernmountainousprovinceofLaiChauarecurrentlyinstableconditionfollowingfearsthattheymayhaveingestedratpoison.AuthoritiesreportedthatthechildrenwerequicklyhospitalisedafterateacherfoundseveralstudentsintheclassholdingwhatappearedtoberatpoisontabletsonTuesday.Fearingtheymayhavemistakenthetabletsforsweets,theteacherpromptlyalertedthelocalhealthstationandthechildrenwereimmediatelytransportedtoLaiChausProvincialGeneralHospitalformedicalexaminationandtreatment.Emergencyprocedureswerecarriedoutbythehospitalsdoctors,whilethePoisonControlCentreatHàN?i-basedB?chMaiHospital,theleadingpublichospitalinthenorthernregion,providedremotemedicalassistance.Thedoctorsobservedthattwochildrendisplayedsymptomsofabdominalpainandnausea,whichcouldindicateexposuretothepoison.Theotherchildrenshowednounusualsymptomsbutwerekeptunderobservationasaprecautionarymeasure.Bylateafternoon,theyconfirmedthatall20childrenwerestable,thoughtheywouldremainatthehospitalunderobservationforthenext24to72hours.Authoritiesrevealateacherboughttheratpoisontoaddressarodentproblemintheschoolsstorageroom,whichisadjacenttothechildrensclassroom.ThepoisonwasplacedintheroomonMonday,buttheteacherreportedlyforgottoinformcolleaguesaboutit.Theauthoritiesaretakingfurtherprecautions,sendingsamplesfromthechildrentocentralhealthlabsfortestingtoconfirmthecauseoftheirsymptoms.—VNS

ThemomentofthefatalcrashonTr?nH?ng??o-BàTri?uintersectiononSundaynight,capturedbyanearbysecuritycamera.—PhotocourtesyofOFFBSubHàN?I—HoànKi?mDistrictPolicetodaysaidtheyhavelaunchedprosecutionproceedingsforamotorcycleaccidentthatkilleda27-year-oldwomanonSundaynightinHàN?ithathavedrawnmuchpublicattentioninrecentdays.Tenmotorcyclistswhowereallegedlyinvolvedinillegalracingatthetimeofthecrashhavebeenarrestedforfurtherinvestigation.Earlyreportsindicatethatthefemalevictim,whoseinitialsaregivenasN.H.Q.,waswaitingfortheredlightattheTr?nH?ng??o-BàTri?uintersectionataround12.15amwhenagroupof25to30motorcyclistsallegedlyracedthroughthearea.OneofthesuspectedracerswasN.H.N.,19,whowascarryingN.P.A.,19,goingintheoppositedirection.PolicesaidtheycrashedintoQ.smotorbike,causinghertofalltotheground.Shortlyafterwards,anothermotorbikeinthesuspectedracergangoperatedbyN.T.M.K.,16,andL.?.C.,16,reachedtheintersectionandallegedlyranoverQ.withspeedof60-70km/h.Thevictimwaskilledonthespot.Thegroupfledthescenebuthavebeenlaterarrestedbythepolice.PolicesaidN.H.N.sustainedinjuriesinthecrashandwastreatedatalocalhospital.Shepreviouslydroppedoutofschoolandwasseenasa‘leaderofagroupofdelinquentsinXuanLaVillageinHàN?isTayH?District,accordingtoHàN?iM?i(NewHanoi)newspaper.Allmembersoftheracergangarebetween16and19yearsold.Thúy,thevictimsaunt,toldDanTrínewspaper:Weonlyhopeforjusticesothatnootherfamilyhastobearthesametragedyasours.Q.isrememberedbyherfamilyandfriendsasakind,hard-workingyoungwoman.Shehadbeenplanningtogetmarriedearlynextyear,aftertheT?t(LunarNewYear)holiday.Onthenightoftheaccident,Q.wasouttosendoffafriendwhowasgoingbacktoHCMCity.AftergrowingworriedwhenQ.didnotpickupherphone,hermothercontactedherfriendsandwentouttosearchforherwithherbrotherbasedontheirguessesoftherouteshemightgo.TheylaterreceivedacallfromQ.sfriend,whosawhermotorbikeinanaccidentattheTr?nH?ng??o-BàTri?uintersection,andfoundoutthatQ.wasthevictimofthecrash.—VNSHCMCITY—HoànM?MedicalGroup,theleadingprivatehealthcarenetworkinVi?tNam,haslaunchedacancerscreeningprogrammeforwomenacrossitshospitalsandclinics.Theprogrammeaimstoenhanceaccesstobreastcancerscreeningandempowerwomentoimprovetheirhealth.WiththemessageScreenforBreastCancerToday,ProtectYourTomorrow,HoànM?isencouragingwomentogetregularscreeningstoensureearlydetectionandeffectivetreatment.Earlydetection:avitalstepforsuccessfulandcost-effectivebreastcancercare.PhotocourtesyofthefirmBreastcancerisamongthemostcommoncancersworldwide,withrisingincidencerates,particularlyindevelopingcountries,accordingtotheWorldHealthOrganisation(WHO).InVi?tNam,breastcancerranksasthetopcanceramongwomen,withover24,500newcasesin2022,comprising28.9percentofthetotal,accordingtotheGlobalCancerObservatory(GLOBOCAN).Initsearlystages,breastcanceroftenhasnoclearsignsandisprimarilydetectedthroughscreening.Althoughtheageofonsetisdecreasing,manywomenpostponescreeningduetofear.However,whendetectedearly,breastcancerishighlymanageable,withasurvivalrateexceeding90percent.Regularscreeningisessentialtoprotectwomenandenhancetheeffectivenessoftreatment,reducingtheburdenonpatients.HoànM?isdedicatedtoimprovingwomenshealthandincreasingthewell-beingofallVietnamesepeoplebyconsistentlyofferingearlyscreening,precisediagnosesandeffectivetreatments,saidDrDilshaadAliBinAbasAli,GroupCEOofHoànM?MedicalGroup.HoànM?isalsoapioneerinestablishingaCenterofExcellencetoofferspecialisedcareforcomplexdiseasessuchascancer(includingbreastcancer),liverdiseasesandneurosurgery.Withateamofleadingexpertsandadvancedtechnology,patientscanreceivecomprehensivecancertreatmentinVi?tNamwithouthavingtogoabroad.Breastcancerscreeningisperformedusingvariousmethods.Theseincludeclinicalexamination,breastultrasound,mammography(breastX-ray)oranMRIwithnext-generationcontrastagents,helpingdoctorstodetect,screenandaccuratelyassessbreastlesions.HoànM?hasinvestedinleadingtechnologiesforthecomprehensivescreeninganddiagnosisofbreastdiseases.Thisincludesa3.0TeslaSIGNAHeroMRIsystemforrapidandaccuratedetectionoflesions,aswellasotherstofacilitateearlydetection,accuratediagnosisandlong-termmanagement.HoànM?hasinvestedinleadingtechnologiessuchas3.0TeslaSIGNAHeroMRIsystemforrapidandaccuratedetectionoflesions.PhotocourtesyofthefirmHoànM?alsoplacesastrongfocusonthepsychologicalwell-beingofitspatients.Beforeperformingmastectomies,HoànM?sdoctorsprovidecounselinganddevelopabreastreconstructionplan,helpingpatientstoovercomebody-imageconcernsandregainconfidenceintheirpersonalandsociallives.Toenhancewomenshealthcare,particularlyinthepreventionofbreastcancer,HoànM?MedicalGroupisofferingaprogrammeforearlyscreening.RunninguntilDecember31,2024,variousscreeningpackagesareavailable:EssentialBreastHealthPackage–40percentdiscountComprehensiveBreastCarePackage–25percentdiscountAdvancedBreastHealthPackage–15percentdiscountCervicalScreeningPackage–20percentdiscountSpecificservicesandpricingmayvaryateachhospitalandclinic.Discoverourlistofhospitalsandpackageoptionshere.HoànM?MedicalGroupisVi?tNamslargestprivatehealthcarenetworkwith14hospitalsandsevenclinicsprovidingcomprehensiveservicesacrossitsH?nhPhúc,HoànM?andThu?nM?brands.Withaworkforceofmorethan5,000dedicatedprofessionals,itservesmorethanfivemillionpatientvisitsayear.HoànM?MedicalGroupiscommittedtodeliveringcarewithhearttopatientsacrossVi?tNam,shapingthecultureofthemedicalindustrybyincreasingaccesstohealthcare,settingnewstandardsofclinicalexcellenceandpioneeringinnovativetreatmentsandservices.

Nguy?nV?nG?u,SecretaryoftheB?cGiangProvincialPartyCommittee,andMaiS?n,ActingChairmanoftheProvincialPeoplesCommittee,presentawardstotheoutstandingcitizensofB?cGiangfor2024.PhotosCourtesyofB?cGiangProvince.B?CGIANG-TheB?cGiangProvincialPeoplesCommitteerecentlyheldaceremonytorecognisetheOutstandingCitizenofB?cGiangfor2024.TheeventwasattendedbyNguy?nV?nG?u,SecretaryoftheProvincialPartyCommittee,andMaiS?n,ActingChairmanoftheProvincialPeoplesCommittee.TheOutstandingCitizenofB?cGiangistheprovincesmostprestigiousaward,giventoindividualswhohavemadeexceptionalcontributionstotheregionsdevelopment.Thisyearmarksthethirdconsecutivetimetheprovincehasheldthisevent.Nineindividualsreceivedthetitlein2024.AmongthemwasT?ngV?nTuyên,bornin1981,whoservesasTeamLeaderoftheMechanicalDivisionatHàPhongExportGarmentJointStockCompany.ThreestudentsfromB?cGiangHighSchoolfortheGiftedduringthe2023–2024academicyear,namelyThanTh?C?ng,Tr??ngPhiHùng,andGiápV?S?nHà,werealsohonoured.OtherrecipientsincludedPeoplesArtistT?QuangL?m,bornin1969,whoistheDirectorofB?cGiangChèoTheatre;Nguy?nTh?ThuTh?y,bornin1998,awushuathletefromtheB?cGiangCentreforSportsTrainingandCompetition;andThanTh?ThuTh?y,bornin1973,whoisaMemberoftheStandingCommitteeoftheProvincialRedCrossSocietyandChairwomanoftheRedCrossSocietyinB?cGiangCity.AdditionalhonoureesincludedNguy?nXuanTr??ng,bornin1982,DeputyHeadoftheDepartmentofRadiologyatB?cGiangGeneralHospital,andLieutenantNguy?nDuyHoàng,bornin1995,whoservesintheDepartmentofCybersecurityandHigh-TechCrimePreventionwithintheB?cGiangProvincialPolice.Nguy?nV?nG?u,SecretaryoftheB?cGiangProvincialPartyCommittee,andMaiS?n,ActingChairmanoftheProvincialPeoplesCommittee,presentawardstotheoutstandingcitizensofB?cGiangfor2024.PhotosCourtesyofB?cGiangProvince.ActingChairmanMaiS?nhighlightedthatundertheleadershipofthePartyandthegovernment,andwiththeunifiedeffortsofbusinessesandcitizens,B?cGianghasachievedremarkableprogressacrossallfields.Heacknowledgedthesignificantroleplayedbytheseoutstandingcitizens,whosecreativityanddedicationhavedriventheprovincesdevelopment.Theninehonoureesexemplifythespiritofrelentlessdedicationandcreativity.TheyincludestudentsandathleteswhohavebroughtrecognitiontoB?cGiangandVi?tNamoninternationalplatforms,workerswhohaveimplementedinnovativesolutionsinproductionandbusiness,atalentedartistwhohasmadeculturalcontributions,andprofessionalsinvariousfieldswhohavepositivelyimpactedtheircommunities.Theirstoriesareatestamenttotheirresilience,passionfortheircraft,andunwaveringcommitmenttotheirhomeland.Theseexamplesareexpectedtoinspiretheyoungergenerationtoupholdthesevalues,takeresponsibility,andcontributemoresignificantlytothedevelopmentoftheprovinceandthecountry.Duringtheceremony,attendeeshadtheopportunitytohearfromthreeofthehonourees:PeoplesArtistT?QuangL?m,studentTr??ngPhiHùng,andThanTh?ThuTh?y.PeoplesArtistT?QuangL?mhasmadesignificantcontributionstotheculturaldevelopmentoftheprovince.In2023,hewasrecognisedwiththehonorarytitleofPeoplesArtistbytheState.In2024,hedirectedthechèoplayTi?ngchu?ngc?nht?nh(TheWarningBell),whichwononegoldandtwosilvermedalsattheYouthandChildrensTheatreFestivalinH?iPhòng.StudentTr??ngPhiHùngachievednumerousaccolades,includingfirstplaceinPhysicsattheNationalExcellentStudentCompetition,abronzemedalattheAsianPhysicsOlympiad,andagoldmedalattheInternationalPhysicsOlympiadin2024.ThanTh?ThuTh?yhasmaderemarkablecontributionstohumanitarianandcharitableactivities,includingblooddonationcampaigns.Shehaspersonallydonatedblood77timesandregisteredtodonateherorgansposthumously.Herdedicationtosocialandcharitableworkisexemplary.Theseinspiringstoriesofexceptionalachievementsreflectthevaluesofhardwork,dedication,andselflessness,encouragingotherstofollowintheirfootsteps.VNS

Vi?tNamEducationPublishingHousesformerchairmanNguy?n??cTháiincustody.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Vi?tNamEducationPublishingHousesformerchairmanNguy?n??cTháiisaccusedofreceivingmillionsofdollarsinbribestofavourspecificpapersuppliers.TheSupremePeoplesProcuracyhasrecentlychargedhimwithtakingbribes.AccordingtotheProcuracy,before2017thepublishinghouseprocuredpapersbyseekingpriceoffersfromvarioussuppliersandselectingthemostcompetitivebid.WhenTháitookthereinsaschairmanin2017,Nguy?nTríMinh,thethenDirectorofMinhC??ngPhátPaperCOLTDandT?M?Ng?c,thethenChairwomanofPhùngV?nhH?ngPaperJSC,reportedlyapproachedhimandaskedforafavourtowinacontract,promisingalittlesomethingextrainreturn.Heallegedlyinstructedhissubordinatestorigthebiddingprocesstoplacethetwocompaniesonasuppliershortlist,helpingPhùngV?nhH?ngPaperJSCsecurethreelucrativecontractsworthVN?282billion(aboutUS$11million)inthesameyear.Inreturn,Ng?callegedlyofferedTháiathank-yougiftofVN?3billion($118,000)incash.Thispatterncontinuedinthefollowingyears,withTháireportedlytakingVN?4billion($158,000)annuallyfromNg?c,inadditiontoheryearlyLunarNewYeargiftsofVN?200million($7,900).Tháireportedlyfacilitatedhercompanysacquisitionof13contractsbetween2017and2022,worthmorethanVN?2.1trillioncollectively(approximately$83million).ProsecutorsallegethatMinhalsopaidTháiatotalofVN?4.9billion($193,000)inbribesbetween2017and2020tobeawardedthreecontracts.Tháinow62,whowaslivinginPhúTh??ngWard,TayH?District,HàN?iCity,whenhewasarrestedin2023,hasadmittedtohiscrimeandexpressedremorse.HehasreturnedtheVN?25billion($986,000)hehadtakenandclaimedhewouldvoluntarilysurrenderhispropertiestohelpaddressthecasesimpact.Inconnectiontothecase,Tháissubordinates-thepublishinghousesformervicechairmanLêHoàngH?i,formerchiefaccountantPh?mGiaTh?ch,marketingdepartmentsformerdirectorNguy?nTh?ThanhTh?yandmarketingdepartmentsformerdeputydirector?inhQu?cKhánh-havebeenchargedwithbidrigging.Meanwhile,Nguy?nTríMinhandT?M?Ng?chavefacedchargesofbribery.—VNSTu?NamwontheSilverPrizeatthe2024InternationalCreativityandInnovationAward(ICIA)inBangkokforhisaffordablenasalsprayHàN?I-Iwanttoextendmywarmestlovetotheincredibleparentsofchildrenwithcleftpalate.Youhavedonewonderfulthingsforyourchildren.Bydedicatingjustalittlemoretimeeachdaytolearningaboutantibioticsandexploringalternativeproducts,youcanbringevenmorehappinesstotheirlives.Together,wecanmovetowardafuturewithoutantibiotics.ThisheartfeltmessagecomesfromNguy?nTu?Nam,ahighschoolstudentatReigateGrammarSchoolVietnam(RGSV),whowillrepresenttheLiveSmilegroupduringtheAntibioticAwarenessWeek(WAAW)fromNovember18to24.Tu?NamandtheLiveSmileteamnotonlyofferwordsofencouragementbutalsoaimtoraiseparentsawarenessintheirjourneyofcaringforchildrenwithcleftpalate,whooftenfacesignificantchallenges.LiveSmile–Spreadingsmiles,easingthepainforchildrenwithcleftpalateLiveSmileisadedicatedgroupofhighschoolstudentscommittedtoprovidingequitablehealthcareforchildrenwithcleftpalate.InadditiontosupportingfreesurgeriesthroughOperationSmile,theyfocusonscientificresearchtocombatantibioticresistance—amajorconcernforchildrenwithcleftpalate,whoareparticularlyvulnerabletorespiratoryinfections.Tu?NamandothermembersofLiveSmilewerepreparinglogisticsforOperationSmilesSmileSurgeryprogrammeAsignificantachievementbyTu?NamandtheLiveSmileteamwasacomprehensivesurveyconductedattheendof2022,whichexaminedthebehaviorsofparentsregardingantibioticuseandofferedpracticalsolutionstoreduceantibioticresistanceinchildren.ThefindingswerepresentedattheInternationalYoungResearchersConferenceinTokyoin2023,helpingtoraisecommunityawarenessabouttheimportanceofproperantibioticusage.Scienceandinnovation–ToolsinthefightagainstantibioticresistanceInadditiontoparticipatinginsurveyprojects,Tu?NamdirectlyassisteddoctorsattheNationalChildrensHospitalinclinicaltrialsusingSporeProbioticsasanalternativetoantibioticsfortreatinginfluenza.Thisgroundbreakingstudy,publishedinNatureScientificReports,recognisedbothTu?NamandLiveSmilefortheircontributions—markingasignificantmilestoneinthefightagainstantibioticresistanceamongchildren.Notably,inarecentproject,Tu?Namdevelopedaninnovativenasalsprayaimedatimprovingrespiratoryhealth.Thissprayisespeciallyconvenientforchildrenwithcleftpalate,asitcanbeusedupsidedownwhentheyarelyingontheirside.Withauser-friendlydesign,thesprayissettolaunchinOctober2024,withhundredsofthousandsofunitsexpectedtohitthemarket.ThisinnovativeideahelpedTu?NamwintheSilverPrizeattheInternationalCreativityandInnovationAward(ICIA)2024competitioninBangkok,Thailand.Designinganew,better,andmoreaffordablespraywillencouragefamiliestouseitregularly,helpingtoreducedrugresistance,Tu?Namshared.AjourneytobringsmilestochildrenFromayoungage,Tu?Namadmiredhisgrandmother,adoctordedicatedtoherpatients.Thisdesiretohelpothersbecameafundamentalpartofhischaracter.Today,Tu?Namsmissionextendsbeyondassistingafewchildren;heaimstotransformhowmillionsofparentsapproachantibioticusefortheirchildren.Hisresearchandinnovationssymbolisehopeandchangeforthecommunity.Witheachcontribution,nomatterhowsmall,Tu?Namhopestocreateafuturewhereantibioticsarenolongeraburdenforchildrenwithcleftpalate,replacedinsteadbybrightersmiles.LiveSmilewillcontinuethisjourney,tirelesslycombatingantibioticresistanceandbringingjoytounderprivilegedchildren.-VNS

AfestivalduringtheT?tholidaysin2024.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsonOctober22submittedaproposaltothePrimeMinisterregardingthescheduleforthe2025LunarNewYear(T?t)–Vi?tNamslargesttraditionalcelebration–andothernationalholidays.Accordingtotheministry,theproposedT?tplanwasdevelopedafterconsulting16ministriesandsectors,with13expressingsupportandthreeprovidingnofeedback.Iftheplanisapproved,publicemployeeswillenjoyacontinuousnine-daybreakfromJanuary25toFebruary2,2025,comprisingfivedaysofffortheholidayandfourdaysfortheregularweekend.Specifically,workerswillhaveafive-dayT?tholidayfromMonday(January27)toFriday(January31),orfromthe28thdayofthe12thlunarmonthintheYearoftheDragontothe3rddayoftheYearoftheSnake.However,sinceallfiveT?tholidaysfallonweekdaysnextyear,theywillreceiveanadditionaltwodaysoffbeforeandaftertheholiday.Theministryencouragesbusinessestoadoptthisschedulefortheiremployees.Forthenon-statesector,employersarerequiredtochoosefromthreeoptionsthatalllastforfivedaysandinformtheiremployeesoftheirchoicesatleast30daysinadvance.RegardingNationalReunificationDay(April30)andMayDay(May1)nextyear,theministryproposestoshifttheworkscheduletocreatea5-daybreakfromWednesday(April30)toSunday(May4).FortheNationalDay(September2)holiday,itisexpectedthattherewillbeafour-dayofffromAugust30toSeptember2.Theministrybelievesthatextendedholidayswillallowworkerstorecharge,boosttourism,andstimulatespending.—VNSDoctorLêHuyKh?iheadoftheIVFMDBu?nMaThu?tReproductiveSupportUnit,consultsandexaminespatients.—VNA/VNSPhotoThu?Dung??KL?K—Withdedication,responsibilityandprofessionalismtheIVFMDBu?nMaThu?tReproductiveSupportUnithasrealisedthehappiestofdreamsfornumerousinfertilecouplesintheCentralHighlandsregion.TheunitisundertheBu?nMaThu?tUniversityofMedicineandPharmacyHospitalinthecityof??kL?kProvince.After18yearsofwaiting,itseemedlikeallhopehadbeencrushed,butinJulythisyear,D.T.H.burstintotearsofhappinesswhenshebecameamotherforthefirsttime,attheageof45.H.,wholivesinKr?ngN?Districtin??kN?ngProvince,saidthatsheandherhusbandgotmarriedin2005.Aftermanyyearsofwaitingbutnogoodnews,in2020,theydecidedtodoinvitrofertilisation(IVF)inHCMCity,buttheprocedurefailed.Experiencingmanyfailures,inAprillastyear,thecouplewenttotheBu?nMaThu?tUniversityofMedicineandPharmacyHospital.Shewentthroughanumberofembryotransfers,eachtimewasamentalandphysicalchallengeforher.Bythethirdembryotransfer,herprayerofmorethantenyearshadcometrueandH.becamepregnant.Joyandanxietymixedtogetherbecausemymiddleagemadethepregnancyjourneynoteasy.Iwentthroughmanycheck-upsandspecialcare.Butstepbystep,withthesupportofdoctorsandfaithinmiracles,weovercameittogether.ThemomentwewelcomedourbabywasamomentofoverwhelminghappinessthatIwillneverforget,H.said.HappinessforhundredsH.isoneofhundredsofinfertilecoupleswhohavebeensupportedbytheIVFMDBu?nMaThu?tReproductiveSupportUnit.LêHuyKh?i,headoftheunit,saidthatithadbeeninoperationsinceMarch2022.StatisticsfromtheMinistryofHealthshowthateachyear,thecountryhasaboutonemillioninfertilecouples,accountingforabout7.7percent.ItisestimatedthatintheCentralHighlandsprovinces,thereareabout420,000infertilecouples,with??kL?kProvincealonehaving146,000.Tomeetthatneed,theBu?nMaThu?tUniversityofMedicineandPharmacyHospitalcombinedwiththeM???cHospitalsysteminHCMCitytofoundtheIVFMDBu?nMaThu?tReproductiveSupportUnit.Theunitisdoingallitcantomakecouplesfeelcomfortableinundergoingtheprocedures.Currently,thefeeforanIVFcourseattheunitisaboutVN?80-120million(US$3,100-4,700).Afternearlythreeyearsofoperation,theunithasreceivedandexaminedthousandsofcouplesandabout290babieswerebornthankstoIVFtechniques.Whenpatientscomehere,eachhasadifferentstory.Thedoctorsalwaysaccompanythefamilyuntiltheyhaveababy,whichisaverymiraculousandhappything.Iamluckytohavewitnessedmanycaseslikethat.Thejoyhereisnotonlyforthecouplebutalsoforthefamily.Thisissomethingtobeveryproudof,sowearealwaysclosetothepatients,saidKh?i.AccordingtoKh?i,thatatpresent,thegroupofinfertilewomenisquitelarge,concentratedinthe25-35agebracket,mostofwhomhavedecreasedovarianreserveduetodiet,lifestyleandworkconcerns.Forinfertilecouples,whentheycometothehospital,theyareexamined,consultedandhavebasictestsdone.Dependingonthepatientscondition,doctorshavedifferenttreatmentregimens.TheunitbelongstotheIVFMDsystemoftheM???cHospital,sodoctorsaredirectlytrainedfrombasictoadvancedtreatmentattheM???cHospital.Inaddition,duringthetechnologytransferprocess,doctorsfromHCMCitycometodirectlysupportthemodernreproductivetechniques.Intheearlystages,difficultcasesaresupportedwithdailydiscussionsandconsultations.Currently,theaveragepregnancyrateattheunitisabout55-67percent,amarkedlyhighrate,accordingtoKh?i.FutureplanAfternearlythreeyearsofoperation,theunithasreceivedandexaminedover15,443couples.—VNA/VNSPhotoThu?DungInthefuture,theunitwillcontinuetopromoteitsexistingstrengths,furtherimprovetheprocesses,expertise,clinicalskillsandproceduresfordoctors.Atthesametime,itwilltrainyoungdoctors,continuetodeploynewservicessuchasspermbanksandimmatureovumretrievaltechniques.Sincelastyear,theBu?nMaThu?tUniversityofMedicineandPharmacyHospitalhasparticipatedintheprogrammeNurturingHappiness.ItisafreeIVFprogrammeforpoorerinfertilecouplesandisunderaseriesofprogrammesinitiatedbyProfessorNguy?nTh?Ng?cPh??ng–senioradvisoroftheM???cHospital.Since2014,theprogrammehasgonethroughtensuccessfulnurturingseasons,accompanyingnearly600couples,helpingthemreachtheirdreamofahappyfamily.Undertheprogramme,theBu?nMaThu?tUniversityofMedicineandPharmacyHospitalhashadsevencasessuccessfullytreatedwithatotalsupportcostofmorethanVN?1.1billion($43,500),withthreebabiesbornhealthy.P.T.K.L.isoneofthebeneficiariesoftheprogramme.Aftereightyearsoftreatment,shereachedtheultimategoal.Seeingmychildinreallifeisanindescribablefeeling.Atinyembryothatcannotbeseenwiththenakedeyehasnowbecomearealbaby.Holdingmychild,Ipromisetotakecareofandprotectthebabyfortherestofmylife,L.said.Thisyear,10poorinfertilecoupleswillbeexaminedandtreatedforfreeattheunit,withallIVFcostscoveredbythehospital.—VNS

TheEmergencyCentreatB?chMaiHospitalinHàN?i,oneofthecountryscentral-levelhospitals.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I-Hospitalovercrowdinghasbeenanexistingproblemformanyyears.Accordingtoexperts,improvingthegeneralcapacityatthegrassrootslevelremainsalong-termsolution.AccordingtoAssociateProfessorPhanLêThuH?ng,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofFinancialPlanning,MinistryofHealth,thehealthsectorhashadaspecificprojectonreducinghospitaloverloadasapprovedinthePrimeMinistersDecisionNo.93TTgin2013.Theprojectidentifiesanumberofsynchronoussolutionstoaddresshospitaloverloading,butVi?tNamstillneedstimetosolvethissituationinasystematicandcompleteway.Shesaidhospitaloverloadinghadbeenassessedastheconsequenceofacombinationoftwomaincauses:Lackofcapacitytoprovidemedicalservicesatthelocallevel,comparedtoactualdemandandtheexcessiveincreaseindemandforcentrallevelmedicalservices.Itisimportanttonotethatsupplyshortagesmayoccuratboththenationalandsocio-economicregionallevels,accordingtoH?ng.Thissuggeststhat,inordertoimprovecentralhealthcareservice(thehighestlevelofhealthcare)provision,itisnotonlynecessarytofocusonincreasingthetotalsupply,butalsoonthereasonabledistributionofcentralhospitalsingeographicalspace.Toachievetheoptimalbalancebetweensupplyanddemandforcentral-levelmedicalservices,AssociateProfessorH?ngsuggestedincreasingsupplytokeepupwiththeincreaseinrealdemandandlimittheexcessiveincreaseindemandforcentral-levelmedicalservices.Shepointedoutthatonlyabout20percentofpeoplewhoaresickneedtobehospitalised.Amongthose,15percentonlyneedbasictreatmentandonly5percentareseriouslyillandneedspecialisedtreatment.Theremaining80percentofpeoplewithmildillnessesorwhoarenotsickneedonlyprimaryhealthcareservices.Thecentral-levelhospitalsaredesignedtomeetthehealthcareneedsofseriouslyillpatientswhorequireintensivetreatment,orfivepercentofpeople.Thecoverageofcentral-levelhospitalsiscurrentlylimited.Mostcentral-levelhospitalsarelocatedinHàN?i,HCMCity.TheCentralHighlandsregioncurrentlydonothaveacentrallevelhospital,accordingtoH?ng.Theoperationalcapacityofcentral-levelhospitalsmightbehinderedbythepriorityofactivitiesthatgeneratelargerevenuestoensurefinancialbalance,whichcouldcausetheoveralloperationofthehospitaltobecomeunbalanced,shetoldtheGovernmentportal.Toreasonablystrengthenthesupplyofcentral-levelmedicalservices,itisnecessarytofirstaccuratelyassessthecurrentsituationaswellasforecasttheincreasingdemandforcentral-levelmedicalservicesincludingtotaldemandanddemandbymedicalspeciality,shesaid.Tolimittheexcessiveincreaseindemandforcentral-levelhealthservices,systematiceffortsareneeded.Itisnecessarytoenhanceproactivepreventiveinterventionsandhealthpromotionwhilestrengtheningthecapacityoftheprimaryhealthcaresystem.Itisalsonecessarytoestablishacomprehensivehealthcarechain,withanoptimalbalancebetweenprimaryhealthcare,basichealthcareandspecialisedhealthcare,shesaid.VNSDeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàspeaksatthemeetingoftheNationalCivilAviationSecurityCommitteeonTuesday.Photobaochinhphu.vnHàN?I—DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nH?ngHàrequestedtheMinistryofTransport(MoT)todevelopandorganisedrillstorespondtoaviationsecurityincidentsatboththebusiestandlesscrowdedairports,ensuringaviationsecurityandsafety.SpeakingattheNationalCivilAviationSecurityCommitteesmeetingonTuesday,DeputyPMHà,whoisalsothechairmanofthecommittee,emphasisedtheneedforacomprehensiveassessmentofaviationrisks.Itshouldincludethedevelopment,issuanceandimplementationofsecurityprogrammes,safetymanagement,incidentreporting,equipmentstatusandworkforcetraining.ReportsfromtheMoTshowthatsincethebeginningof2024,aviationsecuritytaskshavebeenimplementedinacoordinated,high-qualityandtimelymanner.Risksthreateningaviationsecurityhavebeeneffectivelycontrolled.Inthefirsttenmonthsof2024,airportsecurityforcesdetected223violationsofaviationsecurity,includingillegaltransportationofweapons,controlledsubstancesanddrugs,theftatairports,falsebombthreatsandimproperuseofidentificationforboarding.Variousministries,sectorsandenterpriseshavecoordinatedeffortstoimproveaviationsecuritycapabilitiesthroughtraininganddrillsonhandlingunlawfulinterferenceincivilaviation.Theyalsoworkedonraisingawarenessofaviationsecurityandsafetylaws,alongwithconductinginspections.TheMoThascloselycoordinatedwiththeMinistriesofNationalDefence,PublicSecurityandForeignAffairstoadvisethecommitteeondirectingrelevantagencies,localitieswithairportsandaviationbusinessestoimplementcomprehensivemeasuresforpreventingandcombatingthreatstoaviationsecurity.InternationalcooperationonaviationsecurityhasbeenstrengthenedandVi?tNamhasbeenapositiveandresponsiblecontributortotheinternationalcommunity,updatinginformationfromICAOandinternationalexperiencestodeveloppoliciesensuringsecurity.Atthemeeting,aviationauthoritiesassessedtheperiodicriskstoaviationsafetyandsecurity,theorganisationalstructureofthecommitteeanditssub-agenciesinrelationtotheirfunctions,internationalpractices,securityregulationsandcooperationbetweenrelevantagencies.Theyalsodiscussedairportinfrastructureupgradesandtrainingforairtrafficcontrollers.Inconclusion,DeputyPMHàhighlightedthataviationsecuritywasamatterofnationalsecurity,involvingmanyaspectssuchasflightoperations,immigrationcontrol,baggagescreening,aircraftmaintenanceandin-flightcatering.Therefore,ensuringaviationsecuritywouldrequireaunified,comprehensiveandconsistentapproach,separatingthestatesmanagementresponsibilitiesfromtasksthatbusinessescanperform.TheDeputyPMrequestedtheMoTtoreviewregulationstostrengthenthecommitteeandconsiderproposingtheestablishmentofanindependentinvestigativebodyforaviationsafetyandsecurityincidents,followingICAOrecommendations.HealsoinstructedtheMoTtoworkwithrelevantministriestodevelopandorganisedrillsforrespondingtosecuritybreaches,includingincidentsinvolvingunauthorisedflyingobjectsorcyber-attacksonairtrafficcontrolsystems.TheMinistryofInformationandCommunications,theMoT,theMinistryofPublicSecurity,andtheStateCapitalManagementCommitteewereaskedtodirectaviationenterprisestourgentlyimplementmeasurestoaddressinformationsecurityvulnerabilities.TheDeputyPMemphasisedtheneedtoformaliseaviationsecurityandsafetymeasuresintodetailed,standardised,modernisedprocesses,whetherfornormalflyingdaysorduringholidaysandpeakperiods.—VNS