Theconferenceinsession.—VNA/VNSPhotoNg?cBíchHàN?I—Representativessharedinformationabouttheglobalsemiconductormarketandtheopportunitieswhichcouldbeseized,forVietnamesebusinessesthathavebeen,areandwillbepartofthiscommercialecosystemduringaconferenceonWednesdayinHàN?i.TheconferenceCooperationtodevelopthesemiconductorindustrywaswithintheframeworkoftheVi?tNam-AsiaDigitalTransformationSummit2024(Vi?tNam-AsiaDXSummit2024)organisedbytheVi?tNamSoftwareandInformationTechnologyServicesAssociation(VINASA).Tr??ngGiaBình,ChairmanoftheVINASAsFoundingCouncil,saidthat25yearsago,Vi?tNamjoinedtheinformationtechnologysoftwarefieldfromapositionofzero.Butcurrently,hesaid,inthefieldofsemiconductors,Vi?tNamcertainlydidnotstartatzero,becausethecountryalreadyhasmanyadvantagesinthefield.Intheglobaltechnologyworld,asemiconductorwaristakingplacebecausethetechnologywilldominatethefuture,hetoldtheseminar.Indiahasthelargestnumberofsemiconductorchipdesignengineers,but70percentoftheworldschipsetsareproducedinChina.Withtheheatofthesemiconductorproductecosystem,countriesaroundtheworldareinvestinginthisfield.Therefore,Vi?tNamneedstohaveastrategyandseizethisopportunity,saidBình.Recently,theVINASAestablishedtheSemiconductorIndustryDevelopmentCommitteetosteerexperts,businessesandpartnerstocometogetherintheindustrythroughtraining,connectingandcooperating,creatingincentivesfordomesticandinternationalinvestors.Nguy?nTh?L?Quyên,DeputyDirectoroftheNationalInnovationCentreundertheMinistryofPlanningandInvestment(MPI),saidthatworldwide,thechipmarketwasmaintainingacompoundannualgrowthrateof14percentandhadbeenforthepast20years.Ithasthepotentialtobecomeatrilliondollarindustryby2030.Ithasbeenpredictedthattheworkforceneededforthesemiconductorsectorwillalsoincreaseeveryyear,withChinaestimatedtoneed400,000workersby2030,whiletheUSwillneed67,000andSouthKorea,JapanandIndiaalsohavehighdemandspersonnel.Therefore,trainingandsupplyofhumanresourcesforthesemiconductorindustryinourcountryneedsmoreattention,shesaid.TheprojectDevelopinghumanresourcesinthesemiconductorindustryto2030,withavisionto2050,chairedbytheMPI,forecaststheneedforabout50,000engineersinthesemiconductorindustry.Ofthetotal,Vi?tNamwillneed15,000chipdesignengineersand35,000engineersinmanufacturing,packaging,testingandotherfields.Vi?tNamneedstotrain1,300lecturersatresearchinstitutes,universities,trainingfacilitiesandbusinessesandexpandtheeducationnetworkto200facilities.Nguy?nThi?nNgh?a,DeputyDirectoroftheDepartmentofInformationTechnologyIndustryundertheMinistryofInformationandCommunications,proposedsolutionsforsemiconductorhumanresources.Weshouldnotonlycareabouttraining,butwillalsoneedtoattractbusinessestoinvestinVi?tNamtopushthedomesticsemiconductormarket.Because,despitemanyadvantages,Vi?tNamscontributioninthisfieldcomparedtotheworldisinsignificant,hesaid.Promotingtheformationofasupportecosystemforchipmanufacturingbusinesseswillhelpthecountryincreaseitsattractivenesstolargemanufacturingcorporations,turningourcountryintotheonewithmoresemiconductorchipproductionactivities,saidNgh?a.Therefore,ourcountryneedstoaddresstheshortcomingsinpoliciestoprioritisethesemiconductorindustry,speeduphumanresourcetrainingandfurtherexpandopportunitiesforcooperationandinvestmentinthesector,hesaid.—VNS

Workersinthesouthern??ngNaiProvincereceivedtreatmentatalocalhospitalonMay15aftersufferingfromfoodpoisoningsymptoms.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofHealth(MOH)emphasisedtheimportanceoffoodorigintracingandcontrolinstrengtheningfoodsafety,peradocumentsignedbyDeputyHealthMinister??XuanTuyênannouncedonMonday.InthedispatchsenttotheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD),theMOHdeputyministernotedthatthecauseofpoisoninginseveralrecentcasesisdeterminedtobeingredientssuchaschicken,pork,seafood,vegetablesandfruitsfromdomesticandimportedsources.TheseitemsareunderthescopeofmanagementoftheMARD,accordingtoArticle38ofDecreeNo15/2018/N?-CP,issuedonFebruary2,2018bythegovernment.Tuyên,whoalsoservesasthepermanentmemberoftheCentralInterdisciplinarySteeringCommitteeonFoodSafety,requeststhattheMARDanditsdepartmentsstrengthencontroloffoodqualityaswellasdomesticandimportedingredients.TheMARDalsoneedstoactivelycoordinatewithhealthdepartmentsintracingoriginsincaseoffoodpoisoning.Inspectionmustalsobestrengthenedatfoodprocessingfacilitiesandfoodestablishments,andstringentmeasuresmustbetakeninanycaseoffoodsafetyviolations,accordingtothedocument.Communicationcampaignsshouldalsobecarriedouttowarnconsumersoffoodpoisoningrisks,alongsideguidelinestohelpthemensuresafetyinselectingandprocessingingredients.Multiplefoodpoisoningcaseshavebeenrecordedacrossthecountry,withhundredsofvictimsaffectedineach.Mostrecently,nearly100workersofDechangVietnamCoLtdinthesouthern??ngNaiProvincewereadmittedtothehospitalduetosuspectedfoodpoisoning.Justadaybefore,over400workersofShinwonEbenezerVietnamCoLtdinthenorthernV?nhPhúcProvinceexperiencednauseaandstomachacheafterhavinglunchinthecompanyskitchen.NumeroussuspectedmassfoodpoisoningcaseswererecordedatthebeginningofMay,notably,500peoplein??ngNaifellillaftereatingsandwichesfromalocalshop.Accordingtothelaws,theMARD,theMOHandtheMinistryofIndustryandTradeareheldaccountableforfoodsafety,alongsidelocalauthoritiesandpeoplesawareness.Thedeputyhealthministersaidthatitwasnecessarytoimproveawarenessregardingfoodsafetyandhygieneamongauthoritiesandpeopleinordertoprotecteachindividualsandthecommunityshealth,inadditiontostrengthenedsupervision.—VNSDefendantsatthetrialonMondayatLàoCaiPeoplesCourt.—VNA/VNSPhotoLàOCAI—ThetrialofformerLàoCaiofficialsNguy?nV?nV?nhandDo?nV?nH??ngstartedMondaymorningattheLàoCaiPeoplesCourt.V?nh,formerLàoCaiProvincialPartySecretaryandH??ng,formerChairmanofLàoCaiPeoplesCommittee,wereindictedalongwith15otherdefendantsformoneylaundering;violationofresearch,probingandexploitationofresources;andabuseofpowerorpositiontoinfluenceothersforpersonalgain.Thesechargesarerelatedtothecaseofillegalexploitationof1.5milliontonnesofapatiteoreinLàoCaiin2009.Accordingtotheindictment,in2009,theState-ownedLilamaConstructionandTradingCo.,Ltd.(Lilama)receivedacertificatefromthePeoplesCommitteeofLàoCaiProvincetobuildahotelandrestaurantinVillage2,??ngTuy?nCommune,LàoCaiCity,ona3.77haplot.Duringlandleveling,apatiteorewasdiscovered,promptingafieldsurveybyvariousLàoCaidepartments.Itwasdeterminedthatpartoftheprojectareaoverlappedwith22,000sq.mofMiningAreaNo.18,withintheapatiteoreplanningzoneapprovedbytheMinistryofIndustryandTrade.Perregulations,amininglicenceisneededtoextractapatiteoreinthisarea,whichcanonlybegrantedbythegovernment.Asaresult,thePeoplesCommitteeofLàoCaiProvincerevokedLilamasinvestmentcertificateandtransferredthe3.77-hectarelandtoApatitVietnamCo.,Ltd.(ApatitCompany)formanagementanduse.OnMarch26,2012,ApatitCompanysentadocumenttothePeoplesCommitteeofLàoCaiProvincerequestingpermissiontomineapatiteoreinthisarea.Thereasongivenwasthatduringthelandlevellingprocess,theapatiteorebodyhadbeenexposed,andthereweresignsofillegalmining;theorewasprecariouslysituatedandvulnerabletolandslidesanderosionduringtherainyseason,whichcouldleadtolosses.ApatitCompanyrequestedthatthelocalauthoritiesallowthemtorecoverthisat-riskapatiteore.Subsequently,thePeoplesCommitteeofLàoCaiProvinceissuedDocumentNo.839,agreeingtoassignApatitCompanytoprotecttheapatiteorewithinthe3.77-haarea.Thecompanywastaskedwithlevellingthemineareatoaddresstheriskoflandslidesandtobringtheminetoasafestatewithintwomonths.Incasemineralswerediscoveredduringthelevelling,LàoCaiPeoplesCommitteealsoallowedApatitCompanytorecover,transport,manage,andusetheminaccordancewithregulations.FollowingthedecisionbyLàoCaiProvince,DirectorofLilamaNguy?nM?nhTh?asentadocumenttoApatitCompanyrequestingtoparticipateinstabilisingareaspronetolandslidesaffectinglocalhouseholdsduringtherainyseason.Nguy?nQuangHuy,DirectorofApatitCompanyagreedtoLilamasrequest.Subsequently,Th?aissuedPlanNo.13tolevelthe3.77haarea,withtheaimofthoroughlyrecoveringapatiteoreifdiscoveredduringthelevellingprocess.DuringthejointrecoveryoforewithApatitCompany,onMay30,2012,Th?asentadocumentrequestingthePeoplesCommitteeofLàoCaiProvincetoreturnthe3.77-haareaandreissuetheinvestmentcertificateforthehotelandrestaurantprojectinTh?n2,??ngTuy?nCommune.MorethantwomonthsafterreceivingtherequestfromLilama,thePeoplesCommitteeofLàoCaiProvinceissuedDocumentNo.2160,agreeinginprincipletothehotelandrestaurantprojectandinstructingApatitCompanytohandoverthe3.77-hectareareainKhaiTr??ng18toLilama.Afterbringinginmachinerytoleveltheground,LilamacontinuedtodiscoversignsofmineralsandrequestedthatthePeoplesCommitteeofLàoCaiProvincedirecttherelevantprovincialdepartmentstotakesamplesforanalysis.Ifconfirmedasminerals,Lilamasoughtpermissiontocollect,transport,andhandthemovertoApatitCompanyformanagementandusetoavoidwastingresources.OnMay20,2013,thePeoplesCommitteeofLàoCaiProvince,thenledbyH??ng,issuedDocumentNo.1717,requiringLilamatoregularlyreportandtakesamplesfortesting.Iftheanalysisconfirmedthepresenceofore,includinglow-gradeore,LilamawastocollectitandreachanagreementwithApatitCompanyonitscollection,management,anduseaccordingtoregulations.TheindictmentbytheLàoCaiProvincePeoplesProcuracydeterminedthatthelong-termviolationsbyLilamaandApatitCompanywerefacilitatedbynumerousdocumentsissuedbythePeoplesCommitteeofLàoCaiProvince.ThesedocumentsenabledLilamasillegalextractionofover1.5milliontonnesofvarioustypesofapatiteore,valuedatoverVN?610billion(US$23.9million).Thetrialisscheduledtolastninedays.—VNS

StudentsstudyforthehighschoolgraduationexamattheLêQuy??nHighSchoolforGiftedStudentsinLaiChaunorthernmountainousprovince.—VNA/VNSPhotoQuyTrungHàN?I—PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhasaskedministries,provincesandcitiestocloselydirect,prepareforandcoordinateexamsthisyear.IntheDirectiveNo15/CT-TTg,whichhasbeensenttoallthoseinvolved,thePMstressedtheimportanceofgettingdetailsrightintermsofthehighschoolgraduationexamanduniversityandvocationalentranceexams.Thedirectiveclearlystatesthatinrecentyearsthetestshavebecomeincreasinglyserious,withhonestyandsafetynowevenmoreimportant,tomeetthegoalofevaluatingthegeneraleducationqualityandstudentcapacity.However,itisclearthatoverseeingexamscanhavesomeshortcomingsandlimitationsandsomelocalareashavenotbeenasproactiveastheycouldbe.Coordinationisnotgoodenough.Communicationisnotcompleteandtimely.Cheatinginexamsisincreasinglysophisticatedandcomplex.PMChínhaskedallthoseinvolvedtohandleinthemosteffectivewayanyproblemsthatmayarisetocreatethemostfavourableconditionsforcandidates.TheMinistryofEducationandTrainingmustissuedocumentstoguidetheexamorganisation,ensurequalityquestionsandpromoteinformationtechnologyapplicationstoservicetheexams.ItshouldcoordinatewiththeMinistryofPublicSecurityandlocalitiestopreventandcombatdifferentformsofcheatingduringtheexams,inadditiontocarryingoutinspectionsandsupervision.Theprovincialandmunicipalpeoplescommitteeisresponsiblefordevelopingplansandpreparingthestaff,materialresourcesandothernecessaryconditionsfortheexams,inparticularifthereisanunusualsituationduringtheexamperiod,suchasharshweather.Theyprovidevaluabletrainingtoallthoseinvolvedandmonitortheexampreparationaccordingtoregulations.Localitiesdutiesalsoincludedeployingdiseasepreventionandcontrol,ensuringfoodsafetyandtakingcareofcandidateshealth.Theyshouldcreatefavourableconditionsfortravel,mealsandrestforcandidatesandtheirrelativesatexamsites,especiallyforpoorercandidates,theonesfrommountainousandremoteareasorthosefromethnicgroupsareas.Provincesandcitiesmustcoordinatewithpressagenciestoprovidefullandtransparentinformationabouttheexamssothatthepeopleandthesocietycanunderstandandagreeattheorganisationstages.TheworkoftheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairsistoinstructvocationaleducationinstitutionsintermsofrecruitmentandoffercareercounsellingtostudents.PMChínhhasassignedtheMinistryofPublicSecuritytocombinewiththeeducationsectorandrelevantagenciestoensureabsolutesecurityandsafetyfortheexams.TheMinistryofHealthbearstheresponsibilityofensuringdiseasepreventionandcontrol,environmentalsanitationandfoodsafety.Italsoneedstohavestaffandmedicalequipmentonhandforcandidateswhogetsickandthosetakinganexamwhoalreadyhavehealthproblems.TheH?ChíMinhCommunistYouthUnionisreadytosupportstudentsandtheirfamiliesandensureorderandsafetyduringtheexams.—VNSHàN?I—Nearly32,000people,including1,682foreigners,paidtributetoPresidentH?ChíMinhathismausoleumfromMay18-19ontheoccasionofthelateleaders134thbirthanniversary(May19,1890-2024),theH?ChíMinhMausoleumManagementBoardreported.TheHàN?iDepartmentofTourismandtheH?ChíMinhMausoleumManagementBoarddeliveredbreadandabottleofwaterormilkasfreeofchargerefreshmentstoeachofthevisitors.PresidentH?ChíMinhwasbornonMay19,1890inKimLiênCommune,Nam?ànDistrict,thecentralprovinceofNgh?An.Hedevotedhiswholelifetothecauseofnationalliberation,whiletirelesslystrivingforpeaceandprogressaroundtheworld.HeledthestrugglefornationalindependenceandestablishedtheDemocraticRepublicofVi?tNam,nowtheSocialistRepublicofVi?tNam,in1945.ThePresidentpassedawayin1969.Hisbodywasembalmedandplacedinaglasscoffininsidethegranitemausoleum.ThemausoleumhasbecomeanimportantlandmarkofthecapitalcityandisintegraltothepoliticalandsocialhistoryofVi?tNam.—VNSThegroupof17practicesyogaandtakesphotosinthemiddleoftheroad,posingriskstotrafficsafety.—VNA/VNSPhotoTHáIBìNH—TháiBìnhProvincesauthoritieshaveissuedadministrativefinesagainst14peoplepracticingyogainthemiddleoftheroad,obstructingtraffic.OnMay17,aseriesofphotoswentviralonFacebookfeaturingagroupofpeoplestrikingyogaposesandtakingphotosonapublicroadway,promptingcriticismregardingtheriskstotrafficsafety.Afterinvestigation,thepolicehaveconfirmedthatthegroup,consistingof17people,gatheredattheintersectionofTr?nH?ng??oandNguy?nC?ngThustreetsinKi?nX??ngTowninthenorthernprovincetoperformyogaposesandtakephotos.OnMay18,theywassummonedtothepolicestationforquestioning.Laterthatday,14ofthemreceivedfinesforillegalgatheringcausingtrafficobstructionwhereastheotherthreewereletoffwithawarningduetobeingunderage.Theauthoritiesalsoinformedtheindividualsresidencesandworkplacesaboutthepenalties,asperregulations.Theyalsodemandedthattheindividualscommittonotrepeatingtheoffenseandjoiningcommunicationcampaignstoraisepublicawarenessoftrafficviolations.—VNS

LocalresidentsandbusinessownersinBìnhTh?nhProvince,HCMCityreceiveinformationonpowersavingfromstaffofSàiGònGia??nhElectricJSC.—VNA/VNSPhotoThanhV?HàN?I—Asnationwideenergyconsumptionreachednewrecordsinrecentmonths,expertsarediscussingwhethermorestringentactions,inadditiontoawarenesscampaigns,shouldbeappliedtoenergysaving.AccordingtodeputygeneraldirectorofVietnamElectricity(EVN)V?QuangLam,nationwidecommercialenergyuseinApril2024reached26.8billionkWh,anincreaseof14.1percentcomparedtothesameperiodofthepreviousyear.Thisfigurereached96.2billionkWhinthefirstfourmonthsof2024,equivalenttoa12.4percentincreaseyear-on-year,themostsignificantconsumptionsurgeinrecentyears.AccordingtotheEVNrepresentativeVi?tNamsenergyefficiencyisnotonparwithseveralothercountries,asVi?tNamusestwotothreetimesmoreelectricitytogenerateUS$1,000.Energyuseforindustries,trade,servicesandlivinghasincreasedbetween10.91and18.95percent,whichintotalis1.5timeshighercomparedtothecountrysgrowthrate.OnApril27,thenationalpowergridcapacityreached47,670MW,arecordnumberintheentire70yearsofthenationalelectricpowerindustry.Nationalelectricityoutputwasalsomeasuredat994millionkWhthedaybefore,anincreaseof7.6percentcomparedtothepeakin2023.Lamsaid:Theserecordsoccurduringtheholiday,whichoftenfallsonthebeginningofthehotseasoninthenorthernandcentralregions.Weexpectthatinthenextfewmonthsof2024,thepowergridwillwitnessnewrecordsintermsofcapacityandoutput.Tr?nhQu?cV?,deputydirectorgeneraloftheEnergyEfficiencyandSustainableDevelopmentDepartment(undertheMinistryofIndustryandTrade–MOIT)believestherearemanychallengesaheadin2024duetothecomplicatedElNinophenomenonandsurgesindemandforenergyduetoeconomicandproductionrecovery,especiallytheexport-processingindustry.Inlate2023,theMOITissuedanofficialguidelinetotheEVN,VietnamOilandGasGroup(Petrovietnam),VietnamNationalCoalandMineralIndustriesGroup(Vinacomin)andlocalitiestotakeenergy-savingmeasuresaccordingtothePrimeMinistersDirectiveNo20/CT-TTg.AccordingtoeconomistDrTr?n?ìnhThiên,thisdocumentdidnotsimplyinitiateacampaign,itisanationwideactionprogrammewithspecificgoals.Thedirectivedetailsthatinthe2023-2025periodandthefollowingyears,thecountrymuststrivetosaveatleast2percentoftotalenergyconsumptionannually,andreducethepowerlossacrosstheentiregridtobelow6percentby2025.ThiênaddedthattheadditionofthepowertransmissionlinefromthecentralprovinceofQu?ngBìnhtothenorthernH?ngYênProvincewasalsooneofthesolutionstoincreaseefficiencyinenergyuseanddistribution.Recently,peoplehadincreasinglyrecognisedtheimportanceofelectricitythankstothemediaandthegovernment,saidThiên,addingthatmoreeffortsshouldbemadeinthefuture.Citingthestrictpenaltiesforpeopledrivingundertheinfluenceofalcohol,directoroftheCentreforEnergyandGreenGrowthResearch(CEGR)Hà??ngS?nraisedthequestionofwhetherthesamestringentmeasuresshouldbeappliedtoenergy-savingissues.Electricitypricingisbenefitingfromgovernmentsubsidiesandsocialwelfarepolicies,andreformsareunderwaytograduallymatchthistariffwiththemarketprices,accordingtoS?n.Wherelocalauthoritiestrulycareaboutsavingenergyandtakeactiononthematter,thepositiveimpactsareimmense.However,severalotherlocalitieswishtoattractmoreinvestmentandinthesecases,investorscanemploylessenergy-efficientequipmentoruseoldertechnology,resultinginmorewastedenergy.Itishopedthatthegovernment,theMOITandrelevantagenciescanaddresstheseissuesbyfurtherpromotingtheVietnamEnergyEfficiencyNetwork,whichwasestablishednearly10yearsago.—VNSAirconditionersinstalledinahouseinHCMCitysDistrict4.PowerconsumptioninthecityinAprilincreased12percentfromMarchtoreach2.75billionkWh.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—TheHCMCityPowerCorporation(EVNHCMC)continuestowarnofapotentialpowershortageduetoahikeinconsumptiondrivenbyprolongedhotweather,urgingcustomerstoadoptenergy-savingmeasures.Powerconsumptioninthecityexceeded2.75billionkWhinApril,up12percentfromMarch,accordingtoareportbythecorporation.Severaldayssawpowerusageexceeding100millionkWh,withfiguresreaching101.5millionkWhonApril24,104millionkWhonApril25,and103.5millionkWhonApril26.Theincreaseduseofcoolingdevicessuchasairconditionersduetoprolongedhotweatherhassignificantlycontributedtothehikeinpowerconsumption.WhileMayisexpectedtoseeaslightdecreaseintemperaturescomparedtoApril,theunseasonablywarmweatherisforecasttocontinue,accordingtothecorporation.Theprolongedhotweatherhasledtowatershortagesinkeyhydropowerreservoirs,impactingelectricityproduction,itsaid.BùiTrungKiên,deputygeneraldirectorofEVNHCMC,recommendedregularmaintenanceofairconditionersatleastonceeverythreemonthstoreduceelectricityusage,aswellasextendtheapplianceslifespan.Forhomesandoffices,adjustingtheairconditionertemperatureto26degreesCelsiusorhigherisrecommended.Itsimportanttopowerdownapplianceswhennotinuse,utiliseairconditioningconservatively,andoptforenergy-efficientcoolingequipment.Healsorecommendeddelayingtheturningonofairconditioningunitsby60minutesandshuttingthemoff60minutesearlierthanusualworkinghours.Retailestablishmentsandserviceprovidersshouldlimitdecorativelightingafter10pmandparticipateinloadreductionprogramsifnecessary.Industrialfacilitiesareencouragedtoconductsomeproductionactivitiesduringlaterhoursafter10pm.Trafficlightsystemsshouldadjusttheirtimingtooperate30minuteslaterandshutoff30minutesearlier,reducelightingintensityonless-travelledroadsafter10pm,andcutadvertisinglightsanddecorativelightingby50percentorcompletelyturnthemofffrom10pmonwards.Efficientelectricityusagenotonlysavescostsforconsumersbutensuresastablepowersupplyforthecity,saidanEVNHCMCspokesperson.Cityauthoritieshaveorderedagenciesanddistrictstoeffectivelyimplementenergy-savingmeasurestoensurepowersupplyinthecomingsummerseason.—VNS

PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhmeetsworkersattheexpansionproject.VNA/VNSPhotoD??ngGiangHàN?I–Thebiddingpackageontheconstruction,supplyandinstallationofequipmentfortheexpansionoftheT2terminaloftheHàN?i-basedN?iBàiInternationalAirportkickedoffonSunday,withPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhattending.Thisisthemostimportantpackageoftheprojectonexpandingtheinternationalterminal,whichaimstoraiseitsannualcapacityfrom10millionto15millionpassengers,withatotalinvestmentcapitalofVN?4.99trillion(US$196.07million).Speakingattheceremony,Chính,whoisheadoftheStatesteeringcommitteefornationalkeytransportprojects,stressedtheimportantroleoftheairportwhosecapacityisexpectedtoreach100millionpassengersby2050.Theexpansionofitsinternationalterminal,putintooperationin2015,iscrucialamidtheoverloadithasexperiencedsince2018,theleadersaid.HelaudedtheMinistryofTransport,theMinistryofPlanningandInvestment,HàN?isauthorities,theCommissionforManagementofStateCapitalatEnterprises,theAirportsCorporationofVietnam(ACV),andotherrelevantministriesandagenciesfortheircoordinationinremovingroadblockstotheproject,especiallythoseregardinglandandinvestment.Withtheproject,theairportisexpectedtoserve30millionandeven40millionpassengerseachyear,thePMcontinued.Chínhaskedtherelevantsidestocontinuetheirclosecoordinationtoensureflightsafetyaswellassocialsecurityandorderintheareaduringtheimplementationoftheproject.Earlier,thePMvisitedtheAirportOperationsControlCentreattheN?iBàiInternationalAirport,whichismonitoring500flightseachday.–VNS

PanoramaofthePavilionoftheVi?tNamTradeOfficeinAustraliaandtheHàN?iCityPromotionDelegation.—VNA/VNSPhotosV?nLinhSYDNEY—TheCoordinationOfficeoftheNewRuralDevelopmentProgrammeinHàN?icollaboratedwiththeVi?tNamTradeOfficeinAustraliatoestablishatradepromotiondelegationfortheFoodserviceAustraliaFair2024inSydney.ThedelegationparticipatedinthefairfromMay19to21.AccordingtotheVietnamNewsAgency(VNA)correspondentinSydney,theseactivitiesarebeingimplementedtostrengthenthecooperationbetweenVi?tNamandAustraliaafterthetwocountriesupgradedtheirrelationshiptoaComprehensiveStrategicPartnership.TheyalsoaimtoexecutetheProjecttofacilitatedirectparticipationofVietnameseenterprisesinforeigndistributionnetworksuntil2030,aswellasthe2024planforimplementingtheProjecttoengageVietnamesepeopleabroadinpromotingandconsumingproducts,anddevelopingdistributionchannelsforVietnamesegoodsabroadduringtheperiod2020-2024.FoodserviceAustraliaFairistheleadinginternationalfairforthefoodindustryinAustralia,heldannuallyforthepast40years.RibboncuttingceremonytoopenboothspromotingVietnameseproducts.Nguy?nV?nChí,DirectoroftheHàN?iDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,PermanentDeputyChiefoftheCoordinationOfficeforNewRuralDevelopmentProgrammeinHàN?isaid:ThedelegationspurposeinattendingtheFoodserviceAustraliaFair2024wastosupportHàN?icitybusinessesinshowcasingandintroducingtheirgoodsandservices.Additionally,thedelegationaimedtopromotetradeandenhancethevisibilityofHàN?iandVietnamesebrandsandproductsinAustralia.Thisinitiativealsoaimedtocreateopportunitiesforcommodityexportassociationsandfacilitatetheentryofagriculturalproducts,food,andHanoisOCOP(OneCommuneOneProductProgramme)productsintodistributionchannelsintheAustralianmarket.BoothofHàN?iCitytradepromotiondelegationatFoodserviceAustraliaFair2024.AttendingandcuttingtheribbontoopentheHàN?i–Vi?tNampavilionatFoodserviceAustraliaFair2024wereNguy?nPhúHòa-HeadoftheVi?tNamTradeOfficeinAustralia;Nguy?nV?nChí-DirectoroftheHàN?iDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,PermanentDeputyChiefoftheCoordinationOfficeforNewRuralDevelopmentProgrammeinHàN?i;representativesofHàN?iandinternationalbusinesses.Withanareaof90sq.m,theHàN?i–Vi?tNampavilionbringstogethermanybusinessesproducingstrongproductswithexportpotentialandcompetitivenessintheAustralianmarketsuchas:HanutiJSCcompany;VinhHaFoodCompany;VisimexCorp.JSC...Productsondisplayincludevermicelli,vermicelli,drypho(noodle),cashewnuts,coffee,pepper,driednuts,spiceproducts,chilisauce,soysauce,nutritionalpowder,cordyceps,blackgarlic,vegetablepowder,tubers,fruits,andherbalteasamongothers.TheboothisspeciallydesignedwiththethemeTopfoodprocessorsfromHàN?i–Vi?tNam,bearingtheculturalimprintofTh?ngLong–??ng??–HàN?i–Vi?tNam.ThepromotionteamofHàN?itookphotoswithguests.TheHàN?i-Vi?tNampavilionstoodoutwithitseye-catchinglayout,impressiveproductdisplays,andopportunitiesforvisitorstosampletheofferings.Itsuccessfullyexpressedthenationalidentityanddrewtheattentionofthousandsofvisitorsonitsopeningday.Notably,theinternationalexhibitionorganisingcommitteeandtheSecretaryGeneraloftheMinistryofEnterpriseDevelopmentandCooperativesofMalaysia,DatoSurianibintiDatoAhmad,alsopaidavisittotheVietnameseexhibitionarea.ThedelegationoftheMalaysianMinistryofTradevisitedandinteractedwiththeVietnameseproductsbooth.TalkingtotheVNAreporterbasedinSydney,Nguy?nPhúHòa-HeadoftheVi?tNamTradeOfficeinAustraliasaid:AlongwiththeHàN?i–Vi?tNampavilion,theTradeOfficealsohasapavilionwithairspace.OutstandingandimpressiveopenspaceatthefairaimstosupportthepromotionofVietnameseagriculturalandaquaticproductsgainingafootholdinAustralia.Thisyear,theTradeOfficefocusesonorganicproducts,greenproducts,especiallyspicesandcleanproducts,whichareverypopularinthismarket.Nguy?nPhúHòaaddedthatinthecomingtime,theTradeOfficewillfocusonpromotingtheconsumptionoflychees,longans,andgreenmangoesandprepareaplantowelcomefreshVietnamesegrapefruittoAustralia.Alsothisyear,Vi?tNamskeyindustrialproductswillcontinuetobepromotedinthisOceaniacountry.Accordingtostatistics,throughpracticaltradepromotionmeasures,VietnameseagriculturalproductshavegrownimpressivelyinAustraliainrecenttimes.InAprilalone,itincreasednearly80percentcomparedtothesameperiodlastyear.Manyproductsreportedoutstandinggrowthsuchascoffee(upnearly300percent),cashewnuts(up42percent),andrice(up18percent).SigningofamemorandumofunderstandingbetweenHàN?itradepromotiondelegationandAustralianbusinesses.AsavisitortotheFair,KhalidaTkritiwasveryimpressedwithVi?tNamsbooths,fromthequalityoforganicproductstothediversityandrichnessofproducts.TkritisaidthattheseareVi?tNamsstrongproducts.Sheplanstocontinuetolearnandusetheproductstointroducetofriendsandrelativesifappropriate.InadditiontoparticipatingintheFair,HàN?ibusinessesalsoattendsidelineforums,conferencesandseminarswithmanytopics,therebyupdatingknowledgeaboutinternationalbranding,howtopromoteproductsandcurrentfoodandbeveragetrendsinAustraliaandaroundtheworld.Inaddition,businessesandunitsinHàN?ialsohavetheopportunitytopromotetheirproductsonthemediasystemoftheOrganisingCommitteeofFoodserviceAustralia2024andothermediatointroducebrandsandproductsandservicesforinterestedtourists.Withintheframeworkoftheprogramme,onMay18,theCoordinationOfficeoftheHàN?iNewRuralDevelopmentProgrammecollaboratedwiththeVi?tNamTradeOfficeinAustraliatoorganizeatradepromotionconferenceandencourageenterpriseinvestmentbetweenHàN?iandAustralia.Duringtheconference,Nguy?nPhúHòa,representativeoftheVi?tNamTradeOfficeinAustralia,emphasizedtheimportanceofbrandbuildingfortheoverallsuccessofVietnamesetrade.HeurgedbusinessestocollectivelypromoteagreenVi?tNamandproductsofgreenandcleanorigin.ThiswouldinstillconfidenceininternationalcustomersandencouragethemtochooseVietnameseproducts.Nguy?n??ngTh?ng,ConsulGeneralofVi?tNaminSydneysaidVi?tNam-Australiatraderelationsstillhavealotofpotential.Heexpressedhopethatthroughpracticaleventslikethisconference,VietnameseandAustralianbusinesseswillfindmanyopportunitiestocooperate.HealsorecommendedthatVietnamesebusinesseslearnmoreabouttheAustralianmarketandregulations,ensuringqualitystandardsrequirementsbecausethisisaverydemandingmarket.IftheycanbringproductstoAustralia,theycanconfidentlybringproductstotheworld.TalkingtoVietnamNewsAgencyreportersinSydneyonthesidelinesoftheevent,Nguy?nV?nChí,DirectoroftheAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentDepartment,DeputyChiefoftheStandingOfficeoftheOfficeforCoordinatingtheNewRuralConstructionProgrammeinHàN?isaidtheproductsbeingpromotedthistimehavesuccessfullyovercomenumeroustechnicalobstaclesfacedbychallengingcountriesinEuropeandotherregions.Asaresult,heexpressedhishopethatbusinessesinHàN?iwouldbeabletosecureAustraliandistributors,thusmakingtheirproductsreadilyavailableinthemarketofthisOceaniacountry.Nguy?nPhúHòa,HeadoftheVi?tNamTradeOfficeinAustraliagaveaninterviewtoaVietnamNewsAgencycorrespondentinSydney.Commentingontheconference,BenjaminCai,StrathfieldCityCouncilor,said:Thisisausefulopportunityforbusinessesofthetwocountriestoexchangeandseekcooperationpotentialinmanyfields.Currently,theVietnamesecommunityinAustraliaisquitelarge,sothisisapotentialmarketforVietnamesebusinesses.Thetwosidescanstrengthencooperationtoreapfruitsandachievementstogether.AstheownerofalargeOrangesupermarketchaininAustralia,YangushowsgreatinterestinVietnameseproducts.HeassessedthatVietnameseproductsarequitegoodqualityandconvenient,especiallyvermicelli,vermicelli,anddryphoproducts.HesaidthatVietnameseproductshavealotofpotentialtoreachtheAustralianmarketbecausemoreandmorestudentsandVietnamesepeoplecometostudyandliveinthisOceaniancountry.Besides,moreandmoreAustraliansareinterestedinandlovefoodproductsfromAsia,especiallyfromVi?tNam.Attheendoftheconference,representativesofanumberofVietnameseandAustralianbusinessessignedMemorandumsofCooperation.—VNSTheconstructionofabuildingnearB?nThànhMarket,believedtobeownedbyVivaLand,asubsidiaryofV?nTh?nhPhátGroup,stalledattheendof2022followingthearrestofTr??ngM?Lan.Thepolicehavesaidthemoneyandassetsrecoveredfromthescandalwillbereturnedtovictims.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pHCMCITY—TheMinistryofPublicSecurityhasrecommendedprosecuting34individuals,includingV?nTh?nhPhátchairwomanTr??ngM?Lan,whoisondeathrow,formisappropriationofassets,moneylaunderingandillegaltransportationofcurrencyacrossborders.The68-year-oldchairwoman,sentencedtodeathearlierthisyearforfinancialfraudatSaigonCommercialJointStockBank(SCB),isthemastermindbehindbondfraudattheprivatelender,thepolicehavealleged.Lanandheraccomplices,includingherChinesehusband,havealsobeenaccusedofillegallytransportingoverUS$4.5billionandlaunderingoverVN?445trillionacrossbordersovera10-yearperiod.Inaddition,other20individuals,includingLansniece,arefacingchargesofmisappropriatingassets,accordingtothepolice.DuringthetriallaterthisyearprosecutorswillbefocusingonfraudulentbondissuancesrelatedtoLanandhercompany.SpeakingtoVi?tNamNews,thepolicesaidtheyhaveconcludedtheirinvestigationbutdidnotdisclosedetailsaboutthemisappropriationofpropertythroughfraudulentbondissuances.Lans1,000-oddfakecompaniesunderV?nTh?nhPhátgroupcarriedoutfraudulentbondissuancesworthoverVN?30trillion($1.24billion)andsoldthemto42,000victims,mostlySCBdepositors.SinceherarrestinOctober2022thevictimshavenotreceivedanyinterestorprincipalpayments.TheStateBankofVietnamguaranteesbanksavingsaccountsbutnotbondspurchasedthroughlenders.Authoritiescontinuetourgevictimsinpossessionofbondstocomeforwardwithinformationanddocuments.Themoneyandassetsrecoveredfromtheconvictedpeoplewouldbeprioritisedforrepayingthevictims,thepolicehavesaid.AthertrialinApril,LanreceivedthedeathpenaltyforfinancialfraudsatSCBandwasalsoorderedtopaycompensationofVN?673.8trillion($27billion)tothebank.HerChinesehusband,EricChuNap-kee,chairmanoftheboardofTimesSquareVietnamJointStockCompany,receivedanine-yearprisonsentenceforviolatingbankingregulationsatLansdirection.Lansniece,Tr??ngHu?Van,CEOofWindsorPropertyManagement,wassentencedto17yearsinprisonforaidingLanincommittingthecrimes.OtherbankexecutivesandStateofficialsinvolvedinthescandalreceivedvarioussentencesrangingfromthreeyearstolifeforembezzlementandviolatingbankingregulations.PeoplewhoweredeceivedintopurchasingbondsthroughprivatebankSCBgatherinfrontoftheMinistryofFinanceofficeinHàN?iattheendof2023todemandaresolutiontothescandal,holdingtheministryresponsibleforpooroversightofcorporatebondissuances.—VNSPhotoB?XuanHi?pLan,whodidnotholdpositionsatthebankbutownedasignificantstakeinitundervariouspeoplesnames,wasfoundguiltyofusingitforloanstofundherowncompanysoperations.Herarrestwaspartofanationalanti-corruptioncampaignwhichhasintensifiedsince2021.In1992,LanandherfamilyfoundedV?nTh?nhPhát,oneofthecountrysmostprominentrealestatecompanies.WhileLansarresthasexposedthemassivescaleofthefraud,expertshavewarnedthescandalisjustthetipoftheiceberginthefinancialsector.TheGovernmenthasblamedtheMinistryofFinanceandcentralbankfortheirpoormanagementofthesectorthatledtothescams.Ithastightenedbankownershipregulationsandcalledforincreasedoversighttoprecludefuturescandals.—VNS

DirectorofInternationalAdvocacyattheSoiDogInternationalFoundationRahulSehgal.—PhotocourtesyofSoiDogInternationalHàN?I—Inamajormovetosafeguardpublichealthandpromotemoreethicalpractices,theHanoiSub-departmentofAnimalHusbandry,FisheriesandVeterinaryservices(undertheHanoiDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment)hasissuedacriticallyimportantdirectiveinamovetowardseliminatingdogandcatmeattradeacrossthecitysdistricts.Thecomprehensivedirectiveoutlinesamulti-prongedstrategyinvolvingstrictenforcementandcooperationacrossmultiplegovernmentagenciesandmobileinspectionteams.Citingthegraveriskposedbytherecentrabiesoutbreakacrossthecountry(therehavebeen102rabiesoutbreaksin29provincesandcitiescausinghumanfatalities)thedirectiveemphasisestheurgentimperativetopreventsuchapublichealthcrisisinHàN?i.Acorefocusisenhancingrabiesvaccinationratestoover90percentamongthepetdogandcatpopulationthroughaconcerteddrivebyveterinaryauthorities.Strictmonitoringandtoughpenaltieshavebeenmandatedforanyillegaltrade,transportation,slaughterorsaleofdogsandcatsformeatpurposes.Mobileinspectionteamswillbedeployedatkeytransportationroutestosystematicallyinterceptandhaltanyunauthorisedmovementoflivedogsandcats.Criticallythedirectivecallsforextensivepublicawarenesscampaignsusingmassmediatoeducateresidentsaboutthedangersofrabies,theneedforresponsiblepetmanagementpracticesandtodiscouragethedeeplyentrenchedhabitofdogandcatmeatconsumption.HàN?iaspirestocultivatemorecompassionateattitudestowardsanimalsoverall.Bydesignatingrabies-safezoneswherethedogandcatmeattradeiscompletelyeliminated,thispioneeringdirectiveaimstotransformHàN?iintoacivilised,tourist-friendlycityalignedwithinternationalstandardsforanimalwelfareandfoodsafety.Whilepresentingchallengestolong-heldculinarytraditions,themunicipalgovernmenthopesrobustenforcementcombinedwithshiftingsocietalvalueswillculminateinHàN?ijoiningworldcitiesthathavebanneddogandcatmeatconsumption.DirectorofInternationalAdvocacyattheSoiDogInternationalFoundationRahulSehgalsaid:SoiDog,asatechnicalsupportorganisationfacilitatingthispioneeringcampaign,commendsHàN?isprogressivedirectiveagainstthedogandcatmeattrade.ThisinitiativedemonstratesacommitmenttoaligningVi?tNamscapitalwithcontemporaryglobalstandards.Wewillcontinueprovidingvariousassistancetofacilitatethismovegoingforward.Thisforcefuldirectiveservesasapivotalcatalystforpositivechangeandprovidestheimpetustoultimatelyeradicatethedogandcatmeattrade,positioningHàN?iasaprogressiveleaderinthissphereamongVietnamesecities.—VNSTheongoingconstructionof??ngVi?tBridgelinkingB?cGiangandH?iD??ngprovinces.—VNSPhotoB?CGIANG—ThenorthernprovinceofB?cGiangwillcontinuetofocusonmobilisingresourcestoinvestindevelopmentofitstransportationinfrastructureinbidtodrivelocalsocio-economicgrowthfromnowuntil2025,anofficialhassaid.Whilestillprioritisingitsownbudget,B?cGiangaimstomobiliseandattractnon-budgetcapitalfortransportationinfrastructuredevelopments(includingStatebudgetfunds,ODA,localgovernmentbonds,landdevelopmentfunds,etc.).Alongwithinvestmentfromenterprisesitaimstodeveloptransportserviceinfrastructuresuchasinlandports,busstationsandparkinglots,ViceChairmanoftheB?cGiangProvincialPeoplesCommitteeLê?Píchsaid.B?cGiangwillbeacceleratingtheprogressofkeyprojectsbeingimplementedbytheCentralGovernment,theprovinceandlocalitiesinB?cGiangunderthe2021-25publicinvestmentplan.Theprovincewillalsospeedupthepreparationandimplementationofprojectsplannedforfundingfromincreasedrevenuesearnedduringthe2021-2025periodtoimprovethedensity,scaleandqualityoftransportationinfrastructure,tofacilitateinternalandregionalconnectivityandsupportindustrial,urban,tourismandnationaldefence.B?cGiangwillcloselycoordinatewiththeMinistryofTransportandothercentralministriestoproceedwithinvestmentproceduresforprojectssuchasseparatingL?cNam(C?mLy)BridgeattwodistancesontheKép-H?LongrailwaylineandexpandingtheX??ngGiangBridgeaspartoftheprojecttobuildanumberofriver-crossingbridgesandtunnelsonNationalHighway1.Additionally,theprovincewillinvestinupgradingnationalhighwaysandaddressingweakbridges,prioritisingearlyinvestmentintheNationalHighway37(Kép-T?Thanintersection-C?mLyBridgesection)andRingRoadVandcompletingtheconstructionofaresidentialbridgeovertheHàN?i-B?cGiangExpressway(inVanTrungCommune,Vi?tYênDistrict),aswellasabridgeconnectingthesouthwesturbanareatotheB?cGiangCityInternationalLogisticsCentre.Forprovincialroads,B?cGiangwillcompleteprojectssuchastheroadconnectingNationalHighway37-NationalHighway17-V?Nhai(TháiNguyênProvince),??ngVi?tBridgeinYênD?ngDistrict,theroadlinkingM?AnPort-NationalHighway31-NationalHighway1,theroadconnectingProvincialRoad295toNationalHighway37inL?ngGiangDistrict,ProvincialRoad295fromB?nTu?nBridgetoCaoTh??ngTownshipandfromCaoTh??ngTownshiptoB?N?iBridgeinTanYênDistrict,theroadfromSu?iN?aLaketoKhu?nTh?n(L?cNg?nDistrict),and??ngS?nBridgeinYênTh?District.B?cGiangwillalsocontinuetoasktheMinistryofTransporttoupgraderailwayinfrastructuretoenhancetrainspeedsandexpandfreightstations,namelySenH?stationinconjunctionwiththeplannedSenH?inlandportandtoconstructaroadbridgeatC?mLyseparatefromtherailwayandtorenovateB?cGiangstation.TheprovincewillactivelysupportinvestorsindevelopinginlandportsapprovedbytheMinistryofTransport(suchasQuangChaupetroleumport,??ngS?ngeneralport,TríYên,HòaPhú,??ngPhúc,andICDH??ngS?nports)andfocusoncompletingtheB?cGiangInternationalLogisticsCentre,amongothers.Thetotalmedium-termpublicinvestmentcapitalofB?cGiangforthe2021-25periodisoverVN?40.6trillion(aboutUS$1.6billion),ofwhichoverVN?9.5billionisallocatedtowards45transportationinfrastructureprojects.Newlyconstructed,cleanroadsinB?cGiangCity.—VNSPhotoB?cGiangCityandthedistrictsofHi?pHòa,L?ngGiang,Vi?tYênandYênD?nghavenumerouslarge-scaleinvestmentprojectsunderwaysuchasthesouthwestmainroadfromáL?BridgetotheendofTanM?Commune(B?cGiangCity,costingVN?273billion),themainroadinthesouthwesturbanareafromThanNhanTrungroadtoNationalHighway1A(B?cGiangCity,costingVN?189billion)andtheNorth-SouthmainroadinHi?pHòaDistrict(costingVN?500billion).YênTh?district,whichhashadfewerlarge-scaleprojectsinrecentyears,gotmoneyin2021foraClassIIIroadfromB?H?connectingtoH?uL?ngDistrict,L?ngS?nProvince,withinvestmentreachingoverVN?260billion.B?cGiangcontinuestomobiliseotherfundingsourcestoacceleratetheprogressofODA-fundedprojectssuchastheáL?BridgeconstructioninB?cGiangCity(investmentofVN?257billion,ADBloan,completed),theLRAMPprojectcomponentforresidentialbridges(VN?126billion,WBloan,nearlycompleted)andundergroundprojectsandresidentialbridgesinethnicminorityandmountainousareasinL?cNam,L?cNg?nandS?n??ngdistricts,valuedataboutVN?380billion,fundedbythenationaltargetprogrammeforsocio-economicdevelopmentinethnicminorityandmountainousareasfor2021-25,centralgovernmentpovertyalleviationsupportandthesustainablepovertyreductionnationaltargetprogrammeforB?cGiangin2021-25,aswellasthenewruraldevelopmentnationaltargetprogramfor2022.Additionally,theMinistryofTransporthasallocatedfundstocompletetherenovationandupgradeoftheNationalHighway31sectionfromB?cGiangCitytoCh?Township(L?cNg?nDistrict)withatotalinvestmentofVN?870billion.Currently,theMinistryofTransporthasapprovedtheinvestmentpolicyforprojectssuchasconstructingC?mLyBridge(onNationalHighway37linkingB?cGiang,H?iD??ng,Qu?ngNinh,andH?iPhòngprovinces)andexpandingX??ngGiangBridge(thesectionpassingthroughB?cGiangCity,ontheHàN?i-B?cGiangExpressway)usingthecentralbudget.Tr?nXuan??ng,DeputyDirectoroftheB?cGiangDepartmentofTransport,saidtheprovincehasbuiltmanynewroads,includingprovincialanddistrictroads.Thenumberofnewlyplannedroadshasincreasedbymorethan700kmtoatotalofover1,000kmofprovincialroads,??ngsaid.Nguy?n??iL??ng,ChairmanofthePeoplesCommitteeofVi?tYênDistrict,said:Wehaveallocatedthemostresourceswithinourlocalpublicinvestmentfundsfortransportationinfrastructure,withoverVN?2trillion($78.6million)allocatedtoprojectsledbythedistrict.Therefore,mostofthebasictransportationinfrastructureinVi?tYênDistricthasbeenlargelyinvestedaccordingtotheplan.—VNS??ngVi?tBridge.—VNSPhoto

Dr.BùiTi?nHùngexaminesapatient.—VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheStaarSurgicalCompanyhaspresentedtheAward5,000toaVietnameseophthalmologist,Dr.BùiTi?nHùngforhissuccessinover5000PhakicImplantableCollamerLens(ICL)surgeriesinVi?tNam.StaarSurgicalsprestigiousawardhonoursthemostoutstandingphysiciansandsurgicalcentresinusinganddevelopingtheinnovativetechnologyworldwide.Dr.Hùng,amemberoftheVietnamOphthalmologyAssociation,receivedtheinternationalawardforhiscontributiontorefractiveerrorsurgeryandblindnesspreventioninVi?tNam.In2014,Dr.HùngwasoneofthefirstophthalmologistsinVi?tNamtoapplyPhakicICLsurgeryforshortsightedpatients.Todate,Dr.Hùnghasperformedmorethan5,000successfulPhakicICLsurgeries,improvingvisionformanypatients.Inaddition,healsosuccessfullyperformed30,000cataractsurgeriesandhelped25,000casesofshortsightednessusinglasersurgery.Dr.BùiTi?nHùngreceivestheAward5,000fromtherepresentativeofStaarSurgicalCompany.—VNSPhotoTwoyearsafterimplementingthenewsurgicaltechnique,Hùngcompletedhis500thcaseandreceivedtheAward500inMalmo,SwedeninSeptember2016.HealsoreceivedtheAward1,000inLisbon,PortugalinOctober2017,Award2,000inFrancein2019andAward3,000inMilan,Italyin2022.OnMarch12,Dr.Hùngsuccessfullyperformedthe5,000thPhakicICLsurgeryinVi?tNam.ThePhakicICLtechniqueisusedincaseswherelasertreatmentisnotrecommendedandtodatemorethan3millionPhakicICLsurgerieshavebeenperformedworldwide,accordingtoDr.Hùng.InVi?tNam,thefirstpatienttreatedforrefractiveerrorwithphakicICL13yearsagoisstillstable,saidDr.Hùng.ThePhakicICLisasurgicaladjustmentofrefractiveerrorusingahighlysafelensthatistailoredtoeacheyesparametersanddirectlyimplantedbehindtheirisandinfrontofthelens.Thismethodprovideshigh-definitionimageswithouterodingorchangingthecorneashape.TheICLisaverythinlens,similartoacontactlens.ThedifferenceisthattheICLisplacedinsidetheeye,ratherthanonthesurfaceoftheeye.Thelensissoftandtiny,muchlikethenaturallens,butdoesnotreplaceit.TheICLisspeciallyshapedtocorrectmyopia(nearsightedness)andhyperopia(farsightedness).—VNSAruralroadinCùLaoDungDistrictinSócTr?ngProvinceispavedandplantedwithflowers.—VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nPhiSóCTR?NG—Thebuildingofnew-styleruralareasinSócTr?ngProvincesCùLaoDungDistricthasimprovedthelivesofpeopleandtheappearanceofruralareas.LocatedintheH?uRiver,atributaryoftheMekongRiver,theriverineislanddistrictnowhasallitssevencommunesrecognisedasnew-styleunderthecountrysprogrammeofbuildingnew-styleruralareas.Toachievetherecognition,acommunemustmeettheprogrammes19criteriarelatedtoinfrastructure,irrigation,electricity,environment,income,education,healthcare,socialsecurity,cultureandothers.In2002,thedistrictwasestablishedbyseparatingfromLongPhúDistrictandpeoplefacedmanydifficultiesbecauseofthelackofroads,powersupply,schoolsandotherinfrastructurefacilitiesasitisariverineislandisolatedfromthemainland.Ithasatotalareaof24,503haand16,903households.Tr?nThanhNguyên,chairmanofthedistrictPeoplesCommittee,saidtheprogrammehasspreadandreceivedhighconsensusfromresidents.Thedistrictssocio-economicdevelopmentisgood,andtheappearanceofruralareashasimproved,hesaid.Thedistricthasbuiltandexpanded226roadsofatotalof266,600km.Upto99.1percentofhouseholdshaveaccesstopowergrids.Ithasonly53poorhouseholds,accountingfor0.35percent.TheaverageincomepercapitaisVN?62.4million(US$2,400)ayear,up3.5timesfrom2010,whenthedistrictstartedtheprogramme.Thedistricthasstrengtheneditsprotectionoftheenvironmentthroughvariousactivitiessuchasclearingbushes,cleaningsewageareas,collectingrubbishandplantingtrees.InMarch,itstarteda30-dayplanofbeautifyingtheappearanceofthelandscapeandcleaningtheenvironment.Theplanalsostrengthenedadvocacyactivitiestoenhancepublicawarenessaboutkeepingenvironmentalsanitationandacivilisedlifestyle.Thedistricttargetshavingfourofitssevencommunesrecognisedasadvancednew-styleruralcommunesnextyear,whichachievehigherstandardsacrossall19criteriathannew-styleruralareas.AnTh?nhTaywasrecognisedasanadvancednew-styleruralcommunelastyear.Ph?mTr??ngGiang,chairmanofthecommunePeoplesCommittee,saidthecommunessoilandweatherconditionsaresuitedforagricultureproduction.Thecommunehasimplementedmanyfarmingmethodsinwhichtherearelinkagesamongstakeholderstosecuresalesforfarmers.Theyincludegrowingsweetpotato,longanandgreenskin-pinkfleshgrapefruit,whichofferhighincomesforfarmersandhelptoreducepoverty,hesaid.LêV?nútEm,aresidentinAnTh?nhTay,saidthelivesofpeoplehavebeenenhancedandroads,powersupply,schoolsandotherinfrastructurefacilitieshavebeeninvestedinsufficiently.Theincomeofpeopleinthecommunehasincreasedbytwotothreetimessincethefirstyearsofimplementingtheprogramme.Securityandsocialorderaresecured,andthishelpspeoplefeelsecuretodoproductionandbecomewealthy,hesaid.Thedistrictaimstohavetwoexemplarynew-stylecommunesnextyearandtoreceivethisrecognition,theymustachievehigherstandardsacrossall19criteriathanadvancednew-styleareas.AnTh?nh1wasrecognisedearlythisyearasanexemplarynew-stylecommune,becomingthefirstofitskindintheprovince.Ithas2,106householdsand2,980ha,including1,320haoffruits.LêHoàiThanh,chairmanoftheAnTh?nh1PeoplesCommittee,saidthecommunehasco-operatedwithrelevantagenciestotransferscienceandtechnologytofarmersandencouragedthemtoturnunproductiveorchardsintogrowinghigh-valuetrees.Ithasdeveloped68fruitgrowingmodelsinwhichthefarmingofCátChumango,Xu?nglonganandguavaoffershighprofits,hesaid.ThecommunesaverageincomepercapitaismorethanVN?75.5million($2,900)andthepovertyratewas0.35percentlastyear,hesaid.—VNS