LêThanhTh?o,anofficerfromtheNationalInstituteofMalariology,ParasitologyandEntomologycapturesdisease-carryingmosquitoesfromapre-preparednetinthecoreareaofBaVìNationalParkinHàN?i.—Photosnhandan.vnHàN?I—Asduskfalls,V?Vi?tH?ng,anofficerfromtheNationalInstituteofMalariology,ParasitologyandEntomology,alongwithhiscolleagues,begantheirroutinemosquito-huntingtripinthecoreareaofBaVìNationalParkinHàN?i.Dressedneatlyinprotectivegear,H?ngstretchedoutapre-preparednet,leavingitsbaseabout40cmoffthegroundandturnedonasoftlight.Inside,hiscolleague,LêThànhTrung,satonafoldingchairtoserveasbait.Withinminutes,mosquitoesfromalldirectionsstartedbuzzingin.Theyslippedunderthenet,hoveredneartheearsandboldlylandedonthehandsofthebait.Swarmsofmosquitoes,resemblingfootball-sizedclouds,withtheirbuzzingwings,quicklyfliedabovethemosquitohuntersbeforedescendingontoexposedskintobite.V?Vi?tH?ng,anofficerfromtheAnophelesUnitoftheDepartmentofEntomology,toldNhanDan(People)onlinenewspaperthathuntingmosquitoesinthewildisaplannedactivitybytheNationalInstituteofMalariology,ParasitologyandEntomology.Itsupportsbiologicalexperiments,surveillanceandinvestigationofvirusestransmittingdenguefeverandmalariainhumans,therebywarningpeopletoproactivelyimplementdiseasepreventionmeasures.Mosquitohuntingtakesplaceinvariouslocations,inforests,amonghouseholdsorinlivestockpens.Inrecentyears,themethodofusingdirectbaitbyexposingarmsandlegsformosquitoestolandandthencapturingthemwithatubeisnolongerusedinsomeinternationalprojectsduetoethicalconcerns.However,ifconductedproperlywithsuitableprotectivemeasures,itremainsoneofthemosteffectivemethodsforhuntingdisease-carryingmosquitoes,H?ngsaid.Despitetheitching,burningandraisedweltsontheirhandsandfeet,noonedaredtoscratch.Allcapturedmosquitoesmustbealiveandintact.So,nomatterhowitchyitgets,wehavetoendureit,Trungwhispered.Moremosquitoesgathered,spottingthewhitenetwithblackdots.LêThanhTh?oquietlyapproached,shonealightonafemalemosquitowithanupturnedabdomenandblack-and-whitescalesonitswingsandgentlycaptureditinatesttube.Th?oexplainedthatwhenthenettrapissetup,varioustypesofmosquitoeswillenter.Atthispoint,thebaitmustremainstilltoallowcolleaguestofilterandselecttherightspeciestocapture.MosquitoesinthewildHesaidthatadultAnophelesmosquitoesaredarkbrownandblack.Thok9eirbodylengthtypicallymatchesthelengthoftheirproboscis.Thesemosquitoesaremostactivefromaround7-9pmdaily,soaftersunset.Sometimes,inordertocatchjustoneortwospecificindividuals,teammembersmustenduredozensofbites.H?ngfurtherexplainedthatmosquitohuntingisinfluencedbyvariousfactorssuchastime,weatherandclimate.Asaresult,therearenightswhentheteamcatcheshundredsofmosquitoes,buttherearealsotimeswhentheyonlyharvestafewindividuals.Anofficersitsonafoldingchairtoserveasbaittoluremosquitoes.Additionally,dependingonthespecies,mosquitoeswillconcentrateinspecificareas.Forexample,AnophelesdirusprimarilyappearsintheforestedareasoftheCentralHighlands,whilethemalariavectorinthenorthernregionisAnophelesminimus.Denguefevermosquitoes,ontheotherhand,aremorecommonincities,hesaid.AftercatchingmorethanadozenAnophelesmosquitoes,Th?odecidedtoreplaceTrungasthemosquitobait.The50-year-oldmanquicklychangedintoshorts,exposinghislowerthighsandcalves,thentookachairtoadarkcornerandsatquietly.Innotime,Th?oslegsturnedblackwithmosquitoes.Underthebeamofhisheadlamp,hecarefullyobservedandusedaglasstubetocaptureamosquitothatwasengorgedwithblood.H?ngmentionedthattoachievemaximumeffectiveness,mosquitohuntersshouldavoidusingfragrantsoap,perfumeoressentialoilsbeforestartingtheirwork.Moreover,thosewhodirectlyserveasbaitmustbethoroughlytrainedinidentificationmethods.Aftermanyyears,wecanidentifythespeciesofamosquitowith80percentaccuracyjustbyitsflight,hesaid.Additionally,thosedirectlyinvolvedmustknowhowtoprotectthemselvestoavoidgettingsick.Iftheyareworkinginareaswithhighmosquitodensity,theymusttakepreventivemedication.ThemethodofusinghumanbaittocatchmosquitoesatnightisregulatedaccordingtotheMinistryofHealthsguidelinesonmalariasurveillanceandprevention,issuedonOctober25,2021,inDecisionNo.4922/Q?-BYT.Thestaffrecalledthateveryoneintheteamhadahistoryofcontractingmalariaanddenguefeverseveraltimes,exceptforTh?o.Th?oreminiscedabout1997whenheandhiscolleagueswenttoV?nhHàandV?nhLinhdistrictsinthecentralprovinceofQu?ngTr?tosurveyamalariaoutbreak.Atthattime,twoofthembroughtonlyalimitedamountofmedicationforemergencies.Atthecommunehealthstation,theymetayoungVanKi?uethnicpatientwhohadcontractedmalariaandwasabouttoenteraseverephase.Theclinichadrunoutofmedicineandifthepatienthadtobetransferredtothedistricthospital,thechancesofsurvivalwouldbeveryslim.Inthatsituation,ourteamdidnthesitatetogiveourpreventivemedicinetothechild.Whenhepassedthecriticalphase,weallbreathedasighofrelief.MosquitoesinthelabAfterbeingcaptured,mosquitoesareclassifiedbeforebeingbroughtintothelabattheNationalInstituteofMalariology,ParasitologyandEntomology.Mosquitoesareplacedinbreedingroomsforresearchpurposes.Pointingtoatrayfullofwrigglinglarvae,?àoMinhTrang,deputyheadoftheDepartmentofEntomology,saidthatoncemosquitoesarecapturedinthefield,theyareplacedinbreedingroomsforresearchpurposes.Thisresearchaimstofindeffectivepreventionmeasuresandsuitablechemicalsforextermination.Themosquitobreedingprocessincludesfeedingcycles,facilitatingmatingandlayingeggs,andtakingcareofthelarvae.Tokeepmosquitoesalive,thebreedingroomsarespeciallyarrangedwithairconditioningrunningalmostaroundtheclockandmaintainingabsolutecleanliness.Thetemperatureisstrictlycontrolledandkeptat26degreesCelsius.Additionally,humiditylevelsmustadheretothemoststringentregulations.Somemosquitospeciesareverydifficulttomateincaptivity,sowehavetoemployartificialmethods.Moreover,eachyearwesupplythousandsofmosquitoestovariousdepartmentsandresearchinstitutionsbothwithinandoutsidetheInstituteforscientificresearch,sowefrequentlyneedtofacilitatetheirmating,shesaid.Nguy?nTr??ngAn,ayoungofficerintheMosquitoBreedingUnit,explainedthathehastobeattheunitby7amdailytochecktechnicalparametres,feedthelarvae,pickoutthoseabouttobecomemosquitoestoplacethemincagesandcleanthetrays.Forfemalemosquitoes,weallowthemtodirectlysuckbloodtoincreasethehatchingrateofeggslater,hesaid.Anexplainedthatdependingonthemosquitostrain,thefeedingtimelastsfrom15to20minutes.Thisprocesscanbeobservedvisually,putsimply,whenmosquitoesstopbiting,itmeanstheyarefull.Avolunteerdirectlyfeedsfemalemosquitoestoincreasethehatchingrateofeggs.Initially,Iwasscared,butnowImusedtoit.Moreover,ourresearchhelpsthecommunity,soeveryonetriestheirbest,hesaid.Nguy?nV?nD?ng,headoftheDepartmentofEntomology,saidthatdespitethechallengesfacedduringmosquitohuntingandbreeding,thestaffsdedicationandresponsibilitytowardtheirworkhavemadesignificantcontributionstoresearch.Thisresearchhelpsidentifymosquitocharacteristics,leadingtothedevelopmentofoptimaldiseasepreventionmeasures.—VNS

CountingtheshipmentofdrugshiddenintoothpastetubesseizedfromtheluggageoffourflightattendantsinTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirportinHCMCityinMarch2023.VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—Legalproceedingsareunderwayagainst961suspectsaccusedofproducing,trafficking,storingandusingdrugsfollowingayear-longinvestigationintothecaseofflightattendantsillegallytransportingdrugsfromFrancetoTanS?nNh?tInternationalAirport.ThepoliceannouncedthattheyhavesuccessfullybrokenuphundredsofdrugtraffickingringsinHCMCity,BìnhD??ngProvinceand??ngNaiProvince.Thepolicealsoseizedmorethan319kilogrammesofvarioussyntheticdrugs,12firearms,67bullets,threegrenadesandnumerousrelatedexhibitsduringtheinvestigation.Theinitialinvestigationsresultsalsorevealedthatpriortotheirarrest,thesuspectshadillegallytradedhundredsofkilogrammesofdrugs,amountingtotransactionsvaluedatoverVN?28trillion(US$1.09billion).ThecasebeganonMarch16lastyearwhenTanS?nNh?tcustomsdetectedsuspiciousitemsintheluggageoffourfemaleflightattendantsreturningfromFrance.CustomsofficersnotifiedtheDrugCrimeInvestigationPoliceDepartment(C04)undertheMinistryofPublicSecurityandtheDrugCrimeInvestigationOffice(PC04)undertheHCMCitysPoliceDepartment,wholaunchedaunitedandcoordinatedinspection,leadingtothewideroperationbeingrevealed.Subsequentexaminationrevealedthatofthe327toothpastetubesintheattendantsluggage,almosthalf,157tubes,containedover11.2kilogrammesofsyntheticdrugs.Throughouttheinvestigation,authoritiessaidthattheairlinestaffinsistedthattheywereunawarethatthegoodstheytransportedfromFrancetoVi?tNamcontaineddrugs.—VNSTheNApassestherevisedSocialInsuranceLawonSaturday.—VNA/VNSPhotoAnV?n??ngHàN?I—TheNationalAssembly(NA)passedtherevisedSocialInsuranceLawonSaturday,whichwilltakeeffectonJuly1,2025.Therevisedlawpassedwith454outof465deputiesinfavour,representing93.42percentoftheNA.Earlier,aspecificprovisionofthelawregardingone-timewithdrawalsofsocialsecuritybenefitsalsoreceived93.83percentoftheNAsapproval.Undertheprovision,individualswhoceaseparticipationinsocialsecuritycanonlybeentitledtoone-timesocialsecuritypaymentiftheyfallintooneofthefollowingcategories:Theyhavereachedtheageofretirementbuthavenotyetpaid15yearsofsocialsecuritycontributions;theygoabroadtosettlepermanently;theysufferfromoneofthefollowingdiseases:cancer,paralysis,severecirrhosis,severetuberculosisandAIDS;theyhaveaworkcapacityreductionof81percentorhigher;ortheyareclassifiedasseverelydisabled.Nguy?nThúyAnh,ChairmanoftheNAsSocialAffairsCommittee,saidtheprovisionaimstoapproachinternationalstandardsandadapttoVi?tNamsrapidlyagingpopulation.Therevisedlawwillonlyenableone-timesocialsecuritypaymentundercertaincircumstances,increasingthenumberofpeoplewhoremaininthesocialsecuritysystemforlong-termbenefits,saidAnh.TheNAsStandingCommitteeencouragedworkersnottooptforone-timesocialsecuritypaymentbutratherstayinthesystemforlong-termbenefits.ThecommitteealsourgedtheGovernmenttolaunchcommunicationcampaignstokeepthemwell-informedabouttheadvantagesofmonthlypaymentsoverone-timepayments.—VNSok9

WorkerspullaunderseaopticalcableashoreinQuyNh?nCity.—Photobaotintuc.vnHàN?I–Vi?tNamplanstobuildatleast10newunderseacableroutesby2030,increasingthetotalnumberto15withaminimumcapacityof350Tbps.Accordingtothedevelopmentstrategyforthenationsinternationalfiberopticcablesystemto2030withavisionuntil2035,issuedbytheMinistryofInformationandCommunications,atleasttwoofthesenewcableswillbeownedbyVi?tNamandwillconnectdirectlytoregionaldigitalhubs.By2027,thecountryaimstolaunchfournewroutes,boostingthetotalcapacitytoatleast134Tbps.ItwillcontinuetoensurethatSingapore,HongKong(China),andJapanremaintheprimarydigitalhubsforconnections.Between2028and2030,sixmorerouteswillbeadded.Thisphasewillaimtomaintainupto90percentoftheunderseacablecapacitylinkedtofourmajordigitalhubsinAsia,witha10percentcapacityreservedforbackupconnectionstosignificantdigitalhubsintheAmericasandEurope.TheinternationalfiberopticcablesystemisacrucialpartofVi?tNamsdigitalinfrastructure,requiringbiginvestmentstoensureultra-highcapacity,widebandwidth,safety,andsustainability.Thisinfrastructurewillprovidethenecessaryspaceforseveralurbancentrestobecomeregionaldatahubs.Lookingtowards2035,thestrategyoutlinesthatthesystemwillbeamongthoseleadingtheregionintermsofquantity,capacity,andquality.Thisdevelopmentwillattractmajorcloudserviceprovidersandfacilitatetheestablishmentoflargedatacentres.—VNSTaxpayersmaketransactionsattheHCMCityTaxDepartment.PhotocourtesyoftheHCMCityTaxDepartmentHCMCITY—TaxauthoritiesinHCMCityhaverequestedpoliceassistanceinverifyingthefounderof116companiesacrossvariousdistrictsinresponsetoconcernsaboutpotentialtaxlawviolationsorfraudulentactivities.Nguy?nTi?nD?ng,deputydirectorofHCMCityTaxDepartment,disclosedonJune28thataVietnamesewoman,knownbythefirstnameH??ng,hadestablished116businesseswithincitydistrictsbetweenDecember2023andMarch2024.Thesebusinessesallbearforeignnames.Despitemultipleattemptstosummonthewomanforclarification,shefailedtoappearforquestioning.Investigationshaverevealedthebusinessesfoundedbyherwerenotconductingoperationsattheirregisteredaddressesoranyphysicallocation.Thetaxagencyhassoughtpoliceinterventiontodeterminewhetherlegitimatecitizenidentificationcardswereusedintheestablishmentofthesebusinesses.Ithasalsocautionedthatcasesofmassbusinessestablishmentofteninvolvefraudulentintentions,requiringfurtherinvestigationbythepolice.IthascalledforcollaborationfromtheDepartmentofPlanningandInvestmentinexaminingtheproliferationofvirtualandghostbusinessesestablishedbycertainindividuals.Withtherecentrelaxationofregulationsonbusinesslicensing,therehasbeenariseincasesexploitingtheestablishmentofmultiplebusinessesforillicitpurposessuchasinvoicetradingandtaxrefundscams.Therefore,thetaxagencynowrequirestheverificationofpersonalidentificationbeforeissuingelectronicinvoicestopreventtax-relatedviolations.ThetaxagencyrecommendsamendmentstolegalregulationsmandatingtheauthenticationofpersonalinformationthroughtheMinistryofPublicSecuritysnationalpopulationdatacentrepriortocompanyregistrationandinvoiceissuancetoavoidtheriskofindividualsmisusingcitizenidentificationcardsforfraudulentactivities.Inarelatedmove,thetaxagencyrecentlyannouncedalistofhundredsofbusinessesandindividualsowingoverVN?4.6trillion(US$188million)intaxeswithseveralfirmswithtaxdebtsofoverVN?100millionasofApril.—VNSAttheNam??nh1–ThanhHóa(chǎn)ThermalPowerPlantsection,96percentofthepoleshavebeenputupand80percentofthewireshavebeenpulledthrough.VNA/VNSPhotosHuyHùngThe500kVcircuit3transmissionlineprojectlinkingthecentralprovinceofQu?ngBìnhtothenorthernprovinceofH?ngYênisenteringthefinalphasetoreachitsfinishline,underthedirectionofPrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChính.The500kVpowertransmissionlinefromQu?ngTr?chDistrictinQu?ngBìnhtoPh?N?iDistrictinH?ngYênincludesfourcomponentprojects,includingthe500kVQu?ngTr?ch–Qu?nhL?upowerline,the500kVQu?nhL?u–ThanhHoápowerline,the500kVNam??nh1ThermalPowerPlant–ThanhHoápowerline,andthe500kVNam??nh1ThermalPowerPlant–Ph?N?ipowerline.The519-kmpowerlinepassesthrough211communesandwardsin43districtsofnineprovinces,includingQu?ngBình,HàT?nh,Ngh?An,ThanhHóa(chǎn),NinhBình,Nam??nh,TháiBình,H?iD??ng,andH?ngYên.ThetotalinvestmentisaboutVN?22.3trillion(US$899million).Theprojectaimstoreducetheriskofoverloadingfortheexisting500kVlines,especiallywhentransmittinghighamountviathenorth–operatingasacentralinterfaceattimeswhenhydroelectricpowerplantsgeneratelowpower,ensuringelectricitysupplyfortheregionintheyearstocome.TheprojectsarebeingundertakenbytheNationaok9lPowerTransmissionCorporation(EVNNPT)astheinvestor,withtheNorthernPowerProjectManagementBoardandtheCentralPowerProjectManagementBoardtheprojectoperatorsandmanagers.JointeffortsWorkersattheprojectinNgaS?nDistrict,thecentralprovinceofThanhHóa(chǎn).Throughouttheconstructionsites,thousandsofworkers,withsupportofdifferentunitsacrosstheelectricityindustry,areworkingdayandnightregardlessofthescorchingsun,thunderstormsormuddyterrain,inaconcertedefforttocompletetheprojectontime.Theexactshapeofthe500kVcircuit3transmissionlineisgraduallyemerging.Atconstructionsite30-33,package36inKimS?nDistrict,NinhBìnhofthePowerConstructionCompany4,dozensofworkersarespreadingconductorsandlightningprotection,readyforthewiredrawingprocess.Tr?nhV?nTu?n,teamleader,saidthatthissectionhadbeeninoperatingmodefromJune7untilnow,anditwasexpectedthatbyJune18,theentiresectionwouldbewired.Allhumanforces,machineryandequipmentaregatheredtoworkinthreeshifts.Wewilltrytocompletethebiddingpackagesbeforetheassignedtime,saidTu?n.L?uVi?tTi?n,deputygeneraldirectoroftheEVNNPTsaidthatoveralltheprojectinNam??nh1-ThanhHóa(chǎn)ThermalPowerPlantwasgoingwellandonschedule.Therewasnopressureintermsoftheworkforce-contractorsparticipatingintheprojectsuchasthePh??ngH?nhcompanyhavehighqualityhumanresourcesandlargeconstructionmachinery,completingthebiddingpackageveryquickly.Wearefocusingonincreasinghumanresources.Atthesametime,leadersoftheVi?tNamElectricity(EVN)andtheEVNNPTareregularlypresentattheconstructionsitetoencourage,supportandhandleanyarisingproblems,saidTi?n.CopewithsevereweatherTheweatherinthenorthisatitshottestperiod,withoutdoortemperaturessometimesreachingover40degreesCelsius.Thisisamajorobstacleforconstructioncontractors,whentheirworkerscannotworkcontinuouslyonsiteduetohealthandlaboursafetyregulations.AtthelocationNo32ofthe500kVNam??nh1-Ph?N?isectioninTr?cHùngCommune,Tr?cNinhDistrict,Nam??nh,constructionunitsarehastilyerectingpolesandpullingropesinthefinalstages,butthatworkisextremelydifficultunderthebakingsunshine.V?XuanThi?n,technicalofficeroftheS?ng?àCompany11said:Withthisweather,thecontractorletsworkersworkfrom5amandleaveearlyat11am,thengototheconstructionsitelaterfrom2pmtoworkuntileveningtoavoidthehotafternoonsun.PhanKhánhH?ngS?n,aworker,said:Thepoles,equipmentandmaterialsareallmadeofsteel,largeinsize,exposedtothehotsun,sotheirtemperatureisalwaysveryhigh.Whenitrains,itisalsoverydifficultforworkerstotransportequipmentandpolesforinstallationinthemuddyterrain.Managersatalllevelscareaboutandencourageus,providingmeals,medicineandfoodtoimproveourresistanceonhotdays,sowecanworkwithpeaceofmind.Ph?mV?nDoanh,anofficialfromtheNorthernPowerProjectManagementBoardandalsorepresentativeoftheinvestoratthispositionsaidthatinadditiontoweatherproblems,anotherobstacletoprogresswasgettingmaterialstoerectsteelcolumns.Whilecontractorsprovidingthecolumnscanonlyproduceabout70percent,theremaining30percentisimported.Customsprocedureswereconductedveryslowly,notalwaysmatchingthescheduleofprovidingsteelcolumnstotheconstructionsites.TheMinistryofIndustryandTradehascontactedtheconsulatesofneighbouringcountriestoensurethatgoodscanarriveattheconstructionsiteasquicklyaspossible,saidDoanh.PowerofsolidarityWorkersaretryingtheirverybestinQu?ngTr?ch-Qu?nhL?usection.Acrosstheconstructionsites,itisnotdifficulttoseethehiveofwork,witheveryoneaimingtospeedupprogress.Mostofthefront-lineworkersandofficialsparticipatingintheprojectarewillingtoworkregardlessofhardshipsandhopetheprojectwillbeenergisedandcomeinonschedule.FollowingrequestsoftheGovernmentandtheEVN,38teamswithmorethan500officersandemployeesoftheNorthernElectricityCorporationhavejoinedtheworkinthelastmonthtosupporttheproject.Asadesignatedcriticaltask,allthechosenteamsareelectricianswhoarequalified,willingandreadytoovercomeallobstacles.T?H?uS?n,deputydirectoroftheNinhBìnhElectricityCompany,saidthatjoiningtheworkwassomethingtheywereproudofsotheelectricityworkerswerealwaysenthusiasticandwereinhighspirits.DeputyGeneralDirectorTi?noftheEVNNPT,saidthatthecorporationassignedabout1,800peoplefromfourpowertransmissioncompanies,alongwithmorethan2,000workersfromdifferentelectricitycompaniesacrossthecountryjoininginthelastpushefforts.WorkerNguy?nTr?ng?oàn,fromtheCentralHighlandsprovinceof??kN?ng,saidthatwiththecurrentspiritofworkingregardlessofrainorshine,theunitcouldcompletelymeettheprojectsschedulebeforetheendofthismonth.Personally,Iamveryexcited,becausewehavebeenfamiliarwiththeworkofmanagingandoperating500kVtransmissionlinesfordecades.Alongwiththatistheencouragementfromalllevels,withsolidarityoftheentireelectricityindustry,weallholdthesinglegoalofcompletingtheprojectsoon,said?oàn.VNS

PanelistsshareexperiencesindiabetescareandmanagementinVi?tNam.—PhotocourtesyoftheVietnamAssociationofDiabetesandEndocrinologyHàN?I—TheVietnamAssociationofDiabetesandEndocrinologyhasintroducedthefirstcontinuousglucosemonitoringprotocolguideline,toadvisehealthcareprofessionalsinVi?tNam.Theguidelineisexpectedtobringaboutmajorchangestothecountrysdiabetesmanagement.TheMinistryofHealthhadpreviouslyrecommendedcontinuousglucosemonitoring(CGM)forpeoplelivingwithdiabetestype2whodesiretobettermanagetheirglucoselevelsandalsoforhospitalisedpatientswithrequiredglucosemonitoring.Thefirst-of-its-kindguideline,issuedbytheVietnamAssociationofDiabetesandEndocrinology(VADE)inlateFebruary2024,providesconcretestepsonhowhealthcareprofessionals(HCPs)andpeoplewithdiabetesshouldimplementCGM.Overallimplementationoftechnologywillnotonlyhelpbettermanagediabetesbutalsoreducethetreatmentcostburdenonpeopleandthehealthcaresystem.Therefore,adetailedguidelineforcontinousglucosemonitoringisofgreatimportance,saidProf.Dr.Tr?nH?uDàng,VADEChairman,formerlyViceRectorofHueUniversityofMedicineandPharmacyonThursday.CGMinvolvesusingsensorsattachedundertheskintomeasureglucoseintheinterstitialfluidoveraperiodoftimeanddisplaycontinuouslyestimatedbloodglucosevalues??overtime,theVADEguidelinesaid.ForHCPs,theguidelinelistsoutCGMdevicesandhowtousethem;indicationsandcontraindications;keyindicators,especiallythoseoftheelderlyandpregnantwomenaswellasdataanalysis.Forpeoplewithdiabetes,theguidelineprovidesgeneralintroductionofCGM,theoperationofCGMandhowtousemonitoringdevices.Basedontheseguidelines,HCPswillestablishprotocolsforCGMimplementationforhospitalsnationwide,especiallythoseinHàN?iandHCMCity.ThenumberofpeoplelivingwithdiabetesinVi?tNamhasbeenontherise,withthediseaseprevalencedoublingoverthepasttenyears.Amongthose,morethanhalfofthemarenotdiagnosed,thereforenotbeingtreated.Forthoseundertreatment,onlyathirdachieveddiabetestreatmentgoal,accordingtoProf.Dàng.Keepingbloodglucoselevelstableandwithinacceptablerangeiskeyforpeoplelivingwithdiabetestopreventdiabeticcomplications,Dàngsaid.CGMprovidesareal-timeglucosereadingandadetailedpictureofapersonsglucoselevels,helpingdoctorsunderstandthepatientsconditionstomakemorepersonalisedtreatmentdecisionandimprovetreatmentoutcomes.Thetechnologyalsohelpspeoplelivingwithdiabetesbettermanagetheirdiabetesandimprovequalityoflifethroughactionableinsightsthatenablelifestyleadjustments.OneoftheCGMdeviceslistedintheVADEguidelineisFreeStyleLibre,theflashglucosemonitoringtechnologywhichwaslaunchedinMarch2021foradultsandchildren(agedfourandabove)inVi?tNambyAbbott.TheFreeStyleLibresystem,launchedinVi?tNaminMarch2021,helpsmonitorglucoselevelseveryminutethroughasmall,coin-sizedsensorwornonthebackoftheupperarmforupto14days–makingitthelongest-lastingflashglucosemonitoringdeviceavailableglobally.Thetechnologyhasrevolutionisedthewaydiabetesismanagedforaboutsixmillionpeopleacrossmorethan60countries.—VNSAsectionofTràngTi?nAlleyinHoànKi?mDistrict,HàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoTu?n??cHàN?I—Adraftingteamlookingathowareasonthesideofroadsandsidewalksaremanagedinthecapital,haveproposedimposinganusagefeeinHoànKi?mDistrict,thehistoricheartofthecity.Theteamwerelookingathowthesidewalkswerebeingmanagedandused,andhowtheycouldbebetterexploited.Aftermorethantenmonthsofresearch,thedraftingteam,consistingofrepresentativesfrom11departmentsandfourdistricts,hassubmittedtothecapitalPeoplesCommitteethepromulgationoftheproject.Theproposalofapilotusagefeeschemecameafterassessingthecurrentmanagementstatusat123localstreetsinthecityandreviewingcurrentregulations.Thedraftingteamhasidentifiedconditionsandcriteriatoconsiderthetemporaryexploitationanduseofapartofroadbedsforparking,alongwiththeroadsidestripsbeingusedbybusinesses.Thedraftingteamsubmittedninemodelsofsidewalkstobeexploitedandusedfornon-trafficpurposesandpointedoutsevengroupsofmanagementsolutions.Accordingly,thefeefortemporaryuseofsidewalksforcarparkingisthehighestatVN?240,000(US$9.4)persq.meachmonthinHoànKi?mDistrict,thelowestisVN?20,000($0.78)persq.meachmonthS?nTayTownandothersuburbandistricts.ThefeefortemporaryuseofsidewalkstoparkmotorbikesandbicyclesinHoànKi?mDistrictisthehighestVN?135,000($5.2)persq.meachmonth,thelowestisVN?20,000($0.78)persq.meachmonthinS?nTayTownandotherdistricts.ThetemporaryuseofroadbedsandsidewalksforbusinessonmainstreetsoffourdowntowndistrictsofHoànKi?m,Ba?ình,??ng?aandHaiBàTr?ng,forcultural,culinarystreetsandnightmarkets,appliesafeeofVN?45,000($1.76)persq.meachmonth.ThefeeforremainingmainstreetsofeightotherdistrictscostsVN?40,000($1.56)persq.meachmonth.ItcostsVN?25,000($0.97)persq.mpermonthforstreetsinS?nTayTown.ThefeeisVN?20,000($0.78)persq.meachmonthforstreetsinthesuburbdistricts.RentalfeescomplywithResolutionNo.06/2020ofthecapitalPeoplesCouncil.Afterevaluatingtheinitialresults,thecitywillcontinuetoconsiderwhethertorolloutthepilotacrossotherurbanareasofotherdistricts.HoànKi?mhasbeencurrentlytheonlydistrictinthecapitalthatrentsidewalksforbusinessesandhasbeendoingsosince2021.Locationsforrent,mainlycoffee,refreshments,fastfoodareatNo.30,94LyTh??ngKi?t,No.11LêPh?ngHi?u,No.15Ng?Quy?n.TherentalfeeisVN?45,000($1.76)persq.mpermonth,thelicenceperiodfortemporaryuseofthestreetissixmonths.Attheendoflastyear,thedistrictproposedtopilotphaseoneofbusinessleasingon10streetswith36positions,consistingof15locationsonfivestreetsof?inhTiênHoàng,HàngKhay,HàngBài,Nguy?nXíandLêTháiT?and21locationsonfivestreetsofLyTh??ngKi?t,PhanChuTrinh,BàTri?u,LêPh?ngHi?uandNg?Quy?n.—VNS

Theremainsof172VietnamesevolunteersoldiersandexpertswereburiedatHill82Cemetery,TanBiênDistrict,TayNinhProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoGiangPh??ngT?YNINH—TheSteeringCommitteeforsearch,collection,repatriation,andidentificationoffallensoldiersremains(SteeringCommittee515)ofthesouthernprovinceofTayNinhonFridayheldceremonytoreceivetheremainsof172VietnamesevolunteersoldierswhofelldowninCambodiaduringthewartime.TheremainsweresearchedandrepatriatedbyTeamK70underMilitaryZone7andTeamK71undertheTayNinhMilitaryHighCommandduringthe2023-2024dryseason.AccordingtoLieutenantColonelPhanV?nLong,PoliticalCommissarofTeamK71,theremainswerecollectedintheprovincesofBanteayMeanchey,OddarMeancheay,SiemReap,KampongCham,andTbongKhmunfromMarch1–June28.Membersofbothteamsalwaysupheldastrongsenseofresponsibilitytoovercomealldifficulties,andcloselycooperatedwithforcesoftheMilitarySubdistrictandpeopleoftheCambodianlocalitiesinperformingtheirduties,contributingtotighteningthefriendshipandsolidaritybetweenthetwocountries,Longsaid.Colonel??ThànhVi?t,DeputyCommissaroftheTayNinhMilitaryHighCommand,commendedthespirit,responsibility,andachievementsbytheteamsofficersandsoldiers,andthankedtheCambodianlocalitiesforcesfortheirassistanceandsupporttotheteamsintheirmission.—VNS

Dr.H?Ng?cAnhV?(left),34,headofHCMCity-basedM???cHospitalsFertilitySupportDepartment,performsasurgeryonapatient.—PhotocourtesyofM???cHospitalHCMCITY—AresearchstudyconductedbyVietnamesedoctorsinHCMCityhasbeenpublishedinTheLancet,ahighlyesteemedinternationalmedicaljournal.ReleasedonThursday(June27),thestudy,withafocusoninfertility,wasledbyDr.H?Ng?cAnhV?,34,headoftheM???cHospitalsFertilitySupportDepartmentinTanBìnhDistrict.ThepaperwassupervisedbyAssoc.Prof.Dr.V??ngTh?Ng?cLan,headoftheDepartmentofMedicineatHCMCityUniversityofMedicineandPharmacy.Itdelvesintoprotocolsforpreparingtheuterineendometriumtocreateanoptimalenvironmentforembryotransferintotheuterus.Thestudyemphasisestheimportanceoftailoringprotocolstoindividualpatientsasasingularapproachmaynotbeuniversallyapplicable.Bycomparingtheeffectivenessofthreecommonlyusedprotocolson1,428patients,thestudyprovidesinvaluablescientificevidencethataidsdoctorsincustomisingtreatmentsforoptimaloutcomes.Thegroundbreakingresearch,thefirstofitskindtoanalysemidtermresults,underwentrigorousevaluationbyanindependentinternationaldataanalysisboardcomprisedofesteemedprofessorsfromEngland,Australia,andHongKong.Despitefacingtemporarydisruptionsduetothepandemicin2021,theresearchteamdiligentlynavigatedchallengingcircumstancestoresumeactivitieswhenfeasible.ThisisthesecondtimeaVietnamesemedicalresearchpaperhasbeenfeaturedinTheLancet.Thepreviousstudy,publishedinApril2021,wasalsoledbytheresearchteamatM???cHospitalincollaborationwithvariousdomesticandinternationalunits.Thepreviousstudyfocusedonacomparisonbetweenintracytoplasmicsperminjectionandconventionalin-vitrofertilisation(IVF)incoupleswithinfertilitywherethemalepartnerhasnormaltotalspermcountandmotility.Ithighlightedtheriseintheuseofintracytoplasmicsperminjectionsoverthepasttwodecades,despitetherateofmaleinfertilityremainingunchanged.TheLancetisacknowledgedasapremiersourceofinformationintheglobalmedicalandhealthsciencecommunity.—VNSLeadersoftheMinistryofConstructionchairtheconference.—Photobaochinhphu.vnHàN?I—TheMinistryofConstruction(MoC)willpromotecoordinationwithministriesandlocalstoremovedifficultiesindevelopingsocialhousingaccordingtotheGovernmentsdirection,expertssaidinaconferenceheldonWednesdayinHàN?i.AttheMoCsconferencetoreviewtheworkduringthefirstsixmonthsthisyearandsettasksfortheremainderoftheyear,??uMinhThanh,theChiefoftheoffice,saidthatsince2021,503socialhousingprojectshavebeenstartedoverthecountrywith418,200houses.Amongthem,75projectshavebeencompleted,offering39,884houses.ThisyearsoveralltargetsetbytheGovernmentisfor130,000socialhousestobecompletednationwide.Thus,thenumberofcompletionwasfarfromthetargetassignedbytheGovernment,saidThanh.FutureplanOneofthekeytasksoftheMoCfortheremainingmonthsofthisyearisurginglocalitiestoimplementtheprojectBuildingatleastonemillionsocialhousesforlow-incomeearnersandindustrialzoneworkersintheperiod2021-30.Atthesametime,theministrywillproactivelyproposesolutionstorebalancesupplyanddemand,restructuretherealestatemarket,increasehousingsupply,strengthenforecastinformationandrespondwhenthemarkethasunusualfluctuations.DirectoroftheHàN?iDepartmentofPlanningandArchitectureNguy?nTr?ngK?Anhsaidthatthedepartmenthadproposedninelandareasforbuildingsocialhousingwithanareaofabout600hainCh??ngM?,Qu?cOai,Hà??ng,ThanhTrì,Th??ngTín,?anPh??ng,??ngAnh,GiaLamandtheMêLinhdistricts.LandfundsforsocialhousingdevelopmentareasolidbasisforthecapitalcitytocompletetargetassignedbythePrimeMinisterfortheperiod2021-30andstabilisetherealestatemarketandlocaleconomy,hesaid.Alsoattheconference,MinisterofConstructionNguy?nThanhNgh?suggestedsolutionsinoverallmanagementandadministration.Herequestedunitstofirmlygraspthedomesticandinternationalsituationtohaveaccurateforecasts,timelyadviceandeffectiveandpracticalmeasuresready.Alongwithtighteningdisciplineandorder,theconstructionindustrywillapplyinformationtechnologyindirection,managementandadministration,reviewtheassignmentoftaskstowardsthemottoofrightpeople-rightjobs-rightstrengths,saidNgh?.Fromthere,wewillcompletelyovercomethesituationofavoidingduty,notdaringtodothings,notdaringtotakeresponsibility.Thesectorwillalsoenhancetheresponsibilityofleaders,promoteinter-ministerialandlocalcoordination,whileimplementingtheministrysstatemanagementfunction.TheMoCwantstoinnovateitsapproachandcloselygrasplocalsituationstojointlysolvearisingproblemsandcreateconsensusintheworkimplementationprocess.—VNS

ThebridgeonHCMCitysfirstmetrolinespanningtheSàiGònRiver.Buildingaself-drivingtramlinerunningoncanalsisproposedtohelpreducecongestionintheTanS?nNh?tairportsvicinity.—VNA/VNSPhotoAnHi?uHCMCITY—Aprivateinvestorhasproposedtobuildaself-drivingtramlinerunningonHCMCityscanalstoreducecongestionnearTanS?nNh?tairport.AccordingtothecitysDepartmentofTransport,thelinewouldrunbetweenTanS?nNh?tAirportinTanBìnhDistrictand??mSenCulturalParkinDistrict11.Itwouldhavealengthofnearly30kmandanestimatedcostofaboutVN?20trillion(US$780million).PhanC?ngB?ng,deputydirectorofthemunicpalDepartmentofTransport,saidthedepartmenthassentadocumenttothecitysDepartmentofPlanningandArchitectureandtheUrbanRailwayManagementBoardtoseektheiropinionsontheproposaloftheHàN?i-basedTh?chBànParkJSC.Theworkisplannedtobecarriedoutinthreephases.ThefirstphasewillbefromtheairporttoNguy?nKi?uIsletinDistrict4withalengthof12.7kmrunningalongNhiêuL?c-Th?NghèCanal.Inthesecondphase,itwillbeextendedfromtheislettoBàTàngBridgeinDistrict8,adistanceof5.7km,along??iCanal.Thethirdphaseisan11.5kmsectionfromBàTàngBridgetotheintersectionofHoàngV?nTh?andútT?chstreetsalongTanHóa(chǎn)CanalandL?cLongQuanStreet.Accordingtothecompany,theworkisexpectedtoproceedsmoothlysinceitwillrunalongcanals,therefore,thereisnoproblemwithlandacquisitionandclearancechallenges.Itwouldmainlybebuiltofsteel,allowingmassproductioninfactoriestospeedupprogress,itsaid.Self-drivingtramshavetheadvantageofswitchinglaneseasilycomparedtomonorails,andthecostisalsolower,itsaid.Theworkisexpectedtobecompletedinfiveyears.Itwouldaddresscongestionneartheairportwhilealsohelpingdevelopthecitysurbanrailnetwork,itsaid.Themainstationswillbeconnectedtothemetrosystem.Thecityplanstobuildeightmetroroutesandthreetramlineswithatotallengthof220kmatanestimatedcostof$25billion.ThefirstmetrolinebetweenB?nThànhMarketinDistrict1andSu?iTiênThemeParkinTh???ccityisalmostcomplete,withthelatestplansayingitshouldbeputintooperationthisyear,andworkhasstartedonthesecond.ItisfundedbyofficialdevelopmentaidloansandtheGovernment.Theremaininglinesareintheplanningstage.Therehavebeennospecificplansforthetramlines.—VNSHàN?I—Parentsareexpectedtohavegreaterautonomyindecidingthenumberofchildrentohaveandthetimingbetweenchildbirthsinanefforttoimprovethecountrysbirthrate,accordingtothedraftpopulationlaw.Theirdecisionsshouldbebasedontheirhealthandfinancialconditions,accordingtotheproposalbytheMinistryofHealth(MoH).ThisisseenasaradicalchangecomparedtothecurrentPopulationOrdinance,whichcalledforeachcoupleorindividualtohaveonetotwochildren,withexceptionstoberegulatedbythegovernment.Vi?tNamissuedthePopulationOrdinancein2003,whichwasamendedin2008.Thelawaimstoaddresspopulationchallengesatthetime,includingbirthrateandpopulationdistribution.Whentheordinancecameintoeffect,Vi?tNamhadnotachievedreplacement-levelfertilityuntil2006.Aroundthesametime,genderimbalanceatbirthbecamemorepronounced.Thecountryspopulation,nowstandsatover100million,enteredthe‘goldenperiodin2007andtheageingphasein2011.The‘goldenpopulationhascreatedacompetitiveedgeforVi?tNaminitssocio-economicdevelopment,alongsidebetterpopulationdistributionaswellasimprovedhumanresourcequality,ahigherhumandevelopmentindex(HDI)andlongeraveragelifeexpectancy.TheMoHhascalledforchangestoupdatethePopulationOrdinanceinalignmentwiththecurrentsituation.ThismeanstakingintoaccountchangesinthePartysdirectioninshiftingfromfamilyplanningtopopulationdevelopment,radicallyaddressingissuesrelatedtopopulationsize,structure,distributionandquality,aswellasrights,responsibilitiesandframeworksfordifferentstakeholdersinpopulationmanagement.Intheimpactassessmentreportonthepopulationlawproject,whichisopenforpubliccomments,theMoHsaidthatthereplacement-levelfertilitylevelisatthelowestinthepast12yearsandisexpectedtocontinuedeclining.Vi?tNamstotalfertilityratein2022was2.01childrenperwoman.In2023,thisfigurewasestimatedat1.96.Thereportalsohighlightssignificantfertilityratedisparitiesbetweengroupsandregions.Thetendencytohavefewchildrenornoneatallhasbeenemerginginurbanareas,whereeconomicconditionsarehigh.Meanwhile,inseveralareaswithsocio-economicchallenges,fertilityratesremainelevated,reaching2.5childreninsomelocations.Tosustainablymaintainthereplacementfertilitylevelof2.1childrenperwomannationwide,theMoHproposesparentsshouldhavehigherautonomyinchildbirth.TheMoHexpectsthatthismeasurewillpreventbirthratesfromplummeting,resultinginaseverelyageingpopulationanditsadverseimpactsonsocio-economicdevelopmentaswellasnationalsecurityanddefence.—VNS

ProfessorNguy?nQuangTu?n.—VNA/VNSPhotoT?tS?nHàN?I—ProfessorNguy?nQuangTu?n,57,formerdirectorofB?chMaiHospitalandHàN?iHeartHospital,whowenttoprisononchargeofcorruptioninmedicalbidding,isworkingasaninternatHàN?i-basedH?uNgh?Hospitaltoobtainanewprofessionalcertification.Sourcestoldlocalmediathatafterreceivingtheapplication,thehospitalfacilitatedTu?nsinternshipinaccordancewithregulations.ThesourcesalsosaidthatTu?nmuststartfromscratchlikeafreshmedicalgraduatetoqualifyforprofessionalcertification.Tu?nstartedhisinternshiponJuly1.Asperregulations,Tu?nwillneedtointernfor12months.Aftercompletingtheinternshipperiod,Tu?ncanproceedwithapplyingforanewprofessionalcertification.Oncehegetsthathecanresumemedicalpracticeandprescription-writing,thesourcessaid.Tu?nisreportedlyworkingintheinternalmedicinedepartmentofthehospital.Regulationsstipulatethatdoctorsmustinternforninemonthsininternalmedicinedepartmentsandthreemonthsintheintensivecare.Previously,Tu?nwassentencedtothreeyearsinprison(includingthedetentionperiod)forviolatingregulationsonbidding,causingseriousconsequencesonApril2023bythePeoplesCourtofHàN?i.In2012,Tu?nwasappointedasDirectorofHàN?iHeartHospital.Theindictmentstatedthatsince2015,Tu?nallowedtwocompanies--HoàngNgaMedicalEquipmentJSCandKimHòaPhátBiotechnologyJSC--tosendmedicalsuppliestobeusedinadvancebythehospital.Afterextensivebiddingprocedureswerelegitimatelycompleted,shortenedbiddingroutewasdesignatedandTu?napprovedthedecisionforthesetwocompaniestowinthecontractforextensivepackagesin2016andfourdesignatedpackagesin2017.Tu?nandother11defendantsofthecaseabusedtheirpositionstoillegallyinterveneinbiddingactivities,thecourtdecided.Theycarriedoutmanyviolationsfromthebiddingdossier,unitprice,type,quantityofstentsandothermedicalsupplies.ThedefendantsatthehospitalcolludedwiththedefendantsatAIC–Vi?tNamValuationandInvestmentJSC,toissueappraisalcertificatesattherequestandafixedpriceofthehospital,whichTu?napproved.ThisensuredthatthetwocompanieswonthebidsandsoldmedicalequipmentinviolationoftheProcurementLaw,causingmorethanVN?53.6billion($2.2million)indamagestothehospitalandtheSocialInsuranceFundacrossallfivebiddingpackages.Thecourtpointedoutthatitwasaveryseriouscase,infringingontheStateseconomicmanagementorderinthebiddingfortheprocurementofmedicalequipmentandsupplies,affectingthereputationofthehealthsectorandthehospital,causinginsecurityamongthepeopleandgoingagainstthecurrentfightagainstcorruption.Tu?n,whoheldthehighestpositionattheHàN?iHeartHospital,hadtobearthehighestresponsibilityfortheviolations.ButthecourtalsodeterminedthatTu?ncommittedthecrimewhilethehealthsectorfacedmanydifficultiesandtheprocurementofmedicalsuppliescouldnotbemetintimeduetoshortcomingsoflegalregulations.ThecourtalsotooknoticeofthefactthatTu?nwasaleadingphysicianwithprofessionalqualificationsinthefieldofcardiologyandwashighlyregardedbybothdomesticandinternationalexperts.Thecourtheardthatduringhiswork,hewasawardedmanynoblemedals,trainedgenerationsofdoctorsandsavedmanylives.Duringtheinvestigationandatthetrial,Tu?nwassincere,repentantandattemptedtoremediatetheconsequences.Healreadyreturned$10,000thathereceivedfromHoàngNgaMedicalEquipmentJSCandVN?6billion($256,000).Thesewerebelievedtobeextenuatingcircumstancestomitigatethesentenceforhim,thecourtsaid.Tu?nisnotprohibitedfromassumingpositionsorpractisinghisprofession,hecanresumepractisingimmediatelyuponreceivinghiscertification.In2018,Tu?nwasrecognisedbytheStateCouncilforProfessorofVi?tNamforachievingthestandardofProfessorinMedicinein2017andwasawardedthehighestprizeintheVietnameseTalentAwardsinthemedicalfieldforthetopicInterventionofcoronaryarterystenosisviastentplacement.InMarch2020,Tu?nwasappointeddirectorofB?chMaiHospital.Atthattime,theCOVID-19pandemicwasongoingandtheimagesofdoctorsfromB?chMaiHospitalappearedinalmosteveryregionsupportingpandemicpreventionefforts.—VNSE-cigarettesamplesaredesignedtoresembletoysandmilkcartonstoattractchildren.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Thenumberofhospitalisationsduetoelectroniccigaretteusehasbeenincreasingrecently,withmostcasesinvolvingyoungpatientsexperiencingacutepoisoning.Inthefirstsixmonthsof2024,thePoisonControlCentreatHàN?isB?chMaiHospitalhastreatedaround100casesofe-cigarettepoisoning.OnJune26,a20-year-oldmaninHàN?iwasrushedtoB?chMaiHospitalafterfallingintoacomaandsufferingmultipleorgandamageduetousinge-cigarettes.Around4amthatday,hisfamilyheardstrangenoisesandfoundhimconvulsingandunconscious.HewasimmediatelytakentoanearbyhospitalandthentransferredtothePoisonControlCentreinacomatosestatewithrespiratoryfailure,multipleorgandamage,brainandheartinjuries,severemetabolicacidosisandkidneyfailure.Testsonthee-cigarettehehadusedrevealedthepresenceofsyntheticcannabis.Theyoungmanhadahistoryofusinge-cigarettesformanyyearsandhadpreviouslybeenhospitalisedfore-cigarettepoisoningin2023.DrNguy?nTrungNguyên,DirectorofthePoisonControlCentresaid:Inthefirstsixmonthsof2024alone,thecentrereceivedapproximately100casesofe-cigarettepoisoning.Incontrast,intheyears2022and2023,thecentrereceivednearly130casesofhospitalisationforthesamereason.Notably,manytestsonpatientse-cigaretteshavereturnedpositiveresultsfordrugs.AsurveyconductedbythePoisonControlCentreone-cigarettesamplesusedby120patientsrevealedthat16ofthesesamplestestedpositivefordrugs,accountingfor13.3percent.ToxicologytestsonsomespecimenssenttotheforensicinstitutedetecteddrugsincludingADB-Butinaca,MDMB-Butinaca,ADB-4en-PINACA,MDMB-4en-PINACA,EDMB-4en-PINACA,THCandPB-22.AccordingtoNguyên,hospitalisationsduetotheuseofnewtobaccoproductshavebeenincreasingrecently.Thewidespreaduseofe-cigarettesisgrowingrapidly,withmostcasesinvolvingyoungpatientssufferingfromacutepoisoningafterusingthistypeofcigarette.Manypeople,especiallyteenagers,believethate-cigarettesareharmlessbecausetheydonotcontainaddictivenicotine.Thisisamisconception.E-cigarettesposethreemajorhealthrisks:nicotine,artificialflavoringsanddrugs.Currently,thetreatmentcostsforacutepoisoningcasesfromdrug-lacede-cigarettesrangefromover10milliontohundredsofmillionsof??ng,Nguyênsaid.E-cigarettes,heatedtobaccoproductsandothernewtypesoftobaccoareharmfultohealth.Theypavethewayforabuse,addictionandexposuretosyntheticchemicals,leadingtonumerousnewdiseasesandhealthissues.Theyalsocomplicatetheproblemsassociatedwithtraditionaltobaccoanddrugs.Therefore,itiscrucialnottoevaluate,researchorexperimentwiththeseproducts,hewarned.EasilypurchasedonlineNguy?nTh?An,DirectorofHealthBridgeCanadainVi?tNam,saidthate-cigaretteproductscouldnowbeeasilypurchasedthroughsocialmediaplatformslikeFacebookande-commercesites.Shesaidthatwithcolleaguestheyhadtriedorderinge-cigarettesthemselvesandwhenthepackagearrived,itwaslabelledasanti-acnecosmeticsasawayforchildrentoeasilydeceivetheirparentsandteachersandpurchaseandusee-cigarettes.Inourresearch,whenweaskedwhystudentsusede-cigaretteproducts,60percentsaidtheystartedbecausetheirfriendssharedthem.WithaproductcostingonlyaroundVN?10,000,studentscaneasilyshareanduseitinclassasitisveryaffordable.Theycanevenbuythesenew-generationtobaccoproductsbyskippingjustonebreakfast,shesaid.Analsonotedthattheseproductswereincrediblyeasytopurchase,convenientandaccessibleatanytime,evenbeingsoldastoysatdrinkstallsrightoutsideschoolgates.Thatswhywealwaysemphasisethatifnewtobaccoproductsareonlybannedforchildrenunder18,itisafailure.Productslabelledasmilkareclearlytargetingchildren.Moreover,e-cigaretteswithappealingflavoursareobviouslyaimedatchildren.Fromaneconomicperspective,Anpointedoutthatallowingnewtobaccoproductswouldnotprovideanyeconomicbenefitand,inthelongrun,negativelyimpactthehealthoffuturegenerations.Asurveyshowedthatin2019,therateofnewtobaccoproductuseamong13-to17-year-oldswas2.6percent.Thisrateincreasedto3.5percentin2022and7percentin2023.Specifically,among13-to15-year-olds,the2023surveyindicatedausagerateofupto8percent.Accordingtoreportsfromnearly700healthcarefacilities,in2023alone,therewereover1,200hospitalisationsduetotheuseofe-cigarettesandheatedtobaccoproducts.Theprimarysymptomsuponadmissionwereallergies,poisoningandacutelungdamage.Expertshaveproposedanurgentbanontheimport,production,distributionandsaleofe-cigarettesandheatedtobaccoproducts,aswellasbanningadvertisingandpromotionoftheseproductsinVi?tNam.Inthelongterm,regulationsfromtheresolutionshouldbeincorporatedintotherevisedLawonPreventionandControlofTobaccoHarm,theysaid.—VNS