We evaluated the prevalence and profile of antiretroviral treatment (ART)-associated resistance mutations among HIV-1 strains in northern Vietnam by genotypically analyzing strains isolated from ART-naive individuals in Hai Phong, a city in which HIV-1 is highly prevalent. Plasma samples were collected from injecting drug users (IDU, n = 760), female sex workers (FSW, n = 91), seafarers (n = 94), pregnant women (n = 200), and blood donors (n = 210), and screened for HIV-1 antibodies. Plasma viral RNA was extracted from HIV-1-positive samples, amplified by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR of protease and RT genes, and analyzed for genotypes and ART-associated resistance mutations. HIV-1 prevalence among IDU, FSW, seafarers, pregnant women, and blood donors was 35.9%, 23.1%, 0%, 0.5%, and 2.9%, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the most prevalent HIV-1 subtype was CRF01_AE (98.3%), similar to strains prevalent in southern China. Four (1.4%) subtype B strains and one (0.3%) unique recombinant between subtypes B and C were also identified. We found protease inhibitor-associated major resistance mutations in one of the 294 cases analyzed (0.3%; mutation M46I). We found RT inhibitor-associated major resistance mutations in 7/273 cases (2.6%; one occurrence each of L74I, M184I, and K219E; three cases of K103N; and two cases of G190E). One CRF01_AE strain harboring a protease codon 35 insertion was first identified in Vietnam. Thus, monitoring of drug-resistant HIV-1 and establishment of a database are required for the proper selection of ART in Vietnam.

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To identify hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission routes among injection drug users inNorthern Vietnam, plasma samples were collected from 486 drug users in Hai Phong.Plasma viral RNA was extracted from 323 (66.5%) samples that were positive for anti-HCV antibodies. Portions of the HCV 5'-untranslated (5'UTR)-Core and NS5B genes were amplified by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, sequenced directly, and genotyped in 194 and 195 specimens, respectively. Both regions were genotyped in 137 specimens. In the 5'UTR-Core region, genotype 6a was predominant (32.5%), followed by genotype 1a (23.7%), genotype 1b (20.6%), and genotype 6e (14.4%). In the NS5B region, genotype 1a was predominant (42.6%), followed by genotype 1b

This paper presents the experimental results of researching on plastic shrinkage (plastic deformation) and the effect of curing methods on the process of plastic shrinkage at the early stages when self-compacting concrete (SCC) starts setting and develops the strength. The experiments were carried out in two typical climatic conditions in Vietnam which are humid and dry. The experiments were conducted with two typical water/powder ratios of 0.3 and 0.35 and four cases of curing methods which are nylon membrane, watering, no-curing and soaking in water (the standard condition). Besides, the influences of plastic shrinkage at the early stages on strength development and occurrence of surface cracking of SCC were also investigated. The conclusions were drawn about the plastic deformation process and the curing method that might minimize plastic shrinkage of SCC, control surface cracking early, and ensure the quality and strength of SCC in the hot and humid climatic condition of Vietnam. Keywords: plastic shrinkage; self-compacting concrete; hot and humid climate; hardening process.

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In recent years, the rural agricultural economy in Vietnam has experienced outstanding shifting progress. The paper focuses on analyzing and evaluating an overview of the agricultural economy in Vietnam in the context of global climate change and global integration during industry 4.0. The results show that many advanced and modern models of association and cooperation which are effective in agriculture and rural areas have been applied to increase production efficiency. Science and technology applied to agriculture will increase the value of the agricultural sector in Vietnam. The innovations and prosperity of agricultural infrastructure combined with the implementation of the national scheme on restructuring agricultural sectors oriented to added value increase and sustainabe development will lead to a sustainable and climate adapted agriculture.

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