The 15th Government for the 2021 – 2026 tenure convened its first meeting on August 11 under the chair of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Working on the implementation of 13th National Party Congress’s Resolution and the 15th National Assembly’s Resolution on socio-economic development for 2021 – 2025, the session saw the attendance of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. Leaders of 63 cities and provinces nationwide join the meeting via video conference.

In his opening speech, PM Chinh said the meeting is important, aiming to reach agreement on key issues related to the implementation with determination to build a Government of innovation, integrity, action, and efficiency, serving the people.

The meeting heard Government leaders briefing on 13 groups of central tasks and solutions of the 15th Government in implementing the above-said resolutions.

The groups consist of more than 400 specific programmes and missions.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is scheduled to delivered a speech that offers guidance and orientations and delegates tasks for the Government during its 2021 – 2026 tenure./.

Nanogen ties up with Vekaria Healthcare LLP to produce Nanocovax vaccine

Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC has signed an agreement with India's Vekaria Healthcare LLP for tech transfer, production, and distribution of Nanocovax vaccines.

The agreement will be the basis for the two companies to enter into a deeper discussion on the details of the cooperation related to the large-scale production and distribution of Nanocovax vaccine when it receives the license for emergency use.

Nanocovax is Vietnam's domestically developed coronavirus vaccine candidate. The vaccine has begun Phase 3 clinical trials with positive results.

Nanogen is coordinating with domestic agencies to promote the testing process to soon get approval for emergency use.

Previously, Nanogen authorised Vietnamese Ambassador to India Pham Sanh Chau as its representative to negotiate with the Indian partner on technology transfer and clinical trials of the Nanocovax vaccine.

The ambassador said that the tie-up between Nanogen and Vekaria Healthcare LLP is of great significance as the pandemic is raging in India, Vietnam, and many parts of the world. The early rollout of Nanocovax for testing, production, and distribution on a large scale will contribute to the fight against the pandemic.

Vekaria Healthcare LLP, a subsidiary of Vekaria Group, has researched and studied many potential COVID-19 vaccines before choosing Nanocovax for production.

Vietnam among the friendliest countries on Earth

Vietnam has ranked ninth among the ten friendliest countries in the world, the World Population Review quoted a survey conducted by InterNations.

Portugal topped the list.

The ranks in this survey change dramatically within a few years as many factors can greatly affect a country’s attitude towards foreign travelers or expats.

A friendly attitude with a positive view on strangers and people of other cultures has helped Vietnam to reach the top ten.

Experts believe that this rank will become one of the favourable factors for tourists to choose Vietnam for their post-COVID-19 experience, thus helping the country’s non-smoke industry revive./.

Friendship insignia presented to outgoing Finnish Ambassador

Outgoing Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam Kari Kahiluoto has been honoured with the “For peace and friendship among nations” insignia during a ceremony held in Hanoi on August 10.

At the award ceremony, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga said Vietnam and Finland set up diplomatic relations in 1973. In the past nearly 50 years, the countries’ traditional friendship has flourished in multiple fields such as economy, trade, education, high technology, innovation, startup, clean water, clean energy and people-to-people exchange.

During his term, the Finnish Ambassador has made significant contributions to strengthening the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries, Nga stated.

He has helped foster mutual understanding between the Communist Party of Vietnam and political parties in Finland, as well as collaboration between the countries’ localities and the implementation of community projects, notably the Vietnam-Finland International School and the Talent Boost programme which offers chances for Vietnamese youths to travel and work in the European nation.

The VUFO President expressed her hope that the Finnish diplomat will continue to contribute to the Vietnam-Finland traditional friendship and cooperation.

For his part, Kahiluoto said that Finland and Vietnam have paid due attention to international cooperation activities along with people-to-people exchange between the two countries.

He pledged to exert efforts in promoting the countries’ friendship, thereby further consolidating the bilateral relations in the coming time./.

HCM City distributes over 87 mln USD donated to COVID-19 fight

More than 2 trillion VND (87.1 million USD) worth of goods, medical equipment and cash, donated in support of Ho Chi Minh City’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, has been distributed promptly, the municipal Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee announced on August 9.

According to the agency, since March 20, 2020, it has received commodities, equipment and cash worth 2.245 trillion VND from collectives, organisations, businesses and individuals both inside and outside the country.

Specifically, it has received nearly 872 billion VND in cash, goods worth more than 178 billion VND and medical equipment and supplies worth nearly 1.195 trillion VND.

In addition, since May 27, units, businesses and individuals have donated nearly 295 billion VND to the city to purchase vaccines against COVID-19.

Ho Chi Minh City is currently Vietnam’s largest COVID-19 hotspot. Since the fourth wave hit the country on April 27, the city has recorded 128,285 infections.

HCM City adjusts COVID-19 combat strategy, prioritising treatment

Ho Chi Minh City’s health sector is implementing a strategy of shifting from focusing on screening testing to treatment, with a hope to reduce the rate of COVID-19 patients in critical conditions and the number of fatalities.

The information was released by Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Health Nguyen Hoai Nam at a meeting providing information about the city’s pandemic prevention and control on August 10.

According to him, along with speeding up vaccination, the city has put three COVID-19 intensive care units, with 1,500 beds, into operation. All of these centres have necessary conditions to meet the need of using ventilators for patients.

The city has also intensified the capacity of health care at home and the emergency aid centre 115, and provided medical consultations via hotlines.

Regarding the vaccination progress, Nam revealed as of August 9 noon, the city had received more than 4.1 million doses of vaccines and administered over 3.4 million shots.

The city will continue to accelerate the injection rate of 250,000 - 300,000 shots a day, he said, adding that the city may use up all the vaccines it has by the end of August 12.

The city has proposed the Ministry of Health continue providing vaccines for it in August with a total of 5.5 million doses to achieve the goal of achieving herd immunity, stated Nam.

Also at the meeting, Director of the municipal Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Minh Tan affirmed that the department will quickly allocate the support package to locals before August 15. Currently, 92 percent of labourers who have their jobs delayed or take no-pay leave, more than 365,000 freelance workers, 15,000 traders at traditional markets and 5,800 business households have received support.

My Son A10 pedestal seeks recognition as national treasure

The Treasure Evaluation Council of Quang Nam province and the Management Board of My Son World Cultural Heritage Site on August 10 approved a scientific dossier of My Son A10 pedestal at the heritage site, and agreed to submit the dossier to seek recognition of the pedestal as a national treasure.

Phan Ho, Director of the Management Board of My Son World Cultural Heritage Site, said that My Son A10 pedestal is located at tower group A of My Son temple complex in Quang Nam province’s Duy Xuyen district. It dates back to between the 9th and 10th centuries. 

The 2.26m-high, 2.58m-long and 2.58m-wide pedestal is constructed from 17 stone blocks. 

A set of Linga-Yoni is placed on the pedestal. The Yoni is 2.25m in length and 1.69m in width while the Linga is 55cm in diametre and 57cm in height.

The pedestal was found by Vietnamese and Indian experts during restoration work at the site in May last year. 

According to local experts, My Son A10 pedestal has a unique form with the largest set of Linga-Yoni statue in Champa sculpture found so far. Besides, it is decorated with typical patterns of Dong Duong style. 

The pedestal is a rare work of its kind that remains intact in the worshipping space at the My Son Sanctuary./.

Ministry orders increased use of Telehealth to deal with COVID-19 spike

The Ministry of Health has requested COVID-19 treatment hospitals across the country to increase use of Telehealth, a system for remote health care consultation and support, to deal with the spikes in COVID-19 cases.

The COVID-19 hospitals must, without delay, put into use the Telehealth system, connecting their different departments and units, and with other hospitals.

Hospitals designated as national and regional intensive care units were asked to urgently set up a remote health consultation network with the COVID-19 treatment hospitals on digital platforms to provide instructions on classifying patients based on their conditions, delivering emergency and intensive care, and proposing hospital transfers.

Locally-run hospitals must immediately digitally connect with national and regional ones to receive periodic and emergency consultations.

The Ministries of Health, and Information and Telecommunications on August 8 jointly launched the national technology centre for COVID-19 prevention and control, and announced that all district medical units had become connected with the Telehealth system.

Local medical workers are now able to seek advice from leading experts about how to best treat patients in critical conditions, particularly those with COVID-19, via Telehealth, instead of transferring them to higher-level hospitals.

This will help ease overloads at centrally-run hospitals and minimise direct contacts between patients and medical workers. In the long run, it will enable all people to register for online medical consultations.

Vietnam, Laos presidents unveil Lao National Assembly building

Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc inaugurated the Lao National Assembly building – a newly built project as a special gift from Vietnam to Laos – in Vientiane capital on August 10.

 Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc unveil the Lao National Assembly building, a special gift from Vietnam to Laos.

The project got off the ground in July 2018 and was finished recently to serve the first session of the 9th National Assembly of Laos.

The new building sits on the foundation of the old National Assembly house at Thatluang Square in the heart of Vientiane. It has a total area of ​​about 23,400 m2, of which the construction area is about 7,171 m2, including 1 basement and 5 floors.

The project, costing US$111.7 million, was invested by the Vietnamese Ministry of Construction, and Army Corps 11 under the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense worked as general contractor.

According to Lao National Assembly Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihane, the structure is modernly equipped, that creates the best conditions for NA deputies, officials and employees to perform well their political tasks.

Addressing the ceremony, Presidents Thongloun Sisoulith and Nguyen Xuan Phuc noted the new National Assembly building is a vivid symbol of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

On this occasion, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc awarded the Vietnamese Labour Order, first and second-class, to a number of leaders and former leaders of the Lao National Assembly who had directed and monitored the implementation of the project.

Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith awarded the Lao Freedom Order, first class, to the Ministry of Construction of Vietnam, and the Lao Freedom Order, second class, to the Project Management Board of the Ministry of Construction and Army Corps 11 of the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc left Vientiane on August 10 evening, concluding his two-day official friendship visit to Laos.

Deputy Foreign Minister: President’s Laos visit a success

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to Laos held significance, contributing to fostering great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, said Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung.

In an interview recently granted to the press, Dung said both countries give the top priority to strengthening and developing bilateral friendship, special soldiarity and comprehensive cooperation.

About the outcomes of the visit, Dung said the two countries’ leaders reached high consensus on major policies and measures to further deepen bilateral ties in an effective and practical manner.

Phuc highlighted a message that Vietnam and Laos stand united together, firmly move forward socialism on the basis of Marxism-Leninism and similar thoughts by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Kaysone Phomvihane.

The two sides agreed to designate 2022 as “Year of Vietnam – Laos Solidarity and Friendship” to celebrate the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 45th anniversary of the signing of Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

They committed to working closely together at regional and global forums, building an united Community and ASEAN’s central role in dealing with common challenges, including the East Sea issue and COVID-19 pandemic response.

Dung mentioned other important results such as the signing of seven cooperation agreements in the fields of justice, national defence-security, drug combat, education, locality-to-locality coordination.

The visit also contributed to encouraging the Vietnamese community and enterprises to do business in Laos amid difficulties caused by the pandemic, Dung said.

He concluded that with comprehensive and substantive results, the official friendship visit by President Phuc has been a success, making important contributions to further consolidating bilateral special ties in the near future.

Vietnam to launch trilingual website on Army Games

A website on the upcoming 2021 Army Games in three languages of Vietnamese, Russian and English is set to be launched later this month.

This year, Vietnam will host the sniper and rescue categories of the Games for the first time.

The official website will provide timely information on the organisation of the Army Games in Vietnam, the two categories hosted by the country along with updated news from Russia and co-host nations of the Games.

In addition, it will brief on previous Games from 2015, the journey of delegations of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) at the event, together with information on the VPA, the 2019 National Defence White Paper and defence external affairs.

Vietnam’s participation in the United Nations’ peacekeeping missions, efforts in overcoming consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin and other toxic substances, as well as Vietnam’s people, culture, cuisine and heritage will also be featured at the website.

The website https://armygames.vn will be officially launched from 9am on August 18./.

Communication campaign launched to promote ban on smoking in indoor public places

The Ministry of Health’s Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund and the Global Public Health Organisation (Vital Strategies) launched a communication campaign to promote the enforcement of the ban on smoking in indoor public places on August 10.

With the theme "Speak up to protect your health and your loved ones", the campaign will broadcast two TV spots about no smoking in restaurants and cafes on VTV1, VTV2 and VTV3 channels of the Vietnam Television from August 10. The campaign is part of the Tobacco Control Fund’s 2021 communication programme with technical support from Vital Organization Strategies to promote the implementation of the Tobacco Harm Prevention Law passed by the National Assembly in 2012.

Through the broadcast of two TV spots about no smoking in restaurants and cafes, the campaign expects to widely raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco on smokers and those around them and call on people to strictly comply with the law on places where smoking is prohibited.

Director of the Medical Services Administration under the Ministry of Health, Director of the Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund Luong Ngoc Khue said that building a smoke-free environment was an effective measure to implement the right of non-smokers to breathe fresh and smoke-free air.

“Vietnam has more than 15 million adult smokers while the number of non-smokers is 75 million, five times the number of smokers. Non-smokers will not want to go to places contaminated with tobacco smoke, so I believe that smoke-free hotels and restaurants will be priority destinations for customers,” said Khue.

“We also hope that through the communication campaign, restaurant and hotel owners will acknowledge more about the law and regulations on smoking-free places and will actively participate in building a safe and smoke-free environment, benefitting themselves and protecting their customers and people's health,” added Khue.

Khue said that in the future, the Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control Fund will continue to support ministries, sectors, provinces and cities to promote a smoke-free environment in the community, strengthen the implementation of regulations on smoke-free places at workplaces, educational institutions, medical facilities, train stations, public transport, and other indoor public places as prescribed by the Tobacco Harm Prevention Law.

According to WHO, around the world tobacco use causes 8 million deaths each year (7 million from direct smoking and 1.2 million from passive smoking). The global cost of smoking is 1 trillion USD. In Vietnam, tobacco causes 40,000 premature deaths each year. Spending on smoking accounts for over 31 trillion VND per year among Vietnamese households. The cost of a number of common tobacco-related diseases has reached over 21 trillion VND per year, according to the Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund./.

“Green zones” promoted to prevent Covid-19 transmission

 

The hashtag “green zone”, or “safe zone”, has increased in popularity over recent days and reflects the determination of many localities to control the ongoing fourth wave of Covid-19 around Vietnam. Setting up more such “green zones” to fight the pandemic is an effective measure to prevent the virus from spreading. More in the following!

In Hoang Mai district in Hanoi, all non-residents without a valid reason for being there are denied entry to local “green zones”. Exceptions are rare, such as cases of emergency.

The initiative has spread quickly throughout Hanoi, with residents setting up check points in their local areas to ensure safety. Many “protect green areas” signs have also been put up in residential areas of Ho Chi Minh City. These areas are disinfected, while everyone entering or leaving has their ID checked.

All deliveries are done by volunteers, after items are disinfected. Such efforts are to create more safe areas amid Covid-19. The most significant factor in helping the success of a “green zone” is for every resident to follow the requirements.

While there is some inconvenience involved, a “green zone” is free of the virus. This “community vaccine” is evidence of the creativity and consensus of local people to fight the pandemic and return life to normal as soon as possible./.

Health Minister asks for readiness for vaccination as vaccines come in droves

Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long has asked for close collaboration between the medical sector and the army as vaccines will come in great quantity and need to be preserved in strict conditions in the near future.

During a nationwide meeting of the Steering Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination on August 10, Deputy Defence Minister Vu Hai San said the Defence Minsitry directed military zones, army corps and military medical staff to partner with local authorities on the work. The army pooled forces and held adequate training for the effort.

As of August 10, up to 18.122 million vaccine doses from different resources arrived in Vietnam, with priority given to front-line staff and pandemic-hit areas. Over 10.5 million doses have been administered.

The Health Ministry issued a document on scheduled allocation of vaccines for localities between now and year’s end to ensure vaccination progress.

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Huy Dung said more than 2.4 million people downloaded the electronic health record app.

Minister Long suggested the Ministry of Information and Communications soon launch a campaign to call on residents to download the app, fill in health declarations, register for vaccination, as well as issue vaccination certificates via software.

All 63 cities and provinces have so far updated data on the software./.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc concludes Laos visit

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, his spouse and the high-ranking Party and State delegation arrived at Noi Bai international airport in Hanoi late August 10, concluding their two-day official friendship visit to Laos.

During the visit, on August 10, the President laid a wreath at a monument dedicated to unknown martyrs, met Chairman of the National Assembly of Laos Saysomphone Phomvihane, received Vice Presidents Pany Yathotou and Bounthong Chitmany, attended and delivered a speech at a meeting of the ninth Lao legislature.

Phuc also attended a ceremony to inaugurate and hand over the Lao National Assembly House, visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos and talked with its staff and representatives of Vietnamese businesses in Laos.

At meetings with Lao leaders, President Phuc expressed support for closer coordination between the two legislatures in supervision work in order to promote the effective implementation of signed high-level agreements. He also wanted the two legislatures to continue working together and offering mutual support at regional and global parliamentary forums, and collaborating effectively  in regional and global issues for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development.

Talking with the two Vice Presidents, Phuc suggested the two countries continue working effectively together to realise signed high-level agreements, boost joint work in all areas, and help each other, especially border localities, in fighting the pandemic and restoring socio-economic development.

In his speech to the ninth Lao NA’s meeting, the Vietnamese State leader highlighted two messages that the two countries stand united and firmly move forward on the road to socialism on the basis of Marxism-Leninism and the similar thoughts of Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Kaysone Phomvihane, and that they should work to enhance their economies' quality and efficiency, garner international support, improve connectivity between the two economies and seek new cooperation areas.

Lao NA Chairman Phomvihane affirmed that the two legislatures will bolster their cooperation to contribute to fostering great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive partnership between the two nations.

Later, President Phuc joined Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and top legislator Phomvihane in co-chairing the ceremony to inaugurate and hand over the Lao NA House as a gift from Vietnam to the Lao side.

Before leaving Laos, the President met and talked with the Vietnamese embassy staff and representatives of Vietnamese businesses and the Vietnamese community in Laos. He took the occasion to hail them for holding practical activities toward the homeland./.

Vietnam records 4,802 new COVID-19 cases on August 11 morning

Vietnam documented an additional 4,802 new COVID-19 infections, including ten imported, from 6:30pm on August 10 to 6am on August 11, raising the national count to 232,937, according to the Ministry of Health.

Of the new 4,792 domestic cases, Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam’s largest COVID-19 hotspot - still recorded the biggest number with 2,128 cases, followed by its neighbouring province of Binh Duong (936), Long An (515), and Dong Nai (428).

As many as 1,135 cases were detected in the community.

As of August 11 morning, the nation logged 2,377 imported and 230,560 domestic infections. The number of recoveries stood at 80,348.

Among patients under treatment, 491 are being cared for in ICU, while 20 are treated with the support of ECMO.

The number of infections since the fourth wave of outbreaks hit Vietnam on April 27 reached 228,990, with 75,920 patients given the all-clear.

To date, Vietnam has administered 11,341,864 doses of COVID-19 vaccines. A total of 1,036,102 people have received two full shots.

Step closer to using herbal medicine for COVID-19 treatment

 

The Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) announced results of pre-clinical research on an herbal medicine for COVID-19 treatment called VIPDERVIR at an online press conference on August 10.

According to VAST, a research team from the academy in collaboration with some others have mastered a technology of making drugs for COVID-19 treatment from Vietnamese herbs called VIPDERVIR.

VIPDERVIR is made from many Vietnamese herbs containing active ingredients with valuable biopharmaceutical properties. The National Ethics Committee in Biomedical Research under the Ministry of Health agreed to approve the clinical study protocol of VIPDERVIR medicine for COVID-19 patients at a meeting on August 7.

According to Associate Prof, Dr. Le Quang Huan, who leads the project, the main effects of this drug are to prevent the adhesion of the virus to cells, blocks the ability of the virus to enter cells, inhibits the ability of viruses to multiply in cells, and activate immune cells so that they can recognize, block, and eliminate viral particles.

Deputy PM: southern localities expand coronavirus-free zones

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has said 19 southern localities under social distancing order are expanding areas free from coronavirus (green zones), narrowing and fencing virus-hit areas (red zones) to return to normal at the earliest.

Talking with the press on August 10, Dam, who is also head of the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control, attributed the increasing number of infections to lax social distancing measures in several areas over the past time.

He emphasised the Government’s strategy of preventing and minimising new cases across the country. As directed by the Prime Minister, protecting people’s health must be placed above others.

About vaccine supply, he said authorities placed orders in big quantity to achieve herd immunity nationwide, with two shots given to each person. However, delivery time is yet to be fixed.

As scheduled, the country will not lack vaccines later this year. But in coming weeks, the Health Ministry reported that not many committed batches of vaccines will arrive, he said.

According to him, the Government agreed to prioritise vaccines to Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Binh Duong and Long An – the biggest hotspots of coronavirus, to achieve herd immunity as soon as possible.

He requested that Ho Chi Minh City, and parts of Dong Nai, Binh Duong and Long An must strive to control the pandemic in late August or mid-September. The remaining localities must fulfil the task in the next 20 days.

Vu Quang national park offers home for rare gibbon

The Vu Quang National Park in the central province of Ha Tinh announced on August 10 it received a rare white-cheeked gibbon from local forest rangers.

The 10-kg primate with a scientific name of Nomascus leucogenys Ogiby belongs to Group IB of rare wild animals restricted from being held in captivity, hunted and used for commercial purposes.

The park said that a family in Bac Hong commune, Hong Linh town, bought the animal from a resident in Huong Khe district. Realising that the gibbon is a protected animal, the family handed it over to the local forest rangers.

The park, which was recognised as an ASEAN Heritage Park in October 2019, is located in the northern side of the Truong Son Range at an average height of 800m, the slope of 25-35, with many rivers and streams.

It is home to many rare and precious species, including Cha va chan nau (Pygathrixnemaeus), Ha Tinh vooc (Ha Tinh langur), Vuon ma vang (Yellow-cheeked ribbon) and two rare and precious mammals of Sao La (Starfish Saola) and Manglon (Giant Muntjac).

The park covers a total area of 52,882ha, 96.7 percent of which are natural forests. As much as 61 percent of the primitive forests here are subtropical evergreen forests and tropical evergreen forests with plentiful flora and fauna./.

Midfielder Trien auctions his medal to raise money to fight COVID-19 pandemic

Midfielder Trần Hữu Đông Triều, a player loaned to Hải Phòng by Hoàng Anh Gia Lai (HAGL), has successfully auctioned his first, precious silver medal gained at the 2013 AFF U19 Championship to raise money for the fight against COVID-19.

Triều announced that his silver medal was auctioned for VNĐ33 million (US$1,400). This money along with money donated by his friends and relatives will be distributed among disadvantaged people from Quảng Nam living in HCM City.

This is the first medal that Triều won in his career. At that time, he and his teammates at HAGL such as Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, Lương Xuân Trường, Nguyễn Văn Toàn, Nguyễn Công Phượng competed in the final match against Indonesia at the regional football tournament.

“This is my first international medal. The medal is in my souvenir cabinet, it is a good memory. But just being beautiful is not enough, it will be much more meaningful if the medal contributes to good deeds,” said Triều.

“At the moment, Quảng Nam people living in HCM City are facing a number of challenges. They have lost their jobs and are in poverty. Some people don't even have a stable place to stay. I hope the old people and children have a place to stay. I hope the pandemic will pass quickly and I also want to do something for my compatriots,” Triều added. 

Earlier, national midfielder Nguyễn Trọng Hoàng also auctioned his SEA Games 30 gold medal for VNĐ206 million (US$8,900).

This medal belonging to the Nghệ An-born player was awarded when he and his teammates took the title of the region's biggest sports event in 2019.  Hoàng took part in the SEA Games 30 as an enhanced senior for the Việt Nam U23 team. That was Hoàng’s last SEA Games tournament.

All proceeds from the auction of this gold medal will be used to buy breathing machines to support HCM City during the pandemic.

“I always think the best thing is to give, not keep for myself. When localities across the country were in trouble, HCM City helped wholeheartedly, now it's all for HCM City," said Hoàng.

Aside from auctioning his medal, Hoàng also auctioned his national team jersey competing in the UAE at the second qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup in early June.

“In life, there are still many children who are struggling. I want to do something practical to help them,” he said.

Hoàng has also accompanied the students of the University of Economics in HCM City in the GOALOVE fundraising auction for disadvantaged children, especially important as COVID-19 pandemic is raging.

Binh Duong Province seeks more vaccines as COVID-19 cases rise

People get tested for COVID-19 in Bình Dương in July. VNA/VNS Photo Dương Chí Tưởng

The People’s Committee in the southern province of Bình Dương has asked for more vaccines as the number of COVID-19 cases has risen in the province.

The province plans to provide vaccines to nearly 2 million residents this month and in September. It is giving priority to people in the cities of Dĩ An, Thuận An, Thủ Dầu Một and Tân Uyên Town.

On August 8, many communes and wards in the province ran out of vaccines. The province has nearly 30 industrial parks, but only several of them had provided vaccinations to workers as of August 8.

The rest planned to provide vaccinations to their workers this week, but the shortage prevented them from starting the vaccination drive.

Many enterprises said they should give priority to COVID-19- hit areas and frontline production enterprises to help workers feel assured about the "three-on-spot” principle (work, eat and rest on the spot). 

To speed up progress, the health department has assigned health officials to provide 100,000 doses per day. 

The provincial industrial park management authrority is working with enterprises and investors to create favourable conditions to provide vaccinations for workers.

The province has upgraded its quarantine facility for 50,000 people and will expand its capacity to 100,000.

It will also add 30,000 beds to meet the treatment demand of COVID-19 patients.

The province has 21 public COVID-19 treatment facilities with 120 doctors, 295 nurses and 166 other staff. Four private hospitals also treat COVID-19 patients.   

According to the provincial People’s Committee, the number of COVID-19 patients in the province could increase up to more than 30,000 in days to come.

The province faces overloading, while the number of severe cases and those under life-threatening conditions are increasing. It needs further human resources and equipment, and wants the Ministry of Health to assist.    

Due to the increase in severe cases, Minister of Health Nguyễn Thanh Long has told the province to set up a COVID-19 patient resuscitation hospital with 500 beds at Eastern International University.     

Nguyễn Lân Hiếu, director of Hà Nội Medical University Hospital, has been assigned to be the head of the resuscitation hospital, which needs more than 1,000 staff including more than 300 doctors. 

Ninh Thuận to use IT to disseminate important information to ethnic minority communities

The People’s Committee of Ninh Thuận Province plans to use the application of information technology to help ethnic minorities gain access to important government information.

This is part of an action plan under the Government’s project to strengthen information technology applications to support ethnic minorities from 2021-2025.

The system will help ethnic minorities access the latest information on education, health, science and technology and markets as well as the policies and laws of the State and Party.

By 2023, the province wants all reputable people in the community and 90 per cent of ethnic minorities to understand the policies and laws of the State, and be able to access information on security and order, forest fire prevention and control, natural disaster prevention and disease prevention.

The province will use IT to ensure that 80 per cent of the festivals and customs of ethnic minorities will be preserved in the form of digitised and multimedia databases.

An electronic library, which includes information on ethnic minorities will be built to serve the community.

By 2025, the province will complete the database system on ethnic minorities, contributing to socio-economic development, and helping to maintain security and order in the areas in which ethnic minorities live.

Currently, only a low percentage of people in these areas have computers and internet connections while local officials, civil servants and teachers do have computers provided by the province and district.

Vice chairman of the committee Nguyễn Long Biên said in order to achieve the above goals, the province needs to assign relevant units to upgrade IT equipment and infrastructure, guide people through the use of smart mobile devices to support the dissemination of policies and laws, provide employment information and support remote medical diagnosis and treatment for ethnic minorities.

The province would strengthen education on searching and using online public services provided by State agencies and improve information dissemination and knowledge about information technology.

There are 144,200 ethnic minority people living in the province, accounting for 24.4 per cent of the province's population.

Ethnic minorities live in 37 communes in seven districts and cities. More than 6,080 households are living in poverty, accounting for 16.19 per cent of the province’s population. 

87-year-old retired physician gives free medical support to AO/dioxin victims

Nguyễn Văn Thiệu, a retired physician, has been treating victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (AO) free of charge for 14 years.

Thiệu’s house, located in northern Thái Bình Province’s Quỳnh Hải Commune, has become a familiar address for those who have been exposed to AO in Thái Bình, Hải Dương, Hưng Yên provinces and Hải Phòng City.

At the age of 87, Thiệu hardly has a day off. He’s busy receiving special patients, giving them health check-ups, consulting treatment and prescribing medicines. For serious patients, he gives them advice on going to the hospital for further testing and treatment.

Patients will be given herbal medicines to relieve their physical pain free of charge.

Thiệu is the seventh generation specialising in herbal medicine in his family. For him, the most valuable part of decades of working as a physician is helping many AO/dioxin patients improve their health.

Thái Bình is among the localities with the highest number of AO/dioxin victims in Việt Nam. About 34,000 people are reported to have been exposed to the toxic substance, and more than 20,000 have serious and incurable diseases as a result.

The majority of dioxin victims are living in the poverty.

“I visited many AO/dioxin victims and felt moved witnessing their physical and mental pain, so I decided to do something to help them,” he said.

In 2007, Thiệu started his journey to visit AO/dioxin victims in his hometown in Quỳnh Phụ District, bringing his herbal medicines to help them ease their pains caused by the toxin.

Every week, he travelled to give health check-ups for those in need. When he couldn’t travel, some patients came to his house.

That’s how his house became a well-known address among those suffering the impacts of AO/dioxin.

Each year, he gives free medical check-ups and medical consultancy to about 4,000 patients.

Many patients that come to Thiệu’s house have been doing so since the first days of his practice.

Nguyễn Hữu Niệp, a 72-year-old war veteran in Quỳnh Phụ District’s Quỳnh Hải Commune is among those patients.

Niệp joined the battlefield in Quảng Trị-Thừa Thiên between 1969-1972, and returned to his hometown when the war ended in 1975. The former soldier didn’t know he was exposed to the toxic substance until his two children had lumps all over their bodies shortly after they were born.

Niệp’s health got weak very quickly and he could no longer work.

In 2007, he came to find Thiệu and was given medical advice and his health has been gradually improving.

Over the past 14 years, Niệp has always come to Thiệu for medical advice when he has had health problems.

From early last year, Thiệu started his medical consultancy via the phone due to the complications of the COVID-19 pandemic. Herbal medicines are sent to the patient's address free of charge.

Nguyễn Thị San, Thiệu’s daughter, said she was proud and supported what her dad has done for AO victims.

She was taught to do the good things for unlucky and disadvantaged people, and her dad was an example for the whole family.

Nguyễn Đức Hạnh, chairman of the provincial Association of Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin said Thiệu has been a part of many activities that the organisation has run to help patients in the province and neighbouring provinces.

In 2014, Thiệu was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Prime Minister for his effort in helping AO/dioxin victims.

Thiệu said the war ended nearly half a century ago, but the AO/dioxin patients still suffered from both physical and psychological pains. That’s why he would continue to do his job.

Selfless supports in times of need

The complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in HCM City and other southern provinces have pushed many already vulnerable migrant labourers into crisis.

They are forced to make a hard choice: stay put and face an uncertain future or make a desperate scramble back home where they at least have a family to rely on.

Many have opted for the latter.

In the end of July and beginning of August, thousands of people chose to embark on an arduous, if not dangerous, journey by motorbike to return to their hometowns in the north and central regions.

Fortunately, their journeys were made much less exhausting thanks to the kind-heartedness of many people along the way.

Pickup truck Đà Nẵng Club (PDC), a group of lovers of pickup trucks in Đà Nẵng City, is one of them.

“The past recent days are unforgettable for us,” Phan Minh Việt, vice head of the club, told Việt Nam News.

From July 31 to August 3, Việt and many other members of the club had helped an estimate of nearly 5,000 people on their way back home.

“We received the information from the city’s traffic police on July 30 and started our work a day later,” he said.

“Never in my life have I seen such a massive influx of people driving motorbikes like that.”  

In the end of July and beginning of August, hundreds of motorbikes passed through Đà Nẵng City in groups each day as people returned to their hometowns in the north and central regions.

Although not a charity group, Việt and other PDC members are not strangers to voluntary work.

Established in 2017, the group of around 1,000 members with more than 200 living in Đà Nẵng, have been involved in many voluntary missions helping poor and disadvantaged people across the country over the past five years.

Last year, when Đà Nẵng became the epicentre in the second wave of COVID infections, a so-called “task force” was established within the club to help transport food, medical equipment and other necessities to local residents and health care workers on the frontline.

Now members of the task force immediately jumped into action, teaming up with the traffic police in Đà Nẵng City, Quảng Nam and Thừa Thiên Huế provinces and other voluntary groups to help out.

A group of 54 pickup trucks and four small-sized trucks were mobilised.

Everyday the work started at around 8-9pm and only ended mid-morning the next day.

“We had spent four sleepless nights to support the returnees but strangely not a single one of us felt tired or sleepy. It is as though we had received positive vibes when doing that meaningful work,” Việt said.

His team of about 60 people was divided into smaller groups to perform different tasks such as transportation, preparing food, taking care of sick people, or fixing broken motorbikes.

A mother and child are transported by a club member's pickup truck.
The trucks were used to transport elderly people, women and children from a gathering point in Đại Lộc District in Quảng Nam Province, throughout Đà Nẵng City to Hải Vân Pass which is adjacent to Thừa Thiên – Huế Province.

Meanwhile, four trucks were used to carry broken motorbikes to a place where a group of volunteers was ready to fix, service and fill in them with petrol.

Việt added: “On average, each night we helped around 500 motorbikes with roughly 1,000 people. July 31 saw the highest number with around 700 motorbikes.

“Most returnees left for the journey in a rush and without making careful preparations. Many didn’t even have any money.

“That’s why we also prepared some gift packages with some bread, milk, rice, water and cold wet towels for them to use when taking a rest on the way.”

The most special case was helping a couple hailing from central Nghệ An Province.

Xồng Bá Xò and his wife were travelling back to their hometown from southern Bình Dương Province, the second biggest COVID-19 hot spot at the moment, just 10 days after his wife underwent a C-section to give birth to their child with the surgical sutures yet to be removed.

“Trần Vương, a member of our team heard about their story and looked for all ways possible to find them," Việt said.

"We were all worried about the health of the mother and child. It was very dangerous for them to take on this exhausting journey,” 

 After finding the couple, the club members immediately gave Xò and his wife VNĐ25 million and with the help of a benefactor rented a car to drive them to Nghệ An.

“We asked him to use the money to buy a new motorbike later and still keep his old motorbike here as a memento of our club,” Việt said.

Helping those coming back from the pandemic regions means the volunteers faced a high risk of being infected.

But Việt said they were all prepared for that.

“If we catch the virus we are all ready to go to the quarantined zones. Each of us has already prepared a backpack with all necessary belongings,” he said.

“Fortunately, Thiện Nhân Clinic in Đà Nẵng offer us COVID-19 tests for free. Every four days every member would go there to take samples for testing. Luckily, no one has tested positive so far,” Việt said.

More to be done

Now, the motorbike caravans have stopped after Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính asked people remain where they are to prevent the risk of virus transmission. Only trips organised by local authorities are allowed to bring stranded people back to their hometowns. 

But the PDC’s mission does not end there.

Việt said: “In the first days HCM City was hit hard by the virus, we called for a donation of 31 tonnes of fish, 1,700 packs of noodles, and 80 tonnes of vegetables to send to HCM City and Bình Dương.

“Now, as Đà Nẵng is under lockdown, we are helping the city authorities to transport food and medical equipment to quarantine areas, hospitals and COVID-19 checkpoints across the city.”

Like everyone else, Việt and his friends in the club just hope the pandemic will soon be brought under control so that they can not only return to their normal lives, but continue helping the community.

“We are planning to grow one million trees in Nam Trà My District in Quảng Nam Province, the locality worst hit during the flood last year. This must be done before September when the rainy season starts. But with the current pandemic situation, I am afraid that the plan will have to be delayed until next year,” Việt said. 

COVID-19: 3,241 cases added to national tally

A total 3,241 cases of COVID-19 were logged in the past 12 hours to 6pm August 10, raising the national count to 228,135, according to the Health Ministry.

Of the new cases, 1,466 were recorded in Ho Chi Minh City, the largest hotspot in the country at present, 577 in Long An province, 378 in Dong Nai province, 128 in Nghe An province, 88 in Dong Thap province. The capital city of Hanoi reported 60 cases.

The same day, 4,428 patients were given the all-clear, raising the total recoveries to 80,348.

Among patients under treatment, 491 are being cared for in ICU, while 20 are treated with the support of ECMO.

An additional 388 deaths from COVID-19 were announced, with the total fatalities reaching 4,145.

A total 9,987,587 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered so far.

Lao media spotlight success of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit

The Lao media continue running articles on the official friendly visit to Laos by Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, all describing the trip from August 9-10 a success.

Phuc’s visit and his activities made headlines on major newspapers of Laos such as Pasaxon, PathetLao, LaoPatthana and Vientiane Mai.

Pasaxon, the mouthpiece of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), published on the front page an article titled “Outcomes of the Vietnamese President's official friendly visit to the Lao PDR”. The article affirmed that the visit has made an important contribution to strengthening and developing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.

The article also reviewed the talks between the two top leaders, during which they affirmed to continue developing the bilateral relations in a deeper and more effective and substantive manner, and agreed to designate 2022 as “Year of Vietnam – Laos Solidarity and Friendship” to celebrate the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 45th anniversary of the signing of Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

Along with the visit’s outcomes, the Lao press also published many articles about the handover of the new Lao National Assembly House - a gift from the Party, State and people of Vietnam to the Lao sides, and President Nguyen Xuan Phuc's attendance and speech at the Lao National Assembly./.

Writing contest on slow living amid COVID-19 invites entries

Vietnamese publisher Skybooks is inviting until August 28 entries for its writing contest about life at the time of COVID-19, aiming to explore beautiful stories and send positive messages to readers as many parts of the country are battling the virus resurgence.

The contest named “Nhung ngay song cham trong dai dich COVID-19” (Slow-living days during COVID-19 pandemic) is for all Vietnamese people living in or outside the country and foreigners in Vietnam.

According to Skybooks, COVID-19 is pushing the economy to the brink of recession and causing a public health crisis. Many people have died while survivors have to keep fighting. It has forced businesses to close and left many unemployed or make them work from home. “For all of us, whether living in the epicentres or not, the trajectory of life has changed, more or less.”

The publisher wants people to stay positive and optimistic, as COVID-19 is an opportunity for people to learn valuable lessons: living slowly to see social changes more clearly, living slowly to better appreciate the value of life, and living slowly to know how many good things there are in life.

The contest is expected to be a platform for young people to share their own experience on how they work from home and take care of themselves and their families, and their unforgettable days during lockdown. Contestants can also write about the new hobbies they adopt, things that make them happy and their living space as a peaceful shelter during the pandemic.

Entries must be at least 250 words and submitted together with one relating illustrative photo to https://bit.ly/nhungngaysongcham. Winners will be announced on October 4.

Strengthened int'l cooperation vital to development of Halal industry: Workshop

A workshop was held virtually by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 10 to seek ways to beef up international cooperation for the development of Halal industry in Vietnam.

Addressing the workshop, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Quang Hieu said, the event is one of the ministry’s initiatives to boost Vietnamese exports to the Halal market and build a strategic and comprehensive plan for the industry in Vietnam.

The global Halal market is very large but Vietnam’s market share is quite modest as Vietnamese producers have been struggling to obtain Halal certification, according to participants at the event. Additionally, Halal standards and regulations are increasingly tightened and a Halal certification is not permanent and equally recognised by countries. Vietnamese firms are also facing stiff competition from many rivals who have already established strong footholds in the Islamic markets.

Despite all these, the global Halal market remains promising for Vietnam as the country holds competitive edges in food production, tourism, textile and garment, and pharmaceuticals, which are dubbed as pillars of the Halal economy.

It has also signed many free trade agreements (FTAs), including a number of new-generation deals, such as Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), EU-Vietnam FTA (EVFTA), and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

In order to not miss any chance to access the Halal market, it is critical for Vietnam to step up international cooperation to shape suitable strategies for the development of the Halal industry./.

Agent Orange, a war legacy affecting generations: UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam

UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam Caitlin Wiesen has written an article on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Vietnam AO/Dioxin disaster day (August 10). The following is the full text of the article.

“Viet Nam has experienced several decades of war and the country is still suffering from this legacy. Dioxin, or Agent Orange, remains one such challenge that the Government of Viet Nam and its citizens are still grappling with today. As Viet Nam reaches sixty years since the chemical was first used in the war in the country, it is important we do not forget the victims of this tragedy.

Dioxin or Agent Orange as it is often referred to, has had a devastating effect on generations of families in Viet Nam. According to the World Health Organization, “Dioxins are highly toxic and can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and also cause cancer.” It has been estimated that 80 million liters of herbicide containing dioxin was spread in Viet Nam in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Today, on the 10th of August, we mark the 60th anniversary of Agent Orange being used for the first time in the war in Viet Nam. ‘Agent Orange Awareness Day’ is a day to remember the thousands of civilian Vietnamese citizens affected by the toxins spread across the country. It is also an opportunity to give credit to the many brave men and women, Vietnamese and foreigners, who have worked tirelessly and continue to work to this day, to reduce the impact of this deadly legacy of war. The impact has been felt most acutely by people using contaminated land and especially the many people – adults and children alike – who live with disabilities caused by these chemicals. On this day we reaffirm our stand with the Government of Viet Nam in raising deep concern about the persistent challenge of dioxin contamination despite the passing of several decades since the end of hostilities. To help address this issue the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Viet Nam has worked with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on Dioxin contaminated hotspots in Da Nang, Bien Hoa, and Phu Cat airbases removing barriers to effectively contain and/or remediate the highly toxic materials. UNDP has also helped develop the National Action Plan, approved by the Prime Minister in 2012, on overcoming the grave consequences of toxic chemicals. This plan formed the basis of the Government’s great achievements in the completion of dioxin remediation in Da Nang airbase (2018) and the recent launch of a large dioxin treatment project in Bien Hoa airbase (2020). UNDP also plan to deepen and expand the work with the Vietnamese Government in addressing the problem of dioxin and hazardous chemicals released from industrial activities.

As part of our ongoing efforts to address the legacies of war, UNDP has been working closely with the Government of Viet Nam to address the prevalence of Unexploded ordnance (UXO) which continue to contaminate vast parts of Viet Nam. According to national studies, almost all 63 provinces and cities have been impacted, especially the central region. For the past four years our collaboration with the Ministry of Defense, the Viet Nam National Mine Action Center, and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has resulted in thousands of Explosive Ordnance being located and destroyed in Quang Binh and Binh Dinh provinces. This successful triangular partnership also designed and completed the first province-level assessment of persons with disabilities, with 75,000 individuals agreeing to register themselves, including survivors from Explosive Ordnance accidents and dioxin contamination. Only a few weeks ago, on the 15th of June, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), KOICA and UNDP announced that the online platform developed to support the data collection and subsequent case management is now available and can also be accessed via smartphones. Hence, what started as an innovation to help survivors from Explosive Ordnance accidents in some parts of Viet Nam to obtain disability certificates has now been scaled up for application nationwide for many more persons with disabilities.

UNDP also continues its work to support the Government of Viet Nam, as a state party to the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in many other areas which help persons with disabilities participate fully in social and economic life. This includes improvement of policies to implement the Law on Disabilities, as well as standards on best practices for victim assistance in mine action.

On this day, and as we reaffirm our commitment to work for a peaceful world which should never again see such devastating tragedy caused by dioxin, let us remember those who were and still are affected. Looking forward, UNDP will continue to deepen our partnership with the Government of Viet Nam in two ways to address the legacies of war. Firstly, we will continue our collaboration on the remediation of dioxin and other hazardous chemicals. Secondly, we will deepen and expand our work on mine action and addressing UXO contamination which continues to be a major problem here in Viet Nam. Continuing ongoing support to those still struggling with consequences from war legacies is critical to ensuring no one is left behind at the core of the Sustainable Development Goals!

HCM City's official attends meeting of North East Asia regional governments

Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Duong Anh Duc attended the 13th plenary meeting of the Association of North East Asia Regional Governments (NEAR), which was held virtually on August 10.

In his opening remarks, Secretary General of NEAR Kim Ok-chae emphasized that regional governments are participating strongly in many international exchange activities, contributing to maintaining stability and peace in the region.

The plenary meeting to celebrate the 25th founding anniversary of NEAR will open up a new chapter for the next 25 years, and NEAR will be seen as an “United Nations (UN)” of North East Asia regional governments, he said.

Addressing the event, former Secretary-General of the UN Ban Ki-moon emphasized that all NEAR member governments should strengthen solidarity to expand its influence over the region in the future.

He expressed his belief that NEAR will play an important role similar to the UN for the relations of regional governments in North East Asia.

Participants focused their discussion on regional issues of common concern such as non-traditional security threats, disease prevention and control, environmental protection; fishery development, culture-education, commerce, and human resources development.

They elected a new President of NEAR, and considered admitting Liaoning province of China as a member.

Established in 1996, NEAR groups 78 member regional governments of Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea , Mongolia and Russia.

At the annual meeting in Russia on 2016, NEAR agreed to expand membership for ASEAN countries through the programme " associate member” and selected Ho Chi Minh City as the first locality to participate in the programme. HCM City officially became an associate member of NEAR in 2018.

Ho Chi Minh City’s participation at the 13th plenary meeting of NEAR is expected to contribute to promoting exchange and cooperation between the Vietnamese city with other regional governments, and introducing its image and tourism potential.

Quang Tri: Big bomb in residential area safely handled

The Mobile Mine Clearance Team of PeaceTrees Vietnam has successfully handled and transported a MK82 bomb weighing 227kg left from the war in the central province of Quang Tri.

The bomb was discovered at a depth of 1.5m in Ho Le hamlet, Huc commune, Huong Hoa district, and removed to a safe place.

During the process of road construction for a wind power project, a worker detected the bomb and informed local authorities. Right after receiving the information, the Mobile Mine Clearance Team sealed off the area and safely handled the bomb.

Quang Tri is the most polluted locality in Vietnam in terms of unexploded ordnance (UXO), which are scattered over 81 percent of its land area and have killed over 3,430 people and injured 5,100 during peacetime./.

Pre-clinical research results on herbal medicine for COVID-19 treatment announced

The Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) announced results of pre-clinical research on a herbal medicine for COVID-19 treatment called VIPDERVIR at an online press conference on August 10.

Addressing the event, VAST Vice President Chu Hoang Ha said since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in early 2020, the academy has carried out studies serving COVID-19 prevention and control.

Recently, on June 28, 2021, a research team of the Institute of Chemistry under the VAST found a method to shorten the synthesis of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug from Favipiravir.

Ha said the VAST's Institute of Biotechnology in collaboration with Vinh Gia Pharmaceutical JSC and the Vietnam Chemical Pharmaceutical JSC have researched and mastered a technology of making drugs for COVID-19 treatment from Vietnamese herbs called VIPDERVIR.

The National Ethics Committee in Biomedical Research under the Ministry of Health agreed to approve the Institute of Biotechnology’s clinical study protocol of VIPDERVIR medicine for COVID-19 patients at a meeting on August 7.

Head of the Traditional Medicine Management Department under the Health Ministry Nguyen The Thinh said VIPDERVIR is made from many Vietnamese herbs containing active ingredients with valuable biopharmaceutical properties.

According to Associate Prof, Dr. Le Quang Huan, who leads the project, the main effects of this drug are to prevent the adhesion of the virus to cells, blocks the ability of the virus to enter cells, inhibits the ability of viruses to multiply in cells, and activate immune cells so that they can recognize, block, and eliminate viral particles./.

Vaccine rollout runs smoothly in Cao Bang ​

The northern province of Cao Bang, which borders China, has so far inoculated more than 52,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines for priority groups, covering over 14 percent of its population.

Of those, over 8,000 people in Cao Bang have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 with two jabs.

Among the vaccines it has received from the Ministry of Health, China’s Vero Cell accounted for a majority with 48,000 doses, of which about 20,000 doses have been administered.

More than 30 vaccination sites have been set up across the province, with priority given to residents living near border areas and those working in the fields of cross-border trade and tourism. It is aiming to inoculate 70 percent of its population to achieve herd immunity by April 2022.

The vaccine rollout was quite fast and safe, Director of the provincial Centre for Disease Control Be Thi Bach said, adding that it runs quite smoothly.

However, the province has been struggling to speed up the vaccination because of a lack of medical equipment and personnel as well as limited vaccine supply, she said.

The province is stepping up efforts to raise public awareness of the vaccine rollout and COVID-19 prevention and control rules to prevent the spread of the virus./

Vietnamese Party chief’s article sheds light on path to socialism: DKP member

Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s article “Several theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the path towards socialism in Vietnam” has shed light on the path to socialism in the Southeast Asian country, said Stefan Kühner, President of the Marx-Engels Foundation and member of the German Communist Party (DKP)’s commission for international affairs.

According to him, with this article, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam presented in detail the pathway towards socialism under specific conditions and characteristics of Vietnam.

The German official said that during discussions about the questions of what socialism is and what is the path to socialism in Vietnam, General Secretary Trong’s article has received great attention.

Firstly, the Party chief spotlighted difficulties facing Vietnam after the war and its efforts to rise up in the context of the country’s destruction and embargo, as well as its development situation at present.

Secondly, in his article, he pointed out that the building of socialism cannot be carried out dogmatically, and a socialist democracy does not only mean the building of a government through elections, but also requires the strength of the people, by the people and for the people.

Thirdly, the leader clearly explained the connotation of the concept of a “socialist-oriented market economy” in Vietnam, which was discussed many times by the German Communist Party during discussions about Vietnam, Kühner said, adding that the article has contributed to clarifying the issue and is very helpful for assessing the path toward socialism in the Southeast Asian country.

Fourthly, the article sets forward a clear view that the development of production forces plays an important role in building a fair and equal economy, the DKP member stated.

Regarding the role of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Kühner emphasised that this is the factor that determines all victories of the Vietnamese revolution.

He added that at its 23rd Congress in February 2020, the DKP affirmed that increasing cooperation between international communist and workers’ parties was a decisive factor in strengthening the revolutionary movement on a global scale.

Source: VNA/VNS/VOV/VIR/SGT/SGGP/Nhan Dan/Hanoitimes