Vietnam received an additional 1,209,400 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on August 19, according to the Vietnam Vaccine JSC (VNVC).

This is the ninth batch delivered to Vietnam under the VNVC’s order of 30 million doses with AstraZeneca, which would be handed over to the Ministry of Health at a not-for-profit price.

The VNVC earlier stated that starting from July, each week, AstraZeneca would ship about 1 million doses of vaccine to Vietnam, and the commitment has been largely kept.

So far, over 6.7 million doses have been delivered, nearly six months after the first batch reached Vietnam in late February.

With the latest batch, Vietnam has to date received about 14.3 million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine through the VNVC's contract, the COVAX Facility and donations from governments, accounting for 62 percent of the total number of COVID-19 vaccines delivered to the country.

During his phone talks with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 19, CEO of AstraZeneca Pascal Soriot pledged to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to Vietnam on schedule as well as increase vaccine supplies to the country this month.

AstraZeneca will do its best to meet Vietnam’s requests, he said.

The two sides also discussed the progress of AstraZeneca's public health and sustainable development programmes in Vietnam, which are part of the company's efforts to reduce infectious and non-communicable diseases in the Southeast Asian country.

Chairman and General Director of AstraZeneca Vietnam and emerging Asian markets Nitin Kapoor said since July AstraZeneca has constantly made efforts to boost its supply to Vietnam in order to support the country’s national vaccination programme.

Nearly 40 million USD in relief aid given to freelancers in 19 southern localities

Nineteen southern provinces and cities have provided relief aid for more than 635,000 freelancers with a total amount of nearly 911 billion VND (40 million USD).

Of these, Ho Chi Minh City assisted 462,000 freelancers with nearly 694 billion VND, Dong Nai province supported 22,000 with 33 billion VND and Binh Duong province aided nearly 98,000 with 134 billion VND.

Nearly 42.46 billion VND was offered to 45,700 freelancers in Binh Phuoc province and over 60.2 billion VND was provided for more than 40,200 in Dong Thap as well as over 22.7 billion VND for 20,100 others in Vinh Long.

According to statistics of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), the southern provinces and cities are home to more than 10 million freelancers.

To reduce difficulties for people, southern provinces and cities have issued assistance plans for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including supporting policies for freelancers. Special policies have been designed for different groups such as those selling lottery tickets, drivers of motorbike taxis, street vendors as well as workers at business facilities without labour contracts.

Social distancing which is extended for nearly two months in many provinces and cities has been greatly affected the lives of freelancers, mostly labourers from other provinces, whose monthly income is unstable and does not have saving money.

Therefore, the MoLISA suggested that provinces and cities pay attention to implementing social assistance policies for these groups to help them stabilise their lives./.

Vietnam calls for international cooperation to deal with threat of terrorism

Deputy head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations Ambassador Pham Hai Anh urged international cooperation and solidarity in order to seek the most effective response to combat terrorism in the face of a serious threat posed by the so-called Islamic State’s activities in recent times.

He made the statement at a UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting held on August 19 to discuss the threat of the self-claimed Islamic State – also known as Da’esh to international peace and security. It was chaired by Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister for External Affairs of India - the council's chair for August.

The ambassador underlined the need to promote comprehensive anti-terrorism measures and ensure joint efforts are in line with the UN Charter and international law. 

The Security Council should effectively use available tools to detect and avert new threats of terrorism, he said, calling attention to terrorists'  use of the Internet and new technologies to raise money, recruit and propagate their agendas.

Under-Secretary-General for the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism Vladimir Voronkov, and Director of the Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) Michele Coninsx said early this year, the social distancing measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the organisation of terrorist activities in areas without hostilities. However, the terrorist threat is increasing in the war zones. Notably, IS affiliates and related organisations have shown signs of extending their presence in West Africa, the Sahel, East and Central Africa, Afghanistan and other parts of South Asia.

The presenters also underlined the need for a definitive humanitarian solution to the thousands of people in the camps in Iraq and Syria. Most of them are women and children believed to have relations with terrorists. More counter-terrorism efforts are needed from the national, regional to global levels, they said, emphasising the central role of the Security Council on the issue.

UNSC members shared concerns about the latest developments in Afghanistan, stressing the need for comprehensive measures to prevent terrorists from using the area as a "safe haven".

Also on August 19, the Security Council countries agreed to issue a press statement on the content exchanged at the meeting, which reaffirmed the determination of the international community in eliminating terrorism. The statement also emphasised the need to strengthen international cooperation on counter-terrorism in a comprehensive way to maintain peace, stability, and development.

Hundreds of health workers continue to support HCM City

122 health workers from the Hanoi-based National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynaecology left for Ho Chi Minh City on August 19 to help in the Covid-19 fight in the country's biggest epicentre.

Tran Danh Cuong, director of the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, said this was an urgent time that needs collaboration from everyone and the health sector in Vietnam should come together to help HCM City overcome the ongoing Covid-19 wave.

"It's like I was seeing my family off. There will be a lot of difficulties and challenges but it's our responsibility and ethics as a doctor," Cuong said. "We can send more staff to HCM City if necessary."

122 health workers were given VND122m and other gifts before the departure.

On August 18, nearly 200 health workers at Bach Mai Hospital also left for HCM City. This is the fifth support team from Bach Mai Hospital. Many staff from Bach Mai Hospital left for HCM City earlier to operate a 500 bed ICU centre.

Nguyen Quang Tuan, director of Bach Mai Hospital said, "The Delta Variant has caused a deadly wave but we have faith to overcome it all."

51 staff from the National Hospital of Ophthalmology has also left for HCM City.

According to the Ministry of Health, nearly 13,500 health workers from various provinces and cities have been sent to HCM City and other southern provinces.

Experts: Hanoi should deliberate ending social distancing order

Hanoi should not rush any decision regarding when to end social distancing measures as scheduled due to a number of F0 cases still being among the community, according to several medical experts.

Despite enforcing social distancing measures, Hanoi capital is going ahead with the second large-scale testing for residents in locked down and high-risk areas as from August 18.

According to a report detailed by the Hanoi Department of Health, the number of  local COVID-19 infections in the city has shown positive signs of reduction, with new cases being detected primarily in isolation facilities or areas currently under lockdown.

However, the second large-scale testing serves as the basis for the Government to make a decision to end the social distancing order, slated for August 23.

Regarding the possibility of ending the order as planned , Assoc. Prof., Dr. Tran Dac Phu, former Director of the Ministry of Health's Preventive Medicine Department, noted that the capital should not make a hasty decision, while it is essential to carefully evaluate each factor, especially the results of the F0 tracing work and mass COVID-19 testing campaign this week.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Tri added that Hanoi should monitor the progress of the pandemic within the community for another two to three days before coming to a final conclusion on the matter.

"If the results of mass testing show that the rate of F0s in the community is low, the city can temporarily end the social distancing order. On the contrary, if the rate of newly-injected cases increases, Hanoi should still extend social distancing,” he stressed.

The capital has finalized its first week of a mass testing campaign for high-risk people and people living in high-risk areas, with 300,000 samples being taken. An additional 800,000 samples are due to be collected ahead in the next stage, which started on August 18.

Hanoi has documented a total of 2,389 infections since the fourth wave of COVID-19 erupted on April 27. Of these, 1,238 cases were detected in the community whilst 1,151 others were found in quarantine sites or locked-down areas.

Vietnam to have two days off for National Day from this year

Vietnam would have two official consecutive days off for National Holiday, September 2, from this year.

According to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the National Day holiday for September 2 will also include another day either right before or after, depending on the government’s decision every year.  

This year, Vietnam will have two official days off for the National Day on September 2-3 or Thursday and Friday. With the weekend, this would mean four consecutive days off.

Under the Labour Code, people who work during holidays would enjoy a 300% payment compared to normal.

Last year, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs proposed the selection of September 3 as the second official day-off for the National Holiday.

Gifts presented to foreigners in HCM City

The Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control of Ho Chi Minh City’s Thu Duc city presented gifts to foreigners living in the city who are hit by the pandemic.

Chairman of the Thu Duc city’s Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee Tran Huu Phuoc offered sympathy over the difficulties facing the foreigner residents at a time when Thu Duc is enforcing prevention and control measures. He wished that they would continue supporting the city’s policies and follow local regulations on pandemic prevention and control, thus contributing to curbing its spread.

The city's officials handed over the gifts, each worth 2.5 million VND (108 USD) including cash and essential goods, to the foreign residents in Thu Duc.

Ho Chi Minh City is home to the largest number of foreigners in Vietnam, with many of them living in Thu Duc city.

The municipal authorities recently also approved a policy of vaccinating foreigners living and working in the city within its own capacity and resources.

Bac Giang reports six fresh Covid cases after one month

The northern province of Bac Giang reported six new locally-infected cases of Covid-19 today, August 19, after over a month seeing no new infections, according to the provincial government.

Among these six fresh cases, the first patient is a local man from Le Loi Ward of Bac Giang City. He works at the provincial Police Department, reported Thanh Nien newspaper.

The provincial anti-Covid-19 steering committee decided to lock down and disinfect areas linked to the patients. The local competent forces are tracing the contacts of the confirmed cases.

Bac Giang used to be the biggest coronavirus hotspot in Vietnam during the fourth wave, which began in late April.

Up to now, Bac Giang has reported 5,780 infections, with seven active cases now under treatment in the provincial General Hospital and another one being treated at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi. Some 1,070 others are under quarantine.

HCMC is currently the country's biggest Covid-19 hotspot with nearly 160,000 cases.

Hanoi bans trading activities around major market

Authorities in Hanoi have asked traders to stop selling on some streets around the old Hang Be Market including Gia Ngu, Cau Go, and Trung Yen amid tightened measures for virus prevention.

According to an announcement by chairman of Hang Bac Ward People's Committee, Nguyen Hong Dung, all trading activities in this area will be banned from August 19 until further notice.

A leader of Hoan Kiem District People's Committee told Dantri/Dtinews that the move came after local authorities tightened virus prevention rules as the pandemic was still complicated in the area.

Since the social distancing rules were applied in Hanoi, traders around the old Hang Be Market have increased advertising at checkpoints to reach their customers. They quickly put up various advertising banners at the barriers with mini menus of their famous prepared food and phone numbers of the shops. Customers can call the shops to order the food and wait for the delivery at the checkpoint.

With these methods, the checkpoints were usually crowded with buyers and sellers, which posed a threat of virus spreading.

Dialogue looks into sea-related issues from perspective of international law

The seventh dialogue with the theme of evaluating arising sea-related issues from the perspective of international law has recently been held virtually, drawing over 250 domestic and foreign experts, as well as delegates from foreign representative agencies in Hanoi and the media.

The event was jointly organised by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), the British Embassy in Vietnam and the Kondras Adenauer Stiftung Foundation (KAS).

In his opening speech, Deputy Director of the DAV Dr. Nguyen Hung Son said the academy wants to promote dialogues on emerging legal issues to raise public awareness of and reach consensus on the interpretation and application of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), thereby laying a foundation for marine cooperation activities in the region.

The organisers hoped that via the dialogue, parties will offer initiatives in line with international law to promote cooperation in the field, he said.

British Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam Marcus Winsley highlighted the 1982 UNCLOS as a foundation for ocean governance. The UK considers freedom of navigation as the most important as its trade with Asia relies on key marine routes in the region, he said.

The UK also shares the same concern with countries, especially Pacific island nations, over the sea level rise, the diplomat said.

Florian Constantin Feyerabend, from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Foundation, affirmed that Germany always considers safety and freedom of maritime trade routes as common important benefits, supports rules-based order at sea and pledges to protect international law.

Participants at the event shared the impacts of the sea level rise on coastal nations in the region and the world. They underscored the importance of ensuring the stability of international law and suggested measures and scenarios to cope with the sea level rise from national, regional and international perspectives.

According to them, freedom, safety and security of navigation have been stipulated in important international conventions such as the 1982 UNCLOS and guidelines within the framework of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Scholars expressed their interest in the East Sea and concerns over marine claims that run counter to the 1982 UNCLOS and the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)'s ruling on the Philippines' lawsuit in 2016.

They stressed need to continue maintaining rules-based order at sea in the Indo-Pacific and suggested ASEAN reach common consensus on rights to travelling at sea.

Via seven editions of the dialogue, the DAV published quality publications about fishing cooperation, marine governance in the East Sea, dealing with plastic wastes, enhancing ASEAN cooperation in the East Sea, and the European Union’s sustainable development experience./.

12 prosecuted for allegedly falsifying, trading in Covid-19 test certificates

The Bac Ninh People’s Procuracy today, August 19, approved the provincial Police Department’s proposal to file charges against 12 people for allegedly forging Covid-19 test certificates and providing them to interprovincial drivers and workers at industrial parks.

The provincial police and procuracy had earlier launched an investigation into the falsification of documents relating to the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

They later arrested Tran Tan Duong, 34, a resident of Dong Thap and director of the Thien Nhan Advertisement Printing Design Co., Ltd., headquartered in Bac Ninh.

Duong said he knew that workers and drivers needed Covid-19 test certificates to pass through checkpoints, so he forged the certificate samples of the Hoan My International Hospital and sold them to those in need to earn profits.

He collected real Covid-19 test certificates, scanned and saved them. He later modified their template on his computer and filled in the personal information of his customers, before printing them out and faking the signatures of the Hoan My International Hospital’s employees and leaders.

Duong sold some 150 fake Covid-19 test certificates. Quick test certificates were priced at VND150,000 each, while PCR test certificates cost VND250,000 each.

Two groups of people regularly bought the certificates from Duong, including a group of four people, who bought fake certificates and provided them to long-haul drivers of the HG Trading and Transport Services Company in Lang Son Province as well as some employees and collaborators of laborer supply companies Anbin Vina and HT Vina.

Under the prevailing regulations, workers must have negative Covid-19 test certificates to be allowed to work at factories in industrial parks in Bac Ninh. Therefore, employees and collaborators of Anbin Vina and HT Vina bought nearly 100 fake certificates from Duong and provided them to laborers.

According to the Bac Ninh People’s Procuracy, the violations of these people have caused serious consequences, increasing the pandemic transmission risk and affecting the fight against the pandemic in Bac Ninh and the entire country as a whole.

Vietnam Design Week 2020 to open in November

Vietnam Design Week 2021 is expected to kick off on November 15 with the theme "Awakening Tradition".

Co-organised by the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies in coordination with many organisations, the event will take place in three cities: Hanoi, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City.

The opening ceremony of the event is expected to take place at the creative space R8 Factory (Bo De, Long Bien District, Hanoi).

Accordingly, Vietnam Design Week 2021 is a programme to honour excellent Vietnamese products and designers in the fields of: communication design, furniture design, decoration design, costume design, and public design.

The highlight programme of Vietnam Design Week 2021 is the "Designed by Vietnam" contest, inspired by cultural traditions and folk knowledge to create highly applicable products bearing the value of the Vietnamese design brand.

Also within the framework of the programme, a series of activities including exhibitions, seminars, workshops, and performances will also feature the participation of many experienced and well-known designers in the design fields, aiming to encourage a change of thinking in exploitation, renewing traditional values, and promoting sustainable design trends; thereby promoting the development of the design industry in particular and the cultural and creative industry in Vietnam in general, while increasing the value of Vietnamese creative products in the international market.

Ninh Thuan to expand protection-forest cover

The south-central province of Ninh Thuận this year plans to increase its forest-cover rate to nearly 50 per cent, including 330 hectares of new special-use forest and protection-forest planted in response to climate change.

The province targets restoring 4,000ha of damaged forest and 71,400ha of forest under forest-protection contracts this year.

Promoting forest protection and development plays an important role in protecting water and soil resources, preventing erosion, limiting the impact of natural disasters, conserving biodiversity, and maintaining natural habitats.

The province has 116,172 ha of protective forest land, accounting for 59 per cent of its entire forest land. Of the figure, more than 30,192ha of land has no trees.

The province is focusing on afforestation, and management of protection- and special-use forests.

Training courses in forest-fire prevention and fighting have been offered to local households responsible for protecting planted forests.

The province has in recent years detected and handled many cases involving illegal forest exploitation and forest land encroachment.

It has been growing drought-resistant trees with high economic value such as trôm (Sterculia foetida), thanh thất (Ailanthus triphysa), muồng đen (Senna siamea) and keo lai (Acacia mangium x Acacia auriculaeformis) in protection and special-use forests.

The quality of local forests has improved, with poor forest areas restored and forest cover increased.

Barren land and bare hills are now covered with trees. For example, thanh thất trees which can adapt to a dry climate have been planted on more than 650ha of rocky mountains in Thuận Nam District’s coastal areas for protection forests since 2015.

Lê Xuân Hòa, deputy head of the district’s Protective Forest Management Board, said the planting of thanh thất trees was supported by the JICA 2 afforestation project under the Việt Nam’s Support Programme to Respond to Climate Change (SP-RCC).

Many trees are now 2.5-3m in height and will cover the rocky mountains in the next 10 years.

The province has also allocated forest land to local households for protection under contracts. On average, each local household receives about 30ha of forest to protect under a forest protection contract for VNĐ400,000 (US$17.4) per hectare each year.

Since 2016, local households have used additional income earned from forest protection contracts to develop forest-linked livelihoods such as breeding cows, goats and sheep, and planting more than 22,500 fruit trees. The department is expanding these effective forest-linked livelihood models.

However, forest management faces many challenges, including financial constraints and various policies. 

The province regularly experiences dry and hot weather that significantly impacts forest fire prevention and control, and afforestation.

Dangerous terrain also causes problems for forest management and protection, according to the director.

Đặng Kim Cương, director of the provincical Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the department would continue to raise the awareness of local residents about the importance of protection forests as well as legal regulations.

It is also continuing sustainable forestry development to help local residents earn additional income by participating in forest protection under signed contracts.

Programmes on how to plant special-use, replacement and protection forests are also being strengthened.

Better coordination among forest-prevention forces, armed forces, local authorities and residents is also being implemented.

Son La schools closed as new Covid-19 cases detected

The northern province of Son La has closed schools just two days after reopening after some Covid-19 infections were detected. 

Nguyen Huy Hoang, director of Son La Department of Education and Training said they started the school year early on August 16 because no cases had been reported and they hoped to take advantage of such time to let students study face-to-face with teachers as much as possible.

"However, we detected two Covid-19 infections in Phu Yen District on the evening of August 17," the official said. "And we had to urgently close all schools in the province from August 18. Most students were sent home and students at boarding schools were asked to stay at school until further notice. Social distancing rules have been applied in Phu Yen District."

"Teachers and the staff were also asked to stay at schools and fill in their medical declaration forms for better monitoring," Hoang added.

He went on to say that they already have plans for the new school year in case of emergency. If the situation worsens, students will study online and via TV. Teachers will give more homework and studying materials to students living in mountainous areas.
Son La was the first locality in the country to have started the new school year this year. Some 40 other localities have also announced their plans for the new school year opening with most starting from September 1.

Vietnam seeks stronger cooperation with Middle East nations

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Quang Hieu on August 19 held an online meeting with nine resident and non-resident ambassadors and chargé d'affaires of Middle East countries to Vietnam.

Speaking at the event, Hieu underscored the importance of maintaining regular communications channels and coordination to foster ties between Vietnam and the regional countries.

He highlighted encouraging results of cooperation between Vietnam and the Middle East countries despite the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly 7.3 billion USD in two-way trade in the first half of this year, up 33.5 percent year on year.

The two sides offered mutual support in the fight against the pandemic in various forms, including sharing experience in COVID-19 prevention and control, providing medical supplies and discussing the possibility of cooperation in vaccines and treatment.

The diplomats congratulated Vietnam on its political, diplomatic and socio-economic achievements, as well as its successful organisation of the 13th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 15th National Assembly.

The diplomats affirmed that they have always attached importance to promoting multifaceted collaboration with Vietnam and suggested measures to boost bilateral ties in the near future, such as enhancing online meetings between ministries and agencies, sharing information and consultations regarding COVID-19 prevention and control, offering mutual support at multilateral forums and international organisations, upholding existing mechanisms and soon finalising negotiations to sign new deals and agreements, and organising activities to connect businesses and promote trade and investment.

Concluding the meeting, Hieu applauded the practical and wholehearted opinions of the diplomats and affirmed that the Vietnamese Government and people treasure cooperative ties with Middle East nations, as well as huge potential for bilateral cooperation, especially in politics-diplomacy, trade, investment, energy, science-technology, and labour.

He proposed both sides step up measures in four priority fields, including politics-diplomacy, economy-trade, COVID-19 prevention and control, and perfecting the legal basis to further improve the efficiency of bilateral cooperation.

Upholding national unity from August Revolution in Covid-19 fight

 

Seventy-six years ago, Vietnamese people gained the first remarkable accomplishment of the nation in the 20th century: successfully carrying out the August Revolution to seize back national independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, headed by President Ho Chi Minh, within just 15 days, from August 16 to September 2, 1945, the country’s revolutionary forces overthrew the French colonial regime and its feudalist puppet emperor to build a new political system throughout the country.

History has shown that there are two significant factors deciding victory - leadership and solidarity.

During the August Revolution as well as following wars of resistance, the people rallied and fought under the words of late President Ho Chi Minh: “Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom”, and when it comes to the fight against the invisible enemy - COVID-19 - the guideline for action from the Party and the State is to “put the people’s health and lives first and foremost”.

The whole nation is a great unity bloc, and everyone is joining hands with the Party and the government to fight the pandemic, protect health and lives, and provide the best care for the people.

The affirmation of the Party, State, and government about the goal of protecting people’s health and lives amid the COVID-19 pandemic has once again promoted the joint effort, consensus, and great solidarity of the entire nation. With unanimity, solidarity, and absolute trust from the people, the country will definitely win its fight against the pandemic in the near future.

Flight crew required to be fully vaccinated starting September 1

Only pilots and flight attendants who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with two jabs are eligible to be onboard starting September 1.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam informed the policy in its directive on mandatory measures for flight safety amid COVID-19, which was issued on July 14 and freshly amended to intensify the works in the time to come.

The directive requires flight operators to strictly adhere to COVID-19 preventive rules.

It said vaccination must be prioritised to frontline workers, including pilots, flight attendants, and technical engineers, who are considered high-risk because of regular contact with passengers.

As part of the directive, airlines are asked to evaluate their compliance with regulations on maintaining the aircraft control ability and skills as prescribed in the code of civil aviation safety regulations.

Prime Minister wants elite, strong public security forces

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited and held a working session with the Ministry of Public Security’s Institute of Forensic Sciences on August 19, on the occasion of the 76th founding anniversary of the people’s public security forces and the 76th anniversary of National Day of Vietnam (September 2).

Speaking at the session, the Government leader hailed the public security forces for their outstanding achievements in each and every revolutionary period, making important contributions to the nation’s common victories.

He said in the past tenure, the forces effectively implemented the Party's resolutions on streamlining personnel, restructuring apparatus, towards building elite and strong forces from ministerial to provincial, district and grassroots levels.

The PM recognised the specific actions taken by the Institute of Forensic Sciences to carry out the Resolution of the 13th Party Central Congress towards building revolutionary, regular, elite and modern public security forces by 2030 and realise the target set by the Central Public Security Party Committee to build a contingent of professional forensic science technicians by 2025.

He suggested the Central Public Security Party Committee regularly pay attention to training, building and consolidating the forensic science force from ministry to district levels, contributing to not only the fight against crime but also the country’s science-technology development.

As the country is facing tremendous difficulties and challenges caused by COVID-19 pandemic, the Central Public Security Party Committee and leaders of the Ministry of Public Security must direct all the public security forces to continue performing well their role at the front-line of the fight against the pandemic, thus together with the political system, driving it back as soon as possible, he said.

The PM also required the forces to proactively forecast the situation and have plans readied to safeguard national security and ensure social safety and order.

Deputy spokeswoman clarifies issues of public interest

Foreign Ministry’s Deputy Spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang talked about several issues of public concern during the ministry's regular press conference held virtually on August 19, one of which is the upcoming visit by US Vice President Kamala Harris to Vietnam this month.

Hang said the visit is being arranged by Vietnamese and US agencies concerned.

She stressed that all visits by the two countries’ high-ranking leaders and the exchange of delegations at all levels aim to further deepen the Vietnam – US comprehensive partnership, for the benefits of the two peoples, and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Regarding reports that the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has sent a letter to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to express their support of Vietnam's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hang said Vietnam welcomes and appreciates every support by countries and partners in pandemic prevention and control work.

"We hope that countries and international organisations would continue sharing information, technology, finance, health care and vaccines so as to soon control and wipe out the pandemic," the deputy spokeswoman said, adding that Vietnam, for its part, has been actively cooperating with and contributing to the international community’s common efforts in the regard.

Referring to immigration regulations for fully vaccinated passengers, Hang informed that on August 4, the Health Ministry issued guidelines on quarantine for people entering Vietnam who have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19, which requires them to undergo concentrated quarantine for seven days and health monitoring for the next seven days.

The Foreign Ministry is working with the Health Ministry and the Ministry of Information and Communications to build criteria, a mechanism to recognise and allow the use of vaccination certificates and vaccine passports of other countries, thus creating favourable conditions for people entering the country that suit the domestic situation and comply with Vietnamese and international laws, Hang said.

To make it easier to follow the Health Ministry’s guidelines, the Foreign Ministry in collaboration with the Health Ministry has issued temporary guidelines on checking and recognising foreigners’ COVID-19 vaccination and recovery certificates which are officially introduced to Vietnam via diplomatic channels of 44 countries and territories.

The list of countries and territories with officially introduced certificates are regularly updated on the website lanhsuvietnam.gov.vn

The deputy spokeswoman added that those not coming from the above countries and territories could contact Vietnamese representative agencies in their countries to certify such papers.

Vietnam strongly commits to responding to climate change

Vietnam calls on the international community to strengthen cooperation to jointly respond to climate change, Deputy Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said at a regular press briefing held via videoconference in Hanoi on August 19.

While answering reporters' questions on Vietnam’s reaction to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)'s report on climate change in 2021 which was released on August 9, Hang said climate change is a global challenge, causing negative impacts on the world.

"As one of the countries most heavily affected by the impacts of climate change, Vietnam is determined and strongly committed to responding to climate change, including proactive adaptation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with the country's international commitments," she said.

According to the deputy spokeswoman, the IPCC's report on climate change in 2021 is an important scientific basis for countries to develop and update policies and scenarios related to climate change. It provides input information for reference for countries in conducting international negotiations on climate change. 

Currently, Vietnamese authorities are actively studying the contents of the report to review and update its climate change scenarios and include them in the country's National Strategy to Respond to Climate Change in the coming period.

Vietnam closely follows situation in Afghanistan: Deputy Spokeswoman

Vietnam has closely followed the situation in Afghanistan and hoped that Afghanistan will soon stabilise for the benefit of its people and for peace and stability in the region, said Deputy Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang.

Hang made the statement while responding to reporters' questions regarding complicated developments in Afghanistan at the ministry's regular press briefing held virtually on August 19.

“As a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Vietnam calls on involved parties not to use force, ensure security, order, essential infrastructure, the lives and properties of Afghanistan people and foreigners, especially women and children, as well as guaranteeing access to humanitarian aid when necessary," she said.

Viet Nam futsal team prepare for World Cup

Coach Phạm Minh Giang said his team were doing well in preparation for the Futsal World Cup in Lithuania in September.

The team moved to Hà Nội last week and are working hard to improve their physique. At the same time, a coaching board has set up different situations for players to make sure they are ready for whatever happens during the matches.

"Currently, players are catching up with the high pace and speed of training exercises. They are getting better and better every day. We will try to overcome our limitations to get closer to world leading teams at the World Cup finals," said Spanish fitness coach Miguel Ledesma Carrasco.

Players have another week to show their ability before Giang finalises a list of 17 members to travel to Spain for an intensive training course on August 27.

Việt Nam will compete in a four-side tournament on August 28-31 and a friendly match again local club Cordoba on September 3.

They will then move to Lithuania and have a final test against the Morocco national team on September 6.

"We have made careful preparation. Our practice includes pressing, counter-pressing, counter-attacking, and defence when having fewer players. I am really pleased with our plan and players who are doing well," said Giang.

Việt Nam are in a same group as Brazil, Panama and the Czech Republic, with their matches on September 13, 16 and 19, respectively.

"We have researched our rivals. While Brazil and the Czech Republic are at a higher level, Panama are a team vying for a berth in the next round with us. They have taken part in several tournaments recently. We watched them and have suitable plans.

"We have a chance to practise and compete in Spain which is really important for us to sharpen our skills and mentality for the tough championship," Giang said.

Player Trần Văn Vũ is also pleased with his form and preparation.

"My form and the team's are really good. We have nearly reached 100 per cent of what we expect for the World Cup. We all strongly determined for these finals," Vũ said.

"Our target is to reach last-eight like we did in 2016. I believe that if we can compete with our real ability and as well as what we have practised, we will definitely complete our mission." 

Steering committee discusses plan on developing grassroots Party units

The steering committee for building a plan to develop grassroots-level Party organisations and Party members convened the first meeting in Hanoi on August 19.

Politburo member Truong Thi Mai, Chairwoman of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission and head of the steering committee, chaired the event.

Participants gave opinions on the steering committee’s work plan, task assignment, and working regulations, along with the draft plan.

Mai cited data as showing that there are more than 5.2 million Party members operating in about 52,000 grassroots-level Party units such as those of communal-level localities and at agencies of the Party, the State, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front; socio-economic organisations; businesses; military and public security units; and overseas agencies.

On February 2, 2008, the 10th-tenure Party Central Committee issued Resolution 22-NQ/TW on enhancing the leadership and combative strength of grassroots-level Party units and the quality of officials and Party members.

Since then, the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Secretariat have issued 119 resolutions, directives, and conclusions on related affairs. Now, a new resolution on grassroots-level Party units and Party members in the new context is being drafted, Mai noted.

The draft plan on developing grassroots Party units and Party members needs to mention issues in reality so as to help promote the quality and combative strength of Party organisations, she stressed, adding that that it be submitted to the 13th Party Central Committee at its fifth session, slated for May 2022.

HCMC effectively applies GIS in geology-based platforms, Covid-19 fight
 
GIS (Geographic Information System), a technology to collect, manage and analyze geographic data to create maps and update their information in real time, has been widely used in Ho Chi Minh City for several tasks, especially in the combat against Covid-19.

Certain prominent applications of GIS in HCMC are the 60-layer geographic information platform suite developed by the Center for Applied GIS of HCMC (HCMGIS), the tourism map for each district, the system to manage infectious diseases, the system to monitor vegetable farms.

For many years, the HCMC Department of Science and Technology has run HCMGIS Portal to provide an integrated platform to share geographic spatial data, corresponding materials, and maps. This department has also organized various consultation programs and delivered financial support in GIS implementation.

When the Covid-19 pandemic becomes more complicated in the city, the department help a virtual conference to introduce the solution ‘Using GIS in District-level Covid-19 Prevention and Control Tasks’, containing two useful GIS software pieces, for 11 districts of 4, 6, 12, Binh Thanh, Tan Binh, Phu Nhuan, Go Vap, Binh Chanh, Can Gio, Nha Be, and Cu Chi.

Meanwhile, Thu Duc City, highly aware of the effectiveness of this advanced technology, has ordered HCMGIS to develop two specific software pieces for the city in order to manage the virus spreading status in the area and help its residents go shopping more conveniently and safely during the social distance period.

The first software is able to analyze data and prepare a detailed report on the quantity of infections, suspected cases, and the development of Covid-19 in Thu Duc City. Layered maps are included for ease of understanding and neighborhood, quarantine site management.

The second software helps citizens by updating information of stores and supermarkets in the area daily. Users can also select the optimal route to their wished stores or distribution points for relief items.

Seeing the success of the apps developed for Thu Duc City, HCMGIS is now more confident in creating more similar software for other districts in accordance with their specific requirements.

“Until now, 6 districts have implemented GIS applications in their Covid-19 prevention and control tasks. We are going to install the software, deliver proper training and offer continuous software support to the rest to improve the quality of Covid-19 prevention and control tasks all over HCMC”, said Pham Quoc Phuong – Director of HCMGIS.

Thai Nguyen holds online exhibition on General Vo Nguyen Giap

A virtual exhibition featuring General Vo Nguyen Giap and ATK Thai Nguyen – a revolutionary land – opened in the northern province of Thai Nguyen on August 19, connecting with its nine localities, museums of Yen Bai, Lang Son, Son La, Bac Giang and Dien Bien provinces and the late general’s family.

This is the first provincial-level cultural activity held online on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the August Revolution Day (August 19) and National Day (September 2), 76 years of establishment of the revolutionary government of Thai Nguyen province (August 20), and the 110th birth anniversary of General Vo Nguyen Giap (August 25).

With more than 110 photos and nearly 500 documents, artifacts, books, newspapers, magazines and publications, the exhibition introduces to the public about General Vo Nguyen Giap - a loyal revolutionary soldier, an excellent and close disciple of President Ho Chi Minh and the first general of the Vietnam People’s Army.

The exhibition is divided into three parts, featuring activities of the Party Central Committee, the Government and late President Ho Chi Minh at ATK Thai Nguyen, General Vo Nguyen Giap’s activities at ATK Thai Nguyen; and the general with ethnic minorities in the province.

General Vo Nguyen Giap, whose real name is Vo Giap (alias Van), was born in Loc Thuy commune, Le Thuy district, the central province of Quang Binh on August 25, 1911. He passed away in Hanoi on October 4, 2013 at the age of 103.

He once served as a Politburo member, Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Standing Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence, Commander-in-Chief of the Vietnamese People’s Army and a National Assembly deputy from the first to seventh tenures.

The General, whose military career starting with his appointment to lead the first Vietnamese revolutionary army unit with only 34 soldiers in 1944, led the Vietnamese people's army from victory to victory during the resistance war against French colonialists and then American imperialists.

Good planning helps promote national development: PM

Good planning will make it possible to design good projects and draw good investors, thus promoting public investment efficiency and boosting socio-economic development, stated Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at a national conference on planning held virtually on August 19.

Stressing that planning must go one step ahead of other activities, the PM said that the national, regional, provincial and sectoral planning should be made simultaneously.

He requested ministries, sectors and localities to work closely together and exchange information with each other to ensure best efficiency of the work.

He noted that since 2017 when the 14th National Assembly adopted the Planning Law, the Government has issued various resolutions, directives and directions to realise the law. However, the results have yet to meet expectations, he said, asking participants to seek measures to speed up the implementation of the law.

Chinh also asked ministries, sectors, localities and planning design agencies to stick to the 13th National Party Congress’ Resolution and the socio-economic development plan for the next 10 years as well as the Planning Law and related resolutions and decrees of the Government in the field.

They should form their own steering committee on planning which is headed by the leader of the locality, sector and agency to take the charge of making planning for the locality, sector and agency, he said.

The Party Committee and authorities at all levels should consider it as one of the major political tasks for 2021 and following years, he added.

Participants gave a number of ideas to speed up the progress and improve the efficiency and quality of the design of planning in the 2021-2030 period, including strengthening instruction in the work, reviewing and supplementing documents guiding the implementation of related legal regulations to match the Planning Law.

PM Chinh said that opinions given at the conference will be sumarised by Government agencies to serve the amendments of a number of decrees related to planning, thus removing difficulties in the work, ensuring progress and quality of planning as well as the close connectivity among sectoral, provincial, regional and national planning.

Vietnamese Ambassador to UN affirms importance of technology in peacekeeping

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Vietnam’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, has spotlighted the important role of new technology in peacekeeping, affirming that technology is an efficient tool to enhance the capacity to protect civilians and protect peacekeepers themselves in conflict hotbeds.

Talking to Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondents after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) open debate regarding this issue on August 18, Ambassador Quy said that peacekeeping forces are currently one of the targets of attacks by terrorists and illegal armed groups using new technology, including the use of flying objects to carry weapons.

Therefore, it is necessary for peacekeepers to adopt new technology, even more advanced than that of the hostile forces, he noted.

In addition, with the application of technology, peacekeepers can perform their duties more effectively in a wide range of aspects, from information collection and analysis to early warning and control, the formation of strategies to deal with conflict hotspots and consequences, Quy stated.

However, the Vietnamese diplomat also emphasised the importance of technology transfer and continuous training for peacekeepers as well as cooperation forces of the recipient country.

According to him, Vietnam currently has two groups of peacekeepers: staff officers and soldiers working at level-2 field hospitals.

Vietnamese officers and soldiers in both forces have well mastered technology, and made full use of technologies that the UN is applying at its missions and field hospitals.

The UN agency specialising in monitoring this field appreciates the capabilities of Vietnamese officers and soldiers in grasping and applying technology efficiently, especially in information analysis and early warning, Quy added.

During its open debate, the UNSC adopted the first presidential statement on the use of technologies to improve the safety of peacekeepers, and a resolution that promotes accountability for the killing of, and all acts of violence against UN peacekeeping personnel.

Tan Binh exhibition center transformed into Covid-19 treatment hospital

The Tan Binh Exhibition and Convention Center in HCMC has been transformed into a field hospital for Covid-19 treatment and was put into operation on August 18.

The field hospital is located at No. 446, Hoang Van Thu Street, Ward 4, Tan Binh District, and is monitored by the Thong Nhat Hospital.

With 1,000 beds, the hospital can treat Covid-19 patients with all symptoms from mild and moderate to serious ones.

Associate Professor Doctor Le Dinh Thanh, director of Thong Nhat Hospital, said as the number of Covid-19 patients in the city has risen drastically, transporting patients with symptoms of various severity levels to different hospitals becomes time-consuming.

Therefore, the steering committee for Covid-19 infection prevention and control of Tan Binh District and the Thong Nhat Hospital decided to set up a field hospital that is able to treat Covid-19 patients with all kinds of symptoms.

The new field hospital set up at the Tan Binh Exhibition and Convention Center has 300 beds on the first floor for Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms, 650 beds on the second floor for those with moderate symptoms and 50 beds on the third floor for critical patients.

Together with support from other hospitals in the city and the Tan Binh District Medical Center, the Thong Nhat Hospital has sent 139 doctors and nurses as well as ventilators, testing equipment and X-ray machines to the new field hospital.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son said the field hospital will provide the residents in Tan Binh District with the fastest and safest medical services.

HCMC speeds up vaccination campaigns to soon achieve community immunity

Amidst the complicated and unprecedented fourth pandemic outbreak, the districts and Thu Duc City are focusing on accelerating the Covid-19 vaccination campaigns to soon achieve community immunity, control the pandemic and turn them into new-normal.

The city sets to complete the vaccination process with more than three million doses to ensure over 70 percent of the population aged over 18 years receiving the first shot and 15 percent of city residents getting their second dose from August 15 to August 31.

In the first half of September, HCMC will continue to organize the vaccination against coronavirus for the rest people and 400,000 people being subjected to the second doses of vaccination as scheduled. 

HCMC promises to deliver support package to each resident in need
 
The Covid-19 pandemic has made many a large number of people living in Ho Chi Minh City, especially those from other provinces, face so many financial difficulties. The municipal authorities have tried all ways to offer both physical and spiritual help to those vulnerable individuals. In reality, however, there are still cases that have not received sufficient support. A collaboration between the localities and communities is they key to cover all emergency situations.

Chairman of HCMC People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong once stated that in the peaceful time, laborers from different provinces work in the city and actively contribute to its impressive socio-economic development; so now in the harsh time, when they have lost their job, the city must take good care of them.

Secretary of the HCMC Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen also pointed out that laborers from other provinces want to return to their hometown because they cannot endure this harshness any longer due to financial trouble.

Therefore, HCMC has continuously introduced support campaigns with the contribution of the state budget and charity funds.

Right now, the city is launching the third support campaign, worth VND1,000 billion (approx. US$43.6 million) for the poor, each receiving VND50,000 ($2.2) per day in two weeks from August 15.

The HCMC Center for Social Security immediately advances each district VND1 billion ($43,600) and Thu Duc City VND3 billion ($130,800) to timely help poor households in the areas. There are also 1 million meals to be delivered to the poor, along with 0-dong bus rides to provide essential goods free of charge to the needy and 2,500 gift packages of essential items distributed to disadvantaged families a day in one month.

The program to deliver 1 million social security packages in HCMC’s latest social distance extension will be launched on August 19 as well.

To prepare a list of eligible people for the above support campaigns, police offers in charge of each neighborhood call related people to verify necessary information. Thai Duc Do, a landlord in District 1, shared that yesterday morning, the police officer in his neighborhood contacted him to ask whether his two tenants need help of essential commodities. He then checked with his tenants and responded back that they are current working and can manage their life, and that the packages should be saved for others in need.

Sadly, in certain places in HCMC, there still exist vulnerable people who have not received any help from the three formal support campaigns of the municipal authorities.

At a rented room in Quarter 4 of An Lac Ward in Binh Tan District, Huynh Bich Phung confined that her husband is the bread winner of the family with an income of VND6 million ($262) a month. This is enough for the rent, foodstuff for a family of 3 children. Unfortunately, due to the latest Covid-19 outbreak, he has lost his job, but still received no financial aid for 3 months already.

Living in the same neighborhood is the family of Nguyen Thi Kim Dung. Both she and her husband cannot go out to work because of Directive 16. Even having a rent discount of 50 percent, she still cannot manage enough money to pay her landlord. Her name is written in the list for support package, but after 2 months, the money is nowhere to be seen.

The localities of Binh Tan District admitted that there are still cases of poor people not having obtained financial aid from the government. In the former support round, the district listed over 16,100 individuals and 19,000 laborers without contract. This turn, the district reviews and adds nearly 180,000 more cases that need urgent help.

Other districts also acknowledge that there are cases of poor people not satisfying the requirements of the support package campaigns. Meanwhile, leaders of each neighborhood have to endure pressure of complaints from poor people even though they have already included the names of these people in the list. The reason is that the packages distributed to each neighborhood are rather limited.

Associate Prof. Dr. Le Thanh Sang, Head of the Southern Institute of Social Sciences, commented that the authorities should total erase all requirements in delivering support packages to the disadvantaged. Since the basic needs of all people in HCMC at the moment are sufficient food, stable accommodation, and health safety, the municipal authorities should provide them to all in need, regardless of the accommodation status or job. This help must be constant.

The Standing Committee of HCMC People’s Council yesterday asked that delegates must monitor the distribution of social security packages in their neighborhoods. When detecting a case of poor people with no help, these delegates must promptly inform the localities to ensure no one is left hungry.

Dr Huynh Thanh Dien from Nguyen Tat Thanh University proposed that the authorities can mobilize possible resources from the community to aid the poor to pay their rent, electricity and water bills so that they stay safe through the pandemic.

A citizen from District 3 suggested that the localities must become the leader to gather relief items or charity funds from philanthropists and direct the distribution process logically. In addition, the city should have a long-term social security plan for at least six months with clear goals and operation methods.

Meanwhile, the whole country is still continuously sending help to HCMC.

The People’s Committee of Hai Phong City has just decided to deliver VND2 million ($87) for each needy family from Hai Phong City living in HCMC. The first money delivery round is according to the list made on August 3. This list will be gradually updated in the following rounds.

People from An Giang Province living in HCMC that need help can contact Tran Van Hao, the General Secretary of the An Giang Province-men in HCMC, at the number 0849.478889.

Vice Chairman of the Committee for Vietnam Fatherland Front in Ca Mau Province Phan Mong Thanh informed that the province is distributing help to needy individuals from the province living in HCMC in three rounds. The first round is the delivery of 12 tonnes of shrimp. The second supports 2,000 students with VND500,000 ($22) each and rice, dried seafood. The third supports nearly 3,000 laborers with VND1 million ($44) each and rice, essential commodities.

Other provinces like Bac Lieu, Vinh Long, Ha Tinh are also going to deliver financial aid and essential items to people from their own provinces coming to live in HCMC.

Besides financial help, the provinces of Quang Tri, Quang Ngai, and Da Nang City have organized many patrolled trips for people from their provinces wishing to return to their hometown.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam informed that so far, it has received VND60 billion ($2.6 million) from charity groups and benefactors. This is the result of the campaign launched by Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam, to mobilize support from all Catholics Vietnamese people, both domestic and overseas.

Parishes, religious orders, and Catholic charity groups all over the nation and in other countries have sent money, foodstuff, medication, medical equipment, and essential commodities to HCMC for distribution to the needy here, regardless of religion.

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