The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has recently issued a plan to support foreigners who fall into difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the city.

Accordingly, the municipal military high command will work with authorities of Thu Duc city, districts, departments and agencies to arrange accommodation along with meals for foreigners in concentrated quarantine facilities.

The municipal People’s Committee assigned the local police to ensure security and safety in those facilities.

The municipal Health Department must also ensure necessary medical supplies there and offer training courses on pandemic prevention and control.

New school programme focuses on students' health 

The 2021-25 National School Health Programme signed recently by Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam focuses on promoting education, care, protection and management of students' health.

The programme's target is to ensure the comprehensive physical and mental development for children at preschools, special education schools, and students at primary and high schools. 

The national programme has set goals for 80 per cent of schools to have adequate medicines and equipment as regulated by the Ministry of Health, 75 per cent of schools to provide enough drinking water and clean water for students' activities.

It also sets targets for physical education and sports activities in schools.

According to the programme, 80 per cent of schools will have at least one area to ensure necessary equipment and tools for physical education and sports activities as prescribed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

All schools will periodically organise sports competitions in accordance with the law on physical sports; 100 per cent of primary and high schools have enough qualified physical teachers who were trained in professional skills.

Targets were set for school meals, ensuring proper nutrition for children, including 100 per cent of schools organising lunch at canteens, ensuring hygiene and food safety according to regulations of the Ministry of Health.

Sixty per cent of schools will have milk and dairy products in standard school meals according to regulations of the Ministry of Health.

School health education must also be a focus. According to the programme, 100 per cent of students must be educated about health and improve knowledge about disease prevention and mental health.

Students must be taught about proper nutrition, healthy and safe food.

Fifty per cent of high school students must receive information and counselling on mental health and psychology. Education on the care of children will also be expanded to include teachers, students and parents.

The 2021-25 National School Health Programme also clearly outlines the tasks and solutions for the future. One of the important solutions is to upgrade the healthcare facilities and equipment in schools.

Specifically, schools need to be equipped with medical equipment and medicine to ensure the effective implementation of school healthcare work, meeting the requirements of disease prevention and control especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In which, schools will install tables and chairs suitable for students' height, especially children with disabilities; building or repairing clean water works, and sanitation facilities in schools.

The health and education sectors will also be working to strengthen their inspection of school healthcare including food safety, dental care, optical care and first aid capabilities.

For disadvantaged, remote and mountainous, ethnic minority areas, the Government will give priority and promote the improvement of medical equipment to ensure conditions for teaching and learning, and school meals.

Another major solution is to improve the quality of school health workers.

Many schools are struggling to overcome skills and infrastructure shortages to deliver quality student healthcare.

A principal of the Trung Hòa Kindergarten in Cầu Giấy District, Hà Nội, admitted that private kindergartens do not have a room dedicated to health purposes. Sick students or those injured in accidents, are attended to by teachers administering basic medicines and liaising with parents.

Few private kindergartens had health rooms or simple health equipment so it will still be dangerous if students have serious illness.

According to the programme, schools are suggested to arrange full-time or part-time health staff, even if they are not on the school's payroll, to carry out school health work in accordance with the specific conditions of each locality and each school.

In addition, schools need to renovate physical education and school sports activities, encourage the development of swimming, football and ethnic sports suitable to the characteristics of each region.

They will effectively deploy school sports activities suitable to students' interests and ages, as well as organising school-level sports tournaments.

Funding will come from the State budget, and lawful revenue of schools, as well as support from domestic and social organisations and individuals. 

Exhibition displays changes of Sword Lake over the years

Over 100 historical documents, images and drawings capturing the changes of Hà Nội’s historical landmark – Gươm (Sword) Lake – over the past century will be exhibited on the website of the National Archives Centre No 1 from October 8.

The Hồ Gươm, Giao Lộ Đông – Tây (Sword Lake, East-West Intersection) is part of the celebration of the 67th anniversary of the capital city’s liberation (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2021).

According to the organisers, the exhibited archive is just a small part of many collections about Hà Nội that are currently preserved at the National Archives Center I. Through the event, they hope to bring back memories of the Sword Lake and the capital city in the old days to the public.

The exhibition is divided into three parts – The Process of Changing Of Sword Lake; Preserving the Cultural and Historical Space of Sword Lake; Sword Lake – Centre of Service, Culture and Entertainment.

The first part will enable the viewers to witness the changes of the historical landmark over the past century, starting with 1873 before the French colonists began to construct the first buildings on the concession area along the road running across, presently Phạm Ngũ Lão Street.

Sword Lake, a vestige of ancient Nhị Hà River, is a famous scenic spot of the capital, is surrounded by Hàng Khay - Lê Thái Tổ - Đinh Tiên Hoàng Streets.

With a prime location, the lake was chosen by the French colonists to become the heart of the renovation of the capital city as soon as they arrived.

During the construction process, the Governor General of French Indochina requested that the area around the lake be kept with a width of at least 20 metres and no structures be built along this area while all cottages on Paul Bert Street (now Tràng Tiền Street) have to be removed.

In the renovation of Hà Nội, Sword Lake has helped to maintain the original Asian landscape and architecture of the capital city, making it different from other westernised cities.

Under the planning of the French, Sword Lake was like an intersection of the architectural and cultural features of the East and West, and an appropriate transition between the residential areas of the locals in the north and of the western colonisers in the south.

The second part of the exhibition showcases the city authorities’ efforts in preserving Sword Lake through the implementation of many policies.

From 1884, the French colonisers urgently planned to rebuild the city, including repairing Sword Lake into an entertainment area and building a wide road around the lake. Therefore, all cottages, communal houses and places of worship such as Bà Kiệu Temple, Báo Ân Pagoda, King Lê Temple were demolished except for religious works on Ngọc Sơn and Quy Sơn islets.

A photo of Báo Ân Pagoda, taken in 1884. Photo courtesy of the National Archives Centre No 1
Such demolition caused a wave of frustration not only for Hanoians but also for some French officials, which forced the Governor General of Indochina to sign Decrees on March 9, 1900 and April 15, 1905 on the preservation of historical works of the capital city, including Ngọc Sơn Temple and Tháp Bút (Pen) Tower.

Another decree was signed on July 11, 1925 by the French Governor-General of Indochina, regulating that any listed historical and religious works that needed repair had to be proposed by the Department of National Monuments Conservation.

After 1937, the Governor of Hanoi issued a decision to change the use purpose of a number of historical and religious works in Hà Nội. Accordingly, some works had to be completely dismantled and some others were only partially removed.

Today, many historical, cultural, architectural, and traditional relics are still preserved in the Sword Lake area such as Ngọc Sơn Temple, Thê Húc Bridge, Pen Tower, Rùa (Turtle) Tower and Hòa Phong Tower.

The last part of the Sword Lake, East-West Intersection is an affirmation that Sword Lake is the service, cultural and entertainment centre of the capital city and the whole nation.

Accordingly, with the desire to turn Sword Lake and the surrounding area into a centre of culture, politics, religion, commerce, services and entertainment of Hà Nội, the French Government built mansions and facilities, administrative offices on the east of Sword Lake.

Many factories and shops sprang up around the lake, and Western streets were gradually formed. European-style entertainment centres were also built such as the Opera House, clubs and swimming pools.

Until the early 20th century, the material and spiritual life of Hanoians gradually blended with westernised elements, leading to changes in their lifestyle from culinary taste to art enjoyment.

Cinemas and cafes also increasingly appeared in the city, and trams gradually became a popular and familiar means of the citizens, particularly traders.

 Sword Lake, East-West Intersection can be visited at http://archives.org.vn and https://facebook.com/luutruquocgia1.

Vietnam-RoK jointly-founded institute promotes R&D in biotechnology

The Vietnam – Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST) has recently signed several MoUs with both domestic and foreign partners on promoting research and development (R&D) in science and technology.

One of the agreements was between VKIST and CVI Pharma, a Vietnamese pharmaceutical company, which allows them to bolster cooperation in medicinal plant-based health products. Over the last two years, the two sides have been working together in three R&D projects, which will be soon assessed and put in production.

VKIST President Kum Dongwha said in the coming time, the institute will focus its efforts on R&D in biotechnology. In particular, it will cooperate with partners to develop natural cosmeceutical products, he said.

VKIST is a public science and technology agency founded in 2015 under the support of the Government of the Republic of Korea, aiming to become a leading research institute in applied science and advanced technology development for the industrial sector and sustainable economic growth.

It was established through a joint project between the two governments following an official visit by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to the RoK in March 2012.

In September 2013, the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs inked an agreement to start the project for building VKIST, modeled after the Korean Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), with an investment of 35 million USD sourced from the RoK’s non-refundable ODA.

It is the largest project funded by non-refundable aid provided by the RoK to Vietnam to date./.

Nearly 1,000 medical personnel return to Hanoi from HCM City

The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines operated five flights on October 5 to transport close to 1,000 medical workers and medical students back to Hanoi after they completed their mission in assisting the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The medical workers and students are from many medical institutions in northern localities such as Hanoi and Cao Bang, Dien Bien, and Thanh Hoa provinces.

The group flew to HCM City in August and September to support the city’s pandemic fight. They worked at temporary COVID-19 treatment hospitals and helped with the collection of samples for testing and other logistics tasks. 

In response to the pandemic, Vietnam Airlines has to date transported nearly 12,000 medical workers and hundreds of tonnes of medical supplies and equipment and vaccines across localities nationwide.

Vietnamese American jazz artist enthuses over music teaching

Having a work nominated for a Grammy Award, Vietnamese American jazz artist Julian-Quan Viet Le has an intense passion for teaching Vietnamese traditional music at his family's music school.

Julian-Quan Viet Le and his sister were born to a family of traditional musicians residing in Milpitas city, California, the US. His parents are classically trained musicians in Saigon (now  Ho Chi Minh City) before 1975.

Since Julian was eight years old, his parent taught him how to play sao truc (bamboo flute) and dan bau (Vietnamese lute), so his musical works have a harmonious combination of Vietnamese traditional music with modern instruments.

Julian studied Jazz music at California University Los Angeles (UCLA). He also lived in Vietnam for more than a year, helping him have first-hand experience in the homeland.

In 2020, the musician and female artist Jhené Aiko co-produced, mixed and composed music for Chilombo - the album nominated for 'Album of The Year' at the 2021 GRAMMY Awards. This album claimed No.2 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Julian’s family set up a musical school called Pacific Music Association with the desire to teach Vietnamese traditional music to young people. The school became the inspiration for the artist’s musical pieces.

Hazardous UV levels hit major Vietnamese cities

The ultraviolet (UV) index in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and other southern localities is at a 'very high' level today, according to reports by the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting (NCHF).

People are advised to protect themselves with jackets, gloves, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen when going outside.
This comes after the highest UV level in Ho Chi Minh City on October 5 was recorded at 8.1, while in Hanoi the UV level was at 7.7.

In other northern localities, including Hai Phong city and Ha Long City of Quang Ninh province, the UV index was at 6.5 and 7.8, respectively.

Meanwhile, central cities in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa, such as Hue, Da Nang, and Nha Trang City, saw the UV level reach 7.5, 5.8, and 7.0, respectively.

Typically, a UV index between 2.5 and 5.4 can be considered moderate, while the 5.5 to 7.4 range being high, whilst the 7.5 to 10.4 range is very high.

A UV reading at the very high level is capable of penetrating clouds and glass windows, while also causing sunburn after 25 minutes of exposure.

NCHF forecasts that the UV index in these cities will continue to remain high, with very high levels anticipated from October 6 to October 8.

Residents are therefore advised to remain indoors from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Those who need to go out outside should protect themselves with jackets, gloves, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen, as well as staying hydrated by drinking a sufficient amount of water and eating fruits rich in vitamin C.

Vietnam calls on int’l community to expand support for DR Congo

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, called on the international community to intensify multi-faceted assistance for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) during the UN Security Council’s meeting on the country’s situation on October 5.

Quy noted the ongoing tensions among political and civil society actors in the DR Congo and underlined the critical importance of integrating women’s voice in the political process.

Expressing concern over the continued deterioration of the security situation in the east of the country - especially in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu - he strongly condemned attacks against civilians, peacekeepers and humanitarian operations.

Also citing the impacts of socio-economic hardship, displacement and COVID‑19, he stressed the utmost importance of addressing the root causes of instability. In that regard, he welcomed the Government’s establishment and implementation of the Disarmament, Demobilisation, Community Recovery and Stabilisation Programme, which maps out a comprehensive strategy to combat hostile armed groups, and commended efforts to formulate a transition plan for the progressive and phased drawdown of the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO).

UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in the DR Congo Bintou Keita, who also heads MONUSCO, called on the UN Security Council to continue providing its “full backing” to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in that country.

According to UN statistics, 19.6 million out of over 90 million people in the DR Congo are in need of humanitarian assistance. With over 5 million internally displaced people, the country has the highest number of internally displaced people on the African continent. More than 26 million Congolese also suffer from food insecurity, about 29 percent of the population./.

Oxfam, foreign embassies offer hand to pandemic-hit migrant workers

Oxfam in Vietnam, a non-governmental organisation, along with the Embassies of New Zealand and Switzerland, announced on October 5 a humanitarian aid package worth approximately US$57,000 to help migrant workers in Ho Chi Minh City get over difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the final quarter of the year, more than 700 disadvantaged and vulnerable workers, especially women in some of the worst-hit districts of the southern hub, will each receive VND1.5 million in cash to help them to purchase necessities such as food and medicine.

Oxfam’s partners, including the Disability Research and Capacity Development (DRD) and the Centre for Social Work – Community Development Research and Consultancy (SDRC), will closely join hands with organisations and local authorities as they hand over aid to various beneficiaries.

The aid package was built based on an evaluation of the impact of COVID-19 on migrant workers in Ho Chi Minh City and compiled by Oxfam along with its two partners in August.

Joseph Mayhew, Chargé d'Affaires of the New Zealand Embassy, affirmed that the aid package serves as proof of the close-knit partnership that exists between New Zealand and the nation.

Most notably, over 3,000 women across the country impacted by COVID-19 received support via the New Zealand Head of Mission Fund over the past year, he added.

Vanessa Di Giorgi from the Swiss Embassy affirmed Switzerland’s readiness to stand alongside Vietnam as it pushes the pandemic back.

This comes after Switzerland had previously provided medical supplies valued at US$5.5 million in support of the nation’s COVID-19 fight.

Design contest to decide national costume at Miss Eco 2021 launched

A design contest has been launched with the aim of choosing the national costume which will be worn by the Vietnamese representative at Miss Eco International 2021 during her participation in the global pageant.

The organisers of Vietnam Environment and Urban Magazine are set to receive entries until November 30, with the first prize winner receiving a cash prize of VND30 million.

Moving forward, Miss Eco Vietnam will get underway in Ho Chi Minh City in December, with the goal of discovering a Vietnamese representative suitable for the global pageant. 

Miss Eco 2022 is slated to take place between March 12 and March 27 next year in Egypt.

Dengue fever prevention amid COVID-19 pandemic: readiness is a must

Amid the complicated development of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have mistaken dengue fever symptoms for COVID-19, which leads to a late or false diagnosis of dengue fever that can be fatal, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH).

Việt Nam has so far this year recorded 49,113 cases of dengue fever and 18 deaths.

The fatalities were located in southern areas of the country, including Bình Phước, HCM City, Đồng Nai, Bình Dương, Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu, Phú Yên, Sóc Trăng, Tây Ninh and Bình Thuận.

In order to ensure dengue fever treatment and reduce the fatality rate, the MoH has ordered leaders of hospitals, medical establishments and health departments nationwide to continue taking COVID-19 prevention and control measures while at the same time ensuring health examinations and treatment for other diseases, including dengue fever which is on the rise.

Besides raising public awareness of dengue fever, other measures such as adjusting the process of receiving and screening new patients as part of COVID-19 prevention measures and training medical workers to better diagnose and treat dengue fever are also needed.

Medical establishments are required to closely monitor dengue fever patients to promptly detect and treat severe cases and keep hotlines open to provide consultancy, related information and support.

Health facilities must prepare adequate medical equipment and medicine for dengue fever treatment. 

Both COVID-19 and dengue fever are dangerous infectious diseases caused by viruses, according to Trần Thanh Dương, Head of the National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology. COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus and can be transmitted from human to human through aerosol droplets while dengue fever is caused by one of four types of dengue viruses and infects people through the bite of Aedes mosquitoes.

Both diseases have similar symptoms such as: muscle pain, fever, chills and headaches, according to Dương. However, dengue fever has another symptoms such as skin rashes, red face and red eye scleras or even bleeding (nosebleed or odontorrhagia), stomach ache and vomiting. Meanwhile, COVID-19 patients will have such symptoms as coughing, sore throat and breathing difficulties. 

In the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic, one might mistake dengue fever for COVID-19 infection and neglect the proper diagnosis and testing, which could lead to wrong or late treatment, according to Dương.

As dengue fever does not transmit from human to human as COVID-19, but instead through a vector (mosquitoes), people should proactively kill the vector to prevent transmission. 

The MOH recommends people to fully cover all water containers so that the mosquitoes cannot lay eggs inside, eliminate mosquito larvae and clean water containers regularly. They also suggest sleeping with mosquito nets, wear long-sleeve clothes and coordinate with local medical workers to spray chemicals to prevent the disease. 

Positive prospects for Vietnam to secure vaccine sources from now until year end

The prospect of the arrival of fresh vaccine sources to the country until the end of the year is positive, with the aim being to soon have sufficient vaccine coverage for the majority of the population, thereby creating conditions for the process of opening up the national economy.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, deputy head of the Government Working Group on vaccine diplomacy, made this affirmation during a recent interview held with the media regarding Vietnamese efforts and achievements in this regard.

Referring to changes occurring in vaccine diplomacy in the face of a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, Deputy Minister Vu said that since its establishment following the close direction of the Prime Minister, the Vaccine Diplomatic Working Group has thoroughly and effectively carried out every task.

The working group's activities have served to make a very important and meaningful change, which is demonstrated through the methodical, smooth, and effective co-ordination occurring at all levels, especially the senior level in implementing vaccine diplomacy in different forms.

Most notably, the growing number of vaccines arriving in the country has helped speed up vaccine coverage among the population as a result of the strong operational efficiency of the working group.

The number of vaccines has therefore increased from approximately 13 million doses of vaccine in August to more than 50 million in September. Indeed, by the end of October the country will gain access to sufficient vaccine sources to cover the majority of the national population, thereby creating positive conditions for the process of opening the economy, Deputy Minister Vu said.

Regarding difficulties and advantages when implementing the vaccine diplomacy strategy, the local diplomat stated that ensuring a vaccine source for roughly 100 million people in the fastest manner possible is an uphill task amid a global shortage of vaccine resources for many nations globally.

Most notably, the rapid spread of the Delta variant is currently putting pressure on many countries to access vaccines. Therefore, it can be considered a race to access vaccines between various nations, not to mention ensuring equal access to vaccines, he stated.

“However, we also have certain advantages in deploying vaccine diplomacy as international prestige and position have been further raised in recent years. We have many networks of friends and international partners who are very supportive of our nation,” the Deputy Minister stated.

It can be seen that the importance of the Vietnamese economy is also crucial in the global supply chain and production chain. International partners also aspire to co-operate and help the nation access vaccines to ensure that the international supply chain is not broken, thereby affecting regional and global supply chains.

Moreover, the large overseas Vietnamese community are always looking toward the country and are a very good source of support from many countries for people in accessing vaccines as well as treatment drugs and medical equipment.

With regard to the prospect of Vietnamese vaccine diplomacy until the end of the year, the Deputy FM said that if partners fulfill their commitments, the amount of vaccines arriving in the country will be quite positive, especially in October.

With regard to the focus of vaccine diplomacy moving forward, Deputy Minister Vu went on to say that the nation will focus on accelerating the implementation of vaccine purchase agreements that the Government and the Ministry of Health have signed with partners. This will involve continuing to step up co-operation with potential partners in accessing new vaccine sources to serve vaccination for 2022 and the following years, along with ensuring the supply of vaccines for children.

“Especially, the nation is preparing for the third injection in the context that many countries have started the vaccination of the third dose to supplement the vaccine efficacy.

We will continue to ramp up the possibility of cooperation in vaccine production technology transfer to serve the country's long-term vaccine autonomy,” he added.

Vietnam, Barbados have much room for closer cooperation

Vietnamese Ambassador to Venezuela and Barbados Le Viet Duyen presented President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s credentials to Barbados Governor-General Sandra Mason in a virtually held ceremony on October 5.

Governor-General Mason sent greetings to President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and announced Barbados’ decision to appoint a non-resident ambassador to Vietnam soon.

She inquired about the COVID-19 battle in Vietnam and expressed her wish to further promote multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam, especially in potential fields such as economy, trade, and culture, education, tourism, agriculture, marine resource management and climate change response.

For his part, Ambassador Duyen briefed the Governor-General about the COVID-19 fight in Vietnam, and affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to strengthening cooperation with Barbados.

The Ambassador noted that the two sides have a lot of potential for fostering their cooperative relations for the happiness, prosperity and development of the two peoples.

In the coming time, he said the two sides can promote people-to-people exchanges, including the exchange of lecturers and students, and increase tourism cooperation to introduce about the land, people and culture of both Vietnam and Barbados.

Vietnam and Barbados established diplomatic relations on August 25, 1995. The Vietnamese Embassy held a meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados in June 2021 to discuss measures to beef up bilateral cooperation

Barbados suggested that the two sides consider restarting negotiations of an agreement on double tax avoidance in order to facilitate economic, trade and investment cooperation.

The two sides are also considering the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between their Chambers of Commerce, as well as the possibility of establishing the Barbados-Vietnam Friendship Association and the Barbados-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce in the near future.

Hanoi records no COVID-19 cases in 12 hours

The capital city of Hanoi did not record any new COVID-19 infections in the past 12 hours to 6am on October 6, according to the municipal Department of Health.

Over the last 24 hours to 6am on October 6, Hanoi reported an additional three COVID-19 cases. The infections included two cases detected in quarantined sites.

The number of cases in the new cluster at the Viet Duc Friendship Hospital reached 42 as of 6 am on October 5 since the first one was detected on September 30.

Since the fourth outbreak of COVID-19 that began on April 27, the capital city has logged a total 4,014 infections, including 1,603 cases found in the community./.

Overseas Vietnamese, int’l friends make great contributions to Vietnam’s vaccine coverage goal

Responding to the call from Vietnamese Party and State leaders, overseas Vietnamese around the world as well as international friends and organisations have given valuable moral, material and brainpower support to COVID-19 fight in Vietnam, particularly to the country's goal of vaccine coverage.

Contributions by overseas Vietnamese

As of October 3, 2021, the National COVID-19 Vaccine Fund, which was formed in May, received nearly 8.7 trillion VND (382.3 million USD) from businesses and individuals inside and outside the country.

Ngo Huong Nam, Vice Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that so far, overseas Vietnamese contributed over 60 billion VND to COVID-19 prevention and control activities, including about 12 billion VND to the National COVID-19 Vaccine Fund.

Meanwhile, more than 30 Vietnamese associations in different countries have launched campaigns to raise funds for COVID-19 control in Vietnam, he said, adding that Vietnamese community abroad has also made contributions in brainpower to the fight.

Notably, Dr. Ho Nhan, an overseas Vietnamese in the US and General Director of Nanogen has been implementing the NanoCovax COVID-19 vaccine project, while Tran Ngoc Phuc, Chairman of the Vietnamese Association in Japan, Director of Metran Co. Ltd., has transferred the technology to produce ventilators to its partners in Vietnam, and is producing air purifier masks.

At the same time, many intellectuals’ associations, including the Global Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts (AVSE Global) and the Vietnam Initiative, are working actively to give support and consultations to Vietnam in making strategies on pandemic prevention and control as well as economic recovery and development.

Support from international friends, organisations

Along with efforts from the Vietnamese Government and people, Vietnamese communities abroad have exerted efforts to help Vietnam access vaccine sources, while international organisations have accompanied with Vietnam during the fight against the pandemic.

Overseas Vietnamese, int’l friends make great contributions to Vietnam’s vaccine coverage goal hinh anh 2
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs To Anh Dung (fourth, right) symbolically receives 2.6 million AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from German Abassador to Vietnam Guido Hildner. (Photo: VNA)
To date, Vietnam has received over 11.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX Facility. In October, COVAX will continue to allocate 85 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to countries around the world, including Vietnam.

Nara Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Vietnam lauded Vietnam’s performance in conducting the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, with low ratio of severe reactions after injection. She held that there are positive signs that Vietnam will receive all 150 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of this year.

For his part, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Vietnam Kidong Park said that Vietnam's way to mobilise resources from individuals and the private sector through the National COVID-19 Vaccine Fund is a unique move. By voluntarily contributing to the fund, people and enterprises have shown their confidence in the Government.

The WHO representative recommended that the Vietnamese Government should speed up the COVID-19 vaccination as fast as possible for prioritised groups, while continuing to strictly implementing its 5K message as well as public health protection measures to minimise the spreading of the pandemic when social distancing measures are loosened./.

Viet Nam urges respect for, full implementation of Chemical Weapons Convention

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) convened on Monday (local time) to review the implementation of Resolution 2118, issued in 2013, over chemical weapons in Syria.

Izumi Nakamitsu, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, briefed participants on the implementation of the Resolution, noting that most of the field activities by the Technical Secretariat of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) were still suspended due to impacts of COVID-19.

Regarding the settlement of outstanding issues related to the initial declaration by Syria to the OPCW under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), the OPCW Technical Secretariat and Syria are discussing ways to accelerate this process. The two sides are preparing for the 25th round of consultations in the latter half of October and also for a meeting between the OPCW Director-General and the Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, who is also head of the country’s national authority for the CWC.

At the session, UNSC members voiced concerns about the allegations of chemical weapon use in Syria and appealed for cooperation to be enhanced to prevent this action.

They emphasised the importance of promoting technical cooperation between the OPCW Technical Secretariat and Syria to deal with the outstanding issues towards the full implementation of obligations under the CWC and UNSC Resolution 2118.

In his remarks, Ambassador Phạm Hải Anh, Deputy Permanent Representative of Việt Nam to the UN, reiterated Việt Nam’s stance on condemning the use of chemical weapons, stressing the need for respecting and fully implementing the CWC.

He highlighted the role of technical consultations between Syria and the OPCW Technical Secretariat to quickly resolve the outstanding issues related to Syria’s initial declaration to seek a durable solution to the chemical weapon issue in line with the Resolution.

The diplomat also underlined the importance of constructive cooperation and the international community’s unanimity so as to facilitate this process.

Việt Nam concerned about uncertainties in Haiti: Diplomat

Meanwhile, Minister Counsellor Nguyễn Phương Trà, Deputy Permanent Representative of Việt Nam to the United Nations, on Monday expressed her concerns over difficulties and uncertainties in Haiti.

Speaking at a meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on the Haiti situation and the operation of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), Trà highlighted the political agreement between the Haitian Prime Minister and political parties on the organisation of the election in 2022.

The diplomat expressed her hope that relevant sides would identify priorities, focusing on the model and time of the election, saying the number of female representatives engaging in political activities should account for 30 per cent of the total.

Việt Nam suggested solutions to enforce laws and protect civilians, particularly women and children, while calling for aid to improve the capacity of the Haitian police through training, providing equipment and raising capacity management.

Trà also praised efforts by the BINUH and the UN’s working group in Haiti, and expressed her support for the extension of the BINUH’s mission.

She called on the UN, and international and regional organisations to continue helping Haiti overcome the current difficulties, and reiterated Việt Nam’s support to Haitians, for peace, security and development in the Caribbean country.

Briefing the meeting on the situation in Haiti, rapporteurs proposed the UN and international organisations increase humanitarian aid to needy people in Haiti. 

Party Central Committee’s meeting discuss socio-economic development

The fourth plenum of the Party Central Committee continued in Hà Nội on Tuesday with a focus on socio-economic development and fighting corruption in the Party.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính chaired the meeting in the morning, during which reports were presented on the implementation of the 2021 socio-economic development plan and on the socio-economic development plan for 2022.

Party members evaluated the State’s budget spending in 2022 and discussed budget estimates for 2022. They also talked about the State’s financial plan for the 2022-24 period, and the postponement of the salary policy reform under Resolution No 27, issued during the 7th Plenum of the 12th Party Central Committee.

Results of past COVID-19 prevention and control efforts were also part of the discussion, and so were the missions and future directions for the fight against the pandemic.

In the afternoon, the committee discussed a report on the five-year implementation of Resolution No 4, issued in 2016 by the 12th Party Central Committee, on Party building and rectification. They also went over a set of regulations on what Party members can’t do.

The Politburo gave feedback and comments on the issues discussed.

ASEAN drill held to test cybersecurity incident response

The Vietnam Computer Emergency Response Team (VNCERT) and the Authority of Information Security on October 5 presided over the deployment of 2021 ASEAN Computer Emergency Response Team Drill (ACID 2021) for members of the emergency response network and IT units of ministries and agencies nationwide.

Attending the ACID 2021 were teams representing ASEAN member nations and five dialogue countries, namely Australia, China, India, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

The drill, entitled "Responding to attacks on supply chain targeting at corporations and organisations," was hosted by Singapore.

Participants in the exercise included key technical staff, who take part in international and domestic deployments from the Authority of Information Security, Viettel, VNPT, BKAV, Sacombank, and support staff group (technicians of VNCERT/CC Center) as well as members of the national network information security incident response network.

This was an opportunity for technicians of Vietnamese agencies, organisations and enterprises to practice their skills in dealing with, investigating, analysing, minimising damage and reporting emergency situations, helping them improve knowledge and gain experience in responding to cyber security incidents.

The ACID 2021 drill used the latest cybersecurity trends as scenarios for teams to strengthen their preparedness in solving cybersecurity issues.

After the drill, experts and domestic team members will spend time exchanging and sharing situations and solutions to help participants have a better understanding of how to handle the incidents in a specific case.

Hanoi lends support to Luang Prabang’s pandemic fight

Vietnam’s capital city Hanoi has presented US$20,000 to Luang Prabang province of Laos to help with the Lao northern province’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vietnamese Consul General in Luang Prabang Nguyen Dang Hung handed over the money to Luang Prabang’s governor Khamkhan Chanthavisouk on October 5.

The Vietnamese diplomat said Hanoi itself is focusing all resources on pandemic control, but at the same time, it wishes to help the Lao province in the spirit of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations.

Governor Khamkhan Chanthavisouk expressed deep thanks to Hanoi for the gift, adding that he hopes to receive more support and experience sharing from Vietnam in the combat against the COVID-19.

He also wished the ties between Luang Prabang and Hanoi will further strengthen.

The Vietnamese Consulate General in Luang Prabang will continue to deliver presents from Hanoi to seven other northern Lao provinces in the days ahead.

Dabaco strives to announce result of ASF vaccine research by December

The Dabaco Group Joint Stock Company has said it is striving to announce the result of its project on researching and producing a vaccine against African swine fever (ASF) by the end of this year.

A working delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development led by Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien visited the group’s ASF vaccine research centre and laboratory on October 2.

Dabaco Chairman Nguyen Nhu So said that the vaccine is the outcome of transfer of biological products from the US Department of Agriculture’s research centre for exotic species diseases, the Nong nghiep Viet Nam (Vietnam Agriculture) newspaper reported.

The project, once successful, will be a breakthrough in producing vaccines, thus increasing the Vietnamese husbandry industry’s position and prestige, as there are no countries in the world succeeding in producing a vaccine against ASF.

Vietnam is targeting more than 90% of its communes and wards being free of African swine fever by 2022 and all by 2025, according to a national plan on African swine fever prevention for the 2020-2025 period.

The plan also targets 500 safe pig breeding facilities and 50 safe livestock chains, meeting domestic demand and for export.

HCM City residents asked to stay vigilant as firms restore operations

Residents in Ho Chi Minh City are advised to stay vigilant in pandemic prevention and control when enterprises and business and production facilities began resuming operations from October 1 after a long suspension due to COVID-19.

Speaking at a press briefing on October 4, deputy head of the city’s Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control Pham Duc Hai, noted that after three days implementing the city’s Directive 18, as many as 5,279 businesses had registered to operate again, and many others are preparing personnel and machinery to soon restore operations.

In export processing and industrial zones, many enterprises have gradually changed from “3 on-site" or "one route - two destinations” production models to normal production. Currently, the total number of employees working in export processing and industrial zones is about 135,000, equivalent to 46 percent of that of before the social distancing period (288,000 employees).

According to Hai, although production and business activities are gradually restored, pandemic control and prevention is still the city's top priority. Production and business activities that are allowed to operate must ensure to meet pandemic prevention and control regulations. 

Therefore, each citizen must increase vigilance, and proactively take care of themselves and their family's health, he added.

As of the end of October 4, the city was treating 27,060 COVID-19 patients, including 2,610 children aged under 16.

Lee’s Sandwiches donates US$200,000 to support HCM City’s COVID-19 fight

The Vietnam Red Cross Society (VNRC)’s Central Committee on October 4 received US$200,000 donated by Lee’s Sandwiches, a Vietnamese-American fast food restaurant chain headquartered in the US, to aid Ho Chi Minh City’s COVID-19 fight.

The donation, which is meant to financially support local people and frontline workers in the battle against COVID-19, was handed over by Lee’s Sandwiches representative Duong Quoc Khanh Toan.

In August, Lee’s Sandwiches launched a fundraising campaign in which it pledged to donate 100% of its sales from Lee’s Coffee products directly to the VNRC in order to purchase medical supplies for hospitals and healthcare facilities designated for COVID-19 treatment, provide local households with food, and support affected people living in quarantined and locked down areas.

Supporters were encouraged to participate in the campaign by purchasing Lee’s Coffee products at Lee’s Sandwiches stores, on their websites, or on their mobile app.

Last year, the fast-food restaurant chain also donated US$100,000 through the VNRC to aid families hit by flood and storm in central Vietnam.

Positive prospects for Vietnam to secure vaccine sources from now until year end

The prospect of the arrival of fresh vaccine sources to the country until the end of the year is positive, with the aim being to soon have sufficient vaccine coverage for the majority of the population, thereby creating conditions for the process of opening up the national economy.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, deputy head of the Government Working Group on vaccine diplomacy, made this affirmation during a recent interview held with the media regarding Vietnamese efforts and achievements in this regard.

Referring to changes occurring in vaccine diplomacy in the face of a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, Deputy Minister Vu said that since its establishment following the close direction of the Prime Minister, the Vaccine Diplomatic Working Group has thoroughly and effectively carried out every task.

The working group's activities have served to make a very important and meaningful change, which is demonstrated through the methodical, smooth, and effective co-ordination occurring at all levels, especially the senior level in implementing vaccine diplomacy in different forms.

Most notably, the growing number of vaccines arriving in the country has helped speed up vaccine coverage among the population as a result of the strong operational efficiency of the working group.

The number of vaccines has therefore increased from approximately 13 million doses of vaccine in August to more than 50 million in September. Indeed, by the end of October the country will gain access to sufficient vaccine sources to cover the majority of the national population, thereby creating positive conditions for the process of opening the economy, Deputy Minister Vu said.

Regarding difficulties and advantages when implementing the vaccine diplomacy strategy, the local diplomat stated that ensuring a vaccine source for roughly 100 million people in the fastest manner possible is an uphill task amid a global shortage of vaccine resources for many nations globally.

Most notably, the rapid spread of the Delta variant is currently putting pressure on many countries to access vaccines. Therefore, it can be considered a race to access vaccines between various nations, not to mention ensuring equal access to vaccines, he stated.

“However, we also have certain advantages in deploying vaccine diplomacy as international prestige and position have been further raised in recent years. We have many networks of friends and international partners who are very supportive of our nation,” the Deputy Minister stated.

It can be seen that the importance of the Vietnamese economy is also crucial in the global supply chain and production chain. International partners also aspire to co-operate and help the nation access vaccines to ensure that the international supply chain is not broken, thereby affecting regional and global supply chains.

Moreover, the large overseas Vietnamese community are always looking toward the country and are a very good source of support from many countries for people in accessing vaccines as well as treatment drugs and medical equipment.

With regard to the prospect of Vietnamese vaccine diplomacy until the end of the year, the Deputy FM said that if partners fulfill their commitments, the amount of vaccines arriving in the country will be quite positive, especially in October.

With regard to the focus of vaccine diplomacy moving forward, Deputy Minister Vu went on to say that the nation will focus on accelerating the implementation of vaccine purchase agreements that the Government and the Ministry of Health have signed with partners. This will involve continuing to step up co-operation with potential partners in accessing new vaccine sources to serve vaccination for 2022 and the following years, along with ensuring the supply of vaccines for children.

“Especially, the nation is preparing for the third injection in the context that many countries have started the vaccination of the third dose to supplement the vaccine efficacy.

We will continue to ramp up the possibility of cooperation in vaccine production technology transfer to serve the country's long-term vaccine autonomy,” he added.

Cham ethnic community celebrates Kate festival

The Cham Brahman ethnic people in the south central province of Binh Thuan are celebrating their yearly Kate Festival from October 4-6.

To ensure COVID-19 prevention and control, especially amid complex developments of the pandemic in the province’s Phan Thiet city, this year's celebration is not held at Po Sah Inu tower as usual.

The managing board of the tower and dignitaries in Ham Thuan Bac district on October 5 performed the most important ritual of the festival in a simple, solemn and safe manner, closely following COVID-19 preventive measures.

Followers were called on to celebrate the festival with their families, refrain from gathering in crowds and going outside in order to curb the spread of the pandemic.

Falling on the first day of the seventh month of the Cham calendar, Kate is the biggest event in the year of the Cham followers of Brahmanism to pay respect to gods and pray for productive harvests and multiple natural and human resources.

In 2017, the Kate Festival was recognised as an intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. It is one of the 15 biggest festivals in the country, attracting thousands of domestic and international visitors every year.

There are about 153,000 Cham people in Vietnam, of whom over 41,000 live in Binh Thuan, mainly in Bac Binh, Tuy Phong, Ham Thuan Bac and Tanh Linh districts.

Hanoi lends support to Luang Prabang’s pandemic fight

Vietnam’s capital city Hanoi has presented 20,000 USD to Luang Prabang province of Laos to help with the Lao northern province’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vietnamese Consul General in Luang Prabang Nguyen Dang Hung handed over the money to Luang Prabang’s governor Khamkhan Chanthavisouk on October 5.

The Vietnamese diplomat said Hanoi itself is focusing all resources on pandemic control, but at the same time, it wishes to help the Lao province in the spirit of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations.

Governor Khamkhan Chanthavisouk expressed deep thanks to Hanoi for the gift, adding that he hopes to receive more support and experience sharing from Vietnam in the combat against the COVID-19.

He also wished the ties between Luang Prabang and Hanoi will further strengthen.

The Vietnamese Consulate General in Luang Prabang will continue to deliver presents from Hanoi to seven other northern Lao provinces in the days ahead./.

Bac Giang resumes tourism activities from October 4

 

The northern province of Bac Giang, which has gone through 30 days without any COVID-19 infection in the community, allowed its tourism sites and one golf course to reopen for visitors from pandemic-free localities nationwide on October 4.

The move is done in a bid to gradually resume socio-economic activities in the province, according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

To enter the province, tourists must be fully vaccinated and need to provide a negative testing result within 72 hours. Meanwhile, all local tourism sites are required to seriously follow pandemic prevention regulations, including the Ministry of Health’s 5K message.

Earlier, Bac Giang lifted its temporary close order on businesses, eateries, some education establishments, and spa and massage service facilities. The authorities also allowed the resumption of sport activities.

Bac Giang is accelerating the vaccination drive, with 609,220 doses of the vaccine given to date, covering 32.6 percent of the local population./.

Nominations for 14th “Bui Xuan Phai: For Love of Hanoi” Awards announced

The Thao & Van Hoa (Sports and Culture) daily of the Vietnam News Agency announced 11 nominations for the 14th “Bui Xuan Phai: For Love of Hanoi” Awards.

Accordingly, there are three nominations for the Work Prize. They are the book and photo exhibition “Hanoi 1967-1975” by photographer Thomas Billhardt, the set of books “Thang Long Kinh ki-Ke cho” by Nguyen Huy Thang and Nguyen Quoc Tin, and the book “Tay choi” by Mai Lam.

The Idea Prize sees four nominations, including the project on rebuilding the architecture of Dien Huu - One Pillar Pagoda by virtual reality technology; the idea of building an underground highway and renovating To Lich River into a historical, cultural and spiritual park; and the Red River urban subdivision planning project, and the idea of turning old factories into creative spaces in Hanoi.

Three other nominations have been named for the Job Prize. They are the Hanoi creative space design contest, the “Hanoi is...” drawing contest and the series of activities of the “Hanoi Rethink” project, and the COVID-19 vaccination campaign and efforts of the city’s COVID-19 prevention and control forces.

The only nomination for and also the winner of the Grand Prize is kept secret. The prize is the most important award granted to an individual who has devoted his or her life to the development of Hanoi and has a career that is strongly connected to the capital.

The awards were initiated in 2008 by the The Thao & Van Hoa daily and Bui Xuan Phai’s family. The awards have been organised annually by the Hanoi People’s Committee and sponsored by the The Thao & Van Hoa newspaper and Bui Xuan Phai Fund to honour painter Bui Xuan Phai (1920-1988), a founder of modern art in Vietnam.

The Grand Prize of the 13th Bui Xuan Phai– For Love of Hanoi Awards went to music composer Phu Quang for his renowned and immortal songs about the capital city./.

Localities receiving migrant workers coming home due to COVID-19

Police in the southern province of Dong Nai on October 5 joined hands with other localities to bring over 20,000 pandemic-hit migrant workers home in line with their aspirations.

As most of them use private motorbikes, the migrant workers were asked to gather at Dong Nai Stadium and guided the way home by the police.

On October 5 morning, the police arranged two routes for those who wish to return to central localities between Nghe An and Binh Thuan provinces, and the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong.

The workers were offered drinking water, food and face masks prior to their departure.

By October 5, some 20,000 people had registered to come back to their hometowns.

Meanwhile, as of 8am on October 5, over 5,220 people had stayed in quarantine in Gia Lai province after returning from Ho Chi Minh City and other southern localities.

To ensure safety and minimise infection risks at checkpoints, Gia Lai authorities have rolled out numerous measures, particularly stepping up sample collection for COVID-19 testing.

The provincial Military High Command has been asked to prepare concentrated quarantine facilities for returnees from the southern localities./.

Learning aids, scholarships granted to needy students

Poor students and children of frontliners in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic are receiving learning aids under a programme launched on October 5.

The programme was jointly launched by the Central Council of the Ho Chi Minh Vanguard Children's Union, the Vietnamese Students’ Association and Thien Long Group JSC.

Scheduled to last from October 5 to December 31, the programme will be carried out in cities and provinces that have imposed social distancing measures and been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will also target children of workers in processing and industrial zones, informal workers, those who became jobless due to COVID-19, and ethnic minorities.

More than 8,000 sets of learning aids will be presented to elementary and secondary students, and hundreds of scholarships, each worth from 500,000 to 1 million VND (43.86 USD), will be granted to poor students./.

Hundreds of pandemic-hit migrant workers brought home from southern localities

A Vietnam Airline flight arrived at Da Nang International Airport from Ho Chi Minh City on October 4, bringing nearly 200 disadvantaged people from southern cities and provinces back to their hometown – the central province of Quang Nam.

More than a half of the passengers were pregnant women, children and the elderly who have been affected by social distancing measures applied to contain the severe COVID-19 resurgence in southern Vietnam.

The national flag carrier imposed required preventive measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, with all of passengers tested negative for COVID-19 before boarding the flight.

Upon their arrival in Da Nang, they departed for Quang Nam where they were immediately put under quarantine in accordance to the current regulations.

In July and August, Quang Nam welcomed back over 4,000 returnees from southern cities and provinces given the complexity of the COVID-19 outbreaks there.

On early October 5, more than 600 natives of northern Ninh Binh province arrived at their homeland by train from HCM City and the neighbouring provinces of Binh Duong and Dong Nai.

They were mostly pregnant women, revolutionary contributors, the elderly, those with disabilities and children under one and their caregivers, who have been struggling with the pandemic.

The train was arranged by the Ninh Binh People’s Committee that had sent working groups to pandemic-hit localities in the south to seek suitable solutions to bring back their residents.

In Quang Ninh, local authorities have also ordered district-level administrations to provide support for returnees from the pandemic-hit areas who will be transported from the province’s COVID-19 checkpoints to concentrated quarantine sites. After that, they are also required to go into 7-day self-quarantine and 7-day medical monitoring./.

Vinh Phuc: Woman arrested for abusing freedom rights to disseminate anti-State propaganda

A 40-year-old woman in the northern province of Vinh Phuc was arrested by local police on October 4 for allegedly “abusing rights to freedom and democracy to infringe upon the interests of the State and the legitimate rights and interests of organisations and citizens” under Article 331 of the 2015 Penal Code.

Phung Thi Nga, residing in Vat Cach village, Dong Cuong commune, Yen Lac district, was accused of having used a number of Facebook and Youtube accounts to upload many posts and videos providing fabricated and distorted information to insult, libel and slander organisations and individuals in Yen Lac since October last year.

Her actions have seriously harmed the prestige and honour of local leaders as well as the role, position and functions of State agencies, causing negative opinion among officials, Party members and people, and affecting political security in the locality.

A search of her house found many objects and documents related to the case.

The police are conducting further investigations into the case./.

Military doctors offer treatment to ethnic minority community in Quang Binh

At the Cha Lo international border station in Minh Hóa District, central Quảng Bình Province, there is a clinic that offers healthcare services to both military officers and local people.

Since the clinic was put into operation, ethnic minority people in the area have visited the centre for check-up and treatment and no longer rely on superstitious methods.

Dân Hóa Commune, where the clinic is located, has a large area and is home to ethnic minority groups living in small communities. Local people find it hard to access healthcare services due to the rugged and mountainous terrain.

Hồ Thị Nhím, living in Bãi Dinh Village, said now every time local people were sick, they would come to see military doctors and no longer make offerings to chase away "forest ghosts" as before.

“Anyone who is sick is taken to the clinic for a check-up. If they are too weak, the doctors will visit their house,” she told Sức Khỏe & Đời Sống (Health and Life) newspaper.

The clinic is fully equipped with basic infrastructure and drugs to treat common diseases and offer first aid.

Major Phan Anh Tuấn, a military doctor at the clinic, said that in the past, sick people applied treatment methods that were spread among the community. They included some anti-scientific methods, which could not cure the disease and even made their condition worse.

Now local people, even those living in remote areas, visit the clinic for treatment.

Medical examination and treatment for local people is getting more and more effective, so the military doctors are gradually trusted.

Dr Tuấn said that the clinic could treat common illnesses. Only severe cases requiring long-term treatment would be transferred to higher-level hospitals.

Military officers have planted herbs in the clinic’s garden for traditional medicine and supplements.

"This is also a way to take advantage of high-value medicinal resources of Trường Sơn Forest," Tuấn said.

Tuấn said on rainy days when remote villages were isolated due to floods, military doctors walked through the stream even at night to offer healthcare to sick people.

On dry days, the doctors might face snakes or toxic forest plants and animals on the way to the villages.

"There was one night we received a call from a patient suffering from appendicitis in Ka-ai Village at 10pm. We put on life jackets and found the shallowest part of the stream to swim through to take the patient to the clinic. Fortunately, the patient was treated in time," Tuấn said.

Hồ Luật, 70 years old, living alone, said: “The doctors visit me regularly and give me medicine to reduce my pain. They also give me money to buy food.” 

Regulations on Vietnamese citizens going abroad for teaching, learning, scientific research and academic exchange

The Government has just issued a decree specifying regulations on Vietnamese citizens eligible for going abroad to study, teach, or take part in scientific research and academic exchange.

According to Decree 86/2021/ND-CP, those who want to study abroad must have good political and moral qualities; have diplomas, professional certificates, foreign language skills ​​that meet the provisions of the scholarship programme and meet other conditions as required by the programme. They must be approved by the direct management agency if working; meet current regulations on training cadres, civil servants and public employees and regulations of the Party (if they are cadres, civil servants, public employees and party members).

They must not have been disciplined or investigated for criminal liability.

The decree also stipulates that students funded by the state budget for studying abroad can return to their home countries to practise and collect materials to serve the study programme; may return home, visit relatives in another country (third country) if approved by the competent authority of the host country.

Training costs must be reimbursed if the study obligation is not fulfilled.

The Decree clearly stipulates the responsibilities of Vietnamese students funded by the state budget. Specifically, they must not drop out of school and must strictly comply with regulations on study time, training level, major, host country and educational institution according to decisions by the competent authorities.

They must reimburse training costs according to regulations if they do not fulfil their study obligations or do not comply with the assignment of competent state agencies after graduation (applied to students funded by state budget scholarships under agreements between the Government of Việt Nam and foreign governments; state budget scholarships granted through state agencies, state enterprises, public non-business units).

These students must also implement current regulations on cadres, civil servants and public employees and regulations of the Party; protect documents and information containing state secrets as prescribed in the Law on Protection of State Secrets, and information to protect internal politics.

They must not take advantage of their studies or any other form to carry out propaganda activities against the Vietnamese state, affecting the diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and the host countries.

Scientific research

The Decree also specifies criteria for Vietnamese citizens to go abroad for teaching, scientific research and academic exchange, including having good political and moral qualities (as determined by the direct management agency); having qualifications and capabilities suitable to the contents and programmes they are participating in.

Vietnamese citizens going abroad for teaching, scientific research and academic exchange are responsible for paying social insurance, health insurance, personal income tax (if any) and other compulsory expenses according to current regulations of the State.

Besides, Vietnamese citizens going abroad for teaching, scientific research and academic exchange have the responsibility to work in the right places; strictly implement the rules of the workplace; return to Việt Nam after completing the teaching, scientific research and academic exchange programmes according to the regulations of the host country. 

They must not take advantage of going to teach, taking part in scientific research and academic exchange abroad for the purpose of working or staying abroad illegally, the decree said.

Disadvantaged students provided with support thanks to education programme

Thousands of poor and disadvantaged students will be provided with learning tools and scholarships as part of an education support programme launched on October 5.

The programme, entitled “Trao học cụ - Tiếp tri thức" (Giving of learning tools - Providing knowledge), has been jointly organised by the Central Council of Hồ Chí Minh Youth Pioneers' Organisation, the Vietnam Student Association and Thiên Long Group JSC.

The programme aims to help poor and disadvantaged students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, children of frontline forces and disadvantaged ethnic minority people to overcome the difficulties they are facing and to allow them to continue with their studies. 

The programme will be carried out nationwide from October 5 to the end of December 2021, with a focus on provinces and cities that have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“In the context of the COVID-19 epidemic becoming more and more complicated and widespread across the country, the "Giving of learning tools - Providing knowledge" programme will be a meaningful gift for students with difficult circumstances. The programme is a practical and timely response to meet the needs of schoolchildren and students, especially in areas where social distancing is being implemented in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic,” said Nguyễn Phạm Duy Trang, Head of the Children's Affairs Committee of the Central Youth Union and Standing Vice Chairman of the Central Council of Hồ Chí Minh Youth Pioneers' Organisation.

The programme will provide 4,000 gifts, including learning, playing and creative tools, to disadvantaged students in remote and isolated areas. 

About 450 scholarships, each worth VNĐ500,000 (US$22), will be provided to disadvantaged students at primary and secondary level as part of the "Vì mái trường xanh" (For the green school) scheme.

The programme will also provide 200 scholarships, each worth VNĐ1,000,000, to poorer students affected by the COVID-19 epidemic as part of the "Tiếp sức mùa thi" (Assistance during Exam Season ) programme. Thousands of learning, entertainment and creative gifts will be given to disadvantaged students living in isolated areas as part of the "Điều ước cho em" (Wish for Children) programme for 2021-25.

"We understand the difficulties and obstacles of parents and students in the context of a prolonged epidemic.  As an enterprise that initiates the spirit of "The Power of Knowledge", Thiên Long always strives to accompany Vietnamese education and join hands to help with poor and disadvantaged students, so no one will be left behind on the path of knowledge," said Trần Phương Nga, CEO of Thiên Long Group.

Aid worth VNĐ1.3 billion to assist migrant workers in HCMC most affected by COVID-19

Oxfam in Vietnam, in collaboration with the Embassy of New Zealand and the Embassy of Switzerland, announced on Tuesday a humanitarian aid project of nearly VNĐ1.3 billion (US$56,000) to assist vulnerable migrant workers most affected by COVID-19 in Hồ Chí Minh City.

Following the ongoing crisis caused by the pandemic outbreak Hồ Chí Minh City, the aid package will provide cash relief of VNĐ1.5 million ($65) to those that need it most over the next three months. 

The cash grant will help over 700 of the most vulnerable migrant workers, especially women in the most severely hit districts (Districts 4, 6, 9, 7,11, 12 and Bình Thạnh), purchase essentials such as food and medicine.  

Oxfam in Vietnam, the Center for Disability and Development (DRD), and the Center for Social Work Research and Community Development (SDRC) conducted rapid assessments in August 2021, which found many informal migrant workers in HCM City were facing a downward spiral of survival hardship. They had lost their income due to prolonged social distancing, and had few other options for receiving support. 

“Due to the pandemic, I and many others in HCM City found ourselves in a difficult situation. I have been in quarantine since July and out of a job. In August, although being inside most of the time, I caught the virus as many others in my residence got infected”, said Nguyễn Trí Tính, an aid recipient. “This aid package means a lot to us to keep holding on and overcome the pandemic. I hope that not only me but other people in difficult situations will also get the relief.”

“I was touched to learn that I would get the support package,” said Thạch Thị Sô Đa, another recipient, “I would like to express my gratitude to my teacher Cử and these organisations who have given me a chance to pay rent and tuition fees for my children.”

The package will be delivered by the two partner organisations of Oxfam, which will work closely with local government and mass organisations. 

“This project demonstrates the strong partnership between New Zealand and Việt Nam,” said New Zealand Chargé d’Affaires to Viet Nam, Joseph Mayhew. “This project is a practical initiative to help ease the economic impacts of COVID-19 on workers and their families. I am proud to say that through the Head of Embassy’s Fund, we have been able to support more than 3,000 women throughout Việt Nam impacted by COVID-19 in the last 12 months.” 

“Switzerland stands with Việt Nam to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, Switzerland has delivered medical supplies worth USD 5.5 million (VNĐ126 billion) to Việt Nam. Today, the Swiss Embassy is pleased to announce our humanitarian contribution to support vulnerable groups in HCMC, in joint partnership with Oxfam and SDRC”, said Vanessa Di Giorgi, Diplomatic Attaché at the Swiss Embassy in Việt Nam.

“We appreciate the solidarity from the New Zealand and Swiss Embassies in providing support to people in need and leaving no one behind. Humanitarian assistance is an important program in Oxfam’s country strategy. Cash provision is the first line of critical and pragmatic support, which offers people a maximum degree of choice, flexibility and dignity. We will also do further research to identify priorities in supporting communities’ recovery from COVID-19 crisis”, said Phạm Quang Tú, Oxfam in Vietnam’s Deputy National Director. 

Many traditional markets reopen in HCM City

Bến Thành Market in District 1 and many other traditional markets have reopened, with everyone working in the shops inside being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with two shots.

Ngô Văn Hà, a shop owner at Bến Thành Market, said to ensure safety the market management requires everyone to be vaccinated, stay at least two metres apart and put up partitions to separate shop employees and buyers.

It also randomly tests customers for free for COVID and shopkeepers every three days.

According to Đỗ Đức Tiến, deputy manager of Bình Thới Market in District 11, the market reopened a few days ago, but only has 50 per cent of its 400 shops open in the first phase from October 1 to 22.

The second phase until November 22 would see more shops gradually open depending on the situation, and normal operation would resume after November 22 if it is safe, he said.

An Đông Market in District 5 would reopen on October 10, its management said.

People entering the market must have had at least one dose of a COVID vaccine at least 14 days before or should have contracted and recovered from the disease within the previous six months.

According to the District 5 People's Committee, the plan is to gradually open other traditional markets in October and November.

The city Department of Industry and Trade said 16 traditional markets have reopened and nine field markets have been set up, seven in Củ Chi District and two in District 5.

Bùi Tá Hoàng Vũ, its director, said the department had called on districts to reopen markets while also ensuring safety.

The city had issued safety guidelines for it, and so many markets were expected to open very soon. 

Dao ethnic man helps people escape poverty

Đặng Tòn Sểnh, head of Khau Cau Village, Phúc Yên Commune, is known as a dynamic leader who has brought positive changes to the locality.

His dedication and good attitude towards the people has helped many from Dao ethnic group in Lâm Bình District, Tuyên Quang Province escape poverty. 

There are 120 households  in Khau Cau Village, mostly Dao people. Their main source of income is from breeding cattle.

In the past, salaries were low because residents had no idea about how to benefit from the application of science and technology in animal husbandry.

Sểnh told Tin Tức (News) newspaper that many buffaloes died from diseases, hunger and cold.

To have more knowledge about cattle breeding, Sểnh took part in training courses and then passed on his newly acquired knowledge to local households. 

He also went to individual homes to instruct people the best ways to keep the animals warm during winter. Thanks to that, buffaloes and cows grew fast, income improved and many households escaped poverty.

Triệu Tòn Trạn, a local resident said his family started raising buffalo in 2016.

At that time, he did not have any knowledge of animal husbandry, so the animals often became sick and would not grow properly.

In 2017, he decided to borrow money to buy more buffaloes and cows to raise after getting advice from Sểnh. 

He started building barns to keep the cattle warm in winter, store food and began to vaccinate the animals.

Each year, his family has an income of around VNĐ45 million from breeding.

Sểnh always tries to find ways to increase revenue for residents. Besides mobilising people to apply science and technology to animal husbandry and promoting economic development, Sểnh has also found support programmes and projects from the district and helped build better infrastructure for the village. 

Recently, he succeeded in securing funds to build a bridge over the local stream.

In the rainy season, ten households living across the stream are often isolated from the centre of the village due to high water levels and students cannot go to school.

"In 2020, during a training session on the World Vision Organisation's child care programme in the district, I called for donations to build a bridge over the stream and was approved," Sểnh said. 

"The bridge was built with this organisation's support and the contribution from the local people." 

With his efforts and contribution, husbandry is thriving in the commune. Many households have become much better off thanks to cattle breeding.

"If you want to mobilise people to develop breeding, you and your family must be an example first and must understand clearly the guidelines and the State's support policies to disseminate and help people understand and implement," Sểnh said. 

But his work doesn't stop now. He is determined to work with the local government to call for more support to allow local residents build roads and establish a group to raise black pigs using an organic breeding model to develop the local economy. 

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