The Ministry of Health’s Department of Medical Services Administration and the UNICEF Child Protection Programme Division held a working session with leaders of hospitals under the management of the ministry and the Hanoi Health Department to develop social work services and care for the health and protection of children in hospitals.

Speaking at the event, Asso. Prof Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue, director of the department, said many cases involving child victims of violence and sexual abuse have been detected by health care facilities and punished by legal enforcement agencies.

To further enhance the protection of children and prevent violence and sexual abuse against them, the inter-sectoral coordination of relevant units and cooperation between different departments and wards within hospitals are crucial, he said.

Executive Director of the UNICEF's Child Protection Network Fund Bernadette J. Madrid presented the model of a one-stop service for child protection in hospitals in some countries.

Delegates focused their discussions on the coordination between social work services and child protection and health care in hospital, the role of the social work department in receiving and handling cases related to the child protection and health care; coordination with units outside the hospital such as public security officers and lawyers. 

Khue stressed that hospitals should come up with suitable models to improve the effort, contributing to driving back child violence and abuse.

PM askes for solutions to promote financial, corporate bond, real estate markets

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 25 asked ministries and sectors to optimise all tools to remove difficulties facing the financial, corporate bond and real estate markets, thus pumping in more resources and promoting major growth in consumption, exports and investment.

Addressing a cabinet meeting, PM Chinh requested the State Bank of Vietnam, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Construction to effectively implement issued documents and settle legal obstacles for the three markets and supervise the implementation process.

Specifically, they were requested to support the financial market, guide and supervise the implementation of relevant policies among credit institutions, ensure safety of the system, and avoid risks of law violations, while applying interest rate reductions to increase the capital access and absorption capacity of people and businesses.

For the corporate bond market, it is crucial to design tools, methods and measures to provide necessary conditions for bond issuers to pay bondholders in accordance with the law, said the PM.

Regarding the real estate market, the PM underlined the need to give capital assistance to businesses to complete works and projects to bring more products to the market. Alongside, it is necessary to reform administrative procedures, he said, asking real estate firms to restructure market segments and make full use of the 120-trillion-VND (5.10 billion USD) support package for social housing and housing for workers.

The Government leader ordered State-owned commercial banks to guide the financial market and support economic development through the reduction of interest rates.

He pledged that the Government will be responsible of maintaining macro-economic stability, controlling inflation, promoting growth and ensuring major economic balances, while applying proper fiscal and monetary policies.

PM Chinh also assigned specific tasks to particular ministries and sectors to continue cutting administrative procedures, completing planning design, settling obstacles in land, and speeding up public investment disbursements.

He also asked for the adjustments of the 2% interest rate support policy and the consideration of the reduction and extension of taxes and fees, as well as the finalising of a report on impact assessments and plans to apply the global minimum tax.

Special music show marks 50 years of Vietnam - Argentina diplomatic ties

Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue and a high-ranking NA delegation attended a special music show held in Buenos Aires on April 25 (local time) in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam - Argentina diplomatic ties.

The event was held by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Argentine Ministry of Culture on the occasion of Chairman Hue’s official visit to Argentina. It also formed part of the Vietnamese Culture Day in the Latin American country.

Recalling the historic milestones during the 50 years of bilateral diplomatic ties, Argentine Minister of Culture Tristan Bauer stressed that Argentina was one of the first Latin American countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, which has become an important partner of his country in Southeast Asia after several decades thanks to the two economies’ complementarity, sound political ties, along with people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Despite geographical distance, Vietnam and Argentina share common values, he noted, elaborating that they struggled for national independence and defended it. Both have also engaged in the international system that features mutual respect, friendly cooperation, and the principle of equality among the nations, and both understand that this is best path for countries to ensure a better future for all people.

For his part, Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung highlighted the historic meeting between the two nations 111 years ago when late Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh arrived in Argentina on his journey to seek ways for national salvation.

He affirmed that over the last 50 years, the friendship and cooperation between the two countries have been making substantial strides and developing strongly. Particularly, bilateral cooperation has been promoted even more in multiple spheres since their comprehensive partnership was set up in 2010.

The official visit by NA Chairman Hue has further intensified the countries’ parliamentary ties and comprehensive partnership, he went on.

Minister Hung also underlined concrete results in cultural, sports, and tourism connections, which boast much potential for growing further.

Also on April 25, Chairman Hue and other members of the Vietnamese delegation cut the ribbon to open a photo exhibition on President Ho Chi Minh.

The exhibition reflects the late President as a simple man but also a great and beloved leader of Vietnam, a great man of culture, and a symbol of the struggle for independence and freedom. Notably, many photos on display spotlight his journey to seek ways for national salvation in the early 20th century, including his arrivals in Argentina and Uruguay in 1912.

NA leader meets Vietnamese community in Argentina

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue had a meeting with the Vietnamese Embassy staff  and Vietnamese community in Buenos Aires on April 25 (local time) as part of his ongoing visit to the Latin American country.

Ambassador to Argentina and Uruguay Duong Quoc Thanh briefed the NA leader on the operations of the embassy, and activities held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Argentina and 30 years of diplomatic relations with Uruguay.

The ambassador said he believes that NA Chairman Hue's visit will create new momentum for the ties between Vietnam and the two Latin American countries.

The embassy will coordinate with ministries, sectors and localities at home to realise the outcomes of the visit, he pledged.

Head of the liaison board of the Vietnamese community in Misiones province Gip Ayock thanked the Party and State for paying great attention to the Vietnamese community abroad and in Argentina in particular.

He said that the community has kept themselves updated on the situation in the home country and always looks to the homeland.

NA Chairman Hue informed participants on the major outcomes of his first visit to Argentina, saying that Argentinian leaders highly valued the visit and gave the Vietnamese delegation's warm welcome.

He said he and Argentinian leaders discussed measures to promote the comprehensive partnership between the two countries in all fields, through all channels and from central to local levels.

Argentina's top leaders showed hope to promote bilateral relations and set up strategic partnerships in particular areas, especially agriculture.

Meanwhile, Vietnam is keen on speeding up negotiations for a free trade agreement with the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), he said.

 NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and representatives of the Vietnamese community. (Photo: VNA)
He noted that Argentina is one of the four comprehensive partners of Vietnam in the Latin American region. Two-way trade has grown fast to 4.8 billion USD last year, and recorded a rise of 40% in the first two months of 2023. The two sides are striving to raise the figure to 10 billion USD in 2025. However, investment cooperation still remains modest, he said.

The top legislator expressed hope that the Vietnamese community will integrate well into the host society, while preserving the language and culture of Vietnam.

He asked the Vietnamese Embassy to focus on promoting economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, paving the way for the opening of a direct air route between the two sides.

The NA leader also affirmed the Party and State's constant policy of considering the Vietnamese community abroad as an inseparable part of the nation. He said the Politburo's conclusion 12-KL/TW on overseas Vietnamese affairs has laid emphasis on promoting the teaching of Vietnamese and the building of Vietnamese cultural establishments overseas and an innovation network for the community to make contributions to the homeland.

He said that the NA is working to review, adjust and supplement the legal system to create optimal conditions for the community to return to the homeland, with favourable policies in entry, exit and residency.

On the occasion, NA Chairman Hue presented the Friendship Order of Vietnam to the Argentina-Vietnam Culture Institute (ICAV) and its President Poldi María Sosa.

The ICAV leader said that she has worked at the institute for 26 years, and has a great love for Vietnam, considering the country as her second homeland.

Many child abuse cases detected by health care facilities: Official

The Ministry of Health’s Department of Medical Services Administration and the UNICEF Child Protection Programme Division held a working session with leaders of hospitals under the management of the ministry and the Hanoi Health Department to develop social work services and care for the health and protection of children in hospitals.

Speaking at the event, Asso. Prof Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue, director of the department, said many cases involving child victims of violence and sexual abuse have been detected by health care facilities and punished by legal enforcement agencies.

To further enhance the protection of children and prevent violence and sexual abuse against them, the inter-sectoral coordination of relevant units and cooperation between different departments and wards within hospitals are crucial, he said.

Executive Director of the UNICEF's Child Protection Network Fund Bernadette J. Madrid presented the model of a one-stop service for child protection in hospitals in some countries.

Delegates focused their discussions on the coordination between social work services and child protection and health care in hospital, the role of the social work department in receiving and handling cases related to the child protection and health care; coordination with units outside the hospital such as public security officers and lawyers. 

Khue stressed that hospitals should come up with suitable models to improve the effort, contributing to driving back child violence and abuse.

Fronts of Vietnam, Laos augment cooperation

The Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) and the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) shared experience and agreed to push ahead with cooperation during talks in Hanoi on April 25.

Last year, the two sides successfully held the sixth international conference on building the Laos - Vietnam border of peace, friendship, and cooperation for common development in Savannakhet province of Laos. They also signed an emulation agreement for 2022 - 2025 between the VFF and LFNC committees of the two countries’ border provinces.

To effectively implement the cooperation deal for 2022 - 2027, President of the LFNC Central Committee Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune recommended both sides quickly carry out the joint communiqué on the building of the Laos - Vietnam border of peace, friendship, and cooperation for common development for 2022 - 2025, and coordinate to organise a meeting of the leaders of the Fronts of Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia in Laos this year.

Last year, the two sides successfully held the sixth international conference on building the Laos - Vietnam border of peace, friendship, and cooperation for common development in Savannakhet province of Laos. They also signed an emulation agreement for 2022 - 2025 between the VFF and LFNC committees of the two countries’ border provinces.

Laos honours leaders of Vietnam Fatherland Front, Mass Mobilisation Commission

A number of leaders and officials of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee and the Party Central Committee’s Mass Mobilisation Commission were awarded Orders of the Lao Party and State at a ceremony in Hanoi on April 25.

At the event, President of the Central Committee of Lao Front for National Construction Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune presented the second class Issara Order to permanent deputy head of the Mass Mobilisation Commission Pham Tat Thang; and the third-class Issara Order to former Vice President of the VFF Central Committee and permanent Vice Secretary of the Phu Tho provincial Party Committee Phung Khanh Tai, and deputy heads of the Mass Mobilisation Commission Bui Tuan Quang and Do Van Phoi.

Khoutphaythoune also presented the first and second-class Labour Order to some individuals in the VFF Central Committee for their contributions to cooperation between the LFNC Central Committee and VFF Central Committee. 

Vice President of the LFNC Central Committee Siphachanh Nanthavongsa presented the third-class Labour Order to several individuals in the VFF Central Committee.

On the occasion, the LFNC Central Committee presented its insignia to members of the VFF Central Committee in recognition of their contributions to Laos-Vietnam friendship.

2023 Asia Women’s Club Volleyball Championship kicks off in Vinh Phuc

The 2023 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship kicked off in the northern province of Vinh Phuc on April 25.

The tournament brings together nine teams from host Vietnam, Iran, Japan, Taiwan (China), Kazakhstan, Thailand, China, Mongolia, and Hong Kong (China).

Participating teams are divided into two groups in a round-robin format. Based on the results of the group stage, the teams will compete for the first to fourth and from fifth to ninth places.

Apart from the first, second and third prizes for teams, the organising board will honour outstanding players with eight titles. Besides, the winning team will represent Asia at the 2023 World Club Volleyball Championship in China.

 After  the opening ceremony, Vietnamese team had their first match with Iran. Earlier, Khuvsgul Erchim of Mongolia lost 0-3 to Liaoning Donghuac of China and Altay of KaszakKaszak won 3 -2 over Diamond Food Fine of Thailand.

The championship runs from April 25 to May 2, 2023 and will be broadcasted live on VTVcab's ON Sports News, ON Sports , and ON Plus channels.

Building sustainable agricultural value chains to reduce deforestation

Vietnam is promoting sustainable agricultural trade and production to reduce deforestation, heard an event under the umbrella of the fourth Global Conference of the Planet Network’s Sustainable Food Systems Programme held in Hanoi on April 25 by UNDP and the Vietnam Administration of Forestry (VNFOREST) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. 

Tran Quang Bao, Deputy Director of VNFOREST, said agricultural farming is considered as one of the major land-using industries. The current expansion of land for agricultural development in the world is the main cause of deforestation and shrinking of forest land.

Therefore, agricultural production and trade should be directed towards sustainable development of value chains, which increase the quality and value of products and community's livelihood without the need to expand production areas, he said.

Rui Ludovino, First Counselor in charge of Climate Action, Environment, Employment and Social Policy at the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam updated participants on the latest regulations of the EU that ban the import of products related to deforestation. He said the new rules will take effect at the beginning of 2025 with a six-month delay for small and medium-sized enterprises, stressing that exporters and importers must be aware of the deadline to meet the EU market's requirements.

Ludovino said that Vietnam is implementing the Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (VPA/FLEGT), which includes legal regulations on sustainable development of the wood industry. This is an advantage for Vietnam, and other sectors like rubber or coffee can learn from it.

He added that Vietnam does not face a high risk of deforestation thanks to its government's forest protection policies. However, the country should to strengthen supply chains to help its agricultural products to penetrate deeper into the EU market. 

Patrick Haverman, Deputy Chief Resident Representative of UNDP Vietnam, said that the organisation has been supporting Vietnam in sustainable forest and landscape management through many programmes and projects over the past 20 years.

He affirmed that UNDP is ready to work with partner governments and private sector partners to create a favourable environment for the supply chain of agricultural products that does not cause deforestation for the benefit of the environment and people, especially smallholder farmers and vulnerable communities.

Fishing vessels in Phu Yen toe the line, avoid illegal fishing in foreign waters

Since 2019, fishing vessels in the south-central province of Phu Yen have been avoiding the illegal exploitation of aquatic products in foreign waters, Deputy General Director of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)’s Directorate of Fisheries (DoF) Nguyen Quang Hung told the Vietnam News Agency in a recent interview.

Hung said Phu Yen and other localities nationwide have made efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and undocumented (IUU) fishing. Through a fact-finding trip at Dong Tac port in Tuy Hoa city of Phu Yen province showed that it has followed relatively enough legal regulations on IUU fishing combat.

Up to 641 out of 653 fishing vessels have been equipped with vessel monitoring systems, reaching 98.16%.

Phu Yen has 1,922 fishing vessels, including 661 with a maximum length of 6-12m that tap aquatic products in coastal areas. They have 608 others with a length of 12-15m operating in offshore areas, and 653 of 15m and above in length in the open sea. With this number of fishing vessels, the border guards have to monitor all incoming and outgoing vessels to ensure the management of fishing activities.

According to the official, Phu Yen initially applied electronic fishing logbooks for fishermen. However, fishermen who work offshore failed to connect to the Internet so they have to log in offline. When they return to shore, data could only be updated. Therefore, the DoF has asked units to develop software to fix this shortcoming.

Dien Bien, China’s border guard forces review cooperation

A Pa Chai border guard station under the Border Guard of northern Dien Bien province and the Border Management Detachment of Jiangcheng, Yunnan province of China, held a meeting at the border marker No.3 on April 25 to inform each other about border management situation and the results of bilateral cooperation since 2022.

They shared the view that the situation on both sides of the border is basically stable, with local people strictly complying with regulations on the management of the Vietnam-China land border, especially since both sides adopted COVID-19 prevention and control measures.

Last year, the A Pa Chai border guard station sent 15 letters to China and received 19 letters in accordance with their agreement on information exchange. The Chinese side transferred to the station one case involving one Vietnamese person who illegally crossed the border into China. Vietnam also handed over two cases to the Chinese side with seven Chinese people who illegally crossed the border into Vietnam.

As the COVID-19 pandemic still poses complicated risks, the two sides pledged to continue raising public awareness of pandemic prevention and control, the sense of crime denunciation, especially illegal border crossing activities in order to prevent the pandemic from spreading across the border, and proactively suggest the resumption of customs clearance at the A Pa Chai - Long Phu border crossing point.

They also vowed to increase patrol and coordination activities to maintain a borderline of peace, stability, and friendship.

Vietnam, Cambodia facilitate cooperation between border provinces

Vietnamese and Cambodian ministries, agencies and localities will coordinate in building and perfecting legal frameworks and cooperation mechanisms to facilitate collaboration between border provinces, as agreed at a conference in the southwestern province of Tay Ninh on April 25.

The 12th meeting on cooperation and development between border provinces of Vietnam and Cambodia was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Samdech Krolahom Sar Kheng.

The officials noted with pleasure the good cooperation and close coordination between the two countries, including their border provinces, since the 11th meeting in October 2021.

The two sides have maintained high-level visits and effectively implemented major cooperation mechanisms, including the 20th meeting of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Commission on Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technological Cooperation in Hanoi last March, they noted.

The two sides agreed to maintain the principle of not allowing any hostile forces to use one’s territory to harm interests of the other, and closely coordinate to effectively materialise legal documents regarding land border issues.

The information work will be stepped up to encourage residents and authorities of border provinces to further consolidate and build a common border of peace, friendship, cooperation and sustainable development.

The two sides will invest more in border gates and stay resolved to maintain the bilateral trade in general and border trade in particular, while encouraging border provinces to enhance cooperation in transport, agro-forestry-fishery, water resources, meteorology, energy, education, social affairs, culture, sports, tourism, healthcare, justice, information and communications, among others.

The conference approved a report and a joint statement. The 13th conference is scheduled to be held in Cambodia in 2024.

Hanoi moves to improve public administration performance index

The capital city is making efforts to improve its Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index (PAPI) this year.

Hanoi scored over 43.9 points out of 80 in the 2022 PAPI, helping it be listed among 16 localities with high points of between 43.44 and 47.88. Among the eight sub-criteria, the capital city scored highest in "public administration procedures" with 7.31 out of 10, followed by "public service delivery" with 7.22 and "control of corruption in the public sector" 6.8.

According to the municipal department for internal affairs, with its point, Hanoi ranked 12th nationwide, down two places compared to 2021.

Do Thanh Huyen, public policy analyst at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) said the PAPI index does not rank localities, so Hanoi city needs to look deeply at each indicator instead of the ranking.

Surveys by authorities show that more than 75% of the content in the PAPI Index is closely related to the responsibility of the People's Committees of communes/wards and townships. Therefore, in order to improve capital city’s performance, it is necessary to boost the quality of activities of the local commune-level government.

Conducted jointly by CECODES, the Vietnam Fatherland Front's Center for Research and Training, Real-Time Analytics, and UNDP, PAPI is a policy monitoring tool that assesses citizens' experiences and satisfaction with government performance at the national and subnational levels in governance, public administration, and public service delivery.

Deputy FM meets with Honourary Consul of Vietnam in Paraguay

Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc received Honourary Consul of Vietnam in Paraguay Maria Del Carmen Perez on April 24 (local time) on the occasion of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue’s official visit to Argentina.

During the meeting, Ngoc spoke highly of the Honourary Consul’s effective support for and close coordination with the Vietnamese Embassy in Argentina in recent times, significantly contributing to maintaining and stepping up the bilateral relations in the context that Vietnam has yet to set up a representative office in Paraguay.

He affirmed that the visit by the Vietnamese top legislator to Latin America aims to deliver a message that Vietnam attaches great importance to and wishes to further strengthen relations with regional countries, including Paraguay.

In addition to the good political and diplomatic ties, Vietnam wants to expand collaboration in economy, trade, investment, culture, and tourism as well as people-to-people exchange with Paraguay, he said, adding the two sides should discuss specific measures to promote connections between businesses of the two countries.

Maria Del Carmen Perez expressed her honour to be appointed as the Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Paraguay, and highly valued Deputy FM Ngoc's specific proposals, saying she will consider taking cultural promotion activities during her upcoming visit to Vietnam, slated for September, in order to strengthen mutual understanding and cultural exchange between the two nations.

She said she expects to get more information on the Vietnamese market and businesses with demand for forming partnerships with Paraguay’s firms.

Perez is a prestigious culture activist and entrepreneur in Paraguay. She was appointed as the Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Paraguay on January 17, 2021.

Vietnam attends World Journalists Conference

Some 50 journalists from 47 countries around the world are attending the World Journalists Conference 2023 (WJC), which opened in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, on April 25. The Vietnam Journalists Association (VJA) sent two representatives to this conference.

WJC 2023 is being held by the Journalists Association of Korea (JKA) with the theme “Leadership in the Digital Transformation Era and the Role of Journalism for Regional Development.”

Pyo Wan Soo, Chairperson of the Korea Press Foundation, said the World Journalists Conference will serve as a platform for journalists from around the globe to reflect, share ideas, debate, and cooperate.
During the April 24 - 29 gathering, in addition to exchanging expertise and journalism skills, journalists will be provided with the opportunity to immerse themselves in Korean culture and ambiance, visiting major cities such as Gyeonggi, Suwon, Busan, and Incheon.

The World Journalists Conference, which celebrates its 11th anniversary this year, is held annually and covers various topics such as issues in journalism, world peace, and the environment, and has become the world’s largest conference involving journalists.

Ample room remains for Vietnam-UK cooperation

Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long spoke of cooperation opportunities between Birmingham and Vietnam, especially its big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, in the fields of education-training, health care and culture, during his recent meeting with the city’s Lord Mayor Maureen Cornish.

The April 24 meeting took place within the framework of the Vietnam Days programme in the UK, from March 28 to April 27, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The ambassador called Birmingham an impulse for the Vietnam-UK relations, saying the city would serve as a centre of commerce and logistics for goods from Vietnam – the UK’s second biggest exporter in Southeast Asia.

With the UK’s joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), trade revenue between the two countries now stands at nearly 7 billion USD, and it is expected to continue rising in the time ahead, Long noted.

The ambassador added that Vietnam will need logistics centres in the UK to facilitate connectivity between its businesses and the British market, and turn the UK into a centre of Vietnamese exports to other markets like the EU and the US.

Vietnam is looking to boost information technology, AI, science-technology, trade, and public relations, which are of strengths of Birmingham’s Aston University where many Vietnamese students are studying, Long went on.

He called on Birmingham’s authorities to propose the British Government put forth strategies on enhancing trade ties between British localities and Vietnam, and supporting British firms to invest in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

For her part, Cornish affirmed the close ties between local authorities and the Vietnamese community, saying Birmingham always pays attention to promoting friendship and building partnerships with localities in the world, including Vietnam with such potential cooperation areas as AI and science-technology.

Also on April 24, the Vietnamese Embassy and its trade office in the UK and the British Department for Business and Trade co-organised a seminar in Birmingham on business potential and opportunities in Vietnam.

Sa Pa expects to welcome 200,000 visitors during big holidays

With subtropical climate and picturesque natural scenery, the mountainous resort town of Sa Pa in Lao Cai province is expected to welcome up to 200,000 visitors during the upcoming holidays including the Hung King’s Commemoration Day, the National Reunification Day (April 30) and International May Day (May 1).

The town received 98,000 visitors in the same period in 2022.

Many events have been planned in the town and surrounding areas, including a rose festival, a Dao ethnic cultural festival and Mong cultural days. 

Another COVID death reported, severe cases on the rise

Vietnam has recorded another COVID death, the second case in the past four months, the Ministry of Health (MoH) said on April 25.

The patient had died in the northern province of Nam Dinh, the ministry said in its coronavirus update.

Last week, Vietnam also logged a COVID death in Hanoi, the first case in four months.  

The MoH report also shows 2,501 fresh coronavirus infections were documented in localities across the country during the past 24 hours, an increase of more than 600 cases compared to the previous day. Currently, 145 COVID patients require mechanical ventilation at health facilities, an increase of 44 cases from the previous day.

Amid a rise in the number of hospital admissions and severe cases, Dr. Tran Dac Phu, a senior health professional, recommended that people take preventive measures such as wearing mask, washing hands with sanitizer, and keeping a distance in public places, especially during the coming five-day break, to avoid further infections.

In another development, the Hanoi Center for Disease Control said on April 25 that it had taken 22 samples of COVID patients for genome sequencing and found these patients had contracted sub-variants XBB.1.5, XBB.1.11.1, XBB.1.9.1, XBL and XBB .2.3 of the Omicron strain.

Last week, Ho Chi Minh City, the most populous locality in Vietnam, also announced the results of genome sequencing of 13 epidemiological surveillance samples, with 11 new sub-variants detected.

These sub-variants have been discovered in many countries around the world and are classified by the World Health Organisation as variants of interest (VOI) or variants under monitoring (VUM).

Currently, there has been no evidence showing there is a direct correlation between variants of concern or variants under monitoring and with the worsening situation of COVID-19 globally.

Hanoi to host diverse activities featuring Indian culture

A wide range of cultural exchange activities are scheduled to take place in the capital to introduce Indian culture, according to the Hanoi People's Committee.

This information was unveiled during a meeting held on April 25 between Vu Thu Ha, vice chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee, and Subhash Prasad Gupta, deputy chief of the mission from the Embassy of India in Vietnam.

A number of art troupes from India will arrive in Vietnam this year, Gupta informed his host, hoping India would continue to receive support from the municipal administration to deploy cultural exchange activities between the two countries this year.

The Indian diplomat revealed that the highlight of the exchange proramme will be International Yoga Day and “Run for Peace” due to take place in Hanoi from June 18. Both of events are expected to attract the participation of over 1,000 people, he said.

He also conveyed an invitation from the Indian Ambassador to Vietnam to the municipal People's Committee to dispatch additional delegations to India to further promote friendship and seek investment opportunities.

For her part, Vu Thu Ha, vice chairwoman of the municipal administration, expressed Hanoi’s wish to continue ramping up ties with India across multiple spheres, especially in culture, tourism, sports, and conservation of historical relics.

Hanoi is ready to join India in organszing the upcoming activities effectively with the aim of enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples whilst elevating joint relations to new heights, she emphasized.

Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP/Hanoitimes