The German Government has supported Vietnam with a further 2,558,000 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine as part of its contribution to the country’s ongoing vaccination drive. The vaccine donation has been made through the COVAX Facility in close co-ordination with both UNICEF and WHO Vietnam.

In line with this, the shipment of 2,558,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine arrived in Hanoi on December 10.

Moving forward, Germany is expected to grant additional vaccine doses to the Vietnamese side, bringing the total donations given by the European country up to over 10 million doses.

Following the latest delivery of vaccines donated by the German Government, Vietnam has now received a total of 45,197,910 of COVID-19 vaccine doses through the COVAX international vaccine platform.

Remote sensing applied to monitor erosion in Mekong Delta

A sub-project on monitoring riverbank and coastal erosion in Mekong Delta using remote sensing has been implemented by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE).

Under this project, a system which obtain signal of SPOT 6 and 7 satellites has been built at the headquarters of the Central Remote Sensing Station of the MoNRE’s Department of National Remote Sensing.

It aims to form a database on changes of riverbanks and coastal line in the Mekong Delta, using remote sensing so as to assess efficiency of counter-erosion measures, as well as support regional development planning, thereby taking the initiative in preparedness, adaptation and mitigation of losses caused by erosion amid climate change.

UNESCO to consider nomination of Xoe Thai as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Nomination of the art of Xoe dance of Thai ethnic minority people of Vietnam as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity will be discussed at the 16th session of the UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage that is taking place from December 13-18.

Xoe Thai is a unique type of traditional dance that is associated with and plays a significant role in the daily life of Thai ethnic communities in the northwest of Vietnam, especially in the provinces of Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La and Yen Bai. It is performed in various community activities from festivals to funeral rituals.

There are about 30 Xoe dances, which have been developed, protected and handed down through generations intact over hundreds of years, including xoe quat (xoe dance with a fan), xoe khan (xoe dance with a scarf), xoe non (xoe dance with a conical hat) and many others with contents reflecting community activities and expressing the Thai people’s emotion.

First National Conference on Foreign Affairs opens

The National Conference on Foreign Affairs opened in both in-person and virtual forms on Tuesday, under the chair of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

This is the first national foreign affairs conference organised by the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee to discuss foreign affairs of the Party, the State's diplomatic activities, and people-to-people diplomacy.

It also aims to thoroughly promote the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, especially policies, guidelines and orientations regarding foreign affairs of the Party, people and army.

Special page launched to promote Vietnamese tourism to foreign visitors

A special page “ Live Fully in Vietnam” on the website  https://vietnam.travel was officially launched,  the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reported on December 13.

Accoring to VNAT, a theme video of the communication campaign “Live fully in Vietnam” was also introduced on the page.

The launch of the "Live fully in Vietnam" page and the introduction of the video are the efforts of VNAT to vigorously implement the "Live Fully in Vietnam" campaign in connection with introducing the new slogan for Vietnamese tourism  “Vietnam - Timeless Charm”.

The page will provide visitors with information on Vietnam’s tourism, and images on the magical beauty of Vietnam's nature, culture and people via the video "Live fully in Vietnam".

It also provides visitors with a lot of information and suggestions related to culture, cuisine, health, and beach resort.

President meets outstanding military women

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on December 13 highlighted contributions of military women to glorious feats of arms reaped by the army. The State leader made the applause at a meeting with 60 female officers, soldiers and representatives at the seventh congress of military women that has recently been held in Hanoi.

During the 2016-2021 period, 41 female officers have joined UN peacekeeping operations. More than 9,000 military women have also participated in the COVID-19 pandemic fight, with 1,700 working on the frontline.

APPF-29: Parliaments should step up actions to ensure gender equality

Parliaments should take more actions with a focus on policies and strategies on recovery, thus meeting gender equality requirements, said Le Thu Ha, a permanent member of the Vietnamese National Assembly's Committee for External Relations at the online Meeting of Women Parliamentarians within the 29th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-29).

She pointed out great challenges to gender equality due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years, stressing that it is time for parliaments to take bold actions to reach gender equality and women’s empowerment during the post-pandemic recovery.

The Vietnamese NA co-sponsored two draft resolutions, comprising one achieving gender equality through increasing women’s participation and representation, and another on promoting gender-based COVID-19 response and post-pandemic recovery.

Vietnam reports 15,377 COVID-19 infections on December 13

Vietnam logged 15,377 new cases of COVID-19, including 28 imported ones, over the past 24 hours from 4pm on December 12 to 4pm on December 13, according to the Ministry of Health.

The capital city of Hanoi took the lead, confirming a record 1,000 COVID-19 cases on the day. This is the first time that Hanoi’s daily transmissions reached four digits since the start of the pandemic. It was followed by Ho Chi Minh City (915), Ben Tre (867), Ca Mau (793), Dong Thap (740), Can Tho (680) and Khanh Hoa (594).

Vietnam also recorded 242 COVID-19 related fatalities, including 75 in HCM City, raising the country’s COVID death toll to 28,081, about 2 percent of total infections. There are currently 7,730 COVID-19 patients nationwide in serious condition, with 817 requiring invasive ventilation and 19 on life support. A further 1,192 patients were given the all-clear on December 13, bringing the total number of recoveries to 1,055,912.

Hanoi's district stops on-site dining, in-person study

The People’s Committee of Dong Da District has ordered the temporary halting of on-site dining at restaurants, outdoor exercise, and in-person study, from 12pm December 13. The move was made after the district ’s pandemic risk level was raised to Level 3 – high risk.

Restaurants and food and beverage establishments are still allowed to open for delivery and must close before 9pm. Local authorities also banned gatherings of more than 20 people in a room and more than 10 people in public places. Participants are required to be fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 and tested negative for the virus within 72 hours. All culture, sport and entertainment activities at public places and operation of temporary markets are required to stop. Online learning will be applied at all local schools until further notice.

Eight districts and communes in Hanoi are ranked Level 1 of pandemic risk, 21 others ranked at Level 2, with only Dong Da District ranked at Level 3.

Israeli Embassy presents over 22,000 plants to farmers in Hoa Binh

The Embassy of Israel on December 13 presented more than 22,000 plants to farmers in Bac Phong commune, Cao Phong district, the northern mountainous province of Hoa Binh, in response to the 1-billion-tree growing project launched by the Vietnamese Prime Minister.

Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Nadav Eshcar said the present is intended to help local residents raise their livelihood and contribute to a greener environment in Vietnam.

On this occasion, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Bui Van Khanh called on associations, organisations and businesses to continue growing trees in their workplaces, factories and industrial parks.

Within the framework of the programme, organisers presented gifts to 14 families who received the plants.

The same day, the Israeli delegation and local officials visited a made-by-Israel biogas facility at a household in Cao Phong district.

Ministry of Health issues guidance on second dose of COVID vaccine

People who have had a first vaccine dose of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine can receive Moderna for the second dose, as vaccine sources are limited, according to the latest guidance from the Ministry of Health.

Based on the council’s recommendation, the ministry said that people should have the same first and second dose of the vaccine. But in the case of limited vaccine resources, people who have received the first dose of Pfizer or AstraZeneca can have the second dose with Moderna.

The interval between the two doses is based on the ministry's guidance issued on September 20 this year.

National Tennis Championship 2021 opens

The National Tennis Championship-Hanaka Cup 2021 kicked off on December 13 in the northern province of Bac Ninh.

The tournament brings together 78 players from 11 teams from clubs, sectors and provinces across the country including Hanoi, Son La, Lang Son, Bac Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Hai Dang and Hung Thinh Clubs from HCM City, Hai Duong Clean Water, and People’s Public Security, among others.

The athletes will compete in five events namely men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.

In addition to bonus points, trophies and medals, players with excellent performance will receive prizes worth up to 500 million VND (21,800 USD) in total.

The tournament is scheduled to last until December 19.

NA Vice Chairman pledges better access to social service for disabled people

Agencies of the National Assembly (NA) will continue to fine-tune and organise the implementation of policies related to people with disabilities, creating favourable conditions for them to access social services, Vice Chairman of the NA Nguyen Khac Dinh affirmed on December 13.

He made the pledge when meeting with 20 outstanding young delegates who are attending a programme named Shining Will of Vietnam which highlights efforts by young Vietnamese people with disabilities.

This year, 50 young people with disabilities engaging in various fields such as culture-art, sports and start-ups, were honoured by the Shining Will of Vietnam programme, which was first launched by the Vietnam Youth Federation Central Committee in 2013.

Hanoi sets up treatment facilities to treat mild COVID-19 cases

A number of localities in the capital have moved to establish mobile medical stations in order to quarantine and treat COVID-19 patients showing mild symptoms, amid rising infections in recent days.

The past few days has seen Hanoi record a remarkable increase in the number of new infections, most notably reaching 1,000 cases on December 13. Localities are therefore asked to promptly launch mobile medical stations in a bid to receive, quarantine, and provide treatment to COVID-19 patients following guidance from the capital and the Ministry of Health.

Various kindergartens and primary schools are used as mobile medical stations for COVID-19 patients displaying mild symptoms.

Nguyen Quoc Hoan, vice chairman of Hoan Kiem district’s administration, says the locality has set up three mobile medical stations on Hang Thiec, Dong Xuan, and Hai Ba Trung streets, whilst the authorities plan to establish a total of 35 stations in the near future.

HCM City monitors foreign arrivals, no Omicron cases detected

As many as 1,597 foreigners have arrived in Ho Chi Minh City during the past three days, with nine of them testing positive for the SARS-C-V-2 virus and no Omicron cases detected.

Genome sequencing shows all nine foreigners have been infected with the common Delta strain, not Omicron, said Nguyen Thi Huynh Mai, an official of the HCM City Department of Health on Dec. 13, playing down worried about a possibility of a new virus outbreak in the city.

Ho Chi Minh City is currently the largest coronavirus hotspot in Vietnam as it has so far confirmed nearly 500,000 infections or around one third of the country’s total.

Mohamed Djouadj re-elected as Chairman of African Vovinam Federation

Mohamed Djouadj has been re-elected as Chairman of the African Vovinam Federation (AVF) for the third consecutive term (2021-2025) at its 3rd congress held virtually, according to the Algerian Vovinam Federation.

As the head of AVF since 2012, Djouadj is the only candidate and has won the high confidence of congress participants, the federation said.

The AVF's members also approved the 2022 programme, the admission of new members, as well as the authorisation to host the 2022 Africa Vovinam Championships in Senegal, scheduled to take place in October next year.

Regarding the annual activities of these countries, the federation has decided to organise three training sessions in 2022 in Côte d'Ivoire, Libya and Nigeria, as well as graduation exams in Senegal dedicated to martial artists who want to raise belt ranking.

Do Thi Ha bows out of Top 10 of Beauty with A Purpose segment

Vietnamese representative Do Thi Ha has dropped out of the top 10 of the Beauty With A Purpose segment at Miss World 2021 which is underway in Puerto Rico. This comes after Ha prepared a project with the theme of “Peaceful Houses” in order to assist flood victims as she competes in the global beauty pageant.

The project largely focuses on Tra Don commune of Nam Tra My district in the central province of Quang Nam, an area that was heavily impacted by flooding back in 2020. It was completed in April after one year, with a total of 18 houses built in order to help local people stablise their lives following the devastation of the weather event.

Furthermore, Ha also failed to win the Miss Talent and Miss Sports segments. Earlier in the competition, Ha was named among the top 13 in the Top Model segment and in the top 16 of the Head to Head Challenge.

The final night of the Miss World 2021 pageant is set to take place on December 16 in Puerto Rico.

Malaysian media hail Vietnam’s convincing 3-0 win at AFF Cup 2020

In an article entitled “Vietnam check Malaysia's semi-final hope with 3-0 win”, Malaysian national news agency Bernama wrote that Malaysia's hope of booking an early ticket to the semi-finals suffered a setback when they were beaten by Vietnam in their Group B match.

“Malaysia were punished for failing to adapt quickly to the high-intensity match as Vietnam scored twice in a space of four minutes in the first half, before sealing the game with their third goal in the dying minutes of the match,” it continued.

In his article published in The Star newspaper, author T. Avineshwaran noted that “Harimau Malaya just can't find a way to douse the fire of the Golden Dragons”, and Malaysia suffered their first defeat in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020.

“The depleted Malaysian side could not stamp their mark in the first-half, as Park Hang-seo’s side were quick in their attacking transitions and were constantly tormenting Tan Cheng Hoe’s team with their superb pressing”.

Astro Awani television news channel reported that with a similar line-up in the game with Laos, Malaysia could not find a way past seasoned players of Vietnam.

Vietnam welcomes efforts by Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals

Ambassador Pham Hai Anh, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of Vietnam to the United Nations, welcomed efforts by the principals and staff of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals in the implementation of various provisions of the UN Security Council Resolution 2529 (2020), during a meeting of the UNSC on December 13.

At the final meeting of Vietnam on this issue as a non-member member of the UNSC for 2020-2021 and Chairman of the Informal Working Group on International Courts, Ambassador Anh affirmed that Vietnam is committed to promoting compliance with the UN Charter and international law in maintaining peace and international security.

UNSC member countries spoke highly of contributions made by Vietnam as Chairman of the Informal Working Group on International Courts over the past two years, especially its efforts to boost collaboration between the UNSC and the Mechanism.

Source: VNA/VOV/VNS/VIR/ND/SGT

VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES DECEMBER 13

Vietnam issues action plan to preserve wetlands