A 11th grader of Nguyen Trai High School in Hoi An city, Quang Nam province, has died after being given a COVID-19 vaccine shot, a local official confirmed on December 18.

Three days after getting the jab, the boy had a serious headache and he was transferred to Da Nang C Hospital for intensive care, but all efforts to save him were in vain, the boy died on December 18 morning. The boy had suffered from meningitis and he had not informed doctors about his illness before receiving the jab.

Local health professionals also confirmed that the student did not suffer from post-injection anaphylaxis.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc to pay state-level visit to Cambodia

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc will pay a two-day state-level visit to Cambodia this month at the invitation of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni. The trip will take place on December 21 and 22.

Health Ministry proposes suspending large gatherings during Tet holiday

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The Ministry of Health (MoH) has proposed suspending activities which may lead to crowding, such as entertainment centres, festivals, and religious rituals in localities that are at a high risk of COVID-19 infection during the upcoming Lunar New Year, known locally as Tet.

The MoH duly submitted the proposal in a dispatch to the Government Office, explaining that the number of local COVID-19 cases is increasing considerably, especially in localities which have a high population density, heavy traffic, and large trade exchanges.

Furthermore, the Omicron strain is currently spreading rapidly in many countries, although no cases have so far been detected in Vietnam.

Domestic flights cancelled due to super typhoon Rai

Vietnam Airlines said on December 18 it will cancel a number of domestic flights on December 19 due to the impact of the impending super typhoon Rai.

The powerful storm has entered the East Sea and is moving towards the central coast of Vietnam with winds gusting more than 150kph near its centre. Though Rai is forecast not to slam into the mainland, it will cause rough seas and bring heavy rain on the way it churns along the central coast on December 19-20.

A total of 14 Vietnam Airlines flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Quang Nam, Quy Nhon and Tuy Hoa and vice versa will be cancelled on December 19. The airline has advised passengers to regularly monitor the news and the firm’s social media platforms for updated travel advisories related to typhoon Rai.

“Hanoi là....” exhibition of illustrations opens in capital

As many as 29 best artworks selected from an illustration contest about Hanoi capital are on display at an exhibition which is open at L’Escape, 24 Trang Tien Street, Hanoi from December 18 to January 2, 2022.

The artwork by artist Dang Thai Tuan wins first prize at the contest (Photo: UNESCO Vietnam)
The exhibition, part of Creativity Week 2021 launched by the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports in late December, showcases images of the thousand-year-old capital - a Creative City recognized by UNESCO.

“Hanoi là.....” is also part of the Ha Noi Rethink project implemented by UNESCO, UN-Habitat, and UNIDO, sponsored by SOVICO Group to support the capital in realising its Creative City vision in the fields of designs and cultural heritage preservation, with the engagement of young people.

Typhoon Rai to cause heavy rains in central coastal region

Typhoon Rai, the ninth storm to hit Vietnam this year, is forecast to cause heavy rain across the area spanning from central Thua Thien – Hue to Khanh Hoa provinces between the evening of December 18 and December 19, with common rainfall of 100-250mm and over 300mm in some places.

In response to the storm, Quang Tri has issued its evacuation plan, prioritising evacuating nearly 28,000 people on Con Co island and in four coastal districts of Vinh Linh, Gio Linh, Trieu Phong and Hai Lang.

Meanwhile, facing the impact of bad weather caused by typhoon Rai, Vietnam Airlines decided to cancel flights to and from Quang Nam, Quy Nhon and Tuy Hoa on December 19./.

OVs in Italy, Ukraine support COVID-19-hit children

The Italy – Vietnam Cultural Bridge Association in Italy and the Vietnamese community in Cyprus have raised 5,000 EUR in support of Vietnamese children who lost their parents to COVID-19 pandemic.

The sum was donated by Vietnamese philanthropists in Italy and sent to 34 orphans in Ho Chi Minh City’s districts 7, 8 and Binh Chanh, including four scholarships worth 10 million VND each and 30 gifts.

On December 17 morning, the Vietnamese Association in the Ukrainian province of Odessa and the Odessa Town Hall presented gifts to children’s hospital No.3 in Odessa city.

Sympathy offered to Japan over fire in Osaka’s clinic

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 17 sent a message of sympathy to his Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio over a fire at a clinic in Osaka.

On the same day, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son extended his sympathy to Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa.

Twenty-four people were killed on December 17 after a fire raced through a mental clinic in an eight-story multiple tenant building in Osaka, according to Kyodo News.

President chairs 14th meeting of judicial reform steering committee

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired the 14th meeting of the Central Steering Committee for Judicial Reform in Hanoi on December 18 to review its 2021 activities and launch tasks next year.

Phuc, who is also head of the committee, asked the Party Affairs Committee of the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) to collect feedback at the event to continue perfecting its draft project on measures to improve law training quality, firstly focusing on the Hanoi Law University and the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law.

Vietnam records 15,895 COVID-19 cases on December 18

Ca Mau posted the highest number of infections with 1,341, followed by Hanoi with 1,244 and Ho Chi Minh City with 1,019. Vietnam has so far documented 1,524,368 coronavirus infections.

On December 18, the country saw 248 deaths from the disease. The death toll now hits 29,351.

According to the Ministry of Health’s report, 7,895 patients nationwide are in serious conditions, with 933 requiring invasive ventilation and 19 on life support (ECMO).

A total of 137,574,609 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Vietnam, with more than 60.79 million people now fully inoculated.

Ninh Binh kicks off exhibition on Vietnam’s cultural heritage

An exhibition on cultural heritage, scenic landscapes, and traditional handicrafts of Vietnam is in full swing in the northern province of Ninh Binh as part of the National Tourism Year - Ninh Binh 2021.

It showcases 350 photos of the UNESCO-recognised heritage and famous historical relic sites and landscapes across the country. Nearly 200 outstanding products of traditional craft villages is also displayed.

It will be available online, at http://trienlamvhnt.vn and http://vhtt.ninhbinh.gov.vn, from December 20 this year to February 28, 2022, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

People in close contact with COVID-19 patients only need self-quarantine if fully vaccinated

People who have been in close contact with COVID-19 patients, or F1 cases, are allowed to self-quarantine at home for seven days if they have been fully vaccinated, or have recovered from the disease in the last six months.

They are also required to self-monitor their health for the following seven days.

This is the latest instruction from the Ministry of Health (MoH), issued on Thursday. The instruction was sent to provincial and municipal people’s committees.

Quang Ninh to reduce fees to tourist attractions by half in 2022

Quang Ninh will reduce entrance fees to some of its most popular tourist attractions by half in the first six months of 2022. 

The list includes Hạ Long Bay, Quảng Ninh Museum, and the Yên Tử Complex of Monuments and Landscape.

This initiative will play an important role to restart tourism services in Quảng Ninh, with people visiting these attractions expected to explore other spots in the province.

Opera project launched to mark anniversary of Japan-Vietnam diplomatic ties

A new opera project named “Princess Anio” has been launched to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam.

The project which aims to promote Japan-Vietnam exchange and friendship through music will premiere at Hanoi Opera House in September 2023.

The content of the opera is based on the motif of the love story between Sotaro Araki, a merchant from Nagasaki, Japan, and Princess Ngoc Hoa [called Princess Anio by Japanese] in Hoi An, Vietnam, during the trading era of the Shuinsen in the early 17th century.

Ho Chi Minh City honours hundreds of role-models in following Uncle Ho’s example

The Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee held a conference on December 16 to review the 5-year implementation of the Politburo’s Directive No.05-CT/TW and commend role-models in studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology and morality.

At the event, 371 role-models in studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology and morality were commended, including 145 collectives and 226 individuals.

In addition, the organising board also praised 395 outstanding collectives and individuals who have contributed to directing and organising the implementation of Directive No.05 over the past five years.

Activities mark anniversary of Vietnam People's Army in Cambodia

A delegation led by Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang offered incense at the Vietnam – Cambodia Friendship Monument in Phnom Penh on December 17, on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of Vietnam People’s Army (December 22) and the 32nd anniversary of All-People Defence Festival (December 22).

In the morning the same day, a delegation of the Royal Cambodian Army led by Secretary of State of the Defence Ministry Gen. Chieng Am laid a wreath at the Vietnam Friendship Monument.

Vietnamese, Lao localities talk COVID-19 fight, economic development

A high-level conference between the central border province of Ha Tinh and the Lao provinces of Bolikhamsay and Khammoune took place at Cao Treo international border gate on December 18 to discuss the fight against COVID-19 and economic development.

On the occasion, both sides signed a cooperation agreement on COVID-19 prevention and control in various areas.

Ha Tinh presented 8.2 billion VND (356,000 USD) to build a medical station for Bolikhamsay and 500 million VND to Khammuone.

Hanoi to run art creativity programme this month

A programme to inspire art creativity is scheduled to take place in Hanoi downtown between December 24 and 31, aiming to create an attractive multi-dimensional "dialogue" between creative arts in a cultural and artistic space.

With its venue located at the municipal cultural and art centre at No.22 Hang Buom street, Hoan Kiem district, the event features exhibitions, fashion shows, and the performances of calligraphy, sketching, experimental music, video art, and experimental traditional theater.

Talk-shows and round table discussions with artists, architects, and experts involved in creativity works inspired by traditional heritage are also planned during the course of the programme.

Vietnam, India to lift cultural, people-to-people exchange cooperation

Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung and Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakashi Lekhi agreed to lift bilateral cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchange to a new height during their working session in New Delhi on December 17. The two sides agreed to hold cultural-art programmes in each country on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties next year. 

The same day, Minister Hung held separate receptions and working sessions with leaders of the All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation, the Indian Society for Cultural Cooperation and Friendship and the India-Vietnam Solidarity Committee in West Bangal.

Also on December 17, Vietnamese Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha and Indian Minister of State for Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in marine science and ecological system during their working session.

New book on President Ho Chi Minh’s national salvation journey introduced

The Ho Chi Minh Museum’s chapter in Ho Chi Minh City on December 17 held a press conference to give the public insights into a freshly published book on the late President Ho Chi Minh’s national salvation journey.

The nearly 1,000-page book was compiled and published under the collaboration of the Ho Chi Minh Museum, the Truth National Political Publishing House, the Management Board of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the HCM City Department of Culture and Sports.

With four main parts, it comprises 110 speeches that were presented by experts and scholars from Hanoi, HCM City and many other cities and provinces at a symposium on the journey of the late President, known in those days as Nguyen Tat Thanh.

Vietnamese Embassy in France supports family of boat accident victim

The Vietnamese Embassy in France will continue working closely with the host and authorities in Vietnam to support the family of a Vietnamese victim who was killed when a rubber boat capsized off the coast of Pas de Calais province.

The accident occurred on November 24 (local time), leaving 27 dead. On December 16, the French police informed that one of the victims is a 29-year-old Vietnamese who came from the central province of Nghe An.

The Foreign Ministry’s Consular Department already contacted the victim’s family to verify the information and instruct necessary procedures.

Photo exhibition spotlights 50 years of Vietnam – India ties in New Delhi

A photo exhibition, highlighting 50 years of the Vietnam-India diplomatic relations, opened in New Delhi on December 17 as part of the ongoing official visit of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to India.

On display are 21 documentary photos by the VNA capturing milestones in the nations’ ties over the past five decades, which include Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Vietnam in September 2016. During Modi’s visit, Vietnam and India decided to upgrade their bilateral relations to comprehensive strategic partnership.

Quang Binh, Khammoune sign cooperation agreement

High-ranking delegations from the central province of Quang Binh and the Lao province of Khammoune signed a cooperation agreement during their talks at Cha Lo international border gate in Quang Binh on December 17.

They agreed to propose the two governments consider adding the road No.12 and Cha Lo – Na Phau international border gates into the Greater Mekong Sub-Region (GMS) Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement.

The two provinces will create favourable conditions for firms and investors in the fields of trade, tourism and transportation. Apart from preserving and upholding biodiversity values at Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Protected Area, they will also work closely together in national defence-security, border protection and the fight against the pandemic.

Vietnam Committee for Asian-African-Latin America Solidarity and Cooperation elects new president

Former general director of the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) Nguyen The Ky has been elected as President of the Vietnam Committee for Asian - African - Latin America Solidarity and Cooperation for the 2021 – 2026 tenure.

The election of the presidium of 27 members, including Ky, took place as part of the committee’s congress held in Hanoi on December 17.

Dutch firm supports medical training in Mekong Delta

Nam Can Tho University on December 16 signed a cooperation agreement with Philips Vietnam, aiming to enhance the quality of the university's medical training.

Under the deal, last-year students in medical faculties, including medical imaging technicians and medical practitioners will engage in training programmes from basic to advance levels on different areas, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scanning techniques, with support of experts and lecturers from Philips.

Musicians share experience in image building on digital platforms

A programme, named VCPMC Music Day, was held online on December 16 to honour musicians for their devotion to image building on digital platforms.

It was jointly held by the Vietnam Centre for Protection of Music Copyright (VCPMC) and Meta Platforms, Inc., doing business as Meta and formerly known as Facebook, Inc.

On this occasion, the centre awarded Khac Viet with the title of impressive musician of the year for his contributions to music copyright protection. Khac Viet has also been selected by Meta as representative of "Facebook - Facebook song Writer of the day.”

Golden Bridge wins World Travel Awards

The Golden Bridge in the central city of Da Nang has outclassed 11 other foreign nominations, winning the world's leading iconic tourist bridge category at the 2021 World Travel Awards.

The bridge, which is 150 metres long and 12.8 metres wide, is located at the Sun World Ba Na Hills Resort in the Truong Son mountain range. Designed by architect Vu Viet Anh and his team, the Golden Bridge first opened to tourists in June 2018, and quickly became a popular tourist landmark in the region.

Since its opening, the renowned bridge has featured in the annual awards of several top news outlets. Indeed, it was chosen among the world's best travel photos of 2018 by CNN Travel, the World's 100 Greatest Places by Time magazine, and among the Pictures of the Year 2018 by Reuters.

HCM City, Ca Mau ask for medical support as COVID-19 cases climb

The HCM City People’s Committee has asked the Ministry of Health to send 1,000 doctors and 2,000 nurses, including ICU 300 doctors and 600 nurses, to fill the shortage at COVID-19 treatment hospitals which need to expand the number of beds.

The southernmost province of Ca Mau asked the ministry for 10 doctors and nurses to treat patients with moderate and severe symptoms for three weeks, starting from December 20. Five medical teams with two doctors and six nurses each are also needed to provide home-based treatment for COVID-19 patients from December 20 to January 22.

It also asked the ministry to provide additional doses of the anti-viral medicine Molnupiravir for treatment of 50,000 cases and Favipiravir for treatment of 20,000 cases. It petitioned the ministry to allocate 65,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines to administer shots for immunocompromised people and frontline workers this month. 

Tourists flock to northern province's orange groves

Orange groves in Quang Ninh Province’s Van Yen Commune have become a tourist attraction in recent years.

At first, there were only a few households growing orange trees in the commune’s 10/10 Village. But as tourist demand rose, other families followed.

Each household now has at least two orange groves to welcome tourists. The amount of land used to grow oranges in the commune has reached 200 hectares.

Tourists often visit the gardens at weekends or during holidays to take photos or pick oranges. This has quickly become a new type of eco-tourism. Other services such as rest areas and outdoor picnics are also offered.

The world's best press photos on display in Hanoi

The fourth iteration World Press Photo Exhibition in Hanoi, showcasing the winners of 2021’s World Press Photo Contest will open to the public at the side-walk of Hoan Kiem Lake from 17 to 26 December 2021.

The event is organized by the Netherlands Embassy in Vietnam, with support of the Hanoi People's Committee.

The World Press Photo contest is the world’s leading contest for professional press photographers, photojournalists and documentary photographers. Since 1955, the annual World Press Photo Contest has recognized professional photographers for the best pictures, contributing to the past year of visual journalism.

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

VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES DECEMBER 17

VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES DECEMBER 17

Vietnam, FAO sign new Cooperation Program Framework