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Vietnam secured a total of 195.1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from March 2021 to January 2, 2022, according to the Ministry of Health.
To date, the ministry has allocated around 176.8 million doses. As of 2:30pm on January 4, the country had administered 154.3 million jabs. Up to 99.7 percent of the population aged 18 and above have received at least one dose, while 91.1 percent have received all two basic doses.
For children aged between 12-17, the figures are 85.7 percent and 58 percent, respectively.
According to the Ministry of Health, Vietnam recorded 14,861 cases of COVID-19 and 244 related deaths during 24 hours from 4pm January 3 to 4pm January 4.
The national tallies reached 1,800,704 and 33,245, respectively. A total 16,227 patients were given the all-clear, taking the total number of recoveries to 1,413,384.
Hot air balloon falling from sky in field of Phu Tho with good wish
Regarding a "strange" object falling into the area of Dong Thanh Commune in Phu Tho Province’s Thanh Ba District, a representative of Thanh Ba district People's Committee said that through initial verification, this object is about one meter in diameter with the length of more than 10 meters.
It is like a hot air balloon. Inside this object is a piece of paper with Myanmar characters and a few Myanmar papers. Through translation, the content of the words said, this is a hot air balloon released from Kayin, Karen state, Myanmar on the occasion of Karen New Year (January 2) with the desire to send good luck to everyone.
This hot air balloon has been moved to the warehouse of Dong Thanh Commune People's Committee. Chairwoman of Dong Thanh Commune People's Committee Vi Thi Lan said that local authorities are focusing on increasing information so that people know that this object is not a dangerous object and has nothing related to charms, enchantments, or superstition.
Adjustment made to pilot programme on receiving foreign tourists
The Government’s Office has issued a document conveying Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh’s direction on adjustments to a pilot programme on receiving foreign tourists.
Accordingly, taking into account a proposal by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the Deputy PM tasked the Ministry, along with the Ministries of Health, Public Security, Defence, Foreign Ministry, Transport, and Information and Communications; authorities of Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Kien Giang, Khanh Hoa, Quang Nam, Quang Ninh, Binh Dinh; and other relevant agencies with implementing the pilot programme in a safe and effective manner.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, meanwhile, is assigned to work with competent ministries and sectors in studying, implementing, and amending a temporary guide for receiving foreign arrivals in line with regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control.
Many imported Covid-19 cases in HCMC await genomic sequencing
HCMC reported 37 imported cases of Covid-19 that were awaiting genomic sequencing on their positive samples as of yesterday, January 3, said the HCMC Center for Disease Control.
These 37 cases excluded five Omicron cases who had previously tested negative.
Since January 1 this year, the city has been conducting a rapid Covid test on all passengers entering the city through the Tan Son Nhat International Airport to detect probable Covid infections. Those who test positive will be taken to the Covid-19 Field Hospital No. 12 in the city for medical treatment and genomic sequencing.
Government convenes online conference with localities
The Government’s online conference with localities convened on January 5, reviewing performance last year and discussing the implementation of the Party Central Committee’s conclusion and the National Assembly’s resolution on socio-economic development tasks in 2022.
The conference is planned to hear reports on socio-economic development outcomes in 2021 as well as orientations and solutions for 2022, with participants discussing the Government’s draft resolutions for the implementation of socio-economic development plans, State budget estimates, and the improvement of business climate and national competitiveness this year.
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is expected to deliver a speech at the event.
COVID-19: New cases on January 4 total 14,861
Vietnam recorded 14,861 cases of COVID-19 in 60 localities during 24 hours from 4pm January 3 to 4pm January 4, including 32 imported cases, according to the Ministry of Health.
Hanoi recorded the highest number of infections with 2,499 cases, followed by Tay Ninh with 916 and Khanh Hoa with 797.
Also on the day, the southern province of Tra Vinh added 6,867 cases to the national COVID-19 case log after confirming relevant information.
The national tally reached 1,800,704, including 24 infections of Omicron.
According to the Ministry of Health’s report, 6,651 patients nationwide are in serious conditions, with 800 requiring invasive ventilation and 18 on life support (ECMO).
On the day, the country saw 224 deaths from the disease. The death toll now hits 33,245, equal to 1.8 percent of the total caseload.
Six Omicron cases in HCMC are asymptomatic
Six cases of infection with the Omicron variant that had been confirmed in HCMC are people entering the city from abroad. They do not currently have any symptoms, said Director of the HCMC Center for Disease Control (HCDC) Nguyen Hong Tam.
The sixth patient who is a Taiwanese (Chinese) flight attendant has been detected on January 3. Other five cases of the new omicron variant of coronavirus previously found on December 31, 2021. They are implementing quarantine period at hotels.
Regarding to the city’s Omicron response plan, Chief of the Office of the municipal Health Department Nguyen Thi Huynh Mai said that the department has re-structured hospitals and departments for Covid-19 and Non-Covid-19 treatment. The city has currently 13 hospitals providing more than 20,000 beds and over 8,000 others in local healthcare facilities to meet the rise in new Omicron cases.
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Five-year scheme to speed up digital transformation in vocational training
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has signed a decision approving a digital transformation programme in the vocational training sector in the 2021-2025 period with a vision to 2030.
In 2030, 100 percent of trainers and management officials are expected to receive supplementary training to improve their capacity to conduct vocational training activities in the digital environment. Meanwhile, 100 percent of lectures and trainers are hoped to be able to create digital learning documents.
The scheme also aims to develop a national digital platform for vocational training, along with shared digital resources for training and learning activities in 2025.
In 2030, 100 percent of training facilities are expected to digitalise training process, results and degrees.
Sa Pa welcomes nearly 20,000 visitors during New Year holidays
Sa Pa township – a famous tourist destination in the northern province of Lao Cai welcomed 17,346 visitors during the three-day solar New Year holiday (January 1-3), according to head of the Culture-Information Office of the township Hoang Thi Vuong.
Vuong said that revenue from tourism activities during the holidays reached 46 billion VND (2.01 million USD), up over 7.8 billion VND (341,281 USD) compared to the Christmas holidays (December 24-26).
Although the number of tourists was equivalent to only 30 percent of that in the same time last year, the results showed signs of recovery of Sa Pa tourism after a tough year due to impacts of COVID-19, she said.
As part of efforts to promote the "Lao Cai-Safe Destination” trademark, local authorities and businesses have applied effective measures to ensure epidemic and transport safety, environmental sanitation and food safety for tourists.
Traffic accidents kill 38 during three-day New Year holiday
Sixty four traffic accidents took place nationwide during the three-day solar New Year holiday (January 1-3), causing 38 deaths, according to the Ministry of Public Security’s Traffic Police Department.
Of the total, 63 accidents happened on the country's roads, claiming 37 lives and injuring 35 others, down three cases and two deaths compared to the same period last year.
Meanwhile, one person died in one railway accident.
During the three-day holiday, traffic police officers across the country handled a total of 19,285 traffic law violations and gave fines worth 22.65 billion VND (991,000 USD).
Photo books inspired by a love of life introduced in Hanoi
Two touching photo books inspired by photographer Nguyen A’s love of life, have been introduced recently in Hanoi.
The photo book “We are Vietnam” captures images of 125 inspirational women in many fields making a major influence on the community and society.
The second photo book, “Tenacious Saigon”, depicts many valuable moments in the battle against Covid-19 in Ho Chi Minh City. Each photo is from days when photographer Nguyen A accompanied frontline forces and the people in the city in the fight against the pandemic.
Photographer Nguyen A is a member of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists. His photo exhibitions and book launches often go hand in hand, including: That’s how they lived; Don ca tai tu - Confessions of the nation and homeland; Vietnamese spirit and the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
National strategy aims to provide clean water to rural residents by 2030
Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh signed a decision approving the National Rural Clean Water Supply and Sanitation Strategy by 2030, with a vision to 2045.
By 2030, around 65 percent of rural population are expected to use clean water, with at least 60 liters per person per day while 100 percent of rural households, schools and medical facilities will have hygienic latrines.
The Government targets to raise the rate of treated wastewater in rural residential areas to 15 percent over the next decade and to 30 percent by 2045.
National strategy aims to provide clean water to rural residents by 2030 hinh anh 2By 2030, around 65 percent of rural population are expected to use clean water.
Well-known peach garden in Thanh Hoa ready for Tet
Xuan Du commune in Nhu Thanh district is a well-known peach blossom area in the central province of Thanh Hoa. As the Lunar New Year, or Tet, approaches, local gardeners are busy taking care of their trees so they will bloom on time and welcome in Vietnam’s biggest holiday season.
Xuan Du is known as the “capital” of peach blossoms in Thanh Hoa province. Over the past ten years, local authorities have carried out plans to expand the growing area, to turn peach blossoms into a key economic item.
Most local residents plant peach blossoms. Every year, in lunar November, local gardeners begin the final stages of caring for their trees so they will bloom just as Tet arrives.
Short films on show at Da Nang festival
The central city has launched the first Film Fest – Wow Đà Nẵng – a short film competition featuring the tourism hub, marking the very first cultural activities of a hopeful year.
The contest, which was organised by the city’s Culture and Sports department and YouthLife joint-stock company, will be receiving entries nationwide until April 15.
The event’s organising committee said the best of 25 short films would be selected for the final round and screening in the streets of Đà Nẵng.
A special prize – the Hàn River Award – will be given to the winner on April 29 with a cash prize of VNĐ100 million (US$4,300). Three Golden Prizes of VNĐ30 million each will be presented at the award ceremony.
Thu Duc to develop into innovative hub, smart city
Thu Duc City and the HCM City Department of Science and Technology have signed an agreement to develop Thủ Đức into an innovative urban area and smart city by 2025.
It aims to promote the use of science and technology and innovations in management, administration and socio-economic development.
Thủ Đức City and the department will support each other in developing information technology applications, automation and artificial intelligence for smart city services.
Thủ Đức wants the department to develop two programmes for urban administration and development and technology applications for smart cities and digital transformation.
Under HCM City’s master plan until 2040, Thủ Đức City will be developed into a centre of innovation to assist the growth of HCM City and the seven key economic hubs in the south.
Contest launched to promote Vietnam’s traditional Lunar New Year
Yeu ban sac Viet” to popularise inspirational stories as the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival is approaching.
The contest offers a chance for Vietnamese people to share memorable moments, cultural identities and traditional customs of localities across the country during the Tet festival.
It is expected to contribute to introducing and disseminating Vietnam’s traditional Lunar New Year to the domestic and international communities.
Vietnamese citizens aged 18 and above are encouraged to join the contest. The organising board will present three first prizes worth 10 million VND (439 USD) each, five second prizes worth 5 million VND each, 10 third prizes worth 2 million VND each. and 15 consolation prizes worth 1 million VND each.
Tran Van Thao knocks out Thai champion
Vietnamese boxer Tran Van Thao defeated Thai boxer Phayrom Booreung in the bantamweight division at a professional boxing event held on January 2 at Trigger Boxing Gym in Ho Chi Minh City.
Thao was able to ease to victory in the second round of the fight with a stunning knockout, with the impressive victory coming after an absence of nearly two years from the ring.
In the first round, former World Boxing Council (WBC) Asia champion unleashed a flurry of precision punches against Booreung, causing the Thai boxer to collapse to the floor at the end of the round. Through a barrage of repeated attacks and heavy strikes in the second round, Booreung was once again knocked down, with the final blow proving to be decisive in sealing a knockout victory for Thao.
Coming into the bout, Booreung had been the WBA East Asia champion and had a record of nine wins from nine fights and boasting a knockout rate of 100%.
Despite not fighting for nearly two years, Thao was able to put on an impressive performance at the event. Before defeating the Thai boxer, Thao’s last victory had been against Aries Buenavidez of the Philippines in February, 2020.
Quang Ninh inaugurates major coastal road
The northern province of Quang Ninh has just inaugurated a coastal road linking the cities of Ha Long and Cam Pha, which is expected to provide one of the best coastal road views in the region.
The six-lane road has a total length of 18.7 kilometres costing VND 2,300 billion (USD 100 million), financed by the provincial budget.
The same day, Quang Ninh authorities also put into operation the Love Bridge which should facilitate movement between the two sides of Cua Luc Bay and link industrial parks and expressways in the northern area of Ha Long City.
The bridge project, at a cost of 2,100 billion VND (91.8 million USD), spans a total length of 4.2 kilometres, including a 3.4-kilometre long approach road.
Many art exhibitions welcome New Year 2022
On the occasion of the New Year 2022, many exhibitions of painting, sculpture, calligraphy, installation art were organised at art galleries in Hanoi, to serve the public.
An exhibition titled "Mua Trong Vuon" (Seasons in Garden) by female painters Trang Thanh Hien and Nguyen My Ngoc opened at Vietnam University of Fine Arts (42 Yet Kieu) on January 1.
At 16 Ngo Quyen Fine Art Exhibition House, 2 painting exhibitions opened on January 1 and will last until January 10. Of which, the exhibition "Chao Xuan" (Hello Spring), by painter Nguyen Minh Son, uses eye-catching and fresh colours to fill the scenes and flowers depicted in each work with energy and vitality.
Meanwhile, the exhibition “Nham Dan” (Year of Tiger) is a meaningful milestone for painter, director, and outstanding artist Nguyen Nghiem Nhan as he chose to hold the exhibition at the beginning of the new year 2022, when he turned 60 years old.
At the Centre for Art & Culture at No.22 Hang Buom Street, from now until the end of February 2022, an installation exhibition titled "Memory Space No. 22 Hang Buom" by artists Nguyen The Son, Tran Hau. Yen The, and Vu Xuan Dong as well as architect Hoang Phuong took place.
Also at this place is the contemporary calligraphy exhibition "Phieu Dieu", with 40 works honouring national cultural values, especially the culture of Hanoi - the land of thousand years of civilization.
On January 2, the exhibition "Melody of Nature" opened at Palm Artspace, in the Ecopark urban area. There are paintings and sculptures on display by 15 Vietnamese and international artists. The exhibition will be open until January 30.
Food watchdog to increase post-inspection on food safety
The Vietnam Food Administration under the Ministry of Health said that it will increase post-inspection on food safety.
In its plan to implement post-inspection on food safety in 2022 issued yesterday, inspectors will focus on post-auditing self-declared origins and quality of food products, imported products at establishments producing food and beverage services.
According to the food watchdog, in 2021, its inspectors have paid visits to 376,426 establishments, handling 22,512 establishments and collecting fines of VND109 billion.
Additionally, inspectors also collected material worth over VND20.5 billion and suspended facilities to make 172 products and destroyed 1,697 food kinds failing to meet food quality and safety such as unknown origin, expiry date. Amongst cases, inspectors proposed to prosecute 16 people involved in 11 cases.
HCMC to need around 310,000 employees in 2022
The Center of Forecasting Manpower Needs and Labor Market Information Ho Chi Minh City said that the city would need around 255,000 to 310,000 laborers in 2022 based on the pandemic situation.
Specifically, if the Covid-19 pandemic develops complicatedly, affecting the socio-economy growth, the city will need around 255,000 to 280,000 employees.
In case the pandemic will be under control, Ho Chi Minh City will need around 280,000 to 310,000 laborers. Of which, HCMC will be likely to lack around 78,500 to 86,900 workers, 65,500 to 72,500 employees, 66,500 to 73,500 ones and 69,500 to 77,100 laborers in the first, second, third and fourth quarter, respectively.
Among them, the demand for educated employees will account for over 86 percent. Of which, the elementary, intermediate, college and university and higher level will occupy over 22.5 percent, 24.5 percent, 18.6 percent and over 20.7 percent, respectively.
Trung Luong- My Thuan expressway to open to traffic on January 18
General Director of the BOT Trung Luong- My Thuan Joint Stock Company Nguyen Tan Dong informed that the Trung Luong - My Thuan Expressway project is expected to open to traffic on January 18, 2022 (on the 16th day of the last month of the lunar calendar).
Specifically, one-way technical traffic will be opened from Trung Luong to My Thuan within 15 days; and after that the remaining way will be opened to meet traffic demand of people during the Tet holiday.
The whole project will be officially completed in March; however, it has faced the same obstacles as the toll collection project of Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong expressway which has not been approved.
HCMC proposes to remain military medical forces at mobile medical stations
The Municipal People's Committee has just sent an urgent letter proposing the Ministry of National Defense keep military medical forces at 168 mobile medical stations in the city to support the Covid-19 fight until the pandemic situation in the city becomes less strained.
The proposal aims to ensure health care and treatment at home for the Covid-19 infections, proactively control the Covid-19 pandemic situation, deal with the risk of appearing and spreading the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The HCMC People’s Committee assessed that the Covid-19 pandemic in the city is complicated with Covid-19 surges. Currently, the city health sector and medical workers concentrate on treatment for severe patients at the field hospitals.
HCMC recorded that a total of 51,376 Covid-19 cases are performing self-isolation and treatment at home.
Phu Quoc welcomes around 60,000 visitors on New Year holiday
Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang Province Pham Van Nghiep said that the locality welcomed around 60,000 tourists, including about 1,000 international arrivals under the “vaccination passport” program during the three-day holiday of the New Year 2022.
Among the international tourists, Phu Quoc welcomed a delegation of 50 Laotian travelers. Earlier, the locality had received Korean and Uzbekistan arrivals under the “vaccine passport” program.
It is expected that more than ten international flights from Singapore, the Republic Korea, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia will land in Phu Quoc.
In the there-day holiday of New Year 2022, An Giang Province welcomed around 20,000 visitors a day.
Source: VNA/VNS/VOV/SGGP/SGT/ND
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