Vietnam will pilot a nationwide home-quarantine programme for F1 people who had close contact with Covid-19 patients.

The move was made by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam following the Ministry of Health’s proposal.

At an online meeting on HCM City’s Covid-19 situation held on Monday, Dam said that he had received many opinions suggesting the home-quarantine.

At present, the pilot home quarantine is being applied in HCM City. People who come into close contact with Covid-19 patients can quarantine themselves at home for 28 days, but strictly following regulations.

Home quarantine regulations require a room separate from the family’s common living space or separate floor where possible.

The quarantine room needs to have its own toilet, bathroom, a thermometer along with other necessities.

People have to pledge to local authorities to strictly conform to quarantine regulations. They must not go out of the quarantine room and contact their family members as well as pets. They must be given separate meals.

They also need to make daily medical declarations through Bluezone or VHD. During the quarantine time, they are provided with five Covid-19 tests.

Local authorities are requested to closely supervise the home quarantine.

No charges to be filed related to death of military recruit

The Criminal Investigation Agency of Region 3 (Military Zone 1) has announced their conclusion that recruit Trần Đức Đô suffocated by hanging himself.

Trần Đức Đô, a recruit of Battalion 4, Company 14, University of Science and Technology, Military Region 1, died on June 28, at the training field of Military School of Military Region 1 in Phú Bình District, Thái Nguyên Province.

According to earlier information provided by the Ministry of National Defence, the 19-year-old was found hanging from a tree behind a hill about 50m from the training venue on June 28. He was rushed to a local hospital and was announced dead at 3.30pm.

Trần Đức Hội, Đô’s father, said he found injuries on his son’s head, face, back and chest.

His family and others had expressed anger about the unusual circumstances surrounding Đô's death and asked the authorities to investigate the case.

The investigative agency asked the Criminal Technical Division of Thái Nguyên Provincial Police to examine the body for a forensic examination to determine the cause of death, death time, and causes for the marks on his body.

The investigating agency also requested the Military Forensic Institute and the Institute of Criminal Science (Ministry of Public Security) to examine other factors, including toxic substances in the organs, histopathological status in the organs and skin muscle, blood alcohol concentration, and test for drugs.

On July 1 the Military Forensic Institute said they found no toxic substances in Đô’s organ samples, no drugs in his blood and no ethanol.

Regarding the cause of death, the Criminal Technical Department, Thái Nguyên Provincial Police, said: "The cause of death of soldier Trần Đức Đô was suffocation due to hanging. The time to death after the last meal was from two to three hours, and the time to death to the time of autopsy was from six to eight hours."

The department said the cause of the marks on Đô’s body was hanging and interaction with objects with uneven surfaces.

The investigative agency took the testimonies of all officers, recruits, staff involved in the field trip training of Company 14 and some testimonies of the soldiers who trained recruits in Regiment 2.

The testimonies all confirmed that there were no signs of disunity, assault or fighting in the unit. Most of the officers and recruits said Đô was quiet, didn’t violate disciplinary rules and didn’t have any conflicts with anyone.

The inspection found no evidence that Đô was incited, coerced or humiliated, nor did it find any conflict within the unit or his family. Investigators also found no evidence he had had gambling debts or other kinds of debts and no signs that beatings or assaults had occurred.

The scratches on soldier Đô's body were determined to have been caused by hanging and the process of cutting the rope to bring him down for first aid, causing a collision with the tree trunk.

The investigation agency found enough grounds to conclude that no crime had occurred.

The Criminal Investigation Agency of Region 3, Military Zone 1, therefore issued a decision not to launch criminal proceedings in regards to the death. 

Vietnam records 982 new domestic COVID-19 infections

Vietnam logged an additional 983 new COVID-19 cases in the past seven hours to 13:00 on July 13, raising the national count to 33,648, according to the Health Ministry.

Besides one imported case, the remainders were domestically-transmitted infections, including 886 in Ho Chi Minh City, 29 in Long An, 27 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, 12 in Dong Thap, 11 in Ben Tre, four in Phu Yen, two each in Quang Ngai, Binh Thuan and Bac Ninh, and one each in Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Bac Giang, Hanoi, Lao Cai, Binh Phuoc and Thanh Hoa.

Of the total, 920 were detected in quarantine sites or sealed-off areas.

Among patients under treatment, 339 patients have tested negative to coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 once, 130 twice and 70 thrice.

To date, 9,331 patients have recovered from the disease and 125 died.

The country has administered more than 4.06 million doses of vaccines. Over 3.78 million people have got vaccinated, including more than 280,000 persons fully receiving two jabs./.

Hanoi prepares 5.1 million Covid-19 vaccine doses for mass vaccination drive

The capital city of Hanoi is set to launch a mass vaccination drive to administer 5.1 million Covid-19 vaccine doses to residents aged from 18 to 65 citywide, the municipal government announced yesterday, July 12.

After being approved by the municipal government, a detailed vaccination plan will be published on the Hanoi Health Department’s website next week, the local media reported.

If the vaccine supply is ensured, the city will ramp up efforts to give a maximum of 200,000 doses per day to residents. Besides this, the city will set up 824 vaccination sites and arrange 1,000 vaccination lines with each line expected to give 200 doses per day.

To ensure the safety of the vaccination drive, Hanoi will mobilize 100 mobile first-aid teams to promptly handle cases experiencing post-vaccination reactions. 

According to an official from the Hanoi Center for Disease Control, all wards and communes citywide have registered to have their residents inoculated.

Residents can register for the vaccination program in two ways: fill in registration forms provided by their local authorities so that the local competent forces can insert the data into digital health books, or register online via digital health books and a Covid-19 vaccination portal, said the official.

Over the past few days, the Covid-19 situation in the capital has become complicated. Since July 5, it has reported 61 domestic infections.

Hanoi expands COVID-19 screening to identify risks

Hanoi authorities have required the expand of COVID-19 screening tests to proactively identify risks in the capital city.

At a meeting of the Hanoi Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control on July 12, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Chu Xuan Dung asked the local health sector to continue to take samples for COVID-19 testing and screening in at-risk areas and establishments, focusing on those returning from provinces and cities with complicated epidemic situations such as Ho Chi Minh City and other southern provinces.

The Hanoi Department of Health was asked to tighten epidemic prevention and control at medical facilities, while preparing a plan to be ready to deploy a large-scale vaccination campaign in the shortest time but must ensure the most effective and safe.

On the same day, the Government Office issued Official Letter No. 4638/VPCP-KGVX to allow provinces and cities to pilot home isolation for close contacts of COVID-19 infections, known as F1s. The Ministry of Health requires people isolated at home to strictly abide by the regulations and has a commitment to the local government to ensure effective and safe isolation.

Also on July 12, a Government delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh inspected the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic in the two provinces of Dong Nai and Ba Ria - Vung Tau. Binh urges local authorities to continue to strictly follow the direction of the Government to prevent the spread of the epidemic.

From 0:00 on July 14, Vung Tau city will implement a strict social distancing order according to Directive No. 16/CT-TTg of the Prime Minister.

The whole Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap will also be put under a social distancing order as prescribed in Directive No. 16 in 15 days, starting from 0:00 tomorrow.

This morning, Vietnam logged an additional 466 COVID-19 cases, including one imported in the southern province of Tay Ninh, as reported by the Ministry of Health.

Of them, 365 were detected in Ho Chi Minh City, 52 in Long An, 23 in Vinh Long, 12 in Dong Nai, seven in Phu Yen, five in Tay Ninh and one in Hanoi. As many as 416 cases were discovered in quarantine or locked down areas.

As of 6am on July 13, the country recorded a total of 32,665 infections, including 30,724 domestic and 1,941 imported cases. There were 29,154 cases found since April 27 when the fourth wave of infections hit the country.

Twelve provinces have passed through 14 consecutive days without new cases in the community, including Yen Bai, Quang Tri, Tuyen Quang, Son La, Ninh Binh, Thai Nguyen, Dien Bien, Hai Duong, Phu Tho, Lao Cai, Quang Ninh and Hoa Binh.

As of July 13 morning, 9,331 patients had recovered from the disease and 125 died. Among patients under treatment, 339 patients have tested negative to SARS-CoV-2 once, 130 twice and 70 thrice.

On July 12, 15,901 more people were vaccinated against COVID-19, bringing the total number of administered shots to 4,063,872. Up to 280,367 people were given fully two shots.

Dong Thap applies social distancing amid Covid-19 outbreak

Social distancing regulations in line with Government Directive 16 will be applied to the whole Dong Thap Province from July 14 amid the on-going Covid-19 spread. 

The decision was announced by Dong Thap Provincial People’s Committee Chairman Pham Thien Nghia at a meeting on Covid-19 prevention and control on Monday.

The province imposed social distancing regulations of Directive 16 from July 11 to the districts of Lap Vo, Lai Vung and Chau Thanh and Sa Dec City.

However, the province’s pandemic has continued worsening in the province. So the province decided to apply social distancing regulations of Directive 16 for the remaining localities of Tam Nong, Thanh Binh, Hong Ngu, Tan Hong and Thap Muoi districts from July 14.

Under Nghia’s request, local firms which fail to meet requirements of ensuring accommodation and food for their staff at their facilities need to be suspended.

Local state agencies have been asked to tightly manage their staff in terms of Covid-19 prevention measures.

Dong Thap is struggling to deal with the Covid-19 outbreak at Sa Dec General Hospital and another at a company in Cao Lanh City.

Between June 24 and July 12, Dong Thap recorded 620 new Covid-19 local infections.

Vietnam’s largest waste-to-energy plant nears completion

Imagine if Hanoi had no place to bury its garbage. How would the huge amount of waste collected every day be handled? Such questions, however, will no longer be a concern, as a plant generating electricity from waste, with a capacity of 4,000 tons a day, will begin operations in the capital in September. 

Located next to the Nam Son Waste Treatment Complex in Hanoi, the Soc Son Waste-to-Energy Plant can readily receive garbage every day. Once completed, it will be the largest of its kind in Vietnam and the second largest in the world, with a capacity of handling 4,000 tons of dry solid waste each day.

The plant has 16 entry gates suited to different types of garbage trucks currently used in Vietnam.

These trucks are now testing the unloading of garbage at the 16 gates to ensure precision when the plant comes into operation.

On May 28, the plant received its first garbage trucks passing through the weighing station, officially beginning the first phase of receiving and treating garbage after 21 months of construction.

Tian Ying also said it has submitted a dossier to the national electricity dispatching centre applying to generate power. It is expected that the plant will begin a 25-day pilot on September 5 before it officially comes into operation.

The project was approved by Hanoi authorities in late 2017 and has total investment of 7 trillion VND (303 million USD).

According to the Hanoi Department of Construction, the city currently discharges 6,000 tonnes of waste every day. Most is buried at the Nam Son Waste Treatment Complex. It is hoped that this new project will reduce pollution levels, which have for years affected daily life in the capital./.

Additional 465 domestic COVID-19 cases confirmed

Vietnam logged an additional 466 COVID-19 cases in the past 12 hours to 6am on July 13, including one imported in the southern province of Tay Ninh, reported the Ministry of Health.

Of them, 365 were detected in Ho Chi Minh City, 52 in Long An, 23 in Vinh Long, 12 in Dong Nai, seven in Phu Yen, five in Tay Ninh and one in Hanoi. As many as 416 cases were discovered in quarantine or locked down areas.

As of 6am on July 13, the country recorded a total of 32,665 infections, including 30,724 domestic and 1,941 imported cases.

There were 29,154 cases found since April 27 when the fourth wave of infections hit the country.

Twelve provinces have passed through 14 consecutive days without new cases in the community, including Yen Bai, Quang Tri, Tuyen Quang, Son La, Ninh Binh, Thai Nguyen, Dien Bien, Hai Duong, Phu Tho, Lao Cai, Quang Ninh and Hoa Binh.

As of July 13 morning, 9,331 patients had recovered from the disease and 125 died.

Among patients under treatment, 339 patients have tested negative to SARS-CoV-2 once, 130 twice and 70 thrice.

On July 12, 15,901 more people were vaccinated against COVID-19, bringing the total number of administered shots to 4,063,872. Up to 280,367 people were given fully two shots.

As of July 12, Vietnam’s COVID-19 vaccine fund had raised a total of 8,082 billion VND (351.3 million USD), donated by 432,369 individuals and organisations./. 

Vietnam responds to COVID-19 with drastic actions: WHO official

Vietnam has responded to COVID-19 clusters and cases with vigorous actions and it is on the right track in addressing current outbreaks, said Dr Kidong Park, Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Vietnam.

Talking to the press, Park said WHO believes that with its capacity, Vietnam can curb the on-going outbreak through a whole-of-society approach, which has been oriented by the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control right since the pandemic hit the country.

According to the WHO official, outbreaks in many provinces and cities have basically been put under control but some localities are still facing challenges, such as Ho Chi Minh City where more cases and clusters of unknown sources were reported.

With thorough tracing and large-scale testing, it is expected that localities will detect more infections, especially those in the F1 groups, he said.

Park recommended Vietnam to coordinate actions from all ministries and sectors and good compliance of the public to quickly control the outbreaks.

He also underlined the need to seriously implement and strengthen public health measures, and communication work, and expand the coverage of COVID-19 vaccination.

WHO has been and will continue working closely with the Ministry of Health to provide the most updated scientific evidence to support the Government of Vietnam in its making decisions to cope with the pandemic, the official stressed./.

French Communist Party leader hails Vietnam’s development achievements

Fabien Roussel, National Secretary of the French Communist Party, received Vietnamese ambassador to France Pham Dinh Toan in Paris on July 12.

Roussel expressed his delight at the recent positive development of the relations between the two countries as well as between the French Communist Party and the Communist Party of Vietnam.

He noted that leaders of the two countries have maintained practical exchanges despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, creating momentum for bilateral relations. Leaders of the two parties also exchanged and visited each other, showing great solidarity and special bond.

Roussel said he is impressed with Vietnam’s COVID-19 prevention and control and socio-economic development in recent times.

He affirmed that members of the French Communist Party and elected MPs of the party always strive to strengthen the relations and multifaceted cooperation between the two parties, two parliaments and localities of the two countries.

For his part, ambassador Thang briefed his host on the results of the recent 13th national congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and socio-economic development and foreign policy orientations in the coming years.  

He affirmed that Vietnam priotirises strengthening the bilateral relations with France, including the French Communist Party.

The Ambassador thanked for French Communists for their heartfelt support and assistance to Vietnam in the past and at present, while expressing his belief that the French Communist Party will continue to promote its tradition and revolutionary bravery to reap greater successes in the time ahead.

Both sides agreed to increase contacts and visit exchanges to further promote the Vietnam-France strategic partnership for peace, development and social progress in the two countries.

18 healthcare workers in HCM City infected with SARS-CoV-2

Eighteen healthcare workers in Ho Chi Minh City, the largest coronavirus hotspot in Vietnam, have been diagnosed with the SARS-CoV-2 virus during 24 hours, according to the HCM City Centre for Disease Control (HCDC).

The figure was recorded from 06.00am on July 11 to 06.00am on July 12, said Nguyen Hong Tam, deputy director of the HCDC.

Tam admitted that the local healthcare sector is under great pressure as it is providing care for more than 14,000 COVID-19 patients and the number of new cases is expected to keep rising in the coming days.

Nguyen Hoai Nam, deputy director of the HCM City Department of Health also noted that the surge in case numbers has forced doctors to fan out to epidemic hit areas, resulting in a sharp decline in numbers of doctors at hospitals. In addition, doctors and nurses have been working hard to screen visitors and patients before hospilisations.  

“Pressure is increasing…. However, during the two-week social distancing period, we will try to sort out all F0 cases to keep the outbreak in check,” said Nam.

He also added that the city has deployed the highest number of doctors and orderlies for treating patients.  

Manufacturing firms see improvements ahead

More than a third of manufacturing and processing enterprises believe business will pick up in the third quarter of this year.

A survey carried out by the General Statistics Office (GSO) found 39.2 per cent of firms questioned expect better performance in their production and business in the third quarter of 2021, and 38.6 per cent believe production and business will stabilise.

Meanwhile, 22.2 per cent of enterprises predict they may face more difficulties than the previous quarter.

The GSO said that industrial production in the second quarter reported positive growth as production and business activities were maintained and gradually recovered, with the added value up 11.45 per cent year-on-year.

In the first half of this year, the industrial sector’s added value is estimated to increase by 8.91 per cent year-on-year, of which the manufacturing and processing industries grew by 11.42 per cent.

At present, major groups are planning to invest in Viet Nam, mainly in electronic production and component manufacturing.

As of June 30, the inventory rate of the manufacturing and processing industries increased by 24.3 per cent year-on-year.

To address inventory and boost production, the Ministry of Planning and Investment proposed localities continue stepping up administrative procedure reform and simplifying specialised inspection procedures.

On June 1, the number of labourers working in industrial firms decreased by 1.4 per cent month-on-month, and 1 per cent year-on-year. 

Two more COVID-19-related deaths reported

Two more deaths related to COVID-19 with underlying health conditions were announced on July 12 evening, both in southern Dong Thap province.

The new fatalities brought Vietnam’s death toll throughout the pandemic to 125, said the Treatment Subcommittee under the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

One of the deceased was a 78-year-old woman from Sa Dec city. She suffered from gastrointestinal infections, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease and liver cancer.

She was treated in Sa Dec General Hospital in the province and died on July 9.

Her cause of death was recorded as septic shock in a patient with severe pneumonia, end-stage chronic kidney disease, liver cancer and SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The second death was a 63-year-old woman from the province’s Chau Thanh district.

Her medical history included stage 5 chronic renal failure, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and Cushing’s syndrome.

She was also treated in the Sa Dec General Hospital and also died on July 9.

Her cause of death was recorded as severe pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection complicated by progressive respiratory failure in a patient with end-stage chronic renal failure and type 2 diabetes./.

Product development contest launched for university students

A product development competition was launched in Hà Nội on Sunday for university students across the country.

Titled “The A Program: Product Development Challenge 2021”, the online competition aims to sharpen technological and business skills for third-year and final-year students, especially those interested in pursuing a career as a product developer.

Running throughout July and August, the contest is made up of three rounds and four training workshops, as well as mentoring opportunities where students can meet and learn from industry experts.

Contestants will be judged by the originality and practicality of their product ideas, and their ability to communicate on social media.

Five groups of contestants will be selected to compete in the final round, which will take place on August 21.

The competition is also an opportunity for businesses to approach and recruit potential employees.

The program is organised by the Local Chapter AIESEC in FHN, which is directly under AIESEC in Việt Nam, a member committee of AIESEC, which is known as the world's largest international youth-led organisation.

Speaking about the competition, Trần Sơn Tùng, Local Chapter Vice President from AIESEC in Việt Nam said: “Product development and management is a new area for Vietnamese students, and there aren't many programmes that provide them with information on job opportunities, career paths, market needs or in-depth knowledge on this industry.

“The program aims to give them not only a playground to improve their knowledge and skills in this area, but also the opportunities to connect with major corporations. It also helps students develop leadership skills through a leadership model developed by AIESEC.”

Đồng Nai expects to control COVID-19 in a month: official

The southern province of Đồng Nai needs about a month to control its COVID-19 outbreak, which has hit almost 400 cases in the fourth wave, said the provincial People’s Committee chairman Cao Tiến Dũng, adding that there are many undetected cases in the community.

A working group led by Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình visited the province on Monday to inspect the province’s COVID-19 prevention and control work.

Informing Bình about COVID-19 outbreaks in Đồng Nai, Dũng said the province, particularly Biên Hòa City, would continue to see an increase of SARS-CoV-2 cases and COVID-19 close contacts, or F1s.

“Without timely taking the F1s to concentrated quarantine areas and COVID-19 vaccines, the province would face many difficulties to cope with the COVID-19 outbreaks,” Dũng said.

For the last few days, the province reported big COVID-19 clusters at markets which then spread into workplaces and residential areas, Dũng said, adding that some confirmed COVID-19 cases were working at companies with 10,000-20,000 employees.

“If the outbreaks continue getting worse in the coming days, the province will have to ask to reduce the capacity of affected factories,” he said.

Đồng Nai is an industrial manufacturing hub in the south of Việt Nam with 31 industrial parks employing more than 600,000 people.

The province has prepared 100 beds for COVID-19 patients with critical health problems at two provincial hospitals and field hospitals with up to 1,500 beds.

Local authorities said a lockdown of Đồng Nai City was a possibility if the situation got worse, while other districts and cities would adopt disease prevention and control measures depending on the development of local COVID-19 outbreaks, Dũng said.

Dũng asked for the health ministry’s support to establish and operate the treatment area for COVID-19 patients with critical health problems.

He also asked the Government to allocate vaccines to localities with a high number of industrial parks and workers like Đồng Nai.

Nguyễn Phú Cường, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, said that the Government should have solutions relating to procurement as the province has funding but found it difficult to buy bioproducts and medical equipment for COVID-19 prevention and control.

Deputy Prime Minster Bình urged the province to speed up the provision of support for people affected by the pandemic.

Only workplaces that meet the requirements of disease prevention and control would be allowed to operate. Those failing to meet requirements must be suspended, Bình said, adding that local authorities and employers must ensure proper conditions for workers living in factory camps.

The province was also asked to take solutions to ensure the consumption of goods, particularly farming products.

The Government would ask the health ministry to support the province as well as allocate more vaccines for Đồng Nai when Việt Nam received more vaccines in August and September, Bình said.

Health ministry issues guidance on COVID-19-vaccine associated heart issues

The health ministry has released guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of rare heart inflammation issues following receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.

Health authorities in the US, Europe, and elsewhere have reported some rare cases of myocarditis and pericarditis occurring in individuals who received COVID-19 vaccines, especially mRNA-based ones like Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna, with the cause not yet made clear.

These heart issues are more common among younger males and more often following the second dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, according to the latest statement from the COVID-19 subcommittee of the WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS).

However, the health ministry noted the issues could worsen and become a danger to one’s life without timely detection and treatment, and urged caution when the symptoms indicate myocarditis/pericarditis like chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations following vaccination.

The symptoms typically appear 2-4 days after vaccination, but earlier occurrence (12 hours after vaccination) or later is also possible.

Physical examination may reveal no distinctive features or only pericardial friction rub, and the individual in question could have a fever or not.

Myocarditis/pericarditis respond well to conservative treatment and the condition improves within 3-5 days, but in some cases, it could turn acute, with manifestations of symptoms such as acute pulmonary oedema, acute heart failure, tamponade pericardial effusion, cardiogenic shock, tachyarrhythmias/bradycardias, fainting, and even sudden death.

All people who suffer from suspect symptoms need to notify the health ministry's hotline 19009095 or come to the nearest hospitals to rule out the possibilities of acute myocarditis.

In case of acute myocarditis, the patient needs to be closely monitored at a facility capable of performing cardiovascular resuscitation, and if the condition gets worse, the patient would need to be moved to a specialised heart hospital.

There is no specific treatment regime for post-vaccine acute myocarditis and pericarditis as yet. The recommended measures are to use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the medical staff must be ready to provide respiratory/circulatory support when there are critical developments such as acute pulmonary oedema, acute heart failure, arrhythmia, cardiogenic shock or pericardial effusion.

In case of heart failure with pulmonary oedema, the priority is to administer intravenous loop diuretics, oxygen, and assisted ventilation.

For people who had myocarditis/pericarditis after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, if an additional dose(s) is required then another vaccine with a different technology should be chosen.

The health ministry stressed the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines outweigh the risks of myocarditis and pericarditis even among young people and that the vaccine is the way out of the pandemic.

“While acknowledging the clear benefits of the mRNA vaccines in reducing deaths and hospitalisations due to COVID-19 infections, the subcommittee encourages all health professionals to report all events of myocarditis and other adverse events observed with these and other vaccines,” the statement from the WHO reads.

Việt Nam has placed an order of 30 million doses from Pfizer (the first shipment arrived on July 7) and received 2 million doses of Moderna as a donation from the US government via the COVAX Facility on July 10.

Mekong Delta sees bountiful summer – autumn rice crop despite impact of pandemic

The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta is harvesting the summer - autumn crop and has had a successful rice crop despite the impact of the COVID - 19 pandemic, Nguyễn Thanh Tùng, deputy head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Plant Cultivation Department, has said.

Speaking at an online seminar last week, Tùng said in the summer - autumn crop, farmers in the delta, the country’s rice granary, sowed 1.51 million hectares of rice, down 9,000ha against last year and are estimated to have a total output of 8.58 million tonnes of paddy, up 124,000 tonnes against last year.

The rates of fragrant, speciality and high-quality rice varieties increased, while the rates of medium-quality rice varieties fell.

The reduced areas of the summer - autumn rice were switched to vegetables, fruits or aquatic species which have high value and require less irrigation water than rice.

To reduce production costs for the summer - autumn rice, local authorities have taught advanced cultivation techniques and encouraged farmers to use effective rice models. These measures have helped farmers reduce the quantity of rice seeds used for sowing to 150 kg per hectare, down 2.2 per cent against last year, and farmers still achieved a good yield.

Delta farmers are also using more machines in harvesting and post - harvesting. As much as 100 per cent of the summer - autumn rice area used ploughing machines, while the rate of machines used for harvesting was 90 per cent.

However, the cost of fertiliser and pesticides accounted for a high rate of production cost of the summer - autumn rice, with fertiliser accounting for 22 per cent and pesticides 16 per cent.

The department warned farmers to promptly harvest the remaining areas of the summer - autumn rice when the rice fields are ready for harvest to mitigate the impact of rains which can flatten ripe rice plants.

Under the Department of Plant Cultivation’s plan for the autumn - winter rice this year, the delta will sow 700,000ha of autumn - winter rice at an estimated average yield of 5.52 tonnes per hectare, up 11 kg against last year.

The sowing schedules of the autumn - winter rice last between late June to late August.

In Đồng Tháp Mười (Plain of Reeds) and Long Xuyên Quadrangle regions, which deeply flood in the flooding season, farmers were instructed to sow the autumn - winter rice between the end of June and August 20.

Fragrant rice varieties account for 30 per cent and key export rice varieties 50 - 60 per cent.

Nguyễn Đức Dũng, head of the Southern Institute of Water Resources Research, said that water resources are favourable for the autumn - winter rice crop. The level of flooding caused by the rising level of the Mekong River in the delta’s upstream areas in the rainy season will not be high, so the delta’s flood prevention dykes and embankments can protect the rice crop.

However, delta authorities should review important flood prevention dykes and embankments, and set up plans to respond to flooding incidents.

Lê Minh Hoan, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said: “The delta’s localities should pay more attention to helping farmers with new farming models and advanced farming techniques.”

Minister: public security forces uphold heroic tradition

Politburo member and Minister of Public Security Gen. To Lam has written an article on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the traditional day of the people’s public security forces (July 12).

The minister affirmed that over the past 75 years, the public security forces have always been absolutely loyal to the Party and the Fatherland under any circumstances, foiling all sabotage plots and activities of reactionary hostile forces, and accomplishing the task of protecting national security.

In the face of the enemies’ malicious plot to promote the "peaceful evolution" strategy, the public security forces have renewed their professional measures, defeated propaganda activities on pluralism and multi-partyism, and nullified ideological sabotage campaigns, he affirmed.

In the Doi Moi (renewal) and global integration era, the public security forces have ensured absolute security and safety of activities of the Party and State leaders, international conferences and the country’s important political, cultural and external events. They stopped and beat every sabotage plot and activity of hostile and reactionary forces, as well as incitement to separation, terrorism, sabotage and demonstration that causes social insecurity and disorder. The forces have also safeguarded State secrets, prevented the phenomena of “self-evolution” and “self-transformation”, thus ensuring solidarity, unity and protecting the Party’s leadership role.

Regarding non-traditional security challenges, the public security forces have effectively protected cyber security, prevented the formation of opposition political organisations at home as well as terrorism and sabotage, and effectively dealt with complex situations related to security and social order, leaving no loopholes for reactionary and hostile forces to incite sabotage.

As complicated developments in the regional and global situations are posing great challenges to national security protection, the public security forces have worked closely with ministries, agencies and localities to guarantee security and order in the strategic northwestern, Central Highlands and southwestern regions. The forces have stopped attempts to take advantage of religious and ethnic issues, disputes and internal frustrations among the public to sabotage the Party and State.

The forces have firmly protected national security early and from afar; timely detected, prevented, drove back and wiped out all threats to national security; protected the Party’s leadership role, the people’s socialist regime and maintained political stability and a peaceful environment, the minister said.

Concluding the article, Lam affirmed that the entire forces will continue upholding their glorious heroic tradition, keep striving to overcome difficulties and challenges, stay ready to sacrifice for the cause of protecting national security and firmly safeguarding national security in any circumstance, thus deserving the trust of the Party, State and people./.

HCM City grants QR codes to over 12,000 vehicles transporting essential goods

The Transport Department of Ho Chi Minh City as of July 11 afternoon had granted QR identification codes to over 12,000 vehicles, which are allowed to transport essential goods through COVID-19 quarantine checkpoints in the city – Vietnam’s now largest pandemic outbreak hotspot.

Accordingly, from July 8-11, the department issued QR codes to a total of 12,207 vehicles of 22 units to facilitate the transportation of essential goods.

Trucks from neighbouring provinces must be identified by QR codes so that they can pass through anti-pandemic checkpoints quickly.

With all three of its largest wholesale markets and half of the traditional markets, supermarkets and food stores closed, the city is publicising information about 2,833 food supply points with locations, contact phone numbers and delivery methods for people to easily access them.

The city Department of Industry and Trade said the list of these places will be sent to each district, ward and commune, adding the number of places is high and they are widely distributed, and so the public could be assured of uninterrupted supply./.

Vietnam’s average monthly income in 2020 down 1%

 

 

Per capita monthly income of Vietnamese people was averaged at 4.2 million VND (183 USD) in 2020, down 1 percent year-on-year, according to a survey conducted by the General Statistics Office. 

The decrease is attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has bad impacts on all aspects of the socio-economic life.

The office’s data also revealed that last year’s monthly income in urban areas was 1.6 times higher than that in rural areas.

It said in the first six months of 2021, over 1.1 million people in the working age were unemployed, over 101,000 people higher than the same period last year. In the second quarter, nearly 1.2 million people became jobless./.

UNCLOS vital to safeguard the rights of ASEAN in East Sea: Malaysian website

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN)’s solidarity play an important role in resolving sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea (which is called East Sea by Vietnam), according to an article published by Theinsnews.com on July 11.

The article emphasised that the UNCLOS 1982 is an important legal instrument to define issues relating to sovereignty, territorial waters and rights and obligations of a maritime state. This is the legal basis for coastal states to make maritime policies and develop corresponding legal documents.

On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)'s ruling on the East Sea on July 12, 2016, the article reiterated the importance of the ruling that said China has no legal basis or historical claim for its nine-dash line.

The author of the article recommended that it is important for the international community and especially ASEAN countries to base their sovereignty claims in the East Sea on the UNCLOS and in line with the PCA's ruling.

The article also highlighted the role of ASEAN in settling disputes in the East Sea.

To ensure that the resources of the East Sea are used for the benefit of ASEAN states, it would be ideal for ASEAN countries to reach a firm political, military and economic agreement to respect each other's claims while jointly investing in the protection of the area for the benefit of all participating nations, it said./.

47 workers attempt 400 km hike to avoid Covid-19

47 workers were found walking 400km to their homes in Quang Ngai Province due to Covid-19 fears while working in Khanh Hoa.

The group of 31 men and 16 women were found walking in Ninh Ich Commune, Khanh Hoa Province.

According to the group, they all worked for the same boss in Khanh Hoa Province for over two months. They often took a break each month to go home to Quang Ngai Province. Amid the current Covid-19 wave, they wanted to quit jobs but couldn't find any bus to take them to Quang Ngai. In the end, they decided to walk 400km to go home.

They had walked 50km when they were found by the police in Ninh Ich Commune on July 10. They were asked to go to Ninh Hoa Commune Medical Station for a quick test and the results came back negative.

Khanh Hoa Military Command then transferred them to Ba To District, Quang Ngai Province.

On July 11, Pham Xuan Vinh, chairman of Ba To District People's Committee in Quang Ngai, said they had received the workers. "All of them have been sent home and will be self-isolated. We have also started taking samples for testing."

Efforts needed for Vietnam’s cycling cities

 

Cycling is a great way to stay active and cut your carbon footprint. Many cities around the world are encouraging the broader use of this green mode of transport. In Vietnam, efforts to promote cycling and build bicycle cities are now being considered.

In 2018, the United Nations declared June 3 as World Bicycle Day. A year later, Cycling Week was launched in Vietnam by Architect Le Viet Ha and his colleagues at Ashui.com, an architectural forum.

In 2020, during Cycling Week, a workshop entitled “Hue, the Cycling City” was held to promote the building of Hue into a “Cycling City”.

In addition to Hoi An, localities such as Hue and Ho Chi Minh City are keen on building a roadmap for campaigns to change people’s travel habits and encourage them to use bicycles. But many difficulties are still to be resolved.

There are still many difficulties on the journey to building bicycle-friendly cities in Vietnam and promoting cycling given the inadequacies in local infrastructure. But with major efforts being made towards sustainable development, the use of bicycles is becoming a priority./.

HCM City puts into operation 1,000-bed COVID-19 resuscitation centre

Ho Chi Minh City's Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control has decided to put into operation a 1,000 resuscitation centre amid increasingly complicated developments of the epidemic in the southern hub.

Accordingly, the inpatient treatment area of the oncology hospital in Thu Duc city will change its function to serve as the resuscitation centre.

As of July 12, the city logged over 13,000 cases of COVID-19, with the number predicted to further increase. Although the number of asymptomatic and mild symptoms cases account for a high proportion of the city's count, the current treatment pressure is high.

According to the municipal Health Department, the city has to date prepared 28,500 beds for COVID-19 patients with no symptoms, which will be increased to 30,000 next week. Meanwhile, 6,500 beds have been arranged at COVID-19 treatment hospitals, including 1,000 beds for severe cases.

The city is now in need of about 7,000 medical personnel. In response, the Ministry of Health has mobilised close to 10,000 doctors, nurses, and technical staff to support HCM City - the country's currently largest pandemic hotspot./.

Vietnam prioritises fostering relations with France: diplomat

Vietnam continues to prioritise enhancing its relations with France, especially its traditional friendship with the French Communist Party, of which Vietnam’s late President Ho Chi Minh was one of founding members.

The statement was made by Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang during his meeting with National Secretary of the French Communist Party Fabien Roussel on July 12.

Thang briefed the host on the outcomes of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) as well as the country’s socio-economic development orientations and foreign policy in the coming time.

He thanked leaders and members of the French Communist Party for supporting the CPV and Vietnamese people during the past struggle for national independence and the current nation building and safeguarding cause.

Vietnam prioritises fostering relations with France: diplomat hinh anh 2
Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang (L) meets National Secretary of the French Communist Party Fabien Roussel (Photo: VNA)
National Secretary Fabien Roussel expressed his delight at positive developments in relations between the two countries and two parties, reflected through meetings of the two sides’ leaders amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said he was impressed by Vietnam’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and its socio-economic development achievements over the past time.

He affirmed that his party’s members always exert efforts to strengthen bilateral multifaceted cooperation.

Both host and guest agreed to step up bilateral relations, with the focus on organising joint activities, intensifying delegation exchange and cooperation between Vietnam’s Nhan Dan (People) newspaper and France’s l’Humanité (Humanity) newspaper.

The relationship between the two parties will continue creating a firm political foundation to consolidate the Vietnam-France strategic partnership for peace, development and social progress as well as for the benefits of the two countries’ people, they affirmed./.

ASEAN+3 nations discuss solutions to tourism recovery

The 39th online meeting of ASEAN+3 (China, Japan and Republic of Korea) National Tourism Organisations discussed the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism activities and worked out solutions, reported the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Participants said tourism exchange between member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, Japan and the RoK has been strongly hit by the pandemic.

The ASEAN+3 countries proposed a number of measures to recover the sector such as helping each other hold online events, enhancing tourism promotion campaigns in the region, surveying tourists and welcoming visitors in the region and the world when conditions allow.

According to the VNAT, Vietnam will work closely with all member states to carry out the ASEAN+3 Tourism Cooperation Work Plan for the 2021-2025 period to revitalise the sector./.

Diplomacy sector urged to adhere to foreign policy set by 13th Party Congress

The diplomacy sector must adhere to reality, the Government’s priorities and foreign policy put forward by the 13th National Party Congress, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has said.

At a conference reviewing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ performance of tasks in the first half of 2021 and mapping out plans for the remaining months held in Hanoi on July 12, Son said the world scene has been greatly affected by the extremely complicated, uncertain and lingering developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, inducing new trends and issues.

Therefore, the diplomacy sector must focus on both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, and enhance the effectiveness of international economic integration, economic and cultural diplomacy, provision of information for external services, and border and overseas Vietnamese affairs, he said.

The ministry also needs to foster better coordination between State diplomacy and Party, National Assembly and people-to-people diplomacy, Son told the conference.

It was widely agreed by attendees that the world has been seeing progress in fighting COVID-19 and gradual economic recovery, with increasing cooperation, dialogues and multilateralism, but there is a great risk of COVID-19 surges, even in nations with high vaccination rates and in Southeast Asia.

The foreign affairs have been done actively, flexibly, and creatively in the during the last six months, contributing the Government’s concerted efforts to realise the “twin goals,” strengthen ties with partners, promote multilateral diplomacy and heighten the country’s position in the international stage.

The ministry has joined hands in arranging 35 phone talks between top Vietnamese leaders and those of foreign partners, accelerated “vaccine diplomacy” and actively dedicated to the COVID-19 response.

As Vietnam continues holding a non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council in 2021, Vietnam has paid greater attention to multilateral diplomacy with a variety of activities, highly regarded by the international community./.

 

More COVID-19 cases logged across Southeast Asia

The number of new daily COVID-19 cases have been on the rise in a host of nations across Southeast Asia.

On July 12, the Lao Ministry of Health confirmed 106 COVID-19 infections, consisting of 104 imported cases, mostly in Savannakhet and Champasak, and two domestic cases in Vientiane.

The ministry warned of a high risk of community transmission as the number of Lao workers working in neighbouring countries returning home continues to increase. To date, the nation has recorded a total of 2,825 COVID-19 cases, including three deaths.

On the same day, 911 cases of COVID-19 and 23 related deaths were added to Cambodia’s count. These brought the total cases to over 61,000 and the death toll 925.

As announced at a press conference attended by representatives of the nation’s health sector on July 12, home care and treatment is permitted for patients who are asymptomatic or are show mild symptoms. Children as well are allowed to receive care and treatment at home, reported the local news agency Khmer Times.

Also on July 12, the Philippines posted 5,204 new cases and 100 deaths, pushing up the national tally and death toll to 1,478,061 and 26,015, respectively.

To date, over 3.5 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated against the novel coronavirus, with the Government eyeing the figure to reach 70 million this year.

Indonesia has recorded a daily count of over 30,000 cases since July 6, lifting the total to 2.52 million, with 66,400 fatalities./. 

HCM City completes power supply to COVID-19 treatment hospitals

Hoc Mon and Binh Chanh power companies of the Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation (EVN HCMC) have completed power supply to new COVID-19 treatment hospitals set up in the two districts.

According to EVN HCMC, a mobile transformation station with a capacity of 400 kVA, and a 250-KVA generator were installed in the COVID-19 treatment hospital No.5A in Hoc Mon district.

Meanwhile, seven transformation stations and two generators were installed to ensure power supply for a COVID-19 treatment hospital in Vinh Loc B commune in Binh Chanh district.

Another mobile transformation station with a designed capacity of 560 kVA was provided for a COVID-19 treatment hospital in Binh Hung commune.

Earlier on July 10, the Thu Duc power company put 11 transformation stations with a total capacity of 22MWA into operation in six resettlement areas in An Khanh ward, which are being used as a temporary hospital and concentrated quarantine areas.

According to EVN HCM City, the firm has ensured power supply for more than 150 facilities serving COVID-19 prevention and control in the city, including temporary hospitals, medical stations, concentrated quarantine sites, COVID-19 check points and 538 vaccination facilities./.

Health centre of Truong Sa township - source of support for Vietnamese at sea

Equipped with modern equipment and skilled medical workers, the health centre of Truong Sa township in the island district of Truong Sa, central Khanh Hoa province, has become a source of support for local residents and military personnel as well as fishermen working at sea.

From a three-member medical team of the Defence Ministry’s Military Hospital 175, based in Ho Chi Minh City, the health centre now has 10 staff members and is capable of providing medical check-ups and long-term treatment.

The application of the telemedicine system has also helped greatly raise the rates of people getting examined and cured successfully.

Captain Phan Quang Thinh, head of the healthcare centre, said the telemedicine system has proved useful for selecting the best treatment regimens, helping medical workers save the lives of many fishermen and military personnel.

Health centre of Truong Sa township - source of support for Vietnamese at sea hinh anh 2
Health centres across Truong Sa archipelago have provided examination and medicine for more than 56,000 patients over the last five years (Photo: VNA)
The centre has also received patients from other island communes for treatment, he noted.

It is now capable of giving first aid and treatment to patients with many acute diseases like heart attack, gastrointestinal bleeding, appendicitis, respiratory failure, blood poisoning, and stroke.

Over the last five years, health centres across Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago of Vietnam have provided examination and medicine for more than 56,000 patients and given emergency treatment to more than 400 cases.

The increasingly modern healthcare system on the country’s seas and islands is believed to be a source of support for military officers and soldiers to continue firmly safeguarding the Fatherland’s sky and sea areas, and for fishermen to keep working at sea, thus sustaining the connectivity between the mainland and maritime areas of Vietnam./.

NEC adopts Resolution confirming eligibility of 499 NA deputies

The National Election Council (NEC) discussed and adopted a Resolution confirming the eligibility of 499 winners in the 15th National Assembly election during its eighth meeting in Hanoi on July 12.

Chairing the event, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, who is also NEC Chairman, asked the NEC, its sub-committees and office to promptly complete a report reviewing the outcomes of the 15th NA election and relevant documents, in preparation for a nationwide review teleconference scheduled for July 15 and the first session of the 15th legislature.

About the nationwide teleconference on the election outcomes, Hue assigned the NEC Office to work with sub-committees to transfer election-related documents to the 15th-tenure NA Standing Committee, including dossiers of NA deputies and documents on the settlement of complaints and denunciations.

On the occasion, he also thanked NEC members and relevant agencies for their efforts over the past two months.

He lauded voters and people at home and abroad for joining the election responsibly, reflecting their patriotism and the spirit of great national unity.

According to him, People’s Councils at all levels have held their first sessions, completing the elections of key leaders of local administrations. The NA Chairman has also approved the outcomes of the election of Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons of centrally-run municipal and provincial People’s Councils./.

Murals in Hanoi convey message of fighting Covid-19

 

A 100-metre-long wall on Vu Trong Khanh street in Hanoi's Ha Dong district, is now painted with colorful images that spread a message of fighting COVID-19. It is a work by the Hanoi Youth Union.

Hanoi is planning to carry out a large-scale COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

The campaign targets all people aged between 18-65, with more than 5.1 million doses to be used.

After the municipal People’s Committee approves the plan, it will be published on the municipal Health Department’s website next week.

If the supply is ensured, Hanoi will try to deliver a maximum of 200,000 injections a day. The city is also establishing 824 vaccination stations, and deploying 100 mobile emergency aid teams to respond in case any post-injection reactions occur.

Deputy head of Hanoi’s Centre for Disease Control Khong Minh Tuan said that at present, all wards and communes have asked residents to register for inoculations. People can register for vaccination right at wards or communes where they live, or online via the COVID-19 vaccination portal.

The capital city has so far recorded 61 positive cases since July 4, including 23 cases related to arrivals from HCM City, the country’s current largest COVID-19 hotspot./.

Nam Can Tho University wants to build university-urban complex

The Nam Can Tho University in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho has proposed to develop a university-urban complex with a total investment of 7 trillion VND (304.7 million USD) in Cai Rang district.

The municipal Department of Construction has been tasked with coordinating with relevant agencies to study the proposal.

The university’s proposal, submitted to the municipal People’s Committee on June 21, envisaged a complex on an area of 100 ha, which will include a campus, dormitories, a high-tech centre meeting regional and international standard, along with a system of schools from kindergarten to high school levels, a vocational training centre, a digital library, and a software production centre.

The complex will also feature an ecological urban area, a hospital, an opera house, a multifunctional sports centre, a shopping centre, restaurants and hotels, and a pharmaceutical production area.

Nam Can Tho University is a private university based in Ninh Kieu district. It has invested in building training facilities, including a hospital in Nam Can Tho residential area with a total budget of 800 billion VND./.

President spotlights important role of public security forces

Public security forces must perform well the tasks of protecting the Party, the State, the regime and national security, and ensuring safety and legitimate interests of people, contributing to safeguarding the national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc said on July 12.

Addressing a ceremony to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the traditional day of the people's public security forces in Hanoi, the State leader underlined the duties and responsibilities of the forces for maintaining political and social stability and ensuring a peaceful environment, security, order and discipline.

He emphasised the requirement to ensure national security in the context of increasing non-traditional security challenges, saying that in any circumstances, the public security forces must always uphold the principle of ensuring the absolute and direct leadership in all aspects of the Party, the command of the President, and the management of the Government.

They need to determine that economic security protection is an important task of the national security protection, the President said.

In the process of settling complicated security cases, it is necessary to follow the principle of putting the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and national interests first, and always respect legitimate rights and interests of organisations and individuals, he noted.

On the occasion, the President handed over the first-class Fatherland Defence Order to the people's public security force of the Ministry of Public Security, recorgnising its outstanding achievements in safeguarding the national security./.

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