The Ministry of Health (MoH) confirmed an additional 50 locally transmitted coronavirus cases in four localities during the past 6 hours, including 32 in Bac Giang, the country’s largest COVId-19 hotspot.

All the new cases in Bac Giang were documented in quarantine and lockdown areas linked to outbreaks at industrial parks in the locality, the MoH said in its 12:00am COVID-19 update.

Elsewhere, nine cases were confirmed in Bac Ninh, eight in Lang Son and one in Long An.

Vietnam is battling the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the virus spreading to 34 cities and provinces across the country.

Bac Giang is the worst hit locality recording nearly 2,500 positive cases, or more than half of the country’s tally of infections since the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in late April.

The MoH has recently dispatched 148 more health workers from health facilities across the country to Bac Giang to help it slow the spread of the virus.

These doctors and nurses specialize in emergency resuscitation, image diagnosis, testing, infection control, nutrition; medical device engineering and pharmacy.

Experts are working on plans to erect three more field hospitals to receive and treat COVID-19 patients following the operation the its field hospital No2 several days ago.

Binh Dinh suspends street trading, public activities over coronavirus concern

The central province of Binh Dinh decided to halt street trading, cultural, sports and entertainment activities in public places starting today, June 1, in an attempt to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to a dispatch signed on May 31 by Lam Hai Giang, vice chairman of the provincial government, local authorities in the province were told to encourage residents to refrain from sea bathing and to comply with Covid-19 safety measures. Takeaway services were also encouraged during this time, reported Bnews.

Earlier, the provincial government ordered the suspension of passenger transport services on fixed routes, contract cars and taxis between Binh Dinh and virus-hit HCMC starting from May 31.

Further, the central province announced that people arriving in or returning to Binh Dinh from HCMC’s locked down areas will be quarantined for 21 days and those coming from other areas of HCMC will be quarantined for 14 days.

In addition, dine-in restaurants must not use more than 50% of their seats and must practice social distancing.

Vietnam hopes for more int'l support in accessing COVID-19 vaccines

Vietnam hopes to receive more support from international organisations and countries around the world to access more sources of COVID-19 vaccines, Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long told at an online meeting with representatives from the COVAX Facility scheme (COVAX) and health officials from a number of countries on June 1.

During his remarks, Minister Long, on behalf of the Vietnamese Government, highly valued the initiative of the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in establishing the scheme with the goal of providing 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021, and ensuring fair and equal access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries.

He urged COVAX to accelerate the supply of vaccines for Vietnam, noting that the country is witnessing the increasing number of locally-transmitted COVID-19 infections, especially in industrial parks.

Vietnam is actively promoting the purchase of technology, receiving technology transfer for vaccine production to be able to self-produce vaccines serving local people, Long said.

According to the minister, Vietnam has so far received nearly 2.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from COVAX out of a total of 38.9 million doses committed by it in 2021.

Vietnam is urgently carrying out its vaccination campaign in line with the plan approved by COVAX Facility, he noted.

Vietnam is committed to participating in the technology transfer chain for vaccine production, he said, adding that the country will invest in a vaccine production factory, which is expected to be licensed for production to supply vaccines to COVAX Facility and other countries.

Minister Long announced that Vietnam will contribute 500,000 USD to the COVAX Facility scheme. This support shows appreciation for the effectiveness of this global initiative in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and affirms the Vietnamese Government’s commitment to engaging strongly in the programme, he stressed.

The Vietnamese health official thanked COVAX Facility, international organisations and countries around the world for supporting Vietnam in accessing vaccines in the framework of the scheme and other vaccine sources, expressing his hope that with the cooperation of the world community, COVAX will realise its goal, contributing to pushing back the global pandemic with vaccines.

COVAX Facility – a mechanism set up by the WHO, GAVI, UNICEF, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and manufacturers and partners for the development of vaccines to ensure that all countries have fair and effective access to vaccines.

According to an announcement from UNICEF, the COVAX Facility has committed to supplying Vietnam with 30 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine this year./.

Hanoi to reduce density of quarantined people after dozens of COVID-19 cases

Hà Nội’s Centre for Diseases Control on Monday moved suspected COVID-19 cases from the concentrated quarantine area in the Military School of Hà Nội Capital High Command to FPT University dorms after dozens of cases were detected in the area on Sunday night.

Those who tested negative for the SARS-CoV-2 at least once have been moved to the university’s dorm.

According to the city’s Health Department, the military school based in Sơn Tây Town had 927 F1 people who had close contact with previously-confirmed cases in the city.

For the last few days, many quarantined F1 tested positive for the coronavirus.

On Sunday night, health authorities conducted COVID-19 tests for all people staying at the Military School, detecting 27 new cases who have now been transferred to hospitals for treatment.

According to the city’s CDC, the quarantined area has a high density of people who had close contact with confirmed cases for days, so there was high possibility that they were infected.

Director of the city’s Health Department Trần Thị Nhị Hà said that to avoid cross-infection within the concentrated quarantined area, only four to six people were allowed to share a room.

From Monday, the health department asked all concentrated quarantined areas across the city to ensure safe space for quarantined people and all of quarantined people would take tests as soon as possible, she said.

Chairman of Hà Nội People’s Committee Chu Ngọc Anh on Monday morning inspected the concentrated quarantine area in the military school.

“Many new COVID-19 cases reported in this concentrated quarantine area showed that local authorities effectively traced and identify suspected cases in high-risk areas,” he said, asking for higher alert in disease prevention and control at concentrated quarantined areas.

He also asked for reduced density and increased testing to detect new cases and avoid cross-infection.

He asked the Health Department to review and give priority to vaccinate all people working at concentrated quarantine areas including cleaners.

Since April 27, Hà Nội reported 411 COVID-19 cases including 93 cases relating to Đông Anh branch of the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases and 50 cases relating to Tân Triều branch of the National Cancer Hospital. 

59 nationals detained for illegally crossing into Vietnam from China

Border guards in the northern province of Cao Bang have detained 59 Vietnamese nationals attempting to illegally enter the country from China, during their patrols along the border on May 31

Upon being discovered by officers of Tra Linh and Ngoc Con Border Stations, the illegal entrants underwent a medical check-up before being immediately placed into quarantine as part of efforts to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

They said they have permanent residence in various localities across Vietnam, including Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Hai Phong, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa,Nghe An and Soc Trang.

The past few months has seen an increasing number of Vietnamese workers attempting to illegally enter the country from China, making it far more challenging for relevant agencies to ensure security and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mekong Delta province begins social distancing after coronavirus detection

The administration of the Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh has imposed social distancing on the entire province as of 00.00hrs on June 1 in order to keep the coronavirus in check after the first cases were detected.

The Ministry of Health announced the first local case in Tra Vinh on May 31 evening, tied to the outbreak at the Revival Ekklesia Mission Vietnam, a Christian congregation in Ho Chi Minh City’s Go Vap district.

The same day, the Tra Vinh Centre for Diseases Control confirmed another COVID-19 case in the locality. The latest patient is the first case’s young brother.

Local authorities said the Revival Ekklesia Mission Vietnam has emerged as the epicentre of HCM City's latest COVID-19 outbreak, and the detection of its first cases in Tra Vinh would pose a high risk of virus transmission in the local community.

The social distancing order takes effect as of June 1 until further notice, said the administration in its decision.

Deputy PM orders stricter COVID-19 prevention measures at HCM City industrial zones

Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình has ordered HCM City to tighten COVID-19 prevention measures at industrial zones and export processing zones as the city began its two-week social distancing period starting on Monday.

Deputy PM Bình on Monday led a delegation to inspect prevention measures at the Tân Thuận Export Processing Zone in District 7.

The team inspected production workshops, canteens and COVID-19 prevention plans at MTEX Vietnam Company Limited, Organ Needle Co Ltd, and Nikkiso Co Ltd.

Bình also inspected the dormitory of the Việt Nam National University of HCM City, which will be used as a concentrated quarantine area, and prevention measures in Cần Giờ District.

Bình ordered the city to speed up tracing of potential infections in the community, especially cases related to the cluster involving the Christian Revival Ekklesia Mission in Gò Vấp District. 

The increase in the number of locally transmitted cases is mostly related to members of the mission.

According to results of viral gene sequencing, the patients were infected with the highly contagious Indian variant. 

The HCM City Centre for Disease Control (HCDC) said that many people of the Christian mission had met in small rooms without wearing masks. The city will continue to take samples for large-scale testing to assess the risks in the area related to the mission. 

As many as 4,524 people are now in concentrated isolation, and 5,945 cases are isolated at home and at other accommodations in the city.

The city is also randomly testing passengers arriving in Tân Sơn Nhất international airport from other provinces. No positive cases at the airport have been reported thus far.

HCDC advised people to stay calm and follow the recommendations of the health sector. They must see a doctor right away when there are COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough, or difficulty in breathing, and must submit honest medical declarations.

Large-scale testing 

In a related move, the city authorities plan to conduct mass COVID-19 testing of people in high-risk locations, including workers in industrial parks and members of the religious mission. The city’s testing capacity has risen to 100,000 samples per day. 

Nguyễn Hoài Nam, deputy director of the Department of Health, said the health sector will first test people in high-risk areas, especially in Gò Vấp and Tân Phú districts, and then expand to other areas, instead of testing the entire city.

Nguyễn Thị Huỳnh Mai, chief of Office of the city’s Department of Health, said: “The health sector will prioritise large-scale testing in Gò Vấp District with 670,000 residents, as the district has recorded the highest number of positive cases related to the religion mission.”

From May 27 to 30, the HCDC took samples for COVID-19 testing from 151,487 people, including 2,722 F1s (close contacts), 148,765 other people related to locally transmitted cases, and others under screening testing.

According to HCDC, 149 cases have been confirmed positive in the city as announced by the Ministry of Health, while 57,810 cases were negative, and 93,528 cases are waiting for results.

Gò Vấp District, where the headquarters of the Christian church is based, is under lockdown for 15 days, with people not allowed to go out unless for justified reasons or for emergency situations.

Residents in the district have been visiting supermarkets and malls to buy food and other essential items in fear of scarcity during the weeks to come.

Transportation between the city and other localities has been restricted or banned in order to curb the spread of the virus, according to authorities.

The fourth wave has recorded 4,034 cases so far. The country has had 47 deaths since the beginning of the outbreak last year.

HCM City records 11 more COVID-19 cases linked to religious sect

An additional 11 people have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Ho Chi Minh City after 51 cases were announced on May 31 evening.

All the new cases were closely linked to the outbreak at the Revival Ekklesia Mission Vietnam, a Christian congregation in HCM City’s Go Vap district, said Nguyen Tan Binh, head of the local health service.

As many as 3,028 people have been identified as F1 cases (i.e. in first-hand contact with infections) since the first case was detected at the religious sect on May 26.

Of the total, 2,527 people have tested negative, and 415 others are awaiting results. The virus has also spread to 20 out of 22 districts in the city, with 52 cases logged in Go Vap district, 23 in district 12, and 22 each in Binh Thanh, Tan Phu and Tan Binh districts, Binh said.

Without drastic measures put in place, the virus is likely to spread faster in the community as these districts are populous locations in HCM City, he warned.

He also cited the results of investigations, saying the religious sect has 55 members instead of 20 as it had previously announced. Some positive cases had made false statement, while some have yet to make health declaration.

HCM City needs to prepare for the worst COVID-19 scenario: Deputy PM

Ho Chi Minh City needs to draw up plans for the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, while ramping up efforts to seek vaccine sources, Standing Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh said on May 31.

At a working session with representatives of the municipal Department of Health, Binh said apart from priority groups, HCM City should vaccinate workers and those working at industrial parks, as well as employees at State-designated quarantine facilities.

The official asked the city to continue protecting the health of medical workers on the frontline of the COVID-19 fight through inoculation.

Deputy Director of the municipal Health Department Tang Chi Thuong reported that as of May 31, local hospitals provided treatment for 221 COVID-19 patients.

There is a severe case transferred from the southern province of Long An, he said, adding that the remaining patients are in stable conditions.

The Cu Chi COVID-19 treatment hospital is treating 100 patients and quarantining 1,200 others returning from abroad. Meanwhile, the Can Gio one has admitted 127 patients since March 6.

Thuong said the city has prepared for the scenario of 5,000 cases, with more than 1,900 ward beds, including 200 ICU beds.

Earlier the same day, Binh had a working session with the Military Zone 7 High Command regarding COVID-19 prevention and control, especially issues relating to concentrated quarantine establishments under its management./.

Strong heat wave bakes northern, central Vietnam till weekend

The northern and central regions of Vietnam, including Hanoi capital, are forecast to continue enduring extreme heat until June 5 due to the arrival of a hot low-pressure area originating from the west.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the hot spell is likely to see lows of between 29 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius, with highs reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius.

Both northern and central regions will experience a period of low humidity at between 40% and 60%, whilst temperatures will climb above 35 degrees Celsius from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In Hanoi capital, temperatures are set to hover around 36 and 38 degrees Celsius, or even go up to 40 degrees Celsius in some places.

There will be a slight chance of thunderstorms and rain to occur during the evenings, said meteorologists.

The weather forecast authority has warned people of the dangers of exhaustion and heat stroke, especially for people who work outside for a long period of time.

Moreover, the hot weather poses risks of explosions and fires in residential areas due to the increasing demand for electricity, along with the added risk of forest fires breaking out in the central region.

Vietnam desires to host COVID-19 vaccine plant

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long, during his meeting with COVAX Facility representatives on May 31, proposed building a plant in Vietnam to manufacture COVID-19 vaccines for COVAX and countries worldwide.

Vietnam will invest in the plant and hope to get manufacturing franchise to supply vaccines to COVAX and other countries as well as to Vietnam itself,” Dr Long said at the meeting.

He proposed that the United nations-run COVAX Facility speed up the delivery of vaccines to Vietnam.

“Vietnam also hope that international organisations and countries around the world will continue to support us in accessing and providing COVID-19 vaccines," the Health Minister stressed.

He said Vietnam is actively ramping up the transfer and purchase of COVID-19 vaccine production technology.

Briefing his guests on Vietnam’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout and vaccination drive, Minister Long said the country has received over 2.6 million out of 38.9 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine committed by COVAX Facility. At present, it is urgently rolling out the vaccine for frontline forces to ensure a safe and effective process is achieved in line with the schedule approved by COVAX.

He highly appreciated the initiative of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to establish the COVAX Facility, which aims to deliver two billion COVID-19 vaccine doses this year and ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines for all countries globally.

Also at the meeting, Minister Long announced Vietnam’s US$500,000 grant to the COVAX Facility programme, appreciating the global initiative for its effectiveness in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and affirming Vietnam’s commitment to the COVAX Facility mission.

Vietnam, Cambodia open new border gate pair

The Tan Nam (Vietnam’s Tay Ninh province)- Meun Chey (Cambodia’s Prey Veng province) international border gate pair was officially opened on May 31.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Tay Ninh People's Committee Nguyen Manh Hung stressed the upgrading of the local Tan Nam border gate into an international one aims to foster economic, education, cultural and trade cooperation with Prey Veng and other localities in Cambodia.

In recent years, both volume and value of goods traded via the pair have been on the rise.

The Tan Nam international border is developed in association with eco-tourism, with its links to Prey Veng’s eco-sites set to be formed in the future, serving the two localities’ economic growth and job creation.

Currently, the southern province of Tay Ninh is home to three international and three national border gates./.

Deputy PM orders all-out efforts for import of COVID-19 vaccines

All possible measures must be taken and all obstacles must be addressed to soon secure COVID-19 vaccines, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, who is also Head of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, said at a meeting on May 31.

According a report presented by the Ministry of Health at the meeting, toward the goal of reaching herd immunity by the end of 2021, the ministry has worked drastically on the mission over the past months via meetings and negotiations with vaccine producers, as well as health units and diplomatic representatives of countries that produce the vaccines.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long affirmed that the target of importing 150 million doses of vaccines this year is possible.

He also encouraged all capable localities and businesses to join hands in importing the vaccines.

Currently, Vietnam has 27 companies that have the function of importing and trading vaccines. The Ministry of Health has to date licensed AstraZeneca and Sputnik V vaccines and is reviewing records of two other vaccines.

Acknowledging such efforts, Dam noted vaccines that have been licensed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), even if their manufacturers have yet to apply for a license in Vietnam, can still be imported. For the vaccines that have yet to get a licence from WHO but having been licensed for use by other countries, the ministry will immediately licence these vaccines when a local company can access them, he said.

Long informed that if the application for a licence is valid, the licence can be granted within five days.

The Deputy PM stated that Vietnam always adheres to the UN’s principle of fair vaccine access. He requested the Ministry of Health to urgently issue a circular guiding the registration for circulation in urgent cases for COVID-19 vaccines with simplified procedures, ensuring that all capable businesses are guided and provided with the best conditions.

In the coming time, the Ministry of Health will continue to introduce policies to encourage more localities and businesses to participate in the nation’s search for COVID-19 vaccines, Long said, adding that it will create best conditions possible for all localities, units and businesses in vaccine importing, licesing and testing processes./.

President extends greetings to kids on International Children’s Day

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc extended his warmest wishes to teenagers and children on the occasion of International Children’s Day (June 1) and the 80th founding anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer Organisation (May 15).

In his congratulatory letter, the President recalled examples of teenagers and children in past struggles for national independence, saying that the present generations have carried forward the traditions.

He also highlighted achievements recorded in teenager and child protection, care, and education, and efforts to promote children’s right to participate in relevant issues.

President Phuc urged Party committees and administrations at all levels, as well as agencies, organisations, teachers, and parents to pay more heed to ensuring children’s rights and obligations, spurring their comprehensive development./.

Hanoi determined to reduce infection risks in concentrated quarantine areas

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Chu Xuan Dung on May 31 urged relevant forces to enhance management of concentrated quarantine areas and drastically implement measures to minimise cross-infection risks there.

Dung, who is also deputy head of the standing board of the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, asked concentrated quarantine facilities to coordinate with localities and medical agencies to classify risks from F1 cases. Those with high risk will be arranged in a separate area.

He requested the sites to regularly disinfect places that are shared by quarantined people and ensure safe space among them, promote communications to raise public awareness of prevention and control measures, while enhancing inspections and strictly punishing those violating anti-pandemic regulations.

The same day, Hanoi’s Centre for Diseases Control moved suspected COVID-19 cases from the concentrated quarantine area in the Military School of Hanoi Capital High Command to FPT University dorms after dozens of cases were detected in the area on May 30 night.

Those who tested negative for the SARS-CoV-2 at least once have been moved to the university’s dorm.

According to the city’s Health Department, the military school based in Son Tay town had 927 F1 people who had close contact with previously-confirmed cases in the city.

For the last few days, many quarantined F1s tested positive for the coronavirus.

On May 30 night, health authorities conducted COVID-19 tests for all people staying at the Military School, detecting 27 new cases who have now been transferred to hospitals for treatment.

According to the city’s CDC, the quarantined area has a high density of people who had close contact with confirmed cases for days, so there was high possibility that they were infected.

Director of the city’s Health Department Tran Thi Nhi Ha said that to avoid cross-infection within the concentrated quarantined area, only four to six people were allowed to share a room.

Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh on May 31 morning inspected the concentrated quarantine area in the military school.

“Many new COVID-19 cases reported in this concentrated quarantine area showed that local authorities effectively traced and identified suspected cases in high-risk areas,” he said, asking for higher alert in disease prevention and control at concentrated quarantined areas.

He also asked for reduced density and increased testing to detect new cases and avoid cross-infection.

He asked the Health Department to review and give priority to vaccinate all people working at concentrated quarantine areas, including cleaners.

Since April 27, Hanoi reported 412 COVID-19 cases including 93 cases relating to Dong Anh branch of the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases and 50 cases relating to Tan Trieu branch of the National Cancer Hospital./.

Vietnam reports 111 new COVID-19 cases

A total of 111 new COVID-19 cases were added to the national tally over the past 12 hours to 6am on June 1, according to the Ministry of Health.

Among these infections, Ho Chi Minh City documented 51 cases, all related to the Revival Ekklesia Mission - a Christian church in Go Vap district, while 45 were recorded in Bac Giang province and 15 in Bac Ninh.

To date, Vietnam has logged 5,926 domestically-transmitted infections and 1,599 imported ones.

Thirteen more patients were given the all-clear, raising the total number of recoveries to 3,043. The death toll now stands at 47.

Among active patients undergoing treatment, 161 tested negative for the virus once, 91 twice and 79 thrice.

There are currently 145,014 people who had close contact with confirmed patients and entered the countries under quarantine at hospitals, concentrated quarantine facilities or at residences./.

 

Binh Phuoc: Four wild animals released back to nature

The Centre for Rescue, Conservation and Development of Wild Animals of the Bu Gia Map National Park in the southern province of Binh Phuoc has recently coordinated with forest rangers to return four rare animals to nature.

The released animals, including two long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), a wildcat (Felis silvestris), and a pygmy slow loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus), were handed over to the centre by local people in early 2021. They had been treated and taken care of in a semi-wild environment for between four and five months.

After the release, the centre will continue to keep a close watch on the animals’ adaptation to their new living environment in 15 days.

The pygmy slow loris is listed in the IB group of endangered and critically-endangered animals, according to the Government’s Decree No 6/2019/ND-CP issued on January 22, 2019.

The wildcat and long-tailed macaque, meanwhile, belongs to Group IIB of rare and endangered animals restricted from being held in captivity, hunted and used for commercial purposes./.

Vietnam attends meeting of APF Parliamentary Affairs Committee

The National Assembly of Vietnam shared its experience in responding to negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and maintaining its operation during the Meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF)’s Parliamentary Affairs Committee on May 31.

The virtual meeting was attended by Chairwoman of the APF’s Vietnam Sub-Committee Nguyen Thuy Anh, who is also APF Vice President for the 2019-2021 tenure, from Hanoi.

The event also saw the participation of about 30 delegates, including parliamentarians from APF members, representatives of the APF and international organisations. It was chaired by Joel Godin, Chairman of the Parliamentary Affairs Committee.

During the event, the Vietnam Sub-Committee shared how the NA has worked together with the government to fulfil the twin goals of combating COVID-19 and sustaining positive economic growth.

It later informed attendees on the success of Vietnam’s elections of deputies to the 15th NA and People’s Councils at all levels and how preventive measures against the coronavirus were put in place to ensure voters’ safety.

It also presented how Vietnam has deployed technologies in fighting the pandemic, particularly the use of Bluezone, a mobile app developed by State-owned military group Viettel to trace users in close contact with people infected with COVID-19 and alert them about the risk of infection.

The meeting also saw delegates exchanging ways to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation and discussing the building of reports on various topics, such as maintaining parliamentary operation amid COVID-19, contact-tracing apps, enhancing relations between political institutions and people through parliamentary affairs.

The 18th Francophonie Summit will be held in Tunisia’s Djerba in November 2021.

The APF comprises 88 parliaments (sub-committees) from all over the world.

Vietnam became a APF member in 1991. The country served as APF President for Asia-Pacific for the 2015-2017 tenure and a member of the executive council of the APF Network of Women Parliamentarians for the 2017-2019 tenure./.

MoLISA to give proposals on gifts for revolution contributors

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam on May 31 assigned the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) to submit proposals to President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on the presentation of gifts to people who rendered services to the nation on the occasion of the 74th War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27).

The gifts is estimated to cost over 480 billion VND (20.85 million USD), with beneficiaries receiving presents at two levels of 600,000 VND and 300,000 VND, 50 percent higher than those in the previous year.

Under the MoLISA’s proposals, Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, war invalids and veterans contaminated with chemical toxins and losing at least 81 percent of working capacity, and relatives of martyrs each will get 600,000 VND.

There is also another kind of gifts with a value of 300,000 VND each, to be presented to war invalids and veterans losing 80 percent or less of their working capability, and martyrs’ relatives./.

Map on Uncle Ho's 30-year national salvation journey published

The Tre (Youth) Publishing House has published a map on Uncle Ho's 30-year journey to seek ways for national salvation, on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s departure (June 5, 1941) to find the path to liberate the nation.

The map was developed on the basis of a book about President Ho Chi Minh titled “Hanh trinh theo chan Bac” by Tran Duc Tuan, which was also re-published on this occasion.

The map is 100x70cm in size, geographically detailing Uncle Ho's journey and historical landmarks during his trip, as well as the President’s revolutionary activities from June 5, 1911 to January 28, 1941.

It helps viewers easily visualise, track and look up information about Uncle Ho's journey in connection with the geopolitical context at present.

In early May, a new book about President Ho Chi Minh compiled by Assoc. Prof. Dr Bui Dinh Phong, a lecturer at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, came to the public, highlighting President Ho Chi Minh’s revolutionary career, the close-knit relationship between his aspiration and content of documents adopted in the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

President Ho Chi Minh has become a great source of inspiration for not only Vietnamese authors and artists, but also their foreign counterparts./.

Adjustments to master plan create new vision for Da Nang’s development

Adjustments to the master plan for central Da Nang city to 2030 and vision to 2045 approved recently by the Prime Minister are believed to “open the door” for it to map out its vision and orientation for the future.

Under the adjustments, the city aims to become a major socio-economic centre of Vietnam and Southeast Asia, a hub for entrepreneurship, innovation, tourism, commerce, finance, logistics, high-technology, IT, and supporting industries, a centre for culture-sports, high-quality education and healthcare, and science and technology, and a destination for regional and international events.

At the same time, it expects to become an international seaport city, acting as a “core” in the urban chain and a growth pole of the key economic zone in the central and Central Highlands regions, in tandem with promoting its stature as an ecological, modern, smart, and liveable city, which will help it firmly ensure national defence and security and Vietnam’s sovereignty over its sea and islands.

Da Nang will be divided into 12 sub-areas: the western ecological sub-area, the eastern ecological sub-area, the Han riverside and eastern coast sub-area, the Da Nang Bay sub-area, the Lien Chieu Seaport sub-area, the hi-tech sub-area, the green core centre sub-area, the innovation sub-area, the airport sub-area, the hillside urban sub-area, the hi-tech agriculture sub-area, and the development reserve sub-area.

It is forecasted that, by 2030, Da Nang’s population will stand at about 1.79 million.

The city will adjust its single-centre urban structure (Thanh Khe and Hai Chau districts) into multi-polar development areas.

It will set up two so-called “economic belts”, with the northern part focusing on high-tech industry and seaport-logistics and the southern part on innovation and high-tech agriculture.

There will be four priority job creation clusters: a hi-tech industrial cluster, a seaport and logistics cluster, a hi-tech agricultural cluster, and an innovation cluster.

According to Ngo Viet Nam Son, a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Group, this is a new phase for Da Nang in terms of planning.

He said the city will develop areas with special functions, such as a hi-tech zone attached to the Lien Chieu Port urban area and innovative urban areas associated with universities, towards turning Da Nang into a multi-centre city with diverse identities.

Logistics and seaport development will help it become a regional centre with greater potential than it has now, Son said.

However, this is only a master plan, he noted, and it is necessary to adopt detailed plans for the city’s future development.

As soon as the adjustments to Da Nang’s master plan were announced, 11 domestic and foreign investors expressed desires to set up research and investment projects in many areas of the city.

Chairwoman of the BRG Group Nguyen Thi Nga said the city is an especially important investment destination for the group.

It has invested in high-end resorts in the city, she noted, adding that these adjustments will give investors a clear and consistent orientation, creating more favourable conditions for business development and the city’s development overall.

“I believe that with the effort and determination of local leaders, people, and businesses, Da Nang will become a major socio-economic centre of the country and the region,” Nga said.

The BRG Group has proposed the study of a master plan for the development of the southern area of Hoa Vang district.

According to Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Trung Chinh, with these adjustments, Da Nang will overcome its limitations, effectively utilise its urban areas, and offer solutions to environmental and population issues and climate change adaptation.

It will continue to improve its competitiveness, promote administrative reforms, and remove difficulties facing people and businesses, Chinh said./.

Embassy in Laos announces policy of entry to Vietnam amid COVID-19

The Vietnamese Embassy in Laos announced on May 31 that Vietnam is temporarily suspending the entry of foreigners from India, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos or people who used to reside or travel through these countries within 21 days before entering Vietnam, except those in necessary cases.

The regulation is unapplied to foreigners entering or exiting Vietnam via cargo transport means after handling goods.

As the pandemic remains complicated at home, the embassy advised Vietnamese residents not to return home, further enhance countermeasures and serious follow the host country’s prevention and control measures, and not leave residences in emergency cases.

Those wanting to return home for special reasons must register with the Vietnamese Embassy and Consulate General in Laos so that domestic agencies could arrange quarantine services.

In May, the embassy received applications from 20 citizens for necessary reasons such as accidents and medical treatment.

Further information could be found via the hotlines 02096106775, 02098347979; 02097606868; 02092736868.

Those violating regulations on immigration will be seriously punished in line with law./.

Vietnam, Argentina seek ways to strengthen bilateral ties

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung and his Argentine counterpart Pablo Anselmo Tettamanti on May 31 discussed measures to strengthen bilateral relations and exchanged views on issues of shared concern.

Co-chairing the 8th Vietnam-Argentina political consultation via videoconference, the two officials briefed each other on COVID-19 and socio-economic situation in their respective countries.

They discussed measures to deepen the bilateral comprehensive partnership, established in 2010, in a more sustainable manner in the time ahead.

The two sides agreed to continue with the close cooperation to maintain the growth momentum of the relationship, increase delegation exchanges at the high level when possible, carry forward cooperation mechanisms, and encourage collaboration between ministries, agencies and localities in various forms.

Dung rejoiced at the strong development of bilateral economic and trade ties, saying Argentina has become Vietnam’s second biggest trade partner in Latin America with two-way trade reaching 3.9 billion USD last year.

He thanked Argentina for its technical cooperation, notably a project that aims to improve Vietnam’s forensic anthropology capacity to identify martyrs’ remains in Vietnam.

For his part, Tettamanti affirmed that Vietnam is one of Argentina’s biggest trade partners and a key partner in the South-South cooperation, with a total of 15 projects covering different spheres.

The deputy ministers consented to enhance cooperation in the areas of common interest, and press ahead with negotiations, towards signing a number of agreements to complete the legal framework for the bilateral cooperation in trade, justice, investment, telecommunications, and national defence-security.

They also compared notes on regional and international issues of shared concern, and concurred to further their mutual support in international organisations and multilateral forums of which both Vietnam and Argentina are members such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation./.

Canada assists women-led enterprises in Vietnam

The Trade Facilitation Office (TFO) Canada and the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) signed a cooperation agreement via videoconference on June 1 to improve the export capacity of women-led enterprises in Vietnam during the 2021-2024 period.

The activity was within the framework of the project entitled “Women in Trade for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth” carried out by TFO Canada and funded by the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) in 24 developing nations, including Vietnam.

Specifically, TFO Canada will work with VIETRADE to assist Vietnam’s trade promotion organisations and women-led small and medium-sized enterprises in the fields of food processing and apparel accessories, effectively tap new-generational bilateral and multilateral free trade deals to navigate international markets via intensive training courses on sustainable orientations regarding environment, gender equality, digital marketing and e-commerce, and trade promotion skills.

They will also invite Vietnamese firms to fairs and expos in promising markets, or join online stalls at international expos.

Vietnamese Commercial Counsellor in Canada Do Thu Huong said the Vietnam Trade Office in Canada worked with TFO Canada on projects beneficial to Vietnamese SMEs operating in handicrafts, farm produce, aquatic products, wooden furniture, apparel and footwear, during which Canadian experts offered advice to Vietnamese businesses regarding product development, marketing strategy and linking with Canadian buyers.

Women-led enterprises now account for 25 percent of SMEs in Vietnam, helping to generate jobs and stable incomes for workers./.

Vietnamese alumni in Australia join hands to help poor children at home

Vietnamese alumni in Australia’s New South Wales state have donated 6.000 AUD (4,640 USD) to support disadvantaged children in their home country.

The donations were made at a May 30 get-together hosted by the Vietnam Alumni Association in Australia (VAA)’s chapter in New South Wales state to celebrate its first birth anniversary.

Attending the event were more than 100 Vietnamese alumni, family members and friends who are living and working in Sydney and surrounding areas.

VAA Vice President Ho Minh Giang reviewed the main activities of the association and Vietnamese alumni in Australia over the past year, saying its members have implemented many practical community activities such as supporting flood-affected people in the central region, presenting scholarships to poor children in Vietnam, and helping Vietnamese students stuck in Australia during the pandemic.

VAA was established in May 2020 following the idea of alumnus Nguyen Thanh Hai, who is currently President of the association, and some alumni of Monash and Swinburne Universities in Victoria with the aim of connecting generations of Vietnamese alumni in Australia./.

Ministries, agencies support COVID-19 combat

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) on May 31 launched an event to raise donations in support of the COVID-19 fight.

At the launching ceremony, MARD Minister Le Minh Hoan stated that promoting the tradition of solidarity and the spirit of mutual support, officials and staff of the ministry have donated at least one day's salary to support the pandemic prevention and control.

He added that this week, the ministry’s units will implement specific activities to sell agricultural products for farmers in localities hit by COVID-19 in the fastest and most efficient way.

Immediately after the ceremony, MARD officials and employees donated 300 million VND (13,000 USD) to the combat.

The same day, the trade union of the State Bank of Vietnam also launched a campaign to raise funds for the anti-pandemic effort, calling each official, youth union member and employee in the banking system to contribute at least one day’s salary.

Earlier, the Ministry of Industry and Trade raised 500 million VND (21,700 USD) from its staff and handed over the sum to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee to support the fight against COVID-19.

Among enterprises, the PetroVietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation (PV GAS) said after donating 10 billion VND (433,810 USD) to the vaccine fund together with its parent company – Vietnam Oil and Gas Group, the firm continued to contribute another 10 billion VND to the fund during a ceremony hosted by the Fatherland Front Committee of southern Ba Ria – Vung Tau province.

Viglacera Corporation has just donated 5 billion VND to buy COVID-19 vaccines through the Fatherland Front Committee of Bac Ninh province and 1 billion VND to support frontline medical workers in this province./.

UNDP presents COVID-19 test kits to Ministry of Health

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) handed over 1,500 COVID-19 test kits to the Ministry of Health (MoH) on May 31 as part of an effort to help put the spread of the virus in northern Vietnam under control.

Phan Le Thu Hang, Deputy Director of the MoH’s Department of Planning and Finance, said UNDP's support for the country's fight against the virus and other diseases has been valuable.

“Since 1978, UNDP has always supported Vietnam in many ways. Especially in the context of the current outbreak, this provision of test kits is very valuable,” she said. “We really appreciate this support and these test kits will be delivered to the locations where they are most needed."

“The Government has done an extraordinary job in managing the COVID-19 outbreaks in different areas. Vietnam’s experiences in containing the pandemic, with the whole of government and whole of society approaches have been recognised the world over as best practice,” said UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam Caitlin Wiesen.

“I am moved to see the number of doctors and nurses across the country being deployed to Bac Giang and Bac Ninh provinces. With the funding from JSB of Japan and Ghen CoVy production team, UNDP is providing these test kits to support the urgent testing efforts in these epicentres,” she said.

Ghen CoVy is a health communication campaign on handling coronavirus, with an awareness-raising effect of 90 million people’s views (just on one of the official accounts) for the music video and 11 million people’s interactions for the #handwashingmove #vudieuruatay challenge.

UNDP has also worked with MoH and the Ghen CoVy production team to make the song and the dance introduction available in ethnic minority and sign languages to reach the most people with prevention messages in their mother tongues.

“The campaign was initiated by the National Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health with very limited resources in terms of time, human and financial resources,” said Hoang Diem Huyen, Ghen CoV campaign creator.

UNDP has been working closely with relevant ministries and UN organisations to support the country to respond to COVID-19, as part of its mission to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and build resilience to crisis and shocks.

Meanwhile, a total of 19 robots have been deployed to ten hospitals in six provinces and cities. The robots are being used to protect frontline doctors and nurses as they provide treatment for COVID-19 patients in intensive care units (ICU) in these facilities. A digital solution for PPE inventory management has been applied in 13 healthcare facilities and is ready for scaling up and extending to other health commodities.

Earlier this year, ten Real-Time-PCR testing devices were delivered and installed at the Centers for Disease Control in ten provinces. The testing devices were procured by UNDP with funding from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM).

In support of Vietnam's roadmap for digital transformation to 2025, UNDP's COVID-19 response project funded by Japan’s JSB is supporting the Ministry of Health to pilot a digital telehealth system in remote provinces to reduce disease transmission risk and enhance universal health coverage, including for ethnic minorities and persons with disabilities./.

Traditional horse race recognised as national intangible heritage

A horse racing event in Bac Ha district in northern mountainous Lao Cai province is among 10 newly-recognised national intangible heritages.

It resumed in 2007 after stopping for a long period, with the aim of conserving and developing traditional cultural values and promoting the region’s image among visitors at home and abroad.

Bac Ha horses are considered the most beautiful breed in Vietnam.

Lao Cai has two other heritages on the new list, including the traditional costume of the Nung Din ethnic minority group in Muong Khuong district and that of the Mong Hoa people in Bac Ha district.

Others include two festivals in Hanoi and a whale worshiping festival in Cam Xuyen district in central Ha Tinh province.

Fish sauce production in Phu Quoc island city also received recognition, together with a festival of the Ba Na ethnic minority group in the Central Highlands’ province of Kon Tum, a festival held in Dai Dong commune in Vinh Tuong district, northern Vinh Phuc province, and lace knitting in Thanh Ha commune in Thanh Liem district, northern Ha Nam province./.

Vietnamese Canadian makes donation to fight COVID-19

The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a ceremony in Hanoi on May 31 to receive 100 million VND (4,300 USD) and five tonnes of rice from Vietnamese Canadian Nguyen Hoai Bac, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Dai Son Trading Service Development and Investment JSC, in support of several localities in their fight against COVID-19.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Quang Hieu, Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, thanked overseas Vietnamese and Bac in particular for support provided amid the pandemic.

He said that in response to an appeal from leaders of the Party, State, Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, overseas Vietnamese donated nearly 80 billion VND together with goods and materials to fight the pandemic and overcome the consequences of natural disasters in the central region.

Relevant agencies have arranged 468 flights bringing home more than 113,000 Vietnamese from more than 59 countries and territories and sent over 830,000 masks, protective suits, medical equipment, food, and other necessities to Vietnamese communities in more than 20 pandemic-hit areas.

The ministry, he added, also called on units, agencies, localities, and businesses to offer food and material supplies to Vietnamese in Laos and Cambodia./.

National fund calls for support for quarantined children

The National Fund for Vietnamese Children (NFVC) at the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) has called for support from domestic and foreign organisations and individuals to help Vietnamese children overcome the challenges from COVID-19.

The call was made in response to the unprecedented humanitarian emergency, which has had a critical impact on children’s lives and health, and the action month for children in 2021, themed “Joining hands to ensure children’s rights, and protect children during natural disasters and outbreaks”.

According to Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung, 198 Vietnamese children had contracted COVID-19 as of May 28, accounting for six percent of all COVID-19 infections in the country, while 3,915 had first-hand contact with infections (F1).

The children are receiving treatment at hospitals or are sent to concentrated quarantine sites.

He said the figures could increase in the future since the number of quarantined people at industrial and processing parks is on the rise.

MoLISA decided to support each child suffering from COVID-19 and those in quarantine with 80,000 VND (3.50 USD) a day for 21 days under Government Resolution No 16/NQ-CP on medical quarantine fees, examination, treatment, and special mechanisms in COVID-19 prevention and control. The funding is sourced from the NFVC.

Organisations and individuals who want to support children can contact the NFVC at 35 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, call (84 24) 3733 3094 / 3747 0037 / 3733 1223 or the hotline 092 999 999, fax (84 24) 3843 8537, or visit: http://www.nfvc.org.vn.

They can also make donations by transferring money to Vietcombank account 001.0.00.0000355./.

Flowers and ornamental plants are Hanoi’s key agriculture products

Flowers and ornamental plants not only protect the ecological environment but also help increase people's incomes, speed up the development of new style rural areas and urban development in Hanoi.

For the last ten years, under the new style rural area building programme, Hanoi’s rural look has changed remarkably with improved infrastructure for both production and people’s daily life.

The incomes of people living in rural areas have also increased.

Particularly, in many rural areas across the city, the environmental landscape has been significantly improved with flower beds, tree-lined streets and murals, which help make the countryside more attractive and create tourism destinations for people to visit and enjoy.

In order to develop the rural economy, besides developing crops and livestock to serve the daily needs of people, Hanoi also gave priority to flowers and ornamental plants as key agriculture products.

The city also paid more attention to boosting the linkage between production and consumption, offering support policies.

As a result, flowers and ornamental plant growing areas in Hanoi increased sharply from 5,484ha in 2015 to 7,960ha in 2020.

It has recognised 11 traditional craft villages of flowers and ornamental plants including the Co Giao village; Xam Xuyen village and Noi Thon village in Thuong Tin district; Ha Loi, Lieu Tri, Dai Bai villages in Me Linh district; Phu Dong village in Gia Lam district, Tay Tuu flower village in Bac Tu Liem district, kumquat growing village in Tam Xa commune of Dong Anh District, Nhat Tan flower village and Tu Lien kumquat village in Tay Ho district.

Until now, 70 per cent of flower and ornamental plant growing areas in Hanoi are in districts of Bac Tu Liem, Me Linh, Tay Ho, Dan Phuong and Thuong Tin.

With improved quality of seeds, farming technique and advanced technologies for water, light and temperature, growers could earn on average 0.5-1.5 billion VND per hectare per year. Many farming models could generate 1.3-2.2 billion VND per hectare per year.

Nguyen Van Chi, head of Hanoi Rural Development Division, said that under the city’s programme to increase the effectiveness of the new style rural area building programme and agricultural restructuring in the 2021-2025 period, the total areas for flowers and ornamental plants are expected to increase by 8,500-9,000ha.

The city also planned to plant more trees along streets and roads to ensure 8-10sq.m of green space for each person.

Chi said that flower and ornamental plant growing villages would also offer farming tourism experiences.

Chi added that in the future, the city would work with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and other localities to review and introduce support policies for flowers and ornamental plants.

The city asked relevant agencies and districts to make plans and arrange resources to boost its flower and ornamental plants industry.

“Flowers and ornamental plants would be key products to boost local economic development, improve the environment and speed up the implementation of the new style rural area building programme,” Chi said.

Flower and ornamental plants growers’ associations are called on to coordinate with State management agencies to evaluate the price of ornamental flowers, develop planting area codes, origin traceability, and establish a digital map of ornamental flowers which would help increase information transparency, Government management and supervision.

Associations, branches and artisans recommend local State management units in the development strategy of the flower and ornamental plant industry; materials for vocational training and encourage good artisans and managers to offer training as well as share experiences./.

Report on youth action for climate change in Viet Nam debuts

The 'Youth for Climate Action in Việt Nam' report was launched during an online ceremony in Hà Nội on Saturday.

The event was organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Việt Nam, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) and the Central Committee of the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union.

During the event, a talk with President for the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) Alok Sharma was also held.

The activity was within the framework of the Youth4Climate Initiative launched by the UNDP in Việt Nam last year to raise youths’ capacity and awareness of implementing the 2015 nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and updating the 2020 NDCs of the Vietnamese Government in line with the Paris Agreement for Climate Change.

With feedback from youths nationwide, the 56-page Special Report is part of the UNDP’s 'Climate Promise' with funding from the governments of Germany, Sweden, Spain and Italy, and the European Union and other sponsors.

It comprises six topics, including bottlenecks and common measures, greenhouse emission reduction, climate change adaptation, nature-based solutions, climate change policy and youth action roadmap. In each topic, the authors also offered recommendations to authorities for the 2021-25 period.

Speaking at the event, UNDP Resident Representative in Việt Nam Caitlin Wiesen Antin hailed the report with the participation of thousands of Vietnamese youths as an important milestone, reflecting their contributions to climate change response efforts at the national and global levels.

Deputy Director of the MoNRE’s Department of Climate Change Phạm Văn Tấn said Việt Nam signed the Paris Agreement in 2015, ratified and then issued a plan to implement it in 2016 with 68 groups of tasks. It also sent NDCs to the UN and added them into law.

COP26 President Alok Sharma called on leaders to listen to youths’ voice and urged countries, including Việt Nam, to join hands to reduce greenhouse emissions and cope with climate change.

Green Climate Fund

In related news, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has provided US$30.2 million as non-refundable assistance to Việt Nam to help the country deal with climate change impacts.

The sum will be allocated to a project 'Strengthening the resilience of smallholder agriculture to climate change-induced water insecurity in the Central Highlands and south-central coast regions of Việt Nam' (SACCR).

A document on the deal was signed by representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Hà Nội last week.

The project is expected to benefit residents in five provinces, namely Khánh Hoà, Bình Thuận, Ninh Thuận, Đắk Nông and Đắk Lắk.

It aims to empower vulnerable farming households, especially women and people from ethnic minority groups in the Central Highlands and south-central regions, to manage climate-related risks to agricultural production by ensuring the availability of water resources, climate change resilient activities and access to agricultural climate information, credit and markets.

According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyễn Hoàng Hiệp, this is the largest amount of non-refundable aid the ministry has received from international organisations in recent years.

The project will help better connect irrigation systems, improve management capacity, and effectively use climate change adaptation systems.

The project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.

The Green Climate Fund was established by 194 countries party to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2010. It is designed as an operating entity of the convention’s financial mechanism and is headquartered in the Republic of Korea. It is governed by a 24 -member board, representing countries, and receives guidance from the Conference of the Parties to the Convention (COP).

Created by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the fund aims to support a paradigm shift in the global response to climate change. It allocates its resources to low-emission and climate-resilient projects and programmes in developing countries. 

Health ministry encourages businesses and localities to import COVID-19 vaccines

The Ministry of Health encourages and creates the best conditions for businesses, corporations and localities to participate in importing COVID-19 vaccines, Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long has affirmed.

However, Long also suggested that the access, negotiation and import of vaccines should be conducted directly, thus avoiding the involvement of the third parties to avoid risks, especially fake or fraudulent vaccines, as warned by Interpol.

He added that in the coming time, his ministry would continue to introduce policies to encourage more localities and businesses to participate in the search for vaccines against COVID-19.

For localities that have registered to work with the ministry and said that they are capable of purchasing vaccines from relevant businesses and corporations, the Ministry of Health is ready to facilitate their access, Long stressed.

* On May 31, Hanoi’s health authorities asked the local districts and towns to closely monitor those who travelled from Ho Chi Minh City in the last 15 days, requiring their full medical declaration and self-monitoring for any signs of suspicion of illness. The capital city will hold the 10th grade entrance exam with safety ensured at the highest level if the epidemic remains under control as it is currently from now until June 10.

On the same day, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Chu Ngoc Anh went to check the concentrated isolation area at the Military School of the Capital High Command, during which he directed the local health sector to quickly test all the close contacts to infection cases in concentrated isolation, without waiting seven days as prescribed, for regular screening and review of suspected cases and timely treatment.

From May 31, Hai Phong is applying concentrated medical isolation measures as prescribed for people arriving in Hai Phong from epidemic-hit areas in Ho Chi Minh City, while suspending the operation of fixed passenger transport routes from Hai Phong to Ho Chi Minh City and vice versa as well as proposing to a suspension of flights from the northern port city to Ho Chi Minh City and vice versa.

On the morning of the same day, Hai Phong announced the decision to establish the Hai Phong Centre for Disease Control tasked with advising and organising the implementation of professional and technical activities related to epidemic prevention and control in the city.

Leaders of Thanh Hoa Province asked that all people returning from epidemic areas, especially from Ho Chi Minh City, to Thanh Hoa from 00:00 on May 31 be put under 21-day concentrated isolation.

Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee has requested the same order for all cases returning from epidemic areas, starting from 5 pm on May 31. Lam Dong proposed the suspension of all religious activities until further notice.

On May 31, the Department of Transport of Phu Yen Province ordered local transport business units and bus station operators to strictly implement measures to prevent and control the epidemic, with the transportation of passengers on fixed routes, contract cars and taxis from Phu Yen to Go Vap District and Thanh Loc Ward (District 12) in Ho Chi Minh City to be suspended from 00:00 on May 31 until the end of June 14.

Binh Duong is considering implementing social distancing in some localities in the province following several new local infections detected on May 31.

Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien Hue quarantine people arriving from HCMC

The north-central province of Thanh Hoa and the central province of Thua Thien Hue have announced that people arriving from Covid-19-hit areas in HCMC will have to be quarantined for 21 days starting from May 31.

Apart from the 21-day quarantine order, the Thanh Hoa government asked people who enter the province from the country’s coronavirus hotspots, mainly in Go Vap District, District 12’s Thanh Loc Ward and other areas under lockdown in HCMC, to be tested for Covid-19.

Those who arrive in the province from other parts of HCMC that are not locked down have been told to self-quarantine at home for at least 14 days, be monitored by competent forces and get tested.

The Thanh Hoa government also told the provincial Department of Transport to team up with the police and the Department of Health to tighten control over the entry at checkpoints.

Owners of vehicles and passenger coaches were told to make a list of names and addresses of passengers who return to Thanh Hoa Province from Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, HCMC and other provinces and cities hit by Covid-19.

Besides, the competent forces should work with the Tho Xuan airport to closely monitor passengers arriving from HCMC.

Similarly, the Thua Thien Hue government today started putting people arriving from HCMC under quarantine at concentrated quarantine centers and asked them to undergo polymerase chain reaction Covid-19 tests.

In addition, those arriving from Danang City and other Covid-19-hit areas announced by the Ministry of Health will also be placed under quarantine and undergo Covid-19 tests.

Earlier, the province had asked people arriving from HCMC from May 22 to contact healthcare centers to make health declarations and go to testing sites.

Over the past four weeks, HCMC reported 149 locally-infected Covid-19 cases, with 142 cases linked to the Revival Ekklesia Mission in Go Vap District, the local media reported.

Hanoi police probe 1,300 dead newborns in freezer

According to police in Ha Dong District of Hanoi City, no criminal sign has been found in preservation of 1,300 dead newborns in freezer.

Through an investigation into some 1,300 dead newborns found in a rented house in the district, police revealed a group of young people have collected dead newborns abandoned at private clinics and hospitals in Hanoi for burial as a voluntary charity work.

However, environment watchdog will jump into probe of these corpses make bad impact on environment.

Ha Dong District Police are continuing investigation to make clear the case.

Coronavirus lowers the toy trade on children's day 

On Happy International Children’s Day, which falls on June 1, many stores in Hanoi launched a series of promotions with discounts of up to 50% on toys and children's clothing.

Hanoi’s toy sellers are struggling to survive the resurgence of Covid-19 which might play out in June – the international children’s month.

According to owners of some toy stores on the streets of Hang Ma and Luong Van Can, the largest toy market in Hanoi, at this time every year, the streets were crowded, contrary to the bleak scene of this year, when the number of customers has decreased by 30-40%.

Most shops are trying to liquidate their stock rather than ordering new products. Worse still, there are not many orders from schools to present year-end gifts to students, according to Tran Anh Mai, who owns a toy store.

On the other hand, people refrain from going out to avoid Covid-19 infection. Many parents choose to buy toys online, rather than taking their kids to go shopping as in previous years.

This year's toy prices remain almost unchanged compared to 2020, although production and transportation costs have increased.

Duc Tuan, a toy businessperson on Hang Ma street, said that smart toys like remote control cars, assembled robots, and legos are still top-selling items.

Currently, toys are priced from VND40,000 to VND300,000 (US$2-$13) per item. The most expensive are Lego sets, priced from VND300,000 to nearly VND3 million ($13-$130) each. Dolls for girls are priced VND150,000 to VND200,000 ($7-$9) a box.

At supermarkets such as Big C, Co.op Mart, and Vinmart, toys are not sold well. They have launched a series of promotions with discounts of up to 50% on toys and children's clothing, however, their efforts have been hampered by the pandemic.

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