Fifteen years following the Party Central Committee Secretariat’s Directive No. 38-CT/TW on promoting health insurance in the new situation, the implementation of the health insurance policy for the 2009-2024 period has gained many achievements, with the goal of universal health insurance likely to be reached.

As of late 2023, over 93.6 million people, or 93.35% of the country's population, are covered by health insurance, exceeding the goal set in the Government’s Resolution No. 01/NQ-CP as well as the National Assembly’s Resolution No. 68/2022/QH15 on socioeconomic development plan for 2023, and an impressive surge from the 39.7 million, or 46.1% of the population, recorded in 2008 before the directive was issued.

Maintaining the pace of health insurance growth amid people's difficult living conditions has once again affirmed the steadfastness and determination of the political system in general and the social insurance sector in particular in effectively implementing the universal health insurance roadmap.

With the consistent viewpoint of taking people and businesses as the subject and centre of service, the Vietnam Social Security (VSS) always strives to ensure full, timely and legitimate benefits for participants. The number of health insurance card holders going for medical examination and treatment increases rapidly year after year.

From 2009 to 2023, the average number of medical examinations and treatments covered by health insurance per year was over 141 million, an increase of 59.5% from 2009, with an average cost of 66. 2 trillion VND (2.6 billion USD) a year, up 330% against that in 2009.

Notably, during the period when the whole country was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the pivotal role of the health insurance policy in the social security system was further promoted, contributing to health care and stabilisation of people's lives, and enhancing faith in the humane social security policy of the Party and State.

In addition, the VSS has focused on solutions to create utilities and benefits for participants, beneficiaries and State management agencies in preventing the profiteering of health insurance funds.

The sector has also sped up administrative procedure reform, with 115 procedures in 2015 cut down to 25, and expanded the application of information technology and digital transformation in professional work./.

PM urges prompt actions to settle consequences of northern flooding

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on June 10 signed an official dispatch asking relevant agencies and localities to focus on overcoming the consequences of floods and actively respond to natural disasters in northern mountainous and midland areas.

In the official dispatch, the PM noted that from June 8-10, due to the influence of the tropical depression combined with the low vortex, heavy rain ranging from 40-120mm has fallen in some localities in the northern region.

Particularly, rainfall of 150-300mm was recorded in Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong city, 100-250mm in Ha Giang province, and even up to 428mm in some localities of Ha Giang such as Quang Ngan commune of Vi Xuyen district.

Torrential rain has caused flooding on the upstream Lo River in Ha Giang and Gam River in Cao Bang, killing three people and leaving others missing. Water levels on Lai Chau, Hoa Binh and Tuyen Quang hydropower reservoirs has been higher than those in the same period last year. Some areas in Ha Giang, Uong Bi, Ha Long and Hai Phong city have suffered serious flooding, hindering transport and affecting people’s production and daily activities. PM Chinh extended his deep condolences to the victims' families.

According to the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, in the next few days, torrential rain will continue in the northern mountainous and midland areas with a high risk of flash floods and landslides. Flood waters are also forecast to rise in Thao, Da and Lo river basins.

In the face of this situation, PM Chinh asked the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, the National Committee for Incident, Disaster Response, and Search and Rescue, Ministers and the Chairpersons of the People’s Committees of localities to focus on dealing with the consequences of the recent flooding as fast as possible, stabilising people’s lives, while actively rolling out measures to respond to natural disasters.

The Chairpersons of the People’s Committee of Ha Giang and centrally-run cities and provinces in northern mountainous and midland regions were urged to mobilise forces to search for the missing and provide treatment for the injured, and support affected families. They were asked to keep a close watch on the flooding developments for timely response, while evacuating people from risky areas to safer places, thus ensuring safety for the people.

The PM directed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to provide full and timely forecasts and warnings to relevant agencies, while asking the Ministry of Transport to ensure smooth traffic in affected areas.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade were asked to coordinate closely with localities to direct the Vietnam Electricity Group and relevant agencies to ensure safety of dams and reservoirs to minimise floods.

Meanwhile, the Ministries of Public Security and National Defence, as well as the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and the National Committee for Incident, Disaster Response, and Search and Rescue were directed to support localities in search and rescue activities.

The Government leader assigned Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang to to be in charge of following and directing the work./.

Vietnam tops 9th Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championship

Vietnamese athletes won eight gold medals, four silvers, and five bronzes, ranking first at the 9th Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championship, which concluded at Quan Ngua Sports Complex in Hanoi on June 10 evening.

Phan Thuy Linh, Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Gymnastics Federation, said Vietnamese athletes' performance demonstrated their outstanding progress and thorough preparations. The host has risen to the first place from its previous position in the top five in Asia.

Yagi Kitagawa Tammy, President of the Aerobic Gymnastics Technical Committee of the International Gymnastics Federation, spoke highly of the host country's efforts in organising the event, affirming that Vietnam made a significant contribution to the development of this artistic sport in Asia.

She also expressed her impression of the unique culture and cuisine of Hanoi, saying that she hopes the city will become an attractive destination and a venue for major sporting events in the future.

The championship attracted 316 athletes from 14 countries and territories, who competed in 18 categories for 68 sets of medals available in men's and women's singles and doubles, mixed doubles, teams of three and five, and aerobic dance in the age groups of 12-14, 15-17 and over 18.

The Vietnamese team consisted of 51 athletes and 17 coaches, competing in all the 18 categories.

The Republic of Korea secured the second position with seven gold medals, four silvers, and one bronze. It was followed by Japan with one gold medal, four silvers, and two bronzes.

After the tournament, Vietnamese athletes will undergo training to prepare for the Aerobic Gymnastics World Championships in Italy in September./.

Vietnam determined for win over Iraq despite big challenges

Head coach of the Vietnamese national football team Kim Sang-sik appreciated Iraq but believed Vietnam still have the chance despite playing on away ground at the 2026 World Cup qualification match on June 12 in Basra.

It is said an un-balanced game as Iraq are world No 58 while Vietnam place No 115. The host side have won all five matches at the tournament to top Group F and qualified for the next stage while Vietnam secured only two wins for a third place and need great efforts and luck to reach the third qualification.

Vietnam lost 0-1 to Iraq in the first leg match last November. Two months they suffered a 2-3 defeat to Iraq at the Asian Cup.

"When Vietnam lost two previous matches, I was not head coach of the team. I watched these games carefully and prepared for my team," Kim said at the press briefing on June 10.

"Iraq currently have high performance and are strong in both physical and tactical aspects. We watch and analyze them carefully, single out players who need to be taken care of. In particular, their Aymen Hussein is a sharp forward, we have to keep eyes on him."

The coach knew in addition to powerful rivals, his players would also face with the hot weather that would strongly affect their performance, and heavy pressure from local supporters.

But the 47-year-old tactician repeated four times that Vietnam still had the opportunity to win.

"Through a win against the Philippines, we saw the possibility of going forward. We travel to Iraq with a little hope after prepared very well to face a very strong rival who are with 65,000 spectators," Kim said.

"We have been here for two days. It is very hot and it is difficult to adapt to this condition. But we come here with a goal of winning. Vietnamese players are strong in their mind and we are trying the best to overcome difficulties. We will play well tomorrow."

Accompany with Kim at the briefing was defender Bui Hoang Viet Anh who could not play in the previous match due to his bookings. Anh knew the challenges but was confident for a good result.

"It will be not easy match but we have made up plans for the match. Iraq are strong but we are determined. We will maximize our abilities to achieve a win," he said.

Although the result would not affect Iraq's next round place, coach Jesus Casas aimed to end their campaign with a perfect six victories.

He said the match with Vietnam would be as important as any other. Iraq wanted to get every possible point. It would be the last qualifying round match and the team wanted to make supporters happy with a victory.

About 16-hour flight from Basra, Indonesia will be determined to not slip up when they host Philippines at the Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

Sitting in second spot with one point ahead of Vietnam, Shin Tae-yong has the opportunity to be the first head coach to guide Indonesia into the third round of the World Cup qualifiers.

Indonesia’s rise under the Korean tactician has been well documented and they will be determined to achieve victory on home turf.

They will, however, be mindful of the danger the Philippines pose, with the two sides having played to a 1-1 draw when they met in November.

Shin has urged his players to remain focused against Tom Saintfeit’s side, who would love to throw a spanner in the works for Indonesia./.

UAE referee to officiate in Vietnam-Iraq World Cup qualifier match: AFC

Omar Al Ali, a referee from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will officiate in the final match between Vietnam and Iraq in the second qualifiers of the 2026 World Cup, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced.

The match will take place in Iraq at 9 pm on June 11 (local time). In the first leg at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam lost 0-1 to Iraq.

As the goal scorer of two of the three goal win against the Philippines during the 2026 World Cup qualifier last week, Vietnam's striker Nguyen Tien Linh has been named one of best players by the AFC.

"With only one win from their first four matches, Vietnam looked set to crash out of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, but under new head coach Kim Sang-sik, they defeated the Philippines 3-2 in a thriller to keep their hopes alive in Group F – with Nguyen Tien Linh providing the impetus with a double in the comeback victory," the AFC wrote on its website.

"Linh, who scored eight goals in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and six times in Vietnam's run into the 2022 AFF Championship final, opened his account with the Golden Star Warriors’ equaliser in the 65th minute before planting a towering header past Azkals' goalkeeper Neil Etheridge 11 minutes later."

The win left Vietnam in third place after Indonesia, separated by just one point as they head into their final match against group leaders Iraq.

The second round will conclude with the final set of fixtures on June 12, with only five spots available for teams.

Vietnam need to beat the hosts and wait for the Philippines' to take a win over Indonesia to qualify for the next stage.

Other players that caught the AFC's attention were forward Koki Ogawa (Japan), centre back Husniddin Aliqulov (Uzbekistan), forward Son Heung-min (Republic of Korea), right winger Abdulrahman Al Mushaifri (Oman), forward Yazan Al Naimat (Jordan), forward Behram Abduweli (China) and forward Ali Jasim (Iraq)./.

15-year-old Homeland Choir helps promote Vietnamese culture in France

An art programme was held in Paris last weekend to mark the 15th founding anniversary of Que huong (Homeland) Choir, the largest and only Vietnamese-languague singing choir overseas.

Born in April 2009, the choir aims to gather Vietnamese people with the same passion for singing and loving revolutionary songs. It now has 250 members of different age groups.

Appreciating the Homeland Choir’s contributions to promoting Vietnamese culture at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Vietnamese Ambassador to UNESCO Nguyen Thi Van Anh affirmed that it is a typical example of multicultural exchange, helping promote the culture, country, and people of Vietnam to international friends and the Vietnamese community in France.

On this occasion, Vietnamese Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang presented the ambassador’s Certificate of merit to the choir in recognition of its contributions./.

Vietnam wins two gold medals at Senior World Muaythai Championships

The Vietnamese Muaythai team won two gold medals, seven silvers and nine bronzes, ranking 9th in the overall ranking at the 2024 Senior World Muaythai Championships which took place from May 31 - June 10 in Greece.

Huynh Ha Huu Hieu earned one gold medal after defeating Russian opponent Sofia Istratova in the women's elite 45kg final with a score of 2-1 after 3 rounds on June 9.

This is also the third time in her career that Hieu has won a gold medal at the world championships, following the victories in 2019 and 2021.

The other gold was pocketed by Tran Thi Tuyet Anh in the junior disciplines, the women's U23 75kg category after beating Salama Aljneibi of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 3-0.

The silver medalists are Nguyen Doan Long, Le Hoang Duc, Hoang Thi Thu, Bui Hai Linh, Nguyen Thi Chieu, Mai Hoang Khanh and Hoang Dinh Manh in the U23 group.

Meanwhile, Ta Thi Kim Yen, Nguyen Thi Hien Luong, Nguyen Thi Huong, Duong Duc Bao, Le Hoang Duc, Han Thi Thuy, Nguyen Thi Chieu and Nguyen Hoang Minh brought home bronze medals in demonstration categories for the U23 group./.

Vietnam Sea and Islands Week launched

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), in collaboration with the People’s Committee of the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa, held a ceremony on June 10 to launch the Vietnam Sea and Islands Week and the Action Month for the Environment.

The launch aims to respond to the World Oceans Day (June 8) and World Environment Day (June 5).

Speaking at the event in Nha Trang city, MoNRE Minister Dang Quoc Khanh said that themed “Land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience,” the World Environment Day 2024 calls on everyone to join hands towards the goals of land restoration, desertification combat, and drought resilience, so as to limit the negative impacts of climate change, protect natural ecology, and improve livelihoods and national food security.

In Vietnam, over 11.8 million hectares of land, or 35.74% of the total natural area, are affected by degradation, posing a risk of desertification, Khanh said, adding that this situation is increasing and will have a major impact on the country's agricultural sector.

He appealed to ministries, sectors, agencies, organisations, local authorities, businesses, and all people to take practical actions to solve drought and desertification, and protect the environment.

The minister called for strict control of waste from construction, industry and agriculture to ensure that waste must be treated according to environmental standards before being discharged.

He also emphasised the importance of protecting the marine environment, especially inshore waters, properly settling land-based pollution sources, minimising plastic waste, prioritising investment in scientific and technological research, and developing high-quality human resources for the maritime sector.

On the same day, a MoNRE delegation paid a fact-finding trip of Van Phong Bay in Van Ninh district and visited an environmentally friendly high-tech fish farm./.

HCM City projects target OVs

The Ho Chi Minh City Committee for Overseas Vietnamese had inaugurated the "Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space" and "Overseas Vietnamese Rendezvous Point" in the city.

The June 8 activity aimed to commemorate the 134th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890-2024), the 113th anniversary of his departure from the country in search for the way for national salvation (June 5, 1911), and the 43rd founding anniversary of the committee (June 8, 1981).

Vu Thi Huynh Mai, Chairwoman of the committee, said the space is for overseas Vietnamese communities, particularly younger generations, and students to learn about cultural, historical, and ideological heritage of the late President. It also helps those working with OV affairs in studying and promoting President Ho Chi Minh's culture and ideology to Vietnamese abroad.

Meanwhile, the point provides legal support and consultation for OVs, serves as a venue of cultural activities and artistic exchanges, and plays a role in preserving the Vietnamese language. It also showcases products by OVs and hosts trade and investment promotion activities.

Within the framework of the "Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space", an exhibition titled "Journey Towards Dreams - 55 Years of Fulfilling President Ho Chi Minh's Will" was also held, displaying documents and photos on the life and career of President Ho Chi Minh, as well as his sentiments towards OVs and vice versa./.

British University Vietnam, foreign ministry’s language centre forge cooperation

British University Vietnam (BUV) and the Centre for Foreign Affairs and Languages Training (CEFALT) of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs have joined forces in an alliance to enhance language education and lifelong learning in Ho Chi Minh City.

The collaboration, sealed with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed last month by Prof. Rick Bennett – BUV Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President and Mai Anh Thai – CEFALT Director, aims to elevate language teaching standards and foster continuous learning opportunities.

The signing ceremony, graced by Emily Hamblin - the British Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City - and Tran Phuoc Anh - Director General of the HCMC Department of Foreign Affairs - marked a significant a milestone in this endeavour.

This partnership focuses on enhancing foreign language training and English education through innovative teacher training programmes and exchange initiatives. The partnership will also spearhead joint research and development initiatives to improve educational approaches, including modern teaching methods and the incorporation of AI into education.

Notably, BUV’s School of Pathways, English and Lifelong Learning (SPELL) and CEFALT will jointly develop the BUV-HCMC Lifelong Learning Centre at CEFALT to promote British education, exchange knowledge between BUV and partners, organisations and businesses in Ho Chi Minh City.

Witnessing the meaningful milestone, Emily Hamblin - the British Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City said: “BUV, known as the premium UK education hub in Vietnam, has been a beacon of British education excellence in Vietnam and since 2008. BUV has continually demonstrated its commitment to providing world-class education and fostering international partnerships. Likewise, CEFALT's dedication to enhancing language proficiency and professional skills aligns perfectly with BUV's vision for holistic education”.

The Consul General expressed a strong belief that the promotion of training programmes for educators, staff and professionals in English language proficiency and essential skills is about more than just improving individual capabilities; it is also about uplifting Vietnam's capacity in human workforce development, empowering communities, driving innovation and fostering lifelong learning.

Prof. Dr. Raymond Gordon - BUV Vice-Chancellor and President - said: “BUV and CEFALT are committed to enhancing the quality of the workforce by implementing comprehensive train-the-trainer programmes, ensuring that educators are well-equipped to inspire and educate future generations. This partnership embodies our shared vision of fostering a vibrant, knowledgeable, and skilled community”.

Mai Anh Thai - CEFALT Director - said: “The collaboration between BUV and CEFALT extends beyond academic pursuits. Together, we envision the establishment of the BUV-HCMC Lifelong Learning Center at CEFALT, a testament to our commitment to promoting the British education system and fostering knowledge exchange within the vibrant landscape of Ho Chi Minh City.”

The collaboration between BUV and CEFALT aims to introduce innovative programmemes, facilitate knowledge exchange and improve learning opportunities for students, educators and professionals in Ho Chi Minh City and the surrounding areas. This initiative is the latest effort by BUV, a trusted partner of both the Vietnamese and UK governments, to bridge the nations and connect people and cultures through education, as it has done for the past 15 years.

BUV is the first and only international university in Vietnam authorised to deliver university degrees from the UK.

BUV is Vietnam's first and only 5-star Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) certified institution, as well as the first university in Vietnam and ASEAN to receive global quality accreditation by QAA, the Quality Assurance Agency for UK Higher Education.

BUV's dynamic curriculum is designed to stay ahead of industry trends by combining theory and practice, ensuring that 100% of students are employed or pursuing higher education within three months of graduation. The expansive 6.5-hectare campus, with a total planned investment of 165 million USD, embodies sustainability and offers an enriching environment for academic and personal development./.

1,000 students receive training, incubation programmes in fintech

The University of Economics HCM City (UEH) has kicked off FinTechNovation Credentials, a collaborative initiative spearheaded by the university and United Overseas Bank (UOB) Vietnam.

The initiative, sponsored by the Singapore Business Federation, is aimed at cultivating a highly skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and shaping the future of finance, said Associate Professor Bui Quang Hung, UEH Deputy Director.

The programme will benefit 1,000 students, giving them opportunities to learn skills and obtain hands-on experience in the business sector, he said.

Pham Tieu Giang, team lead of country strategic communications and brand at UOB Vietnam, said the programme is expected to be expanded to provide a learning opportunity for all Vietnamese students.

The programme, which is facilitated by UEH Institute of Innovation, encompasses a comprehensive curriculum of training courses called ‘FinTech Master Class’, an intensive bootcamp named ‘FinNovation Bootcamp’, and a sandbox programme ‘UII Sandbox Programme’ specifically designed for students pursuing careers in the fields of technology, finance, and banking.

The FinTech Master Class is a hybrid model of active learning and case-method teaching master class, including a series of online short courses on various topics of fintech, and offline sessions with industry experts.

FinNovation Bootcamp is an innovation challenge that combines an intensive series of training programmes and interesting assignments for students and young entrepreneurs about the topic of innovation and fintech.

UII Sandbox Programme is a 10-week incubation programme designed for undergraduates to accelerate and transform their breakthrough ideas into viable businesses./.

Vietnamese fighter beats Muay Thai prodigy Ghazali at ONE Championship

Vietnam’s No 1 Muay Thai fighter Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat ended phenom Johan “Jojo” Ghazali's winning streak in a thrilling bout at the ONE Championship 167 event on June 8 in Bangkok, Thailand.

It was his first match about six months since Nhat's knockout defeat to Denis Puric last December. In his comeback, Nhat was not appreciated as high as his rival who stole spot light weeks prior to the fight due to his impressive of all five wins with four KOs.

In fact, the Vietnamese weathered an early storm from Ghazali before relying on his counters late to claim a unanimous decision victory in their three-round flyweight bout at the Impact Arena.

As expected, the Malaysian-American opened up aggressively as he swarmed Nhat with kicks and heavy punches while the latter patiently waited for openings.

Nhat aka “No 1” started to find his timing in the second round, incorporating low kicks to stifle Ghazali’s forward action. Each time the teenager came in, the 35-year-old had answers with either a leg kick or short elbows and combinations.

As the match wore on, it was clear that Nhat had figured out his young foe. He frustrated Ghazali further in the third as he slipped out each time the teenager looked to brawl while punishing him with leg kicks and counters.

All three judges ultimately gave the nod to “No 1”, who improved to 15-4 overall in his professional career. On the other side, Ghazali lost for the first time in six ONE Championship appearances.

"When I watched Johan's previous matches, he was very strong and always attacked from the beginning. So I planned to prolong the match, then use my experience to win after three rounds," said Nhat.

"I also thought about the knockout win, but I didn't try to do it with all price. It's true that I included Johan in my strategy.

"Johan's strong point is his hands, while I am good at powerful kicks. I don't think I can beat Johan if I try to punch him. So I move actively and throw him many kicks.

"I want to thank all supporters, family and friends who strongly helped and encouraged me before and during the match," he said./.

Vietnamese peacekeepers gear up for medical evacuations with Australian training

An aeromedical evacuation training course opened in Hanoi on June 10, aiming to equip a key team from Vietnam's Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 6 with knowledge and skills necessary for successful participation in the United Nations peacekeeping operations.

In his opening speech, Col. Luu Dinh Hien, Commander of the Training Centre of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, said it is the 5th training course of its kind supported by Australia for Vietnam's Level-2 Field Hospital rotations.

He credited the success of the Level-2 Field Hospital rotations in South Sudan with the expertise of the Air Medical Evacuation Team (AMET), praising its ability to provide essential medical procedures, prepare patients for transport, and facilitate safe evacuations to Juba - South Sudan's capital, and Uganda.

A total of 28 trainees will undergo intensive straining from June 8-16. Led by the Australian Army Medical School experts, the course will also benefit from the knowledge and experience of personnel from Vietnam's Military Medical University, Military Hospital 175, the Air Defence-Air Force Service, and those who previously served in the AMET of the Level-2 Field Hospital.

They will gain comprehensive knowledge of air medical transport according to international and UN standards, encompassing subjects like aviation medicine, medical and pharmaceutical issues, air transport planning, safety protocols, patient reception and transfer procedures, initial treatment and first aid, and effective communication during patient evacuations.

The course will culminate in a practical phase held at Regiment 916. Here, trainees will hone their skills through simulated medical evacuation scenarios using helicopters. The exercises will cover patient loading and unloading procedures, and require them to respond effectively to various pre-defined medical emergencies./.

Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP/Hanoitimes