The Ministry of Health has issued colour-coded risk guidance for localities to implement depending on their individual COVID-19 situations.

The measures are responses to different threat levels, with red being the highest level of threat of infection, followed by orange (high risk), yellow (medium risk) and green (new normal), on the epidemiologic map.

Code red is activated when a cluster of COVID-19 cases is detected but no apparent source of infection can be traced or the source is determined to be from an industrial park, school or supermarket.

Code orange is applied when there is at least one case without a known source of infection, or the source is a crowded place listed as part of a code red cluster situation or the commune is adjacent to code red localities.

Code yellow is activated when a community case has a known source of infection, there are direct contacts with confirmed cases in the community, or when a commune is next to code orange localities, or when the risk of the virus is high from illegal entrants or a large number of people at quarantine facilities.

At code green, individuals must follow the 5K message Khau trang (facemask) – Khu khuan (disinfection) – Khoang cach (distance) – Khong tu tap (no gathering) – Khai bao y te (health declaration), businesses and organisations must follow health ministry's COVID-19 regulations, while local authorities would carry out inspections and hand out punishments for offending individuals and organisations (including suspension of organisations' operations).

At code yellow, other than measures prescribed for code green, contact tracing, localised lockdown and quarantine will be carried out, while high-risk sites - bars, karaoke, dance clubs, massage venues - will be closed, and restrictions on large gatherings will be applied.

At code orange, additional measures will be implemented, including halting large gatherings of more than 30 people, no gathering of 10 people outside of the workplace, keeping a distance of two metres in public; reducing traffic and number of passengers on public transport vehicles; reducing people at workplace and promoting working from home; school curriculum and schedule could be adjusted, and health declarations would be required for all people in the locality.

At code red, social-distancing order will be carried out for at least 14 days; with the closure of non-essential services and businesses, cultural and religious, sports activities halted, people must keep a distance of two metres while gathering larger than three people outside the workplace or schools or hospitals are forbidden, while public transport is stopped completely.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said: "From our experience dealing with previous outbreaks of the coronavirus and especially with the current fourth wave of infections, the decree established a number of protocols such as lockdown measures or more flexible approach to centralised quarantine requirement in areas with a large population that might make it difficult to control the spread or to manage overcrowded centralised quarantine facilities."./.

Infection tally surges by 48 at midday, 49th COVID-19 fatality recorded

A total of 48 fresh COVID-19 cases were detected domestically across three localities, including 35 in Bac Giang, 11 Bac Ninh, and two in Hanoi, according to a report by the Ministry of Health released at noon on May 31.

The new cases in Bac Giang and Bac Ninh hotspots were mostly detected in isolation and lockdown area, and related to workers working at industrial zones, while the case detected in Danang is associated with a previously confirmed patient.

The country also confirmed two more imported infections in the southern province of An Giang, raising the overall number of imported cases to 1,509.

With the latest discovery, the nation has so far confirmed 6,166 locally-transmitted cases, including 4,596 since the fourth coronavirus wave hit the country in late April.

The same day, Vietnam recorded the 49th COVID-19 related death, the 14th in the ongoing coronavirus outbreak that began in the nation in late April and the first in HCM City since the virus broke out.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases, this 37-year-old deceased patient was ultimately diagnosed with severe COVID-19 disease, shock, infection, heart failure on the basis of hypertension, and end-stage chronic kidney disease.

One day earlier, Vietnam registered 250 cases of local transmission, with the majority recorded in Bac Ninh and Bac Giang, the current largest epicenters in the latest COVID-19 outbreak.

Meanwhile HCM City also saw the growing number of new local infections in recent times, with the majority are linked to the Revival Ekklesia Mission outbreak that was detected last week.

First COVID-19 death in HCM City

HCM City has recorded its first death related to COVID-19.

The 37-year-old woman passed away on Wednesday, making her the 49th death in Việt Nam due to the pandemic, announced the Ministry of Health.

She was patient 5,463 and lived in District 3, HCM City.

The patient had been suffering end-stage chronic renal failure and was on peritoneal dialysis every six hours at home. She also had heart failure and hypertension.

She tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on May 25 and was treated at the HCM City Hospital for Tropical Diseases.

She was treated with endotracheal ventilation, continuous dialysis, antibiotics, antifungal medication, antivirals, anticoagulant medication and received a blood transfusion.

However, her condition gradually worsened and respiratory failure gradually increased.

The cause of death was announced as sepsis complications, septic shock with heart failure, hypertension, end-stage chronic renal failure and COVID-19. 

Vietnam in Group D of 2021 Futsal World Cup

Vietnam are pooled in Group D of the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup, alongside Brazil, the Czech Republic and Panama, following an official draw held at FIFA headquarters in Switzerland on June 1.

The 24 participating teams were divided into six groups. The top and second-best squads of each group and four third-place teams with the best performance will qualify for the next round.

The ninth edition of tournament will be held in Lithuania from September 12 to October 3.

Only Brazil and Spain participated in all editions. Brazil won the first for five times. The reigning champions, however, are Argentina.

In 2016, Vietnam were among four third-placed teams earning a berth in the second round, in which they were beaten by the runners-up Russia./.

Military-developed robot sent to Bac Giang to support COVID-19 fight

A medical robot manufactured by the Military Technology Academy to support COVID-19 prevention and control activities was sent to the current largest pandemic hot spot in the northern province of Bac Giang on June 1.

The robot, called “Vibot,” is the result of a scientific research project conducted by the academy since April 2020.

It has been piloted in Bac Thang Long Hospital and the second facility of Bach Mai Hospital with positive results.

In Bac Giang, Vibot will take the charge of transporting food, medicine, necessities and other stuff from outside to patient rooms, taking trash from the rooms to garbage collection areas, and serving remote conversations between the patients and their family members./.

Army fights COVID-19 at higher level: Deputy Minister

Deputy Minister of National Defence, Lieut. Gen. Vu Hai San on June 1 urged military units to roll out COVID-19 prevention and control measures synchronously and effectively, saying they must be done sooner and at a higher level.

The move is to minimise infections and prevent a widespread outbreak of the pandemic, San, who is also head of the defence ministry’s Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, told an online meeting in Hanoi on June 1.

He said the pandemic is forecast to continue developing complicatedly and unexpectedly in the time ahead, with a high risk of widespread transmission, even within the military.

San asked the military units based in pandemic-stricken areas to proactively establish quarantine facilities and stand ready to support localities in case of quick virus transmission.

Major General Nguyen Xuan Kien, Director of the Department of Military Medicine under the ministry's General Department of Logistics, pointed to difficulties and dangers facing anti-pandemic efforts during the fourth wave, which began in Vietnam late April, with many clusters in the community.

However, the pandemic is still under control, he said, adding that most of cases have been quarantined before testing./.

EU Ambassador willing to help Vietnam access COVID-19 vaccine sources

Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, head of the European Union Delegation to Vietnam, told President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on June 1 that he is willing to support Vietnam in accessing COVID-19 vaccine sources and vaccine technology transfer from Europe.

The ambassador applauded Vietnam’s efforts in the pandemic fight and expressed his hope that the country will successfully complete its vaccine rollout.

During the reception for Aliberti, the President thanked the EU for its medical support through the COVAX Facility and Team Europe, and called on the EU to help Vietnam enhance its capacity for COVID-19 vaccination and production.

Phuc expressed his delight at the active development of the partnership and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and the EU over the past time.

The EU has become a leading important partner of Vietnam in many regards, the President said, adding that the two sides have signed a number of cooperation agreements in politics, trade, investment, and national defence and security such as the EU-Vietnam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, the Framework Participation Agreement (FPA) and the Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade.

Such documents have created a firm foundation for the two sides to lift their relations to a new high, Phuc said.

Lauding Aliberti’s contributions to the Vietnam-EU ties, Phuc suggested the ambassador continue to urge the European Parliament (EP) to soon complete procedures to ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

The ambassador, for his part, spoke highly of Vietnam’s non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council for 2020-2021.

He thanked Vietnam for its support in upgrading the ASEAN-EU relationship to a strategic partnership, and noted his wish that the two sides will continue their cooperation within the framework, for the sake of ASEAN countries and the EU.

While discussing regional and international issues of shared concern, Aliberti emphasised the significance of international law, notably the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS) to regional peace, stability, cooperation and development.

On this occasion, the ambassador handed over a congratulatory letter of European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen to President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Phuc asked the ambassador to convey his invitations to the EU’s high-ranking leaders to visit Vietnam./.

Vietnam reports new COVID-19 death

The sub-committee for treatment of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control on June 1 announced the country's 48th COVID-19 fatality.

The 76-year-old male patient from the northern province of Lang Son tested positive for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 on May 7 after having close contact with a COVID-19 patient. He was transferred to the Kim Chung facility of the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi's outlying district of Dong Anh for treatment.

He passed away on May 31 evening due to severe lung infection triggered by COVID-19, multi organ failure and septic shock./.

12 medical items added to national reserves

Twelve medical items have been added to the list of national reserves under a decree issued recently by the Prime Minister.

Decree No 56/2021/ND-CP details Resolution No 1024/2020/UBTVQH14, dated October 9, 2020 from the National Assembly’s Standing Committee regarding the supplementation of such medical items to the national reserves.

The items include X-ray machines, ventilators, defibrillators, patient monitoring devices, ultrasound machines, suction machines, electric injection pumps, surgical kits, chemical sprayers, personal protection equipment, machines detecting chemical, biological and radioactive agents, and body bags.

The Ministry of Health has been assigned to manage the items in line with the Law on National Reserves./.

Hanoi police puts anti-State propagandist on wanted list

The Hanoi Department of Public Security on June 1 issued a wanted notice for Le Van Dung, alias Le Dung Vova, who was charged with anti-State propaganda.

Dung was accused of “making, storing, distributing or disseminating information, documents, items against the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam” under Article 117 of the 2015 Penal Code.

He was said to have joined in anti-State activities and protests disrupting security and order since 2011. He took part in several subversive groups as well as some “movements” launched by domestic and overseas reactionary elements.

Since 2018, Dung led the so-called “Phong trao chan hung nuoc Viet” (Movement to revive Vietnam) and publicly set up some channels and pages like “Tieng dan tivi”, “Eva tivi”, and “Chan hung tivi” on Youtube and Facebook, frequently posting videos that distorted and defamed the administrations and leaders of localities so as to attract likes and support for reactionaries./.

Da Nang health workers assisting colleagues in pandemic hotspot

A group of medical workers from Da Nang left the central city on May 31 to head north and support colleagues in Bac Giang province in their struggle against the COVID-19 outbreak.

Before embarking on their journey to the pandemic hotspot of Bac Giang province on May 31 to treat severe COVID-19 cases, the 10 medical workers from Da Nang Hospital were trained carefully. They count among health workers with the most experience, from dealing with COVID-19 during previous outbreaks.

Bearing in mind the sacred mission of frontline soldiers in the fight against COVID-19, the medical workers have put aside personal matters to focus on supporting their comrades in the pandemic hotspot.

Having been hit by all three previous COVID-19 outbreaks, the “white-coat soldiers” from Da Nang city fully understand the unrelenting pressure involved. The doctors and nurses from Da Nang are determined to help their peers in Bac Giang win the battle against the pandemic./.

Winners of second “De Men” Award announced

Winners of the second “De Men” (Cricket) Award for Children were announced at a ceremony on June 1 on the occasion of International Children’s Day.

The judging panel could not determine a winner of the major “Cricket Knight” prize, so instead decided to grant five “Cricket Desire” awards instead of four.

The five winning works were the novel “Di tron” (Seeking shelter) by writer Binh Ca, the cartoon “Khuc go muc” (A rotten log) directed by People’s Artist Nguyen Thi Phuong Hoa, a series of paintings on nature and life by Xeo Chu (born in 2007), the comic “Ly & Chun - Tet la nhat, nhat la Tet” (Ly & Chun - Tet is the best) by Meo Moc, and a series of stories “Khac biet moi tuyet lam sao” (How great is the difference) by Nguyen Hoang Vu and Ga’s little world artists.

Poet Tran Dang Khoa, Vice President of the Vietnamese Writers’ Association and head of the judging panel, said the winners all stand out among works for children.

This is the second edition of the award, which was held last year for the first time by the Vietnam News Agency’s The Thao & Van Hoa (Sports & Culture) newspaper. It received 120 entries - 20 more than in the first edition.

The Cricket Knight prize of 30 million VND (1,300 USD) last year went to writer Nguyen Nhat Anh for his work “Lam ban voi bau troi” (Make Friends with the Sky).

The organisers also presented four Cricket Desire awards of 10 million VND each to a collection of paintings from 10-year-old Nguyen Doi Chung Anh, a long story from 12-year-old Cao Khai An, a collection of short stories by writer Nguyen Chi Ngoan, and a collection of songs about children by composer Nguyen Van Chung./.

Defence Minister hosts Indian, Korean ambassadors

Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen Phan Van Giang hosted separate receptions for Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Pranay Verma and Ambassador Park Noh-wan of the Republic of Korea (RoK) in Hanoi on June 1.

Receiving Ambassador Verma, Giang expressed his belief that with the Government’s active measures and support of the army, the Indian people will soon overcome this difficult time.

He affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to the development of comprehensive and substantial partnership with India, considering it one of the important factors to help the country succeed in national development for the sake of peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

Verma, for his part, believed that in his new position, Giang will make practical contributions to developing ties between the two nations, and between their armies in particular.

Both sides spoke highly of bilateral defence coordination over the past years, especially the serious and active implementation of cooperation contents, including the Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral defence cooperation as well as agreements signed by leaders of the two nations and defence ministries.

They pledged to soon sign the Joint Vision Statement on Defence Cooperation between Vietnam and India during the 2021-2025 period.

In a conversation with Ambassador Park, Giang thanked the RoK Government for providing Vietnam with an aid worth 500,000 USD for the fight against COVID-19.

He hailed RoK individuals and organisations for offering donations to Vietnam as well as the Republic of Korea’s sharing of experience and support for countries in difficulties amid the pandemic.

The host took note of new developments in bilateral defence ties since the signing of the Joint Vision Statement on Defence Cooperation through 2030, with the formation of new cooperation mechanisms such as the annual deputy ministerial-level defence policy dialogue, personnel training, cyber security and overcoming the consequences of after-war bombs and mines.

Park believed that Giang will make further practical and effective contributions to lifting bilateral ties as well as relations between the two armies in a sustainable manner.

Host and guest agreed to further boost defence ties, especially in the exchange of delegations, building bilateral cooperation mechanisms, holding exchanges at all levels, personnel training, maritime and cyber security cooperation, addressing consequences of post-war bombs and mines, and defence industry collaboration./.

Activities held for World Environment Day must meet anti-pandemic regulations

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) has requested activities held as part of the Action Month for the Environment in response to World Environment Day on June 5 be organised in accordance with COVID-19 prevention and control regulations.

The slogans for this year’s action month include “The Earth needs us! Let’s unite against climate change”, “Let’s use utensils from recycled materials”, “Using green materials contributes to environmental protection”, and “Environmental pollution from the use of pesticides, single-use plastics, and non-biodegradable plastic bags”.

Seminars and talks on these issues should be held as videoconferences.

Relevant authorities and citizens are required to strengthen control over waste collection, transportation and treatment, use natural resources efficiently, and focus resources on addressing environmental pollution, building a circular economy, and combating plastic waste.

Mass media agencies are asked to step up communications on messages and activities in response to World Environment Day and to promote effective environmental protection and biodiversity conservation solutions.

Organisations, individuals, and businesses that make effective and practical contributions to the use of natural resources, environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, sustainable consumption, and climate change response should be commended./.

Ha Noi orders 9th, 12th grade students not to leave city before key exams

Ha Noi Department of Education and Training has ordered ninth-grade pupils not to leave the city until they finish their high-school entrance examination.

The high-school entrance examination is expected to take place on June 10-11. 

The municipal department also ordered twelfth graders not to leave the city until they finish the national high-school examination scheduled on July 7-8.

The move aims to protect health of students amid surge of local infection cases (4,034) in 34 cities and provinces since late last month./.

Vietnam detects COVID-19 variant combining Indian, British mutations

Viet Nam has uncovered a new COVID-19 variant combining characteristics of the two existing variants first found in India and the UK, the Ministry of Health said.

The new variant is very dangerous, stressed Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long at a national online meeting on COVID-19 held in the morning.

This is the eight strain detected in Viet Nam since the Southeast Asian country confirmed the first COVID-19 patient on January 23, 2020.

Other variants include a strain from China’s Wuhan; D614G from Europe, B.1.1.7 from the UK; B.1.351 from South Africa; B.1617 from India; B.1619 from Africa; and B.1222.

Viet Nam is experiencing the fourth wave of COVID-19 resurgence with 3,643 community infection cases in 32 cities and provinces since April 27, 2021.

The current wave features with fast transmission rate due to concurrent emergence of multiple outbreaks especially at industrial parks and multiple variants while patients suffer from more severe symptoms, said Nguyen.

As of mid-Saturday, the national caseload reached 6,713, including 2,896 recoveries and 47 deaths./.

Surveillance cameras must be installed at COVID-19 quarantine facilities before June 12

The National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control has requested that security cameras must be installed at quarantine facilities before June 12 in a bid to curbing disease transmission from quarantine camps to community.

This is part of an urgent document which was sent to the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of National Defense, and Chairmen of People’s Committees. 

The MIC is in charge of directing departments of information and communications to manage camera installment and technical conditions.

The Ministry of National Defense and local authorities bear the responsibility for camera installment at quarantine camps and make sure all footage could be extracted to help monitor suspected COVID-19 carriers currently in isolation.

All records of a quarantined person, as well as of the inspection and supervision process, must be kept at the quarantine camps.

Earlier, the National Steering Committee planned to install 3,000 surveillance cameras in centralized quarantine facilities in northern Vietnamese provinces.

One-third of the number of surveillance cameras was installed within five days in 130 quarantine wards in 125 communes of northern Bac Giang Province, which is currently a coronavirus hotbed in Vietnam with 1,156 local infections.

As of early May 31, Viet Nam is currently placing 150,471 people in centralized quarantine, including 5,067 at hospitals, 30,307 at concentrated facilities, and the remaining at their residences.

The country documented 5,733 domestically-transmitted cases and 1,503 imported ones./.

Government inspector travels abroad 27 times without asking for permission

Le Hong Sam, an inspector of the Government Inspectorate, has been found to have traveled abroad 27 times from January 2013 to December 2018 without reporting it to her superiors and asking for their permission.

The inspection commission of the Government Inspectorate’s Party Committee on May 31 issued its conclusions on Sam’s violations, Tuoi Tre Online newspaper reported.

Sam was found to have gone abroad for 69 days, including 45 working days and 24 days off. Her longest trip lasted for nine days.

On April 12, 2016, the Government Inspectorate began an inspection into the Airports Corporation of Vietnam and Sam was one of the nine members of the inspection team. However, she went abroad during the 70-day inspection period, again without asking for permission.

Her violations affected the prestige of the Government Inspectorate. However, she acknowledged her violations and as she had done well in her position, she was reprimanded.

She committed the violations while she was an inspector of the Government Inspectorate’s Department I, led by Le Sy Bay. Therefore, the Government Inspectorate also asked the department to clarify its responsibility in the case.

Health authority in HCMC proposes for paid Covid-19 tests

According to Director of the Department of Health Professor Nguyen Tan Binh, now the city’s entire medical system including preventative medicine has been activated, ensuring for tracing and creating zones for Covid-19 patients as well as expanding high-risk areas to search for close contacts of infected patients.

While the disease has widely spread in many districts in the city, it is very necessary to strengthen and expand testing to detect people with Covid-19 and promptly control the epidemic. Many people also want to undergo a test for SARS-CoV-2 infection; therefore, the city Department of Health recommended a mechanism for collecting fees upon city dwellers’ request as well as to have money for the state budget.

In addition, to effectively control the epidemic in the long term, it is necessary to ensure the coverage of Covid-19 vaccination for all residents. However, at present, the supply of vaccines to Ho Chi Minh City is still limited. Just more than 7.2 million people over 18 years old in the city have been vaccinated.

Accordingly, city authorities petitioned the government and the Ministry of Health to find out the vaccine supply through negotiation or licensing and a financial mechanism so that that the city can proactively provide Covid-19 vaccine for dwellers.

Quang Binh reopens tourist spots

Many tourist sites in the central province of Quang Binh have resumed operations as Covid-19 outbreak in the province is under control.

On May 28, Quang Binh People's Committee announced that they would ease social distancing rules. Several tourist spots will be reopened including Phong Nha Cave, Thien Duong Cave, Mooc Stream as well as museums, religious facilities and entertainment centres.

Gyms and outdoor-sport activities that have less than 20 people have also resumed from May 29.

However, cinemas, karaoke bars, and nightclubs are still suspended until further notice.

Facility owners must commit to following all preventive regulations, while local authorities will carry out frequent inspections and deal with violators.

Tourist spots and various entertainment facilities were suspended on May 7 for Covid-19 prevention. A few tourist spots were still allowed to open but must not receive more than 20 visitors at the same time. 

HCM City to allocate funds for Ring Road No 3’s site clearance

Land acquisition and clearance for HCM City’s Ring Road No 3 is estimated to cost more than VNĐ26.4 trillion (US$1.14 billion) to be sourced from public funds, according to the city Department of Transport.

It has called on the city People’s Committee to make it one of the key projects for funding in the 2021-25 period to enable start of its construction soon. 

The 98.5km road will connect several parts of the southern key economic region, passing through HCM City and Đồng Nai, Bình Dương and Long An provinces.

It is expected to ease congestion at HCM City’s gateways and improve connectivity with neighbouring localities.

It was approved for construction in four sections by the Government 10 years ago.

But only the 16.7km first section of Tân Vạn- Bình Chuẩn in Bình Dương Province has been completed due to a lack of funds and difficulties in acquiring the required lands.

The department wants priority to be given to the third section between HCM City and the Mộc Bài Expressway and the fourth section between the national highway No 22 in HCM City and Bến Lức in Long An Province. 

Children's books aim to stimulate young readers

A new series of books for children to read, touch and feel have been released to mark Children’s Day (June 1).

The books in the Sờ Chạm (Touch) series feature stories of a day in the life of forest home to a sheep, crocodile, brown bear, hamster and cat.

As well as being entertained by the stories, the children can touch the characters’ fur that has been life-like due to the special design of the books. They can feel the softness, smoothness, or roughness of each animal’s coat on each page.

The Touch series is a project of Đinh Tị Book Company for children aged up to six years old, including two themes - 'Animal World - A Day in Nature' and 'Animal World - Four Beautiful Seasons'. All the pages were made with special materials that are safe for children.

"Children aged up to six tend to want to touch and feel due to their limited ability to express language, that's the idea that has inspired the Touch production team," said Nguyễn Thị Thùy Dương, deputy head of Editor Department of Đinh Tị Book Company.

"We thought why not create a book that children can touch directly the objects and be able to understand real things that they have seen but haven't been able to touch in reality."

According to Trần Lệ Thu, the vice director of the book company, this is a series that has been 100 per cent made in Việt Nam.

"We hope that Touch will not only become a meaningful gift for Vietnamese parents and children on the occasion of Children's Day but also helps them enjoy an interesting and meaningful summer holiday," Thu said.

Along with the 'touching' pages, the stories also provide knowledge about the world portrayed in the books. Corresponding to each image on each page are English words that children can memorise to enrich their English vocabulary.

Other features of the Touch books include the audio section for children to listen to the correct pronunciation of English words and some interactive features for them to learn about numbers.

"When I brought these books home, my daughter was really overjoyed. From a child who was refusing to read books, she immediately took them and held them in her hands," said Phan Hồ Điệp, a mother in Hà Nội.

Da Nang squashes latest COVID-19 outbreak

Rapid mass tests, quickly tracing close contact cases and forming proper quarantine zones have helped Đà Nẵng City put the COVID-19 outbreak under control a month into Việt Nam’s fourth wave of infections.

More than 270,000 people, including 80,000 workers at six industrial parks and zones, were tested for SARS-COV-2 from May 3-21 to map out safe zones in the city.

Nine COVID-19 patients have been released from hospitals since the outbreak hit the city on April 27. The recovered patients will be quarantined for a further 14 days at home under medical supervision to ensure safety.

Online shopping, taxi and public bus service have resumed operation, provided that all drivers must have negative tests for SARS-COV-2.

Nine hospitals and health centres in the city are qualified to test for the coronavirus, offering an accumulated 15,000 pool tests per day.

Quick testing

Chairman of the city’s people’s committee Lê Trung Chinh said the city’s health service had experience with pool tests during the second COVID-19 outbreak last year.

“We accelerated testing for pools of 10 or 20 to stop the COVID-19 outbreak having a chance to create mass infections in the community in early May of 2021,” Chinh said.

A medical staff tests a sample at Thiện Nhân Health Centre in Đà Nẵng. Mass urgent tests were conducted in the city in blocking COVID-19 wide spread in community. Photo courtesy of Trần Kim Tuyến 
“Medical staff and urgent COVID-19 detection teams worked all-out to trace possible direct and indirect contact people immediately, even through the night,” he said.

“The peak of the outbreak was on May 11 when 33 SARS-COV-2 positive cases were found related to one COVID-19 patient in Đà Nẵng Industrial Zone, where 9,000 workers and residents living nearby were tested in two days,” he explained.

A mass test programme was then given to more than 80,000 representatives of families, taxi drivers, bike and ride-hailing workers from May 18-21.

Chinh said COVID-19 detection teams were running off their feet taking samples in the community and all test results were reported within 24 hours.

“No new community infection case was found in 10 consecutive days between May 21-30, while 60,000 workers all tested negative for SARS-COV-2 for the second mass test on May 27-29," he said. 

Tôn Thất Thạnh, director of the city’s Centre for Disease Control, said: “We offered flexible urgent tests at high-risk zones and living quarters before lock-down decisions were given. Quick tracing and fast setting up of barriers in lockdown zones helped us eliminate unnecessary cases of mass quarantine.

“More than 70,000 test results of samples were given within 24 hours during the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak from May 1-23. Some tests were even finished in six hours,” said deputy director of the city’s health department, Trần Thanh Thủy.

Doctor Nguyễn Tam Lãm from the CDC said key hospitals strictly controlled the entrance among visitors and patients. Only in-patient services were allowed at central hospitals with SARS-COV-2 negative tests, he said.

He added the limits on entering key hospitals has remained since the second COVID-19 outbreak stopped in the city late last August.

Digital applications

Đà Nẵng also built a digital COVID-19 map – the COVIDMaps, or COVIDmaps.danang.gov.vn – an app for all people to find updated information on COVID-19 outbreak sites, as well as quarantined and locked-down zones.

Local residents can find destinations that they visited within 14 days to identify their risk of infection.

Nguyễn Văn Quốc, director of the city’s public information service, said COVIDMaps has been offered free for users since last August.

“Online health declarations are open for all users, while SARS-COV-2 test results are posted on Zalo, Google Sheets or a website,” Quốc said.

To help other localities in dealing with COVID-19, the city sent a group of 10 doctors and nurses to support Bắc Giang – one of the worst COVID-19 hit provinces – after test tools and medical facilities worth VNĐ12 billion (US$521,000) were donated to Bắc Giang and Bắc Ninh provinces.

The city also donated $43,000 to support five provinces in Laos in the fight against COVID-19.

COVID-19 a concern in Hà Nội apartment buildings

A number of COVID-19 cases were reported at apartment buildings in Hà Nội in recent days, putting thousands of residents under lockdown.

Five apartment buildings in Hà Nội were locked down on just one day last week. Residents have mixed feelings about the lock-downs while local authorities are trying their best to respond to the outbreak.

While having dinner with her family on Tuesday, Phạm Thu Trà, living at an apartment on Minh Khai Street, Hai Bà Trưng District, received a phone call announcing a man living next door had tested positive for coronavirus. All households on the same floor as her were put into lockdown.

Although she, her family and other neighbours did not have close contact with the patient, Trà was still worried and had a lot of questions racing in her mind. “How long will the lockdown be? Can I go down to the first floor to get food? Can my daughter sit for the exam for high school in mid-June if the lockdown lasts long?”

Right after the positive case was confirmed, the whole apartment floor was disinfected. Nearly 40 people in 12 apartments were asked not to go out, list their travel history and contact local authorities if there was any trouble.

Residents living on other floors of the apartment building were asked to refrain from going out.

A supermarket located at an apartment building in Hai Bà Trưng District is disinfected after an F1 case came to buy food. Residents said local authorities had responded timely to the outbreak. — VNS Photo Dương Nguyễn
Phạm Minh Hưng, a police officer of Vĩnh Tuy Ward, Hai Bà Trưng District, who came to the apartment building to assist residents in lockdown said: “We try to keep in touch with locked down residents on a Zalo group where all information about the positive case is updated. If they need any help, they can send messages on Zalo and we are ready to help.”

Trà said: “On the second day of lockdown, I ran out of rice. One of my neighbours kindly shared his rice but we are not allowed to go out to meet each other. And we found a solution: My neighbour put the rice bag at his doorstep then a police officer helped carry the bag and put it in front of my door.”

“Every day, the police officers on duty also bring food and necessary items sent by our relatives to every household. They are very helpful,” she said.

Ngô Thu Trang, another resident in lockdown, said: “When I knew I would be locked down, I was a little panicked. But some days later, after receiving help from security guards and police officers as well as encouragement from my neighbours, I felt relieved. Residents on the same floor who rarely meet each other on normal days are now united.”

“Local authorities have responded timely and issued detailed instructions to residents in lockdown,” Trang told Việt Nam News.

Active response

COVID-19 in Hà Nội is getting more and more complex with one of the biggest clusters linked to residents living in the Times City Urban Complex and staff of T&T Company. The cluster is assessed to carry high risk as the source of infection has yet to be identified and more cases are being recorded.

A lot of buildings where patients and related cases live or visited are home to thousands of people like Park Hill Times City Block 9 and 11 in Hai Bà Trưng District; Ecohome 3, Goldmark City in Bắc Từ Liêm District; Vinhomes Ocean Park in Gia Lâm District; Center Point in Thanh Xuân District, and Gamuda Gardens, Gelexia Riverside in Hoàng Mai District.

Hà Nội has more than 1,400 old apartment buildings and urban complexes with high population density.

In most such complexes, residents share elevators, so one person testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 can affect thousands of others. Many high-end complexes run air-conditioners all the time in their lobbies and corridors, creating an ideal environment for the virus.

Preventing COVID-19 and ensuring safety for residents in lockdown are top priorities for apartment building’s management boards in Hà Nội now.

Nguyễn Thị Kim Oanh, head of the Block T3 residential group’s management board, Times City Urban Area, said the block had not reported any positive cases, however, the infection risk from neighbouring buildings is always high. T3 now has some F2 and F3 cases so the management board has taken preventive measures.

“We erected barriers at the gateway leading to the block’s lobby to limit motorbikes and cars coming in. We have also advised residents to switch from using fingerprints to resident cards to open the lobby’s security gate,” Oanh said.

“We regularly update the information on F2 and F3 cases living in the block on the Facebook group for residents so everyone can easily follow and take their own preventive measures,” she said.

In most apartment buildings in Hà Nội, hand sanitiser has been placed in front of elevators or reception desks so visitors can clean their hands before entering elevators. Disinfection is conducted regularly at lobbies and inside elevators. But although these measures are in place, some residents still feel worried.

Phạm Hồng Ngọc, a resident at an urban area in Hoàng Mai District, said everyone enters the building without a temperature check. Some visitors, even residents, do not wear face masks or wear them incorrectly when in elevators.

Nguyễn Lan, another resident, said: “Each of us should raise our own awareness. For example, we should take the elevator in a group of five to six people only. Everyone should remind each other not to talk while being inside the elevator.”

Mạnh Thiết, a resident of Vinahud Urban Complex in Hai Bà Trưng District, said: “Since the resurgence of the fourth pandemic wave, residents living on the same floor as mine agreed not to let children play outside in public spaces, not to visit each other’s apartment and to talk to each other on group chats. We also tell each other not to take elevators if there are too many people inside.”

HCM City restricts public transport

Public transport has been halted in Gò Vấp District and Thạnh Lộc Ward in District 12 in HCM City for 15 days from May 31 to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Buses numbered 03, 32, 58, 59, and 103, taxis, and ride-hailing, tourist, and rental car services will not be allowed to operate from March 31 to June 14, according to the city Department of Transport.

Vehicles are allowed to drive through some streets in these areas, but not stop, drop off or pick up people.

The streets include Lê Đức Thọ, Thống Nhất, Quang Trung, Nguyễn Oanh, Phan Huy Ích, Tân Sơn, Phạm Văn Bạch, Phan Văn Trị, Lê Quang Định, Nguyễn Thái Sơn, Nguyễn Kiệm, Hoàng Minh Giám, Bạch Đằng and Hồng Hà in Gò Vấp District and Hà Huy Giáp Street and National Highway No.1 in Thạnh Lộc Ward.

The city has also halted bus services on 17 routes to the provinces of Long An, Đồng Nai and Bình Dương.

Many provinces such as Đồng Nai, Long An, Bình Thuận, Khánh Hòa, Tiền Giang, Lâm Đồng, Đắk Lắk and Cần Thơ City have stopped passenger transport services to and from HCM City.

Localities send help to Bắc Giang to fight COVID-19

Eighteen doctors and nurses from the central city of Huế are heading to Bắc Giang to help fight the spread of the novel coronavirus.

They are to take charge of a field hospital in the northern province and to support virus screening, tracing and to provide treatment to COVID-19 patients. 

"We intend to stay as long as it takes until the virus is put under control. This is also an opportunity for us to learn about the virus and how to treat COVID-19 patients," said nurse Đặng Quốc Bảo

Nguyễn Thanh Xuân, vice-director of Huế Central Hospital, said the team consists of elite doctors and nurses, who had previously trained and worked in combating the virus. Xuân said the hospital is willing to send another team if needed. 

Another team of 10 also left for the northern province yesterday from Đà Nẵng, one of the cities which was hit hard by the virus last year. All ten already received their first shot of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. 

Ngô Thị Kim Yến, head of the city's health department, said the team will be in charge of patients who are in critical condition. 

"We understand this is going to take a while. The team will put in 100 per cent effort to help Bắc Giang fight the virus," she said. 

Nearly 26,000 medical workers and students have signed up to volunteer to go to Bắc Giang and Bắc Ninh. Currently, more than 2,300 medical workers and students have joined the front line with local healthcare workers since the end of May. 

"We've made preparations and will be able to dispatch a large number of health workers to Bắc Giang should the situation get worse," said deputy minister of health Nguyễn Trường Sơn.

Sơn said at the moment a team of 700 health workers are working around the clock to collect samples for testing in the northern province. Intense summer heat in recent days has forced the team to work mainly in the early morning and evening to avoid exhaustion. 

The ministry has set a target to vaccinate 100,000 workers in numerous industrial parks within the province in the next ten days. 

HCMC to requisition seven university dorms as quarantine centers

The government of HCMC has written to the Vietnam National University-HCMC (VNU-HCMC) and other universities and colleges in the city asking for support and approval to requisition the dormitories of the schools as concentrated quarantine centers.

This move is aimed at preparing backup quarantine facilities to handle people who have close contact with Covid-19 patients as well as to cope with a scenario in which the city would have 100-300 infections daily, reported Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper.

According to the HCMC Department of Health’s survey, the city has some university dormitories with adequate facilities to serve the quarantine purpose. These include six dormitories in Thu Duc City and one in District 11.

Of them, the VNU-HCMC dormitories have 40,000 beds for students. These facilities can be requistitioned as quarantine centers with 20,000 beds.

To prepare facilities for the quarantine centers, the VNU-HCMC Dormitory Management Center today, May 31, teamed up with the HCMC Military Command to begin packing up the stuff of students in their rooms, sealing it off and moving the stuff to warehouses.

For the students’ assets and stuff stored in locked cabinets, the VNU-HCMC Dormitory Management Center will leave them untouched. The center will work with the relevant units on protecting such stuff during the quarantine period.

Students will be notified to declare their assets on the website of the center at http://svktx.vnuhcm.edu.vn/.

More southern provinces suspend passenger transport to/from virus-hit HCMC

As the Covid-19 pandemic is raging in HCMC, with over 150 locally-infected cases reported since May 27, many southern provinces and cities have decided to suspend passenger road transport services to and from the virus-hit city starting today, May 31, until further notice.

In Dong Nai, the authorities ordered vehicles operating on fixed routes, contract cars, passenger coaches and taxis to temporarily stop traveling to/from HCMC, Hanoi, Long An, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh and other virus-hit places. Meanwhile, vehicles transporting food, operating on the request of the authorities and serving the fight against Covid-19 will remain operational.

Vehicles allowed to remain operational must not use more than 50% of their seats, not carry over 20 passengers at a time and have to comply with Covid-19 safety measures.

The provincial government of Dong Nai also ordered the suspension of religious rites and activities at pedestrian streets, parks and non-essential services including beauty salons, game shops, tourist sites, golf courses and outdoor sports activities with over 10 people.

Further, local residents were told to refrain from going out, except for essential purposes and practice anti-epidemic measures. People aged over 60 were advised to stay at home during this time.

The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho also ordered the suspension of passenger road transport services to/from virus-hit areas including HCMC, according to an announcement signed by Le Tien Dung, director of the Transport Department in Can Tho.

As for trips to other provinces and cities that have yet to be impacted by the coronavirus, vehicles operating on fixed routes, contract cars, passenger coaches and taxis were allowed to maintain operations but they must not use over 50% of their seats and not carry more than 20 people including the driver and assistants. Also, vehicles are banned from offering pick up and drop off services to passengers in virus-hit regions.

In Bac Lieu Province, the authorities decided to temporarily cease operations of passenger road transport services to/from HCMC, Long An and other affected localities starting 6 p.m. yesterday. The move comes as the disease is spreading fast, especially after the province’s Hoa Binh District has reported infections, said Pham Van Thieu, chairman of the provincial government.

Bac Lieu also restricted private vehicles from traveling to/from virus-hit regions, except for those serving the anti-coronavirus fight.

Earlier, Bac Lieu had suspended non-essential services such as fitness centers, martial arts and football clubs, massage and karaoke parlors, game shops, meetings with over 30 participants and large gatherings with over 10 people.

The Mekong Delta province added that wet markets, supermarkets and stores must practice social distancing and anti-Covid-19 measures. Also, takeaway services are encouraged.

Similarly, dozens of provinces in the south, the Central Highlands and the central region such as An Giang, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Lam Dong, Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan asked passenger transport operators to stop offering services to the affected localities, including HCMC, to prevent the virus spreading.

Health authority in HCMC proposes for paid Covid-19 tests

Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health proposed collecting fees for Covid-19 tests.

According to Director of the Department of Health Professor Nguyen Tan Binh, now the city’s entire medical system including preventative medicine has been activated, ensuring for tracing and creating zones for Covid-19 patients as well as expanding high-risk areas to search for close contacts of infected patients.

While the disease has widely spread in many districts in the city, it is very necessary to strengthen and expand testing to detect people with Covid-19 and promptly control the epidemic. Many people also want to undergo a test for SARS-CoV-2 infection; therefore, the city Department of Health recommended a mechanism for collecting fees upon city dwellers’ request as well as to have money for the state budget.

In addition, to effectively control the epidemic in the long term, it is necessary to ensure the coverage of Covid-19 vaccination for all residents. However, at present, the supply of vaccines to Ho Chi Minh City is still limited. Just more than 7.2 million people over 18 years old in the city have been vaccinated.

Accordingly, city authorities petitioned the government and the Ministry of Health to find out the vaccine supply through negotiation or licensing and a financial mechanism so that that the city can proactively provide Covid-19 vaccine for dwellers.

Mekong Delta to account for 20 percent of total transport investment capital

The Ministry of Transport yesterday said that the agency had submitted to the Prime Minister for approval the national specialized plan for road, railway, maritime way, inland waterway and aviation in the period of 2021 – 2030, vision to 2050.

The Ministry of Transport suggested prioritizing the investment for the major projects in the Mekong Delta, raising the investment capital density following the population from 71.55 percent to 129.21 percent compared with the national average. Accordingly, many roads in the region will be built or upgraded to expressways.

Besides that, the Ministry of Transport also suggested the preparation for the investment of the Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho City railway and the Tran De – Soc Trang wharf, upgrading Cho Gao canal system in the second phase, development of maritime corridors and logistic system in the Southern region, upgrading three inland waterway routes of Muong Khai – Doc Phu Hien canal, Ham Luong River, Ha Tien – Rach Gia – Ca Mau.

The Ministry of Transport also submitted the expected allocation draft of the medium-term public investment plan in the period of 2021 – 2025 to the Ministry of Planning and Investment. Of which, the Mekong Delta will need VND50,690 billion (nearly US$2.2 billion), accounting for 20 percent of the transport sector's investment capital, to implement the expressway projects such as the Chau Doc – Can Tho - Soc Trang (Tran De), Can Tho – Ca Mau, My An – Cao Lanh, Cao Lanh – Lo Te- Rach Soi, An Huu – Cao Lanh, Chon Thanh – Duc Hoa and other key projects during the period.

Laid-off workers to be offered vocational training, job opportunities amid Covid

The HCMC Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs are working to train laid-off workers in other vocations and help them access new job markets besides immediate financial relief, said its Director Le Minh Tan.

A survey done by the HCMC Center of Forecasting Manpower Needs and Labor Market Information (FALMI) showed 34 percent of 2,700 companies had seen a drop in the number of employees, either from reduced work hours, unpaid leaves and even being laid off.

Around 50,000 workers had to apply for unemployment benefits at the beginning of 2021 despite relatively positive economic numbers, and the number has seen a 15 percent increase year-on-year.

In 2020, the HCMC Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs advocated for VND612 billion (about US$26.5 million) for over 500,000 workers and 5,274 companies affected by the pandemic, meeting 100 percent of the set goals.

In the long run, the Department in 2021 would focus on getting unemployed workers to vocational training to re-enter the job market soon, said Mr. Tan. The Department would also encourage companies to let workers take alternating shifts instead of letting them go en masse.

At the same time, the Department would establish online job exchange programs expected to help about 300,000 workers introduced to new jobs in 2021.

On the other hand, the HCMC People’s Committee has requested for the second support package for companies this year who have been trying to provide unemployed workers with various forms of financial relief.

Vietnamese Health Ministry recalls drug for failing to meet requirement

The Drug Administration under Vietnamese Ministry of Health decided to remove an over-the-counter drug from the market for the medicine failed to meet the requirement of volume.

Yesterday, the Administration sent a document to the departments of Health across the country on the nationwide recall of Atisalbu oral solution (Salbutamol 2mg/5ml), with lot number 9509 and expiry date November 22, 2021 produced by An Thien Pharmaceutical Company, because the drug failed meet the volume standard.

Accordingly, the Drug Administration of Vietnam required An Thien Pharmaceutical Company to recall the medicine from wholesale and retail drugstores. An Thien Pharmaceutical Company must report recall result to the Drug Administration of Vietnam.

In addition, the departments of Health should notify all pharmacies to recall the batch of drugs that fail to meet the above-mentioned quality. Establishments which don’t follow the direction will receive punishment according to current regulations.

Nearly 89,000 candidates in HCMC to enter high school graduation exam 2021

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training informed that around 88,774 students will participate in the high school graduation exam in 2021. Of which, there will be 80,775 students from high schools and 7,999 students from continuing education centers in the city.

The statistics showed that around 88,336 students registered for the math test; meanwhile, 87,219 and 77,369 students chose literature and English respectively for the exam.

Besides, 52,232 students registered for the chemistry test, 51,915 ones would do physics test, 51,795 candidates registered for biology, 35,662 ones chose history, 35,130 and 26,820 candidates registered for geography and citizenship education respectively.

According to Deputy Director of the HCMC Department of Education and Training Le Hoai Nam, there will be 160 examination points with 3,868 rooms in compliance with the Covid-19 pandemic prevention and control regulations.

Currently, the city had spent over VND1 billion (US$43,500) to equip facial masks and hand sanitizers at the examination venues to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is expected that a total of 15,000 teachers and staff would involve in the exam.

In addition, educational inspectors, police, electronic and medical staff will also participate in the exam along with the students.

HCMC to use high technologies to reduce labor-intensive status

Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has just issued a detailed plan for the project ‘Solutions to Decrease Labor-intensiveness in Labor-intensive Industries in HCMC – Hi-tech Enhancement is a Case Study’.

Accordingly, HCMC People’s Committee asks that the HCMC Department of Science and Technology cooperated with related state units to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their innovation process to increase their own competitiveness and to perfect the startup ecosystem.

Simultaneously, there must be an introduction of suitable regulations for the establishment and use of venture capital funds to financially aid projects implementing high technologies. The regulations for forming and using the science-technology development fund among businesses must also be perfected.

HCMC People’s Committee assigns the HCMC Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs to create a close link between enterprises and vocational training centers to upgrade the quality of the labor force.

Meanwhile, the HCMC Department of Industry and Trade is requested to launch the citywide program to support and develop businesses and industrial products.

The HCMC Information and Communications Department is asked to help companies in need to carry out their digital transformation process, to organize training sessions for SMEs in order to re-evaluate their own manufacturing and trading methods, their value chain, and their connection to clients in order to seek more effective solutions.

The HCMC Science and Technology Department discourages all investment plans and industrial manufacturing projects that apply outdated technologies and are energy-intensive, labor-intensive.

Jordan's coach highly evaluates friendly match with Vietnam

Jordan and Vietnam played a good game, said Jordan’s coach Vital Borkelmans while commenting on the 1-1 friendly match between the two sides in the UAE on June 1 (Vietnam time) ahead of the 2022 World Cup Asian qualifiers.

Borkelmans said that although his team had many chances, they made a big mistake which ended up with an own goal.

Jordanian players continued to miss a lot of opportunities in the second half, including a penalty which was successfully saved by Vietnamese goalkeeper Van Toan.

However, he said, this was only a friendly match and both sides should focus on more important games. Jordan will face Kuwait and Australia in their next matches.

After the friendly match, Vietnam's coach Park Hang-seo permitted his players to take a rest for the whole day. As planned, the national team will be back to training on June 2 evening.

Vietnam are currently leading Group G of the 2022 World Cup Asian qualifiers with 11 points after three wins and two draws, two clear of second-placed Malaysia and three above Thailand. The UAE are now in the fourth position with six points from four games, while Indonesia are standing at the bottom with zero points.

The remaining three matches of Group G will see Vietnam play against Indonesia, Malaysia and the UAE on June 7, 11 and 15, respectively./.

COVID-19 fight gains additional support

A large number of State agencies and enterprises have made donations to the fight against COVID-19 over the last few days as the country is exerting every effort to contain the latest outbreak.

On June 1, the Party Committee of the Central Agencies Bloc organised a fundraising programme where each staff member contributed at least one day’s salary to the fight against COVID-19.

At a similar event on the same day, the Ministry of Finance raised 5 billion VND (217,700 USD) for the COVID-19 vaccine fund and anti-pandemic efforts.

The Vietnam News Agency also held a programme on May 31 to call for aid for the fight, donating 450 million VND to help procure vaccines and medical supplies and assist quarantine sites and COVID-19 treatment centres.

The Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises launched a fundraising campaign on the same day.

Since April 27, many businesses under the commission have made contributions to disease prevention and control activities, including Vietnam Electricity (EVN), with 37.6 billion VND, the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) with 50 billion VND, and the Vietnam National Petroleum Group (Petrolimex) with 6 billion VND. Vietnam Airlines has transported healthcare personnel, vaccines, and vaccination materials free of charge.

Meanwhile, the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Internal Affairs has also moved to raise donations.

All contributions were handed over to the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee, which will coordinate the distribution of assistance.

At a May 27 event held by the VFF Central Committee to call for support for the COVID-19 fight, State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc stressed that the country is now in need of contributions from every person, and appealed to citizens from all social strata both at home and abroad, businesses in all economic sectors, organisations, religious practitioners, and people from other countries to join hands with the entire Party, people, and army to defeat the pandemic./.

More donations come to COVID-19 fight

Nearly 3.5 trillion VND (151.93 million USD) has been raised for the fight against COVID-19 via the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) and the Ministry of Health since May 1.

The VFF Central Committee on June 1 received donations from many agencies, organisations and individuals at home and abroad, with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) contributing 450 million VND.

VNA Deputy General Director Dinh Dang Quang expressed his hope that the agency’s donation will contribute to efforts by the Party, State and Government in the pandemic combat.

The Association of Vietnamese in Macau (China) contributed 131.7 million VND, the Ministry of Home Affairs, 456 million VND; and the Ministry of Finance, 1 billion VND.

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 vaccine fund had received more than 28 billion VND donated by organisations and individuals as of 4 pm on June 1, the State Treasury of Vietnam said.

Vo Thanh Hung, head of the State Budget Department under the finance ministry, said the Ministry of Health had estimated that Vietnam needs 150 million vaccine doses to inoculate around 75 percent of its population, with total cost amounting to some 25.2 trillion VND.

The huge cost requires contributions by organisations and individuals at home and abroad, apart from the State budget, he stressed.

The fund is set up to receive, manage, and use donations and assistance from domestic and foreign organisations and individuals, along with other legal sources, for COVID-19 vaccine procurement and import, research and production in the country, and the provision of vaccines for people./.

Ambassador encourages national men’s football squad ahead of World Cup qualifiers

Vietnamese Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Nguyen Manh Tuan and staff at the Embassy of Vietnam in the country visited the national men’s football team ahead of the remaining games of the second round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
The ambassador rejoiced to see two Vietnamese football teams come to the UAE to compete at major tournaments.

Noting the futsal team’s success in securing a berth at the FIFA Futsal World Cup for the second time, Tuan voiced his hope that the national team will fulfil the set target and win a place in the third round of the qualifiers.

The diplomat said that despite the adverse impact of COVID-19, the Vietnamese community in the UAE is eager to cheer for the national squad in the three upcoming matches. 

The Vietnamese Embassy also stands ready to support the team during training and competing in the UAE, Ambassador Tuan pledged, wishing all members to maintain their spirit and confidence to surmount challenges.

For his part, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Football Federation Tran Quoc Tuan thanked staffers at the embassy for their support.

He informed that the Vietnamese fans may attend the matches, as the host country has allowed spectators to come to see matches at 30 percent of stadium capacity.

After one day of rest after a friendly with Jordan, the team will resume training on June 2.

Vietnam will play Indonesia on June 7, Malaysia four days later, and hosts the UAE on June 15./.

Vietnam confirms 53 more COVID-19 cases on early June 2

Vietnam reported 53 new domestic infections of COVID-19 over the last 18 hours to 6:00 am on June 2, pushing the national tally to 7,625, according to the Ministry of Health.

Of the new cases, Bac Giang accounted for the majority with 48, followed by Bac Ninh (3), and Hanoi (2).

Vietnam has so far documented 6,118 locally-transmitted cases and 1,507 imported. The number of infections reported since April 27 when the fourth coronavirus wave hit the country amounting to 4,548.

Among active patients undergoing treatment, 161 have tested negative to coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 once, 91 twice, and 79 thrice.

There are currently 149,013 people who had close contact with confirmed patients and entered the countries under quarantine at hospitals, concentrated quarantine facilities or at residences.

People nationwide are advised to strictly follow the Ministry of Health’s 5K message: khau trang (facemask), khu khuan (disinfection), khoang cach (distance), khong tu tap (no gathering), and khai bao y te (health declaration).

Those having suspected symptoms, for examples, fever, cough and shortness of breath, are urged to call the ministry’s hotline 1900 9095 for assistance and support./.

Hà Nội, other provinces suffering extremely hot weather, high UV index

Hà Nội and other northern provinces have been witnessing extremely hot weather, with the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) predicting the current intense heat wave would last for the next 2-3 days.

For the first time this summer, the Láng meteorological station in Hà Nội recorded a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.

According to the NCHMF, since May 30, 34 provinces in the North and Central regions recorded temperatures ranging from 37 to 40 degrees Celsius.

The temperature in Hoà Bình Province measured at three stations of Chi Nê, Lạc Sơn and Hoa Bình City reached 40 degrees.

Two provinces bordering Hà Nội, Hà Nam and Hưng Yên, also saw temperatures rise to 40 degrees.

Many districts in the central provinces of Thanh Hoá, Nghệ An and Quảng Ngãi saw even higher figures.

The outdoor temperature is usually 3-5 degrees higher, depending on the terrain.

Nguyễn Văn Hưởng, NCHMF's head of climate forecasting, said that due to the impact of the low pressure area in the west and strong winds, the north and central regions were seeing high temperatures for 10-19 hours a day, and humidity was only 40-60 per cent.

It was forecast that in the next 2-3 days, northern mountainous provinces of Sơn La and Hoà Bình, the midlands and Hồng (Red) Delta regions and the provinces from Thanh Hoá to Phú Yên would continue experiencing hot weather with a temperature of 37-40 degrees Celsius, Hưởng said.

The ultraviolet (UV) index in cities was also very high, the NCHMF said.

The maximum UV index usually occurs from 10am to 1pm.

A UV index of 2.5-5.4 is moderate, 5.5-7.4 is high risk, 7.5 -10.4 is very high, and more than 10.5 or higher is considered dangerous.

From June 2 to 4, the UV index in Hà Nội is forecast to reach 9. 

The UV index in the localities of Hải Phòng City, Hạ Long City of Quảng Ninh Province, Huế City of Thừa Thiên-Huế, Đà Nẵng City, Hội An City of Quảng Nam Province,  Nha Trang City of Khánh Hoà Province, HCM City, Cần Thơ City, and Cà Mau City will range from 8 to 10 over the next three days.

Health experts recommend people wear protective clothing, including long-sleeved shirts, collared jackets, long trousers, and wide hats to cover their face, neck and ears.

People should wear sunglasses to protect their eyes, and choose lenses with UV protection.

People should eat plenty of fresh fruit rich in vitamin C and use sunscreen regularly, even when it is cloudy.

If exposed to high temperatures for a long time, people could become dehydrated, exhausted, and suffer heat stroke.

The NCHMF forecast that in June in the north and central provinces, there would be about 3-4 extreme heat waves.

The first wave is occuring and may last until June 3 in the north and until June 5 in the central region, according to the NCHMF.

In mid- to late-June, the north was also likely to see 2-3 heat waves with a duration of about 3-5 days each, with an average temperature of 35-38 degrees Celsius, while the western mountains of the central region in Sơn La and Hoà Bình provinces would have severe heat waves with the temperatures reaching 38-40 degrees, said Trần Quang Năng, an expert from NCHMF.

“Due to the influence of the hot weather combined with the low humidity in the air and the strong southwest wind, there was a high risk of fire in residential areas due to the increasing electricity consumption, and the high risk of forest fires in the central provinces,” said Hưởng. 

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