A group of foreigners illegally entering Vietnam detected by HCM City's police (Photo: congan.com.vn)

The People’s Procuracy of Ho Chi Minh City said on May 8 that it approved decisions to prosecute and detain two Vietnamese citizens for arranging illegal stay for foreigners in Vietnam.

Nguyen Van Huan, 39, residing Binh Tan district in HCM City, and Tran Hoai Thanh, 40, residing in Dak G’Long district of the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong, are prosecuted under Article 348 of the Criminal Code 2015.

According to the initial investigation results, on April 20, Huan was introduced to contact with a man named Tai to arrange illegal entry for 11 foreigners into Vietnam.

On April 29, Huan contacted Thanh to find three hotel rooms for the foreigners. Huan brought the foreigners to the hotel a day later.

The case is under further investigation.

A day earlier, the municipal People's Procuracy also approved a decision to prosecute and arrest Nguyen Van Thanh, born in 1995 and residing in HCM City's District 7, to investigate in his involvement in arranging illegal stay for 13 foreigners./.

Hanoi to offer free COVID-19 vaccinations to residents aged 18-65

Hanoi will give free COVID-19 vaccinations to local people aged between 18 and 65 and not included in prioritised groups during the 2021-2022 period.

This is part of a plan signed by Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Chu Xuan Dung on May 7 on implementing a COVID-19 vaccination drive in the city during the 2021-2022 period.

The drive will still cover prioritised groups as regulated in Government Resolution No 21/NQ-CP issued on February 26, including frontline medical staff, army and public security officers, diplomatic officials, and customs officials, among others.

The city sets a target of having 95 percent of people at risk of infection and other residents fully vaccinated.

The capital will mobilise human resources from medical establishments and training facilities to conduct the drive, with funding from the State and municipal budgets as well as other legal sources./.

HCM City strengthens COVID prevention measures in hospitals

Hospitals in the southern largest hub of Ho Chi Minh City are on high alert and are taking strict preventive measures against COVID-19 after tens of new cases were recorded at medical establishments in the capital city of Hanoi.

All healthcare staff and others entering local medical facilities must have their temperature checked, fill out online health declaration forms, and wash their hands before entering.

Hospitals will use only one entry and exit door, and will regularly disinfect the property. They will also ensure that all staff are tested for COVID-19. Most health workers and other staff have already been vaccinated as part of the recent national vaccination drive.

The city’s Department of Health has instructed people to wear masks, have their body temperature measured, and fill out online health declaration forms when entering health facilities.

The Ministry of Health has told health facilities throughout the country to strictly comply with its criteria for COVID-19 prevention and control at hospitals. Telemedicine should be used as much as possible, it said.

HCM City has set up many inspection teams for COVID-19 prevention and control in its districts and in Thu Duc city.

The municipal People’s Committee on May 6 approved the closure of educational establishments from kindergarten to high school, as well as professional education schools, starting on May 10.

The schools will teach online for the rest of the 2020-2021 academic year, which ends on May 31.

Most schools in the city have scheduled tests for the second semester earlier than scheduled. All tests will be completed by May 8.

The HCM City People's committee has also ordered closure of non-essential services such as gyms, fitness centres, billiard places, yoga establishments, wedding centres, buffet restaurants, and events with more than 30 people, starting May 7./.

Quang Binh suspends world-renowned cave tours due to pandemic

The People’s Committee of the central province of Quang Binh announced to suspend tours to caves and tourist attractions in the province due to the rising concerns and spread of Covid-19.

The provincial authorities have set restriction on tourism activities at tourist, historical, cultural and religious sites, such as the most famous of the system of Phong Nha consisting of Phong Nha cave, Tien Son cave, Thien Duong cave; Mooc stream, Chay River, Toi (dark) cave; Hava valley; Ozo Treetop park; Mo (Dream) Fall; the province’s General Museum.

The statement also put a limit on gatherings at these places from 12 p.m on May 7 until further notice , and asked a strict implementation of preventive measures and the Health Ministry’s 5K message, Khau trang (facemask) - Khu khuan (disinfection) - Khoang cach (distance) - Khong tu tap (no gathering) – Khai bao y te (health declaration).

The provincial government has required the remaining destinations to limit the number of visitors at 20 people per group and comply with Covid-19 preventive and control measures.

Humanitarian Month 2021 officially launched

The Vietnam Red Cross Society's Central Committee on May 8 launched the Humanitarian Month 2021 on the occasion of the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day (May 8).

The month has been carried out from May 1-31 under the theme “For a Safe Community,” focusing on building a community of solidarity, humanity, good health and safe against pandemics, natural disasters and serious incidents.

Objectives of the month include the building of 75 flood-resilient houses in Quang Tri, supporting at least 150,000 needy people, introducing at least 10,000 humanitarian addresses and assisting 750 poor households.

Addressing the launching ceremony, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Do Van Chien called on agencies, organisations, businesses and entrepreneurs in and outside the country as well as donors and people from all walks of life to accompany with the Vietnam Red Cross Society to give a helping hand to the poor and unite to build a humanitarian and safe community.

He said that the Vietnam Red Cross Society is a trust-worthy destination for contributions from donors to humanitarian activities.

Various activities were held within the event, including the introduction of addresses providing first aid training, the presenting of gifts to needy households in Hanoi, and the launching of a texting campaign for the poor in border areas.

First piloted in 2018, the Humanitarian Month has so far raised nearly 1.7 billion VND (74,280 USD) for the poor, providing support to more than 2.2 million poor people. From this year, the month has been launched in all localities nationwide./.

PM promises with voters to work hard for stronger national development

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has pledged that he and the Government will work hard, together with the whole political system, army and people, to promote the country’s achievements and overcome difficulties and challenges so as to further boost its development and successfully implement the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress.

PM Chinh and other candidates running for seats in the 15th National Assembly met voters in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho’s constituency No. 1 on May 8.

The PM said that over 35 years of “Doi Moi” (renewal), Vietnam has gained great achievements. However, the country is facing big challenges, including the aging population, exhausted natural resources, climate change and non-traditional security issues, he noted.

The Government leader pointed out three key pillars for the country’s development – people, including their brainpower and values, value of nature and natural resources, and national historical and cultural values. He also stressed the need to promote the national great solidarity bloc for national development.

Regarding the action plan designed by the Government to realise the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, PM Chinh said that the plan was made to suit the reality and will be implemented in a comprehensive and synchronous manner with a proper roadmap and certain priorities.

On the development of the Mekong Delta region, including Can Tho city, he said that the 20-million-strong region has yet to fully tap its potential, advantages and competitiveness edge.

Regarding transport infrastructure, the PM said it is necessary to focus on studying and re-planning the transportation system of the Mekong Delta region, and outline solutions and mechanisms for developing inland waterways, seaports, roads, expressways and airports in the region.

He suggested local authorities uphold the spirit of self-reliance, join hands with the Government to further promote socio-economic development in the Mekong Delta, effectively perform the Government's Resolution on sustainable development of the Mekong Delta to adapt to climate change, and the Politburo’s Resolution on building and developing Can Tho city to 2030, with a vision to 2045.

For Can Tho city, he underlined the need to build the city into a political, economic and culture centre and a hub of transport, logistics services and agriculture of the whole region.

The Government leader also discussed COVID-19 prevention and control efforts with local voters, noting that it is essential to oppose tendencies of being distracted, panic, and extreme in the fight against the pandemic.

The PM urged the entire people, including voters in the Mekong Delta region, Can Tho city in particular, to voluntarily and strictly follow regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control.

Voters in Ninh Kieu, Cai Rang and Phong Dien districts of Can Tho city highly valued action programmes of the candidates, expressing their opinions and recommendations on issues of the country and people.

They hoped that if the candidates are elected, they will effectively implement their action propgrammes, and solving well issues that voters care about./.

HCMC piloting software to aid election process
 
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Information & Communications this morning cooperated with the HCMC Home Affairs Department to pilot a specific software piece to support necessary tasks in the upcoming national election.

This software is introduced in 312 wards of 21 districts and Thu Duc City of HCMC.

The software has useful features such as creating and printing a voter list for a specific location, updating changes in voter lists and their voting status, collecting results from different voting locations and making a detailed report using regulated forms by the National Election Council for the Election Committee.

This software is expected to simplify as well as speeding up the information updating procedure. It also allows quick information referencing for more precise and timely direction from the management.

Before this piloting time, the two departments have already held various training sessions for over 1,500 state officers to be fluent in using the software. Following that was the time to update information of corresponding voters, voting locations, and candidates in each ward.

In the piloting time, participants are going to practise monitoring the voting status of citizens under their duty, creating a result report for the ballot checking, and sending necessary documents to the Election Committee of their level.

Students with international academic certificates have advantage over peers

Students with international academic certificates have an advantage over their peers as universities in Vietnam have lately announced to admit students with international certificates such as foreign language certificates and high school diplomas. However, each school has its own rules that candidates need to understand before applying to the university of their choice.

Universities prioritize students with international language certificates surely motivate Vietnamese students to improve their language skills. Previously, very few schools admitted using this criterion, but more facilities accepted students with international certificates this year.

The University of Technology in Ho Chi Minh City has six separate admission approaches. Students admitted to the university must have international certificates or they must be foreigners. Students without English certificate will have to take English Entrance Test.

The University of Economics and Law admits students base on their academic performance in high schools and English international certificates for a high-qualified training program or programs delivered by English. Candidates must have average academic scores of 7 up ( upon grading scale of 10) or 8 ( as per grading scale of 2); and IELTS certificates from 5,0 points up or ACT certificate from 25 points up.

Teacher Pham Thai Son from the University of Food Industry in HCMC said that the university doesn’t admit students without international certificates straightly but foreign students who graduate the high school examination in their countries according to Vietnam’s present regulations.

Some people said that the fact that universities prioritize students with international certificates upon admission will not be fair for students from rural districts; however, teacher Son said that there have been some preferential policies for those in disadvantaged districts. After all, students should improve their English language skills – a mandatory criterion for university graduates.

HCMC announces stay-at-home period for students from May 10

The People’s Committee of HCMC in the late evening of May 6 issued an urgent document on school closure, starting on May 10 until further notice as part of an effort to keep students, school staff and families safe from Covid-19.

The statement was sent to the municipal Department of Education and Training, the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the People’s Committees of districts and Thu Duc City, educational units, vocational training centers across the city.

Accordingly, kindergarten students have to stay at home from May 10 while high school at all levels go back to virtual learning to complete the plan for 2020-2021 academic school year.

Principals of secondary and high schools must consider setting up a study plan to maintain safety during in-person instruction for 9 and 12 grade students who will enter the 10th grade entrance exam, and national high school graduation and university entrance exams respectively in coming time.

Heads of universities, colleges and vocational schools have to consider deciding the most suitable implementation option for laboratory classes to ensure pandemic prevention and control measures.

Educational units are allowed to re-organize exams and additional exams for students who have not finished the second semester examination of the school year 2020-2021 yet; and hold examinations for international certificates following the global exam schedule.

Leaders of all schools and educational units have to be responsible for the implementation of preventive measures and the safety of students and school staff during examinations with the support of the People’s Committees of districts and Thu Duc City.

Writers’ Association launches award to honour young authors

The Vietnam Writers’ Association launched an award on May 5 to honour young authors who penned outstanding literary works of the year.

The annual Young Authors Award aims to encourage the creativity and participation of young literary talents in developing Vietnamese literature.

It is open for all Vietnamese citizens both at home and abroad, who are below the age of 35, no matter they are members of the Vietnam Writers’ Association or not.

Entrants can participate in four categories of poetry, prose, theory and critics, and translation. Their publications must have been released in Vietnam between October 1 of the previous year and September 30 of the year in which the award is launched.

The entries will be assessed by a jury council comprising established writers, poets, researchers and translators.

The award ceremony will be held annually in November to honour the winners of that year.

Technology students given opportunity to work at leading corporations

The Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU), the Vietnamese Students Development and Support Centre, and the Canon Vietnam Co. Ltd. launched the 2021 Student Chie-Tech, an automation competition for technology students, on May 6.

The event aims to improve students’ skills in automation research and development. It provides them with an opportunity to learn and exchange knowledge to sharpentheir skills. This year, the task is to make a machine to assemble automatic nuts. The machine will be judged based on its innovation, stability, effectiveness, convenience, size and cost.

The three-round competition will take place from June 15 to November 25. Selected ideas will then be developedinto completed products for assessment by the technical team of the contest, who will select those to advance to the final round, scheduled for December. At the final round, contestants will join an exhibition and introduce their creations.

The first prize winner will receive VND30 million (US$1,295), while the second and third prize winners will secure VND20 million and VND10 million, respectively. Contestants who perform well at the event will have the chance to take internship at Canon Vietnam.

Campaign launched to promote Japanese tourism in Vietnam

The Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) in Vietnam launched a campaign entitled “I love Japan” on May 5, aiming to maintain the interest and love for Japanese tourism as well as to encourage the need to travel to Japan in the Vietnamese market in the difficult context due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

The two-part campaign includes a photo contest which takes place from May 5 to July 5, 2021, and a writing contest from July 5 to September 6, 2021. The contest welcomes the participation of all people living in Vietnam.

The photo contest provides chance for those who have travelled to Japan to share their beautiful moments during their trip while the writing contest helps participants share their memories from their trips to Japan, or their plans to set foot in the “Land of the Rising Sun”.

Tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Japan is one of the highlights of the economic - trade cooperation between the two sides. In 2019, tourist exchange between the two countries reached about 1.45 million arrivals.

According to the statistics released in early 2020 by JNTO and the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, in the past 10 years, Japanese visitors to Vietnam have increased continuously, with an average growth rate of 8 - 10% per year.

In 2019, Vietnam welcomed 952,000 Japanese tourists, an increase of 15.2% compared to 2018, this is the highest increase in many years, while Japan welcomed 495,000 Vietnamese tourists in 2019, a year-on-year increase of 27.3%.

Trains cancelled from May 6 to prevent widespread community transmission

Amid the rising coronavirus COVID-19 cases in the country, Vietnam Railways decided to temporarily suspend some pairs of trains operating on the routes between Hanoi and Vinh/Hai Phong/Lao Cai to prevent widespread community transmission.

The statement added that these trains will not be available for passengers from May 6, including NA2, NA1 on Hanoi-Vinh route from May 6; LP7/HP2 and LP3/LP8 on Hanoi –Hai Phong route from May 10; SP3 and SP4 on Hanoi-Lao Cai route from May 7 and 9 respectively.

Customers can return their ticket free of charge. The services of these train will remain discontinued until further notice.

Additionally, the northern coastal city and province of Hai Phong and Quang Ninh announced to cancel trans-provincial coaches from and to Vinh Phuc Province until further information.

Trans-provincial coaches running through Vinh Phuc Province have not been allowed to take a rest stop in Hai Phong and Quang Ninh.

Medical facilities urged to tighten COVID-19 prevention and control measures

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has issued an official dispatch urging hospitals under the ministry, the Department of Health of cities and provinces, the health division of sectors, and hospitals under universities to further strengthen COVID-19 prevention and control.

In the context of the pandemic evolving complicatedly with the emergence of new coronavirus variants, many localities, such as Ha Nam, Ha Noi, Hung Yen, Vinh Phuc and Thai Binh, have reported community transmissions, while cross infections have also been recorded between patients and healthcare workers. 

To enhance the COVID-19 control, the MOH has requested implementing physical distancing and limiting the number of patients’ relatives at healthcare settings, as well as reviewing examination and treatment processes to ensure reasonability and arranging beds at least two meters from each other.

People are advised to conduct online registration and make appointments before arriving at medical facilities for examination and treatment services, and not to come too early before the scheduled time.

Hospitals at both the central and provincial levels should continue to review and improve their SARS-CoV-2 testing capacity using the real-time RT-PCR technique to respond to all pandemic situations, the ministry said, asking them to periodically carry out random testing for medical staff in high-risk faculties and rooms; those working in the screening, diversifying and isolating areas; and patients in high-risk faculties and rooms or those severely affected by COVID-19 infection.

The official dispatch clearly stated that directors of hospitals and healthcare settings are responsible for managing and directing their staff to raise awareness of COVID-19 prevention and control, strictly comply with the MOH’s 5K recommendations and use personal protective measures, and not to arrive at the high-risk places for infection, such as buffet meals, amusement parks, cinemas, bars and karaoke parlors.

Chinese nationals prosecuted for organizing illegal entry into Vietnam 

The three Chinese nationals are an important link in the chain of bringing foreigners into Vietnam illegally.
Vietnamese police have launched criminal proceedings on three Chinese for smuggling immigrants into the country, according to the Criminal Investigation Agency's Office under the Ministry of Public Security. 

The police have arrested and launched criminal proceedings against Chi Jin Hua (born in 1993), Wu Ding Sen (1988) and Guo Long (1984), who are residing in Fujian province of China on charges of smuggling foreign people into the country. 

The above-mentioned Chinese nationals are an important clue in the chain of bringing foreigners into Vietnam illegally. They are responsible for arranging accommodation for nearly 50 Chinese people unlawfully staying in Hanoi’s districts of Cau Giay and Nam Tu Liem. 

They were detected in early May.

The Criminal Investigation Agency's Office said that Wu Ding Sen entered Vietnam on March 27, via Noi Bai International Airport, sponsored by the Southeast Asian agricultural, forestry and food import-export joint stock company in Vietnam. 

After being put under quarantine in the central province of Thanh Hoa, Wu Ding Sen went to Hanoi and rented a room in D’Capitale apartment building in Cau Giay district where he harbored illegal Chinese immigrants. 

After that, the police continued to detect 46 more illegally Chinese immigrants in Florence apartment building in Nam Tu Liem district, the investigation agency said, adding they were smuggled in by Chi Jin Hua and Guo Long. 

The investigation agency found another 12 Chinese people (seven men, five women) staying at the Samsora building in Ha Dong district.

Hanoi student wins 2021 UPU writing contest 

The Hanoi 8th grader from Nguyen Huy Tuong secondary school, Dong Anh district, Hanoi has won first prize in the 49th Universal Postal Union (UPU) International Letter Writing Contest launched in Vietnam.

Representative from Ministry of Information and Communications, handed over the first prize of 49th Universal Postal Union (UPU) International Letter Writing Contest to Dao Anh Thu, a pupil from the class 8A2, Nguyen Huy Tuong secondary school, Dong Anh district on May 4 in Hanoi.

Themed "Writing to a family member about your experience of the Covid-19 pandemic", the 2021 UPU’s International Letter Writing Contest for local pupils opened on  December 1, 2020 by the Department of Information and Communications of Hanoi in coordination with the Department of Education and Training, Hanoi City Youth Union, and Hanoi Post Office.

This is the 33rd competition that Vietnam has taken part in, drawing the participation of 1,148,124 students from all over the country.

Covid-19 pandemic is still very serious currently and all countries in the world have to join hand to fight against it. Each country individual is having different “experiences” about the Covid-19 pandemic. It has changed the world and the lives of all the people on the planet in general.

Through the contest, the students not only have chance to sharpen their writing skills but also demonstrated their knowledge about the Covid-19 pandemic.

The entries participating in the UPU letter writing competition this year were quite diverse and rich, with the students’ own point of views expressing their pride of the success in the fight against Covid-19 in Vietnam, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications.

Every year, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) launches the UPU International Letter Writing Contest encouraging young writers aged 9-15 to write letters on a given theme to win exciting prizes. The competition is an excellent way to develop writing skills among youth and boost up their ability to express thoughts clearly about the social problem they might concern. It also aims at fostering and nurturing the young generation's awareness and responsibilities towards society, their nation as well as the whole world.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong meets voters in Hanoi

 

Candidates running for seats in the 15th National Assembly (NA) of Hanoi's constituency No. 1, including Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, on May 8 held a meeting with local voters in Ba Dinh, Dong Da and Hai Ba Trung districts in both in-person and online forms.

After listening to voters’ opinions and aspirations, the candidates pledged that if selected, they will work hard and regularly meet people to understand their aspirations.

They highlighted their own action plans, focusing on promoting the role of people’s representatives, protecting the interests of people, and engaging in deciding important issues of the country and actively supervising the implementation of laws and operations of the State, Government and local administrations.

They affirmed that in any position, they will always work hard to complete all tasks assigned by the Party, State and people, becoming an example in abiding by the Party's policies, the Constitution and the State's laws.

Voters at the meeting spoke highly of the action plans of the candidates, while giving their opinions on many issues such as the national construction strategy towards 2025, 2030 and 2045, Party building and purification, national sovereignty and territorial integrity, gender equality, COVID-19 prevention and control, the improvement of health care and education quality, environmental protection, and social welfare.

They showed their hope that the 15th NA will strengthen its supervision over important programmes and projects, and put forward stronger measures to boost socio-economic development.

On behalf of candidates in the constituency, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong thanked the voters for contributing their opinions.

He said that from a war-torn country, Vietnam has risen to the highest position ever in the international arena. However, there are much to do in the future, especially amid COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

The Party leader called on the whole Party and people to stay united, promoting the national long-lasting tradition to further develop.

He also stressed the need for officials and NA deputies to work hard to complete their assigned tasks./.

COVID-19 continues spreading in Cambodia, reducing in Laos

The Cambodian Ministry of Health on May 8 reported 538 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total number of infections so far to 18,717, including 7,340 recoveries.

Prime Minister Hun Sen on the same day called on landlords to be sympathetic to tenants who are late or unable to pay their rent due to lockdown restrictions retained in high-risk zones.

According to local media, PM Hun Sen said some landlords had reportedly forced their tenants to pay rent.

The Cambodian PM also called on the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority and Electricite du Cambodge to not charge workers for utilities.

Lockdown was lifted in Phnom Penh and Ta Khmao on May 6, but a number of business facilities had yet to resume operation.

On May 5, the Phom Penh administration issued a set of detailed guidelines for the seven days to May 12.

Individuals in red zones must remain in their residence except for “essential travel”, while those in orange zones can travel to “necessary work”. Travel will be permitted in yellow zones and most businesses will be allowed to reopen.

However, the current 8pm-3am curfew will remain in effect for yellow and orange zones.

Six of the capital’s 14 districts contain red zones – Prampi Makara, Tuol Kork, Meanchey, Russey Keo, Por Sen Chey and Chbar Ampov.

Another six districts have no orange zones – Chamkarmon, Daun Penh, Prampi Makara, Sen Sok, Chroy Changvar and Boeung Keng Kang.

As per the COVID-19 law, violators of travel or work restrictions face court or other administrative measures.

Meanwhile, in Laos, 28 new COVID-19 were reported in 6 out of 18 localities across the country, mostly in Vientiane (8) and Bokeo (12).

The Lao Government has decided to extend lockdown policy until May 20, while students will continue to stay home until May 20 at the earliest.

So far, Laos has reported 1,233 COVID-19 cases, including 150 recoveries./.

Thailand, Indonesia look to buy more COVID-19 vaccines

Thailand and Indonesia have planned to buy more COVID-19 vaccines, while Singapore decided to stop accepting new entry applications for work pass holders from higher-risk countries or regions amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in many Southeast Asian nations.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced that his country will purchase up to 200 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in preparation of unforeseeable emergencies as the pandemic continues to rage on in some countries.

In the immediate future, the Thai government had set a target of buying 100 million doses to inoculate 50 million out of about 70 million Thais and thus create herd immunity, he said.

As the pandemic continues to spread in the country, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has decided to extend a week of COVID-19 prevention measures to May 17, with places affected by the order including schools, entertainment venues and public parks.

Shopping malls can open until 9pm and convenience stores are allowed to shut their doors one hour later.

Thailand confirmed 2,419 new cases and 19 more deaths related to COVID-19 on May 8, lifting its total of infections and fatalities to 81,274 and 382, respectively.

In Indonesia, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi announced that the country received 1,389,600 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine through the multilateral COVAX Facility on May 8.

Two day earlier, Indonesia also received 55,000 doses of COVID vaccine through the mechanism, raising its total to 79.5 million doses, including 68.5 million doses of Sinovac, 6.41 million doses of AstraZeneca and 1 million doses of Sinopharm.

Meanwhile, the Manpower Ministry of Singapore said on May 7 that it will also reschedule entry into Singapore for work pass holders who had earlier obtained approval to come to the country.

Work pass holders from higher-risk places who were approved to enter Singapore before July 5 will no longer be allowed to do so, with the exception of those from the construction, marine shipyard and process sectors and migrant domestic workers.

The agency said it was making these changes during a period of heightened alert, in view of a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in several countries and the emergence of new virus variants.

With 25 new cases of COVID-19 reported on May 7, the total number of infections in Singapore reached 61.311./.

Newly-elected NA Chairman receives more congratulations

Newly-elected Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue has received more congratulations from foreign leaders.

They senders of congratulations included Speaker of the Senate George J. Furey and Speaker of the House of Commons Anthony Rota of Canada; Speaker of the Shura Council of the State of Qatar Ahmad Bin Abdulla Bin Zaid Al-Mahmoud; Speaker of the Bangladeshi Parliament Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury; Chairman of the Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani and Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Asad Qaiser./.

Exhibition on AO/dioxin pain, lawsuit underway in HCM City

An exhibition highlighting the pain of Vietnamese Agent Orange/dioxin victims and the lawsuit filed by Tran To Nga, a Vietnamese French woman, against multinational companies for producing and selling chemical toxins sprayed by US forces in the war in Vietnam, is being held in Ho Chi Minh City from May 8-13.

The event is jointly organised by the Tre (Youth) Publishing House, Tuoi Tre (Youth) Newspaper and Duong Sach Co., Ltd. in HCM City.

On display are over 100 documents, photos, illustrations selected from the documents of newspapers, witnesses, researches, and the War Remnants Museum, which depict the entire information and statistics on long-term effects of AO/dioxin on humans, nature, and the environment.

Many images help visitors understand more about the AO herbicide containing toxic dioxin, which has left devastating impacts on millions of Vietnamese.

Many photos and documents also describe the progress of the lawsuit, legal and scientific foundations, the companionship and support of friends around the world, and AO victims for the lawsuit.

The organisers said that visitors can scan QR codes on each document and image at the exhibition to get more information from the archives, thus helping them better understand about the chemical and the lawsuit.

Nga, born in 1942, filed the lawsuit in May 2014. Among the companies named in her suit, there are such names as Monsanto (now under the Bayer Group of Germany) and Dow Chemical.

With the support of several non-governmental organisations, Nga accused the companies of causing lasting harm to the health of her, her children and countless others, as well as destroying the environment.

Among her three children, the first child died of heart defects and the second suffers from a blood disease.

On April 16, 2015, the Crown Court of Evry city held the first hearing on the case, but since then, lawyers for the chemical companies have tried every way to draw out procedures.

The trial was scheduled to open in October 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

From 1961-1971, US troops sprayed more than 80 million litres of herbicides - 44 million litres of which were AO, containing nearly 370 kilograms of dioxin - over southern Vietnam.

As a result, around 4.8 million Vietnamese were exposed to the toxic chemical. Many of the victims have died, while millions of their descendants are living with deformities and diseases as a direct result of the chemical’s effects.

Nga claims compensations for health problems.

The French court is expected to rule on the lawsuit on May 10./.

Vietnam attends UNSC meeting on protection of children amid COVID-19, armed conflicts

 Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, on May 7 attended the UN Security Council (UNSC)'s Arria-formula meeting on the impact of COVID-19 on violations against children in situations of armed conflict.

The meeting, jointly held by UNSC members - Estonia, Norway, France, Tunisia, Ireland, the UK, the US, Kenya, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Vietnam - along with Belgium, Sweden, Germany and Canada, drew representatives from 32 countries, a number of UN agencies and non-governmental organisations.

According to Virginia Gamba, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the delay of activities supporting children in armed conflicts, while posing adverse impacts on the UN's capacity in supervising and verifying serious violations against children and preventing the UN's efforts at national level in contacting parties involving in conflicts to end and avoid violations against children.

She cited the UN's statistics showing children who become victims of recruitment and use by armed forces and groups can indeed be forced not only to engage in combat but also to work as lookouts, porters, cooks or used for sexual purposes.

Participants at the meeting highlighted challenges related to the protection of children amid armed conflicts, holding that the pandemic is causing more difficulties in the activity.

They sought solutions to the problems, including governments’ responsibilities in protecting and ensuring the rights of children as well as international cooperation, especially in finance in the work at national and regional levels.

Addressing the meeting, Quy expressed his deep concern about the losses and disadvantages facing children amid armed conflicts, asserting that COVID-19 is worsening the situation and causing more difficulties for the supervision and reporting of the UN in the field.

He stressed the need for countries in armed conflicts to bear primary responsibility in meeting fundamental demands of children and abide by regulations in international humanity and human rights.

The ambassador held that in order to settle the root of conflicts, it is necessary to ensure children’s education access and enhance the empowerment of children, which will help them nurture and develop the peace culture.

Meanwhile, parties joining the armed conflicts must immediately stop and prevent all attacks targeting schools, he stated, underscoring the significance of strengthening international cooperation in increasing the efficiency of supervision over measures to protect children amid armed conflicts./.

Front leaders inspect election preparations in Ninh Binh, Quang Tri

Inspection delegations from the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee on May 7 held working sessions with the election committees in the northern province of Ninh Binh and central province of Quang Tri regarding the preparations for the upcoming elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for 2021-2026 .

The elections of deputies to the 15th NA and all-level People’s Councils for the 2021-2026 tenure are slated to take place on May 23.

In Ninh Binh, Vice President of the VFF Central Committee Ngo Sach Thuc, who led the delegation, acknowledged the province's preparations so far.

He requested the VFF Committee of Ninh Binh and the provincial election committee to continue following documents and directions on the work, pay attention to the operation of election groups, and increase inspection activities to promptly address any problems detected.

As reported, Ninh Binh has set up eight election committees at the district level, 143 election committees at the commune level, two boards for NA election, 14 boards for provincial People's Council election, 62 boards for People's Council election at the district level, 984 boards for People's Council election at the commune level and 1,020 election groups at 1,020 constituencies.

Meanwhile, in Quang Tri, the VFF delegation headed by Vice President of the VFF Central Committee Nguyen Huu Dung worked with local authorities.

Lauding preparations made by the province, Dung recommended Quang Tri to focus on directing the efficient use of funding for the work in its localities and stepping up communications campaigns particularly in difficult and remote areas like Dakrong and Huong Hoa districts.

Ensuring COVID-19 prevention and control as well as security and social order is also a key task, he added.

Quang Tri reported that it has scheduled the organisation of meetings with constituents and election campaigning activities to be completed on May 18./.

Vietnamese in Laos join hands in COVID-19 fight

After learning about a number of Vietnamese in Laos getting infected with COVID-19, the Vietnamese Association in Vientiane has taken a range of measures to support the Vietnamese community in the country.

The association has called on the Vietnamese community to stay calm amidst the pandemic outbreak in Laos, while providing COVID-19 patients or those under quarantine with food and necessities.

It has also coordinated with the Lao health ministry to open COVID-19 testing sites in the areas in Vientiane, where many Vietnamese are living.

Vice Chairman of the association Le Anh Duc told the Vietnam News Agency that the association has helped Vietnamese with medical declaration to serve contact tracing.

If the situation gets worse, it will coordinate with the Vietnamese Embassy to ask for permission to join the Lao National Taskforce for COVID-19 Prevention and Control to set up concentrated quarantine facilities for Vietnamese with high risk of infection.

Meanwhile, the embassy and the Vietnamese Consulate General in Luang Prabang have provided necessities for Vietnamese students in the host country.

Vietnamese associations and their chapters in Laos have called for support for Vietnamese who are in difficulties due to COVID-19, and those under treatment and quarantine. /.

Voters in An Giang pin high hope on candidates for upcoming elections

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and other candidates for the elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and the An Giang provincial People’s Council for the 2021-2026 tenure had a meeting with constituents in the Mekong Delta province’s Chau Thanh district on May 7.

At the event, the candidates presented their action plans, most of which focused on developing the local, regional, and national economy and some touched upon a number of practical issues like job creation for rural women, investment in transport infrastructure, and investment attraction.

Participating voters said they hope elected people will make proposals to the Government and other central bodies regarding investment in transport infrastructure in the Mekong Delta. An incomplete transport infrastructure system is hindering the region from attracting investment and stimulating its economy.

They recommended the candidates pay attention to specific issues of each local area to build suitable programmes.

The elections of deputies to the 15th NA and all-level People’s Councils for the 2021-2026 tenure are slated to take place on May 23./.

Health Ministry requests raising alert against COVID-19 to highest level

The Ministry of Health has sent an official dispatch to chairpersons of provincial/municipal People's Committees, directors of provincial/municipal Departments of Health and heads of medical facilities nationwide, asking them to raise the alert against the COVID-19 pandemic to the highest level and actively conduct COVID-19 testing at hospitals.

The document highlights the current serious developments of the pandemic, with outbreaks seen in many provinces and cities nationwide as well as patients and medical workers in some hospitals infected with the coronavirus, including its British and Indian variants with “super transmissibility”.

The ministry ordered the strict implementation of the directions on COVID-19 prevention and control issued by the Prime Minister and the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

With the alert raised to the highest level, plans to cope with any infections detected in hospitals must to be in place, said the dispatch.

Localities detecting domestically-transmitted COVID-19 cases should conduct testing for all medical workers, patients, and their long-time caregivers.

By the afternoon of May 7, nine hospitals have been applying medical quarantine after detecting COVID-19 infections within their treatment wards.

The total number of infections in Vietnam stood at 3,137, including 1,731 domestic cases. Of them, 161 cases have been discovered since the latest outbreak hit the country on April 27./.

Ceremony held online to pay homage to Geetesh Sharma - Indian friend of Vietnam

The India-Vietnam Solidarity Committee (IVSC) and the Dialogue Society on May 7 held an online ceremony to pay tribute to Geetesh Sharma, President of the IVSC in West Bengal.

Sharma, an Indian journalist and a close friend of Vietnam, passed away on May 2 due to COVID-19, leaving behind a deep regret in the heart of Vietnamese friends.

Born in 1932, Sharma was a veteran journalist and the author of 23 books in Hindi and English, of which many were about Vietnam.

As President of the IVSC in West Bengal, he was conferred Vietnam’s Order of Friendship – the noble award of the State and the Government of Vietnam – in 2015, in recognition of his significant contributions to fostering the two people’s solidarity and friendship.

Sharma was an important witness to the history of the relationship between Vietnam and India. Talking to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in India in January 2021 ahead of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), he said he had travelled to Vietnam 29 times on many different occasions, visiting many localities from the North to the South.

He saw the terrible devastation of the war in Vietnam, the Doi Moi (renewal) process, and changes and steps of development taking place after each congress of the CPV.

Over the past five decades, Sharma had organised many activities to support Vietnam’s struggle for independence in the past as well as its current national construction and development. He was an active member of the IVSC in West Bengal since the early 1970s, participating in demonstrations showing solidarity with the Vietnamese people in their struggle for national liberation and reunification.

In her remarks, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations, described Sharma’s passing as a great loss of the two countries’ people.

Vietnamese and Indians will stand side by side to promote the fine traditional relationship, solidarity and friendship between the two countries, as well as mutual understanding of their people, for peace, cooperation and sustainable development, she said./.

Protestants live “good life and beautiful religion”

 

Protestants in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai while enjoying a good spirit life over the years have received strong support and assistance from the local authorities in their economic development and poverty elimination efforts.

A Sunday worship service was held at Plei Mo Nu Church, Chu A commune, Pleiku city. Like every other Sunday service, this gathering was so important for around one thousand or so local Protestants, wearing their “Sunday bests” to the mass.

Among the 5 religions found in Gia Lai, Protestantism has the most followers. Local authorities not only create good conditions for Protestants and dignitaries to practice their religion but also work to enhance their material lives by introducing many socio-economic development programmes. For example, thanks to the agricultural technical assistance from the local authorities, DJonh’s household, which has one hectare of coffee and a few hundreds of pepper trees, has seen its earning grow.

Almost all Protestants in Gia Lai are ethnic minority people. The provincial government has allowed Protestant dignitaries to establish 73 branches. In areas where these can’t be set up, followers are allowed to register for mass gatherings.

The history of the Gia Lai land is closely attached to its revolutionary traditions. Revolutionary heroes from the Central Highland province are the source of pride for not only local people but also the whole country. People from ethnic minorities and religions in the province form part of the great national unity of Vietnam. Together, they are creating abundant crops and building a happy life full of smile and singing in the high mountain and thick forest./.

Phnom Penh, Vientiane appreciate HCM City’s initiative to hold online meeting

Governors of Phnom Penh and Vientiane on May 7 spoke highly of Ho Chi Minh City’s initiative to organize an online discussion between leaders of the three major cities of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam to share experience in the COVID-19 fight.

At the online meeting on May 7 chaired by Chairman of HCM City’s People Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong, the three governors compared notes on COVID-19 pandemic response and discussed the pandemic’s serious impacts on the socio-economic lives.

Governor of Phnom Penh Khuong Sreng said that with the direction of Prime Minister Hun Sen, the city authorities have provided timely support for around 280,000 households and ensured no one is left behind.

With the assistance of donors and other countries, this is one of the effective measures to respond to the pandemic’s impacts, along with quarantine and treatment methods.

Describing HCM City, Phnom Penh and Vientiane as the economic pillar of their respective countries, Governor of Vientiane Atsaphangthong Siphandone stated that the coordination and sharing of experience of the three major cities will help control the pandemic and boost economic recovery.

Meanwhile, Phong affirmed that the authorities and people of HCM City always keep a close watch on the pandemic developments in Laos and Cambodia. The city has provided medical supplies to localities in the two neighbouring countries.

On this occasion, the municipal People’s Committee granted 50,000 USD each to Phnom Penh and Vientiane to support their combat against the pandemic./.

Remains of martyrs repatriated from Laos reburied in Nghe An, Thanh Hoa

Authorities in the north-central province of Nghe An held a ceremony at the martyrs’ cemetery in Nghi Loc district on May 7 to rebury the remains of 95 Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who laid down their lives in Laos.

The sets of remains were found in Vientiane, Xiangkhouan and Xaisomboun provinces during a search campaign in the 2020-2021 dry season.

Nine sets of remains have been identified.

At the memorial service, Vice Chairman of the Nghe An Provincial People’s Committee Bui Dinh Long spoke highly of the efforts of officers and soldiers in the repatriation team and the provincial Military High Command in the search for and reburial of the remains, and voiced his gratitude to authorities in Laos and relevant agencies of both countries.

Since 1984, Nghe An has worked on the task with three localities in Laos and repatriated more than 12,300 remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts.

On the same day, a memorial service was held at Dong Tam martyrs’ cemetery in Ba Thuoc district in neighboring Thanh Hoa province to rebury 15 sets of remains retrieved from Laos’ Houaphanh province by a team of the Thanh Hoa Military High Command in the 2020-2021 dry season.

The repatriation team carried out the task in five districts in Houaphanh./.

HCM City launches legal proceedings for housing illegal arrivals

HCM City’s People’s Procuracy on May 7 approved the municipal police’s decision to arrest and begin legal proceedings against two men for organising housing for illegal immigrants, under Article 348 of the Penal Code.

According to initial investigations, Hoang Van Cu, born in 2000 in northern Cao Bang province, moved to HCM City to look for work and came into contact with a Chinese man named Minh, who asked him to arrange accommodation for a group of Chinese friends for 200,000 VND (8.7 USD) per person per day.

Cu knew that the Chinese nationals had illegally entered Vietnam but did not inform authorities, instead taking up Minh’s offer as he was in need of cash.

The Tan Binh district police force discovered the Chinese immigrants on April 26 and arrested Cu.

In another case, municipal police have started legal proceedings against Nguyen Van Thanh, born in 1995 in northern Bac Giang province and now residing in the city’s Tan Phu district, for housing illegal immigrants.

A man named Trong, Thanh’s partner in crime, asked Thanh to pick up 13 illegal Chinese immigrants and arrange accommodation for them, and paid him 10.5 million VND.

Thanh and the Chinese nationals were detained near Rach Ong Bridge in District 7 on May 28.

Further investigations are underway./.

Russian scholars praise Dien Bien Phu victory

Russian scholars have congratulated Vietnam on its historic victory in the Dien Bien Phu campaign on the occasion of its 67th anniversary on May 7, saying it was the most important battle in the first Indochina War.

Dr Evgeny Vlasov, Vice President for International Relations at the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU), said Dien Bien Phu was an entrenched fortification with seven fortresses, 49 strongholds, mine fields, communication trenches, and an air strip. The French colonialists wanted to turn it into a springboard to attack the communication routes of the Vietnamese army and put France in an advantageous position at ongoing negotiations in Geneva at that time.

However, after many failures during its military campaign in 1953, French troops had become exhausted. At the same time, the Vietnamese army gradually seized areas of strategic importance, which boosted morale. In particular, they held an edge in fighting tactics and understanding the local terrain.

Vlasov affirmed that although the victory did not bring peace to Indochina just yet, it was a strong blow against the French colonialists. The world then also knew of a new Vietnamese hero and national liberator - General Vo Nguyen Giap.

Meanwhile, Professor of Vietnamese language at the FEFU, Alexander Sokolovsky, affirmed the historic significance of the victory at Dien Bien Phu.

According to him, the victory stopped France from continuing its colonial policy in Indochina. After that, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam regained their sovereignty and right to build their own country.

He recalled that while playing the role of General De Castries in a film directed by Bach Diep in Hanoi’s outlying district of Ba Vi in 1994, he become more aware of the power of the Vietnamese people, which laid behind their glorious triumph against the French invaders./.

Vietnam presents Timor-Leste with face masks to support COVID-19 fight

An aid package of 810,00 high-quality face masks donated by the Vietnamese Government on May 6 arrived in Dili, Timor-Leste, which is facing a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Australia had arranged the transportation of the batch of face masks from Hanoi to Dili by sea.

Timor-Leste has also been hit by floods and landslides triggered by tropical cyclone Seroja which causes damage across the country including its national medical warehouse.

Peter Roberts, Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, said COVID-19 cases in the Southeast Asian country have increased rapidly over the recent months.

Medical centres, bridges and thousands of houses in the country have also been damaged or destroyed, he said, adding that essential health services have been disrupted by floods and thousands of people have to evacuate to safer places.

Therefore, the face masks granted by Vietnam will significantly contribute to Timor-Leste’s fight against COVID-19 and especially ensuring safety for medical workers on the frontline of the combat.

Robyn Mudie, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, said through this cooperation, Australia and Vietnam have jointly helped Timor-Leste in the COVID-19 fight.

She described this as an example of practical collaboration between Vietnam and Australia within the framework of the strategic partnership, and as a demonstration of Vietnam’s increasing leadership in settling regional challenges.

According to worldometers.info, Timor-Leste, which has a population of 1.2 million, has to date recorded 2,870 COVID-19 cases with four deaths./.

EU-ASEAN Strategic Partnership Blue Book 2021 launched

The EU Mission to ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat on May 7 held the launch of the EU-ASEAN Strategic Partnership Blue Book 2021 on the occasion of the Week celebrating the EU Day (May 9).

Speaking at the event, ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi said that as the world's two most important and successful regional organisations, ASEAN and the EU have witnessed significant growth in its multifaceted cooperation, as guided by the ASEAN-EU plan of action, spanning across various areas of non-traditional security, economic and sustainable development, environmental issue, disasters management and human rights.

“As strategic partners, we look forward to advancing cooperation with the EU to intensify cooperation to strengthen regional and global peace based on shared values and interests, and restored confidence in the free trade and rule-based multilateralism and to work towards sustainable development for the benefit of our people,” he stated.

“We also look forward to the EU's continued support of ASEAN centrality in ASEAN-led mechanisms as well as the ASEAN outlook for the Indo-Pacific, including deepening cooperation in key areas to enhance mutual trust, respect and benefits,” he added.

On this occasion, the ASEAN Secretary-General welcomed the European Council conclusion on the EU strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific at the time rising challenges and tension in the region.

As one of the major foreign investors and trading partners of ASEAN, the EU has shared interests with ASEAN in safeguarding free and open trade, including a transparent, non-discriminatory and rule-based, multilateral trading system, he noted.

“To this end, we welcome the progress made by the ASEAN-EU FTA joint working group in developing a framework setting out the parameters of a future ASEAN-EU FTA Agreement which could contribute meaningfully to post-pandemic recovery for our two regions and to create a stronger, more resilient supply chain and to deliver a new opportunity for our businesses and also to our people,” he concluded.

For his part, EU Ambassador to ASEAN Igor Driesman said that this publication this year is so special as it is launched just five months since the 23rd ASEAN-EU ministerial meeting in December 2020 – an event that opened a new chapter in the two blocs’ long standing relationship by becoming strategic partners.

In a joint effort with EU member states, Team Europe supports ASEAN pandemic response and recovery efforts with over 800 million EUR, he said, adding that it is also the largest contributor to the Covax Facility - the multilateral vehicle to ensure fair and equitable vaccine distribution for all.

He stressed that the EU and ASEAN share the belief that the crisis is an opportunity to build back better and to ensure an inclusive and sustainable recovery. This year, the EU will kick off support for smart green ASEAN cities and launch other new programmes enhancing ASEAN capability in taking ambitious climate actions and energy commitments and transforming these commitments into green recovery actions.

The EU-ASEAN Strategic Partnership Blue Book 2021 is the sixth edition of this flagship publication since 2016. This year’s 110-page edition features the highlights in the development cooperation relations of the EU, priorities and progress of projects in multiple fields underway in ASEAN member states with the EU support./.

Vietnamese, Cambodian defence ministers hold online talks

Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang on May 7 expressed his hope that Vietnam and Cambodia will make every effort to strengthen and deepen their defence links, maintaining its role as a pillar of bilateral ties.

During online talks with Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Samdech Picheysena Tea Banh, Giang stressed that in any circumstance, the Vietnamese Party, State, and army always attach great importance to the fine neighbourliness, traditional friendship, and comprehensive cooperation with Cambodia.

Regarding the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in Cambodia, Giang said Vietnam stands side-by-side with its neighbour in the pandemic fight and will do its best to help it overcome the difficulties.

The Cambodian minister, for his part, thanked Vietnam for its timely dispatch of experts and medical supplies to Cambodia.

He congratulated Giang on his appointment as Minister of National Defence and expressed his belief that he will make a significant contribution to cooperation between the armies of the two countries.

The two ministers said that, amid COVID-19, the Vietnamese and Cambodian defence ministries have sought suitable and effective forms of cooperation, especially in training, border protection, and mutual support in COVID-19 prevention and control.

They stressed the need for the two sides to further revamp their cooperation methods, particularly in political and ideological education, the maintenance of defence policy dialogue mechanism, personnel training, management of the shared borderline and the fight against cross-border crime, smuggling, trade fraud, drug trafficking, and illegal exit and entry.

The two countries will also support each other at multilateral forums to which both are members, the ministers promised./.

Aviation sector steps up pandemic prevention efforts

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has issued an urgent dispatch asking its units to seriously follow COVID-19 prevention and control measures.

Instances of neglected or irresponsible activities as well as improper implementation of regulations and directions on pandemic prevention and control will be strictly handled in line with law, the dispatch said.

The CAAV requested the implementation of the Ministry of Health’s 5K message: Khau trang (face masks), Khu khuan (disinfectant), Khoang cach (distancing), Khong tu tap (no gatherings), and Khai bao y te (health declarations). Frequent monitoring of pandemic prevention measures at airports, strict punishment of violations, and the quarantining of flight crews under regulations were also ordered.

Airlines were recommended to refuse transporting people with no health declarations and not following safety regulations. 

As of the morning of May 7, Vietnam had 3,091 COVID-19 cases, including 1,691 locally infected ones, with 121 infections since April 27.

The Ministry of Health’s Department of Medical Examination and Treatment said the country has seen 2,560 patients recover so far./.

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