Vietnam has underlined the need for a comprehensive approach for countries in the Sahel region to address the root causes of terrorism.

During the United Nations Security Council’s meeting on November 12 on activities of the Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel (FC-G5S), which comprises Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger, Minister Counsellor Nguyen Phuong Tra, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, called on parties concerned to strive and stay united to fight terrorism.

She shared the common concern over security, development and humanitarian challenges in Sahel region, and urged all regional stakeholders, especially those in Mali and Niger, to exercise utmost restraints, and promote national harmony via dialogue and consultation.

The Vietnamese representative highlighted a need to offer suitable support in resources so that the FC-G5S could perform their assigned tasks.

Rapporteurs at the event called for providing sustainable and long-term financial assistance for the FC-G5S. Several opinions expressed support for the establishment of a UN Support Office for the FC-G5S to combat terrorism.

The UNSC’s member states called for serious enforcement of human right and international humanitarian laws, including protecting civilians, especially women and children. They took note of the UN Secretary General’s proposal regarding the launch of a support mechanism for the FC-G5S./.

Prime Minister chairs Government’s November thematic meeting

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the Government’s November thematic meeting on November 13 on the compilation of several important strategy and programmes.

The meeting focused on an overall strategy on COVID-19 prevention and control in 2021-2023, a programme on socio-economic recovery and development, a project on the Eastern North-South Highway in 2021-2025, and a proposal to be submitted to the Politburo and the National Assembly for issuing a resolution on piloting specific mechanisms and policies on highway development for 2021-2025.

Participants gave opinions on the targets of those strategy, programme and project, their key and detailed contents, along with main tasks and solutions to achieve the set targets. They also discussed the assignment of work in implementing them.

Regarding the overall strategy on COVID-19 prevention and control in 2021-2023, PM Chinh required that the people and enterprises should be put at the centre and the grassroots level be made the basis when developing the strategy. He said the strategy should clarify prevention and control measures corresponding to each level of the pandemic.

As for the socio-economic restoration and development programme, the Government leader directed that the programme should be combined with economic restructuring, digital transformation, climate change response and especially the three strategic breakthroughs specified in the 13th National Party Congress’s resolution.

Concerning the project on the Eastern North-South Highway in 2021-2025, Chinh urged relevant ministries and agencies to urgently complete the project to submit to competent authority for consideration. He said resources for the project should be mobilized from the private sector.

The PM also required that the resources for implementation should be made clear in the strategy, programme and project./.

Vietnam, India convene 11th political consultation, eighth strategic dialogue

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung and Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs of India Riva Ganguly Das co-chaired the 11th political consultation and the eighth strategic dialogue between the two foreign ministries via videoconference on November 12.

During both meetings, the two sides engaged in open and straigh-forward discussions on bilateral cooperation in various fields as well as regional and global issues of shared concern.

They shared the view that the Vietnam-India bilateral strategic partnership is growing in various areas, especially in politics, national defence-security, economy and trade.

Deputy Minister Dung suggested India work with Vietnam to promote high-level visits and hold meaningful activities to raise the two peoples’ awareness of Vietnam-India relationship on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties next year.

The Indian side highlighted the long-standing and close cultural ties between the two nations. She expressed satisfaction about two-way trade that reached nearly 11 billion USD in the first ten months of this year.

Both sides agreed to reinforce bilateral ties in energy, health care, agriculture, culture, economy, trade and investment, as well as in promising fields such as information technology, renewable energy, hi-tech agriculture and innovation.

The Vietnamese official thanked India for providing medical assistance for Vietnam to fight the pandemic, He proposed India continue helping Vietnam with COVID-19 vaccines and medicines in the near future.

The two sides pledged to strengthen mutual support and coordination at regional and global forums, especially the United Nations and the ASEAN-India framework.

The Indian side affirmed appreciation of Mekong-Ganga cooperation and expressed readiness to consider launching a trilateral cooperation model involving India, Vietnam and a development partner.

The two sides affirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and maritime and aviation safety and freedom, as well as addressing disputes by peaceful means in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea./.  

Two more river bus routes proposed for HCM City

 

Ho Chi Minh City’s District 7 has proposed to municipal authorities that two new river bus routes be established to connect it with downtown District 1.
 
A private company will invest and operate the two routes on Saigon River for five years, with a total price tag of nearly 11.5 million USD, District 7 authorities proposed.

Route No. 3 route will run 13 kilometers from Bach Dang Wharf to Mui Den Do with a total time of 56 minutes. There will be 11 stations. A boat will have 50 seats.

Route No. 4 will run over 13 kilometers from Bach Dang Wharf to the Phu My Hung urban area. A boat will have 40 seats.

Authorities of District 7 said both routes would help take advantage of the waterways as the city strives to recover its economy following the fourth Covid-19 wave.

River buses are part of the city’s efforts to reduce traffic congestion./.

COVID-19: New cases on November 13 top 8,497

Vietnam recorded 8,497 cases of COVID-19 in 55 localities during 24 hours from 4pm November 10 to 4pm November 13, including 16 imported cases, according to the Ministry of Health.

Ho Chi Minh City continued to record the highest number of infections with 1,240, followed by the neighbouring province of Dong Nai with 743 and Binh Duong with 631.

The national tally reached 1,018,376.

According to the Ministry of Health’s report, 3,824 patients nationwide are in serious conditions, with 319 requiring invasive ventilation and 15 on life support (ECMO).

On the day, the country saw 88 deaths from the disease. The death toll now hits 23,018.

A further 1,843 patients were given the all-clear, taking the total number of recoveries to 858,054.

By November 12, the country had injected over 97.83 million doses of vaccines to date, with more than 33.75 million people now fully inoculated./.

ASEAN Committee boosts collaboration, exchanges with Czech localities

A delegation of the ASEAN Committee in the Czech Republic paid a working visit to Ústí nad Labem city on November 12, as part of the Committee’s programme on promoting exchange and cooperation with Czech localities in 2021.

The city, the political and economic centre of the Ústecký Region, is the 7th largest city in the Czech Republic with a population of 92,000.

Receiving the delegation, Governor of Ústecký Jan Schiller lauded ASEAN member countries’ dynamic development as well as the ASEAN Committee’s efforts to strengthen and promote exchanges and collaboration between ASEAN and Czech localities.

He expressed his hope and confidence that ASEAN and the Czech Republic, including the Ústecký Region, will continue to promote and strengthen cooperation in areas of their strengths and mutual interest.

At a working session between the delegation and local experts and representatives of competent agencies, the sides discussed posibilities for cooperation in fields of mutual interest, such as medical personnel training, hydropower, nuclear power, education and training, science and technology, labour and employment cooperation, and other social issues.

Vietnamese Ambassador Thai Xuan Dung praised the potential for economic, trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and the Czech Republic in general and the city and region in particular.

He suggested the two countries ultilise favourable conditions brought about by the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) in extending their bilateral engagements toward effectiveness and practical outcomes, particularly in energy, industry, and science and technology.

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency’s correspondent, Dr. Vladimír Zemánek from the Czech-based technology company CHEMINVEST said there is extensive room for joint works between Vietnam and the Czech Republic in general and Ústecký in particular, specifically in the fields of energy, construction and technology industries focusing on new, innovative and environmentally friendly technologies.

The ASEAN Committee in the European nation groups the embassies of Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam./.

Final underground track segments on HCM City’s Metro No 1 to be completed in two months

Two final underground railway segments for Metro Line No 1 in Ho Chi Minh City are being installed and will be completed in two months.

The HCM City Management Authority of Urban Railways (MAUR), the project’s investor, said that work on the two railway track segments began on November 9.

The two segments are 660m long and 1.43m wide, and run parallel to each other between the Opera House and Ben Thanh rail stations.

Around 56 engineers and construction workers assigned to do the work are fully vaccinated and strictly adhere to COVID-19 regulations.

The Metro Line No 1’s underground railway system is 2.6km long, with three stations in the city centre. Facilities such as lobbies and ticket machines for the Ba Son and Opera House stations have been completed.

Work on Ben Thanh Station is slated to be completed by the end of the year. Ben Thanh, Metro Line No 1’s central station, will connect to three other metro lines in the future.

Around 88 percent of the work for the metro line had been completed as of November 10. The line was originally expected to be finished by the end of the year, but the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected construction work and imports.

The metro line is now expected to be completed by the end of 2023 or early 2024, according to MAUR.

The 43.757 trillion VND (1.9 billion USD) route, from Ben Thanh Market in District 1 to Suoi Tien Theme Park in District 9, is 19.7km long and will have 14 stations, three of them underground.

The metro has been built with official development assistance (ODA) and funds from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Of the total 17 imported trains from Japan, seven have been received.

The metro line is the first of eight metro lines to be built in the city.

On November 6, Hanoi’s first metro line opened for service, from Cat Linh in Ba Dinh district to Ha Dong district. Many locals said they preferred to use the metro line over their personal vehicles because of affordability and less traffic congestion and noise pollution./.

Domestic tourists to Phu Quoc on the rise

 

The number of domestic tourists to Phu Quoc island city of the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang has been rising. Local authorities said the increase is attributed to the province’s eased COVID-19 control measures.
 
Specifically, visitors need to be fully vaccinated for at least 14 days or recover from COVID-19 within six months, and are not required to test for COVID-19.

From the outset of this month, the island welcomes up to eight flights per day from the major cities of Hanoi, HCM City and Da Nang, with a toal of about 2,000 passengers. Similarly, they are only asked to make medical declaration and show vaccination/recovery certificates prior to boarding the plane.

To ensure safety, all vehicles are operated at half capacity and passengers must follow the Ministry of Health’s 5K message.

In regards to a roadmap on receiving international tourists, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and relevant agencies are to work with Kien Giang and Phu Quoc authorities on a six-month pilot programme to apply the ‘vaccine passport’, and inspect eligible accommodation and recreation establishments./.

Thailand officially takes over APEC chairmanship for 2022

Thailand on November 12 took over the rotating chairmanship of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum from New Zealand, with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha declaring the theme for the APEC Year 2022 as "Open. Connect. Balance." at a virtual ceremony.

The Thai PM said that Thailand was honored to host the APEC meetings next year, and would continue to work and collaborate with the APEC economies for common development.

He called on APEC economies to synergize strength and determination in realising the goal of creating an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful APEC community for future generations.

He explained the theme of "Open. Connect. Balance," hoping for APEC to be "opened" to all opportunities, "connected" in every dimension, and "balanced" in all aspects.

During APEC Year 2022, Thailand will host about 100 meetings focusing on inclusive and sustainable growth, promoting a balance between the economy and the environment and facilitating trade and investment. The 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting is slated to be held in Thailand in November 2022. The country is promoting the concept of Bio, Circular, and Green Economy, known as the BCG Economy Model, as the driving force behind APEC's priorities next year./.

Deputy Foreign Minister: Vietnam’s initiatives reflected in APEC’s documents

Vietnam’s initiatives and suggestions have been reflected in APEC’s documents, showing the country’s responsible, active and proactive contributions to building and consolidating solidarity in APEC for a peaceful and stable Asia-Pacific region, according to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang. 

The Deputy Minister made the remark while talking to the press about the results of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, during which Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) via videoconference on November 12 under the chair of Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand – APEC Chair 2021, and several other events.

Giang said President Phuc and the Vietnamese delegation had actively participated in main activities of the week, delivering Vietnam's consistent message which affirmed that APEC continues to be a regional forum with a significant voice and role in promoting multilateralism and multilateral cooperation to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, achieve rapid and sustainable economic growth, thus continuing to be a driving force of regional and global economies.

According to him, Vietnam’s messages are very in line with APEC leaders’ opinions, including facilitating fair access to vaccines, medical supplies and resources as well as adopting stronger measures to fight the pandemic. About development, Vietnam suggested APEC take a new vision and approach to economic recovery such as promoting digital economy and e-commerce, advocating trade liberalisation; removing trade barriers to restore production and trade, and prevent disruption in manufacturing chains.

As the Asia-Pacific and the world are suffering consequences and challenges caused by climate change, the requirement is to ensure green growth. Therefore, measures and suggestions proposed by Vietnam along with the country's delivery on commitments also contributed to strengthening APEC’s cooperation in promoting green and inclusive growth, he said.

The diplomat stressed that the most important thing is to effectively carry out the APEC Vision till 2040. He said Vietnam was one of the key participants in building the vision and also one of the leading members in realising the vision via building an action plan.

The official expressed his belief that the commitments of Vietnam and APEC to realising the vision will contribute to building an Asia-Pacific region of peace, stability and prosperity./.

Argentina offers 500,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses to Vietnam

The Argentine Government on November 11 announced its decision to donate Vietnam 500,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in a nearly 1 million dose package for 5 countries around the world.

According to a decree signed by Argentine President Alberto Fernandez, joint efforts between countries are important to limit the economic and health impacts caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

The Argentine Government asserts that the COVID-19 pandemic is a global challenge that requires a united strategy towards equitable access to vaccines.

In the context that 75% of the Argentine population has been vaccinated with at least one dose and 56.5% of the population has completed the immune regimen, the Argentine Government considers this the right time to share vaccines with other countries across the globe, thereby showing its solidarity and contribution to the global pandemic fight.

Besides Vietnam, Argentina also donated 450,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to Mozambique, 18,000 doses to Santa Lucia, 11,000 doses to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and 2,000 doses to Dominica.

Vietnamese scholar abroad honours late President Ho Chi Minh through books

Though living and working abroad, Prof. Nguyen Dai Trang still spends much time on studying and writing books about the late President Ho Chi Minh, which have received warm response and praise from the political circle, Canadians and the Vietnamese community in Canada.

Trang was born in 1970 in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue and settled down in Canada in 1990. She is now a lecturer at the Business Administration Faculty of the Centennial College and Chairwoman of the Canada – ASEAN Association at York University, Canada.

She was the first Vietnamese abroad to write and publish books about President Ho Chi Minh. Her first book was published in May 2010 in both English and Vietnamese languages. Her second book in Vietnamese, English and Spanish was released three years later.

On the occasion of the 130th birth anniversary of the late President in 2020, she debuted an e-book about him, which has been translated into English.

In early February 2021, she introduced her fifth book entitled ““The Black Race by Ho Chi Minh and Selected Works on Systemic Racism”. Through the book, many foreign readers admired President Ho Chi Minh’s vision as well as his role in national liberation movements in African countries.

Prof. Adibin Kusno, Director of the York Institute of Asian Research, said through these books, he has gained a better understanding of Vietnam.

US professor Howarzinn, for his part, said the Pentagon Papers described Ho Chi Minh as a much-respected and admired leader of Vietnam.

As a consultant of the United Nations on Vietnam’s human development report and a collaborator of the University of British Colombia’s Centre for Southeast Asia Research, Trang also joined a number of social projects and programmes related to poverty reduction and women protection in Vietnam.

Together with lecturers and students of the University of British Colombia, she made a fact-finding trip to 20 Vietnamese cities and provinces in 1997. She later made the first report on poverty reduction, and issues related to women and children in disadvantaged and ethnic minority areas.

In 1998, she attended a large-scale seminar on improving the capacity of poverty reduction, which was co-organised by the Canadian International Development Agency and several Vietnamese universities.

In her capacity as a member of the Canada – Vietnam Business Council’s executive board, she has actively partnered with the Vietnamese Embassy in Canada and agencies concerned to hold trade and investment promotion activities between the two countries’ authorities and business communities.

Trang is also active in organising trade connectivity activities and workshops between Vietnamese and Canadian localities./.

HCM City sets up quarantine task force to cope with rising COVID-19 cases

Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) launched a quarantine task force on November 12 in order to support and guide district health centres to effectively monitor and deploy plans aimed at containing the pandemic amid a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases.

Moving forward, the task force will be primarily responsible for assisting the existing response teams and relevant units at district health centres as they implement plans to handle rising COVID-19 cases within the local community, at schools, along with those detected at industrial parks and exporting processing zones.

The team will therefore assess the pandemic situation, determine the scope of the outbreak, and devise concrete scenarios aimed at dealing with the pandemic in a timely manner. The establishment of the task force also serves as a bridge for the HCDC and other localities to co-ordinate smoothly in order to stamp out outbreaks as quickly as possible.

The number of teams will therefore be flexibly changed in accordance with the southern city’s pandemic level in the community.

Tang Chi Thuong, director of the HCM City Department of Health, said this is part of activities aimed at improving the quarantine capacity of the health sector and the country's strategy to adapt to the pandemic in flexible, safe, and effective manner.

By the end of November 11, Ho Chi Minh City has reported 443,212 positive COVID-19 cases and 17,055 deaths, thereby making it the locality with the most cases nationwide.

Prime Minister's directive on management of marine protected areas issued

The Prime Minister’s Directive No.29/CT-TTg dated November 1, 2021 has been issued which requires ministries, agencies and localities to take urgent measures to improve the efficiency of management of Vietnam’s marine protected areas (MPAs).

Accordingly, ministers and heads of ministry-level and Government’s agencies, chairpersons of People’s Committees of 28 centrally-run cities and provinces in coastal areas are assigned to direct agencies concerned perform several key tasks.

Specifically, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will work with ministries, agencies and 28 centrally-run cities and provinces in coastal areas to effectively carry out programmes and projects, thus laying a scientific foundation to propose the establishment and expansion of MPAs. The ministry is also tasked with building a national database on MPAs, assisting localities in the establishment and management of MPAs, and enhancing inspection of MPAs management nationwide.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is asked to enhance management and inspection, seriously punish individuals and organisations that violate laws on environment protection, marine biodiversity, sea encroachment, mineral resource exploitation at sea, thus mitigating harmful impacts on the marine environment, ecological systems and aquatic resources. 

The Ministry of Public Security will be responsible for seriously dealing with legal violations regarding environmental protection and marine biodiversity, and for coordinating with relevant agencies to evaluate projects in sea and island areas to prevent harmful impacts on the environment, ecological system, MPAs, national defence and security.

The Ministry of National Defence is assigned to enhance patrols at seas and islands so as to timely detect any law violations in line with the law, improve capacity and arrange forces ready for responding to environment incidents at seas and islands.

The Ministry of Information and Communications is required to direct information and communication work about the role and importance of marine preservation. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will disseminate relevant legal regulations to tourists, organisations and individuals in hospitality sector.

Chairpersons of People’s Committees of coastal cities and provinces will direct the implementation of marine preservation measures, considering it one of the locality's key tasks. They must take the initiative in arranging resources to help fishermen living in and around MPAs switch from fishing to other livelihoods, thus easing pressure on MPAs and ensuring the efficiency of MPAs management./.

Vietnamese scholar abroad honours late President Ho Chi Minh through books 

Though living and working abroad, Prof. Nguyen Dai Trang still spends much time on studying and writing books about the late President Ho Chi Minh, which have received warm response and praise from the political circle, Canadians and the Vietnamese community in Canada.

Trang was born in 1970 in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue and settled down in Canada in 1990. She is now a lecturer at the Business Administration Faculty of the Centennial College and Chairwoman of the Canada – ASEAN Association at York University, Canada.

She was the first Vietnamese abroad to write and publish books about President Ho Chi Minh. Her first book was published in May 2010 in both English and Vietnamese languages. Her second book in Vietnamese, English and Spanish was released three years later.

On the occasion of the 130th birth anniversary of the late President in 2020, she debuted an e-book about him, which has been translated into English.

In early February 2021, she introduced her fifth book entitled ““The Black Race by Ho Chi Minh and Selected Works on Systemic Racism”. Through the book, many foreign readers admired President Ho Chi Minh’s vision as well as his role in national liberation movements in African countries.

Prof. Adibin Kusno, Director of the York Institute of Asian Research, said through these books, he has gained a better understanding of Vietnam.

US professor Howarzinn, for his part, said the Pentagon Papers described Ho Chi Minh as a much-respected and admired leader of Vietnam.

As a consultant of the United Nations on Vietnam’s human development report and a collaborator of the University of British Colombia’s Centre for Southeast Asia Research, Trang also joined a number of social projects and programmes related to poverty reduction and women protection in Vietnam.

Together with lecturers and students of the University of British Colombia, she made a fact-finding trip to 20 Vietnamese cities and provinces in 1997. She later made the first report on poverty reduction, and issues related to women and children in disadvantaged and ethnic minority areas.

In 1998, she attended a large-scale seminar on improving the capacity of poverty reduction, which was co-organised by the Canadian International Development Agency and several Vietnamese universities.

In her capacity as a member of the Canada – Vietnam Business Council’s executive board, she has actively partnered with the Vietnamese Embassy in Canada and agencies concerned to hold trade and investment promotion activities between the two countries’ authorities and business communities.

Trang is also active in organising trade connectivity activities and workshops between Vietnamese and Canadian localities.

Forum seeks to develop business services for older persons

About 100 representatives from both national and international businesses attended the first-ever virtual business forum to promote the private sector’s participation in the development of business services for older persons in the COVID-19 and the new normal context in Vietnam.

The business forum was co-chaired by Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) cum VCCI Director in Ho Chi Minh City Vo Tan Thanh and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative in Vietnam Naomi Kitahara.

The forum was among a series of interventions funded by the Government of Japan through the Project "Mitigating the negative impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable population groups - Ensuring National Progress to Achieve SDGs in Vietnam".

Delegates discussed the current situation of the elderly care industry, care needs and the potential of a ‘silver’ market in the new normal.

The domestic service market for the elderly is very promising with 20 million "potential customers" by 2035, according to findings released in a report on Market Outlook for Elderly Care Service in Vietnam.

The report outlines that as an extremely valuable intellectual and experience pool, the elderly are an important asset contributing to the country’s development. They also create a crucial driving force for a special emerging market, which can generate good sales, income and jobs for society.

At the event, businesses also had a straightforward dialogue with policy makers, particularly with regard to the government’s policy for the care industry.

To maximise the opportunities resulting from population aging, participants explored the trends and future prospects, including innovative solutions for the care industry to meet the needs of senior citizens, especially during the COVID-19 period.

In his opening speech, VCCI Vice Chairman Vo Tan Thanh confirmed that the forum constituted a timely intervention, especially when HCM City and other provinces and cities across the country were hardly hit by the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, causing a negative impact on the country’s socio-economic development.

Thanh highlighted the potential of elderly care in Vietnam, noting that the development of this care industry is not sufficient to meet the increasing and diversified needs of older persons.

He pointed out several factors which can hinder further development including under-developed infrastructure, the need for incentive policies to encourage the private sector to invest in and limited financial and human resources as well as unavailability of technologies. 

"There are no effective service models yet which are in line with the culture of the Vietnamese people while communications strategy and activities need to be more effective to make the senior Vietnamese citizens change their attitude and practices. The business forum today is an opportunity for all the stakeholders to discuss and create a breakthrough in this important and potential industry.”, Thanh added. 

Naomi Kitahara, UNFPA Representative in Vietnam also echoed her co-chairman by saying that the organisation of this special forum was significant, given the fact that the participation of businesses in the care industry for older persons is limited.

“While the virus spreads among persons of all ages, older persons and those with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk of developing severe conditions and having higher death rates. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s population ageing is progressing fast and the country will transition from the “ageing” to the “aged” society by 2036. While this presents implications on the need for care and support for the elderly population, it can also present a business opportunity for the care industry”, she stressed.  

“Japan shares the same trend of population aging and low fertility, and a lot of private sector businesses, many of which are very unique and innovative, have developed in the past decades to provide care and services to the elderly population. The Government of Japan is honoured to support UNFPA and VCCI to engage the businesses in dialogues with policy makers, particularly with regards to the Government’s policy for the care industry”, Minister Okabe from the Embassy of Japan to Vietnam told the forum.

The forum was wrapped up with recommendations for next steps to ensure that older persons must be a priority in Vietnam’s efforts to overcome COVID-19 and that no one is left behind in humanitarian response as well as in development effort.

International cooperation shines in Vietnam Coast Guard’s activities

The Vietnam Coast Guard has for years worked to promote its external relation and international cooperation, creating favourable conditions for the implementation of its assigned tasks in contribution to keeping a peaceful and stable environment for national construction and defence from early and afar.

Highlights in the force's international cooperation include the signing of a protocol on a hotline communication mechanism with the Cambodia National Committee of Maritime Security, a letter of intent with the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) in 2017 and a letter of intent with Malaysia in 2019. Currently, the force’s Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with Indonesia and the Philippines are in the preparation phase.

Under those documents, many practical and effective cooperation activities have been implemented, including those that contributed to Vietnam’s fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in recent years.

Many countries, such as the US, Japan, India and the Republic of Korea, have been willing to offer Vietnam their practical and effective support in terms of equipment, ships, logistical facilities and training to improve Vietnam's coast guards' capacity and knowledge on law, security and safety in law enforcement at sea.

The visits and exchanges of the Vietnam Coast Guard vessels to India in 2018 and Japan in 2019 contributed to enhancing the position of the force in the region and in the international arena. These trips provided opportunities to organise training for the force's officers and soldiers, thus improving its capacity.

In addition, the Vietnam Coast Guard has actively and responsibly participated in multilateral mechanisms and forums, including the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP); the Southeast Asia Maritime Law Enforcement Initiative (SEAMLEI); and the Coast Guard Global Summit (CGGS).

In the time to come, the force will continue to promote its external relations and cooperation with its foreign counterparts, with priority given to countries in the region, those with sea areas bordering Vietnam, and traditional partners.

The Vietnam Coast Guard’s proactive expansion of its relationships with maritime law enforcement forces of other countries has contributed to maintaining security, order, safety, peace and stability in the waters of Vietnam, and to deepening the country's ties with Southeast Asian nations. Such external activities deliver a message of cooperation, growth and integration./.

Vietnam to welcome hundreds of Japanese and Korean tourists

A number of localities, including Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, and Phu Quoc, are ready to welcome hundreds of tourists from Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK) over the next few days.

Tourists from Japan and the Republic of Korea move from the airport accommodation facilities in Khanh Hoa 
This information was unveiled during an online seminar held on November 12 with the aim of discussing the local tourism industry’s pilot scheme to welcome back international visitors.

At the event, Vo Huy Cuong, deputy director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), said two international flights from Japan and the RoK, carrying a total of 429 passengers to Khanh Hoa, arrived on November 11 under the guidance of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Furthermore, other relevant units such as Nhat Minh Travel and Catering Joint Stock Company, along with local budget airline Vietjet Air and a number of accommodation facilities in Khanh Hoa, have moved to co-operate in implementing the pilot scheme.

Le Van Nghia, director of Nhat Minh Travel and Catering Joint Stock Company, revealed that the passengers with vaccine passports moved safely from the airport to hotels in Khanh Hoa, thereby ensuring they follow rules relating to COVID-19 prevention and control. 

Nghia added that the Khanh Hoa Department of Health has devised plans aimed at ensuring that tourism businesses fully abide by the pandemic prevention measures, particularly as health workers are in the process of conducting COVID-19 testing for all the passengers on the morning of November 12.

Cuong noted that there will be additional flights from Japan and the RoK arriving over the next few days, with Da Nang Airport set to welcome a flight on November 17 and Phu Quoc Airport seeing the arrival of another flight on November 20.

Moreover, there will be over 20 flights to Kien Giang, Khanh Hoa and Da Nang, mainly from the RoK, Japan, Taiwan (China), and Thailand in the near future.

 Apart from several major tourism markets, the country should strive to reopen to tourists from other countries, with a focus on welcoming foreign visitors who have been fully vaccinated and who test negative for COVID-19, he added.

This move is expected to help airlines and travel firms find a consistent source of customers from various markets, as opposed to relying on limited ones.

Ancient town set to open to visitors from November 15

 

The ancient town of Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam is scheduled to reopen tourism activities at various destinations starting from November 15.

The locality has now devised plans aimed at ensuring tourism safety moving into the new normal, whilst strictly complying with the city’s requirements of criteria for safe tourism services towards "green tourism" in Hoi An.

The ancient town will host a series of travel schemes under the closed model for international tourists who fully meet immigration and medical quarantine requirements.

Moreover, tourism businesses, accommodation facilities, and tourist attractions will also launch a range of promotional packages for visitors as part of the occasion./.

Hanoi offers relief aid to disaster-hit provinces

The Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee of Hanoi on November 12 presented relief aid to central and northwestern provinces to help them overcome disaster consequences.

Accordingly, the municipal VFF Committee allocated 7 billion VND (300,000 USD) from the city's relief fund to support Nghe An, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Hoa Binh, Lao Cai, Quang Binh and Thua Thien-Hue, each 1 billion VND. The sum will be sent to bank accounts of their respective VFF committees.

Chairwoman of the municipal VFF Committee Nguyen Lan Huong conveyed profound sympathies to people of the affected provinces and families of victims.

The city also suggested the provinces learn about residents’ demand to offer them practical, timely and effective support, thus helping them stabilise lives.

On behalf of the provinces, Secretary of the Hoa Binh Provincial Party Committee Ngo Van Tuan thanked the municipal Party Committee, authorities and people of Hanoi for their relief aid.

He said the provinces will use the sum for the right purpose to overcome difficulties together with the nation.

In October, central and northern provinces suffered severe human and material losses caused by storms, heavy rains and landslides./.  

ASEM Food Court opens on RoK’s Jeju island

The ASEM Food Court opened on the Republic of Korea’s Jeju island on November 11, as a venue for international cultural exchanges gathering the attendance of foreign embassies of Southeast Asian and European nations.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the RoK Nguyen Vu Tung sent his congratulatory remarks via video to the event.

A representatives of the organisers said with a focus on the New Southern Policy revolving around Southeast Asian countries, this food festival introduces about 30 dishes of Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Indonesia and of European nations. Highlights of the Vietnamese cuisine at the event are 'bun cha' (rice vermicelli with grilled pork and fresh herbs) and 'pho' (beef noodle soup).

Kim Jung-ryul, operating director of ASEM Food, noted the event aims to attract Southeast Asian and European visitors to the island, giving them the taste of their homeland dishes.

By combining gastronomy, technology, and culture, the ASEM Food Court is expected to deliver a diverse and impressive experience to foreign and Korean tourists, he said.

The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) is an intergovernmental process established in 1996 to foster dialogue and cooperation between Asia and Europe. Presently, it comprises 53 partners – 30 European and 21 Asian countries, the European Union and the ASEAN Secretariat./.

Vietnam’s action month for gender equality, gender-based violence prevention launched

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) together with UN agencies in Vietnam on November 12 launched the national action month for gender quality and gender-based violence prevention and response, which will take place from November 15 to December 15.

With its theme on ensuring social security, empowering and creating opportunities for women and girls to achieve gender equality, and eliminating violence against women and girls, the action month once again affirms Vietnam's priorities and commitments in promoting practical progress in the matter.

In the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a spike in inequality, with women and girls bearing more disadvantages. That is why the group, particularly pregnant women and children orphaned due to the pandemic, has been prioritised with higher aid in Vietnam’s support policies targeting people impacted by COVID-19.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Deputy Minister of MoLISA Nguyen Thi Ha stressed that, in order to address gender inequality in Vietnam, in addition to policies and programmes to ensure social security, long-term communications efforts should be carried out more regularly and effectively to change gender bias, which is quite common in all aspects of social life.

“There would be no gender equality without the participation of men in domestic work and without an end to violence against women and girls,” the deputy minister said.

Kidong Park, acting UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, affirmed the UN is committed to continuing to assist Vietnam in promoting gender equality, and eradicating discrimination and gender-based violence toward the nation’s realisation of the UN’s sustainable development goals.

Park noted that, to tackle the roots of these issues, apart from changing social norms through building a culture of respect and equality for all genders in all contexts, including at home, at work, at school, and in the cyberspace, there is a need for a strong political commitment that manifests in the making of comprehensive laws and policies./.

Results of flood-based livelihood project in Mekong Delta reviewed

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on November 12 organised a closing workshop for the flood-based livelihood project in support of the water retention strategy for the Mekong Delta via video teleconference to review the results and encourage the up-scaling of the project in the region.

Addressing the workshop, Andrew Wyatt, Deputy Director of the IUCN Indo-Burma Group, said the IUCN has carried out the project in three Mekong Delta provinces of An Giang, Dong Thap and Long An from 2018 to 2021.

It aims to implement farmer demonstrations of low-risk, flood-based livelihoods across about 470 hectares of rice-growing land and retain some 8.5 million cu.m of flood water.

Through the demonstration of adaption to climate change and moves to preserve and restore the floodplain ecosystem in Dong Thap Muoi and Tu Giac Long Xuyen, the project has helped translated the Government’s Resolution dated November 17, 2017 on Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Development of the Mekong Delta into reality.

Integrated lotus farming, one of the project’s flood-based livelihood models, has proved effective and sustainable enough to be scaled up in the province, said Tran Che Linh from the An Giang Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, taking lotus farms in Ta Danh commune, Tri Ton district as an example.

To expand the project, attendees suggested the three provinces offer financial support to enable farmers to shift to rice-lotus integrated farming and farmers’ cooperatives to acquire equipment for processing of lotus-made products./.

Japanese painting collector receives Vietnamese FM’s certificate of merit

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Vu Hong Nam presented a certificate of merit from the Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs to Japanese collector Itoh Toyokichi and his wife for their contribution to promoting cultural exchange between the two countries at a ceremony on November 12.

Toyokichi Itoh was born in 1941 in Tokyo. He came to Vietnam in 1986 and was impressed by paintings displayed in museums in Hanoi. Since then, Itoh began to collect paintings by Vietnamese artists.

His collection has been gradually completed after his many visits to Vietnam. He named the collection "Houei" (prosperity) with the hope of "opening up a new era of prosperous development".

Since 2005, Itoh has organised exhibitions of paintings in his collection at museums in Japan and abroad to introduce Vietnamese painters' works to people around the world.

In 2020, he contacted Ambassador Nam to announce an intention to present his collection of 238 painting works by Vietnamese famous painters to central Da Nang city.

Speaking at the ceremony to present the certificate of merit, Ambassador Nam thanked the Japanese collector and his family for giving the valuable collection to Da Nang, saying that the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum will gradually introduce the paintings to the public.

In his speech, Itoh said he is deeply moved when the paintings return to the place where they belong to. He added that he still owns 100 another works of art by Vietnamese artists and is considering donating them to the Vietnamese side./.

Vietnamese ministry assists Laos to build village police stations

The Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security will help its Lao counterpart build 287 village police stations in the time ahead, with construction of the first one starting on November 12.

The first police station built under the cooperation is located in Na Thon village of Khamkeut district, the border province of Bolikhamxay.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Public Security Lt. Gen. Nguyen Duy Ngoc said the construction of the police station in Na Thon village is an important initial step for the rapid building of similar stations in villages along the two countries’ shared borderline as in line with their ministries’ agreement.

He asked the Public Security Department of Ha Tinh province and contractors to keep close coordination with the police of Bolikhamxay to ensure the building progress and the best quality so as to put the Na Thon police station into use as soon as possible.

The official also requested efforts to complete the construction of the remainders in 2021 as ordered by the Vietnamese and Lao ministers.

Appreciating the Vietnamese ministry’s assistance, Lao Deputy Minister of Public Security Lt. Gen. Thonglek Mangnomek said the support demonstrates the special solidarity between the two ministries, as well as between the two countries, especially when Vietnam is also facing numerous difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He pledged to put the police stations to good use so as to maintain security in border areas and contribute to the combat against transnational drug crimes, thereby contributing to the special solidarity and traditional friendship between the countries.

The same day, the Vietnamese ministry’s delegation led by Deputy Minister Ngoc held talks with their counterpart led by Thonglek Mangnomek. They reviewed bilateral cooperation and agreed to enhance ties, particularly in the drug fight in their border areas, in the time ahead.

Vietnam and Laos share a border of over 2,300km that runs across 10 Vietnamese provinces and 10 Lao provinces./.

Japanese media highlight Vietnam-Japan match

Japanese newspapers on November 12 commented on Japan’s 1-0 victory against Vietnam in the final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
 
The only goal was scored by midfielder Ito Junya in the first half.
 
The NHK public broadcaster said the team faced difficult challenges while Tokyo-Sports news site analysed problems of the Japanese team. It pointed out the lack of deciding power and the two midfielders of Asano and Furuhashi came to the field from the middle of the second half, but they could not get any additional points.
Yahoo!Japan commented that the team in blue has problems in scoring as Ito might be the one who gave the most troubles to Vietnam.

Asahi Shimbun also said that Japan encountered difficulties in teamwork as many key players had only one day to prepare for the game.
As it is the fifth consecutive defeat of Vietnam, they have yet to collect any points and stand at the bottom of Group B.

Vietnam are to host group leaders Saudi Arabia while Japan will fly to Muscat to play Oman. Both games will take place on November 16.
 
This is the first time that Vietnam has played in the final qualifying round. They are in the same group with Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, China and Oman./.

 

Vietnam attends 22nd ASEAN Chiefs of Army Multilateral Meeting

Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Van Nghia highlighted the importance of ASEAN military-defence cooperation as regional challenges continue to evolve complicatedly amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing the 22nd ASEAN Chiefs of Army Multilateral Meeting (ACAMM-22) via a video conference on November 12, which was chaired by Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces Vice Senior General Soe Win, Nghia highly valued the crucial role played by the army force in responding the health crisis, affirming that the army is the core force taking the lead in joint efforts of countries in the fight against the pandemic.
While sharing Vietnam’s experience in responding to COVID-19, especially in localities hardest hit the pandemic, the Vietnamese officer emphasised the motto of adapting to the new normal situation in Vietnam in the coming time, and realising the dual goal of pandemic prevention and socio-economic development in line with common perceptions of leaders at the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits.

He expressed his belief that ASEAN military-defence cooperation will contribute to controlling the pandemic and effectively responding to non-traditional security challenges, thus maintaining peace, stability and development in the region.

Soe Win expressed his hope that at ACAMM-22, army forces of ASEAN countries will share their experience in responding to the pandemic as well as efforts to promote post-pandemic recovery.

During the event, heads of ASEAN member nations’ delegations exchanged views under the theme related to the role of ASEAN militaries in post-pandemic recovery proposed by Myanmar.

At the event, Soe Win handed over Chairmanship of the ACAMM and related activities such as the ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet (AARM), and the Conference of ASEAN Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (ASMAM) in 2022 to Vietnam.

The head of the Vietnamese delegation took the occasion to call on other ASEAN countries to support Vietnam in doing well its role as the Chair of the ACAMM, the AARM and the ASMAM in 2022./.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau promotes eco-tourism at Con Dao National Park

The southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau will build 17 eco-tourism routes under a tourism development project at the Con Dao National Park for 2021-2030.

The provincial People’s Committee issued a decision dated November 9, 2021 approving the project on ecological, leisure and entertainment tourism at the national park, aiming to diversify tourism activities in Con Dao island district.

Con Dao will optimise potential and advantages of the national park to promote eco-tourism, while raising the awareness of local residents and visitors about Con Dao’s natural, cultural, historical and humanitarian values through the tourism activities, thus enhancing their responsibility for protecting the environment and natural resources.

The decision creates the legal foundation for attracting investment into tourism in Con Dao.

Nguyen Khac Pho, Director of the Con Dao national park, said the park is the pioneer in launching eco-tourism in combination with nature education.

The park will coordinate with local authorities and competent agencies to step up activities in preserving forest and maritime resources, and build a database on forest resources, along with a map of the natural resources.

More joint efforts will be made in preventing deforestation and other acts that affect forest and maritime resources, and organising communication and education programmes.

The Con Dao National Park became the 2,203rd Ramsar site in the world and the sixth in Vietnam in 2013. It is home to 1,077 species of vascular plants and 155 species of fauna. Many bird species in Con Dao cannot be found anywhere else in Vietnam, such as the red-billed tropicbird, masked booby and pied imperial pigeon.

Surveys by the Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography found there are over 1,300 maritime fauna and flora species, including 44 in Vietnam’s Red Data Book, in the park. Particularly, Con Dao is home to a small population of dugongs which are vulnerable to extinction around the world.

Con Dao National Park is also an important nesting place for olive ridley sea turtles and hawksbill sea turtles, two species threatened with extinction globally./.

Exclusive policies needed to bring migrant workers back to factories

The government needs to have exclusive policies to attract migrant workers, particularly those from vulnerable groups, back to factories, heard at an international seminar on COVID-19 and social changes held by the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS)’ Institute of Sociology in Hanoi on November 11.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Dang Nguyen Anh, VASS Vice President, said the COVID-19 has claimed more than 5 million lives globally. The pandemic has left many people without jobs or with reduced incomes, being isolated or hospitalized and living with insecurity, anxiety and stress.

As experts from the World Health Organisation have warned that it is impossible to eradicate the coronavirus, many countries started accepting the fact that people must live with the virus, and increasing vaccine coverage and launches of new treatment drugs would help reduce new infections, severe cases and deaths, Anh said.

From a sociological approach, the seminar focused on analysing changes in social behaviour, relations and norms, enabling people to safely and flexibly adapt to the pandemic.

Speaking of COVID-19 impacts on migrant workers at industrial parks, Assoc. Prof., Dr. Dang Thi Hoa from the Institute of Psychology said about 9.1 million Vietnamese aged 15 and above have had their livelihoods negatively affected by the pandemic. Tens thousands of migrant workers have been forced to leave factories and return to their hometowns in July and September, she added.

Urging the government to adopt incentives, such as providing support in training, housing, healthcare and childcare, to attract migrant workers back to factories, she particularly emphasized the need to have exclusive policies for workers from vulnerable groups, for example, ethnic minorities, the poor, and those from disadvantaged areas.

Speakers at the event discussed the status and trends of Vietnam’s labour market at the time of COVID-19, COVID-19 impacts on some vulnerable groups in Russia, and social civil organisations under COVID-19 impacts. They also proposed solutions to develop social theories to support the government’s science-based decision making for timely response to social behaviour changes./.

Dak Lak province boosts COVID-19 communications among ethnic minorities

The administration of the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak has ordered relevant agencies to boost communication activities to raise ethnic minority people's awareness about COVID-19, amidst a surge in infections among ethnic minority communities.

As of 4pm on November 11, the province had recorded 5,773 cases of COVID-19 in the fourth wave of outbreaks that began in Vietnam in late April. Notably, a number of clusters have been reported in ethnic minority areas.

The provincial People’s Committee on November 10 ordered district-level authorities to popularise anti-pandemic measures, especially in ethnic minority languages, while quickly implementing support policies for labourers and employers affected by the pandemic, thus ensuring social security in ethnic minority areas.

Local authorities are also asked to work closely with border guards, police, and other forces in border regions to protect “green zones”.

Dak Lak is home to 49 ethnic groups, with Kinh people accounting for 64.3 percent of the population and ethnic minority groups 35.7 percent, according to the 2019 population census.

As of early November, about 64 percent of the over 1.36 million people aged 18 and above in Dak Lak had received at least one shot of COVID-19 vaccine, and 9.4 percent the second shot, according to Director of the provincial Health Department Nay Phi La.

In Vietnam, the infection tally exceeded 1 million on November 11 to reach 1,000,897. The country had injected over 95.57 million doses of vaccines, with more than 32.07 million people fully inoculated by November 10./.

Thailand keen to resume tours with Vietnam: Ambassador

Thailand will work with Vietnam on reopening tours between the two countries, particularly in increasing tourist arrivals between Thailand and Ho Chi Minh City, Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Nikorndej Balankura has said.

He revealed the information during a meeting with Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen on November 11.

At the reception, Nen appreciated the long-standing  Vietnam-Thailand friendship and thanked the General Consulate of Thailand and the Thai community in HCM City for their support in the local COVID-19 fight.

The Thai ambassador vowed to do his utmost to foster the countries’ relations and the ties between Thai localities and HCM City.

Hailing HCM City’s role as the economic-trade hub which houses 80 percent of Thai companies in Vietnam, he expressed his gratitude to the local authorities for supporting the Thai community, especially during the recent COVID-19 outbreaks.

In preparation for cooperation post-pandemic, Thailand will focus on ramping up the trade and investment relations with Vietnam, he added.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand will devise a specific plan on the cooperation with the Vietnamese side in the coming time.

At the event, the two sides agreed on the holding of activities in December to celebrate the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties this year.

Thailand is now the largest trade partner of Vietnam in ASEAN and the ninth leading foreign investor out of 140 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.

The two countries have closely collaborated and supported each other at regional and international forums.

Thailand is the 12th largest investor of HCM City with a total registered capital of more than 467 million USD across 231 projects.

In addition, the city welcomes in excess of 180,000 Thai holidaymakers each year, making Thailand rank ninth in the number of tourists to HCM City./. 

Vietnam undertakes 23rd ACAMM chairmanship

Myanmar Vice-Senior General Soe Win handed over the 23rd ACAMM Chairmanship to Vietnam on November 12 during the virtual 22nd ASEAN Chief of Army Multilateral Meeting (ACAMM-22).

A Vietnamese delegation led by Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Nghia, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, attended the event alongside several army commanders representing various ASEAN member states.

As part of his opening speech, Vice-Senior Win emphasised that the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted all aspects of political, economic, and social life globally.

The entire world, including ASEAN members, has therefore been forced to roll out a range of measures aimed at responding to the impact of the pandemic. He went on to express his hope that at ACAMM-22, the army forces of ASEAN member states will share their experience in an effort to cope with the pandemic, as well as considering the post-pandemic recovery process.

During the course of the conference, the heads of delegations of participating countries exchanged views on the role of ASEAN militaries as part of the recovery process as the bloc moves past the virus.

The head of the Vietnamese delegation also highlighted the importance of ASEAN military-defence co-operation as regional challenges continue to result in complicated developments due to the impact of the pandemic.

With regard to the role of the army in responding to COVID-19, the head of the Vietnamese delegation affirmed that currently, the army represents the core force that is taking the lead in the joint efforts for pandemic prevention and control, especially following the impact of the fourth outbreak wave on the country.

Sharing the results and experience of pandemic prevention and control measures in severely-impacted localities in recent times, Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Nghia also emphasised the need to adapt to the new situation locally. In addition, it remains necessary to simultaneously carry out the dual goal of ensuring COVID-19 prevention and control alongside socio-economic development, in line with the common perception of leaders at both the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits.

Liet. Gen. Nghia also expressed his confidence that ASEAN military-defence co-operation would contribute to pushing back the pandemic and effectively responding to non-traditional security challenges, thereby maintaining peace, stability, and development throughout the region.

At the end of the conference, Vice-Senior Win handed over the 23rd ACAMM Chairmanship to Vietnam and related activities such as the ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet (AARM), the ASEAN Sergeant Major Annual Meeting 2022.

Liet. Gen. Nghia reaffirmed the role and importance of the bloc’s military-defence co-operation as well as unity within the ACAMM framework.

He called on countries to support Vietnam in performing well its role of ACAMM/AARM/ASMAM Chair in 2022.

He also expressed his wish that based on developments regarding the current situation, the nation would be able to welcome ASEAN members participating in activities to be launched within the ACAMM framework ahead in 2022.

COVID-19 and Non-Communicable Diseases on the agenda at science conference

According to statistics, for every 100 fatalities in Vietnam, 77 are Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

Innovative solutions to this issue, as well as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in general, were the main topics of discussion at an annual scientific conference jointly organised by the Vietnam Medical Association, the Ministry of Health and the Pharmaceutical Sector Committee under EuroCham (Pharma Group).  

Entitled 'The COVID-19 pandemic and non-communicable diseases prevention and treatment: Topics of Respiration, Cardiovascular, Oncology, Diabetes, Mental health and rare diseases', the event was held on November 12. 

It was an opportunity for more than 500 participants to share medical research and best practices in NCDs patient treatment, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic that still poses a threat to healthcare systems across Vietnam and the wider world.

Speaking at the event, President of the Vietnam Medical Association Nguyen Thi Xuyen said that the conference aimed to update medical knowledge and share practical experiences from COVID-19 pandemic prevention activities, and to prevent non-communicable diseases.

Many participants were leading experts who directly participated in treating COVID-19 patients in the community and at field hospitals across the country. 

"Their experiences in the prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic and NCDs will contribute to improving the quality of medical examination and treatment, especially in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic," said Xuyen.

Participants heard that Vietnam had achieved important results during nearly two years facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although the pandemic is now under control nationwide, the infection rate in the community is still on the increase in some provinces and cities. 

Experts warned that the pandemic was still unpredictable, especially with the risk of new variants emerging. Sharing of best practices and the latest advances in treatment was more important than ever.

The management and treatment of NCDs patients is a challenge to the healthcare system in Vietnam, according to experts. The fatality rate from NCDs is still rising, requiring timely solutions from the health sector to control NCDs in the context of the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

Experts also suggested the health sector should prepare innovative solutions to address health care challenges in the long run.

Vietnam would need to enhance its national medicine supply security and ensure access to medicine, as well as promote scientific research and medicine manufacturing solutions to help the healthcare sector better cope with highly unpredicted pandemics in the future.

Education sector hit hard by COVID-19, says Minister

The local education and training sector has taken the full brunt of the prolonged impact of the COVID-19 outbreak over the past two years, thereby impeding its reform efforts, Education Minister Nguyen Kim Son said on November 11 at a National Assembly hearing.

Education Minister Nguyen Kim Son answers National Assembly deputies' questions on November 11.
Minister Son stated that approximately 20 million students have been unable to go to school for a long time, and more than 70,000 students could not graduate on time, affecting the supply of human resources for the national economy.

He admitted that deploying online learning in asynchronous infrastructure revealed a number of shortcomings, causing many negative consequences for both schools and families.

The fact is that the majority of students and teachers are stressed and tired, whilst parents are angry and worried in general, he said.

The Minister went on to add that the Ministry has requested that schools encourage teachers and students to overcome immediate difficulties and return to class as soon as conditions permit.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak remaining complicated, he said the Ministry has requested that localities offer flexible learning modes by switching between virtual and face-to-face learning, including studying on television, as well as reducing reliance of school curriculums and shifting the focus to several core subjects. 

The past two months has seen the Ministry collaborate with Vietnam Television to offer lessons in both the first and second grades, with each TV show attracting millions of viewers.

Learning through television is one of the solutions given the current context, though none of the resolutions are completely satisfactory, said Minister Son.

The Minister also noted that the Ministry has banned pre-schools from receiving kids in areas where the outbreak has yet to be completely brought under control. However, it is feared that staying at home for a long time will also impact kids’ growth, both physically and mentally. 

National squad granted bonus for performances in World Cup qualifiers
Friday, 11:53, 12/11/2021


VOV.VN - The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has rewarded the national men’s football team with a VND500 million bonus following their strong performances in the third qualifying round for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

This comes following Vietnam suffering a 1-0 defeat to visitors Japan at the My Dinh National Stadium on November 11 to mark the halfway point in fixtures in the third round of Asian qualifiers for next year’s FIFA World Cup.

The result leaves the Vietnamese side rooted to the bottom of Group B following five consecutive loses, although head coach Park Hang-seo's players have put in a number of admirable performances against their heavily-favoured opponents.

The VFF has therefore decided to grant the national team a VND500 million bonus for their strong performances in order to encourage them in preparation for their upcoming match away to Saudi Arabia on November 16.

In another development, the Vietnamese team fell one place to 99th position in the world, according to an updated version of the national team rankings.

The team was deducted 6.1 points following their defeat against Japan on November 11. They now have a total of 1,216.8 points and are in 99th place, the lowest ranking of Vietnamese team since September, 2019.

After five defeats, Vietnam dropped a total of seven places from 92nd to 99th in the world as a result of competing in the third round of Asian qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup for the first time.

Moving forward, it is possible that the national team will drop out of the world’s top 100 after three years in the event that they suffer a defeat to Saudi Arabia on November 16.

The next rankings will be announced by FIFA and released on November 25 after national teams complete in World Cup qualifiers on all continents.

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