Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai has recently signed Decision No.1644/QD-TTg dated September 30 on the expense for the purchase, transportation and delivery of 5 million doses of Abdala vaccine produced by the Cuban Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.

The decision came following a proposal put forth by the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Finance was assigned to allocate the expenditure from Vietnam's COVID-19 vaccine fund in line with regulations.

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance are responsible for reporting the process and data.

The use, management and settlement of the expense should be made in line with regulations, for the right purpose, in an economical, efficient, open and transparent manner.

The Ministry of Health must report the use of the expenditure to the Prime Minister in line with regulations./.

Hanoi detects five locally-infected Covid-19 cases

Hanoi authorities have confirmed five new locally-infected Covid-19 patients in three districts with unknown sources of infection.

Of the figures, three are from men aged between 35 and 56 in Nam Tu Liem District. All of them tested positive for Covid-19 on September 30. 

One man was a furniture seller in Xuan Phuong Ward. He often goes to Viet Tri City in Phu Tho Province. Another was a customer care staff at a bank office on Hoang Quoc Viet Street, while the third was a manager of a company in the An Khanh area.

The case in Ba Dinh District’s Truc Bach Street, who tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday, is working for a firm on Lieu Giai Street.

The fifth patient is a 30-year-old man from Tay Ho District’s Quang An Ward. He has been staying at home for around one month after quitting his work in Hung Yen Province.

Between September 30 and October 1, Hanoi recorded a total of seven locally-transmitted Covid-19 cases after witnessing no such cases for six days. One infected patient was found on Thursday at the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Hospital.

PM orders control of movement from four COVID hotspots

The Prime Minister has recently issued Dispatch No.1265/CD-TTg, dated September 30, directing the continued control of the movement of people from Ho Chi Minh City and the provinces of Long An, Dong Nai and Binh Duong, which are four current COVID hotspots in the southern region.

The document noted that although the pandemic situations in the four localities have been gradually controlled, there is still high risk of spreading the virus to other provinces where the vaccination rates remain low.

Therefore, the Prime Minister requested the authorities of Ho Chi Minh City and the provinces of Long An, Dong Nai and Binh Dương to continue to strictly control the travel movement of people entering and leaving the four localities while ensuring the safe resumption of business and production activities.

He also asked cities and provinces across the country to encourage people not to be rushed to return to their hometowns, which may cause the virus to spread to other provinces, and organise trips for the employees to return to the four localities safely to return to work.

* On September 30, the Dong Thap provincial authorities announced the loosening of social distancing measures from October 1.

Accordingly, the province allows outdoor and indoor activities, which may gather no more than 10 people, and the resumption of means of public transport but at only half their designed carry capacity.

Trade centres, supermarkets, wholesale markets and retail markets are allowed to operate at up to 70% of their capacity and must be closed by 18:00 every day, while sellers must have been injected with at least one dose of vaccine against COVID-19.

Meanwhile, food and beverage establishments are permitted to reopen for delivery only.

Local residents are asked to strictly follow COVID-19 prevention and control measures, particularly the Ministry of Health’s 5K message of khau trang (face masks), khu khuan (disinfection), khoang cach (distancing), khong tu tap (no gatherings), and khai bao y te (health declarations). 

* Also on September 30, the Chairman of Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee issued a decision on the implementation of measures on COVID-19 prevention and control of in the province.

Under the document, people are required not to go out from 8 pm to 3 am the next day until the end of October 15.

The document also orders the suspension of meetings and events with more than 20 participants, outdoor sports activities, and gatherings of more than 10 people in public spaces.

Food and beverage service establishments (except those serving alcohol and beer) are allowed to open to eat-in, at a maximum of 30% of their capacity, and mica table partitions must be installed to limit direct contact among diners and prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

President welcomes new ambassadors of Uruguay, Finland, Austria

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted separate receptions in Hanoi on September 30 for the Ambassadors of Uruguay, Finland and Austria who came to present their credentials.

Receiving Ambassador of Uruguay Raul Juan Pollak Giampietro, President Phuc affirmed that Vietnam treasures its partnership with Uruguay and wished that the two countries would further strengthen cooperation and facilitate the exchange of all-level delegations.

Giampietro vowed to do his best to lift bilateral ties and hoped that two-way trade will double the current figure.

Uruguay also wants to cooperate with Vietnam in climate change, poverty reduction and other fields, he said, adding that he hoped Vietnam will consider opening an embassy in the South American country.

President Phuc, for his part, said Vietnam will soon open its embassy in Uruguay suggested both sides create favourable conditions for Vietnam’s products to access the Uruguay market. He also proposed Uruguay assist Vietnam in penetrating the MERCOSUR market and affirmed that Vietnam is ready to help Uruguay access ASEAN and markets in which Vietnam join.

The State leader proposed offering all possible support for the two countries’ business communities to explore business and investment opportunities as well as maintaining mutual support and coordination at multilateral forums.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives Ambassador of Finland Keijo Ensio Norvanto (L). (Photo: VNA) 
Meeting Ambassador of Finland Keijo Ensio Norvanto, President Phuc affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to ties with Finland.

He suggested Finland fully tap trade and investment opportunities from the European Union – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), soon approve the EU – Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and urge the EU to remove of yellow card warning against Vietnam’s seafood.

The President expected Finland to increase investment in hi-tech, telecommunications, digital economy, renewable energy and environment in Vietnam. He also asked the ambassador to convey his invitation to the Finnish President to visit Vietnam soon.

In his meeting with Ambassador of Austria Hans-Peter Glanzer, the President said Vietnam always treasures traditional and multifaceted collaboration with Austria.

He held that both countries need to boost two-way trade and suggested the European country soon ratify the EVIPA. The State leader also thanked the Austrian Government for providing official development assistance for Vietnam over the past years.

On the occasion, President Phuc conveyed his invitation to the President and the Prime Minister of Austria to visit Vietnam when conditions allow./. 

Vietnam, Serbia hold online political consultation

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs To Anh Dung on September 30 held a virtual political consultation with Serbian Acting Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Bilateral Cooperation Vladimir Maric to discuss bilateral relations and international issues of common concern.

Dung affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to consolidating and developing its traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Serbia.

He thanked the Government of Serbia for its donation of 20,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccine to Vietnam and suggested Serbia consider transferring vaccine production technology to and providing medical equipment for the Southeast Asian country.

For his part, Maric welcomed the results of the phone talks in August between Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Serbian counterpart Nikola Selakovic.

The diplomat affirmed that the Serbian Government highly appreciated Vietnam’s achievements in economic development and international integration as well as its efforts in COVID-19 prevention and control. He highlighted Serbia’s desire to further promote multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam, especially in the fields of politics-diplomacy, economy-trade, and investment.

The officials agreed to increase exchanges and regular meetings between high-ranking leaders of the two countries, and closely coordinate in organising activities to celebrate the 65th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022.

They reviewed the focuses and orientations of economic-trade cooperation for the next period in the areas where Serbia has demand and Vietnam has advantages. The two sides agreed to boost bilateral collaboration in agriculture, defence, and labour in the time to come.

They also held that Vietnam and Serbia should continue to coordinate together at international organisations and forums, especially within the framework of the United Nations.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides emphasised the importance of ensuring safety, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the region as well as settlement of disputes via peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea./.

Work on 22 major traffic projects in HCM City to resume on Friday

Construction of 22 major traffic projects in HCM City will resume work after being suspended for months amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lương Minh Phúc, director of the city's Management Board for Traffic Works Construction and Investment, said the projects would restart from October 1 and are required to meet pandemic prevention and control safety requirements.

Many projects need to be completed before the end of the year, such as infrastructure in the Nước Đen canal area in Bình Tân District, the new Hang Ngoài Bridge in Gò Vấp District, the Thanh Đa Park in Bình Thạnh District, and the upgrade of Trần Văn Mười Street in Hóc Môn District.

The repair and upgrade of Đặng Thúc Vịnh Street in Hóc Môn District, costing VNĐ700 billion (US$30.9 million), and the first branch of the new Bưng Bridge between Tân Phú and Bình Tân districts with investment cost of VNĐ514 billion ($22.7 million), are scheduled to be put into operation before Tết (Lunar New Year) which will fall next year on February 1.

A number of other construction works will be restarted to prevent damage caused by erosion along rivers and canals.

The city administration has drawn up a set of criteria for classifying construction works.

It classifies construction works into two categories: in "new normal" areas with low risk of COVID-19 infection and areas with high or very high risk of infection.

The former will be licensed to resume, while projects in high-risk and very high risk areas cannot resume except for those considered urgent and serving pandemic control needs.

Everyone working at construction sites must have a certificate saying they have received two shots of COVID vaccines or have fully recovered after contracting the disease.

Contractors and investors must have plans in place for pandemic prevention, and take responsibility if the disease spreads at their site.

Earlier, the city permitted three urgent and key projects to continue construction during the pandemic to ensure completion.

They include an overpass in front of the new Miền Đông (Eastern) Bus Station on Hà Nội Highway in Thủ Đức City, technical infrastructure on nine land plots in the Thủ Thiêm new urban area in Thủ Đức City, and a double tunnel below Nguyễn Văn Linh Boulevard at its intersection with Nguyễn Hữu Thọ Street in District 7.

The city also allowed resumption of construction on Metro Line No 1; Thủ Thiêm 2 Bridge; a cardiology centre, neonatology centre and a building for health examinations and surgery at HCM City Paediatrics Hospital 1; upgrade of Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport; and construction works serving pandemic prevention and control.

Districts 7, Củ Chi and Cần Giờ, considered low risk areas, have been allowed to trial resumption of construction works on September 16.

The Volunteer Youth Public Benefit Service Co., Ltd, which manages the Cát Lái and Bình Khánh ferry terminals in HCM City, has proposed building two new 200-tonne ferry boats at an estimated cost of more than VNĐ79 billion ($3.5 million) to replace old ones.

It asked the city’s People’s Committee to use funding from the city budget to build the two new ferry boats within 10 months.

The new ferry boats would replace a one 100-tonne ferry boat at Bình Khánh ferry terminal, a 100-tonne ferry boat and a 60-tonne ferry boat at Cát Lái ferry terminal.

A 200-tonne, old ferry boat at the closed Vàm Cống ferry terminal was moved to the city last year, although it was not used. The Vàm Cống ferry terminal stopped operation in 2019 after a new bridge was built across the Hậu River linking An Giang and Đồng Tháp provinces.

Two other 60-tonne ferry boats at Cát Lái ferry terminal will expire in 2023 and 2024.

The company has asked the city’s Department of Transport to liquidate the expired ferry boats and the Department of Finance to provide specific guidance for liquidation procedures.

The company manages and operates 20 ferry boats at Cát Lái và Bình Khánh ferry terminals, including four 200-tonne ferry boats, nine 100-tonne ferry boats, and seven 60-tonne ferry boats.

Three of the ferries have expired beyond their usage date, making it difficult for the remaining ferry boats to meet passenger demand.

The Cát Lái ferry terminal connecting Thủ Đức City with Đồng Nai Province’s Nhơn Trạch District carries an average of 50,000 passengers a day and up to 75,000-90,000 passengers each day during holidays. 

HCM City's healthcare services resume full operation 

Healthcare services that were closed temporarily can resume operating on Friday, according to the HCM City Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

Earlier, due to the COVID-19 outbreak’s complex developments, many health establishments that did not meet safety standards in COVID prevention and control were closed temporarily. Many private and public hospitals were converted to treat only COVID-19 patients.

Speaking at a press meeting held on Thursday, Lê Hòa Bình, vice chairman of the city People’s Committee, said these facilities, classified in three groups, would be allowed to reopen.

They include general and specialised hospitals and medical clinics specialising in general internal medicine, cardiology, respiratory, gastroenterology, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, dental - jaw - face, ear - nose - throat, eye, aesthetics, rehabilitation, psychiatry, oncology, dermatology, traditional medicine, nutrition and therapies for drug addiction treatment, HIV/AIDS treatment, and surgery.

Clinics for testing, diagnostic imaging, X-ray, counseling, occupational diseases, and family medicine will resume operating.

Also reopening are medical establishments providing healthcare services related to injecting, dressing changes, pulse counting, temperature measurement, blood pressure measurement; home health care; first aid and assistance in transporting patients in the country and abroad; and prescription eyeglass services.  

Pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and medical supply and equipment establishments will reopen.

People from other provinces coming to the city for health examination and treatment will be asked to have a paper from hospitals in provinces that says that they need to be transferred to the city for treatment.   

The city will work with provinces to streamline procedures for transport. They should not go to the city in individual vehicles for health examination and treatment, Bình said.

Spa, massage, and beauty service establishments will continue to be closed.  

Bình said that the number of hopitalised COVID-19 patients, severely ill patients, and deaths is falling in the city.

More than 95 per cent of people aged 18 and over have received at least one vaccine shot and 45 per cent second shot.

However, the outbreak’s evolution in the city still is complex, he said. The rate of vaccinated people in other provinces in the southern region is low, so the city must be careful in restoring the economy. 

HCM City painters showcase colours of peace in virtual exhibition

The HCM City Fine Arts Association is hosting its first virtual exhibition themed Sắc Màu Bình Yên (Colours of Peace) featuring works by 63 artists from the association.

The exhibition displays 103 paintings and sculptures in different materials such as oil, acrylic, lacquer, wood, and metal.

Themes include the beauty of the country, HCM City during social distancing days, gratitude to frontline workers, wish for a peaceful life, culture, and portraits. Still-life paintings are also featured.

Painter Lê Xuân Chiểu, deputy chairman of the association, said: “The exhibition is one of the association’s meaningful activities during social distancing. It plays an important role in connecting artists in the city and all over the country who want to share their art with art lovers.”

The highlights of the exhibition are works by veteran artists Nguyễn Xuân Tiên, Hứa Thanh Bình, Bùi Hải Sơn and Trương Lộ, among others.

Tiên's two sculptures in aluminium are Tuổi Thơ Anh Bình (Peaceful Childhood) and Tình Nhân Ái (Compassion).

Tình Nhân Ái features images of frontline workers with a background of Bến Thành Market to show people’s gratitude to medical workers, soldiers and volunteers who have devoted their life to the fight against the pandemic.

Tiên has won top art prizes from the Việt Nam Fine Arts Association since 1996, and has participated in exhibitions in the country and abroad.

His signature works like Lão Du Kích (The Old Guerrilla), Lạnh (Cold), and Ngọn Đèn Của Mẹ (Mother’s Light) are in museums in HCM City, Đà Nẵng and Hong Kong.

Tiên is currently chairman of the city’s Fine Art Association and lecturer at Tôn Đức Thắng University and HCM City Fine Arts University.

Trương Lộ’s thủy mặc (ink and wash) paintings Bình Minh (Sunrise). Photo courtesy of the organiser
Meanwhile, peace is the theme of Trương Lộ’s two thủy mặc (Chinese ink) paintings Bình Minh (Sunrise) and Xuân Sơn Yên Vũ (Peace in the Mountain).

Lộ, chairman of the city’s Chinese Fine Arts Club, has 60 years of experience in arts. He is recognised as one of the masters of thủy mặc painting and caligraphy in the city.

Along with veterans in the exhibition are young artists like Nguyễn Ngọc Vinh and Lê Đức Phú Quang

Nguyễn Ngọc Vinh’s a triptych called Metro#3. Photo courtesy of the organiser
Vinh uses silkscreen printing techniques to create a triptych called Metro#3, portraying the city’s landscape and its Metro subway project.

He also applies steel engraving techniques to his painting Mộc (Wood), depicting the cross-section of three tree trunks.

Vinh, a graduate of the city’s Fine Arts University, is currently a lecturer at the school. He has participated in exhibitions and art contests in the country and has received top prizes.

The Colours of Peace exhibition can be seen at the association’s Facebook page facebook.com/hmtqe/ until October 30. 

Vietnam, Indonesia hold meeting of joint working group on defence - military ties

The Vietnam - Indonesia joint working group on defence - military cooperation convened the fourth meeting via videoconference on September 29.

The event aimed to prepare for the two countries’ second defence policy dialogue slated for October, the Quan doi Nhan dan (People’s Army) daily reported.

Colonel Vu Thanh Van, Director of the External Relations Department under the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence, expressed the willingness to join hands with the Indonesian side to help promote defence and military cooperation.

He noted in the Vietnam - Indonesia strategic partnership, bilateral defence and military links have maintained a positive development trend in the recent past.

Amid the complex COVID-19 pandemic, the organisation of the joint working group’s fourth meeting reflected both sides’ proactiveness, flexibility, and determination to maintain contact and enhance defence - military relations, according to the officer.

Both sides shared the view that the joint working group has shown its effectiveness in helping to develop substantive defence - military ties between Vietnam and Indonesia.

Notably, leaders of the two militaries have paid mutual visits on the occasion of each other’s important events. The countries have also maintained and made good use of the consultation and information exchange mechanisms; shared experience between their military arms and services; cooperated in the defence industry; and supported and consulted each other at multilateral forums.

Regarding cooperation orientations for the time ahead, the two officials agreed to propose their defence ministries’ leaders increase mutual visits, especially at high levels, to boost viewpoint sharing and trust building; bring into play consultation and dialogue mechanisms; augment ties in personnel training; continue supporting each other at multilateral forums; and consider expanding cooperation to more areas such as search, rescue, and military medicine, particularly in COVID-19 response./. 

ARCT-154 vaccine safe for healthy volunteers: initial results

Initial results of the clinical trials of ARCT-154 show that this mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is safe for healthy volunteers, an researcher said.

Phase 2 and 3a of the trials are being carried out in Hanoi, nearby Bac Ninh province, and southern Vinh Long province, engaging about 1,000 volunteers.

In Bac Ninh, the clinical trials have been implemented in Yen Phong district. Nearly 340 volunteers there got the first shot of ARCT-154 as of September 29.

Reporting to a Health Ministry delegation who visited Yen Phong on the day, Pham Thi Van Anh, Director of the Hanoi Medical University’s Centre for Clinical Pharmacology, said the mid-term report on the safety of ARCT-154 in Phase 1 was accepted by the Health Ministry’s biomedical ethics council on September 20.

Initial results show that this vaccine is safe for healthy volunteers, she noted.

Nguyen Ngo Quang, Deputy Director of the ministry’s Department for Science, Technology and Training, said this is a scientific study and ensures conditions necessary for next phases to be carried out.

He added after results of the Phase 3 trials are available, the Health Ministry will make final assessments of ARCT-154’s protection effectiveness.

ARCT-154 is an mRNA vaccine developed basing on the ARCT-021 vaccine, whose research results in Phase 1, 2, and 3 have been reported in the US and Singapore. Given this, the biomedical ethics council has permitted Phase 2 and 3a of clinical trials to take place at the same time.

Phase 3a is scheduled to finish on November 24, and results will be reported on December 30, Quang said, noting that if good results are obtained, the research team will seek emergency use authorisation for this vaccine.

ARCT-154 is the third COVID-19 vaccine candidate put into human clinical trials in Vietnam and the first to be based on the mRNA technology./.

WB, Japan support promoting community based care for the elderly in Vietnam

The World Bank (WB) and partners on September 29 launched a project aiming to reduce economic and health vulnerability of older persons in Vietnam, under a US$2.75-million grant, funded by the Government of Japan through the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF), administered by the WB.

Implemented by HelpAge International in collaboration with Association of the Elderly in Vietnam, the project will support the scale up of a community-based model for elderly care that promotes economically productive, healthy, social and active ageing. It is estimated that 27,000 people in six provinces will benefit from the project’s interventions, 70% of them are elderly.

“As one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world which will see the 65+ age group increase by 2.5 times by 2050, Vietnam needs a different approach to make health and social care systems fit for a growing older population,” said Carolyn Turk, the World Bank Country Director for Vietnam. “We are pleased to support Vietnam in putting in place innovative, cost-effective and affordable interventions to provide long-term senior care.”

A core activity of the project is to expand the Intergenerational Self-Help Club (ISHC) network through building at least 180 new clubs. This model, first implemented in Vietnam in 2006 and whose effectiveness has been recognized by the government and included in national policies, adopts a holistic approach to meet the multiple needs of older persons. These self-managed clubs, which host 50-70 members, runs a variety of inter-generational activities to help members boost incomes, improve physical and mental wellbeing, and know their rights. Through a network of volunteers, also offers homecare services who are largely housebound including social care, personal care and related care.

“The model, by its name, is bringing generations together, closing the gap of age differences,” said Takaya Shimizu, First Secretary of Japan Embassy to Vietnam. “And more importantly, with the “self-help” characteristic the model helps community to help themselves in terms of social bonding, income security or health and care.”

As of now, 3,500 ISHCs have been established covering 61 out of the 63 provinces throughout Vietnam but quality and coverage varies. The innovation of this project, which will run until September 2024, is that it will help fill some of these gaps and also facilitate better linkage with Government service providers.  

HelpAge International in Vietnam, which implements the project, is an international NGO with 10-year experience in advocacy, training, campaign and intervention in older person issues, aging adaptation, and community development.

The Japan Social Development Fund was established in 2000 by the Government of Japan and the WB to provide grants in support of community-driven development and poverty reduction projects that empower the poorest and most vulnerable groups not reached by other programs and improve their lives through direct benefits.

Miss Universe Vietnam 2021 extends application deadline

Responding to the COVID-19 situation, Miss Universe Vietnam has extended its application deadline to mid-November which will remain adjustable due to the development of the pandemic.

Changes, if any, will be constantly updated on the Miss Universe Vietnam’s official website and Facebook fanpage.

The organiser is also launching a digital series called “Vinawoman – Ban linh Viet Nam” (Vinawoman – Vietnam’s courage) to help find Miss Universe Vietnam 2021’s winners.

Part of the Woman Talk Vietnam project, the series will be aired on the project’s Facebook fanpage and UNI NETWORK’s Youtube channel at 8:00pm every Saturday, starting October 2. It aims to raise public awareness of gender equality and women’s empowerment through forums, dialogues and debates among successful and inspiring women of various ages.

Moderators of the series will be Miss Universe Vietnam winners and runner-ups, including Miss Universe Vietnam 2018 H’Hen Nie, Miss Universe Vietnam 2019 Nguyen Tran Khanh Van and her first runner-up Kim Duyen, and Miss Universe Vietnam 2010’s first runner-up Vu Hoang My, among others.

A representative from the organiser said the series wants to help women raise their voices and opinions and have profound influence on different areas, such as education, economy, women’s rights, politics, and sustainable development.

Five localities tasked with building Belt Road No.4 around HCM City

The Prime Minister has agreed on the Transport Ministry’s proposal on assigning five localities to carry out projects of Belt Road No.4 of Ho Chi Minh City.

Accordingly, the People’s Committee of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province is responsible for constructing the section from Phu My to Bau Can, with a total length of 18km.

The People’s Committee of Dong Nai province will be responsible for the section connecting Bau Can to Thu Bien bridge (excluding Thu Bien bridge), with a total length of 45km.

The People’s Committee of Binh Duong province is tasked with building the sector from Thu Bien bridge to Sai Gon river (including Thu Bien bridge, excluding the bridge over Sai Gon river), which is 49km long.

A 17km section from Sai Gon river and Thai Cai canal (including the bridge over Sai Gon river) will be implemented by the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City.

Meanwhile, the People’s Committee of Long An province will construct the section connecting Thai Cai canal with Hiep Phuoc, with a total length of 71km.

The Government leader requested the Transport Ministry to exercise State management over these projects.

Vietnam receives more COVID-19 vaccines from Russia, Italy

A batch of 740,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine, provided by the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to Vietnam, arrived in the nation on September 29 at Noi Bai International Airport.

This marks the first batch of the Sputnik V vaccine to arrive in the country after the working session held with the leader of the Russian Direct Investment Fund as part of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son’s visit to Russia.

This is also the first time that the nation has received a large number of Sputnik V vaccines directly from the Eastern European nation.

The latest batch of vaccines has been received by the No 1 Vaccine and Biological Products One Member Company Limited (Vabiotech) – a RDIF partner of technology transfer of Sputnik V vaccine production in Vietnam.

The Vabiotech representative revealed that the company has received a large quantity of semi-finished products for domestic production of the Sputnik V vaccine, adding that it will produce a total of 40 million doses between now and June, 2022.

All of the domestically produced-vaccines will be used during the ongoing vaccination programme for residents nationwide.

This comes after an announcement made by Vabiotech on September 24 regarding the successful production of its first batch of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine in the nation. Indeed, these batches successfully meet the standard requirements put forth by the Gamalaya Institute of Russia.

Sputnik V is therefore the first foreign vaccine with production technology being transferred and manufactured domestically.  It was approved for emergency use by the Ministry of Health on March 23.

Meanwhile, the Italian Government has decided to donate more than 1.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the country.

The move has therefore increased the total number of vaccines donated by the Italian Government to more than 2.8 million doses, the EU Delegation in Vietnam announced on September 28 through its Facebook page.

Earlier on September 21, the Italian Government announced its decision to provide an additional 796,000 AstraZeneca vaccine does to the nation through the COVAX mechanism in support of the Vietnamese fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously on September 14, the country received 812,060 doses of vaccines from Italy for its COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

With a total of 2.8 million doses donated, the country has become one of Italy's largest priority vaccine recipients globally.

The nation has now received more than 55 million COVID-19 vaccine doses of all kinds, mainly AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer, and Sinopharm, along with some Sputnik V vaccines donated by Russia.

HCMC inoculates more than 10 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines

The HCMC Center for Disease Control and Prevention (HCDC) reported that 332,119 more people received Covid-19 vaccine shots, bringing the total doses administered in the HCMC to 10,117,641 on September 28.

In which, a total of 3,271,613 people have fully got two shots and 2,345,504 person were vaccinated with Sinopharm's Covid-19 vaccine (Vero Cell).

The Ministry of Health confirmed just 377 cases with PCR test results positive for Covid-19 in HCMC, but the city's mass testing using rapid antigen tests found 3,417 positive cases in the past 24 hours to 5pm on September 28.

As of 6 pm on September 27, the city had 367,300 Covid-19 cases confirmed by the Ministry of Health, including 37,897 patients who are being treated at healthcare facilities.

There were 2,674 hospitalized people, 3,134 recovered patients and 131 Covid-19 deaths on September 27.

Vietnam remains priority of Canada: scholars

Relations with Vietnam will remain a priority of Canada’s Liberal Party (LP), led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and grow stronger in the following years, commented Canadian scholars.

Vietnam is likely to remain a priority in the LP’s policy given three key elements, Sophia Leong, Advisory Board Member of the Canada-ASEAN Initiatives, told Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Ottawa.

Firstly, she said, Vietnam’s economy is resilient, and we saw it firsthand with Vietnam’s economy expanding to close to 3 percent in 2020, which is one of the highest in the world during COVID-19, an economically challenging period.

Secondly, Vietnam’s rapid expansion of its middle class further provides a much-needed economic stability and trade stability as both of our economies must adjust to growth impacts of the fourth industrial revolution, she continued.

Finally, the pandemic has accelerated the digital transformation, and both of the economies are aggressively adjusting to the new normal, she pointed out. Vietnam is poised to embrace a digital economy faster than other nations in Southeast Asia and a recent report from Temasek acknowledge Vietnam’s digital economy as “a dragon being unleashed.”

“Vietnam is aggressively building key pillars necessary for a digital economy – Connectivity, Logistics, Digital Payment and Skill Talent,” Leong added. “The benefit of a young population in Vietnam is its entrepreneurship aspiration and their ability to learn, to adopt and to innovate. This is where Canada could have key roles and impact.”

As the Liberals were re-elected, there will be a steady increase of attention to the Indo-Pacific and a continued emphasis to develop a strategy for the Indo-Pacific region, said J. Berkshire Miller, Director and Senior Fellow on Indo-Pacific at Ottawa-based Macdonald Laurier Institute.

“This is a shared priority from both main parties in Canada,” he noted.

Echoing Miller’s view, Assoc. Prof. Ian Lee of Sprott School of Business, Carleton University, said both major Canadian political parties want to diversify Canada’s trading relationships.

Additionally, as Canada and Vietnam are signatories to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), this will increasingly become the vehicle or medium or path for enhanced trade between the two countries.

According to Lee, Vietnam has been Canada’s largest trading partner in ASEAN since 2015.

Global Affairs Canada has said in a statement that since Canada faces growing calls to diversify its relationships in Asia and develop a clear comprehensive Indo-Pacific strategy, it can further build on its relationship with Vietnam as exporters and importers now enjoy increased market access and tariff reduction in this trading environment

In 2020, the two-way trade expanded 12.8 percent against 2019, and the figure spurred 38.5 percent in the first half of this year.

Canada and Vietnam have had strong relationships since the early 1970’s and along the way
built in partnerships and trade agreements.

Trudeau’s administration is believed to continue its interactive foreign policy with Southeast Asia and Vietnam will be among Canada’s strategic partners in the region./.

Quang Nam Police arrests six people in loan shark ring

The Police Department and the Division of Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention and Control in the central province of Quang Nam on September 27 announced it has broken up a loan shark ring offering loans at extremely high interest rates up to 480 percent per year.

The police said they had arrested six suspects, including Ha Van Dong, 24, Hoang Ngoc Phuoc,21, Le Van Tu, 20 from Thanh Hoa Province who ran a ring ; Pham Huu Quang, 23 from Thanh Hoa, Tran Van Vinh, 29 and Doan Trung Binh, 23 from Ninh Binh Province ran their own rings.

They lived in a rental house in Quang Nam Province’s Tam Ky City since 2020 and provided loans worth over VND5 billion for high interest rates from 20-40 percent per month, equivalent to 240-480 percent per year for more than 100 debtors. Each borrower can borrow VND10 million but receive only VND8 million. The debtor has to pay VND12.5 million within 25 days.

The case is under further investigation.

German companies donate medical equipment to Vietnam

Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Nguyen Minh Vu has recently received the token of medical equipment worth 350,000 USD donated by Techtronic Industries (TTI) Co., Ltd and Deutsches Haus (German House) Co., Ltd in Ho Chi Minh City.

The goods comprised 15 sets of ventilators Savina 300 and 30 sets of patient monitoring equipment. These goods will be handed over to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in HCM City to support the locality’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Horst Geicke, Chairman of German House, expressed his hope that the assistance of the two companies, other firms, and German friends will contribute to help HCM City effectively combat the health crisis.

Ambassador Vu thanked the two enterprises for responding to the embassy's appeal to donate medical equipment to Vietnam, expressing his gratitude to support provided by German and international businesses and friends for Vietnam in its COVID-19 prevention and control work.

He expressed his belief that with tireless efforts of the Vietnamese Government, localities and relevant agencies, along with cooperation and contribution of international friends, Vietnam will soon contain the pandemic.

He hoped that German companies and businesses will continue to accompany Vietnam in its fight against the pandemic, and continue to invest and do business in Vietnam.

Vietnam has received nearly 3.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine donated by the German government. The Germany government has also pledged to support Vietnam with medical equipment worth about 20 billion VND (over 875,000 USD), including 75 ventilators, 15 patient monitoring equipment, and 20,000 oxygen meters.

In addition, in response to the embassy's appeal, states, localities and other businesses of Germany have also donated more than 800,000 COVID-19 rapid test kits, hundreds of thousands of medical masks and other medical supplies./.

Vietnam concerned about increase in violence in Occupied Palestine Territory

Vietnam calls on all parties to refrain from violence and incitement to provocation, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, told a UN Security Council (UNSC) briefing, following the recent increase in violence across the Occupied Palestine Territory (OPT).

The briefing on “the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question” was held via video teleconference on September 29. It was attended by Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process.

“In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, we are troubled by continued incidents of violence, particularly the recent clashes between the Israeli security forces and the Palestinians,” Quy said, citing the fact that the number of casualties since the beginning of 2021 has been five times as high as that of 2020, with 58 Palestinians killed and over 13,000 injured.

The Vietnamese diplomat urged Israeli authorities to observe its obligations under international humanitarian law, stop excessive use of force and settler attacks, and apply necessary measures to protect civilians, particularly children.

He voiced particular concern about the advancement of Israel’s ongoing settlement plan in the West Bank which continue to violate international law and relevant UN resolutions and undermine two-state solution prospects.

He welcomed the recent engagement and initial cooperation between the Israel Government and the Palestinian Authority, which can contribute to creating an atmosphere of trust between the parties and meet common challenges in humanitarian, healthcare, financial and economic areas.

He further expressed concern over the deteriorating social, economic, and humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling upon Israel to lift the blockade imposed on Gaza as soon as possible, not only to facilitate humanitarian access, but also to ensure regular movement into and out of Gaza to improve the livelihood of Palestinians.

He also expected international donors to increase the level of assistance and humanitarian response in the OPT, including through the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and to support other relevant UN efforts./.

Plastic as a valuable resource for Vietnam to tackle plastics pollution

A new IFC-World Bank analysis argues that treating used plastic as a resource provides a compelling financial case for Vietnam to scale up recycling and other plastic circularity efforts while fostering sustainable economic development locally.

Only 33 per cent of the total 3.9 million tonnes of frequently used plastics dumped in Vietnam each year are recovered and recycled, according to a joint report titled Market Study for Vietnam - Plastics Circularity Opportunities and Barriers. The study estimates the economy loses 75 per cent of the material value of plastics, which amounts to $2.2-2.9 billion every year.

“Rapid urbanisation and a rising middle class have significantly increased consumption of plastic products and packaging, making regional emerging markets including Vietnam a hot spot for plastics pollution,” said Carolyn Turk, World Bank country director for Vietnam. “However, investments in waste management infrastructure have not kept pace. The public and private sector need to work together to address this complex environmental, social, and economic problem and drive policies and investments that help unlock material value.”

Single-use or short-use consumer packaging contributes up to 50 per cent of marine plastic waste globally. Due to increased usage of masks, sanitiser bottles, and packaging for online delivery, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation.

Because of its vast coastline, plastic pollution caused by environmental leakage to the marine environment is particularly severe in Vietnam. As a result, the national action plan for marine plastic litter management by 2030 aims to remove 75 per cent of marine plastic trash in Vietnam over the next 10 years.

The World Bank Group study uses a plastic value chain approach to identify how key resins are produced, used, and managed in Vietnam while promoting increased waste segregation, collection, and recycling to unlock additional material value.

“A circular economy is critical for Vietnam to meet low-carbon growth targets. Recycling plastics not only addresses plastics pollution, it also avoids greenhouse gas emissions and saves valuable material resources,” said Kyle Kelhofer, IFC country manager for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Lao PDR. “Improving the business case for plastic recycling will mobilise increased private sector investment to help address the scourge of plastics pollution, while supporting key sectors including tourism, shipping, and fisheries, which have been particularly impacted.”

The study proposes both short and long-term solutions to enhance local demand for recycled plastics and scale up the domestic recycling industry by strengthening the enabling environment for private sector investment. Specifically, it recommends improvement in waste management capacity, setting “recycled content targets” across major end-use applications, and mandating “design for recycling” standards for plastics, especially for packaging, among others.

Central Highlands provinces promote value of historical relics

The Central Highlands, the homeland of people of all ethnic groups, who are indomitable, with one heart following the revolution. This place used to be a heroic stronghold in the uprisings and long-term resistance wars of the nation. The enemy used to fully exploit the resources of this rich land, but they also borrowed the rugged terrain as a place to exile patriots and loyal communists. Therefore, the Central Highlands is a land with a fairly dense concentration of historical relics.

Most of the relics are protected, embellished and promoted. However, in some places, due to lack of attention, many relics are degraded and damaged, leading to limitations in the exploitation process.

Dak Lak Province currently has 38 ranked relics; in which there are 19 historical sites including two special national monuments, seven national monuments and 10 provincial relics. Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Thuy Phuong Hieu said that among the ranked relics, the province is currently managing three relics directly, including the Buon Ma Thuot exile house, Bao Dai Palace, and Lac Giao Communal House, while the remaining relics are assigned to localities and management units.

Kon Tum Province has 26 ranked monuments, including famous monuments such as victory relic of Dak To - Tan Canh, Kon Tum Prison, Dak Glei Prison. In particular, Kon Tum Prison National Historic Site is a place to mark the indomitable fighting spirit of communist soldiers.

In the southern Central Highlands, Lam Dong Province has 37 ranked relics. As for Dak Nong Province, there are 12 historical relics and scenic sites at the provincial and national levels; including one special national historical site, six national historical sites, two national-level scenic sites and three provincial-level historical sites.

The model of restoring and exploiting the relics of the Stor Resistance Village is considered an effective approach. The relic was chosen by Gia Lai Province to develop community tourism products, both learning history and experiencing culture. Coming to Stor, guests can enjoy the scenery, participate in cultural activities and local cuisine. If the guests stay overnight in a stilt house, they will have the opportunity to enjoy a peaceful space to reflect on the heroic years. Many forests, mountains, and villages in the Central Highlands are imprinted with traces of a long and difficult journey.

Many other historical relics can all be invested, exploited and made effective in many aspects, such as with Stor Resistance Village. 

Every province in the region has prison relics. Today, prisons and exile houses have become places to visit, learn and research for people, who are interested in history, and the young generation.

The relic of Da Lat Children's Prison has become a red address for educating the future generations about the heroic tradition of the nation and the patriotism to firmly develop the nation. Meanwhile, Kon Tum Prison Relic makes an important contribution to the education of the history of the struggle, annually welcoming nearly 10,000 visitors. Dak Lak Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism shared that there were 16,700 visitors to visit historical sites in the province in 2018, and the number increased to 25,308 visitors in 2019, with the special national historical relic - Buon Ma Thuot exile house being an important destination. 

Nguyen Thuy Phuong Hieu, Deputy Director of Dak Lak provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that in the immediate future, in the period 2020-2025, the province will prioritise investment in six projects to preserve and promote the value of historical relics and landscapes, with a budget of nearly VND110 billion.

Over the years, Lam Dong Province has allocated more than VND 173 billion to restore and upgrade national monuments and special national relics. The conservation of relics in the province also receives contribution from businesses and organisations.

Kon Tum Province has eight monuments that have been invested in and restored. In addition, there are investment policies for special national monuments; while the remaining monuments are built with campus, steles, and signposts. In particular, Kon Tum Prison National Monument has established a restoration project, with a capital of about VND120 billion, to be implemented in the 2021-2025 period.

The Stor Resistance Village was received investment of VND 15 billion from Gia Lai Province. Of which, the Hero Nup souvenir house is an important item with capital of VND 6.7 billion.

Meanwhile, in Dak Nong Province, the Truong Son Trail – the Ho Chi Minh Trail Special National Historical Relic, with seven relic sites located across many districts, has not been invested in nor embellished synchronously.

According to Dr. Luong Thanh Son (former Director of the Museum of Dak Lak Province), in order to promote the value of historical relics, in addition to paying attention to investing in renovating and embellishing relics, it is necessary to invest in the collection of artifacts, witnesses and historical stories along with the restoration of activities at the monument for display, promotion and education, thus helping to attract people and visitors.

In addition, it is necessary to build a team of professional and dedicated staff to preserve and promote the value of relics. It is necessary to step up the propaganda, introduction and promotion of relics in many forms.

Final beam installed on Vietnam’s highest bridge

The final beam of the Mong Sen Viaduct in Lao Cai Province was installed on September 29, marking a significant milestone in the construction of Vietnam’s highest bridge.
The distance from ground to the bridge deck is more than 80 metres.

Featuring four lanes with a width of 14.5 metres, the total construction cost of the bridge is estimated at nearly VND500 billion (US$21.8 million).

With construction having started in 2020, the bridge spans more than 600 metres over a valley, connecting the foot and the top of a winding, dangerous local road known as three-storey slope.

The viaduct is part of the road linking the Noi Bai-Lao Cai Expressway to the resort town of Sapa, which is expected to cut the travel time between Lao Cai City and Sapa.

A boost to tourism in Sapa and reduction in traffic accidents on the treacherous slope are also anticipated. 

Factors affecting Covid-19 testing kit prices: Ministry’s explanation

According to the Ministry of Health, eight major factors influence prices of self-administered Covid-19 test kits including testing supplies, cost of testing, manufacturers of testing kits, the quantity of testing kits, the development of the epidemic as well as the scarcity of the market, the current world price at the time of purchase of testing kits.

In its press release on September 29, following complaints of the high price of Covid-19 testing, the Ministry of Health clarified several issues related to the prices of Covid-19 testing kits.

For instance, the prices of the World Health Organization-standardized testing kits or, the US- or Europe-standardized testing kits are usually higher than those in other countries. Larger purchases will result in bigger discounts.

Therefore, it is not possible to make the assumption that all test kits have the same prices, the Ministry of Health said. Moreover, the Ministry said it can’t compare testing kit prices at different times, the development of the epidemic situation and the need for testing in the country and the world.

The Ministry of Health also announced that it has been trying to implement many important solutions to reduce testing prices. Accordingly, the Ministry of Health has issued a guideline asking public health facilities to adjust testing prices in various stages.

In 2020, when countries in the world were experiencing the complicated development of coronavirus pandemic, the supply and types of Covid-19 testing kits were very limited whereas the demand was highly pushing up the prices of products.

The cost of a Covid-19 test was about VND200,000 while the RT-PCR test was nearly VND1,000,000. Plus, the price of rapid test was VND238,000 for one sample, RT-PCR test was VND734,000 for one sample according to the Ministry of Health’s suggestion.

This price had been applied until July 1, 2021 based on the Ministry of Health’s Circular No. 14/2019/TT-BYT dated July 5, 2019, replacing some articles of the Ministry of Health’s Circular No. 37/2018/TT-BYT dated November 30, 2018.

From July 1, 2021, the prices of rapid testing kits have been down a little bit during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic because many companies have imported tests and also local companies could produce test kits.
Besides, the Ministry asked the health sector nationwide to perform testing using pooled samples to increases the number of individuals that can be tested using the same amount of resources.

The Ministry of Health has issued guidelines on the price of sample pooling. Specifically, the price of taking and preserving specimens is VND100,000 per sample.

For example, the cost of testing using pooled samples is VND 634,000 divided by the number of pooled samples.

Currently, the Ministry of Health has drafted a Circular on testing prices. It has been seeking opinions from ministries and agencies. At the same time, the Ministry of Health is thinking about suggestions that Covid-19 testing should be included in subsidized products because it has not been regulated in the law.

Along with the above-mentioned solution, the Ministry of Health has proactively contacted or through a diplomatic channel negotiated with reputable test kit manufacturers in the world on the internet to be able to buy testing kits in bulk to enjoy the lowest price.

At the same time, the Ministry has encouraged large domestic corporations and enterprises to buy high-quality test kits from reputable manufacturers in the world and resell them to localities and facilities without profits.

Last but not least, it also inspired large domestic corporations and enterprises to access to technology transfer of test kit production from manufacturers in Europe and the United States so that they can manufacture high-quality products at low prices to meet the needs of epidemic prevention and control and Vietnam will not rely on other countries for the supply of the essential medical tool.

In particular, the Ministry of Health said that it has implemented centralized bidding in the National Children's Hospital to be able to buy in bulk at the lowest price; thereby, hospitals in the country can learn from it for their bids of testing kits.

So far, the Ministry of Health has licensed 97 various SARS-CoV-2 tests; of which 35 tests for Real-time PCR, 39 tests for antigens, and 23 antibody tests.

The Ministry of Health also required manufacturers, distributors, importers and traders to publicize prices and update prices so that hospitals and people can easily find out. At the same time, it has strengthened inspection for detection of violations and speculation badly affecting the fight against Covid-19.

Project launched to care for the elderly in Vietnam

The World Bank and partners held a ceremony on September 29 to launch a project with the aim of reducing the economic and health vulnerability of older persons in Vietnam.
With a US$2.75-million grant, the project is funded by the Government of Japan through the Japan Social Development Fund, administered by the World Bank.

Implemented by HelpAge International in collaboration with Association of the Elderly in Vietnam, the project will support the scaling up of a community-based model for elderly care that promotes economically productive, healthy, and active ageing. It is estimated that 27,000 people in six provinces will benefit from the project’s interventions, 70% of whom are elderly.

A core activity of the project is to expand the Intergenerational Self-Help Club (ISHC) network through building at least 180 new clubs. This model, first implemented in Vietnam in 2006 and having been recognised as effective by the government and included in national policies, adopts a holistic approach to meet the multiple needs of older persons.

The self-managed clubs, which host 50-70 members, runs a variety of inter-generational activities to help members boost incomes, improve physical and mental wellbeing, and know their rights. Through a network of volunteers, it also offers homecare services for those who are largely housebound including social care, personal care and related care.

To date, 3,500 ISHCs have been established covering 61 out of the 63 provinces in Vietnam but quality and coverage varies. The innovation of this project, which will run until September 2024, is that it will help fill some of these gaps and also facilitate better linkage with Government service providers.

World Bank Country Director for Vietnam Carolyn Turk said that, as one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world which will see the 65+ age group increase 2.5 times by 2050, Vietnam needs a different approach to make health and social care systems fit for a growing older population.

She reaffirmed WB’s support for Vietnam in putting in place innovative, cost-effective and affordable interventions to provide long-term senior care.

“The model, by its name, is bringing generations together, closing the gap of age differences,” said Takaya Shimizu, First Secretary of Japan Embassy to Vietnam.

He also hailed that with its “self-help” characteristic, the model helps the community to help themselves in terms of social bonding, income security or healthcare.

Hanoi prepares many attractive "green" tourism products to serve visitors

The Hanoi Travel Association (VISTA Hanoi) and the VGreen Sustainable Tourism Club are working with many localities around the capital city as well as other provinces and cities to develop tourism products that are suitable to the new situation, to serve the people and visitors as soon as possible.

The coordination aims to make preparations for the resumption of tourism activities in Hanoi when the COVID-19 pandemic is fully controlled.

Deputy Director of Hanoitourist Travel Company Le Hong Thai said the company has developed five groups of tourism products including safe homestays, safe hotels, safe caravan tours, safe tourism in autumn and safe MICE (meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition) services.

Notably, the products for Hanoi, with the highlight being a caravan tour to the Duong Lam ancient village, will be very attractive. Hanoitourist will also prepare a series of autumn tours, offering an opportunity for visitors to explore and enjoy the specialties of the capital city and many other northern localities during the autumn. A tour to ancient architectural works in Hanoi, from the National Museum of History to Hanoi Opera House and Tonkin Palace (now Government Guest House) will help tourists learn more about Indochinese architecture.

“In addition to tours to Hanoi, travel agencies continue to maintain caravan products that have were launched in 2020 to visit the northwestern region, Hung King Temple, Nam Dinh province as well as carry out several new caravan products to Hoa Lu ancient capital (in Ninh Binh province), Sapa (in Lao Cai), Binh Lieu and Quang Hanh (in Quang Ninh) and Hoang Su Phi (in Ha Giang). In order to ensure safety, participants in the tours will be divided into small groups by private vehicle and will only visit for a short time (mainly three days – two nights)”, added Le Hong Thai.

Evaluating the preparations made by travel agencies in Hanoi to restore tourism activities, Deputy Director of the Hanoi municipal Department of Tourism Tran Trung Hieu stressed that these activities will be an active response to a World Tourism Day themed “Tourism for Inclusive Growth”. He also said that it is essential to promote close coordination among service providers, destinations, authorities, organisations and associations to restore tourism activities in an effective and safe manner. A series of tourism products that connect Hanoi with its surrounding localities such as Quang Ninh, Hoa Binh, Lai Chau, Dien Bien and Phu Tho, as well as a number of criteria of safety for tourism activities, were launched in 2020. However, amidst the more complicated developments of the pandemic, tourism recovery this year is no longer the same as before. Accordingly, strategies and conditions should be changed to suit the “new normal”.

"Green tourism products, safe travel routes, safe accommodations, safe entertainment and safe tourists should be prepared methodically. Units and destinations that do not meet the requirements of COVID-19 prevention and control will not be allowed to operate”, noted Tran Trung Hieu.

According to the Hanoi municipal Department of Tourism, units have developed tourism recovery scenarios in line with the new situation. When conditions allow, the department will enhance the connection of “green tourist destinations” with the participation of "green travel businesses" to carry out “green tourism journeys” for visitors who are provided with certificates of COVID-19 vaccination and testing.

Provinces propose preventing residents in four Covid hotspots from leaving their localities

Authorities of many cities and provinces in the South and Central Highlands regions have proposed the Government not allow people from the four localities worst affected by Covid—HCMC, Long An, Binh Duong and Dong Nai—to leave their localities after September 30.

Addressing a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam on September 28, leaders of the southern and Central Highlands provinces said many localities are preparing for reopening after September 30. They worry that if migrant workers in HCMC, Long An, Binh Duong and Dong Nai return to their hometowns on their own, the pandemic would possibly spread widely. 

According to Deputy Minister of Public Security Le Quoc Hung, there are currently 3.5 million migrant workers from across the country living in HCMC, Long An, Binh Duong and Dong Nai, which are the industrial hubs in the southern key economic zone. Among them, 2.1 million people want to return to their hometowns after social distancing measures are relaxed. 

Hung said the Covid vaccination rates in other cities and provinces remain very low. Therefore, they would face a high risk of Covid-19 outbreaks if migrant workers return from HCMC, Long An, Binh Duong and Dong Nai. 

The Ministry of Public Security suggested that these four localities encourage migrant workers not to return to their hometowns after September 30. Meanwhile, these localities need to quickly vaccinate migrant workers, reduce room rentals and living expenses and offer jobs to them. 

Meanwhile, other cities and provinces should have plans to bring their residents home, especially the elderly, pregnant women, children and vulnerable people. 

A representative of the Ministry of Health said following the directives of the prime minister, the ministry has prioritized Covid vaccines for HCMC, Long An, Binh Duong and Dong Nai despite the limited resources. Therefore, the Covid vaccination rates in other cities and provinces remain low. 

As such, migrant workers in these localities should not return to their hometowns on their own. Those allowed to return home must undergo compulsory quarantine as stipulated in prevailing regulations. 

The special team of the prime minister agreed that inner-city or inner-province travel restrictions can be relaxed but travel between localities should still be put under strict management. 

The special team also suggested the prime minister continue prioritizing Covid vaccines for HCMC, Long An, Binh Duong, Dong Nai and their neighboring localities. 

In the coming month when the vaccination coverage is significantly enhanced, inter-provincial travel restrictions would be eased. 

Gov’t weighs HCMC’s proposal to apply own guidelines for reopening

The prime minister has assigned the competent agencies to consider HCMC’s proposal to allow the city to apply its own guidelines for reopening the economy.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh tasked Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long with working with Deputy Minister of National Defense Vo Minh Luong to study the proposal, make recommendations and send a report to Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam.

Earlier on September 24, the HCMC government wrote to the prime minister seeking approval to allow the city to apply its own guidelines for reopening the economy. The city will work with the competent agencies to draw up the plan and send it to the prime minister for consideration.

If HCMC applies the draft guidelines on “safely and flexibly adapting to and effectively controlling Covid-19” from the national anti-virus steering committee, the city will not be able to reopen the economy, according to the municipal government.

Many firms in HCMC said it is hard for the city to fulfill the target of getting 80% of adults aged over 50 fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in accordance with the draft guidelines.

Eight business associations said in a dispatch to the prime minister that the draft guidelines are leaning toward the “zero Covid” strategy rather than the “living with Covid” one. 

First ward in HCMC delivers 3rd financial relief package to residents

The People’s Committee of Ward 12, District 3 is the first locality of HCMC delivering the third financial support package to Covid-19 hit people facing difficulties.

According to Sai Gon Giai Phong (SGGP) Newspaper's reporters, on September 29, the ward staff, volunteers, residential quarter representatives and police forces directly came to each alley, corner to give financial support to needy people. As soon as the residents provided their personal information to the functional forces to input it into the management app, they promptly receive financial relief this time.
Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ward 12, District 3 Tran Huu Tai said that 5,564 people in the locality will be received the third financial support package; and the spending process shall be finished on September 30.

As for the coronavirus infections being isolated at home or in centralized medical facilities, they will be received money after the isolation is over.

Under the policy and direction of District 3 and HCMC, Ward 12 sent the list of needy people with difficult circumstances to Quang Trung Software City Development Company Limited for reviewing cases eligible for receiving the financial support.

The local authorities have promptly updated the residents' list to conveniently give the financial aid to needy people with the support of information technology.

67 traffic projects to be started construction in 2021- 2025

The Ministry of Transport yesterday said that 67 major projects will be started works from 2021 to 2025, including 11 projects being performed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) form and 56 ones under the public investment model.

Among the 11 projects under PPP form, there will be five key national ones including the second phase of the North-South Expressway to the east project, the Chau Doc – Can Tho – Soc Trang expressway project, the Khanh Hoa – Buon Ma Thuot expressway project, the Hanoi Ring Road No.4 project, the HCMC Ring Road No.3 project.

Besides, there will be four expressway projects including Bien Hoa – Vung Tau, Dau Giay – Tan Phu, Chon Thanh – Duc Hoa, An Huu – Cao Lanh.

Among 56 public investment projects, the HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway project is the key national project. The Ministry of Transport is collaborating with other ministries, agencies and localities to promptly discuss with the sponsors to soon submit the project proposal to the Prime Minister for approval.
The Ministry of Transport also said that 20 other projects will be started works and 23 ones shall be completed this year.

Ministry of Health requires handling profiteering during Covid-19 fight

With the recent information about the over-priced Covid-19 antigen rapid test kits and imported ones, the Ministry of Health yesterday requested the Department of Health of provinces and cities in the whole country and units under the Ministry of Health to urgently and strictly implement the tasks and solutions of Covid-19 pandemic prevention and control, especially the trading activities related to drugs, chemicals, biological products and medical equipment and supplies for Covid-19 fight.

The Ministry of Health imposed on the localities and relevant units strictly preventing, detecting, tracking and handling acts of corruption, negativity and interest groups on purchasing drugs, chemicals, biological products and medical equipment and supplies for Covid-19 or taking advantage of the Covid-19 fight activities to perform profiteering; strengthening the inspection and supervision of the acts of production and trade of fake and low-quality products without origin, especially taking advantage of the pandemic situation to raise the prices of drugs for profiteering; regularly inspecting and controlling prices of Covid-19 diagnostic testing services and other related services regulated by law.

Before August 20, a Covid-19 rapid test kit was priced from VND100,000 (US$4.4) to VND198,000 (US$8.7). Currently, some businesses have reduced the price of a Covid-19 rapid test kit by VND20,000 (nearly US$1) to VND70,000 (US$3.1)

Currently, there are nearly 90 types of local and imported rapid test kits for SARS-CoV-2 being traded in Vietnam. Of which, the Ministry of Health has just updated seven types and adjusted the price of three out of these seven types including Standard Q Covid-19 Ag Test and Humasis Covid-19 Ag Test of the Republic of Korea and Flowflex SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test of China.

Quang Binh to launch "green tourism" model to welcome back tourists

With the COVID-19 pandemic gradually being brought under control, the central province of Quang Binh is devising plans on tourism recovery in order to welcome back visitors moving into a new normal.

The prolonged COVID-19 outbreak has dealt a heavy blow to tourism services nationwide, including Quang Binh province. Statistics show the total number of tourists visiting Quang Binh has since the beginning of the year fallen 66% year on year to roughly 550,000.

As the outbreak is showing signs of abating and the locality is going to enter a new normal, travel firms are requested to draw up plans relating to human resources, communication campaigns, accommodation facilities and new products, to receive visitors.

Hoang Van Minh, deputy director of Saigon - Quang Binh Tourism Joint Stock Company, suggested that the locality offer incentives, including fee discounts, for travel agencies and other tourism facilities in a bid to further attract tourists to the region.

From October 1 Quang Binh has asked travel firms to sell tour packages to popular tourist destinations. Accommodation facilities are requested to welcome guests under closed tour programmes that have been permitted by the provincial People's Committee.

Most notably, a green card will be granted to fully vaccinated visitors, while a yellow card will be issued to visitors who have received the first dose of vaccine and must have a negative SARS-CoV-2 rapid test result.

However, Nguyen Van Ky, chairman of the Quang Binh Provincial Tourism Association, pointed out that the vaccination rate in the province remains low, impacting on firms’ plans to reopen tourism services.

A tourism recovery plan will be split into two phases, one running from now until the end of December, and another running from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023, according to local authorities.

Quang Binh will focus on upgrading tourism infrastructure, designing tours to ensure safety for tourists moving into the "new normal" state during the opening phase.

Ahead of the second phase, with the pandemic being brought under control, the province will seek solutions aimed at completely restoring tourism activities in the new normal context

Ho An Phong, vice chairman of Quang Binh Provincial People's Committee, said the locality has initiated a plan on accepting the ‘vaccine passport’ model to create favourable conditions for both domestic and foreign tourists.

In the short term, Quang Binh will target domestic and intra-provincial visitors, small groups of tourists, and family guests.

Thua Thien-Hue must capitalise on strengths for stronger development: PM

As an ancient capital with tangible and non-tangible heritages of humanity, and favourable geographical location in transportation in the central key economic region, Thua Thien-Hue must province capitalise on its strengths and advantages for stronger socio-economic development, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

PM Chinh made the statement during an online working session with the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee on September 30 to review the province’s socio-economic performance in the first nine months of this year and the implementation of the Politburo’s Resolution dated December 10, 2019 on the locality's construction and development till 2030 with a vision to 2045.

The development of Thua Thien-Hue province must closely follow local characteristics, he said.

About future tasks, the PM asked the province to immediately embark on socio-economic and sectoral planning, restructure the economy in the direction of services, trade; intellectual, green, circular and digital economy, culture and entertainment industry.

He also suggested continuing to step up the building of institutions, human resource and infrastructure development, and administrative reforms.

The local authorities proposed the Government issue a resolution on several special mechanisms and policies for Thua Thien-Hue’s development, offer financial assistance to complete the second stage of relocation of households in areas within the Complex of Hue Monuments, and invest in several projects in the province such as Chan May liquefied natural gas.

Health Ministry recommends not periodically testing fully vaccinated people

The Ministry of Health has recommended not conducting periodical COVID-19 testing for fully vaccinated people who received the last shot at least 14 days but not more than 12 months, or former patients who have recovered from the disease within six months.

The recommendation was made as part of an urgent document sent by the ministry to governmental agencies, sectors, provinces and centrally run cities regarding COVID-19 testing direction for business and production facilities.

To strengthen pandemic prevention and control and facilitate business and production activities in the new context, the ministry proposed conducting screening testing for all cases of employees with suspected COVID-19 symptoms such as cough, fever, and shortness of breath, and those with related epidemiological factors.

For enterprises in high-risk provinces and cities, real time RT–PCR or rapid antigen tests are required every week for 20 percent of high-risk workers and all direct service providers to the facilities.
For those in risky localities, real time RT–PCR or rapid antigen tests are required at least twice a week for at least 5-10 percent of high-risk workers and all direct service providers to the facilities.

Testing results should be immediately reported to the local medical stations.

Production and business establishments are solely responsible for the quality of antigen tests, testing procedures, and results, stressed the ministry./.

Vietnamese, Cambodian Parties boost cooperation in information, education

Chairman of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education Nguyen Trong Nghia held online talks with Chairman of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) Central Committee’s Commission for Publicity and Education Tak Sun Y on September 30.

Nghia, who is also Secretary of the CPV Central Committee, said cooperative ties between the two Parties and nations have kept growing intensively and extensively in various areas over the past years.

During the phone talks between Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President of the CPP and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen in February, the two leaders vowed to work closely together to effectively realise high-level agreements, contributing to the enhancement of fine neighbourliness, traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Tak Sun Y, who is also member of the CPP Central Committee, said from the fight against colonialists and imperialists to the period of peace at present, relations between the two Parties and people of the two nations have been both urgent and voluntary, which are always remembered by their leaders, officials and people. Today, the bilateral relationship has been consolidated in diverse areas in the spirit of fine neighbourliness, traditional friendship and long-term cooperation.

At the talks, the two sides discussed the dissemination and implementation of each Party’s policies and guidelines, the fight against wrongful and hostile viewpoints which aim to sabotage Vietnam – Cambodia ties, and campaigns to raise awareness of the fight against COVID-19.

They agreed that the two commissions will boost cooperation in fields of their strengths that suit each other’s functions and tasks, thus diversifying exchange activities between the people of the two nations, especially among young generations and those working in theoretical research, dissemination and press, thereby firmly strengthening the social foundation for Vietnam – Cambodia fine neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability./.

Vietnamese festival takes place in British town

An event titled “Meet Vietnam in Newhaven” was co-hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK and the government of Newhaven, a small port town about 100km south of London, on September 28 (local time).

The event provided local residents a chance to learn about Vietnam’s history, culture and people through an exhibition of photos on the country’s UNESCO-recognised tangible and intangible cultural heritages and its traditional food.

In her remarks, Newhaven Mayor Lesly Boniface expressed her pride in the historic link between her town and late President Ho Chi Minh, who worked as a chef on a ferry connecting Newhaven and the French town of Dieppe after World War I.

The British mayor highly spoke of Ho Chi Minh’s patriotism, courage and wisdom that helped him find the way to liberate his people and country. The historic link will lay a strong basis for the relations between Newhaven and Vietnam to grow further in the future, she said.

She also took the occasion to thank Vietnam for donating face masks to Newhaven when the COVID-19 broke out in the UK last year.

Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long, for his part, thanked the local government for supporting and coordinating with the Vietnamese Embassy in organizing the event, saying the Vietnam-UK Strategic Partnership is flourishing thanks to relentless efforts of both sides over the past five decades with the government and people of Newhaven playing a significant part in these drives.

He recalled the time President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked in London from 1913 – 1917 and on the Newhaven-Dieppe ferry, which became a foundation for the relations between Vietnam and Newhaven, and the UK at large. It was in the UK that the Vietnamese leader first read the works of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels which became a source of inspiration for his revolutionary path.

In 2013, a stele was erected at the mouth of River Ouse to mark the 100th anniversary of Ho Chi Minh’s arrival in the UK and the 40th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties (1973-2013)./.

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