As the second monkeypox patient was put under quarantine upon her arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City, she did not come into contact with anyone in the community, hence a zero risk of community infection, a health official confirmed.

At a regular press conference on October 20 by the municipal steering board for pandemic prevention, control and economic recovery, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Centre for Disease Control (HCDC) Nguyen Hong Tam also said there is not enough information to confirm that the two patients were in contact.

The second case is a 38-year-old resident of the northern province of Tuyen Quang, who visited Dubai from September 29 to October 18. Her symptoms such as fever, nausea and blisters started on October 11.

She and the first monkeypox patient in Vietnam, who has recovered, lived in the same accommodation in Dubai but in different periods of time as the latter visited the UAE city between July and September 22.

After first receiving the information about the second patient, the HCDC and Tan Son Nhat Airport medical team took her into quarantine right after her arrival at the airport for testing. She was then taken to the HCM City Hospital for Tropical Diseases for diagnosis and treatment. The plane she was on was also disinfected.

PM orders ensuring macro-economic stability, controlling inflation

Vietnam’s economic growth this year is projected at nearly 8%, up 1.5-2% from the initial target, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh while delivering the 2022 socio-economic performance report and 2023 socio-economic development plan at the 14th National Assembly’s fourth session in Hanoi on October 20.

The Government leader said important results were achieved in socio-economic development in the first nine months of this year, with 14 out of the 15 targets being met.

The consumer price index increased by 1.73% in the period under review, and is expected to hike by nearly 4% for the whole of this year. Growth in agriculture reached 2.99%, industry and construction 9.44%, and services 10.57%. Export-import value surpassed 558 billion USD, up 15% and trade surplus hit 6.76 billion USD.

Attention was paid to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, corruption and negative phenomena, contributing to strengthening public trust. About 87 trillion VND (3.78 billion USD) in aid has been given to about 56 million people, workers and over 730,000 employers hit by COVID-19.

For the time between now and the year’s end, the PM ordered efforts to ensure macro-economic stability, control inflation and supply-demand, especially key necessities for the Lunar New Year holiday.

Efforts must also be exerted to controll interest rates proactively and flexibly, and to hasten the disbursement of public investment capital and the progress of the socio-economic recovery and development programme along with three national target programmes.

Next year, there are 15 key socio-economic and environment targets, including GDP growth of around 6.5%, CPI of some 4.5%, social productivity of 5-6%, the rate of unemployment below 4%, and a 1-1.5% decrease in multidimensional poverty reduction.

To such end, the Government will improve business environment, ensure major balances of the economy, enhance the efficiency of economic restructuring in tandem with renewing the growth model, improving the quality, competitiveness, self-reliance and resilience of the economy, while perfecting harmonious and strategic infrastructure, particularly transport, digital, and climate change response infrastructure.

Focus will be placed on hi-quality workforce training and propelling start-ups and innovation, ensuring social welfare and improving material and spiritual lives.

The Government will continue with measures to improve the efficiency of using and managing land and natural resources, protect the environment and respond to climate change, increase the efficiency of external affairs and global integration, and further information and communications work to create social consensus.

PM Chinh said the Government hopes for close directions from the Party Central Committee and its Secretariat, the Politburo and Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, and support from the National Assembly, the President, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, socio-political and mass organisations, voters and people nationwide so as to accomplish the 2022 and 2023 tasks, contributing to realising 2021-2025 socio-economic development tasks set by the 13th National Party Congress.

NA’s 4th session: voters delighted at rapid socio-economic recovery

Voters and people nationwide have expressed their delight at the rapid socio-economic recovery and development after a long period of stagnation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report delivered at the opening of the 15th National Assembly (NA)'s 4th session on October 20.

The report summarising opinions and recommendations of voters and people nationwide was presented by President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Do Van Chien.

Chien said that voters and people acknowledged the drastic direction of the Party and State in law-making, especially those related to the people's right to mastery and their life such as the Land Law (amended), the Law on Implementation of Democracy at Grassroots Level, the Law on Construction, the Law on Housing, the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, and the Law on Inspection. They also expected that the Land Law (amended) can solve many current pressing problems.

Voters and people also showed their delight at Vietnam’s fresh election to the United Nations Human Rights Council, as well as their support for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ statements on the country's sovereignty in the East Sea and other international issues of common concern. They appreciated measures taken by the Party and State to protect Vietnamese citizens who have been maltreated in illegal organisations in Cambodia recently.

However, they also noted their worries about the developments of the COVID-19 pandemic and the occurrence of some other diseases such as monkeypox, type A influenza, dengue fever, and respiratory infection caused by adenovirus.

The lack of medical staff, equipment and supplies at both local and central levels, the slow progress of several large investment projects, the circulation of many sets of textbooks with high prices, and such issues as fire safety, traffic and food safety, natural disasters also drew great attention.

The VFF leader said that voters and people expected the Party and State would continue to pay attention to directing and preparing conditions for salary reform.

Hundreds of Vietnamese citizens tricked into illegal jobs in Cambodia rescued: spokesperson

Hundreds of Vietnamese citizens tricked into illegal jobs in Cambodia have been rescued over the past several months, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said at the Foreign Ministry’s regular press conference on October 20.

The spokesperson said cases in which Vietnamese citizens were cheated into illegal jobs and detained in Cambodia reported by the media took place in areas under the charge of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Battambang province.

The Consulate General has coordinated with authorities of Cambodian localities to take measures to assist and rescue Vietnamese citizens tricked into illegal jobs in areas along the Cambodia-Thailand border, Hang said.

According to her, the Consulate General had rescued and repatriated around 100 Vietnamese citizens between July and September this year. Since the end of September, the Consulate General has also coordinated with local administrations to free another 171 citizens.

After rescuing the labourers from the illegal employers, the Consulate General has sent officials to meet them and rolled out citizen protection measures, such as providing essential supplies and conducting repatriating procedures.

The spokesperson added that the Consular Department under the Foreign Ministry is also working with relevant agencies and localities to verify the rescued citizens’ identification and receive them back from Cambodia.   

In the time ahead, Vietnamese agencies (the Foreign Ministry and representative missions in Cambodia) will continue to work with Cambodian authorities and ask the Cambodian side to intensify inspections of the above-mentioned areas to rescue any Vietnamese citizens tricked into illegal jobs, while undertaking citizen protection measures to ensure legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese citizens, the spokesperson said.

HCM City hospitals activate red alert procedures for severe dengue

HCM City Department of Health has sent an urgent document to medical facilities in the city on implementing the Red Alert Procedure (RAP) for patients with dengue fever.

Healthcare establishments must comply with the management and treatment stratification of dengue patients and adhere to the principle of coordination for safe hospital transfer. Patients also need to be treated promptly after being transferred to other hospitals.

For severe dengue patients in critical and life-threatening conditions, the hospital must activate the red alert procedure for in-hospital or inter-hospital dengue patients to give timely treatment for patients.

RAP is activated when dengue patients stop breathing suddenly, their heart stops beating, or they are severe patients with respiratory failure.

Hospitals must also adopt the red alert procedure if patients suffer impairment or severe bleeding.

On Thursday, the city Department of Health also established a team of experts on dengue treatment. The expert group will update and supplement the treatment guidelines for dengue; participate in professional councils, training, remote consultation, RAP and treatment of severe cases.

According to the Centre for Disease Control of HCM City, the city has recorded nearly 64,500 cases of dengue fever, including 26 deaths from the beginning of the year to October 9. The caseload has increased by 627.6 per cent over the same period last year (8,860 cases in 2021). The rate of severe cases is 2.2 per cent, up 3.6 times over the figure in the same period the previous year. 

Vietnam pays attention to citizen protection in Ukraine: spokesperson

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has always kept a close watch on the situation in Ukraine and paid attention to the citizen protection work and the protection of Vietnamese people living and working there, spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang affirmed on October 20.

Speaking at a regular press conference of the ministry, Hang said in the context of the conflict in Ukraine developing more complicatedly and unpredictably, the ministry quickly asked the Vietnamese Embassy to maintain contact with the Vietnamese community in the country to stay updated, to ensure round-the-clock hotline services, and work with local authorities to take measures to support and ensure life and property safety for Vietnamese citizens and businesses in Ukraine.

There are about 500 Vietnamese in Ukraine, and no casualties have been reported since the recent complex developments, the spokesperson said, citing the figure of the embassy.

On October 18, the ministry’s Consular Department requested Vietnamese citizens in Ukraine to frequently contact with the embassy and prepare plans to protect themselves and their families, including evacuating from major cities and away from dangerous areas, Hang noted.

They were also advised to contact with competent agencies through citizen protection hotlines of the department as well as Vietnamese diplomatic representative agencies in Ukraine and its adjacent countries, she said.

Vietnam always pays attention to and keeps a close watch on developments relating to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, she said, stressing that once again, Vietnam calls on relevant parties to resume dialogues and resolve issues through peaceful measures in accordance with basic principles of international law, especially those on respecting countries' independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Vietnam also hopes that the lives and assets of people in Ukraine, including Vietnamese citizens, are guaranteed, she added.

Vietnam shares experience in ensuring workers’ rights

Vietnam shared its experience in ensuring the rights of labourers and emphasised the significance of better caring for them as well as the creation of sustainable employment, at an event jointly held by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Group of Friends of Decent Work for Sustainable Development in New York on October 20.

Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Tra, Chargé d'affaires of the Vietnamese Delegation to the United Nations (UN), underscored the important role of harmonising national legislation with international labour standards.

The diplomat said she believes that suitable harmonisation will help improve working conditions, protect workers' rights, and promote effective economic cooperation among countries.

Ambassador Tra highlighted progress Vietnam has made in the field, including the joining of more ILO conventions and the adoption of the revised Labour Code in 2019 with many new contents matching international labour standards.

She also clarified advantages and challenges Vietnam has seen since joining ILO conventions.

New cold spell brings rain to northern region

The north will experience another rainy, cold, and cloudy day on October 21 as a new cold spell arrived, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

The highest temperatures in the region are expected to range from 21 – 24 degrees Celsius.

Also on the day, the Gulf of Tonkin, the waters off central provinces of Quang Tri to Thua Thien – Hue, including Con Co island, and the northern waters of the North East Sea area will see strong wind, rough sea, and high waves.

From the night of October 21, the wind will weaken at sea.

Meanwhile, the Central Highlands and southern regions will see showers and thunderstorms in the evening and at night with a possibility of whirlwind, lightning, and strong wind.

HCMC set to start work on three key roads by year-end

HCMC will begin construction on three major traffic infrastructure projects by the end of this year with an investment of over VND10,000 billion.

Luong Minh Phuc, director of the HCMC Management Board of Transportation Works Construction and Investment Projects (TCIP), said the three projects comprised a road connecting Tran Quoc Hoan Street and Cong Hoa Street, An Phu Intersection and National Highway 50.

The road connecting Tran Quoc Hoan Street and Cong Hoa Street in Tan Binh District, with an investment of over VND4,800 billion, is the largest construction to connect terminal T3 of the Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

The six-lane road is set to have two four-lane branch lines as well as two underpasses and a nearly one-kilometer-long overpass. The project is expected to be completed by August 2024 to ease traffic congestion in the airport area.

The An Phu Intersection Project saw an investment of roughly VND4,000 billion. The construction is considered one of the largest intersections in the eastern gateway of HCMC, boosting the connectivity of the HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway, Mai Chi Tho Street and Luong Dinh Cua Street.

The completion time is scheduled for 2025 to tackle traffic congestion in accordance with the plan to expand the Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway.

In the west gateway, the project to expand and upgrade the National Highway 50 in Binh Chanh District saw an investment of almost VND1,500 billion and was set to be completed in 2024.

The new road is designed to stretch seven kilometers and be widened to 34 from 7.5 meters, of which 4 kilometers is used to build a parallel road and the remaining to expand the current highway.

HCMC hospital lacks funds to build smart hospital project

Associate Professor Hoang Thi Diem Tuyet admitted that the hospital is facing many obstacles, especially the lack of skilled IT human resources and the lack of finance to implement the smart hospital project.

She made the statement at a meeting with the Department of Culture and Society of the People's Council of Ho Chi Minh City. The meeting was convened to monitor the implementation of the Project ‘Smart Health for the period 2021-2025 with a vision to 2030’.

At the meeting, Associate Professor Hoang Thi Diem Tuyet, Director of Hung Vuong Hospital, said that on average, the hospital admits 35,000-40,000 newborns per year, performing 20,000-25,000 surgeries a year. To improve operational efficiency, the hospital has implemented many information technology (IT) application activities for smart healthcare.

According to Dr. Hoang Thi Diem Tuyet, after more than a year of implementing the project, the city still does not have a standard hospital management system for the sector, so the connection and transmission of information in the sector still bumped into many obstacles. Worse, the procurement of equipment lacks funding and mechanisms.

She disclosed that the hospital managers have to take money from the hospital's savings to purchase 27 pieces of software to support the management, medical examination, and treatment. She moaned that after three-five years, the software will be outdated; at that time the hospital does not know where to get money to buy the new ones.

Facing these difficulties, the Director of Hung Vuong Hospital suggested that the city should soon add the cost of IT application to the hospital discharges; plus, there should be a specific procurement and hiring mechanism in the IT field to make it easy for hospitals to implement. Hospital management systems of hospitals need to be unified to facilitate connection, or information exchange as well as have a remuneration regime to attract good IT human resources.

Head of the Department of Culture and Social Affairs Cao Thanh Binh highly appreciated Hung Vuong Hospital's efforts in applying IT to build a smart hospital. He also emphasized that other infirmaries in the city also bumped into the same difficulties as Hung Vuong Hospital.

Mr. Cao Thanh Binh suggested that the Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City should develop specific policies for specialized health care which will be submitted to the People's Council of Ho Chi Minh City for further consideration.

Last but not least, there should be a survey on the IT application situation of each hospital to soon issue a set of guiding criteria for hospitals to implement. Ho Chi Minh City Department of Home Affairs needs to adopt a plan to recruit good IT technicians for hospitals.

Former leaders of Dong Nai Province arrested

The Police Investigation Agency (PIA) under the Ministry of Public Security yesterday performed the prosecution and ordered to arrest the accused for temporary detention for former Chairman of the People’s Committee of Dong Nai Province Dinh Quoc Thai and former Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Tran Dinh Thanh for the act of receiving bribes.

This is the newest development when the PIA expands its investigation for a criminal case of violating regulations on bidding causing serious consequences at Dong Nai General Hospital, Progressive International Joint Stock Company (AIC) and other relevant units.

Previously, the Ministry of Public Security said that on July 21 of 2010, the People’s Committee of Dong Nai Province had approved the decision of investment adjustment of Dong Nai General Hospital with a total investment of VND1,904 billion (US$77.9 million) and Dong Nai General Hospital was the main investor.

During the submission of the documents on investment adjustment of the 12 bidding packages for buying medical equipment and supplies, the officials of the investor, Progressive International Joint Stock Company (AIC), consulting unit, bid evaluation and price appraisal unit had privately “shaken hands” to inflate the price causing damage of VND152 billion (US$6.2 million) to the State.

Former Chairwoman of AIC Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan along with the accused colluded to perform fraudulent bidding to win the 12 bidding packages with a total amount of more than VND476 billion (US$19.5 million). By April 29, the Ministry of Public Security had prosecuted Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan and her staff for the act of violating regulations on bidding causing serious consequences. At the time of prosecution, Nhan fled and was wanted by the authorities.

Regarding the case, the Ministry of Public Security also prosecuted Director of the Department of Health of Dong Nai Province Phan Huy Anh Vu, former Director of Dong Nai General Hospital, Director General of New Generation Appraisal Company and five other accused.

UK-supported program improves Viet Nam’s health system resilience

The UK Government has supported Viet Nam’s Ministry of Health in building health system resilience through improving workforce capacity, supporting institutional development and harnessing the potential of digital innovation via the Better Health Program.

The British Embassy in Viet Nam and the Viet Nam Ministry of Health on October 18 co-hosted the closing event of the Better Health Program, a UK-led initiative dating back to 2020 to support health system strengthening in Viet Nam. 

Health cooperation is essential in the strategic partnership between the UK and Viet Nam. The UK has been a close partner with Viet Nam in addressing global health challenges, including antibiotic resistance and non-communicable diseases. 

The UK has stood with Viet Nam during the difficult period of tackling waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. The UK's support for Viet Nam has included vaccine funding and knowledge exchange on gene sequencing and medical system strengthening. 

The total number of bilateral COVID-19 vaccines supported for Viet Nam was 2,144,800 doses.

Forum to discuss cooperate responsibility towards climate change

An forum on climate change and circular economy with the participation of enterpreneurs will take place on October 27, according to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). 

The event will be jointly organised by Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in coordination with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Japanese-funded Support for Planning and Implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions in Vietnam (SPI-NDC) project.

The forum aims to discuss corporate responsibility towards climate change and the circular economy by enhancing dialogue, sharing experiences and strengthening connections between business leaders, according to the organisers.

It also seeks to promote the participation of private enterprises in climate actions through the partnership between the MONRE, VCCI and the SPI-NDC project on specific models in Vietnam.

The forum will also collect recommendations from entrepreneurs to improve the competitiveness of the Vietnamese business community in general and the goal of carbon neutrality in particular.

Situation of Vietnamese workers in Africa sees certain improvements: spokesperson

The situation of Vietnamese workers in Africa has been stable and seen certain improvements, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said at a regular press conference of the ministry in Hanoi on October 20.

Asked about the situation of Vietnamese workers in Africa and citizen protection work for Vietnamese nationals in Africa, the spokesperson said the Vietnamese Embassy in Angola, also in charge of affairs in Democratic Republic of Congo, has received many requests for assistance and repatriation from Vietnamese nationals residing in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to problems with their employers, regarding employment placement, accommodation, and also delayed payment of salary or salary cut.

According to Hang, the embassy has worked with relevant agencies of the Democratic Republic of Congo and asked the agencies to take measures to ensure the livelihood of Vietnamese workers. 

The embassy has also contacted the Vietnamese community in Congo in order to provide temporary residence for them as they await the resolution of these difficulties.

At the same time, the embassy has issued warnings to Vietnamese labourers, asking them to carefully research information before deciding to take up labour contracts in Congo, the spokesperson noted.

She added that the Foreign Ministry has directed the Vietnamese Embassy in Angola to continue working closely with local competent authorities and employers in order to resolve emerging issues.

The consular department is also told to work with the embassy as well as other government agencies in order to implement citizen protection measures when necessary.

The spokesperson again urged Vietnamese labourers to figure out all the information necessary before agreeing to work contracts abroad in order to avoid being scammed by illegal brokers, and when problems emerge, contact the Vietnamese agencies abroad directly or through the ministry’s citizen protection hotline.

Legislators look into draft amended anti-money laundering law

Legislators scrutinised a proposal and a report on the draft Law on Money Laundering Prevention and Control (amended) as part of the 4th session of the 15th National Assembly (NA) in Hanoi on October 20.

Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Nguyen Thi Hong presented the Government’s proposal, saying the amendment is necessary as it will help Vietnam fulfill its obligations in international treaties and commitments, while demonstrating the country as a responsible member in the fight against money laundering, terrorist financing, and the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the region and the world.

The draft law comprises four chapters and 65 articles.

According to the report assessing the drat law presented by Chairman of the NA’s Committee for Economic Affairs Vu Hong Thanh, the committee agreed on the need to amend the law to fully institutionalise guidelines of the Party and the State, deliver on commitments under international treaties and agreements, and ensure security and safety of national finance and currency amidst complex developments of the world situation and the rapid development of science and technology.

The amendment also contributes to intensifying the effectiveness of the fight against corruption and other negative phenomena, the report says.

Earlier, the NA discussed the Government’s report on the implementation of the State budget in 2022, the state budget estimate and central budget allocation plan for 2023, and the 2023-2025 financial plan.

Concert to mark Vietnam-RoK diplomatic relations anniversary

A concert to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) will be held at the Vietnam National Academy of Music on October 23.

Artists will perform under the baton of Japanese conductor Honna Tetsuji to entertain the audience with famous works of such composers as S.Rachmaninov, M.Bruch and J.Brahms.

Vietnamese piano artist Nguyen Viet Trung and violinist Hoang Ho Khanh Van will also join this special concert.

Vietnam and the RoK set up their diplomatic relations on December 22, 1992.

Vietnam attends Singapore International Cyber Week

Minister of Public Security, General To Lam attended the Singapore International Cyber Week (SICW2022) from October 18-20.

Within the framework of the SICW2022, Lam attended the seventh ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity.

At a plenary session of the conference, the minister said cybersecurity cooperation in ASEAN should be focused on promoting the awareness and actions in the 10-member grouping towards cybersecurity.

He reiterated Vietnam’s commitments to further participating actively, pragmatically and effectively in intensifying ASEAN’s efforts in handling challenges to cybersecurity.

Lam also urged ASEAN member countries to join hands to organise legal forums on cybersecurity in the bloc in order to exchange experience in applying international law in this field and implementing the principle of national sovereignty in cyberspace.

On this occasion, the minister had bilateral meetings with senior officials of Singapore, the US, and Australia.

Meeting with Singaporean Minister For Communications and Information and Minister-In-Charge Of Smart Nation And Cybersecurity Josephine Teo, and Minister of Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam, he suggested the two sides maintain and expand international cooperation in cybersecurity with flexible formats like exchanging information and experience and conducting joint exercises.

The two countries should consider signing a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in drug combat, he said.

At his meeting with US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Lam asked the US official to pay attention to enhancing cooperation between law enforcement and criminal justice agencies of the two countries through the existing mechanisms, saying the two sides should share information and experience, and exchange delegations in this regard.

The two sides also consented to soon perfect relevant procedures to sign an MoU on cooperation in trans-national crime combat between the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and the US Department of Homeland Security.

Lam also had a meeting with Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia Tim Watts, during which the Vietnamese official suggested that law enforcement agencies of the two countries step up cooperation in fighting cybercrime, focusing on the research, building and signing of cooperation documents and agreements.

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