Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang People’s Committee Ngo Thi Kim Yen has asked the municipal health and education departments to build a plan to vaccinate students aged from 15 to under 18 with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on October 26 – 29.

At a meeting of the central city’s Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control on October 22, she said that according to the education and training department’s plan, first-, ninth- and twelfth- graders will go back to school on November 1, with all students following suit on November 8.

Yen said the city will receive 100,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine in the near future.

At the meeting, the committee reported that Da Nang posted no new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours to 1pm on October 22.

As from July 10 to date, the city logged 4,692 infections, with 8,768 people tested for COVID-19 on October 22.

Currently, Da Nang has four locations being under lockdown, 55 people returning from pandemic areas put under quarantine at concentrated facilities, and 862 others quarantined at home.

The city has so far given 999,744 doses of COVID-19 vaccines, of which the first doses accounting for 97.6 percent and the second doses 16.6 percent./.

UNDP debuts climate change news portal for Vietnamese youth

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam launched a news portal on climate change for young people at a discussion held virtually on October 22.

Organised in collaboration with the Italian and British embassies in Vietnam, the event took place on the threshold of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) and gathered more than 2,400 Vietnamese youths from different regions.

In his opening speech, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Vietnam, Terence D. Jones, highlighted that through the portal, the UNDP will support youth capacity development, empower youth-led climate initiatives, and create an favourable environment for young people to access green job opportunities and adopt sustainable lifestyles.

Jones said that the UNDP will continue to prioritise supporting and strengthening the climate action of Vietnamese youth in the coming years by establishing a Training of Trainers (TOT) network on different climate topics and foster knowledge for 100 excellent young people to expand the climate learning society in the nation.

The portal provides a learning space for young people to access reliable, accurate and contextual information in Vietnam on climate science, agriculture and forestry, energy, waste, circular economy and climate policy. It reshapes and updates climate science and policy into youth-friendly learning themes./.

HOPA hosts photo contest honoring victory over pandemic

The HCMC Photographic Association (HOPA) has launched a photo contest honoring beautiful images of the prevention and control of Covid-19 pandemic.

The submissions are required to describe the unity and solidarity of the people in the fight against Covid-19, hard times and efforts of healthcare workers and frontline forces, people’s life during the social distancing period and the resumption of economic and social activities.

The contest is open for all professional and amateur photographers throughout the country. The jury members are photographers including Ly Hoang Long, Doan Thi Tho and Nguyen Minh Tan who will receive artworks from now until December 5.

Sea turtles protected at Nui Chua National Park

The Nui Chua National Park in the south central province of Ninh Thuan is among the rare destinations in Vietnam where sea turtles lay their eggs.

It used to host green, loggerhead, and hawksbill sea turtles, but only green turtles have arrived during nesting season in recent years.

The peak of the nesting season in the park falls between June and October. In recent years, though, the number of sea turtles spotted during this time has fallen.

"In the evening, we patrol and protect the mother turtles, and move nests or eggs that are near the sea to safety," said Pham Anh Dung, deputy head of the Sea Preservation Department of the Nui Chua National Park.

Each year, the Nui Chua biodiversity conservation centre releases hundreds of turtles into the sea.

Since the beginning of this year, 78 turtles have been spotted looking for a place to lay their eggs, resulting in 1,250 babies released into the sea. A rescue team also released a 10 kg blue turtle.

Since 2000, with the aid of domestic and international organisations, like the Institute of Oceanography in Nha Trang, the World Wildlife Fund, and the Global Environment Fund, the Nui Chua National Park has run a project to survey visiting turtles and their nesting conditions. The results were then used to protect the species, particularly at the three protection zones of Bai Thit, Bai Ngang, and Bai Hom beaches.

"Normally, when the turtles are injured, we will feed them and take care of them, bathing them with disinfectant for a while. After they recover, we release them back into the sea," said Ngo Minh Quoc from the Marine Preservation Department of the Nui Chua National Park.

The park has built a facility to treat turtles saved from illegal captivity, with volunteers trained to monitor them during their nesting time and to protect the eggs. The volunteers join patrols of the park’s rescue team along the beach and carry out communications campaigns.

Also joining the effort, Ninh Thuan's authorities have requested intensified inspections of the illegal captivity, transport, and distribution of sea turtles and their eggs in the local area, with strict punishment imposed on violators./.

Four post-COVID tourism trends revealed: Traveloka

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed travel needs and trends around the world. Traveloka, an online travel startup in Southeast Asia, has announced four popular travel trends of the post-COVID-19 period.

Touchless travel

Keeping a distance, limiting contact and regularly disinfecting hands are ways to prevent COVID-19 infection that have become a habit of many people. Touchless travel in the post-COVID-19 period does not only refer to limiting person-to-person contact as well as contact with objects and surfaces but also to travel experiences with automated devices and technologies.

Staycation

Staycation is a form of travel in which visitors will experience travel locally, without undergoing a long journey or having to use public transport. This is an opportunity for visitors to discover interesting and attractive things near their living areas that they have missed before.

In Vietnam, the post-COVID-19 tourism trend has gradually become popular since 2019. As the pandemic has not shown any signs of being completely under control, this trend is still loved by travel enthusiasts due to the fact that it helps to limit the risk of disease infection and save costs.

Medical tourism

Medical tourism is a travel service that focuses on relaxation, beauty, and healthcare. The core purpose of this service is physical recovery and mental regeneration.

Travelling  towards isolated and least visited places will become the dominant trend in post COVID-19. (Photo:nhandan.vn)
According to a forecast of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), tourism associated with health will grow strongly in the post-COVID-19 era. The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) revealed that this type of tourism could post revenues of 919 billion USD in 2022.

Travelling towards isolated and least visited places

Unspoiled and isolated locations not only bring tranquility but also bring absolute peace of mind as these places often serve a small number of tourists, thereby reducing the risk of disease infection./.

Phu Quoc to welcome int’l tourists with vaccine passports in November

The People’s Committee of Kien Giang province on October 21 issued a pilot plan to welcome international tourists using "vaccine passports" to Phu Quoc Island beginning November 20.

The plan aims to gradually restore the international tourism market, ensure security in tourism activities, and contribute to socio-economic development targets set for 2021.

The provincial People’s Committee requests all international tourists to have a vaccine passport and strictly comply with epidemic prevention measures in Vietnam.

At least 90 per cent of the population and workers in Phu Quoc have to be fully vaccinated in order to be ready to welcome international guests in the future.

The pilot plan will be implemented in two phases within the course of six months.

Specifically, from November 20, a number of charter flights will go to Phu Quoc for authorities to test the process of picking up and serving guests.

Based on the experience, authorities will then evaluate the plan’s feasibility, make adjustments if necessary, and follow the official roadmap from December 20 onwards.

During the first phase from December 20 to March 20, Phu Quoc will welcome 3,000 to 5,000 tourists per month via charter flights and allocate private experiences within limited locations and areas for guests.

The second phase, which starts from March 20, 2022 to June 20, 2022, involves evaluation of the first phase and a scale of 5,000 to 10,000 guests per month if all requirements are met.

With regards to the target audience, international tourists will be allowed to visit from countries and territories with high safety in COVID-19 pandemic prevention.

They will enter Phu Quoc International Airport via charter flights with a certificate of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a proof of COVID-19 recovery recognised by relevant authorities in Vietnam.

Injection of the second shot must have been done at least 14 days before and no more than 12 months from the day of arrival. Visitors who have recovered from COVID-19 have to submit proof that their discharge from the hospital to the date they enter Phu Quoc has not exceeded six months.

In addition, an English certificate of negative COVID-19 test results via the RT-PCR method within 72 hours before departure must be prepared by visitors.

Children under 18 years old with a valid negative COVID-19 test result are allowed to travel to Phu Quoc with a fully vaccinated parent or guardian.

Visitors to Phu Quoc must have a return air ticket and register to participate in a package tour programme with health insurance from a travel agency proposed by Kien Giang province.

Kien Giang province has created a backup plan and set up a testing and isolation zone for 2,000 people. Preparation of COVID-19 treatment capacity for 1,000 people is part of the plan as well.

All workers involved in the process of welcoming and serving visitors will be trained in safety measures in COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control./.

Political parties applaud top Party leader’s message of international solidarity

Political parties have lauded Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s message of international solidarity sent to the annual international workshop entitled “Political parties and a new society” held recently in Mexico.

They described the message as a great source of encouragement for political parties, and left-wing and progressive organisations in Mexico, Latin America and the world at large.

In his message, Trong thanked the Mexican Labour Party (PT), left-wing political and progressive parties in Latin America and the Caribbean region, and other political parties worldwide for their support to the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) during the past struggle for national liberation, as well as the present cause of national construction and defence.

The leader also expressed his wish to deepen the friendship, solidarity and cooperation between the CPV and political parties in the world.

He said the workshop has contributed to the common struggle for peace, national independence, democracy, cooperation and social development and progress.

The event that took place from October 21-23 brought together more than 200 international delegates from 32 countries worldwide.

PT General Secretary Alberto Anaya Gutiérrez told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) that he spoke highly of Trong’s message, saying it is a great source of encouragement for all progressive political parties attending the workshop./.

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region grants medical supplies to northern provinces

Leaders of Mong Cai city in the northern border province of Quang Ninh and the Ministry of Health on October 22 received 800,000 doses of Vero Cell vaccine, an ECMO machine and many medical equipment and supplies donated by the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China.

The handover of the vaccine and medical equipment took place on Bac Luan II Bridge at Mong Cai (Vietnam) – Dongxing (China) international border gate.

The vaccine and medical equipment and supplies, worth 62.55 million CNY (some 9.7 million USD) in total, will be allocated to the provinces of Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang and Ha Giang which share the borderline and close cooperative ties with Guangxi.

Since the pandemic broke out, Quang Ninh province and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have donated medical supplies to and supported each other in the fight against COVID-19./.

Adjusted law on intellectual property right promotes innovation for development 

The 15th National Assembly in the first week of its second session considered adjustments for the intellectual property (IP) law. This action, according to the Science and Technology Ministry, affirms that IP is one key factor for socio-economic development in Vietnam. SGGP Newspaper has conducted an interview with Deputy Director General of the IP Office of Vietnam Nguyen Van Bay about this adjustment.

Talking about the necessity of modifications for the current law on IP, Deputy Director General Nguyen Van Bay admitted that there exist certain inadequacies in regulations on copyright owners, performers, holders of related rights in cases of ownership transfer or use right holder transfer of copyright and related rights; in regulations on promoting the creation, exploitation, and popularization of inventions, industrial designs, and layout designs financed by state budget, and resulting in limited commercialization of these products; and in procedures to register for copyright and related rights as well as the establishment of industrial property right (IPR).

In addition, activities to enforce IP rights are facing several challenges now since infringements of IP rights are becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex, especially on the virtual environment.

Finally, the observation of articles in free trade agreements (FTAs) with high requirements in enforcing IP rights like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the European Union–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has asked for the adjustment of IP laws to better suit international regulations.

When asked about the benefits of implementing IP rights in Vietnam during the participation in FTAs, the Deputy Director General answered that the IP right protection mechanism is normally considered a tool to encourage innovation and fight against unhealthy competition so that creative products, particularly those using cutting edge technologies, can boost economic growth and serve the community.

Therefore, the application of IP rights in Vietnam via FTAs will form a healthy environment to attract technology transfer, investments from other nations and improve the quality, the competitiveness of domestic products, while creating favorable conditions for businesses of the country to enjoy the results of their investment in innovative activities.

Along with the benefits come several challenges, which requires the smooth and close cooperation between the Government, businesses, and related organizations, units in the society.

Commenting on the direction of adjustments to the current IP law, Mr. Bay said that these modifications should promote more innovation, ensure stability, consistency, synchronization, transparency, and feasibility. Simultaneously, state management on IP must be more effective to encourage socio-economic, cultural developments in the country.

Particularly, these seven policy groups will be adjusted:

- Ensure clear regulations on authors, copyright owners, performers, and related rights holders in cases of transfer of copyright and related rights;

- Promote the creation, exploitation, and popularization of inventions, industrial designs, and layout designs financed by state budget;

- Facilitate the process of registration for copyright and related rights, the process of establishing industrial property rights;

- Ensure adequate and balanced level of IP right protection;

- Enhance the effectiveness of support activities for IP;

- Improve the effectiveness of IP right protection activities;

- Ensure the full observation of Vietnam’s international commitments on IP protection during its integration process.

Discussing necessary actions of Vietnam in obeying international laws and exploiting technological advances in the world for its own socio-economic growth, the Deputy Director General stated that the country has made great efforts to maintain an IP system suitable for its development goals, where the State protects the investment results of organizations and individuals in innovative activities and ensure the general benefits of the community.

Statistics from the IP Office of Vietnam reveal that from 2016-2020, around 5,600 foreign patents register for protection in Vietnam annually while this number in the world reaches 3 million a year. This means many technologies are not under patent right protection in the country, which is a pity since the principles of the patent system states that almost all registered patents are publicized to be exploited suitably.

The 3 million new patents a year is truly an invaluable resource to be implemented for socio-economic growth of any nation, including Vietnam.

Kindergarten students walk for six kilometres to go to school

It’s hard for people to believe that kindergarten students must walk up to six kilometres to go get to school, but that is what students in the Ón Village do on a daily basis. 

Often they are so tired when they reach school that they immediately fall asleep.

The Ón Village is in Tam Chung Commune, Mường Lát District in the central province of Thanh Hóa.

It’s nearly 230km from Thanh Hóa City’s centre to Mường Lát District, and it’s about 25km from the district to the Ón Village. Many of the roads aren't suitable even for motorbikes, especially on rainy days. 

The Ón Village kindergarten is in the middle of a high mountain. It is about 2km from the border marker of Laos and Sơn La Province.

Vi Thị Bột teaches a class of 16 four-year-old students. On heavy rainy days, only three or four students make it to school.

“They live too far away and are not taken to school by their parents. They cannot get here in in heavy rain,” said Bột.

Bột said that the school lacks the infrastructure and the necessary equipment to supply lunch for students.

“After studying hours, some of them go back home, others go to their relatives nearby and some others bring lunch from home and wait for afternoon lesson after the nap,” she said.

The Ón Village has three teachers. Besides Bột, there are Phạm Thị Giang and Bùi Thị Thúy.

Recalling her first days at the school, Thúy knew in advance it would be miserable, but it's much harder than even she anticipated.

Teachers can try to overcome difficulties, but for students who are only three or four years old, Thúy struggles to believe they can help enough.

Students often enter school at 7.30 am, so they must start their journey at about 5 am. Three-year-old students also walk to school, and even walk for 5-6km, said Thúy.

Education to escape early marriage

The Ón Village has 112 households of ethnic Mông minorities. It is considered one of the poorest areas in Thanh Hóa Province.

Local residents’ meals are maize, cassava and bamboo found in the fields or in the forest.

Due to poverty, teenagers quitting school to get married at only 13-15 years old is not unusual. They then have many children, and these children too fall into poverty and are illiterate. The circle repeats through generations.

Teacher Vi Văn Chuân, head of the Ón Village’s primary school, said, “They are too tired after walking for a long way, so many days they are not able to listen in class.”

The weather is too hot in summer and too cold in winter, which also affects their health.

However, through education, they are literate, have fun and the cycle of early marriage and poverty can be broken, he said.

Giàng A Chống, Secretary of the Ón Village Party Committee, was the first person in the village to graduate from high school, and also the first person to be a Party member.

Giàng is a pioneer in poverty and illiteracy elimination in the village.

Chống believes that students must go to school despite every obstacle as it is the only way to escape from poverty and early marriage.

“If students quit school, teachers do not hesitate to come to their houses and encourage them to come back. In order to eliminate poverty, the first work is to eliminate illiteracy,” said Chống.

Students do not just learn to read and write, but also learn how to grow rice and raise livestock effectively, he said.

Chống’s and generations of teachers’ efforts have gradually come true.

Thanks to the authorities and sponsors, in 2018, strong classrooms were built in the village.

Miracle

Nguyễn Thế Cường, Deputy Principal of the Tam Chung Primary School, said that in Ón Village, students attending school should be considered a miracle.

The miracle did not come naturally. It is thanks to the effort and determination of village officials and generations of teachers.

Teachers like Bột or Quách Thị Minh, all sacrificed their youth, carefully preparing lessons to bring students in this mountainous region knowledge.

In recent years, more and more students from the Ón Village go to junior secondary school and high school.

Teacher Minh said that in some families, all four children have entered high school. Some of them have gone to Hà Nội for higher-level education, with the hope of coming back to enlighten the village.

Vietnamese artists take part in German art festival

Independent filmmaker and video artist Nguyen Trinh Thi and Nha San Collective, a non-profit, artist-run space for experimental art will represent Vietnam at the 15th German art festival, Documenta.

Documenta, the famed quinquennial event takes place in the German city of Kassel. It showcases contemporary art, using a variety of venues throughout the city. Documenta began as a postwar attempt at revitalization.

The artist list for the 15th edition of Documenta has been revealed. So far the curators have named 51 artists and collectives included in the show, slated to open on 18 June 2022. Participating artists have been grouped into ‘mini-majelis’. The nationalities of the artists have also been omitted – replaced by their respective time zones.

The exhibition is being curated by the Indonesian collective Ruangrupa.

Documenta 15 is themed around the idea of lumbung, which translates from Indonesian as a sort of commons predicated upon resource-sharing.

Ruangrupa are organizing their show around the idea of lumbung, based on the model of a communal surplus-grain warehouse, created for shared future use.

Nguyen Trinh Thi is a Hanoi-based moving image artist. Her diverse practice, transcending the boundaries between cinema, documentary and performance, has consistently engaged with memory and history. Her works have been shown at international festivals and art exhibitions including Asia Pacific Triennial (Brisbane, 2018), Sydney Biennale 2018; Jeu de Paume, Paris; CAPC musée d’art contemporain de Bordeaux; the Lyon Biennale 2015; Asian Art Biennial 2015, Taiwan; Fukuoka Asian Art Triennial 2014; and Singapore.

he Nha San Collective is a pioneer in facilitating an experimental art movement and in promoting contemporary culture. The organization has supported the development of the first generation of contemporary artists in Vietnam.

HCM City to vaccinate children

The HCM City steering committee for COVID-19 prevention and control has announced vaccination plans for people aged 12 to 17, starting with the oldest demographic and moving down age groups.

There are around 780,000 children in the age groups, according to the committee.

Students will be vaccinated in their schools or safe sites chosen by their schools, while those who do not attend schools will be given their shots at sites around the city.

Children with underlying health conditions will get them at paediatric hospitals and general hospitals with paediatric departments.

Those already in hospitals will be vaccinated even if they are from other provinces and cities.

The city is waiting for instructions from the Ministry of Health to begin the campaign.

Besides, the vaccines need to be approved by the ministry and both shots should be of the same kind.

Health and safety regulations will be strictly followed, with medical personnel standing by to monitor health conditions.

Strict social distancing norms will be followed at the vaccination centres.

Parents or guardians will be kept in the loop at all stages, including signs to watch out for after the shots.

The Department of Education and Training has been asked to make a list of students from sixth to 12th grades for the vaccination.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs will make a similar list of children not attending school or living at shelters it runs.

The city plans to work with the ministry to ensure there are sufficient vaccines.

Thủ Đức City to vaccinate children on October 25

Thủ Đức City in HCM City plans to vaccinate all 100,000 of its children aged 12 to 17 starting on October 25 after getting consent from their parents and guardians.

It will first immunise around 25,000 of them aged 16-17.

For the purpose, it will first set up 54 vaccination sites, and more if needed.

HCM City, Việt Nam’s COVID epicentre, has been focusing on inoculating its populace quickly, and around 80 per cent of its adult population has received both shots.

As of October 19, it had nearly 860 COVID patients under the age of 16.

The number of children across the Việt Nam contracting COVID during the current outbreak is a lot higher than in the past, and there have been deaths. 

HCMC reaches second level of Covid-19

According to the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, the southern metropolis achieves the second level of Covid-19.

The city authorities today announced the level of the epidemic in the city according to Resolution 128/NQ-CP and Decision 4800 of the Ministry of Health on temporary guidance on safe and flexible adaptation to the new situation and effective control of the Covid-19 epidemic.

The municipal People's Committee said that the assessment results of the level of Covid-19 epidemic in the country's largest city until October 24 show that it reached the second level.

Districts 1, 7, 8, 10, Go Vap, Tan Binh, Can Gio, Cu Chi, Thu Duc City reached the first level while Districts 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, Binh Chanh, Binh Thanh, Phu Nhuan, Tan Phu, Hoc Mon and Nha Be districts are ranked at the second level. Only Binh Tan District is at the third level.

Vietnam seeks new cooperation opportunities with Austria

Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Nguyen Trung Kien has recently visited Styria, the second largest state of the European nation, to seek new cooperation opportunities between localities of the two countries.

Within the visit, he met with Elke Kahr, leader of the Austrian Communist Party (KPO) in Styria that won a victory in local elections in Graz city on September 26. With this result, Kahr will become a new Mayor of Graz city later this year.

The two sides discussed cooperation between Vietnam and Graz city over the past time, and agreed to boost the bilateral collaboration in economy, industry, research - training, tourism - culture and experience sharing.

Kahr said she is willing to coordinate with the Vietnamese Embassy in Austria to organise activities in Graz on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Austria in 2022.

Kien made field trips to two local firms, Christof Industries and AVL, to explore economic models of the Austrian state.

Christof Industries is specialised in mechanical and electrical assembly, I & C engineering, power plant engineering, mill installation and maintenance as well as the maintenance and repair of industrial machinery and plants.

Meanwhile, AVL is the world's largest independent company for the development, simulation and testing of powertrain systems.

Both enterprises expressed their hope for cooperation with Vietnam.

At a seminar held by the Vietnamese Embassy in Austria, local businesses suggested that restrictions on movement, entry, exit and quarantine amid the COVID-19 pandemic should be removed or imposed in a flexible manner to create optimal conditions for Austrian firms to soon return to Vietnam./.

Hanoi launches first safety tour in new normal

A safety tour with a combination of automatic audio guides and traditional sightseeing was launched on October 23 at the Vietnam National Museum of History. 

The event was organised by the museum in collaboration with the Hanoitourist Corporation (Hanoitourist) to adapt to the current COVID-19 pandemic and adjust the museum's operations in the new normal.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Nguyen Thi Thu Hoan, deputy director of the museum, said the "French architecture in the heart of Hanoi" tour is a product that makes a difference for visitors to the capital due to a connection between the museum with related monuments in Hanoi as well as a connection in terms of architecture and history.

This tour combines traditional sightseeing with the application of automatic narration technology through scanning a QR code to ensure the safety of visitors in the new normal, she said.

In particular, visitors can also admire and learn about three among many rare and precious treasures only at the Vietnam National Museum of History. They are "Ngoc Lu bronze drum" and the golden books and seals - the treasures symbolising the supreme power of the kings of the Nguyen Dynasty, the last feudal dynasty of Vietnam, Hoan said.

Phung Quang Thang, Director of Hanoitourist, said that after the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections, all tourism activities have changed to a new form, operating in the context of living with COVID-19, flexible and safety adaptation which required travel firms to have safe tourism programmes and activities. Therefore, Hanoitourist and the Vietnam National Museum of History collaborated to set up a safe tour that last about one hour and a half, he said.

The unique feature of the tour is the connection of three attractions, helping visitors to have an overview, identification and comparison to see the outstanding value of architectural works and styles, and interactions between Vietnamese culture with Western culture in the early 20th century.

It connects events and artifacts displayed in the Vietnam National Museum of History with the Hanoi Opera House and the historical relic of the Bac Bo Phu (now became the Government Guest House) from the perspective of architecture and historical events, thereby helping visitors understand more deeply as well as having new experiences in the tour.

To ensure safety, each tour group will have no more than 10 members and they have to keep a distance and do not contact with each other.

The "French architecture in the heart of Hanoi" tour will be held every Saturday and Sunday, starting on October 23.

Tourism authorities are working to encourage Hanoians to visit local places of interest, and travel firms also view this as an appropriate measure as the capital city have yet to reopen to tourists from other localities.

In a recent interview, Director of the municipal Tourism Department Dang Huong Giang said her department has proposed four stages of tourism reopening on the basis of the Health Ministry’s guidelines for safe adaptation to the pandemic.

It will continue developing safe and creative destinations and applying information technology more strongly to diversify tourism products in order to attract domestic travellers, the official noted.

In revent years, Hanoi has been emerging as one of the most attractive destinations in the region and the world.

According to the 2021 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards, the city was one of the four Vietnamese cities listed among the most popular destinations in Asia in 2020. On the list, Hanoi ranked second, ancient town Hoi An in central Quang Nam province fourth, Ho Chi Minh City 11th, and central Da Nang city 16th. The capital city was also ranked the sixth place among the 25 most popular destinations in the world by Tripadvisor./.

Risks of Covid-19 treatment drugs with unknown origin

When the fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic broke out in Vietnam, drugs for treating Covid-19 were advertised widely on social networks. Over the past time, experts have continuously warned that it is extremely dangerous for people to arbitrarily use drugs of unknown origin without a doctor’s prescription.

Maze of Covid-19 treatment drugs

As his relative is infected with Covid-19 and under home treatment, Do Hung Dung, a resident in Phu Nhuan District of HCMC, sought information about drugs for treating Covid-19 on the Internet. Contacting a seller, he was introduced to three types of drugs for Covid-19 treatment and prevention originating from Russia. All of them were Arbidol drugs but in different colors, including the blue box for people who want to prevent Covid-19 and children priced at VND380,000 per box of 10 tablets, the red box for F0, F1, and F2 cases priced at VND480,000 per box of 10 tablets, and the green box for patients with severe Covid-19 priced at VND4.2 million per box of 40 tablets.

“The seller pledges that his products are authentic hand-carried goods from Russia, with efficacy in preventing and treating Covid-19 licensed by the Ministry of Health of Russian Federation. However, I am wondering whether to buy it or not because online advertisements are not completely trustworthy," said Dung.

He said that on social networks, many accounts were selling this type of Covid-19 treatment drug. With the keyword Russian Covid-19 treatment drug, the search results show hundreds of Facebook pages selling hand-carried goods from Russia that sell Arbidol drugs.

A Facebook account named H&G Hospital Online uses praise about this Covid-19 treatment drug. This account wrote that when being infected with moderately severe Covid-19, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation instructs patients under home treatment to use antiviral drugs. Even in the hospital, doctors give this medicine to Covid-19 patients when their conditions become severe.

Three drugs include Areplivir, Coronavir, and Avifavir but all have the same ingredient as Favipiravir or Avigan, which was first developed to fight Ebola, Nipah, and Zika.

This Facebook account also advises patients to take it as soon as they have a positive result or certain signs that they have contracted with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The drug is only used for treatment, not for prevention. The principle of drug action of the drug is to inhibit the rapid growth of the coronavirus in the body's cells so that the immune system can quickly beat a small number of viruses.

“Take 16 tablets on the first day. From the second to the tenth day, take six tablets. The total course of treatment is to take 70 tablets. "Most Vietnamese people infected with Covid-19 in Russia since November 2020 have had to take this drug," this account affirmed.

On the group named Specializing in Russian hand-carried goods with 5,000 members, many other Facebook accounts also introduce that Arbidol is the drug used by Russia for Covid-19 treatment.

An account named Chuyen TN advertises that he sells three types of Arbidol for Covid-19 prevention and treatment for both adults and children. Meanwhile, Facebook account Le KL introduces Arbidol drugs as follows "Red for F1 and F2, and blue for Covid-19 prevention. Delivery nationwide.”

Another seller instructs to take one tablet per day within 10-14 days if people want to prevent and fight Covid-19 when being exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. When they are not exposed to the virus but want prevention against it, take two tablets a week for three weeks. If infected with Covid-19, take four tablets a day for six hours apart within 7-10 days.

Although each seller advertises Arbidol drugs differently, in general, the uses of Arbidol drugs are advertised as helping to increase resistance, prevent and inhibit coronavirus. Besides the coronavirus, Arbidol drugs are also effective against several other viruses, such as influenza A, influenza B, and H5N1.

Dangerous if used indiscriminately

Dr. Truong Huu Khanh, Infectious Disease Specialist of HCMC Children's Hospital 1, said that it is extremely dangerous that people arbitrarily use drugs to treat Covid-19. Recently, he has received many questions for advice on the use of Arbidol.

He warned that the use of anti-inflammatory and antiviral drugs requires a doctor's prescription because the drug has many side effects. Depending on each specific case, the doctor will have instructions for use or contraindications. If people use the drug arbitrarily, it will only get worse.

As for taking medicine to prevent Covid-19, according to Dr. Khanh, it is a trick for sellers to sell goods. “There are currently only vaccines to prevent the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Only vaccines can help us prevent and reduce the aggravating symptoms of Covid-19," said Dr. Khanh.

According to the Ministry of Health (MoH), Vietnam currently includes a number of drugs that have been recognized worldwide in the Covid-19 treatment regimen. Three antiviral drugs included in the guidelines are Remdesivir for patients with moderate and severe symptoms, Favipiravir for asymptomatic patients and patients with mild to moderate symptoms, and Molnupiravir for patients with mild symptoms.

Assoc. Prof-Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue, Director of the Medical Examination and Treatment Management Department under the MoH, said that these antiviral drugs help reduce the viral load instead of killing the virus. Especially, Molnupiravir is not prescribed for pregnant women in the first three months and women planning to become pregnant.

The use of different drugs for Covid-19 treatment must be controlled by medical workers for proper application on each specific case, said Assoc. Prof-Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue.

From August this year to now, authorities have continuously uncovered and seized thousands of boxes of Covid-19 treatment drugs smuggled into Vietnam via hand-carrying. Experts also recommend that people should not arbitrarily seek and hoard drugs used in Covid-19 treatment because, without the guidance of a doctor, it can lead to unpredictable consequences. Each case of Covid-19 will have a different level of disease and different physical conditions, so it is necessary to be prescribed by a doctor about the appropriate dose and type of medication.

Memorial service held for Supreme Patriarch of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha

The memorial service for Most Venerable Thich Pho Tue, Supreme Patriarch of the Patronage Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), who passed away on October 21 at the age of 105, took place at the Vien Minh (Rang) Pagoda in Hanoi on October 24 morning.

The Most Venerable, who led an 85-year religious life, is also member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and head of the Vien Minh (Rang) Pagoda in Quang Lang commune of Hanoi’s Phu Xuyen district.

He used to be the Vice President of the VBS’s Executive Council and head of the executive board of the VBS chapter in former Ha Tay province (now part of Hanoi).

The monk was honoured with the Ho Chi Minh Order, the second-class Independence Order, the Great National Unity Order, the certificate of merit by the Prime Minister, and many other noble rewards in recognition of his dedications to the Buddhism and the secular life.

At the ceremony, Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Deputy Patriarch of the VBS, read the recitation of the remembrance of Most Venerable Thich Pho Tue, which said the Most Venerable’s life achieved three things that everyone in the world bows to, that was, the highest position, the longest life span, and the brightest virtue.

At the same time, memorial ceremonies for Most Venerable Thich Pho Tue were held at VBS chapters in cities and provincies nationwide, which were also connected with the Vien Minh Pagoda.

The same day, a memorial ceremony for Most Venerable Thich Pho Tue took place at the Phat Tich pagoda in Laos’ Vientiane, gathering the participation of the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos, the association of Vietnamese in Laos, the Lao Buddhist Coalition Central Committee, as well as many Buddhist monks, nuns and followers in Laos./.

President congratulates Academy of Politics on 70th anniversary

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on October 21 sent a letter of congratulations to the Defence Ministry’s Academy of Politics on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of its Traditional Day (October 25).

In the letter, he conveyed his warm sentiment and best wishes to generals, officers, lecturers, students and soldiers of the academy.

Throughout 70 years of development under the leadership of the Party, State, the Defence Ministry and the Central Military Commission, he hailed them for staying united, active, creative to overcome difficulties and fulfil assigned tasks. Tens of thousands of political officers at strategic level were trained in the academy to join in battlefields nationwide, contributing to building a politically strong army, strengthening the Party leadership on the army, as well as the victory of the armed forces and people in the past resistance wars and the national construction and defence at present.

On behalf of the Party and State leaders, Phuc hailed generations of generals, officers, lecturers, students and soldiers of the academy for their achievements over the past seven decades.

He expressed his strong belief that they will keep improving the quality of training and scientific research, build a regular and modern academy with a strong and transparent Party unit, thus making active contributions to building a politically strong army and enhancing fighting power of the heroic Vietnam People’s Army./.

80th death anniversary of anti-fascists combatants held in Paris

The France-Vietnam Friendship Association (AAFV) and the Association of Vietnamese in France (UGVF) held a workshop in Paris on October 22, on the occasion of the 80th death anniversary of 27 patriotic combatants who were executed by the Nazis in Châteaubriant during the anti-France war, including Vietnamese soldier Huynh Khuong An.

Participants at the event watched a documentary featuring a ceremony commemorating Huynh Khuong An at the building No.6, Porte Brancion avenue held by Paris authorities and Châteaubriant-Voves-Rouillé-Aincourt Association in 2014.

Historian Alain Ruscio recalled revolutionary life of Huynh Khuong An, a member of the French Communist Party (FCP) who fought against the Nazis and sacrificed his life for the liberation of France and world peace.

Huynh Khuong An was born on April 7, 1912 in Saigon. He came to France at the age of 15 to pursue his studies. He completed a bachelor's degree programme in literature in Toulouse before earning his master's degree in Paris. In 1940, he got a job as an assistant professor at Lycee Carnot in Versailles.

During his studies, he engaged in many progressive activities and movements in France and joined the FCP. During the World War II, he worked in secret distributing leaflets for the FCP to call on people to join the resistance war against the Nazis.

An was arrested and sent to Camp Choisel to Chateaubriand in June, 1941 and was executed by the Nazis on October 22, 1941.

In Vietnam, two streets in Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau are named after him./.

Former vice president honoured with 75-year Party membership badge

Nguyen Thi Binh, former member of the Party Central Committee and former Vice President, was conferred the 75-year membership insignia of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) at a ceremony held in Hanoi on October 24.

Presenting the honour to Binh on behalf of the Party and State, Politburo member and President Nguyen Xuan Phuc recalled the former official’s important contributions.

President Phuc stated the insignia is also the recognition of the Party, State and people's appreciation for her contributions to the nation’s past struggle for national liberation, as well as the national construction and defence cause at present.

Binh’s studying and training process and her revolutionary career is a shining example for the younger generation of Party members to study and follow, he noted.

Emphasised her honour for such conferment, Binh said throughout her life and revolutionary career, she always tried to complete all the tasks assigned by the Party.

Born in 1927, Binh was admitted to the Communist Party of Indochina (now the CPV) in 1947. She had been appointed to many important posts during her career, including Vice President of the Women's Union for the Liberation of South Vietnam (1960); Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam (1969 - 1975); and Minister of Education (1976 - 1987).

From 1992 to 2002, she was Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. In 2003, the woman established the Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation, of which she has served as Chairwoman until now. She is also the honorary president of the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA)./.

Climate-Smart Maps and Adaptation Plans (CS-MAP) launched

To help farmers manage climate-related risks such as flooding, drought and saline intrusion, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has launched the Climate-Smart Maps and Adaption Plans (CS-MAP).

CS-MAP integrates local knowledge and science-based research to provide location-specific risk maps and adaptation plans for rice production. The project currently covers five ecological regions of Vietnam and was developed by the Ministry’s Crops Production Department and CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security in Southeast Asia (CCAFS SEA).

A conference for the launch of CS-MAPS was held in Hanoi on October 19, organised by the Department of Crop Production (DCP) of CCAFS SEA. The socio-economic impact of the project at both a national and international level were discussed, as well as ways policy can be developed in support.

An instructional video and five atlases have been produced to help guide the use of CS-MAPS. Using colourful illustrations and animations, the video is an easy-to-understand and enjoyable reference to materials on CS-MAP.

DCP and CCAFS SEA have also published a guidebook, to help technical officers and professional agencies at different administrative levels implement CS-MAP.

Both the guidebook and instructional video are available in English and Vietnamese.

Five compilations of CS-MAP's, for the major agro-ecological regions of Vietnam, were launched at the event. The CS-MAP atlases are for Mekong River Delta, Northern Midlands and Delta, South Central Coast and North Central Coast.

These publications contain maps, both for normal and extreme years, covering 43 provinces of the country. All materials are publicly accessible on the CCAFS SEA's official Youtube channel and the CGSpace and CCAFS SEA websites.

Chairing policy dialogue on the use of CS-MAP on Tuesday, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Le Quoc Doanh said that the CS-MAP publications would be helpful to farmers in planning production schemes and increase the efficiency of soil and water resource use.

Doanh said that Vietnam's agriculture plays an important role in ensuring food security, social stability and livelihoods for over 60 percent of the population in rural areas, contributing 14.85 percent of the country's GDP.

Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and natural disasters, agriculture has maintained a high growth rate, ensuring food security for nearly 100 million people in Vietnam in 2020.

Vietnam’s agricultural export turnover reached 41.53 billion USD, an increase of 3.3 percent compared to 2019. Particularly in the first 9 months of this year, export of agricultural products reached 35.5 billion USD, up to 18 percent over the same period last year. Of that, the export of crop products reached 15.8 billion USD.

“Vietnam is deeply aware of the issue of climate change response and adaptation, turning the disadvantages of climate change into advantages. To carry out this task, we have been and will continue to focus on changing crop structures, changing seasons, selecting and creating plant varieties and applying appropriate technical advances,” Doanh said.

Nguyen Nhu Cuong, Head of the Crops Production Department, said that the CS-MAP can be integrated into national and local policies and plans, such as in the National Plan to Adapt to Climate Change, Nationally Determined Contribution to Climate Change Mitigation in the Agricultural Sector, and the National and Regional Agricultural Restructuring Plan for the Period 2021-2025.

At a local level, CS-MAP is a tool for climate change adaptation and disaster prevention. It is proposed that it be included in the socio-economic plan for the period 2021-2030, an action plan to respond to climate change for the period 2021-2030, and agricultural land use planning including rice land conversion, he said./.

Van Toan among Ones to Watch ahead of U23 Asian Cup qualifiers

The-AFC.com has listed Vietnamese goalkeeper Van Toan among the eight key players to look out for during the upcoming qualifiers for the 2022 AFC U23 Asian Cup.

According to the AFC, Van Toan is highly rated in his homeland and was duly handed the number one jersey for the Vietnam senior side’s recent World Cup qualifier against Oman.

It adds that due to Dang Van Lam’s injury, the 21-year-old Hai Phong goal keeper will be keen to hold down the position moving forward.

“With senior team head coach Park Hang-seo also helming the U-23 side, Van Toan has another chance to impress in the games ahead,” states the website.

Rounding off the list of the top 8 Ones to Watch are Khalid Al Ghannam of Saudi Arabia, Ali Saleh of the UAE, Choi Jun of the Republic of Korea, Amirali Sadeghi of Iran, Manuchehr Safarov of Tajikistan, Yuta Goke of Japan, and Khusain Norchaev of Uzbekistan.

At the tournament in Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam are scheduled to play in Group I alongside Myanmar and Taiwan (China). They are due to take on Taiwan (China) and Myanmar on October 27 and October 31, respectively.

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

VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES OCTOBER 23

HCM City to offer COVID-19 vaccinations for migrants