The National Assembly passed the appointment of several new ministers and senior government officials, and approved the Resolution on State budget estimate for 2021 on November 12, the eighth working day of the second phase of its 10th session.

The NA approved the appointment of Huynh Thanh Dat as the new Minister of Science and Technology, Nguyen Thanh Long as the new Minister of Health, Nguyen Thi Hong as the new Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, and three judges of the Supreme People’s Court.

The legislative body also adopts the Resolution on State budget estimate for 2021, under which the total State budget collection will stand at 1.343 quadrillion VND (about 58 billion USD) while the State budget spending will be 1.687 quadrillion VND.

The same day, NA deputies discussed the bill on forces participating in safeguarding security and order at grassroots level, a draft resolution on the organization of urban administration in Ho Chi Minh City, and another draft resolution on piloting the management and use of defence-security land in combination with production and economic purposes.

A proposal of the Government on solutions to help the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines cope with difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic was submitted to the NA for consideration.

On November 13, the NA is scheduled to discuss the draft revised law on drug prevention and control, and vote on the draft law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Handling Administrative Violations, the draft revised Law on Residency, the draft revised law on Vietnamese guest workers with contracts, the draft law on international agreements, the draft resolution on central budget allocation in 2021 and the draft resolution on participating in UN peacekeeping forces.

Teleconference held on ASEAN+3 tertiary education quality

The Ministry of Education and Training held a teleconference on November 12 to discuss how to ensure the quality of tertiary education within the eighth ASEAN+3 education cooperation framework, with representatives from 12 countries taking part.

Initiatives to improve tertiary education quality and promote a “new normal” in the movement of students to other countries amid the COVID-19 pandemic were introduced at the gathering.

Participants discussed the publication of valuable information on the websites of tertiary education establishments in ASEAN+3 countries to promote international study opportunities. Guidelines on publication will be submitted to ASEAN+3 senior officials and ASEAN education ministers for approval before being used.

As Chair of the teleconference, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Van Phuc said that amid widespread global integration, improvements in the quality of tertiary education to meet human resources demand is one of Vietnam’s foremost policies, with special attention being paid to integration and internationalisation in tertiary education.

Vietnam has seen breakthroughs in tertiary education over recent years. The number and quality of joint training programmes between local universities and foreign partners have improved and more and more local tertiary education establishments and faculties have been named in world and Asia rankings.

Many foreign students have decided to study in Vietnam to experience its culture and new learning environment. About 21,000 foreign students are studying in the country, 15,000 of whom are pursuing bachelor degrees or higher, he said./.

Singapore calls for equitable, affordable supply of COVID-19 vaccines to region

ASEAN has to ensure an equitable, steady and affordable supply of COVID-19 vaccines for its people once they are available, said Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the ongoing 37th ASEAN Summit chaired by Vietnam on November 12.

He made the call for "vaccine multilateralism" as he stressed the importance of regional cooperation to mitigate the pandemic's long-term impact at the meeting held virtually this year.

He added that Singapore supports global vaccine initiatives such as the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (Covax) Facility, whose members include many ASEAN states as well as the country's external partners.

Many leading vaccine candidates are being developed by Singapore’s external partners, as well as ASEAN member states, PM Lee said, adding that ASEAN should work with these partners to facilitate the production and distribution of vaccines to meet the needs of the region.

Singapore will contribute 100,000 USD to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund, which helps member states procure the medical supplies and equipment needed to combat the coronavirus.

On the economic front, leaders should redouble efforts to enhance ASEAN's competitiveness in the post-pandemic world, he added. He noted that there are existing frameworks that can be built on, such as the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 and the ASEAN Smart Cities Network. In addition, the recently launched ASEAN Customs Transit System helps facilitate the cross-border flow of goods.

These initiatives can catalyse the regional recovery, and allow ASEAN to make full use of technology as the region adjusts to new ways of living and doing business in the post-pandemic world, he said.

The PM noted that ASEAN has made progress in various areas, including the mid-term reviews of the ASEAN Community Blueprints. It has started developing the ASEAN Community's post-2025 vision, and is expected to sign the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) deal on November 15 following years of negotiations.

No new COVID-19 case posted on early November 13

Vietnam recorded no new COVID-19 case from 6pm on November 12 to 6am on November 13, keeping the national tally at 1,253, according to the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

As such, Vietnam entered the 72nd consecutive day without community infections. As many as 1,093 patients have recovered, and the fatalities remain at 35.

Among those still under treatment, 23 tested negative once for SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes the disease, 13 twice and 11 thrice. No patients were in critical conditions.

A total of 15,280 people who had close contact with COVID-19 patients or returning from pandemic-hit areas are under health monitoring nationwide./.

ASEAN, India reaffirm orientations to ties in 21st century

ASEAN and Indian leaders reaffirmed commitment to orienting bilateral ties in the 21st century during the 17th ASEAN-India Summit held in Hanoi on November 12 under the chair of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Based on common values and long-standing ties, both sides highlighted the significance of ASEAN-India strategic partnership to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

ASEAN leaders hailed India’s “Look East” policy to deepen ties with the bloc as well as the country’s support for principles and values mentioned in their common documents. They wished that bilateral ties will thrive to match their potentials.

About the fight against COVID-19, ASEAN wished that India would share its experience in COVID-19 vaccine development. They also introduced regional initiatives to fight the pandemic to India.

They wished that both sides would ensure the flow of trade and investment to mitigate the impacts of supply chain disruption caused by the pandemic on the basis of bilateral agreements, including the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement.

Speaking highly of ASEAN’s efforts in economic, trade and investment development, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed that ASEAN is always an important part in India’s external strategies.

Modi said frameworks found and led by ASEAN lay a solid foundation for regional trust building.

India hails ASEAN’s stance on Indo-Pacific cooperation, stays ready to cooperate with ASEAN to promote the implementation of priorities in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, he said, wishing that ASEAN member states would make effective use of a credit package worth 1 billion USD provided by India to develop infrastructure.

On the occasion, he announced that the Indian Government will contribute 1 million USD to ASEAN COVID-19 response fund. He vowed to work closely with ASEAN to study and develop COVID-19 vaccine at reasonable prices.

On regional and global issues, both sides pledged to work closely together to cope with traditional and non-traditional challenges, especially in the fight against terrorism and trans-national crimes.

India is willing to work with ASEAN member states for the East Sea of peace, stability, security, maritime and aviation safety and freedom, Modi said.

He affirmed support for ASEAN’s stance on the East Sea, especially the principles of refraining from the  use of force and threat to use force in the settlement of disputes, non-militarisation and respect to international law.

India calls on parties to fully abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), soon reach a Code of Conduct in the East Sea in line with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

PM Phuc wished that India would engage more deeply in ASEAN cooperation areas and drive back the pandemic together with countries. 

He hailed India for actively carrying forward Mekong – Ganga cooperation and hoped that projects within its framework will make practical contributions to narrowing regional development gap.

About the East Sea, PM affirmed that Vietnam’s viewpoit suits ASEAN’s principle stance on the East Sea which was affirmed at the 36th ASEAN Summit in June, the 53rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in September and the 37th ASEAN Summit, towards building a water of peace, stability and cooperation.

Concluding the event, the Chairman Statement on the outcomes of the 17th ASEAN-India Summit was issued.

Indonesian President applauds ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangement

Indonesian President Joko Widodo applauded the release of the Statement on the ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangement (TCA) at the plenary session of the ongoing virtual 37th ASEAN Summit on November 12.

Joko Widodo affirmed the TCA should be implemented immediately and called on the ASEAN Coordinating Council and other ASEAN agencies to coordinate in realising it quickly and effectively. The TCA was proposed by the Indonesian leader at the 36th ASEAN Summit held on June 26.

According to the President, ASEAN also needs to immediately implement a temporary "quick lane" and medical protocols to be applied for immigration, using the integrated digital platforms in the region to define locations of entry, and developing strict regulations on medical protocols.

Expressing his hope that the TCA could come into operation in the first quarter of next year, President Joko Widodo said that the deal would reinforce confidence that regional economic activities will gradually be resumed by strictly adopting medical procedures.

He also expressed optimism that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will be signed at this summit after about 8 years of negotiations.

"We have to prove that this enormous economic integration will benefit our people," he said.

The President stressed ASEAN's role in maintaining regional peace and stability, saying ASEAN needs to stay firm, maintain balance, and continue to convey the message of strengthening win-win cooperation.

He emphasised the importance of partners respecting the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

President Joko Widodo affirmed that with the strong commitment to promoting inclusive cooperation, ASEAN would play a central role in boosting regional collaboration./.

Paris Peace Forum: Vietnam urges putting interests of people at core of policies, actions

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, in his remarks delivered to the official opening of the third Paris Peace Forum held online on November 12, applauded the Forum’s very relevant theme of “Building a better world after the COVID-19 pandemic”.

He highlighted that through the efforts of the entire political system, collective participation of the people, and active cooperation with various countries and international organizations, Vietnam has been able to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, ensure social security and recover economic growth.

The Vietnamese PM stressed that “We are fully aware that no single country can go very far alone in this fight.”

He went on to say that the pandemic had triggered a global health, economic, social crisis, and this shared challenge requires joint efforts of humanity through international solidarity, multilateral cooperation and coordination at national, regional and global level. Such efforts should ensure that no individual and country would be left behind, he said.

“We need to put the interests of people at the core of our policies and actions. Our foremost priority is to protect human health and lives, and ensure affordable access to COVID-19 vaccines and medicines for the peoples of all countries and territories,” PM Phuc said.

He urged all countries to uphold their commitment to the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development and climate change, and noted that it is particularly necessary to assist developing countries and provide them with financial, technological and commercial support. “This will help them realize the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, gain equal access to markets and preferential loans, and effectively participate in the global supply chain,” he said.

“I am confident that, with strong determination and actions, we will certainly overcome all challenges, and together build a world of peace, cooperation and prosperity for a brighter future,” the PM concluded./.

Second Brocade Culture Festival to open in Dak Nong

The second Brocade Culture Festival will take place in Gia Nghia city and several tourist destinations in the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong from November 24-29.

During a press conference in Hanoi on November 10, the organising board said the event will attract artisans and art troupes from Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and the Republic of Korea living and working in Ho Chi Minh City.

Delegations from 14 provinces across the country, including Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Cao Bang, Yen Bai, Bac Ninh, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Ngai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak, Binh Phuoc, Tien Giang, Bac Lieu, An Giang and the host Dak Nong will also participate in the festival.

A conference on Dak Nong tourism investment and a ceremony receiving the title of UNESCO Global Geopark for the Dak Nong Geopark will be also held on this occasion.

An exhibition of brocade cultural space, a brocade fashion show, a light and balloon festival, the semi-final and final round of the Miss Tourism Vietnam 2020 and charity activities in several districts are also planned.

The organising board will took the occasion to present 1 billion VND (43,400 USD) to help residents in the central region overcome disaster consequences./.

Legislators to debate revisions of Law on Preventing and Combating Narcotic Drugs

Lawmakers are scheduled to debate the draft of the revised Law on Preventing and Combating Narcotic Drugs on November 13 morning, during the ongoing 10th sitting of the 14th National Assembly.

The bill includes eight chapters and 69 articles, 15 of which are new to the 2000 and 2008 versions. The amendments cover issues concerning prevention and combat of drug crimes, control of licit activities related to narcotic drugs, supervision of illegal drug addicts, and drug detoxification.

Regarding drug detoxification, the bill provides details on the State and State budget financing the establishment of public centres for drug detoxification and the provision of compulsory detoxification services. It also stipulates the provision of partial funding to those who join voluntary drug detoxification programmes.

The amended law encourages drug addicts to participate in voluntary detoxification programmes and to receive treatment of narcotic drug addiction using medication alternatives. It also encourage the establishment of private drug detoxification centres by offering owners a number of incentives.

It repeals post-detoxification supervision measures to be in line with human rights-related provisions of the Constitution. These measures will be replaced with the provision on post-detoxification social assistance which prevents drug relapse.

In the afternoon, the legislators will vote on the amended laws on Handling Administrative Violations; Residency; and Vietnamese Guest Workers; and resolutions on central budget allocation for 2021 and on participation in the United Nations’ peacekeeping mission./.

Children raise voice to end mental, physical punishments against them

A dialogue discussing the voice of children and relevant parties in promoting children’s rights and putting an end to mental and physical punishments against children was held in Hanoi on November 10.

At the event, participating children presented proposals and messages to promote their rights and stop all types of mental and physical punishments against children.

They expressed their hope that policymaking agencies make more detailed regulations and popularize legal measures against those punishing children mentally and physically, advise schools to educate children more on the issue and encourage them to raise their voice.

The participating children also proposed schools reduce achievement pressure on teachers, so they won’t transfer the pressure to children, and organising more training courses on emotion management and student management for teachers.

They wished parents not to put learning and examination pressures on children, and talk to them more to create mutual understanding.

Speaking at the dialogue, deputy head of the Children Department under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Nga said that through different channels such as forums, dialogues, conferences and surveys, the voice of children has been conveyed to high-ranking leaders. The prevention and control of child abuse has been chosen as an issue for supreme supervision by the National Assembly over the past two years.

However, there remain a lot of challenges in child protection work, she said, adding that violence, sexual abuse and abuse of children on cyberspace still exist and over 1 million children aged from 5-17 are working nationwide.

 

Vietnam ensures ASEAN’s uninterrupted operation amid COVID-19: Malaysian experts

As Chair of ASEAN in 2020, Vietnam has done well in ensuring that the bloc has continued to meet and perform in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Malaysian experts.

In a recent interview granted to Vietnam News Agency’s correspondents in Malaysia, Dr. Hoo Chiew Ping, Senior Lecturer in Strategic Studies and International Relations under the National University of Malaysia said the year 2020 is greatly disrupted by the global COVID-19 crisis, which was a challenge to Vietnam when it faced the second wave of the pandemic outbreak.

However, the country once again contained the outbreak successfully, and this leads to Vietnam being the only ASEAN member state that achieved GDP growth this year, she noted.

According to her, digitalizing cooperation tracks is another challenge under Vietnam's ASEAN chairmanship, as the region and the world need to maintain regional interactions and cooperation as usual under the hurdles of social traffic disruption.

Given the sustained ASEAN dialogues and meetings, and the fact that several summits with ASEAN dialogue partners are going to be held alongside the ASEAN Summit week, it shows Vietnam's tremendous leadership in fostering intra-ASEAN communication while maintaining the bloc’s partnership with external partners, she said.

“Vietnam is going to set the standards and protocols for convening future ASEAN meetings and dialogues in case of future disruptions, and this is no easy feat,” the scholar said.

Sharing Hoo Chiew Ping’s opinion, Dr. Ngeow Chow Bing, Director of the Institute of China Studies at the University of Malaya, said given the sudden emergence of the pandemic, Vietnam has done well in its own response, and in preparing the various contingencies facing ASEAN./.

K-ICM and APJ set to perform at ON:Hallyu Festival

Vietnamese singers K-ICM and APJ.

Vietnamese singers K-ICM and APJ are set to represent Vietnam by performing at the ON:Hallyu Festival, which will be held on November 23 through an online platform. 

The appearance of the local artists at the festival will serve to introduce Vietnamese music and the country’s musical instruments to a new international audience.

Furthermore, a number of renowned K-pop stars will also be performing at the event, including MONSTA X, SuperM, and ITZY, in addition to other regional acts such as Indonesian singer-songwriter Raisa and Thai boy group Trinity.

The show is set to livestreamed to over 230 countries via VLive.

The aim of the ON:Hallyu Festival is to promote Korean cultural and the K-pop industry, with the event being notable for its application of advanced technologies, including AR, also known as Augmented Reality, and XR, also known as Extended Reality.

World renowned actors set to feature in remake of “Ve Si Sai Gon”

Chris Pratt of the Avengers (left) and Wu Jing, the star of the massive Chinese blockbuster “Wolf Warrior”, will star in an English language remake of the Vietnamese action-comedy “Ve Si Sai Gon”.

Chris Pratt of the Avengers and Wu Jing, the star of the massive Chinese blockbuster “Wolf Warrior”, are both set to star in an English language remake of the Vietnamese action-comedy “Ve Si Sai Gon”, also known as “Saigon Bodyguards”, for Universal, according to Hollywood Reporter. 

The film is set to be produced by Anthony and Joe Russo, the directors of "Avengers: Endgame", and will base the movie on the 2016 Vietnamese box office hit, while Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck will be responsible for writing the script.

The original “Ve Si Sai Gon” was an action-comedy film directed by Ken Ochiai starring Thai Hoa, Kim Ly, Chi Pu, and B Tran. The movie follows the intense and hilarious journey of two professional bodyguards as they try to complete their most important assignment ever.

Flood-resistant houses offer hope to at-risk families

Flood-resistant houses are solid enough to withstand a diverse range of weather conditions.

The development of flood-resilient houses has become increasingly important for thousands in Vietnam’s central provinces due to the need for safe shelters amid climate change causing unusual and unpredictable weather.

For millions of people that reside in the country’s central provinces, storms and floods have represented a familiar part of their lives for many years. However, recent times has seen the unpredictable weather cause major disasters in the central region, with some of the strongest storms killing hundreds of people and destroying a huge number of homes.

To cushion the impact of these weather patterns, more flood-resilient houses are being constructed to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property.

Ngo Thi Tin, a resident of Dien My commune in Huong Khe district of Ha Tinh province, has no longer worried about the arrival of the flood season after a flood-resistant house was built three years ago. .

While the special house costs a total of VND80 million, half of the expense was supported by a specific budget for flood-resistant houses, while the remaining sum was paid by Tin.

According to Tin, before the new house model was built, she did not felt at ease whenever a storm came. Rising floodwaters submerged her house, forcing the family to spend sleepless nights moving into a higher ground. Since moving into the new home, however, her family has felt far safer during the storm season.

Luong Hung, co-founder of “Song” (Living) Foundation and Head of Construction and Engineering Department for flood-resistant houses, said the flood-resistant house project, first launched in 2013, aims to help residents living in areas affected by natural disasters build safe houses and develop sustainable livelihoods.

As of September 2020 the project had successfully assisted approximately 795 households throughout Quang Ninh, Quang Nam, Quang Binh, Ha Tinh, Soc Trang, Ben Tre, Khanh Hoa, and Hau Giang provinces, to develop such models.

At present, the project has developed nine safe house models that are able to adapt to all kinds of natural disasters, such as mudfloods, flashfloods, and riverfloods.

Hung noted that the flood-resistant houses must be specially designed, such as being placed on stilts and featuring a loft, or two-storey houses where the upper level can be used as storage during flooding.

On average each flood-resistant house costs between VND80 million and VND180 million depending on the models. The project provides an average of VND45 million per household in support of local families, while the remaining amount is contributed by local residents.

The past seven years has seen the majority of households supported by the project feel safe and happy due to construction work on flood-resistant houses proving to be solid enough to withstand a diverse range of weather conditions.

Although the cost of a flood-resistant house is not too expensive, the model has yet to be replicated in flood-prone localities.

Vo Dinh Tuan, Vice Chairman of Loc Thuy commune in Le Thuy district of Quang Binh province, said the commune is currently home to more than 1,000 households. However, there are only 47 flood-resistant houses and one flood-resistant community house with a capacity of roughly 50 people.

Tuan therefore wanted greater support to be provided to organisations so they can focus on building more flood-resistant houses that will enable local people to be protected during the annual rainy season.

 

National Orchid Festival attracts 800 artisans

Various types of orchids gathered at the 2020 National Orchid Festival which was held in the Mekong River Delta province of Vinh Long on November 7-8.

The festival featured the participation of over 800 artisans from179 orchid clubs from 63 provinces and cities around the country.

The organising board presented 80 awards to the most beautiful orchid baskets. The flowers by artisan Quang Minh in Long An Province, which received the golden prize in the Dendrobium category, were granted the special prize at the festival.

The golden prizes in the categories of synthesis, Cattleya, Hybrid Cattleya and Slipper Orchids went to Tri Tuc Garden (in Bao Loc Town, Lam Dong Province), Le Thanh Phuong (from Ben Tre), Tran Huu Tho (from Ben Tre), Le Van Hoanh (Da Lat City) and Phan Le Huy Cuong (from Vinh Long).

On the occasion, artisans and philanthropists presentedscholarships to 50 outstanding students who are living in difficult circumstances in Vinh Long Province.

Large drug trafficking ring busted in Lao Cai

Hang Seo Trung is seen at a local police station, along with 72,000 pills of synthetic drugs – PHOTO: POLICE AGENCY

Police in the mountainous northern province of Lao Cai have arrested two suspects for their alleged involvement in a large drug trafficking ring, seizing 72,000 pills of synthetic drugs.

Earlier, the police discovered an inter-provincial drug trafficking ring in Trung Chai Commune, Sa Pa Town, Lao Cai Province.

After following the suspects for some time, the police on November 7 found that Hang Seo Trung was riding a motorcycle, with plate number 23G1-144.82, on the route from Xin Man District in Ha Giang Province, then Nam Po District in Dien Bien Province to Sa Pa Town in Lao Cai, along with Chang Seo San, who was riding another bike.

Trung and San, aged 19 and 24, respectively, are residents of Nan Ma Commune, Xin Man District, Ha Giang Province.

At around 9 p.m in the day, the police approached the two vehicles, arrested the two suspects and seized the volume of drug pills that was hidden in Trung’s backpack.

At a local police station, Trung and San admitted that they bought the drugs worth VND540 million from Dien Bien for resale in Ha Giang. However, they were arrested on their way through Lao Cai.

A deeper investigation by the Lao Cai police also revealed that Trung is wanted by the Ha Giang police for his involvement in human trafficking activities.

The police are further investigating the case.

Can Tho to build VND3.8 trillion western belt road

The Can Tho City government on November 10 approved a project to build a belt road costing over VND3.8 trillion to the west of the city, VnExpress news site reported.

The 19.4-kilometer-long belt road will be connected to the national highways 91 and 61C and cross five districts including O Mon, Binh Thuy, Phong Dien, Ninh Kieu and Cai Rang. It will allow a maximum speed of 60-80 kilometers an hour.

The investment cost, which includes VND2.4 trillion for construction and VND100 billion for site clearance, will be sourced from the city’s budget and the State budget.

Le Tien Dung, director of the Can Tho City Department of Transport, said the project will help reduce traffic congestion and contribute to the city’s infrastructure development.

Once in place, the road will help reduce logistics costs for businesses and shorten the travel and cargo transport time between Can Tho and other Mekong Delta provinces such as Hau Giang and Soc Trang.

Can Tho City has nine districts with a population of over 1.2 million. The city’s annual economic growth rate in the 2015-2020 period is estimated at 7.53% and per capita income reaches VND97.2 million (US$4.200).

Can Tho is the economic hub of the Mekong Delta region and is facing increasingly severe traffic congestion.

One rare case of HFMD in adult recorded

Head of the Skin Ward of the University Medical Center in Ho Chi Minh City Dr. Le Thai Van Thanh yesterday said that the ward has recorded an uncommon case of hand-foot-mouth in adult. 

When a 32-year-old woman residing in Tan Binh District had a rash on the hands and feet, she assumed she had skin disease; therefore, she went to the center for examination.

But just some questions, physicians knew that the woman is taking care of her 9-month-old with hand-foot-and-mouth disease in the city Children Hospital.

Despite the fact that most adults develop an immunity to the virus, doctors suspected that the woman had in fact caught it from the toddler.

Test results show that she caught the disease from her child.

The mother-of-one has now written a first person account in HCMC about what it's like to be an adult with a 'children's disease'.

Worriedly, adults contracting the hand-foot-mouth virus is a dangerous transmission source because they cook food for all family members especially children.

Moreover, symptoms of hand-foot-mouth disease in adults are mistakenly diagnosed with normal skin diseases such as dermatitis or Eczema, said Dr. Thanh.

ASEAN-Japan Centre leader hails Vietnam’s ASEAN chairmanship

Secretary General of the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) Masataka Fujita has appreciated continued efforts by the Vietnamese Government in holding the good ASEAN chairmanship in 2020, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vietnam has been successful in managing and organising all the meetings, he affirmed in an interview granted to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Tokyo, on the occasion of the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings from November 12-15.

This year is quite special in the sense that all the countries have been suffering from the pandemic. But, as a successful country in terms of controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam can take the lead in not only surviving but also becoming stronger, he stated.

The official emphasised the importance of actions taken by the Vietnam Government to boost post-pandemic economic recovery, adding that this is a “good opportunity for Vietnam to show how to get stronger”.

To cope with the uncertain future caused by the pandemic, Fujita highlighted the need to make economies and supply chains much stronger and more resilient.

Attention should be paid to risk management to stay ready in response to any financial crisis, natural disaster or pandemic, he stated.

Meanwhile, Indonesian senior journalist Veeramalla Anjaiah voiced his hope that the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings will bring about positive results during an interview with the Vietnam News Agency's correspondents in Jakarta.

He set high expectations for the mid-term review of implementation of the ASEAN Vision 2025, formulation of Hanoi Declaration on the Post ASEAN Vision 2025, evaluation of the ASEAN Charter, signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), review of progress on ASEAN Outlook on Indo Pacific, new signatories to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and regional connectivity.

Most importantly, ASEAN and East Asia Summit leaders will discuss strategies on how to contain COVID-19 and how to cooperate among themselves, he said.

Anjaiah affirmed that Vietnam’s ASEAN leadership has navigated the troubled waters and maintained ASEAN unity, solidarity, cohesiveness, neutrality, peace and security./.

HCMC strives to increase social insurance coverage after coronavirus pandemic

Ho Chi Minh City authorities have been implementing different measures to expand social and medical insurance coverage after coronavirus pandemic.

Since the onset of the Covid-19 shock to the country, many workers have lost access to social and health insurance that they previously got through their employer. The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee urged district people’s committees to keep an eye on increase insurance buyers.

Over 500 members of low-income families in communes Phong Phu, Da Phuoc and Qui Duc of Binh Chanh District were given free health insurance cards by the city insurance agency and Tam Nguyen Charitable Fund. Additionally, residents were receiving free-of-charge medical examination and medicines at the card-giving ceremony.

Resident Le Van Thuong in Phong Phu Commune was moved at giving the card saying that he had dared not to go to hospitals for check-ups when he got tired before when he did not have insurance card. He can now go for regular medical check-ups without worries.

Presently, members of poverty-stricken families have been given medical insurance cards while members of near-poor households are partially subsidized with 70 percent of the required amount of a health insurance card or VND392,000 (US$16.9) for 12 months.

Despite the government’s support, severely poor households can not afford medical insurance cards; therefore, Deputy Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Binh Chanh District Hua Thi Phuong Hong said that giving gratis medical insurance cards to helps destitute people feel secure when they are sick.

In addition to giving free insurance cards to impoverished households in the city, Director of the Insurance Agency Phan Van Men said the insurance sector has been implemented more solutions to encourage city dwellers to buy health insurance including compulsoryinsurance, persuade freelance workers and students to buy health insurance.

As a result, the coverage rate of health insurance in the city is 89 percent and the city is striving that the coverage rate of health insurance will be 90 percent in 2020 to finish the Politburo’s resolution and the Prime Minister’s decision No. 1167 as well as the resolutions of the HCMC Party Committee and the HCMC People’s Council.

Due to impacts of Covid-19, by April, 2020, just around 2.3 million people have bought mandatory health insurance while approximately 17,600 people have purchased compulsory social insurance.
In light of the complicated developments and unpredictability of the Coronavirus pandemic, with aims to support enterprises and employees in dealing with difficulties arising from the Covid-19 outbreak, Vietnamese Prime Minister decided suspension of mandatory contributions, which includes social insurance premiums to retirement in enterprises affected by Covid-19. Some 300 enterprises had been allowed to delay social insurance payments of around VND10 billion due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic

Worse, as of October 17, businesses in the city generally owed a total of VND2.9 trillion in social insurance premiums due to the pandemic.

In regard to encouraging people to buy voluntary insurance, Deputy Director of the HCMC Insurance Agency Nguyen Quoc Thanh said that his agency in partnership with the city Post Office and district administrations will go to each household to convince residents to buy insurance.

Moreover, the agency will call for contribution of benefactors in giving free insurance cards to disadvantaged people, housewives, and farmers. According to the city Insurance Agency, nearly 30,000 people have so far bought voluntary insurance and it is expected that additional 30,000 people will participate the insurance in 2020 achieving the goal.

However, it is forecast that the city hardly reaches its goal on compulsory insurance at the end of 2020. Director Men said that the rate of people buying mandatory insurance is around 93 percent. Therefore, to expand the number of compulsory insurance buyers after the coronavirus pandemic under control, the insurance has been working with tax agencies to check enterprises which have not purchased insurance for employees.

For 300 businesses which had been allowed to delay social insurance payments by the end of December, 2020, the insurance agency will collect all as well as send warning to businesses which owed insurance over six months.

Furthermore, it will partner with inter – department inspectors to pay visits to businesses which owed insurance debts for a long time; it will even propose criminal penalties on these businesses as well as publicize the name of these companies to protect laborers’ rights.

To achieve the set goal, Deputy Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem directed people’s committees in 24 districts to encourage residents to buy insurance.

Germany mega machine TBM ready for Hanoi's subway drilling

The machine was manufactured by German firm Herrenkecht based on the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) method.

Part of a boring machine made by Germany has arrived in Hanoi to build the underground section for the city's second metro line, Nhon-Hanoi Railway Station, according to the Hanoi Metropolitan Railway Management Board (MRB).

The MRB said on November 9 that the components of the machine had arrived at Hoang Dieu port in northern Hai Phong city, about a two-hour drive east of Hanoi, in late October.

It is estimated that the assembly of the excavator would take two months, so drilling on the route of the Nhon-Hanoi train station can begin in January 2021.

The machine was manufactured by German firm Herrenkecht based on the TBM method. It stretches more than 100 meters, weighs over 850 tons and has a rotating cutting wheel with a diameter of 6.55 meters. The machine is designed to drill 10 meters of tunnel per day.

According to MRB, the complex apparatus includes a cutting rotor, propulsion cylinder and waste (including soil and rocks) transportation system.

To take the components down to S9, the first of the four underground stations on the Nhon – Hanoi Railway Station route along Kim Ma street in Ba Dinh district, the MRB will employ cranes with a loading capacity of 500 tons to move them one by one.

All the components will be assembled on the site at S9 station to commence work on the four-kilometer underground section of the route, named Metro Line No. 3 though it is currently only the second in the city to start construction after Cat Linh-Ha Dong.

Hanoi’s second metro line, the Nhon-Hanoi Railway Station route, will run 12.5 kilometers from the Nhon area in the western district of Nam Tu Liem via Kim Ma street to Hanoi Railway Station on Le Duan street.

It will run 8.5 kilometers on elevated tracks through eight stations and the remaining four kilometers underground.

The metro line on October 20 received its first train from France and begin operations in April 2021 on the elevated track, which is now 99.5% complete. The underground track is scheduled to begin operations in 2023.

The Nhon-Hanoi Railway Station metro line has a total investment of VND36 trillion (US$1.56 billion), sourced mainly from official development assistance (ODA) loans.

Hanoi’s first metro line, connecting Cat Linh station in downtown Dong Da district to the Yen Nghia station in Ha Dong district, is said to be 99% complete, having missed its deadline several times.

Hanoi to support more than 11,000 teachers affected by Covid-19

The support period would not exceed three months depending on the time of labor contract interruption or suspension and the actual evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hanoi will support more than 11,000 teachers who have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in accordance with a newly-issued resolution of the Vietnamese government.

Accordingly, the resolution regulates assistance for workers in non-public education institutions. In Hanoi, it is expected that thousands of teachers will benefit from the policy.

Specifically, each will be supported with VND1.8 million (US$77.31) per month during three months.

The support period would not exceed three months depending on the time of labor contract interruption or suspension and the actual evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic, starting from April 1, 2020.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Dan, deputy director of the Hanoi Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, said that his department has coordinated with the municipal Department of Education and Training to review beneficiary cases in non-public education institutions and self-funded public schools.

Hanoi’s 40,000 non-public school staff suffer pay cuts due to Covid-19

According to statistic from the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, some 40,000 teachers and employees working at non-public education institutions in Hanoi have been subject to salary cuts as their schools have to be closed because of the novel coronavirus.

Thousands of them are not receiving any salary during this period, the department said, adding that the beneficiaries are among 45,642 people working at 3,225 non-public education institutions in Hanoi.

Many of these schools, like others across the country, have been shut down since early February as a precaution against the spread of Covid-19.

Just over 120 non-public schools in Hanoi, including 83 kindergartens, 13 primary schools, six secondary schools and 20 secondary schools, have managed to continue to pay full salaries to their staff. The rest have only managed to pay part of their employees' salaries during the school closings.

Hanoi's education department said it had asked the city administration to subsidize schools in paying the basic salary or stipend to affected staff, especially those who need to cover their rent, raise young children or receive medical treatment.

Hanoi approves investment plan of six public projects

The municipal People’s Council has approved six out of 11 projects proposed by the Hanoi People’s Committee.

The 15th Hanoi People’s Council, corresponding to the 2016 – 2021 tenure, in its 17th meeting on November 10 ratified a resolution on the investment of six projects using the state budget, with the endorsement of 100% of its deputies present.

Under the proposal of the Hanoi People’s committee, the number of projects subject to approval at this session were 11 with total investment capital of VND1.81 trillion (US$77.76 million). They are set to be executed in the 2021 – 2025 period.

However, the municipal People’s Council has agreed on the construction of six projects under its competence, including (1) the office building for the Party Committee, People Council and People Committee of Dan Phuong district; (2) the office building for Party Committee, People Council and People Committee of Thuong Tin district; (3) upgrade of Tran Hung Dao High school in Thanh Xuan district; (4) upgrade of Chuong Duong Do street in Hoan Kiem district, section from the Bach Dang street junction to the bank of the Red river; (5) expansion of Tran Quoc Vuong street with construction of a road of 17.5 meters in width and a road from Tran Quoc Vuong to Duy Tan alley No.86, Dich Vong Hau ward, Cau Giay district; (6) upgrade of the irrigation system T0-5-2 in Dan Phuong district.

Meanwhile, the remaining five transportation projects are under the competence to approve of people’s councils at district level.

About 950 Vietnamese citizens brought home on November 10, 11

Some 950 Vietnamese citizens from across the globe were brought home safely aboard three Vietnam Airlines and one Qatar Airways flights on November 10 and 11 thanks to the collaboration between Vietnamese authorities, the host countries’ competent agencies, and the carriers.

Of the total number, more than 280 people were repatriated from Russia; nearly 50 from Qatar; close to 280 from Europe, America and Africa; and over 340 from Australia.

The passengers included children under 18 years old, the elderly, pregnant women, workers with expired visas, people with underlying illnesses, and those in extremely disadvantaged circumstances.

Vietnamese embassies in Russia, Qatar, France and Australia sent their staff to the airports to help the citizens with necessary procedures for the flights.

In-flight safety and preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic were rigorously enforced to protect the passengers’ health and prevent the spread of the disease.

All passengers and crew members received medical check-ups and were sent to quarantine in line with regulations upon arrival.

The repatriation of Vietnamese citizens in disadvantaged circumstances abroad will continue to be conducted in line with their wishes, the development of the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine capacity in Vietnam./.

Hanoi’s ancient citadel gains popularity among tourists

Ten years after earning UNESCO’s recognition as a World Heritage site, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel has gradually gained popularity among both domestic and foreign tourists and served a venue for many major cultural events of Hanoi capital city.

Over the past decade, the dissemination of information on the citadel has been promoted in diversified forms, such as through exhibitions and on websites and social networks, thus helping bring the heritage closer to the public.

The Thang Long Imperial Citadel Conservation Centre has paid attention to activities to increase the quality of services such as building an information and reception system, improving the quality of guides, upgrading infrastructure, and popularising the heritage at schools.

To turn the citadel into a bright spot in terms of heritage value promotion, the centre approved two projects on preserving and promoting the value of the ancient citadel relic site and the Co Loa relic site.

To mark the 10th anniversary of UNESCO’s recognition of the citadel as world cultural heritage, a wide range of activities will be organised on November 21-23 in the capital city, with the main celebration ceremony taking place at Kinh Thien Palace on November 23.

An evening tour named “Decoding the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long” is scheduled to be launched later this year, promising unique experience for visitors to the world heritage site in Hanoi.

According to the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre, travellers will begin their tour at Doan Mon (Main Gate), the entrance to Cam Thanh (Forbidden area) - the king’s residence, and learn about the site’s history, architecture and functions there.

They will later enjoy an old dance right on the glass covering the archaeological excavation area and gain an insight into this dig, which contains vestiges of the Ly, Tran, and Le dynasties, via tour guides’ introduction.

After visiting the exhibition hall of rare antiquities with some dating back over 1,000 years, tourists can take part in a game in which they have to identify typical objects of feudal dynasties in the past.

In this tour, they will have a chance to visit Tunnel T1, which served as the combat command headquarters of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army during the resistance war against the US, in the citadel.

At Kinh Thien Palace, travellers can offer incense to King Ly Thai To, who moved the country’s capital from Hoa Lu in Ninh Binh province to Dai La which he renamed Thang Long 1,010 years ago, as well as other kings contributing to the capital’s development.

The last destination of this trip is the archaeological site at No. 18 Hoang Dieu street, where visitors will experience a laser light show of outstanding antiquities of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

The evening tour, organised by the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre and the Hanoitourist travel company, is hoped to become a unique tourism product for the city in the time ahead.

The Thang Long Imperial Citadel was built in the 11th century by the Ly dynasty, marking the independence of the Dai Viet. The central area of the citadel was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 31, 2010.

Kinh Thien Palace is a main building in the central sector of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, which is located in what is now downtown Hanoi. It sits in the centre of the complex, facing Doan Mon (south gate) and Flag Tower.

The palace was built in 1428 and believed to be of highest importance, hosting many royal ceremonies. It was also in this palace that royal audiences were invited to discuss national issues.

The palace, however, was almost destroyed at the end of the 19th century by the French, and what remains today is a 100 cm-high banister to the south of the plot and several large stone steps with dragon carvings./.

Vietnamese expats in Laos give opinions on draft documents to 13th Party Congress

The Embassy of Vietnam in Laos on November 11 held a Vientiane meeting to exchange views and collect feedback from Vietnamese expats on four draft documents to be submitted to the 13th National Party Congress slated for early next year.

Addressing the event, Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung said the draft documents have been uploaded online for Vietnamese people living in Laos to review and comment. Additionally, they can give feedback and ideas for the documents via this face-to-face meeting, he added.

Vice Chairman of the association of Vietnamese people in Laos Pham Van Hung said he completely agrees with the draft documents, saying the Party and government have performed well the anti-corruption fight, which receives wide support from Vietnamese people both at home and overseas.

He urged better anti-corruption efforts in the coming time to win trust from the public and expected that the upcoming National Party Congress will elect qualified officials for the next tenure.

The draft documents have been developed with opinions of people from all walks of life and Party cells from the local to central levels taken into account, said Le Nho Thanh, Vice Secretary of the Party Committee in Laos.

All ideas and opinions collected in the meeting will be sent back home via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said./.

Modern Diplomacy hails Vietnam’s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2020

Modern Diplomacy, an invaluable platform for assessing and evaluating complex international issues, on November 10 ran an article giving an assessment of Vietnam’s performance as ASEAN 2020 Chair and the significance of the 37th ASEAN Summit for the region amid current challenges.

Acccording to the article, Vietnam took over the chairmanship of ASEAN from Thailand in November 2019, and outlined the motto for the ASEAN meetings in 2020 to be ‘cohesive and responsive’. This was meant to bring about more consensus and unity with regard to initiatives such as promoting internal strength of the organisation, developing economic connectivity and integration as well as revisiting the ASEAN values and identities in the context of new emerging challenges. Vietnam took the chairmanship of ASEAN when the organisation was facing challenges with regard to peace and security, climate change affects, and also the need for outlining the future for developing the region as an ASEAN community.

Over the period of eleven months ASEAN has worked strongly with regard to developing better relationship with dialogue partners including European Union, China and India as well as coordinating meetings between ASEAN and Japan, most of them in online mode, it said.

Interestingly, the agenda for the year 2020 has been outlined for ASEAN under the Vietnam chairmanship and there were challenges with regard to addressing issues related to economic integration and also developing common protocols about public health emergencies, and sharing of information related to the countermeasures against COVID- 19. In fact, during the ASEAN senior officials meeting many issues which have been discussed in the past have been highlighted and a common consensus was reached. During the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting which was held in September 2020, it was highlighted that there is a need for reinforcing the ASEAN community vision of the year 2020, and buttressing ASEAN centrality in new multilateral formulations in the region, clearly alluding to the Indo-Pacific construct.

“Vietnam has effectively brought about comprehensive assessment of the institutional mechanisms within the organisation, and also reviewed the documents with regard to ASEAN community blueprints. The most important aspect which has been highlighted by Vietnam has been developing collective effort against the COVID-19 pandemic, and establishing joint groups related to public health emergencies. The challenges for the post COVID-19 recovery have already been considered by the ASEAN organisation and it was suggested that the organisation should undertake comprehensive recovery framework as well as a time bound implementation plan. This highlighted the need for research and joint production, and distribution of vaccines through cold chain supply networks so that the larger population of the Southeast Asia could be protected from this pandemic in future,” said the article.

The major consideration which have been addressed by Hanoi has been in the field of trade facilitation and doing away with unnecessary non-tariff measures so that supply resilience as well as new challenges such as food security, financial stability and issues related to energy can be addressed in a cohesive way.

One of the earliest meetings which was conducted by Vietnam has been in the framework of the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) organised at Laos which acknowledged the gravity of the situation in the COVID-19 phase, and stated that ASEAN solidarity and unity is necessary for preventing and making countermeasures against this pandemic. This meeting undertook special measures such as emergency operations centre and also taking necessary cohesive joint actions related to assistance, information and sharing of best practices. Outlining the need for cooperation with ASEAN dialogue partners, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and related bodies, highlighted the adeptness of Vietnam in understanding the problems with regard to pandemics and bringing about consensus on these issues.

According to the article, even before ACC meetings when the foreign ministers retreat was held in January 2020, the issues of the stability and prosperity as well as addressing the emerging challenges in the South China Sea was addressed without any biases. Even though one of the biggest handicaps which was faced by Vietnam during the whole year has been conduct of online conferences and developing understanding among ASEAN member states but Vietnam very tactfully addressed the issue of 4th industry revolution in the meetings, and how it is going to change the economic landscape of the region. It also highlighted the relevance of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) and exuded confidence that many other non-regional countries will be accepting the TAC.

Major initiatives which have been taken by the Vietnam under the chairmanship included better cooperation on transnational crime, public security and coordination among the ASEAN law enforcement agencies. Recognising the need for better financial architecture in the Southeast Asia, Hanoi has brought about dialogue between financial institutions and banking sectors in Southeast Asia. it also addressed that there is a need for developing better organised financial architecture which can bring about financial stability.

The article said despite lot of constraints because of the online meetings, Vietnam was still able to get approval of more than 42 documents during the September meeting of the ASEAN foreign ministers. The one interesting part was to bring about more activities and responsibilities to the ASEAN Regional Forum under the Hanoi Plan of Action -II (2020-2025). One of the major highlights has been discussing the South China Sea, and referring to it as East Sea during the ministerial meetings.

Vietnam is expected to take the lead with regard to outlining the utility of TAC, undertaking preparations with regard to granting development partnership to European nations such as France and Italy well at the same time bringing Cuba and Columbia as the new signatory to the TAC, noted it./.

Southern traditional pottery heritage introduced in HCMC

At the event, authors and artists shared their passionate and difficult journey in the process of searching, collecting documents as well as writing historical stories of the pottery art in the southern region, helping audience have a better understanding about the traditional pottery heritage.

Besides newly published works on pottery, a photo book on Lai Thieu – another famous pottery line of the region is expected to be introduced to audience in the coming time./.

Medical experts warn of dangers of prediabetes

Most people with prediabetes are not aware of their health condition, putting them at high risk of diabetes, health experts warned.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, about 5.3 million people in Vietnam have prediabetes, accounting for 8.6 percent of the total population.

The number of people with prediabetes is 1.4 times higher than the number of people with diabetes.

Studies show that about 11 percent of people with prediabetes turn into diabetes patients annually.

About 15-30 percent of people with prediabetes would suffer diabetes in five years and up to 50 percent in 10 years.

It is predicted that by 2045, about 7.9 million in Vietnam will have prediabetes which is a serious health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.

The figures were unveiled at an event organised by Vietnam Association of Diabetes & Endocrinology and Merck Export GmbH Vietnam (Merck Vietnam) to raise public awareness of prediabetes and in response to World Diabetes Day (November 14).

At the event, president of the association Tran Huu Dang said early detection and intervention for people with prediabetes could help reduce diabetes cases.

Moreover, early detection and treatment would help avoid the disease’s implications, reduce medical costs and improve quality of life, Dang said.

However, he was very concerned that few people had a proper understanding of prediabetes, resulting in a lack of awareness of the health conditions.

“Almost all people know they are living with prediabetes thanks to medical checkups, diabetes screening programmes or by accident when they undergo medical treatment for other diseases,” Dang said.

“It’s time to consider prediabetes – a medical danger that needs to be warned,” he said.

Prediabetes doesn't usually have any signs or symptoms. Many risk factors can increase chances of developing prediabetes including being overweight, inactive, having high blood pressure, having high cholesterol, having a close family member with type 2 diabetes or giving birth to a baby weighing more than 4kg.

However, prediabetes can be tackled through positive changes in lifestyle like a healthy diet, increased physical exercise and not smoking.

If changed lifestyle fails to control blood sugar levels, people with prediabetes need to take medicine for 3-6 months.

According to statistics from the International Diabetes Federation, Vietnam has 3.53 million people living with diabetes, and 80 deaths due to diabetes complications per day.

Diabetes has reportedly started to harm more and more young people,

Associate Professor Ta Van Binh, former director of the National Hospital of Endocrinology and former head of the National Institute of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, said that about 30 years ago, it was rare to find a 40-year-old type 2 diabetes patient.

However, now, the average age of diabetes patients around the world is 40 years old. More young people are being diagnosed with diabetes, with the disease even affecting patients aged between 15 and 20./.

Thua Thien-Hue leads localities nationwide in IT application

The central province of Thua Thien-Hue leads centrally-run localities nationwide in the level of information technology (IT) application in 2019, announced a conference held by the Ministry of Information and Communications on November 11.

According to a ranking on IT application among ministries, sectors and localities in 2019, the Ministry of Finance took the first position among the ministries and ministry-level agencies in the field.

In general, the average IT application level of Government-run agencies, and cities and provinces in 2019 was higher than that in 2018 which was led by the Vietnam Social Security.

Also on November 11, the Authority of IT Application under the Ministry of Information and Communications also publicised a book of questions and answers on digital transformation./.

Central provinces receive seeds to restart farming after floods

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has allocated nearly 39 tonnes of maize and vegetable seeds from national reserves to certain central provinces, to help them recover farming after the recent devastating floods.

Farmers in Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Binh, Ha Tinh, and Quang Tri provinces will be the primary beneficiaries.

Nguyen Nhu Cuong, Director of MARD’s Department of Crop Production, noted that localities in central Vietnam still need to survey their entire rice and crop areas so that MARD can propose additional seed support from the Government.

They should also focus on resuming poultry farming in order to have products for sale in the Lunar New Year holiday and improve their earnings, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said.

As of November 10, MARD had mobilised assistance totalling nearly 150 billion VND (6.5 million USD), including crop seeds, livestock breeds, and animal feed and medicine, for provinces hit the worst by recent flooding.

Figures show that in order to recover agricultural production, central provinces need 5,600 tonnes of rice seeds, 225 tonnes of maize seeds, 44.2 tonnes of vegetable seeds, 560,000 doses of vaccine, and 140,000 litres and 105 tonnes of chemical disinfectants./.

Hanoi to tighten enforcement of face mask regulations: Official

Operators of markets, apartment buildings, bus stations must be responsible for inspecting and strictly enforcing the regulation on face mask donning.

Hanoi will strictly enforce face mask wearing regulations in hospitals, parking lots, public areas, wet markets, supermarkets and shopping malls.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Ngo Van Quy made the statement at a  meeting on November 11.

Mr. Quy asked the functional forces to strictly supervise the compliance of masking rules in public places, especially the five above-mentioned locations.

"People without masking up will not be allowed to enter those venues in Hanoi. Face masks will be sold at the entrances," said the vice chairman.

He stressed that over the past time, people’s compliance of masking regulation at crowded places in Hanoi is good, but still has not met the city's requirements. As winter is approaching, if people lower their guard in preventing Covid-19, it would lead to the spread of the pandemic in the community and neutralize the city's pandemic prevention and control efforts.

"Five municipal missions will inspect the masking regulation compliance next week," Mr. Quy said.

For his part, Director of the Hanoi Department of Health Nguyen Khac Hien said that most people in public sports areas do not wear masks, and no one reminds them.

Operators of markets, apartment buildings, bus stations must be responsible for inspecting and strictly enforcing the regulation on donning of face masks.

Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Health Tran Thi Nhi Ha said that people on the pedestrian street in Hoan Kiem district only wear face mask in the presence of security personnel and they put it off when the enforcement staff are off sight.

Ms. Ha noted the city needs to increase communication about face-mask wearing, adding that the municipal government should penalize people for defying measures to prevent and control Covid-19, with hefty fines for not wearing face masks in public of from VND1 to 3 million (US$43.18-129.53).

According to Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade Tran Thi Phuong Lan, November is a promotional month in Hanoi, thus, numerous people will go shopping.

The department has requested markets, trade centers and supermarkets to take body temperature and remind customers to wear masks, Ms. Phuong said.

Vietnam has basically put the Covid-19 hot spots under control and 71 days have passed with no Covid-19 cases reported in the community.

Meanwhile, Hanoi has gone 85 days without detecting any new cases of Covid-19 in the community since August 17. However, according to experts, the risk of a resurgence of the Covid-19 pandemic is latent, so staying vigilant is a must, as cold and dry winter conditions favor the transmission of the virus.

People are still recommended to regularly wash hands with soap or hand sanitizers, clean surfaces and frequently touched objects (door knobs, mobile phones, tablets, tables, and chairs). People are also asked to practice social distancing and avoid mass gatherings.

Source: VNA/VNN/VNS/SGGP/VOV/NDO/Dtinews/SGT/VIR