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Vietnam plans to build makeshift hospitals for COVID-19 treatment in province bordering Cambodia

by tuoitrenews.vn

Two field hospitals for COVID-19 treatment would be built in a province sitting along the Vietnam-Cambodia, according to a plan inveiled by a senior doctor from Ho Chi Minh City.

The two makeshift hospitals would be constructed in Ha Tien City and Rach Gia City, both located in Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam, said Dr. Nguyen Tri Thuc, director of Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, after a field trip to the province on Sunday.

Cho Ray Hospital doctors will work with authorities in Kien Giang on the construction of a 500-bed hospital in Ha Tien and another 500-bed hospital in Rach Gia, Dr. Thuc elaborated.

Kien Giang has a 56km border with Cambodia, which has recorded more than 7,700 COVID-19 cases so far, including over 300 new infections recorded on Wednesday, the Vietnamese Ministry of Health said, adding that Vietnam is at risk of transmission from border jumpers from the neighbording country.

Thirteen seasoned medical professionals from Cho Ray, a top general hospital in southern Vietnam, have been seconded to Kien Giang to help local health workers cope with contagion threats from Cambodia.

The health ministry, Cho Ray Hospital, and the Pasteur Insitute in Ho Chi Minh City will provide assistance in testing, medical equipment, and treatment to Kien Giang, Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said on Sunday.

The Kien Giang administration has suggested that the health ministry prioritize COVID-19 vaccination for residents on the province’s Phu Quoc Island as a precautionary measure, for border jumpers have been found entering mainland Vietnam from Cambodia via this island.

Vietnam has registered 2,801 COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday afternoon, with 2,490 recoveries and 35 virus-related deaths, according to the health ministry’s data.

Health workers had administered the first shot of AstraZeneca vaccine to 106,929 people in 27 provinces and cities by 4:00 pm on Tuesday, the government said in a report on Wednesday morning.

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Visitors come in droves to Vietnam’s first-ever ‘sleepless city’

by tuoitrenews.vn

Currently, about 54 flights carry 20,000 arrivals to Phu Quoc Island every day, according to the Department of Tourism of Kien Giang Province, which administers the island regarded as Vietnam’s beach paradise.

The number is forecast to increase to 80 flights on the back-to-back holidays of Reunification Day (April 30) and International Workers’ Day (May 1).

The figures are the result of not only the high demand of summer travel but also the opening of Vietnam’s first-ever ‘sleepless city’ on Phu Quoc — an example of the inevitable trend in the tourism industry, in which independent night-time entertainment complexes are established in big cities.

Turning point of entertainment travel

The nearly-1,000-hectare area of Phu Quoc United Center was bustling on Tuesday morning, welcoming huge throngs on crowded electric buses in preparation for its grand opening on Wednesday.

In the Grand World component, luxury shopping retailers were gearing up to complete the very last decorations and preparation for their mini music and art shows.

As soon as 9:00 am on Tuesday, hundreds of workers gathered to embellish small scenes with pavilions, craft villages, and traditional products to resemble the ancient Vietnamese spaces at the venue for ‘The Quintessence of Vietnam’ show, which employs the largest modern technology in Vietnam.

The show’s director Viet Tu told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the performers’ goal is to attract visitors to the festive activities in the entertainment city.

Besides, visitors from other resort complexes and couples who were taking their pre-wedding photos at Grand World also added up the hustle and bustle in the city.

Tran Gia Hung, a tourist from District 7, Ho Chi Minh City who had traveled to different Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore and Thailand, said that he was strongly impressed by the scenery and majesty of colorful buildings in Vietnam’s first ‘sleepless city.’

Hung was even prouder that the project is characterized by Vietnamese identity.

According to Nguyen Thi Thu Yen, an assistant at the Tous Les Temps café at Grand World, restaurants, coffee shops, and shopping stores there have generally finished their decorations and been ready for serving customers.

“The number of visitors to Grand World today is beyondall expectations,” Yen said.

“They spend time here from morning till night.

“Their main activities include sightseeing, coffee time, and shopping for souvenirs with families and friends.

“I think this area, once officially put into operation, will be crowded and bustling day and night.

“I can’t wait for it.”

Visitors enjoy a thrill ride at VinWonders on Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam, April 20, 2021. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre

Visitors enjoy a thrill ride at VinWonders on Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam, April 20, 2021. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre

Phu Quoc waits to shine

According to Vu The Binh, deputy chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) tours play an important part in the domestic tourism sector as customers with the demand of relaxation often prefer this traveling model to exploration trips.

“This is clearly reflected in the ‘sleepless city’ model of Japan,” Binh said.

“Visitors there will be hooked on the variety of services, most of which are culinary and shopping.”

According to experts, during the development of a night-time economy, it is necessary for Vietnam to establish a system of night tourism products before building independent night-time entertainment complexes.

This is also Vietnam’s development orientation for the night-time economic model in the future.

In this fashion, Grand World with a combination of vivid activities at night and a series of exciting daytime festivals is expected to bring new vitality to the tourism economy of both Phu Quoc and Kien Giang.

A representative of the Kien Giang tourism department said that the number of flights from the country’s mainland to Phu Quoc would reach 80 on the holidays of Reunification Day and International Workers’ Day.

Meanwhile, 30 ferry trips can carry more than 4,000 passengers to the island ahead of the opening of the ‘sleepless city,’ according to Ho Thanh Sang, deputy director of the Kien Giang Port Authority.

Along with Da Lat, Vung Tau, Da Nang, and Nha Trang, Phu Quoc has become the most popular destination for Vietnamese tourists during the aforementioned four-day public holiday, according to a survey by the hotel reservation site Booking.com.

To ensure safety for tourists in the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ho Chi Minh City-based Cho Ray Hospital has sent 13 experienced doctors to Kien Giang to coordinate with the province in disease prevention and control.

In addition, Phu Quoc City leaders recently directly assigned missions to the navy, coast guards, and border guards who are responsible for preventing illegal entry from neighboring Cambodia, where the virus is taking its toll on local residents.

Thousands of shows a year

Another festive highlight that many visitors should look forward to is the 30-minute show ‘Colors of Venice’ held every evening at the Canal and Central Lake, featuring typical European designs, combined with romantic love stories and laser technology.

In addition to two main shows costing millions of dollars, the ‘sleepless city’ also offers at least 2,920 daytime mini shows, along with 365 evening performances, every year in various topics to bring visitors fresh feelings.

According to Bui Quoc Thai, director of the Kien Giang Department of Tourism, the models of endless entertainment and shopping will help introduce local agricultural products and specialties, especially through the Grand World night market’s 134 stalls, which are divided into four categories — cuisine, souvenirs, local specialties, and fashion items.

Tourists’ expectations for ‘sleepless city’

Duong Huan, a traveler from Ho Chi Minh City, showed his support for the development of a nigh-time economy, especially in big cities and tourism hot spots.

According to Huan, management agencies need to leverage each locality’s own identity more thoroughly to avoid boring repetition.

At the same time, more regulations on food safety and hygiene, pricing, security, and public order are needed for the healthy growth of business and preventing bad practices.

Localities with famous tourist destinations should improve public transport while ensuring security and public order for tourists, he said.

Besides, there should be suitable activities designed for different ages, especially for children, as many young families often find themselves in situations where they cannot entertain their kids during their trips.

According to Trang Ho, a visitor from Hanoi, she prefers taking part in outdoor activities at night during her vacations over more comfortable weather and less busy traffic.

However, tourists have few choices for night-time outdoor activities in Vietnamese cities, Ho complained.

“Nobody wants to stay in a hotel to watch TV during their trips,” Ho said.

“This point signals the business opportunity of the night-time economy.

“I think the ‘sleepless city’ should initially address this need and then other healthy entertainment services.”

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Vietnam to strengthen child abuse prevention in light of recent sexual assaults

by tuoitrenews.vn

Vietnam’s National Committee for Children has called on provincial and central-level city authorities to step up their measures to prevent children from drowning and abuse in an urgent notice sent this week.

Recent reports of child drowning have emerged recently in Khanh Hoa, Phu Tho, and other provinces, as per the notice issued on Tuesday.

Child sexual abuse is also on the rise, with victims as young as two years old having been recorded in recent weeks.

In light of the issues, Nguyen Thi Ha, Deputy Minister of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs and standing member of the National Committee for Children, endorsed the urgent notice to call for prompt actions in child protection from local authorities.

Relevant agencies and assigned authorities are asked to continue upholding a government decree on the implementation of child abuse prevention law in Vietnam, as well as a government directive introduced in May 2020 on child rights and child protection.

They are also required to hasten the resolution of child abuse cases and levy rightful penalties on the perpetrators, plus boosting interdisciplinary collaboration in child drowning prevention.

Functional forces and residents must take a proactive role in monitoring and alerting child drowning risks, the notice stated.

Members of the public should be made aware of child protection laws and practical child abuse prevention measures.

Provincial and city authorities are asked to respond to the notice, reporting results of their implementation by May 31.

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Vietnam warned easing monetary policy to cause asset price bubble: Experts

by hanoitimes.vn

Credit has not been effectively channeled into fields that contribute directly to economic growth and ultimately social prosperity, but to risky fields such as real estate, stock market or cryptocurrencies.

The current low-interest rate environment as a result of monetary easing policy adopted by the Vietnamese government is channeling social capital into risky fields of real estate or stock market, instead of production and business activities.

Anh Khanh urban residential area in Hoai Duc district. Photo: Pham Hung

Pham The Anh, chief economist at the Vietnam Institute for Economic and Policy Research (VEPR), told Hanoitimes in reference to the overheating of asset markets in recent months.

“With a cheap money policy from the central bank, investors tend to stay away from business and production expansion, which seems to be riskier than betting on real estate or stock markets,” Anh noted.

At present, Vietnam’s ratio of M2 money supply (covering cash in circulation and all deposits) to GDP is at nearly 200% and the credit-to-GDP ratio 140%, the highest among five major economies in ASEAN, said Anh, pointing out similar ratios of 60-70% in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Last year, Vietnam registered a credit expansion of 12,13%, while the nominal GDP growth stood at  2.91%. “This indicated credit has not been effectively channeled into fields that contribute directly for economic growth, and eventually for social prosperity,” he added.

For the past five years, credit into real estate rose eight-fold and currently makes up 20% of total outstanding loans.

“Taking into account an addition of 20% in total outstanding loans from consumer credit, which also includes loans for home purchases, the dependent level of the economy into banks’ credit is growing at a rapid rate,” stated Anh.

Anh added idle money from the people and enterprises pouring into asset markets could also increase social inequality as real estate properties are becoming more expensive and thus making it harder for low- to middle-income groups to purchase.

On this issue, economist Can Van Luc said asset bubble price would become not sustainable and   burst eventually, leading to severe consequences for the society.

“It is especially risky for those that are using financial leverage to invest in real estate, stock market or cryptocurrencies,” he noted, saying this is also a major issue for the global economy as global debt has now reached US$277 trillion, or 365% of world GDP.

Luc called for the government to act drastically in addressing hikes in land prices in many provinces/cities which have doubled or tripled in the past months in Vietnam by providing more transparent information on land planning, while working on measures to promote professionalism and transparency in the stock market.

In a recent meeting, Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Nguyen Thi Hong stressed the importance of tightening credit into risky fields and meeting growing capital needs for priority fields [agriculture, industry, small and medium enterprises], adding the move is in line with Vietnam’s ongoing restructuring process to ensure sustainable development and maintain stability in the banking sector.

In the first quarter of 2021, credit channeled into real estate was estimated at VND1,850 trillion (US$80.35 billion) up 3% against late 2020 and higher than the overall credit expansion rate of 2.93% for the period.

Vietnam PM urges soon conclusion of trade deal with Israel

by hanoitimes.vn

The two sides should target to triple bilateral trade by 2025, while a direct flight between Hanoi and Tel Aviv is on the cards.

Both Vietnam and Israel need to speed up and finalize the negotiations on the Vietnam – Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA), according to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) and Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Nadav Eshcar (left). Source: VGP.

The two sides should target to triple bilateral trade by 2025, and push for more trade promotion activities and frequent exchanges of business delegations, said Mr. Phuc at a meeting with Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Nadav Eshcar on October 7.

Additionally, Vietnam seeks Israel’s support for innovation and startups, a field that the latter has broad expertise in, added Mr. Phuc.

According to Mr. Phuc, Vietnam is giving high priority to agricultural development, especially in hi-tech farming. The Vietnamese PM highly regarded effective cooperation between the two sides in water management, a sector in which Vietnam is in need of expertise.

Mr. Phuc hoped Israel to continue receiving Vietnamese trainees in agriculture, following the success of the current agricultural  apprenticeship training program with the participation of 635 Vietnamese trainees in 2020.

Delegates at the meeting. Source: VGP.

On September 25, over 300 interns from Vietnam arrived in Israel following the previous graduation of 300.

Mr. Phuc is hopeful of the soon opening of a direct flight route between Vietnam and Israel, saying this would no doubt be a boost for bilateral relations.

Israeli Ambassador Nadav Eshcar expressed his impression of Vietnam’s efforts to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, saying Israel could learn from Vietnam’s experience in dealing with its own second infection wave.

The ambassador shared the view on the necessity of a bilateral trade deal and a direct flight between Hanoi and Tel Aviv for greater cooperation in trade, investment and exchange activities.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, two-way trade stood at US$791 million in the first six months of this year.

Thousands flock to worship Vietnam founding fathers

by e.vnexpress.net

Some families coming from far away brought sedge mats and camped outside the temple since Tuesday night, waiting for the worshipping ceremony.

Vietnamese citizens celebrate the death anniversary of the Hung Kings (2879-258 BCE) on the 10th day of the third lunar month each year. This year, the day falls on Wednesday, April 21 on the Gregorian calendar.

A family brings chicken and sticky rice as offerings.

The festival was recognized by UNESCO in 2012 as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”.

At 7 a.m, the incense offering ceremony began with a procession heading to the Thuong (Upper) Temple on the Nghia Linh Mountain. The participants, dressed in traditional attire, climbed up 300 steps, taking about half an hour to reach the t emple.

As a Covid -19 precaution, authorities cut out some ceremonies and numerous entertainment activities at this year’s festival.

Many members of the crowd, masked and unmasked, used their smartphones to capture the procession.

The police had set up barricades on either side of the road leading to the temple to keep the crowds at bay. On loudspeakers, they called on pilgrims to comply with Covid -19 prevention measures.

The festival took place even as neighboring Cambodia and nearby Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and the Philippines are battling their biggest outbreaks yet, with highly infectious Covid -19 variants.

Many people sat down on the hillside, waiting for the main worship ceremony to begin.

On a corner of the hill, soldiers used binoculars to track flying objects like drone cameras.

At 8 a.m. the crowd started flocking to the temple, prompting police and military forces to quickly divide them and prevent the situation from turning chaotic.

Some people carried children on their shoulders as they waited.

According to the management board of the Hung Kings Temple, more than 20,000 people attended this year’s festival.

The Hung Kings temple complex comprises the Hung King Mausoleum and the Ha (Lower), Trung (Middle), Thuong (Upper) and Gieng (Well) temples.

The Hung King Temple Festival is one of the most important and sacred festivals of the Vietnamese people.