Risks in supply chain

Even the age of chickens is becoming a factor when it comes to farmers trying to sell and maintain their operations. Photo: Le Toan In recent weeks, Nguyen Van Tien’s family in the northern province of Phu Tho’s Thanh Ba district has been suffering business headaches. The price of pigs has continuously dropped and no merchants are arriving to buy his 500 pigs because of social distancing in numerous localities. Meanwhile, the price of animal feed has risen by around VND60,000 ($2.60) per 25 kg package. “Since July, the price of live hogs has dropped by around VND25,000 ($1.10) per kg. The more times we feed them, the more losses we accrue because of the rising costs of feed, electricity, water, and general care,” said Tien. This is a common situation for farmers up and down the country. Le Tien Dung, sales manager of Dabaco Phu Tho Co., Ltd., said that due to the pandemic restrictions, the number of cattle and poultry slaughtered and consumed has significantly reduced on a … [Read more...] about Farmers feeling the pinch of current supply chain obstacles

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday, he said: "To soon eliminate Covid-19, it is necessary to strengthen cooperation and solidarity in the spirit of responsibility and sharing, especially prioritizing the provision of vaccines to people in countries with low vaccination rates, creating conditions for developing countries to produce and participate in the supply chain of vaccines." He hailed the role of the Covax Facility, the global Covid-19 vaccine delivery mechanism backed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in promoting equitable access to vaccines and drugs. The most urgent task is to control Covid since the world cannot be safe if there are people or countries still at risk from the pandemic, he said. After the pandemic is ended, the prerequisite for recovery and growth is a peaceful, secure and stable environment in each country and region, he said. Earlier that day, at a Covid-19 summit hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden on the … [Read more...] about Vietnam president demands equitable supply of Covid vaccines in UN speech

As the capital relaxed its coronavirus restrictions starting Tuesday, thousands of residents flooded the streets at night to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. Streams of vehicles closely packed together could be seen on downtown streets like Trang Thi, Dinh Tien Hoang and Ly Thai To. "If there was any person infected with the Delta variant among the crowds in Hanoi last night, transmission is extremely likely. Once it happens, authorities would find it difficult to contact trace, as they have no idea who's made contact with whom," said Tran Dac Phu, senior advisor at the Public Health Emergency Operations Center. While the capital city authorities had advised people to only go out if necessary despite the relaxed restrictions, the gathering large crowds like Tuesday night without adequate coronavirus control measures may severely impact efforts to fight Covid-19. Even if most people were wearing masks, close proximity can still allow infections to happen, Phu said. However, he … [Read more...] about Hanoi Mid-Autumn Festival crowds can spark new outbreaks: experts

ADB has reduced its GDP forecast for Vietnam but remains optimistic on its post-pandemic prospects The country’s economy is expected to grow 3.8 per cent this year and 6.5 per cent in 2022, according to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2021 Update . Growth picked up in the first half of 2021, largely because of higher trade volumes, but slowed down in the second half of the year as the fourth wave of the pandemic took a toll on business and the labor market. Inflation will be muted in 2021 and 2022 due to the slower growth. “The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and extended lockdowns have weakened consumption and investment, hampering Vietnam’s growth prospects," said ADB’s country director for Vietnam Andrew Jeffries. “But the Vietnamese economy will bounce back if the COVID-19 pandemic is brought under control by the end of 2021 and 70 per cent of the country’s population are vaccinated by the second quarter of 2022.” The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to drag down 2021’s … [Read more...] about ADB bullish on Vietnam’s economic growth despite COVID-19 slowdown

Many restaurants in Hanoi cleaned up overnight to prepare for their business resumption after more than 50 days of lockdown. Photo: Duc Thanh Since early September, Ho Chi Minh City has allowed food and beverage (F&B) businesses to provide takeaway services from 6am to 6pm. To ensure that pandemic prevention measures are met, the city has requested such businesses to also apply the stay-at-work model, with continuous coronavirus tests for their staff every two days. Despite the green light, many F&B businesses in the city remain careful. Harry Ang, founder of the Singaporean restaurant chain Lion City told VIR, “It’s a good decision to extend the lockdown and utilise more time for planning the next steps to prevent another outbreak. We have been preparing well, as we know that life will never be the same again. All plans have to be carefully executed according to prevention protocols.” He added that he agrees with the local authorities on COVID-19 tests as a good way … [Read more...] about F&B groups breathe sigh of relief after relaxation of social distancing protocols

HCM City to implement third relief package worth 7.3 trillion VND Ho Chi Minh City will carry out the third relief package worth 7.3 trillion VND (around 320.7 million USD) sourced from the local budget to help more households and informal workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, said Vo Van Hoan, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee. Speaking at a press conference held by the city’s Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control on September 20, Hoan said given complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in the city and prolonged social distancing, people face more difficulties due to job loss and having no income. Therefore, in addition to the social security relief packages of the city's Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and other organisations and individuals, the municipal People's Committee continues to implement the third relief package to help ease difficulties for local residents. According to reports from the People's Committees of … [Read more...] about VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES SEPTEMBER 21