Security federal bank

* The Chinese mainland on Friday reported eight new COVID-19 cases, all imported, the National Health Commission said Saturday. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the mainland reached 89,756 by Friday, including 763 patients still receiving treatment, 12 of whom were in severe conditions.

* India’s COVID-19 tally rose to 10,892,746 on Saturday as 12,143 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours, said the latest data from the federal health ministry. According to the official data, the death toll mounted to 155,550 as 103 COVID-19 patients died since Friday morning.

* New US President Joe Biden’s administration told allies it was re-engaging with them to help steer the global economy out of its worst slump since the Great Depression.

* The pandemic in Britain is retreating and the reproduction “R” number, which measures transmission rates, has dropped below 1 for the first time since July.

* The Department of Health (DOH) of the Philippines reported on Saturday 1,960 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 547,255. The death toll climbed to 11,507 after 12 more patients died from the viral disease, the DOH said.

* Thailand on Saturday confirmed 126 new cases of COVID-19, mostly domestic, the Center for the COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said. Thailand has so far confirmed 24,405 cases of COVID-19 infection, of which 21,797 were officially reported as domestic while 2,608 others referred to those who returned from abroad.

* Former president of the European Central Bank (ECB) Mario Draghi officially accepted the mandate to lead the new Italian government as Prime Minister on Friday.

* US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Friday urged finance ministers of Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations to provide more fiscal support to boost the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

* Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday that mandatory hotel quarantine measures for air travelers into Canada will come into effect on Feb. 22. The new measures are meant to curb the spread of the new, more transmissible COVID-19 variants.

* Another 15,144 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,013,799, according to official figures released Friday.

* US President Joe Biden will meet with a bipartisan group of mayors and governors as he continues to push for approval of a US$1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan to bolster economic growth and help millions of unemployed workers.

* Britain’s coronavirus-ravaged economy slumped 9.9% in 2020, the biggest annual crash in output in more than 300 years, but it avoided heading back towards recession at the end of last year.

* Republic of Korea decided Saturday to ease social-distancing rules from next week, though it will maintain a ban on the gatherings of five or more people. In the latest tally, the country reported 362 more cases of COVID-19 for the past 24 hours, raising the total number of infections to 83,199.

* Greece extended the full lockdown imposed on metropolitan Athens earlier this week to more regions of the country.

* Spanish supermarkets, department stores and other food and distribution companies offered to help overloaded health authorities with coronavirus vaccinations.

* The US Centers for Disease Control released new guidance for school reopenings, saying schools in areas of low COVID-19 transmission can fully reopen if they employ universal mask-wearing and other mitigation strategies.

* The Mexican capital lowered its official COVID-19 threat level after almost two months of strict lockdown measures.

* Pakistan approved China’s CanSino Biologics Inc’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, the fourth candidate authorized in the South Asian nation of 220 million.

* Vaccine makers are shoring up their supply of a critical raw material in “messenger RNA” vaccines: the lipid molecules that help deliver the genetic RNA material into cells.

* South Africa has secured millions of doses of Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer vaccines to fight the highly infectious variant that is dominant in the country.

* An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 hit parts of Pakistan on Friday night, an official of Pakistan Meteorological Department told Xinhua. Strong tremors were felt in most parts of the country, the official, Muhammad Riaz said, adding that the epicenter of the quake was located at Afghanistan-Tajikistan border area, with a depth of 80 km.

EC allows Vietnamese exporters to extend deadline of REX applications

In particular, the first month of 2021 reported export revenue of US$27.7 billion, up 0.2% compared to December 2020 and up 50.5% compared to the same month in 2020. Important markets such as the US, China, the EU, and Japan all maintained growth in their demand of between 15 to 111%, compared to the same period in 2020.

Deputy Director of the Import and Export Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade Tran Thanh Hai said that the lessons learnt from dealing with adverse situations in 2020 will continue to be applied this year. The disruption of the global supply chain due to the COVID-19 pandemic has motivated Vietnamese enterprises to develop solutions to help them survive including enhancing online trading or shifting to the production of goods designed for pandemic prevention and control.

The business community has also made efforts to maintain competitiveness, improve product quality, and seek export orders, particularly for key commodities such as phones and components, electronics, computers, footwear, textiles, mechanics, and rice.

Rice export, which was a bright spot in agricultural exports in 2020, is facing an opportunity to increase export turnover thanks to high demand around the world and improvements to the quality of Vietnamese rice.

Economist Pham Tat Thang commented that enterprises are taking advantage of traditional markets combined with rapid penetration into new markets through free trade agreements ​​in order to take advantage of the new tax incentives therein.

With the efforts of authorities and enterprises, total export turnover in 2021 is expected to increase by 4-5% compared to 2020.

PV Power to divest subsidiaries and streamline operations

PetroVietnam Power (PV Power) has confirmed plans to divest from some of its subsidiaries.

PetroVietnam Power Corporation JSC (PV Power, HSX: POW) has just announced its plans for the period of 2021-2025 with several large sell-offs of its interest in subsidiaries.

Specifically, PVPower would reduce its majority ownership in four subsidiaries, including Hua Na Hydropower JSC (UPCoM: HNA), PetroVietnam Power Nhon Trach 2 JSC (HSX: NT2), PetroVietnam Power Technical Services Center (PV Power Services), and PetroVietnam Power Renewable Energy JSC (PV Power REC).

Besides, a number of new subsidiaries might be established to serve future activities.

PV Power will also take a different approach on Luang Prabang Co., Ltd., an associate, following the directions of the government and relevant authorities.

PVPower also plans to continue the full divestment of several other firms which it had plans to cut loose in 2016-2020. These include Nam Chien Hydropower JSC, Song Hong Energy JSC, PetroVietnam Urban Development JSC, Song Tranh 3 Hydropower JSC, EVN International JSC, PetroVietnam Mechanical and Electrical JSC, Viet Lao Power JSC, and PetroVietNam Machinery-Technology JSC.

At the same time, PetroVietnam will reduce its interest in DakDrinh Hydropower (PV Power DHC) below 65 per cent of the charter capital or the entire contributed capital. In case the corporation successfully equitises the company, it has to comply with regulations of the Vietnamese government, the Ministry of Finance, and credit contract with Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank – its foreign lender.

In addition, the firm is also implementing relevant procedures for the termination of the operation of Son Tra-Song Da Hydropower and Asia-Pacific Energy in accordance with the law.

As of September 2020, the company recorded a revenue of VND21.795 trillion ($947.6 million), down 17 per cent on-year. Its after-tax profit reached VND1.487 trillion ($64.65 million), down 40 per cent on-year.

VAMC bad debts exchange platform to soon receive approval

The Vietnam Asset Management Company (VAMC) bad debts exchange platform will be approved by the central bank at the beginning of 2021.

VAMC also handled and cooperated with credit institutions to handle the collection of non-performing loans (NPLs) with VND47.515 trillion ($2 billion) of principal balance (temporarily calculated), reaching 95.03 per cent of its plan for 2020.

As of December 31, 2020, VAMC bought bad debts with special bonds of around VND374.622 trillion ($16.3 billion). Moreover, the company’s debt recovery activities reached VND167.019 trillion ($7.26 billion). VAMC’s debt collection results accounted for 63 per cent of its total accumulated debt collection.

Furthermore, VAMC also coordinates with local authorities to assist customers in purchasing and completing relevant legal procedures to speed up debt collection. At the same time, VAMC also implements proper provisioning for better risk management.

Thang also revealed that the NPL exchange platform will soon be approved by the SBV soon in 2021. However, it will not be until early 2022 for the platform to be officially established.

Previously, the SBV issued the VAMC Development Strategy for 2021-2025 with a vision to 2030. The strategy clearly states that one of the major tasks for VAMC is to complete the establishment and put into operation the debt exchanging platform.

Nguyen Kim Anh, Deputy Governor of the SBV, suggested VAMC to continue to settle NPLs, according to the National Assembly’s Resolution No.42/2017/QH14 on the pilot settlement of bad debts of credit institutions dated June 21, 2017.

The Deputy Governor also requested VAMC to make great efforts to implement debt settlement and recovery plans, speed up the progress of handling bad debts, strengthen NPL trading activities as per the market mechanism, and soon put VAMC Debt Exchange into operation.

At the same time, VAMC needs to coordinate effectively with credit institutions in dealing with bad debts, actively implementing measures to control and limit arising bad debts in order to bring the NPL ratio on the balance sheet to a safe ratio (below 3 per cent), according to the SBV’s Directive on organising the implementation of key tasks of banking sector in 2021.

Authorities give long-awaited nod to huge property projects

Two long-delayed property ventures in the south and south-central regions of Vietnam have finally been given the go-ahead by authorities.

Meanwhile, ITC Spectrum last week also received the green light from Binh Dinh People’s Committee to continue its $250 million Vinh Hoi Hotel and Resort Complex, which initially received approval to be built back in 2006.

The 3-year delay in the Lotte venture was mainly due to overlapping of legal regulations. Lotte proposed to build the eco-smart city on a 5-hectare land plot in Thu Thiem New Urban Area in 2009.

“We have made a turnaround. Regarding how we proceed from now is up to discussion with the city people’s committee,” an official from Lotte Properties Ho Chi Minh City last week told VIR.

Resolution No.195/NQ-CP dated December 31 cited that the government approved the proposal from Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, the Government Inspectorate, and the Ministry of Planning and Investment to assign Lotte Properties Ho Chi Minh City to continue to be the investor of the eco-smart city project.

“The People’s Committee is permitted to follow all of the procedures the investor had given previously, and Lotte has to finish all tax obligations as regulated by the law,” the resolution stated.

Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee was also assigned to instruct and inspect the investor to implement this project according to commitments on investment scale, timelines, planning, and other legal issues with an aim to ensure the highest efficiency for the project, it added.

In 2013, a consortium of four of the group’s South Korean affiliates and three other partners from Japan was set up to implement the project.

In 2015, Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee suggested selecting this consortium to implement the project by granting it the investment appointment without an auction. This selection, according to the committee, was based on Article 4 of the Law on Bidding 2013, citing that a certain investor can be chosen if it is the only one registered for this project.

The following year, the Lotte consortium advanced VND120 billion ($5.2 million) to implement the project. Later in 2016, the three Japanese investors withdrew. From then, the group was managed by Lotte Properties Ho Chi Minh City and investment capital dropped to $900 million.

The project, however, was halted by the city authorities to review the process of choosing investment and resetting all procedures in accordance with the current laws on bidding and investment.

According to Conclusion No.1041/TB-TTCP dated June 2019 by the Government Inspectorate, Lotte’s appointment by Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee did not comply with the relevant provisions of the Law on Bidding and the Law on Land. In addition, no land lease fees and taxes had been collected from the investor, despite it already occupying the area.

At the end of 2019, the committee also released two official documents to report the obstacles which have been halting the project. According to the documents, two solutions were proposed. The city could either nullify and reorganise the auction to choose new investors or retain Lotte as the investor to implement the venture.

In 2020, the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) issued a document that analysed the advantages and disadvantages of both options. According to its assessment and opinions collected from related authorities, the latter option had more advantages.

In order to keep Lotte involved, the MPI suggested that the prime minister assign the Government Inspectorate to review all outstanding issues in order to establish a solid foundation for the final decision.

The inspectorate, meanwhile, cited that the permission for Lotte must be based on legal documents and suggested the MPI applies Article 26 of the Law on Bidding which regulates the “selection of investors in special cases”.

The government’s approval of this selection opens up the road for Lotte to go full steam ahead with the project, removing a gaping hole from the vista of Thu Thiem New Urban Area.

Meanwhile, the Vinh Hoi Hotel and Resort Complex may finally be able to lift off in Binh Dinh province.

After being licensed over a decade ago, the province last week ordered the prolonged preparatory work to be finished by April.

ICT Spectrum embarked on the project with great ambitions, signing with Marriott International to manage the project under two luxury hotel brands, Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott, with the expectation that the project would be operational in 2014.

The project would have included an oceanfront, fully-integrated, mixed-use development including three resorts, an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones II, the residential villas, a retail village, an arboretum, and other recreational amenities.

However, after handing over the first 130ha of the 325ha project in 2011 for a total consideration of VND37 billion ($1.6 million) in land lease fees by the developer, construction has been stalling ever since.

The main reason for the huge delay, according to the committee, was the vast expense of land clearance and compensation.

“In many other projects, developers mostly advance a sum for the local authorities to do the land clearance and compensation. This advancement will be deducted from the developers’ land tax. This is the most feasible way to process the project,” said an official from the local committee, adding that such an arrangement was not reached for the project as neither sides could gather the funds required for the scope of the work.

In 2012 the government agreed to extend the lifetime of the project from 50 to 55 years to partly compensate for the delay. Some main facilities such as the road system around the project were built, but actual construction was never started.

The deadlock lasted until 2015 when the committee decided to revoke the project but the developer threatened to take the case to court. The chairman therefore directed local authorities to collect opinions from the related authorities and draft a plan to solve the impasse.

The committee chairman also requested the developer to submit the detailed design of the project to the competent body for approval, which was followed by further immobility.

This was broken last week, when in a document Binh Dinh People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen Phi Long urged local authorities to accelerate land clearance to allow the developer to begin the project before April.

Binh Dinh is one of the second-tier provinces attracting renewed interest from domestic and foreign developers.

In 2020, despite the impact of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the province has approved the choice of investors for 13 projects with a total investment capital of around VND28.5 trillion ($1.23 billion).

According to Nguyen Thanh Hai, director of Binh Dinh Department of Planning and Investment, in 2020 the province has attracted proposals for 155 investment projects with a total capital of VND51.6 trillion ($2.2 billion), up 28.63 per cent in the number of projects and up 4.03 per cent in total capital compared to 2019.

Foreign investors looking to develop wind farms in Lang Son

Foreign investors from the US and Singapore are interested in either surveying or implementing wind farms in Lang Son province.

“We realise that Vietnam is a country with abundant wind potential and Lang Son is one of the provinces with good potential for building wind farms in Vietnam. Research, survey, and development of wind power projects in Lang Son province,” stated the document.

The second one is the 253MW Ai Quoc project. Covering an area of 3,817ha in Loc Binh and Dinh Lap districts, the project would have a total investment capital of VND12.9 trillion ($560.86 million), expected to generate power in the period of 2024-2025.

Previously, the province approved Singapore-based BayWa r.e Wind Pte., Ltd. to study and survey three wind farms in Chi Lang, Loc Binh, Cao Long, and Van Quan since the third quarter of 2020.

In December, the company submitted a document to propose the province to approve its member company to handle the study and survey on these three projects once its member company is established in Vietnam.

According to BayWa r.e Wind Pte., Ltd., the company completed the procedure to establish BayWa r.e Wind Projects Vietnam Co., Ltd. in August 2020, which has chartered capital of VND232.9 million ($10,126), however, this member company has yet to be established due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

BayWa r.e Wind commits that when the member company is established, it will take over the work relating to these three projects.

EU supports Vietnam in adopting better management of packaging waste

The European Union cooperates with the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) and other stakeholders to take steps towards efficient plastic waste management in Vietnam to reduce marine plastic litter.

The information was stressed at a consultation workshop on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Plastic Packaging co-hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), the EU and Expertise France on January 20 in Ho Chi Minh City. The principle of EPR mechanism is outlined in the revised Law on Environmental Protection (LEP) in Vietnam.

It requires companies to be responsible for recycling used packaging in accordance with the recycling rate and recycling standard set by MoNRE, in equivalent targeted amounts of what they put on the market.

Rui Ludovino, first counsellor of the Delegation of the EU to Vietnam told VIR that, “Plastic pollution is a global issue and affects all countries in the world. The EU is highly committed to sound waste management in our member states. We have been working on this topic for many years. In 2015, the first circular economy action plan was in place. Now, we have the second action plan on the circular economy, which is linked to a comprehensive European Strategy on Plastics in the Circular Economy.”

The plastic pollution around the world is dramatic. It affects the economy, the environment, and people’s health. If the rivers and the ocean are polluted in one country, this has also an impact on other countries. Therefore, this global issue needs international cooperation.

“The EU Plastics Strategy includes actions along different axes. The first one is to make recycling profitable for business. New rules on packaging aim to improve the recyclability of plastics used on the market and increase the demand for recycled plastic content. This will lead us to the second and third axes that is that plastic waste and pollution, particularly in the sea, should be substantially reduced. We need to manage packaging from products in a sustainable way by reducing, reusing, and recycling packaging. We have made efforts to improve waste management, sorting and recycling to create a market for secondary materials. For plastics being recycled and reused, there are a lot of economic gains in terms of materials, environment, and people’s health. With expertise in this field, the EU will work with Vietnam to support the implementation of the EPR policy,” he added.

In particular, this is provided in the framework of the project “Rethinking Plastics – Circular Economy Solutions to Marine Litter”, which supports the transition towards a circular economy for plastics in Vietnam and six other countries in East and Southeast Asia to contribute to a significant reduction of marine litter. It is co-funded by the EU and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and Expertise France.

Besides other activities, “Rethinking Plastics” is supporting a pilot project in Ho Chi Minh City, which was launched in November 2020 to increase the collection, sorting, and recycling of plastic packaging to reduce its environmental leakage. It is implemented jointly by the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) and the Hanoi Architectural University (HAU), who amongst others, work on a guideline to classify and measure plastic packaging collection and recycling in rural and urban areas, improve waste sorting at source, and define best practices.

According to Phan Tuan Hung, director of the Legal Affairs Department of the MoNRE, Vietnam is exploring international practices with existing EPR systems in Europe and around the world, as well as practical tools and guidelines to implement such EPR mechanisms. Most EPR systems in the world have the obligatory ratio and process of recycling. This is the first time Vietnam sets the specific ratio and process for recycling, which will be applied to six sectors including batteries and accumulators, tires, lubricants, vehicles, and packaging.

“EPR schemes help enhance financial flows and multi-stakeholder partnerships that are important to boost the collection and recycling rates of plastics. We are working closely with key stakeholders, especially the business sectors to identify practical and feasible regulations in drafting the EPR Chapter in the Decree guiding the LEP to achieve the better management of packaging waste in Vietnam,” he said.

Better management of Vietnam’s packaging waste is also in line with a chapter on trade and sustainable development under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). In this chapter, the EU and Vietnam commit on both sides to cooperate on environmental issues like climate change response. If Vietnam can improve the management of plastic, it will improve the use of resources and reduce emissions.

Ludovino said that the EU is also enabling research and innovation for new plastics that can be better recycled and reused, as part of the Plastics Strategy. For Vietnam, it is important to identify the current practices to find solutions focusing on Vietnam reality with the involvement of different stakeholders. There is no one-solution fits all countries approach, even in the EU.

“I see a huge potential for a good economic model in Vietnam. Better management of plastic waste provides a lot of gains in terms of economic and environmental aspects, as well as resource efficiency. There is a lot of goodwill and commitment from the Vietnamese authorities, the government, MoNRE, and other ministries and provincial authorities and a lot of interests from the different producers and recyclers,” he said, noting that by adopting sound, efficient, and clean technology and practices, Vietnam can become more attractive to EU investors.

Representatives of the EPR National Platform – a national multi-stakeholder mechanism established by the MoNRE for exchange, dialogue, and synergy to facilitate the EPR implementation in Vietnam – and other academic associations and international organisations joined the workshop to lay the ground for the next steps for Vietnam’s packaging waste management.

For example, a dedicated handbook will be elaborated by the Rethinking Plastics project together with the EPR National Platform to provide a guiding reference to Vietnamese companies and other stakeholders on packaging waste management aspects.

HCMC collects VND40 trillion in tax revenue in January

In the first month of 2021, HCMC’s tax revenue reached VND40 trillion (US$1.7 billion), meeting 11% of the target for the whole year, said municipal vice chairman Vo Van Hoan.

At an online meeting of the Government with localities on the socioeconomic development in the month, Hoan said the revenue from local production and business activities was more than VND29.8 trillion and the earnings from import-export activities reached VND10 trillion, the local media reported.

On average, the city collected some VND2 trillion per working day, or 135% of the target. If the momentum is maintained, the city can meet the revenue collection target of nearly VND365 trillion in 2021.

Hoan said the city’s socioeconomic development indicators last month increased over the same period last year. Specifically, the total retail sales of goods and services picked up over 12%; export revenue, 16.4%; the export revenue from hi-tech products, 28.3% and the index of industrial production, 34.5%.

However, the tourism sector posted a plunge of 70% and catering services, 6.4%.

Enterprises in the city have increased the volume of goods to ensure sufficient supplies and prevent a price hike during the Lunar New Year holiday.

As for the fight against Covid-19, Hoan said since the first cases were detected in the northern provinces of Hai Duong and Quang Ninh, HCMC has detected the 1,660th patient. Those in direct contact with the patient have tested negative for the disease. Nearly 2,900 people are being quarantined in centralized quarantine centers and some 1,900 others at home and lodging facilities.

The city has yet to report locally-transmitted Covid-19 cases but faces a high risk of infection, so it has employed multiple measures to prevent the spread of the virus from outside, such as calling on residents to make health declarations, wear face masks and use hand sanitizers regularly, reducing the scale of events and festivals and allowing 1.7 million students to study online.

HCMC tourism association proposes solutions to support tour operators

The HCMC Tourism Association has proposed some solutions related to taxes and fees to support tourism firms that are facing a wave of tour cancellations due to the new coronavirus outbreaks.

Many tour operators are under stress as they have to refund their customers who have canceled tours, Tuoi Tre Online reported.

Meanwhile, they still have to make payments to service providers or negotiate with them to jointly share the risks since the new coronavirus wave emerged on January 28.

As such, the association proposed the competent agencies come up with suitable and flexible solutions to help tourism firms, lodging service providers and restaurants overcome the hardship, including reducing value-added tax by 50%.

Aside from the proposal to exempt them from land rent for the 2021-2022 period, the association proposed creating favorable conditions for tour operators to access preferential loans with a zero interest rate to help the firms retain workers and speed up recovery.

Also, the association proposed extending their debt payment deadline and re-issuing business licenses for free to tour operators and reducing electricity bills for restaurants and hotels this year.

Further, the association’s proposals include allowing tourism firms and employees active in the tourism sector to delay social insurance payments from 2021 to June 2022.

Nguyen Thi Khanh, chairwoman of the HCMC Tourism Association, said that the proposals were aimed at helping tourism firms overcome the hardships caused by the coronavirus.

Vietnam’s internet economy expected to hit US$43 billion by 2025

Vietnam’s internet economy is projected to reach US$43 billion in 2025 and new tech unicorns, which are technology startup companies with a valuation of US$1 billion or more, could appear in the country, according to a report of Do Ventures, a venture fund targeting startups in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

Do Ventures said that Vietnam was highly valued thanks to the rise of the middle class and the surging number of internet users. Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, more Vietnamese are opting for online platforms and services, including cashless payment methods.

In 2019, Vietnamese tech startups earned up to US$861 million in capital from 123 investment deals. In the first quarter of 2020, the amount of capital poured into the field totaled US$284 million.

In 2019, the country recorded 109 investors in the technology sector. In the first half of 2020, only a limited number of new investors joined the market, with investments mostly from domestic firms and foreign investors who had worked in Vietnam.

Do Ventures added that the Vietnamese market still remains highly attractive to tech investors. In the next 12 months, 50 investment funds operating in the six strongest economies in Southeast Asia will likely focus their attention on Vietnam and then on Indonesia, targeting the fields of education, healthcare and finance.

Tech investors have chosen Vietnam as their investment destination as they see better opportunities here than in other markets. In addition, they recognize the other favorable conditions such as macro factors, demographics and great growth potential owning to the rapid increase in consumption and undervaluation during the pandemic.

Among the Southeast Asian countries, Vietnam now ranks third in terms of the number of internet users, third in the mobile penetration rate and second by the average speed of mobile internet.

The Do Ventures report also praised Vietnam’s telecom industry as its three major telecom carriers—Viettel, VNPT and MobiFone—have piloted 5G services. The popularity of the internet helped raise the value of the local internet economy to US$12 billion in 2019.

Further, Do Ventures forecast that the online payment market in Vietnam would obtain further growth as the Mobile Money service will be launched in the upcoming time with the participation of various telecom carriers.

Quang Tri to start work on airport project this year

After receiving approval from the Ministry of Transport over its detailed plan for an airport project, Quang Tri Province is set to begin work on the airport in 2021.

Le Duc Tien, vice chairman of the provincial government, confirmed to the local media on January 26 that the Ministry of Transport had made a decision passing its detailed plan to build the Quang Tri airport.

Accordingly, the Quang Tri government asked the T &T Group to draw up a prefeasibility study report for the project.

The province will wait until many investors join in the construction in June and hold an auction, Tien said, asserting that the province will break ground on the airport, which is set to cost some VND8 trillion, this year.

The airport project is expected to contribute to the province’s socio-economic growth, Tien said.

The projected Quang Tri airport will be built on an area of over 316 hectares in Gio Linh District under the public private partnership format.

The Quang Tri airport will be constructed under the 4C standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization and handle one million passengers and 3,100 tons of cargo per year.

Vietnam cuts corporate income tax for science, tech firms

Companies active in the science and technology sectors in Vietnam will enjoy the exemption and reduction of corporate income tax for up to 13 years, beginning from March 1, 2021, according to Circular 03 issued by the Ministry of Finance.

Corporate income tax will be completely exempted in the first four years and reduced by half for the next nine years for new science and technology companies in accordance with Clause 12 of the Government’s Decree 13/2019/ND-CP and the Law on Science and Technology.

To be eligible for the tax reduction, the companies are required to have a Certificate of Science and Technology Enterprise issued by the relevant authorities.

Their annual revenue from producing and selling tech-based products must account for no less than 30% of their total revenue. Moreover, revenue from tech-based applications must come from new services, not services that already exist in the market.

Besides this, science and technology companies must comply with accounting and bookkeeping regulations and fulfill their tax liability in line with the law.

The corporate income tax reduction is expected to help boost the development of science and technology in Vietnam, the Ministry of Finance said.

HCMC to review property projects to prevent risks

The HCMC government has assigned the municipal Department of Natural Resources and Environment to work with other relevant agencies and departments to check and review realty projects, mainly high-end buildings, which have been approved for investment, to prevent potential risks.

If such property projects are delayed, their land will possibly be revoked in line with the law.

Besides, the municipal government told the HCMC Department of Planning and Investment to collaborate with the central bank’s HCMC branch to tighten control over foreign investment in the real estate sector and the transfer of proceeds from property projects to foreign countries to prevent money laundering and tax evasion.

In addition, the city will review mortgaged projects and long-delayed ones facing obstacles over regulations on land or delays in land use fee payments or the slow handover of house use right certificates.

Moreover, the municipal Department of Construction was tasked with keeping a close watch on the property market to promptly stabilize it to avoid a price hike and real estate bubbles.

The municipal government’s directives were made following an imbalance in the housing market in the city with high-end apartments increasingly abundant and homes for low-income people falling short.

The shortage of social homes and mid- and low-end houses has caused many difficulties in ensuring social welfare for medium- and low-income residents, according to a recent report of the HCMC Real Estate Association.

As such, the association proposed realty firms increase their investment in the mid- and low-end segments to contribute to addressing the imbalance in the housing market.

Furthermore, the association also expected the firms to closely collaborate with each other to control the prices of houses to avoid a housing price surge in 2021.

Commercial banks warn against fraudulent messages, websites

Scammers during the Tet holiday shopping craze are finding new ways to launch spoofing attacks through social media messages, even posing as commercial banks’ representatives to extract consumers’ info.

Multiple clients of Saigon Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Sacombank) allegedly received phone messages from the bank’s SMS system, requesting password verification or offering transaction discounts. After filling out online forms as instructed, the clients found large sums of money had disappeared from their bank account.

According to Sacombank’s representatives, their SMS service provider had confirmed the messages were not sent from the bank’s phone system, and they are working with competent authorities to look into the matter.

Meanwhile, people have been baited into depositing money for low interest loans due to shopping demands in the Tet season. The Orient Commercial Joint Stock Bank (OCB) warns people against an elaborate scheme involving scammers impersonating loan agents of the bank using forged paperworks.

According to their representative, the bank does not require deposits, pre-payments or fees of any kind during loan review and analysis.

All commercial banks in face of the situation have advised against clicking on SMS links before verifying the domain, giving away their card security code and one-time password (OTP), or logging in to their bank accounts on public devices and networks. They also recommend clients to contact the official telephone hotline or the nearest branch for transactional support.

A number of found fraudulent websites include http://agribanks3.asia; http://agribanks.space, http://agribanks.edu.vn; http://agribanking.com.vn, http://agri2021.co, sacombank.net.vn, iisacombank.com; e-sacombank.com, among others.

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has requested credit institutions and related units to ensure network safety and security during important events and holidays in 2021 by closely monitoring activities and logs on their core transaction systems like ATM and Internet Banking, and strengthening defense against malware and targeted attacks.

Dong Nai considers extending completion time of road BOT project

The People’s Committee of Dong Nai Province is considering the suggestion to extend the time to complete the prolonged Road 319 BOT project by six months.

The project connecting with Ho Chi Minh City- Long Thanh- Dau Giay expressway was designed with its length of 1.9 kilometer and four lanes for vehicles. Construction started in July 2017 and its completion time was expected on December 31, 2020.

However, the project currently reaches only 73 percent of total volume so BOT 319 Cuong Thuan CTI Corporation, the project investor, asks permission of extending the implementation period until June 30, 2021.

Liquidity soars to record high in Vietnam stock market in January

Compared to the same period of last year, liquidity surged a whooping of 291.04% in transaction volume and 334% in value.

In January, Vietnam stock market continued to remain an attractive investment channel with investors pouring in VND335.9 trillion (US$14.6 billion) and 14.78 billion shares changed hands, up 17.37% and 8.71% month-on-month, respectively.

This average transaction value of VND16.8 trillion (US$730 million) for 739 million shares per trading session, representing increases of 34.97% month-on-month in value and 25.01% in volume.

Compared to the same period of last year, liquidity surged a whooping of 291.04% in transaction volume and 334% in value.

In January, foreign investors were involved with transaction value of VND64.2 trillion (US$2.78 billion) accounting for 9.57% of the total in the stock market. While they remained net sellers with VND3.4 trillion (US$147.7 million), the figure was down 16.93% against last month.

This came as foreign investors went for bottom-fishing strategy during a strong volatile period of the market that witnessed the benchmark Vn-Index to suffer a historic slump of 73.23 points late January, or a decline of 6.67% from the previous session, to 1,023.94.

However, since then, the market has been on a strong recovery trend and ended at 1,111.29 at the close yesterday [February 3], up 35.76 points or 3.32% from a day earlier.

As the Vn-Index’s free-fall occurred on the same day of the Covid-19 resurgence in Vietnam, Lan Anh, a broker expert at SSI Securities Corporation, told Hanoitimes that the government’s drastic measures to keep the situation under control would help further boost the market.

“Stable economic outlook and positive business performance of public firms in 2020 would gradually stabilize the market and even help it rebound strongly after the Tet holiday,” said Mrs. Lan Anh.

As of late January, total number of shares listed on the stock market amounted to 101 billion with the market capitalization of over VND3,900 trillion (US$169.3 billion), up 3.32% month-on-month and equivalent to 62.69% of the GDP in 2020.

Recruitment demand of foreign manufacturers surges in 2021

Foreign investors will likely expand their scales in new industrial zones in the south this year.

The recruitment demand of foreign manufacturers at industrial zones in the southern provinces of Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Long An and Can Tho City will increase in 2021, according to the latest report conducted by Navigos Search.

A report on middle and senior recruitment demands in Vietnam market in Quarter 4, 2020 and outlook in 2021 recently showed that many manufacturing enterprises from Europe, the US, China and Japan are exploring the market to invest in building their factories and developing production and business activities in Vietnam. Due to the land shortage in Ho Chi Minh City, the investors will likely expand their scales in new industrial zones further south.

According to Navigos Search’s analysis, Japanese manufacturing enterprises in the electronic and automotive spare parts plan to expand in 2021. Despite being heavily affected by Covid-19, Japanese manufacturing companies in Vietnam have officially returned to production and recruitment since the fourth quarter of 2020. A number of electrical/electronic enterprises have increased their production capacity to meet the market demand, and some in the furniture industry have doubled their yield compared to the pre-pandemic time.

There are also significant changes in recruitment demands in Japanese companies. For candidates who can speak Japanese only, both job opportunities and salaries considerably drop, meanwhile those fluently both English and Japanese are almost a decisive factor in recruitment.

Huge recruitment demand in IT this year

Navigos Search observed a quick recovery of recruitment in the information technology (IT) industry in the fourth quarter of 2020. The enterprises continue to recruit, focusing on high-quality people who master the most up-to-date technologies to increase their products and services’ competitiveness. New entrants are quickly building their recruitment brands and having good salary and bonus policies to attract qualified personnel.

Although the pandemic delayed recruitment in the IT industry, businesses in the sector are studying and making plans to recruit 1,000 engineers in 2021.

The report also found that local banks are planning to recruit a large number of employees for credit sales (customer relations). In addition, hiring in the technology and data sectors will be boosted due to strong demand for digital transformation at commercial banks.

Regarding the insurance industry, as a number of life insurance companies have signed exclusive contracts with commercial banks in bancassurance, they are in need of hiring consultants to work full time.

Vietnam tourism develops unique, unusual tours to lure visitors in 2021

The tourism industry identifies domestic travelers as the key segment for its development this year.

Local enterprises have offered many new unique and unusual products to lure domestic visitors in 2021, along with traditional tours to adapt to the new normal context, according to Chairman of the Hanoi UNESCO Travel Club Truong Quoc Hung.

Mr. Hung told Ha Noi Moi Newspaper that in addition to traditional tours such as eco-tourism and hospitality, adventure tourism and wildlife discovery are forecast to be a new trend this year.

In 2021, many localities plan to organize running events, as well as other major sports tournaments to attract athletes and tourists, such as Tien Phong Gia Lai (in March), the Vietnam Jungle Marathon (slated for March), the VnExpress Marathon Amazing Halong (August), the Hanoi International Heritage Marathon (September).

International paragliding tournaments in the northern provinces of Lai Chau and Lao Cai are expected to take place this year.

Many adventure tours are expected to be held in 2021 such as mountain climbing and trekking for young people who love to explore nature. On January 14, the Hanoi UNESCO Travel Club organized a new caravan and trekking farmtrip to conquer the Puxailaileng Mount (the central province of Nghe An) with the aim of developing adventure and community tourism products for the province.

In 2020, a number of sport tournaments was suspended due to the impact of Covid-19, while some others still went on attracting thousands of athletes and visitors.

Quang Ngai, the central province of Vietnam, witnessed the participation of about 2,000 local and international runners at the 61st Tien Phong Marathon held last July in Ly Son Island. The event was successfully and safely organised thanks to good preparation of local authorities and relevant branches.

Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Ngai province Nguyen Minh Tri said that the marathon held in Ly Son Island opened up great potential for local tourism, allowing Ly Son to organize other large-scale activities with the participation of thousands of people.

Other successful events included the Mekong Delta Marathon 2020 held last November in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang with more than 7,000 athletes; the 2020 Open Putaleng Paragliding Tournament held last December in the northern province of Lai Chau; and another paragliding event was open in Mu Cong Chai district in the northwestern province of Yen Bai in June.

Forum looks to reduce energy consumption in transport

Experts gathered at a forum in Hanoi on February 5 to discuss measures to reduce energy consumption in the transport system towards effective use of energy for economic development in the sector.

Attributing traffic congestion and exhaust emissions from old and ragged vehicles to bad air quality that threatens local health, Associate Professor Nguyen Hong Thai, vice chairman of the Vietnam union of railway transport, suggested the transport sector integrate reduction of greenhouse gas emission into transport planning and investment projects.

It is necessary to raise public awareness of measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions such as using biofuels, and limiting personal vehicles with a view to building a green public transport system, he said.

According to deputy head of the Environment Department under the Ministry of Transport Nguyen Huu Tien, development of energy-saving transportation has been integrated in the sector’s development policies.

“In the past time, the sector has paid due heed to branching out energy-saving means of transportation, while issuing regulations on stamping fuel efficiency labels to nine-seat cars and motorbikes “, he said, adding the ministry also worked with the Ministry of Science and Technology to set up and issue Vietnamese standards on fuel consumption limit for cars and motorbikes.

Tien said in the coming time, priority should be given to developing bulk carriers which are energy saving such as railway and waterway towards establishing multi-mode freight transport firms.

The transport sector should continue to outline standards on fuel consumption or several vehicles, and pen policies and a roadmap to switch the use of fossil-fuelled vehicles to those that use renewable energy, contributing to ensuring energy security and protecting the environment, he stressed./.

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

An orderly working for Transport Hospital in Hai Phong city, northern Vietnam, has been confirmed as a COVID-19 patient in Vietnam.

The female worker, 26, has been diagnosed with the SARS-CoV-2 virus after a COVID-19 screening campaign for all healthcare workers at Hai Phong Transport Hospital.

She has tested positive for the virus twice, said the Hai Phong Preventive Medicine Centre on February 22, adding the remaining 88 workers have tested negative.

The patient was said to have stayed in Hai Phong for the past 14 days. She showed no flu-symptoms.

She was transferred to Vietnam-Czech Republic Hospital for medical surveillance and treatment.

Relevant agencies scrambled to cordon off Transport Hospital and Lo village in Thuy Nguyen district, her hometown, for chemical disinfection and epidemiological investigations.

They also tracked down people who had come into contact with the patient for immediate quarantine and testing.

Earlier Hai Phong recorded just one case at its Children’s Hospital who was then transferred back to Hai Duong province, the country’s biggest coronavirus hotspot at present.

As many as 795 cases have been confirmed in Vietnam since the virus recurred in Hai Duong late last month. The outbreak has spread to 13 cities and provinces across the country, with Hai Duong, a gateway to Hanoi capital, reporting 615 cases alone.

Haiphong locks down commune due to new Covid-19 case

Haiphong City locked down Hoang Dong Commune after a 26-year-old woman living there tested positive for Covid-19 today, February 22.

Haiphong Transport Hospital at No. 40, Street 5, Hong Bang District, where the patient works, has also been locked down and disinfected.

The woman, residing in Hamlet 4, Hoang Dong Commune, Thuy Nguyen District, has neither left Haiphong City nor developed Covid-19 symptoms over the past 14 days.

Pham Thu Xanh, head of the Covid-19 quick response team of Haiphong City, said the local authorities are identifying venues the patient visited and people who came into contact with her. The citizens are not allowed to enter or leave Hoang Dong Commune until further notice.

The steering committee for Covid-19 infection prevention and control of Haiphong City asked people who had close contact with the patient to immediately contact the nearest medical center for health declarations, an epidemiological investigation and quarantine procedures.

Local residents were encouraged to strictly comply with preventive measures such as wearing masks while stepping out, using hand sanitizers, keeping a safe physical distance from each other and avoiding large gatherings. They should immediately contact the health authorities if they develop symptoms such as a fever, a cough or shortness of breath.

Nearly 35,000 returnees from Covid-19 regions to Hanoi tested negative for coronavirus

Hanoi has recorded 36 cases, with health authorities saying that the outbreak could last longer if drastic measures to control the disease are not taken.

The Hanoi Department of Health on February 21 reported 34,600 returnees from the northern epicenter of Hai Duong province and other pandemic-hit areas have tested negative for the novel coronavirus.

As of February 21, the number of returnees from Cam Giang district, a Covid-19 hotspot in Hai Duong province, stands at 2,388, of which 2,368 have been tested in Hanoi. More than 1,900 people have tested negative while the results of the rest are pending, the municipal health department reported.

The number of returnees from other parts of Hai Duong province and 11 high risk provinces and cities from February 2 is 46,460 people, of them, 44,355 people have taken Covid-19 test and 32,692 people tested negative. The results of the rest are still pending, the department added.

Hanoi has gone five days without confirming any new cases of Covid-19. At the time of writing, Hanoi has recorded 36 cases, with health authorities saying that the outbreak could last longer if drastic measures to control the disease are not taken.

There have been 791 cases confirmed across Vietnam since the pandemic resurgence late January. Quang Ninh is the country’s second latest Covid-19 outbreak with its first case being detected on January 28. The infection has since then spread to 13 other cities and provinces.

Vietnam has so far had 2,383 cases, 627 of them active.

Capital “rescues” unsellable produce from pandemic-stricken province

Volunteer groups and authorities from Hanoi over the weekend after Lunar New Year successfully distributed and sold tons of unsellable agricultural produce from Hai Duong Province, which has been in Covid-19 lockdown for weeks.

A whopping 15 tons of fresh produce from Hai Duong were sold on February 21 alone at makeshift vegetables stalls at 38 Giai Phong Street in Hanoi, which received 30 tons more the following day.

The produce and transporting vehicles were disinfected at least thrice – at the source, when going through quarantine posts in Hai Duong, and before entering the capital city.

According to the Deputy Director of the Domestic Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade Le Viet Nga, some major domestic distributors have reached out to Hai Duong authorities with offers to help distribute slow-selling products.

Meanwhile, the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade transported and distributed 300 tons of agricultural produce from Hai Duong and Quang Ninh province over the course of last week.

Hai Duong Province during the Lunar New Year holiday locked down multiple localities for 14 to 21 days, including the major Hai Duong Province, making regular citizens as well as retail distributors refrain from entering these regions.

Hanoi Mayor urges enterprises to put health, safety as utmost priority

The Hanoi Mayor expected local firms to accelerate the digital transformation process, which remains the city’s priority for development in the next five years.

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh urged local firms to put health and safety as utmost priority to prevent a potential Covid-19 spread, which in turn leads to disruption of production chain.

The Hanoi’s Mayor gave the remarks during his visit to TOTO Vietnam, INTERSERCO Vietnam International Trade My Dinh, and CMC Technology & Solution last week.

Business Manager of TOTO Vietnam (located at Thang Long industrial park, Dong Anh district) Takashi Yokoyama expressed his thanks to local authorities’ efforts in effectively containing the Covid-19 pandemic.

“As the pandemic continues to cause severe impacts to the global economy, many subsidiaries and affiliates of the corporation were forced to close, but TOTO Vietnam remains operational and records positive growth,” said Yokoyama.

In 2020, TOTO Vietnam posted revenue of nearly VND4 trillion (US$173.5 million), in which export turnover contributed VND2 trillion (US$86.75 million).

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Anh highlighted TOTO Vietnam’s creativity and flexibility in timely adjusting its business strategy to cope with Covid-19 impacts.

“Hanoi is committed to accompanying TOTO Vietnam and other FDI enterprises during their operations in the city,” he noted.

Meanwhile, INTERSERCO My Dinh during the recent Covid-19 outbreak gave permission for employees from Hai Duong province, the country’s pandemic hotspot, to stay at home but still get paid their full salary until the situation is under control.

Anh expected INTERSERCO My Dinh to continue focusing on logistics as its core business activity in 2021 with greater application of modern technologies and higher level of automation.

At CMC Technology & Solution, the Hanoi’s Mayor was briefed on the firm’s advanced technologies application in real-time monitoring, analyzing and warning in the fields of traffic and environment.

Anh requested CMC to accelerate the digital transformation process and enhance its competitiveness.

“Hanoi gives priority to innovation and digital transformation in the next five years,” stated Anh, adding the city expects digitalization to make up 30% of the total gross regional domestic product by 2025.

NA Standing Committee examines preparations for general election

The National Assembly Standing Committee is to convene its 53rd session in Hanoi on February 22 to discuss preparations for the upcoming general election.

The NA Standing Committee is scheduled to approve the report following in-depth discussions.

Vietnamese people will cast their ballots to elect deputies to the 15th National Assembly and local People’s Councils in May this year.

The following legislature is expected to be comprised of 500 deputies, including 207 deputies working at central agencies. 95 deputies are members of the Party Central Committee.

The Standing Committee will also examine preparations for the 11th session of the 14th National Assembly, the last in its 2016-2021 tenure.

No new COVID-19 infections recorded on early February 22

Vietnam posted no new locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases in the past 12 hours until 6am on February 22, keeping the national tally at 2,383, according to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

Of total, 791 cases have been found since January 27 when a new COVID-19 wave broke out.

The number of recoveries and fatalities remains at 1,717 and 35, respectively.

Among patients still undergoing treatment, 69 have tested negative for the virus once, 39 twice and 55 thrice.

At present, a total of 120,827 people who had close contact with confirmed COVID-19 patients or entered Vietnam from pandemic-hit regions are being under quarantine nationwide, including 588 in hospitals, 12,984 in state-designated establishments and 107,255 others at their residences./.

Vessels need to proactively respond to storm Dujuan

The National Center for Hydro-meteorology Forecasting and warning centers in the Asia-Pacific region predicted that storm Dujuan will quickly downgrade to a tropical low pressure system and dissipate at sea when it enters the East Sea this week.

Amidst the warnings, the Standing Office of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control asked provinces and cities from Quang Ninh to Ca Mau to regularly keep in touch with captains, ship owners and timely provide information related to big waves and blustery winds at sea under the impact of an ongoing cold air mass and storm Dujuan.

The General Department of Natural Disaster Prevention and Control informed that the number of fishing vessels in the East Sea would be numerous as it has been in the fishing season.

Accordingly, storm Dujuan yesterday made landfall in the Philippines.

Hai Duong province sees 90 new recoveries from COVID-19

Ninety patients were discharged from the temporary hospital for COVID-19 treatment No 1 of northern Hai Duong province on February 21 after making a full recovery.

This is the largest number of COVID-19 patients discharged at a time in Hai Duong, the largest hotspot of the coronavirus transmission at present, in the latest outbreak.

They will have to conduct self-quarantine and health monitoring at home for another 14 days, after which they will undergo testing again.

The COVID-19 hospital No 1 of Hai Duong, based at the healthcare centre of Chi Linh city, has provided treatment for 293 patients, including nine children and four pregnant woman, since the new outbreak began on January 27.

As of February 21 morning, this province had recorded 603 infections, including five new cases linked with a previously confirmed patient in Kim Thanh district, according to the provincial steering committee for COVID-19 prevention and control.

Pham Quang Hung, Chairman of the Kim Thanh People’s Committee, said authorities have sealed off the entire Kim Lien commune, where the new patients live, sent persons in close contact with them to concentrated quarantine sites, and speeded up taking samples from local residents to carry out testing. They look to complete sample collection on February 21./.

HCM City Writers’ Association honours best literary works in 2020

The HCM City Writers’ Association has honoured publicly acclaimed literary works created in 2020 at an awards ceremony held in HCM City.

The memoir Gánh Gánh… Gồng Gồng… (Burden of Life) by female documentary filmmaker Nguyễn Thị Xuân Phượng of HCM City was named the best literary work.

The 308-page book includes stories about the ups and downs of the life of the 92-year-old Phượng since 1945.

Phượng quit school to join the war of resistance against the French in Huế City in 1945.

She served as a dynamite maker and a doctor, before being assigned by President Hồ Chí Minh to become an interpreter and guide to foreign journalists and filmmakers in 1967.

In 1968, she became a documentary director and war correspondent for the Television Department (now Việt Nam Television).

She has made a series of documentaries about the country’s historical events such as Khi Tiếng Súng Vừa Tắt (When Gun Sound Ends), 1975; Khi Những Nụ Cười Trở Lại (When Smiles Return), 1976; and Hai Tiếng Quê Hương (My Homeland), 1978.

In 2011, she was conferred the Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur (National Order of the Legion of Honour), the highest French order of merit, both military and civil, for her contributions to developing Việt Nam – France relations.

Gánh Gánh…Gồng Gồng… was published by the Culture, Literature and Arts Publishing House.

The association also awarded a prize to the novel Đất K (Land K) by author Bùi Quang Lâm, and poetry book Bấm Chân Qua Tuổi Dại Khờ (Walking by Innocent Age) by poet Cao Xuân Sơn.

Both works were released by the Writers’ Association Publishing House.

According to the association’s managing board, the association will recruit 21 new members at the ceremony.

Author Trịnh Bích Ngân, chairwoman of the association’s managing board, said: “The association is working to build solidarity among members and create inspirations for each member to release more quality literary works in the future.”

Ca Mau launches tourism stimulus programme

The southernmost province of Ca Mau has launched a tourism stimulus programme for this year with the dual goal of fighting COVID-19 and developing a safe, efficient, and sustainable tourism sector.

The Ca Mau Cape national tourism area is offering free entry to teachers and students nationwide.

To promote the potential that local tourism holds, the province plans to hold the “Ca Mau Destination 2021” event, with activities including cultural-artistic activities, and famtrips to local tourism areas.

Nearly 70,000 people visited local landmarks from February 10 to 16, with revenue standing at over 2.21 million USD.

Tourist arrivals to Ca Mau last year slumped by more than 56 percent compared to 2019, leading to a decline of over 71 percent in revenue./.

Hanoi launches tree-planting festival on New Year of Ox

The launching ceremony of a tree-planting festival on the New Year of Ox was held in Hanoi on February 21 as part of this year’s efforts in response to the Government’s programme on planting 1 billion trees to 2025.

Addressing the launching event, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh said tree planting has remained as the city’s annual programme. Planting a tree is just the beginning; it is more important to take good care of it and let them grow well, he said, adding that it is a responsibility of everybody.

He asked all districts and towns to accelerate public awareness campaigns on the meaning of the tree planting festival and the importance and benefits of growing and protecting trees.

Hanoi sets to plant more than 300,000 trees this year and strives for each Hanoian to plant at least one tree by 2030, he unveiled.

Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Tran Hong Ha said increasing natural disasters and extreme weather events have taken heavy toll on Vietnam for years. At the same time, pollution, especially air pollution, has been rising in an alarming rate, causing harmful effects on the quality of life in humans and social and economic activities in metropolises, while rapid urbanisation and industrialisation have put enormous pressure on the environment, he added.

He highlighted the significance of the five-year campaign of growing one billion trees, saying that various effective models, initiatives and actions have been put in place to scale up the tree planting campaign nationwide in response to President Ho Chi Minh’s teaching and the one-billion-tree-planting campaign.

Previously, the capital city has fulfilled its goal of planting one million trees two years ahead schedule. It has planted around 600,000 new trees along over 250 urban streets to not only expand urban tree canopy cover but also prevent dust and noise pollution.

On November 28, 1959, President Ho Chi Minh wrote an article published in the Nhan dan (People) newspaper stressing the significance of tree planting for each person, each family, and the entire nation. Since the first tree planting festival was held in the spring of 1960, the activity has become a common practice whenever a new year arrives./.

Vietnam attends int’l round-table on preserving linguistic diversity

Vietnam has been among countries attending an expert round table on “Topical Issues of Preserving Linguistic Diversity” held to mark International Mother Language Day (February 21).

The virtual event was organised on February 19 by the International Union of Non-Governmental Organisations “The Eurasian People’s Assembly” under the auspices of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO.

It gathered member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (SNG) and countries from other parts of the world.

The aim of the round table was to find ways to expand the linguistic and intercultural communications of peoples, to promote multilingualism in the interests of Eurasian integration.

Its discussion focused on a number of issues, for example, the role of the native language as a carrier of culture, traditions and history of each nation; increasing interest in languages and stimulating the study of native languages; the role of education in the preservation and development of the languages of the people of Eurasia; creation of an accessible communicative language environment in the context of Eurasian integration; and the role of public associations in the preservation and development of the languages of the people of Eurasia.

At the event, To Thi Tuyet Khanh, a representative of the Banking Academy of Vietnam in Russia and advisor to the union’s first vice secretary-general, delivered a report focusing on education of Vietnamese and Russian languages in both countries.

Vietnam and Russia have boasted a long-standing cooperation in education and training, particularly in linguistics, which has produced good results, she said.

Hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese students have pursued education in Russia and with their acquired knowledge, they have made contributions to the national construction and development in Vietnam and strengthening the bilateral relations, Khanh noted.

She voiced her hope that the Vietnamese will be taught in Russia’s schools and universities as a foreign language, especially for Vietnamese children born in Russia.

PM asks for greater effort for Phu Yen to further prosper

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on February 20 urged Phu Yen to exert efforts so as to attract more investment into key projects, thus creating breakthroughs for the locality’s development.

In a working session with key officials of the central coastal province, PM Phuc stressed that the locality needs to give attention to developing the private economic sector, making the area’s growth stronger.

It should work hard to accelerate the implementation of investment projects, especially in agriculture, real estate and tourism, in order to fully tap its strengths and potential in these fields.

Phu Yen’s tourism is like a rare and raw gem that needs the hands of skilled and qualified workers to make it shine, the leader said.

He also emphasised the importance of proper planning and vision in attracting investment and prompting sustainable development in the locality.

PM Phuc praised local authorities’ strong determination to promote socio-economic development, saying that the province has concentrated on the planning work, applying information technology, proposing mechanisms, and improving its business and investment environment.

Phu Yen has done well in implementing core strategies, including developing economic and industrial zones, tourism areas, transport, airport and seaport infrastructure, he noted.

Despite difficulties facing the locality amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Phu Yen still completed and even exceeded important socio-economic development goals, particularly in poverty reduction, the PM noted.

However, he also pointed out weak points the province needs to overcome in the coming time, especially in improving the investment and business environment and speeding up the progress of projects./.

Quang Ninh has no COVID-19 cases in community in 12 days

The northern province of Quang Ninh has gone through 12 straight days with no COVID-19 infections in the community, and four consecutive days without any new cases.

As of February 19, only 20 COVID-19 cases out of the 43 infections in Quang Ninh had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus.

From February 14 -18, 15 cases were cured in the locality.

Since the first case of COVID-19 in the community confirmed on January 27, the locality has recorded 60 infections, of which two cases are being quarantined and treated at the Central Hospital of Tropical Diseases in Hanoi’s outlying district of Dong Anh, and the rest are treated in health facicalities in Quang Ninh.

Regarding testing, more than 136,000 locals have been tested from January 27 to February 19.

Provincial authorities on February 8 announced that the pandemic was kept under control in the locality.

OVs in Malaysia get support for COVID-19 prevention

The Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia, on behalf of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, presented medical equipment, antibacterial cloth face masks and sanitiser to the Vietnamese community in the country at a ceremony on February 20.

The activity is part of the programmes conducted by the committee to support overseas Vietnamese in preventing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Tran Viet Thai touched upon difficulties and challenges facing the mankind amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, including the Vietnamese community in Malaysia.

The committee has made every effort to support the Vietnamese community in the fight against the pandemic, helping them overcoming difficulties posed by the health crisis, he stressed.

The ambassador also announced the COVID-19 vaccination programme for foreigners in Malaysia, which is expected to be held in May or June. He affirmed that the embassy will serve as a bridge to support Vietnamese citizens in this programme.

The Vietnamese Party and State always pay attention to the Vietnamese community abroad in general and Vietnamese expats living and working in Malaysia in particular, Ambassador Thai said.

He also highly appreciated contributions by overseas Vietnamese to the homeland’s development./.

Tree planting festival: Individual trees make a forest

The tree planting festival initiated by President Ho Chi Minh has beeen a tradition in Vietnam for more than 60 years, encouraging afforestation and forest protection and greatly contributing to national development.

On November 28, 1959, President Ho wrote an article in the Nhan dan (People) newspaper stressing the significance of tree planting for each person, each family, and the entire nation.

Since the first tree planting festival was held in the spring of 1960, following the late leader’s teachings, authorities and sectors from the central to grassroots levels, along with people nationwide, have joined hands in planting trees whenever a new year arrives.

To uphold this tradition and cope with global climate change, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on December 31, 2020, issued Directive No 45/CT-TTg on organising a tree planting festival and stepping up forest protection and development at the beginning of 2021.

Accordingly, Vietnam is to plant 1 billion trees from now to 2025, including about 182 million this year.

In response, many cities and provinces nationwide have been promoting tree planting this spring.

On February 17 (the sixth day of the Lunar New Year), Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong, together with leaders of central agencies and Hanoi, offered incense in commemoration of the country’s ancestors, heroes, and martyrs at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. They also planted trees there on the occasion.

Apart from the tree planting festival, the Vietnam Environment Administration is also establishing a plan for the implementation of a 1 billion tree programme, with a view to protecting the environmental, adapting to climate change, preventing natural disasters, and moving towards sustainable development.

The country views its forests as important ecological resources for socio-economic development and community happiness.

About 25 million Vietnamese people earn 20-40 percent of their annual income from forests./.

Spring festivals suspended as part of COVID-19 prevention efforts

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has requested that localities nationwide cancel all spring festivals in order to prevent mass gatherings, therefore minimising the potential spread of the COVID-19 pandemic following the Lunar New Year (Tet).

With the country facing fast-spreading outbreaks, people nationwide are required to limit their attendance of cultural festivals, with local authorities suggesting that such events should be suspended to protect residents from SARS-CoV-2.

Following the Prime Minister’s guidelines, many localities have decided not to hold spring festivals, including the long-standing Huong Pagoda festival, the Hai Ba Trung Temple festival in Hanoi, the annual Hoa Ban, also known as Bauhinia variegate, festival in Dien Bien province, and a traditional boat race in Quang Ngai province.

Hanoi families faces shortage of home helpers after Tet

Many families in Hanoi are facing difficulties finding home helpers after Tet Holiday due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Duong Thu Huong from Thanh Xuan District said she has a two-year-old child and is in need of a home help before she returns to work. She already placed advertisements online but has not been able to find anyone suitable yet.

“I can’t contact our previous home helper after Tet. As schools are still closed for Covid-19 prevention, I need someone to take care of my child from 7 am to 7 pm nearly all week, except Sunday,” she said. “People I have interviewed either can’t work right away or only want to only work in the afternoon. I want to find someone healthy and who can work for us for a long time. The starting wage is VND5m (USD216) a month and will increase.”

Trinh Thi Linh from Nam Tu Liem District had a good relationship with a home help for two years. But after the Tet Holiday, their home help said she wanted to take leave for several months and has stayed in her hometown as Hanoi is still discovering new cases.

“We’re really busy, so we need someone to take care of our two children. We’ll pay VND7m (USD302) a month and a Tet bonus,” she said.

Nguyen Van Thuong from Cau Giay District also said he wanted to find a home help who could stay at their house and work for a long time. Thuong said he was willing to pay VND10m (USD432) a month if the house helper can take care of all housework.

“There are many three-generation families that have both old people and young children like us,” he said. “I want to find someone in their forties and fifties. I had the same difficulties last year too and I had to let my old parents look after the children at home.”

Quang Binh fishermen enjoy big post-Tet catches

Fishermen in Nhan Trach Commune, Quang Binh Province have enjoyed bountiful catches after Tet.

For the fishermen in Nhan Trach, the first fishing trip after Tet Holiday is meaningful and signifies their luck for the new year. Most fishing boats in Nhan Trach are small so they often have a quick trips overnight and return in the early morning. The beach was busy with all the boats and activity.

Pham Nguyen said his crew were able to bring back 700kg of anchovies. “We’re all really happy to have such a good trip after Tet. We’ll be able to earn about VND20m (USD866). We just hope for good weather and bountiful trips,” he said.

Another fisherman, Pham Tan, said they caught nearly a tonne of anchovies. As they reached the shore, they could see the traders already waiting along the beaches. Anchovies and baby shrimp can be sold for VND30,000 (USD1.30) or VND20,000 per kilo respectively. Both of them can be used to make fish sauce and shrimp paste.

According to the fishermen, if they have a bountiful trip with baby shrimp they will have good herring scad and cutlass fish trawls too.

Nguyen Van Nghi, chairman of Nhan Trach Commune People’s Committee said they have over 100 fishing boats. They are mostly nearshore fishing boats so they only work seasonally. Bountiful anchovies trips also mean local fish sauce manufacturing facilities will have good materials and an optimistic outlook.

Construction of My Thuan – Can Tho expressway and My Thuan 2 bridge commenced

The construction of the My Thuan – Can Tho expressway and the My Thuan 2 bridge recently commenced in the southern province of Vinh Long in the presence of Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The.

The My Thuan – Can Tho expressway and My Thuan 2 bridge are expected to be completed in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

The My Thuan – Can Tho expressway is nearly 23 km long, passing through Vinh Long province and Chau Thanh district in Dong Thap province while the My Thuan 2 bridge is 6.6 km long. The two projects are being funded by the State budget with a total investment of over VND10 trillion.

* The Management Authority for the Urban Railways of Ho Chi Minh City (MAUR) and contractors kicked off work on the power supply for the southern economic hub’s first metro line project on February 19, which now has 82 percent of work completed.

Consultation and construction are now underway to link the power sources from the 110kV Binh Thai and Tan Cang electricity stations to supply all power stations along the metro line.

According to the MAUR, if COVID-19 can be controlled, the work of cable pulling will be completed in the second quarter of this year, which would allow for trial runs and commercial operations to take place earlier.

* The Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) said that 150,000 workers from the Group’s units have returned to work after the week-long Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.

Currently, Vietnamese textile and garment enterprises, including Vinatex have secured signed orders until the end of April. This is considered a good signal for the recovery of the Vietnamese textile and garment industry, especially as the country in a good position in a global supply chain redeployed after the COVID-19 pandemic crisis in 2020.

* The Trung Nam Construction Investment Joint Stock Company has launched the first phase of the Ca Na port project in Thuan Nam district in the south-central coastal province of Ninh Thuan.

The project covers an area of ​​more than 108 hectares, including two ports of 70-100 thousand tonnes; a port of 20 thousand tonnes, a warehouse, and service infrastructure.

Nature-friendly farmers in the Delta

Over the years, the Mekong Delta has fallen victim to drought and salinity invasion which cause great damages for the local people. However, there are some rays of hope. During the past five years, facing the shortage of freshwater in the dry season, some farmers in Dong Thap—a province of the Mekong River—have taken regulatory measures in agricultural production to adapt to climate change in a “nature-friendly” approach.

Many models of water-saving agricultural practices have been underway, contributing partly to reducing the volume of water used, greenhouse gas emissions and production costs in unfavorable weather conditions. Local farmers also practice alternate wetting and drying techniques, the use of in-field concrete irrigation systems, smart fertilizers, IoT (Internet of things) in irrigation pump system management.

This model was pioneered by My Dong 2 Agricultural Service Cooperative in Thap Muoi District of Dong Thap Province. According to Ngo Phuoc Dung, director of My Dong 2 Cooperative, to cultivate rice, farmers had to use a significant amount of water for irrigation. However, rice paddies do not have to be submerged in water all the time of the growth process. There are times, rice paddies can develop very well in a dry field. Therefore, applying alternate wetting and drying techniques and watering by concrete troughs may help save the volume of water used.

“Compared to the technique of flooded fields using pumped water, the new farming practice helps reduce 30% of water and also 20-30% of electricity costs. These figures represent not only economic benefit but also a message to the community that we farmers are making a change to be more responsible to the environment,” said Mr. Dung.

Aside from rice, water-saving models are also integrated in the cases of vegetables, flowers and fruit trees across the localities in Dong Thap. By the end of last year, the total area with the new economical irrigation system had reached 24,299 hectares versus 21,506 hectares in 2019. In addition, other agricultural models have been applied, such as net houses and smart water-saving irrigation systems along with training programs for farmers. From these State-supported models, quite a few farming households have taken in the integrated fish-rice or lotus-fish systems, which  yield a high economic efficiency, and, at the same time, use freshwater rationally.

During a recent meeting with leaders of Dong Thap Province discussing the impacts of climate change on agriculture in the region, Assoc. Prof. Le Anh Tuan, deputy director of the Institute for Climate Change of Can Tho University, stressed on the necessity of being “nature-friendly” in cultivation. “Climate change is inevitable and we need to come face to face with it,” said Mr. Tuan. “However, rather than seeing it as a confrontation, we should adapt ourselves to be more nature-friendly.”

According to Mr. Tuan, in the past, although climate change grew more extreme, the people in some provinces have come up with adaptive and effective agricultural practice models. For instance, the integrated rice-shrimp system in the coastal provinces, discharge dike system in Dong Thap to lure natural fish instead of building dikes for the third rice crop and the integrated lotus-fish or lotus-tourism systems. “To be harmonious with nature, people in the Mekong Delta have come up with new measures,” said Mr. Tuan. “The crucial point is we need to change our mindset about climate change to live in peace with nature.”

What’s more, experts say facing climate change which is ravaging the world, commodity production has to comply with environmental protection criteria, which is also one of the top binding regulations on imports under new-generation free trade agreements (FTA) singed by Vietnam.

That is how farmers in Dong Thap are going more “nature-friendly” to introduce their products to the world market.

HCMC proposes to exchange information of illegal immigrants

Ngo Minh Chau, Deputy Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee proposed to exchange information of illegal immigrants through trails along borderlines with neighboring countries.

In his urgent letter to provincial administrations in the southern provinces of Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Long An, Dong Thap, Kien Giang and An Giang which share a border with other neighboring countries, Mr. Chau stated clearly that for the past time, many immigrants have entered Vietnam through trails along borderlines violating the governmental regulations of Covid-19 prevention and control.

Deputy Chairman Chau said in the letter that illegal immigrants have traveled many places contacting with many people; as a result, they have been causing the widespread transmission in the community.

Subsequently, state competent forces must be mobilized to track down all contacts as well as adopted preventative measures and quarantine contacts for the safety of city dwellers.

Therefore, to proactively prevent Covid-19 locally-transmitted cases because of illegal immigrants, the municipal People’s Committee made proposal to administrations of six neighboring provinces to send the information of illicit immigrants who are permanent dwellers or temporary residents in HCMC so that the People’s Committee have timely tracking and preventative measures.

Vietnam to deploy 500 policemen to Covid-19 hotspot

Hai Duong, the fresh coronavirus outbreak, is home to dozens of industrial parks with hundreds of thousands of workers.

The Ministry of Public Security will send 500 policemen to support the fight against Covid-19 in Hai Duong, the fresh epidemic center in Vietnam since late January.

The deployment of police officers to the coronavirus hotspot is to respond to the call for support by the local government, according to Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Son, deputy minister of Public Security.

So far, Hai Duong recorded nearly 600 infections after the locality was affected by the resurgence of SARS-CoV-2 in late January. Rising infections have brought some localities under lockdown while the entire province is observing shelter-in-place order.

Police will help local authorities check the enforcement of safety rules in residential areas and at industrial parks to ensure social distancing and economic activities.

They assist the local government in keeping social security, residency management and illegal immigration.

At present, there are 959 checkpoints deployed with policemen to tighten control over quarantine and stay-at-home order.

According to Associate Prof. Tran Nhu Duong, deputy head of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE), Hai Duong currently has nearly 18,000 people who made contact with confirmed cases (F1), nearly 67,000 made contact with suspected cases (F2), and nearly 50,000 F3.

More than 160,000 people have been tested for the virus.

As the situation remains complicated, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son said Hai Duong needs to prepare for the worse-case scenario in which the pandemic breaks out again.

As the Covid-19 outbreak remains uncertain, the local government has called for both financial and medical support by the central government. So far, some cities and provinces have committed money and face masks to the hotspot.

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

A Japanese expert who died in Hanoi on February 13 has been infected with a new variant strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, said Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long.

Long announced the results of the expert’s genome sequencing at a meeting of permanent Cabinet members in Hanoi on February 24.

He did not reveal specifically but said this was the first time the new strain has been detected in Vietnam.

The strain, he said, has circulated mainly in the Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (China), and India.

According to the minister, Japan, the deceased expert’s home country, has yet to record this strain.

To scientists, the strain it not highly transmissible, but the extent of its aggravation is not clear, said Long.

Epidemiologists stated that the new strain is not linked to the fresh coronavirus hotspot in Hai Duong province where a variant strain originating from the United States was recorded.

The Japanese expert entered Vietnam on January 17 through Tan Son Nhat International Airport. He was placed in quarantine in Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Binh District from January 17-31 upon his arrival.

He left the quarantine facility and flew to Hanoi on February 1 after testing negative twice, on January 17 and 31.

The man stayed at Somerset West Point Hanoi hotel in Quang An ward, Tay Ho district, and travelled back and forth between the hotel and his company Mitsui Vietnam.

He was found dead in his hotel room on February 13. Subsequent tests showed he had carried the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Sailors infected with COVID-19 aboard Indonesian vessel off southern coast

Five sailors aboard Ocean Amazing, an Indonesian-flagged cargo vessel off the southern coast of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province, have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to a report released by the provincial Centre for Disease Control (CDC).

Healthcare workers have already collected nasal swabs from the sailors in order to conduct a second test on the crew, with the exception of the deceased one, according to the Ba Ria – Vung Tau CDC on February 23.

While waiting for the results of the tests to be processed, the provincial CDC transferred  the sailors’ samples to the Ho Chi Minh City Pasteur Institute for genome sequencing.

A representative of the provincial CDC has stated that in the event that positive tests are confirmed, the vessel will be forced to make a U-turn and return to Indonesia in order to undergo a personnel change and chemical disinfection. Once this is done, the ship may then return to Vietnam to complete its cargo unloading.

The provincial CDC made a report to the Ministry of Health, awaiting further instructions.

Ocean Amazing originally left Indonesia on February 20 and had been scheduled to dock in Vietnam during its voyage in order to unload its goods.

At present, a total of 80 SARS-CoV-2 virus carriers have been recorded in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, all of whom have been discharged from hospital after making a full recovery from the disease.

More 43 COVID-19 patients given all-clear over last 12 hours

Two more new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed over the last 12 hours, from 6:00pm on February 23 to 6:00am on February 24, taking the national count to 2,403.

The new cases are in the northern province of Hai Duong, the country’s current largest hotspot. Both are close contacts (F1) of COVID-19 patients linked to the outbreak in POYUN Electronics Co., Ltd. in Chi Linh city who have been quarantined in centralised centres.

They are being treated at the COVID-19 Hospital No.1 in Chi Linh.

There have been 1,504 community infections so far, of which 811 have been reported in the COVID-19 resurgence since January 27.

Additional 43 COVID-19 patients have been given the all-clear, raising the total recoveries to 1,760. Death toll remains at 35.

Among patients still under treatment, 87 have tested negative for SARS-CoV-2, 39 twice and 60 thrice.

A total of 88,583 people who had close contact with COVID-19 patients or arrived from pandemic-hit areas are being quarantined across the country.

Students in 52 provinces, cities come back to school

Kindergarten children maintain 1m distance with friends (Photo: VNA)

The Ministry of Education and Training has requested local departments of education and training and educational institutions nationwide to strictly implement COVID-19 prevention and control measures, especially when students come back to school.

Schools are urged to stay vigilant against the pandemic, and proactively carry out prevention and control measures to ensure safety for students, with the focus on disinfecting classes, teaching and learning tools and toys.

Schools are also requested to coordinate with parents to keep a close watch on students’ health while they are at home and at school.

The Ministry of Education and Training also asked schools to actively build study plans for students to ensure the quality of their study after a long holiday./.

Vietnam to consider reopening up economy

Permanent Cabinet members are evaluating localities’ proposals to come up with important decisions, including reopening up the national economy, when the latest coronavirus outbreak is showing signs of abating.

The new wave has made a negative impact on business and production plans, as well as people’s daily life.

Thanks to drastic measures in place, including social distancing imposed on coronavirus hit localities, the fresh outbreak has basically been brought under control, though several cases are reported sporadically on a daily basis.

“We have to continue with the dual goal of epidemic prevention and economic recovery at the same time,” Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told permanent Cabinet members at a meeting in Hanoi on February 24.

According to the PM, it is essential to boost business and production alongside keeping the epidemic in check, or the national economy will encounter difficulty.

Vietnam achieved a GDP growth rate of 2.91% last year and it aims to secure a 6.5% rate this year.

Man dies after showing signs of COVID-19

A man who showed symptoms of coronavirus has died at a hospital in the northern province of Thanh Hóa.

Although the cause of death is yet to be determined, health officials say he had earlier tested negative for COVID-19. Results of a second test are pending.

The 38-year-old had returned to his wife’s hometown in Yên Giang Village, Hoạt Giang Commune, Hà Trung District on February 5 to celebrate Tết (Lunar New Year).

He began suffering breathing difficulties and coughing. He bought medicine at a pharmacy and was treated at the Hoạt Giang Commune Health Centre.

Over the following few days, his condition worsened and he was admitted to Bỉm Sơn Town’s General Hospital on February 21 where he was immediately isolated in their infectious disease ward.

The man, who had previously suffered from liver and kidney failure, and also had type 2 diabetes, died two days later.

Following his death, the hospital was locked down and sprayed with disinfectant. Check points were also set up at the commune where he was staying.

No location remains locked down in HCM City as new COVID wave begins to ease

The HCM City Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (HCDC) said with no new COVID-19 cases diagnosed since February 11 all lockdown locations in the city have been taken down.

The last lockdown location is block F at the Carillon apartment building at 1 Trần Văn Danh Street in Tân Bình District was took down on Wednesday.

Eighteen areas were locked down on February 8 alone after 29 people were diagnosed with COVID-19, all related to the infection cluster at Tân Sơn Nhất Airport.

On Monday the HCDC announced that for 11 days since February 11 there had been no local transmission.

But it continues to obtain medical declarations from and conduct test on people coming from provinces with social distancing.

It also encourages people to stay alert not be neglectful, and make honest medical declarations.

Health authorities in Bình Thạnh District have begun randomly testing customers and employees at restaurants and drinking places in Ward A.

On Monday night 32 people were asked to give samples and make medical declarations.

Nguyễn Việt Tường, a customer at a restaurant on Phan Văn Trị Street, told Tuổi Trẻ (Youth) newspaper that being tested like this makes him feel secure since COVID-19 remains a threat.

Nguyễn Bảo Quốc, People’s Committee chairman of Bình Thạnh District’s Ward 3, said this random testing could help authorities detect infections early and promptly take measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

They plan to carry on random testing in 20 wards in Bình Thạnh until the end of March.

HCM City has had 36 cases since January 28, when the Ministry of Health confirmed the start of a new wave of infections after almost two months without local transmission.

HCM City Dept of Health develops emergency plan for COVID-19

The HCM City Department of Health has developed an emergency plan for COVID-19 outbreaks under three scenarios of fewer than 100, 200 and 500 positive cases.

The plan is being made because of pandemic developments including new variants and outbreaks globally.

The department will continue to use available personnel and facilities at designated hospitals for treatment of COVID-19 patients.

These hospitals include Củ Chi Field Hospital with 300 beds, Cần Giờ COVID-19 Treatment Hospital with 600 beds, HCM City Hospital for Tropical Diseases with 40 beds at its Department for Transmissible Diseases D, and City Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital 2.

These hospitals will be ready to increase the number of beds to admit COVID-19 patients and others suspected of having COVID-19 if an outbreak occurs.

If the hospitals become overloaded, the department will use Phạm Ngọc Thạch Hospital’s 464 beds to admit COVID-19 patients.

The department has instructed hospitals in the city to prepare doctors and nurses to be available for examination and treatment of COVID-19 patients if necessary.

These doctors and nurses will have to receive training in professional knowledge on treatment and control of infections, and ensure safety for medical staff as well as patients.

Last year, Củ Chi Field Hospital and Cần Giờ COVID-19 Treatment Hospital were the two main health facilities isolating and treating COVID-19 patients and suspected cases. This was done to help reduce pressure and risk of transmission at city hospitals.

The hospitals’ doctors and nurses came from other hospitals in the city and worked on a rotation system.

The department has also instructed the 115 Emergency Centre to continue carrying out its task of transporting COVID-19 patients to designated hospitals for treatment.

Hospitals have helped the city Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) to take samples for testing at Tân Sơn Nhất airport, and bus and railway stations.

Besides Pasteur Institute and the CDC, tests are conducted by the HCM City Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Children’s Hospital 1, City Children’s Hospital, and Phạm Ngọc Thạch, Nguyễn Tri Phương, District 2, Thủ Đức, FV, Gia An 115 and Hoàn Mỹ Sài Gòn hospitals, as well as several hospitals owned by the Ministry of Health and other agencies.

This year, more hospitals in the city will be assessed for their capacity to conduct COVID-19 tests.

The department has instructed hospitals to prepare medicine, chemicals and protective clothes as well as equipment for their medical staff when they are called for emergencies.

It has also required all hospitals and health facilities to review and assess safety criteria in COVID-19 prevention and control. They have been ordered to ask their patients to fill out online health declarations.

Since February 5, when online health declarations began at hospitals and health centres in the city, 127 private and public healthcare facilities have used the department’s health declaration application.

By March 8, all hospital and health centre in the city will have to use the application.

According to the department, hospitals should offer training courses for their doctors and nurses in screening, isolating and taking samples for tests, and treatment guidelines related to COVID-19 issued by the Ministry of Health.

Hospitals have also been instructed to take samples for testing all of their staff by March 10.

Following the Ministry of Health’s requirement, the department is collaborating with Chợ Rẫy Hospital to set up an expert team specialising in COVID-19 treatment to assist other hospitals that admit severely ill COVID-19 patients who need emergency treatment.

HCM City businesses offer to pay for COVID-19 tests for staff

The HCM City Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (HCDC) has asked city authorities to allow businesses to pay for COVID-19 testing of their staff who have returned to HCM City after the Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday.

People returning from COVID-19 hotspots are required to take a COVID-19 test and be under surveillance for a certain period of time. People returning from non-affected localities are only required to complete health declarations.

As of February 19, a total of 186 people returning to HCM City from COVID-19 hotspots had been put under mandatory quarantine, according to HCDC Director Nguyễn Trí Dũng.

The HCDC has conducted 1,000 daily tests at gas stations, bus stations and the airport since February 16.

Many companies want to pay for testing costs to ensure safety for their employees and customers, Dũng said at a meeting with city authorities last Friday (Feb 19). “This will help the HCDC expand COVID-19 surveillance and testing in the city.”

Dương Anh Đức, deputy chairman of the city’s People’s Committee, said the city would offer assistance to companies to screen employees for infection.

Health facilities approved by the Ministry of Health to provide testing and test results for COVID-19 should be widely published, Đức said.

City authorities will also offer favourable conditions for investment in the preventive health system, including equipment, human resources and financial support, he said.

Dũng, director of the HCDC, said that it was vital to invest in state-of-the-art laboratory equipment to meet the strong demand for testing.

District-level health centres and health stations in wards and communes as part of the preventive health system must have enough personnel and equipment, he said.

More than 450 staff at the HCDC cancelled their plans for the Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday and stayed at their workplaces to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, he added.

Woman prosecuted for spreading virus

Police of Hải Dương City in the northern province of the same name on Monday started legal proceedings against a woman for “spreading a contagious disease to others”.

According to initial investigations, from February 1-15, a 52-year-old woman, residing at No.15 Trần Sùng Dĩnh, Hải Tân Ward, Hải Dương City, was suspected of contracting COVID-19 but did not follow prevention regulations and make a medical declaration, resulting in three other infections at the same address.

Earlier, the woman visited Hải Dương city’s Blind Association and had close contact with another woman who was later confirmed as a COVID-19 patient.

She showed symptoms of cough, fever and tiredness from February 3 and was announced to be suspected of contracting COVID-19 on February 11. She then tested positive for the coronavirus on February 15.

However, after working with the investigation police agency many times, she did not declare that she had gone to Hải Dương city’s Blind Association and contacted the confirmed COVID-19 patient.

She only admitted she had been there on February 17 when the data on her phone calls was collected.

The woman did not declare enough information related to her epidemiological history, so prompt prevention and control measures could not be taken, thus making three family members infected with the coronavirus.

Her act also made her residential area put under lockdown, causing economic losses for the locality.

NA Standing Committee concludes 53rd session

The 53rd session of the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee concluded on February 23 after giving opinions on preparations for the upcoming 11th NA session which is slated to open on March 24.

As scheduled, the 11th session of the 14th NA will last 11 days, with two and a half days spent to discuss reports on the NA performance in the 2016-2021 period.

According to NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, the NA Standing Committee agreed with the NA General Secretary’s report on the preparations for the 11th session of the 14th NA.

The NA Chairwoman also asked the National Election Council to deliver a report at the NA on its operation over the past one year.

During the 11th plenary session, NA deputies will listen to reports of the NA, Government, the State President and judicial agencies on their performance during the tenure, and the session will be broadcast live on national television and radio.

At the session, deputies will spend much time to work on a number of positions in the State apparatus.

No voter meetings will be organised following the 11th NA session. However, NA deputies will report the outcomes of the session to voters in other flexible forms.

The NA leader asked leaders of NA committees and agencies to make thorough preparations for smooth handover of work to the 15th NA.

NA leader praises government’s performance over last tenure

It has been a very successful tenure of the government, said National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan during the ongoing 53rd session of the NA Standing Committee on February 23.

Briefing participants on an overview report of the government’s performance in the 2016 – 2020 tenure, Minister and Chairman of the Government’s Office Mai Tien Dung said the government has stuck to its commitment of building a public-serving and constructive government of integrity and action since the beginning of its term.

The government has without delay issued programmes and plans to translate the resolutions of the Party and NA into reality and implemented the 2011 – 2020 socio-economic development strategy, Dung said.

In the face of the COVID-19 crisis, the government has demonstrated consistency in fulfilling the dual goals of containing the novel coronavirus, with a motto “fighting the pandemic is like fighting an enemy,” and recovering and developing the economy, he stated.

This year, the government will continue focusing on fulfilling the twin goals, he noted, adding that it will keep guard up against the disease, seize all opportunity to recover and develop the economy in the “new normal,” and create solid foundation for the successful achievement of the next-five-year socio-economic goals.

Nguyen Van Giau, Chairman of the NA Committee for External Relations said the government has accomplished Vietnam’s international mission over the last five years, reflected by the successful hosting of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week 2017, the 2019 US – Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Summit and the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020. The country is also undertaking the role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, and has signed a number of new-generation free trade agreements, expected to set the scene for its sustainable development, Giau said.

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan also praised the government’s effort to firmly guide the country to success despite multiple challenges. The government has showed its dynamism, proactiveness, and innovation in its governance and listened to opinions of every NA deputy, she said.

She also highly spoke of the government’s performance in diplomacy over the last five years./.

More congratulations flow in for Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong

Leaders of countries, parties and international friends over recent days continued to send in congratulations to Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong over his re-election as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee in the 13th tenure.

Messages of congratulations came from French President Emmanuel Macron; Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha; Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi; Vice President of the Cambodian People’s Party and President of the Cambodian Senate Samdech Say Chchum; Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Park Byeong-Seug; and chairman of the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) and President of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi.

There were also greetings from Chairman of the Nur Otan party of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev; Executive Committee Chairman of the Japanese Communist Party Shii Kazuo; chairman of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan Edano Yukio; chairman of the Party of National Change and Transformation (Partido Cambio y Tranformacion Nacional) of the Dominican Republic Domingo Amparo; First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Mexico Paven Blanco Cabrena; First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) Pauline Easton; a number of foreign ambassadors to Vietnam; friendship parliamentarians’ organisations and individuals in many countries in the world./.

Ministry vows to provide safest COVID-19 vaccine: Expert

The Preventive Medicine Department at the Ministry of Health (MoH) is cooperating with other ministry agencies to license COVID-19 vaccines and build plans for distribution, together with monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the vaccine, a health expert has said.

Addressing an online meeting of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control with representatives from the Hai Duong Provincial People’s Committee on February 23, Tran Dac Phu, vice chairman of the advisory council for the granting of drug and medicinal ingredient circulation certificates at the MoH, affirmed that COVID-19 vaccinations will not be conducted on a mass basis prior to full inspections, to ensure that people are provided the safest vaccine possible.

Experts said the Astra Zeneca vaccine is being delivered to Vietnam and has been prequalified by the World Health Organisation (WHO). It can be used as soon as it is shipped to Vietnam.

The MoH also said that it only buys safe, highly-protective vaccines pre-assessed by WHO, approved by a stringent regulatory authority (SRA), and with a good price.

Phu also said that despite the COVID-19 vaccine, people still need to strictly follow disease prevention and control measures, in particular wearing masks when outdoors.

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is spread by droplets, so wearing a mask is always the most effective measure to prevent its spread, he explained.

The vaccination will not immediately create immunity, he said, adding that it is also necessary to prevent a new strain of the virus from appearing.

Members of the Steering Committee affirmed that the Government is directing the acceleration of the production of a domestic COVID-19 vaccine, while ensuring safety and effectiveness.

Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen said the ministry is developing a master plan for vaccinations.

With a plan to vaccinate millions of people in a short time, Tuyen said responding to and handling any complications that may occur after vaccination is entirely within the capability of the health sector.

A list of those enjoying free vaccines will follow the principle of giving priority to frontline forces and pandemic-hit localities.

Regarding this issue, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, who is also head of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, affirmed that Vietnam is making every effort to quickly have a COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccines, both sourced from abroad and produced domestically, will be provided free, like the Quinvaxem vaccine in the national expanded immunisation programme, in the time to come, he noted./.

Hai Duong asked to speed up COVID-19 testing, trace for possible contacts

The northern province of Hai Duong – Vietnam’s biggest COVID-19 epicentre at present – should continue speeding up testing and tracing all possible contacts with confirmed cases, while carrying out flexible screening tests at high-risk areas.

The recommendation was made by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, head of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, during a virtual meeting with the provincial People’s Committee on February 23.

Dam lauded efforts exerted by the locality and the Health Ministry’s support forces in pandemic prevention and control.

Experience learned from the fight in Hai Duong can be valuable lessons for other localities nationwide, he stressed, adding that even when the pandemic is over, Hai Duong needs to stay alert like other localities.

The Deputy PM also asked Hai Duong to encourage its people who do not live in disease-hit areas to wear cloth masks, and strictly punish those making false health declarations.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Luong Van Cau affirmed that Hai Duong is capable of conducting COVID-19 testing. He added the province will conduct extensive testing in the next six days.

Regarding the testing, Deputy Health Minister Do Xuan Tuyen emphasized that extensive testing need to follow health authorities’ directions, and asked the province to strengthen prevention and control measures at concentrated quarantine areas./.

Ministry steps up scientific research for COVID-19 prevention

The Ministry of Science and Technology has said it is intensifying studies serving COVID-19 prevention and control, particularly those on vaccine production.

It will prioritise cooperation with competent agencies in Vietnam and international partnerships in the import, research and production of COVID-19 vaccines, it noted.

The body said it is also working with relevant units in offering information on the pandemic developments.

Since the first outbreak detected in Vietnam, the ministry has joined scientists to conduct studies on epidemiology, virology, treatment regimens, especially the production of the virus test kits. Such work laid the basis for current mass production of the kits.

Vietnam logged three more COVID-19 cases on February 23 morning, raising the country’s total community infections to 1,496, according to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

Vietnam is one of the 40 countries that have conducted human trials of a COVID-19 vaccine. The nation expects to have 80 percent of its population vaccinated against COVID-19. However, the current supply allows the country to inject only 20 percent of the population in 2021-2022, targeting 95 percent of those vulnerable to virus infection./.

Tree planting festival: Individual trees make a forest

The tree planting festival initiated by President Ho Chi Minh has beeen a tradition in Vietnam for more than 60 years, encouraging afforestation and forest protection and greatly contributing to national development.

Since the first tree planting festival was held in the spring of 1960, following the late leader’s teachings, authorities and sectors from the central to grassroots levels, along with people nationwide, have joined hands in planting trees whenever a new year arrives.

To uphold this tradition and cope with global climate change, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on December 31, 2020, issued Directive No 45/CT-TTg on organising a tree planting festival and stepping up forest protection and development at the beginning of 2021.

Accordingly, Vietnam is to plant 1 billion trees from now to 2025, including about 182 million this year./.

Work begins on Vietnam – RoK Friendship Village

Work started on the Vietnam – Republic of Korea Friendship Village in the mountainous district of Bac Ai, the south-central province of Ninh Thuan on February 23.

Funded by the Korean Cultural Centre, the project has a total investment of 1.3 billion VND (56,407 USD).

Located in Ma Lam village, Phuoc Tan commune, the project will comprise 21 houses, 36 sqm each, with a porch and an indoor toilet.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, Ko Jae Seung, the project’s director, said the friendship village is funded by the RoK’s non-refundable aid. Each house will cost about 63 million VND, of which 53 million VND will come from the aid while the remainder will be sourced from soft loans provided the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies and financial assistance from local authorities.

The project is the first funded by the Korean Cultural Centre in Bac Ai and Ninh Thuan.

Once completed, the project will not only accommodate poor people in the area but also promote Vietnamese and Korean cultures in the province./.

Tuyen Quang advised to pay greater attention to forest economy

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has lauded Tuyen Quang’s achievements in recording highest forest coverage ratio among localities nationwide at 65 percent, suggesting the province to consider forestry as a major economic development orientation to escape from poverty.

The PM had a working session with key leaders of Tuyen Quang on February 23 after attending the launching of the tree-planting festival in the northern mountainous province.

He stressed that Tuyen Quang should become an important hub of wood industry of Vietnam and the region, asking the locality to mobilise all resources for the goal.

At the same time, Tuyen Quang should expand a number of other agricultural sectors, he said, suggesting that the province increase the area of sugar canes for export and call on investors to invest more in agriculture and forestry.

The PM reminded Tuyen Quang, the province to pay greater attention to preserving and promoting unique cultural identities of ethnic minority groups in the locality, thus boosting the development of tourism and service sectors.

PM Phuc expressed delight at dramatic changes that the province has made in the past 10 years in both urban and rural areas.

However, he noted that the province has still faced many difficulties in socio-economic development and investment attraction, keeping it a poor province.

On the occasion, PM Phuc visited the Tan Trao special national relic site in Son Duong district, which comprises 183 smaller relic sites having close relations with the national liberation cause in the middle of the 20th century.

He also visited and presented gifts to Cao Thi Co, a Heroic Vietnamese Mother in Tan Quang ward of Tuyen Quang city and Nguyen Dinh Phung, a former revolutionary official in An Tuong ward./.

Vietnam, Jordan look to step up trade and investment

Vietnam and Jordan are looking to step up investment as well as trade in areas of potential such as tourism and Halal food production, a meeting in Singapore heard.

The meeting between Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tao Thi Thanh Huong and Jordanian Ambassador to Singapore and Vietnam Mahmoud Hmoud was held at the Vietnamese Embassy on February 23 to discuss ways to boost bilateral relations.

Huong briefed her guest on the results of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, which concluded earlier this month, and the country’s success in maintaining positive economic growth and responding to COVID-19 last year.

Hmoud, for his part, said he expects Jordan and Vietnam will continue fostering bilateral cooperation in trade and investment. Jordan has introduced a number of incentives for foreign investors at industrial parks, he said, adding that the country has also signed free trade agreements with various Middle East and African countries, paving the way for enterprises from foreign countries to access these markets via Jordan.

He also noted that Jordanian firms show a high level of interest in Vietnam as a major market with an open economy.

The two ambassadors agreed that bilateral ties in trade and investment have fallen short of potential and that the two sides should accelerate partnerships via discussions on agreements regarding double taxation avoidance and business visas.

Both agreed that Vietnam and Jordan need to increase the exchange of business and official delegations. Once COVID-19 has been fully brought under control, high-level visits will help intensify economic cooperation between the two sides. In the short term, online meetings between businesses from both countries are perfectly feasible, they said.

Huong reaffirmed that the embassy will made all possible effort to work with the Jordanian Embassy to strengthen bilateral economic, trade, and investment cooperation./.

Festive activities excluded from upcoming Hung Kings Temple Festival

Only ritual ceremonies will be held at the Hung Kings Temple Festival in the northern province of Phu Tho this year due to COVID-19, heard a meeting of local authorities on February 23.

Incense and flower offering ceremonies are scheduled to take place at the Hung Kings Temple relic site in Viet Tri city on April 17 and 21 (the 6th and 10th days of the third lunar month).

The strict implementation of COVID-19 prevention and control measures was ordered at the meeting, along with traffic safety and social security.

Normally including myriad festive activities, the festival was cancelled last year due to the pandemic. It welcomed over 7 million visitors in 2019.

Legend has it that the eldest son of Lac Long Quan (son of Kinh Duong Vuong) and Au Co (the fairy daughter of De Lai) was made king. He named the country Van Lang and set up the capital in Phong Chau (modern-day Viet Tri city), beginning the 18 dynasties of the Hung Kings.

The kings chose Nghia Linh Mountain, the highest in the region, to perform rituals devoted to the rice and sun deities to pray for healthy crops.

To honour their substantial contributions, a complex of temples dedicated to the kings was built on Nghia Linh Mountain, and the tenth day of the third lunar month serves as the national commemorative anniversary for the kings.

The worshipping rituals of the Hung Kings was recognised as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012./.

New deal promises green solutions for HCM City

A memorandum of understanding on green development cooperation for 2021-2025 was signed between the Urban Environment Limited Company (CITENCO) and the Finance and Investment State-owned Company (HFIC) from Ho Chi Minh City on February 23.

The pact highlights investments in green solutions to improve the effectiveness of environmental projects implemented in the southern economic hub, which generates nearly 9,000 tonnes of domestic solid waste daily. According to CITENCO Director Huynh Minh Nhut, of that total, only 2,000 tonnes are recycled, while nearly 75 percent of the remainder is buried.

Nguyen Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the HFIC Members’ Council, said the deal reflected the common orientations of the two companies in launching urban environmental projects together, particularly those on recycling solid waste.

Projects include the building of a landfill at the Phuoc Hiep – Cu Chi waste treatment complex and a plant for recycling and treating solid waste classified at the source, as well as moving a hazardous waste treatment plant from Dong Thanh to Phuoc Hiep commune.

The HFIC has committed to supporting CITENCO in paperwork and granting it preferential loans for project implementation.

The two also agreed to introduce cooperative opportunities to each other and invite the engagement of a third party when necessary./.

RoK aids Quang Tri in alleviating flooding aftermath

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has offered the central province of Quang Tri over 6.9 billion VND (over 300,000 USD) in non-refundable aid to help it handle the damage caused by consecutive storms and flooding in October last year.

The funding will be used to repair basic infrastructure and facilities in seven communes, including Cam Thuy, Phong Binh, Hien Thanh, Hai Thuong, Triecu Trach, Thuan and Mo O, as well as at the Quang Tri technical college.

According to a document approved by local authorities on February 23, repairs are set to run until July 31.

Central Vietnam was struck by four storms, three floods, and a series of landslides last October. The seven communes bore the brunt of the disaster, with schools, bridges, roads, water supply systems, housing, and other buildings swept away or destroyed.

KOICA provided non-refundable aid of more than 9.6 million USD to Quang Tri in the 2013-2017 period, to help the province conduct a programme on increasing living standards in rural areas./.

Prime Minister launches tree planting campaign in Tuyen Quang province

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on February 23 launched a tree planting campaign in the northern mountainous province of Tuyen Quang which is a former revolutionary base.

In his remarks, PM Phuc highlighted Tuyen Quang’s advantages for forestry development, saying over the past years, the province has made outstanding performance in forestation, forest protection and forestry-based economic development in tandem with new-style rural area building.

Environmental protection is the responsibility of all people, he said, adding that tree planting and preservation is one of the practical activities to ensure sustainable development.

The Government has joined hands with localities nationwide in this regard, aiming to maintain forest coverage at 42 percent, and raise the export revenue of timber and forestry products to at least 14 billion USD this year, and over 20 billion USD in 2025, the PM continued.

He called on administrations at all levels, departments, agencies and ethnic groups in Tuyen Quang province to respond to the tree planting festival initiated by President Ho Chi Minh in the spring of 1960.

PM Phuc assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to assist the province in implementing relevant programmes and projects, and suggested Tuyen Quang combine forestation and forest preservation with eco-tourism.

The same day, the PM attended a ceremony announcing Tuyen Quang city as a second-tier urban area, a subordinate administrative unit of Tuyen Quang province.

Speaking at the event, PM Phuc said Tuyen Quang city plays a significant role as a political and socio-economic centre of the province, and a hub of transport and infrastructure of the northeastern and northwestern regions.

He asked the city to spur socio-economic development, while ensuring national defence and security and environmental protection.

Tuyen Quang city needs to make greater efforts in order to win the status of first-tier city in 2030, the government leader said./.

Striker Anh Đức comes out of retirement to join Long An

Former top national team striker Nguyễn Anh Đức has inked a one-year contract with V.League 2 club Long An.

The 35-year-old has joined Long An as a player and a member of the coaching staff.

The former player of Bình Dương is about to complete the A coaching class held by the Việt Nam Football Federation, so the contract signed between Long An and Đức has a provision for him to become an assistant coach.

“Đức joined Long An to continue to maintain his passion for football. In addition to being a player, he is also able to pass on his experience to young players on the pitch as well as in real life. So the team decided to create conditions for Đức to assume the role of assistant,” said Võ Thành Nhiệm, chairman of Long An Football Club.

Đức is hoped to greatly improve Long An’s attack in an effort to win promotion to the V.League 1 for the 2023 season.

According to the club’s technical director Ngô Quang Sang, Đức’s experience is extremely valuable, which can help young players improve for the goal of winning promotion in the 2022 season.

“Long An want to be back in the V.League 1 in 2023. Particularly for the 2021 season to start, we only aim to get the best results possible. To complete that goal, Long An need to invest a lot in human factors.

“Đức is an experienced player with many years of playing for Bình Dương and the Vietnamese national team. His presence means a lot for the future of Long An club,” said Sang.

Đức played for Bình Dương in the national top-flight from 2006 to 2019, scoring 116 goals in 335 matches. He won four V.League 1 titles, four National Super Cups and two National Cups.

He was a key part of the national team that won the AFF Cup 2018 and in the Asian Games 2019.

After leaving Bình Dương, he played for Hoàng Anh Gia Lai in the V.League 1 last season but didn’t score any goals.

HCM City hospital collects blood from employees

HCM City’s Thống Nhất Hospital organised a Day of Voluntary Blood Donation for its staff on February 23 to address a shortage of blood amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Its 202 employees donated 60.2 litres, equivalent to 240.4 units of blood.

It was followed by the HCM City Hospital of Haematology and Blood Transfusion and National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion calling on people to donate blood.

According to the institute, with the return of the pandemic before Tết, voluntary blood donation programmes had to be cancelled, leading to a shortage of blood.

Its stocks are also falling, it said.

The institute estimates it needs nearly 50,000 units for this month and next.

Red Cross launches campaign to support farmers in COVID-19-hit Hải Dương

The Việt Nam Red Cross Society (VNRC) launched a campaign to help COVID-19-hit Hải Dương’s farmers sell their agricultural products on Tuesday.

The campaign, entitled ‘Together with people to consume agricultural products’, aims to support farmers and overcome difficulties in virus-hit parts of Hải Dương Province.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, VNRC President Nguyễn Thị Xuân Thu said the campaign would run from now until mid-March with the peak period from February 24 to March 5 with support from the Hà Nội City Red Cross Society and the Mùa Thu và những người bạn (Autumn and Friends) volunteer group.

“Agricultural produce trading activities will be held in conditions to ensure safety against the COVID-19 pandemic. All of these goods are strictly quarantined and sterilised before they reach consumers,” said Thu.

Đỗ Minh Quân from Ciputra Urban Area in Bắc Từ Liêm District, Hà Nội, said he went to buy some farm produce to help farmers in pandemic-hit Hải Dương, which has seen more than 600 locally-transmitted COVID-19 infections in almost a month.

On the first day of the campaign, VNRC and Autumn and Friends helped sell 11 tonnes of farm produce, including kohlrabi, cabbage, guava, eggs, carrots and tomatoes from virus-hit Hải Dương.

More than 11 tonnes of agricultural products were sold on the first days of the campaign. — VNS Photo Thanh Hải

The programme aims to help farmers in COVID-19 pandemic-hit areas sell their agricultural products and overcome the difficulties of the pandemic by buying and organising sales points for their produce.

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