Social

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

From September 21, Hanoi has relaxed its anti-epidemic measures, with many activities and services resuming. Many streets were busy on the first day of the capital city easing social distancing measures. The city has allowed the reopening of some non-essential services across the city. It has also removed the requirement of travel permits for inner city commuters. There are no longer three-colored zones (red, yellow and green). Stores providing essential goods and services are allowed to open, along with traditional markets, shopping centres, stores for stationery, textbooks, and other learning equipment, mechanics, electronics, and home appliances and in-door hairdressing salons. Restaurants and food and drink establishments are permitted to reopen for delivery only and must close before 9pm every day. Motorbike delivery services, including those using ride-hailing apps will continue to operate from 9am to 10pm but shippers must be vaccinated with at least one dose, make … [Read more...] about Hanoians line up for haircuts on first day of relaxed social distancing

Imexpharm's high-tech pharmaceutical factory in Binh Duong. Photo: Imexpharm Corporation Imexpharm Corporation, a leading pharmaceutical enterprise specialising in the production and sale of modern pharmaceutical products, focusing on antibiotics, has just published its business report for August. Accordingly, Imexpharm's net revenue in the month reached VND93.8 billion ($4.08 million) with VND17.2 billion ($747,826) of pre-tax profit, respectively down 12 and 14 per cent on-year. Accumulated for the first eight months, net revenue was VND779.3 billion ($34.2 billion) andpre-tax profit was VND144.8 billion ($6.37 million), little much different from last year's figure. The company’s leaders stated revenue has been severely affected by social distancing and travel restrictions since July, resulting in a slight decrease in accumulated pre-tax profit for the first eight months. The proportion of over-the-counter (OTC) and ethical drugs (ETC) in August remained at 61 and 39 … [Read more...] about Imexpharm Corporation reports dropping revenue during social distancing

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

A representative of HCM City's Youth Union wears the costume of a traditional character of the Mid-Autumn Festival, as she presents gifts for children of migrant workers in dormitories in HCM City (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNS/VNA) - Many children in Ho Chi Minh City , the country’s coronavirus epicentre, have enjoyed a special Mid-Autumn Festival this year despite social distancing regulations thanks to joint efforts of authorities, organisations and volunteers. In the past three days, the dormitories of migrant workers in Son Ky, Tay Thanh wards in Tan Phu district; Tan Nhut, An Phu Tay wards in Binh Chanh district; and Hiep Phuoc Industrial Zone in Nha Be district have been full of the sounds of happiness with children’s laughter. Youngsters celebrated their Mid-Autumn Festival with mooncakes, milk, small boxes of candy and biscuits, as well colourful paper lanterns. These are in gift packages for the full-moon festival local authorities, youth unions and benefactors, … [Read more...] about Efforts made to bring special Mid-Autumn Festival to kids amid COVID-19

By 2025, Hanoi envisions becoming a highly competitive city in the region by restructuring the growth model based on technological advancement and innovation. Despite the severe Covid-19 situation, Hanoi continues to set a high gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth of up to 7.5% during the 2021-2025 period. Hanoi from above. Photo: Pham Hung Given the city’s estimated GRDP growth at around 3.97-4.54% in 2021, this would require Hanoi to achieve an average growth rate of 8.25-8.4% for the 2022-2025 period. This was among two growth scenarios in Hanoi’s socio-economic development plan for the 2021-2025 period, which have been signed off by Secretary of the Hanoi's Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung. In a less optimistic scenario, the city is expected to average economic growth of 6.5-7% during the period. This case is based on the fact that Vietnam could only contain the pandemic in the fourth quarter of 2021 and achieve herd immunity by the second half … [Read more...] about Hanoi targets 7-7.5% GRDP growth in 2021-25 period