Society

Hanoi (VNA) - The Department of Immigration is shutting offices for the foreseeable future, but foreigners needing visa renewals should not be overly concerned. As the nation ‘stays at home’ to avoid the spread of COVID-19, the department office will close from April 2 until further notice, according to a source from the department. However, if a visa belonging to any foreigner staying in Vietnam right now expires while their offices are closed, the holder will not be penalised. Instead, visas can be renewed when the office reopens. No date for the reopening has been confirmed as it depends on the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the source said./. … [Read more...] about Foreigners not penalised for overstaying during national social distancing

Hanoi (VNA) – Russian radio Sputnik has lauded the Vietnamese Government’s prompt response to the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, especially its decision to declare a nationwide epidemic and social-distancing order. The radio quoted experts as saying that the nationwide epidemic announcement at a time when the number of COVID-19 cases in Vietnam stands at only more than 200 has demonstrated the government’s timely reaction. The declaration has helped the government, agencies and people make preparedness for the disease combat, experts said, adding that the announcement at such an early date has also enabled the government to use strict quarantine measures in order to curb the spread of the pandemic.           Thanks to the decision, Vietnam has completely barred imported cases via roads, waterways, air and sea routes, the radio said. According to Sputnik, Vietnam has done well in the disease control, quarantine and … [Read more...] about Russian radio praises Vietnam’s COVID-19 prompt response

With 25 patients already being previously discharged from medical facilities, a total of 55 COVID-19 cases have so far been cured and released from hospital as of March 30. Moreover, dozens of other patients have also tested negative for the virus and are now in the process of waiting for decisions on when they too can be released. … [Read more...] about 30 more COVID-19 patients receive discharge from hospital

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the decision was relayed to the Cambodian and Laotian embassies based in Vietnam, noting that the country is hopeful of co-operating further with the governments of both nations whilst looking to work closely with regional partners in the fight against the COVID-19. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that in recent days, countries and territories throughout the region and around the world have taken a number of drastic measures, such as the closure of borders, aimed at curbing the spread of the epidemic. … [Read more...] about Vietnam temporarily halts border crossing from/to Laos, Cambodia

Hanoi (VNA) – As many as 68,184  labourers had lost their jobs or been affected amid the COVID-19 pandemic as many enterprises in Hanoi have been forced to scale down production or temporarily suspended operations, the municipal Confederation of Labour announced on April 1. Figures from the organisation showed that by March 30, up to 3,017 enterprises in Hanoi had been seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Of them, 741 have been forced to suspend operations, leaving tens of thousands of labourers unemployed. Nearly 40,000 teachers and staff at private schools have also had their incomes lowered due to the pandemic. In order to support affected labourers, the organisation has asked local authorities to collaborate with district trade unions to support them during these difficult circumstances. The organisation has also asked district standing committees to coordinate with trade unions to closely supervise the implementation … [Read more...] about Hanoi: Over 68,000 labourers affected by COVID-19 pandemic