Vietnamese, who wish to apply for visas, need to bring their new passports and identity cards to verify their place of birth. Spain has recognized that Vietnam's newly issued blue-violet passport includes necessary information required by international regulations, the Spanish Embassy in Hanoi announced on August 8. The notice said the latest move was taken after technical consultation by the Spanish authorities. “However, people who wish to apply for a visa need to bring their new passports and valid identity cards to verify their place of birth,” the Spanish Embassy noted. Spain was the second country to grant visas to holders of the new Vietnamese passport, after Germany. Photo: VGP It also warned that visa granted by Spain to bearers of Vietnam's new passport would not allow their entry into countries that have not accepted the redesigned passport, even if those countries are Schengen members. Therefore, the embassy recommended that visa … [Read more...] about Spain recognizes Vietnam’s new passport
Wishing cancer patient well
FBI hands over illegally-acquired cultural artefacts to Vietnam
Vietnamese Ambassador in the US Nguyen Quoc Dung (third from the right) receives the handover of illegally-obtained cultural artefacts originating from Vietnam from the FBI. (Photo: VNA) Washington (VNA) – A number of illegally-obtained cultural artefacts originating from Vietnam have been returned to the Southeast Asian nation by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation ( FBI ). The transfer took place at the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington last week in the presence of representatives from the US’s Department of State and Department of Homeland Security. According to FBI, the US agency took possession of more than 7,000 artefacts illegally acquired by an American citizen during an operation from 2013 – 2014. It is the largest single discovery of cultural property in FBI history. A year before his death, the man agreed to relinquish these items and wished to return them to their rightful owners. With the help of experts, the FBI has managed to identify several … [Read more...] about FBI hands over illegally-acquired cultural artefacts to Vietnam
Additional 1,705 new Covid-19 infections reported on Monday
The Vietnamese Ministry of Health on Monday reported an additional 1,705 Covid-19 infections, raising the country's total tally to over 11 million. Illustrative photo According to the ministry's report, the number of Covid-19 patients in Vietnam has increased to 11,349,223. On August 8, an additional 9,223 more patients recovered from the disease, raising the number of recoveries in the country to over 9.98 million. On Monday evening, no deaths from Covid-19 were recorded. The country's total fatalities stood at 43,094, accounting for 0.4 per cent of total infections. By August 8, the country had injected more than 248 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines. Vietnam is targeting the completion of Covid-19 inoculation for children aged between 5 - 11 in August, as well as the administration of the third shot for those aged 12 - 17, as well as the third and fourth doses to people aged 18 and above as soon as possible. … [Read more...] about Additional 1,705 new Covid-19 infections reported on Monday
FM Bui Thanh Son’s remarks at ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son addresses the ceremony (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son made a speech at the ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony in Hanoi on August 8 on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the regional grouping. Following is the full text of his speech. Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, It is my great pleasure to welcome all of you to the ASEAN Flag-Hoisting Ceremony today to mark the 55th founding anniversary of ASEAN. I am also happy to see all of you, healthy and safe after two years of COVID-19 outbreak. The ceremony this morning brings me back to the solemn moment as the ASEAN Flag was hoisted high amidst the stirring ASEAN Anthem at the very successful 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Phnom Penh last week. Standing before the ASEAN Flag, we are truly proud of what we all have achieved in pursuing the aspirations of nearly 700 million Southeast Asian people for an ASEAN Community of peace, solidarity, resilience and … [Read more...] about FM Bui Thanh Son’s remarks at ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony
Pop music and ‘Grease’ star Olivia Newton-John dead at age 73
Singer Olivia Newton-John, who soared to the top of the world's pop music charts in the 1970s and 1980s with such tunes as "I Honestly Love You" and "Physical" and starred in the hit movie musical "Grease," died on Monday at age 73 at her home in Southern California. The death of the British-born, Australian-raised performer was announced on her Instagram account, saying she "passed away peacefully" at her ranch home "surrounded by family and friends." Newton-John, a four-time Grammy winner, had disclosed in 2017 that a recurrence of breast cancer had metastasized and spread to her lower back, forcing her to cancel performances. Twenty-five years earlier Newton-John had undergone a partial mastectomy, leading her to become an advocate for breast cancer research and other health issues and to establish a cancer treatment-research facility in Australia. The entertainer began performing as a child and became a global superstar after moving to the United States. She was blond, … [Read more...] about Pop music and ‘Grease’ star Olivia Newton-John dead at age 73
Dengue fever incidence rises sharply in Hanoi
According to the city Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), they were reported in 26 out of the city’s 29 districts. So far this year Hanoi has reported 608 cases, or double the number in the same period last year. There have been no deaths. Thanh Nhan General Hospital in Hai Ba Trung District has been admitting around 10 patients a day and Dong Da General Hospital in Dong Da District, five to seven. The CDC said the number of cases would continue to rise in the coming weeks since it is the rainy season in the north. Since dengue is mosquito-borne, stagnant water during the rainy season in which mosquito larvae breed means the disease normally peaks then. Experts from the CDC have warned people to closely monitor their health since influenza A and Covid-19 also currently pose threats in Hanoi. The three diseases have several similar symptoms, and people should get themselves checked if they have fever of 39-40 degrees Celsius, severe headache, muscle pain, and … [Read more...] about Dengue fever incidence rises sharply in Hanoi