VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES AUGUST 14
16:30
HCM City to have online ceremony for new school year
The HCM City Department of
Education and Training will have a virtual opening ceremony for
the 2021-22 school year that is slated to begin
in mid-September. Speaking at an event held by
the Ministry of Education and Training on August 12, Nguyễn Văn Hiếu,
deputy director of the department, said plans for all
grades had been submitted to the city People’s Committee. They factored in various
scenarios for each grade based on the COVID-19 pandemic situation,
including remote learning, he said. The remote learning programmes for
primary classes would be designed in a more interactive and
engaging way with a reduction in teaching content. The department was also making plans
for cleaning and disinfecting schools. The Ministry of Education and
Training has said the opening ceremony for the new academic
year will be on September 5 but provinces or cities can decide on a
suitable time depending on their pandemic situation. In the 2021 – 22 the number of
students in the city is estimated to be 1.5 million. HCM City to extend social
distancing measures until mid Sept Ho Chi Minh City is set to extend
social distancing measures until September 15, the date set by the Government
for the southern metropolis to bring its severe COVID-19 outbreaks under
control, according to Phan Van Mai, Deputy Secretary of the municipal Party
Committee. This shows public awareness
regarding the necessity to protect themselves and the wider community has
been enhanced and must be maintained. “Despite the above said results, the
pandemic remains complicated, with the number of new cases tending to fall
still high, especially death toll. The pandemic is anticipated to continue
for a long time, requiring all citizens stay vigilant against the complex developments
of COVID-19,” Mai said. Since August 5, the city has
registered an average of 3,687 cases each day, of which 78.6% were in areas
under lockdown, 2.3% were detected in quarantined areas, 17.7% were found
through screening tests at hospitals. The city currently has 1,558
critical patients, along with 16 on ECMO support. As many as 10,421
asymptomatic cases are being treated at home. In addition, more than 12,000
patients have been treated for over seven days and are in the process of recovering. The southern city is now focusing on
improving the efficiency of treatment, with the top priority being to reduce
the number of deaths in 22 localities across the city. It is predicted that after
August 15, the number of cases will stay at approximately 3,000 daily cases. The city will therefore strengthen
measures from August 15 to September 15, divided into two phases,
the first being from August 15 to August 31 and from August 31 to September
15. Indeed, a range of specific measures will be implemented in each phase,
he added. It is therefore expected that on
August 15, the southern city will announce the details of
the plan, with strict social distancing measures being implemented,
according to the Government’s Directive 16. Ho Chi Minh City has recorded more
than 137,000 local cases of COVID-19 so far, the highest in the country
during the latest wave of the pandemic. Second session of 15th NA
Standing Committee to open next week The 15th National Assembly (NA)’s
Standing Committee will convene its second session at the NA Building in
Hanoi from August 17-18, the NA Office announced on August 13. NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue will
deliver his opening remarks and preside over discussion sessions in turn
together with NA Vice Chairmen. The NA Standing Committee is
expected to give opinions on several major issues. The draft Law on Emulation and
Reward (amended), the Government's report on the implementation of social
insurance regimes and policies, and management and use of the social
insurance fund in 2020 will be put on table, along with the consideration of
principles, criteria and norms for the allocation of regular expenditure
estimates of the state budget in 2022. For supervision, the NA Standing
Committee will consider the recommendation of the NA’s Ethnic Council on
supervision over the delimitation of mountainous and highland areas; decide
on the establishment of a thematic supervision team of the NA Standing
Committee on the enforcement of law on citizen reception and settlement of
complaints and denunciations from July 1, 2016 to July 1, 2021, and the
implementation of the committee’s resolutions on the arrangement of
administrative units at district and commune levels in the 2019-2021 period. It is also expected to review the
first session of the 15th legislature, and give opinions on the preparations
for the second session./. PM Pham Minh Chinh receives
Japanese Ambassador Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh
hosted a reception in Hanoi on August 13 for Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam
Yamada Takio. PM Chinh congratulated the Japanese
Government and people on successfully organising the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He spoke highly of and thanked
Japanese businesses for sharing difficulties with Vietnam in the fight
against COVID-19 and socio-eocnomic development, as well as their
contributions to the country’s COVID-19 vaccine fund. The PM wanted the two sides to
coordinate closely to increase meetings and exchange of delegations at all
levels, especially high-level ones, in a bid to deepen the extensive
strategic partnership in the new context. The Vietnamese Government always
sympathises and shares difficulties with foreigners in Vietnam, including
Japanese citizens and businesses, he said, affirming that the Government,
ministries, sectors and localities of Vietnam will accompany and implement
all possible solutions to assist foreign enterprises, including Japanese
firms, in overcoming difficulties and maintaining production and supply
chains. PM Chinh thanked the Japanese
Government and people for their valuable assistance to Vietnam in the fight
against the COVID-19 pandemic, especially their donation of millions of
vaccines doses. Amid complicated and rapid
developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, PM Chinh proposed Ambassador Yamada
suggest the Government and relevant agencies of Japan to continue providing
and transfer vaccines to Vietnam, and promote cooperation in production and
transfer of COVID-19 vaccine and treatment drug production technology to the
country. He also proposed Japan give judicial
assistance to, remove difficulties for and ensure a stable life for
Vietnamese citizens in the East Asian nation. Ambassador Yamada held that the
Japan-Vietnam extensive strategic partnership has been deepened. He highly evaluated the efforts of
the Government and localities of Vietnam in implementing the dual goal and
expressed his belief that Vietnam will soon reap positive achievements. The diplomat affirmed that the
Japanese Government advocates providing assistance in all aspects for Vietnam
in the current situation. He cited a survey conducted by the
Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) as saying that Vietnam will
become the most attractive destination for foreign investors in the
post-pandemic period. Ambassador Yamada appreciated the
PM, ministries and sectors’ move to promptly remove difficulties for foreign
enterprises, including those from Japan. However, the fourth wave of COVID-19
infections in Vietnam has affected the inflow of Japanese investment and
production activities of Japanese enterprises in the Southeast Asian country
as well as global supply chains of Japanese firms, he said. The diplomat expressed his wish that
the Government, ministries, sectors and localities of Vietnam continue
creating favourable conditions and solve difficulties caused by COVID-19 and
assist Japanese companies in pandemic prevention and control, and maintaining
stable business and production activities. PM Chinh believed that with the
concerted efforts and support of the governments, businesses and people of
the two countries, both Vietnam and Japan will soon overcome difficulties and
their friendship and cooperative ties will further develop in a more
practical and effective manner./. Conference highlights Vietnam
– India comprehensive strategic partnership The Indian Consulate General in Ho
Chi Minh City on August 13 ran a teleconference on India and its
comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam, a curtain raiser for a host
of events promoting the nations’ mutual engagements and understanding and
marking India’s Independence Day. In his opening speech, Indian
Ambassador to Vietnam Pranay Verma stated since the Vietnam - India
diplomatic relations were established in 1972, the two has support each other
in their pursuit of happiness for their peoples. They are now comprehensive strategic
partners, with bilateral cooperation growing across politics, economy,
culture, energy, defence, and people-to-people exchange, he said. The diplomat added that despite
COVID-19, the ties have been fortified in the past time, particularly in
trade and economy, while new joint works in water resources management, IT,
and cultural heritage preservation have been promoted. He said the sides have been actively
taking part in and making contribution to global issues like environmental protection
and maritime security cooperation. They are willing to extend their
participation at multilateral forums in the region and in the world. Vietnam plays an important role in
India's "Look East" and now "Act East" policy, the
ambassador noted, expressing his belief in the development of the ties toward
self-reliance, sustainability, and better economic capacity in the global
stage. India is committed to pushing its
comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam to a new height and always
considers Vietnam an important and trustworthy partner, the diplomat
affirmed. Speakers at the conference lauded
the initiative of hosting the event to discuss the countries’ traditional and
special relations, which are originated from cultural and religious exchanges
dating back more than 2,000 years. Shyam Saran, former Foreign Minister
of India, said amid COVID-19, the nations, both members of the UN Security
Council, should cooperate and support each other at multilateral and
bilateral forums. Ton Sinh Thanh, former Vietnamese
Ambassador to India, said with similar strategic benefits and cooperation
potential, the partnership will thrive./. 5th ASEAN Media Forum takes
place online The 5th ASEAN Media Forum held
virtually by the ASEAN Secretariat on August 13 continued to highlight the
bloc's goals, achievements and challenges to the region’s top media editors
and influencers. In his remarks, Secretary-General of
ASEAN Dato Lim Jock Hoi underlined ASEAN’s priority and plan in enhancing
efforts in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic to safeguard the lives and
livelihoods of ASEAN people. He emphasised that while media has
become an integral part in the advancement of societies, reliable channels of
communications that inform, educate and empower people are increasingly
essential. “ASEAN would also benefit from your
insights being the voice of integrity and the bridge between our vast and
diverse communities to secure a sustainable and resilient future,” he said. During the opening session,
participating ASEAN senior editors shared their experiences regarding
restrictions they faced in their reporting job due to the impacts of the
COVID-19 pandemic. It was followed by a panel discussion on “The importance
of multilateralism in a diverse ASEAN.” The highlight of the forum was an
exclusive conversation where media leaders had the opportunity to hear
insights from and exchanged views with the Secretary-General of ASEAN and
former Foreign Minister of Indonesia Marty Natalegawa. The conversation evolved around
ASEAN’s balancing acts between major powers in the region. It was stressed
that ASEAN should continue to enhance its convening power as well as its
thought leadership to manifest its centrality. Further, it is critical for
ASEAN to uphold and promote its principle of resolving disputes through
peaceful settlement. Thua Thien Hue closes tourist
attractions after detecting Covid-19 infections The central province of Thua Thien
Hue has decided to close relic sites, tourist attractions and landmarks in
the province starting on August 12, after it reported two Covid-19 cases
by community transmission. The provincial anti-Covid-19
steering committee this morning released an announcement about measures to
fight the disease in the province. The authorities asked local
residents to continue to refrain from going out for non-essential purposes
and practice anti-virus measures as recommended by the Ministry of Health. Eateries and coffee shops are also
allowed to continue operations, but they must comply with Covid-19 preventive
measures and open at 50% capacity with no more than 50 customers at the same
time. Meanwhile, restaurants, food stores, rest stops and souvenir shops
located along the National Highway No.1 section running through the province
have to suspend operations. Wedding ceremonies and receptions
and celebrations can take place but must ensure compliance with anti-virus
regulations. These parties must be organized at half capacity with no more
than 50 guests limited to local residents of the province. In addition, funerals must also
follow coronavirus safety guidelines and must be registered with the
authorities. The province has banned large
gatherings of over 20 people outside offices, schools and hospitals, as well
as non-essential meetings and religious events of more than 20 people. People
also have to keep a safe physical distance of at least two meters from each
other in public places. Earlier, the province reported two
locally-infected cases in Phong Dien District and the source of transmission
of the cases remains unknown. As of this morning, Thua Thien Hue
had reported 177 domestic infections in the latest outbreak, which began on
April 27. Tho Quang fishing port begins
waste water treatment A group of bio-researchers at Đà
Nẵng’s technology and education university have started a bio-based waste
treatment project using water released from fishing boats at Thọ Quang Dock,
promising 98 per cent of pollutants will be purified for releasing qualified
waste water under Việt Nam standards. Head of the team, Trần Minh Thảo
said the group began the environment-friendly non-chemical treatment from
early this year for official operation in October. He said it was the
first time ever the bio treatment was used at the decade-long hotspot
pollution site in the tourism hub. The team said at least
200cu.m of waste water from fishing vessels docking at the port will be
collected for cleaning by biological treatment each day. Thảo said waste water from fishing boats,
which contained much organic waste from cold storage mixed with fuel
tank oil, used to discharge directly to the dock after sea trips, but the
poor waste water activities will end with the introduction of
the treatment system. He said the biological treatment
solution was part of the city’s upgraded fishing port project in 2020-25. Deputy head of the port's management
board, Phạm Thành Trung, said the port, which was designed for 400 boats,
had been overloaded with more than 2,000 boats, and was heavily polluted
from untreated waste water and garbage dumped from boats after fishing
trips. He said 70 per cent of vessels
docking at the port were from neighbouring provinces, and at least 1,700
tonnes of solid waste was cleaned by the port’s staff each year, not
including waste water and pollutant dumping from boatmen and shipping yards
in the port. Meanwhile, the dock became more
polluted by sediment in the untreated waste water, he added. Director of the city’s nature
resources and environment department Tô Văn Hùng said a total VNĐ27
billion (US$1.17 million) had been allocated for upgrading the port
in 2020-25. The project will include dredging
350,000cu.m of sludge and sediment from the port for discharging into
the sea of Đà Nẵng. According to the port’s managing
board, Thọ Quang fishing port, which opened 13 years ago, was downgraded
and overloaded with more boats arriving from the central region and other
provinces. The 58ha port – the biggest
fishing dock in the central region – can handle more than 17,000 fishing
trawlers and 130,000 tonnes of fish and seafood worth VNĐ6 trillion ($261
million) per year. It shelters 2,000 fishing boats,
three times more than its capacity, and even 4,000 boats
dock during storm season. The port is visited by 3,000 fishermen
and traders each day, while 23 seafood processing plants and 11 shipyards are
located there. Despite spending VNĐ600 million
cleaning rubbish at the port, solid waste have still polluted the land and
water for years. My Son pedestal seeks
recognition as national treasure The Treasure Evaluation Council of
Quang Nam province and the Management Board of My Son World Cultural Heritage
Site has approved a scientific dossier of My Son A10 pedestal at the heritage
site, and agreed to submit the dossier to seek recognition of the pedestal as
a national treasure. The 2.26m-high, 2.58m-long and
2.58m-wide pedestal is constructed from 17 stone blocks. The pedestal was found by Vietnamese
and Indian experts during restoration work at the site in May last
year. The pedestal is a rare work of its
kind that remains intact in the worshipping space at the My Son Sanctuary. Hoa Binh releases 35,000 fish
fry into Da River The Sub-Department of the northern
province of Hoa Binh released 35,000 fry of various fish species into Da
River, aiming to regenerate, protect and increase diversity of fisheries
resources in the area. According to head of the
sub-department Hoang Van Son, the activity also aims to encourage locals to
expand fish farming in Hoa Binh Lake, while raising public awareness of
protecting fisheries resources and the environment during the process of
aquatic farming and exploitation. The Da River lake in Hoa Binh
province has a total water surface of 8,892 hectares, which is considered a
valuable source of fisheries of the northwestern region with many rare
species. However, the management over the
exploitation and regeneration of fisheries resources in the area has yet to
receive due attention. Over-exploitation of fisheries, including use of
banned fishing tools, have posed a risk of reduction in fisheries resources
and the extinction of some endemic species./. Music gala to support fight
against COVID-19
An online music gala named “Cam on
nhung dieu phi thuong” (Thank you for extraordinary things) will take place
on August 15 to raise funds in support of the front line of the fight against
COVID-19. The event will be streamed live on
GreenHat platform at
https://camonnhungdieuphithuong.greenhatvirtualevent.com/ and fanpages of
VTV3, Tiktok, VOV, Dan Tri newspaper and Dep Magazine. The music gala, divided in three
parts of the fierce front line, One Heart - Thank you for extraordinary
things and the faith to win, will gather well-known artists in Vietnam such
as saxophonist Tran Manh Tuan, Cam Van-Khac Trieu-Cece Truong family, Duc
Tuan, Kyo York, Nguyen Phi Hung, Ta Quang Thang, Ha Le and Minh Thu. Songs to be performed at the event
will be all optimistic and proud, and encourage people working the front line
of the combat against the COVID-19 pandemic. Donors can contribute money to the
programme before, during and after the livestream./. NA to discuss seven draft
laws at second session National Assembly (NA) Chairman
Vuong Dinh Hue on August 13 worked with standing members of several NA
committees on the verification of seven draft laws that will be submitted to
the legislature at the second session of the 15th NA scheduled to take place
at the end of this year. The seven are Law on Emulation and
Reward (amended), Law on Cinematography (amended), Law on Mobile Police, Law
amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Criminal Procedure
Code, Law on Insurance Business (amended), Law amending and supplementing the
Appendix-List of national statistical indicators of the Law on Statistics,
and Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Intellectual
Property Law. Regarding the draft Law amending and
supplementing a number of articles of the Intellectual Property Law, the top
legislator said that it is necessary to perfect the law in line with the era
of the fourth industrial revolution. It is essential to internalise
international commitments related to intellectual property, ensure the
uniformity and consistency in the legal system, and ensure the feasibility of
the law, he added./. Young entrepreneurs'
association donates ventilators to COVID-19 affected localities The Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs'
Association (VYEA) on August 11-12 handed over 20 ventilators, 7,000 COVID-19
quick test kits and other goods worth over 2 billion VND (over 87,800 USD) to
authorities of Long An, Dong Nai, Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan, and Ben Tre
provinces, and Da Nang and Can Tho cities in order to support COVID-19
treatment and prevention in the localities. This is one of the activities of the
association to share difficulties with the country's efforts in the fight
against COVID-19. The association recently has also
organised a charity kitchen programme to provide about 30,000 servings for
people, while delivering free masks and rice, helping to consume inventory
goods, and providing on-site accommodations for personnel serving the pandemic
prevention work in Ho Chi Minh City and other southern localities. Notably, the “Oxygen ATM programme”
is being implemented effectively by the VYEA in HCM City, contributing to
supporting COVID-19 treatment hospitals and patients who urgently need oxygen
at home. To better support frontline forces
in the fight against COVID-19, the association has launched a programme to
raise funds for purchasing ambulances serving urgent emergency cases. The
vehicles will be equipped with necessary medical equipment such as oxygen
cylinders, and ventilators to be able to provide first aid and transport
COVID-19 patients to hospitals./. Conservation group
plants 2,000 trees in Đồng Nai Forest The non-governmental organisation
Gaia Nature Conservation has planted 2,000 indigenous large timber trees
on four hectares in Đồng Nai Forest. All of the 2,000 native timber trees
belong to seven species, including Chiêu Liêu (Chebulic
myrobalan), Giáng Hương (Pterocarpus macrocarpus),
Ươi (Scaphium macropodum), Dầu (Dipterocarpus alatus), Gõ
đỏ (Afzelia xylocarpa), Gõ mật (Sindora siamensis) and Bằng
lăng (Lagerstroemia speciosa). They were planted by staff
at the Đồng Nai Culture and Nature Reserve and local residents,
with supervision from the Gaia team. Despite the pandemic, Gaia and
its partners proceeded with afforestation plans and ensured
compliance with the Government’s COVID-19 prevention regulations,
said Đỗ Thị Thanh Huyền, founder and director of the Gaia Nature
Conservation. Gaia has planted forests in
Đồng Nai Culture and Nature Reserve since 2018. In the past few weeks, Gaia
conducted online meetings and calls with donors and local partners to prepare
for afforestation in the Đồng Nai Cultural Nature Reserve, a major part
of the Đồng Nai World Biosphere Reserve. The effort is part of
the campaign “Afforestation to prevent the next
pandemic” launched by Gaia in June which includes not only afforestation
activities but also communications campaigns to raise public awareness
about the importance of forest planting. The campaign also includes the
planting of 10,000 trees in the northern province of Thanh
Hóa. Afforestation increases
biodiversity, which helps to create a healthy home for
wildlife and enhances disease resistance. Afforestation in Đồng Nai
Culture and Nature Reserve strengthens the forest's ecological value,
protects water resources, responds to climate change, and
protects one of the last populations of elephants in Việt Nam,
according to Huyền. The forest will continue to be
taken care of and monitored online by Gaia in collaboration with
the Đồng Nai Culture and Nature Reserve for the next four years to ensure the
highest survival rate. Athletes brave soldiers
in coronavirus fight It is 4am. Millions of people are
sleeping in HCM City. But on one side of the city, coaches
and athletes of HCM City's Sport Training Centre are perspiring from hard work,
with their T-shirts covered in dust. They are busy with activities such
as preparing vegetables and fruit to support people in need in quarantine. HCM City has been a national hotspot
of the coronavirus for weeks. Currently thousands of positive cases are
announced every day, and the city has been under lockdown since July 9. "Dozens of tonnes of vegetables
are coming here from cities and provinces. They are a gift of sponsors to us
during these difficult days," said Đoàn Công Tuấn, coach for
the tug of war. He is certainly in a war at the moment. "We are here to help receive
the food, divide them into portions and deliver to privileged and poor
people. We have to work early in the morning to bring these fresh and green
gifts to them in time," he said. After receiving 18 tonnes of
vegetables from Đà Lạt, they continue packing more than 30 tonnes
of squash, marrow and peanuts, which travelled through the night to
the city. After the vegetable deliveries, they
all move to the Minh Đức Secondary School in District 1 to clean the
campus, which is a quarantine area for F0 patients. "Sometime we are really
exhausted but encourage each other to try harder for the day that our
city clears of COVID-19. That dream helps us to continue with his meaningful
work," Tuấn said. A little way from Tuấn's place, his
athlete Trần Gia Luật also has no time to rest. He is busy all the time,
receiving and guiding people in District 7's Tân Quy and Tân Thuận Đông
communes who are coming to have tests. While many people help by staying
and training at home under the social distancing rule, Luật converts his
unexpected rest into volunteering The three-time national champion is
also student of the Phạm Ngọc Thạch University of Medicine. Following a call
of the university's directorate, Luật registered to join the city campaign to
resist the deadly disease outbreak. Together with classmates, he takes
part in importing data and taking samples for testing. He also helps people to check their
temperatures, declare their health status online and reminds them to follow
the healthcare regulations. "It is hot today and will
heavily rain tomorrow but it cannot stop us from working. We have to use all
of our ability to complete work here on time. People in other
quarantine areas are waiting for us," said Luật. "It is really meaningful work.
I am happy contributing my energy to the campaign when the country needs me.
We are working with a joyful mind and positive spirit. Sometimes, we are
nervous when waiting for results, and then it is great to know they are okay.
They are like our family members and we all yell 'negativeee!' and
laugh out loud." Support whatever and whenever It is 11.30am. Under the strong heat
of the sun, taekwondo martial artist Châu Tuyết Vân keeps working
hard as a medical assistant. Martial artist Châu Tuyết Vân shares
vegetables with people in need. Photo courtesy of Châu Tuyết
Vân In Gò Vấp District, Vân puts
on a protective gown, face mask and shield, gloves, shoes and head
covers. She helps answer people's inquiry and instructs them in
steps to be tested. She supports medical people to check temperatures,
take samples, and clean the area when needed. After Gò Vấp, she rushes to Thạnh
Lộc Commune in District 12 for the same job before going to wholesale markets
to deliver fresh produce to people in need. "Sometime, people do not
understand our job. They refused to do the health declaration and shout at
us. We have to persuade them a lot and even force them to declare,” said Vân "But it is just several cases.
Otherwise, people love us for what we are doing. They share food and drink
with us, so sweet! Their love releases our tiredness and readiness to work
harder." Due the pandemic, volunteering
activities can be held anytime. Vân and her team must be ready even
if it is early morning or midnight. "It is a pandemic which is
happening through the nation. Volunteers are really important to help the
task force. We are athletes but also members of the community. We not
only focus on training but also participate in social
activities. It is a good way to perfect my personality,” said Vân. "I know that it is not easy
job, and it could put me in dangerous situation but I really want to help.
Supporting people brings happiness for me and people who we help. It is my
way to strengthen my country." Recognising the importance of
volunteering, former national team goalkeeper Bùi Tiến Dũng also wants to
help. The 2018 Asian U23 championship
silver holder supports doctors at Thủ Đức City Hospital. “The more I go through the more I
see people's love and care for each other. Medical workers, police and many
others are working hard to fight COVID-19. I believe that to live is to
share. You can share whatever you have -- money, energy, love, sympathy
and understanding," said Dũng. "I want to quietly support them,
heroes in the frontline against this pandemic. I wish all of them strong and
good health." HCM City FC's Dũng is currently
resting as the national football premier league can only return next
February. He is member of the 'We Love Sài
Gòn' charity group. With about 100 members including many footballers such as
defender Đoàn Văn Hậu and striker Hà Đức Chinh, the group has given away
1,000 meals to poor people, doctors and nurse every day since it started
months ago. Earlier, Dũng and his agent Nguyễn
Đắc Văn presented microwaves, high flow nasal devices, protective kits and
food to field hospitals around the city. Dũng lost his place in HCM City FC's
first team because of his poor performance, but has set a target of
taking his place back when the national leagues come back, and to wins
head coach Park Hang-seo's belief in him for a slot in a national team
that will have many international challenges in 2022. He is one of the football stars,
such as Trần Hữu Đông Triều and Nguyễn Trọng Hoàng, among many athletes
supporting the country with whatever they have and whenever they can. Đồng Nai to give vaccine
priority to workers of ‘3-on-site’ enterprises The management board of industrial
parks in Đồng Nai Province has ordered local healthcare centres to give
priority to vaccinating factory workers of enterprises implementing the
‘3-on-site’ model. The southern province has 1,129
enterprises implementing the ‘3-on-site’ model, which involves eating,
sleeping, and working without leaving their workplace in order to keep
production going while ensuring COVID-19 control and prevention measures. As many as 125,611 out of 315,948
workers in the province are staying at the factories without going home. The district and city level
healthcare centres have been asked to arrange vaccinations at the workplaces
to prevent workers from going outside. According to Đồng Nai Department of
Health, more than 128,000 doses of vaccines have been distributed to 28
industrial parks located in seven districts and cities. The vaccination
campaign for factory workers is being implemented between July 29 and August
20. Đồng Nai has more than 600,000
industrial park workers. The current vaccines have met only 27 per cent of
demand. Đồng Nai continues to be a COVID hot
spot in the south with the number of daily infection cases exceeding 1,000 on
Thursday. The province reported 1,076 new
cases on Thursday morning. Since the resurgence of the fourth
wave, the province has reported 11,703 cases in total, including 5,008 cases
in Biên Hòa City; and 2,524 cases in Vĩnh Cửu District. There have been 87
deaths in the province. New cases continue to be detected at
enterprises implementing the ‘3-on-site’ model and rental complexes in Nhơn
Trạch and Vĩnh Cửu district. Mass testing is being conducted in
hot spots to detect community cases. In a related move, Chinese experts
working in Đồng Nai Province have been vaccinated between August 10 and 14. The provincial Department of Health
has issued a plan to distribute 3,900 doses of VeroCell vaccine donated by
the Chinese Government to vaccinate 1,847 Chinese nationals living and working
in Đồng Nai. Ministry urges localities to
transport people back home after mandatory quarantine ends The Ministry of Transport has
asked departments of transport in cities and provinces to work with
the health sector and local authorities to transport people back to
their home residences after they have completed their
mandatory quarantine period. People who have
been in close contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases have to
stay at local quarantine facilities under guidelines issued by the
Ministry of Health. Hà Nội, HCM City and other cities
and provinces are implementing social distancing orders under the
Government’s Directive 16, which bans travel to other localities. Most cities and provinces have been
transporting people back to their residence after the quarantine
period, but several localities have not been doing so, according to
the ministry. Hà Nội youth joins hands
to fight pandemic In recent days, many
checkpoints have been set up to protect COVID-free areas known
as "green zones" to prevent the spread of the virus in the
capital. Aiming to contribute
to the fight against the pandemic, Hà Nội’s youth has been
implementing activities and essential tasks to join hands
with local governments to protect the green zones in every
corner of the city. Bắc Từ Liêm District youth
union set up a rapid response team for COVID-19 prevention and control with
490 volunteers who are union members and students living and studying in the
district. The volunteers were on duty at 70
checkpoints to control people travelling in and out, and took part in
monitoring and supporting 38 COVID-19 vaccination and testing points in the
district. The district youth union also
established 40 mobile teams with 120 volunteers using portable loudspeakers,
and cycling two shifts a day to every residential area to disseminate
regulations on prevention and control and update the pandemic situation
in the city and across the country. The youth union also mobilised 15
students who were studying or graduated from medical and pharmaceutical schools
and living in the district to join the Volunteer Medical Student Team to
support medical workers at the district health centre in tracing,
testing and vaccination, according to Nguyễn Đức Ngọc, the youth union’s
secretary. Moreover, the union opened a call
centre operating 24 hours a day with the task of receiving information
to help people who were facing difficulties due to the impact of the
pandemic. Through the call center, the
district’s youth and women unions have delivered 790 gifts worth more than
VNĐ300 million (US$6,870) for needy people, youth and children in the area. Supporting farmers In Hoàng Mai District, there were
470 check points in green zones of 14 wards. The Hoàng Mai Youth Union cooperated
with other social unions and COVID-19 prevention and control units to support
the local people. The youth union's secretary
Nguyễn Quỳnh Trang said: “We reviewed the list of labourers who were facing
difficulties in the pandemic to provide timely support so as to contribute to
ensuring social security and strengthening solidarity and consensus among
people in the fight against the pandemic. The youth union also organised
connections between localities that needed to support agricultural product
consumption with the people in green zones so that people could easily buy
food, Trang said. This also helped farmers
in lockdown areas. Recently, the union had helped to
sell tonnes of longan and thousands of eggs for farmers in Thanh Oai and
Mỹ Đức districts. Trang said: “We received information
from Thanh Oai and Mỹ Đức districts' youth unions that large quantity of
agricultural products and fruits could not be sold to school and
factory canteens and restaurants due to social distancing. “We decided to connect and support
the consumption of products for farmers of the two districts.” Besides, there were 20 young people
to voluntarily work as shippers to deliver the products to every
household in the green zones in Hoàng Mai District. "All the voluntary shippers
were vaccinated and always complied with pandemic prevention
regulations," Trang said. “With the enthusiasm of the
shippers, in just two days, Hoàng Mai youth union helped to sell nearly
six tonnes of longan, 6,000 duck eggs, 100 ducks and 200kg of frogs from
farmers of Thanh Oai District and one tonne of longan and 6,000 duck
eggs for farmers in Mỹ Đức District.” The youth of the capital city have
been cooperating with authorities at all levels to protect the green
zones and soon bring the city back to normal. HCM City to set up five
emergency stations HCM City has decided to establish
five field 115 satellite emergency stations as the city has continued
witnessing more Covid-19 patients. The emergency stations are located
at Phu Tho Indoor Stadium in District 11, Quang Trung Software Park in
District 12, Binh Tan Secondary School in Binh Tan District, Binh Chanh
District’s Youth Centre, Thu Duc City’s Labour Confederation. Some Phuong Trang Company vehicles
and Mai Linh taxis have been turned into ambulances to serve the stations
which are managed by the 115 Emergency Centre and the HCM City Steering Board
for Covid-19 Prevention and Control. The ambulances specialise in
transporting patients, particularly Covid-19 cases to medical facilities. The provincial departments of
finance and health have been assigned to allocate funds for the station
operation. Earlier, up to 226 coaches in HCM
City were turned into ambulances to transport Covid-19 patients. At the end of July, around 300 cars
of a taxi company were also licensed as prioritised vehicles for patient
transportation. Binh Duong seeks for one
million Covid-19 vaccine doses supply The southern province of Binh Duong
has asked the government for the supply of one million Covid-19 vaccine doses
and pledged to use them up in 10 days. Since April 27 when the fourth
Covid-19 wave hit Vietnam, Binh Duong has recorded 34,659 Covid-19 patients,
including 242 deaths. Meanwhile, around 592 local Covid-19 patients have
experienced worsened conditions. The province is now having 1,197
locked-down areas with 97,640 people and 140 quarantine sites with 19,437
people. Meanwhile, 887 Covid-19 patients are undergoing home quarantine, and
5,422 people who have come into close contact with the patients are
quarantining themselves at home. Despite standing second in the
country in terms of Covid-19 infections, Covid-19 vaccine supply to the
province has remained modest. With a vaccination speed of 100,000 doses per
day, the province has run out of 544,060 allocated by the Ministry of Health. On August 11, the provincial
people’s committee submitted its proposal to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh,
asking for being provided with one million more Covid-19 vaccine doses. The
province committed to use the vaccine in 10 days. Quang Ngai imposes night
travel restrictions The central province of Quang Ngai
has requested their residents not to go out between 9 pm and 4 am the next
day as part of efforts to control the Covid-19 spread. The central province of Quang Ngai
has requested their residents not to go out between 9 pm and 4 am the next
day as part of efforts to control the Covid-19 spread. According to an announcement made by
chairman of the provincial People's Committee, Dang Van Minh, on Thursday
morning, social distancing rules would be applied in the whole province
starting the same day for Covid-19 prevention. People in the province are asked to
stay at home and only go outside in necessary cases like going on business
trips, working at essential businesses that are allowed to operate, buying
food and medicines, or emergencies such as medical issues, fires or natural
disasters. Groups of more than 10 people will
be banned in public places including hospitals, workplaces, and schools and
people are asked to maintain a two-metre distance. Clubs, karaoke bars, restaurants,
beer clubs, and hotels have also been suspended, while essential meetings are
allowed with less than 20 people in a room. Quang Ngai confirmed 16 Covid-19
infections on August 12, including four cases relating to a cluster in Chau O
Town. There have been 19 infections detected in this cluster so far with
patients coming in various areas in the province. Ly Son Island closes for
Covid-19 prevention People from other areas will be
banned from entering Ly Son Island in the central province of Quang Ngai as
local authorities try to prevent coronavirus from the area. Quang Ngai Provincial People's
Committee have just announced that they would stop issuing travel permits to
Ly Son Island starting from August 12. According to the announcement, only
residents of Ly Son Island who have completed a mandatory quarantine period
for Covid-19 prevention are allowed to return to the island. People with business on the island
can also travel there if they meet virus preventive regulations. Ly Son Island District lies 15
nautical miles northeast of Quang Ngai Province. The island covers 10.3
square kilometres and has a population of 22,000 people. The island has not reported any
Covid-19 infections. But as the local healthcare system is limited with many
patients with serious problems having to be sent to the mainland for
treatment, local authorities want to prevent the pandemic from the island. Contest encourages students
to create clips on traditional culture The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth
Union Central Committee has launched a clip-making contest themed ‘Essence of
Vietnam’ to encourage students to study, experience and honour traditional
culture. The contest is open for Vietnamese
individuals or groups of no more than five members, who are students at high
schools, educational institutions, colleges and universities both at home and
abroad. The clips, with both Vietnamese and
English subtitles, should introduce viewers to the costumes, music, cuisine,
architecture, customs and festivals of Vietnamese ethnic groups from across
the country. Entries should be submitted to
https://tinhhoavietnam.doanthanhnien.vn no later than October 10, 2021. The
valid entries will be posted on the contest’s TikTok channel for the
qualification round and the top-voted ones will advance to the final round. The organising board will present
one first, one second, one third, and two consolation prizes to the most
outstanding entries. There are also sub-prizes such as the top-voted clip of
the week, the top-voted entry, and prizes for the school and local youth
union with largest number of submissions. Winners of the contest will be
honoured at an award ceremony scheduled for this October. Young Artist Award honours
young talents The Vietnam Fine Arts Association
has decided to award the Young Artist Award 2021 to ten artists, based on the
results of the exhibition "Chung Ta Dang Nghich Gi?" (What are
we tricking?”) organised by the Vietnam Young Artists Club. Ten artists were honoured with the
Young Artist Award, including Dinh Duy Ton, Phung Nguyen Anh Khoa, Vang Hai
Hung, Vu Tuan Viet, Le Thi Que Huong, Pham Dinh Tien, Tu Moc Tra, Dao Duc
Loc, Pham Dinh Tuan, and Nguyen Thanh Thuy. Each prize is worth VND 2 million,
with the total budget for the prizes at VND20 million, which will be deducted
from the 2021 fine art prize fund granted by the State to the Vietnam Fine
Arts Association. Currently, the Vietnam Fine Arts
Association has no plans to award the prizes to the authors due to the
complicated ongoing Covid-19 epidemic. The exhibition "Chung Ta
Dang Nghich Gi?" has been taking place since July 2021 at the VCCA art
space, including 125 works by 103 young artists from all over the country. Hanoi to launch 2,500 mobile
stores if wet markets closed amid Covid concern The capital city of Hanoi will put
into service 2,500 mobile stores if many wet markets and supermarkets in the
city have to suspend operations in droves due to the impact of Covid-19,
according to the city’s recent plan. The plan was put forward to ensure
the sufficient supply of food, foodstuffs and other necessities during the
stay-at-home order, after Covid-19 cases shut a host of local markets and
supermarkets. Hanoi is home to around 10 million
people. The amount of necessities consumed and transported during the
stay-at-home period in the city has tripled that of normal months, as
residents have stocked up on goods for fears of uncertainties. Under the plan, the city will open
2,500 mobile stores at culture houses, community houses and vacant land plots
to sell food and necessities to the local people. Besides, 472 transaction
locations run by post offices will also offer food and necessities to
residents. Vacant land plots will be designated
for local vendors of suspended markets to continue to run their business or
for local people or businesses that want to sell food and necessities. In
addition, the city asked operators that do not sell food to switch to selling
these items to residents. The city added that it will mobilize
goods from enterprises in the city as well as other localities that had
registered to supply an adequate amount of goods to the city. If provinces and cities that usually
supply goods to Hanoi have a limited amount of goods or face obstacles linked
to quarantine or lockdown orders, the Hanoi departments of Industry and
Trade, Agricultural and Rural Development have to work with other localities
and direct suppliers citywide to take measures to purchase goods to serve the
points of sale. Over the past few days, many
districts in Hanoi have set up mobile stores with available price lists to
help local people feel safe while shopping during the pandemic and reduce the
transmission risk of Covid-19 as the shopping model would restrict large
gatherings. Education Ministry issues
core content, goals for new academic year Director General of the Secondary
Education Department (under MoET) Nguyen Xuan Thanh reported that in the
previous academic year, many high schools in Vietnam had to turn to the
distance teaching and learning mode via the Internet or television during the
time students stopped coming to school due to Covid-19. That allowed general
education to maintain the schedule and to achieve impressive results. In the last school year, Vietnam
sent 37 students to the regional and global Olympic contests, earning 12 gold
medals, 13 silver and 10 bronze ones. In the Regeneron International Science
and Engineering Fair (ISEF), one project by Vietnamese students won the third
prize, along with two projects winning special prizes from science-technology
businesses, associations, and organizations. As the Covid-19 pandemic is still
complex in the upcoming school year, the first goal of secondary education is
to strictly observe all regulations on Covid-19 prevention and control in
school while trying to improve education quality. To achieve this, the
development and organization of the plan for the school year must be flexible
to actively address any possible trouble arisen by the pandemic or disasters. Furthermore, the 2021-2022 academic
year is the first year to apply new curriculum for the second and sixth
grades. The educational staff must be well-trained for this and prepare for
the launch of a new curriculum for the third, seventh, and tenth grades in
two more years. Minister of Education and Training
Nguyen Kim Son asked that all schools and teachers be more flexible,
innovative in their teaching plans based on MoET’s issued timeframe and core
knowledge, skills to be taught. This core content is published in a document
and is suggested to be taught via direct teaching mode. Minister Son also mentioned the need
of moral education in school, along with academic knowledge so that students
become a rounded person. He stressed on the spirit of autonomy, of real
learning and real exam result, which means to avoid copying from models at
all cost, especially in literature subject. Finally the Minister requested that
the localities must take care of the teaching staff and support students when
they follow the distance learning mode. One subject in illegal tiger
raising case arrested, prosecuted Accordingly, 39-year-old Nguyen Van
Hien, living in Nam Vuc Hamlet of Do Thanh Commune in Yen Thanh District is
arrested for 4 months and prosecuted due to his violation of the regulations
to protect endangered, precious and rare species. Before this, the police have
discovered 14 Indochinese tigers captured and raised illegally in Hien’s
house. This case is under the responsibility of Nghe An Province Department
of Public Security. A similar case of discovering 3 Indochinese
tigers in the house of Nguyen Thi Dinh (in Phu Xuan Hamlet of Do Thanh
Commune) is under the responsibility of Yen Thanh District Station of Public
Security. Necessary documents are being prepared for the prosecution. Over 1.1 million doses of AstraZeneca
arrive in Vietnam: VNVC As many as 1,113,400 doses of
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Tan Son Nhat International Airport in
Ho Chi Minh City on August 13 morning, according to the Vietnam Vaccine
Company (VNVC). This is the eighth shipment from the
VNVC’s order of 30 million doses with AstraZeneca, the entirety of which
would be handed over to the Ministrty of Health at a not-for-profit price. VNVC earlier stated that starting
from July, each week, AstraZeneca would ship about 1 million doses of vaccine
to Vietnam, and the commitment has been largely kept. To date, 5.5 million doses, or
nearly 20 percent of the deal, have been delivered, nearly six months after
the first batch reached Vietnam in late February. VNVC said it was also in talks with
other vaccine manufacturers for potential deals. With the latest batch, Vietnam
currently has received some 19 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in total,
mostly AstraZeneca (11.5 million), Moderna (5 million), and Sinopharm’s Vero
Cell (1.5 million). The Ministry of Health has warned
that in the third quarter, deliveries would be few and far between, and most
of the vaccines from international commitments and purchase deals would
arrive in droves in the final quarter of the year. Over 13 million doses have been
administered in Vietnam, with more than 1.1 million people being fully
vaccinated./. Steering Committee for making
Party building project opens 1st session The Steering Committee for making
the project on continuing to promote Party building and rectification,
prevent and repel the deterioration in political ideology, morality,
lifestyle and internal "self-evolution" and
"self-transformation" manifestations convened the first session in
Hanoi on August 13. At the event, Hoang Dang Quang,
member of the Party Central Committee and deputy head of the Committee’s
Organisation Commission, announced the decision to establish a 17-strong
Steering Committee for the development of the project. Truong Thi Mai, Politburo member,
Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of its Organisation
Commission, is head of the steering committee, while Quang is its deputy
head. The session approved a work plan of
the steering committee, and assigned tasks to its members. Speaking at the event, Mai
appreciated the sense of responsibility of the steering committee members. She revealed that at the fourth
Plenum of the Party Central Committee, she will submit for approval a report
on the five-year implementation of Resolution No. 04-NQ/TW dated October 30,
2016 of the 12th Party Central Committee on promoting Party building and
rectification, preventing and repelling the deterioration in political
ideology, morality, lifestyle and internal "self-evolution" and
"self-transformation" manifestations./. French association calls for
support for Vietnam’s AO/dioxin victims The Le Monde newspaper of France has
recently posted an article of the Collectif Vietnam-Dioxine association,
calling on French politicians and the international community to support
victims of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin in Vietnam and designate a day in
commemoration of the victims. With the title “We want to break the
silence on the consequences of Agent Orange in Vietnam”, the article affirmed
that sixty years after the start of the spraying of the herbicide by the US
army in Vietnam, the consequences are still present. According to the article, sixty
years ago, on August 10, 1961, the US military first sprayed the Agent
Orange, a powerful herbicide containing dioxin - the substance responsible
for many cases of cancer and birth defects, in the southern part of Vietnam. In French history and geography
books, at the secondary and high school levels, the Vietnam War is also
mentioned. However, the content of the teaching is limited at the main
features of the past war, but does not mention to the catastrophic
consequences that still linger until today, according to the article. The country and people of Vietnam
are used to seeing disfigured faces and bodies, and the unfortunate lives are
also used to living in silence, and enduring pain, the article said,
stressing that it is necessary to break this silence. The Collectif Vietnam-Dioxine
association argued that all AO victims do not deserve to suffer the pain and
disadvantages, live in difficult conditions and have almost no access to
services. The association emphasised the need
to fight for justice for them in Vietnam as well as in other countries. The association proposed the French
parliamentarians participate in compensating for the injustices suffered by
all AO victims by acknowledging the crimes committed in Vietnam and in its
neighboring countries such as Cambodia and Laos. It also called for an official day
to commemorate the victims, as well as the consideration of introducing about
the impact of the Vietnam War on people and ecosystems at schools. The association affirmed that it
will continue to join efforts to support Vietnam. Vietnam values relations with
ESCAP: Foreign Minister Vietnam attaches importance to its
fruitful cooperation with the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and
the Pacific (ESCAP), said Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son at his
virtual talks with an ESCAP official on August 13. Talking to Armida Salsiah
Alisjahbana, UN Under-Secretary-General and ESCAP Executive Secretary, Son
lauded the commission’s high-quality policy research reports and
recommendations for regional nations, and cooperation projects on technical
support and capacity enhancement. He stressed that Vietnam welcomes
ESCAP’s 77th session approving of a resolution on the “Regional cooperation
to build back better from crises in Asia and the Pacific”. The resolution
highlights multilateralism and cooperation inside and outside the region in a
bid to promote post-pandemic recovery, prioritising the improvement of the
medical and social welfare systems, climate change response, digital
transformation and digital economic development. Son stated Vietnam will work closely
with ESCAP in the implementation of the resolution. He proposed the commission continue
its support for Vietnam amid the resurgence of the COVID-19, especially
through research, assessment and recommendations on regional responses to
supply chain disruptions, tackling of pandemic-related socio-economic
consequences, and green and sustainable recovery. His proposals also covered ESCAP’s
assistance for the Mekong region in implementing the UN sustainable
development goals (SGDs), boost connectivity, improving water management, and
responding to natural disasters. The minister said 2022 marks both
ESCAP’s 75th founding anniversary and Vietnam's 45th anniversary of
membership to the UN, adding that this is a good chance for Vietnam and ESCAP
to jointly launch initiatives to deepen their ties and increasing Vietnam’s
participation in and contribution to ESCAP. For her part, Alisjahbana commended
Vietnam’s socio-economic and international integration achievements in recent
years as well as the nation’s previous ASEAN chairmanship for 2020 and
current role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for
2020-2021. She said she values the cooperation
with Vietnam and its active and responsible participation in ESCAP that has
contributed practically to efforts toward regional collaboration and
socio-economic development. She pledged her willingness to boost
cooperation with and support for the country in social welfare protection,
statistics, e-commerce, and the building of its Voluntary National Review
report on the implementation of the SDGs at national and local levels. She stated the commission will
further assisting regional nations, including Vietnam, in green, sustainable
and inclusive socio-economic recovery and speeding up their SGDs
implementation./. Vietnam treasures cooperative
relations with Russia: Party chief The Vietnamese Party, State and
people have consistently treasured and promoted cooperative relations with
Russia, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu
Trong has said. Receiving newly-appointed Russian
Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Bezdetko in Hanoi on August 13, the Party
leader affirmed that Vietnam always appreciated the wholehearted support and
assistance that the former Soviet Union and the current Russian Federation
have given to the Southeast Asian country. He expressed his delight at the
fruitful development of bilateral ties in all spheres, even amid adverse
impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that senior leaders of the two
nations have regularly held online conversations and phone talks. Vietnam and Russia have shared
common stances on almost all international issues, and closely coordinated
with and supported each other at regional and global multilateral forums, the
Party chief said. Relations between the CPV and
political parties of Russia have seen new strides, contributing to the enhancement
of Vietnam-Russia ties, he added. As Vietnam and Russia are
celebrating the 20th founding anniversary of strategic partnership in 2021
and entering the second decade of comprehensive strategic partnership, the
Party leader hoped that the two countries will continue making greater
efforts to lift the bilateral relationship to a new height. Having thanked Russia for its
assistance to Vietnam in the fight against COVID-19, he proposed agencies and
organisations of the two nations further boost cooperation in pandemic
prevention and control, including the supply of vaccines and transfer of
vaccine production technology to Vietnam. The Party General Secretary believed
that Ambassador Bezdetko, with years of working experience and close ties
with Vietnam, will continue making positive and effective contributions to
the fraternal Vietnam-Russia relationship in the coming time. For his part, Bezdetko affirmed that
Russia has attached great importance to its comprehensive strategic
partnership with Vietnam and considered Vietnam a priority in Russia’s
foreign policy in Asia-Pacific. Russian leaders highly evaluated
relations between the CPV and political parties in Russia, especially the
outcomes of recent phone talks between Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong
and President Vladimir Putin and Chairman of the United Russia Party Dmitry
Medvedev. The diplomat thanked Vietnam for its
donation of medical supplies and equipment for the COVID-19 fight, especially
in 2020 when Russia faced difficulties. Russia is willing to cooperate with
Vietnam in COVID-19 prevention and control, and relevant organisations of the
two countries are scheduled to sign contracts to supply vaccines for Vietnam
in the near future, he said. The Ambassador said he is always
willing and will try his best to further promote Russia-Vietnam relations to
a new height./. Emergency resuscitation
temporary hospital put into operation in Binh Duong An emergency resuscitation temporary
hospital, specialising in treating severe COVID-19 patients, was put into
operation on August 12 in the southern province of Binh Duong’s Thuan An
district. The hospital, with a total of 437
beds, was built inside Becamex International General Hospital in just six
days, to treat COVID-19 patients in the province. Speaking at the opening ceremony,
Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son said the temporary hospital was
built thanks to the great efforts of local authorities as well as the support
of both human resources and medical equipment from the Government and Hanoi
Medical University Hospital. Son also said when the number of
COVID-19 patients increased very quickly in the province, with many severe
cases, local authorities proposed the ministry set up the hospital. Associate Professor Nguyen Lan Hieu,
Director of the Hanoi Medical University Hospital, who was recently assigned
to be the head of the field hospital, said it was implemented very quickly
thanks to requisition of the available facilities and modern machinery from
the Becamex International General Hospital. We are now focused on upgrading
rooms to increase the number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds and preparing
oxygen and compressed air, ventilators and dialysis machines, he added. The temporary hospital could conduct
ECMO techniques to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients, he said. The hospital includes medical staff
of the Hanoi Medical University Hospital, Becamex International General
Hospital, Binh Duong General Hospital and teams of doctors and nurses from
many localities, especially from the northern provinces, he said. Vo Van Minh, Chairman of the
People’s Committee of Binh Duong province, said at the opening ceremony of
the temporary hospital that he thanked the health ministry, Associate Professor
Nguyen Lan Hieu as well as all medical staff. Minh also said he hoped all doctors
and medical staff of the temporary hospital would overcome difficulties and
improve the efficiency of treatment for COVID-19 patients./. State leader encourages frontline
forces, residents of Hanoi in COVID-19 fight President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on August
13 visited and presented gifts to frontline forces performing COVID-19
prevention and prevention activities and locals in some areas in the capital
city. The State leader encouraged
frontline forces to stay active in dealing with all arising situations, while
reminding them to keep safety during their operations. He asked local residents to promote
solidarity and mutual support, and strictly implement pandemic prevention and
control regulations of the Government and Hanoi. At a working session with Hanoi
leaders, President Phuc stressed the need to prioritise the prompt control of
the pandemic in the capital city, making it a safe place to give support to
other pandemic-hit localities. He clarified that the applying of
social distancing measures following the Prime Minister's Directive 16 must
be implemented strictly with specific solutions and the involvement of the
whole political system from grassroots to city levels as well as people of
all strata. The current target is to avoid
hospital overloads and a surge in the number of infections and deaths, he
stated, adding that human lives must be placed on top. He underlined the need to continue
applying “5K message” and vaccination strategy, along with more specific
solutions, thus keeping the heart of the country safe. Underlining the significance of
COVID-19 vaccination, he said this is the way to reduce severe cases and
deaths. Therefore, the city should consider speeding up delivery of vaccines
to residents in red zones, senior residents, poor people and those with
underlying health conditions. He stressed the need to ensure
utmost safety for medical staff and frontline forces by prioritising them in
vaccination scheme, while maintaining the circulation of goods and prepare
medical equipment, medicine and oxygen to be ready for the worst situations. The State leader said that the
people are always in the core position of all policies of the Party and
administration, thus all activities should be carried out with consideration
of people’s wish and voices, while strictly handling violations. President Phuc suggested that Hanoi
seek solutions to support pandemic-hit businesses, combine pandemic control
and production maintenance in a suitable manner, thus ensuring resources for
COVID-19 prevention and control activities and social welfare for locals. On the occasion, the State leader
handed over 40 billion VND (1.75 million USD) raised from the community to
the Party Committee, administration and people of Hanoi to support their
COVID-10 fight./. Localities asked to adopt
three-tiered COVID-19 treatment model Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long
suggested localities adopt three-tiered COVID-19 treatment model to minimise
fatality rate during a video teleconference (VTC) on August 13 morning. The VTC provided training on
monitoring, treatment and care of infected people for medical workers from
more than 700 district-based healthcare clinics nationwide. As of the end of August 12, Vietnam
documented more than 242,600 COVID-19 cases. Nearly 500 patients with severe
COVID-19 are being treated in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Twenty-one are in
critical conditions and receiving ECMO support. The death toll has reached
nearly 4,800. Addressing the event, Long said
reducing fatalities remains one of the priorities in virus control efforts in
all cities and provinces, so the healthcare system must be re-organised in a
way that provides patients with the fastest and most convenient access and
delivers the best possible services. Long suggested cities and provinces
to adopt the three-tiered treatment model, with the first being temporary
COVID-19 hospitals and grassroots medical facilities, including home-based
and community-based ones, which are designed to care for asymptomatic
patients. The second tier should be
district-level medical clinics or higher which will be tasked to treat those
with moderate COVID-19 symptoms. This tier plays a very important role
because if it performs well, it can prevent the patients’ conditions from
worsening and save their life, the minister said. The last tier will be ICUs that
admit those in critical conditions, he noted. In the face of ongoing COVID-19 case
spike, the Ministry of Health required all localities to prepare themselves
with ICU medical supplies and equipment, he said, urging that the localities
must, without delay, boost capacity of all the tiers to the maximum in order
to not be caught off guard by the virus. Minister Long further noted that his
ministry will pilot a scheme for clinical monitoring and treatment of
COVID-19 patients at home in Ho Chi Minh City and some other cities and
provinces, and test Molnupiravir, a drug proving effective in reducing virus
concentrations, in treating COVID-19 patients in the coming time. He called on businesses to boost
imports of the drug and pharmaceutical firms to negotiate with Molnupiravir
producers about production technology transfer. Source:
VNA/VNS/VOV/VIR/SGT/SGGP/Nhan Dan/Hanoitimes |
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