Social affairs

The Hanoitimes - The centrally-run cities are major cities being in charge of driving the development of the whole country. The Government has decided to upgrade three provinces into cities affiliated to the government, also known as centrally-run cities, by 2025. Vietnam is expected to upgrade three provincial level cities into national level municipalities. Photo: Kinhtedothi.vn These provinces are the northern province of Bac Ninh, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue and the southern province of Khanh Hoa, which will be added to the list of major cities including Hanoi, Danang, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho. The centrally-run cities are major cities having a developed economy with a political, cultural, economic and social hub. These cities have developed infrastructure and science and technology, many higher education institutions and convenient transportation. They will be in charge of driving the development of the whole country. Bac Ninh province, 30 kilometers from Hanoi, is seen as the center of industrial and export processing zones including industrial parks of HANAKA, Yen Phong, Thuan Thanh, Gia Binh, Que Vo. In 2020, despite having to cope with difficulties and challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Bac Ninh still managed to make great socio-economic gains. Bac Ninh's economy achieved a growth rate of 1% in the context of a world economic recession, its gross regional domestic product (GRDP) has continued to be expanded to an estimated VND205 trillion (US$8.8 billion), ranking the 7th nationwide, its per capita GRDP is estimated at VND144 million (US$6,222), 2.1 times higher than the national average. Thua Thien-Hue, some 10 kilometers from the beach city of Danang, has set the goal to become a centrally-run municipality by 2025 on the basis of preserving and promoting values of ancient capital’s heritage and Hue cultural identities. The province achieved last year an annual gross …

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The Hanoitimes - Hanoi has listed 13 acts of violation and corresponding punishments ranging from administrative fine to criminal prosecution. The Hanoi Department of Justice has made public a list of penalties for violating Covid-19 pandemic prevention regulations, with the highest penalty up of to VND20 million (US$849.23) and criminal prosecution, Kinh te & Do thi newspaper reported. Police enforces mask wearing regulation. Photo: VNA The list details 13 acts of violation and corresponding punishments ranging from administrative fine to criminal prosecution in accordance with the Criminal Code. 1. Not wearing a face mask in public places is punishable with a fine of VND300,000 (US$12.74). 2. Indiscriminate dumping of used face masks will be subject to a fine of between VND5 million (US$212.31) and VND7 million US$297.23). 3. A person who conceals his or her own Covid-19 infection or others infected with Covid-19 will be fined VND2 million (US$84.92). 4. Those who evade medical examination and supervision before entering and leaving epidemic-hit regions will face a fine of VND20 million (US$849.23). 5. Those who deliberately make wrong or dishonest medical declarations that cause infection of Covid-19 to others will be handled in accordance with Article 240 of the Penal Code. 6. Those who sell food and drinks in public places, contravening the social distancing policy, will be subject to a fine of between VND10 million (US$424.61) and 20 million (US$849.23). 7. Those who contravene the decision to suspend businesses and services leading to public gatherings will face a fine of between VND10 million (US$424.61) and 20 million (US$849.23). 8. Those who flee quarantine places and fail to comply with the isolation regulations will be fined VND10 million (US$424.61) or handled in accordance with Article 240 of the Penal Code if causing Covid-19 infection to others. 9. Those who flee quarantine places and fail to …

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The Hanoitimes - Vietnam’s airlines have added more flights to Danang to airlift tourists out of the city, totaling about 130 flights from the city since July 26. Some 80,000 tourists are stuck in Danang and find ways to return home, each province and city is taking their own preventive measures while awaiting the prime minister's instructions. Each locality including Danang city is empowered to adopt their own measures to combat Covid-19. Photo: Zing As of July 26, flights from Danang to the provinces were still considered as regular flights. On the morning of July 27, flights to and from the city were still allowed. From 12am of July 28, six districts with around one million people in Danang have been put under lockdown and transport is banned to and from the city. On July 26, the medical quarantine unit of Danang airport requested air passengers leaving the city to make medical declaration before boarding. All airlines are required to provide the contact of passengers on each flight to the medical quarantine unit for checking. Vietjet requested passengers on flights departing from Danang during this period to make paper or electronic medical declaration at the airport. Vietnam Airlines, which operates 10 air routes from Danang to different localities, said the airplanes are thoroughly disinfected every day. Pre-boarding health check is conducted. Passengers are provided with face masks, gloves and antiseptic towels. Passengers are also required to wear face masks during the whole flight. All members of the flight crew have to wear medical protective gear. Passengers are applied safety measures and their health status is monitored after landing. On July 26, there were eight ferry flights (without passengers) taking off from Noi Bai airport to Danang to airlift passengers. Although no direction from the government has been issued, Noi Bai airport’s authorities have proactively arranged a special area to welcome passengers …

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