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The possibility of imposing stricter restrictions rather than Directive 16 is very likely. The Vietnamese Government has asked all southern cities and provinces to flexibly apply proper measures under Directive 16 that imposes stay-at-home order and bans non-essential activities. Special focus should be placed on social distancing to ensure the proper distance between people, between families, and neighborhood groups, the Government said in a resolution issued on July 20. A deserted road in the central part of Ho Chi Minh City during the restrictions. Photo: Thanh Nien It means that all 19 cities and provinces, including Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), need to stress the importance of the implementation of Directive 16 that also mandates closures of non-essential businesses and limits transportation services. Stay-at-home order is placed except for emergencies and purchase of essential goods like drug and food. The Government affirmed it will continue sparing no …

[Read more...] about Today’s Covid News: Vietnam considers stricter restrictions in southern region

Lawmakers scrutinise many crucial matters at a plenary session in Hanoi on July 21. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Lawmakers scrutinised many crucial matters at a plenary session in Hanoi on July 21, as part of the first sitting of the 15th National Assembly . In the morning, they adopted resolutions on the election of NA Secretary General , Chairperson of the Council for Ethnic Affairs , heads of NA Committees, and State Auditor General. Bui Van Cuong, member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary General of the 14th NA, continues to hold the post of the NA Secretary General in the 15th tenure. Y Thanh Ha Nie Kdam, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Central Enterprises Bloc, was elected as Chairman of the Council for Ethnic Affairs. Tran Sy Thanh, member of the Party Central Committee, was re-elected as the State Auditor General. During the debate on the NA’s supervision programme for 2022, many legislators suggested the NA Standing Committee put …

[Read more...] about 15th NA’s first session: law building should be reformed

At the event (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as a coordinator for ASEAN-Japan relations, organised a virtual high-level roundtable themed “ASEAN-Japan: Reviewing the journey travelled, toward the 50th anniversary of dialogue partnership ” on July 21. The roundtable saw the presence of ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi, senior officials of ASEAN countries and Japan, Ambassadors of Japan and ASEAN member states to Hanoi, and representatives from Vietnamese ministries, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the region’s leading scholars and researchers. This is Vietnam’s initiative to create an opportunity for ASEAN countries and Japan to look back on the five decades of cooperation and put forward orientations for the next period. In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said that Japan is a reliable friend and partner of ASEAN, and the ASEAN-Japan …

[Read more...] about ASEAN-Japan roundtable looks toward 50th anniversary of dialogue partnership

Health workers prepare for COVID-19 vaccination in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on July 8. (Photo: Xinhua/ VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Cambodian Ministry of Health has said that the government could reach its goal of vaccinating 10 million people sooner than expected, while Thailand set a new daily record of 13,002 COVID-19 cases on July 21. As reported by Cambodia’s Khmer Times newspaper, the health ministry confirmed six million Cambodian people have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Health Ministry spokeswoman Or Vandine said that the number of people who have received their second dose has also risen to more than four million. She said that the government is pushing hard its plans to vaccinate 10 million people by October or November this year, which means it is way ahead of the original master plan of reaching the targeted goal in May 2022. Meanwhile, the over 13,000 cases logged on July 21 pushed Thai caseload to 439,477. The Thai health ministry …

[Read more...] about COVID-19: Cambodia to complete vaccination soon; Thailand posts high daily cases

Two famous scientists have expressed their concern about the new standards for PhDs set by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), warning that they will affect the quality of Vietnam’s higher education. Ngo Viet Trung, former Head of the Vietnam Mathematics Institute Some years ago, the public was stunned by statistics about post-graduate training activities at a university. MOET’s inspectors at the time reported that the total number of postgraduates were 350 in 2015 and 400 in 2016. As many as 281 people successfully defended a doctoral dissertation in 2015 and 265 in 2016, which meant that the establishment produced one PhD a day. There were professors who gave advice to 12 PhD students, and there was a PhD of Economics who gave advice to PhD student in education management. MOET’s inspectors pointed out the violations in training: the training programs did not ensure basic knowledge as required; the advisors were not in the same majors as PhD students; and …

[Read more...] about ‘One PhD per day’ incubator removed, fear of ‘formalistic PhDs’ raised

Medical workers in Hà Nội's Hai Bà Trưng District take samples from those returning from HCM City for COVID-19 testing. — VNA/VNS Photo HÀ NỘI — All people returning to Hà Nội from COVID-19 hit localities that are undergoing social distancing must isolate at concentrated, quarantine centres from midnight Wednesday under tough new regulations. Only those conducting COVID-19 prevention and control tasks will be exempt. The authorities said the move was in response to the number of people still failing to abide by COVID-19 prevention and control regulations. People gathering in large numbers has still been seen in recent days while thousands of people are also returning to Hà Nội, posing a high risk for further domestic infections. The city has also recorded a number of new cases at a pharmaceutical establishment as well as through testing of those who have symptoms of fever, coughing and difficulty breathing. Chairmen of People’s Committees in districts and …

[Read more...] about Hà Nội returnees from COVID areas face stricter quarantine

The ministry said since the pandemic broke out, Vietnam has received valuable support from people and Governments of foreign countries, as well as international organisations. The medical supplies have helped the country sail through waves of Covid-19 outbreaks, it noted. Given the complex developments of the pandemic, the Vietnamese Government has considered vaccine access and widespread inoculation a crucial, urgent solution. Therefore, Vietnam has stepped up “vaccine diplomacy,” with the engagement of Party, State, Government and National Assembly leaders, and ministries, and agencies. Such efforts paid off as the country has received the warm response from partners, neighbours and international friends that have committed up to 150 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, despite a global shortage of vaccines. Vietnam has so far got more than 8 million doses from foreign countries and partners, of which 4.5 million doses were channeled through the COVAX Facility, with 2 …

[Read more...] about Vietnam treasures international support in pandemic combat

An overview of the 15th National Assembly 's first session (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The 15th National Assembly will elect several important positions of the legislature on July 21 morning, the second day of its first session. Accordingly, the legislative body will hear its Standing Committee’s report on the outcomes of group discussions as well as the explanation and acquisition of NA deputies’ ideas on nominated candidates to the posts of the NA General Secretary, the Chairperson of the Ethnic Council, Chairpersons of the NA's committees, and the Auditor General of the State Audit Office. NA deputies will then discuss and approve the list of candidates, and cast their votes to elect the positions. After the voting outcomes are announced, the NA will vote to adopt resolutions on the election of the NA General Secretary , the Chairperson of the Ethnic Council, Chairpersons of the NA's committees, and the Auditor General of the State Audit Office. During the …

[Read more...] about Several important positions in 15th National Assembly to be elected

Rangers of Cuc Phuong National Park on patrol (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – While unprecedented environmental challenges threatening the health and lives of millions of people around the world are ringing alarm bells for human behaviour towards the nature, Vietnam is home to a primeval forest described as a “big school” that has helped spread the love for nature for the past nearly six decades. Nostalgia for Cuc Phuong Filled with the nostalgia for the first national park in Vietnam, musician Tran Chung wrote a famous song titled “Nho ve Cuc Phuong” (Missing Cuc Phuong). To many, the park spanning the provinces of Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, and Thanh Hoa is more than nostalgia but a yearning for the place full of secrets awaiting visitors to explore. “To me, it was a fairytale land and an extremely meaningful reward that my school presented to good students like me. Returning after more than 30 years, the biggest surprise to me is that Cuc Phuong remains almost intact. I’m …

[Read more...] about ‘Forest school’ helps spread love for nature

Sets of stamps issued by Fukushima Post (Photo: VNA) Tokyo (VNA) – The Fukushima Post under the Japan Post on July 21 issued two sets of stamps as Fukushima is the host town of the Vietnamese delegation during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. These stamp sets were designed and issued by the Fukushima Post in collaboration with the city's administration. Each set includes five stamps featuring the flags of Vietnam and Fukushima as well as famous landscapes and typical flowers and fruits such as Cau Pagoda - built by Japan in the early 17th century in Vietnam’s Hoi An ancient city, lotus - the national flower of Vietnam, and peach - a famous fruit of Fukushima prefecture. Priced at 920 JPY (8.37 USD) per set, these stamp sets will be sold at 90 post offices in Fukushima prefecture, two post offices in Tokyo and on the Internet. Sets of stamps issued by Fukushima Post (Photo: VNA) Speaking at the ceremony to introduce the commemorative stamp sets, Fukushima Mayor Kohata …

[Read more...] about Fukushima issues stamp sets as host town of Vietnam’s Olympic delegation