Ho Chi Minh City health authorities have requested that 10 districts prepare to reactivate their COVID-19 treatment facilities as cases are predicted to soar if the Omicron BA.5 sub-variant appears in the city. Three Omicron subvariants – BA.2, BA.4, and BA.5 – are currently dominant across the world, Tang Chi Thuong, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, quoted statistics of the World Health Organization as saying during a meeting on Wednesday. The Ministry of Health recently announced that the BA.5 sub-variant had entered Vietnam, Thuong continued, adding that the number of COVID-19 cases in the country may rise in the coming time. Vaccination is currently the most effective prevention measure, the official stressed. Ho Chi Minh City still has about 490,000 vaccine doses left, he elaborated, adding that the number of people who have received the fourth shot, or the second booster jab, is still low. If the BA.5 sub-variant appears in the metropolis, cases … [Read more...] about Ho Chi Minh City health dept tells 10 districts to prep COVID-19 treatment facilities
Health examination
Ministry asked to issue regulation to amend drugs, medical equipment shortage
After yesterday’s meeting of the Standing Committee of the Government, chaired by the Prime Minister, about the socio-economic status of Vietnam in the first 6 months, the Government Office released a formal dispatch on addressing shortages of drugs and medical equipment. Based on the reports of the Planning & Investment Ministry, the Finance Ministry, and opinions from other delegates, the Standing Committee of the Government has delivered a request for MoH to cooperate with the Finance Ministry and related ministries, state agencies to review all applicable regulations on drug and medical equipment purchase, social resource mobilization in this matter, public-private collaboration in the healthcare field. MoH then has to issue regulations, instructions within its power to immediately tackle the current shortages of drugs, medical equipment at various healthcare institutes before July 4 in order to satisfy the demands of the public regarding medical treatments. Along with … [Read more...] about Ministry asked to issue regulation to amend drugs, medical equipment shortage
Vietnam stops announcing new daily Covid-19 infection from June 29
th out of 227 nations and territories. As to Vietnam’s rate of infections over 1 million people, it now stands at the 112 th position (108,457 cases / 1 million citizens). On June 29, 9,387 patients were recovered from the disease, bringing the quantity of cured patients to over 9.67 million. At present, there are 49 severe cases requiring mechanical ventilation. No more deaths were recorded, and the rate of fatal cases still occupies 0.4 percent of the total infected. On June 28, 527,610 doses of Covid-19 vaccine were injected successfully, bringing the total number of injected doses to 231.4 million of all vaccine brands. By Khanh Nguyen – Translated by Vien Hong … [Read more...] about Vietnam stops announcing new daily Covid-19 infection from June 29
Ly Hoang Ly solo exhibition adds to artistic vitality in Hanoi
Artworks of talented Ho Chi Minh City-based artist is on display at Manzi Art Space in Hanoi. “The dreamer: heterotopia, tabula rasa, noble silence” is a solo exhibition by Ly Hoang Ly as part of her ongoing project 0395A.ĐC. Ashes (2013)- an artwork of Ly Hoang Ly made from a hybrid of cow bone ash & remnants, iron and ceramic. Photo: The Factory Contemporary Arts Centre Over ten years ago, Ly Hoang Ly officially commenced her project “0395A.ĐC”. Now the year 2022 marks the second time she presents it in Vietnam. According to Bill Nguyen, the curator of the exhibition, spanning over a decade of Ly’s career, “0395A.ĐC” is a multilayered living body of work consisting of text, painting, sculpture, photography, artistic book, video art, installation art, performance art, architecture and public art. From a seed of an idea to an ever-evolving project now, “0395A.ĐC” continues to grow alongside the artist’s ongoing inquiry into the notions of home, … [Read more...] about Ly Hoang Ly solo exhibition adds to artistic vitality in Hanoi
Vietnam’s economy lures New Zealand exporters
Illustrative photo (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam is emerging as a good option for Kiwi exporters looking to diversify where they sell their goods, said New Zealand’s new site 1news .co.nz in a recent article. The article cited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand’s report prepared by the Embassy in Hanoi as saying between 2016 and 2021, Vietnam led ASEAN in terms of growth per capita. This growth rate is higher than that of other major ASEAN markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, or the Philippines Trade Commissioner Joseph Nelson said Vietnam is a "frontier market" presenting new opportunities, and challenges, to Kiwi exporters looking to diversify. "As Vietnam has come out of its COVID waves, we are seeing a really strong bounce back in the economy. GDP is expected to be between 6.5% to 7.5% next year," he said as quoted by the article. "All the markets in Southeast Asia are bouncing back quite strongly, but Vietnam definitely is the best … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s economy lures New Zealand exporters
N.A. Chairman begins official visit to U.K.
The visit aims to maintain and deepen the cooperative relations between the two countries and affirm the importance Vietnam attaches to the Vietnam-U.K. Strategic Partnership. Through meetings and working sessions with the U.K.’s authorities, businesses and the Vietnamese community in the U.K., Vietnam expects to attract more resources serving its post-pandemic socio-economic development. During his visit, N.A. Chairman Hue will hold talks with McFall and Hoyle, and have meetings with other high-ranking officials of the U.K. government and parliament; and representatives from the business community and major economic, finance and education corporations of the European nation. The visit is expected to contribute to further strengthening the Vietnam-U.K. Strategic Partnership in various fields and at all levels, promoting cooperation between the two countries’ legislative bodies; and expanding cooperation in potential fields such economy, trade - investment, finance - banking, … [Read more...] about N.A. Chairman begins official visit to U.K.
N.A. Chairman receives leaders of several Hungarian companies
At the meetings with a leader of Gedeon Richter Company – Hungary’s multinational company operating in the field of pharmaceutical manufacturing and biotechnology research and development (R&D), and representatives of Egis Company - a leading pharmaceutical company in the Central Eastern Europe, Hue appreciated the results of their activities in Vietnam, adding that pharmaceuticals is the country’s potential field of cooperation with many preferential policies. Leaders of Gedeon Richter and Egis showed their hope that Vietnam will speed up and simplify administrative procedures for drug registration so that many new products can be supplied to the Vietnamese market; issue a longer pharmaceutical distribution license; and find solutions to some problems related to drug registration. Noting their recommendations, the Vietnamese N.A. Chairman stated that not only the Ministry of Health but also other ministries and sectors are stepping up administrative procedure reform in order … [Read more...] about N.A. Chairman receives leaders of several Hungarian companies
Vietnam, U.K. legislatures will find common ground for closer cooperation: VUKN Chairman
Even though there are differences between the two systems, the two sides will find plenty of common ground, which hopefully will lead to closer cooperation and dialogue in bilateral parliamentary relations, Mr. Morris, who is also former British Ambassador to Vietnam, told Vietnam News Agency ahead of Hue’s official visit to the U.K. from June 28 – 30. Mr. Morris spoke highly of the Vietnam-U.K. relations, saying the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties next year is a fine milestone. The bilateral relationship has broadened and deepened enormously during the two decades since 2003 when Vietnam and the U.K. celebrated the 30th anniversary and he served as the British Ambassador to the Southeast Asian country, he recalled. The recent renewal after an initial 10 years of the two countries’ Strategic Partnership was a clear indication of a healthy and vibrant official relationship, as was the signing of a bilateral Free Trade Agreement in late 2020, which is already leading to a … [Read more...] about Vietnam, U.K. legislatures will find common ground for closer cooperation: VUKN Chairman
Reopening increases foreign interest in transport upgrade
Roads, airports, and seaports are being looked at by overseas companies in terms of investment feasibility, Photo: Shutterstock On June 16, Hoang Gia Khanh, deputy general director of state-owned railway giant Vietnam Railways (VNR), received a delegation of Austrian businesses at its headquarters who introduced new products and technology solutions aiming to seek opportunities in the local industry. The commercial counsellor of the Austrian Embassy in Hanoi said that businesses expect to intensify cooperation with VNR, specifically those in funding and upgrading projects, as well as machinery upgrading and maintenance. He added that besides official development assistance, the Austrian government also has other financial tools that can help VNR access financial resources and technologies. According to Khanh, investment demand for the industry’s infrastructure development is huge and he highly appreciates the products and technology of groups like Plasser & Theurer and … [Read more...] about Reopening increases foreign interest in transport upgrade
Conference reviews Vietnam-Guangdong cooperation
Vietnamese and Chinese officials take part in the teleconference on June 29. (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – A conference reviewing cooperation between Vietnamese ministries, localities and Guangdong province of China was held in virtual form on June 29 under the chair of Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu and Guangdong’s Vice Governor Wang Xi. Opening the conference, the eighth of its kind, Deputy FM Hieu expressed joy at the positive developments in the Vietnam-China relationship in general and between Vietnamese ministries, localities and Guangdong in particular. Guangdong has the biggest trade revenue with Vietnam among Chinese localities , with bilateral trade up 16.2 percent in 2021 to 47.42 billion USD, accounting for more than one quarter of Vietnam-China trade value. Guangdong companies invested nearly 2 billion USD in Vietnam in 2019-2020. Deputy minister Hieu said amidst fast developments in global and regional economic situation, the two … [Read more...] about Conference reviews Vietnam-Guangdong cooperation