Vietnam News Today (September 24): Vietnam responds to China sending transport aircraft to Truong Sa; Localities ease restrictions as Covid spread slows; Tropical depression turns into Storm Dianmu; Bamboo Airways conducts first direct Vietnam-US flight.

In a statement on Saturday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that he will not attend Prince Philip's funeral in order to allow as many members of the royal family as possible to be present due to restrictions of attenders to follow Covid-19's social distancing rules and safety.

After nearly one month of activities suspended to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the pedestrian street and Ta Hien street in the Old Quarter have resumed operation starting September 18. Crowds of Hanoians flocked to the area to go for a leisure walk and indulge themselves in cultural-rich activities.