Illustrative image. Photo: VNA

Vietnam reports 8,004 Covid-19 cases, five deaths on April 27

Vietnam recorded 8,004 new cases of Covid-19 and five deaths in the past 24 hours to 4pm April 27, according to the Ministry of Health.

Hanoi continued to report the highest number of infections on the day with 921 cases, followed by Phu Tho with 544 and Nghe An with 351.

Quang Ninh supplemented 3,309 cases to the national tally after completing verification of information.

A total 46,907 Covid-19 patients were given the all clear on April 27, bringing the number of recoveries so far to 9,163,132.

The country has so far documented 10,631,516 Covid-19 cases, including 43,034 deaths, cited VNA.

By April 26, the country had injected 213,317,994 doses of Covid-19 vaccines, including 1,008,414 first shots for children from 5 to 11 years old.

Vietnamese, Chinese border localities look to strengthen cooperation

A meeting between secretaries of the Party Committees of the Vietnamese northern border provinces of Lao Cai, Dien Bien, Ha Giang and Lai Chau, and China’s Yunnan province took place virtually on April 27.

The event was also connected to the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, the Vietnamese Embassy in Beijing, the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi.

This was the second meeting of its kind, aiming to jointly evaluate the results of cooperation between the localities of the two countries since the first meeting in 2021.

At the meeting. Photo: VNA

Secretaries of the provincial Party Committees of the two sides agreed that in the past year, the Vietnamese and Chinese border localities have seriously implemented the common perceptions reached at the first meeting, and actively exchanged experience on Party building and poverty reduction.

They also effectively cooperated in disease prevention and control, and established exchange and cooperation mechanisms on agriculture, according to VNA.

The two sides agreed that under the direction of the Vietnam-China Land Border Joint Committee, the Vietnamese localities and Yunnan should actively implement development cooperation activities in border areas of the two countries in accordance with the three legal documents on the Vietnam-China land border and related agreements; and jointly build a border line of peace, stability and friendship, contributing to the stable, healthy and sustainable development of the Vietnam - China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Addressing the event, deputy head of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee Guo Yezhou and deputy head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Ngo Le Van highly valued the cooperation results between Vietnam's localities and Yunnan province in 2021, expressing their hope that the two sides will continue to further strengthen cooperation in various fields, thus contributing to the socio-economic development of the provinces, and the stability, development and prosperity of the two countries.

The parties proposed their third meeting be held in the first half of 2023.

Vietnam suspends healthcare declarations for arrivals from April 27

The Ministry of Health urgently requested that local authorities across the country scrap healthcare declaration at all border gates for people entering the nation starting from April 27.

This comes as the number of cases and deaths relating to SARS-CoV-2 has been gradually decreasing globally, whilst there are also now vaccines against the Covid-19 pandemic, with the vaccination process being conducted effectively around the world, according to the Health Ministry.

Photo: vietnam-visa

Furthermore, in the country the number of Covid-19 cases has reduced over recent times and the country has moved into the “new normal”. In addition, the Covid-19 vaccination campaign has been successful with more than 212.6 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines being inoculated, reported VOV.

The Health Ministry also asked that local authorities maintain their supervision of arrivals at border gates in accordance with the Government's regulations on infectious disease prevention and control and medical quarantine at border areas.

Retailers launch bevy of promotions for holidays

A retail sales boom is expected in HCM City at both supermarkets and traditional markets during the long Reunification Day (April 30) and Labour Day (May 1) holidays, thanks to numerous promotions.

Many businesses also plan to increase supply of food products, household goods and electrical items along with the promotions.

With the long holiday weekend coinciding with hot weather, retailers are set to launch massive promotions for electrical products such as air conditioners and fans.

Electronics retail chain Dien May Xanh has announced discounts of up to 40 per cent on a wide range of products. Some cooling products such as air conditioners, refrigerators and cooler fans will carry discounts of up to 49 per cent.

Cho Lon electronics retail chain has announced discounts of up to 50 per cent.

Products such as smartphones, computers and entertainment devices are also in demand, and retail chains are offering promotions on them.

Anh Hong of the 24hStore retail chain said like every year this year too the April 30-May 1 holiday was a time for businesses to launch promotions with big discounts, cited VNS.

His chain has promotions such as 24 iPhone 8s a day for VND3.4 million (US$148), VND2 million lower than the non-promotional price, and a lucky draw.

Co.opmart and Co.opXtra supermarkets have unveiled a number of promotions with discounts on items such as local seafood, poultry, fruits and vegetables, soft drinks, sunscreens, masks, and kitchen products.

Similarly, many supermarkets and businesses have also announced many promotions for food and essential consumer items.

Consumers shop at a Co.opXtra supermarket in HCM City. Photo: VNA

Vissan Company said in addition to increasing supply of fresh and ready-to-eat foods, from April 28 to May 4 it would also reduce the prices of many kinds of pork products by 15-20 per cent.

Thus, most would cost VND100,000-200,000 (US$4.3-8.6) per kilogram.

SATRA retail chain said from now until May 8 customers could buy five kilograms of its ST25 rice for only VND166,000, a 20 per cent discount, and other products at discounts of up to 50 per cent.

Lock&Lock Vietnam said it was also offering a promotion of up to 50 per cent on thousands of items on the occasion of April 30.

From now until April 30, Takashimaya shopping mall in HCM City is offering promotions of up to 50 per cent and issuing vouchers worth up to VND500,000 to customers buying cosmetics, bags, accessories, jewelry, and lingerie.

From April 27 to May 3 Lotte Mart said it would be offering discounts of up to 49 per cent on many household items and food, with Lotte Mart in Go Vap District extending the promotion until May 10.

Promotional tour combo packages launched ahead national holidays

Several local travel firms have suddenly offered discounts through travel combos or Free&Easy tours to popular tourist destinations such as Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, and Da Nang as the National Reunification Day on April 30, and May Day on May 1 draws near.

Over the past few days, the domestic tourism market ahead of the national holidays has become bustling with a series of discounted travel combos and Free&Easy tours on offer, all of which have created plenty of opportunities for tourists to purchase “bargain deals".

Nha Trang is a popular destination for tourists on the occasion of the National Reunification Day on April 30 and May Day on May 1. Photo: VOV

Vu Tien Van, CEO of Dai Viet International Trade and Service Joint Stock Company (Adavigo), said customers must seize the opportunity to book tourism services as soon as possible due to limited discounted combos.

With airfares of a number of flights being adjusted and additional provisions made by hotels ahead of the upcoming season, several travel combos from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Da Nang have been significantly reduced by between 20% and 30%, cited VOV.

For example, a three-day two-night combo at a five-star resort in Nha Trang costs between VND6.5 million and VND7.5 million per person, a decline of nearly 30% compared to the previous period.

However, customers have been advised to heighten vigilance over travel combos that are sold via social media by choosing reputable tourism businesses and popular brands who have been active in the local market for many years.

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