Taking care of an elderly patient infected with Covid-19 in Vietnam. Photo: VOV

Covid-19 infections rise to three-month high in Vietnam

The Ministry of Health on August 2 reported that Vietnam has registered as many as 2,017 coronavirus cases during the past 24 hours, a record high figure in the past three months.

This is the eight consecutive day that has seen the daily number of infections rise above the 1,460 case mark in the country.

Of the newly detected figure, 17 tested positive after returning to Vietnam from overseas, the Ministry of Health said in its August 2 coronavirus update.

As many as 9,668 patients recovered from the disease during the day, raising the total number of recoveries to nearly 10 million, cited VOV.

Currently, 39 patients need oxygen therapy at medical facilities.

Vietnam has so far logged more than 10.7 million cases, ranking 12th among 227 countries and territories.

It has also recorded 43,094 Covid-19 related deaths, making up 0.4% out of the infection number.

More than 246 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered across the country.

Vietnam calls for dialogue to end nuclear threat

Countries must step up cooperation and dialogue, and strengthen mutual understanding for a common cause of eliminating nuclear threat, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc told a New York conference.

The 10th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) was opened at the United Nations headquarters on August 1 after being postponed for more than 2 years because of Covid-19.

Vietnam’s consistent policy on promoting the balance of all three elements of the treaty – non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful use of nuclear energy, Ngoc reiterated, adding nuclear-weapon states are obliged to make progress on disarmament, according to VNA.

The 10th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is underway in New York from August 1 - 26. Photo: AFP/VNA

He emphasized that Vietnam has taken the treaty seriously and fulfilled its national obligations under the NPT and other international agreements in the field, including the Treaty of Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) and UN Security Council resolutions, contributing to maintaining global and regional peace.

Funds should be allocated for applying nuclear technology to such challenges as food and energy security, epidemics and climate change.

Opened for signature in 1968, the NPT entered into force in 1970. It was extended indefinitely in 1995. A total of 191 states have joined the treaty, including five nuclear-weapon states

The NPT review conference is held every five years to accelerate the enforcement of the treaty and increase its universality.

This year’s conference is taking place from August 1 – 26.

Da Nang fair promotes trade, tourism along East-West Economic Corridor

More than 230 domestic and international businesses have registered to participate in the East-West Economic Corridor’s (EWEC) International Trade, Tourism and Investment Fair which will take place in the central city of Da Nang on August 3.

Tran Phuoc Son, vice chairman of the Da Nang municipal administration, revealed that this will represent the largest-scale event among EWEC fairs so far with 235 businesses registering to showcase products at 419 booths.

The fair will provide a platform for local businesses to utilise opportunities to promote trade, tourism, and investment exchanges in countries located along the EWEC, as well as in the ASEAN region and partner countries, Son noted.

Photo: EWEC

Most notably, the fair will attract a large number of businesses from Lao localities such as Khammouan, Salavan , Sekong, Champasak, Savannakhet, and Attapue, as the two countries are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations.

On display will be electrical, electronic, technological equipment, housewares, furniture, interior decorations, handicrafts, gifts, and consumer products, reported VOV.

There will be a number of workshops to be held throughout the event, aiming to support firms in overcoming difficulties in production moving into the post-Covid period, as well as helping to strengthen the market law of supply and demand in the central city.

This year, the Logistics Service Development Forum will become the highlight of EWEC and will involve the participation of speakers from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Institute of Transport Strategy and Development, Da Nang Port Joint Stock Company, and other relevant units.

Vaccination against Covid-19 in some localities fails to meet requirements: Acting Health Minister

The speed of vaccination against Covid-19 in some localities has not yet met the required progress, especially the injection of the 3rd and 4th shots for people aged over 18 and for children from five to under 12 years old, Acting Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan said on August 2.

Speaking at a teleconference with 63 provinces and cities, and ministries and sectors on intensifying epidemic prevention and control and vaccination against Covid-19, Lan said that the communication work to mobilise and encourage people to participate in pandemic prevention and control, especially vaccination, is not really effective, while resources for pandemic prevention and control have not been guaranteed, and the shortage of drugs and medical supplies occurs in many places.

According to the ministry, currently, the Covid-19 pandemic and other infectious diseases such as seasonal flu, dengue fever, and hand-foot-mouth disease are basically controlled nationwide. The ministry is also keeping a close watch on developments of monkeypox and other emerging dangerous infectious diseases in the region and the world.

People get vaccinated against Covid-19. Photo: VNA

Nguyen Luong Tam, Deputy Director of the Preventive Medicine Department, said that in the first seven months of this year, Vietnam recorded over 9 million Covid-19 cases, accounting for 83.9% of the total, of whom over 8.5 million recovered fully. However, since the end of March, the pandemic has been well controlled across the nation.

As of July 31, the country had administered over 245.7 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, cited VNA.

Since the beginning of this year, over 136,000 cases of dengue fever and 45 fatalities have been reported.

However, no cases of Monkeypox, acute hepatitis and other group A infectious diseases have been recorded in Vietnam nationwide.

In the last months of 2022, the Ministry of Health requires localities to closely monitor the diseases, especially the appearance of new variants; intensify surveillance, early detection and timely treatment of infections, limit the number of severe cases, and better pandemic prevention and control at border gates.

July’s retail sale of goods, services surges

Vietnam’s retail sale of goods and services in July is estimated at VND486 trillion (US$20.8 billion), up 2.4% m-o-m, and 42.6% y-o-y, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

In the first seven months of 2022, the total retail sale is estimated at VND3.2 quadrillion, up 16% compared to the same period last year.

The revenue from retail sale of commodities in the period is estimated at VND2.55 quadrillion, up 13.7% y-o-y.

Meanwhile, the revenue from accommodation and catering services is VND324.9 trillion, up 37.5% y-o-y, thanks to an increasing demand for travel after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Notably, the revenue in July enjoyed a y-o-y surge of 134.7%, NDO reported.

Illustrative image. Photo: VNA

Travel and tourism activities also produced an estimated revenue of VND11.9 trillion, a 2.7-fold rise against the same period last year.

The sale of other services during Jan-Jul is estimated at VND312.6 trillion, up 13.9% y-o-y.

To promote consumption in the coming time, the GSO proposes the Ministry of Industry and Trade closely monitor the fluctuations of the world and domestic economies, proactively consult appropriate response solutions, and coordinate with ministries and sectors to guide enterprises to make more use of signed free trade agreements (FTAs), especially the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

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