Covid-19 vaccination. Photo: VNA

Vietnam logs 71 new Covid-19 cases on December 25

The national Covid-19 caseload rose to 11,524,273 with 71 new cases recorded on December 25, the lowest for many months, according to the Ministry of Health.

With 41 patients given the all-clear during the day, the number of recoveries rose to 10,610,804.

Meanwhile, there are 37 patients needing breathing support, cited VNA.

No death from Covid-19 was recorded in the past 24 hours. The total fatalities stand at 43,184.

With 3,949 doses administered on December 24, the total number of doses of Covid-19 vaccines injected rose to 265,359,396.

PM highlights digital government as driving force behind digital economy development

A digital government is the major driving force, leading the building of a digital economy, digital citizenship and digital society, contributing to the successful implementation of the Resolution adopted at the 13th National Party Congress.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh made the statement at a meeting on December 25 to review the one-year implementation of a project on developing the application of population database, e-identification, and e-authentication for the national digital transformation in the 2022-2025 period with a vision to 2030 (Project 06).

In his address, the Vietnamese Government chief praised the efforts and results achieved by ministries, sectors and localities, as well as the drastic direction of the National Committee on Digital Transformation with the core role of the People's Public Security force, consensus, support and active participation of people and local businesses.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the meeting.

Digital transformation is a new, difficult and complex issue that requires gaining international achievements and experience and applying it creatively, in accordance with the specific conditions and circumstances of Vietnam, Chinh said, while stressing that there should be a way of breakthrough thinking and a strategic vision to promote the spirit of self-reliance, and solidarity for common interests.

Digital transformation must take the people and businesses as the center, the subject, the goal, the motivation, in order to provide better quality services, better serve the people and businesses towards and towards the formation of a digital population and a digital society, according to VOV.

PM Chinh emphasized that a shared national database should be finalized in 2023, while pointing out a number of shortcomings in the work, including an incomplete digital infrastructure and a big gap between urban and rural areas.

The cabinet leader asked ministries, sectors and localities to further improve their awareness on the significance of digital transformation in the national socio-economic development strategy in the 2021-2030 period, while continuing to fine-tune institutions and mechanisms to create a favourable legal corridor for national digital transformation.

He also urged acceleration of the updating, connectivity and sharing of digital platforms and databases, including connection of national and specialised databases with the Government's information and governance centre, along with completing the public service portal.

More efforts should be focused on completing the online provision of 53 essential public services, and greater attention paid to personnel training for the work, he said.

According to the National Committee on Digital Transformation, after one year of carrying out Project 06, the public awareness and behavior of digital transformation have been improved in all localities at all levels, while State management activities have generally switched to digital modes with many helpful products and services provided to the people and businesses.

In 2022, 16 important documents have been issued regarding digital transformation, including a national strategy on digital economic development until 2025 with a vision to 2030.

The speed of broadband Internet and mobile Internet has seen remarkable improvement, ranking 45th and 52nd in the world, and is higher than the world's average.

Currently, 48 out of 63 localities have operated their provincial smart monitoring and managing centres.

A population database has been set up, connected to 47 ministries, localities and State businesses, while more than 76 million chip-based ID cards have been issued, and nearly 2.6 million of e-ID accounts have been activated.

Notably, the National Online Service Portal has provided nearly 4,400 public services at levels 3 and 4.

In the year, more than 12,000 cyber attacks were detected and handled, while more than 56% of Party and State agencies have applied standards on information security.

99% of all enterprises have so far paid their taxes online, while all operating businesses have used e-invoice.

In 2022, e-commerce contributed 7.5% to total retail revenue, while a strong rise was seen in the number of online shoppers and subscribers of Mobile Money, the committee stated.

With positive results obtained in 2022, the PM believed that the Digital Transformation Program with a particular focus on Project 06 will successfully fulfill the set goals and tasks.

Vietnamese, Cambodian legislatures look to step up cooperation

A workshop to share experience between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the Cambodian parliament took place in the central city of Da Nang on December 25.

Vietnamese NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai, who is also president of the Vietnam-Cambodia Parliamentary Friendship Group, highlighted the fruitful development of the bilateral relations between the two countries, saying that cooperation between the Vietnamese NA and the Cambodian parliament has been well maintained within the framework of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

The official visits to Vietnam by President of the Cambodian NA Samdech Heng Samrin last September and President of the Cambodian Senate Samdech Say Chhum last October, and the official visit to Cambodia and attendance in the 43rd ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-43) by Vietnamese NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue from November 19-22 this year have contributed to further cementing the traditional friendship and good neighbourliness with a high political trust between the two nations, and tightening the relationship between the two parties, states and their legislative bodies, Hai said.

Vietnamese NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai speaks at the workshop. Photo: VNA

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Chairwoman of the Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship Association Men Sam An said the cooperation between the legislatures of Cambodia and Vietnam has grown through the signing of agreements to further strengthen cooperation at all levels, and through sharing of experiences among specialised committees, and information sharing and mutual support in regional and international inter-parliamentary forums.

The Cambodian leader, who is also Minister of the NA - Senate Relations and Inspection of Cambodia, said she wishes that the two sides will promote the effective implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening cooperation among senior leaders, friendship parliamentary groups, female members of parliament (MPs), young parliamentarians, and secretaries general.

She expressed the hope that the Vietnamese NA will continue to help train human resources for the Cambodian parliament, VNA reported.

Participants focused on discussing and sharing experience on issues related to the role of the parliaments in socio-economic recovery and development; the role played by legislative bodies in promoting cooperation on cultural and tourism development between Vietnam and Cambodia; and Mekong River cooperation in natural disaster prevention and control, and climate change response.

Hanoi opens food, pedestrian zone on Truc Bach Lake

A night-time food and pedestrian zone officially opened on Dao Ngoc - Ngu Xa, an islet on Truc Bach Lake in Hà Nội’s Ba Đình District on the evening of December 23.

The zone covers two streets, Ngu Xa and Nguyen Khac Hieu, traversing the centre of Dao Ngoc - Ngu Xa, the folk name for a 4.5ha islet on Truc Bach Lake.

Local people and foreign tourists at the pedestrian zone. Photo: VNS

It focuses on developing existing restaurant and market activities, selling goods recognised under the “One Commune, One Product” (OCOP) programme, introducing the traditional Ngu Xa bronze casting at the bronze casting museum, and holding street cultural events on the weekend.

In spring festivals, local authorities will also organise traditional activities at historical and cultural relic sites such as Thần Quang Pagoda and Ngu Xa Communal House, cited VNS.

The food zone is open all days and closed to vehicles from 6 pm on Fridays to midnight on Sundays to serve pedestrians.

Addressing the opening ceremony, the chairman of the Ba Dinh People’s Committee, Ta Nam Chien, expressed his hope that the Dao Ngoc - Ngu Xa food and pedestrian zone will become a new culinary destination in the district while helping introduce local OCOP products and tourism gifts and honour the traditional bronze casting to contribute to Hanoi’s tourism development.

Book display marks 60th anniversary of Vietnam – Laos friendship

The Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House opened a book display at the headquarters of its branch in Ho Chi Minh City on December 24 to mark the 60th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties (1962-2022).

On display at the exhibition are many exemplary publications released under a project on presenting books to Laos which has been implemented by the Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House since 2018.

Book display marks 60th anniversary of Vietnam – Laos friendship. Photo: nxbctqg.org.vn

Publications in Vietnamese language which focus on the life and career of prominent Vietnamese and Lao leaders as well as political and social issues in the two countries are also being introduced to visitors on the occasion, cited NDO.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Assoc. Prof, Dr. Pham Minh Tuan, director and editor-in-chief of Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House, affirmed that the exhibition will make an important contribution to developing reading habits while fostering solidarity between the peoples of Vietnam and Laos.

For his part, Lonphanh Phaodavanh, a representative of the Lao Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, hailed that the publications on display at the exhibition will provide the public with a better understanding of the special solidarity between the parties, states, and the peoples of Laos and Vietnam, especially between the Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House and the Laos’ State Publishing and Book Distribution House.

Vietnam News Today (Dec. 23): Vietnam Aims to Welcome Eight Million Foreign Arrivals by 2023 Vietnam News Today (Dec. 23): Vietnam aims to welcome eight million foreign arrivals by 2023; Indonesian President hosts welcome ceremony for President Nguyen Xuan Phuc; ...

Vietnam News Today (Dec. 24): Vietnam Greatly Values Ties with ASEAN Vietnam News Today (Dec. 24): Vietnam reports 312 new Covid-19 cases on December 23; Vietnam greatly values ties with ASEAN; Vietnamese documentary film nominated for ...

Vietnam News Today (Dec. 25): Vietnamese Personnel at UN Peacekeeping Missions Leave Good Impression Vietnam News Today (Dec. 25): Vietnamese personnel at UN peacekeeping missions leave good impression; Vietnam among leading destinations for Thai tourists; Vietnam logs 109 new ...