Doctors on duty at a Covid-19 treatment hospital in Hanoi during the Lunar New Year's Eve on January 31, 2022. Photo: VnExpress

Vietnam records 8,575 new local Covid cases

Vietnam recorded 8,575 new local Covid-19 cases on Thursday, bringing the infection tally in the fourth wave to 2,274,577 cases.

The three localities with the highest numbers of new cases are Hanoi with 2,738 cases, Thanh Hoa with 463 cases and Quang Nam with 356 cases.

286 deaths were added to the national database on Thursday, with 55 cases in Hanoi, 21 in Vinh Long, 18 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, 14 each in Bac Ninh and Ben Tre, 13 in Dong Nai, 12 in Binh Dinh, 10 in HCMC, nine each in Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc and Khanh Hoa, seven each in Kien Giang and Thua Thien-Hue, six in Dong Thap, five each in An Giang and Hau Giang, four each in Bac Lieu, Binh Thuan, Can Tho, Hai Phong, Lam Dong, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Quang Ngai, Soc Trang, Tay Ninh and Tien Giang, three each in Ca Mau, Da Nang and Gia Lai, two each in Cao Bang, Hai Duong, Hoa Binh, Lang Son, Phu Yen and Thanh Hoa, and one each in Bac Kan, Dak Nong, Ha Giang, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Thai Nguyen and Yen Bai.

The total number of deaths so far is 38,063 cases, or 1.7 percent of all infections, cited VnExpress.

25,094 Covid-19 patients were announced recovered on Thursday, bringing the number of recovered cases to 2,093,947 cases.

79 million people have received one Covid-19 vaccine shots, 74.1 million have received two and 28.3 million have received three.

Vietnam has recorded 192 infections with the Omicron variant, with 92 cases in Ho Chi Minh City, 27 in Quang Nam, 20 in Quang Ninh, 14 in Hanoi, 11 in Khanh Hoa, eight in Da Nang, six in Hung Yen, four in Kien Giang, two each in Thanh Hoa and Hai Duong, and one each in Hai Phong, Long An, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Binh Duong, Lam Dong and Ninh Binh.

Customs clearance to resume at Quang Ninh border gates from February 7

Customs clearance of goods is set to be resumed at border gates and open roads in the northern province of Quang Ninh from February 7, or the seventh day of the first lunar month.

This will see customs clearance procedures in Mong Cai city held at Bac Luan 1 bridge from January 31 to February 6, along with at Bac Luan 2 bridge between February 3 and February 6.

Photo: VOV

In Pontoon Bridge Km 3 + 4, the flow of agricultural, forestry, and fishery goods between the nation and China will take place from February 3 to February 6, according to VOV.

Hoanh Mo border gate in Binh Lieu district and Bac Phong Sinh border gate in Hai Ha district are set to resume customs clearance from February 7.

International scholars highlight CPV’s role in new period

The Centre for Vietnam and ASEAN Studies under the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Far Eastern Studies has published a book on the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) on the occasion of the 92nd founding anniversary of the Party (February 3, 1930).

The book features 17 articles presented at the international roundtable workshop on the CPV and the 13th National Congress of the CPV, which took place on May 19-20, 2021.

Written by prestigious researchers of Russia and other countries, these articles highlight the development of the CPV and its role in the modern era as well as the significance of the 13th National Party Congress.

With three chapters, the book also focuses on Vietnam’s tasks of internal and external affairs, and the country’s socio-economic achievements under the Party leadership.

Among the articles is the one by Professor Vladimir Kolotov, head of the Ho Chi Minh Institute at St. Petersburg University in Russia, who analyzed Vietnam’s development strategy as mentioned in documents of the Party Congress, along with major features of the country’s political system, reported VNA.

An online workshop on the 13th National Party Congress. Photo: VNA

He emphasized the political stability in Vietnam amid global and regional uncertainties.

According to the researcher, the CPV has taken into consideration changes in and outside the country to set out reasonable development tactics and strategies to fulfill set targets in periods of time.

Other researchers also pointed out outstanding achievements Vietnam has recorded in external relations under the Party leadership, saying Vietnam’s diplomatic strategy has helped the country surpass obstacles and raise its prestige in the international arena.

The book provides readers with sound and comprehensive insight into Vietnam and optimism about the country's development path in the new period.

Proper solutions needed to achieve export growth target of over 8% in 2022

The industry and trade sector is striving for total export turnover to surge by over 8% in comparison to 2021, with trade balance continuing to enjoy a trade surplus, thereby contributing to the overall successful implementation of the GDP growth target as planned.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien made the statement in an interview granted to a VOV reporter on the eve of the 2022 Lunar New Year (Tet) festival. The Minister discussed the forecast of export growth and plans of the local industry and trade sector in the policy-making process and ways in which to support businesses in restoring production and export, thereby contributing to the country's economic growth in the year ahead.

Industrial production continued to stand firm in the face of the Covid-19 storm, contributing to boosting exports in 2021 and exceeding the target spectacularly, recording double-digit growth and a total turnover of roughly US$ 670 billion which puts Vietnam among the top 20 economies in terms of international trade.

Despite facing plenty of difficulties due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, both industrial and commercial activities remained a bright spot for the national economy picture throughout last year, cited VOV.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien. Photo: VOV

According to Minister Dien, the coming year is anticipated to continue to see opportunities and advantages, along with difficulties and challenges as the Covid-19 pandemic may remain complicated and prolonged, thus generating new variations. In additional, the global economic growth remains unstable and there are many potential risks, including various impacts of Covid-19 that have yet to be fully revealed.

"However, we also recognize that among difficulties, there are always opportunities, that is: the export market is forecast to continue to recover as countries gradually control the Covid-19 pandemic. Exports to partner markets in free trade agreements (FTAs), especially new generation FTAs, will continue to be enhanced as businesses gradually adapt to FTAs commitments and Partners' incentives regarding import tax will continue to be removed or reduced. Many countries have deployed economic stimulus packages, stimulating consumption demand, thereby increasing the demand for imported goods," he said.

Domestically, the Government, ministries, and sectors have been continuing to put many solutions into place in a bid to improve the overall business environment and maintain production activities moving into the new normal. The VND350,000 billion support package as part of the Socio-economic Recovery and Development Program recently approved by the National Assembly (NA) will also make an important contribution to promoting production activities and creating a source of goods for exports.

Inheriting the important and comprehensive results achieved over recent years and strongly promoting the spirit of innovation and creativity, the industry and trade sector strives for total export turnover to increase by over 8% compared to 2021. Indeed, it hopes that the trade balance continues to enjoy a trade surplus and contributes to the successful implementation of the GDP growth target as planned.

Regarding the strengths of Vietnamese commercial activities in 2022, Minister Dien said the country has established an important position in the supply chain of a number of products, such as phones and components, computers, electronic products and components, machinery, equipment, tools, garments and textiles, footwear, furniture, seafood, rice, coffee, and pepper. This also represents a group of commodities that have experienced strong export growth over recent years.

"Another strength is that we have 15 FTAs with most of the key markets in the world, thus creating a great impetus for production and export activities, which helps us to receive many advanced and modern technologies and train a more professional workforce," he added.

Furthermore, the nation also has political stability, a very favorable geo-economic position which promotes production, export, and logistics services because it is located in a dynamic development area of the world where the flow of goods are widely exchanged. Due to this, it can be viewed that Vietnamese exports are enjoying plenty of advantages in order to continue making breakthroughs and grow faster and in a more sustainable manner in the future.

Vietnamese products promoted in UK

Longdan, the biggest importer of Vietnamese goods in the UK, has recently opened a supermarket in Milton Keynes city, about 80km from London.

Covering 1,500 sq.m, Longdan Milton Keynes is the first supermarket outside London of Longdan and is included in the firm’s plan to expand its distribution network to introduce goods of Vietnam and Asia in general to consumers across the UK.

Longdan General Director Huynh Xuan Long said with good-quality agricultural products like rice and fresh fruit, Vietnam has potential to expand its market in the UK.

He suggested Vietnamese businesses satisfy requirements on food safety and pay more heed to brand building in the demanding market, VNA reported.

Longdan has about 10 supermarkets specialising in Asian products, of which Vietnamese products make up about 30 percent. Photo: VNA

With its over 20-year experience in the UK, Longdan would support Vietnamese exporters to promote their products in the country through its supermarket chain, he said.

Also present at the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long expressed his hope that Longdan will help Vietnamese enterprises boost exports to the UK, not only in Longdan supermarkets but also in other supermarket chains in the European nation.

Longdan has about 10 supermarkets specializing in Asian products, of which Vietnamese products make up about 30 percent. Its supermarkets import about 2,000 tonnes of Vietnamese goods each year.

Vietnam News Today (Feb. 3): Vietnamese Edtech Market Attractive to Investors Vietnam News Today (Feb. 3): Vietnam records lowest count of daily Covid cases in 72 days; Vietnamese edtech market attractive to investors; Vietnam take five ...

Vietnam News Today (Feb. 2): Unique Traditional Tet Customs of Hanoians Vietnam News Today (Feb. 2): Vietnam confirms 11,011 new local Covid-19 cases; Unique traditional Tet customs of Hanoians; Vietnam to open up further after Tet; ...

Vietnam News Today (Feb. 1): Vietnam Among Top 10 Travel Trends for 2022 Vietnam News Today (Feb. 1): Vietnam records 12,637 new local Covid cases; FTAs - momentum for Vietnam’s economy in 2022; Vietnam will do their best ...