A doctor takes care of a Covid-19 patient in HCMC, September 2021. Photo: VnExpress

Vietnam records 16,763 new local Covid-19 cases

The Health Ministry confirmed 16,763 domestic Covid-19 cases Tuesday in all 63 cities and provinces.

The three places with the highest numbers of new infections were Hanoi with 2,935 cases, Hai Phong with 1,139 and Da Nang with 943 cases.

This marks the first time ever that the daily tally in the northern port city of Hai Phong has crossed 1,000.

The Ministry of Health also announced another 184 Covid-19 deaths, including 30 in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap and 13 in the former epicenter HCMC, which recorded 226 infections on Tuesday. The total Covid death toll so far rose to 35,972, accounting for around 1.7 percent of all infections.

On Tuesday, the northern province of Quang Ninh announced two Omicron infections and both are people arriving from abroad. They have raised the number of Omicron cases in Vietnam until now to 70, all are foreign arrivals.

Of 247,464 Covid-19 patients under treatment in the country, 5,409 are severe cases, cited VnExpress.

Around 72.6 million people of Vietnam's 96-million population have been vaccinated with two doses and 18.8 million have received the third doses, including the ones of the three-dose combo for Cuba's Abdala vaccine.

Vietnam, ASEAN + 3 seek to promote economic development cooperation

Vietnam along with ASEAN +3 (Japan, the Republic of Korea, and India) are seeking to step up economic co-operation towards boosting economic recovery and development, whilst simultaneously repelling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The content was emphasized by delegates during a meeting with Ambassadors of ASEAN + 3 countries organized by the Vietnam - ASEAN Economic Cooperation Development Association (VASEAN) on January 17 in Hanoi.

This message was emphasized by delegates during a meeting on January 17 in Hanoi held among Ambassadors of ASEAN +3 countries organized by the Vietnam - ASEAN Economic Cooperation Development Association (VASEAN).

Bui Tuong Lan, vice chairman of the VASEAN, highlighted the efforts made by VASEAN member enterprises in stabilizing production and business activities, despite the challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The association has co-ordinated with embassies and businesses of ASEAN +3 countries to organize online seminars, trade connections, and exhibitions featuring numerous prestigious and quality brands in order to create momentum for development in the year ahead.

In particular, VASEAN has proposed promoting further trade, investment, and co-operation in cultural communication to unite with the embassies of ASEAN +3 countries in organizing a range of programs to step up communication. This includes a focus regarding culture and practices of other countries in order to create a healthy and effective playground for enterprises.

“In the coming time, VASEAN will work with each embassy to jointly organize exchange and cooperation programs aimed at boosting economic development in ASEAN and ASEAN +3 regions and deepening mutual understanding among nations for a region of stability, peace and development,” Lan said.

Upon addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong hailed the nation’s active participation in ASEAN economic integration over the past three decades. The Deputy Minister added that the nation has worked together with ASEAN member states to build an important foundation for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) to be officially established in 2015.

At present, ASEAN has become one of the country’s leading trade and investment partners, an important driving force for the nation in maintaining its economic growth over the course of several years.

AEC creates a chain link between ASEAN businesses, thereby contributing to the growth and common prosperity of the region.

Furthermore, the partnership between Vietnam and Japan, the Republic of Korea, and India has also reaped various important achievements. The three countries have effectively supported and co-operated with the nation across a variety of fields, duly contributing to promoting the Vietnamese economy's rapid and sustainable development.

Appreciating the efforts of VASEAN in bolstering economic co-operation between Vietnam and ASEAN member states, along with the ASEAN +3, embassies of ASEAN +3 countries said they will continue to accompany the Association to support businesses. They will aim to strengthen co-operation and economic development of countries moving forward, especially in the context of the complicated development of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Delegates at the event. Photo: congthuong.vn

Delegates said that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused plenty of difficulties to economic and business activities of countries globally. However, economic co-operation between the nation and the bloc is still growing and is seen as a bright spot in the country’s overall economic picture, as well as of the region in general. ASEAN has always been an important trading partner for the nation, they said, adding that trade relations between the country and the ASEAN market area have continuously developed over the years and recorded remarkable achievements, according to VOV.

Most notably, in 2020, due to the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnamese imports and exports with ASEAN reached US$53.6 billion, a drop of 6.8% compared to 2019.

However, 2021 saw trade recover and regain momentum, with two-way trade turnover between the nation and ASEAN over the final 10 months of 2021 hitting US$56.6 billion, representing an increase of 30% over the same period from the previous year, higher than the country’s average import-export growth rate with the world at 22.6%.

Besides trade, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2021 saw the ASEAN +3 region remain as the leading investors in terms of total FDI into the nation, with the involvement of the Republic of Korea, Japan, and Singapore.

Boasting a dynamic business environment, the country is still regarded as a good destination for foreign investment from ASEAN and other locations both this year and moving ahead to subsequent years.

Health Ministry calls for no firework display during Lunar New Year

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has asked localities not to organize firework display during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday to ensure the effectiveness of Covid-19 pandemic prevention and control.

Under a document sent to the Government Office, the ministry said if firework display is conducted, it is necessary to observe the MoH’s 5K message – khau trang (face masks), khu khuan (disinfection), khoang cach (distancing), khong tu tap (no gatherings), and khai bao y te (health declarations); and to ensure no crowds at the venues.

Photo: Tuoi Tre

According to the MoH, new community infection cases of Covid-19 are still recorded in many localities, especially those with a high population density and frequency of trade and traveling. In addition, the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly with complicated and unpredictable developments in many countries around the world and in the region, reported VNA.

The traveling of people during Vietnam's most important festival, which will come later this month and early February, must follow Covid-19 prevention. Localities should take appropriate measures based on the pandemic situation in line with the Government’s Resolution 128 which provides guidelines on safe adaptation, flexibility and effective control of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the MoH’s professional guidance.

Localities are entitled to suspend unnecessary large gatherings, outdoor activities and festivals and maintain production in a safe manner.

More than 11,000 Covid-19 infection cases and 200 deaths are recorded in Vietnam a day on average.

Vietnam has logged 2,045,290 infections, ranking 28th out of the 224 countries and territories since the beginning of the pandemic.

The total number of deaths from Covid-19 in Vietnam so far stands at 35,788, accounting for 1.7 percent of the total number of infections. The country has recorded 68 cases infected with the Omicron variant so far, all imported and put into quarantine upon arrival.

Vietnamese, German parties eye stronger cooperation

The relations between the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and political parties in Germany have contributed to creating a foundation for the relationship between the two countries, said a Vietnamese high-ranking Party official.

The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), the oldest political party in Germany, has played an active role in enhancing the Vietnam-Germany relations during the past years since the beginning of Doi Moi (Reform) in Vietnam, according to Le Hoai Trung, member of the CPV Central Committee and head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations.

At an online meeting with Alexander Schweitzer, member of the SPD Central Committee on January 18, Trung said the relations between the CPV and the SPD have helped maintain political trust and foster the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Le Hoai Trung, member of the CPV Central Committee and head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations. Photo: VNA

The Vietnamese official briefed Schweitzer on Vietnam’s socio-economic policies, political system building and external relations, and shared the country’s experience in safely and flexibly adapting to and effectively controlling Covid-19.

Trung also introduced Vietnam’s measures to remove difficulties, spur production and business, and step up cooperation with Germany – an important partner of Vietnam in the European Union (EU).

Highlighting the trusting and effective relationship between the two Parties, Schweitzer said the relationship forms a crucial part in the external relations of the SPD, cited VNA.

He informed the Vietnamese side on the establishment of a coalition Government of Germany led by the SPD and the major directions of the SPD in the time ahead, along with the worsening pandemic situation in Germany and Europe due to new variants of the coronavirus.

The two sides compared notes on measures to maintain and forge the relations between the two Parties and countries, helping to deepen the Vietnam-Germany strategic partnership.

They agreed to make efforts to soon hold the seventh theoretical dialogue between the two Parties in 2022, which they both regard as an important mechanism to strengthen the relationship between the two Parties.

John Legend to perform in Hanoi

Grammy-award singer John Legend has been invited to perform at an event hosted by conglomerate Vingroup this Thursday in Hanoi.

He will perform at the VinFuture Global Science and Technology award ceremony, part of the VinFuture Science Week, at Hanoi Opera House alongside renowned Vietnamese pianist Dang Thai Son, according to VnExpress.

American singer John Legend. Photo: Reuters

Legend, born in 1978, is an American singer, songwriter, actor and producer. He is best known for many hit songs like 'Love Me Now' and 'All of Me'.

He is one of 16 Hollywood artists in the EGOT group - the group that has won all four of the most prestigious awards in the art and entertainment world, including an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. To date, he is still the only person of color to achieve this achievement.

He has also been awarded a Golden Globe and a special Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In 2019, People magazine voted John Legend as The Sexiest Man Alive.

Vietnam News Today (Jan. 18): Phu Quoc Represents Golden Hope for Vietnamese Tourism Rebound Vietnam News Today (Jan. 18): Vietnam confirms 21,691 new local Covid-19 cases; Logo marking 30 years of Vietnam-RoK diplomatic ties unveiled; Phu Quoc represents golden ...

Vietnam News Today (Jan. 17): ‘New Normal’ Adaptation Leads to Positive Forecast for Vietnamese Economy in 2022 Vietnam News Today (Jan. 17): Vietnam records 15,643 new Covid cases; Northern region to turn severely cold from January 17; ‘New normal’ adaptation leads to ...

Vietnam News Today (Jan. 16): Aviation Authority Seeks to Resume Regular Flights to Europe Vietnam News Today (Jan. 16): Vietnam records 16,305 new Covid cases, 17 new Omicron cases in HCMC; Vietnam set to have 28 airports by 2030; ...