Covid-19 vaccination. Photo: VNA

Covid-19: national caseload rises to 10,752,140 on July 7

The national caseload of Covid-19 reached 10,752,140 on July 7 with 913 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, according to the Ministry of Health.

A total 8,562 Covid-19 patients were given the all clear on the day, bringing the number of recoveries so far to 9,741,110. There are 35 patients in serious conditions needing breathing support, cited VNA.

No death from Covid-19 was recorded in the past 24 hours. The total fatalities stood to 43,089.

On July 6, 280,663 doses of vaccines were administered, raising the total number of doses of Covid-19 vaccines injected to 234,563,063.

The Health Ministry said the pace of vaccination of children from 5 to under 12 and booster shots for over-18 people is still slow.

Vietnam wins election to Intergovernmental Committee for UNESCO Convention

The nation has been elected as a member of the UNESCO Convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage (Convention 2003) for the 2022 to 2026 term after receiving 120 approval votes, the highest among the elected countries.

The election occurred within the framework of the ninth session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention consists of 24 members and is UNESCO's key executive body for the protection of aspects of intangible cultural heritage. In addition, it is responsible for supervising the implementation of the Convention, proposes measures to protect intangible heritage, provides international assistance, and considers registration submissions for approval by the General Assembly of the Convention.

This marks the second time that the country has taken on this responsibility at UNESCO's key cultural executive agency.

As a result, the election clearly demonstrates the nation’s increasing position and prestige within the international arena, as well as the international community's confidence in the country’s ability to contribute to and manage global multilateral institutions.

This can also be viewed as recognition for the nation’s contributions to its relationship with UNESCO in preserving and promoting the value of intangible heritage both in the country and throughout the world.

The nation’s election comes as result of a comprehensive and extensive foreign policy of multilateralisation, diversification, and international integration, as well as the result of a methodical and synchronous implementation of the Vietnamese election plan over recent years.

Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, permanent representative of Vietnam to UNESCO, emphasised that as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention for the 2022 to 2026 term, the country will have favourable conditions to further contribute to carrying out the goals and priorities of the 2003 Convention. This is along with enhancing the importance of intangible cultural heritage as it is not only an essential resource for cultural diversity, creativity, dialogue between cultures, and social cohesion, but is also a driving force for the cause of greater sustainable development.

Furthermore, Vietnam currently being a member of the Executive Council for the 2021-2025 term, a member of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions for the 2021 to 2025 term, and becoming a member of the Intergovernmental Committee is also an opportunity to continue making active contributions to major programmes and orientations of UNESCO in general and on culture in particular.

This growing status affirms the role and prestige of the country at UNESCO and in the international arena, thereby contributing to the successful implementation of the 13th Resolution of the Party, Resolution No. 22 of the Politburo on international integration, and the Secretariat’s Directive No.25 on promoting multilateral external relations to 2030, according to VOV.

Photo: EPA

Le Thi Thu Hien, head of the Department of Cultural Heritage, said that being fully aware of the responsibility and importance of protecting and promoting intangible cultural heritage and cultural heritage, the Vietnamese Government has assigned the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to study and amend the Law on Cultural Heritage.

As part of the process, the 2003 Convention represents an important legal tool that contributes to orientations and supports the nation in promulgating important and appropriate guidelines and policies for the greater protection and promotion of intangible cultural heritage domestically.

In line with this, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will devise a specific plan as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee, which will focus on sharing good practices and promoting the goals of the Convention.

Other efforts include strengthening UNESCO's priorities, increasing contributions as a means of improving the mechanism of the Convention, and intensifying activities and events in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Convention.

Hanoi steps up vaccination amid increasing Covid-19, dengue fever cases

Districts in Hanoi have stepped up the communication work on vaccination, given increasing cases of Covid-19 over the past days with the detection of Omicron subvariant BA.5. ​

Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Health Vu Cao Cuong said between June 28 and July 4, the capital city reported 1,538 cases, up 36.5% as compared with the previous week.

He explained that the rise was due to people’s negligence, along with limitations in the communication work.

Notably, some Covid-19 patients have been also infected with dengue fever, which is at its peak time in Vietnam.

As of July 3, 99.9% of the local population aged over 18 years old got at least one shot of Covid-19 vaccines, 96.5% received the third dose, and 15.6% were given with the second booster (fourth dose), reported VNA.

Illustrative image. Source: VNA

For children aged from 5 to 12, only 20.07% have been administered with the first dose, Director of the municipal Department of Health Tran Thi Nhi Ha said, noting that the inoculation for children needs the consensus of their families as well as the drastic engagement of agencies and the public.

Addressing a meeting on July 6, Deputy Secretary of the city Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong stressed the need to intensify the pandemic combat with the highest sense of responsibility, and speed up vaccination.

According to the Ministry of Health, a total of 913 new Covid-19 cases were reported in Vietnam on July 6, bringing the national caseload to 10,751,227 since the pandemic broke out.

More than 234.28 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in Vietnam so far.

The Ministry of Health has asked for more drastic measures to curb the spread of dengue fever, given a high number of new cases recorded recently.

The ministry said from the beginning of this year to June 24, Vietnam had reported around 77,000 dengue fever cases, up more than 10,000 cases compared to that in the previous week, and 30 fatalities.

Vietnam ramps up economic ties with Italian localities

A seminar aimed at boosting economic co-operation with Italy running with the theme of "Vietnam - business and investment destination for Italian businesses" was held successfully as a contribution to improving economic co-operation between the country and Italian localities.

The event featured the participation of Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung, alongside representatives of the cities of Pontedera, Pisa, Cascina, and Calcinaia, as well as leaders of the Federation of Industry of Pisa province and Toscana.

As part of his address at the function, Ambassador Hung emphasised that economic and trade co-operation between both sides is in the most flourishing period ever. This is in line with the spirit of the strategic partnership that exists between the two countries and serves to highlight the importance of strengthening co-operation in complementary fields between the two nations.

The country is currently Italy's largest trading partner in ASEAN, while the Southern European country is the Southeast Asian nation’s fourth largest partner in the EU.

Most notably, two-way trade turnover in 2021 reached US$5.6 billion, the highest level ever recorded, marking an increase of 20% compared to 2020.

Currently, there are more than 110 Italian enterprises investing in 18 provinces and cities throughout the nation and operating successfully. Recently, the Italian Government continued to include Vietnam on its list of 20 countries that will continue to be prioritised for trade and investment promotion until 2030.

Ambassador Hung outlined several reasons why Italian businesses should invest and do business in the Vietnamese market, particularly the dynamism of the Vietnamese economy, the deep integration of the economy, and the country being a member of 16 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). This includes new and major FTAs such as the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Furthermore, other factors include Vietnamese reforms and development priorities coupled with the Italian Government's capital support measures for businesses, especially small and medium enterprises in promoting "Made in Italy" products. This is in addition to the internationalisation of emerging markets and the enhancement of exchanges and mutual understanding between the two peoples, cited VOV.

Ambassador Duong Hai Hung and representatives from Italian localities. Photo:VNA

The Ambassador believes that the seminar represents a prime opportunity to exchange information and the opening of new co-operation projects between Toscana and Vietnam moving forward. In addition, the event also commits to being ready to accompany localities and industrial unions, chambers of commerce, and enterprises of the two countries to enhance these bilateral ties which have great potential.

The Vietnamese diplomat expressed his hope that increasing numbers of Italian businesses in general and from Toscana in particular will continue the success of Piaggio company by investing in the nation, as well as increasing exchanges and sign twinning agreements between Vietnamese localities and Toscana.

On the occasion of his business trip, Ambassador Hung also visited Piaggio's factory and highly appreciated Piaggio Group's activities in the Vietnamese market.

Vietnam’s job market maintains recovery momentum

The number of Vietnamese people aged 15 and above with employment was estimated at 50.3 million in the first six months of 2022, up 417,000 over the same period last year.

Data released by the General Statistics Office on July 7 shows that the domestic job market has continued to recover from the pandemic-hit period.

In the second quarter of 2022, Vietnam reported 8 million people in the working age adversely affected by Covid-19, down by 8.9 million from the previous three months and down 4.8 million year on year.

The ratio of workers with informal jobs in the first half of 2022 was estimated at 55.9%, down 1.3 percentage points from the same period last year, while the downward trend can be seen in both urban and rural areas and in both men and women, reported NDO.

The unemployment rate during the January-June period was 2.39%, down 0.13% from the same period in 2021.

The average monthly income of workers was estimated at VND6.5 million (US$278), up 5.3% from 2021 and 11% against 2020.

Workers at an industrial park in Dong Nai Province. Photo: Thien Vuong

According to the national statistical agency, Vietnam’s job market rebounded in the second quarter as the number of workers hit by Covid-19 fell sharply while the number of those joining the workforce continued to rise and the number with jobs rose strongly, especially in the services sector.

In addition, the growth was more sustainable with rises mainly in the formal sectors. The rates of unemployment and job shortage have both fallen while workers’ incomes have continued to improve.

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