Illustrative image. Photo: VNA

Vietnam confirms 1,039 new Covid-19 cases

Vietnam on June 3 reported 1,039 new Covid-19 cases, all domestic infections, across the country.

The new infections were reported in 46 out of 63 provinces and cities across the country. Up to 770 infections were detected in the community.

The capital city of Hanoi continued to lead the country in the number of new daily Covid-19 patients with 230.

It was followed by northern Yen Bai and Phu Tho provinces, with 80 and 56 cases, respectively.

The country has had a total of 10,723,673 patients so far, ranking 12th out of 227 countries and territories worldwide.

A total of 9,146 patients were declared recovered from the disease, with 9,486,806 given the all-clear so far.

No fatalities related to Covid-19 were reported on June 3, cited VNA.

More than 221.6 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered to date. Over 4.6 million of them were given to children between 5 and under 12 years old.

Vietnam among top 20 unmissable summer vacation destinations

The nation, along with other regional locations such as Thailand, Cambodia, and Bali, has been listed among the top 20 classic summer vacations everyone should visit at least once, as selected by American magazine Travel+Leisure.

According to the publication, if backpackers desire to see amazing photos of Southeast Asia on Instagram, they should take the chance to go and explore Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia for themselves.

Photo: Internet

“Take a cooking class, go temple-hopping, book an ethical elephant encounter (which never includes riding), and just generally live it up — even on a budget,” suggests Travel+Leisure.

It stressed that the region is renowned for its cheap prices on things such as food, hotels, activities, and excursions, with value for money almost guaranteed for Westerners.

Completing the list of Travel+Leisure’s top 20 summer vacation ideas are enjoying 'La Dolce Vita' in Italy, a road trip from Charleston in South Carolina to Savannah in Georgia, exploring Colombia, and discovering Monaco. Other suggestions include marketing in Marrakesh, lazing around in Jamaica, hiking to Machu Picchu, eating delicacies around Lima, surfing in Nicaragua, wine tasting in Napa Valley, resort-hopping in Mexico, and going on safari in South Africa.

Vietnam becomes 1st country to authorize commercial circulation of African swine fever vaccine

Vietnam has become the first country in the world to successfully research and produce a vaccine against African swine fever (ASF), and license its commercial circulation.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) held a ceremony in Hanoi on June 3 to announce the outcomes of the research and production of the vaccine named NAVET-ASFVAC manufactured by Navetco National Veterinary Joint Stock Company (NAVETCO).

An African swine fever outbreak was first detected in Vietnam in February 2019, and then spread to all 63 provinces and cities nationwide, causing more than 6 million pigs to be culled.

The disease cost Vietnam over 30 trillion VND (US$1.29 billion) in losses, and affected the national consumer price index (CPI) in 2020. Currently, it is still reported in many localities nationwide.

NAVET-ASFVAC is manufactured by the Navetco National Veterinary Joint Stock Company (NAVETCO). Photo: VNA

Vietnam began working on researching and producing the vaccine in February 2020 with the help of US experts. Following lab trials, the vaccine has proved to be able to protect at least 80 percent of immunized pigs, which retain immunity for six months.

The ministry enlisted several scientific councils and scientists to evaluate its effectiveness, reported VNA.

Last month, an agency representing US scientists sent a letter to Vietnam, affirming that NAVETCO’s vaccine research and evaluation match the results they produced.

The vaccine will first be sold on a small scale and given to around 600,000 pigs aged between 8-10 weeks. Following an evaluation, the ministry will consider nationwide distribution.

In his remarks, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper lauded cooperation between the two countries in addressing such a global issue, stressing that US scientists will continue their cooperation with Vietnam.

At the ceremony, the MARD handed over a license for commercial vaccine circulation to NAVETCO.

Apart from NAVETCO, Avac Vietnam One Member Ltd (Avac) and Dabaco Group JSC are also capable to research and produce the ASF vaccine.

Vietnam expects to license two other African swine vaccines by the end of this year.

Vietnam, Cambodia target US$10 billion bilateral trade in 2022

The first quarter of this year witnessed total two-way trade turnover between the nation and Cambodia reach nearly US$3.4 billion, with the figure anticipated to reach over US$10 billion for the entire year.

Both sides officially established diplomatic relations 55 years ago in 1967, marking a new chapter in the relationship and creating momentum to ramp up co-operation, especially in the field of economics and trade. This can be viewed as a bright spot in bilateral relations, thereby contributing to the two countries’ development and prosperity.

Despite facing the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and its ongoing complicated developments since 2020, the two countries have made all-out efforts to cope with the pandemic. As a result, bilateral trade turnover has recorded many impressive results.

According to data provided by the General Department of Vietnam Customs, total two-way trade turnover reached more than US$5 billion in 2020, and over US$9 billion in 2021, with this figure is projected to hit US$10 billion this year.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen put the sharp increase in trade turnover between the two nations at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic down to the foundation of sound bilateral relations.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

During the period affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, Cambodian exports to the nation expanded by more than 300%. Therefore, it can be said that the two economies are complementary for each other.

As a means of further ramping up economic, trade, and investment co-operation, the two governments have agreed to build and implement an open door mechanism for import and export activities, international travel, and labour co-operation. This is along with customs procedures as well as entry and exit and trade regulations, all of which are aimed at facilitating greater investment by businesses in each other's respective markets, cited VOV.

The two sides have also revamped preferential mechanisms and policies for firms in terms of labour training, production and business expansion, investment, and trade promotion by organizing forums and fairs, along with diversifying Vietnamese investment activities in Cambodia and vice versa.

Currently, the nation has roughly 190 valid investment projects in Cambodia, with a total registered capital of nearly US$3 billion, duly ranking fifth among countries investing in the neighboring nation.

The country chooses to primarily invest in the agricultural sector, accounting for nearly 70% of total registered capital, with the rest coming in fields such as finance, banking, insurance, telecommunications, healthcare, construction, tourism and hotels, real estate, and other services.

In contrast, Cambodia currently has 21 investment projects in the nation with total capital of roughly US$64 million.

However, according to Vu Chi Thanh, head of the Economics section of the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia, besides these achievements, economic, trade, and investment co-operation between the two countries continue to face certain challenges and difficulties.

For example, there is no clear consensus from the central to the local level on the process of carrying out administrative procedures, while the support and orientations provided for business activities lacks a true connection.

As a means of ensuring the effectiveness of bilateral co-operation moving forward, the two sides need to implement a number of solutions in a bid to further promote economic and trade co-operation, with a particular focus on ensuring the trade of goods, thereby creating favorable conditions for border trade activities. These efforts should serve to intensify business connection activities, he went on to say.

Furthermore, the country should seek to outline a key investment plan in order to turn Cambodia into a manufacturing and raw material supply centre under the 1+1 model to take advantage of its comparative advantages in terms of large land fund as well as the labour resources available in Cambodia.

Efforts should be taken to strengthen the economic connection between provinces bordering the two countries and building bonded warehouses on border gate areas to ensure timely supply of goods.

Moving forward, both sides will continue to promote and constantly improve the efficiency of co-operation in the fields of economics, trade, and investment so as to create new driving forces for the development of each country. This will help step up the comprehensive co-operation between the two sides in a more substantive and effective manner.

Vietnam now in 95th position in FIFA latest rankings

A 2-0 victory over Afghanistan on June 1 helped the Vietnamese men’s football team gain 3.46 points to take the 95th place in FIFA rankings with 1,218.84 points.

The team also rejoined the Asia's top 15 group after being dropped out due to two consecutive losses to China and Oman in the third round of 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

A victory over Afghanistan helped Vietnamese men's football team gain 3.46 points to take the 95th place in FIFA ranking. Photo: VNA

Meanwhile, Thailand still maintained its 111th position in the rankings following a win over Turkmenistan and a loss to Bahrain, NDO reported.

However, Vietnam’s position is not guaranteed, as Thailand and Kyrgystan, which is in the 96th spot in the world ranking, will take part in the qualifiers for 2023 Asian Cup which will take place in June.

Vietnam already qualified for this tournament. The Vietnamese team will not play any game in the coming time except for AFF Cup 2022 to be held in December.

Vietnam still retains the top spot in Southeast Asia, followed by Thailand and the Philippines.

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