Vietnam has seen a constant decrease in the number of new daily COVID-19 infections. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam reports 127,883 Covid-19 cases on March 23

Vietnam has seen a constant decrease in the number of new daily Covid-19 infections, with 127,883 detected on March 23.

This is the seventh straight day the country has seen a decline in the number of new transmissions, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 8,479,751 since the start of the pandemic.

The capital city of Hanoi continues to top the daily numbers with 13,005 transmissions in the past 24 hours.

Hanoi now has more than 297,000 current Covid-19 cases, of which more than 99 percent are being treated at home.

It was followed by northern Phu Tho and central Nghe An provinces, with 5,307 and 4,425 cases logged on March 23, respectively, cited VNA.

After review, the northern province of Tuyen Quang registered an additional 12,954 transmissions.

As many as 3,764 Covid-19 patients are in serious or critical condition, with the majority requiring oxygen masks, 289 requiring invasive ventilation and five on life support.

Vietnam reported 61 Covid-19 deaths on the day, raising the nation's death toll since the pandemic started to 42,075, accounting for 0.5 percent infections.

Up to 192,465 Covid-19 patients made a full recovery; the total number of recovered patients in Vietnam has now reached 4,661,270.

More than 203 million Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Vietnam, including 184.9 million doses in adults.

A total of 17.06 million Covid-19 vaccine doses have been given to children aged 12-17 years.

ESCAP always attaches importance to partnership with Vietnam

The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) always values its partnership with Vietnam and pledges to pay close attention to and actively support the nation in realizing its sustainable development goals.

Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, executive secretary of the UN ESCAP, made the statement during a working session held on March 22 with Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phan Chi Thanh, concurrently the Permanent Representative of Vietnam at ESCAP.

During the course of the meeting, the two sides discussed the topic of the 78th ESCAP meeting slated for May along with future co-operation between the country and ESCAP.

The session is an annual meeting in which member states can consider and discuss all socio-economic issues and regional co-operation in areas of shared interest, featuring the participation of many senior leaders from countries, the UN, and international organizations.

Guided by the theme “A common agenda to advance sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific”, this year’s session represents an opportunity to discuss and shape the future of regional co-operation centered around a new form of multilateralism and regional co-operation.

ESCAP will be commemorating the 75th anniversary of its establishment this year, with the 78th session marking the culmination of the commemorations. As the Commission approaches this landmark milestone, it is poised to engage in dialogue on the future of regional co-operation to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and deliver on its promise of leaving no one behind. As countries stand at a crossroads with building back better within reach, the Commission will also offer a space to identify and discuss the mechanisms and means in which to develop the resilience of people and nations across the Asia-Pacific region in the aftermath of Covid-19.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand and Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UNESCAP Phan Chi Thanh (R) and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Photo: VOV

Alisjahbana emphasized the importance of maintaining and promoting co-operation and connectivity, especially in the context of the global conflicts and divisions, with regional partners facing plenty of difficulties in coping with the Covid-19 pandemic and post-pandemic recovery, according to VOV.

The executive secretary of ESCAP stated her great appreciation for the country’s role and contribution in stepping up co-operation, maintaining peace, stability, and development in the region and throughout the world.

She expressed her positive feelings about Vietnamese efforts and determination to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially the nation’s strong commitments on climate at the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP26).

Alisjahbana stated her hopes that Vietnam will actively participate in the 78th session, share its best practices and experience, whilst simultaneously contributing to promote co-operation and development in the Asia-Pacific region. She also noted her organization’s readiness to work closely with the Embassy of Vietnam to well prepare for the 78th ESCAP session.

In response, Ambassador Thanh affirmed that the country has always been a reliable and responsible partner of ESCAP and will actively become involved in the 78th session as well as in the joint activities of ESCAP and the Asia–Pacific region.

The Vietnamese diplomat also expressed his gratitude and appreciation for ESCAP's support of Vietnam over recent times, especially programs and projects on policy consultation, technical assistance and capacity building for various ministries, sectors, government agencies, and the National Assembly.

The Ambassador said that like many other developing countries, Vietnam is facing currently many challenges and difficulties, especially with regard to implementing its commitment to reduce net emissions to zero by 2050 and achieve sustainable development goals in 2030.

He expressed his wish that ESCAP will continue to support and mobilize international partners to support the nation in terms of resources, technology, and experience.

The local diplomat shared Vietnamese concerns and outlined his hope that ESCAP would have an assessment of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the crisis in Ukraine on the implementation of sustainable development goals of countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Vietnam willing to beef up comprehensive partnership with Canada: FM

Vietnam is willing to work together with Canada to boost their comprehensive partnership in an effective and practical manner, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son affirmed during a phone talk with his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly on March 22 night.

Son expressed his delight at the positive development of the comprehensive partnership, adding that senior leaders of the two countries have flexibly maintained contact via letters and phone talks, and most recently the two Prime Ministers met on the sidelines of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). Bilateral trade revenue exceeded US$6 billion last year, up 19 percent year-on-year, he said.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on establishing a joint economic committee (JEC) was signed last January, Son continued.

The two countries have also stepped up educational cooperation, with the signing of an MoU on boosting educational cooperation and exchange between the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training and authorities of the Canadian westernmost province of British Columbia in November 2021.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held a phone talk with his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly on March 22 night. Photo: Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

As the two countries are working towards the celebration of the 5th anniversary of the comprehensive partnership (2017-2022) and the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties (1973-2023), Son suggested promoting high-level visits, soon restoring bilateral dialogue mechanisms and better utilizing economic cooperation opportunities through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

He called on Canada to further support Vietnam, open its doors to Vietnamese goods and farm produce, particularly seasonal fruits and aquatic products, and enhance collaboration in climate change response, digital transformation, green finance, green and sustainable growth, personnel training, and regional and international issues.

The minister also asked for Canada’s early recognition of Vietnam’s vaccine passports, more support to Vietnamese people and businesses in the country and assistance to Vietnamese students returning to Canada for study after the Covid-19 pandemic is controlled, reported VNA.

For her part, Joly stated that Canada attaches importance to relations with Vietnam in its foreign policy in the region, and thanked the support of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the past time.

She pledged to closely coordinate with the ministry to build and implement practical measures, towards the celebration of the above-said events.

The two ministers also exchanged views on regional and international matters. For the Ukraine issue, Son reiterated Vietnam’s consistent stance that international disputes and differences should be addressed via peaceful measures in line with basic principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, especially those on respecting independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries, and ensuring safety for civilians, including Vietnamese in Ukraine, to evacuate from battle zones.

Regarding the East Sea issue, they emphasized the significance of observing international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The ministers consented to continue close cooperation at regional and international multilateral forums such as the UN, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Francophone community.

Techfest Vietnam 2022 gives a boost to innovative solutions

The National Innovative Entrepreneurship Day (Techfest Vietnam 2022) was launched on March 22 to promote innovative solutions from start-ups amid strong technology development, thereby attracting greater resources from domestic experts, intellectuals, entrepreneurs, and overseas Vietnamese.

The annual event provides a significant platform for Vietnamese innovative start-ups and is jointly organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology and other agencies and localities, cited VOV.

Photo: VOV

As part of his address at the launching ceremony, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Van Tung said over the past two years the Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on all aspects of both the local economy and society, negatively affecting the development of the innovative startup ecosystem. Therefore, it requires more determination than ever, consensus, and concentration of resources to overcome the challenging period, he said.

The pandemic has also limited the ability to access international resources, as well as disrupting interaction and business exchanges. However, it is also viewed as a driving force behind innovation and creativity whilst offering opportunities for the application of science, technology, and innovation, Deputy Minister Tung said.

Last year witnessed the national innovative startup ecosystem attract over US$1.5 billion, the highest amount of investment capital recorded. This represents clear evidence of the potential and capacity of Vietnamese intellectuals, the Deputy Minister said, adding that this impetus needs to be incentivized to develop a new wave of innovation as a contribution to economic recovery and development moving into the post-pandemic era.

First online child protection website in Vietnam launched

The Vietnam Network for Child Online Protection recently debuted its website for online child protection and receiving child abuse reports.

The website was launched by the Authority of Information Security under the Ministry of Information and Communications.

The network gathers 24 units, including representatives of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, along with associations, businesses, and domestic and foreign organizations specialized in child online protection.

A student studies online. A website has been launched to popularize child online protection skills and knowledge. Photo: VNA

In the “Opinion Expression” section, users, including children, can give their ideas. At the same time, State agencies can take their opinions into account in policymaking to listen to the public, especially children.

Updated information about internet safety for children in Vietnam and the world and new technologies developed for keeping children safe online can be found in the “News” section, cited VNS.

Meanwhile, the “Tools” section provides useful ideas and software for children to engage in healthy interactions on the internet.

Apart from the hotline 111 of the Child Affairs Department, users can also send child abuse reports via this website. The Vietnam Network for Child Online Protection will later verify the reports and take response measures.

The website launch is a step to carry out the Prime Minister’s Decision issued on June 1 last year to protect and assist children in healthy and creative interactions on the internet from 2021 to 2025.

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