Photo: VOV

Vietnam first time records more than 110,000 Covid-19 cases a day

For the first time since the Covid-19 disease broke out, the daily caseload in Vietnam has surpassed the 100,000 mark, hitting 110,301 infections on March 2.

The newly detected infections, recorded in all 63 cities and provinces nationwide, marked an increase of more than 11,500 cases compared to the previous day.

About two thirds of the total were diagnosed in the community, 21 tested positive upon returning from overseas, and the remainder were detected in the lockdown or quarantine areas.

Like previous days, February 22 saw most of the cases reported in the north. Official data from the Ministry of Health show Hanoi capital topped localities in infection number, registering 15,111 cases or 1,791 cases more than the March 1 figure.

Other northern provinces that reported their daily counts of between 2,000 and 5,000 each are Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh, Son La, Hung Yen, Lang Son, Nam Dinh, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Lao Cai, Thai Nguyen, Hai Phong, Bac Giang, Hai Duong, Yen Bai, Ninh Binh, Tuyen Quang, Ha Giang and Thai Binh.

Elsewhere, 4,329 more cases were announced in Nghe An alone, the highest figure in the central locality. Ho Chi Minh City that used to be the largest coronavirus hotspot last summer also confirm a surge in daily caseload at 2,746.

The same day, the Ministry of Health also announced an additional 36,902 recoveries and 114 more coronavirus related deaths in localities across the country, cited VOV.

As of 06pm on March 2, Vietnam has detected 3,709,481 Covid-19 cases since the start of the outbreak, ranking 30th out of 225 countries and territories worldwide.

Of the infected patients, 2,516,785 have been discharged from hospital after making a full recovery from the disease, and 40,452 patients have died of the virus.

More than 195 million vaccine doses have been administered nationwide, with over 75 million people getting their second shot and nearly 40 million people receiving their additional shot/booster jab.

Vietjet to operate free flight repatriating Vietnamese citizens from Ukraine on March 6

A representative of Vietjet Air on March 2 announced that the airline plans to operate a free flight bringing Vietnamese citizens in Ukraine home from Warsaw, the capital city of Poland, on March 6.

The flight is prompted by Vietjet's sense of responsibility to the community, and its wish to share difficulties facing Vietnamese people and help them flee from the war area.

Illustrative image. Photo: VNA

Earlier, following the Prime Minister directions in Dispatch No. 201/CD-TTg, Vietjet has promptly considered various options to repatriate Vietnamese citizens from Ukraine, according to VNA.

The dispatch, sent to ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies and agencies under the Government, and Chairpersons of People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities, the PM asked the Transport Ministry to instruct Vietnamese airlines to put in place plans to transport Vietnamese citizens and their families in Ukraine to Vietnam.

Hazardous air pollution engulfs Hanoi

The capital of Vietnam has been choked on unprecedentedly poisonous air over recent days with the air quality index (AQI) monitored at most sensor stations reaching an unhealthy level, even falling to a hazardous level in some places.

Most notably, an application of the General Department of Environment to track environmental statistics unveiled at 9 a.m. on February 28 that air pollution was at red level in Long Bien district that is said to do harm to people’s health, with sensitive groups potentially experiencing more serious health problems.

Photo: VNA

Meanwhile, independent air quality tracker AirVisual reported similar results, with most of its stations in Hanoi at a red level. In particular, two stations located at Happy House Garden in Hoan Kiem district and on To Ngoc Van street in Tay Ho district showed that the air quality is at purple level which can be very harmful to people’s health.

Moreover, PAM Air reported Hanoi had up to 35 places at a red level and 13 places at a purple level. Notably, Yen So secondary school in Hoai Duc district and Phu Dong commune in Ba Vi district were reportedly at hazardous levels.

According to experts, blamed temperature inversion can be considered as the main cause behind the recent spell of severe pollution, reported VOV.

In the days ahead, air quality is forecast to remain at unhealthy to very unhealthy levels, especially at night and in early morning. Citizens are therefore recommended not to open windows or go out for exercise at certain times of day. They are also advised to wear face masks when going out.

Besides air pollution, local people should try to improve their health by consuming nutritious food, vegetables, and fruits due to Covid-19 fears, experts warned.

Vietnam completes consultation on National Green Growth Strategy

The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) has announced that it has collected comments on a Government draft decision approving the National Green Growth Strategy for 2021-2030.

On October 19, 2021, Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh signed Decision No 1658/QD-TTg approving the National Green Growth Strategy for 2021-2030.

The overall goal of green growth is to accelerate restructuring the economy in conjunction with growth model transformation to achieve economic prosperity, environmental sustainability and social equity.

Green growth aims to facilitate a transition to a green and carbon-neutral economy, minimizing the global temperature.

It will focus on reducing greenhouse gas emission intensity per GDP by at least 15 per cent by 2030 and at least 30 per cent by 2050, promoting sustainable consumption based on the principles of equality, inclusivity and raising resilience.

The Thai Binh 2 coal-fired power project is located south of My Loc commune, Thai Thuy district, Thai Binh province. Vietnam pledged to eliminate coal-fueled power generation between 2030-2040. Photo: VNA/VNS

The strategy will focus on exploiting and efficiently using natural and energy resources with advanced science and technology as the foundation, applying digital technologies and digital transformation, developing sustainable infrastructure to raise the quality of growth, bringing competitive advantages and reducing the negative impact on the environment.

To solidify the strategy, ministries, agencies and localities are asked to focus on identifying specific actions, times and responsibilities for mobilizing resources, cited VNS.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh approved the national strategy on green growth before attending the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties in Glasgow, the UK, showing Vietnam’s strong commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

During the conference, the PM pledged that Vietnam would reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, reduce methane emission by 30 per cent in 2030 and gradually reduce and eliminate coal-fueled power generation between 2030-2040.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment reported that the draft Green Growth Strategy is compiled based on researching and fully analyzing the new and updated context, strategy and current plan.

It reflects and integrates existing policy contents to create compatibility and feasibility in solutions across the economy and various sectors.

The ministry will formulate and submit the action plan on green growth for 2021-2030 to the Prime Minister within six months of the strategy’s ratification.

Vietnam ready to uphold principles of UN Charter, int’l law: FM

Vietnam stands ready to work closely with other member states and stakeholders to uphold the principles of the UN Charter and international law, and strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of the Human Rights Council through dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect, said a Vietnamese representative.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son made the statement at the High-level Segment of the 49th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland on March 2.

In his statement, he said that the world is at a crucial juncture. The Covid-19 pandemic is draining resources, disrupting economies, deepening existing divides and inequalities, effectively wiping out years of development progress. For the first time in decades, extreme poverty is, once again, on the rise.

Meanwhile, violence and armed conflicts continue to breakout and rage on in many areas, threatening peace, stability and development, undermining prospect of a robust, sustainable recovery of the world economy, he stated.

"All this is on top of the existential threat of climate change and environmental degradation, which effects all nations and all peoples," he noted.

However, Son stressed that never before, humanity holds so much power, enabled by advancement in technology and innovation, to influence and determine the characters of the world we live in.

According to him, today’s technologies, if we so choose, can foster connections and linkages to bring peoples and nations closer together, and can enhance dialogue, understanding and cooperation to ensure peace, stability, prosperity and to address the global challenges. We can choose to shift towards a green, circular, digital economy which empower people, improve livelihoods and protect the environment.

"This opportunity urges us to build forward better, to ensure everyone is equal in the pursuit of happiness, freedom and sustainable development, and that no one is left behind," he said.

The Vietnamese diplomat affirmed that since the nation’s independence in 1945, Vietnam has been taking on an unwavering commitment to delivering to our people the very values that the UN is striving for.

People are at the heart of Vietnam’s development strategy. They are both the chief beneficiary and the principal driver of the country’s development process.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son. Photo: VNA

"We seek to balance GDP growth with cultural and social progress, environmental protection and climate resilience. This people-centric and holistic approach has enabled Vietnam to effectively tackle challenges, especially COVID-19 pandemic".

Vietnam is now among countries with the highest vaccination coverage and is preparing for a green and inclusive post pandemic recovery, he stressed.

Minister Son said it was at this High Level Segment last year that Vietnam formally presented its candidature for membership of the Human Rights Council for the term 2023-2025.

"We pledge to make positive contributions to the work of the Council in the spirit of “Mutual Respect. Dialogue and Cooperation. Ensuring All Human Rights, for All”.

Vietnam stands ready to work closely with other member states and stakeholders to uphold the principles of the UN Charter and international law, and strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of the Human Rights Council through dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect, VNA reported.

"We will promote the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms in a comprehensive and holistic manner, in all civil, political, economic, social, cultural and developmental aspects".

Vietnam's efforts will focus in particular on the protection of vulnerable groups and combating violence and discrimination against them; the promotion of gender equality, especially for women and girls in the era of digital transformation; and the protection and promotion of human rights in addressing global issues, especially climate change.

Vietnam will work to promote the right to health, particularly in the unpredictable context of Covid-19 and other communicable diseases; the right to decent work in joint efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the right to quality education based on equality of opportunity and universal access.

The session was attended by many high-ranking world leaders with more than 140 heads of state, prime ministers and ministers of countries, the President of the UN General Assembly, the UN Secretary-General, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and leaders of international and regional organizations and non-governmental organizations based in Geneva.

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