Vietnam News Today (May 12): Exciting Atmosphere as SEA Games 31’s Opening Ceremony Nears

Daily coronavirus infections in Vietnam in the past seven days. Photo: VOV

Covid-19: Vietnam records 2,758 cases on May 11

All the new cases were documented in Vietnam, with 1,921 cases diagnosed in the community, said the MoH.

Hanoi capital topped localities nationwide, registering 538 new cases, followed by Nghe An (178), Phu Tho (159), Bac Ninh (130), and Bac Giang (101).

In the South, Binh Duong reported 31 cases, followed by Ba Ria – Vung Tau (29) Ho Chi Minh City (23), Binh Phuoc (18) and Ben Tre (14).

Localities that saw the number of infections decrease most compared to the previous day were Phu Tho (-71), Vinh Phuc (-68), and Quang Tri (-48).

Meanwhile, localities that saw the number of infections rise most compared to the previous day were Bac Giang (+83), Nghe An (+69), and Quang Binh (+37).

On average 3,075 cases were recorded in Vietnam daily in the past seven days, cited VOV.

The same day, the Ministry of Health announced an additional 2,589 patients recovering from the disease, and two deaths in two localities.

At present, 363 patients are relying on mechanical ventilation and two patients are receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a sophisticated form of therapy that is used to save the lives of patients in critical condition.

As of 6pm on May 11, Vietnam has confirmed nearly 10.7 million infections, ranking 12th out of 227 countries and territories worldwide.

Of the total, more than 9.3 million patients have recovered, and 43,060 patients have died of the virus and underlying illnesses.

More than 216 million Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered nationwide.

Vietnamese and Cambodian logistics enterprises promote cooperation

A workshop on Vietnam - Cambodia logistics cooperation and connecting business networking took place in Phnom Penh, on May 10.

As part of activities to mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (June 24, 1967-2022), the event is one of the first large-scale in-person events held between the two countries after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang stated that although bilateral trade turnover between both sides has continued to grow over the past two years, reaching more than US$5.32 billion in 2020 and over US$9.54 billion in 2021, the two countries’ authorities and businesses must improve and agree on relevant legal documents in a bid to promote greater efficiency and sustainability in trade activities.

Vietnam's exports to Cambodia are mainly iron and steel, chemical products, plastic products, electrical machinery and equipment, processed foods, confectionery and cereal products. Meanwhile, Vietnamese enterprises import rubber, cashew nuts and many other agricultural products from Cambodia.

Workshop on Vietnam - Cambodia logistics cooperation and connecting business networking. Photo: Nguyen Hiep

At the workshop, participants frankly exchanged many opinions, assessed the current situation, as well as focused on problems to seek solutions which can improve the overall competitiveness of the two countries’ logistics service providers.

Many businesses have shared lessons learned in the Cambodian market, such as strengthening coordination in trade promotion activities, communication, and creating conditions for logistics start-ups to exchange and approach e-commerce businesses and consumer goods manufacturers, according to NDO.

Concerning the opinion that Cambodia should seek to improve its infrastructure, especially the main routes from the Bavet border gate in Svay Rieng province to the capital Phnom Penh, Chhieng Pich, director-general of the General Department of Logistics under the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Cambodia, provided detailed information on the construction plan of the Bavet-Phnom Penh expressway.

This will be Cambodia's second key economic corridor after the upcoming Preah Sihanouk-Phnom Penh route. In addition to the highway, Cambodia's Ministry of Transport and Public Works is also in the process of studying the feasibility of building a Phnom Penh-Bavet-Ho Chi Minh City railway to reduce freight costs.

Exciting atmosphere as SEA Games 31’s opening ceremony nears

The atmosphere in Vietnam is getting more and more excited as the official start of the 31st Southeast Asian Games is nearing.

Although the opening ceremony is slated to be held on May 12, competitions have already begun, with the enthusiastic support of local sport fans.

According to the organizers, SEA Games 31 is a bridge of friendship that fosters unity among regional countries against the backdrop of Covid-19 global crisis. It provides a chance for the countries to share, motivate each other and together surmount challenges in multiple areas.

The team welcome ceremony is held on May 11. Photo: VNA

The opening ceremony is expected to impress spectators with various performances demonstrating an active Vietnam able to connect with and inspire other regional countries amid many global certainties.

The ceremony will honor not only Vietnamese cultures but also cultural identities of Southeast Asian nations, so as to strengthen the regional friendship and solidarity. It will also promote athletes’ dedication and fair-play spirit and motivate their internal strength at competitions, reported VNA.

Underway in Hanoi and other 11 northern localities, SEA Games 31 is deemed a sports arena for the most excellent athletes of the region. It is expected to welcome a total of about 8,000 athletes, coaching staff and officials from 11 Southeast Asian countries as well as international referees.

It is the second time Vietnam has hosted the region’s biggest sports event.

EU, Vietnam agree on mutual recognition of “vaccine passport”

The European Commission on May 10 confirmed that the digital Covid-19 certificates granted by Vietnam, Indonesia and Seychelles are equivalent to EU digital Covid-19 certificates issued by EU member states.

The certificates of the three countries will be connected to the EU's system, and the EU will accept these certificates with the same conditions as the bloc's.

The new decision means passengers from Vietnam, Indonesia and Seychelles will be permitted to enter the bloc under the same rules as those who hold EU digital Covid-19 certificates.

Meanwhile, Vietnam, Indonesia and Seychelles also agreed to accept the EU digital Covid-19 certificates, cited VOV.

EU, Vietnam agree on mutual recognition of “vaccine passport”. Photo: EC

“With the accession of Indonesia, Seychelles and Vietnam, the number of countries and territories connected to the EU system has increased to 67. Moreover, in view of the summer, the EU certificate will facilitate the movement of Europeans within the EU and beyond. Therefore, while we are happy to see that the situation is improving, the certificate remains a useful tool for many destinations, for example, in case of testing requirements,” said the European Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders.

According to the announcement published by the European Commission, the decision took effect as of May 11.

Earlier, Vietnam’s vaccine passport was recognized by 19 countries and territories worldwide, namely Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, Belarus, Cambodia, the Philippines, Palestine, Maldives, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Turkey, Singapore, Saint Lucia, the Republic of Korea, Iran and Malaysia.

Retail petrol prices hit record high of VND30,000/liter

Domestic petrol prices reached new highs following adjustments by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry and Trade on May 11.

As of 3 p.m. on May 11, the price of E5 RON92 bio-fuel reached VND28,959 per liter, a VND1,491 per liter increase compared to the previous cycle.

Meanwhile, the price of RON 95 also rose by VND1,554 to reach a maximum of VND29,988 per liter – a record high.

This marks the ninth consecutive surge in price since the beginning of the year.

Photo: VOV

Most notably, retail oil prices were also adjusted. Indeed, the ceiling prices of diesel 0.05S and kerosene were subsequently set at no more than VND26,650 and VND25,168 per litre, respectively, up VND1,120 and VND1,340 per liter respectively.

Moreover, the price of mazut 180CST 3.5S remains unchanged at VND21,560 per kilogram.

The two ministries also decided to make use of VND100 per litre from the petrol price stabilization fund for petrol, VND100 per liter for diesel and VND300 per liter for kerosene, according to VOV.

Both the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance conduct a review and adjust domestic petrol and oil prices every 10 days in order to ensure they remain on a par with global market fluctuations.

According to the two ministries, the world petroleum market endured many big changes last week after the EU proposed an embargo on petroleum products from Russia and OPEC+ (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries).

Besides, crude oil demand increased after the US announced plans to purchase 60 million barrels for emergency reserves.

These factors have fueled petroleum prices to new highs in comparison to the past week.

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