Vietnam News Today (May 13): New Chairman of National Commission for UNESCO named
	Vietnam News Today (May 12): Vietnam regards Japan as strategic, long-term and leading important partner
	Vietnam News Today (May 11): President vows to fulfil responsibilities as a representative of the people

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and members of the delegation pose for a photo (Photo: VNA)

State President hosts Vietnam Buddhist Sangha leaders

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on May 13 hosted a reception for a delegation from the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) led by Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Chairman of its Executive Council.

At the reception, held on the occasion of the Buddha’s 2565th birthday, Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon lauded the success of the Government in the 2016-2021 tenure in all fields.

He said that the VBS has grown comprehensively during its 40-year development, with its Buddhist affairs and activities in building religious solidarity and great national unity bloc lauded by people from all walks of life.

It has raised trillions of dong for the needy, while actively engaging in the movement of planting 1 billion trees as part of efforts to deal with climate change in the country, he said, adding that the organisation has also given strong response to the call regarding COVID-19 prevention and control.

The Sangha has hosted the UN Day of Vesak for three times, said Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, recognising the support from President Nguyen Xuan Phuc for the work. Meanwhile, it has paid special attention to the material and spiritual lives of Buddhist followers abroad, he added.

Leaders of the VBS expressed hope that as a State leader, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc will continue to create optimal conditions for the oganisation in its operations.

For his part, President Phuc congratulated the VBS and all Buddhist followers on the occasion of the Buddha’s birthday.

He thanked Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon and other leaders of the VBS for their valuable opinions, while hailing the efforts of monks and followers in COVID-19 prevention and control.

Describing Buddhism as a religion accompanying the nation, the State leader noted that the organisation has taken the pioneering role in patriotic movements and religious solidarity. He also spoke highly of its charity activities.

PM visits hospitals in HCMC to thank frontline staff

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited the University Medical Center and Cho Ray hospital in Ho Chi Minh City to thank staff for their efforts in taking care of patients.

The University Medical Center provides medical checks for around 7,000 turns of patients and treatment for 1,000 patients.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital has sustained high vigilance and introduced new measures to control patient caregivers in order to prevent transmission of COVID-19.

The hospital also assisted localities in COVID-19 prevention and control work, including its support for the southern province of Kien Giang to set up a field hospital to treat COVID-19 patients.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits University Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City, May 13, 2021. Photo: VGP

Meanwhile, Cho Ray hospital, established 120 years ago, is the largest general hospital in the southern metropolis.

The laboratory of the Cho Ray hospital has successfully met the standards of the Sigma VP program since 2017.

The hospital has 1200 beds, employs 2,270 health workers including 500 medical doctors and pharmacists, and provides treatment for about 457,000 outpatients and 67,000 inpatients per year."

Speaking to health workers there, PM Pham said Viet Nam has contained the COVID-19 pandemic well compared to several other countries in the region.

Front line forces, including doctors and nurses have played a decisive and effective role in fighting the virus and overcoming consequences of the pandemic, said Pham.

He appreciated and thanked all the doctors, nurses and those who work in the healthcare sector for their great sacrifices and hardships, according to VOV.

Vietnam, New Zealand hold 12th political consultation

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung and Mark Sinclair, Acting Deputy Secretary for the Americas and Asia Group at New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, co-chaired the 12th Vietnam-New Zealand Political Consultation via videoconference on May 13.

At the event, Sinclair congratulated Vietnam on successfully holding the 13th National Party Congress and curbing the spread of COVID-19, as well as the country’s achievements in economic recovery and assuming the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020 and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Presidency last month.

In reply, Dung congratulated New Zealand on its accomplishments in socio-economic development and containment of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He spoke highly of New Zealand’s support for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in maintaining peace, stability and security, as well as safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.

Both sides agreed that Vietnam-New Zealand relations have been flourishing and affirmed the significant role of the two foreign ministries in the bilateral ties, as reported by VOV.

The holding of the virtual 12th political consultation demonstrated the flexibility and determination to maintain the sound relationship between the two ministries and the two nations in general, they said.

Friendship association provides aid for Cambodia to fight COVID-19

The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association on May 12 presented VND500 million (around US$21,680) to the Cambodian Embassy in Vietnam to support Cambodian people in their fight against COVID-19.

Speaking at the handing-over ceremony in Hanoi, VUFO President Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga said over the past two week, both Vietnam and Cambodia are facing the complexity of the pandemic. The Vietnamese government and people are concerned about the developments of the pandemic in countries in the region, especially neighbouring nations.

VUFO President Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga (fourth from left) presents VND500 million to Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam Chay Navuth (Photo: VNA)

People of countries need to join hands to deal with the health crisis, she stressed.

Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam Chay Navuth affirmed that the assistance reflects the solidarity and friendship between the two countries, NDO said.

He affirmed that his country will use the aid effectively for its COVID-19 prevention and control.

Viet Nam confirms 31 new COVID-19 cases

The Ministry of Health confirmed 12 imported cases and 19 local infections on Thursday evening, taking the national patient tally to 3,710. All the imported cases are Vietnamese repatriated from the Philippines (nine), Hungary (one), Malaysia (one), and the Republic of Korea (one).

The domestic cases are residents of Da Nang (10), Bac Ninh (four), Vinh Phuc (three), Ha Noi (one), and Bac Giang (one).

Number of daily new COVID-19 cases from May 1-13. Data source: The Ministry of Health

Earlier the same day, the ministry had confirmed 56 COVID-19 cases, including 54 domestic cases.

The ministry said health workers have tested 30.6138 COVID-19 samples from April 27 when the fourth wave of local transmission began and detected 683 community infection cases in 26 cities and provinces, according to VGP.

The same day, 21 patients were discharged from hospitals, raising the total recoveries to 2,657.

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