Daily coronavirus infections in Vietnam in the past week. Photo: VOV

Covid-19: Daily infections rise slightly, four deaths recorded

Vietnam confirmed 1,785 new coronavirus cases in 48 cities and provinces across the country during the past 24 hours, an increase of more than 200 cases compared to the previous day.

All the new cases were detected in the country, with 1,206 cases diagnosed in the community, the Ministry of Health said in its coronavirus update released at 6pm on May 17.

In the north, Hanoi capital registered 419 fresh cases, topping localities nationwide in terms of infection number. It was followed by Vinh Phuc and Phu Tho that recorded 119 and 111 new cases respectively.

No other localities detected more than 100 new cases each.

In the south, Ho Chi Minh City confirmed 36 fresh cases followed by Binh Duong (26), Ba Ria – Vung Tau (19), and Binh Phuoc (17).

Localities that saw the number of infections decrease most compared to the previous day were Bac Ninh (-47), Quang Binh (-21), and Hai Phong (-19).

Meanwhile, localities that saw the number of infections rise most compared to the previous day were Phu Tho (+58), Vinh Phuc (+56), and Nghe An (+33).

On average 2,251 cases were recorded in Vietnam daily in the past seven days, cited VOV.

The same day, the Ministry of Health announced an additional 5,094 patients recovering from the disease, tripling the number of infections, and four more deaths in two localities.

At present, 204 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 17, Vietnam has confirmed close to 10.7 million infections, ranking 12th out of 227 countries and territories worldwide.

Of the total, nearly 9.4 million patients have recovered, and 43,071 patients have died of the virus and underlying illnesses.

More than 217 million Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered nationwide.

Health Ministry calls for faster Covid-19 vaccination for children aged 5-under 12

The Ministry of Health on May 17 asked localities nationwide to complete the Covid-19 vaccination for children aged from 5 to under 12 and the administration of the third shot for people over 18 by the second quarter of 2022.

In an official dispatch, the ministry said as of May 16, some 217 million of vaccine doses had been administered in the country, including more than 2.5 million for children of the 5 - under 12 age group, according to VNA.

Health worker gives a COVID-19 vaccine jab for a child. Photo: VNA

Most of the people of age 12 and above have received the basic vaccine shots.

However, the rate of people of age 18 and above receiving the third jab has yet to meet the set target, it added.

Vietnamese e-commerce likely to reach US$39 billion by 2025

Vietnam’s e-commerce market has recorded strong growth over the years and is likely to bring in US$39 billion in value by 2025, according to data released by the German market research firm Statista.

A global e-commerce report unveiled by Metric.vn, a data researcher, also indicates that Vietnam has become the second largest e-commerce market in Southeast Asia, behind only Indonesia, by taking advantage of consumers’ increasing demand during the recent Covid-19 period.

The e-commerce index 2022 report released by the Vietnam E-commerce Association (VECOM) points out that as of March, 44 out of 63 provinces and localities have built and operated e-commerce floors. Most notably, up to 75% of the platforms have used the country domain name .vn, while the remaining 25% have adopted international domain names instead.

Photo: VOV

Due to the geographical preference of search engines like Google and Bing, all websites using the domain name .vn enjoy advantages of search engine optimization (SEO). The move has brought about a higher search value when users have a domestic IP address, reported VOV.

Last year witnessed e-commerce services expand 20% to generate over US$16 billion in revenue despite the negative impact caused by the pandemic. The growth rate is projected to be much higher this year thanks to Covid-19 pandemic containment efforts.

Since the fourth outbreak of the pandemic in the first half of last year, Vietnam has added an additional eight million new digital consumers, more than half of whom do not come from major cities.

At present, 99% of Vietnamese digital consumers intend to continue making use of online services in the future which is expected to open up bright prospects for Vietnamese e-commerce growth.

Vietnam attends ADSOM, ADSOM+ in Cambodia

Deputy Defense Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien is leading a Vietnamese delegation to the ASEAN Defense Senior Officials’ Meeting (ADSOM) and the ASEAN Defense Senior Officials’ Meeting Plus (ADSOM+) which is taking place in Phnom Penh on May 17-18.

The two meetings, officially opened on May 17 morning, are being chaired by General Nem Sowat, Director General of General Department of Policy & Foreign Affairs under the Cambodian Ministry of National Defense.

Delegates are expected to hear the outcomes of the ADSOM Working Group, the 16th annual meeting of the Network of ASEAN Defense and Security Institutions; discuss the bloc’s current cooperation situation; and consider new initiatives of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting to enhance collaboration substantively.

An overview of ASEAN Defense Senior Officials’ Meeting. Photo: VNA

Earlier on May 16, Chien had bilateral meetings with the heads of the Cambodian and Singaporean delegations.

In the meeting with General Nem Sowat, both sides spoke highly of the two countries’ bilateral defense cooperation, particularly the success of the fifth defense policy dialogue and the first border defense friendship exchange between Vietnam and Cambodia.

They agreed to coordinate closely in carrying out the defense cooperation plan in 2022, and the contents reached by the two defense ministers at the recent border defense friendship exchange, cited VNA.

During Chien’s meeting with Chan Heng Kee, Permanent Secretary at the Singaporean Ministry of Defense, they spoke highly of the fine friendship between the two ministries, as reflected through the signing of the agreement on bilateral defense cooperation between the two ministers in February.

Vietnam Blockchain Association makes debut

The Vietnam Blockchain Association was launched in the capital city of Hanoi on May 17, the first official legal entity specializing in the field of blockchain technology.

The association will gather blockchain research and application enthusiasts throughout Vietnam. It aims to promote the nation's digital economy in other to mark Vietnam’s position on the world technology map.

The Vietnam Blockchain Conference 2022. Photo: VGP

Among the association's tasks include expanding relationships with blockchain organizations and communities around the world and creating favorable condition for members to share experiences and resources to research, test, apply, deploy and trade blockchain technology in accordance with Vietnamese law. Attracting investment for the operation of the blockchain industry and focusing on training and developing digital human resources are other ones.

The Vietnam Blockchain Association was committed to making contributions to raising community awareness and advising on the development of legal corridors, standards and regulations in the application and development of products and services on the blockchain technology platform, said Hoang Van Huay, chairman of the association, said at the first congress on May 17.

Vietnam has been focusing on researching and applying blockchain, a form of data storage and transmission technology using encryption. The association has been established under Decision No 343/QD-BNV of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Due to its transparency in data sharing, high confidentiality and trustworthiness, blockchain is being used in many industries such as finance, logistics and retail, NDO reported.

At the same time, the State has supported the development of blockchain technology applications in socio-economic fields, in which pilot priority is given to businesses deploying feasible blockchain projects, bringing benefits to society.

Vietnam News Today (May 17): Vietnam Currently Tops SEA Games 31 Medal Tally Vietnam News Today (May 17): Canada becomes second largest consumer of Vietnamese tra fish within CPTPP; Vietnam currently tops SEA Games 31 medal tally; Vietnam ...

Vietnam News Today (May 16): SEA Games: Vietnam Advance to Semi-finals as Group A Winners Vietnam News Today (May 16): Vietnam advocates building independent, self-reliant economy linked to global integration; Vietnam documents 1,594 Covid-19 cases on May 15; SEA Games: ...

Vietnam News Today (May 15): SEA Games 31: More Golds for Vietnam on May 14 Vietnam News Today (May 15): Vietnam, Mexico to take advantage of CPTPP opportunities; SEA Games 31: more golds for Vietnam on May 14; Covid-19: Vietnam ...