According to medical experts, mask wearing, disinfection, and vaccination are the most important factors in the current pandemic prevention measures. Photo: VOV

Flexible response measures proposed amid sharp fall in Covid-19 infections

It remains imperative to raise public awareness of the necessity of personal prevention, in which vaccination, mask wearing, and disinfection remain the key factors amid a sharp continual decline in the number of new Covid-19 cases, according to health experts.

According to statistics compiled by the Ministry of Health, May 6 saw the nation record a total of 3,819 new infections across 56 provinces and cities nationwide, marking a drop of 486 cases from the previous day, with 2,706 cases detected within the community.

The average number of new cases nationwide over the past seven days stands at 3,696 per day, while the national death rate has been at a daily average of just two.

The local pandemic situation therefore continues to show positive signs as the number of fresh infections, severe cases, and deaths has dramatically plunged in recent times, dropping from nearly 200,000 new infections per day to below 5,000 cases per day.

Most notably, Hanoi, the locality which has constantly recorded the highest number of infections, has also passed the peak of the pandemic as the number of cases continuously drop. The capital has seen infections rapidly fall from over 30,000 cases per day to roughly 700 cases per day, cited VOV.

Currently, the number of severe Covid-19 patients and the mortality rate have also seen a decrease, with the average number of deaths recorded over the past seven days standing at two cases each day, with there even being some days with no fatalities recorded.

Furthermore, the vaccine coverage rate remains high, with most people having been vaccinated with two doses and a booster shot.

The whole country has so far injected approximately 215.4 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines of all kinds.

Moving into the new normal, adaptation efforts to the Covid-19 pandemic has seen the nation become more "open", with a broad range of activities resuming, such as tourism and entertainment services, as well as schools and offices reopening.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huy Nga, former director of the Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health, the Covid-19 pandemic has gradually been brought under control and has stabilized as a result of the high rate of vaccine coverage, the large number of vaccinated people, and the sharp fall in new infections.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nga also said that for the time being, recommendations regarding pandemic relations should be flexible, with a particular focus placed on wearing masks and disinfection. In addition, it can also be viewed as necessary to distinguish which principles are the priority and which are mutually supportive to different activities.

Dr. Nga recommended that people who are already in the habit of following disease prevention measures should also maintain the spirit of fighting the pandemic by wearing masks where necessary and keeping a close watch on the developments relating to the pandemic.

According to health experts, mask wearing, disinfection, and vaccination are the most important factors in the current pandemic prevention measures.

Vietnam-Brazil trade growing: official

Trade turnover between Vietnam and Brazil reached US$6.35 billion last year, the highest value so far, said Ngo Xuan Ty, Head of the Vietnamese Trade Office in Brazil.

In the first three months of this year, the figure stood at US$1.7 billion, up 11.9 percent year-on-year, of which Vietnam’s export revenue was US$533.2 million, a rise of 3.5 percent, Ty told a consulting session on export to Brazil held by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency at the Ministry of Industry and Trade on May 6.

Illustrative image. Photo: VNA

The official said Vietnamese rice noodle has been favored by local consumers as well as Asian people in Brazil, and suggested Vietnamese businesses increase the export of other products like garments-textiles and footwear, according to VNA.

To access the market, the firms should pay attention to product quality, packaging and price, while stepping up trade promotion, especially through major fairs in Brazil, he continued.

Pointing out the complicated tax system in Brazil, Ty asked Vietnamese enterprises to carefully study products, saying they should seek local partners or consulting firms in this regard.

Vietnam rises six places in the ranking of the best countries for education

The Ministry of Education and Training informed on May 6 that according to the ranking results of the best countries for education in 2021 by the US News and World Report (USNEWS), Vietnam ranked 59th, up 6 places compared to 2020.

This is considered a positive change in the Vietnamese education sector recognized and ranked by international organizations.

Vietnam ranks 59th, up 6 places compared to 2020. Photo: Duy Linh

The 2021 Best Countries for Education are ranked based on a perception-based global survey, which used a compilation of scores from three equally weighted country attributes: having a well-developed public education system, whether people would consider attending university there and if that country provides top quality education, reported NDO.

The top 10 countries in this year’s ranking included the US, the UK, Germany, Canada, France, Switzerland, Japan, Australia, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

Hanoi to develop into globally-connected city 2045

Under newly-issued plans, Hanoi will be transformed into a globally-connected city and a regional economic hub by 2045, with high living conditions and comprehensive growth.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has signed a decision to issue Resolution No 15, guiding the development of the Hanoi Capital Region until 2030 with a vision towards 2045.

Under the new resolution, Hanoi is designated to become a centre and development for the Red River Delta and a key economic region of the north, with high regional and international competitiveness by 2030.

Foreign tourists attend a tourism festival near Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. Photo: VNA

Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) growth during the 2026-2030 periods is set to increase to 8-8.5 percent and the GRDP per capita is expected to reach US$12,000-13,000. The figure is projected to grow to US$36,000 by 2045.

To fulfill these targets, the resolution puts forwards some key tasks and solutions, including continuing to raise awareness of the significant position, role and importance of the capital city; and developing the capital's economy rapidly and sustainably based on restructuring the economy in connection with renewing growth models and mobilizing effectively all resources.

It is also necessary to strongly develop the city's culture and encourage polite and civilized Hanoians, in line with the city's role as a centre of education and training, science and technology and healthcare; and ensuring social security, and social welfare and improvement of the living quality of citizens, according to VNA.

Other tasks include improving the quality of planning and promoting the construction of infrastructure, urban development and management. Furthermore, effectively using natural resources and protecting the environment are key.

They also include ensuring national defense, security, social order and safety in all situations and promoting diplomacy, international integration and development cooperation to raise the position and prestige of the capital city. The building and rectification of the Party and the political system must be increased for transparency and a stronger Party and political system; and legal systems must be completed in the capital with appropriate mechanisms and policies to meet the development requirements of the city in the new period.

The resolution also recognized the achievements made by the Party Committee, authorities and citizens of Hanoi a decade on from the implementation of Resolution No 11, issued by the 11th-tenure Politburo on orientations and tasks for the development of the Hanoi Capital Region in the 2011-2020 period.

The city recorded an average economic growth rate of 6.83 percent a year during the period. The GRDP per capita in 2020 reached US$5,325, a 2.3 fold increase from the figure of 2010. The investment environment, economic and social infrastructure and construction of new-style rural areas were improved.

The city also gained achievements in developing culture, education and training, science and technology, caring for citizens' health, ensuring social security, job generation and poverty reduction during the period.

Hanoi also recorded a rising position and prestige in the country and region, ten years after implementing Resolution 11. The building and rectification of the Party and political system have been implemented effectively.

Under the resolution, the Politburo asked the Party Organization, administration and locals of Hanoi to stay united and determined to work with central ministries, sectors and agencies as well as other localities to effectively implement the resolution. The Politburo underlined the need to make comprehensive adjustments to the Capital Law to meet the development requirements of the capital city in the new situation.

First quarter pepper exports to EU market surge by 92.9%

The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is being effectively utilized by local enterprises amid the export turnover of peppers to the EU market expanding by 92.9% during the opening quarter of the year.

Statistics compiled by the General Department of Customs indicate that pepper exports during the first quarter of the year reached 53.8 thousand tonnes, worth US$250.8 million, a drop of 12.1% in volume but up 40.3% in value compared to the same period from last year.

Most notably, the first quarter of the year saw, the export speed of pepper to the European region increase the most with a rise of 92.9%, whilst strong growth was seen in the Americas, up 63.5%, Africa, up 10.3%, and Asia, up 6.4%.

The share of Vietnamese pepper exports to the EU increase from 20.21% in the first quarter of 2021 to 28.08% in the first quarter of this year. Photo: VOV

Furthermore, the share of Vietnamese pepper exports to the EU increased from 20.21% in the first quarter of 2021 to 28.08% in the first quarter of this year.

According to the EVFTA, EU countries pledge to eliminate all tariffs placed on pepper products (HS code 0904) as soon as the deal comes into effect, cited VOV.

Experts note that the effective implementation of the EVFTA will serves as extra leverage for Vietnamese businesses to increase exports to the EU market, especially for processed products that previously had a tax rate of between 5% and 9%.

Moreover, the incentives from the agreement are being effectively utilized by local businesses, particularly as pepper export turnover to the EU has seen consistent growth over recent years. It is therefore anticipated that the bloc will continue to increase pepper imports from the Vietnamese market in the year ahead.

Moving forward, Vietnam is anticipated to take advantage of opportunities to develop the pepper processing industry when investors in the EU move their processing plants to the nation in order to take advantage of cheap raw materials and labour, thereby creating a driving force to promote pepper exports to the EU.

According to experts, the EU represents a potential but fastidious market. Therefore, local businesses operating in the pepper industry must establish production linkages in terms of raw material areas, build trade brands by improving product quality, and maintain sustainability based on product certifications.

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