Vietnam News Today (May 9): Hanoi Fully Ready for SEA Games 31

Photo: VNA

Vietnam logs 2,269 new Covid-19 cases on May 8

A total of 2,269 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Vietnam in the past 24 hours to 4pm on May 8, according to the Ministry of Health.

Hanoi continued to record the highest number of infections with 338 cases, followed by the northern provinces of Nghe An and Tuyen Quang, with 140 and 135 cases, respectively.

The national tally reached 10,676,184, cited VNA.

A total of 2,066 Covid-19 patients were given the all clear on May 8, bringing the number of recoveries so far to 9,320,591.

One Covid-19 death was reported on the day, bringing the death toll to 43,056.

By May 7, the country had injected 215,688,790 doses of Covid-19 vaccines, including 1,820,498 first shots for children from 5 to 11 years old.

Hanoi fully ready for SEA Games 31

The capital city of Hanoi has been fully ready for SEA Games 31 and the opening ceremony in particular, amid the fight against Covid-19 across Southeast Asia.

Some 2,000 banners along with billboards on the largest regional sporting event have been on display along main roads, in public places and downtown Hanoi. Competition venues are also adorned with flower pots.

Nguyen Van Vien, a resident of Hanoi said he will travel to venues to watch in person and cheer athletes, voicing his hope that those of Vietnam will obtain the best results.

Featuring 40 sports with 526 events, SEA Games 31 is expected to attract around 10,000 participants. As the capital city will be the host of major events and competitions, ensuring security and safety during the Games has been considered as a key task of police in Hanoi and relevant forces.

Photo: VNA

About 3,000 people have joined preparations for the opening and closing ceremonies in the capital city, and infrastructure for the regional event had been fundamentally completed as of May 7.

The municipal People’s Committee has devised Covid-19 prevention and control plans during SEA Games 31, according to VOV.

Those who test positive for the coronavirus will not participate in the event and must be quarantined. People having close contact with Covid-19 patients or contracting the virus during the Games will have their samples collected and be asked to follow guidelines of the organizing committee.

On May 7, the women’s union of Ba Dinh district of the city held an event to honor “ao dai” (traditional long dress) in celebration of SEA Games 31.

President of the union Dinh Thi Phuong Lien said to welcome the regional event, many streets have been cleaned up and decorated with flowers and murals.

The district’s Quan Ngua Sports Palace will host gymnastics at the Games.

SEA Games 31, themed “For a Stronger South East Asia”, will be held in the capital and 11 neighboring provinces and cities from May 12 to 23. The biennial event was initially slated for late 2021 but delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

SEA Games 31: Vietnam held in goalless SEA Games 31 football match against Philippines

Vietnam were held to a goalless draw in a men’s football match against the Philippine at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho province on May 8 in the framework of the ongoing 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31).

U23 Vietnam started their second match with a high mood after their 3-0 win against Indonesia two days ago, while the Philippines had a cautious approach although they had a 4-0 win against the Timor Leste also two days ago.

Numerous clear chances came to the Vietnamese young men, but they failed to turn them into goals.

Players of Vietnam (in red) and the Philippines vie for the ball. Photo: VNA

Right after the half time, head coach Park Hang-seo of Vietnam sent in substitutes to increase the pressure on the Philippines, and indeed Vietnam had many more chances, but none could find the net of the Philippines as their defense was effective.

The 0-0 draw saw the Philippines retaining their top position in Group A with four points. They are followed by Vietnam, also with four points.

Vietnam will play Myanmar on May 13, VNA reported.

SEA Games 31, themed “For a Stronger South East Asia”, will be held in the capital and 11 neighboring provinces and cities from May 12 to 23.

Featuring 40 sports with 526 events, it is expected to attract around 10,000 participants. The biennial event was initially slated for late 2021 but delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Front leader send sympathies to Cuba over hotel blast

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Do Van Chien has sent his sympathies to National Coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) of Cuba Gerardo Hernández Nordelo over huge human and asset losses caused by a massive explosion at Hotel Saratoga in Havana on May 6, reported VNA.

In his message, Chien expressed his belief that with the leadership of First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, together with the solidarity among Cuban people and efforts by the CDR and relevant agencies in the country, Cuba will soon stabilize the situation, thoroughly handle the incident and support the bereaved families to surmount losses caused by the blast.

Hotel Saratoga is destroyed after the massive explosion. Photo: AFP

At least 32 people have died and 19 remain missing following an explosion at the Hotel in Havana capital city, reported Cuba's state-run Prensa Latina News Agency on May 7.

2022 Cat Ba tourism season kicks off

The opening ceremony of the 2022 Cat Ba tourism season and the green Cat Ba art program took place at the central square of Cat Ba Island, Cat Hai Island district, Hai Phong city, on the evening of May 7.

This is an activity to celebrate the 68th anniversary of the historic Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 - May 7, 2022); the beloved President’s 132nd birthday (May 19, 1890- May 19, 2022); and the 67th anniversary of the Hai Phong Liberation (May 13, 1955 - May 13, 2022).

This is also a practical activity to realize the goal of promoting and introducing the tourism potential of the Cat Ba archipelago, building the green Cat Ba brand to develop tourism into a sustainable economic sector, the key and sustainable role of Cat Hai Island district, one of the three key economic sectors of Hai Phong city.

At the event. Photo: NDO

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chairman of the People's Committee of Cat Hai district Bui Tuan Manh said that over the years, the Party Committee, government and people of the island district have always strived to build and develop Cat Ba into becoming a national and international green tourism destination, worthy of the potential and advantages of nature and the active support of the Government, ministries, sectors and cities.

After more than two years of being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, Cat Ba tourism has currently been recovering strongly. The tourism infrastructure is being invested in more and more while becoming spacious and modern with a series of tourist attractions. The project of a resort and entertainment complex of large corporations not only develops the island district but also creates a breakthrough opportunity for tourism, as well as the island district's socio-economic development.

The development of Cat Ba tourism has also created more jobs and improved the quality of life for local people, contributing to the development of the city and the country.

The green Cat Ba art program brings many attractive performances and the participation of famous artists who have brought a vibrant atmosphere to this dreamy tourist island, cited NDO.

The opening ceremony of Cat Ba tourism season is the event marking Cat Ba’s officially reopening for tourism to welcome domestic and international tourists, starting a tourism year full of optimistic signals.

Previously, on the afternoon of May 7, on Cat Ba Bay of Cat Ba archipelago, Cat Hai district, Hai Phong city, a traditional dragon boat race was held. As a result, the Hoang Chau team won the championship. The traditional sports activity attracted international and domestic tourists.

Vietnam News Today (May 8): Vietnam Rises Six Places in Ranking of Best Countries for Education Vietnam News Today (May 8): Flexible response measures proposed amid sharp fall in Covid-19 infections; Vietnam-Brazil trade growing; Vietnam rises six places in the ranking ...

Vietnam News Today (May 7): SEA Games 31: U23 Vietnam Stun U23 Indonesia 3-0 Vietnam News Today (May 7): Vietnam reports 3,819 new Covid-19 cases on May 6; SEA Games 31: U23 Vietnam stun U23 Indonesia 3-0; New cities ...

Vietnam News Today (May 6): Vietnam's Air Freight Industry Accelerates Despite Covid-19 Vietnam News Today (May 6): Covid-19: Vietnam reports 4,305 new cases on May 5; Norwegian energy firm eyes offshore wind power project in Vietnam; Vietnam's ...