Illustrative image. Photo: VNA

Vietnam records 206 new Covid-19 cases on November 14

An additional 206 Covid-19 cases were reported in Vietnam on November 14, according to the Ministry of Health.

The new cases lifted the total number of infections since the pandemic broke out to 11,508,893, cited VNA.

Also on the day, 66 patients were declared to be free from coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, raising the total number of recoveries to 10,606,003.

The death toll was kept at 43,166, accounting for 0.4% of the total infections, as no fatality was logged on the day.

So far, more than 262.66 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in the country.

Vietnam, New Zealand set sights on US$2 billion trade target in 2024

There remains ample room for Vietnam and New Zealand to further boost trade cooperation toward US$2 billion in bilateral trade in 2024, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his NZ counterpart Jacinda Ardern shared the view during talks in Hanoi on November 14.

They agreed that trade cooperation is a bright spot in the two countries’ relations, with two-way trade turnover last year rising 26.7% year on year to US$1.3 billion. The first nine months of 2022 alone saw trade exchanges between the two countries increase 13.6% to US$1.1 billion.

To meet the 2024 target, they agreed that Vietnam and New Zealand should maintain high-level reciprocal visit exchanges and effectively implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including an action programme to realise their strategic partnership for 2021-2024.

Ardern took the occasion to announce that New Zealand has decided to open its market for pomelos and lemons imported from Vietnam. She also affirmed New Zealand will continue to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese farm products to access the New Zealand market in the time ahead.

The two sides also vowed to work closely together to effectively implement regional free trade agreements to which the two countries are members, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), to help enhance cooperation and diversify supply chains.

Chinh affirmed the Vietnamese Government will create conditions and encourage New Zealand businesses to invest in Vietnam in areas where New Zealand has strengths and Vietnam is in high demand such as education and training, processing – manufacturing technology, agriculture, forestry, fishery and construction. He proposed that the government of New Zealand support and facilitate Vietnamese operations in the country.

The Vietnamese PM highly appreciated New Zealand’s provision of nearly NZ$27 million in development aid to Vietnam for 2022-2024, and suggested New Zealand continue ODA support for technical assistance projects in the fields of agriculture, climate change response, health care and innovation.

The two PMs consented to continue promoting cooperation in other fields, including education-training, tourism, aviation, culture, sports, labour, and agro-forestry-fishery. They highly appreciated the signing of cooperation agreements on education and civil aviation between the two countries during Ardern’s visit, and agreed to assign relevant ministries and agencies to study, negotiate and sign more cooperation agreements on tourism and culture.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern pose for a photo ahead of their talks in Hanoi on November 14.

They were also adamant that Vietnam and New Zealand should expand cooperation to other fields such as defense industry, military medicine, UN peacekeeping engagement, cyber security, transnational crime combat, counter-terrorism, natural disaster prevention, search and rescue, as well as climate change response, digital transformation, and green growth.

They assigned relevant agencies of the two countries to examine the signing of documents on extradition and transfer of convicted persons, and on criminal and civil legal assistance, according to VOV.

The two PMs voiced their support for the two countries’ continued and close coordination at regional and international forums, especially the United Nations, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC).

Ardern affirmed that New Zealand attaches great importance to the development of the strategic partnership between New Zealand and ASEAN and always supports the grouping’s central role in addressing regional issues. She also reiterated New Zealand’s continued support for cooperation in the Mekong sub-region in key projects on climate change response, smart agriculture-forestry-fishery, sustainable management of water and other natural resources, high-quality infrastructure development, and digital transformation.

Exchanging views on the situation in the East Sea, the two leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the regional waters. They voiced support for efforts to promote dialogue, enhance trust, and settle disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

After the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing of cooperation documents between the two countries and co-hosted a press briefing on the results of the talks.

Made-in-Vietnam product week launched nationwide

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) launched a week promoting Vietnamese goods at a ceremony held at Co.opmart supermarket in Hanoi on November 14.

The event forms part of the project on domestic market development in association with the “Vietnamese people prioritise Vietnamese goods” campaign for 2021-2025 approved by the Prime Minister on March 17, 2021.

During the week, the supermarket will offer promotions and exchanges featuring Vietnamese products and brands, VNA reported.

During the week, the supermarket will offer promotions and exchanges featuring Vietnamese products and brands. Photo: VNA

Le Viet Nga, deputy head of the MoIT’s Domestic Market Department, noted that in response to the campaign, businesses have frequently coordinated and cooperated in production, distribution and circulation of goods, creating a sustainable, nationwide goods supply network that have operated smoothly even amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

The programme is held annually by the MoIT at the national level with an array of promotion activities, she added.

The ministry on October 29 organised a similar festival at the pedestrian space around Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of Hanoi.

Over the past years, Saigon Co.op – a leading retailer in Vietnam – has been the pioneer in the activities promoting Vietnamese goods, and supported the ministry in domestic market development.

The programme has been seen as an annual spotlight of Saigon Co.op towards made-in-Vietnam products, focusing on price reduction, targeting essential goods.

Monkeypox in Group B of infectious disease in Vietnam

The Ministry of Health has added monkeypox to the Group B infectious diseases with other dangerous, infectious diseases capable of spreading quickly and possibly causing death.

Decision No. 3044/QD-BYT, issued on November 9, is based on the ministry's Department of Preventive Medicine proposal.

Disease prevention and control activities are carried out following the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases and based on monkeypox's dangerous nature, transmissibility and mortality rate.

An official of Ministry of Health inspects the prevention of monkeypox at Hanoi Dermatology Hospital. Photo: VNA

The situation of the monkeypox epidemic in the world is still complicated. Vietnam has also recorded several positive cases returning from abroad.

Monkeypox was first reported in 1958 in monkeys raised for research, cited WVR.

Since May 2022, the epidemic has developed abnormally, spreading to many countries.

The incubation period is usually from six to thirteen days. Symptoms may vary, depending on the stage of the disease, but are similar to smallpox.

Common symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle pain, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills, fatigue, and a rash that looks like blisters on the face or inside of the mouth or in other parts of the body, such as the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.

The disease can clear up on its own within 2-3 weeks.

In Vietnam, infectious diseases are classified into three groups.

Hoi An to host ASEAN Music Festival 2022

The ASEAN Music Festival 2022 will take place from December 19 to 24 in Hoi An – a UNESCO-recognised ancient town in central Quang Nam province, according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The ASEAN Music Festival 2022 is scheduled to take place from December 19 to 24 in Hoi An. Photo: haiphong.gov.vn

The event which is designed to celebrate 55 year of ASEAN Day is expected to offer artists from ASEAN member states a platform to exchange experience and gain greater insights into the quintessence of traditional music within the ASEAN community.

It will also contribute to enriching activities within the framework of the closing of the National Tourism Year - Quang Nam 2002 and attracting more domestic and international tourists to Quang Nam, as well as strengthening international integration moving into a new era, VOV reported.

The Festival is also set to provide an opportunity for local artists to introduce the unique values ​​of traditional Vietnamese art to international friends.

Vietnam News Today (Nov. 12): Vietnam, Germany Look Forwards to Stronger Strategic Partnership Vietnam News Today (Nov. 12): Covid-19: additional 630 cases confirmed on November 11; Vietnam, Germany look forwards to stronger strategic partnership; Vietnam tops ranking at ...

Vietnam News Today (Nov. 13): US Removes Vietnam from Monetary Manipulation Monitoring List Vietnam News Today (Nov. 13): Vietnamese government chief meets Indian Vice President, China officially imports sweet potatoes and salangane nests from Vietnam, Vietnam ranks 76/193 ...

Vietnam News Today (Nov. 14): Vietnamese, Japanese PMs Agree to Boost Bilateral Ties in All Fields Vietnam News Today (Nov. 14): Vietnam reports 242 new Covid-19 cases on November 13; Vietnam greatly values comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia; Vietnamese, Japanese PMs ...