Vietnam News Today (November 13): Vietnam Could Observe Longest Lunar Eclipse of Century on November 19

A student of Luong The Vinh high school gets Covid-19 vaccination in HCMC's District 1, October 27, 2021. Photo: VnExpress

Vietnam adds 8,976 new local Covid-19 cases

Health authorities reported 8,976 new domestic cases of Covid-19 in 56 cities and provinces on Friday, up 831 against Thursday.

The three localities with the highest case count are Ho Chi Minh City with 1,388 infections, followed by Dong Nai and An Giang, with 813 and 661, respectively.

The Health Ministry also confirmed 10,263 recoveries the same day, bringing the total tally of recovered cases so far to 856,211.

The Covid-19 death toll in Vietnam rose to 22,930 with the confirmation of 81 deaths Friday, cited VnExpress.

Since the pandemic started last year, Vietnam has recorded over one million cases. By Friday, 32.8 million of Vietnam's 96-million population have received two Covid-19 vaccine doses.

Vietnam ranks third in ASEAN fintech funding attraction

Vietnam ranks third in attracting funding in the fintech industry with $375 million, accounting for 11 percent of the six major ASEAN economies, a report shows.

Two major deals in Vietnam consist of a US$250-million investment into payment company VNPay and a US$100-million investment into e-wallet MoMo, said the report by United Overseas Bank, PwC Singapore and Singapore FinTech Association, which covers the first nine months this year.

VNPay received the second biggest investment behind Grab Financial Group with a US$300 million funding, according to VnExpress.

Fintech companies in Singapore attracted the most funding, accounting for 49 percent of total value, followed by Indonesia, 26 percent.

E-wallet apps are seen on a smartphone. Photo: VnExpress

In fourth, fifth and sixth places were the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia.

From 2017 to September this year, Vietnam had seen 76 new fintech companies established, bringing the total to 188.

E-wallets continue to gain popularity in Vietnam with the biggest being MoMo, used by 82 percent of respondents in a report survey.

ZaloPay followed at 62 percent, while VNPay claimed third place at 28 percent.

ASEAN fintech funding in the first nine months more than tripled compared to the entire 2020 to US$3.5 billion.

Vietnam could observe longest lunar eclipse of century on November 19

Many people nationwide are set to enjoy a wonderful experience as they will have the chance to enjoy the longest lunar partial eclipse of the century, with the extraordinary event due to occur at around 3 p.m. on November 19 (Vietnam time).

The natural phenomenon is due to last for three hours and 23 minutes, with the earth's shadow to cover 97% of the full moon.

Photo: VOV

The eclipse will be visible from North America and the Pacific Ocean, Alaska, Western Europe, eastern Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

Unfortunately, none of the eclipse will be able to be seen from Africa, the Middle East, or western Asia, reported VOV.

According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), it will be the longest eclipse of the entire century.

Vietnam’s economy sees positive changes: World Bank

Amid a protracted Covid-19 outbreak, socio-economic data in October showed the contraction has bottommed out and Vietnam's economy has made positive changes, the World Bank (WB) in Vietnam said in its Vietnam macroeconomic update for November released on November 12.

The country's industrial production and total retail sales of consumer goods and services rebounded as economic activities gradually resumed but have yet to recover to the levels recorded before the outbreak, which began in April. Goods trade balance registered a surplus for the second month in a row as import growth continued to slow down. For the first ten months of this year, Vietnam enjoyed a trade surplus of US$160 million. Meanwhile, the number of registered FDI decreased after three months of increase.

Photo: VNA

Despite rising fuel prices, inflation remained subdued due to falling food prices and weak domestic demand for other consumer products. Credit growth was stable in October. State budget revenue and expenditure balance returned to surplus in October mainly driven by a sharp fall in budget expenditures although revenues continued to decrease for the third month. In general, for the ten-month period, the budget surplus was a sign that tight fiscal policy would continue to be implemented, VNA reported.

According to WB experts,Vietnam is facing many obstacles in restarting the economy after a prolonged period of social isolation, but the positive developments observed in October showed that the situation will continue to improve, and growth will accelerate in the months to come.

Vietnam wins two golds at 2021 Jiu-Jitsu World Championships

The Vietnamese team earned two gold, three silver, and two bronze medals in the fighting, duo/show mixed, and newaza categories at the 2021 Jiu-Jitsu World Championships held in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Phung Thi Hue came first in jujitsu newaza after defeating Al Shkeli Hamdah of the hosts UAE on November 11 in the under 45kg category for adults.

Dang Thi Huyen claimed a gold medal on November 5 in the under 48kg fighting category for U21 athletes, VOV reported.

Phung Thi Hue wins a gold medal in the under 45kg category for adults. Photo: VOV

Elsewhere, local pair Dang Thi Huyen-Trinh Ke Duong secured a silver medal in the show mixed category and a bronze medal in the duo mixed category.

Furthermore, two more silvers went to Duong Thi Thanh Minh and Dang Thi Huyen in jujitsu newaza.

The jujitsu newaza category also saw Vietnamese fighter Dang Thi Hoai win a bronze medal.

The Jiu-Jitsu World Championships 2021 was held from November 5 to November 11 and saw the participation of athletes from more than 30 countries and territories around the world, with the nation sending nine athletes to the event.

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