Vietnam News Today (November 3): Vietnam Beat Myanmar to Qualify for U23 Asian Cup

Photo: VOV

5,637 fresh Covid-19 cases detected across 52 localities

The Health Ministry reported the detection of an additional 5,637 Covid-19 on November 2, including 24 imported ones, 18 cases higher than the previous day.

The southern province of Dong Nai suffered the highest number of infections with 858, trailed by Binh Duong province with 780 and Ho Chi Minh City with 682.

Hanoi capital recorded 56 fresh Covid-19 cases. There are 6 clusters of community infection in the capital, of which the outbreaks in Sai Son commune (Quoc Oai district), Bach Tru (Me Linh district) are linked to family-related large gatherings, with most cases having been vaccinated and indicating no symptoms. Currently, the city has around 48 lockdown sites with about 15,400 people in quarantine.

The total caseload now stands at 932,357 since the start of the pandemic, including 927,494 recorded since the start of the fourth pandemic wave in late April.

The past 24 hours has seen the country record a total of 74 deaths from the disease, thereby bringing the death toll relating to Covid-19 up to 22,205, cited VOV.

The country’s total number of recoveries also rose to 824,806 following the discharge of an additional 2,741 patients.

As of November 1, the country had successfully inoculated over 83.1 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, with more than 25.1million people now being fully vaccinated.

At a working session with municipal leaders on November 2, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, deputy head of the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 prevention and control, stressed that Hanoi need to identify pandemic prevention and control at a higher level to ensure flexible adaptation and effective control of Covid-19.

The municipal government said the pandemic in the city is still seeing complex developments, and it has been assessed as being at level 2, or medium risk of pandemic.

The municipal authorities have issued a range of anti-pandemic measures accordingly, eateries and food service businesses have to close their doors before 9 p.m.

Vietnam, UK boost cooperation in digital economy and digital transformation

Vietnam and the UK have shared strategic orientations, national programs, and projects relating to developing the their respective digital economies and digital societies, initiatives, and support policies aimed at promoting a general digital transformation.

He was accompanying Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on a trip to Glasgow to attend the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow in the UK).

During the course of the meeting, both sides shared their strategic orientations, national schemes, and projects on developing the digital economy and digital society of each country, in addition to initiatives and support policies to promote the digital economy.

They also exchanged possibilities aimed at expanding co-operation, as well as strengthening co-ordination among management agencies in digital transformation. This is along with boosting links in the digital economy, digital business connections, whilst jointly developing and organizing the implementation of initiatives within the framework of the UK-ASEAN Innovation Partnership and the Asia-Pacific Digital Trade Network.

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung (L) and the UK’s Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Chris Philp sign a Letter of Intent on cooperation in digital economy and digital. Photo: VOV

They signed a Letter of Intent regarding the co-operation in the digital economy and digital transformation. This letter of intent acknowledges the common goals of the numerous parties, including sharing experience in building a favorable environment for the digital economy and digital transformation, reported VOV.

Philp also used the event to introduce a plan to carry out initiatives which can expand co-operation in digital economic development with the Asia-Pacific region and ASEAN, through the UK-ASEAN Digital Innovation Partnership. In addition, he also showcased a program to support ASEAN in carrying out digital trade platforms, along with standards and architectural frameworks for smart building.

From 2022 the Ministry of Information and Communications will consider implementing Vietnam-UK digital forums, investment promotion programs, and seminars so that businesses can find partners, expand into new markets and co-operate in projects on the digital economy and digital transformation.

The same day saw Minister Hung hold a working session with representatives from the trade association techUK and the UK-ASEAN Business Council, during which he affirmed co-operation between the two nations’ digital enterprises boasts huge potential. Therefore, this needs to be expanded moving forward, with the supporting and connecting role of both nations’ management agencies and related associations.

TechUK and UKABC also introduced a range of plans and initiatives aimed at developing the digital business community, promote digital innovation, build a favorable environment for digital startups, as well as open international co-operation programs. Efforts to expand partnerships with countries and regions, especially the Asia-Pacific region and ASEAN, will also be made.

From 2022, the Ministry of Information and Communications will consider implementing Vietnam-UK digital forums, investment promotion programs, seminars so that businesses can find partners and cooperate in projects on the digital economy and digital transformation.

Vietnam beat Myanmar to qualify for U23 Asian Cup

Vietnam advanced to the U23 Asian Cup next year while Myanmar were eliminated after a 1-0 defeat Tuesday.

An accurate header by Ho Thanh Minh in the 59th minute sent Vietnam to the regional tournament for the fourth consecutive year.

Vietnam’s U23 team train ahead of their match against Myanmar in Group I of the 2022 AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers. Photo: Vietnam Football Federation

Vietnam only needed a draw to advance. Yet they played rough from the beginning, repeatedly committing fouls, receiving two yellow cards throughout the game.

The first half ended goalless although both teams created many chances, mostly from set pieces.

There was more tension after Vietnam scored, with Myanmar given a red card after Aung Wunna Soe hit Ly Cong Hoang Anh in the face. They also received three yellow cards.

The 2022 U23 Asian Cup will be held between June 1-19, according to VnExpress.

The 16 participants are hosts Uzbekistan, Australia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, the UAE, and Vietnam.

Hoi An, My Son to pilot welcoming international tourists this month

The central province of Quang Nam, home to the world cultural heritage sites of Hoi An ancient city and My Son Sanctuary, will pilot a program to welcome international tourists back from this month as the Covid-19 pandemic is put under control in the locality.

Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Thanh Hong said that the department had submitted a draft plan to welcome foreigners from potential and safe markets such as Northeast Asia, Europe, the US, the Middle East, and Oceania, VNA reported.

The pilot program will be implemented in three phases. The first phase starts from November only for those who use combo packages and visit several selected destinations such as Hoi An ancient city My Son Sanctuary and Hoiana Complex.

The second phase starting from January 2022 expects to welcome more arrivals through chartered and regular commercial flights. After completing a seven-day tour in the first destination, tourists can visit several destinations in Da Nang city, and Kien Giang, Khanh Hoa and Quang Ninh provinces.

Hoi An ancient city. Photo: vneconomy.vn

In the third phase, full re-opening will be decided based on the pandemic's developments and the results of the two previous phases.

Foreigners and overseas Vietnamese must have a certificate of full vaccination recognized by Vietnam’s authorities.

Travelers are also required to have a certificate proving they are negative for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR/RT-LAMP within 72 hours prior to departure. They must have travel insurance that covers Covid-19 with a minimum liability of US$50,000, and must purchase a tour package from a travel agency.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is temporarily recognizing 'vaccine passports' of 72 countries and territories, and is in discussions with nearly 80 others on mutual recognition for the 'vaccine passport'.

17 movies to compete for best picture at Vietnam Film Festival

17 movies will compete for the Golden Lotus, often dubbed the Vietnamese Oscars, in the feature film category at the upcoming Vietnam Film Festival.

Competing entries include recent high-profile titles like the highest grossing Vietnamese movie of all time, Vu Ngoc Dang’s 2021 comedy ‘Bo Gia’ (Dad, I’m Sorry) starring Tran Thanh; Tran Thanh Huy’s coming-of-age action ‘Rom’, which won the New Currents award at 2019 Busan International Film Festival; and Victor Vu’s 2019 romance ‘Mat Biec’ (Dreamy Eyes).

A still from the movie 'Rom'. Photo: VnExpress

Besides feature films, Vietnam Film Festival, to be held partly online from Nov. 18-20, also awards the Golden Lotus to documentaries, science films and animations. A total 128 films from across all four genres will take part in this year’s festival.

The feature film genre will see two new prizes for best first film and best special effects, recognizing emerging talents and technology’s bigger role in Vietnamese cinema, reported VnExpress.

First held in 1970, Vietnam Film Festival is organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism every two or three years in different cities throughout the country.

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