Illustrative image. Photo: VNA

1,226 new Covid-19 cases recorded on October 11

The national Covid-19 caseload rose to 11, 488,685 with 1,226 new cases recorded on October 11, according to the Ministry of Health.

With 627 patients given the all clear during the day, the number of recoveries rose to 10,597,136.

Meanwhile, there are 63 patients needing breathing support, cited VNA.

One death from Covid-19 was recorded in the past 24 hours. The total fatalities rose to 43,154.

On October 10, an additional 58,422 doses of vaccines were administered, raising the total number of doses of Covid-19 vaccines injected to 260,314,915.

Retail petroleum prices rise after four consecutive decreases

The Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance that have been assigned by the government to control the domestic petroleum market decided to raise the retail prices of petrol by more than VND500 per liter and of oil by nearly VND2,000 per as of 3pm on October 11.

Accordingly, the prices of E5 RON 92 and RON 95 that are commonly used in Vietnam escalated by VND560 to VND21,290 per litre and VND22,000 per liter respectively.

Meanwhile, the retail price of diesel oil spiraled by VND1,980 to VND24,180 per liter.

This is the first time that petrol prices have risen after four decreases in more than a month, according to VOV.

Photo: VOV

The two ministries also decided to set aside between VND200 and VND500 for every litre of petrol, as well as VND200 diesel oil from the price stabilization fund.

Currently, hundreds of petrol stations in Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s most populous metropolis, and neighboring localities are running out of petrol for sale.

These petrol stations complained that they were facing a loss when the buying prices of petroleum products are higher than the selling prices due to improper calculations in discount rates by petroleum trading companies.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry is about to host an urgent meeting with petroleum trading businesses on October 12 to iron out snags and to ensure supply sources of petroleum products for domestic use.

Vietnam, Finland share experience in water resource protection

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh and Finnish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Antti Kurvinen co-chaired a seminar in Hanoi on October 11 discussing solutions to respond to climate change.

Speaking at the event, Thanh said the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has drafted an amended Law on Water Resources, focusing on four groups of policies passed by the National Assembly, including ensuring water security, the equitization of the water sector, a water resource-based economy, protecting water resources and preventing water-borne harm, while suggesting amendments to several policies.

At the event. Photo: tainguyenmoitruong.vn

As Finland has experience and technology in underground water treatment, so Thanh suggested the European country share its experience in this area, reported VNA.

In response, Kurvinen said the effective management of water in Finland is the foundation for outstanding successes of the water sector.

A representative from the Finnish Water Utilities Association said effectively using water not only helps save water but also energy and other resources.

The event afforded the two countries’ enterprises a chance to seek solutions to reasonable use and sustainable management of water resources.

Vietnam’s economy projected to grow 8% in 2022: Government report

The Vietnamese economy is forecast to expand by 8% in 2022, surpassing the target of 6-6.5%, according to a report prepared by the Government and discussed by the National Assembly Standing Committee on October 11.

GDP growth is one of the 14 targets that Vietnam is on track to meet or exceed this year, creating momentum for the subsequent years in the 2021-2025 period, the report noted.

The meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee to comment on the Government's socio-economic report. Photo: Duy Linh

Such positive results are thanks to the Government’s effective implementation of the Covid-19 prevention programme, which has placed the pandemic under control and returned economic activities and people’s lives to normal.

Government revenue for 2022 is predicted to exceed the target by 14.3%, providing room for fiscal policy to support growth and enhance the standard of living, cited NDO.

In its report, the Government also outlined 12 groups of tasks to be implemented in the final months of the year to achieve the highest results possible.

In 2023, the Government will aim for a growth rate of 6.5%, GDP per capita at US$4,400 and inflation at 4.5%.

Commenting on the Government’s report, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Economic Committee Vu Hong Thanh said the fact that 14 out of 15 socio-economic targets are met and surpassed, including GDP growth of 8%, is an encouraging result amid numerous difficulties within the global economy.

He added that such achievements have affirmed the Party and State’s prompt leadership, the National Assembly’s effective supervision and the Government’s aggressive actions.

The Economic Committee asked the Government to remain consistent in the goal of ensuring macroeconomic stability, pursue a flexible monetary policy, continue to monitor the epidemic closely while taking timely actions and look for new growth opportunities through digital transformation and developing the green economy.

Japanese film festival back to Vietnam

A Japanese film festival is set to be held across Vietnam between October 21 and November 27, announced the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam.

A total of eight unique films on various topics will be presented during this year’s festival, all of which are realistic depictions of colourful life under Japanese-style camera angles and boundless creativity, expressing the unique worldview of filmmakers in the Far East country.

Photo: VOV

The movies to be screened include anime “Poupelle of Chimeney Town” directed by Yusuke Hirota, anime “Blue Thermal” by Masaki Tachibana, drama “And So The Baton Is Passed” by Tetsu Maeda, “Blue” by Yoshida Keisuke, anime “INU-OH” by Masaaki Yuasa, live action “Anime Supremacy” by Yoshino Kohei, drama “In the wake” by Takahisa ZEZE, and drama “Intolerance” by Yoshida Keisuke.

The return of the Japanese film festival this year will open up fresh opportunities to allow Vietnamese audiences to access Japanese cinema, especially for movie lovers. Last year the event was held virtually due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, VOV reported.

The festival according to this year’s program will be held in four major cities, including Ho Chi Minh City from October 21 to October 30, Hai Phong from November 4 to November 6, Hanoi from November 11 to November 20, and Da Nang from November 25 to November 27.

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