Taking nasal swabs for Covid-19 testing. Photo: VOV

Covid-19: Daily caseload falls sharply to 3,513 in Vietnam

The prolonged coronavirus outbreak has constantly shown signs of waning in Vietnam, with just 3,513 cases detected over the past 24 hours, down by approximately 1,000 cases compared to the previous day.

As many as 21,398 Covid-19 patients were given all clear during the day, the Ministry of Health said in its 6 p.m. coronavirus update on October 10.

Notably, Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s largest coronavirus hotspot, recorded 1,067 new cases, a fall of 595 cases from a day ago. Elsewhere, An Giang reported only 128 new cases, down by 180 cases.

Meanwhile, Dong Nai, Can Tho and Tra Vinh saw their daily counts increase by 87, 23 and 21 cases to 662, 41 and 29 cases respectively.

Ha Nam remains the largest coronavirus hotspot in the north, registering 22 new cases and raising ita tally of infections to 620. Of the total, 150 patients were workers.

Also in the north, the border province of Ha Giang detected 18 new cases, cited VOV.

As of 06.00pm on October 10, Vietnam has recorded 839,662 coronavirus cases since the start of the outbreak in January 2020, and 835,036 locally acquired infections following the resurgence of the virus in late April 2021.

Of the total, 779,382 patients have been discharged from hospital after making a full recovery from the disease.

The MoH has also confirmed 113 Covid-19 deaths during the past 24 hours, with HCM City and Binh Duong reporting 82 and 12 fatalities respectively.

The October 10 figure has raised the Covid-19 death toll in Vietnam to 20,555, making up 2.4% of the total number of infections.

More than 53.2 million vaccine doses have been administered nationwide, with close to 15 million people getting their second shot.

Storm Lionrock weakens into depression, Storm Kompasu may enter Bien Dong Sea

Storm Lionrock, the seventh hitting the Bien Dong Sea so far this year, has weakened into a tropical depression, while another storm, Kompasu, is becoming stronger and forecast to enter the sea soon, according to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

At 10 a.m. on October 10, the depression was centered on the waters south of the northern province of Quang Ninh, around 100km off Hai Phong city, 150 km off Nam Dinh province and 260km off north-central Thanh Hoa province.

It packed winds of 40 to 60km per hour and squalls of up to 88km per hour, with a wind radius of 100km.

Over the next 12 hours, it will travel west-southwestward at 15 to 20km per hour and land in the region between Hai Phong and Thanh Hoa, with winds easing to 40-50km per hour.

Photo: VNA

The depression will move in the same direction towards Laos and further weaken into a low-pressure system.

The storm eyewall, in combination with a strengthened cold front, will cause extremely rough seas in the Gulf of Tonkin, including the waters of Bach Long Vi Island, along with winds of up to 61km per hour and waves reaching two to four meters in height.

Under its impact, the coastal area from northern Quang Ninh to north-central Nghe An saw strong winds of 49 km per hour and squalls of up to 74km per hour on October morning, while torrential rains of 50 to 100 millimeters slashed the northeastern region, while less severe rains, of 50 to 150 millimeters, will dampen the northwestern part.

Over the next three days from October 10, heavy rains of up to over 150 millimeters will cover the north-central region from Nghe An to Quang Binh, reported VNA.

Flash floods and landslides may occur in mountainous areas while inundation is likely to hit low-lying areas, especially in mountainous areas in the northern and north central regions. Flooding may occur in northern rivers and streams as well as localities from Thanh Hoa to Ha Tinh.

Meanwhile, the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting reported that Storm Kompasu has been active in the eastern waters of Luzon Island of the Philippines from October 10 morning.

At 10 a.m. October 10, the storm was seen to move northwest at 25km per hour, packing winds of 75 to 90km per hours and squalls of up to 117km per hour.

From October 11, the storm is forecast to travel west at 15km per hours, continue getting stronger and enter the Bien Dong Sea, according to the centre.

The National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has asked localities to ban vessels from going offshore depending on their situation, while inspecting areas with high risk of flash floods and landslides, designing plans to protect dyke and reservoir systems, and preparing vehicles and forces for rescuing activities.

Vietnam Airlines operates seven flight on first day of domestic flight resumption

Vietnam Airlines operated 7 domestic flights on on October 10, the first day after the resumption of domestic flights.

To be able to board the flights, passengers must meet requirements on negative testing for SARS-CoV-2, full vaccination against Covid-19, medical declaration and adherence to 5K. Those who fly to Hanoi need to have confirmation of a quarantine facility in Hanoi before departure.

Photo: VNA

The occupancy rates on Vietnam Airlines flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City during the day ranged from 70 to 100 percent, but were lower on flights from other localities. All flights apply distancing seating in line with requirement.

The airline strictly follows standards in aircraft disinfection and epidemic prevention rules, according to VNA.

The national flag carrier has resumed services on the routes between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City/Da Nang, HCM City and Hai Phong/Vinh/Thanh Hoa/Quy Nhon/Hue/ Da Nang/Quang Nam/Dong Hoi/ Nha Trang/Tuy Hoa/Phu Quoc. Its subsidiary Vasco also resumed flights between HCM City and Rach Gia/Ca Mau.

Vietnam suggests vaccine universalization in Covid-19 response

A Vietnamese diplomat to the United Nations has emphasized the importance of taking measures to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, including vaccine universalization, at a UN committee meeting this week.

During the October 5-8 meeting, Nguyen Phuong Tra, deputy head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the UN, underscored the urgent need for vaccine universalization to adapt to the pandemic moving into the new normal and to ensure social security for socio-political stability.

Vietnam attaches importance to cooperation with the United Nations and other international organizations in pandemic response and the implementation of sustainable development goals, said the diplomat.

Nguyen Phuong Tra, deputy head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the United Nations. Photo: VNA

Tra also voiced Vietnam’s support for measures to promote the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2030), including assisting developing countries with capacity building, technology transfer and financial incentives.

The Economic and Financial Committee (Second Committee) of the UN General Assembly met from October 5-8, examining various pressing issues, including Covid-19 pandemic, climate crisis and SDG implementation, VOV reported.

Addressing the meeting, Vanessa Frazier, Chairwoman of the Committee, emphasized the need to respond to the pandemic and restore the global economy through sustainable development acceleration.

She said that the United Nations should have recommendations for action, strengthen international solidarity, and shape policy directions to help countries escape the pandemic and achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

In their speeches, representatives of many countries highlighted the unequal access to vaccine supply and suggested financial support for post-pandemic recovery. They called for urgent technology transfer cooperation to help poor countries strengthen production capacity and social cohesion. They also called for commitments to finance climate change response, while voicing opposition to policy imposition on developing countries.

Condé Nast Traveler readers name 5 Vietnam hotels among Asia's top 30

Two hotels each in HCMC and Hanoi and one in Hue have been voted among Asia's top 30 by readers of British magazine Condé Nast Traveler.

Park Hyatt Saigon overlooking the Saigon Opera House in downtown HCMC ranked eighth with an overall score of 98.65 out of 100 in the Readers' Choice Awards this year, cited VnExpress.

Azerai La Residence Hotel in Hue, central Vietnam. Photo: VnExpress

InterContinental Hanoi Landmark 72 in Hanoi was in 10th with 98.39.

Azerai La Residence Hotel by the Huong (Perfume) River in Hue in central Vietnam was in 12th with 98.26.

The Reverie Saigon on Nguyen Hue Boulevard in HCMC was 15th with 97.66, and the colonial-era Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, which used to serve as a bomb shelter during the Vietnam War, ranked 27th with 91.66.

More than 800,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted responses rating their travel experiences across the globe and sharing their opinions on the top cities, islands, hotels and resorts, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and other topics.

The Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest running recognition of excellence in the travel industry.

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