Vietnam News Today (September 28): Hanoi Reopens Outdoor Activities and Shopping Centers

Photo: VNA

Vietnam reports additional 9,362 Covid-19 cases

Vietnam recorded an additional 9,362 Covid-19 infections, including 20 imported cases, in the past 24 hours to 5pm on September 27, according to the Ministry of Health.

Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s current largest pandemic hotspot, reported the highest number of infections with 4,134 cases, followed by neighboring Binh Duong province (3,793), Dong Nai (616) and Long An (190). The capital city reported one case, cited VNA.

The country has to date logged 766,051 Covid-19 cases.

A total of 10,528 patients were given the all-clear on September 27, raising the number of recoveries to 538,454.

As many as 174 deaths related to the pandemic were announced on the day, raising the tally to 18.758.

On September 26, 865,610 doses of Covid-19 vaccines were injected, bringing the total so far to 39,232,772.

Vietnam-US trade ties enjoy spectacular growth over two-decade period

The nation’s trade ties with the United States have enjoyed impressive growth during 26 years since the normalization of diplomatic ties, with two-way trade growing from over US$400 million in 1995 to more than US$90 billion in 2020.

Looking back over the past two decades of international trade, there is no relationship which has enjoyed such a fast growth rate like that of the Vietnam-US relationship, said Nguyen Xuan Thanh, senior lecturer at Fulbright School of Public Policy and Management in Vietnam.

Prof. David Dapice, a leading expert on development economics in Southeast Asia, Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University, used the word “spectacular” to describe the development of economic co-operation between both sides.

Total Vietnamese export turnover to the US rose from US$1 billion in 2000 rose to US$10 billion in 2007, mainly due to a bilateral trade agreement taking effect in 2001. Following 2007, Vietnamese exports continued to increase, partly due to the shift in the global supply chain, along with foreign investors entering the country in order to take advantage of cheap labour, Prof. Dapice stated.

Since the normalization of diplomatic ties in 1995, two-way trade between the two nations increased from over US$400 million in 1995 to more than US$90 billion in 2020. Photo: VOV

Over the last five years, Vietnamese export value to the US has expanded by 230%, while exports from the US market have jumped by 175%. In doing so, the US has become the largest Vietnamese importer, while the latter has become the former’s 10th largest trading partner, reported VOV.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung emphasized that mutual ties have made significant strides since 1995, with the most salient aspect being through economic co-operation. With a comprehensive partnership, trade and investment flows from the US have paved the way for the nation to further boost its international economic integration and gradually boost growth, thereby moving away from the status of a less developed to a middle-income country.

With regard to US businesses, the fast-growing Vietnamese market of 100 million people boasts a young and industrious workforce which seems to be highly promising. The country’s increasing demands for development and its location being situated in one of the most dynamically growing areas of the world also offer great opportunities.

Meanwhile, the US, as the largest global importer with abundant capital and technology, represents a potential destination for Vietnamese exporters.

What is more important is that the governments and business communities of both countries are keen to augment economic and trade co-operation moving forward.

Hanoi reopens outdoor activities and shopping centers

Hanoi will allow outdoor sport and physical exercises, as well as malls, fashion and cosmetic stores, starting today.

According to a decision issued Monday by deputy chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Chu Xuan Dung, people in the capital will be allowed to participate in sport and physical exercises outdoors, but not in groups larger than 10.

Malls, fashion and cosmetics stores will also be allowed, but food and beverage establishments inside malls are still only allowed takeaways, cited VnExpress.

Photo: VOV

Residents and businesses in the city must abide by coronavirus control measures like wearing masks, keeping distances and scanning QR codes for health declarations.

The Hanoi Department of Health would be responsible for performing medical screening, for example Covid-19 testing every two to three days in locked down and high-risk areas, and boosting vaccination efforts.

Hanoi has recorded 4,201 Covid-19 cases since the fourth coronavirus wave hit Vietnam in late April. The capital began relaxing its coronavirus restrictions starting September 21 after spending around two months under strict social distancing measures.

The city of more than eight million people has vaccinated around 5.8 million people with one Covid-19 vaccine shot, and around a million people have been fully vaccinated.

New Gov’t resolution creates optimal conditions for foreign workers

The Government’s Resolution No. 105/NQ-CP on support for enterprises, cooperatives, and business households has considerably facilitated the granting of permits to foreign workers in Vietnam.

Creating favorable conditions relevant to workers and experts is one of the four main solutions stated in this resolution, approved by the Prime Minister and issued on September 9, so as to directly help resolve difficulties facing enterprises and workers.

Accordingly, to facilitate foreign workers coming to work in Vietnam, the Government requested the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to order localities to relax some regulations and conditions on the granting and extension of work permits in line with the new context and but still ensure pandemic prevention and control.

Photo: VOV

Under Point a of Clause 3 in Article 3 of Decree No. 152/2020/ND-CP, foreigners must hold a Bachelor’s or higher degree or an equivalent degree and have at least three years of work experience in the specialities in which they were trained and that match the jobs they plan to work in Vietnam.

This rule is now eased that foreigners must hold a Bachelor’s or higher degree or an equivalent degree and have at least three years of work experience that matches the jobs they plan to work in Vietnam, according to VNA.

Under Point a of Clause 6 in Article 3 of Decree No 152/2020/ND-CP, the requirement for “having at least three years of work experience in the specialities that workers were trained in” was amended as “having at least three years of work experience that matches the jobs foreigners plan to work in Vietnam”.

Besides, Point b of Clause 4 in Article 9 of Decree No. 152/2020/ND-CP is now supplemented with the term “giay chung nhan” (testimonial) and that the already granted work permits can be used as documents proving experts and technical workers in the dossiers seeking work permits. It now reads: “The papers proving experts, technical workers under regulations in Clauses 3, 6 in Article 3 of this Decree are: diplomas, degrees, certificates, testimonials; confirmation documents issued by agencies, organizations, and enterprises in other countries about the years of experience of experts and technical workers; or the already granted work permits to prove experience.”

Vietnam ascend world ranking after Futsal World Cup

An impressive performance at FIFA Futsal World Cup has sent Vietnam up five spots in the world ranking update.

Vietnam moved from 44th to 39th on the ranking with 1,105 points. At Futsal World Cup 2021 Lithuania, the team lost 1-9 to Brazil in the first game, but came back stronger to win 3-2 against Panama and draw 1-1 with the Czech Republic.

With four points after three games, Vietnam advanced to the round of 16, where they lost 2-3 to world number four Russia despite an impressive display, cited VnExpress.

Vietnam squad at the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2021. Photo by Vietnam Football Federation. Photo: VnExpress

In Asia, Vietnam also rose three places to sixth, surpassing Lebanon, Kygryzstan and Kuwait. Above Vietnam are the top five of Iran, Japan, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Australia.

In Southeast Asia, Vietnam are second, behind Thailand.

The world top three remain Spain, Brazil and Argentina.

Lithuania 2021 was the second FIFA Futsal World Cup Vietnam had qualified for after the first in 2016. The team claimed the ticket to Lithuania after defeating Lebanon in the play-off back in May.

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