More officials investigated for COVID-19 test kit overcharging
Several suspects in the overcharging for COVID-19 test kits at the Viet A Technologies JSC are being investigated for “offering bribe”, “receiving bribe”, and “abusing position and power while performing duties”. Initial investigation results show that they violated the Law on Bidding when inviting bids for the procurement of supplies for the COVID-19 prevention and control, causing “particularly serious consequences”. Legal actions have also been launched against related suspects at the CDCs of Nghe An and Binh Duong and the Health Department of Binh Duong. VNDAT Director Nguyen Truong Giang, an employee named Nguyen Thi Thuy of the VNDAT, and Regional Director of the Viet A Company Le Trung Nguyen are being probed for “violating regulations on bidding, causing serious consequences”. Police are expanding the investigation into this case, according to Lt. Gen. To An Xo.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 01, 2022 04:29 UTC
Vietnam-Azerbaijan Friendship Association has new chief
Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (second from right) presents a certificate of merit to the Vietnam-Azerbaijan Friendship Association . (Photo: VNA)– Deputy Auditor General of the State Audit Office of Vietnam Dang The Vinh was elected President of the Vietnam-Azerbaijan Friendship Association (VAFA) for the 2021-2026 tenure during the association's second national conference in Hanoi on December 30.A report summarising the 2015-2021 tenure's performance showed that the association basically completed all set tasks, helping to promote economic, political and cultural ties and tighten the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Azerbaijan.In the next five years, the association will continue consolidating the association’s apparatus, coordinating with the Azerbaijani Embassy in Vietnam to hold the two countries’ major events such as Vietnam’s National Day (September 2), Azerbaijan’s Independence Day (May 28), and the 30th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties (September 1992-2022).Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), acknowledged and appreciated the association's efforts and contributions to enhancing the Vietnam-Azerbaijan traditional relationship and friendship.Stressing the importance of information technology and digital transformation in diversifying the association's operations, she affirmed that VUFO will maintain its support for the VAFA in the time to come./.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 31, 2021 15:21 UTC
Pop star My Tam to host virtual concert in January
Pop star My Tam will virtually hold a concert series called “Unstaged Music Show: My Soul 1981” on the streaming platform NEThub in January. Pop star My Tam will host the online music show “My Soul 1981” in January. She was the first Vietnamese singer to sign a contract with the Korean entertainment company Nurimaru Pictures. She was awarded the World Music Awards’ World's Best Selling Vietnamese Artist in 2014, and the Big Apple Music Award’s Best Selling Artist of Asia title in 2015. Tam has won many top prizes at the country’s leading music awards like Cống Hiến (Dedication) in 2015 and 2018.
Source:VietNamNet News
December 31, 2021 08:04 UTC
VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES DECEMBER 31
Vietnam National Day held at EXPO 2020 DubaiThe Vietnam National Day at World Expo 2020 Dubai officially opened on December 30 with a flag-raising ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza. 2215/QD-TTg promulgating the national action plan on overcoming the post-war consequences of toxic chemicals/dioxin in Vietnam for the 2021-2030 period. Established in 1962, Cuc Phuong is the first national park in Vietnam, covering the three provinces of Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa. Jointly organised by the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer Organisation Central Council, the Vietnam Post and the Vietnam Philatelic Association, the event will run until April 29, 2022. 2215/QD-TTg promulgating the national action plan on overcoming the post-war consequences of toxic chemicals/dioxin in Vietnam for the 2021-2030 period.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 31, 2021 05:24 UTC
Postage stamp contest on Vietnam’s seas, islands launched for children
(Photo courtesy of the orgnisers)Hanoi (VNA) – A postage stamp contest featuring Vietnam’s seas and islands for children aged 8-15 was launched on December 30. Jointly organised by the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer Organisation Central Council, the Vietnam Post and the Vietnam Philatelic Association, the event will run until April 29, 2022. It is to bolster patriotism among children and raise their awareness of the country’s seas and islands and sovereignty. Entries can be sent to the Vietnam Children Support & Development Centre at 7th floor, 64 Ba Trieu street, Hanoi. Details of the contest and questions are published at websites http://www.vnpost.vn of the Vietnam Post and http://www.thieunhivietnam.vn./.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 30, 2021 14:22 UTC
VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES DECEMBER 30
The event aimed to honour their important contributions to national socio-economic development amid COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters caused by climate change. The judging panel presented 17 A, 29 B, 32 C and 30 consolation prizes to outstanding Tet newspaper covers. Vietnam earned a bronze medal in the 2019 edition after beating the hosts Cambodia 1-0 in the third place playoff. The Virtual Countdown Lights will be held online starting at 8.30pm on December 31 on YouTube and Facebook pages of Billboard Vietnam, TikTok Live Vietnam, VieOn app and others. According to Agoda, tourists from Vietnam and around the world are looking for new experiences to celebrate 2022.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 30, 2021 09:54 UTC
Vietnam takes active part in multilateral cooperation mechanisms in 2021
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivers a speech at a high-level debate in the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 22, 2021 (Photo: VNA)The Vietnamese delegation attends a plenary meeting of the 41st session of the UNESCO General Conference in Paris in November 2021 (Photo: VNA)VNA– In 2021, Vietnam has continued acting as an active and responsible member of the international community as seen in its performance in many multilateral cooperation mechanisms.During the year, aside from making active and responsible contributions within many frameworks, the country has successfully fulfilled its second term, 2020 -2021, as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council ( UNSC ); been re-elected to the UN International Law Commission for 2023 - 2027; and become a member of the UNESCO Executive Board for 2021 - 2025.Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang said Directive No. 25 issued by the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat in 2018 and the guidelines for diplomacy issued at the 13th National Party Congress institutionalised a critically important policy of promoting and elevating multilateral diplomacy to the next level.He noted Vietnam has consistently implemented the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance for peace, friendship, cooperation, and development; multilateralising and diversifying external relations; being a friend, a trustworthy partner, and an active and responsible member in the international community; and ensuring the national interests at the highest possible level on the basis of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law.This year, the most outstanding highlight of multilateral diplomacy is the country’s non-permanent UNSC membership. Amid the fast-changing, complex, and unpredictable political - security and socio-economic situation in the world over the last two years, Vietnam has excellently fulfilled this role, according to Giang.Do Hung Viet, Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director of the Foreign Ministry’s Department of International Organisations, said during its term at the UNSC, Vietnam has always shown its principled stance of upholding international law and the UN Charter while paying attention to the legitimate interests and opinions of the parties concerned.Ambassador Nguyen Hong Thao, who was recently re-elected to the International Law Commission for 2023 - 2027, held that Vietnam’s largest contribution to the UNSC is to promote the building of the UN peacekeeping force. It has also represented the voice of developing countries in the settlement of conflicts in “hot spots”.He attributed this success to Vietnam’s persistence in the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and being an active and responsible member of the international community, which has helped maintain a peaceful and stable environment for developing the country; firmly safeguarding independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; and raising Vietnam’s stature and prestige.Deputy Minister Giang added the important factors in the success of this time’s non-permanent UNSC membership are the entire political system’s engagement under the leadership and direct participation of senior Party and State leaders, the persistence in principles and flexibility in strategies, the close and harmonious coordination among relevant ministries and sectors, the people’s support and consensus, along with international friends’ trust and assistance./.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 30, 2021 09:53 UTC
Digital technology application to be optimised in publishing activities
Illustrative image (Source: VNA)– Vietnam aims to strengthen the application of digital technology in publishing activities to increase the provision and popolarisation of knowledge, improving people’s literacy, boosting cultural growth and implementing national development orientations, according to a recently approved national book programme in the 2022-2026 period.Under the scheme, in the period, 500 book titles will be newly published or re-published in the form of electronic publications, while websites and apps for book archiving and publishing will be built.The Ministry of Information and Communications was tasked to coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors and agencies to implement and evaluate the programme, and report to the Prime Minister.Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance was assigned to allocate capital from the State budget to the programme./.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 30, 2021 05:13 UTC
Vietnam enjoys rising stature, prestige in global arena
Vietnam has affirmed its rising role and position in the region and the world. (Photo: VNA)UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres affirmed that Vietnam is an important factor to peace and stability in the region. Meanwhile, Ambassador Philippe Kridelka, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the UN, affirmed that Vietnam has a strong voice and gains trust from the world. This year, senior leaders of Vietnam have made many trips abroad, speading the message that Vietnam is a friend to the whole world. (Photo: VNA)All the opinions recognised the role and contributions of Vietnam in regional and global issues once again showed that the stature and prestige of Vietnam are rising./.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 29, 2021 22:52 UTC
Vietnam News Agency, Russian Embassy foster collaboration in communications
VNA Director General Vu Viet Trang receives Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Bezdetko Gennady Stepanovich (Photo: VNA)- Cooperation between the Vietnam News Agency ( VNA ) and the Russian News Agency TASS has made important contributions to consolidating and developing the good relations between Russia and Vietnam, Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Bezdetko Gennady Stepanovich has affirmed.He made the remarks at a meeting with VNA Director General Vu Viet Trang at the VNA headquarters in Hanoi on December 28.Trang briefed the ambassador on the agency’s operations and its news for foreign service in Russian language which she said has helped nurture the Vietnam-Russia traditional relationship, and helped the two peoples, especially young generations, understand more about each other’s country.Regarding the time-honoured ties between VNA and TASS, she informed the diplomat of the success of a photo exhibition featuring two decades of Russia-Vietnam strategic partnership through photos taken by TASS and VNA reporters.The fourth exhibition jointly held by the two news agencies has contributed to the success of the official visit to Russia by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc early in December.Ambassador G. Bezdetko stressed that one of the important tasks of the two news agencies - TASS and VNA - at present is to provide readers with accurate and objective information about the pandemic situation as well as about the two countries' joint efforts in controlling and repelling the epidemic.He expressed his willingness to coordinate with VNA in information dissemination, thus helping boost the two countries’ all-round strategic partnership./.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 29, 2021 14:27 UTC
VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES DECEMBER 29
The two ministers agreed to work closely with ministries and agencies to effectively realise signed cooperation agreements, results of high-level visits and hold celebrations for the Year of Vietnam – Laos, Laos – Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity 2022. On December 29, the two ministers will co-chair a conference reviewing the “one-stop-shop” inspection model at Lao Bao – Densavan international border gate. Artists from the Vietnam Circus Federation will bring special puppetry performances which are expected to bring laughter and joy to tourists when visiting the village. According to the procuracy, Chung’s acts affected the operations of State agencies and damaged the prestige of agencies under the Hanoi City government, the local media reported. The aid amounted to over VND12.8 trillion, including over VND10.5 trillion from the city’s budget and some VND580 billion from the State budget.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 29, 2021 10:13 UTC
COVID-19: Cambodian Union of Youth Federations presents medical supplies to Vietnam
- The Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia has presented Vietnam with medical supplies to support the country in the COVID-19 fight.The gifts were handed over to the Vietnam Youth Federation (VYF)’s chapter in the southwestern border province of Tay Ninh, at the Moc Bai International Border Gate in Tay Ninh’s Ben Cau district on December 28.The donations include face masks, gloves, protective gears and hand sanitizer, along with noodle.At the hand-over ceremony, Nguyen Thi Truc Mai, President of the VYF’s Tay Ninh chapter, thanked the Cambodian side for the gifts, and expressed her hope that the two sides will continue their coordination in the pandemic combat, while carrying forward the friendship and solidarity between people and youths of the two countries.She suggested increasing exchanges between young people in Tay Ninh and their peers in Cambodian border provinces./.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 28, 2021 13:58 UTC
Application of artificial intelligence in TB screening proves effective
Illustrative image (Photo: GettyImages)Hanoi (VNA) – Artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly contributed to reducing mistakes in diagnostic imaging, helping to detect diseases early and increasing the treatment result for patients, Doctor Bui Huy Huong, Deputy Director of the Thai Binh Lung Hospital, has said. Huong said pandemic prevention and control have been enhanced to ensure safety for local residents given complex developments of the COVID-19 pandemic. This will be a foundation to promote the development of AI technology applied to all professions in life, he said. The project uses a double X strategy - diagnose TB using chest X-rays and GeneXpert, a diagnostic method that detects TB bacteria. It has been implemented in 10 districts in seven provinces and cities namely Can Tho, Dong Thap, Nghe An, Tay Ninh, Tien Giang, An Giang and Thai Binh./.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 28, 2021 12:38 UTC
Vietnam, Cuba to step up cooperation in various areas
Vietnam and Cuba reviewed cooperation outcomes this year and agreed on cooperation contents for 2022 during the 39th meeting of their Inter-Governmental Committee, held virtually in Hanoi on December 28.Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi, co-chair of the committee, said cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba has been maintained in 2021 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.Two-way trade in the January-November period reached 105 million USD, up 2 percent year-on-year, he said, adding that Vietnam has strived to maintain its rice exports to Cuba, helping the Caribbean nation ensure food security and social stability.Through conferences and workshops, both online and in-person, the two sides have popularised the Vietnam-Cuba trade agreement among their businesses and relevant associations.Notably, the joint investment working group has introduced Cuba’s new policies, priority areas and projects calling for foreign investments, and proposed solutions to remove difficulties facing Vietnamese investors in Cuba.The cooperation project on rice production in Cuba for the 2019-2023 period has been carried out as scheduled. Meanwhile, the two sides have coordinated to raise proposals regarding the project helping Cuba with aquatic farming, third phase, and another on corn cultivation in the country.Remarkable progress has also been made in collaboration in health care and bio-technology. Cuba has provided Vietnam with 5 million doses of Abdala COVID-19 vaccine. Within the official visit to Cuba by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc last September, ministries, agencies and businesses of the two countries signed many important cooperation agreements. (Photo: VNA)Within the official visit to Cuba by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc last September, ministries, agencies and businesses of the two countries signed many important cooperation agreements, covering economy, fisheries, health care, cyber security, justice, hotels and clean energy.The signing has created a crucial foundation for the two countries to concretise activities and expand cooperation opportunities in the areas in which both are interested in.Given difficulties and shortcomings to the bilateral cooperation, Vietnam suggested the Cuban government soon take solutions to ensure the effective operation of Vietnamese projects.The two sides consented to step up collaboration in priority fields as well as the spheres in which both are interested.They will work to effectively implement reached agreements and create conditions for businesses to utilise tax incentives of the Vietnam- Cuba trade agreement to raise the bilateral trade.More efforts will be made to roll out the cooperation project on rice production in Cuba, and sketch out the corn and aquaculture projects that are expected to be submitted to competent agencies for approval, heard the meeting.The two health ministries will enhance cooperation in the supply and transfer of COVID-19 vaccine production technology in Vietnam.Vietnam and Cuba will also continue with partnerships in other fields like construction, information-communications, finance, customs, banking, education-training, culture-sports-tourism, labour-invalids-social affairs, radio, television, science-technology and justice, among others.On this occasion, the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Cuban Ministry of Culture signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in culture./.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 28, 2021 09:09 UTC
Vietnam’s UNSC non-permanent membership benefits ASEAN: Philippine ambassador
A working session of the UNSC (Photo: VNA)– Vietnam’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and its fulfilment of the role over the past two years have marked a strong development step of the country and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo has said.In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondents in New York, the ambassador said both Vietnam and Indonesia, which are ASEAN member nations, took over the post last year, which has helped to significantly advance the bloc’s position, especially their contributions to addressing international matters In its capacity as non-permanent member and especially rotating President of the UNSC, Vietnam has brought interests to the bloc, while helping to consolidate relations between the UN and ASEAN, he said, noting that Vietnam has actively contributed to countries, particularly other ASEAN nations.Among initiatives raised by Vietnam at the UNSC, Manalo lauded those that aimed to strengthen cooperation between the UN and ASEAN and other regional organisations.Thanks to Vietnam’s UNSC non-permanent membership, the ASEAN-UN cooperation agreement has been advanced to a new height, he said.Vietnam has created its influence during UNSC discussions, especially those on Asian matters like the Myanmar issue, the ambassador said, explaining that Vietnam has provided other ASEAN countries with updates on the UNSC discussions and vice versa.The country has elevated its position not only in the UNSC but also in ASEAN, the diplomat continued.Vietnam has worked to add ASEAN matters to the UNSC agenda, helping to raise the bloc’s image to a new level and enhance relations between regional organisations and the UN, especially the UNSC.Therefore, regional organisations will play a more important role in handling global issues such as security and climate change, and regional issues will be addressed more satisfactorily, Manalo said.Vietnam has fulfilled its commitments as a UNSC non-permanent member, he affirmed.Vietnam won the election to become a non-permanent member of the UNSC for 2020-2021 after getting 192 votes out of the 193 members of the UN General Assembly.The country will officially conclude its UNSC non-permanent membership at the end of this month./.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 27, 2021 21:17 UTC