Ministry approves Indian Covaxin COVID-19 vaccine
Covaxin COVID-19 vaccine (Source: AFP/VNA)– The Ministry of Health on November 10 granted conditional approval of Covaxin COVID-19 vaccine produced by India's Bharat Biotech International Limited.The vaccine is formulated from an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 antigen and is presented in single dose vials and multidose vials of 5, 10 and 20 doses.The ministry also gave detailed conditions going along with the approval of the vaccine for emergency use in COVID-19 prevention and control.Earlier, the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued an emergency use listing (EUL) for Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech, adding to a growing portfolio of vaccines validated by WHO for the prevention of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2.WHO’s EUL procedure assesses the quality, safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and is a prerequisite for COVAX vaccine supply. It also allows countries to expedite their own regulatory approval to import and administer COVID-19 vaccines.So far, Vietnam has approved nine COVID-19 vaccines namely AstraZeneca, SputnikV, Janssen, Spikevax, Comirnaty, Vero Cell, Hayat – Vax, Abdala, and Covaxin./.
Source:Viet Nam News
November 10, 2021 16:01 UTC
Vietnam spotlights ADMM’s role over regional security issues
Addressing the event, Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang highlighted the role played by the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) over the last 15 years in strengthening trust and building common awareness on regional security issues, including the East Sea issue. Giang stressed that ASEAN needs to stick to its principled stance on the East Sea, and settle disputes by peaceful measures on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. At the retreat, a representative of Brunei said that the Retreat focuses on how to further promote the role of ADMM in moving the ASEAN Community forward in the spirit of the ASEAN 2021 theme of “We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper”./.
Source:Viet Nam News
November 10, 2021 14:29 UTC
Nikkei: Vietnam leads recovery in Southeast Asia supply chains
The article reported that about 200 factories in the country contracted to make sportswear for Nike have resumed operations. Japan's Furukawa Electric expects to return to full capacity at its Vietnamese plants. Vietnam has a high concentration of wire harness factories, while Malaysia is a production hub for automotive semiconductors. Vietnam was the source of about 40 percent of Japan's wire harness imports in 2019. Suppliers Yazaki and Sumitomo Electric Industries are restoring production at their Vietnamese plants as well.
Source:Viet Nam News
November 10, 2021 03:08 UTC
Vietnam highlights ASEAN role in seeking peaceful solution to Myanmar issue
Protesters in Yangon, Myanmar, on March 10, 2021 (Photo: AFP/VNA)– Vietnam has highlighted the role played by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in seeking a peaceful solution to the Myanmar issue during a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on November 8 to listen to a report by Erywan Pehin Yusof, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei and ASEAN Special Envoy for Myanmar, on the block’s efforts regarding the Myanmar situation.Addressing the meeting, Minister Counsellor Nguyen Phuong Tra, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, lauded a number of positive moves in Myanmar recently, including the freeing of thousands of detained people.However, she showed her concern about the absence of progress in the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus and the destruction of offices and essential civil infrastructure facilities as well as clashes and violence inciting activities by parties, including armed groups, making it difficult for the process of dialogue and reconciliation, deepening divisions and increasing the risk of a civil war in the country.Tra called on the parties concerned in Myanmar to end violence, ensuring life, safety and security of people as well as the safe and unhindered access to humanitarian aid in line with international humanitarian law with the priority given to COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control.Vietnam urged the parties to implement the Five-Point Consensus in a timely and full manner, including dialogues to seek a peaceful, sustainable and comprehensive solution for the interest of Myanmar people.Besides, the parties should deal with the root of the crisis in Rakhine state and create all necessary conditions for those who have been forced to leave their residence to return to their home in a safe, voluntary and sustainable way, she said.Vietnam welcomes the support by outside partners to ASEAN’s efforts, including humanitarian assistance and support to the role and voice of ASEAN, said Tra.She said that Vietnam highly appreciates contributions by the UN Secretary General and former Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Myanmar, and welcomes the appointment of the new Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for the country.The Vietnamese representative reaffirmed commitments by ASEAN and Vietnam in particular in supporting Myanmar to return to the normal situation as wished by local people.All UN member countries underlined the need to immediately and fully implement the Five-Point Consensus , and expressed their wish that the ASEAN Special Envoy for Myanmar will arrive in the country as soon as possible to promote dialogue, trust-building and meet relevant parties. Many countries showed their concern about attacks and violence across Myanmar, especially in the northern and northwestern regions recently, and called on all parties to restrain and end violence, ensuring people’s humanitarian access, security and safety.At the ASEAN Leaders' Meeting held in late April in Jakarta, ASEAN leaders reached consensus on five points on Myanmar situation: ending violence, conducting constructive dialogue among all parties, appointing a special ASEAN envoy to facilitate the dialogue, providing humanitarian assistance for Myanmar’s people through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance./.
Source:Viet Nam News
November 09, 2021 16:28 UTC
Singapore: COVID-19 patients unvaccinated by choice must cover own medical bills
Medical workers collect swab sample for COVID-19 testing (Photo: AFP/VNA)Singapore (VNA) – COVID-19 patients in Singapore who are unvaccinated "by choice” have to cover their own medical costs from December 8 if they are admitted to hospitals or COVID-19 treatment facilities, the Ministry of Health has announced. The Singaporean Government is currently footing the full COVID-19 medical bills of all Singaporeans, permanent residents and long-term pass holders, other than for those who test positive soon after returning from overseas travel. From January 1 next year, only Singaporeans, permanent residents and long-term pass holders who are fully vaccinated and have not recently travelled to other countries will have their COVID-19 medical bills fully paid for by the government. To date, 85 percent of the country’s population of 5.45 million has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Singapore has reported more than 218,330 infections so far, with about 8,000 child patients./.
Source:Viet Nam News
November 09, 2021 05:13 UTC
VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES NOVEMBER 8
Next to them, the phrase ‘Việt Nam Quê Hương Tôi’ (Việt Nam My Homeland) appears as fragmented, separated, singular words. It was run by the United Nations (UN) in Việt Nam, in partnership with the University of Education - Việt Nam National University (VNU-UEd) and the Việt Nam Network of Young Key Affected Population (VYKAP). "The event showed a strengthened partnership between the VNU-UEd, VYKAP and the UN in Việt Nam", said Christian Manhart, UNESCO Representative to Việt Nam. Along with that, we launched Netflix's first 'Cinema Beauty – Vietnam Creative Economy' fund in Việt Nam to support the creative economy at scale and help local filmmakers from lesser known groups," she added. Việt Nam will have the addition of eight players from the U23 team after they successfully qualified for the AFC finals.
Source:Viet Nam News
November 08, 2021 05:23 UTC
Ha Long Bay honoured as Asia's leading tourist attraction
Destinations Infographic Cuc Phuong National Park With a 22,500 – ha rainforest, Cuc Phuong National Park is the centerpiece of Vietnam’s conservation efforts and one of the most accessible parks in the country. Destinations Infographic What awaits tourists in Quang Binh province Quang Binh province is endowed with various natural landscapes and topographies. Each provides tourists with a distinctive experience. Destinations Infographic Visiting Cuc Phuong National Park all-year round Cuc Phuong National Park attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Visitors come here to explore its rich flora and fauna, admire the beautiful natural landscape, and participate in eco-tourism programmes.
Source:Viet Nam News
November 07, 2021 06:56 UTC
JAXA: Launch of NanoDragon satellite suspended to November 9
JAXA said the rocket will be launched into outer space on November 9 (Screenshot photo)The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on November 6 announced the delay of the launch of its fifth Epsilon solid-fuel rocket that is expected to carry nine small satellites, including Vietnam’s NanoDragon In its announcement, JAXA said the rocket will be launched into outer space from the Uchinoura Space Centre in Kagoshima prefecture at between 9:48-9:59 am on November 9 (local time), instead of November 7 as planned due to adverse weather forecast.Previously, JAXA had to stop launching Epsilon-5 twice. On October 1, about a minute before launching the rocket, JAXA stopped the process to check the machinery system. In another attempt to launch the rocket on October 7, the agency had to cancel its plan because of unfavorable weather.The NanoDragon, a nano-layer cubesat satellite which weighs 3.8 kilograms, was developed by the Vietnam National Space Centre (VNSC) under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology . The development of the NanoDragon satellite is part of VNSC's "made in Vietnam" small satellite development roadmap.Earlier, it was delivered to Japan on August 11 and tested at the Uchinoura Space Centre from August 16-17 before being officially transferred to the JAXA for launching under the second "Innovative satellite technology demonstration" programme./.
Source:Viet Nam News
November 06, 2021 17:00 UTC
Vietnam attends 5th meeting of ASEAN-Germany DPC
Ambassador Nguyen Hai Bang , Permanent Representative of Vietnam to ASEAN (Photo: Vietnamese Delegation to ASEAN)At the meeting (Photo: Vietnamese Delegation to ASEAN)Ambassador Nguyen Hai Bang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to ASEAN, attended the fifth meeting of the ASEAN-Germany Development Partnership Committee (AG-DPC) held virtually on November 5.At the meeting, ASEAN members highly valued cooperation of the sides in the recent past and Germany’s assistance for ASEAN, particularly in the fields of regional economic integration, environment and climate change, institution building/capacity enhancement and COVID-19 prevention and control.Germany hailed cooperation with ASEAN, underling that the organisation plays an important role in maintaining political and economic stability of the region. The European nation is keen to further engage in ASEAN-led processes.It briefed participants on the recent elections and the implementation of its Indo-Pacific policy and announced that Germany will take over the G7 presidency in 2022.Germany is committed to supporting ASEAN in the implementation of the ASEAN Vision 2025, the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan IV (2021-2025), response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and contributing to maintaining peace and stability in Asia-Pacific and the world.The sides took the occasion to discuss their situations and review cooperation results across all fields over the years, agreeing to bolster consultation and collaboration mechanisms, and the ASEAN-Germany development partnership in the future.They consented to step up the practical cooperation in sectors of joint concerns and study those with potential, including COVID-19 fight, trade-investment, education, vocational training and digitalisation.Germany also shows support for the ASEAN-EU dialogue partnership and pays attention to developing its ties with ASEAN.ASEAN members agreed to grant the status of Development Partner to Germany at the 49th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Vientiane, Laos in July 2016./.
Source:Viet Nam News
November 06, 2021 16:32 UTC
Cao Bang province reports first-ever COVID-19 case
At a vaccination site in Thach An district, Cao Bang province. (Photo: VNA)Cao Bang (VNA) - The northern border province of Cao Bang on November 5 recorded its first-ever COVID-19 case which was detected in Na Sai village in Yen Tho commune of Bao Lam district. The patient is a 20-year-old man returning from the northern province of Bac Ninh on October 31. He worked for a buffet restaurant in Nam Son district, Bac Ninh province. On November 3, he received a call from the restaurant's manager who said he had close contact with a COVID-19-infected employee there.
Source:Viet Nam News
November 06, 2021 01:22 UTC
Cuba vows to facilitate Vietnam’s investment
The statement was made by Cuban Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Déborah Rivas Saavedra on November 5 while co-chairing a virtual meeting of the Vietnam - Cuba Investment Working Group with Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Construction Bui Hong Minh.Déborah said that the Cuban government has issued many preferential policies to attract foreign investment. With great cooperation potential and advantages, she expressed her wish that Vietnamese enterprises will increase investment in such fields as industry, infrastructure of industrial parks, construction, transportation, agriculture, food processing, renewable energy and tourism.Minh said despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the past two years, Vietnamese businesses have maintained investment projects in Cuba.In particular, in September, within the framework of the official visit to Cuba by Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, many Vietnamese companies signed cooperation agreements with Cuban partners in many projects in priority areas of Cuba.However, during the implementation process of their projects in Cuba , Vietnamese enterprises are also facing some difficulties related to labour and salary policies. Therefore, they expect the Cuban side to consider and soon have suitable solutions, he added./.
Source:Viet Nam News
November 05, 2021 13:01 UTC
Vietnam, China share experience in law making
The National Assembly’s Committee for Legal Affairs and the Constitution and Law Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress (NPC) held online talks on November 4. (Photo: VNA)The National Assembly ’s Committee for Legal Affairs and the Constitution and Law Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress (NPC) exchanged experience in law building during their online talks on November 4.The Vietnamese side briefed Chinese officials on the process of law making in Vietnam and the role of the Committee for Legal Affairs and other NA agencies in this regard.They also shared experience in building laws on environmental protection and agriculture.The Chinese side talked about lessons they learnt in making laws on civil and criminal affairs, and in the COVID-19 prevention and control.The participants held that the meeting offers a good opportunity for the two sides to enhance their mutual understanding and learn from each other’s experience, thus contributing to consolidating cooperation, and boosting political trust between the two committees as well as the two Parties, States and peoples.The two sides agreed to maintain information exchange and collaboration through suitable formats in line with the cooperation agreement reached by the Vietnamese NA and the NPC in 2015, and the spirit of the online talks between NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Li Zhanshu on June 17 this year.On this occasion, head of the NA Committee for Legal Affairs Hoang Thanh Tung thanked the Chinese Party, State and people for their donations of COVID-19 vaccines and medical supplies to Vietnam, and asked China to continue to assist and share its experience in pandemic response in the time ahead./.
Source:Viet Nam News
November 05, 2021 03:27 UTC
Vietnam Energy Efficiency Building Week 2021 kicks off
Trung Nam wind farm in Thuan Bac district, Ninh Thuan province - Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)– The Vietnam Energy Efficiency Building Week VEEBW 2021 (VEEBW 2021) hosted by the Vietnam Energy Efficiency Network (EEN-Vietnam) opened in Hanoi on November 3.The programme was initiated by EEN-Vietnam with special support from the Goethe-Institut and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung ( FES ).A series of webinars in the framework of the event are co-hosted by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), International Energy Agency (IEA), the Commercial and Industrial Rooftop Solar (CIRTS) of GIZ represented by the GROHE brand.In her opening remarks, Tran Thi Thu Phuong, Founder of EEN-Vietnam said, the highlight of VEEBW 2021 is the three webinars, which bring together organisations and experts specialising in the fields of planning, investment, design, consulting, materials and renewable energy from Vietnam and developed countries.The three-day event aims to create a premise for orientation and strategy development for the Vietnamese construction market by updating typical models of initiatives and experiences from cities, construction projects, global leading emission balancing projects, thus identifying challenges and opportunities for Vietnam's construction market, she said.The latest updates on innovation, new solutions, and advanced models will contribute to opening up opportunities for business communities and individuals to seek, creative advanced and feasible methods and technical solutions for the Vietnamese market, Phuong added.According to Julia Behrens, Director of the Climate & Energy Asia Project, in response to the challenge of climate change, energy balance buildings become one of the comprehensive solutions to both reduce emissions of greenhouse gas emissions in the field of construction and ensure comfort and improve the quality of living environment.Thanks to multi-stakeholder collaborative efforts in applying renewable energy, advanced material technologies and smart products, energy-balance buildings have begun to appear in big cities around the world.According to a report by the IEA, cities account for 66 percent of global energy demand and are responsible for 75 percent of CO2 emissions each year. Therefore, energy balance buildings will be an important agent to solve challenges of economic development and environmental protection.Behrens underlined the need for Vietnam to learn experience and enhance cooperation with developing countries and pioneer businesses in developing energy-balancing works./.
Source:Viet Nam News
November 04, 2021 20:46 UTC
Vietnam recognises COVID-19 vaccination certificate/passport forms of 72 nations, territories
Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang (Source: VNA)Vietnam is temporarily recognising COVID-19 vaccination certificate/passport forms of 72 countries and territories that have been officially introduced to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, informed the ministry's Deputy Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang At the ministry’s regular press conference held virtually on November 4, Hang said those carrying these documents can use them directly in Vietnam and have their time at concentrated quarantine sites cut to seven days in line with the Ministry of Health’s guidance if they have been fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19.The list of these nations and territories having officially introduced their forms to Vietnam is regularly updated on the Foreign Ministry’s portal for consular work. The nations which have not done so yet can contact the representative agencies of Vietnam in their country to legalise and confirm these documents.The deputy spokesperson said it is a temporary solution before Vietnam officially recognises foreign COVID-19 vaccination passports. For such recognition, the passports are required to meet the set of criteria for recognition and use of COVID-19 vaccine passports of countries and territories in Vietnam approved by the Government leaders.Regarding COVID-19 vaccines, Vietnam accepts those approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), or those licenced by the Vietnamese Ministry of Health for emergency use.The COVID-19 vaccine passport form must be issued simultaneously in the electronic environment and its paper version must carry an authentication code. Countries and territories involved need to have a high safety level and a widespread vaccination rate.According to Hang, Vietnamese authorities are considering the expansion of subjects eligible to enter Vietnam to apply at an appropriate time, towards the resumption of international commercial flights as usual. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is urgently discussing with 80 partners to speed up the mutual recognition of COVID-19 vaccine passports./.
Source:Viet Nam News
November 04, 2021 19:34 UTC
Vaccination for children to begin in early November: Health Minister
Illustrative image (Source: VNA)– Vaccination for children against COVID-19 is scheduled to begin in early November, with priority given to those who have had to stay away from school due to prolonged lockdown, Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long said on October 26.Speaking at an online conference on pandemic control with 19 southern provinces and cities, the Health Minister said based on the scheduled delivery of COVID-19 vaccine, the vaccination of children is to begin at the start of November, with Ho Chi Minh City to pilot the inoculation for children in District 1 and Cu Chi district.Following the guidance for children vaccination issued on October 14, teenagers aged 16 and 17 will be the first to receive the shots, he said, adding that Pfizer vaccine will be used for children.The vaccination will be conducted by mobile stations, or at communal health stations or at schools, according to Long.After the 16-17 age group, 15-year-old children will be the next to be vaccinated.Parents or guardians of children will be required to sign papers allowing the vaccination, Long said, urging relevant agencies to conduct awareness activities to get adults to take their children to vaccination.
Source:Viet Nam News
October 26, 2021 23:38 UTC