Day: July 26, 2021

Secretary of the Party Committee of Hanoi Dinh Tien Dung and Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh on July 25 inspected traffic regulating activities of the city and gave directions on ways to prevent congestion in gateways to the capital city amid travel restrictions as part of Hanoi’s social distancing measures.

From 6 am on July 24, as part of efforts to implement Directive 17/CT-UBND on pandemic prevention and control measures, Hanoi has banned all vehicles from entering the city, except for vehicles serving pandemic prevention and control activities, public services, diplomatic mission, and those for transport of workers, experts and necessities, which are allowed to run on the so-called “green route”.

To enforce the ban, 22 checkpoints have been set up at the main routes leading into the city. At each checkpoint, the city police, in co-operation with traffic inspectors, medical workers and civil defence officers of districts and towns are working around the clock to monitor the movement of all vehicles and people returning to or travelling out of the city.

As a consequence, congestion has occurred at a number of checkpoints, including those in Phap Van-Cau Gie (National Highway 1) and Phu Dong (National Highway 1B), causing difficulties for travelers.

After inspecting the situation at the Phap Van-Cau Gie checkpoint, the city leaders found that the reasons behind the traffic jam was a lack of planning for regulating the flow of traffic from afar, as well as timely provision of information to drivers about requirements for entering the city, so that they can choose a more suitable route.

The city leaders asked the police of Hanoi to propose to the Public Security Ministry to position a police team at the Vuc Vong crossroad in Ha Nam to guide vehicles to take other routes instead of crossing Hanoi.

The Traffic Police Agency under the Ministry of Public Security has agreed with the proposal and pledged to send the team to the crossroad soon.

The capital city has applied strict social distancing measures as stipulated in the Prime Minister’s Directive 16 from 6am on July 24 as the COVID-19 pandemic is developing complicatedly.

The measures to stamp out worsening outbreaks of COVID-19 will be in place for 15 days. Besides Hanoi, 19 southern provinces and cities, including the southern largest hub of Ho Chi Minh City are also implementing social distancing measures under Directive 16.

Under the measures, all public transport services including buses, taxis, contract vehicles and coaches are banned, excluding those in service of pandemic prevention and control and transporting workers and experts. Motorbikes are also suspended from transporting passengers.

People in the city are asked to stay at home and only go outside in necessary cases like business trips, working at essential businesses (State agencies, factories, essential shops and service providers), buying food and medicines, or emergencies such as medical issues, fires or natural disasters.

Masks are mandatory in public places. People must maintain a distance of two metres in public places, and must not congregate in groups larger than two outside of hospital, workplaces, or schools.

People are required to submit health declaration forms via website www.tokhaiyte.vn or Ncovi and Bluezone apps. Those who have symptoms such as fever, coughing or difficulty breathing must contact local medical establishments for further instructions.

Non-essential services and businesses must close.

The businesses and services that are still allowed to operate include factories, production facilities, transport projects, construction sites, essential businesses or suppliers (food, medicines, utility, gas and oil, etc.), educational institutions, banks and treasuries along with bank-related and business support activities (such as notaries and attorney offices, registration offices, etc.), securities, post offices, import and export activities, medical examination and treatment, and funeral services.

People are asked to hold off from organising weddings, while funeral services must not have more than 20 attendants and will be monitored by the local health authorities.

All unnecessary meetings are banned.

Production businesses, service establishments, and industrial zones must strictly observe COVID-19 prevention and control measures.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Residents in Ho Chi Minh City – the country’s biggest COVID-19 hotspot at present – are not allowed to go out after 6pm as from July 26 to prevent the pandemic from further spreading.

Chairman of the city People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong said at a meeting late July 25 that all activities will be suspended, except for emergency medical care or anti-pandemic activities.

The decision was made as the COVID-19 pandemic in the southern metropolis continues to spiral due to lax observance of social distancing measures among a number of residents as well as insufficient monitoring of relevant forces, he said, noting that it is a must to enforce even stronger measures even though that might cause impacts on multiple aspects.

HCM City residents required to stay home after 6pm hinh anh 2

HCM City reported over 60,000 cases of COVID-19 since the resurgence began in late April. (Photo: VNA)

Phong called for support and cooperation from local residents to enhance the efficiency of the pandemic fight.

The city has gone through 55 days of social distancing at different levels, with social distancing measures under Directive No. 16 beginning from July 9.

HCM City reported over 60,000 cases of COVID-19 since the resurgence began in late April.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

ZCZC

Congratulations sent to newly-elected Vietnamese leaders

Top leaders of Laos and China on July 26 sent congratulatory messages to newly-elected Vietnamese leaders, including President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan.

In his message sent to President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Thounglun Sisolith affirmed his desire to work closely with the Vietnamese leader in the coming time “to contribute to the enhancement of the great friendship, traditional fraternity and comradeship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, the States and the peoples.

He also pledged to continue directing and leading the implementation of the outcomes of the talks between Party and State leaders of the two countries in June 2021 for the interests of their people and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

In his congratulatory message to PM Pham Minh Chinh, Lao PM Phankham Viphavanh promised to work with his Vietnamese counterpart to further develop the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, the States and the peoples for the interests of their people and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Earlier on July 20, Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane also sent a letter of congratulations to Vuong Dinh Hue on his election as Chairman of the 15th National Assembly of Vietnam.

Also on July 26, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of congratulations to Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

In his message, Xi said that China and Vietnam are socialist neighbours and enjoy profound traditional friendship and extensive common interests.

In the face of transformations rarely seen in a century and the once-in-a-century COVID-19 pandemic, the two sides have united and cooperated together closely and taken concrete actions to enrich their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

So far this year, Vietnam successfully organised the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, while China celebrated the 100th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China.

Xi affirmed that he attaches importance to the development of China-Vietnam relations and stands ready to work with Vietnamese leaders to strengthen strategic guidance for the relationship between the two Parties and nations.

On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sent a congratulatory message to PM Pham Minh Chinh.

Li recalled the outcomes of their talks in June 2021, in which the two sides reached important common perceptions on deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

He emphasised his willingness to work with Vietnam to enhance political trust, consolidate the basis for friendly cooperation, accelerate the connectivity of development strategies, build up a complexion of mutual benefits and win-win results, and promote the continuous development of China-Vietnam relations in the new era

Earlier, on July 20, Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee of China Li Zhanshu extended congratulations to Vuong Dinh Hue on his re-election as Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam in the 15th tenure.

Li said on the basis of the high-level common perceptions, he is willing to promote exchanges and cooperation between the two legislatures to a new height.

Also on July 26, China’s Vice President Wang Qishan sent a congratulatory message to Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

More than 600 Vietnamese students from 13 countries worldwide participated in an online career workshop held by the Vietnamese Youth Alliance in Singapore (VNYA) on July 24-25.

VNYA 2021 Career Fair also brought together representatives from a number of corporations such as P&G Vietnam, Shopee Vietnam and VNG Corporation.

With the support of the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore, the association had spent two months preparing for the event that aims to provide Vietnamese students and alumni in Singapore and other countries an insight into the future work environment amidst the impact of COVID-19.

Representatives from the corporations talked about recruitment trends and programmes to lure talents, and shared experience in job application.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Mai Phuoc Dung lauded the association’s initiative to organise the online workshop in the context of the pandemic.

Vietnam should learn from Singapore’s experience in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, digital transformation and economy, bio-technology and financial technology, he suggested.

According to VNYA President Nguyen Thao Nhi, this is the first-ever online event hosted by the association, saying the participation of the Vietnamese students and alumni has served as a source of encouragement for the association to organmise similar events in the time ahead.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Prime Minister has decided to allocate over 1.55 trillion VND (nearly 67.5 million USD) from the State budget this year to the Ministry of National Defence to combat COVID-19.

The sum aims to support the Ministry to carry out tasks assigned by the Government, including arranging concentrated quarantine facilities for citizens, keeping watch on entry and exit at border areas, conducting COVID-19 testing, and rolling out preventive measures in localities.

The ministries of Finance and National Defence are requested to take responsibility for the accuracy of reported contents and statistics.

The management and utilisation of the additional fund must abide by relevant regulations in a transparent, open, economical and effective manner.

The PM noted that the purpose of the expenditure must not overlap with the previous ones cited in decisions issued in March and September 2020.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The central province of Thua Thien Hue has been building foundations for digital transformation serving local administration reform and creating a driving force for socio-economic growth.

As early as 2014, the province launched five shared software following the direction of shared infrastructure and centralised database.

In 2016, the provincial portal for online public administrative services came into operation.

In 2019, the local authority issued Decision 1779/QD-UBND approving a plan for smart urban services development.

In July 2020, it issued Decision 1957/QD-UBND approving the provincial digital transformation programme following the motto of paperless; meetings without mass gathering; online public administrative services; and cashless payment.

Under the programme, by 2030, Thua Thien Hue will complete its digital government and society models, with the smart urban model becoming popular in social and public management, and digital economy a core method for promoting socio-economic growth.

Talking to the press in mid-June, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Phan Ngoc Tho said stepping up digital transformation in administrative agencies has contributed significantly to administrative reform, cutting related paperwork, time, and costs.

Digital transformation in the sector is a key condition for the promotion of such transformation across economic spheres.

Since 2020 to date, to ensure COVID-19 prevention and control, the local authorities have promoted online meetings from communal to provincial levels.

According to the provincial Department of Information and Communication, to date, 100 percent of the local administrative procedures have been offered online at level 2 and above.

All documents submitted by people and businesses are recorded in an electronic one-stop system, so they can look up the settlement status of their applications via the Internet, SMS, or Zalo.

In addition, the province is piloting a digital government project that put the people at its centre.

Prioritising digital transformation in tourism

Nguyen Thanh Binh, Vice Chairman of the provincial People Committee, said in 2021, the province focuses on digital transformation in four sectors, with tourism one of the priorities.

Currently, a large number of smart tourism models and products have been formed such as virtual reality models, automatic audio narrations at relic sites, the digitisation of cultural heritages, and smart tourist cards.

Binh listed key tasks for the time to come, including building digital database and infrastructure for tourism, developing applications to connect central and local management activities and smart apps to serve tourists, and training tourism personnel.

At a Thua Thien Hue digital transformation week held in late April, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Huy Dung underscored that the province must become a destination for large technological events of the nation and the world toward the goals of developing tourism and technology as well as becoming a digital transformation model.

The COVID-19 pandemic has a major impact on tourism in Vietnam, and Thua Thien-Hue province is no exception. The pandemic has forced the suspension of many tourism promotion plans here, pushed a number of travel companies to the brink of bankruptcy, and caused thousands of layoffs in the sector.

The provincial tourism sector lost about 2.25 trillion VND (97.4 million USD) so far this year, as the number of holidaymakers dropped 55 percent year-on-year.

Source: Vietnam News Agency