National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese legislature left Hanoi on May 15 morning for a three-day official visit to Laos.

The visit is being made at the invitation of President of the Lao National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane.

This is the first official visit to Laos by a senior leader of Vietnam in the Laos - Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022, and also the first by Hue as Chairman of the Vietnamese NA. Hue is also the first foreign parliamentary leader to visit Laos since the country’s 11th National Party Congress and the 9th-tenure NA’s first session.
 
Hue is being accompanied by NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai; NA Secretary General and Head of the NA Office Bui Van Cuong; Chairman of the NA Committee for External Relations Vu Hai Ha; Chairman of the NA Council for Ethnic Affairs Y Thanh Ha Nie K'dam; Chairman of the NA Economic Committee Vu Hong Thanh; and Chairman of the NA Committee for Defence and Security Le Tan Toi, among others.

The visit takes place amid a number of important activities being held in the Vietnam - Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year to mark the 60th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties of the two countries (September 5) and 45 years since the signing of the Laos - Vietnam Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18).

PM’s trip affirms Vietnam’s commitment to UN: ambassador

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s working visit to the United Nations (UN) sends out a strong message and is an opportunity for Vietnam to affirm its foreign policy and its commitment as a friend and an active and responsible member of the international community, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, has said.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, the diplomat added through the visit, Vietnam also highlights its policy on promoting multilateral diplomacy in the international arena.

Giang announced that the PM is scheduled to meet key leaders of the UN, thereby affirming Vietnam's contributions to the bloc's common agenda, especially in addressing global challenges.

He recalled Vietnam’s major contributions to the UN since it became a member of the organisation in 1977, including its twice holding of the position of a non-permanent member of the Security Council and twice for the position of a member of the Economic and Social Council, as well as its joining of UN mechanisms on human rights, culture, and education.

On the Vietnam-UN relations in the time to come, Ambassador Giang said the country’s position and role, consolidated and development over the past, will continue to be heightened. Vietnam will continue to make use of UN’s resources and experience in its sustainable socio-economic development and, at the same time, also continue its important contributions to the common agenda of the organisation on peace, development, and socio-economic matters.

The ultimate goal is for both the UN and Vietnam to join hands toward the noble objectives of the UN, keeping the future generations from the tragedies of wars, and bringing about peace and stability to all the people in the world, he concluded.

PM meets Vietnamese embassy officials, community in US

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with staff members of the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington D.C and representatives from the Vietnamese community in the East Coast of the US on May 14 (local time).

The PM hailed the efforts by the embassy in implementing the external policies of the Party and State, building and promoting the image of the nation and people of Vietnam to US friends, and contributing to making the Vietnam-US ties more practical and effective, including the thorough preparations for the PM’s trip to the US to attend the ASEAN-US Special Summit and make a visit to the US and the UN.

He asked the embassy to promptly implement agreements reached between the two countries during this visit.

Meeting representatives from the Vietnamese community in the East Coast of the US, the Government leader thanked the community for their contributions to the homeland as well as to the relationship between Vietnam and the US.

He reiterated that the Party and State always consider the Vietnamese community abroad as an indispensable part of the community of ethnic groups in Vietnam, and always do their best to support overseas Vietnamese to settle down in the host countries and make positive contributions to the national construction and defence at home.

The PM highlighted the role of the Vietnamese community in the US in connecting the two countries and implementing agreements reached between the two countries, which has contributed to the development of both Vietnam and the US.

He took note of ideas and opinions of the community and thanked them for proposals they made at the meeting. He affirmed that relevant Vietnamese ministries and agencies will carefully consider the proposals.

The leader asked the Vietnamese Embassy in the US to keep up their good performance in overseas Vietnamese affairs; and requestg the US to recognise the Vietnamese community as an ethnic minority of the country.

On the occasion, the PM attended a ceremony to put the nameplate on the new headquarters of the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington D.C.

The same day, he laid flowers at the Memorial of President Thomas Jefferson - the third President of the US, who was the author of the Declaration of Independence of the US that was announced on April 7, 1776.

Vietnam spotlights Buddhist philosophy on Int’l Day of Vesak

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, highlighted Lord Buddha’s message on peace, compassion and harmony at a celebration held virtually on May 13 to observe the International Day of Vesak, which was dedicated to the Lord Buddha.

The Vietnamese diplomat stressed that in the context that the world is facing unprecedented challenges and crises like today, the Lord Buddha's philosophy is more meaningful than ever and has become a "guideline" to help people end suffering and bring peace to humanity.
 
He said that it is necessary to strengthen policy and action cooperation and coordination,  promote the values of peace, inclusiveness, compassion and equanimity, contributing to making the nirvana a reality, thus creating a favourable environment for peace and development.

The event is held annually at the UN since 1999 when the General Assembly approved Resolution 54/115 on the celebration of the International Day of Vesak in recognition of the contributions of Buddhism - one of the oldest religions in the world - to humankind’s spiritual life, as well as to the efforts of the international community for peace, cooperation, harmony and development.

VN students finish third at US science contest

Two Vietnamese students have won third prize at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2022, the largest international pre-college science competition recently held in the United States.

Tran Phong and Tran My Chi, both of whom are currently studying at Lao Cai High School for Gifted Students, were awarded US$2,000 after impressing judges with their entry of a mobile blood bank.

Their project helps to create a strong connection between hospitals and blood donors in order to allow them to promptly provide drops of blood, a move which could contribute to saving the lives of critically-ill patients.

The ISEF 2022 is the world's largest global science competition for high school students. Through a global network of local, regional, and national science fairs, millions of students are encouraged to explore their passion for scientific inquiry.     

Singapore parliament speaker Tan Chuan-Jin to visit Vietnam next week

Tan Chuan-Jin, speaker of the Parliament of Singapore, will pay an official visit to Vietnam from May 18-20, according to a communique from the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly.

The visit has been made at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

Vietnam and Singapore established diplomatic ties in August 1973 and they agreed to elevate their relations to the level of strategic partnership in 2013.

US media outlet shines spotlight on PM Pham Minh Chinh’s visit

News outlet Foreign Policy of the United States has recently highlighted Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to the US, noting that Vietnam is one of its top trading partners in the region.

According to the newswire, since the mid-1990s when US President Bill Clinton and a cohort of bipartisan allies moved to reestablish ties with Vietnam, the two countries have gone on to achieve remarkable gains together.

The US has invested billions of US$ in Agent Orange/dioxin remediation, as well as other remaining war legacy issues, as part of efforts to show how, through persistence and trust, former adversaries can be turned into partners.

The US media outlet outlines that US officials, including incumbent US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper, are calling for an official upgrade of the Vietnam – US relations to the “strategic partnership” from the current status of “comprehensive partnership” in order to recognise the remarkable success of their relationship.

Moreover, US-based media site CNBC also published an article to show the US’ commitments to the Southeast Asian region as a whole. The media outlet noted that in the midst of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which is currently Washington’s top foreign policy priority, President Joe Biden is still hosting Southeast Asian leaders at the Special ASEAN-US Summit held in Washington D.C., showing the US’ interest in the region.  

According to CNBC, some critical issues, including the post-pandemic economic recovery, climate change, and the situation in Myanmar, will be on the table at the May 12-13 summit. Leaders from ASEAN, a bloc of 10 countries that together make up the world’s seventh-largest economy, will be in attendance.

Vietnam, Paraguay increase cultural cooperation

Vietnam and Paraguay have agreed to work closely together to popularize the distinctive cultures and tourism potential in their respective countries.

The agreement was reached during a meeting on May 13 between Vietnamese Ambassador to Argentina cum Paraguay Duong Quoc Thanh and Paraguayan Culture Minister Rubén Dario Capdevila. Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Paraguay Maria del Carmen Falabella was also present at the meeting.

Former Ha Long chairman to be detained and prosecuted

The People’s Procuracy of Quảng Ninh Province on Saturday issued a warrant to prosecute and temporarily detain Phạm Hồng Hà, former chairman of Hạ Long City People’s Committee.

Quảng Ninh authorities searched Hà’s private residence on Trần Quốc Nghiễn Street, Hạ Long City, on Saturday afternoon.

He will be prosecuted for the crime of “abusing position and power while performing duties,” said the provincial People’s Procuracy. 

If the investigation reveals further violations, authorities will proceed according to the law. 

HCM City, Bình Dương discuss improvement in traffic connectivity

HCM City and Bình Dương Province will work jointly on infrastructure projects to improve connectivity between them.

At a meeting between their leaders on May 13, Nguyễn Văn Lợi, secretary of the Bình Dương Party Committee, said the province and HCM City have been working together to contribute to the southern key economic zone.

“Infrastructure for connectivity between the two regions, especially roads and ports, is important. Bình Dương would like assistance from HCM City for important traffic projects.”

Bình Dương wants the clearance of the city’s Bình Triệu 1 and Bình Phước 1 bridges increased, and adjustments made to road junctions connecting the two places.

Phan Văn Mãi, chairman of the city People’s Committee, agreed with Bình Dương’s proposals and said relevant departments were looking into them.

The city has called for speeding up procedures for the HCM City – Bình Dương – Chơn Thành District (in Bình Phước Province) highway so that work on it can begin soon.

It has also asked for the province’s co-operation in widening the Hà Nội Highway and National Highway No. 1, and funding from it for land compensation.

Nguyễn Văn Nên, secretary of city Party Committee, said HCM City and Bình Dương should look into developing water tourism on the Sài Gòn River to increase connectivity between themselves. 

Mekong Delta mitigates saltwater intrusion damages

Proactive prevention measures and “proper” restructuring of crop cultivation in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta have proved effective in mitigating saline intrusion in the 2021-22 dry season.

With the onset of the rainy season in the delta, the country’s largest rice, fruit and seafood producer, the saltwater intrusion has been declined significantly, local reports say.

The delta normally faces saltwater intrusion in the dry season which lasts from December to April, severely impacting agricultural production and the lives of locals.

To cope with saltwater intrusion in the just concluded dry season, farmers implemented various prevention measures as advised by local authorities, including building temporary saltwater prevention dams and storing fresh water.

Farmer Hai Huệ has a 5,000sq.m durian orchard in Cai Lậy District’s Tam Bình Commune, Tiền Giang Province. Under the instructions of local authorities, she dredged ponds in the orchard to store more irrigation water in the last dry season. She also cut grasses and used them to cover the roots of durian trees to retain soil humidity, she said.

In recent years, the delta, which comprises 12 provinces and Cần Thơ City, has speeded up work on several large irrigation projects to cope with saltwater intrusion and drought.

The Cái Lớn – Cái Bé irrigation project in Kiên Giang Province, for instance, the largest of its kind in the delta, became operational during the last dry season.

It provides irrigation water for 280,000ha of farming areas in Kiên Giang, Hậu Giang, Cà Mau and Bạc Liêu provinces.

In previous years, Kiên Giang had lost more than VNĐ100 billion (US$4.4 million) a year to natural disasters, saltwater intrusion and drought. 

HCM City urges private sector to invest in geriatric care

The private sector has an opportunity to build geriatric care facilities that provide good care for elderly people, given rising demand for such services, HCM City officials say.

According to the municipal Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the need for nursing homes for the elderly will continue rising because of the nation’s rapidly ageing population.

In Việt Nam, people above 60 years old accounted for over 12 per cent of the total population in 2020; and this is expected to rise to 20 per cent by 2038.

The city now has 20 nursing homes, including eight public facilities looking after 1,555 elderly people, and 12 private ones taking care of 1,138 people.

Viet Nam gears up for rollout of fourth COVID-19 vaccine shots

The Vietnamese health ministry has asked provincial/municipal health departments to provide the tentative number of vaccines needed for the rollout of second COVID-19 booster shots (fourth doses) before May 25, 2022.

The second boosters will for now be for adults over 50 years, or people from 18 years old with immunocompromised conditions from mild to severe level, or people from 18 years old who are at risk of exposure to the virus (frontline healthcare workers, officials, and workers at industrial parks, etc.).

The latest document was sent to local health departments, health department of the public security ministry, and the military medicine department, Pasteur institutes and the National Institute for Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE).

mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) as well as AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines are used as the fourth, and the recommendation is that the fourth dose should be the same as the one offered in the third dose.

The administration of the fourth dose should be at least four months since the third dose, while those who have contracted COVID-19 could wait for three months from the time of recovery for the fourth dose.

Local health departments are asked to work with local authorities to make preparations for the fourth dose campaign.

Pasteur institutes and NIHE are asked to compile the demand on vaccine numbers to submit to the health ministry before May 30, 2022, as well as provide local health departments with necessary training and guidance.

The health ministry also asked for expediting of the rollout of the third dose of COVID-19 vaccines for the adult population (aged 18 and above) and the rollout of the primary course to children aged 12-17 to complete coverage within the second quarter of the year.

New southern ring road set to open to traffic in 2028

Construction of the first phase of Ring Road No.4, which runs through five southern localities, including HCM City, should be completed by 2028, local reports say.

The road, almost 200km long, is expected to boost regional linkages and boost economic growth for HCM City and the provinces of Bình Dương, Đồng Nai, Long An and Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu, as well as the Southern Key Economic Region.

The project, approved more than 10 years ago, is estimated to cost around VNĐ100 trillion (US$4.4 billion).

It will be 197.6km long with four lanes in the first phase. In the second phase, the road could be widened to six or eight lanes.

Ha Long bars asked to turn off loud music by 11 pm

Bars in Ha Long City will be asked to stop playing loud music after 11 pm following complaints from residents and tourists.

The decision was announced by Ha Long City People's Committee Chairman Nguyen Tien Dung at a meeting held on May 13 with leaders of tourism departments and companies in the area.

Speaking at the meeting, vice-chairman of Quang Ninh Provincial Tourism Department, Nguyen The Hue said that they had received lots of complaints from local residents, hotel owners, tour operators and tourists at Bai Chay Tourist site about loud music from nearby bars.

The tourism official said they recently received complaints from a group of 300 tourists who stayed four days at a hotel in Bai Chay from April 19-22. The tourists said they would have enjoyed their holiday if there were no loud music playing late at night at the bars opposite their hotel. The group then had to move to a hotel in another area.

Hanoi-Dong Dang railway reopens following landslides

A railway route linking Hanoi and Dong Dang Town in the northern province of Lang Son has been reopened following a four-day halt due to heavy rain damage.

Torrential rain caused severe landslides on the Hanoi-Dong Dang railway line from May 9-10.
 
Vietnam Railway Corporation mobilised nearly 600 staff to deal with some 30 affected spots on the route. The section near Mai Tung Bridge was hardest hit. The teams were divided into three shifts to work around the clock.

Pham Duc Khai, head of Hanoi-Dong Dang Station, said that the landslides had resolved and the whole route had resumed since this morning, May 14.

Lang Son faces an estimated loss of roughly VND390 billion (USD16.81 million) in storm damage from heavy rains during May 9-10. Up to 4,962 hectares of local crops have been submerged. Rain also damaged 231 local houses.

E-ticket system launched at Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam

The Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam Culture and Science Centre coordinated with the Tourism Information Centre under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism to launch an e-ticket system at Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature Complex) and digital conversion products in tourism activities, on May 13.

As part of the activities to welcome the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), the launch of the e-ticket system help customers to buy tickets online. When coming to the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam, the visitors just scan the QR code to go through the ticket gate.

The system also helps visitors to book tickets in advance, buy tickets for large groups of tourists, easily look up ticket purchase history, look up invoices and store tickets with flexible forms to avoid losing tthem.

This system creates more convenience for tourists, especially tourists from far away, foreign tourists.

On this occasion, visitors will experience cashless payment transactions for goods and services through the use of Smart Travel Cards. This is a product for the smart tourism ecosystem, integrating many features such as internet banking, electronic payments, looking up tourist information or receiving incentives and accumulating points when shopping.

Smart travel cards are also linked and integrated with the "Vietnam Safe Travel" application from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).

On this occasion, the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam Culture and Science Centre also launched a library space. The space was originally a resting place, a place to read books for visitors to the relic, but in response to actual needs, the space has been transformed into a space for talks, cultural exchanges, gradually turning the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam relic into a creative space.

The launch of the e-ticket system and digital conversion products in tourism activities are efforts from the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam Culture and Science Centre to create new products that are attractive, rich in technology and utilities, thereby enhancing tourist experiences and attracting visitors to the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam in particular and the Capital's tourism in general.

Strengthening cooperation to promote Vietnam tourism on TikTok

On May 11, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) Nguyen Le Phuc had a meeting with Teresa Tan - head of public policy for TikTok in South-east Asia – to discuss the implementation of the communication cooperation plan to promote and stimulate the development of Vietnamese tourism in the coming time.

In 2019, Vietnam Tourism Review (Vietnam National Administration of Tourism) and TikTok signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in promoting Vietnam tourism, and the launch of a programme to promote Vietnam's tourism with video tools, #HelloVietnam programme .

Although affected by Covid-19, but over the past two years, the parties have implemented four communication campaigns for localities: #HelloVietnam, #HelloDanang, #HelloNinhbinh and the latest addition #HelloQuangNam; implementing the programme #ancungtiktok to promote Vietnamese cuisine.

Regarding cooperation in communication, promotion and promotion of tourism development in Vietnam, Mr. Nguyen Lam Thanh - Representative of TikTok Vietnam - proposed to develop the TikTok accounts of Vietnam's tourism industry, and continue the deployment of the #HelloVietnam campaign, encouraging users to create short content about Vietnam's scenery, culture, cuisine, and lifestyle and share it on the TikTok platform.

Deputy Director of the Tourism Information Centre under VNAT Hoang Quoc Hoa said that in recent time, the VNAT has also coordinated to promote communication activities on other digital platforms, bringing many practical effects and receiving high appreciation from the social community.

He expressed his hope that TikTok would strengthen training support, especially for small and medium-sized businesses, increase interactivity on the digital platform, and attract greater attention from the community.

Calligraphy and Graffiti find "empathy"

The Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam Culture and Science Centre organised a seminar titled "Calligraphy and Graffiti: From Difference to Empathy" at the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature Complex) on May 13.

The seminar was led by master, translator Truong Quoc Toan, calligraphy expert - the admin of Fanpage Group Graffiti Vietnam Nguyen Thanh Tung, who has made great efforts to bring graffiti art to Vietnam, along with multimedia artist and art curator Nguyen Quoc Hoang Anh.

Calligraphy is an ancient art form of the East. In the past, it was mainly practiced among intellectuals and literary enthusiasts. Meanwhile, graffiti represents a young cultural movement imported from the West, associated with hip-hop culture. The two art forms have many differences. However, there are certain points they share in common. “Graffiti” is a word derived from the Greek word “graphein” which means to write. Later, it became the Latin word “graffito”, meaning “painting on the wall”, the collective name for the stylish images or writing on the walls of streets and neighbourhoods using paint, spray paint or marking with any material on large, flat surfaces.

Experts have exchanged different perspectives on these two seemingly opposing art forms. However, Calligraphy and Graffiti are two art forms that have many similarities, such as creating pictures and expressions that require very high level of imagination, while both carry within the mission to convey certain messages. Experts also clarified graffiti art against the misunderstanding that it is the type of "graffiti" on the walls of teenagers and young people as many people still think.

HCMC, three neighboring provinces to build 76-km beltway

HCMC and three neighboring provinces are ramping up efforts to develop a 76.3-km beltway and open it to traffic in 2026.

This is a big-ticket infrastructure project as it will need VND75.37 trillion (US$3.3 billion) and pass through HCMC, Dong Nai, Binh Duong and Long An.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on May 12 met to look into the Beltway 3 project which had been presented by the Government.

The road will have four lanes initially, and allow for a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour.

Vu Hong Thanh, head of the NA’s Economic Committee, said the Standing Committee concurred that it is necessary to build the road, but added that it could be hard to ensure the project would be complete as planned.

The NA Economic Committee required more measures linked to capital disbursement, resources allocation to be adopted to ensure the progress and quality of the project. Also, whether a road parallel with the Beltway should be built or not must be clarified as the costs needed to build the parallel road is much higher than the main route, the Economic Committee said.

Saigonese enjoy art and beauty of Japanese dolls

Many people have come to a Japanese dolls exhibition which was opened at the HCMC Fine Arts Museum today, May 13. Its organizer is the Japan Foundation.

This is the second time the exhibition has been taking place in HCMC. This year’s exhibition themed “Ningyo,” which means human shape in Japanese, includes four sections. They are “Ningyo to pray for children’s growth,” “Ningyo as fine art,” “Ningyo as folk art,” and the “Spread of Ningyo culture.” The exhibition lasts until May 29.

These dolls had been exhibited in seven countries before Vietnam. The exhibition presents a comprehensive introduction to the Japanese doll culture, from Katashiro and Amagatsu, considered to be the archetypes of dolls in Japan and local dolls that reflect the climate and anecdotes from across the country to dress-up dolls that are popular in Japan today as toys and scale figures that are highly regarded around the world.

HCMC planning on preserving, promoting value of Don Ca Tai Tu Nam Bo

In order to implement the direction of the HCMC People’s Committee, the municipal Department of Culture and Sports has coordinated with relevant departments to complete the draft plan for preserving and promoting the value of the UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage, Don Ca Tai Tu Nam Bo (southern amateur music) in HCMC from now until 2025.

The plan includes main activities, such as releasing a study book on the establishment and development of Don Ca Tai Tu in HCMC, collecting tangible and intangible cultural heritages related to this kind of art, issuing financial and investment policies to use and manage these heritages, training new generations in this traditional performance art at schools and clubs, organizing seminars on preserving and promoting the value of the Don Ca Tai Tu Nam Bo (southern amateur music) in the city.

UNESCO recognized Don Ca Tai Tu Nam Bo as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The southern amateur traditional music was recognized for the prize at the 8th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Baku, Azerbaijan in December 2013.

Provinces from Quang Ninh to Quang Ngai need to prepare for inescapable weather

Amidst the forecast of untimely cold spell triggering torrential rains from May 15, the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control suggested that the affected coastal localities from Quang Ninh to Quang Ngai needed to prepare for the worse weather situation of extreme rain coupled with flood and landslide again, urgently overcome damages after recent rain-triggered flooding, and continue to strictly carry out the direction of the Prime Minister following dispatch No. 415 released on May 13. 

Specifically, the North-Central and Mid-Central regions are required to closely monitor warnings and forecast news related to inescapable issues of downpours, lightning, hails, thunderstorms, whirlwinds, flash floods and landslides to promptly announce and give instructions to local residents. As for the coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to Quang Ngai, it is necessary to keep a close watch on weather forecast about blustery and big waves in the sea; proactively notify the worse issues to captains, ship owners, aqua-culturists and those people who work in tourism sites, and travelers to have appropriate production plans and ensure safety for people and properties, arrange rescue forces on duty as required.

According to the latest weather news of the National Center for Hydrology Meteorology Forecasting, from tomorrow, a new untimely cold air will spread to the Northern and Central regions bringing heavy rainfalls of up to 120 mm and 150 mm respectively along with the high risk of lightning, cyclone and powerful winds in the sea and mainland. 

Recently, there have been incidents of sunk vessels in the Central region due to the impact of the cold air.

Pensioners not be afraid of inflation: Vietnam Social Security

According to the Vietnam Social Security, the pensions of both employees working in the state sector and the business sector are adjusted on the basis of the consumer price index of each period in accordance with the Government's regulations. Therefore, pension will not be depreciated due to devaluation or inflation.

On the afternoon of May 13, following public concerns that the devaluation of the currency will affect pensions, affecting the legitimate interests of pensioners, the Vietnam Social Security informed that this understanding is not accurate, because the current regulations of the social insurance policy have taken into account the factors of inflation and price slippage for the salary paid for social insurance of employees.

These policies not only calculate each pension level but also calculate to ensure the income of pensioners to basically meet life needs during the pension enjoyment process, said Vietnam Social Security.

Specifically, for employees who pay social insurance premiums according to the salary regime prescribed by the State, the salary paid for social insurance shall be adjusted according to the base salary at the time of enjoying the retirement regime for those who participated in social insurance before January 1, 2016.

As for employees who pay social insurance premiums according to the salary regime prescribed by the State but start participating in social insurance from January 1, 2016, onwards and employees who pay social insurance according to the salary regime set by the employer’s decision, the salary for social insurance as a basis for calculating the average monthly salary on which social insurance premiums are based shall be adjusted on the basis of the consumer price index of each period in accordance with the Government's regulations.

Therefore, the employee's pension will be adjusted over time if there is slippage or inflation. According to this agency, over the past time, the pension level of retirees has been continuously raised, on the basis of the increase of the consumer price index and economic growth in line with the state budget and the Social Insurance Fund.

Since 1995, the State has adjusted pension 22 times to ensure the life of retirees. In 2022, despite the country’s difficult economic situation, the pension has been adjusted to the general rate of 7.4 percent from January 1, 2022.

This shows that the State's social insurance policy is very interested in the income of pensioners, especially pensioners with low pensions, Vietnam Social Security announced.

HCMC approved to spend VND 20,125 billion on medical examination in 2022

Ho Chi Minh City was approved to spend more than VNVD20,125 billion (US$872 million) on medical examination and treatment in 2022, according to a Decision No. 582/QD-TTg.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai has just signed Decision No. 582/QD-TTg assigning cost estimates for medical examination and treatment covered by health insurance in 2022 for social insurance agencies in cities and provinces, the Ministry of Social Insurance National Defense, and the Social Insurance People's Public Security.

Accordingly, the total cost of medical examination and treatment covered by health insurance in 2022 for the Social Insurance in cities and provinces, the Social Insurance of the Ministry of National Defense, and the Social Insurance of the People's Public Security is more than VND109.601 billion. The capital city of Hanoi was given more than VND18,900 billion and Ho Chi Minh City more than VND20,125 billion.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai also just signed Decision No. 583/QD-TTg assigning estimates of revenues and expenditures of social insurance, unemployment insurance, health insurance, and management costs of social insurance, unemployment insurance, and health insurance in 2022.

Accordingly, the total revenue of social insurance, unemployment insurance, and health insurance in 2022 will be more than VND464,000 billion. Total expenditure is nearly VND377,000 billion.

Ministry orders close supervision at border gates to detect acute hepatitis case

Today, the Ministry of Health sent an official dispatch to institutes of Hygiene and Epidemiology, institutes of Pasteur, and departments of health in provinces and cities nationwide, especially border crossings on the surveillance of acute hepatitis cases of unknown cause in children.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Health suggested that municipal and provincial departments of health focus on directing the medical facilities in their respective localities in charge when detecting cases of acute hepatitis, especially in the group of children under 16 years old to discover acute hepatitis of unknown etiology, according to the World Health Organization-WHO case definition).

For provinces with border gates, the health sector must strengthen supervision at border crossings in order to detect cases with suspected symptoms early for appropriate guidance and management. If any suspected cases are discovered, the Ministry requested the local Department of Health to immediately report to the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Pasteur in the area in charge to agree on taking samples for testing and identifying the agent when necessary.

Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP/Hanoitimes