The intensity of COVID-19 has initially “cooled down” in many nations around the world after the vaccination campaign has been deployed on a large scale. However, in some EU member states the situation remains serious and the EU is struggling to overcome the third wave of the pandemic. Contrary to the trend of easing social distancing, Hungary, France and the Czech Republic are the European countries tending to tighten prevention and control measures as the number of infections has increased recently. Statistics show that, while most Western European countries have recorded a declining or stable number of cases, about 100-200 per one million people per day, the figure is at around 300 in France and more than 600 in the Czech Republic. French Health Minister Olivier Véran stated that in the next four to six weeks, France will maintain a nightly curfew and lockdown measures such as closing pubs, restaurants and museums, in a bid to protect the pandemic prevention and control efforts. … [Read more...] about A long-term challenge
To fight cause
Embassy hosts New Year gathering with overseas Vietnamese in Belgium
Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Vu Anh Quang (R) presents a souvenir to a member of the Vietnamese community in the European country (Photo: VNA) Brussels (VNA) – The Embassy of Vietnam in Belgium held a get-together with overseas Vietnamese on March 4 to celebrate the Lunar Year of the Buffalo . At the event, Ambassador to Belgium Vu Anh Quang extended his greetings to the local Vietnamese community, and voiced his encouragement to the community after a year full of hardships caused by COVID-19 , while expressing his gratitude for their activities in support of the homeland. Quang, who is also head of the Vietnamese mission to the EU, also informed the participants on future activities, along with the results of the fight against COVID-19 in Vietnam, the country’s socio-economic development and success of the 13th National Party Congress which took place before Tet (Lunar New Year) festival. Despite difficulties, the association of Vietnamese people in … [Read more...] about Embassy hosts New Year gathering with overseas Vietnamese in Belgium
Government shows urgency in climate change battle
As Vietnam is among the most threatened countries by climate change, the state and people take decisive action, photo Le Toan The government has promulgated Resolution No.06/NQ-CP on the Action Programme on continuing the implementation of Resolution No.24-NQ/TW by the 11th Party Central Committee on active response to climate change, improvement of natural resource management, and environmental protection. The action programme, to be implemented until 2025, lays a foundation for ministries, agencies, and localities to formulate and implement their own plans on responding to climate change while strengthening natural resource management and environmental protection. Under the programme, efforts are to be made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7.3 per cent below the business-as-usual scenario by 2025, and achieve 5-7 per cent in energy conservation out of gross energy consumption. To this end, some key solutions are to be taken. Specifically, the government orders … [Read more...] about Government shows urgency in climate change battle
Cameras hoped to reduce traffic accidents on Central Highlands pass
The decision was made after a series of accidents occurred on Bao Loc, a pass located on Highway 20. Accordingly, Lam Dong People’s Committee is set to spend VND26 billion ($1.12 million) to install 12 cameras at every bend and turn. The 10-kilometer Bao Loc Pass is an important route connecting the country's southeastern region to Lam Dong’s two towns, Da Lat and Bao Loc. While Da Lat is already a famous tourist destination, Bao Loc is both underrated and offbeat with a quiet and calm atmosphere, amazing waterfalls and many great tea and coffee farms. According to a representative of Lam Dong’s traffic police department, installing the cameras would help police monitor careless and reckless driving - a main cause of accidents on the pass. "We are completing legal procedures and budget plans for work to start in May," he stated. To reduce the number of increasing traffic accidents, Lam Dong People's Committee urged patrols be strengthened and traffic police be deployed 24/7 at … [Read more...] about Cameras hoped to reduce traffic accidents on Central Highlands pass
Two Vietnamese warships to compete at Int’l Army Games for first time
Vietnam will send two warships 015-Tran Hung Dao and 016-Quang Trung to compete at the 2021 International Army Games held by Russia this August, according to the Vietnam Navy newspaper. The 015-Tran Hung Dao vessel. The two missile defense vessels of Vietnam will compete in the "Sea Cup" with four categories, including Marine skills, fighting against sinking at the onshore training facility, usage of salvage vehicles, and artillery fire tests. 015 Tran Hung Dao and 016 Quang Trung are two missile defense vessels built by Russia under Project 11661E "Gepard". They have been employed by Brigade 162 of the Vietnam People's Navy since February 2018. The ship is equipped with many modern weapons manufactured by Russia under a contract signed with the Vietnam Navy, in order to build up a regular naval force, and improve the capacity to protect the sea and islands of the country. The Vietnamese Gepard-class defense vessels are stealthy, able to track, search and … [Read more...] about Two Vietnamese warships to compete at Int’l Army Games for first time