To fight past simple

On an early weekend morning in late January, Bui Nguyen Van Nguyen sat down for a cup of coffee at Ba Lu, one of Saigon’s oldest cafés, located smack in the middle of Phung Hung Market in District 5. After taking a sip of coffee brewed in the traditional net-filter method, Nguyen began snapping photographs of the market, cataloguing the simple beauty of everyday life in Saigon. Such moments are typical for Nguyen who, for the past three years, has spent his time wandering around Saigon, capturing life through the perspective of his lens. Saigon 'enthusiast' Nguyen’s love of Saigon is shown to the 106,000 followers of his Instagram account @odaucungchup , which translates to 'taking photos everywhere.' “It makes me happy that every day I get to wake up and realize I am in the heart of Saigon,” Nguyen told Tuoi Tre News . Saigon at sunset. Photo: @odaucungchup Nguyen’s goal is to showcase simple, familiar images of Saigon, from its narrow alleyways to … [Read more...] about This storyteller shares his love of Saigon by capturing the simple beauty of city life

"We believe the coronavirus fight to be an urgent and vital mission within the first quarter, because it won't end within the first six months, or even the entire year of 2021," Long told an online meeting with local authorities regarding Covid-19 prevention. Vietnam's Covid-19 wave since late January is noted to be more complex than previous ones due to the presence of the U.K. variant that is 70 percent more transmissible than normal strains, meaning more cases are recorded within a shorter time frame, said Long. The new wave also occurred within industrial areas and right around Lunar New Year festival, making the situation even more complex, he added. As a comparison, the coronavirus wave started in central Da Nang City last year recorded only 300 cases from July to August, yet barely a month has passed since the beginning of the current wave and northern Hai Duong Province, this wave's epicenter, has already recorded over 500 cases. The average number of recorded daily cases … [Read more...] about No end to Vietnam’s coronavirus fight within first six months: health ministry

The Hanoitimes - Public investment, trade and domestic consumption remain key for Vietnam’s economic recovery in 2021. The foremost and key task for Vietnam at the moment is to mobilize all resources to aid the Covid-19 fight, which should lay a solid foundation for economic recovery. Production of stationery at Hong Ha company(Long Bien district). Photo:Chien Cong. “In the meantime, the government should continue boosting public investment,” stated the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) in a report, noting such a move would help stimulate domestic consumption and create jobs. Economist Vo Tri Thanh expected exports to remain as a growth driver for Vietnam this year, especially as the country recorded an all-time high trade surplus of over US$19 billion in 2020. In the past year, Vietnam recorded 31 groups of export staples with turnover of over US$1 billion, five over US$10 billion and one exceeding US$60 billion. “Positive performance of trade … [Read more...] about Vietnam identifies successful Covid-19 fight as key to ensure economic growth

Đỗ Thị Băng Ngân, doctor at Quảng Ninh Lungs Hospital, talks online to her future husband after work. Photos nhandan.com.vn QUẢNG NINH — Đỗ Thị Băng Ngân had no other choice but to delay her wedding earlier this year. This is the third time she has made the decision. Ngân and her fiance have no idea when their wedding will take place. Both of them are doctors. Ngân works for Quảng Ninh Lungs Hospital and her husband works for Quảng Ninh General Hospital in northern Quảng Ninh Province. When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out for the first time in the province in early last February, Ngân was among many volunteer doctors transferred to the centralised quarantine area to help treat infected patients. The outbreak was more complicated than the couple had expected. The wedding, which was scheduled to take place in mid-February, was postponed. As a frontline doctor, Ngân worked hard in the quarantine area and only returned home three months later. The couple planned … [Read more...] about Doctors put personal lives on hold to fight COVID-19 pandemic

Top leader stresses avoiding complacency in COVID-19 fight Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong chaired the Politburo’s meeting on the COVID-19 combat on March 20, saying over-confidence or complacency must be avoided as the pandemic’s development remains very complex and unpredictable. The event in Hanoi was attended by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, other Politburo members, secretaries of the Party Central Committee, members of the national steering committee for COVID-19 prevention and control, and officials of ministries, sectors and central agencies. According to Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong, challenges caused by COVID-19 also provide a chance for economic and business restructuring. In the short term, public investment should be promoted to stimulate demand; investment in agriculture and food production increased to ensure food and social security; and difficulties facing … [Read more...] about March 16-22: Top leader stresses avoiding complacency in COVID-19 fight