Vietnam fulfills its term as non-permanent member of UNSC
Vietnam has completed all the goals set out in the 2020-2021 term with the cooperation of colleagues from other member countries of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy has said.
He made the statement at a ceremony to mark the end of the term of five non-permanent members of the UNSC for 2020-2021 which took place at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the US, on December 31. These five countries include Estonia, Niger, Saint Vincents & the Grenadines, Tunisia and Vietnam.
Quy also said that Vietnam's participation in the UNSC is to promote and be based on its objectivity, transparency and unity as well as the legitimate interests of relevant parties.
Vietnam suggests China restore customs clearance at border gates
The cargo congestion was debated during the online talks held on December 31. (Photo: VNA)
Officials of Vietnam and China on December 31 discussed urgent measures to handle goods congestion in the areas bordering China’s Guangxi province.
The cargo congestion was debated during the online talks between the Asia - Africa Market Department under the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), authorities of the northern border provinces of Lang Son, Quang Ninh and Cao Bang, and Guangxi province’s Department of Commerce.
The MoIT said COVID-19 prevention and control measures currently imposed by Guangxi like suspending the operations of border gates or the import of certain fruits have disrupted the supply chain, adversely impacted the bilateral trade and caused great losses to businesses and people of both sides.
It suggested restoring customs clearance at the border gates and increasing the time for customs clearance.
Export-import turnover up 123 billion USD in 2021
Export-import turnover hit 668.5 billion USD in 2021, up 123 billion USD compared to the previous year and posting the highest growth ever.
The information was revealed by the General Department of Vietnam Customs during a recent conference to review the sector's performance this year and deploy tasks in 2022.
State budget collection from imports and exports posted a year-on-year expansion of 19.2 percent, heard the event.
Five countries, territories agree with Vietnam’s flight resumption plan
The first flight to Japan is scheduled to be operated by the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines on January 5, and others by Vietjet Air and All Nippons Airways on January 6. (Photo: VNA)
The US, Japan, Singapore, Cambodia and Taiwan (China) have agreed with Vietnam’s plan on resuming international air services from January.
Deputy Minister of Transport Le Anh Tuan said representatives from the countries and territories have expressed their concern over visa procedures, and suggested Vietnam remove quarantine regulations to further facilitate the travelling of people, and increase flight frequency.
The Transport Ministry is also seeking the Prime Minister’s approval to increase regular international flights to Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK) and Taiwan to seven per week.
It has also proposed expanding the pilot plan to Europe and Australia to satisfy the demand for returning home of Vietnamese abroad on the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.
Vietnam outperforms regional countries in COVID-19 vaccination race
Vietnam became the 53rd country in the world achieving the goal of covering basic doses of COVID-19 vaccine for 70 percent of its population, according to covidvax.live, a website that updates the vaccination speed worldwide every day.
The website reported that only 63 out of more than 220 countries and territories which have provided data on COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control across the world have achieved this goal.
In Asia, Vietnam's vaccination speed and quantity are higher than that of Thailand, Laos, the Philippines, India and Indonesia. Outside of Asia, Vietnam has been lower than the US’s vaccine coverage by only two grades, but 40 grades higher than Russia.
Vietnam detects first Omicron case
The first case of the Omicron variant of coronavirus was detected in Vietnam on December 28, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH).
The carrier is a man who arrived in Hanoi from the United Kingdom. The patient was immediately quarantined after he landed in the country, and has not had any contact with the public.
The Central Military Hospital 108 in Hanoi conducted genome sequencing for the patient and confirmed he was carrying the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529).
Vietnam crash out of AFF Cup despite goalless draw with Thailand
Vietnam become the former champions of the AFF Suzuki Cup after losing 0-2 on aggregate against Thailand.
– Vietnam held Thailand to a goalless draw in the second leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 semi-final on December 26, but it was not enough to salvage their title defence campaign as the War Elephants advanced to the final match with an aggregate 2-0 victory.
The result meant Park’s side became the former champions, while Thailand will meet Indonesia in the title decider on December 29 (first leg) and January 1, 2022 (second leg).
Thailand claimed the AFF Cup title for the sixth time after a 2-2 draw on January 1 secured the War Elephants a 6-2 aggregate win over Indonesia.
