Vietnam strives to have at least one successful domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine this year, according to deputy health minister Tran Van Thuan.

Digital government is oriented to be open for people, firms and other organisations to properly participate in the activities of and interact with state agencies, in a bid to jointly improve transparency and service quality, solve problems, and create value for society together.

VOV.VN - In the first week of a 15-day social distancing period in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest economic hub, city residents and citizens across Vietnam have stayed united to help each other through this difficult time.

Many ancient writings, recorded by foreigners themselves, directly or indirectly recognise Vietnam’s sovereignty over the two archipelagos of Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly). Among them is “Hai ngoai ky su” (Haiwai jishi) - an ancient Chinese book by a Chinese monk.

VOV.VN - The national infection tally rose to more than 51,000 after the Health Ministry confirmed a further 2,472 fresh cases of COVID-19, including 18 imported on July 18 morning, with Ho Chi Minh City continuing to suffer the most infections at 1,756.

VOV.VN - A further 1,612 new COVID-19 cases, including 1,600 local cases and 12 imported infections, were recorded on the evening of July 17, with Ho Chi Minh City registering the highest number of infections with 2,786 for the whole day.

VOV.VN - Ho Chi Minh City has established a 1,000-bed hospital in an effort to treat severe COVID-19 cases, according to information provided by municipal authorities.

VOV.VN - The US is set to provide the nation with an additional three million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine via the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, according to a statement made on July 16 by US Embassy in Hanoi.

Vietnam is among the regional countries that are seeing new digital bank models, experts have said.

Only pilots who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with two jabs are eligible to operate flights, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) said in a new directive on mandatory measures for flight safety amid COVID-19.

The Vietnamese Women Union (VWU) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) held a workshop on July 16, in both in-person and virtual forms, to discuss gender equality in social insurance policy of Vietnam.

The Ministry of Finance and the management board of Vietnam's COVID-19 vaccine fund organised a ceremony on July 16 to receive more than VND81 billion (US$3.52 million) worth of donations from 18 organisations and individuals.

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Do Van Chien on July 16 extended his best wishes to all Muslim dignitaries and followers in Vietnam on the occasion of the Eid al-Adha, Feast of the Sacrifice, which will take place from July 19-23 this year.

The Green Development Support Center (GreenHub) in collaboration with the For Vietnamese Stature Foundation (VSF) have recently launched the Plastic Talk contest that seeks innovative communications products aiming to promote plastic waste reduction.

A book project to promote Vietnamese culture to Vietnamese and international readers called “Tu Sach Van Hoa Viet” (Bookshelf of Vietnam Culture) has been launched.

VOV.VN - Ho Chi Minh City, the nation’s biggest coronavirus hotspot, recorded 1,769 further positive COVID-19 cases among 2,106, including one imported found across 18 localities, the Ministry of Health said in its July 17 morning update.

VOV.VN - The Ministry of Health reported the detection of a further 1,898 new cases of COVID-19, including 15 imported infections on the afternoon of July 16, increasing the total daily infections to 3,336.

VOV.VN - The capital has seen a number of places placed under lockdown following two peole testing positive for COVID-19.

Nguyen Kim Anh, a young female Vietnamese PhD holder of the Institute of Geography under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, has just won the “The most downloaded paper award 2021” from The Progress in Earth and Planetary Science (PEPS), a journal of the Japan Geoscience Union.

VOV.VN - The nation has successfully negotiated the purchase of 170 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from a variety of sources as part of efforts to fast-track the national vaccination campaign, said Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long.

VOV.VN - Border guards operating in the northern province of Cao Bang said on July 16 that they have successfully detained 29 people who illegally entered the country from China.

VOV.VN - The latest wave of COVID-19 is anticipated to last longer than previous outbreaks, thereby adversely affecting the livelihoods of citizens and socio-economic development, particularly in the southern region, said Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long.

VOV.VN - The first 30 beds at a hospital for coronavirus rehabilitation were put into operation in Ho Chi Minh City on July 15 in order to provide intensive treatment for critically ill COVID-19 patients.

VOV.VN - Hessen state and the Messer Group GmbH of Germany has presented 160,000 rapid COVID-19 test kits worth 500,000 EUR (US$590,300) as part of efforts to help the nation cope with the ongoing impact of the pandemic.

VOV.VN - Ho Chi Minh City should devise a new plan in the event that COVID-19 cases and fatalities continue to rise over the next week.

VOV.VN - The Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa has advised all Vietnamese citizens residing and doing business in the African country to remain vigilant regarding the current security situation and to avoid travel to areas that are hotspots of instability.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has instructed relevant agencies to tighten security checks for flights to Japan.

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) in coordination with Hanoi Youth Union and Hanoi Youth Palace on July 15 launched a competition “Youth digital citizen challenge 2021” to engage young people in designing better digital solutions and services.

VOV.VN - An additional 1,438 domestic cases were recorded over the past 12 hours to 6 a.m on July 16 morning, with Ho Chi Minh accounting for the majority of the fresh cases with 1,071, said the Health Ministry.

VOV.VN - Vietnam has confirmed an additional 1,922 coronavirus cases during the past 12 hours, raising its daily count to 3,416, a record high figure, the Ministry of Health (MoH) said in its 06.00pm COVID-19 update on July 15.