Various policies issued by the Government, ministries, sectors and localities last week with an aim to supporting businesses and labourers affected by COVID-19.

VOV.VN - The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the US Grains Council (USGC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on technical cooperation in the agricultural field.

Vietnam needs to shift from “Zero-COVID” strategy to vaccinations as the pandemic and the risk of new outbreaks are still lingering on, according to Dr. Nguyen Duc Kien, head of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council.

VOV.VN - Vietnam should develop a new COVID-19 prevention and control strategy which will enable society to live safely with the virus, as opposed to extending social distancing measures to a larger extent, according to experts and scientists.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on August 12 asked the State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) to put forth a project on consolidating its organisation and improving its operational efficiency.

VOV.VN - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 12 encouraged scientists and pharmaceutical firms to make a greater effort in vaccine research and production in order to have a locally produced COVID-19 vaccine in September 2021.

The Ministry of Health’s Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund and the Global Public Health Organisation (Vital Strategies) launched a communication campaign to promote the enforcement of the ban on smoking in indoor public places on August 10.

The Vietnamese Government has issued a national strategy on the research, development and application of artificial intelligence (AI) till 2030 with a view to gradually turning Vietnam into an innovation and AI hub in ASEAN and the world.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has spoken highly of Japan’s assistance to Mekong countries during the fight against COVID-19.

VOV.VN - Ho Chi Minh City must ramp up efforts to provide timely treatment for patients suffering from COVID-19 in order to minimise fatalities, according to Phan Van Mai, deputy secretary of the municipal Party Committee.