German institute lauds Vietnam’s prompt actions in tackling COVID-19
German political institute Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) has posted an article praising Vietnam’s efforts in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the key to success lays in the prompt action and resolve of the Government, relevant agencies, and the Vietnamese people.
Berlin (VNA) - German political institute Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) has posted anarticle praising Vietnam’s efforts in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, sayingthe key to success lays in the prompt action and resolve of the Government, relevantagencies, and the Vietnamese people.
Peter Girke, Chief Representativeof KAS in Vietnam, said the rate of COVID-19 infection in the country has remainedquite low since the first local case was confirmed in late January.
He noted that the number ofCOVID-19 cases in Vietnam and Germany on February 17 was the same, at 16. Four weekslater, however, it was 61 in Vietnam and 7,272 in Germany. As of March 30, Vietnamhad only 194 cases, while Germany had 66,885.
The National Steering Committeefor COVID-19 Prevention and Control has also taken actions since the early stagesof the crisis, he said, adding that the Vietnamese people have been aware of thebattle since early February.
Vietnam closed its schoolswithin the first few days, initially in major cities and then nationwide. Universitieswere shuttered soon after, and events of all types were suspended or cancelled.
He commended other measurestaken by Vietnam in combating COVID-19, such as tightening border control, mobilisingthe army, suspending visa waivers for tourists from many European countries, quarantiningpassengers entering Vietnam for 14 days, restricting gatherings of more than 10 people, and closing restaurants and entertainment venues.
Vietnam has yet to imposea widespread curfew, Girke noted.
He also highlighted thedegree of public support for the Government’s measures and the effective communicationsseen throughout the country.
He suggested Vietnam continuewith measures introduced, saying they will help the country contain the epidemicuntil specific treatment drugs and vaccines are produced./.
As many as 9,000 poor and near-poor households in Ho Chi Minh City that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will receive monthly relief payments of 1 million VND (42 USD) each for three months, starting in April, according to the municipal Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.
Two more COVID-19 patients have fully recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries in Vietnam to 128, according to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.
The Consul Office at the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos announced on April 9 that all foreigners living in Laos, including Vietnamese, do not have to request a visa extension if their Lao visa expires. The decision is effective until April 20.
Hanoi is advancing green transportation as part of its sustainability goals but faces challenges like limited charging infrastructure, inconsistent regulations, and high electric vehicle costs.
Vietnam has over 4.8 million people exposed to AO/dioxin, including hundreds of thousands in the second, third, and even fourth generations. Many live with severe disabilities, facing high medical costs and loss of earning capacity.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that amnesty is a humanitarian policy of the Party and State, reflecting the Vietnamese tradition of compassion and winning attention and high praise both domestically and internationally.
Vietnam officially grants limited-term visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.
With support from the Vietnamese Association in Ufa, Vietnamese language classes for children have been offered for many years. Currently, 60 children of various ages are attending two classes taught by Duc Anh, free of charge.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
