SEA Games 31: Agencies asked to build suitable COVID-19 control plan
Medical agencies have been asked to build a specific COVID-19 prevention and control plan corresponding with that of regional countries, in preparation for the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31).
A decoration promoting the upcoming SEA Games 31. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Medical agencies have been asked tobuild a specific COVID-19 prevention and control plan corresponding with thatof regional countries, in preparation for the upcoming 31st Southeꦫast AsianGames (SEA Games 31).
Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son made therequest during an April 4 meeting of the Medical and Anti-Doping Sub-Committee of the Games regardingCOVID-19 prevention measures during the regional event, which saw the participationof representatives of the departments of health of the 12 host localities. The Ministry of Health has compiled a work plan serving thecoming Games, according to Assoc. Prof. Dr Luong Ngoc Khue, Director of theMinistry’s Department of Medical Examination and Treatment.
At the meeting (Photo: viettimes.vn)
The sub-committee is tasked with providing health care fordelegates, athletes and staff engaging in the sporting event, as well ascurbing the spread of diseases, particularly COVID-19, during the Games. It must guarantee food safety, appoint personnel and prepareequipment to carry out its tasks during the event. As the capital city of Hanoi will host the largest number ofcompetitions, the municipal Health Department has been asked to devise specificscenarios for the opening and closing ceremonies. SEA Games 31, themed “For a stronger South East Asia”, willrun in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring localities from May 12 to 23. It will feature40 sports with 526 events and expect to attract around 10,000 participants. Thebiennial event was initially slated for late 2021 but delayed due to thepandemic’s impact./.
The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the sub-committee for information and communications of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) met in Hanoi on April 1 to discuss cooperation in covering the coming regional sports event.
Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai signed a decision on April 1, approving the addition of 449 billion VND (19.66 million USD) to the organisation budget of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31).
The Hanoi Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union will recruit 2,500 - 3,000 young volunteers to support the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), slated for May 12 - 23.
The Vietnamese women’s football team will leave for the Republic of Korea on April 6 for intensive training to defend their gold medal at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 31 to be held in Vietnam in May.
Vietnam now boasts a nationwide healthcare network with 1,665 hospitals, 384 of which are non-public, supported by local commune- and ward-level stations. At the end of 2024, hospital bed capacity reached 34 per 10,000 people, slightly above the global average.
The 56-year-old patient from Quang Tri province was discharged in stable condition as he no longer experienced shortness of breath and was able to walk, move around, and eat normally.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Vu Trung, Director of the Pasteur Institute, said that under the MoU, the two sides committed to promoting diverse and practical collaborative activities, including joint conferences and workshops, exchanges of scholars, researchers and students, sharing academic materials, and the development of specific programmes and projects in scientific research, training, and epidemic prevention.
TytoCare, a leading Israeli telemedicine company based in Netanya, is willing to work with Vietnamese regulators, insurers, and healthcare providers to develop a sustainable digital health ecosystem.
The partnership is under the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding on the development and implementation of the National Action Plan on Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control, signed in Hanoi on July 22.
An estimated 7 million Vietnamese are currently living with diabetes, but about 50% remain undiagnosed, a dangerous gap that is fuelling serious, preventable complications and increasing the burden on the healthcare system.
In 2024, Vietnam achieved 99% coverage for the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, up from 80% in 2023. Immunisation coverage in the country has not only rebounded to the high levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic but has now surpassed the rates recorded in 2019.
Health authorities in HCM City have issued an urgent alert after six people died from dengue fever, amid a spike in infections driven by the onset of the rainy season.
During the peak months of July and August 2025, the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) needs at least 90,000 units of blood to supply 180 hospitals in the northern region. However, despite continuous efforts, the reserve blood is still short of 30,000 units.
The Hanoi ceremony highlighted efforts to ensure all citizens, especially women and youth, can access accurate information and healthcare services to make informed reproductive choices.
After such a long time, the law has revealed many limitations, prompting the Ministry of Health (MoH) to gather opinions to amend the law to give more chances to thousands of patients every year.
Currently, cardiovascular specialists from the 108 Military Central Hospital are working alongside a team of Prof.Dr. Jan D. Schmitto, Deputy Director of MHH’s Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery on clinical trials for MCS devices, implanted in heart failure patients either as a bridge to transplantation or as permanent treatment.
The centre not only serves residents living on the island, but also receives tens of thousands of visitors every year, according to Assoc Prof Dr Tang Chi Thuong, Director of the HCM CIty Department of Health.
Not only does Vietnam attract international tourists with its landscapes, culture, and cuisine, but it is also gradually becoming a reliable destination for medical treatment, offering high-quality services at reasonable costs.
Over the past six months, 150 communal health stations in provinces including Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Tay Ninh, Hau Giang, Ben Tre and Ca Mau have been equipped with information technology systems. In addition, 117 key provincial healthcare workers have received training, with thousands more expected to follow.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Ministry of Health swiftly launched a telemedicine programme, connecting more than 1,000 medical establishments nationwide. The model, which remains in operation, has benefited tens of thousands of patients, including foreign nationals.
After more than three weeks of intensive treatment, the patient's pneumonia improved, breathing stabilised, sedation was reduced, and the breathing tube was removed. He is now conscious, able to eat orally, and in recovery.
A decoration promoting the upcoming SEA Games 31. (Photo: VNA) 
At the meeting (Photo: viettimes.vn) 
