Hanoi (VNA) – A total of 16,715 new COVID-19 infections were detected on January 20, bringing the national caseload to 2,094,802.
Among the new cases, 78 were imported and the rest were local transmissions. A total of 11,796 new infections were detected in the community.
The capital city of Hanoi continued to record the highest number of infections at 2,884, followed by Da Nang at 983 and Hai Phong at 722.
Vietnam has recorded 108 Omicron infections so far.
A further 152 COVID-19 related deaths were also announced, raising the country's death toll to 36,266, accounting for 1.7 percent of total cases.
The Ministry of Health also reported that 4,591 patients nationwide are in serious condition, with 647 requiring invasive ventilation and 20 on life support.
A further 5,736 patients were given the all-clear on the day, taking the total number of recoveries to 1,794,924.
More than 172.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the country to date, with nearly 78.8 million people receiving at least one shot and over 73.3 million getting the second jab./.
Vietnam recorded 15,959 cases of COVID-19, including 23 imported ones, during 24 hours from 4pm January 18 to 4pm January 19, according to the Ministry of Health.
The Ho Chi Minh City Centre for Disease Control (HCDC) is looking for passengers who were onboard two flights earlier this month following the detection of the first community infections of COVID-19 Omicron variant in the city.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has said COVID-19 prevention and control was the hardest job but the most outstanding highlight of the health sector in 2021.
Although no local cases have been detected, Vietnam is entering the peak season for Aedes mosquitoes while increased domestic and international travel during summer adds to the risk of the virus entering and spreading quickly.
Leading ophthalmology experts shared their experiences in preventing blindness and treating eye diseases at the 2025 Ophthalmology Conference in Hanoi on August 8-9.
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.
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) 
