COVID-19: HCM City second worst-hit locality in Vietnam as cases surge

Ho Chi Minh City, the busiest and most populous locality in Vietnam, has overtaken Bac Ninh province in the north to become the second worst affected locality during the latest COVID-109 outbreak.
Providing medical check-up before getting a COVID-19 vaccine shot in HCM City.

Providing medical check-up before getting a COVID-19 vaccine shot in HCM City.

The city has recorded an additional 33 locally transmitted cases during the past 12 hours, according to the Ministry of Health in its 06.00am COVID-19 update on June 21, raising its caseload to more than 1,600 cases since the resurgence of the virus in late April.

With infections rising by more than 100 on a daily basis, the municipal administration has imposed and extended social distancing for another two weeks until the end of June in an effort to slow the spread of the virus in the community.

Many streets have been left deserted while shops have been closed temporarily under the social distancing order, VOV has learned.

Convenient stores, supermarkets, wet markets and drug stores have been allowed to operate, but required to meet COVID-19 guidelines.

The city has mobilized nearly 1,500 healthcare workers, including medical university students, to test 260,000 people a day, and is set to raise the number of samples to be taken to half a million a day.

Local authorities have launched a vaccination campaign considered the largest of its kind in the city, aiming to inoculate approximately 200,000 people a day. The city has been green-lighted to negotiate and purchase COVID-19 vaccines for local use.

Meanwhile, the outbreak seems to be waning in Bac Giang and Bac Ninh provinces, the two COVID-19 hotspots in northern Vietnam.

The MoH data shows Bac Giang and Bac Ninh recorded five and four more local infections on June 21 morning. Elsewhere, two more cases were documented in Tien Giang, one in Nghe An and another one in Ha Tinh.

Vietnam has logged nearly 10,000 locally acquired coronavirus cases since the virus recurred in late April. Bac Giang is the worst-hit locality, recording more than 5,100 cases alone.

VOV

Other News

Vietnamese students shine at AIMO 2026 international finals

Vietnamese students shine at AIMO 2026 international finals

The Vietnamese team won one Champion title, four First Runner-up awards, three Second Runner-up awards, 42 gold medals, 83 silver medals, 70 bronze medals and two consolation prizes at the 2026 International Finals of the Asia International Mathematical Olympiad Open Contest (AIMO) held in Hanoi on August 2-5.

Politburo's Resolution 57-NQ/TW powers new growth momentum

Politburo's Resolution 57-NQ/TW powers new growth momentum

NSO Director Nguyen Thi Huong said alongside foreign investment and the green economy, science – technology, innovation, the digital economy and digital transformation are the new drivers that can can pack a serious second-half punch.

Vietnam’s poverty reduction miracle: A journey for the people

Vietnam’s poverty reduction miracle: A journey for the people

From a country where more than 50% of the population lived below the poverty line in the early 1990s, Vietnam has reduced its poverty rate to just 2.95% today. This achievement reflects not only the effectiveness of socio-economic development policies, but also Vietnam’s ability to translate growth into tangible opportunities for its people, steadily realizing inclusive development and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Can Tho boosts Vietnamese language support for ethnic minority children

Can Tho boosts Vietnamese language support for ethnic minority children

Backed by more than 4.2 billion VND (161,000 USD) from the State budget, the programme aims to strengthen children's Vietnamese communication skills before they begin primary school, helping them integrate more smoothly into the classroom and improve learning outcomes from the outset.

Powering growth: Ensuring reliable energy supply to keep investment flowing

Powering growth: Ensuring reliable energy supply to keep investment flowing

Across Ha Tinh and Nghe An, maintenance teams conduct inspections day and night, using thermal cameras and drones to detect potential faults without interrupting electricity supply. Their work helps ensure stable power supply for businesses as the region accelerates development in line with the Government's economic growth targets.

One Vietnamese worker killed in Japan earthquake

One Vietnamese worker killed in Japan earthquake

The Embassy of Vietnam in Japan and its labour management board are actively implementing citizen protection measures and maintaining close contact with relevant organisations and companies employing Vietnamese workers in the affected areas to monitor the situation.

Hanoi to support low-income residents in replacing high-emission motorbikes

Hanoi to support low-income residents in replacing high-emission motorbikes

A key task is to formulate a support scheme for low-income residents to replace ageing motorcycles and mopeds that fail to meet emission standards and pose a high risk of pollution. It will also propose funding to provide free first-time emission testing for motorcycles and mopeds across the city.

UNESCO endorses vision for restoring Thang Long Imperial Citadel's central axis

UNESCO endorses vision for restoring Thang Long Imperial Citadel's central axis

The committee commended Vietnam for fulfilling the commitments it has made since the citadel was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010, as well as for implementing recommendations from the committee and its advisory bodies. It also praised the country's efforts to preserve the site's cultural, historical and social values, transforming the imperial citadel into a space for public engagement, cultural exchange and historical education. The committee further welcomed the long-term vision as an important basis for the proposed restoration of Kinh Thien Palace in line with the approved conservation strategy.

Border guards seize 15,200 drug pills, heroin in major trafficking bust

Border guards seize 15,200 drug pills, heroin in major trafficking bust

At about 10:15 pm on July 20, officers from the Operations Division of the Nghe An Border Guard Command and the Nam Can International Border Gate Border Guard Station, in coordination with customs officers at the Nam Can International Border Gate, caught a resident of Tan Tien hamlet, Chieu Luu commune, Nghe An province, allegedly transporting narcotics in Tien Tieu hamlet, Nam Can commune.

Floods, landslides wreak havoc on northern mountainous region

Floods, landslides wreak havoc on northern mountainous region

Total economic losses were estimated at about 255 billion VND (nearly 9.7 million USD), with Lai Chau accounting for the largest share of the damage with 190 billion VND, followed by Son La with 46.04 billion VND, Lao Cai with 16.7 billion VND, and Dien Bien with 2.3 billion VND.