COVID-19 UPDATE: Bac Giang remains largest hotspot as cases surge

The northern province of Bac Giang which is close to Hanoi capital, recorded a further 63 out of 85 community infections confirmed by the Ministry of Health (MoH) at noon on May 18.
Taking nasal swabs for COVID-19 testing at an industrial park in Bac Giang.
Taking nasal swabs for COVID-19 testing at an industrial park in Bac Giang.

The new patients tested positive after having close contact with COVID-19 patients, the MoH said in its noon bulletin update.

They were all detected at Quang Chau, Van Trung and Dinh Tram industrial parks in Bac Giang.

Bac Giang, a gateway to Hanoi capital, has recorded nearly 500 locally transmitted cases, mostly at industrial parks, since the virus recurred in Vietnam in late April.   

The provincial administration on May 17 decided to temporarily suspend operations of Quang Chau, Van Trung, Dinh Tram, and Song Khe-Noi Hoang industrial parks. They also moved to impose social distancing on several localities in the province in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.

Elsewhere, six more cases were recorded in Hanoi, four in Dien Bien, three in Bac Ninh, three in Hai Duong, two in Da Nang, one each in Hai Phong, Hung Yen amd Quang Nam.

One more case was also reported at the K Cancer Hospital No2 in Hanoi.

The MoH also confirmed an imported case in its noon bulletin. The 67-year-old man of the Republic of Korea entered Vietnam on May 16 and tested positive on the following day.

Vietnam has so far recorded 4,464 COVID-19 cases, including 2,668 recoveries and 37 fatalities.

VOV

Other News

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

The International Day of Older Persons 2026, themed “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” highlights the need to develop healthcare, social security, labour-market and social-service systems in response to increasing life expectancy. For Vietnam, rapid population ageing is not only a demographic issue but also a development challenge.

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Both sides agreed to keep educating officials, Party members, youth union groups and the broader public, especially young people in both provinces, on the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos.

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

The captain discovered water entering ballast tanks No. 4, 5 and 6 on the port side, causing the vessel to list slightly. Initial assessments indicated that the vessel may have struck an underwater rock formation while underway.

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright is entering an entirely new phase. As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating text, summarising books, mimicking writing styles and producing content at enormous speed, ensuring copyright protection is becoming more difficult.

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Prolonged heavy rains from September 13–17 have caused flooding and landslides, damaging homes, crops, roads and infrastructure in Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa provinces, with local authorities mobilising forces for emergency response.

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh city's Public Security Department warned individuals, agencies and businesses not to publicly disclose or provide personal information or bank account details on social media, and urged organisations and businesses to strictly comply with regulations on protecting customers’ personal data.

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

The continued recovery of martyrs’ remains provides valuable information and further evidence of those who fought and sacrificed their lives for national independence and freedom. It also encourages search teams to persist in locating fallen soldiers still lying on former battlefields, contributing to the effective implementation of the 500-day campaign and reflecting Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of gratitude.

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam will launch nationwide screening for five groups of school-related diseases and health conditions among students from preschool through high school from 2028, including overweight and obesity, refractive errors, spinal curvature, oral diseases and mental health disorders.