Health Minister: Fresh COVID-19 wave may last longer in Vietnam

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long has warned the latest wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to last longer, on a large scale, and the mutated virus is more transmissible.

Long made the warning at a Cabinet meeting in Hanoi on May 17, referring to developments of latest COVID-19 outbreaks at industrial parks in Bac Ninh and Bac Giang provinces, as well as in other localities.

Bac Giang has become the epicenter of the latest wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, recording more than 400 cases, or one third of the country’s tally following the resurgence of the virus in late April.

Daily caseload broke the record, with most of the cases diagnosed at Hosiden Vietnam Co. Ltd., an electronic parts supplier, at Quang Chau industrial park.

The situation has been basically brought under control in Bac Giang, said Minister Long, adding new cases have all been detected in quarantine or lockdown areas.

However, he speculated that the latest COVID-19 wave may last longer and evolves in a complicated manner due to the emergence and rapid transmissibility of mutated virus.

Results of genome sequences by Vietnamese scientists show both variants B.1.1.7 originating from the United Kingdom and B.1.617.2 from India have been found in several Vietnamese localities during the latest outbreaks.

According to the minister, localities must strengthen inspection to ensure COVID-19 prevention and control measures are fully implemented at production lines, and those that fail to meet the requirements are forced to temporarily halt production.

He recalled the Prime Minister’s recent conclusions that social distancing is only implemented in localities where the situation becomes serious and that widespread social distancing will exert an enormous impact on production and people’s life.

Amid public concerns about the impact the new COVID-19 wave may have on the upcoming general election on May 23, the minister also said the MoH has sent detailed instructions to localities to ensure maximum safety for the election.

Vietnamese voters will go to the polls on May 23 to elect a new National Assembly and grassroots-level People’s Councils for the 2021-2026 tenure.

Vietnam has recorded more than 1,400 COVId-19 cases in 27 cities and provinces across the country since the virus recurred less than three weeks ago.

VOV

Other News

Hanoi ready to implement Capital Law 2026, unlocking new development momentum

Hanoi ready to implement Capital Law 2026, unlocking new development momentum

The effectiveness of the Capital Law 2026 will be measured not by the number of legal documents issued but by tangible improvements in governance and public administration, better services for people and businesses, faster administrative procedures, stronger investment attraction and higher economic growth.

Vietnamese students earn honours at ROBOG Asia Cup 2026

Vietnamese students earn honours at ROBOG Asia Cup 2026

Three teams from Chu Van An Secondary School in Vietnam’s Thai Nguyen province have earned First Prize honours and advanced to the quarterfinals at the ROBOG Asia Cup 2026, a regional robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) competition for students held in Hong Kong, China.

Hanoi sets out new investment blueprint with century-long development vision

Hanoi sets out new investment blueprint with century-long development vision

As of early June, Hanoi had attracted 74.6 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) through more than 9,250 valid projects. FDI inflows in the first six months were projected at 3.2 billion USD, surpassing the annual target by 116%, while nearly 16,000 new businesses were established in the first five months, up 34.4% year-on-year.

Vietnam promotes legal cooperation and rule of law at global forum

Vietnam promotes legal cooperation and rule of law at global forum

Vietnam’s development and international integration have gone hand in hand with the improvement of its legal system, the incorporation of international commitments into domestic legislation, and legal reforms aimed at fostering development, openness and global integration. The country regards international law as an essential instrument for building fair, mutually beneficial relations among nations.

Hanoi to hold investment promotion event on June 29

Hanoi to hold investment promotion event on June 29

At the event, Hanoi authorities plan to grant investment policy decisions and investment registration certificates to 20 exemplary projects in the fields of transportation infrastructure, industrial parks, urban development, social housing, environment, science and technology, and foreign investment attraction.

Hanoi's Red River urban area development draws widespread attention

Hanoi's Red River urban area development draws widespread attention

Located south of the Red River and extending from the historic inner city to newly developing areas in the south and the west, the central urban area along Red River’s right bank covers approximately 45,317 hectares and is projected to accommodate around 6.365 million residents by 2045 and 6.455 million by 2065.

Hanoi's Red River urban area development draws widespread attention

Hanoi's Red River urban area development draws widespread attention

Located south of the Red River and extending from the historic inner city to newly developing areas in the south and the west, the central urban area along Red River’s right bank covers approximately 45,317 hectares and is projected to accommodate around 6.365 million residents by 2045 and 6.455 million by 2065.

Regional cooperation strengthened to combat cross-border drug crime

Regional cooperation strengthened to combat cross-border drug crime

Vietnam, China, Laos and Myanmar face common challenges as drug syndicates increasingly exploit the Mekong River, cross-border transport networks, e-commerce platforms, international logistics services, cyberspace and cryptocurrencies to organise drug transactions and smuggling operations.