Golden ball soccer

Corruption fight must place common interest above all: Top leader

On May 26, Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong directed that the fight against corruption be enhanced while placing common interest above all else, noting that the fight continues despite unexpected major incidents like the COVID-19 outbreak.

He made the direction while chairing a meeting of permanent members of the Central Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption, in which he serves as head.

Calling for stronger efforts in the fight against corruption, he said prevention and control must be carried out in a stringent, prompt, but also prudent and persuasive manner that is open to public opinion, ensures solidarity, and puts common interest above all.

Vietnam’s new enterprises up 36.1% in May as social distancing is eased

Vietnam saw 10,728 new enterprises in May, up 36.1% compared with the previous month, following the government’s decision to ease the social distancing measures implemented to contain the coronavirus, according to the General Statistics Office.

The month also saw 5,056 enterprises returning to business, up 32.7% month-on-month, while those temporarily out of business fell 18.9% to 3,342.

During the January-May period, the number of enterprises resuming operation climbed by 10.5% year-on-year to 21.700 while another 26,000 temporarily went out of business, up 36.4% over the same period of 2019.

Vietnam posts trade surplus of US$1.9 billion in five months

Exports during the January-May period fell 1.7% to US$99.36 billion.

Vietnam recorded a trade surplus of US$1.9 billion in the first five months of 2020 despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic which has remained as a complex problem for Vietnam’s main trading partners.

The General Statistics Office reported on May 29 that exports during the January-May period fell 1.7% to US$99.36 billion while imports shrank by 3.8% to US$97.48 billion.

The United States remained the largest buyer of Vietnamese goods in the first five months of 2020 at US$24.6 billion, up 8.2% compared with the same period in 2019, followed by China at US$16.3 billion, up 20% year-on-year.

Vietnam records no new COVID-19 infections in community for 46 days

As of the morning of June 1, Vietnam has gone 46 consecutive days without any new COVID-19 infections in the community, according to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

Among the total 328 cases nationwide, 188 were imported and quarantined right upon their arrival. As many as 279 patients, equivalent to 85% of the total, have recovered.

The remainder are being treated at centrally- and provincially run hospitals. All of them are in stable condition.

People’s 115 Hospital receives three Asian records

At the ceremony to present certificates of Asian records to Nhan Dan 115 Hospital.

The Ho Chi Minh City-based Nhan Dan (People’s) 115 Hospital received three new Asian record certificates at a ceremony on May 28.

The hospital set two collective records for the being first unit in Asia to deploy the Modus V Synaptive robot system in performing surgery on a 67-year-old patient with a brain tumour; and being the first to meet the “Gold Treatment Quality Standards” of the European Stroke Association.

Doctor Chu Tan Si, Head of the hospital’s Neurology Department, was also honoured with the individual record for being the first person conduct neurological surgery with the Modus V Synaptive robot system, under the guidance of Prof. Amin Kassam – Vice President of Aurora Health Care (USA).

Ninth-century Shiv Linga unearthed at My Son Sanctuary

Vietnamese and Indian experts unearthed a Shiv Linga (a representation of the Hindu deity Shiva) dating back to the 9th century during the restoration of a Cham temple complex at My Son Sanctuary, a world cultural heritage site in central Quang Nam Province.

The find was revealed by Phan Ho, the director of the management board of the heritage site, on May 28.

The monolithic sandstone Shiv Linga, which is 2.24 x 1.68 meters in size, is the largest of its kind unearthed in Vietnam to date, according to experts.

Hanoi FC midfielder Do Hung Dung claims 2019 Vietnam Golden Ball award

Midfielder Do Hung Dung receives his inaugural Golden Ball from Vietnam head coach Park Hang-seo. (Photo: Vnexpress)

Hanoi FC midfielder Do Hung Dung was named the winner of the 2019 Vietnam Golden Ball (Men) award during a gala at Rex Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City on the evening of May 26.

The result came with little surprise as Hung Dung demonstrated convincing form last season, playing a significant role in Hanoi FC’s path to the AFC Cup 2019 inter-zone final as well as their fifth V.League trophy in history.

The Silver Ball award was presented to another midfielder of Hanoi FC, Nguyen Quang Hai, who won the Golden Ball last year, while Viettel FC’s Nguyen Trong Hoang claimed the Bronze Ball.

In the women’s category, striker Huynh Nhu, captain of the Vietnam women’s team, won the Golden Ball award for the second time. Chuong Thi Kieu (Ho Chi Minh City FC) and Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung (Phong Phu Ha Nam FC) were named as the respective winners of the Silver Ball and Bronze Ball awards.

Midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai honoured by AFC for amazing free-kick ability

On May 28, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced the five best free-kicks in the history of the AFC Cup, with Hanoi FC’s star man Nguyen Quang Hai being named among the honourees.

The 23-year-old player won admiration from the AFC with a superb set-piece goal during the AFC Cup 2019 inter-zone semifinal first leg between Hanoi FC and Turkmenistan’s Altyn Asyr on August 20 which helped level the score at 1-1.

Preparations for 13th National Party Congress basically completed

On January 22, Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Quoc Vuong inspected the preparations for the 13th National Party Congress, which is scheduled to begin next week at the National Convention Centre in Hanoi.

Vuong, who is also head of the organising board of the congress, supervised the rehearsal of the flag-salute ceremony, music performances, film screenings and taking photos of congress delegates.

The Party official was reported that all the preparations for the congress have been basically completed, from security to logistics and reception. Security for delegates and guests is being ensured strictly and at the highest level.

He reiterated that there should be no mistakes in ensuring the success of the congress, calling for the joint efforts of the entire Party and people for the upcoming important political event.

Gifts presented to needy people as Tet draws near

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung presents gifts to needy people and policy beneficiaries in Viet Tri City, Phu Tho Province on January 20

Officials have paid visits to ethnic minorities, poor workers, and policy beneficiaries nationwide ahead of the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.

The Vietnam General Confederation of Labour have also offered free air and bus tickets to trade union members and employees in difficult circumstances to help them return home to celebrate Tet with their families.

On the occasion, Tet gifts have been also presented to policy families, local authorities, border soldiers and the local people in border and remotes areas across the country in order to help them celebrate a warm and happy Tet festival.

Vietnam becomes China’s sixth largest trading partner

Vietnam became the sixth largest trading partner of China in 2020, up two places compared with 2019.

According to preliminary statistics from Vietnam Customs, two-way trade revenue between Vietnam and China reached US$133.09 billion in 2020, up 13.8% over 2019, despite the negative economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vietnam posted export revenue from China of US$48.9 billion in 2020, up 17.9%, and import revenue of US$84.1 billion, up 11.5% over the same period in 2019. Thus, Vietnam suffered a trade deficit of US$35.2 billion, an increase of 3.74% against 2019.

China continues to be the country’s largest trading partner, the largest commodity supplier to the market and the second largest export market of Vietnam (after the US).

Vaccine female researcher honoured with Labour Hero title

Prof., Dr. Huynh Thi Phuong Lien (L) receives the “Labour Hero in Renewal Period” title from Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh. (Photo: moh.gov.vn)

Prof., Dr. Huynh Thi Phuong Lien (L) receives the “Labour Hero in Renewal Period” title from Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh. (Photo: moh.gov.vn)

Vaccine researcher Prof., Dr. Huynh Thi Phuong Lien was presented with the title of “Labour Hero in Renewal Period” at a ceremony held in Hanoi on January 19 in recognition of her great contributions to the health sector in the 2009-2019 period.

Lien, who is a senior specialist from the Company for Vaccine and Biological Production No.1 (Vabiotech) under the Ministry of Health, and her colleagues from Vabiotech, successfully produced vaccines in prevention of cholera, typhoid, smallpox, and Japanese encephalitis, in addition to the implementation of 12 State-level scientific research projects and the publication of 112 others in prestigious scientific journals.

The 80-year-old scientist devoted her 53 years from 1966 to 2019 to scientific research, making great contributions to promoting Vietnam’s vaccine production industry and the preventive medicine sector.

Vietnam’s second COVID-19 vaccine candidate enters human trials

A ceremony was held at the Hanoi Medical University on January 21 to kick-start clinical trials of COVIVAC, Vietnam’s second COVID-19 vaccine candidate, developed based on the new highly-infectious coronavirus variants.

The home-grown vaccine has been developed by the Nha Trang-based Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC) and the Hanoi Medical University since last May, using primary chicken embryo cell culture, a technique the institute used previously to successfully produce seasonal flu vaccines.

There will be two phases in the trial, with the first to be conducted on five groups of volunteers totalling 120 people. Each group will be given two shots 28 days apart, with doses of either 1mcg, 3mcg, or 10mcg.

The volunteers, aged 18 to 59, have been recruited by the research team. The first shot is scheduled to be injected at the Hanoi Medical University in February.

Vietnam’s wonders promoted on Google Arts & Culture

Delegates at the launch ceremony of the ‘Wonders of Vietnam’ project (Photo: VOV)

On January 21, the online platform Google Arts & Culture announced the Wonders of Vietnam project to honour the country’s natural landscapes, tangible and intangible heritages recognised by the UNESCO.

The project is a joint effort among the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the departments of tourism of Da Nang City and the provinces of Quang Nam, Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Binh to popularise Vietnam’s beauty to the world.

It features 35 exhibitions with 1,369 photos, panoramic pictures and videos in both Vietnamese and English languages. Photographer Tran Tuan Viet, winner of the National Geographic Awards, supplied more than 1,000 photos to the project.

Google also advertised the project on international channels, from the Google Arts & Culture website to its social media page and Youtube.

Footballer Nguyen Van Quyet named Vietnam’s most valuable athlete in 2020

Hanoi FC striker Nguyen Van Quyet, who recently won the 2020 Vietnamese Golden Ball, has been honoured as the most valuable athlete of the country in 2020.

According to the voting results announced by the General Department of Sports and Physical Training on January 23, 29-year-old Quyet topped the list of 10 outstanding Vietnamese athletes with 534 points. Boxer Nguyen Van Duong followed Quyet in second position with 517 points.

For leading Viettel FC to the V.League 1 title right in his debut season, manager Truong Viet Hoang was convincingly named the most outstanding trainer of 2020 with 174 points, 35 points clear of the runner-up Doan Thi Kim Chi (female football).

Cao Ngoc Hung (track and field) was voted as the most valuable athlete with a disability with 378 points following his three gold medals won at the national championships, while track and field trainer Dang Van Phuc won the vote for ‘Most outstanding trainer for disabled athletes’ with 213 points.

Five-star Man City move top of the Premier League (photo: Youtube/ Man City)

Ilkay Gundogan scored twice, while Joao Cancelo, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling were also on target as Pep Guardiola’s men moved a point ahead of local rivals Manchester United at the top of the table.

“Good result, in general a good performance and three more points,” said a satisfied Guardiola.

United can move back in front when they host bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United on Wednesday, but on the evidence of recent weeks City will take some stopping if they are to be denied a third title in four years.

Liverpool and City have battled for Premier League supremacy over the past three seasons.

But Liverpool’s five-game winless league run has allowed City to open up a seven-point lead over the champions.

The Baggies were the last side to take points off the leaders with a shock 1-1 draw at the Etihad last month that still was not enough to save Slaven Bilic from the sack.

However, the appointment of Sam Allardyce has so far done little to boost West Brom’s chances of survival as they remain second from bottom, six points off safety.

In four home games since the former England manager took charge, West Brom have conceded 17 goals without reply.

City made light of the absence of Kevin De Bruyne with the Belgian expected to be out for at least a month due to a hamstring injury.

Phil Foden was denied by a brilliant save by Sam Johnstone even before Gundogan opened the floodgates on six minutes.

– Golden Gundogan –

The German has already established himself as City’s major goalscoring threat from midfield in recent weeks and his sky-high confidence was on show with a curled finish into the far corner from the edge of the area.

“When he plays close to the box, he has that sense to make good runs to the box,” added Guardiola. “The quality with the ball was always there.”

Allardyce’s men had a tough enough task to find a route back into the game against a side that have now kept 14 clean sheets in their last 18 games without an error from the officials aiding the visitors’ cause.

Assistant referee Sian Massey-Ellis wrongly flagged Bernardo Silva for offside and some West Brom defenders stopped before Cancelo bent home his first Premier League goal.

However, VAR showed Silva was onside and the goal stood.

Gundogan made and scored the third himself by robbing the ball just outside the box and then steering home his seventh goal in eight league games.

Mahrez made it 4-0 before the break with a thumping finish after cutting inside onto his favoured left foot.

The Algerian then turned provider by unselfishly squaring for Sterling to tap home early in the second half.

Guardiola could afford the luxury of making all three substitutions before the hour mark as Gundogan, Foden and Silva were handed a rest.

And City took their foot off the gas in the final half hour to conserve their energy with many tougher challenges to come as they attempt to win an unprecedented quadruple of trophies this season.

AFP