Medics collect samples for COVID-19 testing. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhon July 17 ordered social distancing in 19 southern localities that are strickenby the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of the localities, Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong andDong Nai province have already enacted social distancing in line with the PM’sDirective No. 16/CT-TTg.
The others are Can Tho city and Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh,Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Tien Giang, Long An, Vinh Long, Dong Thap, Ben Tre, Hau Giang,An Giang, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, Ca Mau and Kien Giang provinces.
According to the document issued on the day, the 14-daysocial distancing period will be decided by Chairpersons of provincial People’sCommittees but it must begin before July 19.
For the localities where social distancing has beenrolled out, the PM asked their Chairpersons to report to competent agenciesbefore deciding to maintain the period as scheduled earlier or extend it.
Attention should be paid to medical supplies and personnel in the localities during the combat, the PM requested.
It is a must to ensure food and other necessities for localresidents, especially the poor, those in difficult circumstances and labourerswho have been rendered jobless due to the pandemic, he said.
Only production and business facilities that meetCOVID-19 prevention and control requirements are required to operate, accordingto the document.
The PM called on people and the business community toseriously observe the directive, go out in case of extremely necessity, and strictlyfollow the Ministry of Health’s 5K message - khau trang (facemask), khu khuan(disinfection), khoang cach (distance), khong tu tap (no gathering), and khaibao y te (health declaration)./.
The number of new COVID-19 cases in Ho Chi Minh City is forecast to keep growing on the coming days, but with the serious implementation of the Prime Minister’s Directive 16/CT-TTg and adjustments to the contact tracing, sample collection, and testing strategies, the city will manage to contain the outbreak.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has required southern localities to immediately set up support centres and hotlines to provide help to people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic which has been spreading fast recently.
Vietnam recorded 2,106 new COVID-19 infections, including one imported case, from 6:30pm on July 16 to 6am on July 17, raising the national count to 46,292, according to the Ministry of Health.
With the second COVID-19 support package from Government being disbursed for a wide range of recipient groups including informal workers, vendors like Nguyen Thi Chien is counting the days for the money to arrive.
PM Pham Minh Chinh highlighted how Vietnam's revolutionary press has continuously evolved and strengthened over the past century, affirming its role as a sharp and vital political, cultural, and ideological weapon serving the Fatherland and the people in the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party.
Vietnamese Consul General in Fukuoka Vu Chi Mai highlighted the growing demand for Vietnamese workers in Kyushu, especially in Fukuoka, Oita, and Saga prefectures. Currently, the region employs about 35,000 Vietnamese manual workers and over 5,000 IT engineers.
In Vietnam’s case, she said, President Ho Chi Minh demonstrated his strategic vision by founding the revolutionary press a century ago. The late leader understood the press's role not only as a means to reflect the country’s realities but also as a powerful tool to strengthen national unity and inspire the resistance wars and national construction process.
In recent interviews granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters in Mexico, prominent figures reflected on the press’s legacy and its global influence.
VietnamPlus e-newspaper of the VNA clinched an A prize in the “Outstanding Press Product” category for its immersive 3D multimedia project, “Epic of Reunification,” a groundbreaking blend of storytelling and technology. The VNA won another A prize for its eye-catching exhibition booth.
Today, the press for foreign service has evolved into a distinct, irreplaceable force, bridging Vietnam with the world and portraying a nation that is stable, peace-loving, and fully integrated into the international community.
At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
In the context where AI dominates and produces vast volumes of content, the only sustainable path forward for journalism is to focus on high-quality content and core values. Journalism must redefine its mission - not to report the fastest, but to provide the most profound and trustworthy value.
Granma and the VNA have great potential for cooperation, especially in sharing content regularly, so that VNA products are published on Granma platforms and vice versa, thereby helping Cuban and Vietnamese people access true information and gain a deep understanding of each other's country and people.
During his stay in China’s Guangzhou city from 1924 to 1927 to prepare for the establishment of a Communist Party to lead Vietnam’s revolution, President Ho Chi Minh founded “Thanh nien” newspaper and released its first issue on June 21, 1925.
Vietnam and Cambodia are hoped to strengthen their robust collaboration across various sectors, particularly in resolving remaining border issues to transform the border area into a zone of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
The total investment exceeded 319 billion VND (12.2 million USD), including over 261 billion VND from the state budget and 57.5 billion VND mobilised from businesses, organisations, and individuals.
The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang is intensifying efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as part of the country’s goal of having the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning lifted.
Throughout its 80-year history, the VNA has remained at the forefront of information dissemination. It has consistently delivered timely, accurate, and objective reports on both domestic and international events, serving the Party’s leadership, the State’s management, and the public’s demand for official news.
With strong support from local authorities, businesses, organisations, and residents, the province has successfully built or repaired 10,707 homes for disadvantaged households, including war veterans, families of martyrs, ethnic minority people, and low-income residents.
Throughout its resistance against colonialists and imperialists, Vietnam developed a revolutionary press that has served as a benchmark for just and legitimate causes worldwide.
Medics collect samples for COVID-19 testing. (Photo: VNA) 
