Spraying disinfectant to prevent the spread of coronavirus (Photo:VNA)
Hanoi (VNA)- Despite limited resources, Vietnam has been taking proactive measures intackling COVID-19, said an article posted on The ASEAN Post on April 9.
Compared to other ASEAN member states such asMalaysia and Indonesia which have thousands of infections and numerous deaths,Vietnam’s number of cases is relatively low, according to the article.
The country with a population of over 95 millionis one of the three ASEAN countries which have yet to report any fatalitiesfrom the disease alongside Laos and Cambodia, the article said.
The article cited Vietnam’s Deputy HealthMinister Nguyen Thanh Long as assuring the public and media that there is noshortage of test kits to diagnose the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
Apart from 200,000 rapid COVID-19 test kitsbought from the Repulic of Korea, Vietnam has also successfully produced itsown test kits which could help diagnose the virus infection in just an hour,the article said.
Earlier, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canadasaid “Vietnam has successfully conducted tracing via the quick identificationof infectious contacts based on the Ministry of Health’s classifications of infected,suspected, and exposed cases of COVID-19 and the rapid mobilisation of healthprofessionals, public security personnel, the military, and civil servants toimplement the tracing.”
Other than that, Vietnam has also imposedstrict monitoring of suspected infections. The country’s health ministry hasworked with tech-firms to develop an online reporting system in which suspectedand confirmed cases of COVID-19, as well as people who were in close contactwith them, are entered into a database available in real time.
Furthermore, Vietnam’s Ministry of Informationand Communications has introduced a mobile app called NCOVI to allow the publicto declare their state of health on a daily basis.
TheWorld Economic Forum (WEF) had also applauded Vietnam for its swift response inhandling the new coronavirus./.,
Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung, on behalf of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, symbolically handed over 50,000 USD to the Ambassador of Myanmar to Vietnam Kyaw Soe Win to support the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Luigi Di Maio has sent a letter to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, expressing his profound gratitude to the Vietnamese Government and people for their support to Italy’s fight against COVID-19.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
Spraying disinfectant to prevent the spread of coronavirus (Photo:VNA) 
