PM calls for continued vigilance against COVID-19 pandemic

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has emphasised the need to continue implementing COVID-19 prevention and control measures at the highest level.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses Government meeting (Photo: VNA)
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses Government meeting (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has emphasised the need tocontinue implementing COVID-19 prevention and control measures at the highestlevel.

While chairing the Government’s regular meetingon June 3, PM Chinh asked for more efforts to effectively carry out the country’svaccine strategy and apply information technology in pandemic prevention andcontrol in the context of the fourth outbreak developing in a more complexmanner.

Regarding the economic situation, the PM said itis necessary to create harmonious and reasonable monetary and fiscal policy tocontrol inflation and ensure growth, tighten financial and budgetarydiscipline, in particular saving budget funds for use in key and extremelydifficult regions, issue policies for employees, employers, and businessesaffected by the pandemic, and continue controlling entry and exit and strictlypunishing illegal immigrants.

The Government leader lauded the efforts of localitieshit hard by the pandemic, such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Bac Giang, and BacNinh, and people working on the frontlines of the fight, like members of thearmy and public security forces and medical workers.

At the meeting, Government members heard reportsand discussed COVID-19 prevention and control efforts, the socio-economic andState budget situation in May and the first five months of 2021, socio-economicand State budget forecasts for the first half and solutions for the secondhalf, as well as the outcomes of the implementation of the medium-term publicinvestment plan during 2016-2020 and the plan for the next five years.

It was reported at the meeting that Vietnam had recorded4,780 COVID-19 infections since April 27.

To date, 1.1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses havebeen administered, with 31,177 people fully receiving two shots.

Vietnam still recorded outstanding results despitethe impact of the pandemic, with foreign direct investment hitting 14 billionUSD, up 8.8 percent year-on-year, and export turnover exceeding 130 billionUSD./.
VNA

See more

Memorial service for Pope Francis at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on April 21, 2025.(Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Front leader extends condolences on the passing of Pope Francis

The VFF Central Committee's Presidium expressed confidence that inspired by Pope Francis' legacy of kindness, humility, and tireless efforts for peace, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam and the Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics would continue guiding the clergy and faithful to follow the Pope’s teachings of unity and service.

The Vietnamese peacekeeping force departs from Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) to carry out their mission at the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam treasures ties with Australia: Deputy Defence Minister

General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and Deputy Minister of National Defence suggested Vietnam and Australia continue to effectively implement their agreed cooperation agenda, with a focus on increasing delegation exchanges and dialogue mechanisms, expanding training, especially in English language and military specialties for Vietnamese personnel and strengthening peacekeeping collaboration.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong witness the exchange of cooperative documents between Vietnamese and Singaporean enterprises in Hanoi on March 26. (Photo: VNA)

Singaporean delegation seeks to deepen ties with Hai Phong city

Singapore considers Hai Phong a crucial partner, especially in port development and investment, Ambassador Jaya Ratnam said, spotlighting the Vietnam – Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) as a standout example of successful investment collaboration.

Prof. Dr. Cheng Hanping, Director of the Vietnam Research Centre at Zhejiang University of Technology. (Photo: VNA)

Party’s leadership forges Vietnam’s April 30 victory: Chinese scholar

Vietnam currently holds a prominent position and influence in the international politics arena, demonstrating successful political and economic transformation over the past 50 years and reflect the enduring vitality of the Doi moi (renewal) policy. Accordingly, from one of the least developed countries, Vietnam has become a country with a strong economy and improved people’s living conditions.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Embassy in Laos celebrates national reunification anniversary

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam recalled that half a century ago, under the sound leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Spring General Offensive and Uprising 1975, with its peak being the historic Ho Chi Minh campaign, secured a resounding and glorious victory.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (middle) addresses the session. (Photo: VNA)

NA Standing Committee discusses continued VAT reduction

The Government proposed a two-percentage-point reduction in VAT - from 10% to 8% - on goods and services currently subject to the 10% rate. This excludes certain sectors such as telecommunications, finance, banking, securities, insurance, real estate, metals, mineral products (excluding coal), and goods and services subject to special consumption tax (excluding petrol). The proposed timeframe for the reduction is from July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026.

Lorries from Vietnam exit the country via the Song Lap International Border Gate (Vietnam) en route to Pa Hang (Laos). (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Laos push toward effective, sustainable trade relations

In the first quarter of 2025, Vietnam-Laos trade reached 980.1 million USD, a surge of 105.5% compared to the same period in 2024. Exports from Vietnam valued at 346.4 million USD, representing soaring 138.6%. Meanwhile, imports from Laos rose by 91.1% to 633.6 million USD.