Vietnamese and Chinese border guards take part in the joint patrol. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Chinese border guards hold joint patrol

Border guards stationed in Vietnam’s northern province of Ha Giang coordinated with their counterparts in China’s Yunnan province to hold a joint patrol along the two provinces' shared border on March 22.

The patrol aims to detect violations of border regulations, resolve incidents occurring on the shared border, and protect security and safety along the borderline, cited VNA.

At the same time, the two sides popularised laws for border residents.

The two sides together checked the safety status of the border marker system on the 2.5km-long borderline from Marker No.227 to Marker No.228.

The joint patrol found that the national border markers remain intact and the border safety is secured, while residents on both sides of the border do not violate the law.

After the patrol, both sides signed a minute on patrolling, border management and protection. They also proposed policies and solutions to better manage the shared border, and agreed on the time and content for the next joint patrol.

Vietnam and China share a border of almost 1,450 km, including 1,065.6 km on land and 383.9 km over water. It traverses seven Vietnamese provinces - Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lang Son, and Quang Ninh - and China’s Yunnan province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Vietnam racks up trade surplus of US$6.2 billion by mid-March

According to figures compiled by the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Vietnamese import-export turnover reached US$145.6 billion as of mid-March, enjoying a trade surplus of US$6.2 billion.

Throughout the reviewed period the country raked in approximately US$75.9 billion from exports, marking an increase of 20.57% against the same period from last year.

The nation spent a total of US$69.7 billion on importing goods, a rise of 15.78% on-year, according to VOV.

Photo: VOV

Most notably, in the first half of March, there were a total of four export product groups with turnover reaching over US$1 billion, including computers, electronic products and components, phones and components, machinery, equipment, and spare parts, as well as garments and textiles.

According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, during the three months, fruit and vegetable exports surged by 27% to US$1.25 billion compared to the same period from last year.

This represents the first time that Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports have exceeded the US$1 billion mark in the first quarter of the year.

Since the beginning of the year, apart from the agro-forestry group enjoying robust growth, the group of processing and manufacturing industrial products such as phones, computers, machinery, and equipment has also made several breakthroughs.

During the two months, up to 39 out of 45 export items witnessed strong growth compared to the same period from last year. In particular, Vietnamese exports to major markets recovered during the reviewed period.

Among these markets, the United States became the country's largest export market with exports soaring by 33.7% on-year, followed by Japan, the EU, and China with exports rising by 19.6%, 14.2%, and 7.7%, respectively.

Industry insiders pointed out that Vietnamese production and export activities have continued to rebound since the end of last year, thereby opening up bright prospects for the national economy in the year ahead.

WB's 51.5-million-USD payment helping Vietnam reduce emissions

Vietnam has received a 51.5-million-USD payment for verified emissions reductions (carbon credits) for reducing deforestation and forest degradation (commonly known as REDD+) and for enhancing carbon stored in forests through reforestation and afforestation.

This makes Vietnam the first country in the East Asia-Pacific to receive a results-based payment from the World Bank (WB)’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF).

The payment was made to Vietnam for reducing 10.3 million tonnes of carbon emissions between February 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019. It is the largest single payment to date made by the FCPF for verified and high integrity carbon credits, VNA reported.

Illustrative image (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn)

The payment will benefit 70,055 forest owners and 1,356 communities near the forests, to be distributed according to a robust benefit sharing plan designed through a consultative, participatory, and transparent process.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said Vietnam is already generating emission reductions in excess of the volume contracted with the FCPF, and can sell the credits to third party buyers through bilateral agreements or carbon markets.

The success of this REDD program brings Vietnam closer to delivering on its ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, while protecting areas of vital importance to biodiversity conservation, he added.

According to WB Country Director for Vietnam Carolyn Turk, this landmark payment marks another step for Vietnam towards joining the global carbon credit market and opens a new opportunity to finance the Southeast Asian country’s ambitious climate commitments and targets.

Vietnam’s emission reduction program protects most of the country’s tropical forests, covering 3.1 million out of the 5.1 million hectares of land in the program area. These forests are of significant ecological importance, encompassing five internationally recognised conservation corridors. The area is also home to 12% of Vietnam’s population, including 13 ethnic minority groups and many forest-dependent communities.

Through improved forest management, investment in the forest sector, and enhancement of agricultural policies, the program is increasing both the extent and quality of forest cover in collaboration with local communities.

The FCPF is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society, and Indigenous Peoples' organizations focused on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest carbon stock conservation, the sustainable management of forests, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries, activities commonly referred to as REDD. Launched in 2008, the FCPF has worked with 47 developing countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean, along with 17 donors that have made contributions and commitments totaling US$1.3 billion.

Vietnam among seven nations selected to research M72 vaccine against TB

The country is one of the seven countries selected by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to conduct research on the M72 tuberculosis (TB) vaccine, given the fact that they have a high tuberculosis rate, according to Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Binh Hoa, deputy director of the Central Lung Hospital and deputy head of the Executive Board of the National TB.Program.

This comes following the WHO giving recommendations to promote vaccination against this disease. There have so far been 16 types of TB vaccines that have been studied in clinical trials, of which the research result of the M72 vaccine shows that with at least one injection this type of vaccine has passed the WHO recommendation level with about 50% protection.

According to details in the WHO's 2023 report, TB remains the second leading cause of death in the world among infectious diseases, only behind the COVID-19. It is therefore worth mentioning that current global goals in TB control are behind schedule.

Vietnam is currently ranked 11th among 30 countries worldwide with the highest rate of TB and multidrug-resistant TB, cited VOV.

Photo: VOV

The country detected a total of 106,086 TB patients and recorded around 13,000 TB-related deaths in 2023. In addition, the successful treatment rate is maintained at a high level of more than 90%.

However, Prof. Hoa noted that more than 40% of TB patients in the community remain either undetected or untreated.

Record heat swelters across southern Vietnam

The southern region, including HCM City, have recorded the highest temperatures since the beginning of the year’s hot season, with a record temperature of nearly 41 degrees Celsius on Wednesday (March 20).

The highest temperatures recorded on March 20 were 40.8 degrees Celsius (°C) in Tây Ninh Province; 40.2°C in Binh Phuoc Province; 39.3°C in Thu Dau Mot city, Binh Duong Province; 37.8°C in Bien Hoa District, Dong Nai Province; and 37.4°C in HCM City.

From the beginning of the year, the most recent hottest weather recorded in the Southern region was on March 11, with temperatures of 38.5°C in Binh Phuoc Province, 37°C in HCM City, and 37-38°C in many places.

According to meteorological experts, temperatures in the southern region, including HCM City, will hit 38- 39 degrees Celsius and even higher from March 25 to 28.

There will be isolated rain from March 29 to April 2 and then the heatwave will return, VNS reported.

Photo: VNN

The region is expected to face a longer and more intense heat wave this year due to the impact of the El Nino phenomenon growing in strength.

According to medical experts, prolonged heat is conducive to the spread of bacteria and viruses, and could cause seniors to get sore throat, sinusitis and laryngitis.

Common diseases during hot spells include diarrhea, food poisoning and acute respiratory tract inflammation.

Children could also contract chicken pox, mumps, measles, and meningitis. Dehydration is also a threat, they warned.

Parents should regularly wash their children’s hands before eating to prevent infection and keep the environment clean, and be hygienic with cooking and storing food.

Kids should be given plenty of water and fruit juices and vaccinated adequately.

People are recommended to limit going out during the hours of 11am-2pm daily during the heatwave to protect their health.