The new cases brought the national tally since Covid-19 broke out in Vietnam to 511,170. As many as 347 fatalities were recorded on September 4, bringing the death toll to 12,793.

Vietnam Covid-19 Updates (September 1): National Caseload Increases By 12,607 cases

Vietnam Covid-19 Updates (August 31): Additional 14,224 Covid-19 Cases

Vietnam Covid-19 Updates (August 30): Additional 12,663 Covid-19 Cases Logged

Medics speak to a Covid-19 patient isolated herself at home in HCMC, August 29, 2021. (Photo: VnExpress)

Vietnam recorded 9,521 domestic Covid-19 cases

Vietnam recorded 9,521 domestic Covid-19 cases from 5 pm on September 3 to 5 pm on September 4, down 5,373 infections against the previous day, according to the Ministry of Health.

Ho Chi Minh City remained the largest hotspot with 4,104 cases, followed by Binh Duong province with 2,485, Dong Nai 992, Long An 544, Tien Giang 148, Tay Ninh 137, Kien Giang 125, Dong Thap 120, and Quang Binh 110. The capital city of Hanoi logged 52 cases.

On the day, 11,848 patients have recovered from Covid-19, raising the total number of recoveries to 282,516.

A woman in HCMC receives a Covid-19 vaccine shot, June 21, 2021. (Photo: VnExpress)

Germany to aid Vietnam with 2.5 million doses of Astra Zeneca vaccine

The German Government has decided to offer Vietnam 2.5 million doses of the Astra Zeneca Covid-19 vaccine, as informed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 4. Germany, earlier, announced its gifts of 75 ventilators, 15 medical monitors, and 20,000 oxygen meters for Vietnam, its strategic partner since October 2011.

Amid complicated developments of the pandemic, the Vietnamese Government prioritizes approaching multiple sources of vaccines for the fast and effective vaccination to place Covid-19 under control.

To date, Germany has been the biggest vaccine donor among EU member nations for Vietnam. This was the result of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s letter sent to and talks with his German counterpart Angela Merkel as well as the endeavor of the Government’s working group on vaccine diplomacy, ministries, and Vietnamese representative agencies in Germany.

Germany is also among the biggest donors of the COVAX Facility with its commitment of up to EUR 2.2 billion. By the end of 2021, the nation is expected to grant 30 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to developing countries.

A police officer scans the QR code on a driver's travel document on Ho Tung Mau Street. (Photo: VnExpress)

Vietnamese students begin new school year in person, online

Forty-five provinces and cities on September 5 held a special opening ceremony of the 2021-2022 new school year either physically or virtually. As of September 5, 45 localities nationwide have decided to hold the opening ceremony of the new school year either physically or online, while the remaining 18 localities have canceled or delayed the opening date, giving priority to pandemic prevention and ensuring students’ safety.

Teachers and students of other schools were required to watch the live broadcast and then begin the new school year online. Schools had mobilized their employees to clean floors, doorknobs, tables, and chairs, as well as teaching equipment with disinfectants and detergents before the ceremony, was held. Students were required to keep a safe distance at the opening ceremony that took place in less than an hour.

Meanwhile, a large number of southern localities, including Ho Chi Minh City – the largest coronavirus hotspot in Vietnam – have decided not to hold the opening ceremony of the new school year due to Covid-19 threats.

A Vietnam Airlines aircraft at Noi Bai Airport, Hanoi, 2021. (Photo: VnExpress)

Vietnam Airlines trials international vaccine passport on Europe flight

Eighteen passengers boarded a Vietnam Airlines flight Thursday from Hanoi to London with a digital air travel pass that incorporates their Covid test results and vaccine certificates. It was the first time the International Air Transport Association's Travel Pass initiative was used by travelers on a Europe-bound flight, the airline said in a statement. It had earlier been used on a Tokyo-bound flight on August 12.

Both trial runs showed positive results, potentially paving the way for a resumption of regular international flights. The trial will continue in September, including on a flight to Seoul on September 12 and to Tokyo on September 21.

Travel Pass, which allows people to store verified Covid-19 certificates on a smartphone app, has been adopted by more than 70 airlines globally. Passengers have to register on the IATA website at least three days before departure, download the Travel Pass application on their phone, create their digital health passport, and enter their flight information. During the trial phase, passengers have to furnish hard copies if demanded by authorities. EU members rolled out digital health passports in July as part of efforts to gradually ease travel restrictions within the bloc, including for non-EU passengers.

The new cases brought the national tally since Covid-19 broke out in Vietnam to 511,170. As many as 347 fatalities were recorded on September 4, bringing the death toll to 12,793. The country has to date administered over 21 million doses of vaccines, with more than 3 million people having been fully vaccinated.

Valerie Mai