A man receives COVID-19 vaccine in Quang Tri. (Photo: VNA)A total of 1,319 new COVID-19 cases, all community infections, were confirmed over the past 24 hours to 4pm May 22, according to the Ministry of Health.Hanoi remained the largest coronavirus hotspot with 347 cases, followed by Bac Ninh (138) and Vinh Phuc (90).The national tally now reached 10,708,887.Over 8,940 COVID-19 patients were given the all clear on the day, bringing the number of recoveries so far to 9,402,046.A total of 211 patients are currently given breathing support. No deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours, keeping the fatalities at 43,075..By May 21, the country had injected 219,084,118 doses of COVID-19 vaccines, including 3,406,264 first doses and 24,272 second doses for children from five to under 12 years old./.

The Vietnamese gamers compete with Singapore in the semifinals of League of Legends. Illustrative photo. (Source: VNA) The Vietnamese gamers compete with Singapore in the semifinals of League of Legends. Illustrative photo. (Source: VNA)Vietnam won over the Philippines in the esports’ League of Legends on May 22 to secure a gold medal at the 31st Southeast Asian Games ( SEA Games 31 ).With overwhelming attacks, Vietnam quickly controlled the first round of the game and claimed a victory with 26 points.Though the Philippine gamers caused some difficulties for their Vietnamese rivals in the second round, they could not keep it longer than the 27th minute when the host took a win with 21 points.Vietnam gave no chance to the Philippine opponents in the last round, settling a 3-0 victory to secure another gold in esports ./.

High-speed ship ticket to Ly Son Island sharply risesThe ticket of the express ship service to Ly Son Island in the central province of Quang Ngai has been raised sharply. Vo Phien, deputy director of the provincial Department of Transport, said four firms which provide transportation services to Ly Son Island are suffering from loss due to higher fuel prices. At the event, Vietnamese students performed dances and songs praising the country and people of Vietnam. Vietnam National University moved to Hanoi's outskirtThe Vietnam National University's Hoa Lac campus is ready with all facilities and equipment for educational and research activities. The Vietnam National University (VNU)’s headquarter has been relocated to its newly built campus in Hoa Lac on Hanoi's outskirt this week.

Christopher Rungkat and Aldila Sutjiadi from Indonesia (Photo: VNA)- Philippine tennis players Ruben Gonzales and Treat Huey pocketed the men’s doubles gold after getting the best of fellow Philippines Jeson Patrombon and Francis Casey Alcantara on May 21 during the ongoing 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31).The bronze in the event went to two pairs from Vietnam.In the women’s individual event, the final match was between Anchisa Chanta and Luksika Kumkhum, both from Thailand. Luksika Kumkhum beat Anchisa Chanta 2-1 to win gold. The bronze medal was shared by Vietnam’s Chanelle Van Nguyen and Alexander Eala from the Philippines.Earlier on May 20, in the mixed doubles event, the pair of Christopher Rungkat and Aldila Sutjiadi from Indonesia defeated Thai pair Pruchya Isarò and Patcharin Cheapchandej to win gold. SEA Games 31 , themed “For a Stronger South East Asia”, is underway in Vietnam from May 12 – 23 in 12 cities and provinces. The regional biennial event welcomes almost 10,000 coaches, officials, and athletes who are competing in 40 sports./.

ietnam’s weightlifter Pham Thi Hong Thanh (Photo: VNA)- Along with securing a gold medal, Vietnam’s weightlifter Pham Thi Hong Thanh set three new records in snatch, clean and jerk, and total lift in the women's 64kg event on May 21 during the ongoing 31st Southeast Asian Games ( SEA Games 31 ).Thanh lifted a total of 230kg - 104kg in snatch, and 126kg in clean and jerk, 6kg and 2kg higher than the old records, respectively.Thanh’s total lifting was far higher than the old SEA Games record of 214 kg.Meanwhile, both her rivals from Indonesia and the Philippines had to stop at 120kg.Thanh said that this was not her best performance as she suffered injury during practice. She said she will continue to work hard towards higher targets such as competitions at the Olympics.With Thanh’s contribution, Vietnamese weightlifting has had three gold medals, exceeding the team’s goal of two medals set earlier.The 31st SEA Games, themed “For a Stronger South East Asia”, features 40 sports with 523 events. The biennial event was initially slated for late 2021 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.It is scheduled to last until May 23./.

Culture - Sports Communication work succeeds in popularizing SEA Games 31 Communication work has brought information about SEA Games 31 to both domestic and international sport fans in real time and spread positive messages about the regional sporting event. Culture - Sports SEA Games 31: Thailand win men’s futsal title Thailand beat host Vietnam 2-0 in the final match of men’s futsal and took the gold medal in the sport at SEA Games 31 on May 20. Culture - Sports Vietnam top chess teams at SEA Games 31 The Vietnamese chess team topped the medal tally of the sport at the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) held in the northern province of Quang Ninh with seven gold medals.

Venezuela university opens faculty on Vietnamese nation, culture in Ho Chi Minh eraThe National Experimental University of the Armed Forces (UNEFA) of Venezuela on May 19 launched the “Vietnamese nation and culture in Ho Chi Minh era” faculty on the occasion of the 132rd birthday of Vietnamese national leader and UNESCO-recognised man of culture - late President Ho Chi Minh. At the event, Ukrainian friends shared their stories about and sentiments for President Ho Chi Minh, and performed poems and songs about President Ho Chi Minh and the nation and people of Vietnam. HCM City plans to hold several meetings this year to introduce potential cooperation areas between Cuba and the city, he said. The event was co-hosted by the Consulate General of Hungary in HCM City and the HCM City Conservatory of Music. Blood transfusion hospital opens second HCM City branchThe Blood Transfusion Haematology Hospital in HCM City has opened a new branch in Bình Chánh District’s Tân Kiên high-tech medical cluster.

Politics Spain committed to accompanying Vietnam in renewable energy growth: ambassador The Spanish government and enterprises will accompany Vietnam in accelerating energy transition and expanding bilateral cooperation in other areas, according to Ambassador of Spain to Vietnam Pilar Méndez Jiménez. Politics Singapore parliament speaker wraps up visit to Vietnam Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin and his spouse wrapped up the official visit to Vietnam on a high note on May 20. Politics Congratulations to RoK’s Prime Minister Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on May 20 sent a message of congratulations to Han Dok-su on his appointment as Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea./. Politics 15th National Assembly’s third session to open on May 23 The third session of the 15th National Assembly will open on May 23 in Hanoi and last for 19 days, according to Vice Chairman of the NA Office Vu Minh Tuan.

Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Huong grabbed a gold medal in the women’s 500m canoeing singles at SEA Games 31 on May 20.Meanwhile, in the women’s 500m doubles, Vietnam claimed a bronze. Thai rowers secured a gold, and Indonesian athletes earned a silver.Vietnam fetched a silver in the women’s 500m kayak doubles. The gold medal went to Indonesia.The canoeing/kayak competitions will continue in the northern port city of Hai Phong on May 21.SEA Games 31, themed “For a Stronger Southeast Asia”, features 40 sports with 523 events. The biennial event was initially slated for late 2021 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Games will run until May 23./.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations at the debate (Photo: VNA)– Vietnam considers food security as the foundation of peace, stability and development, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations stated at an open debate on conflict and food security held by the UN Security Council (UNSC) in New York on May 19.During the debate, the Vietnamese diplomat said Vietnam shares the international community's common concern about increasing challenges facing the global food system due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and natural disasters.This seriously affects the food security of countries, especially developing countries and countries with conflicts, he said.Besides humanitarian efforts, sustainable measures are needed to strengthen the capacity of developing and conflict-affected countries to secure food supplies and improve living standards for people, as well as promote the settlement of root causes of conflicts, peace building, and conflict prevention, Giang stressed.He spoke highly of efforts made by the UN, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and international donors in responding to hunger, and suggested the UN and its partners promptly share information on food insecurity caused or aggravated by conflicts, thus timely responses can be made.The diplomat also underlined the responsibility of parties involved in conflicts for respecting international humanitarian law and not to use starvation of civilians as a method of warfare which are stated in Resolutions 2417 and 2573 of the UNSC While highlighting Vietnam’s efforts in ensuring food security, Giang said Vietnam aspires to become a regional “food innovation hub” and continue to contribute to joint efforts in addressing global food security challenges.Participants expressed deep concern about the unprecedented increase in food insecurity today with more than 811 million people suffering from food shortage.The international community urgently needs to strengthen coordination to deal with food shortages and related challenges, they said./.

The eSports team of the Philippines face their Indonesian rivals in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang final match at SEA Games 31 on May 20. (Photo: VNA)The eSports team of the Philippines secured a gold medal after defeating their Indonesian rivals in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang final match at SEA Games 31 on May 20.Filipino eSports players had a fairly simple victory against their opponent in the first game of the match.However, with reasonable tactics and great efforts, the Indonesian team quickly turned the tide in the 2nd game with a score of 18-10.The third game was quite "balanced", but the Philippines still beat Indonesia.Filipino players started the 4th game much more confidently and comfortably than their opponents because of the advantage of points. They easily defeated Indonesia in this match.With a quick victory in the 4th game, the Philippine eSports team finally won 3-1 over Indonesia.Previously, on May 19 evening, Singaporean eSports players defeated Malaysia with a score of 2-1, getting a bronze medal./.

Vietnamese weightlifter Nguyen Ngoc Trung brought home the bronze medal in the men’s 61kg category of the ongoing SEA Games 31 on May 20. He pulled a snatch of 132kg and a clean jerk of 154kg, registering a total of 286kg. Eko Yuli Irawan of Indonesia gained a total 290kg to win gold and Aznit Bin Bidin Muhamad of Malaysia secured the silver medal with 287kg. Vietnam targets two gold medals in weightlifting of SEA Games 31. SEA Games 31, themed “For a Stronger South East Asia”, is being held in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring provinces and cities until May 23.

Dragon fruit is one of Vietnam's key export products to Australia and New Zealand (Photo: congthuong.vn)Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnamese businesses are seeking to export more fresh and processed dragon fruits to Australia and New Zealand as the demand for this fruit in both markets is increasing. Dragon fruit is one of Vietnam's key export products to the two high-end markets. Vietnam's dragon fruit export turnover to Australia surged by 36 percent in 2020 and 14 percent in 2021. Dragon fruit is one of three types of fruit licensed to be imported into New Zealand. Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand Nguyen Van Trung said dragon fruit is Vietnam's most successful export fruit to New Zealand with consecutive growths from 2014 to now.

She was very happy to meet the President of Vietnam, and that moment is still fresh in her mind today.After Ho Chi Minh passed away in 1969, she has come back to Vietnam four times. The Chinese girl named Wang Xiaohong, who is Wang Feng now, in the photo with President Ho Chi Minh taken on May 20, 1957. Hanoi art performance marks President Ho Chi Minh’s birthdayAn art performance was held in Hanoi on May 18 to celebrate the 132nd birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh. The two parliaments have sufficient conditions and need to cement their ties so as to actively and effectively contribute to the Vietnam - Singapore strategic partnership. Greek President wraps up official visit to VietnamGreek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou left Ho Chi Minh City on May 19, concluding her five-day official visit to Vietnam.

Athletes compete in the women's road cycling event in Hoa Binh province on May 19 (Photo: VNA)– Vietnam pocketed a gold and a silver in road cycling events at SEA Games 31 in Hoa Binh province on May 19.The men’s and women’s road cycling races attracted the participation of 43 athletes from eight countries, namely Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.Twenty-one cyclists took part in the men’s event with a distance of 44km.The gold medal went to Quang Van Cuong of Vietnam, the silver to Sirironnachai Sarawut of Thailand, and the bronze to Yeo Boon Kiak of Singapore.The women’s event saw the competition on a 29.6km distance by 19 cyclists from seven countries, excluding Cambodia.Maneephan Jutatip of Thailand crossed the finish line first to bring home a gold medal. Nguyen Thi That of Vietnam followed to earn a silver and Mohamad Zubir Nur Aisyah of Malaysia a bronze medal./.