Vietnam has banned a new Hollywood film starring Tom Holland over scenes with a map showing Beijing's claims to the South China Sea, state media reported Saturday.

The action-and-adventure caper 'Uncharted'&nbsp;shows a map featuring the so-called nine-dash line, which sets out Beijing's expansive claims to the disputed waters, where Hanoi has rival claims.&nbsp;

Sony's movie, starring Mark Walhberg, Antonio Banderas and Holland had been set for nationwide release on March 18.

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"During the movie review, the National Evaluation and Classification Council discovered that the image of the nine-dashed line appeared in the movie," the director of Vietnam's Department of Cinema&nbsp;Vi Kien Thanh told the state-controlled Zing news outlet.

"Therefore, this movie will be banned from screening." On the film's official Facebook page, Vietnamese users left comments decrying the map.

"Hoang Sa Truong Sa belongs to Vietnam!," read one, referencing the contested Parcel and Spratly Islands.

The long-running issue has been closely contested in the film world.

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In the 2018 romantic comedy 'Crazy Rich Asians', a scene featuring a designer bag with a map of the world showing the disputed South China Sea islands under Beijing's control was cut in Vietnam.

A year later, Hanoi pulled the animated DreamWorks film "Abominable" from screens over the same issue, with Netflix also told to ditch episodes of its "Pine Gap" series last year over similar scenes.

The South China Sea is home to valuable oil and gas deposits and shipping lanes, and several of China's neighbours have voiced concern that it was seeking to expand its reach.

Vietnam has banned a new Hollywood film starring Tom Holland over scenes with a map showing Beijing's claims to the South China Sea, state media reported Saturday.

Vietnam has banned a new Hollywood film starring Tom Holland over scenes with a map showing Beijing's claims to the South China Sea, state media reported Saturday. The action-and-adventure caper 'Uncharted' shows a map featuring the so-called nine-dash line, which sets out Beijing's expansive claims to the disputed waters, where Hanoi has rival claims. Sony's movie, starring Mark Walhberg, Antonio Banderas and Holland had been set for nationwide release on March 18. Shawn Levy tapped to helm Ryan Reynolds starrer 'Deadpool 3' "During the movie review, the National Evaluation and Classification Council discovered that the image of the nine-dashed line appeared in the movie," the director of Vietnam's Department of Cinema Vi Kien Thanh told the state-controlled Zing news outlet. "Therefore, this movie will be banned from screening." On the film's official Facebook page, Vietnamese users left comments decrying the map. "Hoang Sa Truong Sa belongs to Vietnam!," read one, referencing the contested Parcel and Spratly Islands. The long-running issue has been closely contested in the film world. Disney suspends political giving in Florida after 'Don't say gay' bill outrage In the 2018 romantic comedy 'Crazy Rich Asians', a scene featuring a designer bag with a map of the world showing the disputed South China Sea islands under Beijing's control was cut in Vietnam. A year later, Hanoi pulled the animated DreamWorks film "Abominable" from screens over the same issue, with Netflix also told to ditch episodes of its "Pine Gap" series last year over similar scenes. The South China Sea is home to valuable oil and gas deposits and shipping lanes, and several of China's neighbours have voiced concern that it was seeking to expand its reach.

Vietnam bans new Tom Holland film over South China Sea map

At least 13 people were killed and four others went missing after a tourist boat capsized due to bad weather off the coast of Hoi An, officials have revealed said. A local border guard said among the missing were two children.

"Chances of them being found alive are small," he said.

The vessel was returning to Hoi An from Cu Lao Cham island, which happens to be popular various water sports including diving, snorkelling.

It was carrying 39 local tourists and crew members.&nbsp;

Due to fading light, rescue efforts had to be suspended. Local Communist Party chief Nguyen Sinh, while speaking to AFP said,&nbsp;"We cannot do anything further as it is too dark. We will resume the search at first light tomorrow morning for the other four people."

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Vietnam's domestic tourism industry rebooted in early February. Earlier, it was shut because of strict coronavirus lockdowns and restrictions.

In early February, it opened most of its schools to welcome 17 million students across the country. The country's health ministry announced plans to start vaccinating children five years and older against Covid.&nbsp;

Most of the Covid curbs in the country were lifted in October.&nbsp;

Vietnam has by far gone through four coronavirus waves of increasing scale, complication and infectivity.

(With inputs from agencies)

At least 13 people were killed and four others went missing after a tourist boat capsized due to bad weather off the coast of Hoi An, officials have revealed said.

At least 13 people were killed and four others went missing after a tourist boat capsized due to bad weather off the coast of Hoi An, officials have revealed said. A local border guard said among the missing were two children. "Chances of them being found alive are small," he said. The vessel was returning to Hoi An from Cu Lao Cham island, which happens to be popular various water sports including diving, snorkelling. It was carrying 39 local tourists and crew members. Due to fading light, rescue efforts had to be suspended. Local Communist Party chief Nguyen Sinh, while speaking to AFP said, "We cannot do anything further as it is too dark. We will resume the search at first light tomorrow morning for the other four people." Also read | 'Multiplying by the hour..': UN warns of escalating refugee crisis amid Ukraine invasion Vietnam's domestic tourism industry rebooted in early February. Earlier, it was shut because of strict coronavirus lockdowns and restrictions. In early February, it opened most of its schools to welcome 17 million students across the country. The country's health ministry announced plans to start vaccinating children five years and older against Covid. Most of the Covid curbs in the country were lifted in October. Vietnam has by far gone through four coronavirus waves of increasing scale, complication and infectivity. (With inputs from agencies)

At least 13 dead, four missing after tourist boat capsizes off central Vietnam

Pham Minh Hung and his wife, Nguyen Thi Chi Em were devasted when Vietnamese authorities culled their 12 dogs without their consent&nbsp;over fear of Covid transmission.

When their story was documented on the social media app TikTok, a huge row erupted with many slamming the officials over poor treatment of animals.

Now, with the help of donors, the Vietnamese couple has rescued and adopted 15 puppies, some of whom were on their way to dog meat shops.

It all began last year when photos and videos of the couple travelling with a pack of dogs on motorbikes went viral on social media.

According to reports, they left their house in Long An Province and went to their relative's place to stay at the southern Ca Mau province, to escape from rising Covid infections.

Unfortunately, the couple and their three relatives caught Covid after reaching Khanh Hung.&nbsp;They were then transferred to a hospital for treatment,&nbsp;while their animals were left at a quarantine centre.

It was said that local officials killed the animals without their owners’ consent while they were receiving medical treatment.

The officials claimed that it is was a “necessary preventative measure” to stave off the Covid spread.

But the act was widely condemned by the Vietnamese public as being "barbaric" and "cruel".

Pham told BBC that he got 120 million dong ($5,300) from several donors.

He said that he used the money to pay for medical treatment and used some of the money to rescue 15 puppies.

The 49-year-old said that the new dogs brought solace, but they still could not get over the brutal death of canines.

"When my dogs were killed, I was despondent and cried a lot. At the same time, we had Covid. My family was under a lot of pressure.

Acknowledging that it would be difficult to take care of their “children”, Pham said that his first priority is to find bricklaying work to save up enough money to become a lottery ticket seller — a job that gives him more time to take care of his puppies.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pham Minh Hung and his wife, Nguyen Thi Chi Em were devasted when Vietnamese authorities culled their 12 dogs without their consent over fear of Covid transmission.

Pham Minh Hung and his wife, Nguyen Thi Chi Em were devasted when Vietnamese authorities culled their 12 dogs without their consent over fear of Covid transmission. When their story was documented on the social media app TikTok, a huge row erupted with many slamming the officials over poor treatment of animals. Now, with the help of donors, the Vietnamese couple has rescued and adopted 15 puppies, some of whom were on their way to dog meat shops. It all began last year when photos and videos of the couple travelling with a pack of dogs on motorbikes went viral on social media. According to reports, they left their house in Long An Province and went to their relative's place to stay at the southern Ca Mau province, to escape from rising Covid infections. Unfortunately, the couple and their three relatives caught Covid after reaching Khanh Hung. They were then transferred to a hospital for treatment, while their animals were left at a quarantine centre. It was said that local officials killed the animals without their owners’ consent while they were receiving medical treatment. The officials claimed that it is was a “necessary preventative measure” to stave off the Covid spread. But the act was widely condemned by the Vietnamese public as being "barbaric" and "cruel". Pham told BBC that he got 120 million dong ($5,300) from several donors. He said that he used the money to pay for medical treatment and used some of the money to rescue 15 puppies. The 49-year-old said that the new dogs brought solace, but they still could not get over the brutal death of canines. "When my dogs were killed, I was despondent and cried a lot. At the same time, we had Covid. My family was under a lot of pressure. Acknowledging that it would be difficult to take care of their “children”, Pham said that his first priority is to find bricklaying work to save up enough money to become a lottery ticket seller — a job that gives him more time to take care of his puppies. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Heartbroken’ Vietnamese couple whose 12 dogs were culled over Covid spread rescue puppies

With no limitations on the number of flights, Vietnam will remove its covid-19 restrictions on global passenger flights with all markets starting tomorrow. Southeast Asian country imposed tight border controls at the start of the pandemic to keep out covid-19 with some initial success but that dealt a blow to its burgeoning tourism sector which accounts for around 10 percent of GDP.

Vietnam: No covid-19 curbs on international flights

With 98% of the population fully vaccinated, Vietnam has ended curbs on international flights. Now, vaccinated passengers need to self-isolate for only three days.

Vietnam ends COVID curbs on international flights as 98% of the population is fully vaccinated

Vietnam&nbsp;will remove its&nbsp;COVID-19 restrictions on&nbsp;international&nbsp;passenger&nbsp;flights&nbsp;with all markets starting&nbsp;Feb.&nbsp;15, with no limitation on the number of&nbsp;flights, the state-run Tuoi Tre newspaper reported on Sunday.

The Southeast Asian country imposed tight border controls at the start of the pandemic to keep out&nbsp;COVID-19, with some initial success, but that dealt a blow to its burgeoning tourism sector which accounted for about 10% of gross domestic product.

"Vietnam&nbsp;will lift restrictions on&nbsp;international&nbsp;flights&nbsp;starting&nbsp;February&nbsp;15. The frequency of&nbsp;flights&nbsp;will be restored to pre-pandemic level," Tuoi Tre said, citing Dinh Viet Son, deputy director of the Civil Aviation Administration of&nbsp;Vietnam.

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Vietnam&nbsp;has already informed its partners about that new policy and only China has not yet agreed to resume commercial&nbsp;flights&nbsp;with&nbsp;Vietnam, Son was quoted as saying.

Vietnam&nbsp;had already begun gradually resuming&nbsp;international&nbsp;flights&nbsp;with&nbsp;15&nbsp;markets&nbsp;from&nbsp;the beginning of this year while easing quarantine requirements, with vaccinated passengers now needing only three days of self-isolation.

The Southeast Asian country has recorded nearly 2.5 million&nbsp;COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, and around 39,000 deaths. Nearly 98% of its 98 million people have received at least two vaccine doses, official data showed.

Vietnam will remove its COVID-19 restrictions on international passenger flights with all markets starting Feb. 15, with no limitation on the number of flights, the state-run Tuoi Tre newspaper reported on Sunday.

Vietnam will remove its COVID-19 restrictions on international passenger flights with all markets starting Feb. 15, with no limitation on the number of flights, the state-run Tuoi Tre newspaper reported on Sunday. The Southeast Asian country imposed tight border controls at the start of the pandemic to keep out COVID-19, with some initial success, but that dealt a blow to its burgeoning tourism sector which accounted for about 10% of gross domestic product. "Vietnam will lift restrictions on international flights starting February 15. The frequency of flights will be restored to pre-pandemic level," Tuoi Tre said, citing Dinh Viet Son, deputy director of the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam. Also read | Norway scraps all social distancing measures amid a surge in Omicron cases Vietnam has already informed its partners about that new policy and only China has not yet agreed to resume commercial flights with Vietnam, Son was quoted as saying. Vietnam had already begun gradually resuming international flights with 15 markets from the beginning of this year while easing quarantine requirements, with vaccinated passengers now needing only three days of self-isolation. The Southeast Asian country has recorded nearly 2.5 million COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, and around 39,000 deaths. Nearly 98% of its 98 million people have received at least two vaccine doses, official data showed.

Vietnam to scrap all Covid curbs on international flights from Feb 15

Vietnam opened most of its schools on Monday (February 7) to welcome 17 million students across the country. Country's health ministry announced plans to start vaccinating children five-years and older against Covid. Most of the Covid curbs in the country were lifted in October but almost all students were taking online classes since last year.

Health ministry said that almost all schools in the country would reopen by mid-February.

On Monday, Vietnam reported 16,815 new COVID-19 cases, including 16,809 locally transmitted and six imported, according to its Ministry of Health.

The Vietnamese capital Hanoi reported the highest number of infections on Monday with 2,988 cases, followed by central Nghe An province with 1,247 cases and central Da Nang city with 935 cases.

The infections brought the country`s total tally to 2,35,8786 with 38,424 deaths. Nationwide, 2,122,380 COVID-19 patients have so far recovered.

Some 182.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, including 29 million third shots, have been administered, said the ministry.

Vietnam has by far gone through four coronavirus waves of increasing scale, complication and infectivity.As of Monday, the country has registered over 2.35 million locally transmitted COVID-19 cases since the start of the current wave in late April last year, according to the ministry.

Vietnam opened most of its schools on Monday (February 7) to welcome 17 million students across the country. Country's health ministry announced plans to start vaccinating children five-years and older against Covid.

Vietnam opened most of its schools on Monday (February 7) to welcome 17 million students across the country. Country's health ministry announced plans to start vaccinating children five-years and older against Covid. Most of the Covid curbs in the country were lifted in October but almost all students were taking online classes since last year. Health ministry said that almost all schools in the country would reopen by mid-February. On Monday, Vietnam reported 16,815 new COVID-19 cases, including 16,809 locally transmitted and six imported, according to its Ministry of Health. The Vietnamese capital Hanoi reported the highest number of infections on Monday with 2,988 cases, followed by central Nghe An province with 1,247 cases and central Da Nang city with 935 cases. The infections brought the country`s total tally to 2,35,8786 with 38,424 deaths. Nationwide, 2,122,380 COVID-19 patients have so far recovered. Some 182.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, including 29 million third shots, have been administered, said the ministry. Vietnam has by far gone through four coronavirus waves of increasing scale, complication and infectivity.As of Monday, the country has registered over 2.35 million locally transmitted COVID-19 cases since the start of the current wave in late April last year, according to the ministry.

Schools open in Vietnam, more to open by middle of month

It has been four days since the start of the Beijing Olympics 2022, what was expected to be grand affair has been low-key and controversial despite the zero-Covid policy.

China locks down city on Vietnam border as COVID cases surge

Defending champions Japan beat Vietnam 3-0 at the Women`s Asian Cup in Pune on Monday to book their place in the quarter-finals alongside Australia and South Korea.

Yui Narumiya scored twice, with her goals coming either side of an effort from former Asian Women`s Player of the Year Saki Kumagai.

Victory means Japan go into their final game in Group C against South Korea on Thursday guaranteed a top-two finish. 
Futoshi Ikeda`s side had to wait until the 38th minute to take the lead when Narumiya netted from close range, while Kumagai claimed a rare international goal from similar range five minutes into the second half.

Narumiya beat Vietnam goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh to her left in the 58th minute to put the seal on a comfortable win for the 2014 and 2018 winners.

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The result ensures South Korea also advance after their 2-0 win over Myanmar earlier in the day. 
The Koreans struggled to break down their defensively disciplined opponents but finally opened their account five minutes into the second half when Lee Geum-min netted following Cho So-hyun`s cushioned header.

Chelsea midfielder Ji So-yun was instrumental in the second goal six minutes from time when her header back across the target brushed against defender Tun Khin Mo Mo before crossing the line via the inside of the post. 
The Australians confirmed their place in the next round when a decisive second-half showing saw Tony Gustavsson`s side defeat Philippines 4-0 in Mumbai.

After a goalless first half, Sam Kerr opened the scoring with a 51st-minute header before Dominique Randle`s own goal two minutes later put the Matildas in control of the Group B encounter.

Emily van Egmond and Mary Fowler were also on target as the Australians defeated a Philippines side directed by former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic.

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The win, coupled with their 18-0 thrashing of Indonesia on the opening day, means the Australians are guaranteed a place in the last eight ahead.

Thailand kept alive their hopes of a quarter-final place with a comfortable 4-0 win over Indonesia. 
Kanyanat Chetthabutr scored a hat-trick before Dee Makris scored her side`s fourth as the Thais moved level on three points with the Philippines, with Australia on top of the group.

The top two finishers in each of the three groups will advance to the knockout rounds along with the two third-place finishers with the best records.

The competition is doubling up as Asia`s qualifier for next year`s Women`s World Cup, with the continent awarded five guaranteed spots at the finals in Australia and New Zealand. 
Australia qualify for the World Cup as co-hosts while two other Asian nations will feature in an intercontinental playoff round.

Defending champions Japan beat Vietnam 3-0 at the Women`s Asian Cup in Pune on Monday to book their place in the quarter-finals alongside Australia and South Korea.

Defending champions Japan beat Vietnam 3-0 at the Women`s Asian Cup in Pune on Monday to book their place in the quarter-finals alongside Australia and South Korea. Yui Narumiya scored twice, with her goals coming either side of an effort from former Asian Women`s Player of the Year Saki Kumagai. Victory means Japan go into their final game in Group C against South Korea on Thursday guaranteed a top-two finish. Futoshi Ikeda`s side had to wait until the 38th minute to take the lead when Narumiya netted from close range, while Kumagai claimed a rare international goal from similar range five minutes into the second half. Narumiya beat Vietnam goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh to her left in the 58th minute to put the seal on a comfortable win for the 2014 and 2018 winners. Read Also | Premier League reports COVID-19 cases falling for fourth consecutive week The result ensures South Korea also advance after their 2-0 win over Myanmar earlier in the day. The Koreans struggled to break down their defensively disciplined opponents but finally opened their account five minutes into the second half when Lee Geum-min netted following Cho So-hyun`s cushioned header. Chelsea midfielder Ji So-yun was instrumental in the second goal six minutes from time when her header back across the target brushed against defender Tun Khin Mo Mo before crossing the line via the inside of the post. The Australians confirmed their place in the next round when a decisive second-half showing saw Tony Gustavsson`s side defeat Philippines 4-0 in Mumbai. After a goalless first half, Sam Kerr opened the scoring with a 51st-minute header before Dominique Randle`s own goal two minutes later put the Matildas in control of the Group B encounter. Emily van Egmond and Mary Fowler were also on target as the Australians defeated a Philippines side directed by former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic. Read Also | Premier League: Liverpool fend off Crytal Palace fightback to close gap on Manchester City The win, coupled with their 18-0 thrashing of Indonesia on the opening day, means the Australians are guaranteed a place in the last eight ahead. Thailand kept alive their hopes of a quarter-final place with a comfortable 4-0 win over Indonesia. Kanyanat Chetthabutr scored a hat-trick before Dee Makris scored her side`s fourth as the Thais moved level on three points with the Philippines, with Australia on top of the group. The top two finishers in each of the three groups will advance to the knockout rounds along with the two third-place finishers with the best records. The competition is doubling up as Asia`s qualifier for next year`s Women`s World Cup, with the continent awarded five guaranteed spots at the finals in Australia and New Zealand. Australia qualify for the World Cup as co-hosts while two other Asian nations will feature in an intercontinental playoff round.

Women's Asian Cup: Japan advances to quarterfinals with win over Vietnam

Seeking escape from grinding poverty in northern Vietnam, the 43-year-old farmer labored for years on construction sites in Kuwait and Uzbekistan before being offered a ticket to what he was told would be “the promised land” — Europe, and a job with a good salary.

“I wanted to go to the West to change my life,” the farmer, a father of three who asked that his name not be used to avoid retribution from his employer, recalled in an interview.

His life certainly changed: It got much worse.

The job turned out to be in Serbia, one of Europe’s poorest nations, with a Chinese company whose gigantic tire factory under construction in the northern city of Zrenjanin has become a symbol of the chasm between the alluring promise of investment from China and the sometimes grim reality on the ground.

Touted as China’s biggest industrial investment in Europe, the $900 million Ling Long Tire factory is a magnet of criticism for a Serbian government that opponents accuse of no-questions-asked subservience to China. Workers and activists say problems like human trafficking, prisonlike working conditions and environmental abuse are endemic.

About 400 Vietnamese work in Zrenjanin, along with hundreds more Chinese, who get higher salaries and better living conditions, according to the workers and local labor activists. The former farmer from Vietnam described his work conditions in Serbia as “miserable and dangerous” and said he was housed in a decrepit shack crammed with other Vietnamese workers and bullied by Chinese supervisors.

The Ling Long Tire project first took shape in September 2018 during meetings in Beijing between Serbia’s populist president, Aleksandar Vucic, and Xi Jinping, China’s leader.

Xi, who has looked to Serbia as China’s most dependable European friend at a time when other nations are souring on his country, praised the Balkan nation as a “good, honest friend and good partner.”

Vucic predicted that the tire factory, which plans to produce more than 130 million tires a year in Zrenjanin, and other planned ventures would make Serbia “the port for Chinese investments throughout the region.”

Serbia said Chinese investment helped it achieve economic growth of over 7% last year, among the highest in Europe.

But the furor over working conditions has set back Serbia’s yearslong effort to join the European Union, whose view of China has become increasingly jaundiced. The European Parliament last month demanded an investigation into treatment of Vietnamese laborers in Zrenjanin and voiced alarm “over China’s increasing influence in Serbia and across the Western Balkans.”

It has also aggravated what has become Vucic’s biggest political headache: public anger over damage to the environment widely blamed on the government’s drive to juice the economy at all costs. Tens of thousands of people gathered late last year for weeks of street protests across Serbia against the development of a lithium mine project by the Anglo-Australian company Rio Tinto. The protests forced a rare retreat by the government, which on Jan. 20 canceled licenses for the project.

Chinese ventures in Serbia, which include a smoke-belching steel works near Belgrade, the capital, and a copper mine and smelter in the southern town of Bor, have helped stoke this anger. Despite gushing praise of Beijing in the pro-government Serbian media, they have made China synonymous in the minds of many Serbs with environmental degradation.

Unlike Rio Tinto, highly vulnerable because of its links to Australia, a country widely reviled in Serbia after the recent expulsion of tennis star Novak Djokovic, Chinese companies have enjoyed unwavering support from Vucic as indispensable for the creation of jobs and economic growth.

But Marina Tepic, a leader of the main opposition party, said in an interview that the tire factory would “provide a few jobs to Serbs but kill many more with its pollution.”

Strong support from the leaders of both Serbia and China, she added, has put the project largely off limits for government regulators and allowed construction workers there — deprived for a time of their passports, housed in squalor and fearful of retribution — to be kept in “modern slavery.”

The government denies protecting the Chinese project from scrutiny, with the construction minister, Tomislav Momirovic, declaring on a recent visit to Zrenjanin that the Chinese factory was Serbia’s most closely monitored building site. Officials say that Vietnamese workers have all been given their passports back and are now free to leave if they want.

A few of the workers have fled. But for most of them, leaving would mean breaking their contracts and leaving family members in Vietnam in hock to labor brokers and loan sharks who paid their way to Serbia, the workers say.

A statement from Ling Long Tire cited in Serbian media said the company was “committed to full respect for and a humane and dignified approach to all employees.” Yet it stressed that none of the construction workers are employees, and work for subcontractors. Ling Long said it had asked the contractors to provide better accommodations. The tire company did not immediately respond to requests for comment at its head office in China.

The Serbian government, which granted 240 acres of farmland free of charge to Ling Long Tire for its factory and pledged $85 million in state subsidies, says the factory will eventually generate 1,200 jobs. It declared the venture a “project of national importance,” a classification that critics see as a move to shield the venture from environmental and other inspectors.

“They behave as if the Chinese factory were a military site,” said Ivan Zivkov, a member of a network of activist groups in Zrenjanin that has been pressing authorities, mostly unsuccessfully, to release information about the factory and its likely impact on the environment.

Zoran Dedic, a retiree in Zrenjanin who attended a recent public meeting hosted by Zivkov, said he did not object to foreign investment. But he expressed alarm that so much information about the Chinese tire factory, particularly future levels of pollution, had not been made public and that Ling Long, while donating money to send local children to soccer camp, had not engaged in serious discussion with residents.

“We know nothing about what is going on over there,” he said.

Marija Andjelkovic, the head of Astra, an independent group in Belgrade that monitors and lobbies against human trafficking, said she visited the construction site late last year and found Vietnamese workers sleeping in hovels without heat or clean water. “It was like a prison camp,” she said.

Labor contracts signed by Vietnamese workers with China Energy Engineering Group, a Ling Long subcontractor overseeing construction, commit each worker not to engage in trade union activities, and to “refrain from anything that would detract from his reputation or the reputation” of the Chinese company.

Even more restrictive are the terms set by recruitment agencies in Vietnam. One agency, Song Hy Gia Lai International, demanded that all workers going to Europe sign a document pledging never to go on strike or protest.

The document appears to have been copied and pasted from agreements originally drafted for laborers recruited in Vietnam for work in the Middle East: It warns that workers going to Serbia risk having their hands cut off if they steal.

Danilo Curkic, program director for A11, a Belgrade research group, said contracts signed by Vietnamese workers were “far away from anything that is legal under Serbian law” and left them in indentured servitude. “It is impossible that Serbian state authorities did not know what was happening,” he said.

One Vietnamese worker who spoke to a Serbian TV station in November about what he described as inhumane living conditions was taken in for questioning by the Serbian police and released after signing a statement asserting that he had no complaints. Another who spoke to a Serbian media outlet was fired.

“This is all part of the process of intimidation,” Curkic said.

Vietnamese workers who agreed to be interviewed by The Times through an interpreter said they had lived for months in squalid barracklike shelters previously used by a local farm to raise pigs and chickens.

The former farmer from northern Vietnam said conditions had improved somewhat in recent weeks. Many workers now live in a two-story concrete block surrounded by a metal fence and watched over by Serbian security guards who bar entry to outsiders.

One resident, a 40-year-old Vietnamese construction worker who requested anonymity, said he shared a tiny room with seven others and that their kitchen was crawling with rats. Salaries of about $900 per month, higher than what he could earn in Vietnam, were often paid late and slashed for days not worked because of sickness or inclement weather, he said.

He previously worked for different Chinese companies for 15 years in Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia and Taiwan, but said he had never endured conditions as bad as at the Ling Long Tire construction site in Serbia.

“It’s like hell on Earth here,” he said.

Seeking escape from grinding poverty in northern Vietnam, the 43-year-old farmer labored for years on construction sites in Kuwait and Uzbekistan before being offered a ticket to what he was told would be “the promised land” — Europe, and a job with a good salary.

Seeking escape from grinding poverty in northern Vietnam, the 43-year-old farmer labored for years on construction sites in Kuwait and Uzbekistan before being offered a ticket to what he was told would be “the promised land” — Europe, and a job with a good salary. “I wanted to go to the West to change my life,” the farmer, a father of three who asked that his name not be used to avoid retribution from his employer, recalled in an interview. His life certainly changed: It got much worse. The job turned out to be in Serbia, one of Europe’s poorest nations, with a Chinese company whose gigantic tire factory under construction in the northern city of Zrenjanin has become a symbol of the chasm between the alluring promise of investment from China and the sometimes grim reality on the ground. Touted as China’s biggest industrial investment in Europe, the $900 million Ling Long Tire factory is a magnet of criticism for a Serbian government that opponents accuse of no-questions-asked subservience to China. Workers and activists say problems like human trafficking, prisonlike working conditions and environmental abuse are endemic. About 400 Vietnamese work in Zrenjanin, along with hundreds more Chinese, who get higher salaries and better living conditions, according to the workers and local labor activists. The former farmer from Vietnam described his work conditions in Serbia as “miserable and dangerous” and said he was housed in a decrepit shack crammed with other Vietnamese workers and bullied by Chinese supervisors. The Ling Long Tire project first took shape in September 2018 during meetings in Beijing between Serbia’s populist president, Aleksandar Vucic, and Xi Jinping, China’s leader. Xi, who has looked to Serbia as China’s most dependable European friend at a time when other nations are souring on his country, praised the Balkan nation as a “good, honest friend and good partner.” Vucic predicted that the tire factory, which plans to produce more than 130 million tires a year in Zrenjanin, and other planned ventures would make Serbia “the port for Chinese investments throughout the region.” Serbia said Chinese investment helped it achieve economic growth of over 7% last year, among the highest in Europe. But the furor over working conditions has set back Serbia’s yearslong effort to join the European Union, whose view of China has become increasingly jaundiced. The European Parliament last month demanded an investigation into treatment of Vietnamese laborers in Zrenjanin and voiced alarm “over China’s increasing influence in Serbia and across the Western Balkans.” It has also aggravated what has become Vucic’s biggest political headache: public anger over damage to the environment widely blamed on the government’s drive to juice the economy at all costs. Tens of thousands of people gathered late last year for weeks of street protests across Serbia against the development of a lithium mine project by the Anglo-Australian company Rio Tinto. The protests forced a rare retreat by the government, which on Jan. 20 canceled licenses for the project. Chinese ventures in Serbia, which include a smoke-belching steel works near Belgrade, the capital, and a copper mine and smelter in the southern town of Bor, have helped stoke this anger. Despite gushing praise of Beijing in the pro-government Serbian media, they have made China synonymous in the minds of many Serbs with environmental degradation. Unlike Rio Tinto, highly vulnerable because of its links to Australia, a country widely reviled in Serbia after the recent expulsion of tennis star Novak Djokovic, Chinese companies have enjoyed unwavering support from Vucic as indispensable for the creation of jobs and economic growth. But Marina Tepic, a leader of the main opposition party, said in an interview that the tire factory would “provide a few jobs to Serbs but kill many more with its pollution.” Strong support from the leaders of both Serbia and China, she added, has put the project largely off limits for government regulators and allowed construction workers there — deprived for a time of their passports, housed in squalor and fearful of retribution — to be kept in “modern slavery.” The government denies protecting the Chinese project from scrutiny, with the construction minister, Tomislav Momirovic, declaring on a recent visit to Zrenjanin that the Chinese factory was Serbia’s most closely monitored building site. Officials say that Vietnamese workers have all been given their passports back and are now free to leave if they want. A few of the workers have fled. But for most of them, leaving would mean breaking their contracts and leaving family members in Vietnam in hock to labor brokers and loan sharks who paid their way to Serbia, the workers say. A statement from Ling Long Tire cited in Serbian media said the company was “committed to full respect for and a humane and dignified approach to all employees.” Yet it stressed that none of the construction workers are employees, and work for subcontractors. Ling Long said it had asked the contractors to provide better accommodations. The tire company did not immediately respond to requests for comment at its head office in China. The Serbian government, which granted 240 acres of farmland free of charge to Ling Long Tire for its factory and pledged $85 million in state subsidies, says the factory will eventually generate 1,200 jobs. It declared the venture a “project of national importance,” a classification that critics see as a move to shield the venture from environmental and other inspectors. “They behave as if the Chinese factory were a military site,” said Ivan Zivkov, a member of a network of activist groups in Zrenjanin that has been pressing authorities, mostly unsuccessfully, to release information about the factory and its likely impact on the environment. Zoran Dedic, a retiree in Zrenjanin who attended a recent public meeting hosted by Zivkov, said he did not object to foreign investment. But he expressed alarm that so much information about the Chinese tire factory, particularly future levels of pollution, had not been made public and that Ling Long, while donating money to send local children to soccer camp, had not engaged in serious discussion with residents. “We know nothing about what is going on over there,” he said. Marija Andjelkovic, the head of Astra, an independent group in Belgrade that monitors and lobbies against human trafficking, said she visited the construction site late last year and found Vietnamese workers sleeping in hovels without heat or clean water. “It was like a prison camp,” she said. Labor contracts signed by Vietnamese workers with China Energy Engineering Group, a Ling Long subcontractor overseeing construction, commit each worker not to engage in trade union activities, and to “refrain from anything that would detract from his reputation or the reputation” of the Chinese company. Even more restrictive are the terms set by recruitment agencies in Vietnam. One agency, Song Hy Gia Lai International, demanded that all workers going to Europe sign a document pledging never to go on strike or protest. The document appears to have been copied and pasted from agreements originally drafted for laborers recruited in Vietnam for work in the Middle East: It warns that workers going to Serbia risk having their hands cut off if they steal. Danilo Curkic, program director for A11, a Belgrade research group, said contracts signed by Vietnamese workers were “far away from anything that is legal under Serbian law” and left them in indentured servitude. “It is impossible that Serbian state authorities did not know what was happening,” he said. One Vietnamese worker who spoke to a Serbian TV station in November about what he described as inhumane living conditions was taken in for questioning by the Serbian police and released after signing a statement asserting that he had no complaints. Another who spoke to a Serbian media outlet was fired. “This is all part of the process of intimidation,” Curkic said. Vietnamese workers who agreed to be interviewed by The Times through an interpreter said they had lived for months in squalid barracklike shelters previously used by a local farm to raise pigs and chickens. The former farmer from northern Vietnam said conditions had improved somewhat in recent weeks. Many workers now live in a two-story concrete block surrounded by a metal fence and watched over by Serbian security guards who bar entry to outsiders. One resident, a 40-year-old Vietnamese construction worker who requested anonymity, said he shared a tiny room with seven others and that their kitchen was crawling with rats. Salaries of about $900 per month, higher than what he could earn in Vietnam, were often paid late and slashed for days not worked because of sickness or inclement weather, he said. He previously worked for different Chinese companies for 15 years in Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia and Taiwan, but said he had never endured conditions as bad as at the Ling Long Tire construction site in Serbia. “It’s like hell on Earth here,” he said.

'Miserable and dangerous': A failed Chinese promise in Serbia

Chinese authorities have locked down several supermarkets after coronavirus traces were found in fruits imported from Vietnam.

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Gravitas: Vietnam and The Philippines likely to acquire India's BrahMos missile

In a first for a country that considers cat and dog meat delicacies, officials in a popular Vietnamese tourist city announced they will start phasing out the sale of these animal's meat.

Hoi An, a world heritage site and a historic trading port, has signed an agreement with animal rights group Four Paws International pledging to phase out sales and consumption of cat and dog meat.

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"We want to help promote animal welfare through rabies eradication, phasing out the dog and cat meat trade, and making the city a premier destination for tourism," vice city mayor Nguyen The Hung said.

Every year, Vietnam consumes an estimated five million canines - the second-highest consumption in the world after China - with some believing the meat can help dispel bad luck.

It was a watershed moment, said Julie Sanders from Four Paws International, that could set an example for other places in Vietnam.

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The animal rights group commissioned a national poll this year that found that only 6.3 per cent of 600 Vietnamese surveyed consume the four-legged creatures, with 88 per cent in favour of banning their consumption.

In parts of the country, dog meat is considered a delicacy to be eaten with rice wine or beer. Although less popular, cats are also served on some menus and are referred to as "little tigers."

Although the practice has waned as incomes rise and more affluent people keep dogs as pets, dog meat remains readily accessible in Hanoi with some dismissing animal welfare concerns.

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<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-saudi-festival-disqualifies-40-botoxed-camels-435621/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"I don't think anyone should ban the eating of dog meat. It's our culture," says one Hanoi resident Phan Van Cuong.

Officials in Hanoi encouraged people to stop eating dog meat in 2018 because it was damaging the capital's reputation and was associated with the potential to expose people to deadly rabies infections.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a first for a country that considers cat and dog meat delicacies, officials in a popular Vietnamese tourist city announced they will start phasing out the sale of these animal's meat.

In a first for a country that considers cat and dog meat delicacies, officials in a popular Vietnamese tourist city announced they will start phasing out the sale of these animal's meat. Hoi An, a world heritage site and a historic trading port, has signed an agreement with animal rights group Four Paws International pledging to phase out sales and consumption of cat and dog meat. Also read | Study shows that away from human touch, tropical forests can regenerate in 20 years "We want to help promote animal welfare through rabies eradication, phasing out the dog and cat meat trade, and making the city a premier destination for tourism," vice city mayor Nguyen The Hung said. Every year, Vietnam consumes an estimated five million canines - the second-highest consumption in the world after China - with some believing the meat can help dispel bad luck. It was a watershed moment, said Julie Sanders from Four Paws International, that could set an example for other places in Vietnam. Also read | This miracle drug claims to help you get rid of your glasses The animal rights group commissioned a national poll this year that found that only 6.3 per cent of 600 Vietnamese surveyed consume the four-legged creatures, with 88 per cent in favour of banning their consumption. In parts of the country, dog meat is considered a delicacy to be eaten with rice wine or beer. Although less popular, cats are also served on some menus and are referred to as "little tigers." Although the practice has waned as incomes rise and more affluent people keep dogs as pets, dog meat remains readily accessible in Hanoi with some dismissing animal welfare concerns. Watch | Gravitas: Saudi festival disqualifies 40 botoxed camels "I don't think anyone should ban the eating of dog meat. It's our culture," says one Hanoi resident Phan Van Cuong. Officials in Hanoi encouraged people to stop eating dog meat in 2018 because it was damaging the capital's reputation and was associated with the potential to expose people to deadly rabies infections. (With inputs from agencies)

Vietnamese tourist city Hoi An to phase out a 'delicacy' — dog and cat meat

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Thousands of people have been evacuated as heavy rains trigger floods in Vietnam, people have been advised to move to higher grounds as the rains are expected to continue in the coming few days.

Heavy rains trigger floods in Vietnam, thousands evacuated

Heavy rains have triggered rainfall and landslides in Vietnam, at least three people were killed in the northern and central provinces, three others are reported missing.

Rains lead to severe flooding in Vietnam, at least three people killed

Ho Chi Minh City on Friday lifted a stay-at-home order that had kept its nine million residents indoors for three months and devastated business in Vietnam's economic hub.

To curb a fast-spreading wave of COVID-19 -- which struck the southern metropolis particularly hard -- residents have been unable to leave home, even for food, and almost all travel in and out of the area was suspended.

Almost half of Vietnam's total 790,000 virus cases were reported in the city, along with three-quarters of the country's deaths.

But after a gradual fall in cases, soldiers began dismantling road barriers on Friday and removing hundreds of checkpoints that had separated city districts.

"I am happy," said Tran Van Vu, who owns a store selling fruit, vegetables and meat and had planned to expand his business before the pandemic.

"During the lockdown our company was affected a lot... we didn't have enough delivery men as they had to be tested every two days and it was costly for the company."

Roads were busy for the first time in months after most businesses were given the go-ahead to reopen and vaccinated people permitted to move freely within the city.

Although authorities have kept a ban on travel to other provinces, thousands of families travelling by motorbike gathered at a checkpoint on the way out of the city, hoping to return to their hometowns.

Vietnam was once hailed as a model for virus containment, but the country struggled to stop the spread of a fourth wave of infection that began in April in northern industrial parks and quickly travelled south.

More than a third of Vietnam's 100 million people were under stay-at-home orders this summer, bringing the country's important manufacturing industry to its knees and breaking supply chains.

Its economy suffered its heaviest contraction on record in the third quarter, officials said Wednesday.

Factories in industrial parks and goods transportation services are among businesses allowed to open, authorities have said.

Less than 10 percent of Vietnamese are fully vaccinated but Ho Chi Minh City had been allocated the biggest number of jabs with almost all the city's adults inoculated.

 
&nbsp;

Ho Chi Minh City on Friday lifted a stay-at-home order that had kept its nine million residents indoors for three months and devastated business in Vietnam's economic hub.

Ho Chi Minh City on Friday lifted a stay-at-home order that had kept its nine million residents indoors for three months and devastated business in Vietnam's economic hub. To curb a fast-spreading wave of COVID-19 -- which struck the southern metropolis particularly hard -- residents have been unable to leave home, even for food, and almost all travel in and out of the area was suspended. Almost half of Vietnam's total 790,000 virus cases were reported in the city, along with three-quarters of the country's deaths. But after a gradual fall in cases, soldiers began dismantling road barriers on Friday and removing hundreds of checkpoints that had separated city districts. "I am happy," said Tran Van Vu, who owns a store selling fruit, vegetables and meat and had planned to expand his business before the pandemic. "During the lockdown our company was affected a lot... we didn't have enough delivery men as they had to be tested every two days and it was costly for the company." Roads were busy for the first time in months after most businesses were given the go-ahead to reopen and vaccinated people permitted to move freely within the city. Although authorities have kept a ban on travel to other provinces, thousands of families travelling by motorbike gathered at a checkpoint on the way out of the city, hoping to return to their hometowns. Vietnam was once hailed as a model for virus containment, but the country struggled to stop the spread of a fourth wave of infection that began in April in northern industrial parks and quickly travelled south. More than a third of Vietnam's 100 million people were under stay-at-home orders this summer, bringing the country's important manufacturing industry to its knees and breaking supply chains. Its economy suffered its heaviest contraction on record in the third quarter, officials said Wednesday. Factories in industrial parks and goods transportation services are among businesses allowed to open, authorities have said. Less than 10 percent of Vietnamese are fully vaccinated but Ho Chi Minh City had been allocated the biggest number of jabs with almost all the city's adults inoculated.

Vietnam's commercial hub back in business after 3-month lockdown

According to reports, lockdown in Vietnam has prevented Apple's new iPhone 13 phone from reaching customers since the camera modules are made in the country.

Vietnam has been hit by the fierce Delta wave resulting in lockdowns. The country's southern region namely Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong province are the main areas where the components are made, however, it has been hit by the virus resulting in many companies shutting operations in the area.&nbsp;

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had said last week that the curbs will be lifted soon since the economy has been hit hard. The country has reported 746,600 coronavirus cases and 18,400 fatalities so far.

Ho Chi Minh city also hosts a port to export coffee which has been hit due to the lockdown. Vietnam is the second-largest producer of coffee and a major export hub. It produces coffee beans which is widely used in instant coffee.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnams-ho-chi-minh-city-to-enact-social-distancing-388478">Also Read:&nbsp;Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City to enact social distancing</a>

The supply chain in clothes has also been disrupted. International&nbsp;brands Nike and Adidas are reportedly looking to temporarily move production as factory activity has shrunk in Vietnam.

Vietnam's state media reported that it had decided to delay reopening Phu Quoc which is a resort island with vaccination levels at a low. Tourism revenue has also been hit badly in Vietnam with lockdowns underway.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnam-extends-quarantine-for-arrivals-after-new-virus-outbreak-383059">Also Read:&nbsp;Vietnam extends quarantine for arrivals after new virus outbreak</a>

Car companies have also not been spared with Vietnam being a major player in auto parts. Toyota said it relies on Vietnam's factories for wires, frames and chairs which has been in short supply.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

According to reports, lockdown in Vietnam has prevented Apple's new iPhone 13 phone from reaching customers since the camera modules are made in the country. Vietnam has been hit by the fierce Delta wave resulting in lockdowns.

According to reports, lockdown in Vietnam has prevented Apple's new iPhone 13 phone from reaching customers since the camera modules are made in the country. Vietnam has been hit by the fierce Delta wave resulting in lockdowns. The country's southern region namely Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong province are the main areas where the components are made, however, it has been hit by the virus resulting in many companies shutting operations in the area. Also Read: Vietnamese fleeing virus found in refrigerated truck Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had said last week that the curbs will be lifted soon since the economy has been hit hard. The country has reported 746,600 coronavirus cases and 18,400 fatalities so far. Ho Chi Minh city also hosts a port to export coffee which has been hit due to the lockdown. Vietnam is the second-largest producer of coffee and a major export hub. It produces coffee beans which is widely used in instant coffee. Also Read: Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City to enact social distancing The supply chain in clothes has also been disrupted. International brands Nike and Adidas are reportedly looking to temporarily move production as factory activity has shrunk in Vietnam. Vietnam's state media reported that it had decided to delay reopening Phu Quoc which is a resort island with vaccination levels at a low. Tourism revenue has also been hit badly in Vietnam with lockdowns underway. Also Read: Vietnam extends quarantine for arrivals after new virus outbreak Car companies have also not been spared with Vietnam being a major player in auto parts. Toyota said it relies on Vietnam's factories for wires, frames and chairs which has been in short supply. (With inputs from Agencies)

Vietnam lockdown hits iPhone delivery; shoe & car companies also suffer

Pushed on the brink due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the tourism industry, the governments of Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, are mulling to open their borders and public spaces for foreign tourists.

According to Reuters, Vietnam plans to reopen the resort island of Phu Quoc to foreign tourists starting next month. The tourism minister, Nguyen Van Hung, said the pandemic had “seriously hurt” the tourism industry.

The decision comes as only 6.3 per cent of Vietnam’s 98 million people have received at least two shots.

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Foreign arrivals to Vietnam slumped from 18 million in 2019, when tourism revenue was $31 billion, or nearly 12% of its gross domestic product, to 3.8 million last year.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh conceded that Vietnam was facing a lengthy battle against the coronavirus, which has infected over 5,70,000 people and killed 14,400, so could not just rely on lockdowns and quarantine.

Neighbouring Thailand has also announced its intentions to reopen Bangkok and other major destinations to foreign tourists by October, while hoping to revive its tourism industry, which accounted for more than 11% of the country's GDP in 2019,&nbsp;according to Reuters.&nbsp;

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So far, only 22% of the estimated 72 million people living in Thailand have been fully vaccinated, according to local media reports.

Indonesia, which has inoculated more than 16% of its population, has also eased its restrictions, allowing public spaces to reopen, and permitting factories to return to its full capacity.

Foreign tourists might be allowed into certain parts of the country, including the resort island Bali, by October, according to&nbsp;Reuters.

Watch

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/thailand-protesters-clash-with-riot-police-over-govts-pandemic-response-404768/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

There are many Southeast Asian nations who have been planning to open their borders as Covid-induced lockdown continue to cripple their economies.

However, there have been concerns among the health activities as the island nations have been struggling to inoculate their population owing to short supply of Covid vaccines, and their over-reliance on Chinese-made vaccines—which showed lower efficacy than those made by Western and Indian companies.

Brazilian trials have shown that Sinovac has about 50% efficacy&nbsp;against symptomatic Covid-19, and 100% effectiveness against severe disease, according to trial data submitted to WHO.

Sinopharm, another vaccine from China, has an efficacy of about 79% for symptomatic and hospitalized disease,&nbsp;according to WHO.

According to&nbsp;Duke University,&nbsp;Thailand has bought more than 40 million doses of the Sinovac drug, while the Philippines and Malaysia have around 20 million each. Cambodia has bought another 16 million.

Meanwhile, Indonesia has bought 15 million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine, while Malaysia has got another 5 million.

Yanzhong Huang, a senior fellow for global health at the US-based Council on Foreign Relations think tank, told CNN that if vaccination rates aren’t high enough with high-efficacy vaccines before restrictions are lifted, health care systems in Southeast Asia could quickly become overwhelmed.

“You're going to see this spike of severe cases then it's going to overwhelm the ICU ... beds, ventilators, there's going to be a shortage capacity challenge,” he was said quoted as saying.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pushed on the brink due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the tourism industry, the governments of Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, are mulling to open their borders and public spaces for foreign tourists.

Pushed on the brink due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the tourism industry, the governments of Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, are mulling to open their borders and public spaces for foreign tourists. According to Reuters, Vietnam plans to reopen the resort island of Phu Quoc to foreign tourists starting next month. The tourism minister, Nguyen Van Hung, said the pandemic had “seriously hurt” the tourism industry. The decision comes as only 6.3 per cent of Vietnam’s 98 million people have received at least two shots. Also read | Thailand downgrades 2021 outlook as COVID-19 hampers recovery Foreign arrivals to Vietnam slumped from 18 million in 2019, when tourism revenue was $31 billion, or nearly 12% of its gross domestic product, to 3.8 million last year. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh conceded that Vietnam was facing a lengthy battle against the coronavirus, which has infected over 5,70,000 people and killed 14,400, so could not just rely on lockdowns and quarantine. Neighbouring Thailand has also announced its intentions to reopen Bangkok and other major destinations to foreign tourists by October, while hoping to revive its tourism industry, which accounted for more than 11% of the country's GDP in 2019, according to Reuters. Also read | 'Spreads through air': Vietnam reports new variant of coronavirus So far, only 22% of the estimated 72 million people living in Thailand have been fully vaccinated, according to local media reports. Indonesia, which has inoculated more than 16% of its population, has also eased its restrictions, allowing public spaces to reopen, and permitting factories to return to its full capacity. Foreign tourists might be allowed into certain parts of the country, including the resort island Bali, by October, according to Reuters. Watch There are many Southeast Asian nations who have been planning to open their borders as Covid-induced lockdown continue to cripple their economies. However, there have been concerns among the health activities as the island nations have been struggling to inoculate their population owing to short supply of Covid vaccines, and their over-reliance on Chinese-made vaccines—which showed lower efficacy than those made by Western and Indian companies. Brazilian trials have shown that Sinovac has about 50% efficacy against symptomatic Covid-19, and 100% effectiveness against severe disease, according to trial data submitted to WHO. Sinopharm, another vaccine from China, has an efficacy of about 79% for symptomatic and hospitalized disease, according to WHO. According to Duke University, Thailand has bought more than 40 million doses of the Sinovac drug, while the Philippines and Malaysia have around 20 million each. Cambodia has bought another 16 million. Meanwhile, Indonesia has bought 15 million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine, while Malaysia has got another 5 million. Yanzhong Huang, a senior fellow for global health at the US-based Council on Foreign Relations think tank, told CNN that if vaccination rates aren’t high enough with high-efficacy vaccines before restrictions are lifted, health care systems in Southeast Asia could quickly become overwhelmed. “You're going to see this spike of severe cases then it's going to overwhelm the ICU ... beds, ventilators, there's going to be a shortage capacity challenge,” he was said quoted as saying. (With inputs from agencies)

Economies on the brink due to Covid, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam mulling to reopen borders

Japan and Vietnam have signed a defence transfer deal amid worries about China's growing military influence in the region. Japan's Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi and his Vietnamese counterpart Phan Van Giang also planned to deepen defence ties through high‑level engagement and multilateral cooperation.

Japan, Vietnam sign defence transfer deal amid tensions with China

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has met with Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to discuss about dispute of south China Sea.

China asks Vietnam to avoid magnifying sea dispute

In the backdrop of China’s growing assertiveness in the South China seas, Japan and Vietnam signed a new defence deal for the transfer of Japanese-made defence equipment and technology to Hanoi.

The accord was inked in Hanoi on Saturday during Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi’s first trip overseas after assuming the post last year.

Japan will speed up talks with Vietnam to sell Self-Defence Forces’ vessels, Kishi said in an online press conference, following a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Phan Van Giang.

Vietnam, one of the key members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is reportedly the 11th country to sign such an agreement with Japan, at a time when China growing military influence in the Southeast Asian region.

Vietnam has territorial disputes with China over the Spratly and Paracel island groups in the South China Sea.

Watch

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-asks-vietnam-to-avoid-magnifying-sea-dispute-412500/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Japan and China are also embroiled in a territorial dispute, with Tokyo regularly protesting against the Chinese coastguard’s presence in the East China Sea near the Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands, which Beijing also claims and calls Diaoyu.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/have-a-stronger-military-presence-in-asia-to-tackle-china-japan-urges-european-nations-392843">Have a stronger military presence in Asia to tackle China: Japan urges European nations</a>

Japanese officials say Chinese vessels routinely violate Japanese territorial waters around the islands, sometimes threatening fishing boats.

Vietnam has strong defence ties with Russia and relies on it for most of its equipment, including submarines and fighter jets, as it was part of the former Communist bloc during the Cold War.

Tokyo is also looking to expand military cooperation beyond its longtime ally, the United States, and has signed similar agreements with the United Kingdom, Australia, the Philippines and Indonesia.

“The accord will strengthen Japan’s defence industrial base and is expected to contribute to the country's security," Kishi was quoted by local news outlets in Hanoi.

He added they agreed to work together for a rules-based order and reaffirmed the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as to abide by international law, in a veiled counter against Beijing.

(With inputs from agencies)

In the backdrop of China’s growing assertiveness in the South China seas, Japan and Vietnam signed a new defence deal for the transfer of Japanese-made defence equipment and technology to Hanoi.

In the backdrop of China’s growing assertiveness in the South China seas, Japan and Vietnam signed a new defence deal for the transfer of Japanese-made defence equipment and technology to Hanoi. The accord was inked in Hanoi on Saturday during Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi’s first trip overseas after assuming the post last year. Japan will speed up talks with Vietnam to sell Self-Defence Forces’ vessels, Kishi said in an online press conference, following a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Phan Van Giang. Vietnam, one of the key members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is reportedly the 11th country to sign such an agreement with Japan, at a time when China growing military influence in the Southeast Asian region. Vietnam has territorial disputes with China over the Spratly and Paracel island groups in the South China Sea. Watch Japan and China are also embroiled in a territorial dispute, with Tokyo regularly protesting against the Chinese coastguard’s presence in the East China Sea near the Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands, which Beijing also claims and calls Diaoyu. Also read | Have a stronger military presence in Asia to tackle China: Japan urges European nations Japanese officials say Chinese vessels routinely violate Japanese territorial waters around the islands, sometimes threatening fishing boats. Vietnam has strong defence ties with Russia and relies on it for most of its equipment, including submarines and fighter jets, as it was part of the former Communist bloc during the Cold War. Tokyo is also looking to expand military cooperation beyond its longtime ally, the United States, and has signed similar agreements with the United Kingdom, Australia, the Philippines and Indonesia. “The accord will strengthen Japan’s defence industrial base and is expected to contribute to the country's security," Kishi was quoted by local news outlets in Hanoi. He added they agreed to work together for a rules-based order and reaffirmed the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as to abide by international law, in a veiled counter against Beijing. (With inputs from agencies)

Japan, Vietnam ink defence transfer deal amid China’s growing assertiveness in disputed regions

A Vietnamese man has been sentenced to five years in jail for spreading Covid-19 after he breached home quarantine rules.

Le Van Tri was convicted of "spreading dangerous infectious diseases to other people" after he travelled to his home province Ca Mau from coronavirus hotspot Ho Chi Minh City in July, according to a report on the website of the provincial People's Court.

The 28-year old was accused of breaching a 21-day home quarantine regulation in the southern province, which had a lower case rate than Ho Chi Minh City, and he tested positive for Covid-19 on July 7.

"Tri's breach of the home medical quarantine regulation led to many people becoming infected with Covid-19 and one person died on 7 August 2021," according to the court report.

State media said eight people became infected because of Tri.

After keeping case numbers low last year, Vietnam is now dealing with its most serious Covid-19 outbreak so far, with nearly 540,000 infections and more than 13,000 deaths recorded.

The vast majority of infections and deaths have been reported since the end of April, and Vietnam's capital Hanoi and commercial hub Ho Chi Minh city have been in strict lockdown for most of the past few months.

Several people have been sentenced for spreading Covid-19 to others in Vietnam.

A 32-year old man in Hai Duong was sentenced to 18 months in prison in July and a Vietnam Airlines flight attendant was handed a two-year suspended jail term in March for the same charge.

A Vietnamese man has been sentenced to five years in jail for spreading Covid-19 after he breached home quarantine rules. Le Van Tri was convicted of "spreading dangerous infectious diseases to other people" after he travelled to his home province Ca Mau from coronavirus hotspot Ho Chi Minh City in July, according to a report on the website of the provincial People's Court.

A Vietnamese man has been sentenced to five years in jail for spreading Covid-19 after he breached home quarantine rules. Le Van Tri was convicted of "spreading dangerous infectious diseases to other people" after he travelled to his home province Ca Mau from coronavirus hotspot Ho Chi Minh City in July, according to a report on the website of the provincial People's Court. The 28-year old was accused of breaching a 21-day home quarantine regulation in the southern province, which had a lower case rate than Ho Chi Minh City, and he tested positive for Covid-19 on July 7. "Tri's breach of the home medical quarantine regulation led to many people becoming infected with Covid-19 and one person died on 7 August 2021," according to the court report. State media said eight people became infected because of Tri. After keeping case numbers low last year, Vietnam is now dealing with its most serious Covid-19 outbreak so far, with nearly 540,000 infections and more than 13,000 deaths recorded. The vast majority of infections and deaths have been reported since the end of April, and Vietnam's capital Hanoi and commercial hub Ho Chi Minh city have been in strict lockdown for most of the past few months. Several people have been sentenced for spreading Covid-19 to others in Vietnam. A 32-year old man in Hai Duong was sentenced to 18 months in prison in July and a Vietnam Airlines flight attendant was handed a two-year suspended jail term in March for the same charge.

Vietnam jails man for five years for spreading Covid

As coronavirus rages on in different parts of the world, coffee lovers may soon be hit with another crisis — shortage of some of their favourite beans.

Vietnam is world’s second biggest coffee exporter but is&nbsp;currently in lockdown due to the Covid pandemic.&nbsp;

Vietnam provides nearly 20 per cent of the EU’s coffee imports. It&nbsp;mainly produces the robusta coffee which is mainly used to make instant and espresso coffee.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/drinking-coffee-regularly-decreases-chances-of-chronic-liver-diseases-study-393155">Drinking coffee regularly decreases chances of chronic liver diseases: Study</a>

During the first wave of coronavirus, Vietnam had managed to control the virus and even reported one of the highest rates of economic growth in 2020. However, this year, as the virus spread rapidly due to the Delta variant, the government imposed strict lockdowns.

Ho Chi Minh City is the centre of the outbreak this year and the country had observed a peak in June. However, the restrictions had been extended till August to make sure the spread can be contained.

The strict restrictions have led to disruption of supply chains for coffee distribution around the world as the traders have been unable to transport beans to ports for export.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/drinking-coffee-reduces-risk-of-contracting-coronavirus-study-397490">Drinking coffee reduces risk of contracting coronavirus: Study</a>

Now, Vietnam Coffee-Cocoa Association has urged the government to ease these restrictions to make sure the coffee export, which plays a huge part in country’s economy, does not get disrupted.

Brazil is the biggest coffee producer of the world. However, this year due to the unreasonable weather in the country, crops had been severely damaged that has led to an increase in coffee prices.

As coronavirus rages on in different parts of the world, coffee lovers may soon be hit with another crisis — shortage of some of their favourite beans. Vietnam is world’s second biggest coffee exporter but is currently in lockdown due to the Covid pandemic.

As coronavirus rages on in different parts of the world, coffee lovers may soon be hit with another crisis — shortage of some of their favourite beans. Vietnam is world’s second biggest coffee exporter but is currently in lockdown due to the Covid pandemic. Vietnam provides nearly 20 per cent of the EU’s coffee imports. It mainly produces the robusta coffee which is mainly used to make instant and espresso coffee. Also read | Drinking coffee regularly decreases chances of chronic liver diseases: Study During the first wave of coronavirus, Vietnam had managed to control the virus and even reported one of the highest rates of economic growth in 2020. However, this year, as the virus spread rapidly due to the Delta variant, the government imposed strict lockdowns. Ho Chi Minh City is the centre of the outbreak this year and the country had observed a peak in June. However, the restrictions had been extended till August to make sure the spread can be contained. The strict restrictions have led to disruption of supply chains for coffee distribution around the world as the traders have been unable to transport beans to ports for export. Also read | Drinking coffee reduces risk of contracting coronavirus: Study Now, Vietnam Coffee-Cocoa Association has urged the government to ease these restrictions to make sure the coffee export, which plays a huge part in country’s economy, does not get disrupted. Brazil is the biggest coffee producer of the world. However, this year due to the unreasonable weather in the country, crops had been severely damaged that has led to an increase in coffee prices.

Vietnam's Covid crisis leading to disruption in global coffee supply

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