Vietnam News Highlights for May 25, 2023

First botulism-poisoned patient dies

One of the botulism-poisoned patients under treatment at Cho Ray Hospital in HCM City. Photo courtesy of the hospital

The first botulism patient died on the morning of May 25. The 45-year-old man was hospitalized on May 14, along with his two brothers, after eating street food. The three patients were in critical condition while hospitals ran out of botulism antitoxin.

On the evening of May 24, HCM City received six vials of botulism antitoxin from the World Health Organization to treat cases of botulism poisoning. Botulism is a rare but severe disease caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.

VNG shares suspended from normal trading

The most expensive stock of VNG Corporation (UPCoM: VNZ) on May 25 has been suspended from normal trading and will only be available on Friday trading, according to the Hanoi Stock Exchange. The ban is due to the company's failure to submit its audited annual financial statements for 2022 as required.

VNG Corporation's shares are the most valuable on the market, becoming the first Vietnamese stock to hit the VND1 million (US$42.59) mark in mid-February. The price fell to VND769,000 (US$32.75) on May 24.

Disadvantaged kids enjoy historical tour of District 1

More than 30 underprivileged children who lost their parents in the Covid-19 pandemic took part in a free historical tour of Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 on May 24. The tour, themed "Saigon Urban Guerrilla," took the children to historical sites related to the liberation of the South and national reunification, such as the Saigon Urban Guerrilla Museum and the Reunification Palace.

The tour aimed to raise awareness of historical and cultural values among needy children and motivate them to overcome life difficulties and losses, especially when they are very young in primary and secondary schools.

More Vietnamese durians approved for Chinese market

China has approved durian exports from 293 farming areas and 115 packing plants in Vietnam after the two governments inked an agreement eight months ago. Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture is working with China's customs administration to examine and approve another 400 farming areas and 60 packing facilities.

In 2022, China imported US$4 billion worth of durian. Thailand was the largest durian exporter to China, with a total value of US$3.85 billion. Vietnam sold US$190 million worth of durian to China in July-December 2022.

Vietnam Airlines to resume Hanoi-Luang Prabang-Siem Reap route in July

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines will resume its Hanoi-Luang Prabang-Siem Reap route on July 1 with three flights a week. The number of flights will increase to five a week from October 30. The airline said the resumption of the trans-Indochina route would provide more flight options for tourists and contribute to the recovery of the regional tourism industry and trade, investment, and cultural exchanges between Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Vietnam Airlines also operates seven flights a week on another trans-Indochina route connecting Hanoi, Vientiane, Phnom Penh, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam's submarine cable fixed

The Ministry of Information and Communication has announced that the America Asia Gateway (AAG) undersea cable has been repaired, restoring Internet data connectivity between Vietnam and Hong Kong.

The majority of Vietnam's Internet connectivity is provided by five international submarine cables, including the AAG. Over the past five years, the cables have failed several times. The problems are expected to be fully resolved in May and June.