In February this year, thousands of Vietnamese had to celebrate Tet from quarantine areas and restricted areas across the country, celebrating Tet away from home, even limiting going out on the streets and interact with strangers. But after our pandemic prevention efforts, we have gradually controlled the epidemic.
Some restricted areas have been cleared, people have now gone back to work, students have started to go back to school.
After this special Tet holiday, you must have missed some interesting news in our country and the world. So let’s review the community news and highlights in February!
February 1 – World Health Organization (WHO) officially designated 2021 as Year of Health and Care workers worldwide
2020 was a year without the anniversary of Vietnam Doctors’ Day 27th February, due to the whole health sector having to focus on preventing COVID-19 from breaking out. Despite that, 2021 is a memorable year for doctors, because there are 365 days where they are honored by the whole world, even when it’s the second year in a row that health workers do not celebrate Vietnam Doctors’ Day due to the complicated epidemic situation.
That is why the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially designated 2021 as the Year of Health and care workers worldwide. WHO’s “365 Days of Doctors” campaign not only meets the aspirations and expectations of doctors around the world but also reflects the appreciation of society for them, including Vietnamese doctors when they have given their best efforts.
February 16 - WHO grants emergency approval for second Covid-19 vaccine, adds hope for poor countries
The World Health Organization (WHO) has licensed AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use, meaning they can be distributed to support developing countries around the globe.
February 20 – H&M collects second-hand clothes for recycling into new fashion materials
At any store, at any time, H&M collects old or no longer used clothing, regardless of their states and brands. Each time you send 1 bag of second-hand/no longer used clothes, you will receive a 15% discount coupon for 1 product as a thank you for joining H&M in making fashion future more sustainable.
February 23 – National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control: ‘People will receive free Covid-19 vaccine’
At the meeting, the National Epidemic Prevention Steering Committee stated that Vietnam has made urgent efforts to get COVID-19 vaccines soon, but because vaccines are currently difficult to obtain, with the number received each time is small, so it must be divided by priority group.
See more at https://tuoitre.vn/nguoi-viet-nam-duoc-tiem-mien-phi-vacxin-ngua-covid-19-20210223132309121.htm
February 24 – Launching “Joining hands to consume agricultural products” campaign
With new complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic that has severely affected the lives of people in many localities in the epidemic zone, in order to support disadvantaged people affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Red Cross launched the “Joining hands to consume agricultural products” campaign.
See more at http://baochinhphu.vn/Doi-song/Phat-dong-Chien-dich-Chung-suc-cung-nguoi-dan-tieu-thu-nong-san/423978.vgp
February 25 – Brand new fixed glass collection points in HCMC
From March 2020, O-I BJC, in cooperation with Gen Xanh, launched 3 new fixed collection points in Binh Thanh, Binh Tan, and Cu Chi districts. The collected glass will be 100% recycled at the O-I BJC Vietnam factory
– Binh Thanh District: Niche Coffee 160 (160/29 Bui Dinh Hoa, Ward 12, Binh Thanh District); 7:00 – 22:00 (Mon-Sun)
– Binh Tan District: Outdoor Cafe Sunny Garden (144 Street 1A, Quarter 4A, Binh Hung Hoa B, Binh Tan District); 8:00 - 18:00 (Mon-Sun)
– Cu Chi District: 3A An Nhon Tay, Cu Chi District; 8:00 – 18:00 (Mon-Sun)
February 26 – Vietnam is only ASEAN country to move up in global soft-power ranking
According to the Bureau of Trade Promotion (Ministry of Industry and Trade), Vietnam is the only ASEAN country to increases their ranking in terms of global soft power, according to the Global Soft Power Index 2021 report published during the 2021 Summit on Global Soft Power. Vietnam’s position has also improved, increasing by 2.5 points, moving up 3 places, from 50/60 to 47/105 countries whose global soft power position improved.