HCM City is now at Level 2 of pandemic risk, but its response scenario is at Level 3. The healthcare department believes that city residents are underestimating pandemic risks.

If all barriers are removed, Vietnam’s GDP (gross domestic product) in 2021 may reach 2-2.5% in accordance with the optimistic projection.

The goods supply chain that connects HCM City and provinces in the southern key economic zone plays an important role in the economic development and social stability of the entire region. But it has been disrupted because of Covid-19.

After the Government issued Resolution 128 a number of cities and provinces began changing their pandemic prevention and control measures, facilitating production, goods circulation and people’s livelihoods.

Doctor Nguyen Lan Hieu has proposed the removal of concentrated quarantine zones and field hospitals and the establishment of networks of care for patients at home at the commune and ward level.

Commenting on the negative growth rate in Q3, Tran Dinh Thien noted that this reflects the real situation of the economy but there is a foundation for a strong recovery in the future.

On recent weekends, people in Ho Chi Minh City have flocked to Nguyen Hue pedestrian street in downtown District 1 to take pictures, walk and chat, following the loosening of social distancing measures.

All 22 districts in HCM City and Thu Duc City have met the criteria for epidemic control and are ready to enter the “new normal” stage, said HCM City People's Council Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Le at the council’s 3rd session on October 18.

Amid the difficulties caused by Covid-19, the Vietnamese entrepreneurial spirit remains and businesses are using every possible means to maintain production and adapt to the new circumstances.

In recent days, workers from the Central Highlands provinces are returning to HCMC, Dong Nai, and Binh Duong to continue their jobs because they know that social distancing has been loosened, and businesses have started to resume production.

All Hanoi’s three levels of administration meet the requirements for being classified in the level 1, which is considered a “green zone”.

Although the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in HCMC has shown positive results, the city will not be able to fully achieve new normal by November, said municipal chairman Phan Van Mai.

Many cities and provinces are reopening hesitantly due to fear of the pandemic as their leaders are very cautious in making decisions because of the pressure of responsibility.

According to the latest dispatch issued by Hanoi Mayor Chu Ngoc Anh, which takes effect from 6am on October 14, Hanoi authorities have allowed restaurants to reopen and serve diners on the spot, up to 50% of their capacity.

Localities need to keep calm but stay vigilant over pandemic developments, and not be impatient in making decisions, said Party Committee Secretary General Nguyen Phu Trong.

Retail petrol prices in Vietnam are likely to reach new highs when the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry and Trade announce their price adjustments on October 11.

The online forum "The press accompanies businesses to restore production and business, overcome the impact of the pandemic" to mark Vietnam Entrepreneurs' Day on October 13.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has proposed the Ministry of Transport re-open 10 domestic air routes from October 10.

Thousands of people left HCM City for their hometowns in the last few days after the city lifted its lockdown on October 1, but many migrants have chosen to stay back to resume work or look for new jobs.

Several business associations in HCM City have called for scrapping a requirement that workers commuting to the city from elsewhere need to undergo a weekly test for COVID-19 regardless of their vaccination or recovery status.