​At the meeting, the Team members presented a number of difficulties and problems faced by enterprises in the production process. It can be seen that, in the past time, a large number of workers outside the province have left Binh Duong to return to their hometown, leading to the risk of a shortage of unskilled workers working in leather, footwear, textile, component assembly enterprises, etc. Although Binh Duong has policies to attract workers, however, the pandemic situation in some other localities is complicated, preventing workers from returning to the province to work.

Currently, Binh Duong belongs to provinces and cities with moderate pandemic, most of the communes, wards and towns are at level 1 and level 2. However, enterprises still have to carry out testing according to temporary guidance on conditions for participating in production at agencies, enterprises and production and business establishments about circulation conditions in the province. This makes enterprises incur additional costs.

Overview of the meeting

According to enterprises, bank interest rates are still high and loan terms are short, making it difficult for enterprises to turn around capital to pay interest and labor salaries. Enterprises are also hesitant to access capital and credit support packages because they have not seen policies and measures to support enterprises with preferential loans of a longer-term nature, credit guarantees or credit risk sharing by the Government.

Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the market's consumption decreased, so the number of orders signed during the year was very small. In addition, some orders were also suddenly cut off due to severe pandemic in many countries. Thereby, most of the traditional markets of enterprises in the Associations were narrowed, while the newly opened markets mainly served short-term, seasonal and unstable contracts. That has led to the situation that some enterprises actively reduce production to consume products and inventories because partners prolong the contract implementation time.​

Mr. Vo Van Minh - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee concludes the meeting

Concluding the meeting, Mr. Vo Van Minh requested that in the coming time, departments and branches should focus on reviewing problems, advising the Provincial People's Committee on solutions to effectively deploy the Government's support packages for enterprises that have just been approved by the National Assembly so that enterprises can soon access capital. Continuing to perform well social security, timely supporting for workers to welcome the Lunar New Year. Shortening the processing time of permit procedures for foreign workers from 1 week down to 3 days.

Regarding the problem of testing and handling F0 in enterprises, it is imperative to comply with the guidance and direction of the Ministry of Health, etc.

Reported by Yen Nhi - Translated by Nguyen Trang

​​Attending were Mr. Pham Van Chanh - Member of Provincial Standing Party Committee, Chairman of Provincial People's Council; Mr. Mai Hung Dung - Member of Provincial Standing Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of Provincial People's Committee; Vice Chairmen of the Provincial People's Committee, leaders of the Provincial Delegation of National Assembly Deputies together with departments and branches. The meeting was online to 09 districts, towns and cities and 91 communes, wards and commune-level towns.

Striving for GRDP growth of 8-8.3% in 2022

At the meeting, Mr. Mai Ba Truoc - Director of the Department of Planning and Investment presented the draft Plan to implement the Government's resolutions on key tasks and solutions to implement the Socio-Economic Development Plan and state budget estimate; improve the business environment, enhance the province's competitiveness in 2022.

The key goal in 2022 is to continue to prevent and control the Covid-19 pandemic for safe, flexible adaptation, effective control over the Covid-19 pandemic; quickly restore production, develop economy - society; focus on supporting and removing difficulties for enterprises and workers, so as not to reduce long-term growth drivers. Focusing on cultural development, ensuring social security and people's life; prioritizing investment resources to improve the operational efficiency of the health system, especially grassroots health care, preventive medicine and health human resources.

​Binh Duong strives for GRDP growth in 2022 to reach 8 - 8.3%

In order to effectively implement the goals in 2022, the province sets out tasks and solutions that need to be focused on implementation. In which, the top priority is given to the Covid-19 prevention and control, while recovering and developing the economy and society. Striving for the total retail sales of consumer goods and services to reach 16%; total investment capital for development of the entire society mobilized to account for 33.3% of the province's GRDP in 2022 and increase by 10% compared to 2021. Index of industrial production (IIP) will increase by 8.9% compared to 2021. The province's GRDP growth in 2022 will reach 8 - 8.3%, the economic structure will continue to take industry - service as the main lead with the respective proportions of industry - service - agriculture - product taxes less subsidies on production respectively 67.41% - 21.87 % - 3.05% - 7.67%; GRDP per capita will be 169.8 million VND/year. Focusing on promoting the efficiency of domestic capital sources, and at the same time selectively attracting investment resources from abroad, especially the flow of foreign direct investment capital; it is expected that total social development investment capital will increase by 10% compared to 2021, accounting for 33.3% of GRDP in 2022; attracting foreign direct investment capital will reach over 1.8 billion USD.

​

Mr. Pham Van Chanh - Chairman of the Provincial People's Council contributes to the province's socio-economic development program in 2022

Contributing to the socio-economic development plan in 2022, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council Pham Van Chanh said that the functional departments and branches should quickly review and advise the Provincial People's Committee on the needs of industrial development of the province based on the needs of localities, enterprises, trade associations, implementation of industrial land planning to prepare for the future development of the province. Regarding the disbursement of public investment capital in 2022, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Council said that the capital source in the year is very large, so it must be implemented drastically from the beginning of the year, the Project Management Units, the People's Committees of districts, towns and cities must coordinate closely and synchronously to solve problems together. The Provincial People's Council will join hands with the Provincial People's Committee to closely supervise to achieve 100% of the plan. Regarding administrative reform, in the past time, despite many positive results, there are still shortcomings and limitations, so in the year, all levels and branches need to step up reform and innovation to better serve enterprises and people. Regarding health care, in addition to performing health care tasks, the Health branch soon embarks on the implementation of the plan to build the Health branch into a spearhead service industry, the center of the region according to the goals set out by the province.

Starting from the beginning of the year

In 2021, despite facing many difficulties due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, with a proactive and creative spirit, great efforts, high determination to perform assigned tasks and requirements arising from reality, localities in the province continued to achieve positive results in all fields. This is an important foundation for localities to continue their efforts to successfully implement socio-economic tasks in 2022.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tam - Chairman of Thuan An City People's Committee said that the post-pandemic production situation of enterprises is relatively stable, the city is closely monitoring the development of a plan to ensure the security and order situation before, during and after the Nhan Dan Lunar New Year 2022, the taking care of workers' lives, the Tet bonus for employees of the enterprises. Currently, the number of 6^th graders returning to school has reached 96%, 30% of primary, kindergarten and preschool students have returned to class according to a pilot model and based on the actual situation students will return to school 100%. Regarding the disbursement of public investment capital, the city is focusing on ground clearance for 04 key projects and works to speed up the implementation schedule of the works.

​

Delegates participate in the discussion at the conference

For Dau Tieng district, in 2021, the district completed and exceeded 38 indicators as planned, public investment disbursement reached 128% and budget revenue reached 108% of the plan.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thu Cuc - Chairman of Thu Dau Mot City People's Committee, 100% of wards in the city have deployed online public services at levels 3 and 4; during the year, the city hastened the planning progress of the province, removed difficulties and obstacles in site clearance, and promoted public investment; took care of policy beneficiaries and workers affected by the pandemic, supported enterprises to restore production; paid attention to solving complex complaints and limited complaints. At the same time, implementing the administrative reform plan for the 2021-2025 period; stepping up the application of information technology in administrative reform.

As one of the localities heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, Tan Uyen town still achieved and exceeded 24/24 socio-economic development indicators, especially 5 indicators on smart city development have been achieved; investment attraction continued to achieve positive results. In 2022, Tan Uyen Town continues to set 24 socio-economic development indicators; focus on solving difficulties for enterprises, taking care of workers' lives, and attracting investment.

For Di An City, the goal in 2022 is to focus on improving the business environment and enhancing competitiveness. In particular, the city is focusing on implementing 17 key projects; coordinate with departments and branches to remove difficulties and obstacles in ground clearance; focus on resolving long-standing complaints, etc.

Mr. Vo Van Minh - Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee speaks to close the meeting

Speaking at the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Vo Van Minh asked the Department of Planning and Investment to review the central targets to add to the plan, basically ensuring the goals of the Government and the Provincial Standing Party Committee assigned in 2022.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee suggested that departments, branches and localities need to focus on a number of tasks in 2022. That is to implement key projects of the province; urgently take steps on schedule to soon complete the provincial planning. Each unit and locality develops specific solutions for economic recovery, accompanies and removes difficulties for enterprises, and improves the investment environment. Applying information technology, digital transformation in socio-economic development, soon putting into operation the Intelligent Monitoring and Operation Center, each department, branch, each locality quickly completes its database to serve well for the administration and management. Within the first 6 months of 2022, localities must complete the construction of district-level public administrative centers. Reviewing the entire commune-level one-stop-shop section, improving the spirit of service attitude to people and enterprises to improve satisfaction index. In addition, paying attention to strengthening the grassroots health system: human resources, equipment, etc. to meet the needs of people's health care.

Reported by Yen Nhi - Translated by Nguyen Trang

​​Also receiving was Mr. Nguyen Van Danh - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; leaders' representatives of departments, committees and branches.

At the meeting, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Vo Van Minh highly appreciated the development of AEON Binh Duong in recent years, contributing to promoting the development of the province's commercial - service market. In particular, in the context of the recent pandemic, AEON Binh Duong has strictly implemented the local guiding documents on ensuring the balance of supply and demand, stabilizing the market, increasing support for the consumption of products and goods; both complying with pandemic prevention and control measures at the distribution system, and ensuring the supply for the market, especially essential products to meet the needs of consumers.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Vo Van Minh receives Mr. Furusawa Yasuyuki - General Director of Aeon Vietnam

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee welcomed AEON Vietnam's decision to invest in Sora Gardens Commercial Area in Binh Duong New City and hoped that in the near future, AEON will open more shopping centers, general department centers and supermarkets, etc. in other localities in the province, promoting the development of the field of trade - services in a modern direction, in accordance with the development orientation of Binh Duong. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee wished that AEON would pay more attention to building a program to connect agricultural products and foods to the Group's distribution system, not only in Vietnam but also globally. The provincial government will continue to support and create the best conditions for AEON Group to develop and expand in Binh Duong.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Vo Van Minh presents a souvenir to Mr. Furusawa Yasuyuki

Mr. Furusawa Yasuyuki highly appreciated the investment environment and potentials Binh Duong has. He thanked the provincial authorities for creating favorable conditions and supporting AEON to develop in the past time. In particular, in 2021, the pandemic situation broke out strongly, but with the companionship of the province, AEON Binh Duong still achieved stable growth. In the coming time, AEON will continue to aim at building a complete distribution system, ensuring the best quality standards to serve consumers. In addition, promoting the development of e-commerce, helping to diversify consumption and shopping channels to serve consumer needs, creating more models for manufacturers to supply goods to the market.​

Delegates take a souvenir photo

Reported by Phuong Chi-Translated by Nguyen Trang​

​Specifically, an additional dose of Covid-19 vaccine is given to foreigners aged 18 and over, including: people with moderate and severe immunodeficiency; people who have received the full basic dose of Sinopharm vaccine or Sputnik V vaccine.

The interval for 01 additional injection after the last injection of the basic dose is from 28 days to 3 months. For those for whom an additional injection is indicated, after the additional injection has been administered, the basic dose is considered complete.

Giving a booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine to foreigners aged 18 years and over who have had enough basic dose or supplementary dose. The interval for 01 booster injection is at least 3 months after the last injection of the basic dose.

For those who have been infected with Covid-19, the injection is given immediately after recovering and completing the medical quarantine as prescribed.

It is expected that the vaccination will be implemented from January 21 and 22, 2022. Location is at Becamex International Hospital (Lai Thieu ward, Thuan An city); My Phuoc General Hospital (My Phuoc ward, Ben Cat town).

Reported by Yen Nhi - Translated by Nguyen Trang

​During the day, the province recorded 55 cases through RT-PCR testing and had full epidemiological information, 07 patients died. Number of new F0 patients during the day: 303 patients (treatment facility: 42 patients; at home: 261 patients).

Number of Covid-19 cases through RT-PCR test on January 10, 2021

Since the 4^th pandemic wave, Binh Duong province has recorded 291,501 cases of Covid-19 (through RT-PCR test), 3,309 patients died.

Treatment facilities throughout the province are treating: 587 patients (1st floor: 174 patients, 2nd floor: 261 patients and 3rd floor: 152 patients). Number of critical ill patients requiring oxygen: 177 patients.

Binh Duong is deploying 3^rd dose of Covid-19 vaccine for people. Up to now, the province has injected 4,487,117 doses/5,797,240 doses of Covid-19 vaccine distributed (including 2,472,145 doses of 1st dose, 1,868,681 doses of 2nd dose and 146,291 doses of 3rd dose).

There are currently 162 Mobile medical stations in the province (including 99 Mobile medical stations in communes, wards and townships; 43 Mobile medical stations in industrial zones; 20 mobile medical teams of Military Medicine).

Reported by Phuong Chi-T​ranslated by Nguyen Trang

​During the day, the province recorded 59 cases through RT-PCR testing and had full epidemiological information, 07 patients died. Number of new F0 patients during the day: 590 patients (treatment facility: 36 patients; at home: 554 patients).

Since the 4^th pandemic wave, Binh Duong province has recorded 291,329 cases of Covid-19 (through RT-PCR test), 3,293 patients died.

Number of Covid-19 cases through RT-PCR test on January 8, 2021

Treatment facilities throughout the province are treating: 669 patients (1st floor: 212 patients, 2nd floor: 297 patients and 3rd floor: 160 patients). Number of critical ill patients requiring oxygen: 206 patients.

Binh Duong is deploying 3^rd dose of Covid-19 vaccine for people. Up to now, the province has injected 4,465,431 doses/5,701,300 doses of Covid-19 vaccine distributed (including 2,471,628 doses of 1st dose, 1,867,653 doses of 2nd dose and 126,150 doses of 3rd dose).

There are currently 162 Mobile medical stations in the province (including 99 Mobile medical stations in communes, wards and townships; 43 Mobile medical stations in industrial zones; 20 mobile medical teams of Military Medicine).

Reported by Yen Nhi - Translated by Nguyen Trang

​At Binh Duong bridge point, there were Mr. Nguyen Van Loi - Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial Delegation of the National Assembly Deputies; Mr. Vo Van Minh - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Mr. Pham Van Chanh - Member of Provincial Standing Party Committee, Chairman of Provincial People's Council; Mr. Nguyen Van Loc - Member of Provincial Standing Party Committee, Head of Commission for Mass Mobilization of Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; Mr. Mai Hung Dung - Member of Provincial Standing Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of Provincial People's Committee; Mr. Nguyen Van Hung - Board of Directors' Chairman of Becamex IDC; Mr. Shim Jae Yoon – Economic Consul, Korean Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Kim Won Sik - Chairman of the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Binh Duong (KOCHAM Binh Duong); Mr. Lee Dong Won – Chief Representative of KITA Vietnam; Mr. Kim Kwan Mook – Chief Representative of KOTRA Vietnam and leaders of departments, committees and branches and enterprises in Binh Duong.

Overview of the signing ceremony 

​Delegates attend at Binh Duong bridge point

At Gangnam bridge point, there were Mr. Soon Kyun Jung - Chief of Gangnam district; Vietnamese Ambassador to Korea Nguyen Vu Tung; Mr. Lee Dong-Won - CEO of COEX; Mr. Kim Hi Joo - Director of the New Creative Design Committee.

According to the signed content, the two sides will strengthen the cooperative relationship through MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) activities, tourism and cultural fields. Specifically, strengthening relationships and developing business relationships between enterprises and organizations of the two sides; exchanging information and development prospects through cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, culture and tourism; supporting the medical, cultural, exhibition and conference fields as well as K-Pop festivals with partners to strengthen economic, cultural and tourism cooperation and development; jointly launching new projects to strengthen cooperation, including conferences, seminars and online forums.

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Leaders of Binh Duong province and Gangnam district sign a memorandum of cooperation

Through this partnership, World Trade Center Binh Duong New City will create a platform to promote MICE activities in the industrial sector and open up new cooperation opportunities for investors and global enterprises.

Speaking at the ceremony, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi congratulated the cooperation relationship between the two sides and believed that the two sides would actively implement the signed contents to boost trade, cultural, sports and tourism promotion activities. The Secretary believed that in the coming time, Binh Duong province and Gangnam district will actively and effectively implement the content of the strategic cooperation agreement to boost trade, investment, culture and tourism promotion, especially cooperation closely in coordinating the organization of international conferences, fairs and exhibitions as well as promoting cultural exchange and introduction activities of the two sides such as the organization of K-Pop music festivals, traditional art and cultural performances of the two countries, contributing to economic, cultural and social development as well as enhancing the position and dynamic image of Binh Duong province and Gangnam district with international friends and partners.

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi speaks at the ceremony

Mr. Soon Kyun Jung - Chief of Gangnam district said, Gangnam is an important economic center in Korea, where most of the global companies and brands are gathered, such as Google, Microsoft, Apple and Facebook. The total value of GRDP is 55 billion USD. Gangnam wished to promote activities in Vietnam and Southeast Asia to promote the development of tourism and cultural industries. In addition, Gangnam also wished to promote economic exchanges through business matching programs as well as trade promotion exhibitions for enterprises in the region. He hoped that this agreement would be an opportunity to strengthen diplomatic relations with Vietnam as well as Southeast Asian countries and contribute to the exchange and promotion of Korean culture.

Reported by Mai Xuan - Translated by Nguyen Trang

​During the day, the province recorded 52 cases through RT-PCR testing and had full epidemiological information, 12 patients died. Number of new F0 patients during the day: 938 patients (treatment facility: 52 patients; at home: 886 patients).

Number of Covid-19 cases through RT-PCR test on January 7, 2021

Since the 4^th pandemic wave, Binh Duong province has recorded 291,270 cases of Covid-19 (through RT-PCR test), 3,286 patients died.

Treatment facilities throughout the province are treating: 710 patients (1st floor: 225 patients, 2nd floor: 312 patients and 3rd floor: 173 patients). Number of critical ill patients requiring oxygen: 218 patients.

Binh Duong is deploying 3^rd dose of Covid-19 vaccine for people. Up to now, the province has injected 4,462,088 doses/5,701,300 doses of Covid-19 vaccine distributed (including 2,471,537 doses of 1st dose, 1,867,512 doses of 2nd dose and 123,039 doses of 3rd dose).

There are currently 162 Mobile medical stations in the province (including 99 Mobile medical stations in communes, wards and townships; 43 Mobile medical stations in industrial zones; 20 mobile medical teams of Military Medicine).

Reported by Mai Xuan - Translated by Nguyen Trang

​During the day, the province recorded 66 cases through RT-PCR testing and had full epidemiological information, 15 patients died. Number of new F0 patients during the day: 1,131 patients (treatment facility: 55 patients; at home: 1,076 patients).

Number of Covid-19 cases through RT-PCR test on January 5, 2021

Since the 4^th pandemic wave, Binh Duong province has recorded 291,127 cases of Covid-19 (through RT-PCR test), 3,266 patients died.

Treatment facilities throughout the province are treating: 796 patients (1st floor: 239 patients, 2nd floor: 357 patients and 3rd floor: 200 patients). Number of critical ill patients requiring oxygen: 261 patients.

Binh Duong is deploying 3^rd dose of Covid-19 vaccine for people. Up to now, the province has injected 4,477,639 doses/5,601,300 doses of Covid-19 vaccine distributed (including 2,471,099 doses of 1st dose, 1,866,709 doses of 2nd dose and 103,113 doses of 3rd dose).

There are currently 162 Mobile medical stations in the province (including 99 Mobile medical stations in communes, wards and townships; 43 Mobile medical stations in industrial zones; 20 mobile medical teams of Military Medicine).

Reported by Mai Xuan - Translated by Nguyen Trang

​​Effectiveness from the policy of socializing Healthcare

Over the past time, Binh Duong has made great efforts to make it easier for all people to access health services through its extensive medical network in the province. Up to now, the province has 03 public hospitals at the provincial level, 09 medical centers at the district level, 19 regional polyclinics, 91 medical stations, 02 hospitals under the branch's health system. In which, a number of medical facilities have been invested in quite large scale such as: 1,500-bed General Hospital, 300-bed Children's Hospital, etc.

The Health branch has focused on strengthening the network and improving the capacity of preventive health workers at all levels. The province is also very interested in training human resources on the spot, training by address and implementing policies to attract human resources from other localities to work in Binh Duong for a long time with policies of supporting medical and pharmaceutical students to be trained by address, in the form of orders, etc. In addition, the industry also pays special attention to high-tech development. To do this, health establishments in the province have invested in modern facilities and equipment, attracted quality human resources, and trained to improve professional qualifications for staff at prestigious domestic and foreign institutions.​

Health establishments are invested with modern facilities and equipment

Binh Duong is a province with strong industrial development, attracting labor force from other localities to do business and live, so the people's demand for medical examination and treatment is increasing. Over the past years, together with state budget resources, the province has advocated socializing health care to attract more resources to participate in providing medical services, ensuring both serving the minimum requirements in health care for the people, while improving the quality of medical services.

Officially put into operation at the end of 2016, Becamex International Hospital (Lai Thieu ward, Thuan An city) has become a trusted and familiar health care address for people inside and outside the province, both Vietnamese and foreigners. Every day, the hospital has more than 1,000 outpatient visits, 300 inpatient beds which always reach a capacity of over 90%. Becamex International Hospital accepts health insurance payments to help people access high-quality medical services, so many people have trusted in choosing medical examination and treatment at this hospital.

Ms. Vo Thi Nga (Thuan An City) shared: "Giving birth at Becamex International Hospital, I was cared for by doctors and nurses with enthusiasm, courtesy and kindness. Especially when using Health Insurance, the price is also affordable. Ordinary workers like me can still come for medical examination or treatment. Hopefully there will be more hospitals like this."​

Becamex International Hospital has been in operation since 2016

Currently, the non-public health network in the province has 14 private hospitals, 50 private polyclinics, 20 corporate medical stations, 658 private specialty clinics and 2,585 medical - pharmacy practice establishments. These health establishments are concentrated in cities and towns with many industrial parks and large numbers of workers. A number of private hospitals and clinics are approved by the Social Insurance to participate in health insurance examinations, so they have met the people's medical examination and treatment needs, contributing to reducing the burden on the public health system.

Mr. Huynh Thanh Ha - Deputy Director of the Department of Health said that healthcare socialization is an inevitable development trend. Over the years, the private healthcare system has been actively contributing together with the State healthcare to well perform the task of taking care of people's health in the province. The Health branch has used many information channels to call for healthcare socialization in the field of medical examination and treatment, primary and preventive health care. The Department of Health has asked the competent authorities to promulgate a list of health projects and works calling for socialization. Up to now, the number of beds and medical examination and treatment visits of non-public hospitals account for about 40% of the number of beds and medical examination and treatment visits in the province.

Covid-19 pandemic - an opportunity for Healthcare to "transform"

The 4^th wave of Covid-19 pandemic and its rapid spread has hit industrial parks, boarding houses and urban areas in the province with more than 290,000 cases. With the spirit of "Fighting the pandemic is like fighting against an enemy", Binh Duong thoroughly grasps the requirement to put "people's health and lives first, foremost and most important". The fight against the Covid-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented challenge for the province's health system. In this fight, Binh Duong Health branch has well performed its key role, along with the political system and support forces, to cope with difficulties and dangers to restrain and control the pandemic.

At the same time, the Health branch must perform many tasks simultaneously: Rapidly fighting the pandemic, limiting the number of cases, treating patients for life, minimizing the number of deaths; speeding up vaccination to ensure effectiveness and safety to soon cover vaccines for people. In addition, it is necessary to continue to maintain health care, examination and treatment for people.

The team of doctors, nurses and medical staff involved in the fight against the pandemic have made 2-3 times more efforts than usual. They not only have to overcome difficulties because they have to save lives in difficult and deprived situations, but also have to endure great pressure when the number of patients increases too quickly, having to fight for the lives of many patients at the same time. Besides, there are hardships when being away from family, working long days in an infectious and stressful environment. Many doctors, nurses and medical staff have been infected with Covid-19, some have died forever while still full of ambitions and aspirations.

The efforts, contributions and self-sacrifice of the physicians, doctors, nurses, health workers and medical staff have contributed to the initial successful results, up to now, Binh Duong has basically controlled the pandemic. Mr. Nguyen Hoang Thao – Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee praised the great contributions, self-sacrificing spirit and enthusiasm of all white-shirted soldiers who participated in the fight against the pandemic. With the participation of the entire political system, the unanimous support of the people, the Health force has made a very important contribution, being the frontline force against the pandemic together with the Army, the Police and other forces.​

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits and encourages doctors and nurses participating in the treatment of Covid-19 patients in Binh Duong

However, the last pandemic wave is also an opportunity to see some limitations and inadequacies of the Health system in the province, especially at the grassroots level, preventive medicine and disease treatment capacity of health establishments. Doctor Nguyen Lan Hieu - Director of Hanoi Medical University Hospital, Director of Binh Duong Emergency Resuscitation Hospital shared: "After the past days, in my opinion, the biggest lesson is that we have to improve the quality of grassroots health care. Previously, we focused on developing high technology at central and provincial hospitals. However, during the pandemic, it was found that the grassroots health system, especially the district level, still had some shortcomings, namely human resources and facilities, equipment, and medicines. In the coming time, localities need to improve the quality of medical staff and ensure their lives so that they can work with peace of mind."

Implementing the policy of "safe, flexible adaptation and effective control over the Covid-19 pandemic", the role of the Health force remains permanent and regular in the new normal. Along with taking care of people's health, the province continues to carry out pandemic prevention and control activities, especially in red locations, high-risk areas, areas with large numbers of workers, give vaccinations and expand the network of mobile medical stations combined with traditional medical stations in localities. At the same time, reviewing and rearranging quarantine areas, collection and treatment facilities; investing in facilities for the grassroots health system; developing a plan for training and fostering health workers to serve treatment facilities and mobile medical stations, and mobilizing private healthcare to participate in the Covid-19 prevention and control.

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi visits and encourages the Mobile Medical Station in Thong Nhat 2 Quarter, Di An Ward, Di An City

The task set for the Health branch in the coming time is very important. For Binh Duong Health to "reach out", it is not only the efforts of the Health branch but also needs the attention and leadership of the Party executive committees and authorities at all levels; the participation and coordination of branches, organizations, mass organizations and the consensus and support of all strata of the people of the province.

Reported by Phuong Chi-Translated by Nguyen Trang

​Solid foundation for new successes

In 2016, Binh Duong officially announced the Binh Duong Smart City Project, a strategic breakthrough program in socio-economic development in order to gradually shift the province's economy to high-tech services and build Binh D​uong into a green, smart and modern city. With the pillar of the Smart City Project being the Three-House model (State, enterprise, school), after 4 years of implementation, the Project has achieved initial results which are considered as the foundation for the strong transformation of the province, opening up many potential new opportunities for the next phase.

The most obvious achievement must be mentioned is foreign investment attraction, trade surplus, etc. exceeding the plan and targets assigned by the Government. The number of enterprises in the province from the beginning of 2016 to March 2020 more than doubled, from over 20,000 to more than 45,000. In recent years, Binh Duong has continuously appeared in the top of the country in many fields such as infrastructure (according to the assessment of the Provincial Competitiveness Index), foreign investment attraction (according to statistics of the Foreign Investment Agency), trade surplus (according to the General Statistics Office's report), etc. Even in terms of social security, Binh Duong is also the first locality in the country to build social housing for low-income people and is the only province to date that has eliminated all poor households according to the central government's criteria, etc. Programs to promote innovation and research in science and technology (ST), modern education such as STEM/STEAM, provincial innovation center, technology laboratories (TechLab, FabLab), business incubators, etc. have been actively and vigorously deployed by the government as well as institutes, schools and enterprises.​

Binh Duong is honored in TOP7 by ICF, becoming one of 07 communities with typical smart development strategies in the world

Many programs to apply ST to life such as geographic information system (GIS) with digitized data of planning maps in the entire province; automatic monitoring system to monitor environmental components and control waste sources from all industrial parks and important areas in the province; a database on land and environment to support close and proactive management; starting to form enterprise database to support management and analysis to promote investment attraction; successfully deploying the Call center 1022 for people to connect directly with the government 24/7, etc. From the smart city strategies, the province has gradually cooperated, attracting many leading corporations in ST such as Schneider Group, Philips, Bosch, NXP, Intel, TMA, etc. prestigious domestic and international institutes and schools such as National University of Singapore (NUS), Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) in Taiwan, Chungnam National University in Korea, Portland State University in USA, Ho Chi Minh City National University, Institute of Applied Mechanics and Informatics - Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, etc. from there to build large-scale research, creation and training centers.

Another outstanding feature is the promotion of foreign affairs and international cooperation through international conferences and seminars held in Binh Duong with an increasing number and scale. Binh Duong has also successfully hosted international events on economic cooperation, ST, innovation and smart cities such as the Global Innovation Forum with the World Technopolis Association (WTA) and UNESCO, Asian Economic Cooperation Forum (Horasis), etc. every year attracting thousands of business leaders, multinational corporations, universities, politicians, mayors of provinces and cities across the continent come to participate, bringing enormous practical benefits with opportunities for investment cooperation, experience exchange, bringing the province's brand to the international level. Binh Duong and other regions in the province have in turn joined world-renowned organizations such as the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF), the World Technopolis Association (WTA), the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), etc. For three consecutive years 2018 and 2019, 2020, Binh Duong Smart Region was honored by ICF as one of 21 areas with typical smart city development strategies of the world (Smart21). In particular, in July 2021, Binh Duong province was honored in TOP7 by ICF, becoming one of 07 communities with typical Smart development strategies in the world.

Building an innovation startup ecosystem

In 2021, the world will have a lot of changes due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the way people live, work, interact and consume is increasingly geared towards digital technology. The international production chain is also changing, opening up many opportunities for developing countries, while people and enterprises aspire to innovate and the ST in the 4.0 era continues to advance rapidly. With that context, in the 2021-2025 period, the Binh Duong Smart City Project will still be specially invested and developed by the province, which is the spearhead for breaking through to reach the international level. The project continues to maintain the big goal set, at the same time, deploys with more focus and depth, and will pay more attention to the digital economy and innovation. Binh Duong, with its new potential and position, needs bolder and more specific projects, creating a ripple effect for the entire region and Vietnam.

From the above vision, Binh Duong together with international partners from Eindhoven - Netherlands, WTA - Korea and experts from Singapore collaborated to build a breakthrough project of "Binh Duong Innovation Region" - the focus of the Smart City Project for the 2021-2025 period. The region includes Di An, Thuan An, Thu Dau Mot cities, Tan Uyen, Ben Cat Towns and Bau Bang district.​

Students at Eastern International University research and develop ST

Dr. Nguyen Viet Long - Director of Department of Science and Technology, Director of Binh Duong Smart City Office shared, to build an innovation startup ecosystem, the province will focus on constantly innovating open mechanisms and policies, reforming administrative procedures, supporting enterprises, contributing to creating motivation, passion and excitement for the startup movement. In addition, the province is increasingly promoting awareness of the 4.0 model and technology for the state management team, contributing to raising the level of the state apparatus to a new height, in the direction of being streamlined, increasingly dynamic, creative, sensitive and more profound in leadership and management. At the same time, developing a strategy to develop an innovative culture to all segments of society, from which innovation will be spread, taking place on a wide and deep scale, helping Binh Duong create a breakthrough in economic and social development in the new period.

To promote the implementation of the Binh Duong Innovation Region Project, on November 01, 2021, in the United Kingdom, an Online signing ceremony in collaboration for the development of Binh Duong Smart City - Binh Duong Innovation Region took place between Becamex IDC and The Connected Places Catapult (CPC – United Kingdom). This is one of the activities during the business trip of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to visit and work in the UK and France and attend the COP26.

Becamex IDC and The Connected Places Catapult (CPC – United Kingdom) sign an online cooperation agreement to develop the Binh Duong Smart City and Binh Duong Innovation Region

The  collaboration between CPC and Becamex IDC is to support the development of Binh Duong Smart City, Binh Duong Innovation Region and Binh Duong Science and Technology Industrial Park, the next stage in the innovation journey, creating a complete investment attraction model with 2 core values: To be a science and technology center in which three-house cooperation (government, enterprises and research institutes) is encouraged, promoted and replicated; to be a center of R&D and production of industries with high scientific and technical content and high added value.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hung - Board of Directors' Chairman of Becamex IDC, said that this collaboration is an ideal opportunity for Binh Duong to connect more strongly with UK's technology, start-up and innovation enterprises, promote UK's experience in science and technology in the development of Binh Duong in the new period. At the same time, the UK's technology, start-up and innovation enterprises have a very good opportunity to research and find out the potential market in Vietnam, increase opportunities for long-term cooperation in Vietnam in particular and the Asia region in general.

​ Reported by Mai Xuan - Translated by Nguyen Trang

​During the day, the province recorded 75 cases through RT-PCR testing and had full epidemiological information, 11 patients died. Number of new F0 patients during the day: 873 patients (treatment facility: 87 patients; at home: 786 patients).

Number of Covid-19 cases through RT-PCR test on January 3, 2021

Since the 4^th pandemic wave, Binh Duong province has recorded 290,996 cases of Covid-19 (through RT-PCR test), 3,244 patients died.

Treatment facilities throughout the province are treating: 864 patients (1st floor: 254 patients, 2nd floor: 397 patients and 3rd floor: 213 patients). Number of critical ill patients requiring oxygen: 292 patients.

Binh Duong is deploying 3^rd dose of Covid-19 vaccine for people. Up to now, the province has injected 4,433,499 doses/5,601,300 doses of Covid-19 vaccine distributed (including 2,470,996 doses of 1st dose, 1,866,382 doses of 2nd dose and 96,121 doses of 3rd dose).

There are currently 162 Mobile medical stations in the province (including 99 Mobile medical stations in communes, wards and townships; 43 Mobile medical stations in industrial zones; 20 mobile medical teams of Military Medicine).​

Reported by Phuong Chi-Translated by Nguyen Trang

​​Attending the ceremony were former President Nguyen Minh Triet; Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong - Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of Binh Phuoc provincial Delegation of National Assembly deputies. On the side of Binh Duong, there were Mr. Nguyen Van Loi - Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial Delegation of National Assembly deputies; leaders of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province over the years, representatives of departments, committees, branches, districts, towns and cities.

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A welcome musical performance at the ceremony

Presenting the speech at the ceremony, Mr. Vo Van Minh - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized that a quarter of a century ago – on January 01, 1997, implementing Directive 03 of the 8^th Politburo and the Resolution of the 10^th meeting of the 9^th National Assembly on the separation of Song Be province, Binh Duong province was re-established and officially put into operation with 4 administrative units at district level, 77 communes, wards and towns, with a natural area of nearly 2,700 km2 and a population of nearly 670,000 people. Inheriting the guidelines and policies of Song Be province, the Party Committee, authorities and people of Binh Duong province have promoted the tradition of solidarity, dynamism, creativity, strived to overcome all difficulties and challenges to build Binh Duong from an agricultural province with a low starting point into a dynamically developing industrial province in the Southern Key Economic Region.

The transparent policy of "Spreading flower mats to call for investment" is an important premise to attract more and more investors to Binh Duong. Up to now, the province has a large number of domestic private enterprises with more than 53,000 enterprises, total registered capital of 515,000 billion VND and more than 4,000 foreign investment projects with a total registered capital of over 37 billion USD.

The fast growth with high quality of most economic sectors has created a large source of budget revenue for the province. On average, in the 1997-2020 period, the total budget revenue increased by 26.1% per year. Binh Duong soon became a locality with a high budget revenue and a great contribution to the central budget. By 2021, the province's total budget revenue has reached 61,200 billion VND, an increase of 74 times compared to 1997.

Socio-economic infrastructure is invested in synchronously and modernly. In 2004, the province started construction of Binh Duong Industrial - Service - Urban Complex with the center of Binh Duong New City project with a scale of 1,000 ha, aiming to build a civilized and modern urban area with synchronous infrastructure system, closely connected with neighboring provinces and cities.

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Delegates perform the flag-saluting ritual

The province also focuses on better and better solving the relationship between economic growth and social progress and justice in each guideline and policy. Security and welfare are taken care of to ensure that all people and protection subjects are cared for, fully and fairly benefited from economic development achievements. At the same time, the province also mobilizes maximum resources to invest in the development of education, health and solving social problems; the development of social housing, housing for workers is considered a bright spot of the country. Since 2017, Binh Duong has been recognized as having no more poor households according to the central standard and the poverty rate according to the province's own standards is less than 1%. The province's per capita income is currently ranked first in the country.

From the practice over more than 35 years of renovation and 25 years of construction and development, it has been shown that the achievements that the Party Committee, army and people of Binh Duong have achieved over the years are very proud. That result is the crystallization of the tradition of diligence, dynamism and creativity of Song Be - Binh Duong's people; the sensitive and flexible application of guidelines and lines of the Party, policies and laws of the State to concretize into guidelines, mechanisms and policies suitable to the actual situation of the locality; always focusing on improving people's knowledge, fostering human resources, attracting and using talents to have a contingent of staff and workers to meet the requirements of integration and development of the province.​

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Vo Van Minh delivers a speech at the ceremony

On behalf of the Provincial Party Committee - People's Council - People's Committee - Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province, Mr. Vo Van Minh thanked the Central Committee of the Party, the Politburo, the Secretariat, the National Assembly, the Government and the Central Ministries and branches for creating favorable conditions for Binh Duong province in all aspects during the past 25 years. At the same time, he deeply expressed gratitude to the provincial leaders through the periods; recognized the striving and efforts of all levels and branches, the consensus, support and responsibility of all classes of people and the enterprise community; the support of provinces and cities in the Southern key economic region and the entire country for Binh Duong to have the development it is today.

The achievements achieved in the past 25 years are an important premise and great motivation for Binh Duong province to continue to overcome difficulties and challenges for development and achieve the goals set out by the Resolution of the 11^th Provincial Party Congress: "Striving to build Binh Duong province to develop sustainably in the direction of a smart, civilized and modern city; by 2030, Binh Duong will become a modern industrial center, and by 2045, a smart city of the region and the entire country. "The Provincial Party Committee - People's Council - People's Committee - Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province fully believes that the entire political system and all comrades, compatriots, soldiers and people of all classes in the province will continue to closely unite and work together to overcome all difficulties and challenges to achieve new and higher achievements, making Binh Duong develop faster, more comprehensively and sustainably, soon becoming a smart, civilized and modern city." – Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Vo Van Minh affirmed.

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Loi awards the First Class Labor Medal and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Vo Van Minh presents flowers to congratulate the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Binh Duong province

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Thao – Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Mr. Pham Van Chanh - Chairman of the Provincial People's Council award the Second-class Labor Medal to Mr. Nguyen Hoang Chau - former Member of Provincial Standing Party Committee, former Chairman of the Inspection Committee of the Provincial Party Committee

At the ceremony, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Binh Duong province was honored to receive the First Class Labor Medal; Mr. Nguyen Hoang Chau - former Member of Provincial Standing Party Committee, former Chairman of the Inspection Committee of the Provincial Party Committee received the Second-class Labor Medal awarded by the President. The Provincial Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front received the Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister for outstanding achievements in work, contributing to the cause of national construction and defense.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Vo Van Minh awards the Prime Minister's Certificate of Merit to the Provincial Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front

Reported by Phuong Chi - Quoc Chien - Translated by Nguyen Trang

​During the day, the province recorded 107 cases through RT-PCR testing and had full epidemiological information, 13 patients died. Number of new F0 patients during the day: 1,129 patients (treatment facility: 96 patients; at home: 1,033 patients).

Number of Covid-19 cases through RT-PCR test on December 31, 2021

Since the 4^th pandemic wave, Binh Duong province has recorded 290,671 cases of Covid-19 (through RT-PCR test), 3,219 patients died.

Treatment facilities throughout the province are treating: 1,028 patients (1st floor: 336 patients, 2nd floor: 472 patients and 3rd floor: 220 patients). Number of critical ill patients requiring oxygen: 304 patients.

Binh Duong is deploying 3^rd dose of Covid-19 vaccine for people. Up to now, the province has injected 4,415,428 doses/5,401,230 doses of Covid-19 vaccine distributed (including 2,470,689 doses of 1st dose, 1,864,758 doses of 2nd dose and 79,981 doses of 3rd dose).

There are currently 162 Mobile medical stations in the province (including 99 Mobile medical stations in communes, wards and townships; 43 Mobile medical stations in industrial zones; 20 mobile medical teams of Military Medicine).​

Reported by Mai Xuan - Translated by Nguyen Trang

​​Attending were leaders of provincial departments and branches. The meeting was online to districts, towns and cities.

According to the report, the Department of Information and Communications has summarized the OPS at levels 3 and 4 registered by the agencies, including: 07/18 departments, committees and branches (remaining agencies have upgraded to 100% OPS at levels 3 and 4); 09/09 District People's Committee, 91/91 Commune People's Committee. Through the coordination and review of restructuring, up to now, there are 1,662 OPS at levels 3 and 4 (reaching 86%). However, only 1,169 OPS have generated dossiers eligible for announcement in 2021, the remaining 551 OPS have not generated dossiers and proposed not to be announced.

Leaders of the Department of Information and Communications report on the implementation of online public services at levels 3 and 4

For the Center of Public Administration, 06 groups to guide and support the implementation of OPS have been established with 54 employees; conducting training for one-stop shop civil servants and pubic employees, youth union members of departments and branches at provincial level, staff of Call Center 1022 and volunteers; installing 04 "3 in 1" devices (scan, copy and print) and 3 specialized scanners, connecting the system to support and serve people and enterprises.

Regarding technical work, the Department of Information and Communications has presided over building the eForm configuration (electronic form) for 1,662 public services at levels 3 and 4 on the Provincial Public Service Portal.

The Department has also coordinated with VNPT to successfully configure the non-cash payment function through the VNPT Pay payment intermediary and transfer it into accounts for 126/190 units at district and commune level.

For payments on the National payment platform, the province has completed the integration functions in the test environment under the guidance of the Government Office, and is coordinating with VNPT to integrate it on the Provincial Public Service Portal.

For non-cash payment via e-wallets: Momo, VNPT Pay, etc. through VNPay payment intermediary, people can pay via e-wallets when performing administrative procedures directly at the counter, currently only performing administrative procedures at the provincial level.

Reported at the meeting, units and localities have taken basic standard steps (facilities, equipment, personnel, conduct training, setting up a volunteer force to support, guide people, fix technical errors) and are ready for January 01, 2022 to start implementing online public services at levels 3 and 4.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Loc Ha speaks at the conclusion of the meeting

Speaking at the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Loc Ha assessed that the departments, branches, districts, towns and cities have prepared quite thoughtfully and fully with all steps to implement OPS at levels 3 and 4, however, it is necessary to strengthen the propaganda widely for people and enterprises to clearly understand. In the spirit of both doing and perfecting, continuing to review difficulties and problems, closely coordinating to overcome and complete software engineering. The Center for Public Administration and the Department of Information and Communications need to review the conditions to prepare for the successful announcement ceremony on December 31, 2021.

Reported by Yen Nhi - Translated by Nguyen Trang