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Each week, we digest the most important stories from the capital, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and summarize them in short paragraphs so you can easily keep up with current affairs.
Cautious Vaccine Optimism
As Vietnam's success in containing the coronavirus outbreak continues, with no community transmission detected in nearly one month, a vaccine project is showing promise.
A collaboration between VABIOTECH, a company under the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, and the University of Bristol, has injected a candidate vaccine into 50 mice. The animals were still in good health 14 days after receiving the injection.
Far more research on the mice is set to take place, and even if the vaccine becomes eligible for human testing, a functioning version wouldn't be available for at least a year.
No New Airlines Yet
Vietnam's aviation authority has announced that it will not license any new domestic airlines until the existing five recover from the financial fallout of the pandemic.
Vietravel Airlines, Kite Air and Vietstar Airlines are all in the midst of obtaining the necessary permits to begin flying, but these processes have been put on hold.
Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Jetstar Pacific, Bamboo Air and Vasco are all struggling to recover losses amid a catastrophic drop in tourism and overall passenger numbers amid ongoing travel restrictions.
Noi Bai Makes Global Top 100 for 5th Straight Year
Skytrax's annual airport rankings are out, and Noi Bai International came in 87th, one position lower than last year, but good enough to remain in the top 100 for another year.
Singapore's Changi International Airport came in first for the eight year in a row, while Asia performed well throughout the top 10. Hong Kong International, Seoul Incheon, both Tokyo airports and Chubu Centrair Nagoya were all among the top aerodromes.
In 2014, Noi Bai was rated one of the world's worst airports by The Guide to Sleeping in Airports, spurring officials to make improvements to the facility.
