Fa Cung

Since the New Year, a new wave of infections has swept through Phnom Penh. The Cambodian capital, along with Takhmao, is in lockdown. Many Vietnamese also return home by illegal means, risking to infect the country. For transport from Cambodia to Vietnam, traffickers demand 350 US dollars. In the past two months, 14,000 people have crossed the border in Kiên Giang province.

Only a few Catholics live near the mission point. Although most residents are not baptised, every year about 100 children come to the church for entertainment, education, and basic catechism.

Along the great river, dozens of dams have been built which also stop sand and mud. According to research conducted by Dutchman Philip Minderhoud, exploitation increases the risk of saline water intrusion, serious flooding and irreversible coastal erosion ..

On Easter eve, a group of ethnic Jarai became Christian in Anphongso, at the local Redemptorist mission. This is a sign of hope in a farming area seriously affected by the global health crisis.

Participants gathered for the diocesan Youth Day, marking a return to life after the break caused by the pandemic. Urged to be aware of familial love and called to bring “the joy of God to everyone,” they were full of enthusiasm.

Foxconn Technology Group, which is furthering economic cooperation in Vietnam, has invested US$ 1.5 billion in the country. Since 1987, bilateral trade has grown 27 times. Taiwanese investment has increased 28 times. Taiwan has 2,476 ongoing projects in Vietnam for a total capital investment of US$ 29.4 billion.

Nuns run a clinic where everyone is treated for free. Caritas and many parishes help disabled people, children of AIDS patients, and others in need. In Khánh Hòa province, southern Vietnam, the Church’s charity work shows its different faces. Its commitment is appreciated by local authorities, especially during the ongoing pandemic.

Faced with the Chinese naval exercises that will continue throughout the month of March, the foreign ministries of Vietnam and Thailand are seeking compliance with UN conventions on maritime law. And they hope that ASEAN will be strengthened, while commercial relations between the two countries advance.

As local transportation comes to a halt as a result of the pandemic, the sale of vegetables, chickens and eggs in the northern province is disrupted. This is particularly critical for the local economy during the Lunar New Year period. Some firms and individuals have responded by promoting online shopping. But there is a fear that the crisis could spread to neighbouring areas.

Church organisations have mobilised to offer help and support. The total cost of charitable and social work to help people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic has reached VND 254,500,000 (more than US$ 11,000), not enough to help thousands of patients, but a show of sincere love and hope for the people in the epidemic areas.

Lower water levels are affecting people in Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Chinese dams are responsible for the decline, damaging transport, fisheries, agriculture and aquaculture. For the Mekong River Commission, China and other countries must share water discharge plans.

Vietnam reported 470 new cases in the past two weeks. The country is one of the least affected by the pandemic. Shows and events have been cancelled in the big cities. Farmers and flower growers suffer losses. Provinces hit by the floods are in serious difficulty.