Vietnam kicks off new school year amid worst COVID-19 wave

Over two-thirds of Vietnam’s 63 provincial-level localities started their new school year on Sunday amid the worst ever wave of COVID-19 infections in the country, Vietnam News Agency reported.

The school opening ceremonies were simplified due to COVID-19 restrictions, as 20 localities had to gather students online for the ceremonies.

Another 13 localities chose to postpone their back-to-school events while six others, including the current COVID-19 hotspot Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam, canceled the event, the news agency reported.

Vietnam has been fighting its worst wave of COVID-19 infections since late April with over 500,000 cases and 12,700 deaths recorded as of Saturday, according to the country’s Ministry of Health. 

Xinhua Agency – September 5, 2021