Vietnam's COVID-19 vaccine fund has receives donations from people inside and outside Vietnam (Photo: ncov.moh.gov.vn)

Vietnamese businesses and private donors have demonstrated their readiness to join the fight against COVID-19 by donating the government’s COVID-19 vaccine fund. Nguyen Viet Ha, Director of the Brand and Communication Department of the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV), said BIDV considers social responsibility part of its branding strategy.

'BIDV immediately responded to the call for donations to the COVID-19 vaccine fund. We pledged 60 billion VND (2.3 million USD), and will ask our staff to donate one day’s salary. In the first wave of the epidemic, we strongly supported frontliners,' said Ha.

The VNVC Company is Vietnam’s first business to purchase COVID-19 vaccines. So far, the company has purchased 400,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine which have been channeled through the Ministry of Health on a non-profit basis. VNVC has paid hundreds of thousands USD for taxes, transportation, insurance, and storage.

Vu Thi Thu Ha, Director of the VNVC Supply Chain, said, 'We are now seeking more vaccine suppliers to ensure vaccination for Vietnamese people in response to the call of the government and the Ministry of Health. VNVC has prepared the necessary logistics, human resources, and vehicles to ensure the import and storage a large number of vaccines.'

VNVC is now negotiating the purchase of millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines from major suppliers in the US and Europe. It’s expected that more than 20 million doses will be imported in the next few months and VNVC has pledged to continue handling the vaccines on a non-profit basis.