(Photo: hcmcpv.org.vn)

They said now it’s time for Ho Chi Minh City to reopen its economy because almost 100% of its population have received at least one shot and 72% of its population has been fully vaccinated, which is deemed relatively safe. Herd immunity is about to be reached as the city tries to co-exist safely with the virus.  

Nguyen Xuan Thanh of the Fulbright University said that Ho Chi Minh city must lead the economic recovery effort in Vietnam as it has already planned its exist strategy in cohesion with Vietnam’s directions. He said, “Through the Delta variant is widely raging on, countries with over 60% of vaccine coverage have insisted on their reopening. Co-existing safely with the coronavirus and rejuvenating the economies are their choice. We should brace for more cases in the future and try to reduce severe cases and deaths as many as possible.”

Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Phan Van Mai told VOV, “The COVID-19 situation is basically under control in Ho Chi Minh City. It is possible to worsen which requires a constant effort to handle it properly in the long run. We are engaging in our dual mission of fighting the pandemic and reviving the economy.”

The city is collecting ideas to devise it plan for recovery and socio-economic development until 2025.