Vietnam will soon vaccinate foreign diplomats, international representatives, and foreign reporters residing in the country, according to Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: MoFA

The MoFA has been working with relevant agencies to submit the plan to the National Standing Committee on Covid-19 Prevention and Control, Hang said at a press conference on May 27.

“We pay great attention to the community of foreigners who are living, working, and studying in Vietnam,” Hang said in a statement.

In the government’s Resolution No.21 dated February 26, 2021, Vietnam names nine groups of people to the priority list of vaccination that includes frontline workers who are medical staff, those working in the fight against Covid-19, armed forces, and reporters.

Hang emphasized that Vietnam has dealt with several suppliers namely Pfizer and BioNTech, AstraZeneca, and COVAX Facility while still seeking more Covid-19 vaccine supplies.

The government of Vietnam is negotiating with other countries and partners to diversify the sources, she said, noting that a Covivd-19 vaccine fund that is formed through various sources has been set up to finance the purchase and development of domestic kinds.

Regarding vaccine passports, Hang said Vietnam has so far had no regulations on the entry of vaccination card holders. Vietnam is evaluating this issue in the context that the vaccine passport has been applied by a number of countries around the world.

The MoFA together with relevant agencies is studying this model to find out the best solutions for the opening, which should be in line with the country's twin goals of containing the virus and reviving the economy, Hang emphasized.

In terms of vaccine tours to the US that is being a "hot" issue in Vietnam in recent days, Hang warned local people of possible risks. She called for carefulness for outbound tours for vaccination there.

"Locals need to be careful and aware of movement restrictions in many countries. The citizens should check with foreign missions in Vietnam," she said.