Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnamese Party, State,Government and people always treasure the practical and timely support ofinternational friends during the COVID-19 fight, according to the Ministry ofForeign Affairs.

The ministry said since the pandemic broke out,Vietnam has received valuable support from people and Governments of foreign countries, aswell as international organisations.

The medical supplies have helped the country sailthrough waves of COVID-19 outbreaks, it noted.

Given the complex developments of the pandemic, theVietnamese Government has considered vaccine access and widespread inoculation acrucial, urgent solution.

Therefore, Vietnam has stepped up “vaccine diplomacy,”with the engagement of Party, State, Government and National Assembly leaders,and ministries, and agencies.

Such efforts paid off as the country has received thewarm response from partners, neighbours and international friends that havecommitted up to 150 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, despite a globalshortage of vaccines.  

Vietnam has so far got more than 8 million doses fromforeign countries and partners, of which 4.5 million doses were channeled throughthe COVAX Facility, with 2 million doses from the US, 3 million doses from Japan,0.5 million doses from China and 1,000 doses from Russia.

The partners have also pledged to further aid the SoutheastAsian nation in the time ahead.

Other countries like India, the UK, Australia, Cubaand Germany have also made specific commitments to donations and cooperation inthe transfer of vaccine production technology.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and countrieslike Laos, Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK), Australia, Germany, Cambodia andSaudi Arabia have also provided Vietnam with medical supplies and sources toserve the pandemic combat.

Vietnam is rolling out its largest-ever inoculation campaign.As of July 20, more than 4.3 million people have been vaccinated, of whom over300,000 got full two shots.

According to the ministry, the Vietnamese leaders havethanked the valuable support during their meetings and online talks, and inletters to foreign leaders, saying it demonstrates the fine relations betweenVietnam and partners and international friends.

At the same time, Vietnam has joined hands with theinternational community in the combat through cooperation activities and theexchange of experience and sources.

The country has contributed 500,000 USD to the vaccinesharing scheme COVAX./.