Vietnam to vaccinate people regardless of nationality, residential status

"The Vietnamese government supports foreigners living, studying and working in Vietnam, treating all in case of illness," Deputy Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said at a press meet Thursday.

"Amid the complex Covid-19 situation, the government views vaccinating foreigners in Vietnam as part of its drive to achieve herd immunity," she continued, as cited on the foreign ministry's online portal.

She was responding to an inquiry regarding Vietnam's plans and arrangements for foreigners to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in the country.

"Recently, the Prime Minister had instructed the Ministry of Health to vaccinate people regardless of their nationalities and residential status. Foreigners and Vietnamese with residency in other countries but currently living in Vietnam have the right to be vaccinated like any other citizen if part of prioritized groups," Hang said.

"If one doesn't belong to a prioritized group for vaccination, they may register with local authorities and get vaccinated like any other Vietnamese citizen," she added.

Vietnam has vaccinated around 16 million people with at least one Covid-19 vaccine shot. Over 1.5 million people have been fully inoculated.

Prioritized groups for vaccination include frontline Covid workers like health professionals, police officers and journalists.