PM Phuc said Vietnam has completed most of the preparations, but the postponement is necessary because of COVID-19 being declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung delivered the PM’s letter to the ASEAN and New Zealand Ambassadors at a meeting in Hanoi on Thursday.

The ASEAN Ambassadors praised Vietnam’s preparations for the events as well as its response to the epidemic. They said they support the decision of the ASEAN Chair and pledged to continue working closely with Vietnam to prepare for the 36th ASEAN Summit.