A factory of Samsung Vietnam (Source: Yonhaps News)

During a recent meeting between Long and representatives from several Korean groups, General Director of Samsung Vietnam Choi Joo Ho expressed his hope to cooperate with Vietnam in the field of medical equipment. He affirmed that Samsung has paid attention to and assists Vietnam’s COVID-19 prevention and control efforts.

According to Choi, Samsung donated 40 billion VND (1.7 million USD) to Vietnam’s COVID-19 vaccine fund, and an additional 16 billion VND (nearly 700,000 USD) to the northern provinces of Bac Ninh and Bac Giang.

Long proposed Samsung cooperate in building hospitals in Vietnam. At the meeting, the SK Group – the RoK’s third largest group – contributed 1 million USD to the vaccine fund. Long welcomed the group expanding investment in the production of pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and vaccines in Vietnam, affirming that the health ministry will create all favourable conditions for the group to produce COVID-19 vaccines in the Southeast Asian country.

Many Korean groups and companies have also contributed to the pandemic fight in Vietnam. The LG Group presented 1.55 billion Won (1.37 million USD) to Hai Phong city, while CJ donated 320 million Won and Shinhan Bank contributed 290 million Won to the COVID-19 vaccine fund. 

As of 5pm on Monday, the national COVID-19 vaccine fund received over 7.8 trillion VND (340 million USD) raised by 352,562 organisations and individuals, according to its management board.