The total 200,000 doses of Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine donated by Cambodia to Vietnam were delivered on October 29.

The donation is part of Cambodia's efforts to assist Vietnam in its Covid-19 fight and to strengthen ties, solidarity and bilateral cooperation between the two countries, said Ministry of Health spokeswoman Or Vandine who personally handed over the vaccines.

The handover was made at the Bavet-Moc Bai border checkpoint in Svay Rieng province in a ceremony attended by Vandine, who is also head of the national Covid-19 vaccination committee, and her Vietnamese counterparts.

Vandine said the pandemic has had an adverse impact on the world, not only on public health but also economic growth. It has caused disruption to global supply chain, demand, travel, trade and investment.

She said the donation of these 200,000 vaccine doses demonstrated Cambodia's contribution to the ongoing Covid-19 fight in Vietnam and to helping the neighbour achieve herd immunity that would lead to a gradual reopening of the country.

Prime Minister Hun Sen also remarked on the occasion, saying Cambodia was more than willing to provide assistance for ASEAN member states to contribute to their fight against the pandemic in this difficult time.

“The donation of vaccines to ASEAN member nations shows [Cambodia's] humanitarian gesture and care for the health of people in neighbouring countries and the region,” he said in a Facebook post.

Vietnam health officials who were on hand to receive the vaccines extended thanks to the Cambodian government for the donation. They said the assistance has profound meaning, spiritually and logistically, for the government and people of Vietnam during this difficult time. It also shows that bilateral ties between the two countries will grow stronger and stronger, they said.