VNVC Commemorates COVID-19 Victims at the “Teardrop” Monument on the 5th Anniversary of Bringing the First COVID-19 Vaccines to Vietnam

On March 8, 2026, marking exactly five years since the first COVID-19 vaccine doses in Vietnam were administered to frontline personnel by the VNVC Vaccination Center System, representatives of VNVC organized a floral offering ceremony at the “Teardrop” Monument in Ho Chi Minh City to commemorate people, officers, soldiers, and frontline forces who lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic and to remind the public of the important lesson on the value of vaccination during the pandemic.

The memorial was an opportunity to look back at a special period in the nation’s medical history, when each vaccine dose was not only a remarkable scientific achievement but also a source of hope to protect people’s health and lives.

During the memorial, Mr. Tran Nguyen Cong Nguyen, Operations Director of the VNVC Vaccination Center System, expressed profound emotion and heartfelt sympathy for the losses endured by people, officers, soldiers, and frontline medical forces during the COVID-19 pandemic. He remarked: “Even after five years, while many may have partially forgotten the memories of the pandemic, being here and revisiting images of those days brings back the raw emotions of that fierce period. We especially remember the day the first COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered — a ray of hope that could halt the devastation the pandemic was threatening around the world.”

Recalling the period when the entire nation anxiously awaited every dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Bach Thi Chinh, Medical Director of the VNVC Vaccination Center System, shared: “In late 2020 and early 2021, the world was virtually paralyzed by the pandemic, with tens of thousands of deaths reported daily. It wasn’t just preventive medicine professionals like us, but likely everyone who yearned for vaccines to combat the disease—much like vaccines had proven their immense effectiveness in past global pandemics such as flu and smallpox. Therefore, when VNVC announced a $30 million investment (approximately 700 billion VND) into the vaccine research by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, we were filled with hope for its success. We understood that vaccines were the only hope to halt the pandemic, protecting community lives in the fastest, most effective, and most cost-efficient way.”

The decision to invest $30 million while the COVID-19 vaccine was still in the research phase was considered a risky yet historic move by VNVC. This strategic step made Vietnam the first country in Southeast Asia to have access to the AstraZeneca vaccine, with 30 million doses available for the largest rapid vaccination campaign in the nation’s medical history.

As a nurse directly involved in rapid vaccination campaigns within COVID-19 “lockdown zones,” Ms. Le Thi Kim Ngan (VNVC Vaccination Center System) vividly remembers the pressure of ensuring accurate and timely injections while racing against hourly rising infection rates.

“At that time, we all understood we were on a special mission, yet the anxiety was unavoidable. We understood that one vaccine dose could save one life. From logistics staff and examining doctors to vaccinating nurses, we strictly followed rigorous protocols to ensure every dose was correct, complete, and safe. Never before had we witnessed such a strong demand for vaccines from the community; everyone supported us so we could deliver those precious doses as quickly as possible. These unforgettable memories have fostered a sense of pride and responsibility in us as preventive medicine professionals, as we continue our mission to protect public health and stay ahead of dangerous diseases.”

Mr. Nguyen Tien (VNVC Binh Duong Customer Service), who supported rapid vaccination campaigns at numerous industrial parks and residential areas, recalls the nights spent on duty under intense pressure. “There were days we operated under harsh conditions; the heat was so extreme that many doctors, nurses, and staff collapsed from exhaustion right at the site. But we all understood that each vaccine dose was almost a person’s chance to survive. Looking back after five years, I am still very proud of my small contribution to the collective effort to protect community health.”

Beyond the risky 700 billion VND investment in vaccine development, VNVC has also worked tirelessly to rapidly expand its vaccination center network. Notably, it has made a major investment in constructing a world-leading modern vaccine plant to produce high-quality vaccines right here in Vietnam.

“From the reality of the pandemic, when Vietnam did not yet have the capacity to proactively secure vaccine supplies, VNVC became even more determined to act. We continue to invest in developing our vaccination network, now with nearly 260 modern centers across the country, enhancing preventive medicine capacity and preparing to proactively respond to emerging diseases. Notably, VNVC is step-by-step implementing the construction of a modern vaccine and biologicals plant featuring world-leading production lines, aiming to contribute to Vietnam’s future vaccine autonomy. This project is expected not only to enhance domestic research, production, and supply capacity but also to strengthen our ability to proactively address emerging epidemics and health emergencies. We believe the most practical way to protect public health is through science, vaccines, and proactive preventive measures,” shared Dr. Bach Thi Chinh.

As the pandemic recedes, the memory of the entire country watching the arrival of the first COVID-19 vaccine batches serves as a reminder of the role of science, the importance of vaccines, and the need for proactive preparation against potential future disease risks.

Today, the VNVC Vaccination Center System continues to expand its nationwide network with nearly 260 modern centers, serving tens of millions of children and adults annually. Through efforts to expand strategic partnerships with major global vaccine manufacturers, VNVC has successfully introduced over 20 new-generation vaccines to Vietnam to prevent dangerous infectious diseases such as pneumococcal disease, meningococcal disease, HPV, shingles, and dengue, among others. This helps Vietnamese citizens gain early access to scientific advancements on par with developed nations worldwide.

In May 2025, VNVC began the construction of the VNVC Vaccine and Biological Manufacturing Plant in Tay Ninh with an initial investment of over 2.5 trillion VND. It is expected to become a key foundation for promoting research, technology transfer, and domestic vaccine production. Once operational, the plant will not only contribute to enhancing biotechnology capabilities but also strengthen the ability to proactively research, produce, and supply vaccines domestically. This will help Vietnam prepare to respond rapidly to emerging diseases, mitigating the dependence on global supply chains as experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic further reinforce the vital role of vaccination as a cornerstone in the strategy to protect public health and ensure national health security. For VNVC, being the first and only private healthcare entity to bring the COVID-19 vaccine to Vietnam is not only a significant milestone from the pandemic but also a testament to the necessity of substantial investment—ranging from high-quality vaccine research and production to a professional, widespread supply chain. It underscores the importance of advanced personnel training and, crucially, community outreach to raise awareness about the value of immunization, empowering individuals to proactively protect their own health and their families.

This enduring journey reflects the commitment to realizing key Government and Party resolutions regarding public healthcare and disease prevention. In this mission, private healthcare plays a core role, contributing to the protection of the community and the vision of “a healthy Vietnam.”