Diageo Vietnam on Thursday donated VND3 billion (US$130,400) to the Cung Tuoi Tre gop vac xin COVID-19 (Making COVID-19 vaccine contributions with Tuoi Tre), a programme initiated by Tuoi tre (Youth) newspaper.

Launched in late February, the programme aims to mobilise donations from individuals, organisations and businesses to buy and provide free COVID-19 vaccines to Vietnamese people.

“As a British business operating in Viet Nam, we are proud to accompany and support the local communities in every possible way to protect their well-being and promote sustainable development for the country. Through partnership with Tuoi Tre newspaper, we hope to provide more people with opportunity to access to free COVID-19 vaccine, hence empowers Vietnamese people with the freedom to live a healthy and successful life,” said Jos Duursema, Chief Operating Officer of Diageo Vietnam.

Diageo Vietnam was also one of the first foreign businesses in the country to work with Tuoi Tre to help frontline workers who work at medical centres, hospitals and quarantine centres in Viet Nam to get free COVID-19 vaccines.

“Tuoi Tre newspaper welcomes all local and international individuals and businesses, to join with us to protect public health and ensure social equality in terms of rights and opportunities to vaccination. We would like to express our deep gratitude to contributors like Diageo Vietnam, who has immediately responded to our call and become a great example of a responsible, compassionate business,” said Le The Chu, Editor in Chief of Tuoi Tre newspaper.

As of March 4, the programme has received over 90,000 donations with a total value of over VND4.6 billion.— VNS