Shinhan Bank Vietnam donated 320,000 Air Queen Nano medical masks made in South Korea worth VND4.5 billion (US$198,215) to the State Bank of Viet Nam.

Speaking at the event to hand over the masks, the central bank’s deputy governor, Dao Minh Tu, thanked Shinhan Bank for assisting in the prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He hailed Shinhan Bank's success and contributions to the Vietnamese economy, especially the banking industry.

Shinhan Bank is one of the foreign banks with a significant scale and high quality in Viet Nam.

Data shows that Shinhan Bank follows the SBV's directions by rolling over loans, providing assistance to individuals and businesses and “guaranteeing the security of financial activities,” he said.

The fourth wave of COVID-19, which began in April, has had a major impact on all socioeconomic activities in Viet Nam.

Shinhan Bank Vietnam has sought to do its bit to cope with the pandemic through a series of social support programmes such as donating VND6 billion to the government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Fund and VND500 million to the Viet Nam Fatherland Front in HCM City for epidemic control, donating medical supplies to frontline workers in quarantine areas in Lang Son Province and Can Tho City and buying 16.5 tonnes of watermelon to help farmers affected by the outbreak.

It has strived to support businesses and individuals affected by COVID-19 by offering credit at low rates, waiving or reducing transaction fees and developing digital banking products and safe payment services.

A bank spokesperson said: "Shinhan Bank always understands and accompanies Viet Nam's difficulties in the fight against COVID-19.

“As a result of this meaningful activity, Shinhan Bank hopes to continue contributing medical equipment and supporting frontline workers in their fight against the pandemic to stabilise people's lives and promote socioeconomic development in the context of the new normal." — VNS