Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang hands over to the Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long over 1.5 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine sponsored by the Japanese Government. (Photo: VGP)Immediately after the Prime Minister's plane landed, the handover ceremony and reception of vaccines took place solemnly at the Noi Bai International Airport, with the participation of Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang, and Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long.On behalf of the delegation, Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang gave symbolically to Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long the amount of 1,540,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine donated by the Japanese Government to Vietnam.In addition, he gave a symbolic gift to Deputy Minister of Finance Vo Thanh Hung an amount of USD1 million from Sumitomo Mitsui Bank (SMBC) to support the Government of Vietnam in the prevention of the pandemic. In the context that the pandemic is undergoing complicated development, the number of vaccines given to Vietnam by the Japanese Government is very practical, contributing to adding more resources for the country in flexible, safe and effective adaptation and control of the COVID-19 pandemic; gradually recovering and promoting the development of economic and social activities./.