It's been a costly battle so far.
VnExpress reports that over VND30 trillion (US$1.3 billion) from the state budget has been spent on fighting COVID-19. This figure was announced by the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control last weekend.
The Ministry of Health has received VND21.2 trillion (US$931 million) of this total in order to purchase vaccines, build critical care facilities and treat patients.
The Ministry of National Defense, which manages quarantine facilities across the country and supported lockdown and food distribution measures in Saigon and other hard-hit provinces, has received VND2.7 trillion (US$119 million). Another VND1.4 trillion (US$61.5 million) has gone to the Ministry of Public Security.
In terms of specific localities, US$228 million has been funneled to Saigon, Dong Nai, Binh Duong and Hai Duong, the latter of which experienced a serious outbreak last year.
In addition to the money, 137,000 tons of rice from the country's national reserve has been distributed to 31 provinces and cities, while roughly 300,000 people from medical, military and police forces have been deployed nationwide. These include 20,000 health workers, 133,000 military personnel, and 126,000 police officers.
The figures above don't include pandemic-related expenses borne by individual provinces and cities.
