Accordingly, the 30 ambulances with drivers and 30 military medical workers will be under Military Region 9 and Military Region 7.

In addition to the military medical force, the Defense Ministry has also mobilised retired military doctors and nurses to join in taking samples and testing as well as in the care and treatment of COVID-19 patients.

Following a reception ceremony, 30 ambulances will be handed over 115 Emergency Centre and field hospitals that collect and treat COVID-19 patients in Ho Chi Minh City.

* Also today, the Military Medical Academy held a send-off ceremony for additional forces to assist Ho Chi Minh City and the southern provinces and cities in their fight against the pandemic.

The delegation included 1,096 officials and students divided into 341 mobile medical teams, including 264 doctors, 73 nurses and 759 high educational students.

Earlier on August 21, the academy sent 295 officials and students to support the southern provinces and cities.

* On the morning of August 23, the Ministry of National Defence's Border Guard High Command also hosted a send-off ceremony for a delegation of 58 military medical staff to support the southern localities.

The assistance is in response to the special emulation movement on COVID-19 prevention and control launched by the Central Military Commission and the Defense Ministry.