Vietnam aims to vaccinate 50 per cent of people aged 18 or older by the end of this year and 70pc by the end of March 2022, the health ministry said, as tighter coronavirus curbs were imposed in more cities including the country's commercial hub.

After successfully containing the virus for much of the pandemic, Vietnam has since late April faced a more stubborn outbreak that has prompted calls for the government to accelerate its vaccination programme, according to Reuters.

Vietnam on Friday began movement restrictions in its business powerhouse Ho Chi Minh City after imposing new curbs in the capital Hanoi after the country's daily infection rates hit record highs above 1,000 four times this month.