It is a more contagious strain, he said, adding that it's the sixth strain recorded in Việt Nam.

Việt Nam always wants to consult the World Health Organization, international organisations and experts whenever there is a new development in COVID-19 prevention and control, according to Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam.

Việt Nam reported eleven new COVID-19 cases on Monday evening, including two medical staff, bringing the total number of community infections linked to central Đà Nẵng City to 15 in the past few days.

Việt Nam’s authorities, the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore, budget carrier Vietjet Air, and relevant Singaporean offices arranged a flight to bring more than 240 Vietnamese citizens home on Monday.

The Ministry of Transport’s new orders were signed by deputy minister Lê Anh Tuấn on Sunday.

Up to 760 samples of people in close contact with COVID-19 patients No 416 and No 418 in Đà Nẵng have tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. 

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has urged relevant authorities to take bold actions to stop the wider spread of COVID-19 in central Đà Nẵng City and neighbouring localities after four COVID-19 community transmission cases were reported in recent days.