The pastors of the Vietnamese church linked to the coronavirus outbreak in the city of Ho Chi Minh have offered "the church's sincere apology" to all the community. 

In a letter posted on the Revival Ekklesia Mission Church's Facebook, pastors Phuong Van Tan and Vo Xuan Loan said they "grieve both physically and mentally about what is going on." 

"Today I am writing this letter to send it to the people and community in Ho Chi Minh City and neighbouring provinces, authorities, staff, medical staff, and evangelical believers everywhere, our church's sincere apology.

"On behalf of the entire Church, my wife and I, as pastors, would like to sincerely apologize to all the community. Thank you to the authorities and medical staff who have been very active and not afraid to work hard to treat and treat people during the past time," the letter reads. 

The pastors are currently in hospital being treated for Covid complications. 

The church, based in the city district of Go Vap, has been linked to at least 145 cases of the virus after it was reported that churchgoers were not following coronavirus guidelines, singing maskless at close proximity in a small space. 

The surge in cases in Vietnam has led authorities to Covid start testing on the 9 million people living in Ho Chi Minh to stop the spread of the virus. 

In another Facebook post, the pastors urged church members to help health authorities localise as many people as possible who could potentially have the virus. 

"I would like to appeal to more members of the faithful who have been in contact with friends in personal relationships, please encourage them to file a medical report, to help localize and get help. We have no reason to hide or go against the fight against the global epidemic and in our country.

"Please stay strong and follow all the instructions of the competent authorities," the post reads. 

All religious events in Vietnam have been banned.