The world was devastated by the sudden attack of the Novel CoronaVirus last 2020 up until now. It changed the whole world and its way of life. Countries across the globe took different steps to overcome it – some had progressed but some fluctuated as they failed to think of quick solutions. Vietnam, a country in Southeast Asia, is praised for making action proactively. As of January 8, 2021, Vietnam had confirmed 1,509 cases with 35 deaths, and 1,353 recovered – making them the 2nd country in Asia with the least deaths next to Singapore. Being a country with remarkable statistics, I think it is best to extract some inspiration from the protocols they have mandated.
Vietnam handled the pandemic the best way it can. To start off, Vietnam had never had a total lockdown. As the first positive patients entered the city of Bình Xuyên District of Vietnam last January 23, 2020, they immediately put the city under lockdown, until March 4 2020 – to prevent the widespread of the disease all over the country. The people residing in Son Loi and Han Loi were sealed off as well after a handful of cases emerged. The Vietnamese government-controlled and strictly took over the entering and leaving of the country, hence they have canceled all flights until the end of July. This was just the first wave.
After a 99-day streak of not reporting COVID incidents, the second wave of the virus came in the month of July. An outbreak There was once again a transmission – an outbreak which started in a major hospital in the city of Da Nang – Bach Mai Hospital (BMH). The nosocomial outbreak led to the quick rise of positive cases in the country leading to 15 major cities linked to it. Nonetheless, handling the first wave very effectively, they instantly shut down the city and restrictive measures were returned to Vietnam. As of July 31, the province of Quang Nam was placed under lockdown, together with the city of Buon Ma Thuot on August 3. On August 16, Hai Duong City was also put under lockdown after five cases of local transmission of the virus were reported.
Alongside the cancellation of flights inside and outside Vietnam – basic bans were also put in place. The country suspended all entry of outsiders with the exception of diplomats, officials, foreign investors, experts, and skilled workers.
With these, we could say that it is evident how fast the government acts upon what is happening in their country. Implementing lockdowns, restrictive measures, without hesitation just to prevent further problems.
Aforementioned, a total lockdown was not enacted in the country, however restrictive physical distancing was ensured and strictly applied. Aside from the restrictive physical distancing, Vietnam had also mobilized and made use of both their military and local governments to cater the needs of the people. They provided free testing, free meals, and free amenity services to all quarantine facilities. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of Vietnam, announced on the 1st of April 2020 a nationwide two-week physical distancing directive. People were directed to stay at home and not leave their homes unless necessary. This directive was extended for a week, non-necessity businesses were also called to shut.
As a preventative measure, public transportations was limited. Flights were only allowed to Diplomats and experts with the assurance of undergoing a strict health examination and a two-week quarantine.
During the outbreak in the city of Danang – the most popular tourist city in the country, the whole city was immediately advised to evacuate after going through a thorough examination and Da Nang was put on lockdown to stop the spread of the virus.
The country also took a step further by using innovative methods such as keeping the public safe and informed via regular text updates from the Ministry of Health. As a country experienced with a virus outbreak, Vietnam advised that a well-ventilated environment and a maintained regular schedule of disinfecting are helpful to fight the virus, similar to what they did when the SAR-virus struck them last 2003.
The whole world was affected by the economic crisis brought about by the pandemic – Vietnam is one of the countries greatly affected by it. Tourism, aviation, and catering sectors which were sources of Vietnam’s wealth slumped 53% during the pandemic.
One of the greatest conflicts the socio-economic state of the country of Vietnam has to face is its issue of employment. According to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, there were 897 000 people who lost their job in the first 6 months of 2020 adding up to the 1.3 million unemployed, making the unemployment rate reaching the highest point in 10 years. With this Vietnam had presented numerous solutions; from general, urgent, to long-term solutions.
For general solutions, the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam suggested that, making the most out of the domestic market would be beneficial. Another is developing an approving and timely business environment to cope up with the international competition. Urgent solutions would act as band-aid solutions addressing immediate problems such as extension for payment of tax and other duties (social insurance, trade union fees) of employees given that a lot of them had lost their job. The second solution is the approval of monetary allowance and 0% interest loan for employees affected by the pandemic. Another is through stabilizing and eliminating monopoly in utility bills such as electricity and water prices so that people could pay their bills at an average fare. Lastly, for long-term solutions, the government is thinking of developing policies that favor human labor such as meeting a need for social security, employment, and human resources training.
“When you’re dealing with these kinds of unknown novel potentially dangerous pathogens, it’s better to overreact,” says Dr Todd Pollack of Harvard’s Partnership for Health Advancement in Vietnam in Hanoi.
One of Vietnam’s greatest assets is its investment in its health care system. With prioritizing public health expenditures, the results have paid off by showing the rapidly improving health indicators. One of its indicators is its proactive and quick-thinking public health experts. Vietnam has skilled public health workers which enables them to quickly trace the transmission of the virus making them ahead before the virus spreads.
The country was also lauded for its success in controlling the spread through intense surveillance, improved laboratory testing, and ensuring infection prevention. It is also applauded for its control and management in health care facilities, clear communication, and its collaboration within the country’s sectors. These are fundamental in Vietnam’s quick action to the pandemic.
From social distancing, locking down, 14-day quarantine, travel bans to face masks everywhere, Vietnam has handled the virus well. The government was quick to think and chose to prevent rather than cure. Prior to its first positive patient on the 23rd of January, the government had already made drastic actions to prepare for this peculiar new pneumonia which had already spread like wildfire in its origin country – Wuhan. That is why when the first case of COVID-19 who came from Wuhan landed – Vietnam’s emergency plan was in action.
The COVID-19 pandemic had shocked the education sector of the world. The Minister of Education and Training, Phung Xuan Nha, held a meeting on April 17, 2020, with UNICEF to ask for support and assistance for his proposed distance learning.
Xuan Nha promoted digital learning as a solution to different global challenges such as impacts of climate change and the abrupt pandemic. Since all schools were closed, the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam has implemented distance learning and television. With this method, it is more flexible and effective for it fulfills the goal of continuity of learning despite school closure. Although education through the internet and television is a temporary measure, Minister Nha emphasized that the education sector would take this opportunity to improve and enhance the digital transition.
As a preparation for the possible return of face to face classes, MOET had also proposed a set of safe school criteria before finally allowing the resumption of classes. This criteria would give specific guidance to: student’s entry at the school gate, student studying at school and after leaving the school. With UNICEF’s capability, the minister hopes to gain its support and cooperation.
One of the different protocols implemented in different sectors of the country is security protocols.
One protocol states that everyone is obligated to undergo a 14-day quarantine if you are: a.) someone who entered the country and b.) someone who had contact with a confirmed case. Entry visas were not issued since March 22 and the supposedly visa-free entry for the Germans was postponed. All public transportations were limited to avoid mass gathering. They shut borders and put on lockdowns on cities to assure that the virus would not spread.
In addition, the government has already established a large number of regulations that help the country take the Corona crisis into account.
The social distancing measure has been strictly enforced in Vietnam. Alongside the distancing is the wearing of masks. The Prime Minister announced on April 5 2020, that whoever violates and disregards the use of social distancing and masks will be punished with fines. Quarantines and lockdowns should be followed as well. Notably, the Vietnamese public had been exceptionally compliant with government directives and advice making it easier to handle and COVID-19 situation. common enemy.
I believe it is Vietnam’s transparent communication from the Ministry of Health to its people that makes it progressive and successful. At the moment, there are many indications that Vietnam is slowly going through the virus -similar to what they did last 2003 when there was a SARS-virus outbreak – but we hope we could once again witness the success of Vietnam. The success in suppressing the pandemic and return of the ‘normal life’ unhindered with the now almost familiar, common Corona restrictions.
2021-2-18-1613638851