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Vietnam's skillful handling of the first wave of COVID-19 has received wide acclaim. Vietnam confirmed its first two cases on January 23 and had about 350 cases nationwide by the end of June. By taking timely measures, it was able to stop the spread of the pandemic and importantly, there were no deaths. This is indeed a remarkable achievement considering that Vietnam has a common land and sea border with China.
Vietnam was recognized to be a model country in the response to COVID-19 by taking a number of initiatives early and correctly understanding the nature of the challenge. Vietnam sees COVID-19 as a human enemy, declares war against the pandemic and takes all precautions to stop its spread. Vietnam has closed its borders, imposed blockades, established quarantine facilities, and carried out rigorous checks and tracing through applications. Vietnam also monitors second, third and fourth levels of exposure to infected people, and introduces strict quarantine policies.
When China announced the first death from COVID-19, Vietnam immediately began conducting health checks at the airports. Authorities suspended all flights between Vietnam and China during the first phase and subsequently all international flights. Identification and implementation of the necessary steps to isolate hot spots began early in Vietnam.
Like other countries, Vietnam also saw the second wave of COVID-19. After 99 days of non-transmission, the disease broke out on July 25 in Da Nang, spreading rapidly to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city. By mid-September, 1,059 people in total have been affected and this time the number of deaths is about 35. These figures are not significant compared to figures from other countries.
Timely measures taken this time also help prevent the further spread of the disease. Vietnam resolutely suspended all flights from China, followed by all international flights shortly thereafter.
The Vietnamese Government decided to evacuate 80,000 tourists from Da Nang before the city implemented large-scale disinfection procedures to control the spread of COVID-19 and tighten travel control. The city was completely closed. A 500-bed field hospital to receive patients was established.
As in the first wave, an important aspect of Vietnam's effort is to seek cooperation from the people through an effective public awareness program. People strictly abide by the social distancing guidelines. The Government's instructions to Hanoi residents for home isolation were taken seriously. Citizens and authorities have also taken steps to reduce the negative social and psychological impact of the pandemic.
Factors behind Vietnam's success in disease control include active testing, contact tracking through applications, effective public communications, public participation and the Government’s concern to all aspects of the pandemic's adverse effects on society.
The Indian Times emphasized that, from the Vietnamese example, many things can be learned, including the fact that the pandemic can only be defeated by active testing at three levels, strict isolation of patients and preventive measures of people./.