The battle against the Covid-19 epidemic in Vietnam has received great attention and appreciation from the international public. As of today, May 5th, 2020, the total number of COVID-19 patients is 271, of whom 131 are imported cases. 232 patients have been totally recovered and discharged from the hospital. Viet Nam has gone 17 days without a new community transmission case of COVID019, according to the Steering Committee. So how Vietnam is winning its 'war' on coronavirus?

In Summary: Early recognition of crisis, right time actions.

Sputnik (Russia) wrote a review that Vietnam has proactively implemented social isolation to control disease early. The article mentions experts' opinions about the Vietnamese Government’s decision to carry out social isolation from 0h on April 1st and announce the national epidemic when the number of Covid-19 cases has just exceeded 200. The decision shows that the Vietnamese government has acted at the right time. Making decisions at this time gives Vietnam enough time to prepare resources and helps people and authorities take initiative in coping. 

Hespress Website from Morocco also has an article praising Vietnam for the success in restricting the spread of Covid-19 through effective policies. The article appreciates Vietnam’s initiative in the prevention of the Covid-19 epidemic. In the author’s opinion, Vietnam has prepared preventive measures soon and notified the epidemic situations and preventive measures for people. These preventive efforts have taken a contribution to limit the spread of the epidemic. The success of Vietnam is early recognition of the crisis, daily notification to the public, and successful models to respond quickly and effectively to deal with this global crisis. 

In Deutsche Welle (DW) from Germany’s article “How Vietnam is winning its 'war' on coronavirus”, the author has asked a question about how Vietnam can keep the low rate of positive with Covid-19 patients and cope with this global disease by limited medical care and financial resources? DW's author affirmed that Vietnam has done a very good job of preventing an epidemic. On the Lunar New Year at the end of January, the Vietnamese government has launched the fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, even though the disease had just only outbreak in China at that time. According to the article, Vietnam has implemented strict quarantine measures and conducted monitoring of all people who have been exposed to the infected person. Anyone from a high-risk area to Vietnam is isolated for 14 days. All schools and universities are closed from the beginning of February. Germany and Western countries just make a statistical list of infection patients and people who have direct exposure to them. Meanwhile, Vietnam has monitored all of the exposure people in levels 2, 3, 4 and all of these people are strictly controlled about travel itineraries.

Acknowledge the anti-epidemic work in Vietnam, EFE news agency (Spain) said that, with limited resources, Vietnam has sought to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic by implementing preventive measures such as mass isolation and thorough monitoring of suspected cases. According to Mr. Park Kidong (cited by EFE), an official of WHO in Hanoi, reasons why Vietnam has succeeded until now include social distance, early activation of response system and whole community approach under strong leadership. 

Also, The New York Times, U.S News and World Report also posted, acknowledged and highly appreciated Vietnam’s measures to avoid the disease such as early suspension of visa exemption for citizens of some countries, closure of all schools, cinemas, clubs and bars, massage, karaoke rooms and shopping centers in the urban areas.

Asia Times posted an analysis of journalist David Hutts, who identifies that the Communist Party of Vietnam has received acclaim both in the country and abroad for prompt, effective and transparent decisions to curb the COVID epidemic. Vietnam’s strict measures have shown the decisive and community unity spirit. Asia Times emphasized that Vietnam has taken the initiative in action by establishing a specialized board to monitor the situation at all levels including the nation and province. The Vietnamese government has launched a media campaign to advise people on what they should do to slow the pace of Covid-19.

Bloomberg news paid special attention to measures to expand the quarantine area for Vietnamese returning home from other countries. Accordingly, the Vietnamese Army has reserved facilities with a capacity of 60,000 people to serve isolation measures, to prevent the spread of disease.

An article in the Financial Times (UK) said that Vietnam's response to the epidemic was "impressive". Vietnam's success in controlling Covid-19 depends on a part of mobilizing military, medical, and national information networks. Vietnamese media continuously broadcast messages and authorities about the disease. The Ministry of Health of Viet Nam regularly sends messages about Covid-19 epidemic and health care guidelines. The Financial Times also mentioned a recent survey by market research firm Nielsen Vietnam showing that the majority of respondents were "highly aware" of the symptoms of Covid-19. “The government's effort to fight Covid-19 has received the support of the people, expressed through social media posts to encourage health workers, or to share messages: Staying at home is patriotism, "the article reflects.

Summarised by Vy Truong.