With a total of 268 infections recorded, including 198 recoveries and no fatalities, the nation has become a shining example for Western countries in the fight against the pandemic, the article states. This is despite sharing a border with China, the nation that the COVID-19 originated from.

The piece quotes Kidong Park, the World Health Organisation representative in Vietnam, in his interview granted to the “Journal du dimanche” newspaper, which states that the country has been vigilant to the COVID-19 threat since the first case was reported in China.

This can be seen as in mid-January a committee on disease response was established, gathering representatives of relevant ministries, sectors, doctors, and scientists who were able to make forecasts on the disease outbreak.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc declared a “war” against the COVID-19, urging citizens to “fight the disease like fighting the enemy”.
Compared to other Asian nations such as the Republic of Korea and Singapore, Vietnam does not enjoy the financial resources necessary to combat the pandemic. Therefore, with a population of 94 million, the nation has been forced to conduct a “low-cost” strategy of focusing on massive quarantine and tracing of all people who came into contact with those infected by the COVID-19, known as F1, F2, F3, and F4.

Moreover, the country has also applied a compulsory 14-day quarantine period arrivals, suspended all flights with China, and moved to tighten its control over the 1,000km land border line it shares with its northern neighbour, the article states.

Some other measures taken include the shutdown of all schools following the lunar New Year holiday in late January, in addition to making it compulsory to wear face masks outside.

The article also affirmed that these measures have been put in place thanks to the support shown by citizens for the Government’s great efforts.