The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, calling for a doubling of global efforts to prevent it from spreading. Vietnam has implemented aggressive measures to protect people’s health, enhancing the public’s confidence in the Party, State, and government.

Vietnam has set up a National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control and prepared multiple scenarios to fight the epidemic. The government has provided the public full and accurate information about the disease. With cooperation from the political system, ministries, sectors, agencies, localities, and the public, Vietnam has so far managed to control the situation.

People’s lives are first priority

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said Vietnam has pursued the two tasks of disease prevention and economic development, but the government’s first priority is to protect people’s health and lives.

The Prime Minister said that although the economy is difficult, solutions can be found, but people’s lives are irreplaceable. He said Vietnam is ready to sacrifice economic gains in the short term to protect lives.

With this in mind, Vietnam has mobilized resources to fight the epidemic. As soon as it appeared, Vietnam implemented measures to protect its citizens abroad, setting up hotlines to support overseas Vietnamese communities. To protect their health, Vietnam brought back 30 Vietnamese citizens from the Chinese city of Hubei and many more from the Republic of Korea.

Thousands of workers in Vietnam and foreigners at risk of infection have been isolated for monitoring. They have been given free food, accommodation, and medical care. 

Vietnam has mobilized facilities, medical staff, equipment, and medicines to treat everyone infected with the novel coronavirus. 16 COVID-19 patients, some of them foreigners, have recovered in Vietnam. The dedication of Vietnam’s medical staff, army, and government has resulted in successful containment of the epidemic in this first phase.

Confidence increases

Vietnam’s success so far in coping with the COVID-19 epidemic has been acknowledged by the Vietnamese public and the international community. Dao Thi Lien, a Vietnamese student in the Republic of Korea, returned to Vietnam on February 26 and was quarantined upon arrival. 

She wrote, “We were met at Noi Bai airport, not by our relatives, but by soldiers. While in quarantine, we received health checks and did exercises every day. We appreciated the care of the Vietnamese State and the Military Human Resource School in particular. The soldiers camped in the forest and gave us their beds and mattresses. We are grateful to the Party, State, and Uncle Ho’s soldiers.”

Serbian writer Marko Nikolic has lived in Vietnam for several years. He wrote, “Though the COVID-19 epidemic is spreading rapidly, I’m optimistic about Vietnam’s prompt response measures and the dedication of the Vietnamese doctors.”

Teacher of English Giang Nguyen, who has lived in the US for several years, praised the government’s undeniably important role in ensuring the safety of the people in Hanoi. He said people’s confidence in the government has been reinforced, particularly in the government’s information and instructions over the past two months.

Government leaders have provided plentiful information to the public and promptly implemented measures to ensure people’s health and safety. Nguyen also expressed his confidence in the Vietnamese government.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc says Vietnam has the capacity, resources, determination, and experience to contain the epidemic. With the epidemic rapidly spreading globally, the Prime Minister observed that fighting the disease is like fighting an enemy.

The government has a good grasp of the situation and has prepared detailed plans of action to protect public health even at the expense of economic gain. He said the public’s confidence encourages the government to stay calm and take prompt, resolute measures against the epidemic.