key: cord-0984371-yfjpmo4u
authors: Duong, Duc Minh; Le, Vui Thi; Ha, Bui Thi Thu
title: Controlling the COVID-19 Pandemic in Vietnam: Lessons From a Limited Resource Country
date: 2020-05-19
journal: Asia Pac J Public Health
DOI: 10.1177/1010539520927290
sha: db1b984b94113962fd09f7cedc7c1c03cc44ae89
doc_id: 984371
cord_uid: yfjpmo4u

The lessons learned from Vietnam, a country that the world acclaimed for its management of the fight against COVID-19, could stand out as an example of how to do more with less. The Vietnamese government has acted swiftly at the very early stage of the pandemic with a focus on containment efforts and extensive public health measures, particularly (1) the commitment from the government with a multisectoral approach; (2) a timely, accurate, and transparent risk communication; (3) active surveillance and intensive isolation/quarantine operation, case management with tracing all new arrivals and close contact up to 3 clusters; and (4) suspension of flights, shutting schools, and all nonessential services.

The highest leaders with whole political system including related agencies and localities such as health sector, public security force, the army, civil societies of Vietnam follow a supreme goal to protect public health and life, and no one is left behind during the COVID-19 pandemic. 2 Just 1 week after the first case, the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control comprising representatives from 23 ministries and media agencies was established and chaired by a Deputy Prime Minister by January 30, 2020.

Vietnam has performed one of the best risk communication practice in its history. Vietnam adopts a whole-of-society and multisectoral approach with a timely, accurate, and transparent communication sharing through most common and official channels such as websites, television, radio, newspaper, social media, mobile phone messages, and so on. The government also keeps a close eye on all fake news and misinformation regarding COVID-19.

3. Intensive surveillance, case management, contact tracing, and large-scale health quarantine

Vietnam is one of the best countries conducting intensive surveillance, contact tracing, and lockdown operation for all newly COVID-19-confirmed cases. It has very successfully identified the epidemiological linkage of infection source. On March 20, community transmission was revealed with 2 clusters in the 2 most populous cities in Vietnam. Vietnam has acted promptly by initiating large-scale tests for COVID-19 for more than 15 000 people. 3 To date, the situation in both clusters has been brought under control. The close monitoring is also coming from a strong culture of surveillance in Vietnam. People will inform on their neighbors if they suspect any wrong-happenings.

Right after the first confirmed case, a series of initiatives was implemented to control the spread of the pandemic. The country suspends and temporarily denies entry of foreigners and all international visitors. All schools and other nonessential services have been shutting for more than 3 months.

The major challenge for the country now is to control potential community transmission clusters. Besides, Vietnam is prioritizing developing/revising its National Strategy Plan for COVID-19 prevention and control.

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Duc Minh Duong https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4415-5229 Risk assessment for 2019-nCoV was conducted.

Vietnam Ministry of Health. COVID-19 emergency sugar diseases situation site

COVID-19 fight: protection of public health and life is "supreme" goal

COVID-19 update until