Vietnam deploys effective measures to contain well coronavirus

The government has been successful to date in containing the coronavirus pandemic because of the decisive action the government took during the final days of the Lunar New Year.

These measures included the isolation of a commune in Vinh Phuc province, the closure of schools, isolation of foreign travellers to Vietnam, and a halt to air flights from China and European hotspots. Later the government-imposed quarantine measures on Vietnamese returning home.

Being different from other countries, Vietnam acted early and decisively to isolate persons infected with coronavirus.

In addition, the government received the support of the general population for its strict measures. This reflects Vietnam’s communal culture that places the community over the individual in times of crises.

So far, Vietnam has been most effective in its policy of isolating persons affected with coronavirus and in tracing people who have been in contact with an infected person.

Social distancing is designed to prevent the spread of coronavirus through the community. The Vietnamese people initially accepted the government’s guidelines on social distancing.

The vast majority of Vietnamese have accepted the necessity for strict government policies to contain the coronavirus such as quarantine and isolation of particular local hot spots and restrictions on travel in Vietnam as well as abroad.

More than two months have elapsed since Vietnam first took steps to contain the coronavirus. The majority of Vietnamese appear to remain compliant.

There is also anecdotal evidence that some Vietnamese are questioning the government’s policy on social distancing because the number of infected persons is relatively low and there have been no coronavirus-related deaths. Some people have returned to exercising in public and others are flying kites.

It would be premature for the government to end abruptly its social distancing measures.

* Note: Carlyle A Thayer is Emeritus Professor, The University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy, Director of Thayer Consultancy, and columnist for The Diplomat.

He served in Vietnam with the International Voluntary Services (1967-68) and has been a regular visitor to Vietnam since 1981.