Screenshot from the Manila Times (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s response to the coronavirus pandemic was based on its experience in handling the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) pandemic back in 2003. Vietnam’s pandemic playbook basically has four pages, according to the newspaper.

First, as soon as it became apparent that there would be a need for them, the government provided substantial financial and administrative support for the development and production of home-grown medical treatments and supplies. Research on a vaccine began as soon as enough sample material had been collected. Vietnamese pharmacists began working on no fewer than four different types of coronavirus test kits, which became available for export as early as April last year. Vietnamese scientists are currently studying and testing domestically produced vaccines.

Second, Vietnam employed a strategy of short lockdowns and restricted movement to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, acting at once to shut down entire areas where the virus was detected. The government spent generously on social support, including delivering food to homes in lockdown.

Third, Vietnam immediately developed and implemented a thorough, accurate, and centralized contact tracing system.

And finally, infected cases and their first-level contacts have been immediately isolated for monitoring and treatment at government facilities.

While Vietnam is still restricting non-essential visits by foreigners, domestic travel and economic activity are back to normal. The Vietnamese government has launched an aggressive marketing campaign to promote domestic tourism to help its economy recover.