Vietnam’s journey through the COVID-19 pandemic presented a distinctive case study, particularly for a developing nation. The country initially garnered international attention for its highly effective containment efforts, achieving remarkable early success in controlling the virus. As the global health landscape shifted, Vietnam faced new challenges, requiring adaptations to its strategies and impacting its economic trajectory.
Vietnam’s Early Containment Measures
Vietnam implemented proactive and aggressive measures to control the virus. The government prioritized public health, swiftly deploying a “zero-COVID” strategy. This involved immediate border closures, with flights to China suspended as early as February 1, 2020, and all visa issuance discontinued by March 18, 2020.
Vietnam’s early response included extensive and rapid contact tracing, identifying up to three degrees of contacts. Those identified as close contacts (F1) were isolated in hospitals, while secondary contacts (F2) were required to self-monitor and home quarantine. Large-scale government-run quarantine centers were established for international arrivals and close contacts, with some military camps accommodating up to 40,000 people. Targeted lockdowns were also implemented in areas with community transmission, such as Sơn Lôi in Vĩnh Phúc province in February 2020, which saw a community of 10,000 people quarantined for 20 days. Public compliance was high, fostered by clear and transparent communication from authorities, which helped dispel misinformation.
Navigating Subsequent Waves and Economic Impact
As the pandemic evolved and new variants emerged, particularly the Delta variant in April 2021, Vietnam faced significant challenges, prompting a shift from its strict “zero-COVID” approach. The fourth wave proved to be the most severe, with a rapid increase in infections and a broader spread across the country, affecting 28 cities and provinces by May 2021. This surge necessitated a transition to a more flexible “new-normal” strategy by October 2021, focusing on controlling transmission while minimizing economic disruption.
The stringent lockdowns and restrictions, especially in key economic hubs like Ho Chi Minh City, had a considerable economic impact. Factories, including those of major international companies like Samsung and Apple, were forced to close for weeks, disrupting global supply chains and manufacturing. This led to a significant decline in Vietnam’s GDP, which diminished by 6.17% between July and September 2021, marking the first quarterly decline since 2000. The government introduced policy shifts to mitigate these effects, aiming to balance public health with economic recovery, including measures to reduce quarantine times and encourage home quarantining for close contacts.
The National Vaccination Strategy
In response to the evolving pandemic, Vietnam launched a nationwide vaccination campaign. The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was approved, with vaccinations commencing in early 2021. Several other vaccines were subsequently approved for emergency use throughout 2021.
Vaccine procurement involved purchases, donations through the COVAX Facility, and technology transfer negotiations. By December 2021, Vietnam had acquired over 160 million vaccine doses. The rollout faced initial challenges but rapidly accelerated. By December 2021, approximately 70% of the population had been fully vaccinated, and by March 2022, over 200 million doses had been administered, significantly reducing severe cases and fatalities, even with the emergence of the Omicron variant.
Societal Adaptation and Recovery
Vietnamese society adapted to the evolving pandemic through changes in daily life and public health behaviors. The initial strict measures, including social distancing and movement restrictions, profoundly altered routines, with military forces even assisting in delivering food and essentials during the strictest lockdowns in Ho Chi Minh City. The pandemic also accelerated digital innovation, with increased reliance on mobile phone data for track-and-trace strategies.
As the country transitioned to a “new-normal” approach, there was a gradual reopening of various sectors and a return to more normalized activities. The government implemented support programs, including “rice ATMs” and food provisions for vulnerable citizens, to alleviate economic hardship. The resilience of the population, coupled with the successful vaccination campaign and economic recovery efforts, allowed Vietnam to achieve a GDP growth rate of 2.91% in 2020 and 2.58% in 2021.