page_title: COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam
section_title: Government response
hierarchical_section_title: COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam / Government response
caption_attribution_description: English: Phố Chợ Hằng Vui, Hà Nội.
context_page_description: The COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam is part of the ongoing worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. On 23 January 2020, the first known case of COVID-19 in Vietnam was reported. As of 30 August 2020, the country had 1,040 confirmed cases, 696 recoveries, and 32 deaths. More than one million tests have been performed. Da Nang, as of August is the most-affected city with 394 confirmed cases and 28 deaths.
  Vietnam has suspended the entry of all foreigners from 22 March 2020 until further notice to limit the spread of COVID-19. The measure will not apply to diplomats, officials, foreign investors, experts, and skilled workers. For foreigners that entered the country before 1 March including those with temporary residence permits will also be entitled to extensions till 30 June but must present health declarations.
  Vietnam is cited by global media as having one of the best-organized epidemic control programs in the world, along the lines of other highlights such as Taiwan and South Korea.
context_section_description: Vietnam has prepared for the epidemic as early as the very first case in China emerged, around mid-December 2019. Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc ordered measures to prevent and counter the spread of the disease into Vietnam, as well as to warn Vietnamese citizens to avoid visiting areas with outbreaks. Deputy Minister Đỗ Xuân Tuyên said that Vietnam is considering closing the border with China as a necessary countermeasure. According to Kidong Park, World Health Organization representative to Vietnam, the first risk assessment exercise was conducted by the Vietnamese in early January - soon after cases in China started being reported. On 24 January, two days after the first cases, the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam ordered the cancellation of all flights from and to Wuhan. On 31 January, infectious disease expert Nguyễn Thanh Long was appointed as deputy Minister of Health and later as Minister of Health, he served as one of the main government advisors regarding the pandemic.
  In February 2020, Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training suspended all school activities across the country until the end of March as part of quarantine measures against the spreading of the virus, and later extended this till the middle of April until further notice. Aggressive measures were also taken to combat possible outbreaks, from 14 days quarantine to restriction of outdoor activities (some sources believe it was more than 20 to 40 days under quarantine), the Vietnam People's Armed Forces also takes part on patrolling and controlling measures.
  The government and local media outlets have used the phrase Cuộc chiến với Covid-19 (War with COVID-19) to illustrate the efforts and sacrifices required to contain the pandemic.
caption: After the Vietnamese government ordered a nationwide isolation, many public areas such as schools and restaurants had to be closed until 15 April 2020.[172]
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