Medical staff test samples to detect Covid-19 infections in Hanoi, April 2020.

Its success in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic lay in "a combination of factors, from the government's swift, early response to prevent its spread, to rigorous contact tracing and quarantining and effective public communication," the cable channel noted.

CNN quoted Guy Thwaites, an infectious disease doctor who works in one of the main hospitals designated by the Vietnamese government to treat Covid-19 patients, as saying the numbers matched the reality on the ground. "I go to the wards every day, I know the cases, I know there has been no death," said Thwaites, who also heads the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Ho Chi Minh City.

Thwaites said the speed of Vietnam's response was the main reason behind its success. "Their actions in late January and early February were very much in advance of many other countries. And that was enormously helpful ... for them to be able to retain control."

He noted that Vietnam's rich experience in dealing with infectious disease outbreaks, such as the SARS epidemic from 2002 to 2003 and the following avian influenza, had helped the government and the public to better prepare for the Covid-19 pandemic. 

"The population is much more respectful of infectious diseases than many perhaps more affluent countries or countries that don't see as much infectious disease - Europe, the UK and the US for example."

Last week, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization hailed Vietnam’s success in handling Covid-19 pandemic, saying Vietnam was quick to respond to and remains in control of Covid-19.

Politico, a U.S. political news organization, recently said that Vietnam has responded best to the Covid-19 pandemic in terms of health and economic impacts.

On Friday Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong praised Vietnam’s success in handling the Covid-19 pandemic, and thanked the nation for lending a helping hand.

Vietnamese university-developed Covid-19 initiatives receive sponsorship

Four Covid-19-related projects designed by four Vietnamese universities have been selected by Francophone University Agency (AUF) to receive research grant.

Online music marathon to raise funds for people affected by Covid-19

An online music marathon entitled “Resurrection” will take place on May 30 to raise funds for charity activities supporting people affected by Covid-19.

Vietnam presents gift to South Africa to fight Covid-19

The Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa has presented a package of food and protective equipment to a representative of Mbizana district, Eastern Cape province – one of the localities hardest hit by Covid-19 in the African nation.

Vietnam supports Covid-19 relief efforts in Ukraine

The Vietnam-Ukraine Friendship Association (VUFA) on May 26 presented 5,000 antibacterial face masks and VND332 million (US$14,254) to the Ukrainian Embassy in Vietnam to support the East European country in its fight against Covid-19.

Supported amount paid for people affected by Covid-19 pandemic in 3 more localities in Bac Giang

(BGO) – Three districts of Viet Yen, Yen The and Yen Dung in Bac Giang province on May 22 mobilized the budget’s reserve source to pay the supported amount for 4 groups of national contributors, social beneficiaries, poor households and near poor families who are affected by Covid-19 pandemic in line with the Prime Minister’s Resolution No.42.

Source: VnExpess