Vietnam has successfully curbed many dangerous diseases such as smallpox, polio, plague, SARS, and COVID-19, and is one of only a few countries with a complete and broadly-organised healthcare network accessible to hamlets and villages.

The results from Vietnam’s COVID-19 prevention and control efforts have made important contributions to and created favourable conditions for the country’s socio-economic recovery. Social elements have received particular attention, with the lives of the people being constantly improved.

Under Decision No 26/2023/QD-TTg from the Prime Minister dated October 19, 2023, from October 20, COVID-19 is no longer a Group A infectious disease and is downgraded to Group B.

Foreign arrivals to Vietnam were estimated to have hit 6.6 million in the first seven months of 2023, surging 6.9-fold compared to the same period last year but still only 67.5% of the figure in the first seven months of 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vietnam had reached agreement on the mutual recognition of “vaccine passports” with 19 countries as of April 7, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Digital Covid-19 vaccine passport with personal details and vaccination information will be issued nationwide after a trial period.

Vietnam has signed purchase deals or received donations for nearly 211 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, with 156.4 million already arrived as of December 10, 2021, according to the Ministry of Health.

Vietnam is temporarily accepting the vaccination certificates, otherwise known as “vaccine passports”, from 72 countries and territories worldwide recommended to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via representatives.

The Hanoi Medical University has started the first phase of clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccine ARCT-154 with the participation of 100 volunteers.

Pfizer, a US multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation, has pledged to provide Vietnam with 20 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 12-18 in the fourth quarter to help with its vaccination rollout.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has highlighted the ultimate goal of protecting people’s health, driving back COVID-19 pandemic, especially in key areas, to ensure socio-economic development and social welfare during a nationwide teleconference in Hanoi on May 29.

Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 variants

Results of genetic sequencing of specimens from imported cases into Vietnam show seven new SARS-CoV-2 variants causing the COVID-19 epidemic.

From 12am of May 25, 2021, Hanoi temporarily closes service establishments amid Covid-19 in response to new developments of Covid-19.

In order to prevent spread of the deadly coronavirus, people are recommended to change some habits.

A strict safety protocol against COVID-19 is carried out at polling stations to ensure safety for voters given the complicated developments of the coronavirus pandemic.