International media praise Vietnam’s success in COVID-19 fight
International media continue to hail the success that Vietnam has made so far in containing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 despite limited resources compared to many countries.
A medical worker sprays disinfectant. Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi, (VNA)– International media continue to hail the success that Vietnam has made so farin containing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 despite limited resources comparedto many countries.
Both the DeutscheWelle of Germany and the l’Obs weekly of France said Vietnam’s success can beattributed to the four measures of quarantine, surveillance, declaring war onthe epidemic and following the rules.
The article on l’Obssaid the Vietnamese Health Ministry regularly sent messages to mobile phonesubscribers giving information on the epidemic’s developments and advice onhygiene practice. The State media have been mobilized for communication work,and the artists also join in, with one outstanding example being the Ghen CoVy, a song meant to increase awareness of preventing the spread of COVID-19 which hasbecome a global hit.
An article on the csis.org website by Amy Searight and BrianHarding said Vietnam, along with Singapore, has emerged asglobal models for early action and aggressive containment of COVID-19. “Vietnam, a fast-growingbut still developing country with far fewer resources than Singapore,also launched a rapid and aggressive response to the coronavirus outbreak thatso far has been highly successful, with zero reported deaths so far, accordingto government data,” the article read.
𒊎 According to the article, Vietnam’s shared border with China and bustling cross-bordertrade made it highly vulnerable to the spreading of the virus, but the country’sleaders quickly halted flights from China and closed schools nationwide.Vietnam also became the first country outside of China to quarantine alarge residential area when it sealed off part of a provincenorth of Hanoi in mid-February after an outbreak was traced to workersreturning from Wuhan.
It noted the ability of the Communist Party of Vietnam tomobilize society, isolate individuals with symptoms and track their second- andthird-hand contacts, the quarantining of incoming travelers, and the enlistmentof the services of medical students, retired doctors, and nurses.The government has also been predictably effective at policing bans on businessclosures and large gatherings, and it has relied on its network of informantsto help monitor and surveil citizens and report suspected cases. As of late March 31, Vietnam reported 207 confirmed COVID-19cases, with no death./.
Vietnam has grabbed international headlines over the past week for the country’s quick and transparent actions to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
Financial Times on March 24 ran an article praising Vietnam’s efforts in containing the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, saying the country has proved itself as a model in the work with limited resources but determined leadership.
Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong on March 30 appealed to compatriots, comrades and soldiers nationwide and overseas Vietnamese to stay united in their will and actions in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
A medical worker sprays disinfectant. Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
