I have been in Vietnam now for 7 days. Within days of my arrival entry visas were canceled and all foreigners were to be turned away or diverted. I, in a sense, threaded the needle. Things were spiraling out of control back home in the states. With a two day travel time I wasn’t sure what things would look like when I landed in Vietnam. As I have already told you, it was fine. A few extra documents and the very communist requests. My address while here and potential travel destinations, immediate family members here and back home complete with addresses and phone numbers.
The government here takes no chances, but they do it in a remarkably unobtrusive way. In no way did I ever feel threatened or put out. The government here, I must say, is quite warming in the midst of this pandemic. Here in Vietnam, similar to Christmas back home, schools and businesses close for the lunar new year. Like Easter in the west, the Lunar year holidays fluctuate from year to year, dependent entirely on the lunar cycle.
In what can only be described as an incredible bit of luck for Vietnam. It’s first cases arrived at the beginning of the holiday in early January. Vietnam ordered all schools to remain closed and have still to this day not reopened. It’s been two and a half months since a class has been held. Many children here have been sent to the countryside. To ride the outbreak out with grandparents and extended family as my two daughter here have done also. A great thanks to my in laws Khe and Ba, and my brothers and sisters there. Thank you for all you do. We love you very much.
Diem and I are not currently allowed to visit as I landed in the midst of the second outbreak. We will be required to quarantine if we travel to An Lao as I am one of only a few Americans to step foot there and they are not willing to take chances. I completely understand. We are discussing greatly dealing with the quarantine as I would rather stay there for a month than anywhere else in the world. I miss our girls and family greatly.
The sweeping reaction and government support for the outbreak has both encouraged support of quarantine and stemmed off further outbreak. The government here at the beginning of the outbreak quarantined a town of ten thousand and several neighborhoods within it’s larger population centers like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The local authorities in all instances formed alliances with local farmers to provide fresh fruits, vegetables and meat to all peoples in quarantined areas.
The local police, in protective gear, deliver food every morning to any and all quarantined populations. In addition, if you suspect illness, local hospitals will pick you up at your apartment or hotel and take you for free testing. If positive, or if known exposure is determined, then treatment and meals and care while in treatment or isolation is also free of charge. Vietnamese or foreign national, it does not matter.
In the beginning this allowed Vietnam to not only be one of the first outside of China to confirm the disease, but also one of the only countries to immediately contain it. In the first month and a half of the outbreak in Asia Vietnam only accumulated 16 cases and by February 26 had completely eradicated the disease.
Travel eased and life began to go back to normal, then tragedy struck again. The country was two days away from declaring itself COVID-19 free when, on March 6, a 26 year old woman who had traveled across Europe during the outbreak landed in Hanoi. It was a nightmare scenario Vietnam was trying to avoid. A European tourist bringing the virus with her, and wandering around the northern tourist areas of Vietnam.
The government began to pick up and quarantine everyone she had come in contact with. They are also providing all of the services to all I previously described. Because of one case flown in via th UK, from March 5 to March 17 cases spiked from sixteen all cured to 66 and hundreds more quarantined. As I stated before, I landed in Da Nang on March 11 and shortly after all visas were revoked. If you were not already here, then you are not coming.
We are doing fine, incredibly well actually, so don’t worry. The government did issue an ordinance that all peoples wear facial coverings in public. You can see people limiting exposure by spending less time in public spaces. The economic hit here is already apparent as tourism has ground to a halt. I don’t notice it that much because my wife and I shop at local markets and food stalls versus western stores and eateries, but the empty beaches have been noticeable.
As we drive thorough the streets and travel through the tourist areas many western eateries are shuttered. The government here has already begun measures to prop up the local economies and you get a real sense of community coming together to get through this crisis. “This too shall pass” comes into mind as we traverse the uncharted waters of a new world reality. To all my beloved family and friends back home I pray daily and often. Especially for my friends and family in the trenches. Those who depend on customers, but now also are weary of them. Good luck to you all, may God shine brightly upon you, your businesses and may we all come out of this better than we began.
This post is not to promote or capitalize on. It is just meant to let everyone know we are ok. No links, no videos, just comfort. I love you all.
