JISEAS Issue Paper No. 16   

"The Fourth Wave of COVID-19 Outbreak in Vietnam: Focusing on the Government Roles and its Cooperation with Local communities."

Abstract:

The fourth wave of COVID-19 in Vietnam has been ongoing since the end of April 2021. This study aims to examine the aspects of 1st–3rd and 4th waves in Vietnam and their implications. In particular, this study focuses on the response systems, methods, and disciplines of the central and local governments and social responses to them, from the end of April to the beginning of July. This period corresponds to the time that infection began to spread in two large cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. This study argues that the (central and local) government’s proactive response and discipline in dealing with COVID-19, and consistency in the way that discipline is provided to the citizens are important to control the infectious diseases. This paper also derives implications for overcoming the health crisis and epidemics based on the previous? research outcomes. In a context where the autonomy of local government is strengthened, policy responses based on the context of local community are required. Moreover, when it works properly, citizen participation and trust can be enhanced. If this process becomes a virtuous cycle, the code of conduct that can guarantee public safety is also correctly shared among members, which then could have a positive effect on health.  

* Please find the attached file for JISEAS Issue Paper No. 16 written by Dr. Yong Hun Beak.