Top 4 Crisis Management Principles to be learned from Vietnam’s Covid Response.

The 4 Most important crisis management principles for leaders from Vietnam’s Covid Response.

At the time of writing Vietnam has 11 actively quarantined cases, 334 total cases and 0 deaths. It’s been 60+ days without any new cases (excl repatriations). Contrast this with 20.000+ daily cases in the US, 8.000+ in Russia, or 500+ daily cases in France. I believe there is something to be learned from Vietnam’s “crisis” response. Here are 5 principles which Vietnam applied successfully in handling Covid, that could benefit leaders across the globe.

1. Respond with “prudent over-reaction”.

Vietnam and the US had their first covid case in the same week. But within 7 days Vietnam had a Pandemic Task force operationally. Announced measures like temperature screenings were strictly enforced with local police inspecting venues for compliance and even going door to door with medical personnel to test entire apartment blocks. Progressively highway roadblocks and road closures were put in place to increase testing ability which started with fever symptoms and health declarations. 

2. Take action quickly, even with limited information.

On 23 January the first Covid Case in Vietnam was confirmed. On February 10th, there were 14 cases in Vietnam and he government ordered schools to be closed. Contact tracing and massive amounts of temperature checks were implemented and Vietnam was able to control the first wave on 25th of February. The second wave started on March 6 and resulted in over 200 cases until the government announced on March 31 a national lock down.

3. Be Transparent.

Vietnam made headlines with it’s covid song from the government which had countless parodies and worked well to communicate the seriousness and required actions to combat the virus.

Check out John Oliver's piece on Vietnam's hilarious covid song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yzHaalqpkA

4. Putting people first.

Vietnam had only 1000 ICU beds for 97+ million people, so it knew actions had to be taken quickly to perverse lives and care for it’s citizens. Vietnam quarantined 9.500 people and most of them were quarantined in military facilities with meals and all medical expenses paid for by the government.

The economy is important, but lives were prioritized and a higher upfront cost allowed the long tail cost to be massively reduced and Vietnam is one of the countries were work and life is returning to normal.

To summarize:

In every crisis leaders must:

1.      Respond with “prudent over-reaction”.

2.      Take action quickly, even with limited information.

3.      Be Transparent.

4.      Putting people first.