Buckle up, Vietnam Insider readers—Covid-19 is making a subtle comeback in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)!
Last week, both cities saw a slight uptick in cases, but don’t hit the panic button just yet—no major outbreaks are on the horizon. Health officials are urging everyone to mask up in public spaces and stay vigilant to keep this sneaky virus at bay.
Here’s the lowdown on what’s happening and how you can protect yourself in true Vietnamese spirit!
Hanoi and HCMC: A Slight Surge, But No Alarm Bells
Hanoi’s Center for Disease Control (CDC) dropped some fresh stats on May 19, revealing 23 new cases last week—1.5 times higher than the total cases since January 2025. So far this year, the capital has clocked 37 cases, a massive drop from 637 in the same period last year. Meanwhile, HCMC reported 51 cases since January, with six popping up last week alone, up by 10 from the previous four-week average. The good news? Compared to 2024, HCMC’s infections are down 83%, and no one’s needed breathing support.
Nationwide, Vietnam’s seen a gentle rise, averaging about 20 cases weekly over the past three weeks, with a total of 148 cases across 27 provinces and cities in 2025. Places like Hai Phong, Nghe An, Bac Ninh, and Binh Duong are also on the list, but no severe cases or deaths have been reported. Phew!
Asia’s Covid Comeback: What’s Driving It?
Vietnam’s not alone in this. Across Asia, countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, and Thailand are seeing Covid cases climb. Thailand’s been hit hard, with 71,067 infections and 19 deaths from January to mid-May, including two big outbreaks after the Songkran festival. Experts are pointing fingers at the Omicron XEC variant, a speedy new strain first spotted in Germany in June 2024. Born from a mix of two Omicron subvariants (KS.1.1 and KP.3.3), XEC’s mutations make it a fast-spreading troublemaker.
Why the surge? Blame fading community immunity, holiday crowds (we’re looking at you, April 30 and May 1!), and these sneaky new variants. But Vietnam’s ready to fight back with its trademark resilience.
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People wear protective masks to protect themselves against coronavirus while driving along Long Bien bridge in Hanoi, Vietnam. REUTERS/KhamStay Smart, Stay Safe: What You Can Do
No outbreaks doesn’t mean no action! The Ministry of Health is sounding the alarm: with holiday travel and bustling markets, cases could creep up. Here’s how you can keep Covid at arm’s length:
- Mask up like a pro: Rock that face mask in crowded spots, on buses, or at clinics—it’s your superhero cape against germs!
- Wash, rinse, repeat: Scrub those hands with soap or sanitizer to keep viruses on the run.
- Skip the big gatherings: Keep meetups small to avoid unwanted viral guests.
- Stay active and eat well: Boost your body’s defenses with exercise and nutritious phở-fueled meals.
- Feeling off? Get checked!: Fever, cough, or shortness of breath? Head to a clinic ASAP for a check-up.
- Back from a hotspot?: Monitor your health closely to protect your loved ones and community.
Vietnam’s Covid Journey: From Pandemic to Manageable Foe
Since Covid-19 crashed the global party in 2020, Vietnam has faced over 11.6 million cases, ranking 13th out of 231 countries. The nation mourned 43,000 lives lost, but that’s just 0.4% of cases—a testament to Vietnam’s fierce fight. In October 2023, the government downgraded Covid from a “dangerous” Group A disease to a more manageable Group B, like the flu, signaling confidence in handling it.
Let’s Keep Vietnam Vibrant and Virus-Free!
Hanoi and HCMC are buzzing with life, and a few extra Covid cases won’t dim their shine. By masking up, staying healthy, and keeping an eye out, we can all help keep Vietnam’s streets, markets, and coffee shops safe and lively. So, dear readers, let’s channel that Vietnamese grit, protect our communities, and show Covid who’s boss!
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Source: Vietnam Insider