{"id":5346,"date":"2020-12-31T12:56:31","date_gmt":"2020-12-31T04:56:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=5346"},"modified":"2021-01-06T19:02:45","modified_gmt":"2021-01-06T11:02:45","slug":"2020-year-in-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/2020-year-in-review\/","title":{"rendered":"2020’s Most Memorable Moments In Vietnam: COVID-19, Typhoons, The Ao Dai Movement, & Celebs\u2019 Deaths"},"content":{"rendered":"

Memorable moments in Vietnam in 2020<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n

For many of us Vietnamese, 2020 has probably been the most eventful year since the turn of the century by far. The first half of the year – and beyond – were all about the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by numerous typhoons that hit Central Vietnam and destroyed many lives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a selection of the memorable events that took place in 2020<\/strong> that have gotten everyone’s attention this year.<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. Vietnam issues new drinking and driving law to deter reckless driving<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"drinking
\nImage credit: <\/span>Dang Cong San<\/a><\/span><\/em>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Decree 100\/2019\/N\u0110-CP, drivers can now face a hefty fine of VND30,000,000 to VND40,000,000 (~USD1,296.76-USD1729.02)<\/strong> if their blood alcohol concentration exceeds 80 mg\/dL.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This is a big raise in the penalty for drinking and driving compared to the former laws for the same offense.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Surprisingly, many drivers as well as non-drivers expressed their fervent support for this new law because it deters reckless driving and promotes traffic safety.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

2. Cinema legend Ch\u00e1nh T\u00edn passed away in his sleep<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"\"
\nImage credit: <\/span>VTV<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

On 4th January, actor Nguy\u1ec5n Ch\u00e1nh T\u00edn, the star of \u201cCards On The Table\u201d TV drama in the 1980s, was found dead in his bedroom.<\/p>\n

To the shock of many, he had died while sleeping.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nImage credit: <\/span>Tien Phong<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Possessing a cinematic appearance, emotive voice, and undeniable charisma, Ch\u00e1nh T\u00edn was beloved and remembered by Vietnamese audiences across the country as Agent Robert Nguy\u1ec5n Th\u00e0nh Lu\u00e2n, his iconic role in the drama series.<\/p>\n

\n

3. Vietnam records its first COVID-19 cases<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"\"Image credit: Nhan Dan<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

On 23rd January Vietnam confirmed the first 2 imported cases of COVID-19 in the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

By 12th February, both patients had fully recovered and were discharged. But this was just the beginning of the outbreak.<\/span><\/p>\n

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4. Hanoi streets put under quarantine because of Patient 17<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"\"
\nImage credit: <\/span><\/i>Bao Cong An<\/a><\/span><\/i>
\n
\nOn 6th March, the Ministry of Health announced the first case of COVID-19 to be found in Hanoi – our capital city.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Known as Patient 17, this 26-year-old woman had been travelling across Europe during the outbreak and had lied about her travel history to avoid quarantine when landing in Hanoi.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nImage credit: <\/span>Quan Doi Nhan Dan<\/a><\/span><\/em>
\n
\nDue to the urgency of the situation, the government declared a state of emergency and set out to track and isolate nearly 200 people who had contact with or lived on the same street with her.\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

After the incident, the Vietnam government imposed stricter airport arrival, quarantine, and treatment procedures<\/a> across the country.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nImage credit: <\/span>RFI<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

According to the procedure, people are categorized into 3 groups according to their levels of contact with those who\u2019ve tested positive for COVID-19, also known as F0. F1, the ones in close contact with those infected with COVID-19, are to be quarantined in hospitals and observed carefully by medical staff. <\/span><\/p>\n

F2 and F3 are those who come indirectly in contact with F1 or the infected, and can be quarantined at home or central camps and have their temperatures taken twice a day by medical staff. <\/span><\/p>\n

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5. Vietnam enters semi-lockdown<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

To curtail the spread of COVID-19 in the community, all parts of Vietnam entered a nationwide social distancing<\/a> period from 1st April 2020.<\/span><\/p>\n

During the period, no gatherings of any scale were allowed. All businesses were shut down, save for essential establishments such as supermarkets and pharmacists.<\/span><\/p>\n

People were strictly required to put on masks and maintain a one-meter distance from one another when in public.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Many people\u2019s lives were disrupted during this period and they had to find ways to adapt to the \u201cnew normal\u201d<\/a>, from learning and working from home to shopping online.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Read our interviews with 17 Vietnamese people who shared how COVID-19 has affected their lives<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

6. Vietnam lifts its mandatory social distancing period<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"\"Image adapted from: 1900<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Starting from 23rd April, Vietnam put an end to its 22 day-period of nationwide social distancing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Since then, the country has been embracing post COVID-19 economic recovery measures<\/a> as businesses across the country slowly resumed operations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Image credit: H\u1ebbm Bia: Lost in HongKong\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

While F&B establishments, bars, and pubs were given the nod to reopen, all were required to take safety precautions such as disinfecting their venues and taking visitors’ temperatures.<\/span><\/p>\n

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7. Diphtheria sent over 1,000 Vietnamese into quarantine<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"\"
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>VTV<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

On 20th June, a deadly disease called <\/span>diphtheria<\/b><\/a> emerged in Dak Nong Province and forced 300 residents into quarantine after it killed a 9-year-old girl.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As of 25th June, Saigon announced its first known case of diphtheria in the year 2020 and started recommending vaccinations to prevent the disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

Caused by toxin-producing bacteria called Corynebacterium, diphtheria can cause difficulties in breathing, heart failure, and even death.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

8. FaceApp gender swap became an Internet obsession in Vietnam
\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"drinking
\nImage adapted from: <\/span>Tr\u00fac Nh\u00e2n<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>MC Tr\u1ea5n Th\u00e0nh<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

One photo app trend that reigned supreme throughout June was FaceApp<\/a>, a popular photo editing application first released in 2017.<\/span><\/p>\n

Its newly updated gender-swapping filter, which allows users to morph into the opposite gender, went viral on Vietnam\u2019s social media.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This app was widely used and shared by Vietnamese netizens, influencers, as well as celebrities such as Tr\u00fac Nh\u00e2n, Tr\u1ea5n Th\u00e0nh, and Ng\u00f4 Ki\u1ebfn Huy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

9. Vietnam records its first COVID-19 death<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"\"
\nImage for illustration purposes only
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span><\/em>Ministry of Health<\/span><\/em>
\n<\/span><\/a>
\nOn 31st July, patient 428 in Quang Nam was the first patient in Vietnam to die of COVID-19<\/a> complications.<\/span><\/p>\n

To date, Vietnam has recorded 1,454 COVID-19 cases, 1,319 recovered cases and 35 deaths.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

10. \u201cRap Viet\u201d and \u201cKing of Rap\u201d capture attention<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"rap
\nImage credit: <\/span>Thanh Nien<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

In August, two Vietnamese rap shows \u201cRap Viet\u201d and \u201cKing of Rap\u201d<\/a> were aired on national television for the first time. These two shows garnered tremendous attention from local viewers, young and old, and became two highest-viewed shows in Vietnam\u2019s TV history<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

For this reason, \u201cRap Viet\u201d and \u201cKing of Rap\u201d have been credited with popularizing Vietnamese hip-hop music among Vietnamese mainstream audiences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

11. \u0110\u00e0 N\u1eb5ng went into lockdown because of COVID-19<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"Danang
\nImage credit: <\/span>Thanh Tra<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

In July 2020, Vietnam saw the second wave of COVID-19 taking place mainly in Da Nang city<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Between 24th July and 26th August, Da Nang recorded 386 COVID-19 cases, most of which are community cases.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Due to the magnitude of the spread, the government decided to impose a citywide social distancing period on 27th July 2020.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Danang
\nImage credit: <\/span>Phu Nu Viet Nam<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The number of the confirmed cases increased significantly, requiring the government to mobilize medical staff across the country to Da Nang to provide timely assistance.<\/span><\/p>\n

During the period, many tourists were stranded in the city as inbound and outbound flights and trains were halted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many Da Nang residents rose to the occasion by providing free medical masks and groceries to medical staff and passers-by, while hotels reduced accommodation fees for stranded visitors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On 5th September 2020<\/span>, mandatory social distancing across Da Nang was finally lifted<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Read about how our writer was forced to learn how to cook during the Da Nang lockdown here<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

12. Vietnam\u2019s first police cavalry unit made its debut<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"\"
\nImage credit: <\/span>VTV<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

On 8th June, Vietnam\u2019s first police cavalry unit<\/a> made their debut, parading in Ba \u0110\u00ecnh Square.<\/p>\n

Among the responsibilities of the cavalry units are to transport supplies to remote areas<\/span> that are not accessible to vehicles, as well as combat criminal activities in these areas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The cavalry units will also parade in formal ceremonies, welcoming diplomats and joining horse-racing competitions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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13. Vietnam wins 5 world culinary records<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"\"
\nCrab meat noodle soup (B\u00fan ri\u00eau)<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>Trung Bui<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Flavorful and healthy, Vietnamese food has increasingly become popular among food lovers all over the world in recent years. However, many don\u2019t know that Vietnamese food is packed with unique ingredients and cooking techniques too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On 31st August, the <\/span>World Record Union<\/span>\u00a0awarded Vietnam\u2019s food five culinary world records<\/a> for the most noodle, salted fish (n\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eafm<\/em>), flower, roll, and rice flour dishes in the world. <\/span><\/p>\n

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14. The revival of the \u00e1o d\u00e0i<\/em>-wearing tradition among men\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"aoImage adapted from: <\/span>\u1ef6 V\u00c2N HI\u00caN \u501a\u96f2\u8ed2<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

If 2017 saw a nationwide traditional \u00e1o d\u00e0i<\/em><\/a> movement among female dressers after the release of the blockbuster C\u00f4 Ba S\u00e0i G\u00f2n<\/em>, 2020 witnessed the spectacular revival of \u00e1o d\u00e0i<\/em>\u00a0among men.<\/p>\n

2020 has seen a major shift in young Vietnamese people\u2019s views on \u00e1o d\u00e0i<\/em><\/span>, who have been expressing their support for the revival of the \u00e1o d\u00e0i<\/em><\/span>-wearing tradition among men.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The movement started with a group of Hue salarymen wearing \u00e1o d\u00e0i <\/em>to work to promote this old tradition, which then sparked a series of continuing debates on the Internet about whether or not Vietnamese men should wear \u00e1o d\u00e0i<\/em><\/span>\u00a0in everyday life.<\/span><\/p>\n

While many objected to the idea, many others have also posted and shared photos showcasing themselves in \u00e1o d\u00e0i<\/em><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>to prove their point.<\/span><\/p>\n

From launching the <\/span>#VietnameseTraditionalClothing challenge<\/span><\/a> that promotes ao dai-wearing through manga-style characters clad in <\/span>ao dai<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>to wearing ao dai<\/em> on the streets, many young Vietnamese men are becoming more determined in preserving Vietnam\u2019s fashion legacy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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15. Vietnam Airlines steward triggered the 3rd COVID-19 wave<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"\"
\nVietnam Airlines quarantine building<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>Nguoi Lao Dong<\/a><\/span>
\n<\/a><\/span><\/em>
\nNovember 2020 was an eventful month for Vietnamese people, with the emergence of several new community cases of COVID-19.
\n<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

This new strain of community cases was sadly caused by a Vietnam Airlines steward, who flouted quarantine measures before knowing that he was infected with the virus himself.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During his self-quarantine period from 18th to 28th November 2020, he broke the rules by coming in close contact with his mother and two friends. One of these 3 people was an English teacher at Key English Center who then unknowingly spread the virus to two other people. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nImage credit: <\/span>Nguoi Lao Dong<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

This new eruption of community cases sent roughly 100 people in different districts into COVID-19 screening and quarantine, while the whole city\u2019s many activities were disrupted.\u00a0<\/span>Mask-wearing restrictions were again imposed to curtail contraction risk.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From 3rd December 2020 until today, Ho Chi Minh City had not recorded any community cases. <\/span>Patient 1342 has also since been prosecuted for flaunting COVID-19 prevention and quarantine rules and spreading the virus into the community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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16. Central Vietnam hit by 6 typhoons from October to December<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"\"
\nImage adapted from: <\/span>Tuoi Tre<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

2020 has been a rough year for Central Vietnamese residents, who had to deal with numerous typhoons<\/a> that came crashing all at once.<\/p>\n

With a series of storms hitting the region back to back, cities such as Hu\u1ebf, Qu\u1ea3ng B\u00ecnh, and Ngh\u1ec7 An saw sustained rainfall and record-high flooding for weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n

In October 2020, Central Vietnam was hit with typhoons and tropical storms Narki, NANGKA, Saudel, and Molave. Then in November, the region was hit with 3 other typhoons including Goni, Atsani, Etau, and Vamco.<\/span><\/p>\n

Krovanh, which might have become the last typhoon of 2020, has weakened into a tropical storm and is expected to trigger rain across the Central Highlands today and tomorrow.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"typhoon\"
\nImage adapted from: <\/span>Tuoi Tre<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

These natural disasters have taken a toll on many Central Vietnamese residents\u2019 lives, destroyed properties, and forced many to start all over again empty-handed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>To minimize death tolls, regional administrative agencies arranged for many households to be evacuated to safety shelters.<\/span><\/p>\n

Relief funds are still being raised from all over the country to support the searches for flood victims and building houses for survivors. <\/span><\/p>\n

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17. Vietnamese-German influencer Brittanya Karma died of COVID-19 complications<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"Brittanya
\nImage credit: Tuoi Tre<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

On 29th November 2020, Brittanya Karma<\/strong>, a popular Vietnamese-German influencer, died of COVID-19 complications at the young age of 29.<\/p>\n

Always exuding positive energy and bubbly charm, Brittanya Karma had started gaining popularity among Vietnamese viewers about 3 years ago when she started vlogging frequently in the Vietnamese language.<\/span><\/p>\n

In her iconic videos, she shared about her experiences of being Vietnamese in Germany, communicating with Vietnamese people with her non-fluent Vietnamese, and words of encouragement for those struggling with their body image.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Brittanya
\nImage credit: Tuoi Tre<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Aside from vlogging, Brittanya Karma was also actively involved in music production. A rapper herself, she was featured in the music video \u201c<\/span>L\u01b0\u1eddi Y\u00eau<\/span><\/a>\u201d with singer B\u1ea3o Anh<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

18. Vietnamese volunteers received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"\"
\nImage credit: Nhan Dan<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

On 17th December, Vietnam-made COVID-19 vaccine Nanocovax<\/a> was officially tested on healthy volunteers.<\/p>\n

Developed by Ho Chi Minh City-based <\/span>Nanogen Pharma Company<\/span><\/a>, Nanocovax has been effectively tested on animals such as mice, hamsters, and monkeys.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nImage adapted from: <\/span>Lao Dong<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The price per dose, which includes 2 jabs, was quoted by Nanogen to be under VND500,000 (~USD21.63)<\/strong> per person<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The volunteers who’ve received the injections are currently under observation to check for any side effects.\u00a0<\/span>Once the vaccination trial achieves successful results, more doses will be distributed to the public from Quarter 2 2021.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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19. Apple\u2019s partner Foxconn may be shifting its assembly lines to Vietnam<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"\"
\nImage credit: Android Authority<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

According to Reuters and Bloomberg, who got the information from a source close to the company, Foxconn<\/strong> is switching some iPad and MacBook assembly operations from China to Vietnam<\/a> at the request of Apple.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

The company is also said to be building its manufacturing facilities in B\u1eafc Giang, a city in Northern Vietnam.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Iphone
\nImage credit: VnExpress<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

According to Bloomberg, this strategic move by Apple is aimed at minimizing the risks associated with the China-US trade war such as punitive taxes and geopolitical issues on the US-based company after Trump is to leave the White House in 2021.<\/p>\n

While Apple has yet to comment on this information, heated discussions have erupted on both Vietnam and Chinese social media regarding the tech empire\u2019s potential move.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

20. Comedian Chi Tai died of a stroke at age 62<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"\"
\nImage credit: Danh H\u00e0i Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i (1958-2020)<\/strong><\/a>, an acclaimed Vietnamese comedian based in the US, died of a massive stroke at the age of 62 in Saigon.<\/span><\/p>\n

After his funeral in Saigon, his body was flown back to the US where his wife and family members organized a formal funeral and Catholic mass for him. His official funeral in California reportedly drew thousands of fans and former colleagues.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout nearly 3 decades working in the entertainment industry, Ch\u00ed T\u00e0i has become a household name among music and comedy fans through his impressive comedy skits performed alongside Ho\u00e0i Linh.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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A recap of Vietnam’s 2020<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

From COVID-19 to typhoons to the sudden death of influential artists, 2020 has been full of unpleasant surprises. Even though we have had a hard time adapting to the new challenges<\/a> brought about by these uncontrollable events, let\u2019s be proud that we have weathered the storm and are still standing strong.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s to hoping that 2021 will usher in hope for the future and joy for households across the country. <\/span><\/p>\n

Also check out:<\/span><\/p>\n