The Year 2020 in Review: A Snapshot of Vietnam’s Headline-Making Moments

For a look back at the memorable milestones and events of 2020, read on.

1 Vietnam’s First Female Teacher Makes Top 10 Global Teachers List

Vietnam’s First Female Teacher Makes Top 10 Global Teachers List

According to Varkey Foudation, Ha Anh Phuong was recognized as one of the top 10 teachers in the world.

She is an English teacher in the mountainous region who has embraced technology to create a borderless classroom, connecting students from multiple countries.

In recognition of her contributions to education, she was also honored as an exemplary educator at the National Education Congress in September.

2 Vietnam Shines as a Global Leader in Controlling the COVID-19 Pandemic

With unity and determination, the Vietnamese political system and its people have successfully contained the COVID-19 pandemic (as of December 25, Vietnam had over 1,433 cases with 1,281 recoveries, while globally, there were 80 million cases and over 1.7 million deaths).

From the outset, Vietnam embraced the spirit of “fighting the pandemic like fighting the enemy”, with authorities at all levels offering solutions and remedies, and the people following the established anti-pandemic rules and regulations. Together, they supported each other to control the pandemic as effectively as possible.

3 Successful Surgery to Separate Conjoined Twins Trúc Nhi and Diệu Nhi

The surgery to separate Trúc Nhi and Diệu Nhi was recognized as a record-breaking event: “The most complex major surgery with the largest number of participating doctors in Vietnam to separate conjoined twins in the pelvic region.” The surgery involved nearly 100 skilled doctors and received attention from thousands of people across the country.

They were the most experienced doctors from leading hospitals in Vietnam, including Children’s Hospital 1, Children’s Hospital 2, Cho Ray Hospital, Traumatology and Orthopedics Hospital, Eye Hospital, Cross Asia Hospital, University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City, and Medic Center.

After a tense and challenging 10-hour surgery, thanks to the doctors’ dedication and efforts, the surgery to separate Trúc Nhi and Diệu Nhi was successful. Currently, the two girls are essentially two separate individuals, but they will need to be monitored and undergo physical therapy until they turn 18 to ensure their safety.

4 Crackdown on Drunk Driving

According to Decree 100/2019/ND-CP, which took effect on January 1, 2020, individuals operating vehicles with a blood alcohol content exceeding 80 mg/100 ml or a breath alcohol content exceeding 0.4 mg/l will be fined between 6,000,000 and 8,000,000 VND (the previous fine, according to Decree 46, was between 3,000,000 and 4,000,000 VND).

Since the decree was issued, people have become more aware of the importance of “don’t drink and drive.” Notably, the decree also addresses the issue of superiors pressuring subordinates to drink, which is a positive step towards reducing the number of tragic accidents caused by drunk driving.

5 Severe Floods and Landslides in Central Vietnam

From October to November 2020, Vietnam experienced seven consecutive storms in the central region, resulting in widespread flooding and landslides that injured and left over 200 people missing. The storms also damaged over 50,000 hectares of rice and other crops and caused significant infrastructure damage.

Overall, Central Vietnam suffered extensive losses of life and property, especially in the provinces of Quang Tri and Quang Nam.

Demonstrating their spirit of mutual support, people from all over the country reached out to help, donating money, food, clothes, and books to ease the burden on the affected communities.

6 Several Vietnamese Universities Make it to the World Top Lists

According to Times Higher Educatinon (THE), on October 28, three Vietnamese universities – Hanoi National University, Ho Chi Minh City National University, and Hanoi University of Science and Technology – had five subjects in the fields of science, engineering, and economics ranked among the world’s top universities.

7 Style-Republik Launches SR Stands By You Campaign to Support Local Brands During the Pandemic

Understanding the challenges faced by local brands in Vietnam during the pandemic, Style-Republik, the country’s first fashion curator platform, launched the “SR Stands By You” campaign to provide communication support and stand in solidarity with Vietnamese brands during these difficult times.

8 Vietnam Implements a New Educational Program with Multiple Textbooks

For the first time, Vietnam implemented a new educational program for first graders that included multiple textbooks following a unified national curriculum, breaking the monopoly in publishing and distributing textbooks.

However, there were concerns about the use of inappropriate data and language in some of the textbooks, which sparked debates among the public.

9 Landmark Hand Transplant Surgery from a Living Donor

Vietnam successfully performed a hand transplant surgery from a living donor, marking the first limb transplant in the region and the world’s first recorded case of a hand transplant from a living donor.

10 Dak Nong Geopark Joins UNESCO’s Global Geoparks Network

On July 7, 2020, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized Dak Nong Geopark as a Global Geopark. The geopark boasts approximately 65 geological and geomorphological heritage sites, including a system of nearly 50 caves with a total length of over 10,000 meters, volcanoes, waterfalls, and more.

Dak Nong is a repository of distinctive geological, biodiversity, and cultural values, offering a unique natural and cultural experience.

We hope you enjoyed this look back at some of the most important events of 2020. Let’s work together to create positive change and make 2021 an even better year for Vietnam.