The national COVID-19 prevention and control application, PC-Covid Vietnam, has been made available in the App Store and CH Play for smartphones using iOS or Android, developed from the Bluezone mobile application. Smartphone users who have already installed Bluezone can update the app to PC-Covid with all its functions.
Bluezone is a Bluetooth, low-energy solution that can be installed on smartphones. The platform, developed by government-owned military group Viettel, can provide services like remote medical consultation, remote surgery consultation, remote training, and remote tech transfers, among others. Bluezone will alert a user if they have had close contact with people who have COVID-19, thereby minimising the spread of the virus to the community, helping people return to their normal lives. When there is a new case of infection, the user can learn whether they had close contact with this case or not, through Bluezone.
PC-Covid will become the single app for all COVID-19 prevention and control activities in the country. It has been added with all functions of the previously launched apps, including VHD, Bluezone, and NCOVI. According to a news report, the PC-Covid app provides a “COVID-19 card” to users who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or recovered from COVID-19, enabling them to travel and join social activities in the new normal period.
A QR code included in the app will serve as a single personal code used in all apps and platforms related to pandemic prevention and control. A representative from the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has noted that the detailed requirements for green, yellow, and red COVID-19 cards will be issued by the Ministry of Health shortly.
Major functions of the app include a COVID-19 card, health declaration function, COVID-19 vaccination information and testing results, movement tracking, a map of risks, and it provides news on overall pandemic prevention and control strategies. However, the app will not replace the electronic health records (“So suc khoe dien tu”) app, which records the long-term overall medical activities of users.
The Vietnamese government has been effective at managing the COVID-19 pandemic and its health responses have been aided and accelerated by digital platforms and applications. Last month, the Help Me! Project was launched to connect IT engineers and over 150 volunteers in Vietnam and around the world to support Vietnamese people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project was created under the National Technology Centre for COVID-19 Prevention and Control. As OpenGov Asia had reported, the project not only responds to people’s need for prompt support and advice but also pioneers applying technology to connect people who can help with those who need help. The volunteers can provide support around the clock. Bringing into full play the time and expertise of consulting volunteers across Vietnam will significantly reduce the load on the national health system in general, as well as medical facilities in pandemic-hit areas, in particular. The project called on volunteers who are doctors, medical professionals of all specialities and ages across the country to join its work.
