By January of 2020, Vietnam–a country of 95 million people bordering China–acted quickly and decisively, instituting mask requirements against the threat of the Coronavirus; by mid-March, as the alarm was raised around the world, the country had sea

By January of 2020, Vietnam–a country of 95 million people bordering China–acted quickly and decisively, instituting mask requirements against the threat of the Coronavirus; by mid-March, as the alarm was raised around the world, the country had sealed its borders completely. With no possibility of international travel, the government began promoting domestic tourism as a way to bolster its economy.

Its citizenry– lulled by the notion that the country had beaten the Coronavirus with its austere measures– began foregoing masks when flocking to the beaches and nearby communal showers, ignoring social distancing guidelines. After 99 days with no reported cases, a 2nd wave hit the city of Da Nang, where the virus had been quietly escalating undetected.

No swimming sign at My Khe beach in Da Nang, Vietnam. By May, lulled by notions that the country had completely beaten Covid-19– with its stringent lockdowns, early mandated mask-wearing, and contact tracing–people in this city, returned to their w

No swimming sign at My Khe beach in Da Nang, Vietnam. By May, lulled by notions that the country had completely beaten Covid-19– with its stringent lockdowns, early mandated mask-wearing, and contact tracing–people in this city, returned to their weekly beach-going rituals.

After 99 days with no new reported infections, however, it was found that the virus had escalated, quietly undetected. This coastal city became the flashpoint for a 2nd wave of community infections and deaths.

Beach-goers use packed communal shower areas to wash off the sand and sea as all believed that Vietnam had beaten the Coronavirus, so were comfortable being so close to each other without masks. Unfortunately, a 2nd wave in this city of Da Nang forc

Beach-goers use packed communal shower areas to wash off the sand and sea as all believed that Vietnam had beaten the Coronavirus, so were comfortable being so close to each other without masks. Unfortunately, a 2nd wave in this city of Da Nang forced everyone back under a 6-week lockdown– with even food delivery banned– in an attempt to control the outbreak which had been quietly escalating undetected.

Beach-goers use packed communal shower areas to wash off the sand and sea as all believed that Vietnam had beaten the Coronavirus, after 99 days with no new infections. Unfortunately, a 2nd wave in the city of Da Nang forced everyone back under a 6-

Beach-goers use packed communal shower areas to wash off the sand and sea as all believed that Vietnam had beaten the Coronavirus, after 99 days with no new infections. Unfortunately, a 2nd wave in the city of Da Nang forced everyone back under a 6-week lockdown– with even food delivery banned– in an attempt to control the outbreak which had been quietly escalating undetected.

Public shower near My khe beach, Da Nang City, Vietnam.

Public shower near My khe beach, Da Nang City, Vietnam.

Locker room at the communal showers near My Khe beach in Da Nang. Trusting that the country had beaten the virus, strangers easily stood next to each without masks, not realizing that a 2nd wave of Covid-19 was among them.

Locker room at the communal showers near My Khe beach in Da Nang. Trusting that the country had beaten the virus, strangers easily stood next to each without masks, not realizing that a 2nd wave of Covid-19 was among them.

A cotton candy seller next to the beach as night falls in Da Nang, Vietnam.

A cotton candy seller next to the beach as night falls in Da Nang, Vietnam.

By January of 2020, Vietnam–a country of 95 million people bordering China–acted quickly and decisively, instituting mask requirements against the threat of the Coronavirus; by mid-March, as the alarm was raised around the world, the country had sea
No swimming sign at My Khe beach in Da Nang, Vietnam. By May, lulled by notions that the country had completely beaten Covid-19– with its stringent lockdowns, early mandated mask-wearing, and contact tracing–people in this city, returned to their w
Beach-goers use packed communal shower areas to wash off the sand and sea as all believed that Vietnam had beaten the Coronavirus, so were comfortable being so close to each other without masks. Unfortunately, a 2nd wave in this city of Da Nang forc
Beach-goers use packed communal shower areas to wash off the sand and sea as all believed that Vietnam had beaten the Coronavirus, after 99 days with no new infections. Unfortunately, a 2nd wave in the city of Da Nang forced everyone back under a 6-
Public shower near My khe beach, Da Nang City, Vietnam.
Locker room at the communal showers near My Khe beach in Da Nang. Trusting that the country had beaten the virus, strangers easily stood next to each without masks, not realizing that a 2nd wave of Covid-19 was among them.
A cotton candy seller next to the beach as night falls in Da Nang, Vietnam.

By January of 2020, Vietnam–a country of 95 million people bordering China–acted quickly and decisively, instituting mask requirements against the threat of the Coronavirus; by mid-March, as the alarm was raised around the world, the country had sealed its borders completely. With no possibility of international travel, the government began promoting domestic tourism as a way to bolster its economy.

Its citizenry– lulled by the notion that the country had beaten the Coronavirus with its austere measures– began foregoing masks when flocking to the beaches and nearby communal showers, ignoring social distancing guidelines. After 99 days with no reported cases, a 2nd wave hit the city of Da Nang, where the virus had been quietly escalating undetected.

No swimming sign at My Khe beach in Da Nang, Vietnam. By May, lulled by notions that the country had completely beaten Covid-19– with its stringent lockdowns, early mandated mask-wearing, and contact tracing–people in this city, returned to their weekly beach-going rituals.

After 99 days with no new reported infections, however, it was found that the virus had escalated, quietly undetected. This coastal city became the flashpoint for a 2nd wave of community infections and deaths.

Beach-goers use packed communal shower areas to wash off the sand and sea as all believed that Vietnam had beaten the Coronavirus, so were comfortable being so close to each other without masks. Unfortunately, a 2nd wave in this city of Da Nang forced everyone back under a 6-week lockdown– with even food delivery banned– in an attempt to control the outbreak which had been quietly escalating undetected.

Beach-goers use packed communal shower areas to wash off the sand and sea as all believed that Vietnam had beaten the Coronavirus, after 99 days with no new infections. Unfortunately, a 2nd wave in the city of Da Nang forced everyone back under a 6-week lockdown– with even food delivery banned– in an attempt to control the outbreak which had been quietly escalating undetected.

Public shower near My khe beach, Da Nang City, Vietnam.

Locker room at the communal showers near My Khe beach in Da Nang. Trusting that the country had beaten the virus, strangers easily stood next to each without masks, not realizing that a 2nd wave of Covid-19 was among them.

A cotton candy seller next to the beach as night falls in Da Nang, Vietnam.

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