Hanoi (VNA) - 🐽Young Vietnamese at home and abroad are striving to contributeto the country’s fight against COVID-19 in their own way, believing thateveryone has a role to play for the sake of their homeland.

Once-in-a-lifetime journey

✱PilotVu Duc Nghia proudly recalled that he was among the first to register for the historicflight bringing 219 Vietnamese citizens living in Equatorial Guinea home lastweek.

Itwas the 41st flight conducted by national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines tobring citizens home from different parts of the world. It was the first time,however, that the airline had to do so while also dealing with a large numberof infections, as many passengers were thought to be carrying the coronavirusSARS-CoV-2. For26-year-old Nghia, the flight offered him a new and challenging experience, hesaid in a video call interview. Nopilots from Vietnam had ever flown to Equatorial Guinea’s Bata International Airport,he said, so many meetings were held to identify suitable air routes andoperating procedures. Most of the crew members on the flight had a lot of experience,and Nghia was one of the five pilots. Heovercame a brief period of anxiety prior to the trip, with his family standingbehind him all the way.

Flying compatriots home

“Iwas truly proud of being able to overcome the anxiety and felt like avictorious soldier coming home,” he said. Themost memorable and touching moment for him came when the aircraft just landed atthe Bata International Airport. “Oneof the pilots held a national flag up against the cockpit window for the Vietnamesepeople at the airport to see,” he said. “They responded in an instant by holdingup national flags and portraits of President Ho Chi Minh.” Thegold star on a red background remains a symbol of hope and trust for all Vietnamesepeople. “Itwas indeed a long, exhausting flight, and I had to wear tight protectiveclothing for the whole trip,” he added. Theflight to Equatorial Guinea was his first direct flight to Africa. The guidancesystem used at the Bata International Airport was one not widely used elsewhere,so it was a valuable opportunity for him to broaden his aviation knowledge.  Thoughit was his first repatriation flight, the young pilot was also involved inquite an unusual flight nearly two years ago. Itwas an additional trip conducted by Vietnam Airlines to take football fans toMalaysia to watch the national men’s football team take on the hosts at the AFFSuzuki Cup, with the return flight taking off shortly after the final whistle. Theround trip took seven hours in total, with a long wait in between. Bothflights, he said, were physically draining but at the same time quite memorable.

Working together on common goals

Asa pilot, the desire to explore new airports and lands, despite the challenges, providesNghia with ample motivation. Heis still in a quarantine area at the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases inHanoi with other members of the crew. The sound of people talking to each othercould be heard in the background during our interview. Whenhis period of quarantine comes to an end, Nghia is more than ready for similar trips.He and his colleagues are already planning their next flights, he said with abroad smile. “IfI wasn’t able to go, my friends would,” he said. “We will work together to completethe task.” “Idon’t think anyone should just wait for their turn. Rather, everyone should beworking together to reach the common goal.”

Staying calm in the middle of the “storm”

It’sbeen almost unimaginable how quickly the situation escalated in the centralcity of Da Nang at the end of July, even for Trinh Quang Chinh, 28, who wasborn and brought up in the city. Locally-transmittedcases have been reported there since July 25. As of August 4 morning, the totalnumber of coronavirus cases linked to the outbreak in the city had increased to205. DaNang introduced social distancing measures from 00:00 on July 28 in all sixdistricts as well as lockdown measures at the Da Nang C Hospital, the Da NangOrthopaedics and Rehabilitation Hospital, and the Da Nang Hospital, as part of thecity’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. Ina telephone interview, Chinh, who works at a major university in Da Nang, saidhe feels more anxious than he did in April. He can’t help but be concerned thatanyone could be carrying the virus, even relatives he met at recent events. “Itfeels like we’re hibernating, and it takes time to get going after waking up.Since every sector, particularly the economy, tourism, and education, areaffected, hardship lies ahead for a lot of people.” Heexpressed his hope that community transmissions can be stopped and the life canreturn to normal, and wondered, like many, whether the restrictions will beextended beyond the current 15-day period. Streetsand beaches in Da Nang are now deserted, in direct opposition to their usual livelinessas one of the most famous and popular tourist spots in Vietnam, he added. “Ican clearly sense we are engaged in a serious battle,” he said. “I’malso swamped with and am sometimes confused by rumours and fake news. I have totriple-check everything I hear or read.”

Adapting to the situation

Chinhhas gradually learned to adapt to the new circumstances, when the daily life isaffected and close contact with others restricted. “Iam working online and keeping in touch with everyone,” he said. “My friends andI are checking up on each other more often these days.” Atthis time of hardship, people can still feel each other’s warmth even thoughthey can’t be close physically. It’sreassuring that the Government and Da Nang authorities have shown great determinationto wipe out COVID-19 hotspots. The city is sparing no effort in battling the spreadof the pandemic and enhancing contact tracing efforts, he said. Meanwhile,local people are indeed observing social distancing measures and offering supportto those on the frontlines, including health workers and those guarding placesunder lockdown, who carry on their duty despite rain and scorching sun. “Everyonehas a role to play in the fight,” Chinh said. Witha concerted effort, he believed the number of infections in the community willsoon be reduced and the situation in his beloved hometown will be brought undercontrol.

Longing to be home

Afterfinishing her master’s programme in Australia, Nguyen Huyen Anh landed herselfa position at a four-star hotel in Sydney, where she worked as a duty manageruntil just a few months ago. The26-year-old girl had already planned her return to Vietnam before herpost-graduate visa expired in August, but everything was turned upside down by thecessation of international flights. Asshe has now been stood down from her job, Anh, who is considered a full-timeemployee, nonetheless receives no salary, she said during a video callinterview. Apartfrom bonuses on public holidays, of which there are few in Australia from Mayto August, she has neither received sick leave, personal leave, nor assistancefrom the local government, as any help is solely for Australian nationals. Andshe must still pay the rent and living costs, since only utility bills havebeen waived. Shehas signed up for a repatriation flight but understands that the wait will belong. The number of registrations, on the website of the Vietnamese Embassy, nowexceeds 2,000. One flight can only carry 300 passengers, as the embassy noted. “Threeflights from Australia have been arranged,” she said. “Meanwhile, the day myvisa expires is drawing closer and my anxiety is growing.” Shehas tried to contact the embassy many times, but when she finally gets throughshe’s merely told to keep waiting and apply for a “COVID-19 Pandemic Visa”. Thisallows holders to remain in the country if they have no other visa options andare unable to depart due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Applicants must demonstratewhy they can’t meet the requirements for another visa, according to theAustralian Department of Home Affairs. Thedepartment does not state a processing time, however, Anh added. “It’sunsettling to think that I’m a Vietnamese national holding a Vietnamesepassport but can’t return to my own country no matter how much I wish to,” shelamented. Sheis, though, slightly relieved that she is able to get by without being a burdenon her family in Vietnam, as given she has been a legal taxpayer she can accessher Australian superannuation tax-free.

Stay safe and be patient

Withnew community transmissions confirmed in Da Nang and elsewhere, Anh fears itwill be harder for more repatriation flights to be arranged. “Istay in touch with my family regularly, as they are my mental support when I’m hauntedby negative thoughts and pressure,” she added. Ashospitality is one of the hardest-hit sectors by COVID-19, she is aware thather chances of finding a suitable job once returning home will be slim. “Evenso, I want to come home as soon as possible, and I’m sure Vietnam will promptlyput the pandemic under control,” she said. “I hope there will be commercialflights open to Vietnamese soon.” “Ithink to myself that my duty now is to stay safe and wait for when I am able togo home, so that I will not be a burden on my homeland or my family.”/.