The Impact of the COVID-19 on the Construction Industry in Vietnam

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a wide range of socio-economic disruption, which causes devastating in numerous aspects. Our knowledge of the true health of the construction industry under the ravage of COVID-19 outbreak is largely based on very limited data. This study aims to assess the impact of pandemic on the construction industry through an investigation in Vietnam. Data were collected through 129 respondents whose online questionnaire survey completed according to their recent direct or indirect participation in delivering construction projects during the spread. The implications of COVID-19 on the construction industry were examined based on simple percentage analysis and Relative Importance Index approaches. Three principal facets of the construction industry were considered: firms' business activities, project performance, and workforce demand. The findings highlighted the multilevel, multidimensional nature of the epidemic consequences on the construction sector. Notably, the revenue and profitability, in a general sense, have decreased during the COVID-19 period, while most of the production and business costs had remained unchanged. Further, the pandemic was argued to impair construction practitioners' incomes and mental health and sabotage projects' schedule and cost.

Towards Achieving “Two Parallel Objectives” During the Covid-19 Pandemic in Vietnam: A Response Strategies Analysis

“…Other diagnostic testing products developed in the United States, such as primers and probes and antibody tests, were also stockpiled. To expand the testing laboratory network, staff training and technical assistance were provided (T. V. Nguyen et al, 2021). Th e current COVID-19 testing capacity of Vietnam has been improved substantially, rising two-to threefold compared with the previous outbreaks.…”

“…Vietnam began tightening border controls in early January to prevent the arrival of COVID-19 cases. At all international airports and offi cial land border crossings between China and Vietnam, Vietnam has instituted a policy of taking passenger temperatures with non-contact thermometers (T. V. Nguyen et al, 2021). Th e Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority halted all fl ights to Wuhan, where the fi rst case of COVID-19 was discovered, on January 23.…”

“…Th e Vietnamese government subsidized the cost of quarantine for all travelers who landed in Vietnam until the end of August. Passengers were responsible for covering quarantine expenses beginning in September 2020 (T. V. Nguyen et al, 2021).…”

“…Based on this assessment, it was determined that there was a high risk of this unknown disease being imported into Vietnam due to the large volume of daily population movement between China and Vietnam. Vietnamese health system managers and other related ministries developed and widely disseminated a national COVID-19 Response Plan and Technical Treatment and Care Guidelines on January 16, 2020 (T. V. Nguyen et al, 2021). When the COVID-19 outbreak hit Vietnam on January 30, a National Steering Committee and 45 Rapid Response Teams were formed to prevent and control the outbreak (Health, 2020;Minister, 2020a).…”

“…Th is category includes highly contagious diseases, which can cause outbreaks, and are potentially fatal. For domestic cases, fi eld investigation teams from provincial disease control centers, district health centers, and local governmental authorities identifi ed and interviewed anyone they had contact within the previous 14 days (T. V. Nguyen et al, 2021).…”