Vantech's thermal imaging systems have been installed in hospitals and government buildings in Vietnam to help protect these areas from the spread of infection.
Over the past months, the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted businesses, events of every scale, and the economy as a whole, painting a bleak picture of how the world is and how it will be for the near future.
But there have been silver linings.
There has been an unprecedented move among companies big and small across the globe to pitch in and take steps to help protect their communities against the coronavirus – whether it be by offering their time and resources or supporting their employees.
One such story can be told of a company in Vietnam that we have come to know quite well –
Vantech, a must-know manufacturing and distribution brand for security and surveillance solutions, whose products have been used in more than 1,000 projects across Asia.
“Secutech Vietnam has worked with Vantech ever since 2009. They are our valued partner in the local security industry,” said Michelle Chu, Project Manager for Secutech Vietnam. “We wanted to share the story of how Vantech helped their community during this difficult time.”
Vantech steps up to aid fight against COVID-19
Vietnam announced its first COVID-19 case in January 2020, a mere 2 days before the Lunar New Year Holidays. After two months, total confirmed cases across the country has risen to 204.
The numbers of confirmed cases were consistently low compared to global numbers due to the government's swift measures to contain the virus. Travel/visa restrictions were imposed. Strict quarantine of patients and contact tracing were started. There was the shutdown of non-essential businesses. And later on, a national lockdown.
Dinh Thi Thu Ha, CEO, Vantech
Vital services such as hospitals and government agencies, however, had to remain operational. The risks posed to essential employees were high, and the government required solutions that can screen out potential cases to minimize the spread of the infection.
Hearing of this, Vantech stepped forward to address this need by offering its cameras and technical expertise for free.
When asked about the motivation behind this move, Dinh Thi Thu Ha, CEO of Vantech, shared: “We were more than ready to aid the efforts of government and health workers on the front lines of the outbreak response. We are pleased to have this chance to show how thermal imaging technology and our products can be used in the fight against COVID-19.”
Moving quickly, Vantech partnered up with the Vietnam National Assembly Television Channel to identify priority public spaces that would benefit the most from the installation.
Over the next two months, Vantech’s technical teams were dispatched to the National Assembly Office, the highest-level legislative body in Vietnam, and the HCMC Customs Department, the local authority for clearing import/export goods as well as the exit and entry of baggage and passengers.
Two medical testing and treatment centers at the heart of the outbreak also became project’s beneficiaries – the Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City and the Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi.
Vantech thermal imaging setup
With the requirements of the project in mind, Vantech installed 5-megapixel thermal imaging cameras at the entrances of the above-mentioned premises. Incoming crowds are now quickly scanned for elevated body temperatures at a distance of 2-6 meters. Abnormal temperatures trigger an alarm, alerting the staff for immediate evaluation and management.
Anticipating the need for accurate readings, Vantech added a blackbody in the field of view of the camera. “The addition of the blackbody gives our cameras a reference point, enabling accuracy within 0.3°C. This is ideal for high-traffic public areas such as airports, customs, hospitals, railway systems and offices,” commented Ha.
A 27” LCD monitor and a CPU rounded up the setup, housing Vantech’s integrated software to analyze and store collected video footage that can be pulled up for future viewing as necessary.
In place now for 2-3 months, these setups played a crucial part in keeping these public spaces safe. “The thermal imaging systems are running smoothly. The beneficiaries have been very pleased as these were exactly the right products they needed to deal with the pandemic,” shared Ha.
Post-COVID-19 optimism in Vietnam
As with the rest of the world, Vietnam has experienced a slowdown in the economy in the first half of the year. The good news though is that the Coronavirus situation in Vietnam seem to be under control, largely due to the government's decisive actions and help of private entities like Vantech. There are predictions that the government will ease down on travel restrictions and the lockdown soon.
That's why many local companies are fairly optimistic about business picking up in the latter half of the year. “We have not been affected by the outbreak that much. We hope that our business outlook will remain the same in Q3,” shared Ha.
"It's difficult to say for sure how the industry will fare post-COVID19. But as the situation continues to improve, there has been a resurgence of interest in the market from international companies. Market demand remains high and we expect Vietnam to perform better than most countries in the second half of the year," said Chu. "Secutech Vietnam is well-prepared to facilitate the business connections you'll require to succeed in the market."
Visit Vantech and other key companies in the region at Secutech Vietnam from 20-22 August 2020 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (HCMC).
Stay safe everyone!
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