Characteristics and development of policy and institutional structures of emergency response in Vietnam

Each nation has its own system to manage and respond to emergencies that reflect the characteristics of that nation's government, economy, and culture. This study provides information on the development of legislation and an institutional framework for the Vietnamese emergency management system. Vietnam is a developing country in the most disaster-prone area of Asia. With a high risk of disasters, emergency management plays a core role in the nation's sustainable development and societal security. Legislation development is the beginning of a better emergency management system. Vietnam's existing legal documents and institutional structures relating to the emergency response structure were reviewed. A discussion on the development of the legislation revealed the reformation of the emergency response structure toward a “multi-hazard approach.” By considering the concept of the international standard ISO 22320 [5] on requirements for incident response, the Vietnamese emergency response structure is focused on the following three functions of command and control, operational information, coordination and cooperation. In general, the emergency response structure in Vietnam follows a graded response with functional divisions and relies on the motto “four on-the-spot,” which emphasizes the role of local governments in emergency management. To make this motto more effective in emergency response, clear coordination mechanisms among local authorities, police, and the military are necessary. Enhancing the capabilities of local coordination committees is highly recommended to actively respond to emergency cases.