Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications is encouraging residents in the central city of Da Nang to install a contact tracing app on their smartphones in a bid to curb the spread of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The Vietnam Telecommunications Authority under the Ministry of Information and Communications has asked local mobile service providers to send text messages to all subscribers in Da Nang regarding the mobile app, called Bluezone.

"The epidemic is becoming complicated after the detection of new cases in the community. The Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Health suggest that all people with smartphones in Da Nang install Bluezone,” the messages read.

“The app will give warnings about any risk of COVID-19 infection and help protect yourself and your family. Install it now at http://www.bluezone.gov.vn."

Bluezone was introduced by the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Health on April 18.

Utilizing Bluetooth technology, the app can recognize other Bluezone users within a two-meter distance.

The close contact will be recorded and will assist authorities in tracking people who are linked to a COVID-19 patient.

Bluezone claims to be secure and protect the confidentiality of users as well as their personal information.

Vietnam has documented 93 community-based COVID-19 cases since Saturday, of which 80 are recorded in Da Nang.

Other cases confirmed in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, and Dak Lak are all traced back to the central city.

These new cases followed a 99-day period without a single community transmission in the Southeast Asian country.

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