Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, the three most populous countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), account for almost 500 million people or three-quarters of the bloc's total population. Despite this, the three countries account for disproportionally less of the region's gross domestic product (GDP), less than two-thirds, reflecting the fact that they are home to the majority of the region's poor and near-poor. In terms of the level of economic and social development, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam sit between ASEAN's least developed countries—Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar—and its richer upper-middle-income and high-income countries. However, they share many of the challenges and constraints faced by Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar in managing the pandemic, albeit perhaps in less severe and constraining ways. That is, like Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar they had to manage the pandemic with limited government resources and a weak healthcare system with limited and unequal access. They also had to deal with inadequate logistical and other infrastructure that affected the management of mobility restrictions and the distribution of financial assistance and vaccines.

Although Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam share many economic and social characteristics, each employed a different approach to managing the pandemic at its various stages. Not surprisingly, therefore, each experienced varying degrees of success in managing health and economic impacts. The chapter authors for each country have examined the different approaches taken, the reasons behind the approach and the consequences on health and economic outcomes, drawing lessons for the management of future pandemics.