Based on initial studies on the novel disease’s characteristics and infection mechanism, Japanese health experts believe that it is impossible to trace and completely eliminate SARS-CoV-2 virus while the global pandemic is evolving in a complex, unpredictable and unprecedented manner. Japan’s response strategy has reflected the early “living safely with COVID-19” guidance with three basic pillars: cluster-based approach, strengthening health care systems, and avoiding the so-called 3Cs environment. Meanwhile, after great losses from the “Zero-COVID” model, Vietnam shifted to “safe, flexible adaptation and effective control of the pandemic” for dual goals of virus containment and economic development. Such two countries, two pandemic response models represent universal acknowledgement of prolong existence of corona virus, and the needs to build up a stronger, better- prepared public health and health care systems as well as surveillance system and laboratory capability for prevailing and potential disease risks.