HÀ NỘI — The Vietnamese version Vùng Cách Ly of novel The Quarantine by former Italian ambassador to Việt Nam Lozenro Angeloni was recently published by Thái Hà Books and Labour Publishing House.

According to current Italian Ambassador to Việt Nam Cecilla Piccioni, The Quarantine is a novel with an interesting plot, offering a journey though Việt Nam by presenting the diversity in culture through the witnessing of particular events.

Based on real events but with imaginary characters, the novel recreates the situation in Việt Nam in 2002 when the SARS pandemic has begun to spread in the country and many local hospitals were put under quarantine.

Thanks to the great efforts of medical organisations and the dedication of the doctors and medical staff, some of whom even sacrificed their lives, the lethal pandemic was controlled in time.

Among those who worked tirelessly was Italian doctor and microbiologist Carlo Urbani, who is mentioned in The Quarantine.

Together with his colleagues, Urbani joined the battle against the disease and was the first to identify severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) as a new and dangerously contagious viral disease.

Urbani unfortunately contracted the disease himself and passed away in a hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2003. To commemorate his contribution, the Huế University of Medicine and Pharmacy collaborated with the University of Sassari to construct the Carlo Urbani Centre in Huế City. The project aims to enhance training, research and treatment of infectious respiratory diseases in central Việt Nam.

The Quarantine will transport readers inside Vietnam-France Hospital. They will learn about the tense situation in central Hà Nội at the time, which extended to other regions that also faced other issues.

Angeloni said it was his curiosity and love for the country and its people that helped him write the book.

According to Professor Marcello Silvestrini from Perugia University, Italy, The Quarantine also lets readers feel the author’s passion for a land he identifies with -- Việt Nam.

Thanks to the efforts of Nguyễn Mạnh Hùng, CEO of Thái Hà Books, The Quarantine is not only a novel but also a scientific, cultural and life reference. “Its author has deep knowledge about Việt Nam, including its arts, rules of behaviour and even traditional martial arts,” he said.

The diplomat, currently Italian ambassador to India, is the author of multiple publications, including commentaries, reportages and novels, reflecting issues on inter-cultural dialogues, conflicts in wars and personal development of an individual. — VNS