Artists postpone live shows as Covid-19 dampens holiday fever

By Long Nguyen   April 28, 2021 | 04:31 am PT
Artists have been placed in abeyance as neighboring countries struggle with a significant surge in community transmissions, posing a threat to Vietnam.

On Tuesday evening, singer My Tam said on her fan page her live show in Hanoi, scheduled to take place in My Dinh National Stadium on May 1, would be postponed due to worries over the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tam, having delayed her shows in early March for similar reasons, apologized to those who had bought tickets for her performances in Hanoi this weekend, with 80 percent of the stage already set up.

"Even though our country has contained the pandemic, the situation could become more complicated with the number of new cases in neighboring countries surging, and people entering the country illegally," the singer said in her post, adding the show would be moved to a safer date.

Tam is not the only Vietnamese artist who have had their plans derailed by the looming threat of Covid-19 in Vietnam ahead of the four-day national holiday from Friday to celebrate the Reunification Day (April 30) and Labor Day (May 1).

My Tam performs in her live show in Saigon, April 25, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa.

My Tam performs in Saigon, April 25, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa.

Over the past few days, the government and health experts have warned Vietnam is at great risk of a new Covid-19 outbreak, especially during the busy coming holiday.

In northern Quang Ninh Province, the May 1 "Tuan Chau - Dao Ngoc Chao He" (Tuan Chau - Pearl Island Says Hello to Summer) show, including many Vietnamese stars, has been canceled due to Covid-19 concerns.

"Since information of the cancellation was only released at the last minute, many cast and crew members had to return home after arriving at the airport. It is sad that many events across the country would be ‘frozen’ this holiday," Hoang Nhat Nam, director of the show, wrote on his Facebook page.

Singer Tuan Hung, scheduled to perform at the show, agreed with the organizers' decision.

"We happily follow the rules for our own safety and that of the community," Hung said.

Vietnamese officials are warning about an imminent Covid wave since the country’s neighbors like Thailand, Laos and Cambodia are recording a surge in infections.

Cambodia has been in the grip of a new wave since late February. Its caseload has crossed 11,000, after recording only around 400 cases in the whole of last year.

The Laos government last Friday closed the country’s borders and announced a two-week lockdown of the capital Vientiane. On Monday there were 113 new cases, the highest single day tally. There were another 75 on Tuesday, which took the total number so far to 511.

In Vietnam, authorities have stepped up border patrolling to ensure illegal entrants do not bring the virus in. Across the country, several localities have canceled fireworks shows and festivals following Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's order to limit crowded events amid intensified Covid-19 outbreaks in neighboring countries.

This is not the first time showbiz events have been cramped by the pandemic.

Three months ago, the latest Covid-19 outbreak resurfaced in northern Hai Duong Province, causing many live shows and film premieres to be postponed or canceled.

My Tam also had her shows in Saigon and Hanoi postponed during this time. The show in Saigon, scheduled for April 25, attracted thousands of fans and earned many kudos from local media.

But the second one in Hanoi, is, once again, delayed.

"I hope my audience will stay healthy. We will overcome this difficulty together," Tam maintained.

 
 
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