Hungry Hanoians resort to sidewalk, parks amid takeout ruling

By Tung Dinh October 6, 2021 | 05:38 am PT

Sidewalks and public parks across the capital are bustling come meal time as restaurants remain prohibited from serving dine-in customers.

Two men had lunch by Lang Thuong Lake in Dong Da District, Oct. 5, 2021. Hanoi eateries have been allowed to reopen for takeout and deliveries, so many people have used public spaces to enjoy their daily meals.

Two men have lunch by Lang Thuong Lake in Dong Da District, Oct. 5, 2021. Since Hanoi eateries have been allowed to reopen for takeout and deliveries, many urbanites have used public spaces to enjoy their daily meals.

Delivery workers and people working outdoors choose wherever they can have a seat to have their meals.

Vu Van Tien (R), employee of a delivery firms, had his lunch under a shade of a tree on Oct. 5 2021.

Vu Van Tien (R), employee of a delivery firm, has his lunch under the shade of a tree, Oct. 5, 2021.

A man surfed the web while having lunch, saying it is uncomfortable and unhygienic to eat on a sidewalk like this.

A man surfs the web while having lunch, saying it is uncomfortable and unhygienic to eat on the sidewalk like this.

Eateries have not fully reopened and we cannot eat indoor, so we must sit here, said Nguyen Nguyen Hung (R).

"Eateries have not fully reopened and we cannot eat indoors, so we must sit here," said Nguyen Nguyen Hung (R).

I am a delivery worker so I do not have a fixed place to have lunch. I eat at places that are convenient and have cool shades, Linh Hoang said while eating in a public park in from of Thuy Loi University on Nguyen Trai Street.

"I am a delivery worker so I do not have a fixed place to have lunch. I eat anywhere that’s convenient and has cool shade," Linh Hoang said while eating in a public park in front of Water Resources University on Tay Son Street.

Thuy Linh sat on Lang Thuong Lake after receiving her online order.

Thuy Linh sits by Lang Thuong Lake with her online order.

People have lunch on Ho Dac Di Street.

A man had his lunch in a truck before resuming work in the afternoon.

A man has his lunch in a truck before resuming work in the afternoon.
Hanoi has recorded 4,259 Covid-19 cases since the fourth coronavirus wave hit Vietnam in late April. The capital began relaxing its coronavirus restrictions starting Sept. 21 after spending around two months under strict social distancing measures.