Deserted Hanoi, Saigon become oases of peace and quiet

Hanoi's Hoan Kiem Lake early morning on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Nha Tho Street in the city is usually so packed and noisy that ants would find it difficult to move around and two people next to each other have to shout to hear each other, but today, elephants can move around freely and the sound of wind rustling the leaves on trees can be heard clearly.

Right next to Nha Tho Street, Nha Chung Street looks like something an artist dreamed up.

Hanoi's Phan Dinh Phung Street has become a vast garden for these two men, who have all that space to themselves.

A man on a morning walk at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum could be thinking he is in an enchanted place.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Vo Van Kiet Boulevard looks like an architect's drawing of roads and a flyover to be built in the future.

In front of the municipal administration's colonial era building and the Nguyen Hue Flower Street, walking has never been so relaxing as it is today, the first day of the Lunar New Year.

"We come here on the first day of Tet every year to enjoy the rare quiet atmosphere of Saigon. I feel like life is slower here," said 57-year-old Tran Thi Mai Lieu of Tan Binh District said.

"I work from 5 a.m. during Tet. There are not many people here these days so it makes my job easier than normal days," said Thao, a cleaner.