Locals hit the beach as Da Nang lifts swimming ban

Da Nang, the epicenter of Vietnam's second Covid-19 wave and a tourist attraction in central Vietnam, decided to reopen public beaches from Friday morning after the city passed 13 days without new domestic infections.

From 5.30 a.m. residents jog along Pham Van Dong Beach, voted one of the world's most beautiful beaches by U.S. magazine Forbes in 2016.
Some residents still wear face masks in public to prevent the risk of domestic infections while others ignore the requirement.

Men sunbathe on the beach.
Since July 28, Da Nang banned residents from swimming to curb the spread of Covid-19 after the first community transmission was recorded in the city on July 25 following the country's 99-day streak of no community transmission.

On the shore, loudspeakers warn people to keep a safe distance to limit the risk of infection.
Nguyen Duc Vu, head of the Management Board of Son Tra Peninsula and Tourist Beaches in Da Nang, said the board would consider imposing tighter social distancing restrictions in the coming days in case too many large crowds form.

Ly Na, from Da Nang's Thanh Khe District, is happy the coronavirus outbreak has been put under control and social distancing gradually eased. She and her family members flocked to the beach Friday morning after 45 hot and dry days.

Children in face masks play on the beach.

Life guards advise people to wear face masks and comply with anti-pandemic measures.
"Non-essential" services like karaoke parlors, bars, dance clubs, internet shops and sports-related services including gyms remain shut across Da Nang, with public gatherings of more than 20 people still banned.

The popular tourism hub boasts a 30 km coastline and is home to many of Vietnam’s most beautiful beaches like My Khe, Pham Van Dong, Non Nuoc, and Nam O.

As of 6 a.m. Friday, nearly 7,000 residents had come to public beaches, according to the management board.