Nha Trang, Vung Tau reopen public beaches, but safeguards remain

In Khanh Hoa, however, only people living in ‘green zones,’ deemed to have low risk of Covid-19 spread, can swim in the sea. But they need to keep a distance of two meters from each other and should not gather in groups of more than five.

Restaurants and other food establishments can resume operations but only serve takeaway.

Festivals, sports activities and cultural and arts events are permitted again but participants and spectators should have got at least one dose of a Covid vaccine.

The province, also home to another tourist hotspot, Cam Ranh, and other attractions, has basically brought the pandemic under control.

It has sought approval from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to allow back in fully immunized foreign tourists from next month.

In Ba Ria-Vung Tau, people can return to public beaches and take part in outdoor activities, but gatherings of over 20 people are still banned.

Indoor sports activities are allowed, but there can be no more than 10 people at a time, and everyone should have got at least one vaccine.

Restaurants can serve takeaway.

Khanh Hoa has had over 8,300 infections in during the ongoing wave that began in late April, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau has had over 4,300.

Vietnam is planning to switch from seeking zero Covid cases to responding safely to the disease so that socio-economic activities can return to normal.