​Tourist cities regain bustle after Covid restrictions relaxed

By Nguyen Dong, Minh Cuong   June 9, 2021 | 09:12 pm PT
With the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, popular tourist destinations Ha Long and Da Nang are getting back their hustle and bustle though not visitors.
People walk along a park by the iconic Han River in Da Nang City but all wear face masks and keep a distance of one meter.After three weeks without recording new community transmissions, Da Nang City, popular tourism hub in central Vietnam, reopened its public beaches and allowed restaurants and eateries to resume business from Wednesday while locals are also permitted to do morning exercise at public parks.

People walk along a promenade by the iconic Han River in Da Nang City, but wear masks and keep a distance of one meter from each other.
After three weeks without new cases the city reopened public beaches and allowed restaurants and eateries to resume business from Wednesday, and allowed people to again use public parks.

Huynh Thi Diem Trinh, 41, a teacher and her six-year-old son Vo Phuc Hung return to the beach after more than a month.My son likes swimming very much. Although the pandemic situation in Da Nang is basically under control, I am still worried so we absolutely wear masks and keep a safe distance, she said.Despite lifting swimming ban, people are only allowed to flock to beaches from 4:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to reduce the risk of spread of infection. Da Nang, which recorded 158 infections during the ongoing wave, closed all beaches and suspended non-essential services on May 4.

Huynh Thi Diem Trinh, 41, a teacher, and her six-year-old son, Vo Phuc Hung, return to the beach after more than a month.
She said: "My son likes swimming very much. Although the pandemic situation in Da Nang is basically under control, I am still worried, so we always wear masks and keep a safe distance."
But people are only allowed on beaches from 4:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to reduce risks. Da Nang, which has recorded 158 infections in the current wave, closed all beaches and non-essential businesses on May 4.

Freshwater bathing area remains closed to avoid large gatherings.

The shower area remains closed to avoid gatherings.

Restaurants and food establishments are allowed to serve guests on the spot but the number of customers is not as crowded as before. At a famous vermicelli and sticky rice shop on Hung Vuong Street in Hai Chau District, staff wear face masks while diners sit apart each other.  Restaurants and eateries in coastal areas such as Vo Nguyen Giap and Vo Van Kiet streets are still closed as tourists have not returned to the beach city. Starting from June 3, those arriving in the city from areas under social distancing campaign or lockdown must be subject to 21-day centralized quarantine.

Restaurants and food establishments are allowed to serve guests but with only half the covers. At a famous vermicelli and sticky rice shop on Hung Vuong Street in Hai Chau District, staff wear masks while customers sit apart from each other.
Seaside restaurants and eateries remain closed since tourists have not returned to the city. Since June 3 visitors from areas with social distancing or lockdown are subject to 21-day quarantine.

A hair salon on Le Do Street in Thanh Khe District welcomes the first guests  after 35 days it was closed to comply with the citys pandemic prevention measures Nguyen Hoang Hung, 41-year-old owner of a hair salon, said that all customers entering the salon are required to wear masks and disinfect their hands, and make health declaration online. I am very happy that the city quickly put the outbreak under control and reopened some services for people to restore their livelihoods, he said.

A hair salon on Le Do Street in Thanh Khe District welcomes the first guests after 35 days it was closed to comply with the city's pandemic prevention measures.
Nguyen Hoang Hung, 41, owner of a hair salon, said customers are required to wear masks and disinfect their hands, and make health declaration online.
"I am very happy that the city quickly brought the outbreak under control and allowed some businesses to reopen to restore livelihoods."

Locals sit apart each other at a coffee shop on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street in Hai Chau District.

Locals distance themselves from each other at a coffee shop on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street in Hai Chau District.

In Quang Ninh Province, home to the world famous Ha Long Bay, people swim at Hon Gai beach in Ha Long Town. The 900-meter-long beach only put into operation during the recent Reunification holiday. After more than a month without new domestic infections, provincial authorities lifted swimming ban and reopened local tourist destinations, relics, historical sites and golf courses from Tuesday.

Hon Gai beach in Ha Long Town, home to the world-famous bay of the same name. The 900-meter-long beach only opened during the recent Reunification Day-Labor Day holidays.
After more than a month without new infections, local authorities lifted the swimming ban and reopened tourist destinations, relics, historical sites, and golf courses on Tuesday.

Locals walk on the 4.7-kilometer Tran Quoc Nghien Road that runs parallel with Ha Long Bay, offering tourists a visual feast of the world-famous bay.The road now boasts six lanes, a five-meter-wide pavement and a 28-meter-wide park, ideal for exercising and entertainment activities.

People walk on the 4.7-kilometer Tran Quoc Nghien Road that runs along Ha Long Bay.

Public exercise spots are also a popular choice. During the fourth coronavirus wave that hit the country since April 27, Quang Ninh recorded one domestic infection.

Public gyms are a popular choice. During the fourth coronavirus wave that has hit the country since April 27, Quang Ninh recorded one infection.

Tuan Chau Wharf, where all Ha Long Bay cruise ships and boats dock, is left deserted as Quang Ninh has not yet allowed to receive tourists from other localities.

Tuan Chau Wharf, where all Ha Long Bay cruise ships and boats dock, is deserted since Quang Ninh has not yet lifted an entry ban for tourists.

Without tourists, hundreds of cruise ships lay idle for a long time. Since its recognition as a UNESCO natural world heritage in 1994, Ha Long Bay has entrenched itself on the global tourism map, receiving raves from many travel bloggers and several foreign filmmakers for its emerald green waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rainforests.

Without tourists or business, hundreds of cruise ships have remained anchored for long. Since its recognition as a UNESCO natural world heritage in 1994, Ha Long Bay has found a spot on the global tourism map, with travel bloggers and filmmakers hailing its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone pillars topped by rainforests.

 
 
go to top