Tourist destinations close beaches as Covid-19 infections spike

Authorities in Hai Phong City, home to famous beaches like Do Son and Cat Co, have ordered a swimming ban from Friday after nearby Hanoi reported a surge in transmissions in the last three days, with 47 cases as of Friday morning.

About 150 km east of Hanoi, Quang Ninh, known for beautiful beaches like Tuan Chau, Quan Lan and Ti Top, has closed public beaches until May 23.

Nam Dinh Province, home to Hai Hau and Quat Lam beaches, and Thai Binh Province, famous for its Dong Chau Beach, both in the north, have banned swimming since Thursday.

Ha Nam, which neighbors Nam Dinh, has recorded 14 coronavirus transmissions in the country's latest outbreak that began on January 27, while Thai Binh has reported five.

Ancient town Hoi An in central Quang Nam Province closed its popular beaches like Cua Dai and An Bang starting Wednesday.

Neighboring Da Nang, with a coastline of 30 km and many of Vietnam’s most beautiful beaches like My Khe, Non Nuoc and Nam O, shut all of them on Monday after recording its first case of Covid-19. The source of infection has yet to be identified.

So far Da Nang has had five cases and Quang Nam Province, home to Hoi An, has reported one.

Ly Son, an island district in Quang Ngai Province and a popular tourism beach hub, suspended receiving visitors from Friday after the central province recorded one infection.

Son Tra Peninsula overlooking a beach in Da Nang, central Vietnam. Photo by Ha Vu Linh.

Nha Trang and Phu Yen, famous beach towns in the central region, have not announced to close their public beaches but put up barriers to prevent crowds.

Central Quang Binh Province, Vietnam's ‘Kingdom of Caves,’ suspended all tours and closed its tourist attractions on Friday until further notice. It is home to UNESCO heritage site Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and many limestone caves including Son Doong, the world’s largest.

Vietnam has had 121 domestic Covid-19 cases since April 27 after being clean for over a month. Infections have been found in 15 localities.