HCMC people queue for moon cakes

Many people gathered at a 50-year-old bakery in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 to buy traditional moon cakes as the Mid-Autumn festival approaches.

Buyers queued up at 4 p.m. at Nhu Lan Bakery on Hai Ba Trung Road to buy the sweet cake ahead of the annual Mid-Autumn celebration next Tuesday.

A spokesperson for the bakery Wednesday said an increasing number of customers have dropped by this week, but still way less than last year due to Covid-19.

Staff set up baskets between buyers and the shop to ensure social distancing.

The bakery is among a few in the city to sells moon cakes amid continuing social distancing measures.

Nhu Lan Bakery put up a sign stating it sells to police officers, military personnel and healthcare workers. But local residents were also able to make purchases.

Customers write their order on a note handed to staff.

“I bought two boxes for a medical center nearby. This shop has been operating for more than 50 years and its cakes have a distinctive taste,” said Le Minh Tan, a Covid officer.

Staff were busy with a large number of customers.

Prices range from VND75,000 to 265,000 ($3.28-11.59).

Shipper Huynh got eight boxes for over VND4 million. “I waited half an hour for this. Never have I seen the Mid-Autumn Festival atmosphere as damp as this year.”