- 29/04/2020
Phu Quoc in Kien Giang Mekong Delta Province, called Vietnam's 'Pearl Island,' officially resumed tourist activity on Sunday, with restaurants, hotels and lodging facilities receiving only domestic and international tourists residing in Vietnam.
However, under a directive released last Friday by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, all bars, karaoke parlors, massage parlors, and entertainment facilities are to remain closed.
Khanh Hoa, home of the popular resort town of Nha Trang, received visitors starting Monday after closing all tourist sites and beaches for more than a month to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Since Friday, the Province of Binh Thuan, home to Mui Ne and with nine infections discharged from hospital, has restored tourist services alongside steps to stop crowds from gathering.
Over the last few years, Mui Ne, also referred to as a "seaside paradise," has contributed to its holiday appeal by offering many thrilling water sports such as windsurfing, surfing, jet-skiing, and kayaking.
Binh Dinh, home to popular Quy Nhon, and Da Nang, famous for long, sandy beaches, permitted swimming but no crowds were expected.
A stranger jogging on a beach in Da Nang City, April 23, 2020. Picture by Nguyen Dong / VnExpress.
Authorities in Quang Binh, home of the world's largest Son Doong cave, have also announced Monday's reopening of the central province to visitors. The caves of Phong Nha and Tien Son, Mooc Lake, and Dark Cave – Chay River Complex in Quang Binh began receiving tourists the same day.
Home to the UNESCO heritage site Hoi An, Le Tri Thanh, Chairman of Quang Nam Province, permitted on Friday resorts, hotels, motels and homes to welcome tourists from localities classified as "low-risk." While the province can arrange outdoor tours, the number can not exceed 10 people per trip.
Only Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's two largest metropolises, Bac Ninh and Ha Giang, are now listed as "at risk" localities in northern Vietnam.
The central area is all centered in Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan, Binh Dinh, Da Nang, Quang Binh and Quang Nam.
A few walks on a beach in Binh Dinh Province in Quy Nhon, April 2020. Picture purchased from VnExpress.
Da Lat, a popular resort town in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong with its cool climate throughout the year and where no infections with coronavirus have been confirmed, has again welcomed tourists.
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have yet to announce the resumption of tourism activities while Quang Ninh, home to the UNESCO heritage site Ha Long Bay in northern Vietnam, has kept all tourist sites closed after seven infections were reported, only two of which discharged.
Many of the country's popular tourist attractions had been closed since mid-March, with bars and most other entertainment facilities shut down on social distancing orders from the Prime Minister.
Last Thursday, the Government allowed localities to loosen limits on social distance to restore economic and social stability. In Vietnam the number of active Covid-19 patients was 48 out of 270 infections, and no deaths were reported. Over the past 12 days no new cases of population transmission were found.
Amid many entry restrictions and the closure of tourism destinations in response to the pandemic, Vietnam has seen Q1 international arrivals plunge.
In the first quarter, the nation received almost 3.7 million foreign visitors, down 18.1 per cent year-on-year, data shows from the General Statistics Office (GSO).
Source : VnExpress International