In photos: Saigon backpacker street bustling again after months of closing due to COVID-19
After bars and restaurants were allowed to reopen on September 7, Bui Vien backpacker street in Sai Gon (Ho Chi Minh city) is bouncing back to bustle.
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| At 22:00 on September 7, Bui Vien walking street was packed with visitors after one month of closing in a bid to stem the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Zing New. Photo: Zing News |
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| At some beer clubs, customers occupy the sidewalks on both sides. Photo: Zing News |
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| Many young people are eager to return to the busiest pedestrian street at night in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Zing News |
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| "We feel so excited to hear that Bui Vien Street has resumed. It is a long time to enjoy the bustling atmosphere at night like this", Hang was quoted by Zing News as saying. Photo: Zing News |
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| Nevertheless, the situation that restaurant staff entices customers annoys many people. Photo: Zing News |
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| As the functional force is absent, some restaurants and bars place tables and chairs occupying the sidewalks. Photo: Zing News |
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| A boy breathes fire to cheer the crowds. Photo: Zing News |
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| Nearly 11 p.m, a number of bars at the De Tham and Bui Vien intersections begins to be sparse. Photo: Zing News |
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| Loc, a bar manager on Bui Vien Street, said, "We are really happy when the ban was lifted. We also implement safety measures like checking body temperatures of customers." Photo: Lao Dong (Labor) |
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| Bar clubs and restaurants prepare hand sanitizers for customers. Photo: Lao Dong (Labor) |
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| Nguyen Khanh Linh, a local from District 1, said, "I have gone out less because of Covid-19. But after the situation is better controlled and especially when hearing that Bui Vien Street reopens, my friends and I come here to relax." Photo: Lao Dong (Labor) |
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| Previously, when the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic broke out in late July, HCM City banned gatherings of more than 30 people in public places and ordered all bars and dance clubs to shut. Photo: Lao Dong (Labor) |
| As of September 9, Vietnam has reported 1,054 COVID-19 infectious cases with 868 recoveries and 35 deaths. Fourteen people were confirmed Covid-19 free on Tuesday. Vietnam has gone five days without a domestic infection. Ho Chi Minh City has stayed clean for 36 days and Hanoi 22 days. |
 | Vietnam to slash 2020 GDP growth target by half due to COVID-19 pandemic Nikkei Asian Review has recently run an article saying that the Vietnamese government is supposed to reduce 2020 economic growth target to 2% to 2.5% ... |
 | COVID-19 Updates (September 8): 6 days of no community infection, 835 patients cured Out of a total of 1,049 Covid-19 cases, 835 cases have been cured by health facilities. Many severe, complex patients have been treated with success. |
 | Rosy signs for domestic securities market Last month, VN-Index enjoyed the largest gain in the last ten years and became the top gainer globally. |
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