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Temporary Closures due to COVID-19
12 March 2020 | Written by Chris Alexander

In response to the current novel coronavirus (Covid-19) situation, a number of tourist attractions in Vietnam will be temporarily closed to the public. The following closures are expected to last a maximum of 14 days, and the majority will re-open on 27th March 2020.

In Hanoi, the Bong Sen Water puppet show and the Museum of Ethnology will be closed from 10-15 March, while a range of other attractions, including Ngoc Son Temple, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple are expected to stay closed for a little longer.

Elsewhere, several other popular destinations will be temporarily affected, including Con Dao island in Vung Tau Province, Hoi An’s Ancient Town, Hoa Lu Temple in Ninh Binh Province, cruises in Lan Ha Bay and Ta Van Village in Lao Cai Province.

In Quang Ninh Province, authorities have taken the decision to temporarily halt all tourism activities until 27 March. Consequently, a number of popular tourist attractions will be unavailable to the public during this time, including Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, Yen Tu historical site and the islands of Co To and Van Don.

The move comes after four foreign visitors tested positive for the virus on arrival in Vietnam on 2nd March. Vietnam’s Ministry of Health is currently working with local health agencies to isolate and contain the spread of the virus, and have already identified 33 people who had been in close contact with the four infected foreign visitors.

Vietnam has been commended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the steps it has taken thus far to contain Covid-19. The latest round of temporary closures are clearly a precaution, allowing certain areas to ‘detox’ and be confirmed clean, so the nation is able to confirm visitors’ safety at the end of this month. While the closures of some famous sites may inconvenience some visitors, this short hiatus also indicates the seriousness with which Vietnam is treating the situation, and the importance it places on the health and safety of its visitors.

For more information about what Vietnam is doing to contain the spread of coronavirus and how these measures will affect tourists, click here.

We will continue to provide more updates on the situation as it develops.