HCMC coastal district plans to reopen tourism in late September

Can Gio, the only coastal district in HCMC, plans to trial a tour with pandemic restrictions on Sept. 30 as part of a city-wide economic reopening.

Can Gio is one of the three localities in Ho Chi Ming City to have brought the outbreak under control and is preparing to revive economic activities starting Sept. 15, besides Districts 7 and Cu Chi.

From Sept. 16 to Oct. 31, the district would consider reopening outdoor entertainment and dining activities on a small scale of less than 20 people based on recommendations of the Health Ministry.

The district also plans to open a tour that enables tourists to only visit a limited area. The first tour is scheduled for Sept. 30, Le Minh Dung, Party Secretary of Can Gio District, said.

Dung did not elaborate on the plan.

Regarding tourism reopening in Can Gio, HCMC Party Secretary Nguyen Van Nen said Can Gio should ensure it remains a safe tourist destination since having contained the virus.

He said people in HCMC have suffered over three months of social distancing measures at varying levels so they want to travel to a nearby destination to enjoy fresh air and cuisine and return home at the end of the day.

Nen added the city would invite frontline workers to join this tour after several months of fighting the pandemic.

Can Gio, famous for fresh seafood and eco-tourist sites, is home to Can Gio Mangrove Forest, a biological reserve recognized by UNESCO. The district with an area of over 71,300 hectares boasts many traditional craft villages.

HCMC is the epicenter of the fourth Covid-19 wave to hit the country, recording more than 298,000 cases and almost 12,000 deaths since late April.

Since June, the city suspended all tourism activities to contain the spread of the virus.