Tourist arrivals to Hanoi in the Tet holiday dropped by 50% compared to the same period of last year, in the context of prevailing measures to prevent and control of Covid-19 nationwide.

Hanoians enjoy activities for the Tet holiday. Photo: kinhtedothi

According to the Hanoi Department of Tourism, the city welcomed 122,000 visitors from February 10 to 16. Many relic sites and accommodation establishments in Hanoi have taken preventive measures to curb the third wave of the pandemic since late January.

Compared to the same period of 2020, the Temple of Literature welcomed about 18,500 visitors, reaching 40%. Tourists to the Hanoi Zoo numbered about 12,300, making up about 86%, while the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long received about 15,000 visitors, reaching 50%, and the Ba Vi National Park welcomed about 1,200 visitors, representing 90%.

Due to the complicated developments of Covid-19, all events and activities of well-known tourist areas and destinations in the city, including Hoa Lo prison relic, the Temple of Literature and Duong Lam ancient village, were canceled in celebration of the Tet holiday.

The third wave of Covid-19 appeared before the Tet holiday in some localities such as Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, causing the demand for travelling plunged. A series of tours, airline ticket and room bookings were canceled, making more difficulties for the tourism industry, especially tourist accommodation establishments.

During the opening time to welcome guests, the city’s tourist sites and monuments strictly obeyed the regulations on prevention and control of Covid-19 such as measuring body temperature, providing hand sanitizer, asking visitors to wear face masks, and keeping safe distance with each other, according to Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism Dang Huong Giang.

Earlier, all unessential services such as street eateries, sidewalk iced tea and coffee shops have been barred from 0:00 February 16 as the pandemic situation in the city has become more serious and unpredictable.