HANOI, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam will temporarily close parts of its two major tourist destinations of Hoi An and Ha Long to visitors in a bid to prevent the COVID-19 spread, Vietnam News Agency reported Thursday.
Hoi An city, a world heritage site and popular destination in the central province of Quang Nam, announced on Thursday that it will suspend selling tickets of the ancient quarter and pedestrian streets from Thursday until March 31 in an effort to prevent the COVID-19 outbreak from spreading.
The city, which has so far recorded one COVID-19 infection, a 58-year-old British tourist, has temporarily closed other spots including Cu Lao Cham, Bay Mau coconut forest, Thanh Ha ceramics village, and Tra Que vegetable village.
The northern province of Quang Ninh, which has reported four infections, announced on Wednesday its suspense of overnight stay service on cruise liners and tours to its Ha Long Bay and relic sites from Thursday until March 27.
Vietnam will also postpone its biennial national beauty pageant Miss Vietnam 2020, with the new date to be announced later after the organizers consider the disease situation, the news agency reported.
The State Bank of Vietnam on Wednesday released a document on strengthening the prevention and control of COVID-19, ordering its provincial and municipal branches to provide hand sanitizer, mask and glove for staff who have direct contact with cash, to disinfect transaction areas as well as to sterilize old notes delivered from credit institutions and treasuries.
Vietnam has so far confirmed 44 cases of novel coronavirus infection, among which 16 have been discharged from hospital.
