Nguyen Trinh has lived in Da Lat for many years, but he has never witnessed such a deserted city.
From July to September, especially during the National Holiday (September 2), Da Lat welcomes thousands of tourists.
This year, due to the Covid-19 epidemic, Da Lat became quiet like it was in the 2000s.
Every morning, Trinh drives around Da Lat streets to take pictures of the resort city in the mist. He has shared those moments on social networks, as a way to help visitors ease their nostalgia for Da Lat.
Like Trinh, Ha Tuan Phu is a young person working as a photographer in Da Lat. The Covid-19 epidemic has hit tourism service workers like Phu.
But these days, he realizes that a quieter Da Lat has become fresher, more comfortable.
Images of Da Lat downtown during the holidays and weekends, before and now.
Da Lat market at 8pm is quiet, which was rarely seen before. (Photo: Nguyen Trinh)
On days without tourists, the city becomes quiet. (Photo: Nguyen Trinh)
Shops, restaurants, motels, hotels are all closed. (Photo: Nguyen Trinh)
In the early morning, fog covers the roofs of houses, weaves through the pine forest, and spreads over the calm lake. (Photo: Nguyen Trinh)
The lake is calm and foggy. (Photo: Nguyen Trinh
The road along Xuan Huong Lake is deserted. Before the pandemic, this was a place for people to do morning exercise. (Photo: Nguyen Trinh)
Da Lat is entering the ripe persimmon season. (Photo: Nguyen Trinh)
In previous years, this was the time for tourists to flock to take photo at persimmon gardens. But this year, Da Lat farmers are sad that no one will come to the persimmon garden, and they don’t know how they will sell all the fruit. (Photo: Nguyen Trinh)
Lam Vien Square is empty. (Photo: Ha Tuan Phu)
Photo: Ha Tuan Phu
The ‘Hong Kong corner’ on the side of Da Lat market. (Photo: Ha Tuan Phu)
The cafes, tea and cake shops that used to be crowded in the city center are now closed. (Photo: Ha Tuan Phu)
Photo: Ha Tuan Phu
Da Lat is peaceful and deserted nowadays, resembling the life of the city in the 2000s. (Photo: Ha Tuan Phu)
The image of Da Lat through the lens of young people. (Photo: Trinh Nguyen)
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a serious impact on the tourism industry of Da Lat. But from a positive perspective, this is the time for the city to rest and recuperate after many years of serving tourists.
Linh Trang
