Vietnam underwent 15 days of social distancing from April 1 to 15, which was extended in some localities until the end of April 22.
During this period, all attractions and entertainment facilities — including wedding reception centers — were shuttered, putting many couples’ wedding schedule on pause.
Social distancing measures have been gradually relaxed across the country since April 23, with wedding reception centers being allowed to reopen from May 8.
Bridal stores on Ho Van Hue Street in Ho Chi Minh City’s Phu Nhuan District are once again frequented by couples trying on wedding costumes and booking their pre-wedding photo shoot, although business remains shy of pre-pandemic level, according to observation by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.
In an effort to attract customers, wedding stores in the city have offered discounts of ten to 15 percent.
“Some couples had made appointments for costume fittings and photo shoots before the pandemic broke out, but all were postponed,” Nguyen Hoang Hai, owner of a wedding shop on Ho Van Hue Street, told Tuoi Tre.
“Social distancing has been eased, but people’s finances have been hit badly so we are offering a VND1 million [US$43] discount on some of our services,” he added.
Local studios have also seen people flocking for bridal photos again.
Some couples expressed their joy that COVID-19 has been controlled in Vietnam and they don’t have to delay their wedding ceremonies.
Trinh Hoang Dong, 25, and Nguyen Thi Tuyet Ngan, 24 are among those lucky ones. The couple plans to tie the knot in July this year.
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| Trinh Hoang Dong helps his bride-to-be walk in her gown while the two are taking pre-wedding photos in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 13, 2020. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre |
“The wedding day is a very important date, so we don’t want to delay it,” they shared.
“The disease has been put under control so we can have peace of mind and take pre-wedding photos.”
As of Saturday, Vietnam’s COVID-19 tally is at 314, with 260 recoveries and no deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.
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| Tuan (left), 26, and My Thuy, 25, are seen picking wedding gowns at a bridal store on Ho Van Hue Street in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 13, 2020. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre |
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| Brides-to-be have their makeup done for their photo shoots at L’amour studio in District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 13, 2020. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre |
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| Do Chien Thang (left), 21, and Huynh Nhu, 19, are seen taking pre-wedding photos in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 13, 2020. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre |
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| A man kisses his bride for their pre-wedding photo in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 13, 2020. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre |
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| Nguyen The Nha (center) and his team are seen taking pre-wedding photos for a couple in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 13, 2020. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre |
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