Ta Hien street busy again following lifted social distancing order

Hanoi allows bars, karaoke parlours and discos to reopen from 0:00 on September 16 after the city has gone four weeks without new local COVID-19 cases (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

Nightlife on Ta Hien street is now bustling once more (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

Ta Hien street is crowded as if COVID-19 had never happened (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

Though Hanoi People’s Committee has recommended people to seriously abide by COVID-19 prevention instructions by the health sector, many people seem a bit neglected (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

(Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

(Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

Ta Hien street is dubbed as ‘Westerners’ street’. Now there are some foreigners showing up here indeed (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

Many youngsters say they come here only for keeping up with the bustling nightlife here after a month of its closure (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

Ta Hien street was a thriving social destination before the implementation of the social distancing period, particularly at night and during the weekend (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

Minh Tu, 24, a Hanoian living in Dong Da district tells reporters ‘It’s been a long time since I experienced such wonderful moment. I hope the pandemic will soon be fully contained so everyone could get their normal life back’ (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

Some restaurant welcomes only few customers (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

Though bars, karaoke parlours, discos and pubs can now open, this street is not as crowded as it was before. Business owners here voice their expectation that arrivals will be increased sharply by this weekend (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

Bars, karaoke parlours, discos and pubs on Ta Hien and nearby streets can now reopen (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

‘I’m so delighted that my pub can resume operation. Of course we must ensure safety for our customers. Everyone entering my pub has to undergo temperature measurement and hand sanitizing,’ says Duy Cong, manager of a pub on No.12 Ta Hien street, Hanoi (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

(Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)