Ho Chi Minh City youths celebrate Halloween safely during COVID-19

Many young people took to the streets in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday evening for the Halloween celebration, not forgetting to ensure safety measures as COVID-19 risk lingers.

Their favorite destination was undoubtedly Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in Central Business District 1.

In colorful and spooky costumes and accessories, they could be seen from the beginning of sunset all the way through until twilight.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has just subsided in the southern metropolis, teenagers, kids and their parents made sure to take safety precautions, with face masks being a must. 

In that context, this year’s celebration was less vibrant than previous editions. 

“The municipal administration has just eased COVID-19 curbs so I want my children to have fun while complying with healthcare recommendations and taking pandemic prevention measures,” said Bao Chung, a resident of Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City. 

“My family had our vehicle kept at a parking lot to go with the children for a walk and slowly watch the city at night.”

Since erupting in Vietnam in late April, the fourth coronavirus wave has caused over 432,000 infections and around 16,500 deaths in Ho Chi Minh City, the Ministry of Health reported on Sunday.

Nationwide, a total of 916,286 cases, including 820,334 recoveries and 22,083 deaths, have been recorded.

Ho Chi Minh City saw its daily new cases and fatalities drop to 1,041 and 21 on Sunday compared to 4,134 and 122 a month ago, according to the ministry’s data.