Over 100 healthcare staff and frontline workers would be invited to join the tour organized by leading tour operator Saigontourist in gratitude for their months of service in the pandemic fight, Le Minh Dung, Party secretary of Can Gio District, told Thanh Nien newspaper.

The pilot tour would take them to four famous destinations in Can Gio: Vam Sat eco-tourist sites, Rung Sac Revolutionary Base, Dan Xay tourist area and Phuong Nam Pearl Resort.

Dung said Can Gio has basically brought the pandemic under control and the coastal district has several eco-tourist sites located in the middle of forests and separate from residential areas that create favorable conditions to organize short tours with pandemic restrictions to boost tourism.

After the first tour designated for frontline Covid workers, the district would continue its phased tourism reopening plan that allows fully vaccinated travelers back to the district.

Tourism businesses selected for participating in the pilot program and workers at tourist resorts must ensure compliance with pandemic prevention measures.

Can Gio, famous for fresh seafood and eco-tourist sites, is home to Can Gio Mangrove Forest, a biological reserve recognized by UNESCO. The district with an area of over 71,300 hectares boasts many traditional craft villages.

Ho Chi Minh City is the epicenter of the fourth Covid-19 wave to hit the country, recording more than 315,000 cases and 12,476 deaths since late April. Can Gio is one of the three localities in HCMC to have brought the outbreak under control besides Districts 7 and Cu Chi that started easing Covid restrictions from Sept. 16.

Since June, the city suspended all tourism activities to contain the spread of the virus.