Many people gathered at a 50-year-old bakery in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 to buy traditional moon cakes as the Mid-Autumn festival approaches.

Buyers queued up at 4 p.m. at Nhu Lan Bakery on Hai Ba Trung Road to buy the sweet cake ahead of the annual Mid-Autumn celebration next Tuesday.

A spokesperson for the bakery Wednesday said an increasing number of customers have dropped by this week, but still way less than last year due to Covid-19.

Staff set up baskets between buyers and the shop to ensure social distancing.

The bakery is among a few in the city to sells moon cakes amid continuing social distancing measures.

Nhu Lan Bakery put up a sign stating it sells to police officers, military personnel and healthcare workers. But local residents were also able to make purchases.

Customers write their order on a note handed to staff.

“I bought two boxes for a medical center nearby. This shop has been operating for more than 50 years and its cakes have a distinctive taste,” said Le Minh Tan, a Covid officer.

Staff were busy with a large number of customers.

Prices range from VND75,000 to 265,000 ($3.28-11.59).

Shipper Huynh got eight boxes for over VND4 million. “I waited half an hour for this. Never have I seen the Mid-Autumn Festival atmosphere as damp as this year.”

Police officers showed up to maintain order and ensure social distancing.

Another location of the bakery four kilometers away on Ham Nghi Road also saw large crowds.

Many buyers were waiting since 5.30 p.m.

HCMC let eateries sell takeaways starting Sep. 9, 2021. The city has gone over 100 days with social distancing in place.