Hoi An ancient town in the central province of Quang Nam have temporarily suspended the sale of sightseeing tickets to the old quarter area as of March 12, whilst also halting the opening of walking streets until the end of March.

Tickets to visit the ancient heart of Hoi An have been available since being introduced
by the province in 1995.

The proceeds from ticket sales has made a significant contribution to restoring monuments and increasing the amount available in the local budget.

However, in a bid to ensure the safety of people and tourists, Hoi An has moved to suspend the sale of sightseeing tickets, whilst also stopping the city’s walking streets, amid the complicated developments of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic. 

 Truong Thi Ngoc Cam, Director of the Hoi An Center for Culture, Sports, Radio & Television, said the city sells approximately 1,400 sightseeing tickets per day, although this figure has taken a 80% drop among foreign visitors, with a further fall of 93 per cent among domestic visitors in comparison to the same period last year.

According to Cam, the suspension of the sale of sightseeing tickets to relic sites in the ancient town is a way of advising residents and visitors to limit their travel during this period.

Whilst tickets are suspended, the city has been focusing on disinfecting all ticket counters, thoroughly cleaning relic sites located in the old quarter, and refurbishing facilities in order to welcome visitors back after the lull in business is over,  he added.

At present, Quang Nam province has recorded two cases of British nationals testing positive for the novel coronavirus, both of whom were subsequently taken to Hue Central Hospital for quarantine and treatment. 

Since the detection of the cases, the province has moved to zone off and spray disinfectant in the hotels where the patients stayed, whilst also notifying the local Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control and other relevant units about the travel history of the two British passengers.