With popular tourist spots closed and streets empty due to Vietnam’s social distancing campaign, Can Tho City has reclaimed a sense of tranquility. 

About 200 tourist boats lie idle in front of the Cai Rang floating market, located on Hau River, a branch of the Mekong River in Vietnam. The wholesale market is the largest in the region where trading along waterways has been a way of life for generations.

Nguyen Van Trung has sold breakfast from his boat for 25 years. "I could earn VND250,000 ($11) a day prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, selling nearly 200 bowls of noodles," the 53-year-old said, adding he now sold only around 50.

Ninh Kieu Tourist Port, which receives hundreds of tourist boats everyday, temporarily suspended operations.

Can Tho was one of 15 localities categorized "at risk" of infection to extend social distancing until April 22, along with 12 other localities at "high risk", including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said Monday Vietnam would slowly ease social distancing to contain the epidemic.

A cruise ship with a capacity of 500 people temporarily halted operations along Hau and Can Tho rivers. 

A woman walks near deserted Ninh Kieu Port. 

Can Tho Market is one of the oldest in Vietnam along with the iconic Ben Thanh and Binh Tay markets in Ho Chi Minh City. It was built in 1915 during the French colonial period and renovated in 2005. 

The first pedestrian bridge in Can Tho, nearly 200 meters long and 7.2 meters wide, was inaugurated four years ago at a cost of nearly VND50 billion ($2.13 million).

Can Tho, the largest economic hub in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's most productive agriculture and aquaculture region, lies at an intersection of canal and river networks that measure a total of 1,157 kilometers. 

Binh Thuy, a well-preserved 149-year-old house, one of Can Tho City’s most popular attractions, closed its doors to tourists from March 25.

The house at 144 Bui Huu Nghia Street was built by Duong Chan Ky, a wealthy merchant in 1870, and renovated in the early 20th century.  Interiors are characterized by traditional East Asian crafts, while the exterior resembles a West European style.

The ancient house of Binh Thuy is also a popular location for film shoots, and was the setting for "Lovers", a 1992 erotic drama film based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Marguerite Duras.

The largest eco-tourism village in Can Tho covering 35 hectares in Phong Dien District closed from mid-March.

"Previously, there were about 400-500 visitors a day," said director Le Van Sang, adding he has twice provided food subsidies and daily necessities to 50 employees who lost their jobs as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Le Trung Tin, who runs tourism services on Son Islet, located in the middle of Hau River in Binh Thuy District, has to spend VND1 million ($43) a day to feed 10,000 flying snakeheads.

"During this business suspension time, I have cleaned the orchard of nearly one hectare, planted more ornamental plants and kept my fish 'flying', waiting for the end of the pandemic," he said.