The Independence Palace, one of popular tourist attractions in HCM City, closes to visitors until further notice in an effort to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). —Photo vnexpress.net

HCM CITY — HCM City authorities closed tourist attractions and landmarks on Saturday until further notice as part of efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Department of Tourism informed tourist sites and travel firms about the closure decision made by the People’s Committee the previous day.

Đầm Sen Cultural Park and Suối Tiên Theme Park, which get thousands of visitors every day, have been closed since March 16.

Bến Thành Market, a popular tourist attraction, remains open since there are plenty of food and foodstuff stalls inside.

Nguyễn Khoa Luân, director of Ảnh Việt Hop on - Hop off Việt Nam Company, said double-decker bus tours of HCM City and Hà Nội are halted until further notice from local authorities.

The city also ordered the closure of all entertainment sites, restaurants, beer clubs, eating facilities with a capacity 30 seats or more, beauty salons, barber shops, and gyms from March 24.

Hotels in the city remain open.

The number of visitors coming to tourist attractions in February-March plummeted by 50-70 per cent year-on-year, according to the department. — VNS