Tết firework show in Đà Nẵng City in 2020. — VNA/VNS Photo Trần Lê Lâm

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has asked local departments under its wings to advise cities and provinces nationwide to cancel festivals and firework displays celebrating Tết (Lunar New Year), Việt Nam’s traditional New Year celebrated at the end of this month, as concerns rise over a spike in COVID-19 cases.

The cities and provinces need to strengthen COVID-19 preventive measures that allow people to safely enjoy the upcoming nine-day holiday, it said in an official dispatch, given that Tết will be celebrated in the “new normal”.

The ministry has also urged units to further raise public awareness of COVID-19 prevention and control measures, warn them not to lower their guard against the virus and provide people with sufficient information on the developments of the pandemic.

It is needed to step up checks and supervision of cultural, sports and tourism activities and festivals before, during and after Tết, depending on the COVID-19 situation in each locality.

To date, the capital city of Hà Nội planned to hold a firework display at one location, Thống Nhất Park, on the Lunar New Year, while Hải Phòng City in the north said they will have three firework sites.

HCM City a week ago said the city will not have any firework shows, along with several localities in the southern region like Cần Thơ, Đồng Tháp and Bạc Liêu, who are still grappling with high COVID-19 caseloads. — VNS