Hoi An City in central Vietnam has stopped tourist activities in the Hoi An pedestrian neighborhood for the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday. 

The pedestrian neighborhood in Hoi An includes streets in the ancient town such as Tran Phu, Nguyen Thai Hoc, Bach Dang, and others.

The plan, executed between the 27th day of the 12th lunar month and the 2th day of the first lunar month (January 18 to 23), is to give local residents a private time for Tet celebration. 

The area will welcome tourists again on January 24. 

In the meantime, a number of local relic sites still have their doors open to visitors, namely Cau Pagoda, Hoi An Temple, Ong Pagoda, and more. 

A hotline at 0843428888 is also available to offer information to tourists keen on visiting Hoi An Ancient Town during the time.

According to Truong Thi Ngoc Cam, director the Center for Culture, Sports, Radio and Television of Hoi An, the city is hosting a series of 14 events including Tet traditional markets to celebrate the Lunar New Year through the 6th day of the first lunar month.

This year, Hoi An and Tam Ky, both cities in Quang Nam Province, are not organizing low-range fireworks displays on Lunar New Year's Eve like previously, the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism said.

However, countdown events are still being held with sound and light performances. 

Phan Xuan Thanh, president of the Quang Nam Tourism Association, said Hoi An has seen a large number of foreign tourists flocking to the ancient town to celebrate the Vietnamese Tet holiday. 

However, local accommodation facilities are running below capacity due to the decreased demand of domestic tourists.

“People are still in [financial] difficulties so they quite hesitate to make reservations,” a manager of a five-star resort in Hoi An said. 

“We still have many rooms left even though Tet draws near.”

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