The southern economic hub, which is now the country's biggest Covid-19 epicentre is imposing strict social distancing rules so most of the shops have been closed. The Nhu Lan Bakery on Ham Nghi Street in District 1 is among few stores that are allowed to operate to supply food for Covid-19 frontline workers in the area. It is also one of the city’s most famous mooncake producers.
On the afternoon of September 15, a long line of customers were seen in front of the bakery to buy mooncakes.
There were many flavours for customers to choose from with prices ranging between VND 85,000 -VND 265,000 each.
Nguyen Van Loc in District 5 said that it was difficult to buy mooncakes this year as all of the stores near his home have closed for Covid-19 prevention.
"I had to travel a long distance to this store," he said. "The Full Moon Festival is popular, especially for children. And mooncakes are a traditional cake made for the festival. I have three small children and some nieces so I’ll buy four boxes of the cake for them."
Another customer, Tran Thi Trang said that the cake prices this year were higher than last year but they are acceptable during this pandemic time.
"It's good we can still buy the cakes from our favourite bakery to give to our children and loved ones," she said. "We used to hold lots of celebrations in previous years but this year we can only enjoy the cakes at home."
Customers parked cars along Ham Nghi Street to wait for their turns to buy the cakes.
Another Nhu Lan Store on Hai Ba Trung Street in District 3 also saw long queues of customers on the morning of September 16.
Some police officers were sent to the store to ensure people follow Covid-19 prevention rules.
The Full Moon Festival is a festival mainly for children and is widely celebrated in Vietnam. It is held annually on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month which falls on September 21 this year.
Ho Chi Minh City will continue to apply social distancing measures in a strict and effective manner in some areas from September 16 to 30 with adjustments to suit specific districts and wards.
In areas where the pandemic is under good control, including District 7, Cu Chi and Can Gio districts as well as export processing zones and industrial parks in the High-Tech Park in Thu Duc City, locals are allowed to go out to buy food once per week.
