Vietnam has imposed a 15-day lockdown in the capital, Hanoi, in an attempt to tackle a surge in coronavirus infections.
The lockdown order, which was issued late on Friday, bans the gathering of more than two people in public. Only government offices, hospitals and essential businesses are allowed to stay open.
The centre of the normally bustling city of eight million people was empty and shops were shuttered as the lockdown came into force on Saturday, although people could still be seen on the streets in the outskirts of the capital.
“I think people in Hanoi as myself agree with the city’s sudden decision of locking down the city,” local resident Nguyen Van Chien was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
“We have to take economic risks to fight the pandemic,” he added.
