Many foreign travellers have been stuck in Da Nang and they are unable to return to their home countries due to mass international flight disruptions resulting from the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Foreign visitors going for stroll along beachside Vo Van Kiet Street

The Da Nang government ordered the closures of all accommodation establishments during the 3-week period of nationwide social distancing measures. This made it very difficult for the foreign nationals stranded by coronavirus to find accommodation in Da Nang.

Hence, these foreigners got full local authority support to find temporary accommodation in the city, and the Ngu Hanh Son District-based Yen Vy Hotel was allowed to provide accommodation for them during that period.

Demessie Asamenew from the USA said his travel to Viet Nam has lasted more than one month due to the coronavirus pandemic. He added he underwent mandatory 14-day quarantine after arrival in Da Nang in late March. However, Da Nang entered 3 weeks of nationwide social distancing after he completed his 2-week quarantine period. The American man was provided with temporary accommodation in the city with the support of the municipal government which allowed him to stay in the Yen Vy Hotel during the period of social distancing.

“I feel safe and very lucky in Da Nang although I’m currently stuck in Viet Nam. I expressed my thankfulness to medical workers, and the hotel’s staff, for their great care and support during my isolation period and my stay in the city. I could apply to continue staying in Viet Nam until late June if I have difficulty travelling out of Viet Nam due to coronavirus”, said Demessie Asamenew.

Similar to Michel, the Spanish tourist has been staying in Da Nang for over one month, and he was affected by the closures of hotels and all other forms of holiday accommodation across the city due to coronavirus. The Yen Vy Hotel provided temporary accommodation for him with the help of local authorities.

He said the hotel’s staff were so friendly and helpful. He was supported in everything he need as living a comfortable accommodation in the hotel. 

Currently, he is staying in Quang Nam Province’s Hoi An City, and he will come back to Da Nang in the coming days.

Ms Tran Thi Be, the manager of the Yen Vy Hotel, said these foreign guests had their temperatures measured twice per day, and were reminded about complying with the nationwide social distancing measures, during their stay at her hotel. In addition, they were provided with free essential items, and had their room rates reduced.

Due to the helpfulness and great care from  the hotel’s staff given to them, some of these foreign guests had decided to stay longer in the hotel after the city eased its social distancing rules.

The recent preliminary statistics released by the municipal Department of Tourism show that more than 1,000 international tourists are staying at accommodation establishments across the city.

The Department of Tourism has asked accommodation service providers to implement health check procedures for their guests and not to organise buffet. They are required to remind their guests to make mandatory medical declarations, use face coverings, wash their hands with soaps and water often (or using hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available), and maintain a 2m distance from others where possible.

By NHAT HA - Translated by MAI DUNG