Ho Chi Minh City will be temporarily shutting bars, beer clubs and most nightlife from February 9 due to a new outbreak of COVID-19.

According to Tuoi Tre, the city’s local government (known in English as the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee) announced a temporary shutdown of a range of social activities from February 9.

While the city has recorded a relatively small number of COVID-19 cases in recent days, the decision fits within the country’s strategy of moving quickly to preempt major outbreaks.

The lockdown is particularly notable as it comes only days before Tết, Vietnam’s most important national holiday which typically involves immense amounts of inter-provincial travel.

Venues with restaurant licenses that serve alcohol appear to be allowed to remain open, which will allow many of the city’s brewers and specialist craft beer bars to continue operating.

There are also further restrictions on activity size and limitations on public activities like gyms, movie theatres and religious gatherings.

Vietnam has earned accolades globally for its effective response to COVID-19, with the country reporting just over 2000 total infections since the pandemic began.

Asia Brewers Network had previously covered the resiliency of Saigon’s craft brewers, who now face their second period of restrictions since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

To better understand the impact on local brewers, we reached out to Deme Brewing, one of Saigon’s newest brewers, on how they plan to navigate the lockdown.

‘Vietnam has fared well over the last year but this is a reminder that there’s reason to be cautious and we must continue to improvise during these times.’

‘In some ways, our smaller operation allows us the flexibility and opportunity to prepare for a brighter future. For now, we will focus on our takeaway game while preparing ourselves for Q3 of 2021 in hopes of executing bolder moves.’

ABN will be keeping a watching brief on the situation in Vietnam and will provide updates as they come to air.