Expats shun typical New Year revelry in pandemic times

Unlike the end of last year, when Vietnam could enjoy a break from the Covid-19 pandemic which was raging all over the world and people poured out into the streets to watch firework displays and other entertainment programs on New Year’s Eve, the public scenes this time around are much more quiet.

In Hanoi and HCMC, both considered at level 2 risk (out of 4 levels), all the usual large-scale events to celebrate the New Year have been cancelled. In the capital city, no outdoor program will be organized for New Year’s Eve while HCMC will only conduct a countdown event without live spectators.

For many expats like Jongrak Choi, the lack of public activities is not a dampener. It can’t take away the joy of having survived the pandemic that has raged for two now and being being able to spend the New Year with loved ones.

“Even though the pandemic wrecked all of my plans in 2021, I’m just grateful that I can still spend the holiday with friends and loved ones in Vietnam, my second home,” said Choi, a South Korean living in HCMC.

Instead of going out or traveling, which can be a hassle these days, many foreigners are perfectly content with cozy parties indoors to mark the biggest night of the year.

CJ van Vuuren, a South African who has lived in HCMC for nine years, has had to change her tradition of visiting and celebrating her friend’s birthday on New Year’s Eve.

“I feel traveling during this sensitive time would be irresponsible,” Vuuren said, adding that she didn’t want to get stuck somewhere because of the pandemic and miss out on work.

And in HCMC, instead of heading to overpriced and crowded bars, Vuuren, who works for an animal rescue mission in Vietnam, plans to go to a house party, drink wine and play video and board games.

Even though she and her friends are fully vaccinated, Vuuren said they have taken the precaution of limiting the number of attendees to just 10 because they want to celebrate responsibly and prefer to be safe than sorry.

“Even if it’s a small party, we will still have lots of fun and create good memories,” she said.

For those who still have the travel itch, the southern island of Phu Quoc seems to be a particularly attractive destination.

Because she couldn’t stay up late and watch New Year’s Eve fireworks at the top of Landmark 81, Vietnam’s tallest building, American Delaney Taryn, another HCMC resident, has headed to Phu Quoc for her holiday.

Taryn, visiting the popular island for the first time in her life, said there very many local events going on with something to do for everyone.

“I feel safe since everyone must test negative for Covid before coming here. I’m also not afraid since I am vaccinated,” Taryn said, adding she will be attending a music festival in a few days.

From Hanoi’s Long Bien District, 32-year-old English teacher James Rusell and his wife thought hard about possible destinations for their New Year holiday and opted for Phu Quoc, where “the pandemic situation is not as complicated as in Hanoi.

“In the U.K., we watch fireworks and drink champagne in cold weather,” he said, adding: “This is the first time I’ve celebrated New Year’s Eve without cold weather.”

In Hanoi, no outdoor program will be organized for New Year’s Eve. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

Whether it’s hot or cold, the New Year holiday is certainly a time of hope for expatriates in Vietnam. Many of them fervently hope the pandemic will soon go away so that everybody can get back to their normal life.

Choi said wished that will be able to visit his parents in South Korea when the pandemic is fully under control, while van Vuuren wanted Covid-19 to end quickly so she could continue with her much-needed environmental work and Vietnam could welcome back more international tourists.

Taryn, who has been in Vietnam for two years, said she wished for opportunities to explore more of the country, including other great tourist attractions like the Central Highlands town of Da Lat or coastal Da Nang city.

Rusell just exhorted the virus to leave: “Please, let the pandemic end in 2022. Two years is enough, Covid-19!”