Vietnam’s largest city of Saigon wears a forlorn look as people are staying away from the streets after the government ordered the closure of all ‘non-essential’ businesses and tourist attractions.

Bitexco Financial Tower is a skyscraper in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. At its completion in 2010, it became the tallest building in Vietnam and kept this status until January 2011, when it was surpassed by Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower. @ Thien Nguyen

Bui Vien is a street in district 1, Ho Chi Minh City, where many Western tourists choose to stay and relax (most of them are backpackers). @ Thien Nguyen

Dong Khoi Street is one of the most bustle and crowded streets of Ho Chi Minh City. @ Thien Nguyen

Ham Nghi is a street in district 1. It is named after the eighth emperor of the Nguyen who reigned for only one year, 1884-1885. Several banks and any kind of trading companies, luxurious spas and restaurants are located on the street. @ Thien Nguyen

Independence Palace (Dinh Độc Lập), also known as Reunification Palace (Vietnamese: Dinh Thống Nhất), built on the site of the former Norodom Palace, is a landmark in Saigon, Vietnam. @ Thien Nguyen

The Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon Opera House (Vietnamese: Nha hat lon Thanh pho Ho Chi Minh; French: Opera de Saigon) @ Thien Nguyen

Ho Chi Minh City Hall or Saigon City Hall or Hôtel de Ville de Saïgon was built in 1902–1908 in a French colonial style for the then city of Saigon. It was renamed after 1975 as Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee @ Thien Nguyen
Photos by Thien Nguyen