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Thousands ignore 2020 blues, crowd streets for New Year’s Eve

By Staff reporters    December 31, 2020 | 07:39 am PT
Chilly, rainy weather and a year marred by Covid-19 impacts failed to dampen the spirits of thousands who crowded the streets to welcome 2021 with gusto.

In Hanoi, HCMC and other localities, citizens swarmed to downtown locations in great numbers to enjoy outdoor concerts and the pinnacle firework displays to ring in the New Year.

Fireworks set off in Hanoi past midnight. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh.

Fireworks set off in Hanoi past midnight. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh.
Fireworks seen over the Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh.

Fireworks seen over the Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh.
Fireworks seen over the Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. This is the first time the capital city set off fireworks for New Year since 2016, when the government asked localities to spend that money helping the poor. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh.

Fireworks seen over the Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. This is the first time the capital city set off fireworks for New Year since 2016, when the government asked localities to spend that money helping the poor. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh.
Fireworks explode in the Saigon sky as the clock ticks midnight. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa.

Fireworks explode in the Saigon sky. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa.
Phones are out to capture fireworks at the October 30th Square in Ha Long Town, northern Quang Ninh Province. Photo by VnExpress/Minh Cuong.

Phones are out to capture fireworks at the October 30th Square in Ha Long Town, northern Quang Ninh Province. Photo by VnExpress/Minh Cuong.
Saigons Nguyen Hue walking street is jam-packed as people come out to watch the fireworks and usher in the new year.High-altitude firework shows will light up the sky at the Thu Thiem Tunnel area (or Saigon River Tunnel) that links Districts 1 and 2 and the Landmark Tower 81, the countrys tallest building in Binh Thanh District. Low-altitude firework displays will take place at the Dam Sen Cultural Park in District 11 and the Saigon Hi-Tech Park in District 9. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa.

Earlier, Saigon's Nguyen Hue walking street overflows with people sitting and standing patiently to watch the fireworks.
High-altitude fireworks are to be set off at the Thu Thiem Tunnel area (or Saigon River Tunnel) that links Districts 1 and 2; and the Landmark Tower 81, the country's tallest building in Binh Thanh District, and low-altitude firework displays at the Dam Sen Cultural Park in District 11 and the Saigon Hi-Tech Park in District 9. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa.
A countdown party featuring many singers is organized on Nguyen Hue. Many surrounding streets in the city center like Dong Khoi, Hai Ba Trung, Ton Duc Thang, have been packed for hours as the number of people venturing out before midnight is escalating.

A countdown party featuring many singers keeps the crowd entertained on Nguyen Hue. Many surrounding streets in the city center, like Dong Khoi, Hai Ba Trung and Ton Duc Thang have been packed for hours as increasing numbers of people venture out to join the crowd. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa.
The crowd dances to a concert on Nguyen Hue. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa.

The crowd dances to a concert on Nguyen Hue. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa.
Foreigners send hearts from HCMC. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa.

Foreigners send hearts from HCMC. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa.
In District 9, people hit the streets to celebrate the establishment of a city within a city in HCMC called Thu Duc. It will be formed by merging three eastern districts – 2, 9, and Thu Duc – it will come into existence on January 1, 2021.

In District 9, people are out to celebrate the establishment of a city within a city in HCMC. The Thu Duc City will be formed by merging three eastern districts – 2, 9, and Thu Duc. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran.
On the Saigon River, cruises join the firework shows audiences. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa.

The Saigon River is lit up with cruise boats joining the crowd to watch the firework displays. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa.
In Hanoi, thousands of people flock to Hoan Kiem Lake to watch a concert near the lake and prepare for the fireworks display when the clock strikes midnight.

Streets around Hanoi’s iconic Hoan Kiem Lake were chock-full of people taking photographs of holiday decorations, listening to live music and waiting for midnight when the skies would explode in a spectacular display of color and sound. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy.
In the chill weather, high-altitude fireworks would be set off for 15 minutes starting 12 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2021 at the Hoan Kiem Lake in Hoan Kiem District, Thong Nhat Park in Dong Da District, and My Dinh Stadium in Nam Tu Liem District.

In the chill weather, people wait for high-altitude fireworks to be set off for 15 minutes starting midnight at the Hoan Kiem Lake in Hoan Kiem District, the Thong Nhat Park in Dong Da District, and the My Dinh Stadium in Nam Tu Liem District. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy.
Residents of central Hue Town in Thua Thien Hue Province will probably ring in 2021 with a pouring rain.

In the central town of Hue, umbrellas are out in full force as people brave the rainy weather to celebrate New Year’s Eve and the advent of 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Vo Thanh.
Hundreds wait for a countdown event in the southern beach town Vung Tau. Photo by VnExpress/Truong Ha.

Hundreds of masked residents wait patiently for the countdown event in the southern beach town of Vung Tau. Photo by VnExpress/Truong Ha.
In central Da Nang City, a host of residents flock to the September 2nd Square and dance to live music. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Truong.

In central city of Da Nang City, smart phone lights sway to live music at the September 2nd Square. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Truong.
2020 was a year of upheaval in Da Nang, with a Covid-19 wave and natural disasters. I hope the new year will bring peace and the pandemic will be over so everyone can settle down, said Ho Van, 29, a man from central Quang Tri Province living in Da Nang. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Truong.

"2020 was a year of upheaval in Da Nang, with the Covid-19 wave and natural disasters. I hope the New Year will bring peace and the pandemic will be over so everyone can settle down," said Ho Van, 29, a Da Nang resident. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Truong.
 
 
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