Vietnam celebrates New Year's Eve in droves

Thousands of people watch the New Year's countdown program in HCMC's Nguyen Hue Street. From 7 p.m., vehicles have been pouring towards downtown areas, causing multiple streets like Dong Khoi, Le Thanh Ton or Ly Tu Trong to be congested. Authorities have had to use barriers to prevent motorbikes from getting through, allowing only pedestrians to enter the area where the countdown program would take place. Dozens of police officers were dispatched to maintain order.

Crowds stretch all the way to the back to watch performances for the countdown program. Quynh Nhu, 35, said the New Year's atmosphere has dulled a bit more than previous years. "The pandemic's still here, so I also have to limit entertainment activities. After 10 p.m. I would go home and watch the countdown on the TV," she said.

Performers on the stage during a performance to celebrate the New Year in HCMC's Thu Duc City.

People of Nha Trang watch performances to celebrate the New Year from afar.

Nguyen Thi Dieu Hien and her husband, an Englishman, take their daughter out to celebrate the New Year at the 2 Thang 4 Avenue, central Nha Trang Town. Photo by VnExpress/Xuan Ngoc

People in Da Nang go to an attraction at the Rong Bridge of Hai Chau's District. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Quang

In the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, people flock to coffee shops in droves ahead of New Year's Eve. Photo by VnExpress/Vo Thanh

Few vehicles and people are spotted on the Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Avenue in Hanoi Friday night. The capital would not have a countdown event for the New Year amid Covid-19 concerns. Nguyen Trong Quang Huy, a local in Hanoi's Hoan Kiem District, walks around the streets with his friends ahead of the New Year. He said he supported the capital's decision to suspend the countdown event, though he was sad to not be able to see it. "There has never been a New Year where there's such a lack of festivity," said Huy. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy