Vietnam's New Year spectacles draw teeming crowds to downtown cities

By Staff reporters   December 31, 2018 | 08:54 am PT
There was barely any standing room as crowds congregated downtown in Hanoi, Saigon and other cities to welcome 2019.

SAIGON

Vietnams New Year spectacles draw teeming crowds to downtown cities

Fireworks blow up over the Saigon sky near midnight. Photo by Huu Khoa

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A boy tries to catch the sparkling moment on a cell phone, probably sitting in a parent's neck. Photo by Thanh Nguyen

Vietnam`s New Year spectacles draw teeming crowds to downtown cities

The Nguyen Hue Walking Street of Saigon is already packed with people hours ahead of the "New Year Countdown." Photo by Thanh Nguyen

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On Bui Vien Street in Saigon, a popular backpacker hangout, foreigners mingled with the crowds to drink with friends or make new friends on New Year's Eve and welcome 2019 with gaiety. Photo by Duy Tran

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New Year decorations on a Saigon street. Photo by Huu Khoa

Steven and his friends from the U.S. said they came to Saigon six months ago, and where in Bui Vien from the afternoon onwards, meeting up with Vietnamese friends.

"This is the first time I am celebrating New Year's Eve in Vietnam. It's quite festive here, unlike how I thought you guys would only celebrate the Lunar New Year. I would try to experience what New Year's Eve feels like in Vietnam, and I think tonight's gonna be a memorable night," said Steven.

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A foreigner carries a boy on his shoulder as he walks through the crowd on Nguyen Hue Walking Street. People from several districts have gathered here to take advantage of the cool weather and welcome the New Year. Photo by Huu Khoa

HANOI

Hanoi spared fireworks display for the New Year's Eve, but that did not affect the spirit.

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For several years now, Hanoi's Countdown Festival has become one of the most anticipated events. This year, the festival's theme is "The Dance of Light and Fire," and it will be celebrated from 10 p.m. Monday to 12:15 a.m. Tuesday.

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The Turtle Tower, a Hanoi icon in the central Sword Lake, is lit up to welcome the new year. Photo by Giang Huy

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A lion dance near the Sword Lake. Photo by Giang Huy

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A little girl enjoys being on the streets to welcome the New Year. Photo by Giang Huy

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In front of the Hanoi Opera House, people are gathering fore the New Year countdown festival. A concert will also be held to welcome the New Yearn count down to the New Year in front of the Hanoi Opera House. 

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Hanoians gather at the Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square in Hoan Kiem District. Photo by Ngoc Thanh

Hanoi to welcome the New Year, not deterred by the cold, windy weather. It is currently 12 degrees Celsius in the city.

Hanoi will have three countdown places for the night: the Hanoi Opera House, the Ly Thai To Garden and the Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, all in Hoan Kiem District.

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Hanoi's walking streets are filling up with people. Photo by Giang Huy

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Two foreigners are among the crowd gathering in Hoan Kiem District to welcome the New Year.

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A policeman stands among the crowd in Hanoi to maintain public order. Photo by Ngoc Thanh

DA NANG

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People gather around the September 2 Square, named after Vietnam's National Day, in the central city of Da Nang to welcome the new year. Photo by Nguyen Dong

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A French man and his daughter join the celeration. Photo by Nguyen Dong

HUE

In central town of Hue, Vietnam's former imperial city, many foreign tourists joined the celebration.

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The rainy weather yet has pushed many to gather in bars and restaurant to dine and wait for the New Year. Photo by Vo Thanh

At the moment of transition from 2018 to 2019, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center will fire 21 cannon shots in celebration.

Christinx from Spain said it was the first time she was celebrating New Year's Eve in Vietnam, in Hue, and she was very excited. She said her New Year wish is that the best things happen to everyone.

NHA TRANG

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A foreign couple kiss as the clock struck midnight in Nha Trang resort town in central Vietnam. Photo by Xuan Ngoc

In central Nha Trang Town, people gather in droves in anticipation of the New Year.

Erik from Norway said it was the second time he celebrated New Year's Eve outside Norway and his first time in Vietnam.

"I heard Vietnam has amazing firework shows so I hope to see them on New Year's Eve. I also wish for world peace and for climate change to end," he said.

 
 
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