Hot-air balloons to fly over HCMC during National Day holiday

Colorful hot-air balloons will be put on display over the Saigon River at 8 a.m. on Sep. 2.

Then, a series of adventurous sports activities like paragliding will be held along the banks of the river and Bach Dang Wharf in the downtown area.

A special art performance will take place on Nguyen Hue pedestrian street from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. the same day.

"Firework shows will be reserved for other occasions and now the city should care for people's lives," Vo Trong Nam, deputy head of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports, told a press conference.

Vietnam will enjoy a four-day break from Sep. 1 to 4 during this year's National Day celebrations.

There were also no fireworks shows for national holidays in 2021 and New Year 2022 as Vietnam's southern metropolis focused resources on fighting Covid-19.

The city only set off fireworks at two venues on the night of April 30 this year to celebrate the Reunification Day.