Where to watch fireworks on New Year's Eve in Vietnam's 2 biggest cities

HANOI

To welcome the New Year 2025, Hanoi will host a music festival and countdown event on Tuesday night at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc and Cach Mang Thang Tam Squares.

Additionally, the city will feature 15-minute fireworks displays at five locations: Hoan Kiem, Ha Dong, Nam Tu Liem districts, Son Tay Town, and Dong Anh District.

People watch fireworks over Hoan Kiem Lake from Sol Sky Bar in Hanoi. Photo courtesy of Sol Sky Bar

In Hoan Kiem District

The Trade Center Building at 7 Dinh Tien Hoang is a popular spot for watching fireworks. The building is home to many restaurants and cafés, making it a favorite destination for visitors. Photographers especially enjoy this location as it offers views of the fireworks and the entire lake surface.

Skybars such as Ignite Sky Bar, Terraco Sky Bar, and Sol Sky Bar, located on the rooftops of hotels in the Old Quarter (Cau Go, Hang Dau, Bao Khanh), are ideal for fireworks viewing. These venues open at 8 p.m. and accept reservations in advance. Packages include drinks, music, a DJ, and countdown activities, with prices ranging from VND500,000 to 1.2 million (US$20-47) per person.

For a luxurious aerial view, the high floors of hotels such as Melia Hanoi, Pan Pacific, Movenpick Hanoi, Apricot Hotel, Silk Path Hotel, and Grand Hotel du Lac Hanoi are good choices.

In Nam Tu Liem District

The fireworks display here will take place on the F1 racetrack campus. Nearby, My Dinh Stadium Square on Le Duc Tho Street can accommodate thousands of spectators.

High-rise apartment buildings like The Manor, Golden Palace Me Tri, The Matrix One, and My Dinh Pearl are convenient spots for observing the show.

For an upscale experience, the Sky Bar on the top floor of Sheraton Hanoi West Hotel provides a direct view of the fireworks. Tickets start at VND250,000 for a drink and VND500,000 for unlimited drinks. The hotel also offers a buffet party priced from VND1.7 million per person, including a countdown party with a game show running from 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2025.

In Ha Dong District

The fireworks display in Ha Dong will be held at Van Quan Lake, a public area with playgrounds, parks, and pathways around the lake. Nearby apartment buildings offer excellent views of the fireworks.

Cafés in the area that will remain open on New Year's Eve include Fordeer Coffee, Cuc Cu Cafe, Xanh Cafe, and Laika Cafe.

In Dong Anh District and Son Tay Town

The fireworks displays in these areas will be at Dong Anh District Sports Center and Son Tay Citadel. Both locations are free from high-rise buildings, ensuring unobstructed views from nearby residential areas.

HCMC

2025 New Year's Eve fireworks in Ho Chi Minh City will take place at three locations - high-altitude display at Saigon River Tunnel in Thu Duc City and low-altitude displays at Dam Sen Cultural Park in District 11, and Van Phuc Urban Area in Thu Duc City.

Towa - Japanese Cuisine & Lounge on the 28th floor of a building on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street in District 1 offers a stunning 360-degree view of HCMC. From here, visitors can enjoy the high-altitude fireworks display.

On Dec. 31, the restaurant will serve a specially curated New Year's Eve menu priced at VND2.9 million per person. Highlights include fresh sashimi and Wagyu A5 beef.

People capture the images of fireworks from Towa - Japanese Cuisine & Lounge restaurant on the 28th floor. Phot courtesy of Towa

Zion Sky Lounge & Dining at 87A Ham Nghi, District 1 is a rooftop bar and restaurant near Nguyen Hue pedestrian street. Its open layout provides a panoramic view of the city, making it an ideal spot to watch the high-altitude fireworks.

To secure a table, visitors are advised to book at least six hours in advance. The cost of food and drinks starts at VND500,000 per person. The lounge operates daily from 5:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

Chang Vang Rooftop in Binh An Ward of Thu Duc City offers a prime location by the Saigon River, with views of Thu Thiem Bridge and Saigon Bridge.

Its open-air rooftop makes it a perfect spot for enjoying the fireworks.

The menu includes a variety of drinks, from fresh juices to creative cocktails, with prices starting at VND80,000 per drink. The venue is open from 4:30 p.m. until after midnight.

On New Year's Eve, early arrival or advance reservations are recommended to secure a good viewing spot.

River cruises offer another exciting way to enjoy the fireworks, providing open spaces and unobstructed views of the displays. Scenic and dinner cruises typically depart from Saigon Port in District 4, about 4 km from the high-altitude fireworks location.

A tourist boat on the Saigon River. Photo by VnExpress/Bich Phuong

Operators such as Ben Nghe, Indochina Queen, and Hon Ngoc Vien Dong offer dinner and fireworks viewing packages. Cruises depart from Saigon Port, travel along the river, and return to the same location.

Outdoor or deck seating provides the best views of the fireworks. Booking in advance is recommended to secure a prime spot. Many cruises also feature art performances, live music, and magic shows. Tickets, including meals, range from VND400,000 to over VND1 million.