Hanoi, HCMC enjoy quiet New Year morning

However, some dressed up to take photos at popular places. At 7 a.m. on Ta Hien Street in Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem District, people could be seen in colorful ao dai posing for photos on a street that is usually packed with both locals and tourists.

“We take a walk on the first day of every Lunar New Year,” said Ha Linh (in white), standing next to a friend on Hang Ma Street. “This morning we brought rice to feed the birds to bring joy into the new year.”

Runners also dressed in ao dai to run on the first day of the year.

Many runners’ and bikers’ groups took photos in front of the iconic Dong Xuan Market, one of the oldest in the capital.

A family of four takes photos on the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake.

As Vietnam celebrates the Year of the Cat, many young people showed up at a large painting of a cat put up on Trang Tien Street to take photos.

People visit Ngoc Son Temple near Hoan Kiem Lake to pray for a propitious year.

Few people could be seen on Ngo Quyen Street in the downtown area.

Kim Lien Tunnel, a key travel route that is packed on normal days, was deserted.

In Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1, only a few motorbikes could be seen on Le Duan Road, one of the busiest streets in Vietnam’s largest city.

A bus station on Ham Nghi Road is virtually deserted.

Ladies in ao dai take photos in front of Ben Thanh Market.

“I hope everything will go the way I want this year,” said Phuong while posing for a photo.

Ba Son Bridge, one of the newest in the city, is also deserted.

The Tet holidays began last Friday and end Thursday.