Jubilant New Year celebrated around the country

A wide variety of activities were held on December 31 in provinces and cities around the country to celebrate the New Year 2017 with the participation of people from all walks of life.

Thousands of people and tourists flock to Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square in Hanoi to join the Heineken Countdown Party.
Thousands of people and tourists flock to Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square in Hanoi to join the Heineken Countdown Party.

Yesterday evening saw thousands of people flock to areas around Hoan Kiem Lake – the focus of the arts programme welcoming the New Year in Hanoi.

A videoconference themed ‘Pride of Vietnam – Global Connection’ was held at the Ly Thai To Flower Park, along with other videoconferences held in Ho Chi Minh City, the Republic of Korea, the US, Tanzania and Peru. Those present at the events had a chance to listen stories about efforts of overseas Vietnamese around the world to improve their lives in their host countries as well as learn about the New Year atmosphere of Vietnamese expatriates in different continents.

The programme also featured numerous unique arts performances with the participation of well-known artists.

The Heineken Countdown Party featuring special performances by well-known artists as well as Vietnamese and international DJs, was held at the area of Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square. Themed ‘Touching the future’, the vibrant programme, with grand sound and lighting shows, attracted a large number of audiences.

Also on New Year’s Eve, three other countdown parties took place at the August Revolution Square in front of the Hanoi Opera House, in front of My Dinh National Stadium and in front of Thong Nhat Park.

In addition, a series of public arts programmes were organised in several districts; meanwhile local people in remote areas were also able to enjoy the New Year’s Eve programmes via mobile film screenings.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the New Year’s atmosphere was found all throughout the city with various festivals, gala, and arts programmes held and centred at Nguyen Hue pedestrian street. People also flocked to major shopping malls, including Vincom, Parkson, to go shopping, have dinner and join entertainment activities.

The central city of Da Nang also held a range of arts exchange programmes to welcome in the New Year of 2017 at March 29 Square on New Year’s Eve. Notably, local people and tourists participated in a parade of floats decorated with flowers, themed “Da Nang – 20 Springs”.

The Hoa Binh Boulevard in Can Tho city was brilliantly decorated with flower garlands and coloured lanterns, attracting thousands of people. Numerous tourists gathered at the Ninh Kieu wharf in the centre of the city to welcome in 2017. In Luu Huu Phuoc and Song Hau (Hau River) parks, the city’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism held special arts programmes welcoming in the New Year, featuring numerous songs praising the Party, President Ho Chi Minh and love for the country as well as achievements in the cause of national construction and defence.

During the last days of 2016, in addition to focusing on overcoming consequences caused by drought, many organisations, enterprises and residential areas held numerous cultural, arts and entertainment activities for local people to welcome in the New Year.

International visitors are enjoying arts performances at Ly Thai To Park.

A performance at the arts programme at the August Revolution Square

Jubilant New Year celebrated around the country ảnh 3

Nguyen Hue pedestrian street in Ho Chi Minh City attracts a large number of people and visitors on New Year 's Eve.