Fireworks return as Vietnam welcomes 2018

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City's walking streets were both packed as people came out on New Year's Eve.

At the start of the holiday, many Vietnamese have flocked out of the big cities to celebrate New Year's Eve at home. However, Hanoi's walking streets around Hoan Kiem Lake and Ho Chi Minh City's Nguyen Hue Street were still packed with a sea of people as fireworks returned to the New Year's Eve celebrations.

Hanoi

While it was still hours until the new year, the walking streets around Hoan Kiem Lake were already flooded by 6.30 p.m. with a sea of people eagerly awaiting the New Year Countdown Party.

The walking street around Hoan Kiem Lake is already packed by 6.30 p.m. with a sea of people eagerly awaiting the New Year Countdown Party.

The streets outside Trang Tien Plaza was also packed with visitors long before the party was set to start.

The streets outside Trang Tien Plaza shopping mall is also packed with visitors long before the party is set to start.

Ambulances are parked just outside the walking streets in case of emergency.

Ambulances are parked just outside the walking streets in case of emergency.

Hanoians enjoy a small fireworks show as the countdown to 2018 hits 0.

Hanoians enjoy a small fireworks show as the countdown to 2018 hits 0.

Ho Chi Minh City

The crowd on Nguyen Hue walking street and the stage for the Countdown Party more than two hours before new year.

The crowd on Nguyen Hue walking street and the stage for the Countdown Party more than two hours before new year.

Audiences eagerly gather outside the Peoples Committee building, where a 3D light show to celebrate the new year would be performed.

Audiences eagerly gather outside the People's Committee building, where a 3D light show to celebrate the new year would be performed.

Saigoneers cheer as the countdown hits 0, marking the beginning of 2018.

Saigoneers cheer as the countdown hits 0, marking the beginning of 2018.

Fireworks light up the sky over Thu Thiem Tunnel. After being absent last year due to the Communist Partys call for austerity, fireworks shows once again return to mark the beginning of the year.

Fireworks light up the sky over Thu Thiem Tunnel. After being absent last year due to the Communist Party's call for austerity, fireworks shows once again return to mark the beginning of the year.

The New Year celebrations atmosphere this year is more jubilant, probably since Ho Chi Minh City is allowed to launch fireworks again, said Long, a 32-year-old office worker. I find it necessary because it only uses private funds, helps the city be more attractive to tourists and it helps lift the peoples spirits.A couple welcomes 2018 with a girlfriend leads man around the world photo.
A couple welcomes 2018 with a girlfriend leads man around the world photo.

A couple welcomes 2018 with a "girlfriend leads man around the world" photo.

A boy sits on his fathers shoulders as the family watches the fireworks show.

A boy sits on his father's shoulders as the family watches the fireworks show.

Da Nang

Unlike Hanoi and Saigon, Da Nang celebrated the new year three hours earlier with a fireworks show at 9 p.m.

Unlike Hanoi and Saigon, Da Nang celebrated the new year three hours earlier with a fireworks show at 9 p.m.

Locals gather along the Han River to watch the spectacle.

Locals gather along the Han River to watch the spectacle.

Despite a light rain, the fireworks show still lasted for about 10 minutes.

Despite light rain, the fireworks show still lasted for about 10 minutes.

The city is no stranger to fireworks, having been the host of an annual fireworks festival in the last few years. However, locals and tourists are still no less excited about the show.

The city is no stranger to fireworks, having been the host of an annual fireworks festival in the last few years. However, locals and tourists are still no less excited about the show.

In addition to the fireworks show, the city also organizes many arts performances as well as a music festival to welcome 2018.

In addition to the fireworks show, the city also organizes many arts performances as well as a music festival to welcome 2018.

This bar on the roof of a 36-story building along the Han River is packed with people enjoying the fireworks show. Da Nang is estimated to receive more than 140,000 visitors during the New Year holiday.

This bar on the roof of a 36-story building along the Han River is packed with people enjoying the fireworks show. Da Nang is estimated to receive more than 140,000 visitors during the New Year holiday.

Bach Dang Street is flooded with vehicles as people leave at the end of the fireworks show.

Bach Dang Street is flooded with vehicles as people leave at the end of the fireworks show.

VnExpress

Other News

Hanoi ready to implement Capital Law 2026, unlocking new development momentum

Hanoi ready to implement Capital Law 2026, unlocking new development momentum

The effectiveness of the Capital Law 2026 will be measured not by the number of legal documents issued but by tangible improvements in governance and public administration, better services for people and businesses, faster administrative procedures, stronger investment attraction and higher economic growth.

Vietnamese students earn honours at ROBOG Asia Cup 2026

Vietnamese students earn honours at ROBOG Asia Cup 2026

Three teams from Chu Van An Secondary School in Vietnam’s Thai Nguyen province have earned First Prize honours and advanced to the quarterfinals at the ROBOG Asia Cup 2026, a regional robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) competition for students held in Hong Kong, China.

Hanoi sets out new investment blueprint with century-long development vision

Hanoi sets out new investment blueprint with century-long development vision

As of early June, Hanoi had attracted 74.6 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) through more than 9,250 valid projects. FDI inflows in the first six months were projected at 3.2 billion USD, surpassing the annual target by 116%, while nearly 16,000 new businesses were established in the first five months, up 34.4% year-on-year.

Vietnam promotes legal cooperation and rule of law at global forum

Vietnam promotes legal cooperation and rule of law at global forum

Vietnam’s development and international integration have gone hand in hand with the improvement of its legal system, the incorporation of international commitments into domestic legislation, and legal reforms aimed at fostering development, openness and global integration. The country regards international law as an essential instrument for building fair, mutually beneficial relations among nations.

Hanoi to hold investment promotion event on June 29

Hanoi to hold investment promotion event on June 29

At the event, Hanoi authorities plan to grant investment policy decisions and investment registration certificates to 20 exemplary projects in the fields of transportation infrastructure, industrial parks, urban development, social housing, environment, science and technology, and foreign investment attraction.

Hanoi's Red River urban area development draws widespread attention

Hanoi's Red River urban area development draws widespread attention

Located south of the Red River and extending from the historic inner city to newly developing areas in the south and the west, the central urban area along Red River’s right bank covers approximately 45,317 hectares and is projected to accommodate around 6.365 million residents by 2045 and 6.455 million by 2065.

Hanoi's Red River urban area development draws widespread attention

Hanoi's Red River urban area development draws widespread attention

Located south of the Red River and extending from the historic inner city to newly developing areas in the south and the west, the central urban area along Red River’s right bank covers approximately 45,317 hectares and is projected to accommodate around 6.365 million residents by 2045 and 6.455 million by 2065.

Regional cooperation strengthened to combat cross-border drug crime

Regional cooperation strengthened to combat cross-border drug crime

Vietnam, China, Laos and Myanmar face common challenges as drug syndicates increasingly exploit the Mekong River, cross-border transport networks, e-commerce platforms, international logistics services, cyberspace and cryptocurrencies to organise drug transactions and smuggling operations.