The celebrations for western New Year and Tet Lunar New Year 2011 are in full swing in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
The streets in downtown Ho Chi Minh City will be lit up through February 13, 2011, according to the city People’s Committee.
In celebration of the western New Year, Nguyen Hue, Le Loi, Dong Khoi and Le Duan streets will be decked out until January 4, 2011.
Look out for the laser light show outside Sunwah, Palace Hotel, and Fahasa bookstore, and an outdoor music show in front of Sunwah on Nguyen Hue Street, from 9 p.m. December 31, 2010 to 12:30 a.m., January 1, 2011.
Decorations go up on Le Loi, Dong Khoi, and Le Duan streets and Chi Lang Park in District 1 from January 26 to February 13, 2011, to celebrate Tet.
A 15-minute fireworks show beginning midnight will kick start the festivities on Lunar New Year’s eve, February 2.
Twenty-four districts across the city will organize a banh tet (traditional sticky rice cake) cooking competition from January 26-31, and distribute10,000 banh tet to children at open houses and shelters.
The theme of the annual Nguyen Hue flower show, to be held from January 31 to February 6, is ‘New Heights’ – mapping the city’s developmental efforts and successes in blossoms. The flower show has been held every year since 2004.
Traditional music performances and folk games will add to the festivities on February 6. As in the past, vehicles will have limited access in and around Nguyen Hue Street during the events.
At a countdown party in Hanoi, famous international DJs and artists will welcome the New Year in the square opposite the Hanoi Opera House December 31.
American DJs Jonathan Glaser and Tempo, and Vietnamese DJ Tuan Kruise, will perform on a high round stage, visible from all six roads running to the square.
Vietnamese diva My Linh and songwriter Nguyen Duc Cuong will also grace the stage at the countdown party.
A flamenco show will be held at the Hanoi Opera House January 24. Organized by the Vietnam National Academy of Music, Leading musicians like guitarists Luong Xuan Thinh and Le Duc Son, and pianist Nguyen Tuan Nam will also participate in the show.