Dozens of workers braved the rain to construct the stage.

Arriving at the construction site of the Hue 2025 Countdown stage on the morning of December 28th, we observed the urgent and tireless work atmosphere of the construction units, security team, and dozens of staff members. Unlike previous years, which were held in the city center – at the Hung Vuong intersection – the Countdown - Welcoming the New Year 2025 (Hue 2025 Countdown - A New Era) art program is taking place in a different location. This year's event is being held at the intersection of Vo Nguyen Giap and Van Tien Dung streets, directly connected to AEON MALL Hue - the largest shopping mall in Central Vietnam. Therefore, the stage is designed to be impressive and grand, reflecting the rich culture of Hue combined with a modern style in the form of a grand music festival incorporating electronic dance music (EDM).

Transporting equipment for the main stage construction.

According to Mr. Tan Nghia, in charge of stage construction, the unit currently deploys 20-30 technical staff, workers, and security personnel daily to urgently construct the main stage, the grandstand for delegates, and surrounding areas where the program will take place. Despite the prolonged cold and rainy weather in Hue affecting the construction progress, the unit plans to ensure the completion of the stage components before the afternoon of December 30th to facilitate the program's dress rehearsal.

Despite the cold, rainy weather, dozens of workers persevered, each doing their part to ensure the stage was completed on schedule.

The Countdown - Welcoming the New Year 2025 art program is organized by the Hue Festival Organizing Committee, the People's Committee of Hue City, in coordination with Carlsberg Vietnam Co., Ltd., and implemented by Ultra Larita Co., Ltd. This is a unique and attractive annual art program, first organized in 2020 under the direction of the Provincial People's Committee to develop it into a distinctive tourism product, contributing significantly to socio -economic development so that Hue can live up to its potential as a unique cultural and tourism center, a characteristic Festival City of Vietnam, and an ASEAN Cultural City; at the same time, it is a comprehensive art program that concludes the series of events of the Hue Festival 2024, initiating cultural events in 2025, and opening a new milestone for Hue City under the Central Government.

THANH HUONG