Exciting welcome to the New Year 2026!

In the final days of the year, the city by the Han River is adorned with the atmosphere of the Danang New Year Festival 2026. The lights and spaces are expanded to allow residents and tourists to easily immerse themselves in the transitional moment between the old and new year.

Foreign tourists happily enjoy the festive atmosphere of welcoming the New Year 2026 in Hoi An. Photo: HL

Festive atmosphere

On a late December afternoon, as the sunlight softened over the Han River, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Le (from An Hai ward) leisurely walked with her grandchild along the park on the east bank of the Dragon Bridge. In the child's hand was a balloon, and ahead were clusters of newly completed New Year's decorations. "Every year I come here during the last few days of the year. I don't need to wait until New Year's Eve; just strolling here makes me feel like the New Year is coming," Mrs. Le said, her eyes following her grandchild who was engrossed in admiring the brightly lit Christmas tree model in front of them.

The grandmother and granddaughter's footsteps slowly blended into the ever-growing stream of pedestrians. Along the riverside park, the decorations designed with a "Welcome 2026" theme became a popular stop for many families. Ms. Le said that what she liked most these days was the feeling that the city had become more approachable and beautiful. There was no longer a distance between locals and tourists. In recent years, as Da Nang has increasingly focused on public spaces, she has had more reason to go out for a stroll.

The decorative displays that Ms. Le and her grandchild stopped to admire were just one part of a series of "Welcome 2026" check-in spaces arranged by the city along public areas.

As in previous years, the festive atmosphere in Da Nang begins in mid-to-late December, when the city is "awakened" by lights, music , and expansive experiential spaces. From the areas along the Han River, APEC Park, the coastal squares to the central streets, the vibrant colors of the festival shine brightly, creating a characteristic seasonal transition in this youthful and dynamic coastal city. This year, the New Year's celebration takes place over five days at the parks on both sides of the Dragon Bridge, Bach Dang pedestrian street, Hoi An, My Khe beach, Tam Thanh, 24/3 Square, and many other locations throughout the city.

According to Mr. Tan Van Vuong, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the special highlight of this year's festival is the "Da Nang - Welcoming the New Year 2026" Boulevard, located on the Bach Dang pedestrian street. Here, the space is prominently decorated with a giant Earth model, a 360° camera video area, a New Year's wish area, and a series of exciting experiences such as a giant chess set, street magic, and a mirror clown… Along the street, locals and tourists can participate in musical performances, enjoy local cuisine, and take photos at specially designed check-in points for the New Year, creating a continuous festive atmosphere throughout the evening.

As night falls, the lighting system along both banks of the Han River becomes even more prominent. Tour guide Tran Minh Tuan from Vietravel Tourism Joint Stock Company, who is leading a group of tourists around the city center, said: “Foreign tourists really enjoy this atmosphere. They often ask the tour guide to take them for walks, to eat, to take pictures, and to immerse themselves in the local life, especially during the New Year celebrations. It’s a wonderful experience that not every city can offer,” Mr. Tuan said.

To make the people the center of the festival.

Following the expansion of administrative boundaries, the festive atmosphere welcoming the new year also carries new expectations of wider dissemination and greater connection.

For the residents of Ban Thach ward, this year's festival atmosphere brings very special emotions. Having been closely associated with the life of a former satellite city of Quang Nam province, many clearly feel the changes in how the new city organizes its space and connects the community.

Mr. Tran Van Manh, who lives near the 24/3 Square, said that the raised inscription "I ♥ Da Nang," which recently appeared, quickly became a popular stop for residents of Ban Thach ward during the end of the year. He believes that although the inscription is short, it marks an important and memorable historical moment for the locality during the New Year.

Beyond the city center, the festive atmosphere is also present at My Khe, Nguyen Tat Thanh, and Tam Thanh beaches, where check-in points are harmoniously arranged with the seaside landscape, attracting locals and tourists alike. In Hoi An, the New Year's celebration has a gentler tone, suitable for those who wish to welcome the new year in a calm and peaceful atmosphere.

According to Mr. Tan Van Vuong, expanding the venue gives people more opportunities to participate and enjoy the event.

In particular, the open-plan design, with minimal barriers, encourages people to stroll, interact, and freely experience the festive atmosphere in their own way. This approach reduces the pressure of large crowds gathering at one time while also contributing to tourism and boosting service activities during the year-end period. "We hope that every citizen can find a memorable moment for themselves, whether strolling with family, meeting friends, or simply sitting and watching the city light up," Mr. Vuong shared.

To ensure the festival truly spreads its influence, the business community in the city has proactively participated with a spirit of collaboration and tourism stimulus. Mr. Cao Tri Dung, Chairman of the Da Nang Tourism Association, said that currently, accommodation establishments, service providers, restaurants, tourist attractions, transportation companies, airlines, and event organizers are all implementing many appropriate promotional programs and stimulus packages to create more options for tourists and stimulate spending during the peak season.

In addition, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism plays a connecting and coordinating role in large-scale shopping and consumption programs such as the Da Nang Year-End Promotion Season 2025, the Brand Promotion Day, and the "Trust in Vietnamese Goods - Made in Da Nang" Exhibition, thereby creating a ripple effect and contributing to enhancing the attractiveness of Da Nang as a destination during the year-end festivities. According to Mr. Dung, the important point is that the stimulus activities are not separate from the festivals, but are designed to complement and extend the experience of tourists before and after participating in the New Year celebrations.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/ron-rang-chao-nam-moi-2026-3317102.html