Ho Chi Minh City is bustling with activity as it welcomes the new year.

From the afternoon of December 31, 2025, people in Ho Chi Minh City and tourists from all over flocked to the city center areas such as Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, Saigon Riverfront Park, Bach Dang Wharf Park, Ho Chi Minh City Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Zoo, Dam Sen Cultural Park, Suoi Tien Tourist Area… to visit, have fun, and shop for the 2026 New Year's Day.

From 7:30 PM onwards, at Saigon Riverfront Park (An Khanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), the final chapter of Hozo City Tet Fest, titled “Countdown - City-Maze-ing,” took place with explosive energy, concluding the New Year's festivities in Ho Chi Minh City. The show featured artists such as My Tam, Vu Cat Tuong, Duc Phuc, Hoang Dung, Suboi, Rhyder, Phap Kieu, and many more.

Audiences enthusiastically watch the Hozo City Tet Fest program on the evening of December 31, 2025. Photo: DUNG PHUONG

From 8 PM onwards, Nguyen Hue Street became the focal point of the New Year's Eve celebration for 2026. The highlight of the event was the first-ever appearance of hot air balloons, attracting a large crowd. The program featured many artists such as Soobin, Toc Tien, Hoang Thuy Linh, Quang Hung MasterD, Phuong My Chi, Kay Tran, Pham Anh Khoa, along with numerous DJs and guest artists. The event space was not limited to Nguyen Hue pedestrian street but extended to Le Loi Street, Lam Son Park, and the area in front of the City Theater.

The Countdown 2026 program at The Global City new urban area (An Khanh ward) is also a popular destination attracting many people. The event takes place very early, from 3 PM on December 31, 2025, and lasts until the early morning of January 1, 2026, with the participation of artists such as Noo Phuoc Thinh, JustaTee, My My, etc. At the same time, many people gathered at Gigamall Shopping Center (Hiep Binh ward) to visit the Immersive 12D+ Technology and Art Complex, a large-scale, international-standard multi-sensory entertainment and art model, the first of its kind in Vietnam.

Precisely at midnight on January 1, 2026, fireworks from six launch points (three high-altitude, three low-altitude) simultaneously lit up the city sky. Amidst the climactic music and dazzling fireworks, a sea of ​​people cheered, welcoming the new year, exchanging wishes for peace and well-being, closing out the old year and opening a hopeful new beginning for 2026.

At Tam Thang Square (Vung Tau ward), from late afternoon onwards, tens of thousands of people flocked here to enjoy the art performance program themed "Awakening the Dawn Waves".

Attending the program were comrades: Dang Minh Thong, Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee; and Hoang Nguyen Dinh, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee. The artistic program showcased the image of a vibrant city with innovations, achievements, and aspirations for the future. Earlier that morning, a sunrise run and a mass yoga performance to welcome the new day took place, attracting thousands of participants.

REPORTER TEAM

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/tphcm-ron-rang-chao-nam-moi-post831595.html