From 5:30 PM on December 31st, people in Ho Chi Minh City and tourists from all over flocked to the city center, including Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, Saigon Riverfront Park, Bach Dang Wharf Park, the Central Post Office , Notre Dame Cathedral, the Botanical Garden, Dam Sen Cultural Park, Suoi Tien Tourist Area, and new urban areas, to visit, have fun, and shop for the 2026 New Year's Day celebrations. In particular, they participated in the Countdown festival and waited to watch the spectacular fireworks displays.
On major thoroughfares like Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Cach Mang Thang Tam, Ly Tu Trong, Le Thanh Ton, etc., the streets are packed with people. Rows of vehicles are crammed together, inching forward little by little. The closer to the city center, the tighter the traffic becomes. Parking spaces are also quickly filled up.
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 a spectacular New Year's Eve celebration in Ho Chi Minh City. The show featured artists such as My Tam, Vu Cat Tuong, Duc Phuc, Hoang Dung, Suboi, Rhyder, Phap Kieu, Lil'Wuyn, Trance Effect, DJ Louis 8Ightz, and more.
That evening, Nguyen Hue pedestrian street became the focal point of Ho Chi Minh City's festival with a series of activities called "Hunting for Fortune." Standing out amidst the bustling countdown atmosphere was the first-ever appearance of the Tiger hot air balloon – offering a novel fortune-hunting experience and quickly attracting the attention of a large number of participants. Music – the soul of Tiger Remix for over a decade – once again became the "special glue" connecting tens of thousands of locals and tourists. From the powerful lion dance opening ceremony to the unprecedented collaboration between generations of artists, the event created a vibrant and unconventional spring atmosphere.
The countdown program brought together many artists such as Soobin, Toc Tien, Hoang Thuy Linh, Quang Hung MasterD, Phuong My Chi, Kay Tran, Pham Anh Khoa, People's Artist Huu Quoc, along with many other DJs and guest artists. Not only did it take place on Nguyen Hue Walking Street, the event space was also expanded to Le Loi Street, Lam Son Park, and the area in front of the City Theater.
Sitting in the front row of the stage area, Nhu Quynh (23 years old, residing in An Huu ward) said, "Every year, my friends and I arrive at 2 PM to attend the countdown. Despite the hot weather and crowded atmosphere, Quynh and her group of friends don't feel tired; on the contrary, they feel even more excited. 'Coming here early makes the event feel more meaningful, as the excitement the music night brings is worth the wait. Besides, feeling the atmosphere gradually heat up with each passing hour is also very interesting.'"
Many families brought their young children, carefully holding their hands as they weaved through the crowd. Many young people took advantage of the opportunity to take photos and videos to commemorate this iconic moment of the year-end. Joining the general hustle and bustle of the event, students from Ho Chi Minh City Open University also carried out a Spring Volunteer campaign with fundraising products. Student Kim Tuyen, representing the group, said: “We attend the countdown every year, and each year brings a different feeling. This year, everyone arrived very early, and the atmosphere was much more lively. Perhaps everyone was hoping for a truly memorable countdown.”
The Countdown 2026 program at The Global City (An Khanh Ward) is considered a popular destination attracting a large number of people. The event takes place from early morning, 3 PM until late at night on December 31st, with the participation of artists such as Noo Phuoc Thinh, JustaTee, My My… The music program, art performances combined with a spectacular fireworks display at The Global City offer more entertainment and experiences for the public.
At Tam Thang Square (Vung Tau Ward), tens of thousands of people flocked there from late afternoon to enjoy the art performance themed "Awakening the Dawn Waves". Attending the program were: Mr. Dang Minh Thong, Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee; and Mr. Hoang Nguyen Dinh, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee. The art 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.
In addition, from December 27, 2025 to January 1, 2026, the Cultural and Culinary Festival will be held in the Back Beach area (Vung Tau beach), providing an exciting experience and entertainment space for locals and tourists to celebrate the New Year.
An outdoor art program celebrating the 2026 New Year will also be held on December 31, 2025, in the park in front of the former Binh Duong Provincial Administrative Center (Binh Duong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City). This is a cultural and artistic activity to serve local people during the New Year transition.
Not only in the city center, but also at entertainment and sightseeing spots in the city center, people have the opportunity to participate in a series of special New Year's celebrations.
Specifically, from December 31st to January 6th, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Association will organize the 2025 Humanitarian Exhibition at 218A Pasteur Street (Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), showcasing 211 paintings and sculptures by 140 artists and sculptors.
During the transition from the old year 2025 to the new year 2026, Ho Chi Minh City will organize artistic fireworks displays at 6 locations, including 3 high-altitude and 3 low-altitude fireworks displays. The displays will last approximately 15 minutes, starting from 0:00 to 0:15 on January 1, 2026.
Specifically, the three high-altitude fireworks display locations are: the Saigon River tunnel entrance area (An Khanh ward); the new urban center area in Binh Duong ward; and Tam Thang Square (Vung Tau ward). The three low-altitude fireworks display locations are Dam Sen Cultural Park (Binh Thoi ward), the Saigon Marina IFC Tower area (Saigon ward), and the Kim Long Villa area (Rach Dia bridge, Nha Be commune), each featuring 90 low-altitude fireworks displays.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/tphcm-ron-rang-chao-nam-moi-2026-post831564.html
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