The excitement during New Year in Vietnam: vibrating to the rhythm of the countdown in the big cities, admiring the fireworks displays, or getting away for a trip.
Whether you dream of city lights, majestic mountains or relaxing in the tropics, here are our favourite destinations for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve.
MỤC LỤC
New Year’s Eve fireworks in Hanoi
As the festive season approaches, Hanoi takes on a magical aura. With its sparkling streets, majestically decorated churches and festive spirit spreading through every neighbourhood, the capital invites you to stroll around and savour all the poetry of winter in Hanoi. Every Christmas season, the area around Hoan Kiem Lake becomes the nerve centre of this excitement. Lights adorn Hang Khay, Dinh Tien Hoang and Trang Tien streets, creating a luminous atmosphere that is perfect for the enchantment of the end of the year.
On weekends, the pedestrianised area comes alive with intense cultural activity: between improvised performances and music rising from beneath the ancient trees, the experience is captivating, ensuring that every stroll will remain etched in your memory as a happy memory. Get your cameras and smiles ready, because the Vietnamese capital is pulling out all the stops to welcome in the new year.
Fireworks in Hanoi: The show will begin at 11:45 p.m. on 31 December and end at midnight sharp at five locations:
● Hoan Kiem Lake: The heart of the celebration (in front of the Ha Noi Moi newspaper and the Post Office).
● Thong Nhat Park: Ideal for families.
● F1 Circuit (Tu Liem): Large open spaces.
● Lac Long Quan Garden (West Lake): For a panoramic view.
● Van Quan Lake (Ha Dong): The south-west spot.
Countdown Hanoi: From 7 p.m., head to Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square (Hoan Kiem) for the big countdown concert: music, lights and an electric atmosphere guaranteed!
New Year’s Eve fireworks in Ho Chi Minh City
As soon as December rolls around, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is transformed into a perpetual party atmosphere. The main streets of the city centre, from Dong Khoi to Le Loi via Nguyen Hue, are lit up with thousands of lights and giant Christmas trees. Notre Dame Cathedral, Diamond Plaza and the large shopping centres become bustling hubs of activity, where the people of Saigon gather to take traditional souvenir photos until the early hours of the morning.
The energy of the metropolis reaches its peak on New Year’s Eve. A sea of people floods the pedestrianised Nguyen Hue Square, holding hands as they wait for the sacred moment when fireworks light up the sky, pulsating to the rhythm of a city that never seems to sleep.
Our advice
To make it easier to get around and enjoy the New Year festivities in Saigon to the full, choose a hotel in the city centre or in Thao Dien. Given the festive traffic jams, walking is ideal on 24 and 31 December. The increased excitement in the city during this period creates a unique and irresistible magnetism.
Fireworks in Ho Chi Minh City:
● The entrance to the Saigon River tunnel (An Khanh).
● The centre of the new city (Binh Duong).
● Tam Thang Square (Vung Tau).
● Dam Sen Cultural Park (Binh Thoi).
The city will be lit up with artistic installations, culminating in the grand festival at Nguyen Hue Square. Music and performances will mark the transition to the new year in a festive and supportive atmosphere.
Celebrate New Year in Da Nang – Hoi An
Thanks to the synergy between Hoi An and Da Nang, visitors will enjoy a contrasting New Year in the heart of Central Vietnam, where the soft glow of centuries-old lanterns meets the vibrant energy of the contemporary city.
The city of bridges welcomes the New Year with an explosion of music and lights. On the banks of the Han River, the excitement is palpable. In the delicate coolness of early winter, the sea breeze enhances the urban illuminations. Between open stages and fireworks, Da Nang is transformed into a huge open-air festive banquet, carried by a vibrant youth.
About 45 minutes from Da Nang, Hoi An invites you to confide in it. As soon as the silk lanterns light up, the narrow streets are enveloped in a soft, subdued warmth. Here, time slows down. Visitors are lulled by the folk songs of Bai Choi or the magical spectacle of paper flowers placed on the Hoai River, carrying with them wishes for good luck in the coming year.
Good to know
Don’t miss the Da Nang New Year Festival, from 30 December 2025 to 3 January 2026. This major annual event showcases local culture and tourism with a rich artistic programme, offering visitors an authentic experience of Vietnamese hospitality.
Our advice
● In Da Nang: Choose a hotel on the banks of the Han River to enjoy a breathtaking view of the fireworks.
● In Hoi An: Arrive in the late afternoon, just before dusk. This will allow you to easily find a parking space and see the old town slowly come to life under the light of the lanterns.
Celebrate New Year in Nha Trang
A must-visit destination for lovers of the sea, Nha Trang welcomes you with open arms at the end of the year to immerse yourself in an atmosphere that is both romantic and soothing. With its ideal climate in December – a cool breeze and bright sunshine from mid-morning (between 22 and 27°C) – the seaside resort is the perfect getaway for a honeymoon or to celebrate Christmas and New Year in the tropics.
Along the main avenue, Tran Phu, Christmas decorations sparkle and reflect off the sea, creating a magical scene. The excitement spreads to the grand hotels, which organise sumptuous New Year’s Eve celebrations: by the pool or on the fine sand, the music transports guests to an atmosphere worthy of the most beautiful Mediterranean resorts.
See more: Best cheap hotels in Nha Trang for 3 star standard
Our advice
● Culture: visit the Cham temple of Po Nagar or the Oceanographic Institute in Nha Trang.
● Romance: take a night cruise on the bay to admire the city lights.
● Serenity: The luxury and tranquillity of resorts far from the crowds in Bai Dai, Cam Ranh or Ninh Van Bay.
● Families: Visit VinWonders attractions as soon as they open to avoid the crowds.
Celebrate New Year in Phu Quoc Island
In the splendour of its most beautiful season, Phu Quoc invites you to reinvent the magic of the festive season. Swap the frost for golden sunshine and crystal-clear waters, and succumb to the charm of a Christmas suspended between sky and sea on Vietnam’s most enchanting island. Under clear skies and a calm sea, the island becomes the ideal refuge for families and travellers seeking a gentle escape from the harshness of winter. Here, the Vietnamese art of living meets Western enchantment: hotel complexes are decked out with pine trees decorated with shells, banquets are set up on the fine sand, and night markets adopt a European style while exuding the salty scents of the East Sea.
The island is divided into two captivating areas:
● North: A wonderland for children with Safari and VinWonders.
● In the south: a sanctuary for contemplative souls. This is where you can admire the most spectacular sunsets, where the sun dips below the horizon like the last spark of the past year, already heralding renewal.
Get ready for an exciting end-of-year celebration. Any questions? We’ll answer them in the comments. Have a project?
