CaliToday (31/12/2026): With just two hours remaining until the start of the new year, the hearts of Vietnam’s two largest cities are pulsating with energy as millions of revelers flood the streets to bid farewell to 2025.
HCMC: Nguyen Hue "Besieged" As of 10:00 PM, Ho Chi Minh City’s Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street has been declared effectively "impassable." Aerial views show a dense tapestry of people stretching from the City Hall to the Saigon River bank.
The prime viewing spots for the highly anticipated high-altitude fireworks display at the Thu Thiem Tunnel were claimed hours ago. "We have been sitting here since 6:00 PM to secure a spot for the family," said one resident, sitting on a makeshift mat amidst the throng. Despite the humidity, the atmosphere is electric, with music from countdown stages reverberating through the downtown skyscrapers. Traffic police have cordoned off the perimeter, forcing vehicles into detours as the crowd continues to swell.
Hanoi: Winter Chill Meets Festive Heat In the capital, the scene at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square near Hoan Kiem Lake is equally chaotic but distinctly wintry. The temperature has dropped to a crisp 14–15 degrees Celsius, prompting Hanoians to don heavy winter coats, scarves, and trendy festive gear.
Despite the biting cold, the streets are jam-packed. There is no standing room left around the iconic fountain, where youth groups and families are huddled together, waving light sticks and waiting for the midnight moment. The cold air is filled with the sounds of vuvuzelas and impromptu cheers, creating a warm, vibrant contrast to the chilly weather.
Authorities in both cities have deployed maximum security personnel to manage the flow and ensure safety as the clock ticks toward the transition into 2026.