The arrival of the Lunar New Year
was celebrated across the entire nation at midnight on January 30, with
cultural activities organised to welcome the Year of the Horse. 
In Hanoi , firework performances lasted for 15 minutes in 29 areas around the city, including Hoan Kiem Lake (Hoan Kiem district), Thong Nhat Park (Hai Ba Trung district), Lac Long Quan flower garden (Tay Ho district) and Van Quan Lake (Ha Dong district).
The August Revolution Square in front of the Opera House was illuminated with splendid lights and hundreds of artists entertained the audience with traditional and modern music and dances.
Meanwhile, revellers in Ho Chi Minh City were treated to fireworks at the front end of Sai Gon river tunnel, and five other locations across the city.
The northern province of Hung Yen set off low-range fireworks in the city’s downtown area, as well as in the districts of Phu Cu, Van Lam, An Thi and My Hao.
Tens of thousands of revellers flocked to Ngo Mon square in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue from the afternoon to enjoy Hue ceremonial songs and music performances until the New Year’s countdown.
To bring a warm Tet holiday to the central province’s disadvantaged, gifts from President Truong Tan Sang, each worth 200,000 – 400,000 VND (9-19 USD) were handed out to over 34,000 poor households and families of war heroes in remote areas, reported Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Cao.
Over 10 billion VND (470,000 USD) was also earmarked for local underprivileged groups.
More than 42 billion VND (2 million USD) also reached the hands of those in need in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak , which celebrated the New Year with a sparkling firework display and music show.
Meanwhile, in the central province of Khanh Hoa , thoroughfares in Nha Trang city were covered in thousands of lights and street decorations, illuminating singing and dancing performances in the city streets.
The Ponagar Cham Towers were opened for free, with visitors able to enjoy folk and lion dances and demonstrations of brocade weaving by Cham ethnic groups, Bau Truc pottery craftsmanship and calligraphy.
The northern mountainous province of Son La and the southern provinces of Soc Trang and Hau Giang also embraced the New Year with similar events.
VNA
