Celebrating New Year’s Eve 2025 in Vietnam offers travelers a unique opportunity to experience two very different countdown atmospheres in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. As the country steps into 2026, both cities host large-scale fireworks displays, official countdown events, and festive public spaces that attract locals and international visitors alike.
This guide shows you where to go, what to expect, and how to plan your night if you are in Vietnam on December 31, 2025.
New Year’s Eve in Vietnam 2025: Countdown & Fireworks 2026
Where to Watch New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Hanoi (December 31, 2025)
Hanoi will organize one of its largest New Year’s Eve fireworks programs to welcome 2026, with six launch sites across five major areas of the city. The fireworks combine high-altitude displays, low-altitude fireworks, and pyrotechnic effects, ensuring that residents and visitors across multiple districts can enjoy the celebration.
The fireworks will take place from 11:45 PM on December 31, 2025, to 12:00 AM on January 1, 2026, lasting approximately 15 minutes.
Key viewing areas include Hoan Kiem Ward, where two launch sites are located near the city center, Thong Nhat Park in Hai Ba Trung District, the F1 Racing Circuit area in Tu Liem, Lac Long Quan Flower Garden in Tay Ho, and Van Quan Lake in Ha Dong. In total, Hanoi will use thousands of fireworks shells and hundreds of low-altitude launch racks to create a synchronized citywide display.
How to Experience Hanoi’s Countdown 2026 at Hoan Kiem Lake
Alongside the fireworks, Hanoi will host its official Countdown 2026 program under the theme “Real Connections.” The event takes place from 7:00 PM until midnight on December 31, 2025, centered around Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and the Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian zone.
This area becomes the heart of New Year’s Eve celebrations in Hanoi, featuring live performances, music, and a shared countdown moment as the city enters 2026. The combination of historic architecture, the lakefront setting, and festive crowds makes this the most popular place to be for both first-time visitors and returning travelers.
A Free Artistic Lighting Program Brings Hoan Kiem Lake to Life During the New Year Season
Beyond New Year’s Eve itself, Hanoi enhances the holiday atmosphere with a free artistic lighting program at Hoan Kiem Lake and Turtle Tower. The lighting displays run nightly from December 24, 2025, through January 4, 2026, offering visitors extended opportunities to experience the city’s festive transformation.
The lighting design uses modern technology while respecting the cultural and historical significance of the lake. Carefully selected colors, brightness levels, and movement patterns highlight Turtle Tower and surrounding landmarks without overpowering the space, creating a calm yet celebratory environment ideal for evening walks and photography.
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Practical Tips for Spending New Year’s Eve in Hanoi
Travelers planning to watch fireworks or attend the countdown should arrive early, as the Hoan Kiem area becomes crowded quickly. Booking lakeside cafés or rooftop restaurants in advance is strongly recommended if you want a comfortable viewing spot. Traffic restrictions are likely near fireworks locations, so walking or using ride-hailing services is often more convenient than driving.
Where to See New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Ho Chi Minh City (January 1, 2026)
Ho Chi Minh City will welcome 2026 with a wide-ranging fireworks program that includes both high-altitude and low-altitude displays across several districts. Fireworks will be launched from 12:00 AM to 12:15 AM on January 1, 2026.
The largest high-altitude display will take place near the Saigon River Tunnel in An Khanh Ward, featuring over a thousand high-altitude fireworks combined with low-altitude effects and pyrotechnics. Additional high-altitude displays will be held at the New City Center area in Binh Duong Ward and Tam Thang Square in Vung Tau Ward.
To bring the celebration closer to residential areas, low-altitude fireworks will also be launched at Dam Sen Cultural Park, SAIGON MARINA IFC Tower, and the Kim Long Villa area near Rach Dia Bridge in Nha Be.
How to Join the Countdown 2026 at Nguyen Hue Walking Street
On the evening of December 31, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City’s most vibrant celebration takes place at Nguyen Hue Walking Street. This pedestrian boulevard transforms into a massive open-air party, with live music, performance stages, and large countdown screens leading up to midnight.
The atmosphere here is energetic and modern, attracting young locals, expats, and international travelers. For visitors who enjoy large crowds, nightlife, and a fast-paced urban vibe, Nguyen Hue is the best place to welcome the New Year in southern Vietnam.
Choosing Between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City for New Year’s Eve
Hanoi offers a more scenic and culturally rich New Year’s Eve experience, centered around Hoan Kiem Lake and historic public spaces. Ho Chi Minh City, by contrast, delivers a high-energy countdown with large crowds, modern city lights, and multiple fireworks locations spread across the metropolitan area.
Both destinations provide memorable ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Vietnam, and the choice ultimately depends on whether you prefer a refined lakeside atmosphere or a dynamic urban celebration.
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