A number of major cities in Vietnam have prepared a variety of art shows, offering their citizens myriad choices for a three-day holiday starting on Friday, to count down to the new year.

Vietnamese will have three days off from tomorrow and get back to work on Monday.

In Ho Chi Minh City, an event titled “Countdown Party 2016 – Journey to Wonderland,” to be held by Yan TV, will take place around the Crescent Lake in District 7 with the participation of numerous famous local singers.

The musical performances of the event will start at 7:00 pm on a floating stage in the area.

A ball will be featured at the Dam Sen Cultural Park in District 11 to welcome the year 2016 at 10:00 pm on Thursday.

The highlight will be a New Year countdown ceremony under the light of fireworks.

Meanwhile, the Labor Culture House in District 1 will host a show on Thursday, named “Welcome the New Year,” whose ticket sale proceeds will be donated to underprivileged children.

A special artistic performance to welcome 2016 will be given from 8:30 pm on December 31 to 0:30 am on New Year’s Day at 23/9 Park in District 1.

The venue will also host another show within the framework of New Year celebration at 8:00 pm on New Year’s Day.

The park will be a space for other activities for children on December 31 and January 1 nights.

Moreover, high-range fireworks will blast at midnight on New Year’s Eve and last for 15 minutes in the area near the Thu Thiem Tunnel in District 2. Streets around the city, including Truong Son, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Nguyen Van Troi, Le Loi, Dong Khoi, Nguyen Hue, Le Duan, Pham Ngoc Thach, Ton Duc Thang, and Vo Van Kiet, have been decorated with LED lights since December 19 under the theme of welcoming New Year.

In Hanoi, on the last day of 2015, three big art shows are organized on the Cach Mang Thang Tam Square, at the Thien Quang Lake, and on the Ly Thai To Monument Square.

On the first day of 2016, two music and comedy shows for underprivileged children will take place at the Cultural Friendship Palace at 9:30 am and 8:00 pm.

The organizers of the comedy will give away 500 free tickets as well as 500 gifts worth VND300,000 (US$13.39) each to children in difficult circumstances.

The Thang Long Water Puppet Theater and the Vietnam Puppet Theater will stay open during the holiday.

Besides, the Vietnam Circus Federation will welcome the new year with a special program from January 1 to 3. 

From January 1 to 3, the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Son Tay Town will host an event to welcome 2016, with Vietnamese cuisine being the focus.

The central city of Da Nang also has a lot to offer for New Year celebration.

A fireworks display will be held for 10 minutes from 9:00 pm on Thursday on Da Nang Beach at Bien Dong Park in Son Tra District, promising to leave an indelible impression on spectators with 553 high-range fireworks.

A countdown music event will take place from 9:00 pm on New Year’s Eve to 1:00 am on New Year’s Day on 29-3 Square in Hai Chau District, boasting light and art performances together with lively songs.

The Tiger Remix Concert 2016 promises to cheer up the area near the Han River in Son Tra District from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm on January 2 with the participation of famed local singers.

Those who love sport could enjoy a bike race held by Da Nang’s sport bike club on January 2 and 3, featuring more than 500 professional and amateur bikers.

The tourism city of Hoi An has finished creating an installation artwork made from 2,500 hand-made lanterns in preparation for a New Year welcome event on December 31 night.

For cinematography fans, a variety of movies are being screened, including “Snoopy And Charlie Brown: A Peanuts Movie,” “Ip Man 3,” “Adaline The Conjured,” “Daddy's Home,” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

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