The annual Nguyen Hue Flower Street, now in its 15th year, began welcoming visitors after the opening ceremony on Tuesday night.

Stretching a total of 720 meters, the flower street is divided into three sections with three different themes, namely ‘Spring In the City,’ ‘Integration and Development,’ and ‘Reach Out to the Future.’

In Vietnam, Friday (February 16) marks the first day of the Lunar New Year, ushering in the Year of the Dog.

Dog is therefore the hero of most concepts and decorations at Ho Chi Minh City’s iconic flower street this year.

This Lunar New Year, or Tet, holiday begins on February 16, but preparation and celebration often takes place during the week before and after the date.

A number of local people, many of whom donning the traditional ao dai, flocked to the street from early in the afternoon even though the opening ceremony only began at 7:00 pm.

An aerial of the Nguyen Hue Flower Street. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Dog is the main theme of the flower street this year. Photo: Tuoi Tre

People are seen at the Nguyen Hue Flower Street before the opening ceremony. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Dog is the main theme of the flower street this year. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A family is seen at the flower street. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Three Vietnamese women in ao dai. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, chairwoman of the lawmaking National Assembly, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh joined Ho Chi Minh City top leaders in the opening ceremony.

“After 15 years, Nguyen Hue Flower Street has become an indispensable part of Tet celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City,” Nguyen Thi Thu, deputy chairwoman of the municipal administration, said in her remarks.

“Under the theme ‘Reach Out to the Future’, the flower street this year illustrates the desire for growth of Ho Chi Minh City.”

Shortly after the ribbon-cutting at 7:35 pm, all barriers were lifted for locals and tourists to start visiting the venue.

Many visitors hailed the decorations this year as friendly and cute.

The Nguyen Hue Flower Street will run until February 19, or the fourth day of the Lunar New Year.

Below are some photos of the opening night:

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