People in Hanoi witnessed tepid New Year celebrations due to the complicated developments of COVID-19 on Friday night when the Vietnamese capital city ushered in 2022.

Normally busy get-together areas such as Hoan Kiem Lake, Trang Tien Plaza, the Hanoi Opera House, and the Old Quarter turned quiet on the New Year’s Eve as the city administration had canceled fireworks display shows and countdown events for COVID-19 prevention and control.

The capital city had led the nation in the number of daily infections, ranging between 1,600 and over 1,900 cases, for ten consecutive days.

Only a few people either took photos or walk around Hoan Kiem Lake while police officers patrolled the downtown areas to prevent large gatherings on Friday night.

In neighboring Hung Yen Province, organizers called off a heavily-invested music and light display show.

People go for a walk around Trang Tien Plaza in Hanoi on the night of December 31, 2021. Photo: Tuoi Tre

In the central city of Da Nang, it appeared that people gave the priority to the prevention and control of COVID-19 over the festive celebration after the adjacent province of Quang Nam had recorded 14 Omicron infections.

Only some revelers celebrated the New Year’s Eve with families and friends at restaurants and food and beverage joints.

At the same time, the only countdown event held at Trung Vuong Theater limited the number of attendants to 200, with some young residents waiting outside to embrace the new year atmosphere.

Hanoi and Hung Yen have documented more than 46,000 and 5,100 COVID-19 infections, respectively, since the fourth virus wave hit Vietnam on April 27.

Over 101 percent and 89 percent of adults in the two localities have correspondingly been fully vaccinated, according to the national COVID-19 vaccination portal.

More than 11,100 and 6,100 cases of coronavirus have been respectively found in Da Nang and Quang Nam, where over 101 percent and 76 percent of adults have correspondingly received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

People take photos at Ecopark urban area in Hung Yen Province on the night of December 31, 2021. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Three young people take a photo on Dinh Tien Hoang Street in Hanoi on the night of December 31, 2021. Photo: Tuoi Tre

This photo captures Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square in Hanoi on the night of December 31, 2021. Photo: Tuoi Tre

People take photos next to a light display in Da Nang City on the night of December 31, 2021. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A motorbike goes past a 'Happy New Year' board in front of the Hanoi Opera House in Hanoi on the night of December 31, 2021. Photo: Tuoi Tre

This photo captures Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi on the night of December 31, 2021. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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