Hanoi is set to bid farewell to 2023 with a countdown celebration held at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, adjacent to iconic Ho Guom (Sword Lake) in Hoan Kiem District, on New Year's Eve, a local official told a meeting in the Vietnamese capital on Wednesday.

The pedestrian street surrounding Sword Lake will open from December 29 to January 1 to serve local residents, said Pham Tuan Long, chairman of the administration of Hoan Kiem District.

The Vietnamese capital city will also usher in the 2024 Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday with a bang thanks to fireworks shows held at 31 locations citywide, according to the Hanoi Capital Command.

Each district in the city was told to designate one location for a pyrotechnic display while authorities in Hoan Kiem District chose two.

People can watch the high-altitude pyrotechnic shows at nine locations across the capital.

During the 2022 Tet holiday, Hanoi did not display fireworks due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In related news, Tran Sy Thanh, chairman of the municipal administration, chaired a meeting on Wednesday during which relevant units reported on their preparations for upcoming New Year celebrations and other public holidays.

Do Dinh Hong, director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports, said the department had mapped out plans to adorn inner-city streets and entrances to the city with large posters and festive lights.

The city’s chairman demanded that the decorations and use of festive lights look enchanting yet still match cityscapes.

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