A slew of activities to celebrate Christmas and usher in the New Year are set to take place in Ho Chi Minh and several other localities in the southern region of Vietnam.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Dam Sen Cultural Park in District 11 and Suoi Tien Theme Park in District 9 will offer a series of drama, music and dance shows featuring hundreds of singers, dancers and theater artists.

Visitors to Dam Sen will have the opportunity to enjoy free music, dance, comedy, circus and puppet shows, which will run through January 1.

The Suoi Tien Theme Park will offer free tickets to children accompanied by parents and a 50-percent discount on the package of 15 attractions within the park on December 24.

On the same day, a music gala will be organized at the Youth Culture House on Pham Ngoc Thach Street in District 1.

In addition, foodies can treat themselves to delicious dishes at parties at either such luxury hotels in the city as Rex Hotel and Hotel Grand Saigon in District 1 or eco-tourism destinations like Binh Quoi, Van Thanh and Tan Cang in Binh Thanh District.

Holidaymakers, who plan a short escape from Ho Chi Minh City to the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau that is just some 100km away, can expect a fireworks and music show at Bai Truoc Beach in Vung Tau City on December 31.

Some hotels will host countdown parties and grill buffets while more speedboat and sailboat trips will be arranged for customers.

On Phu Quoc Island off the southern province of Kien Giang, the Sun World Hon Thom Natural Park is giving away vouchers for a meal of Vietnamese seafood specialties, as well as a discount on tickets of a ride on the Hon Thom Cable Car – the longest of its kind in Vietnam – from VND500,000 (US$21.5) to VND180,000 ($8).

Those who want to enjoy the bustling atmosphere can visit the Duong Dong night market, which is famous for fresh seafood, or bars and pubs on the sea banks.

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