Ho Chi Minh City's annual New Year's Eve countdown program will go virtual in a broadcast from Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in District 1 on Friday night, said Duong Anh Duc, vice-chairman of the municipal People's Committee.

The New Year welcoming event will take place on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in District 1, not Le Duan Street as previously announced, from 22:00 on Friday to 00:10 on Saturday.

Audiences across Vietnam can join the virtual countdown on television, radio, and online instead of flocking to the physical location, according to the municipal Department of Culture and Sports.

Local traffic police will be tasked with controlling the flow of vehicles and banning parking around Nguyen Hue and in nearby areas during the event.

Local authorities had earlier planned to invite 1,000 participants to the event, which was later called off due to the high risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Ho Chi Minh City is also known for its annual fireworks displays on New Year’s Eve, but authorities chose to cancel the pyrotechnic show this year in order to minimize crowding and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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