Despite ban on fireworks, the Tet spirit still shone bright across Vietnam

[ASEAN NOW News]

Despite the cancellation of firework displays and several Covid-19 related restrictions, there was no dampening of the Tet spirit as citizens hit the streets nationwide on Lunar New Year’s Eve, reported VN Express last night.

 

In Hanoi, at around 8 p.m. Monday night, people were still selling peach blossoms on To Huu Street.

 

 

Nguyen Thi Lan, whose house is in Nam Tu Liem District, carries two peach blossom branches and tries to persuade people to buy them.

 

She said she usually sold flowers up until around 8 p.m. every year before going home, but due to the impacts of Covid-19, there were fewer buyers and she stayed back longer in the hope of selling more.

 

"No matter how much money my customers are willing to pay I will sell them, typically VND30,000 ($1.32) a branch. Because they are so cheap, many people gave me some tips," she said.

 

Hanoians swarmed the streets to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Tet, Vietnam's most important holiday, runs from January 29 to February 6 this year.

 

 

A family takes a photo in front of a street decoration at Hanoi's Hoan Kiem Lake.

 

In Hai Phong, people have been pouring out of their homes and moving towards the Hai Phong Opera House from 7 p.m. onwards.

 

The northern port town will not organize fireworks shows and has decided to cut down on events to celebrate Tet out of Covid-19 concerns.

 

In Can Tho, locals gravitate towards downtown streets in Ninh Kieu District like Tran Hung Dao, Nguyen Trai, Le Loi and Hai Ba Trung. Many have gone to the Song Hau Park to walk around and take photos, all dressed up to welcome the Lunar New Year.

 

Nguyen Hong Hanh, 70, has taken her grandchildren to the Xuan Can Tho Garden in the park for a walk. She said she was glad to see 2021 go by and the pandemic being brought under control.

 

In Da Nang, street decorations attract many passers-by, especially those on Bach Dang Flower Street along the Han River.

 

In Ho Chi Minh City, people gather in downtown areas in droves, particularly to attractions like the Nguyen Hue Flower Street. Traffic jams on streets like Le Duan, Dong Khoi and Nguyen Du occurred as a result.

 

In Ho Chi Minh City, people have gathered in downtown areas in droves, particularly to attractions like the Nguyen Hue Flower Street. As a result, streets like Le Duan, Dong Khoi and Nguyen Du experienced traffic jams.

 

At around 8:30 p.m., areas near the Nguyen Hue Flower Street and in front of a fountain at the HCMC People's Committee are packed with people. It is taking people around 15 minutes to find a place to park motorbikes for around VND30,000 each.

 

Tuyen, 36, has taken her kids to the Calligrapher's Street to play, but said it took her more than half an hour to find a parking spot.

 

"I let my two kids take some photos before going home as this year is the first time in four years, I am not taking them back to Nam Dinh (northern province near Hanoi) to celebrate Tet," she said.

 

 

A sea of people could be seen at HCMC's Nguyen Hue Flower Street at around 9 p.m., January 31, 2022.

 

 

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