LookAtVietnam – HCM City is welcoming the New Year beginning December 26 at the 23/9 Park with a festival called “Welcome 2010, Celebrating the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi.”

Traditional music performance at the 23/9 Park (photo: Lao Dong).

The opening ceremony included a photo exhibit displaying 450 photos and items about the achievements of 24 districts in 2009, the development of Hanoi and HCM City and a music show with songs about the two cities. The organizers also introduced Vietnamese products to support the campaign to buy Vietnamese goods.

At the Thong Nhat Convention Hall, demonstrations of folk arts like water-color painting, calligraphy, brocade knitting, and making to he. Music shows took place at Phu My Hung, Tan Thuan and Linh Trung Export Processing Zones, Le Minh Xuan Industrial Zone, Gia Dinh Park and Cultural History Park.

At the Youth Cultural House, the New Year festival will be held from December 24, 2009 to January 1, 2010 with fashion shows in addition to 60 stalls selling cosmetics. A special gala will take place on December 31.

City authorities have decorated four major roads (Nguyen Hue city, Le Loi, Dong Khoi and Le Duan) with lamps and flowers to welcome the New Year.

On the evening of December 31, 2009, light shows will be held at high-rise buildings like the Sunwah, Palace, Fahasa and Duxton. A special music performance will be held at Sunwah.

“Suoi Tien Welcomes the New Year” is the name of a carnival on January 1, 2010 at the Suoi Tien Cultural Park.

PV