Vietnamese welcome New Year 2008

(01/01/2008) Tens of thousands of Vietnamese people took to the streets in big cities to welcome the New Year in the hope that 2008 will see Vietnam reap further success in socio-economic development.

Despite the chilly weather, thousands of Hanoians converged on Hoan Kiem Lake and public entertainment centers to watch spectacular fireworks displays. They all expected to enjoy better living conditions along with the country’s steady economic development in 2008.

Thousands of revelers in Ho Chi Minh City poured out into streets and entertainment centers to welcome the New Year in a festival considered the biggest one to date.

In the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, thousands of people attended a special art performance at a stage erected inside the city’s water park. The performance marked the start of a host of cultural and art activities to be held this year to celebrate the centrally run city’s 5^th anniversary.

Major streets in central Da Nang city such as Tran Phu, Bac Dang and Hung Vuong were also packed with people to welcome the New Year. Big hotels like Furama, Sandy Beach and Saigon Tourane launched New Year activities for foreigners. Thousands of young people gathered in front of the headquarters of the Municipal Youth Association to attend a special gala night.