In the days approaching the Lunar New Year 2023 (Tet), Da Nang is filled with a vibrant atmosphere, colorful flags and flowers around every corner. According to the Vietnamese zodiac, 2023 is the Year of the Cat. There will be a wide range of celebrations across the city for the upcoming Tet Festival.

A dance performance entitled ‘Happy Springtime’ by children of the gifted art class at an arts program to welcome in New Year 2023 which took place at the APEC Sculpture Garden on January 1. Photo: X.D

Bustling atmosphere of New Year celebrations

The New Year and Lunar New Year 2023 holidays are too close together, and celebration events are taking place one after another, contributing to creating a bustling and joyful atmosphere across Da Nang.

New Year's Eve celebrations took place on the east side of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge and the East Sea Park. Da Nang rang in 2023 with two countdown parties taking place at the above –mentioned venues. These events attracted dozens of thousands of local residents and tourists who were treated with an array of vibrant musical performances by famous domestic singers. Organized by private units, these New Year's Eve events helped bring a fresh perspective to the city's cultural scene, leaving a deep impressions on locals and tourists.

Besides, the APEC Sculpture Garden hosted an exciting arts program to celebrate New Year 2023. The event featured 17 performances, including singing and dancing, plus playing traditional Vietnamese musical instruments. It thrilled the audience with sweet melody music to welcome in New Year 2023.

Diverse celebration events for Lunar New Year of the Cat 2023

There will be 18 events across the city to welcome in the Lunar New Year 2023. In which, Da Nang will ring in the Lunar New Year 2023 with fireworks which is one of the most awaited events in the city.

Da Nang will set off fireworks in 15 minutes to ring in the Lunar New Year 2023, aiming to create a joyful atmosphere, meet the cultural enjoyment needs of local residents and promote beautiful images of Da Nang to tourists.

Specifically, the 15-minute pyrotechnic shows will take place at on Lunar New Year’s Eve, which will fall on January 22, 2023, at the Nguyen Van Troi Bridge, the Phuong Trang vacant land area in front of the Lien Chieu District Administrative Centre, and a vacant land area in front of the Hoa Vang District Administration Centre.

High-altitude, low-altitude and effect firecrackers will be utilised in the displays. Also, FireOne wireless system, which is the world's most advanced digital pyrotechnic firing and choreography system, will be applied in the launching of the fireworks.

Also on Lunar New Year's Eve, the Trung Vuong Theater will work with Son Tra District Office of Culture and Information to organize a music concert at the park on the east side of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge. Furthermore, there will be a series of Lunar New Year celebration events in a bid to meet the entertainment needs of local residents and tourists. Included are an arts program performed by students of the Da Nang Junior College of Culture and Arts, another one called ‘Traveling in early Spring" featuring folk games, and activities to experience the Vietnamese traditional Tet holiday which will be held at the Museum of Da Nang, along with a Carnival to hit Tran Hung Dao street.

Moreover, celebration events will be held across districts of the city. In detail, Hoa Vang District will offer a festival which is open to locals and tourists to enjoy Tet and offer them a great time to explore Vietnamese culture and join traditional activities, a talent contest for children, and the Tuy Loan Village Communal House Festival. In addition, Hai Chau District will organize a street music program to welcome in Lunar New Year 2023, and a concert band festival called ‘Brilliant Youth’.

Chairman of Hai Chau District People's Committee Le Tu Gia Thanh said that, a program entitled ‘Tet Reunion - Spring of Love’ is being launched from January 5 to 8 in order to create a joyful and excited atmosphere to welcome in the New Year and Lunar New Year 2023. In addition to giving Tet gifts to policy beneficiary families and poor households in the locality, Hai Chau District will organize 6 celebration events. Included are qualifying round of the municipal- level art talent contest, a calligraphy contest themed ‘Tet Reunion - Spring of love’, Traditional Cake Wrapping Contest, the Ao Dai (traditional long dress) Show themed ‘Brilliant Spring’, Chess Contest and arts program to welcome in Lunar New Year 2023.

“These celebration events will bring new and unique experience to locals and tourists during Tet, thereby, contributing to cheering and encouraging all businesses and sectors of society to overcome difficulties to drive their economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, as well as securing good care of all local residents for Tet," said Mr Thanh.

Reporting by XUAN DUNG – Translating by H.L