Despite heavy rain, around 30,000 people gathered in Da Nang’s 29 March Square on 2 September street on New Year’s Eve for the public New Year Countdown Party.

Entitled ‘Let's Create Memorable Moments Together’, the event featured famous domestic singers: Phuong Vy, Pham Anh Khoa, Diep Lam Anh, Bao Kun and Hoang Nhat Minh, along with an arts troupe from Da Nang.

During his speech at the event, municipal People's Committee Vice Chairman Dang Viet Dung briefed the participants on his city’s remarkable achievements over the past 2 decades.  This has been mainly attributed to great care from the national government, kind support from domestic and international friends, the spirit of unyieldingness, solidarity and consensus amongst local residents, as well as strong determination and creativity of the city's leaders.

Vice Chairman Dung also extended his thankfulness to all locals for their great efforts towards their city's progress, and wished a very happy and successful New Year to local residents and visitors.  He hoped that the locals would continue joining their efforts with the city authorities to make Da Nang a more peaceful, civilised and modern city.

To mark the occasion, the Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation (Sabeco) donated 300 million VND to the Fatherland Front Committee and Youth Union of Da Nang in order to help local poor people celebrate the forthcoming Tet Festival.

Here are some photos from the event.

Vice Chairman Dung speaking at the event

Performances by Da Nang’s artistes

A large number of visitors and local people at the event

The magnificent fireworks display at the stroke of midnight

Local residents and visitors watching the dragon's head breathing fire and squirting water at the eastern end of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge