Churches, temples and pagodas in Hanoi have been asked to ring their bells to welcome the Lunar New Year, instead of the city’s firework displays as usual.
Hanoi will organise more cultural activities to replace fireworks displays on the Lunar New Year’s Eve
Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and tourism To Van Dong Dong said the move is aimed to save money following the government’s call for austerity. Under the recent government’s decree, all cities and provinces nationwide are banned from holding fireworks shows for the new year celebrations.
Instead churches, temples and pagodas in Hanoi have been asked to ring their bells.
He also noted that Hanoi will organise more cultural activities to replace fireworks displays on the Lunar New Year’s Eve at Ly Thai To statue, in Ha Dong District and My Dinh National Stadium.
Dong said that cancelling the fireworks on the Lunar New Year’s Eve would save Hanoi around VND10 billion (USD440,000) which could be used to support the poor and people affected by natural disasters.
