Firework performances welcome the Year of the Monkey

As the clock strikes twelve, the moment the Year of the Monkey begins, fireworks light up the sky across the nation amidst the joy of millions of people who spend the night out to welcome the lunar New Year. In Hanoi alone, fireworks sparkle in 31 locations whereas in Ho Chi Minh City, there are four firework-performing locations. Many localities in the country also presented fireworks to celebrate the new year. 

Hanoi streets are filled with flowers, lights and flags.

A singing and dancing performance in front of the Hanoi Opera House attracts thousands of people. The event takes place before the firework presentation.

A little girl sits on her father's shoulders to get a perfect a view of firework performance.

Foreign tourists take a snapshot of the New Year Eve atmosphere.

The Hoan Kiem Lake side is decorated with various types of flowers including the traditional peach blossoms which bring about a splendid spring atmosphere for the festive goers.

Foreigners sit by the Hoan Kiem Lake, waiting for the firework presentation.

Mother and daughter go out for fun on the New Year's Eve.

An old instrumentalist plays music by the Hoan Kiem Lake.

Vietnamese and foreign tourists pose for a photo as they walk towards the Hoan Kiem Lake bank to enjoy a firework performance there.

Fireworks lighting up Hoan Kiem Lake.

A firework performance in the southern Binh Duong City.

Fireworks are performed by the Han River bank in the central city of Da Nang.

Fireworks create a blaze of colour in HCM City.

Soon after the clock strikes twelve on the New Year Eve, people flood to pagodas including the Quan Su Pagoda (shown above) on Quan Su Street, Ha Noi, to pray for a year full of health, wealth and luck.

People burn incense and pray for luck at the Quan Su Pagoda.

Some people buy young buds to wish for luck in the new year.

Buying a small bag of matches and salt during first days of the year to pray for luck is also a custom of Vietnamese people.