Many festivals together with entertainment activities were held in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other localities nationwide to greet New Year 2010.

It was light rain in Hanoi in the last day of 2009 but the weather is warm. The Hoan Kiem lake in the centre of the capital city of Hanoi is being decorated with the flower festival which marks the millennial anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

The flower festival began when light was turned off at 23:30hrs and the Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square were packed with foreign tourists and Hanoians who joined in celebrating the New Year.

Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City lit up to welcome the Year 2010. Four streets Le Loi, Nguyen Huy, Dong Khoi and Le Duan have been decorated with lights under a so-called Shining Streets programme.

The biggest attraction was a music show Cung The Gioi Don Chao Nam Moi (Welcome the New Year with the world) on Nguyen Hue Boulevard .

To welcome the New Year and heading towards the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi, photos on Ho Chi Minh City’s socio-economic achievements in 2009 and pictures on Thang Long-Hanoi are being displayed at an exhibition at the December 23 Park. (VNA)