New Year's Eve in Vietnam 2027: 5 cities for countdowns and fireworks

Midnight on Friday, January 1, 2027, marks the beginning of the new year in Vietnam, following Thursday night, December 31, 2026. You can already plan where to spend New Year's Eve, but last year's fireworks are no guarantee for this year. Da Nang has announced a citywide festival plan, while complete public fireworks schedules for several other destinations remain unconfirmed.

Will Vietnam have fireworks on New Year's Eve 2027?

There is no confirmed nationwide fireworks schedule for New Year's Eve 2027 yet.

Individual cities make their own arrangements, and some private hotels and entertainment venues have already published events for December 31, 2026. These are separate from government-organized public fireworks displays.

Another detail matters: Vietnam celebrates two different New Years.

New Year's Day, January 1, 2027, is the international calendar holiday. The celebrations covered here take place on the night of December 31, 2026.

Lunar New Year, known as Tet, falls in February 2027. Its fireworks, holiday travel arrangements and public celebrations follow a different schedule.

Do not use a Lunar New Year fireworks announcement to plan your December 31 evening.

Here is what is currently known about the five destinations.

Da Nang deserves special attention this year. Its municipal plan includes a New Year countdown, Dragon Bridge effects, decorated boats and non-explosive military pyrotechnics. That should not be interpreted as confirmation of a conventional high-altitude fireworks show.

Also, fireworks do not always start at midnight.

Which city is best for New Year's Eve in Vietnam?

The best destination depends on whether you want a concert, a public countdown, fireworks, a family evening or a resort holiday.

For younger travelers and groups of friends, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are strong choices because of their established public celebration areas.

Da Nang is particularly worth considering for 2027 because the city has already published a substantial program.

Nha Trang makes sense if you also want a short beach holiday. Phu Quoc is better suited to visitors who have more time, are comfortable spending extra on accommodation and prefer a reserved dinner or a resort event.

Families with small children can happily skip the biggest countdown. A nearby hotel, a seated dinner and an easy walk back to the room may be more valuable than standing in front of a concert stage.

Hanoi: a New Year's Eve countdown around Hoan Kiem Lake

Where is the Hanoi New Year's Eve countdown?

The first place to monitor is Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, at the northern end of Hoan Kiem Lake.

This is one of Hanoi's most recognizable public gathering spaces. The nearby Old Quarter makes it easy to combine an early dinner, an evening walk and a countdown without traveling between distant attractions.

For New Year's Eve 2025, welcoming 2026, the city approved a countdown program from 7 PM to midnight at the square and around the Hoan Kiem pedestrian area.

Hanoi also arranged six fireworks launch sites for that celebration. They included two locations around Hoan Kiem Lake, Thong Nhat Park, the former Formula 1 circuit area, Lac Long Quan Flower Garden and Van Quan Lake.

Those were the locations for January 1, 2026. They have not been confirmed as the locations for January 1, 2027.

Photo: Radek Kucharski

Where should you stand?

The concert crowd gathers around the confirmed stage at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square.

A more relaxed evening works better in accessible sections around the lake or the streets leading toward Trang Tien. These areas may be easier for walking and photography, but visibility depends on the actual launch site, buildings, trees and security barriers.

Not every lakeside position has a clear fireworks view.

For families, staying directly beside the stage for several hours is rarely the most comfortable plan. An early walk around the lake followed by a return to a nearby hotel is often more manageable.

What time should you arrive?

If the city uses a similar evening schedule to its previous countdown, these are useful planning times:

• 5:30-6:30 PM: Finish dinner before the busiest arrivals.
• 7-8 PM: Enter the event area if you want to watch the concert from early in the evening.
• 9-10 PM: Enjoy the atmosphere from a more comfortable position without trying to reach the very front.
• After 11 PM: Stay near your chosen viewing location instead of repeatedly crossing crowded streets.

Treat them as recommendations until the 2027 admission times are announced.

The earlier you arrive, the greater your chance of securing a position near the stage. However, that also means standing outside for longer, often in chilly weather.

How cold is Hanoi in late December?

Northern Vietnam can be cool to cold at this time of year, with damp evenings that feel colder than the thermometer suggests.

Bring a proper jacket, comfortable closed shoes and an extra layer if you expect to stand outside until midnight. A light raincoat is more useful than an umbrella in a dense crowd.

You are unlikely to need beach clothes or summer-style outfits for an outdoor Hanoi countdown.

What about parking and getting home?

Avoid driving directly toward Hoan Kiem Lake late at night and expecting to find parking beside the celebrations.

Traffic restrictions may affect surrounding streets, and parking areas can fill before the main event begins.

Park motorbikes at an authorized parking location outside the event perimeter. Check its closing time before leaving your vehicle.

Expect to walk away from the busiest streets before meeting a taxi or ride-hailing driver. Agree on a pickup point in advance if traveling with several people.

Staying in the Old Quarter can be a good solution, provided your accommodation is close enough to walk back comfortably and the route remains accessible during the event.

Hanoi is best for visitors who enjoy city walking, an energetic public atmosphere and a distinctly northern Vietnamese winter evening.

Ho Chi Minh City: Nguyen Hue countdown and Saigon River fireworks

Where is the New Year's Eve countdown in Ho Chi Minh City?

The traditional starting point is Nguyen Hue Walking Street in central Ho Chi Minh City.

It is surrounded by hotels, restaurants, shopping areas and some of the city's best-known buildings. During previous New Year's Eve celebrations, the wider event area extended toward Le Loi Street, Lam Son Park and the Opera House.

Photo: Steffen Schmitz (more photos)

For the countdown welcoming 2026, the city also had a separate music event at Saigon Riverside Park in the Thu Thiem area.

This gives visitors several possible types of evening.

Nguyen Hue Walking Street is the obvious choice if you want music, a stage, large screens and thousands of people counting down together.

Bach Dang Wharf and the Ton Duc Thang waterfront are worth considering for their riverside setting. However, the final fireworks launch positions and security restrictions determine whether you can actually stand there.

Saigon Riverside Park in Thu Thiem offers views toward central Ho Chi Minh City and previously hosted a major New Year's event. Whether it will have a comparable program for 2027 still needs official confirmation.

Will Ho Chi Minh City have fireworks for New Year 2027?

The final public schedule has not been confirmed yet.

The previous celebration featured six fireworks locations across the enlarged city.

Three high-altitude sites were arranged around the Saigon River Tunnel entrance, the new Binh Duong urban center and Tam Thang Square in Vung Tau. Three low-altitude sites included Dam Sen Cultural Park, the Saigon Marina IFC area and Kim Long Villa in Nha Be.

This wider geographical spread was useful for residents who did not want to travel to Nguyen Hue.

Visitors should remember that Ho Chi Minh City's administrative boundaries expanded in 2025. Some locations now within the city are far from the central downtown district.

A fireworks site listed under Ho Chi Minh City can be a long way from District 1's traditional tourist area.

What time should you arrive at Nguyen Hue?

For a large street countdown, arriving between 6:30 PM and 8 PM gives you time to find the event area, check the stage position and settle in before it becomes very busy.

After 10 PM, the main stage may be out of reach.

Instead, find a permitted viewing area with enough room to move and a clear route out.

People traveling with children or older relatives should consider a hotel restaurant, rooftop event or an earlier evening walk rather than remaining in the densest part of the crowd until midnight.

Which roads might be closed?

Road restrictions are one of the biggest practical issues in central Ho Chi Minh City on New Year's Eve.

Last year, authorities restricted traffic on major central roads from 9 PM on December 31, 2025, until 1 AM on January 1, 2026.

Affected roads included sections of Nguyen Hue, Le Loi, Dong Khoi, Ton Duc Thang, Ham Nghi and nearby streets.

Those restrictions were for the 2026 celebration only. The official traffic plan for December 31, 2026, needs to be checked closer to the date.

Still, driving directly to the waterfront at 11 PM is unlikely to work.

The same applies to taxi pickups. A driver may accept your booking but be unable to reach your exact location if the road is closed.

Choose a meeting point outside the restricted area and be prepared to walk.

Can you use the Ho Chi Minh City metro after midnight?

Possibly, but only if the operator announces additional services.

For New Year's Eve 2025, Metro Line 1 between Ben Thanh and Suoi Tien operated a special holiday schedule. Additional overnight trains ran between 12:30 AM and 2 AM on January 1, 2026.

That was a specific arrangement for the previous New Year.

Without a suitable late train, a hotel within walking distance or a planned taxi pickup is a better option.

Can you book a private countdown instead?

Yes. Some private events already have prices for December 31, 2026.

For example, Social Club Rooftop at Hôtel des Arts Saigon holds a countdown party from 9 PM, with entrance tickets from VND 3,500,000 net per adult.

That is the hotel's 2026-2027 event price. It is not a ticket for the public fireworks or for Nguyen Hue Walking Street.

A rooftop reservation also comes with no promise of a clear fireworks view. Confirm the viewing direction and what is included before paying.

Ho Chi Minh City is the strongest choice for travelers who want a big urban evening, plenty of nightlife options and a lively public celebration.

Da Nang: a confirmed New Year festival program for 2027

Where will Da Nang's New Year celebrations take place?

Da Nang currently offers one of the clearest official festival plans among the five cities covered here.

The Da Nang New Year Festival 2027 will run from December 30, 2026, to January 3, 2027.

The main activity areas include Bach Dang Walking Street and the northern waterfront spaces on both sides of Dragon Bridge.

The opening event is scheduled for 7-10 PM on December 31, 2026, at the main stage in the semicircular section of Bach Dang Walking Street.

The wider program includes music, cultural performances, food spaces, decorated public areas, a night run and other activities across the city.

A special feature is the program titled Da Nang - Touching the midnight moment, intended to mark the arrival of 2027.

The plan includes a countdown, Dragon Bridge's fire and water display, ship horns, decorated boats on the Han River and non-explosive military pyrotechnics.

These are planned activities and may be adjusted as organizers finalize the program.

Does this mean Da Nang will have aerial fireworks?

Not necessarily.

The published festival plan refers to non-explosive pyrotechnic effects. That is different from a confirmed large aerial fireworks display.

Anyone choosing Da Nang specifically for traditional fireworks should wait for a separate, detailed announcement before making a non-refundable booking.

However, there is already enough information to plan a riverside New Year's Eve around live performances and the midnight program.

Where should you stand around Dragon Bridge?

Start by looking at the approved public spaces along Bach Dang Walking Street.

Standing on Dragon Bridge itself may not be permitted or comfortable during the celebration. Pedestrian movement and vehicle access may be controlled when major events take place.

Find an accessible riverside position where you can watch the bridge and the activity on the river without blocking pedestrian movement.

Photo: Kuroczynski

The final event map will be more useful than choosing a viewing point months in advance.

Hotels near My Khe Beach are in a separate area from the riverside celebration. You will need to plan your transfer to and from the Han River.

Do not confuse central Da Nang with Tam Thanh

Some New Year event listings also mention Tam Thanh Beach Square.

Following the administrative changes in 2025, the expanded Da Nang municipality includes areas that used to belong to Quang Nam Province.

Tam Thanh is not beside Dragon Bridge.

A hotel in central Da Nang is not a convenient walking base for a countdown in Tam Thanh, even if both locations appear under Da Nang in an event listing.

Choose your accommodation only after checking which venue you actually intend to attend.

A practical December 31 itinerary in Da Nang

A simple plan would be:

1. 5:30 PM

   Dinner

   Have dinner in the central area, preferably before the opening program.

2. 6:30 PM

   Walk to Bach Dang Street

   Walk toward Bach Dang Walking Street and find the event space.

3. 7-10 PM

   Opening show

   Attend the planned opening performances.

4. 10-11:30 PM

   Break and position

   Take a break, get refreshments and choose an accessible position for midnight.

5. Around midnight

   Countdown

   Follow the confirmed countdown program rather than moving between different waterfront locations at the last minute.

Families with children can stay in central Da Nang and return to the hotel if the kids become tired.

How much do private Da Nang countdown parties cost?

Several hotels already have 2026-2027 festive prices.

At Four Points by Sheraton Danang, the Horizon Restaurant & Bar countdown party is scheduled from 9 PM on December 31, 2026, with tickets priced at VND 1,500,000 net per guest. A combined dinner and countdown package costs VND 2,750,000 net per guest.

At Pullman Danang Beach Resort, the Lotus Ballroom countdown party runs from 10 PM on December 31 until 1 AM on January 1, with packages starting at VND 450,000 net per adult.

These prices apply to the named hotels' private events, not to the city's public festival.

Da Nang is especially suitable for visitors who want an organized event schedule, riverside scenery and the option of booking a separate dinner or party.

Nha Trang: a beachside New Year's Eve with an easy walk home

Nha Trang is a good choice if you want to combine New Year's Eve with a two- or three-day beach holiday.

The main location to monitor is April 2 Square, opposite Tram Huong Tower on Tran Phu Street.

Photo: sarahmworthy

The square hosted an outdoor music event and low-altitude fireworks welcoming 2026.

Police arranged traffic restrictions around the venue, including checkpoints on Tran Phu Street near Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Le Thanh Ton.

This matters when choosing a hotel.

A property that is a comfortable walk from the square may be more useful than a cheaper hotel requiring a taxi through restricted streets.

If a comparable event takes place in 2027, you could have dinner in central Nha Trang, walk toward the beach around 8-9 PM and choose a suitable viewing area.

Avoid bringing a motorbike into the busiest streets unless you have already identified an authorized place to park.

Is Nha Trang a good choice with children?

It can be, especially if you stay near the center and avoid long transfers after midnight.

The city has many accommodation options around Tran Phu Street and nearby central roads. Check the actual walking distance rather than relying on a hotel's description of being close to the beach.

Another possibility is to celebrate at your hotel.

Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa has published a New Year 2027 accommodation offer that includes dinner on December 31, 2026, for two adults. The actual room price depends on the booking dates and available room category.

December can still be rainy in Nha Trang. A beachfront countdown is less pleasant during heavy rain or strong winds.

If conditions are poor, choose an indoor dinner or hotel event instead of waiting outside for an uncertain fireworks program.

On January 1, consider a relaxed visit to Po Nagar Cham Towers or the Institute of Oceanography. Booking an early island excursion immediately after a late countdown may not be the most comfortable start to the year.

Phu Quoc: Sunset Town celebrations or a resort countdown?

Phu Quoc is best suited to visitors who want a holiday rather than just one evening in a busy city center.

The first decision is whether you want to spend New Year's Eve in Sunset Town, in southern Phu Quoc, or remain at your resort.

Will Sunset Town have fireworks for New Year 2027?

A complete official program for Sunset Town's public 2027 New Year's Eve fireworks has not been confirmed yet.

A year earlier, Sunset Town organized Spectacle Countdown 2026, with music, entertainment and fireworks.

The published program for December 31, 2025, included a special fireworks period from approximately 11:45 PM until 12:15 AM, along with other performances.

Photo: Vivu Vietnam

That tells you what the area offered last year, but it does not guarantee the same schedule or tickets for December 31, 2026.

If you are interested in a similar event, monitor Sunset Town, Kiss Square and the entertainment area around Sun Bavaria GastroPub.

You should check the actual ticket conditions and viewing areas once the program is released.

Should you stay in northern or southern Phu Quoc?

For a Sunset Town celebration, accommodation in the south is generally more practical.

Phu Quoc is a substantial island, and popular resort areas are spread out. Staying near Bai Dai in the north while planning to attend a southern countdown means arranging a lengthy transfer both ways.

That may be acceptable for a group of adults with a private car, but it becomes inconvenient for a family with young children after midnight.

A northern resort you have already booked is the easier place to celebrate.

Also, plenty of beachfront hotels have no view of Sunset Town fireworks. Distance, coastline orientation and surrounding buildings all matter.

What private New Year's Eve events are confirmed?

Several Phu Quoc resorts have announced specific prices for December 31, 2026.

InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort holds a New Year's Eve gala dinner from 7 PM at VND 4,800,000++ per guest. Its INK 360 countdown experience starts at 9 PM and is priced at VND 2,200,000++ per guest.

Sheraton Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort hosts a poolside New Year's Eve event from 5:30 PM on December 31 until 1:30 AM on January 1. Prices are VND 5,000,000++ per adult and VND 2,500,000++ for children aged 6 to under 12, with children under six admitted free under the event conditions.

The double plus sign indicates that applicable taxes and service charges are additional.

These prices belong to the hotels' own festive programs. They are not general public fireworks tickets.

For couples and families staying several nights, a resort celebration can be a much more convenient option than traveling across the island after midnight.

What time should you arrive for a New Year's Eve countdown?

The right arrival time depends on whether you are attending a public concert or a reserved private event.

For major public gatherings in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, aim to arrive before the crowd becomes extremely dense if you want to see the stage.

On a more relaxed visit, squeezing toward the front shortly before midnight gains you little.

A useful planning guide is:

Official show times will replace these windows once announced.

A ticketed dinner reservation comes with the venue's own arrival and admission times; follow those instead.

Trying to combine several crowded areas on the same night rarely works. Watching a concert in one location, then traveling to a distant fireworks site at 11:45 PM, creates a high risk of missing both.

Pick one main event and plan the evening around it.

Road closures, parking and taxis: how to get home after midnight

Transport is often the least enjoyable part of New Year's Eve in major Vietnamese cities.

Thousands of people leave at roughly the same time, while major streets may remain temporarily closed.

The easiest way to avoid problems is to arrange your journey home before heading out.

Check road closures for the exact year

Previous traffic notices are useful for understanding which parts of a city become congested, but they are not valid permission or restriction notices for December 31, 2026.

For example, Ho Chi Minh City restricted numerous downtown streets during the previous New Year. Nha Trang also introduced checkpoints around April 2 Square.

Da Nang's 2027 festival plan already includes controlled use of Bach Dang Walking Street.

Before traveling, check the final official traffic announcement and identify which streets you can use for walking, parking and pickup.

Do not assume parking will be available near the stage

Public events can fill nearby car parks early.

Find an authorized parking facility for a rented motorbike before the event begins and confirm when it closes.

A parking area that operates normally during the day may not allow vehicle collection after midnight.

Avoid informal parking arrangements without clear pricing or identification.

Choose a pickup point outside the restricted area

Ride-hailing services are useful in Vietnam, but they cannot override traffic restrictions.

A driver may need you to walk several blocks before pickup. Demand can also increase fares and waiting times.

Save the address of a nearby hotel, restaurant or another clearly identifiable meeting point outside the closed streets.

Groups should agree on this location before the crowd becomes dense.

Having the address written in Vietnamese makes pickup arrangements easier for foreign visitors.

Consider walking-distance accommodation

For one-night celebrations, location can be more valuable than hotel facilities.

A room that allows you to walk home after midnight eliminates the need to find a taxi in the busiest part of the evening.

This is particularly useful around Hanoi's Old Quarter, central Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang's Han River area and the central beachfront in Nha Trang.

However, confirm that your walking route remains accessible despite event barriers.

How much do hotels cost for New Year 2027 in Vietnam?

There is no single reliable hotel rate for New Year's Eve across these five cities.

The actual price depends on your check-in date, length of stay, hotel category, number of guests, room type, cancellation conditions and any compulsory festive meals.

A general nightly price range is not a real quote for December 31, 2026; only a specific property and room can give you that.

When searching for accommodation, enter December 31, 2026, as your check-in date and January 1, 2027, as your check-out date.

Then compare the total with a two-night stay ending January 2.

Some properties have minimum-stay requirements during holiday periods. Others sell room packages that include festive dinners, while certain resorts charge separately for the gala.

For example, Sheraton Nha Trang has a package that includes New Year's Eve dinner for two adults. Phu Quoc resorts such as InterContinental and Sheraton have also published separately priced festive events.

These offers have different inclusions, so comparing only the apparent room rate will not reveal the full cost.

Before paying, ask the hotel whether taxes, service charges, breakfast, the December 31 gala and child supplements are included.

You should also confirm whether a room described as having a river or sea view actually faces the announced fireworks location.

A room with an attractive view during the day is not automatically a fireworks-view room at midnight.

If your priority is simply attending a free public countdown, a well-located standard room may offer better value than an expensive suite with an uncertain view.

Celebrating New Year's Eve with children in Vietnam

A public New Year's Eve countdown can be enjoyable for families, but the busiest stage areas are not suitable for everyone.

Very young children may struggle with loud speakers, long waits, crowds and late bedtimes.

For children under six, consider an early evening visit rather than remaining in the center of a crowd until midnight.

A hotel dinner or a resort program gives you more control over seating, toilets, food and when to leave.

If you do attend a public event, choose a position with a clear exit. Avoid tightly packed areas next to barriers and do not enter restricted fireworks or emergency access zones.

Carry water, suitable clothing and hearing protection for children who may be exposed to loud amplified music.

Arrange a meeting point in case family members are separated, and make sure each adult knows who is responsible for each child.

A child who is tired at 10:30 PM is usually better off going home than staying another hour and a half simply to reach midnight.

A pleasant dinner, evening lights and a walk together can still make New Year's Eve memorable without watching the final countdown.

Weather on New Year's Eve in Vietnam

Vietnam's five destinations can feel very different at the end of December.

Hanoi is usually the coolest of the group. Bring a jacket and prepare for a potentially damp, chilly evening.

Ho Chi Minh City is generally warmer. Comfortable clothing and shoes are more important than heavy winter layers, although rain remains possible.

Da Nang can experience rain and wind during the final months of the year. Outdoor waterfront activities may need to be adjusted if conditions deteriorate.

Nha Trang can also be wet in December. Do not assume that a beach destination guarantees a dry countdown.

Phu Quoc is generally attractive for a beach holiday at this time of year, but wind, sea conditions and local weather can still affect outdoor activities.

A forecast checked just before December 31 is more useful for final decisions than a general seasonal average.

Three practical ways to spend New Year's Eve in Vietnam

When should you check the final New Year 2027 schedule?

You can choose a destination and start comparing accommodation now, but leave your exact fireworks viewing point flexible until official announcements are released.

In early December, check the destination's event calendar again.

During the final week of December, confirm the fireworks locations, show times, stage access, road closures and public transport hours.

Hanoi updates come from city government and police announcements; Ho Chi Minh City's come from the city and traffic police. In Da Nang, check the city portal and official tourism information. Nha Trang visitors should follow Khanh Hoa authorities, while Phu Quoc travelers should also check the specific resort or Sunset Town organizer.

If information conflicts, prioritize the latest official event and traffic announcements.

For a trip you can begin organizing now, Da Nang is a useful starting point because its 2027 festival already has an announced schedule and a clear riverside focus. If you prefer a large street countdown, keep Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi and Nguyen Hue Walking Street in Ho Chi Minh City on your shortlist, then confirm the final fireworks and transport details before deciding exactly where to stand.