During Tet, Hanoi stages major fireworks at midnight as the New Year begins. Sites where they may be viewed include Thong Nhat Park, Ly Tu Trong Park, My Dinh Stadium, Ngoc Khanh Lake, Hoan Kiem Lake, Gia Lam Flower Garden and two residential areas: Soc Son and Den Lu. The parks and lakes provide good vistas for seeing the fireworks, so officials generally stage the most elaborate displays there. Due to accidents, personal fireworks are outlawed during Tet, but compensation comes in the form of spectacular public displays that are prime photo opportunities for tourists. Check with your hotel, as many have rooftop viewing areas for crowd-phobic visitors.
In Hanoi, flower markets are bustling and colorful leading up to and during Tet. Holiday markets spring up in many locations, including central Hang Ma and Hang Luoc Streets, and several markets throughout the districts of Thanh Tri, Tay Ho, Tu Liem, Long Bien and Thanh Xuan. Take a walk and discover one or get directions from the hotel concierge.
The flower markets in Ho Chi Minh City (former Saigon) are whole streets turned into corridors of flower stalls. Check Le Loi and Nguyen Hue roads for more than a thousand flower stalls. There is usually a huge flower festival at Tao Danh Park, with thousands of ornamental trees and horticultural crafts designed by artisans on display. Areas to catch dazzling pyrotechnics include parks, a wharf and a race track. If you don't opt for your hotel roof, join the party at Nha Rong wharf, Phu Tho race track, Ho Chi Minh City Hi-tech Park, Binh Phu Park or Ben Duoc Temple. The hotel should be able to direct you to the most accessible viewing spot.
Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an ancient south central Vietnam coastal city that was a major Asian trading port in the 15th to 19th centuries. The well-preserved, beautiful architecture shows the influence of international trade as well as the indigenous style of a locally prosperous market town. Should you visit Hoi An during Tet, you can find fireworks along the waterfront at the wharves, bridges and squares.
But the real charm in Hoi An during Tet is the lantern festival. Every month the old town turns off the electricity and bans motorbikes from the old quarter streets. This always occurs on the first night of the lunar new year. Lanterns are strung up everywhere and people stroll outside among the ancient houses and storefronts. For Tet, boats on the river launch hundreds of colored paper boats with candles. The bridges are decorated with dragons and lanterns, and there are free outdoor musical performances by visiting musicians and local schoolchildren.
