Da Nang sets New Year programme as Hoi An prepares lantern festival
Celebrations will span five days, with a December 31 opening ceremony, river events and food stalls serving more than 100 dishes.
Da Nang's New Year festival will begin on December 30, 2026, and end on January 3, 2027. The city's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said the programme comprises 10 groups of activities covering arts, culture, tourism and visitor experiences.
The opening ceremony is set for December 31 in the evening. A countdown featuring live entertainment is also planned, alongside fire and water displays at Dragon Bridge and a procession of boats decorated with flowers on the Han River. Ship horns and non-explosive fireworks organised by the military will form part of the celebrations.
Principal locations include Bach Dang pedestrian street, Hoa Cuong Ward and landscaped spaces on both banks north of Dragon Bridge. The programme will also reach Hoi An, Tam Thanh, Ban Thach and other parts of the city.
Food vendors will serve more than 100 dishes, while other attractions include nightly entertainment, film screenings and themed photography areas. A night run beside the Han River, Da Nang Concert 2027, and further sporting and cultural events are also planned.
Ahead of New Year, the Hoi An International Lantern Festival will run from December 3-6, using the ancient town, Song Hoai Square and An Hoi Sculpture Garden as venues. Activities include making lanterns, sampling local cuisine, cultural performances and a traditional night procession illuminated by lanterns.
Hoi An's observance of Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day on November 23 will include exhibitions, seminars and heritage displays from November 20 to December 5. Separately, Great National Unity - Vietnamese Cultural Heritage Week will run from November 18-24 at various locations, focusing on the traditions of Vietnam's ethnic communities.
