The Capital High Command has closely coordinated with agencies and units to ensure safety and environmental hygiene on Lunar New Year's Eve [February 9], when a series of majestic fireworks shows will be held at 32 venues in 30 districts of Hanoi, according to Colonel Dao Van Nhan, deputy commander of the force.

Fireworks light up the sky to welcome the traditional Vietnamese Lunar New Year 2023 at the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. Photo: Duy Khanh, Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times

He added that the Hanoi Capital Command had prepared all kinds of fireworks launchers for 31 venues and coordinated with Hanoi Police, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting Police and other forces to ensure political security, social order and safety before, during and after the fireworks.

"The 32 venues include nine aerial fireworks shows and 23 ground shows. The fireworks will last for 15 minutes, from midnight to 0:15 a.m. For officers and soldiers to master the skills of firing fireworks, the Hanoi Capital Command has trained officers and soldiers who will be directly involved in the fireworks display to ensure compliance with the prescribed standards," Nhan said.

Hanoi traffic police will coordinate with the capital's military command to regulate traffic.

Dao Duy Phong, deputy director of Hanoi's Department of Transport, said the department would coordinate with traffic police to set up 66 checkpoints on Lunar New Year's Eve. Local traffic police will be on duty at 44 locations, focusing on preventing traffic jams at bus and train stations.

The Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Force has been tasked with providing vehicles and firefighting equipment to districts and cities for  fireworks displays

The Hanoi Department of Health has assigned nine hospitals to be on duty at nine aerial fireworks display sites. In addition, seven medical centers in Ba Dinh, Hoang Mai, Long Bien, Dong Da, Cau Giay, Thanh Xuan, Bac Tu Liem districts and 16 hospitals will be on duty at 23 ground fireworks sites.

The Hanoi People's Committee has also set up a hotline for reports on the Tet holiday at 0965404557.

Lunar New Year is the longest holiday in Vietnam and an important time for family reunions. In 2024, the Vietnamese government has decided that the Lunar New Year holiday will begin on  February 8 and last until  February 14.