Fireworks at Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Hà Nội, on the first moments of the Year of the Cat. — VNA/VNS Photo Tuấn Đức

HÀ NỘI — Colourful fireworks lit up major cities across Việt Nam Sunday night in an exuberant celebration of the Lunar New Year, marking the first Tết with all COVID-19 restrictions having been dropped completely in the country.

Large crowds of people have gathered at the fireworks venues to catch the return of this highly-anticipated New Year tradition after three years of disruptions.

Fireworks at Hoàn Kiếm Lake as seen from Chương Dương Bridge, Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Tuấn Anh

The capital city of Hà Nội this year held high-altitude fireworks combined with low-range fireworks at many locations including: In front of the headquarters of the New Hanoi newspaper (Hoàn Kiếm District); in front of Hà Nội Post Office (Hoàn Kiếm District); Lạc Long Quân flower garden, in front of the gate of Tây Hồ District People's Committee, and at the F1 racetrack, Phú Đô Ward, Nam Từ Liêm District.

A firework show in Hoàng Mai District, Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Đức

HCM City holds firework shows at six locations, with only one high-altitude display at the bridge spanning the Sài Gòn Bridge (Thủ Đức City).

Fireworks in HCM City, seen from Thủ Đức City. — VNA/VNS Photo Hoàng Anh Tuấn

Firework in Thủ Đức City, HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo Quang Châu

A heart-shaped firework in the southernmost city of Cà Mau. — VNA/VNS Photo Huỳnh Anh

People taking photos of fireworks in the northern city of Hải Phòng. — VNA/VNS Photo

Low-altitude fireworks in Vị Thanh City, Hậu Giang Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Duy Khương

Trần Quang Khải Square, Rạch Giá City, Kiên Giang Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Lê Sen

Fireworks at Nguyễn Văn Trỗi Bridge in the central coastal city of Đà Nẵng. — VNA/VNS Photo

Fireworks at Ninh Kiều Wharf, the southern city of Cần Thơ. — VNA/VNS Photo