Many famous artists and singers will take part in the Light Concert -- Welcoming New Year 2025 on January 18 in Hà Nội. Photos courtesy of the organisers

 HÀ NỘI — A spectacular drone light show will be held on January 18 to celebrate the New Year of the Snake in Hà Nội.

The city's People's Committee, Tây Hồ District's People's Committee and Nhân Dân (People) newspaper announced the programme at a press conference on January 15.

Entitled 'Light Concert -- Welcoming New Year 2025', the programme will be held at 8pm at the crossroad of Nguyễn Hoàng Tôn and Lạc Long Quân streets in front of the district People's Committee's headquarters.

A well-funded event, the concert will combine modern lighting technology, music and dancing in the special heritage West Lake area of the city. 

General Director Đặng Lê Minh Trí presents the programme at a press conference on January 15.

Speaking at the press conference, the programme's general director Đặng Lê Minh Trí revealed: “The 'Light Concert - Welcome New Year 2025' will be an unprecedented symphony of light and music at the largest scale ever, promising a satisfying performance in the sky of Hà Nội under the theme of 'Shine Your Vibes'.

He said 2,025 drones -- the largest number of drones yet -- would demonstrate for the first time a light show synchronised with laser effects and the rhythm of a performance by a symphony orchestra along with famous singers and artists on the stage.

During the 120-minute event, the meticulously programmed drones will mingle together to create unique images and tell stories about the capital's thousand-year history and cultural heritage, producing a space full of creativity and emotional feeling, Trí said. 

People's Artist Thanh Hoa will be singing at the event.

The concert also features Việt Nam's top artists who are notable names in either traditional or modern music genres, such as People's Artist Thanh Hoa, pop star Mỹ Tâm, rapper Big Daddy, rapper and singer Hà Lê, rocker Đỗ Hoàng Hiệp, ca trù (ceremonial singing) singer Kiều Anh, Background Band, FED Crew and MTE.  

Pop star Mỹ Tâm will also perform at the concert.

“Our programme promises to bring an unforgettable experience for everyone. Many 'cultural codes' are hidden deep in each performance, when Hà Nội's heritage will be exploited to the fullest," said Trí.

"The images can be paintings of a city with a thousand years of civilisation, or Hàng Trống folk paintings that appear to illustrate a vibrant and modern song among many others." 

Member of the Party Central Committee and Editor-in-Chief of Nhân Dân newspaper Lê Quốc Minh said at the conference: "The light concert, which is to welcome the New Year 2025, is a large-scale art programme and a free open space for the capital city people." 

Representatives of the organising committee at the conference's Q&A session.

"It is the opening art event of the Hà Nội International Light Festival 2025, and is expected to become an annual event awaited by the public. 

“This is not only a music and light party, but also an event to arouse pride in our heritage through modern creativity, promoting Hà Nội as a cultural and leading innovative destination in the region. It will help attract more domestic and international tourists, contributing to the development of the nighttime economy of the capital," said Minh.

He also said he hoped that the programme would spread the message of joy and solidarity to welcome the New Year, and the nation's aspirations and determination to enter a new era. 

The stage is set for the light concert on January 18.

Vice Chairwoman of the Tây Hồ People's Committee Bùi Thị Lan Phương said preparation work has been completed. The organisers hoped that the concert would fulfil people's expectations and would become a reoccurring event every New Year.

The programme has reserved a special zone large enough for up to 9,000 people and an outside area to serve about 32,000 spectators. Many large LED screens have also been put up for people to watch the show from afar. VNS