Firework performances were held at 12pm yesterday at Thủ Thiêm Tunnel in District 2, Landmark Tower in Bình Thạnh District and Đầm Sen Theme Park in District 11. --- Photo courtesy of the organiser

HCM CITY — HCM City has hosted a series of cultural activities to celebrate the New Year.

A music gala titled HCM City welcomes New Year 2021 took place at the Nguyễn Huệ Pedestrian in District 1 on New Year's Eve.

The event, organised by the city’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and its partners, featured music, theatre, puppet and circus shows. 

Pop star Phương Thanh and young singers including Ái Phương and Quân AP were featured. 

Young rappers Yono Bigboi, Lil Shady and Beatboxer Max also performed with dancers from the groups Game On Crew and ABC. 

Highlighted performances were staged by traditional artists from the dance group Mặt Trời (The Sun) with music by violinist Tân Titan and flutist Đinh Nhật Minh. 

Love, peace, youth and spring were the themes featured in their performances. 

Young singer Ái Phương. She performed in the music gala titled HCM City welcomes New Year 2021 at the Nguyễn Huệ Pedestrian in District 1 on the New Year Eve.--- Photo courtesy of the organiser

 A photo exhibition of more than 100 photos of late President Hồ Chí Minh and the city named after the President opened this week on Đồng Khởi Street in District 1. 

On display are photos and documents on the life and career of the President and the city’s achievements in economy, society and culture, and international integration. 

The works feature local authorities and residents, their creativity and dynamism in the cause of building HCM City into a centre for culture, education and training, science and technology, and international integration, and into a smart city. 

The city’s Youth Cultural House in District 1 hosted a live performance featuring dance and songs praising life and youth on the first day of the New Year. 

The performance featured veteran and young singers, as well as amateur singers from the Youth Cultural House and the districts’ cultural houses.

Cultural centres from the rural districts Nhà Bè, Bình Chánh, Cần Giờ and Củ Chi have organised cultural programmes to usher in the New Year. These events are expected to attract several thousand people and children at the weekend. 

A 3D light performance took place outside the city’s People’s Committee Hall at 86 Lê Thánh Tôn Street in District 1 on New Year's Eve. 

Firework performances were held at 12pm yesterday at Thủ Thiêm Tunnel in District 2, Landmark Tower in Bình Thạnh District, and Đầm Sen Theme Park in District 11.— VNS