Party General Secretary and State President Nguyễn Phú Trọng offered incense at the Monument of King Lý Thái Tổ in Hà Nội. The leader on the threshold of the New Year made a speech wishing all the best to Vietnamese people in the country and abroad, and sent greetings of peace, friendship, cooperation, progress and development to foreign friends and the international community. Photo VNA/VNS Trí Dũng

Fireworks at Thống Nhất (Reunification) Park, the only display this year in Hà Nội. The city cancelled its initial plan of 30 shows to prevent COVID-19 spread. VNA/VNS photo Thành Đạt

A performance to welcome Year of the Buffalo in Hậu Giang Mekong Delta Province. VNA/VNS Photo Duy Khương 

Locals posing for photos by Hoàn Kiếm Lake on the New Year's Eve. VNA/VNS photo Hoàng Hiếu 

A preventive health worker spraying disinfectant at the Spring Flower Street in HCM City on the New Year's Eve. The city has applied a number of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, banning public gatherings. VNA/VNS photo Thanh Vũ

At the Chí Linh City epicentre of the pandemic, guards work through the night to ensure strict quarantine. VNA/VNS photo Mạnh Tú 

Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam visits families of people under quarantine in Đông Anh District, Hà Nội on Thursday. VNA/VNS Photo Thành Đạt 

Guards at International Border Gate Lệ Thanh in Gia Lai Province decorate the altar on the New Year's Eve. They are in charge of the management and protection of the 17,6 km borderline along Đức Cơ District. VNA/VNS photo Quang Thái