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| The streets were packed with crowds during the Countdown celebration. Photo: P.T |
Attendees included Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party; Vo Le Nhat, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of the Hue City People's Committee; other provincial and city leaders, representatives of departments and sponsors, along with thousands of residents and tourists.
After days of eager anticipation, the Countdown - Welcoming New Year 2025 program was held for the first time at a new location - the intersection of Vo Nguyen Giap and Van Tien Dung streets in the new An Van Duong urban area. On the evening of December 31, thousands of locals and tourists eagerly gathered at the central stage to enjoy the biggest music festival of the year - Countdown Hue 2025. The atmosphere became even more lively and vibrant with the favorable weather, allowing everyone to fully enjoy the event.
At 9 PM on December 31, the program officially began. However, to "capture" the best moments, many young people from districts and Hue City arrived early. Numerous families rented vehicles to bring their children to secure a spot for the celebration. “Today is a special day because our hometown - Phong Dien District - just held a ceremony announcing its upgrade to a township. In just a few hours, Thua Thien Hue Province will officially become the centrally-governed Hue City. So, my family rented a car to come to Hue and watch the Countdown,” shared Hoang Thi Hang from Phong Dien Town.
Unlike Ms. Hang, Nguyen Yen Nhi from An Cuu Ward, Hue City, expressed nervous excitement: “This is my third time watching the program live, but this year feels completely different. The stage is larger and more spectacular, the venue is more spacious, and the lighting and sound effects from the surrounding buildings create a sparkling, vibrant, and dynamic space. I'm eagerly awaiting the historic moment to count down and shout, 'Hue – Centrally-Governed Municipality.'”
First organized in 2020 with the goal of becoming a distinctive tourism product and contributing to socio-economic development, Hue’s Countdown program aims to position the city as a center of culture, tourism, and festivals. The Countdown - Welcoming New Year 2025 event marked the conclusion of the 2024 Hue Festival series and set the stage for cultural events in 2025, heralding a new era for Hue City and its two new districts, Phu Xuan and Thuan Hoa.
In his remarks at the program, Nguyen Thanh Binh, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, emphasized the significance of 2024, the year the Politburo recognized Hue as a centrally governed municipality. With 2025 ushering in many important events, collective efforts are needed to showcase love for Hue and responsibility for building the city into a prosperous and developed hometown worthy of its new role and status. Therefore, Countdown 2025 represents a pivotal moment marking both the transition between the old and new years and the official recognition of Hue as a centrally governed municipality.
The program featured an impressive stage design that combined Hue’s rich cultural heritage with a modern style in the form of a grand music festival with Electronic Dance Music (EDM). The event included two main segments: the opening segment, themed “Bustling Hue Tet,” which used advanced audio-visual techniques to immerse the audience in the vibrant atmosphere of Hue during Tet; and the second segment, themed “Opening Huda – Igniting Carnival - Sparking Tet Spirit,” which showcased contemporary, youthful, and dynamic music performed by renowned artists.
As midnight approached, the central stage and surrounding streets leading to the Vo Nguyen Giap - Van Tien Dung intersection became increasingly crowded with an unprecedentedly lively atmosphere. Along with live broadcast points in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hai Phong, Countdown Hue 2025 was also aired live on VTV to welcome the New Year.
After more than three hours of enjoying spectacular performances and energetic moments with the artists, at precisely midnight, thousands of locals and tourists erupted with emotions, celebrating the transition from the old year to the new year by counting down together and shouting, “Happy New Year, congratulations to Hue on becoming a centrally governed municipality!”
Although Countdown 2025has concluded, the emotional and memorable moments of this historic transition, along with the electrifying music festival, mark the beginning of a new chapter and opportunities for Hue as a centrally governed municipality.
Some images from the Countdown Hue 2025 program captured by Hue reporters:
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| Taking memorable photos. Photo: HP |
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| Security forces assisting the audience. Photo: HP |
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| Excitement before the performances. Photo: HP |
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| Artists immersed in their songs on stage. Photo: P.T |
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| Energetic performances by young artists. Photo: P.T |
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| Vice Chairman Nguyen Thanh Binh sharing on VTV from the Hue broadcast point. Photo: P.T |
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| A young person capturing the moments during the New Year celebration. Photo: P.T |
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| Countdown moments. Photo: P.T |
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| Welcoming 2025 - Celebrating Hue as a centrally governed municipality. Photo: P.T |
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| Hue illuminated during the historic moment. Photo: P.T |