The information was given by Chief of Office, Spokesperson of Hanoi People's Committee Truong Viet Dung at the regular press conference on socio-economic situation of Hanoi People's Committee on the afternoon of January 19. "The Standing Committee of the City Party Committee has approved this policy. This is the largest event using drones in Southeast Asia," said Mr. Dung.

From 11pm to 11:30pm, in the West Lake area (the My Dinh area option is being further studied), the city will organize a light and sound show using drones and broadcast live to the public.

This is the first time the city has performed a drone demonstration to celebrate the achievements in 2023 and towards 2024. However, Mr. Dung did not provide information about the cost and funding source from the state budget or socialization.

To welcome the New Year 2024, from 0:00 to 0:15 on February 10, the New Year's Eve, all 30 districts, towns and cities of Hanoi will set off fireworks at 32 locations. The Hoan Kiem Lake area will continue to have two high-altitude and low-altitude shooting points in front of the headquarters of the Hanoi Moi newspaper and in front of the Hanoi Post Office. The two new high-altitude shooting points are the Tam Hiep, Thanh Tri, and Dong Anh District Sports and Physical Training Center project land, the rest are the same as in 2023.

In the 9 high-altitude and low-altitude fireworks display sites, each site has 600 high-altitude fireworks and 90 platforms; 23 low-altitude fireworks display sites each have 120 platforms. The estimated budget for this activity is about 30 billion VND from socialized sources, including purchasing artillery shells, renting guns, firing equipment, transportation, technical support; organizing training, coordination; paying for the forces on duty.

This is the second consecutive year that Hanoi has organized fireworks displays on the occasion of Lunar New Year in all 30 districts. In 2021, the city did not set off fireworks to prevent the Covid-19 epidemic; in 2020, only one fireworks display was organized at Thong Nhat Park and was broadcast on television.

Vo Hai