(VOVworld) – Together with people around the country, residents of Ho Chi Minh City are joyfully welcoming a new year, the year of the snake 2013.

Model featuring a bumper crop – a section of Nguyen Hue flower street 2013.

Last year, Ho Chi Minh City gained remarkable achievements in all fields despite economic difficulties domestically and globally. Its GDP growth reached 9.2%, higher than the national average of 1.4%. A series of infrastructure works were completed changing the city’s face, with the highlight being Thu Thiem Tunnel, the most modern underground road tunnel in Southeast Asia. It was designed to cross the Saigon River and link the Thu Thiem Peninsula to National Highway 1A, providing a new integrated transport route for the country.

These days, the city wears a colorful new coat. The center is full of lights, flowers, and the laughter of children. Streets and roads in district 1, around the downtown Ben Thanh market and Madonna Church, are decorated with flowers, lights, and items in the shape of a snake. Apricot blossoms, the traditional flower of the southern region during Tet, are woven for decoration along major streets.

The ongoing flower festival and street art performances including lion dances excite the public. Huynh Thi Tam, a resident of district 10, said: "The atmosphere is very delightful here. On the occasion of the New Year, I wish everybody a happy Tet and we all hope this year everything will develop in a better direction". 

Do Van Khai, a resident of district 2, said in the past he had to take a ferry-boat to go to the center but now the Thu Thiem Tunnel crossing the Sai Gon River has shortened the time. It takes only a couple of minutes. Khai said: "In 2013, I hope that our economy will improve. I wish the young people of the city a happy new year".

This year Ho Chi Minh City’s residents have an additional place downtown to watch fireworks - the 68-storey Bitexco Financial Tower. The glass Lotus bud tower stands right in the heart of the city’s Central Business District. Its inspirational design and world-class presence symbolize the nation’s aspirations and the limitless potential of a thriving cosmopolitan city. Stunning 360-degree views of the city and the Saigon River will delight a lot of people. Do Quoc Le, a serviceman who works at the tower, said ‘The celebration lasted from 10 p.m. to midnight on New Year’s Eve with a buffet dinner, cocktail party, and a music show including performances by a flamenco band and a lion dance. At midnight, guests on the sky deck watched fireworks at the Thu Thiem Tunnel. They then had their photos taken". 

To Tuan – Ngoc Anh