Fireworks blow up over the Saigon sky near midnight.

A boy tries to catch the sparkling moment on a cell phone, probably sitting in a parent's neck.

The Nguyen Hue Walking Street of Saigon is already packed with people hours ahead of the "New Year Countdown".

On Bui Vien Street in Saigon, a popular backpacker hangout, foreigners mingled with the crowds to drink with friends or make new friends on New Year's Eve and welcome 2019 with gaiety.

New Year decorations on a Saigon street.

For several years now, Hanoi's Countdown Festival has become one of the most anticipated events. This year, the festival's theme is "The Dance of Light and Fire," and it will be celebrated from 10 p.m. Monday to 12:15 a.m. Tuesday.

The Turtle Tower, a Hanoi icon in the central Sword Lake, is lit up to welcome the new year.

A lion dance near the Sword Lake.

People gather around the September 2 Square, named after Vietnam's National Day, in the central city of Da Nang to welcome the new year.

Christinx from Spain said it was the first time she was celebrating New Year's Eve in Vietnam, in Hue, and she was very excited. She said her New Year wish is that the best things happen to everyone.