Da Nang welcomes 2026 with New Year Festival and open-air experiences

As the year draws to a close, Da Nang is bathed in light and movement as the city ushers in the Da Nang New Year Festival 2026, turning familiar public spaces into open, welcoming stages for celebration. Foreign tourists happily enjoy the festive atmosphere of welcoming the New Year 2026 in Hoi An. Photo: HUYNH LE Along the Han River, soft winter sunshine gives way to illuminated walkways, festive installations and interactive zones that invite residents and visitors to slow down and experience the transition from one year to the next. In the final days of December, families stroll through riverside parks, children pause to admire glowing decorations, and groups of friends gather at newly completed New Year check-in spots. For many locals, the feeling of renewal arrives well before midnight on December 31. “You don’t have to wait for the countdown. Just walking here, you can already feel the new year approaching”, said Nguyen Thi Le, a resident of An Hai Ward. This sense of accessibility and shared enjoyment defines Da Nang’s approach to year-end celebrations. Festival activities unfold across multiple locations, from both banks of the Han River and Bach Dang pedestrian street to My Khe Beach, Nguyen Tat Thanh coastal street, Tam Thanh, Hoi An and the March 24 Square. Rather than concentrating crowds in a single venue, the city has chosen to expand its festive footprint, allowing people to explore at their own pace and encouraging deeper interaction between visitors and local communities. A central highlight of this year’s programme is the “Da Nang – New Year 2026 Boulevard” along Bach Dang pedestrian street. According to Tran Van Vuong, the Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the boulevard features a giant globe installation, 360-degree video booths, New Year wish-making zones and a range of street performances, including live music, magic acts and interactive games. The space is designed to remain open and barrier-free, encouraging spontaneous participation and relaxed evening strolls along the river. Tourism professionals say the atmosphere has proven especially attractive to international visitors. Tran Minh Tuan, a guide with Vietravel, noted that many foreign tourists prefer to spend the New Year wandering through the city, sampling local food and sharing public spaces with residents. “They enjoy being part of everyday life here. It feels genuine, not staged”, he said. Alongside the festive lights, Da Nang’s New Year celebrations are supported by coordinated promotions across accommodation, dining, transportation and retail services. Citywide businesses, airlines and travel companies are offering seasonal incentives designed to extend visitors’ stays and encourage return trips. Da Nang authorities have also linked the festival to large-scale shopping and cultural programmes, creating a seamless experience before and after the New Year period. As Da Nang steps into 2026, it presents itself not merely as a place to celebrate, but as a destination that values openness, balance and human connection. With its illuminated riverbanks, walkable public spaces and inclusive festive spirit, Da Nang offers travelers a refreshing way to welcome the new year, by the sea, among locals, and at an unhurried, inviting pace. en.baodanang.vn TỔNG ĐÀI DỊCH VỤ CÔNG: (0236) 1022 hoặc *1022, miễn phí phục vụ   1. Đường dây nóng tiếp nhận ý kiến phản ánh, góp ý của tổ chức, công dân và chuyển đến cơ quan chức năng xử lý 2. Hướng dẫn, giải đáp quy định, chính sách, thông tin kinh tế – xã hội 3. Hướng dẫn thực hiện thủ tục hành chính, dịch vụ công trực tuyến 4. Cung cấp thông tin phòng chống thiên tai, bão lũ 5. Cung cấp dịch vụ Tổng đài CSKH, nhắn tin CSKH, truyền thông, sự kiện và các dịch vụ tư vấn khác…