In the capital of Hanoi, a heavy downpour brought in by a cold snap hours before midnight forced the postponement of many outdoor events and raised fears that the pyrotechnic shows could be cancelled.
But as the clock ticked closer towards twelve, the rain gradually let up and revellers began to crowd the historic Hoan Kiem Lake and other venues across the capital city where they would be treated to spectacular and mesmerising fireworks displays for a full uninterrupted 15 minutes.
Fireworks light up the sky over Hoan Kiem Lake in central Hanoi.
Young people buy salt, matches and young plants as tokens of luck.
Foreign visitors learn about Vietnamese culture at the moment of transition from the old year to the new year.
Watching fireworks from above
Arts programmes celebrating spring and the nation were also resumed as the weather fortunately improved, offering a joyful and exciting atmosphere to the revelling crowds around the city.
In the southern economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City, spectacular fireworks lit up the sky over the Saigon River and several parks as local residents celebrated the arrival of the year of the rat.
Fireworks explode over the sky in Ho Chi Minh City.
Many had already flocked to the area near the Thu Thiem Bridge in District 2 since dusk so that they could get the best seats and view to watch the skies light up .
In a televised New Year message, General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong extended his best wishes to every Vietnamese family and person for a new year of good health, joy, happiness and success.
He also sent wishes of peace, friendship, cooperation and sustainable development to international friends and people of foreign countries all over the world.
In other cities throughout the country, fireworks also Illuminated the night to welcome the year of the rat, the first of the twelve animals of the Vietnamese zodiac.
Da Nang residents watch a pyrotechnic show over the Han River.
In Da Nang, the city was brightly decorated with shining lanterns along the banks of the Han River while a flower street saw visitors posing for photographs besides the adorable rat installations.
Singing, dancing and countdown events were also held in various places around the central city, attracting huge numbers of people.
An art performance in the port city of Da Nang
