VietNamNet Bridge - Traditional boat race on Tau Hu - Ben Nghe canal, marathon, cycling, dance festival, cultural and gastronomic festivals are among the activities to be held in HCM City to welcome the New Year 2013.

Ben Nghe - Tau Hu canal will host the first traditional boat race in HCM City.

Opening at 6pm on December 26 and closing on January 1, 2013 at 23/9 Park, the New-Year Welcome Festival of Ho Chi Minh City will consist of many activities, such as: the exhibition on HCM City’s social-economic achievements in 2012 with the theme "Building civilized, modern HCM City, which is a pioneer in industrialization and modernization"; exhibition on the traffic safety year 2012; introducing the project to improve the environment and hygiene of Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe and Tau Hu - Ben Nghe canals; introducing the city construction planning to 2015, etc..

From February 19 to 30, 2013, many other activities will be organized, including aerobic performance, marathon, Vovinam martial arts demonstrations, dance festival, dance sport, cycling on Vo Van Kiet Avenue and traditional boat race in Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe and Tau Hu - Ben Nghe - Lo Gom canals. This will be the first time HCM City organizes a traditional boat race. The event will take place on the morning of December 30.

In addition, to welcome the new year, the road from Tan Son Nhat airport to the Reunification Hall, including Truong Son, Nguyen Van Troi and Nam Ky Khoi Nghia streets will be decorated by colored lamps from 28/12/2012 to 17/2/2013.

Compiled by Nam Nguyen