The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has approved in principle the organization of Say Hi 2027 - New Year Celebration Concert, a large-scale music event to be held along the Saigon River.

Scheduled for December 26, 2026, the concert will carry the theme Listening to the City Tell Its Story Through Art.

The event will bring together 27 Vietnamese artists and feature an opening performance followed by three chapters: Open City, Feel the City's Rhythm and Vibrant Fusion.

A major highlight will be a 10-minute artistic fireworks display, scheduled to begin at 11:20 p.m. on December 26, with high-altitude fireworks launched from the Saigon River waterfront in An Khanh Ward.

The concert will take place across three locations: Saigon Riverfront Park and the Ravo Park area in An Khanh Ward; the sidewalk along Ton Duc Thang Street; and Nguyen Hue Walking Street in Sai Gon Ward.

The performance at Nguyen Hue Walking Street will last 30 minutes and form part of the Ho Do International Music Festival.

The municipal People's Committee has assigned the Department of Culture and Sports to serve as the focal agency responsible for guiding and supporting the organizers.

The department will coordinate with relevant agencies to review the program's content and ensure all necessary conditions are met before implementation.

It will also oversee inspections, supervision and state management of the event, particularly given its location in public spaces expected to attract large crowds.

Any emerging issues must be addressed promptly and reported to the municipal People's Committee when necessary.

Other departments, agencies and local authorities have been instructed to coordinate closely and facilitate the required licensing procedures.

The city has emphasized that the event must comply with regulations on public security and order, traffic safety, cybersecurity, fire prevention and firefighting, medical services, construction safety, electrical systems, sound management, public sanitation and environmental protection.

These requirements apply before, during and after the concert.

The organizers have been asked to secure sufficient funding, work closely with the Department of Culture and Sports and relevant authorities, and strictly comply with legal regulations governing artistic performances.

They must also prepare comprehensive safety and emergency evacuation plans, establish incident warning measures and minimize the risk of damage or losses.

Any damage must be remedied as committed, and all event venues must be restored and handed back within the required timeframe.

The organizers are also responsible for ensuring that all activities remain within the scope of their approved permits.

The planned concert comes as Ho Chi Minh City accelerates investment in and redevelopment of its Saigon River waterfront, aiming to establish a distinctive corridor for landscapes, culture and tourism.

Several major projects are being developed in the area, including the Ben Nha Rong - Khanh Hoi Cultural Park, public green spaces at Ben Bach Dang, Saigon Riverfront Park and a pedestrian bridge across the Saigon River.

Large-scale cultural and entertainment events along the waterfront are expected to contribute to the city's efforts to develop the area into a prominent destination for residents and visitors.

Phuoc Sang