The 8 Best Places to Celebrate New Year's Eve in Hanoi

Visiting a temple at the turn of the year has been a long-standing tradition for the people of Hanoi. It's a time to pray for a prosperous, healthy, and peaceful New Year, and for the well-being of loved ones. Quan Su Temple is famous for being one of the top destinations for locals who make it a custom to visit the temple at New Year's. People from both near and far come here to pray for good fortune in the year ahead. You can purchase lucky charms such as salt pouches, sugar cane, or branches of new year blessings. Be sure to take care of your belongings to avoid theft.

Just as famous as Quan Su Temple by West Lake, visiting Tay Ho Shrine for New Year's Eve celebrations has become a cultural tradition in Hanoi, often referred to as "praying for good luck at Tay Ho Shrine." On New Year's Eve, you'll easily spot crowds squeezing through to enter for the ceremony, with beautifully arranged offerings demonstrating the devotion of the worshippers.

Outside the shrine, late-night food stalls operate at full capacity to cater to the large crowds. The variety of dishes is vast, offering affordable and reasonable prices. You'll also find plenty of vendors selling lucky salt pouches, branches of good fortune, and red envelopes just outside the shrine entrance.

For those involved in business, trade, or commerce, Tay Ho Shrine has always been a go-to destination, as people believe that praying here will bring prosperity and success in the year ahead.

While West Lake is known for Tay Ho Shrine and Quan Su Temple, the Ha Temple in Cau Giay is equally famous. If you live in the Cau Giay area, it's common to see young couples visiting Ha Temple for prayers.

Ha Temple is renowned for its association with love and relationships, making it a popular destination for couples seeking blessings for a prosperous, happy, and harmonious relationship in the new year.

If you enjoy watching fireworks and celebrating New Year's Eve in an open space, My Dinh Stadium is a great choice. In recent years, My Dinh Stadium, along with Hoan Kiem Lake, has become one of the top spots for large-scale, high-altitude fireworks displays, attracting huge crowds of Hanoi residents.

The area around My Dinh Stadium offers plenty of space and unobstructed views, making it ideal for watching the most spectacular fireworks. You'll have no trouble finding great spots for photos or live streaming. This year, it's reported that Hanoi will launch 600 fireworks at My Dinh Stadium.

The Thanh Nien Road, Truc Bach area, and the promenade around West Lake are all great spots for watching fireworks. Couples often choose the promenade for a more private and romantic setting. Locals from the surrounding areas or passersby usually prefer Thanh Nien or Xuan Dieu Roads to enjoy the fireworks and ring in the New Year.

Additionally, street-side cafes, beer stalls, and food vendors along West Lake remain open through the night, ready to serve customers, so you can enjoy your late-night outing with no worries. Just remember to dress warmly, wear a scarf, and bring a hat as the winds along the lake can be chilly.

There's no doubt that Hoan Kiem Lake is the best place to ring in the New Year in Hanoi. Join the bustling crowd and vibrant atmosphere, complete with a countdown event, and you and your friends are sure to have a grand and unforgettable New Year's Eve celebration. In addition, Hoan Kiem Lake offers one of the best views for watching fireworks in Hanoi, with spots like The City View and Avalon Cafe offering prime locations.

If you plan to celebrate New Year's Eve at Hoan Kiem Lake, be sure to arrive early to find parking or book a table at a spot with a great view. Keep a close eye on your children (if you're with any) and stay together as a group to avoid getting separated in the crowd. Also, be mindful of your belongings to prevent theft.

What could be better than sitting at a café atop the tallest building in Hanoi while watching a fireworks display? If you've spent many New Year's Eves in the crowded, lively atmosphere of Hoan Kiem Lake, why not try something new and celebrate the New Year at Lotte Centre? Here, you'll enjoy upscale food and drinks in a Brasserie-style setting with an outdoor kitchen.

The view from here is absolutely spectacular, offering a panoramic view of Hanoi, perfect for taking pictures and creating lasting memories with friends and family. The building's glass walls and cozy seating areas in the center provide an unforgettable experience that everyone should try at least once!

Be sure to dress warmly and bring a scarf, as the higher you go, the colder it gets!

Long Bien Bridge is one of the most popular spots in Hanoi to ring in the New Year, especially for couples. With a perfect view from the bridge, you'll have an unobstructed view of the best fireworks displays, and plenty of opportunities to snap photos, record videos, and live-stream the moment. In addition, there are street food vendors selling snacks like grilled corn, roasted sweet potatoes, and iced tea to keep you satisfied.

This is what sets Long Bien Bridge apart from other bridges like Chuong Duong and Vinh Tuy, where street food sales are not permitted on the bridges themselves.

Be sure to dress warmly and bring a scarf, as it can get quite cold standing on the bridge for a long time!