Hanoi calls off firework displays to support storm-hit people

Huy Anh - Nguyen Bao

Sep 24, 2024 / 09:49 PM

The city cancels the fireworks performance plan to support those affected by Typhoon Yagi and its aftermath.

Hanoi authorities today (September 24) decided to cancel all fireworks performances across the city scheduled for the night of October 10 to show supportive spirit with the people affected by natural disasters.

Hanoi authorities on September 24 officially canceled the upcoming firework shows in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Capital's Liberation Day. Photo: Quang Thai/The Hanoi Times

At a meeting of the Hanoi Party Committee, Secretary Bui Thi Minh Hoai said that the cancellation of firework displays proves Hanoi's full commitment to support localities and people hit by typhoon Yagi and its aftermath.

The Hanoi Party Committee decided that all other cultural and artistic events would continue as planned and that the City People's Committee would make adjustments to specific events and make sure the shows were meaningful and citizen-engaged.

Relevant activities must be organized well to promote Hanoi's image as a friendly, cultured, modern, and appealing destination to both Vietnamese and international tourists.

Previously, Hanoi planned to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Capital’s Liberation Day (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2024) with an all-at-once firework performance across all 30 districts and towns in the city with 31 launch sites.

Of the total, the area of My Dinh National Stadium in Nam Tu Liem District was selected to launch 800 high- and low-altitude fireworks along with 24 pyrotechnic arrays and 480 pyrotechnic tubes.

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, Bui Thi Minh Hoai, speaks at the meeting. Photo: Quang Thai/The Hanoi Times

Eight locations for high- and low-altitude fireworks included the buildings of HaNoiMoi Newspaper and Hanoi Post Office (Hoan Kiem District), Lac Long Quan Flower Garden (Tay Ho District), Thong Nhat (Reunification) Park (Hai Ba Trung District), Van Quan Lake (Ha Dong District), Son Tay Citadel (Son Tay Town), and the district-level Sports Center in Dong Anh District.

Twenty-two low-altitude fireworks sites were planned for the areas such as Ngoc Khanh Lake (Ba Dinh District), Den Lu Lake (Hoang Mai District), Hoang Cau Lake Peninsula (Dong Da District), Cau Giay Park (Cau Giay District), and Hoa Binh Park (Bac Tu Liem District).

On September 21, the Ministry of Defense decided to cancel military parades and processions for the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam People's Army, which was scheduled for December 22.

Typhoon Yagi hit Vietnam on September 7 as one of the strongest storms ever recorded. Some 330 people died and went missing, 1,900 were injured, and some 234,000 houses and 1,500 schools and other facilities were damaged and displaced. The typhoon and its aftermath was estimated to cause a total loss of VND50 trillion (US$2 billion).

In Hanoi, Typhoon Yagi and its aftermath resulted in four deaths and 23 injuries. Over 40,000 trees were uprooted, and several areas were flooded, forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents.