Ringing in the new year on the banks of the Saigon River

Hello Friends!

A very belated happy new year to you all! I hope 2024 is off to a great start for everyone. For the holidays this past year, I was in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), Vietnam sorting out some visa paperwork.

Even though I was there on official business, I still wanted to celebrate New Year's Eve properly! A friend and I made our way down to the banks of the Saigon River to view what I was told would be an incredible fireworks show over the water.

With a massive population of over 9 million people, Ho Chi Minh City swells with locals and visitors this time of year. I swear nearly half of them had the same idea we did! The riverbanks were packed elbow-to-elbow by 11 PM. The excitement and energy in the hot, humid air was palpable.

As midnight crept closer, a countdown and light show started, flashing bold numbers in bright colors on a bridge across the shimmering river. When the clock struck 12, fireworks began erupting from barges on the river. The booming explosions and dazzling light display were met by raucous cheers from the enthralled crowds.

I attempted to capture photos and video with my phone, but as anyone who has tried knows, fireworks are tricky to photograph properly. The images don't quite do the magical experience justice, but hopefully they convey some of the color and chaos I got to be part of that night.

It was a perfectly festive - if sweaty - way to ring in a new year. I may have been thousands of miles from home, but celebrating amongst friendly locals and travelers alike made it wonderfully special.

So here's wishing you all a happy belated 2024...even if we're already into January! May it be a year of peace, joy and new adventures.

Cheers!