Ringing in the new year: Thanh Lam (left) and Tran Thu Ha will take the stage at the Hello 2015 – New Year concert on Thursday. — Photo vnexpress.net

HA NOI (VNS) — Thien Quang Lake in Ha Noi will turn into a giant floating stage for a performance on New Year's Eve featuring famous singers Ho Ngoc Ha, Tuan Hung, Bui Anh Tuan, Hoang Thuy Linh and Kimmese as well as leading dance groups.

Flutist Huyen Trang will team up with DJs Drew Tudose and Kruise and a group of contemporary dancers will perform in water-walking balloons, accompanied by special laser-lighting effects.

Hosted by the Dutch brewing brand Heineken, the event will start at 8pm on Wednesday and last until 12.30am.

On Wednesday and Thursday, concerts will take place on open-air stages across town, including the August Revolution Square in front of the Opera House and the Ba Kieu Temple stage. Alongside famous songs praising Ha Noi and the country, the 50-number repertoire includes famous extracts of cheo (traditional opera) play Thi Mau Len Chua (Thi Mau Visits a Pagoda) and cai luong (reformed opera) Tron Doi Trung Hieu Dat Thang Long (Forever Loyal to Thang Long).

To welcome the New Year, the Viet Nam Circus Federation (VNCF) has organised a circus gala featuring a line-up of special acts. The performers have been preparing for this performance for six months, according to VNCF director Vu Ngoan Hop.

"We expect to offer audiences good entertainment for this special occasion," he said.

The gala will kick off at 8pm tomorrow, followed by three shows each day from January 1-3 (10am, 3.30pm and 8pm).

On New Year's Day, famous comedians from the Youth Theatre including Chi Trung, Ngoc Hang, Nguyet Hang, Thanh Duong, Ba Anh and Tuan Anh will team up to stage Doi Cuoi, Pho Cuoi (Laugh at Life) at the Friendship Palace at 8pm.

If you don't want to leave your house, you can enjoy two special TV programmes, Thanks from Vietnam 2014 and Hello 2015 – New Year Concert, which will be aired on VTV4 at 7.30pm and VTV1 at 8.10pm.

Hello 2015 – New Year Concert features Vietnamese celebrity singers such as My Tam, Ho Quynh Huong, Tran Thu Ha, Thanh Lam, Tung Duong, Dong Hung and Phuong Thanh, who will perform songs from Vietnamese and world-famous movies.

Produced by Viet Nam Television's Department of Foreign Services, Thanks from Vietnam 2014 honours international organisations, individuals and Vietnamese people living abroad who have contributed to the country's development. Participants include young ca tru (ceremonial singing) performer Ha My, cellist Hoai Xuan and violinist Khanh Chi.

The Vietnamese Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village in Ha Noi's Dong Mo suburban district will host a range of cultural activities from January 1-4, including performances of folk songs and dances of ethnic groups living in the North and an ethnic market showcasing various local specialities. — VNS