At a conference attended by municipal relevant agencies yesterday, Le Hoang Quan, head of the city administration said the 15-minute shows would take place in four locations at the start of Feb 17 – the first day of the Year of Pig.
The fireworks costs would be mobilized from local enterprises and agencies instead of from the city budget, Quan said.
The state-owned SaigonTourist Company – also the organizer of Nguyen Hue Flower Avenue and other cultural events on the festival – would be in charge of raising and collecting the money.
The city’s originally planned to cancel the light show and give the money meant for it – roughly US$94,000 – to the needy, including victims of recent typhoons in the country.
However, the authorities had to change their mind after scores of city residents opposed the decision.
They said the show cancellation deprived the poor of the right to enjoy the fireworks performance together with other city residents.
There were other ways to help the needy, not necessarily by cutting the fireworks budget, was one such argument.
Quan said the city would still donate the $94,000 to needy families and typhoon victims on the festival.
In total, the city decided to earmark some 57.6 billion (over $3.5 million) – a 22 percent increase over last year for the needy on the festival.
Vietnam’s Hanoi capital will organize fireworks displays at seven venues on the event.
Source: Thanh Nien, Tuoi Tre – Translated by Tuong Nhi |
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