Hanoi cancels firework displays to focus on typhoon Yagi recovery

The Hanoi Party Committee has decided to cancel all fireworks shows for the 70th anniversary of the city's liberation, choosing instead to focus on recovery efforts following the destruction caused by Typhoon Yagi. Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, announced the decision during a meeting on Tuesday, emphasizing that it reflects the city's commitment to prioritize national interests.

Although cultural and artistic events will still take place, the Hanoi People's Committee will review and scale down these activities to ensure they are appropriate for the current situation, Hoai added.

Earlier, the Hanoi Capital Command had proposed limiting the anniversary’s fireworks display to a single location in Hoan Kiem District, canceling shows in the other 29 districts to better allocate resources for recovery efforts and support affected communities.

In addition, the Ministry of National Defense announced on Saturday the cancellation of a military parade planned for the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam People's Army and the 35th anniversary of the National Defense Festival, expressing solidarity with those impacted by the storm.

Typhoon Yagi made landfall on Vietnam’s northern coast on September 7 with wind speeds of up to 149 kph, marking it as the strongest storm to hit Vietnam in three decades. It swept through Hanoi later the same day.

The storm caused significant devastation, leading to 299 deaths and leaving 34 people still missing across northern Vietnam. Heavy rains triggered widespread flooding in 20 of 25 northern provinces, affecting over 70,000 households.

In Hanoi, Yagi caused the deaths of four people, injured 23 others, uprooted more than 40,000 trees, and triggered severe flooding in multiple areas, forcing thousands to evacuate.