HCM CITY — The annual HCM City Tết 'flower road' along Nguyễn Hue Street in District 1 has opened to the public with a wide variety of colourful flowers and tiger models and statues to symbolise the Year of The Tiger.

On Sunday morning, thousands of people came with friends and family to the Flower Road to take photos, admire the decorations or simply take a stroll.

The annual event’s theme is based on the year’s Zodiac animal.

This year, the 600-metre road features tiger replicas in various sizes and poses and made from various materials.

The most prominent convey the strength, ferocity and solitary nature of the animal.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on the evening of January 29, Dương Anh Đuc, deputy chairman of the city People’s Committee, said this year’s flower road has a special significance: “[It] is not only a place to admire works of art, but also signifies an unforgettable period in the history of the city, which is gradually recovering from being the country’s COVID epicentre for many months.”

It aims to show appreciation for the people of Viet Nam who stood by the city, and honour the sacrifices and hardships suffered by frontline workers, he said.

Visitors are required to wear masks, follow a one-way path to ensure smooth flow of people and limit crowding, comply with other pandemic preventive measures such as hand sanitisation and make health declarations. 

The flower road will remain open until February 4. Depending on the pandemic situation, city authorities might change its daily opening hours or even temporarily close it.

The event has been organised since 2004 by Saigontourist Group and other businesses along with official agencies. — VNS