I rang in 2009 in Hanoi, Vietnam. Here’s how it went.

The streets were crowded; motorbikes everywhere. The closer we got to the lake, the more dense the crowd got. There’s 10 minutes to midnight and I’m exchanging text messages with friends to meet up before the countdown starts. There are so many people at the lake and I’m expecting, at least, a very big fireworks show. Along with the New Year’s Eve, there’s also a flower festival going on at the lake, and this is it’s first day. Many displays are set up like artwork along the street and people are posing for pictures. I try to meet up with my friends but it’s impossible to catch anyone in the crowd.

By now it’s 11:57 so my girlfriend and I move toward the lake to get a better view. Everyone seems to have the same idea. As we wait, we watch lanterns being lit and flying higher into the sky.

11:59. We’re all waiting and looking around for a sign of some announcer, countdown, or sign of fireworks.

I look at my phone. 12:00. Then I look at my girlfriend and everyone around, but they look as confused as me. Then I thought, “Well, this is Vietnam. Things do start a little late, here.”

12:07. Hmm… I’m really confused at this point. The couple next to us basically says, “Well… nothing’s happening. Time to go home.” And they left. Soon after, everyone had the same idea and the crowd started to disperse. My girlfriend in her infinite wisdom says, “Because of the inflation, Vietnam is too cheap to spend money on fireworks. You have to wait until Tet (Vietnamese New Year’s). Poor you.”

After a few more minutes of standing around, we start walking up the street to look at the flowers and finally meet up with my friends. The night ends with some food and drinks. No countdown, but good enough for me.