In Hanoi, streets embraced a bustling vibe with beautifully-decorated shopping malls, supermarkets, hotels, squares and churches.

The well-known Hanoi Cathedral attracted many revelers from about 5pm.

The Christmas atmosphere has also spread to major streets and parishes in the southern largest hub of Ho Chi Minh City. All the roads to the city’s downtown became crowded at dusk.

Churches in the city were decorated with pine trees, colorful lights and decorative items.

Despite the cold weather, thousands of Catholic followers also gathered at churches and parishes in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue in the night of December 24 to welcome the Christmas holiday.

The province is now home to over 58,000 Catholic followers.

On the occasion, Secretary of the Hanoi municipal Party Committee Vuong Dinh Hue paid a courtesy call to Archbishop of the Hanoi Archdiocese Joseph Vu Van Thien.

Hue wished that the Archbishop together with Catholic dignitaries and followers would continue actively joining emulation movements, contributing to fulfilling set targets.

Joseph Vu Van Thien thanked the municipal authorities for creating favourable conditions for religious activities in the city. He also wished Hue, Hanoi leaders and people a peaceful and happy Christmas season. VNA/VNN/VOV

The Trang Tien Plaza in Hanoi is decorated to welcome Christmas

At Vincom Royal City in Hanoi

Catholic followers flock to a church in Ho Chi Minh City

On a street in Thua Thien-Hue

St. Joseph's Cathedral in the heart of Hanoi is a popular sightseeing spot for both locals and tourists every Christmas. (Photo: Laodong.vn) In the buildup to Christmas plenty of shops on Hang Ma street in downtown Hanoi put various types of decorations on display. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

Christmas offers a chance for people to send gifts to relatives and friends, in addition to sending best wishes of joy and happiness. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn) Every corner of the northern province of Nam Dinh, especially religious sites such as churches, has been fully decorated with pine trees, nativity scenes, and sparkling lights in celebration of Christmas. (Photo: Zingnews.vn)

A church in the northern province of Nam Dinh puts up festive decorations to welcome Santa Claus. (Photo: Zingnews.vn) A festive Christmas display on show. (Photo: Zingnews.vn)

Located in the northern province of Ninh Binh, Phat Diem stone cathedral has been fully decorated in celebration of the festive season. (Photo: Baoninhbinh.org.vn)

An overview of Phat Diem stone cathedral in Ninh Binh province. (Photo: Baoninhbinh.org.vn) A lake situated in front of a church in northern Thanh Hoa province reflects the building’s colourful lights during the night. (Photo: Baothanhhoa.vn) LED bulbs serve to lighten up a church in Thanh Hoa province. (Photo: Baothanhhoa.vn) Nghi Loc parish in Dien Hanh commune of Dien Chau district is among the parishes that has the most beautiful and unique decorations in order to celebrate this year’s Christmas season. (Photo: Baonghean.vn) A store in Da Nang can be seen full of decorative items for the holiday season. (Photo: Dantri.com.vn) Catholics take time to decorate a church on Dien Bien Phu street in Da Nang as a means of welcoming a warm and joyous holiday. (Photo: Dantri.com.vn) A night market situated in the central city of Da Nang is transformed with festive decorations. (Photo: Dantri.com.vn) A wooden church located in the Central Highland province of Kon Tum is decorated to welcome the arrival of Christmas. (Photo: Baokontum.com.vn) A wooden church located in the Central Highland province of Kon Tum is decorated to welcome the arrival of Christmas. (Photo: Baokontum.com.vn) Children rehearse various art performances in preparation for Christmas’s Eve celebrations which will be held in Kon Tum province. (Photo: Baokontum.com.vn) Shopping centres, office buildings, and streets throughout the centre of Ho Chi Minh City have put up an array of Christmas decorations. (Photo: Zingnews.vn) The festive atmosphere can be felt at a bustling shopping centre in the southern metropolis. (Photo: Zingnews.vn) A giant pine tree stands in front of Bitexco building in Ho Chi Minh City, a site that has become a favourite check-in spot among the southern city’s young people. (Photo: Zingnews.vn)

Churches in Hanoi shine with colourful decorations ahead of Christmas

Churches throughout the capital have been transformed with an array of colourful decorations in the buildup to Christmas. Let’s take a tour around Hanoi to discover the changes occurring with Christmas Eve fast approaching.

Imported Christmas trees prove popular among buyers in Hanoi

Pine trees imported from foreign markets are much sought after by Vietnamese customers in the buildup to Christmas, despite their high prices, with each item usually costing tens of millions of VND.