Christmas atmosphere has encompassed every corner of the nation, from families to public places, bringing smiles and a festive mood to both Catholic and non-Catholic people. 

In the capital city of Hanoi, streets are bustling with shimmering lights, decorations, music from street-side restaurants and shops, and people coming in droves to enjoy the festive atmosphere. 

Joining the crowds on the road to Hanoi Cathedral, Do Nam Anh, a Catholic in Chua Vua Street, Hai Ba Trung district, said he and other Christians pray for happiness and prosperity not only for themselves but also to all people. 

Aglow in vibrant light displays, Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake is a favourite place for many people, including international tourists, with a range of entertainment activities. 

Nguyen Ngoc Lan, from Minh Khai Street, Hai Ba Trung district, said Christmas has also become a festival of non-Catholic people, particularly youths, adding that she came here to enjoy the festive atmosphere with her friends. 

Monika and Piotr from Poland said they were surprised and felt fascinated when seeing how Vietnamese people, especially Hanoians, celebrate Christmas.

“We will tell our friends about friendly and hospitable Vietnamese when we come back home,” they said. 

The bustling atmosphere also prevailed across the southern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City

Although the Notre Dame Cathedral is close for upgrading, many young people gathered in front of the church since December 24 afternoon and adjacent streets. 

Christmas songs, twinkling bulbs and creatively designed holiday-themed attractions cover streets like Bui Vien and Nguyen Hue, as well as big commercial centres and hotels such as Diamond Plaza, Saigon Centre, Parkson, Aemon Tan Phu, Rex and Caravel. 

Hoai Nam, an overseas Vietnamese who visits Ho Chi Minh City and celebrates Christmas in Vietnam for the first time, said her foreign friends were surprised by the bustling atmosphere in the city which reminded them of the celebration in their home countries. 

The merry Christmas atmosphere could also be seen in other localities nationwide.

To residents in Hai Hau commune, Nghia Hung district, Nam Dinh province, Christmas has become a festival of all people.

In Xuan Tien and Xuan Kien communes, Xuan Truong district, where nearly 90 percent of its population are Christians, the festive atmosphere has warmed up very household and hamlet. 

Nam Dinh has over 470,000 Catholics or more than 22 percent of its population, who practise religion at more than 600 local churches.    

Taking place at the same time with the Flower Festival, Christmas in Da Lat city, the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, has become more sparkling.

Bishop An Ton Vu Huy Chuong of the Da Lat Diocese said better decorations and celebrations demonstrate that living standards of local Christians hav been improved. 

He said among 380,000 Catholics in Lam Dong, 150,000 are of ethnic minority groups.

People nationwide celebrate Christmas

Hanoi’s glistening Saint Joseph Cathedral lures thousands of people at the Eve of Christmas to celebrate the greeting season 

Brightly lit, bustling streets, bedecked churches and buildings and groups of people enjoying the holiday season, marked the Eve of Christmas across the country.

Big cities and provinces, especially Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, were transformed with colourful and shimmering lights and decorations.

On December 24, thousands of people had a sleepless night, as they flocked to the streets, churches and shopping malls, sharing beautiful and memorable moments with friends and families.

From early evening, the streets around Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Lake and those leading to the Saint Joseph Cathedral, decked with colourful Christmas decorations and gifts, were bustling.

For many years, the church has remained a highlight of the Christmas holidays. It is one of the most visited places on the eve of Christmas by both Christians and non-Christians.

Hang Ma Street was also full of people as it is well-known as a shopping street for decorations, gifts and everything else, not only during Christmas but also for the New Year and other festivals.

Most people chose to walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, and enjoyed the music, dance performances and folk games taking place there.

Shopping malls and hotels were also frequented by youngsters.

Trang Tien Plaza, located next to Hoan Kiem Lake, was beautifully decorated. The front of the commercial centre was lit up with thousands of lights, attracting people to take pictures.

Royal City and Times City looked like magnificent palaces, with sparkling Christmas trees, galaxy ornaments and beautiful wreaths everywhere.

The European-styled Metropole Hotel also saw people gathering under its glittering lights and shining garlands to take selfies.

Those who didn’t want to walk stopped by at cafés, to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere, albeit in a more quiet style.

Many stores around the area also cashed in on the holiday demand, by offering major price cuts.

In HCM City, the Notre Dame Cathedral in the centre of District 1 was the most popular venue for people.

The church is decorated beautifully, days before Christmas Eve and lures visitors from every corner of the city.

The people were spread from the church right to Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, which hosted street art shows along with jugglery and circus performances.

Other places which were popular among people to celebrate a memorable Christmas were Star Light Bridge in District 7, Bitexco building on Nguyen Hue, Phu My Hung Urban Area, Diamon Plaza and Aeon mall.

To make up for the warm weather in HCM City, people flocked to witness snow at the Snow Village event organised from December 22 to 24 at Crescent Mall.

Apart from taking photos with the falling snow under a European-styled space, people can also taste free ice cream and enjoy music shows every night.

Hanoi’s people had a similar event on December 23 and 24 at the Ly Thai To Flower Garden by Hoan Kiem Lake.

Christmas atmosphere in Hanoi:

Hanoi Cathedral - one of the main destinations to welcome the Christmas festival  The Cathedral is decorated splendidly  Foreigners living in Vietnam come here to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere  Christmas is also a chance for young couples to date  Many coffee shops decorated beautifully on this occasion

VNA