By 8:00 PM, the area outside St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi was packed with people.

Inside and in front of the cathedral, Christmas mass and cultural performances celebrating the birth of Christ took place, attracting a growing crowd despite the chilly 18°C weather.

The streets near the cathedral were also bustling. Tran Doan Lam, dressed as Santa Claus, decorated his Ferrari to resemble a reindeer and surprised his daughters with gifts. “In previous years, I was away on business during this holiday. This year, I wanted to make it special for my daughters because they love Christmas. I prepared everything with extra care to make them happy,” Lam shared.

Some visitors, like Nguyen Xuyen from Hoang Mai District, arrived early to secure good spots. Dressed in green to resemble a Christmas tree, she embraced the festive atmosphere with friends.

Another group, led by Lam Oanh, donned matching red dresses for the occasion. “It’s always crowded here during Christmas. It can be a bit exhausting, but the lively atmosphere is what makes it fun,” Oanh said.

Families like Quynh Anh’s from Hoang Mai District planned their evening carefully, arriving early to avoid traffic. “We made sure to leave home after dinner to enjoy the celebrations without getting stuck in the crowd,” she said.

Nearby cafés and food stalls were overwhelmed with customers. Some establishments even assigned staff to manage the door as seats quickly filled up.

A coffee shop at the intersection of Nhà Thờ and Lý Quốc Sư streets has staff stationed at the entrance to manage the flow of customers, as the shop has been fully booked since 7 PM.

In Ho Chi Minh City, pedestrian streets like Nguyen Hue and Bui Vien were teeming with people by 7:30 PM.

Surrounding roads near Notre Dame Cathedral experienced significant traffic congestion as locals and tourists poured in for the festivities.

A similar scene can be observed at Bùi Viện Walking Street, a hub for many foreign visitors. The establishments here are brightly decorated to symbolize the Christmas season and attract customers.

Unlike Hanoi’s cool weather, the temperature in Ho Chi Minh City was a comfortable 27°C, perfect for outdoor activities.

Many tourists wore hats and headbands, dancing to immerse themselves in the festive Christmas Eve atmosphere.

The family of Mr. Ba Phuc (District 4) left their vehicle at home and walked across Khanh Hoi Bridge to the walking street for a stroll. However, he was surprised that, unlike previous years, there was no traffic congestion this time, and the space felt much more open.

As the night went on, the crowds at Ho Chi Minh City’s popular streets only grew, with the festive spirit in full swing.

Thach Thao - Nguyen Hue