As Christmas is a time for giving and remembering those less fortunate than ourselves, the Christmas tree lighting ceremony of the JW Marriott Hanoi, which takes place from 5.30pm to 7.30pm today, aims to make orphans’ wishes come true. 

Each child coming from three orphanages– the Birla Children’s Village Hanoi, the Huu Nghi Village, and Centre of Social Protection 3 – will be given a shining star to hang on the Christmas tree in the hotel lobby containing their wish for this festive season. Guests can collect a star from the tree and purchase the child’s chosen gift and place it under the tree with the orphan’s star on the box.

The evening will feature choir performances from 35 disadvantaged children and 10 JW Voice singers.

Fortuna Hanoi will also host their lighting ceremony, themed Wishing upon the star, at the hotel lobby at 6pm today. The evening commences with a welcome cocktail where guests will be entertained by exciting Christmas carols. After Christmas tree is lit at 6.30pm, Santa Claus together with his Santarinas invite all guests to continue the evening for a Christmas party.

The 115-year-old Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi will light its Christmas tree at 6.30pm tomorrow at La Veranda Terrasse. A soaring 15-metre Christmas tree takes centre stage in the hotel’s garden. This year’s tree will be illuminated with more than 50,000 lights and decorated with some 850 nón lá – a traditional conical hat made from palm leaves.

Also tomorrow, at 6pm, Movenpick Hotel will have their own ceremony, featuring a Christmas choir, balloon artist, complimentary homemade Gluhwein or hot chocolate with homemade cookies. The event will also ask guests to consider individuals who less fortunate and contribute to the “Christmas for Orphans” charity programme. All funds raised will go directly to buy clothing for young children. 

Christmas season to begin in Da Nang

The Christmas Lighting Ceremony will be held at Furama Resort Da Nang tomorrow (December 1st), launching month-long performances and events celebrating the New Year.

The resort’s choir will perform under candle light and lanterns at the coastal resort in Sơn Trà peninsula.

Vocalist Au Bao Ngan, who participated in the Voice 2011, and a Filipino band will perform in the site on December 24-25 to entertain tourists visiting Da Nang during Christmas.

The 2014 X-Factor competitor Sevinch Orujova Fagradinova, whose father is Azerbaijani and mother Vietnamese, and opera singer Thiện Nhân (Viet Nam’s Got Talent 2011), Hoang Kim (The Dream-Asia Voice 2015), and 40 dancers will also join the World Music Concert at the resort in the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner Party on December 31st . 

The night will also feature Vietnamese folk dances, songs and opera excerpts using traditional and modern instruments.

Vietnamese chefs will present traditional dishes to Vietnamese and foreign tourists on Christmas.

A rural market is scheduled on January 21-23 for foreign tourists and expats in the city on the occasion of the Vietnamese Lunar New year festival. 

VNS