As Christmas 2025 approaches, Catholic communities in Ninh Binh province - once part of old Nam Dinh - are busy finalizing their vibrant and elaborate decorations, from Christmas trees to nativity grottoes and miniature displays.

Formerly part of Nam Dinh province, Ninh Binh is home to hundreds of churches, large and small, with distinctive architecture. Each Christmas season, these churches are lit up in full splendor, drawing crowds of worshippers and visitors alike.

At Xuong Dien Parish in Hai Tien commune, the festive atmosphere has already spread far and wide. All roads leading to the church and its courtyard have been cleaned and beautifully decorated.

Vu Duc Tiem, a former lay leader of the Saint Peter congregation under Xuong Dien Parish, shared that the parish consists of three congregations and four religious communities, with around 800 households.

Each year, when Christmas comes, parishioners set aside daily concerns to adorn their homes, alleys, and church with meticulous care - crafting detailed nativity scenes in celebration of Christ’s birth.

According to Mr. Tiem, constructing a nativity grotto requires significant time and effort. Preparations for this year’s Christmas began two months ago. Parishioners collected tens of thousands of used sacks, along with bamboo, luong (a local type of grass), and colorful lights to build the grotto.

Today, most of the decoration at Xuong Dien Parish has been completed, with final touches underway.

Starting early allowed parishioners and visitors more time to enjoy the festive displays and immerse themselves in the joyful atmosphere.

The nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem has been vividly recreated, surrounded by carefully crafted details that create a warm, vibrant space ready for Christmas Eve.

At Dong Cat Parish in Hai Quang commune - formerly part of Nam Dinh - the celebration holds even greater significance this year. This marks the first Christmas since the congregation was officially elevated to a full parish.

Vu Van Duong, chief lay leader of Dong Cat Parish, said that becoming a parish has energized the local Catholic community. Religious and community activities have become more vibrant. When the call went out to begin work on the nativity grotto, many parishioners eagerly joined in.

The highlight of Dong Cat’s church courtyard is a 15-meter-high, 30-meter-wide nativity grotto made entirely from recycled sacks, bamboo, and luong.

The construction process begins with building a framework from bamboo and luong. The rocky surface is created by flattening and stitching together used sacks into large sheets, then lightly burning them to create a rough texture. These are then sewn into shapes resembling stone slabs.

These "stones" are attached to the framework, sprayed with paint to mimic natural rock, and fitted with decorative lighting systems to complete the structure.

Dinh Xuan Thanh, a former lay leader of the Saint Peter congregation under Dong Cat Parish, said parishioners began preparing materials over a month ago.

Once everything was ready, about 30–40 people worked daily over the past four days to build the display.

According to Mr. Thanh, constructing the grotto required approximately 3,500 sacks, over 100 bamboo and luong poles, and various supporting materials such as steel wire and ropes. Once assembled, the grotto is adorned with multicolored LED lights to enhance its visual appeal.

At the Phu Nhai Basilica in Xuan Hung commune, Ninh Binh, Christmas preparations are also in full swing, with large-scale decorations and carefully designed elements throughout the church grounds.

Le Minh Duc, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Xuan Hung, said that each year, during the Christmas season, the committee works with local authorities to organize visits to the parish priest, church council, and local Catholic families.

Additionally, the commune provides support and gifts to Catholic families in difficult circumstances. To ensure a safe and peaceful holiday, the Fatherland Front also collaborates with the local police to maintain public order and security during the festive period.

Trong Tung