Only one week left until Christmas. As usual there is a lot to get done this week to prepare for the event. The festive atmosphere can be felt every corners of Hanoi, from streets, churches and shopping centres. Christmas has become a jubilant festival of people around the world and Vietnamese people in in particular. Every Christmas is an occasion for parishioners to gather and reunite with their families, to sing praise to the lord, and to offer each other love. This is also an opportunity for people to have fun and admire the beautiful Christmas scene. People usually flock to churches to pray for happiness or simply to celebrate a special festival. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
The facade of Vincom Center Ba Trieu shopping mall shimmers under the lights, attracting locals to take pictures. The distinctive red and green colours as well as patterns of Santa Claus, pine trees, reindeer, gift boxes and decorative miniatures are very easy to spot on many of the capital’s streets at this time. As Xmas comes to town, Hanoi becomes even more sparkling with colourful flower lights. About a month away from Noel, many shops there have started to decorate brilliantly, selling sparkling and eye-catching items and decorations for Christmas. In every corner of the capital, the melody of popular Christmas song “Jingle Bells” is kept turning on, signaling a Christmas season with excitement and cheerfulness. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
When the Christmas season approaches, churches in Hanoi has been decorated to prepare for the most sacred and important night of Catholics. Huge pine trees along with other decorative items are placed there, bringing the feeling of a festive season. Each has different decoration styles but uses common symbols such as pine trees, Bethlehem caves, laurel wreaths and lights. They make meticulous and thorough preparations, with care given to the system of lights. For Catholic followers, Christmas is a solemn ritual. On Christmas Eve, parishioners go to churches to attend mass and enjoy Christmas night shows and dance performances organised by the church. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Churches make meticulous and thorough preparations, with care given to the system of lights. They pay attention to the lighting system such as Christmas tree with LED lights and some coloured chandeliers. Christmas is an opportunity for local people and visitors to enjoy a memorable festive atmosphere during the year. Located in downtown Hanoi, the neo-Gothic St. Joseph's Cathedral is always a favourite destination every Christmas. It is one of the oldest churches in the capital city. From Hoan Kiem Lake in downtown Hanoi, visitors can easily find the St Joseph Cathedral on Nha Chung street. The church was designed in gothic style featuring two large towers, similar to the architecture of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
The St. Joseph's Cathedral is 65 metres long and 21 metres wide with a bell tower on either side, each nearly 32 metres in height. For several days, the cathedral has been decorated to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The church is on Nha Chung street in Hoan Kiem district, downtown Hanoi. It is a late 19th-century Gothic Revival (Neo-Gothic style) church that serves as the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hanoi. The cathedral was named after Joseph, the patron saint of Vietnam. Its construction began in 1886, with the architectural style described as resembling Notre Dame de Paris. It opened in December 1886. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Christmas atmosphere is filled on many streets and places in the capital city with dazzling and colorful Christmas trees, along with thousands of sparkling lights, bringing a warm and happy Christmas to everybody. On Christmas Eve, parishioners go to churches to attend mass and enjoy Christmas night shows. Every Christmas is an occasion for parishioners to gather and reunite with their families, to sing praise to the lord, and to offer each other love. Vietnam is a country of many religions and beliefs. At present, about 90 percent of the Vietnamese population practise their religions and beliefs. Freedom of religion has been ensured and promoted in the country. Christmas is now seen as a holiday for all. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Other major gathering places for Catholic dignitaries and followers such as Ham Long, Thai Ha and Lang Tam churches were also colourfully-decorated. Hanoi has many architectural works with historical value. Still, Ham Long Church is always a destination attracting not only parishioners but also love to learn about Catholicism. It was designed and completed in December 1934 with a height of 17 metres by Vietnamese architect Doctor Than, who was studying in France. Belonged to the Archdiocese of Hanoi, the church took Saint Anthony of Padova as the patron. The church has begun decorating since early December. Every Christmas, parishioners in Hanoi flock to churches and streets to celebrate Christmas in warm and cheerful atmosphere. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
The X-mas festive atmosphere also overwhelmed the Hanoi Old Quarter and trade centres such as Trang Tien Plaza, Vinhomes, Royal City, Metropole and Hilton Hanoi, which were dazzled with giant pine trees, Santa Clause, reindeer figures, and lovely ornaments. Shopping and entertainment centres located in main roads to the heart of the capital city were shining gorgeously with decorative items. In every corner of the capital, the melody of popular Christmas song “Jingle Bells” is kept turning on, signaling a Christmas season with excitement and cheerfulness. For Catholic followers, Christmas is a solemn ritual. Christmas is now seen as a holiday for all. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Vincom Mega Mall Royal City is a premium shopping mall in southern Hanoi. During the Christmas season, the shopping mall is brightly decorated with fanciful and impressive lights, attracting a lot of families, children and young people to visit and capture the beautiful moments. People may wander around the area to take photos and enjoy the atmosphere of Christmas filled with love and warmth. During the Christmas reason, trade centres in Hanoi are decorated brightly and amazingly with the Christmas theme. These places are suitable for families to celebrate Christmas with several services ranging from entertainment, shopping, food, and beverages among other activities. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Many shops on streets in the Old Quarter are selling Christmas decorations like pine trees, Santa Claus effigies and outfits, stone grottoes, tinsel, lights, lanterns, snowmen, clothes, and gift items. Christmas home decorations are sophisticated and eye-catching. There are many items with reasonable prices. According to shop owners, demand has been increasing, with pine trees, jingle bells, ornamental balls, laurel wreaths, and Santa Claus effigies being the bestsellers. Their good quality and designs and reasonable prices have won shoppers' hearts. Supermarkets in the city have placed pine trees, Santa Claus statues, Christmas costumes, balls, and lights in prominent places and announced promotions to attract shoppers. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Christmas decorations are sold on streets in Hanoi. Santa clothes, pine trees, reindeer, bells, hanging lights, ornaments and toys can be easily found in many shops. Plastic small pine trees cost 200,000-400,000 VND (8.71 USD – 17.4 USD). Roadside stalls are also selling Santa Claus clothes and hats, with prices ranging from 10,000-30,000 VND (0.44-1.31 USD) for hat and 100,000-300,000 VND (4.36 - 13.08 USD) for clothes depending on size and material. Originally a traditional holiday for Catholics and Protestants, Christmas has long been a joyous day for the people in the capital city. This is also an opportunity for local people and visitors to enjoy a memorable festive atmosphere during the year. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
A group of youngsters are taking photos with a brilliant huge pine tree. The shimmering space with busting atmosphere attracts many young people. Festive atmosphere is spreading out into every corner of Hanoi, from shopping malls, hotels, restaurants to streets illuminated with multi-coloured lights. Young folks usually take to the streets to capture memorable moments during the holiday season. Many of them even wear red-and-white Santa Claus outfits and moustaches to take selfie and group photos. Not only a festive occasion for the Christians, Christmas has become popular with the Vietnamese public in recent years. Walking around main thoroughfares, pine trees decorated with mini lights and gifts have turned into prime attractions (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Hang Ma street has been filled with a Christmas atmosphere including all kinds of brilliant red, yellow and green decorations of pine trees, laurel wreaths and Santa Claus. Items are diverse in types, rich in designs and colours. Santa Claus ornaments are still popular among the people. According to shop owners, demand has been increasing, with pine trees, jingle bells, ornamental balls, laurel wreaths, and Santa Claus effigies being the bestsellers. Their good quality and designs and reasonable prices have won shoppers' hearts. Shopping and entertainment centres located in main roads to the heart of the capital city are also shining gorgeously with decorative items. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
A family takes their children to see the streets and buy toys. In major shopping malls, pine trees are beautifully lit outdoors, attracting visitors to take photos and soak in the festive mood. Christmas home decorations are sophisticated and eye-catching. There are many items with reasonable prices. The nearer Christmas day comes, the higher the demand for seasonal services, such as Santa Claus gift delivering, pine trees and Santa Claus clothing products. Artificial pine trees are still the first choice of customers. The price of pine trees is very diverse, depending on the needs of each guest, the price will range from a few hundred thousand to several millions of Vietnamese dong. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
The two women choose a private corner with no people to take photos. Christmas is on the air in every corner of Hanoi with the eagerness of young people and the jubilant atmosphere overwhelming every street across the city. Streets embraced a bustling vibe with beautifully-decorated shopping malls, supermarkets, hotels, squares and churches. For Catholic followers, Christmas is a solemn ritual. On Christmas Eve, parishioners go to churches to attend mass and enjoy Christmas night shows and dance performances organised by the church. This is also an opportunity for local people and visitors to enjoy a memorable festive atmosphere during the year. (VietnamPlus) 
Christmas is now seen as a holiday for all. On the day, children are eager to meet and receive gifts from Santa Claus. According to the Catholic calendar, Christmas begins from the eve of December 24 and the main holiday is December 25. Christmas is a special time not only for Catholics but also for local people. Along with Tet, the traditional Lunar New Year in Vietnam, Christmas is a great holiday for families to reunite and an occasion for the country to strengthen its solidarity. Visitors could celebrate Christmas right outside the church gate with romantic candles. Inside, the church’s decorations look as fresh and vivid as ever. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
For Catholic people, Christmas is a chance to reflect on Jesus, purify their souls and prepare for a new start. Not only a festive occasion for the Christians, Christmas has become popular among the Vietnamese public in recent years. Christmas is now seen as a holiday for all. Vietnam is a country of many religions and beliefs. At present, about 90 percent of the Vietnamese population practise their religions and beliefs. Freedom of religion has been ensured and promoted in Vietnam. A special Christmas season is coming - Christmas in the midst of the pandemic but still with joy and wishes for peace and happiness (Photo: VietnamPlus)./. VNA
