Christmas atmosphere has encompassed every corner of the nation, from families to public places. (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Christmas atmosphere has encompassedevery corner of the nation, from families to public places, bringing smiles anda 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 indroves to enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Joining the crowds on the road to Hanoi Cathedral, Do Nam Anh, a Catholic inChua Vua Street, Hai Ba Trung district, said he and other Christians pray forhappiness and prosperity not only for themselves but also to all people.
Aglow in vibrant light displays, Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake is a favourite placefor many people, including international tourists, with a range ofentertainment activities.
Nguyen Ngoc Lan, from Minh Khai Street, Hai Ba Trung district, said Christmashas also become a festival of non-Catholic people, particularly youths, addingthat she came here to enjoy the festive atmosphere with her friends.
Monika and Piotr from Poland said they weresurprised and felt fascinated when seeing how Vietnamese people, especiallyHanoians, celebrate Christmas.
“We will tell our friends about friendly and hospitable Vietnamese when we comeback home,” they said.
The bustling atmosphere also prevailed across the southern metropolis of Ho ChiMinh City
Although the Notre Dame Cathedral is close for upgrading, many young people gatheredin front of the church since December 24 afternoon and adjacent streets.
Christmas songs, twinkling bulbs and creatively designed holiday-themedattractions cover streets like Bui Vien and Nguyen Hue, as well as bigcommercial 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 celebratesChristmas in Vietnam for the first time, said her foreign friends weresurprised by the bustling atmosphere in the city which reminded them of thecelebration in their home countries.
The merry Christmas atmosphere could also be seen in other localitiesnationwide.
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 90percent of its population are Christians, the festive atmosphere has warmed up veryhousehold 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 Latcity, 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 andcelebrations demonstrate that living standards of local Christians hav beenimproved.
He said among 380,000 Catholics in Lam Dong, 150,000 are of ethnic minoritygroups.-VNA
VNA
