A happy atmosphere reached various corners ofthe country in the Christmas night.
In Hanoi, braving the chilly weather, thousandsof people, being Catholics, Protestants or not, flocked to Hoan Kiem Lake,Saint Joseph Cathedral, Ham Long, Thai Ha, Lang Tam churches, where splendidand colorful decorative lights were sparkling.
The sound of the signature “Jingle Bells” song filledthe air in the main streets of the capital.
Many gathered at a residential centre to have alook at a 32.5m high Christmas tree- the highest in Vietnam.
Christmas has become a common festival for manyin Vietnam.
People in Ho Chi Minh City also celebratedChristmas in a cheerful and happy atmosphere in cool weather.
Shops, commercial and entertainment centreslocated main roads leading to the heart of the city were shining gorgeouslywith light bulb-shaped Santa Clause, reindeers, snow flakes and Christmas trees.
Popular destinationsin the city, including the Notre Dame, Huyen Sy and Tan Dinh cathedrals, tradecentres and roads in District 1, District 3 and District 5 as well as Catholicvillages, were filled with Christmas carols.
Earlier, many charityprogrammes were carried out by over 100,000 Catholic families in the city witha hope to make Christmas a more meaningful event for all.
They presentedthousands of free meals, medicine and gifts to poor, disable and old peopleacross the city.
Priest Le Van Lieufrom Binh Trieu Parish in Thu Duc district said Catholics and Protestants alwayshelp each other and pray for peace for the country.
In the northernprovince of Ninh Binh, thousands of Catholics and non-Catholics flocked to theluminous and splendid Phat Diem Church to pray for the best for their familiesand friends.
Located in Kim Sondistrict, the church is dubbed “the capital” of Catholicism with about 80,000followers, or nearly 48 percent of the district’s population.
In central Nghe Anprovince, the Catholic community also enjoyed a more joyful Christmas as theyhave had better living standards.
A 30-metre Christmastree was set up at Trai Giao Church in Nghi Loc district’s Nghi Phuong communeto welcome visitors.
In 2013, local authoritieshave paid attention to socio-economic development and improving the life oftheir people. Many churches have been built or renovated here.
In the central city ofDa Nang, a ceremony was held with the participation of local authorities andtens of thousands of people.
Bishop Chau Ngoc Trithanked the local authorities for assistance to their religious activities andaffirmed that Catholics will make further efforts to contribute to socio-economicdevelopment in the city.
The festive atmosphere also prevailed inthe Central Highlands.
Local people said they felt a merrierChristmas this year as over the past three years, their life improved a greatdeal thanks to their successful coffee and rubber crops.
In the Hanoi parish in Bien Hoacity, the southern Dong Nai province, home to over more than 16,000 Catholics,thousands gathered to share the special night.
