The jubilant atmosphere of Christmas is overwhelming various localities nationwide together with activities to make this occasion merry and happy.

Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee, Ha Van Nui, offered Christmas greetings to dignitaries of the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North) in Hanoi on December 22.

Pastor Nguyen Huu Mac, Head of the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North) informed Nui of its 2012 humanitarian activities that included assisting disaster-hit victims and offering medical check-ups and treatment.

He pledged to lead Protestants in joining emulation campaigns, engage in more charitable activities and actively contributing to the great national unity in the coming time.

On the occasion, authorities and the VFF Central Committee of Nghe An province presented Christmas gifts and congratulations to dignitaries of the Diocese of Vinh city. They also gave presents to orphan children in Nghi Loc district.

At provincial localities with Catholic communities, the authorities held get-togethers with esteemed Catholic dignitaries and presented gifts to poor Catholic families.

Cities and provinces nationwide are also busy with numerous Christmas celebration activities. Main roads, residential areas and churches in Kim Son district, northern Ninh Binh province are adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Music performances, a ceremony and procession of the Holy Infant will take place at the well-known Phat Diem stone church in the locality. The procession will travel to Be Lem cave for an 8-day public display.

Kim Son is home to 80,000 Catholic followers, accounting for 47 percent of the district’s population.

Earlier, Secretary of the Ninh Binh provincial Party Committee, Bui Van Nam, extended his Christmas greetings to dignitaries and religious followers across the locality.

The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Tan Hiep district, southern Kien Giang province welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The district is home to 5,000 Catholics, the largest number in the province.

Trung Thanh Parish in Thach Dong A, Tan Hiep district will offer over one tonne of rice to poor households and 900 gifts to children on the occasion.

The jubilant atmosphere is also prevailing in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai that has nearly 280,000 religious followers, including 200,000 Catholics and Protestants.

Earlier, the provincial authorities visited and congratulated the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (South) and Priest Nguyen Van Thuong at Duc An church in Pleiku city.-vna