Hang Ma Street glows with the Christmas spirit

There’s no better place to be for the build-up to Christmas in Hanoi than Hang Ma Street where most decorations are sold. Sometimes the build-up to a holiday is better than the day itself. Christmas is nearly one month away but people in Hanoi are already feeling the spirit. On Hang Ma street, there are over 70 establishments offering products and ornaments like artificial pine trees, laurel wreaths, and statues of Santa Clauses and reindeer. The price of a Christmas tree varies, depending on the needs of each guest. The price will range from a few hundred thousand to several million Vietnamese dong. (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. At this time, people call this street a "Christmas market," since all the ornaments for the festival can be found here. Hang Ma, one of the 36 old streets of Hanoi, has been dedicated throughout the year to selling decorations for all festivals. On special occasions such as Christmas, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Valentine's Day, the street sells decorations that match the theme of the holiday. As Christmas gradually approaches, colourful decorations can already be seen on sale at shops and stores throughout the street. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Colourful items are hung right outside each store to attract customers. Although Christmas is not a public holiday in Vietnam, it is celebrated by many Vietnamese people. Christmas decorations appear in shopping malls and restaurants in big cities during the festive season. Hang Ma Street, famous for selling themed decorations, is full of people as it is well-known as a shopping street for decorations, gifts and everything else. The street is popular not only during Christmas but also for the New Year and other festivals. Christmas is around the corner, and Hanoians are set to celebrate it both as a religious festival and a new cultural tradition. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

This year's items are diverse in type, rich in design and colour. The price of a Christmas tree varies, depending on the needs of each guest. The price ranges from a few hundred thousand to several million Vietnamese dong. In Vietnam, a predominantly Buddhist nation, Christmas is not an official public holiday. For most people, it is just another normal day, no one gets a day off. But mass marketing has ensured that most offices celebrate the event with Xmas trees and gifts, many families have adopted the habit of giving gifts to their children through Santa Clauses that deliver them. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

This year's Christmas items have been put up for sale right after the Halloween festival. A sure sign Christmas is approaching is when elaborate and colorful holiday displays at commercial centres, banks and businesses. Faux Christmas trees, Santa's sleigh, and reindeer, begin popping up and lighting up all over the city. One of the Christmas Eve highlights in Hanoi is joining the thousands milling around the St. Joseph's Cathedral. All are dressed for the occasion, hanging out with Jesus and his parents at the oversized manger, and soaking in the holiday spirit. Some believers are there to attend mass while most are non-believers just out for a good time. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The price of a Christmas tree varies, depending on the needs of each guest. The price ranges from a few hundred thousand to several million Vietnamese dong. Although Christmas is not a public holiday in Vietnam, it is celebrated by many Vietnamese people. On this special evening, Catholic churches in Hanoi are magnets that attract people in droves because that's where the action is. The chilly weather enhances the mood, especially for those who hail from cold climates. Regardless of your beliefs, Christmas is a time of giving, fellowship, and goodwill. Christmas has become a time when Vietnamese begin to get into the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday spirit.
(Photo: VietnamPlus)

Other decorations such as bells and snowflakes are priced from 80,000 VND (3.39 USD) to 300,000 VND, depending on their sizes. Christmas has become a time when Vietnamese begin to get into the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday spirit. Tet the most important public festival in Vietnamese culture celebrated throughout East Asia. Notably, it also signifies the beginning of spring. For many people, it is the only time throughout the year to be with their extended families. It is a chance to say goodbye and, sometimes, good riddance to the old year. One can also welcome the new year with open arms, hope, and a list of resolutions to be better and do better. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Hang Ma street in Hanoi downtown is filled with a Christmas atmosphere including all kinds of brilliant red, yellow and green decorations of pine trees, laurel wreaths and Santa Claus. Hang Ma Street is a famous street in the capital city that sells decorations every holiday and Tet. Whenever mentioning Hanoi, it is impossible not to notice the Old Quarter, which has earned Hanoi the name “A city of 36 streets”. Historical documents show that the Hanoi Old Quarter was formed in around the 10th century, and flourished in the 15th-16th centuries. It sprawls over 82ha to the east of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and now spreads over 10 wards of Hoan Kiem district – the heart of Hanoi. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Christmas is nearly one month away but people in Hanoi are already feeling the spirit. Though called “Hanoi – 36 streets”, the Old Quarter in the capital city, in fact, has more than 36 streets. It used to be a place where people from all around the Northern Delta gathered. But since then it has turned into the busiest area of the city, with craft and trade activities. Each street houses craftsmen from well-known craft villages, forming a miniature village in the heart of Hanoi. Each street is also named after the type of goods or service for sale, starting with the word “Hang” (goods) such as Hang Duong (street of sugar), Hang Bac (street of silver), Hang Mam (street of fish sauce), Hang Ma (street of votive paper), and Hang Vai (street of fabric). (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The laurel wreath used for decoration is also an indispensable item to signal that Christmas has come. Many visitors to the Old Quarter return to the past because of the small space and unique architecture. The area is completely different from the crowded streets adjacent to tall buildings or modern architecture. First-time visitors, or foreign tourists, may feel overwhelmed, confused when walking on the crowded, narrow streets with houses sitting close together and speedy vehicles crisscrossing dangerously. The scene is probably a bit chaotic for strangers. But in order to see the special culture and life there, they need to experience it up close. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Many people go to Hang Ma Street to buy decorations early because they can freely choose items. Although Christmas is not a public holiday in Vietnam, it is celebrated by many Vietnamese people. Vietnam is now home to 16 religions that have been recognised by the State, including Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Caodaism, Hoa Hao Buddism, Muslim, Baha’I Faith, Tinh do Cu sy Phat hoi, Seventh-day Adventist, Tu An Hieu Nghia Buddhism, Minh Su dao, Minh Ly dao – Tam Tong Mieu, Brahmanism, Mormonism, Hieu Nghia Ta Lon Buddhism, and Buu Son Ky Huong Faith. The country has 43 religious organisations with 26.5 million followers, accounting for 28% of the country’s population. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

A group of foreign tourists visit Hang Ma Street, purchasing Christmas items in a flurry. Christmas has become one of the biggest festivals in the country’s major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Hai Phong. As disposable income rose and the country became increasingly open to the outside world, people have taken to splurging on holidays like Christmas, and even some foreign celebrations like Halloween.
Christmas in Vietnam is not just about fancy decorations and shopping sprees, the Vietnamese have also imbibed its spirit. Young Vietnamese people and lovers give gifts to each other. Children have begun looking forward to getting gifts from Santa Claus. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Regardless of your beliefs, Christmas is a time of giving, fellowship, and goodwill. Many Vietnamese families, especially in the cities, now see Christmas is not only time for get-togethers, but make their children happy in the spirit of receiving gifts from Santa Claus. They use the occasion to impart key messages. Santa Claus writes to the children, and encourages them to engage in good deeds, study and behave well. Many shops hire Santa Clause to deliver gifts ordered by parents. This has become a popular practice in the big cities and parents have to book the service quite early to prove their children have not been naughty, but rather, they have been nice. (Photo: VietnamPlus)