Tourists visit Phat Diem Cathedral in Kim Son district, Ninh Binh province. (Photo: VNA) Ninh Binh (VNA) – Jubilant Christmas atmosphere is everywhere acrossthe northern province of Ninh Binh, which boasts a large community ofCatholics in Vietnam.
The province's churches,parishes, streets, and amusement spots decorated with colourful lights,ornaments, and Christmas trees have become popular destinations for bothCatholic followers and non-Catholic ones.
This year, at PhatDiem Cathedral in the province’s Kim Son district, there is no 25-high Christmas tree like in previous years. However, traditional Christmas setups like caves, pine trees, symbols of Gods, and scenes are made meticulously and splendidly, drawing crowds of visitors.
Mai Van Quy of Phat Diem Cathedral, said that 70% of the decoration work for thechurch has been completed, adding that thousands of people are visiting the church every night at this time of the year.
Christmas today isnot only a major holiday for Catholics but also a festival for everyone.
Besides churches, popular tourism destinations like the ancient Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and Xuan Thanh Urban Area are also brightened up withChristmas decorations and activities.
Tran Thi Diep Anh, head of the Communication Department of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital in Ninh BinhCity, said that since December 15, the ancient capital relic site has been decorated forChristmas.
Activities will beorganised in the relic, offering people and touristsopportunities to join in the Christmas atmosphere with local people such ashymns singing and music shows.
She said thatlocal authorities and parishes have paid attention to security and social order as well as traffic safety to ensure a peaceful Christmas for both local people and visitors.
Ninh Binh has over 145,200 Catholic followers,accounting for 23.33% of the province's population. Kim Son district is home to the largestCatholic community in the province, who make up 46.7% of thedistrict's population./.
