Luxury restaurants in Hanoi, HCMC fully booked on Christmas Eve

By 4 p.m. on Dec. 24 calls were still pouring in for reservations at Salmonoid, a European restaurant on Cao Ba Quat Street in Hanoi, but the staff had to decline further bookings since all seats had been reserved a day in advance.

To accommodate the huge demand the restaurant organized its Christmas party in two time slots: 5:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Guests participate in a Christmas festival at a hotel's lobby in Hanoi on the evening of Dec. 24, 2024. Photo courtesy of Pan

A trend of opting for intimate, romantic settings away from crowded areas to celebrate Christmas and New Year has become growing in major cities.

Many hotels and restaurants have embraced it by offering Christmas party packages that include private spaces, custom decorations, curated menus, and entertainment options such as live music and games.

Minh Thu, 37, of HCMC shared her preference for dining at restaurants during Christmas rather than visiting bustling public venues.

"A cozy space with sparkling lights, scented candles and delicious dishes makes Christmas more meaningful."

Christmas dinners typically feature western-style dishes selected by chefs.

Menus often include foie gras, turkey, abalone, caviar, lobster, fine cheeses, wagyu beef, and cured pork, and meals cost VND1-5 million (US$42–210) per person.

This year many restaurants reported a noticeable increase in custom from previous years.

A dessert on a Christmas set menu at a 5-star hotel in Hanoi. Photo courtesy of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

The five-star Mien restaurant in HCMC, which offers a tasting menu for VND2.5 million, said all seats were booked early in the week.

It reported a 30% rise in the number of guests from last year.

Similarly, the five-star Pan Pacific hotel on Thanh Nien Street in Hanoi reported a nearly 40% increase in Christmas party bookings from last year.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi said all seats for its Christmas party, featuring set menus starting at VND2.9 million per person, were sold out.

JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon also confirmed it was fully booked for both Dec. 24 and 25, with prices starting at VND1.7 million per set.

A private Christmas party at a 5-star hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon

Streets in Hanoi and HCMC were crowded on Tuesday night as large crowds made their way to churches and Christian neighborhoods to attend mass and parties.