On Dec. 15 Alley 82 in Tan Binh District glowed with LED lights and Christmas decorations. A local said three weeks earlier alley residents had worked together to put up the decorations.
Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ and is a major celebration for Christians. The Vigil Mass takes place on Dec. 24, and the main celebration on Dec. 25.
Scenes depicting the Christ Child in a manger are a common sight across Catholic neighborhoods.
According to the Bible, the Christ Child was placed in a donkey's manger in Bethlehem, Judea. Virgin Mary and adoptive father Saint Joseph stayed by Jesus's side. Angels proclaimed Jesus as the Savior, sent to teach humanity to love one another.
Catholics in the Bac Hai neighborhood, Tan Binh District, gather under sparkling lights to chat and sing.
A giant Santa Claus model and a large nativity scene in Alley 38, Chan Hung Street in Tan Binh, draws the attention of passersby. Residents began decorating in late November and plan to keep the festive setup until Epiphany, 40 days after Christmas.
In Alley 219, Dat Thanh Street in Tan Binh, Quoc Dung, a local Catholic man has decorated his house with a Santa Claus model and even installed a snow machine.
"I hope my house becomes a popular photo spot this Christmas," he said.
About 11 kilometers away, streets and alleys in the Bac Dung parish in Go Vap District also shine with colorful lights.
People living in HCMC's largest Catholic neighborhood on Pham The Hien Street in District 8 began decorating in early December.
Pham Bui Mon, 64, walks with his grandchild through an alley decorated with beautiful lights on Pham The Hien Street in District 8.
Mon said: "Christmas is not just about decorations; it is also a time for Catholics to prepare their hearts for Jesus. I pray for a better, more peaceful world."
