In Hanoi, with the temperature around 17 degrees Celsius, throngs of people gather at St. Joseph's Cathedral in the Hoan Kiem District, a prime location for Christmas celebrations and the midnight mass.
Thousands of people are present in front of the cathedral to participate in the service.
Christmas is a major celebration for Catholics, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. The vigil mass is held on the night of Dec. 24, and the main celebration occurs on Dec. 25.
In Ho Chi Minh City, starting from 6:30 p.m., people begin to converge on churches, Christian neighborhoods, and shopping centers to celebrate Christmas. The weather is about 26 degrees Celsius with light winds, making it ideal for people to go out.
The area around Pham The Hien Street in District 8, home to the largest Christian community in Ho Chi Minh City, is packed with people and vehicles, leading to congested traffic. Many parents accompany their young children, who are dressed in festive Christmas attire, to visit churches and nativity scenes and to take photographs.
The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon in downtown District 1 is the most crowded landmark in the city on Christmas Eve.
This year, the two 60-meter tall bell towers and surrounding areas of the basilica are adorned with a 500,000-meter long LED light display that lights up each evening to welcome Christmas and the upcoming new year 2025.
Tran Thi Thuy Kieu from District 10 remarks that the church decorations are more elaborate this year, prompting her family to arrive early to enjoy the festivities.
Damian (L), a German tourist, and his family wear stylish glasses with Santa hats and reindeer antlers to take memorable photos in front of the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon.
Tan Dinh Church in District 3 is bustling with people attending mass and enjoying themselves.
Located in the city center, the church features Roman architectural style. Painted pink both inside and outside since 1957, the building, nicknamed “the pink church,” attracts tourists visiting Ho Chi Minh City.
Photo by Tuan Viet
Along Pham The Hien Street, many households decorate their homes with nativity scenes, attracting visitors for photo opportunities.
Dieu Tuan Kiet, who brought his three-year-old daughter dressed in a Christmas outfit, says: “For the past three years, I have brought my daughter here every Christmas to take commemorative photos. It’s always crowded with beautiful nativity scenes and a vibrant atmosphere.”
Besides the nativity scenes, some homes along the street also feature snow-making foam machines that delight many children, creating a playful and festive environment for photos.
