St. Joseph's Cathedral, a beloved destination for Hanoians during the Christmas season, features a 15-meter-high pine tree adorned with festive decorations.
Each evening, the Christmas tree lights up, drawing hundreds of visitors, both locals and tourists.
Located at 40 Nha Chung Street, the cathedral serves as the main church of the Archdiocese of Hanoi. Built between 1884 and 1888, it has been a center of worship for Catholics in the capital for over a century.
The Christmas nativity scene, displayed in front of the cathedral, depicts the biblical story of the Son of God coming as a human.
On Hang Ma Street, shop employees put the finishing touches on a Christmas tree and arrange festive items for display.
After Halloween on Oct. 31, the street transitions to selling Christmas decorations and becomes lively and bustling from early December.
Popular Christmas accessories include laurel wreaths, gift box models, ivy, red bows, string lights, and brightly colored ornaments.
According to Western tradition, families often hang laurel wreaths on their doors four weeks before Christmas. These wreaths not only signal the arrival of the festive season but also symbolize hospitality and the wish for peace.
In Vietnam, laurel wreaths have become a staple of Christmas decor, adorning the doors of many homes and shops.
Hang Ma Street offers a variety of items, including Santa Claus figurines, pine trees, and snowmen, making it a popular destination for both shoppers and visitors.
Tang Van Ninh, 26, said he began selling decorations since late October.
Diverse items are available, with prices varying based on size, ranging from VND50,000 (US$2) to several million dong.
A coffee and cake shop on Le Thai To Street in Hoan Kiem District is adorned with red bows, pine trees, cathedral bells, and laurel wreaths, embracing the festive spirit.
A shopping mall on Dinh Tien Hoang Street is festively decorated with Christmas trees and gift boxes in yellow and green hues.
A coffee shop on Nha Tho Street features a variety of Christmas decorations, including bells, artificial snow, and reindeer.
The lobby of a hotel on Nha Chung Street features a large Christmas tree adorned with sparkling lights, gift boxes, and a polar bear model underneath.
According to the staff, the hotel adopts a unique Christmas theme each year, beginning its decorations in late October.
This year, the festive displays are expected to remain in place until just before the Lunar New Year that would peak on Jan. 29, 2025.
