At 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 31, thousands of young people and foreign tourists flocked to Bui Vien backpacker street in District 1 for Halloween celebrations.
A "ghost" on Bui Vien pedestrian street.
Halloween is a celebration observed in many countries on Oct. 31, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows as a way to remember the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the departed.
Although Halloween is not an official festival in Vietnam, it has become one of the most popular festivities of the year for young people for more than 10 years now.
About 1.4 km from Bui Vien, Nguyen Hue walking street is also bustling with Halloween costumes from about 8 p.m.
Quynh Anh, dressed as a carnivorous plant, said that every year she and about eight friends do their own makeup in order to perform on Nguyen Hue pedestrian street
"It took us three months to come up with make-up ideas and each outfit cost VND10-15 million (US$407-609)," Anh said.
Eric Nguyen, a Vietnamese American and his wife, immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere.
He dressed as a devil.
Children dressed up as Spiderman and other characters dance on Nguyen Hue street amid the cheers of the crowd.
In Hanoi, the Halloween atmosphere is not as bustling as previous years, even though the weather is cool.
On Hang Ma Street, Uyen Nhi, a 5th grade student, dressed as Maleficent.
Oliver, a tourist from England, said it was the first time she and her friends celebrated the festival in another country.
"The Halloween atmosphere here was not the same as in my country but it was very fun," she said.
Foreign tourists enjoy Halloween atmosphere in HCMC. Video by Bich Phuong, Tuan Viet
