How Christmas Day Is Celebrated in Vietnam: What to Expect

Do you have plans to visit Vietnam in December? Then welcome, this is your chance to spend your Christmas holiday in another country and find out how Christmas is celebrated in Vietnam. Along with the Buddha's birthday, the New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival, Christmas is one of the four most significant holidays in Vietnam. Despite this, the Christians observed the Christmas liturgical rites.

This article is to present a glimpse of Christmas day in Vietnam, emphasizing the distinctive fusion of Western customs with Vietnamese culture. Moreover, we will give you a glance at how Vietnamese celebrated this joyful holiday in each destination.

Introduction: Celebrating Christmas Day In Vietnam

Christmas Day In Vietnam is filled with the joyous spirit, which you can see clearly in big cities like Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Imagine taking a walk down Ho Chi Minh City's Nguyen Hue Walking Street, you can feel the joyful atmosphere with the Christmas lights shining brightly at the street and in every store. Additionally, you can take in a vibrant celebration in the city center or go to a Midnight Mass at one of the many Catholic churches during Christmas day in Vietnam. How amazing is it!

Despite the fact that Christmas is not a recognized public holiday in Vietnam, people nevertheless celebrate it. In recent years, the Vietnam Christmas holiday has become more and more popular, especially among the nation's 7 million+ Christian population. Vietnamese people have added their own distinctive customs and practices to the celebrations, even though the festival is frequently linked to Western traditions. For instance, Christmas supper is a time when many Vietnamese families eat traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Furthermore, the Vietnamese have "Ông già Noel", their own version of Santa Claus.

Christmas Day In Vietnam

Christmas traditions in Vietnam

Christmas customs in Vietnam still have French influences because the country was once a part of the French Empire. However, Both Christians and non-Christians in Vietnam celebrate Christmas today. Vietnamese people, especially young people, enjoy visiting the city center on Christmas Eve in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. On Vietnam Xmas holidays, the streets are packed with people and cars are not permitted in the city center during the evening.

To celebrate, people throw confetti, take photos together and go to the department stores' and large hotels' Christmas for lights and decorations. People can enjoy a snack at any of the many cafes and restaurants that are open!

Although there aren't many Christians in Vietnam, some people like attending midnight mass services to hear Christmas music and watch the Nativity performances.

Christmas dining and special menus

The traditional Christmas Eve meal, known as "reveillon", is similar to that in France and includes a "bûche de Noël" (a chocolate cake shaped like a log) for dessert. Vietnamese people enjoy giving food gifts and "bûche de Noël" is a common Christmas present. While exchanging Christmas cards is popular among some young people, other Christmas presents are not as widespread.

Christmas cake in Vietnam

Christmas decorations and light displays

Christmas Day in Vietnam has many things for you to see. Markets, malls and streets are transformed into festive wonderlands, with towering Christmas trees, sparkling lights and colorful ornaments creating a magical atmosphere. In shopping malls, you'll find extravagant displays, with Santa Claus figures, reindeer and elaborate light installations that stretch across the entire space. On the streets, buildings and storefronts are adorned with glittering lights and many businesses hang large Christmas wreaths and garlands.

Christmas Day in Vietnam - How top cities experience Christmas

Christmas Eve Hanoi

Hanoi is a charming city throughout the year, but around the holidays, when temperatures might drop to about 10 degrees, it is particularly lovely. Bundle up and enjoy tea, street food and evening walks around the city's charming lakes with the residents.

On Christmas day, you should pay a visit to St. Joseph’s Cathedral - one of the places that you can experience Vietnam in Christmas. Lights, nativity figures and wreaths adorn the imposing Gothic-style cathedral. You can attend a smaller mass and a Christmas market at Cua Bac Parish Church (56 Phan Dinh Phung Street) if you're looking for something less packed.

Christmas Eve Hanoi

Christmas in Da Nang

You thought that only the White Christmas existed in the world? You are wrong when coming to Da Nang. This place will have a lively lineup to keep you engaged if you're spending the holidays by the sea. Take part in these activities to get into the spirit of Christmas. Christmas Eve in Hoi An brings travelers a feeling of a charming and serene celebration, blending local culture with festive cheer. The ancient town, known for its lantern-lit streets, becomes even more magical during the holiday season.

Christmas in Ho Chi Minh City

In Ho Chi Minh City, particularly in the vicinity of the Notre Dame Cathedral, Tan Dinh Church and Diamond Plaza, the spirit of Christmas is very evident. With lights and decorations, the main thoroughfares, such as Nam Ky Khoi Nghia and Le Duan, become lively celebration places. Here, you may experience the Christmas spirit while taking in the lively cityscape.

Christmas in Ho Chi Minh City

Other places

Besides 3 big cities, Christmas day in Vietnam is also celebrated throughout the country like Sapa, Da Lat, Phu Quoc, Ninh Binh, etc. Churches in these areas hold midnight masses and local communities gather to celebrate with festive meals, carols and gift exchanges. In smaller towns and rural areas, Christmas decorations may be simpler, but the sense of togetherness and warmth is just as strong. No matter the size of the town, Christmas in Vietnam’s provinces is marked by a spirit of unity, joy and celebration.

What can you expect: Popular Christmas events and festivals

Christmas markets

Cities come alive with marketplaces as Christmas draws near, providing a chance to shop and mingle. These marketplaces promote distinctive cross-cultural interaction by showcasing a variety of Vietnamese and Western goods. Handmade ornaments, festive clothing and a range of goodies, including Christmas cakes and traditional appetizers, are available to visitors.

Tree lighting ceremonies

Vietnam in Christmas is characterized by vibrant decorations that are displayed in homes, businesses and public spaces. Cities are made magical by the festive lights that adorn the streets. Beautifully decorated Christmas trees are shown in public areas and commercial malls, frequently fusing conventional Christmas symbols with Vietnamese features to create a cozy and welcoming holiday atmosphere.

People decorate their homes and businesses with Christmas tree

Church services and midnight mass

Although most people in Vietnam are not Christians, several churches hold special Christmas services that draw people from all walks of life who are brought together by the joyous occasion. These sessions offer chances for group prayers, carol singing and a closer understanding of what Christmas really means. Going to a Christmas service in Vietnam is a significant way to celebrate the holiday for individuals looking for spiritual comfort.

Exchange gifts

Gift-giving is a significant aspect of the Christmas celebration in Vietnam, as it is in many other countries, particularly among the younger generations. Gift-giving is becoming a more common custom, especially in cities, even though it isn't as marketed as it is in Western nations.

People will give their gift on Christmas Eve, either at the family meal or after Mass. In general, gifts are small and can contain things like toys, clothing or even food. However, more expensive presents like electronics or branded goods have also become more popular in recent years due to the growth of shopping centers and online marketplaces.

Conclusion: Christmas Day in Vietnam

This is the end of our trip to Christmas day in Vietnam! Isn't it wonderful how every area, from the bustling city center to the calm atmosphere of the Catholic churches, gleams with its own unique brand of festive charm?

It's not just about the gorgeously decorated Christmas trees and the sparkling lights. It's all about the people, the kind Vietnamese people who celebrate in their own special way, with local music mingling with Christmas carols and Santa Claus possibly riding a motorcycle.

The Christmas celebrations in Vietnam are sure to leave you with beautiful memories and a deeper appreciation for this fascinating country, no matter what your reasons for visiting are.