Christmas Celebration in Vietnam

Are you planning to spend your Christmas vacation in Vietnam this year? Consider how you can enjoy the Christmas festivals and magic of holiday seasons in Vietnam? We will deliver you the best ideas for Christmas so that you can experience the most memorable Christmas.

Does Vietnam Celebrate X-mas?

Christmas is not a public holiday in Vietnam, therefore, Vietnamese still goes to work as a normal day. As a long-established Vietnam religion of Buddhism and the Chinese philosophies of Taoism & Confucianism, the Christian community only celebrated X-mas in the past. However, Christmas is getting more and more popular nowadays and it is regarded as one of the four most important festivals in Vietnam. Vietnamese people celebrate Christmas from the evening of 24th December to the end of the next day.

How Vietnam Christmas is celebrated?

The big cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chinh Minh, and Danang are overwhelmed with the bustling atmosphere, full of lights, and beautiful ornaments.
To contribute the Christmas atmosphere, many offices and shops are decorated before the Christmas day, based on a Western pattern full of lights, garlands on Christmas trees, and Santas.
Young people like to congregate on the center of the city where there is the cathedral such as the St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi and Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon. On the X-mas Eva, the celebrities often show up their street music concerts to celebrate the Christmas Events.
For Christian people, Christmas Eva is a great occasion for family members to gather. Like people in the western countries, they also attend the Midnight Mass and Vietnamese Christian before returning home and enjoying Christmas food. However, they enjoy the local tastes such as the chicken soup and sweet fruitcakes instead of the turkey and Christmas pudding. Christians do not forget to give best wishes and Christmas presents to other people. Children are eager to get gifts from Santa Claus.

Best Places to Spend Christmas in Vietnam

Christmas in Hanoi

Where to go at Christmas

St. Joseph’s Cathedral

It is the oldest cathedral in Hanoi whose architecture looks like Notre Dame de Paris. It is a very central place for locals and foreigners to gather on Christmas Eva.

Hang Ma Street

Hang Ma Street located in the Old Quarter of Hanoi appeals everyone thanks to its colorful lights and unique products. This street sells all kinds of changing festival decorations and adapts quickly to the Christmas spirit. Therefore, you can buy any Christmas ornament you like such as favorite Christmas cards and pictures.

What to do in Hanoi in Christmas

Attend a music show at Hanoi Opera house

On Christmas Eve and on the 25th, Hanoi, especially in the area of the French Quarter near the Opera, hosts several musical performances. It is highly recommended that you should try a show at the Opera.

Explore the taste of Vietnamese culture in Hanoi

If you come to Hanoi on Xmas holiday, do not hesitate to discover the ancient Hanoi blessed with peaceful lakes, traditional pagodas, temples, and French colonial architecture dating back hundreds of years. The beauty of 36 special streets will be imprinted in your mind together with your time.

Christmas in Ho Chi Minh City – Where to go and what to do

Taste dinner on the Saigon River Cruise

Christmas is a chance for the family to stay together, pray for a lucky year and enjoy dinner on the cruise. Relax on the deck, enjoy a cozy atmosphere, have a nice talk, drink some beer, and admire the whole colorful cities of lights. All of these experiences will bring you the best memory at Christmas.

Admire the magic of Christmas night

Dip yourself into Christmas atmosphere and take your time on Thanh Cong Street full of lights and candles. In addition, you are also welcome by a series of famous places including the Eiffel Model in Tan Phu Church, Water Music Park, The Snow Town, etc.

Christmas in Dalat – a little Paris of Vietnam

During the Christmas holiday, Dalat turns into the city of flowers in December. You can explore “little Paris” by attending the Festival of flowers from 23 to 27. Simultaneously, you can admire the highlights of Dalat such as Dalat Valley of Love, Truc Lam Temple, Datanla Falls, Elephant Falls, etc.

Christmas in Sapa

Christmas in Sapa embraces the cold and snow in December like X-mas in other countries. Hotels look like chalets, showing the cozy atmosphere. All of the Sapa landscapes will dazzle your eyes.

Christmas Danang & Hoi An

Casting you away into Hoian – a fishing village at Christmas will promise the most memorable moments. Get excited by all streets full of colorful lanterns, decorated trees, stars, bells, wreathes, etc. It is also common to meet people dressed in Santa outfits and reindeer antlers.

Christmas in Halong Bay

Give yourself the best Christmas present by discovering Halong Bay – the 7th World Wonder on a family junk. Imagine that you and your family celebrate Christmas on the board for a unique moment, have a sip of beer to cheer, participate in entertaining activities, and enjoy the panoramic view of the stunning landscapes. Nothing can be greater than that!