Mr. Besner's family (Canada) had a 14-day trip to Vietnam at the end of the year. They chose to celebrate Christmas and New Year 2025 in Hanoi.
Many people came to Hang Ma Street (Hoan Kiem, Hanoi) to take photos from the afternoon of December 24 - Photo: HONG QUANG
Since the afternoon of December 24, Hanoi has been cold and dry, creating favorable conditions for people to go out and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.
At 5:30 p.m., the streets around Hang Ma area (Hoan Kiem district) begin to get crowded. The space is decorated with Christmas characteristics along with the red color of Tet.
Hanoi: The Christmas atmosphere is so wonderful!
Robert R. Besner (from Canada) shared that he found the Christmas atmosphere in Hanoi "a wonderful space". Traveling to Vietnam for 14 days, he said that on the morning of December 25, he and his wife and three children will go to Ha Long and Sa Pa before returning to Hanoi to watch the New Year's fireworks on the evening of December 31.
Speaking with Tuoi Tre Online , a representative of the Hoan Kiem District Police (Hanoi) said that the unit has planned to ensure security and order for Christmas 2024. In particular, the forces will be on duty 100% from the night of December 24 to the early morning of December 25.
During Christmas, the police will ban vehicles from passing through the Hanoi Cathedral area, including the following routes: Nha Chung, Ly Quoc Su, Nha Tho, Au Trieu, Tho Xuong alley, Huyen alley, Chan Cam. In addition, vehicles will also be banned around Ham Long Church from Phan Chu Trinh to Ngo Quyen.
Here, ward police and security forces at the grassroots level will be on duty at intersections to guide people and prevent traffic jams.
At the same time, the district police force also developed a plan to prevent illegal racing and cheering on illegal racing on the roads. The 141H task force increased strict handling of violations.
Hang Ma Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi on Christmas Eve, December 24 - Photo: HONG QUANG
Young people go out for Christmas. Many people said they will leave the center of Hanoi early due to the crowd - Photo: HONG QUANG
At nearly 10 p.m., Hang Bai and Hai Ba Trung streets were jammed with people heading towards Hoan Kiem Lake. Authorities then had to block off the streets and organize a plan similar to a weekend walking street - Photo: HONG QUANG
Ho Chi Minh City is bustling with Christmas, traffic jams from early morning
From 6pm on December 24, people dressed up from all over flocked to the city centre. Shops and restaurants played Christmas music, creating a very festive atmosphere.
Catholics attend Christmas Eve Mass outside Notre Dame Cathedral (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) due to the large number of people coming to the church - Photo: THANH HIEP
At 8 p.m., people and Catholic parishioners flocked to Notre Dame Cathedral, filling the streets surrounding the church - Photo: THANH HIEP
Catholic parishioners stand outside the fence of Notre Dame Cathedral to attend Christmas Eve Mass on the afternoon of December 24 - Photo: THANH HIEP
People flock to Diamond Plaza shopping center to take pictures with Christmas scenes - Photo: THANH HIEP
Ms. Phuc Le (Thu Duc City) took a photo to check-in at Mac Ty Nho Church, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Inside the church grounds, many young people and older uncles and aunts also took the opportunity to take photos before the church opened for mass - Photo: TTD
Hai Ba Trung Street, passing Tan Dinh Church, is congested as people go out for Christmas - Photo: LE THANH HUY
Ninh Thuan: Bustling Christmas, parishioners celebrate mass early
Thousands of parishioners gathered at Phuoc Thien parish to watch performances and attend Christmas mass - Photo: DUY NGOC
At exactly 7 p.m., thousands of people flocked to parishes in Ninh Thuan province to attend Christmas mass. At Phuoc Thien parish, Phuoc Son commune (Ninh Phuoc district), more than 1,000 parishioners from Phuoc Thien 1, 2, and 3 villages gathered at the church to watch cultural programs performed by children and parishioners.
Ms. Vo Thi Le Thuy in Phuoc Thien 1 village, Phuoc Son commune said: "At 6 p.m., my children and I had an early party, then at exactly 7 p.m. my family went to church to watch the performance and attend the Christmas mass. This year, due to the rain, the church also made the nativity scene simpler than usual. Although there was a light rain in the afternoon, thousands of parishioners gathered at the church to celebrate Christmas very early."
Ms. Phung Thi Thu Huyen in Phu Ha ward, Phan Rang - Thap Cham city excitedly said: "This is the first time I have attended Christmas mass at church. From noon, I have been working overtime to come home early to attend Christmas mass with my husband.
This year, the Christmas atmosphere in Ninh Thuan is quite bustling. At 6:30 p.m., the mass has not yet taken place, but thousands of parishioners have already returned to the churches to watch the performances and then enter the Christmas mass.
The leader of Phuoc Son Commune People's Committee said that the locality has arranged many forces including police, militia, grassroots security... to direct traffic, maintain security and order to ensure the mass takes place safely and joyfully.
Children and parishioners at Phuoc Thien parish perform art - Photo: DUY NGOC
Dong Nai welcomes Christmas in chilly weather, pine trees made from conical hats continue to be the focus
The giant pine tree made from more than 3,800 conical hats, nearly 40m high, continues to become a favorite destination for Dong Nai people every Christmas - Photo: A LOC
With 1.2 million Catholics, the Christmas atmosphere in Dong Nai is always bustling and filled with light.
As a major holiday, every Christmas , churches, parishes, big and small streets in Dong Nai are lit up by thousands of electric bulbs, LED lights, cave models, Christmas trees... attracting a large number of Catholics to attend the ceremony and have fun.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Nga (residing in Tam Hiep ward, Bien Hoa city) said that Christmas is not only a big holiday, but also an occasion for the extended family to sit together and wish each other good things.
According to records, Nguyen Ai Quoc street stretches from Tan Phong intersection to 30-4 park, only about 5km long, but there are dozens of churches, parishes, and chapels next to each other.
This is also the area with the largest proportion of Catholics in Bien Hoa city and Dong Nai province.
At around 7pm, in the chilly weather, people from everywhere poured into the streets to go to churches and parishes to attend mass and pray for a peaceful Christmas.
This year, the pine tree made from more than 3,800 conical hats continues to be the "focus" for people to visit and take souvenir photos.
The five-story, nearly 40-meter-high pine tree stands tall in the center of Bien Hoa city. Every night, it lights up brightly, attracting tens of thousands of tourists to check in and have fun.
For the 7th consecutive year, Ha Phat Church (Tan Bien Ward, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai) has erected a Christmas tree made from more than 3,800 conical hats, balls, and sparkling light bulbs - Photo: A LOC
A young family happily checks in under the conical pine tree - Photo: A LOC
With the support of parishioners, churches and parishes still maintain brilliant decorations, creating a cozy atmosphere for parishioners to attend mass and welcome a peaceful Christmas season - Photo: A LOC
Not only Catholics, Christmas has become a big holiday, welcomed and celebrated by many people - Photo: A LOC
Christmas is also the time when family and friends meet to review the past year and wish each other all the best - Photo: A LOC
Christmas in Nha Trang is splendid in the light rain
Ms. Yekaterina (Russian tourist) received a Christmas gift from her friend next to the Christmas tree at Novotel Nha Trang Hotel - Photo: TRAN HOAI
Under the drizzling rain, many people and tourists in Nha Trang went out to celebrate Christmas. The joyful atmosphere appeared on every street.
Many places are decorated for Christmas such as April 2nd Square, cafes, and coastal hotels, attracting many people to take photos and check-in.
Taking pictures on the street with her family, Dang Anh Thu Ngan (18 years old) was delighted that this year Christmas in Nha Trang was splendidly decorated, attracting many young people.
"I find the atmosphere tonight very bustling, even though it's raining, many places still attract a lot of people taking pictures, experiencing meaningful moments of Christmas together" - Ngan shared.
The 13m high Christmas tree at April 2nd Square attracts many people to take photos and check-in - Photo: TRAN HOAI
Tourists gather to watch children's performances on Christmas Eve - Photo: TRAN HOAI
Train passengers receive Christmas gifts - Photo: Railway Transport Joint Stock Company
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