(VOVworld)- Hanoi is awash with a jubilant Christmas and New Year atmosphere. Christmas has become a celebration in Vietnam.

Just a few years ago, Christmas was celebrated only by Catholics and Protestants in Vietnam. Now it has become a cultural activity enjoyed by the entire community. Christmas in Vietnam is a major event and Christmas Eve, which is regarded by Vietnamese for some reason as more important than Christmas Day, is a grand party when the fun-loving and sociable Vietnamese, whether Christians or not, celebrate with gusto. Churches are beautifully decorated and are always crowded. Do Xuan Hoang lives in Hoang Mai district:  “I’m very happy to come to the Church. A festive atmosphere is prevailing. Christmas is a celebration of everyone. Old and young alike go into the streets to join the festive atmosphere and wish for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”.

These days, Christmas songs are playing on every street corner. There are twinkling lights on trees along the street and decorations on the fronts of houses, turning some areas into Christmas wonderlands. In recent years, many foreigners have come to celebrate Christmas in Vietnam because they like the warm, peaceful and festive atmosphere here. Amadou Toure has celebrated 5 Christmas seasons in Vietnam: “I am very happy. I can see more and more characters of Christmas in Hanoi. The street is full of lights, people are happy buying gifts and going to shops with all decorative. I think Vietnam has the spirit of Christmas. It’s having the good time with some friends, sharing foods and drinks, and giving presents”.

On Christmas Eve, many Christians in Vietnam attend a Midnight Mass as in the western world, and then – unlike Westerners - they  return home to a spectacular Christmas dinner with chicken soup replacing the turkey and Christmas pudding. The family gathers together, prays for blessings and gets into the Yuletide spirit of giving and sharing.