(VOVworld) – The cheerful atmosphere of Christmas is overwhelming the capital city of Hanoi. Christmas carols echo from churches and twinkling lights illuminate main streets and shopping centers. Here’s a glimpse of Hanoians preparing for Christmas. 

Since the beginning of December, fashion shops, restaurants, and shopping centers have been decorating their store fronts for Christmas. Saint Joseph Cathedral, the Ham Long church, recreation centers, and shopping centers are drawing crowds of young people who want to take photos with Christmas trees, Snowmen, reindeers, and Santa’s sleigh. Thuy Linh, a student at the University of Economy and Industry, says: “Every year, my friends and I go to shopping centers or to Sword Lake to take photos because these places are beautifully decorated. It’s so cheerful. We buy headbands with reindeer antlers, Santa outfits, and other items to decorate ourselves for Christmas photo."

Along busy streets in downtown Hanoi such as Hang Ma, Luong Van Can, and Dong Xuan, shops are crowded with Christmas goods and people who have come to shop or just look. Nguyen Thi Thanh owns a shop in Hang Ma.

“This year, locally made products dominate the market. People buy evergreen trees, bells, ornaments, decorations, and toys for children. We have elaborate hand-made Christmas wreaths, and many other types of Christmas products,” Thanh says.

The Christmas atmosphere has Hanoi glittering at night. Foreign tourists feel warmer when they celebrate Christmas and New Year’s away from home. Oli, a German tourist, shares his feeling: “Christmas is coming and I have a different feeling than in Europe. In my country, on this time of the year, it’s snowing and we can see Santa Claus and colorful lights everywhere. In Vietnam, it’s not very cold. I love to experience a different Christmas atmosphere.”       

In recent years, Christmas has become not just a Christian religious holiday, but a joyful event for the non-religious as well. It’s an opportunity for people to relax and get together with their family. Nguyen Van Anh in Hanoi says: “We are Christians. In this season, we take our children to buy decorations and gifts.  We put up a Christmas tree in our house. On Christmas Eve, we have a party for the whole family.”

Christmas signals the end of the year and welcomes in a New Year with lots of warm wishes for increasing luck and joy. 

Le Phuong