Tens of thousands of Vietnamese people poured out into the streets to join with Catholics and Protestants on Christmas Eve. In Hanoi, crowds of young people were flocking to the city centre the early evening, packing major streets and causing traffic to grind to a halt.  A Christmas atmosphere prevailed at churches such around the capital city. People also crammed souvenir shops, selecting presents they liked in the hope that God will bring luck to them. Vu Thanh Nga, a student of Hanoi Tourism College, said: “We’ve been to Sword Lake and churches, the centerpieces of celebrations. It’s really exciting. This year’s Christmas falls on the weekend so we have more time to enjoy”.  Glenne, a French writer who has been living in Vietnam for five years, said he decided to welcome Christmas and New Year 2012 in Vietnam: “I think my life now is in Vietnam.  There is little difference between Christmas celebrations in France and the lunar New Year holiday in Vietnam. I will prepare special dishes at home for my friends.”

In Ho Chi Minh City, traffic jams occurred when people took to the streets leading to churches and entertainment centers. Crowds choked up the areas around Notre Dame Cathedral, Le Duan Avenue in front of Independence Palace, Nguyen Hue Avenue and Ham Nghi Road. Nguyen Ngoc Duc, who lives in Thu Duc district, took his wife and children to the city centre, hoping to enjoy the jubilant Christmas atmosphere. He said: “I am very happy to be here tonight.  I wish everybody a merry Christmas and a happy New Year”. On the occasion of Christmas, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Huynh Dam visited Cardinal Pham Minh Man, HCM city’s Archbishop and dignitaries of the Evangelical Church of Vietnam.