A warm Christmas across the country.

This Christmas, in many locations across the Lam Dong plateau, the mountainous region of Sa Pa (Lao Cai), the Ninh Binh plain, and major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, dazzling Christmas lights and hymns resonate in churches, parishes, and religious communities, blending with the bustling crowds celebrating Christmas. No longer just a holiday for Catholics, Christmas has become an integral part of daily life, a time for community gatherings and sharing. The spirit of compassion, cultural activities, and social welfare, deeply ingrained in the community's consciousness, are meticulously organized, spreading the spirit of unity and promoting a virtuous life, in solidarity with the nation.

A large crowd of locals and tourists flocked to Hanoi Cathedral on Christmas Eve. (Photo by THẾ ĐẠI)

Christmas everywhere

In Lam Dong , the land of a thousand flowers, Christmas Eve is a night of light and melodious carols echoing across the Lang Biang plateau. A gentle chill sweeps in, bringing with it a festive atmosphere that envelops every street. From the center of Da Lat to the outskirts, churches and families are brightly decorated with lights, Christmas trees, and nativity scenes to welcome a peaceful Christmas.

For the past few days, the family of Mr. Le Huu Phuoc in the Holy Mother Parish, Lang Biang Ward, Da Lat, has been designing a nativity scene, decorating a Christmas tree, and setting up a dazzling array of lights. "Not only parishioners, but now many people share in Christmas, consciously striving towards a better society filled with love," Mr. Phuoc shared.

Strolling through the streets of Da Lat these days, the joyful atmosphere is evident on the faces of both locals and tourists. At Lam Vien Square, the brightly lit Christmas tree has become a highlight, attracting many people and tourists to capture memorable moments of the Christmas season. Cathedrals with typical architecture such as Da Lat Cathedral, Mai Anh, Tung Lam, and Thanh Mau are bustling with people attending mass. On the streets, the image of "Santa Claus" with his heavy bag of gifts giving presents to children on a cold night makes Christmas feel even more intimate. Christmas music fills the air from cafes, restaurants, and hotels.

In the former Lao Cai city area, Christmas celebrations were held at Coc Leu, Bac Cuong, and Cam Duong churches. The parishes coordinated closely with the government and relevant authorities to ensure security, traffic safety, and fire prevention, creating favorable conditions for residents and parishioners to participate in religious activities.

Father Peter Nguyen Dinh Den, parish priest of Lao Cai, said that Christmas is celebrated for everyone. Over the past period, the parish has consistently encouraged people to abide by the Party's guidelines, the State's policies and laws, maintain security and order, and build a cultured and united life. Along with religious activities, social welfare activities are also emphasized; specifically, Coc Leu Church raised over 2 billion VND in 2024-2025 to support people affected by natural disasters.

At the Sa Pa National Tourist Area, the 2025 Snow Festival, opening on Christmas Day, has become an attractive cultural and tourism highlight. The series of artistic performances, combining Christmas music and the vibrant colors of the winter festival, creates a scene that is both romantic and lively, contributing to boosting tourism at the end of the year.

People in Ho Chi Minh City enjoy the Christmas atmosphere at the Mac-Ty-Nho Church. (Photo by THE ANH)

In Ho Chi Minh City, streets, neighborhoods, and churches are brightly decorated with LED lights, nativity scenes, and Christmas trees. At Thang Long Parish (Phu Tho Ward), parishioners joyfully welcome the holiday season in a peaceful atmosphere. Father Nguyen The Thu, parish priest of Thang Long, said that the parish was established in 1954 and currently has more than 1,300 parishioners.

Over the years, the parish has consistently collaborated with local authorities and benefactors to carry out charitable activities, building a common home filled with love and sharing, without distinction between religious and non-religious people. This strong bond strengthens unity, creating a solid foundation to promote socio-economic development in the locality in particular and Ho Chi Minh City in general.

In Hanoi, from mid-December onwards, streets, shops, and churches are ablaze with Christmas colors. Large churches such as the Grand Cathedral, Cua Bac, Ham Long, and Phung Khoang... erect large Christmas trees and Christmas displays, attracting large numbers of parishioners and tourists. Parishes in the suburbs are also bustling with preparations for the holiday. Christmas becomes an occasion for the community (Hanoi currently has about 227,000 Catholics) to reflect on a year of many achievements in socio-economic development and to strengthen the bond between parishioners and people from all walks of life.

These days, the parishioners of Cham Ha parish are joyful, exchanging greetings on Christmas Day. Le Duy Khien, President of the Apostolic Association of Cham Ha Parish (Cham Ha village, Dai Xuyen commune), said: “The people of Cham Ha parish have a tradition of solidarity with all levels of society in the area, regardless of religion. Christmas is a time when everyone looks forward to the best things, and we also want to share our joy with everyone.”

In Ninh Binh, Christmas is celebrated solemnly at the Phat Diem Cathedral, Phu Nhai, Bui Chu, Hung Nghia... In Nghia Hung commune, which has 16 churches and parishes and more than 15,000 parishioners, accounting for about 50% of the commune's population, the parishioners prepare meticulously and thoughtfully for Christmas. “In Dong village, nearly 98% of the people are Catholic. Families decorate their houses, build nativity scenes recreating the birthplace of Jesus, and decorate Christmas trees with bright lights and flowers from very early on, ensuring both aesthetics and safety. Christmas is celebrated properly, conveying faith and hope for a peaceful new year,” shared parishioner Nguyen Van Khoan.

Spirit of solidarity and sharing

Ahead of the important ceremony, leaders of provinces and cities visited and congratulated religious dignitaries, priests, monks, and parishioners, demonstrating the Party and State's concern and respect for religious life; and acknowledging the positive contributions of religions in building and developing the country.

In Lam Dong province, Pham Thi Phuc, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province, affirmed that people of all religions continue to uphold the tradition of solidarity, unity, and solidarity with the nation, effectively implementing the motto "living a good life and practicing virtuous conduct." Through actively participating in patriotic emulation movements, social welfare activities, and humanitarian charity work, people of all religions make practical contributions to the socio-economic development of the locality.

At Bang So Parish in Hong Van commune (Hanoi), the Chairwoman of the Hanoi City Fatherland Front Committee, Bui Huyen Mai, extended best wishes to the priests, monks, and parishioners for a peaceful and happy holiday season. Hanoi has always been a model locality in implementing the Party and State's religious policies; religious organizations work alongside the government in socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security, becoming an important social resource contributing to strengthening national unity. City leaders hope that religious leaders will continue to uphold the tradition of "serving religion and loving the country," and encourage parishioners to "live the Gospel in the heart of the nation."

Catholic compatriots have always trusted and faithfully followed the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws; they are united and closely connected with the community, making practical contributions to social welfare.

Mr. Thach Nghi Xuan, Head of the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee,

Ho Chi Minh City Fatherland Front Committee

In Ho Chi Minh City, parishes have actively participated in patriotic emulation movements and charitable and social activities, contributing to strengthening national unity. According to Mr. Thach Nghi Xuan, Head of the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Fatherland Front Committee, Catholic people always trust and abide by the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws; they are united and closely connected with the community, making practical contributions to social welfare.

A prime example is Thang Long Parish, under the leadership of Father Nguyen The Thu, the parish priest, who for over two years has focused on charitable activities such as distributing 700 Tet (Lunar New Year) gifts to needy households, maintaining 120 meals per week for the poor, visiting the sick, and caring for vulnerable people. These humane actions spread the spirit of "good life, beautiful faith" throughout the community.

According to Nhan Dan Newspaper

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/xa-hoi/202512/giang-sinh-am-ap-tren-moi-mien-dat-nuoc-ae14a15/