Merry Christmas is coming!

In the tea-growing region of Thai Nguyen, the final days of December are drawing to a close, marking the end of a challenging 2025. Amidst the joyful atmosphere of welcoming Christmas, there are messages of healing from the Catholic community's prayer vigil, and moments of quiet gratitude at the National Historical Monument commemorating the 60 fallen youth volunteers of Company 915, Team 91, Bac Thai (Gia Sang ward)...

Tram Cafe is decorated in vibrant Christmas colors.

The streets and neighborhoods are getting a makeover.

In the final days of 2025, strolling through the streets of Phan Dinh Phung ward, residents can easily feel the vibrant pace of life and the festive atmosphere of Christmas. A notable highlight of this Christmas season is the transformation of businesses located near Thai Nguyen Parish Church.

At Tram Cafe (located on Phan Dinh Phung Street), the space is decorated cheerfully with Christmas trees and dazzling lights. Owner Tran Quang Vinh shared: "I started decorating for Christmas a month ago. This thoughtful investment isn't just for business; it's also to create a joyful and warm atmosphere for everyone after these difficult times. Seeing customers check in with radiant smiles makes all the effort worthwhile."

This "makeover" isn't limited to small cafes. Not far away, the 4-star Prime Hotel has also adorned itself with Christmas decorations, brightening the space and attracting everyone's attention. The vibrant and cheerful atmosphere in Phan Dinh Phung ward today is vivid evidence of the strong vitality, gradually erasing the gloomy traces of the recent natural disaster.

Ms. Lang Thu Ngan excitedly shared: "This year's Christmas atmosphere is very lively. Seeing the streets beautifully decorated, everyone feels like they've been given a boost of positive energy for the end of the year."

In harmony with the restoration of daily life, the community of over 34,000 Catholic faithful in the Thai Nguyen Diocese is also living in an atmosphere of joy as they prepare for the grand celebration.

The Thai Nguyen Parish Choir will perform on Christmas Eve (December 24th), conveying a message of healing and hope to everyone.

The Thai Nguyen Diocese currently has 52 religious establishments and 77 parishes, led by 42 priests and over 500 church officials. The Catholic community consistently upholds the motto "Reverence for God, love for the country, living a good life and practicing virtuous conduct."

At Thai Nguyen Parish Church (Phan Dinh Phung Ward), preparations are entering their final stages. Mr. Pham Duc Nghi, Chairman of the Thai Nguyen Parish Council, said that although the aftermath of the historic flood still affects many families, the parishioners' spirit towards Holy Night remains undiminished. Preparations began a month ago.

This year, the parish has decided to adjust the scale and be more economical to suit the current circumstances, while still ensuring solemnity and completeness. Our highest goal is to create a warm and joyful space to welcome everyone, regardless of their religious affiliation, to come together, celebrate, and find peace after difficult times.

Message of healing

A special highlight marking the beginning of this year's celebration at Thai Nguyen Parish was the prayer service themed "Walking Through Darkness." Amidst the ongoing efforts following the natural disaster, the musical evening served as a poignant, melancholic melody, inviting the community to let go of daily worries and find their way to a place of peaceful light.

As the conductor of the choir on the evening of December 20th, Ms. Duong Thi Huong, Head of the Thai Nguyen Parish Choir, could not hide her emotion: "This year's theme truly touched the hearts of all the members. Standing on the conductor's podium, immersed in the international hymns and those translated into Vietnamese, I felt as if I had shed all my fatigue and weakness to look forward to life ahead."

Thai Nguyen Parish Church is decorated in preparation for Christmas 2025.

According to Ms. Huong, through these elaborately staged performances, the group hopes to bring choral art closer to the public. These healing melodies will continue to be performed on Christmas Eve (December 24th), promising to bring uplifting moments to parishioners and visitors from all over.

Amidst the festive atmosphere of Christmas, in Gia Sang ward, commemorative activities are taking place throughout these days. In the sacred space of the National Historical Monument of Company 915, Team 91, Bac Thai, from before the holiday until December 24th, groups of people continuously come here to remember the 60 heroic Youth Volunteer martyrs who sacrificed their lives on Christmas Eve 1972.

This series of activities serves as a profound reminder to everyone that today's peace was earned through the blood, sweat, and silent sacrifices of previous generations.

From the dazzling lights of the city streets, the light of faith in the churches, to the sacred moments of gratitude at Gia Sang, Thai Nguyen is celebrating Christmas 2025 with full of meaning and affection. This year's holiday season is not just about ordinary joy, but also a manifestation of community solidarity overcoming all challenges, together kindling hope for a peaceful, prosperous, and happy new year.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202512/giang-sinh-an-lanh-dang-ve-51745d3/