The 2025 Christmas season blankets Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with warm yellow lights, characteristic red and green colors, and concepts like fairytale forests, candy canes, and Nordic-inspired decorations. From churches and pedestrian streets to shopping malls and cafes, elaborate decorations are attracting young people from morning until late at night. The map below will help you choose the right spots and timing for your photos to capture the perfect festive atmosphere.
Hanoi: Festive atmosphere from churches to small alleyways.
Hanoi Cathedral
The iconic Christmas landmark of the capital continues to be a popular "national check-in spot" this year. The area in front is covered with warm yellow lights, a giant Christmas tree, and a nativity scene; long lines of people, including many international tourists, queue up to take photos. Besides the Grand Cathedral, the Cua Bac and Ham Long churches are also brightly decorated, offering alternative choices when the central area is too crowded.
Hang Ma Street
Hanoi's largest Christmas decoration center is adorned with glittering wreaths, LED lights, reindeer figurines, mini Christmas trees, and European-style decor accessories. Many shops have set up miniature displays right in front of their stores, creating the feeling of a small Christmas market.
Block D6 Trung Tu
The familiar shopping, dining, and art complex received significant investment for Christmas. The alleyway, over 100 meters long, was covered in LED lights, with miniature Christmas trees lining both sides and string lights hanging from the ceiling like a light tunnel; cafes and fashion boutiques simultaneously changed their color scheme to red and green, creating a festive street in the heart of the city.
The cafe is decorated for Christmas.
À Cote Cafe (Au Co Street) stands out with its Christmas atmosphere, reminiscent of a small Nordic village. Miami Coffee (Duy Tan Street) is popular with young people and office workers. All Day Coffee stays true to its classic style with a large wreath, scented candles, and wooden walls – all synchronized inside and out to make it easy for customers to capture festive photos.
Shopping mall
Lotte Mall Tay Ho impresses with its giant Christmas tree in the outdoor plaza; inside, there are miniature landscapes and giant gift boxes perfect for family photos. A large Christmas tree also illuminates a corner of the street in front of Lotte Center Hanoi. The Linc ParkCity Hanoi, styled in a fairytale garden with illuminated staircases, offers free check-in this Christmas season.
Ecopark – the candy garden
In 2025, the "wonderland" located at Marina Arc Square (Thuy Nguyen subdivision) will be themed around a candy village. The space will feature a colorful candy garden, a giant Christmas tree covered in snow-like materials, large balloons, and a light-filled pathway around the lake with millions of LED lights – most dazzling at night. Weekends will include Santa Claus, a mini reindeer sleigh ride, and a light festival – perfect for families with young children.
Ho Chi Minh City: Modern lighting and unique stops along the way.
Notre Dame Cathedral
One of the most elaborately designed spaces for Christmas 2025. The facade area is illuminated with a system of 1,000km of LED string lights (double the previous year) from 6:45 PM to 11:00 PM every day; miniature nativity scenes and a replica of Bethlehem village create a powerful visual effect, like a light show in the heart of the city.
Other churches
Tan Dinh Church (District 3) continues to stand out with its vibrant pink color, further enhanced by a strip of white lights running along the bell tower. Mac Ty Nho Church attracts young people with its minimalist and sophisticated setting – perfect for portrait photography.
Nguyen Hue Walking Street
This is the most bustling area during each holiday season. Many new decorations are set up on both sides of the street: a snow village, model reindeer sleighs, and light arches; shops and cafes along the street also simultaneously put on a "new look".
Landmark 81, White Rabbit Park, Phuong Nam Bookstore
Landmark 81 maintains a modern, luxurious style with spacious indoor and outdoor areas. The White Rabbit Park is a favorite choice for groups of friends who like a cute and fun atmosphere. The Phuong Nam Bookstore system is decorated warmly with a large laurel wreath at the entrance and soft yellow lighting inside.
Shopping mall
Diamond Plaza (Ben Nghe) stands out with its classic-style Christmas tree and snow castle model; Saigon Center follows a modern concept with reindeer models and blue lighting; AEON Mall maintains a child-friendly style with a family photo area, mini playground, and Christmas gift stalls.
Practical information and suggested itineraries
- The best time to take photos is in the evening when the lights are all turned on; Notre Dame Cathedral is illuminated from 6:45 PM to 11:00 PM every day.
- Crowded areas: Hanoi Cathedral often has long lines of people taking photos; consider Cua Bac or Ham Long churches to reduce waiting times.
- For families with young children: Ecopark offers weekend activities such as Santa Claus, mini reindeer sleigh rides, and a light festival; the grounds are spacious and airy.
- Free check-in: The Linc ParkCity Hanoi is allowing free photo taking this Christmas season.
- Coffee shops: many places have consistent decor both inside and out (À Cote Cafe – Âu Cơ; Miami Coffee – Duy Tân; All Day Coffee), convenient for diverse photo opportunities.
Source: https://baonghean.vn/ha-noi-tphcm-goc-check-in-giang-sinh-2025-ruc-ro-10314941.html
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